Several minutes earlier...

"Wait, stop!" Katie shouted, limping out of the fog.

The room slowed in her eyes. The faster she walked, the further Leon seemed from her. She'd followed the presence that made her skin crawl. The air felt unnaturally cold.

Iris was barely lifting Leon to his feet when she glanced at her. Her eyes narrowed with such a hateful gaze, Katie flinched. "Katie Rose, also known as the host of Jalaiya. I understand your feelings for him. Because of his respect for you, I will tell you this. He was created to save this world. He isn't ready to know about a world of monsters yet. For your sake, stay away from him. I removed any memory of you from his mind, so don't bother. Just live your life, and stay out of our way."

"You- You what?" Katie stammered, her heart sinking.

Without another word, Iris shifted her eyes toward the wall beside her. A portal beside her opened up, the scent of the ocean filling the room. It led to the beach in Hawaii. She stormed through it. It closed abruptly the moment Katie reached it. Her stump was still bleeding heavily. Whimpering, she collapsed to her knees.

Jalaiya could be seen stalking around her in the water's reflection. She knelt beside her, smiling wickedly at Katie's empty gaze. Aww, chin up child. We just find them again and kill them both. It's as easy as 1....2...3-

Katie shook her head impatiently. "Stop!" She snapped. She tried to sound angry, but her voice came out broken.

She swallowed repeatedly. Her eyes swelled up and she continued to rub them. Why did she do that? Why did I have to lose control?

The memory of her hand ripping through Leon's chest burned in her mind. She tried to block it out. Every time she closed her eyes she could see Diablos's murderous gaze. The pain in her severed arm made her heave.

Such dramatics my dear, Jalaiya's voice whispered, tucking back her hair over an ear. Just grow the arm back already if it's so painful.

Katie ignored her, tears still streaming down her face. Just take it and get it over with... I'm done. She let her senses go. Going limp, she plunged into the emerald waters. It burned. Every part of her body felt like it was on fire. She didn't scream. Not even so much as a whimper.

With her eyes closed, Jalaiya hovered over her. It was within the dark world of her mind, surrounded by the dead flowers towering over her. "Oh, come now. It's no fun if you give it so willingly!" Jalaiya whined, a giggle erupting from her.

"There's nothing left to live for... no reason to fight. Do what you want..." Katie said plainly, ignoring her.

"Oohohoho, don't mind if I do!" Jalaiya chirped gleefully, clapping her hands together. Her eyes widened maddeningly as her metal boot slammed into Katie's side.

Katie coughed, her body flung along the dark waters. Her body remained limp. Jalaiya snickered into her palm, erupting into a cackle. "Oh, I do love kicking a dog while he's down. How easily your fragile little walls crumble! Such divine despair!" she clutched her cheeks, smiling from ear to ear.

I never once saw you as frail... Leon's words echoed in her head. Katie's eyes watered. "Stop it..." she begged.

Jalaiya grabbed her face, lifting her up. She snapped her fingers, licking her lips. Chains ripped out of the waters and the fog surrounding her.

You won't save anyone or anything with pretty words and lofty ideals alone.

"I can't," Katie muttered.

One lash ripped her sweater. She bit back a squeal as the cut ran deep into her back.

It doesn't matter how much you want the most peaceful outcome.

Two lashes. Three. The chains struck her, tearing her clothes. Ripping her flesh. Jalaiya giggled to herself at every painful expression Katie made. She made no attempts to resist.

Sometimes you have to fight.

The lake was becoming a blackish crimson. Her body flailed but was helpless against the relentless barrage of strikes. "I..." She was like a helpless rabbit being butchered.

Fight, or prepare to lose everything you care about.

Even with all of that mind numbing pain, she couldn't get his voice out of her head. Her eyes opened. She cried. She screamed. The world around them was cracking. Jalaiya paused the chains, pulling Katie closer. She took a nice long lick of her blood and tears running down her face. A soft moan escaped her, her laughter exploding. "IT'S EXQUISITE! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

