Chapter 1: Hollow Bastion
Her whole body ached. It hurt to move or breath. She forced herself to lift her upper body off the hard stone she had landed on. Her arms and legs were bruised up. She winced as she lifted her head up and looked around quick. She was in an abandoned street. It seemed to be night judging by the black sky. She grunted as she sat up more checking out her bruises. She would live. The golden brown haired girl shakily pulled herself to her feet. Wobbling a bit, she began to make her way down the street. She thought back to a few moments ago. She had been drifting on nothing for as long as she could remember. Then something flashed drawing her attention…waking her from her dream-like state. She had opened her eyes then. She saw a red liquid around her. Thousands of bubbles frothed around her in frenzied panic as she struggled to get a grip on the situation. She looked out to see a mouse like creature dressed in fine clothes pinning herself to a panel as dark little creatures stalked closer to her. She knew the mouse was in trouble and had looked for a weapon. She saw the strange blade on the pedestal. She didn't know much of what happened after that. Everything just flowed through her body as if she was some machine. She didn't know how she had made those doors slam or how she knew she was the only person who could keep the creatures a bay. She shook her head softly as she walked down some stairs. She looked at her hands when she made it to the bottom of them. She saw the weapon she had used disappear when that guy grabbed her. She examined her hands for a good long moment.
'I wonder….' she closed her eyes and held her hands out as if to grasp the weapon she was thinking of. She focused on the feeling of the weapon in her hands. Suddenly, a white light flash over her closed lids and a weight pressed delicately into her outstretched hands. She opened her eyes to be greeted by the beautiful elegant weapon she had wielded against the dark creatures. She turned it over in her hands making the chain rattle softly. She admired it. It was as if it was designed just for her. She lowered her arm still holding the weapon and in a flash of light the weapon vanished. She looked at her hands for a quick second before she smiled.
"Cool" her voice was softer than normal, just above a whisper. She looked up at the sky to see a few stars lit it up. A noise she had heard before invaded her ears and she turned around sharply to see a creature come out of the darkness. It looked just like the ones from before. She put out her arms letting the light flash at her fingertips and welcoming the weapon that fit itself into her hands. She readied herself as the creature inched toward her. But it didn't get a chance. A white sphere zoomed past her feet and shot into the black creature. There was a whirring noise then in a burst of light the creature was gone. The girl eased a little in awe before she straightened and her weapon slid away in a flash of white light. She guessed they had a security system for them. A sudden chill played across her arms and she shivered lightly rubbing her hands over her chilled skin. She wasn't really wearing ideal clothing at this time. She looked down at the garment curiously. What was the symbol it had on it? She remembered it was an emblem of some sort. But…an emblem to what exactly? She sighed as she held her arms snuggly around her chilled body. She turned on her heels and started down the street again. She had made her way to one of the houses on the street. She paused and wondered if anyone would take her in. Her stomach growled letting her know she hadn't eaten in a while. How long she wasn't sure. She didn't remember having a meal at all. She turned toward the door and knocked lightly. She waited a moment before a woman with long dark hair answered. She was wearing a nightgown and she looked rather tired. "Oh I'm sorry" the girl said quickly realizing she must have woken this nice lady at an ungodly hour "I-I was wondering if you had room for me to stay the night but if you would rather go back to bed that's fine." The woman rubbed her eyes slightly as she looked at her before a smile touched the woman's lips.
"Sure you can come in" the girl blink astonished.
"R-Really?" the woman shrugged.
"No one here can really sleep with Cid's snoring anyway" she said smiling before she stepped aside gesturing for the girl to come in. Politely, the girl thanked the woman and timidly walked in. The first thing she saw was a huge series of computer screens mounted on a wall a couple yards from the door. Sitting in the chair before it was a blonde haired gentleman. He was sprawled out as far as the chair would allow him. His head tilted back to allow an ear drumming snore tear through the night. The girl covered ears on instinct and timidly tiptoed out of the room as she followed the dark haired woman. The woman led her to a kitchen that was hidden away from the first two rooms. The woman motioned for the girl to sit down at a table to her left and the girl happily did. "Would you like a drink?" she asked going to the sink to get herself one.
