Ok you guys!
You wonderful readers gave me the amount of reviews I asked for, and then you gave me more. And I went bad on my promise. I'm sorry – my boyfriend and I decided to end our relationship of two years the next day, so I was very preoccupied. The next week we were on vacation, and I didn't have internet access.
And then school started. And there went my free time.
So, to make it up to you guys, this chapter will be even longer than intended. Also, the next few chapters in succession will be posted in a more timely fashion.
Once again, I'm so, so, so sorry that I didn't keep to my word. I hope you all forgive me.
Electron Beam – Thank you so much! It means a lot to me that you think my plot is worthy of reading haha. And yes, I agree, Kairi is very scary when she's mad. But aren't we all? Let me know what you think of this next chapter.
Vergil Theart – Haha you made an accurate statement about Sora, but it doesn't happen just yet! And I'm keeping your vote in mind! Thanks for reading!
HitokiriHERO – Why thank you! I hope you like this next part!
Inspiration of Imagination – Thank you for your loyal reading! I hope you like the next chapter, and I'm sorry it took so long!
Kinkajou Karata – You were reviewer number five, so technically, this chapter is up because of you. So, I will dedicate this chapter to you. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Blood Seraph – You are a very good guesser when it comes to Riku. And I'm sorry this took so long – life was crazy. And I agree, Kairi was rather mean, but it works out nicely for this next part. Enjoy!
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True-Light-San – Thank you, thank you, thank you! My writing is far from flawless, but you just made my day by saying that!
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Kairitheseventhprincessofheart – Haha I'll keep your vote in mind! Thanks for reading!
Satan966 – I completely know what you mean – my life got crazy all of a sudden too! Enjoy this next part!
AUTHOR'S NOTE – This next chapter contains some very, very graphic parts and some violence. Readers beware.
Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts.
Naminé and I still weren't talking. She had slept in the closet for the night, and when I finally managed to fall asleep, she was still sobbing. When Aerith had brought us breakfast this morning, she slunk out of her hideaway, her normally-pristine eyes clouded and bloodshot. If Aerith had questions, she did not ask them, and she left us to eat in silence.
We dressed without conversing, and we joined the other three to walk to Merlin's. I felt bad about what had transpired the night before, but now I believed that Nami was just being more stubborn than necessary. Did she not hear me cry myself to sleep, too? Did she not feel me shudder every time Sora or Riku pushed past the boundary I had drawn in my mind that forbade them from my thoughts? Did she not feel my heart stop when I pictured them warring on that stormy beach, fighting for the girl that ended up running away?
Yes, she knew all of this. And she knew that every time she brought up how I'd "abandoned" our life it was like a fresh crack of the whip to my already bloodied back.
"What do you think Kairi?" Yuffie asked me, pulling me from my growing anger. Her eyes were practically hopping up and down with her apparent energy, and her smile was as wide as Sora's – I internally cringed at that comparison.
"About what?" I asked.
"You weren't listening, were you?" Tifa chided. "We all agree – you're ready for your first battle. Today, you're gonna get to fight some real Heartless." She gave me one of her rare smiles – my heart soared and my stomach dropped at the same time.
"Of course, you don't have to if you don't feel you're prepared, Kairi," Aerith assured me.
"No," I shook my head. "No. I'm ready." I took a deep breath. "I can do this."
"Of course you can!" Yuffie cheered, jumping in the air. "Aren't you excited?" she bubbled.
"Erm, yeah," I nodded, trying to share her almost-tangible enthusiasm. At this point, I was really to exhausted to feel anything – I wasn't sure if that was good for battle or not.
We walked into Merlin's house. The grandfatherly sage was gathering miscellaneous items and placing them in his large, black handbag. Among the objects were vials of crystal-like forest green potions, each differing in size. Merlin handled each as if it were terribly important.
"What are those?" I questioned, curious.
"These," he said, holding up a medium sized bottle, "are health potions. There are many different kinds, but they each do something to revive you, whether it be your stamina, your ability to cast magic, or both." He winked at me, his wise eyes dancing. "And they taste rather nice, if I do say so myself."
