All I want for Christmas is some Soriku,
Some Soriku,
Some Soriku -heart-
Yes, I'm totally in the Christmas spirit, which is funny, because this is literally the only day all month I've even felt like it's been close to Christmas XD But I suppose that comes from working for the biggest retailer in North America. My first Christmas season in retail. Good times...really. T-T
BUT! Being out of school offered me some time to work on this! :D So, I managed to finish this chapter, which was really kinda nice XD. I'm in the process of piecing the next one together, but it might take some time. Hopefully, I can get it together before class starts again.
LupinandHarry: I know. I love those boys. They're so cute. In a totally-brotherly sort of way, because I've never seen the appeal of Soxas. It's too...incest-ish.
mochiusagi: Yeah, well, when I started writing this, I didn't know that XD And for some reason, it slipped my mind when I gave the chapter its final passthrough before posting. But I fixed it! XD
Neko Ninja Hezza: Yeah, well, I was looking forward to posting it XD So I guess we're even. And I had so much fun writing that dream sequence. There was another one, originally, but I took it out 'cause I wasn't happy with it.
xYukii: As much as I would love to get Demyx and Zexion involved, I'm stretching it with both Axel and Naminé. I might write some Zemyx at another time, if I end up so inclined. But probably not in this timeline.
aniuwolfe: I love the gods and goddesses. Probably has something to do with my being a Latin student and a myth major in high school. I miss Latin. -chibi-
Hi Kitsune: I don't mind you stalking the story, certainly, just don't stalk me XD
inuliedelfenx: Addicted? XD I love it. And I love your spazzing on my not-so-cliffhanger XD Well, here's the second half of it. Have fun reading :) Hopefully this'll tide you over until my next update.
Hardcore KHfan: Well, I'm glad you found something that meets your needs, and that that something is mine :D If most of my stuff weren't tied into DCL, I'd totally be posting more of it on a regular basis. But, as it is, I can't until I finish this.
Just to repeat the warning-that-isn't-a-warning, this chapter bumps the rating to M. It might not be bumped quite yet by the time everyone finds this chapter, so I figured I might as well reiterate that, just so's the younger kiddies who might stumble upon it know better.
So, without further adieu, chapter 29! :D
That evening, Hercules offered them beds in the Coliseum's barracks for the duration of their stay. However, Kairi would have to stay in a separate compound with the rest of the women – Phil's orders. Meg assured them all that she'd keep a special eye on Kairi, and that the two of them would "have a regular girls' night". When Kairi seemed quite enthusiastic about the idea, everyone agreed and thanked the three of them.
Each of the others was given a single bunk in the barracks. They'd been split up into two groups; Riku, Roxas and Sora with the other mostly-human competitors, and Donald, Goofy and Mickey in another area. Again, an idea of Phil's; here on Olympus Coliseum, those who were humanoid were fairly suspicious of those that were not. All in all, there was only one single problem.
The beds were just not comfortable.
At least, Riku certainly didn't think so. He peered over the mound of bedcovers, looking at Sora, who was already sleeping soundly on his cot across the room. Roxas was a little harder to see, as the two of them were separated by one of the locals, a tall, broad-chested man with dark red-brown hair. Hercules' cousin, he recalled, although the name escaped him right then. Hercules had called him a king, but Sora had said he'd rejected the title, saying that "his people had no king; they ruled themselves." Whatever that meant.
Shifting, he finally found a position that didn't make him go stiff right away. Closing his eyes, he let himself drift, hoping that the steady breathing of those around him would help lull him to sleep. Slowly but surely, he felt sleep calling him.
He was suddenly very hot.
The feel of soft fabric against his knees and calves told him he was on all fours. Sweat drenched him, although it may not all have been his own, because he could feel a second body beneath him. He was already partway sheathed inside them, and without thinking he pushed deeper. A tiny whimper reached his ears from his partner's lips, and as he kissed and licked the back of the other's neck, tasting his sweat and feeling clumps of silken copper brush his face, he recognized the voice, and the form beneath him.
Sora.
Though hesitation flickered through him for a moment, it was banished when the younger teen's soft, breathless voice spoke his name. Shifting slightly, he withdrew with agonizing slowness before slamming back in again. This time, his response was a soft cry. Blindly, he remembered Sora's complete and utter lack of experience and whispered reassurances against the golden skin of his other's throat. A shudder rippled through them both, almost as if exploring before it returned to reverberate within the slighter form cupped against him. He set up a rhythm, tempering his need the tiniest bit to go easier on the brunet Keyblade Master.
Over and over he thrust, the friction and the heat building as he nipped, kissed, caressed and licked the skin beneath him. The muscles in Sora's shoulders stretched and contracted in time with him as the copper-haired teen began to push back, the almost inaudible gasps that left him feeding the building lust.
And then he was going faster, and faster, until there was barely a rhythm anymore, just the fire and the fog and the sparkling heat that fed both. Whispers of 'more', and 'harder', deeper and faster and-
He gasped for air, his eyes snapping open. His hands clenched in the sheets as his breath came to him in gulps, almost as if he'd been drowning in his sleep. He could still feel ghosts of hot skin, slick with sweat beneath his hands, and the brush of soft hair against his face.
'Shit. I was screwing Sora. In my dreams. God, it felt so real. Fuck, that is not fair.' Frustrated on several different levels, he raked his fingers through his hair, his breathing gradually slowing to a normal pace. It'd been the most vivid dream he'd ever had, even if he included the ones Xehanort's Heartless kept sending him. Somehow, it was more real. More...true to life.
