The group had returned to Garden, tired but satisfied none the less. Tiamatt seemed happy, yet sad, her goodbyes to the real world done though part of her wanted to return to the city. Kratos noticed this and made an effort to reassure his wife that she had done the right thing which seemed to boost her confidence in the matter. Her concern now was if she would have enough energy to use her sorceress powers to help guide everything that had come through the rifts, back to their original worlds.
"Don't worry Tia! You'll be fine!" Lloyd reassured her as the Aurion family walked through the halls of Garden. The rest of the group had wandered off for their own task. "I mean, its seems like you can do just about anything."
Tiamatt laughed. "Right Lloyd. I wish that was true but its not. Just like normal magic, sorceress magic requires energy. Remember the fight with Fralex and the Remnants outside Mizuho? Mieya died not from being attacked but because she had used all her energy in trying to use Time Compression. If I'm not careful, it could very well kill me tomorrow."
"If you are so concerned about energy Tia, then why don't you try to get some rest?" Kratos asked. "Besides, these two need to get to bed too."
Tiamatt sighed and nodded. "I guess your right but I'm not the only one that should consider going to bed early. Everyone planning to go to Derris Kharlan should get their rest. Which reminds me, Kratos, are you planning to go?"
The Seraph shook his head. "No, I was planning to stay here with you and twins but if you prefer that I help Lloyd and the others tomorrow then I will go."
"Its your decision Kratos. I may be your wife but you don't need my approval for everything and I understand if you want to help Lloyd."
"We might need your help Dad." Lloyd added. "Besides, you must have some idea of how stroung he is and what his strengths and weaknesses are."
Kratos nodded. "Your right. I will aid you as much as I can." Lloyd grinned and nodded as Tiamatt grabbed the Seraph's hand, causing him to look at his wife and laugh. "I guess I need my rest too."
"Alright. I'm going to go find some of the others real quick." Lloyd said, walking towards the quad where Colette and some of the others had gathered as Tiamatt and Kratos made their way to the dorms. "See you in the morning!"
"Sleep well Lloyd." Tiamatt smiled before turning into the dorm hallway. She sighed as she opened door to their room and put Terrance and Eria to bed before sitting on the edge of her own bed. "Its hard to believe that tomorrow, everything will end."
"Not everything Tia. Only the journey to reunite the worlds. Then maybe life will gain some normalicy." Kratos reminded, sitting beside her.
"Kratos, our life will never be normal simply because we are what we are. You are a former angel of Cruxis and I'm the last Cetra. Neither of us will age phsyically and will out live any of our children." Tiamatt pointed out, leaning against his shoulder. "The only way either of us will die is if someone kills us, by disease, or then the sun goes nova and burns everything to a crisp."
"Oh joy." Kratos sighed, keeping her close by putting an arm around her shoulder. Tiamatt turned her head, looking at her husband in shock.
"Was that just me or did I catch a hint of sarcasism?" Kratos chuckled, raising an eye brow as a small smile came over his face. "I knew it!"
"Alright Tiamatt. You caught me being sarcastic. Its not a big deal." the Seraph sighed, kissing her before removing from his arm from aroung her. "Now get some sleep."
Tiamatt sighed, glancing over at the crib before lying down. Kratos, too, looked at the twins before lying down beside his wife. Before long, both Aurions were asleep, waking only to tend to their children.Of course before too long, the sun was rising again...
Everyone was gathered outsidea transport that would take the Symphonians down to the base of the destroyed Tower of Salvation, preparing for the final battle. They all seemed nervous yet excited that the journey would hopefully end soon.
"Kratos, you and everyone else comback safe ok?" Tiamatt asked, both Eria and Terrance in her arms.
The Seraph smiled, carefully embracing her and the twins. "Of course Tiamatt. We'll be fine. Just take care of our children." The Cetra nodded, kissing her husband before she was released from his grasp. Kratos gave her a reassuring smile as he stepped towards the transport where the others were starting to get on.
"Take care..." Tiamatt said quietly as the transport door closed and the small craft took off. Someone put a hand on her shoulder and she turned to look at Hiro.
"Don't worry Tia. They'll all come back." Hiro said, trying to reassure his 'sister'.
"I know but I still worry." Tiamatt sighed, looking at her children before laughing. "I guess even more so since these two came."
"T-tiamatt?" The Cetra turned to face Aya. "Could I hold one of your children?" Tiamatt smiled and nodded, carefully handing Eria to the teal haired girl. Aya seemed a little nervous but was soon smiling down at the baby.
"Hey Imoto! Can I talk to you real quick?" Kayla asked, grabbing Tiamatt's hand and pulling her through Garden. Hiro and Aya looked confused but a quick explantion from Vincent soon answered their unspoken questions. Finally, the dragoness had pulled Tiamatt outside and sat down leaning against a tree. "Hard to believe we're going to be seperated again."
