Between: Hope and Despair

Chapter 19: The Truth of the World

Nero: "How have you returned? I felt your soul leave the realm of the living."

Jake: "I left behind some unfinished business."

Nero: "And it still appears as though you won't give it up."

Jake: "I really did wonder how I was able to bring this with me beyond the grave."

Jake shoots a small icicle behind him.

Nero: "(in head) There is no way he went there."

Jake: "I hope you don't mind me kicking you back to the depths of hell."

Nero: "Just try it."

Jake rushes toward Nero, but in an instant....

Jake: "Where'd he go?"

Nero: "Behind you."

Nero lands a deep cut in Jake's back.

Jake: "Crap, he got faster!"

Nero: "My soul and body are complete. Can't you see that you have no chance?"

Jake: "Still not giving up! (in head) I just have to win!"

Jake toughs out the pain.

Nero: "I see I have to go all out..."

Nero sheathes his sword.

Nero: "...with the weapons that were once your allies!"

Nero sends out a burst of flames.

Jake: "Great."

Jake blocks it with an Icicle Wall.

Nero: "Nice try."

Nero stabs Jake's cut with Annabelle's daggers.

Jake: "This is bad! The poison is going to take effect in a few minutes!"

Nero: "Now do you see your lack in ability?"

Jake: "Still... won't give.... up..."

Nero: "Looks like it is taking effect quicker. Now How about a nice jolt?"

Nero hits Jake with a lightning arrow in the stomach.

Jake: "Can't......... give...... in....."

Nero: "Now for a trip in the air..."

Nero uses the wind to launch Jake into the air....

Jake: "(weakly) Am I...."

Nero: "...only to come crashing down!"

Jake: "(weakly) No different?"

Nero uses the whip form to grab Jake and send him crashing down.

Jake: "(weakly) Not..... dying..... now......"

Jake nearly passes out from blood loss.

Nero: "This has been fun, but time to end this."

Nero draws his sword to decapitate Jake.

Jake: "I..."

Jake remembers back to that day.

Young Jake: "(crying) I can't!"

Nero: "However, let's make this finale more satisfying."

Young Isaac: "It's not that you can't!"

Nero calls for some Impurities to bring forth Dillon, Luis, Ethan, Annabelle, Daniel, Serah, and Isaac."

Isaac: "What the hell do you want?"

Annabelle: "Our thoughts exactly."

Nero: "Feisty, but I just wanted you to watch as I extinguish the Last Spark of Hope."