"Our meeting was chance. Our hearts connecting was destiny's embrace" - Kairi
XHearts (Cross Hearts)
theme song: Flavor of Life
by Utada Hikaru
You always seem to know
when my heart breaks, I'm left in sorrow
I'll never understand why
the magic spell you put
onto me, brings all these memories
Never thought I'd say goodbye
The Flavor of Life (x2)
Neither friends nor lovers
bound to break this pressure
never meant to live life pretending
learning to let go of the past, to move on
and embrace the future
not being able to continue's got me feeling shady
I don't know how to control these hands baby, ah
You always seem to know
when my heart breaks, I'm left in sorrow
I'll never understand why
the magic spell you put
onto me, brings all these memories
never thought I'd say goodbye
The Flavor of Life (x2)
Whispers sweetly bestowed
arid sessions ignored
I have no use for such allurement
so there's really no sense in flaunting your talk
that's why I imply
although right now it's hard but you gotta keep trying
I haven't given up on living my life, uh huh
Just like a river's flow
my path is full of twist and turns
but I look beyond the sky
goodbyes for tomorrow
this moment I take to reflect and
sometimes makes me wanna cry
I believe in my heart
but I say there's things I'll never know
there's a chance my heart would lie
I use to love you so
but things change and I've given all that I got
if you haven't then it's fine
When I miss the person that is fading in my memories
life has been
like a dark bottomless hole
light has touched the inner cores of my being and now I see
the best for me
new beginnings where I go
daiyamondo
everlasting give me the strength to
spread my wings and reach the sky
I want to give my all
even when the thoughts of you follow,
I'll keep them close to my side
You always seem to know
when my heart breaks, I'm left in sorrow
I'll never understand why
the magic spell you put
onto me brings all these memories
never thought I'd say goodbye
The Flavor of Life (x2)
chpt.1: The Beginning is but Half the Start
It was the darkest of nights. Thick storm clouds filled all of the sky; flashes of lightning illuminating the air while the sound of fierce thunder rang out with such fury that it made the ground shake while rain fell with a crushing force. It wasn't the kind of weather one should be out in unless they had a death wish.
Maybe he did?
Roxas was running as fast as he could, though it wasn't because of the thunder storm. Was he running from something or towards something; he wasn't sure? But he was still running all the same, following the path that glowed like moonlight though there was no moon present in the sky to act as a source for the glow. To either side of the path was grass, wet and blowing wildly due to the fury of the wind. But one could only see the lines of grass next to the path up to a foot before the darkness took the sight, leaving nothing beyond that could be seen.
As he ran, a shape took form before him. As he drew closer to it, the shape became more and more detailed in his eyes till he was able to recognize it as a cathedral like structure. Soon, he had arrived, standing before two massive stone doors. After taking a moment to bend enough to grab his knees and inhale, getting back some much needed breath. He tilts his head up, looking at the stone door and the carvings upon it; depicting creatures like something from a fairy tale or a dream.
Don't stop now. Time is short. Hurry...
What was that voice? Who had said it? Could it be the owner of that voice that had brought him here? Roxas wasn't sure but he felt compelled to do as it told him as he walks forward, placing his hands against one of the two doors and pushing against it with all of his might. After a moment of great effort, it finally budged and moved enough to allow him to slip inside.
The inside of this cathedral was old, ancient even, with cobwebs everywhere and moss covered wooden bench's. Feeling something drawing him in further, he steps forward. As he moves through the room, he finds it to be rather long, longer than one would think. Soon, he reaches a large opened circular area with stain glass windows to either side of him. Both depicted the same image, that of a girl holding an apple in her hand and seven dwarfs around here while an old woman watching from the shadows.
Moving on, he felt like he had returned to the entrance with the way the rooms were laid out like the stain glass windows which were the only things that changed. There was one with a girl dressed in white, wearing transparent slippers, another of a girl sleeping on a bed, then a girl dressed in blue walking through a wonderland, a girl sitting on a magic flying carpet, and a girl dressed in a golden ballroom dress, dancing with a man. During each window area, he would see different things in the opened areas. Some were simple like large wooden crates and barrels. Another had a transparent door and another a chest with a light inside it. He also saw three statues, one looking like a girl holding a staff, another of a boy holding a shield, and the last another boy with a sword. He noted two of the statues looked familiar though he wasn't sure how or why while the last he felt looked like him. He also saw weird creatures running around but when he tries to approach them, they vanished.
Then finally, after what felt like forever, he finally reached the far end of the cathedral and one final stain glass window, only one of them this time, directly behind the alter. This one depicted three girls, one of them a girl with red hair dressed in a white tank top and a pink skirt. Another a girl with blonde hair wearing a white dress. And the last girl with black hair wearing a black long coat and hood.
Step forward, into the light...but beware...
Roxas does as the voice asked him, stepping forward around the alter as a light shines from behind the stain glass window, casting its image upon the ground. Once he had made it to the center of the image, the world around him blurs and he finds himself standing upon the glass which was now larger then before. From beyond the edge, a hand rises from the darkness, crashing down onto the ground and making Roxas step back in defense before it reveals itself; a red colored Darkside. It continues to rise till it was standing upon the surface with Roxas, then it attacks. It tries to swat him away and releases blast of dark fire which try to home in on Roxas who manages to dodge each attempt at taking him out but just barely. Wondering what it was he was suppose to do, he looks around and sees a circle of light coming from the image of the red headed girl. Dashing for it, he comes to stand over it.
