Fall of the Damned

"Dwarven Vow #20: A man may be his own ruin."

Katz Island – Zaichar's Base - Westside

The forest was thicker than Lloyd expected, so flying through it proved difficult. Halfway through, Lloyd dropped down to ground level, along with Colette and Yuan, and snuck in towards the building while evading as many scouts as possible. Whoever they couldn't get around Yuan knocked out for them. Most were dark angels anyway, but with all the experiments Zaichar was doing, Lloyd didn't want to kill anyone until it was discovered they couldn't be saved. The base wasn't too hard to find. To the angelic senses, the building stuck out a like a sore thumb with its negative mana signature.

The walls were deep black and as they neared it, Lloyd shook his head in discomfort. "Man, my head's killing me. What's going on?"

Ducking behind some brush, Yuan motioned with his head towards the structure. "Polycarbonate. Protects against magic but has side effects to those with mana sensitivity, like us."

"Will this cause problems when it comes to casting our spells?" Colette asked quietly.

"It shouldn't. It's meant as protection from outside magic spells. If we get pulled into battle, aim for your opponent only. If magic hits the walls, it may be absorbed or repelled, depending on the type of spell. Also, don't ever touch it or get cornered against it. Upon contact, it'll act like a sponge and suck all the mana right out of you. So be careful."

Both teens nodded, understanding the severity of the situation. Should either lose their mana during a fight, they would be easy prey without the ability to protect themselves. "Okay. Yuan, what do you see?"

The seraphim angel nodded and looked out over the terrain. At first glance, the base looked two stories, but Yuan knew better. Underground were probably three more floors and hidden rooms. There was one scout that he could see, a dark angel, standing watch from a balcony on the second level. "Okay, there's one so far…" He stopped as a door on the side opened and two dark elf soldiers walked out. "Clear." One gurgled after looking around lazily.

"No one here." The other said.

Yuan was about to report when Lloyd nodded. "Okay, so far so good."

The older angel blinked, while Colette smiled happily. "Wow Lloyd, you heard that?"

Yuan agreed. "You've really come into your skills quickly."

Lloyd winked and smirked. "Dad's a good teacher."

Yuan laughed shortly. "That he is."

"Colette, take out the scout." The half-angel commanded.

The girl nodded and pulled out her chakrams. Using her enhanced sight, Colette aimed and threw her weapon silently through the air. It spun and struck the angel doll right across the throat. Clutching its severed windpipe as black blood dropped down across its fingers, he fell without a sound as Colette's weapon flew back to its mistress. The two dark elves were left completely unaware and continued to stand guard by the door.

"Good job, Colette." Lloyd nodded. "Now it's me and Yuan's turn. Come on!" Jumping out of the brush, Lloyd rushed towards the guards, the seraphim at his side.

One of the elves turned and barely let out a gasp before Yuan came crashing down with his butterfly blade. In one swift spin of his weapon, the creature had lost an arm and part of his face hung off the bone. Yuan used the momentum of the move to spin himself around and land a kick to the elf's head. He went down quietly into the forest floor and Lloyd's opponent fell limply on top of him. Colette rushed up when it was safe and Lloyd raised his walkie-talkie. "Zelos, it's clear on this side and we've got one door heading inside. How are you guys doing on your end?"

Zaichar's Base – Eastside

"Um, let me get back to you on that." Zelos replied unsurely.

"We are far outmatched." Presea said calmly, yet apprehensively from Regal's side.

"We did not know he'd created this many." The politician commented.

Sheena was gapping at the sight. "And so quickly! Didn't you guys say you wiped out his forces at the Renegade Base?"

"For the most part." Presea said. "Some got away."

"But not this many." Genis shook his head. Genis hadn't been present for that particular battle, but knew Zaichar wouldn't have retreated with so many troops remaining. "Lloyd's not gonna like this."

As Megami inspected her troops from the ground, Saitou floated above her – inspecting his own ranks. Many of them were the same mindless dolls Mithos had used during his "rule", but others were transformed dark angels – like Saitou himself – and the general took pride at their advancement. Around their ranks were a kind of metal choker, a collar if you will. It was a power enhancer. Just like polycarbonate was used during the Great Kharlan War to protect against magic, so was Onyxalate, mined by the dwarves and elves to increase their strength and spells. It had taken this long to refine it and forge it, but the dwarven slaves had finally finished the first batch.