"Yes, Thank you" the girl said softly but loud enough to be heard over the low hum of snore in the background. The woman poured two glasses of water and handed one to girl as she sat across from her. The girl gratefully picked up the water and took a long swig. She didn't remember the last time she had a drink either, she thought slightly confused. It was as if she had been sleeping for a long, long time. She when she had finished her long chug, she looked up at the woman across from her. The woman wore a slightly amazed slightly amused look on her face making the girl blush slightly. "I-Uh-…I haven't had something to drink in a while" the girl said timidly.
"As I can see" the woman said rising to fill the girl's glass again "Why were you wondering the streets?" The girl paused wondering if she should tell the woman about what had happened to her a short while ago. When the woman returned with her glass she took a soft breath to clam herself.
"Well I don't really understand much of what happened so far…but" the girl did her best to relay the happenings as clearly as she could. She explained about the black creatures and waking up in a weird tube. She explained about the woman called Maleficent and the guy that held her. The woman blinked somewhat startled by everything. The woman listened to the end before she spoke.
"So…You're a Keyblade Wielder…" she mused.
"Keyblade?" the girl echoed looking down at her glass for a second.
"I'll ask Aireth and Leon to explain in the morning" she said taking the girl's untouched glass away before she gently guided her toward some stairs that were to the right of the fridge across the room "I'm Tifa…What's your name?" The girl didn't realize just how tired she was until she was making her way up the stairs with Tifa's guidance. She struggled to remember her name. Did she have a name? Yes, she did have one. What was it? A vague jumble of letters piled themselves together. Libares? No. Aerbliss? No. Blissare? Close, she thought and tried one more time.
"Bliss-er-a" she said slowly pronouncing all the letters as they should sound. That sounds right, she thought as she yawned softly. The loud snoring in the background had reduced to a muted grumble as Tifa guided her to a room. She began to fumble as TIfa guided her into the bed. Her cool blue eyes were dulled with tiredness as the dark haired woman helped her get into the covers. She mumbled a stifled little 'Thank you' and was out before Tifa had slid the final blanket over her. Tifa smiled at the girl gently and whispered back:
"You're welcome, Blissera….Sleep tight" she smoothed the blanket with her fingers before turning away and walking to the door. She turned back to look at the delicately crafted face of the girl before smiling and closing the door behind her. She had a feeling everyone was going to like her, at least as much as she already did, when they met her in the morning.
'Hey, are you awake?' a young man's voice echoed through Blissera's ears 'Wake up!' Blissera's eyes fluttered open. She didn't register much but a white light surrounding her. It was a soft light and clung to her almost like it was trying to hold her like a baby. She felt someone's back press against hers but she couldn't move her head to see who it was. 'Good you're up' she could hear the smile in his voice. Blissera grumbled softly, more bummed that she couldn't sleep longer than angry with the boy who woke her. The boy pressed to her back laughed his back shaking slightly. 'You can sleep a little more later…I just really wanted to talk to you…After all, you and me will being seeing each other a lot here' Blissera blinked to adjust her eyes a little. She was standing in a field with little flowers peeking in an out of the tall green grass. She smiled a bit thinking how pretty it was. 'You like it here?' the boy asked still pressing his back to her back.
"Yes, this place is really beautiful" Blissera replied softly watching a cherry blossom petal dance past her on the soft warming wind that was passing through.
'I'm glad you like it' she heard the smile in his voice again and felt his back press a little harder to hers.
"Who are you?" Blissera asked still not finding the will to turn her head and look at the boy.
'My name is Ventus' she could hear him grinning now 'I've been here a long time'
"I'm Blissera, it's nice to meet you" Blissera smiled leaning into Ventus' back slightly. She didn't know why she felt so at ease with this boy she just met. But something about him made her relax and smile.
'Blissera, huh? That's a pretty name' the brown haired girl blushed slightly for no one had told her that her name was pretty. Heck she didn't remember even talking before she woke in that strange tube.