Curious, he looked over at the brunet teen, wondering if somehow they had actually met in the world of dreams. Might be a little difficult to explain, but hey. They were in a world ruled by omnipotent gods that had fun toying with mortals. It could happen.
But no, Sora was still asleep, and if the way he slept was any indication, he most certainly was not with anyone in his dreams. From the look of things, he might crash cymbals in the younger teen's ears and he wouldn't stir. He envied Sora for his ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. At the rate he was going, he would be working on half-nights at best.
"The goddesses playing with you, boy?"
Startled by the sudden voice, Riku turned. Another one of the residents of the barracks, a golden blond with wavy hair, had sat up and was eyeing him curiously. Riku arched a brow. "What do you mean?" He asked.
"The goddesses. Sometimes, the ladies of Olympus will come down and lie with mortal men. Visit them in their dreams. Best dreams you'll ever have." He grinned a little. "Aphrodite herself does it more often than not, but every once in a while you can get Eos. One of the Muses, even."
'Do they ever masquerade as guys?' Was his first thought, but he knew better than to blurt that out. Although, now that he thought about it, he had to wonder. Did the gods of Olympus ever do the same? He...wasn't entirely certain whether he was comfortable with that idea or not.
Shaking his head dismissively, he turned away, curling up under the covers again. Would he return to the same dream? Would it be a different dream? Or would they have left him completely?
Somehow, the cot didn't seem quite so uncomfortable now.
Gently, his arm slid around Sora's waist, pulling the slighter teen closer. He was still breathing hard; they were so close that Riku could feel the tiniest hints of Sora's heartbeat through his back. Leaning forward, he pressed a soft kiss to the younger teen's temple. After a moment, their lips met when Sora turned his head.
"You okay?" Riku whispered. Still flushed, the brunet gave a tiny nod.
"Yeah." He replied, just as soft. "Just worn out."
The tiniest hint of a smirk touched the silver-haired teen's lips. "Not used to the exertion, hmm?" He teased. With a half-scowl, Sora pushed at him.
"You should know the answer to that." He replied. Laughing, Riku ruffled Sora's hair.
"I guess I do." He stroked the other teen's cheek with a gentle hand. There was quiet for a few minutes as Sora curled up in his arms, nuzzling close.
"Did you ever think this would happen, Riku?" He whispered after a moment. Riku blinked, canting his head slightly.
"What?"
"This. You and me. There was so much that happened, like something was trying to keep us apart. Was there ever a time when you just...wanted to give up?"
Silence reigned for a long time as Riku mused on that question. After a little while, Sora turned around in his arms, watching him as he thought. "Riku?" He called softly, wondering if he'd zoned out completely.
"On us? No." The older teen replied, after a long moment. "But letting you go that day was the hardest thing I ever had to do." Gently, he pressed his lips to the brunet's forehead.
With a bit of a sigh, Sora closed his eyes. "Sorry." He murmured. The silver-haired teen shook his head, threading his fingers through his lover's chestnut spikes.
"Don't apologize, Sora. It wasn't your fault. And I don't know that this would've happened if you hadn't reacted the way you did when I kissed you."
The brunet chuckled a little. "I guess I'm glad it happened, then." He replied.
"I'm glad it happened, too."
This time, when he woke, it wasn't with a start. It was almost like he'd drifted into consciousness, wafting from sleep into waking. He smiled; even if it wasn't real, it helped a lot. It was like actually unburdening himself to Sora (which was always quite effective, seeing as Sora was one of the most supportive people he knew).
It also made it feel like somehow, all this could work out someday. And that cheered him up quite a bit.
Glancing up, he saw pale, early-morning sunlight shining in through the windows. From the look of things, dawn had broken not long before. Everyone else would be stirring in a little while. No sense in going back to sleep.
He was relieved that he'd decided to stay awake when Phil suddenly appeared in the doorway an hour later and began to shout. Immediately, about half the residents of the barracks snapped awake and stared at the doorway with wide eyes. When they saw who it was, however, most of them rolled their eyes and pulled themselves to their feet. Riku felt his lips twitch in amusement when he looked over and saw that Sora had simply rolled over and covered his ears in his sleep. With a sigh, he stood, walking over and sitting on the side of Sora's bed. When he shook the brunet teen, half-lidded blue eyes peered up at him. "What?" The young sleeper moaned.
"Phil just gave us our wake-up call. I suggest you get out of bed before he decides to bang pots together in your ears. I don't think you'll fight well with a headache." Gently, Riku ruffled Sora's hair before he stood, walking away. It took a second more, but Sora finally sat up, rubbing his head.
"C'mon, Sora." Roxas called from the door. He scowled when Riku brushed past him, looking out at the silver-haired teen as he followed the others from the barracks.
A young boy, light-haired and brown-eyed, led them to the dining hall. When he saw Hercules, the boy ran forward. "Am I doing well?" He asked eagerly. Hercules chuckled.
"Yeah, Hylas. You're doing fine." He clapped a hand onto the kid's shoulder. "Now go on. Get a seat, the games start in an hour." Thrilled by the praise, Hylas practically skipped off in his glee, drawing amused smiles from everyone. When the young boy had left, Herc stood up straight, looking around at everyone.
"Come on, guys. Let's eat."
'Shit. Figures.'
Those who competed in the Games were given special seats in the arena. Front row. The calling for the matches was random, so all who participated had to stay in the arena until they were summoned and they fought their opponents.
Which meant that Riku was stuck watching when Sora was called to battle a sandy-haired warrior named Peleus in the first match of the preliminaries.
