Hey! Look who's back in action? Me. I am quite proud of myself for getting this chapter wrote so quickly from the previous one, but it's what you deserve after i've been inactive for about four or five months. So enjoy! :)

"normal speech"

'thoughts'

'Roxas or Namine'

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SCENES OF DESCRIPTIVE VIOLENCE.

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Kingdom Hearts, Only my own.


In the telescopic screen Pydrain looked like any picture of any Terra-type planet from space, with cloud-blurred contours of seas and continents and a vague mottling of gray and brown and green, topped at the pole by an icecap. None of the surface features, not even the major mountain ranges or rivers, were yet distinguishable. Sora looked to the stars and saw the small planet, he knew it wasn't small just far. It looked angry and glowed like a star. The winds inside never ceased their turn, some angrily pushed past each other in giant gusts, some twirled together in sloppy minuets. It was strange how much emotion and power it inspired yet it wasn't a breathing moving or even seeing creature.

"Hey, it'll be about 10 minutes before we land" Rueben spoke.

"I'm going to run a bypass of the world to see whether I can detect any fighting or evil in the facinity" He continued.

"Yeah. Good idea. Where about's are we going to land anyway?" Goofy asked.

"The safest place is probably Caer Dallben. Its a small village in the middle of the forest, which just about caters your needs. Mine and Freesia's friend Taran lives there. He'll probably be happy to see you as he desires to be a hero more than anything else" Rueben laughed.

"The boy is obviously delusional if he looks up to Sora" Riku added. He and Rueben laughed together as they slapped each others backs in amusement. Sora threw them an annoyed gaze before deciding with Riku to wake up the two lazy girls.

Riku could only cause himself sheer pain from trying hold in his laughter at the sight of Freesia. She was sprawled across the bed with an arm and leg popping out at either side. Her hair was mangled as certain strands tried to escape from behind her head, whereas her mouth was wide open with drool running down her chin and onto the bed sheets. This was too funny. As if unconsciously aware of Riku's amusement, Freesia turned over in her sleep so that she was facing towards him and the door, creating an entirely knew perspective to Riku. He stood with his mouth slightly agape enthralled by her beauty. She was imprudently kind, even though he had just met her, she always put others first and herself last. No matter how tired or bored she was, she was never short with you. His admiration for her was deep seated and would be long lasting. Yet, a more lovely sight awaited him. There she lay Her soft, tanned shoulders were exposed and her beach-blonde curls fell down her back and over the tips of her shoulder. Her lips were lucious and her skin was flawless. At that moment Riku was infatuated with her and he had no idea why. He had never felt like this before and the feeling was almost foreign and strange, but he felt good. He wasn't sure if you'd say she was classically beautiful, but when he pictured her large liquid brown eyes which held such an intelligence and serenity that it was impossible for him not to be held prisoner by them. Her cheekbones weren't especially high and her nose was a little too short to be perfect, but there was undeniable symmetry to her features and perhaps that's what held him so captivated. Riku was becoming increasingly aware as to the rise of temperature in the room and convinced himself to get over these strange feelings. With that, he probably made the biggest mistake of his life when he decided to pick up that pillow off the floor and throw it dead centre into Freesia's face.

"I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!" Freesia roared as a glint of anger engulfed her eyes. She shot straight up and lifted her katana from under her sheets as she swung for Riku's head.

"WOAH! You psycho! Who sleeps with a sword in their bed. More importantly actually tries to chop someones head off!?" He exclaimed.

"Someone who is not a very good morning person!" She shouted.


