Well, all the votes are in. Thank you all for your suggestions- the race was VERY close. Also, sorry for taking so long to update- I just got back from a 5-day vacation in Phoenix. Anyways, now to reveal the winner of Part V:

Part V: Martel

I see all. I hear all. Locked inside of the Kharlan Tree, I watch over all of those who reside in the twin worlds. I cry. My tears fall unseen throughout the worlds.

These tears…are they not for you, little brother? Can you not see the pain that shows on my face every time you stray further, further away from the dream we shared? No- you only see yourself. You only see me smiling on you, watching you as you commit horrendous crimes in my name. I want to right all of your wrongs, return the worlds to their original state, and tell you my real dream- the one that does not involve ending the lives of all beings and plunging them into darkness.

But there is one wrong I want you to fix most of all, little brother.

I want you to restore your bonds with your friends. I want to see Yuan and Kratos trusting you again. I want Yuan to stop plotting against you. I know why he does it. He can't bear to see you go through with this, all in the name of his beloved. He sees my pain, but he cannot stop you. Because he knows only I can. And Kratos…

Kratos…

When will you be free? Free from that façade that my brother has trapped you in? You freeze your emotions; sweep away your humanity; all because you think you have nothing left to live for. I watched you, watched as you sat there, in that room. You stared forward, not moving, not talking, not living. I wanted you to be happy, wanted you to stop being the icicle and become the fire that I know you are. I cringed when Mithos struck you, told you that because a human had killed me, you could not love one. I ask you, please forgive my brother for me- he doesn't know what he's saying. And please forgive me…I…I can't stop my brother from doing this. He is on a one-way path. He thinks that because one human killed me, then that means all humans killed me. Please…don't let him ingrain this into you as well. I saw how happy you were with Anna.

I was watching you the whole time.

I watched you save her, actually open up to her. I was surprised. You, of all people, would open up to Anna more than you would for my brother. But, then, perhaps the fact is not that surprising. Love is such a funny thing- Yuan and I know that firsthand. I guess it was time for you to find out about the thing called love, Kratos. You, who lived by the sword, were trying to live by your heart. It surprised me, but then, I still have a lot to see and learn, despite my brother's claims that I am the eternal, omnipotent goddess.

Anna…you are such a lucky person. Kratos rarely opens up to anyone. Even while we were on the journey to end the Ancient War 4,000 years ago, he rarely talked, rarely shared anything personal. He didn't even express any positive emotions, like happiness or joy or anything like that. He forced himself to become stone to everyone he met. He did this…even to his best friends.

"Kratos, what do you think…about love?"

"Why do you need to know, Martel?"

"Well, because I need your advice on it. You see, I think…I think I'm in love with Yuan, but I can't seem to get my feelings straight. Well, I obviously can't ask Mithos can I? So, I decided to ask you, seeing as you probably do have some experience in the matter, right?"

"I'm sorry, Martel, but the answers you seek are not known to me."

"What? You mean…you've never really thought about love?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I never needed to."

"But, I mean, you have at least loved someone, right?"

"No."

"Not even someone like…your parents?"

"I never knew them."

"Oh. Sorry. But still, you've never fallen in love with anyone? Not even a teensy crush?"

"No."

"Sure?"

"Yes."

"Kratos, Kratos, Kratos…why are you so emotionless all the time? Why not…relax and enjoy life for once?"

"I am a warrior at heart. Emotions are things that…can distract easily. They cloud the judgment and influence one's logic."

"So…you always act like a rock because you want your head to be clear at all times?"

"Yes."

"Oh." There was a faint mumble from Martel.

"Martel- what did you just say?"

"Hm? Oh…uh…I just said that it's a shame, because for a minute there I had you out of monosyllabic answers and into complete sentences."

"Hmph."

But you have seen the real him. You have seen through his shell and into his heart. Even for a short while, I am glad that you managed to drag Kratos Aurion out into the open. I hoped that my brother would let it go, would let you two be, but he has gotten more and more possessive ever since I died and became one with the Giant Kharlan Tree. I hope that even though you are gone, Kratos will not forget you. No- I will NOT allow him to forget you. You are his love, and not even my selfish little brother will be able to destroy that. Your love will endure. Your love will pull Kratos through, even when he thinks his life has been destroyed. I can tell. You two share so much still, even your death, Anna. Watch over him for me, will you? Kratos needs someone to be near him, even if that someone is deceased. Keep him sane until he meets the one person that will change his views once again just like you did- his son. Yes, your son lives. And he will embark on a journey that will send him straight towards his father. Oh, he won't know it then, but I am sure that he will find out somehow.

As for me, I will remain here, intertwined with the Giant Kharlan Tree for all eternity. I will always be there, watching over all of you as Fate drags you along, just as I have done for the past 4,000 years. I know my death still weighs heavily on your minds, but please you three- don't stay like this forever. Move on with your lives- you know I would have wanted you to even though I wouldn't be there in person to watch you.

And yes, my dear Yuan. If I had not died, the world would have been utterly changed. The situation you find yourself in would be so much different. I wish I could go back and change the past, but even the Goddess cannot defeat the ravages of Time and Fate. So let it be. There is no need to linger on what could have, would have, and might have happened.

Let go of the past and embrace the future. And know that Martel will always be looking down upon you.

End Part V

A/N: Not really Martel focusing on just Kratos and Anna. I mean, she would never have. Also, it is really hard to write Kranna from her centric. Sorry if this chapter is a little disappointing, but Martel is SUPER hard, and my brain is fried from Spring Break. Now go review and tell me what you think! By the way- Part VI is Dirk, as he was tied with Martel in the polls. Expect that one to be short.