Research Lab

"Comi, why have you called us here?" a human Remnant asked, glaring at the Griever like Remnant with the green snake like eyes all those controlled by Jenova posessed.

"I have a plan. One that will aid us greatly if we succeed." Comi grinned, looking at the strange cword.

"And what would this plan be?" A woman sneered. "Then I can decide weither this is worth my time or not in aiding you."

"Be patient. I promise that you will be well rewarded upon completion. We have captured several portals after all and I'm sure you much desire one after it was through one that we brought you to our dimension.Though the fact that we stumbled upon your dimension was by pure accident. We will supply you with a portal even if you don't want to help us as long you don't interfer with our dimension." A Remnant said, recieving a glare from the woman as well as an unhuman growl.

"Please realize Comi, that it would be nothing for me to destroy this world. I have already conquered the worlds on my dimension and if I do not agree with your plan, this world will follow." The woman snarled, light reflecting off her black eyes. Comi shuddered under her gaze, looking away as he caught one of the few fragments of blue that still remained in her eyes, looking like lightning sparking across a black night sky, the pupil itself absorbed by the the darkness of the iris. It wasn't natural but the woman's dark past had aided in the strange mutation. Her hair shared a similair mutation, a few streaks of brown showing through the other wise black hair.

"Oh course you could Sister but-"

"Do not call me your Sister!" The woman snapped. "You Remnants are nothing but ancient history in my universe as well as Jenova."

"How dare you speak of Mother that w-!" the Remnant was silenced as a strange iciclelike spear lodged itself into the creatures head. The others in the room eyed the woman with unease, her anger evident though she did visably nothing, not even exhale as she attacked.

"Already I grow bored of this. Give me what I desire and I will leave." the woman growled. Comi nodded and handed her a small device. "Hmph." The woman turned, pack in hand as she walked through the shimmering portal back to her world. As soon as she was gone, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and the code for her universe was locked.

"Sir, was it wise to supply her with a portal?" A Remnant asked nervously.

"That portal is faulty and is missing its power supply from which I understand, is only found in a few dozen dimensions which are locked to her. She is too dangerous to trust." Comi said, watching as the woman's universe was deleted from the list of known dimensions. "Now I will tell you all what I have planned..."

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The ceremony was small, only the Symphonians and Tiamatt's friends allowed to watch as Tiamatt took the name of Aurion. The woman was clearly thrilled when the small wedding was over, smiling proudly as she looked at the man she could finally call her husband. Kratos seemed equally pleased though a small glint of sorrow could be seen in his eyes.

"Kratos?" The Serpah looked at Tiamatt, who was smiling slightly, concern showing in her eyes. "Are you alright?"

"Of course Tia. I only hope this can last." Kratos answered, sighing.

"Kratos," Tiamatt was glaring at her husband sternly, "I want you to promise me that you'll walk from that forest on your own two feet. Promise me you'll be there when our children are born and we'll raise them together."

"Tia..."

"Kratos, you just promised to spend all eternity with her. You better come back alive." Hiro warned.

"...All of my mana must be released to destroy the seal. Wether I like it or not, that day will be my death." Kratos said quietly, looking at the ground.

"You jerk!" Everyone turned to look at Lloyd who was glaring at his father. "You're just gonna give up and leave Tiamatt and me?! I thought you were happy to have us as your family but you won't even attempt to save yourself!"

"You know, Lloyd has a good point, old man." Zelos agreed. "We know your trying to help and all but to leave your son and pregnant wife, thats just cruel."

"..."

"Stop it you guys!" Tiamatt yelled, seeing Kratos continue to avoid everyones eyes. "If this is the only way then I'll ...accept whatever happens."

Though she was trying to defend her husband, the pain in Tiamatt's voice was evident. Taking a deep breath and grabbing the angel's hand, Tiamatt led him away from the others. It wasn't till they finally reached their room that the silence was broken as Tiamatt hugged him.

"I may not like your decision or how you seem to have given up on surviving the seal release, but I love you and will try respect your wishes." Tiamatt said, rubbing her face into Kratos' shoulder as he returned the embrace. "I just don't want to lose you."

"Tiamatt..." Kratos said quietly. "...maybe...this was all a mistake..."

The Cetra looked at him in shock as she pushed herself out of his arms and glared at him. "What was a mistake?! You asking me to marry you?! Our children?! What the hell is wrong with you?! I love you Kratos! Don't you feel the same way?! Or was that just another mistake?!" Kratos looked at his wife in shock as she yelled before stepping towards him again and placing his hand against her swollen stomach. "Our children, Kratos, are not a mistake. Our love for each other is not a mistake or I wouldn't be pregnant. I know you're not one to just screw someone just for the hell of it. I know you love me Kratos, just as I love you. Please, don't ever say our love is a mistake again."