image [https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczPFS_W866idYGXzyL6XmdxoPwWboeKrsse0La1shtjmsywDELLzD0HmhCE53SNpp8gqjtxbmnr4PsIeb5ulU3cBRUGHPvOlsycU_MyqLuS5MVLNBp-1UjA9NKP9qhpJlgEo6iqgodo9pg6axz-wxm5buQNKg6aK8bAjjo3uVk12gW9rXu7ijdS65VwqJbXQlgRwCv_To29XBgMwzy5_9iu01sx8_AC8IuiA5YyOkzcymCQQQQAZnk94FrI7arp095VUVISntcWn0cozoIt1s9udAfVVAwwc-cj8tXAS6NGVo2FfyZWf4ILiLDJxRmSvjlMj7B3LP-Bnd3A-vO3vZfq9dhANFAM_6mDgU1LIH6_-WhemtQ0JI5z1MTxm4zFN3WnWF_hgriDGQJR4VkliZXBpMG1kJzUBLvyYSOE5tkxnR05C94U7wZmU2OZ6qFiqxX7vJ0SXfy1NHPqbeR0bPAqPnDdbYWcYhxpo4gJ25hqvr7zqPLbgnI8UcPXQbVTImG9jOBGlj71UYjVVbfZcUDzW2aUYsoHhLvVAvjwUpgX9AaBW0UBVcAxa2frciApT2E302EH1oIMg-WLrq2GVRAYWyk1zRCP2Z6sY365cd1DaitUWMnWf8A11byT7TdVoMGk0-5C7Gb0aqusUS1Zs_vWKw6WLqZHssT3Cqs-Hl3FthxpsVvIvugsxuVPEVHsP5QS0rPuBzdhVSsEKlR-lxXUWrnGoWYbi26lN1119-FORgNKsSQ7qdugcn2SkR0PuJZH0CKL_N4G7F01xHj6qo-dGAkeqTe-6gZN7M2bQJ23VnsGsBXRcuA2QLY5TuJGB793GLb0PRmaumPGVd-7eDJn6NKE_-YcvNQqF6LiRHHyNcsxd0IU_KmDhcLlB6tVqZbY-QknkxF0qvOe3WJhwk98SUDlS9Hdgd1lTB9XSgkbSXPkD4kmUZX4a1xbUwGnf=w654-h654-s-no-gm?authuser=1]

(Concept of Jalaiya in this moment)

"You know, while we're spending such quality time together, I just have to say child... After all that flair and pretty words about wanting to have a happy little family, you're all bark and no bite. All those years of taking such torture without so much as an attempt to escape. Oohh, you have no idea how I've longed for this dayy.~ To see such delicious hope be shattered into a million pieces. Nothing gives me more delight. I was curious if this boy had truly broken you from your pygmy sized shell, but you're that same, sad little girl who just takes allll the hits! If your roles were reversed, that girl would've been dead the moment she touched you! But you let her take him so willingly!~ Just to crumble back into that hole of a head of yours! You do know how to treat your good ol' great grandmama to a show, don'tcha? I do love a little insect to play with!~ Your little spunky rebellion was truly growing on me for a while there, my dear baby Katie.~ Don't you worry! You can have the sleep you're so desperately craving! I'll take great care of your sweet Leon and everyone else, hahahahahaha!"

She threw Katie into the air. The limitless chains all swung forward together.

Dying is one thing, but dying without even trying to live or fight for your freedom is a thousand times worse!

Katie's eyes shot open. Her blood evaporated. The black sky and fog broke apart into a piercing light. Jalaiya hissed, blocking her eyes as the chains all broke against Katie's body.

Every happy memory. Of running through the fog. Of the days they spent. The warmth that filled her heart every day they were together. Small glimpses of the bonds she could have even with the family that had always put her down. The way her heart melted every time their eyes met. Her blood boiled hotter than she could've ever imagined. A golden armor formed from the trail of lights surging around her.

Jalaiya peeked through her fingertips, smirking. "That's my girl. Just when I was getting to the good part too... Pity.~"

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—--------------------------------------------

Above the ocean...

Alexander grimaced as he looked below. It's been far too long. Surely they didn't fail....

A light glimmered in the waters. His eyes narrowed and then he shouted, "Evasive maneuvers now!"

The shuttle swerved quickly aside as a giant ray of electricity blasted through the ocean. The waters shot up. The explosion was deafening. It was as if the ocean had temporarily got sucked into a giant crater. He watched awestruck as a shadow rose faster than he could blink. They did it!

The sisters and Lilith stirred in their sleep, awakening in their chairs. Cynthia snapped to her feet, grabbing Alexander's shoulder. "You sonuva-!" she froze as she looked above with him.