Reach inside. Take it and use it well...
He does as he's told, thrusting his hand into the light and finds something to grab hold of which he pulls out to reveal a large key made of light. Not sure why, he can't help but think it familiar and knowing he could use it like a sword. He turns and dodges another attack before charging at his enemy, swinging the key of light left and right; hitting its legs and hands when they were close enough. He also manages to run up its arms to attack its head. In the end, he manages to bring it down but its impact causes the ground to crack and shatter like glass and he sent falling into the darkness. As he falls, he sees the remains of the Darkside glow and fade away, leaving a smaller human figure falling alongside him. Was it the girl from the last window? It couldn't be sure as his sight goes dark and his senses lost...
Roxas eyes open and he finds himself looking up at the sky. "Where...?" he asked himself as he sits up seeing the expansive ocean sprawled out before him. His mind recalls where he was and then he yawns, laying back to return to his power nap.
"Boo" comes the girl as her face comes into view above his as he lays back on the sand, making him yelp as he sits back up quickly from her sudden and surprising appearance. His reaction makes her giggle at him.
"Geez Kairi, you nearly gave me a heart attack."
"And who's fault is that, Roxas?" she asked before giggling again. "I swear, you can be so lazy sometimes. But I guess I should have figured that out after all our time together as you come down here to the beach every day to take yourself a little snooze during all the hours of the day." She then walks a little before looking back at him and asking "So, any interesting dreams today?"
"Maybe?" he says, his gaze falls off her as his eyes angle towards his feet. "I don't know..." A moment later, he feels her flick a finger against his forehead which makes him look back up at her and finds she was now leaning down and her face was close to his, her eyes intently focused onto his.
"Dreaming...about me?" she asked.
"Uh...well" says Roxas as he try's to recall the dream as good a detail as he could before he began to tell her of what had happened within it. Once he was done, he ask "So, pretty weird, huh?"
"Yeah sure" she says before standing tall again. "Maybe a dream about something from your past?"
"I don't know?" he admits, shrugging. "What about you, Kairi. Do you ever have dreams about your past? About where you come from before you found yourself here with me on this castaway island?"
"I told you before, silly. I can't remember anything about my life before coming here, save for my name and a few other bits and pieces" says Kairi as she walks towards the waters, stopping when her legs just above her ankles had been submerged.
"Really? Nothing at all?" he asked her.
"Not a thing" she says back to him in a simple and matter of fact tone.
"Oh..." he says, feeling sad for her even though she never showed any signs of that being a bother to her. "If you ever do remember, you think you'd want to go back home?"
"Hm" she says, giving it a moments thought. "Well, I'm happy here. I mean, I wouldn't mind going to see it but I feel my home is here now...well, it's where ever you are to be more exact."
Roxas smiles at her and says "Thanks, that's a pretty nice thing to say. I wouldn't mind seeing your old home either. Heck, any place other than here would be amazing. Seeing the world and all it has to offer. That has always been a dream of mine."
"Then what are we waiting for?" she says, looking back at him with that sun like smile of her's. "Let's set out already."
Now it was Roxas turn to laugh. "First, we'd need to finish working on that raft we started a few years back when we both first found ourselves coming here but never finished."
"Speaking of things not finished" says Kairi, walking back over to him to pressing a finger to his nose. "Did we forget that today is your day to go around the island and get the day's supplies to get us through lunch, dinner, and breakfast tomorrow?"
"Oh yeah" he says, chuckling. "Today is my turn, huh?" He recalled that it was his turn EVERY day. Not that he minded of course. "So, what are you gonna be doing while I'm gathering food and water?"
"Never you mind. I'll tell you when the time comes" she says in a playful tone while adding a little pressure to her finger. "Oh, by the way, Roxas..."
"Yeah?" he asked.
She then suddenly adds even more pressure which catches him off guard and sends him falling back onto his back as she says "Tag, you're it." His head lifts up and sees her running off, taking just a moment to look back at him while sticking her tongue out at him.
"You sneaky little..." he says, jumping back onto his feet then running after her. Kairi laughs happily as the run across the beach, the both of them passing a little sign they had made shortly after Kairi had first came her.
It read: Castaway Sanctuary. Population: Many animals and two people. Below was a little addition, made by Kairi, that read 'though one of the two can be an animal sometimes.'
This was their home, a little hide away no one else in the world knew of. Or so they believed anyways,
As they ran along the beach, Roxas noted he was having trouble catching up with Kairi which he found weird as she wasn't really running at that hard. Maybe it was because he wasn't really trying to catch her either? As the raft they had been working on ever now and then comes into view, Kairi turns back to look at him while still keeping up her run, now a backwards hop, and sticks her tongue out at him.
OK, you're asking for it thinks Roxas, deciding to show her by now running at her as fast as he can.
His plan was to catch her off guard by making her think he was gonna tackle her, but he would stop just before making contact. That was the plan, but then his foot comes down on a round sea shell which makes him fall forward and really tackle her down onto the ground with him on top.
"Crap, I'm sorry Kairi. I didn't mean..." he says, stuttering.
"Well, that was a surprise. I didn't know you want to catch me so badly" she says, cracking a smile at him. "Don't worry about it anyways as it didn't hurt me at all."
