Standard disclaimer: I don't own the series.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AN: Well, I know that I said something like five or six more chapters and end up with like nine or ten. Oops. Hehe. Anyway, I am REALLY hoping to have this finished up in like five or so more chapters, yeah? Heh, this is why I try to avoid multi-chaptered fics. I always end up writing more than I mean to. All well. I just got carried away, I guess. ^_^

I had a little difficulty writing this chapter. I guess I had a bad case of the writer’s block. All well. I hope it turned out okay! ^_^

Anyway, here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

Jonothan Godwin was a really powerful man in his own right. His power, however was not by sword or sorcery. He was instead a very wealthy man and influential man. It was an act of compassion that he created and built the Godwin Foundation after Lahan Village was destroyed. He built the massively large city for the survivors.

He had no idea that the Foundation would become as enormous or powerful as it did. The income of the Foundation only increased the cash flow that he was already adding to.

He was a really rich man. And it had almost been his own undoing. He had been one of the people that pushed for the excavation of Caer Xhan. He was the one that found the Gate and the sleeping android, Fate.

It was his money that created the research facility in Lahan. It had been his money that funded Aaron’s research. So, in an odd, roundabout way, it was his fault that Lahan burned to the ground that night, fourteen years ago.

He had been doing whatever he could to make things right ever since. Though he had been something of a playboy, he had never married and left an heir. Instead, out of guilt, he named Fate his heir and the sole inheritor of his city and fortune. He felt it was the least he could do for the poor boy.

The child had been used his entire life… existence. He renamed Fate. He had given him the name Wyatt, which meant little warrior. For that was what Fate was.

As a backup plan, he had also funded the Professor’s giant robot research. The old man had created an adult body for Wyatt just in case something had happened. And much to his horror, that fear actually one day came true.

He was horrified to have learned that Wyatt had been destroyed by Gideon… or was it Legence? Had the king only been a puppet, a tool, of Legence’s the entire time?

All he knew now was that a massive, crimson and gold-scaled dragon hovered over the city as it prepared to breathe a massive fire breath attack. Jonothan looked up and realized that the dragon was actually Gideon himself.

He supposed it was only fitting to have his life ended by a dragon’s. The only sad thing that he regretted was that he would not be able to evacuate his people in time. The dragon let loose its fire attack and the next thing Jonothan knew, the entire city was engulfed in flames.

After that, Jonothan Godwin knew no more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I really wonder if this will actually work?” Nina found herself voicing her doubt as the other members of Ryu’s party regrouped in the throne room of the sea palace.

“It’s too late to be voicing doubt now,” Jin said in a neutral voice. “We’ve already delivered what we could to protect the world against any more deaths.”

Troy sighed slightly. Troy himself was seated on the throne of the king of the Pearl Kingdom, his wife and queen by his side. He was grateful that Mina was willing to stay and protect his kingdom, but he felt guilty that he was leaving it in the care of someone else. An outsider no less.

But he had his duties, and she had hers. It was just another thing in a long list of things that sucked major ass that he had to just deal with. As it turned out, Momo, Nunnally, Leon, and Wyatt’s assistants would also be staying with Mina at the Pearl Kingdom while the rest of them went out to stop the major threat to the world.

The rest of the group were standing around, trying to figure out what to plan next, or even how to find their enemy’s stronghold, when one of the palace guards came running into the chambers and without missing a beat, bowed to one knee and looked up at Troy.

“My liege!” the guard yelled. “There has been a dragon sighted over the Godwin Foundation!” the guard said breathlessly.

Wyatt’s head snapped to attention. “What?!”

Troy nodded his head and the guard continued. “The dragon we believe is King Gideon. The dragon attacked the Foundation and left it in ruins…”

Wyatt lunged forward and jerked the guard up from the ground by the collar of his shirt. “When did this happen?! Were there any survivors?!”

The guard shook his head. “We don’t know. We just heard about it! The entire city is up in flames…”

Wyatt shook his head. “No…”

“There’s more,” the guard said. “Please, put me down first!”

Troy gave Wyatt a sharp look. “Please put my guard down, Wyatt.” Wyatt glared at Troy, but released the guard, nonetheless.

The guard rubbed the back of his neck before continuing. “The dragon has already attacked Angel Tower, but the Tower is still standing.”