In the other room Sora could only sigh and laugh in amusement at the sounds of the two fighting and swearing at each other, it was a mystery that Kairi hadn't woke up yet, especially when Freesia sent Riku flying into bookshelves using Aero. Chuckling slightly he walked over to Kairi and shook her body lightly to wake her, but not rough enough to cause her to wake with a fright. She mumbled as he shook her and that's when Sora stood back up and looked at her and her unconscious refusal to wake up. Normal thoughts barely formed in his mind before they were replaced with the melancholy longing and the fantasies of what could be if he were only brave enough to tell her. Food became like cardboard, chewy and laborious to eat. The sunshine had no meaning for him unless he could be with her. He daydreamed about every feature of her face, he recalled every way he had ever seen her wear her hair, he had logged all of her quirky mannerisms to his brain.

"Kairi" He murmured.

There was no doubt about it. He loved her. The humidity of his heart increases rapidly. There's no looking back, he has fallen in love with a stubborn and caring red head and there's nothing he can do but love her with every ounce of his body as it tingles uncontrollably. He has to smile because she brought him joy, something that he thought was out of his life once and for all. But he knew he could never tell her. It wasn't because of the petty excuses such as he was too scared or what if she didn't feel the same way. His reason was that he loved her so much, he couldn't be with her. Evil works in cruel and maleficent ways and he knew for a fact that they would use Kairi to get to him. And that was something he wouldn't risk. No matter how much heart ache and churning he longed for her. He wouldn't risk it.

Snapping out of his dreaming daze, he once more became aware of the time and that in about 5 minutes they would be landing in Caer Dallben. He crouched down beside her and delicately placed his hands on her shoulders, shaking her a little more harshly than before. She stirred for a moment before opening her magnificent eyes.

"Wha-Sora? What is it? What time is it?" She yawned as she sat up and began to throw her arms in the air to stretch.

"Haha its time to go Kairi. We're landing in Caer Dallben in about 5 minutes, so i'll meet you on deck okay?" He explained.

"WHAT!?" She exclaimed as jumped straight out of bed.

"AH! I need to get ready!" She continued.

She began running around the room not knowing what to do first. Then she stopped and looked at Sora.

"Ah! First you need to to leave!" She shouted as she began to push Sora out of the room and slamming the door on his face.

"Well it seems i wasn't the only one to have trouble waking up the girls" Riku grimaced as he placed an ice-pack to his head.

"Well now you know not to wake me up so rudely! You deserved to be stabbed" She bolstered.

"Who deserves to be stabbed!?" He asked astonished.

Sora just merely shook his head and proceeded to walk back to the deck as he the two continue arguing even after he left.

'What have i got myself into?'

'Who knows buddy, who knows'


The countryside stretched before him like a great quilt of golden, brown and green squares held together by the thick green stitching of the hedgerows. It rose and fell like giant waves on a gentle ocean and was dotted with animals. Occasionally there was a wood that separated the fields, or a farmhouse or barn. Taran could see his whole day mapped out before him, rambling through pastures and over stiles, he carried his best friend Henwen over his shoulder and felt at peace with the world. What could possibly go wrong today?

With that being said, a ship began to descend out of the sky and land on a soft patch of green grass just outside of the farm area. A ramp began to open as a group of 6 people walked down the side of it and jumped off.

"Hey Rueben you sure you aren't coming?" Sora shouted inside.

"No thanks man. I have no reason to come on this world, i'll just check up on navigation. Plus, if worst comes to worst i can blast your guys butts of this world asap!" Rueben exclaimed.

"Okay. Well give us a shout if you need us!" Sora said.

"Freesia what have you done?! I need to plough that land later today!" A young boy bellowed

"Oh boo hoo! We're on special business, so move aside we need to talk to Dallben!" Freesia snorted.

"Talk to Dallben? Is it about the horned king? Because if he comes anywhere near he I'll fight him off with my sword!" The boy bolstered.

"Hahaha! Guys this boy here is Taran an assistant pig keeper. Not a knight." Freesia laughed.

"Hey! I can fight...I um.. Just need practice is all!" Taran shouted.

"Sure. I'm going to go speak to the grown ups now" she said sarcastically whilst rolling her eyes.

