Endless Abyss

"Dwarven Vow #23: A blind person who sees is better than a

seeing person who is blind."

Triet

Genis sat quietly in his room brooding with hatred over the attitude of the guards. It's just like humans to turn tail and run when the going gets tough. Genis admired Yuan for what he'd heard the half-elf-turned-angel did back at the Renegade base. There wasn't anything wrong with wanting to exact revenge for the death of a loved one. In fact, Genis would probably follow a leader who showed guts like that versus one who did nothing but talk. "Like Lloyd." Genis scoffed.

The three of them had bought two rooms for the night, though Genis was sure it wasn't 300 gald each last time they were there, but Raine said it was fine and paid the amount. There was a knock at the door and Presea's voice could be heard muffled from the other side. "Genis, may I come in?"

"Huh? Sure." He frowned as she walked in. "What do you want?"

Presea closed the door behind her and took a seat on the bed opposite of him. "I am not sure your actions today at the front gate were entirely…necessary." She picked her words carefully.

Rolling his eyes, Genis countered. "And what? End up going back to Kratos and Yuan to tell them we couldn't even get into the city? I won't go back as a failure."

"Our mission here was to find out the problem with Triet and solve it. Not cause more trouble." The axe-wielding girl explained.

Standing up angrily, Genis clenched a fist. "So what, I'm nothing but more trouble to you now?"

Presea stood up as well, though she still look slightly up at the half-elf mage. "Not to me, Genis. But to the other humans, yes." Raine had wanted to come in herself, but Presea said she would try first and see if she could get behind Genis' recent behavior. She knew his hatred for humans who despised half-elves was strong, but he was never one to act on that hatred. "They will not trust us if we continue to harm them and we will not solve anything while we're here."

"They don't trust us anyways!" Genis shouted. "They never will as long as you have half-elves with you! This was a stupid idea and one that's never gonna work!"

When Genis stomped passed her towards the door, Presea grabbed a hold of his wrist. "Do not leave her now, Genis. Raine is worried for you, we both have been and for a long time. You leave now and your emotions will grow out of control."

Glaring at her, Genis yanked his wrist free and scoffed. "I…am always in control." He turned his back to her and left the inn behind. He needed time to think and as long as his sister and Presea were around, it would be impossible. "They don't know what they're talking about." He muttered under his breath as he sprinted into the night of the desert.

Ocean Beach Just Outside of Sybak

Sheena stepped to the edge of the three-foot overhang where the grass ended and below was the sand deposited by the ocean waters. There was a full moon that shined brightly over the waters, which now only appeared as black as the sky. A wind blew and it made Sheena shiver, so she wrapped her arms around herself.

From behind her, Zelos came and draped his arms around her, pulling her close. "Better?" Sheena blushed profusely and barely had the capacity to nod. "Good." Resting his chin on the top of her head, Zelos smiled and inhaled her unique scent that rose from her hair. "There was something I came here to say, something that I started to tell you back at the Isle of Decision, but haven't had a chance to finish."

Sheena's eyes widened, but she wouldn't dared to hope.

Sighing as he closed his eyes, Zelos thought back to when he'd held Sheena in his arms just like this and spoke truthfully from his heart. "You know when we were growing up, we were always so competitive with each other. I never thought a girl would be able to measure up to me, but you even surpassed me in some cases – like summoning. We've saved each other's lives more times than I can count and I got to thinkin': it's got to mean something. And it does. Sheena, I care about you more than anyone else and even when Zaichar's toast, I don't want you to go back to Mizuho alone."

Sheena's heart was pounding in her ears and she turned around in Zelos' embrace, looking up into his intense gaze with a loving expression of her own. "Zelos, I…care about you too…" Something flashed behind the red flaring locks of her warrior and Sheena's survival instincts went off the charts. "Zelos, move!" Pushing him hard out of the way, whatever the projectile was landed just in front of Sheena – where Zelos had been standing – and exploded, blowing chunks of rock and dirt everywhere.

