Chapter 4: It Begins

It had been a week before I returned to the mansion. The twins greeted me, Ienzo far colder than usual. I knew that he had heard Zexion and me talking when he glared at me...

"Riku, would you like to play a game?" Ienzo asked, a fake smile on his face and ice in his eyes. I nodded once. He guided me to the weapons room. "Unlock it," he ordered me. I felt tears sting at my eyes, but I blinked them back. As I unlocked the door, I felt Ienzo put his hand on my shoulder... And through that, I felt an incredible amount of pain. I finished unlocking the door before succumbing to my suffering. I was barely able to sit on my knees...

"Riku!" I heard Zexion yell from down the hall. I glanced at him, fell to the ground, and passed out. When I awoke, I found myself in Zexion's room. "Here. I managed to get the Keyblade... You should continue to rest though," I looked around the darkness for Zexion. I didn't find him, so I closed my eyes again and went back to sleep.

I woke up sometime the next day. There was actually light in the room now, so I could see the Keyblade was next to the bed... And a sleeping Zexion was next to me. "Gah!" I jumped out of the bed. Somehow Zexion was still asleep. Where's Ienzo? I had thought Ienzo and Zexion shared a room... Perhaps not. Oh well. I grabbed the Keyblade and walked out of Zexion's room. I wanted revenge for my pain, and I wanted to break the stupid promise/curse.

Ienzo was standing at the end of the hall. "Riku! I see that you are awake. Sleep well?" he tried seeming casual, but there was no genuine emotion behind his words or on his face. There was no doubt that Ienzo knew what was about to happen. I held the Keyblade defensively and cautiously walked toward Ienzo.

I remember getting close to him before I dared raising the Keyblade... But it appeared Ienzo had a trick up his sleeve. Dark tentacles quickly reached towards me and grabbed my wrists, ankles, and torso. I manage to hit the tentacles with my beloved weapon; they disappeared on contact. I jumped back and watched Ienzo carefully for his next move.

The battle had begun.