Hovering over them in golden, angelic armor was none other than Katie. Her arm had grown back. Her emerald gaze shined furiously, the clouds above them beginning to swirl in a storm. "Katie, this is- Wait. Where is Leon? What happened-?" Alexander started to ask when her armor broke apart.

It faded into particles as she fell unconscious. He and Cynthia barely caught her before she fell to the depths. They all exchanged concerned glances. Alexander looked to the pilots, shouting, "Get us back to the Luna Base, quickly!"

Her world came in and out in flashes. From the shuttle. To metal hallways. The medical wing. Faces came in and out. Her sisters. Lilith. Alexander. Doctors. She heard brief moments of their conversations.

"What could've...."

"...not so much as a scratch..."

"Lucky, she survived..."

"...any idea what we've..."

Hours turned into days. Days turned into weeks. Nothing disturbed her in all of that time. Not the dark world. Not Jalaiya. Not reality. She slept a dreamless sleep for what felt like an eternity. When the world finally started to grow clear, voices shouted.

Her eyes opened to Alexander standing in front of her. His fingers were pinched around the blade Lilith wielded, trying to pry it from his grasp. "You can take your anger out on me all you like, but I will not allow you to harm them any longer Lilith. They're not yours to control," he said calmly.

Lilith glared at him. "What do you care? You didn't fight for them before! How is it any different now?"

"I trusted your judgment then. I thought you would train them to be strong, independent women. Instead you tormented them. It should've never been entrusted for you to raise them!" he shouted, breaking the sword.

"Mother..." Katie croaked, making them freeze.

They turned to her. She was struggling out of her bed, clutching the side rails for support. "Katie, you shouldn't rush-" Alexander started to say, but she fell forward.

Lilith flinched when Katie wrapped her arms around her. "You- Just- What- What do you think you're doing?" her mother stammered.

The shock in her voice made Alexander's eyes widen. "I'm sorry I had to hurt you. I didn't want to..." Katie trembled, and her tears fell.

For once, Lilith was speechless. Her mind had been nothing but a dark cold void their entire lives. The last time she even felt a semblance of pride was the day Katie had been born. The day she held Katie in her hands. It was as if her very touch affected those around her. She hadn't thought much of it at first when the sisters had begun to show reluctance and remorse for punishing Katie's rebellion in her training. She hadn't laid a hand on her personally once in her life. Facing Leon, feeling the excitement of battling an equal, and now this was the first time her resolve had wavered in a long time. Lilith's heart fractured for a moment, and she gently pushed Katie aside.

"You're too... naive to be my daughter," Lilith said dejectedly, struggling to speak without stammering. In an attempt to mask her hands trembling, she clenched one into a fist tucked behind her back, grasping her wrist. She made for the exit without another word.

Alexander smiled, placing a hand on Katie's shoulder. "You might just be the strongest willed of us all... I don't know many who would forgive their family for the ordeals you've been through. I hope you can forgive us both one day," he said.

At first, Katie looked at him puzzled. But then she hugged him too, smiling. "It's nice to finally meet you, father."

Alexander nearly choked out a sob of his own. He swallowed it back, trying to remain strong for her, and held her tightly. Those were words he feared he would never hear. He silently thanked Gaia for the chance.

—-------------------------------------------------------------

It took a few days before Katie could move around normally. Alexander visited her regularly, keeping her updated on Lilith and her sisters. He offered her new clothes, but she begged for her sweater and jeans to be repaired. It was the first thing she'd gotten with Leon together. Understanding her feelings, he had one of the colony's tailors fix the fabric to be stronger than ever.

As she wore it, it felt strangely warmer. Tougher. "I had them enhance your clothes with magic. It should dullen the blows of most attacks. Only incredibly strong creatures will be able pierce it now," he explained as she looked at herself in the mirror.

"I love it! Thank you!" she said warmly.

He returned a grin. "It was no trouble. We will discuss your future along with your sisters soon enough, but for now go and enjoy your freedom. Cynthia in particular was rather persistent in her attempts to see you... It heartens me to see your experiences haven't taken your spirits. I have high hopes for you all."

She gave a small bow and walked out the door. Alexander watched her before turning to the window. He looked down at the Earth and frowned. "Dark times are brewing. Any happy times now are more than we deserve. I can only pray they do not end before they are ready..."

