Thanks for all the reviews of the last chapter, guys! I loved reading them all! Everyone's been waiting to see what will happen, so without furthur ado (anyone seen the movie "Much Ado About Nothing"?? great comedy...and I've had too much sugar) here it is!
I own nothing but Ria.
The Spirited Reverie
By
LadyDarkDreamer
Chapter 21:
Walking quietly down one of the many alleyways of Twilight Town, Ria's eyes searched for…something. Glancing to her right, she shifted a little with uneasy and turned her attention back to searching. Xemnas was standing there, only four feet away. Saix and Lexaeus were situated on two rooftops nearby, and Vexen and Zexion were searching elsewhere
She still didn't know what they were looking for. Xemnas had only told them that what they were looking for "had power, so exercise caution."
"How is your training progressing, Number Fourteen?"
Her head jerked in Xemnas's direction at the unexpected question. She found him watching her with eerie amber eyes, so she replied in a low voice, "It's going well, Superior."
She thought she saw Xemnas nod in the darkness, but she couldn't be sure. "Good," he continued, "I will have another mission for you after your training is finished, perhaps even a test of your strength."
Ria tried to suppress a shudder, and took a slow step away, squinting down the alley for anything unusual. Finding nothing, she adjusted her cloak and looked up at the buildings. She caught a glimpse of Saix's blue hair as his disappeared.
"I've heard a few curious rumors of late, from the lesser Nobodies," he said. Ria glanced at Xemnas over her shoulder, wondering why he was so talkative. "A few of them seemed to involve you, Rianxan."
Rumors? What rumors could possibly involve her?
For some reason, Ria preferred that Xemnas not use her name. She was perfectly fine with him calling her 'Number Fourteen'.
"Rumors, Superior?" she finally asked, turning to face him fully.
He nodded. "The lesser Nobodies are whispering about a new theory, something about the soul being able to feel. And they are saying that it is your creation. Would you care to tell me your theory?"
For some reason, Ria felt very near sick at the thought of telling Xemnas her theory, or even the theory she and Zexion and thought of together. Had he really heard something from the Dusks, or has someone been eavesdropping on her and Zex? She still had trouble understand the Nobodies' whispers, so she had no idea if they listened to what their leaders were saying.
This also brought up the question: did Xemnas know about her and Zexion? If so, what were his thoughts on it?
Personally, she didn't give a damn what Xemnas thought. But if it got Zexion into trouble, that wasn't good…
"Um, well," she finally said, "I just thought, maybe the heart doesn't solely have a hold on emotions. Maybe the soul has a bit of emotion as well, and that allows us to feel a tiny piece of what we once did." She stuck with her own, basic theory. No need to continue on with what Zexion had added on the matter.
Xemnas seemed to silently consider this for a moment, but then shook his head. Making a dismissive gesture with his hand, he walked over to stand beside Ria.
"We are Nobodies, Rianxan, just empty shells. The heart holds emotions, the soul defines who we are, and the body is a vessel for both," he said, his voice sounding very much like that of a correcting teacher. "We cannot feel."
Despite the fact he was standing so close, Ria couldn't stop herself from scowling. She was tired of hearing that mantra over and over again.
As Xemnas starting walking away, Ria suddenly remembered a past conversation she had had with Zexion. He had said he was a scientist, and had mentioned the original group that made of the Organization. Since Xemnas was Number One, surely he had been part of that group?
Taking a wild chance, she stood a little taller and asked, "Were you once a scientist, Superior?"
This caused Xemnas to stop and look over his shoulder. He contemplated her for a quiet moment, then said, "I was, years ago."
"Then surely you would agree, as a scientist, that one must consider several possible theories to a single question? Otherwise one would limit their point of view," she continued, wording her sentences carefully. She would have added, "and seem ignorant", to the end of that, if she wasn't already afraid of sparking Xemnas's anger…if he was even capable of feeling anger. If the man was so convinced he couldn't feel, what was left?
He turned fully, and set his eyes on her. She kept her stance solid, and waited for his reply.
Xemnas just watched her though, both of them draped in shadow from the buildings. Above them, the sky was full of stars, making the shadows seem darker than they were.
A moment later, Saix suddenly appeared out of a dark portal, causing Ria to jump.
"Something was spotted on the Tram Common," Saix explained quickly, pointing in the direction of the district.
Xemnas looked at Ria for a moment longer, but turned his attention to Saix. "Number Fourteen, send a message to the other three. Tell Vexen and Lexaeus to watch the streets leading to Station Heights, and Zexion the Sandlot. Saix, did you get a look at what it was?"
"No, Superior," Saix replied. "Lexaeus was the one to spot it, and he said he only saw a flash of white."
"Well, the lesser Nobodies certainly thought this was important, so we much capture it. Saix, return to the Common and follow it," Xemnas said. He glanced to Ria, and added, "Tell them to also call the Dusks for assistance, if they need to. We'll try and drive the thing into the back alley."
