Tiamatt moaned, opening her eyes to see Kratos, a look of complete relief on his face. "How long was I out?"
"Only a day. Are you alright?" Kratos asked as she sat up and swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
"Yeah, I'm fine. What about the twins?" Kratos turned towards a crib where Eria and Terrance could be seen sleeping. "And Hiro?"
Kratos' face fell as he turned back towards his wife. "He asked me to help him right after you blacked out and then disappeared before we got back to Garden. No one has seen him since. Nightfire, Marth, and Jo are currently out with several squads, looking for him."
"Damn it!" Tiamatt muttered. "What about Lloyd and the others?"
"They are preparing to return to Derris Kharlan to confront Mithos for the final time." Kratos explained. "Once Mithos is destroyed for good, the worlds can be reunited and everything will return to normal."
Tiamatt nodded, smiling before a realization hit. "Once the worlds are reunited, the dimensional rifts will have to be fixed and all the cities, places, and people from the other worlds will have to return home. Garden, Junon, the Northern Cave, the Sleeping Forest, even the pyramids and Des Moines will disappear and with them...my friends..."
"Tia, you knew that that day would come sooner or later. Now you're faced with a decision."
"And what would that be?" Tiamatt asked.
"Will you stay here or will you return home?" The Seraph said quietly. "If you wish to return to your world then I will go with you."
Tiamatt looked at him in shock before hugging her husband. "What the hell are you saying Kratos? I'm dead to that world. I have no home there. Besides, my home is where ever my family is and thats here in Sylvarant and Theth'ella."
"What about Nightfire and the others? What about Garden and Hiro? Are you sure you want to leave them?" Kratos reminded.
Tiamatt sighed. "If I can build the portals then seeing them again won't be a problem. Still, it'll be rough to say good bye, even if it isn't forever. It all depends on when I can get the portals built and running especially since our main concern is raising our children." Kratos nodded in agreement as Tiamatt sighed again. "I hope Hiro is safe."
"Don't worry. I'm sure he's safe." The Seraph reassured her as she stood up and picked up Eria and Terrance from their crib.
"I hope so. I don't want to lose him again." Tiamatt sighed again, looking at the two sleeping babies in her arms. "Let's go find the others and maybe we'll get news of Hiro."
"Alright." Kratos nodded, opening the door for his wife before following her outside.
Lloyd was sparing against Marth as Colette cheered from the sides and Nightfire taunted the young wolf, trying to make the gunblade weilder lose his focus. This obviously didn't last long as the phoenix let out a startled scream as a blast of energy nearly missed the side of his head. Genis was trying to talk with Presea, the twelve year old blushing slightly as his older sister had her attention on a book in her hands. Regal sat quietly against a tree, eyes closed, listening to everything. Jo was by himself, cleaning his bladestaff, Ocean's Flame, carefully. Sheena and Zelos were surprisingly sitting together, talking quietly as Vincent and Kayla sat under the shade of a tree near where Regal sat.
"Tia! Dad!" Lloyd instantly put his swords away and ran to his family as he saw them approach. "Can I hold them?"
Tiamatt smiled and nodded, carefully handing the two infants to the Eternal Swordsman. "Of course Lloyd. You are their big brother after all." Lloyd nodded before turning and going to sit in the shade with the babies where the others quickly gathered to see the new additions.
"Aw! Imoto, they're so cute!" Kayla squealed before turning to Vincent, smiling. "I can't wait till our kids get here!" The gunman sighed but nodded, a small smile on his face.
Tiamatt smiled before turning towards the three stooges. "I thought you three were searching for Hiro? What did you find out?"
"We haven't found him but he could be anywhere. It's impossible to find him." Nightfire sighed before giving a startled cry as Tiamatt hefted the phoenix into the air by his shirt collar.
"Nothing is impossible Nightfire! Your orders are to locate Hiro, contact us, and then aid him as much as possible. I will not except failure phoenix!" Tiamatt growled. "I want you, Marth, and Jo to leave and continue the search immediately!"
