In a matter of seconds Ven is on Riku. Sora can't process it fast enough. One minute Riku is next to him, the next he's on the floor with Ven on top of him.
"You bastard!" Ven growls, those white eyes boring into Riku's. He gets a good two punches to Riku's head before the older one is able to throw Ven off.
"Ven stop!" Sora tries to get in the way when the blonde started to charge. "It's all my-" His eyes widen when a gust of wind pushes him. Gentle but firm. It's all Ven needs to attack Riku again.
"Damn it." Riku grits his teeth. He blocks another punch to the head, blood trickling down his face from the last attack. He's not in the best shape. His body is sluggish and heavy. He swings to retaliate, his vision swarms. With a kick to the abdomen he's down on his knees. Riku may not understand Sora's eating habits but there's no mistaking this weakness. It's as if Sora had taken a gallon of blood from him. His thoughts are jumbled by another hit by Ven.
"I SAID STOP!" Sora tackles Ven with all he has to get the younger off of Riku. He shoves him till he's pushing the blonde against the wall, trapping him. "Ven please calm down-" Sora freezes when those white eyes lock with his. He's never seen that kind of expression on Ven. This kind of rage.
"He took you out." Ven breathes heavily. "Not only did he take you out but I smell him on you. I know he did something to you Sora. I won't let him use you like that!"
"It's not like that! You don't understand Ven! Please calm down! You're really hurting Riku! He's not in any state to fight-" Sora presses into Ven when he started to push against him. He's using his whole body to keep Ven on the wall. He can feel Ven's heart pounding against his rib cage. He can feel his exhaled breath on his face.
"Sora let me go-" He shakes his head. He cups Ven's cheeks, making sure he is looking at him and not looking pass him to glare at Riku. Those white eyes are trembling. Sora can feel it through their link. The rage, the pain, the jealousy, the sorrow. It's all because of him.
"I'm sorry Ven." Sora tries to hold in the tears. He wishes with all his heart that Ven can feel his own sorrow through their link. Those shaking eyes slowly stabilize.
"This isn't your fault. I..." Ven hugs him tightly, a shaky breath leaving him. Sora holds him back just as tightly. When they pull away, Ven is staring at him with watery blue eyes.
"Riku!" Sora breaks out of his gaze with Ven when he hears the older groan. He rushes over to him. He's still kneeling, holding his stomach. His head wound is bleeding badly. Sora didn't think it was that bad. "We need to get you fixed up! I'm so sorry-" Sora grabs one of his socks from his drawer. He pushes it against Riku's head not having anything else to help stop the bleeding.
"You didn't do anything Sora. Ven was the one who had a break down." Riku glares at Ven, his eyes still white.
"Why?" Ven mumbles looking at how Sora tends to Riku. "He took you away just to do dirty things with you. You've been so weak recently. He doesn't care for you Sora-" They all freeze when they feel a portal. Someone just came back. "Oh no!" Ven's eyes get panicked. "They're back!"
Sora knows it's too late. They are sure to smell the blood from Riku. In a matter of seconds Terra is busting into Sora's room, his eyes white. When he sees that Ven is basically unharmed and it's Riku that's bleeding, he settles if only a little bit.
"...What happened? Why are you both in here?"
Axel and Roxas are right behind Terra. When they see the scene, Roxas can't help to sigh.
"...When you guys left for the emergency...I was worried because we couldn't find Riku and Sora hadn't woken up yet. I went to check on Sora..." Ven thinks before he glares at Riku, those white eyes coming back. "...Only to find Sora was gone."
"Riku. Did you take Sora out?" Terra's voice is firm.
Riku takes a deep breath through his nose, keeping his glare on Ven. "..."
"Sora did you go out with Riku?" Terra tries again.
"I..." Sora averts his gaze. He's not good a lying. It's not like he can. Ven knows the truth.
"I was in the room when they tried to sneak back in. When I saw that..." Ven seems to think again before he snarls. "...Riku did something to Sora. Something dirty. I smell it on him and Sora. After seeing that, I lost it. I attacked Riku. That's what happened."
The scent is covered mostly by Riku's blood but Sora is sure his family can still smell the proof of Ven's claims.
"Oh shit." Axel mutters under his breath.
"Riku. You took Sora out and have committed some...questionable acts. It seems this altercation is mostly on you-"
"On me?! Ven beats me near to death yet I'm the one that's at fault? What me and Sora do is none of your business." Riku snarls. "Ven just got pissed because I have that kind of relationship with Sora-"
"That kind of relationship?" Ven growls. "I'm sure you've been telling him lies! Sora is so nice he would help anyone with anything. You're taking advantage of his kindness-"
"Ha! That's rich coming from Ven!"Riku laughs darkly. "No. Sora comes to me because he trusts in me. Because he wants me-"
"You lie!" Ven screams.
"You can scream all you want! It doesn't change the fact that Sora is closer to me-"
Ven tackles Riku again. He's gripping his neck. It takes Axel and Roxas to pull Ven off of Riku, his white eyes are glowing and his teeth are bared.
"Alright this is getting out of hand." Terra thinks for a moment before he sighs. "Riku...Ven. You both are out of line. I'm going to have to...lock you both away."
"No!" Sora yells. That was what he was worried about. The worse case.
"Yes. You both with be locked away for one occisor year. You won't see Sora at all. You both need to get it together-"
"No please it's my fault Terra! I should be locked away-"
"No. Ven and Riku are at fault." Terra starts to walk towards Riku. When Sora gets in front of him, he's surprised when Roxas grabs him and pulls him away. Roxas holds him firmly.
"...This is for the best." Roxas whispers.
"But...But Riku is hurt-" Sora frowns When Terra grabs Riku by the arm, forcing him up.
"I get Riku being locked away but why me?!" Ven screams. He locks eyes with Sora. Those white eyes shake before they calm down to blue. "...Please just let me talk to Sora-"
"No. Axel make sure Ven doesn't get away. The punishment starts now."
