Author's note: Sorry for the late update, but I was incapable of writing because I suffered a little accident (wet shoes and stairs, bad combination ¬¬) and I hurt my shoulder and wrists so you can imagine... But well, now I'm, okay and here it is. So enjoy.
Chapter XV: The chosen one and the final power.
Terra and Celes widened their eyes, unable to speak. One of them the chosen one? That was unbelievable.
-Let me talk without interruptions, because we don't have any time to waste. I know it sounds crazy – explained Edgar after he saw their reaction – but remember that the plaques said that the power could only be unleashed by the ones with pure heart and the ones with magic inside. And although you can't use magic right now, you could once, so I thought that if you did the same as Milan, one of you can obtained enough power to defeat him.
-But he already obtained the power... - said Celes.
-Yes, but not all of it – said Edgar – If it's true that the plaques have all the magic that once was in our world and the Esper world, there's no way that a human body can hold such power. It's impossible. So there must be some power in the plaques, and I'm almost sure there's a lot left.
-But we weren't the only ones that could use magic – said Terra – Strago and Relm could also use magic.
-I know, but Strago is too old, and Relm is too young – said Edgar – Besides, look at them, they're not in condition – he sighed and asked – So ... you'll do it?
-If it's the only way to end this once and for all – said Celes.
Edgar stared at Terra that only nodded.
-Okay then – he said – Cyan, Clyde and I will cover you girls. So just focus on your task.
The girls nodded, and while Edgar unsheathed his sword, Terra put a hand on his shoulder. Edgar stared at her frowning slightly, but before he had a chance to speak, she said:
-Just... I... say... - she sighed a little frustrated – Just be careful, please.
Edgar only nodded and said:
-You too – he hesitated and the he placed a kiss on her cheek. Terra blushed as Celes watched the scene with a raised eyebrow.
-Are you ready? – asked Edgar.
The girls nodded.
-Then, lets do it! – said Edgar adopting an attacking stance.
Milan, after he crashed Clyde on the wall, kicked Interceptor and slammed Cyan on the floor, widened his eyes in surprised when he heard:
- The true power of magic is locked inside...
Fire, wind ,water, earth, light and darkness...
The elements and their strength is safe within...
Put all of us together and the true power will be released...
But beware, only the chosen ones can unseal the power...
The ones with magic inside...
The ones with pure heart and strong spirit...
Only them can unleash true power...
The ultimate magic...
The final power...
Milan immediately casted a spell. But Edgar blocked the attack, that was directed to Terra, but the other ice spear was traveling directly to Celes's chest. Edgar jumped over Celes and they both fell on the floor, just in the middle of the chant. The spear passed one inch from them and crashed on the nearest wall.
-Are you okay? – asked Edgar to Celes.
Celes nodded. Edgar stood feeling an intense pain in his left arm. Celes on the other hand remained on the floor with her eyes fully open as she murmured:
-Edgar... look – she said. Edgar followed her gaze and his gesture was similar when he saw a white light emanated from the plaques, engulfing Terra.
-Oh my dear... - muttered Edgar – Terra is... Terra is...
Setzer opened his eyes slowly. The first thing he saw was Sabin that was sitten on the floor with his hand on his forehead as he shook his head. Setzer incorporated slowly and looked around. Strago and Relm where still unconscious as Master Duncan, Thiago, Mog and Gau. He then saw Locke whose eyes were fully open and his mouth was open with extreme surprise.
-What's wrong, Locke? – asked Setzer.
Locke didn't answer. He just stretched his arm and pointed with his finger. Setzer looked in the direction Locke pointed. And he understood why Locke had that expression.
Terra was enveloped in a bright light and was floating one feet from the floor. Edgar and Celes were also staring at Terra as Cyan and Clyde, while Milan seemed to be in a state of shock.
-What the hell is going on? – asked Sabin to Setzer and Locke, that shrugged and shook their heads.
-We just regained consciousness – said Setzer – And we have no idea, what's going
But there was no time for talking. Milan's body began to glow with a black energy as he said with a hoarse voice, fill with anger:
-I'M TIRED OF YOU.... I'M SICK OF YOU... I'LL KILL YOU ALL!!!!!!!!
He casted Merton. Several fire rocks began to fell over them. Edgar was going to cover Terra, but Celes told him that she was immune to attacks as she was surrounded by that light. As she said that a rock was going to hit her, but Edgar covered her. The breast plate that was already cracked, practically disintegrated. Locke, Sabin, Setzer, Cyan and Clyde tried to avoid the rocks, but it was impossible. It was trying to avoid the rain drops on a storm.
They all lied in the floor when the attack was over. Locke was the first one to stand and ran next to Celes, that was under Edgar.
-Edgar, get the hell of her – said Locke to Edgar, that groaned and moved slowly.
