They were in the place where it all began, and now it would end. Or perhaps it would begin again.

Lloyd and Kratos faced each other, though one quite clearly towered over the other. This close, Lloyd could see the strong jawline that his own features would probably take on one day. Maybe he would also match his height.

"This is it, then," Lloyd said. He did his best to keep his voice steady. He couldn't say how successful he was. The others stood out of earshot to give the two privacy, save for Colette, of course. Maybe Zelos, too—the mana was particularly active in him compared to the ordinary humans, and it was concentrated at his back. But Lloyd didn't mind if they overheard.

"It appears so."

Lloyd's expression crumpled. "Do you have to… Isn't there another way? Can't we find another way?"

His father's features barely changed, but Lloyd could see now the fondness that infused the look he gave. "I know you don't wish for me to die. However, as I said yesterday, humans were never meant to live this long."

"Couldn't you live a little longer? For me?" Lloyd objected. "What's another hundred years in your four thousand?"

Kratos chuckled lowly. "You're right about that. But the worlds cannot wait long to be reunited. There is no meaning in sharing mana as they have done in the past. And there is much work to be done to integrate their societies; the sooner the better. Aselia itself craves it."

"Aselia." Lloyd tried the word on his tongue. "Is that its name?"

"Indeed."

Lloyd smiled. "Then I can't wait, either. I want to meet Aselia, too. But if it didn't cost your life to…"

"Lloyd." Kratos' eyes fixed him in place. "Your final lesson. Do not be afraid to let others do what they must. There may be many ways to address an issue, but in some instances, there is only one correct choice despite the consequences you do not desire. Then you must accept that decision, for denial is where disaster lies. That is the path Mithos took. That is the path I took, after Anna."

Lloyd frowned. "I won't make the same mistake. But it's hard."

"And it will continue to be. We are only given so much time to heal, to live, but it is with time that we mature. You have matured, Lloyd, yet I know you will continue to do so," Kratos replied, his voice undeniably warm.

In the next moment, Kratos unsheathed his sword, its flames throwing flickering shadows across Torent Forest. Lloyd's eyes could not help but follow its bewitching dance through the silent air. Then, it was presented to him.

"My gift to you," said Kratos, "for there is not one thing I have given you."

We're not doing this again.

"That's not true!" Lloyd shot back. "You gave me a purpose. You made me think about why I was on that journey with Colette. You trained me. You didn't have to do those things; you could have brought Colette to the tower safely by yourself. And you gave me life."

He paused. Breathed. "Even if you betrayed us, you did it all for me, didn't you? I'm not angry anymore. Dad, I forgive you."

Kratos had no idea what was happening. In one sentence, Lloyd had both acknowledged him as a father and had dismissed his countless misgivings.

Lloyd held nothing against him.

He felt like a new man. Perhaps that was appropriate, for now he could march to death with happiness in his heart.

As Kratos wrestled with incomprehensible feelings, his son looked over the blade with awe. It was an antique yet its edge had lost none of its sharpness. "Are you sure?"

In a gesture Lloyd was certain he would never be able to imitate, Kratos shrugged with his eyes. "Is there another who would have the strength to wield such a weapon to do what is right?"

Lloyd stared at him, his expression frozen in disbelief. Kratos had acknowledged his strength. His father was proud of him.

Half in a daze, he fastened the scabbard to his right hip, took the Flamberge in his left hand, and unsheathed the Vorpal Sword with the other hand. Deep blue and fiery red swirled across his vision.

They fit snugly into his hands. Their balance was equally perfect. Although they had been forged separately, millennia apart, they were identical in almost every respect.

His fathers really were the best.

Kratos turned towards the slate before them, angelic words inscribed into the stone. "It's time."

No. Lloyd didn't want to say goodbye just yet. He couldn't. Not just yet.

Not ever.

A bright aqua glow surrounded Kratos as his wings came into being. Kratos' mana began to disperse into the air. Blue particles, as ephemeral as dust, grew into glowing fireflies. The trickle grew into a river and then a torrent.

It wasn't as much mana as someone like Mithos had emitted. But it was Kratos', and it was leaving him.

There were words he still found difficult to say, but at this moment, Lloyd found the trepidation that sealed his lips lifted.

"Dad!" he yelled at the top of his lungs. "Don't go!"

His father did not turn. But Lloyd couldn't have imagined the minute straightening of his back and the ever-quickening release of mana.

Colette grabbed his hand, squeezing it with all the strength of her affection.

The stream of mana tapered off.

"Dad!"

Lloyd made to catch his father as he collapsed, but someone beat him to it.

"Yuan?" stammered Genis.

Lloyd hadn't fully attuned to his new senses, but it felt to him that there was a current of mana flowing between Yuan and his father. He raced forward anyway.

"Don't worry," said Yuan. "He's alive. And he'll stay that way."

Lloyd's legs could have collapsed right then and there from sheer relief.

"I gave him some of my mana," Yuan continued. He gave a grim smirk. "After all my research and concern that my hypothesis wouldn't hold true—and it worked like a charm."

"Couldn't you have come earlier and saved us a heart attack?!"

Yuan only laughed. From satisfaction at his success or genuine humour at Lloyd's words, he wasn't sure. But what he was sure of was that Kratos would live on. The man stirred beneath Yuan's tight grip.

"Are you really okay?" asked Lloyd hesitantly.

Kratos was slow to speak. "I suppose… that boat could be an option, after all."

"Boat?" Lloyd blinked. Then his eyes widened. "You don't mean—You're serious!"

A huge grin plastered Lloyd's face, and Kratos could not help the soft smile that spread across his own.

"That sounds well and good and all, but hello?" Zelos butted in. He smirked at the identical expressions of annoyance on father and son. "Don't we have a summon spirit to pact with?"

Kratos tried to nod, but the only thing it accomplished was a splitting headache and black blurring the edges of his vision. "Go," he whispered instead.

Lloyd startled. "That's what Mum said."

What? thought Kratos as the world faded.

"Dad!" Lloyd exclaimed as he watched Kratos' head drop and his eyes close.

"He'll be fine," Yuan assured him. "Form the pact with Origin."

Lloyd gave him a long stare. "All right. Take care of him."

He twisted on his heel, stopping before the ancient slate. His friends came forward to stand next to him. Colette bumped his shoulder and he instinctively leant closer to share in her warmth.

Rays of light and mana gathered, building in intensity until a great golden beam shot into the sky. Colourful lights danced.

Origin would herald the dawn.

A/N: Thank you for accompanying me on this journey. I hope you enjoyed it.