Sora can only watch as Ven and Riku struggle. Ven is screaming for him. He can feel the longing there. Ven has things he wants to say. Sora also has things he wants to say. All the anger and rage from Riku is too much. All this sorrow. It's all his fault. If he didn't have to feed on Riku...they would have been home in time. None of this would be happening.
Sora is truly the worse.
He's brought out of his thoughts when Roxas rubs his arm. The grip on him has loosen. "It's okay." He says.
"It's not." Sora can still taste Riku in his mouth. His power he has...this body...it's to blame. It made Riku so weak that he could barely protect himself. He will get hungry again. He will try to feed on those around him. Riku has offered himself up but Sora's so scared he's going to end up killing him.
He...He doesn't belong here. What is he? Why is he like this?-
"These ten years will be good for them. They need time to think. They need time away from you. If this keeps up they will end up really hurting each other-"
"It's all my fault." Sora mumbles.
"It's not your fault, Sora. You can't control how Ven and Riku feel about you. It's not-"
"Roxas, don't you hate me for causing your brother pain?"
"I could never hate you Sora. There will come a time that you have to choose who you want to be with. If it's not Ven, he'll be crushed but you are your own person. It's not your fault." Roxas seems to think. "Do you love Ven?"
"Of course I love Ven. I love you all." Sora bites his lip. If he loves them...he shouldn't be here. He should go away. He keeps causing problems. More then he's fixed.
"It will be over before you know it. When they get released Ven is going to be all over you. Things will get back to normal. Soon I hope Riku and Ven will be able to share so you don't have to go through this."
"..." Sora feels through his link with Roxas that he's trying to help him. He's trying to make him feel better but he can't help to feel lost.
"Hey...you alright in here?" Axel walks in seeing that Roxas is holding onto Sora. He rubs the back of his head when he sees those dull blue eyes. "...Terra said that we have the day off. We'll start going on missions tomorrow."
"I guess no one was able to find anything." Roxas mumbles.
"Nope. Wasted time." Axel thinks before he sighs. "You probably don't care right now but they called an emergency this morning over some vampires being spotted outside of the main city. That's pretty daring."
"We were called to try to track them down but it looks like they got away." Roxas thinks. " Terra said we are going to be focusing on trying to kill vampires. These missions will be dangerous but we'll be fine together. I won't let anything happen to you. Ven would kill me if I did."
"..."
"Uh..." Axel glances at Roxas. He seems to think before he shakes his head. "So...Sora did you want to watch a movie or something-"
"I think...I'm going to sleep." Sora doesn't feel like doing much of anything. "I didn't get to rest last night."
"Sure Sora. If you wake up later and want to do something just let us know." Roxas lets go of him. He tries to smile at him but Sora won't meet his eyes. When Roxas and Axel leave, Sora closes the door behind them and locks It. He crawls into bed, feeling drained.
He wishes he could talk to Vanitas. Even though he would mostly say mean things, it was nice having another opinion on things going on around him. Now all he has is the other voice. The voice he doesn't want to hear. The voice that is telling him to do horrific things.
Sora sleeps. He sleeps the day away. He would go down when Roxas came to get him for food. He would eat and then he would sleep.'
With how he's feeling right now, he wishes he could sleep the ten years away.
"Bruh I'm so tired of these burning down tree missions." Axel groans. He just turned another monstrous tree into ash without much effort. "I thought we would be fighting vampires by now."
"The council is sending us in areas where Vampires have been spotted while doing other work. It's not guaranteed that we would find some. I'm sure they are aware we are looking for them." Roxas just came back with Sora after searching the area.
"There's no vampires here." Sora doesn't smell any. Sora wonders if the Vampires are aware how aggressively they are trying to hunt them. Cloud hasn't texted him anything about it and Sora hasn't said anything either. He hopes they don't run into Cloud on one of these missions.
It's been five years since Riku and Ven have been locked away. Sora hasn't been able to see them at all. The only connection he's had is their links. It hurts him to be able to feel how they long for him. Terra said they are eating plenty and are able to wash up but...it's just terrible thinking about those jail cells.
During these five years he's been on plenty of missions with Roxas and Axel. Most of them have been extremely easy. Sora hasn't really lifted a finger. They've all been related to trying to find vampires. With no luck it's like they haven't been doing much. Not that Sora is complaining. If possible he'd like to never use his power again-
"What else is new? You know even if there were vampires they would sense a portal opening. Even with the foil trick it's not fool's proof. They could just run off. Why are we wasting our time trying to chase them down like this?" Axel burns another tree that screams.
"Having them on the run is better then if they were getting comfortable. They can't do anything like this or they risk being found. Soon we'll have them all killed." Roxas says with conviction.
Sora misses Ven. He misses Riku. Axel and Roxas are great but it's not the same. Roxas is focused mainly on finding vampires and Axel is focused on supporting Roxas. They also get to visit Riku and Ven in the jail. He's glad that they can see them so he can find out how they're doing but he wishes he could go see them himself.
He wants to show Riku how he's gained weight. After Sora had fed on him that night, his appetite came back. He felt so much better but...Riku has sacrificed so much for him. Sora made him weak. Ven was able to hurt him. And now he's still locked away because Sora couldn't control his body.
Sora is a broken record. He knows thinking about it again and again isn't going to change what happened. He needs to just wait it out. It's just so hard. He's begged Terra to just let him at least write the two letters. He denied him.
"You okay Sora?" He's brought out of his thoughts by a hand on his shoulder. Roxas is peering into his face. His eyebrows furrowed.
"I'm fine." Sora gives him a smile.
"You were zoned out there..."
"He's probably bored. I know I'm bored." Axel groans as he burns another tree. "I'm almost done and then we can get out of here."
"...Were you thinking about Ven and Riku?"
"I'm always thinking about them." Sora admits.
