A/N: The battle is finally beginning, Cecil has returned to his senses and is vowing to redeem himself as he'll face against the evil chieftain, Domin. Will he succeed and obtain the Glamour Greens? Will Rosa give in to her complications? Will the world plunge into darkness? War has been declared at Tenebre, and fate is hanging in the balance!

Chapter 5

"Es...caped?! Find him! Search for that impudent traitor! He has to be here." Domin became enraged after his cronies informed him that the hostages awaiting death, Palom and Porom, have been rescued. By the Paladin no less, who was once a loyal subject to the darkness. A monk bowed to him as he gave Domin a large, spiky club. He clapped it on his palm a few times and drank more of the blood from a gold chalice. His determination grew and he ordered his men to spread out. "Find Cecil and bring him to me, alive!"

Meanwhile, the Paladin teleported from Mysidia. "I must return here; even if it would cost my mind again. Rosa's life depends on the Glamour Greens, and I must put an end to Domin and his tyrannical reign. There will be no safe haven as long as he exists." he made a silique. He knew the first place to find his assailant would be at the village; with his renewed strength, he marched toward it. To his surprise...it was empty. No one was around, not even the Injukhal. He then memorized the pathway to the area where they danced to the drums and skulls. His body and mind were trying to adjust as he gazed at that horrid place. The Crystals were still in the pit, floating freely. As he heard a rustle within the forest, he followed a few stragglers. They must lead him to their master, he was sure of it.

Domin got more and more agitated by the minute; he couldn't wait to give Cecil his ongoing wrath, even if it means to mesmerize him again. "That white bastard! Where could he have gone?!" All of his men spread out their search and there were still no signs. "I will have the death of him, I swear it." Domin and a few redskins emerged into an opening from the thick woods.

"Looking for me?!"

The head chief looked around for the source of the voice. "I know it is you, Cecil! Come out, and show me your will!" Amongst the brush, Cecil was watching them the whole time, just waiting to make his move.

"I won't let you enslave the entire world for your own evil ends. I prevented Zeromus from doing so, and I'm here to do the same to you!" He drew out his Excalibur and his shield. "That just leaves you...and me, Domin."

His enemy just grinned at him. "So be it, Cecil. I've been waiting for you to show me your strength." To his servants he ordered, "Leave us! I will take care of this white devil myself." He shifted his body forward, his blood boiling. "You will feel what it's like to suffer as a traitor."

"I did not betray anyone! I've only returned to my senses."

"Right. In that case, you're better off dead!"

The two clashed with one another. Sparks were flying as Cecil kept hitting and blocking Domin's powerful club. Neither side was backing down. At one point, it turned into a test as they pushed against each other with their weapons. Eventually, Cecil kicked Domin in the shin, causing him to topple over. Still, he never gave up. "I respect your resolve, Cecil... You will make the perfect pawn."

The Paladin was astonished and before he knew it, his enemy conjured and exhaled a strange, yellow gas. Upon making contact, he began to feel as if his energy was being drained. His head became foggy and he heavily sunk to his knees. He was panting and his body felt it was like being weighed down by intense gravity.

"My breath has made you weak and exhausted, Cecil. This time, you cannot resist me!" As if on cue, drums were beaten in the distance.

Through is blurry vision as he was dozing on and off, he heard them once more. "They are...calling me..." With little to no endurance, he was easily swept away as a thick, purple cloud hung over the island. From above, it looked like as it was pulsating. Each shockwave increased in volatility and length. It actually caused the airship to fall! Everyone held on to dear life as the vessel was splintering all around them. The effect was too much and the propellers shut down. Kain lost control over the helm. "Brace for crash landing!" Everyone ducked for cover while the Eidolons scattered, suffering from their angsts. The vessel nosedived and destroyed several trees in its path.

Absorbing the intriguing momentum, his strength returned. He slowly stood up, withdrew his sword, and faced his master while his eyes illuminated. As if talking telepathically, Domin whispered, "Yes. I'm offering you a final chance to return to my side. Become one of the Injukhal again and serve us well." Cecil responded as he made a kowtow to him. "My...Chieftain..."

He walked up to him and laid a hand on his shoulder. Cecil let out a deep groan. Then...the sinister atmosphere started to dissipate, as if the sun or some radiant light had somehow broken through. "W-What? What's going on?! What's happening to the darkness?!" Domin shrieked.

A familiar tune from a harp was echoing within the open field. As Cecil listened to this beautiful, soothing music, his head was clearing up. He rose to his feet as Domin was holding his ears, blocking out the irritating menace. "What the hell is this?! Why is it stopping my drumline?!"

