Kratos sighed as he sat, waiting for Lloyd to come. It was time for him to end this curse upon himself, and finally go to afterlife. He admits to himself that all the people he cared about were alive now, but he has lived for too long. He was glad that it's upon a battle to the death and he was perfectly aware that Lloyd had gotten stronger and could perhaps beat him. Keyword there: could.
"Why am I so confusing? I embrace death yet I can't fully believe that the person who can give me death can defeat me." Kratos wondered aloud. His super-tuned ears picked up various voices. Kratos sighed.
"So, they entered the forest. My time has come."
"Hey, Arwen. You do know the way right?" Lloyd asked as they stood in the forest.
"Uh…no. No one except Kratos has been allowed here." Arwen said. Mithos and Martel looked around.
"This place hasn't changed." Mithos commented. Martel nodded.
"You know where to go?" Lloyd asked looking hopeful. Martel shook her head.
"I wasn't there when Kratos, Yuan, and Mithos made the seal. Mithos should know." Everyone turned to the half-elf boy who looked around.
"Well…let's see." Mithos said as he studied a tree. There was silence before Mithos smiled in triumph.
"You know where it is by just looking at the tree?" Lloyd asked amazed.
"No, actually. I was just seeing if I won my bet against Yuan if this tree was still holding the same marks that Yuan and I left on there 4000 years ago." Everyone fell down anime style, including Kratos who was listening from the seal. "I actually can't remember where it is. Yuan was navigating and I have no sense of direction." Everyone sweatdropped.
"Hey, that's just like Lloyd." Genis commented.
"What do you mean, just like me?" Lloyd said indignantly. Genis smirked.
"Do you remember the time at Iselia?" Genis asked. Lloyd paled.
"Enough, enough." Lloyd said, trying to move the subject away. "We need to figure out how we are going to find Kratos." Collette stared to move away from the group.
"We could try and sense where he is." Zelos suggested.
"Not going to work. The shrine will shield anyone from any sixth sense. It's virtually impossible to find without a guide." Mithos said. Lloyd turned around.
"Hey, where's Collette?" Lloyd asked. Everyone looked around. Collette wasn't there.
"There she is." Persea said pointing over to a tree stump. Collette was talking to a squirrel on a tree stump. The group rushed over.
"Collette, what are you doing?" Lloyd said, sighing. Sometimes this girl lowered his IQ.
"I know someone who knows where the Shrine is." Collette said pointing to the squirrel. Lloyd sighed. Sheena approached the girl slowly.
"Collette, what are you talking about?" Sheena said calmly. Collette pointed to the squirrel again. Mithos approached the squirrel.
"I hate to admit it, but I think she's right. The animals would know where the Shrine is. Many of them go there for sanctuary." Mithos said sighing. The squirrel jumped off the stump and rushed down a path. The group glanced at each other and followed.
Kratos sighed, amused that his former companions had been reduced to follow a squirrel around. It was actually quite sad, that some of the greatest warriors in the two worlds needed a squirrel to guide them.
"Well, Mithos never did have a sense of direction. Neither does Lloyd, for that matter." Kratos sighed and stared at his own sword.
"It's nearly time."
"Have these monsters always been weak?" Arwen asked as she removed her spear from a monster. The others froze. Arwen stared at them.
"What is it? All I said was that these monsters were really weak." Tobias sighed.
"Arwen, look behind you." Tobias said. Arwen turned. Her eyes went wide.
"I forgot the Gold Dragon lived here." Mithos said quickly. The girl glared at him.
"THANKS FOR THE EARLY WARNING." Arwen yelled at him. Mithos winced and everyone else sweatdropped as two began to argue.
The Gold Dragon took a step forward towards the arguing pair and roared. Both of them turned to it and put their hands out.
"SHUT UP." Light flashed and the Gold Dragon was turned to crisp. Everyone stared in amazement as the two walked away.
"Well, that was interesting." Regal said calmly. Anna sighed.
"Both of you shut up or you'll end up like that Gold Dragon you just barbecued. Silent and dead!" Anna said, raising the Rose Whip. Both gulped and went silent.
"The waterfall." Mithos said, looking at it. "I remember it. We're nearly there." The group rushed over past the waterfall and into the centre of the forest. A gravestone stood there with Kratos standing in front of it.