Dwarves could be stubborn, but with enough…convincing, even they could be made to obey. And of course despite the fact that the short-statured craftsman were being forced to aide the enemy, their pride prevented them from making faulty work.

Looking down at the elven ranks, Saitou met Megami's eyes and smirked. The dark elf narrowed her eyes and growled from her position on the ground. It had been Saitou's troops, not Megami's, that had been granted the power enhancers. This caused a grudge to form between the two generals, but Saitou could care less. He knew his troops were more valuable to Lord Zaichar than that witch's. More power meant superiority and Megami would have to learn her new place.

While Saitou was basking in the rays of self glory, he caught the presence of…an old friend and flashed his eyes back and forth until he caught sight of Zelos' bold hair in the dark of the foliage.

"Dammit! He's seen us!" Zelos cursed.

Sheena already had her cards out, her guardian staying quiet but poised at her side. "What are we gonna do?"

Genis grabbed the walkie-talkie and pushed the button to speak. "Lloyd, we've got problems!"

Next to the door on the other side, Lloyd heard his friends go into battle with Zaichar's forces.

"He's gathered a huge army over here!" Genis' voice came over the communications device. "Get over here now!"

"Here they come!" Sheena shouted.

"Eagle fall!"

"We will not last long in these conditions…"

"Leave Megami alone! She's mine!" The walkie-talkie went quiet and Lloyd was squeezing the metal box so hard, he could've broken it in half.

"Lloyd?" Colette asked worriedly.

"Dammit…" Lloyd was quiet for a moment.

Yuan called out his wings and look to Lloyd. "I will go and aide them. You continue on and find Zaichar."

"No." Lloyd shook his head and got to his feet. "We've got to go on." Turning to Colette he said, "I need you to go and look after Genis."

"Huh?" The girl was at a loss. "What about you?"

"Yuan and I will continue on inside. I need you to make sure Genis doesn't…"

Despite the fact she wanted to remain by Lloyd's side, she knew what he meant and understood her role. "You can count on me." She assured him. Taking to the air, she headed across the island towards where her friends fought.

"Are you sure sending her alone will be enough?" Yuan asked.

Lloyd sighed and pocketed the walkie-talkie. "Of course, my first instinct was to go over there myself. But if we tire ourselves out fighting an unknown amount of Zaichar's soldiers, we'll be all but useless when it comes to fighting him. Defeat him and we can deal with his underlings afterwards. I would've kept Colette too, but Genis is still recovering from Professor Sage's death and if I can't be there to help him, I know Colette will keep him on the straight and narrow." The boy explained.

Yuan recalled his wings and smirked. "Spoken like a true leader. But what about Kratos?"

"He'll be here. We'll just have to keep moving until he catches up. Come on." Lloyd opened the door and moved quietly into the darkness…

Inside Zaichar's Throne Room

A dark angel entered the throne room from one of the few windows. "Master! Intruders have been caught on the east side of the island! Megami and Saitou's forces are engaging as we speak."

Omega crossed his arms from Zaichar's right side. "It's Origin. His master and his companions are here. I can sense it."

"Really? Perhaps my campaign will be able to take off sooner than expected." Zaichar smirked. "Keep me reported if anything else happens." He told his servant.

Omega waited until the dark angel disappeared once more and tightened his mighty hands into fists. "Are you still going on about that? Origin must die or our pact is void. Lose me and you lose this war." The summon spirit of death wanted only to destroy Origin and Martel with him. Anything else was frivolous in comparison.

"Don't worry. That foolish boy will seek me out and once I destroy him, I will use Origin's power to conquer this world. When I am finished, you may have your way with him." Zaichar assured.

Omega narrowed his eyes. "You had better keep your word or it will be you I unleash my power of death on next." The summon spirit promised in return. But perhaps it is time I take my own measures to ensure victory.

Zaichar's Base – Eastside

Genis held his kendama tightly and kept both sapphire eyes locked on his target. Megami stood still, claws hands poised for battle. The little half elf was mad, but he remembered to stay focused and not let the anger control him. "Megami, your manipulating ways end here."