After several moments, her eyes look to the side as she blush's. "So, you gonna be getting off me any time soon or are we gonna be staying like this for the rest of the day?"
Roxas realizes he hadn't moved off of her, making him even more embarrassed. He moves off to the side, allowing her to sit up at last. "Sorry" he says, standing.
"No worries" she says, standing as well. "It's not like I didn't mind it, mind you."
"Wait, you didn't..." Roxas doesn't finish as Kairi then moves behind him and gives him a push.
"Anyways, don't you have some foraging to do today, buddy? Get to work" she says in a commanding tone but her face, when he looks back at her, was showing nothing but a playful nature. He cracks a grin at her and says "Right" before running off, heading deeper into the island's interior to do just that.
(a few hours later)
"There, that should be enough" says Roxas as he tosses the last of the berries into the the little make shift pouch he had made a ways back, after he had first arrived on this island. Looking down at the Honey Berry bush, he finds himself wondering what it was about these berries Kairi loved so much. Sure, they had a nice, sweet taste to them. But nothing to go gaga over which Kairi always did when she saw them; her eyes lighting up like a fire cracker. And how she was when she ate one; he'd rather not think about it...even if it was somewhat comical to see.
Roxas begins to walk back towards the small little spot they used as their main home to drop off the days meal and as he walks, he allows himself to once again think back onto how they had both came here to this place. It was something he always did when he was gathering the days meal.
It had began with him being washed up on this deserted and isolated island, alone, after he had been swept out to sea when he had been caught by a big wave while he had been at the beach as a kid. He couldn't recall if he had been swimming or had simply been standing in the water when it had happened nor could he recall if he had been alone on the beach or if anyone else had been there. It had been years ago, that was about as much as he could recall. For a time, he had been alone save for the animals that lived here, always sitting at the beach and wondering when someone would come for him. No one ever did, sadly. Over time, he lost hope of ever being found and accepted his fate of being here for the rest of his life. Then, one night, when he had seen a shooting star in the sky, he had made a wish.
He had wished for a friend. To not be here alone anymore.
The next morning, he had gotten his wish when he had found a girl washed up on the beach. That girl had been Kairi, who couldn't remembering anything about herself save for her name. Roxas had gotten his wish and he hated that he had because it meant this girl was now stuck here with him in this isolated place and, like him, no one ever seemed to come for her, search for her as far as they knew. Kairi never seemed upset by this though as she was always happy and cheerful with him. This had been a year ago, give or take. She had become the light of his life, his savior from loneliness. Because of that, Roxas had sworn to himself that for as long as he lived, he would do anything for her, he would make her happy no matter what. Not matter the challenge he would face or sacrifice he would be required to make, he would do it for her without question. He owed her that much if not more.
As Roxas walked, his eyes noticed the stone shape appear to his left. This makes him stop as he looks towards the old temple ruins he had found during his time exploring this place. This place was the only evidence that confirmed that there had been people here long ago. This place also acted as a second home for Roxas and Kairi; used when ever there was a strong storm passing over the island, one that was more than their normal tree limb made hut could handle. For the most part, it was a simple place with one mystery neither had yet to figure out. In the deepest part of the temple, there was a wall with odd carvings on it, depicting images like a heart shape with light shining from it, images of keys, and two figures holding their hands out.
"Why do I feel so drawn to you?" says Roxas aloud, something he always said whenever he saw the ruins, referring specifically to this very wall. Shaking his head, he turns back to the path ahead and continues on towards the camp. Once he had arrived, he places the food inside the hut within the container basket, then grabs a few honey berries and heads down to the beach where Kairi would be waiting for him, doing what ever it was she had been working on in secret over the last few weeks. Something she had gone to great lengths to keep unknown to Roxas which made him very curious about it.
It didn't take Roxas long to find himself back at the shore line nearest to the spot he and Kairi had built the little hut home at. After taking a moment to exam the horizon, looking to see if there were any ships in sight and finding none, not that he ever did, he turns and begins to walk in the direction the raft had been built. As he walked, he wondered what he would do if he ever actually saw a boat out there in the waters. Sure, he could say and think he'd light the signal fire to catch their attention.
But would he really? He had, after all, had been living here for so long that this place felt more like home than his home had felt...not that he could recall his home all that well that is.
He finally arrived at the raft and was quick to see Kairi was here or should it be still here? She was facing the direction of the ocean though that wasn't where she was looking, instead her gaze was looking down at something she was holding in her hands. Was that the secret thing she had been working on over the last few months, the little thing she had refused to talk to him about nor had she allowed him to see; saying he had to wait till the time was right. Well, today was the day he was gonna find out.
Being as sneaky as a fox, he moves around till he was facing her back then he begins to tip toe forward, taking his sandals off to remove the squeaking sound they made against the sand. He drew closer and closer, almost close enough to see over her shoulder. Just a little bit more...
"Being sneaky, huh?" she says suddenly, a hand streaking into view and pinching his nose before pulling him forward which makes him stumble and fall onto the ground before her. "Sorry, but even your bare feet make squeaky noises on the sand."
"Aw man, I was so close" says Roxas, rolling onto his back and looking up at Kairi who was now standing over him and looking down at him with a smile.
"Sorry to catch you trying to do something pervy" she says.
He blushes as he stammers out "Wait, I wasn't trying to do anything like that. Seriously. I just wanted to see what it was you've been working on all this time. Honest."
