Zeid was, as Volker suspected, in the throne room of the Shadow Lord. Zeid was inspecting the room when he got there, as if looking for something. He then got to a spot that he felt was right and kneeled on the ground. "It seems like only yesterday that the two of us were walking along the streets of Bastok. When we were kids, the Hume boys and girls picked on us because we were different. I remember getting into fights and defending you. They continued to pick on us, and I continued to fight." Zeid's face suddenly turned to a smile. "You never did like fighting, you believed it was unrighteous. You turned out to be a great Galka. You avoided racial discrimination, as I did not. All the same, I kept on fighting and winning…" His smile then turned into a frown. "It changed when you were recognized as the new Talekeeper. People never picked on you anymore, but you fell in love with a Hume woman! I tried to warn you Raogrimm, I really did, but you wouldn't listen. I knew she'd be the end of you… and so I was right. Today, I will get my revenge and I will, at the same time, avenge your soul!"

It was then that Strifer and the others entered the throne room of the Shadow Lord. "Zeid, why are you doing this? It's not going to make Volker's sins disappear!" Shouted Strifer.

Deaths Blessing nodded. "Nor is it going to bring Raogrimm back! What you're doing is nothing like what Raogrimm would have done if he was still here!"

Zeid got up off of his knee and turned around. "Raogrimm was my friend, however, I am nothing like him. I prefer fighting whilst he preferred peace. What I want from Volker is not for him to make his sins disappear, but for me to see that he pays for what he and his uncle have done!" He then un-clasped his Great Sword, "If you want to stop me, go right ahead and try!"

Strifer was shocked at this, but Deaths Blessing quickly un-clasped his Scythe from his back. "What are you doing, Deaths Blessing? This is not our fight, it is Volker's!"

Deaths Blessing looked at Strifer. "It may be Volker's as well, but it is also mine. I will show him how far his student has surpassed him! Both in knowledge of the Dark Knight, and companionship!"

Garek held his hand out in front of Deaths Blessing. "Think about what you're doing! It is not the time, nor the place!"

Deaths Blessing lowered Garek's hand with the butt of his Scythe, "I believe it is the perfect time, as well as the perfect place! I will show him the strength that the five of you give me, and that may open his eyes to the truth!"

Zinadae was pumped up. "Let's fight then! I'm always ready for a good fight! Let's kick his ass!"

Deaths Blessing shook his head. "No, I must do this alone. It is my fight." By this time, Deaths Blessing was well in front of the others.

Nenye was crying now. "Deaths Blessing, don't do this! I only found you if not two months ago!" Cried Nenye. "I don't want to lose you again!"

Tracy Lou nodded. "This is senseless… just a senseless battle that could result in the loss of your life! If you're going to fight him, at least let us help you!"

Deaths Blessing looked back at the others. "Nenye, everyone, I'm sorry." And with that he cast a spell on both Nenye and Tracy Lou. "ASPIR" Deaths Blessing's hand was out-reached towards Tracy Lou and Nenye then a bright green ball of energy was absorbed from each of them and absorbed into Deaths Blessing's body. Everyone was shocked by this display of action by Deaths Blessing, and were about to run towards him, but then "FIRE" Deaths Blessing blocked off the path between him and the others with a gigantic wall of flames.

Strifer was frantic. "No Deaths Blessing, don't do this!" He then turned to Nenye and Tracy Lou. "Are you two alright?" he asked.

Nenye seemed light-headed. "Yes, I'm fine." She answered

Tracy Lou just gave thumbs up to Strifer. "I'm fine, but I do have this strange feeling in my head that something terrible has happened."

Nenye looked at Tracy Lou, surprised. "Really? I thought that was just me? What's wrong with us."

Deaths Blessing was now in the middle of the room facing Zeid. "Now Zeid, we shall see who the better Dark Knight is!"

Zeid just gave a slight chuckle. "You dare go against your master? Fine then, I will not hold back this time as I did in training you!"

Deaths Blessing was angered at these words and did a full-on charge towards Zeid. Zeid swung his sword but missed Deaths Blessing, as he ducked and the jumped out of the way. He regained his stance behind Zeid, but quickly lost it again when Zeid flung is sword completely behind him, knocking Deaths Blessing back into the throne room wall. Deaths Blessing quickly returned to his feet and jumped out of the way as Zeid stabbed his sword into the wall. Deaths Blessing then attempted to hit Zeid with the butt of his Scythe, but Zeid blocked it. He then brought the front end of his Scythe across Zeid's chest and it knocked him back, but Zeid slid to a stop and blocked Deaths Blessing's Scythe as he swung again. Zeid was pushing up his Great Sword so that Deaths Blessing's fatal attack could not be carried out and when Zeid got to his feet, he pushed Deaths Blessing's Scythe out of the way and hit Deaths Blessing three times with his Great Sword. Deaths Blessing tried to stay up, but he couldn't and was forced onto one knee.

Strifer was panicking. "Nenye, Tracy Lou, use your water attacks on the fire and put this out!" He yelled from behind the burning wall of fire.

Nenye was trying to cast, but for some reason couldn't. "I am trying, but I can't!"

Tracy Lou nodded. "Me too! I think the spell Deaths Blessing cast on us prevents us from casting our spells!"

