A/N: For Warning and Disclaimer, refer back to PROLOGUE

Chapter 10: Phoenix

As the Embryon group had reached their destination, they all knew that this was the last checkpoint that they all needed to pass. They all also knew that when they passed this checkpoint, there would be no turning back. There wouldn't be any second chances. This was the last time that any of them would be seeing Fred.

Cielo stopped in his tracks as he stepped over the lane on the road which was painted, separating the main road to that of the airport. As if there was an invisible barrier, he knew that this was the spot that would separate their destiny with Fred's.

Cielo, feeling his heart dropped at the thought of saying goodbye to a good friend, conjured a façade and faced Fred with a lopsided grin, "Oops! You can't go any further."

Fred gave him a confused look, "What? But I want to go with you guys!"

Cielo shook his head firmly, "No way kiddo…Your place is here. We have to go. You are needed here."

Gale stepped forward, "Cielo is right. Should we succeed in convincing God, the world will be saved and the people would need guidance and a new leader. You are needed here Fred." Fred's eyes began to water as the impact of their words hit him. Gale knew that this was the last time he would see him and thought that it was best that he knew the truth about his father's death.

"Fred, there is something I should tell you…"

Fred looked up at him, his brown eyes blurring with tears. "I once killed a great and proud warrior; your father…I killed him." Gale confessed. Fred smiled a sad smile, "I know. Roland told me. But…I can't hate you. I can't hate you because…we're comrades."

"Comrades?"

"Yes, comrades. Promise me you'll come back because that's what comrades do; they don't abandon their fellow comrades."

Gale smiled. He saw that Fred had drastically changed from the very first moment that they met him. He was more matured now. "Yes…I like the sound of that…Comrades."

Fred offered his hand and Gale took it. Cielo, Serph and Sera watched on as they beheld the future leader of Karma City.

xxxxx

The guards that had intercepted them had all said that the planes had been destroyed but the group did not believe them and pressed on. The guards were the minions of Jenna Angel. Through navigation of the airport, they at last came face to face with Jenna Angel.

"You've finally showed up."

Gale stepped in front of the group, "Go! I'll handle this." Serph and Sera nodded and went on ahead while Cielo hesitated, "Wat about our contest?"

"We'll postpone it."

"Nah…I'll give you de win…brudda." Cielo replied with sadness lacing his words.

"You're too late. All the planes have been destroyed."

Jenna's words have frozen Cielo in his tracks. Gale quickly barked, "She's bluffing!"

"How do you know?" Jenna snapped.

Gale calmly replied, "Because there's no one else alive who would die following your orders."

Cielo raised his eyebrow, "Why are you trying to stop us? You won't survive dis thing either!"

Jenna smirked and Gale had ushered him to leave. Cielo nodded and ran after Serph and Sera.

Jenna turned her eyes to Gale. Gale met her eyes steadily, "You once made a promise to David. You were once a doctor who cared about the people. David loved the people and he loved you."

Jenna froze as she heard his voice speak those haunting words. 'How could he have known David?' she thought, confused. As the second slowly passed, and as she gazed upon Gale's face, a revelation came to her. She gasped and her eyes widened at the realization, "No…you can't be him! You can't!"

"I only knew recently when I felt David's consciousness in me. You can choose to accept it or not. But the truth is, David is a part of me…" Gale began to advance towards her. Jenna backed away from him, barring her arms in front of her as a means of defense. Jenna felt trapped. It was then that she did the only thing she could; she stabbed Gale with her transformed arm. She let her tears freely flow and Gale gripped her shoulders, hard, and held her gaze. Gale reciprocated Jenna's actions and stabbed her with his transformed arm. Jenna groaned, "Is…is this what you wanted?"

As Gale fell on his back, he took Jenna with him and there, on the stone-cold floor, the two rested and had the eternal sleep. It was in death that Jenna Angel was finally able to rest, free.

xxxxx

Serph and Sera quickly boarded the plane and took off while Cielo briskly flew beside them. They had hoped that the remnants of their journey would be peaceful and free of interference. But they discovered that they were wrong. Three enemy jets had been picked up by their radar. Sera gasped as she found out that they had been locked in their weapons guidance systems.

