The chilling airs of the temple grew even colder as its inhabitants worked away in near-silence. Only their whispering could be heard amid the howling winds of the outer world, and the chimes that came from within the temple. Havîn and Payiz laid in the heart of the room, and dressed in Bihar and Zivistan's robes as they danced together in chilling silence.

Bihar and Zivistan watched not, for they laid on the other side of the temple's floor. Their ghostly bodies flared with a little bit more light than usual as they diligently shaped talismans out of worn, cracked clay, and painted warding sigils on yellowed paper. Their completed creations surrounded them both, and formed a sort of wall around them as they laid the creations aside. Bihar and Zivistan both sighed, raised from their spots, and their eyes now turned to where Spyro, Chihiro and Nemir crafted even more talismans in silence behind them.

"We're ready over here," Bihar proclaimed.

Though his voice was only a whisper, it spoke volumes within the tense, chilling silence of the room. It was enough that everyone else shuddered just from hearing it.

Havîn and Payiz both broke from their dance routine and floated over. Their eyes idly drifted over the army of clay talismans and paper sigils that reeked of fresh ink. Havîn lifted up one, but quickly placed it down as Chihiro hopped over and examined the collection as well. Chihiro hummed, and ignored the wary glances Havîn gave her as she bent down and examined the talismans with an almost quizzical glance.

"Dunno about you, but I'd say we've got plenty of these little guys!" Chihiro remarked, before she glanced back to Spyro and beckoned him over with a wave of her hand. "C'mon, Golden Boy, let's get them juiced up!"

Spyro nodded and flew over. He captured Chihiro's hand in his paw in one swift motion and squeezed it the next. A soft, shimmering purple glow came from their entwined hand and paw. Its thin streams spread out across the room, and tinted the walls in purple hues before they seeped into the talismans! The talismans pulsed with a purple glow that quickly faded, but their ghastly surfaces retained their indigo and violet colors as they rested.

"This should buff them up enough," Chihiro said as she bent over, plucked one from the ground, and spun it around between her fingers. "Just in case."

Bihar winced as he turned his attention to Havîn and Payiz. His mouth twisted into an uncertain frown, almost as if there was something he wanted to say. Was he going to object at the last minute? Did he have doubts? Well, they all did, but the flickers and wilting lights in his eyes suggested he had extra reservations. Beside him, Zivistan tugged on her arm, and her own light flickered as she frowned.

"Are you two ready?" Bihar asked at last as he turned his sight to Havîn and Payiz.

Havîn and Payiz said no words. They glanced at each other, their bodies flickering and wavering as they stared. But then, Payiz smiled and held Havîn close, and a sort of peace fell over her circle as she buried her face in Payiz's chest and squeezed her tight.

"Yes, we are," Havîn and Payiz both said in unison.

Bihar nodded as he knelt down, and lifted a cloudy purple glass ball from the floor. "In that case, I'd say we should make our leave then."

A few shaky, tense nods came from their entire party as they stepped out in pairs: Bihar and Zivistan first, Havîn and Payiz next…

And then, Spyro and Chihiro. Neither Spyro or Chihiro moved a step as they reached the open temple doors. Their bodies froze as they locked eyes on the barrier that flickered and shone before them.

A faint pang of pain hit the back of Chihiro's head as her encounters with the Odivia came back to her, and then she glanced at Spyro. Like it or not, they were taking a huge risk with this. They were the last line of defense, and if they fell, who would be left?

As she stared into Spyro's golden eyes, her heart clenched just a bit, and her mind recalled how quickly the Odivia brought everyone around to hate and scorn each other. Would it make her and Spyro hate each other too? She couldn't bear the thought of seeing him and only having anger and rage fill her! Those memories flooded again, and before she knew it, tight breaths sped out of her…

But then, Spyro placed his paws on her hand. Her whole head cleared as a warm feeling emerged from his paws, and he smiled and peered up at her.

"Soothing spell," he whispered as he folded his toes around her palm, "to clear the nerves."

