Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts, any of the characters (Except for Sable), and am simply writing this for my own amusement.
A/N: As the sequel to my previous fic, Foreshadowing Rancor, this story will pick up where I left off and detail her journey alongside Sora-and-company as they search for Riku whilst combating the machinations of world villains and Organization XIII alike. What all will they do? Do read and find out.
Acknowledgments: Firstly, I would like to thank Devaro Ayanami for his wonderful help as both my Beta and my sounding-board. Secondly, I would like to thank Cyber Angel Rowan , who's vibrant, though brief, review inspired me to post this now, rather than later. Thirdly, I would like to thank Vathara for all the wonderful stories -which I highly recommend you read- she has posted. Reading them has helped me find ways of expanding my own writing style.
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me besides quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
~Psalm 23:1-3 (NKJ)
The glory of the young is their strength;
The gray hair of experience is the splendor of
the old
~Proverbs 20:29
Throughout the course of life
Many doors are open to be entered.
To go through one is to close others
And forge new ones ahead
/\/\/\/\
Chapter 1
Yen Sid and the Sorcerer's Loft
"Hey, Sable?"
With a questioning hum, Sable paused her music and opened one violet eye, black head rising up from a supporting arm.
"Why'd you come with us?" Sora asked. At her dry look he quickly rephrased, "I mean, you live in Twilight Town, right?" A dark brow quirked, amused, "Uh…You didn't hesitate, you just came. I was just, er, wondering…why?"
A blink, then she chuckled softly. "Why, indeed. I had no reason not to, and thus I had no hesitation. To do nothing when you could do something is a waste. To flinch back is to wither away, to hesitate is to die, thus the only option is to press onward. Your fear only weighs you down, so cast it away and fly!"
Three pairs of eyes stared at her blankly. "Huh?"
Sable just chuckled again, lay back, and turned her music back on. Relaxing on the seat, eyes closed, she let her mind drift into half-awareness, trying to quell the hint of butterflies beating in her stomach. Fortunately, the songs of her player were just right for that task.
Clothing rustled as one of the songs ended.
One violet eye cracked open. Isn't that…the blue crystal from the Virtual Twilight Town?
Lying on his back, Sora held the marble-sized gem between his forefinger and thumb. Sable felt her gem dig into her thigh from its place in her pocket.
Odd…why am I feeling…nostalgic. Depressed? Her eye slid shut again. Roxas…it's because Roxas was the one to earn that gem…and now he's gone…
Supposedly he was not gone, rather, living on as part of Sora. As a whole being. But…still doubts lingered. Two people becoming one. Brows furrowed slightly…something about that seems…off. Wrong even…why?
A light tap against her leg. Sighing, Sable turned off the player and opened her eyes again. Sora smiled somewhat guiltily down at her.
"Hey, I was wondering," brown spikes wobbled as his head tilted curiously. "Do you know why the King wanted you to come with us?"
Arms still behind head, Sable shrugged. "Probably because I've had some experience with the enemies you'll be facing."
"Oh yeah!" he perked up. "Those white things! Nobodies? You said you'd tell us about them."
Sable nodded. "I did…But not now." She settled back, fingering the player again. "I want to rest while I still have the opportunity."
Pushing play, she ignored any further urges to speak. Relaxing to the engine's hum, she slowly drifted off.
/\/\/\
"Hey, are we there yet?"
That is one of the most cliché things… Music having stopped some time earlier, Sable could hear Sora's complaint all too well. Eyes closed, she continued to feign sleep, subtly relaxing and tensing parts of her limbs in turn so as to free them from sleep's grasp.
Thin slivers of violet opened under dark lashes as she observed the others.
"We've been on this thing for two hours." Goofy noted, looking up from his crossword puzzle.
Two hours? Well…that was a fair nap then.
"Really?!" Sora sat up and pressed his nose against glass. "Where is this train taking us?!"
A bit more excitable than in the game…
"I don't know," Donald sighed, "but it must be someplace important, otherwise the King wouldn't have sent us."
Face glued to glass, Sora squinted. "Look! I see something!" A pause. "A castle?"
Stretching, Sable sat up.
A blink. Darn…it really does float on nothing.
The train slowed, then came to a smooth stop along the side of the island.
"Where are we?" Sora wondered.
With smooth motions, Sable stepped onto green and brown turf. She glanced around. This doesn't look like much… though the Disney themed Leaning Tower is rather interesting.