"Oh, so that's what it was" she says, now looking towards the sky. "I should have known."
Wait, did she actually sounded depressed and disappointed just now?
She then looks back at him as he sits up and says "Anyways, you can't see it yet. Sorry."
"Not even for some honey berries?" he asked, holding the berries he had brought out at her.
"Honey berries? Well..." she says before moving like grease lighting and flicking his forehead which makes him fall back onto the sand while using her other hand to take the berries from him. He sits up again to see her tossing them into her mouth and, as always, getting a rather orgasmic look on her face from the taste of them. "Mm, these are SO good...and no, not even for these."
"Man, you are one tough nut to crack, Kairi" says Roxas, making her giggle before she sits down beside him.
"I'll tell you tomorrow, I promise. After all, tomorrow is a special day for us" she says.
"Really? It is?" he asked, cocking his head in confusion.
"What, so you don't remember? Typical Roxas" she says, sighing a little.
"Gee, sorry I can't keep up with the days like you can. So, you gonna tell me what's so special about tomorrow?"
Kairi shakes her head while wagging a finger at him. "Nope, you'll just have to remember yourself."
"Man, you sure can be no fun" says Roxas before looking out at the sea and seeing that the sun was already setting. He and Kairi came here to this spot almost everyday just to watch the sun set.
"Say Roxas, you've changed a lot since I first came here" she says suddenly.
"I have?" he asked.
"Yeah" she says, nodding. "When I first got here, you were so quiet and distant. But now, you're very talkative and active."
"Well, it's because you're here, Kairi. Before you came, who did I have to converse with besides monkey's and island cats? And those birds weren't ones for small talk either. If not for you, Kairi, I...well, I'm glad you're here now, Kairi."
She blushes and says "Thank you. I'm glad I'm here too. In fact..." she looks back at the raft. "I think we should tear apart the raft and forget about ever leaving this island. We should just stay here forever. Just the two of us."
"Huh? Are you serious?" asked Roxas.
She sticks her tongue out at him, staying "Heh, just kidding."
"Boy, you sure are a strange girl, Kairi. If anything, you're the one who's changed the most since coming here."
"Maybe..." she says, standing up. "Either way; if we set sail one day or stay here forever, as long as we can stay together, it'll be great."
Roxas stands as well. "Don't worry, we always will be." He gets a warm smile from her but both find their attentions being drawn back out to the ocean by the sudden sound of thunder.
"A storm?" wonders Roxas, seeing dark clouds off in the far distance.
Kairi wets a finger with her tongue then sticks it in the air. "I think we'll be OK. The wind isn't blowing towards us so the storm shouldn't come near so long as the winds remain on their present flow."
"Maybe, but we should still be ready to head over to the temple ruins if things gets nasty" says Roxas.
"Just in case..."
Later that evening, Roxas was laying back on the jungle vines he had managed to wrap and tie into a little make shift hammock that made up his bed, the wind making it rocking back and forth as he looked skyward. Kairi had taken off to a more private part of the island to take a bath, leaving him alone back at their camp ground.
"We'll always be together..." he says before sitting up and getting off the hammock, moving over to a mound of leaves laying on the ground nearby. Digging into the pile, he pulls out a piece of cloth that was wrapped around something. He unwraps the object, revealing it to be a bracelet made from prism seashells. It had taken him nearly a year to make and he had just finished it just a few days ago, just in time for tomorrow; the 3rd anniversary of the day Kairi had arrived on the island, the day they had met.
Laying back down on his hammock bed, Roxas holds the bracelet out over him. "I hope she'll like it." He then turns onto his side, keeping it held close to his chest as he nods off to sleep. His sleep didn't last long till he feels something shaking him, making him wake up.
"Roxas, Roxas, we have a big problem" says Kairi as his eyes open.
"Huh? What..." he starts to say but is interrupted by a loud thunderclap, making him jump and fall out of his hammock bed. Looking up at the sky, he sees nothing but pitch black clouds with plenty of thunder and even more lightning with a deep reddish color flashing all over. "Man, what an intense and nasty looking storm."
"Roxas, this isn't a natural storm" says Kairi, getting him to look at her.
"What do you mean?" asked Roxas.
"The storm we saw earlier...it suddenly came this way even though the wind wasn't blowing it towards this island. It's as if something is controlling its path" says Kairi. Roxas stands and goes to saying something, but a sudden strike of red lightning against a nearby tree makes Kairi hug him tight due to fright.
"OK, we're gonna head over to the temple till this weather has passed us by" he says, pulling her away from him then taking her hand then breaking into a run towards the old temple ruins.
The run was nerve racking with the loud thunder and the close calls from lightning raining down on them but they soon came upon the temple and they quickly made a beeline for the front entrance. But then they see something that brings them to a halt. Before the entry arch was a pool of swirling purple ooze. "Roxas, what is that?" asked Kairi.
Before he could answer, several shapes begin to rise from the purple ooze, taking on shape and form. There were five of them; creatures with thin bodies of a lavender color, tails the same length as their bodies, with pointy heads complete with twin horns above their oval shaped green colored eyes with a glowing silver diamond shape resting on their foreheads.
"Nothing friendly, that's for sure" says Roxas as one of the creatures lifts a hand up, revealing pointed yellow fingers, pointing at them which makes the others make some kind of chirping sound before bounding towards the two teens.
