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Cloud gives one last strong blow to Sin and backflips away and takes a breath, his sword resting on his shoulder. "Gale, what do you want?"

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Gale snorts. "Compensation, and why to do you fight?"

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Cloud raises and eyebrow. "I fight because it is my nature to do so. But if you really must know, it's because I want to see how many people it will take to satisfy your loss, even though it was no ones fault but your's and her's. This killing dosen't make it right, it makes you weak. To be vunerable to words rather than actions. I fight because I want you to see that." Cloud takes a breath and holds his sword in his traditionaly battle-ready stance.

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Gale scoffs. "My patience is wearing thin with you, Strife. I'll be killing you now." Sin glows with dark energy and Gale takes a stance.

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"Do what you must, partner..." The Dread Buster glows a strong green and Cloud dives at him, striking at him with the large sword.

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Gale slides backwards to avoid the blow. The Abbis eyes the growing number of adversaries crowding the doorway of the inn. He sneers for a moment before taking a calm and relaxed stance as he casually walks toward Shay's Staff and the body of his elder brother One. His original plan for getting the second half of the Heaven Key had failed, but he had a backup plan.

He looks at the group in the doorway, a smug look on his face. "Well, it seems the lot of you will live for another day. Unfortunate, but that's a small technicality." Gale sheathes Sin. "I heard that only a few months ago Pasadga crowned a new monarch. Would you know anything about that, Ayn?" Gale crosses his arms, a smirk on his face.

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Ayn had been silent, in no mood to attack Gale until she heard him address her. Her eyebrow arches, and she scowls, a dark look in her eyes. "You best stay the hell away from my little sister, you bastard." She grips the hilt of her sword tightly.

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Gale throws his head back and laughs. "You're mother failed to protect her family, you think you can do better? ...Actually, maybe you could."

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Ayn's face contorts with malice. "Lay a finger on Bianca and I swear you won't even make it to Hell once I'm finished with you."

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"Temper, temper. I won't harm your little sister, just be sure to bring your half of the Heaven Key to my castle when you come, as I know you will. Oh, and don't take too long, as I'm know for my lack of patience. Until then, farwell." Gale picks Shay's Staff out of the ground and picks up One's body. He is engulfed in a whirlwind and disappears into the night.

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Ayn's eyes gleam with rage, and she whirls around to face the others. Emotions that had been building up ever since she stepped outside were threatening to overflow. She scoffs at herself, disgusted that she'd even show any emotion at all. It was dangerous to her- any emotion she portrayed even in the slightest meant weakness to anyone else. The rage disappears, or at least is supressed as her expression turns hard and emotionless. "Best we keep moving. Can't afford to sit around and feel sorry for ourselves... And everyone else.." With that she walks silently away from the others, towards the Humvees.

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"Right..." Cloud skillfully twirls the sword and sheathes it, picking his gun up and holstering it before getting on his motorcycle. He looks at Ayn. "Think he will attempt anything with Bianca?"

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She shakes her head, although it's not negatory, rather an expression of thought. "I don't know. I see no reason for him to even threaten other than trying to get the Heaven Key. And even if that is his motive, it's illogical because he's pissing off the wrong people."

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"Indeed." He puts his keys into his bike and revs the motorcycle up and looks at Ayn once again. "I suppose I'll see you all at Gale's Castle, or hell. Wich ever I wind up in before you guys do." With that, Cloud sped off in the direction of Gale's Castle, lost in thought.

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((So what if my post is three years late? :P))

As he was sitting on the end of his bed, Fury noticed Gale outside through the corner of his eye. His blood ran cold and he moved to the window. He looked out to find One by Gale, clearly wounded. A moment later, he made his final move, forcing Fury to shield his eyes from the blast. When the light faded, One's body lay across from Gale, burnt and motionless. Was he... Dead? "No..." There's no way he could have survived that. Fury punched the wall by the window and busted through the sheetrock. "Dammit... Why'd you have to go and do that?!" He fought the urge to scream in rage and trembles angrily instead. About then something snapped. In all his time with this bunch, One had been his only true friend. He was the closest thing he had to a family, more of a brother than those two damned... experiments. When you're one of those damned experiments, nothing could matter more than a comrade. And now after all these years he felt isolated again. God damn it.

