Yo people! I wrote another chapter! Yay for me! Sorry updating took so long...damn school its owning me, like total pwnage XD Ah...um...hmm today was our schools pep rally, let me tell in one word...GHEY! Absoulte gayness, ugh god I finally realized how effed up my school is, seriously there where like random people running around, so weird. Ah yes, but Laura didn't go to the pep rally because LAURA HATES MASSAPEQUA! And uh I kinda cut the rest of 9th period, so it's all good, but we were allowed to so yeah, I'm not a rule breaker! Annnnyyyywaaayyy This chapter is long again, damn...uh well, hope you enjoy it! Only two more to go! DUN DUN DUNNNN! Oh yes...I might be making a legendary quest number two, just in case you liked it... :D
In this world there is a balance of good and evil, light and dark. If either should gain too much power over the other the world would be torn asunder. For when the Great Tree was created an evil was born along side it. Thus creating the delicate balance of light mana and dark mana. Dark mana was created with the evil of the times. The evil which grew with the Great Tree was spawned off of all the dark deeds of the world. Mithos's whose hatred and detest for humans gave power to this evil, thus it grew within him. After his deafeat his hatred still lingered and with it, the pain of four thousand years, an insurmountable evil, alive, and living within the Great Tree.
A soft cool breeze danced upon Raine's bare cheek, it made her sliver white hair sway over her closed eyes. The ground didn't have that cold, unfeeling touch anymore, instead there was softness to it, a tenderness filled with life, and a presence of untainted mana that if she could Raine would bask in its purity forever. She smelled the sent of dirt and grass in each one of her calm breaths.
"Raine! Hey! Get up!" a child like voice cried out the thumping of footsteps grew louder and then she felt a small hand on her shoulder. She groaned as one eye cracked open she pushed herself up with both hands, shaking her head to knock off a sickening dizzy spell. She gasped. There in her view was the giant Great Kharlan Tree. She looked at her brother who had an expression of worry on his face, she gave a halfhearted smile and stood up, her muscles ached and a sharp pain was coming from her side.
"Raine! Your…your bleeding." Genis whispered.
"I'm fine Genis." A laugh made them turn their heads to the right, leaning up against the tree in its shade was, him.
"Phanos." Raine heard another one of her student's whisper Lloyd got up off the ground dusting himself off.
"My, my you people are so persistent, it's a good thing I'm getting rid of you now, so you won't be so detrimental in my plans for the future." Phanos stated cocking his head to one side his eyes glowing. Lloyd gripped his sword firmly in his hands and glared.
"Your future won't come! I won't let it, we! We won't let it." Lloyd cried out as he took a step forward, he paused as an auburn haired man placed his hand on his shoulder. By now everyone had risen from the greenish brown ground. Phanos smirked and let out a laugh, he walked from out underneath the tree. He held a hand out and then swung it upward pointing to the vast blue sky. A giant shadow began to appear next to the Great Tree dulling its pure aura. Phanos laughed.
"You fools, don't you see I'VE ALREADY WON!" He cried out as he summoned his twin blades and knocked away one of Genis' lighting spells. Genis clutched his kendama in his hands glaring at the man before him. Phanos smirked.
"Those swords…" Kratos whispered his eyes narrowing, Phanos looked at the auburn haired angel.
"Well, it seems like you remembered something from all those years ago after all, huh Kratos?" Phanos asked putting both blades near to his face so the sun danced off their metal exterior.
"Solastia, Lunastia…how, how did you find those?" Kratos asked a hint of anger in his voice. Lloyd looked at his father.
"Solastia? Lunastia?" Lloyd asked looking back at Phanos.
"Yes! Eternal swordsman, Solastia, the eternal power of the sun, Lunastia the eternal power of the moon, with shards from both these swords the Eternal Sword was forged." Phanos spoke his voice echoing through the bare land where the great tree lay.
"Yes, but, only Mithos knew where those two swords where kept." Kratos stated his hand now resting tentatively on the hilt of his blade. Phanos' lips curled into a trademark malicious smile.
"You fool, how many times must I tell you, that I AM MITHOS!" Phanos snarled his eye aglow with anger. He took a threatening step forward, and immediately everyone took out their weapons and poised for battle, Phanos laughed as he retraced his step standing upright next to the tree. He placed one cold, pale, unfeeling hand on the massive trees trunk, everyone moved closer. His eyes looked skyward at the huge mass, which was now in clear view.
"No…No way, is that…" Lloyd whispered looking at Kratos whose expression was pure horror.