"Sheena!" Zelos rolled back to his feet and unsheathed his sword in one swift motion, seeing the object of his affection go flying five feet back. It's him! Shinji alerted Zelos.

Growing, Zelos turned towards the direction the projectile had come from and raised Shinji's sword. "Light!" The golden exsphere on the sword's hilt grew brightly and filled the area with an ether like glow. "Show yourself!"

Golden eyes narrowed and reflected the same ether glow off his pike as his orbs. "Such a touching moment. So sorry I had to ruin it for you."

Sheena moaned and slowly came to, getting to her feet in an attempt to prepare for battle.

"Sheena!" Zelos called out from his side of what would become the battlefield.

"I'm…I'm alright." She assured, shaking her head. Digging into her pockets she pulled out her cards, but cursed when she remembered Carbuncle was back at the city with Regal. Looking up, she saw the angel Colette and Kratos had described as being in league with Zaichar. "Are you the one who's been behind these attacks?"

"Very good, ninja. All the cities will fall before My Lord, but this pathetic town will be one of the first." Saitou chuckled, his black wings barely visible in the night sky.

"Not if we have anything to say about it!" Zelos' orange wings appeared behind him as he took into the air after Saitou. The dark angel dodged the first strike and spun around to clash his weapon with Zelos'.

Sheena rushed forward on the ground and raised up one of her cards, "What's the matter? Afraid?"

Inside the city, screams and outcries alerted Carbuncle and Regal to trouble outside the inn and as they busted out into the street, they saw angels with black wings terrorizing the citizens of Sybak. Vicky, who had been standing in front of the library, even at this hour, came rushing forward towards Regal. "This is all your fault!" She blamed. "I knew allowing you to remain here was not in Sybak's best interests!"

Ignoring her obvious anger, Regal narrowed his eyes. "Then are you denying our help?"

Vicky growled. "Of course not! If you can get rid of them, by all means!"

Regal nodded and looked down at Carbuncle. "Well?"

Carbuncle was worried for her mistress, but if Zelos was with her, she could trust the warrior to keep Sheena safe. "Without Sheena here, as her friend I will protect you during the battle as well."

Regal smiled. "I am grateful." Looking back towards the city, Regal rushed in and caught the first angel by surprised as he grabbed the dark angel's wing and slammed them down into the ground.

The angel was in shock and while it was down on the ground, Carbuncle jumped up and fired two small red beams at the angel's wings, making it so the creature couldn't fly. Growling, the angel pushed up to its feet and while armed with a staff, prepared to do battle with Regal.

Regal would not give it the chance, though, and with three successive strikes, easily broke the weapon in half with the first strike, landing a second hit to the angel's ribs, and knocking the angel back down to the ground unconscious with a third hit to the temple.

"One down, but we've got a whole lot more to go!" Carbuncle hurried off to the next target, following by Regal. If they were going to have any chance of saving Sybak, they were going to have to dispatch of Zaichar's forces quickly.

Asgard - Nightfall

Narrowing his eyes, Lloyd felt almost elated as each villager came at him haphazardly, only to meet a quick death at the end of one of his material blades. Always having to avoid senseless fighting, communicating the end of discrimination became harder and harder over time. Now when their words fell upon deaf ears, the angel boy finally took action and struck down all those who worked against their cause. Pacifism was a nice dream, but with those around you constantly destroying the balance created, the only way to get through to them was to kill a few along the way. Lloyd understood that now and if any villagers survived the night, they would too. And if they don't, too bad. He smirked in thought.

Another villager, who'd seen his leader go down first at the hands of the youth, let out a war cry and came charging in with a club like piece of wood raised over his head. Lloyd almost felt pity for the obvious lack of skill this man had and could almost count the number of ways he could die by either one of the angel-boy's two swords. But he shows guts coming up to me and announcing his arrival. I'll make his death quick and painless...for the most part.

Lloyd, stop this now before you do something you'll regret! Origin tried to call attention to the summoner, but his voice had long been drowned out by the darkness and the boy would not be able to hear him.

