Sarene ran her hands over her body. She was alive. And she felt different as well. The pain was gone. The Hydra was gone. She took a breath, and found it easier and sweeter than any breath she had ever taken.

"What have you done to me?" Sarene asked, still noting the red blade of the Soulsword at her throat. She very cautiously rose to her feet, astonished at how easy it was.

"I destroyed the dark part of you," Liandra said. The breeze caught her purple hair. "That's how my power works. My Soulsword only completely destroys the purest evil. That's not you."

Sarene stood to face her. She didn't understand how it was possible, but for the first time in many eons, she felt free. And it felt good.

"How can I thank you?" Sarene asked.

"You can help us end this," Liandra said. "Your kind doesn't belong in this world. If you spread you evil to this world, we will never know peace. My brother and his lady fight for a new future, when one's own heart guides them. Only that heart, that spirit."

Sarene looked away. "No hope for us forgotten gods, then?"

Liandra didn't say a word.

Sarene considered it. Here's a chance for a new life. This woman has freed me from my despair power. I could live a new life, one where no one could find me, not even Garuda. I could live alone, or even make myself a mortal. Or . . .

She's right. For a new future to be made, we must be gone from it. We're relics, redundant. Garuda alone is too powerful to exist at all. I have to help these people. Even if it means the end of my life.

"I will help you," she sighed. "We should be away from here. Come closer--my powers will find us an avenue."

Liandra stepped closer. Sarene gestured in a whirl of blue and they were gone.

* * *

Gaurda doubled over with pain, then rose slowly, a broad smile on his face. Golden energy crackled around him. Kirone hovered over him, concerned a bit for him, but he was soon standing tall and relaxed again.

"What happened?" Kirone asked.

"Lassius . . .has been killed," he said. "When one of my kind is killed, their power is subsumed into the remaining few."

"How can a god be killed?" Kirone asked. She hadn't heard this before, and suddenly felt like she had been sold a bad bill of goods."

"Our physicality is not yet tuned to this plane of existence," Garuda said. "But this helps that. It had been my intention to have Sarene and Typhena kill each other, but this works just as well."

"Which reminds me," Kirone said, studying her illusion mists. "Sarene seems to have gone to the other side. I think it's official now: Your brethren are complete and utter liabilities. I at least expected solders, Garuda. People who would gladly serve us. And instead I'm left with one corpse and two head cases. One of whom has fallen in with my worst enemy."

"I assure you," Garuda said, beginning to bristle at this abuse. "I will send Typhena after them before they can enter the castle."

"And how will you do that?" Kirone asked.

"That is my concern," Garuda said. In an arc of green flame, he was gone.

Kirone bit her lip. She hadn't meant to be so cruel, but as much as Garuda had impressed her at first, he now seemed to be positively lazy and unmotivated.

He's been way too indulgent with this family of his, she thought. What a worthless motley crew they are! Especially Typhena. For all her mighty boasting I haven't seen her once on the field of battle. And now Darken and his woman are at my very doorstep.

I can't afford this, she thought. Not now. I must make plans to eliminate Darken and the rest of the Dark Gods. Perhaps with them out of the way, Garuda will be a bit more . . .motivated.

* * *

Darken and Phoenix had watched Adamov for what seemed like ages. He hadn't moved a muscle since he had taken Vertigo away. He looked like a statue Darken had once seen. One of a warrior cradling his fallen comrade.

Adamov almost looks human, Darken thought. He must have loved her very much to be so nearly mad about losing her. Then again, I was close to where he is when I lost Maryna.

Darken's eyes narrowed on them. Adamov could have been me.

"What do we do now?" Darken wondered out loud. "I was counting on being able to free Vertigo and Gailion and having them help us. If Vertigo was able to hold on, where is he?"

"We can do it on our own," Phoenix said, looking up at the tower. "It won't be easy, but we can do it. We have to."

Darken turned to Phoenix. "I'm scared, Romanova," he said.

