Chapter Twelve: Live and Let Die
The morning sun rose the following day spreading it's warmth over the world. It made the spilled blood glisten and its yellow rays pierced through the dust and smoke that covered the remnants of the once proud city. A black crow gracefully lowered itself onto the the hilt of a sword, it's head moving left and right as if it could examine the horrific events of the previous night. It saw the dead bodies of soldiers and citizens lying side by side as they cluttered the ground. The volume of red blood clearly out shined the puddles of black ooze. The battlefield was soaked, painted, and colored. Walls that once encircled the city no longer stood, faltering to the battering of the heartless. They now laid as rubble. The crow spread its wings and lifted itself in the air. There was a sense that some of the countrymen were able to flee but for the most part, those who stayed behind had little success at survival. It seemed to caw a sorrowful mourn as it flew toward the castle that stood on the hill.
Contrary to the demolition of the city, the castle stood in all its glory. Not a single stone was turned and not a single drop of blood was spilled on its territory. Nestor and the rest of the guards, apparently, were able to hold their own. Alas, they were unable to see the castle stand with their own two eyes.
Kairi warily lifted the cellar door over her head as she peered out. There were no signs of Heartless and she prudently lifted herself from the cellar. It was a surpise to see the castle still standing and maybe this was a good omen. Maybe the Heartless were stopped at the gates. Maybe her dad was able to stop them. Her mother followed next with the other servants and royal officals behind them. Kairi rushed outside the castle and pushed open the doors. What she saw made her heart stop.
"Oh my..." her mother said as she put a comforting arm around her daughter. "It's worse than I thought."
Kairi felt tears well in her eyes as she got her first taste of human mortality and death. The tears poured down her cheeks non-stop and she shuddered. The city laid in total ruins and was barren, stripped clean from it's glory. Falling to her knees, she sent up a prayer for the dead souls of her people. She cried for them.
"Oh my goodness..." her mother mouthed as a bloody figure approached them. He was covered in dirt and he moved like he would drop dead within seconds. Groaning, he tore off his helmet and armor and fell at the feet of the queen.
"CREON!" the woman yelled.
Kairi's eyes shot directly to the man who laid in front of her. Despite the blood and bruises, that was her father and she knew it. She had never seen him like this before- battered, torn, nearly dying. How he survived was a miracle in itself. Blood ran down his face and his breathing was hard. Kairi inched her way closer to his body and ran a hand through his soaked hair. He took hold of her soft hand and kissed it tenderly. Kairi noticed a smile on his face and he looked her dead in the eye.
"Told you I'd see you in the morning..."
Kairi smiled a bittersweet grin as she wiped the tears from her face. She was thankful her father was alive.
"Merlin! Merlin," the queen desperately cried. "For crying out loud, where are you?!"
The old wizard appeared upon call and looked down at the broken body. He adjusted the bifocals that rested on his nose and pulled out potion bottles from thin air. Merlin lifted the head of the king and poured the clear liquid into his mouth. Kairi's eyes caught sight of the label. It was alcohol. Merlin signaled to the servants and they carried the body inside.
"He'll be fine," Merlin told the queen. There was an amused smile on his face. "I don't know how he survived, but he did."
The queen smiled a teary smile as she slowly retreated back into the castle.
Kairi though, did not budge as she took a seat on the ground and hugged her legs into her chest. Her cheeks were still tear-stained and she buried her face in her arms not wanting to see the dead anymore. Above her, the sky showed a tinge of red that seemed to reflect off the bloody field.
"Merlin, will my dad be okay?"
"He'll be fine. I wouldn't worry too much about it, my dear."
"I've never seen a clear liquid potion before," Kairi pointed out. "Tell me, is it a new spell you have completed?"
Merlin cracked an amused smile. "Alcohol can cure many ailments- a broken heart, a sour mood, and even a tired spirit. You tend to forget your troubles."
Kairi nodded as a placid smile graced her face. She wouldn't mind having some alcohol now.
-KH-
The sound of the running river broke the silence as Leon, Sora, and Riku continued walking. They had moved nonstop all through the night in constant silence. Not a single word was spoken yet they understood each other using just simple glances and nods. The messages last night contained saddened looks and forced smiles. Sora could see the bleak hope Leon had for the townsfolk who were unable to escape. His body language said it all. The devout silence he had all through the night was eerie, even for his tastes. Then there was Riku. He kept his head down most of the time in deep thought. Alexis was on his mind, Sora knew, just as Kairi was in his. The third silent conversation went along a happier tune but it was ephemeral. In short, it's contents dwelled on the fact they had escaped death last night. Call it a blessing, but to Sora it felt like a curse. He had abandoned everything and watched his home crash to the ground. The city fell in a single night. The Heartless came within minutes and before the hour was through, the city was theirs.
