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KH: RtD - Chapter 3

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Kingdom Hearts: Return to Darkness

Chapter 3: Connected

Liveus stopped, her fragile limbs unable to hold the pace set by the male knight. Pained by fear and her own weakness, she pulled her small tatty bear up to her chin, sobbing uncontrollably into the torn pelt.

  Immediately, Namine turned back, desperate to protect the child, but her own legs were seizing up. She twisted agonised pale blue eyes to face the knights, and cried out as loudly as her scratched throat would allow.

  “Kura! Ornus! We can’t keep this up!” The plea had sapped the final slivers of her strength, dragging her down into the crusty claws of the bitter, unforgiving sands.

  Panicked, Liveus shoved her hand into Namine’s chest, screaming, “NAMINE! GET UP!”

  A gentle white light glowed around her briefly, before rocketing through her arm, disappearing into Namine’s unconscious form.

  “Liveus! Namine! Are you guys okay?” Panting heavily, Kura dropped to her knees beside Liveus, the young girl flinging herself into her bronze armoured stomach. Ornus crouched over Namine, watching the colour seep back into her dulled cheeks. He sighed, anxiety swelling within dark grey eyes.

  Kura ran her fingers gently through the child’s titanium hair. “Don’t worry Liveus, your light reached her in time. Namine, will be alright.”

  Liveus looked deep into Kura’s mossy green eyes. Satisfied, she nodded, a quivering smile pasted on her young face.

  Agitated, Ornus grasped Kura by the shoulder firmly. “We have to move, I can feel a dark energy approaching.” His voice was stern and gruff, filled with both rage and defeat. “You know we are both too weak to fight.”

  Still holding Liveus, Kura slowly lifted herself out of the clutches of vicious blue shards, only to quake violently beneath the added weight. She frowned at Ornus, his bulky silver armour exaggerating his muscles, and balancing his tanned skin.

  “But we can’t run anymore Ornus.” Her eyes fell on Liveus, still weeping into a now soggy ash coloured teddy bear. “We have to protect Liveus.”

  “I know that! But how can we if we’re dead Kura?!” His eyes flashed black. Angrily, he kicked a sharp mound of sand, sending each grain into the cool breeze flurrying around them. “Answer me that.”

  They glared at each other silently, until there came a feeble murmur from the ground. Namine carefully sat up, her whole body shaking under the strain.

  “Kura…is right…Ornus. W-we cannot…run forever.”

  Liveus leapt from Kura’s grasp, wrapping her bare arms around Namine’s neck, and squeaking with relief. Smiling, Namine embraced the small child.

  “Thank you, Liveus…your light saved me…”

  “True…but someday soon, it will destroy you…got it memorised?”

  Out of the mist came a man draped in a black cloak, fiery red spikes spreading into flaming points over his hunched shoulders. His eyes glowed lemon yellow, leering at each one of them, before settling on Liveus.

  Axel extended his left hand in her direction. “Now, child of light…it’s time for you to go home.”

  Ornus strode in front of her, soon joined by Kura. Laughing, Axel lowered his arm, a menacing grin twisting his once handsome features.

  “Liveus…is not going anywhere.” Ornus snarled, a white light encasing his right hand. A large silver key took shape, seemingly made of marble or stone, with a thick, square burnt umber handle. The neck was fairly short, but the excess length could be seen in the massive chiselled head, several bars of black lead running straight through the rock-like core.

  He aimed the Keyblade at Axel’s chest, the overpowering weight of the weapon unbalancing him a little. “Just try and take her.”

  “Heh, don’t mind if I do.” Stretching out his own palm, Axel’s sickening grin widened.

  They could only stare in horror as a sleek red and gold Keyblade materialised. Axel roared with laughter.

  “I call it Wild Fire, got it memorised?” Darkness erupted around him, as dirty scuffed boots propelled him forward, slamming the hilt of his Keyblade into Ornus’ unprotected chin. Stunned, the knight rolled through the jagged ridges of sand, a deep growl escaping his throat. Two new shallow cuts near his bottom lip gleamed in the dim light.

  Kura span round to face the redhead, a mixture of emotions tearing at her expression. “Stop it Axel! Why are you doing this?”

  Sighing, Axel glanced at her. “Because I can. Now, draw your Keyblade Kura, if you really want to guard little Liveus from me.”