Phoenix pulled him close against her, kissing him tenderly, holding her up ever so gently with his body. "I know," she whispered. "So am I."

Darken held her for a time. One of the things he loved about her was her vast reserve of strength. He felt so much better just by being close to her. He took a few deep breaths and finally backed away.

"Should we merge again?" Darken asked.

"No way of knowing if all the Dark Gods will be in the same place," Phoenix said. "No, it's better that we split up and take the castle, I think. We don't even know if Liandra's alive, but if she is--"

"She is," Darken said.

"How do you know?"

Darken smiled. "I can feel her soul. One of the side effects of using my power to help her vampirism, I think. We're sort of linked."

"Then where is she?"

"I don't know," Darken said. "I can just feel her. She's alive. And she can feel me. All she has to do is follow it."

* * *

Typhena had been perched on the Dark Tower when Garuda appeared. She was alarmed, as always, because she hadn't really expected to see him after her outburst in Kirone's presence earlier.

"Typhena," he said, his voice thick with castigation. "You have a task to perform."

"Unless it returns me to my former position, I'm really not interested."

"That isn't even an option," Gaurda said. He raised his right fist. Something appeared around it, like black glass. It had three bladed edges. In the center a red symbol glowed with power.

Typhena watched in horror. No, she thought. Not that.

"The Godslayer," she said. "You would use it on me?"

"If necessary," he replied calmly. "This is an uncertain time for us, Typhena. The old ways lead nowhere, and we must create a new future and new ways if we are to survive the eternities."

"The old ways are all we have!"

"The old ways have led us to ruin!" Gaurda said, seizing her by the throat. "The old ways have led to our imprisonment, the destruction of our dominion, and now, this. Sarene has betrayed us--I can't even feel her presence anymore. Lassius is dead--"

"Lassius . . .is dead?"

"Yes," Garuda said, yanking her closer. The point of the Godslayer was pointed at her forehead. "His murderers, the people who stand against us wait at the gates to the palace. Destroy them, and gain revenge for your fallen son."

"Our son."

Garuda scowled, his green eyes narrowing. "Go down to the palace gates and kill them all. Return in failure and be killed."

Typhena nodded. She felt cold sweat on her back. Gaurda was serious, this was no game, and she had no choice. If the Godslayer took her she would be killed in an instant. Compared to that, a handful of mortals seemed relatively easy to dispatch.

"Good," Garuda said. "Now go."

Garuda lifted her high in the air and flung her from her perch. Typhena twisted, turned and finally unleashed her Agony Web to cushion her fall. She slowly made her way down to the palace gates, and saw with horror, the bloody corpse of her son.

* * *

Darken and Phoenix drew their weapons upon sight of her. She stood next to Lassius' corpse and pointed an accusing finger at them.

"WHO?" Typhena demanded. "Who has slain my beloved son? Stand forth and receive your punishment!"

Darken tensed his muscles. He didn't step forward. This woman has no way of knowing the woman who killed her son paid for her victory with her life. But if I have to fight in her memory, I will.

Phoenix flung her Talon at Typhena. Typhena blasted the spinning disc with her Agony web, flinging it back at Phoenix. It landed between her feet, sticking in the ground.

"Deliver me the one who has slain my son!" Typhena said, striding towards them. "Is it her? The fallen one? I will resurrect her just to have the pleasure of shattering her accursed bones!"

"You will not have her!' Phoenix said. "She died to end your existence, Dark God! I will stop you in her name!"

Typhena's eyes narrowed. "So, you are one of our successors? You certainly are weaker, I see. Too human. In our time, we ruled the lower creatures, keeping them in fear of our power. Anything we found we took or subjugated. It will be no different with you."

"We'll never submit," Darken said. "You Dark Gods are a relic of times past. We don't need you to shepherd us through existence anymore."

"Then your fate will be the fate of anyone who dares to defy us," Typhena said, summoning all of her powers and hurling them at the two warriors. "Receive death for your insolence!"

