Part Two

Sora was jolted awake at the crash of thunder. Sora frantically glanced around, having completely forgotten where he was. As his gaze landed on Axel still fast asleep on the ground everything soon came rushing back to him.

"Oh.. Right.."

He soon lay back with a sigh, his gaze soon facing the ceiling of the cave. After a while, he turned to look outside again. Sora looked on in surprise as he saw flashes of what seemed to be blue lightning zipping through the heavy cloud cover high above. It was at that moment, Sora noticed the trickling of water that had begun to flow into the cavern.

"W-wha!?"

Sora scrambled to his feet, letting out a cry of pain at the sudden movement as he collapsed back against the cave wall. He could see the flow becoming stronger and took in a sharp breath at the freezing cold of the water. As he was hit by the jolt of cold, he was overtaken by a wave of adrenaline, he hurried to his friend's side on the ground.

"Axel? Axel, we have to GO!"

However, as Sora shook his friend's shoulder, Axel didn't respond.

"Axel!?"

Sora froze as he noticed the wounds from had not fully healed and had begun to bleed again, painting the icy water a soft crimson color.

"AXEL!"

Sora glanced up and his eyes grew wide as he took notice that the flow of water was becoming stronger. The frigged water had at that moment begun to reach his ankles and more was beginning to pour in.

"Axel! D-don't worry!"

Sora took hold of Axel by the arms and using every bit of strength he had, lifted him onto his back the best he could. Sora gritted his teeth as he began to make his way out of the cave, finding the water was now up past his knees As Sora looked up, he could see much of the terrain was now becoming submerged in water. However, by what he could see, the outcroppings of rock suggested the area was mostly made of rock and desert, but how could that be? If it was raining, wouldn't it be a more lush environment?

The sudden flash of lightning snapped Sora out of his thoughts as he saw the water still rising. Sora quickly glanced around them and took note of a nearby cliff. He turned back toward the cave they had been in and could see the entryway to the cave was now filled with water. Sora knew he had to keep going. Axel was counting on him. As Sora made his way toward the cliffs, he cried out in pain as he felt something jagged catch his right leg. Sora stumbled a bit but managed to catch himself and continue walking. Tears of pain slipped down Sora's face as he tried his best to fight through the pain. Blue lightning lit up everything with a blinding flash. Sora took hold of any of the jagged rocks that were scattered about the side of the cliff, making an effort to get them to safety.

Putting every ounce of strength he had left, Sora pushed onward. Sora cringed as his hands slipped and left small cuts in his skin. Clenching his eyes shut, he held onto the jagged and rain-slicked stone as much as he could, taking in slow and ragged breaths. After gathering himself, he looked up. It was becoming hard to see due to how much rain was now pelting his face. Sora took a deep breath and let it out slowly before he continued his climb.

With one last push, Sora lifted himself up to their destination. It was a small inlet within the taller cliff-side. After dragging himself and his friend into the cave, Sora collapsed to the ground in sheer exhaustion.

"We.. W-we made.. It.." Sora gasped.

Axel let out a groan to which Sora smiled a little. Sora took in shaky and ragged breaths as he let his head rest against the ground. His becoming blurry and his adrenaline waning, Sora closed his eyes and fell into unconsciousness.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Axel groaned as he began to stir. As he regained consciousness, he shivered. His entire body felt numb. Axel coughed painfully and shivered as he began to get up. As he looked around, he was shocked to find they were no longer in the cave they had been in hours ago. Axel looked outside and was shocked to see much of the ground below was completely submerged with water. As he looked toward where the distance, all the color drained from his face as he saw the cave they had been in was now barely visible due to the amount of water. Axel then turned to Sora who he realized was now lying beside him on the ground.

"Sora.. Y-you.."

He took Sora's hand and froze in horror at the sight of the deep gashes that covered them.

"O-oh God.." he muttered in shock. "Sora.."

Carefully, Axel lifted Sora up and held him gently. He took note of the recent injuries and hugged him tightly. Sora made a weak groan as he stirred slightly.

"Axel..?"

Axel pulled away and looked at him. Sora was barely conscious but Axel nonetheless was grateful to see his friend was still alive.

"You.. Y-you wouldn't wake up.." Sora croaked out.

Axel looked at him and he could see the sadness on his face.

"Well, I'm awake now, aren't I?" Axel grinned.

Sora turned away, closing his eyes tight.

"Sora?"

Sora responded by throwing his arms around him and hugging him tight.

"Uh, Sora?" asked Axel, a bit confused by how his friend was acting.

"I thought you were.."

Sora couldn't bring himself to say it.

"Sora, c'mon.." Axel frowned.

Sora continued hugging him tight, letting tears slip down his face.

"Sora.."

Axel pulled Sora back until he could stare straight into the distraught boy's eyes.

"Everything will be fine.. I know I was acting like a total baby.. But we're not gonna let this STOP us.. Got it memorized?"

Axel lightly tapped the side of his head at the last comment and Sora sniffled a little and nodded.

"Good." Axel nodded. "Now, how 'bout we rest for now? It's still kinda dark and we'll need all the strength we can get.

Sora nodded and after a moment or so, he lay curled up near the far wall. Axel smiled a little and soon turned to look out toward the horizon. The thick cloud cover was had mostly dispersed revealing the unusual sight of the massive full more with blue and purple stripes. As Axel looked down toward the water, he took notice of what seemed to be small specks of light drifting about over the water. He continued watching with confusion as the specks seemed to copy that of snow, landing within the water and on the surrounding area. Once they landed however, he realized the little balls of light were actually small winged creatures, much very much like a moth or butterfly. Yet, they had a soft blue glow. Axel watched the little creatures move about within the cave and smiled as they seemed to rest on the ceiling of the small cave, giving of the impression of a night sky.

Axel glanced over toward Sora and noticed he had fallen asleep. The red-head made his way over to his friend and lay close to the wall beside his friend. Axel took one last look at the improvised 'night sky' before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.

Author's Note: I know much of this may not make any sense, but the world they are in has an interchanging environment and so it is completely unpredictable.. I will try to get more up soon..