"Aqua and Terra are back!" Ven cheers just as a portal opens up in their living room. Ven gets up from the couch, leaving Sora wide eyed. Aqua and Terra come through, the portal closing. To Sora's relief, they don't look like they've been hurt at all. It's been a couple of days since they've been gone so they were starting to get worried.
"Ven..." Terra's expression softens as Ven hugs him and then Aqua.
"What happened back there?" Roxas comes into the living room with Axel. Riku isn't far behind. "Were you able to kill the vampires?"
"..." Terra sighs. "When we all arrived, most had already escaped. They were smart about it. They did a quick attack and then ran off."
"What is the counsel going to do about this?" Roxas grips his fist.
"They have changed the law." Aqua rubs Ven's hair. "We just came back from a meeting with the counsel...They want all Occisor to kill any vampire they see on sight. We are going to eliminate them."
"Finally." Roxas's shaking dies down.
"So that's something for you all to keep in mind. If you come across a vampire on your missions, call for back up. That vampire must be dealt with." Terra looks at all the boys firmly. They all nod.
"Oh before I forget!" Ven looks up at Terra. "Sora told me something interesting! He said that when he was fighting the witch, there was a light that burned the witch. That was how he was able to cut the witch's head off. Have you ever heard of such a light?"
"A light that burnt the witch?" Terra glances at Sora. Sora nods his head meekly. "There's no such thing...not that I know of."
"But it happened. If not...I wouldn't have been able to beat it."
"...I do agree that I thought it was strange that you would be able to beat a witch at your level. A light you say..." Terra thinks.
Everyone is quiet for awhile till they all exchange a look.
"Do you think...?" Aqua trails off.
"That he's a special one?" Riku seems to pick up on it. "Just like Vanitas?"
"But instead of darkness..." Roxas mumbles.
"It's light!" Ven finishes with excitement. All his brothers are looking at him with wide eyes now.
"What?" Sora tilts his head. It seems they've all come to an conclusion but Sora has been left behind.
"...The way we knew that Vanitas' element was darkness was because on one of his earlier missions we saw dark energy protect him from an attack from a zombie. He later then told us that he could sense our negative feelings...and that he gained power from it." Terra locks eyes with Sora. "If this light came when you were in trouble...it may very well be your element."
"So I can control...light?" Sora holds out his hand, trying to summon light but nothing happens.
"You're still young so it might have just came out because your life was in danger. Tell me Sora, can you sense our feelings? Our negative feelings?...Our positive feelings?"
Sora swallows. He's been keeping this a secret for so long but...he can't lie when he's being asked it directly. He nods his head. "Y-Yes."
"How do you feel when you sense the negative?"
"I feel awful. It's like I can feel what you're feeling and I don't like it. I want to help..."
"And the positive ones?"
"It fills me with warmth." Sora smiles.
"Sora feeds off of good emotions. The negative ones make him upset and he wants to help...to make positive emotions." Aqua thinks out loud.
"Can you feel me right now Sora? What i'm feeling?" Ven moves closer, his eyes are big and sparkling.
"No...It happens randomly. I can't control it...like recently I felt Axel's worry for Roxas when he was asleep. I didn't want to but I did."
"I think that once you get older and we train you better, you'll be able to control that better." Terra smiles. "This is very exciting. We were bless with yet another special one."
"The counsel will be pleased." Aqua shares a smile with Terra.
"I knew you were special Sora! Wow! Your element is light!" Ven jumps up and down.
"To think we all thought you might die from changing but you're actually a special one." Axel smirks.
"I'm excited to see what you can do with this element of light." Riku gets closer, grinning.
"I wanna see the light." Roxas mumbles, getting closer. He's being surrounded by his brothers. They're all looking at him with eager eyes.
"Seriously the next time you feel someones feelings tell me!" Ven says.
"So that's what you meant when you said you 'felt Sara's fear." Roxas contemplates.
"Even though we just came back we should probably tell the counsel of this." Aqua says to Terra.
"Yeah..." Terra walks over to Sora and ruffles his hair. "This makes it harder to train you even though it's exciting. Maybe the elders will have more wisdom on something like this...Just like they did with Vanitas." Terra looks at Riku. "In the meantime, we have a few missions that you can do while we're gone. Don't worry. They're easy."
He hands files to Riku. "I trust you to give them fairly."
"I will."
"This thing with the vampires has set us back on our missions so we have to catch up. Everyone once you get your mission head out." Terra opens another portal and leaves with Aqua.
"Well we did have a few days off. I was hoping for more though." Axel rubs the back of his head. "As soon as they come back they got missions for us."
"Yeah...They just ran off to tell the counsel about Sora." Roxas glances towards Sora.
"Yo Riku I'm being paired with Roxas this time!"
