Chapter 20: End War Part 1

"Ugh…" Rai groaned as he forced his eyes open. The last thing he remembered was a flash of red light as Pride tore off his blind fold… and now this. "What happened?"

"The end of the world..." Chase said.

Rai forced himself to his feet to find Chase standing near by. Almost everyone else was awake too, only Jess and Charity were still unconscious. Everything seemed fine at first, but something was wrong.

They weren't in Antarctica anymore, as far as he could tell. There was no snow or ice and it couldn't have been freezing temperature out. The group stood on a baron patch of land, devoid of plants and any other life other than them. The sky was also unusual, a swirling mass of black, white, and gray instead of clouds or anything else. It was quiet. No one moved. Everyone seemed to be transfixed on something. Rai looked in the same direction and was horrified at what he saw.

Chase was right. It really was the end of the world. The land they stood on was just a small fragment of the earth, killed and shattered by the red flash Pride had released. It hovered in this abyss among other fragments of the planet, none any bigger than a mile across at the most. There didn't seem to be any other life anywhere at all… other than the lifeless bodies of Gluttony, Wrath, Greed, and Sloth floating among the land fragments. It was like they were the last… but there was one thing that stood out in this abyss. Pride hovered in the distance, curled up the fetal position and his body pulsing with red energy. With every pulse the energy field grew smaller as if storing itself in Pride's body until it was ready to burst.

"What's going on?" Rai asked.

"We're waiting." Chase explained.

"Why? He's completely vulnerable!" Rai pointed out. "We should take him out now while there's still a chance of restoring the earth!"

"And what makes you think we can?" Chase snapped.

Kimiko walked up and placed her hand on Rai's shoulder. "It's over, Rai." She said sadly. "The earth is gone… and who knows what will happen when the energy Pride is absorbing disappears completely… all we can do is wait until the end comes for us as well."

"I can't believe what I'm hearing!" Rai snapped. "What is wrong with you? We've never given up before!"

This realm… it's affecting them…

Rai swung around, expecting to find someone behind him, maybe Master Fung, Dashi, or even Hannibal. But no, there was no one there. "Great. Now I'm hearing voices." Rai grumbled.

Earth can be saved…

"Wait a minute…" Rai paused… he knew that voice. "Rush?"

Pride must be destroyed… now…

Rai clenched his fist and grinned. "That settles it then." He growled. His eyes suddenly turned black and red, the black angel wings appeared on his back, and the black sword appeared in his hand. "You've had your fun, Pride. But now it's time these games to end." He shouted in his double voice, still sounding demonic. "You're mine!"

Rai raced to the edged of the land fragment and jumped off, spreading his wings taking flight straight for Pride. All he needed was two minutes to soar to Pride and then slice him in half. Two minutes was all he needed to save the world.

But it wasn't going to be as easy as he'd wanted, he knew that… and learned that it would be harder than expected quickly. Out of nowhere a semi-truck sized hunk of rock flew passed him. It he hadn't noticed it and swerved at the last second it would've crushed him! Still he continued forward as more and more land fragments of various sizes shot at him. He easily dodged them all, save for a few tiny ones that scratched his skin. But he was losing time with each maneuver. Pride's aura was getting smaller by the second. It wouldn't be long now…

Rai swerved around one last land fragment, this one the size of a football field. He was so close to Pride now that he could make out his face. Just a few more seconds and it would be all over. But then his worst fear happened… the aura vanished. Pride roared, his eyes blazing with red energy as his limbs stretched out. The aura appeared again as seven tendril like beams of it shot out, scattering in several directions. One went right through Rai's chest, leaving no physical damage but still causing severe pain. He was hurled back, so fast that when he hit a few land fragments he cracked them in half. He landed on the same land fragment he's started on with the others, slamming right into Wuya.