Smirking, the sorceress relaxed and placed on hand on her hip. "Are you mad, little mage? Does your blood not boil for revenge?" She asked coyly.

Genis shook his head. "I won't be taken in by your false words, Megami. The evil that was placed upon my heart has lost its hold and I make my own decisions now."

"The evil is still there, whispering into your ear when you sleep. You need only to listen and it will grant you everlasting wisdom and power." She continued.

Nodding solemnly, he knew she was right. "I understand that now, but I don't have to do what it says. My sister Raine told me to listen to my heart…and it's telling me: that I control my own destiny!"

"Your sister, yes I remember her. She was that interfering half breed that interrupted our last conversation. Good riddance I say." Megami knew with just enough taunting, the boy's anger would reawaken the darkness within him and he would be as good as theirs.

Forcing his muscles to relax, Genis took a deep breath to calm himself and closed his eyes. As the wind blew, he could feel his sister's presence spinning around him, guiding him down the path of light…just like she promised. "No." Opening his eyes, he met Megami's eerie silver orbs. "I'll never join you."

Laughing, Megami began advancing on the lone half elf. "What made you think you had a choice? Lord Zaichar will rule every inch of this planet you weaklings hold so dear and not one insect will escape his wrath…it's your choice. Serve him or die by Omega's wrath. Besides, what chance do you have against me…when you're all alone?" Hissing, she leapt the last of the distance and unable to gather his mana in time to cast a counter spell, Genis winced and prepared for the hit.

"Angel feathers!" Out of the sky, Colette swung her chakrams and released her powerful pink mana, striking the unsuspecting dark elf. Shrieking in pain, Megami barely had enough strength to leap back to safety and avoid the angel-girl's follow up attack. "Stay away from him, Megami!"

"Colette!" Genis exclaimed when she landed next to him.

Megami wiped the black blood from the corner of her mouth and grit her teeth in anger. The wound cut across her stomach and would make moving harder. "Even two children are no match for me!"

Colette stood tall next to Genis and held her chakrams up in a defensive position. "We've been friends a long time and I know Genis is more than strong enough to take care of you!"

"C-Colette…" Genis was shocked and at a loss of words. "What are you doing here?"

Without taking her eyes off Megami, Colette replied. "Friends look out for each other. No matter what."

Smiling, Genis felt more confident by the moment and stood ready besides Colette. "Ready for this?"

"Guess we'd better be, huh?" She replied lightly, then rushed into battle…together with her friend.

Presea ran at Regal's exposed back and when he bent over, she leapt onto him and was shot into the air when he stood up. Raising her ax above her head, she met the dark angel sorcerer's eyes and pulled her ax down. The slice struck through his body and without a host to constrain the dark mana, the energy melted into the air as a black mist – leaving only a mere husk of a body left. From behind her though, an angel guard slammed her golden pike against Presea's back, tearing open a gash and slammed the girl back into the ground.

"Presea!" Regal exclaimed, running over to her and blocking the guard's next strike. "You will not harm her!" He shouted, spinning his foot around to meet with his opponent's head. The blow indented the guard's helmet and a final crack let Regal know that the soldier would not be trouble anytime soon.

Saitou, the dark angel general, smirked as his future victim stood side by side with the ninja female. Tilting his head to the side, he regarded the two carefully. "The bodies may have changed, but it's the same battle we fought almost a century ago. I have to admit, though, this one does have more spunk than the last one."

Zelos looked over at Sheena then back at Saitou. "Nice try, but there are two things I think you should know. One is: she's already mine so get whatever perverted thoughts you have out of your head."

"Zelos!" Sheena exclaimed.

"Secondly," he continued. "That ploy ain't gonna work on me. This is nothing personal; it's business. To me you're just a big asshole who needs to be put in his place."

Saitou narrowed his eyes and grit his teeth. "Then you are just another pest to be rid of!" Shooting down, Saitou raised his staff and would've landed a deadly blow to the cocky warrior, but both Zelos and Sheena jumped back to safety. Rocks and dust were blown out in all directions. Carbuncle lowered her head and wrapped both Zelos and Sheena in one red-hued shield for extra protection.