"So Taran is it? My name is Sora. These are my friends Riku, Kairi, Donald and Goofy" Sora introduced, whilst shaking his hand.

"Sora? Woah cool! You're that hero who saved the universe twice!" Taran shouted.

"Haha. Well it wasn't just me, I had the help of my friends" Sora spoke genuinely.

"Neat. Hey are you going to be looking for the horned king and his men? Can I come? I know this world of the back of hand my hand, I can fight too" Taran beamed.

"Do you have a weapon?"

"No"

"Have you ever won a fight?"

"No..."

"Have you ever been in a fight?"

"..N...no" Taran stuttered sadly.

"I see" Sora stated.

Taran held his head down he looked incredibly sad and disappointed. Sora looked over him for a moment and saw a bit of himself in him. Sora placed his hand on Taran's shoulder.

"Well I suppose now is a better time to start. We'll train you up Taran of Caer Dallben" Sora smiled.

"Oh! Thank you! Thank you! You won't regret it!" Taran exclaimed.

"Let's go see Dallben then" Donald interrupted as they began to follow where Freesia went.

Donald and goofy led at the front work Taran in tow, whereas Sora, Riku and Kairi hung at the back.

"Are you sure that's a good idea Sora?" Kairi questioned.

"Yeah. He has to learn somewhere and someday, he might as well learn with us. He has the right attitude and determination, I can see it in his eyes" Sora answered.

"He reminds me of you a little" Riku smirked.

"Haha. He reminds me of me. We were all like him back on Destiny Islands remember" Sora laughed.

"Although I don't quite think Taran is quite as competitive as you two" Kairi giggled.

The trio laughed as they followed the rest of the group to Dallben's house.

"Ahh Freesia. So these are our guests. A keyblade master, a Mage, a knight, a Princess of heart and Xehanorts apprentice. What fine company we have" A tall old man spoke.

"Wait? How do you know who we are?" Donald asked confused.

"You prowess proceeds you after all. Do you really think that people haven't heard of your names after you've saved the universe twice?" Freesia questioned rhetorically as she sat on the edge of the old mans desk, kicking out her feet.

"Haha. Quite right Freesia. In any note, my name is Dallben and I thank you for coming. However, I did not send for help, what brings you young warriors here?" Dallben inquisited.

"We're looking for a man named Caim?" Goofy answered.

"Caim? Praise be the lords. Why are you looking for him?" Dallben questioned.

"He is what's causing this war, he has managed to fuse heartless and nobodies together and is attempting to take Kingdom Hearts" Sora explained.

"Hmm yes. Caim was always good at fusing things together, which is why the horned king works with him. If the horned king obtains the black cauldron, he can create cauldron-born" Dallben informed.

"Cauldron-born?" Kairi pondered.

"They are undead men. Fallen knights who have lost their sense of duty and good, they stop at nothing than to destroy everyone" He explained.

"I see, well I believe that we can help you out. If Caim works alongside the horned king then we can kill two birds with one stone" Sora stated heroically.

"Caim and the horned king need one thing before they can create Cauldron-born which is the Black cauldron. Fortunately however, we have Hen wen here who is an oracular pig. Only she knows the whereabouts of the Cauldron. Find it and destroy it" Dallben instructed.

"So as 'easy' as all that sounds, how does little Hen wen know the location of the cauldron?" Freesia stated whilst scratching the little pigs head.

"Ah Taran! If you would please?" Dallben asked.

"Yes master" Taran obliged.

Taran sticks his finger into a bowl of water at nearby fireplace as he places Hen Wen next to the water and recites magic words.

"Hen Wen, from you I do beseech...
Knowledge that lies beyond my reach...
Troubled thoughts weigh on your heart...
Pray you now those thoughts impart..." Taran recited

Hen Wen appears to be dizzy. She drops her snout into the water and images appear. Dallben reads the images.