Rai's wings and sword disappeared as he rolled of Wuya in severe pain. The beam that had shot through him had also hit Wuya, leaving a ring of red energy on her chest. She screamed and shrieked in pain as a red orb slowly arose from her body and flew away with the energy tendril, being absorbed into Pride's body. Two more of the beam showed up shortly after, both of which pierced Rush's dead body and stole two more red orbs from him. The others watched as the remaining four went two the bodies of the other four Sins, taking energy from them as well.

"Rai!" Kimiko kneeled down next to her boyfriend and placed her hand on his head. "Rai, are you ok?"

"Hurts." Rai grunted in pain. "Can't move."

"Here it comes!" Omi shouted.

All eyes went back to Pride, still roaring as his body absorbed the chi of all seven Sins. But then all was quiet and his body went limp. His eyes still flashed red, but the energy was gone. Then he began to laugh, faintly at first but quickly growing louder and more maniacal. Then they saw what was happening. Something was slowly consuming his body… black, sludge-like, with a ghastly odor. It quickly covered Pride, ripping most of his clothes away and leaving only his head, shoulders, and upper torso revealed. Still, the black substance grew, slowly taking the shape of something monstrous.

It was enormous, its gaunt body stretching so deep into the abyss that it faded into the darkness before it stopped. At first it seemed like it was only a huge black pillar, but then arms sprouted, long, thin, and boney, with three black claws at the end of both. Next a mass amount of tentacles grew from its back and began lashing out in all directions uncontrollably, soon growing longer than its arms. Next came the head, black human skull barely covered by a thin layer of flesh with a bird-like beak and razor blade teeth. It opened its eyes, hideous yellow orbs with the Sins seven pointed star as pupils… and all the while Pride was still laughing, embedded into the creature's chest.

"What is it?" Saya asked, grabbing onto Clay's arm.

"Pure evil…" Wuya said. "I was afraid of this. Pride's been pushed to the edge so he's gone to his last resort."

"This?" Clay questioned.

"There's a reason he always had his eyes covered… now he's taken all seven Sins into himself, creating a creature of pure evil… all he wants to do now is destroy everything in his sight… this is how it all ends."

"Like hell it is!" Kimiko snapped as she stomped over to Wuya. "There has to be a way to stop him. We have all seven Virtues here! If he can combine all seven Sins then there must be a way to use the Virtues to take him down permanently and save the world."

"Oh, there's a way." Wuya said, crossing her arms and glaring at the monster Pride had become. "But it has a cost that I'm sure a few people here won't be able or won't want to pay."

"And what might that be?" Kimiko demanded.

"The lives of those that carry the Virtues."

All went silent. All seven of them? Dashi, Fung, Jess, Charity, Chief, Raven, and Jack would have to die for the rest of them to live? How was that fair? Too much blood had already been shed. Jet, Raphael, and even Rush had given their lives in the war against the Sins. Why should seven more innocents give their lives to end it?

"You're wrong." Kimiko growled.

"If only, kid." Wuya said. "If only…"

"That settles it, then." Chief stepped forward, standing at the edge of the land fragment. "I have lived over fifteen hundred years to see this day. If my blood must be spilled to end it all, I am willing…" He turned to the others, focusing on the carriers of the other Virtues. "What about the rest of you?"

Surprisingly, Charity was the first to join him. "I have committed the unthinkable and have taken my brothers life. I can not redeem myself for that… if I must face the judgment of Allah, I wish to do it now."

"I will too." Jess said, joining them. "There's nothing left for me here, anyway. My parents and my brother are all in heaven…" she paused and smiled, looking off into space. "I think it's time I joined them… especially if it means that everyone else can live because of it."

Raven obviously said nothing. She just took one last look at Rush's body, nodded sympathetically with tears in her eyes and joined Chief.

Jack turned to his girlfriend, who had her arms crossed and looked away from him. "Nina." Jack said.

"Don't." Nina said. "Just go."

"No." Jack said, pulling her into a tight hug. "Not until you say you're ok with it."

Nina was surprised at first, but sighed and hugged him back. "Jack… just go before I change my mind." she said, starting to cry.

