Chapter 1:
Starting Again

I was always told that our heart guides us through our journey in life.

The heart is the soul and the soul is what defines a living being.

When the body dies it simply turns to dust but the heart is said to be eternal and manifest in different ways.

But there is darkness that seeks to devour our hearts until we become a part of its shadows.

However, to protect the heart against the power of the darkness, powers of the light are needed.

The ability to 'Invoke' these powers is given to a few individuals to help protect hearts in need.

These people are simply known as Heartinvokers.

It was a breezy, chilly afternoon. The sun would start to set at any moment and the breeze would only get stronger the darker it got. The weather was blessed for a long journey made in a moment of desperation. Almost a whole day to drive from the big city of Midgar to the more quiet town of Radiant Gardens. This trek was being made by two lonesome brothers seeking a chance to leave behind their past.

Roxas Strife, the youngest of the two, was looking outside the passenger window. One hand propping his chin while sky blue eyes thoughtfully stared at the heavens. His other hand was idly scratching the neck of their pet wolf-dog Fenrir.

His older brother Cloud was just focused on the road ahead, driving a ten foot truck they rented through uneven dusty paths. The subtle rocking motions had almost put Roxas too sleep on some instances; the dullness of their surrounding didn't help. Two or three buildings every now and then that would get swallowed by barren landscape and rocky ravines that separated Midgar and Radiant Gardens.

The two brothers had spent most of the trip in silence. Roxas at one point played around with the channels of the radio. Unfortunately the further away they drove from the city most stations had nothing but static, and the few that didn't had just way too many commercials. Disappointed the teen had turned it off and the trip seemed to stretch out like the barren landscape outside the window, earth and sky blending together in perfect lethargy.

Even Fenrir barely made a sound, there was only soft pants and the subtle jingle of his two bone shaped dog tags colored in purple and silver. They hung from a thick navy blue collar designed to catch the eye with its tribal patterns in varying tones of light teal and soft purple.

Roxas straightened in his seat and gave a very long stretch with a barely audible grunt. The bones in his back cracked while his legs longed to move about to get the blood flowing. Their last break had been about two hours ago but Roxas didn't mind too much, he just wanted to get there.

The stretch caused his sleeveless white jacket to roll up on the back so he adjusted it before looking at Cloud from the corner of his eye. He was getting both bored and anxious, wanting to break the dull quiet but also wondering what subject could he bring up.

Then his own curiosity gave him an idea. He had spent a lot of their trip wondering about Radiant Gardens, so why not ask Cloud about what he felt or thought? After all, this whole moving to another town almost a day away had been Cloud's idea.

An idea that hadn't been planned, everything happened in the blink of an eye. Just some weeks ago, Cloud announced his sudden decision to move. At first Roxas didn't know what to think.

But a year full of struggle and grief made the idea very appealing. It would be a much needed fresh start, a change they both needed and Roxas really didn't mind the idea of moving at all. In fact, Roxas was glad that Cloud made this decision as he personally wasn't too attached to Midgar and he was sure that Cloud wasn't either.

After all, the only thing that bound us there- Roxas couldn't complete his thought as it was something, or rather, someone that wasn't there anymore.

That someone was Zack Fair, a man that was part of their tiny family but had also been Cloud's lover. And it was evident that Zack's death has had a detrimental effect on Cloud's health.

Like those nightmares he gets often. Night terrors that caused Cloud sleepless nights and abnormal chest pains. The man hardly slept anymore, barely even ate too. So as his brother and only family, how could Roxas not be worried.

As if prompted by Roxas' thoughts Cloud brought one of his hands up to the left side of his chest, catching Roxas' eyes. Cloud's thin arm tensed and the corner of his eyes pinched a little bit as he rubbed his chest over his charcoal gray sleeveless turtle neck shirt, occasionally pressing down on it as if to relieve some sort of pressure.

"Cloud, are you feelin' okay?" Roxas' tone was low, melodious, the soft drawl of his speech an indicator of their foreign roots. Showing concern in both his tone and his expression.

