The ship took us back towards Origin Peak, and while the sailors were busy above, the rest of us were busy below, getting our gear in order. Weapons were polished, elixirs were pocketed, tomes were flipped through. This would be our final battle, whether we won or lost, so we all peared up with our best and brightest weapons. We tried to rest, but most of us were too terrified to sleep, so we all huddled together in the hold of the ship, the only sound Celever's snoring. I swear, that girl could sleep through anything. The wait felt like it took hours, and yet still we arrived too soon for my nerves' liking.
<Naga> Welcome, brave heroes. Are you prepared?
<Drohn> As much as we'll ever be.
<Naga> Alright, up you go! Magical dragon goddess teleportation powers activate!
True to her word, Naga was able to teleport us directly onto Grima's back. His skin had a hard, scaly texture that occasionally pulsed with strong energies that gave off a feint glow. The wind was strong, forcing us to put forth all of our effort to get our bearings. The lapse of attention was just what Grima needed to launch a quick strike, hitting us with a powerful magical attack. None of us were killed in the blast, but we were severely weakened.
<IE> Oh gods, this is the end. Father, I...
<Grima> Ahahahahaha. And so it ends, Athena. See how frail these humans bonds of yours are? How short lived? How pointless?
<Athena> Yeah, well, we're not dead yet, so piss off!
<Grima> Yet.... It is but a simply matter for me to knock you off my back permanently. But there's still a way for you to save your friends.
<Athena> ...
<Grima> Become one with me and together we can spare their lives, or refuse and I'll kill them one by one in front of you.
<Athena> I...
<Drohn> Oh, come on, don't do it Athena!
<Athena> Of course I'm not going to do it! She'll just kill you all anyway, even if I do submit.
<Grima> Well, of course I would. But at least then your friends final moments would be thinking of you as some kind of selfless hero. Oh well, they can just die knowing everything was your fault instead.
A huge ball of black energy surrounded me. I could feel myself being transported away, but there was nothing but darkness all around.
<Athena>W-Where am I?
<Grima> Exactly where I want you to be, of course. Just sit quietly while I slaughter your friends.
<Athena> No way!
<Grima> Alright, I guess I'll just kill you first.
Another wave of energy crashed into me, knocking me off my feet and into the ground. My energy was spend. I had no strategies left, no hidden cards to play. The end had finally come and there was nothing I could do. Except... is that a voice I hear?
<???> ---ve to -----------ack!
<Athena> ...?
<???> Yo-- ha--- fi-- back! -------ghting!
<Athena> Could you please speak up a bit? >_>
<???> Fight ba----
<Athena> Nope, still not coming through.
<???> Fight back! You swore you to do so, now keep your damn word!
<Athena> There we go. Wait, Chrom, is that you? I can hear you!
<Grima> Oh, please. You're mine now.
<Cinesra> History is watching, Athena! If you could beat me in chess, you can certainly beat this fool!
<Light> Get up right this instant or I shall be forced to maim you.
<TT> Come on, Athena; this dragon's a piece of cake!
<Drac> Stay frosting! Drac will snap you out of it!
<Celever> Come on, I'm your favourite dragon, aren't I? Prove you love me and beat that loser!
<Palutena> Get up. No one goes down without my say so. >:|
<PMJ> Minerva wants you back, and so do I! ^_^
<Keeper> I know the darkness is warm and delicious and comfy.... but too much of a good thing is bad!
<IE> You've earned my love and trust, now prove it was worthwhile and get your ass back here!
<SAE> If Celever is your favourite, then I must be second, so I'm still better than that chump! I know you'll return.
<Athena> I can hear my friends! :D
<Grima> Yeah, yeah, good for you. None of this matters; you're all insignificant next to me.
<Drohn> Come back to us, Athena! All of that stupid talk about bonds and stuff that we stuffed into the story was made just for this moment! Believe in the magic of friendship!
