A/N: OK here it is… not the last chapter but the one where you find out what happens to Zelos, Raine, Regal and Sheena… dun dun dun… and the end is coming pretty soon.

Ten

The Dark Seed

Lloyd bent over his father. The fleshy hole in his body was charred and the blood had dried. Tears mixed with the blood that had been spilled. Lloyd gritted his teeth in rage as he looked at Kratos' face. Surprise, fear, shock and hatred mixed on his face. Lloyd was going to kill 'Raine', even if he died doing it. He was going to kill her for what he did to Kratos.

Lloyd got up and wiped the tears from his face. Genis, Presea and Colette came to his side. Tears were in all of their faces. They looked at Raine.

Genis finally sobbed, "Why, Raine?"

"Because," Raine smiled. Lloyd took a step back as she appeared right in front of them. "I promised Kratos I would kill him… and an eternal being always keeps his promises." Lloyd gasped as Raine twisted her shape until before them stood a tall, bony figure, with rotting flesh hanging from its face, icy mist flowing from its breath, and curved horns jutting from its head.

"You're not Raine!" Lloyd clenched his fists.

"No… how observant of you," the Lich laughed. "And now I am going to finish you all off once and for all!"

"Ready yourselves guys!" Lloyd cried, fighting back the rest of his tears. The Kusanagi Blades were in his hands, and he was ready to strike this creature down. He looked around. Tears still poured down Colette's face, but the Angel's Halo was gripped firmly in her hand. Genis had wiped the water from his eye and held the One World. He was ready. Presea looked furious and her lip was curled in a snarl, the Gaia Cleaver was in her hand.

Lloyd Irving, Colette Brunel, Genis Sage and Presea Combatir rushed forward, ready to fight and die for Symphonia.

Lloyd pushed his shoulder forward crying: "Raging Beast!" A giant lion's head flew towards the Lich.

Hethzera put his hand up, and the beast faded. Meanwhile Presea rushed in and swung her ax at the creature, but he disappeared. Presea's ax swung into the ground. She pivoted and brought it up.

The Lich reappeared behind Colette. The Chosen turned around and jumped back, crying: "Judgment!" Rays of light blasted towards Hethzera but he put his hands up and they were assimilated.

Lloyd and Presea went in for the attack as Genis roared: "Raging Mist!" Burning mists and flames encased the Lich as Lloyd went into the Rising Falcon form and Presea swung into Devastation. Lloyd dove into nothing but ground however, and Presea slashed at air. The Lich kept on disappearing.

"How are we supposed to fight him when he keeps disappearing!" Lloyd cried angrily.

"You're not!" Hethzera hissed as he appeared right in front of the Great Tree. Dusk had almost fallen. "You can do nothing to stop me now! Behold, dusk falls!"

Lloyd looked up. Darkness had fallen… stars covered the sky and the full moon hung brightly. "So what!" he cried.

Hethzera laughed his malicious cackle. "So this!" he opened his hand and a small black seed fell to the ground at the base of the Great Tree. "Behold the Dark Seed!" he roared.

Lloyd screamed and clenched his hands over his hair. Excruciating pain overtook him as the world was bathed in blood red light. He forced himself to look up through the pain and vomit fell from his mouth. Writhing black vines that pulsated with green light crept up the tree, encasing it in malicious light. The leaves fell and the bark peeled off. The branches withered and the tree itself bent. Tears fell from Lloyd's eyes. So this is it, he thought. We failed.

Sheena raised her cards to attack once more… but she didn't have to. Fire engulfed the ninja's world… black evil fire. The ground was uprooted and fatal pain overtook her. Sheena and Zelos were ripped from the ground into the air. They were spinning around in a fiery sky, and Sheena felt her life slipping away. But she smiled.

She looked at Zelos… the man who had always been lustful towards her, but was now the one she loved the most. As they flew in the sky in pain they reached out their hands and grasped each other… forcing themselves through throbbing hurt to embrace one another for the last time. For the final time, Sheena kissed Zelos gently on the lips.

Then death took them both.

Regal knew the end was near as he ran across the plain. The remaining cadavers had been a challenge, but he had won. Suddenly, the sky ripped open and fire fell. The earth erupted around him and lava spouted forth. Explosions crackled around him and the chains around his wrists shattered. Regal closed his eyes and ignored the fiery pain that shot through his body. As he was pulled by a crushing force through the air, Regal thought, At least I die a free man.

Regal Bryant breathed his last.

(A/N: OK I promise I won't kill anyone else… so keep reading!)

Raine had reached the portal. It glimmered before her. Just a few more steps. The cadavers threw their spears and swords at her, but Raine dodged them. She threw the Heart of Chaos at them and heard them scream as its magic engulfed them. Then Raine took the tome out of the bag and held on tightly to it. She jumped face first through the portal. As her feet entered, a huge explosion sounded behind her. The sheer force knocked Raine unconscious. But she had succeeded.

A/N: OK… well you're probably all sick of me by now and want to hunt me down and kill me… but don't worry! Just keep reading! lol