"Tiamatt!" Jo yelled, as the woman and the others approached the ship. "What happened?"

Tiamatt shifted Eria in her arms as she stopped in front of the serpent and the White Seeds that stood outside the Ragnorok. "We apparently went through a portal that took us to this strange place called Battle Theater. We had to fight to get Eria and Terrance back. Luckily it didn't take long."

"Long? You guys have been gone for two days!" Jo said loudly, causing Eria and Terrance to whimper slightly. Tiamatt and Kratos immediatly shifted their attention to their children before Tiamatt looked up and glared. "Sorry."

"Keep your voices down." the Cetra warned, cradling Eria close to her till the child was quiet again and then helped Kratos with their son.

"We were gone for two days? How is that possible? We were only in the other dimension of a few hours." Marth asked, looking just as confused as the others.

"My guess is that time moves differently there then it does here." Excious explained. "If that is the case then it is probably a good thing we returned right away."

"Jo, have you heard anything from Lloyd?" Kratos asked as Tiamatt managed to calm Terrance.

"No. Nothing." Kratos looked uneasy from this news as well as Tiamatt. "You don't think Void is loose do you Tia?" Jo asked.

"I hope not but I'm worried. We need to return to Garden before heading for the Tower of Salvation." Tiamatt sighed.

"Tiamatt, you need to rest." Kratos told his wife sternly. "Besides, we can't get to Derris Kharlan without Lloyd. Only he can get us there."

"Does Welgaia have air locks?" Tiamatt asked. Kratos nodded, unsure of why she would ask that. "Then we can get there. You must realize the Ragnorok is one of three ships designed originally to carry Adel and her prison into orbit. Getting to Derris Kharlan will not be a problem."

"Tiamatt, please."

"Kratos, I owe this to Hiro. He's done more for me then he'll ever know and this is the least I can do. Besides, he's my brother. I'm not about to abandon family. Now come on. The sooner we leave the sooner we can get Hiro back. Jo, you're flying." Tiamatt walked past the others onto the Ragnorok.

Kratos sighed and looked down at his newborn son. "I hope you and Eria don't get your mother's stubborn streak." Terrance just looked up at his father with big blue eyes, a toothless baby grin on his face, causing Kratos to smile at the baby as he walked onto the ship.

Nightfire, Marth, and Jo followed the Seraph up to the cockpit, along with the Seeds. Jo took the pilot seat as the others took the other seats. Kratos sat beside Tiamatt, who leaned her head against his shoulder, smiling at their son and daughter till exhaustion finally hit and she fell asleep.

"I was wondering how long Tia would last." Nightfire laughed as the twins followed their mother's example and fell asleep. "I don't think she's had time to really get any rest since before they were born."

"You're probably right. The fight with Comi couldn't have helped either." Kratos agreed. "How Tia can consider going on a rescue mission with how exhuasted she is, is beyond me." Tiamatt sat up suddenly, startling her husband. "Whats wrong?"

"Forget Garden. We need to get to the Tower of Salvation now!" Tiamatt ordered. Jo looked at her in shock but nodded.

"What? Tia, what about the twins? If Void is released, then he could harm them. Do you really think its a good idea to bring them?" Marth asked, confused by the woman's sudden change of mind.

"The Seeds can watch them here at the ship while we rescue the others, but its urgent we get there immediatly. I believe Void is attacking Lloyd's group right now." Tiamatt explained, recieving odd looks from the people around her. "It's just a feeling I have but it makes me nervous."

Kratos shook his head, looking at his wife. "Tiamatt, one of us should stay here with Terrance and Eria. I know you trust the Seeds but we are their parents."

"Then you stay with them. I have to go. Like I said, I owe this to Hiro. I'm also the one most likely to revive him if Void is currently released." Tiamatt said before she sighed and looked down at her children. "I don't want to leave them, Kratos, but...its too dangerous to take them with us. They'll be safe on the ship with the Seeds though."

One of the Seeds nodded. "We will protect them with our own lives. Your children will remain unharmed no matter what the situation."