Yuffie grabbed a smaller bottle out of Merlin's bag. "Here, try one," she offered. "You should be completely healed before you head into battle. And you should get used to the taste beforehand. Sometimes it can give you a little bit of a rush." I gingerly took the vial and uncorked it with a loud pop. I rolled my wrist, causing the liquid inside to slosh and stir; the aroma was inviting, but my stomach flipped anyways. Slowly, I raised the glass to my lips, allowing the liquid to slide into my mouth. I was bombarded with the taste of sugar, like someone had forced me to eat a whole balloon of cotton candy in one bite. As I swallowed, the liquid swirled through my body, and I felt its effect; it was like I was being hit with a thousand tiny Cure spells that shimmered over my skin. The tingling stopped, and I lowered the empty potion bottle.
"Well?" Yuffie prodded.
"I feel…better," I finally said, searching for the right word.
"You look better," Tifa stated calmly. I laughed.
"It's a little weird at first, but you get used to it. They're lifesavers in battle," Yuffie assured me, giggling. "No pun intented." Merlin passed her three similar small vials, which she handed to me. "These are for you."
"Where do I put them?" I asked. I didn't have any pockets, and they were too big to put in my shoes.
Yuffie smacked a calloused hand to her forehead. "Oh, that's right, you don't have official fighting garb. Ugh…ah, well. We'll just hold on to them and heal you if necessary. Between Aerith and Merlin's magic, Tifa and I's fighting, and all these potions, you should be set."
"But we really should get you some new clothing," Tifa said sternly. "We won't always be around to protect you." I nodded in compliance.
"Are we ready?" Merlin asked, looking up from his packing. Geez! I thought, eyeing the fifty some-odd bottles that were stashed in the bag. How many hits does he think I'm gonna take? Or am I just that bad at fighting? I wasn't sure whether to be honored that I was so well-protected and cherished or offended that they thought I would need an infinite amount of magical medicine. He cleared his throat, pulling my attention back to his question and not his bag. I nodded.
We walked out of the house in a single-file line, like soldiers marching to battle. Merlin led, brandishing his staff and carrying his ominous black bag. Yuffie bounced along next, excited for the impending confrontation. Tifa proceeded after Yuffie, her face set in solemn preparation; she'd seen this before. I was in the middle, trying not to stumble on the slippery stones – should I be excited or nervous? Was I ready? Naminé followed me – she was still being belligerent and we weren't talking. Her delicate arms were folded across her small chest, and she mirrored a defiant child. Aerith brought up the rear, gracefully keeping pace with a serene, reassuring smile.
We crossed through the beaten wooden door that separated us from the rest of Traverse Town, stepping into the Third District. The open area before us lay undisturbed, its only sound the quiet murmur of the fountain. The six of us fell into our usual pattern of sneaking along the wall – Heartless didn't sense you that way. However, once we reached the middle of the wall, Merlin stopped. "Go forward, Kairi. Into the middle," he beckoned with his staff. "Your time has begun."
I nodded, taking a deep breath. Aerith laid a quiet hand on my shoulder, her touch a silent token of her faith in me. I can do this, I whispered in my mind, stretching my Keyblade hand, feeling each muscle in my individual fingers clamp and relax. I tightened them all around an imaginary handle; sure enough, my weapon appeared at my side. One last deep breath, and I stepped forward. Nothing. I stepped forward again. Still nothing. Another last deep breath – for real this time - and I walked to the center of the district.
They appeared out of nowhere, like a bad dream or lightning. I was surrounded by fifteen or so creatures of the blackest kind, and once they materialized, they began to swing fiercely. I couldn't register what they looked like or who they were before they attacked.
Defensively, I brought my key up to shield my body, parrying the swipe of one zealous Shadow. It stumbled backwards, and I quickly slashed through it while it remained open; the being dissipated into a black void. Just as I pumped a victory fist into the air, I was attacked from behind, and I stumbled forward to my hands and knees.