Colette batted away a sharp pike aimed at her throat and spun around to ram her elbow into the child's stomach, knocking him out. Gasping, she looked down and saw the boy couldn't be a few years older than Genis and because of the hatred brewing down from his parents towards the half-elves, he too was pulled into a battle that might've taken his life. Nothing should be worth the cost of your child's life. The former Chosen thought sadly. Looking across the battlefield, Colette could see Lloyd preparing to dispatch of a villager coming his way loud and arms ready to swing. "Lloyd! No! Don't!"

Kratos was holding another villager back, seeing multiple ways to knock him out and upon hearing Colette's exclamation, went for the hilt to the stomach and a quick chop to the back of the neck before he turned his gaze to searching for his son.

Lloyd wasn't too far away and the angel quickly determined what was going on from the angle of his son's stance and the burly man barreling through his kinsman towards the swordsman. "Lloyd!" Kratos shouted, though he knew his words were lost in the shouting and chaos around him. Gritting his teeth, he pushed through two more villagers – now unarmed because of their previous encounter with the angel – and quickly stood in between his son and the incoming man.

Growling in annoyance, Lloyd broke his gaze from his enemy and looked up at the back of his father. "What do you think you're doing? This is my fight!"

The angel quickly batted aside the man's sloppy swing and ran his knee up into the man's chest, knocking the wind out of him. Half turning to face Lloyd, Kratos was beyond upset, but took a deep breath and closed his eyes in disappointment. "A fight, yes, one that could've been avoided had you not been so rash."

The man struggled to his feet and instantly jumped back from the overbearing Kratos. "L-let's get out of here! We'll try again when these guys aren't around!" He picked up another of his unconscious partners and followed the masses back towards camp.

Another villager picked up the boy unconscious at Colette's feet and glared at her as he also ran away. "Yeah! You can't protect the halflings forever, angels!"

Colette shied back a bit and looked sadly over at Kratos. "What are you going to do, Kratos? They're right."

"Yeah now!" Lloyd sheathed his swords and crossed his arms, still glaring at his father. "If you had let me finish this now, there wouldn't be anyone to come back and threaten the half-elves!"

"The cycle of hate will continue," Kratos replied coldly as he too placed his sword away. "What you have done tonight has transformed their hate into a thirst for revenge and Linar and Harley will be the ones to suffer."

Lloyd scoffed and turned around to walk back towards the city. "If more come...then more will fall by my sword. I will be the one to end the cycle. Just you watch, Father."

Sighing, Kratos looked down towards the ground and wished from the stars above that Anna were here to guide him in the raising of their son. It wasn't like his underlings that he could just punish or threaten to deter from future acts of insubordination. This was his son and the force taking root within his heart would destroy him if he didn't succeed in getting through to the real Lloyd.

Colette walked up to Kratos' side and understood his pain. "Will he be...okay, Kratos?"

Kratos opened his eyes and looked over at the girl he'd once sworn to protect. "I don't know. I really don't know." He admitted in shame. How can I help him, Anna? The path to his heart is closed off to me. How can it be that only I can save him?

Triet Desert, Just Outside of the City

Raine wrapped her arms around herself and looked back and forth for any evidence Genis had come this way. She'd overheard Presea's conversation from her room next door and worried greatly for her little brother. She couldn't just stand aside and let the lumberjack girl take responsibility. From the moment they were abandoned at the Otherworldly Gate and during the entire time Raine had searched for those same ruins, it was she who'd raised and taken care of Genis. She would not stop now just because things got tough. This wasn't the way her Genis would want to be. He was gentle and kind and loving to everyone – even those who initially despised them. She wanted that Genis back, her little brother laughing and smiling again.

She could sense his mana signature a little ahead and to the right, so she started walking in that direction. Nights in the desert were cold and windy, so Raine squinted her eyes to keep the sand from blurring her vision. As she got closer to the feeling, she raised her head up and called out, "Genis! Are you out here?" At first, nothing answered back but the howling winds from the nearby mountains the healer hadn't noticed were there until she was right next to them. "I want to talk with you!" She continued, knowing he could probably hear her.

