Chapter Three – Empty By The Light
The docks of the city of Bre'Ren were teeming with life. Market stalls clustered the area, merchants called to each other with bubbling laughter and slicing smiles as they traded items, and the thicket of people moving in a mass wave in one direction down the cobbled pier was hypnotic. The din was deafening; the swarm chaotic.
Bringing his boat, 'The Bay's Bitch', up to the dock, the captain barked commands to his sailors. A plank was thrown down to bridge the gap between the dock and the ship, and instantly sailors began rolling barrels of cargo down to the shore. The sooner their loot was sold, the sooner their pockets would be lined with silver, and the sooner they could drink themselves into oblivion in the filthiest bar they could find. That was all the motivation they required.
With gleaming hawk-eyes, the captain watched his men unload his cargo. From the deck, he swept an eye across the pier, then up at his ship's dirty sales, before they finally settled upon his three unwelcome guests. With a gruesome smile, he watched the trio approach.
"'E'ar! I kept my end of this little deal, let's see you Branded do the same, eh? I want no trouble. I've been fair enough with ya, now ger off my boat!"
With a small "thank you", Namine was the first to leave the ship. Walking down the plank with gentle footsteps, she waited at the bottom for her friends with the softest of smiles. Following her, stomping across the plank with a venomous glare in the captain's direction, was Roxas. With his hands resting on the hilt of his swords, he waited beside Namine, taking interest in the market's inhabitants.
Last to leave was Terra. With his arms folded, he kept the captain's strong stare and held it. Unflinching, he spoke with a cold tongue. "You know, we aren't all that bad. If you would just give us a chance you'd see it. You wouldn't begrudge your fellow man the right to pass in freedom, would you? So why us?"
The captain hocked back a gulped ball of green spit and spat it overboard. "Do I look stupid, boy? 'S'more than me life's worth. An' besides, everyone knows you Branded's ain't got souls." He smiled wickedly and turned his back on Terra. "Ger off my boat!"
Biting his tongue to stop himself from answering, Terra clenched his fists and jumped from the boat to the docks. Straightening up, he headed towards the market, knowing his two blonde companions would follow him. As he walked, he felt Namine sidle up beside him, clinging close to him. Her wary eyes glanced out into the crowd were the hungry eyes of greasy men looked her up and down like a piece of meat. Bashfully, she lowered her eyes to the floor in fear.
"Terra…what now?"
Terra spoke in a low tone despite the comfort of the din. It was all Namine could do to hear him, even though he was standing beside her. "Seeing as you two are adamant on starting this liberation front, I suggest we start there…" he trailed off, his eyes up and searching the crowd. Gently, he placed his arm about Namine's shoulders and pulled her to his side. "Stay close, Namine."
"What-"
"Roxas, do you see them?" Terra cut across her, turning to watch the young blond striding on Namine's other side.
With his eyes straight ahead, Roxas refused to flinch. A frown set itself tight across his face as he sandwiched Namine between them. "I see 'em."
"See what?" Namine asked, looking between them both as they continued to make their way through the overcrowded market.
"I count four. How many?"
"Six," Roxas answered promptly. "Two sword, one mage, three lance. They're following us."
"Who's following us?" Namine snapped sternly, desperate for an answer.
"Soldiers, Nami," Terra answered, catching sight of one of the sword-wielding soldiers on their right by the back of a market stall. "That rotten captain was never going to keep his word."
"But he promised!"
"Promises mean nothing to the people here, Namine." Terra whispered, his stern gaze following the soldier following them. "If they've seen us it won't be long before the Captain of the Guard is called. There's going to be too many to take on. Roxas, I need a distraction. Can you-"
"No problem," Roxas muttered. Slowing his pace, he began to fade away from his friends, drifting back into the crowd as people barged past him and muttered curses at him for slowing them down.
Namine glanced over her shoulder to where Roxas was slowly disappearing from her view as Terra held her close to him. "Terra, Roxas is-"
"He'll be okay, Nami. I promise, he won't hurt any of them."
"But what if he gets hurt?!"
