The Siege of Evermere: Finale

Before Yuna could even retaliate, platinum chains erupted from the ground and bound her in place. There was no chance she was going to be able to touch the Heart in this condition. 

"I must admit, today's events have pushed me quite a bit farther than I would've expected," the Goddess announced with a cold and murderous expression. "You have my utmost respect for that, at least. But this is where you lose."

"Itsuki was saved," Yuna replied, gasping for air. "Whether this war ends in victory or defeat, my battle was won from that moment.."

Yuna was surprised she had the energy to be spiteful. She glanced to the chains holding her in-place. They were not simply bindings - they were funneling her with life energy. Just enough to keep her conscious for the Goddess' interrogation. 

"Yes, you've taken my dear Itsuki away from me..." she retorted. "Although I suppose, that farce is pointless now, isn't it? The fact that you know about this chamber means you're aware of the truth. The real question is how you managed to find out..."

"Can't read my mind?" Yuna questioned with sarcasm. "What's wrong? I thought you were supposed to be all-powerful?"

"The God of Truth's influence will wane from your mind in a few moments. Once it does, I will tear all the necessary information from you that is required."

Yuna couldn't deny that piece. Her wings had already begun crumbling away. The blue insignia of the God of Truth on her torso was vanishing - slowly reverting back to its intended form. Her eyes were the same, flickering between vibrant blue and their usual golden color. 

"I'll admit this," the Goddess continued. "I did not expect a God-Marked under the Dragon of Wisdom to be capable of wielding powers from the God of Truth. I don't believe such an alliance has ever even been attempted before, to be frank."

"Glad we could...catch you off-guard."

She paused and stammered a bit between the pain and the fuzziness in her mind. She staved it off as best she could. She needed to keep talking and trying to hold onto what little power she had left. 

She had a plan in mind, but it would only work if she could somehow find an opening.

"Kaia," Yuna called out. "That's what you go by, isn't it? When you're not masquerading as someone else?"

The Goddess let out a small, malice-filled giggle. It was all the answer Yuna needed. 

"The Goddess of Life, in the flesh," she responded with a taunting curtsy. 

"Then this 'Heart' behind me," Yuna continued, "is the actual Amane, isn't it? You have her trapped there in order to sustain your presence."

Kaia's face returned to a more cold and serious one. Yuna felt the chains around her tighten slightly. 

"It's a shame, you know... I fully intended to follow through with my marriage proposal to Itsuki. He's got a reasonable head on his shoulders, and I can see in Amane's memories that he has a good soul. That, as well as his powers as the Judge... I would've been fine with him having his way with me."

"Cute... is that why you saved the two of us from Firefly Pond, then? You must've been convinced he would agree to your terms to make such a bold play."

Kaia's expression worsened and she gave no response. Yuna felt the chains tighten a bit more harshly this time. It wasn't comfortable, but it wasn't full-on painful quite yet. A strange response from the Goddess who seemed to prefer playing with her food...

Then a thought struck Yuna. It seemed farfetched at first, but it made sense when all the pieces were put together. 

"You didn't do that..." Yuna realized aloud. "Amane saved us and brought us here. Despite being 'all-powerful', she was able to break through and use your powers against your will! That's the only explanation for why you'd risk ..."

"Enough!"

The chains around Yuna tightened with force this time. She screamed out as bones in her arms and ribs began to crack under their pressure. The chain around her neck had tightened significantly as well, cutting off her air supply. 

"I will not be made a mockery of! Not by you or that silly blonde girl!"

Yuna couldn't breathe. She was already so weak, and her control was fading fast. It was now or never - while the Goddess was distraught over Yuna's words. 

Even though she couldn't speak, she could still communicate with Ada in her thoughts. 

-- Bring the payload here, now!

"Miss Yuna, that payload will detonate upon arrival. If I do that..."

-- No time! Override the safety protocols and bring in to the location I mark for detonation. Keep the automated teleportation prepped for when I make contact with the Heart!

"...Very well. On your signal, Miss Yuna."

With what remaining strength she could muster, she pulled her head forward and spat a large glob of blood in Kaia's direction. Kaia backed up a step, allowing it to harmlessly splatter on the floor. 

"What's this? Your last futile efforts?"

-- Right there, Ada!

"Commencing nuclear payload delivery."

The blood splatter on the ground, infused with what remained of her borrowed power, briefly glowed blue. 

A moment later, a large device manifested in the room between Kaia and Yuna. It was a large cylindrical device about the size of an elephant. It whirred to life the moment it materialized. Yuna had no idea what it was, but Shin had told her about it's otherworldly destructive power. 

Kaia, on the other hand, was well aware of what this device was. 

The chains around Yuna vanished - the Goddess pulled all of her power to her in order to create a barrier between her and the bomb. Yuna took the brief opening to turn and dive on top of the coffin.

***

Ada's connection to Yuna was cut off. Ada's conscious filled with the closest thing to 'panic' that she could conjure as an artificial entity. 

She could see that the teleportation protocol had activated, but had it done so in time? Had Yuna reached the coffin, or had she been obliterated by the blast?

She did not have a physical form to check, but she had strict orders for following up. She quickly overrode typical security protocols and connected to the Overseer's current office location. 

"Overseer, we need you urgently within the Medical Bay!"