Wow he's fast! Zelos thought as his wings appeared behind him. The new, large crystalline wings made Saitou's assault falter for a moment at the sight, before he was ready for a fight once more. I've gotta get him away from Sheena. Taking to the skies Zelos called out, "Hey, from what I hear you're nothing but Zaichar's lapdog!"

"What?" Saitou fumed, rushing towards his opponent.

"Zelos!" Sheena exclaimed in worry. Turning away, her love disappeared into the forest – his dangerous and powerful enemy fast on his trail. "Dammit! Let's go Carbuncle!" She clenched her cards and ran after the duo on the floor. Zelos, you idiot! Stop trying to protect me and let me help you! One of these days you're going to get yourself killed going gung-ho like this! She thought.

Inside Zaichar's Castle

Lloyd kept himself as close to the walls of the passageways as he could without touching them and carefully looked around the corner for any sign of guards. He frowned when there were none and looked back to Yuan who was checking down another hall. The Renegade leader also shook his head. Keep your senses alert. Omega is around here somewhere…I can sense it. Origin warned his master.

Great, if you can sense him then he already knows we're here. Lloyd replied with a roll of his eyes.

Yuan joined his side and crouched down. "Everyone has been sent off their posts to join the fight outside." He said.

"Or that's how they want it to look like." Came the youth's reply. The passageway ended in one black double door with silver bolts lining the edges. After silently nodding to each other, both opened a door and jumped through.

The room was vast with very little light and no other visible doors. Both were cautious as they walked forward towards the center of the room. As soon as Lloyd took one step onto the black reflective tile, he felt his body jolt with an unknown change in power and he struggled to merely raise his head. His body instantly felt weak and sweat formed on his temples. As he took in deep breathes, a low resonating laughter reached his ears.

"How the might have fallen. You walked right into my trap, human. Here it is just you and me." Omega materialized before the youth and crossed his two pairs of arms smugly. "My human host was inadequate enough to complete my mission, so I've…taken care of him." Below Omega, lying unconscious on the floor below, was Zaichar's unmoving form.

Lloyd dropped down to one knee and grit his teeth to look Omega in the eye. "W-where are we?"

"This is where the soul crosses over into the afterlife. Here, where death reigns…your Origin has no power. You cannot defeat me and there is no escape."

As he said this, Lloyd fell to his hands and knees and closed his eyes shut. I…I can't give up! But…there's no one here. I knew I would have to face him alone, but it's a fight I'm not sure I can win!

Omega reached behind him and unsheathed his swords. "Here I will destroy your host and trap you within the dimensions, Origin. Here is where I defeat you once and for all."

At first Lloyd's slightly shaking body said nothing, but then a laughter could be heard and the voice that came out was not his, but a deeper more confidence tone. "Your plan might have worked, Omega, except for one major detail you overlooked." Raising his head, Lloyd's eyes opened and there were no pupils but a pure white light shone brightly. "My master and I have formed a bond you could never break and it's because of this bond that I have retained my connection." Origin said, speaking through Lloyd. The youth stood up and unsheathed his two swords.

Omega moved back fractionally, shocked that his nemesis was able to cross over with the boy instead of being left behind in the real world. He had hoped that destroying Lloyd would make Origin cease to exist. Normally when a summoner was killed, Origin was freed to form a new pact and in essence not killed with his host. Here, Omega expected to kill the host with Origin still bound, but separated and unable to defend Lloyd. "Damn you Origin! Even if you have survived, you cannot possibly be at full strength. Here I will still defeat you!" Omega rushed forward and came down hard upon his elemental opposite.

Origin, in Lloyd's body, raised his two swords but was forced to his knees by barely attempting to deflect the strike. White eyes met deep black and for a moment, Origin doubted his success. Omega had been smart in luring Lloyd here. Omega was only as powerful as he was because he drew his strength from others around him, their life forces empowered him and in the real world there was no end to his supply. But here, where no life existed at all, Origin's only draw of strength came from Lloyd himself. He was Origin's anchor and his only hope to defeating Omega on this plain.

"Lloyd, do you sense anything? I'm not picking up any life signatures at all…" When the angel got no response, he frowned and turned around. "Lloyd?" But the youth was no where to be seen. "Lloyd!" Only his voice echoed back to him.

