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Disclaimer - Skies of Arcadia is copyright Sega and Overworks. I don't own these characters, places etc. Please don't sue me, if you do you'll be disappointed because I have no money anyway.

This is my first fic, I've been humouring the idea of writing one for some time. I finally thought Ahh what the hell what have I got to lose. Comments, suggestions etc are appreciated, send 'em to adamcannon@ic24.net.

Wrath of a god
by A. Cannon (no pun intended ;)

Chapter 4 - Into the Abyss

Gilder awoke with one hell headache. With his closed shut he pressed his hand against his forehead in an attempt to shut off the pounding. No such luck. He let a groan escape his lips This is one of the worst hangovers ever, he thought to himself. What the hell was I up to last night? Must of been a good night. He tried to remember what he had been doing but his thoughts came to him in a jumble of memories, old and new.

"Gilder are you okay?" asked a voice. It was a women’s voice, he chuckled to himself you still got the charm Gilder. "Gilder?" asked the voice again, filled with concern. He knew this voice, he tried to place a picture of her face with the sound of her voice. Yes, he thought its Fina. Fina?

Images of the previous night filled him, the attack on Crescent Isle, the black clothed figures. He shot up in the bed he was lying in and regretted it instantly as the pounding in his head increased three fold. He collapsed back down again with a groan, and shut his eyes against the light.

"What have you done to him," came Fina's voice again, angry this time. There was no reply to her question.

"I'm okay Fina," assured Gilder "what happened?"

"We've been taken prisoner, we're on ship, somewhere in the Maw of Tartas."

Slowly Gilder opened his eyes, the pounding increased but he refused to let it beat him. He took a look at his surroundings, the room, or cell, that they were being held in was simply a metal box. Grey metal walls and ceilings greeted him wherever he looked. Two beds stood in the room, one he was lying on, the other further back next to a small porthole. Across the room, standing next to the door were two figures. The same two that had been involved in the attack on Crescent Isle, their hoods still covered their faces in shadow.

"You will come with us," one of them spoke in voice that demanded no argument.

Fina tried to help Gilder up until he shuck her off, determined not to appear weak. He forced himself up off the bed to stand up, then felt himself fall back slightly. He would of collapsed back to the bed had Fina not caught him and steadied him. He decided that maybe he did need her help for now. Fina gripped his arm and helped him keep his balance as the two made their way towards the two dark figures.

The figures said nothing as they approached, one of them turned towards the door, the other indicated them to follow. Once they were through the door the second figure followed behind them.

They were led down a small light grey metal corridor. The interior of the ship looked nothing out of the ordinary. It could of been one of thousands of metal ships that sailed the skies. Pipes ran along the tops of the walls stretching all the way down the corridor. Several doors lined the way each looking exactly the same.

Gilder's mind was working frantically as they were led down the dull corridor, thinking of a way to escape. But where would they go if they got away from these two figures? The ship was crawling with people, if they did get away from these two there would still be nowhere to run to. Giving up was not something that Gilder was willing to do however, escape may be impossible now but that didn't mean it would be impossible later. He had broken out of several prisons in his life, this was just another one.

They were taken down a set of narrow steps, Gilder nearly lost his footing twice but was saved yet again by Fina, who despite Gilders continuing instance that he could manage by himself, would not let him go. They reached the bottom step and were taken through a doorway which led outside the ship to walkway leading to the ground. Their breath caught at the site before them.

An entire city had been built down here, easily larger than the old Valuan capital. Buildings stood wherever there was space, large grey structures built from the very rock they stood on. Some were piled one on top of the other with small bridges attaching the second levels together. There wasn't any pattern to the way the city had been constructed, there were no discernable streets that led anywhere. On every building small pieces of the luminance rocks that lit up the caves were placed to add light to the city. In the distance, in what appeared to be the centre of the city stood a huge round tower stretching to the very roof of the caves that hung over three hundred meters up. Positioned around the tower were six different coloured pillars, each the colour of one the six moons. They reached up a quarter of the distance of the tower and ended at a sharp point. The tower itself was as black as night. A large symbol adorned the front of the tower shown clearly throughout the city. It was the same symbol that graced the hull of their ships and adorned the clothing of the people, the five sided star with the circle in the middle painted a blood red. The rest of the city was dwarfed by the enormity of the tower.

