Lock and Key seal thee away
Until another comes to break it away
Something like that but who needs details right?
Demyx Joins The Party
Chapter 21
The next morning, Sora woke up later and overheard Hercules and Roxas talking outside the room. The hero was asking if they had seen Megara at all. Roxas said that he and Sora went to bed pretty late and the last they saw her was when they got done training. After, neither saw her. According to Herc, it was the same answer as Donald and Goofy. Phil was also still missing. The half goat man was just...gone. It got him really worried too. Last he saw, Phil was headed into the Underworld. When he heard steps walking away, he got up and headed to the door. The blond was still there.
"You thinking about going down there to find them both?" Sora asked, reading the blond's face. "If so, I am coming with you."
"I was afraid you'd say that. I was hoping...you'd stay here," Roxas commented, looking at him. "...you look to weak for my own good down there. Did you stop and think that maybe avoiding death's location would be...I don't know, kind of a good thing?"
Sora breathed out and licked his lips before speaking carefully, "I know that...I am weak. I do but it is my job. It's something that I can't always avoid. No matter how you feel towards me or my failing health." The brunet gently touched Roxas's arm. "If it helps though, I'll be next to you. You can stop me if I look bad or attempt to push myself too hard. So long as it's not a boss battle. Deal?"
"...Add carrying you on my back in, and I'll agree to this ludicrous deal of yours," He said with a smile. "otherwise, no deal."
The brunet laughed lightly and nodded, kissing the blond's cheek before entering their room again. Saying something about getting dressed without him. Making Roxas run back in and shutting the door. Just in time for Donald and Goofy to peak out from the corner and smile. They didn't expect the two to start dating this soon. Yeah, they could tell the minute they saw their blond companion's look towards Sora that he clearly liked him. Enough to be so obvious that the brunet caught on. They just didn't that it would attract Sora towards him. The keyblade wielder was though. Something clearly had been set in stone the minute they met and started to interact.
If so, it must have been BEFORE they all woke up in those pods. Maybe Sora magically spirited himself to...wherever Roxas was from in his sleep. It was almost kind of cute how close the two were yet so apart. Watching them wasn't like a romance script either. Moments like they had, it looked like a movie. Other times, it didn't. They didn't know one another so clearly they were learning about pet peeves, tempers, likes, dislikes...all that just by talking or conversing about whatever was going on. Donald swore that if he could and if Sora wouldn't fry him, he'd film it for the world to see how relationships like this were just...amazing to watch bloom and grow. Goofy was the same but he was just happy to see the brunet start to open up more. The two had to smile when the door opened though. Sora walking out and looking back in at Roxas no doubt. Holding the blond's jacket in one hand as he used it to clean his glasses. Handing it back with a toss as he put them on.
The attire was different for sure this time. The black coat Roxas had given him over a jeans with sandals on. The shirt was covered so they weren't sure if it had sleeves but it was white with a black tanktop underneath and exposed on the left shoulder. The typical headset and crown necklace on with the colorful bracelets as always on his wrist. The brunet was talking as he made the shirt become a TARDIS shirt for a second before reverting it back to what he had before. Roxas walked out and shoved the brunet away as he shut the door.
"I need clean clothes here soon," The blond sighed as he leaned against the door. "...not that you have that issue."
"See...I came ready for this," Sora started, sticking his tongue out and then pulling it back into his mouth. "you didn't. So live with it."
"...I totally revoke what I said last night. We aren't a thing anymore," Roxas laughed lightly. "...my boyfriend thinks I am smelly."
"No...I just know you need clothes and I can't get any. Here at least," The brunet sighed. "...requires a trip back. Don't want to go back. Yet."
The keyblade wielder turned and waved at Donald and Goofy as he headed away from Roxas. Neither waved but they said hello and walked alongside him as they heard the blond following. Asking why he didn't want to head home and being told he was wanting a break still from Destiny Islands. Not that it was rough there, but too many people in one world made him leave for a bit and then come back. He would stay still once his journey ended. Which...in future speaking sense was unknown information. The idea though, that the brunet was dying bothered them.