Ria nodded, and concentrated on directing her thoughts to Vexen, Lexaeus and Zexion. Alright boys, she thought, Zexion, you're needed to watch the Sandlot. Vexen and Lexaeus, guard Station Heights and keep the target from reaching Station Plaza. Superior said we'll try and herd what we're looking for into the back alley, and to use the lesser Nobodies if you need too. Saix will follow the target from the Tram Common.
Turning her attention to Xemnas and Saix, she nodded again to show she had delivered the orders. Saix disappeared into another dark portal, leaving her with Xemnas.
"Take Saix's position on the roof, Number Fourteen," Xemnas instructed before leaving.
Sighing heavily, Ria opened a quick portal and appeared on top of the nearest building. Moving fast, she jumped from roof to roof, until she could finally see the Tram Common below. She spotted Saix moving away from the entrance to the woods, and searching the Common for any other signs of movement. Finding none, she walked to the left and glanced toward Station Heights, finding Vexen and Lexaeus standing there.
She focused her attention on the Common again, and nearly jumped when she spotted something pale and white moving carefully towards the woods. She couldn't be sure, but it looked like a small person…
Saix, the woods! she thought urgently. The berserker turned on his heel and snapped his fingers—Ria guessed—and several Dusks appeared and blocked the entrance. The figure halted and glanced at Saix before taking off at a run between two of the buildings.
Unable to see, Ria portaled to a tall building in the middle of the Common, skirting one of the pyramid skylights on the roof and she gazed over the edge. The figure ran past the building, heading for Station Heights. From her position, Ria could make out more of the figure.
It was a girl, several years younger than herself. Ria had been eighteen when she had been attacked by the Heartless, and this girl looked about fourteen or fifteen. Her only clothing seemed to be a simple white dress and blue sandals.
She's coming towards Station Heights, everyone!
As Ria completed the thought, she understood why Saix has wanted her to come. Though she couldn't hear anyone's replying thoughts, she could use her ability to keep everyone updating on what was going on. It lowered the chance for surprises.
She briefly spotted Saix running in that direction, so she portaled to a rooftop overlooking Vexen. Searching for the girl, she only found empty streets.
Where had she gone?
Spotting Ria on the edge of the roof, Vexen voiced that same question. Looking down at him, Ria only shrugged.
I've no idea. She was there a moment ago.
She heard Vexen curse rather loudly, and shook her head.
Then a portal opened beside her, once again surprising her. Standing near the edge of the roof, Ria lost her footing and felt herself falling. She let out a cry, but a hand quickly grabbed hers and pulled her back onto the roof.
"Thanks," she whispered, catching her breath.
"You're welcome," a familiar voice, Zexion's, said, "Tell Vexen and Lexaeus we need to move. Saix spotted the girl taking the Underground Concourse a minute ago, so we have to hurry."
Ria passed on the message, and followed Zexion, slightly confused, and he pulled her through a dark portal. They appeared in a grassy area, with a waterfall-fountain or sorts to their left.
"I'm confused," she said quietly, "What is the Underground Concourse, and where are we?"
Zexion let her go and ran to where the pavement began, looking around. "We're in the residential section of Twilight Town, Sunset Terrace," he explained, "And the concourse is a shortcut of sorts, that the younger generation usually takes to get from place to place. We're all taking different exits and hoping we'll catch her."
Ria jogged over, and stopped beside Zexion. As she opened her mouth to reply, though, Zexion suddenly grabbed her. He pulled her very close, and suddenly the world was cast into deep shadow. It was exactly like the time they had hidden in the library before.
The trick still unnerved her, though, but she swallowed her nervousness and twisted a bit in Zexion's arms. From a nearby street, the girl came running in their direction. Both her and Zexion stayed very still as the girl passed, and Ria watched as she headed for the nearby hill.
Zexion let the shadows drop, and let his grip on Ria loosened.
"Tell everyone where we are, and I'll try and block her escape," he said, and disappeared into a portal.
Ria waited a moment once he was gone, and quickly thought, Sunset Terrace, everyone. Head for the hill!
Almost immediately, two portals opened near the hill, and Vexen and Xemnas ran up the path. Ria followed quickly, and as they came to the top of the hill, she found Saix and Lexaeus already there. Zexion stood in the middle, and seemed to be talking to the girl they surrounded in an even voice.
"Who are you?" the girl in white demanded, "Why are you chasing me?"
The half-circle widened at the rest of the members joined it, and Ria finally got a good look at the girl. She was only a bit shorter than Ria's five foot, four inches, with blue-violet eyes. White-blond hair fell to her shoulders. Her back was near the fence at the edge of the hilltop, and her eyes darted from person to person.
Finally, Xemnas took a step forward. "I am Xemnas, a Nobody like yourself," he said, voicing his words carefully.