Cloud's rubbing stopped as soon as he asked that. Though the slight squint in Cloud's eyes remained, Cloud brought his hand back down to the steering wheel without diverting his attention from the road. It seemed like he was trying to brush it off like he did with most things.

Roxas kept frowning softly at him in concern, determined to not look away until Cloud answered him. Effectively after a couple of moments Cloud looked at his right wrist were a navy blue waterproof watch coiled.

"We should be there soon Rox." Cloud told him, he too spoke with an accent but it was less prominent than Roxas'. And that was all the man said, the sentence finished abruptly.

It wasn't the answer to Roxas' question, yet it was clear to him that Cloud still didn't want to talk about this. If he asked again Cloud would probably give him either another non related answer or none at all.

The teen sighed softly, suddenly too aware of the silence that had been around them the whole time. He didn't know how much longer it was before they'd arrive and he had a sudden urge to speak. He began to pluck strands of Fenrir's gray fur from his charcoal cargo pants, pulling his lips to the side and groaning lowly.

"Geez Fen, you're shedding like crazy. I just washed these!" chuckling, he reached up to tousle the dog's fluffy ruff. That caused him to notice that Cloud's own black cargo pants and the ashen denim jacket around his waist had traces of the animal as well. He giggled, "Looks like he's gotten all over you too Cloud."

Cloud barely looked down at his lap, face and voice neutral, "Yea."

There was silence for a few moments as Roxas stared at his brother waiting for any sort of follow up. But then teen was left with some disappointment and awkwardness, he returned to his contemplation of the dull background outside.

"What do you think Radiant Gardens will be like, Cloud? Think it'll be better than Midgar?" Roxas mumbled once again trying for conversation.

"I don't know Rox." Cloud shook his head as he shrugged one shoulder, his tone a sullen low baritone. "Guess we'll find out."

Roxas again waited for Cloud to add something else, anything else. A wish, a thought, a small rant about something, really, anything. But it was clear Cloud would say nothing more, so neither did he.

I guess he just doesn't wanna talk. But, when does he, really… Roxas sank into his seat as he sighed yet again whilst he twisted the checkered pattern band around his left wrist.

It took the brothers a few more minutes to arrive at their new home. From what little Roxas was able to see of the town as they drove through it seemed like a nice place. Not so industrial like Midgar, Radiant Gardens' architecture gave off a sense of antiquity. Lots of stone houses and lots of streets covered in cobblestone while also surrounded by lush greenery. They even drove by what seemed to be a very lively market place out in the open. Golden lights shining from the stands and kiosks bustling with variety and people.

It looked like fun and Roxas couldn't wait to go explore his surroundings on his skateboard.

However, in contrast the area they were moving into seemed to be a little more isolated from the heart of the town. It was a small area composed by a series of small houses that looked more like studio homes, most homes were just a few inches away from the next.

When Roxas felt the truck slow down he looked at his brother just as the latter pulled the clutch to stop in front of one of the small homes.

"This is it." Cloud gestured with his head towards the passenger window just as he turned off the engine and took out the keys.

Roxas looked out his window at a small building. If the word simplicity were to take form, Roxas would use this house to describe it. Uniform and mundane, shaped like a square and colored in gray. The small front yard was covered in cement instead of grass, surrounded by a chain fence. To one side a tin foil ceiling protruded supported by thin pillars, a poor replacement for a garage but better than nothing Roxas supposed.

"It's … a bit smaller than I thought," Roxas commented uncertainly, looking at Cloud who was also staring at the house.

Cloud's eyebrows furrowed as he let out a deep breath then responded bone-tired and dour, "It has only one room … that's why I got rid of your bed."

Back then, when they were preparing to move, Roxas hadn't questioned why his bed had been among the many things they sold. He thought it was because they just needed the extra money and maybe Cloud would find him a new one, but he could see why now. Roxas didn't mind not having a bed as he could sleep on the floor for all he cared. But he at least would have liked a little heads up about not having a room of his own anymore. Nonetheless, he didn't want to be ungrateful or a prick about it, he couldn't hold it against Cloud. Even in his poor state the man had done a lot.

