Standard disclaimer: I don't own the series.

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AN: Hello. Yeah, the last chapter was much longer than usual, but I was on a roll. Or so to speak. Remember when I said that I had a semi-writer's block for that chapter? Well, yeah. That's where all that came into play. I revised that chapter I don't know how many times. Also, I know what you're thinking... did I really kill off that character? Hehe. Am I that evil? Wait, don't answer that.

Anyway, at this point, I have planned like this plus two more chapters... If everything goes the way I want it to. Which, knowing me, is like never. Either way, all answers will be answered before this monster of a fic is finished. And yeah, it seems like I just offed Aaron without him explaining too much of his motives. Well, that's what this chapter is also for! Don't you all feel special? ^_^;; It's also called Airess is being a lazy ass and needs to get to work, eh? Haha!

By the way, this was another chapter that was hard to write. Please forgive me if the flow is a little odd. Meeerf, I tried to do what you suggested with the dividers and scene changes. I hope that I did okay! ^_^

By the way, in case anyone was curious, the original title for this chapter was Promised Plan… but I changed that. I just thought that Twilight of the Gods worked much better. ^_~

Here’s the reviews!

Meeef: Hello! Hehe, yeah. Well more like two more chapters after this chapter ^_^

Yeah, his characterization for Jonothan Godwin was a little late in the story for this… but yeah. You’re right about that. ^_^;;;

Heh, thanks for liking the actions. Ha! Dysfunctional family relationships… hehe. I agree with you on the fact they are good sources of inspiration. Lol

Hee, thanks for liking Manna. Hn you do have a point on that. I do see the problems with that. Pacing the details has always been a problem for me, and as you can very well see, a major issue for me during the first chapters of this fanfic. For some reason, I have been having problems with my pacing for the last few chapters…

Yeah, his return was a little abrupt. Sorry about that. Ah, uh, yeah. More like she’s a priestess of Ladon. Sorry for not clearing that up a little bit better. ^_^;;; Uh yeah. Hawk is Destined.

Hee! ^_~

It wasn’t really said in other chapters. And thanks for liking the action scenes. I have been trying to take your advice on the subject ^_^

Hee, thanks

Er? Is that bad??? I’m sorry! :( I do see a slight parallel between them!

Hee, wait till you see what this chapter has in store ^_^

Thanks for the vote of confidence and liking the story :) Yeah, I’ll remember that :) Thanks.

Anyway, here's the next chapter! Enjoy!!

She didn’t now what had caused her to disobey her father’s instructions, but before Momo knew it, she had already teleported to Laurante Castle. She was able to completely bypass the fight with the Dragoons. She was happy that Wyatt and the others were having fun taking them on.

Figures that Wyatt and Hawkeye would make a game of beating the ever living shit out of dragons. Oh, and let’s not forget Saria dodging fly by beat downs and slamming into the guards with that shield reject-y thingy that she was using.

She never really did understand the mechanics behind Sari’s rejection powers. But then again, there was much she really didn’t bother looking into. There was something more important for her in the spacious hallway that led to the inner heart of the castle.

So, with Honey quickly toddling behind her, Momo made her way down the long hallway. The seven-year-old’s breath caught in her throat when she found the reason for why she disobeyed Jin’s directions.

There before her, lying in a small pool of blood was Jin himself, his sword right by his side. Momo stopped dead in her tracks, unable to move. Honey bumped into Momo’s heel and looked up at her new mistress. Momo shook her head and cautiously took a step forward.

Was he really dead? Momo felt like she was on the verge of a full-blown freak-out. No wonder Jin told her to stay put. Momo slowly walked over to Jin’s body and knelt down beside it. She was young, but she was the daughter of a doctor, so she knew by the way that Jin’s body was completely still, that he was dead.

Momo couldn’t stop herself from crying as she tried to shake Jin awake. She knew that he was dead, but her mind just did not want to register that. First her mother had died, and now her father was lying dead before her. Momo thought her world was going to fall apart right then and there.

Momo finally stopped trying to shake Jin and collapsed on top of Jin, sobbing. Momo was only faintly aware of the presence that had appeared behind her. Honey started to beep wildly, as if to warn her of the intruder.

