Standard disclaimer: I don't own the series.

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AN: Well, here it is. The last chapter of the story right before the epilogue. And YES, there WILL be an epilogue, so don't be hatin' after this chapter is over with ^_^;;; Haha, you will see what I mean after I finished this chapter.

Anyway, this has been a really, really, REALLY long story, eh? Almost two years ago I started writing this story and now it's almost finished. I can't believe I still have readers after all this time! Haha! I really, really want to thank all those who have read this monster of a fic and have left me wonderful reviews and have given me the will and driver to actually finish this story. ^_^

First off, I would like to thank Arcahan from the Breath of Fire Fanfic Library for hosting this story! Go check his site out! It's got a lot of great BoF fics on it ^_^ Oh, and thanks Arcy for putting up with my rapid updating ^_^;;;

So thanks Nina Windia, Meeerf, Anime Monkey, Rouge_Kaiser, Lord Kain, Angelkitty1, ZoharKnight, Golden-Black Dragon, yamanana, katana777, Omega Gilgamesh and everyone else that has reviewed! Oh, and thanks to all of those people that have added me to their favorites lists! Whee!

Oh, and thanks for my sister Crystal and my best bud Mana for letting me use their characters ^_~

Anyway, yeah. Here are the reviews:

Meeerf: Hiya! Yup, giant divine dragons for the win!

Here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

There is a legend about seven brave men lead by a dragon warrior. They say that when the world is on the brink of destruction, a warrior will come forward with the power of the Dragon and oppose the threat.

It is said that together with those seven warriors, the dragon warrior would use the most powerful form of the Dragon Clan, the power of Infinity. It is the power of the friends and allies that truly believe in each other. The hopes and beliefs of the planet itself. The physical form of the Dragon God, Ladon, himself.

The only power that could combat the Goddess Myria and her countless incarnations. That very power was manifested in the physical realm, the incarnation of the Dragon God. And it was the power that was standing before Legence.

The air pressure in the inner chambers of Castle Laurante started to intensify as the spell that Legence was pulling through the gate got stronger. Manna knew that some of the power was bleeding through the barrier that she and Jin had erected and was threatening to wipe out the world itself.

That’s why Deis had instructed her to give the Avatars the soul gems empowered with the power of the Creator God. The other Avatars would catch what got past Jin and Manna. She could only hope that they could hold out for a little longer.

Hopefully, this would be over soon. If all went according to Deis’ plan, then there would no longer be a need for the Cycles themselves. Manna could only hope that Ryu got a clue and did what he really needed to do.

If not, then all would be lost.

There was a faint noise from the far left of Manna. Manna cranked her head to the left slightly and opened her mouth slightly in surprise. Far behind her, kneeling on the ground and panting for breath was Gideon himself. The surprise came not from the fact that Gideon had somehow survived the blast, but for the blue haired, winged woman that was kneeling behind Gideon, supporting his back.

Valerie apparently had somehow survived the blast as well. The few precious seconds ago that Manna had seen her, Valerie had been lying on that stone altar in some kind of comatose state. How had the dragon queen survived? Manna realized that it had been Sari’s power to reject that had brought Valerie back to life.

Apparently, her theory about Sari being close to the source of the Creator Gods was correct. And Manna’s theory about the Gate appeared to be correct as well. Unfortunately, with Sari’s increase of power by just being around the Gate, was also double-edged sword. When her powers increases, so could Legence’s.

Manna turned her head back to the standoff between Infinity and Legence. Manna had to strain her eyes to see it, but in the middle of the armor, there was a small pulsating orb of gold light. Manna smiled to herself. She glanced over and noticed that Jin was also smiling slightly.

Apparently Jin had seen the light as well. There was still light within the darkness. If Ryu could figure it all out…

In her final moments, before she had been reborn, Myria had figured it out. She had cried out to God and she had asked if there truly was a God, what should she had done with the Brood? Myria herself had been running scared before with the Goddess War and then the Dragon Wars.

Manna knew that Myria was just as much of a victim as Ladon had been. Myria had fragmented his mind, body, and soul, making him less of a threat, but Myria had been fought over, killed over… just because of her powers.

Powers that she and the mortal races that had fought over her couldn’t even begin to understand. Myria had been impossibly young then, she hadn’t the wisdom that Ladon and Deis had at the time. It had been the way the two had originally incarnated in physical form, after all. Ladon was a wise, father figure type god and Myria was a small child.

