Chapter 11: Royal Capital in another World
Disclaimer: I do not own Sora no Kiseki and Kingdom Hearts. They belong to their original owners. I only own part of this plot and any OC's.
A.N.: Since I have received no votes, I'll have to choose the characters. But don't worry, your author has planned this ahead of time so no worries. (Yippy!)
The plan was simple. Some people stayed back at the Garden while the others continued forward. Only a group of four is to proceed. That means two stayed back. Everyone voted for Tita to stay at the Garden for a while, and Sora volunteered to stay with her. So now that the matter of groups was resolved, they can keep going.
At the Garden Sora and Tita sat by the pond. Tita was showing Sora how to use his orbment. "See Sora? You now know how to use all the arts you can access for now." Sora scratched the back of his head. "Don't tell me it went over your head!"
"Uh… Of course not?! It's very simple, but I doubt I'll be able to remember everyone..."
"Don't worry; I still get a little nervous when I pull out my orbment. So you're not the only one."
"Oh, but you seem so professional, why?"
"Where I was raised, we learn a lot about orbal technology, especially recent ones. Um, Sora? Can I ask you something?"
"Ask away." He replied.
"How'd you get a weapon like that?"
"You mean my Keyblade? Well… Why do you ask?"
"Oh, because my friend has one of those too."
"Really?! What's his name?"
"Roxas."
Sora thought for a moment about the name. It wasn't ringing any bells. "Never heard of him, but if he's your friend, he must be a really good one. I'd love to meet him. "
"Yeah, he is. And I think you guys would make good friends."
In the 'capital', the others had their hands full. How were they going to traverse through the streets if demons were roaming around? Julia suggested going and checking the castle area. All they had to do was get past a few demons. Since they were in the south block, the castle lying beyond the north block, the way to the west and east block were protected by barriers. The only thing they had to do was fight any demons that stood in their way. The demons looked like soldiers with bronze armor. Simple sounding, but they could never be too sure.
"Have any suggestions?" Ries asked.
"Well, charging through is the only thing that seems the most reasonable now." Kevin pointed out.
"But if we charge in," Riku said "We have to do it quickly."
"He's right," Julia said "If we don't hurry, something could go terribly wrong." Kevin put thought into these ideas.
"To make this work, we'll need to run from fights we can get out of easily." Everyone nodded in consent. They were going to run for it. Avoiding any situation possible. Riku was the first one off with Julia, followed by Ries and finally Kevin. Also utilizing combat skills. Since Riku's 'Way to the dawn' Keyblade had similar range to Julia's rapier, they'll be the front assault. While the other two supports from behind and/or afar. As they rushed through, the little knights fell with one fell swoop from either Riku or Julia.
As they reached the castle gates, they were confronted by more little knights with a big golden knight leading them. "End of the road I guess." Riku said. They rushed into the battle. These guys were a bit tougher since they were in a big group. But not too much of a problem. They all fell with ease, since they had a weakness for time arts, and the group's improvising.
When they get to the front of the castle, it had a strange golden barrier in front of the gates. "So we really are still stuck in this world. Phantasma was it?"
"Looks like we won't be able to enter, let's try doing another sweep of town." Ries suggested.
"But the ways to the other sections are all blocked off."
"Maybe not," Kevin spoke up "Maybe beating those knights opened one of the paths. Completing the rule." Back at the southern block, the barrier to the eastern block was gone. "Looks like I was right. There was a rule."
"Shall we then?" Ries asked. The group walked into the eastern block to find it in a similar condition as the other two blocks. The grand fighting arena had a similar barrier in front of the door, so it was a no-go thing. At least for now. But the Erebonian embassy was the only place up for search. Erebonia is another country in the Zumerian continent. It is much larger than Liberl. They went to war over ten years ago. The people of Liberl banded together and won through their quick and decisive thinking in the army. Of course, in any war, there were casualties (Hint on a new story).
Anyway, the group walks into the embassy only to be ambushed by some weird assassin demons. No way to run. Riku goes in for a swipe but is easily blocked and countered with a double swipe. Riku easily sidesteps the first, only to be nicked with the second. 'Damn…' he thought as he continued to fight. These guys were good, but not good enough. Riku took in a deep breath and a strange dark blue fire shot out of his keyblade and impaled the demon, destroying it.
Watching Ries and the other assassin fight was like watching a gracious knight fight against a ruthless ninja. Since these knights fell quickly, Ries won with no injury and the same could be said for Julia. Kevin on the other hand, had slightly more difficulty keeping up and remaining at a distance. So he got up close, kicked off the demon, and while he was backing away he fired arrows at the demon. (He uses an orbal crossbow. People with these types of weapons don't need to reload because they are magic bullets in a way.) The demon was destroyed when he landed.