Nightfire nodded, eyes wide. "Yes ma'am! Right away ma'am!" Tiamatt seemed pleased by his response and dropped the phoenix who quickly got back to his feet, saluting before leaving with Marth and Jo.
"What just happened?" Kayla asked, confused by the situation.
Tiamatt sat down and closed her eyes, arms crossed over her chest. "I've been to lax in reinforcement around here. People are starting to think they can do what ever they want."
"I thought that was pretty harsh. I mean they could probably use a break." Lloyd said, causing Tiamatt to sigh.
"Garden is a military school. It runs on disipline. Without it, this school would be chaotic and nothing would be achieved."
"But some of the people here are just kids. You can't except them to follow orders all the time." Sheena noted.
"True the rules are more lax with some of the younger cadets but orders are still excepted to be followed. Nightfire, Marth, and Jo knows this as well as all Seeds and cadets."
"Tiamatt, let Excious worry about Garden. As you said earlier, our primary concern are Eria and Terrance." Kratos reminded, wrapping his arms around his wife's shoulders. "I understand that Garden was a big part of your life for many years but you no longer have a place here. Your life is now your family. Never forget that."
Tiamatt turned and looked at Kratos in shock, suprised by his words. "You're right. I'm sorry. I just don't want Terra Garden to fade from history like Tribia, Balamb, and Galbadia Gardens. It's not like Garden will be in this world much longer anyways."
"What do you mean?" Presea asked.
"Of course, everything from your worlds will have to return once Sylvarant and Theth'ella are returned to their original state." Raine pointed out.
"Yeah. Kayla, you and Vincent have a choice. You can remain here in the reunited world or you can go to the Sol System with Garden. Its your choice." Tiamatt nodded, turning to face the dragoness.
"Are you going?" Kayla asked. Tiamatt shook her head. "That means I won't see you again...Vincent, what do you want?"
The gunman sighed. "Earth is my home but I will go where ever you wish to stay."
"I...don't know...I don't want to leave Imoto but... I kinda want to see the other worlds." Kayla said quietly.
"Don't worry Sis, I've got some plans for portals that should connect the all the worlds. If you decide to go to Earth then I understand." Tiamatt reassured her. "Besides, you'd fit in well there, what with the Ruling Species and all."
"Really Imoto? You're ok with me leaving?" Kayla asked. Tiamatt nodded and the dragoness hugged her sister. "Thank you Imoto. Just make sure you get those portal things working ok?"
"Don't worry Kayla, the portals will be a piece of cake!" The Cetra grinned, returning the embrace as Excious approached.
"Ma'am," The entire group looked at Excious. "Marth and the others have located Hiro. He appears to be located nearby, in a forest near you told us was Mizuho."
Tiamatt stood up and stepped towards the Remnant. "Take me to him."
"What? Tiamatt, you just recovered! What if Void attacks again?" Kratos warned, standing up beside her. "What about our children?"
"Lloyd, please, watch over your brother and sister. We won't be gone long. If you have any questions ask Kayla or Dr. Lecia." Tiamatt told the young swordsman before turning back to Excious. "Let's go."
"Tiamatt!" The Cetra looked over her shoulder at her husband who gave her a stern glare. "I know I can't stop you so I'm coming with you. I told Hiro I would help him anyways."
"heh," Tiamatt laughed, and waited for the Seraph to catch up. "Mizuho is only a few miles away. We might as well fly on our own wings then waste fuel on an airship." Kratos nodded and spread his sapphire wings as Tiamatt spread her own red dragon wings and leapt skyward. "We'll be back with Hiro soon. Make sure nothing happens to them Lloyd."
"Don't worry! They're perfectly safe!" Lloyd grinned. The others nodded around him. Satisfied, Tiamatt and Kratos flew away from Garden towards Mizuho.
It didn't take long to get to the forest which wasn't hard to find. Jo had left the Ragnorok outside the forest and the serpent himself was standing just outside of the forest with Nightfire beside him. Marth was watching Hiro further in.
"You took my ship!" Tiamatt growled at Jo. "Why?"
"It's the fastest ship at Garden and you did tell us to leave immediatly." Marth explained with a shrug, causing Tiamatt to turn her glare on the wolf instead.
