Author's Note: First and foremost, image cover created by the talented hakeism (found on tumblr). Permission was granted, so please be sure to check out their page! For this image specifically, it contains the words "betray friends, defend friends."
Welcome to the "trailer" of this story I am currently creating for AkuRiku (Axel x Riku). This is my first Kingdom Hearts fanfiction, and my knowledge of the series runs mainly with the three main games: KH, KHII, and KHIII. I have seen bits and pieces of the others, such as Chain of Memories and Days. However, please feel free to send me a message if a fact is off in this story. I will do my best to correct the fact if it works within the plot line. If it doesn't work, then think of this story as an Alternate Universe to the KH series.
For some context, this story is post-KH3. So, please be careful if you do not want any spoilers. I will not hold back any information from the newest game. Currently, this story is rated T, but may become MA later as the story progresses. I am a 20-something adult writing this story, meaning I have no filter for cussing or sexual content. Be warned.
Side note, this story has not been beta-read. Only Grammarly has been used. If grammatical errors are noticed, please inform me. I will do my best to fix the problems.
Otherwise, please enjoy this little story I have fabricated after completing KH3. It's something that I just have been dreaming up a couple of nights, and found I wanted to write it out for myself. Happy reading!
A Life for a Life: "Trailer"
"Now our journey ends too, yours and mine..."
Sora. Axel's mouth opens but his words seem cut off from his voice. They reverberate around the world instead.
Axel, what are you doing here?
Axel feels tears well up in the corner of his eyes. It had been so long since Axel had last heard Sora's voice. He had nearly forgotten its sound. The words were so smooth and soft.
Axel, your legs!
Axel looks down and sees the watery surface below his toes begin to create tendrils. The snake-like waters slowly wrap around his legs.
The flame keyblade wielder coughs lightly, "So, all the Guardians of Light have been targeted. Something to get memorized."
Sora pushes Axel back harshly, away from the capturing water. Axel staggers as more tendrils reach out.
'You must wake up!'
Axel quickly turns on his heel, looking back into the shadowed forest. A man stands along the trees. He steps out, long black hair flowing in the wind. His red eyes stare only at Axel's keyblade. An unsettling smirk is plastered on his tan face.
"Who are you? And how'd you get here?" Axel asks. His hand tightens around the handle of his blade. Axel feels unsteady by the aura licking outward from around the enemy.
"I want to make a deal with you." The man circles behind Axel's back. He stands only a few feet away.
Axel summons his keyblade and strikes. The enemy moves quicker than Axel expects. He disappears and reappears on Axel's other side. His chaotic eyes stare longingly at the keyblade.
A red tendril slowly splits open the man's palm before it quickly rushes out and latches to the ground. It opens a small portal that glows a brilliant white. Then, it pulls upward and brings out the creatures. They seem like Heartless but are grey in color. Their glowing eyes are a bright blue, and the symbol on their chest resembles the Heartless one, but it has more crosses and is engulfed in flames.
"Bring the flame and his tamer to me, Corruption." The man sneers. The creatures race towards Axel. The redhead quickly uses his keyblade to dispatch a few that get too close. They burn away in sparks of red and black dust.
"You're hearts are stronger when they work together. Overcoming this threat will take time. Without much knowledge on our foes, you will need to protect one another."
A hand touches the back of Axel's neck. Fingers rake against his skin, scratching a pattern into the flesh. A burning sensation takes hold. It spreads across Axel's entire back nape and travels down his spine to the middle of his back.
"Take care of him, Riku. He's fragile right now."
"Axel, can you hear me? It's Riku."
"Ri...ku…" Axel's voice sounds horse.
He cries out as the heat burns the last of his strength. His scream is muffled.