KH: RtD - Chapter 1

Kingdom Hearts: Return to Darkness

Chapter 1: Birth By Sleep

  Halo cried out in agony, her heart thumping strenuously against tightened muscles, shaking her still bruised ribs like a rattle. Breathing heavily, she blinked twice before reaching out towards her desk, slicing her arm through cold, icy air, and knocking multiple ornaments to the faded wooden floorboards below. Eventually, her fingers brushed the long neck of a silver lamp. Halo flicked the switch, illuminating her room with a brilliant orange glow. Still panting slightly, she squinted through large, deep blue eyes, taking in the familiar surroundings of her bedroom.

  Sleepily, she rubbed her eyes until they became hot and sticky beneath her slender fingers. The clock beside her bed blinked. 5:04am.With a deep, restless sigh, Halo slid gingerly off of her bed, the pale floorboards creaking under her exposed feet. She was around average height for a girl of seventeen, her muscles visible through a grey, sleeveless top, and looses fitting black three quarter length trousers. Hazel coloured hair fell around her shoulders, each tip flicking in or out, seemingly with a mind of it’s own.

  A dull groan escaped her chapped lips, as she twisted the star shaped silver handle of the door joining her room to the landing. Shuffling slightly, she dragged herself to the bathroom, approaching a large square mirror, curved black threads of metal wrapped round the frame. She scooped up a handful of water from the pristine white basin, bathing her face and eyes, before turning to stare at her reflection.

  Halo stood facing the mirror for several minutes, her eyes paling and drooping with every second. Sighing to herself, she stumbled back to her bed, clutching the plain cream sheets, and slowly slipped into a light, dreamless sleep.

  
  “Halo! Are you coming down for breakfast?!”

  It felt like Halo had only just gone back to sleep, but the flashing red digits beside her disagreed. With a yawn, she stretched her arms out to the sides, forcing herself away from the soft warm folds, eager to pull her back into a lengthy slumber.

  Exhausted, Halo collapsed into a dark wooden chair, opposite a boy with soft turquoise eyes. He was dressed in his usual short sleeved, olive green t-shirt, accompanied by a pair of ragged combats, held around his waist by a thin metal chain, the end hanging lazily down his right leg. Atop his head was a mess of dark brown hair. Curiously, he glanced at the large puffy circles beneath Halo’s radiant blue eyes, now bloodshot in the corners.

  “Hey Halo…are you okay? You look a little…tired.” His voice was deep, but playful, suggesting that he must have been about nineteen.

  Peering back at him, Halo opened her mouth to respond, but was stifled by an ongoing yawn. Then, a plate was thrust in front of her, the seeping ochre yolk of an egg almost ending up in her lap. Hearing a foot tapping in annoyance, Halo grinned sheepishly up into narrowed mauve eyes.

  A girl one or two years younger then Halo stood with her arms fastened firmly across her chest, her strawberry blonde curls scruffed back into a loose ponytail, some strands dangling free across her pale face. She wore fitted black jeans, the ends rolled up over her feet, and a sleeveless purple crop top, which tied around her neck. Frustrated, she glared at Halo.

  “It’s not like you to miss breakfast Halo…and now it’s cold!” She clicked her tongue in anger, turning her back on a still yawning Halo.

  “Yuka, I’m sorry. I haven’t been sleeping very well lately…I’m not sure why, but I keep having the same dream. I only wish I knew what it meant.” She sighed heavily, resting her chin on her upturned palm.

  The boy looked up from his plate, pained by Halo’s anguish. “Maybe we could help…” He paused, trying to catch Yuka’s attention.

  She growled quietly. “Fine. Tell us about this dream Halo, and Flint…your dripping oil on the tablecloth…again.”

*

  At the sight of the explosion, the remaining villagers began gathering up the few possessions they had left, packing only food and valuables, thrusting bags filled with rations onto their backs, and fled into the forest. The knights, their last hope, had failed.

  Panic stricken, Namine stood alone on the outskirts of the village, her white summer dress fluttering in the breeze. Tears began to form, distorting her pale blue eyes, and reddening her soft cheeks. Was it true? Had her friends been defeated?  

  A small girl, around the age of eight, walked up to her, large emerald green eyes filled with confusion and fear. With a feeble smile, Namine stroked the child’s titanium white hair as it swayed smoothly across her back. The girl squeezed her crinkled grey teddy bear tightly, shimmering crystal like droplets tumbling down her face, dissolving into the swirling blue sand.

  “Something’s happened to them…hasn’t it Namine?”

  Desperate to not show her true anxieties, Namine searched the mist for a sign. Kneeling down, she held the girl in her arms.

  “Listen Liveus, bad things are going to happen here very soon, and I’m going to need you to be brave for me, okay?”

  Liveus nodded, her eyes and cheeks still glistening. With one last fleeting glance, Namine turned to the mist, startled to see two figures beginning to form. She clutched Liveus’ hand, stepping in front of her, determination painted across her face. Two pale faced and war ravaged fighters appeared before her, the young girl collapsing from fatigue. Relieved, Nmaine flung her arms around the tall male knight, whilst Liveus huddled closely to the girl.

  “We don’t have much time…they’re coming.” The male knight frowned, his expression pained, yet serious, sweat dripping down his thin, angered scar. His eyes were almost completely black, mysterious and captivating, masked slightly by a couple of short brown strands, deliberately separated from the rest of his spiky mane.

  Nodding, the girl shakily rose to her feet, pale green orbs glinting through her jagged majenta fringe, whipping across her face. But before she could take a step, Namine caught her, locking eyes.

  “Kura…where’s Roxas?”

  She already knew the answer. Kura looked to the male knight, who rested a strong hand on Namine’s shoulder. Kura swallowed hard, a solid lump forming in her throat.

  “W-we’re…the only o-ones…who m-made it.”

  Namine’s legs folded under instantly. Distraught, she dropped her head into her outstretched fingers, screaming in agonising sorrow.

  Turning away, tears and sand lashing at her eyes, Kura could not bring herself to reveal the name of Roxas’ killer, for she still could not believe it herself.

  She gazed into the blackening fog, whispering, “why?…Why did you do it?…Axel.”