"ANGEL FEATHERS!" A cry erupted breaking the surrounding silence, two white chakrams flew out and buzzed past Lloyd and Kratos, hitting into the hard shell of what seemed to be a giant seed. They bounced harmlessly off the seeds shell. Phanos laughed.
"You think that'll do anything to it anymore? Haha it's far too powerful for cheap tricks like that. You had your chance to stop its growth, but you just fueled its fire, and now…and now you shall see the power of four thousand years of hatred and darkness, a hatred and darkness which this planet aided in creating!" Phanos cried out he lunged forward Lunastia out in front of him and Solastia pointing at the tree, he disappeared in mid stride and reappeared in front of a stunned Lloyd who cried out in surprise as he was knocked backwards as Phanos finished his slash attack with both swords crossing together under one another. Kratos jumped away getting into a spell casting form his sword in front of him and his shield arm resting on the blades hilt. Phanos' eyes narrowed as he saw the seraph beginning to case a fire spell. His attention was diverted as Presea and Regal came from two opposing sides both lashing out with their weapons.
"Eternal Damnation!" the ax-girl cried out swinging her blade downward, Phanos smirked and he looked to his right to find Regal falling from the now mana charged air.
"Eagle Dive!" Regal cried out the wind caused his blue hair to fly out from behind him, exposing his stern features on his face. Phanos cracked his neck unperturbed by the fighters attacks and while she was in mid swing Phanos caught Presea's ax handle causing the girl to gasp, and step backwards in surprise, Phanos was pushed back a bit by her force but he leered at her, and then his head shot up, eyes glaring at the blue haired ex-convict, Regal was too close to stop his attack or to protect himself.
"Regal! Presea!" Lloyd cried out looking with horror. Phanos' left hand crackled with black mana engulfing it in its infinite power, his eyes became silted like a reptiles as he smiled upward. He turned swiftly and abruptly taking Presea's ax and her with it, throwing them to the ground nearby, he then extended his left hand up at Regal and with a voice laced with hatred, cried out.
"Malevolent Spear!" he cried out as light black circle formed around his hand and from its center shot a beam of black energy with a blood red tip. It collided with Regal's body sending the man as if he were a toy doll flying across the green landscape, he landed with a loud thud nearby, Phanos turned around to find the half elf child helping the pink haired girl to her feet, her body swayed dangerously.
"Fire ball!" Kratos yelled form some distance away, Phanos's eyes narrowed as he extended his hand out toward the balls of fire, a black mass formed around his hand engulfing the balls of fire.
"You monster!" a voice cried out Phanos jolted forward, an action which still showed him some what human yet he wasn't, entirely. He looked down and saw two gleaming edges of twin blades, he turned his head around a bit and saw Lloyds angry expression darkening his features, with a grunt the swordsman pulled both blades out at the same time and blood splashed to the green floor with a dampened trickle. The patches of grass around the pool began to whither and die. Phanos fully turned around just as Lloyd's sword came down upon him yet again, intended to cut through his back, Phanos let out a laugh and with one swing of the white blade Solastia he knocked Lloyd away. The red swordsman skidded in the freshly packed dirt and grass sending clouds and dust up about him.
"First Aid!" He heard Raine cry out, and a glint of light blazed into his view. Lloyd sighed in relief, as he heard Regal grunt as he got up off the ground dusting himself off. Phanos took two steps forward and was at a perfect striking distance of Lloyd, who had now got into a demon fang position, Phanos ran forward in a beast technique like charge.
"Fireball!" Kratos' voice boomed from the sidelines, Phanos snarled as his head shot around his eye burning at the angel as he did a back flip gracefully landing and dodging the swarm of fiery red orbs.
"Take this! Gravity Well!" Genis cried out a black dome encompassing Phanos, his vision went completely black, Phanos' red eyes gleamed out from the huge mass the young mage created.
"Genis look out!" Lloyd cried as Phanos appeared in three places at once, surrounding a panic stricken Genis, who was still supporting an injured Presea. The images of Phanos smirked, as he made his move.
"Malicious beast!" Genis along with Presa were jostled between the three men like weightless beings; he felt his body collide with the dirt, its smell in his nostrils. The three images merged into one simultaneously, Phanos rested a booted foot onto of the fallen half-elven child.
"GENIS!" Raine spun around her eyes wide with fear, she began to run forward, but a firm hand on her should pulled her back, she looked back at Kratos his expression devoid of any emotion she was showing.
"Let me go…" she hissed under her breath clutching her staff until her knuckles went white. Lloyd was standing still his eyes narrowing; Colette was by his side her hands to her mouth her eye expressing fear and regret at her lack of help.
