Above, midair, they fought. Hard, and at one point they both decide to finalize it all by releasing the third stage, their power level so high it was doubtful that the others on the ground could read how high they were, only feel the pressure that came from it.<br/><br/>Now they were both at full power. Nexus with his change, the wind rushing past the long feather like extensions at the base of his hair, and his eyes constantly changing color. Exodys had his changes as well, his eyes now a mixture of silver and blue. Additional changes to the older Xerothuan's appearance were what appeared to be that his skin gained an almost scaled look to it, a pair of horns now could be seen protruding from the front of his forehead, curving back over his skull. His fingernails were now like talons, and his ears had become long and pointed. He grins, sticking his tongue out, which was now long and narrow, almost pointed at the tip.<br/><br/>Nexus scowls, baring his teeth, the fire around him flaring up for a moment, almost turning black like when he'd lost control the last time, but he fights it, grimacing, as he keeps it under control. He knew it was too soon to be trying to use this power...but it was now or never.<br/><br/>It felt like a never ending battle that was going to go on forever as they attack each other, throwing moves back and forth. It seemed like an eternity might pass before it was over, but the damage COULD be seen, as both males had injuries all over their bodies, cuts and bruises, blood dripping from where they were in the sky, like a crimson rain.<br/><br/>After a while they just decide to stick with swords, their movements so fast that it was nearly impossible for even the well trained eyes of those watching below to even keep up.<br/><br/>Both males were starting to wear down. Panting, but not ready to give in yet, Nexus stares at his brother, who was in front of him, mocking him with those eyes of his. They had always mocked him. And this pissed him off. The anger rushed through his veins like drugs, pushing him forward, and another burst of energy gave him the strength to rush forward, raishing his sword once more.<br/><br/>"I WILL PROTECT MY FRIENDS AND MY LOVED ONES!!! EXODYS, I'LL FINISH YOU ONCE AND FOR ALL!!! JUST YOU WAIT AND SEE!" He yells this as he flies toward his older brother, his eyes burning for the ending that Exodys deserved. Nexus knew that Exodys had to be getting as exhausted as he was, there was no way he could still be holding on...no way at all.<br/><br/>With that thought he crosses swords once more with Exodys, sparks flying off both of their blades, blood accompanying the gold and silver flickers. Time was ticking by, this had to end. It had been nearly ten minutes by now, there was no way...he could hold on for much longer. “Just give in!!! Accept your inevitable fate!!!” Exodys yells at Nexus, but the younger brother says nothing, instead growls, baring his teeth and swinging his sword harder and faster, pushing, harder and harder.<br/><br/>And, with one last swing, he manages to slip past Exodys’ defenses, shoving his sword straight through Exodys’ chest, his sword sticking out from behind. However, Exodys had gotten past Nexus as well, and his blade was shoved straight through Nexus’ stomach, blood dripping from both wounds.<br/><br/>A smirk forms on Nexus’ lips as the last of his power drains away, and his appearance returns to normal. “Heh...hehe...Looks like I win.” He manages to say, panting heavily, his eyes fighting to stay open, sweat dripping from every inche of his body. It took so much energy saying that much. However, he was sorely mistaken. Suddenly his eyes grow wide as the sensation of Exodys’ razor sharp blade being shoved through his chest, striking him in the heart.<br/><br/>“What…?”<br/><br/>Exodys, or rather, the clone whom Nexus had been fighting who he thought was Exodys, bursts into a shower of water as the blade to the REAL Exodys had struck right through the clone, to pierce Nexus. Exodys shoves the sword even further into Nexus’ chest, blood dripping off the end of the blade, which could be seen protruding through his back. The older Xerothuan had his sword so far in that the hilt pressed against Nexus’ chest as he leaned to whisper by his younger brother’s ear.<br/><br/>“Correction, little brother...<span style="font-style: italic">I</span>win…”<br/><br/>With that he quickly yanks his sword from Nexus, an arc of blood flying from the exit. Nexus' hand lets go of his own sword, which fell to the ground, the blade shattering to pieces, disappearing in a sparkling of small lights, leaving nothing behind except for the hilt.<br/><br/>Exodys was exhausted, his own form having returned to normal, it took all he could to stay where he was suspended mid air. He breathes hard, watching as his brother fell through the sky, down to the ground below, a satisfied look on his face. He'd finally won. He did it! He was the strongest. Now then...come what may. He was ready.<br/><br/>With that, he began to laugh, loud and hard, like a crazed lunatic.<br/><br/>For a moment Nexus just remained, suspended midair, until he suddenly begins to fall, body arching back so that for a moment his eyes were gazing up at the sky, the clouds having disappeared, a storm no longer eminent, at least...for now.<br/><br/>His vision was getting blurry as he fell, as he slipped in and out of consciousness, the sound of wind rushing past his ears slowly fading to nothing, he couldn’t hear the yells any longer from those below him, no longer hear the maniacal laughter of his brother reveling in his victory. All he could hear were his own thoughts, inside his head.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">’Looks like this is the end…’</span>His body was growing numb, and he could not feel himself any longer. Was he still there? Was he still alive? No...this wasn't being alive...What was this sensation?<span style="font-style: italic">’Where am I? What was going on again? Why am I here? Who am I again?...Oh yeah...I was fighting...Looks like...looks like I lost…’</span>Tears formed in his eyes as his breathing slowed to nearly nothing.<span style="font-style: italic">’Wait...was the sky...always that blue? It’s so...beautiful...I’ll definitely...miss it here…’</span>He holds out his hand toward the sky, almost as if trying to grab at the sun that was nearly nothing more than a dim speck of light, the ring on his finger glinting gently. A few tears escape, drifting off into the blue, a trail falling after him.<br/><br/>His eyes then close completely, the last breath in his lungs escaping with a sigh between his lips, and by the time his body reached land, Nexus was gone.<br/><br/>A weak, whispered voice inside Bardock's mind would then be heard, as Nexus spoke to him, one last time.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">'I'm so sorry...I couldn't win...I'll come back...I'll find a way back...I...I love you...I love you...'</span><br/><br/>It vanishes away slowly, repeating the I love you over and over, until it was silent, no longer heard.<br/><br/>Nexus was...gone. Indeed. He was gone...completely this time.