"Alright fine..." Riku looks through the files before peaking at all his brothers. His eyes linger on Sora for a moment before he nods his head. "Axel, Roxas and Ven will deal with pyramids in universe 99 and the killer plants in universe 798. The plants will be a piece of cake with Axel's fire ability. With the three of you, you should be able to deal with these missions okay." Riku locks eyes with Sora who is shaking his hands in excitement. "Sora you're going to be with me. We're going to deal with some disturbances in universe 55. There's been some missing people. They've last been seen swimming in the river-"
"Wait!" Ven waves his hands in the air. "I want to be paired with Sora! Why can't I join you two? Or why can't you be with Axel and Roxas?" Ven complains.
"Considering the two missions that you have, I concluded that you three would be the best for the job. Terra left me in charge of the missions. Are you doubting his faith in me?" Riku raises his eyebrow.
"No! But...But!" Ven pouts. "I want to be with Sora!" He whines.
"It's okay Ven. We'll go on other missions together! I got to go on the last mission with you!" Sora smiles, trying to cheer up the blonde that is looking at him with those big blue eyes. He looks like a kicked puppy.
"Don't complain, Ven." Roxas cuts off Ven when it looked like he was about to start whining again. "I think it's good for Sora to go on missions with different people. He'll get stronger that way."
Ven stares Riku down. Riku's expression doesn't change, if anything his eyebrows get tightly knitted together. Sora is starting to feel that tension...
"You better watch over Sora and keep him safe." Ven puts his hands on his hips.
"I will. I'll do a better job than you did."
"What's that suppose to mean?"
"G-Guys I don't need to be protected or anything! Geez Ven." Sora hits his shoulder playfully, getting in between the two brothers not liking the feeling that was twisting his stomach. "I'll be fine, I can take care of myself! You said you would stop that." Sora pulls on Ven's cheeks.
"I know I did but it's hard!" Ven makes out somehow before pulling away. He smiles at Sora, his demeanor changes. "...You're right. You're a special one. Still, be careful Sora."
"I will. You be careful too Ven. All of you be careful! I want us to all come back and watch a movie together!" Sora watches Roxas and Axel chill out, grins spreading on their lips.
"I bet we'll make it back here before you Riku. We'll be having the movie ready waiting for you."
"We'll see about that." Riku grunts, his lips turning in a smirk, his arms crossed.
"Yeah! Me and Riku got this!" Sora cheers.
"Lets get a head start." Roxas muses before turning on his heel and walking towards their supply area. Axel is quick to follow. Ven gives Sora one last look over his shoulder. Sora smiles. Ven returns it before he nods his head and leaves.
"It's a bit overwhelming isn't it?"
Sora looks over at Riku. The older boy doesn't look at him but stares at where Ven was. "The way he dotes on you."
"I don't think it's overwhelming. Ven just cares a lot." Sora chuckles. "He's a worrywart."
"It would annoy me. The way he talks, it's like he expects you to fail. He doesn't believe In your strength or your abilities. He'd rather baby sit you."
"Well...I don't think that's how Ven feels..." Sora rubs his arm. "...I"m just new to this thing so...He's looking after me."
"Everyone is looking after you. Not just him. If all he does is worry, it becomes a nuisance." Riku looks at Sora and notices the small frown starting to form. He sighs. "Never mind. It doesn't bother you. I'm just saying it would bother me." Riku uncrosses his arms. "Lets gather our materials."
"Okay..." Sora opens his mouth to say more but after experiencing the tension, he decides not too. Why is Riku angry? It feels like he's angry...or frustrated. Sora can feel it squeezing his organs. Every time Sora said Ven's name, it seemed to get worse.
Why does Ven bother Riku so much? He really is just looking after him...There's a part of him that understands what he's saying though. He loves Ven but it does make him feel weak when he worries so much. Sora knows he's weaker than them. It does hurt his pride, just a bit but it gives him determination to work harder so Ven doesn't have to be worried-
Sora makes a noise of surprise when he notices that Riku is no longer in front of him. He runs off quickly to the supply room and is relieved to see him in there. He's shoving things into a back pack. "If you day dream, you'll be left behind. Stay in the moment." Riku glances back at Sora.
"I-I was just..." Sora doesn't know why he's so flustered. It's strange going between Riku's emotions and then his own. It makes him a little foggy.
"Get it together Sora." Riku takes a step closer. "We need to be fast if we want to beat Axel." Riku offers a grin. "Don't you want to win?"
Sora's bad mood changes in an instant. "Yeah! We'll win! We got this in the bag!" Sora cheers, that fogginess going away. There's no more of that tension. Sora doesn't feel it anymore, all he feels is his own excitement.
Riku's expression loosens. "So let me fill you in properly." Riku hands Sora the file. "Our mission involves ten missing people. They've all gone missing after going to this 'Holy River'. The locals usually go there to pray so their sins can be washed away. They started going missing a few months ago. It seems the more people they sent to search for the bodies, the more people went missing."
"So...What do you think is happening to them?" Sora knows this isn't going to be like his missing person's mission with Ven and Roxas. Sora touches over the pictures of the missing people. He feels like they'll never find them.