"He'll be okay, Namine."
"But if they're following us we should be sticking together! They'll want us to split up!"
"Exactly, they'll be expecting it. Trust me, Namine. I know what I'm doing."
"Terra…"
"Just stay close, Namine." He offered her a reassuring smile. "I'll protect you."
Behind them, Roxas had lost sight of his friends. He had all but stopped walking, and the bumps and bruises his shoulders were taking from the knocks as people passed were becoming more frequent. His heartbeat became erratic, skyrocketing out of control. His mouth turned dry and he couldn't gather the spit to swallow as he closed his eyes tight. He needed to calm down. If he was to concentrate, he had to stop and think. Deep breaths. That's what he needed; deep breaths.
The sound of screams replaced the din of chattering people. Somewhere someone was crying. Shouts echoed over the sky and the air became harder to breathe as he felt something sharp pressed at the base of his throat. His hands clenched tightly, gathering the swarm of heated energy he knew he would need.
"You! Branded! Put your hands were we can see 'em!"
Roxas let a thin smile brush his lips. Opening his eyes, he wasn't surprised to find the steel blade inches from his face. Following it up, he caught sight of the man holding the sword. Dressed in crimson and white, he was a soldier of the great Bevyon army, but he was still a rookie. The blade at his throat alerted him of the other sword-wielder by his side. At his back steel picked at his lower back, assuring him that he was trapped in by the lance behind him. On diagonal slants adjacent to him, the other two lance officials waited with their weapons drawn, and beside them, dressed completely in orange, red and black, was the fire mage.
"I said put your hands were we can see them, Branded scum!"
With a smile still set across his lips, Roxas slowly began to raise his arms upwards. Resting them on the back of his head, he could feel the burning build-up of raw energy itching at his palms. It burned slightly, but at the same time it tickled, begging for release.
With his hands safely out of the way, the soldier leaned in to undue Roxas' swords. Wary of Roxas' smile, his fingers brushed at the latch of the metal hoops, almost undoing them, preparing to click them…
He was completely unprepared for the attack.
With his hands still raised behind his head, Roxas felt the burning light energy escape his hands in a blinding torrent. The attack was not meant to harm, only to disable. And it worked. The soldiers cowered, covering their eyes to shield themselves from the bright, burning light… and Roxas seized his opportunity.
With the soldier still bent to undue his belt, frozen in time as if paralysed, he brought his knee up in a sickening crack against the man's face. He felt the blood spurt against him and heard the man land with a thud. Reaching down with lightning-quick reflexes, Roxas withdrew his blades and sliced them upwards and outwards, battering the sword away from his throat and ducking under the lances aimed at his face. Swerving away from the guards, he felt the light fade and knew the soldiers were recovering from their shock. One of the lance soldiers thrust outwards, almost catching him in the arm, but at the last minute Roxas ducked away and swept sideways, kicking the man forwards from behind and listening to the sickening squelch of him piercing himself on the opposite soldiers weapon.
But the light magic was fading fast. Unprepared to fight the soldiers, knowing more was coming, Roxas ran.
Sprinting left, he headed out of the main trafficking area and darted down a narrow nest of allies that clustered together. Behind him the shouts of the soldiers being revitalised chorused over the sky followed by the mysterious incantation from the mage.
Roxas cursed. He had forgotten about the mage. He should have dealt with that problem first. Tackled the rest afterwards.
Berating himself, he broke left down a series of intertwining bends before a roar bellowed out behind him. The sound of the soldiers fell silent, and Roxas slowed ever so slightly to get a decent look behind him.
From around the bend came the Scenth; a beast conjured by fire majors. Made of flame and ash, spitting molten lava and scorching the ground with its four makeshift paws, it was truly a beast from Hell. Horned, jagged, the blacks of its teeth were red-hot coals, and the whites of its eyes were blazing. Catching sight of Roxas, it held no fear as it roared to the air once more and began to tear up the stone and rubble in its attempt to reach him and tear him apart.