"So, you've come. You didn't really need to roast that Gold Dragon. They come back with an even worse temper then before." Mithos and Arwen sighed. Lloyd stepped forward.
"Is there no other way?" Lloyd asked. Kratos sighed.
"Are you still thinking like that? You'll die if you fight me with any doubt left in your heart. If you want the pact with Origin, then you must defeat me." Kratos said calmly. Lloyd looked at him for a moment then spoke.
"So, that's your way. Fine, leave this to me." Kratos looked at him confused.
"You're fighting alone?" Lloyd looked at him.
"That's how you were hoping it would end, right?" Kratos smirked and drew his sword.
"I won't hold back this time." Lloyd smirked as well and drew his blades.
"I know, neither will I." Lloyd dashed forward with surprising speed. Kratos leaped back to get into a better position to defend. Lloyd smirked.
"Perfect. RISING FALCON" Lloyd leaped into the air and flew downwards. Kratos sidestepped and did an uppercut slash. Lloyd slid on the ground but it was just to gain distance.
"FIERCE DEMON FANG" Lloyd released a shockwave on the ground. Kratos countered.
"DOUBLE DEMON FANG" Kratos slashed twice, countering the attack perfectly. Regal sighed.
"Two of Lloyd's strongest attacks have just been sealed." Everyone looked at him.
"What do you mean?" Genis asked. Martel spoke.
"If Lloyd attempts another Rising Falcon, he'll simply get sidestepped and slashed, leaving him in a worse position then before. Kratos will always know when it's coming. Fierce Demon Fang can simply be countered." Kratos slashed his sword at Lloyd's chest. Lloyd blocked with one sword and moved to strike with his other sword. Kratos smirked.
"FIREBALL" Lloyd leaped back to dodge the fire balls. Kratos rushed forward.
"LIGHTNING BLADE" Lloyd held his ground as the lightning struck him. Lloyd stepped forward and struck with his sword. Kratos winced.
"Clever. Lloyd let the attack hit him because Lightning Blade is hard to come out of quickly. It gave Lloyd the perfect opportunity to strike." Zelos said impressed. Kratos smirked.
"That's good, Lloyd. But how good is your footwork? GRAVE" Lloyd leaped into the air as several spikes came out of the ground. Kratos came to the spot where Lloyd would land and moved his sword back. Lloyd's Exsphere glowed.
"COMPOUND EX SKILL: AERIAL GUARD" Lloyd blocked the attack right in the air and was held up in the air by the attack. Kratos's eyes widened as he realised what Lloyd was about to do.
Lloyd fell behind Kratos and slashed his sword. Kratos moved with inhuman speed and blocked the attack with his shield. Kratos realised what was wrong: he had only blocked one sword. Lloyd had caught him in a position where he could not go the way he blocked. Lloyd would strike even if he went the other way.
"You always seem a little weaker when I'm too close." Lloyd thrust his right sword right at Kratos. Kratos reversed his sword and thrust backwards. The swords clashed as the two were in deadlock. Kratos started to glow.
"LIGHTNING" Lloyd winced as the lightning bolt struck him. Kratos pushed him away and leaped back. Lloyd watched Kratos carefully. He wasn't moving. Lloyd noticed his odd posture. 'It will probably be Lightning Blade.' Kratos rushed forward and Lloyd moved to guard. Kratos smirked.
"I thought so. SUPER LIGHTNING BLADE" Lloyd's eyes went wide. Super Lightning Blade not only had a lightning element to it but also had the added effect of blasting back the victim with wind. Lloyd was thrown back and recovered quickly. He was thinking fast. Rushing forward like he usually did would never work on Kratos. Waiting for an opening in his attacks wasn't possible any more. The air was the closest Lloyd ever got to striking. Rising Falcon was out of the question. He'll have to try other skills.
"Come on, Lloyd. You can't be giving up, are you?" Kratos taunted as he rushed forward. Lloyd looked up.
"No, I'm not." Lloyd leaped into the air with the same form as Rising Falcon. Kratos smirked and prepared to sidestep.
"COMPOUND EX SKILL: SKY CANCEL. OMEGA TEMPEST" Kratos stared in shock as Lloyd activated another Ex Skill. Lloyd moved to perform the attack right in midair.