The Seraph just blinked in shock before pulling Tiamatt back towards him. "I'm sorry Tiamatt. You're right. I do love you and I love our children. I never meant to say our love was a mistake. I'm sorry."

"I still can't believe you said that...but thank you for apologizing. I should know that you couldn't really mean something like that." The Cetra said, kissing him. "It's getting late, we should get some rest."

Kratos nodded, smiling slightly as he gently picked Tiamatt up and set her on the bed before going to turn off the lights. In the few short seconds he had been away, Tiamatt had already laid down and fallen asleep. Looking at his new wife, Kratos laid down behind her, once more putting his arms around her before closing his eyes.

The next day seemed to be better. Tiamatt told Kratos what Lecia had told her about her due date being unknown and possibily, anytime. Kratos seemed to take this well, now having the small hope of actually seeing his children being born before he had to release the seal to Origin. The others usually tried to avoid the topic after what had happened the night before though Lloyd still wasn't pleased with Kratos. Hiro, for that matter, wasn't either but Tiamatt was happy so he stayed off the topic whenever he talked to either his sister or her husband. However, talk of Origin couldn't be avoided.

"Kratos, how much longer?" The Seraph looked across the table at Hiro. "When will you have to leave?"

"..."

"I'm curious too." Tiamatt added. "I'm your wife and you haven't even told me when you and Lloyd were planning to head back to Heimdall."

"Um...well..." Lloyd rubbed the back of his head. "We were actually thinking of leaving tomarrow..."

"Oh..." Tiamatt's eyes fell momentarily before she looked at Kratos. "I'm going to Heimdall with you."

"What? Tiamatt you can't." Hiro shouted, causing Tiamatt to glare at him and Kratos to nod in agreement.

"And why not?"

"Because your pregnant. You said yourself that you didn't klnow when the babies were going to come and the worst possible place would be on the way to Heimdall." Hiro answered, once again causing Kratos to agree.

"I can think of several places worse." She scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Hiro is absolutely right. You need to stay here at Garden where it is safe." Kratos said, giving her a stern look to which she just glared at.

"I won't go into the Torrent Forest but I want to be as close as safely possible. Is there anything wrong with that?" Tiamatt asked.

"You should listen to Kratos and Hiro, Tiamatt. They are only concerned the safety of you and the babies." Raine warned.

"I know that but I'm still going." Tiamatt replied stubbornly.

"Imoto, they've all got a good point. Besides, we can keep each other company while their gone." Kayla pointed out.

Tiamatt then turned her sharp glare on the dragoness. "But its not your husband thats leaving tomarrow to die." The entire group went silent as Kratos put an arm around his wife's shoulders in an attempt to comfort her as she finally broke down and cried.

"Are you sure there's no other way?" Sheena asked, watching her friend continue to cry.

"I wish there was..." Kratos muttered, still holding Tiamatt before he looked up at Lloyd. "Lloyd, promise me that you won't hold back on your attacks tomarrow."

"What? Why?" The twin swordsman gasped in shock.

"Think of it as a test of your strength." Kratos smirked sadly. "You have grown strong Lloyd. Let us see if you can defeat me in battle."

"Dad...then you don't hold back either." Lloyd nodded.

"Of course not." The Seraph agreed, causing another sob to rise from Tiamatt. "I'm sorry Tia."

"No, its ok. You...you have to do this." Tiamatt said quietly. "Just give me time. I'll get over it."

"..." Kratos closed his eyes, rubbing her back in an attempt to comfort her.

"Tiamatt, have you thought of any names yet?" Colette said, trying to change subjects. The Cetra shook her head. "Ok then how about...um...Mark?"

Tiamatt looked up at Kratos who sighed before shaking her head. "No, the name needs to seem to click into place. Like Eria seemed to."

"Ok, um...Revan?" Hiro offered. Tiamatt cocked her head to the side for a moment before shaking it.

"Seth?" Sheena said.

"Kurt?" Genis added.

Again, Tiamatt shook her head as Kratos went into thought. For twenty minutes, the group gave names but Tiamatt shot them all down till Kratos finally spoke.

"Terrance." Tiamatt blinked in surprise as she looked at her husband. Apparently, the others were equally surprised. "Terrance Oblivion."

"Terrance Oblivion Aurion." Tiamatt tested out the name, a small smile forming on her lips as she looked at Kratos. "Would this be after them?"

Kratos nodded. "Yes, without Terran or Oblivion, you would still be in Jenova's control and I wouldn't have you as my wife nor would be becoming a father for the second time. They risked their lives for you. It is the least we can do to honor them."

"Hm...Terrance Oblivion Aurion and Eria Roseve Aurion." Tiamatt tested the names before nodding and smiling. Kratos nodded in agreement to the names, kissing the woman. "Now we just wait."