"Most likely something is killing them. We can't rule anything out yet till we talk more to the locals and gather some information. I don't think there's going to be anything as dangerous as witches or other such things that are behind this. I have a hunch but we'll just have to see. I think this will be a good mission for you to use some of your skills. It's on your level." Riku hands Sora the back pack. " I want to see what you can do."
"You won't be disappointed." Sora's eyes sparkle.
"This is happening in universe 55. You know how to get us there?"
"Um...yeah!" Sora reaches in his back pocket for the pink crystal. He squeezes it tightly. "Universe 55." Sora mumbles. A portal opens next to them immediately, a strong wind coming out of it.
"Let's go." Riku holds out his hand. Sora grabs it. Riku jumps and Sora takes his lead. The younger bites his lip not to cry out when they plummet. It would be embarrassing to do that in front of Riku. He wants to impress him.
When they come out of the portal they're in front of a large cabin home surrounded by trees. "This is where are employer is. He must have set up a summoning stone so we would get here faster. If not we could have appeared anywhere in this world."
"A summoning stone?"
"Yes. If placed down on the ground, anyone who wants to travel to that world will be beamed right to that area where the summoning stone is. In this case it's convenient but in other cases...it could very well be a trap. So be careful of that Sora."
"Okay." Sora nods his head, trying to soak all that in. There's always something new to learn. Sora hopes he doesn't forget it all.
"Occisor you're here! Please hurry to the river! The situation has gotten worse!" An old man comes out, limping with a cane in his hand. He never places the cane down till he's right in front of them. He breathes heavily through his nose, his pupils dilated.
"How has the situation gotten worse?" Riku questions.
"The river...it's black!" He shivers. "I just went to look...our beautiful river is black! Are we damned? Have our sins become too much? Have mercy!" He screams, looking to the sky, holding his hands up to shield his face.
"Black?" Riku's eyes furrow. He looks at Sora but all he can offer is a concerned expression. Riku thinks for a moment. "Has anyone else gone missing?"
"N-No everyone is staying away from the river now. They're all afraid."
"We'll go take a look." Riku starts to march ahead.
"Don't worry sir, we'll find out what's going on with your River." Sora pats the old man on the back before he runs to catch up with Riku.
"Oh young Occisor I pray for your safety! Save the river!" The old man shouts after them as they follow this stone path into the woods. "Hey Riku?"
"Hm?"
"What do you think is turning the water black? You think it's the same thing that's causing people to go missing?"
"...I'm not sure. In all my studying I don't know of any creature that turns water black. We may have to approach this mission with more caution than I first thought." Riku is on high alert. Sora can tell by the way those aqua eyes shift this way and that. He's looking for something. Listening.
"Ew." Sora wrinkles his nose when they reach the river. Just like the old man said, it's black. It smells like mud and soggy grass.
"This had to change just now. This picture that they gave us is dated for yesterday. What is this?" Riku gets close to the edge. He dips his finger in before rubbing them together. "...It's oil."
"Oil?"
"Sora look around the lake for any pipes or barrels. "Look for anything spilling into the river. I'll take this side, you take that side. Don't go into the water." Riku explains before he takes off running. He's gone in a flash.
"Roger!" Sora turns on his heel and starts running as fast as he can along the river. He looks for anything that might be causing this oil in the water but he sees nothing-
Sora skids to a stop. He has to do a double take to make sure. The water is crystal clear. Sora looks down the way he came and sees the black water. Sora walks to the area where the water changes from black to crystal clear. It's a straight line.
Sora also notices where the water is clear there's more animals. He sees fish swimming and dragonflies hovering just over the surface. That's more life on this side.
"That's so strange...wouldn't the oil effect this area? Why isn't it?" Sora mumbles to himself. He glances to the side to try to look for Riku but he's no where to be seen. How long does this River go? Sora stares at the crystal clear water for a moment before he gets an idea.
Riku said not to get in the water but if he doesn't how is he suppose to get anything done? Sora feels like there's something at that line where the water is clean and the other side dirty. He should explore it. Sora takes off his shoes and takes his swords off his hips. They'll just slow him down. Besides he still has his daggers on him.
Sora slowly gets into the water, the crystal clear liquid going up to his waist. He can touch the smooth stone on the bottom with his bare feet. It feels nice. Sora swims over to the spot where the water changes from clear to black. He reaches out but his fingers are stopped short when he touches something solid. It feels like a wall in the water but Sora can't see anything.
"What is this?" Sora feels around. He can't even swim into the oil...there's this wall that's keeping the dirtied water and clean separated-
"Sora!" Sora flinches looking over his shoulder. Riku is glaring at him. He must have just ran back. "I told you not to get in the water! Get out now!"