"That's the same skill I do. With that skill performed, Lloyd can perform any of his techs in midair as well as on the ground." Mithos said, interested.
Kratos smirked and put his sword out. Lloyd's blade was caught and Lloyd froze in the middle of the attack, his other sword behind him. Kratos thrust his sword right across Lloyd's chest and Lloyd flew back, blood falling out of his wound. Lloyd didn't even acknowledge it as he realised Kratos had knocked one of his swords away. It was standing right behind Kratos. Lloyd would have to go through Kratos in order to get the other sword.
"This is not good. Without his other sword, most of his techs are out of the question." Zelos said. Sheena was holding her cards, fear striking through at the thought of Lloyd dying.
"He'll make it." Anna said, putting a hand on the girl's shoulder, trying to reassure her.
Lloyd was bleeding from open wounds. His eyes closed momentarily as he started to lose conscious. Without his other sword, there was no chance.
"The only other item I have is Sheena's card but how could that help me?" He was only dimly aware of Kratos rushing forward with his sword raised. Sheena felt her heart crying out in pain as Kratos was only feet away. Lloyd closed his eyes.
"LLOYD." Lloyd's eyes snapped open as Kratos let his sword fall.
"OVERLIMIT" A clash of metal rang through out the entire forest. Kratos's eyes went wide as his sword was being held back by Lloyd's sword. His other hand was holding Sheena's card in the exact manner Sheena would.
"CYCLONE SEAL" A whirlwind sent Kratos right into the air from where he stood. Lloyd flew under him and rushed to his other sword. Kratos landed and came after Lloyd. Lloyd was moving Sheena's card in a familiar pattern to Sheena as Lloyd glowed while moving.
"S SEAL: FIRE" The card glowed and flashed as Lloyd grabbed his other sword. Fire flared in both blades. Kratos was right behind Lloyd and moved his sword back for a horizontal cut.
"KAENRENKUU" Lloyd's blades moved in the exact movement of Tempest except his blades were on fire. Kratos felt the white hot blades pierced his shield and cleave it, leaving his left arm wide open. Lloyd was completely over Kratos and was right behind him. Kratos whirled to see Lloyd moving upwards into the sky. Kratos sighed and moved his sword back.
"You never-'
"RISING PHOENIX"
"WHAT!"
Lloyd's entire body burst into flames as he dive bombed Kratos. Kratos tried to side step and slash. Lloyd however was too quick and sliced right into Kratos. Kratos fell back as blood spattered all over him. Lloyd slid across the ground and moved to attack again. Kratos got back up and waited for Lloyd. It looked like a Kaenrenkuu attack again.
"Wait a minute, his stance is slightly different. It has the slight posture of…Sword Rain?!?" Kratos froze up. Was it possible that Lloyd knew another Ougi? It couldn't be.
"Take this. SHINKUUSERRETSUHA" Lloyd moved into the exact movement and tempo as Sword Rain, and then instantly followed the combo up with Tempest. (A/N: I haven't seen it myself, but I had a friend describe it to me.)
Kratos attempted to block with his but without his shield, it was impossible. Lloyd finished the combo leaving Kratos bleeding all over. Kratos sighed.
"Not bad, Lloyd. Using a spell that you never preformed while moving as well as using the seals, but your Overlimit has faded. FIRST AID" The healing spell worked like a charm, as all the wounds closed up. Kratos rushed forward for a horizontal cut. Lloyd countered it with a vertical slash. Kratos thrust forward with his sword, and Lloyd knocked it away with his sword, letting his other sword move forward. Kratos leaped backwards and moved to strike a low blow. Lloyd moved his sword downwards.
Kratos twisted his sword so that it slid over Lloyd's sword and struck Lloyd's arm. Lloyd winced and leaped back.
"Lloyd, your moves are very obvious to read. Your stance coveys every attack and I can read it. Your about to strike forwards." Kratos said, calmly moving forwards and deflected it easily.
"Kratos is a master swordsman. He would be able to tell exactly where each attack would go. The entire fight, he has been studying Lloyd's movements." Regal said. Lloyd rushed forward with his sword behind him.