Damn fate...and the god that probably ruled it here.
At least this way he could watch, though. No one would wonder why he followed the brunet teen with his gaze, keeping an eye on him as if his watching alone could keep him from harm.
Not like anyone paid much attention to him when he wasn't fighting anyway. Most everyone around was glued to the ensuing match. Over with Meg and Kairi, there was a fair-haired woman with slightly blue skin who watched the battle with worried dark eyes...obviously Peleus' significant other.
Sitting nearby, however, was someone who was completely distracted from the match. A young man with light brown hair instead chose to stare like a lovesick schoolgirl at the only woman who'd been allowed to compete. She, of course, paid as little attention to him as he did to the battle in the arena.
Riku couldn't help but smirk slightly, watching the cow-eyed warrior out of the corner of his eye. The guy was a lost cause. It looked like the object of his affections wasn't going to be returning them any time soon.
Turning his attention back to the match, he saw that the brunet teen had been backed practically into the wall of the arena. Peleus, taller and more muscled, advanced on him warily. When he went to strike, Sora dropped, rolling beneath his arm, then bounced to his feet and slammed the Keyblade into the warrior's back, lightning-fast. With a pained growl, the Myrmidon leader whipped around and struck the Islander across the chest, knocking him back to the ground. Stunned only for a moment or two, Sora twisted in the sand, trying to knock Peleus' feet out from underneath him. The attack only barely connected, making him stumble, but not drop. He swiped at the young teen, but missed, wobbling back before he caught his balance. This gave Sora the chance to stand again unhindered.
Back and forth they traded blocks and blows, until Peleus managed to connect again with the Keyblade Master's shoulder. A yelp of pain left him as he twisted away, but the injury made the following counterstrike miss. The next impact connected with his side, knocking him into the wall. As the warrior advanced on him again, a desperate strike snapped out, meeting Peleus' face with a loud smack and knocking him to the sand senseless. He stayed there for several moments before Phil called a halt, declaring Sora the winner of the match. In a show of sportsmanship typical of the young Islander, he held out a hand to the Myrmidon, helping him to his feet.
"Good match." He declared, cheerfully shaking the hand he'd taken. Peleus nodded.
"Yes. Good match."
And with that, the blond warrior left the stadium. With a breath, Sora turned to walk back over to the stands, lowering himself into his seat before casting a Curaga on himself. The shallow cut in his shoulder knit itself, a soft red line still visible beneath the slice in the fabric.
Next was Theseus, up against a golden-blond with softly wavy hair; the same warrior Riku had talked to the night before. In the announcements, it was revealed that his name was Jason, from somewhere called Corinth. He didn't exactly pay much attention to the fight, really, except to note that Theseus won. He figured with all the love they were getting from the females in the crowd, as well as their own significant others across the stadium, he could get away with not bothering to watch.
In fact, he didn't pay much attention to the rest of the day either, barely noticing when Atalanta of Arcady proved herself adept at dodging Donald's magic, and Goofy's shield failed to make any headway against someone called Thyestes. The cow-eyed warrior went up against someone else, failing miserably in that attempt. The King's battle against a warrior by the name of Laertes held his attention for a time, but Mickey could handle himself. It was only when he heard his own name called that he managed to yank himself completely from his own thoughts – and damn, given last night, he rather liked it there – and concentrate, finding himself opposite a dark-haired man Phil identified as Priam of Troy. Though the man carried a large shield he imagined would be tough to get around, he made a conscious decision to not use magic.
If Sora could manage it, he certainly could.
His opponent lashed out with his sword, but Riku was built more lithely than he was, ducking away and around the strike so it passed harmlessly within a foot of his side. He spun as he did, slicing a shallow cut in the small of the other warrior's back. Priam flinched, and the counterattack he'd been meaning to use instead missed horribly, but he managed to jerk out of the way of another blow, giving himself a momentary reprieve. He swung again, but his balance was off somehow and he stumbled, the tip of his sword harmlessly striking the toe of Riku's shoe. Aiming an attack his way nearly came to grief when Priam rolled out of the way, forcing the silver-haired teen to move or risk burying the Way to the Dawn in his own leg.
A slice in his arm made him jerk away, looking down as blood began to well sluggishly in the cut. He struck back, but the Keyblade bounced back off the shield, rattling him slightly. He backed off, giving himself a moment to recover.
Priam's next attack hooked itself into the webbing on the Way to the Dawn instead of damaging him, but although the dark-haired warrior yanked on it, he couldn't quite pull it from Riku's hand. He unbalanced the teen, though, enough that when his next strike connected, it was minor damage. When Priam managed to hit him afterwards, it made him stumble. He steadied himself again for his next blow, which connected with the Trojan's shoulder.
Strike, block, strike, evade. Then finally the silver-haired Keybearer landed a hit that stunned the elder warrior for a good few seconds. He managed to pull himself to his feet just as Phil was coming to make sure he was down, but his counterattack missed. He was tiring. He stumbled trying to attack again, dropping to one knee, and finally raised a hand in defeat. A dark-haired, green-eyed woman ran out to embrace him, obviously figuring it was safe when Riku let the Way to the Dawn disappear and stepped back, letting him stand.
"You're quite skilled." He admitted, extending a friendly hand. "I would welcome the chance for us to fight again."
A smile tugged at the corner of Riku's mouth. It was always nice to see someone who lost graciously. "Sure." He replied. "Thanks. I needed a challenge."
