Chapter Thirty One: Pressure

Marluxia and Lexaus moved down towards Castle Oblivion's depths. At this point, Marluxia regretted not remembering the precise location of Vexen's lab. Lexeaus insisted that they find him before leaving Castle Oblivion for good, no doubt because of their shared history. Even as he refused to elaborate further on what exactly his 'fear' was.

But he at least had sense about one thing.

"And what about the keyblade wielders?"

"Leave them. We must fend for ourselves."

At the very least, Lexeaus understood what was truly important here.

Riku groaned from his sleeping bag as he stared into the illusory sky of Halloween Town. Safe spots to rest in these fake worlds wasn't something he liked to rely on. Mainly because finding them was like trying to draw one lucky card from a full deck. But the minute he found one after defeating a fake Oogie Boogie, Riku didn't hesitate to set up camp, he wanted all the strength he could muster for what was coming next.

And yet he could find no rest, as Exon's words haunted his attempts to sleep.

"Make it through this floor, and you'll get one last chance to keep your power."

Frustrated, Riku flung open the bag with a groan and ran hand through his hair. He had done so much to try and master the power of darkness. All to satisfy his own selfish desires and his ego. Even if he had the courage to face Sora and Kairi again, the rot of his mistakes still clung to him. And now that the darkness was all he had to stay alive, it might all be taken away to leave Riku with nothing. It all seemed like a long running bad joke.

Standing up, Riku resigned himself to facing what was coming alone. All he had besides himself was the connection with King Mickey. Potent to be sure, but power was no substitute for someone besides you. Even now, his heart ached at how alone this castle made him feel. But for now, it had to be enough. Trudging through the overgrown graveyard, Riku finally arrived at the door leading back to Castle Oblivion. In a flash, he called soul eater to his hand and grabbed the door handle.

Wincing as his eyes adjusted from Halloween shade to bright marble, Riku slowly made his way up the stairs. His eyes regained their focus just in time for him to reach the entry hall to the next floor. And sure enough Exon stood there with crossed arms and a smirk, his yellow eyes glinting with hunger as he spoke, "So. You've survived."

Riku's hands tightened against soul eater's grip. "Guess I'm more stubborn than you think."

"Your persistence is admirable, so I shall give you one more chance," the doppleganger responded calmly as he held out his arm to Riku and demanded, "Accept the darkness within you, and you will understand the truth."

Riku closed his eyes with a sigh. It was certainly true that he relied on the darkness just to survive as he climbed up Castle Oblivion.

"Then you admit it?"

Riku's blood ran cold at Ansem whispering in the back of his mind.

"That you need me."

That was the real problem wasn't it? It was so hard for Riku to tell where his own shadow ended and where Ansem's began. What's worse was that he knew that not all of the darkest parts were Ansems, and untangling them all would be torturous.

"Wouldn't it just be easier to surrender? Let darkness control you?"

"What are you waiting for?" Exon's voice mixed in with Ansem's so seamlessly.

And yet Riku's mind picked up on something in that.

Just wait.

Let someone else deal with it.

After all the problems he caused, maybe he should just give up?

…

Did Sora give up after he lost the keyblade?

Did Kairi give up after Sora faded into darkness?

He knew the answer. Riku opened his eyes and pointed soul eater at Exon. "After what I've done, I'm not just going to wait for someone to come along and fix things." He readied himself for a fight as he shouted aloud, "So you can forget it!"

"Then expire."

Riku wasn't sure who spoke, Ansem, Exon, or maybe it was both.

What he did know is that it was his only warning before Exon moved across the room in the blink of an eye. Parrying a few blows from the copy's soul eater, he pushed back and tried to get some distance with a leap to the side. Try being the key word, as Exon simply appeared in front of him with a smirk and his hand pulled back swirling with darkness.

Riku raised his blade just in time to parry the gout of dark fire that slammed him down to the floor. Fortunately, he found his footing quickly enough, only for Exon to vanish again in a blink. "You lost this battle before you even started." Again, the voices spoke simultaneously, but Riku didn't have the time to figure out why.

"You're forgetting the part where I'm still alive!" All he could do was focus on surviving. He spun around, catching Exon as he appeared behind him. But after a few successful hits from Riku, Exon quickly began to parry him. Still, Riku wasn't going to give up.

Even if the odds were against him.

Even if he was alone.

Though she made good time getting though the 100 Acre Woods, the chase had drained her enough that she could only make some slight headway into Hollow Bastion's memory. Her hope was that she might be able to catch up to Sora in time to save him from the Organization's trap before needing sleep. But even as her heart told her he was closer than ever, Sora was nowhere in sight. Her exertion forced her to seek rest in the library of her youth, fortunately, the area was one of the few warded rooms in this world.

The only reason she was able to sleep at all was the feeling she had in her heart that Sora was still here. Still fighting. Through her entire ascent, that connection was the only thing she had to hold on to in these lonely mimicries of Sora's memories. As she sat up from her sleeping bag, she ran a hand through her hair, hoping that Sora really was close nearby. Or someone friendly she could at least talk to.