"And just what about?" Genis replied, coming into her vision from behind one of the boulders. He had his arms crossed with his back to the stone, but the smirk on his face was what startled Raine most. She jolted and the wind picked up, making her throw up her arm to shield her face. "Are you planning to tell me you're worried about me?" He asked in a mocking tone.

"Well, yes." Raine replied loudly in an attempt to be heard over the winds. "You're my brother!"

Scoffing, Genis pushed off the boulder and began to approach her. "That didn't seem to matter when you decided to live with humans in that goddess forsaken village you called home."

"We called it home for nearly five years!" She replied in disbelief at his behavior. "What's come over you? You were never like this!"

"Did you ever ask me what I wanted, dear sister? Did you really think I wanted to lie for all those years, pretend I was something I wasn't just so you could live your dream? Had they known what we really were, we wouldn't have lasted more than five minutes!" Genis countered. "I would've wanted to live with the stronger the races flowing through our blood. I would've wanted to live with the elves in Heimdall! You knew where it was! Or at least a village with other half elves so we stood a chance against the humans!"

"But...why didn't you ever say anything?" Raine wondered. "We had an open relationship. You couldn't been honest with me."

"Open relationship? You were my teacher for Martel's sake! I had to do what you said no matter what! It was always like that! You tried to be my mother before you ever tried to be my sister! Well, I'm not going to be pushed around anymore! Not by you and not by any lowly humans!" He brought out his kendama and glared at his sister. "I control my own life!"

Raine instinctively brought out her staff and jumped back. "Genis! Look at yourself! Look at what you're doing!"

"I don't have to anymore..." Genis cackled. "If I fight to create the future I want, I never have to look back again!" He raised his kendama and fired two fireballs towards Raine.

Gasping, she twirled her staff and shouted, "Force field!" The fireballs disappeared into the green energy, but in Raine's eyes the hurt would never disappear. Who are you, Genis? What have you become?

Sybak

Sheena watched helplessly from the ground as Zelos attacked the black-winged angel again and again high in the sky, the anger in his face contorting it more as time progressed. Sheena was now not only paying attention to Saitou to wait for an opportunity when she could lend a hand, but she was also watching Zelos with worry in her ruby orbs. Each strike that caused sparks to fly between the sword and golden pike grew in intensity. Saitou seemed to just enjoy the challenge, while Zelos was attempting to free the angel's head from his shoulders.

"Zelos!" Sheena cried out in worry. She could barely make out the battle between the flashes of lightning, thunder, and downpour of rain, but she wouldn't tear her eyes away out of fear for her warrior.

Zelos struck again, but this time met nothing but cold air. Saitou flew back and smirked, feeling the rush of battle shaking his muscles from within. "You surprise me, Chosen."

"I'm not the Chosen anymore." Zelos narrowed his eyes at the cocky angel general.

"Yes, you're tactics do hint at something along those lines. But I can't yet place my finger on it." Saitou raised a hand to his chin and smirked. "Thinking back I see a powerless wench of a Chosen failing to revive Martel and an unskilled warrior who thought he could make a difference. Let me know if I'm getting warmer…"

Growling, Zelos' eyes changed from sky blue to light brown and the grip on his sword tightened. "I will destroy you for taking her away from me!"

Sheena gasped when the voice that came out was anything but Zelos'. What's going on here?

"So Shinji, you found a way out of the dimensional drift. I am impressed."

"I will send you to hell for what you've done!" Zelos let out a battle cry and flew in towards Saitou with more ferocity than before. It was almost like he was loosing his control and going berserk.

The two clashed swords again and while both pushed forth with all their might, they seemed equally matched. Saitou leaned in with his face mere inches from Zelos' – now Shinji – and smirked, "I still remember her soft skin as I strapped her to the mana device. Mithos even caressed her face, wanting nothing but the soul of his dead sister reborn. Isn't that sweet? Too bad we had to dispose of the body when the experiment failed."