They were headed into the Underworld. The place where the dead go to rest. Where the river Styx awaited any and all souls at some point. If he saw this as...a way to defy death right in its face than the risk wasn't worth it. Donald had hoped Sora saw the light and avoided it. Goofy hoped for the same. Sadly they didn't get what they wanted. Instead, here they were...heading right back to the Underworld. Wouldn't someone dying want to avoid that? Not headlong into a battle he couldn't win? Either way though, they would follow their friend to the ends of the earth if that was his desire. They didn't plan to hurt him, baby him though. Just...encourage him to rest now and then without being fried well...more like threatened with being fried to death. It was a thing with Sora so...tread lightly when it came to failing health.
They soon were in the depths of the Underworld and saw Phil up ahead. The satyr looked pretty miffed and beat up. Donald casted cure and listened as their friend said that he had come down to find a back up hero should Herc fail a match. Give the man a break if it proved to be needed. This prompted the royal mage that if he wanted heroes, he could have asked. Only to be stared at with ridicule and mockery when Donald and Goofy posted for him. Sora didn't pose nor say anything though. Just watched as their friend said some weird man was looking for the brunet. Something bout...guarding him or protecting his life. It sounded like Auron but the other three didn't know who would say that.
"Video game knowledge wins in the end," Sora commented, confusing the three even more while Phil just watched the boy pass him.
They stayed behind to gather more information as the brunet pressed on. Even opening the doors to where he hoped Meg was since the other side had Hades's throne room at the end. Walking through, the doors shut and Sora turned and stared at them. They weren't locked but...closing so suddenly. Something or someone was afoot. Three guesses who it was though.
"Hey sup spikey," Hades gleefully said. "so...think about my offer for which end yet?"
"Take it and shove it up your ass Hades. I am not giving in. No matter how hard or desperate you want my dying soul," Sora's blunt tone replied.
The lord of the dead looked almost…shocked at the foul language before pressing his fingertips together. Thinking even as the brunet passed him in cold silence.
"So..what do you say...we...make a deal. I help you and then you help me? Eh? Sound good?" Hades grinned. "Great, now listen up. I give you...a full day. No pain or virus. You have your strength and whatever BUT you have to do me one tiny little favor." Hades appeared next to Sora. "You have to help me defeat Hercules."
"Are you insane?" The keyblade wielder asking, shoving him away. "you think I would sign up with YOU of all people and kill one of my friends? And for what! To be strong again! You a in serious need of help if you think I would do that let alone think about it!"
"But you would have everything you wanted! You can battle alongside them and not feel like well...a weakling."
Those words got to him and made him stop. Making Hades go on.
"I see your look. You want to fight alongside them and I can help you realize that desire. I know you want to help them and make them feel safe. You can't cause of your illness. So...let me help."
The brunet heard Roxas and Donald yell at him as they ran through the door. Goofy right behind them and smiling before looking at Hades. Goofy next to him while Donald looked ready to fight Hades off.
"I already said no. Learn to let it go and fuck off," Sora stated.
He then turned and walked away. Roxas, Donald and Goofy following him and making sure Hades would leave him alone. Yeah, the lord could teleport but they could try. It wasn't like they were gonna be judged for failing when teleportation was a thing with Hades. Auron no doubt was looking for Sora. Why though was odd. They never got his story or was told why he was here. It would probably never be explained either. It didn't seem to bother Sora too much and Roxas seemed to accept the idea that they would never know. Donald and Goofy still wanted to know. Only for their friend's safety.
"I wonder if Demyx got out," Roxas commented, getting Sora's attention. "it's not like I am worried to where I'll leave your side."
"Wasn't going to stop you from going to help a friend but okay," The brunet's self defending tone told him.
