The Ultimate Tragedy: Doomed Fate
Night once again fell over the settlement of Traverse Town. But this once quiet little district, where those who lost their way and wished to find a home and safety, was now under siege. The Midnight Faction had guards guarding every sector of the town. Soldiers were on patrol twenty four seven. Even from outside the town's walls, faction guards marched about on constant patrol. Guard towers and chain linked fences with barbed wire were set up. Rifle pits and pill boxes, as well as artillery batteries were entrenched along the walls, setting up an outer perimeter. Bright lights were set up, illuminating the area surrounding the town.
The commander in charge of the outer defenses gazed about, looking for any suspicious activity that may occur about the area. Finding nothing however, he made a sigh relief.
"Nothing out here." He uttered. "Inform the commander at once."
"Sir…" one of the soldiers implied. The trooper turned and rushed to the headquarters in the second district.
The hotel at the second district plaza acted as the faction's HQ. There, in the green room, sitting at a table, the commander sat. It was the same young boy who had fought against Riku in the 'Wing Realm.' Looking at the piece he had stolen from the KH team, the young boy only sighed.
"To be placed in such a predicament…" the young man thought as he gazed into the intricate puzzle piece. "Without a doubt, the key bearers will be coming after this."
It was then that the soldier entered the room.
"Sir…?" he uttered, standing attention and saluting.
"What is it?"-
"Word from the outer defense line. All is quiet, there are no suspicious activities going on."-
"I'm not willing to take any chances. Keep patrol up."-
"Sir…" the soldier saluted and withdrew from the room. But no sooner had he left, then another soldier appeared, but this soldier made his presence on a small monitoring screen that was set on the table.
"Sir, you have an incoming message from Lord Sirius Viicous." The soldier said.
"Put it through." The young man implied. The soldier did as requested and soon the face of Lord Sirius Viicous, the infamous Phantom Lord, appeared on the screen. "Lord Sirius Viicous, sir…"
"Is everything in control over there, young man?" Sirius asked.
"There has been no suspicious activity going on. The alliance connections are under constant surveillance, so I doubt that they'd make any bold move with this many men on duty."-
"The alliance is more cunning than what you give them credit for. It's just a little lesson for you tonight."-
"Sir…"-
"I bet that you are a sight to behold." Sirius chuckled.
"What do you mean, sir?" the boy asked.
"I mean your age and rank. You're still so young, not even reaching your fifteenth birthday I imagine, but yet you maintain a rank that is higher than anyone there. To be the chief commander of Traverse Town at such a young age, you should be honored. I bet that you are the envy of the entire command."-
"Thank you for that positive comment, sir." The youth then looked away slightly in silence.
"Is there something wrong?" the Phantom Lord asked.
"Well…" The youth paused for a moment or two before continuing. "It's regarding your promise to allow me to find…"
"My boy, I know what you're about to say and I understand what you are going through, but I cannot allow you to meander about on your own, doing whatever it is that you want, without the guarantee that all my enemies have been eliminated. Your personal matters are insignificant to me. You will remain their and await my further orders."-
"But sir, I…"-
"Oh, it would be a shame that I accidentally stumble upon that loved one of yours, you know, the one that you've been searching for all this time. And such a sad conclusion it would be if they were to die…"-
"What? You mean you would kill them if I didn't do what you ordered?"-
"That's correct."-
"But that means you know who it is I'm looking for. You actually know the identity of the person I'm searching for?"-
"That's right."-
"But why didn't you tell me?"-
"You looked desperate in your quest. You want to find a loved one and reunite with them? I want victory assured for the faction. And you, my boy, are one of the best I have. You are unrivaled in the art of fighting and combat and that is a talent I can't allow to slip through my fingers. I wasn't just going to point them out to you freely. You needed to earn it. And since you managed to fondle the KH team's plans, my gift given to you is the knowledge I know of that person you so long desire to see. You do as I say and I'll make sure not to do anything…irrational"-
"So you're saying that you're planning to kill them if I don't obey is that right?" the boy uttered. "How could you be so…?"
"I'm just making a simple request, my dear boy. Just follow my orders to the letter and I will guarantee your loved one's safety. Either that, or you can shed tears of guilt over the cold and lifeless body I give to you."-
"Sir…"-
"Will you obey?"-
The young man stood up in attention and saluted.
"I will, sir…"-
"Very good, I knew that you would see the reasoning my way." With that, the transmission ended and the boy was left alone in the room once more. He sat down in the chair and placed his face in his hands.
"How is it that I came into service for such a ruthless and coldhearted individual?" the young man thought to himself. He lifted his head up and gazed into the ceiling. "He knew who that person was this whole time. And I thought he was making only a long winded assumption. To fall into the services of the Phantom Lord is entirely my fault. But still…" He looked at his sword, which was set upon a ceremonial wrack. "At least he's allowing me to fulfill one of my desires. The desire to fight…"
Defenses of the outside line were increased and soldiers kept a strong vigilance over the landscape surrounding the town. Little did they realize that their enemy was closer than had been anticipated, not to far from the defenses, the KH team had managed to land their gummi ship in a remote clearing, no more than a hundred yards from the defense line. Using optical stealth, they managed to sneak by radar scanning and the eyes of the front line.
"Man," Riku said, "When you were talking about heavy defenses, you weren't kidding."
Donald activated the gummi's scanning periscope and looked at the defenses.
"There must be at least fifteen hundred men on patrol." He said. "Look at that security. High illuminating spot lights and stationary lights, chain linked fences and barbed wire, guard towers, rifle pits, pill boxes, battery dugouts, the faction looks more like they're ready for a massive invasion than just patrol."
"How are we gonna get passed all those defenses?" Sora asked.
"The same way we did when we attacked the defenses of the faction in the 'Seed Realm'." Cuchulain implied. He pulled out a blueprint of the town's layout. "This is what I suggest we do. Goofy and Donald will remain here on the gummi ship. You two will be responsible for attacking the outer defenses. Use the main cannons to destroy the front line weapons. Aim for the pill boxes, the artillery, and the guard towers."
"What will the rest of us be doing?" Ophelia asked.
"The attack on the front line in front of the main gates will most likely catch the attention of most of the troops. While the faction is concentrating on retaliating against the gummi's barrage, you, Miss Billiard, and Riku will attack the first district, by attacking the western defenses. Use as many devastating attacks as much as you can to break up the defenses. But be careful and attack the faction soldiers only. No civilians must be involved. Since the third district is a little smaller, Sora, you take out the soldiers there. Initiate a sneak attack. Don't attack the outer defenses there, but see if you can stealthily pass them. Then attack their district defenses. That'll cause further confusion and it'll further break the faction lines apart. Can you handle it?"-
"No problem." Sora chuckled.
"In the meantime, I will attack the second district head on and break up the defenses there. Once you're finished with your missions, meet me in the second district." The others nodded.
"Should I give you guys some senzu beans?" Goofy asked.
"I don't think so. These guys may be highly skilled fighters, but they're not as tough as the ones we fought in the 'Rurouni Realm'." –
"Don't worry about us, Goofy." Sora said.
"I doubt that these guys would even me a challenge for us." Riku added.
"Good luck, you guys." Donald said. "We'll meet you in the second district when we're finished here."
"Right…!"-
The KH team departed to their separate stations. Cuchulain approached the front gates of Traverse Town, making sure that the faction soldiers did not see him. Sora in the meantime made his way to the eastern defenses and hid from the faction's view. At the same time, Riku and Ophelia took up their positions on the western side of the outer defenses.
In the gummi, Goofy prepared to initiate the barrage. Using optical stealth, they ignited the rockets ever so slightly so that they wouldn't roar out and cause an alarm to go out. The gummi then hovered almost invisibly over the front defense lines of the Midnight Faction. The soldiers, unaware of their presence and with no help from radar signals, continued to go about their rounds, not knowing that the attack was eminent. Goofy made aim for the defense structures.