Garr’s eyes flashed red. “I see…” the ancient guardian said.

Troy nodded in understanding. “This is proving to be a problem,” Troy understated. He turned his head towards Ryu. “What do you propose that we do? This is your father we are talking about.”

Ryu’s eyes flashed red. He turned his attention to Manna. “The… crystals will hold?” Ryu asked hesitantly. Manna nodded her head slightly. Ryu turned his attention back to Troy, a grim look of determination on his face. “We were looking for our enemies, right? Well… it’s like Ladon is basically handing us the perfect opportunity to go and meet them. I say that we go and give them a warm welcome.”

Troy wasn’t really sure if he liked that mad look in Ryu’s eyes. He said nothing, however. This was Ryu’s fight, after all. This was his family.

“Then it is settled,” Troy said as he stood up from the throne. “We will leave immediately.”

Ryu turned to the rest of his companions. Troy did not miss the pained look on Ryu’s face. “This is going to probably end up being really bad,” Ryu said. “So, if anyone wants to back out, now’s the time to do so. It’s going to be hell from here on out.”

The rest of the party looked at Ryu like he was insane. It was Nina that decided to be the representative of the party. “Ryu we all have said that we would follow into hell and back,” Nina said in a quiet voice. There were various nods of heads.

“Besides,” Hawk said. “We all have our reasons for wanting Legence dead. All of our plans just happen to fit together.”

“So,” Sari said. “As you can very well see, there is no getting rid of us.”

Troy smiled slightly when he saw Ryu straighten up. “Yes,” Ryu said. “Of course. We have to all go and stop Legence at all costs. But first, we have to stop Gideon.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ryu knew this was not going to be easy. He was ready to stop Gideon at all costs. Of course, he remembered the words of his little sister. She had said that part of their father was still in there. That he was being controlled by Legence.

Of course, it was hard to think that way when he witnessed his own father reaping havoc across the countryside. Fragments of Yuki’s powers allowed him to hear the death screams of the victims that were not lucky enough to escape the dragon’s wraith.

This had to stop now. A quick mass teleport had managed to get everyone over to the areas closest to the two cities. Angel Tower still had that warp block on the city, but the Foundation had no such limiters.

Of course, there was nothing left of the once great city, except burning ruins, by the time that the Destined managed to get there. Ryu could feel his blood boiling within him as he watched the dragon that was his father destroy the city.

“Why…?” Ryu muttered darkly. “Why is he doing this?”

Nina walked over and placed her hand on Ryu’s shoulder. “What do you want to do about this? We can…”

“No,” Ryu cut Nina off. He turned around to face her. He stroked the feathers of Nina’s large wings and sighed. He still couldn’t believe what Nina and Manna had said about the truth about Myria and Mary.

To think that Myria was actually helping him, trying to aid him in his fight with Legence. What really got him was that Nina was actually Myria’s spiritual daughter and that Leigh was Nina’s guardian.

Or that Manna was actually Deis’ daughter. Actually, that one kind of made sense after he stopped and thought about it. Though there was the tiny fact that Manna never tried to hit on him, thank Ladon. Apparently, Manna had once said that she had a boyfriend. He was a brave man, whoever that guy was.

Ryu turned his attention skyward. “No,” he repeated. “Everyone, while I know that you are all here to help me fight this, this is… my fight. I have to stop my father…”

Wyatt growled darkly. “I know what you are saying, but your father has killed my grandfather. I am really, really pissed right now,” Wyatt said as he followed Ryu’s line of sight. “I don’t care what you say… I am going after that bastard!”

The red light of the Red Dragon flashed around Wyatt. Wyatt jumped into the air and took off after Gideon. Ryu sighed and shook his head. He understood all too well why Wyatt was going after Gideon.

Ryu nodded and hugged Nina slightly. He turned his attention to Gideon and closed his eyes tightly. He willed the powers of he dragon god to course through him. There was a sudden light and in a flash, the Kaiser Dragon took to the sky like a rocket.

Anger filled Ryu’s entire being. Thousands of questions were echoing in the back of Ryu’s mind. Why did his father start all of this in the first place? What was the true purpose of using him for the link experiments? Why hide his sister from him?

“WHY DID YOU DO IT?!” the Kaiser roared as he approached the other dragon.