"So … we'll be sleeping in the same room … on the same bed?" it was an honest question but the slight drawl of the sentence made Roxas sound skeptical and not too onboard with the idea.

Unfortunately for Roxas Cloud took his question the wrong way and he received a scowl from the adult, "It was the first thing I could find and all I can afford until I get a damn job." Cloud all but spat out whilst turning to open his door before adding, "We gotta save what little funds we have left."

"Hey, 'kay, 'kay." Roxas raised his hands pacifically, "Don't get so defensive. I was just askin'!"

His given response from Cloud was a sharp scoff and a light slam of the door.

"I think I should've kept my mouth shut," the teen grumbled reaching for the door handle, a little upset with Cloud's attitude. He hadn't meant to sound rude and Cloud should know better.

But the younger brother blamed it all on stress and a sigh left him as he followed Cloud's lead.

On the ground Roxas held open the door and looked at Fenrir who hadn't moved from his spot. A strange behavior since the canine was often active and playful. But even the dog had changed his attitude since Zack's death. While he still played, Fenrir was now more somber most of the time.

"Come on Fen." Roxas called him, but the dog responded with just a few wags of his tail, tilting his head while looking at the teen. "Come 'ere boy, 'tis fine." the teen encouraged with a hand gesture for the animal to come out of the truck.

Fenrir complied, shooting out of the truck and the first thing he did was sniff the new, unfamiliar ground with his tail curled upwards. He stepped with caution and his tail wagged in subtle paused movements.

Roxas shook his head as he headed to the back of the truck where Cloud was unhinging his sports motorcycle from the tow dolly. It was a beautiful and well taken care of machine painted in black with bits of dark gold. To leave it under the tinfoil ceiling, out in the open where anyone could see it, caused Roxas concern. That bike meant a lot to Cloud and it was their only means of transportation.

"Aren't you afraid it could get stolen bro?" Roxas asked as he bent down to help Cloud with the other hinges.

Cloud scoffed at the question grabbing the bike's handles to wheel it under the ceiling. "That's what the tarp's for. It'll have to do, gotta deal with what we have."

"Hm. Well, I guess …" Roxas shrugged not too convinced but he figured it was best to drop the subject, if Cloud wasn't worried then he would trust him. Cloud was right after all, no matter how uncertain they might feel for the time being, they would just have to get by.

Roxas turned to look inside the back of the truck dusting off his hands, "I'll go ahead an' start unloadin' more stuff, ye'?"

Cloud hummed in agreement softly as he kept walking, "I'll be there in a minute."

Between the two of them they managed to unload the truck and got all the things into their new home fairly quickly. The Strife brothers didn't have much in the way of furniture: a couch, a small dinner table with two chairs, Cloud's double bed and a large drawer chest for their clothes. Aside from their clothing they had a few personal belongings.

Tired from the long trip and worn by stress, the two brothers agreed on just leaving everything in boxes to arrange later. The inside of the house was slightly more colorful than the outside, still themed with a cool arrange of colors. There was some gray, just like on the outside but it was also matched with white and very muted tone of what looked like taupe. But the setup was just as simple as the exterior. By the entrance was a space that served as both living and dining room. At an angle was the entrance to the kitchen, which was a little small. One counter top and a fridge to one side and a counter beside the stove to the other. Finally, very close to the kitchen was the only bedroom in the house along with a adjoined bathroom and walk-in closet. Thankfully the bedroom was big enough to fit the double bed and the drawer chest, and it was the only furniture they sort of arranged.

"Is that all?" Cloud asked once they were done unloading, putting the last box on top of the dining table.

"Ye, that everythin'!" Roxas responded as he came in from locking the truck and putting the keys on the table as well.

"A'right, good. Let's leave this for tomorrow, I really don't wanna deal with any of this right now."