Lloyd's body was thrown back as Omega released another power strike from his swords. Origin's power was waning and Lloyd's human body couldn't take much more. But then the summon spirit remembered. Lloyd was a half-angel and because of that… Standing up, Origin dove deep within Lloyd's consciousness: Lloyd! Use the power of the cruxis crystal! We need your angelic form if we're even going to stand a chance against Omega!

The youth responded and behind Omega, Lloyd's multicolored wings spread out on either side of him. His aura exploded with power and before Omega could react, Origin shot into the air and slashed twice with each of his swords, batting the summon spirit of death right out of the air.

Omega was almost slammed into the ground, but spun to land on his feet and stood there calmly with a smirk. "You put up a good fight, Origin, but in the end it is useless!" His swords disappearing in a flash, Omega pulled back both sets of arms and black-red swirling energy balls began to form on each side. "Here you die!" Shooting both blasts forward, the two balls crisscross multiple times until they ran straight into Lloyd. Without enough power to erect a barrier, the attack was devastating and Lloyd's wings were ripped to shreds along with the rest of his body. The edges of the wounds dripped with Omega's black essence and the youth fell into the ground in an unrecognizable heap. "I've done it! Origin, you are no more!"

Yuan ran back towards the door and tried to see if Lloyd had been dragged out, when a force field reared its ugly head and the angel warrior was thrown back into the center of the room. "A barrier?" He exclaimed, getting to his feet. "Then Lloyd is…" Finally piecing together what happened, Yuan held his butterfly sword up in the air and blue mana began charging up around his body. "Hang on, Lloyd! I'll get you out!" Spinning around, Yuan threw his sword at the opened door and carrying with it the angel's mana, the shield electrified with resistance before shattering into pieces.

All around where the shield was now visible, it all flickered and died away. Above him, the form of Omega materialized and on the ground was the broken body of Lloyd. "No!" Yuan exclaimed unbelieving.

Omega laughed and hefted one of his swords nonchalantly. "Origin's master is no more!" When he threw the sword, it crashed in front of Lloyd and blew him back into the thrown room wall. Red electricity exploded around Lloyd and he cried out as his mana was forcefully sucked out of his body, taking along with it the last of his strength.

"Lloyd!" Crashing through the very wall itself, Kratos came bursting in – grabbing Lloyd free of the polycarbonate – before twirling around and casting a lightning spell to the unsuspecting Omega. Carrying with it the rage of a father, the magic was stronger than ever. The bolt of lightning came crashing down and immobilized the summon spirit of death, if only for a few moments.

Yuan quickly retrieved his weapon before rushing to his friend's side. "Kratos! Is he alright?" He asked worriedly.

Kratos placed his son down carefully on the floor and floated a hand over his body to give him a quick healing spell to stop the blood flow. He closed his eyes and thanked the goddess, knowing that had he been a second later his son would not be able to survive. "He's fine." Standing up he glared at Origin and unsheathed his sword, pointing it at the cocky summon spirit. "You on the other hand will pay for harming my son."

Upon hearing this, Omega laughed. "You could not defeat me then and you stand little chance of doing so now."

Kratos stood his ground and knew the magical entity was right, but if what his other son said was true, then he was meant to die anyway. Let it be in the defense of his son. If the end of my existence means the life and survival of my son, then so be it. "Yuan, protect Lloyd for me." He said without turning, then began walking towards the manifestation of death itself.

Zaichar's Base – Eastside

Presea swung her body around, smacking down any nearby dark elves, but those in the air remained unharmed and she was running out of energy. "Any suggestions?" She asked her partner.

Regal interlaced his fingers and bent back, kicking back a dark angel guard that came down with his pike against the ex-criminal. "We have to keep fighting. We have to buy Lloyd enough time to deal with Zaichar and Omega. He is our only hope." As Presea faced Regal, he could see a dark angel spell caster finish gathering her mana and smirk down evilly at the seemingly young girl and he knew what that meant. "Presea! Look out!"

"Bye bye!" She laughed and swung her rod, casting the dark mana into a spell. "Thunder Arrow!" Electrified flame flew from her scepter and superheated the entire battlefield.

