All the Roads We Have to Walk: Chapter Twenty-Nine

Sora wasn't sure when everything had become calmer but as he lifted his head he was amazed to see the room he and Yuna were in still intact (albeit in an awful mess) and light was shining through the tiny porthole. He looked down and saw Yuna clutching his waist tightly with her eyes squeezed shut.

"Hey, Yuna, it's alright. We've stopped."

She opened her eyes. "Are you sure?"

"Definitely."

She pulled away as Sora got to his feet, grabbing Valefor before she stood up. Around them the ship was worryingly silent, only the odd echo of meaningless sound occasionally making itself audible.

"We have to get out of here and see where we are," Sora decided aloud. "I think we crashed near Halloween Town. I have to seal the Keyhole."

"But what about everyone else?"

"I dunno. I'm sure they're okay."

"What if they leave without us?"

"I don't think the ship is gonna be going anywhere anytime soon."

"So I'm gonna come with you?"

Sora nodded. "I won't leave you here alone."

The little girl looked somewhere between ecstatic and terrified. "I won't tell Tifa," she said, reaching out and taking Sora's hand again.

Sora chuckled. "We'll make sure Zidane and Barret don't tell her either. I think Tifa would want to dropkick me if she knew I was taking you with me."

"You don't think she'd be madder if you left me here all alone?"

Sora crouched down to Yuna's eye-level. He offered a reassuring smile. "I think this place is gonna be a little scary but I know you're really brave."

"Don't worry Sora, I'll protect you!"

He chuckled. "Thanks. Just stay close and don't run off."

"Gotcha."

"We'll try and get back to the ship's bridge but if we can't we'll just have to go and find the Keyhole."

The pair began making their way to the door, wading through the wreckage of Yuna's possessions as they went. The little girl bit her lip to keep the tears at bay, hugging Valefor even closer. They stepped into the hallway, the hull pockmarked with holes everywhere and Sora figured it probably wouldn't take much to turn one hole into a gap large enough to walk through. The floor was covered in glass and metal, not to mention doors that had ripped free and fallen into the corridor. It was quite the obstacle course.

"Sora! Yuna? Can you hear me?"

"Sora it's Zidane!" Yuna pulled in front of Sora, dragging his arm with her. "Zidane, Zidane! We're down here!"

"Great! I'm in the lift shaft. I need a hand opening the door."

"We're coming," Sora called back and together he and Yuna jogged, jumped and climbed their way back to the lift. Once there, (and after Yuna had safely placed Valefor on the floor) both took hold of a door each. "Okay we're opening the doors. On three Yuna. One, two, three!"

Neither door budged.

"Hey come on you two! I don't know how much longer this emergency ladder is gonna hold!"

"We're working on it. The doors are jammed."

"Oh I know!" Yuna released the door and held out her hands. A gentle breeze wrapped around her, white light shimmering around her tiny frame. "Might!"

A cascade of red washed over the pair, filling them with vast physical power. Grinning once her spell was woven, Yuna put her hands back on the door. "Let's do it!"

Sora ripped the lift door from its rails as if he were tearing paper, Yuna giggling as she followed suit. Zidane swung himself through the new gap, landing a perfect somersault. "How the hell did you do that?" he demanded.

"That was a wicked spell Yuna," Sora said, his grin broad as he tossed the door down the lift shaft. "How long does it last?"

"I don't know. I haven't used it in ages. I can't even remember who taught it to me."

"Well don't worry about that now. We've gotta seal the Keyhole ASAP. Barret's rallying the crew to get the ship up to it's most basic flying capabilities while we do what's gotta be done. The ships that shot us down haven't landed but it won't be long before they're here."

Sora looked again at the holes in the hull, cracking his knuckles thoughtfully. "I know a way out."

"Wait. I brought some bandages. You guys probably need some. Everyone else did."

Yuna and Sora shared a glance. "Oh it's okay Zidane. We're both fine huh Sora?"

"Yep. Not a scratch."

Zidane blinked. "For real? Jeez, how did you manage that? Everyone else is pretty bashed up." He raised his own left arm, his wrist wrapped up. "I got a deep gash somehow. We've got everything back up there from broken bones to concussions."

