Opportunity for Revenge
"Dwarven Vow #3: You can never plan the future by the past."
Mizuho
Zelos sat at the base of the tree in the very heart of Mizuho. He still wore his sleeveless pink and black top, even now during winter. The cold never really bothered him that much. In his black-gloved hand he held his new blade, equipped with a beautiful golden exsphere. It was unlike anything he'd ever seen! He'd recently sold his old sword and with the gald it brought in, he bought some lemon gels, pineapple gels, and even one of those Manji Seals that was said to increase one's eyesight. With the way the group was going, they ended up speeding through their previous lemon gels like candy. The former Chosen never particularly cared for the pineapple gels, but he'd do what he had to go keep up his healing arts and sword techniques. For calling them pineapple gels, one would expect them to taste as such, but they didn't. They were horrible and sticky.
The Manji Seal was another issue. I can't believe I'm falling for this stuff. He was never one to believe in charms for protection or any other such divine hocus-pocus. He trusted his abilities and skill alone. But then again, it wasn't for him was it?
A wise choice…Shinji's voice said to Zelos suddenly.
"Huh? You still here?" He asked, staring into the blade's smooth surface.
Of course. Where else would I go? By the way, the charm was a wonderful idea.
"Hey, who said you could spy on me?" The warrior narrowed his eyes.
…My apologies. I was merely trying to help. The spirit replied.
Zelos sighed. "No, I'm sorry. Guess I'm just a little worked up lately with Zaichar and all." Eyes widening, he asked, "Hey, you said you could see through that Saitou guy right? Where's Zaichar's base?"
Unfortunately, I couldn't tell you. The power of Omega emanating from Zaichar forced me to recall my conscious from Saitou. I do, however, have an idea as to his latest motives…
"Alright, shoot."
Sheena came out from one of the houses and noticed Zelos sitting calmly back against the tree. She couldn't help but think of what might've happened had that stranger not helped her out. With Carbuncle talking to Lloyd and the others back inside, Sheena knew this was her chance to speak with the warrior alone.
Taking a deep breath, she walked up to his side and noticed that his eyes were closed. Was he sleeping? "Zelos?" She whispered quietly.
Jolting a bit, Zelos looked over and lowered his sword, which up until now had been held in front of him. "Hey Sheena, what brings you here?"
Shrugging, Sheena took a seat next to him. "I just thought it'd be nice to talk with you, you know without Carbuncle around."
Zelos smirked. "Aw, you missed me. That is so sweet."
Blushing, Sheena glared at him. "I never said that!" Sighing, she turned to look at the ground. "I guess I was just wondering…were you telling the truth about the sword and your dream?"
"Have you ever seen a gold exsphere before?" He asked. "Where else could I have gotten it from, since according to you, I passed out after your battle with Kuchinawa?"
"I guess so…" Sheena admitted. "So much has happened so fast."
"Yeah…"
"So…" Sheena said after a moment. "What was it like? Being surrounded by darkness and all? Could you hear anything from this side?" She wondered.
Zelos shook his head. "No, it was actually kinda boring." He admitted. Turning to her he thought to ask, "Why'd you volunteer to go anyway?"
"What kind of question is that?" She countered. "You've only saved my neck twice before, if not more!"
Letting out a little laugh, the warrior remembered the first instance to which she referred. "Heh, I can't believe you remember that."
"Of course!" Sheena insisted, her face getting flushed again. "It's…one of my most treasured memories."
Zelos was shocked by this, even as her voice lowered to a whisper for the last part, and wanted to give her the charm, but he wasn't sure how to go about doing it and was nervous.
Hand it to her and tell her you love her.
Frowning, Zelos growled. "Shut up, no one asked you." He replied to the spirit.
Sheena narrowed her eyes and glared at Zelos. "What?" Already her hands were balled up into fists.
Waving his hands Zelos cringed, preparing a full frontal punch in the face. "No, no! Not you! Shinji!"
"Right…" Sheena shook her head and would've scolded him for using the spirit as a form of bailing out, when Colette came up to them and waved.
"Here you guys are. Kratos wants to meet with everyone." She said, then turned around and went back down the hill.
"Well, I guess we should get going." Sheena said sadly, slightly hurt from Zelos' shout. Standing up, she followed Colette to the west part of the village where Lloyd was recovering.