Presea barely turned around when the attack was on top of her. "Not a chance!" Regal jumped in front of the blast, but the barrier he erected wasn't strong enough to hold up against the magic and shattered instantly. Thrown against the girl he meant to protect, Regal's back was severally burned and he lay unconscious nearby when Presea slowly sat up unharmed.

"No!" She exclaimed, looking at his broken body, still unmoving.

The spell caster laughed. "One down, one to go."

Turning her eyes to the enemy, Presea's hand tightened on her ax which she retrieved shortly after recovering from the ground, and she grit her teeth in a last attempt at self control. "This one… will be your undoing." The fire in her jaded eyes erupted around her ax and spinning around, the fire grew and grew until she released it at the overconfident angel. "Fiery Infliction!"

"What?" The spinning ax flew like a rising meteor straight through its target. Not even a death cry was heard as the ax sliced through its target and angled around to land in its mistress' awaiting hand.

"Never underestimate your opponent." Presea said coldly, before placing the ax back on her back. Turning around she rushed back to Regal's side and saw he was finally coming to. "Why?" She had to ask. "Why were you willing to make such a sacrifice…for me?"

Regal gave the girl a small smile, "I…made a promise. One I will never break."

Presea's eyes widened and she knew who that promise had been made to. Looking away in shame, her shoulders slumped sadly. "I am not worthy of such dedication."

"You're…right." Regal coughed and wheezed as it was clear his ribs were broken in at least a few places. When the girl looked over shocked, he gave her the best reassuring look he could. "You deserve so much more and I hope over time I will be able to bring you to experience all life has to offer: true life."

Presea was at a loss of words and for a moment, it was as if her own father had been reincarnated. She felt her heart break and gasped when she felt tears roll down her cheeks. Was she…crying? That was impossible because of the cruxis crystal, wasn't it? Rodyle had taken that away from her when she agreed to the experiment. So then…?

Regal slowly raised a hand and wiped her tear away, but to him it was a wonderful sight. Both knew the significance of that moment, and yet both could say nothing. It was simply understood and they left it at that. Humanity now was no longer just the dream of a little girl, but the reality come to life by a close friend and protector and it was a day she would never forget.

Zelos weaved in between the trees in an attempt to lose Saitou, but the general's dark power enhancer made him incredibly fast and he was flying parallel with Zelos. "All you are accomplishing is delaying the inevitable." He smirked.

"Well then, have at ya!" The fiery haired youth weaved away from one tree and came barreling in to ram Saitou into another tree. The bark exploded with the impact and Zelos stopped in the nearby clearing, waiting to see the general recover. "You have a lot to answer for and that was just an appetizer. How do you like it? I call it Bark a la mode!"

Saitou came around the tree, his face scratched up a bit and pieces of wood messing up his normally straight and ordered hair. "This isn't your fight! Why do you interfere?"

"Because I was asked to and even after one look at you I don't like you. Now let's cut the chit chat and get down to business." Zelos unsheathed his sword and raised two fingers to beckon the general forward.

The choker around Saitou's neck glowed and he growled as he summoned his pike and flew towards Zelos. "Fine with me! I'll make your death quick and painful!" When their two weapons clashed, Zelos strained to keep up his defense. For his plan to work, he had to immobilize Saitou for just a few precious moments. Both pressed as hard as they could and with their faces mere inches apart, Saitou smirked. "If it's too much for you to handle, let that wretched boy taken over. I'd love to see him again."

"I can defeat you on my own!" Zelos exclaimed, quickly releasing his pressure and threw Saitou off balance. Raising his knee, the former Chosen knocked the wind out of his opponent and slammed the hilt of his sword against the back of Saitou's neck. "Try taking me on by yourself for a change!" The golden exsphere lit up and upon contact, the power enhancer broke into two pieces, falling off of the general's neck. His angelic senses told him the collar was why Saitou was able to keep up so easily and knew he had to destroy it if he was even going to stand a chance.

Saitou went falling down, but before he hit the ground he spun around and faced up at Zelos. "Very well!" Shooting his hands forward he released a blast of charged black mana at the unprepared warrior.

"Zelos!" Sheena exclaimed, coming into the clearing.

"I've got him!" Carbuncle jumped and twirled, erecting her red barrier around Zelos, sufficiently blocking the preemptive strike.

Zelos cursed and shouted, "Sheena! What are you doing here? I came here so you wouldn't get hurt!"