"You monster!" Breaking free of the lock they'd been in, Zelos whipped around and kicked Saitou first across the face, sending the angel reeling, then he came up with a punch to the head. Saitou went careening into the ground and landed hard.

Sheena didn't know how Shinji had taken hold of Zelos' body, but right now she had to be there for Zelos and that meant fighting by his side. "Demon Seal!" She called out, throwing six of her cards around Saitou's twitching form. A six-pointed purple star appeared underneath the angel and began to glow as the cards opened a one-way gate to hell.

Saitou grit his teeth and fought again the force pulling him down, raising one arm, then the other as he sat up and met eyes with Sheena. The former summoner gasped when his eyes glowed bright red and he really did look like a demon! Tilting his head, he asked in a maniacal voice, "You think you can seal me?" Laughing, Saitou flew up out of the vortex and the spell instantly vanished. "I'll teach you not to toy with me, wench!"

"Sheena no!" Both Shinji's and Zelos' voice cried out.

Saitou threw his pike and at first Sheena prepared to block the weapon, but it landed harmlessly in front of her. Frowning, she wondered what had happened, but then silence met her ears - even the rainfall becoming quiet - and when she turned around, she saw the ocean had disappeared, leaving a sheer drop into a never-ending abyss below.

By the time she spun back around to face Saitou, the black angel was already zooming towards her and the next thing she knew, the wind was knocked out of her and she felt herself falling over the side of the cliff behind her.

"SHEENA!" Zelos flew past the laughing Saitou and dove down after his love.

The dark angel narrowed his eyes and pulling back his arm, threw his recovered pike straight at the transformed Chosen. The pike barely missed its mark, but ripped through Zelos' wings, causing them to melt away into mere shreds. But that didn't stop Zelos, keeping his eyes on Sheena's outstretched hand, the angel dove down into the darkness…

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Regal looked around for any more dark angels and sighed with relief when the coast was clear. Carbuncle hopped back to his side and shook the rain from her fur. "Man, with the way it's raining, you'd think Martel planned another Downfall and wants to drown us all!"

Letting out a short laugh, Regal ran a hand through his own hair to get the water soaked locks out of his eyes. "Now that things have settled down here, I suggest we begin looking for Zelos and Sheena. They may not know what just occurred."

Carbuncle stared straight ahead for a moment then gasped, "No, my mistress is in even worst danger! Come on! We gotta hurry!" She commanded, then rushed out of the city gates.

Asgard

Pushing the door open, Lloyd shook the rainwater from his clothes, spraying it everywhere else on the floor, and began to walk back to his room. Harley and Linar rushed out to meet him, but gasped and skidded to a halt when they saw the front of his and pants covered in red. "Lloyd…that blood…" Harley breathed in worry.

"Don't worry," Lloyd slid past them and smirked when they couldn't see his face, "It's not mine."

Both were shocked by this and speechless and he disappeared into the hall upstairs.

Lloyd walked down the passageway and stopped a moment to peek in Asha's room. The young human was still unconscious and lay sleeping in her bed. A flash of pity appeared in his eyes, but he brushed it off and continued down the hall. Scoffing, he thought to himself, "Such feelings are what made me weak before. I can't afford to be that senseless kid anymore." He told himself.

As soon as he got into his room, he close the door behind him and began to strip out of his wet clothes. Dropping down into bed, he pulled up the covers and slipped guiltlessly into sleep.

When all was quiet and the rain outside let up a moment, a flash of lightning cast the shadow of a knelt figure sitting in the window. Not noticing it, Lloyd turned his back from the window and pulled the covers closer. The cloaked man quietly raised a hand and the lock on the inside of the window lifted without a sound.