Kratos examined the dozen elite mercenaries carefully before nodding. Tiamatt stood up, Eria still asleep in her arms as she left for a moment before returning with a small bag in her hands. Opening it, she threw everyone a small vial. Kratos looked at his curiously.

"What is this?" The Seraph asked, examining the golden liquid inside the vial as the others drank theirs with out heistation.

"It's called Hero. It's an energy supplement. It'll temporarily increase speed, strength, etc. It'll help us when we get to the Tower." Tiamatt explained, downing the contents of the vial. Kratos eyed the liquid before drinking it and coughing. "Sorry, I should have warned you it's kind of bitter."

"Kind of?" Kratos coughed, giving his wife a sceptical look. Tiamatt gave him an apologetic smile as she sat back down beside him. "I hope you're right about its effects."

"Yeah, I'll agree that it doesn't taste the best but its hard to come by." Excious agreed. "To be honest, I didn't even know you had this, Tiamatt."

"It took me a while to track this all down and I only have a few vials left now. I doubt I'll ever find more Hero either." The Cetra sighed . "Jo, how close are we?" The serpent just pointed out the window where the ruins of the Tower of Salvation were clearly visible.

Tower of Salvation base

"Let him go!" Lloyd yelled at the winged man. The Eternal Swordman had his swords drawn but didn't charge at the laughing figure. "Give us back Hiro!"

"You think I'm going to listen to you, you pathetic human? This is my vessel! You will never get him back!" Void laughed, stopping as the Ragnorok approached. "Perfect. Now I can kill all of you at once."

"You sick freak!" Sheena yelled, guardian cards ready in her hands. "Why don't you just attack us now so we can kick your ass?"

Void turned towards the shinobi and laughed again. "You all fear this man don't you? You always have. Even that woman, Tiamatt fears him. She fears me. But...I should thank her. Prehaps I will kill her first."

"You really are a monster." Regal spat, glaring at the demon.

Again, Void only laughed. "Monster? I prefer Demon God but that works."

"Hiro!" Void turned his head to the side a little and grinned as Tiamatt slid to a stop, Eria still in her arms. "No! Void let him go!"

Kratos stopped beside his wife, Terrance still with him. The Seraph was about to scold her for dragging their children here but Void already had his claws at Tiamatt's throat.

"I can see it in your eyes, in your heart...you all fear me." the demon growled. "Must I must thank you, 'sister'. If you hadn't told this fool to watch over your husband then this would have never happened."

'No. I never meant for this. I didn't know this was going to happen." Tiamatt cried. Eria began to sob and Void looked at the child. "No! Don't hurt her!" Void reached for the girl but before he could touch her, stopped and growled angerily, throwing Tiamatt to the ground.

"Raining Tiger Blade!" Lloyd charged at the demon, thrusting his swords rapidly before swinging the blade upwards and then back down on Void, but the demon disappeared, dodging the attack.

"Indignation!" A ruin formed under Void as he reappeared before a dome of lightning formed around him and a bolt came down on the demon. "Yeah!" Genis cheered but the helf elf stopped when Void's laughter was heard.

"Was that an attempt to hurt me? How pathe-" Void didn't get a chance to finish as a fist slammed into his face, sending the demon flying back into a chunk of the broker Tower. He looked up, grinning as he saw Tiamatt, cracking her knuckles as she glared at him. Kratos now had both of the twins in his arms. "What is this? Are you truly willing to hurt your brother?"

"Hiro, I promise we'll bring you back." Tiamatt growled charging at the demon again. Void leapt into the air dodging her attack only to find himself surrounded in flames.

"Phoenix Fury!" A hundred swords seemed to be stabbing at the demon through the fire as yet more attacks rained down.

"Cast your purifying light upon these corrupt souls. Judgement!" Colette yelled, her pink wings spread wide. The angelic spell sent beams of searing light down on the fire encased demon as a bright light also surrounded him.

"Photon!" Raine pointed her staff towards Void, the light that surrounded him exploding as Phoenix Fury ended and several more attacks came.

"Psi Tempest!" Lloyd leapt towards the sky spinning and slashing at Void with his swords before he landed on the ground and Regal leapt in for an attack.