Behind her, Sora laughed nervously. "There goes our ride…"
Sable glanced back. So it has…
Nowhere else to go but forward, they approached the tower's door.
A soft hum. Blue armor, black skin, large girth, facial resemblance to a bulldog… Sable smothered a snicker.
Donald looked curiously up at the figure peeking through the doors. "What's goin' on?"
A malicious chuckle. Sable could almost hear the music for this encounter start playing in her ears.
"I sent some of my lackeys inside to see if the master of this here tower is as big and tough as they say." Back still to them, his voice took on an almost conspiratorial tone, "Word is he's a real powerful sorcerer." Another chuckle. "Which would make him the perfect bodyguard for me. See-" his tone dropped again. "-it won't matter how strong he is-once he's a Heartless he'll do as I say!"
"A Heartless?!" Donald echoed, eyes wide. Reflexively, they dropped into offensive stances.
A nod, "That's right; they're those things that come outta the Darkness in folks' hearts. Why-" A fat finger waved through the air. "-with all those Heartless at her side," A fist punched the air for emphasis, "my dear friend Maleficent is gonna conquer everything."
The trio straightened, amusement flittering across their faces.
"And since I got me a debt to pay-"
They exchanged knowing glances.
"I'm goin' 'round to a bunch of different worlds and buildin' an army of Heartless, special for her." A pause, a scoff, then a dismissive wave of a meaty hand. "Why am I talkin' to you pipsqueaks anyway? " Another wave. "Go on, scram! I'm behind schedule as it is."
"You outta find something nicer to do." Goofy rebuked.
"Oh yeah?" He turned around. "Says who? Wha-" Eyes landed on the quartet, then widened almost comically as he reared back. "-aaah! It's you!"
Donald and Goofy jerked back with equal surprise. "Pete?"
A fat finger jabbed in their direction. "What are you two nimrods doin' here?!"
"What are you doing here?" Donald retorted sharply.
Sora glanced between the two. "You know him?"
"We sure do." Goofy looked at Sora, worry in his eyes. "Pete's been causin' trouble for ages!" He looked back at the fuming Pete, "His Majesty banished him into another dimension a long time ago." A thoughtful look. "I wonder how he escaped…"
An evil cackle. "You wanna know, eh?" A sneer, bulldog-face contorting into a smug look. "Well, Maleficent busted me out, that's how! And now your world-" He stopped, arms spreading wide. "-no, no, no, no, all worlds-are gonna belong to yours truly." A brief pause. "Cause Maleficent's gonna help me conquer 'em!"
"Maleficent…huh." An almost coy hum, a gleam entering sky blue eyes.
Violet flickered between them, then Sable sighed. Oh boy, here he goes…
The trio exchanged looks and broke into a fit of snickers.
Puffing up, Pete glared. "What are you laughing at?!" A menacing fist rose. "Why, Maleficent's power is so great-"
"She's toast." Sora interrupted, snickers only just suppressed.
Pete jerked back as if slapped, eyes wide.
"Sorry, but Maleficent can't help ya now." Goofy added.
"Whaddaya mean!?" Light dawned and an accusatory finger was jabbed at them. "You!" Beady eyes narrowed. "So you're the ones that did it!"
"Well…" Arms folded innocently behind brown spikes. "We mighta had something to do with it."A coy grin.
Tendons bulged as fists clenched. Pete shook with fury. "Heartless Squad! Round up!"
Shadows swam, then lunged.
/\/\/\
Slender fingers brushed off imaginary dust. Well that was boring. A pause. And now I'm feeling all wound up.
"You just wait!"
Sable turned and watched as Pete proceeded to have a tantrum. Limbs trembling violently, he stomped his foot. "Nobody, and I do mean nobody, messes with the mighty Pete!"
Sable bit her lip, forcing down an amused smirk. Nobody? Oh how wonderfully satirical.
Sora rolled his eyes. "So, mighty Pete-" Blue eyes glanced at the looming tower. "-who lives in this tower anyway?"
Pete stumbled. "Ya don't know, eh?" He straightened up, suddenly bored. "Well, it's old Yen Sid." An anticipatory smirk formed as beady eyes gazed up wickedly. "'Course, he's probably a Heartless by now!"
Wow…I didn't think Donald's mouth could drop that far…
"Master Yen Sid lives here?" In a blur of feathers, the duck shot through the tower doors.
Sora stared at the open door, eyes questioning.
"Yen Sid is the King's teacher." Goofy explained.
"Wow." Now Sora looked curious. "Sounds powerful!"
