From Death Life Blossoms

"Dwarven Vow #15: However long the night, the dawn will break."

Zaichar's Base – Throne Room

"Hurricane Thrust!" Kratos called out as he ran his blade forward, only to be deflected by two of Omega's. The dark summon spirit crossed his blades and lifted the angel's attack, diverting it away from him, while one of his other swords came in to slice across Kratos' side. Kratos didn't falter though. He spun around and added a bit of his wind magic to create a wind funnel that blew Omega a good distance away from him. Kratos clutched his wound and instantly started focusing some of his mana to deal with the healing.

"Kratos! Are you alright?" Yuan called out. He had remained by Lloyd's side, as per his friend's request, but seeing Kratos fairing so poorly against the summon spirit of death made him want to rush to his side.

"Yes, just stay there!" Kratos replied, straightening up and placing both hands back on the hilt of his sword.

Omega laughed and flicked the angel's blood free from his sword. "You haven't changed a bit, Kratos. Still run by your emotions as you ever were."

"That's funny because until recently, I've been seen by everyone around me as being devoid of emotion." Kratos countered. "I fight now for all the people you've used and killed in your senseless pursuit of power: Martel, Raine, and the elves of Heimdall. Their spirits will finally be able to rest once you are destroyed."

"Destroyed?" Omega repeated. "Kind of dark and angst for an angel, don't you think? Where is your power now Kratos? Or will you finally bow to me and admit that death and darkness is stronger than that of life and light! I am the all powerful! Admit it!"

Kratos grit his teeth and decided that a frontal assault wasn't going to work and he had to be crafty if he was going to succeed in taking out Omega. The summon spirit's emotions were definitely his downfall and Kratos would use them to his advantage. "The will to live is what drives humans and all creatures of this world forward to the next sunrise; not the power of death. Those who fear death show merely their weakness and that is what you are Omega; the pure embodiment of fear and weakness."

Kratos knew he had to get Omega in a position where he would not be able to avoid the angel's spell. Speaking of life and death gave Kratos an idea of how to defeat, or at least weaken, the summon spirit before him. He just hoped it worked or else more people, Lloyd and his companions, would be the next to be placed on Death's door.

"I will crush all of you and Martel will be the next to suffer my wrath!" Omega's swords glowed red and he dove down upon the small form of Kratos, rage filling his empty, hollowed eyes.

Kratos un-expectantly ran forward to meet the rush, his own sword glowing blue with building mana. As the two got closer, the angel heard a voice speak to him from within, Protect him Kratos…for both of us…

Besides Lloyd, the seraphim angel saw the youth's exsphere light up with an unimaginable power and in an instant his wings and wounds were healed. Looking over towards the duel, Yuan saw Kratos' sword glow even brighter with that same light.

Pushing up off the ground, Kratos used his wings to pick up his speed and raised his sword above him, "Phoenix Light!" Above Omega, a heavenly light rained down and covered Omega's entire form, making death's hand freeze in surprise.

"What's this?" Wherever the light hit, the summon spirit's skin burned away, revealing red and white muscles and tendons. Crying out, Omega tried to block out the rays, but he'd been lured in too close and could not get away. As the light increased in intensity, more black mist and smoke rose from Omega's form and the dark summon spirit fell from the sky, crashing into the "almighty" Zaichar's throne, the pseudo-ruler himself still unconscious next to it.

Kratos lowered down in front of Lloyd and Yuan in case of retaliation, but felt confident there would be none. It had been a gamble, but with Omega after Origin with such a passion, the seraphim angel knew it was because Omega feared the power of the King of Summon Spirits which meant the element that would best be used to defeat him was just that: the power of life itself.

As Omega pushed himself off the floor in attempt to continue fighting, his former master also began to reawaken from Omega's previous spell and upon seeing his summon spirit, Zaichar instantly got angry. "How dare you! I was the one who released you from the seal and you repay me by turning against your master?"

"I have no master! I am ruled by no one! Not you, not Origin, and definitely not Martel!" Came the response of death.

"We'll see about that!" With barely enough energy left to stand, the elf unhooked his butterfly sword and attempted to battle that which he once thought he controlled so unconditionally. "You are a summon spirit! You do as I command!"

