Before Ya Read Note: Oh, jeez. O.O It got longer then the first one. XD Sorry, that wasn't my original intention. >.
Anywho, a lot more is explained in this chapter (names, characters, all that rank stuff). However, even more is explained in the third chapter (being worked on) so, you'll just have to sit tight till then. ;) Hope ya like it and PLEASE REVIEW.
Chapter 2: The Freed Bird
At the 'Dark Domicile'
It had been a long and agonizingly difficult fight. But one would come to expect that against six people, five of whom were high-ranking Sorceresses and the other being Cierus, a well-trained fighter nonetheless.
The five other Sorceresses she had battled against were Nyxx, the second highest-ranking Sorceress, her proper title being: Beta Shadow Sorceress. Just trailing into third was Heartlin, a talented sixteen-yr-old with dark, reddish hair and piercing black eyes who was Delta Shadow Sorceress. Then there was Shikara, the Gamma Shadow Sorceress, or fourth, her hair a musty gold along with muddy-brown eyes. Fifth was Fariska, the Zeta Shadow Sorceress with dark brown hair with ice blue streaks placed randomly in them and a menacing emerald gaze. Then there was Corien, the Kappa Shadow Sorceress and sixth in ranks, with limp brown hair and stunning golden eyes. These being the five who tired her after nearly 2 hours of fighting, along with the help of Cierus. However, on a lighter note, she had been fairly furious making it only harder, so she had to credit them…a bit. Nonetheless, it still was fairly pathetic, even with missing the last Sorceress, Myteki, the newest to the group and had yet to be reinvented by the Sorceress tradition.
Reinvention happened when a new Sorceress changed their birth name, by doing so, agreeing to the shadows and darkness that she is among it and is willing to study it's arts. After this, even their appearance will change and they have a tendency to become more demonic. For now, however, Myteki definitely was the most innocent of the group: having light blonde hair and pale blue eyes.
There was a crack of thunder from outside that awoke the girl from her daydreams. She felt someone's hot breath boil against her face. She opened her electric blue eyes to be faced with Heartlin's black gaze. Another bolt of lightning illuminated her murky red hair, making it look afire.
"Tell us who it is, Zierra. You've already made most of us angry…you could always just go back to reinvention and rise through the ranks again—"
"No, Heart. You know me. Why can't you just get it through your head? All these things happening? My work. You can't expect me to hand it over—you know Nyxx isn't smart enough for the position and doesn't know the balance! Only you and me do—without light, there is darkness—"
"Then what's wrong with reinvention?" Hissed back Heartlin, desperate not to loose a friend.
Zierra's eyes became slits, she glared at Heartlin. "Heartlin, you cannot be serious." Her friend's black, piercing eyes did not falter. She sighed. "How can I? Dignity is a high price to sacrifice—especially at such desperate times and when the light may be on the verge of winning. Further more, I doubt anyone knows about the balance on their side, Heart. It's our duty to keep it…not for light, but for the sake of darkness! Surely you must understand…?"
(Heartlin - )
The redhead turned away momentarily, looking at the other girls. Nyxx, chatting amongst Shikara and Fariska, while Myteki whispered feverishly to a bored Corien. She sighed and returned her gaze to Zierra. The skin around her vibrate blue eyes looked a dark purple that signaled long, sleepless nights. Her charcoal hair that once shimmered with sheen looked dull and bedraggled. She felt like she was looking at a starved, mistreated caged animal and wasn't sure whether to let it go. She really wanted to the best for Zierra, but a flicker of doubt wondered if what she thought was right, truly was….
" Can't you just get it through your head? All these things? My work."