That tense, tight feeling that captured Chihiro faded and she smiled. She took him by the paw and led him down the pathway to the temple. A warbling sound came from above as they ran down, and the two of them glanced up to find the barrier's light fading. Its colors growing paler and clearer, and then, it completely disappeared!

At the foot of the hill, Havîn, Payiz, Bihar, and Zivistan all gathered. They all huddled together around Bihar, all expressions tense as they glanced down at the cloudy purple orb that Bihar held.

Bihar raised the orb, and the others drew back as it reached its highest. The orb's colors grew radiant as it brushed against the little light the underworld provided, and with one swift swing, Bihar slammed the orb right against the ground! Its glass casing shattered, and he rushed away as its contents spilled out over the floor. The thick clouds of violet smoke cascaded in a blanket of fog that shrouded the entrance from view.

Bihar floated backwards, and his one hand clutched something in his pocket as his eyes narrowed. The smoke spread further, left an eye-watering, burning smell in the air as it spread, yet there was no sign of the Odivia! The air chilled above them, and Bihar backed away as he squeezed his hand tighter.

The ground rumbled, and bounced tiny rocks off the floor as it shook with a mighty fear! The temple itself shook slightly as a roar echoed in the air, and the skies turned purple, or did they? No, their color hadn't changed! Something leaped forward and choked out the skies with its purple fur!

The Odivia roared, shook the ground as it pounced on the clouds of malice, and blew back everyone around with its landing! It stretched out a long, frog-like tongue, and wrapped it right around the clouds before it ate them up. As it licked its lips, its eyes flashed and it launched itself for Havîn and Payiz!

"Girls, now!" both Bihar and Zivistan cried.

Havîn and Payiz gasped, held each other right and spun away as the Odivia landed! A large, dull thud came from the ground as the Odivia crashed down and cast up wispy purple smoke. It growled and flicked its tail as it laid eyes on Havîn and Payiz.

Havîn and Payiz clutched each other tight in turn as both their hands trembled, but right as the Odivia growled, Payiz pulled Havîn aside in a series of spins and pirouettes! The two of them twirled around the Odivia, and embraced each other so tightly as they spun! The Odivia's eyes spun around in its head as it traced their movements, waiting for a moment to pounce.

As their spinning slowed a bit, the Odivia charged forward and swiped for them! Its sharp, jagged claws slashed, but a bright barrier of pink and orange light burst forward and blew its paw back! The Odivia wailed and suckled on its now-burning paw, and Havîn and Payiz smiled at each other as they drew to a stop.

The shield faded as the Odivia roared and charged forward—but this time, Havîn drew herself in front of Payiz, brandishing a talisman like a sword! The Odivia reeled back, and Havîn swept forward as she danced with Payiz.

The two held each other close as they twirled, spun, and leaped in the air with the passion of a couple that had loved each other for eternity! They embraced each other with soft, tender touches as they danced, laughed with pure elation as they glowed underneath the warm light of their magic dance, and they grew even more passionate with every moment that passed! Their movements became sharper, stronger; their dance moves spread bursts of orange and pink light with every fierce spin and leap!

The Odivia skittered back, and whimpered like a puppy as the swirls of magic surrounded it! They lashed at its hide like whips, and left the Odivia to cower as magic bled from its wounds! It hid underneath its massive paws as it made itself as small as it could, as if it tried to hide from the lashes! But, the magic shot, slashed and snapped at its back, and its yowls of pain grew strained and small with each cry as it grew smaller!

Payiz turned away a bit from Havîn and gasped with glee. "It's working!" she cried as she turned back to Havîn. "Keep dancing!"

Havîn chuckled and squeezed Payiz's hand. She pushed herself in Payiz's face, and Payiz blushed as her eyes grew wider.

"You don't have to tell me," Havîn crooned.

She planted a small, quick kiss on Payiz's face, and Payiz gasped as an explosion of orange and pink magic burst from their spot! The dust scattered all across the floor as the two of them spun away, and it left behind the Odivia. Now, it was as small as a house, and whimpered as its body bled with magic!