"Never!" Omega had barely gotten to his feet when he had to raise one of his sword arms to block the weak strike Zaichar sent his way.

Ignoring the two for the most part, Kratos turned around to kneel besides his son once more. "How is he?"

Yuan nodded. "Whatever happened back there, he…" The leader was at a loss for words. Even now he wasn't completely sure what had conspired, but the boy's life was no doubt saved by that mysterious power within him.

Kratos understood and sighed with relief. Once again his love had protected their son and he was eternally grateful. Anna…thank you. Until we meet again my love.

Lloyd moaned and slowly opened his eyes. Upon seeing his father looking down at him he smiled weakly. "I knew you'd come."

"Ready to finish this?" Kratos stood and held out his hand.

The youth's smile grew and he nodded, taking the offered gesture and stood up besides his father. "With you on my side, I can do anything." He assured. Both looked over at the feuding duo and Lloyd held up his swords. "For Raine and Martel…this has to end now." Kratos nodded and both began powering up their mana.

The charge grew so intense that the air itself began to crackle and Yuan had to step back and raise his cape to prevent from being injured himself. From the time he'd known both, Yuan had noticed a change in their auras as time grew. Lloyd's aura was always so fiery red and it reflected his inner passion for justice. Kratos' on the other hand was always a deep blue, born from his sorrow and regret from the past. Now, though, both angel's aura were a brilliant purple and they both pulsed as one entity.

Lloyd jumped in the air and slashed twice with his sword shouting, "Demonic Tiger Blade!"
"Super Lightning Blade!" Kratos' lightning combined with Lloyd's energy technique and flew at the unsuspecting guardian of death as he continued to hold his own against his former master.

""Thunder Tiger Blade!""

Out of the corner of his eyes, Omega finally sensed the looming danger, but without enough energy to create a shield, he grabbed the closest thing he could: Zaichar. Slamming the oncoming elf with the back of his hand, Omega threw Zaichar into the path of the manifested lightning beast. The lightning cracked as it flew across the room and four legs and a head grew from it, a magnificent tiger being the bringer of retribution to the oppressors before it. Zaichar screeched as the energy ran threw him, zapping what power and strength he had left. His body was torn apart and his blood splattered against the face of the one responsible for his demise. Omega sneered as he felt the chains of slavery break with Zaichar's death and knew he was once again free to wreak havoc upon living.

Lloyd and Kratos were shocked to say the least. A man had just been vaporized before them with their power and the one they had meant to banish was laughing and growing stronger by the moment. "Why do I feel like we've just made things a lot worse?" Lloyd asked his father.

Kratos took a knowing step back. "Because we just did."

Zaichar, without a master to restrain him, was able to draw power of the dead below ground, centuries and centuries of energy left behind when the souls crossed over to the Other Side. "Yes, yes, everything I've worked for has all been for this grand moment!" He continued to laugh as he rose off the ground and into the air. "There's only one last thing that stands in my way. Today, I will have my revenge!" Completely forgetting that he had been battling Kratos and Lloyd, the summon spirit of death disappeared from the throne room, off to complete his own evil goals.

"Where did he go?" Lloyd demanded.

Kratos turned back to Yuan. "Let us regroup and discuss this with the others. We have to find out where he's going and fast. There's no telling how much damage he can do now that he has no power limitations."

"I'll contact my people and see what they can find out." Yuan offered as the three ran out of the throne room back towards the surface.

Outside Zaichar's Fortress

Megami laughed as she flipped to avoid Colette's Angel Feathers. "Is this the best you have to offer?"

Genis was near the end of his mana and Megami, though they'd landed a few hits against her, still fought with as much energy as before. "We…have to being her down a notch."

Colette nodded and thought fiercely of how to defeat the dark elf. Her angelic magic obviously seemed to work, but Megami moved too fast for them to land a hit. Genis' elemental spells usually had a large radius, but the small mage himself didn't have enough mana left to cast such a spell. Colette had plenty of mana left, but again it was how to use it.