Roxas gave a stretch while yawning his response, "Ya know, 'was 'bout to suggest jus' that." Once he was done stretching he unzipped his hoodie jacket and took it off to reveal the rest of his champagne undershirt that was similar to Cloud's. "Are you still feeling sick big bro?"

Cloud sighed quietly and avoided Roxas' eyes, looking down at one of the boxes as pretext to hide part of his face under his bangs. "I'm just tired. After some rest I should be fine."

Roxas eyed him again with a doubtful expression, carefully considering whether to confront the man with his worries or if it would be better to just let it be for some other time. Given how Cloud responded earlier, he decided the latter option.

At that moment Fenrir came up to Roxas with a toy ball in his mouth that he probably took out from one of the boxes. While wagging his tail, he stood on his hind legs and almost toppled the teenager with his equal height.

"Aw, you wanna play big guy?" Roxas' coo made the big canine respond with wags of the tail and a snuggle against Roxas' face. Giggling Roxas pushed the furry massive head away and took the ball from strong jaws while the canine went back to all fours.

"You gonna go play with him?" Cloud asked casually looking at them.

"Ye', just for a little while. I want to go to bed too but the poor guy has been cooped up in that cramped old truck. Isn't that right boy?" Roxas cooed again scratching Fenrir under the jaw then walked to the door. But, before he went out he looked at Cloud with a little glint of hope in his eyes and asked, "You wanna come with?"

They held gazes for a few moments making it a little hard on the teen not to beg with his face. Roxas knew the gears in Cloud's head were turning and that gave him a little hope.

"Please Cloud?" he tried humbly leaning in a little into Cloud's line of sight.

But something seemed to cause Cloud to look away with a frown as he turned on his heel towards the bedroom's direction.

"No. I'm gonna go lay down. Lots of things to do tomorrow," he answered as he began to walk down the very short hall.

The teen hid his disappointment as much as he could, tossing the ball from one hand to the other in an act of casualty. "Oh … 'kay then. Want me to go with you tomorrow?"

Cloud shrugged while shaking his head and talked over his shoulder, "Do whatever. I suggest you go to bed early if you are, I plan to leave first thing in the morning."

"'Kay. Rest well big brother." Roxas said in a detached tone as he shrugged a shoulder. He turned to head outside hoping for a distraction from the gloom, unsure if Cloud had heard him or not.

But Cloud did hear him as he had barely set a foot inside the room, frowning he murmured to himself, "Hmph. 'Rest well' … if that's even possible," then entered.

The tired blond made a beeline for the bed. The first thing he did was untie his jacket from his waist and threw it on top of the dresser. He let himself drop so that he was sitting on the edge of his bed; thereupon bringing up one foot to be freed from its confines, followed by the other shortly after. After taking his socks off Cloud stretched and fumbled with them absently.

To think it's been a year already. Cloud felt the cold empty spot of his bed creep up behind him and cause him chills.

Solitude embraced him and made him feel small, hunching forward to rub the cold from his upper arms. He caught the glimpse of the golden ring on his left hand; the symbol of a promise that will never come to pass, but one he still felt bound by. Without letting go of his arm he tilted his hand to look at it, the presence strong and causing him to feel a heavy weight on his hand.

Memories seemed like they had flowed from the metal itself to run up his arm and into his head. Images that should have brought him joy were nothing more than painful reminders.

He quickly tried to force himself to shut them off.

Stop … please, just stop! But no matter how much he begged they wouldn't.

The emotions crashed into him like a roaring wave plows into a rock leaving behind tears in tired eyes. The walls loomed around him and the place felt too big, dark and cold. He hugged himself tighter while pressing the tears back with his closed eyelids.

Cloud tried his best to replace the memories with all the things he had to do, such as finding a job and try to settle into their new life.

However that didn't work too well and Cloud only succeeded in causing himself more stress. At that point, Cloud thought and hoped that he could sleep it all off. He just wanted to escape from the pressure inside his own head and be granted a much needed break.