Darken braced himself for the pain to come with death, but there was none. Only a shadow. He looked up. He and Phoenix had been protected by shattered crystal wings.

Adamov, he thought.

"My beloved was the one who killed your son," Adamov growled. "And she died herself. Through her death . . .I am alive again. And I must finish the work she began. Typhena, stand against me."

"Gladly," Typhena sneered, leaping to attack. Admov met her with his strike claw. The clash was so loud it split the sky like thunder.

"Adamov," Darken whispered. But Phoenix was tugging at his arm.

"We've got to go Darken!"

"But he needs our . . ."

"We can help him best by finishing this!"

Darken looked at Adamov, and then at Phoenix. Reluctantly, he charged up the stairs to battle.

* * *

Kirone circled the creature before her. He was massive, cloaked in robes like a Serpahim's, but in her colors. Only natural, as he was her personal protector. Instead of the golden helmet of a Seraphim, he wore a dark bat's dead helmet. The only thing that passed for vision was a single red slit. Behind were two sets of wings, one an angel's set, turned black. The other was a set of leathery bat-wings, like a vampire's.

"And you fully expect this . . .what did you call him?"

"Bloodmoon Dirge," Kirone said.

"Bloodmoon Dirge," Garuda repeated. "You think this will stop your rival's ascent?"

Kirone looked at him. "You really think Typhena will stop them?"

Garuda cocked an eyebrow. "Good point."

"Yes, I think Dirge will do the job," Kirone said. "You see, even if Darken wins against him, he loses. Not only is Dirge stronger and faster than Darken, but he's a master of Darken's martial skills."

"How does that help us?" Garuda said.

"Why tell you when it's so much better for you to watch, hm?" Kirone asked, teasingly. "Dirge! Seek out Darken. Prevent him from doing me harm."

Dirge bowed and left the room.

"He's perfect. Utterly devoted to my protection and me. I need a whole battalion like that."

"I'll protect you," Garuda volunteered.

"Your protection up to date hasn't been what I'd call impressive, Garuda."

"I have incompetent followers."

"Well, so have I, Garuda, but I had the good sense to dispose of them before they could interfere with my objectives," Kirone said pointedly.

Garuda bit his lip. He decided to let the comment pass for now.

"Where are they?" Garuda asked.

"Darken is coming up the forward stairs," Kirone said. "His woman, the goddess, is taking the eastern staircase."

Garuda's eyes narrowed. "Did you say . . .goddess?"

* * *

Adamov caught Typhena with his strike claw and hurled her into a pile of Rubble. Typehna crashed through, barely protecting her face from the impact. She returned fire with her agony webs, firing blind through the stone dust kicked up by her impact.

One of the agony tendrils pierced Adamov's leg. He winced in pain, but continued his assault, firing energy bolts at Typhena. Typhena easily danced around them, and lashed out again.

"You traitor," Typhena sneered. "You let my quarry escape. How dare you defy me? I would have done so much for you."

"You can do nothing for me!" Adamov screamed, launching the last of his missiles at her. She managed to avoid being hit by any of them, but the backblast threw her forward into the other explosions.

That's the last of my missiles and cannon power, Adamov thought. Best to eject them and take her on close. I cannot lose. Vertigo, beloved, if you can hear me, I do this for you.

Adamov's crystal wings fell to the ground as did the barrel and cannon from his strike claw. Typhena rose unsteadily to her feet. "You . . .hurt me," she said incredulously, swatting away the mechanical weapon.

"Are you surprised the Goddess of Agony can be harmed?" Adamov asked. He gestured with his other arm and a blade of orange energy formed around it. "Remember, dark one--I am the Lord of Death."

"Come then, Lord of Death," Typhena said, summoning more of her energy. A huge web of her agony energy began to crisscross the sky and land beneath them. Adamov immediately felt the effects of the agony web but forced his mind to ignore the pain. He screamed and charged towards her, raising his sword high above his head. His blond hair streaked behind him like a ray of sunlight.