Funny how Ladon was considered the chaos form of the Creator God and Myria his order. Manna knew, though, that wasn’t always the case. She knew that there must be a balance between the two. Lucien had told her that… and so had her mother.

The end of the Cycles would not come about by killing Myria. That would only lead to another Cycle. Manna knew that there was another way…

And she could only hope that Ryu had figured it out. But, if he had actually figured it out and actually went through with it, then…

Manna knew, though. Only through death could there ever be rebirth. The chance to begin again was in the hands of the Dragon God himself. Hopefully, Ryu realized that. Yuki had said something along the lines that Ryu himself said he would summon Ladon if need be. Apparently, Ryu had kept good on his promise… but could they hold the Dragon God together long enough to pull it off?

After all, Legence still had two pieces of Ladon…

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The mighty form of the Dragon God towered over Legence. The armored beast merely laughed at the sight of the fearless dragon and cracked his neck. He raised his sword and waved it at the dragon that was known as Infinity.

“You think that you can stop me?” Legence howled with laughter. “Many have tried, and many have failed.”

Ladon cranked his neck and slammed his tail into the floor. The floor shattered on impact. “You talk big for someone who is about to be quickly shuffling off this mortal coil. I know your true form Legence. You were born from Myria’s desire to rid the world of MY children, this world’s protectors. You think that I will allow you to succeed?”

Legence bellowed. “Your “children” have been the cause of many wars that have resulted in many, many deaths over the thousands of years you and Myria have been fighting each other! I was created to fulfill the desire of the Goddess to destroy anyone that wished to destroy her world. Your children are just as guilty of sin against life as Myria herself!”

“Perhaps,” the Dragon God agreed, “But first and foremost, the wills of the inhabitants of this world have cried out for salvation! I have answered their call and I am here to stop you!”

“Yes,” Legence said with a nod of his armored head. “I agree! Come, Ladon! Let the world tremble at our coming!”

And with that, the two demi-gods charged at each other. Legence growled as the Dragon God lunged at the twisted form of the Goddess. Legence raised his sword and struck out at the god, but Ladon merely dodged the attack and doubled back and slammed his tail into Legence’s back.

Legence howled and jumped into the air with speed that no human could ever hope to copy. Dark trails of miasma erupted from Legence’s armored back and kept him afloat in the air. He streaked through the air and slammed into the Dragon God’s back. Ladon howled but jerked right around and slammed his fists right into Legence.

Legence’s balance was thrown as he went flying against the barrier that Manna, Momo, and Jin were still desperately trying to hold. The Dragon God roared and with a beat from his massive wings, went flying right after Legence.

“Return to nothing!” Ladon howled as he prepared a massive breath attack that would make the Kaiser pale in comparison.

Legence laughed at Ladon’s form of attack and prepared himself for the blast. The breath attack came in all its glory. Nothing was spared in the ensuing chaos unless it was behind the protective barrier. Legence growled in annoyance as he realized that the blast had actually harmed him.

“You think that you can stop me, you poor excuse of a god?!” Legence roared. “You are in incomplete god at best! I, however, am a complete god, complete with all of Myria’s powers! I will crush you into the ground!”

And with that, Legence lunged at the Dragon God once more. Ladon growled and slammed his fists into the armored beast. Legence screamed as the Dragon God slammed into Legence over and over again. Legence howled in anger and pain.

“You are a god, but at your heart you are still MORTAL!” Legence howled. And with that, he broke free of the beating that Ladon was giving him. Legence drew his sword and slammed the blade right through the heart of the Dragon God.

Ladon roared as his massive hands wrapped around the blade of the sword and forcefully ripped the sword out of his chest. “You speak big words, little godling,” Ladon growled forcefully. “But even at my heart are the mortals that have formed me into existence, you are still the incomplete Goddess!”

Ladon looked directly at the pulsating orb in the middle of Legence’s chest. “Myria! I know that you can hear me!” Ladon yelled. For a brief second, it appeared as if Ladon’s eyes had become Wyatt’s eyes. “You will allow this abomination to control you?! Have you resorted to allowing your pets to fight your battles for you?!”

Legence howled in laughter. “You really think that Myria’s will is still here? I devoured her soul! She is mine!”

