(Cue: Gateway-Megaman X8)
-The Story-
After completing their duties in Goldshore, Ace, Ophilia, and Spirit Force reunited with Lianna who brought dire news of the Archbishop's passing as they were about to bring the Ember back to Flamesgrace. Yet when Ophilia and Ace attempted to comfort her...they were betrayed and the sacred ember was stolen from them. Thanks to their new ally Shanoa, they found out where the mysterious Cult resides. The town of Windsmill in the Flatlands. The Finale of the Tale of The Cleric approaches.
(End Song)
The group eventually arrived to the town and attempted to ask the villagers questions about the savior and the cult, but they were denied almost as if they were hiding something.
"..." Ace was currently thinking as he held a hand up to his chin.
"Is something the matter, Ace?" Ophilia asked.
"I feel like these people are hiding something. I'm sure you've noticed as well, Sister Ophilia." Ace said.
"Yes, I see it too. They're being uneasy." Ophilia said.
"Sister! You must help me!" A voice called out as Ophilia and the others turned to a woman stepping out of the house.
"What is the matter?" Ophilia asked.
"It is my child! He has fallen ill!" The woman said.
"Please, take me to us." Ophilia said as the woman led them into the house, but there was no child in site. "Where is the child?"
"Brother, I have brought the cleric and her followers." The woman said as a hooded figure similar to the ones back in Goldshore.
"You shouldn't put your trust in this cleric." The hooded man said. "The savior knew she would come. And she is in fact right here before us with her followers."
"Hmph. More members of that cult." Zero said.
"What are you planning to do with the Sacred Flame?" Shanoa said.
"You will find out soon enough." The man said. "This cleric is not who she says. She is a witch, and the savior willed us to capture her."
"What? Wait…!" Ophilia said.
"Knock them all out!" The man said as one by one Spirit force was knocked out by the villagers.
Ace regained consciousness as he sat up and saw, Ophilia, his teammates, and himself in prison cells. "Sister Ophilia." He said as he tried to shake her awake.
"Sleep well, O Prince of Devaloka?" A voice asked as Mattias stepped out of the shadows.
"Mattias...wait...how do you know I'm one of the princes of Devaloka?" Ace asked.
"Simple… you are of both Light and Darkness. You and your brothers are Nephilim. And there are tales of an ancient kingdom of Nephilim whose princes were lost…." Mattias said.
"There's no way you could know that...Just how old are you?" Ace asked.
"About 115 last I checked." Mattias said.
"And I'm guessing you must be the leader of this cult." Ace said.
"I am the savior of these people." Mattias said.
"And I'm guessing you're planning to use the Sacred Flame to revive Galdera, correct?" Ace asked.
"Smart boy. Yes, I plan on turning the Sacred Flame you helped Ophilia protect into a Flame of Darkness. With it, Galdera will be revived, and the promise of ruling this world by his side shall be mine!" Mattias said. "However, one such duty cannot be accomplished alone. So to you, Ace Neptune, I offer my hand to you and Spade. Embrace all of your Devil side, and join me in ruling Orsterra. Cast off the shackles of Devaloka, and rule with the powers of darkness!"
"Hmph. Incase you haven't already noticed I've already accepted my Devil half, as well as my brothers have done the same. But we use this power to help protect others, and I won't let anyone say otherwise! So I say to Hell with you and Galdera!" Ace said before he slashed through the cell door.
"I am with you Ace." A voice said as Shanoa, and Ophilia ran up next to him.
"Fine...if I can't use you...I'll just go ahead and use Lianna." Mattias said before vanishing.
"Lianna… oh no! We have to hurry to the ritual chamber and stop Mattias! Ace, please help me heal everyone!" Ophilia said. "Heal Wounds!"
"Gaia's Blessing!" Ace said as a green light and a nature like aura washed over the others as they hurried to the chamber and saw most of the villagers unconscious before seeing Lianna collapsed on her knees. The sacred flame was also changed, from a deep blue to a menacing purple.
"Lianna!" Ophilia said as everyone ran up.
"Still you continue to be in my way! Servants of the Dark Flame, kill them!" Mattias said as his guards attacked.
"Out of the way!" Zero said slashing into the three using Raikousen. "Go for it X!"
"Here we go!" X yelled as he fired a charged shot at them. "Axl follow it up!"
"You got it!" Axl said as he jumped into the air and turned into Mach Jentra. "I'll finish you!" He said as he waved his cane and incinerated the guards.
"Argh…!" Mattias said.
"Lianna!" Ophilia said. "Please, don't complete the ritual. Father wouldn't want this to be your decision if he was here."
"We know he may be gone, but he's still with you in heart and spirit. So please…" Ace trailed off.