  She shook her head defiantly. Taken aback slightly, Axel seemed to hesitate, but he soon recovered at the sight of rusted black metal. Ornus brought his Keyblade down hard, but Axel parried it just in time, pushing the large silver knight back.

  Eagerly, Wild Fire slashed at dulled and cracked metal, inevitably thrusting one of the protruding spikes atop it’s head between two side plates. Ornus winced, all his power focused on keeping him standing, as the crimson fluid slithered down his leg. Offence was now his only option. He charged at his opponent, jamming the neck of hi blade into his thigh, following up with a sharp jab in the small of his back.

  Ornus smirked. “You may have the power of darkness on your side Axel, but I still know all of your weak points.”

  A sudden stream of burning red flames circled Axel, hatred swarming within those cold dead eyes, shattered his confidence.

  “I have no weakness, got it memorised? There is no way you and your precious Bedrock can defeat me. I have everything I could have ever hoped for, including my own Keyblade…”

  “Then why are you weaker then you have ever been?” Both men stirred as Kura stepped forward, her hands clasped over the faded four-point star carved into her bronze chest plate. She fixed her watery green eyes on Axel. “Why?”

  He shivered, the fire doused and frozen beneath his boots. “I…am complete…I…” Suddenly, an explosion of dark energy surged through all five of them. Insides now pounding violently, Axel fell to the ground, both quivering hands grabbing at his torso. Kura ran to him.

  “AXEL! What’s happening to you?”

  For a split second, his eyes glowed, fading once again to emerald green. He waved a hand, a large cyan blue portal forming. With a crooked smile, he rested his palm against Kura’s reddening cheek.

  “They’re c-coming…for Liveus…you…you must g-go.” A single crystallised tear slipped down her face onto his finger tip, that disobedient frown returning. But before she could argue, a small hand tugged at her elbow. She turned to see Liveus, sobbing quietly.

  Ornus limped over to her side, Namine leaning against him. “We have to go Kura, I can sense them all around us.” Namine whispered, her voice cracking.

  Glaring at Axel, Ornus raised an eyebrow, pointing a gloved finger at the ball of energy. “Where does it lead? And why should we trust you now?”

  Axel dropped his eyes, unable to connect with the burning anger radiating from his former ally. “Away f-from…here. I can’t ask you…to t-trust me, for…I am part of…of the darkness…but know…I…I am still me, and that…that is why…I don’t want to see you killed.” He choked out the last few words, black shadows forming around them.

  Hurriedly, he nudged Kura towards the portal, hiding his face from her curious glance. “Please…go now!”

  “Come with us!” She clutched his forearm, but he pulled away, keeping his head bowed down. Ornus had already helped both Namine and Liveus into the swirling blue mist. He reached for Kura.

  “Kura! Come on!”

  “…but…” Tears leaking over her eyelashes, Kura held Axel once more. “What will happen to you?”

  Axel looked up at her, the yellow tint relighting in his left eye, twinkling devilishly. “Heh, don’t worry, I can handle them…got it memorised?”

  A slight pain stung his chest, as Kura’s gentle smile vanished into the light, leaving him alone within the shadows.

*

  “…lo…up..”

  What’s going on? Where am I?

  “…me…lo…ke…up!”

  Was it just another dream? I…have to get up! Flint?

  “Come on Halo! Wake up!”

  Halo blinked twice, greeted by a fearful Flint leaning over her, his soft turquoise orbs pained with anxiety. She noticed the thick vibrant curls of Yuka swishing madly behind him, as her best friend raced in and out of view, pacing and muttering.

  Relieved to see her awake, Flint rocked back on his heels, a slanted grin scribbled across his mouth. “I’m so glad you’re alright. You have no idea of the fright you g-“

  Angrily, Yuka shoved the burnt sienna haired teen aside, pushing her face into Halo’s, stopping only a few inches from her nose. “You scared me half to death you moron! What the hell are you doing sleeping on the bathroom floor, surrounded by broken glass?! Are you trying to kill me?!”

  Steam seemed to burst from her nostrils, like a charging bull, until her mauve eyes drifted to Halo’s left forearm.

  “Hey! What’s that on your arm? Did you cut yourself on the glass?”

  Automatically, Halo grabbed the exposed mark just above her wrist, unable to hide the panic rising in her deep cobalt eyes. She gulped, and tried to answer, but her tongue felt swollen and dry, reluctant to move in her shrinking mouth.