"Whenever you're ready, Donald…" He shouted.
"Alright," Donald said, igniting the rockets to full blast. "Now, how about some excitement…!"
The gummi's rockets rumbled at their full capacity now. This rumble caught the attention of the faction soldiers who were on duty. They looked about, not seeing anything that was making the rumble. Still using optical stealth, the gummi was neither seen by the soldiers, despite flying directly in the sky of them, and since the faction was not equipped with radar, they could not pick up the gummi ship's precise location.
Suddenly, the gummi fired its cannons and at that moment, utter chaos erupted. The beams fired from the cannons destroyed the front guard towers and the chain linked fence. The soldiers ran amuck, many of them were aiming their blasters at whatever it was that fired upon them. Others dropped to the ground, thinking that it could be some distance artillery firing at their lines. The gummi again shot its cannons and destroyed several of the pill boxes and artillery pieces. The soldiers, by a shear stroke of luck, managed to avoid most of the weapon areas and none were killing the first attacks. The soldiers blasted their weapons into the sky, but none came close to striking the hovering gummi.
The sound of battle reverberated in the town and caught the attention of the high command. The youth, hearing the bombardment from the front lines, quickly stood up from his chair and emerged from out of the green room.
"What is going on?" he asked.
"Enemy attack…!" one of the soldiers shouted. "There's an enemy attack on our front lines!"
"Has there been any confirmation on who it is that's attacking us?"-
"No sir, not yet!" another soldier shouted.
"Strengthen the outer defenses! I don't want anyone getting through!"-
"Sir…!" The soldiers ran to the outer defenses to fend off whatever or whoever it was that initiated the strike. But despite the confusion, the boy already knew who was responsible for the attack. He already was aware of the identity of the attackers. The only enemies he knew that had a purpose for attacking Traverse Town in the first place and who would be bold enough to assault the faction defense line head on.
"Only one enemy would be able to cause such a disturbance here." The youth clutched his fist. "The KH team…"
The gummi still remained unseen by the soldiers and defenses on the ground, thus it was able to wreak havoc upon the outer defenses completely unopposed.
"At a boy, you guys." Cuchulain uttered. "You're doing a lot better than I thought you would. Excellent work, really excellent work..." He rushed into the fray while the soldiers were distracted. There were but a few soldiers how saw him coming.
"It's the enemy!" a soldier shouted. "The enemy is here!"
"Fight him," another soldier shouted, "Fight off the intruder!"
Several soldiers stood in the way of the Hound. One of them aimed his blaster at the attacking warrior and fired away. However, Cuchulain was too crafty to be killed in such a way and easily predicted the soldiers aim and execution of the blast, thus able to evade the beams. Another soldier attacked Cuchulain from the side with his sword and slashed away, but again the Hound evaded the attack. Using the base of his weapon, Cuchulain struck the soldier down and the trooper dropped to the ground unconscious.
"It's just one enemy!" another soldier shouted. "Fight him!"
More of the faction soldiers rushed to stop the attacking Celtic warrior in his treks, but though they tried to fire at the agile Hound of Ulster, Cuchulain, with the might of his spear, the Gae Bulga, slashed through them on first contact. Rushing towards the gates, he inflicted many casualties on the side of the faction. Many of the other soldiers, despite being seasoned fighters, watched as the Hound made quick work of their comrades. Many of those soldiers did not dare to stand in the way of the advancing champion.
In the meantime, another series of explosions erupted on the western side of the defense line. Riku and Ophelia began their run. Riku unleashed his most powerful elemental attacks and combo strikes to further cause chaos amongst the faction's defenses. Many of the troops, confused amidst the explosions, left themselves open to attack and many of them did fall, most by the hands of Colonel Billiard. Because Ophelia still wore her distinctive black shell jacket, she was at times confused for a faction soldier, which caused many of the defenders to drop their guard. Thus, they became easy pickings for the colonel's black battle fans.
"Come now!" Ophelia shouted as she charged into the breastworks of the faction, "Who dares to come against Noctin Tilandir and the Tiger of Goth!"
"It's that faction traitor, Colonel Billiard!" one of the soldiers shouted. "Let her pay for her treachery to against His Excellency!"
The soldiers were quick to surround her, but Ophelia unleashed her battle fans and eliminated fifty percent of the force attacking her. Many of the soldiers were maimed severely and were no longer able to fight. Some were killed right out. The remaining fifty percent wavered at the sight of this warrior woman. Some fled for their lives rather than risk being killed. They knew that their numbers and their own personal strengths would not be enough to defeat here.
"What's the matter?" she chuckled. "Are you truly that afraid of me? Well you should be, you back stabbers!"
Riku was also being attacked, at long range mostly. Many of the soldiers fired their blasters at him, but using the Aeroga spell, Riku was protected by a wind shield, and thus the soldiers could do no harm to him. Unlike the mobile dolls, who knew the precise direction to fire at the shield and break it, the faction soldiers fired at random, but their efforts were all in vain.
"You guys are afraid of dying aren't you?" Riku said. "Then run for your lives or meet certain death!" Several of the soldiers attacked Riku head on, rather than run in fear and bring dishonor to themselves. They met a swift end when confronting the dreaded Noctin Tilandir face to face. Many others didn't risk their lives and withdrew to a safer distance, where they could at least snipe at the enemy.
At the same time, Sora had managed to leap over the front defense line and climb the walls of the city without even being seen. He jumped from one of the housetops and landed right in the middle of the square. The faction soldiers were bewildered as who it was that suddenly appeared before them. It didn't take them long to realize who it was that stood before them.
"It's Sora," one of the soldiers shouted in fright. "It's the key bearer!"
"Kill him!" another soldier shouted. Drawing their weapons, they attacked Sora from all directions. Some others leaped into the air and tried to strike the young key bearer from above. Sora, however, wasn't the least bit scared.
"Big mistake, you guys." He uttered. Crouching down, he suddenly deployed the infamous foot stop that he picked up from Lu Bu. The stomp caused a massive sound wave to erupt and all the soldiers surrounding the young key bearer were blown away. Many hit the wall while others landed on the tops of their tents, their sand bag barracks, upon their stacked weapons, everywhere the soldiers landed. Many of them were rendered unconscious while others were injured in the fall. "Sorry that I have to be so rough on you."
"Kill him!" a soldier shouted. "Kill the bastard!" Again the soldiers attack. In the midst of the chaos, Sora continued to wreak his havoc upon the faction forces. He thus began the simultaneous elimination of all faction defenses in the third district. He first unleashed Firaga and Blizzaraga as starters. Then, he attacked with Stopga and Tundra Canister to first freeze his enemies into place before striking them. He also unleashed his Twister Strike and a great tornado was unleashed into the third district, inflicting heavy damage to the faction's force. Many of the soldiers were thrown by the wind and slammed against the walls of the surrounding plaza and homes, knocking themselves unconscious.
Riku and Ophelia were not slow in attacking their objective, leaping over the walls of the first district. They then started engaging in hand to hand combat with the soldiers who were present there, cutting and slicing their way in. Many a soldier fell at their hands, most severely maimed that they could no longer fight effectively in the battle. Rather than face the duo head on, those who found themselves helpless against this cunning foe, surrendered. Many others either retreated to a safer area, or returned fire.
Goofy and Donald continued to fire their gummi's cannons with no attempts to retaliate against them. With the optical stealth in their favor, the gummi was virtually invisible to the ground troops below. And the night sky further concealed their movements. Nearly the entire outer defense was destroyed.
"These guys aren't even trying to shoot back." Donald thought to himself. "It just goes to show you how effective the optical stealth is."
"I hope that the others made it in." Goofy implied.
At the same time, Cuchulain, who had managed to intermingle with the utter chaos of the first district, watched as Riku and Ophelia caused destruction against the faction. He then realized that more and more faction soldiers were emerging from the second district, hoping to aid the soldiers in the first and third district.