"What's wrong Riku? There's nothing in the water! If there was I would see it. The water is crystal clear !" Sora jumps up and down to show Riku he's fine. "I came in because there's this area where the water turns dirty and there's this wall-"
"Sora, they're mermaids. They can make themselves invisible in the water. I ran into the person who is dumping oil in the river. They're trying to kill the mermaids. They're the ones who have been killing people. That barrier was probably made by the mermaids to protect themselves. Come on Sora, get out." Riku holds out his hand.
"What-" Sora shivers when he feels fingers caress the back of his leg. "Riku something just touched me!" Sora screams. He starts to swim as fast as he can, using his feet to jump on the rocks to move faster. Riku grabs Sora's hand and pulls him out.
"Sora I told you that-" Riku starts to scold. A creature jumps out of the water, Sora is able to see the large fish tail and it's sharp teeth before he screams again. That thing was right behind him! It's like those scary shark movies when the person gets out and then the shark jumps out with it's mouth all open-
"You're mine little boy!" The creature gurgles.
"No." Riku makes a fist before punching up. The ground comes up like a spear, piercing through its stomach. Sora's mouth drops as he watches the thing squirm, screeching before going still. Green liquid falls down the rock spear onto the ground.
"Wow Riku!" Sora gets up quickly. He's never gotten to see Riku's power before. "That was amazing!"
"You should be lucky I have fast reflexes or you would have been this guy's lunch." Riku grunts. "What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking that I could have...found what was going on there." Sora's eyebrows furrow. He guesses he didn't really think it through. "...This is a mermaid?" Sora tilts his head, getting a better look at the creature. It looks nothing like the beautiful maidens that his mother use to show him in the story books. It doesn't even look human. The face is like a fish with razor sharp teeth, the torso is covered in scales with breasts. The fish tale is big with black scales and the fingers webbed.
"Yeah. Ugly isn't it?" Riku watches the green blood leak into the river. "The blood will draw more of them out so be ready."
"I thought mermaids were beautiful." Sora mumbles, walking over to get his swords so he's ready for another attack.
"Who told you that?"
"My mom! She told me that mermaids are beautiful creatures that help people and fight bad animals!"
"...I've seen some mermaids that are in fact beautiful. This mermaid is crazed. They get like this if they've gotten sick or the water is too dirty. There are also some beautiful mermaids that are evil and will kill you. It doesn't matter what they look like Sora. Don't trust them."
"But i'm sure there's good mermaids too! Just like my mom told me-"
"Your mother was a human who had human ideas of things she knew nothing about. Those human ideas will put you in danger. The world isn't a fairy tail." Riku cuts him off. Harsh and sharp.
"I didn't say that! It's just...my mom loved mermaids. You said it yourself that all mermaids aren't like this-"
"Sora you're not skilled enough to separate the good and the bad. It doesn't mater if your mother liked mermaids. The mermaids in her story books are not the mermaids here! She's dead! What she said doesn't matter!" Riku raises his voice. Sora's eyes widen when something sharp and painful pierces through his chest.
It's hard to breath, this feeling is crushing him, gripping his heart. Sora wants to cry. He wants to sob. It's such a...sad feeling. Lonely. Filled with regret.
"Riku..."
The glare slowly falls off the older boy's face. "Sora..." Riku's eyes widen when a chain comes out of the water, wrapping around his torso. In a instant Riku is gone, pulled by the chains into the water.
"Riku!" Sora yells, watching in horror as his brother is dragged down the river by another nasty creature. Sora can see it this time. He runs as fast as he can down the river, trying to catch up with the mermaid.
Riku is struggling with the chains but it looks like his brother can't get out of them, nor can he use his power successfully. Sora can feel his struggling, can feel the anxiety of not being able to breathe. If he doesn't' do something, Riku will drown.
"I'll save you!" Sora jumps right when he catches up to mermaid. He drives deep and grabs Riku's ankle so he's pulled a long with him. Sora looks up, his cheeks puffed up from holding his breath.
Riku's aqua eyes are staring him down, he's shaking his head, nodding his head to the surface. He wants Sora to go back up.
Sora shakes his head. He crawls up Riku, grabbing the chain with hands. Sora grinds his teeth, pulling on the chains with all his might. After a few strong tugs, Sora realizes why Riku couldn't break free. It's way too strong.
Riku makes another nod towards the surface. He's making a expression...Sora knows he wants him to call for help. Even if Sora calls for help, he's not sure anyone would make it in time to save Riku. Sora isn't going to risk that.
Sora crawls up Riku more. Riku struggles more and Sora gets the feeling he would be yelling at him right now. He can feel Riku's anxiety spike. Sora needs to get him air fast.
Sora takes out his sword, using Riku's shoulders he jumps off of them and stabs his sword down into the shoulder of the mermaid.
It makes a horrible sound,thrashing against Sora. The thing lets go of the chains. As soon as he lets go Riku swims up to get air. Good. The mermaid swims around trying to knock Sora off of him, that horrible sound still leaving its lips. It jerks, the sword going through it's shoulder, throwing Sora to the side.