Gulping, cursing harder under his breath, Roxas sprinted for the end of the alleyway. He had to lose the beast. Behind him, he could hear the flames circulating inside its fiery body. It was going to catch him. There was no way he could outrun it. Outsmart it? No. There was no way to trick magic. But he could perhaps misdirect it. The teeming streets and twisting bends were more than enough for the creature to get lost in…but it was a risk. If he could get it out into the open, out where he could see it, with enough space and enough time he could fight it. He had his swords! But he was exhausted. The use of magic was definitely taking its toll on his frame.
Banking left, he knew what he had to do. Catching the brickwork with his palm, he hissed at the graze when he slipped and darted forwards once more. Behind him the beast roared, and as he ran Roxas grabbed things lining the isle of the alleyway: carts, boxes, barrels, crates, anything to slow down the ferocious beast that chased him like a deluded hound.
It didn't work.
Forced into a last resort, Roxas feigned left and bolted right. But the Scenth was too smart. Darting after him, it chased him back out into the open. Back out into the empty market streets were Roxas felt trapped.
Out in the evacuated square, there was no Terra or Namine. There was no crowd to blend into, nor any obstacles he could throw in the Scenth's path. Panting, his breathing ragged, Roxas' mind began to panic. He wasn't strong enough to take on a whole Scenth by himself. But there was nobody to help, nowhere to run to, and no place to hide.
Still sprinting, the Scenth hot on his heels, Roxas stared ahead and felt his heart sink. Lining the exit he had been hoping so desperately for was the Captain of the Guard and a score of soldiers. The soldiers bent to one knee, their lances held firmly in front of them to skewer Roxas if he tried to pass. Centred in the middle, atop a broad white charger and dressed in golden-plate armour, was the Captain of the Guard, sword in hand.
Struggling, the breaths coming to him as if through shattered remnants of glass, his shoulders heaving and his chest soaked with sweat from the run, Roxas continued to sprint towards them. He had no choice. The Scenth was right behind him. Caught between the two he chose the lesser of two evils, sprinting for the Captain of the Guard.
He was only a few feet away when he clenched his hands and felt the same burning sensation gnaw at him. His breaths were so loud he could hear them, his legs so weak he could feel them shaking, but he couldn't give up. The Captain of the Guard smirked wickedly, raising his sword high into the air as Roxas approached. It wouldn't be long now before the blade would slice downwards and straight through his neck. Roxas knew it. He had to time it just right.
He was five feet away… four… three…two…
The sword began to strike its way downwards and in a fit of desperation Roxas scrunched his eyes closed and released the light magic from his palm. The market was flooded with blinding darkness once more, but Roxas could still see through his own magic clearly. Sidestepping the swiping sword, he saw the charger rear up onto its hind quarters and ducked beneath it. Sliding underneath the chargers belly, he scraped along his left side, wincing as the concrete flaked against his skin.
Behind him the screech of the Scenth was clear. Without hesitation Roxas jumped up and ran. Behind him he heard the charger fall with a thundering crash and the Captain of the Guard screamed as his leg was broken beneath the charger's weight. The light began to fade once more, and as colour returned to the world so too did the madness.
Sprinting into another collection of split alleyways, Roxas glanced back over his shoulders to spy the Scenth hot on his heels like a deranged hound. The roar and spit of flames flickering from its fiery hide was a crackling hiss in Roxas' ears. He had to lose it!
In a desperate attempt to shake away the Scenth that was snapping it's blitzing jaws at his heels, Roxas sprinted down a narrow alley that was barely large enough for him to run down. The cobbled streets clattered under his feet, and he could hear the soldiers crying for his blood further back. Daring to chance another glance back at the Scenth, Roxas cursed to see it leap upwards, latching its claws to the left of the enclosed buildings and dragging itself along. Like a fiery breeze, it overtook the stone and ran mere inches behind Roxas, almost catching him. Its claws caught the concrete and battered it behind it, splattering stone against the ground as it chattered its jaws like a clicking tongue.