* * *

Darken mounted the stairs, his mind tense and his nerves on edge. It was quiet here, and empty. The palace itself hadn't suffered any real damage, and apart from some corpses he had passed in the halls, the palace was in fact, more or less deserted.

He raised his Dive Spear before him, so that he would be ready. His heart skipped a beat when he thought about what he would find at the throne room.

Kirone, he thought. How fitting it should end like this. It's been two years since I first met you, since I first met you and Darknova. I paid him back for what he did to Liandra, but you . . .no; even then I knew you were dangerous.

With me. I've got to end it. End you.

And I've never gotten a chance to pay you back for it. You even stole her face to keep me from killing you. Not now, Kirone. Not this time. This time, I'll put an end to you, and this nightmare you've created here.

This is even worse than what you did to Maryna, Darken mused, opening one of the heavy doors that led to the main corridor. You've murdered a whole world, seven of them hang on the edge of the abyss for your whim-- and for what? Because you thought you deserved to rule?

I'm coming Kirone, Darken thought, his grip tightening on the Dive Spear. I know I don't have much time left, but I have just enough time to see you pay for all you've done.

* * *

"This woman is a goddess?" Garuda asked.

"I've told you all I know about her," Kirone said. "But yes, sings points to her being the Goddess Phoenix Romanova."

Garuda stood up. "This is perfect, then," he said, more to himself than anyone. "Slaying her would stabilize me and give me her power. The power of one of the newer gods . . .could perhaps allow me to end this."

"What are you talking about?" Kirone asked, puzzled.

"I must battle this goddess," Gaurda said. "And when I prevail, we will have more than enough power to crush this . . .Darken Blackangel."

"Well, that's fine," Kirone said. "But should I remind you that Darken is on his way here?"

"What about Dirge?"

"Dirge is good," Kirone said. "But Darken has a way of beating the odds. It's a very annoying habit. What am I supposed to do while you traipse off and battle Phoenix?"

"I have given you more than enough power to handle him," Gaurda said. "Besides, from all accounts she is too weak to handle a true god like myself, so the battle should end in short order. Fight well, my beloved."

"But--"

It was too late. Garuda was gone in a curl of green fire. Kirone looked angrier than ever. Garuda had certainly wasted no time in wearing out his welcome, she thought ruefully.

She began clearing a large enough space in the throne room. She didn’t know how long she had to prepare for Darken, but she wanted to be good and ready when the time.

First, a circle of power, she thought. Blue ideograms appeared on the floor and began to glow. Kirone felt her body being infused with strength well beyond her potential. As long as the battle stayed inside this circle, she would be the stronger of them.

Now, some appropriate armor, she thought. Red energy shimmered about her body, providing her protection stronger than any metal in the Spheres. That should more than take care of Darken's magic, she thought.

Finally she threw her cloak to the side, and concentrated. Sweat poured from her brow as she began to concentrate on shifting her form. This was so painful, and she hadn’t tried it in years, but she needed it to work this time.

Finally, large leathery wings protruded from her back. Kirone gasped with relief. The effort's tremendous, she thought, her body aching. No wonder I don't form-shift more than I do.

Come to me, Darken, she thought. My stage is set at last.

* * *

Typhena had hold of Adamov's hands and was crushing the delicate machinery within. "Can you feel it, you mechanized ghost?" Typhena asked mockingly. "You once said to me you didn’t feel anything. Then why are you screaming?"

Adamov held on as best he could, but he knew what was coming. She was overloading his mechanical parts. Soon, he said. Soon I'll be beside my beloved, he thought. But first . . .I have to . . .give them time.

Adamov's arms were the first to go. They exploded in a shower of sparks and white-hot metal. He fell backwards, the stumped remains spewing out smoke and sparks. Typhena put her foot on his chest.

"Nowhere to run to now," she said, shaking a finger at him, as she would an errant child. "But what to do with you? Killing you seems to be such a waste."

Adamov sneered defiantly through his pain. "It doesn't matter what you do to me," he said quietly. "I have . . .redeemed myself."

