Yua and Ch'en were running through the passages as fast as their legs could take them. The two lungs were beginning to feel exhaustion due to the speed they were both moving, but both knew they couldn't stop. They had to find the future Skadi as fast as they could. Their allies were fighting for their lives against the huge amount of seaborn that had no doubt, followed them from the surface. Mother and daughter knew that time was against them, every second they took to find the future aegir was another second that their group was fighting against Skadi's monstrosities. They needed to find the future aegir, and they needed to find her now. Especially, since the future Skadi was no doubt weakened from the present-day Skadi getting her out of her body.
They wouldn't get another chance like this to finally stop her...
Yua and Ch'en kept moving through the halls, sweat was present on the both of them. Their breaths were becoming more and more laboured, but they did not stop, they were not going to stop until they found the future Skadi. Eventually, the pair of lungs managed to come across a huge hall with many murals across the walls. The murals showed many different hieroglyphics, pictures and a strange language were all over the walls. But neither Ch'en or Yua paid attention to them, their attention was on an individual at the other end of the hall. This individual was pacing around, and speaking in what no doubt was her native tongue. The tone of voice used by this individual sounded angry, enraged even.
Both the blue and white-haired lung knew who this person was. This was the future Skadi. The aegir hadn't noticed that her two most hated enemies had joined her in the hall she was currently in. The future Skadi was too busy cursing that her plans had failed, cursing Rhodes Island for coming to Iberia, cursing her mortal enemy, Ch'en. Skadi was also badly cursing the white-haired lung, Yua. The future aegir was using every known expletive in her language to describe Ch'en's daughter, and how she had gotten in the way of everything.
"It's over, Skadi! You have nowhere left to run! And nowhere left to hide! This ends here!" Ch'en bellowed out to the future aegir. This grabbed the future Skadi's attention, the aegir stopped her talking in her native language and turned to face the two lungs. The face of the future aegir had a look of pure, unfiltered rage when she saw Ch'en and Yua had arrived. Both lungs could also see Skadi's eyes looked bloodshot when they could see her looking at them, the look of the future Skadi caused Yua to flinch, "She's beyond mad at this point. If looks could kill, me and mother would be dead a thousand times over." The white-haired lung nervously thought to herself.
"You two, you have ruined everything!! My perfect world, a world for only me and the doctor, it's gone!! It's all gone!! I hate you!! I hate you both so much!! Why couldn't you both just die?!!" The future aegir spat at both mother and daughter with enough venom to fell a mythical beast. The aegir was beyond enraged that her plan had failed. The future Skadi would never get to experience her perfect world that she wanted for herself and the doctor. The two lungs, especially Yua, had ruined that for the future Skadi. The aegir wanted to make sure the two lungs in front of her truly suffered. No amount of suffering that she planned to cause to the blue-haired lung and white-haired lung would be enough to satisfy her at this point.
Ch'en wasn't fazed by the future aegir's tirade at herself and her future daughter, "I don't care how much you hate me, Skadi. You can hate me as much as you like. But for all the pain and suffering you have put me, the doctor, Amiya, and especially Yua through; you'll die for what you have done! The perfect world that you want, it's over! This ends here, Skadi! It's time you faced justice for all of the evil you have done!" The blue-haired lung drew Chi-Xiao from its sheath as she declared to put an end to the future aegir's terror. The legendary sword glowed to life, as if it was signalling that it would be the tool that delivered the justice upon the future aegir that she rightfully deserved.
Yua drew her own blade, and stood next to her mother. Despite feeling somewhat hesitant about facing the one responsible for the destruction of her own timeline, the white-haired lung wasn't going to run away from this fight. Yua was going to see the future Skadi finally fall today. Her friends and loved ones would be avenged. Her world was gone, it was lost. But this world was not. It was still worth fighting for, and Yua would fight until her final breath to save it.
The future Skadi could see her two mortal enemies stand ready for battle. Their swords were drawn, Ch'en's legendary blade was glowing a brilliant red, they were not going to run. They were going to fight. Using what power she had left, the future aegir manifested her own blade. While the future aegir wasn't completely confident in her own remaining power, she still believed that she had enough strength to kill Yua and Ch'en. It would be more than enough to put the mother and daughter pair down for good. "You two really think you can stop me?! Even if I'm not at full strength, I'm still far more powerful than either of you could ever be! I've faced much worse than you two!"