Inhaling deeply like a hissing viper, his lungs burning with every breath, Roxas felt his legs wobble beneath him. His chest was ragged, the oxygen like sharp glass, and at the corners of his visions cracked the faintest of black spots. He couldn't keep the pace up. He couldn't keep running. Seeing the end of the alleyway and the circular bend with the ornate fountain, he decided to make his stance there. If he was lucky he could make it to the water, all he had to do was make it that extra stretch.
He was almost there…
So close...
Darting out of the narrow alleyway, he yelped when something hard grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, tightening about his collar. With one violent tug he was thrown right and down to the floor. The wind knocked out of him, Roxas winced, his hands automatically going to his swords. Growling, he opened his eyes venomously, but stilled in shock to find Terra waiting with his head peering slightly behind the wall, his greatsword in hand.
The Scenth screeched its metallic roar and leapt from the wall, its claws of flames and fiery fangs outstretched. But Terra was too fast.
With a ferocious shout he brought his greatsword up in an enigmatic swing, catching the beast just beneath the jaw. Splitting its neck, he physically struggled to keep the Scenth off the ground. His arms shaking, he ground his teeth together hard, his brow tightly knotted as his forehead gleamed with sweat.
The Scenth bled molten embers from the gash in its throat, whimpering and wincing with the cackling heat of spitting embers. The smouldering whites of its eyes dimmed and it spat black coals out onto the ground where they began to dissolve through the stone from the heat. It whined one last time before the rotating flames that made up its body began to slowly vaporise. The last of the bloody embers dripped to the floor, and where the Scenth had once stood now lingered a thick steamy mist.
Gasping for air, Terra brought his greatsword up to rest on his shoulder. Brushing his fringe from his eyes, he turned to where Roxas lay staring at the mist and heaved a heavy breath. Swallowing back the spit in his mouth, he held his hand out. "You okay?"
Nodding numbly, Roxas took the hand gratefully. "Yeah…I think."
Terra pulled him to his feet with a grunt. Carefully he steadied a teetering Roxas against the wall. For a second both of them just stood in silence, trying to catch their breath as it eluded them. Closing his eyes, Roxas leaned his head back against the wall, attempting to calm his racing chest and trembling legs.
"I didn't think Scenths went down that easily…" he mumbled, peeking an eye open at Terra.
"They don't." The brunette smiled, motioning with a nod of his head back towards the greatsword slung over his shoulder. "But a water-encrusted sword sure does help."
Roxas squinted, watching as the droplets of water fell from the edge of the sword before a laugh escaped him. "You dunked it in the fountain?"
"You see any other water around here?"
"How d'you know it'd work?"
"Didn't," Terra answered simply with a shrug of his shoulders. "But I couldn't let that thing get you, could I?"
Roxas shook his head, his hands on his knees in an attempt to stop them trembling. "I couldn't shake it. Kept tryin', but just couldn't get rid of it."
Terra let his smile fall. Walking forwards, he placed a hand on Roxas' shoulder and shook it slightly, bringing azure eyes up to him. "It's not your fault. When you said you saw a mage I didn't think you meant a Class Three. I should never have left you with that."
This time it was Roxas' turn to shrug. "Hey, I didn't even know it was a Class Three until that thing started chasing me…and besides, you had to get Namine out of the way, right?"
Terra's smile was small. "Right."
There was a silence as Roxas glanced about the abandoned alley with the small fountain. "Speaking of which, where is she?"
"I had to leave her with a friend while I came back for you."
"With a friend?" Roxas straightened up and scoffed, leaning against the wall for balance. "Branded don't have friends, Terra. C'mon, where'd you put her?"
A frown settled itself on Terra's face. "Like I said, she's with a friend."
"This way!"
"Over here!"
"They ran by the fountain!"
"One Hundred marks to the man that can bring me the mage!"
Roxas rolled his eyes at the sounds of the soldiers racing up the alley towards them. The sounds of thundering feet was almost as bad as the Scenth's screech.
"We have to move." Terra whispered, his eyes set on the alley, his mouth a hard frown. "Do you think you can manage?"
