Chapter 11: Nada's End?

I'm floating around in nothingness again. The once dark space seems even darker than it had been before. Below, are two halves of the world. One side filled with the friends I had made over the years smiling and living their life. On the other side, is nothing but a void. A lone path cuts through the darkness to a stone cutout. A cavern forms forcing the cutout even further into the darkness.

"Two choices, one life...you cannot live in both. Their survival, or survival of the world...you cannot have both."

This path had never shown itself to me. I've never had this choice to make. Little did I know, I've been on the line that's between the choices. I've always dangled on each side. If I choose to fight my fate, change destiny, and save the world, I'll have to leave my friends and family behind. The memories I had with them will never be forgotten. If I choose to see my friends and family again, the world I fought so hard for, will crumble into nothingness as a new world arises.

I float to the cavern and hesitate. Ever since Nada unlocked my memories of the past, I've refused to use the same powers wreaking havoc on my home. Millions of lives have been lost from the war between Icelia and Argostia, but most of those lives were innocent. Farmers, merchants, and children all fell during that war. Icelia, the capital of the land had fallen from one of Nefal's magicians. Not a soul had been left except Thoron and I. Nefal planned to keep me alive until the end, but he even fell to the corruption inside of him.

I place a foot down in the entrance to the cavern. The world behind me vanishes, leaving nothing but the cavern in front of me. There's no going back now. To save all those who are still alive, I need to accept these powers and use them against Nada. If I can't do that, then I'll die. I can't let that happen. I can't let anymore people die. Even if I'm alone against an army of millions, I will not falter. I will stand against those who wish nothing but destruction on my home. I will be a sacrifice if need be.

The small pathway gives way to a glowing wall in front of me. The stone cutout had disappeared leaving behind ancient words engraved in it. They glow faintly in the darkness. I reach out feeling the warmth and protection of the words. They're the words my Father said to me before he had cast the spell on me.

One day, I'll be gone and you'll be the one to take the Throne. Unlike your sister, you've got a good heart. When that day comes, you'll need to kill her. The corruption has been foretold for millenia and it seems like it's nearing. Now, go to sleep. When you open your eyes, you'll be ready to fight. And remember, I'll always love you...

The last words hang in the air. He wasn't referring to when I would have been released from the underground temple. He was talking about this moment right now. He knew that one day, Nada would become corrupted and that I would become the one to take her out. I guess I'm ready to take the responsibility and take her down. I clench my fists in sadness. I'm sorry everyone, I couldn't save you all. I'll make sure your sacrifice will not be in vain.

Again, I hesitate. I don't want to take the throne. I don't want that responsibility. I want to continue living the life I had began when I joined Yomon and Tosta in the capital. Sadly, those days are gone as the war escalated. The days of going on quests and journeying to the far ends of the country are gone.

Daughter of Chaos, are you ready to finally accept who you are? Are you ready to accept my powers as your own?

I am. I close my eyes as a sudden rush of energy courses through my body replacing whatever the Goddess had left. When I open my eyes, I'm back on the battlefield. The ground around me is scorched from the beam that came from above.

"Impossible!" Nada lands in front of me, "Impossible! I'm the one that's supposed to inherit the throne! We're supposed to be a fearsome family putting fear into whoever spoke our names. Why! WHY!" She releases a barrage of spells, but they all curve around me crashing into the city walls and into the ground. "I will not accept this!"

"You've been corrupted by your own power." I tell her, "Maybe, it'd be different if we grew up together."

"Never!"

"Look at yourself," I say with sadness, "you killed our Father, brought the world to the brink of destruction, and caused a rift with the other Gods. I'll make sure to bring our families name back and on good terms."

"Father was weak! He needed to die!" She cackles, "All I have to do is kill you and the world is mine!"

She's completely lost control now. Her spells are erratic with little aim or power. She's losing the ability to even utilize her powers. I sprint towards her and come down with a sword of Chaos. She attempts to block it, but the sword passes through her spell like water. She jumps back as soon as it touches her leaving a small scratch on her face. This time however, it doesn't heal. She notices this and for the first time, I can sense her fear. She's scared to die.

"Standstill." I whisper as I walk towards her. This time, she can't move. Her powers had completely disappeared. At this point, she's just a human. I drive the sword through her chest and release the spell. Her blood oozes down the sword and onto the ground. I catch her as she falls and for the first time, it seems as if her head was clear.

"Relaria...I'm going to die aren't I?" She twitches as her tears mix with the blood, "I-I'm sorry I did this. Please...I didn't mean for any of this to happen. Our family is finished isn't it?"

"Please, be quiet." I lay her on the ground as the sword dissipates. "I'll make sure that this will never happen again. I promise that our family will live on."

"I'm happy to finally have met...you." Her last words were barely a whisper as she falls silent. This war is over, but no one is left.

I'm done fighting. I use the Goddess' powers to seal the Chaos back inside of me. The seals return to my body.

"Rias, what are you doing?" The Goddess appears in front of me, "You need to take the throne."

"I'll leave that to you Gods to decide." I take a deep breath of relief as I hand the Ice Crystal back to the Goddess. "I believe you'll want this back."

"Yes, but what are you going to do?"

"Is it possible to bring back Myriani?" I look over at the bloodbath. A lone Elf stands up from the bodies, "Eliose!"

"Rias!" He looks around in surprise. He's wounded on his right shoulder and it should heal with time, but otherwise he was unhurt. He shakes his head and then gets on one knee, "My apologies! Relaria! Please watch over us and keep us safe."

"Rias is fine." I tell him and look back at the Goddess, "Can you bring her back? I'd hate for the Elves to be without a leader."

"Very well, but I cannot do anymore after this." She holds out her hand as a bright light moves towards the little Elf. "There, if you refuse to take the Throne, then I'll be on my way."

"Rias?" Myriani slowly gets off the ground, "Did we win?"

"Yes." I smile, "It's over."