Cielo smiled to himself. He knew what he must do. Just as Gale, Roland and Argilla before him, he must make his ultimate sacrifice in order to let Serph and, ultimately, Sera, survive and succeed.

"Ey? Where did you pretty face go ja?" Cielo asked Sera through her window with a fake smile. Sera had been crying. He could tell. The tears still left a fresh trail on her cheeks.

Cielo looked at Serph, "Take care of her ja?" Serph just nodded and Cielo turned his attention to Sera once more, "I'll see you in Nirvana."

Sera nodded whilst sobbing and Cielo flew backwards, drawing the missiles to himself and away from the planes. He had managed to dodge them and sent them back to their source, but the last one, had been targeted for Serph and Sera. Cielo had no choice but to use his body as a shield to absorb the explosion; and absorb the explosion he did.

xxxxx

As Serph and Sera landed at the old and abandoned HAARP facility, Sera felt her knees buckle and she found herself unable to walk. Serph saw her predicament and immediately went to aid her. He caught her in his arms and she looked at him with eyes that were filled with so much fear, sadness and regret.

"Argilla, Gale, Heat, Roland and Cielo are gone…and you and I remain. Serph, I'm scared!"

Serph smiled at her reassuringly, "It's okay. No matter what happens, we'll always be together."

Sera felt her vigor return as she heard his voice. She took his hands in hers and the two walked inside the facility.

Sera had already made the preparations; all that was needed now, was the procedure to take place. Serph knew she was scared. The word 'scared' was an understatement. She was petrified with fear. He couldn't blame her. The fate of the human race and the world were bound on her shoulders. The memories and hopes of those fallen comrades were also on her. Sera had a lot to do and right now, she was doubting herself. Serph did the only thing he could do. He knelt down in front of where she sat and held her hand tight. She reciprocated and squeezed his in return. And then, the procedure had begun.

Serph saw how Sera's body convulsed and spasmed, but no matter what would happen, he would never leave her side. The facility's data had already been compromised. God was taking it away and the facility had begun to burn. Serph could feel the heat surround him and the smoke overpowering his lungs, but he didn't care. He promised Argilla and himself as well as the members of Embryon that he would protect Sera, up to the end. And that was what he planned to do.

Sera felt her energy drain away from her body. This was it. Serph too felt the chi of life seep from his body and soon, he no longer had the strength to hold Sera; he collapsed on the floor of the burning facility.

xxxxx

As he opened his eyes, he saw that he was still holding on to Sera's hand. But they weren't on Earth any longer. They knew that they both had crossed over from one plane of existence to another. They were no longer human but raw data.

"Serph, we need to reach God but we could get lost along the way if we're not careful. We need to focus."

Serph nodded and pulled her tighter against him. It was this very moment that he felt the warm feelings and emotions that he felt when he was with Argilla that night. He looked around and saw that his friends, his comrades, were beside him, offering him the smile and support that they could muster. It was also then that he felt another hand on his arm. Serph turned around and saw her. Argilla was alive. Serph felt his eyes water and Sera nodded in understanding. Sera gently and playfully pushed herself out of Serph's grasp, "Go on! I can take care of myself!"

Serph smiled at her, grateful. Serph turned back to Argilla and took her in his arms, never letting go. Argilla cried herself on his suit and embraced him tighter. Serph, feeling content, placed a kiss on her head. Argilla smiled at that; he always did that when he was telling her that everything was going to be fine. And now was no different. They really were going to be alright. They were all together now.

It was then that Serph has engulfed in a blinding light and Sera as well. The members of Embryon had always known that the two were destined for something and this event was probably it. Argilla felt her heart quiver in fear. Would she lose him again? She knew that something was going to happen but a part of her couldn't help but yearn for Serph and Serph only. She always told herself that she would accept whatever issues there was concerning Serph. But now that destiny was involved, she wasn't so sure anymore.