"The black cauldron. Hmm it's seems to be underwater. There is only two places that could be. The marshes of Morva or the underground kingdom of the Fair Folk" Dallben spoke.

"I see well then maybe we should split up. Two three's. I'll take Donald and Goofy to the Marshes of Morva. You three go to the underground kingdom" Freesia told.

"Sounds good to me" Sora agreed

"Hey what about me?!" Taran exclaimed.

"You aren't going anywhere, your job is to watch the pig, boy!" Freesia retorted.

"Indeed. It is too dangerous for one such as yourself" Dallben spoke sternly.

Sora stood in front of Taran as though to shield him from the verbal insults like they were weapons. Freesia and Dallben looked at him with confusion in their faces.

"Taran will come with me. I will train him to fight so that he can protect Hen wen from the horned king" Sora stated boldly.

"You can't be serious Sora?!" Freesia exclaimed. She stood incredibly dumbfounded with her mouth agape and her hands on her hips, Sora thought at first that she would pull out her katana and place it inside his head, but she didn't. Instead she frowned with agitation for a moment with her eyes shut and a sigh escaping her mouth.

"Okay. Just...just" She started. She realised that she looked too caring towards Taran which she was not going have tarnish are reputation.

"Just make sure the moron doesn't get you killed, it would look bad on my behalf when i return to Radiant Garden" She snorted.

"Very well, if you wish to take him Sora. Then i will not interfere with wishes of the keyblade master" Dallben spoke.

Dallben walked over to a cupboard which was in the corner of the room, opening the door, he pulled out a sword. It wasn't anything special. It didn't have a decorated hilt or embroidery into the steel. It was enough to protect him. And that was all that mattered.

"Taran i want you to take this. Be sure to come back and please protect Sora and his friends. They are relying on you" Dallben said proudly.

"I will master. I will" Taran answered.

The group made their way out of the door and stood outside to give each a last bit of spurring advice.

"Okay so Me, Kairi, Riku and Taran will head to the underground kingdom, whilst you three head to the Marshes of Morva. We find the black cauldron and bring it back to here, so we can destroy it" Sora explained.

"Sounds good" Kairi said

"Alright then. Lets get to it! And don't get yourselves killed, that would be pretty embarrassing!" Freesia teased.

The groups began to part their ways until Freesia grabbed Sora by his arm as the rest began to carry on walking. Kairi turned back for a moment to see the situation, a hint of jealousy began to spark within her however, she didn't let her feelings cloud her judgement so she carried on walking to catch up with Taran and Riku.

"Sora...er..look. Just. Please keep Taran safe...okay?" Freesia begged shyly.

"Of course Freesia. I won't let anything happen to him. I promise" Sora smiled.

She whispered a thank you before turning to run off to catch up with Donald and Goofy. Sora stood for a moment watching her run away, she really was a confusing girl. He scratched the back of his head and turned to also catch up with his friends. Kairi, Riku and Taran waited, they were sitting on a rock patiently whilst they saw the boy jog up to them.

"Everything sorted?" Kairi asked genuinely.

"Yeah. Lets go" Sora answered.

And with that the four of them made their way off to the Underground kingdom.


The companions tred through ankle deep pits of water on their way to The Marshes of Morva. A they can now see a view of an area that resembles a swamp, with an eerie mist conversing around the ground.

"Well, this is the Marshes of Morva we wanted and thats definitely what we got" Freesia spoke.

"This is...well.. um a dreary place" Donald said uncomfortably.

"Gawrsh! Why don't we climb this hill, to get a better look?" Goofy asked as the group began to make their way up a small hill which overlooked the marshes.

"I think we could be lost. I don't see nothing" Donald said.

"Hey Freesia are you sure this the right place?" Goofy inquisited.

"Yes, I'm sure! There's definitely something her- ahhhhhhhhhh!" Freesia exclaimed. She had walked to far and that she had fallen off a small ledge, landing in a pit of muddy swamp underneath.