All of these things? The rising of the keyblade-wielder Sora who was saving all of these worlds that had taken months of plotting? That had been Zierra? The saving of Kairi's heart and releasing of Riku and his firm grasp in darkness? And the fall of the well plotted out Organization 13 that would provide a perfect setup for maintaining a balance? Zierra's deviousness at work? It all seemed too much…she was only an adolescent. Even Heartlin was fairly young in the group, and she was 16, a bit older then Zierra. Only Myteki was younger at a meek 13, but would skip two years after reinvention to 15, and with an upcoming birthday, would be her own age as well. Nyxx was a strong 25, while Shikara was 23, and Corien at 19. Fariska topped it off with 33 years and plenty of experience but not much talent.
Either way, all of those horrible incidents were Zierra's doing? It was seemed ludicrous but how stunningly intense her dazzlingly, neon blue eyes were, it had to be the truth. No one could replicate such honesty and sincerity; besides, Heartlin had watched Zierra's smooth-talking lies and seen the flaws and knew what to look for. And Zierra was telling the truth.
"I do understand, Zierra." Replied Heartlin quietly. She saw Zierra leaning in, having to use her keen hearing to the best of her abilities from how soft her friend's voice was. "It's just—I'm loosing one of my best friends of darkness to light. Am I supposed to be happy? Am I supposed to just set you free like I don't care?"
A depressed, sorrowed emotion flashed over Zierra's features, but was just as quick to go, as it had to come. There were enemies in the room, and Zierra was a rebel 'til the end…she wasn't showing any of her emotions to those who had shown her treason. "You're supposed to be like a true friend, Heart, and let me go, because you know it's for the best of me. And when we meet someday, for I can feel in it in my soul, we'll be even happier…" She flicked her head back, pushing her hair back without using her hands due to the fact that she couldn't, "I promise." She said, with a stupid grin. Heartlin smiled and nearly laughed. Even at the darkest of times, Zierra could always make sure she got her way—but Heartlin could see the order in her chaotic mayhem.
"Yeah, ok." Replied Heartlin, now smirking, "I don't have to do a moronic grin to prove I'm being true to my word though, right?" Zierra gave a twisted smile at Heartlin, not quite giving away she finding pleasure for Heartlin's own sake.
"'Course not, Heart." Her tone was a mellow and casual, like this was no big deal, "Just set me free."
Just as Heartlin reached into the a velvet bag, she paused, a memory flashing back. She glanced back at Zierra, a curious expression on her face.
"Zierra?"
"Hmm?"
"The crush…how long has it lasted?"
Heartlin could see her fidget, obviously not wanting to answer.
"Zierra…" She growled.
"Maybe a year or two."
Heartlin had to gag herself from screaming.
"Why hasn't it turned maroon before then!" She whispered urgently under her breath, just barely able to keep herself from shrieking.
"Something happened." She stated simply. Zierra sighed. She still wasn't going to tell who he was.
"Fine. Just promise me one thing."
"What's that?"
"Don't go to the light side."
Zierra's eyes shifted away. Heartlin gaped.
"You can't be serious, Zierra…"
"I didn't say anything!" She hissed.
"But—but, you—"
"I didn't say anything! So quite yer jabbering." Heartlin's jaw remained wide open and she was quite tempted to slap Zierra across the face or ask her a series of trivia questions to see if she was truly her friend and not an impostor….
"Zierra, please!" Pleaded Heartlin, her tone still hushed. Then on a quieter note: "Don't betray me."
Heartlin felt Zierra's fierce gaze look into her own eyes murky depths. Finally, her friend sighed.
"I don't know where my travels will take me. All I know is that I can't make any promises other then I'll see you again…someday."
Heartlin gulped before replying. "What if you die?" She mumbled, feeling helpless. Zierra gave her a devious smirk.
"I don't plan on dying anytime soon, Heart. Although, it'd certainly help me if you set me free…" Heartlin, knowing Zierra's mind was made up, delved into a velvet pouch slung around her shoulder, taking out an complexly laid out key that was constantly shifting. Holding it so the other Sorceresses couldn't see it, she inserted it into Zierra's own pendant that bestowed her title as Superior Shadow Sorceress.