"T-T-Thank you" she stuttered her hands fiddling with the edge of her dress.
'Welcome Bee'
"Bee?"
'It's your nickname…Do you like it?' Ventus was smiling again according to what she heard.
"I like it when you say it" Blissera giggled smiling happily. If anyone else had given her the nickname she would have found it weird but, when Ventus said it, it sounded right in a way.
'Okay then! I'm the only one to call you that!'
"Then I get to call you, Ven"
'Then it's settled' Ventus chuckled light heartedly. Blissera giggled softly before a frown slowly worked its way across her face.
"Am I dreaming?" she asked staring out at were the field met the sky.
'Well…Yes and no…' Ventus said with a slight pitch in his voice 'You see…I'm not really alive now' Blissera turned her head slightly though she still couldn't see him through a curtain of her own hair. Ventus seemed to sense her question, 'I'm kinda here in spirit…my body is asleep somewhere far from here' Blissera remained quiet longer hoping he would explain further. 'I lost my heart fighting for my friends and a guy that is a lot like me has it' Blissera gave a soft 'oh' for she didn't know what to say. What do you say to someone who's technically dead? 'I'm here to help you out though' Ventus was smiling again in his voice 'Whenever you really need me just close your eyes'
"But if we are facing back to back all the time how will I know it's you?" Blissera felt Ventus press a little harder into her back.
'We won't always be facing back to back but, you'll know Bee' again with that smile in his voice 'You'll know'
Light flitted over Blissera's eye lids making her growl softly and blink. She opened her eyes more to see it was morning. She sat up in the soft cream colored covers and stretched her arms over her head in one long arch. She sighed as she closed her eyes and let the sun wash over her body. She smiled as she looked toward the window that sat just above the bed. "Thanks Ven" she said softly looking at the golden horizon "At least I know you'll be there". She giggled when a tree waved in the suddenly up paced wind. She liked to think it was Ventus letting her know he was there. She laughed as she waved back pretending he would see her. She then slid out of bed as silently as she could in case anyone was sleeping in from 'Cid's snoring' last night. She hadn't heard him after she had fallen asleep but she was sure his vocals had rattled the halls. She looked down at herself slightly dismayed. She was still wearing the dress from before. She couldn't wear it two days straight! It was clean but it wasn't really appropriate walking out in public wear. That thought made her gulp uneasily as she looked around the room. It was a snug room with a dresser, a closet, a mirror on the wall, a bed and two chairs that sat on opposite sides of the door. Blissera notices some clothes folded neatly on the chair to her left and a carefully creased note on top. Blissera approached to pick up the note and unfold it with one flip on her wrist.
Bilssera,
I noticed last night you had no change of clothes with you. So Aerith and I put our heads together and made you some. Hope they fit you…you looked about the same build as our friend: Eyowyn so we used her as a model. Try'em on and we'll see!
Tifa
Blissera smiled touched that Tifa had taken the time to help make her a change of clothes. Blissera put the note aside and pulled off the first of the garments made for her. It was a pale violet tank top with a zipper on both side and one starting at the top of the chest and ending just before the abdomen. It was soft as if it was made with a fine material. She smiled at it before she draped it over her arm and picked up the second piece. It was a skirt that was the same color as the top. There was a zipper slitting the skirt in half and a black belt that weaved through the belt loops at the top. She smiled as she jiggled a chain that was attached to the belt. It had nothing on it. She wondered if Tifa thought she would put something on it. Blissera looked down to see two more items of clothing: a pair of black shorts and a dark violet jacket. She stepped closer to pick them up and her bare foot bumped something. She looked down to see a pair of black boots and some socks peeking out from under the chair. Blissera looked down at her bare feet confused for she didn't remember being barefoot. Or had she been? She sighed tiredly waving the thought aside as she began to dress herself. When she finished she looked down at herself as she twirled for herself. She felt something was missing like what she was wearing was to plain. She studied the half jacket for a minute before she sighed. She tapped the boots that came up to her knees. She turned toward the mirror and made a confused face. After a moment, Blissera noticed something odd. She jumped when a light etched across parts of her outfit. The light threaded its way across her forming different shapes. She blinked in awe as the light died and she saw what the light had done. It had etched a crown and heart symbol into her clothes. She looked down when the chain on her belt rattled as if something was on it. She gasped at the sight of two charms that had just appeared on it. One was a crisp clear white butterfly…the other was a bright glinting golden snowflake. Somehow…now they felt complete. Blissera smiled as she twirled around to herself for the second time. "Cool" was the only word that softly left her lips.