"You gotta believe me! It was Shinji!" Zelos called out after her, then sighed.
You're not very good at this, are you?
"Shut up." Zelos grumbled, then followed the ninja away from the tree.
As the group waited for Colette and the others, Lloyd scratched Carbuncle behind the ear, being reminded of how much he missed Noishe and how he would scratch his dog in the same manner. Kratos would periodically flash a smile in the pair's direction when he thought no one was looking.
Raine sat closer to the door, but decided to join her brother near the fire. Sitting behind him on a stool, she raised her hands and tried to warm up from the unbelievable cold.
Genis saw her and looked up with a smile. "So, are you sure you're still not hungry? I didn't have as many ingredients as I'm used to, but the curry came out pretty good. It does just the thing to warm you up."
"No thanks. I'm fine, really." She insisted, still unnerved at his usual behavior, versus what she was certain she saw in the forest mere hours before. "Say Genis," She asked as casually as she could manage. "I tried to check up on you last night and couldn't find you anywhere."
"Oh that!" He exclaimed. "Chief Igaguri asked to talk to me about the elves of Heimdall and what we found out so far."
"I bet if me and my sister were to go missing, nobody would come looking for us either!" She shivered from the memory and leaned closer to the fire.
"You okay? You aren't getting sick, are you?" Genis asked concerned.
"N-no, I'll be fine." She said through chattering teeth. It wasn't because she was cold, but more because of the feelings she got from being near her little brother. It's just like…at the Tower of Mana…
Kratos watched as Colette, Sheena and finally a sulking Zelos took their seats before addressing everyone. As his eyes scanned the faces and expressions of each person present, the angel was reminded of all the times the group shared, the struggles and hardships that made them the person they were today. With those memories in his heart, he couldn't help but feel a deep bond connecting each of them, their fates no longer alone, but intertwining. With this in mind, he swore anew that Zaichar would not have his way with them or anybody else.
"It appears Zaichar's motives…have changed." He began. "He's still after the summon spirits, but by causing interference on all sides like he did last night suggests he sees us all as a threat."
Colette agreed with a nod of her head. "With the power of Omega, it seems he can infect anyone with darkness."
"Who is Omega exactly? Do you know Kratos?" Regal asked.
"Yes, Omega was one of the summon spirits Mithos later went searching for but never found."
"We learned from Dirk and Altessa that Omega had a shrine deep underground. They said someone summoned him and then just abandoned the shrine and cave all together. I think it's safe to say that was Zaichar." Sheena spoke up.
"Omega was created at the same time as the Origin and the rest of the summon spirits, but his mind was as dark as the element he possessed." Carbuncle stated from Lloyd's lap. "The Goddess Martel sealed him away and prevented him from effecting the planet, like the others so often do. What makes the plants grow? What makes the sun rise every morning? It's the individual powers of the summon spirits that control everything around us." Sighing, Carbuncle snuggled closer to the youth's warmth before continuing. "The mana that emanates everywhere, though a lot of it now comes from the Great Viscus Tree, was a direct result from these interactions."
"What did Omega do that made Martel fear him?" Zelos wondered.
Presea turned to the warrior. "Death, though it comes to everybody, is a slowly degrading system. It does not happen at once for everyone. Death comes for some, but leaves others to live out their lives. Fate and destiny have been related to the reason of death and the meaning of life. It may have been possible to lock him away to control how many died and how many lived."
"Unfortunately we don't much more than that. Zaichar plans to start a war, but that doesn't coincide with the power of Omega." Kratos said.
"Yes it does." Zelos spoke up suddenly. "Get the people to turn on each other and you'll end up with a really big audience. All he has to do is prove his power to a few and the masses with proclaim him the next world leader."
"And who told you this?" Sheena wondered with a cross of her arms.
"The voices in his head again?" Presea answered.
"His name is Shinji and yes because he told me! Now would you guy stop teasing me?" Zelos begged.
Colette giggled, but thought to mention. "Hey, why don't we check up on Yuan and see what he's found out? If he really is back to normal, then Luccia will still have him back in the forest."
Sheena, upon hearing this, paled and stood up. Zelos saw this and got worried. "Yo, Sheena, you alright?"
Staring at Colette in shock, Sheena found it hard to breath. "W-what did you just say?"
Colette frowned and replied. "Well, you remember that elf that helps us at the tower? She offered to take care of Yuan after we saved him."