"Keep yourself up, Kairi!" I heard Yuffie call from the wall. Another Shadow lunged at me, and I rolled to the right to avoid the attack. Quickly, I scrambled to my feet in time for two Shadows to begin a joint attack. Once again, I raised my key before my body to block the blow; one Shadow rebounded off the blade, and I swung my weapon so the second one would be killed. It worked. Bringing my Keyblade back from my right side for an upper slash, I stepped forward and with both hands, pulled my key up and across my body to the left. The third Shadow was slain.
"Kairi, behind you!" I heard Aerith warn me. I turned around, and five Shadows stood before me, surrounding a larger Heartless who looked like an obese man. I'd never seen a Heartless so huge! That's a Large Body, right? I mused to myself as I pulled the blade through two of the minions. I stepped back as I raised the key above my head, to counter the action leaving my body open, and swung down at the large Heartless' belly with all of my might. My key merely bounced off, and he swiped at me with his short arms, connecting with my torso. I heard someone from the sidelines gasp, and then Merlin's stoic voice reassured the worried.
"Find an opening, Kairi," Tifa's calm voice coached me. I retreated to regroup, slashing through another Shadow that tried to follow me. The Large Body didn't seem to be open to attack from the front…
"Kairi, look out!" Aerith's voice came again. My eyes focused on the battle in time to see the large opponent charging me. Quickly, I threw my body to the side, rolling out of the line of fire and regaining my footing once more. My heart trembled for a moment as I remembered how Sora used to do that to avoid Riku, but I didn't have time to be nostalgic. The Large Body heaved in the corner, facing away from me…that was it!
I ran forward, brandishing my Keyblade, and launched a combo on the Heartless' open flank. I smiled in satisfaction as I felt my blows take, and after three combos, the being disappeared. I quickly countered to slash through a Shadow using my remaining momentum.
Turning to my right, I saw three or four Soldier Heartless approaching, their purple and silver armor gleaming in the district's light. Chest heaving from my running around, I quickly pointed my key in their direction: "Fire!" I yelled, and a jet of flame exploded one Heartless. Three more incantations of the spell, and only one Heartless remain. I ran forward at the Soldier, and slashed through him with the last of my energy. The last enemy vanished, and I stood alone in the center of the District. Smiling, I turned to look at my cheering friends.
"YOU DID IT!" Yuffie hollered, running at me and throwing her arms around me in an embrace that was more tackle than hug.
"You did really well, Kairi," Tifa complimented, a genuine smile lighting up her face. She too pulled me into a quick hug.
"Congratulations!" Aerith beamed, clasping both of my hands.
"You did an excellent job of refining your magic," Merlin smiled. "That was marvelous." I looked over the sage's shoulder to see my Nobody stalking off in the direction of the Second District. She was still angry. Whatever, I thought, refusing to let her taint my victory. Let her sulk.
"However," Merlin began, recapturing my attention, "you didn't vary your magic at all. A Thunder spell would have quickly diminished such a large group of energy, and you didn't even bother to try to heal yourself." He looked serious, and I hung my head.
"Don't worry, Kai," Yuffie assured me. "You just need some more practice, that's all."
My head snapped up. "Do you think we could practice now?" I asked. "I feel strong enough."
"Are you sure?" Merlin questioned. "You put forth quite a bit of energy in that last battle, and it's perfectly acceptable to –"
"No, I'm fine, really!" I nodded vigorously. I knew he was expecting more magic in my first test, and I didn't want to let him down – not after he'd trained me so well. And in all fairness, I had so much adrenaline going that I could have probably fought for another three hours.
"Alright, then," Merlin agreed. "More practice it is."
"And again, Kairi," the sage coached, sending another maelstrom of dinner plates flying my way.
"Thunder!" I cried, holding my Keyblade skyward. For the fifth time, yellow bolts of pure electricity angrily struck down the dinnerware, sending porcelain flying throughout the room. I quickly held up my blade to deflect a rogue piece of flying plate – I already had a scratch on my cheek from where I had failed to protect myself.
"Good!" Merlin mused. He waved his staff again, and three dressers, two chairs, and a slew of dinner plates accosted. I held my weapon before me, readying...for a split second, the swirling plates seemed to melt together, and I was disoriented by the flying white.
