The King's Beloved

[Music Recommendation: "Zanarkand" by Nobuo Uematsu - Final Fantasy X OST - available in Spotify or Youtube]

Everyone set forth towards the last battle that would decide the history of Gaia.

At the back of the mighty dragon, they soared in the skies.

Glancing, that which might be the last, towards their beloved planet.

Waves of emotions filled their hearts like the strong winds that brushed through their faces.

The uncertainty, melancholy, fears, and doubts, yet at the end of it was solace.

Their goal kept their resolve strong.

Their faith kept them going.

Until alas, they arrived at the Valley of Death, ready to meet Hatred and Death face to face.

…

…

…

As they got off the dragon\'s back, their feet touched the ground and crushed the rocky soil of the continent. They surveyed the surroundings with their eyes and saw that no monsters were around. Indeed, Vindicta cleared all the monsters and absorbed their powers. Now, only the thickest darkness gathered like a huge typhoon towards the Shrine of Amare. 

How saddening it was to see that what awaited them at the Heart of Gaia was nothing but pure darkness. The land that once was flowing with milk and honey was reduced to a series of chasms, mountains, hills, and valleys with no signs of life.

Still, the team continued forth until they reached the Valley of Death, located nowhere else but the surrounding area of Amare\'s shrine. It was a place covered mostly by mountain ranges and the valleys in between. And because many Magi died in that place during the Great War, it was called by such a name. 

Vindicta specifically chose this location since it was the place where the Guardians fought with her and sealed her for twenty long years. Her grudge wanted to make sure she would kill everyone at the place where they made her suffer.

She could still remember the great rage and betrayal she felt that day as if it was yesterday. There was simply no way she would forgive. It was never an option. She wanted revenge. And she wanted it right at that moment—at their lowest point, hopeless point—for only in such circumstances would her revenge taste the sweetest.

By the time everyone reached the valley, they saw a floating throne at the very center on which Vindicta had sat. She was there alone, with not even any monster or aide by her side. Her unamused expression was apparent on her face. But as soon as she felt their presence, her countenance suddenly lit up. A wild grin drew on her lips.

"Finally, the Children of the Promise have arrived," she greeted them. "Were you able to bid your farewell to everyone? I sure hope you did since it\'s the only chance you got. Well, I guess it\'s fine, too, since you will all see each other in the afterlife once all this is done and over."

"Say what you want to say," Elliot replied. "But today, your arrogance will be put to shame."

"Ha-ha-ha. I\'m sure it will be YOUR arrogance that will be put to shame today, not mine."

Elliot smirked. "We\'ll see about that."

"Fine," Vindicta smirked back. "Amuse me."

And so, the last battle started.

Everyone took their position, surrounding Vindicta in all directions. At the same time, they released non-stop magic attacks towards her with a huge amount of concentration in each attack.

Vindicta, who found it rather dull, remained at her seat. When the fireballs, ice spears, wind blades, and all sorts of magic came rushing towards her, all she did was lift a finger. A dark light came forth from it, creating a small black hole that absorbed all the energies used to attack her.

As if they never existed in the first place, all the magic attacks got absorbed into Vindicta\'s forefinger.

"Is that it?" Vindicta mocked them. "You won\'t be able to kill me with such measly attacks."

The tension slowly built up and turned the atmosphere heavy.

The team started attacking again, but this time, using the special skills that the Guardians learned recently.

"Spiritual Decline!"

"Absolute Domain!"

"Disruption!"

"Composition Change!"

Luna, Saburra, Ventus, and Terra tried to take control of the surrounding, empowering more of their allies and weakening the enemy.

At the same time, Fauna, Caligo, Eres, Aqua, Bronte, and Bruma released their ultimate attacks.

"Beast Fury!"

"Obliterate!"

"Solar Flare!"

"Tsunami!"

"Magnetic Explosion!"

"Avalanche!"

Elliot, Rania, Clavis, Illuminaire, Selena, Ducis, and Amare focused their energy on creating highly concentrated magic before attacking. By the time the other\'s attacks died down, they followed it with their own.

BOOOM!

THUGSHHH!

CRAAAAAAACKKK!

DUUUGGGSHHH!

Explosions after eruptions, crashing waves after great thunders, and all sorts of terrifying sounds could be heard all around. It was to the point that the remaining Magi gathered on the continent below could hear them despite the great distance! Their curious eyes gazed above only to see piles of smoke, thunder, rubbles, dark clouds, and light sparkles scatter into the air one after another.

"Haah… haah…" the team breathed heavily.

"Did we get her?"

They waited for the smoke and dust to clear the view and see what became of Vindicta. With much anticipation, they waited until—

"Ugh."

A dismayed grunt echoed around them.

"How very disappointing."

Everyone flinched in shock.

"Don\'t tell me she wasn\'t—"

Yet before he was able to say it, the smoke cleared up, revealing Vindicta unscathed—still sitting on her throne with a nonchalant expression. A thick layer of barrier surrounded her—a barrier so strong it withstood all the special attacks from the Guardians, the Magi, and the humans.

Everyone\'s bodies began to tremble once more, feeling nervous about what was to come.

"For twenty years, you could have planned how to defeat me, strengthen yourselves so that you could at least be on par with me but… this?" Vindicta raised her eyebrows. "Is this all you\'ve got?"

She scoffed at them and looked down on them from her throne. She shook her head and sighed.

"Haah… Should I show you what real power is?"

With those words, she finally stood up, hovering in the air, and raised her hands.

In an instant, darkness gathered towards her palm, forming a humongous dark energy ball! It was so big that it covered the entire area where the shrine was located.