The dragon that was Gideon turned his head to regard the newcomer. His eyes narrowed and he snorted. Ryu caught the wind beneath his wings and flapped back a little bit. Gideon’s eyes frightened Ryu. There didn’t seem to be any recognition in them.

Ryu got a little nervous as he watched Wyatt weave and dodge around the dragon Gideon. Gideon roared in anger and clawed at Wyatt. Wyatt yelled and doubled backed. Ryu was forced to wonder if there was anything left of his father in that dragon. Did Legence really have control of him? Was there a way to actually save his father?

Ryu didn’t know the answer to any of those questions. The only think that he knew was that the dragon had to be stopped. And if he had to be the one that ultimately ended his father’s life, then so be it!

Though, Ryu had to wonder if this is what it felt like for Jin and Yuki when they had to face Aaron. Did they feel a pit of despair in their stomachs when they went face to face with the man whose blood also ran through them? Doubt began to creep into Ryu’s mind. Could he actually face off against his father and defeat him?

Gideon was having none of that, though. The dragon looked mean and looked like it meant business. The dragon lunged at the Kaiser and clawed at one of his wings. Ryu howled like mad. The Kaiser knew that it had to end, once and for all.

The dragon howled as the Kaiser took a deep breath and prepared for a massive breath attack. The Kaiser let loose the attack and the golden fire spilled all over the dragon Gideon. Ryu howled, lost in the anger of the Kaiser and slammed into Gideon. The force of the attack drove the dragon Gideon right into the ground.

Ryu howled as he was forced back into his human form before he hit the ground. In a flash of red blur, Wyatt appeared and caught Ryu before he hit the ground. The dragon Gideon slammed into the ground once more, before rising to its full height, preparing for another breath attack.

Ryu flinched as the others braced themselves. It was only when Manna stepped forwards, staff at the ready that the dragon seemed to hesitate in its attacks. Manna turned to Ryu and frowned slightly.

“Forgive me, Ryu,” Manna said. “But this is the only way to right this wrong…” Manna closed her eyes as she raised her staff.

“Manna?” Ryu questioned. The blue orb on the staff started to flash wildly. ‘MANNA?!”

“I AM LIGHT!” Manna practically roared.

Ryu tensed. It had been the same spell that Yuki had tried to cast; the spell that he himself had interrupted. He would try to stop Manna, but he knew if she was truly Deis’ daughter, then the powers of magick also ran through her veins.

“I am Light. I am one too strong to fight! Return to the place where Shadows dwell. Go away and leave my sight…”

Ryu tensed for the remainder of the spell.

“And take with you this endless night…” Manna raised her staff high in the air as golden threads wrapped around the staff and shot forward and wrapped themselves around the dragon Gideon. What Ryu had not expected was what came next.

Manna opened her eyes, bright gold, and shouted the final line of the spell. “FINAL JUDGEMENT!”

The ribbons of gold wrapped around the dragon Gideon and tightened. The dragon flashed brightly and was forced back into his human form.

Final Judgement was an incredibly powerful spell that even rivaled that of Eternal Session. It was said to be the most powerful magical spell outside of the Dragon God’s Infinity, the power of the Gods themselves, taken in a form that allowed the Destined Child to control them.

The spell basically forced the one it was being cast upon to reveal their true self to the caster… and judge that person to see if they were worthy to keep on living. The fact that Gideon was standing in his human form spoke volumes.

Gideon didn’t stay standing for long and Ryu was rather surprised to find himself running to catch his wayward father. Gideon collapsed in Ryu’s arms as Ryu himself was forced to the ground because of the sudden weight shift.

“Manna!?” Ryu jerked his head up in the Overseer’s direction. “What the HELL DID YOU DO?!”

Manna lifted up her chin in defiance. “What of it? He would have destroyed you if I had not interfered…”

“I SAID THAT IT WAS MY FIGHT!” Ryu roared. He looked down at the limp form of his father. The man’s breathing was ragged.

“Ryu…” Nina said sadly.

“STAY OUT OF THIS!” Ryu shouted.

“STOP THROWING THAT TEMPER TANTRUM!” Manna growled. “You’re father is still alive! That means that he was not in control of his actions at the time of the attack!”

“Huh?” Ryu asked. He looked at his father and realized that Manna was right. His father was alive at least.

Sari walked over and raised her hand. “Soten Kisshun! I REJECT!”