"...Yes, I supposed we do." Kratos nodded, before he stood up. "Lloyd can I talk to you?"

"Sure Dad!" Lloyd quickly jumped to his feet as Kratos left. The others soon left as well, leaving Tiamatt at the table with Hiro, Nightfire, Jo, and Marth who she asked to wait.

"I want you three to attack the Mountain Reactor again. This time you'll have double the forces you originally had but your goal is the same. Gather all data from the computers and then destroy the reactor. You are all to work to together so Nightfire and Marth, no fighting or arguements." Tiamatt explained.

"Got it." Nightfire nodded, standing up and giving a small salute as his friends all stood up.

"What about me Tia?" Hiro asked as the three stooges left.

"I want you to come with me to Heimdall and then go with Lloyd and the others to Origin's seal." She explained.

Hiro was about to complain about leaving her alone in Heimdall till he realized why she wanted him to go. "Kratos?"

"Yes, please make sure he doesn't let himself die. Please make sure my husband comes back to me alive."

The blonde nodded. "Alright Tia. I understand."

"Thank you Hiro." Tiamatt sighed in relief, getting up from her seat. "I know it's not very late but I think I'm going to bed early. Who knew being pregnant could be so tiring?"

Hiro laughed. "It probably doesn't help that you've been running all over Garden either."

"Yeah, you're probably right." The Cetra laughed back, starting to walk out of the room back to the dorms. "If you see Kratos, tell him I went to bed early, ok? Good night!"

Hiro nodded, watching as his sister went back to her room before turning towards the library. He had recovered some of the files about Void from Tiamatt and wanted to look through them. But as he sat down, he flinched and mumbled something incoherent to himself before pulling out the dust old files from where he had hid them in the library.

"Why won't you shut up and leave me alone?" Hiro whispered to himself. He was silent for a moment attempting to read the file but couldn't due to his mental distraction. "No...she wouldn't do that...She's my sister...she won't abandon me..."

"Hiro, are you alright?" The blonde man looked up to see Raine, looking concerned. The half elf was often found in the library, reading what ever she could on Earth and its people and tonight was no exception.

"I'm fine.' Hiro said, giving a small smile to reinforce his words. Raine gave him a questioning look before shrugging.

"I guess it's none of my business anyways." The half elf sighed. "Do you mind if I join you?"

"No, not at all." Hiro answered, moving some of the files to allow her to set her stack of books down. "Are you really planning to read all those?"

"Yes. You're world is absolutly fascinating! I would love to one day visit it." Raine nodded, bright eyes showing she was in Ruin Mode.

"I bet Tiamatt can come up with something." Hiro smiled.

Raine nodded before opening the first of her books and immediatly having her total attention absorbed into it. Sighing, Hiro turned back to the information in front of him and began to read it. As time went by, Raine heard the man mutter angerly to himself before he finally stood up and left.

"Hmm...what is wrong with Hiro?" Raine asked herself watching him continue to mutter to himself as he took the files with him out of the library. "I should probably let Tiamatt know about this tomarrow."

The Next Day...

Everyone seemed to be on edge as they boarded the Ragnorok to take it the short distance to Heimdall since Garden was near the forest. Nightfire, Marth, and Jo had already taken several battle transport to the Mountain Reactor in the nearby range. Nobody seemed to want to talk, even Zelos kept silent, as they walked through the Ymir Forest.

Of all eleven people, Lloyd, Kratos, and Tiamatt were the most tense, the small family walking close together, not daring to take more then a few steps away from each other. Lloyd tried to keep his mind on preparing for fight and making the pact with Origin but his father's possible fate kept distrubing his concentration. Tiamatt clung to Kratos, never letting go of his hand as they walked through the forest, trying to tune out his fate as well but her trembling revealed her true emotions. Kratos squeezed her hand gently in reassurance but it only caused his wife to let out a small sob before she wrapped her arms around him.

"Please Kratos, don't do this. There has to be some other way." Tiamatt sobbed, buring her face into his chest. "Please don't do this."

"Tiamatt...there is no other way. I have to do this." Kratos whispered into her ear. "Please, don't worry about me. Your main concern should be on yourself and the babies."

"Kratos, please, don't leave me like this." She continued to beg. "I don't want to raise our children alone."

"Tiamatt," The woman looked up at Lloyd. "You won't have to. They're my little brother and sister, I'm gonna help as much as I can."

"Count me in as well, Tia. You're my big sister. There isn't anything in all the worlds that could keep me from being a part of my niece and nephew's lives." Hiro added.

"And you've got the rest of us too!" Colette pointed out. The rest of the Symphonians nodded.

"Thank you." Tiamatt said quietly, prying herself away from Kratos and giving everyone a small yet pain filled smile. "Thank you all."