And there was so much she wanted to talk about with someone, even before she left for Castle Oblivion. While Sora had some time to spend with in Traverse Town before, the threat of Ansem forced him onward. But now that she learned just who she was related to, it was torturous not having anyone she could speak with. To try and understand who she was as the princess of heart born to the seeker of darkness.

But there was no-one but the heartless and memories of Sora's enemies. All she could do was fight her way to the top, with the growing hope that every step forward was a step closer to him.

Without any time to waste, she quickly grabbed one of the rations from the camping kit and forced the quasi-appetizing meal down for breakfast. She didn't know how much time she had left to reach Sora and stop whatever the Organization was planning. With a quick swig of water, she left the gear on the floor and ran out the door back to the foyer.

At the very least, she remembered the way up this castle. This place that she had once longed to see though she could not remember it, meant so little now with what she learned. About her own power as a princess of heart…

And about the one she cared about more than anyone, and how far he'd go for her.

Sora stared over at the double doorway leading out of the chapel as he sat against the stone wall. Pinching the bridge of his nose as he tried to get over his morning grogginess. Or whatever passed for morning in this illusion. With the power he had been gaining in this castle, all of the heartless of Hollow Bastion, and even Maleficent herself were barely any match. But that wasn't what forced him to rest earlier than usual.

No, that would have to have been Beast. Whatever magic this castle had made him so much worse than Sora could have imagined. Instead of the noble friend who encouraged him to press onward, there was a brutal monster determined to tear apart anything between him and Belle. The same strength that once helped him though Hollow Bastion's doors almost tore Donald, Goofy, and him to shreds. Seeing another close friend turn on him, almost bring them to the brink of death? Screwing his eyes shut, Sora tried not to think about it. He was just thankful that Kairi was unharmed.

That thought caused him to look over at her as she sat on one of the rocks, finishing their rations for the morning. Though she was fine on the outside, Sora couldn't help a sigh wondering what the castle was really doing to her. Taking away all of the connections she had till there was nothing left. Riku was practically self-destructing by the time they'd found him before. But even though she was nowhere near as violent, Kairi seemed almost worse to Sora. instead of the friend he knew who so desperately wanted to see the world, there was a girl that was terrified of everything.

But then she looked up at him and offered a slight smile, and Sora relaxed just a bit. Even though she had lost so much, her smile still was enough to set his heart at ease. Even if it was a small comfort against the growing terror that had been eating him alive ever since he started seeing these memories.

"Sora. You're sure not looking too good."

Goofy's voice snapped Sora out of his rumination. After a moment of surprise seeing how Goofy managed to sneak up to his side, Sora shook his head and managed a smile. "Nah, just need a minute for me to wake up. Kinda slow like that."Goofy simply winced, as if he wasn't quite convinced. Sora turned to the other person in camp to try and get his attention, "Isn't that right Donald?"

But instead of a grouchy look from the duck, Donald seemed more worried as he crossed his arms where he stood. "Just let me and Goofy go ahead for this next part. You need to save your strength." Goofy nodded in agreement with the idea as Donald practically pleaded, "Stick with Kairi and keep her safe, okay? "

Swallowing the growing lump in his throat, Sora slowly stood up, smiling all the while."Of course. I made a promise didn't I?" It didn't matter if Kairi had forgotten him, Sora would do everything he could so she could return home safely.

Even if his heart felt like cracking when he thought about how the girl he grew up with might be gone for good.

Kairi looked over to the door, and then to the rest of the group before asking, "Are we going?"

"Yeah, let's finish this." Sora looked to Donald and Goofy, who went ahead and opened the door to the altar. There were no princesses trapped in the crystals this time. Even so, Donald and Goofy were alert, with wand and shield at the ready. Sora just followed behind, making sure that Kairi was close by as he held onto his keyblade.

"You've done well to make it this far."

There was a voice that Sora had never heard before, and immediately Donald, Goofy, and him snapped to attention. Glaring into the dark, Sora called out to the empty altar, "Who's there?!" But as he asked, he saw a mass of shadows gathering atop it.

"A voice from the dark." The same disembodied voice from before was heard from the darkness. A darkness that coalesced into a boy in black robes."One that has watched you all with great interest."

Donald scowled, pointing his rod as he began to squawk, "We're not here for your entertainment!"

The dark figure only chuckled as he crossed his arms."I'm sure that was not your intent, but I must admit I found the hypocrisy of you and the dog to be amusing."

Goofy held his shield before him as he nervously watched the stranger. "Wh…whaddya mean?"

Raising a hand to his face, the boy in black eagerly continued, "You proclaim how the power of your bonds drives you forward. And yet you were so willing to cast aside Sora once you found the true keybearer."

"And they came back to help me when I didn't have it!" Sora shouted as he stepped forward, "Just because friends fight or disagree doesn't mean that friendship is over for good!"