"Tiamatt, now is not the time. There are more important things to worry about." Kratos reminded his wife. Tiamatt sighed and nodded, signally for Jo and Marth to lead her to her brother. "Why did he come to the Gaoracchia Forest?"
"Think about it. A forest said to be haunted by a murderous spirit. What better place for a man who considers himself a threat to those he cares the most for?" Tiamatt sighed. walking through the dark trees, watchful for any of the plant like monsters that roamed about. "Hiro feels guilty for what happened. Void is probably messing with his mind too."
"I see."
Tiamatt laughed at the angel's simple response. "Just when I thougth I was starting to get you to open up a little."
This time, Kratos laughed but Tiamatt raised her hand, causing him to fall silent as they reached a small clearing where Hiro could be seen standing with his back to them. Nightfire stood nearby, leaning against a tree.
"Hiro?" The man responded to his name and turned around, looking at Tiamatt with saddened eyes. "Are you alright?"
"He was right. Even you are scared of me." Hiro said quietly. "I truly have been alone along."
Tiamatt looked shocked but shook her head, walking towards him. "No, it's not you I'm scared of. It's Void. I could never be scared of you." Tiamatt wrapped her arms around him, causing Hiro to flinch. "Have you ever thought that people fear what is in you and not you, yourself?"
"N-no..." Hiro said slowly.
Tiamatt released him and looked at the blonde man as Kratos came to stand beside her. "People fear Void but love you. You are not alone. Besides, what happened to sticking together till the end? And what about twins? They haven't even met their uncle yet!"
"Tiamatt..."
Kratos crossed his arms as he looked at Hiro. "The other day you asked me to help you, Hiro but you disappeared. I am still willing to help. Just tell me how."
Hiro's eyes brightened and he looked up at the Seraph. "I need you to help me remove Void's blood from my veins."
"What? Hiro, thats impossible!" Tiamatt cried.
Hiro shook his head, turning towards his sister. "No its not. I was reading through the files. The only way to remove demon blood is for a Seraph to do it."
Kratos looked shocked. "Hiro, I'm not a true angel. I am merely a human mutated by a Cruxis Crystal. I can't do that."
"Kratos, you're the closet thing to an angel I've seen. For you to give Tiamatt the family she's longed for and to make her happy again, you have to be some sort of angel." Hiro laughed, causing Tiamatt to blush. "Besides, if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. At least we can try."
"Hiro's right. You can do it Kratos. I have faith in you." Tiamatt encouraged, putting a hand on her husband's shoulder.
"Alright." Kratos smiled and nodded before bringing his attention back to Hiro. "Tell me what I need to do."
Hiro pulled out his sword and cut his left arm, black blood seeping from the wound. "Focus your energy on the wound and pulling the blood from it. Void will appear but without a host, he is damn near powerless."
"Right, what about all those years ago Hiro?" Tiamatt said, a somewhat skeptical look on her face.
"That was a different situation. he won't be nearly as powerful as then but I must fight him alone. You all need to leave immediatly once all the blood is removed." Hiro explained. The Cetra sighed but nodded and walked to the edge of the small clearing. "Ready Kratos?"
The Seraph nodded, closing his eyes. Hiro stood still, sword still in hand as Kratos' wings flared out behind him and a white energy surrounded him. Hiro gritted his teeth in pain as the blood seemed to be slowly pulled from him, gathering a few feet away. Finally, only red blood seeped from the cut on Hiro' s arm. Kratos opened his eyes, surprised by the sight of the demon blood which had formed a ball and slowly took a shape.
"What have you done you foolish boy?!" Void growled as his body reformed out of the blood and he examined himself. Turning his red gaze up at Hiro and Kratos, the demon started to laugh. "I see. You can no longer access the power of your other blood so you rely on the power of another."
"Void, even though I am of angel hertiage, I can't remove your blood myself." Hiro explained, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. Kratos had the Flamberge drawn beside him. "Kratos, I told Void I'd fight him one on one. You go with Tiamatt. This won't take long."