"It's now going to be a Sonic Thrust. Nice try, Lloyd." Kratos said as he held his sword tightly. He moved the sword to swipe the blow aside.
Lloyd completely disappeared. Kratos looked around, confused. A grinding noise caught his attention and he looked to the left of him. Lloyd has slid right under his arm and was right behind him. Lloyd slashed right into Kratos's arm, sending blood spattering everywhere. Kratos winced and tried to slash Lloyd from behind. Lloyd however leaped back.
"Nice trick, Lloyd. But it's my turn to go on the offensive." Kratos blurred forward with shocking speed.
"Lloyd, watch out!" Genis yelled. Lloyd didn't move, but was smiling slightly. Kratos swung his sword with amazing power.
"BEAST" Kratos was thrown back a few feet as Lloyd rushed forward, both swords behind him.
"It's Sword Rain." Kratos murmured and moved his sword to defend. Lloyd smirked.
"TIGER BLADES" Kratos was thrown into the air, and right back down with such force that he was stunned temporarily.
"How?" Kratos said, in pain.
"I was hoping you would memorize my attack positions, so I could catch you off guard with a completely different attack. I can be in any position and launch any kind of attack. You, on the other hand, revealed your movements way too easily. Your style and Zelos's style is exactly the same. After fighting and training with both of you, I learned how all your attacks work." Lloyd rushed forward with his sword forward.
"Right now, you probably think that I'll use Tiger Blades or Beast. But you are wrong. KAENRENKUU" Lloyd's blades fired up and struck furiously. Kratos was out of position and took the full blast of it.
"No you don't." Kratos slashed forward, Lloyd deflected it with ease. His other sword moved to strike and Kratos deflected that. Kratos moved quickly and attacked with a vertical cut. Lloyd leaped back and brought both swords to pin Kratos's sword down. Lloyd flipped forward and kicked Kratos right in the face, sending him flying back.
"Is that even possible?" Raine wondered.
"With his Exsphere, he can do anything. That's how it was designed." Mithos said amazed. "But I didn't expect it to be this powerful." The group watched, silent.
"Lloyd, you have grown strong, and this battle could go forever, but how about we end this now." Kratos said, glowing white with his wings out. Lloyd was covered in a blue aura.
"Take this. SHINING BIND" Everyone froze.
"That will wipe out Lloyd. Nothing can stop it." Zelos shouted. Sheena's eyes went wide.
"No, there is one thing. But if it doesn't work, he's done for." Mithos said. Lloyd's aura increased dramatically. Light flashed around the forest and then it faded.
Lloyd and Kratos were both on the ground, bleeding a lot. The two were not moving. Sheena cried out and rushed forward but Arwen grabbed her.
"Careful. You can't see it, but there is still some radiation around. If you step any closer, it's likely you'll die." Arwen warned.
"But-Lloyd." Arwen sighed.
"We have to wait." The girl groaned and nodded. Lloyd and Kratos moved slightly. Everyone watched intently. Tobias sighed and took a step forward.
"They are too weak for us to wait." Tobias's hand glowed and everyone stared.
"I'm absorbing all the excess energy. Only a demon can survive this." Tobias's hand stopped glowing and he dropped it. Lloyd slowly got up as well as Kratos. Sheena rushed forward but Lloyd put out his hand.
"It's still not done." Kratos sighed and looked at Lloyd.
"It seems that you broke your swords." Kratos said and then looked at his body. "But, I am finished." Kratos fell on his knees. Lloyd approached him slowly, part of his two swords still intact.
"You're not going to finish me?" Kratos asked.
"I've defeated Kratos, the angel, the one who betrayed us. And I forgive Kratos, the hero of the Ancient War, who helped us. That's all." Kratos sighed.
"Sentimental, as always. I was hoping to earn the right to die." Kratos got up and walked over to tombstone.
"What are you doing?" Lloyd said, taking a step forward. Kratos looked at him, exasperated.
"I'm releasing the seal. Isn't that what you desired?" Kratos's wings came out again and the stone glowed. A single flash occurred and Kratos fell to the ground. Yuan came out of nowhere and lifted Kratos up, his hand glowing.
"Don't worry, I did a Mana transfusion. He'll be fine." Yuan said. Lloyd and Anna walked over to Kratos.