"Eagle Rage!" Regal leapt above Void before flipping and kicking the demon to the ground where Presea, Sheena, and Zelos waited.

"Eternal Damnation!" Presea swung her axe at Void as she leapt up at him as he fell and slammed her weapon into him before slashing at him firecly and finally flipping over the demon.

"Pyre Seal!" Several cards flew from Sheena's hands, circling Void before exploding and sending him flying towards Zelos.

"Hell Pyre!" Zelos swung his sword sending large fire balls flying at Void. Once the fire had died down, Void was still seen standing but he was breathing heavily and was bleeding.

"Interesting techniques." He laughed, standing straight. "Now it is time I showed you my own techniques!" Void went tried to charge at Lloyd but something held him back. He couldn't move no matter how much he willed his body to move. "Foolish woman! Release me now!"

"No. Not till we have Hiro back." Tiamatt said, appraoching him. "I thought you were powerful Void but here you are, trapped by my magic. It seems the tables have turned."

"Is that so, Cetra?" Void grinned. "Then how do you intend in getting your brother back? You wouldn't dare kill me in fear of killing him. What will you do?" Tiamatt growled angerily, her eyes dilating, causing Void to laugh. "Poor little Cetra."

There were several muffled cries, causing Tiamatt to turn around and see that all of her friends had lower demons surrounding them. "NO! Leave them alone!" Tiamatt tried to run to them but suddenly found Void in front of her. "What do you want?"

"To see you suffer. To hear this boy's pathetic screams as those he calls his friends die by his own hand. That fool, Mithos, he couldn't hold back my power and so returned to that crystal the small boy has. What a coward. Even the ruler of this world cowers before me!" Void jeered, putting a clawed hand to her throat again before turning to the demons that had surrounded Kratos and the twins. "Prehaps I will start with your family."

Tiamatt screamed, trying to dig claws into his arm but Void didn't even flinch as he walked calmly over to Kratos, who pulled the infants closer to him.

"Leave them alone!" Colette cried, her chakram in her hands. "They haven't done anything to you!"

"Do you think I care?" Void said. "Now who should die first? Why don't you choose Tiamatt?"

"NO! Please! Don't hurt them! Leave them alone!" Tiamatt screamed, still trying to get out of his grasp.

Void just continued to laugh. "How pathetic...look how you shake in my grasp? Are you afraid of me? Are you afraid of your brother?" Tiamatt became silent, glaring at him but he was right, she was shaking, she was scared. "I knew it. You probably never really cared about him either."

"Thats not true!" She yelled, only to be reduced to gasping at the demon tightened his grip, his claws digging into the side of her neck.

"Oh, but it is true. I can see it in your heart. You never cared. You only pitied the boy and put up an act of family, calling him your brother." Void taunted. "In reality, you never did care if he lived or died. You know you've wanted to abandon him, give up on him."

"No, thats not true! Hiro, you know thats not true!" Tiamatt gasped, tears falling from her eyes as the others watched in shock. "I've always been there to help him! Just like he's always helped me! I'd never abandon my family!"

"Lies!" Void snarled, tightening his grip again till the woman was gasping for breath and her eyes started to cloud over. "Look into your heart Tiamatt and you will find the truth. The truth that you never really did care. The truth that the only reason you stayed with him was out of pity. The truth of how you were scared of him your entire life."

"Leave her alone!" Lloyd shouted, shaking in anger. "Tiamatt wouldn't just give up on people, especially not her friends!"

"Yeah! Lloyd's right! And its easy to see Hiro and Tiamatt care about each other! Tiamatt wouldn't want to kill him!" Genis added, kendema ready.

"Such annoying little pest." Void growled, glaring at the Symphonians, Marth, Jo, Nightfire, and Excious. He scanned the group quickly, smirking before turning away. "Destroy them."

Several of the demons growled happily and tried to attack the group but they fought back. Lloyd tried to get over to Kratos to help the angel but the demons wouldn't let up. Luckily, Exious, Math, Nightfire, and Jo were helping the Seraph, who couldn't fight due to Eria and Terrance crying loudly in his arms. Kratos looked over where his wife was still in Void's hands, her body begining to go limp.