"It looks like they're doing everything in their power to stop the key bearers." Cuchulain thought to himself. "However, the one they really have to worry about is me!" Cuchulain rushed through the gates, leading to the second district and began to eliminate the faction soldiers.
Word reached the commander of the chaos that was erupting from all around the town.
"Sir," one of the soldiers shouted, rushing into the green room, "We've confirmed the attackers."
"Well…?" the youth asked.
"It's the key bearers and the loyal minions of the King Mickey. They're battling our forces all over this town."-
"What…?"-
"We've also confirmed that Colonel Billiard is fighting against us too. They attacked without warning and our soldiers are having trouble fighting them. There's too much confusion with fires igniting and the darkness of the night."-
"Damn it." The young pounded his fist on the table and stood up. "Get me my sword…"
"But sir, you can't go out there."-
"I may be just a kid, but I have more fighting capabilities than all of our soldiers put together." The soldier picked up the sword, which lay on a gold stand. "The only way to be rid of these key bearers is for me to take care of those fools myself." The boy took the sword and placed it under his belt. "Now, let Riku and Sora come to me and certain death."
"Sir…!" another soldier cried out as he barged into the room. "We're having some trouble!"
"What now!" the youth demanded.
"Another soldier is attacking our forces here in the second district."-
"Is he a member of the KH team?"-
"There has been no confirmation of who this guy is, but he's tearing through our forces as if they were nothing."-
"Then tell your men to withdraw. There's no use in them losing their lives here. Tell them to help aid in the fight against the key bearers. I alone will take on the task of fighting this upstart." The youth clutched his fist and walked out of the green room, to where the battle was commencing. The minute he opened the door, he could hear the sound of battle erupting not more than fifty feet away from him.
Cuchulain, in the meantime, fought off many of the soldiers who dared to stand in his way. Making his way to the center of the plaza, he fought off as many attackers as he possibly could. The battle seemed to be growing more intense with every slash of his spear.
"These guys are just coming out of he woodwork." He thought to himself. "Where are all of them coming from?" Cuchulain only sighed and continued to battle. "Oh well, it's not as if they stand a chance against me anyway."
But suddenly, without warning, the fighting subsided and the soldiers disengaged in their onslaught. Cuchulain, puzzled by this, stood fully erect, lowering his spear point to the ground.
"They just stopped fighting…" He then realized that the soldiers were somehow preoccupied. Their eyes seemed to be drawn to something behind him. Cuchulain looked around to see who or what it was that caused the soldiers to stop battling. It was then, for the first time, he laid eyes on the commander in chief of the entire faction force. There was utter silence besides the sound of battle that continued in the other districts and from outside the gates. "Who's he? Is he the commander or something? He's just a kid."-
"Very well done, my friend," the boy chuckled, "Very well done, I must say. To be able to fend off such a large body of men on your own, that is truly impressive indeed. However, it is that same skill that has drawn me out into the open. I am the commander of this entire outfit."-
"You…?" Cuchulain said. "You're just a kid."
"Is that so? Well, I tell you now, do not underestimate me just because of my tender age. I'm stronger than I appear." The young boy jumped from the stone walkway just above the plaza. He landed no more than fifteen feet away from Cuchulain. "Since I am the most powerful fighter here, I will be the one to fight you." The boy turned to the soldiers and pointed them the way out. "Take out the other members of the KH team. Leave this one to me." The soldiers withdrew from the fight. Taking their dead and wounded, they pulled them out of the plaza before turning towards the battle where Riku and the others were fighting. Once the last of the soldiers left, only Cuchulain and the young boy were left.
"You should feel honored." The boy implied. "I never fight anybody below my own status like this, a one on one fight between you and me."
"Tell me, boy," Cuchulain asked, "Who are you?"
"My name is my own and I give it to no one. Not even you. The reason why? You're just not worth telling it to."-
"And exactly how many people know your name?"-
"No one knows my name because they weren't worthy enough to hear it."-
"You're pretty arrogant for a kid." Cuchulain said. His tone suddenly grew more aggressive than before.
"When you're at my level of strength," the boy chuckled in a proud fashion, "You can afford to be arrogant. I even went head to head with that friend of yours, Riku. He wasn't must of a challenge to me, not in the state he was anyway."
"You fought Riku?"-
"Back in the 'Wing Realm' I think. He should be grateful that I decided to spare his life."
"Don't get too confident, kid. Unlike Riku, I will not hesitate to kill."-
"Oh, as if you're any match for me."-
"You know something; I don't want to know who you are anymore. If there is any enemy that I would wish to forget, it's you."-
"Aw, now I'm feeling all ashamed." The boy's response seemed so immature and rather irritating. "Poor me…" The boy chuckled a little. He then drew his gleaming sword from out of its sheath. "Just for the record, may I ask what your name is?"
"I don't intend to give my name to someone who won't live long enough to remember it. Because of your arrogant, selfish, and rather aggravating mannerism you've displayed towards me, I won't tell you."-
"Aw, that's too bad. And here I was hoping that you'd give it to me, so that I could cringe at the thought of your reputation. I was hoping that if you were worthy enough, that I'd remember you to my dying day. Either that, or you give me your name so that I may count you amongst the endless list of…nameless victims."-
"I've heard enough out of your, kid." Cuchulain drew his spear behind his back. Both went into battle stances, waiting for the other to make the first move. The two remained as at a stand still, their weapons drawn upon each other waiting for the moment to either attack or defend.
Suddenly, Cuchulain watched as the youth mysteriously vanished from sight. He then felt the young man's energy appear behind him. With quick reflexes, Cuchulain dodged the attack, quickly ducking. He swept his foot in a spinning motion, hoping to side sweep the boy and knock him down. But the young man saw the attack coming and jumped into the air. Using his sword he lunged downward. Cuchulain dodged. He swung his spear about and the two began to grapple in tight and almost impossible, yet eloquent maneuvers. The two battled with great ferocity, using techniques that would even surpass the ultimate master. It was the Hound against the youth and the two were out for blood. However, both soon realized that their fighting abilities were almost identical. The boy attempted to slice the Hound with a side slash, but the Hound used the staff of his weapon to block the attack. Using another forceful push, he caused the boy to fall back, nearly falling. But the boy, using one hand, regained his stance and flipped upon his feet. Cuchulain was shocked at what he had just witnessed.
"You've been trained in the Gaelic style of martial arts." Cuchulain uttered.
"You should talk." The youth implied. "You too have the same attack style as I do."
"Tell me, who taught you those attacks and defenses?"-
"Like I'd ever tell you, stranger…"-
"Well, whoever taught you, I can say this much. We both are equal in terms of strength and cunning."-
"Is that so?" The boy placed his sword upon his shoulder and chuckled. "Well, I hate to break it to you, but if there is anyone here who's the better of the two of us, I am. I'm gonna win this battle, Mr."
The boy began to attack again, this time with more ferocity than before. Cuchulain quickly counter attacked and the two once again engaged in an immense and grueling battle. Most of the fighting this time was a test of endurance and who would outlast the other in speed, strength, cunning, and spirit. The two went at each other's throats, and the clash of steel and grinding of teeth was felt throughout the plaza. There was not a single part of the second district that did not become some sort of sight for battle. The two even battled atop the roofs of the houses and the hotel. They ran up the walls and broke stone. At times, the two combatants would move so fast that only a series of light flashes could be seen. For five to ten minutes, the warriors battled.
"This kid," Cuchulain said in his mind, "He's incredible, he's impressive. How in the world did he manage to become such a skilled fighter at his age? He must have had to go through intense training and incredible acts of endurance in order to become as powerful a warrior as this. I haven't fought this hard since I first battled Sora in that trial battle six years ago, or when I confronted Kahn, the second in command of the Cavendish Shinobis. Whoever this kid is, he may prove to be one of the toughest opponents that I've ever fought."