"Are you alright…Dad?" Lloyd asked. Kratos sighed.
"Looks like I failed to die." Anna brought up her hand and slapped him right across the face.
"You idiot. With your own self pity, you didn't realise how badly other people cared about you. Even when you were forced to nearly kill me, I still loved you and I still love you now. You can die anytime, but death is the end." Yuan looked up at her.
"Will you let him suffer eternal damnination?" Lloyd shook his head.
"Who said anything like that? What will you accomplish by dying? Nothing! There is no meaning in dying." Kratos smiled slightly.
"You two are right. It's slightly sad that my son and wife would be the ones teaching me that." Kratos blacked out.
"Don't worry, he'll be fine. Make the pact with Origin." Yuan said. The tombstone exploded and Origin came out.
"You who lack the right. I have lost faith in all things. Have you come here to disappoint me as well? Never again shall anyone make use of my power." Mithos winced slightly and turned away. Origin wasn't in a good mood with him. The pact with him had been shattered during the split with Yggdrasil.
"Even if we make a vow?" Sheena asked. "We need the Eternal Sword."
"I want to use the Eternal Sword to reunite the two worlds and revive the Giant Kharlan Tree! Unless we do something, the worlds will never stop vying for Mana and everyone will suffer!" Lloyd said. Origin looked down upon them.
"That situation was born from the weakness of creatures who are unable to accept those that are different." Lloyd nodded.
"That's true, but mistakes can be corrected." Lloyd said.
"Some things cannot be corrected." Origin replied.
"I'm not going to give up. Form the moment they are born, everyone has the right to live. I want to reclaim that. Humans, elves, half-elves, dwarves and even Summon Spirits. Everyone has a right to life!" Lloyd shouted in anger. Kratos roused from sleeping.
"Origin…For almost an eternity, I thought that the only way to save this world is to cling to Mithos' ideals. Just as you once agreed with Mithos' ideals, I, toom thought his was the only way. But Lloyd is different. He taught me that in order to change something, you must do it yourself. It is not enough to merely rely someone else and go along with their ideals." Mithos stepped forward.
"Besides our race, Lloyd and I aren't too different. However, there is another big difference. I was too weak to follow my ideals and fell too fast. Lloyd is strong enough in his heart to not fall on the way to achieving his goals. If any being will save the world, then it will be him." Mithos said, quietly. Origin looked at him and then to Sheena and Lloyd.
"You who possess the right of summoning. Make your vow." Lloyd and Sheena started.
"Origin! Then you will…" Origin interrupted.
"I will try once more to believe in people. I shall do my duty in order to create a world you speak of-a world in which everyone can live equally." Sheena nodded.
"I Sheena, have but one vow. To reclaim a world in which everyone can live freely...A world in which no life is sacrificed meaninglessly, that's all." Origin nodded.
"Then we shall create a pact upon that vow. Now, fight!" Everyone instantly grabbed their weapons. Yuan grabbed Lloyd and pulled him down.
"You're too weak to fight. I'll take your place." Yuan's angel wings appeared as he grabbed his double sided sword.
"Here we go." Collette, Martel, Mithos, and Zelos's angel wings came out of their backs. Tobias shifted to his demon mood. Everyone grabbed their weapons and rushed forward to battle for the world.
Skit: I thought it was going to be quiet!
Silver: I found a use for Yuan and now my food isn't disappearing. Now I can write in peace.
Kaitou Dark (DNAngel): /Appear/ Yo!
Silver: /leaps back and grabs two swords/ What the bloody hell are you doing here?
Dark: I'm not the only one.
Krad (DNAngel): /appear/ DIE!
Silver: What are a phantom thief and his homicidal 'brother' doing here? You're not even going to be glanced at in this story
Dark: /shrugs/ You haven't updated the other story so we thought we would pop by.
Silver: Ever heard of being invited? If you two try anything, then I'll make you wish that you were owned by me so that I could eventually put you out of your misery.
Krad: Try it.
Silver: /smirk/
Dark: Uh, maybe we shouldn't have done that.
Silver: Too late. /Twin swords start to glow/
Dark & Krad: Crap. We'll be going. /Two disappear/
Silver: Heh…works everytime.