Zinadae yelled at Deaths Blessing. "Deaths Blessing, get up! This fight is not over yet! Show him what you're truly made of!"

Garek looked at Strifer. "Zinadae is doing the right thing, I believe. There is nothing we can do, so let's just help Deaths Blessing's spirit." He then turned towards where Deaths Blessing was. "Come on, Deaths Blessing! You remember what he said about us, don't you? Make him take it back!"

Strifer nodded. "Let's go! Don't give up!"

Tracy Lou joined in. "Just believe in yourself and you will never lose."

Deaths Blessing could not move, despite everyone's cheers and cries. Zeid walked up to Deaths Blessing with his Great Sword. "Don't you understand now? You can't beat me! I taught you everything you know." He then positioned his Great Sword at Deaths Blessing's neck. "Now you will pay for your mistake… with your life!"

It was in those few moments that Nenye yelled to Deaths Blessing. "Don't give in to him, Deaths Blessing! He may be powerful, but you have a weapon much more powerful than anything he has! You have our love and friendship. We will never give up on you!"

Deaths Blessing smiled, and as Zeid's Great Sword was coming down, Deaths Blessing moved out of the way then took his Scythe and hit Zeid in the back, putting Zeid off balance. He then ran up to him and Zeid turned around and swung his Great Sword but Deaths Blessing ducked and hit Zeid in the stomach with the butt of his Scythe and came up with the front and connected, sending Zeid across the room.

Zeid stood up and wiped the blood from his lip. "It looks like you are more powerful than I assumed. " Said Zeid. "Time to get serious now!" He then powered up, absorbing the dark powers of Vana'diel and becoming more powerful that ever before.

Deaths Blessing was awed by this, but not beaten, for he had a weapon more powerful than Zeid himself, and that was love. Zeid charged Deaths Blessing and Deaths Blessing charged right back. The two continued for what seemed like endless minutes, exchanging blows with each other's weapons and sometimes dodging attacks. Zeid finally got tired and managed to hit Deaths Blessing across the leg, which caused Deaths Blessing to fall to his knees, and then Zeid swung his Great Sword straight at Deaths Blessing's head and connected. Surprisingly enough, it wasn't Deaths Blessing's head that the sword had connected with, but it was the sword of Volker. "This is a fight between us only, Zeid, leave him out of it!"

Zeid was amazed to see Volker. "Two opponents instead of one? Perfect, I like to get a workout when I fight!" He then swung his Great Sword at Volker, who was thrown out of the way and so Deaths Blessing came up Zeid's chest plate with his Scythe and Zeid was knocked back. With Deaths Blessing and Zeid both on their knees and gasping for breath, Zeid finally said. "I see now, the reason that you proved to be a worthy adversary to me. You have friends and they give you strength." He looked at Volker. "My grudge is finished, our battle has ended in a stand still. I must be off, I have to rebuild my strength, I have yet another tough battle to endure…"

Deaths Blessing interrupted him. "Let me and my family come with you, Zeid, we can surely help you."

Zeid grinned. "I think not, Deaths Blessing, I am who I am without friends, as you are who you are with friends. Cherish it, for someday you may not have anyone, and you may be alone." He looked at Volker, lying unconscious on the ground. "Pitiful, he is not worthy to be leader of the Musketeers! However, I have no say in it now. It appears that the reason I called you here has been fulfilled. Raogrimm can now rest in peace knowing that Volker has been defeated!" With that, he got up and he faced the burning wall of fire. "WATER"

The fire was now put out and the others quickly ran to Deaths Blessing's aid. Zinadae was especially happy. "That was some awesome battling, bro! You have to teach me some of your moves sometime!"

Garek placed his hands on Deaths Blessing's wounds and the wounds suddenly disappeared, leaving no trace of there ever being one. "You had us worried there, Deaths Blessing, I am relieved that you are ok." Said Garek, happily.

Deaths Blessing stood up and turned to where he thought Zeid was standing. "Zeid, I…" But he was gone.

Tracy Lou looked around the room. "That's strange, he was here a second ago. Where could he have gone?"

Strifer looked at Tracy Lou. "You did hear him, didn't you? He said he had another battle to endure."

Nenye looked at Deaths Blessing, tears in her eyes. "Never do that again!" She cried. "Not without us." She then put a smile on her face.

Deaths Blessing smiled back at her and then looked at Volker. "Volker did save my life, but I have to agree with Zeid, he is kind of a weakling. I mean, one blow by Zeid's Great Sword and he was out! We should take Volker back to Bastok, and then perhaps be on our way, I think. It seems that the nation of Bastok is now in peace, wouldn't you say?"

Strifer nodded. "It sure does seem that way." He then threw Volker over his shoulder. "Well, let's be on our way!"

They all started walking but Nenye stopped them. "Wait!" she yelled. "I learned something new when I was practicing my magic the other day! Close your eyes." They all looked at her questioningly. "It's a surprise, it'll be done in nearly three seconds!"

They all nodded and closed their eyes. "Three seconds, huh?" said Strifer. "Well when I open my eyes in two more…" Strifer and the others were now standing in front of the President's office. "We're in Bastok!" Strifer was surprised.

Nenye smiled. "Well, you learn something new everyday!"

Garek was amazed. "This is truly fantastic, out bodies de-materialized in the Shadow Lord's throne room and completely re-materialized here!"