"Son of Zeus! Are you kidding me!?" Freesia shouted as she wiped mud from her face.

The dog and duck slid down the side of the ledge next to her and stood around her buried body, they sniggered as they saw her face. However, they were to have their beak and ears pulled by Freesia as she used them to help her stand up.

"Ahyuk! That hurts" Goofy squealed.

"Get off!" Donald squawked with anger.

She let go of them and looked ahead, to see that they had been very loud and had managed to attract some unwanted attention.

"Umm guys. We have trouble" She stated as Donald and goofy began to look in her direction.

"Alright then! Lets kill these cestrians" She shouted, she went to go and grab her katana from her back but was met with a hand full of air.

'Dammit! Alright then. I'll kill them with my bare hands!'

Freesia charged at the group of cestrians, punching her way at them as Donald and goofy locked battles with other cestrians, fortunately they still had their weapons however, Freesia was struggling. Her movement without her katana was far too slow. Six pairs of rough creature hands tried to seize her. Freesia's right hand shot out knocking a few of the cestrians. She kicked one across the face and with a little gurgle, the cestrian staggered backward to crumple in the mud. One of them however, leaped like a panther and landed on Freesia's back. Dropping abruptly, Freesia executed a somersault, shaking herself free and rose up to the cestrain to head butt them square in the forehead. The cestrian fell with an almighty thud. Freesia and the cestrians grunted as they took heavy punches and swipes at each other's bodies and attempted to wrestle the other to the ground. A tall cestrian released a hand-hold and used it to start jabbing the Freesia in the ribs. However Freesia, released both hands and grabbed the cestrians head, bringing its face down sharply onto her bent knee. It staggered backwards towards the ground and disappeared into the mud. And that seemed to be the end of the little scuffle. Short, violent and bloody.

Meanwhile Goofy and Donald finished off the stragglers with ease as Goofy ran through one of them with a shield, whilst Donald shouted 'firaga' to burn the last three off as they began to also sink into the mud. Disappearing from the group's eyes.

"Ha. Well that was a nice welcome to Morva" Freesia laughed sarcastically as she wiped blood from her nose.

"Are you okay?" Donald asked.

"Yeah. Its been a while since i had a fist fight. But it makes me feel invigorated" She answered.

"Gwarsh Freesia. You sure were strong. I found your sword over by that cottage ahyuk" Goofy interrupted.

"Well, someone must live here" Freesia spoke curiously.

"I don't like this place" Goofy whimpered

Looking in a window, "It seems empty. Maybe we should have a look?" Freesia inquired

"If I could just...get this... door open!" She grunted as she brought her shoulder down hard onto the wooden door, she pushed and shoved. Before retreating back and running at the door with her foot kicking the door handle, making the door fly open.

"Hah! No one keeps me out" She sniggered.

"Remind me not to mess with you Freesia" Donald chuckled.

The trio walked through door and looked around the front of the house. They all stood with their hands on their knees's and their mouths agape as infront of them stood hundreds and hundreds of pots, pan, cauldrons and other crockery.

"Oh man! How will we ever find the Black Cauldron in a place like this?" Freesia sighed.

"I hope Sora and the others have better luck than us"


"Ahh how much farther Taran?" Kairi muffled between breaths, as she stopped for a moment placing her hands on her hips.

"Haha jeez Kairi! You need to get out more" Riku teased.

"Well there wasn't really anything to do whilst waiting a year for your return!" She remarked as she stuck out her tongue in a childish manner.

"Do you guys always argue like this?" Taran asked quizzically.

"We've just got a few years of bickering to get out of our system is all" Riku laughed.

Taran and Riku carried on ahead whilst Kairi leaned on a nearby tree trying to support her legs. Sora came up from behind and gently placed a hand on her lower back to encourage her. Her body jolted in shock at the sudden feeling but eventually melted into his touch. As much as she hated to admit it, she loved the feeling of Sora near her and the feeling of his gentle but rugid hands touch her skin.

