The Destiny landed on the island and the companions climbed out. "It's so dark and cold," Mauri breathed. "It chills me to the very core of my being."
"My power will be the deciding factor here," Ghaleon said. "I am not of the world of Lunar, and nor am I from any world. I am a spirit of judgment, more commonly know as the Dual Blade. When the worlds of this universe first came into existence I caused a portion of my power to become a sentient sword. That sword has been destroyed, but I can still aid you with my own sword. You must trust in me but also in each other."
"So what will you do after this if we win?" Hiro asked.
"Most likely I'll return to Lunar," Ghaleon said. "Let's not start planning the victory celebration though. I'm still in mortal form and I can be hurt in this form." He paused and added, "Of course I can't resume my other form because the Sinistrals would be able to imprison me. As long as I am material I'm safe. Let's go."
The battle that took place in that dark fortress was far more titanic than any the Sinistrals had ever fought before. Such power had never been unleashed against them. Erim, the Mistress of Death, (who incidentally resembled an evil version of Lucia in looks as well as in voice), was the first to fall. Ghaleon had arranged it thus to prevent the Sinistrals from being revived. Daos fell last, but with his last breath, called upon the other Sinistrals to merge with him.
"We can't let that happen!" Ghaleon cried. "If they merge we won't be able to defeat them!"
They combined their energies and when Lucia's slender form was positively crawling with electrical currents that had to be very painful, Ghaleon threw the surge of energy into the merging Sinistrals. All the combined efforts proved sufficient. The Sinistrals' energy bonds ruptured. Lucia caught the brunt of the explosion and was thrown backwards a few feet. Then it was over.
Hiro ran to his love and picked her up. "Are you all right?"
"I can't-" Lucia whispered, but she was too weak to finish. "She can be saved," Ghaleon said. "We must get her away from this place. As long as she's here the evil energy will not allow her to recover."
"Leave me," Lucia said. "I must destroy the three mystic stones that control this island."
"I will," Leo said instantly. "Ghaleon, I'll need your sword."
"It is his task," Ghaleon said to Lucia. "He'll do fine and he will return with us. We've still got time before this place becomes too unstable."
Leo ran through the corridors of the fortress, sensing Lucia's weakness and the evil energy that would speed up her demise if Leo himself didn't hurry. He saw the first glowing sphere and charged it. His sword smashed into the stone, which shattered. He felt the island become more unstable. "I must hurry." He murmured to himself, "I must not give in to weakness." Indeed, the destruction of that stone had drained him of some of his life energy. He pressed onwards though, and soon he saw the second stone. He raised his sword and brought it down. The stone shattered. He felt weaker, but pressed on.
The god bolted through the halls of the Fortress, fear making it nearly impossible for him to move. In all his eons of existence, Zophar could never remember being so terrified. He hated the idea that he was saving Lunar, but he knew that even though he was only a spirit now thanks to Hiro, he would have no peace if the Sinistrals triumphed.
Leo reached the third and final stone and raised his sword, or more accurately, Ghaleon's sword. He brought it smashing down on the stone. The stone didn't shatter. Leo felt on the verge of collapse. "I can't do it," he breathed. "I must sacrifice myself to destroy this stone." He raised his sword again.
"No!" came a familiar voice. "It is my turn."
"Zophar!" Leo cried. "It's not possible."
"I'm dead," Zophar snapped. "I just won't have any peace unless I destroy this fortress. Get back to your friends. This will be my last act. I hate the fact that I'm saving your life but I don't want Arek in control of my soul. Get back so you aren't destroyed with me."
Leo came running as fast as he could back towards the companions. "To the Destiny!" he cried.
"Zophar," Lucia breathed. "He would destroy himself to prevent the Sinistrals from defeating us?"
"Defeating him," Ghaleon amended. They bolted for their ship.
As they were flying away from the island, Zophar's voice reached them. "I'll have you know that I do this not out of compassion for you but fear for my own existence, or should I say, semi-existence, even though that too is reaching its end. Be gone while you still can." They obeyed.
Back at Gwyn's house they watched as the island exploded. "Glad we weren't on it," Ghaleon remarked. "Zophar's gone though."
"This house's a little small for all of us," Hiro said. "I think that if we're all still planning on living together we ought to find a bigger place."
"That house of Ronfar's is plenty big enough,." Gwyn said. "Not that I want to see you all leave, but Hiro does have a point. My house is a bit small for all of you."
"Casa De Ronfar would be more suitable for our needs," Ronfar said. "That's assuming it wasn't destroyed."
"Oh, yeah," Ghaleon said. "Every building in Larpa's been restored by that explosion. I think the town's also been repopulated. What do you say, Ronfar? Want to to return home?"
"I've enjoyed adventuring and all," Ronfar said coolly, "but even the biggest gambler and adventurer needs a break now and then."