Chihiro gasped, not able to make a single word. The bright lights, the swift, elegant dances, they all captivated her, and stilled her heart as she watched in amazement. A tiny, tiny part of her wanted to jump in there and dance again, but another part of her pulled her back as it cried not to, reminding her of her past failures. Her heart throbbed against her chest like it was gonna break free…

But, when she turned to Spyro, who beamed and cheered with all he had, with that look in his golden eyes that was just as captivated by the scene as she was, everything melted away. The Odivia disappeared, and so had everyone else. It was just the two of them and the dance floor, and it cried out for them to jump on!

So, Chihiro smiled and gripped Spyro's paw in hers! He gasped and turned to her, but his momentary surprise faded as she leaned up and whispered one thing.

"Can I have this dance?"

Spyro squeezed her hand back, and gently pressed his head against her shoulder. "Gladly."

The two of them swung onto the dance floor. Their movements were small at first; they stepped in sync, hopped and twirled from side to side with short, sharp movements, and clapped their hands together as they met each other face to face. With hearts pressed together and hand clasped in paw, the two of them spun away. The momentary blast of an attack faded away as they spun and leaped in the air! Chihiro landed on the ground, and with a tap of her foot, the floor lit up in shades of purple and white, green and black, and even some stunning, milky silvers!

The colors shone in brilliance against the orange and pink magic blasts that bombed against the Odivia's back. The Odivia cried out as it shrank another size, now drowned underneath the light Chihiro created. The light grew brilliant and shone so bright that the Odivia's form could barely be made out!

Chihiro smiled and pulled out her and Spyro's clasped paw.

"Let's say we finish this with style, Golden Boy."

"Just my thoughts, Chi."

The two of them squeezed each other tight, and the magic that burst from the floor leaped out, swirling around their arms. A cannon formed as their light swirled, and its colors grew brighter by the second as they lifted their arms and focused their gaze on the Odivia. The Odivia whimpered, closed its eyes, and covered its face with its paws, clearly unable to fight.

"Alright, beast of foul hatred!" Chihiro cried. "Prepare yourself!"

Spyro chuckled and gained a confident sneer. "You're about to be hit with…"

The light surrounding Spyro and Chihiro shrieked as its colors flared their brightest!

"THE MAGICAL ALLEGIANCE DOUBLE DECKER SPECIAL!"

The blast shrieked as it funneled out. It painted the world in bright, harsh shades of purple, white, and green as it formed into a laser and smashed right into the Odivia's side! The wind rose around Spyro and Chihiro, yet they stood steadfast as their laser's light pushed into the Odivia's side, knocking it into the air! Their own light faded as Spyro and Chihiro gasped.

They stepped back as the Odivia flew in the skies before them, but then a bright orange and pink burst sniped it right out of the skies! The Odivia crash-landed onto the ground. It shrunk as small as it was when Spyro and Chihiro first nearly defeated it before it bounced off like a rubber ball.

Behind it, Havîn and Payiz drew back from each other as if they pulled out of a long, passionate kiss, all fluttering eyes and faces flushed pink. They craned their heads around slowly, and their movements were hazy as if they barely comprehended the world around them. The cry of the Odivia sounded behind them, and they gasped with glee!

There before them laid the Odivia, but it was all small and scraggly as it wailed out in strained, pained cries and yelps! Its body twitched, but it didn't even try to push itself up. Perhaps, with how much magic it lost, and how much magic it was still losing from the bleeding gashes and holes in its body, it couldn't.

"The Odivia! It's weak!" Bihar cried. His eyes fluttered and jaw dropped for a moment, as if he almost couldn't believe his eyes, but he quickly shook his head and turned to Zivistan. "The seal, quickly!"

Bihar fumbled as he held out his hands while Zivistan floated to his side. The two of them gripped each other's shaky hands, and showed weary glances before they thrust their hands out and chanted in some kind of ancient Skylandian tongue. Their hands shuddered as they spoke while a flare of light slowly formed from their fingertips, but as they chanted, the Odivia growled and staggered up!

The Odivia shot them one glare and flashed its teeth, and rushed off as they wavered a bit! For its weakened state, it flew with incredibly spry speed, and left trails of purple dust in its wake!