"But w-what was her n-name?" Sheena asked again.
"Oh, Luccia. And the other one is called…"
"Take me there!" Sheena exclaimed. "Let's go see them!"
"Sheena?" Raine asked, worried. "Is something wrong?"
Looking down sadly, Sheena was afraid to say anything for fear that she was wrong. "Luccia is…the name of my mother."
"But you're human and she's an elf." Genis reminded her coldly.
"Well, we have to go there anyway, right? It's not like it's out of the way or anything, so…"
Kratos nodded. "She's right. Let's get going."
"Hey Lloyd, what's up with you? You haven't said anything during this whole conversation." Genis spoke to his friend.
"How could you?" "Haven't you done enough?" "You care nothing about anyone! You ruined so many lives!" Lloyd remembered all those voices from children he didn't even know. Was it all just a bad dream? Who were they? "Didn't you say you loved her?" Looking up, Lloyd met Colette's worried gaze, and somehow worried about her future. "I-I'm fine, sorry. Just spaced out a bit."
"Perhaps we should wait one more day." Regal suggested.
"No, no. I'm good. Sorry. I'll be ready in just a few." Lloyd insisted. "Let's go see Yuan!"
Renegade Base: TrietA renegade soldier placed the report on Yuan's desk and stood back as his leader look over the details. "There have been many skirmishes all across the land, usually half-elves against humans and vise vera, but none of it points in one definite direction. If Zaichar is behind it all, he has operatives in all those locations causing the trouble." He explained.
"Hmm, this doesn't really help us at all in locating his base. It does however give us a clue as to his recent actions." Yuan replied, examining the details. "These cities are small in comparison, but the villagers will no doubt spread the word and unrest will soon befall everyone. We have to find a way to stop this."
The man locked his hands behind his back. "Do you think Zaichar will target the World Council next, Lord Yuan?"
Looking up with concern the angel replied, "Let us hope not. The aftermath would be devastating and we would lose whatever stability the Arbitrator has created."
The door to his office was thrown open and another renegade came running in. "Lord Yuan! An army force of angels and dark elves has gathered just outside our gates! Zaichar is leading them!"
Jumping to his feet, Yuan narrowed his eyes and unconsciously clenched his hands. How dare he show himself here! This time…I won't let him get away! Pointing to the messenger, Yuan commanded, "Get the word out to any nearby troops. Tell them to return to base immediately! Also, contact our Flanoir base and get a Rheaird Air Force over here as quickly as possible. Use the DTS to transport them here if necessary!"
"Yes sir!" The soldier saluted and rushed out to carry out the order.
Turning to the one who'd brought him the report, Yuan shouted, "Sound the alarm and get the troops we have here to the front gate now! Arm the second level cannons and top-mounted cannon! Wait for my signal to fire!"
"Understood, Lord Yuan!" The soldier ran off out the door as well.
Yuan ran out of his office and towards the elevator that led downstairs. Rushing to the front gate as soon as the doors opened, the Renegade leader was soon joined by at least two-dozen other loyal soldiers who would fight to their last breath to defend their home.
As soon as he exited into the hot burning desert that surrounded the base, his eyes caught sight of the attack force led by the Dark Elven Lord. In the air were a dozen black winged angels, half spellcasters, and half dual-wielding swordsman. Their leader, Saitou, flew in front of them, smirking in anticipation. On the ground was four times the amount of ground troops as in the air – dark elves led by a female dark elf mage.
Zaichar floated in front of them all, surrounded by his black hued shield. In his hands was a limp body. "I believe this is yours?" Throwing it to the ground, it landed with a grunt at the leader's feet.
Immediately recognizing Kiga, Yuan knelt down in disbelief. "N-no…Kiga!"
The man was scraped all over his body, evidence of his abuse by Megami's hand, and the wounds pulsated with black mana. "L-Lord Yuan…I…I have failed you. One of our reconnaissance groups was…discovered in…Triet…" He reported. "I went there too…" Coughing, blood dribbled out of the corner of his mouth.
"Shh, rest now." Yuan tried to sooth. Raising a hand over his body, Yuan tried applying his healing arts, but his mana was repelled by the darkness infecting the second-in-command's sores.
"L-Lord…Yu…ahhh!" Arching his back, Kiga cried out as his wounds exploded with darkness and the mana seemed to devoir him from the inside out.