"Well, well this is quite…interesting." Phanos purred, his eyes narrowing in amusement, he grabbed Genis by the neck and lifted his limp body off the floor, and his sliver hair hung over his face, his kendama fell to the floor through his lifeless hand making a dulled thud.
"I think, I'll start me revenge with him…hmm how does that sound?"
"You monster, if you hurt Genis I'll…" Lloyd began taking a tentative step forward not wanting to provoke the crazed man into doing anything, which could harm his friend.
"You'll do what? Lloyd. Irving. Aurion?" Phanos let out a cold laugh.
"You're just like your father…useless when it really counts. This planet doesn't deserve to be protected by useless scum like you, that's why…I, I will create a new world." Phanos stated his eyes for once bearing some human resemblance; they had a distant look to them.
"A new world…just like Mithos." Kratos stated. Phanos spun on the angel his eyes lighting up with anger.
"NO! NOT LIKE MITHOS! Better, more advanced! I WILL USE THIS WORLD AS A VESSEL! FOR A GREATER AND NEWER FUTURE!" Phanos cried out using his free arm in sweeping motions across his chest as he spoke. The ground around them rumbled and shook with a terrifying ferocity, Lloyd and Colette fell onto one knee, and Regal rushed to get Presea out of the way, Kratos and Raine stepped backwards and the ground before them rose up in a loud cracking wave, creating a giant black line in the landscapes once pristine area.
"LOOK THE TREE!" Lloyd cried the giant black seed had unfurled and within it laid a black gnarled tree, it's trunk was charcoal black, and it's writhing roots grasped at anything living absorbing its life into its endless darkness. It's leaves bloomed, a sea of red against the blue sky, it was directly adjacent to the Kharlan Tree, and it's massive size and roots dwarfed the Great Tree by a ten fold.
"No…it can't, it can't be." Kratos whispered his eyes now showing a deep dreading fear, which was so long embedded within him. Phanos titled his head upwards, and laughed Genis still in his grip. He looked at the stun heroes of Symphonia, his eyes red with amusement, and triumph.
"This world…is mine, you fools have failed."
"NO! I won't let you…I won't let you ruin this perfect world we've fought so hard to create!" Lloyd spun around his swords at the ready, Phanos laughed.
"Oh, Lloyd, was this world ever truly perfect to begin with?" a loud cracking erupted through the now darkened field, a harsh wind blew.
"Spiritua Blaze!" Phanos' eyes widened as he spun around a beam of pure light slashed through his shoulder, leaving a sickeningly deep gash in his arm, Genis fell from his limp grasp and surprised state, he stumbled backwards clutching his arm.
"ARGG! MARTEL!" He cried out rushing forward his wound bleeding freely, and there standing before all was Martel, her staff outward and her green hair billowing out behind her, she had a look of stern anger, controlled, yet still deadly and fierce. The black trees roots had now reached the base of the Kharlan Trees trunk; the trees it seemed were fighting their own war.
"You shall not defile this world any longer!" Martel cried out her voice a mixture of past chosen's. Phanos smirked as he took one more step forward and brought Lunastia down upon the green haired maiden, she used her ebony colored staff to block his attack and with a her hand outstretched in front of her, a white orb shot out colliding with Phanos' body, sending him skidding backwards, panting. The man growled with anger as the cut on his shoulder disappeared and he summoned Solastia to his hand as well, he clanged both blades together and rushed forward with another attack.
"Photon!" Phanos held an arm up to his eyes and put up a defensive shield as Raine's Photon attack encompassed him. With a quick slash of Solastia the light attack was absorbed, he spun around parrying Lloyd's twin blade attack with Lunastia. He pushed the eternal swordsman backwards and took a step forward only to have to divert his attention to the angel who slashed at him from the other side. He fought both, father and son at the same time, the clanging of metal against metal, and the grunts of effort were heard, as in the background the trees fought. Lloyd and Kratos got Phanos into a position where he had to cross both swords over his chest to block both blows, Kratos and Lloyd pushed hard, each of them glaring between the space of their swords, Phanos' eyes alighted with an unknown evil, and power. He was being pushed back by both father and son in a joint effort attacked the man, Phanos scoffed.
"Fools…you can not...you can not… STOP THE CHAOS TREE!" A with that Phanos broke through Lloyd and Kratos's push and sent both of them flying in separate directions, they landed in the dirt, and Colette ran over to Lloyd to check if he was all right, and Raine began to cast first aid on the unmoving Kratos. Phanos turned and humphed his hair on his Mithos side falling over his eye, the other one narrowing with amusement. Martel had been trying to fight off the black gnarled tentacle like roots of the Chaos Tree it wasn't working. A cluster of roots shot out at her wrapping themselves around her ankles and neck, her staff fell to the ground as her hands clawed to break the blackened roots of the tree. Her eyes had a pure mix of horror and suddenly her world began to go black.