The chain-like shadows that had held back Zierra's wrists, and ankles against the wall were not like a normal, human's lock. They took the prisoner's own power to keep them pinned against the wall, and multiplied it by ten, so that it is literally impossible to escape. The only way for that to happen, is for someone who has a copy of the key must want with all of their heart's desire and without a doubt in their mind for that prisoner to be free. Then, and only then, can they insert the lock into the pendant that hung from all of the Sorceresses necks, thus putting into effect the counter-curse.
As soon as the key's intricate yet shifting patterns sunk into the pendent the shadowy chains disintegrated into an abyss, and Zierra fell gracefully to the ground. Heartlin, who had already thought of an idea of how to prove she hadn't been part of it, jumped back and swore loudly. A look of confusion crossed Zierra's face for perhaps a few milliseconds at the most, but by that time she already had her ShadowFire keyblade out, and let out a wicked laugh.
"Ah, Heartlin, you always fell for my mind games." She proclaimed, a very un-Zierra-like move. Heartlin could imagine all of the others glancing over Appearing to be stung, Heartlin stumbled and away from the black-haired girl. For a split-second, Heartlin caught a sad, sorrowful nod silently thanking and apologizing her—then she saw Zierra's fluent lying skills get to work….
(Zierra - )
Heartlin had done a good job; Zierra would definitely give her that. She grinned to herself as Nyxx and Shikara nearly jumped up to fight her, almost eagerly.
"Oh, I'm touched, Nyxx 'n Shikara." There was a clash of Nyxx's shadow shield and Shikara's daggers against her keyblade. The sheer power of the ShadowFire keyblade, however, sent the other two flying back. "You really shut your traps just for me?" She shot a devious smirk as Nyxx nearly threw a temper tantrum while Shikara just glared at her with unmatched malice. Next, Fariska threw herself at Zierra, setting spell after spell which was only deflected with elite skill and power of her keyblade. Finally, Zierra, tiring of blocking all of the spells, used an aura of pure energy and expanded it so Fariska flew back; square into Heartlin sending the two into a heap.
Yes, Zierra felt a pang of pity for her friend; it was better then facing a life of 'treason' as she was to. Although, loving was not actually betraying, it was in the Sorceresses eyes because whoever fell in love would follow whichever side their crush was on, making them unreliable and dependable as the crush. It also gave the crush an immense amount of power; therefore, why love was often was hated and harshly punished. However, Zierra was a different case—you couldn't punish her for she was just too strong and it was a punishment to try and merely catch her….
Myteki, a novice at the sport of fighting gave it a try only to be flung the furthest of all the people who had tried to tackle Zierra so far. But, it wasn't likely they'd be able to. Cierus had left, making the battle far less even. By the time Corien attack Zierra along with Shikara she was nearly at the door and already had an idea for how to get rid of them. She clashed her keyblade so that she could use their momentum to be redirected towards the walls, knocking them both unconscious at impact. Nyxx, finally catching up, swung at Zierra which she threw back a perfect block. For a split second, Zierra caught Nyxx's infuriated, light brown eyes, which seemed a rusty orange, and she could see a burning passion…. Perhaps Nyxx was good enough for Superior Shadow Sorceress….
With her thoughts drifted her arms relaxed and the sudden increase of pressure upon her brought Zierra back to reality. But she wanted the position so she could obliterate light, killing darkness as well. Zierra's ShadowFire keyblade finally prevailed and knocked Nyxx backwards, against the rushing Fariska and Heartlin. As Zierra rushed out the door, she grabbed a long, black cloak that they had commissioned for the Organization 13 Members to wear. She slung it over her shoulders, and the last the Sorceresses (the ones who were conscious, at least), saw of their Superior was her cloak whisking out of the Dark Domicile into the Woods of Woe.