Gideon’s eyes quickly sprang open. He looked up at Ryu and started shaking. “No… what have I done…?” Gideon whispered.

“Father…?” Ryu asked in a hesitant voice.

“My son…? Ryu…?” Gideon asked in a confused voice. Ryu nodded. “You are alive… my son… my child…”

“Father?” Ryu asked in a confused voice. “What… happened?”

“I…” Gideon’s eyes went wide with terror. “Oh Ladon! What have I done?! Demus! Nunnally! Where are they?!”

“They are alive,” Ryu said in a calm voice. “Father… did Legence have control of you? Why did you order the attacks?”

Gideon sat up, a guilty look on his face. “No, Legence did not have control of me at first… but the more I was around him… Oh Ladon… what have I done while under his control? I remember that I sought out Aaron’s aid to help me save you Ryu… I only wanted to save you and your mother. But… Legence took advantage of my weak heart and eventually took control of me and made me do unspeakable things. Oh, Ladon! I remember everything!”

“Salla is dead,” Sari said darkly.

Gideon looked mournful. “I am sorry… I am so sorry for what I have done…”

Manna cleared her throat. “You are no longer under Legence’s control. Your fate has been given back to you. Your life is in your hands now.”

Gideon nodded. “Lady Overseer, I beg your forgiveness! Lord Ladon will not hear my prayers!”

Manna shook her head. “It is not I you should be asking forgiveness from. It is…”

Gideon’s eyes widened with understanding. “I understand,” Gideon said. He turned to Ryu and smiled slightly.

“Ryu, you must stop Legence at all costs. He has taken up base at the heart of Laurante castle,” Gideon said.

“So, I guess that is where we will go then,” Ryu said in a dark voice. Ryu stood up and helped Gideon to his feet. “Father… I cannot ever forgive you for what you have allowed to happen to any of my family, or my friends…”

“I know son,” Gideon said. “I am not asking you to forgive me, for I know that you cannot. What I am asking though, is for a chance to redeem myself,” Gideon said. He turned to Manna. “Lady Overseer, I can lead you all to the heart of Laurante and take you to Legence himself. He cannot activate the Gate, not yet.”

“What do you mean by that?” Wyatt growled darkly.

Yuki walked over and placed a hand on Wyatt’s shoulder, ready to restrain him if need be. Hawk and Sari stood behind Yuki and Wyatt. Jin only gave the group a neutral look.

“Valerie,” Gideon said. “I placed the Light Key within her for a reason. I knew that as long as it was inside of her, Legence could not get it. For that is the power of the Maiden of the Dragon God.”

“Aaron is Legence’s Avatar,” Jin finally said. Gideon looked over at Jin with a look of terror on his face.

“Why is… how could Aaron be Legence’s Avatar?” Gideon asked. “It doesn’t make sense.”

“Yes, it does,” Yuki said bitterly. “Aaron was always working hand in hand with Legence. Whatever Legence offered him, must have been big to have betrayed his family like he did.”

“I…see…” Gideon said. He then turned to Ryu. “I remember why I did what I did now. Ryu, this has all been for you… I knew that your mother was dying… and you as well. I knew that Legence would take over me soon. So, I devised a plan that would stall Legence… until you could stop him.”

“You … you did all of this… in hopes that I would defeat Legence?!” Ryu all but roared. “How… how could you!”

Gideon flinched when Garr cracked his neck and walked over and stood behind Gideon. “I am Garland, Guardian in the service of the Goddess Deis. I am the protector of the Destined Child. We will go along with your plan, but if you bring harm to Ryu, I will kill you.”

Gideon nodded solemnly. “I understand, noble Guardian.” Gideon then turned to Ryu. “My son, I can only hope that you can trust me enough to lead you through this…”

Ryu glared at Gideon. “I… can’t function like this! If I stop… if I stop and listen… then…” Ryu clenched his hands into fists. “Do…whatever the hell you want to!” Ryu jerked around and stalked off over to Nina. Nina frowned slightly and rounded an arm around Ryu’s torso.

Manna frowned and looked at the rest of the group. “I guess… we go to Laurante then?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A quick teleport to Laurante was all that was needed. Wyatt was realizing that if they just all teleported to begin with, their mission might have already been over. As it stood, getting to Castle Laurante was going to be a major problem after all.