A groan passed Roxas' lips. He was exhausted, and so tired of running. His legs hurt. His head hurt. All he wanted to do was sleep. He glanced up to Terra, saying nothing, and Terra understood instantly.
Reaching forwards, Terra grasped Roxas' wrist firmly. "Just stay close," he mumbled, "and try to keep up."
With a nod from Roxas, Terra sprinted in the opposite direction of the gathering guards. Roxas lagged behind him, struggling to maintain his speed on wobbly legs, but Terra couldn't afford for them to stop. Holding on tighter, he picked up the pace and became enwrapped in the twist of turnings.
He knew exactly where he was heading.
Roxas was lost. Utterly and totally lost.
Terra had led him far away from the alleyways and the screams of the soldiers; out into the centre of the city. Too tired to question his friend's motives, Roxas had obediently let himself be dragged behind. But now he couldn't help but wonder at his surroundings.
They moved as if they were in a completely different world. The sky above was grey, rumbling with thunder, and the buildings, or what was left of them, were nothing more than scorched scaffoldings. The location was empty, surrounded by fields on two sides and a cluster of intertwined bends in the centre. A plaza rested before the fields, opposite it more houses and shops, with people moving by as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. The slightest flecks of drizzle had begun to make its way down, and shadows were beginning to criss-cross beneath the sky. Darkness was fast approaching, and there was still a manhunt for the three Brandeds running about the city.
Leading Roxas up through the back entrances, crouched low against the fields, Terra approached one of the few buildings that still had rooftops. The bottom had been burned away so people could see straight through, but the second and third floor was still standing high above the beams. Checking it was safe to approach the building, Terra left the safety of the field's shadow.
Carefully he stepped out onto the rocky road, hesitant. He bit at the inside of his cheek, looking left and right before stepping under the arch of the building's frame. Still crouched low, he waited for a moment to see if he would be attacked. When none came, he beckoned Roxas over with a wave of his hand.
With practiced caution, crouched like his friend, Roxas approached, his eyes drooping heavily as he stifled a yawn. Stopping beside Terra, he went to speak before his friend shook his head, a finger on his lips. Terra pointed upwards, then over to where the beams slid against each other in a parallel swerve.
Catching his drift, Roxas nodded. Sidling over to the scaffolding, he gave the area a quick glance to check it was safe before he began climbing. He struggled for a foothold through the rain, but once he had it the climb was easy. Shimmying up to the second floor, he grunted as he pulled himself across to where the wooden beams creaked dangerously. Testing his weight first, he smiled when it held firm and hefted himself up completely. With a grunt he waited momentarily, still fighting for every breath, before he moved over to where Terra was waiting patiently.
Hooking his legs beneath a fallen metal beam, Roxas laid on his back before pushing himself over the side, his arms dangling over the edge. Grasping downwards, he clamped his hands tight about Terra's, grateful his friend had the savvy to jump.
Pulling him up was challenging. Muttering blasphemy to the Heavens, Roxas ground his teeth together and pulled his friend up onto the safety of the second floor. Crumpled in a heap on the wooden beams, they stayed in silence for a moment, both drenched and both panting.
"Terra…" he paused for breath, sitting up a little straighter and leaning against a fallen beam. There was a hole in the roof and some of the rain leaked on him, but he didn't mind. "Why did you bring me here? Where's Namine?"
Terra pushed his wet hair out of his eyes, catching his sneeze and shuddering. "I brought you here because it's safe."
"Safe?" Roxas frowned and looked down over the open beams. "We're sitting ducks here! The soldiers are still looking for us and there's a hole! Plus, there's people just across the way."
"Yes, I know, I passed them too." Terra let out a breathy laugh, shaking his head. "But Namine is on the outskirts of the city. We both know you couldn't make it that far. Heck, you're falling asleep on me right now!"
Roxas restrained a yawn out of dignity alone. "I am not…"
"That magic really takes it outta you, huh?"
"Mm…"
"Will you wake up?" Terra laughed and clapped Roxas on the shoulder, catching him as he lurched forwards and almost fell off the edge.
"Aah! Terra, don't do that!"