"Is everyone alright?" Kevin asked.
"I'll be alright," Ries stated "But I think Riku was injured."
"Don't worry, it's just a scratch." Riku said, bringing his hand to his side to cover up the wound.
"But still, to be on the safe side." Kevin started. He pulled out his orbment and held it out facing Riku. "Orbal arts: Tear." A drop of 'water' went onto Riku's wound and the cut closed up. Leaving nothing but a small scar and a tear through his shirt. Was that healing magic? Riku could only assume. Well, whatever the case, the wound stopped hurting, so it was good enough for him. Maybe he needs to trust people more like Sora can. But who would he be fooling? It just wasn't him to be as open as his friend.
"We should probably check the entire embassy, for clues," Ries suggested "I think splitting up is a good way to start."
"I agree." Riku added.
Kevin thought about it for a moment. Splitting up meant covering more ground and finding things quicker, however, the possibility of divide and conquer and the six of them were already divided enough. He couldn't live with himself if someone got hurt on his watch. "I'm sorry Ries, but I'm gonna have to say no. Not because your idea is bad, but because of the dangers it holds. What if one of the groups is ambushed by the enemies? Like that black knight?"
"Black knight?!" Riku exclaimed.
"I thought we told you about it on your fill in on the situation. He's that guy in the jet-black armor." Riku nodded in conformation. "Good, I suggest we search all over upstairs, we can split up, but we need to be on the same floor, clear?" Ries sighed in confusion and defeat. That last argument made little to no sense.
The group searched the bottom floor for any clues. They checked all rooms in detail. And I mean IN DETAIL.
The group headed upstairs to try and find anything else that might help them. They gave the top floor a sweep through the bedrooms, living areas and finally the private study. There they found another glowing cube.
"Another one?" Julia asked.
"Looks like it." Kevin responded.
"Well, we can't waste another second," Ries said calmly "We have to release who's ever inside so we can keep going."
"She's right, we can't just waist our time here…" Riku replied. Kevin nodded in agreement and pulled out the cube. He pushed the spot he pressed last time to reveal the diagram. Now a circle had an image of Grancel on it. Kevin pressed the one with the Garden in the image and the group was whisked away back to the Garden to be greeted by the smiling faces of Sora and Tita.
"What are you guys so cheery about?" Kevin asked.
"Oh nothing much." Sora stated.
"Ok then… We found another cube. Let's head over to the monument and use it so we can keep going."
"What, why?" Kevin explained to Sora why they couldn't go on because of the rules strewn about the world. "Oh… So this cube is the rule then huh? Then let's get this show on the road!"
The group of six went to the front of the monument and held out the cube. It did its little light show trick where it floated up and came back down, but as a person. This person was kinda like Julia in the whole 'army dept.' But he was different. Somewhat of a big guy dressed in a purple-black uniform. He carried around a big sword along his waist. He had dark brown hair. Overall, he was pretty intimidating looking dude. "WHERE HAVE YOU-," He barked, which almost made Sora jump a bit. At least in Sora's view, it was an almost jump. Whoever this guy was, he was a serious dude.
"Why are you jumping for?" Riku asked callously.
"I was not-
"You were… We all saw it. Don't have to admit or deny anything." Sora remained absolutely silent. He was too embarrassed to talk about it. He simply looked away in irritation. No one had anything to say about it. "Quit being indenial!"
"Oh shut it… You're no help…"
"Not that this hasn't been fun," Kevin finally broke in "But last time I checked we had a mission to do here."
"Thank you for cutting in," Sora said "I just don't believe you sometimes Riku…" Now his attention was back to his friend.
'So much for that.' Kevin thought.
"Don't worry," Riku replied, "I'm sure you're not the only goofball we know."
"He's right, there are others." The man broke in. The two friends have almost forgotten why they were standing around for.
"Oh sorry… I don't even know your name." Sora replied sincerely.
"My name is Mueller Vander. I am from the Erebonian empire with my… companion." Somehow 'companion' didn't fit right with Sora. He figured they're at odds with each other, but still were friends. He really didn't want to think about it that much before 'certain' thoughts slipped in.
After explaining the situation to Mueller, he came up with the resolve to help get out of the strange world. Now they had to figure out how to split this up again. Kevin and Ries would lead (again) and this time takes Sora and Tita with them. They used the cube to teleport back to the south block.
"So where do we go now?" Sora asked.
"Maybe there was a barrier lifted nearby when we released Mueller."
"Hmm? Maybe. Why don't do a sweep of the areas we do have? That way, we can see if anything changed."