"You've redeemed nothing," Typhena said. "You're going to die for no reason, and die alone."

Before she could continue, twin bolts of energy struck Typhena. She clutched her charred shoulder and turned to see who had attacked her.

"You," she sneered at Sarene.

"Yes," Sarene said, blasting her again. Typhena took the blast full-on. She girt her teeth, ignoring the pain, she talked towards Sarene, and Sarene towards her.

"Don't tell me you've actually grown a spine, you weakling," Typhena said. She raised her hand to throw one of her agony webs, but her power fizzled. What in the name of the abyss, she wondered.

She tried again, same result.

Sarene grabbed Typhena by the sides of the head and glared into her eyes. "Now," she said. "You're going see what I'm the goddess of despair. I have one last sliver of power, the power your brother gave me when he raped me. And I'm going to shoot it right into your brain, you miserable bitch!"

Typhena stared into Sarene's glowing blue eyes. In an instant Typhena's mind and soul were obliterated by the accumulated despair that Sarene had carried in her heart over the eternities. Typhena felt her mind crack, her heart shatter, and her soul drown in a flood of tears.

Typhena fell to her knees, slack-jawed with the raw power that had been used on her. Her last coherent thought was an ironic one:

The most powerful of us was the weakest.

Sarene stared at her, her features softening. Liandra stood behind her, her fairies looking toward the tower.

"There isn't a measure of time that can tell you how long I've waited for that," Sarene said.

"We have to go," Liandra said. "Darken's in danger, I can feel it."

"I know," Sarene said. "But we can't leave Adamov, now with her."

"Go," Adamov said, crawling towards Typhena. He sounded near death. "I will handle this. Just promise me you will go and help Darken make a new future for this world and all the others."

"We can't promise miracles," Liandra said.

"Miracles are formed by determination," Adamov said. "For Vertigo and for myself, I implore you with my heart . . .go and save them."

Liandra nodded to Adamov, understanding at last why he was what he was.

Sarene and Liandra walked away. As the heavy doors of the palace closed behind them, Adamov set to work on his final trick.

"The world is done with us, Typhena," he said, opening a panel in his chest. He didn't need his hands anymore, not for this. "For the new future to begin, redundancies like us--the walking ghosts--must be eliminated."

In the tattered remnants of Typhena's mind she felt herself growing weaker. Adamov had unleashed his death wave, but what was it a prelude to?

"This new future will be full of hope," Adamov said. "Warriors will not be necessary. Blood vendettas will be a thing of the past."

His chest began to glow. Critical mass, he thought. The end for us both.

"And in this new world, my beloved Vertigo and I will live in the light, untouched by the darkness of you . . . "

Adamov shut down the last of the safeties on his drive and waited for the end. It came swiftly. Adamov and Typhena erupted in a column of fire that blew the rest of the walls of the courtyard outward .

* * *

Darken saw the flash. It illuminated the massive form of Bloodmoon Dirge.

"You are Darken Blackangel," he said. "You must not pass."

"I have to," Darken said. "Everything depends on it."

"To gain an audience with my Lady Kirone, you must first best me."

"No problem," Darken said, lunging forward to attack. Dirge stepped out the way as though darken was moving in slow motion and he followed it up by kicking Darken's Dive Spear away from him. Darken rolled toward it, but found his way cut off by Dirge's wings.

Darken tried to meet him with a kick of his own, but Dirge blocked it easily. Darken summoned his ability command sound and focused it into his fist, but Dirge blocked it with his shield.

Darken tried to hit him with a pinion spur, but Dirge blocked his attack and sent him sprawling. Darken shook his head, and realized he would have to change his strategy.

Whoever this guy is, Darken thought, he has the same sort of training I have. How could Kirone find someone like that so quickly?

Darken hurled a blast of energy at him, but Dirge transformed into a shadow and let the energy pass through him unharmed.

Darken used this opportunity to catch his Dive Spear and he swiped at one of Dirge's wings. The leathery bat wing slid off and crumbled to dust.

