Genis' sight slowly returned to him back to him. The light dimmed down allowing him to see the scenic mountain surroundings again. But this place wasn't the warm mountain trail, this place was cold and sterile. The white metallic walls giving the place a sort of dead feeling to it. This couldn't be the mountain. In fact it couldn't even be a part of Tethe'alla. This was Welgaia.

"Where have you taken us Mithos?"

"This is Welgaia. City of paradise."

Genis looked around with horror. Fears came rushing into his head as he realized that his worst fear had been proven true. He began to back away from Mithos.

"What's wrong Genis? I thought that you would like paradise."

"This isn't paradise Mithos, or should I say Yggdrasil!"

"Genis, don't be like that. I know how it must seem. I've been trying to tell you this is the only way that we half-elves can find acceptance in this corrupted world of ours."

"But Cruxis and the Desians have caused so much pain and suffering."

"Genis, believe me I didn't want it to have to be this way either. But you must understand that in order to reach our goal some sacrifices have to be made."

"You're wrong. Too many lives have been lost already. How will suffering bring about true happiness?"

"Just listen Genis. Through the use of the exspheres people can be taught acceptance. The exspheres will remove emotion, which has corrupted the world, and leave a people governed by logic and reason."

"You would make everyone to be mindless drones, like you did to Presea?"

"Genis you must understand that the loss of emotion is a small price to pay. Please Genis, you are my closest friend. You must help me to create the world that my sister Martel wanted. Help me to create a world where the half-elves can find acceptance among the humans and the elves."

"And what about what you did to Collette? How do you justify that?"
"Martel…, my sister, … she died a long time ago. Yet she still lives. I have found a way to bring her back, but it requires the sacrifice of another."

"Why Collette? How can you say that you are striving for what is good and just and oppress those who embrace these qualities?"

"Genis, you don't understand how it is to lose someone close to you. Martel was such a kind and gentle person. I can't bear her loss. I must bring her back. She will help us to create unite the worlds and to remove the hatred from this corrupted race."

"You are wrong Mithos. What you are doing is wrong. All of this is wrong."

"But it's the only way!" shouted Mithos in exasperation.

Genis startled by this outburst took a few more steps back feeling himself come up against a wall. Slowly he reached for his Kadama.

"No there's a better way"

"Ah yes, Lloyd's way," stated Mithos coldly, the sarcasm dripping from his tongue like venom.

"That fool's idealism will never work. I used to be just like him, but I learned that some things require force. That is why I created Cruxis."

Genis pulled the Kadama from his pocket. Quivering he held it up in front of him.

Mithos noticed the fearful expression upon the half-elf's face. He cursed himself for causing Genis to fear him. This was exactly what he had been trying to avoid.

"Genis please put that down. There is no need for us to fight. I just wanted you to see why I have done all of this. I wanted you to be my friend. Help me to achieve Martel's dream."

Genis was unsure of how to deal with Mithos. Mithos had done nothing to harm him, yet Genis felt a general sense of fear and unease. Mithos' intentions seemed well enough in spite of the fact that his methods were questionable. Genis slightly lowered the Kadama deciding to hear his friend out.

"Genis, I do not wish to harm you nor the others. I consider Lloyd to be a friend too. But you and I both know that Lloyd has some problems."

"Mithos please, put a stop to this. This is not the solution," begged Genis

"Genis I ask you one last time will you follow me?"
Genis was surprised by the firmness of Mithos' statement. Mithos arguments held some truth, yet Genis could not see how suffering could bring about peace. He stared into Mithos' eyes trying to get some feeling of Mithos' true intentions.

Genis' instincts were telling him to run, but Genis knew that Mithos wouldn't hurt him. Mithos wasn't evil, he just was disillusioned. He had even gone so far as to block Pronyma's attack, using himself as a shield, in order to protect Genis. Mithos, the kind gentle half-elf, was his friend.

"I cannot follow you Mithos. Even though I believe in your cause I cannot share your principles, nor can I betray Lloyd and the others. Please understand. It isn't too late."

Mithos' face held an expressionless look upon it. Genis didn't know what to think of Mithos' reaction.

"Mithos?" Genis said extending a hand.

Mithos reached up grasping Genis by the throat and pinned him up against the wall.

"Mithos, what are you doing?" Genis asked, his voice quavering with terror.

Mithos drew the other hand back and thrust if forward driving it into Genis' chest. Genis let out a sharp cry of pain as the invading hand rent flesh and cracked bone. Genis felt the air escape him as this intrusive appendage ravaged his insides. A retching sensation came over him as the hand drove in further. The pain was so intense that Genis could no longer see straight.

Mithos smoothly withdrew his hand in a single fluid motion as a butcher would a knife from a cut of meat releasing Genis from his grasp. Genis fell back into the wall slowly sliding down its slick surface. He put a hand to his chest covering the wound with it, as the other tried to gain purchase on the slippery wall.

"Mithos why?" asked Genis as he clutched his chest.

A warm sticky fluid flowed down the hand he held to his chest. He felt a great burning sensation in his chest with each breath he took. A fit of coughing came over him as he felt his lungs begin to fill.

Mithos lowered his bloodied hand to his side just standing there staring at the crumpled form of Genis.

Genis inquisitively looked up into Mithos' soft eyes one last time, hoping to find some shred of goodness. Looking in them he saw no anger, nor hatred. Just a deep profound sadness.

Genis felt his eyelids grow heavy. As he began to grow weary Genis thought of his friends. Of Collette with her kind and gentle smile. Of Lloyd who had always been there for him. Presea and her sad vacant expression.

Genis drew deep breaths, his lungs burning as they filled with fluid. Each breath caused more pain for him and the fire that burned in his chest. He had never considered the prospect of death, but now that he was faced with it he felt a great sadness within. Not for himself, but for Mithos, lost in his despair at the loss of his sister. He fell onto his side taking one last deep breath as he wished he could see all of his friends just one last time.