There was another flicker and Yuki’s eyes were Ladon’s eyes. “He is controlling you!” Ladon howled. “He will destroy the world that you sought to protect!”

Another flicker and Garr’s eyes shined through. “You created the Guardians to combat any threat to your world! This bastard with a god complex wants to destroy your world!”

“Why are you bothering to speak to a dead god?” Legence laughed. “Myria is not here! She is DEAD!”

The flicker in Ladon’s eyes revealed Troy’s eyes. “The balance of light and dark, order and chaos must be restored! Legence will destroy that balance! And with it, the very foundation of existence!”

“You’re pathetic words will reach NO ONE!” Legence laughed. “Why are you even trying?!”

The wind sang wildly around them as Ladon’s eyes flickered once more to reveal Hawkeye. “If this fight is between you and Ladon, then why are you not out here fighting him yourself? Or better yet… why are you not fighting against Legence? Are you that much of a coward?!”

“FIGHT BACK!” the Dragon God’s eyes flashed wildly as Sari’s eyes were revealed. “You helped us once as Mary! You gave your powers to Nina in hopes that they would not fall into Legence’s hands! But they have!”

“What are you going to do about it?!” the eyes flashed once more to reveal Ryu’s eyes. “Our ageless battle! You said it yourself that you wanted the Cycles to end! If Legence is allowed to succeed, then there will be a bigger threat to the world!”

“The peace you wish to obtain…” the flicker changed to Nina’s eyes. “The love you wish to feel… will not come from this cold, hard hatred! You MUST fight back and reclaim what Legence has taken from you!”

“Fight him back!” Ladon himself screamed. The Destined Child and his companions screamed along side the Dragon God.

“FIGHT BACK!” Manna’s voice was loud and clear despite the raging wind that howled around them.

“YOU ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE TO WIN THIS FIGHT!” Jin roared. “DON’T GIVE IN!”

Legence started to laugh. “Foolish mortals! I stand in place of Myria! Myria is GONE!”

“Then… all is lost…” Gideon said in a soft whisper. “All that Ryu and his companions have tried to accomplish was for naught.”

Valerie took Gideon’s hand and squeezed it slightly. “We must believe in Ryu and his friends,” Valerie said in a soft voice.

“Why do you all call out to a dead god?!” Legence growled in annoyance. “MYRIA IS DEAD! She is NOT coming to your calls!”

It was then that Legence froze. The pulsing light started to flash wildly. It was then that Jin’s words were made clear. Gods do not die; they merely fade. Myria was not dead, only faded. And she was apparently answering the call of Ladon, Ryu, and the Destined. Legence tried to will his body to move, but the light held him into place.

Ladon looked at Legence with a curious look on his face. “With death… comes rebirth. Are you ready Myria? Are you ready to end this ageless war?!”

Legence howled in defeat as the Dragon God let loose a massive breath attack. The beam of light struck him in the chest, where the light was flashing. Legence screamed as he felt the light of the Dragon God consume him. The light engulfed him and ripped him into shreds.

He knew now what he over looked. He was part of Myria… but at the end of it all, she was still the Goddess of Life… of Love. She was love even when she had been a goddess of destruction. It was a misguided love, yes, but in her eyes… it was still love.

Apparently Ladon had also seen it. Deis and Manna had seen it. And Ryu, who was just as much part of Ladon as Legence was Myria, had seen it. In death… was rebirth… Legence’s death would lead to Myria’s rebirth…

And with that final thought, Legence faded out of existence.

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The dark light spun around the golden light of the orb that had been released from Legence’s fading body. The gold light won out and spun around into an egg shaped sphere the size of an average adult woman. The light inside of the massive room finally died down and the “egg’s” tendrils spun out and formed into wings.

The wings, a beautiful pair of gossamer light wings, were attached to the back of an ethereal woman, dressed in a long flowing pink and gold dress, with long gold hair cascading down her back and wings.

The Goddess Myria opened her eyes for the first time as herself in five hundred years. Ladon merely stared at the Goddess in question. Myria looked up and saw her counterpart. She gave him a cool stare and floated up to be at eye level with him.

“So, you are the ones that have called out to me?” Myria asked, her lyrical voice echoing throughout the massive room. The raging wind from the Gate did not seem to affect her in the very lease.