"They're attacking us" says Kairi.
"Not on my watch" says Roxas, letting go of Kairi long enough to send a punch flying out, hitting one of the creatures and sending it flying back. This makes the other four stop and take a step back from uncertainty while the one sent flying collides with the temple, losing its shape and becoming bubble like as it rebounds onto the ground before reshaping itself back onto its natural form.
"It wasn't even hurt by that punch" says Kairi.
"Kairi, be prepared to run" says Roxas as the other creatures continue their attacks, knowing they now had nothing to fear from these two. Roxas uses several punch's and kicks to knock the attackers away, then grabs hold of Kairi and runs into the temple. The first one to be sent flying tries to jump them, but Kairi uses her free hand to smack it hard and sending it flying away.
They had made it inside, running down the various hallways. Roxas looks back for just a second and says "Their likely following us. We'll need to lose them somehow."
"Any ideas, Roxas?" asked Kairi.
"Yeah, I...I think something in here is calling out to me" says Roxas as he makes another turn.
"What do you mean?" asked Kairi.
"Since entering the temple, I've been feeling something calling out to me, driving me to head to a specific spot inside the temple. I just hope I'm not leading us into a trap" he says.
"I believe in you" comes Kairi as the pass into a large room with a familiar wall opposite them; the wall with the weird carvings upon it which were now glowing. "What...?"
"I knew there was something odd and special about this place" says Roxas, seeing the line of the heart shaped symbol glowing as well as tall points of light coming from the hands of the two people depicted on the carvings. "I wonder if..."
"Roxas, their coming" says Kairi, looking back and seeing them approaching from the far hall.
"Kairi, hold you hand out like in the picture" says Roxas, already holding his own out.
"Huh? Why?" she asked.
"Just do it" he says. "I have a feeling something good will happen."
"...OK" she says, doing as he asked and holding her own hand out. They both find their hands beginning to glow which makes the wall glow brighter and vibrate, then a crack appears running right down the middle as the walls slowly opens up, revealing another wall behind it which had a large arch carved into it that led into a dark chamber.
"I think we need to go in there" says Roxas, already moving towards the arch, unaware of a sixth member of the creature having already entered the room and was leaping at him with its yellow claw like fingers spreading open to strike.
"Roxas, watch out" yells Kairi, jumping forward and pushing him out of the way, taking the hit herself.
Roxas was stunned for just a moment from his impact upon the ground before snapping back into reality. "Kairi..." he says, picking himself up and looking at her, his eyes going wide at the sight as the creature that had tried to attack him was now floating in the air before Kairi with its clawed hand buried inside her chest; her own eyes wide and distant as a shimmering light burst out from the spot the creature's hand was which causes it to be destroyed by it. Kairi then falls back, just barely being caught by Roxas before she could hit the ground.
As he cradles her close, Roxas sees a glowing like shaped like a heart emerge from her chest and float in the air above them before it cracks and breaks into seven smaller fragments which then shoot into the sky and scatter."Kairi, Kairi, wake up. Open your eyes" pleads Roxas to no avail. Behind him, the other creatures reach the large room, moving quickly to attack Roxas though he didn't care now.
"Kairi, please..." says Roxas as the creature's go to attack them.
And then it came, the sound of energy cutting through the air and the creature's are sliced up and destroyed. Roxas looks back, wondering what had just happened and his eyes fall upon the new arrival. Standing at the entrance was a man with silver colored hair and dark skin, wearing a ragged looking cloak that covered most of the rest of his body. In his exposed hand was a blade of red ethereal energy.
"Who are...?"
"I didn't make it in time" the man say, interrupting Roxas question. He then steps forward and kneels before Roxas, then placing a hand on Kairi's chest.
"Hey, what are you...?"
"Her heart...it is as I feared" says the man, turning his attention to Roxas. "We need to act quickly if we are to save her."
"What? What do you mean? Just what is going on? Who are you and what were those creature's?"
"I promise I'll explain everything" says the man as he stands. "But we need to get inside that room first" he says, pointing to the hidden room that had been revealed just moments before. "We'll be safe from the Thoughtless in there."
"What...?" asked Roxas as the man then heads into the room. Realizing he better do as he was told in order to get any information out of this guy, he cradles Kairi in his arms and stands. As he goes to walk, he hears the sound of something clinking against the ground. Looking down, he sees a star shaped pendent made from prism seashells with a rare emerald green pearl at its center.
"Is that...so this is what you've been working on these last few months" says Roxas. This must have been her gift to him for their anniversary in the morning. From inside the room, he hears the stranger call out to him, telling him to hurry before more of these Thoughtless come searching for him. So he quickly leans down and scoops up the pendent then runs into the room to join the man.
The room's interior was small and circular. The walls seemed to be glowing with an energy of some sort that flowed like water. At the center of the room was a small pool filled with a glowing liquid. The man was standing to the side and he motions for Roxas to come to him.
"We'll be safe in here. This place is sacred grounds creature's born in the darkness can not enter. Now we can talk" says the man.
"Alright. Mind tell me who you are and just what the heck is going on here? What are those creature's and just what did they do to Kairi? And this room..." asked Roxas.
"One at a time, one at a time" says the man. "First, let me introduce myself. My name is Ansem, a traveler of a sort. One who's out on a quest, seeking knowledge and truth."
"I'm Roxas and this is..."