Priam chuckled. "I suppose I should be grateful I managed even that." He turned to the woman at his side. "Hecuba, we should allow the matches to continue."
The dark-haired woman nodded, helping him out the doors and into the lobby. Considering, Riku instead decided to sink back into his seat, watching as Phil announced the last competitors of the day; Roxas and another warrior, Telamon of Salamis. In the end, the blond did well, although he must have been distracted by something, because he barely lost the match.
Dinner that evening was a social gathering, all the warriors in the same dining hall as breakfast, but joined by what the natives collectively referred to as 'the women', unlike that morning. The seven travellers all found themselves their own little table and laughed and chatted. The fare was very different from what the Islanders were used to; a lot of cheese and bread and salad, flavoured with a tangy oil. Although it earned them several odd looks, the boys stayed away from the wine offered at the table and stuck instead with juices and water. Mickey had himself a small cup, however, something that surprised them all.
"Man, I wouldn't've expected you to drink, King Mickey." Sora commented with a grin. The King wiggled his eyebrows, grinning himself.
"The trick is to enjoy it without overindulgin'." He explained. Then he winced. "I'll admit to have taken a time or two t'have learned that lesson."
Riku had to cough to keep from laughing. The idea of the King of Disney Castle drunk, or with a hangover, was privately hilarious. It was the same as imagining Sora having one too many; it was almost too laughable to think about.
The things you learned about people over a good meal.
Everyone else was still eating and making merry when the travellers decided to call it a night. Something told Sora they would be up for a while yet, what with the empty wine barrels some of the helpers were rolling out into the kitchen. Maybe getting some sleep would give them an advantage the next day.
Sora was lying on his back, his legs lifted so that his knees drew about level with his shoulders. A warm, wet mouth lowered to his chest, causing his back to arch and his breath to hitch. Looking down and closing his eyes, he buried his nose in a head of silver hair, scented faintly with sweat and sea air. A soft chuckle blew from his partner's lips, and he tore himself away from the brunet's chest to look up, meeting Sora's bright blue eyes with his island-ocean turquoise ones.
"Oh, God, Riku. Please, now." Sora's voice was a breathless gasp, the urgency clear when his fingers raked through the other teen's hair to pull them together. Riku smirked softly, making the kiss only long enough to taunt.
"If you insist, Sora."
The feeling of skin rubbing against his opening rocked Sora's personal heat up another ten degrees. "Riku!" He wailed softly. "Damn it, stop teasing me!"
Riku chuckled again, the laughter deeper and huskier in his throat. "I'm getting there." He whispered against Sora's lips. "Be patient."
"Patient?!" The young brunet managed to sound incredulous even while breathless, something that made Riku laugh again.
"Sora, you're such a virgin." He teased. Leaning close, he nipped Sora's earlobe gently, drawing another gasp from the Keyblade Master. "I don't mind that, though. I find it satisfying to know that I'm the only one who's ever touched you." Fingertips feathered down Sora's chest. This time, one hand dropped lower...lower...and-
Any coherent thought Sora had a grip on at that moment completely melted when that hand gently tightened around him. Just that touch drove him so close to the edge that he squirmed, trying to push that last little bit. And then he felt another touch and discovered there was a level beyond where he'd already been, arching higher and farther than ever.
His hands clenched into fists, crushing handfuls of the bedcovers in his fingers at that first painful inch. When he whimpered his discomfort, Riku hushed him with a gentle kiss and soft, whispered reassurances. "It's okay. Relax."
The feeling of warm breath in his hair soothed him a little, making it easier to let some of his tension go. As if by magic, the pain lessened. Soon he was gasping again, his hands gripping Riku's shoulders instead of the bed beneath him. He shifted, trying to push them together even more.
Riku laughed again, shifting at the same time. "No, no. Let me." He requested. Leaning close, he caught Sora's gaze with his own just as he took another inch. "I like to watch your eyes." He admitted, pressing a gentle kiss to the brunet's nose. "They've darkened...did you know that?"
"Don't care. Now, please."
A flashing grin touched the silver-haired teen's lips, and the resulting pull of lust had Sora dragging him close for another kiss. "Riku, please. Now." He whispered.
And when they slid together, he realized they had far greater heights to reach.
With a gasp, Sora jerked awake. The darkness of the barracks greeted him, pressing in around him until he felt the need to fling the blankets off and sit up. Deep breaths helped to slow the pounding of his heart and aided in cooling him off, but didn't do anything to stop the tremor in his hands or the slight hitch in his breathing.
Gritting his teeth, he dragged the rest of the covers off and stood, the stone of the floor cold beneath his feet. Padding past the rows of cots, he walked out the back door of the building. Earlier, he'd seen a trough back here, like the kind farms filled with water for animals to drink.
The water was cold, he found, sinking to his knees beside the stone basin. He splashed some on his face and neck, washing away the sweat the dream had left. Pretty soon he was thoroughly awake and shivering, as the chill summer air ate through the light t-shirt and pyjama pants he wore. Goosebumps rose on his skin, but he didn't feel inclined to go back into the warmth of the barracks just yet.
'Okay.' He thought. 'There's someone up on Olympus who's picked up on...things...and is now having fun with us. As if we weren't distracted enough already.'
"Sora?"
He looked up. A slim figure in a long white dress looked back at him, violet eyes glinting dimly in the moonlight. Obviously woken from sleep just as he'd been, Meg had her hair down from its usual high ponytail and bound back in a braid, with several loose, springy curls framing her face. "Kiddo, what are you doing up so late?" She asked softly, coming over and kneeling by the trough. Looking back down at the rippling water, Sora sighed a little.