"..." Roxas takes his hand off his shoulder, his gaze shifting. "The 10 years are almost up Sora. You don't have to look so...pained. Every time I visit, Ven is asking about you non stop. So is Riku. They aren't upset with you. They can't wait to see you."
Roxas is always reassuring the guilt is written on his face. Roxas sees through him and always says the same thing. "They aren't upset. They miss you too."
"I know. I just wish they were here-"
"Ugh this conversation again." Axel wipes his hands that are covered with ash on his shirt. "I'm done so lets get out of here-" Sora opens his mouth, Axel cuts him off. "We'll go see Ven and Riku when we go home. So don't even worry about it." Sora closes his mouth. He really is a broken record.
Roxas makes a portal. The three teens walk through, the portal leading into their living room.
"Is there anything that you want me to tell Ven or Riku?" Roxas asks like he always does.
"Um..." Sora bites his lip. He doesn't want to keep saying the same thing. That he misses them. That he worries about them. That he's sorry...Maybe Roxas could tell them about how they played that new video game? Maybe about his training?...Sora's shoulders slump. "...Nothing."
"Nothing?" Roxas frowns.
"Well that's a first." Axel rubs the back of his head. "Maybe we should just skip on seeing them today."
"Ven is expecting me- Where are you going Sora?"
"I'm just going to my room. You guys have fun. I'm going to work on my training." Sora waves them off before heading to his room. He walks in and locks the door. He lets out a sigh. He's been putting on a brave face for five years. The mask is starting to fall.
It hurts all the time. To feel Ven and Riku longing for him. Wanting to see him as bad as he wants to see them.
This voice that won't leave him alone. The fact he can no longer speak with Vanitas. The fact that no one knows what this part of him is...
Cloud has gone silent. Leon sends him the occasional text but it's always just about if he's ready to join him.
Sora was hoping that Riku would have his cell phone still on him so they could talk secretly but he didn't respond to his text. His phone isn't in his room. Sora thinks that the phone might have fell out of his pants pocket when Sora was...feeding on him. Sora has no way to get inside of the cave without Riku so he's stuck.
All he can do is wait. The wait is starting to kill him. It shouldn't be this hard to wait. At least he's free. Ven and Riku have been confined to that one room for so long...what's wrong with him? How dare he be upset? When he caused this?
Sora tries to do a light work out routine. He has to do something with all this time.
"Rox! How's Sora doing?" Ven sensed his brother as soon as he entered the cave. He jumps up from the table that Terra had put in his cell to move towards the bars. He's relieved to see that it looks like Roxas and Axel haven't been in any kind of fight. Hopefully another safe mission for Sora.
"He's doing fine, same as always." Axel answers. Riku has also moved towards his bars.
"No luck with the vampires again?" Riku asks.
"Nope. Nothing."
"good. I'd rather it stay like that till I get out of here."
"Yeah it's dangerous for Sora." Ven agrees. "Is he eating okay-"
"Yes Ven." Axel waves him off. "Alright are we done here? Lets go play some games-" He puts his arm around Roxas's shoulders, trying to usher him to leave.
"What's the rush?"
"Yeah! You haven't told me nearly enough! Rox, why haven't you said anything?" Ven frowns when his brother won't meet his gaze. "...Is something wrong with Sora?"
"He's just feeling down because you two are in here."
"Then you have to cheer him up Rox! I can't be there...I've been trying to send good feelings to him but I know he's probably feeling how much I'm missing him." Ven frowns.
"I will. Ven, we are going to go back to the house. I just wanted to come see you so you two didn't worry too much about Sora."
"Thanks for the update." Riku goes back to the corner of his cell.
"Yeah come back tomorrow too!" Ven watches Axel and Roxas leave. He tires not to have any thoughts but he knows Sora felt that anxiety. Ven just wants to see Sora. He just wants to hug him and cuddle with him and-
An image of Sora's swollen lips from that night flash into his head. He tries not to think of that night. It sparks all kinds of emotions that he would rather Sora not feel. One of them being arousal. He wanted to kiss Sora then, even in his rage. He wanted to get rid of Riku from his lips.
Ven hasn't spoken to Riku in three years. They've been right next to each other but they've both decided to be silent. The first couple of years they would just fight all the time. It's obvious that they can't see eye to eye. Ven really doesn't want anything to do with him. He can't believe that he got Sora to...do that to him.
Ven knows that he lost it that one day. He knows that he did the same act on Sora. He shouldn't have. He should have fought his lust and not let Sora touch him. Just the thought of Sora wanting to help Riku in that way...and then Riku forcing him down is sickening. Ven is sure Sora doesn't understand what the acts mean.
He's vowed to really talk to him about it no matter how awkward it gets. Ven needs to make sure Sora isn't taken advantage anymore...not by Riku...and not by himself.
Ven isn't sure what's going to happen when he gets out of this jail. He's sure that Riku and him will Fight. There's' no way they can get along. It will hurt Sora...so at the very least he needs to control himself enough that he won't get in physical fights with Riku.
He never wants to be away from Sora like this again.
"Now we're doing patrolling missions? This is so whack." Axel complains, walking next to Roxas.
"Yeah. There haven't been any vampire sightings recently so now they just have a bunch of occisor making rounds to see if we find something."
"We are missing out on money. Not to mention excitement." Axel glances over at Roxas when his shoulder brushes against his. "...Well it's fine if we're together."
"Oh? After all that complaining it's fine?" Roxas smirks.
"I wasn't complaining that much." Axel grins, ruffling the shorter's hair. "...You know since Sora off patrolling maybe we could-"
"Don't even say it." Roxas feels his face heating up. He wills the thought to go away before it forms. Sora isn't that far away. Roxas had just let him portal on the other side of the town by himself. Ven would have a fit if he found out but Roxas has been letting Sora do his own thing. Of course he keeps a close eye out but he feels like Sora should be able to do things on his own a bit more. After all, he is strong. Roxas saw with his own eyes how he was able to go toe to toe with one of the council members. He isn't weak. Roxas won't treat him like he's weak.
