Bonus: The Last Judgment

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The sun sets over the ruined expanse of Nosgoth, casting long shadows over the land. In a world once ruled by vampires and chaos, now stands Raziel-a human, flesh, and bone - weary yet resolute. His once-immortal form is gone, replaced by the fragile body of a man who has lived through centuries of torment, loss, and vengeance.

Raziel stands on the balcony of a crumbling tower, the weight of the world pressing heavily on him. The Soul Reaver, now dull and worn, rests at his side. He feels the emptiness that comes with the loss of his godlike powers. His gaze pierces the horizon, searching for some semblance of peace.

"I was once a wraith of vengeance," Raziel murmurs to himself. "Now, I must fight for what is right... as a man."

He turns from the balcony and walks into the dimly lit hall, where his allies have gathered. A coalition of warriors from different realms and times, each with their own struggles, stand in quiet readiness. Their shared mission is clear: eliminate the Hylden, the dark beings threatening to rewrite reality itself.

---

The Gathering:

Raziel approaches the group, who are already discussing strategy. Caim, the grizzled warrior from Drakengard, stands with his arms crossed, his intense gaze flicking to the map before him. His dragon, Angelus, lies dormant in the distance, a symbol of the bond between them that has been forged in blood and fire.

"We've come too far to turn back now," Caim grunts, his voice as rough as the scars on his body. "The Hylden won't be defeated by the likes of us. But they will fall."

Sieg, his sword in hand, gives a curt nod. His partner Arcia stands beside him, a slight frown on her face as she adjusts her armour. However, in her hands are not traditional weapons, but two gleaming dual pistols. Her eyes burn with a fiery determination, and the twin weapons gleam under the dim light.

"We are not just fighting to survive," Arcia says, her voice steady as she twirls the pistols in her hands with practised ease. "We fight to ensure that this world has a future."

Raziel steps forward, his voice calm but firm. "We will stop them. The Hylden's reign ends tonight."

Balthier and Fran from Final Fantasy XII exchange knowing glances, their roguish smiles betraying their readiness for battle.

"Well, this certainly wasn't on my list of things to do today," Balthier says, adjusting his gun. "But if it's saving Nosgoth we're talking about, I suppose I could make an exception."

Fran's sharp, golden eyes glint. "The Hylden won't know what hit them."

Squall, his dual blades at his side, stands silently, his usual quiet intensity matched by the weight of the task before them. "We've fought before, together. This won't be any different."

Yuna, serene and wise, speaks with the calm authority of someone who has seen worlds fall apart and yet still believe in their renewal.

"We have to believe that our actions can change the world. We can not let the Hylden take away everything we've fought for."

---

The Path to the Hylden's Stronghold:

The team sets out toward the Hylden Citadel, a dark, foreboding fortress nestled in the heart of a corrupted wasteland. The journey is perilous, with twisted creatures stalking the path, summoned by the Hylden's dark magic. Each step forward is met with resistance, but the group is relentless. The Hylden's influence over the land seems to infect everything it touches.

Raziel, though weakened by his human form, fights with the same fierce determination that defined his immortal life. Every blow lands harder, every movement more laboured, but his allies are there beside him, pushing him forward. Caim, Sieg, and Squall lead the charge, while Yuna and Fran provide support from the rear. Arcia, ever watchful, moves silently, dual pistols blazing in her hands as she takes down enemies with pinpoint accuracy, her speed and precision making her a deadly force on the battle

Raziel feels the toll of his new humanity more with each passing moment. His wounds, once minor and easily healed, now linger longer. His strength is not what it once was. Yet, through it all, the bond between him and his allies grows stronger. They are not just warriors-they are a family forged in battle.

As they near the Citadel, Yuna speaks to Raziel, offering a rare moment of solace amidst the chaos.

"You may no longer be the wraith you once were, Raziel," she says, her voice gentle but full of conviction. "But you are still the one who leads us."

Raziel looks at her, gratitude flickering in his eyes. "I lead because I have no other choice. But it is your strength, all of you, that will carry us through."

---

The Hylden's Last Stand:

The group reaches the Hylden Citadel, its towering spires reaching into the stormy sky. The structure seems alive, pulsing with dark energy. Inside, the Hylden leader waits, a being of terrifying power, their form shifting and warping as if it were made of pure malice.

"You are too late," the Hylden leader intones. "The future belongs to us now. Your world will burn, and there is nothing you can do to stop it."

The battle erupts.

Sieg and Arcia charge in, her dual pistols raised, firing with rapid precision as she clears a path through the enemies. Caim, with his dragon Angelus by his side, swings his massive sword, cutting down anything that moves. Balthier and Fran provide long-range fire, taking out enemies from a distance with precision shots. Squall, calm, and focused, engages the leader's minions with swift, fluid strikes.

Raziel faces the Hylden leader, his breath heavy, his body aching. The leader smiles cruelly, their voice mocking him.

"You were once a god, a being of unimaginable power. And now? You are nothing but a mortal man."

Raziel's eyes harden. "I may be mortal now, but I am not without strength."

The Hylden leader raises their hand, dark energy swirling around them. "Your efforts are futile. The world will be remade in our image."

But Raziel, with the last of his strength, thrusts the Soul Reaver forward, the blade piercing the leader's chest. The weapon, once a symbol of vengeance, now serves as a tool of redemption. The Hylden leader howls in agony as their dark form disintegrates, leaving nothing but ash.

The Citadel begins to crumble, the magic that held it together unravelling as the Hylden's reign collapses. The team fights to stay standing as the ground shakes beneath them, but their victory is undeniable.

---

The Aftermath:

As the Citadel collapses into ruin, the team gathers outside, the air thick with the weight of their triumph. Raziel, despite the human frailty now consuming him, stands tall, his gaze lingering on the horizon.

"We did it," Caim says, his voice low but filled with something resembling relief. "The Hylden are gone. This world is ours again."

Sieg nods, his face expressionless but his eyes softening. "It's over."

Balthier, with a smirk, adjusts his gun once more. "And just in time. Nosgoth can rest easy now."

Squall looks out over the land, his mind still processing the events. "We've seen the end of one story. But another is always beginning."

Yuna, ever the optimist, smiles warmly. "And this one will be better. Together, we'll rebuild."

Arcia, with her dual pistols now holstered, looks at Raziel, her eyes filled with pride. "We've fought, and we've won. Nosgoth owes us its future."

Raziel, standing among them, nods slowly. He no longer carries the weight of a vengeful wraith, but he feels something new-hope.

"I've lost much," Raziel says softly. "But we've won what matters most. The future is ours."

The group stands together, their silhouettes framed by the rising sun, ready to face whatever comes next. With the Hylden's destruction, Nosgoth may finally have a chance at peace.

---

End of Chapter:

The screen fades to black as the haunting melody of the Soul Reaver theme plays softly, signalling the end of an era and the beginning of a new world.

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