Sora floats around, ready to strike again. The mermaid is staring at him, it's yellow eyes gleaming.
"I want to eat you..." It whispers. Its voice is strange, like bubbles popping in his ear. "You'll have to breathe soon." It's right. Sora can feel his lungs straining.
It opens its mouth, reaching in down its throat. He pulls a string of steel chains out of his mouth before he bites down, cutting it off.
Sora pushes down on the river bed to quickly get to the top. Riku's arms are still confined but he offers his leg for Sora to grab onto. He grabs it, Riku kicking him into the air, Sora just dodging the chains that tried to wrap around his leg.
"Careful Sora, these chains can't be broken till the mermaid is dead. This one is a strong one." Riku's eyes narrow as he watches the mermaid swim around before it disappears from sight once again. "Once these chains are around you...it renders you powerless. I can't use my power." Riku grinds his teeth.
"Really?" Sora's eyes widen.
"Sora you should-" Riku starts.
"You're pathetic. You can't do anything by yourself." A dark voice messes with Sora's head.
"Sora get away from the water!" He hears Riku scream just as he feels the chain wrap around his neck and then he's in the water. When had he walked towards the edge?
Sora struggles with the chains, trying to move them so he can breathe...yet he can't breathe with the water. He's drowning. He can hear the mermaid snicker. He hears something jump in the water...is that Riku?
Sora is losing consciousness. It seems this mermaid is going to toss him around till he loses air. That's how it kills. It's getting so dark...his lungs hurt, his mind is fuzzy. It's scary, the feeling of not being able to breathe. It's terrifying.
"Where is this power of yours? You can't even save yourself? I'm feeling more of a babysitter." Sora feels something come out of him. He hears the mermaid scream and he stops tossing him around. Sora no longer feels the chains around his neck. He feels something grab him and pull him up to air.
The young boy coughs and sputters, the air forcing his lungs to expand and to expel the water that had filled it.
"Sora, deep breaths. You got to get it all out." Riku pulls Sora out of the river, patting him on the back to help with the process.
"What...What happened?"
"What do you mean what happened? You killed the mermaid." Riku raises his eyebrow when Sora looks confused. He looks back into the river. The mermaid is floating with Sora's sword through it's heart. He did that? He thought he was dying...did Sora do that in his strange mind. "I thought you were a goner...only to surprise me like that..." Riku glares at him. "Don't be so risky. Don't forget i'm here with you. That being said..." Riku locks eyes with him. "Thanks for your help back there. Even though it was risky. You saved me."
"Of course. I wasn't going to let that mermaid drag you away. It was going to have to drag me away too!" Sora puts his hand to his chest when he finally catches his breathe. He turns to sit on his butt, looking at the river. He frowns when the oil starts to travel, covering the crystal clear lake and dirtying it. "...Is the mission over?"
"Yeah." Riku sits next to him. "We killed the mermaids that were causing trouble. Now we just collect our money."
"What about all the missing people?"
"The mermaids have consumed them there's nothing we can do about that."
"Yeah..." Sora hugs his knees to his chest. It's strange that the mission is over. Sora doesn't feel like he's down anything. The river is completely disgusting now. They didn't save anyone and he doesn't even remember killing the mermaid. It doesn't seem like a happy ending.
"...My mother use to tell me stories of mystical creatures too." Riku says quietly. "She would love to tell me this one story about this one werewolf. She loved werewolves. She thought they were the coolest creatures because she loved wolves." Riku looks up at the sky.
Sora doesn't say anything. He feels something pulsing inside of him and he knows these words are important. Something is opening in Riku.
"My mother worked on a animal reserve. She raised the endangered wolves. She loved them like they were her family. She raised most of them from when they were babies." Riku moves his hair out of his face. "She spent more time with those wolves than me." Riku pauses. "Then she would tell me stories about wolves. You could say I didn't care much for them, but I knew how my mother loved them." Another pause.
"One day, my grandmother had picked me up from school. Tears falling down her face. She said that my mother was killed by a wolf. I laughed." Riku kicks at the black water.
"You were in pain." Sora puts a hand over his heart. He feels that sharp piercing agony in his chest.
"...My reaction warrant my grandmother to send me to therapy. They asked me how I felt, why I laughed , what's going on. I simply didn't answer them because they wouldn't understand. It was all I could do. The one thing my mother loved killed her. The one thing she talked about, the one thing she thought was good, ended up killing her. I realized then that my mom's ideas, her views of the world, were false. You can't trust anyone or anything. So I ran away. I figured I could survive better if I was alone."
"You were heart broken. If something that my mother loved killed her...I don't know what I would do." Sora feels his eyes water. He holds back his sob but he wants to weep for Riku. "But I think your mom would cry if she knew you don't trust anyone now. That's so lonely Riku."
"That's how the world works. Anyone will turn their back on you if it benefits them. You can't be so naive Sora."