"Do you want a piggyback?" Sora asked sincerely.

"N..No. I'll..I'll be fine...im just..im just catching...my breath" She huffed out of both exhaustion and embarrassment.

"Are you sure? I don't want you over-exerting yourself Kairi. I won't think any less of you, if that's what you worried about. I was pretty unfit myself when i first started you know?" Sora said as he attempted to cheer her up.

"Really?" She murmured as she finally got the courage to look up at him , his light blue eyes full of concern and happiness.

"Yeah. I was weak and i had no idea how to fight. I just lunged my keyblade and hoped for the best. I had no strategy or battle awareness, i was just reckless. But having Donald and Goofy their to support me, encouraged me to go on. There was many a time where i thought i wasn't good enough, especially in comparison to Riku. But, i learnt that strength isn't everything" He explained as he placed his hands behind his head.

"Yeah you're right" She beamed.

She removed her hands from her knees and moved forward to catch up to Riku and Taran, but alas her legs gave up as her ankles started to shake and she began hurdling towards the ground.

"Woah!" Sora exclaimed as he smothered Kairi's body, preventing her from making impact with the floor.

"C'mon. Put your arms around my neck" He instructed as he began to lift Kairi from the ground.

" Sora, it's fine you don't hav-" She was cut off.

"Kairi i don't want you being exhausted alright. It's just until we get up this steep hill. After that we will stop for a while" Sora demanded.

"Fine" She muffled into his jacket. She wrapped her arms round his neck as he began to walk with up the hill path with her on his back. She blushed into his jacket as she felt the close proximity between them, she felt her heart beat increasing more and more rapidly.

'Oh man! I hope he can't feel my heart beating. C'mon heart slow down, i don't want him to know'

'I don't see why you don't just tell him?'

'I can't tell him Namine'

'Why not?'

'Just because okay. I just need to stop thinking about him'

'Yeah. You stop trying to think of those hot hunky muscles that are carrying you up this hill side so delicately'

'Stop teasing me Namine, i know you're thinking about Roxas'

'...'

Sora began an even more inclined ascent as the hill became more and more vertical, he began huffing slightly out of his mouth out of slight exhaustion. Kairi felt guilty.

"I'm sorry Sora, this hill is getting pretty steep, you can put me down you know?" She spoke.

"It's okay Kairi. I don't want you inflicting anymore harm on yourself" He answered.

As the hill began the incline, Sora lifted and pulled Kairi even closer to his body, to prevent her from slipping. The proximity once again being too close for Kairi's liking as her heart began to flutter and race with feelings.

'He's working so hard. Aren't you tired?'

'To tell the truth, i've always known since the first time we met. He's clumsy and unpredictable. But he always tries so hard. He's timid but not at all cowardly. And he thinks everything through so carefully. The more i'm with him, i realise that we really do have so much in common. The truth is that I -'

"Here we are Kairi. We made it" Sora grunted as he set Kairi down gently onto the floor.

"Well if you two aren't a sight for sore eyes" Riku smirked as he crossed his arms.

"Are you two okay?" Taran asked concerned.

"Haha yeah. I just needed a small break was all" Kairi laughed awkwardly.

"Well in any case me and Taran have set up a camp just though these tree's, there's a river nearby so we drink from there" Riku explained.

The four them walked through a set of trees before stumbling across large space of area, in which their was a campfire in the middle of it and four sleeping bags around it. Sora instantly ran over to the sleeping bag and jumped onto it, releasing a sigh of relief as his body hit the comfy bag. Riku and Kairi just laughed as Taran went and sat down next to Sora.

"I'm going to river, i need to dunk my feet in some nice cold water. I need to get used to all of this walking, climbing and fighting" She laughed as she began walking through the woods.

"I'll get some wood for the campfire, it's getting dark" Riku said as he too left the area.