Finally, the two ended up in a deadlock. The two pushed each other's weapons against each other. Sword and spear pressed up against one another, casing sparks to flash as the armaments collided. Both were gritting their teeth as they attempted to push the other and break their stance. But Cuchulain knew that strength against strength at times would not work. So instead of continuing in the dead lock, he withdrew his sword and rolled on the ground. The youth was caught off guard and went flying over Cuchulain. He fell on his back, but rolled on his stomach and was back on his feet. The two once again were engaged in a stand off.
"I can't believe it." Cuchulain uttered. "You certainly lasted longer than most at your age, kid. You even managed to go against me at equal strength even after all this time. Not everyone can last this long against me."
"I realize too that our strengths are equal." The boy said. "You've lasted longer than any opponent I fought in the past. Not even Noctin Tilandir was able to last this long against me. You certainly are one of the strongest opponents that I have ever had the pleasure of battling. However, in a one on one duel to the death, there can only be one winner and that is me!"-
The youth suddenly tossed his sword at Cuchulain. The Hound saw as the glimmering steel came flying straight at his head. With his quick reflexes, he dodged the sword. The sword itself got caught in the wall, breaking through the asphalt that held the stone blocks in place. Cuchulain turned to see the boy coming straight at him in a lunge. Before he could even react, the boy, using his sheath, struck the Hound in the gut. Cuchulain was overcome by the pain. He had never felt such pain before. Nearly falling to his knees, he staggered.
"That kid's hit…" he uttered to himself. "He managed to strike me down and force me to stagger. No one whom I fought before this kid has ever had that much power behind their strike. But this kid nearly forced me to my knees." Cuchulain suddenly saw as the sheath struck him in the face. The Hound was nearly knocked unconscious, but he regained his composure and leaped back onto his feet. But as he stood, he suddenly felt the sheath pull up against his throat. The boy had managed to come up from behind and strangle Cuchulain with his sheath. The Hound quickly tried to resist, pushing the sheath away from his throat, hoping not to get strangled. The boy pulled Cuchulain down and wrapped his legs around the Hound's waist. Cuchulain struggled as best he could, but the youth was equal in strength and was not one whose hold could not so easily broken. The hound managed to eventually break the sheath away, but as he managed to get the sheath out of the boy's hands, he felt the youth's arms wrap around his face. One arm was placed around his neck, hoping to strangle him. The other arm was tightly wrapped around his mouth and nose to help further the process of suffocation. Cuchulain thrashed about wildly trying to free himself, but the youth let his body act like a weight and keep him on his back. Cuchulain could feel himself smothering to death. He grasped at the boy's arms and slowly used all of his strength to break himself out of the boy's grip. He then used the weight of his body to swing the boy off of his back. The youth went flying into the wall, but he managed to regain himself. Cuchulain did the same thing. He breathed heavily for air after that near death experience, but he was still willing to fight.
"Well, well," the youth said, "it seems that you're starting to wear down, my friend. It appears that what you said about our strengths being equal was wrong. There is a significant gap between our strengths and abilities. So why don't you make it easier on yourself and just let me kill you. Because the longer you keep on fighting, the more agitated I become. And the more agitated I become, the more likely that your death will be anything, but short and painless."
"Sorry to break the news to you," Cuchulain uttered, "But I'm not the type who likes to give up so easily. And the last thing that you want to do is make me mad."
"Heh, idle threats won't work on me."-
"It is not an idle threat."-
"Then why don't you show your true color and get angry for me?"-
"Because if I do, your death will be assured this day…"-
"I believe I can handle whatever it is you wish the throw at me."-
Both picked up their weapons. The boy drew his sword from out of the wall and held it before him, ready to engage again. Cuchulain, made sure to maintain a strong guard against this unpredictable foe, fearing that the next time he drops his guard it may be his last.
"I can no longer take this kid for granted." The Hound thought to himself. "He's good, the strongest and youngest opponent I've ever battled. Whoever he is, he must've come from a long line of powerful warriors. Fighting is in his blood. I can see it in his eyes, so focused, with no flaws. He must've based his entire life on the principles of fighting. But I wonder…" Cuchulain looked at the boy and gripped the staff of his spear, "What is this kid fighting for? What exactly is his reason to fight?"
"Here I come!" the boy shouted. He vanished again and reappeared at Cuchulain's right flank. The Hound was quick and used his weapon to block the attack. He swung the Gae Bulga around and around in circular patterns, hoping to strike the boy. He then placed the spear upon his shoulder and engaged in a minimum jabbing attack to confuse the boy, but the tactic did not seem to have any effect. He then suddenly, swung the spear from behind his shoulders and struck with the full extent of the spear, staff and all. However, the young man only ducked and dared to cut Cuchulain across the gut. The Hound saw the attack coming and spun like a top into the air. He then lunged from mid air, but again his opponent evaded the attack. Again, the two engaged in tight hand to hand combat. Despite their efforts, neither was able to graze the other. Not a scratch inflicted, not a cut made, despite how close the weapons came close to slicing flesh. Finally, after another five minutes of intense battle, the two disengaged with one another and were once again facing in a stand off. It was at that moment that Cuchulain asked the question.
"Tell me," he asked, "I can see that you are no slouch when it comes to fighting. You are indeed superb on the battlefield and I can't but help find your power awesome. But something still bothers me. What exactly is it that you are fighting for?"
"My cause for battle is for two reasons." The youth implied. "One, I battle for the sake of battle, and two, I joined with the faction because they promised to help me find someone."
"Someone…?"-
"A family member to be precise; and the only family member I have left."-
"Is that so? This person must be very important to you."-
"Or so I believe. But enough of this talk, we're here to fight not converse."-
"But is that the reason why you joined the Midnight Faction, because they promised they'd help you find that loved one?"-
"They know who the person is and how to track that person down. I have every faith in Lord Sirius Viicous. He'll keep his word."-
"You truly are a fool." Cuchulain implied. "Don't you realize that Sirius Viicous is only using you to his will? As long as he continues to say he'd help you find this loved one of yours, he can easily pull your strings like that of a puppet and you will do everything that he commands. You would even slaughter legions for him for the sake of the promise that he gave to you. But how do you know he's keeping his word? How do you know that this isn't some elaborate plan to keep you under the faction's thumb?"
"Sirius Viicous told me that he'd help me."-
"And yet you believed him?"-
"His Excellency gave me his word. As long as I carry out with his orders, the closer I come to learning the whereabouts of the person I'm searching for. Then and only then will I detach myself from the faction."
"And when will that be, when the faction has gained complete control over the entire universe, when the end of the world is in sight? I can tell you this much though; Sirius Viicous is one who only cares about his own fate, his own destiny, his own needs. Through his eyes, you and your own personal problems and desires are insignificant.
"Whether he's lying to me or not, he's at least letting me fulfill my other desire, my desire to fight."-
"So is that the reason why you sold your soul to the faction, for the sake of fighting and hoping to obtain a promise that may prove false?" Cuchulain sneered. "Well, if I were that loved one of yours, I'd cringe at the thought of you killing people just for the sake of finding me. That loved one you're looking for will shed tears of sorrow because your hands have been smeared with so much blood."-
"And yet you talk as if you don't kill for your own cause?" The boy lowered his sword. "Tell me then, what is it that you are fighting for?"
"It's obvious what I fight for." Cuchulain replied. "I fight for the sake of the people who wish to live their lives in peace. I fight to preserve the peace and the happiness of those people, those who're weaker than me, those who're too weak to defend themselves. For those people, they need a hero, a champion, a person who would give them hope. That's what the KH team and I are fighting for. We're fighting so that the people do not become victimized by despotic rulers like Sirius Viicous whose only cause is to gain more power for himself. Thus, I kill those who would kill others and take away their happiness."