"Martel!" Kratos cried as he began to cast a spell. Lloyd jumped out from the wreckage and swatted the roots with his swords. Bits and pieces of root fell to the ground only to dissolve into the earth leaving behind black tainted markings on the floor. He used a demon fang attack, anything that would help cut down the live roots. A bundle cracked into his side and Lloyd went skidding to the ground, stunned, his side hurt extremely bad, he used his swords as crutches to stand on his now trembling legs. With one eye closed and out of breath he began to make his next attack.
"Lighting!" a voice cried out through the commotion, searing through a shadowy branch which had wrapped itself around Martel's neck, she gasped taking in much needed air. Raine looked down at the unconscious Genis lying in her arms. Her eyes widened.
"Yuan..." she whispered, looking up. There standing gripping his outstretched right arm, was the blue haired half elf. A pool of blood formed beneath him, he was trying to stem the flow of out pouring blood from the deep gash in his shoulder, he took a pained step forward, falling onto one knee, his eyes closing as he panted trying with all his might to get back up.
"Mar…Martel, I-I won't fail you again."Yuan said in a pitiful cry, his hair falling over his face.
"Yuan!" Kratos' wings unfolded from his back in a shower of light, he dashed forward faster then normal due to his wings. He broke his friends fall, and thought grimly to himself how Yuan once did this for him after Origin's seal was broken, he looked at Yuan's back and his eyes widened.
"Yuan…your wings, they're…"
"Gone? That must've been my clones doing, silly me I guess I put too much anger into that one." Phanos said in amusement, Kratos's head turned to the man who was leaning against the black tree; it's branches casting a shadow over him, in a protective embrace.
"Bastard." Lloyd growled as he yanked his sword out of another branch, which fell to the floor and dissolved into another black pool.
"Lloyd! Look out!" Colette cried running forward and letting a chakram loose, it sliced through an arched pointed root which had positioned itself above Lloyd's head. The red swordsman spun around and dodged it as it shot downward; he rolled to the right, and landed back on his feet in a crouched position swords in a defensive stance. Lloyd saw another swarm of branches slithering across the ground before him, he jumped away as two of the five that sped at him shot up from the ground, he blocked both with each sword, slicing one in half as another hit him in the face grazed his cheek so a thin line of blood formed on his face.
"Photon!" A ball of light encompassed another two roots leaving one which slunk back to the ever-expanding tree. The sky had now turned a purplish black; any rays of sun light that where once shining on the Great Tree had dissipated with the onslaught of the forceful darkness. The Kharlan tree looked old and withered, it's once green leaves were tinged brown, and the grass around in was blackened almost as if it was charred, the trunk was slowly becoming a milky white color.
"The tree…it's, it's dying." Colette whispered her hands to her face; her eyes had a slight sheen to them. Phanos silently, stealthily appeared behind the girl.
"Yes, and you couldn't do a thing to help stop it, could you, chosen? You're useless, just like always, come with me…to eternal darkness, come and you won't have to feel the pain of being useless any longer, come with me…chosen." Phanos' eyes danced red like poisoned wine, his amusement clearly depicted in his face, a pearl white hand stretched out from the darkness behind Colette it landed itself on her shoulder, and tightened a bit.
"Colette! Leave her alone you bastard!" Lloyd spun around not caring that more roots had appeared and were arched up ready to strike his vital points. He didn't care about anything at all just that blonde haired girl standing alone, he had to help her, had to save her even if it meant…his defeat, he'd give anything to protect, the one he cared about, so much. Lloyd glared at Phanos from his shadowed positions the man's eyebrows shot up in surprise; an expression Lloyd wasn't too fond of seeing the man with. Presea and Regal jumped out in front of the exposed swordsman's back kicking and slicing at any and all obstacles they deemed evil. Phanos hissed as a huge wave of pain shot down his arm, he looked at the wound dealt to him by Martel it was still festering and bleeding a bit, most of the blood had dried and was now a deep blackish red color, it stained his cape and black sleeved shirt, he glared at the motionless girl before her.
"If this is what gives you joy, Lloyd Irving, then I…I shall take it from you, just like…" He raised his sword above Colette's head.
"NO!" Lloyd dove, crashing into Phanos head on; Lunastia and Solastia were knocked away sent skidding across the floor, Lloyd's blades as well were lying on the ground nearby. Phanos' hand shot up from the thick dirt cloud, which their two bodies had formed, his hand wrapped around Lloyd's throat causing him to cough and gagging. Phanos stood up, his eyes burning. His hand around Lloyd's throat tightened as his eyes narrowed, Lloyd gasped and struggled to break free, but the man holding him didn't seem to notice.
