Note: Let me make a correction. In this mythology, demons are Dark Guardians. Once Guardians, they fell with Hades, and such. And yes, I realize this is a weak @$$ battle scene. I am in one of my modes again, tired, lonely, getting a headache, etc... Also, I don't own the quotes. They are various excerpts from Hamlet. Not in order! Much lines in between missing!!! William Shakespeare (a favorite of mine) wrote them. Do me a favor, take up thine book of Shakespeare, and readeth it with honest intent of learning. For what is of the mind should it slumber in the waves of inactivity?

Chapter 87: Purge

Tinsir led the charge, her sword pointed in front of her, leading the way. The enemy charged in turn, and a clash of ages began. Squall slayed a rather large demon first, it vile skin almost too thick, and rubbery to be punctured. But Squall made the blade go through, dark green ooze from the wound to the enemy's chest. He fell with a loud thud, but it went unnoticed against the sounds of battle.

Quistis, and Zell worked as a team. She used her whip to grab their prey by the throat, and Zell used his limit break to smash them into evil jelly. Irvine was on sniper patrol, as always. Atop a giant Guardian's shoulder, he shot Holy bullets at any other large, flying, or especially dangerous evil. Selphie went to the front lines, choking, hitting, etc. her enemy, her prey, the outlet for her rage.

Edea set up (she had been given the powers of a dying Guardian) barriers, and shields. A small team of lesser, and smaller Guardians at her side, they cut trenches into the ground for a larger plan. The other Guardians went fiercly into battle. Arms, tentacles, legs, claws, and other appendages were lost, or badly damaged. Odin led the larger band of fighters straight into the left of the opposition. They would not escape.

Squall led another band to the right, making sure they couldn't flee into the forest, or go back to the castle. Strong Guardians to both help, and protect him, they slew a bloody path. Irvine, and the other went to the center, making a large dent in the number of dark forces. Shots rang out as he made a lizard skinned bird fall to the ground, taking many troops of both sides with it. A smile of "oops" crossed him face, and he went to his next target. Selphie went primal, grabbing weapons off of dead bodies, and using them. Daggers went from her hands into the backs of her entrants. No evil was to be left alive.

Quistis used her whip to tangle the legs of larger Dark Guardians so they would fall. Small Guardians would out number, and attack them, feasting on the flesh of evil. They were as sweet Moogles, but with teeth of razors, claws of steel, and much smaller (can fit in your palm). Sharp teeth in disgusting flesh, the vapors of death rose to everyone's nose. Zell fought valiantly, ignoring the sounds of the dying, the smell of the flesh rotting, the feel of dark steel against his wounded flesh, and seeing the war before his eyes.

He hit a Dark Guardian in the face, his hand crushed by the blow. The Dark Guardian laughed, and Zell kicked him in the groin. He fell with a groan, and crash, the smaller Guardians feasting on the flesh before he died. Zell darted off, right into his next battle.

Squall led the group to the spot Odin had told them about. His angelic side had been fully awakened, Deluge no longer slumbering, and more powerful than before. White wings from a strong back, he began his work of purging his possible new homeland from evil. An ogre like demon towered over our hero, and Squall rose to see him eye to eye.

Squall: *Holy s***! These work already...*

The ogre batted at Squall for a little while, almost hitting him into the ground. But Squall was not one for being turned into Squall jelly, so was both graceful in air as he was on the ground. Becoming invisible, he flew behing the smelly beast, and went to stab him in the back. But as he did, the sword went into holy mode, slicing the ogre into half. Seearing guts, and flesh went everywhere, a new aroma of burning flesh rose.

Now, you may wonder where the leader of our heros went. At first Squall began to worry, Tinsir was right next to him, but vanished in the heat of battle. He paused for a moment to look for her, but only found her riderless horse. A humanoid water Guardian urged his general on, and soon the battle filled his mind again.

Tinsir had gone stright up the center, slaying her enemies with her sword as she went. But she also knew that should the leader of the opposition fall, the army would disperse, and fall. Casting an invisablity spell, she jumped off of her black mare. Walking, and slaying as she went, she went to the very middle of the enemy's forces. She wlked to him, a dark haired, and masked Dark Guardian on a black horse. He could see her, and dismounted his steed.

They walked about a foot apart, and circled each other. He unsheathed his sword, and they started to spar. Lightning clanged from the metal as they hit, and the duel raged on. Quite amusd by the fight, Tinsir would do things to make him think she was going to go one way, but go the other. Annoyed by her constant toying with him, he lunged at her. She ducked, and jabbed her blade into his diaphragm. Blood gushed from his mouth, and wound. He backed away, holding the gash, and fell to the ground. Soon small Guardians flooded over him, leaving only set of bones, and armor.

Tinsir sent a flare up, and the Guardians backed away. Confused by their enemies actions, the evil forces huddled closer together, obeying the universal law, "There are safety in numbers." Such a foolish move.