"NO!" Kratos yelled as he once more saw, her eyes start to flicker. "Please no! Don't give up Tia!"

"..." Tiamatt could only let out a moan, her vision fading. She could hear Void laugh and felt her anger rise again. He mocked her, her family, everything she wanted to protect. "No..."

"What? You can still speak?" Void asked, surprised that she was still conscious. Grinning, a black ball of energy formed in his free hand. "Then let me put you out of your misery!"

Void tried to slam the ball of energy into her but a wave of energy surged from the Cetra, sending everything and everyone around her to the ground. The lower demons vanished from the force but Void was merely knocked to the ground. As he got to his feet, he could feel massive waves of energy pulsating from Tiamatt.

"What is this? You've never posessed this power before?" Void gasped.

Tiamatt looked at him, her eyes narrowed into a glare. "I've had this power for several thousand years Void. I just choose to not use it."

Void returned the glare. "Is that so? Hmph, let us test this power!" The demon charged, a sword appearing in his hand but before he could reach Tiamatt, he froze. "What?!"

"I want my brother back Void." Tiamatt said calmly, her hand outstreched, the palm facing him. "And I'm willing to take extreme measures to ensure he comes back."

Void's eyes widened before he laughed. "You wouldn't dare do that? You would destroy everything if you used Time Compression."

Tiamatt grinned at this. "Who said I was going to use Time Compression?"

A blinding light surrounded Tiamatt before exploding. When the light died down, Tiamatt lay unconscious on the ground. Nearby, Hiro was once more himself but he too was unconscious. Kratos looked at Eria and Terrance, making sure they were safe before rushing to his wife's side.

"What was that?" Lloyd asked, standing up and helping Colette to her feet before looking around as the others also recovered from the magic. Kratos was trying to wake Tiamatt but she didn't respond. "What did she do?"

Hiro though, groaned and sat up, looking around. "What happened?" The others gave him nervous looks but seeing that his eyes were their normal blue, pointed over to Tiamatt. "No..."

"Don't worry Hiro. She's alive." Raine reassured him but it didn't seem to help. "Are you ok?"

"...She's like that because of me..." Hiro mumbled. "I tried to kill her and she still saved me..."

"Hiro, Void tried to kill Tiamatt. Not you." Lloyd scolded. "Don't blame yourself for things that aren't your fault."

"Why won't she wake up?" Kratos asked, still holding the twins as he looked at Tiamatt. "Please Tia, wake up."

"Kratos, Tiamatt will be fine. She just needs to rest." Excious said, trying to comfort the Seraph. "I just wonde what that was. What she did to get rid of Void?"

"He's not gone just temporarily blocked. I can still hear him." Hiro explained. "I think she used her sorceress magic to try to force him out long enough for me to get back to normal."

Excious nodded as Kratos asked Lloyd to hold the twins. The Eternal Swordsman looked thrilled as he was given his brother and sister and Kratos picked up Tiamatt.

"Let's go to Garden. We should be safe there and everyone's wounds can be treated." Kratos said, looking down sadly at Tiamatt as he headed back towards the Ragnorok. He paused as he passed Hiro. "Welcome back, Hiro."

"I'm sorry." The blonde man mumbled, looking at the ground. "I never meant to for Tiamatt to get hurt."

Kratos shook his head and gave Hiro a small smile. "It's not your fault. We went through similair things when Jenova was revived. She almost destoryed Derris Kharlan with Lunar Cry and sent the Bahamuts after Lloyd and the others."

"Void is stronger then Jenova. He's also hell bent in making my life complete misery." Hiro sighed. "I almost wonder if I should leave. I don't want to hurt any of you, especially not the babies. But theres something that I think can get rid of Void."

"What is it?"

"I need Void's blood to be removed from my veins." Hiro explained. "And I want you to help me." Kratos thought it over for a moment before nodding. "Thank you."

"You are Tiamatt's brother. I'll help you anyway I can. But first, lets make sure Tia is ok."