“Yes,” Ladon said simply. “We, Ryu and the Destined, and I have called you out here. You know what must be done now, yes?”

Myria nodded solemnly. She stared at the Gate and frowned. Embedded at the two top spires were two flashing orbs of light. “The parts of you that Legence was able to obtain,” Myria said in a rather bitter voice. “Mortal Ryu… Destined Child of Ladon… do you wish to face me now?”

Ladon’s eyes narrowed. There was a massive flash of light that engulfed the form of the Dragon God. The light split off into eight, smaller forms. When the light died down, Ryu and his companions stood in place of the Dragon God.

None spoke, save Ryu, who boldly walked up to the floating Goddess. Ryu drew the Dragon Sword and held it out in front of him. The look on his face seemed to suggest that he was thinking about something.

“Destined Child… My Ryu… you wish to face me now?” Myria asked in a bitter voice. “You wish to plunge your sword into my heart, like you have done so many times before?”

Ryu said nothing. He merely looked back at his companions, and those who were holding the barrier, keeping the Gate’s spell at bay. Ryu knew that Sari’s powers to reject were protecting Ryu and the others, but he didn’t know how long they had.

“For countless years… we have fought. This would make the fifth time, correct?” Ryu asked.

Myria nodded. “Yes, this will make the fourth Cycle that we have fought. You are here, now, with your companions. You have succeeded in destroying Legence and allowing me to resurface, whole and complete.”

“You wish the Cycles to end,” Ryu said simply. “I am also tired of fighting. I know that I was created to house Ladon’s will… like all my other incarnations. I know that “Prince Ryu” is also tired of fighting. We all want this all to stop. I know what YOUR true desire is, Myria… you want…”

“What do you know about what I want?!” Myria growled. “The only thing you know to do is FIGHT, Ladon!”

“Myria,” Ryu said simply. “I am part of Ladon… but I am NOT Ladon. Please do not make that mistake. I know that you want the way the world was before… when you and Ladon walked hand in hand. Isn’t that what the will of the Creator was when the two of you were given physical form?”

“Child… you border on angering me…” Myria said in a cold voice. “If you wish to fight, then let’s get this over with!”

“You don’t know what you want anymore,” Ryu said in a quiet voice. “Neither does Ladon. You two have been fighting for so long, you have forgotten what it was to love each other…”

Ryu turned and looked at his companions. Nina gave him a solemn nod. Ryu turned his back to Myria and walked towards the Gate. Myria gave him a horrified look.

“What… what are you doing?!” Myria cried.

Ryu stood in front of the Gate. “I am doing something that I should have done a long time ago…” Ryu turned his head in Myria’s direction. “I was never meant to exist. The time I nearly died… and Leigh was able to tell me how I came into being…” Ryu clenched his eyes shut as Yuki stared after him with a pained expression on her face. “I knew from that time on what I had to do…”

“Ryu?” Nina asked in a hysterical voice. She tried to rush forward, but the wind knocked her back. “RYU?! What are you doing?!”

Ryu turned his attention to Nina. “Nina… I love you and want nothing more and to be with you… but as things stand… that can no longer be,” Ryu said as he slammed the Dragon Sword into the ground beside of him. He raised his hands towards the glowing orbs. The orbs flashed wildly and Ryu started to gather the light into his hands.

“In order to set things right… Ladon, just like Myria, must be completed. In order to do that… his will must be rejoined with the rest of his powers. I, as the host of those powers…”

“PLEASE!” Nina screamed. “Don’t say it!”

“Damnit!” Yuki growled.

“RYU! Don’t!” Wyatt howled.

The rest of the Destined screamed not to do what Ryu was about to do, but Ryu ignored them. This was something that he knew he had to do for a while now.

“All of you…” Ryu said as the tears started to fall down his face. Ryu closed his eyes so he wouldn’t have to see their horrified faces. “Thank you. Thank you for believing in me. I love you all and I only hope that you are all able to find peace…”

“Ryu… don’t leave me alone again…” Nina sobbed.

“Don’t make us go through that again!” Yuki snapped.

Ryu steeled himself. “Nina… I love you… I will always be with you…”

“RYU!” Nina howled.