<Athena> F*** yeah, plot BS! Magical support bonds, get me out here! *woooosh* *teleport*
<Drohn> You're back! :D
<Naga> Good timing too. Geez, can't I leave you guys alone for a minute?
With a flash of bright light, Naga's power washed over us, healing us. It was time to strike! Grima's avatar was standing directly over the weakspot at the name of his neck, but he had other Grimleal warriors all over his back. Celever, Keeper, Light, and Cinesra stayed at the rear to watch our backs, while the rest of us rushed at Grima. I aimed myself front and center, since I wanted to make sure I was in place when the time came. This needed to end once and for all.
While the others distracted Grima's minions, Drohn and I rode straight for the weakspot, I armed with my strongest magic, he with his Exalted Falchion glowing in the light. Drohn raised the sword to deliver the final blow, but before he could, I raised my hand, holding him back.
<Drohn> Athena? What are you doing?
<Grima> For once, the puny mortal prince and I are in agreement. What are you up to?
<Athena> For once, I'm glad you and I are the same. Now I can give my life to protect those I care for.
<Grima> Wait... what? You wouldn't....
<Athena> I would and I will. I'm not going to just put you to sleep again and pawn you off on some unprepared future. We're taking care of this for good. And since we're the same, I can't help but feel that I share some of the blame, so perhaps it's fitting that we both end together.
<Grima> NOOOOOOOoooooooo!!!!!
I brought Grima to his knees with a final blow, sacrificing myself to end him, just as Naga said I could. As his body went into its death throws, the dark energy swelled up into me, too, blowing away my life force like glitter on the wind.
<Drohn> Athena, no!
<Athena> Thank you, Drohn, for everything. May we meet again... in a better life...
<Drohn> Oh, s***, s***, s***, no! NO!
But there was nothing Drohn could do. I was gone. Grima's dying body plowed into Origin Peak, giving Drohn and the others something of a safe landing.
<Drohn> Well, I guess that's it. War's over guys. Grima's gone for good, so we may as well retire and go home. I owe you all, well, everything, for sticking with us throughout this all. If you ever need anything... well, Ylisse is still pretty rich from the sack of Plegia a couple years ago, so just ask. It's not like I have a wife to lavish with gifts or anything anyway.
<Celever> Poor Athena, after all she did for us... *sniff*
<Drohn> Don't cry, Celever. We'll see her again, I'm sure of it. After all, Naga did kind of vaguely hint about Athena being able to survive if our bonds were strong enough. And we spent many nights together, uh, "strengthening" our "bonds". This isn't over. Athena is out there... somewhere. And I'll find her no matter how long it takes me. This video game is still going to have a happy ending, dammit.
<Cinesra> She made such a noble sacrifice, and trust me, I understand nobility. She must return!
<Light> In fact, if she returns right now, I might even consider making her tea myself. Do you hear that Athena?! ME, making TEA! You should be honoured.
<TT> Oh, she won't just check out because a job is done. She's still gotta collect her sweet rewards!
<Drac> Oy, Athena! You daring to make Drac celebrate alone?! Drac will not rest until he drinks you under the table!
<Celever> *sob* *sniff* She's not gone, just.... misplaced! :< I'll wait a thousand years if I have to!
<Palutena> She better march right back here. No one's allowed to disappear unless it's me disappearing them!
<PMJ> Minerva says she still feels Athena is of this world, and also that she smells delicious! ^_^
<Keeper> Athena, everyone's dying to see you alive! We're sick to death of death! Though that does remind me of a good joke...
<IE> We have won our future, but we are in debt to so many sad memories... I pray that this sadness will be undone.
<SAE> This is so wrong. We can't just leave her for dead. I'll wait until the end of time for her return!
<Drohn> Athena has secured for us all the most precious gift: a future. And now we better take care of it. I vow to give my all to repairing all the damage this war has wrought upon the realm. And the last war. And the war before that. That way when she returns, everything will be good again. Athena, you have me? You'll always have a place here. Always.