Sheena huffed, "And what, die an honorable death? Like I'd let that happen!"

Her other half rolled his eyes. "I wasn't planning on dying! I did have a plan, you know!" He defended himself.

"Oh yeah? And what would that be?" Sheena asked unbelieving.

Zelos was about to answer when he looked at the crater where Saitou should've been. "Dammit Sheena! Where'd he go?"

Gasping, Sheena moved back when the general in question teleported right in front of her and grabbed a hold of her shoulders. "I'm right here."

Carbuncle gasped and rushed forward. "I'm coming, Sheena!"

Saitou couldn't have that, so he blasted the guardian spirit back into a tree where he knew she wouldn't be able to save his victim this time. Looking up at stationary Zelos, Saitou tilted his head. "What, you're gonna let this one die too? How selfish of you. Wouldn't you love to die saving your damsel in distress?"

Sheena struggled against his hold, but instantly felt her strength waning and looked down to see Saitou's hands glowing black. His dark mana kept her immobile and helpless to stop him. She met Zelos' eyes and mouthed "I'm sorry."

Zelos tightened his free hand into a fist. "Let her go, Saitou. This doesn't involve her."

"Drop the sword, with the exsphere, and I'll release her on the condition she leaves this battle between you and me. And when I say 'you' I mean Shinji. It's been so long since we've chatted…I miss him." The demeanor behind that sentence made Zelos even madder, but he couldn't try anything with Sheena in risk of getting hurt.

Sighing, he slumped in mid air and his sword hung loosely in his grip. "Fine, just don't hurt her." Meeting the girl's gaze he said, "Sheena, I'm sorry." In a quick change of emotion, Zelos hefted his sword like a spear and threw it at the general's back. "Demonic Spear!"

Saitou was surprised, but not unprepared. He spun Sheena around and placed her in front of him as shield. "Big mistake!" The sword came flying down and flew straight through Sheena's chest and into Saitou's stomach. The summoner opened her mouth in shock and stood still, looking down at the hilt of the sword protruding from her body.

Behind her, Saitou's eyes were wide and he slowly released Sheena, falling backwards onto the forest floor. His wound bled the same dark mana he'd used on so many of his own victims and it drained out of his body like thick tar.

Sheena watched as the sword disappeared and reappeared in the hand of the descending angel before her. "Zelos?" Looking back down at her supposed wound, she saw that she was perfectly fine. "What did you do?" She asked looking back up.

Zelos looked ashamed at what he'd done, but walked over to the barely living general. "That attack was meant to target only those with demons in their soul. You, therefore, were immune to its effect. Saitou on the other hand…" The general lost strength by the moment as more dark mana was lost, some of it evaporating into the air as a black mist.

Diving into his sub-consciousness, Saitou found the sleeping entity who'd lent him so much strength and made it possible for Zelos to save the one he loved most. Well, what are you going to do now?

What? The spirit replied, confused.

This is all you. Say what you've wanted to say all this time and free your soul of your guilt.

Sheena watched as Zelos' eyes once again changed from a pretty blue to brown, but this time he was much calmer. "S-Shinji?"

Ignoring Sheena for the moment, the spirit stood over Saitou as the general weakly opened his eyes. "You took away the only thing that ever mattered to me and did nothing but mock me when I lost to you back at Welgaia. You've manipulated everyone around you and either killed or…locked away that which you were afraid of."

Saitou let out a short laugh. "Me…afraid of you? Not a chance."

"Why else not kill me when you had the chance? I could've defeated you then, so you had to get rid of me and locking my spirit away between dimensions was the easiest way. Well now you have been defeated and even so, I will trap you in the same cold and dark realm that you banished me to so that your soul may continue to exist…yet cease to exist at the same time. May the masters of time be merciful to you, Saitou." Raising both hands above his head, Zelos' mana began to build in an unusual golden color. "Elii corto li ma shi!"

The ground beneath Saitou became a bottomless swirling vortex that slowly began pulling down its next resident. Saitou at first tried to fight against the force with the last of his strength, but without his dark mana or his power enhancer, it was impossible to escape. So instead he looked up at Zelos' body and glared at the brown eyes that would forever haunt him in the land of the exiled. "If you found a way back, then I will return as well and this world will know my wrath!"

