Renaissance

"Aqua…" Skull is hunched over Aqua as the tip of Leon's blade peaks out of his chest.

"S-skull." Aqua looks terrified as if all hope is lost.

Leon continues to push his sword deeper, causing Skull to howl in pain.

"Listen closely, I have a plan." The black liquid drips from Skull's face and wound.

For a moment Skull's grip loosens and Leon's blade is one more push from hitting Aqua.

"Move it, now!" Skull grabs the blade again, and calls to Aqua with desperation.

"Die already!" Leon pushes again as the ooze erupts from Skull's back.

Skull falls forward no longer able to maintain his strength. Aqua is two meters away from Skull, in shock.

"W-what moved me?" Aqua notices Skull hunched over and dust flowing to her from an open door. "Talon!" She notices him standing at the door, arms extended.

"Another damn nuance!?" Leon looks towards Talon as smoke starts fuming off Skull.

"Perfect timing." Skull looks less tense. The piece of Leon's blade coming out of his chest begins to warp and melt. "Think you can hold him for a moment?" Skull looks to Talon as his face cracks.

Talon furrows his brow and tears run down his face. "I'll do what I can." He wipes his face and speaks with a familiar look of determination as a spectral rooster appears behind him.

Talon reaches his arms forward as a cloud of green feathers soar towards Leon.

"What is this, why can't I move?" The feathers wrap around Leon, constricting his movement.

"Aqua, you and Talon will have to defeat him, I can no longer move. You've got his." Aqua covers her mouth and she is on the verge of crying.

"Stop talking like that!" The tears begin to flow.

"Skull, I can't hold onto him for much longer!" Talon's hands shake as he sweats.

"I've got one last trick." The tip of the blade in his chest tilts, separate from the hilt.

"Enough!" Leon breaks free of his restraint and reaches for his sword.

The blade snaps when he pulls on it, leaving barely anything on it. He turns towards Skull's zweihander, however before he could reach it a huge gust of wind launches it into the ceiling of the massive room.

"Fine, I need no weapon to fight you two." Leon's hands are coated in fire as he changes his stance.

Leon holds his arm out to his side, and the fire begins to extend and form a shape similar to a blade. He sprints towards Aqua. She glares at him through her brow as a crashing wave forms behind her. The wave pushes Leon back, steam rising off of him. While fighting off the wave with one hand he looks back to see Talon sending five blades of wind towards him.

"As if that could do anything!" With his other hand he creates a wall of fire to block the wind blades.

Leon's eyes widen as three water spikes have impaled him. He watches as his blood mixes with the water

"That is it! I am going to wipe every single one of you off the face of this planet!" Steam explodes off of him as the water spikes begin to boil.

A burst of blazing fire erupts off him, instantly evaporating the spikes. The flames surround him and he holds a sword made of fire. The free formed flames go out as the wind splits and snuffs them. Leon swings his fire sword going across the ground and ends reaching up, this creates a line of flames that dissipate before Talon.

Leon scowls, before sinking his fire sword into the ground, the floor begins to glow hot and steam. Aqua spreads water around her, returning it to normal. Talon spreads a pair of astral wings that keep him off the ground, but the floor under him explodes In a fiery burst. Leon leaps towards the injured Talon, sword held high. Skull reaches out his hand and a lightning bolt shoots between Leon and Talon.

"How are you still alive?" Leon looks surprised as he backs away from Talon.

He watches as Skull's arm drops, he is beyond enthusiastic, but tears begin to stream down his face. The intense burning floor cools off when he realizes he is crying.

"What is this, why am I crying?" Leon looks down to his hands, catching the falling tears.

Aqua seems confused, but still determined to defeat Leon. As a magical energy comes from her hands, Leon's tears yank him down to his knees. He flashes a wave of heat, but the lost water is immediately replaced by his tears.

"What is going on!?" The Tiger appears behind Leon as fire erupts off him.

Before all the water could be evaporated, a swirling vortex of wind shields it. Aqua and Talon lock eyes, they share a brief smile before thrusting their arms forward with a battle cry. Leon is slammed into the wall besides Skull.

"Enough!" Leon swipes his blade in front of him, removing the duo's control.

Leon's expression turns to fear as he looks down to find Skull holding onto his leg, pieces of his face chipping away. He turns back to see Talon and Aqua preparing a massive barrage attack. Sweat drips down his face as he realizes he can't block all of it. He slices off Skull's arm, attempting to escape. The barrage is launched and with each hit he is pushed further back. When he slams into the wall, the duo launch their final attack, a combination of water and wind spiraling like a vicious storm. He takes the attack directly to the stomach. Leon slides down and before he dies, looks almost at peace.

Aqua and Talon rush over to Skull as soon as the life fades from Leon's eyes.

"Skull we did it, we killed Leon!" She is full of joy yet tears swell up in her eyes.

Skull doesn't speak as he places his remaining hand on Aqua's head. Her tears break free and she buries her face in his chest. Skull shares a knowing look with Talon, he nods as he feels his heart sink.

"Aqua …" She lifts her head as Skull speaks out. "I remember how annoyed I was with you at the beginning of this adventure. Eventually I stopped seeing you like that, I saw your skill and determination. I now remember how excited me and your mother were to have you. Aqua, I love you, and I'm sorry I couldn't be there while you were growing up." Skull's vision fades in and out as he talks.

"You being here now is enough, I'm thankful I can be with you." She gives him a shy smile as she holds onto his hand.

"Keep fighting for what you believe in, never let anyone put you down, because you deserve it." Skull moves his arm away.

"Skull… I love you too." Her tears swell back up and Talon moves in to comfort her.