"Ha ha! I thought you wanted to know where Namine is, anyway?"
"I do," Roxas let his eyes drift closed and leaned backwards, "but if you're not going to tell me I'm not going to spend my time trying to get it out of you. We'll pick her up right after I've had…a…nap…"
"Roxas…?"
"…"
"Roxas!"
With a heavy sigh Roxas peeked an eye open. "What?"
"So you are awake."
"Of course I'm awake, there's a drowned rat screaming my name in my ear."
"Hey!"
"Youch!" Roxas flinched as the punch landed against his shoulder hard. Rubbing the bruised skin, he glared at his friend. "What the heck was that for?"
"I am not a drowned rat!"
"Sorry…just tired."
Terra rolled his eyes and smiled. "Whatever. I'm going to pick up Namine-"
"Can't we rest first?"
"You can, but I don't want to leave her too long without us. I'll bring her back in about an hour. It'll take that long to get around the guards."
Roxas frowned and sat upright slowly. His gut lurched as he looked out into the growing rainstorm. Shaking his head, he felt a shiver run down his spine. "No…Terra, this doesn't feel right."
Terra stood, waving Roxas' concern away. "I'll be gone an hour max. Don't worry, this place is safe. These houses burned down hundreds of years ago, but the Queen's been too stubborn to replace them. But with gold being tight an' all, who can blame her? The soldiers won't come near it, though. They think it's cursed; full of haunted souls and whatever. They can see right through the bottom, and they never think of checking the top. I'll slip back into the city, pick up Namine and we can rest here for the night. You'll be safe 'til I get back, don't worry."
"No, no, Terra that's not what I meant." Roxas stood up after his friend, his legs protesting. "Terra, something really doesn't feel right. My instinct's telling me something bad's gonna happen. Just…" he paused, biting at his lip nervously. "I'm going with you-"
"No." Terra cut him off sharply, refusing to even think of the idea. "That magic's warn you out. I don't want you slacking out there. The guard always doubles at night, and I'd hate myself if something happened to you. Either of you. I want you to stay here, stay out of sight, and stay safe."
"But, Terra!"
"Roxas, I said no." The tone of voice was final, but Roxas wasn't listening.
"And I'm saying no to you leaving on your own! Terra, something doesn't feel right. Something bad's going to happen if you go out there! Please, just listen to me-"
"Roxas, remember when we were being chased out of Henth? Your instinct said something bad was going to happen then, but it didn't. Your instinct isn't always right, Roxas."
"But something bad did happen in Henth, didn't it?!" Roxas' eyes were like ice, and he was daring Terra to tell him he was lying. He had known his friend for many, many years, and he had never felt his instinct as strong as it was tonight. "We lost Duné because nobody listened to me!"
Terra's eyes never left the floor. "Duné lost his life, and it was my fault. I accept that, but you can't throw one bad decision at me after a lifetime of looking after you, Roxas!"
"I'm not throwing them at you! Terra, you're my best friend, you're like a brother to me. Please, please just listen to me and stay here. We can go for Namine in the morning, I promise. But don't go out there tonight."
Terra placed his hands on his hips, looking down on the wet land beneath. Over his shoulder the rain trickled down his right arm from a gap in the roof. When he spoke, it was almost as if he was in a trance. "Roxas, you trust me, don't you?"
"Wholeheartedly."
"And you know I only ever do what I do because I have your best interests at heart? Everything I do is done to keep you and my friends safe."
"I know…"
"Good." Terra turned to him, a smile etched shakily on his lips. "Don't worry, I'll stay here tonight. We can go get Namine in the morning. She'll be safe until then."
Roxas was hesitant. "You…you mean it? You're not gonna argue with me?"
Terra let out a booming laugh that settled into a quiet chuckle. "Roxas, you and I are like two sides of the same coin. What would I ever do without you, really?"
Roxas smiled honestly. "Nothing. You'd be travelling this continent alone."
Terra shrugged, watching as Roxas yawned and made his way towards the back of the burned house, out of the way of the leaky roof and the rain. "I'd still have Namine and the others…" Terra whispered.