There were dozens of dragoons as far as the eye could see. Ryu shook his head and turned his attention to Gideon. Hawkeye could only sigh and shove his hands in his pockets.

“So, what exactly are we supposed to do here?” Hawkeye asked.

Wyatt smiled and drew his guns. Hawk nodded and drew his daggers. “I say we start kicking ass. Ryu? Go on ahead… we will handle this…”

Ryu slowly nodded and started towards the castle entrance. Gideon could only shake his head in confusion. None of the guards seemed to recognize his, Wyatt realized. Maybe Ryu was right the entire time. Maybe Legence was controlling everyone.

Ryu broke into a sprint and took off, the rest of the party quickly following after Ryu. Wyatt sighed and turned his attention to three of the dragoons that were charging him. Wyatt powered up the Red Dragon and got into battle stance.

He was really pissed off. His home, his family were dead. He had to wonder if his grandfather knew what would happen to begin with? Was that why he sent the MacCallahan sisters with Wyatt? To spare them?

He knew why Hawkeye was fighting along side of him. His home had been destroyed as well. The man was the youngest in their group. He had not been with them the entire time of the quest, yet for some reason Wyatt felt a kindred spirit with this thief.

Maybe it was because they were both men that originally had not family to speak of and were adopted. Wyatt was a warrior by birth… or would it be creation? Either way, like Hawk, Wyatt had been taught how to fight in order to survive. And both men had lost their homes and family because of Gideon.

Or maybe it was the drinking contests that they had only a few days ago.

Either way, both men were facing at least a dozen or so dragoons, heading straight for them. Wyatt and Hawkeye readied themselves, ready to strike, but a sudden light caught them off guard.

“Koten Zanshun! I REJECT!” Sari screamed as lightning raced from her hands and slammed right into seven of the twelve dragoons. Sari turned to the men and smiled slightly. “What? Is something wrong?”

Hawk shuttered slightly, readying his daggers once more. “Remind me not to piss her off…”

“Not a problem…” Wyatt said with a sarcastic smile on his face. “Hot and powerful! What a combination!”

Sari merely rolled her eyes and readied her attack once more. “Less talkie and more ass kicking.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yuki couldn’t shake the feeling that something was waiting for them as they descended the many stairs that led to the heart of Laurante Castle. She noticed that Nina seemed to be hanging off of Ryu.

She only slightly noticed that Sari was not with the group. She figured that she had stayed behind to help Wyatt and Hawk fight off the dragoons that were most likely going to be coming after them if they didn’t stop them.

She took note that Garr was right behind Ryu, with Gideon leading the group. Troy and Jin were walking a little behind them, and Manna was walking right beside of Yuki, her staff at the ready.

Yuki had great respect for the woman… goddess that was able to revive her. When she was dead, Yuki had spoken many times to Manna. She knew that Manna was just as caught in this mess as they were. The only major problem was that Manna’s hands were tied. Or so it would appear.

Yuki knew better, however. She knew that the moment Manna agreed to help them, she forfeited the title and powers as the Overseer of the Grand Design. For some reason, Yuki didn’t find herself all that concerned. She knew that Deis had taken up the role of the Overseer. She had created the role, after all.

She had finally realized what Jin and Manna knew the entire time. She knew who Deis really was. And that truth frightened her somewhat. Yuki knew, however, that saving Myria and stopping Legence came above all else.

Manna had a theory, as did Yuki. Yuki was proving her theory to be right when right before the group got to the large chamber doors that would lead the group right to the heart of the castle, and therefor to Legence and the Gate, stood the man known as Aaron the Wise.

Her and Jin’s father.

Aaron stood with his hands in his pockets, smiling slightly. Yuki tensed slightly, gripping the short swords she had gotten back from Nina. Jin walked over and stood beside of Yuki, his hand on the hilt of his katana.

It was Manna that spoke first.

“What are you doing here… Aaron?” Manna asked in an irate voice.

Gideon jabbed his finger at Aaron. “YOU! What have you done?! You are the Avatar of the Demon God now!?”

Aaron merely laughed. “Hehe, I see that you were able to figure it out. With my retrieval of the Goddess Keys,” Ryu flinched slightly as Aaron smiled down at him. “Legence will be able to transfer his spirit to another… host, if you will. The one that he was aiming for the entire time!”

“And who’s that supposed to be?” Yuki spat out.