Jumping back, Yuan raised his cloak to deflect the black mana as it shot out in all directions…along with Kiga's body, or at least pieces of him.
Zaichar laughed, along with his two generals, and shrugged. "That's the price you pay for your ignorance. You cannot stand up against me. You couldn't then and you still can't now."
Yuan grit his teeth and looked up at the one responsible for Kiga's…untimely death. Upon locking eyes with him, Yuan's body filled with a rage he'd not felt in a long time. Calling out his butterfly sword, Yuan held it tightly in two hands. "I will destroy you for killing both Kiga and Martel! Zaichar…I swear I'll send your body to hell!" His mana charge glowed bright blue and as he let out a battle cry for revenge, his wings appeared behind him, flaring out madly on either side of him. He took to the sky and barely recollected the cannons going off or the renegades below rushing into battle behind him. His eyes were locked on Zaichar and no one else.
Zaichar saw the angel rush in and smiled. "Yuan…your life ends today!"
Gauracchia Forest
Sheena walked in front of the group, on her sides were Lloyd, Colette and Kratos a little further behind. Kamai saw them coming from his office on the third level and smiled in greeting. Sheena's heart beat rose to her ears and she was incredibly nervous. She looked up and met Kamai's gaze and it was then, somehow, she knew the truth.
Kamai leapt down in front of her and couldn't believe it himself. "I dare not believe it is actually you…Sheena?"
The group gasp, but the ninja had yet to say anything. "You know her?" Zelos exclaimed. It wasn't that he wasn't happy for her, he was just massively shock.
"Luccia! You must come here! Quickly!" Kamai shouted back above.
The elven woman appeared in the balcony outside the office and saw the group below. "Wind!" Wind surrounded her and she floated down safely by Kamai's side.
As Sheena looked back and forth between human and elf, man and woman, possibly mother and father, her tears built up in her red eyes but had yet to fall.
Luccia looked upon the ninja and a hand flew to her mouth in surprise. "Sheena?"
Sheena took a step back and shook her head. "How can you two…are you really?"
"I know this must be a shock for you. Let us go inside where we can explain what has happened since the night of your…abduction." Kamai offered and joined Luccia as the group disappeared inside.
Sheena remained quiet as Kamai and Luccia explained the occurrences of nearly two decades ago, but still wondered how they could be her parents. "Am I…a half elf then?"
Luccia nodded.
"But wouldn't we have sensed it before?" Raine asked.
"Remove your arm sheath and look at your right wrist." The elven woman suggested softly.
Sheena lifted her hand and slowly pulled away the lavender and blue sheath that acted as her light armor. Underneath was a golden bracelet with elven writing on the inside. "This?"
The elf nodded. "We placed that on you to conceal your birthright. We did it to protect you."
Lloyd smiled and patted the ninja on the back. "That's why you could summon Sheena!"
Kamai leaned forward. "Sheena, we are so sorry we couldn't be there for you when Zaichar took you away. Had we known…"
"I know. I don't blame you." She let out a short laugh. "Heck, up until now I didn't even know you guys were still alive."
"But it does leave to question why Zaichar returned her to Mizuho instead of using her like he did Luccia." Kratos wondered aloud.
"We will have to ask him when we meet him next." Presea said from the rear.
"That's right!" Colette exclaimed. "Luccia, is Yuan still here?"
The elemental shook her head. "He returned to his base in Triet. He said he intended to start a new investigation into Zaichar's whereabouts and the location of his base."
"Then we need to speak with him and find out where Zaichar's hidden himself!" Lloyd stood up with determination.
Kratos shook his head. "All of us going there would be pointless."
"Then perhaps half should remain? Four should be adequate while the rest stay here." Regal suggested.
"Good idea." Lloyd agreed. "Me, Kratos, Regal and Colette will go…"
"I'm going too!" Sheena stood up. "I have to find out where he is so I can ask him what happened!"
"Sheena," Lloyd placed two hands on her shoulders. "You've just been reunited with your parents. Maybe it's a good idea to spend some time with them. Trust me, I know."
Sheena met his gaze and realized he spoke of his experience with Kratos. "A-alright…"
"If we find out anything, we'll contact you." He promised.
As the group separated and friends said goodbye, Genis snuck out through another door. Raine saw this and was about to follow him when Presea gently grabbed a hold of her arm. "I'll talk to him."
