Chapter Two: Council
The large room was filled with staggered pedestals, no two the same size, except for the long, rectangular table at ground level, surrounded by many chairs, only one filled. Chatter constantly filled the room, echoing off of the high ceilings to mesh and merge together.
She sat filling that one chair, parallel to the table, her feet resting to the side on top of the decorated slab, her elbow resting on it as she rubbed her temples with her hands. Her long, dark silver hair, cut into uncountable layers, strangled down against the high-backed chair.
The Council was debating again, the incessant arguments that decided which heroes deserved Protectors, and which were left on their own. Those never made it very far.
She yawned as the man on the highest pedestal clanged his court mallet down onto the arm of his chaired pedestal.
"Order," he called. "Order. We have a situation." His voice, so annoyingly far from impassive rang with uncertainty, the tone silencing everyone quickly.
"We are asking for a volunteer," he began, but could go no further for the loud gasp that filled the room. Volunteers were never asked for unless the fate of the Protected was both dire and had the survival of worlds hanging on them. She cocked her head eagerly. It had been too long since the Council had been challenged like this.
The Councilmember cleared his throat and began again, looking down at his page of notes. "We are looking for a volunteer. Preferably female. To defend a teenaged girl that will need to kept intact from the Heartless when her heart is stolen and held by another. Will those who are willing please voice their decision?"
Silence, blissful silence finally filled the room. The Councilmembers fidgeted. They were old enough to remember the last volunteer – the now dead volunteer. She was the youngest to join the ranks of the elite protectors. She did not remember, neither was she willing to lose this chance to escape the tedious drone of this place.
She slid her feet off of the table, the shoes clonking on the cold tile of the floor. Everyone turned jumpily at the sound to look at her as she stood.
"I'll go," she proclaimed loudly. Looks of pity and relief filled the room. Pity that someone so young would be expected to die, relief that it was her and not them.
"Very well," the Councilmember beckoned her to the Oathroom. She followed, her body swaying cockily, a smirk on her face. She was braver than the rest of these pampered, creaking bags of bones. The Councilmember closed the door behind them.
"It is time to take the Oath. As you know, there is no set Oath. It changes for each of the Protected. Take a moment and try to glimpse who you will be protecting."
"How do I know what she looks like?" She said disbelievingly.
"When you volunteered to become her Protector, she became a part of you. You will know her. Your Oath will come with the image."
She closed her eyes, letting herself search the rampant images in her mind. There – a girl with red hair, smiling. She seemed so familiar………..
"I bind myself to Protect Kairi, Princess of Hearts, and to fulfill my duties until released by death or the breaking of my bindings by the Protected."
She stood waiting. "Was that it?" she asked the Councilmember, unimpressed.
The Councilmember chuckled mildly, nerves still on edge from the need of a volunteer. "No. Now you receive your Name."
He paused. "Kurai."
"Kurai?" She rolled the name around in her mouth, unfamiliar. "Not what I would have picked, but it's better than nothing, I suppose." She pivoted to walk out of the room.
"Kurai, wait. There is one more thing for you. A weapon."
She turned, interested. "What is it?"
"A Keyblade."
A/N: Snow day! Which is the only reason that this chappie is done and posted, heh heh. I know, weird, confusing, but something that will matter in the long run. Or short run, maybe. I don't know. Anyway, I'll try to post soon!
