Here we go!
Next chapter! Two in one week!
I am on a ROLL!
Hope you enjoy!
Kingdom Hearts © to Disney and Square Enix!
Final Fantasy IV © to Square Enix!
Sasuke and Hinata © to Yamichaos27!
Luna © to Nintendoman01!
My OCs © to me!
Chapter 19: Land of Twin Moons- Found
"Cuore…" Hinata's eyes filled with tears at the sight of her sister. But her sister looked right back with no expression at all.
A blank stare.
Fluvia clasped her hands. "The joy at seeing our goddess is amazing, is it not?" High Priest, may I escort them to some tents to help them get settled?"
"Of course."
The mage stepped between the three and the stage. "Please, follow me." She began weaving her way through, Auriel having to drag Hinata along as they went after her.
"Hinata, let's go." She whispered. "We can talk about it when we're away from people."
"Y-yeah."
Taking them into the back of the area full of tents, they found two small tents amongst the rest. "These are yours." Fluvia bowed. "One for the ladies, and another for you, sir."
"Thanks." Eldar hooked arms with his sister and Hinata. "Now, we need to go rest after our long walk up here. Thanks Fluvia!" Dragging them into a tent, he called back. "And we need to talk a bit alone."
"Of course. Take some time. And don't forget, we have dinner here as well at sundown."
"Thanks!" Closing off the tent, the boy turned. "Well this is a fun time. Your mom and sister were kidnapped by a cult!"
Hinata sank to the floor. "I can't believe this. Cuore looked right at me and didn't recognize me. And I haven't seen Mom yet."
Well, so much for Hinata being in charge here.
"Alright." Auriel clasped her hands behind her back, eyes hard. "We need to be careful. First thing's first, we cannot eat any food or drink anything they give us."
Reaching into his pocket, Eldar pulled out something neither girl expected him to have. A notepad and pencil.
Flipping through the pages, they could see numbers, musical notes, various notes, and even some small scribbled pictures.
"Alright." He wrote down. "Task 1: Get food and drink. We'll need to delegate someone to get it, and I think Auri would be best since the star shard responds to h-"
His eyes came up to see both girls staring at him.
"What? This is what I do!" He turned the notebook around for them to see his notes. "I find every show, or in this case, rescue mission, needs a detailed plan. Last world was kinda a fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants situation. But we can strategize this time." He continued writing. "So, next is…?"
Hinata's expression morphed as she looked at Auriel. She looked rather impressed.
And Auriel could admit she'd never seen this side of her brother.
"Um, well… second would be to locate Ms. Rydia."
Task 1: Get food and drink (prob Auri's job)(1)
Task 2: Find Ms. Rydia (prob ask creepy mage chick bout that)
Hinata sat down. "Then we need to save my sister. She's probably being mind controlled… and she seemed… well, how she was when I was little. She had no emotion in her voice."
"Do we have an idea for how to fix brainwashing?" Eldar asked as he wrote.
"Maybe one of the eidolons…" The girl held out her arms as Whytney appeared. "Whyt, can you go ask… um, oh! Go ask Queen Asura if I summon her to appear in her human form, and maybe a more… not royal looking form. We're trying to be discreet." The little creature chirped something in the eidolon language and vanished. "There. I have a plan."
Task 3: Fix Cuore's brain (eidolons will do something)
"What next?"
Auriel sat beside her friend. "After that, we- oh, we need to figure out when the moon ascension will be."
"Got it."
Task 2: Find Ms. Rydia (prob ask creepy mage chick bout that)
- Also ask creepy mage chick about moon thing
"And then," she continued, "we need to save Ms. Rydia. Maybe the eidolons can help with that too."
"Maybe. I'll talk to Queen Asura about it."
Task 4: Save Ms. Rydia (maybe eidolons can do things)
Eldar grinned. "I know what the last thing is. Find the people who did this, probably that priest dude, and kick his butt six ways from Sunday!"
"Of course."
Task 5: KICK BUTT
He grinned, holding up the notebook. "Now we have a plan. We can flesh it out a bit more if needed. But let's start with the food. Auri, that star shard responds to you, right?"
"Yeah."
Now he was taking charge!?
Where did this come from?
"Maybe while we go to dinner, you say you had to go to the bathroom, and then get food."
That was… not a bad plan.
She sighed. "I guess."
Task 1: Get food and drink (prob Auri's job)
- Auri goes during dinner
"And," Eldar added, quickly writing, "we'll need to get Cuore away from everyone to save her. So, we'll need a distraction." He grinned. "And we all know I'm one of the most distracting things here."