Stepping into the room, the man neither appeared wet nor did his clothes. As he stepped on the hard wood floor, no wet footprints were left behind as evidence of his arrival. He stood over the sleeping form of Lloyd and chanted softly as his body glowed red. "I did not want it to come to this, but this may be the only way to save you, Lloyd." Lowering his hand, which also faintly glowed red, the man touched the youth's forehead and Lloyd instantly gritted in pain in his sleep. "Behold. The future Darkness would have you lead…"

The first thing to enter Lloyd's senses was the overall smell of death and decay drifting up from the very earth. The mana levels were dangerously low and the angel-boy was surprised the land had survived as long as it had. As he flew over the yellow forests and nearly dried up lakes, his eyes came upon what he thought was Meltokio Castle. No longer standing tall, the pristine white walls that once served to protect its citizens had been torn down and lay in ruins. The immaculate tile courtyards and walkways were chipped and crumbling, resembling more the slums district of the city than a house of royalty.

Just outside the city limits, Lloyd saw half-elves and humans alike, pulling large pieces of stone while their dark elven and black angel overseers whipped them for pleasure. From the air it looked like they were constructing a building of some sort.

Where is this place? Lloyd wondered as he landed on one of the balconies of the castle. Walking inside, seven servants met him and instantly bowed at his approach. You don't have to bow to me. But the words didn't come out. Instantly afraid, Lloyd attempted to stop walking towards the throne chair at the end of the room, but found his body wouldn't listen. What's going on?

While he tried over and over to regain control, his eyes reviewed the six women lined up on either side of the red carpet leading to the throne, three on each side. They were trembling and fought to keep themselves from shaking. Lloyd wondered what could cause these women to fear him so much. Eyeing the last black hair girl, a little younger than him, he approached her and before Lloyd could stop himself, his hand rose up and grabbed the girl by her locks and yanked her up, pulling her into a rough kiss. The feeling revolted both Lloyd and the girl and when he threw her back down again, his insides twisted around. What have I become? This isn't me! The girl lay unmoving on the cold floor, refusing to look up into her master's eyes.

Smirking, Lloyd looked down at the girl and said, "You're looks no longer appeal to me. Take her to the dungeon." What? No! She hasn't done anything wrong! When two burly guards that Lloyd instantly recognized as former Papal Knights came to take her away, he caught sight of his reflection in the marble floor and gasped.

His eyes were sunken into his face and black bags under his eyes made him look like he hadn't slept in years. He wore thick black and red armor and a black cape draped down behind him. He still wore his two swords, but he saw on the back of his hand his exsphere was no longer blue, but it was as black as his armor. My exsphere! Is that why I can't control myself?

An elderly man holding a stack of papers approached Lloyd's side as soon as the girl was gone and bowed deeply. "My Lord, here are the first reports sent by Emperor Zaichar."

Emperor Zaichar! No way! We...lost? Lloyd took the papers and walked over to his throne as the rest of the woman bowed deeply and left back to perform their duties. "Being the strongest of the four generals, it seems fitting that I would receive the most land, don't you agree?" Lloyd asked.

"Of course, Lord Genis, Mistress Megami, and Lord Saitou would fall beneath your might." The man agreed. "Do you wish for me to tell you how construction is going?"

"Yes. Have they finished my wonderful shrine yet?" Lloyd asked. My WHAT?

"The foundation stones have been completed, but we are in need of more...volunteers."

Interlacing his fingers, Lloyd leaned back. "Hmm, capture Palmacosta next. They rebuilt fairly quickly after the fall of the former Tower of Salvation. They will make excellent additions to the work force."

"Unfortunately, Palmacosta is Lord Genis' territory." The advisor reported.

"I don't care!" Lloyd stood up angrily. "Do I need to repeat myself? If Genis has a problem with me, he can ask it from the end of my swords! Now, if we need more workers, you know where to get them!"

The advisor bowed lower for fear of befalling the same fate as the servant before. "Of course, My Lord." Turning, he quickly left to fulfill his duty.