"You'd best pay attention on who you're fighting, little angel!" Megami jumped up and slashed with her claws, almost slicing right through Colette's throat. The angel girl gasped and raised her chakrams to deflect the attack and it was when sparks flew that she saw the collar around Megami's neck. It was radiating with dark mana.

"Colette!" Genis exclaimed in worry.

"I'm alright!" That's what's making her so powerful. Colette had seen the same collar on other dark angels on the battlefield, so it seemed obvious that one of their generals would have one as well. Taking a quick moment to land besides Genis, Colette whispered something to him before shooting over towards the poised Megami. "Take this!" She threw one chakram and then the other at the dark elf general.

Megami easily dodged one of the round weapons, but just as she was straightening from the move, the other chakram came flying and when a loud crack was heard, Megami watch in horror as her power enhancer, which she had craftily stolen from one of Saitou's precious dark angels, drop to the ground in two broken pieces.

Colette clipped her chakrams back on her hips and nodded. We've only got one chance at this! "Now Genis!"

The mage raised his scepter and thought, Please help me, Raine. Give me your strength! "Indignation!"

Megami hissed as could've sworn she saw the translucent form of the rat's accursed sister appear behind him as his mana exploded with unbelievable power.

Colette threw her arms out to her side and added in her mana as she began to cast her own spell. "Hammer rain!" From the sky flew down small lights of energy, like mystical rain, but when they fell upon Megami, she began to screech in pain.

""Mjollnir!"" Both Genis and Colette shouted, their eyes a hauntingly blue-white. Megami raised her hands to ward off the beating rain, but it was impossible to avoid and as her defenses were pummeled into nothing, Genis' spell exploded beneath her in a loud sonic boom of purification.

When the spell was over, Genis closed his eyes and was about to pass out, when Colette came down and gently kept him upright. "It's over, Genis. Megami can't bother us anymore."

"Thank you Colette…and Raine…" He said before he succumbed to the peaceful darkness.

Colette's eyes widened upon hearing her old professor's name, but had the scholar been present, even in spirit, for their battle, the two definitely owed her their thanks. Smiling, Colette too closed her eyes. "Yes, thank you Professor Sage. May you rest in peace."

"Wow, did we miss the party over here?" Zelos asked when he, Sheena, and Carbuncle entered the clearing from the forest. In front of Colette and Genis a large black crater was all that was left of the once dark elf general.

"Is everyone alright?" Sheena asked worriedly.

"We're fine, just exhausted." Colette assured, carrying Genis' little body in her arms.

"We have suffered an injury on our side, I'm afraid." Presea said as she came over carrying Regal on her back. The sight would have been more humorous had their friend not been bleeding and barely unconscious.

"Lay him here. I'll see what I can do." Zelos offered, taking out the gels he'd bought earlier as well as applying his healing arts to at least stop the bleeding.

"Considering the force we went up against, things could've turned out a lot worse." Sheena admitted.

"Where's Lloyd?" Carbuncle asked worriedly. Over time she'd grown fond of their leader, his kindness was the exact opposite of Zelos' behavior.

Colette set Genis next to Regal on the ground and looked away sadly. "He went inside with Yuan some time ago."

"And Kratos?" Presea asked.

All Colette could do was shrug.

"Well we have to go in there and help him!" Sheena stated the obvious.

"Even after all this time you have so little faith in me?" Lloyd shouted from the air as he recalled his wings and landed besides the group, his father and Yuan in the air above him.

"Lloyd!" Colette and Sheena exclaimed at once, both giving their friend a welcoming hug. The boy himself blushed a deep beat red, but knew it was because they'd been worried for him.

"Then Zaichar?" Presea asked.

"He's taken care of, but we still have Omega to worry about." Lloyd reported.

Colette frowned. "But without a master, doesn't Omega have to return to his seal?"

"It seems he doesn't want to." Kratos replied flatly. "Since he was the cause of Zaichar's downfall, it would appear he has his own agenda in mind and to my knowledge there's only one thing that could be a threat to him now."

Yuan looked over at Kratos. "And without a master, there's nothing to stop him."

Zelos frowned from his position next to Regal. "But what does a summon spirit have to be afraid of?"