Putting Sora aside for a moment...he's still close. Roxas and Axel haven't been able to have much a lone time since Sora has been on every mission since Riku and Ven have been locked away. It's been six years.
Six years of no leads and budding...emotions. Roxas isn't bold like Sora. He still can't believe that he got that intimate with Riku. He would be...too embarrassed to even try something like that. Still, seeing how Sora just went for it...Roxas felt like he could try too. He could try acting on his feelings. So...the night after Riku and Ven were locked away, Roxas broke the rule and visited Axel past ten at night. Of course he didn't mind.
"I didn't come here to hang out. I need to tell you something important." Roxas stands tall. He already decided that he wouldn't falter.
"Yeah okay." Axel licks ups lips. He seems nervous now. "What's wrong?...Did I do something-"
"Sora...He really went for it." Roxas watches at how Axel blinks.
"I mean...yeah. I guess you're shocked? I'm not shocked it was Riku though. He's been after him hard. So has Ven...Are you mad at Sora? Because of Ven?"
"No. Sora can do what he wants. I'm just...envious."
"Envious? Of Sora? Why?" Axel tenses up. Roxas notices how his jaw clenches up. "You...Don't tell me you like Riku-"
"Don't be ridiculous." Roxas shakes his head quickly. Axel lets out a sigh, putting a hand to his heart.
"Don't do that to me Rox. You almost gave me a heart attack-"
"I'm envious of Sora because he's so bold. He knew what he wanted and he did it. I'm going to follow his example-"
"What example?!" Axel's eyes get wide. He looks pale all over again. "Are you seeing a man?-"
"I want to." Roxas watches how Axel freezes. "I'm going to be bold and tell him how I feel."
"..." Axel swallows the lump in his throat. "I...You...You can't."
"Why?"
"Roxas I..." He looks so pained. Roxas won't hold back anymore.
"I'm sorry if you hate me but I have to do it." Roxas walks up to Axel, grabbing his hands. He looks up at him, watching how those white eyes tremble. He's so upset. He hopes It's a good sign. "Axel I like you."
"You...huh?" Axel blinks.
"I like you. I like you a lot." Roxas can't hold his gaze. He swallows. He can do this. "Will...Will you be my boyfriend?"
"B-B-Boyfriend!" Axel's eyes look like they would pop out of their sockets.
"I've looked it up. There are same sex couples. It's more common now then it's ever been. Of course...I'm aware you are attracted to women. You can tell me no but I just needed to let you know that I-"
Axel kisses him. His lips are chapped. Axel's strong arms wrap around his waist so naturally. It's like it should have always been like this. Roxas has never kissed anyone before. He knows Axel has experience so he just follows his lead. His face is getting hot and his stomach is tightening. By the time they pull away, they are both out of breath.
"...This feels like a dream. It's too good to be true." Axel caresses his cheek. Those green eyes full of passion. "I've liked you for a long time. Hell I think it's safe to say I've loved you for a long time."
"Really?" Roxas can't stop looking at those sharp eyes. "I...I was sure you only liked women-"
"I hurt you. I hurt you a lot. I'm telling you though, those women meant nothing. To be honest...I only went for women who looked like you. I don't want to scare you off but...I've been wanting you this whole time."
Roxas's heart is beating too fast. Axel thought of him? He looked for women who looked like him? "...Why didn't you tell me your feelings?"
"I was scared. I didn't want to fuck up our friendship. If I lost you I'd..." he stops. "I shouldn't have done what I did. Just know I've wanted you for so long. I'll be a good man for you. I'll be the best man."
"I'd never push you away." Roxas averts his gaze. "...being my boyfriend...you're not allowed to touch women like that again."
"I'd never have to touch anyone else. You're going to have my full attention. The same goes for you Roxas." Axel grins, pulling Roxas against him again. His heart is beating so fast.
"Of course. There isn't anyone I'd rather be with."
"You are too cute!" Axel squeezes him. He smirks when the blonde bursts with color. "Now...are you planning on being bold like Sora?" He cups Roxas's chin, rubbing his lower lip with his thumb.
"There's no way I could." Roxas shakes his head quickly but heat is pooling.
"I'm just playing with you Rox. I'll go as slow as you want." Those green eyes darken, his breath can be felt on his face. "...Can I kiss you again?"
"Hell yeah." Roxas meets him half way this time.
They haven't gone any farther then kissing in these six years. Roxas is too nervous. Axel has been very patient with him. He only kisses him and if the touching gets too heated he's quick to back off when Roxas ask for it. He's told everyone but Terra and Aqua. Ven was so happy for him. He was grinning from ear to ear. He wasn't surprised. Ven said he was jealous
Riku was. He was kind about it though. He seemed to be deep in thought. Roxas wonders if both Riku and Ven were thinking about trying to take those steps with Sora. Ven knows it would be awkward if Terra and Aqua knew...they are suppose to be brothers but Ven is his true brother. No one else. There's nothing in the Occisor law that would stop them from being together.
Sora has been considerate after finding out. He offers to move away from them during missions just so they can have some alone time. It's nice to have everything out in the open with everyone. No more hiding. He has Sora to thank for that...though it's a bit embarrassing to admit.
Because Sora went down on Riku, Roxas gained confidence to go for it with Axel.
"What you thinking about?" Axel brings him out of his thoughts with a pitch to the cheek. He's pouting. "Here I am, my lips here and ready and you're off in your own little world."
"Let's try to get some work done before I get distracted by you." Roxas feels his face heat up.
"There's no work to do. No vampires are here." Axel reaches for his hand, interlacing their fingers. "What do you want for your birthday coming up? I got some ideas but if there's something you really want just name it."
"You always get me a lot for my birthday."
"Well i'm going to be getting you even more. This birthday is special. It's the first birthday since we've been together."
"You're birthday is coming up in two years too." Roxas hums, thinking about it. He supposes they are more special now.