Raine's eyes widened when the girl walked past her through the same door as her brother. The healer believed she was the only one who'd noticed his strange behavior, but it was obvious now that she was wrong. "Be careful…Presea."
Genis wandered around for a bit, just thinking to himself, and as he opened the door leading to the roof, he let out a heavy sigh. What had come over him to make him act so aggressive last night in the forest? Lloyd and the others were doing everything they could to stop Zaichar and rescue the remaining villagers of Heimdall. So why did he think leaving the group and chasing Zaichar on his own would bring better results?
Just as light attracts light, darkness attracts darkness. Find him and you will find your destiny.
Gasping, Genis grabbed his head and almost lost his balance, lowering down to one knee instead as the voice from before returned to haunt him. I-I'm not like him! I don't seek out power and control those around me! He countered.
Perhaps not…but with more power, you could achieve anything you desire. You could find your friends all on your own and never be weak again!
The mage forced himself to her feet and staggered over to the edge of the roof. "Never…be weak…?" Genis whispered.
"Hello." A tiny voice greeted from behind.
Spinning around, Genis caught sight of a half-elven child around the age of four or five looking at him curiously. "What are you doing here?" He snapped. Eyes going wide, he forced himself to relax and sat down. "Sorry." The mage apologized. "I mean...what are you doing up here? It's dangerous, you could fall."
Shrugging, the boy sat down next to Genis, "What are you doing here? Isn't it lonely being here by yourself?" The child asked instead.
"Sometimes I like being alone…to think." He admitted.
The boy looked intently at Genis before saying, "You're like us, huh?"
The mage scoffed turning away. "Maybe."
"Why are you mad? Big Brother always tells us it's a gift to be a half elf. We're different but unique."
Genis withheld a small laugh. The child merely repeated what was being told to him, but couldn't pronounce the words very well without his front two teeth. "Sometimes being different is a bad thing." He replied. I'm such an idiot. Genis thought. Why am I bothering to speak to a child?
"But if you get mad at them, they'll only hate us more." The boy quoted from his Big Brother Kamai. "Big Brother teaches the older kids lots of cool stuff so that they can get stronger."
Strength is all that matters…
The boy continued, not noticing Genis's inner struggle. "Then they leave and get humans to like us better." A bell rang and the kid instantly jumped up excited. "That's the lunch bell! The food's been way better since Sis got here! You wanna come?"
Genis' forced a smile. "No it's okay. You go on ahead." He watched to make sure the kid got to the door safely before running a hand through his hair in distress. "Will humans ever understand us or are we just fooling ourselves with this mission of peace?"
"Don't close off your heart, Genis. In the end, it's the only thing that can save you." A voice said from the depths of the forest.
Jolting to his feet, Genis unhooked his kendama and spun to face the vastness of Gauracchia Forest. "Who's there? Show yourself!"
"Genis, whom do you speak to?" Presea approached from the door, closing it behind her. "Is something wrong?"
Realizing it was only Presea, Genis gave one last glare towards the forest before replacing his weapon to his hip. "No…everything's fine." He said slowly before giving her his full attention.
Presea tilted her head and met Genis' still slightly angry expression. "You have been acting…strange lately." She brought up. "I was…worried."
Genis scoffed and plopped back down on the roof. "I'm fine. Am I not allowed to be angry?" He asked. "Maybe Lloyd's not the only one of our group that's grown up."
Presea nodded, but remained standing. "This is true." She admitted. "But anger is a difficult emotion with many unseen possibilities and consequences."
"Well I'm not hurting anybody, so why does it matter?" Genis was upset that the axe girl had begun sticking her nose where it didn't belong.
"On the contrary, you are hurting your sister." When Genis gasped and looked up at Presea for the first time and really looked into her eyes, he began to feel guilty. "May I share something with you?" When he didn't protest, she turned and sat on the edge of the roof, a one-foot raised border surrounded the roof to prevent accidents. "When Mithos attacked Ozette, and my home village was nothing but a blazing fire before my eyes…" She saddened in memory and the mage began to feel for her. "I was angry for the first time I could remember. The home of my father and my sister was being destroyed and there was nothing I could do. Later, when I realized Regal was the cause of my sister Alicia's death, I hated him. I was angry at him for killing her, even if it was what she desired."