Gilder's mind began to ask a million questions. When had these people come here? Obviously after the war five years ago as there was nobody living here then. Then how had all this been built so fast? That question was answered as he looked around him. There were people everywhere, of varying ages. Some were building more structures on the perimeter of the city, others were simply idly chatting. Children played idly around. There must be millions of people living here, he thought all united for a common goal. But was that goal good or bad, he asked himself. He had no answer for that yet, though he was willing to guess that it wasn't going to pleasent.

Six of the black clothed followers with the red star pinned to their breast were there waiting on the walkway, swords held out threateningly.

"You will go with them," the dark figure that was behind them spoke, indicating Gilder.

He looked towards Fina and she nodded. They both knew there was nothing that could be done at the moment. "I'll get you out," he whispered to her. It was all he managed to say before one of the followers shoved him forward and held his sword out towards him, threatening him to make a move.

So they were split up, Fina was taken left and descended the walkway to the city below. Gilder was taken right. Three of the followers moved out in front and another three followed behind, each had their weapons pointed towards him. He was still weak from the effect of the spell but was quickly regaining strength. He walked unaided following behind the three black clothed figures in front.

The walkway ended at a small cave entrance directly in front, just wide enough for them to walk through. The cave was glowing with an eerie yellow light from the crystals that hung on the cave wall. Marks lined the cave walls where the rock had been dug out by some kind of machine.

The cave opened up to another walkway inside a large cavern. Almost as large as the one which housed the city. Gilder couldn't believe what he was seeing. A massive fleet of black ships, to many to count though Gilder guessed there to be over one hundred. Most floated freely under there own power scattered around the immense cave. Others were held by giant arms that came out of the cave walls. Some were still being constructed, as large engines were lowered on cranes, others without a complete hull. The ships were of different shapes and sizes. Some were just small transport vessels, others large battleships that dwarfed them. This cave was a shipyard.

This doesn't look good, thought Gilder.

Gilder was led through another small cave that led out of the massive shipyard. Another cave greeted them at the end of this tunnel. It was just a room that had been carved out of the rock.

This room was illumined in the same yellow glow of the crystals. Steel doors were lined along the walls to either side. It was to the first door on the left that he was led. It was opened up to reveal a cell of some kind. A raised rock slab that ran along the wall, and a small bucket in the corner revealed its only furnishings. He was pushed in the room by the sword tip of one of the followers, and the door was closed and locked behind him.

He looked out through a small horizontal hole on the door. Only one of the followers had been left to guard him, sitting on a wooden chair at the side. Gilder went over to the rock slab that was to serve as his bed and sat down, his mind already working on a way to escape.

Upon being separated from Gilder, Fina had been taken directly to the vast tower in the centre of the city. It had taken nearly an hour to work their way across the city, crisscrossing around buildings, sometimes descending to the second level and then back down again. All the time heading in the direction of the tower.

The people, upon seeing them walk past, had all stopped what they were doing and followed the three at a distance behind them. Eventually there was easily over one thousand people who followed. What did they know that she didn't? She asked her self that question over and over again as they had made their way.

Finally upon reaching the tower the crowd had stopped, as if an invisible barrier blocked their way. The three had carried on towards the tower. This was where they now stood, waiting. Waiting for what? She didn't know. The large blood red star stood directly above the large stone door in front of them.

Finally, after several minutes, the sound of stone grating on stone appeared from the silence as the large doors in front of them swung slowly open. Fina was led through and forced to ascend the long spiral staircase leading into darkness.

She arrived at the top finally, both exhausted and breathless. The two black figures stood on either side of her now. Another door opened up before them, this one of normal size but still stone. Light leaked out from the room ahead, chasing away the shadows around her. All except for the faces of the two dark figures which the light never seemed to touch.