"Princess Kairi, I know" says Ansem which makes Roxas go wide eyed from surprise.
"Wait, Kairi's a princess?" he asked, getting a nod. "Does that mean you know her?"
Ansem nods, then says "I have been searching for her for quite some time, ever since the day her kingdom was taken by the darkness, overrun by the minions of the dark; the Heartless."
"You mean, those creature's?" asked Roxas.
Ansem shakes his head, saying "Not exactly. The ones who attacked you are a different entity from the dark; the Thoughtless. In this world, there are many beings within the dark. A Heartless is born when a person loses their heart which is then taken into the darkness, being reshaped into the form of a Heartless which then seeks out other hearts. When this happens, the body that is left behind is also changed, becoming a Nobody. At last, we come to the Thoughtless which are also born at the same time, their shape and form being based on what ever the dominate thoughts were had by a person in life. The Thoughtless you two encountered just now are called Shade; born from thoughts of doubt."
"Heartless, Nobodies, and Thoughtless" says Roxas. "Hold on, there was a light shaped like a heart released from Kairi's chest when they thing struck her. Was that..?"
Ansem nods. "Yes, that was her heart being released and fragmented into several pieces."
"Then that means she..." says Roxas, looking back at her.
"Worry not. Kairi's heart won't turn into a Heartless nor her body into a Nobody. You see, Kairi's special for she is not just a princess, but the Princess of Heart."
"Princess of Heart?" asked Roxas.
"She has a heart made of pure light. No darkness can be found within which protects her from the fates others would suffer when put into the state she's in. That gives us hope in saving her, Roxas."
"You mean we can save her?" asked Roxas hopefully.
"Yes, there is a chance but we'll need to act quickly" says Ansem who then points to the pool of glowing liquid. "First, place Kairi down in the water."
Though he was confused, Roxas nods and steps forward into the pool, finding it to only be ankle deep so there wasn't any fear of Kairi drowning in it. He kneels down and lays her gently in the pool before stepping back out. The moment his feet had left the pool, its glow begins to become brighter and brighter while streams of light shoot out and hit the walls which makes the swirling light glow brighter as well till the light became to hard to view, forcing Roxas to close his eyes till the light had dimmed.
When he opens his eyes, he finds seven gates had appeared upon the room walls, each having a set number of stars on top with pulsing light coming from within the gates. "What are those?"
"The doors that will lead you Kairi's scattered heart fragments" says Ansem. "You must travel to each location and search high and low to find the scattered heart and return it here to the sleeping princess."
"Alright, I understand." says Roxas who begins to walk towards the closest of the doors.
Ansem reaches out and places a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. "Be warned though. The entities that live within the darkness will also be seeking her heart and will do anything to get it. You will face great danger and peril while on this journey and it is very likely you will not make it to the end untouched. You may even be forced to make great sacrifices in order to succeed. Possibly even your own life. Knowing this, will you still go?"
"Of course I'll go. For me, there is nothing I wouldn't do for Kairi, sacrifice for Kairi" says Roxas, looking at her sleeping form. "To me, she's someone more important than even life itself and no matter the risk and danger, I won't forsake her just to save myself."
Ansem nods. "The resolve I hear in your voice and see in your eyes leave no doubt in my mind of your convictions. Very well, I wish you luck then on this quest. Now, before you depart, we should get you some new clothes to wear."
"Huh? New clothes?" says Roxas. "Why, what's wrong with what I have on now?"
"Nothing. Those clothes are fine...for a day at the beach" says Ansem, noting Roxas was just dressed in swim shorts, beach sandals, and a life guard jacket. "But since you can't be sure where you'll be going, maybe a little something more casual is in order." Ansem then raises a hand and swish's it to the side, making a light envelope Roxas for just a moment. When the light fades, Roxas was dressed in new threads.
Now he was wearing black sneakers, black and beige colored pants, a black sleeveless shirt, and a white and black colored jacket with the inside colored a bright red. Roxas looked himself over and says "Amazing."
Ansem nods, then says "And now, a weapon." With another motion of his hands, an object appears floating in the air before Roxas which he is quick to take hold of. "That is the Chainsaw Blade, a powerful weapon from Kairi's original home. Use it well."
"Yeah, I will" says Roxas, swinging it a few times before is transforms into a bracelet on his right wrist.
"You now have all that you'll need. It is up to you to save her now. Good luck" says Ansem.
"What about you?" asked Roxas. "Aren't you gonna help?"
"I want to, but there is something I need to see to. These events didn't just happen. Somewhere out there is someone responsible for them happening. This person is likely also seeking her heart and I must track that person down and stop them. But I promise we will meet again."
"Then good luck, Ansem" says Roxas. Ansem nods before fading from sight like a ghost. Now alone, Roxas walks over to Kairi and kneels down before her. "I swear I won't fail, Kairi. I will get your heart back for you." He then takes her gift and places it around his neck. "And thank you for this." He then leans in and kiss's her forehead before standing again and looking at the seven gates.
"Now, which one do I go into first?"
Back on the data island, a single bolt of lightning strikes the ground at the very spot Roxas had awoken on the beach, creating a swelling of dark energy which then reforms itself into a shape; a person. It was a girl, laying naked on her stomach with short black color hair. After a moment of stillness, she begins to move, slowly, as she sits up and looks around.