"Yet your cause also gives rise to chaos." The boy said. "You let the people have their way and chaos will continue to linger. And with that, more death and suffering will occur. Only when a strong ruler is established will the people fall into line. Then the people will no longer have to fight and instead live in peace and happiness under a single banner."
"That's the problem. People are naturally defiant. They want things to change to satisfy their own benefits. Trying to deprive them of their ways would only lead to tension and conflict. But in the ideal world where people have freedom, they are free to express themselves. It is the freedom of each individual person that makes them happy."-
"And it is that type of expression of thought and reason that will lead to battle."-
"Even so, I'd rather to see people happy in their individual freedoms than see them sad in confinement. It hasn't even been six years since the fall of the Dark Empire and yet there are still powerful men who wish to further spread chaos and anarchy, hoping to gain everything for themselves. That is why I fight against the faction powers of the former Empire. Only when they are eliminated will large scale confrontation finally come to an end. Though conflict will continue to exist, at least it will not involve others who wish to be left alone. Their happiness belongs to them and them alone. No one can dictate the path they take."-
"Well, until I find that loved one who shall show me the true way, I will never yield my opinions or my cause. I will die before I put them aside. Only then, will my opinions change. Until then, I take no advice and heed no warning from anyone, especially to likes of low level trash like you."-
"Then let's end this. If you long for death so much then so be it. But you must realize that I take no pleasure in killing such a worthy opponent, despite your insolence."-
"Save you petty comments for the weak." The boy scoffed. "I have no need for your sympathy."
"I try to show you how high I hold your life, but you just turn around and make a mockery of my opinion."-
"When it comes to dealing with unworthy filth like you, I can do and say whatever the hell I feel like."-
"You goddamned, headstrong little bastard, you have no respect for anyone whatsoever."-
"There's only one person I show respect to and unfortunately, you're not that person!"-
Cuchulain cringed, gritting his teeth. This boy was too arrogant, too proud to admit his mistakes or to accept the compassion and advice from others. This caused him to boil and sneer. By this point, Cuchulain no longer held any regards of honor towards the boy. He was now simply an obstacle and an obstacle that needed to be dealt with in a harsh and unforgiving manner. This time, it was the Hound that attacked first. And once again, the two engaged in battle, further spreading damage to the plaza of the second district.
In the meantime, the battles against the faction had subsided in the other two districts and from outside the walls. Sora had managed to eliminate all resistance in the third district. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he leaned up against one of the walls of the district and sighed.
"Man," he said, "That was one heck of a workout." He looked about at the motionless bodies of the faction soldiers. Some had been killed, but most were either unconscious, or severely wounded and no longer fit for battle. "It's a good thing that battles like these are so tragic. Otherwise, we'd learn to enjoy it far too much." Sora then picked up a peculiar sound. It was the sound of silence. The battles had stopped throughout the districts. "I wonder how everyone else is."
Sora stood back on his feet and retracted his keyblade. He then walked into the first district. When entering the gates, he once again encountered a scene of chaos. Riku and Ophelia sat side by side on the ground. Riku, lying prostrated on the ground, his arms and legs spread apart, and Ophelia leaning back, cross legged, her arms supporting her weight. She gazed up in the night sky, enjoying the peace of the night.
"It's good to rest." She uttered. "After all that chaos, I thought I'd never hear the end of it."
"I'm with you there, Miss Billiard." Riku added.
"Hey, Riku, Miss Billiard...!" Sora shouted as he ran towards them. The two looked up.
"Hey, Sora," Riku said, "Glad to see that you managed to come out of that hell hole alive as well."
"You're telling me. Those guys wanted to carve me up."-
"So, we're all here then?" Ophelia asked. But just then there were even more explosions coming from outside the wall.
"It seems that Donald and Goofy are still trying to break up the rest of the defenses outside." Riku said. "And it's a good thing too. We don't want any of those weapons left operational."
"By the way," Sora asked, "How's Cuchulain doing?"
"I don't know. Knowing him, he's probably still enjoying the thrill of the fight in the second district. He is the Hound of Ulster after all."-
"Still, sometimes I think that guy enjoys fighting a little too much."-
"Well, he does come from a proud lineage of Celtic warrior heroes and an esteemed aristocratic organization, the Red Branch."-
"I suppose you're right."-
"It's in his blood." Ophelia said. "When fighting s in your blood, you just get that urge to battle."-
"You're right there, Miss Billiard." Sora chuckled.
"Cuchulain's the type that acknowledges his own life's worth in the midst of battle." Riku added.
"And it really is the only thing he knows."
It was at that moment that Ophelia felt a sudden burst in energy. The signal it her across the head like a rock, causing her entire body to shake and her heart to beat uncontrollably. She quickly stood up and sensed the powers reverberating in the air.
"That power…" she uttered. "Did you feel that?"
It wasn't long before that same signal struck the key bearers. They quickly took notice as well.
"Man," Sora uttered, a drop of sweat accumulating at the side of his head. "That energy signal, I felt it too."
"There are two of them clashing. It seems that Cuchulain is fighting with a warrior equal in strength to his own."-
"What was that?" Riku asked. He then recognized the energy signal that clashed with Cuchulain's. It was a strength that he knew all to well.
"There's another powerful fighter here?" Sora added.
"That's right." Ophelia remarked. "And whoever this guy is, he's giving Cuchulain a run for his money."
"Then we better go give him a hand." Riku implied. "Come on, you two!"
"Let's go." Sora said
The three ran off to the second district to see if they can aid their friend. Riku, however, still had that uneasy feeling of familiarity lingering at the back of his head.
"If I didn't know any better." Riku said. "I'd say it was that kid from the 'Wing Realm'."
Help was exactly what Cuchulain needed. This boy was highly aggressive and did not seem to back down from the fight no matter what. The fighting continued with great intensity until finally, they began to grapple with one another at the center of the plaza.
"You might as well face it, my friend." The boy chuckled. "You're reaching your limit and you won't last much longer. Why don't you just surrender and make it easier on yourself. There's no point in continuing to fight if you know that you don't stand a chance."
"I'm not going to give up." Cuchulain replied. "Not to the likes of you!"
"But you've begun to concentrate more on defense which can only mean that you're starting to break down."-
"My lack in offense and concentration in defense has nothing to do with that. I just don't want to fight you anymore, kid. If you continue to fight me, you may end up backing me into a corner and into a predicament in which I have no choice but to kill. And in the process, I'll have no other choice, but to slay you. And yet you're still so young and still have a future before you; I don't wish to deprive you of your life. Please, just back down, let go of your pride, and let us take over this town."-
"My life is my own, my name is my own, my fate is my own, and no one will tell me otherwise! As for your request for me to stand down, sorry to inform you, but I have no intention of backing down. I will prove to you that I am better than you in everyway"-
"I don't want to kill you, but if you keep it up, I'll have no other choice!"-
"I wouldn't have it in any other way!"-
Suddenly, the boy lunged forward and struck Cuchulain. Though Cuchulain was able to dodge the blade in time, the boy had managed to cut off a lock of his hair. The boy then turned and smiled, confident that the battle was his. But cutting of a lock of Cuchulain's hair was the final insult.
"I told you that you were slipping, pal." The boy said. "I managed to cut off a lock of your hair. It just goes to show that our strengths are different. I am stronger than you and that gesture has proven it."
"I've been calm all this time…" Cuchulain said in his mind, his fist clutching tighter. "I've been patient and lenient for long enough, but no more will I give that little bastard anymore leeway."
Just then, he heard the gates of the district open. He looked up to see Riku, Sora, and Colonel Billiard appear on the walkway.