"We aren't talking about my birthday." Axel squeezes his hand. "I'm asking about yours, Roxy."
"You know I don't like that nickname."
"You don't like it when I call you babe though." Axel grins when Roxas flushes. "let me call you pet names!"
"don't." Roxas pouts. "It's too embarrassing-" The air changes. They were distracted. Despite this Axel still pulls him out of the way before he's attacked from behind.
"What the fuck-" Axel and Roxas get out their weapons.
"Vampire!" Roxas snarls, his eyes turning white. He doesn't know when he got here but he'll end him. It becomes apparent that there isn't just one vampire. There's three more. They have them surrounded.
"I'm calling back up-" Axel tries to send the signal but doesn't happens. Commutations have been cut off. This was a trap.
"You bastard Occisor have been slaughtering us left and right. It's time for us to fight back." A dark haired vampire chuckles.
"Roxas we have to fall back. There's five of them. It's too dangerous to fight them in this open space. We need to meet up with Sora." Axel keeps a calm voice. He's ready to grab Roxas if he needs to. He knows how he loses it when it comes to these creatures.
It pains him. It physically pains him but Axel is right. They turn on their heel and run into the nearby forest. The vampires are tailing them. Axel uses his power to send up a blast of fire into the sky. Hoping Sora would see it.
"trying to call for help?! No one can save you now!" The vampires cheer. They are toying with them. They could catch up and cut them off but they aren't. Why-
They break out of the forest suddenly. A group of trees had been removed to make a clearing. In this clearing are three more vampires...with a occisor council member.
Roxas recognizes him from all those meetings they had about the custody of him and his brother. The hope he feels turns into despair when He draws their weapons towards them.
"What the hell is going on?" Axel grips his weapons, glaring daggers at this Occisor and the vampires that have surrounded them. "This is treason. You'll be put to death-"
"Not if you both die here." He chuckles. "Commutations have been cut off. No one can help you. We'll make this quick and be on our way-"
"Why are you teamed with the vampires? Why are you turning on your kind?" Roxas screams, his white eyes shaking.
"a new leader is over due. The vampires need some help with fighting back against the threat of the occisor...and I need to kill those that would stand in my way. Thinning out our numbers will help when I take over the council with the vampires to back me up-"
"Disgusting! Trash! I'll kill you! I'll kill all of you!" Roxas can't hear anymore. He is spilling filth. He would team up with these monsters? To kill Occisor? So he can rule? He won't allow it. He won't let him leave here-
"Roxas stay calm-" Axel tries to calm him but he's already moving. He uses his wind to launch himself towards the traitor. He's cut off by a vampire. Roxas uses his wind to move up, avoiding the jab that could have gone through his torso. He comes down on the vampire, his Glaive going straight down into his skull. He flings the vampire's corpse off his weapon just as another one is on him.
A burst of fire separates the two before the vampire could attack.
"Careful!" Axel slices at another vampire that just tried to jump him. "We are out numbered! We need to fall back-"
"Not till I killed them all!" Roxas uses his wind to capture Axel's fire. He sends a fiery tornado to the vampire that tried to attack him. He is caught and burnt alive, with his screams filling the air. "Two down only six more to go!-"
"Do you hear yourself right now?! We have to get Sora and get out of here before it's too late!"
"It doesn't matter if we can't make a connection! We have nothing to do but to fight and kill them all!" Roxas keeps sending gusts of wind out. The vampires are circling them, not getting close. If they all charged it would be a problem. In the back of his mind, Roxas knows this is bad. They should try to run. They aren't strong enough to take so many on. Roxas grinds his teeth. "Axel you go and find Sora! Try to find a way to-"
"Like hell I'm leaving you! I'm not losing you Roxas!" Axel snarls, his back pressed against Roxas. He's sending out flames to keep the Vampires at bay. They are surrounded.
"Damn it just go-" Roxas knocks back the monster, whose fangs were so closes to piercing his neck. He cries out when there's a sharp pain on his wrist. Immediately he starts feeling drained- Axel grabs the vampire by the face, ripping him off of Roxas before setting his body aflame.
"We are going now!" Axel's eyes flicker when Roxas falls to one knee, trying to catch his breath. Just that one bite took a lot of blood. "I have you!" He reaches out to Roxas-
It happens so fast. Axel had turned his back towards them to help Roxas. The younger occisor could only scream. A spear...a spear is sticking out of Axel's stomach. It pierced right through him. The spear itself disappears leaving nothing but a gaping hole. Blood pools out of the wound and out of Axel's mouth.
Roxas is quick to try to grab him, to stop Axel from hitting his head on the ground. That's all he could do. "N-No Axel!" Roxas puts pressure on the wound but he keeps bleeding. Axel looks up at him, those green eyes look so weak.
"Y-You...you have to...run...please..." Axel pleads.
"I can't. I...I won't leave you. I'll get you back home. Aqua can heal you! You'll be okay!" Roxas is aware that the other vampires are getting closer. He's aware there is no connection. There is no hope. Yet he can't stop his lies. "I'd rather die here with you then try to save myself-"
"Roxas!" Axel's voice is nothing more then a whisper. He knows that if he had the strength he would be full on yelling at him. Those eyes get out of focused. He staring so strongly at Roxas. So desperately. "Go..." He gets out before his eyes close. Roxas holds his body close. He's still alive. He's still breathing. He knows that he won't last much longer without help though. What can he do? What should he Do-
"Roxas! Axel!" Roxas whips his head over towards that voice. What's wrong with him? Why can't he talk? Why can't he scream? It's like his tongue is too big for his mouth. Before he knows it, Sora is in the clearing as well. Those eyes widen when he sees the state Axel is in...And now he's in danger as well. Roxas is useless. "Did you do this?" Sora trembles, bringing out his blades. He rushes towards the vampires circling them. Instead of trying to attack though, he faints the vampire...just to run to them.