-Jealous? – said Edgar as he stood. His left arm was bleeding and he seemed to be in a lot of pain.
-This is not the moment for that, Edgar – said Celes after Locke helped her up. Setzer and Sabin as well as Clyde and Cyan recovered from the impacts and walked next o the others.
Milan was still glowing with the black light and he adopted the position he used to cast Inferno. Celes, Locke, Setzer and Sabin got pale, while the others stared at them frowning.
-What's wrong? – asked Clyde as Interceptor began to bark.
-That attack... We're doomed – babbled Locke.
-Doomed? – repeated Cyan, still without comprehending.
-Yes... That was the attack he used before you arrive... - explained Celes with a trembling voice.
The sphere was already in Milan's hands and with a wicked smile on his lips he said:
-NOW... DIE!!!!!!!!
He released the sphere in their direction. Locke hugged Celes. Clyde, Edgar and Cyan took a defense stand, while Setzer and Sabin just prepared for the worst.
The sphere flew to their direction, leaving destruction on it's path.
-This is it... - was the thought that crossed their minds.
But when the sphere was ten inches from them an intense white light collided with it and cause an explosion. They all were pushed away by the intensity, but they were unharmed.
-I won't allow you to hurt them – said Terra's voice.
They all turned to face Terra. She was still floating and the ribbon on her head was gone. They couldn't see her face but she kept talking, with a deepness in her voice that they never heard before.
-Now, I'll show what the true power of the plaques is – she turned her face and smiled to her friends that tried hard to keep their jaws in place.
Although her face was the same, the look on her eyes was more mature. Her expression was serene and also showed determination. Milan, on the other hand, kept cursing, extremely angry.
-You dammed hybrid bitch – he said – You think you'll be able to defeat me? Then I'll dare you to try – and he made a hole on the ceiling and flew through it.
Terra was about to follow him, but Celes said:
-Wait... You can't ....
-It's dangerous – said Locke – And if you're up there I won't be able to protect you and I promise you I would – he concluded remembering the promise he made when they first met.
Terra smiled and said:
-Thanks for the concern, but I'm the only one that can stand a chance against him.
They still tried to warned her how dangerous it was, all except Edgar that was lying his back against a wall with is lips pressed together.
-Come on, Edgar, say something – said Locke to the king.
Edgar sighed and said:
-If she thinks she can do it, then I believe in her and I'm sure she will return victorious.
Terra just smiled to Edgar that smiled back. The others just nodded. Terra sighed and said:
-I'll be back – and she sent them one last smile, but before she left, she clearly saw Edgar mouth the words: I love you.
Terra blushed and flew away, to follow Milan in what was going to be the last battle.
Milan's lips curved in a smile when Terra appeared in front of him.
-I was begging to think that you were not coming – said Milan.
-Why you decided to do this here? – asked Terra.
-Although I want to kill all of you, I cannot risk my father – he answered.
-But Gestahl is already dead – said Terra.
-SHUT UP! – roared Milan and he attacked Terra with Firaga.
She used Reflect and the attacked was bounced to Milan that was surprised but managed to avoid it.
-Well... - he said as the smile grew wider – Finally I'll have some fun...
Terra just stared at Milan, and she noticed that his hear was not as bright as it used to be. It was paler and his face seem to 10 years older. But she didn't have time to waste in those details. Milan casted Ultima and Terra counter attacked, using also Ultima. The two spells met and a huge explosion occurred. Milan then used Flare and Terra used Pearl. They both were reached by the spells, but the one who got more damage was Terra that crashed in the right trident of the tower, since Milan's spell was faster.
-You can never beat me – warned Milan as he recovered – Maybe you obtained some power... But you are still a pathetic little freak, you damn hybrid. And I'm the real chosen one, I'm the only one that can rule the world... Yes... I'm the only one... And my father will be proud... Yes...
He casted Merton and Terra that was still encrusted could only use Shell to lessen the damage. Milan kept casting spells on Terra that used all the defense spells, but Milan attacks were too strong and she couldn't hold any longer.
Milan then began to prepare Inferno. Terra knew she had to so something or she was going to die. Then she remembered the last part of the chant: The ultimate magic...The final power...
Suddenly a white light began to surround her body. She felt a great energy coming from inside her and was seeking a way out. In her hands a white sphere was formed and just when Milan said Inferno, a word was formed in her lips.
-Celestia – she said.
Both spheres, white and black flew and crushed in the air. But the black energy was absorbed by the white energy and it stroke Milan, that only stared at the energy with eyes wide open as he screamed in pain as he brutally crashed on the left part of the trident.
Terra, that was still encrusted, stared at her hands. So that was the final power. She never felt so much power inside of her. Not even in her Esper form. There was no doubt that Celestia was the ultimate power of the plaques. It was even more powerful than Milan's spell.