The holy knight eventually made the connection. He gasped, "It's Edward's harp! He's reversing Domin's thrall." He followed the sound to a small patch of rocks while the bard kept playing. Cecil was glad for his effort, just as he did when he used the Whisperweed against the Dark Elf. Just then, some Injukhals grabbed the defenseless bard by the arms! He dropped the harp, nearly breaking it. The Paladin stood in fear for him.

"Edward!"

He looked up and saw him. "C-Cecil..!"

"Step back from there, or he dies!" one of the redskins shouted, pointing a spear toward his throat.

He saw Domin appear before them. "Kill him! He perishes!"

"No!" Cecil cried out. Edward could hardly make a sound as he was completely stunned both by fear and the Injukhals' threat.

"Hurgh!"

The two warriors went down as they were kicked from behind. A high-class monk freed Edward from their intimidating capture. His eyes narrowed when he focused on Domin. "So, it was you who took advantage over my home and my people!"

"Yang!" Cecil was ecstatic, though disappointed, to see him since he defied orders. Edward was still stunned as he slowly rose up.

"You will pay for this insolence!" Domin summoned some of his remaining condors as they soared across the sky.

"Heads up, Yang and Edward!" Edge and his ninjas stood at a distant cliff. He and Kaze powered up and unleashed their fury from a large newly-formed tornado, blowing away the unsuspecting fowls. It allowed them to descend safely to the ground in front of Cecil and the others. Kaze was on top of his mentor's shoulders when the funnel disappeared and they stopped spinning. "Looks like the birds of prey became OUR prey!" the prince said proudly. "Glad to see you not having your head in the drums, Cecil."

"Edge!" He admittedly couldn't be more grateful to see him.

More enemies rushed in as the Black Mages fought back with their skills, and the White Mages were in charge of healing. They kept on respawning and the Dragoons and the monks immersed into the fight, as did Edge's disciples.

A sudden idea popped into the Paladin's mind. "Edward, do you think you could play a song to stop the White Mages from recuperating their fallen enemies?"

"I-I can try." He ran toward the forest and did his musical work.

While the fleet of hope got their hands full, Cecil resumed his fight with Domin. He cured, then casted Protect and Shell on himself, and the chief lunged at him again.

There was no doubt; Cecil's main enemy was of course Domin. Without the Exhaust breath, the Paladin eventually had the upper hand thanks to his physical strength and endurance. He knocked him down and the chief rolled toward the edge of a precipice. The raging ocean waves kept licking below! Cecil marched up to his tiny-but-mighty rival; surprisingly, his face shown that he doesn't plan on killing him just yet.

"Haven't you had enough?" he said.

Domin wiped away blood from his mouth. "Cecil...you wouldn't kill your own master, would you? I know you; you're more merciful than this, as gentle as a sheep. A warrior of the light should never be this brutal..."

"No, Domin. I'm not like you." He withdrew his blade again as he loomed over him with a stern look.

"Cecil, if you spare me... I-I will do anything. J-Just name it." the savage began to stutter.

"Run. Run away, Domin. Leave this place and free your slaves. And never return."

"Yes..." he slowly walked away. "Of course, as you wish...you gullible wretch!" Domin kicked up some dry dirt, blinding Cecil's eyes! He used Cecil's compassion as a disadvantage to him. Vulnerable, Domin tackled him hard to the ground like a linebacker. Without a weapon, Cecil was indeed defenseless from his onslaughts, and he constantly kept bashing him without allowing him the chance to heal. When he stopped, Cecil was closer to the cliff's edge than Domin was. A sense of deja vu swept over him as he held on for dear life.

One of the combatants, Edge, noticed him hanging on like a thread. "Cecil!" Unfortunately, he was still being overwhelmed by his enemies, including his own kind.

He still never had time to recuperate since he was desperately attempting to stay away from the destructive ocean! Domin stepped onto one of his hands, causing him to slip. "Now, this looks awfully familiar, doesn't it?" He gave himself a few moments before he connected the dots. "Oh yes, I remember; it was exactly the same way you killed our most loyal warrior, Dameon, yes?"

Cecil's eyes widened with terror. How could he know exactly how the treacherous Dark Knight was slewed?! It was merely impossible.

"How ironic that the same thing will happen to you. That is, of course, if you are willing to join me once more. I'd feel quite ashamed to lose such a formidable and worthy adversary."

"Then..." Cecil had a flashback when he fell off Mount Ordeals. "...I must." Domin gleamed at the offer... Then, he was perplexed as he willingly dropped off the cliff.

He never let out a scream as he fell to his demise below. Until something caught him in midair! Both Cecil and Domin were astounded that he was being carried by the mouth of an enormous, monstrous serpent. He took him a few miles away from the clashing island, and the ocean calmed like as if the creature was manipulating it. Then, he carried Cecil onto his scaly back. From the elaborate design and numerous fins, as well as his scary looks, he noticed it was Leviathan! And Rydia was riding on his back behind him!

