Regal followed Lloyd silently down the passageway. He knew the depths of grief that Lloyd was going through, having gone done the same path before. Only time would heal the scars that this loss had left on Lloyd's soul, and even so they would not be entirely healed.

Regal hadn't known Genis for long, but in these few months that he had spent with the group he had grown fond of the group. Genis' age and appearance belied his intelligence, just as the shackles and vagabond clothing that Regal wore often caused those who encountered him to think he was nothing but a low down miscreant. Regal remembered how on one occasion Genis had come up to him and stated how they were both guilty of murder. Regal had strongly doubted this at the time, and still could not see how a gentle naive lad, such as Genis, would be capable of such things.

Continuing on Regal tried to bring himself back to the task at hand. Losing focus at a time like this, in these strange catacombs would be a mistake. A possibly fatal mistake. There would be time for grieving later. Beside the dangers that were present Regal realized that in these hard times the others would need support. They would need someone to remain strong, who would bolster those who were submerged in grief, and to help them continue on.

"Lloyd, I suggest that we go back to Sheena and Presea. It would not be advisable to split up in these catacombs."

Lloyd took a few steps forward before stopping. He paused for a few seconds.

"Yeah…"

"Hold on lady Pronyma, you wouldn't have me miss out on all the fun would you?"

Zelos walked up to stand beside Pronyma. As he drew his sword a set of translucent wings appeared from his back. He took a step forward and pointed his blade at Yuan's throat, right alongside Pronyma's blade.

Zelos spun and with one swift gesture brought the blade up to Pronyma's face. She quickly jumped back.

"What is this? What do you think you are doing Chosen?"

Zelos extended a hand to Yuan. Yuan lay on the ground confused by this action, but eagerly accepted it.

"So you would betray Lord Yggdrasil as well? Then I shall have to kill the both of you!"

Pronyma waved her arm signaling the awaiting troops of angels to attack.

"What are you doing?" asked Yuan.

"Sorry, no time to talk," said Zelos as he flew toward the oncoming wave of angels.

"Take care of Pronyma," shouted Zelos to Yuan.

Yuan quickly decided that this was no time to question the nature of the situation as he readied himself for another attack on Pronyma. He had been careless the last time, and had underestimated Pronyma's abilities. Now he knew why she had been chosen to lead the Desians.

Regal walked toward the sobbing girls. Lloyd followed behind keeping his distance. As much as it pained him to say this he knew what must be said.

"Now is not the time for mourning. We must move on and rescue Collette."

Sheena looked up at Regal giving him a pained stare, as emotions fought with logic. She knew he was right, but that was not what they had wanted to hear at the time.

Presea seemed to be the most shaken from the whole ordeal. The past few months had brought her many hardships, and this was yet another weight that she would have to bear.

Lloyd stood in the distance facing forward, not even giving so much as a glimpse over to the group. He couldn't face the shame of the group for yet another of his failures. He couldn't face their saddened looks.

Sheena looked to Lloyd with a sense of anger at his coldness, watching as he began down the dark corridor. He acted as if he were the only one who were suffering. It was quite apparent that he was trying to hide his pain by replacing it with anger, which only made things worse, not only for Lloyd, but for the entire group. She wanted to grab him by the scruff of the neck and tell him that he wasn't the only one suffering.

Sheena quickly turned her head as she felt a hand come to rest upon her shoulder. Regal looked at her giving her a soothing, yet reassuring look. It was odd how much Regal seemed to be a fatherly sort of figure for the group. Someone who they could look to for strength and wisdom.

"Are you alright Sheena?"

"Yes Regal. Thanks I'll be fine. I just hope that Presea will be alright. She's had so much happen."

"I'm sure she will be. She's strong. Sheena, I know it may be hard but Lloyd needs help most of all now. Even though he's trying to push everyone away, he still needs to know that there's someone there for him."

"I know," Sheena sighed recalling the shame and guilt she had felt for her failure to form a pact with Volt.

That incident had taken so many lives and haunted her for so long. She remembered how she had pushed others away at that time too. She turned and followed Lloyd down the hall.

Kratos and Mithos' blades stood interlocked at a stand still. Both were exerting equal efforts to try and repel the other's blade, but neither was gaining any ground.

"It seems your skills have become quite formidable," commented Kratos in his casual manner.

"Yes, as the leader of Cruxis I've had to improve my skills far beyond that of our traveling days."

"Mithos, you know that it is not too late. This path you have chosen will only lead to further destruction and suffering."

"Change only comes with the destruction of the old and the pains of change."

Mithos broke off his attack taking a large leap backward as he prepared a beam of light in his free hand. Kratos jumped to the side as spears of light rained down upon the spot where he had just stood. While dodging the attack Kratos made a quick gesture with his hands. Jagged rocks shot up from the floor pointed straight at Mithos.

Mithos leapt up out of the reach of the rocks. Kratos likewise took to the air. The two charged forward, their blades pointed at the other.

"Tell me Mithos, what do you intend to do by reviving Martel?"

"You know the answer to that. You were there."

"Yes, I was."

"Then it is a null point."

"No Mithos, I know the reason you've been saying for the past four millennia, but are you sure of your reasons?"

Mithos let up on his assault rushing backwards. Kratos held his ground waiting for Mithos' answer.

"Martel will help bring order to this pathetic world."
"You know Mithos, I used to believe that. But now I see that all of your plans, all of your speeches come down to a lonely little boy who can't accept the loss of his big sister."

Mithos grit his teeth as he charged forward.

"How dare you insult Martel like that. After all she did for you, for the group, for the world!"

Mithos blade rammed into Kratos' as a loud clang resounded throughout the entire chamber.