Bihar and Zivistan's hands slipped out. They nearly collapsed on the floor had Nemir not jumped in and propped them up. Their eyes grew wide as they only watched the Odivia sprint off, and beside them Havîn and Payiz gasped as their own colors faded before they reeled back.

"After it!" Spyro and Chihiro cried in tandem as they ran off.

Tracking the trail of purple smoke, their group stumbled back through the winding twists and alleyways that brought them to the temple. The sounds of angered shouting rose in the air as they ran, a sound that left the others with worried looks as they passed back into the broad open…

And what did they arrive to but the burning eyes of the entire underworld populace? Their faces were red with rage as they turned around. They were shouts and gnashed teeth as they crept onto Chihiro's group, and her group in turn backed away.

A particularly large growl rang from the back, and Chihiro lifted her head to find the Odivia! It snarled with an almost smug look as if to mock them, and rested in the back of the swarming crowds. The hatred radiated from their bodies, and fed back into the Odivia as it grew in size and strength once again!

"Dang, I should've known it'd do something like this!" Chihiro cried.

"But what're we gonna do?" Payiz shouted. Her eyes were wide with panic as she glanced around in short, sharp bursts. "We can't hurt any of them, and there's to many to fight, but, but, if they don't break out, we'll—"

Payiz screamed as one of the ghosts lunged for her, but before it struck, Havîn flew in front of Payiz and held a talisman in front of them both! The talisman repelled the ghost like a shield, pushed it back into the crowds and knocked it on its back. It was then that it groaned and lifted its head, its eyes turning from red to a milky white!

Havîn breathed a sigh of relief, turned to Payiz and smiled. "Don't worry, Payiz, we planned for this, remember?" Havîn whispered. She held up the talisman and shook it just a little. "What do you think we made all those talismans for?"

Payiz smiled and nodded, but both she and Havîn turned serious as they turned to Spyro and Chihiro.

"Can you two get the rest of the talismans back from the temple?"

"Already on it!" Spyro shouted as he gripped Chihiro's hand.

The two of them nodded, teleported away, and teleported back in a flash with arms filled to the brim with talismans!

Havîn and Payiz grinned, pulled a few talismans from the pile and clasped them together. Their heads nuzzled against each other as they held them, and the pink and orange glow that permeated from their bodies seeped into the talismans, shading them in warm hues. The two of them beamed as the talismans' light bathed their faces, yet it only lasted a moment.

A few more members of the enraged crowds leaped out at them, and their joy broke! Havîn cried out, flung the talismans right at the enraged ghosts, and smacked them right in the face before they could strike! The talismans' warm light glowed and fed into the ghosts' bodies. The talismans dropped on the ground, and left several confused, but normal ghosts in their wake!

"It worked!"

Chihiro nudged into Spyro and grinned as the bright light of their dance flared again, spreading into the talismans that the two of them held. The lights shimmered in violets and silvers, greens and rich blacks, but only for moments. Chihiro rushed forward and flung the entire pile of talismans right into the crowds! Their light shone like an aurora as their magic descended upon the masses, and the cries of the crowds dulled into mumbles and confused shouts!

The Odivia snarled, backed away as it bore its fangs at the encroaching aurora—but as the light shone, it whimpered and skittered back! The aurora glowed brighter; it bore its colors as a bright, shining banner, a shield to protect those behind…

Yet that didn't stop the crowds of ghosts from gasping and screaming in panic!

"The Odivia!" cried one ghost. "What's it doing here?"

"Everyone, flee, quickly!" shouted another ghost.

The screams of the crowd rose as they flooded towards the back, and their lights flickered in fear as they piled backwards. The distinct cries and growls of the Odivia behind them only stoked this terror! They practically mushed together as they held up the back of the room, and nearly squeezed out Spyro and Chihiro as the stampede snatched them up.

The shield of magic strained above the crowds as the crowd pushed its way towards the exit, but the sound of a single whistle brought them back to the front! All their eyes rested on Havîn and Payiz as the mob of ghosts parted away, leaving behind a very frazzled Spyro and Chihiro.