"We need to get out of here." Sora bites his lip, looking at the two of them. Roxas wonders if Sora can feel this despair.
"There's no way to escape...Axel...he's going to die." Roxas feels his lower lip tremble. "The connection is cut off...we are trapped."
"N-No! There has to be a way!"Sora seems to think as he watches the vampires smirk at them. They are just enjoying the show. Soon they will close in and that will be that. All of a sudden there's a shift. It's such a small shift but it's nothing short of a miracle.
"What?!" The enemy occisor shouts, his eyes widening. Roxas felt it. He knows.
"The connection is up!" Roxas shouts. It's such a weak connection. He's sure that only one person will be able to make it through. To him...the obvious answer is to send Axel through-
But that means he's killing Sora.
Roxas isn't sure there will be another connection bubble like this again. By sending Axel through, he's killing Sora. He's suppose to protect him at all cost. That's what Terra told him. He' still important to the council...If Sora dies here...what will Marluxia do to his family-
"We have to send Axel through! Roxas now!" Sora shouts, snapping him out of his thoughts. He stares at Sora with wide eyes. There's no hesitation. "He won't survive! Do it now!"
Roxas swallows the lump in his throat. He takes the crystal out of Axel's pocket, placing it against his chest, he mumbles the words needed. In front of his eyes, Axel is sucked into the portal. It closes immediately after. There was no change for anyone else to follow. Just as Roxas thought, once he sent Axel back, the connection was lost completely again.
"Forgive me...Sora." Roxas can't look at him.
"There's nothing to be sorry for. That was the right choice." Sora's voice is so bright. When Roxas looks at him he's smiling so softly. Doesn't he understand? Doesn't he get that they are going to die here?
"I killed you." Roxas grabs his arm, feeling like he needs comfort.
"You didn't. We won't die. I won't let them kill us Roxas. We can do it!" Sora is trying his best to encourage him. He must know how bad this is. Yet he isn't giving up. "You and Axel are my family. If Axel would have stayed here, vampire or not he would have died. We aren't dead yet. I'll fight with all I have."
Roxas swallows the lump in his throat as Sora stands up, helping Roxas stand up with him. That's right. They aren't dead yet. He can't give up and let the vampires have the satisfaction.
"Hahaha!" That one occisor is cracking up. "I can't believe it! You had a chance! You had a chance to send someone who could snitch about me and you didn't! You sent the dying occisor!" He grins. "I'll just make sure he dies after I'm done with you. There's no escape. No matter how much scream. No matter how much you beg, you both are dying here."
"Roxas I'm here!" Sora cries, getting his swords ready.
"I know!" Roxas gathers his wind. With everything he has. With his last breath. He will fight. He will fight.
In till he can no longer fight.
"Marluxia?" Terra nearly jumps out of his skin when their leader suddenly makes a portal into their living room. He thought that it would be his boys. He's been waiting for them to return.
"What?" Aqua who was in the kitchen getting dinner ready comes out, her eyes just as wide from seeing him.
"Hello. I'm sorry for busting in here like this but there isn't much time. It seems that your boys found vampires. I've been alerted that the connection between the world they went to has been cut off."
"Vampires can't cut off our connection. Only occisor can-" Terra starts.
"A traitor no doubt. I fear the worse for them. I've just reconnected them but whoever it is, planned this. It's a strong occisor. I can only make a weak one. Sora should come through the portal and he can tell us what's going on-"
Just then a portal is made. The smell of blood is suffocating. It's Axel, not Sora laying on the floor, bleeding out from a gaping abdomen wound. Aqua is quick to move, tears making her eyes blurry. She wastes no time with grabbing the boy and rushing him to the pods. He hopes she'll make it in time-
"Not Sora." Marluxia's face is stone. He gaze is enough to freeze an ocean over. "...Roxas and Sora are going to die. I'm sure it was Roxas who sent that boy through...it should have been Sora. i"m working on making a stronger connection but we won't make it in time. If Sora dies, I will kill your whole family. I'll make you watch as I tear them apart limb from limb."
Terra can only stare back at him. He's trying to process what he's saying. Roxas and Sora...are going to die? Roxas...his son is going to die? And if Sora dies...the council will kill them? He knows that Roxas sent Axel. They were always close. Terra just can't imagine them dead but he knows that if Marluxia is acting like this...It may be a grim reality.
"Once I can open the portal, I want your whole family to come through. I want you all to see the horror that will befall Roxas and Sora. I know Axel won't be able to...but everyone else. They must see. They must see how you've failed as a father. You must not have trained Roxas good enough if he thought that corpse was more important then a special occisor." So dark, so cruel. Yet Terra can't say anything. Is he a coward? Is this the smarter choice? He's still processing that...Roxas and Sora may be dead.
What will he say to Ven? He'll finally let them out of the prison just to say...Sora and Roxas may be dead? Ven he...could he take that? Would he lose everyone even without Marluxia's threat?
"I'll call you when I'm ready. When I call, the other boys better be here too." That's all he says. Terra leaves to go see Aqua. He's relieved when he sees Axel is in the pod. He's breathing he's alive. Roxas saved him. Terra can't think of anything else. With a heavy heart he has to explain what he heard to Aqua.
Her tears hurt.
"Ah!" Sora cries out in pain, his back hitting a tree. The vampire is on him, Sora uses his sword to block the bite, struggling with his strength.
"Get off of him!" Roxas Throws one of his spears, it going through the vampires head. Roxas feels like he's reaching his limit. That long range hit took too much out of falls to his knees to catch his breath, just as Sora runs up to him, getting in the front to protect. "Damn it Sora...I..."
"It's okay Roxas!" Sora is trembling. They've only manage to kill two other vampires. There's still four left and the council member. Sora can't really use his light well and Roxas is running out of juice.
"Sora...you should run. It will buy you some time. I'm sure that Terra knows something is wrong now...They will come for you. You need to survive-"
"I won't leave you!" Sora shakes his head. The vampires are getting closer. Sora is bleeding out of a wound to his chest and head. They can't go on.