"Hey," Sora uttered as he laid eyes on the young man who fought Cuchulain, "That's that same kid that we encountered in the 'Wing Realm.' What's he doing here?" He then looked at Cuchulain. "Man, even Cuchulain's having trouble fighting this kid. He looks worn out." Sora then noticed the damage caused in the second district. "And I can see why he's worn out. This must've been one intense battle. This only proves that that kid's stronger than he looks and shouldn't be underestimated. Even you had trouble fighting him, Riku."-
"I had a feeling that that kid must've been the second power we sensed." Riku said. "And since his energy signal is significantly bigger than any other of the faction soldiers, he must also be the commander of this garrison. When I fought him, we were both about equal. However, had I turned into Dark Riku, things might have been different. However, I did not want to fight in that state and let the darkness control me. However, I wonder if Cuchulain will delve in the rage and finish this fight with his ultimate power?"
"Well, well, well, it seems that we have company." The boy said. "So the key bearers did manage to escape certain death after all. Not that it was surprising or anything. They're just in time though, just in time to see you meet your demise, my friend." The boy turned to the KH team. "I see that you three managed to make it all this way, through such heavy defense. But then again, I wouldn't expect any less."
"You meet your fate here and now, kid." Riku shouted.
"Still gnawing away at a chance to fight me, eh Riku? I guess I really hurt your pride back in the 'Wing Realm.' But it's alright, once I'm finished with your friend here, then we can finish our unresolved confrontation." But it was at that moment, just after finishing his fiery declaration; the boy suddenly saw the surrounding buildings become illuminated by a bright light source. Following that, there was a surge of energy accumulating behind him. As the boy turned to face Cuchulain again, he was in for a bigger surprise, a shock really. As he observed, he saw Cuchulain's body begin to pulsate and glow. The boy soon felt the emerging strength of the Hound and how large it really was. "This power… How could it be…? It's surpassing even my own…?"
"I did not think that that you were this much of a fool." Cuchulain uttered, his voice seeming to grow in sternness. "I've always considered myself a reasonable person, I've gone out of my way to tell you important facts of life and that you should not be throwing your life away so needlessly. Yet, despite my efforts, you instead turn around and mock me with my own words. You've been a cankerous soar at my side for long enough."
"How is he doing this, how is he accumulating all of this strength?" The boy's confidence suddenly turned to a sense of fear as he felt the energy, accumulated from Cuchulain. "This power, how did he gain so much power?"
"I've tried to reason with you, but you wouldn't listen. I tried to stop you from continuing to fight, but you insisted. Then you turn around and mock my words. And to add, you further insult me by cutting off a lock of my hair. No one, and I mean no one has ever dared to get the best of me like that and rub such humiliation in my face. You never seemed to take me and my words seriously, despite being serious myself the entire time. I realize now that trying to negotiate with someone like you can never be possible." Cuchulain gripped his spear tight and held it above his head as if ready top throw it. "Your logic, your reason for fighting is a twisted as your sense of fun. You say that you want to reunite with someone, yet you're willing to throw away your humanity and disregard all values of life and all values of opinion just for that. You think that you're invulnerable, but that is because you have never experienced what it truly means to feel pain, whether mentally or physically. I bet you never knew what it felt like to feel helpless and utterly insignificant. I bet you don't even know the sensation of what it feels like to be defeated, or ever to lose someone one who you highly care for. Being a warrior, you have the obligation never to show emotion in battle. But to never show appreciation for what that person has done, the effort they put in battle? That truly is heartless."
"He's letting his rage get the best of him." Riku uttered. "I guess that kid really got Cuchulain. Then again, I wouldn't blame him. That boy's attitude is enough to get under your skin. He's as good as dead now."
"No, he wouldn't…" Ophelia said. "Not to a little boy…"
"This kid gets what he deserves. After all he's done."-
"But Riku," Sora uttered, "He's about to get struck by the Gae Bulga. And you've seen what that thing can do. It never misses its target and the carnage it leaves behind is unbearable to look at."
"This kid has been a thorn in our side for long enough. He ruined out plans in the 'Wing' realm and here he is again, with that same cocky attitude. But maybe fighting Cuchulain will teach him not to be so overconfident."-
"But even so," Ophelia uttered, "Just the thought of killing a mere boy with such a powerful weapon…"
"Cuchulain, don't do it!" Sora shouted. "He may have a strong sense of pride and he may be extremely arrogant at times, but he's still just a boy!"
It was this single statement that caused the boy to turn towards the key bearer.
"What was that?" the boy thought. "What was that he said?" He then turned in terror, his heart pounding now and his confidence plummeting as fast as his courage, towards an even more terrifying surprise. There stood Cuchulain, transformed into the Hound of Ulster. Not as terrifying as what most legends described him as, but just as intimidating. His eyes had gone from an innocent glow to that of a soulless yellow, his pupils small; like that of a wolf, or a lion. His hair went from flowing strands into a more spiked form. And the light, which accumulated from his being, grew bright in an illuminating glow. The boy was now no longer the cocky young upstart he once was, but more like a humbled dog, ducking its tail between its legs. "It can't be… This is…Cuchulain?"
"That is correct." Cuchulain uttered in a deep and dark voice. "I am Cuchulain, The Hound of Ulster. Be fortunate that you knew my name. You can thus take that title and inscribe it deep into your heart, because my face will be the last thing you ever see."
"But I didn't know…"-
"It's too late for discussion, you conceded boy! If you're going to beg for your life, then why don't you let your so called invulnerability save you!" With a mighty thrust from his arm, Cuchulain threw the dreaded Gae Bulga at his target. Overcome by rage, he did not show a second though when he thrust his weapon at the boy. At that moment, everything seemed to shut down. Time seemed to slow itself and flashes of realization and regret reverberated through the young man's mind.
"All this time, I've been fighting Cuchulain, The Hound of Ulster…?" he thought to himself as he watched his imminent doom draw nearer. "Oh God, what have I done… All this time…all this time…it was him all along. And I never knew it…" The spear drew closer to him. "So far, yet so close…to fulfilling my goal…But still…it was my own fault for not realizing it…My death is deserved…"
Then, there was the sound of piercing flesh and a deep thud to the body. The KH team could only watch in horror, from the walk way above, as they saw Cuchulain's mighty weapon pierce straight into the young man's gut. The youth went flying backwards, the three prongs of the Gae Bulga digging deep into his flesh and cutting up his insides. The boy fell to the ground, the sound of metal crashing against rock. The Gae Bulga had pierced straight through his body. There, upon the ground, the boy cried out and gasped at the pain. He cried out in agony as he felt the spear dig deeper into his being. Blood rushed from his gaping wounds and caused the ground to turn into a crimson red. Blood too dripped from his mouth. He coughed and yet more small drops of his red life source flew from his mouth.
"Oh my God…" Sora uttered in horror. "The spear head is almost halfway through him."
"Such carnage…" Riku added. Even despite his earlier out lashings against the youth, Riku now regretted ever allowing his own hatred and anger to be unleashed and help promote the boy's demise. "You were right, Sora. Even if that young man was tough, headstrong, and arrogant, he still didn't deserve to be struck in such a barbaric fashion. But without a second thought, without acknowledging the consequences, Cuchulain killed that boy. Now, there is no doubt, that young man will die a slow and painful death." Riku reflected back on the similar pain he endured when he was struck down by General Ameba six years before. That thought thus began to wear on his conscience. "And that's a sensation that no one deserves to experience…no one…"
Even Ophelia Billiard, one who had seen death countless times before, could only turn away. The reason for this is because she had never seen anyone stuck so violently and yet live to feel the agonizing pain, let alone a young boy.
After the carnage was over and the battle's outcome decided, Cuchulain regressed to his original form. His eyes transformed again, from a terrifying yellow to that of innocence. His hair was once again flowing in the night breeze. Thus, after seeing the aftermath of his deed began to walk towards the boy. The youth, who lay dying before him, was semi-conscious. His body in a lot of pain.