His head was really hurting and the ache in his chest had been harassing him most of the day without mercy. Cloud was not at all surprised that Roxas had picked up on it, but still, he lied to the adolescent.

"There's nothing he can do about it, what's the point on telling him something he already knows." That was Cloud's excuse to himself as he stretched out in the bed and upon contact, his body sunk into the mattress causing the young man to groan.

If only this terrible pain would just go away … He brought up both his hands to caress his temples in circular motions while applying light pressure. The mimic of a technique a different set of hands used to do for him. Sadly, Cloud knew that it wouldn't work the same way but he at least wanted to take some comfort in the memory.

It seemed to work as he barely noticed when his eyes closed softly and his mind gently relented its grip as his breathing was so mellow he could only just feel himself doing so.

Cloud wasn't aware of how long he'd been asleep, but something was insistently prompting him to wake. He didn't immediately open his eyes though as he was still too tired, instead he turned to see if it was the position he had been lying in. For a moment it seemed his body was going to relax, but his skin began to crawl soon followed by a violent shiver that jolted the man fully awake. Cloud gasped deeply, opening his eyes halfway to notice that it was much darker than it should have been.

He blinked a couple of times, opening his eyes more gradually as he turned on his back.

Strange, he couldn't see the ceiling of his room, nor feel his bed under him.

Was he falling?

Or sinking?

Cloud's senses couldn't really tell. He did discern his hair was swaying a little, and he felt like he was being pulled down.

Everything felt cold. He vaguely sensed familiarity in the darkness surrounding him.

In his descent Cloud saw imagery he has seen before: Places he's been and things he has done. The images were projected inside circular mosaics whose little glass pieces had numerous varieties of colors. Some images played like a little movie while others were just frozen in one single moment.

Called by their warmth Cloud wanted to touch them, but he soon landed softly on his feet. Although, he still toppled to the ground when his legs gave under him in weakness.

Disoriented he looked ahead to see more of the mosaics gently hovering all around him. Cloud rose on his wobbly legs, the action taking a little more energy out of him than it should. He walked slowly and shivering through the projections, fond of the things they reminded him off.

But walking close by one of them is when he noticed cracks and scratches in the beautiful display. In it was a picture of him and Roxas when younger, reading a book together.

Cloud's stare softened to the point his eyes were half lidded reaching up with a slow hand, thin pale fingers following the large cleft that ran right across. His chest felt so heavy and he retrieved his hand looking around to see that the other mosaics were in similar or worse condition: Broken or faded into black.

Disconcerted, he backed off slowly while hugging himself closer, painful sadness casing him to grimace. It was eerie and it sent a chill up Cloud's spine followed by the feeling of something gripping his chest.

The void rumbled and a sudden tremor had Cloud stumbling for balance. Confused, he looked at the mosaic he had touched when said glass began to crack. Almost instantly an excruciating pain had Cloud doubling over as he clawed the left side of his chest straining under the unexpected lack of air.

He winced and grit his teeth, distress crawling up his back as he felt his heart beat slower and slower. He couldn't breathe and his muscles were stiff as he tried to cough out the lump he could feel in the middle of his chest.

Cloud tried to call out for help, yet his mouth moved without making a sound. The effort triggered another stab that left him reeling. He tried calling again, but was gasping and coughing for breath, fear making him call for the one person he longed for. He hugged himself again but tighter to the point he was practically squeezing himself; first falling to his knees, then doubling over on the floor to relieve the unbelievable pain.

To shield himself from the chill of his despair.

Everything was so cold. Cloud felt so alone … so helpless.

The slightest warmth gently began to combat the chill on his skin. It first caressed his bare arms, a silken touch running down the appendages with familiarity. Then it became a bit warmer as it shifted to cup his chin, welcoming Cloud to lean in more into the touch.

The young man wasn't sure if it was his own curiosity or if it was the ghostly touch itself, but he felt compelled to open his eyes that he hadn't realized he had closed. What was causing him this sudden but much welcomed relief?