"I would never turn my back on you Riku and I know you wouldn't turn your back on me. I trust you." Sora says firmly. Riku looks at him for the first time, his eyes widening when he takes in the tears falling down his face.
"You look like a mess." Riku averts his gaze. Sora can feel something in Riku soften.
"I'll prove you wrong Riku. I'll show you that you can trust people again. I've found that this world is a lot different than what my mom taught me through her story books but I don't think those ideas are wrong. I just need to look. I just need to hope." Sora kicks his legs. They're quiet for awhile. "My parents died in a house fire."
Riku peeks at Sora again. "All the books my mother use to read me burnt up with her. I was pulled out by firemen...they couldn't save my parents. I remember feeling...upset. My mother had always said she had her happy ending...that being married to my dad and having me was her happy ending. Burning up in fire isn't a happy ending...I didn't want that to be it. If I was a part of her happy ending I wanted to be happy and make her happy in heaven. I wanted to keep everything she taught me close so she could be proud."
Sora smiles at Riku. That stern expression is completely gone. Riku is open to him, Sora can see it in those aqua eyes. They're looking at him differently. "Riku...I trust you."
Riku looks away from him, bowing his head. His long sliver hair gets in the way of his face. They sit in silence for a moment before he stands up. "Hey Sora...you wanna see something cool?"
"Sure." Sora stands up. Riku gives him a grin but Sora can tell he's still emotional. Sora can feel the whirlwind in his heart.
"Lets collect the money and then I can show you." Riku starts to lead the way.
"Do we have time? Or will Axel beat us?"
"Do you care that much about winning?" Riku doesn't look at him.
"...No. I"d rather see what you have to show me Riku." Sora smiles when his shoulders relax.
"...Okay."
Sora's body continues to throb.
"Where is this place?" Sora looks around. There's nothing to be seen all around, a barren waste land.
"This is universe 45. Follow me." Riku leads him forward. Sora is looking all over the place but so far he doesn't see anything that he thinks is cool. Riku really wanted to show him this too. He rushed their employer to give them the money so they could leave.
Riku holds out his hand, making a fist. Sora gasps when the sand in front of him separates, revealing stone stairs that lead down. Riku starts to walk down the stairs without saying a word so Sora toggles along behind him, still gawking at how awesome that was.
The stairs lead to a cave. It's small with a wooden board at the end of it that kind of looks like a door. There's some flowers growing in here but for the most part it's gray stone. It's so quiet that their steps echo.
"How did you find this place?" Sora runs around the cave, looking at every thing that he can.
"I had a mission once in this universe. When I was fighting a harpy, I ended up moving the sand in my attack and stumbled upon the stairs. This has been my own special place since I found it. I come here when I want to get away." Riku glances over at Sora. "You're the first person I've shown."
"It's amazing Riku. Thank you for showing me!" Sora beams, feeling his chest tighten.
Riku stares at his smile before his eyebrows furrow. He turns his back to him, touching the cold stone wall. "...I don't know why I told you all that back there. I've never discussed this with anyone. They all asked, but I didn't want to tell them my past. They didn't need to know. So I don't know why I told you."
"I haven't told anyone about how my parents died." Sora smiles when Riku peeks at him. "I liked talking to you. I think it's better to get it off your chest sometimes you know?"
Riku is quiet before he nods his head. He faces Sora completely. "Alright Sora listen to me. I don't trust you. I don't trust anyone.. But there's something about you that I..." Riku pauses. "...So I'm starting off small. This is our secret place now. Don't tell anyone about it." Riku locks eyes with Sora. "I'm trusting you with that."
"Leave it to me! I'll never tell anyone! I'll take it to my grave!" Sora chuckles, doing a salute.
Riku's expression relaxes completely and he chuckles. Sora feels his heart sore. He's never seen the other boy so expressive. Riku doesn't trust others. It made Sora upset that he doesn't trust him...but after he said he was trusting him with this, Sora knows Riku is trying. He's trying to trust him. Sora will do his best for Riku and be the best Brother he can be.
"We should head back. They'll start to wonder where we are."
"We should come back here together some time."
Riku grins, those aqua eyes getting brighter. "Yeah...we should."
"Maybe we could get some chalk and decorate the place!"
"That sounds like it could be cool." Riku chuckles at Sora's sparkling eyes. "Come on. Lets go." He ruffles Sora's hair before holding out his hand for Sora to take.
As Riku calls a portal to send them home, Sora can't help to smile. He's gotten a lot closer to Riku. He can feel it. Something has changed, a bond has been made. It feels nice and warm. He's made a friend.
His mother would be proud.
"What took you so long?" Ven runs up to Sora as soon as he came out of the portal with Riku. He tackles him in a hug, squeezing him tightly.
"The mission was a little harder than expected. I saw mermaids for the first time!...They were really ugly." Sora wrinkles his nose. He's aware of Riku just standing off to the side, listening in. He's probably wondering if Sora will say anything about what happened after the mission.