"Don't lose hope!" Ace and Ophilia said at the same time.
Lianna then felt her memories flowing back to her. "It's… it's all coming back to me now. Father…"
The purple flame then dimmed as it regained its blue color.
"Impossible! The Dark Flame was extinguished?!" Mattias asked.
"It's over Mattias. Your schemes have come to nothing!" Ace said.
(Cue: Demise-Final Fantasy X-2)
"Why can't you just mind your own business?! You would insist on meddling till the very last. It all would have succeeded if Lianna had been the one to perform the Kindling. Why did it have to be you, why?! Your ilk brings nothing but misery to this world…. But it ends today! The Dark Flame shall feast upon you all!" Mattias said grabbing a candle staff.
"The Sacred Flame is the light that protects this world, we will not let it succumb to darkness, not you, or Galdera!" Ace said as he drew Excalibur.
"I used to believe that too...but then I learned that prayer is useless. I've gone through many trials to become the savior and once I eliminate all of you, Lianna will only have me to turn to!" Mattias said. "Why else would I have that archbishop poisoned?!"
Suddenly a wave of shock blasted over the whole team.
"You… you poisoned Archbishop Josef?!" Ophilia asked.
"Everything would have turned out better if Lianna did the Kindling...but no...you had to do it, you insufferable brat!" Mattias said.
"You...you're not gonna get away with this!" Ace said as he activated Celestial Force as he floated off the ground.
"What is this?!" Mattias asked in shock.
"The six elements have granted me this power, so that I will protect the people I care about." Ace said.
"I've analyzed his weakness. He's weak to sword and axe strikes, along with Ice and Light attacks." Anna said.
"Well in that case, you only need two for this one." Zero said.
"Damn right. Lexida: Power of Ice and Water!" Ace said as he sucked Mattias into a vortex of water and launched icicles from different directions into it as they hit Mattias.
"Argh!" Mattias grunted before he fell onto the ground.
"Luminescene!" Ophilia called out as multiple pillars of light struck down onto Mattias.
"Mercurius!" Shanoa called out as she summoned a sword of ice and slashed through Mattias.
"Gaaaah! What is this...power?!" Mattias asked as he kneeled onto the ground holding his side.
"This is the power of our bond since we began this journey. I've come to believe in them just as much as they believe in me. For the sake of Lianna, and the people of Orsterra. We will defeat you!" Ophilia said.
"It's time to show you the power of a Prince of Devaloka!" Ace said as a phantasmic devil wing on his right side and a phantasmic angel wing on his left. "I who stand in between the Gates of Heaven and Hell, shall bring the judgement of Devaloka to your soul! This is your fate! Nirvana's Gehenna!" He called out as a cage of light surrounded Mattias before Dark flames coated over it and a pillar of light engulfed it.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Mattias screamed out before it stopped as he was no longer there.
"Wh-Where did he go?" Ophilia asked.
"His soul has been sent to the depths of hell, where he will be punished for all eternity." Ace said as he reverted before he and Ophilia walked over to Lianna. "Are you alright?" He said before his vision went dark and he found himself in a dark space. "This is… where is this?"
"Well done, Warrior of light and dark." a voice said.
"Are you, Lord Aelfric?" Ace asked.
"Correct. I am Aelfric the Flamebringer, one of the 12 gods of this land." The voice said.
"It is an honor, Lord Aelfric." Ace said as he kneeled.
"I thank you for protecting the flame...however, the darkness has yet to pass." Aelfric said.
"Do you mean...Galdera?" Ace asked.
"Indeed. This is a lot to ask of you...but you must take Ophilia and your friends to the former kingdom of Hornburg. I cannot explain more than that." Aelfric said.
"I understand. We will do everything in our power to stop this threat." Ace said before he saw his wrist glow.
"Young prince and Nephilim...as reward for protecting my flame...I gift you with the powers of a Cleric." Aelfric said.
"What does it mean?" Ace asked.
"Your healing skills are now more powerful than ever, and your light magic of Carnage Form: Urias is more potent. And that's not all. May you be blessed with my power, Aelfric's Auspices, allowing any person you bless to gain an increase in power albeit temporarily." Aelfric said.
"I see. Thank you for this power, Lord Aelfric. I shall use it wisely." Ace said.
"Now go...there is not much time left." Aelfric said as Ace returned.
"Ace, are you alright? You've spaced out for a moment." Ophilia said.
"It's nothing, Sister Ophilia. Come, let us return the Kindling to Flamesgrace. You are welcome to come as well Shanoa." Ace said. "But before we can complete it...there is still one more evil to purify."
To be concluded in the upcoming Final Chapter…