Through a blurry vision and at a distance, Cloud found his answer and was not disappointed. The familiar figure of a man stood, silhouetted in pale-golden light and translucent. It didn't matter, Cloud knew those features well and could pick them out from anywhere.

Cloud did a double take, then tried to gasp that person's name, but was struck with disbelief. All he could do was blink widely as his arms slowly began to lose their grip around himself.

Zack was there, just steps away and smiling back at him as always.

A sweet gesture caught upon that face and Cloud felt like his chest could just explode. Once upon a time Cloud would be greeted with that smile each morning; but now he could only miss it while his heart was hopelessly set on seeing it once more.

The smile broadened and Cloud was invited to approach with the extend of a hand. And on shaky legs and driven by all sorts of emotions, Cloud rose to accept the offer. Cloud wanted to run towards his love: Hug him, kiss him … tell him how much he missed him.

Yet, even when that desire to go to Zack burned so painfully, something was not right. Cloud's legs felt too heavy for him to lift, and his body went rigid when he began to pick up on the disquiet once again.

Cloud began to feel cold again causing torment within his chest, thus, causing Cloud to pant shakily. He still tried to reach out with one hand towards Zack. Meanwhile, Cloud's other hand clutched at the aching spot in his upper body. And even when Cloud tried to walk, gritting his teeth and growling in anger, he was still cemented on the spot.

In despairing anger Cloud tried to call out to Zack but found he had no words. The image of his lover visibly not so far away, with his head tilted and hand stretched out towards him, was taunting. Cloud felt cheated and sneered at because he couldn't move, while at the same time he felt like he was being pulled in without getting any closer.

Cloud felt a shock in his chest, like the stab of a blade, quick and sharp. He grimaced and grunted as the pain shot all the way up to his head so strongly he barely managed to keep his footing. He gasped and panted, eyes mid way as he watched how Zack suddenly frowned then turned whilst drawing out a huge sword from his back.

Panic and fear jerked Cloud's senses, but he was stopped from anything further when another strong shock struck him. That last shock came accompanied by a harsh menacing sound that pierced Cloud's ears so strongly that he fell to his knees clutching his head. Cloud vaguely recognized the sound as something akin to a snarl.

After the ringing in his ears passed he heard the snarl again. This time, it was less harsh and didn't cause him any pain. Though it did sound much closer, like the sound came from right in front of him.

Slowly and shakily Cloud looked up to find that it had he was suddenly face to face a long snout full of sharp canines.

The young man hardly got the chance to even get scared when the beast barked threateningly and launched towards him.

The last thing Cloud felt was another sharp pain shooting throughout his body from his chest as he was starved of breath.

All he could do was call that one name over and over, weaker each time.

Sinking deeper… and deeper.

A Heart's Passage:

I never wanted this to happen though sadly we can't control everything.

This wasn't supposed to happen!

I'm doing everything I can to protect you … but the last of my strength won't last forever to quell this darkness.

What have I done … I have caused you more harm than good.

It pains me to see you suffer each day, the despair in your heart echoes deeply in what's left of mine.

Each time you call my name with such despair, it creates a new chain that weighs me down.

Did I make the right choice?

I can't leave until I make sure you are alright. But can I really? Would I have power enough to fix this? When I couldn't even protect myself?

Perhaps I wasn't as strong as I thought I was.

There has to be something I can do for you … one last thing to mend my mistake!

A/n: Hello! For those of you who are familiar with my other fic 'Winding Roads' this is a remake for it. I ended up writing myself into a corner with and I was never entirely pleased with the pacing of the fic. This is a fresh start and I hope to manage it better this time around.

For all those reading, thank you for your time and I hope you enjoy this work and feel free to let me know your thoughts.

A very big shout out to Thequalityrunaway for all the help!
And another big shout out to Fireyangel for beta-ing!

Well, until the next chapter dear readers and I hope you look forward to it~~~