"I just hope he didn't go and get lost again. I know he has...directional issues that really need to be solved," The blond sighed. "...so much so I hope he isn't running around like a chicken screaming bloody murder."
The description made the keyblade wielder giggle. Clearly Demyx's misery and the idea of him screaming was funny. At least he found it amusing, but Roxas didn't care for it. Last time he got lost, things didn't go well and they ended up scolded. All cause Demyx couldn't handle directions. If he did join, he had hopes that Sora would reign him in and maybe pass on some blood knowledge to him. The insult made the blond mentally groan. He was sounding like Sora now. Not as bad as him but man it was close to something he would think to himself.
"You look unhappy about a thought or two," Sora's voice said breaking his thoughts. "..I take it. You are still worried you'll change if everything dormant in you wakes up….right?"
"Well...yeah. I wouldn't be me. I would just be you," The blond sighed. "I don't mind being smart. It will definitely help me out in times when you speak...français ou ... une autre langue. Ou en général avoir une certaine ... question que vous avez à parler sans avoir l'air intelligent ou cynique."
"Ah, vous parlez français maintenant," The brunet smiled at him. "agréable. But on the other note, I am sorry."
Roxas looked at him.
"...being alone makes it. Hard to trust others and I know I can trust you. I wouldn't have agreed to date you if I didn't trust you on some level," The keyblade wielder sighed. "But you have to remember this, I trusted my friend once and it backfired. It made it difficult to know who I could trust in general if that was how it would be."
It got quiet as they kept walking on. All ignoring how they felt in this place now. If this...weak feeling was what Sora was feeling...then it sucked. No wonder he would be slow or linger behind. It felt as if Styx wanted them to just...drop dead and take them then. Donald couldn't even heal himself or Sora for strength and Goofy just looked ready to sit when he tried to hold his shield up.
Roxas went to speak but stopped. Making Sora pull him back as Donald and Goofy said they were going on ahead to stake the area out. Leaving them to catch up at their own pace to work out the already present kinks in the unstable relationship.
"I know that I am cold Roxas. I knew this. I am not blind to that," He said making the blond look at him. "I know you don't want to change either. It's scary I get it. So here is what you need to listen to. YOU AREN'T ME. You never will be. No matter how smart you become, no matter how you grow. You are you and I can promise you that won't change. No matter how scared you get of it."
The blond wasn't sure what to say so he stayed quiet to see if Sora had anything to add.
"The worst case would be is that you get labeled insane but you won't. You are one hell of a man and to be honest. I don't even know why you like someone like me. You can get any woman...or man you desire."
"Well, I don't want a woman. Thank you. Second, thank you for the wise words. Means a lot to me," Roxas nods his head. "Thirdly, you aren't cold. Cold is...you pretending I don't exist. You don't do that. You may not think you do but you seem to value life. It's a welcome heroic trait."
He walked ahead and then turned back to look at Sora as he walked backwards.
"You are an amazing person, I hope you know that as much I do," He finished.
Turning, he walked on as Sora jogged to catch up. Both seeing Donald and Goofy fighting Heartless. The blond made sure the brunet lingered back at a safe distance and helped clear the area.
The brunet begged to differ. Mentally thinking as he watched the others fight Heartless off with ease that...he wasn't really the strongest person at all. Even if he had the world's most powerful magic, he couldn't use any of it. It would expose him for one and make it so that the pain and virus being held back would go rampant in his bloodstream. He even had a machine to measure the blood levels. He did it whenever his pain was just..too much to handle or was worried. It was like measure how long he had left until...his body just quit. It was horrible, even as he walked by his fighting comrades, to see them fight battles he could once fight. Despite being sick and dying. Yet now...he couldn't. All he could do was watch.
"Sora, where are you going!?" Goofy asked running over as Roxas and Donald finished off the rest of the Heartless around them.
"Goofy, don't yell. I am right here. Not dead y'know," The brunet gently told him. "And I am only going ahead to find Meg."