Pete forgotten entirely, the two raced into the tower after Donald. The antagonist's broad jaw dropped. Then, swelling up with fury, he charged forward-
-Froze in the grasp of a piercing violet stare.
Malicious shadows laughing. Mocking.
Thin ice ready to shatter and the endless abyss swallow him up-
Sable looked away, smug, and then leisurely sauntered up the steps towards the spiral staircase beyond. I love it when that works.
Pete stood rooted, eyes wide and in a cold sweat, in her wake.
/\/\/\
…They left me behind. Annoyance flaring, Sable rounded a bend of the stairs-
Paused, blinking slowly at the bright rend in the air before her. Her skin prickled uncomfortably.
A portal, a grimace, So many things could go wrong with this…
She stepped through, and right into a sense of vertigo as the ground literally swayed under her feet. A floating staircase…violet eyes noticed a thick door a quarter turn up and nothing past it. Or part of one anyway. Her gaze traveled up the brick interior of the tower. More quarter-ring staircases lay suspended above, each with their own set of portals.
Her leg was beginning to throb at the mere thought of ascending the fantastical staircase. But she had to if she wanted to catch up. Sighing, she ran after the others.
Fortunately, despite hindrance from her leg, she caught up just as they were passing through the door to the room beyond.
This could be remodeled into a nursery. Was Sable's first impression of the room.
Hexagonal shapes flickered. An obstructing barrier.
Her neck prickled. Hand lashing out, whip cracking, she glanced back. The unlucky Shadow lay suspended, pierced by the whip, before dissolving.
Another sigh. And here we go again.
Lightning struck and blades flashed as the whir of a flying shield filled the air. Within moments the opponents were gone.
Pathway cleared, they passed the threshold.
/\/\/\
Greedy claws grasp, miss
Silver shines, key descends, scatter
Rattle, a hiss, frustration mounts
'Round ascend, steps mount on
Twist, duck, dart, an upward swing
Shield flies, spinning, cutting, returning
A beating magnet, a lure too sweet
Passage ahead, trail to heed
A dark wing flies, through enemy it thrives
Ozone splits, lightning cracks, hair on-end.
Squirming, writhing; rise again Shadow's claw.
Latch yields, a new ground to enter
Shadows surge and armor clanks
Red claws blocked, helmet dented
Annoyance, arm extends:
Crack, a snap, a whip twirls, pierces, rends
Shadows yield, retreat. Another time.
Moon-like lamps cast a gentle light as the last Shadow faded.
Alright, once is expected, twice is coincidence, but that was ridiculous. Facial tic prominent, Sable dismissed Soul Eater. The Heartless were aiming for me. Specifically. A sideways glance to the room's other occupants. I don't think they noticed, though. With a restrained sigh she massaged the bridge of her nose to try and hold back a growing headache.
"Heartless, Heartless, Heartless!"
Blinking, Sable turned her gaze to the fuming duck.
Indignant hands planted on hips. "Things haven't changed one bit!" A webbed foot stomped the ground for emphasis.
"Well, it's a good thing we're on the job then." Goofy remarked practically.
"So the worlds aren't at peace after all?" Disheartened, blue eyes dimmed.
"As long as evil lurks in the hearts of men-" Long strides towards the last door, Sable gave the others only a passing glance. "-conflict arises, trouble stirs, and the struggle continues."
The door swung open.
/\/\/\
Standing at stiff attention, Donald and Goofy both saluted before bowing low, gazes ground-ward. Wizened eyes studied them, a trace of approval shining.
"Master Yen Sid, it's an honor." Donald spoke reverently.
He looks just like he did in Fantasia… Sable noted absently, remaining upright though she nodded politely.
"Hey there." Sora smiled completely at ease with his arms laced behind his head.
Lips twitched. Good old Sora. Formality is a foreign thing to you, isn't it?
Beady eyes snapped up, aghast. "Sora! Show some respect!" Donald rebuked sharply. Sable rolled her eyes as Sora flinched, startled.
Yen Sid waved off the unintentional show of disrespect. Then, with a light wave of his hand, four chairs materialized opposite him at the table.
Not as uptight as he looks, it seems.
"So, you are Sora." A gesture to the chairs, "You four must be tired from your long journey."
A soft flash of light, though how a flash of light could be described as soft was a mystery, encased the area. It faded to reveal additions that had not been there previously.
Wow, snacks included? Sable eyed the soft cakes and assorted side trays. Well…seems he's reserved with his stature and thoughtful to boot.