"My dreams woke me up." He admitted. Meg arched a brow.
"Bad?"
The brunet couldn't help but laugh. "No." He replied, stirring the water gently with a finger. "What about you? Why are you up?"
"Ah, don't worry about me. I'll be okay. You, on the other hand, don't look so okay." A gentle hand ruffled Sora's hair. "You need someone to talk to?"
There was silence for some time as Sora tried to decide and Meg stayed quiet to let him think. Finally, he sighed again, resting his forehead on his crossed arms.
"Have you ever been really into someone, and they were really into you, but you didn't want to show it? For...for some reason or another?"
"Oh dear." Meg chuckled. "Love problems." She canted her head slightly. "Is that what your dreams were about tonight?" The scarlet blush that spread far enough to touch the teen's ears gave her all the answer she needed. "I'm really not the girl to talk to, but I'll give you what advice I can." Gently, she tugged on Sora's chin until he was looking at her. "Don't waste your life pining. If there's hope, hang onto it, but if you're going to have to hide it forever, then let it go. Nothing is worth that kind of stress."
A tiny, watery smile touched Sora's features. "You're not insisting that I 'don't ever give up!'?" He asked. With a grin, Meg shook her head.
"Nah. I'm more practical than that." She replied. "The other Coliseum ladies can walk around with stars in their eyes and hearts on the brain. I know better." She let go of Sora's chin, standing. "You'd better go to sleep, kid. You've got another match in the morning."
Sora nodded. "I will. Thanks, Meg."
"Always a pleasure, Sora."
She walked away, leaving him to his thoughts. He stared into the water, pensive for a few minutes more before he stood and walked back into the barracks.
As he curled back up under the covers of his cot, Sora couldn't help but glance at the silver-haired teen across the aisle. Riku was turned towards the wall, laying on his front with his arms draped over his pillow. This had the effect of accenting the powerful muscles in his shoulders and arms, for all to see.
Sora's fingers twitched slightly, as if imagining how it would feel to stroke down those arms. Once he realized it, though, he sighed ruefully, turning his back to the sleeping teen.
Hopefully, he would have no more dreams tonight.
These nightly imaginings were truly beginning to irritate Riku. They were fine – in fact, they were pretty damn enjoyable – when they stayed in his subconscious where they belonged, but when they decided to make their presence known during the daytime, it was irritating and could be dangerous. Just today, Jason, the fair-haired combatant from Corinth, had taken advantage of a flashback to the previous night's dream and very nearly knocked him out with the flat of his sword in the middle of their match earlier. Luckily, it was only Riku's first loss, and Jason had been soundly trounced the day before by Theseus. Thus, the silver-haired Keybearer was not out of the running. He just needed to keep his wits for another match or two... then they could finish this stupid thing and leave.
Man, he was looking forward to their next visit to Radiant Garden. It meant that they could rest and regroup, and talk to Merlin about the rest of the keys before they went off searching again.
How could they possibly have been to nearly a dozen worlds and still have only found four keys? It was mind-boggling. No wonder none of the other Keybearers had been able to locate all ten keys. It was maddening to think that finding them all could take months. Just that thought made him contemplate giving up, although he banished the idea immediately. He couldn't possibly do that.
'Why not?' A voice within suggested. 'You're probably right, Riku. If this quest were possible, someone would have done it already, wouldn't they?'
The voice made him scowl openly. 'I didn't realize you'd become the personification of my negativity.' He hissed back. Within him, Ansem laughed.
'Only a fool would pass up the chance to needle you, Riku. It's so easily accomplished.'
'Sit and stew where I can't hear you, Ansem.' He spat. 'I don't need you whispering at me."
"Riku? Are you okay?"
Xehanort's Heartless disappeared so quickly that his vanishing almost left a vacuum. His sudden departure caught Riku off-guard, and he shook his head before meeting Kairi's concerned gaze. "Mostly."
Her eyes narrowed and her mouth opened to speak when suddenly a commotion from the Coliseum interrupted them. Both flashing to the same possibility – that Sora could be involved and that he might need their help – spurred them back into the stadium.
To Riku's relief – and Kairi's, he imagined – Sora wasn't a part of the turmoil they'd heard. He stood by, though, looking troubled as Hercules waded in between two fighters who had thrown down their weapons and resorted to blows. Tapping into his god-strength, Hercules pulled the two of them apart, holding them away from each other.
"What happened?" The great hero demanded. One of the fighters answered; the elder and slightly taller, with a black eye and a split lip.
"He just suddenly went after me." He spat. "Just threw away all the rules of civilized combat and used his fists."
"Civilized?!" The other struggled in Herc's grip, fighting to get at his opponent. "Fine thing for you to talk about civilized, Atreus, when you murdered your own nephews!"
Atreus glared at him. "If you hadn't stolen my wife, Thyestes, I wouldn't have had any reason to harm your children."
"I didn't roast her up and feed her to you, now did I?!"
"Okay, okay." Hercules grabbed them both again as they lunged for each other. "That's enough. Come on, let's take this someplace more private."
There was silence in the arena as Hercules directed the two of them out the doors and into the lobby of the Coliseum, but the moment the great hero left, everyone began to chatter. Sora came over to the two of them, looking rather disturbed.
"Did he just say something about eating people?" He asked, eyes wide.
"It sounded like it." Riku shrugged. "But to be perfectly honest, I'm not surprised. I don't think all the people here are completely sane."