"It's time to end this." That man smirks. "Honestly you keep saying all that bullshit about 'how you can do this,' and that you 'should keep fighting'. It's pointless. Look." He snaps his fingers. More vampires come out of the forest. There has to be...twenty of them. It was pointless from the start.
"Sora p-please..." Roxas begs. He knows it's pointless but he doesn't want Sora to die because of him. It would have been fine if he could have sent both him and Axel away. He doesn't want to be the reason that his brother has no one. If Roxas and Sora die here...what will Ven do? What will happen to his family when the council finds out? What-"
"Roxas." Sora cups his cheeks. Just now, Roxas notices that he's crying. Tears are falling down his cheeks, but no sound escapes him. "It's okay...I...I won't let them hurt you. I'll protect you...Roxas...do you believe in me?" Sora asks him, looking scared, yet there's a determination there that has him crying more.
Roxas wants to believe him more then anything. But it's impossible-
"Roxas!"Sora calls for him. He feels something tug in his heart.
"I believe in you!" Roxas grabs his hands, wanting it more then anything. "I believe in you Sora so please-" What is he begging for? What can he expect. Sora seems to accept this. He smiles and closes his eyes.
""I'll save you."
"Terra what is going on?" Riku is questioning him. He can't say. He just let the two boys out without any explanation. He can't bring himself to say it.
"Yeah I'm happy to be out of that jail but wheres Sora?" Terra tries not to react to Ven's smiley voice.
They both freeze when they see Marluxia there, staring at them with contempt.
"I've almost got the portal open. When it opens we must be quick. We have no idea how many vampires there are. I have other occisor ready if needed."
"What?" Riku looks at Terra. He freezes when He sees Aqua's tear stained face. "What is going on?"
"Sora and Roxas are most likely dead."
"What?" Ven stares at Marluxia who said that without batting an eyelash. He looks over at Terra and Aqua but there faces...are grim. "Y-your lying right? What is this-"
"They were ambushed by vampires. Probably due to a traitor. I tried to save Sora but your brother decided to send that boy Axel back. He was basically dead-"
"He will live." Aqua cuts in shortly.
"Not if Sora is dead. I will kill you all if he's dead. That's why I want what's left of your family to come. I want you to see with your own eyes their dead bodies."
"This is some sort of joke right?" Ven can't process it. Riku is quiet. Ven can't look at him. He can't look at anyone. "They were...Sora and Roxas are..." Ven bites his lip. He feels like he needs to scream. This is a nightmare. He 's asleep. He has to be.
Just a couple of minutes ago he was day dreaming about the day he would finally get out of jail. How he could finally be able to see Sora again. How they would play like they use to. Now this guy is saying he's dead? That he'll never see him again?
Not only that but his twin brother is gone too? NO. It's a nightmare. He won't accept it. He can't.
"I've made the connection. We move now!" Marluxia commands. They all rush through the portal.
Ven hoping he'll awake from this nightmare.
"I'll save you." Just as Sora says this, a bright light engulfs his body. Roxas watches in awe as Sora's body...floats. The light gets so bright that Roxas feels like he might go blind but he can't look away.
"What the fuck is-" One of the vampires says but that's it. In that moment the light shoots out like a halo. It goes through Roxas's body...he feels something tug at his heart, and he feels so warm. That same light goes through all the vampires and that occisor...
They are cut in half. As if piano wire had just zipped through them all. All twenty of them lie dead at Sora's feet. It was done in a blink of an eye. All that is left of them is gurgling masses that soon go silent.
Roxas watches as the light fades, Sora's body crumbling on the floor.
"S-Sora!" Roxas makes out, reaching over to help the boy back up. To his surprise Sora is still conscious. He's breathing heavily, his face red, and his eyes wide.
"I...I...What did I do?...Roxas? What did I do?"
"You...You saved us Sora." Roxas can tell Sora is scared. Roxas is too. That power was intense. That...That was insane. Sora just killed them all in one blow but... "Thank you Sora. You saved us" Roxas needs to let Sora know that. The boy looks like he's about to cry in despair. "You saved me."
Sora nods slowly but his breathing is erratic. He can't catch his breath. Roxas needs to get him back home-
Just then a portal opens. Ven, Riku, Terra, aqua and Marluxia rush into the scene. Roxas can't help to cry out seeing them. He knows that if Sora didn't do what he did...His brother would have walked in on a different scenario. Sora and Roxas's lifeless bodies. They all look grim like they were expecting it too.
"Roxas, Sora!" Ven sobs immediately when seeing they are alive.
"Sora!" Riku calls. They start to rush over only for Marluxia to get in front of them. He holds out his hand and they stop.
"Sora...Did you do this?" He asks. It seems that the others finally realize what he's talking about. All the bodies. All the vampires. Dead. Cut in half. Roxas can feel Sora tremble in his hold. His head is bowed and he's breathing so heavily.
"Sora needs help!" Roxas grinds his teeth when their leader sends him a look. "Sora he-" In a blink of an eye, he's in front of him. Roxas gasps when the man grabs him by the head, lifting him up into the air with ease.
"Don't speak to me. You are lucky that your choice didn't cause the deaths of your family." He throws Roxas like a rag doll. Ven being the one to catch him quickly. "You all leave me with Sora."
"But Sora-" Riku starts but he's grabbed by Terra. Terra doesn't question him. He just makes a portal and forces the struggling Roxas, Ven and Riku to leave.
Sora can't look at him.
"You seem to be in bad shape Sora...Now...where was this power when you fought me? Why didn't you show me this?" When Sora doesn't answer, Marluxia grabs his chin. He's smiling at him. "I'm not angry. Actually this is amazing Sora. You did it. You killed them all. You even killed the traitor. Will you keep at it for me? If you do. I'll continue to aid you. You just have to listen to me." He seems to think. "I have to play a bit mean though. I have my appearance to keep up so forgive me for when I am harsh to you in front of others. You truly are amazing."