"As have I, Skadi! I've survived all of your horrors in the future! For years, I survived, Rhodes Island survived! We kept fighting, until the very end! And just like then, I'll keep fighting until the end! You won't get away with destroying another world, Skadi! We will beat you!" Yua wasn't going to let Skadi destroy Terra again, no matter how scared she was. The white-haired lung was going to lay down her life to make sure it didn't happen. "Letting you live for all these years was my biggest mistake, Yua! I should have killed you so much sooner! I should have destroyed Rhodes Island much earlier than I did! But I can finally correct my mistake today! I'll find another way to create the perfect world for me and the doctor! I just need to get rid of you and your harlot of a mother first!"
There were no more words that needed to be said between the two lungs and the aegir. This was going to be the final clash between them, Terra's fate hung in the balance. The result of this battle would either lead to Terra's destruction, or it's salvation. Yua and Ch'en knew that this was a must win battle, they could not fail here. If they fell, then Skadi would doom Terra once again. The world would suffer a slow, agonising destruction. No one, bar the doctor would be spared. Terra would become a mass graveyard. The blue-haired lung and white-haired lung were not going to let that happen.
The future Skadi didn't waste anymore time in talking to the two lungs, the aegir charged at them with the intention to kill them. However, since the present-day Skadi had forced her out of her body, Yua and Ch'en were just about able to see the attack coming and dodge it. The future aegir's speed had been diminished, and so had her power. But the attack that missed still left a crater after impact. Even though the future Skadi was not as strong or as dominating as before, both lungs knew they couldn't afford to underestimate their enemy.
Yua and Ch'en decided to split up and attack the aegir in a pincer move, the white-haired lung attacked from behind, her mother decided to attack from the front. Yua attacked first and delivered a vicious slash across Skadi's back, "Damn you!" The future aegir screamed out in pain upon receiving damage. It had been a very long time since Skadi had been hurt by anyone, the future aegir had almost forgotten what it felt like to feel pain. Skadi turned around to attack the white-haired lung behind her, but Yua had quickly put some distance between her self and the future Skadi before her sword could reach her.
Ch'en followed up with the same move that her future daughter had just done and also delivered a vicious attack on Skadi's back. Just as before, Skadi screamed out in pain. However, this pain felt much worse. Chi-Xiao had a much sharper edge than Yua's own sword and cut much deeper. The pain she was feeling caused the aegir's anger to rise, her own counterattack against Ch'en was more erratic. The blue-haired lung saw the attack coming, and just like Yua, was able to dodge it.
Both lungs carried on with their strategy of hitting and running, it proved to be very effective against the future Skadi now that her power had diminished. However, after some time, the two lungs stamina was beginning to fade. While Yua and Ch'en's hit and run strategy was effective, mother and daughter had forgotten one crucial bit of information about their enemy. Skadi was able to regenerate thanks to her seaborn cells. Despite the pain the aegir was feeling from the two lungs combined attacks, the future Skadi was able to regenerate the damage caused to her.
Both lungs were beginning to tire, and Skadi could see this. The future aegir knew that Yua and Ch'en wouldn't be able to keep this strategy up for much longer. All she had to do was keep tanking the attacks, despite the pain they caused her. Once both Yua and Ch'en were tired enough, then the future aegir knew then she could start delivering pain and suffering to the two lungs.
"It's not working, mother. She's regenerating whatever we do to her, what do we do now?" The white-haired lung asked Ch'en. Yua's voice was beginning to sound despaired. The white-haired lung knew that they couldn't keep this up for much longer. Sooner or later, they would be too tired. The future aegir would then be able to counterattack. Neither herself or her mother would be able to defend themselves once they reached that point. They needed a new plan, and fast.
Ch'en began to think of a strategy that could work, the blue-haired remembered what happened at the shipyard. While it was risky, it could change the tide of this fight if the two of them were able to pull it off, "Yua, I need you to use your originium arts. I'll keep Skadi occupied while you gather your power. As soon as you are ready to use your power, I'll take cover." The blue-haired relayed her idea to her future daughter.