She stood there peering into the room in front, trying to see what was in there before she was forced to enter. Finally she was physically pushed through by the acolytes.

The light was all around the room and Fina found she couldn't see. Everything in front of her was bathed in white light and her eyes struggled to adjust to her new surroundings. Behind her she could here the door close and shut out her only escape.

Finally her eyes became used to the intense light. The two figures that were behind her had moved up to a large object in the centre of the room. A stone table of some kind was positioned underneath the object. Despite the light in the room, none of it seemed to touch the black figures who were still bathed in shadow. It was the object in the centre of the room that emitted the light. A large sphere of some kind. She found it difficult to look upon it, as the light stung her eyes. She raised her hand up in front of face in an attempt to block it out but to no avail.

The light flared up suddenly, pulsed and then died down and the light receded back into the sphere. She could see what the sphere was finally, and the sight caused her face to pale "No," she whispered to herself.

What had these people done? How was the Silver Gigas still active? She had prayed that what the girl on the ship had told her must of been wrong. That Zelos was still consigned to the grave that it had been sent, but she knew now that the girl wasn't. Zelos had been found somehow, and these people intended to use its power through her. The thought was unthinkable, she would never allow herself to be used in such a way, regardless of the cost. If the cost meant ending her life then she would gladly pay it. But what of Gilder? He had been brought here as well and then separated from her. Would they use him to get her to control the Gigas? Would they kill him if she did not respond? The thought that scared her the most was the fact that she didn't think that she could allow Gilder to die, even if it meant them using her. That was a cost that to her, may be to high.

She realised then that none of the acolytes had spoken to her yet. They seemed to be waiting for something to happen. The light of Silver Gigas began to pulse slightly in steady rhythm.

"FINA," came a booming voice "I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU."

She was startled. The voice chilled her to the very core of her being. It was the Gigas that had spoken she knew. However it wasn't the fact that the Gigas had spoken that chilled her, it was the voice it had spoken with. It had spoken with the voice of someone who should be as dead as the Gigas. Someone she had once considered a friend, her only friend, before he had left for the surface of Arcadia on a quest to gather the moon crystals. Who had been changed so dramatically by what he found on the surface that he was no longer the person she had known. Someone who had finally been driven insane as the one person he believed in completely was killed, and who had in turn attempted to destroy everything. The person who had haunted her dreams for the past two months. The person who now terrified her completly. Ramirez.

The dreams hit her then, memories of the nights come back to haunt her. She saw once more the maddened look in his eyes as his sword was raised above her head. The look of pure rage etched in his features.

She found herself moving backwards towards the door in attempt to get away from her nightmare made real.

Five years ago Ramirez had become one with the Silver Gigas, he had given up his soul so that the full power of the Gigas could be unleashed upon the world. Ramirez had become the Silver Gigas, and here it was floating in front of her, the soul of Ramirez still within it.

She felt her back hit something behind her. The closed door trapped her exit, she could go nowhere.

"YOU DON'T SEEM PLEASED TO SEE ME FINA," it laughed, a sound that reverberated through the tower.

"What do you want from me?" she asked.

"WHAT I WANT FINA, IS YOU. YOU, AS THE LAST SILVITE, CARRY THE SILVER MOON CRYSTAL WITHIN YOU. THE FULL POWER OF ZELOS CAN ONLY BE USED ONCE ALL THE MOON CRYSTALS ARE TOGETHER. BUT WITH YOU, AND THE SILVER CRYSTAL WITHIN I CAN REGAIN SOME OF MY LOST POWER."

"What do you mean?"

"WE ARE TO BECOME ONE, AS I AM TO THE GIGAS, SO WILL YOU BE TO ME. YOUR BODY AND MY MIND."

"No," she whispered to herself. No, she would not give in to this. She would fight whatever this thing had become. She would not let him use her. Her head lifted and she faced defiantly towards what had once been Ramirez, now Zelos. "No!" she shouted at it "I will not be your puppet!"

"YOU ACT AS IF YOU HAVE A CHOICE SILVITE," he sounded somewhat amused by her outburst. As if he had expected her to act this way.