"How dare you try to stop me, you wretched inferior being!" Phanos cried lifting Lloyd up off the ground and tossing him to the side.
"Lloyd!" Kratos laid Yuan on the ground and ran forward his sword slashing into air, he looked down and saw Phanos' crouched on the ground leering at him, the man's foot came in from the side but Kratos jumped backwards just in time to miss being kicked in the side. Phanos hissed as he stood up, raising his left hand, a bright light erupted and Solastia was resting in his clenched hand. Lloyd groaned from the ground as he rubbed his throat and coughed, he shook his head getting his bearings and looked up to see Kratos, wings still unfurled, and Phanos in a dual, their swords ringing throughout the spacious landscape. Raine was watching her wand at the ready, Genis stirred from his place on the grassy floor. Lloyd growled with annoyance at his own weakness he got up and grabbed both swords dragging them on the floor a little, he rushed forward, at Phanos' exposed back. Kratos dodge yet another strike at his arm, as he rolled to the side, thrusting his sword forward, he noticed, from the corner of his eye, Lloyd coming in from behind, he jumped backwards as Phanos swung Solastia downward through the air, he changed direction too swiftly though and with a flick of his wrist, and a slight turn of his body, the man cut into Kratos's shoulder causing the angel to wince and clench his teeth in pain. Phanos smirked, his eyes narrowing as he then spun fully around kicking Lloyd, who had managed to block the booted mans foot, was sent flying backwards a dust cloud kicking up around him.
"RAY!" Raine cried as a giant ball of light erupted above the Chaos Tree shooting out rays which cut through the gnarled trees trunk and red leaves only to have them regenerate faster and more thicker than before, the Chaos Trees roots were now wrapped around the great trees trunk, Martel was fighting it as well; both half elves attacks were nullified though, causing little damage. Blackened roots whipped through the air, Regal and Presea dodged a bunch slicing and kicking them, as they dissolved more.
"The Chaos Tree…what, what is it!" Lloyd cried slashing downward only to have his sword blocked by what looked like a black mana shield it pulsed with purple energy. Phanos smirked. "The Chaos Tree is a tree born off the darkness of human, elves, and half elves hearts. It is their pain, their greed, their hungry for revenge, it is everything, which this world gives off, it is the anger of those who have been oppressed, and those who seek justice." Phanos said swatting Lloyd to the side.
"As long as there is discrimination is this world, and as long as people are too self indulgent to change, the world shall die, and the Great Tree will be but a empty shell. As long as humans and half elves alike are unwilling to change, the darkness shall never be destroyed." Phanos stated as he summoned Lunastia and crossed both swords over his chest blocking Kratos's sonic thrust. He flung Kratos away with both swords as he lunged at Lloyd.
"People can change!" Raine stated from her position across the way, Phanos stopped and looked at her, smiling. He began to laugh.
"Ha, ha, ha! You're so delusional! People can't change! And they never will! As long as they dwell on the past, people both human and half elves alike will never change, that is the true weakness of having a heart. So easily tainted, and yet, just as easily cleansed, if the owner wishes it, which I doubt any human in this world would want." Lloyd's eyes narrowed.
"I don't believe you, I don't believe that people's hearts are that easily manipulated like that!" Lloyd cried out slashing at Phanos who blocked him and in turn punched Lloyd in the face, sending him reeling backwards. Phanos smiled as Lloyd glared at him wiping the blood from his lip with the back of a red-gloved hand, Phanos' two different colored eyes sparkled with amusement.
"It's amazing how ignorance is such bliss, isn't it?" Phanos said his lips curling into a sadistic smile as he thrusted Lunastia forward cutting a deep grove into Lloyd's side. The swordsman jumped backwards holding his side, which oozed red liquid between his fingers.
"It might take time, days, months, even years, but people can change!" Lloyd stated defiantly holding his side his exsphere hand shook; he heard the low thrumming noise again. He looked down surprised his exsphere was glowing a bit brighter then normal, Lloyd's eyes narrowed What-What the hell is going on with my exsphere? His head shot up and he turned his attention back to the scowling Phanos who then sighed.
"Stupid, you learned nothing. People can change, yes…BUT AFTER 4000 YEARS OF OPPRESSION DO YOU REALLY THINK THEY'LL TURN A BLIND EYE TO THOSE WHO OPPRESSED THEM? You idiot, humans, half elves, they all hold grudges that is the fate of man, to kill one another by revenge. That's why; I will start a new world freed of all." Phanos said the black tree seemed to be clawing up the Great Tree about now, the creaking and shuddering of the Great Tree was the only noise heard in the vast expanse, a warm breeze blew across the field making the once green, now black, grass sway in the winds alluring silent dance.