Tiamatt gave a small laugh, sitting beside her sister. "Hard to believe we're both our own OCs and now married to video game characters." Kayla laughed at that, putting a hand to her stomach. "You only have a couple weeks left don't you?"
The dragoness nodded. "Yep. Then I'll be a mother just like you."
"Yeah but you have the advantage. You have Ash's memories and this is technically her second pregnancy." Tiamatt pointed out. Kayla again nodded as Tiamatt sighed and looked through the leaves at the sky. "Can you believe we only meet each other 5 years ago?"
"Really? Its only been that long? Its seems like we've been best friends forever." Kayla smirked. "I still remember the day we met. It was language arts in 7th grade. We used to sit right next to each other and you were drawing dragons even though we were supposed to taking notes."
"Eh, they were too easy." Tiamatt shrugged, causing Kayla to laugh. "What? Its true. I was a chapter ahead of everyone. Nothing like social studies but still ahead."
"You were ahead in Mr. Gleo's class?"
"Yeah by about 4 chapters. He kept telling me to stop and wait for the others to catch up but I was bored. I guess thats probably about the time I started drawing. And I wouldn't even call them dragons. More like deformed blobs with fangs and claws and what could potentially be wings." Kayla laughed again.
"They weren't that bad, Imoto. And wasn't that about the time when we created Tiamatt and Ash?"
Tiamatt nodded again. "The original, strictly dragon versions? Yes. I had an entire notebook full of dragon species and stuff we created remember?"
"Oh yeah. Thundgon, Pyrogons, Hydrogons, Bouldergons, etc, etc." Kayla listed. "We also tried to make a card game remember? We had all those different monsters that we created. How many were there in the end?"
"Hm..." Tiamatt closed her eyes, thinking for a moment. "Over a hundred. I know that. I think I might still have the notebooks somewhere but they'd be back in the real world. Course...maybe not since I'm supposedly dead." Tiamatt sighed, closing her eyes before opening them again. "I just realized, we never did go through with 'The Plan'."
"'The Plan'?" Tiamatt and Kayla looked to see Hiro, Aya, and Vincent walking towards them. "Sorry if we're interrupting but we figured we should bring Eria out here too."
Tiamatt smiled as they sat down in the shade with her and Kayla. "Its no problem. I trust all three of you with my children. I figured you'd probably bring her out here with us."
"Thanks." Hiro smiled. "So what was this plan you were talking about?"
Kayla and Tiamatt both smirked, a mischievious glint in their eyes. "Well...we had plans to basically blackmail one of our closest friends."
"In reality, we actually had two or three different plans. Which reminds me," Tiamatt paused for a second and turned towards Kayla. "didn't you try to put make up on Andrew while he was sleeping."
"Not tried, did." Kayla grinned. "It was so funny. You should have been there Imoto!"
"Wait, isn't Andrew that one guy we meet in the city yesterday?" Hiro asked. Tiamatt nodded. "You two are strange. At least Kayla and Madison are."
"We know." Tiamatt and Kayla said in unison, causing both woman to laugh.
"Well Imoto, I'm going to go get something to eat. Maybe we can talk some more later, kay?" the dragoness said, standing up with Vincent's help.
"Ok sis." Tiamatt nodded, watching the couple walk back inside before sighing and turning towards Hiro and Aya. "I can't believe today is the last day."
"Wasn't the reunification of the worlds what you and the others were aiming for?" Aya asked, pausing from tickling a giggling Eria to look at the Cetra.
"It is but...it seems like the end came so fast." Tiamatt sighed again, closing her eyes. "I knew this would come eventually and that I would have to act at the guide that channels everything back to their proper world but I'm worried...what if I can't handle it...what if it kills me?"
"Tia! That won't happen!" Hiro scolded, glaring at her. "Your too strong for that. I know you are." Aya nodded in agreement.
"Your right. I'm sorry. I shouldn't be thinking that way." Tiamatt opened her eyes, looking once more at the sky. "I hope they're alright."
"You really love Kratos don't you?" Aya asked.
Tiamatt laughed and nodded. "Of course I do. If I didn't, I wouldn't have these two!" Tiamatt pointed to Eria and Terrance while Aya blinked in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
Tiamatt looked at the teal haired girl in shock before remembering that Aya didn't know much about technology and life. "Um...well..." Tiamatt looked over at Hiro for help but he merely gave a nerous cough and looked away. "I'll tell you someother time, Aya."
"Why can't you tell me now?" Aya asked, still confused as to why Tiamatt and Hiro were avoiding the subject.
"Well...do you know the differences in men and women?" Tiamatt asked slowly. Hiro looked at her like she was stepping over some unseen line as Aya shook her head. "I promise Aya, I'll tell you all you want to know later. Just not right now ok?"
"Ok." Aya agreed, returning her attention to Eria. Both Tiamatt and Hiro breathed a sigh of relief to be off the subject.