"The others are all gone, Terra." The words were sad from Roxas' lips, but they were truthful. Snuggling himself in the corner, he let his head loll to the side of his shoulder and closed his eyes. "You'd have never met Namine if it wasn't for me, too. Me and my instinct, that is."
"You and that bloody instinct you always babble on about."
Roxas laughed, his knees tucked up to his chest and his arms wrapped about himself. He knew he was safe with his friend there. He could sleep for as long as he liked as long as Terra was watching over him. But still, he wanted to stay awake for as long as he was able. "Heh, pretty good timing though…right?"
"Right."
Roxas smiled. Terra moved silently, but after years of practice living with a shadow, Roxas had learned to notice the signs that weren't there. They were the ones that signalled when Terra was moving. The breeze that came from above him was gone, and there was a stillness an empty forest couldn't rival. Slight breaths came from his right before something was thrown over him.
With great determination and even greater curiosity, Roxas peeked an eye open a slither to spy the rough-spun blanket that had been thrown over him. "Where d'ya get-"
"I used to live on the streets here." Terra answered, sitting down beside Roxas with one leg tucked to his chest and the other sprawled out flat. "I kept a small stash of items hidden around the city."
"You used…"Roxas was interrupted by a yawn, his eyes closing heavily, "…ta live here?"
"Uh-huh…"Terra glanced down at his hands. "Get some sleep, buddy. I'll be here when you wake up."
"Best be…" Roxas muttered. "…Or 'll kick your butt…"
"Don't worry, I'll be here."
Pushing his wet fringe from his eyes, Terra wrinkled his nose to stop himself from sneezing. It had been a hot day, but it was going to be a cold, wet night. And with the soldiers out looking for them, he couldn't risk building a fire. Sniffling against the cold, he frowned when something slightly heavy and ragged fell across his lap. Looking down on what was half of the rough-spun blanket, he glanced to Roxas curiously.
With eyes still closed, as if he could sense Terra was staring through him, Roxas mumbled, "don't wantcha getting' cold…"and tucked himself further under the blankets against his friend's wet frame.
With a smile, Terra wrapped his arm about Roxas' shoulders. With sharp eyes he stared out into the night where the pattering rain was dominant and heavy, ever vigilant and watching.
He wouldn't let his friend's down again.
Roxas woke to the cold drear of the sunshine splitting the clouds. He was still wrapped in something warm – the blanket, he presumed – but there was an empty space beside him. Cracking his eyes open, he stretched and yawned behind the back of his hand. Blinking heavily and rubbing at his eyes to rid them of the sleep that had collected there, he glanced about the second floor of the burned building in confusion.
His energy was back, returned to its full strength and bubbling, ready to be unleashed at his command. But there was a problem that troubled Roxas' greatly. Standing, he placed his hand against the rough stone to assure himself he wasn't still dreaming.
"Terra…?" He called out.
The last few patters of rain splashed outside in forming puddles, but they were his only answer.
"Terra, this isn't funny!" Roxas snapped, stepping out into the centre of the second floor. Circling the fallen beam, he felt his heart race and his gut stew with panic to find Terra not behind it.
"Terra, if you're trying to scare me, great, you succeeded. Now get out here already!" He bit at the inside of his cheek in anger and frustration, but his eyes completely betrayed his feeling as he searched for his friend frantically.
"Terra…?!"
After searching the entire floor, he glanced over the side to where the mud sloshed deeply with ingrained puddles. There, by the faint morning light, was a score of deep footsteps…
And alongside them were the scratched marks of a dragged body...
I am sooooo sorry this took so long to get up, but 'My Neko' has been demanding a lot of my time lately. But anyway, here ya go, and a killer cliff-hanger to boot, if I do say so myself :)
So, any questions, let me know. I hope you all enjoyed! Oh, and reviews make me upload faster ;) *hint, hint*
Stalker - Aw, thank you for the gift basket! lol I'm glad you liked it, and I can promise the entrance of Axel in the next chapter! Hope you enjoy!