"You're just like Mithos…" Kratos stated, Phanos turned on him, his eyes glaring dangerously, he growled.
"Mithos…NEVER! His dream was empty, a world filled with empty vessels, just to get his sister back, a childlike desire, my world shall be more advanced, powered by darkness, with hatred I will travel the expanses of space, and create a new better world, one which will judge those whose hearts have wandered."
"That's impossible!" Lloyd cried out swinging his bloodied arm out in front of him.
"Nothing…is impossible, eternal swordsman, if Mithos can create worlds…SO CAN I! AND THIS TIME YOU SHALL NOT STOP ME!" Phanos cried out rushing at Lloyd.
"LLOYD!" Everyone cried out.
Sheena stood rooted to the ground the floor beneath her cracking ominously, a bright red summon circle appeared beneath her she closed her eyes as she summoned the god of hell fire. The giant black dragon turned from its fight with the red headed chosen of Tethe'alla is hissed as it began to inch closer to the ninja.
"Damn, Sheena." Zelos whispered wiping blood from his forehead, as he ran underneath the lumbering dragon, which let out a booming roar.
"Volt! Keep this bastard busy will, ya?" Volt responded with a jolt of electricity, it struck the great black dragon square in the chest, the Sylphs flew out, while the dragon roared in pain bolts of arrows and a flashing of a sword would have been seen, if anyone was out in the encompassing darkness. Obsidian swiped Yutis into the ground below, taking with her Sephie with her, the dragons massive jaw opened wide, the air around it began to bend with the heat, and a jet of black fire erupted hitting Fairess sending her flying backwards, crashing into Undine who fell into a watery mass. One of the dragon's massive clawed hands shot out and grabbed Volt, it's huge palm completely going over the summon of lighting, a beam of lighting dropped from the sky as a Volt tried to break loose, it's efforts for naught as Obsidian let out deep throated growls against the summon of lighting's attacks. It's silver claws inched their way inside Volt who, was saved by a blue dog with massive teeth, it gripped onto the dragons wrist, Obsidians other hand came swooping in, hitting Fenrir to the ground where it landed on its feet, next to its master, the hairs on its back bristled as its eyes flashed and it bared its fangs. Volt fell from the dragons weakened grasp; Celsius saw its tail come from the side, her eyes widened.
"Fenrir! Jump!" The goddess of Ice cried the dog, turned its head and Celsius jumped in front of the oncoming tail, her arms crossed over her chest as she bent down on one knee, the impact sent her crashing into a nearby pillar, Fenrir landed a few inches away it let out a dog like yelp as it crashed to the ground. Obsidians arrow shaped head turned toward Sheena and Zelos who stood by her side, she raised her arms, Obsidian shot forward at surprising speed for its size. Zelos's eyes narrowed as he looked from the dragon back to Sheena, he prepared to attack no matter what. Obsidian folded its wings in, in a flurry of wind sending Zelos's hair flying out behind him, he readied his sword, and he looked at Sheena.
"I summon thee, god of Hell Fire!" Zelos sighed; a glint of silver caught his eye, he turned eyes wide.
"Sheena! Get Down!" Sheena was just recovering from the summon spell, when it fully registered in her mind Zelos's words, a flare of orange and loud boom, she closed her eyes, she felt no ground beneath her feet. I'm dead, I knew it, I knew I couldn't save anyone…
"Sheena…hey! Open your eyes! You're not dead yet, not on my watch." Sheena's brown chocolate eyes popped open; the vast purple rocks below seemed distant. She looked at Zelos who had her cradling in his arms, this would've felt different if it weren't for what happened a few hours ago, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement, his orange wings extending from his back. Sheena sighed and looked down, her eyes wide.
"Um, Zelos."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Dragon…behind you." Sheena pointed with her free hand since the other was wrapped around Zelos's neck. Zelos craned his neck to see a furious red eyed black dragon zooming toward them mouth a gap, Zelos turned around sweat appearing on his brown.
"Hah, hah, ah wow…that's bad." Sheena glared at him.
"WELL LAND YOU IDIOT!" She cried as the dragon's roar erupted through Kharlan. They both landed and a jolt sent them sprawling onto the floor. Sheena rubbed her side.
"Damn, we have to kill this thing before it reaches Symphonia, who knows what it'll do." She whispered.