Edea set up transparent barriers around the enemy, and the cuts in the ground were a sacred symbol for "Holy." Tinsir, visible, and black wings outstretched as she flew up, began her work. Her sword being sheathed, it dripping from the black blood of the captian of the evil army, she hovered over them.

An evil laugh echoed from her resounding throat, the end of their lives nigh. She raised one hand to the blue sun, and then to the yellow, and the red. Motioning her hand to the ground, she absorbed the power of the long dormant Gaea. Clashing her hands together, she consecrated the powers, and sent them to her enemy below, a matchless cast of Holy upon them. White light flashed, and the evil ones faded into black plumes of smoke, fading like a bad dream.

_+_+_+_+_+

Meanwhile...

In the underworld an one woman war raged on. Her spirit slashing at demons, and Fallen Ones, she slaughtered. Piles of corpses in the halls of the underworld marked her path. The armies soon were huddled in a large room, surrounding her. Hades stood on a balcony, balck robes flowing from his skin.

Hades: I have you trapped, my pet. Give up, so as we do not hurt you. (laughter from all evil)

Tinsir: Nay, I have you trapped.

Water seeped through the cracks in the ground, hissing, and steaming as it flowed. The evil ones screamed, and yelled in agony, the water holy. Her arms crossed, and a smirk across her face, she flew to the balcony.

Tinsir: Hmm, for you to be, or not to be. That is the question.

Hades: "Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings of arrows of outrageous fortune, (holds her waist, and caresses her cheek with the back of his hand) or to take arms against a sea of troubles."

Tinsir: (pulls away) "For in that sleep of death what dreams may come."

Hades: (holds her arm) "When we have shuffled off this mortal coil."

Tinsir: I will not die alongside you.

Hades: "The pangs of despis'd love!"

Tinsir: You will fall at my own hands. But it is not now. *fades*

Hades: How I hold thee in the utmost contempt, and affection.

_+_+_+_+_+_+_+

Tinsir's body fell from the sky, her black wings enveloping her. Squall flew to her, and caught her before she fell completely to the ground below. Her pale skin was as snow against his blood stained arms. He took her to the edges of the forest, and lay her down.

Squall: Tinsir... Tinsir, wake up...... Tinsir!!!!

Odin (walks behind): She is resting. Let her sleep. We must collect the souls of the dead for her complete regeneration. Let us go. The Moogles will watch over her.

Squall: Those things?! They'll kill her!

Odin: Nay, child. They have reverence for her. Many years ago, early in her first incarnation, she raised them. Then they spoke, but since they have been silenced by man. Much like the Moombas. They will take care of her. Let us go before the souls are gone.

Squall: *nods, and rises* (to the Moogles) Be nice.

Moogles: *growl* (Squall gives evil glare, and catched up w/ Odin)

The Moogles sang from the tree branches over Tinsir, their voices like the chirp of birds, and the purr of cats. Whenever any creature neared too close to thier charge, they showed their teeth, and growled. Cute, but scary.

Quistis set Zell next to a bush, nursing his wounds. Wrapping the bandages around his hand, Quistis smiled, and commented on how sexy a warrior is. Zell blushed, and said, "Oh. Well, I am no warrior, but I am sexy." Quistis laughed, and told him that he was the sexiest warrior she has ever seen. Much sweet, and um, lemony sour verbal exchanges were made between the two.

Irvine, and Selphie sat at the bottom of a tree. Shiva froze the young woman's wounds, so she wouldn't bleed to death. Blood was gushing from Selphie's legs in many places, and other many places of her body. Irvine held his beloved in his arms, craddling, and cooing over her. Shiva froze the last one, and rose for more help. Selphie had put her health on the back burner, focusing on the destruction of her foes. Virile, the Guardian of health, came to her side, led by Shiva. He wounds healed by the power of the waxing moon, Selphie was tired, but restored.

Edea lay in the center od a group of Moogles, the ones too sick, or tired to have vigil over Tinsir. Edea held the badly wounded in her arms, healing them. The cooes, and sounds of sleeping Moogles calmed the camp, rest given to the weary.

Odin led Squall to his horse. Taking out a vessel of glass from the side pocket, he gave it to Squall. Squall held it, and looked at Odin in confusion.

Odin: Go to the center of the battle field, and open it. Make sure that you do not point it at the living, or yourself. The souls will enter, and be purified. I advise you fly up about a twenty feet.

Squall nodded, and did so. As he opened the jar all of the spheres of glowing souls were visible to him. Some blue, some black, some green, and some other colors, the entered the jar. He hovered in amazment, making sure he did not folly. Now by Tinsir's side, he handed the jar carefully to Odin. The elder Guardian quietly uttered a chant, and poured the souls onto Tinsir's chest.

She absorbed them, and fed off of the life force still inside them. Slowly waking up, she yawned, and turned over. The Moogles chirped in glee, and decided to sleep. Squall grabbed a blanket from his pack, and lay next to her. The Moogles growled, by shut up when Odin looked upon them sternly. Soon, Squall fell asleep, Tinsir in his arms.