Yua looked at her mother like she had just grown a second head, the white-haired lung never expected that Ch'en would ever let her willingly use her originium arts, "Are you sure, mother? You want me to use my originium arts against Skadi?" The white-haired asked for clarification that Ch'en was okay with her using her power. The blue-haired lung simply nodded, that was all Yua needed to begin charging her power.
Wind behind to pick up speed in the hall, and the temperature began to increase. Yua then began to glow a brilliant bright blood red, the white-haired lung began to charge up her power. "No! I won't let you use your power, Yua!" Skadi screamed out as she could see what the white-haired lung was going to do. The future aegir charged at Yua with the intent of stopping her, but Ch'en intercepted the attack using Chi-Xiao to block her strike.
"Damn you, Ch'en Hui-Chieh! Get out of my way!" The future aegir spat at the blue-haired lung. "Over my dead body, Skadi!" Ch'en shouted back at her. Skadi broke the contact, the future aegir tried attacking from another angle, but Ch'en blocked her path once again. The blue-haired lung wasn't going to let the future aegir anywhere near Yua while she was charging up her attack. Skadi tried harder and harder to reach the white-haired lung, but Ch'en was equally as persistent in blocking the future aegir at every attempt.
Eventually, Yua could feel her power wanting to be released, "Mother, get down!" The white-haired lung shouted towards her mother. Ch'en did so and released herself from her current clash with the future Skadi. The blue-haired lung immediately got to the floor. Yua then released her shockwave and it managed to connect with the future aegir who couldn't avoid it in time. Skadi was engulfed with Yua's shockwave, "Arrrrgh! Everything burns! Why does everything burn?!" The aegir thought as she could feel Yua's originium arts burning her from the inside.
The future Skadi had never felt pain like this before in her life. It was if she was being cooked alive, the pain was absolutely unbearable. Once Yua's shockwave had dissipated in the room, the wind disappeared and the temperature began to drop again. Ch'en stood up, the blue-haired lung could see the pain that the future Skadi was in. Smoke even began to emanate from the future Skadi, even though the blue-haired lung could see no visible burn marks on her, "I know I should feel sorry for her. But I don't, not after everything she has done." Ch'en felt no pity towards the future aegir, despite the fact that she was suffering right now.
Yua had powered down, and could also see the effects of her attack on the future aegir. Yua, like her mother, felt no pity towards Skadi. The white-haired lung had a smirk on her face, she was proud of what she had done, "Does it hurt, Skadi? That's for everyone you have killed!" The white-haired lung screamed at her enemy. Yua was glad that for once, the one who had destroyed her world, and had killed all of her loved ones was suffering.
Due to her pain, the future aegir fell to her knees. The future Skadi began shivering, her ability to regenerate was gone. Skadi now knew why she began to fear the white-haired lungs power, Yua's originium arts had the power to destroy regeneration. The future Skadi wrapped her arms around herself in an attempt to quell the pain she was feeling, but it was a futile attempt. Even moving her arms caused the aegir to feel immense anguish.
Yua walked up to the future aegir and looked her dead in the eye, the white-haired lung could see the fear written on her face. The future aegir knew that her end was near. Yua had her blade ready, and was about to finish the aegir off, but Ch'en stopped her. Yua was about to admonish her mother for stopping her, but quickly saw why she had stopped her. Ch'en was holding out Chi-Xiao, the blue-haired lung was presenting it to her future daughter. "I think it's only fitting that Chi-Xiao should be the weapon used, Yua. You and me both know why."
Yua could see what her mother was getting at and nodded. The white-haired lung took the blade from Ch'en and held it in her hands. Chi-Xiao lit up again in a brilliant red, even brighter than before. Yua then turned back towards the future aegir, "This...This is for my mother." The white-haired lung said in a cold tone. Yua then stabbed the aegir in the chest...
Just as the aegir had done to the future Ch'en...
When Chi-Xiao entered the aegir's chest, it pierced her heart. White light then began to emanate from the aegir's eyes and mouth. The future Skadi tried to scream in pain, but no sound left her mouth. The light from her mouth and eyes got brighter and brighter until it died out. Then the future aegir's body began crumbling to ash until it was no more.