"Where...where am I?" she says as she looks around. Her mind was fuzzy and she couldn't remember anything, even her own name. But, there was something she could recall. Only one thing; a name...
"Roxas..."
Secret Video Report 1, 2, and 3:
Video 1:
Riku, wearing the dark garments of the Organization while hiding his face behind a hood, places the unconscious form of Roxas onto the digitizer DiZ had set up to transform the Nobody into data.
"Will it work?" asked Riku, now speaking with the voice of Ansem.
"If we can maintain the simulated town until Namine finishes chaining together Sora's memories" says DiZ.
Riku turns to look at him, then back to Roxas and ask "What will happen to Roxas?"
"He holds half of Sora's power within him. In the end..." DiZ then turns away and walks over to his computer. "...he'll have to give it back."
Does he really though? Riku had talked to Namine about what Sora and the others had gone through within Castle Oblivion. Add that to what DiZ had told him about the likely time Roxas came into being yet it didn't seem to have left Sora any weaker than what he had been before.
DiZ sits before his computer and begins typing in the commands. "Until then, he'll need another personality to throw off his pursuers."
"Poor thing" says Riku, feeling bad for Roxas. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but feel that this all wrong, even if it was all being done for Sora's sake; that they would one day regret this action.
"It's the fate of a Nobody" says DiZ nonchalantly the the digitizer activates, turning Roxas into data which is then sent into the computer. "This will take a few hours to finish readying the program. Why not go get some sleep in the meantime. Capturing him must have worn you out."
Riku couldn't deny that. "Let me know when you're ready to start the program" he asked before exiting the room.
DiZ look in the direction he had exited from for a bit then turns his attention back to the screen. Before he could begin this program, he'd need to set up several fire walls to keep the Organization out or at least keep them from interfering with his plans before they could be realized.
"Well, that's an interesting little program you've got there" comes a voice from behind him, making DiZ spin the chair around so he could face its owner. The figure was tall and lean, wearing a dark cloak with a hood covering his face.
"How did you get in here? And who are you?" asked DiZ. "You're clearly not with the Organization."
"Obviously" says the man. "How I got here is of no concern and as for who I am? Well, I am an fellow servant of the world's I guess you can say. And as one servant to another, I am here to offer you my assistance."
"And why would I need any help from you?" asked DiZ.
The man suddenly moves forward, walking up to stand beside DiZ, then he reaches out and begins to type in commands into the computer. "Hey, what are you...?" DiZ is hushed by the man as he reads over the program information.
"Hm, a good method for restoring young Sora's memories. Using this fake Twilight Town to break away the memories of Sora from Roxas so Namine can place them back where they belong. But there are several issues you'll need to deal with."
"Oh?" says DiZ. "Do tell."
"Well, the first you already know. Even with these fire walls in place, the Organization will be able to enter without to much trouble and you'll only have to comfort in knowing that lesser Nobodies won't be able to tell Roxas apart from the other data entities here in. The second is the time needed to complete this task. By my estimates, you're looking at around a full week. And even if you do succeed in this, there is still one issue to overcome."
"And that would be?" asked DiZ.
"Your goal is to use Sora to help you get revenge on the Organization, correct?" asked the man, getting a nod from DiZ. "Well, what if they decide to us Sora's one weakness against him to stop that plan of yours."
"His weakness?" asked DiZ.
"You know of what I speak of" says the man. "I speak of Kairi, of course. As long as Sora remembers her, she will always be his greatest weakness. The fact his memories of her is what brought him into his present state is proof of how dangerous they are for him to have."
"While I won't deny that, he still needs those memories in order to regain consciousness" notes DiZ.
"Does he now?" asked the man before reaching into his pockets and pulling a data card out. "Maybe after seeing this, you'll have a different view on that belief."
DiZ takes it and examines it. "What is this?"
"My own little program, created just for you. If you use it, you can place Roxas within it and with it, you'll be able to awaken Sora much sooner than you would using your own program. Furthermore, it will remove Sora's weakness by ridding him of his memories of Kairi."
"Is that even possible?" wondered DiZ. Could he actually awaken Sora without his memories of Kairi?
"Look the program over and determine for yourself if my words are true or not." The man then turns and walks away. "I shall return within a few hours to see what choice you made here."
Once he was alone again, DiZ takes a moment to look at the data card before plugging it into his computer and accesses its code. Reading it over, he decides that this could work and makes his choice.
Video 2:
DiZ sat at his computer monitor, watching the scene play out before him. He reaches up and scratches his chin, saying absently to himself "So much like how Sora's journey began..."
"So much alike now yet so much more unlike to come" comes a voice which makes him look back, seeing the man wearing the old, dusty looking dark cloak walking over to him.
"And here I thought I would be alerted to your arrival this time" says DiZ, his eyes remaining on the stranger.
"Sorry, but I'm a lot harder to detect than the sensors you have here can handle, even after being upgraded. How else do you think I can be confident in getting around" comes the man, his face mostly hidden except for signs of a graying beard being seen. "So, I see you used my program after all."
"The benefits it offers are of greater use to me. So, this method really will allow Sora to awaken within a shorter span of time than the method I had been planning on using?" asked DiZ.
"Assuming all goes as intended, yes" says the hooded man. "We'll need to wait till the boy sets out on his...quest and see how the end result of each part plays out to be certain."
"And his sole weakness, his memories of Kairi being purged from him? Can that really be done without complicating matters even more for me?" asked DiZ.