Momo turned around and her blood ran cold. Though she had never met the man, she had heard enough from her aunt and father about the man who they once called father. Aaron was standing right behind her, the perfect picture of nonchalance.

Aaron merely stared at Momo with a cool look on his face. “He put up a valiant fight,” Aaron finally said to Momo. His face twisted into a small smile. “I suppose we haven’t been properly introduced yet. But, the need for formalities has ended. I know who you are and you know I.”

Momo just stared up at Aaron. There was something… dark… about him. Not the dark that was associated with the power of chaos, but something all together different. Aaron took a step forward.

“He thought that he killed me,” Aaron said as he pointed to Jin. “But that arrogant fool didn’t realize that although I am no longer the Avatar of my god, I can still call upon his power… and I used that power to recreate myself, if even only for a short time.”

“You’re… dead…” Momo whimpered. “Daddy… killed… you?”

Aaron smiled as his eyes took on an unearthly light. “Quick on the uptake, you are. But, there is nothing you can do now, little one. I will kill you here and now.”

“Why are you doing this?” Momo said sharply. “Why would you want to hurt your own family?”

Aaron looked thoughtful. “I truly believe I no longer know the answer to that question. For 18 years, my mind has been consumed with serving my god… I can no longer recall anything beyond what was important to Legence. Why I even joined him in the first place,” Aaron said. He then smirked. “Ah, I appear not to be troubled by that fact. Though, interesting reaction I have. I do believe that the mortal man known as Aaron the Wise died the moment I became Legence’s Avatar. My god might remember, but I do not.”

“Uhn…” Momo whimpered as she inched back. Aaron took a step forward towards Momo and Jin. Momo tried to get to her feet, but Aaron made a hand gesture that caused the little girl to fall back to the ground.

“I really do not have a reason to be, not anymore,” Aaron said. He looked at Momo. “I see that you are alone in the world now. Your mother and father are dead and my god will consume your aunt. Allow me to put you out of your misery.”

“Ah!” Momo screamed as Aaron raised his hand and let loose a bolt of dark light. Momo hunched herself into a tight ball with her hands over her head. She braced herself for the attack, but it never her.

There was a flurry of movement and the next thing she knew there was a pair of arms tightly wrapped around her in an embrace. A rather impressive light shield had blocked the bolt of dark light. Momo opened her eyes and looked up. She gaped at who was holding her. Apparently, Aaron must have been thinking what Momo was thinking, because he worn the same expression that Momo wore.

Holding Momo was a really pissed, a really tired looking Jin. Momo would have started crying for joy if not for the sole fact she was shocked out of her ever-loving mind. Jin’s breathing was ragged and he had a pained expression on his face, but other than that, he seemed fine. Momo was scared, however. Aaron had been killed, but he was temporally revived. Was that the same case for her father?

Momo looked up at her father. Jin was staring ahead, glaring at Aaron. Aaron checked himself and tilted his head slightly.

“Are you alive? I thought you had died,” Aaron said in an even voice.

Momo stared at Jin, wanting to know the same question. Jin chose to ignore Aaron’s question. He looked down at Momo. His expression softened somewhat. “Are you alright Momo?” Jin asked Momo in a calm voice.

Momo could only stare at Jin. She shook her head. “Are… you really alive…?” Momo asked in a hesitant voice. She wasn’t really sure she wanted the answer to that question.

Jin gave her a confused look. He shook his head and looked over to where he had been lying only moments before. His eyes narrowed at the sight of all the blood. “I… see…” Jin finally said. He looked back a Momo and smiled slightly. “I suppose… I am alive…” Jin said in an uneven voice, like he even wasn’t sure what to believe.

Momo wasn’t really sure what to do. On one hand, Aaron was still somewhat alive and needed to be stopped. On the other hand, Jin maybe had died and now wasn’t really sure as to what happened. Aaron shook his head. “How are you alive?” Aaron asked.

Jin smiled sadistically. “I am a god, Aaron,” Jin said. “Gods do not die, they merely fade. A god that is in flesh, however, that’s another story. When you killed me, you unsealed my true powers… my true self. So, I am alive, you on the other hand,” Jin glared at Aaron. “Are an abomination that must be stopped once and for all.”