Blissera nervously opened her door and peeked out to the hallway. She didn't know what to expect from the people who lived here. She only knew Tifa to a small degree. She looked up and down the hall uneasily, suddenly nervous about it. What would they think of her? Sucking in a sharp deep breath, Blissera gathered what courage she had and exited the room. She turned to shut the door behind her then turned back around to be surprised and almost bump into a man a 'bit' taller than her.
"Oh! I'm sorry!" she said quickly as she stumbled back a little. She was on the edge of falling when the man snatched her hand and steadied her. Blissera looked at her feet to be sure she was stable before looking up timidly with a tiny blush on her face. The man had on a red tattered cape and a red head band collecting his messy black hair. Blissera gulped when she looked into his red eyes. She made a nervous fidgeting gesture before she bowed apologetically. "Again I'm sorry" she murmured softly. The man looked at her up and down before he sort of shrugged and moved past her. Blissera turned to watch him go and when he vanished down the stairs she let out a soft breath she had been holding. She clutched her head and tugged on strands of her hair as she scolded herself over and over again. "Idiot" she hissed to herself "Watch where you're going!" Blissera took a deep breath to sooth her beating heart and flush the color out of her face. She closed her eyes and sighed. She then fixed her hair with a quick comb with her fingers before she headed toward the stairs. When she made it to the bottom she was greeted with the smell of cookies. Her stomach roared for it was upset it STILL didn't get anything to eat. Blissera covered her belly with both hands embarrassed as she glared at her own belly. She looked up to see a girl around her same build at a stove by the sink apparently cooking the food she was smelling and some other's she hadn't registered. The girl had long dark brown hair that was tied back in a low pony tail at the moment so her hair was out of the way. Blissera turned her head toward the table she had sat at last night to see a few people staring at her. Blissera gulped nervously as she recognized the man she had bumped into in the hall among them. She timidly raised her hand and gave a short hasty wave to them. Tifa came in through the door leading to the rest of the house. She smiled at Blissera before she walked over.
"Morn' Bright Eyes" Tifa said patting her head like an adult to a child. Blissera glared a little at the treatment and combed through her hair with her fingers for the second time that day. Tifa turned to the group at the table. "This is Blissera…She's the girl I was talking about" Tifa explained then turned to look at Blissera carefully "Wow! Those clothes we made fit you good! You like them" Blissera swallowed her bashfulness and smiled happily.
"Yes" Blissera's voice was soft and sweet "I like them very much, Thank You"
"You should thank Aerith and Eyowyn" she replied with a smile "I only suggested the colors" Tifa motioned to the girl that had turned from the stove. "This is Eyowyn" Tifa explained "She's a great cook and cooks for us most of the time" Eyowyn smiled which put a sparkle to her hazel eyes. Blissera automatically smiled back. There was something about Eyowyn that made Blissera happier in a way. Like Eyowyn was a long lost sister that Blissera finally found. Eyowyn dried her hands as she came closer, for she had just washed her hands of butter, with a white apron she wore to protect her clothes before she offered her hand to shake. Blissera looked at the hand for a second before making eye contact with a smile that glittered in her blue eyes. Their hands shook lightly before Eyowyn spoke.