"Listen up, everyone!" Havîn cried as she took center stage. "I know you're all worried right now, but calm down! Flying around in a panic isn't going to do anything!"

"What are you blabbering about? Don't you see the Odivia's right there?" cried a ghostly woman who flew out of the crowds. Another thunk sounded off as the Odivia charged against the shield but bounced back, and the ghost woman cringed. "That thing was supposed to be sealed away by the high priest and priestess! What's it doing here?"

Payiz and Havîn both exchanged worried glances, eyes tense and teeth clenched, but it was Payiz who flew out and addressed the crowds next.

"There's, there's been a few changes in the ritual this year," Payiz explained. "The high priest and priestess have found themselves unable to do the ritual this year—"

A wave of gasps and shouts came over the crowd. Eyes went wide as they turned to each other, so Havîn cleared her throat and jumped in.

"But don't worry, we've got a plan!" Havîn proclaimed. "We'll all harness the power of our love and use it to fight back against the Odivia!"

"Harness the power, of our love?" asked a ghost in the crowds as they raised their brows. "Did I hear that correctly?"

"Yep! Surely a lot of you have someone or something you love a lot, right? Friends, family, lovers…"

Hearing this, a couple of the ghosts grinned and turned around. A few took each other in hand; a couple nuzzled their heads together; a parent beamed down at their wide-eyed and grinning children; one ghost smiled and rubbed the head of a ghostly dog that followed behind him; beside him, an aged, spectral woman smiled and lifted up a loaf of fresh-baked bread. These small gestures of love glimmered like stars in a growing night, and warmed the cold depths of the Underworld just a bit.

Havîn's grinned stretched wider as the crowds mumbled and their worried glances turned to smiles. "The Odivia's weak to love, so just take that love and show it however you can!"

The crowds shifted a little, and a tiny ghost dressed in black shuffled through with a gulp as they raised their hand. "And if we don't have anything or anyone we love?" they asked, their voice soft and quivering.

Chihiro shook her head, smiled, and grabbed a pile of talismans from the floor. "Then take these talismans, find anyone still under the Odivia's curse, and free them!" Chihiro proclaimed as she shoved the talismans into the ghost's arms. "We'll need as much help as we can get!"

The ghost made a tiny smile and nodded, but their relief was short-lived. The Odivia roared as it scratched against the shield, and this time, it seemed to work! The shield's colors quivered and faded before they brightened with every blow, except now, thin white cracks stretched along the shield’s surface! The cracks grew with every blow; they spread further and glimmered, trembled, even, with the Odivia's cries!

"Alright everyone," Payiz cried as she took Havîn’s hand and squeezed it tight, "it's go time!"

With one last strike, the barrier shattered and the Odivia sprung forward! Its roars grew as it pounced, and it strained with anger as it set its eyes on Havîn and Payiz.

The crowds around them screeched in fear and scattered, but Havîn and Payiz nodded and held each other tight. Squeezing their hands together, they spun out of the Odivia's way, yet the ground shook underfoot as its paws slammed down. Their hands quivered for a moment, but Payiz squeezed them tighter as she leaned forward and kissed Havîn!

Havîn's eyes grew wide, yet she quickly melted into the kiss and gripped Payiz tight. The orange and pink lights of before glowed from their body like morning dawn, their colors painting the world around in warm shades. The light grew brighter, and the Odivia screeched and stumbled back as it shielded its eyes!

The crowd of ghosts stopped in their tracks, all wide eyes and jaws as they gazed in awe of the sights. The simple power of two girls' unyielding love for each other fought back a being of pure hatred, one that lurked in the corners and loomed over their town like a beast ready to strike! A few ghosts just stood and blinked, perhaps unable to process whatever occurred, but a couple others grinned and jumped in!

An older couple of two men was the first to start. They held each other in hand, and danced together like the ruined square was the finest ballroom! Rainbow light wafted off of them as they danced and laughed like they were still young and just fell in love. The light bolted towards the Odivia, sniping it in its eye!