"And you must be the Chosen of Darkness, Sable."
Her eyes snapped up as the other's snapped to her, all surprised. Although…
Donald seems more suspicious now. Sable noted from her peripheral vision. A pause, then she calmly picked up a utensil, ignoring the looks.
"Did you see the King?"
"Yes, we did, Master." Goofy affirmed. "But we didn't get a chance to talk to him."
"He had to leave for his next destination…" Donald sighed, watching an animated teapot poor tea.
"Well-" An understanding nod. "-it means he still has unfinished business."
"Unfinished business?" The mage echoed.
Another nod. "Thanks to your good work…the Heartless were stopped from spilling over out of the Darkness into the World."
Suddenly bashful, Sora flushed as his friends elbowed him, each wearing a conspiratory grin.
Aged eyes were alight with both wisdom and sympathy. "However…the world is facing another serious problem."
Silverware stopped clattering.
"The Nobodies. Have you heard of them?"
A nod. Blue eyes glanced at Sable before settling on the sorcerer again. "That's what Sable called the white things that attacked us at the station."
Sable pointedly kept her attention on her food.
A directive finger raised up and light danced across the digit. Then a responding glow appeared over Donald's plate. Sable blinked, a corner of her lips quirking.
A mini-Shadow, how cute.
"When the heart is consumed by Darkness-" The sorcerer lectured. "-it separates from the body and becomes something known as a Heartless."
A crooked antenna twitched.
"A Heartless has no reason."
The mini-Shadow comically mauled an artichoke, clawing at the vegetable's aptly shaped 'heart'. Sable kept her head low, sniggering softly as Donald squawked in outrage and started dueling the illusion with his fork.
"Now, I'll let Sable continue the explanation."
Sable choked on her food. Helpfully, Sora reached over the slapped her on the back. A hard swallow, violet eyes sent a grateful look at Sora before looking balefully at the sorcerer. She sighed, then began to speak.
"As was just said, a Heart taken from the Body becomes the mindless, instinctive Heartless. However, they are only half the equation." Her empty plate was pushed forward. "What happens to the Body and Soul once the Heart is removed?" A shrug. "In most cases they just fade away, unable to function due to the shock. But, when a person with a strong will loses their Heart their body will continue to function and live, though generally they will regress to a more…primitive shape, which has been coined the alias 'Nobody'.
Aged fingers snapped once again, and more light flashed.
"Those are the things that attacked us!"
Sable nodded. "Those are the Nobody variation of a Shadow Heartless, called a Dusk. While the mind was lost when they regressed to this they still have the ability to think and plan, executing strategies and working together with other Nobodies. They are also, as you undoubtedly noticed, far stronger than the average Heartless, making them much more dangerous opponents. However-
Another snap, and holograms of familiar dark cloaks formed.
"On occasion there will be someone with a will strong enough to retain their shape as well as their mind. They are the strongest, smartest Nobodies, able to effortlessly command lesser Nobodies."
"Like Maleficent and the Heartless." Goofy noted.
A nod. "Over a decade ago thirteen such Nobodies, all sharing a common goal, formed an alliance, they call themselves Organization XIII." A vague gesture towards the holograms. "As you can see, they are easily distinguishable by their chosen attire. Another give away is their names, all of which possess the letter 'X' and are an anagram of the name they had prior to losing their Hearts."
Pausing again, she shot them a warning look. "They greatly dwarf the lesser Nobodies in regards to skill and raw power, so don't underestimate them if you want to stay alive. Some of the members will kill you, should they get the chance."
A hand strayed to her throbbing leg.
"Sable…" Goofy inquired softly. "What happened to your leg? I noticed it's been causin' you a lot of trouble."
"A couple days ago an Organization member infiltrated a competition I was entered in… He was much stronger and faster than I was, the only reason why I survived was because of an odd twist of luck that drove him off."
Silence, then-
"So-" Sora began. "-we have to fight thirteen Nobodies like that?" Tan skin turned sallow. "We could hardly fight off the ones at the station."
"Not thirteen." Sable corrected. "Five were killed last year, and one, possibly two, have gone rogue. So there's only…six or seven to deal with."
Sora did not seem all that reassured.
Then Yen Sid spoke up. "You said they joined to reach a common goal, do you know what that is?"
A nod. "They are attempting to regain their hearts. They believe…" Sable hesitated, bracing. "They believe that if they get control over Kingdom Hearts, then that desire will become reality."