In the 'Woods of Woe'
Her magic had literally been cut off. The slightest trace of it, after all, would send all 6 of the other Sorceress coming to kill her. The thought, although depressing, only fueled her quest even more. She had to walk this path alone; and it was certainly one she had not anticipated nor wanted. The only hard part was not knowing what was the other's fates now…the strongest of the Alliance of Shadows gone…how would they ever survive? Especially considering the fact that the light side had recently gotten many more keyblades and—wait.
Zierra literally paused walking, a very stupid action, yes, but this was an important bit of information that had seemed to elude her mind for quite a while. Keyblades were very important, and anyone who wielded one was of either one side or another for it had to be equal or the balance, once more, would be disturbed. There was originally Mickey, and Sora representing light with their keyblades, while she had wielded one along with Riku and Roxas, who weren't dedicated to darkness, but together made an equal to someone of her power. Back then, it had been equal. Now… Riku and Roxas had retreated to light and she wasn't as loyal to darkness as before…that either meant something very strange was happening or someone else was to receive keyblades of the dark side…but who?
Nyxx, Zierra was sure of would receive one, and same with Cierus. Those two just seemed very liable for that kind of dangerous weapon. However, that meant that there'd be two others given a keyblade…. One would probably not be a Sorceress, so Zierra would only have to hope she was better then whoever that was, however, for Sorceresses…she still strained to pick out a likely candidate. Who would be awarded such a prestigious honor/deserve one? Who loved darkness enough to wield a keyblade? Heartlin had looked promising at first, but under more consideration, her mistrust to darkness for Zierra, although, the Sorceresses did not know of it, darkness did and would probably not forgive her easily. So already, it looked doubtful the next Superior would be aware of the balance of light and darkness.
Then there was Shikara, fourth in power. This, Zierra had spent much time over. She had many things going for her; her power, being a bit older so she seemed wiser and more reliable yet very devious, and beautiful looks that could charm any male. And what Zierra liked most; she was a ravaging animal to anyone against her. The problem? First, she wasn't aware of the balance or truly wiser, and she was kindhearted towards those on her side instead of an icy apathy towards all that darkness preferred. Fariska, she was definitely in the race; her only problem was the fact that she was five out of seven in power, which could easily already count her out. But she was feisty and a fighter-til-the-end like Zierra, which fueled her power and was perhaps the main reason she was even given that ranking and she was very intelligence and knew many spells. However, her age also was something that led Zierra to wonder…. Corien, Zierra doubted from the sheer fact of her ranking; but there was much potential to her and could intimidate anyone and was perhaps the coldest to the group. Then, there was Myteki, to which there was an unlimited amount of potential, and all correlating to how her reinvention went. She was already strong, and put there just because she hadn't been reinvented yet. But once that happened, her power would be unleashed and she could easily out-do anyone.
As Zierra lay on a hillside that was covered in long, willowy grass she sighed. The stars in the heavens above twinkled, and the tree branches seemed to rake at them menacingly, desperate for their purity. It was a close race and she had dedicated most of her day to thinking solitarily. But now survival was another issue. The Sorceresses would probably hunt her down like animals, a thought that definitely did not enlighten Zierra. But not tonight. No, they too would be wallowing in guilt and how they had not foreseen it and probably set out tomorrow. Zierra felt a twinge of envy to them. They knew what needed to be done. She did not. She felt like she was a wolf that had been the leader, and was suddenly banished for something she could not control. And now, survival was all that mattered and she had no idea what would come tomorrow; whether she would live or die—
No. Thought Zierra suddenly, I'm not going to die. I made a promise that I'm going to uphold. I'll see Heart again…someday, so I can't die. And wherever this new path I have taken takes me, and no matter how challenging and agonizing the challenges I may have to overcome may be… I shall overcome it…knowing that I will see Heart once more.
With reassurance in her destiny and fate, Zierra rolled over and fell asleep under the stars, looking past the mysterious dilemmas of tomorrow, to see the prize at the end.