"At least you admit it."
"Give me some time tonight and I bet I can come up with something." He flipped through the notebook. "I was working on a song about how pretty the autumn moon was, you know, as a metaphor for my glorious girlfriend. I think I can amend it a little to make it about these 'goddesses' of theirs. Give them a little performance. Draw their attention while you guys go save Cuore."
Ok.
He was actually really good at this.
"Ok…"
He caught her stare. "What, Auri? You still didn't have faith in me? Well, I hope this little display changes your mind. Now, if you'll excuse me. I have a song to write."
"El… I-I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted." He vanished out of the tent.
Hinata sighed. "He's smarter than I guess either of us gave him credit for."
"Guess so."
After a few hours, the sun began to set. Someone, nearer to the stage began ringing a bell, calling for supper.
Hinata and Eldar both stepped out as Auriel slipped out the back of their tent. She hurried into a cave before activating the star shard. And, as if Zhuque knew of their intent, it did not produce a shower of sparkling lights in the sky as it normally would.
"Hello again!" Fluvia waved the two of them over. "I hope you're hungry!"
"Famished."
"Where is your sister?"
The boy smiled, plopping down beside the girl. "Had to take a visit to the little girl's room. She'll be back soon."
"Oh, well, if she doesn't hurry all the best food will be gone."
And what food it was.
Large plates of meat and vegetables, followed by bowls of fruit, were placed around the large area filled with people. Everyone ate. No plates, no bowls.
Only cups for the drinks poured.
Hinata and Eldar laughed, picking up food, only to set it down again without a bite. Very soon, Auriel joined them, doing the very same.
"Say," Eldar leaned over to Fluvia, "when is this whole ascension thing supposed to happen anyway?"
"Two nights from now!" She cried. "You arrived just in time. Oh, won't it be just glorious to see Aiday and Aiman take their places among the skies as the true rulers!?"
"Yep. By the way, where is Aiman? Can we see her?"
The mage's eyes lit up. "Of course!" Leaping to her feet, she gestured for them to follow. "Anyone can go see her."
Standing up, the trio followed her.
They passed by the tents, stepping to a narrow walkway that wound up the remainder of the mountain. The wind pulled at their clothes as they climbed.
At the top, another platform stood.
This one, guarded. Soldiers in robes, carrying long spears, stood before and around it. Two chairs sat atop the platform. In the larger one sat a woman, dressed in a simple white robe.
Her emerald hair fell around her face, not held up by her usual hairclip.
Beneath, they could see her closed eyes. Her chest moved up and down steadily.
Hinata's eyes threatened to burst with tears as she saw her mother. Every muscle screamed to charge forward, taking the guards down to save her.
But Cuore… she'd be all alone down there. And who knows what would happen to her.
"This is Aiman. The being of the True Moon. She sleeps until the ascension."
"She's pretty."
"I know!" The mage smiled, turning back. "She'll be so happy you came."
"I'm sure…"
She ushered them all back down before vanishing into the crowd.
Eldar pulled out the notebook once more.
Task 1: Get food and drink (prob Auri's job) CHECK
- Auri goes during dinner CHECK
Task 2: Find Ms. Rydia (prob ask creepy mage chick bout that) CHECK
- Also ask creepy mage chick about moon thing CHECK
Task 3: Fix Cuore's brain (eidolons will do something)
Task 4: Save Ms. Rydia (maybe eidolons can do things)
Task 5: KICK BUTT
"That leaves three more steps." He quickly paused, writing down something else.
Task 3: Fix Cuore's brain (eidolons will do something)
- Write song about moons (make it mushy)
- Find a lute (DISTRACTION TIME)
Task 4: Save Ms. Rydia (maybe eidolons can do things)
Task 5: KICK BUTT
"There, all fixed." He grinned. "I'll go mingle. You two do… whatever it is you two do. Laters!" Skipping off into the crowd, he moved toward where he heard music.
Hinata couldn't help but smile, despite herself. "Surprisingly, we've found his element. Management."
Auriel sighed. "I feel a little silly for not knowing this sooner about my own brother. I guess he can be like the… group manager if he wants to. You know, since he's decent at it."
Hinata laughed. "Just like your dad, don't want to admit when you're wrong. Sooner or later, you'll have to. So, get over it." Her eyes glanced over toward Cuore, who sat, surrounded by people talking to her. "I'm going to go talk to my sister… Maybe you find Fluvia or that priest."
"Sure."
The night dragged on. Auriel searching for Fluvia and the priest. She saw them both talking, the priest still holding that amulet as the mage giggled, prattling on and on. He held the same look in his eyes that Auriel had seen many times in Uncle Isa's. The look that said 'please go away and leave me be'.