  Flint raised himself up on one elbow, rubbing his head from the sudden impact with the stone tiles. He glared at Yuka before smiling kindly at Halo. “Well, at least you seem to have gotten some sleep. Your eyes look brighter and more determined then ever.”

  Halo blushed, still shielding the blackening burn from both of them, but a sudden high-pitched scream was enough to draw their attention to the open window. Heavy dark clouds were shooting up over the distant village rooftops, shouts and cries echoing through the fields, shuddering as they hit the tiles around the trio.

  Rushing over to the plastic blue frame, Yuka stuck her head into the bitter air, watching wide eyed as the clouds formed one huge black mass overhead, encompassing all those who approached it. “The village! If we don’t do something, it will be destroyed!”

  Joining her, Flint scowled at the darkness. “It must be another heartless attack! Come on!”

  They both spun round, barging through the door, but Halo remained still, paralysed by the scene just beyond the forest edge. Her thoughts grew in intensity. “No…it can’t be…it’s just like…the dream.” She leapt were she stood when Flint called to her from the doorway.

  “Hey Halo! Are you up for this? It looks bad, and I don’t think me and Yuka can do it without you!” He held out a pair of medium length samurai swords. Halo could feel the strength and courage emanating from him, but she was afraid that this battle would end like the one in her dreams. One of her friends could end up dead, and if she allowed that, she would never be able to live with herself.

  Decided, Halo grasped the hilt of her father’s sword in her hand, the glistening silver scales of a dragon carved into the base, flashing crimson upon her touch. Gingerly, she took the second sword. “Alright. Let’s go.”

  “Not until you’re dressed!” The shout came from the hallway, as Yuka sprinted past, tossing a pair of loose fitting cerulean jeans, and a no sleeved crimson polar neck top into Flint’s confused face. Halo giggled a little at his annoyed grimace, lifting her clothes from his matted brown hair.

  “I’ll only be a minute. Could you get my cloak?” She murmured, shooing him from the room. Flint grumbled in reply. For a brief instant, Halo stood alone; her eyes darted towards the mirror, but all she saw was herself as she was now.

  Quickly, she pulled on her clothes, tearing off a long, thin strip of material from a nearby cream curtain. No one would notice, as the thing was already in tattered rags. Swiftly, she wound it tightly around her wrist and forearm, covering the mark completely, just as Flint reappeared, a worn charcoal cloak slung over his shoulder.

  Yuka stood next to him, her hair tied neatly back into a high ponytail, a similar cloak hugging her shoulders. They each nodded, drawing their swords from their sheaths.

  “Let’s do this.”

*

  “Sora! Come on! You have to get up!” Riku shook his spiky haired friend vigorously, punching him once or twice in the arm, but Sora did not even twitch. Kairi looked on, her eyes overflowing with floods of tears. Neither of them could understand what had happened to the young Keyblade master.

  Riku found himself unable to stop. He kept shaking Sora, calling out to him, but even though he knew it was hopeless, his hands would not let go of Sora’s limp shoulders. Steadily, Kairi crouched down beside him, resting her hand on his rippling spine, long strands of crimson hair dropping over her face.

  “Stop Riku, he’s not waking up.” Her voice seemed emotionless, but Riku heard the note of pain behind the shallow breath she took.

  Feeling like he should, he finally placed Sora down into the sand, letting Kairi slide into his toned arms, where she stayed, whimpering into his chest.

  “It’s alright Kairi, let it out.” Riku’s voice was hoarse, weakening further as her whispered. They remained in this embrace, until a familiar figure collapsed in front of them.

  “Riku! Kairi! I’m so sorry I didn’t get here in time! It’s been too long since I tried travellin’ through portals.” King Mickey panted, the words blasting out between deep gasps of air. Draped in a long white robe, he bent low over Sora’s body, brushing a strand of his damp brown hair aside. Glancing up at the two quivering teenagers, he rose to his feet, indicating towards the secret place beneath the tree.

  “It’s worse then I thought. Sora is sufferin’ greatly, but he is still alive. His only hope is to get to the Realm of Twilight, and the doorway is through there.”

  Riku opened his mouth, but King Mickey raised a finger to stop him. “There is no time for questions, they will be here any minute. We must go…now!”

  Unable to hold it in, Kairi rushed at the tiny King, clasping his hand in hers. “Please your highness! What’s happening to Sora? How can we help him?” Bowing her head, she broke into tears once more. King Mickey smoothed down her messy red hair, his eyes softening.