"Do you feel it now?" Cuchulain asked. "Do you feel the pain? Do you now know why I fight for the cause to which I have dedicated my strength and time? I fight to prevent ordinary people, ones who have no intension of fighting, from experiencing this kind of pain. Up until now, you never knew what true pain was and what it truly means to feel vulnerable." Cuchulain stood over the boy and gazed into his eyes. "But now you know. And the one thing I do regret the most is having to end your life in the process. For that I am truly sorry. Once I delve into the rage, I am an uncontrollable killing machine. You should have surrendered when you had that chance. Otherwise, this outcome would not have occurred."
"Don't be sorry…I am…glad." The boy uttered. "I am glad to have fought you…Cuchulain..." Instead of cringing, the boy only smiled, as if he were happy to die. "You are as powerful…as she said you were…She said that you had…no equal in power…"
"She…what do you mean 'she'?"-
"My mother…" From the boy's vest, the golden ring he wore around his neck dropped. Using as much strength as he could, the boy slipped his finger into the band of gold. It was a perfect fit. "Her words…her stories…they were true…"
Cuchulain looked upon the ring the boy had slipped on and recognized it immediately.
"That ring…" Cuchulain uttered. "That was the ring that my foster father gave to me. I later gave it to Ayfa before I left for Ulster those many years ago. But if you have it; that means…?" It was then that sense of dread came across the face of the hound. His heart began to beat and he began to break out into a cold sweat as he gazed at this familiar band of gold.
"What is going on?" Sora uttered. "Are Cuchulain and that kid acquainted in some way, Riku?"
"I don't really know." Riku uttered. "But don't you remember about the ring, Sora, what Cuchulain said in his story he told us back in the 'Rurouni Realm,' about how he gave a ring to Ayfa before leaving for Ulster? Ayfa had a task to do in return and that was to pass that ring down to her…?" Riku suddenly realized the identity of the boy. He then remembered the conclusion of the Hound's story and now knew why Cuchulain acted the way he did. Filled with sudden emotion, Riku lowered his head. "Oh my God, oh my God, Cuchulain, what have you done…?"
"What is it, Riku, what has he done?"-
"I…I know who that kid is…"-
"Who, who is he?"-
Riku, however, was to overcome by the sudden turn of events. He could not find it within him to speak. Sora, rather than try and badger Riku about it, decided only to watch in silence the events that unfolded before him.
"I have been searching…for my last living family member…and now my search is ended…I have fulfilled my vow…" The boy shuttered again and more blood dripped down his mouth. "My mother…told me when I was still small…that once I was old enough…to fit this ring…upon my finger…I was ready to seek out…my father…"
The Hound grew weak in the knees as if he were to faint. His heart continued to pound. A sense of fear was throbbing at the back of his head. He looked down at the boy.
"What is your name, boy?" Cuchulain asked, dreading to hear the youth's answer. The young man looked up at the Hound, an innocent glimmer in his eyes and a serene look on his face. Finding enough strength left in his body, he urged himself to speak.
"My name is Cunla…" The boy uttered. "I was named by my mother, Ayfa, in honor of my father…who is named…"
"Cuchulain…" It was true. The boy bore the name that he dreaded to hear. Immediately, the Hound suddenly wailed out in agony, like that of a lone wolf, as he realized the truth. Falling to his knees, his eyes filled with tears and those tears dripped down his face in rivers. "My God…! You…you are my son…"
The young man only smiled and slightly nodded while still grasping at the hideous wound from the Gae Bulga.
"I have come all this way…to find you…and now…we finally meet…"-
"Oh God…" Sora said. "That kid is Cuchulain's son!"
"And he never even knew…" Riku said. He then pondered at passed events leading up to this moment of tragedy. "Was it that raven's doing?"
"Raven…?"-
"You remember, Sora. That raven Cuchulain said spoke to him back in the 'Rurouni Realm,' the one who filled his head with images of suffering, death, and tragedy, and how Cuchulain would suffer the ultimate tragedy."-
"You're right, Riku." Ophelia said, wiping the tears from her eyes. "This is probably the one. And I can see why those images caused him to fall in such miserable sorrow."
"This must be the same sensation he felt back then." Sora uttered. "I can't blame him. Not after striking down his own son."
"Cuchulain…" Riku uttered softly. "I…I'm sorry…"
Cuchulain, stricken with grief, lifted up the dying boy and put him in his arms. His son, his long lost son, now lay mortally wounded. The mask of death was upon the youth's face. The Hound had driven his weapon into his own son and didn't know it until the deed had been done. Had this been the loss that the raven had foretold in his visions? He immediately felt stirred emotions in his heart. He felt that he should have been the one to die, not his son. But the truth of the matter was all too obvious as he watched blood spill from his son's body. Cuchulain wept over his child, holding the boy tightly in his arms.
"How could I have been so blind…?" Cuchulain thought in his mind. "I was overcome by my own hatred that I never even realized who he was. I just thought he was another headstrong warrior, who wanted to carve a reputation out for himself, instead, I find that it's my son, my only child. Oh, curse the woman who gave him birth and doomed his fate. Ayfa, how could you go so far as to initiate the death of your own son for the sake of your pride as a warrior? Did you seal his fate to kill me, or to let me suffer when I struck him down? Damn it all…"
"Father…" Cunla uttered. "Please…don't cry…I couldn't be…happier…" Cunla smiled at the Hound. "I've…come all this way to see you…went through so much…I don't want to see you cry…"
"Cunla…" Cuchulain uttered. When the Hound spoke his name, the youth was filled with exhilaration, his eyes growing teary.
"You said my name… Could you please…say it again…?"-
"Cunla…Cunla…" Cuchulain stroked his son's head, inscribing the characteristics of the boy's face in his memory. Cunla then shuttered.
"It's so cold…I'm so cold…"-
"It'll be alright, Cunla. It'll be alright…" The Hound held the dying youth tighter, trying to keep him warm. Cunla's youthful complexion began to grow pale. He did not have long to live.
At the same time, the doors of the second district opened and Goofy and Donald came rushing in.
"Sora, Riku," Goofy shouted, "We're finally here."
"Good to see that you guys made in..." Riku implied, solemnly.
"Why the long face? Did something happen?"-
"Yes…"-
Goofy and Donald looked to see this tragic scene.
"Hey," Donald said, "Isn't that the kid that fought you back in the 'Wing Realm,' Riku?"
"That's him." Riku said.
"But why is Cuchulain holding him? Isn't that kid a faction soldier?"-
"He is. He also happens to be Cuchulain's son, Cunla. His only son, his only child…"-
"What happened?"-
"Cuchulain was the one who struck him."-
"You mean he struck down his own son?" Goofy uttered uneasy with such a thought.
"But why would he kill his own son?" Donald asked.
"None of us, not even Cuchulain, knew that he was his son until the blow had been made. That young man was just to full of pride and honor to reveal who he was. It was doomed fate I think. It is the ultimate tragedy to kill your child without even knowing who they were in the first place."-
"That's so sad…" Goofy said; his eyes moist with tears. There was silence in the atmosphere as the team watched the young man slowly deteriorate. His life was slowly leaving him. His breathing became shallower and the glimmer of life in his eyes began to dim.
Finally, Cunla spoke in a soft and weary voice.
"Father…" he said. Cuchulain looked at him. "I'm sorry…"
"Sorry?" the Hound asked. "Sorry for what?"
"I'm sorry for having…disgraced and dishonored you…I'm sorry for humiliating you…I'm sorry for mocking your wisdom…If only I had known…if only I had done things right from the start…I am sorry for everything I've done…Everything…"-
"Cunla…"-
"But if I had a second chance…to make it up…I would be honored to have fought alongside you…and the members of the KH team…I would have been honored to be a part…of your group…You and the others could teach me about the path of justice…and I would follow your words faithfully…"-
"Cunla…"-
"If only…I had a second chance…"-
"You can and you will!" Riku shouted from above. He jumped into the plaza and stood before Cuchulain and his dying son.
"Riku…" Cunla uttered.