Sheena gasped and looked over at her boyfriend. "What's the one thing that's kept this planet alive?"

The former chosen was at a loss. Tilting his head to the side he shrugged. "Um…water?"

Genis snapped his fingers as he too caught on. "He destroys that and everything will die!"

Presea nodded, also having figured it out. "And everything we've fought for will be in vein."

Lloyd and Zelos exchanged looks, being the only ones clueless. Lloyd crossed his arms and scoffed as he looked away. "At least I'm not the only one."

As one the group shouted, "The Great Viscus Tree!"

"Oohhhhh…" Both males reply.

His moment of complete denseness gone, Lloyd raised a fist and instantly got confident again. "Well what are we standing around here for? Let's go!" Everyone around him sweatdropped, including Zelos. Nothing could keep Lloyd down once he set his mind to it. "Zelos, I need you to stay here with Regal and Genis. See to their healing and if they heal up soon come and join us; I'll leave Aska here with you. If not, we'll come and pick you up afterwards."

Yuan turned to Kratos. "I'm going to stay and see if I can help the elves of Heimdall. I also wish to see the rest of Zaichar's fortress and see if there are any captives down below. Perhaps he did not convert them all." He paused, then added quietly. "I'm sure that's what Martel would want me to do."

Kratos nodded, completely understanding his long time friend.

"I would prefer to stay as well." Presea spoke up.

Her demeanor was unusual for the girl, but not unwelcomed. She was worried. Lloyd nodded. "All right. The rest of us will be back before you know it." Being the only one who couldn't fly, Kratos came down and picked up Sheena and Carbuncle, then took off towards the southeast. They had to stop Omega or all was lost.

Great Viscus Tree

Luccia stood amongst the others gathering around the tree, flowers being placed down along with crops and small statues of the goddess herself, presents from the people to their ultimate protector. The time was coming and the elven elemental hoped no one got injured, but with the growing crowd, now almost a hundred strong, Luccia's hope dropped. It was good that they were here to offer praise to the goddess, but now was not going to be the best of times.

"MARTEL!"

The dark voice startled everyone and they all huddled together at the base of the Great Viscus Tree. Luccia though glared at the abomination. "Omega…" She hadn't known it would be the summon spirit of death himself, but it would explain the stranger's need to request Luccia's presence.

Omega stopped before the tree and glared at it with a millennia of hatred. "Come out and fight me, Martel! You will answer for your crimes!"

Upon hearing this, the group below began to mutter amongst themselves. Luccia summoned her wind around her and rose above the people, causing more surprised gasps and comments. "You will not harm this tree, Omega!"

"Omega!" Lloyd called out, flying as fast as he could towards the summon spirit.

Omega growled low and turned quickly to fire off a dark mana ball at the approaching nuisance. Lloyd acted swiftly and dodged to one side while Kratos and Colette dodged to the other side. "You will not interfere, angel! This is between me and the heathen!"

"Martel's not the one responsible for what happened! Your actions back then forced her to do what she did! You have no one to blame but yourself!" Lloyd retorted.

Kratos frowned as he set Sheena down on the ground and flew back up to Omega's height. Did his son know something that he did not?

"Grrraahhh!" Omega powered up each hand with another mana ball and fired them off successively.

Kratos flew at Lloyd and pushed him out of the way of one, but was hit back by the next one. Lloyd himself erected his barrier to deflect the third one, but when the last one came rearing its ugly head, a bright white light exploded within him and Origin materialized behind his master, his four swords protecting him from any further harm. "Omega, this has to end now! Confronting Martel won't change what you did in the past! You must answer for your own crimes and accept the fact that Martel isn't the one responsible!" The king of summon spirits explained. Below Colette made sure Kratos was okay before both turned their attention to the confrontation in the sky. "Your hatred for Martel and even myself is misplaced and you know this!"

Alexia now knew the time had come and folded her hands in front of her, closing her eyes in concentration.

Hear my cry,
In my hungering search for you,
Taste my breath on the wind,
See the sky as it mirrors my colors,
Hints and whispers begin.

Her singing voice brought the attention of everyone present, including Omega, and before all of them, the tree's bark and branches began to glow with an inner light and a voice replied to the gentle request.