"Kairi!" Merlin called to me too late – a chair connected with the back of my leg. I stumbled forwards, but caught my balance; turning, I slashed through the annoying furniture. "Fire!" I cried once I had taken care of my first attacker. "Fire! Fire! Fire!"
"Vary your spells!" Merlin bellowed as I struggled for breath – suddenly, I was exhausted.
"Thunder!" I voiced, over and over. The enchanted furniture still swirled around me, and none of my spells seemed to connect with any of the targets. Angrily, I swiped left and right with the Key, keeping the area around me clear as the plates spun higher and faster…
Strong arms embraced me from behind, pinning my arms to my sides . "Kairi," Merlin said as I struggled against his grip, "there are no plates left. You got rid of the furniture. What are you doing?"
"There…are…more…flying…" I puffed. "Around…us…"
"Kairi, are you alright? The room is empty except for you and me." His moonlight-silver eyes pooled with concern.
"I'm fine," I panted. "Let's keep going." We had only been practicing for thirty minutes – there was no reason that I should be this tired.
"Perhaps you should take a short respite," the wizard suggested, eyeing my labored breathing. "It's been a very long day for you, young Princess."
"No," I countered stubbornly. "We've practiced for much longer before. After ten days of training, I'd hope that my stamina would be more satisfactory."
"Fighting a battle all alone and then training afterwards is very strenuous," he argued back. "You seem to be having trouble breathing as well. I suggest we end this session before you hurt yourself." His steely eyes glinted with wisdom – I knew he was merely looking out for me, but this was unacceptable. Besides, I had enough rage in me to fuel ten more hours of practice. My body just needed to catch up to my mind.
"Thank you for your concern," I said, "but really, I'm fine." As soon as I said that, the world tilted, and I almost reached out to the old man for balance. Yet the stubborn side of me prevailed, and I refused to quit now. "May we please keep going?"
His misty eyes searched me, looking for any reason to refuse me. But my will was stronger than my pain – I was determined. "Alright," he ceded, sighing. "If you wish, Princess."
I smiled, a new burst of energy surging through me. "Can we start again with the thunder-fire combinations?"
That "new burst of energy" lasted about five minutes. Every simple blow felt like it required the energy to smash through a boulder, and every spell seemed to drain me of all I had left. I pressed on – I was too stubborn to admit that Merlin was right about me being exhausted – but within fifteen minutes, my entire body was shaking.
What in the multiverse was wrong with me?
"Blizzard!" I yelled at a triad of flying plates, and a weak flurry of snowflakes were emitted from my Keyblade. One plate cracked, but did not shatter, and the other two weren't even touched. Grumbling, I quickly swung my key to destroy the rest. As I watched them shatter, my unused arm was subconsciously brought to my chest – within the past few minutes, my chest had started burning, like I had a bad case of heartburn.
"That wasn't very potent," Merlin coached me from the wall. He waved his hands, sending forth a new group of dishes. "Try again."
I tried to ready myself, but I couldn't bring my hand back to my side from my chest – it hurt too much. Struggling for breath, I held my Key at the ready. The plates flew forward, and I tried to subdue them with a larger spell: "Thunder," I whispered desperately. A crackle was heard from my weapon, but no bolts were cast; the plates, unharmed, swirled down to attack me, and I fell to the floor.
"Kairi!" I heard Merlin call. I heard the sound of a spell being cast – the distinct twinkling rustle of magic – and I thought that he had cast a Blizzard spell on me, for suddenly I was freezing. I trembled on the floor, curled on my side. I could barely breathe.
"Princess, can you hear me?" the sage questioned urgently. I felt a calloused hand touch my arm.
"Your hand is freezing," I mumbled weakly – his skin felt like he had been submerged in ice for hours on end.
"No, my dear, I'm afraid that you have a very high fever," he explained, moving his wrinkled hand from my forearm to my forehead.
"Really, I'm fine," I tried to explain. "Just give me a minute –" Suddenly, I began to choke. Between my strangled coughs and hacks, I could not breathe. Desperate for air, I tried to stop; I began to hyperventilate.
Then the world tilted once more, sending me into a maelstrom. I felt myself heave with more energy than I thought I was capable of mustering at the moment, and I vomited blood.