Standing up in the now empty room, Lloyd tried to catch up to what was happening. Emperor Zaichar...Lord Genis...territories? None of this makes sense! He berated himself. Suddenly, Lloyd smirked and raised a hand. "Origin! Come forth!" The King of the Summon Spirits materialized before his master, but no longer strong and defiant, his wrists and ankles were bound by thick chains that only Lloyd could see, and in his eyes held nothing but hatred for the duel wielding warlord. "Oh, don't look so happy to see me." Lloyd asked in a mocking tone.

Origin looked away and scoffed, crossing his arms out of habit. "You have your land, you have your power...why do you keep me around?" The summon spirit asked.

Walking around him, Lloyd clasped his hands behind him, the leather of the gloves squeaking in the silence of dusk. "Now now, dear Origin – my friend..."

"I am not your friend. Whatever I thought I saw in you...I was far more wrong than I was with Mithos."

No. Origin... Ignoring his comment, Lloyd continued. "You know exactly why I keep you bound with me. First, our pact prevents you from harming me or leaving me as long as I have breath in my lungs. And second, if I were to release you, the first thing you would do is go after Omega and after everything we've done to secure the infidels, I can't let you take all that away from me."

"Take it away from you?" Origin echoed. "What happened to the Lloyd who wanted to create a world in which everyone was equal? What happened to the idealistic youth that followed the Chosen on her journey in order to protect her? That Lloyd...was my master."

I'm still here Origin! Can't you hear me?

Lloyd narrowed his eyes and turned his back from the summon spirit. "I would advice you remember your place, Origin, because you – like everyone below me – is not immune from my wrath."

"Is that so?" A silhouette asked from the still open balcony. That voice! I know him!

Spinning back around, Lloyd unsheathed both his swords and glared at the intruder. Origin instantly disappeared as per his master's silent request. "It's been a while since you've had the courage to face me, oh great hero."

Coming into the light of the room, Kratos Aurion prepared to face off with his son and held his sword out to the side. "The tyranny you have brought the people will end tonight – with your death if necessary. But you are still my son. Please let me know some of the old Lloyd still remains."

"Father. Still as foolish as ever I see. I am stronger than the Lloyd you found in the Temple of Martel. I have achieved everything I could ever want!" Lloyd countered. Kratos! It's me! Your real son, Lloyd! I'm in here!

"And yet somehow you find still other things you desire, except the freedom and equality of the people!" Kratos shouted back.

"I am better than they are!" Lloyd shook his head. "Our race deserves to rise above them and Emperor Zaichar was the one who opened my eyes to the truth!"

"So you will not recede?" Kratos asked one last time.

"Never! As my father, you should be happy for me! But it was never about me, was it?" The angel's son asked. "It was always about you playing the hero. You lied to our group way back when, so you could come out later and say it was all your plan to create the Eternal Ring. You hid the truth from me a second time when you left to Derris-Kharlan and never once thought to clue me in on anything! You never did trust me, did you?"

"I did what I did...to protect you!" Kratos tried to convince. "This world you've created, the life you lead...it's just Zaichar working through you! You are nothing but a mere puppet to him!"

"I am always in control and I'll never listen to you!" Jetting forward, Lloyd slashed horizontally at his father, but the angel jumped back out the window and flew with his wings high into the air above the castle. Not missing a beat, Lloyd's own wings appeared and he flew up even faster towards the man he once looked up to.

Stop! I don't want to hurt Kratos! I don't want to hurt anybody! But Lloyd's body continued to slash at his father, while the former angel-mercenary could do nothing but defend. He'd come here to try and save his son, but even now could not find the strength to strike him down and ultimately save everyone. As Lloyd kept his eyes locked on the angel, he could see the despair and indecision floating in Kratos' eyes. Dad...I'm so sorry! I never wanted to become like this!

As the battle continued on, rain began to fall and Kratos' sweaty brow washed away with the droplets of water that filtered down through his still spiky locks. As they dashed back and forth, Lloyd continued to fight the force that was controlling his movements but found he could do nothing but watch.