"Nasty," Sora said, heading for the biggest pockmark.

"Trust you to defy conventions."

"Hah, I try." Sora's fist slammed into the hull. He punched straight through it, reaching for the gap with his other hand to rip open an impromptu opening to the outside world. Once done, mist began seeping into the ship. Sora's hole opened up onto the graveyard although the tombs were barely visible, the shrouds of fog dense and heavy. "Okay, let's move."

"Wait. Before we go I'd better let the others know what we're doing." Zidane pulled a PHS from his pocket and within seconds he was talking to Barret. "Yeah it's me…Yup, I found them alive and well… Of course that's what we're off to do now… Yes she's coming with us. It's not like we can leave her down here alone. Just make sure Tifa never finds out… Yuki? Nah not seen him but we'll keep an eye out… I know… Yeah we'll call you if we get in trouble… I'm hardly looking forward to it but we'll manage… Yeah whatever. Uh huh, sure. Later." Zidane hung up and shoved the PHS back in his pocket. "Alright then Sora, time to go."

The three stepped out of the ship and into the grey, foggy cemetery. Sora took a moment to look up at the ship, seeing smoke rising from several areas and a worrying number of holes and dents. "Does Barret really think they're gonna get her to fly again?"

"Hell if I know," Zidane muttered.

"What will happen if the ship stays broken?" Yuna asked from Sora's side.

"Ah, don't worry about that. Barret and the others will sort something out I'm sure," Zidane said, forcing enthusiasm into his tone. "Anyway, which way Sora?"

Sora stared, trying to pierce the mist with his eyes. Occasionally the thick clouds would stir enough to reveal a grave or clear the way for distant sound to break the silence's grasp but for all he could tell they stood in a sky punctuated by the occasional tomb. There was something though. A feeling, maybe even a faint call. He took a step forward and the sensation strengthened. "This way," he called a little absently to Zidane and Yuna before carrying on, the mist around them so full of nothingness.

"Are you guessing?" Zidane demanded as he and Yuna hurried after Sora.

"No, it's a feeling."

"A feeling you're making a guess on?"

"No. There's something this way, I'm sure of it."

"Alrighty."

They continued through the mist, walking slowly to avoid tripping over things hidden in the murk. There was nothing to mark the passing of distance – the tombstones all looked identical. There was no point attempting to read the engravings. The mist seemed to have rubbed the words into gibberish smears.

Yuna held tightly to Sora, her feet occasionally getting tangled in the long grass. She kept rubbing her eyes. "I can't see properly."

"I know, I can't either. It feels like I've got clouds in my eyes," Sora chuckled. "I don't think I've ever seen anything so thick. It's like…"

"Soup? Oil? Blankets? Fluffy cotton?" Zidane listed, counting them off on his fingers.

"Got any more?"

"Sure. Let's see…" He fell quiet. "Actually…no."

The brief lull in conversation opened all ears for other sounds. Zidane stood still suddenly, tail twitching. Sora and Yuna drew to a standstill too. The thief held a hand up for quiet and no one spoke, they just listened and tried to hear something from beyond the silence.

Step. Drag. Step. Drag…

"What is that?" Yuna whispered. "Is someone out there?"

Sora turned and looked back, expecting to see someone from the ship approaching. Nothing. The mists curled around themselves as if stirred by a passing body but no one stood nearby.

Step. Drag. Step. Drag…

"Barret if that's you it is not funny!" Zidane yelled. "Same goes for anyone out there!"

"I can't see anyone," Sora said, squinting. "But I…"

Step. Drag. Step. Drag. Step. Drag.

"It's getting closer," Zidane said, coming to stand by Sora's side. "There's something out there."

Yuna clutched Valefor tightly. "Maybe it's the Heartless?"

."Come on," Sora said. "Let's get out of here."

The three began running, the footsteps loud and coming from everywhere. Nobody solid appeared, although an unexpected gate broke through. Zidane reached it first and threw it open, rust coming off in his hands as the gate screamed back on its hinges. Once Yuna and Sora were through, Zidane slammed it shut with unnecessary force.

"The mist stopped," Sora said.