The Odivia screeched and slammed back into the wall as it clawed at its smoking eye, but a bolt of white light sniped the other one. The Odivia covered its eyes with its paws as it wailed.

The ghostly couple turned to the back, and found that a few younger ghosts who wore matching bracelets grinned as they held hands clasped tight to the skies! The younger ghosts folded their hands together and grinned, but their eyes quickly trailed off as an even younger ghost giggled and floated off.

"Baba, baba!" cried the ghost as they pointed to the wailing Odivia with childlike glee. "I wanna do it, too!"

An older, slightly aged ghost gasped, flew out of the crowds, and scooped the child in their arms with fear in their eyes. "That thing's dangerous!" the older ghost cried. "Don't run after it like that!"

A bright white glow surrounded the two ghosts and leaped out, striking right for the Odivia's neck! The Odivia's screams quelled at last as the bolt severed a hole in its neck, and it collapsed right before the startled parent and their child! The parent gasped and floated back, holding their child close.

The light only grew brighter and stronger as it laid stuck in the Odivia's neck. The Odivia choked again as it collapsed, and the older ghost couple chuckled and waved the rest of the crowds over.

"Come now, everyone!" cried one ghost as he smiled a smile emphasized by his many wrinkles. "This beast poses no harm to us, for our love is much stronger!"

Hearing this, the crowds smiled and flooded out not in fear, but love!

Couples floated out and danced with each other, kissed with passion and embraced with tender joy. Groups of friends cheered, laughed, and bounced around as they quipped and recounted old stories! A few ghosts even joined in with parents, children, and siblings. Older family members tossed the younger ones in the air and snuggled them tight while the younger ones laughed with childlike glee! Some even grabbed their pets and cuddled them tight, or played games with them as they rejoiced!

As they played, as they laughed, as they showed whatever love they had, the lights around them grew brighter and brighter! The light sprung forward, and tore through the Odivia's pelt while it wrangled and screeched! The Odivia snarled and screwed its eyes shut as it attempted to stand, but then, another burst of colorful light rushed out from the alleyways. It slammed into the Odivia’s other side, knocking it back to the floor!

The faint sounds of panting came out next as another crowd of ghosts that held talismans flooded out, all led by that little ghost dressed in black! A few other ghosts clutched armfuls of talismans beside them, and even more spread out and joined the crowds' ranks!

"Sorry we're a bit late!" the black-clad ghost cried. "It took a little while, but we got as many from the town as we could!"

Havîn and Payiz broke from their kiss and gasped with glee. Their eyes turned to the Odivia, and bright, colorful lights burned off its back as it screeched and wailed!

Its legs and tail janked as it banged its head against the floor, and it clawed at its throat as it futilely tried to sever the bolt of light lodged within. As it struggled, a rain of wispy pink flower petals cascaded down in a torrent over the Odivia's back! The petals melted into a pink mass that burned away the Odivia's back. It coughed out murky magic substance as it collapsed and struggled to catch its breath.

"Well, well, well," Bihar chuckled as he floated down with a large, empty barrel underneath his arm. "Looks like those old flower petals I swept up had some use after all."

The simple pluck of a string came next, and Zivistan floated down with a sitar in arm and eyes closed in concentration. A smile crossed her face as she played its strings, and the simple melody that started grew passionate, all rife with emotion as it told a story with no words!

Chihiro couldn't help but smile as she sat down and bathed in the music. It reminded her a little bit of something she heard when she searched for Kaos in India, and for a moment, she came back to the streets and the joys she saw.

Now, she stood in a place brought to life by the passion and fervor for life its people held, but stilled just a bit as people gathered to hear a band play on stage while its singer sang with an entrancing voice. She pictured herself back in the crowds, how she watched as the singer spoke of great triumphs, crushing losses, and the high and lows of life, all while the stage itself came to life with both the performance and the audience's cheers! Even though this song was so much different than the one she heard, the sound was somehow so nostalgic all the same.

But then, the melody changed!