Jin stood up and raised his hand. His eyes flashed gold. “I must make sure you are to never return to this plane of existence… FROM ANCIENT TIMES, THIS POWER CAME, FOR ALL TO HAVE, BUT NONE TO REIGN,” Jin said. “TAKE IT NOW, SHOW NO MERCY! FOR THIS POWER CAN NO LONGER BE.”

Aaron screamed as the light engulfed him. Another scream was heard as the light tore Aaron to shreds. The last thing they heard from Aaron was, “My… god… will never… be stopped. What… you have… done… is all… in vain…”

And with that, Aaron finally vanished, only this time for good. Momo looked up at Jin, suddenly frightened. She tried to reason with herself that this man was still her father, but for some reason, she just couldn’t get that fact through her head. She took a step back, shaking slightly.

Jin turned his attention to Momo and frowned slightly. He took a step towards Momo, but Momo jumped back out of fright. Jin gave her a hurt and confused look. “Momo? What’s wrong?”

Momo shook her head and grabbed up Honey. She held the little robot tightly to her chest. “He’s… dead…? You… killed him…?” Momo stammered out.

Jin frowned slightly. He knelt down a few feet from Momo. “You heard him, right?” Jin asked gently. “He was already dead, Momo. I just…”

“I… really… don’t know what… I’m trying to say…” Momo said in between sobs. “I…” Momo blinked back her tears and ran towards Jin. Jin embraced Momo and smiled slightly.

“It’s alright now,” Jin said in a quiet voice. “I’m alive… don’t worry. I can’t be killed off that easily.”

Momo looked up at Jin and smiled slightly. “So… you’re a god?”

Jin nodded slightly. “Sort of. It’s a long story Momo,” Jin said. He looked towards the double doors down at the end of the hallway. “I think that Miyuki, Ryu, and the others are going to need our help.”

“What is it that we are going to do?” Momo asked.

Jin smiled as he stood up, Momo in his arms. “We are going to shield them from an attack. We are going to protect them love.”

Momo nodded as she placed her head against Jin’s shoulder. “Daddy… I love you…”

Jin smiled. “I love you, too, kiddo. Now, come on. We have to go help Ryu and the others.”

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Ryu wasn’t really sure what to expect when Gideon led them into the heart of Laurante Castle. What Aaron had said troubled him. Aaron was no longer Legence’s Avatar? If that was the case, then who was it now? The group finally entered the elegant stone doors that led to the heart of the castle.

Ryu didn’t have to be told anything. All he had to do was look up and see Garr’s massive arms tighten around his halberd to know something was wrong. Was the Guardian actually scared? That was beginning to unnerve Ryu. If Garr was scared, then something was up.

Ryu turned his attention to Manna. Manna apparently seemed to be wary of something as well. She wore a stony expression on her face. Nina’s wings arched back as the mage tightened her grip on Ryu’s arm. Even Troy was looking anxious. Ryu finally looked over at what the others were looking at. His blood ran cold.

All the way on the other side of the massive room was a pale woman with long golden hair, dressed in a black sleeveless dress that had slits running up the sides of the dress, sitting on a marble throne. A few feet in front of her was a stone altar with Valerie lying on the elegant stone.

Behind the throne was a gold and white archway that seemed to curve up like a set of wings. There were many runic designs on the archway, as well as places for what appeared to be keys. Ryu’s breath caught in his throat as he realized that the keyholes actually housed the Goddess Keys, with the exception of the Light Key, which still pulsed within Valerie’s chest.

“The Final Key has come to me at last…” the woman said in a hypnotic tone. Ryu recognized her as the woman from Worent and the one that killed Transell.

“Iris Dante…” Gideon said in a whisper. “She is the Holy Sword of Water, right hand of Legence himself.”