“POWERS OF THE ANCIENTS THAT ROAM THE SKIES. POWER OF DARKNESS THAT BIND THE DAMNED. POWER OF LIGHT THAT SEALS THE DOOMED. WE CALL ON YOUR POWER TO AID AND PROTECT! FOR POWER OF THE SOULS. FOR POWER OF THE SPIRIT. FOR POWER OF LIGHT. HEAVEN TO OCEAN. OCEAN TO EARTH. EARTH BACK TO HEAVEN. SHOW US THE TRUE PATH CREATED BY THE LIGHT. GRANT US THE TRUE POWER LEAD BY THE LIGHT. TO VANQUISHED THE DARKNESS THAT RULES THE NIGHT!” Ryu screamed at the top of his lungs.

There was a bright light as the lights from the orbs engulfed Ryu. The orbs circled around Ryu’s body. “Sari… reject all the damage that has been done to the world while the powers in the Gate still hold out!” was the last thing that Ryu said.

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Sari looked up at where the light had engulfed Ryu’s body and was possibly completing the Dragon God. Sari steeled herself and held out both hands and aimed them into the direction of Myria and where Ryu once stood.

Sari took a deep breath and shouted. “I REJECT! I REJECT!”

The powers were instant. There was a quick flash of light as the light from the Gate gathered into Sari’s outstretched hands. The Gate shuddered and shattered at the sudden absence of power. The wind was now only howling around Sari as the barrier came right down.

Sari aimed her arms outward and closed her eyes and prayed. “I REJECT!” Sari shouted and the powers went flying up and outward.

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The results were instant. Deis and Salla watched as the lands that had been ravaged due to Legence’s conquest were restored. Deis could feel the life forces of all those that had lost their lives being returned to the mortal realm.

Deis smiled, despite herself. Salla gave her a questioning look, but Deis merely waved her off.

“Life… has been restored. Order and chaos have been brought back into balance once more. Now, maybe things can go back to normal,” Deis said. Even though she wore a smile on her face, her eyes looked infinitely sad.

“Deis?” Salla asked. “If you are happy that all is well, then why are you so sad?”

Deis gave Salla a bitter smile. “Because, we have attained peace, but the sacrifice that was paid… it was such a huge sacrifice.”

Salla’s eyes widened in understanding. “I see… he… died with honor, fighting for what he believe in. Rest in peace, my prince…”

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Rekks looked up as the sky went back to bright blue. Harmony smiled as if she had seen the sky as well. One by one, each of Rosethrone’s citizens watched as the sky cleared back over to its regular glow.

“He… won?” Rekks asked.

Harmony nodded, her face one of sadness. “Yes… Ryu won.”

Rekks frowned at the look on Harmony’s face. “What’s wrong?”

Harmony wiped the tears out of her eyes and smiled slightly. “It’s just… I will miss him, that’s all.”

Rekks grinned. “Ryu? Don’t worry, we will see all of them very soon! We have to celebrate this victory, after all!”

“Yes…” Harmony said in a sad voice. “We will celebrate life… on behalf of Ryu. We will celebrate for all that he has given us.”

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The wind sang wildly through the Sea of Trees. Rowan and the other Grassmen watched as the sky returned to normal. Rowan looked down at the crystal in his hand. The crystal had stopped glowing. Rowan turned his attention to Bunyan, who was watching the sky sadly.

“I do believe that they won,” Bunyan finally said after a few moments of thinking.

“Yes,” Rowan said in a solemn voice. “The winds sing the song of victory. But… it is a sad song that they sing.”

Bunyan sighed heavily. “That boy… he really went and did it, didn’t he?”

Rowan nodded calmly. Rowan looked up at the massive Yggdrasil tree that was rooted at the center of the village.

“Balance will be restored to the planet at long last… Ryu has paid the price for that balance,” Rowan said. “It is up to Myria and Ladon to keep that peace now.”

Bunyan nodded. “Yeah,” Bunyan said. He looked skyward as he tried to hold back his tears. “Good bye, lad.”

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Mardeia gasped as her head snapped up. Cyrus and the rest of the Woren looked up in the direction of their queen. The sky had returned to its normal blue. The wind sang wildly on the Golden Plains as Mardeia stood up. She looked at her crystal and noted that it was no longer glowing.

“My people!” Mara yelled. She pumped her fist in the air. “They have WON! The planet is saved!”

There were massive cheers from the Woren as they all pumped their fists in the air and gave off loud victory cries. Cyrus laughed and looked skyward.