Kratos looked at the blonde man in shock before nodding, the Flamberge still drawn as he rejoined his wife who was waiting just outside the small ring of trees. "Good luck." Hiro grinned and nodded before Kratos and Tiamatt disappeared further into the forest. "Do you think he'll be alright?"
"Don't worry Kratos. Hiro will be fine." Tiamatt reassured the Seraph. "Maybe after this he can finally find someone again. I wish I could help but I'm not much for playing matchmaker."
Kratos laughed at the comment. "Just encourage him Tia."
Tiamatt gave a small smile as they finally reached the edge of the woods. Nightfire and the others could be seen waiting outside the Ragnorok. "Things would be different if Yuffie could be brought back but its impossible."
"There is no other way?"
"No. Even if I did have the energy to do that it is still impossible since Dad is no longer part of the Lifestream. He was the one who allowed me to bring Vincent back. I know Sephiroth and Anna helped bring me back during the battle with Fralex but they couldn't have done it without Terran. he was also the one that allowed Oblivion to come back." The Cetra explained, sighing before she jumped up and began digging through her bag till she had the Rotator. "I sure hope I still have it otherwise Hiro is going to kill me."
Kratos watched in curiousity as she began to pull various weapons from the magic infused device. "What are you looking for?"
"A staff." Tiamatt told him, not looking up as she continued to search through the various weapons. Kratos looked through the weapons and pointed towards a staff in the middle of the pile. "No, thats the Princess Guard, Aeris' weapon. The staff I'm looking for is blue. It has a few small blades on one end and a sapphire embedded into it."
Kratos sighed, crossing his arms as he continued to watch his wife dig through the weapons. "Why did you collect all these in the first place Tiamatt?"
"These all originally belonged to one of my friends who either added in Meteor or the Sorceress Wars." The woman explained, finally finding a long case. "Found it!"
"Found what, Tia?" Everyone turned to see Hiro walking from the forest, a little scratched up but otherwise nothing serious. "Spirtius? You still have that?"
"Of course!" Tiamatt grinned opening the case to pull out the blue staff.
Hiro looked curious as she returned all the other weapons back to the Rotator. "What are you going to do with it?"
"You remember Aya?" Hiro nodded. "Didn't you tell me that this staff is what summoned her?"
"Yeah but I still don't get what your planning." the blonde man shrugged, before his eyes went wide. "Wait, why would you try to bring Aya back?"
Tiamatt sighed and shook her head. "Are you really that oblivious?" Hiro as well as everyone else gave her a confused look as they boarded the Ragnorok. "Aya loved you."
"I see, so you plan on bringing this girl back with the staff." Kratos noted as Hiro just blinked in shock.
"But Tia, I don't know. She was supposed to have died. And I'm not sure if I feel the same way." Hiro stammered, causing the others to snicker a little.
Tiamatt sighed. "You never really gave her a chance. You were still clinging to Yuffie even though you were mad at her. Aya loved you. everyone could see that except you so when we bring her back, give her a chance. Maybe you'll find out you love her back." She sighed again as she turned towards Jo who was in the pilot's seat. "Take us back to Garden."
"So what now?" Nightfire asked, leaning back in his seat.
"I don't know. I guess we need to go back to Sylvarant to go to the Sleeping Forest to revive Aya but I'd also like to return to Des Moines for a while." Tiamatt explained. "I want to see my friends there one more time before the worlds are reunited and the dimensional rifts closed."
"Does that mean that we all have to say good bye too?" Marth asked sadly. Tiamatt nodded. "But, what if we never see you again?"
"I have plans for portals that should allow us to travel between the worlds. Kayla and Vincent have already decided to return with Garden to the Sol System. You three must return because you have your own worlds to look after and Hiro, well, you have a choice." The Cetra explained.
"I'm staying." Hiro answered simply.
"Hiro, please realize this means you'll be seperated from most of the people you know." Kratos noted but Hiro shook his head.
"I don't care. I told Tiamatt a long time ago I'd stick by her side till the end and I'm keeping my promise."
Tiamatt grinned and nodded. "Alright Hiro. Now let's go back to Garden for a while and then we'll see if we can bring Aya back."