Blood stained Finch's off white shirt as tears trailed down his face. Despite his wishes, he could never go back in time and change his brother's course of actions. He was not one to believe things happen for a reason. No, they happen because of the choices we make. Colton made his choice and he paid the consequences.

If only he could see that the road he followed would cause his brother more pain. Finch remained laid on his side on the floor of his study, breathless. He stared at the cold body beside him, having trouble believing this was the man who practically raised him. Without parents to call their own, his big brother was the one that taught him how to read and write. He taught him how to fight, how to love. Yet, he himself forgot the meaning of love.

"Forgive me, brother." He whispered, "I never meant to hurt you, but the man I killed today was not my brother. I can only hope in crossing over to the afterlife, you've rediscovered your morals."

He wanted to go help the others but he didn't have the strength. Finch rolled onto his back, finding even that tiring. His family was strong. He had faith that they could bring an end to this. They had to.

| | |

Felix knelt down beside the blue haired boy, gently shaking him. He didn't have a lot of patients. Only the twins, and Casper. He had a certain bond with this boy that he didn't with the others. Casper was always alone, and scared. He wasn't scared of people hurting him. Quite the opposite, actually. He feared hurting others. For once, that's what they needed.

"Cas, come on. Wake up. We need you." He said, "C'mon, please. I need you. Marci is strong but I'm not sure if she's strong enough to win this without you. Casper, wake up!"

Groggily, he started to come around. His glassy eyes peered up at his aid, "Mmmh... Felix... Wh-What happened?"

"That's not important right now. Do you think you have enough energy for one attack at least?" He asked.

Hesitantly, Casper nodded. Felix helped him to his feet and guided him back to the entrance. The area was torn to bits now. Several minions from both sides had been killed. They weren't real. It didn't matter because they were just shadows. There was a reason they called Apollo the Lord of Fates; He had decided the demise of many beings. His strength was impossible to beat. Even Marci, as strong as she was, she was starting to weaken.

A few rose petals drifted her way, exploding beside her head. She fell down the long staircase, now unable to stand. Seeing her collapse make Felix feel like his chest had just been ripped out. The pain of being stabbed was nothing compared to the rush of agony of seeing a loved one fall.

"Stay here and wait for my signal." He told Casper. Then, without any care of the enemy, he ran towards his girlfriend. No matter how fucked up her head was right now, she always knew his face meant she was okay.

"Well, isn't that sweet?" Apollo hissed, "I should've known my youngest brother would stoop so low as to associate with you weaklings. He has no pride anymore."

"You have no right to call Croc your brother!" Felix shouted, tears rimming his brown eyes, "Hasn't anyone ever told you that blood doesn't make someone your family! Loyalty does! That's what my parents taught me. He's not your brother. He's my uncle, he belongs to my family. Just like everyone else here, they're my family."

He leaned over Marci, his tears falling onto her face, "I made a lot of mistakes when I was younger and I never thought I'd get a second chance at a family, but I did. You will never understand what it's like to watch the ones you love get hurt. I know I don't have the strength to defeat you, but they do."

"And how do you figure? There isn't anyone left standing." Apollo seethed as his powder pink smoke twirled around him. He brought himself back to his more human looking form to end this. Drawing out a thin sword, he walked towards the couple.

"I told myself I wouldn't do this, but apparently Micah's confession wasn't enough to anger you. So, it's time I tell you the truth. I didn't think I was ever going to be able to return to Vanaheim. I tried to move on with my life and I started seeing another woman. I hope you can understand and forgive me. I was sleeping with another woman while I was away."

He could barely finish his sentence before she punched him. Felix flew back against the ground. Oddly enough, he was smiling. The truth is painful. For a poltergeist, pain and agony is power. Marci got back up with a newfound strength.

"I'm going to kill you when this is over." She muttered.

"You can't kill me if I'm already dead." He replied. A scream leaped from his mouth as he went flying across the room. Felix hit the wall, falling on the checked tile. He stifled a smile, "That's my girl."

"Do you have a death wish?" Apollo inquired, "You know if a poltergeist dies, they don't get to move on to the afterlife."

"You're so cocky, it makes me want to puke." Her fists tightened at her side, "I played your game. Now, it's time you play mine."

She cast her hand out towards him. Nothing was shaking like it was before. The room was completely still, including the people in it. Apollo's eyes suddenly turned pure white. His voice shook, unable to make out any real words. Casper and Felix saw nothing except a paralyzed man. As for Apollo, his mind was no longer his own.

This fight had been moved to a mental ground. He was caught in a vision she cast on him. Marci had infected his mind like a parasite. Apollo found himself caught in a long, twisting hallway. The floor and ceiling white, while the walls black. They turned and bent to confuse him further. He felt himself engulfed in nausea as he stumbled through the maze of monotone. What she would show him next was too horrific for anyone to know.

Felix pulled himself back up and wiped the blood from his mouth. He stumbled over to the being left on the floor that could be considered a saint among sinners. With the last of his strength, he picked up Beau and carried him away from the foyer. Casper scurried over and moved Joy out of the way too.

