Chapter 61
As they got closer to Tzen they saw dark clouds gathering, swirling over the star shaped mountain range. Electrical storms from the clouds struck the mountains and the remains of Tzen.
"How do we going in there?" yelled Ifrit over the howling winds.
"Follow me!" said Ramuh.
Ramuh jumped off Palidor and flew into the clouds. Ifrit gaped in wonder.
"How did he do that?" he asked.
Shiva laughed. "I guess we can all fly."
Ifrit looked down at the ocean uncertainly. "Here goes nothing."
They both climbed off of Palidor and fell for an instant but they managed to stop plummeting.
"That old coot could have told us sooner!" said Ifrit.
"We wouldn't have believed him!" replied Shiva.
They joined hands and flew into the storm clouds together. At first they couldn't see anything but then the saw the eye of the storm. Ramuh hovered before a strange gray form wrapped in green vines.
"Avatar of Doom!" bellowed Ramuh, "Hear me!"
"Chadarnook is waiting for others," whispered the Avatar.
"Cease this senseless slaughter I beg you!" yelled Ramuh.
"Goddess and Poltergeist shall pay for their sins," said Chadarnook, "The world is of no consequence."
"Forget it!" shouted Ifrit, "We'll have to show him the hard way!"
"You are nothing more than insects!" said Chadarnook.
A bright light filled the sky and the image a beautiful woman appeared, resting on a cloud. She had long flowing auburn hair and was dressed in a long blue gown. With a shock, they still recognized Melchior's face.
"Starlet!" said Chadarnook.
"Chadarnook, where is Doomgaze?" demanded Starlet in a ringing voice.
"He's late," replied Chadarnook.
A black mist appeared and materialized into a flying horror, with long bat wings and crowned with a large skull. The rest of its body seemed to diffuse into nothingness.
"Is that Balthazar?" asked Shiva.
"What's left of him," replied Ramuh.
"The sacrifices are complete," said Doomgaze in a hideous hissing voice.
"The Avatars have gathered," whispered Chadarnook.
"The reckoning shall commence," said Starlet.
All three began to cast spells, energy spinning around them, the combined force knocking Ifrit, Shiva and Ramuh away.
"Ageless time, strike down the soul…Blaster!" chanted Doomgaze.
"Shield of stars, envelop the land…Force Field!" cast Chadarnook.
"Object of desire, ensnare the mind…Love token!" intoned Starlet.
Waves of blues sparks crossed between the Avatars, while the sloughed off energy began to hit the land below.
"Their powers are neutralizing each other!" shouted Ramuh.
"Stay to the outside then!" yelled Ifrit.
"Ifrit, attack Chadarnook!" called Ramuh, "Shiva, attack Doomgaze!"
"What about you Grandpa?" asked Shiva.
"I'll keep Starlet busy," he replied.
"But you both use electricity!" said Ifrit.
"I know," he replied.
The Espers flew to form a large triangle around the Avatars.
"Do not interrupt us!" demanded Chadarnook.
"Sorry, but you've gone nuts!" retorted Ifrit.
"Hiraka Dhula!" called out Shiva.
She formed a massive ice spear and hurled it at Doomgaze. It stuck him through the forehead. Doomgaze shook it off.
"Grim Reaper, collect the souls of the dammed…Death!" croaked Doomgaze.
A spinning cackling skull materialized around Shiva. It vanished and she plummeted toward the ground.
"Shiva!" shouted Ifrit, "Jahannam Naar!"
He formed a massive flaming meteor and flung it at Chadarnook. The flames erupted around Chadarnook, who didn't seem to notice.
"Chill to the bones…Absolute Zero!" chanted Chadarnook.
A massive block of ice encased Ifrit, turning him into a statue.
Ramuh held out his staff. "Stop your war Avatars!"
Starlet sent out a volley of energy that blasted Ramuh down into the mountainside below.
Ramuh opened his eyes to see nothing but darkness.
{Will you be reborn in fire?}
Ramuh stared at a spectral flaming bird. "Phoenix?"
{You have fought bravely, but you lost}
"I don't care," replied Ramuh, "At least I died trying."
{You wish to return then?}
Ramuh nodded to Phoenix.
{You will return not only to this battle, but also to every generation that needs your aid}
"If I must," said Ramuh with a faint smile.
{So be it}
Ramuh became enveloped in searing heat. He woke up to see Phoenix rocketing skyward between the Avatars. He glanced to see Shiva and Ifrit standing to either side of him. He hugged both of them.
"My children," he said.
"Grandpa?" asked Shiva uncertainly.
"Thank you Phoenix," said Ifrit.
"What now?" asked Shiva, "We're not strong enough."
"Maybe you need some help?" asked a voice.
They glanced up to see the Blood Rose hovering nearby. Cyrus gave a cheery wave.
"Look!" said Cid, pointing out of the window. They saw a massive dragon flying from the northwest, followed by eight smaller dragons. Terrato appeared from the west, carrying Stray and Fenrir.
"What are you idiots doing here?" bellowed Ifrit.
"That's a stupid question," said Siren angrily as she flew over to them.
They saw a magicite orb in her hands.
"Is Diablos?" asked Shiva.
Siren shook her head sadly. "This isn't the time."
"All the Espers are coming," said Terrato, "They hear the angry voices of the goddesses."
They recognized Shoat and Alexander, but they didn't recognize the giant white whale or the unicorn that galloped across the sky.
"So the children have turned against their parents," hissed Doomgaze.
Bahamut flapped in closer. "Consider us orphans!"