***

After Gale clears out, Fury emerges from the Inn's doorway, his rifle slung over his shoulder and his sword back at his side. He hadn't come out during the battle but it was clear he knew what happened. He glances painfully at Lara as he passes her on the way to the Humvees. Now he had some idea how she felt.

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((Glad you decided to join the class, Fury. :P))

Lara was suprised by the look of pain that Fury had on his face and though she wished she could try to talk to him, she found herself unable to. Hell, the only thing that kept her from being a corpse right now was Ayn, she didn't have anything useful to say. With a frown, she took a seat next to Ayn in one of the Humvees

Israfel had been watching the ordeal from the roof of the inn. He had been monitoring his 'companions' as well as the battle the entire night, as it would be neccessary for him to pass judgement. As the group were piling into the humvees, he had finally come to a decision. His wings stretched to full wingspan and he slowly floated to the ground. "I....have passed judgement. The warlock holds more sin than all of you. I shall show him judgement." Without another word Israfel turns away and prepares to depart with the group.

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Chapter Seven: "The End Has Come"

It didn't take the group long to reach Estecia, or Gale's castle. The sun was breaking over the horizon, chasing away the shadows of the night. There was a sinking feeling that this would be the last dawn anyone would ever see. The gates to the castle were close, and the entire compound looked deserted. However, many of the warriors that stood before it knew it always looked this way. Dark, lonely and gloomy. After traveling across the region, it would finally all end here. The destiny of existance, wheither or not there would be a tomorrow, would all be decided at this place.

Lara steps out of one of the humvees, soon followed by Hallon. Lara looks the castle over, having never of been there before. "Why am I not surprised?"

((This is the final run, so don't back out now :P))

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Cloud is seen sitting on his bike beside the gate. He raises an eyebrow and lights a cigarette. "You guys are a little late."

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*Kadino, finally feeling rejuvinated for the first time since the blood-ritual, had set out to have a walk in the freedom of the plains wilderness around he and Joelan. He notices something while walking about.*

"Joelan! Come tell me what you think of this!"

*It appeared that, when one looked between two trees that were lined up with the setting sun, the sun's halo behind the trees turned a blue-green and the air shimmered slightly*

"What do you think it could mean? I can barely sense magic here but there clearly is quite a bit! It is like someone has masked it... but what would someone leave here?"

"I do not know, but unless it is some archaic trap... which it would not likely be, though such traps can last through ages... it is probably a portal, because there appears no reason to put a trap in such a harmless wilderness."

"Well, there are no solid objects hidden, and no dimensional pockets... I think. So I doubt it is a trap. It could be a portal, but the scope of the energy masked would make it an extremely large portal... the mask fills the area between these two trees, and that must be at least eight hundred square feet!"

"How about this, you go find out what is hidden there, and when you do... come back and tell me."

"And what if it is a one way portal, or a trap!"

"Well, I might not be at home... but this place is pretty nice, and it wouldn't be so bad without company..."

*The two exchange fierce looks, and then burst out laughing at eachother*

"So I will see what is there, and then you will follow?"

"Yes"

"Give me at least an hour if I cannot return"

*Kadino steps between the trees, and disappears from Joelan's view. He finds himself walking out of the bottom of a huge cliff face*

"So it is a portal... but why make it so large!"

*Kadino walks back through, motioning Joelan to follow*

"So there is some castle off in the distance, perhaps this portal was used to bring a king's gift to or from it... what do you think Joe?"

"Must have been a large gift!"



(hey Gale, you never bugged me... so I'm going to go off on my own. So just work me in to your plans somehow.)

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((back out now? Whoever does deserves to be kicked in the shins!))

Riki stares up at the castle. It would all end here. Either they would triumph this day, or the world would fall forever. She glances around at her companions. So much rested on their shoulders. Two had already fell...how many more before this was over? All of them? Riki shivers and looks at Hayate. No, it couldn't be that way. The world wasn't to end. Love and friendship will triumph over evil...like it always had. Like in her bedtime stories, when everything seemed so bleak, there was no way of going on...and a brave and selfless hero was like a beacon of hope to guide the people through their dark time. "Seems by bedtime stories became an awful reality."

Overhead, the dragon circles. Her shadow slides over the castle, trying to intimidate its owner.

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Ayn climbs out of the Humvee and stretches. She reaches in the Humvee to pull out her sword when something occurs to her- Lara has no means of defending herself; Ayn had destroyed her gun earlier. She turns to her, a questioning look painted on her face. "How good are you with magic?"