"PRINCESS!" Merlin yelled. My vision was so blurred that I could no longer see him, and I panicked when I felt his crinkly touch disappear. I could taste the blood and bile in my mouth, a disgusting combination of salt and acid…
"Oh my god!"
"Is she ok?"
"What happened?"
"Kairi, can you hear me?" Aerith's normally halcyon voice demanded. I felt a soft hand press to my cheek. "Goodness, she's on fire!"
"Kai, can you hear me?" Yuffie asked in high soprano. "What did you do?"
"Don't crowd her, Yuf."
"I'm just trying to figure out what happened!"
The world spun again behind my closed eyelids, and I twisted to the side, vomiting once more. I felt someone – Tifa? – recoil in disgust. I tried to apologize, but I didn't have enough air…
"Ew…" Yep. Tifa.
"She's hyperventilating again," Aerith worried. "Kairi, you have to calm down."
"I'm…trying…" I managed to choke out before heaving again. My stomach lurched, and I felt like I was going to dispel my intestines.
"Curaga," the sage spoke, and although I felt extremely powerful magic swirl around me, I felt no better.
"Your magic didn't work?" Yuffie asked, astounded.
"It seems so," Merlin whispered, the disbelief in his voice almost tangible. "This means that this is far beyond the powers of magic…" he paused, and I could mentally picture his head snapping up, sending his wizard's hat off of his head. His silvery eyes would glint with sudden knowledge – that was never a good thing. Merlin knew everything.
"Someone needs to go get Naminé," he ordered. "Now." Two bodies left my side, and at the thought of my Nobody, I started to convulse. What if she wasn't ok? Was this the result of her being hurt? Was she doing this to me?
"Nam…in…é…" I said brokenly.
"She'll be here soon," Aerith promised, pulling my head into her lap.
"I can't…feel…" I ran out of breath, and I gasped for air. Breathing was becoming harder and harder, and the smell of gall burned my nose as it trickled through my throat.
"What?" Aerith prodded. "What can't you feel?" I tried moving the left side of my body, but found I could no longer control those shaking muscles.
"Left…" I whispered. Aerith must have seen me struggling, as I heard her gasp.
"Curaga," she commanded; once again, I felt the strong magic – this time, it did a little bit more to help me. My chest grew heavier and heavier, and as I tried to open my eyes, I saw Aerith's terrified face.
"Kairi, keep breathing," she urged, stroking my hair. "Curaga," she whispered again.
I hacked again, twisting as I shook. It felt like someone had laid a thousand bricks on my chest – with startling fear, I realized I was suffocating.
"Can't…breathe…" I mouthed between my fruitless gasps for oxygen.
"Curaga!" Aerith cried once more. I managed one big breath – then I heaved blood, again. "Merlin!" I heard the older girl call frantically. Hurried footsteps resounded from the floor, and I heard the sage land by our side with multiple clinks of glass – it seemed he had brought multiple healing potions. There was a pop of one uncorking, and I felt the sweet liquid fall into my gaping mouth. I tried to swallow, but my gulp met another heave, and I vomited once more.
"Kairi, try to keep this down," the wizard urged, pouring more of the elixir into my mouth. I swallowed some – the tingly feeling ran through my body, but did not cease the excruciating pain.
"Better?" Aerith asked.
I was about to answer when I heard a frantic shout. "Merlin, we need help!" Yuffie yelled.
I continued struggling to breathe as I felt the vibrations of two pairs of running feet rush towards me; I managed to gasp as I felt the weight of a body lowered next to mine.
Naminé.
"My chest…" she gasped, the pain audible in her weak voice. "I'm gonna explode…"
"You're gonna be fine," Tifa assured her.
"My chest…too much pressure…" Huh, that was funny. Mine felt like it was gonna collapse. The world suddenly shifted again, and I completely lost my eyesight. I heaved once more, expelling fresh bile and blood, then choking on it.
"She can't breathe!"
"Give her more of the potion!"
"She can't keep it down!"
"Kairi?" Nami voiced quietly. I tried to answer her, but there was no air in my lungs…
"She has to keep breathing!"