“Why, the Goddess herself, the Holy Myria,” Aaron smiled slightly.

“What?” Nina asked in a quiet voice. “But… how’s that even possible?! Isn’t Myria…?”

“Alive and well,” Aaron said with a small smile. “She has been with him from the very beginning. He has had control of her from the start.”

Manna’s eyes widened as Yuki gripped the handles of her short swords. Aaron kept on talking. “Of course, as being part of Myria herself, Legence was able to hide her aura from the likes of you, Lady Overseer.”

“I see…” Manna said darkly. “Do you think that we are really all that stupid? Think before you speak, boy.” the last words held a condensing tone to them.

Aaron merely frowned slightly. “Ah, I suppose that you would be older than me after all. Seeing that you are the daughter of the god that opposes us. But no matter,” Aaron smirked. Aaron clapped his hands. “Yes, you are right. It has been quite a game of cat and mouse, hasn’t… Jin and Miyuki?”

Jin growled slightly. “What are you planning on doing here… Aaron! Why are you even serving that demon bastard?”

“You really want to know?” Aaron laughed. “I suppose that you will just have to beat it out of me!” Aaron laughed. And with that, Aaron lunged at Jin and Yuki.

Jin jumped and Yuki blocked the blade of black energy that Aaron had summoned on will. Yuki jerked her head around and parried blow after blow of Aaron’s. Ryu was about to jump in and help Jin and Yuki, but Jin jerked his head around and shook his head.

“Stop Legence! We will handle this!” Jin yelled as he blocked one of Aaron’s strikes.

Ryu nodded numbly as he and the rest of his party ran on and through the large, stone double doors. Aaron smiled and turned his attention to his two children.

“Yes, the time has finally come, hasn’t Lucien? Leigh? Now I will finally vanquish you two once and for all!” Aaron yelled. “And then darkness will reign!”

Yuki glanced over at Jin. “Is he for real?” Yuki asked in a joking manner. However, she felt like her head was about to explode. Just what did Aaron know about them and the past if he had the gall to call them by those names?

Jin merely looked at Yuki. She did not like that look on his face. “I do believe he is very serious, little sister,” Jin said in an even tone as he readied his katana once more. Those he appeared calm, Yuki knew her older brother well enough to see the signs of strain on his face, in his muscles. She knew that he was about to lose his cool on Aaron.

Yuki readied her short swords and turned her attention back to Aaron. “What do you plan on doing?”

Aaron merely smiled and shook his head. “What exactly do you think I am doing? I am a seeker of mysteries, yes? I do believe you can understand that Jin…” Aaron said. Jin merely frowned. Aaron then turned his attention back to Yuki. “And you… Miyuki I do believe that you have grown in power… both of you have grown in power. I am most impressed.”

“You sick bastard!” Jin snapped. “Answer the damn question! What the hell are you planning on doing?!”

Aaron frowned slightly. “I am surprised that you have not figured it out yet. You always were the smart one, Jin. And I had such high hopes for you…”

Aaron was not expecting Jin to lunge at him. Yuki’s eyes widened in shock as Jin’s sword went flying and slammed right into Aaron’s gut. The man merely laughed and shook his head in amusement.

Jin’s eyes narrowed as he withdrew the blade in one quick jerk. Aaron made a hand gesture and a sudden force slammed right into Jin and sent him flying against the far wall. Jin yelled as his back arched and he spit out blood. Yuki growled and lunged at Aaron, but another gesture sent her flying as well.

Yuki screamed as she hit the wall. She groaned as she collapsed right next to Jin. Yuki looked at her brother, who just knelt on the ground, shaking slightly while he held his stomach. Yuki shook her head and started to get up. Jin growled under his breath and staggered to his feet.

Aaron laughed at both of them. “I can’t believe that both of you are still trying to fight me. Very well then. Let us finish this. I have more important things to do than to entertain the two of you.”

Aaron snapped his figures and sent lightning right at Yuki and Jin. The lightning hit them and sent them flying against the walls once more. Over and over again, the lightning was sent in Yuki and Jin’s directions. Yuki went flying against one wall and Jin hit the other.

Aaron laughed and shook his head in amusement. “You asked me why would I help Legence? Why I would be his Avatar? Well,” Aaron said as he sent a struggling Yuki flying once more. “I am a seeker of mysteries. The mighty Goddess Myria herself created Legence! When he first appeared to me, I will admit that I was skeptical. But then he showed me the cosmic truth. He is just as a part of the Goddess as Ryu is a part of Ladon.