"But, nothing is working." She looked at Zelos whose head was titled upwards, his eyes staring straight at the oncoming dark beast. It's leathery black wings sliced through the stale windless air. Orbs of various colors appeared around Sheena and Zelos, the summon spirits formed into view. Obsidian landed a few feet from the circle, the platform shook with its weight, a giant silver clawed hand smashed into the circle of summon spirits, they all managed to get away, staying closely knitted around their master. Yutis strung her bow.
"YOU WON'T HURT LADY SHEENA!" The fairy cried out its squeaky voice extremely high and commanding, Obsidian snorted and black smoke flew from its nostrils, its red eyes narrowed and its mouth began to open. Origin flew down from the black sky above, its four swords going through the roof of Obsidian's mouth, the dragon slammed it's massive head into Origin sending him crashing to the ground, Origin's swords were still stuck in the dragons thrashing head. Undine fired water missiles at the dragon; Celsius used a frost attack to freeze them turning them into ice missiles.
"Eat dirt!" Gnome cried scooping up a huge rocky mass of Kharlan's floor and threw it at that black dragon Ifirit used a fire spell melting the rocks so it was like hot magma and when it hit the dragons skin it seared deep into its scaled flesh, Obsidian slashed down with it's tail shattering rocks over the summon spirits. Zelos covered Sheena, his back to the dragon. A burst of light made the dragon shriek as Luna casted Ray, Obsidian's foot stepped dangerously close to the edge of the platform, it glared eyes glowing, as a deep throated growl erupted from its curled lips, it's giant fangs dripping with venom and red blood from the wounds in it's head. It's mouth opened and a ball of black fire erupted from it's mouth, the summon spirits formed a rainbow covered shield, Sheena saw them being pushed back as they tried to deflect the summon of Chaos's fiery flame attack. Shadow appeared beside the dragons leg, Obsidians eye looked down it shut its mouth and swiped at the summon of darkness which disappeared into the floor, Obsidian let out a bellow, looking down, it's eyes wide, Zelos's blade was sticking out of it's chest infused with light magic. It's huge head shook back and forth with agony, as it's right hand hit into Zelos sending him flying to the side and off of the platform. Sheena wide eyed ran over to the edge. Shadow formed around Sheena protecting her exposed back, its hand became needle like and it slashed at the dragon's claws.
"ZELOS!" She fell onto her knees, burning hot tears forming in her eyes, even if she was using all her will to stop them.
"No." she whispered, she turned around furiously.
"YOU BASTARD!" She cried. Sheena! You know how to beat it…release that which resides in your heart, the power…
That voice…Corrine! Is it really you! Corrine!
I am Verius now Sheena…go do what you must, use the power…the power, of…"Of…Love." Sheena held up her arms, a pink light formed around her.
"I summon thee! You who change hearts fromm black to white, Verius!" The true form of Corrine appeared in a burst of light, causing Obsidian to screech in pain, all the other summon spirits got up from the ground.
"Return from whence you came, abomination of the world, be sealed, Summon of Chaos, Obsidian!" Sheena cried extending her hand out in front of her, Verius ran forward his image but a blur of pink, it rammed into the great black dragons chest, Obsidians eyes widened as it began to revert back to it's snake form, it let out a cry of pain, as it fell into the darkness of Kharlan. Sheena's shoulders dropped as she walked over to find Zelos smiling up at her, one hand tightly wrapped around the edge of the platform.
"A little help?" Sheena laughed as she wiped tears out of her eyes bending down and grabbing the chosen's hand. And to think, the way to kill it was there all along…love, which will banish the darkness.
Phanos jumped into the air his eyes had a maniacal glint to them, his swords held above his head glinting in the blackened ink sky, Lloyd looked up, his hand throbbing painfully. Phanos gasped, his swords slipping from his hands, Lloyd jumped backwards, as the man landed on the ground a crumpled mass, as he gasped in pain.
"Ob…sidian!" he cried clutching his chest, as the dragon's bellows erupted over Phanos's cries. He was gasping for breath, on hands and knees, his two different colored eyes wide with pain and fear, his hair was plastered to his face with the wave of sweat which had just over taken him.
"No…how, how can this…" His head shot up his normal black bangs falling over his eye, the crystal blue eye of Mithos glared at Lloyd, anger etched within it. Lloyd stared back at the fallen man his vision going completely white.
"What…the hell?" Lloyd cried looking back and forth but nothing but whiteness surrounded his vision. There was no breeze, there was no grass beneath his booted feet, nothing, just a deep white void, of nothing.