The dog looked behind them and saw the two nod with approval. Then watched them run off to fight more Heartless to keep them away from Sora. Even as they walked along, Goofy watched Sora put his headset on. The brunet needed to be alone so he turned and ran to join them. Not looking back to the brunet smile. When Sora looked back and saw that he was alone, he followed the beat and slowly danced to his music. Conserving his strength but enjoying his chance to be alone and try to somewhat cheer himself up. Even as he decided to sing a little, he didn't want to be bothered. Walking through a tunnel, the brunet looked around, weapon ready to be drawn as he entered a new area. No heartless so far, but he was still aware as he headed towards what looked like a ramp that went up.
He saw his friends soon followed his steps. Making him walk up the circling ramp to a bridge. He spotted Demyx and nodded as Roxas was once again tackled and held. The sitar playing nobody surrounded by bags and a sitar. The brunet saw a smile and couldn't help but watch them mouth a very warm conversation. Even if he couldn't hear it, he could read lips. Him, Donald and Goofy all listened or read between the lines. Demyx was telling Roxas what happened when he packed up. Something about Xemnas being very unhappy with him leaving. How he found out was odd but it only made him pack up and leave before being trapped. He asked for a place on the ship but it all depended on Sora and if he wanted more people on it.
They didn't answer though. The keyblade wielder made a motion that he had a mission to worry about. Megara was in trouble and he needed to save her and help her get back to Herc. When they all followed him. The royal mage started to ask Demyx many questions. Mostly about why he left, what his motives were, if he was going to be a traitor and so forth. It made Roxas shut him up with a single glare and then apologizing to Demyx for the mistrust. He clearly had high hopes that a new member that clearly showed to be a complete wimp would be left to his own thoughts. It was a high hope though. The duck didn't let up once Demyx said it was fine. Answering any questions Goofy or Donald had about him.
Demyx knew why. Despite seeing that the interrogation bothered Roxas and that Sora's headset blocked most of the conversation out. It didn't bother him. For one thing, if this didn't happen then he would have been concerned. He came from a group endangering worlds for personal gain. Second, he was told well...heard through a grapevine that the keyblade wielder was sick. Whether Xigbar's eavesdropping was off or not, that was what he observed. Sora not fighting a lot and letting others fight for him. It came to the conclusion for the duel wielding gunman that the brunet was sick. He hoped Xig was wrong. Roxas and him knew that once Xemnas got an inch, he worked every angle. No matter how twisted or wrong it was, he worked it.
Sora's comment about a lock made his thoughts break apart. They now stood in a room with what looked like a large rock with Meg's figure carved into it. The brunet wasted no time and summoned the keyblade. Unlocking it and watching the pillar of light grew bright as the ground shook for a few seconds. It knocked the party's sense of balance off but they moved on. The brunet leading the charge as they ran right into the beam. Arriving in another wide room where Megara and Pete of all people was there. Heartless all around him.
"Oh, right! I forgot!" Demyx said pulling a gold coin out. "this will help!"
Holding the coin above them all. It shimmered and light encircled all of them. Taking away the weak, soul draining feeling. Replacing Sora's and Roxas's gratitude with concern.
"Where did you get that Demyx?" The brunet asked, crossing his arms. "Cause it looks pretty damn god like to me."
"Yeah, so much so that one could say they put the symbol of Zeus on it," The blond said, hands on his hips. "Care to...enlighten us Demy."
Demyx only smiled as Donald destroyed a few attacking Heartless. They took a chance to fight Pete and Heartless as Sora walked over to Meg and freed her. Nodding to show she was grateful for the aid before keeping the brunet close to her. He couldn't fight still. This just...it wasn't his day.
"We gotta go," Megara told Sora, holding his arm.
"No, you stay put," He said pulling his wand out. "Pete!"