“Good job, Yuki and Ryu…” Cyrus said in a quiet voice. “You guys actually did it…”

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The Professor smiled in relief as the crystal in his hand lost its glow. The queen and Strife watched as the Professor collapsed to the ground in exhaustion. Wes made a move to help up the old man, but the Professor merely wave him off.

“Never mind that!” the old man yelled. “What’s more important is that Ryu actually won!”

“Really…?” the queen asked in a cracked voice. “Nina… she’s alive?”

The old man smiled. “There’s more… they were able to reject the death and destruction that was caused. Lives that were lost… have been regained.”

Strife was about to ask the Professor what he meant, but the chamber doors were suddenly swung open. Two freaked out guards came running into the throne room in a panic. What surprised the occupants in the room was not the behavior of the guards, but the man that was following the guards into the room.

“My Queen!” one of the guards yelled. “What’s going on?!”

Marietta ignored the guard, however. Instead she jumped up from her throne and ran to the man that was behind the guards. “Joshua!” the queen shouted.

The former dead king of Wyndia threw his arms out as the queen ran and embraced the king. The queen screamed and cried tears of joy at the sight of her husband alive and well after all that time.

“I don’t understand it myself…” The king started. “There was nothing but darkness… and the next thing I know, I am being forcefully pushed towards this light… and here I am. Alive and well!”

Strife nodded and allowed himself a small smile. The Professor smiled as he turned around and proceeded to leave the room. Wes noticed and started to run after the old man. The Professor merely smiled and waved the boy off.

“No, this is where our paths end,” the Professor said. He looked down at his hands and wasn’t even surprised when he saw them start to fade.

“What’s going on?!” Wes yelled.

The Professor smiled. “It is time for me to finally rest. I existed as part of Ladon, as did Ryu. The Dragon God is now whole once more. Now that my mission has been complete, I can finally rest. Don’t be so scared Wes!” the old man laughed. “I thank you for your dedication to my projects. I only hope that you continue on with the projects after I am gone…”

Wes nodded weakly. “Uh… sure!” Wes smiled. “You have my word!”

“Good. Now… I can go be with her once more…” the Professor said as he finally faded.

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The entirety of Navare cheered as the sky went from red to blue once more. Karn watched as the crystal in his hand stopped glowing. Yui looked over at Karn and took a deep breath.

“Is it over?” Yui asked in a cracked voice. “Are they safe? Are they alive?”

Karn smiled sadly. “Yes… and no. Everyone that was meant to survive the battle… is safe. Ryu on the other hand gave his life back to Ladon in order to complete the Dragon God and make him whole once more.”

Yui nodded as the tears started to streak down her face. “Ryu… really gave it all he had, didn’t he?”

Karn nodded. “It is the price Ryu paid for his powers and destiny. Ryu knew for a long time now. It would be a life for a life. Ryu could have taken all of Ladon’s powers and used them to transform into the Dragon God… but that would have been just the power and not Ladon himself.”

“Ryu gave Ladon back his life by giving Ladon his life,” Yui muttered.

“Yes,” Karn said. “But there’s more. Ryu knew that it was either his life or Myria’s that would have to end in order to end the Cycles once and for all… Ryu loved his companions and this world enough to die for them. That is the true meaning of sacrifice… giving up something important in order to protect the ones you love.”

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Mina cried for joy as she felt the pressure from the darkness that had threatened to take over finally disperse. She fell to her knees crying for joy. Kia ran over to Mina and together with Leon, helped Mina to her feet.

“Its finally over!” Mina yelled. “The light has one! Ryu has done it!”

“Then… everything alright?” Nunnally asked in a quiet voice.

Mina turned to Nunnally. “Yes! Everything is fine!”

Shelley was about to say something, but her comm. flickered to life. The holographic face of Jonothan Godwin appeared on the screen.

“Is… everything alright on your end Shelley?” Jonothan asked.

Shelley nodded. She noticed that he was standing in the ruins of what appeared to be the Godwin Foundation. Seth ran over and spotted that their boss was still alive. Seth cheered and waved and Shelley moved to smack her sister in the head.

“Please give me a full report on what has happened as soon as you can,” Jonothan said.

“Right-o boss!” Seth giggled. Shelley merely rolled her eyes.

Nunnally turned her attention to Leon and Mina and smiled slightly. “So… we can all go back home now… as a family?”