I am living to nourish you, cherish you,
I am pulsing the blood in your veins,
Feel the magic and power of surrender,
To life. Uisce Beatha

"Is that…Martel?" Colette wondered.

Luccia's people, the elementals, had been the only ones capable of performing this ritual before the tree of life. With their power, the goddess Martel could be summoned once more to this plain of existence where her followers could ask for guidance and wisdom. Summoning wind around her, Luccia performed the dance as she had been taught and spun gracefully in the currents, presenting her performance as her own offering to the Goddess

Every hand is reaching and searching,
Until your presence reveals itself,
In this dance, as it endlessly circles,
I place my faith on you.

Her offering was accepted and the Goddess responded as her form materialized before the Great Viscus Tree.

I am living to nourish you, cherish you,
I am pulsing the blood in your veins,
Feel the magic and power of surrender,
To life. Uisce Beatha

"Uisce beatha?" Colette wondered aloud.

Kratos set one hand casually on his sword, the earlier tension gone. "It means 'Believe in me'. It's a language that was lost long ago."

"Then how do you know it?" Colette asked with a smile.

"Because I have been around a long time." He replied quite seriously, but then mirrored the angel girl's smile before returning his attention to Lloyd and Omega.

Martel opened her eyes and looked upon her summon spirit sadly. "Omega, why do you force history to repeat itself?"

Omega crossed two of his arms while another one pointed accusingly at the goddess. "You banished me from this realm because you feared my power then preach about equality and strength of oneself when in the end you are nothing but a hypocrite!"

Martel shook her head. "I feel not fear, but pity. Your powers are not dark in themselves, merely the shadow that co-exists with the light, but it was what you did with that power that forced me to restrain you." She explained. "Many eons ago, when I first created the summon spirits to guide this earth, you used your power over death on the humans and when you refused to recede I protected them…by sealing you away. But there is still time for redemption, Omega. If you agree to abide by the laws I have placed upon you and your brethren, you may once again exist with us."

Omega looked away. "So either way I am forced to choose slavery? Be it by choice or the seal, I have no control over my own freedom."

From Lloyd, the other summon spirits manifested themselves around Origin and Omega and looked upon their brother with sadness. "Do not think you will be alone." The king of the summon spirits replied.

"Protecting the humans can bring its own benefits." Sephie said.

"You'd be surprised how much spunk they've got in 'em." Gnome agreed.

"You can place upon them your wisdom and guide this land rather than control it." Undine explained.

Luna sat on her moon and held her scepter over her lap. "Much can be improved by simply adding your strength to that of Lloyd's. He has done much for his people."

"Hatred…bad…" Shadow, as close as a brother as Omega could have, spoke in his usual low tone.

"We all know how lonely it can get being by yourself while awaiting the next summoner." Yutis sympathized.

"But when you know your friends are on the other side, it makes it easier to succumb to the lasting sleep." Fairess added.

Efreet stood next to his counterpart, but instead of fighting, they stood as one. "Anger can only be destructive where understanding can lead to great accomplishments."

"And when you do mess up, we'll be there to pick you up." Celsius smiled. "Just like now."

Omega was quiet and Lloyd was beginning to worry. "Even those who use the dark arts can use them for good. I know humans have a lot to learn and sometimes we forget that we're all interrelated and turn on each other for trivial reasons, but the World Council prevented another war from breaking out, a war you and your former master tried with all your power to start. Look below you and you'll see even now, after everything that's happened, there are both humans and half elves standing together in order to pay homage to the Great Viscus Tree. We can keep this going, but only with your help."

"My help? What could the power of death do for a planet thriving in life?" Omega asked.

Origin smiled and met eyes with his brother. "Life and death are as intertwined as day and night. That which lives will eventually die and that which is dead brings about life in another things. It is an endless cycle, a continuously spinning wheel that governs the lives of all."

"You don't have to destroy everything in order to improve it. There are other ways…there's always another way." Lloyd smiled.

Origin's muscles seemed to relax as he faced the youth. "My dark powers are different from the other summon spirits. That which is controlled can also be the controller. If you do not use caution, the darkness will take over. This I cannot prevent. It all depends on the strength of the heart of my master. Do you still wish to wield my power?"