Dirge roared in anger.

Darken tapped the clasp that held his red scarf around his neck and a volley of brilliant energy blasted Dirge from all sides. Dirge was riddled with wounds, but still stood his ground.

Who is this guy? Darken wondered again.

* * *

Phoenix made her way into a dark room. She felt the hair stand up on her neck. Someone was here with her. Something evil.

"Show yourself!" Phoenix yelled.

"With pleasure, young one," Garuda said, stepping out from the shadows. Phoenix recoiled at how . . .un-imposing he looked. In truth he seemed sort of frail.

Easy, she thought. Don’t go by appearance. You can feel his power. He's more than what he appears.

"So," he said. "The race that replaced us, in the flesh. You are certainly fairer than my brethren are."

"I'd thank you for the compliment," Phoenix began. "But I'm sure it's as false as your sincerity is."

"Garuda Azazel never lies," Garuda said, acting hurt. "No, I was in truth imprisoned because I knew the truth. The truth about our destiny as gods, as beings in this universe as in mine previous."

"To rule?" Phoenix said.

"After a fashion," Garuda said. "I mean to shepherd the child races of this universe and raise a stronger race. I want to elevate all men to godhood."

"And what about those that aren’t ready for this gift?"

Garuda closed his eyes. "You and I both know the strong will ever give way to the weak."

"It's the strong's responsibility to protect the weak," Pheonix said, drawing her sword and Talon. "You and I are no relation at all. I and my fellow god are not tyrants."

"It seems not," Garuda said, frowning. "Then I suppose I must fight you. Your death will mean my freedom from this place, and an opening into the universe outside."

Phoenix struck a ready stance. "You'll have to kill me before I let you loose on the universe."

Garuda frowned and summoned his emerald flame. "To the death, then," he said, disappointed.

* * *

The blast from Adamov's self-destruction caused the Palace's supports to crack, and the entire structure lurched sickeningly to the side. This didn't matter to darken and Dirge, however, they were too busy flying at each other. Darken decided to ignore his Angel training and focus on the battle techniques Phoenix had taught him.

He rolled in the air, bringing the blade down on Dirge's shoulder. It cut deep, through the moorings that kept his helmet in place and through his armor. As black blood oozed from his chest armor, Dirge fell to the floor, his helmet tumbling off his face.

Darken landed close by. Dirge rolled over, throwing his white hair out of his face. Darken looked into Dirge's eyes and his breath was stolen from him.

"No," he whispered.

He was looking into a face much like that of his second mentor and sensei, Gailion Moondancer. But this was face ravaged by forces he had never seen. His eyes were the deep red of a vampire, and his face was lined with age and sickness.

"Gailion," he said.

Gailion touched the wound on his shoulder. "It's . . .enough," he said. "I am . . .myself again. Kirone is beyond the door Darken. Don't let what you have seen me become stop you . . . It's what she was counting on."

"But--" Darken began.

"Please!"

Darken closed his eyes as his tears flowed freely down his cheeks.

"Darken," Gailion said. "Go and leave me. I am not the Gailion you knew. I am an echo of the past. Go and make a new future. Defeat Kirone and Garuda. It's the only road left. Go . . .now!"

Gailion leapt at him, the blood fury of the vampire upon him once again. Darken summoned his soul power through the Dive Spear and blew Gailion apart with the release of energy.

That's one more, Kirone.

Darken stood there for a time, the tears flowing like rain. The he raised his eyes to the door to the throne room, and destiny.

* * *

Kirone opened her eyes as the door to the throne room exploded in a burst of soul energy.

At last, she thought, getting to her feet. She spread her wings, ready for him.

The dust settled and Darken stood before her, crackling with soul energy, his eyes glowing blue with it. The soul energy arced of his spear and his wings.

"Kirone . . ." Darken said, leveling his finger at her.

"Darken," she said. "It's time. This is the end."

Darken pointed the blade of his spear at her. "To the death."

Kirone bared her fangs. "To the death," she said coldly.