"I realize now how sorry you are. It doesn't have to end like this. I will not let you die, Cunla." Riku turned to his friends. "Sora, bring down a Senzu bean."
"Right…!" Sora turned to Goofy. "A senzu bean, Goofy..."
"I gotcha…!" Goofy took out the bag of senzu beans from under his hat and gave a full bean to Sora. Sora then jumped down to accompany Riku.
"What are you going to do?" Cuchulain asked.
"What else." Riku said. "We're gonna save your son's life. We can't have such a powerful ally dying on us now, can we? And at such a tender young age too." Cuchulain smiled; his hopes reborn.
"Thank you…"-
Riku took hold of the Gae Bulga's staff and prepared to extract it from Cunla's body. In the meantime, Sora knelt next to the young boy with the senzu bean in his hand.
"We're going to pull the spear out, Cunla." Riku said. "Brace yourself because it will hurt a lot."
"Bite into this, Cunla." Sora said, giving one of his waste belts to the boy. "You'll need it." Cunla nodded and opened his mouth. Sora placed the belt between his teeth. Then both he and Cuchulain held the young man in place to prevent any violent struggling.
"Here we go…" Riku uttered. With sudden force, he began to pull the spear out from the young man. Cunla cried out in utter agony, tears ran from his eyes. Cuchulain and Sora did their best to restrain him as Riku pulled out the Gae Bulga from its mortally wounded victim. Cunla struggled violently, thrashing his legs about in an unrestrained manner, but still they held him down. He bit so hard into the leather of Sora's belt, permanent teeth marks were indented into the leather. After ten seconds of pain, ten seconds of struggling, Riku managed to pull out the Gae Bulga. Cunla gasped for breath and more blood spilled from his wound. "Hurry, Sora, place the bean in his mouth."
"Right…!" Sora said. He took the belt from out of the youth's mouth and placed in the senzu bean. "Now quickly, chew and swallow, Cunla."
Cunla did as he was told and quickly ate the bean. There was a sudden pause after they heard him swallow the bean. Within a few seconds, a serene calm came over the boy's face. He suddenly opened his eyes. The pain was gone. Sitting up as if alright; he felt his abdomens looking for the wounds. There were no wounds. His strength had been restored, his injuries healed, and his energy had been replenished.
"Am I dead?" Cunla asked.
"No, son," Cuchulain said softly, "You're alive. Welcome back to the realm of the living…my boy…" Cunla looked up to see a warm smile on his father's face. Overtaken by grief and happiness, Cunla placed his head in his father's chest and wept uncontrollably. Cuchulain tightly placed his arms around his son and hugged him. He placed his chin atop his son's head and stroked his hair with his hand. "It's alright now, Cunla. It's alright. Just cry your eyes out if it makes you feel better."
"I guess miracles really do come true." Goofy said, wiping the tears from his eyes.
"With a little help," Ophelia said, a sad smile across her face, "We can make everything seem like a miracle."
Later that night, with the faction in full retreat and the dismal scene of the battle's aftermath still present in the streets of Traverse Town, the KH team settled down for a good night's rest. After all that they had gone through, they would at least be able to get a proper rest. Using the cockpit of the gummi ship, Donald contacted the Universal Alliance and told them to send reinforcements to the settlement. At the same time, Riku, Sora, Goofy, and Miss Billiard were busy tending to the wounded faction soldiers who lay helpless on the ground. The local inhabitants of Traverse Town helped with clearing away the dead and helping the wounded. The dead were placed just outside the town gates, the wounded were placed in homes, the hotel, and all inside space, or portable tents. Those who were taken prisoner were confined at the center of the plaza in the second district.
Donald returned from relaying his message to the Universal Alliance and joined with the other KH team members.
"Well, Donald…?" Sora asked, as he wiped the blood off the forehead of one of his earlier opponents.
"I've contacted the Alliance," Donald implied, "They said that reinforcements will be arriving soon to take things over from here."
"That is good news…" Sora continued to clean of the face of the young faction soldier who lay before him.
"Why…why are you doing this?" the young man said.
"Why…? Everyone receives help when in dire need, no matter what side they are on."-
"But aren't you my enemy…?"-
"In battle I was, but not right now."-
"Thank you…" The young man smiled. Sora returned the gesture and patted the young soldier on the chest before standing up to leave him.
"By the way, Donald…" Sora asked. "Where's Cuchulain…?"
"I haven't seen him since the end of that bout with Cunla." Donald said. "I do remember that I accompanied them as far as the gate of the second district."
"They're up on the roof." Riku said as he passed by, carrying a bucket of water.
"On the roof," Sora asked, "Both of them?"
"They're trying to catch up on lost time. And can you blame them? They are father and son who have been separated since God knows when. It's best that they be left alone for the time being."-
Atop the roof, overlooking the activity that went on below, Cuchulain and Cunla sat together in silence. It was a rather odd situation for both of them. Now that Cunla had been revived, what was it that they were to say to one another? Cunla curled up like a ball, his knees touching his chin. Cuchulain could only look at his son, puzzled at what he was thinking. Finally, Cunla began to speak.
"Father…?" he uttered.
"Yes…?" Cuchulain asked.
"Tell me, was it fate that brought us together?"-
"Fate…?" Cuchulain paused for a moment. "I don't know what to believe anymore."
"Was it fate that caused you to strike me down as an enemy?"-
"Why would you ask such a question?"-
"Why was I given a second chance? Why was I allowed to live? I should have died back there. I should have died."-
"Don't talk that way." Cuchulain placed his arm around his son. "It might have been foreseen that you should have died, but it didn't happen. You were given a second chance to live."-
"I should have died, father, because I have broken my geise, all three of them. I was never to give in to any man, but I did. I was never to refuse a duel, but I have. I was never to give my name to any man, but I did. For defiling those points, my death should have been guaranteed."-
"But it wasn't." Cuchulain said. "You're alive because we wanted you alive. Don't talk as if you were doomed to die."
"I'm sorry…" Cunla uttered.
"I don't blame you, my son, but I blame and curse the geise that was bestowed upon you. When I was told that you would be born, I told your mother that I wanted a champion for an heir. Thus, I gave you the geise of a champion. You should never back down, you should never refuse a duel, and you should never reveal your name to anyone. But little did I know that by doing that, I only sealed your fate as being a doomed one. Therefore, it was my fault for giving such prohibitions to you."-
"Father…"-
"However, because you were denied death, you have been reborn to a new life. And as a new life, I will bestow upon you three new geises. One, you will follow your heart. Two, you will not be confined to any type of geise, karma, or fate. And three, you and you alone will decide your own destiny."-
"Father…"-
"From here on out, you are free to do whatever it is that you want, Cunla. Your fate is your own and no one else besides you will decide what path it will take. The only question is where will you go from here? Will you continue to fight for the Midnight Faction and realize the dream of a unified world under one grand super power, or will you find another path that does not require the eradication of entire peoples?" There was a silence between the two. Finally, Cunla began to speak again.
"I had promised myself that until I found you, I would serve the faction and follow their orders to the letter. I'd follow their philosophy, their ethical understanding of the world. But now that I have fulfilled that promise, I still have to fulfill my promise to you. I said that if I were ever given a second chance, I'd fight alongside you as a KH team member and learn all the philosophies and facts of life that you and the others have to offer. I have made my promise and I will stick to it." Cunla looked up at his father. "You gave me a second chance to live. And as a second chance, I have been given the opportunity to start all over again and find the correct path for me. And that path is with you."-
"You are wise for such a young age, Cunla. You must have had to learn some hard lessons to become so." Cuchulain then held his son close to his chest. Cunla rested his head on his father's bosom and smiled. "You're alive and that's all that matters to me…" Cunla's eyes became teary, thus he began to cry softly.
The two sat close together in a tight and tender embrace. And for the first time in their lives, both Cuchulain and Cunla felt complete. The Hound and his pup have finally been reunited.