"Without question. And it won't just be him who forgets, but all the people from that island as well alongside his traveling companions. Kairi will still be there on the island, but just as another face in the crowd to them, nothing special. Of course, I can take her elsewhere if you would like as even she won't recall him as someone special either. To her, they will all be just faces in the crowd as well."
"Is that why a data recreation of Kairi is being used in the program then? To both act as a motivator for the Nobody while erasing her existence within the mind of Sora and his companions" asked DiZ.
"Pardon?" says the man, his tone clearly one of confusion. DiZ leans to the side, allowing the hooded man to come closer and look at the images on the screens. "Fascinating. I had programed this little virtual simulation to create a companion for Roxas to have on the data island to act as his friend, his motivation to set out on his own journey that would parallel Sora's own adventure. But I had expected it to be a member of the Organization or maybe borrow the image and mind set of someone from your Twilight Town simulation. But I never would have guessed that it would be Kairi herself..."
DiZ studied this person, his awed reaction. Clearly, this hadn't been planned by him. "Any ideas how it came to be Kairi then?"
The man steps back, scratching his beard for several moments. "Well...perhaps as the program taps into Sora's memories and cuts out all traces of Kairi, replacing those images with other faces from the island, those memories of Kairi became part of the program in order to properly erase them."
DiZ looks at the screen and ponders this. "Perhaps..." But was that the only reason? It wasn't really an issue so long as the end result stayed the same though he does wonder if he should run some programs to test this theory all the same.
Perhaps...but not the most likely. No, the most likely answer to this unexpected addition is... The hooded man decides to make a little pit stop after leaving here in order to affirm his thought. But if it was true, then it would bring up so many more questions and possibilities.
"I see you went ahead and have started up the Twilight Town simulation as well" says the hooded man, his eyes now looking at one of the smaller screens.
"A safety precaution" says DiZ. "Despite your claim that none from the Organization would be able to hack their way into YOUR simulation, I decided to play it safe with my own while loading it up using a data version of Roxas to catch their eyes."
"And you're sure they'll be fooled by a data simulation?" asked the hooded man.
"As sure as you are about this program of yours" says DiZ.
"Fair enough" says the man, before turning his attention back to the main monitor which was showing Roxas finishing up gathering the days food for him and Kairi. "Now, what do you say we watch and see how my program will get the boy started on his quest."
Video 3:
"And so it has started..." says DiZ, turning away from the monitor to look at the hooded man. "The beginning of his end and Sora's restoration."
"It would appear so" comes the man before turning taking a few steps. "Well, if you will excuse, I have other matters to attend to. But I shall return in a few days to check in and see how far along Sora has come and how the boy is doing."
"Before you go, mind telling me more about these Thoughtless? I am well versed where these entities of the dark are concerned but this is the first I have heard of them" comes DiZ.
"Not surprising as they aren't as common these days as they were in the past. I'm not sure as to why they haven't been seen, but I assure you they do exist. As far as I know, there are at least seven types known to exist at present, each based on a deadly sin that can be found within man."
"I figured as much, based on the three that data being spoke of" says DiZ. "Speaking of which, why did you name him Ansem?"
The hooded man smiles. "He isn't you, obviously. I based Roxas mysterious helper on Xehanort's Heartless who called himself Ansem. If you know anything about that one, then you can likely guess where all this may be going for the boy."
"I have an idea...not that his fate matters as I plan on deleting him once Sora has awakened" says DiZ.
"You would take his life? Pretty cold, Ansem the Wise" comes the hooded man.
DiZ scoffs at that, saying "A Nobody has no life to take. I would simply be removing one of the enemies from the list of enemies needing removed."
"A Nobody has no life?" The hooded man scratches his beard chin. "I suppose that's true...but..."
"Before you leave..." says DiZ suddenly, interrupting the hooded man. "I will have you tell me your name. You know who I really am beneath these wrapping and I expect you to be forward with me as well on who you are."
"Very well, I am..." says the hooded man before reaching up and pulling back his hood, revealing his face; old and wrinkled with graying hair.
"Myzer; Walker of Roads."
"You sound like I should have heard of that name in the past" says DiZ.
Myzer shakes his head, saying "No, you wouldn't. I...well, lets just say I'm not from around these parts. But that is something we can speak on another day. Shayrim, mister DiZ." Myzer turns and walks from the room, a whooshing sound being heard the moment he was out of sight.
I leave him be for now, but I may need to have Riku follow him in the future. DiZ then turns back to his computer and punches a few keys, making one of the side monitors come to life, showing an image on Namine, standing before the massive flower shaped container Sora was resting in.
"Namine, it has begun. Keep me updated on Sora's progress" says DiZ.
"Yes sir" comes Namine, her tone sounding reserved, maybe even depressed. "What about Roxas?"
"You needn't worry about your fellow Nobody. He will be dealt with once this is over" says DiZ.
"But..."
"Is that a problem?" asked DiZ.
"I...I think we should keep him around. Find out how he could even exist side by side with Sora when the rules governing a Nobodies existence clearly don't apply to him."
"The same would be said of you" says DiZ. "Never forget, Namine. The both of you were never meant to exist in this world. Nothing either of can you say will ever change that truth." Before Namine could say anything else, DiZ turns the monitor off. He returns his attention to the main monitor, watching as Roxas steps into one of the gates.
to be continued...