Argilla hated destiny for this. Destiny was so cruel to her that it made her fall in love with Serph only to claim him from her arms. 'Why? Why did I have to love him? If I didn't I wouldn't feel this way…it just isn't fair!' she thought miserably. 'What about my feelings? Don't they matter to destiny? To God?' She closed her eyes shut in hopes of stopping her tears from flowing. She closed her eyes shut because, deep down she was hoping that it wasn't true at all; that this was all but a dream and that she would wake up from it.

Argilla was bitter of destiny; she had never asked for much; she had just asked to have a normal life. When she couldn't have that, she believed in fighting for it; to achieve that. She loved her friends; she loved Serph. With them, she was able to take whatever challenges God and destiny had in store for her. But now, she knew that God and destiny were taking Serph away again. This challenge, she was not sure if she could take. She could cry her eyes out and have blood for tears and no one would care; no one would spare her a glance. He would. But he would be gone by then. She hated destiny, but she could do nothing but accept it nonetheless and so she continued to cling to him, tighter than ever.

When she opened eyes again, she saw that she was no longer in Serph's arms but another being. Sera was missing too. Their journey suddenly came to an abrupt end. They were all in a strange place; a strange plain. It was here that they again came face to face with Schröedinger.

Argilla's mouth was gaping as she saw the being before her. It had Sera's voice, "We're here now! I'm so glad that I could everyone again! What? What's wrong?"

It was then that Schröedinger spoke, "Take a look at your new form. You and Serph had merged into one being. Soon, your minds shall be fully integrated as your bodies had been."

Sera looked at her arms and saw that they had been different from before. She also saw her reflection and gasped in surprise. Her jet-lack hair was now a mixture of silver and black; the left side of her head having black hair and the right side having silver hair. She had also noticed the change in her physique. She was taller and had longer arms and legs. But she was still a woman. She was scared of her new self but a voice inside her had assured her that it was alright.

'Serph…' she thought knowingly, 'Thank you…'

"Behold Seraph…now go and talk to God."

Argilla looked at her with tears in her eyes and Seraph had the strong urge to embrace her. A voice spoke to her again. She nodded in understanding. Seraph walked towards Argilla and held her hands. Argilla said nothing but looked intently in Seraph's eyes. Seraph knew that Argilla was looking for any trace of her lover in her eyes. Seraph closed her eyes for a moment before speaking once more, "I know that you've heard this a thousand times from him…But I…he…wanted me to tell you…that he loves you…for always."

Gale smirked when he heard Seraph speak and turned to leave in order to give them privacy. The other members followed Gale's example.

Argilla felt her heart sigh with relief. Knowing that he was there would always comfort her. He was gone and that was true but within Seraph, he existed. Argilla knew that living without him would be near impossible but accepting the hurtful truth of his departure would signal the beginning of acceptance.

"He also told me to tell you that…you shouldn't cry anymore. At least, not for him because…he'll always be there for you if you should need him."

Argilla couldn't take it anymore and broke down crying in Seraph's arms. Seraph did the only thing that her instinct told her. She placed a kiss on top of Argilla's head. Argilla, feeling the kiss, cried harder, "I love you Serph! Don't you forget that! Or I'll kick your ass!"

Seraph's voice changed, "I know…"

Argilla's eyes widened at the realization. Serph had taken over Seraph's body for but a second to say goodbye to the weeping woman in his arms.

"Sshh…" he soothed, looking at her pink eyes through Seraph's eyes. Argilla looked at him and cupped Seraph's face, "It really is you…" she smiled and hugged him again. "I'll never forget you…"

"Neither will I."

As soon as those words had been said, Seraph returned to normal and Argilla slowly released herself from her grasp, "Well? Are you ready?" she asked, with a grin. Seraph smiled back at her and looked at the others, who were standing a few feet away. Gale met Seraph's eyes and walked towards them, the other members in tow. Seraph smiled again, her heart light with happiness. They were really all there. All of her special people ready to take on the last fight with her.

She nodded.