"Phanos! I know you did this…where are we, tell me what you've done with the others!" Lloyd cried out his voice showing nothing of the internal fear, which resided in his mind. A laugh erupted through the blanketing whiteness, Lloyd's eyes narrowed. A loud crack and the swordsman turned around, to see black glinting eyes staring ruefully at him, a smirk appearing on the face of those pitch black eyes own. Lloyds instinctively took a step back. Phanos took a step closer.
"So, we can finally chat, in peace and quiet, no?" Phanos asked another loud popping noise and he disappeared, Lloyd growled.
"Quite the games you bastard! Why are you doing this!"
"That's what…I wanted to ask you." Phanos's voice responded.
"What do you mean!" Lloyd cried out.
"You know exactly what I mean…swordsman." There was a long pause. "Why are you protecting…this planet?" Phanos asked.
"It's my home…my friends home, why else!" laughter erupted through the vast whiteness.
"This…is what you call a home? A place filled with resentment, anger, pain, is that what home is to you, Lloyd? It doesn't sound too pleasant to me, then again I wouldn't know, I never had one." Lloyd's eyes narrowed.
"If you just want my sympathy, you're not getting it." The brown haired boy stated to the blank spacious whiteness. Phanos laughed again.
"SYMPATHY! I never asked for anything of the sort, no, I ask that you understand…understand the true purpose of my being."
"Your purpose is to destroy Symphonia! I won't let you!" Lloyd retorted angrily. A loud pop and Phanos stood there in front of Lloyd, in his original human form, his back was to Lloyd, he turned around two bangs falling over his left eye, his expression was of a deep sadness. He let out a tired sigh.
"You never will understand, will you?" Phanos asked looking at the white floor.
"What…"
"I never wanted this…this pain." Phanos paused as his gaze dropped to his hand he closed his eyes.
"You're not the Phanos on the outside…are you?" Lloyd asked looking at the man before him. Phanos chuckled.
"I don't really know anymore, to tell you the truth. You're the only one…Lloyd; you're the only one that can stop this, all this pain…this darkness. I was just too weak willed I suppose; how ironic. That seems to be the fate of man is it not? Phanos looked up at Lloyd his eyes glinting with what would seem to be wetness.
"Will you not, help change my fate…Lloyd Irving Aurion? Or will you let this planet die? Your choice…" Phanos disappeared along with the white void Lloyd was staring at an enraged Phanos now. The half angel, half man let out a low growl, he grabbed his swords and got up.
"LLOYD!" Kratos cried running forward leaving Yuan beside the Great Tree. Phanos turned his head to the angel and held out one arm. Brownish mana surged into view and the rocks beneath Kratos's feet shot out from the ground causing him to fall backwards, landing in a circle of stone. Phanos returned his attention back to the swordsman he leered.
"Die…eternal swordsman! PERISH ON MY BLADES!" Phanos ran forward, his sword behind him, Lloyd stood there numbly. Why…why can't I move…my hand, my exsphere it hurts…so much. Lloyd's other hand went over his exsphere; Phanos jumped into the air in front of Lloyd his swords emitting both white and black mana. His eyes widened as Lloyd's head turned upward, his eyes where a crystal blue, another figure emerged from the swordsman.
"No…it-it…can't be…YOU! YOU SHALL DIE!" Phanos cried out gritting his teeth as he swiped the air with both swords making a half white half black X in the air.
"DEMONIC CROSS SLASH!"
"NO LLOYD!" Colette and Genis cried out, Raine held them both back, as a blinding white light caused them all to turn away, a cry from Phanos erupted through the light, a giant blast of smoke and dirt flew about, but it cleared due to an unknown wind.
"No…" Kratos whispered his eyes wide.
"It…it can't be!" Colette said her hands going to her mouth.
"Mithos…" Genis whispered, there standing before Lloyd was the fallen leader of Cruxis, he phased in and out of view, like a projected picture. He's hands were extended out before him, his giant rainbow wings were also out, a rainbow colored shield in the shape of a half circle encompassed both he, and Lloyd, who stood rooted to the ground, sweat on his forehead.
"My liege, it seems you finally revealed yourself." Phanos said mockingly bowing to Mithos, who glared.
"Phanos, I'd never have expected you to be so susceptible…"Mithos responded his voice calm. Phanos laughed, his eyes narrowing.
"You're the reason I'm like this you know." Phanos stated.
"I know that's why I'm going to rectify my wrongs." Mithos said tiredly.
"It's too late for that, you failed in your attempt to save this world, now it's mine." Phanos said.
"We'll see Phanos, we shall see." Mithos said stepping forward the barrier disappearing.
"You're move, oh great leader of Cruxis." A silent breeze blew through the tense atmosphere leaving an equally unsettling silence, as the two angels faced off in the land of the Great Kharlan Tree.