Something hit her, and she saw the acolytes again, their rods raised and glowing blue. It was a new spell, something she had never felt before and she found she couldn't move her body. Only her heart and lungs would work for her as they kept her alive, no other muscle would function. She was paralysed completely. One of the acolytes picked her up and placed her upon the stone table positioned under the Gigas. Only her eyes showed the silent scream on her face.

The deep silence was broken by the roar of the Delphinus's three functioning propellers as they worked to force the large steel titan forward. Two shafts of light crawled their way along the rock walls of the cavern. The crystals that normally gave the Maw of Tartas its light were none existent here, and so the cavern was covered in a thick darkness. The two luminous eyes of the Delphinus was its only light.

The light illuminated another cavern that stretched away to the right of the ship, to small for the Delphinus to fly through. They followed the dark cavern as it made its way into the heart of the beast. The cavern circled left and was finally bathed in a yellow light once more by the luminous crystals. The Delphinus’s two eyes blinked closed and its light was gone, it wasn't needed here.

They had been working their way through the tunnels under Valua for over an hour now and had yet to find anything. Tunnels branched away from tunnels making it near impossible to know which way they were going. Only the small compass that Vyse held in his hand showed that they were still heading to its centre. The place was a like a maze.

The navigator stood at the head of the centre table, its maps discarded and useless here. He was attempting to scrawl a makeshift map of the tunnels they were passing through, without which they would be hopelessly lost here. He was a tall spindly man, in his late fifties who had refused to quit sailing the skies regardless of his age. He wore an old hole covered shirt, black pants, and brown leather boots. His back was bent down to the table as he scrawled the map of the caverns.

Hob was at the head of the ship, clutching the wheel and making slight adjustments to the ships heading.

Aika was at the weapons controls, flicking knobs and twiddling switches, making sure everything was working as it should. She had already gone over the procedure ten times.

A tall man in his mid twenties stood at communications, leaning wearily on the panel behind him. He was the same age as Vyse but had only been with them for a year.

Their chief engineer, Ray stood at the engineering controls on the left of the bridge. He had taken on the role after Brabham had left for Valua. He was burly man, in his late thirties. The father of two children who had come with him to Crescent Isle. Despite his size he was about as friendly as they come, except when it came to his engines. He wouldn't let anyone slack off when it came to his 'babies'.

They continued on their way in silence, the only sound was that of the engines as they pushed the ship forward. The tension on the bridge was palpable. Finally the guy at communications spoke.

"Captain," he said turning around to face Vyse "Nester reports that he's spotted two ships dead ahead. Neither of them is the one that attacked Crescent Isle, though both have the same hull markings."

"Have they spotted us yet Garth?" he asked.

He waited a moment as Garth relayed his question to the lookout, then again for his answer.

"It doesn't appear so Captain, there moving away from us slowly. They appear to be completely oblivious to us."

"Hob, lower our speed match those ships and lower out altitude, get us as close to the floor as you can and follow those ships. Ray, cut off all external lighting. If we can stay hidden from those ships they'll probably take us straight to where Fina's been taken."

"Aye Captain."

"Vyse," said Aika "you do realise that the way this place is lit up, its not going to hide us very well."

"Yeah I know, its a long shot. Lets just hope they don't have sense enough to look behind them. Keep our distance from them Hob."

"I can't even see them Captain," said Hob.

"But Nester can."

Almost by pure luck they wasn't spotted. Nester's keen eyesight kept them in his range but out of the range of the two black ships they followed. Finally they lost the two ships as they disappeared in a cavern directly ahead.

They followed the route the black ship had taken, towards the large cavern directly in front of them. It opened in front of them into the large city, the immense tower could be seen climbing from its centre to reach the cave roof.

All those on bridge were held speechless except Aika, who let out an awe inspired "wow."

The whole ship shuddered suddenly as something impacted against its hull.

"What was that!?" Vyse demanded.

"Those two ships, their behind us," said Aika.

"Hob bring us around, Aika fire at the closest ship. Take them down quickly."

"Aye Cap'n."

