Welcome to Gaia! ::

As Ryo's holy aura regained itself from the lack of effort, he gazed around above the clouds, searching for this "River of Light". A glistening caught his eye, and soon enough it led him to the mighty river. Opening the vial, he carefully filled the container with the ingredient needed to cure the brainwashing. "That's the ticket..." Ryo's grin ceased to go away as he darted back down to the earth, gaining speed and enjoying the thrill of the inertia. Moments later, Ryo slowed himself down to a somewhat rough descent. He slips the vial into his pocket and strolls back into the manor. "I got it!"

"Alright Dad! We can get this lock off her mind now! But...that guy left. I dont know where he went. He probably went to tend to Phea or something...We should see what's going on with Aura and the Saradins." Dagan turned to where the fight was ensuing, rushing ot the courtyard at Aura's side. His sword and shield were ready for anything.
Ryo was following his son, his partizan at hand and his body still pulsing of holy energy from Taig. Unfortunately, the two were just too late, seeing the aftermath now.

"But of course." Saradin tossed away the fake sword he had picked up from his shadow self. "You don't have to trust me." Ignoring her for a time, he turned his attention to the arm that got shot early on in their duel. The wound was almost healed completely, dried blood still smeared along the surface but otherwise closed. Even the bullet had been broken down into the shadowstuff it was first built from and used to reconstruct his body. "But, just don't kill me." He squatted down his hand hovering of the dagger she had thrown. Creeping his hand forward slowly, he reached out with one hand and touched the dagger's blade.

"Did our conflict resolve out here? Anyone wanna give me a five second recap of what I missed while being dead?" Ryo chuckles, looking to Aura, then to Saradin."

"My god, Dad...you are unbelievable sometimes." Dagan shakes his head, covering his face with his hand.

"Three seconds....not bad."
Soon enough, Ryo recieved a swift kick in the shin. "OW! Hey Dagan, you can't abuse your parents if they can't abuse you, ya know!"

Dagan gives his father an evil grin. "I never heard that....or saw it written." Dagan chuckles, walking away from his lightbulb of a parent towards Aura. "What has happend, since...we've been gone? I'm sorry to quiz you like this so soon but...I don't want the hollowheaded man back there to be left behind, ya know." He, of course, was referring to Ryo.

Bastet stopepd at the edge of the woods to observe what was happening in front of the manor. She saw, surprisingly, one Saradin, Dagan, Ryo, Eclipse, and Aura. Seeing that they were not killing that one Saradin, she walked up to them and stood near the door. "So, taking a look at the events that have come to pass this week. I have decided I could use a drink, inside. I think we could all use one."

Niah was crying once again. She knew she had to choose and in her heart she knew exactly who to choose. But she couldn't make herself say the words.

She looked up as Saradin began to speak. "Hey Niah. Where do you think you're going? We have training to see to. And you will never again get to eat my cheesecake or anything else I decide to make."

The threat of Saradin's cooking made Nailah smile and shake her head. Suddenly the voice spoke again:

I]"Well done, little one. You made the right choice." the voice said.

"But I never chose." Nailah protested.

"Ah but you did. In your heart you did, and that is where it matters most."

Nialah's world spun crazily as the temple vanished. She was standing in her room with Nadai. Her heart cried out in joy as he walked towards her. He smiled his hearbreaking smile. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her slender waist. He brought her forehead to hers and kissed her softly. "Goodbye my sweet Niah. Stay safe. I'm proud of you and the choice you made. It was the right one]." He nodded his head and slowly disappeared leaving Nailah alone in her room.
She walked out of her room as though in a trance. She had no idea what made her go to the courtyard but something did. She got into the large space and saw everyone in the manor standing there, smiling at her.

"Welcome home, Nialah." Aura said with a smile.

Nialah raised her arms and smiled. She still had tears but these were tears of joy. She was home with her family. Everyone was there. Saradin, Vik and Munalisk, Vincent, Syrathos, Pheaura, Ryo, Dagan, Aura and Eclipse, Bastet and Kepi, and Khenu. And they were all smiling.
She had made her choice. Her friends, no family. Her present. She would no longer live in the past. Nadai appeared by the tree and blew her a kiss. He smiled at her new family. "Take care of her." Then he faded for the last time.

Nialah woke up, tears streaming down her cheeks. It had all been a dream but it's meaning was very real. She had finally let go. She was free. It all seemed too surreal. She looked at the celing adn said, "Thank you." She could have swore she heard the voice whisper "You are welcome." Nialah smiled and fell into a deep sleep.

"Maybe that thingymabob I smashed was one of those 'soul stones' you were talking about. The demons used it to capture Dad's soul. Then again...I could be wrong. But it's a hunch, right?" Dagan shyly gave a grin to Aura, trying to show off his powers of deduction.