"And then there was two" Sora chuckled.

"Sora. How can you be so laidback?" Taran inquisted.

Sora sat upright and raised his eyebrow at the boys question. He looked over at Taran's face trying to figure out what he was thinking, but to avail.

"Laidback? Huh. A tough and strange question. I guess it's because this war of Kingdom Hearts for the last three years has took a toll on me both emotionally and physically. When I first gained the keyblade I was reckless, i just wanted to find Riku and Kairi and save the universe as quickly as possible. But, because of this many people were to suffer as i overlooked them and their struggles. I've travelled to a lot of different worlds, with each one being different and unique. Yet, all of the people are similar, they are all united by a cause and want the best for their people. I've learnt so much from fighting these past three years and that is to enjoy life while you can. I will risk my life to finally save this universe from evil once and for all, but i want to do everything i want to now before that happens. If that's laidback and selfish, then i guess that's what i am" Sora answered truthfully.

"I don't think you're selfish. I just..I just want to save my world. Save Pydrain and become the greatest warrior ever" Taran exclaimed.

"You will be Taran, but you can't become great without help. The first lesson in fighting is to never be selfish. I would die for my friends and they would do the same for me, which is what makes it easier fight, having trust" Sora explained.

"I see, thanks Sora. I hope i can do well by you" Taran beamed.

"You will Taran. You know you remind me of myself a few years ago. Things are hard, but having friends who you trust can help you through those hardships and make you a better person" He continued.

"Can i ask you something else, Sora? It's a little more personal" Taran muffled.

"Sure. I guess" Sora said.

"Do you like Kairi?" Taran asked shyly.

"I've seen the way you look at her, why don't you say anything" He went on.

"I'm the keyblade master, most bad guys in the universe want me dead and will stop at nothing make that happen. If they found out about my feelings towards Kairi, i'm scared they would use her to get to me and i won't risk that. I care about her that much. When you become a hero Taran, they will seek nothing more than to find a weakness" Sora explained solemnly.

"I see" Taran ended.

The boys sat for a moment in mutual silence as the sky began to become darker and darker, revealing an underlining beauty about it. The lingering light was obliterated by the rapidly falling night. The once salmon and purple sky transformed into a vast expanse of jet-black that engulfed the woods in a canopy of luminous stars materialised amongst the ocean of blackness. However, despite it's majestic look, Sora sensed something evil within the darkness. He jolted up quickly and summoned his keyblade as he clung to its hilt tightly whilst surveying the area.

"What's wrong?!" Taran alarmed.

"Something is coming. Grab your sword and find Kairi, bring her back here" Sora instructed without taking his eyes off the path which Riku had took not long ago. With that Taran unsheathed his sword and ran off in the opposite direction in search for a certain redhead. The bushes in front of Sora began to rustle as he clung to his blade tighter and readied himself for battle. The rustling stopped all of a sudden as a wave of eerieness and uneasiness washed over Sora along with the cold night air.

"You'll never save them" A voice echoed.

Sora was stunned but wouldn't let his guard slip. The ground began to shake and bang violently and the bushes rustled once more. All of sudden a body was flung over the bushes and hurdling towards Sora, he dodge rolled out of the way as the body clattered to the ground, it's silver hair glistening in the moonlight.

"Riku!" Sora shouted as he went to run over to him.

"Sora behind you!" Riku screamed as he stood back up.

Sora barely had time to think before he was thrown into a tree trunk with an almighty thud. Riku ran at the creature and stabbed it with his keyblade causing the monster to erupt a howl of anguish.

"Thundaga!" A voice exclaimed as thunder began to pelt down onto the creature, following a pink keyblade being lunged into the creatures arm. It hissed as it went to punch the owner of the pink keyblade, but was stopped by a young boy stabbing the creature in the neck with his sword. In a flash of anger the monster through both the boy and girl off his body with it's last remaining strength towards Sora. Sora caught the first body who he identified to be Kairi, before catching Taran, who hit Sora with such impact it forced him back to the ground once more.