The sound of alarm sirens filled the cell that Gilder was being held in. The guard that had been stood to watch him had been about to fall asleep. Now because of the sirens that guard was wide awake. Gilder cursed the siren and looked outside to see if he could find what was happening. Perhaps Vyse had found out where they were and had decided to make an entrance.

The guard looked around puzzled for a moment, checked that Gilder was still there and then left the prison rooms to find out what was happened. Gilder smiled to himself, now was his chance.

He bent down and pulled from his boots a thin strip of wire, his lucky look pick, Never leave home without it. Bending it around slightly he then inserted it into the lock and begun to search around inside for its release. He found it in just a few seconds and heard the satisfied sound of the metal mechanism sliding open. He shoved the look pick back inside his boot and stood up, pulled the door effortlessly open, and stepped out.

He had planned what he would do once he got out over in his mind. He'd go to the shipyards, grab a small but fast ship and get the hell out as fast as he could. Perhaps he could get to the Delphinus first, if it was the Delphinus that was causing the sirens to blare. It was a simple enough plan but there was hundreds of armed people between him and the ship.

The guard that had been watching him earlier stepped back through into the cells. He stood motionless for a moment upon seeing Gilder out of his cell. That hesitation was all Gilder needed. A quick blow to the head knocked the guard out instantly.

He dragged the guards unconscious form into the cell that they had him in and striped him, then proceeded to put on the guards cloths. They were a little tight but they would have to do, hopefully they would think him one of their own. He grabbed the guards sword and his ring of keys and locked the cell door behind him.

He left the cells quickly and proceeded down the small cave towards the ship yards. People ran passed him as he made his way, the place seemed to be in total disorder. However Gilder noted that several ships were being prepared and made ready to dispatch whatever it was that was causing the problem. There was no question in Gilder's mind, Vyse was here with the Delphinus. Only he could cause such a ruckus.

He arrived at the large shipyards unchallenged by anyone, he was just another face in the confusion. He had seen, when he was taken through the shipyards to his cell, the ship he would take, assuming it was still there.

He found it after only a few minutes of searching, a small transport ship. It had no weapons but was sleek and torpedo shaped, it would be fast, and speed would be the only weapon he would need to get out.

Quickly he jumped aboard and ran over to the front where the wheel was held. The controls were the same as almost any other ship he had piloted. After flicking several switches the two small propellers came alive and the ship started forward.

The only exit was directly behind him, another large cavern. He swung the small ship hard about and proceeded towards the cavern as fast as the little ship could go.

Somebody must have spotted him as several rounds of cannon fire blasted up against the cave wall, chunks of rock was blown towards him from the impact. A near miss he mused. He turned the ship sharply right to avoid another round of cannon fire, a cranked the ship up slightly as a deadly torpedo passed underneath him.

None of the ships gave chase yet, and Gilder was quickly through into the next cavern. This cavern opened up into the large city he had seen earlier, the tower stood menacingly at its centre. His hunch had been correct, across at the other side of the city the Delphinus was engaged in battle against two black ships.

They were clearly no match for the Delphinus, its large cannons tore up the hull of the two ships with each impact. Several rounds of cannon fire landed up against the ship closest to the Delphinus, along with a torpedo that impacted against its engines. A giant fireball exploded from the rear of the ship blowing a hole through half of its lower hull. There was nothing left to keep it flying and it fell to the cave floor with all the grace of a stone, just barely missing the city.

The second ship was not in much better shape. Only two of its main cannons were operational and they fired almost continually. It's cannons fire exploded against the Delphinus's hull but seemed to do no damage. Only several dark spots were evident where it had been hit, the hull bent slightly out of shape. The Delphinus responded with several rounds of its own cannons. Each ripping away large sections of the black ship's hull. Still the ship didn't cease its attack as its cannons continued to fire at the Delphinus.

The large light blue ship swung around, and the two came face to face. All four of the Delphinus's cannons came to bear on the black ship each unleashing its barrage of missiles toward its target. The front of the black ship was ripped apart by the force of the impacts. The ship exploded in a huge fireball as what was left of it finally gave way. Debris rained down to the cave floor below at the city's perimeter.