Lloyd felt a moment of fear with being reunited with the dark powers, the atrocities he committed while under its control still fresh in his mind. But if he didn't do this, he'd be sentencing Omega to be banished within the seal forever. Lloyd looked over at his father and Colette on the ground and took a deep breath. He had a lot to make up for, but he knew those who loved him would always be there to keep him on the right path. "I understand the risks and I accept them."

Gasps were heard below and Luccia, who had lowered down to the ground after Martel's arrival, glared at them – silencing any further unnecessary actions.

"Then prepare yourself for I will not go easy on you!" Unsheathing his bone swords, Omega flew at Lloyd as the boy himself withdrew his swords and dodged the summon spirit's first attack.

"Let's go Carbuncle!" Sheena took out her cards and rushed towards the battle. Even though it took place in the air, she wanted to be near by so she could provide as much support as possible.

The older warrior narrowed his eyes and unsheathed his sword. "Shall we go too?"

Colette looked up to Kratos and nodded confidently. "Let's do it." Both angels took the air and stopped besides Lloyd just as he aimed forward with his sword.

Omega had circled around in order to make another pass, but this time the youth was ready. "Power Light Shot!" Lloyd held the hilt in two hands and a bright light came out of the sword in the form of an energy ball. He already knew the best way to defeat Omega was with the power of light.

The summon spirit was hit square in the chest and stumbled to regain his balance in mid air. Before he could recover, Lloyd was on top of him stabbing repeatedly with his sword. "Demonic Chaos!" He shouted as he ended the attack, lowering his shoulder to ram the bringer of death away from him.

Omega bent over and clutched his stomach painfully. Looking up he glared at the youth. Never before had the boy shown such strength, even when fused with Origin did he show such power. Then…had he been holding back? Bringing up two of his swords, Omega crossed them in front of him releasing two striped of black mana. "Darkness Wave!"

Colette was the one who jumped up to this threat, releasing her chakrams in such a way that they began to form a funnel of spinning air. "Ring Cyclone!" She shouted as the waves of energy were pulled into them and redirected safely into the sky above. The cyclone barreled forward and slammed into Omega himself. The summon spirit raised all four swords and sufficiently blocked the attack.

The next to fly in was Kratos Aurion, the angel Omega had defeated so many centuries ago and yet he could sense resolve within the angel's soul. As Omega watched his adversary dive in towards him, he smirked and erected a special kind of barrier to deal with the angel.

Kratos, not seeing it, fired off his lightning and called out, "Super Lightning Blade!" His attack flew towards the seemingly unprotected summon spirit but at the last moment, his angel vision caught sight of the light rainbow hue of the shield and his eyes widened in realization. "No…"

His attack struck the shield and bounced right back towards him, the blue crackling energy rebounding as quickly as he had cast it.

"Dad, look out!" Lloyd cried out, flying forwards, hoping to save his one and only father.

The angel knew he should've seen this coming and there was no way he would be able to dodge it in time. As he watched the bolt fly towards him he saw a flash of him holding Lloyd for the first time, his beautiful wife lying in the bed next to him. They had created something wonderful that day and Kratos held no regrets for his life, but finally reached a complete resolve with the mistakes of the past.

The attack was as powerful as anything he'd felt before and every muscle in his body screamed in pain, but yet none reached his lips. He simply closed his eyes and fell from the sky weak and defeated. He vaguely remembered hearing his son cry out his name as Lloyd caught Kratos and slowly lowered him to the ground. After that everything around him was darkness…

"Dad! Dad come on, wake up!" Lloyd pleaded. Behind him Sheena and Carbuncle, along with Colette, had taken up fighting Omega while their friend bent over the body of his father. "Come on…I've hit you with harder than that. You can pull out of this one too. I know you can." But Kratos neither answered, nor opened his eyes in response. "Damn it Dad! I thought you were gonna stay with me this time! You left to Derris Kharlan and told me to wait for you and you know what? I did! So you can't leave now! You have to keep your promise to me! Dad!"

