How Far We've Gone, Still More To Go

Riku was pretty sure they were taking him to a new dungeon to die. There's no way that Xehanort will let this slide, especially because his precious captured oracle has been set free. So, as Xehanort's men bring Riku down to a lower dungeon he wasn't aware existed, he prepares to greet death while praying to any god that would listen to keep his old friends safe. The underground is dark, and as they cross a doorway's threshold, they come into a room that looks more like a deranged doctor's office than a jailing house. Riku's confused and very unsettled. Despite this, he keeps a brave face and a fierce glare as he's brought before the tyrant himself.

Xehanort smirks at him lightly, "Such a shame it had to come to this, but I suppose this is for the best. Your betrayal has given you the honor to be the first to test out a new weapon of my own design."

Riku says nothing, not going to give Xehanort the satisfaction. The old man stands from the chair he's been sitting in and the soldiers force Riku over to a table in the center of the room, with thick straps hanging off the ends. They push Riku onto the table and strap him down as Xehanort walks over to him. Riku grunts softly, glaring up at all of them. If he thought he actually had a chance to escape, he might have tried. But hope is something Riku hasn't thought about in a long time, still a sliver remains. Sparked by seeing his friends, by hearing them call for his help. A piece of him that refuses to die, even now. Riku tries not to cling to this, the hope of seeing them again and things could somehow be different. He tries not to, but hope is a dangerous thing to a dying man.

Sora walks along behind Terra and Aqua, dragging his feet and staring at the ground, listening to the soft chitter of crickets in the night. The sound of the wind as it blows all around them, running through his hair. How did everything get like this? Sora wonders, afraid and scared, but also angry because everything that's happened is because of him. Because he's supposed to be special, but he's really just a little boy. How can I possibly save everyone when I can't even keep a hold of my friends? How am I supposed to live up to what everyone says I'm supposed to be, when I don't have the power to protect even myself? Why did all of this have to fall to me? I can't do this, I can't do anything without my friends. I'm nothing without them.

They come to a stop as a city comes into view. Aqua looks to Terra, "You're sure this is the place?"

Terra nods, "One of the Master's old friends lives here. If anyone's going to be able to help us, it'll be him."

Aqua nods slowly, looking thoughtful, "Alright. Let's hurry then, the less we're out in the open, the better."

They continue on and Sora follows in silence. He's curious, sure, but there's just too much plaguing the forefront of his mind for him to focus on anything else. Kairi.. Riku.. I hope you guys are okay. He looks up at the bright moon that's shining down on him, I'll get you both back somehow.. I promise. He sighs and looks down at the sigil on his hand, frowning. This damn mark that sealed not only his fate, but the fate of everyone he loves. He hates it more than anything. He doesn't want to be special, he just wants to protect those that matter to him, that showed he matters to them. I have to get them back, I have to.

Sora clears his throat, stepping up to Aqua, "Who are we coming here to talk to?"

Aqua smiles down at him, "An old friend, he goes by the name Ansem the Wise."

"He can help us?" Sora asks.

"We'll see," Terra replies.

It doesn't take much longer to get into the city, though they have to avoid a few guards on the way, as Xehanort's order to find a key-bearing child is still in affect.

"Where are we going?" Sora whispers, looking around wearily.

"Not too much further," Terra whispers back, glancing around before continuing through the streets. The shield of night helps hide them as they make they're way to a mansion near the center of town. Sora stops, eyes widening, "The Square is full of guards, we can't possibly get to that house undetected.."

Terra looks back at Aqua, "You were always better at magic than me."

Aqua blinks, "Hm, true. What do you want me to do?"

Sora looks between them, then back at their new destination. Too much open ground, they have to cross the Square to get to the mansion. He takes a worried breath. What can we do?

Kairi walks along beside Eraqus, Namine leading them because her Seeing Eye lets her know where Sora and the others have gone. They walk in silence, Kairi uses her healing magic bits at a time to take the pain from Eraqus' hand, as he's still inflicted with the shackles around his wrists that cannot be removed without someone else using a Keyblade on it. So they continue to walk in silence, Kairi keeps her head down. She can tell the Oracle is still very angry with her, and she doesn't know what to do. She couldn't just leave them there to die, no matter what Namine had said. Kairi's just not that kind of person, too selfless for her own good.

Namine knows this, too of course. But it doesn't change the fact that she has a role to play, and must make sure it plays to the exact angle. The future is a fickle thing, so quick to change, too quick to lock you out of the one you need so desperately. So now Namine must make some corrections in order to make sure things go in their favor. She was never one to mess with what she was shown, but that doesn't mean she doesn't know how it all works, how to bring certain lines to cross, give extra chances. Namine's smart, she knows exactly why Xehanort wanted her, and it wasn't just because she can see the future that could destroy him. She can give Sora everything he needs in order to ensure the dark king's downfall. Though now it just might take the lives of everyone he knows to do it.