The fighting stopped and the...fat version of Goofy looked at him. Watching as a symbol was drawn and then was struck by a cloud of white and black. Sora announced to them that he had blinded Pete for a moment and that they had the chance to take him down. Demyx ran to his side as Roxas and Donald did a double thunder spell on Pete and the Heartless around him. Goofy using his shield to send Pete into the cave wall. The party then ran towards the only exit. All ready to leave now and avoid being flattened as the cave started to shake again. Roxas and Sora stopped and looked back to make sure they weren't followed. Even had Sora lock the door before running with the brunet next to him.
Demyx and Megara ran ahead with Donald and Goofy. All four being told to run and get Megara to safety. Sora lingered once again as he watched Roxas run on ahead to catch up and help them. Not even looking back but the brunet was glad. Megara was in danger and the more the better, especially with Hades still about. A voice got his attention his though. He turned and had to smile at Auron. Even as he was offered water from the male and walked alongside him. Both talking and telling the other part of their story. They arrived back at the main cavern to see Phil, Hercules and Megara with their friends safe and sound. No sign of Hades but now a coliseum was in the Underworld. It then hit them. Megara was the bait to unlock it! It was why Hades took her. He knew they'd come runnin once she was in trouble and Sora of course would come to help.
"merde," Sora cursed in french.
It made Roxas chuckle lightly at his boyfriend's unhappiness for being used. He couldn't help but feel used to. Hades's plan worked like a charm. He got what he wanted and without even having to lift a single finger. Soon the mood got worse when they all looked to see Hades there. Smirking as the blond, Goofy and Donald closed in on Sora. Auron joinin them and whispering that he knew what ailed their friend.
"I never got to thank you for bring me this excellent gift! My Underdrome. The place where the dead clash in a battle THAT NEVER ENDS," The lord of the dead shouted at the top of his lungs. "Best yet! I can't wait for yours." He pointed right at Sora, making Hercules and Megara stand between him and the kid. "Oh please, you can't stop me so why try? Oh...and remember that Hydra I may have mentioned to you when brat and bratties left? Might wanna check on it."
Hades disappeared then. Mocking them with a laugh as Hercules and the rest followed. Auron once again gone as they arrived to see their coliseum demolished. The monster still there. Destroying what little was left.
"...No," Hercules said, getting his friends' attention as he fell to his knees. "...I failed. I let...I let them all down."
"No you didn't," Phil said touching Hercules's arm.
"You gave it your best shot. Even a god would be tired after all your battles," Megara said leaning against him.
"I failed," Hercules repeated as the two got him away from the creature's path of destruction.
"He needs help and we have to help," The keyblade master said. "Ready guys?"
"So long as you stay safe, I am," Roxas replied.
"Always ready," Donald cheered.
"With you to the end sora," Goofy smiled.
"Count me in!" Phil announced, standing next to them.
"Us too!" Megara shouted, running over with Pegasus.
Sora went to question what she could do but didn't question it when the battle started. Fighting alongside them all as best he could. His friends picking up his slack as usual with all the random talents they could throw into the battle to keep the creature at bay. They all defeated the Hydra but not after giving it several bloody heads. It was a battle that took or least felt like it took too long to finish. They all kept the happiness down. Despite killing the beast, Hercules was still down in the dumps. His head hung low even as Megara tried to cheer him up.
Demyx and Sora went on their own for a bit but only after a certain glow got their attention. Leaving them to unlock the door in private near the ship. The blond knowing full well that Sora would probably retreat now. Or at least...he hoped he would. His boyfriend needed to rest. Especially with what he just went through.
"I'll be leaving Hercules. Get some rest okay?" The blond told Hercules gently. "every hero needs a break. You've definitely earned one."
He then turned and headed to the save point. Ready to make sure Sora would relax before the next world came about.
This chapter was so hard to write in one chapter so I had to expand it. Even then, it was so hard to get it all look...flowy with words and not rushed and it still looks rushed to me. So tell me what you think.