"Oh yuck. Were they the slimy scaly ones?" Ven shutters when Sora nods his head. "I hate having to fight them! They give me the creeps." Ven sticks out his tongue. "I don't like fish in general but it's like...monster fish."
"Why don't you like Fish Ven?" Sora chuckles.
"Because! They're all...slimy. They wiggle and...blah." Ven shakes his head.
"You're a goof ball Ven!" Sora laughs.
"Huh? How?" Ven raises his eyebrow but the other boy's laughter has gotten him to join in. "It's the truth!"
"Riku told me that not all mermaids look like that though. He said some are beautiful."
"They all freak me out." Ven mumbles. "Even if they have pretty faces they still have slimy, scaly tails." Ven thinks. "It really took you that long just to take care of some mermaids? Did you guys do something else?"
"Me and Riku hung out for a bit." As long as Sora doesn't mention the cave it's okay right? "It was a lot of fun!"
"See this is why I wanted to go. I wanted to have fun with Sora too." Ven mumbles under his breath. Riku glances at Sora. Sora gives him a reassuring smile. 'your secret is safe with me'.
Riku smiles then, it's small but it's there. He leaves the room seeming satisfied.
"Where's Axel and Roxas?"
"They ran off somewhere once we got back. Axel waited for you guys for awhile but then got impatient. The movie is still on and waiting though. Terra and Aqua aren't back. They probably won't be back till tomorrow. The counsel tends to hold them."
"I hope they're not gone too long...When Axel and Roxas get back we should watch the movie together." Sora grabs Ven's hand and pulls it close to his face when he notices something. "Ven! You got a deep cut on your hand!"
"Yeah. I got that while fighting this mummy-"
"You had to fight a mummy?! Mummies are real?! Well I knew they were real but I didn't know if the monster ones were real!"
"Oh yeah they're real! When we arrived in the pyramids we ended up being surrounded by them. Apparently some stupid person decided they wanted treasure but they failed to realize the horrible curse that would be placed on them...which is what we had to deal with. Axel took care of most of them but they were tough! This is the only wound I got though! I took on 20 mummies!"
"That's amazing Ven! You're super cool!" Sora gushes, gripping his fists.
"Y-You think?" Ven rubs the back of his head, a bashful smile turning his lips. His cheeks have become flushed.
"Yeah!" Sora giggles at how Ven's face gets even redder. "Lets go wrap this up!" Sora keeps a hold of Ven's hand as he leads him towards the infirmary.
"Okay! After that we should play outside while we're wait for Axel and Roxas! We could look for rocks again."
"Sounds like fun." Once they make it to the infirmary, Sora gets out the kit just like Aqua has shown him many times. "Hold out your hand for me." Ven does so, this smile stuck on his face.
"This is nice, having you look after me." Ven beams. "Whenever you have wounds Sora, i'll dress them too!"
Sora cleans the wound with normal saline, putting some gauze on top to cover it before wrapping it up with some ace wrap. It looks nice and neat and Sora can't help to be proud of it.
"Lets go play!" Ven pulls Sora out, the older boy's attitude has changed greatly. When Sora first appeared he could tell Ven was upset. He was probably worried sick about him. Now he's all smiles.
Sora likes it best when Ven is smiling. It's like the sun is shinning on him. He's so bright.
"Let's go to that one spot again."
"I'll race ya!"
"you're on Sora!"
"Ven you got to let go of me if we're going to race!"
Their laughter fills the air. Some would consider it music.
Riku peaks out of his room at the two boys as they run in the back yard. He watches them before going back into the shadows of his room where he can block out their laughter.
It makes something throb inside of him and he wants it to stop.
"Ha i'm going to win!" Sora cheers as he smashes all the buttons on the game controller, making his character on the TV to a variety of kicks and punches.
"No you're not." Riku says simply as he presses a few buttons and sends Sora's character flying through the air. He adds a special move and kills him suddenly.
"Aww man!" Sora whines. "You're cheating Riku!"
"I'm not. You just suck." Riku chuckles at the pout on Sora's face. "Come on Sora you can do better than that. How many times have beat you?"
"Three times." Sora grumbles.
"Maybe if you didn't just smash the buttons you'd have a better shot. Try to use combos. I taught you how to do that." Riku points to the couple of buttons.
"Alright fine! I'll beat you this time!" Sora grins.
"We'll see about that." Riku returns the grin, ruffling Sora's hair before starting the game back up.
"Hey Sora i'm done with my studying! Do you want to help me cook dinner?" Ven calls for him upstairs.
"I'm down here Ven!" Soon enough Ven is down in the basement. He's all smiles when he looks at Sora but when his eyes fall on Riku, his expression changes.
"Oh...what you guys doing?"
"Riku showed me this cool game! We have to fight each other but it's fun!" Sora smiles.
"I thought you had studying to do too Riku?" Ven questions.