Katie was almost skipping down the halls. She was so happy to get her sweater back, but then her heart jumped when she froze. Leon. Her face paled at how she hadn't even thought to reach out to him for a moment since her awakening. Her thoughts started to remember the last words Iris had said in the ruin.

I removed any memory of you from his mind, so don't bother. Just live your life, and stay out of our way.

Her hands clenched. Is there truly such a power? Surely there's a way to bring those memories back? She only closed her eyes to return to the dark world on the spot. A voice snapped her back to reality before she could.

"So you've recovered. That is good."

When she opened her eyes, Lilith was standing by the large window staring at the empty void of space. "Huh? Oh mother! I didn't see you there! What are you doing?" Katie asked, walking to stand beside her.

Lilith sighed. "To be perfectly honest, not a thing. It appears I've reached a block in my... vision."

They stood there silently. Katie looked out at the stars with her, trying to sense her mother's feelings. "You always seemed so passionate about it... Surely you raised us that way because that vision was important to you. I just never understood what or why."

"When your sisters were born... I felt nothing. It wasn't from choosing. It wasn't because I simply enjoy torturing children. When I was four years old, I was bathed in the blood of anyone foolish enough to get in my way," Lilith said, her eyes narrowing. "Love did not exist. My weapons were my family. Anything that got in my way was merely an obstacle. I was taught to murder. To assassinate. THAT was my life. Power was all I had at your age. No one had ever tried to sway me into seeing differently until I failed to kill your father."

Katie's eyes widened. "How did you-"

"Be silent and listen, Katie. I will not repeat this story again," Lilith snapped, and Katie could tell this was taking a lot of self control for her mother to be open like this. She listened.

"When I learned of the legend of Jalaiya, I thought nothing of it at first. Just another relic. But then I followed the history, the connections in my own bloodline... I thought if I had that kind of power, for once in my life I would be satisfied. But it never came. Alexander's family believed the souls of Diablos and Jalaiya lay dormant within others. They possess a special gift in knowing their past and being able to sense their powers, even as they slept. For the entirety of my life, I had been unaware I harbored Jalaiya's soul and she never once awoke for me."

"The idea that I possessed the ability to bring out the strongest angel in existence was all I cared about. To prove that I or my daughter was the most powerful being in the world. Power that would never allow my life to be repeated amongst others. So I raised the three of you the same way. Your sisters were naturally resentful as I was to my adoptive family. I thought that creating life would perhaps make me feel something. Anything of the worthless emotions Alexander continued to preach to me."

"I didn't feel anything until you were born. It was temporary, only as I held you, did I feel a semblance of pride. Of enjoyment in life. It returned once more twice in the past weeks. First, when I fought that boy, and again when you embraced me. It's impossible to determine the value in something I've never had."

Lilith scowled, and slammed her fist into the window. "Now we may be moments from fighting the worst battle of our lives... and everything I fought to achieve was just some stupid game. I do not regret what I have done. For the coming days, you will all need that experience to survive against Death's army. I will still be overlooking your training."

Strangely, that didn't worry Katie. Hating her mother and father should've been easy. Any normal person who'd suffered half as much as her because of their decisions should have. But having a family was all she ever wanted.

You won't save anyone or anything with pretty words and lofty ideals alone.

Even when he isn't here he still has such a strong effect on me... I'll have to grow a lot stronger if I want to save him. It might've been because she wasn't afraid to fight back anymore. She knew she could control her powers. Her reluctance to move forward had them all suffering needlessly. If I ever want to see him again, I can't be the same person anymore...

"Don't go easy on us, mother. If we manage to survive and stop Death, you'd better put down your blades and make up for what you put us through. You might not understand the value of emotions or relationships, but you don't have to force yourself to burden that pain alone anymore," Katie said, and at that Lilith looked at her surprised.

"You'll train with your sisters? Help them get up to speed?" Lilith asked.

Katie smiled and nodded. For a moment, her mother's eyes shared a hint of amusement. She crossed her arms and started to walk away. "I'll hold you to those words, Katie. You'd better not regret them later."

She watched Lilith until she was out of sight. She turned her gaze back to the window and placed her hand against the glass. They were orbiting around the Earth just below them. "I won't. Because I'm not just fighting for myself anymore." In her reflection, she saw Jalaiya staring back. She still hated her methods and she probably would never respect the cruel monster Jalaiya was, but all the same she gave a small nod. A thank you for returning her will to live when the world was at its darkest.