Final

Song recommendation - The path to hell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnkTuHP9q3o&list=RDFnkTuHP9q3o&start_radio=1

"What now?" Darius asked, staring up at the iron castle doors.

"We break the doors down?" Tomas suggested.

"No need," Michael pushed the door and it opened.

"Where are the guards?" Veretta questioned.

They found themselves in a grand hall. It was dark and windowless, but there were a series of lanterns lighting a path. They hesitantly proceeded inside. The lights led the way to another iron door. Michael pushed it open without hesitation...

"Finally," Silthus smirked, "you're here,"

Everyone's eyes widened as they stared down at Yona's lifeless, blood-covered body. Ace was kneeling down beside her. His face was red and his eyes filled with tears as he met their gaze.

"He killed her," tears streamed down his face, "She's dead..."

Tomas' head shook rapidly," no..." he said slowly, "No!"

He raced to Yona's side shaking her body with trembling fingers," No, NO, NO!" he cried.

Ace looked at him sadly. Their eyes met and Ace shook his head mournfully. Tomas' eyes filled with rage. He drew his sword and lunged at Silthus.

"No!" Michael yelled.

It happened in an instant. Silthus drew his sword like a flash and cut Tomas down. Veretta hurtled forward. She and Ace caught hold of him, lowering him to the ground as Silthus stared down coldly.

"Isn't it better this way?" He smiled," I would hate for little Yona to make her journey alone,"

Veretta desperately began to heal the wound as Ace tried to stop the bleeding. Tomas had been sliced from waist to chest. The cut was not deep but he was losing blood.

"Move aside" Michael pressed forward and began to heal the wound.

"Why bother? "Silthus laughed, "The boy's as good as dead. Your time would be spent bargaining for his resurrection. I assume you have the stones?"

Michael continued to try to heal him but to no avail. He was completely was still...

Tomas was dead.

Veretta gave a sob. Michael stared down, his hands bloody and trembling. He released a shallow breath and rose stiffly.

"Good," Silthus chuckled," Then let's get down to business,"

"We don't have the stones," Michael said bitterly, "At least not all of them,"

"That is a pity," Silthus returned icily, "Look around. How many have we lost in this battle? How many more will have to die? "

He cast a glance across the group," Darius, your friend died unloved and abandoned. Yona, begging for Ace's love even at the end. Now, this boy - Hastened to an early death. And all for what? To die in the game of pitiless Gods against mortals?"

"The gods did not kill them - YOU DID!!" Veretta snapped.

"Yes, I am the enemy in your eyes. You see me as a merciless tyrant. You think I mean to sit on a throne of corpses, with the power of the world in my hands. But You ARE WRONG!" Silthus exclaimed passionately," I want to set us all free! I want to create a world without slavery or death. Everyone who I kill can be raised! All the pain swept away! Don't you see?! I am NOT the enemy.

I am Salvation. I am peace. I am the one who can take away your suffering. If not me, who will save you? Leva Veral - the politician who will no doubt seize the world in my place? Or is it the tormented black wizard who knows nothing but betrayal because he too was betrayed?

Not betrayed by me nor any single man - Betrayed by the world and its all-consuming desire for chaos! Then left sitting on high is your true betrayer. The betrayers of the world. The gods...they will not save you. They will not pity you. They mock you. They mock us all. Do I not promise more than them? Do I not outstretch my hand to all?

All you need do is take it,"

For a moment of silence prevailed as each contemplated their own loss. Yet through the grief, there was harmony of thought. A strange connection between all. Michael glanced down at Veretta and she knew his thoughts at once.

Veretta raised her hand and an army of dead shot up from under Silthus' feet. They pinned him to the spot. Silthus' wizards flew out of hiding. Darius immediately threw them back with his magic. At the same moment, Michael rushed forward with his blade drawn.

Ace watched in astoundment as Michael's sword pierced Silthus' chest. Silthus gripped the sword falling to his knees. His eyes watered as he stared up at Michael. Blood spluttered from his lips.

"So that is...your answer," Silthus give a breathless chuckle, "maybe in...another life...we could have..." He gave a pained, choking cough. Then he collapsed to the ground dead.

"...Yes, maybe in another life," Michael looked down solemnly.

The moment Silthus breathed his last breath, his wizards suddenly stopped their attack. The cloaked figures began to draw back their hoods. Underneath, pale and bewildered faces stared around in disbelief. . There were loud cries of relief.

"We're finally free!" others enjoined with tears of joy.

"What do you mean?" Darius questioned.

"Our people signed a contract with Silthus long ago. In exchange for the safety of our village, we became his servants. Without a will of our ours," One explained.

" I recognise you," Ace said quietly," You were the one's from the South,"

"You set us free before," they cried, "Now, you have freed us again!"