Phil got up on his little announcer's box and shouted for quiet. "Our next competitors will be Roxas and Goofy." He read off the wax tablet in his hands. "All other competitors and spectators are asked to sit in their seats again. We'll give an announcement on the previous match when we've decided what's going on."
Obviously bothered by this turn of events, Sora sat absently. "Is it just me, or does this place suddenly have really bad luck?" He asked. "This is supposed to be a friendly competition, and now people are going at it like they want to kill each other?"
Riku shook his head. "Maybe not everyone saw it as a chance to prove their skills." He commented quietly. "Maybe some of them thought it was a good way to get rid of someone they disliked and make it seem like an accident."
The Keyblade Master made a face. "Why would someone do that?" He wondered aloud, watching as Roxas and Goofy clashed, shield on Keyblade. He saw Riku give another shrug out of the corner of his eye.
"Some people feel they have the right."
Sitting back, Sora folded his arms over his chest. "I really don't get it." He sighed gustily. "I don't know if I ever will."
"Don't expect to, Sora." The silver-haired teen advised. "I don't think anyone does."
They fell silent, watching the matches. Roxas finally beat Goofy, after some interesting shieldwork on the dog-soldier's part. Sora couldn't help grinning and calling something after him about 'using those on the Heartless next time!' He grinned back and waved over his shoulder as they left the arena.
Everyone was expecting the next match callings, but were relieved to hear Phil and Hercules' decision on the earlier fight. "Both Atreus and Thyestes will continue competing in the tournament, although they will no longer be fighting each other." Phil sounded solemn. "Our next competitors will be the Prince Telamon and Donald."
The rest of the matches seemed to follow in suit. After Telamon kicked Donald out of the running, Sora took on Prince Priam, narrowly pulling a victory out. Laertes and Peleus also clashed, the Ithacan king advancing to the next round. Theseus fought and just barely beat King Mickey to round out the day.
Walking out of the Coliseum, Sora looked up just as the stars began to come out. He grinned, remembering looking up into the same sky to see the constellation Hercules' father Zeus had made of him and Donald and Goofy. He tried to pick it out, but not enough stars were visible in the early twilight.
He turned to go back inside, but caught sight of someone slinking away from the Coliseum through the trees. His eyes narrowed; who could that be?
He crept towards the retreating figure, curious and a little wary. Realizing whoever it was probably wanted to be left alone, he stuck to the deepening shadows, watching as the figure approached the shade beneath a tree. Red-violet eyes peered out from the depths of the darkness.
"Isn't it wonderful to revenge yourself on your brother this way?" The figure in the darkness was obviously a woman, though her voice had an odd tone to it that made Sora want to block it out with his hands. The man who had snuck out to meet her – one of the brothers that had fought earlier...Thyestes, right? – nodded, though the motion seemed oddly heavy, like he was sleepwalking. Sora's eyes narrowed; was she influencing him somehow? Like, hypnosis or something?
"The bastard shall pay for my suffering, and that of my children."
Just the way he spoke, dreamlike, convinced Sora that there was something more going on here than just a conversation. Especially when the woman spoke again.
"Good." She cooed, as if to a child, and the softening of her voice made the Keybearer relax momentarily before he realized what he was doing. 'It's probably a goddess of some sort.' He decided. 'With that sort of power, I don't think it could be anyone else.'
She must have beckoned, because Thyestes suddenly plodded forward, towards a shadow in the trees, with one hand outstretched. A small clay bottle dropped into his hand. "If you sneak this into his meal this evening, you shall be rid of him for good." The woman told him, making Sora's blood run cold. There was a sigh, like the wind, and suddenly Thyestes collapsed. Fighting against his usual reaction to seeing someone drop like that, the brunet backed off, hurrying back into the Coliseum.
He needed to warn Hercules, and probably Thyestes' brother as well. Someone was interfering in the competition, and they didn't mind using mortals to do it. Or killing those mortals, either.
Herc was in the weight room when Sora finally tracked him down, easily lifting slabs of stone that each weighed probably twice as much as the young Islander did. He goggled at that for a second or two before shaking off his amazement. "Hey, Herc?"
He'd startled the hero, because Hercules stumbled a little, fighting to set down the stone instead of dropping it in surprise. "Hey, Sora." He puffed, finally managing to relieve himself of his burden without breaking it or shaking the ground in the process. "What's up?"
The brunet's brows knit slightly as he looked back, towards the Coliseum proper. "I think we've got a problem. Someone's influencing the heroes in the Coliseum to actually hurt each other. Maybe...maybe even kill each other."
Herc's eyes narrowed. "You sure? Who would do that?"
When Sora explained, about the woman he supposed was a goddess and her conversation with Thyestes, Hercules suddenly went very grave. "I think I might know who the problem is." He admitted. "But I'm gonna need to talk with Zeus to make sure. Can you warn Phil? Talk to Theseus, too; he's too smart to fall for a deception like that. If anything happens that Phil can't handle, Theseus can." He laid a hand on Sora's shoulder. "Watch out for your friends, too. If it's who I'm thinking of, she might be working on them, too."
Sora started in surprise at that. "But- but we're not from-"
"That might not matter. Remember, Sora, you're dealing with gods." Turning away, Hercules pulled open the second door. "Be careful. If you mess up her plans, she might look to get rid of you."
And without waiting for the Keybearer's reply, he left the room.
Deep in thought, Sora left too, heading for the dining hall. It wasn't until he'd gone several paces that he realized he hadn't mentioned the vial.
And everyone was eating at the moment. Hadn't the voice told Thyestes to put it in Atreus' 'next meal'?