"What are friends for?" Sheena smirked, causing Tiamatt to smile again and nod before she glanced over her shoulder into the forest nervously.

"We're being followed. We need to get to Heimdall now!"

Everyone looked at Tiamatt who looked at the forest behind her before nodding and hurrying to the elf village. Tiamatt still seemed nervous even after they reached the village but none the less, relaxed slightly. After gaining permission from the Elf Elder, Raine, Genis, and Hiro were once again allowed to enter Heimdall, especially after Tiamatt expressed her concerns about what was lurking not far from the village.

"Do you really think the Remnants are going to try something?" Lloyd asked as he walked with her, Kratos, and Hiro through the village.

"I don't know but it's likely." Tiamatt sighed. "I hope they don't attack Heimdall."

"How would they even know to come here anyways? Hojo didn't put a tracker on you did he?" Hiro asked as they reached an area where there were several benches.

"Probably. He did want the babies after all. It was probably a safety precaution." Tiamatt explained, sitting down on one of the empty benches. "But Hojo is dead. What the Remnants themselves are planning is beyond me."

"You should be safe here though. Garden is nearby and the elves are powerful magic users." Kratos noted, taking his wife's hand as he sat down beside her before he closed his eyes and sighed. "The elder told us to rest tonight and make the actually pact tomarrow. At least I have one more day with my family."

"Yeah..." Tiamatt said sadly, leaning against the Seraph's shoulder.

"Tia, maybe I shou-" Hiro didn't even get to finish as Tiamatt already knew what he was about to say and glared at him. "Nevermind."

"I'm going to walk around a bit and see if I can find Raine. She said she wanted to talk to me." Tiamatt sighed, standing up. "I'll see all of you later."

"Alright. Be careful." Kratos nodded. Tiamatt gave a small smile before going to find Raine who was near the entrance to Heimdall.

"Tiamatt, there was something I wanted to talk to you about." Raine said as the other woman approached.

"Yeah, thats why I came to find you." the Cetra nodded. "What is it?"

"It's about Hiro. I found him in the library last night reading through some files that I'm guessin are on his demon. I didn't think nothing of it at first till he started muttering to himself. He kept saying things like 'leave me alone' or 'shut up'. Do you think it was Void?" Raine explained. Tiamatt looked worried as she thought over what Raine had said. "Maybe you should talk to him. Ask him about it."

"Prehaps I should. But I trust Hiro to keep Void under control. He would never let Void hurt any of us." Tiamatt agreed before glancing back out of the village at the forest.

"Are they still out there?"

"Yes but I doubt they'll attack Heimdall. They'd wait till we were out in the open, where there wouldn't be interference like the attack outside of Mizuho. Fralex led the attack with Kej, Mieya, and some of the other Remnants when we were in open plains with no where to hide." the Cetra explained, remembering the battle that had cost her her memories and almost her life, before she sighed. "I still need to tell Nightfire that his brother was killed by Eria."

"Fralex was his brother?" Raine asked, curious.

"Yes. Fralex seized the throne when Nightfire was young, killing their father and abusing their mother. He was removed from power after the first of the Prophecy Wars. He later escaped and began aiding the Remnants. Of course it doesn't matter now since he is dead." Tiamatt stopped and looked back at the forest again. "I think we should move further into the village."

Raine nodded and followed Tiamatt back towards the center of Heimdall where some of the others had gathered. The long journey seemed to be catching up with everyone and it was soon decided that everyone should go to bed early to have energy for the next day. Lloyd was now getting nervous but Colette soon shook him from his doubt before he went to his room. Tiamatt tried to ignore the next day's possible outcome and slept in Kratos' arms for what she hoped wouldn't be the last time.

When morning came, she woke up alone, a note from Kratos telling her that he left for the forest about midnight. Holding back her tears, she went outside to see the others off.

"Lloyd, Hiro, please make sure he comes back alive." Tiamatt asked, hugging them both before stepping back. "And Sheena, best of luck in making the pact."

"Don't worry. Origin should be a piece of cake!" Sheena said cheerfully.

"Then we can reunite the worlds!" Colette cheered.

"And fix the rifts that were caused when I first arrived." Tiamatt agreed. "Good luck."

Lloyd nodded. "Don't worry Tia. We'll bring Dad back. You'll see!"

Tiamatt smiled as the group went into the forest before making her way back to the inn. She felt anxious for some reason but also nervous. She could still feel the Remnants nearby and again hoped they wouldn't attack Heimdall but Kratos was right. The village was full of powerful magic users. She would be safe, at least she hoped so, especially as her water broke and the contractions began...

Thank you to those who offered up names. I'm sorry I didn't use any of the names offered for the son but I was only given a few choices and after consideration, thought the name I'd been considering for a while still fit. Thank you though for choices.