"Tiamatt!" Everyone turned to see Nightfire, Jo, and Marth coming towards them.
"We were wondering..." Marth started.
"Yes?"
"Could we keep you Materia and GFs?" Nightfire blurted.
Tiamatt looked at the phoenix in shock but nodded. "I suppose but I would like to keep Eden and the Bahamuts."
Marth blinked in confusion. "I know you've always had a strong with the Bahamuts but why Eden?"
"Eden is needed to help build the portals that will hopefully connect all the worlds." Tiamatt explained.
"You've been planning this for a while haven't you?" Hiro laughed.
"Of course. I designed the gates back when I was in the Sol system for four months." The woman grinned as she stood up. "Let's go back inside for a while and get something to eat."
The rest of the day was spent visiting with friends and even included a small sparing match. Halfway through the match though, the world seemed to fall silent and everyone soon found themselves at the base of the Tower of Salvation. They looked around in confusion till they spotted the Symphonians nearby. Tiamatt quickly joined Kratos, both Eria and Terrance back in her arms as the Eternal Sword appeared before Lloyd.
The old master of the pact is no more. What does the new master wish of this sword?
Lloyd grabbed the hilt, looking up where the Giant Seed could be seen floating. "Return our two worlds to their original form!"
Very well. Cetra, your powers are needed to help guide the places and people from your worlds back to their proper dimensions. Are you ready?
Tiamatt handed the twins to Kratos, who gave her a quick kiss before she stepped forward. "I'm ready."
Very well.
Tiamatt disappeared as Origin spoke and the others began to witness the reunification of the worlds. Everything seemed to twist together, fusing perfectly into one world. Within moments, the worlds of Theth' ella and Sylvarant were one world. Everything seemed to calm down but Tiamatt didn't reappear to almost five minutes after the fusion of worlds stopped.
She stumbled for a second before standing straight and looking around in awe, scanning the group. Her face dropped slightly when she noticed that Kayla, Vincent, Nighrfire, Marth, and Jo had disappeared. The others noticed her expression and looked at their group, noticing that five of their companions had disappeared. Lloyd was about to say something to reassure his step mother but Origin spoke up again.
The reunited world does not have the mana to sustain itself. Without a supply of mana, the world will die. You must link the worlds with the giant seed.
"Lloyd, use Derris Kharlan's mana to awaken the seed. It is the only way to perserve the worlds." Kratos stated. Lloyd nodded.
"Got it."
Even though you weild considerable power, it is likely that your body will not be able to
withstand the forces...are you quite certain of your decision?
"I said I'm doing it so I'm doing it. It's not like we have a choice!"
Very well.
Lloyd tightened his grip on the sword, focusing his energy but the sword suddenly disappeared from his grasp. "Dammit! The mana is being deflected!"
Colette looked up at the seed and gasped. "The Great Seedis..already dead!"
Lloyd clenched his fist in frustration as he looked at the seed. "No! Please wake up!"
Lloyd's exesphere glowed slightly before large mana wings appeared behind. The Eternal Swordsman quickly leapt into the air after the great seed, Colette not far behind. When they finlly reached the seed, the Eternal Sword once again appeared infront of Lloyd as Colette clung to his arm.
"The Eternal Sword!" Collete gasped as Lloyd took the blade in hand.
"Please wake up." Lloyd asked.
"Please!" Colette cried.
Lloyd pointed the sword at the Great Seed and almost immediately, mana from Derris Kharlan was absorbed by the crystal like seed. It glowed as it descended and seemed to burst with life and energy before fading to reveal a small seedling and a tall woman with a staff and green hair. Lloyd and Colette, amazed by the revival of the tree, flew down where the spirit of the tree waited. The others just watched in amazement but quickly began to make their way over there as well.
"Kratos, was it just me or did Tabatha but offer herself to the spirit of the tree?" Tiamatt asked, looking over at the clearing where Lloyd was speaking with the spirit.
"I believe she did Tia." Kratos answered back only to gasp as they got close enough to see what the spirit looked like. "M-martel!"
The spirit woman shook her head. "I am Martel but I am also the Giant Tree. I was sent to protect and watch over the tree as it grows." Martel explained before turning her attention back to Lloyd. "This tree is a symbol of hope and life. As the savior of our worlds, Lloyd, please choose a name for the tree."
"What? You mean I get to name it?" Lloyd asked, looking shocked. Martel nodded.
"Lloyd choose a name for the tree. A name for everyone's tree!" Colette encouraged. Lloyd closed his eyes for a moment before he opened them again.
"I got it! This tree's name is..."
Hehe! Yes I did have to stop it there. Why? Cause I felt like it! And NO this is not the last chapter. I will do a couple follow up chapters. Now I am also curious, what do you readers think about a sequel? Would you continue to stick with me and read it or should I just go a head and finish this and Final Destiny up? Please tell me your opinion on a sequel. Read and Review please!