He took off running, nearly overshooting a few corners in the process. His heart sank when he reached the hall to find everyone had already been served; was he too late? Hoping not, he hurried over to Roxas, Donald and Kairi, who were closest. "Guys, do you know where Atreus and Thyestes are? The brothers who were fighting earlier." He clarified, when they blinked at him in confusion. All three exchanged glances, then looked across the table at Riku, King Mickey and Goofy, who had also stopped eating and looked up at him curiously. Goofy looked around.
"Uh, I think they're over there, Sora." He pointed. "Why?"
Looking off in that direction, the Keyblade Master saw that Goofy's intuition was right, as it often was. The brothers sat at another table, farther down, across from each other and looking as if they were trying to make amends. He waved a hand. "It's no big deal." He muttered, distracted. Had Thyestes already done it? Or had their seemingly-amicable moods delayed that course of action for now? "Just stay here. I need to talk to them."
Making his way between the tables, he rounded the end and moved towards the two brothers, not noticing that both Riku and Roxas had stood to follow him. As he approached, he could hear Atreus complain of the heat, snapping irritably at his brother.
"Perhaps a walk would help?" The younger Mycenaean suggested, levering himself to his feet. It was only then he noticed the brunet Keybearer's approach, arching a brow his way. "Do you wish to speak with either of us, young one? My brother isn't at his best at the moment, perhaps it could wait another time?"
"I know he isn't. We should probably get him to one of the gods, just in case." He moved forward, gently slipping an arm around Atreus' waist when the warrior wavered. His skin was cool and clammy.
Thyestes' eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about, young one?"
"My name is Sora." He could feel the hero he supported weaken, in an odd, detached way, and it worried him. With his free hand, he pulled out a Potion, hoping that the healing drink could at least slow the effects of the poison or whatever it had been until he could get Atreus to one of the gods. "And you know exactly what I'm talking about, so don't say things like that."
Some of the Mycenaean's weight lifted off his shoulders, and he blinked in surprise. Roxas had ducked under Atreus' other arm. "Where are we going?" He asked. Sora shook his head.
"I don't know. One of the gods should be able to help...Apollo, maybe? He seemed like a good guy...maybe he can do something. I don't know where we'd find him, though."
"There's a shrine to Apollo inside the Coliseum." One of the other competitors who had been sitting nearby came to help; Laertes, king of the island of Ithaca, Sora recalled after a second or two of thought. He rattled off directions, then watched as the boys hurried away, leaving the rest of the competitors to wonder.
"The child must be hallucinating. What could I have possibly done to my brother to make him react in such a way?" Thyestes shrugged. Riku shot him a look.
"Sora doesn't accuse anyone of anything without proof. He's smarter than that." Although he, too, wondered what exactly Sora meant, he knew better than to doubt the brunet. He'd explain once everything had calmed down.
"Let me rest."
"Uh-uh." Sora shook his head. "We need to get you to Apollo. He'll know what to do with you."
Roxas arched a brow. "Sora, how do you even know what's wrong?"
"He's been eavesdropping, the naughty boy."
Sora froze. Ahead, in the shadows, stood the same angular shadow he'd seen beneath the trees where Thyestes had gone. Red-violet eyes peered out at him, long and thin. "Who are you, and why are you manipulating the heroes in the Coliseum?!" He demanded, deciding that he'd rather know that than the goddess' identity, for now.
"My employer wishes it." The shadow moved in such a way that it seemed like she shrugged. "I'm to make sure Hercules doesn't get himself killed in these miserable games. Now, won't you let me do my job?"
The Keyblade Master scowled. "Not if it means you're killing people." He retorted. "Unless your employer is Hades, I don't think they'd want that."
"Hades?" A scoff. "We haven't seen hide nor hair of his Underworldly Lowness since your last visit, Keybearer. No, I work for the Queen of the Heavens. And she has given me free reign to do whatever I wish, so long as Hercules is unharmed."
Roxas' blue eyes narrowed. "The Queen of the Heavens?"
"You mean Hera? Hercules' mom?" Sora blinked in surprise. "Why would she do something like that?"
"Why would she care for any of the others? Hercules is her own flesh and blood." The goddess shrugged again. Those eyes glinted in the darkness. "And now, Keybearer, you shall have to decide: will you allow me to work as I have been, or will you try to circumvent the will of Hera?"
The Keyblade Master hesitated. He'd taken on Hades, but he'd needed Hercules' help to do it, and all the rest of the gods of Olympus had been against the Lord of the Dead at the time, so far as he'd known. True, he had more firepower on his side than he'd had against Hades, but that wasn't the point. He wasn't supposed to be interfering in the natural course of a world if the Heartless weren't involved. What if Atreus was supposed to die here?
He didn't exactly like that idea.
"Eris!"
The familiar voice came from behind the group, and Sora blew out a relieved breath. Hercules would know what to do. A hand came down heavily on his shoulder. "Sora, you and Roxas get Atreus to Apollo." The great hero murmured. "I'll take care of this."
The Keybearer began to help Roxas drag Atreus towards the shrine again, but a sudden wave of cold wrapped itself around his legs, freezing him in place. He toppled with a yelp of surprise, letting the Mycenaean drop heavily to the stone floor. The warrior didn't move afterward.
"I will not allow even you, Hercules, to interfere with my work." Eris snarled. "Atreus has required a lesson for some time."
"His time hasn't come yet, Eris." Hercules shook his head. "The Fates have said that one of his descendants will repent his sins. He isn't meant to die now! If Zeus himself can't go against fate, you certainly can't!"
