Standard disclaimer: I don't own the series.

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AN: Well, nothing new to add here. This is an odd chapter. It’s also kinda short. You will understand after you read it. An odd chapter, but an important one. It’s setting the stage for the final battle. ^_^;;;

Here’s the reviews!

Meeerf: Thanks for liking the title! Hehe, what do you think will happen to Jin? (is curious)

Hehe, glad you liked that part! Oh, don’t worry, Leon was being a smart ass. He is actually meaning that… he was the one leading in the actions… hehe. ^_~ Yuki’s always one uping him, so he had the chance to shine… if you will. ^_^;;;

Heh, apparently so. ^_^ Hm, that seems like an interesing and correct quote :)

Oh, I bet you will like the start of this chapter…

Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

Deis stared out sadly at the ruins of Navare. As much as she hated to admit it, the killing would just keep going on until either Ryu and the Destined were able to stop Legence, or Legence wiped out every living thing on Asparia.

This was not part of her original design. Deis clutched her staff in anger. If Ladon and Myria had lived in harmony instead of trying to wipe each other out, maybe things would had gone differently. They were the feminine and masculine halves of the creator god. They were supposed to be the embodiment of the great Creator.

Instead Ladon’s soul was in fragments and Legence was somehow controlling Myria. She was not blind to the fact that Legence had control of Myria from the beginning. After all, he was able to warp and twist her most recent incarnation.

Lucien, the god of balance, was able to stop Legence, but the backlash had harmed Myria as well. And now Manna had figured out the great secret. Aaron was Legence’s Avatar… she almost snorted at the cosmic joke that was handed to her. Aaron did, after all, mean messenger.

He was a messenger all right. The messenger of death and destruction.

The main problem with what Deis was doing was that she could not assist in any of the mortals’ affairs, despite being the patron goddess of the mortal realm. Thousands of years ago, she was forced to take up arms against Myria. When she became sick of all the fighting, her daughter, Manna, took over her role.

Legence would not have suspected Manna to take action. He expected Deis to take up her old role and assist the Destined. Deis and Manna were doing well to stay one step ahead of Legence.

Deis would take on Legence herself, if not for the fact she did not want to kill Myria in the process. She could simply wipe them all out and be done with it, but if she destroyed Myria in the process well that defeated the entire point she was trying to make.

One minor problem was that they were not able to predict all of Legence’s moves. She did not except Navare to fall so easily. There was more to it that it seemed. Deis walked over to the rock base of the stronghold and pressed her hand against the wall. The wall shimmered slightly. Deis grinned like a madwoman.

She walked through the wall. Everything on that side of the wall looked intact. She stepped forward and was greeted by none other than Karn Danc himself. Many of the Navare citizens stood behind Karn, Yui Uzuki standing a few feet behind Karn. Deis actually laughed out loud.

She shook her head and gave Karn an annoyed look. “I would ask how, but am I really sure I want to know?”

Karn chuckled and walked over to Deis. “We are the world’s greatest thieving guild. We are the Phantom Thieves, after all. You think that we would not be able to pull off our own survival?”

“Chaos magic,” Deis said with a smirk. “You are hiding yourselves from Legence then?”

Karn nodded. “Yes. I will say that everyone is alive and accounted for. I know that everyone hated to pull something like this, but if we didn’t then Legence could come back and destroy us.”

Yui nodded solemnly. “Yes, this was something that we did not want to do, but we had little choice.”

“You are familiar with how Sari’s powers work right?” Karn asked Deis. The naga nodded. “Okay, Manna and I talked about this long and hard. The less people that are killed, the better. The more people that are killed during this time will be a greater strain on Sari. She can reject all the death and destruction if she is focused enough. I’m sure Manna worked out all the details, though.”

Deis nodded. “People are going to die then, but…”

Karn held out his hand. Deis looked at his hand and smiled. Karn was holding a soul gem, and the stone was flashing wildly. “I assume Manna’s plan is to give one of these to each Avatar and/or Destined in key locations around the world. With these, most of the cities can form a barrier and block any further damage done by Legence.”

Deis grinned. “Haha! Figures that Manna would come up with something like this!”

“I take it that Manna is preparing Ryu and his companions now?”

Deis nodded. “Yes… she is.”

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Ryu gave Manna an odd look. “What do you mean? I just gave the Goddess Keys to Aaron!”