Something in Lloyd snapped and the tears running down his face was evidence of his pain. He clenched his teeth and roughly wiped away the salty water from his eyes. He stood and looked up at the imposing figure of Omega. "I have to succeed. For everyone and everything…I can't lose!" He shot into the air, leaving Kratos on the ground, and rushed at Omega at an amazing speed. He first kneed the summon spirit in the gut and while he was bent over, Lloyd slammed his hilt into the back of Omega neck. "I won't lose to you!" He shouted. "This one my father taught me! Rising Falcon!" Lloyd flew up into the air and just as Omega was looking up, Lloyd came down with both swords.

Omega's eyes went wide and he looked down to see both of the boy's weapons impaling his black skin. When Lloyd pulled his weapons free, Omega could barely keep himself suspended in midair. Bending down to one knee, he took a deep breath and gathered the last of his mana to heal his injuries. "I surrender, Lloyd Irving. I acknowledge your power and submit. Keep this as proof of our pact." Lifting one of his hands, he revealed a black, shining onyx stone.

Lloyd took it and held it close to his heart. "If only…Dad were here to see this."

"Lloyd, he can still be saved." Origin came out of his master once again and this time stood side by side with Omega. "You now hold the power of death and life together. Use that power and save the one you love."

Lloyd gasped and flew down to Kratos where Luccia and many of the other villagers present began to form a circle around the fallen warrior.

Luccia looked up sadly at him as he approached. "Lloyd…I'm so sorry. I've tried everything, but I…"

Lloyd shook his head as he approached, the crowd separating to allow the son passage to his father. He carefully held the diamond stone from Origin and the onyx stone of Omega above Kratos body. "May the power of life and death, light and darkness, bring this lost soul back from the Other Side."

Origin and Omega faded and their life essences disappeared within Kratos, leaving everyone waiting anxiously. Lloyd knelt before his father and looked into his closed eyes. "Don't let me down. Please don't leave me." He said quietly, his tears threatening to fall again.

When the two summon spirits reemerged besides their master, Lloyd held his breath and watched as Kratos' eyes slowly opened and he looked up into the worried gaze of his son. "L-Lloyd?"

"Yeah Dad, it's me." The youth managed through a constricted throat. Both Sheena and Colette were already in tears, but the crowd around them let out loud cheers and as soon as Kratos was pulled to his feet everyone was met with hugs and congratulations.

"How dare you guys start the party without me!" Zelos called out from high above on Aska. The bird of light lowered its passengers to the ground and as soon as they were off, disappeared once more. "Is this the thanks I get?" Complained the fiery-headed youth.

Sheena giggled and rushed to meet him, giving him a big kiss on the lips. "No, that was your thank you." But Zelos was too rd in the face to reply. Besides him Genis and Regal weakly joined their friends, Presea helping them along.

"How did you do it?" Kratos asked. "Didn't I…?"

"Let's not think about what might've happened. We'll leave that for later." Lloyd cut him off with a smile. "The way I see it, everyone's here, so why not celebrate?"

"Wait." Luccia stopped him. "There's something I wanted to ask Martel."

Lloyd blinked. "Oh that's right!" Turning around he finally remembered the goddess herself had been present to witness everything.

Luccia walked forward and looked up at the great protector. "Why Martel, if you knew what was happening with Omega and Zaichar, did you remain hidden?" The question seemed like an accusation, but it was something that had been bothering her as of late.

Martel raised her hands to her heart and replied. "Because, I had faith in humanity and I had faith in all of you. You kept your word and protected this tree with all of your power, so in turn I kept my promise. If this tree ever were to come into danger, I would most surely protect it with all of my power. But I knew, this time, the tree was never in danger, nor was this flourishing planet. You have strong willed warriors protecting it, so even without me here, you never had anything to fear." She smiled towards Lloyd and his friends and slowly disappeared back into the Great Viscus Tree.

Zelos threw an arm around Lloyd's neck and the other around Kratos' and smirked broadly. "Did someone say something about a party?"

Everyone laughed and from somewhere in the crowd music began to play and the people dispersed to laugh and dance under the shade of their tree. The darkness had passed and only they held the light for their future.