"Presea…"
"I do not know what you faced while inside that illusion at Welgaia, but I saw Alicia, alive and standing before me." The girl who'd lost so much time to the cruxis crystal within her continued. "Regal saw she was an illusion, but I didn't want to believe it. My hatred for him renewed and I turned on him. Lloyd stood between us and stopped our fight. I learned that night…that it was easier to hate than to forgive, but it's that fine line that makes us better than Mithos and those who harm others for personal benefit. If I gave into my anger and struck Regal down, I would be no better than Varley and Rodyle, the real people responsible for Alicia's murder."
As Presea continued to talk with Genis, the cloaked figure remained watching solemnly, perched high in one of the trees and camouflaged perfectly by his brown cloak. His hood still covered his face, but he once again smiled in pride. "At moments in our life, we are given choices. While some doors close to us because of our decisions, others are opened." He spoke quietly to himself. "This is how we create our own fate. This, Genis, is how we find our destiny."
Renegade Base: Triet
"This would've taken forever had you not summoned Aska, Lloyd." Regal complimented.
Laying back comfortably on one of the birds' neck, the youth smirked. "No kidding!"
Kratos sat cross-legged a little further back and kept his eyes narrowed on the horizon. He could sense it, just a few miles out, a tremendous gathering of mana both Zaichar's and that of the light. "Be careful." He warned. "Something's amiss up ahead." He said, putting it mildly.
Colette gasped and turned her head forward from the other birds' neck. "You're right! There's a major battle being fought in the desert!"
Lloyd sat up and held onto Aska's feathers for support. "Let's hurry Aska! They may need our help!"
The Bird of Light cawed in compliance and sped even faster through the air towards the desert. He was very careful with his passengers and kept both heads straight while Colette and Lloyd held on tightly. He could feel the angel behind him using a special mana technique to keep from falling off without having to grab on as each youth and the other warrior had to.
Kratos saw the yellow blanket of sand approaching and stood up in anticipation, still having yet to loose his balance, as the exchanges of mana through spells and battle appeared to him as clearly as if he could see them. One particular signature worried him…its blue radiance counteracting a far darker aura as the two went at it. As the group passed over Triet, Lloyd and Colette even stood up and moved back over Aska's body towards the angel.
"Seems Zaichar's made another appearance." Regal commented, standing up last.
Lloyd pulled out both material blades and gritted his teeth. "We'll take him down this time!" He exclaimed with determination.
Yuan… Kratos thought worriedly. The temptation of revenge and darkness were great for his long time friend and Kratos knew he had to be there to prevent his comrade from running down that path. At the moment of Kvar's death, Kratos had kept his cool – thinking only of Anna and the suffering the scientist made her go through – instead of filling his heart with pure anger and thirst for payback. His son was to thank for that…Lloyd had been what saved the angel. The same could not be said for Yuan and Kratos would be there for him.
"Let's do it guys!" Lloyd exclaimed, jumping off Aska towards the battle below. His wings grew from his shoulder blades and fanned out to slow his descent. Colette was quick to follow, while Kratos unsheathed his sword and turned to Regal. "Take the ground troops. I will handle Yuan and Kvar."
Nodding, Regal looked down and saw Lloyd and Colette already engaging the aerial troops. "Okay. Be careful."
Scoffing with a smile, Kratos called out his wings and leapt off the summon spirit, gliding down towards the main battle on the field.
"Care to let me off a little closer to the ground?" Regal asked lightly of the bird. Circling around, Aska came in low and gave Regal a good twenty foot leeway as he jumped off and landed in the center of a group of dark elves. "Eagle fall!" He called out, toppling all five warriors around him. "Crescent moon!" As a sixth warrior came charging in with its silver claws, Regal flipped backwards – landing a hit with his razor sharp shin guards, opening up his enemy from chest to chin. Grabbing the gushing wound, black blood flowing down its neck despite their efforts and the warrior went down in convulsions. "Who's next?"
"Holy wings, I beg of thee to reveal thy glory. Angel Feathers!" Colette prayed to the goddess and released her mana into the air, the powerful energy taking the form of her chakrams as they flew forward and cut down a large group of angel spellcasters.
The remaining angels turned and hissed at the intruder, before getting ready to cast their own spells. Colette didn't give them the chance; because she flew forward and released her real chakrams cutting free the arms and legs of the flying force.