Manna nodded. “Yes, and now we have to plan what we will do next. The thing is…”

Ryu rushed forward and grabbed Manna by the shoulders. He shook her slightly. Manna gave him a venomous look. “What part of I gave Aaron the Keys do you NOT GET?!”

Manna smirked. Behind her, Rekks, Wes, the Professor, Troy and the others that had been in the bar entered the room. Manna turned her attention to the assembled Destined and gave them a big grin.

“Yes, I suppose a quick telepathic shout out does the job, eh?” Manna giggled. She was greeted by annoyed looks. Manna cleared her throat. “Okay, so Aaron has the Keys now. We will get back to that later. First and foremost, we have to prepare for the final battle. Well, more like we have to prepare the world for the final battle.”

Manna reached down into her pocket and pulled out a pouch. Inside of the pouch were many colorful gems. Jin nodded.

“Soul gems,” Jin said. Manna nodded her head.

Mina walked over and took one of the gems. The gem flashed wildly in Mina’s hands. “What do you plan to do with these?”

Manna looked over at Mina. “They are special jewels. They are amplified with a special spell of light that acts as a protection barrier. Now, on their own, they can protect a person and anything within a five-mile radius. When in the hands of an Avatar, they can protect entire areas.”

Mina’s eyes widened slightly. “You… plan to protect the world with these?”

Manna nodded. “Yes,” Manna said. She turned her attention to everyone in the room. “We have to go to key locations around the world as soon as possible and give one of these to an Avatar in order to created a grid system that will prevent anyone else from dying.”

Sari wore a solemn look. “The less people that die between now and then, the more damage I can reverse.”

Manna gave Sari a quick nod. “Yes. A minor problem though is that we can’t block everywhere. There’s a chance that people will still die…”

The Professor walked over and took one of the gems. “I will go to Wyndia. I am a former Avatar of the Dragon God. I still have the power to protect.”

Mina nodded in agreement. She turned her attention to Troy and gave him a small smile. “I will stay here and protect the Pearl Kingdom.”

Troy looked like he was about to protest, but Mina cut him off. “You are one of the Destined of this Cycle. Avatar or not, Ryu will need your help. I will stay in your place and protect with kingdom.”

Troy smiled. “I thank you, Princess Mina Windia.”

Manna grinned slightly. “Okay, then it’s settled. We will have to revisit each location and deliver a crystal to each Avatar!”

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Nina was thankful that Momo could teleport. The trip to Wyndia did not take as long as she thought it would. Manna was a genius. She was doubtful of the plan at first, but if it could save the lives of everyone, then she would go with it.

Momo was only acting as transportation, and Nina was acting as a messenger. The old man and Wes would be staying in Wyndia for the remainder of the battle.

It was this she was quickly explaining to her shocked mother and brother. After she had finished what she was trying to get out, the queen merely nodded.

“I cannot say that I am pleased with your decision, but if it is what must be done, then go with my blessing,” the queen said quietly. The queen then turned her attention to the old man.

“My liege, I am honored that you would think so highly of us to come back and protect us once more.”

The old man merely grinned. “This is my second home. I could never allow anyone to harm this place, or my family.”

Nina walked over to her mother and gave her a tight hug. “Mother, thank you for believing in me.”

The queen returned the hug. “I have always believed in you. As did your father. We love you, my child. Just return safely.”

Nina released her mother. “Alright Mother,” Nina said. She then turned to Strife. “Um…”

Strife merely nodded. “We will be here when you return. We can talk then.”

Nina nodded. Momo walked over to Nina and took her hand. Nina nodded and turned back towards her mother and Strife. She waved at them and the two girls vanished in a plume of light.

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“So, you understand what we’re dealing with, right?” Yuki quickly explained.

For her part, Mardeia merely stared at Yuki. Yuki cringed under the intense stare. Some distant part of here was ever so glad that she never had to meet the war queen long before now. The Woren was getting under her skin.

It was Yuki’s partner that saved the day. Cyrus could only laugh, as Mara was busy staring at the flashing crystal that was in her hands. Cyrus finally looked at Yuki and nodded.

“We completely understand what you are saying Miyuki,” Cyrus said with a smile. “I am pleased that you would come out all the way to Worent and warn us about this.”