"Rydia..! You saved me, but why? After all the horrible things I've done-"

"Shh, not another sound." she silenced him. "I know it wasn't entirely your fault when you gave into Domin's thrall. Both Leviathan and Asura noticed your predicament. I vowed to stop the Injukhal and, of course, my friends were willing to tag along. As for Yang and the others, they just couldn't stay away anymore, not with this threat so vile. Besides, you can't possibly do all this alone; whether Domin controls you or not. You need us, Cecil! We're here for you! This war is ours as much as anyone's, right?"

For the first time, Cecil had a loss for words. Rydia's affirmations were true, after all. What was he going to do on his own anyway? He now knew he was being foolish. There was obviously no chance on winning this calamity with just him. Still, he can't help but feel grateful that his friends were risking their necks. He gave a slight grin, "You're right, Rydia. I was acting foolhardy."

"Then let's stop Domin. Before we all bow our heads to this madman!"

"He nodded. "Right. Our battle awaits."

They leapt off of Leviathan's head when they arrived ashore. It later disappeared into a couple pyroflies, then she summoned her long-time partner, Whyt.

"Whyt! I haven't seen him last since we were first at the Feymarch!" Cecil exclaimed. He knew Rydia would stand a better chance thanks to his versatile skills in combat, including a plethora of lethal Black Magic spells. He couldn't wait until what Eidolon he'll become, since nearly all of them started as those anthropomorphic buds.

"Let's go, Whyt! We got ourselves another war to fight!"

He cooed beside her as he, Rydia, and Cecil raced toward the pandemonium. The Paladin, on the other hand, was desperate to find Domin.

He fought off a few brainwashed enemies in his way, and then had a sudden impact behind his neck. As he turned his head, he knew from the get-go it was Domin. "You definitely are persistent, Paladin. I'll give you props for that." Cecil began to stand up, but the tribal leader knocked him down hard again.

He grabbed him by his long, blonde locks and muttered, "The chosen one. You're only that for serving me; make your destiny, Cecil. Domination, or your death. No one shall lead those puny, spoony countrymen to victory, understood? Cause I do!" He dropped his face, but he managed to say, "If all you have is power, you are powerless!"

"Is that so..?" Domin looked back and hit the weak Paladin.

He spread out his arms and the Injukhal played the drums again, causing Cecil to have an intense headache on top of the throbbing pain. He kept on fighting the sensation piercing through his mind, and blocking out the sound. But despite his best efforts, it was still too much for him! A lot of the valiant combatants were struggling, and it seemed to make their enemies more stronger! The Eidolons were also suffering just as they did back in the Feymarch, making them and Rydia vulnerable to attack. They mercilessly kept whaling on them, until the Summoner conjured some energy. Her body illuminated with a green light and when she released it, everything became silent. She casted the Black Magic spell, Stop, onto the Injukhal!

The migraine died down, yet Cecil was struck by Domin. He also used his Exhaust to hold him down. With his club raised, he muttered his words, "Say your prayers, traitor!" The Paladin braced for the worst.

Then, Domin was taken down by someone from above. Cecil could hardly see who the savior was. However, it was quite a jump. His body became less tense and the gravitational weight dissipated. He realized he was healed, either by Esuna or a Remedy since he couldn't tell.

"It's all right, you can move now." the stranger said in a vehement tone. Somehow, it sounded familiar to Cecil.

"That...voice?" He wasn't sure who exactly it was, until the glare disappeared as the sun was covered by a dark, grey cloud. The Dragoon was holding out a hand for him to hold. And he smiled.

"Kain!" Cecil gladly took it, and they were in a manly embrace. He thought he may never see his old friend again.

"It's been too long, Cecil. I've heard about Rosa's ailment. But we must stop Domin at all costs. The Injukhal will pay for their insolence."

"Right." The Paladin nodded with a small grin. With the holy knight and the commander of the Baron Dragoons by his side, Domin could be no match.

A/N: I haven't used Whyt very often in the DS game, although some of his mini games and increasing his stats were fun. I hardly use him in battle and I didn't have anyone else to play VS mode with their own versions of him. He was adorable, but I never found him too interesting.

Yes, there were some excerpts from The Lion King, who cares? At least Cecil lived to have the final fight with Domin. And Kain is joining him! It's almost like how it should always be since dealing with the Mist Dragon, Odin, Bahamut, Asura and Leviathan, and Zeromus; not him acting like a douche while being controlled by Golbez, or as a backstabber in Dissidia! Ergh, I can't stress it enough. They always irk me so much!

Anyway, the next chapter could be the finale. Best of luck to both of them.