"Goodbye Saitou. Remember, when the darkness begins to eat away at what's left of your sanity, you brought this upon yourself." Came Shinji's reply.

Carbuncle slowly came to and joined her mistress' side just as the portal closed. "Is that the last we'll see of him?"

Sheena bent down and gently stroked the creature's fur. "I doubt he'll find a way back, but I'm not sure what would've been more merciful: killing him or letting him live in eternal damnation. But that wasn't our decision to make, right Shinji?" Turning around she saw Zelos' back was facing away from her. "Shinji? Zelos?" Come to think of it, who was in charge of Zelos' body now? Looking around Zelos to see what he was staring at, she saw the translucent form of a girl around Colette's age, standing in a thin yellow spring dress. She had long brown hair braided behind her and a swirled symbol decorating the golden coronet around her head. Gasping, she moved around her warrior to stand at his side. "Is that…?"

"Yukari…" Shinji breathed. When the beauty before his eyes reached out a hand to him, he felt himself being pulled towards her and behind him he heard Sheena gasped as Zelos closed his eyes and almost passed out from the separation.

When Zelos looked weakly in front of him, he saw the translucent figure of both Shinji as he remembered him from the cave and Yukari, the girl whom Shinji had been fighting for all this time. His body felt incredibly weak, but he knew that was because of Shijni leaving. Thankfully Sheena was right there to catch him when he needed her.

"Shinji…you don't have to fight anymore. It's over." Came the sweet voice of Yukari.

Shinji reached out a shaky hand and his eyes went wide when he interlaced his fingers around hers. In the next moment, his arms were around her and he embraced her with a century's worth of love that up until now had been denied. "Y-Yukari, I'm so sorry. That day…when Mithos took you, I should have done more to try and save you!"

"It's not your fault." She assured him as she returned his embrace. "You're here with me now, that's all that matters. You never have to fight again." Pulling away she smiled and looked into his eyes. "Come with me."

Nodding slowly, Shinji turned around to face the couple behind him but not once did he let go of the woman at his side. "Zelos, none of this would have been possible without you. Thank you for everything…for what you've done for us."

Zelos winked and feebly held up his thumb. "Get going before something else happens. Unless of course, you want to stay here another one hundred years."

Shinij laughed and shook his head. "As much fun as it was to toy with your sanity, I think I'll be happier…going where I belong." As both he and Yukari started to disappear, Shinji called out, "Don't forget to give her the charm! She'll love it!"

"Shinji!" Zelos berated, but it was too late. Behind him he felt Sheena's eyes on him and sighed in exasperation. "I don't know what he's talking about."

Sheena gasped and purposefully dropped the warrior onto the floor. "Zelos!"

Before he could recover, Carbuncle jumped on his back and extended her claws lightly into his back. "Talk or I'll make you into sushi!"

"Okay! Okay!" Zelos spasmed under her "assault". Digging into his pocket, he pulled out the manji charm he'd gotten from Mizuho. "It's not like it's anything special."

Sheena reached down and plucked it out of his hands. "You bought this…for me?"

"Well, duh." Zelos rolled his eyes.

Sheena was truly touched and looked over at her guardian. "Carbuncle."

The little creature did as told as got off Zelos, allowing the warrior to recover and get to his feet. "If I ever get my hands at that guy again for opening his big mouth…"

"Thank you Zelos!" Sheena wrapped her arms around Zelos and gave him a full kiss on the lips. Pulling back slowly, she blushed and laughed nervously at the warror's shocked expression. "Sorry…"

"No complaints here." He mirrored her nervousness. "But I wonder…can I expect that every time I get you something? Cause if so…"

" "Zelos!""

Bracing himself, Zelos shied back. "Okay okay! Forget I said anything, just don't claw me anymore! That really hurt!"

As one both girls started laughed and started back towards the main battlefield, hoping to aide their friends any way they could.

When Zelos saw he was alone, he rushed to catch up to them. "Hey, wait for me!"

Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to come out! There was a lot of planning behind this chapter and the next one. Also, chemistry is getting harder and I actually have to study now to get a good grade. Please be patient and I'll work hard to get out the next chapter soon. Thanks for all your support everyone!