"It was fun being the model" she was almost laughing making her voice sound a bit bubbly "It was no problem"
"But still thank you" Blissera said closing her eyes as she smiled warmly. Tifa noticed the connection between the two girls and smiled. She was right about everyone liking Blissera. Aerith loved her the moment the two made eye contact. Cloud smiled at her as she offered to get his plate for him. Yuffie joked around with her and laughed when Blissera played along. She had that aura that seemed to attract them like a lamp in the night and moths. Blissera smiled as she took another plate from Eyowyn. She turned to dash toward the table. But bumped into the infamous snorer: Cid. Blissera blushed from her naturally over emphasized embarrassment. She stuttered an apology as the plate in her hands wobbled. It slipped out of her hand and the light brunette gasped. Blissera's body went rigid in that split second. Cid stepped back when he bumped into her to see the girl's eyes flutter then a light beckoned from them. Light swallowed her eyes completely as her hands took on a watery blue aura. The plate stopped the moment before it was to hit the ground. Bits of food floated just above what was once their fate. Slowly, Blissera raised her hands so they were palm up and resting at her chest level. The plate slowly floated upward letting the food collect on to it. The plate gently touched her outstretched palms and, like the blink of an eye, the light and aura disappeared. Blissera blinked dizzily for a moment before she weaved around the older man to set the plate in front of Yuffie. It was like she didn't even know what happened. Everyone stared at her as she turned away from the table and with a smile ran back to a 'stuck in a "WTF" pose' Eyowyn. Blissera seemed to finally register the attention she was getting and looked around at them with a bright blush splashing across her cheeks. "W-What?" Blissera asked looking down to see if she had food on her clothes.
"Do you remember what you just did?" Tifa asked looking a bit concerned. Blissera cocked her head oddly quirking one brow.
"What'd I do?" Blissera sounded genuinely lost and it seemed like the incident had been cut out of her memories. Everyone glanced at each other slowly dropping the subject.
"You haven't eaten anything yet, Blissera" Eyowyn commented as she finished the last two plates "Aren't you hungry?" As if to answer Blissera's belly piped up in its own little protest. Blissera blushed and did a little angry dance while she glared at the loud organ as Eyowyn giggled then offered her a plate full of waffles with a glop of whip cream on top. Blissera smiled timidly before she took the food and thanked her. Blissera turned to see there wasn't much room at the table for her. Thinking it was best that she let them sit down; she went to eat standing by the counter beside Eyowyn. But before she took a bite, she felt someone gently nudge her toward the table. Startled, she looked up and behind her shoulder to see the man she had bumped into in the hall, which Tifa had introduced as Vincent, guiding her toward the table. He nudged her into the seat he once sat in before he turned, keeping an emotionless face all the while, grabbed a piece of toast that pooped out of the toaster and left. Blissera blinked a couple of times before she relaxed and began to eat a bit more gingerly than she first intended. "Odd" Eyowyn breathed softly so only she could hear her own voice "Wonder what that was about…" Eyowyn looked toward Blissera to see her smiling at Cloud and laughing as if he had said something funny. Eyowyn smiled softly before turning toward her plate. 'Blissera…' she thought as she put a piece of egg into her mouth 'Why do I get a sad feeling in the back of my mind when I hear that name?'
"So as long as I wield the 'Keyblade' those things-"
"Heartless" a man in a leather jacket with fur around the collar who stood leaning against the kitchen wall, which Tifa had introduced as Leon, interrupted Blissera. She nodded realizing that the creatures she had dealt with had names.
"Those Heartless will always be after me?" she corrected her question. Aerith nodded from across the table. Blissera leaned back with a soft sigh. She looked up at the ceiling for a few heart beats. Something clouded her blue eyes as if she was trying to put a puzzle together. She picked her plate up and put it in the sink. She thanked Eyowyn for the meal then walked out the kitchen. Eyowyn looked after her with an uneasy feeling rising in the pit of her stomach as she heard the front door open then close. She slowly began to wash the dishes trying to sort out why she felt this way. It was like Blissera's emotion was being sent to her and she in turn was feeling the same thing as the light brunette. Eyowyn sighed before she stopped washing all together.
"Aerith? Can you clean up for me, please?" the dark brunette motioned to the sink politely. Aerith nodded thinking it of a way to repay the girl for all the times she cooked for them. Eyowyn slid her apron off of her and on to a hook as she headed for the door. She had a feeling that she needed to find Blissera and fast.