The blond haired woman slowly stood up from the throne. A massive pair of gossamer rainbow wings burst from her shoulder blades. Garr’s eyes widened with fear as Nina’s muscles tensed. Ryu growled and muttered to himself. How did he not know?! The Sword of Water, this Iris Dante, was…

Iris bore into Ryu with dead eyes. “My Destined Child… My… Ryu…” Iris’ expression went from one of being dead to that of fury. “Ladon, so you have come at last? Do you wish to finish our eternal war?” Iris jabbed a finger at Ryu. “Son of the accursed Brood! You’re foolishness knows no bounds! You come to me now?”

Ryu’s face twisted in anger. “So, this entire time you have been hiding in that form? Myria, answer me! Are you the one commanding Legence?!”

Iris… Myria looked down at Ryu, her eyes now dead once more. Troy frowned slightly. “I am not really sure as to what’s going on here. If Myria’s over there, then where’s Legence?”

Ryu felt his stomach drop when he heard the cold laugh coming from behind him. He turned around and saw Gideon laughing, a look of insanity on his face. The Dragon King howled and gestured a hand at Ryu.

“Arrogant fools!” Gideon laughed. “Do you think that I would lead you all here to destroy Legence?” Gideon said. He gave Ryu an evil grin. “Child, I AM Legence!”

“What…?” Ryu stuttered. “Then… what the hell?! How did you get control of my father then?! Have you been in control the entire time?!”

“It’s really simple,” Legence said from inside of Gideon. “I am surprised that you didn’t figure it out by now…” Gideon laughed. “You see, I have had all of this planned out, just as Manna and Deis had their plans to stop me.

“Eighteen years ago, a young woman was dying. Her name was Sakura Uzuki. She had somehow acquired some kind of incurable illness. Her husband, my chosen Avatar, had tried many different things to cure his ailing wife, but she just kept slipping farther and farther into her comatose state. I took advantage of his pain and grief and told him that I could save her, but it would require the power of the gods in order to do so.

“He was a fool, blinded by the love of that dying woman. I told him that I would give him the power of the gods, if he could become my Avatar and allow me to live on inside of him. We made the contract and it was I that directed him to Caer Xhan. He found the Gate and he found Fate.

“We started Project FATE. It was I that had Seeker take the Cysmosion to Laurante. I took advantage of Demus’ weak heart and he infected Ryu and his mother. I then had Aaron go to Gideon and tell him of the Project. With Ryu and Fate in the same place, I could get the two pieces of Infinity that they held. But something went wrong.”

Gideon glared at Manna. “Overseer, I know that you had something to do with the Gate going haywire!” Manna merely smirked. Gideon continued. “It didn’t matter. All the pieces have basically been given to me on a silver platter. After I had consumed Aaron’s soul, I released him and took over Gideon. And now…”

The possessed Gideon walked over to Nina and Ryu and grabbed Ryu by the arm. With insane strength, he sent Ryu flying. Before the others had a chance to retaliate, Gideon grabbed Nina by the wings and dragged her to the ground.

Nina screamed as she tried to get loose, but Gideon grabbed Nina’s wing joint and snapped the bone. Nina let loose a blood-curdling scream before she went limp. Gideon placed his hand against Nina’s chest to make sure her heart was still beating.

“I don’t need her healthy, I just need her alive long enough to take that power within her,” Gideon said. He fazed his hand into Nina’s chest and wrapped his hand around her heart. Ryu’s spirits fell when he realized what Gideon was doing to Nina, was what he did to Ryu himself. He was taking the powers that Mary had given Nina.

Gideon suddenly threw Nina to the side. There was a gold orb pulsating in his hand that had been in Nina’s chest. Ryu ran over to Nina and gently gathered her into his arms. Nina’s breathing was ragged at best, and her chest was heaving with each breath she took.

Ryu realized what was happening. Nina was dying… and there wasn’t anything he could do about it. He knew that injuries to the wings of a Wing Clanner were usually fatal, resulting in cardiac arrest. Ryu tried to heal Nina, but the powers just would not come. Ryu screamed as Nina’s body jerked violently. She spasmed once more before finally falling limp.

Ryu screamed as his entire world shattered.

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Troy knew what had happened. He wanted to go help Ryu, but he could just not tear his eyes off of Gideon and Myria. Troy noticed Manna moving into attack position, her staff at the ready. Garr was still frozen in place, shocked at seeing his former Goddess after five hundred years.

