Chapter 9

Mithos stood mortified by the sight. His sword had cut right into Martel's arm. He couldn't believe that she had leapt in front of the attack like that. Why was she protecting him? Did the transfer not work entirely. Did some of Collete's consciousness still remain?

No matter what he couldn't risk loosing his sister once more. He tried to remind himself that this was only a vessel for Martel. But still it was the only compatible body he had found these past four millennia.

"Martel! Why did you?" he asked looking into those gentle eyes that were unmistakably his sister's.

"Mithos. I do not wish to see you harm another of your friends."

"Collette!" Lloyd shouted as he ran forward to her.

"Martel, why do you still defend this worm?"

"Mithos can you not see it. Lloyd shares the same goal as you. He is not your enemy."

"Collete, you're hurt."

"Friend, enemy, what does it matter? They have all betrayed me."

"No Mithos, it is you who has betrayed your friends. They followed your vision. They stayed by your side, even when you were wrong."

"How can you say that Martel? I have remained true to our vision."

"Your hatred blinds you. A friend is not a blind follower. Genis tried to tell you this."

"Collette what are you talking about?" Lloyd asked.

"I suppose that you should know the truth Lloyd. Mithos killed Genis."

"You! You killed Genis? Why?"

Mithos paid no heed to Lloyd's outbursts.

"We trusted you! You were our friend."

"You could never understand."

"Understand what? How you could murder your friend. Genis cared for you. We all did. That's what it means to be a friend."

"Friends. Heh, just a sentimental term for those who share a common goal. But when they lose sight of that goal, or tire of the pursuit they will just come around to stab you in the back."

"You're wrong. Genis cared for you. We all did."

"I'm wrong. Is that what you say? Look what your friendship got you. You were betrayed by those whom you held the closest. Look at how quickly you vested your trust in both Zelos and Kratos. Yet in the end all they did was betray you."

"That wasn't friendship."

"Then what do you call it? Companionship? Camaraderie?"

Mithos charged forward taking a swing. Lloyd raised his blade blocking it.

"You know I didn't want this. I tried to show Genis my plans for the new world."

Lloyd leapt back from Mithos' volleys.

"A world where half-elves can live in peace with everyone. That's all I wanted," Mithos calmly stated.

"Genis was working for that too! So why then?"

"He was too kind hearted. I gave him the choice to join me, but in the end he chose to stay with you. If you want to make a change in this world you must trample those in your way."

"No, that's not true."

"Your gentle ways won't change a thing. I was once like you. I tried to change the world with kind words and noble ideas, but those soon died along with my sister."

"So what? Why did you kill him? Because he didn't agree with you? You can't just go killing everyone that doesn't see eye to eye with you."

"Are you telling me that you haven't done that same thing? What about how you treated the Desians? Forcystus, Kvar, Magnius; did you not kill each of them for the very reason that they disagreed with you."

"No! You're wrong. We didn't have a choice. I wanted to live in peace with them, but they left me no choice."

"Face it, you murdered them in cold blood. Did you even give a second thought to the families of all the Desian soldiers that you cut down?"

"No! You're wrong!" Lloyd shouted charging at Mithos.

Lloyd swung fiercely. His swords battering Mithos' blade with brutal force. Mithos was helpless but to parry every blow from this unrelenting barrage. He could see the hatred that burned with in Lloyd's eyes. It was quite similar to the hatred he had borne toward those filthy humans that had taken his sister from him.

"In the end all you are is a brutish beast masquerading as a noble creature."

"I've had enough of your lies," Lloyd cried out with fury as he swung wide.

With a strong blow from the side Mithos' blade was knocked from his hand. Lloyd raised a blade to finish the duel once and for all.

"Lloyd Stop!!!"

Lloyd exasperatedly glanced around the room. He was certain that he had heard Genis call out to him.

"Don't do this Lloyd,"

A cloud of vapor appeared in front of Lloyd slowly shaping itself into something that resembled a human.

"Genis?"

"Lloyd, please don't let it end like this. I can't bear to see you like this."
"Genis, is that you?"

As the mist gathered it formed into a blue clad white haired boy.

"Genis… but how?"

"I used the seed's power to hold his soul here," Martel stated.

"Martel! Why would you do something so foolish? Now you will be lost."

"Mithos, it does not matter what may become of me. My one hope was that you would lead a happy life. Seek to end the needless suffering. What has become of you my dear Mithos?"

"Nothing's changed. Not me, not our goal."

"How can you say that Mithos when your hands are stained with the blood of so many innocents? Stained with the blood of someone who cared for you? Someone whom you called friend?"

"No, Martel… I."

"Mithos. It's not too late. You can change. Heal the old wounds," Martel said in her gentle sisterly manner.

"Mithos. After all of this I still consider you my friend. And as such I forgive you."

"Genis.." Lloyd said

"Yes Lloyd. Mithos may have killed me, but I forgive him," Genis said anticipating Lloyd's protest.

"Lloyd, let go of your hatred before it consumes you."

"But Genis he…"
"I know what Mithos has done is wrong, but turning to anger and vengeance will only result in you becoming like him."

Genis then turned to Mithos.

"Mithos, you were and always will be my friend. What you are seeking to create will not bring about the world you desired. For the sake of your sister Martel, for the sake of all the half-elves end the cycle of suffering."

"Can't any of you see that I am trying to create a world of peace?"

Mithos let out a shout of rage, as he thrust his blade forward.

"Lloyd watch out!" Sheena shouted.

Lloyd spun to see as the infuriated angel charged at him. His sorrow; his hatred, violently burning in his eyes.

Lloyd barely saw as a figure dashed around. A sword arced upward through the air cutting into Mithos' chest.

"Kratos…" Mithos managed to state in a rasped voice.

Mithos fell to his knees clutching his bloodied chest. His pure white garments now stained a fine crimson.

Lloyd could not help but feel a shred of pity for the fallen angel. The look of sorrow in his eye was all too familiar to Lloyd. He almost looked like a lost child.

Genis looked to Mithos shaking his head in pity and shame.

"Finish me." Mithos managed to stammer.

"If you do not destroy Mithos' Cruxis crystal his soul will be consumed into it," Kratos stated.

"Please."

Clenching the hilt of his sword tightly Lloyd swung, striking the glimmering crystal. The sound resonated throughout the room.

"Lloyd. Please look after Raine and Presea," Genis said as he faded away.

"Genis!" Lloyd shouted, his cry idly echoing around the room.

"I shall not be able to occupy this body much longer," Martel stated.

"I entrust our hopes and dreams to you Lloyd, please don't let them die."

Collete collapsed to the floor.

"Martel." Yuan said softly as he approached.

"She's gone," Kratos softly stated placing a hand upon the other angel's shoulder.