"But it becomes weaker, does it not?" The boy lifted his hood, revealing silver white hair obscuring one of his two yellow eyes. "Slowly, piece by piece those disagreements pile up. Until it collapses completely," He pointed over to the back of the room where Kairi stood cowering behind Sora, "and all that is left is a stranger."

Kairi looked over to the figure shaking her head, whispering, "I…I don't understand."

Sora glanced back at her and saw how even now Kairi couldn't really recognize him. But more importantly, he saw the terror in her eyes. And that was all he needed to know. Clenching his fists, Sora growled out, "So what if they're a stranger? I'd help them anyway!"

The figure only laughed, and darkness began to seep from his body. "You think you can help them? You can't even save yourself!" Without warning, the boy in black cast his hand forward, and sent a gale of shadow through the room. Goofy moved to defend Donald against the dark wind, while Sora held up his keyblade to keep Kairi safe.

But as the shadow washed over him and the Keyblade tried to repel it, he could still feel that power seep in. Working its way closer and closer inside, feeding off his pain. Sora glanced down at his hand as the dark aura lingered around it. The boy continued to talk as the darkness radiated around him,"You see it now, don't you? The darkness that has been building in your heart with every separation. Now—!"

"Sora'd never give into the darkness!" Goofy interrupted as he flung his shield at the figure, causing him to jump away.

Only for a bolt of lightning to hit where he had evaded to, Donald calling out as he waved his staff, "Even after everything this castle's put him through, he isn't going to change who he is!"

"Then I, Zexion, will bring this charade to an end." Reaching out a hand, the darkness around Zexion coalesced into a black spellbook. Floating in front of him, Zexion opened it with a wave of his hand, and from the shadows around him appeared more of the same book.

"Kairi, hide!"

Sora cried out, but she didn't get the chance.

The books opened with an awful glare, and each of them began to spew lasers throughout the hall. Sora knew he had seen those lights before, when he faced that mysterious figure in the black coat. All he could do was block the barrage to keep her safe.

When the lights cleared, Sora saw Goofy and Donald still standing, the former's shield having taken a beating.

And Zexion was right beside Donald, darkness rising as he began to chant.

"Get Down!" Sora cried out as he called flame to his keyblade and flung it forward. As the scorching blade hit Zexion, the darkness faded as he stumbled back.

"Good eye, Sora!" Donald called out as he called more fire down to keep him away. For an instant Sora hoped that one lucky shot might destroy the book and make things easier.

But his blood ran cold a second later, as he saw Zexion begin to smirk. "Is that what you really think?" And in an instant, the figure transformed into a mass of burning pages.

Sora frantically looked around, trying to spot where Zexion was.

And he saw that he was right next to Goofy, darkness even thicker than before.

Before he could cry out a warning, a strange symbol appeared in front of Zexion, and a colossal book appeared from nothing and slammed it's pages over Goofy.

"WHAT DID YO—?!"

Donald never got the chance to finish his question, as an instant later, Zexion called another sigil and again a book materialized to trap Donald in it's pages.

"Goofy! Donald!" Sora gripped his blade as he desperately tried to think. What could he do? If he tried to destroy the books he could hurt Donald or Goofy too. But even if he went to help them, Kairi would be defenseless.

What could he do?

What could he do?!

"Fascinating." Zexion spoke as he vanished into darkness again."Even now, you're still resisting the darkness. Your sense of duty allows you to overcome your own pain."

Sora couldn't care about whatever mambo jumbo he was spouting, he had to find him! Had to beat him! Had to protect—!

"You require failure."

Behind him.

Zexion was behind him.

Where Kairi was.

"No…!"

Sora turned to see Zexon using magic in one hand to bind her hands and legs. And the other pulled back, a blade of light crackling from his hand.

Her eyes were wide, she was shaking as she whimpered. "S…Sora?"

Zexion pulled back his blade with a smile.

"NO!"

Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Sora began to run. His voice cracking as he screamed!

"NO! KAIRI!"

But he couldn't reach her.

Not before the doors were flung open. And something grabbed Zexion from behind holding back his hands.

"Sora! I've got him!"

"What!? Let…!"

The spell was broken, and Kairi ran behind Sora. He held her hand and smiled as he focused on Zexion. "Kairi! It's okay! I've got…"

And then his words died, as he saw that Kairi was also holding Zexion back.

"You?! You shouldn't be here!" He growled out as he wrenched himself out of Kairi's grasp. He swung the hand with the laser sword down on her.

But in a flash, Kairi parried it with something Sora couldn't quite make out. "You were trying to kill someone! This is exactly where I need to be!" Knocking Zexion back, she swung her leg high into his face and kicked him to the wall.

Sora watched with wide eyes, this Kairi seemed so very different to the one he was guarding. Catching her breath, the one standing in front of the doors looked to him and asked, "Sora, are you okay?"

And with that one glance, Sora knew that his beloved childhood friend wasn't gone after all.