Troy watched as Gideon walked over to Myria and offered her the orb that he had taken from Nina. Gideon flashed slightly as he pressed the orb into Myria’s chest. Myria’s eyes widened in shock and pain and she screamed. Gideon howled in pain as his body shook violently. When the light died down, Gideon collapsed to his knees as Myria towered over him.

Myria’s face became one of pure terror. Her chest arched as her head flew back and her arms out to her sides. Myria screamed as a dark light consumed her. Her form twisted and churned, as the light grew brighter. When the light died down, in place of Myria stood something entirely different.

Darkness wrapped around a figure dressed in black, crimson, and dark purple full armor. The armor itself did not seem to have any open areas in it, with the exception of a slit where a pair of crimson orbs were. The helmet had two thin horn-like points protruding from the sides of the helmet. The shoulder guards, breastplate, gauntlets, and shin guards had sharp, fin-like points protruding from them. Thick trails of miasma spurted out of the back of the armor like a pair of black wings.

The beast laughed. “This… form… yes, I can feel my powers being revived…”

Troy froze. This… thing, he wasn’t really sure what the hell it was. Manna’s eyes widened slightly. It wasn’t exactly fear, more like surprise.

“Dämmerung der Götter…” Manna said darkly. Ryu’s head jerked up and looked at the beast that had consumed Myria herself. “The Twilight of the Gods…”

The armored man looked at Manna and snarled. “Yes,” the man said as his voice took on a dark, grainy edge to it. “I am the Nightmare of your Creator God… the great divider! I am Myria herself! I am Creation! I am Destruction! But, in order to become whole… I must call upon Ladon…”

Legence turned his attention to Valerie. “I need the Key that sleeps within her…”

“NO!” Gideon yelled. He scrabbled to his feet and ran to stop Legence, but Legence merely swatted at Gideon. Gideon screamed as his body was ripped into shreds and was sent flying. He landed right next to Ryu and Nina.

Gideon looked up at Ryu and gave him a pained look. “Forgive your foolish father…” Gideon said to the broken spirited Ryu. Ryu merely looked at him with a dull gaze. Gideon could only nod.

Gideon forced himself up once more and charged at Legence. Legence growled and slammed his fist into Gideon. Troy flinched as he watched the man cough blood before he was sent flying.

Troy tensed as he watched Legence pull the Light Key from Valerie. The Dragon Queen screamed in agony as her chest arched. Her body convulsed as the Key was finally taken from her. She once again fell silent against the stone altar.

Legence placed the Key into the final slot and turned it. The archway lit up in a display of rainbow colored lights. Troy growled as his eyes flashed bright gold. Legence turned his attention to Troy as the Sea King was engulfed in light. When the light died down, stood a massive sea leviathan. The beast of the sea lunged at Legence and wrapped its long body around the armored man.

Legence howled as Manna charged a massively powerful spell. She let the bolts of light fly. Legence growled and with a single gestured, sent Manna and the leviathan flying back.

Troy groaned as he quickly reverted back to his human form. Manna growled as she staggered to her feet. Troy grunted as he got back on his feet.

“This… is going to take some effort…” Troy muttered as he drew his sword. Manna could on nod in agreement.

Troy’s blood ran cold as he saw Legence strike at Ryu and Nina. Troy wanted to scream move, but he couldn’t will his voice to speak. Just as Legence lunged at Ryu, an orange blur knocked right into Legence and sent him back.

Garr was right in front of Ryu and Nina, his halberd at the ready. The Guardian looked enraged.

“You would strike at the ones that I have sworn to protect with my life?!” Garr howled. “Damned beast! I will destroy you!”

“You still do not understand, my Guardian?” Legence asked. “I AM YOUR GODDESS! I am THE GODDESS OF CREATION! Destroy me and you will DESTROY THE VERY FOUNDATION OF CREATION! WITHOUT ME, THERE IS NOTHING!”

Garr growled and twirled his halberd. “You think that I fear you, you abomination?! I am the Guardian in the service of the Great Creator! I am the Guardian in the service to the GODDESS DEIS! There are things that YOU do not understand!”