Mina smiled and opened her mouth to say something, but was stopped in mid-sentence. Her joyful face turned into one of great sadness. Leon gave Mina a curious look.

“Is there something wrong?” Leon asked.

Mina shook her head. “Oh… no… of course not!” Mina said in a forced attempt to smile. “Ryu has done what he had set out to do…”

Nunnally smiled at the news, but Leon caught what Mina was really saying. “I… see. That’s good then… we can all go home now… as a family… once more.”

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Nina felt like the air had been knocked out of her lungs. Ryu had just… her mind could not process what had happened. Nina felt like her entire world had just fallen apart. In a way it did. Ryu was gone. Nina didn’t even notice when Jin came rushing up and caught her before she hit the ground.

Nina didn’t realize that she was about to fall over nor did she see Jin appear. She looked around and spotted the Goddess Keys, as well as fragments from the broken Gate. All around her, her companions were standing looking lost. Their leader was dead… they were lost.

It was Sari clearing her throat that called everyone’s attention to Myria and the golden figure that Ryu had become when he refused the orbs together. Nina watched as Myria watched the golden figure with contempt.

The gold light finally died down to reveal a young man with tanned skin, long golden hair, who was dressed in what appeared to be gold and red armor. A serpentine dragon was on the chestplate of the man’s armor. The man looked up and spotted Myria. Nina watched as the man attempted to walk forward, but for some reason Manna jumped in his way and held him back.

“Ladon…” Manna started, but Myria cut Manna off.

“Manna, stay out of this!” Myria snapped. “This is not your concern!”

“If it is the concern of my MOTHER, then it IS my concern!” Manna snapped.

“Enough…” Nina said in a weak voice. All eyes were on her. Myria turned her attention from Manna to Nina.

“What do you mean child?” Myria asked.

Garr boldly strolled up and stood beside Nina, his halberd at the ready. “Oh mighty Goddess, please. This child asks mercy.”

“No more fighting…” Nina said in a weak voice. “Ryu’s dead… the Cycle ended with his death. Isn’t that enough?”

Myria watched Nina with a curious look on her face. “Even though Ryu is dead, Ladon stands before me, whole and complete with all of his powers. What would you have me do?”

“Get off your fucking high horse and get along!” Hawkeye snapped. Myria gave him an irate look, but Hawkeye continued talking. “You are a Goddess of Order! All this fighting with your ex or whatever Ladon is to you is only going to lead to another war!”

“Sari rejected all the death Legence had done,” Wyatt said as he walked over and placed an arm around Sari’s shoulder. “But that was with the powers of the Gate and the Goddess Keys. The Gate’s gone now. If you and Ladon have it out here and now, then there would be no way to reverse the damage.”

“They have a point,” Troy said. Myria glared at Troy. Troy merely smirked. “And really? What kind of motherly goddess would you be if you DESTROYED the world just because you were having a temper tantrum?”

Ladon looked like he was about to say something, but Yuki cut him off this time. “And you! Yeah, you have every right to kick Myria’s ass for what she did to you. But really? Ryu have his freaking LIFE to restore you! His final wish was to keep you and Myria FROM fighting! Are you just gonna disavow him like that?”

Jin cleared his throat. “The two of you worked side by side long before the Goddess War. Even I cannot recall what started your fight. But you must remember when the two of you fight the whole world suffers. I am the God of Balance, but I am still only mortal. YOU are the two that must make the difference now.”

Momo latched herself around Jin’s waist and watched the two gods as they listened to the mortals berate them. “What are you going to do now?” Momo asked. “Fight and destroy? Or will you create and love?”

Myria closed her eyes and shook her head. She opened her eyes and turned her attention back to Ladon.

“The mortals… they are right. They have gone to great lengths to achieve peace. They even spared me when they had every right to kill me,” Myria lowered her hands to her sides. “I will agree not to fight you… if you will…”

Ladon nodded his head. “With Ryu’s death,” Ladon said. “The Cycles have ended at long last.” Ladon walked over to Myria and took her hand. “Come, let us walk together once more and bring peace back to our children and their world.”

Myria nodded her head. She clasped Ladon’s hand. She turned her attention back to Nina and the Destined. “Princess… mortals… I thank you…”

And with that, Ladon and Myria vanished. Everyone stood around for a few moments, looking bewildered. Wyatt was the first to speak.