But that mage wasn't about to just let him walk off like that. Not without chattering on about… whatever. Probably about the three of them and how excited she was.
Something in Auriel's mind seemed to burn though. Fixed on that amulet.
Just… what was that thing?
Something about it seemed off.
But she didn't get a chance to see. For as soon as he saw an opening, the priest held up a hand and dismissed himself from the conversation, vanishing into his own tent.
For Hinata, as she made her way over toward Cuore, did little more than listen. As much as she wanted to help, nothing would help her sister by jumping the gun. So, she sat. People asked Cuore questions, to which she gave little more than cryptic answers. Very vague, just like one of those magic 8 balls she'd played with as a kid.
Whatever was going on, she seemed similar to how she was when Hinata was little. Bare of all emotion. It hurt to see her like this. She'd grown past that. Now, a gentle and kind girl that loved to raise flowers and may have had a bit of a crush on Angeal Fair. Not this…
Dad would be heartbroken to see them like this.
Honestly, it was good he couldn't. He'd probably have torn the priest apart by now. And then the cult probably wouldn've turned on them.
He'd just have to wait to know what was happening until it was over. Unless things got too messy.
Eldar, on the other hand, waltzed up to a band of musicians and fit right in. Even managing to convince one of them to loan him his lute… after proving himself by playing a song on it.
He soon vanished, lute in hand, to practice.
Ready for his performance.
Task 1: Get food and drink (prob Auri's job)CHECK
- Auri goes during dinnerCHECK
Task 2: Find Ms. Rydia (prob ask creepy mage chick bout that) CHECK
- Also ask creepy mage chick about moon thingCHECK
Task 3: Fix Cuore's brain (eidolons will do something)
- Write song about moons (make it mushy)CHECK
- Find a lute (DISTRACTION TIME) CHECK
Task 4: Save Ms. Rydia (maybe eidolons can do things)
Task 5: KICK BUTT
"You ladies ready?" Eldar shoved some of their food in his mouth as he peaked out of the tent.
After a long boring day of hearing High Priest Alaric and Fluvia go on and on about the lunar eclipse the next night, they were ready.
And they'd had time to figure out the plan even more.
Task 1: Get food and drink (prob Auri's job)CHECK
- Auri goes during dinnerCHECK
Task 2: Find Ms. Rydia (prob ask creepy mage chick bout that) CHECK
- Also ask creepy mage chick about moon thingCHECK
Task 3: Fix Cuore's brain (eidolons will do something)
- Write song about moons (make it mushy)CHECK
- Find a lute (DISTRACTION TIME) CHECK
- Talk to Cuore about moons and get her alone
- Summon Asura to help fix brain
Task 4: Save Ms. Rydia (maybe eidolons can do things)
Task 5: KICK BUTT
And now…
"Wish me luck ladies!" Letting out a long breath, Eldar stepped from the tent, immediately strumming the lute loudly.
People turned as he hopped through the camp, playing and calling. "Come one and all! Hear the song of the ladies Aiday and Aiman! Let us speak of their glory and light for all to hear!"
People followed, gathering as he leapt onto the stage, gesturing to the musicians he'd met the night before. "Feel free to join in when you've found the rhythm, my friends."
As the crowd, including the high priest, gathered, Auriel and Hinata slunk around the tents, searching for Cuore.
The girl stood near the high priest's tent. But with him distracted…
"Excuse me." Hinata approached. Cuore turned. "May we speak with you, Aiday?"
"About?"
The young girl bit her lip. "It's about my sister… I think. I think we came here because you are the one who can help save her." This was no lie.
"Who is your sister?"
"Her name is Cuore."
A spark.
Cuore's dull eyes lit up, if only for a moment. "Where is she…?"
Emotion. Her words choked in her throat.
"Follow us."
As they moved on, Eldar watched out of the corner of his eye and began to sing(2):
The moons, you inspire my heart.
How I love the way the two shine in the sky,
Invading my mind day and through the night,
Always dreaming about your glorious lights.
"Why are we going this way?" Cuore's eyes glaze over again. "The priest is so far away."
"You don't need him."
The teal-haired girl looked back. "I must not wander far."
"It will only be a moment." Auriel pulled back their tent entrance. "In here."
Cuore pulled back. "I don't think I should. I should return to High Priest Alaric."
As she turned to go, Auriel touched her shoulder. "Sleep!"
Let me compare you to a pretender,
To the dark sun that blinds and burns.
You are far more soft, glorious and cold.