The sitar morphed in Zivistan's hands, and turned to a shamisen that played a melody a bit like the songs her dad showed her when she was little. Next, it became a guitar that played old songs like what she'd hear over the radio at home! With every pluck and stroke of the strings, Zivistan's instrument morphed into another, sang another melody, and played another tune that brought to mind memories from all across the globe!

Zivistan's passion, her fervor, and the strong love she held for her craft bled into her playing. Every careful stroke and perfect note left a bright, blue glow that burned off of her. It burst off, and took the form of music notes as it smashed into the Odivia's underside!

The blasts smashed the Odivia through the wall, and knocked bricks down on its mangled, twisted body as it cried out! The light severed through its neck finally faded, and the magic substance that oozed from its body gushed out. It splattered across the floors and shot off mist.

Zivistan smiled as she stowed away her musical instrument, and Bihar chuckled beside her.

"I never knew you were so adept at so many musical stylings," he remarked.

"I've been practicing," Zivistan replied.

While all this unfolded around them, Spyro and Chihiro just sat together and clutched each other. So many beings rushed and danced around them, the lights grew brighter and painted the area around in all sorts of bright, overwhelming colors, the cries of festivities around welled up and bubbled…

Yet, something about it didn't leave Chihiro quite as overwhelmed as it normally would've. Maybe it was the sight of the Odivia dying before her? Maybe it was the feeling of Spyro close to her, with his wings and scales wrapped around her tight as her grounding force? Whatever it was, it kept her grounded; a bit numb, but grounded nonetheless.

She couldn't speak, so she watched in total, utter, amazed silence, and Spyro watched next to her. He curled close, his head resting against her shoulder. His eyes sparkled with all the color of the rainbow reflected in them, and a small, quaint smile found its way on his face. If not for the raging cries of the Odivia, it almost felt like a perfect, picturesque scene.

Lifting herself from the ground, Chihiro smiled and held out a hand to Spyro. She couldn't bring herself to speak, but he understood her without a word. Taking hand in paw, the two of them held each other close and danced. It wasn't anything fancy—just a faint recreation of those ballroom dances Chihiro always saw in movies with a few spins and twirls tossed in—but as they stepped in sync and held each other tight, that glow from before burst from below!

It slipped out from their shadows and moved underneath the Odivia's body. The milky white lights came first, flanked by a rim of shadows with a silvery outer glow. Purple and green smoke wafted out of the shadowy rim, and formed strands that wove together and smashed down on the Odivia! The smoky net dug into its body, pinned it down to the light!

The Odivia squealed and thrashed with what little energy it had remaining, even as it bled out. As it squalled, a bright pillar of light burst from the circle and engulfed the Odivia in its light!

The pillar faded as the Odivia shrieked, and when the light shone its last, the Odivia collapsed to the ground. Its body bubbled and glowed with the remains of love's light, and it laid so pained that it couldn't even bring itself to move or shriek. It just groaned, and that magic substance trickled from its jaw as it laid slack and barely alive.

"It's almost done for!" Havîn cried before she turned to Payiz. "The seal, quickly!"

Zivistan and Bihar floated forward, and they both exchanged smiles as they laid their hands on Havîn and Payiz's shoulders.

"Would you do us the honor of finishing this?" Bihar asked.

"Gladly," Havîn and Payiz both said in unison.

The two of them held out their clasped hands and closed their eyes. They chanted in some kind of ancient Skylandian tongue while their light glowed so slowly, like a meter filling to its top. The light flooded across their fingertips, spread out to the rest of their hands, and an echoing sound rattled.

A beam of light flew out of Havîn and Payiz's hands and slammed right into the Odivia! A seal planted on its face while the light came over the bubbling, shaking body of the Odivia, and in one large burst, the Odivia was no more! Its body blew to pieces in a rain of colorful lights and sparkles that cascaded all over the town square.

The townsfolk broke from their dance and celebrations, and all eyes went wide with glee as the lights rained down on them. Lovers shared kisses and tender hugs, family and friends alike embraced each other and cheered, and even total strangers wrapped their arms together and celebrated.

In the center of it all, Havîn and Payiz both cried tears of joy as they held each other tight. "We did it! It really worked!" they both cried out.