“So… that’s it? All that crap that’s been going on for countless centuries… and that’s how it all ends?” Wyatt asked in an exasperated voice. Sari merely patted him on the back.

“Ryu’s death… paved the road to peace…” Nina choked out. Nina started sobbing like crazy. Yuki walked over and placed her arm around Nina’s back.

“We… accomplished what we set out to do… Ryu knew what he was doing all the way to the end. He died fighting for what he believed in and now we won’t have to worry about Ladon and Myria fighting anymore.”

Nina looked up at Yuki. “Yeah… but… it just somehow doesn’t feel like much of a victory…”

Garr nodded. “Yes, I feel that way, too. But we must remember that Ryu was the Destined Child… and he chose to take his destiny into his own hands. He did what HE thought was right.”

“Ryu died for everyone,” Gideon said. Everyone turned to the dragon king and his wife. Manna gave him an odd look.

“What are you going to do now?” Manna asked.

Gideon looked thoughtful. “I… we,” Gideon said as he gestured towards Valerie. “Will go and see Nunnally and Demus. We are overdue for a long talk…”

“I see,” Manna said. “Go then and be with your family…”

Nina turned her back to the battlegrounds. “Come on everyone…” Nina said in a quiet voice. “It’s time to move on and rebuild our world.”

And with that, everyone started to walk out of the inner chambers. They had won the fight against Legence and had even managed to stop Myria and Ladon from fighting. But end the end… the sacrifice that had been paid had cost them greatly.

For their leader and friend had given his life to protect all that he loved. Nina knew that none of them could ever forget Ryu. And she was determined that the world knew what he had done and what it had cost him.

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

Manna stayed behind even after everyone had left the castle. She turned her attention back to the Goddess Keys and Gate fragments. There was a flash of light and Deis appeared.

Deis gave Manna a coy smile. “What are you still doing here?” Deis asked. “I figured that you would be celebrating with your friends.”

Manna merely glared at Deis. “It’s finished,” Manna said.

Deis nodded. “I know,” Deis said in a solemn voice. “I have transferred the title of Overseer of the Grand Design back over to you.”

“Good,” Manna said. She then smiled slightly. “So, your plan worked.”

“Of course,” Deis smirked. “Did you ever doubt?”

Manna smiled. “No, I believed that we could do it from the very beginning. Ladon and Myria are now whole once more and Ryu is free from his role as the Destined Child.”

“Ah, yes. About that,” Deis said. She walked over and started to pick up each of the keys. “I am going to throw these damned things into a volcano or something…” Deis grumbled.

“You do that,” Manna said. Manna’s eyes flashed gold. “I do believe that it is time for me to… retire if you will…”

“Uh huh,” Deis mumbled as she went about picking up the Keys.

“I will need an apprentice if I was to retire…” Manna said as she started to pace around Deis.

“Have someone in mind?” Deis asked as she finally stood up and looked right at Manna.

“Yes. And you know who it is.”

“I do?”

“Yes.”

“Hn,” Deis nodded.

“Can you do it?” Manna asked.

Deis smirked. “Oh silly child!” Manna scowled at being called a child by Deis. “Of course I can do it. I am God! I can do any freaking thing I want to!” Deis said as she started to laugh maniacally.

Manna sighed and turned her attention back to where the Gate had once been. There was a sudden flash of light. Standing before the two goddesses was a young man with short blue hair, looking very bewildered. Manna smirked and gestured to the man with her right hand.

“So, what do you think? Wanna be my apprentice?” Manna asked.

The man looked at Manna in confusion. “Okay… but please answer something for me first. Who the hell am I, who are you, and what the hell is going on here?!”

Manna giggled as she shook her head. “Oh, where are my manners? Hello, I am Manna Sphere, Overseer of the Grand Design and the Faerie Queen. As to who you are… hn… you’re name’s Ryu. As to what the hell is going on… well, that’s for you to decide…”

The man, Ryu nodded. He looked thoughtful for a moment, then shook his head in agreement. Deis smiled. “Good, good! Now can the two of you get lost? I’m going to go get wasted!”

Ryu looked back over at Manna. “Is… she always like that?”

Manna sighed heavily. “No… she’s much worse. Now come on! We have a lot of work to do!”

 

End of Act II.

Post AN: Remember! Hang around for the epilogue!