...Kain lies dead, and Akel is in possession of the amulet of Fire. Garland has also been defeated, his quest for the orb
now ended...

Dragoon Kain
Part 10


"Where is his head?" Valvalis choked, as she looked under the cloth. Schala had covered the body with one of the tapestries.
Akel grinned.

"He's not totally dead. I do have to ability to...fix him." Akel chuckled.

Valvalis grabbed his throat. "Do it. Now!"

"I can't. Not here at least." Akel smirked.

"Where?" Valvalis demanded.

"Other worlds, other times..." the mage spoke wistfully. "Schala, prepare the portal." Schala nodded, and began tracing
intricate runes upon the surface of the egg. "Where's the head?" Akel asked, almost absentmindedly.

"In the urn." Schala spoke, to pausing in her ritual.

"Silly, me. Of course." He said picking up the large black jar. "It may take me a while, but I assure you, I will return Kain to
you." Akel looked into Valvalis's blue-green eyes. "I owe him that much, if not more." He said somberly. Behind him, a blue,
swirling gate opened. "I would take you with us, but only three may travel through the gate at once." Akel motioned to
Garland, who shuffled forward. "It's time you went back to your own world." Garland nodded in agreement. He'd had enough
of this place.

"Promise me, you'll heal him." Valvalis spoke, tears running down her face.

"I've already started." Akel smiled.

"We have to go. Now." Schala prodded, stepping toward the gate.

"Yes, yes. Of course." Akel replied. "Till we meet again." The mage looked the wind amulet, noticing it for the first time. His
eyes went wide. "The final pendant..."

Edge placed his hand on his blade. "What are you thinking...?"

Akel reached out and pulled the pendant free. Valvalis looked on in shock. "How did you do that? I thought it could only be
removed at death."

"Or with the emergence of a new life." Akel smiled. "Congratulations" was all he said as he stepped through the portal.


Kain watched the stars spin about him as they were joined by rainbows of color. He felt himself being carried across the
spance of existence. He was everywhere at once. Every time. He saw distant worlds, and familiar lands. New people and old
friends long gone. Kain became one with the visions, learning.

Then he felt another presence. Before him was the image of a young man. Knotted muscles rippled underneath his shirt. His
blond hair was swept upwards. "You are the one in the picture...from my dream." Kain spoke, but he did not speak.

"I am Sabin Figaro." the ghost answered. Sabin regarded the Dragoon curiously. "Your time has not come. You still have a link
to the world of the living."

"I feel pretty dead." Kain replied. Sabin smiled knowingly.

"You are here to lead me back. I too was taken before my time, but I lost the link." Sabin said regretfully. He held out his
ethereal hand, and Kain took it, holding it firm. "Show me the way."

Before them stood a great labyrinth. It's infinite hallways leading to just as many fates. Kain somehow knew which way was
the right way.

Together, they began the long journey back to the land of the living...

This story is dedicated to Jessica Langer, who's warmth and love has brought new meaning to my life.