Jack nodded and pulled away, starting towards Chief and the others. But then he stopped, an idea suddenly crossing his mind. He quickly pulled his trench coat off and threw it to Nina who caught it in one hand. "To remember me by." He said with a wink.

Master Fung was next to take a stand. "I may not have lived for centuries, but I have lived a long and fulfilling life. I trust that my students will do well without me… I have given the last of my thousand lessons."

"No you haven't!" Saya snapped. "There has to be another way. You can't do this, Master Fung!"

"Yeah, Master." Clay agreed. "You're not done teaching us yet." Julia, Elena, and Dojo all agreed.

There was not changing his mind. The elderly monk had made his decision. "Say something Omi!" Mimi snapped. "You know him better than anyone!"

Omi nodded and turned to his long time master, who seemed to have stopped to hear what he had to say. "Master Fung… you've been like a father to me for as long as I can remember. You taught me everything I know, how to fight, right from wrong, how to make the right decisions… I can't imagine life without you. But once again, you pull out something you haven't taught me. You're doing the right thing… and all I can say is that I'm proud to have been your student while I could… consider your thousand lessons taught to me."

The elderly monk smiled and kneeled down to hug him. "I will miss you." Omi said.

"As I will all of you." Master Fung agreed, tears in his eyes.

Dashi remained silent and stationary with his arms crossed. He and Wuya stared at each other, both waiting for the other to say what they both wanted to say. Finally, Wuya sighed and gave in. "I was a fool, Dashi." She said, walking over to him. "You saved me from a life I hated and I spat in your face, taking power over love. You were good to me… but good wasn't in me."

"Are you saying if you could you would take it back?" Dashi asked, grinning, knowing the answer.

"No." Wuya grinned, leaning in to kiss him quickly. "All I'm saying is that maybe I should've dragged you with me."

"Maybe." Dashi said, kissing her one last time to join the other six Virtues.

The seven Holy Virtues gathered in a circle and took each others hands, letting the chi within then surge through them all. A circle of golden energy appeared around them as their clothes and hair started flapping around like there was wind. Soon their bodies began to glow. The others watched, wanting to take in every last second they could of their loved ones last moments. Then, in a golden flash, they were gone, leaving a shining white chi orb behind. It was complete. All seven Virtues had gathered into a single being, but something wasn't right.

"Jack!"

Jack was still there, lying on the ground, alive… and missing one of his legs. He breathed heavily and clutched what was left of his leg as Nina raced over to him. She kneeled next to him and cradled his head.

"But how?" Wuya questioned. "It should've taken his body as well."

"Jack was the Virtue of Diligence, right?" Nina asked. Wuya agreed and Nina smiled, kissing him on the forehead. "It looks like he still has a job to do in his life… too bad it took another one of your limbs, huh?"

Jack smiled weakly and nodded.

"Ok, love fest is over now." Wuya said, grimacing at the sight of Jack and Nina. "Now all we need is a new carrier for the Virtues."

"I'll do it." Kimiko said. "That monster hurt Rai… now it's gunna pay."

"Don't even think you're doing this alone." Clay said as he, Saya, Dojo, Omi, Mimi, Julia, and Elena walked up to her. "We started this together; we're going to end it that way."

"Julia, Mimi and I would join in," Elena said, "But none of us randomly manifested element controlling abilities or anything along those line. We'd just slow you down, you understand."

Dojo grew to his flying size and Clay and Saya jumped onto his back. Omi simply clinched his fist and a dark aura surrounded his body as tentacle like tattoos appeared all over him. Then Kimiko stepped forward and reached for the Virtue chi. It instantly shot at her and was absorbed into her in a blinding flash. There was no dramatic change, only a golden aura and her hair and clothes flapping around in a nonexistent wind. "Let's do this!" she shouted.

Kimiko and Omi ran to the edge of the land fragment and jumped off, taking flight, Dojo following after them with Clay and Saya on his back. "Good luck." Mimi said as they flew away.