The bright sun topped over the tall trees and made the morning dew shimmer and shine, but it did very little to raise the three males' spirits. They continued to walk in silence as they followed the flowing river to Master Yen Sid's residence.
-KH-
The night was filled with sorrowful mourns as bodies wrapped in white linen were lined up next to each other awaiting for their time to burn. Four pyres were constructed and erected in the castle courtyard to cremate the bodies of the brave soldiers who had lost their lives in the Heartless' invasion. Those who survived crowded around the tall structures, their eyes red and teary. Their cries filled the night and they refused to be comforted. Crying was their only solace now and their agonizing sobs even pierced through the heart of the gods. There was no moon and no stars this night and the heavens wore black to mourn the dead.
Kairi stood beside her father who bore a somber look on his face. His mouth was tightly closed and his jaw muscles were clapsed and rigid. Kairi looked around noticing the melancholy and saddened faces. Her heart dropped and she closed her eyes. As the religious leaders recited burial prayers, the undertakers, dressed in black, hauled the bodies up to the pyres. Taking a red flaming torch they ignited the dried leaves and twigs that surrounded the mummified body. Smoke rose to the heavens and the fires consumed them leaving only a residue of ash behind. Kairi looked on as the light casted shadows on her face and her eyes, once blue, now reflected red and orange.
It had taken the full day to bury the townspeople and even then the remaining pallbearers and morticians were still in the town labeling the gravesites with wooden crosses. The surrounding atmosphere felt like the spirit of death had passsed through the kingdom leaving behind casualty and quietus.
Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back.
-KH-
Sora, Leon, and Riku stopped as the river split into two forks. One flowed west, the other flowed east. Sora raced up to the riverbank and stood on the edge. To his surprise, there was a little house that stood right on a little inlet right where the fork was. Sora smiled as he yelled to Leon and Riku to hurry up. He had found Master Yen Sid's home.
The old magician raised his head and turned his owl like eyes towards his door. A smile, hidden by his long grey beard which merged into his sideburns, was plastered on his light face as he counted down the seconds until a knock could be heard. He waved his hand absentmindedly in the air and the door swung open revealing the three visitors.
"Ah, Sora, Riku. Leon it's good to see you," the old man spoke from across the room.
The three visitors slowly entered the small home. Riku noticed something in the air and it weighed down upon him as if he was holding up a pile of stones. He felt stuffy and his head began to hurt.
"I see the thirst of knowledge weighs heavily upon you, boy," Master Yen Sid said from his desk. There was an open book in front of him with unreadable text and symbols filling the pages. The book was certainly old and the creased brown pages was a testimony to the its use and durability. There was no doubt about it, Master Yen Sid was an avid reader and it was no wonder Merlin spoke so highly of his ex-master.
Riku tore his gaze from the pages and locked eyes with the old wizard. He had a star decorated funnel hat that rested on his head and a blue robe, similiar to Merlin's, dressed his body. However, Yen Sid's wide open eyes was what captivated, if not spooked, Riku. They were open wide like the ocean as if the ocular muscles had been contracted and never relaxed. Riku found subtle humor at the symbolism. His eyes were open to see, to understand. Grey-eyed owls.
Riku opened his mouth to speak but was immediately cut off when Master Yen Sid raised his hand in the air. His eyes were glued to the book he was reading and he slowly mumbled inaudible words.
"I know why you're here," the man said in a monotone voice. "Riku, you wish to control your dark magic. Sora, you wish for someone important. You will achieve it soon but heed me, you will get what you wish for, whether you want it or not. I cannot control what happens for that's fate to decide. I know this."
He turned his focus on Riku and extended his hand.
"Come."
-KH-
Kairi walked through the dark castle halls lighted only by a wax candle she was carrying. It was clear it was her bedtime for she was dressed in her nightgown and her slippers. Hastily, she moved through the corridors making no sound. Her face was now calm and her puffy cheeks and red eyes she suffered earlier had gone and vanished.
"Kairi?" a male voice called out to her. "You're not asleep?"
Kairi turned around and lifted the candle higher so she could see the figure. It was her father apparently and he had a worried look on his face.
"I...I couldn't sleep," she truthfully answered. "I can still hear the women crying."