The goddess' nails bared, long, thin, and sharp as needles. "Watch me try!"
She lunged for Hercules, but he managed to deflect her, sending her reeling. He planted a fist in the centre of her back, a shriek leaping from her lips at the impact. Furious, she spun, trying to hook him with her claws again as Sora scrambled to his feet, drawing the Keyblade. He managed to catch her in the back, the way Herc had only moments before. Obviously not a fighter, it took Eris long seconds to orient herself so she had a good eye on each of them.
She was distracted enough from Roxas that he managed to pull himself to his feet, dragging Atreus along with him. Sora was right; there was something dreadfully wrong with the Mycenaean warrior. He hadn't even stirred after hitting the floor. They had to get him to Apollo as soon as they could.
He heard Eris shriek in anger again as someone countered her blows and shook his head. Sora could handle himself, for now. He had the time to take care of Atreus. Luckily, the shrine was only just around the corner, and when he reached it, he saw the shining music god waiting for them, golden brows furrowed in worry.
"I will care for him, Roxas." He reassured the teen. "You must return to assist the Keybearer and Hercules." A familiar shout of pain startled them both. "Hurry. They will require your assistance."
Cold washed over the young blond when he returned to find Eris had thrown Sora into one of the walls, the Keyblade Master struggling back to his feet, clutching at his belly. A whirlwind of green circled him, allowing him to straighten and draw his weapon again before going after her, slicing a deep gash down her torso in his anger. She twisted out of the way of the next blow – Roxas' first – with astonishing speed, reminding everyone again that she was indeed a goddess and not human. Her counter was fierce, raking Roxas across the face with all four nails on one hand. He yelped in surprise.
Herc swung at her again, but she dodged, smaller and more lithe than he. But avoiding his blow put her in range of Sora's Keyblade, which struck the dead centre of her back, sending her toppling. She tried to gain her feet again and failed, crumpling to the floor.
Roxas stepped forward, putting the edge of Essence of Turmoil to her throat. "Anything you have to say?" He inquired coldly. She glared up at him, red-violet eyes narrowed in fury.
"Certainly not to you, mortal."
"Stop!"
The three fighters looked up in surprise, as did Eris. A tall, thin blonde approached, dressed in sparkling pink robes, her skin a paler hue than the garments. Hercules immediately backed off, and seeing him, Sora and Roxas did too, letting their Keyblades disappear. Eris scrambled to her feet, but a word from the newcomer stopped her from fleeing.
"Mom." Hercules walked up to her, taking her hand. "You didn't really hire Eris to mess with the Games, did you?"
Her eyes lowered. "I did. But she has obviously taken it much too far." Her bright blues shot an acid look at Eris, who scowled right back at her. "I've come to help set things right."
"If you had the spine, Hera, we could have done it ourselves." The Goddess of Discord snapped. "The last thing this world needs is another batch of heroes."
The Queen of the Gods snapped out a hand, pointing one slim finger off into the distance. Eris obviously recognized the gesture as the dismissal it was and slunk off into the shadows, disappearing. When she'd vanished, Hera turned her gaze on Roxas and Sora. "How is Atreus?"
Sora turned to look at him too, as the blond nodded. "I got him to Apollo. Apollo said he'd be all right."
"Good." Hera nodded. "He has a part to play yet." With a sigh, she shook her head. "I insist, Keybearer, that you and your companion return to the evening meal. I need a word with my son yet, but there is no reason for you to be kept from your repast."
Still a little unsure, Sora shot a look at Hercules. The Olympian hero nodded an assent. "Go on. I'll be along soon."
With a shrug, the Keyblade Master complied, tugging Roxas back to the dining hall to give Hera and Hercules a moment to talk.
"It's too bad you kids couldn't play out the whole tournament. We coulda made some real competitors outta you."
"Whaddaya mean, real competitors?!" Donald squawked, rather irritated that he'd missed out on the whole of last night's fight. "We're heroes!"
One of Phil's brows arched sardonically. "You, Goofy and Sora may be, although I still have my doubts." He replied. "And Roxas is close, 'cause I remember a couple training sessions he stole out from under my nose last year-"
"You do remember!" Roxas cried, as everyone turned to look at him in surprise. He reddened a little, realizing just how loud that had been. "The Organization sent me to gather intel on this place. Xigbar told me that joining Phil's training would help me do that." He admitted sheepishly. "I didn't really mean to do it...it just kinda happened."
"But everyone else still hasn't proved their worth yet." The satyr folded his arms. "So youse guys gotta come back, you hear?"
Meg chuckled. "Don't let the boys keep you from coming back too." She advised Kairi, who giggled, shaking her head. "You're just as welcome as they are."
"She won't." Riku's voice was wry. "In fact, she'll probably badger us into coming back."
She nudged his ribs. "Nice to know you'll let me."
Sora had to chuckle. "She's not the only one." He admitted. "We'll be back; don't worry. Even if it's just to check in."
Hercules nodded. "We'll keep an eye out while you're gone. Eris can be a little..." He searched for a word for a second, managing to come up with, "...vindictive. I doubt she'll slink off into the sunset after this."
The Keyblade Master shot him a thumbs-up. "Just give us a yell if you need us. I'm sure someone here can get in touch with us somehow."
Herc grinned. "Thanks, Sora, everyone. We'll see you again."
So, like I said, I'm not sure when I'll be able to update again, but I'll keep working when I can. Hope I can get you guys something soon.
Love,
Ivy J.