With the aqua sword made by his adopted father, Lloyd disarmed Kratos and pulling back the Flamberge passed down by his biological father, the half-angel jammed it forward through Kratos' stomach and pulled the angel close so as to whisper in his ear. "Funny, don't you think, that the sword you gave me is now used to grant you the death you always wanted?"

Kratos' mouth dropped open and his eyes widened in shock, but only blood dribbled out the corner of his lips where once encouraging words reigned. Kratos? Dad? NO! Lloyd's inner mind cried out.

Pulling the sword free, Kratos fell like a dead bird out of the sky, down towards the mud soaked earth. The sky would mourn his loss, as well as the goddess Martel herself...were she still around.

"Kratos! No!" A female voice rang out.

Down below, Colette came speeding through to catch the fallen angel before he could slam into the ground. As salty tears disappeared with the rain, she slowly lowered him to the ground and bent over his cold body. "You...shouldn't have come alone. I can't do this without you."

Lloyd landed a few yards away and smirked, crossing his arms as he enjoyed the show. Inside, his spirit wanted to cry, but no tears came. Wh-what have I done?

Colette shook with sobs and slowly placed Kratos' discarded sword across his chest. "When this is over, I will give you a proper burial Kratos. I promise."

"Why cry for him? Wasn't he supposed to protect you and yet in the end, he was the reason for you loosing your soul?" Lloyd once again mocked the suffering before his eyes.

Standing up, Colette unhooked her chakrams and looked up to glare at Lloyd. "What about your soul, Lloyd? Where has it gone?" She asked instead. "Did you feel anything when Raine was murdered? Did you feel anything when you own 'comrades' ended up being responsible for Zelos' death? And what about Genis? You were his best friend and yet instead of trying to save him from the darkness, you both gave into it and join the man you once fought to destroy!"

Zelos? Raine? They're...dead? Colette! I never wanted to work for Zaichar! You gotta believe me! "What about you, Colette? Weren't we best friends? Where have you been all this time when you should've been here by my side?"

"When you creased caring about those around you...my love for you stopped as well." The angel-girl admitted.

Colette...loved me? Lloyd thought in shock. "How about you join me now? Join my harem and together we'll create the home we've always wanted."

"You've always wanted. Not me." She shook her head. "I can't let you continue like this. As your friend, I have to free you from the darkness you've so clung to all these years." Crossing her arms, she began chanting and glowing pink, her aura bright against the dark of night – despite the shine of the full moon above. "Thy power floweth purely, ever unwavering. Accept my soul into thine embrace. Sacrifice!"

Caught off guard by the attack, Colette's body dissolved into nothing but energy and it flew at Lloyd before he could erect any kind of barrier. As the pink energy flew around him, he could hear her voice clearly and mournfully. "Kratos...didn't want me to do this, but I knew it was the only way to save my Lloyd. Please, be free of Zaichar's powers! Lloyd!" As the light spun around the warlord faster and faster, a black silhouette tried to break free of its host and the boy doubled over in pain as his power was drained.

"No! No! I will not be beaten! Not by you!"" But as the darkness was full driven out and later destroyed by Colette's remaining energy, the blackness under Lloyd's eyes disappeared and he found he had control over himself again. "Colette?" Looking around he tried to find her in the backdrop of night, and found the same light energy form into the body of his dear friend. "Colette!"

Opening her eyes, Colette smiled weakly and said. "Hey Lloyd. Long time no see." Then her bright blue eyes closed and she fell back towards the ground.

"No Colette!" Flying forward, he caught her form and dropped down to the ground next to the body of his dead father. "Colette! Colette wake up! Please! Don't leave me!"

But the magic spell that had saved his life from the iron grip of darkness, had but one requirement...the spellcaster's own life. Colette Brunel, though having gone into hiding out of fear for the Warlord Lloyd, gathered her courage and ended up trading her life...to save his. And now, she would never hear his words of acceptance in the land of the living. "Colette...I...I loved you too."