“He is her unbridle rage, her id given form. He is the manifestation of the Goddess’ desire to be rid of all life that would scorn her, defy her. And now, he will join with the Goddess herself and take that power into himself. He will be whole once more… and I helped him. For I now know the truth. Legence will be Order. He will be Chaos. He will be the power beyond the limit of darkness and light!

“He will be ALL! And I will be there to witness it all.”

Jin howled as he was hit by yet another lightning bolt. Jin staggered to his feet. Yuki groaned in pain as she attempted to stand up, but Jin pushed her back down to the ground. He shook his head and threw his sword to the ground. Aaron’s eyes widened slightly in curiosity, but his face remained neutral.

“You are going to face me unarmed, Jin?” Aaron asked.

Jin shook his head. “No, Aaron. I am not unarmed. You just don’t know. I am the god of balance in human form… with that title, I have certain… powers that can bring balance back to the Grand Design when order and chaos have been tipped.”

Aaron’s smiled finally faded. “What are you planning on doing, Jin?”

“I am… dying,” Jin finally admitted out loud. Yuki frowned slightly. “You know it, I know it. Before then…” Jin raised his hand and aimed it right at Aaron. “GRANT LIGHT TO THE SUFFERING THAT SPREADS THROUGH THE ABYSS!”

Aaron howled as the light hit him, but he held his ground. Jin growled and shot the attack again and again. “You have caused too much evil! For knowledge, you would kill your own wife?! My mother! You killed her! You killed everyone in Lahan, almost killed my sister! You hurt Wyatt and Ryu!” the attacks were getting stronger and stronger with each word Jin said. “You… allied with the demon bastard that KILLED MY WIFE! You destroyed my family!

“YOU WILL NOT GET AWAY WITH THIS!” Jin screamed. “THE SEVEN SEALING SWORD! JUDGEMENT OF THE HEAVENS! GRANSARINO!”

The bolt of light ripped right through Aaron and sent him flying. Aaron howled in anger and pain as he crashed into the ground. Jin staggered over to where Aaron had landed and looked down at him.

“You… have become something…” Aaron coughed up blood. “More… than I could have… ever dreamed…” Aaron smiled once more. “You are too late, though… Legence has the Goddess now… even in her incomplete state… he will use her and then use the Gate to restore Ladon… he will then absorb them both and become… a god himself…” Aaron laughed as he vanished into thin air.

Jin choked up blood and fell to his knees. Yuki bolted up and ran right over to Jin. She knelt down right beside him and supported him.

“Is… he dead?” Yuki asked.

Jin nodded weakly. “Yeah… he’s dead…”

Yuki nodded slightly. “Good. That’s good.”

Jin groaned and coughed blood again. Yuki’s eyes widened in fear. “What…?”

Jin laughed weakly. “I guess… I just couldn’t take the attacks after all. Heh… how ironic…”

Yuki giggled hysterically. “Yeah… come on, old man. We still have a mission to complete.”

Jin merely looked up at Yuki. “You will have to go warn Ryu. He’s walking into a trap…” Jin said as his eyes rolled slightly.

Yuki blinked rapidly as she tried to keep the tears from rolling down her cheeks. “Of course… we can go right now and warn them… together… right?”

Jin didn’t answer.

Yuki rapidly shook her head. “Jin? Jin?!”

Jin’s eyes locked onto Yuki’s. “You… remember… what I… asked…?” Jin’s voice was weak.

Yuki nodded her head. “Take care of Momo… right?” Jin nodded his head. Yuki bit her lip. “Yeah, I will take care of Momo…”

Jin nodded weakly and closed his eyes. “Thanks…”

Yuki hung her head. “Sure…” she whispered. “Jin…?” Yuki asked as she looked at Jin. Jin’s eyes were closed and he had stopped breathing. Yuki rapidly shook her head. “JIN! BROTHER!” Yuki screamed as she grabbed Jin and started sobbing.

Her brother was dead, Yuki realized as she slowly let him go. Yuki laid him back and stood up and grabbed her short swords. “I promise that I will take care of your daughter. And I will stop Legence once and for all!”

 

To be continued…