"A…Nobody?" the girl asked, confusion on her face.
"Those without hearts, my dear," Xemnas continued.
Defiance filled the girl's eyes again, and she shook her head. "Don't call me that," she said stubbornly.
As Ria watched, standing between Zexion and Saix, she was reminded of her own first encounter with Xemnas:
"What the hell is a Nobody?" she demanded, her back pressed against a tree. This strange, cloaked man that had been chasing her stood a respectable distance away. His silver hair and orange eyes made her feel uneasy.
She glanced in around her, looking for a way to escape. As if reading her mind, the man snapped his fingers, and two strange gray creatures appeared around her.
She pressed her back harder against the tree, but didn't move any further. Something in the back of her mind—some voice or instinct or extra sense—told her that the weapons she had conjured before would return to her if she needed them. She didn't understand why she had weapons shaped like dangerous fans, but they felt like they were part of her. When she had first woken up, she had attacked the gray creatures without a second thought.
"A Nobody is what is left behind when a person with a strong heart is attacked by the Heartless," the man explained, "The Heartless claim the heart, and the body and soul are left behind. We are 'reborn' here, in Twilight Town, as empty shells, devoid of emotion since our hearts are missing."
She scowled, and watched the man for a moment. What had he called himself…Xemnas?
Well, if they couldn't feel emotions, why was she feeling angry and annoyed right now?
"My heart isn't missing," she growled back at him.
He just tilted his head. "Really? Can your feel your heartbeat?"
She gave him a look, but set her hand over her heart and waited…and felt nothing.
Gasping in surprise, she turned confused eyes to the man. "What…"
"You were attacked by Heartless, were you not?"
She opened her mouth to shout that she hadn't, but her memory drifted back to…before.
Suddenly, her knees felt weak, and she pressed both palms flat against the trunk the tree. She felt the rough bark of the wood beneath her skin, and shivered.
"Yes, I was," she finally said, her words barely audible.
Xemnas nodded. "I once…experienced…what you are going through," he said, "But I will tell you that you are not lost. There is a group, called the Organization, which I am the leader of. We command the lesser Nobodies," at this he gestured to the gray creatures, "and strive to find a way to get our hearts back. Would you join us?"
In that moment, her mind raced. She had no heart, was in a strange world, did not know anyone…and here was someone, a stranger, offering her a sanctuary of sorts.
Finally, she nodded, and pushed away from the tree.
"Good," the man said, "Now, I see you have already learned to summon your weapons, but there are other things you must know. Come closer, if you would?"
She hesitated at first, but Xemnas only offered her his gloved hand. She looked from his face to his hand, and stepped forward. She slid her right hand into his left, and his fingers gripped hers tightly. She resisted the urge to pull away, and stood still as two fingers of his right hand touched her temple.
For several seconds, she felt as though she was falling through a dark abyss, and she stopped breathing. Things rushed by her, fragments of memories and faces, the feeling of the wind of her face and thoughts…
Abruptly, she found herself in her body again, in the woods. She felt dizzy, and fought to keep standing. As she opened her eyes, Xemnas let go of her hand and took a step back.
Before her, her name appeared in white letters that were both harsh and elegant: ARIANN.
Then, with a gesture from Xemnas, they spun around her until they became a blur. Shortly after, they glowed brightly and another name in gold appeared in front of her.
"Rianxan?" she asked, testing the name.
"You're new name," Xemnas replied. "You are now Rianxan, The Spirited Reverie, Number Fourteen of the Organization,. You're element is spirit."
Her new name? No, her name was Ariann, but...Rianxan felt right. More right than 'Ariann'.
"Spirit?"
Xemnas nodded, and offered her his hand again. She took it, and immediately found herself falling through darkness again.
"You're element is spirit, which is associated with willpower," Xemnas's voice said, echoing in her ear. "You are telekinetic, can give your thoughts substance so that others can hear them, and even use your magic to form a shield around yourself."
She wanted to ask "How do you know this?" but couldn't find her own voice.
"I have my ways," was the response.
"Namine," the girl in white said, "My name is Namine."
Looking up, Ria suddenly realized she had drifted off. She had missed quite a bit of conversation the last few minutes.
Xemnas gave the girl, Namine, a strange look, as though he hadn't been expecting her words. After a second, he just nodded and offered Namine is hand.
"What am I supposed to do, shake your hand?" she asked.
"Trust me, it will help both of us," Xemnas replied.
Namine spent the next minute staring at him, and letting her eyes look at each of the people standing around her. Once, she glanced over the edge of the hill at the train tracks below, and Ria noticed Lexaeus moving over a bit. At last, Namine turned and took Xemnas's hand.
The whole name-choosing thing I got from the KH2: Final Mix video (the link is on my profile). I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I'll try and have the next one up soon.
Reviews?
Sorry about the cliffhanger. :P