Troy frowned slightly as he watched as Manna merely stood there, staff at the ready. However, she did not look like she was about to attack. Troy cleared his throat and gestured towards the fight. Manna only smirked.

Manna shrugged. “I know what this looks like,” Manna said. “But, Garr has his role to play, and we have ours. We must wait until the time is right before we counter strike. If we miss our chance, then all will be lost.”

“What are you talking about?” Troy asked.

Manna smiled. “Just watch…”

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Sari, Wyatt, and Hawk had made short work of the last of the Dragoons and were currently making their way to the heart of the castle. Sari knew that they were getting close to the fight when they came across a really pissed off looking Yuki who was standing in front of sealed double doors.

Yuki turned her attention to Sari, Wyatt, and Hawk and frowned. “If we could get behind those doors… They are currently fighting, but the damned doors are stuck…” Yuki muttered darkly.

Sari nodded. She raised her hand and blasted the doors wide open. Wyatt nodded in approval and the four of them ran into the middle of a battleground. Legence looked up and snarled.

“More intruders?!” Legence howled in anger. “Scatter and die!”

Sari screamed as she formed a barrier that blocked the blast from the armored Legence. Hawkeye howled as he skidded out of the way, but Yuki and Wyatt were not so lucky. Yuki screamed as she was sent flying back and landed right next to a bewildered Ryu. Wyatt screamed as he landed a few feet from Yuki.

Sari yelled as Legence slammed his fist right into Garr and sent him flying against the wall. The stone shattered upon impact. Garr howled as he slammed right into the ground. Sari spotted Hawkeye dodging and weaving around each and every single one of Legence’s blasts.

It was all in vain, however. One final blast from the monster flew right into Hawkeye and the thief was sent flying. Only Manna, Troy, and Sari herself were still standing. Manna was just standing there, not really moving. Troy looked like he was itching for some action.

Sari screamed as a beam of light was sent flying towards her. There was a sudden flash of light, and the beam was repealed. Legence looked slightly confused, but still very angry. Sari looked up and spotted a really pissed off looking Jin holding his hand up. Momo and Honey were right beside the doctor.

“YOU!” Legence roared. “LUCIEN! You DARE to face me again?!”

Jin laughed. “Arrogant fool!” Jin yelled. “You do not yet know that your time has come! Look around you. All that is needed to finish you off is here!”

Miyuki looked up from the ground. “Brother… you’re alive…” Yuki whimpered slightly. “No… you’re not Jin… you’re Lucien now…”

Legence growled darkly. “I will incinerate all that is here! You will not have a chance to defeat me!” And with that Legence turned towards the active Gate and pulled light from the Gate and let loose a beam of light.

Manna growled and slammed her staff into the ground. Sari looked highly confused. What was going on here? Sari screamed as Jin grabbed her wrist and pushed her behind him. Jin and Manna threw their arms out and prepared to block the blast.

The power surge was held back by the two Overseers, but to Sari’s horror, everything that was inside of the barrier, including the people, had been vaporized. Troy shook his head and glared at Legence.

“What the…?!” Troy yelled. “What… HUH?!”

Sari’s eyes widened as a bright light pierced the dark light. Standing in the center of all of the madness and chaos, holding Nina tight in his arms, was Ryu. The Destined Child growled and looked at Legence.

Ryu’s body was radiating with a golden ethereal light. His eyes and hair were also golden. Ryu turned his attention to Sari and gave her a grim look. Sari could almost understand what Ryu was trying to say to her.

It was Manna that told her what she needed to do. “Reject,” was the only word that Manna had said.

Reject… Sari raised her hands and let loose the spell. “I REJECT!!!”

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Ryu braced himself as Sari’s spell went flying across the inner chambers. The bodies of his friends that had been vaporized suddenly reappeared, not a scratch on them. Garr looked up in confusion, as did the other members of Ryu’s party.

Much to Ryu’s relief, Nina gasped and opened her eyes. Ryu looked over at Manna and Jin, who were straining to maintain the protective barrier that Legence was continuously trying to break through with.

He knew if Manna and Jin failed, and the blast was able to break through, then the whole world was at risk. He knew that the soul crystals and the Avatars could only hold the blast off for so long before their strength failed them.

