Sorry about the long wait for the update guys. I was in the Poconos but now I'm back. So, here's chapter 20.
-P.S. make sure you read my notes below the Chapter's end.
20:XX
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Risk...
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Take The C h a nce
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Set Your Heart F r e e
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The night didn't go by quickly for the trio. Instead it was long, filled with constant tossing and turning and horrifying ,overlapping nightmares. But eventually, morning did come, and the Wielders met in the King's throne room, seeking his approval and dreaded dismissal.
"Good morning, Wielders," a warm smile was plastered on the Mouse King's lips, but behind it lied regret, guilt, and twinge of helplessness. "There are a few more things I need to warn you about before your departure." The King eyed Sora, expecting to get his usual bubbly reply, but frowned when he received a hazy trance like stare in its place. The Mouse's gaze then wandered to Kairi, who held her head down, crimson locks of hair shielding her beryl eyes. But the King's keen eyes could see the tears that sparkled on her face. The King turned to Riku whose usual calm cold stare was now coated with evidence of emotional agony. King Mickey fidgeted with his crown nervously before continuing.
"Umm. Sora?" he stammered.
"..Yes?" the brunet's distant gaze met the King's.
"The Midnight King goes by the name of Xeratiss. He...Knows about the override drive situation, so he'll try to upset you at all costs to summon your emotions," The King explained. "By the gods, Sora, don't let him get to you." Sora nodded before the King continued. "And as for the King of Hearts Form, summon the drive as you do all the others. Quick focus. Oh! And your Keyblade will lead you to Xeratiss. Well that's all. Understood?"
"Yes, Sir," Sora sighed. An awkward silence filled the room before the King broke the ice. "I dismiss you all then. Good luck, and may the Light guide your path."
Riku and Sora bowed while Kairi curtsied. The three turned on their heels and hesitantly treaded out of the Throne Room. The little King gazed up at the towering amethyst statues of Fallen Wielders that leaned over his throne protectively.
"Fallen Wielders," the King chanted "Guide them, please." The little mouse then scampered over to his chair, sat down, in flipped furiously through the Prophecy of Light and Darkness.
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Sora shuddered as the ship's repaired voice system, (thanks to the crafty Chip and Dale) announced its lift off. The brunet couldn't understand why he was so nervous. He'd taken flight in a Gummi Ship many times. Why did this lift off feel so different, so sickening? Kairi turned to him, sensing his discomfort and took his hand in hers, stroking the back of his hand with her thumb. Sora smiled at her attempt to calm him down. But as Riku sighed in anticipation and the ship blasted off from the ground, Sora couldn't help but feel that that would be his last flight.
Sora stared out of the Destati's window as hazy thoughts buzzed around in his head: How close are we to the world? How much longer...
"Sora, look," Riku's smooth voice snapped him back into reality. Both Kairi and Sora gazed through Riku's window, seeing a white castle surrounded by towering, black, lit , skyscrapers floating in nothingness.
"That..That must be it," Kairi stuttered. "Right?" Sora nodded.
"We're here." Sora groaned, venomous dread evident in his voice. The brunet felt a strange painful tug at his heart. It felt as if his heart was being held captive by iron chains, yearning to be set free. But, though not always realized, Sora was smart. He knew the only thing that could set his heart free was fate. His fate. So no matter what his fate was, Sora knew he had to embrace it.
"Sora, are you feeling alright?" Riku caught the puzzled looking brunet wincing.
"Y-yeah..I'm fine," Sora mumbled as the ship took its shaky landing. "I'm just a little nervous I guess." Riku nodded, his cold aquamarine eyes saw right through his friend.
What a lie.
Because Riku knew Sora way too well to be fooled by that lie. And so did Kairi. Sora boldly exited the ship first, Riku and Kairi close behind. The trio stood amongst the parallel version of The World That Never Was, taking in their surroundings.
