Kayden struggled against the chains in anger only making his wrists bleed. Feeling the calming presence of Talia he concentrated his efforts on the torches. He concentrated on the fire until its fury lashed out to break the chains. Taking the torch he set off to find Talia. Navigating his way through the dungeons he knocked out a guard, taking his keys and sword and opened the door to Talia's cell.

"Do you know where the others are?" he asked her.

"No, but I have to help these people."

Kayden nodded in understanding, "I'm going to find Devic."

"Don't do anything you'll later regret." Seeing that her words couldn't change his mind she said, "be careful," as they parted.

Kayden walked into a room full of armor where Devic appeared to be waiting.

"I was wondering when you'd free yourself from the chains."

Kayden lifted his sword in an attack position and charged at Devic who parried the blow. The swords connected, metal against metal. Neither getting the upper hand. At one point Kayden cut Devic's cheek.

"You're good Kayden. But not good enough."

"You'll find I'm full of surprises."

The swordfight increased in intensity. Sparks radiated off the sword. A few stray sparks landed on curtains causing them to catch fire. The room slowly caught on fire, but the swordfight did not stop.

* * *

Asha was still suspended in magic. She could sense Kayden in his swordfight. Each jolt of electricity she received from struggling only made her more powerful. Gathering her power she broke the magic that had a hold on her. Myrstad jumped back in alarm but held his ground.

"It's time for you to suffer Myrstad," she said. The electricity enveloped her body then gradually faded.

"I do enjoy a challenge."

* * *

Mathias stared at the throne intensely. Alastair rose from the throne and out of the shadows.

"You have the spirit of the crystal within you Mathias. Join me and you can see the possibilities of its power."

"You wish to manipulate the power of the crystal."

Alastair moved closer to him, "I will have the power Mathias. You will see why it's pointless to resist my rule." Alastair walked to a large window covered by curtains. "I will start destroying Ghaleon unless you willingly help me rule."

"No."

Alastair threw open the curtains which covered the window sending the signal to his troops. Mathias watched as Alastair's troops started annihilating the village around the castle. He clenched his fists in anger.

"Not persuaded? You will be," Alastair said.

* * *

The screams of the villagers could be heard throughout the castle. Talia helped the prisoners out of the dungeon, but to her horror the nearby village was being destroyed. She invoked water to put out surrounding fires and did her best to defend the people from the troops.

The prisoners joined her efforts to combat the troops. The people themselves stared at them in disbelief. Someone was standing up to Alastair. As innocents were murdered most hid, clutching their children pleading with the soldiers to stop. But their pleas fell on deaf ears.

* * * Asha was fighting a battle with Myrstad. Spell against spell, yet they were equal. Until Myrstad used his dark magic to strip Asha of her power.

"You're defeated Asha. Your magic is gone."

Asha sat stunned on the ground. All hope seemed to be lost until she heard the whisper of an ancient spell. Her voice rang out in all its euphony combining both voice and spell. She could sense the spirit of her mother and she grasped hold of the energy. Myrstad yelled out in anger as he was consumed by his own dark magic and the souls he had taken. Shadows surrounded his body clinging to the magic he attempted to use. In a flash of light all that remained was his robe and an exhausted Asha who stared at a ghostly figure. The spirit of Oriana stroked her daughter's cheek smiling then faded away. Asha touched her cheek in astonishment staring at the spot where her mother's spirit once stood. A single tear fell down the cheek her mother touched.

* * *

Kayden was distracted by the distant yell of Myrstad allowing Devic to gain the upper hand. Kayden's sword was knocked out of his hand.

"Surrender Kayden."

Devic plunged his sword into Kayden's shoulder. Kayden, gritting his teeth in pain, kicked Devic away. Devic, so shocked by the kick, fell onto his own sword. Devic stared at the sword in disbelief. He touched the wound staring at his hand, which was red with his own blood. He stared at his wound in shock but nodded respectfully to himself. As his drew his last breath his head hit the ground. His last glance being Kayden with a background of fire. Kayden walked over to his body. The flames had engulfed the room and slowly consumed Devic's body.

"That's what happens when you mess with fire."

* * *

Mathias stood at the window overlooking the village.

"Your troops are killing the villagers!"

"I know."

"If you kill the people you will have no one to rule!"

"That is a price I am willing to pay for the ultimate power," Alastair said maliciously then pausing thoughtfully said, "You don't recognize me?"

Mathias looked at him slowly to fully look at him, "no."

"You were believed dead Mathias."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"They hid you from me Mathias. Since I could not have an heir they knew I'd come for you."

"What are you talking about?"

"I was your father's brother."

"That's impossible your brother was-" Mathias stopped as he realized it.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Mathias Dahlanor. Allow me to introduce myself as Uncle Alastair. Together we shall rule Ghaleon."

"No," Mathias said with determination. Though his body was numb from learning the truth, he knew he couldn't let Alastair rule.

Alastair drew a hidden sword, "I had a feeling you'd say that." He thrust the sword into Mathias.

Kayden, Asha, and Talia felt his pain and ran to find him.

"You're too much like your father Mathias." He twisted the sword making Mathias cringe in pain. "I can still rule with three crystals of power. My rule will not be threatened."

Mathias stared up at Alastair, "your rule will be threatened." He reached out and touched Alastair's hands. Alastair cried out in pain as the sword was pulled out of Mathias.

"This pain you feel is mine." Alastair struggled to get free of his grasp. "Now feel the pain you've inflicted on others."

The pain of countless victims flowed into Alastair from Mathias. Alastair felt the pain of murders, torture, imprisonment, and the tears of families that were torn apart. They both lost their grips and fell to the ground.

Asha, Kayden, and Talia ran into the throne room and saw Alastair and Mathias lying motionless on the stone floor. Alastair lay dead, his face stricken in terror. Mathias barely clung onto life. Without a word they surrounded Mathias and concentrated on the spirit of the crystals within them, the crystals that had been forged long ago to preserve the power of life. Fire, water, and the elements joined to heal earth.

Mathias slowly opened his eyes, helping him to his feet they each kneeled.

"Hail to King Mathias!" Asha said.

Later that day Mathias was formerly crowned king, finally ascending into the throne his father once ruled on. Asha joined the Council of Elders for Magic and is a representative of those of magic; she currently resides in the castle. Those of magic no longer have to live in fear of tyranny or oppression. Kayden became the new head of the guards and advises Mathias on security measures. Talia returned to her people to finally have a place to call home, but that doesn't prevent her from visiting the castle and organizing ways to help the people. The people of Ghaleon looked forward to peace and prosperity for many years to come.

Author's Note: Well, that's an end to this story. I hope those who have read it enjoyed it. The ending was tough to write with the switching point of views, but I enjoyed writing it nonetheless. Anyway, any and all reviews are appreciated. I know parts of this chapter are a bit disjointed, so constructive criticism on how I could remedy that is welcome. I've made some improvements like adding more detail and such. Thank you to the reviewers who offered me some constructive criticism, I really appreciate it and hope that it's somewhat better. Story revised as of August 1, 2002.