"Huh?"

"The mist…it isn't here – it's stuck behind the gate in the graveyard."

"But it was here just a…" Zidane groaned. "I hate this place. I really hate it."

Yuna cocked her head. "'Cause it's weird?"

"No, because it's creepy."

The mist's disappearance revealed a bridge and a sickly green river Sora recognised. Another set of gates waited at the other side but beyond them Sora's eyes couldn't see. And yet he was certain he could sense something important up ahead. What was it? His feet stepped onto the bridge.

Step…

It wasn't as if he could hear a voice yelling 'It's here! Over here! Yeah, here's the Keyhole!' There was no curling in his stomach or pounding of his heart.

…Drag…

He just knew there was something up ahead – through the gate.

"Should we follow?"

"Yep, come on Yuna."

…Step…Drag…

"Sora let's move a little faster. There's something coming again."

Blinking, Sora looked back. He met Zidane's eyes only to have them shift to the gate.

…Step. Drag.

It opened. Metal shrieked, the mist pulling away rapidly and nothing stood there.

"Move!" Sora grabbed Zidane and Yuna and pushed them in front of him. "We've gotta get through the gate."

He followed them, running backwards. The mist swept away, great swathes being gathered up and tossed away. Nothing was there.

He could feel it. He had to run. They had to run and get out and get away.

Zidane hit the gate. He tugged it but the rust had fused the latch and it would not open. "Damn it!"

"Climb over it!"

"Sora, I can't reach!"

Silence. Everything beyond the three of them seemed nonexistent, watched from a muted perspective.

Sora gave Yuna a piggyback and he chased Zidane over the gate. He lifted his right foot but his left stayed low, low enough to be grabbed.

"Ah! Zidane! Something's got me!"

"There's nothing there."

Sora's hands began slipping. Yuna cried out and grabbed hold of the gate too, hoping maybe she could hold them both. Sora yanked his leg but it wouldn't be freed.

"Sora there's nothing there!"

"I'm still slipping!"

"Okay, okay." Zidane drew a dagger. "Sorry if this hurts."

He reached through the iron rungs and slowly traced the weapon's tip around Sora's leg, tearing jagged lines into the denim. Blood began to bead and drip but it never hit the ground. It pooled on something far higher off the ground, something that refused to be seen but was there none the less.

Sora's hands burnt as he was wrenched downwards. "Zidane!"

"I got it!" He stabbed the bloodstained space freeing Sora who instantly ripped his leg free and pulled himself and Yuna over the gate's summit.

The trio backed away, the huge solid black gate being violently shaken from the other side. Rust snowed down, the gate's hinges crying out under the strain.

A pause.

"This was a very bad idea," Zidane muttered.

"I'm starting to agree with you. Stay very close Yuna."

"Shouldn't we go back?"

"I don't think we're gonna get back through those gates."

Step. Drag. Step.

Sora turned, the odd emotion he felt binding itself closer to him. "Okay…that's different."

In place of Oogie Boogie's ruined manor was an exquisitely chilling mansion. It was at least as tall as Oogie's former lair but this new construct seemed fuller. More rooms meant more places for things to be hidden in…

Secrets behind dark doors tucked far away up long staircases.

Coloured a pale grey, the old house still managed to stand out from the grim cliffs surrounding it. The windows threw the outside image back at the air. The roof spire rose rigidly in to the air, surveying Halloween Town from its elegant height. A single door could be seen, encapsulated beneath a tired, decrepit awning.

Sora walked over the wooden bridge to the broken down garden, his friends far less eager to follow.

"I don't want to go in there," Yuna said, her little voice trembling.

"I'm sorry Yuna but we have to. I'm not leaving you out here alone."

"And we're not gonna let you go in there alone," Zidane said, taking hold of Yuna's hand and gently pulling her into the garden. "It'll be alright Yuna. Sora and I can fight and you're great with magic. No Heartless with half a brain cell is gonna take us on."