The tall lanky skyscrapers towered above them. Dim neon lights blinked on the buildings' surfaces, casting faint pink, green, blue, and orange shadows upon the ebony cement ground. Light blue lightning shot across the dark sky, temporarily lighting the uninhabited city, though only for a second. The Golden Heart hung in the sky, a dark purple aura constricting its pure gold light. Four holes could be seen in the Beloved Heart, where the missing Fragments needed to be placed. Was it to late? Before the Heart, a gigantic pure white castle hovered in the black star studded sky. And atop the castle's balcony, thousands of menacing, twitching heartless could be seen. Kairi gulped. The scene of the city was breathtaking and intimidating, all at the same time. The city emitted a radiating dangerous thrill, and a risk that the trio knew they had to take.
Sora inhaled sharply as another twinge of pain shot through his heart. His fate, his destiny was within reach. Would he reach out in take it?
"Sora, which way?" Kairi queried, gazing at the boy quizzically. Riku glanced at Sora, and cocked his head to two distinct paths that swirled before the maze like world. The brunet glanced at Kairi and Riku and then to the image of the castle before them.
"It's...That way," Sora extended a partially gloved index finger, pointing to the left path. "I can feel it."
"Alright, left it is," Riku sighed nonchalantly. "Though I had my bet on right."
"Yeah...Me too," Kairi stared at the right path in puzzlement and then at the castle, not noticing the boys leaving her behind.
"Kairi, c'mon. We should hurry," Sora's far off voice snapped her back into reality.
"C-coming!" she called before looking at the right path one more time and taking off towards the voice.
Different Paths,
Different Destinies.
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Evidently, Sora was right about taking the left path. As the trio followed it, twisting and turning throughout the eerie city, they saw that they were getting closer and closer to their destination. The castle. Kairi gazed up at the yellow-eyed glaring Heartless, shivering under their cold stare.
"It's alright, Kai," Riku spoke. "They can't see us-"
"Foolish Wielders!" a deep voice boomed as the ground beneath them trembled. Kairi screamed, Sora gasped, and Riku glared.
"What the?.." the brunet muttered. The voice cackled and echoed again,
"Do you three imbeciles really think you stand a chance against ME?" Sora's gazed around irritatedly and he growled when he couldn't spot the source of the voice.
"Just who are you?" Riku bellowed into the cold air, awaiting a response with clenched fists. The same sickening laugh vibrated through the city again, causing the ground to tremble even more. Kairi growled, almost losing her balance.
"Your rotten- rodent of a King didn't tell you of me? I find that hard to believe," The voice shouted mockingly. Sora scowled.
"XERATISS? Show yourself! Let's go!" The brunet roared. "Just you and me!"
"Hmm...Anxious are we, Sora? Are you really willing to risk your life for those puny worlds? If you fight me you will die!" The voice trailed off as the thousands of heartless atop the castle cocked their heads and gazed down curiously at the trio. Sora hesitated before speaking.
"It's a risk I have to take," he shouted.
"Fool," Xeratiss spat. "Collect their HEARTS!" Xeratiss insanely boomed as the stampede of Heartless cascaded down the castle like a river.
"Oh heck no..." Riku muttered as the three summoned their Keyblades. The sound of the Heartless' footsteps drowned out the insane sound of Xeratiss's cackling.
"Guys," Sora called out as the Heartless approached. "We cut down the ones that matter. We've gotta get into the castle. Got it?" Riku and Kairi nodded. Sora could see the fright in the Princess's eyes, but the determination sparkled more than anything. He smiled weakly at her and she smiled back. "Ready? Go!" he shouted as the three of them charged towards the Shadow Heartless.
Blade met Darkness, and the perilous battle began.
Risk itA l l.
Warning:This story's rating will be moved up to "T" for the upcoming chapters. I'm not sure when, it depends how my writing goes.
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Please&Thankyou,
.X.H.u.s.h.e.d.-F.o.r.t.e.X.