"It certainly did," Bihar remarked, "and now that we know it does, I'm certain this town will be in safe hands."

Havîn and Payiz blinked, and drew back as Bihar and Zivistan nodded towards each other. Bihar took Havîn's hands in his, Zivistan took Payiz's hands in her own, and both of them knelt down with heads bowed in utmost respect as Havîn and Payiz gasped.

"I truly did underestimate you girls, but where the high priestess and I failed, you succeeded in not only protecting our home, but also making the ritual the strongest it's been in generations!" Lifting his head, Bihar smiled up at Havîn. "I, frankly, should have had more faith in your abilities."

"As should have I," Zivistan added as she drifted away. "Thus, we are appointing you two the new high priestesses of the temple—if you so choose. If you agree, the temple and all it watches over will be in your care. Do you understand this?"

Havîn and Payiz both glanced at each other, and nodded with the utmost of serious expressions.

"In that case, we'll begin the processions for your appointment once the ceremony ends" — Bihar chuckled — "and after this, I think I'll pay a visit back to the old gardens back in the living realms. I'd hope they're as beautiful as I remember them being."

"And I think I might pay a visit to some old haunts of mine," Zivistan remarked.

Bihar and Zivistan glanced at each other, with some kind of not-quite-melancholic, but not overjoyed glace. Perhaps they knew this may be the last time they talked? A sort of quiet thank you for all the time they spent together? Whatever it was, they both nodded and floated away with Havîn and Payiz close behind.

Chihiro smiled and flopped on the ground, which felt surprisingly warm despite being in the incredibly chilly underworld! All around her, beings cheered, ran around, and celebrated, but she didn't quite register them. All that came to her was Spyro, who laid beside her with wings wrapped around her…

And those words Havîn had said earlier.

There's beings who've never felt an ounce of romantic love in their lives, but they've led perfectly happy lives all the same!

So, there were beings who had never fallen in love their whole lives? Somehow, she never thought of the prospect before—but to be fair, she'd never really thought about romance all that much before, either. Something about the concept felt so new and foreign, yet, something about it eased the anxiety in her heart. It warmed the same shivers that she felt every time beings pushed her and Spyro together as a couple.

Spyro nudged his wing against Chihiro's shoulder. As she spared him a glance, he smiled and winked.

"See, Chi? We beat that whole thing just because we cared about each other that much!" Spyro remarked. "It doesn't matter if we're friends, or a couple, or whatever else."

Chihiro chuckled and sat up. "Well, we had a lot of help," she corrected with a wink, "but yeah" — Chihiro grinned and fell back down on the floor — "we're partners, and that's that."

Spyro smiled, but his smile quickly faded. "Anyways, I kinda feel like we're forgetting something, but I can't remember what it was?"

"Hmm…"

Chihiro sat up again as a shadow cast over her, and found that Nemir showed up seemingly out of nowhere with a strange conductor-like object made of foggy glass in hand.

"There you two are! Between all the festivities, I almost thought I wouldn't find you," Nemir remarked. "Anyways, the conductor—"

"THE CONDUCTOR!" Spyro and Chihiro both cried, their eyes practically popping out of their skulls. "WE FORGOT ABOUT THE CONDUCTOR!"

Chihiro scrambled back to her feet, but as luck would have it, her legs were numb and she fell over herself. Her face hit the cooling floor and she cringed, even more so as Nemir laughed.

But, he gently pushed her up, and gave her that same kind smile as he held out a tube-like device.

"Don't worry, I managed to find it while looking for you two," Nemir said. "With this, we should be able to stabilize the semblance's presence."

Spyro and Chihiro both breathed sighs of relief, and stood back to full height as Nemir drew away. The two of them trailed after Nemir as he made his way back to the entrance, but while Spyro went ahead without hesitation, Chihiro lingered on the plaza. Her eyes traced the faint glows of green and monochrome that came from its floors…

"Chihiro, are you coming?" Spyro called.

Chihiro's eyes fluttered, and she nodded as she ran ahead. "I, I'm coming!"