"Yes, you are free, "Ace smiled sadly. His eyes panned down grimly to the bodies before him.

There was a heavy silence.

"It can't end like this," Veretta cried, "I won't let it!"

She wrapped her hand tightly with Tomas' and closed her eyes.

In the deep, unfathomable dark, she stumbled towards the Temple of the dead. Clutching desperately in the darkness, she came to the hallowed steps. She stared up breathlessly. There was no mist, only the luminescent glow of stars and the great shrine upon the mountain top.

There Shallow stood, as if in waiting.

"Shallow!" Veretta threw herself at his feet, "please don't take them! We have the scroll. We'll give it to you. Please just spare my friends! I beg of you!"

Shallow stared down at Veretta. His features had changed. They were softer and filled with life. A sympathetic smile passed his once emotionless gaze.

"Once they enter the gates, they cannot return," he said sadly.

"I know!" Veretta protested, " but surely there is a way. With your power, there must be a way!"

" I have locked the gates. No mortal can return to the living once they have passed inside,"

Veretta threw her fists to the ground in frustration, " This can't be it...it can't be,"

Shallow outstretched his hand, " It is wise then, I prevented this one from going inside,"

Veretta's eyes shot up. She took Shallow's hand and there standing beside him was - Tomas.

Veretta threw her arms around his neck with a cry.

"I'm fine," Tomas said with a melancholy smile.

Veretta's brow furrowed. She turned back to Shallow, "What about Yona?"

"I'm afraid she has already passed through the gates," he answered.

"NO, that can't be!" Veretta trembled.

"It's true, Veretta," Tomas said softly," I watched her go. She just wanted peace,"

" That's..." Veretta's eyes welled with tears.

"And now, it is time for you to leave too," Shallow interrupted, "I must take the scroll. You must return to the world of the living,"

Then before Veretta could answer, the temple faded from sight.

She heard a low voice utter," I pray you never return,"

Back in Silthus' hall, Michael was softly calling Veretta's name. Both Darius and Ace stood beside him somberly.

Suddenly, Veretta's eyes opened. Beside her, Tomas gave a gasp for breath and sat upright.

"Gods!" Darius exclaimed, "he's alive," he uttered in disbelief.

Tomas stared down at his bloody, ripped clothes. The gash across his chest was gone.

"She succeeded," Ace breathed," then Yona too..."

Tomas shook his head grievously and Ace's jaw clenched, "Then she is gone..." he murmured.

Veretta had yet to say a word. Her eyes were glazed. She stood silently.

" Veretta?" Michael questioned. Suddenly, he saw the purple glow in her eyes, " Shallow...What have you done with her?"

Veretta glanced down, "I will return her when I have the scroll,"

"The scroll is kept here," One of the freedmen produced an iron-branded strongbox.

Veretta was about to take the box when all of a sudden, it materialized out of her hands. Michael immediately turned to Ace.

"Your magic has returned?" he said gravely.

"So it has," Ace staggered back with his hands around the box. He bit his lip, constraining a crooked smile, " Never have I been more glad for this useless power,"

"Don't do this Ace!" Darius entreated, " if you open that scroll, you will be no better than Silthus!"

"Who said I was better?!" Ace retorted, " I can't spend another lifetime alone! I don't care about peace! Or the Gods or power! I just want them back!"

"You are not alone!" Darius protested.

"You couldn't understand - none of you could! You don't know what it is to be wandering, alone for hundreds of years. Everyone you loved, dead or dying! The pain is beyond what any human should bear!"

"You will not be alone," Michael said quietly, "if you want to be with Clover, give Shallow the scroll, "

" What?" Ace snorted decisively, "another trick? When will you stop with these games?!"

"This is no game," Michael returned severely, "I told you I would fix things and I meant it. My deal with Shallow was not for power, it was for your happiness, "

" What's that supposed to mean?" Ace snapped.

"I promised the scroll in exchange for Clover," Michael said in a low voice.

" You lie!" Ace spat," you always lie. You hate Clover! You would never promise such a thing!"

"It is true," Shallow interceded, " I have been granted the power to return them,"

Ace gave a small gasp, " Why would the gods allow such a thing?"

"The scroll was a creation of the demon god. His last act of treason to sink the human world into more chaos," Shallow answered, "when he was slain, it was left out of our reach. Until now. It must be returned to the heavens. The elder gods must have it for the balance to be restored,"

"Then if I give you the scroll, Clover lives?" Ace's eyes widened.

"That is right," Shallow returned.

Ace stared down hesitantly at the box in his hand. His fingers trembled around it. He let out an unhinged breath. His life had been ruined by the gods and men with whom he put his faith. Without the box he had nothing. No hope of the happiness he had searched for his whole life...