The Delphinus ploughed through the smoke left by the explosion and turned around to face the ship Gilder was on, it's cannons trained towards it. Gilder knew it wouldn't fire, Blue Rouges don't fire on unarmed ships. It was rule that all Blue Rogues swore by. The ship still waited however to see what he was going to do.

He tipped the ship from side to side to show that he wasn't an enemy and the Delphinus did the same in recognition of the gesture. A large section of the hull towards the rear of the Delphinus opened up allowing the small ship to enter.

Gilder had made his way directly to the bridge after the pirates had realized who he was.

"Where is she!?" Vyse demanded of him.

Gilder lifted his hand and pointed towards the large tower standing in front of the ship. "There," he said "if they've taken her anywhere it would be there."

"Hob."

"Already on it Captain," answered the pirate at the helm.

"How are we going to get in Vyse?" asked Aika.

"How do you think. Ready the cannons, and make us a doorway."

"Aye, aye Cap'n."

The large left cannon on the left of the ship rotated slightly, the large barrels pointing upward.

"There's something else Vyse," said Gilder. "They've got hundreds of ships down here. I think they're they're planning some kind of attack."

"We'll deal with it later, for now we have to get Fina out," he turned towards Aika "Aika, FIRE!." he yelled.

A load boom sounded twice and then was silent as the Delphinus sent its cannon fire towards the tower. Aika's aim was perfect, both struck near the top but not to far up should anyone be there. The tower burst apart where it was it hit, sending stone flying outwards. After the dust had settled a large hole in the tower could be seen.

"Gilder, think you can make it?" he asked.

"Not a problem," came his confidant reply.

"Okay. Aika, Gilder, lets get Fina back. Ray, you're in command until I get back. If we're not back within half hour, or if things get out of control I want you to head out. Warn Enrique of what's down here." A chorus of "Aye's" and "yes Captain's" answered him and the three left the bridge to head to the small transports that the Delphinus carried with her.

The same opening that had allowed Gilder entrance opened once again and the small grey and blue transport ship sped out towards the hole in the tower. Vyse griped the wheel at the front, Aika was behind him getting her large green boomerang weapon ready. Behind her Gilder was checking his newly acquired pistol, he had taken off the black robes that he had stolen from the guard and was dressed in his usual attire minus one large red coat and his small round glasses.

The hole that had been created wasn't big enough for the transport ship. It crashed through the opening leaving its nose pokeing through the newly made entrance. The three entered the tower, Vyse getting his two cutlass's, bathed in the power of the red moon, ready before him.

They looked around briefly. Very little light bathed the interior and so most was coated in shadow, a spiral staircase from which they stood wound itself around the tower leading both up or down. Nobody challenged them. It was to the top of the tower that they knew Fina would be held if she was here and so they climbed the short distance up.

A small stone door greeted them at the top. Vyse and Gilder both pushed against it but it refused to move for them. Realising the effort was pointless Vyse told the two to get behind him. A red glow surrounded Vyse as he called forth the power of the red moon stone contained in his cutlass. He forced the magic to take form as it created several small fireballs before him. He sent them each forward to crash into the stone door, the force of the impact sending pieces of stone to fly across the room. Miraculously none of them hit the trio.

Once the dust settled they found the stone door to be completely destroyed. Only small pieces of stone piled around the floor remained of it. Two black figures emerged from the ruined doorway, the same two that had led the attack on Crescent Isle. They stepped through the doorway to face the three.

Vyse raised his two cutlasses threateningly at the pair "Where's Fina!" he demanded of them. The acolyte to the right responded by raising his rod which suddenly flared a bright yellow.

Gilder was the first to act, without hesitation he raised his pistol fired toward them, but he wasn't quick enough. A barrier formed in front of the two acolytes pulsing with electricity. The bullet bounced harmlessly off.

The three ran to either side of the acolytes. Aika was the second to move, throwing her long boomerang weapon at them. The electric barrier may of been able to stop metal, but Aika's weapon, made with only pure moon stones ripped right through to strike at the one who held the barrier up.