"So beautiful yet so deadly." Saitou said from Colette's side.
Twisting her body in midair, the angel-girl caught her weapons on the rebound and faced off with the angel. "You! You're the one who attacked Lloyd that night outside the forest!"
"Beautiful and smart." Saitou winked. "It would be a pity to destroy something as unique as you."
"What would you know of beauty?" She countered. Spinning around, she threw her chakrams at the angel, but he deftly dodged them.
Smirking the dark angel shrugged. "All is fair in love and war." He said before rushing in with his pike. The sharp edge narrowly missed the former Chosen as she gasped and dove to the side. Catching her chakrams, she replaced them to her hips, "You tried to hurt Lloyd! I won't let you get away!" She swore, gathering her mana around her in preparation.
"Not harm him…simply get him to understand the power within him." Saitou rushed forward and tried to disrupt her spell casting, but she dodged again and her mana only grew in intensity. "One with power such as he always have two destinies. One of the light and one of the dark. Should he join us…this entire world would be under Zaichar's control in no time."
Narrowing her eyes, Colette began chanting the spell as the last of the necessary mana surfaced. "Thy faithful servant asketh for thy blessing. Honor us with the splendor of thy song. Holy song!" From out of her body, a shockwave of pink mana exploded covering nearly every corner of the battlefield.
Saitou raised his pike to deflect the attack, but laughed when nothing happened to him. "That's it? Perhaps you are not as smart as I thought."
"Oh but I think she is." From behind Saitou, Lloyd flew down – glowing with the same pink mana, his body's defenses raised and his swords glowing with an inner power. "Super Sonic Thrust!" Lunging forward with his aqua blade, Lloyd rammed forward – hoping to pierce the angel all the way through, but Saitou acted quickly and raised his pike enough to block the blow.
The sheer force of the lunge made him fly back until he skidded against the ground. Saitou glared up at the duo and as a renegade soldier let out a battle cry and charged in with his sword, the dark angel absent mindedly dispatch of the weakling with a flash of his blade and jumped up to fly into the air against his true enemy, just as the soldier's head rolled onto the ground, now left unrecognized in the chaos of battle.
"Ready?" Colette asked.
Lloyd nodded. "Here we go!"
"Heavy tiger blade/Pow pow hammer!" The two exclaimed.
As soon as Saitou rose up to their level, Lloyd raised his blade up twice and down twice, hoping to slice the dark angel in two. The general managed to block the first strikes, but Colette's mana hammer came from the top and slammed him down with a light amount of force. But force wasn't the point of her attack. It was distraction. As Saitou ran his pike sideways to slam the hammer safely to the side, Lloyd came down with his second slash and landed a hit down across the dark angel's chest.
Lloyd let out a whoop of victory as Saitou grunted in pain and clutched his deep wound. "Just a little teamwork there for ya!"
Saitou growled and rushed in to fight again.
Kratos appeared at Yuan's side as the Renegade leader growled and dove in to attack again after being knocked back. By the attention the dark lord was using against Yuan, it was obvious he was just toying with him. "Yuan! Think about your attacks! Your emotion will only reveal your moves to Zaichar! You have to force down your anger and fought with a clear mind!"
Yuan slashed with both ends of his butterfly sword and shook his head angrily, his eyes never leaving Zaichar's smirking face as his opponent countered with a butterfly sword of his own. "No! He killed Martel! He will pay for her death!"
Worried for his friend, Kratos joined into battle with him and aimed for any exposed spots Zaichar left during his battle with Yuan. "Why have you shown yourself here, Zaichar? What do you plan to accomplish with this impending war?" He asked calmly as he parried Zaichar's blows and countered with thrusts of his own.
"Wars are only possible because humans are so simple minded. They can never live in a peaceful world with others unlike their own without someone to guide them." The dark lord replied.
"By guide, you mean a dictatorship." Kratos spelled out.
"If we defeat him here, there will be no more threat of war!" Yuan shouted, now alternating between swords strikes and mana blasts. "The peace can be rectified!"
Zaichar laugh. "That's what you think! With the elves of Heimdall missing, both sides will not relent even if I am not here to stir up the mix." He countered. Throwing out his arms, the black sphere around him keeping him afloat expanded outwards, blowing back both angels to a further distance. "Now you see the true power I wield that will be the foundation for my ascension! Omega, come forth!"