This all had to be stopped NOW!

Ryu let Nina down as Hawk, Wyatt, Garr, and Yuki walked over to stand beside of Ryu. Ryu shot Manna and Jin a look. Ryu’s eyes widened slightly as he saw Momo take hold of Jin’s hand and pour her powers into the barrier as well. The barrier’s powers strengthened drastically.

There was still a chance. Ryu knew that Legence had two pieces of Infinity… but Ryu had the third and final piece. And that was all he needed to call upon the powers of the Brood. The power to unite the friends and allies that truly believed in each other.

Ryu’s eyes widened slightly as he watched Troy and Sari break through the barrier. The last two of Ryu’s party stood beside him along side his other allies and friends. Manna and Jin gave Ryu a grim look.

Manna was the first to speak. “RYU! WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO HOLD OFF THIS DAMNED ATTACK FOR AS LONG AS WE CAN!” Manna screamed. Her voice was barely heard over the screeching wind from the Gate. “YOU HAVE TO STOP LEGENCE SO YOU CAN STOP THE GATE’S ATTACK!” Manna screamed. She was starting to strain under the pressure from holding the attack back.

Jin nodded in agreement. “WE WILL NOT FAIL! SO, DO WHATEVER THE HELL YOU HAVE TO DO AS WELL!”

“FIGHT IN ACCORDANCE TO WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN!” Manna finished.

With Sari’s powers of rejection, Ryu knew that they were not affected by the spell that Legence had cast. But even Sari was starting to strain under the pressure. Ryu turned to his companions.

Nina gave Ryu a small smile. “I love you and will fight beside you. I will be with you until the end!”

Wyatt grinned. “I have a score to settle with that bastard! I will help you take him down!”

Troy laughed. “You are a fellow Avatar! Of course I will help you!”

Yuki scowled. “Come on! That bastard took my parents away from me! And he tried to take you guys away from me as well! Let’s finish this!”

Hawkeye nodded in agreement with Yuki. “Yeah, she’s correct. He destroyed my people! He needs to be stopped!”

Garr nodded. “I have protected you once before, Destined Child. My Goddess desires your continual survival. I will assist you and protect you with my life. His must end now.”

Ryu nodded in agreement. “Okay…”

Ryu closed his eyes as he gathered the powers of the Dragon God into himself. He knew that this was the power that the Third Dragon Prince, Ryu, had used to defeat the Goddess Myria five hundred years prior. But that was Myria… this was a nightmare.

Dämmerung der Götter indeed. If Ryu failed here, then all would be lost. Ryu poured his hope and faith into his friends and his allies. He could feel the powers of the other Avatars as well as all of those that he had come into contact over the years. He could feel their prayers, their hopes and dreams.

Thousands of years of pain, of battle, of hopes and tears came pouring into Ryu’s heart. The powers of Order and Chaos were surging through him. A bright light engulfed him and his companions. Ryu could feel the power of the chaotic Dragon God, the fragmented soul crying out for vengeance one more time.

He could feel the desire of the Goddess herself… her hopes and dreams… and her worst fears. The power of the gods in the hands of mortals, no wonder Myria was so frightened. She didn’t want her children to fight and kill each other. She wanted the Cycles to break just as much as Ladon did. She wanted her past back… back when she walked with her counterpart and their children on the world that they created together.

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In the Sea of Trees, Rowan and Bunyan looked up at the sky. The normally blue sky had turned dark red. Rowan frowned slightly as his crystal flashed violently. The Grassman turned his attention to Bunyan and gave him a grim look. Bunyan said nothing. He only gave the Grassman a sad look.

“We must believe in Ryu and the Destined,” Rowan said in a soft voice. “I will believe in the world that Ryu’s determination will bring.”

Bunyan nodded in agreement.

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Cyrus frowned as the Worens watched the sky turn dark red. Mardeia watched as the crystal flashed violently in her hands. She turned to Cyrus, her tail twitching rapidly. She clutched the crystal in her hands.

“They are fighting,” Mara said in a flat voice. “They are crying out for our help. Come, we all must pray and give them our strength!”