"Um, something did change," Ries cut in "Wasn't it just daytime?" The duo looked around to notice that it was no longer daytime, but late noon.
"Huh?!" Kevin exclaimed, "Something definitely changed alright! That must mean another door is open if the environment is like this. Come on." With that, Kevin lead the group around town to the harbor near the western block. At the harbor was a very familiar airship docked.
"Isn't that the Mountain Lion?" Tita asked.
"Yes it is. But what's it doing here?" Kevin answered.
"Probably the same reason the Aserlys was in the Jade Corridor." Ries responded, "Maybe we could get more information if we went inside."
Kevin went up to the airship and tried to open the only entrance to find it locked. "It won't open."
"Then how are we supposed to get inside?"
"Let's try that warehouse over there since it's the only other place here." Kevin suggested, pointing to a warehouse close by. The group walked into the warehouse to find it empty. "Wait," Kevin replied holding his hand up to stop the group. Ries didn't need to be told why because she already had her Templar Sword ready.
Weird blue slug like demons appeared in front of them, making Sora and Tita ready themselves for a battle. "Seriously?" Sora asked.
"Oh, enough of this," Ries said. She pulled out her bible and began saying "I call upon the power of the heavens, to help us in this fight," A glowing circle formed under Ries and a blue circle came from the bible. Over her appeared an angel that was dressed like a knight with a sword. The angel was charging up an attack with its blade. "Heaven Strike!" Ries exclaimed. The angel released the power in the form of lightning bolts, striking the demons with full force. They were destroyed on contact.
"That was awesome!" Sora exclaimed "Since when could you do that?!"
"I've always been able to do that, but I just chose not to do it until now…"
Kevin went up to whatever was left of the area the monsters. There was a small crater in the ground now. In the crater something sparkled. Kevin slid down into the hole and picked it up. It was a key to the Mountain Lion's door. He climbed out of the crater and walked backed to the Mountain Lion with the others catching up behind. He used the key to unlock the door and went inside. Inside, he went to the captain's room to find a cube on a watchtower only accessible by ladder.
Without thinking twice he went up the ladder to get the cube. Ries and the others just watched him go up. He grabbed the cube and climbed right down. "Got another cube."
Kevin said.
"And…" Ries asked sarcastically.
"Whoever in this cube can probably open another barrier." He pulled out the Arca of Recluse and used it to send them back to the Garden. Once everyone was gathered around the blue monument. Kevin held out the cube as it did it's usual summoning routine and out came a girl. Everything about her appearance just screamed typical tomboy. She wore a green tee under a darker green vest with a tan skirt. She had short blue hair wearing a cap that had the name 'Capua' on it in red letters. She was equipped with an orbal gun. Not like Gilbert's but still the same concept.
She sighed as if she was in defeat. "How am I supposed to get this done when it's closing time and if it's all the way near- Huh?" She looked up at the group in utter astonishment.
"Hi Josette." Kevin said. She remained absolutely silent in her surprise. "Must be something else to see us here with you."
"I give up…" She finally gave in.
Kevin told Josette what was happening and where they were. He didn't leave out a single detail and practically emphasized all key points. Which are the parts about Phantasma itself and the people they're against.
When Kevin finished, Josette looked at the crowd and noticed Mueller and three faces she didn't recognize. "Who are you guys?" She asked.
"Well, I'm Riku. This is my friend Sora, and she is Ries. Aren't you going to return the favor?"
"Oh! I'm Josette Capua. I'm the manager of my family's shipping company."
"And what has the brat been up to in the past six months." Mueller commented.
"I thought you wouldn't call me that anymore. Talk about a grudge."
"It's not a grudge if it's mere truth."
"Did I miss something?" Ries asked.
"It's uh… complicated." Kevin said.
"I think they know each other," Sora mumbled to Ries, "It would explain a lot."
"Where should we check now?" Julia asked, stepping between the feuding Erebonians. (Yes, Josette and Mueller are both Erebonian.)
"I would say do another sweep of town," Kevin started "But let's think of the places that we haven't been."
"The castle is one," Julia pointed out, "There's also the sewers. Hmm…"
"Why not that place in the eastern block?" Riku stated "It still had a wall around it."
"The Grand Arena?" Tita asked "We could try there."
"We could, however it just screams trap." Kevin said "There might be a pretty powerful demon lurking inside." Kevin knew, in this place, there's no easy way through.
A.N.: We're nearing a very important part of this story. I apologize for not getting this Chapter done sooner. I've been busy with a research paper and other school projects. Not to mention other ideas for new Fanfiction and the continuation of this plot. Anyway, I'm done ranting to you guys for now. Bye!