Sora stepped onto the awning, the deck beneath his feet groaning languidly, the sound bouncing off the cliffs and shooting into the air, getting even louder as Zidane and Yuna joined him. Sora reached the door. He summoned the Keyblade and kicked it open, surprised it swung without a peep. The three crossed the threshold with the utmost care. The hallway's end was lost to darkness, the meagre lamplight refusing to pierce it. The floor was covered in a thick red carpet, its pile swallowing their footsteps. Cobwebs clung to the once-cream ceiling and the walls – half mahogany and half maroon and cream wallpaper – were marred with long streaks of dust. Dotted up the lengthy hallway were odd pieces of furniture such as chairs, display cabinets and ornaments. All in all things had changed a lot since Sora's previous visit. He hadn't felt so ill at ease either – that strange feeling stronger now that he was in the house.

The door closed behind them with a soft click. Zidane experimentally gave the handle a turn but it didn't budge. "We're locked in."

Silence rang in their ears but sound never seemed far away. "I heard footsteps!" Yuna gasped, grabbing Sora's hand. "There's someone upstairs!"

All stopped and stood, listening intently. Yuna was right. The sound was faint and a long way away but nevertheless there they were. Slow and ponderous, someone was walking absently around and around and around in a short circuit.

When they faded away, they took the light with them.

"Come on, we better make a run for it," Zidane said. "We've gotta get out of this hallway."

They began running, their feet kicking up old dirt. Yuna tripped, her hand slipping out of Sora's as she hit the ground. Sora was quick to stop and turn back.

Yuna stayed on the floor, shaking. "I don't like this. I really don't like this! I wanna go!"

Sora lifted her to her feet, keeping a tighter hold on her hand. The little girl had squeezed her eyes shut and wouldn't open them. "Just hold on tight Yuna, I think we're almost there."

Hopefully he made a convincing liar.

In the rapidly failing light Sora caught a glimpse of Zidane's pale face. His expression was tight and deeply unnerved, the whiteness of his face the only hint of the effort it took for the thief to stay in control of his emotions. Sora stayed quiet, his own heart pounding loud enough for all to hear.

The light died.

Yuna wailed and Zidane made an odd, strangled gasp.

"Zidane?"

Nothing.

Yuna sobbed quietly and Sora tugged her close. "I want to go home!" she wept. "I don't like it here! It's cold and dark and there's something here but I don't know what. Oh please Sora, please! Let's go!"

"I know, I know you want to go but we can't, not without Zidane. I'm sorry." Sora squinted, trying to see something…anything. "Zidane where are you?"

Yuna's sobs became increasingly forlorn as the seconds then minutes ticked by without a single response. Sora edged forward, dragging Yuna with him. He reached out with his empty hand, groping for the wall to tell him where he was. But he couldn't find anything – the walls had leapt back, the corridor losing it's comforting limits and instead stretching on into eternity.

And the footsteps were getting louder.

"help"

Yuna dug her heels in, yanking Sora to a stop. "No, no, no!" Her words were choked, her tears verging on hysteria. "I won't move! We can go back to the ship and we can go get everyone else and then we can all kill the monster! I heard it! It's here! It's…"

And then Yuna's hand was gone, the little girl's sobs silenced.

"no don't leave me!"

Sora took a few steps back. His legs hit furniture and he fell back into a chair. Shivers ran madly up and down and up and down his spine. Some leapt into his ribs and pushed down into his lungs, each breath a laboured thing. Forcing himself to calm down, Sora got back up. Fear still skittered around him. He didn't know which way to go.

Footsteps. Again. They weren't his.

"Zidane? Yuna?"

Bad idea. They got faster.

A wisp of a wind eased around him. He took one, two, three, four blind steps. His foot his something of cold stone and he hit the ground. There was something out there. He could hear it breathing. The house moved with it, stretching out to confuse him only to rush back in and engulf him.

Engulf him.

Swallow him.

Wrap its arms around him.

Oh…

Oh please…

Please no…

"help me…please!"

"Who…who's there?" His mouth had never been so dry.

It pulled itself free of the shadows, a torn face with arms that were not bound by skin and bones. He couldn't run. Wherever he went, there was the face. It's arms reached out. He never ran into anything again but with every turn he found it. It found him. They found one another. The arms swathed him, wrenched him from his feet, pulled him in close.

Close.

Cold.

So cold.