"Ace," Michael smiled gently, " I lied to you before. You are right. I tricked you, betrayed you and stole your happiness because I was jealous of yours. So for once, let me do the right thing,"

Ace met his gaze with trepidation. He swallowed hard, holding back tears. Slowly he outstretched his hand and handed over the box.

Shallow took it from him. The box blazed brightly in white flames. All remains fell as Ash. The purple glow in Veretta's eyes faded and she stared down in surprise.

" What happened?" She asked.

"The scroll was returned to the heavens," Michael gave a sober smile. He stepped towards her and they embraced tightly. Behind them, a blinding light enveloped the throne.

A figure appeared, draped over the silver chair. A elegant person dressed in white with ashen hair lay asleep. Their skin was like porcelain, flawless and delicate. Their lashes fluttered open revealing glittering pink eyes.

Ace dashed to them with a sob. Clover stared down with startled wide eyes.

"Ace.." they murmured as he wrapped his arms around them weeping.

"CLOVER!!" Ace shook terribly, "tell me this is real!"

"Of course it's real, " Clover flicked his forward, " What's with waterworks? Where are we?"

Ace's face was pink and wet with a wide smile, " I'll tell you about it all. I swear! Just let me hold you for a moment," He sniffed.

" Okay," Clover smiled placidly. They hugged tightly. Three hundred years worth of emotion finally expelled from Ace's body. He was free...

Below the throne, Michael was still holding Veretta in his arms. He kissed her lips gently.

"I love you," he whispered.

Suddenly, his body went limp and he fell back. Both fell to the ground.

" Michael?! Michael! Can you hear me?" Veretta cried shaking him apprehensively.

He didn't respond. She tapped his face lightly. His skin felt cold, "What's wrong with him?" She exhaled a trembling breath.

Darius and Tomas huddled around. Ace and Clover followed.

"What has he done?" Ace knelt down gravely.

"What do you mean?" Veretta stared at him with wide fearful eyes.

"Shallow said the gates to the dead were closed," Tomas frowned grievously, "then how did they return Clover?"

"But you weren't in the temple of the dead, were you?" Veretta entreated to Clover.

Clover's brow furrowed in confusion. Nevertheless, they leaned forward inspecting Michael.

"I don't understand this situation, but from what I can tell...Michael's magic has left his body," Clover said quietly.

"No..." Ace shook his head woefully.

"He can't die!" Darius protested, "isn't there anything we can do?!"

Veretta threw her head upon Michael's chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Wait," Ace breathed, " the demon book, I'm sure there was something about the loss of mana," he searched his mind desperately.

"He who is without must be given. An exchange of life," Clover quoted from memory.

"That's it!" Ace cried, " Demon magic can drain a body of life magic. But it can also fill it with demonic magic instead...but I have no more demonic magic,"

" I have enough demonic magic to revive him," Clover said slowly, " but he will need life magic to remain a human. Enough to fill his mana capacity,"

"Mana capacity?" Tomas questioned.

"Each person has a certain amount of magical energy," Clover explained, "but for Michael, he has far more than any of us,"

"What if we all gave some magic, would it be enough?" Darius questioned hastily.

"It might, but mana is what allows humans to live. You would be cutting your own lives short by giving him your magic," Clover said gravely.

The group exchanged glances.

"How short?" Tomas asked quietly.

"It could be months...or it could be years," Clover answered soberly, " there's no way to know,"

" I'll do it!" Veretta exclaimed, " Please just help him!"

"I will do it as well," Darius enjoined, "Michael gave me back my life. I owe him,"

"Michael is a pain. Selfish and manipulative," Tomas sighed, " but in the end, he always came through for us. I'll do it as well,"

Clover glanced at Ace who was staring down at Michael quietly, "He gave you back to me," he said slowly, " I can't let him die. I'm not done lecturing him yet,"

"Then I will try," Clover placed their hand on Michael.

" Are you certain, Clover?" Ace asked anxiously, " Michael and you..."

"We will always have our differences, but...he is still my student," Clover smiled.

They began the magic convergence. The rest joined hands with Clover. Michael lay still, unmoving. The magic began to flow. A strange array of emotions and energy spread between them all...

"Now concentrate on Michael. Your memories, your feelings - anything will work," Clover added.

The energy began to pool in Michael's body. He shook slightly, convulsing. The pull of the energy was strong. Veretta could feel her energy leaving her body. It was a sharp unpleasant feeling, but she, like the others, persevered. Finally, Clover pulled back.

" Did it work?" Veretta exhorted.

" I don't know, " Clover answered stiffly.

Everyone stared down in anticipation. Michael did not move. He passed no breath. Veretta began to whimper as she laced her hand through Michael's.

" Please! Please," she begged, "you promised! You and I together, the worst of the worst. Villains to the end..." she said with a trembling smile.

Two light-filled golden eyes shone brightly.

Michael opened his eyes.

-The End-