Cyrus nodded. He turned to the other Worens. “Our queen is right! We must lend our strength to the Destined Child! Come we must pray for his victory! For his victory over the demon is ours… no the WORLD’S victory!”

There was a loud chorus of cheers from the other Worens as they knelt down in prayer along side their queen and her lair mate.

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

Strife paced the throne room anxiously. He had the worse feeling about the battle with Legence. He watched as the Professor looked at the crystal in his hands flash rainbow colors.

The old man smiled slightly. “This long war will soon come to an end,” the old man said. “I can feel it in my bones. Just a little longer… and the world will be free and I can finally rest.”

Wes gave the Professor an odd look. “Professor…? What do you mean by that, exactly…?”

The queen nodded in agreement. “Yes, we must believe in Nina and Ryu… they hold the future of our planet in their hands…”

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

Rekks watched as Harmony looked up at the sky. He knew that she couldn’t see what was going on, but she could feel it. The crystal in her hands was flashing violently. Rekks walked over and placed a large hand on her head.

“It will all be over soon,” Rekks said in a quiet voice.

Harmony nodded in agreement. “The very earth cries for their victory! We must pray for their success! I believe in Ryu and his companions! They will not fail!”

Rekks nodded in agreement. “Yes, and when all is said and done, we will greet them warmly and celebrate their victory.”

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

Karn watched as the sky turned from dark red to black. The rest of Navare stood along side their ancient leader as he waited for the battle to end. The crystal in Karn’s hands flashed violently.

“I can hear them…” Yui said softly. “I can hear the world praying along side of us, waiting for the Destined Child’s victory over the demons.”

Karn nodded. “Yes, but will this be a victory that is worth it when all is said and done?”

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

Mina looked up towards the ceiling. Standing beside her was Leon and Nunnally, who was in her wheelchair. The three of them watched and waited. Mina watched at the crystal in her hands flashed.

“I believe in my sister…” Mina said. “And I believe in Garr and Ryu. They need our strength.”

Leon nodded. Nunnally smiled and watched as Seth and Shelley walked into the room, followed by Queen Kia.

“My husband will not fail,” Kia said proudly.

“Nor will Little Master,” Shelley said.

Seth nodded in agreement. “Yeah, Little Master will mop the floor with Legence! All we have to do is believe in them!”

“We will all pray for their safe return,” Mina concluded.

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

Deis watched as the world was slowly being overcome by darkness. She watched as the soul crystals were slowly, but surely beginning to over come the darkness, being powered by the beliefs of those that were holding them.

Deis knew that it would not be much longer now. Soon, all would fall into place, and the Cycles would break.

Deis smiled as a woman walked up beside her. She had long, wavy red hair that was pulled back in a braid. She was dressed in a long sleeved red dress that fell to her ankles, a black corset around her waist, and black ankle boots

“How are you feeling?” Deis asked the woman.

The woman smiled slightly. “Never better,” she said in a slight accent. She watched as the light and darkness fought against each other. “Some of Legence’s power has broken through the barrier that Manna and Jin created.”

Deis nodded. “Yes, but I believe in Ryu and the Destined. I know that they will win in the end. Don’t you agree, Salla?”

The woman, Salla, nodded in agreement. “Yes, they will win. For our future, we must believe in them.”

They just had to hold on for a little longer…

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

Ryu could feel the powers and beliefs of everyone pouring into him. Ryu finally surrendered himself to the mighty power of the Infinity. There was a sudden flash of light.

Ryu’s eyes flashed gold and that gold spread out from his eyes and formed an interlacing network of power around the heroes. They suddenly disappeared as Ryu grew in form. The mighty titan rose, a great beast with a centaurian body, four legs that ended in talons, two powerful arms, a large curving tail, and a huge mane with horns attacked to the beast’s head. Two massive, pure white wings stretched up and out.

The power of the friends that truly believe in each other. The power of the Agni and Anfini, Infinity given form. The true power of the Brood that the Goddess rightfully feared. The incarnation of Ladon himself.

Before Legence stood the Dragon God himself. The heroes had managed to pull it off. Deis’ promised plan. The revival of the Dragon God.

In one word, Legence was fucked.

 

To be concluded…