Ouch…my ears… Sable winced in the wake of the trio's dismayed cries.
"So they are nothing but empty shells, destined to return to Darkness." Yen Sid added. "An empty vessel whose Heart has been stolen away…A spirit that goes on even as its body fades from existence-for you see, Nobodies do not truly exist at all."
Sable frowned as the sorcerer continued along that line of thought. "Nobodies may seem to have feelings, but this is a ruse-they only pretend to have hearts. You must not be deceived!"
Blue eyes stared at the holograms. "Nobodies…" A soft whisper. "They don't exist."
Frown deepening, Sable spoke up. "I wouldn't say that. If they didn't exist then we wouldn't be having this problem in the first place." She reasoned. "They still have their Souls and their will to live, which is something the Heartless lack. So they still exist as you and I do, they're just-" Pausing, she searched for the right word. "—broken."
A grunt, Yen Sid and Sable stared eye-to-eye for several moments, both certain they were correct. Finally, Yen Sid nonverbally declared it a draw and changed the topic. A hand gestured vaguely and a large book appeared on the desk as the food and silverware vanished.
"This book contains valuable knowledge for your journey." He informed, leaning back in his seat, "Study it carefully."
"The Beginning"
Each journey gives rise to chance encounters, and each encounter brings forth a farewell. When a farewell leads to a journey, the worlds open their hearts. Those chosen by the light, or ensnared by darkness. Friends who share the same bonds, though their paths may differ. When you doubt the path trod thus far, when the hand you held is lost to you, gaze anew at the heart that once was... for all the answers are within.
"Interlude"
A long dream. A sad farewell, hanging in the air in that "world between." What is reality? What is illusion? The path chosen by the young boy leads to his memories. When caught in the stream of the days and nights going past, gaze anew at your steps... for there all confusion will end.
"The Future Story"
Will the day come that this battle, born of confusion, will end? It is different things to different people. Can the reality be that which is hidden? The reason is mere existence. Still, memories can be believed. Be not afraid. Entrust your body to the soothing waves of your memories. By and by, your fleeting rest will be over... and everything will begin.
A shudder lanced through Sable. A hand reached up and clenched her chest. That…really strikes a chord.
"Everything's connected…" She murmured. "And yet…in some way, nothing is…our hearts and memories bind us together."
"Wait a sec…" Sora began, puzzled. "How come there are still Heartless running around?"
"Heartless are Darkness made real-the Darkness still lingers in every Heart." Yen Sid explained. "As long as Darkness exists in every heart, it will be difficult to defeat them."
A look of dawning. "Gawrsh, that means…if everyone's heart was filled with light, the Heartless'd go away." At Goofy's comment, Sora's eyes glazed over wistfully.
An echo of pain stirred goose bumps over her skin as Sable winced, remembering how just a trace amount of Light burned her. That would be…terrible. A slight shiver. Besides, there were no Heartless before Ansem's experiments, it tipped the balance and warped things that had otherwise not caused trouble. Like introducing an alien species into a new ecosystem…and letting it run rampant with no natural enemies.
But…how could she possibly explain that to them?
"The King sensed the danger and journeyed forth to fight it." Yen Sid stated. "He found the dark realm's Keyblade, and with it, closed the door. Now he's traveling across the world, fighting the Heartless as he seeks the answer to the riddle of the Nobodies and Organization XIII."
"Then I guess we better find the King first!" Sora reasoned. "He should know where Riku is too. 'Cause the two of them were together in the Realm of Darkness when we closed the door." A wry smile. "You know, after defeating Ansem."
I will not start snickering at his ignorance.
Yen Sid nodded. "So, before you go-" A gesture to a large door. "-you will need more suitable traveling clothes." Amused eyes looked over Sora's attire. "Those look a bit too small for you."
Blushing, Sora glanced at his clothes as if not noticing their state before then. Sable sniggered.
"And yours look like they're about to fall apart, Sable."
Violet studied the large tears in cloth and shrugged. "True enough." These won't last another fight…how on earth did Sora's survive the Heartless invasion and Castle Oblivion?
"Through there, you will find three good fairies." Yen Sid continued. "If you ask, they'll create more appropriate garments for the two of you-wait a moment, Sable."
Halfway out of her seat, Sable paused as the others went to the other room.
"As I'm sure you're already aware, as a chosen of Darkness, you have a different path to follow than Sora."
True. Darkness coalesced and Soul Eater appeared.