A frown crept unto Creon's face and he walked beside his daughter. Placing a warm hand on her shoulder he led her to her bedroom. Kairi slid on the bed and threw the covers over her shoulders. Creon took a seat at her bedside like he had done every night when Kairi was a little girl. Following tradition, he gave Kairi's leg a little squeeze and she giggled.
"It's hard, I know. I hope you wouldn't have to see death as long as your lived but I was foolish in thinking that I could prevent it," Creon softly said.
It was true. Once he gained the kingship, he forged powerful ties with neighboring kingdoms and with this newfound partnership, Radiant Garden flourished in what became known as the Golden Years. Fueled by knowledge, art, and brotherhood, Creon used this time to reconstruct his kingdom, build an army, and increase commerce. As good a ruler as he was, his skill was best served as a diplomat. It was truly a time of peace.
Kairi listened to her father's words as he told her the story. She had heard it many times before but, then again, it was Ansem who narrated it. Hearing the account from her father gave her a stronger emotion and a bond that tied her to her kingdom. Every person, every square inch, and every blade of grass would soon be hers. It would be her task to carry out her father's legacy in the future.
"I never imagined something like this would ever happen," he sadly revealed. "Now it looks like Maleficent rules the world."
Kairi's back hairs stood up at the mention of the name and she felt tears come to her eyes. She felt scared all of a sudden. She felt scared for Sora.
Outside the castle walls, the final bodies were thrown on the spit and lighted.
-KH-
The following morning, Riku found himself in a cave training with Master Yen Sid. It had been several hours since breakfast and Yen Sid worked the teenager hard. Dark magic was very complicated to master and the old wizard made an effort to talk the training through with his newest pupil. He wanted Riku to understand the concept of wizardry and to not only memorize spells and incantations. Yen Sid believed that understanding is the only way to fully master magic. Focus was instrumental and mental toughness was a necessity.
"Hold it longer," he instructed Riku. Sweat poured down the teen's face and his body was shaking violently. Riku clenched his jaw tightly as he felt his body draw nearer to implosion. His bright green eyes flashed yellow. Yen Sid rubbed his bearded chin in surprise as he saw the ocular transformation. Making a mental note to research it later, he skimmed through his memory to where he had seen that before. Meaninwhile, Riku couldn't hold it in anymore and it pained him as the magic trashed around him like a wildfire storm. Drawing one last ounce of breath, Riku let out a loud yell and Yen Sid covered his face with his arm as the dark magic imploded. The force shook the cave and Riku feared a cave in. However the little cave didn't crumble and Yen Sid continued the training.
"Your timing is off," Yen Sid commented, "and make sure you breathe. Inhale through your nose; exhale through your mouth and keep the rhythm."
Riku nodded as he took a big breath of air. His heart was pounding and his arms were shaking as if he was deprived of protein. Licking his lips, he shot his arms to the side and whirled up another wave of magic. The training that he underwent was entirely insane by the most extreme definitions. Here he was, a novice at best, conjuring spells that he truly couldn't handle. Yet, Yen Sid explained that forcing the issue was necessary and Riku slowly found that the old man was indeed, correct. A few minutes ago, Riku summoned a small magic ball. To his surprise, it was incredibly easy to handle and he was able to control it as if it was attached to a string. He lifted his eyebrows in astonishment and dismissed the spell.
-KH-
The sound of leaves rustled underneath his foot with each step the teenager took. Following his intuition, Sora decided to leave Yen Sid's house for a change in scenery. He didn't know how long he had walked for or where he was going. His gut, on the other hand, was strongly pulling him, directing his steps as he came to his destination. The sun was high in the sky and its pleasant rays warmed Sora's spirit. The fall air was crisp and was fresh to his nostrils as he inhaled. There was wonderful weather this day. It was perfect.
Sora sat under the shade of a tall maple tree enjoying the sights and sounds around him. It had been a while since he could kick back and relax and he wanted to use this time effectively. These serene moments were ones that Sora knew he couldn't take for granted anymore. There was no telling the next time he'd have an open space to lie in. He found the running river soothing to his ears and the birds chirping in the air made him drowsy. All around him, the smell of opened flowers made him forget his problems and a complacent smile grew on his face. Times like these were always special where he didn't have a care in the world. For an hour or so he'd let life run its course. Leaning against the tree trunk, Sora threw his arms behind his head and let out a great yawn. Within moments he was dozing off.
Rock out, party hard, live hardcore