"This should be interesting." Chase said.

It didn't take long for the beast to notice what was coming its way. It shrieked at them and sent three tentacles their way. Dojo rush to the front and Clay used his elemental power to throw a large land fragment in the way. The tentacles crashed into it, cracking it into three pieces and as they fell away Saya threw a lightning at them. The monster shrieked as one of its tentacles caught the bolt fell limp temporarily. It sent five more at them, joining the remaining two from its first assault. Dojo blasted four of them with his fiery breath and Omi took out the last three, flying up front and blasting them with dark energy, incinerating them. The beast shrieked but the man imbedded into its chest just laughed.

Five more tentacles came at them as did massive land fragments. Clay used his elemental power to crush and shatter the land fragments while the others continued taking out the tentacles. All the while Kimiko just kept on flying head on, intent on getting to her target without any distractions.

Clay decided to go on the offensive. He caught a massive land fragment that was coming at him and threw it back at the monster. It collided with the beast with a thundering clap, knocking it around a bit but not doing any severe damage. At this point Saya jumped off of Dojo's back and started jumping from rock to rock until she was within striking distance. She jumped into the air as the beast sent a dozen tentacles at her. As quickly as she could she struck all twelve of them with lightning bolts and then sent one more massive attack straight at the beasts head.

It roared as the electricity coursed through it, but Pride's body continued laughing. The beast raised up one of its boney arms and smacked Saya away. The dragon of lightning crashed into a small land fragment. She stood up and tried going at it again, but the crash had broken few ribs and she had to sit the rest of the battle out.

"Saya!" Clay shouted. Dojo shot straight at the beast, blasting oncoming tentacles with flames as Clay caught two massive land fragments with his powers. He slammed the two rocks into the monster, crushing it as far as he could tell. But it quickly regained its strength and black flames shot out of its mouth, hitting Clay and Dojo directly. Dojo was knocked out and shrank to his regular size. Clay managed to catch him and landed on a land fragment where he and the dragon sat for the rest of the battle.

Not Omi was the last line of defense for Kimiko. He flew in front of her, blasting away every tentacle, land fragment, and jet of black fire that came their way. They were so close. Victory was almost within their grasp. Omi could clearly make out the features of Pride's face. But at the last second a tentacle lurched out and grabbed Omi, pulling him away. Still, it was too late. Kimiko was too close for him to react again. She crashed into the creature, the golden aura blazing around her, slamming directly into Pride. She tore straight through it, removing Pride's body from the monster.

When Kimiko and Pride emerged on the other side both were unconscious. Omi managed to escape the creatures grasp and flew out to catch Kimiko, but left Pride to fall for eternity.

Dojo quickly regained consciousness and flew Clay over to Saya. Saya was in pain due to her ribs, but she could bear it. They flew back to where the others stood. Jack was conscious now, standing with his arm around Nina's shoulders for support and his trench coat tied around his leg stump. Rai was able to stand as well and took Kimiko into his arms. "Kim? Kim, are you all right?" he asked.

"Tearing through the Sin monster like that took a lot out of her." Wuya said. "She could've taken severe internal injury."

"And it was all for not." Hannibal said, pointing to where the monster once stood. "Looks like this war isn't over yet."

Still cradling Kimiko in his arms, Rai turned to face the beast and he couldn't believe what he saw. "No. This should've worked! Why isn't it dead?"

"Pride's body must've acted as an anchor…" Wuya explained. "He could've been keeping the Sins in check so that they didn't become too powerful… but I always thought it was the other way around."

"Well that's just great!" Rai shouted. "Now what are we going to do?"

Out in the abyss, floating where the monster had once stood, was a colossal dragon with the same eyes as they previous monster.

(a/n) for the love of god, how hard is it to kill this guy!? lol. I love cliffhangers, dont you? only a few chapters left people, counting the epilogue. I hope you can't wait, cuz neither can I.