-This... is... not... poss.... possible... - the voice of Milan said weakly.
Terra left her place on the wall, and took a defense position. Milan was floating, and his state caused Terra to opened her mouth in both surprise and disgust. Milan's hear was white, his armor was gone and he was so skinny and he seemed so weak and he was all covered with burns.
-How... could... you... a... weakling...hybrid...do... this...to... me... - said Milan with a huge effort – But... this... is ... not... over.. yet... - and he prepared himself to use Inferno once again.
-Wait! – said Terra – If you use that again, you will die...
-I... won't die... - interrupted Milan – I... shall... rule... this... world... along... with... my... father... because... I... have... the... power... I... am... the... chosen... one...
-Please... don't – said Terra – It's useless... you lost
-I AM NOT DEFEATED!!!!!!!!!! – he shouted as he released the spell.
But the spell faded as soon it was released.
-Why... Why... Why the power is gone... Why...
He couldn't continue talking, because he began to choke as of he was being eaten from inside. He was vomiting blood and his skin began to torn and the muscles became visible. That was the result of abusing of a power that was not meant to use for evil. That was the result of his selfishness, greed and vanity.
-Can you see something? – asked Locke to his friends.
-Nah – said Sabin – They are too high.
-So... what we do? – asked Celes.
-Why don't we try to wake the others – said Clyde.
They agreed and they all went to wake the others, except for Edgar and Locke that went to the capsule were Gestahl was.
-Are you thinking what I'm thinking? – asked Locke to Edgar.
-That he is an ugly old corpse – joked Edgar.
-Yeah, that and that we should destroy this thing – said Locke with a smile.
-I totally agree – concurred Edgar. He took out his drill and with his good arm he drilled the glass while Locke threw his boomerang. The glass broke into pieces and the blue liquid came out as well as Gestahl's corpse.
-What we do with this? – asked Locke pointing the corpse.
-Lets throw it through to the void... - answered Edgar – Unless you want to give him a proper burial...
-Don't even joke with that! – protested Locke. He grabbed the corpse from the feet and dragged him to one of the holes in the wall – I wonder how Milan managed to recover the corpse and conserved it in such a good state – he said as he threw the corpse through the hole.
-That's a good question – said Edgar - It didn't cross my mind to ask him.
Meanwhile, one by one, the fainted ones regained consciousness. They immediately demanded explanations of what happened. Celes told them all what happened since they passed away till that moment.
As they talked, they could hear the sounds of explosion after explosion. They all prayed for Terra's safe return. Then they heard, saw and fell a huge explosion. The light was so bright that it made them squint.
After they recovered their sights, they stared at the hole in the ceiling, waiting. Minutes passed and nothing occurred. Suddenly they saw something coming down at a great speed that crashed on the ground near them. They approached to see what it was and they were shocked with disgust.
It was, or used to be a human body. It was more like a mass of blood and flesh. But they could see a pair of eyes wide open that showed fear and dread.
-Who the hell...? – began to say Locke but a bright light began to descend from the hole and gently landed on the floor.
Edgar ran to the light and a smile of happiness curved his lips as the light when he distinguished Terra, but as soon as she landed, the plaques began to shine an the light around began to fade and it returned to the plaques as well as the black light that was around the corpse.
-That thing is Milan!!?? – screamed Locke and Sabin.
Terra felt weak and she felt like she was falling, when her head found someone's chest. She raised her eyes and saw Edgar's face, smiling.
-I did it... - she whispered.
-I knew you could - said Edgar.
Terra just smile as she hugged him. Suddenly the hole tower began to shake and it began to crumble.
-Not this again!!!! – screamed Sabin.
-Lets get the hell out of here! – screamed Setzer as he went with Edgar and Terra. He knew Terra was weak, and Edgar wounded so he offered to carry Terra on his back.
-What about the plaques? – asked Strago. Sabin ran and grabbed them and they began to ran outside as fast as they could. They ran down the stairs, but when they reached the floor were Edgar fought with Gaston, he stopped and ran to the door.
-Where are you going? – asked Sabin to his twin.
-I can leave Gaston here! – yelled Edgar as he approached the door – You keep going, I'll catch you.
The others nodded and kept running, although their faces show disapproval. Sabin followed his brother as he shouted:
-And how you plan to do that with a broken arm!?
Edgar untied Gaston and Sabin carried him.
-Why rescuing him? – asked Sabin as they continue their way down.
-He was just a puppet used by his brother – answered Edgar – I feel sorry for him, so...
Sabin nodded. They arrived outside the tower and ran to the Falcon, were the others were waiting. They boarded the ship, that departed with a great speed, just in time to see from the sky how the tower collapsed.
-It's over – said Terra from the deck as she fainted.
Edgar caught her in the air and hugging her he whispered.
-It is over... You ended it.
Note: Next chapter is the last one...