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Lara smiles. "I'm Abbis, I have other weapons." A blade of energy extends from her hand a then evaporates. "Truth is, I'm just to big of a wuss to use any of it on myself." Lara let's out an nervous laugh before turning toward the castle again.

Meanwhile, Hallon is examining his equipment and after he finishes checking to make sure everything is in order he turns towards the castle.

After a few moments, the gates to the castle slowly creep open as if to taunt to would be heroes the enter. Israfel scoffs. "He's letting us in, such arrogance will be his demise." Without saying more, the Angel strides into the castle, followed by Hallon and then Lara.

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Ayn frowns slightly, but nods. "Right." She glances up at the castle, being familiar with the place.. But she never went in except when she was looking for a fight. Heh.. Here she was again, looking for a fight. Stakes were much higher here today.. The world, and all the creatures living in it.. As she walks, her mind drifts to Bianca. What on earth would Gale want with her, she's just a child.. Well, whatever. She's not going to let Gale harm Bianca, she was determined to uphold that.

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With both his weapons in hand, Fury steps from the Humvee. He pauses to tie Ranna's sheath to his back and attach a grenade launcher to the underside of his rifle. Four hand grenades were already strapped across his belt, and several magazines of ammunition filled his pockets. Ironically, even with all that on him, the sword on his back was still his most powerful weapon. With that out of the way he takes a moment to look the castle over. The fortress' dark appearance was accented by scars from recent battles. One of the towers was missing completely destroyed and a corner of the castle was crumbled and charred.

"So this is it, then..." He looks across the group, then to the open gates. "Looks like we've been invited. Let's not keep him waiting."

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As the group enters the castle, they are almost immeadiately faced with multiple corridors, revealing the maze-like features of the castle. However, torches light along the walls of a particular corridor. Lara rolls her eyes. "So ya think it leads to him or a trap?"

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"Probably both." She stands there for a few minutes, thinking. "Well, in the few times I've been here Gale's always been in one of two places.. The library or the courtyard. That corridor eventually leads to one or the other."

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"A trap here wouldn't be like Gale... I think he wants to deal with us personally now. Let's head to the library." Fury steps in front and heads down the corridor.

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As the group walk through the corridor, the faint sound of a piano echo through the walls. As they continue, they reach two large double doors, the source of the noise threw them. Lara, Hallon and Israfel stand infront of it, but Lara is the only one who speaks. "I suppose this is it... Who wants to do the honors of opening the doors?"

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Ayn shrugs. "I'll do it." She steps forward, twisting the large handles and pushing the heavy doors forward with a bit of effort. She doesn't ever recall being in the library before, so this new spectacle was rather fascinating for her.

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The doors swing open to reveal the almost gigantic library within Gale's castle. The sound of a piano is clear now, and Gale is visible. He sips some red wine and continues playing, not looking up to acknowledge the group until the song finishes. He takes another sip of his drink before placing it on the piano and standing. "Welcome."

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"Why couldn't you have just flown us up this thing! You DO have wings!"

"Only at night, only under the moon, plus... it's not my fault you're out of shape, and that rediculous robe you're wearing is probably less help than it's worth..."

"This is an ethereal robe! It took me years to learn how to be able to summon one! Plus it will..."

"Hush! Voices..."

*While easily climbing an uneven wall of the castle keep, Kadino and Joelan hear muffled talking from the other side of a tapestry-covered window*

"Do you know any of them by their aural projections? I don't recognize their smells at all."

"One appears quite like a woman I helped before I found you..."

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Cloud throws his cigarette down onto the floor and steps on it with his heel, a sad frown on his face. He eye's the others in the group, then looks back to Gale. "So who's going first?"

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Gale chuckles. "Who said anything about fighting? Just give me what I want."

Israfel snarls. "You shall have no such thing."

Hallon readies his crossbow, and Lara creates an energy blade.

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Ayn unsheathes her sword, a scowl tugging at her lips. "Just what the hell do you want with my little sister, Gale? She can't help you in any way."

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Gale scoffs. "On the contrary, I find humans are very cooperative under the right circumstances."

Lara shakes her head. "Cut the **** you child, you can't defeat all of us and you know it."

Gale's face forms a grin and he let's out a laugh. "Oh really?"

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Cloud smirks and slowely unsheathes his sword. "I want to see if you can back all that talk up, Abbis."