Sora doesn't understand him. He doesn't' understand what he just did. He wanted to save Roxas...he felt like he could but he didn't think that was going to come out of him. He just listened to that voice and... He didn't think he could do that. What is he? Should he even exist?
"You really can't catch your breath. You look terrible. I should take you back. I just needed to say that to you. We will be in touch." He makes a portal. He grabs him by the collar and carries him through.
Once they are back in Sora's living room, Marluxia throws him down on the floor.
"Please!" Roxas is the first to beg when he notices how the leader is treating Sora. "He saved me. He-"
"I feel lied to. Did you know that Sora was so strong?" That gaze is cold, locked on Terra.
"N-No of course not-"
"Sora needs help." Ven swallows when he sees how Sora is struggling to breath. "Sora saved my brother. He did what he could why are you-"
"I don't think someone as strong as him should live. What if he tries to kill me?" Sora doesn't understand what this man is saying. Why does he have to torment his family like this? Didn't he just say he was happy with him?
"Sora gave his all back there! Sora wasn't hiding that power. He's still learning how to use it." Riku tries to reason when Marluxia puts his foot on Sora's head. If he were to stomp down he would kill him.
"Tell me Roxas. Everything you saw. If you lie I'll know and I'll kill Sora."
"...Sora...Sora saved me. He said he would save me and then...there was this bright light. Light shot out from him and went through everyone...even me."
"Even you?" He raises his eyebrow.
"Yes. But it didn't hurt-
"You're saying that Sora couldn't control this power? He also attacked you-"
"I wouldn't be alive if he had! It just...went through me. I felt warm. I'm sure Sora recognized me-"
"So you're saying if Sora didn't, you would have been split in half as well?"
"Sora would never hurt me." Roxas says with conviction.
"Are you sure? Aren't you scared of him? You saw it first hand right?"
"He saved my life. He kept me going when I wanted to give up. He didn't hate me for saving Axel instead of him. I'm not afraid of him. So please...get off of my brother." Roxas tries to hold back his snarl.
Marluxia seems satisfied. "Sure." he takes his foot off of Sora. "I should just take him with me but I'll give you another chance-"
"If I die, don't take it out on them. It would be my fault and mine alone." Sora gets out of his breathes. "Stop...threatening them."
Marluxia thinks for a moment. "...I won't kill them." Is all he says before he's gone in a flash, making a portal.
Maybe that was a deal. Maybe Sora will have to really work for him to protect his family. He doesn't know.
The last thing he sees is his brothers rushing him...ah...he can't even look at Ven or Riku's face. He's so tired. It's been so long. He feels tears escape his eyes but he still can't keep them from closing.
He hopes he can see them when he wakes up. He prays that he can.
Before Ven and Riku could get to the collapsed boy, Terra is there. "We need to get him a pod." Is all he says. He won't look at Ven's panicked face, or the glare he's getting from Riku. He hands Sora over to Aqua.
"It will be okay." Aqua reassures, taking Sora into the other room.
"Roxas can you walk?" Terra locks eyes with the twin.
"...I can." Roxas takes a couple of steps forward. He pauses, biting his lip. "Terra. You should end their punishment. Sora...Sora will need the support."
"That is for me to decide." Terra says but it doesn't have any bite too it.
"Oh rox." Ven gives him a soft hug. "I'm glad you're okay. Thank you for keeping Sora safe-"
"Keep Sora safe?" Roxas shakes his head. It makes him a bit dizzy. "No. I'm sorry Ven. I should have prioritized Sora's life over ours but I couldn't. I had to save Axel. I was willing to sacrifice Sora and myself for that. You don't have to be kind-"
"But you're both alive! You didn't die and nether did Axel! I'm sure you weren't just going to die Rox! I'm sure you had a plan!"
He doesn't have the heart to tell his brother that towards the end he really believed that they would die. Roxas is glad to be alive of course but he can only imagine what their death would have down to him. Ven is shaking like a leaf and he keeps mumbling things like 'it wasn't so bad right?' He's in denial about how close to death they were. That's okay. If it gets Ven past it, Roxas won't push the subject anymore.
He'd rather his brother to forgive him.
"We'll talk later about this Roxas." Terra's voice tells him all he needs to know. He'll talk about how his choice was wrong. He may get punished for it but if he had the choice, he'd do it again. He wasn't going to just let Axel die. Maybe he isn't rational. He'll won't say it was a mistake. If it came to Axel, his life or anyone's for that matter...he's sure he would always pick Axel.
Not saying he doesn't' feel guilt for what he's put his brother or Sora through.
"Roxas head to the pod to rest up. Ven, Riku. You're going back to the jail till fuhrer notice-"
"Seriously?" Riku snarls. "Sora is-"
"Sora will be in a pod. So will the others. There's no reason for you two to be out and fighting among yourselves-"
"We wouldn't! I promise Terra!" Ven starts to plead. Roxas doesn't feel like he can keep up so he heads to the pod room, hearing Ven and Riku argue with Terra. He should just let them out early. It's been so long. It's been hard on Sora. It's been hard on them all.
"This one is ready for you." Aqua greets him. She comes over and gives a gentle hug. She looks deep into his face, her blue eyes glossy. "I'm glad you are okay. I'm sorry I wasn't there."
"It's not your fault." Roxas swallows the lump in his throat. He didn't feel like he was going to cry in front of Ven. Nor in front of Terra. But seeing Aqua's eyes like that, hearing that voice...The kindness of a mother she shows...it makes him weak.
"Hurry into the pod. You did good Roxas. Both of your brothers are home. I'll talk to Terra. It will be okay." She keeps reassuring as she helps the blonde into the pod. As it closes around him and it fills with water, he watches Aqua stare at him. Again he feels guilt.
If Sora didn't pull through, she would be burying two of her sons. That thought alone sets in before the sleep does.