The figure was knocked down, and the barrier vanished. Vyse launched himself at the other figure and the two were locked in battle, each trying to gain the upper hand. The first figure pointed his rod out towards Aika and Gilder before either had a chance to act. Its yellow was replaced now with a bright blue and in moments a powerful gale struck the two sending them across the room. Aika struck the wall at the back hard and was knocked unconscious. Gilder to, struck the far wall and found himself pinned down. He raised his pistol against the wind and fired rapidly at the figure. This time they found their mark and the figure doubled over, impacted the floor, and disintegrated into a pile of black dust.

"What the hell?" asked a surprised Gilder.

Vyse hadn't noticed what had happened, the two were still locked in combat, each trying to find an opening, some kind of advantage. Finally the black rod gave way under the force of Vyse's attack and split. He wasted no time and thrust his sword into figure. Instantly the black figure exploded into dust around a shocked Vyse.

"What are those things?" he asked.

He looked around him for the other black figure but found nothing, evidently Gilder and Aika had dispatched it. He found Aika sprawled on the ground.

"Aika!?" he called as he ran toward her, Gilder was already there, as he examined her.

"She'll be okay Vyse," said Gilder "She'll probably wake up with a bit of headache but other than that she'll be fine."

He let a brief sigh of relief escape him. "Gilder, make sure she's safe. I'll go for Fina."

"Okay Vyse, watch your back."

Without answering he ran through the broken remains of the door to the room beyond.

The sphere was the first thing he saw. It hovered several meters above the ground, poised above a stone table. He knew it was Zelos straight away. He could never forget that thing. His thoughts pondered it for only a second though as his eyes fell on Fina as she lay upon the stone table unmoving. All questions of how and why the Silver Gigas was here was dropped as he run to her. He was just a few feet away when the light from Gigas flared brightly blinding him completely.

He fell back under its intense glare and tried to shield his eyes away from it, to lock it out of vision some how. An ear-splitting laugh filled the room and echoed throughout the Tower, throughout the Maw of Tartas itself.

"YOU'RE TO LATE ROGUE!" another set of laughs raked the Tower "TO LATE."

The light dimmed momentarily and then flared up anew, brighter than before. A black mist trickled out of the Gigas and gathered up underneath it. The mist swallowed up the light that was emitted, somehow it could not penetrate it. Vyse tried to get up, to pull Fina away, but found he couldn't move, that he couldn’t do anything except watch as the mist descended towards Fina.

It reached her in moments and descended beneath her skin. Violent spasms racked her body as she fought to keep herself whole. Finally the mist descended completely into her and the spasms stopped suddenly. The light from the Silver Gigas dimmed to almost nothing.

"Fina?" asked Vyse as he picked himself up.

Fina rose from the stone table and Vyse knew instantly that something was wrong as looked into her eyes. The once soft emerald green eyes looked now hard, as if forged of steel. She laughed, a rough sound that chilled him to the bone. Then the eyes fixed on him, and the face contorted into an expression of pure rage, which looked totally alien on Fina's face.

"You!" she said "I have been waiting a long time for this day." She raised her hand and pointed her palm out towards him. A shaft of yellow light shot forth from her hand and Vyse was thrown of his feet and pinned to the wall. With her palm still held forth, the light continuing to poor out and hold him to the wall, she walked towards him.

Pain racked Vyse's body but he refused to cry out. Finally the pain stopped and he dropped towards the floor in a heap, he still clutched his two swords in his hands.

A thin shaft of light shot from Fina's hand to form a sword made of pure energy. She held it above him a moment and Vyse meet her eyes once more. He saw his death reflect back at him. Finally the sword came down and Vyse was powerless to stop its descent. He closed his eyes to the death that would soon great him.

Authors comments:

HAHAHAHA this is where I finish this chapter - don't you just hate cliff hangers. Am I totally sadistic or what?

What will become of Vyse and Fina? And what does this self proclaimed God have in store for our Blue Rogue's? You'll just have to wait until I get the next chapter up to find out.