Marci finally ran out of steam. Her anger could carry her a long way. There was unfortunately a reason why Apollo was so greatly feared. He was still standing, but barely. The images she'd put in his mind made him fall to his knees. He was horrified and shaken. Coming to the realization that he was back in the real world, he tried to recompose himself.

Felix ran to her, sweeping her up just as she was about to hit the ground. "Casper, now!" He called back, running out of the way.

Ducking behind he stairs, he could only hope they were far enough away. Sometimes Casper's ability could reach ten feet. Other times, it had gone for a mile. It depended on his strength and what the evil inside of him dictated. Never before did he have to release it by choice. In fact, he wasn't even sure if he could. Once he did, it felt freeing.

The young spirit brought himself to his knees in front of Apollo. A bright light shined from his chest while a scream jumped from his mouth. It pained him anytime he lost control. The pent up stress and dark energy manifested into a beacon of destruction. Anything left in it's path when it shined would be demolished.

Apollo's body went soaring across the ground. He somehow survived that, but his life was holding onto a thread. Finally, he gave in and stayed down. The stairs were now destroyed, along with a lot of the foyer, but the fight was finally over. Qrow Manor may have sustained a lot of damage, but it survived. In the end, the Society of the Fallen would always rise again.

Felix sighed out of relief, looking down at the beauty in his arms. She'd finally fallen unconscious. He was actually thankful her fight had ended. She'd put herself through a lot, as had everyone. They put their lives on the line, all out of loyalty to their cause.

| | |

Jasper smiled like The Devil himself when he watched the white king piece on his chest board fall to the ground. It cracked as it clattered against the hardwoods of his office. He wasn't sure what he relished in more; Seeing Apollo fall, or witnessing the look of shock on Tesla's face. The light elf looked utterly mortified.

"No." He spoke in devastation, "That's impossible."

"As a man that once stood with us, you should know nothing is impossible for the Society of the Fallen. It's hard to believe you once were my ally, but in the end, even the strongest chess pieces will break. Eventually, marble will crack in harsh conditions." Jasper rested his ringed finger curled below his bottom lip. He sized up his prey, thinking how mouth watering such an evil soul must taste. "Deacon has told me you spoke to him in his last hours. Is that true?"

"Yes. I truly enjoyed watching his death. He had been a thorn in my side for far too long." Tesla expressed.

"Then you know I devoured his soul. More powerful demons like myself and Croc have the ability to choose to host souls instead of consuming them. For example, when Croc took Covey and Thursday's souls, he chose to keep them with him in his body. They are still able to speak to him and he can use their abilities. When he dies, their spirits will cross over with his. Deacon's last wish was for me to host his spirit. He will be with me until the day I die."

For once, the fearless leader of the legion felt his heart rate quicken. "You have Deacon's abilities, then?"

"Yes," He smirked, "I do. He was a piece keeper. He chose to hide his power, and per his wishes, I will only ever use it as a last resort. However, a punishment should fit the crime. He has given me permission to access his abilities to put you to death. First, please, have one last drink."

Jasper offered him a filled crystal glass. He stood up, picking up the broken chess piece. The sight gave him a happiness unparalleled. He gently set the shattered king on his chest as he peered out the window. "Upon your arrive, did you see what has happened to Vanaheim?" He asked, enticed.

"I can't say that I did. Though, I did sense a great amount of power missing." He responded.

"The Gods have abandoned Vanaheim." He answered, alarming Tesla. "In fact, I believe they've Helheim and Midguard as well. This realm now belongs to me. I've finally gained the strength I need to return some order to the underworld after it froze over. It's just a shame you couldn't be by my side for it."

Tesla lowered his head, bitterly admitting, "We all have our time."

"That, we do, old friend. As the Living Guardian of the Afterlife and the Watcher of the Underworld, I must put an end to your rein of terror. Christian Tesla, for your crimes against the supernatural world, your betrayal to the highest authority of the underworld and disgrace to our trust, the Society of the Fallen has determined you are to be put to death. You have been denied access to the afterlife, and therefore, your soul is to be consumed and destroyed. Do you have any last words?"

He took a final drink of his whiskey, replying, "Make it known, despite the agonizing death you bestowed upon me, I did not regret any of the pain I endured in my life. Your scars are who you are."

His words were almost poetic. If only they hadn't been spoken off such an evil tongue. Jasper watched the sunset as he allowed Deacon's ability to run free. When a vampire does have a power, it's a rarity. Hence the reason Ghost's portals or Tokyo's defiance of gravity were highly sought after. Few knew of Deacon's power, but it was that of legend.

The books began to pull apart into small torn chunks of matter. Soon after, the furniture dissipated with it. It was as if the entire world was dissolving around them. In efforts to preserve his dignity, Tesla did not scream or cry when layers of his skin began to peal from his face. Once it started to get down to the muscle, he did began to whimper in pain. Jasper was not a very forgiving man. This was only the beginning of the fate that truly awaited his enemy.