"I suspected as much." She admitted. "A Keyblade would mean helping Sora with the doors..." A shrug. "But I got Soul Eater and Breath Guard instead, so I'm not quite sure what I'll have to do."
"Breath Guard?" Dark eyes looked curious.
"A Light counterpart of Soul Eater…it saved my life in my fight with the Organization, but I haven't been able to summon it since." Soul Eater vanished and the hand moved to rub her arm.
"You may wish to ask the three good fairies to help you with your wounds." Yen Sid suggested. "They would be a hindrance in the battles to come."
No kidding. A polite bow, then Sable followed the others through the doorway.
"-your garments also have other powers-" the fairy in red, Flora if Sable remembered correctly. "-but you will have to discover what they are as you continue your journey."
I remember these three, from Disney "Sleeping Beauty".
A sudden flash of light. Sable flinched back, momentarily blinded. Blinking stars out of her eyes, she got her first real look at Sora's new outfit.
Those clothes are even cooler in person…and are certainly better than his old ones. A too-small jumpsuit simply didn't do the teenager justice. What he had now was much better. Was it ironic to think that black was a good look for him? Accented by the white and yellow/gold, lining and straps respectively, he looked quite, as the fairies put it, 'dashing'.
"Okay-" Sora was nodding. "-I'll do my best. Thanks a lot!" He turned and smiled at Sable as he approached the door. "Your turn, Sable."
"Have fun." Donald snickered, following him.
Puzzled, she watched them go. What was that about?
"Oh!" Sable looked back at the exclamation. "You must be Sable."
Blinking, she nodded.
"You'll be wanting new clothes too?"
Another nod, then a thoughtful pause. "Yen Sid also hinted that you could-" She hesitated. "-help me with my present condition?"
Eyes filled with pity. "Oh yes, the injuries from your dealings with the Organization. Poor dear, of course we'll help you."
"What would you like dear?" The green fairy, Fauna, inquired softly. "Something like Sora's?"
A negative shake. "No…nothing flashy. I doubt my Darkness would let it work…correctly, with me." Light burns me…and I'd rather avoid the risk of getting stuck in Anti-Form. That would be…unpleasant, to say the least.
Three wands were brandished high.
"Alright dears-" Flora instructed. "-all together now, and no more squabbling."
Red, blue, and green flashed and Light flared up.
Her skin burned as if seared, it was all she could do not to hiss in pain, settling only for shielding her eyes. Then, through the intense burn, her injuries grew warm, pleasantly so. The constant throbbing, the restrictive hindrance she had grudgingly gotten used to, faded away.
"Wow…" A soft murmur.
"Yes, very dashing." Equally soft agreement.
Slowly blinking back stars, Sable lowered her arms, then glanced down at herself. Black and white color scheme, not bad… Oh! Partially gloved hands reached up and tenderly felt the Nobody Pendant. The necklace stayed. A pause. Pity the chlamys didn't, though I like these sleeves.
There were some parallels to Sora's outfit, such as the item pack on her thigh and her fingerless gloves, but other than those, not many.
Gingerly, she tested her mobility, thrilled by the lack of pain. A padded vest…a kind of light armor, I suppose. This scarf is nice too, might be useful at some point. An experimental kick, to test mobility. Vents along the inner hem of her lower pant leg flapped with the movement. Sable hummed, expression thoughtful. That'll explain the belts above my knees.
"Thank you." She said aloud, bowing gratefully.
Benign smiles were her answers.
"Now these aren't regular garments." Flora began.
"They have very special powers." Fauna continued.
"Since you didn't want the same things we gave Sora-" The blue one, Merryweather, spoke up for the first time. "-we increased its defensive abilities so you'll be less prone to injury. However-" A warning look. "-you must still be careful. Cutting blows will still cause you harm if you are struck hard enough."
Then Flora took over. "They will never tear or get dirty. They also have other abilities too, but you'll need to discover those on your own."
Sable bowed again. "Thank you, very much."
Spinning on the ball of her foot, Sable went to rejoin the others.
/\
Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
Do any of you want to live
a life that is long and good?
Then watch your tongue!
Keep your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good.
Work hard at living in peace with others.
~Psalm 34:11-14
/\/\/\
Reviews are always appreciated. They let me know my story is not simply collecting virtual dust. And by reviews I mean something a bit more than 'awesome story' or the like. Tell me what you enjoyed, and even what you did not (though please refrain from going on a tangent).
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WARNING: As I am presently in the middle of Stalking Horse Games, this story will be updated only sporadically with no real schedule for updates so they may be few and far between.