The future Skadi was finally defeated, she was gone forever...
In the future, the light of light had left the eyes of the body of the future Skadi. Her body fell into a heap on the floor. The connection between the body and the consciousness was gone. The body of Skadi was now just an empty husk...
The seaborn that were fighting Ch'en's group stopped attacking them. They could no longer hear the voice of Ishar-Mla. Feeling fear at no longer being able to hear their master, they began to flee back to the depths of the ocean...
Kal'tsit, along with all of the officers in the command centre were watching every single feed being broadcast to them. They could all see the same sight. The seaborn were no longer attacking. The sea monstrosities were fleeing back to the sea as fast as they could, ignoring any civilians or anyone else for that matter. Nobody knew at first what was going on. The ancient feline then smiled, Kal'tsit knew what had happened, "They did it...They actually did it! They won! It's over!" The ancient feline declared to everyone else in the room...
All of the officers, and Kal'tsit herself began to cheer at this realisation...
Skadi had been defeated...
Back at the temple, Ch'en and Yua were walking back towards the rest of their team from their battle with Skadi. The white-haired lung wasn't in the mood to celebrate her victory. While Yua was glad that the one responsible for her world's destruction was gone, it still didn't change the fact that all of her loved ones were still dead. The future Skadi's death was never going to change that. Ch'en tried to cheer her daughter up, but nothing seemed to work. The blue-haired lung eventually decided that it was best to give that up for now, her future daughter needed time to process everything.
When the two lungs found the rest of their comrades, they could see the numerous injuries they had all sustained during the battle. Yua and Ch'en could also see someone standing with them who was not with them before, "Father!" Yua cried out when she recognised the black coat that the person normally wore. The doctor of Rhodes Island was awake. The alien man turned around when he recognised the voice, "Yua?! Is that you?! Is it really you?!" The man asked in shock and disbelief.
The alien man was certain that his future daughter had been killed by the future Skadi. Seeing her alive right now brought tears to his eyes. Yua herself was also crying. The white-haired lung ran towards her father who embraced her in a hug, "Oh Yua, it's really you! I thought...I thought Skadi killed you! Oh my daughter, I thought I would never see you again!" The alien man was clearly choked up upon seeing his future daughter again, the doctor struggled to get his words out due to the emotion he was feeling.
Yua was equally as emotional as her father, the white-haired lung couldn't say anything to the man. Father and daughter simply embraced while the tears fell from each other. Eventually the two separated, and the doctor could see someone else had arrived. "Ch'en..." was all the alien man could say upon seeing the woman that he loved was alive. The blue-haired lung walked up to the man, "I know, doctor. I know. I'm happy you are safe. It's over, she will never hurt us again." Ch'en also hugged the doctor before she kissed the man. Everyone else looked on and felt like they were witnessing a very tender moment that was only meant for the two of them, that they had no right to be here.
The two then separated, Ch'en was blushing profusely from her action, but didn't regret it in the slightest. The blue-haired lung was just happy that the man she loved was still alive. Ulpianus then decided to interrupt the moment, "While I am happy for you two, it's best we leave this place. The seaborn are gone, but I don't know if they will return. I don't want to stay here and run the risk of them coming back. It's best we leave."
Ch'en and Yua looked towards Ulpianus, and could see her was carrying something on his shoulder. Or rather, someone. The present-day Skadi. "Are we sure it's safe to take her with us? What if she wakes up and attacks us?" Yua didn't feel safe with the present-day Skadi here with the group. While she was no longer under her future self's control, the white-haired lung didn't know what she would do once she woke up. "I trust she will be fine, now that she is no longer under the control of her future self. You have nothing to fear, Yua. Now let us go, I don't want to be here any longer than I have too."
All of the group agreed with this suggestion and began to leave. The doctor had many questions for the group, especially as to why W and Talulah of all people were here. But the alien man knew that it wasn't the best time to ask right now. W and Talulah had already begun to leave before anyone else, it would be best to ask when they were back at the landship.
Yua however, was just glad that her nightmare was over. Terra had been saved, her father had been saved.
It was finally over...