All right, everyone is asking me when the dark part will end and I'm here to say that it won't. Sorry... Anyway, I hope that everyone will keep reading after this chapter. I am posting a small warning on this one, because of some of the stuff in it.

Warning: This chapter may contain violence and blood (others did too) but more importantly it contains thoughts of suicide. There is no actual suicide but there are references to it. You've been warned.

Chapter 7: To End It All

Storm was about ten years old and was very skilled at just about anything that she was taught. She was able to defend herself against multiple enemies with the help of Pronyma, although Storm wouldn't have cared if she learned that at all from her. She was extremely gifted with her sword. She was even beginning to give her father a run for his money. She was very intelligent and could often out smart him enough to gain an edge in a fight. Kratos was much stronger and quicker than she was and was still always able to beat her. Yuan had been working with her for a year and she had already mastered how to use Fireball, Grave, Spread, and Lightning Blade. She was a fine student indeed and Mithos was very intrigued by her. He decided to keep a close eye on her skills.

Storm was getting ready for her usual lessons with Pronyma and was ready for her usual set of beatings. Storm put up her reddish-brown hair in a ponytail. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes, they had lost a lot of the emotion and spirit that they once had. The only thing left in them was a small fire that would not easily be extinguished. Pronyma was unable to completely break her spirit. All over she could see cuts and bruises covering her body. She tried to wear long clothing around her father in order to hide the injuries. If there was one thing she didn't want, it was for him to give her sympathy. She hated that and was determined to keep everything from him. Today was a new day and she was going to show Pronyma that she wasn't going to take her abuse any longer. She walked out of her room and headed toward her lessons.

"It's about time you showed up runt," Pronyma spat at her as she got up and walked over to Storm. "Are you ready to begin today's lessons?"

"Let's just get this over with," Storm replied, unenthusiastically.

"Well, you'd better be prepared because I won't save you if you're overwhelmed," Pronyma laughed as four Desians walked in. Storm drew her sword and prepared to fight. She rushed in and was able to use her Lightning Blade attack to knock one out immediately as she barely avoided being struck by another Desian. She dodged his attack and sliced her sword into him as well. The remaining two rushed at her, she was able to knock one out with her Grave, but the last one wouldn't be quite as easy. She had a tough one-on-one duel with the last Desian, but she was soon able to find a opening in his fighting and she nailed him. She walked away from the battle unharmed and Pronyma was furious. She was hoping she would be able to cause her some pain for the day. She figured she'd have to cause Storm to release her temper so she could punish her for the day.

"You think that you're so great, don't you? Just because you're pathetic father taught you to use that sword. Of course, your family doesn't explain why you are a good fighter. That didn't save your mother. That poor woman, it's a wonder she lived at all while being married to Kratos," Pronyma mocked her, causing Storm's blood to come to a boil.

Storm's eyes lit up in a rage and she was unable to control her emotions any longer. She knew what her actions would result in but she didn't really care. Storm ran at Pronyma and tackled her to the ground. (A/N: I realize that she would have to be very strong to do that when she was ten, but she was pissed.) Storm pulled out her sword and attempted to attack Pronyma with it. Pronyma saw it coming and stopped her attack with her Leonasium attack, knocking Storm backwards. Storm decided to try out her powers that Yuan had taught her as she unleashed her Grave attack, hitting Pronyma directly. The battle would have gone on longer, except that Mithos and a two angels happened to walk by and noticed that the two were fighting. They were not fighting as just a lesson, Mithos could tell that Storm was enraged. He ordered the two angels to restrain Storm as he walked over to the young girl.

"Take her to the other room, Pronyma, I assume that you can deal with her from there. Make sure she understands that she shouldn't attack her superiors anymore," Mithos ordered.

"It would be my pleasure," Pronyma responded as she brushed herself off and followed the angels down the hallway.

They stuck Storm in a room and they pushed her inside. It looked like a prison cell and Storm was a little worried about was about to happen to her. The door behind her closed and she saw Pronyma, as well as the angels standing by the door. Pronyma was holding a whip in her hand.

"I guess it's about time we teach you to respect your elders," Pronyma said as she grinned evilly at the thought of what was coming.

The two angels walked over to Storm and had her face with her back to Pronyma and they chained her hands to the wall. Storm knew what was coming and braced herself as the angels returned to the door. Storm heard the whip and her mind went numb from all the pain she felt in her back. She felt as the whip slashed through her clothing and flesh. She gritted her teeth, refusing to allow and signs of pain escape her lips. She would not give Pronyma the pleasure of hearing her cry out. Two, three, four strikes and Storm could feel the blood trickling down her back, making it's way to her legs. She was biting her lips to the point where they were bleeding, she refused to give in to Pronyma. Five, six, seven lashes and Storm's legs were beginning to shake. She was losing a lot of blood and the world was beginning to spin. She felt her legs buckle underneath her and she fell to the ground.

Pronyma seemed pleased with her work, although she was a bit disappointed that Storm did not cry out at all. "Well, I hope you learned your lesson, you can stay here the rest of the night and think about what you've done," Pronyma spat as the angels unhooked Storm's arms and they left, locking Storm in behind them.

Storm dug her fingernails into the ground as she tried to rid herself of the pain of her wounds. The pain was almost intolerable, she couldn't stand it. She was unable to move and tried to keep herself awake, but she was beginning to fade fast. She had lost a lot of blood from the whipping and couldn't focus on anything.

Suddenly, the door opened, revealing Mithos. He walked over to Storm and healed her wounds enough to keep her from dying, but he kept a lot of the pain there. "I still need you o fight for Cruxis," he whispered as he left the room.

Storm was able to move a little while after he left but she could still feel the wounds on her back. She sat back and contemplated her life.

Why do I even bother waking up everyday just to be abused and tormented? Is my life really worth all the pain? I know that it will never get any better. Pronyma will always be above me in rank and she will always hurt me. This is my life and it doesn't feel like it's worth the pain," Storm thought as she sat on the cold, hard floor.

She could have ended her life there and then. She didn't really want to go on with her life. She took out her sword and set it on the floor in front of her. She stared at it for a while. It almost seemed as if it was calling to her, the thought of ending her life scared her, yet comforted her. It would be so easy, just to take the sword and give up her life. She grabbed the sword and held it over her wrist, feeling the cold blade against her skin sent chills up her spine. She closed her eyes, but something stopped her from proceeding with it all. She thought of her father. She was the only thing he had left in the world. If she was gone, who would he have? He had done too much to help her that she felt that she couldn't leave him. She would continue on for his sake. She would do it all for him.

Zelos reached over and wrapped Strom in a hug, mortified at what she had once gone through. We whispered a few soothing words to her as he held her tightly. "Tell me, you would never consider that anymore, would you?" Zelos asked, worry written all over his face.

"I...I don't think I would," Storm replied, uncertainty hanging in her voice.

"Good, I wouldn't know what to do without you," Zelos replied.

Storm thought about it for a second and realized that those thoughts still hadn't left her mind. She felt as though it was still on option for herself. But, she was content in Zelos' arms and she realized that him and her family were her very life. Without them, she wouldn't survive.

Well, that's that. Few more chapters left. She gets her angel powers next chapter and will begin her lessons with Mithos. That means, she'll be turning into a lifeless being and will not see Kratos anymore. Gasp! Anyway, tell me what you think. Thanks!