  “All I can tell you now is that everythin’ is connected, and when one of the three Realms experiences a drastic change, it affects the whole balance of the other two. The Realm of Twilight is in danger of being destroyed entirely, and events there are affectin’ Sora. To help him, we must go there immediately!”

  Rushing forward, Riku hoisted Sora over his back, pulling Kairi to her feet. “Then let’s move!”

  They skidded to a halt before the plain wooden door. Angrily, Riku thumped it his bandaged fist. “How do we open this stupid thing?!”

  “Why, with a Keyblade o’course!” King Mickey piped up, pointing at the pale yellow keyhole in the centre of the carved oak. With a mournful sigh, Kairi dropped her head into her palms.

  “But Sora has the key. Only he can use it.”

  “That is true. Sora has the key of light, but that’s not what we need.” Kairi stared at the royal mouse. “The Keyblade that will open the door to the Realm of Twilight is the Keyblade of Twilight.” He looked at Riku. “Your Keyblade Riku.”

  Almost instantly, Way to Dawn materialised before Riku. Swallowing hard, he gripped the curved hilt, nearly stumbling over when the Keyblade began to glow, rocketing a beam of light into the keyhole. The three of them watched, captivated as the door dissolved into a shimmering orange glow. King Mickey stepped into the portal, beckoning the other two to follow. Taking Kairi’s hand firmly in his, and pushing Sora onto his shoulders, Riku followed the King into the enigmatic Realm of Twilight.

*

  Ruzik peered over a circular orb, entranced, as Riku and his friends entered the Realm of Twilight. With his mouth hanging open, he gaped up at the pulsating crystal white doors.

  In front of Kingdom Hearts sat Tei, her luscious ash blonde hair hanging freely over her restless deep brown eyes. A cool breeze ruffled the folds of her robe, sweeping the fringe away from her porcelain like skin. She raised her head slowly.
  
  “Ruzik, have they entered the Realm of Twilight with the Keyblades of old yet?”

  Snapping back into reality, Ruzik gazed over at the young woman. “Yes Tei, what should we do now? Is it time?” He approached her eagerly, his coat fluttering out behind him. Quietly, Tei lifted herself onto her feet, slipping on a pair of delicate pine sandals.

  Gently, she stroked his metallic hair. “Be patient Ruzik, I will send you on your mission shortly, but first we must trace the lost two, for without them, the Gateway can never be completed.

  Ruzik pulled back from her, frowning as he crossed his arms across his chest. “But I thought it was all up to her to reconnect the Gateway. What do those kids have to do with it?” A glint from the miraculous doorway gleamed in the corner of his eye, as Tei smiled.

  “They hold a power that is necessary for the Gateway, but the other is the true key to unleashing the secrets of Kingdom Hearts itself. They are all important…”

  A sudden rumble distracted her. She raised her palms up towards the looming darkness, a golden energy flowing from her fingertips. The calming air smothered them once more. Ruzik looked at Tei, observing her gentle yet eerie expression. Realising he was staring, his cheeks flushed beetroot red.

  Tei giggled sweetly. “They are trying to find us Ruzik, but the time is not yet right. Prepare yourself my young friend, we may have to move slightly faster and more efficiently then previously planned.” She kissed his cheek, feeling the warmth underneath her cool lips. “After all, everything is connected, and therefore everything will always be unpredictable.”
At the moment, I'm focusing a little harder on an Avatar fan fiction I just started, but I thought I would upload the next chapter of this now, since half term is finally here! I have actually written up to chapter 5 at the moment, so hopefully I'll be able to keep ahead of my posting...doubtful, but hopeful!

Anyway, as you can see, I'm not very good at action scenes...eh heh heh. I tried listening to battle music from the game itself and playing it a few more times...but it is still kind of...well...bad. *shrugs* But I do love Ruzik, heh so eager to fight, and yes, soon he will get his chance. *nods*

Did anyone notice how each chapter seems to get longer?...@_o only just realised. *rubs back of neck nervously* Please read and review, I'd love to know what you think.

Back to - Chapter 2: Awakening
Forward to - Chapter 4: Worlds Collide

Kingdom Hearts (c) Square Enix and Disney
Return to Darkness original characters and story (c) Me
© 2007 - 2024 sazzykins
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