A string of curses unraveled from his tongue, like yarn unfurling, as the creature advanced. It's golden scales shimmered with hot anger along with it's dark, cold eyes. Every step it took rattled Riku's bones and struck his heart. He tried to dodge a swing from it's massive claws, but it struck his side and he tumbled into the dirt. He could hear nothing all was silenced, the yells of the audience, the hisses of the creature, all inaudible. All he could do is feel. Feel the cold ground pressed against his form, the heat from the pain, and the rhythm of the drum that would signal his end. Riku looked upward into the stars. He fought valiantly, and he prayed that he would be accepted as he was finally doing some good. He closed his eyes as he felt a searing pain and opened them again to see the creatures claws hurdling down to his weak body.

'This is it'

Weapons clashed vigorously as they gleamed in the cool moon light. It was Sora, he held his keyblade above his head as he stood over Riku, shielding him from the attack. Riku could see how much Sora was fighting back the creatures blades as his arms began to quake and his teeth gritted. Sora finally threw the monsters claws off by kicking it dead centre in the stomach. Riku tried to get back up, but he was still winded. Taran and Kairi ran over to him and began to help him up from the ground. Sora knew that only one would walk away from this. His opponent's claws was stained with blood. Sora shuffled to the side and awaited in attack, and, possibly, inevitable death. His opponent charged with a mighty cry. Sora dodged to the side in one fluid move. His enemy swiveled in his direction. His menacing eyes were a blazing red and his dark figure made the rest of his features indistinguishable. His opponent thrust his claws forward, only to be met by Sora's keyblade once more. Both weapons met in the air with a resounding 'clang'. This creature wasn't normal. Slowly, Sora was tiring, his hike uphill with a certain redhead doing him no favours. 'If I am to die, I shall fight to the last breath.' The creature pushed Sora back as it began to charge again, Sora held his defense by putting up his blade but the creature was too strong and fast, it's claws went straight through sora's stomach.

"Sora!" Kairi screamed as she saw Sora being lifted into the air with his body still impaled the claws.

She charged at the beast with anger and desperation but was thrown back towards Taran and Riku. The beast then removed his claws from Sora's body before stabbing him once more and again and again.

"Ahhh!" Sora screamed out.

Kairi was crying now and was mustering strength to get back up, alongside helping Riku up too. The monster finally seized his attack and threw Sora to the ground hard. Kairi charged at the monster with her keyblade in the air as she dodged the creatures swinging claws and climbed up it's arm and brought her keyblade down hard onto its head. It howled as Kairi kept up the onslaught of stabbing and slashing the monster. Sora, somehow stood back up despite the searing fiery bursts pulsating around the bloody mess coming from his stomach. He began to walk and his wound intensified with each dragging step, jarring and brutal. With each step the pain amplified, the bloody muscle quivered, his consciousness diminishing. He saw Kairi fighting her heart out with determination and desperation, he felt motivated. despite his renewed vigor, he charged at the creature, slashing his blade back and forth. His wound began to bleeding open. He clenched at his stomach with his free hand, believing that body parts would start falling out of his wound soon. He fell to his knees unable to do more. He thought this is end, he would never save the universe, he would never see his friends again, his mother again and more importantly Kairi. Just when all hope had been diminished Taran lunged at the monster with such anger as his blade passed through the creatures chest and it fell to the ground finally, with a large clatter. Sora smiled briefly before coughing up blood and falling to the floor.

His last sight he would see was Kairi running towards him with tears in her beautiful and wet violet eyes.


DUN DUN DUN! Cliffhanger! I had so much fun writing this chapter as i feel this is the first i've been able to write really descriptive fight scenes. I apologise if anyone found the violence uncomfortable or distressing.

Anyhoo please review and favourite :)