Glowing like dewdrops on white petals.
Your crowns of starlight,
Your mantle of night.
Your soft cold light,
Full of motherly graces.
Cuore fell back as the spell took over.
"Inside." Auriel dragged her into the tent. Hinata ducked in after her. "Quickly, summon Asura." She laid the girl on the ground, moving to the entrance to keep watch.
Hinata knelt down. "Give me a moment."
"Excuse me." Came the voice of Fluvia. "Did you see Aiday come this way?" She pushed open the tent flap before Auriel could speak. "I thought I saw you with h-" Her eyes widened as they fell upon the unconscious Cuore.
Aiday and Aiman will ascend above all.
Both drowning the sky in their brilliance.
Aiday the Red Moon, small and light.
Aiman the True Moon, majestic and strong.
Auriel's hand clamped down over Fluvia's mouth, dragging the girl into the tent. "Sleep!"
The spell took effect, the mage falling limp in her arms.
"Crap."
Setting her down, Auriel ran and grabbed one of the blankets they'd been given, tearing it into strips with which she bound and gagged the mage. "This wasn't part of the plan!"
"We'll be fine. We just have to work fast."
Holding up her sword, Hinata focused, a soft yellow light engulfing the blade.
"Asura… we need you."
Your crowns of starlight,
Your mantle of night.
Your glorious glow,
Bringing new life.
In a soft flash of light, a woman appeared. She wore a long purple dress, and her brown hair fell to her waist(3). "Hinata, what is i-?"
"Please, you have to help her." The girl pleaded. "Someone brainwashed my sister. Please…"
Your crowns of starlight,
Your mantle of night.
Your magical presence,
Covering all the world
Asura looked around the tent, seeing the bound and gagged mage. "I believe she needs to see this as well." Waving her hand, Fluvia's eyes opened.
The girl thrashed, only for Auriel to grab her shoulders. "Hold on, Fluvia. It's not what you think. You've been deceived."
"Fluvia." Asura touched the bound girl's forehead, both of their eyes glowing white for a moment. "I am the eidolon, Asura. You have been tricked. Let me open your eyes." When she pulled away, the mage stared, wide-eyed at her. The eidolon turned to Hinata. "I showed her my true form. Now, let us begin."
Kneeling down, Asura placed both hands on Cuore's head, a soft light engulfing the girl.
"Interesting." Her brow furrowed. "This spell is generated by something nearby. She cannot be too far from it or it will not work."
"That's why she wanted to go back to Alaric."
As Asura focused, a black thread seemed to appear in the air, stretching away from Cuore's mind, out of the tent. "All I need do is sever this." With a flick of her wrist the black thread broke.
Cuore gasped, her eyes shooting open, full once again with light.
Now bring about this new world.
Where the moons outshine the sun.
As Eldar finished his song, Cuore sat up.
"Cuore!" Hinata threw her arms around her sister.
The older girl gasped. "H-Hinata? Wh-what…?"
"Don't worry," Asura smiled, "the nightmare is over." She glanced at Hinata. "We await your call to free Rydia. Just tell Whytney what we should do and we will do it."
"Thank you."
The eidolon vanished in a flash of light.
Cuore blinked, rubbing her head. "What happened? Last I remember, Mother and I were on our way to the Mist Village."
"You were brainwashed, and some cult was parading you around as a goddess." Auriel glanced at their prisoner, who sat with tears in her eyes. "And I guess only the priest knows who you really are. Fluvia, I'm going to take the gag off. Don't scream ok."
The girl nodded.
Auriel reached up, pulling off the gag.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry." Fluvia sobbed. "I didn't… I thought."
"You thought Alaric was telling the truth. Well he wasn't. This girl is my sister, Cuore. And Aiman is our mother, Rydia. We came here to save them." Hinata's eyes narrowed at the girl. "Now that you know the truth… you can either help us or we'll just leave you here tied up."
Fluvia's eyes closed as tears trickled down her face. "I-I trusted him… I trusted Alaric. We all did. He deceived us…" Her eyes glanced over at the very concerned and confused Cuore. "He used us… all of us." When her gaze fell again upon Hinata, a fire burned in it. "I-I want to help."
Hope you enjoyed!
Footnotes:
(1) I wanted to make this so you could see Eldar's actual notes and see a bit into his brain.
(2) I used a poetry generator to help me make this since I generally suck at poetry.
(3) This appearance is based on her sprite from "Final Fantasy IV: The After Years", when she appears in human form.
VAs:
Asura- Robyn Addison (Y'shtola, Titania, Sera, Janice Bone, Sarah Boyer, Lisa)