Yuki could only nod. Mara finally looked at Yuki. “I… thank you for coming out this way. I only wish that I could join you in your valiant fight against the darkness. But, my duty to Tora and my people comes first. I must protect them with everything that I have.”

Yuki nodded in agreement. “Of course your highness!”

Cyrus gave Yuki a slap on the back. “Heh, you better come back alive Uzuki. Got it?”

Yuki giggled and nodded. She did note that Mara was slightly growling at her. Grand. It was probably time to go. Yuki smiled and bowed her head in respect.

“Well, gotta go!”

And with that, Yuki teleported like the hounds of the underworld were hot on her heels. The last thing that she needed was a jealous weretiger trying to kill her because she was a friend of her lair mate.

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Ryu was a little nervous upon seeing Bunyan after what happened. Yes, Ryu had forgiven himself for what happened and what he had done, but it was still awkward to see Bunyan after all this time. The man was like a father to him.

Whatever the reason, he was glad that Manna had been the one that had taken him to the Sea of Trees to speak with Rowan. She had given him a soul gem and was quickly explaining what she wanted him to do with it.

Ryu, however, was hardly listening. He was too busy looking at Bunyan, trying to figure out what to say to his foster father. Bunyan, on the other hand, merely smiled and slapped Ryu on the back in a friendly manner.

“Boy, you will always be my son, no matter what you may say or do. Do you understand what I am saying?”

Ryu nodded in relief. “Yes, of course Father,” Ryu said with a smile.

No matter what happened Bunyan would always be his father, and he would always be Bunyan’s son.

Rowan and Manna finally stopped talking and glanced over at the two men. Ryu smiled slightly and bowed his head as he quickly gave Bunyan a hug. Bunyan returned the hug, only his embrace was almost bear crushing. Ryu was forever grateful that Sari had been able to revive Bunyan.

Maybe there was still a chance that they could save the world after all.

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Rekks was nervous about seeing Harmony after all that happened. Jin was quick and clear with his explanations with what Manna wanted to do. The queen of Rosethrone nodded in agreement.

Harmony stood at the queen’s side as the two adults exchanged dialog. Rekks knew that Harmony knew what he had done. The little girl walked over to Rekks and took his large hand into her small hand. She tugged on his hand and smiled.

“I felt your betrayal,” Harmony said simply.

Rekks could only hang his head in shame. “Yes, I know. I only wanted to protect you, but I ended up hurting everyone… and betraying the only person that mattered.”

“I was really sad,” Harmony said sadly. “I couldn’t understand why you did what you did. I mean, I know that you were trying to protect me, but…why did you have to go and help the one that wanted to destroy everything?”

Rekks shook his head. “I don’t really know. It seemed like the only thing I could do at the time. I was terrified that Gideon would try and harm you… I didn’t want you to die, so I agreed to help Gideon and Legence. I should have listened to you more closely…”

Harmony said nothing for a long moment, then she looked up at Rekks with those sightless eyes of hers. Rekks was taken back with that look. She looked… sad, relieved? For what?

“I also felt your death, Rekks,” Harmony said. “I know that you died to try and redeem yourself. Namanda does not want her children to suffer so.”

“I know,” Rekks said softly. “I figured that she told you herself.”

“Yes,” Harmony said. “I love you Rekks,” Harmony said in a quiet voice. “Are you going to go with Ryu and his party?”

Rekks thought for a moment. He shook his head. “No,” Rekks said in a calm voice. “I am your guardian, your protector. I will stay with you until the end. No more running. I will never leave you again.”

Harmony smiled slightly. “I am pleased to hear that. Now I know that I can hold on until Ryu and the Destined defeat Legence.”

Rekks nodded. “Yes, we will win in the end,” Rekks said with a smile on his face. He picked up Harmony and smiled at her.

“We will win,” Harmony said.

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Legence could only smile. Manna thought she was clever in thinking that she could safeguard the world from his attacks? She had no idea as to who she was messing with. Legence turned his attention to Gideon.

“Order your queen to start another attack,” Legence said.

Iris was standing by Legence’s side. She seemed like a mere Sword, but she was far more powerful than anyone could ever imagine. She was his key to the powers of the Gods, whether anyone knew it or not.

Gideon turned his attention to Legence. “Of course. Where do you want to attack?”

Legence smiled. “Angel Tower and the Godwin Foundation. We will show them no mercy!”

 

To be continued…