"AGH!" I managed to scream; a searing pain coursed through my chest, slicing me in two. It felt like someone had just thrust a Keyblade into my heart; if this was what Sora had undergone in order to unlock my heart, I don't know why he didn't just let me die. Someone was torturing me now. I wildly thrashed, trying to hurt my attacker, then I fell into spasms.
"Hold her down!" Merlin ordered, and I felt two pairs of strong arms on either side of my body.
"No!" I screamed, my voice shrill. "Please! Stop! AGH!" I thrashed some more and cried again as the slicing pain renewed itself tenfold. Who would be opening me with a Keyblade? Sora and Riku were the only two people I knew of that even had them, besides King Mickey – but he had no reason to hurt me. "Please," I begged, my voice shaking with more intensity than my quivering body. "I'm sorry…"
"Kairi! Calm down!" a lucid voice urged me. Everyone seemed so far away…were they abandoning me? Was this my fate, my karma for hurting the two people I loved most? Yes, yes it was – they had teamed together to kill me. An eye for an eye, a heart for a heart – I was to be tortured to death.
"Who is she talking to?"
"I'm not sure…"
Another twist of pain, and I was screaming again. "NO!" I wailed. "Please! Stop! Sora…" I began to choke again, this time more violently. Blood swam through my blackened vision, and I coughed so hard that I felt one of my ribs break, causing me to scream more in agony. My voice was hoarse, and my throat stung from the blood trailing sinuously down it. My chest throbbed, my heart threatening to collapse at any given moment.
"Ri-ku," I whispered hoarsely. "P-p-please…"
"Kairi, nobody's here!"
"Keep healing her!"
"It's not working!"
"KEEP TRYING!"
Next to me, Naminé screamed. My eyes no longer saw the world around me, but I could picture her, in her pristine form, wailing and thrashing like I was. "Nami!" I tried to yell, but no words were voiced.
"My…chest…" she sobbed. Her breathing was rapid and shallow, and I could feel her trembling.
"She's extremely bloated," a voice above me observed worriedly.
"Kairi's collapsing –"
"Naminé's exploding –"
"Keep healing them! It's the only thing that will keep them alive!"
"Stay with us!"
"Don't quit now, not when you've come so far!"
The world spun again, and I felt like I was falling. I no longer felt the floor beneath me, I no longer felt the strong arms that held me down, I no longer heard my Nobody screaming besides me – there was just me and the pain, the pain and me. We flailed in a world that was absolutely our own, one where nobody could hear me and nobody could help me.
I was going to die now.
I felt myself gasp – I was no longer one with my body – and unthinkably, I reached for Naminé. Did I have time to tell her I loved her before the pain drove me from this world? Did I have time to embrace her, whisper that I was sorry into her white-gold hair? My fingers locked with her, and I gave the last of my energy to squeeze her hand.
I was just in time. As soon as our skin collided, a new pain ripped through me with the power of one thousand hurricanes. I was being thrown about in this new, devoid world, my body being rocked and tossed like a rag doll. My torturers were going to rip me limb from limb. I squeezed my eyes shut harder – please let me die, I mentally begged. The stabbing, twisting pain increased, and Naminé and I screamed in unison, our voices harmonizing into a sick, twisted chord of death.
The all-encompasing pain got stronger one last time, crescendoing to the grand finale of my life. This was goodbye.
I love you all, I whispered to myself as three pairs of eyes flashed before mine. Please forgive me.
My heart raced on, heaving and throbbing for one final moment, and then I felt it. The blade sliced through my chest, completely cutting my heart in two. The raw intensity of the blow was so powerful, so potent, so utterly murderous that I could not scream, and my mouth formed a hollow "O."
Then, like a wave breaks away from the beach it crashes upon, the pain receded, leaving lingering remnants of its course. My entire body ached.
And then everything went black.
…what just happened?
Is she dead?
Is she not dead?
The next chapter will be up soon! No, no our story is FAR from over!
Vehe
P.S. Wow. That was the longest chapter I've ever written, and I decided to cut it in half to get this part up for you guys faster. Twelve pages on Word. Holy Christmas.