"I finished it." Riku doesn't look away from the TV. "Sora looked bored so I offered him something to do. I knew you would take a bit with your studying."
Ven narrows his eyes. Sora frowns when he feels that tension again and he looks between his brothers. Ven smiles suddenly.
"Well i'm done now. You want to help me cook dinner Sora? I'll teach you how to make spaghetti."
"Okay! Let me just try one more time to beat Riku! Come watch me play Ven."
"Beating Riku won't take long. I'll root for you Sora!" Ven runs over and sits next to Sora, getting squashed next to him. He wraps his arms around his waist so he can hug him while he plays.
"You ready Riku-" Sora looks over at Riku. He immediately frowns when he sees how stiff Riku is now. His expression is tight and his shoulders are tense. "Riku?" Sora questions. Riku glances over at him. Sora gives him a smile. "Ready to lose?"
Riku stares at him a moment before his face loosens up again and he smirks. "Not going to happen."
They start to play a match. Sora chuckles when Ven starts to cheer, getting overly excited about it when Sora lands hits and moody when Riku lands hits.
"Where is Axel and Roxas anyway" Ven questions after awhile of them playing. This battle is intense though. Sora hasn't lost yet and he's not planning on too.
"They left to go somewhere after you starting doing your work." Sora answers as he dodges one of Riku's attacks.
"Aqua gave us all work to do to catch up with school right? How did they get it done so quickly?"
"I'm sure Axel didn't do it." Riku grunts. "They'll probably do it later."
"I wonder when Aqua and Terra are coming back...it's been a week. I thought they would be right back. All they were doing was telling the counsel about me..."
"It takes awhile sometimes. The counsel can be weird. When they went to tell the counsel about Vanitas they were out awhile too. When they came back they had all these books and they started to change Vanitas routine and how they trained him."
"They may want to see you too. Vanitas went away for a bit." Riku adds.
"Is the counsel mean?" Sora glances at Riku and Roxas...which makes him focus less on the game and he's once again beaten by Riku. "Noooo!" Sora cries.
"Come on Sora lets go cook now!" Ven grabs Sora's hand and starts to pull.
"Okay." Sora turns his head to look back at Riku. His brother is staring at him. Just by looking at those aqua eyes, Sora can feel an unease in his stomach. "I'll beat you next time Riku! I'll get better!" Sora yells.
Riku only loosens up a little bit. Maybe he feels left out. "Hey Riku do you want to cook with us?"
"Waa? Sora I just wanted to cook with you." Ven pouts.
"We spent all yesterday together ven. I think Riku wants to join in!"
Ven frowns but he doesn't say anything else. Riku's lips twitch. "Sure i'd like to join in. I could teach you some of my cooking techniques."
"Yay sounds like fun right Ven?"Sora smiles at his brother.
"I guess so." Ven loosens up when Sora's eyes are on him. He beams. "To the kitchen!" Sora can relax when he doesn't feel that tension anymore. He feels his muscles loosens, feeling secure being between his two brothers.
Ven and Riku go back and forth trying to teach him how to cook seasoned chicken. It would seem simple but as soon as Ven would say you do something this way, Riku would say it's better to do it this way. The same when Riku tries to teach him. Sora feels lost. It seems no matter what he does, one of his brothers wouldn't be happy with the way he's cooking. Sora didn't think cooking would be so stressful.
"…So now we just let the chicken cook in the oven. How do you feel Sora?"
"Um…It was a little bit confusing."
"It'll get better once you cook more for yourself. You find your own way." Riku cuts off whatever Ven was about to say.
"Yeah Riku's right." Ven taps his finger against the table. "Sora do you want me to teach you how to make dessert next?"
Sora feels a grimace coming on but he nods his head anyway. He can't help to smile when Ven brightens up despite the headache that's ringing his mind.
"Hmm how about chocolate cake? I'm the best at making cake!-"
"We have the ingredients to make apple pie." Riku cuts Ven off again after he rumbled through the cabinets. "I think apple pie would go better after the chicken."
"But I don't know how to make apple pie." Ven grumbles. "I know how to make chocolate cake and I think Sora would like to know how to make it too."
"Chocolate cake is simple. Anyone can make it. I'll teach you how to make apple pie too Ven." Riku's lips curl at the end.
Ven narrows his eyes. "You know what Riku I think I'm find to teach Sora by myself. Aren't you always busy? You should do whatever it is you do."
"Well Ven….I've made chocolate cake before with my mom. Wouldn't it be fun if we learned to make something together?" Sora tries, grabbing his hand, looking at Ven with those big blue eyes.
Ven pouts for a moment but as he keeps staring into those Crystal eyes he smiles.
"I guess it would be! Okay Riku, teach us how to make apple pie!" Ven nuzzles Sora's head.
Sora frowns when Riku's eyes narrow and his jaw looks tight.
Why is Riku angry now? Sora can feel the burning in his chest that's coming from Riku's direction. Sora's trying to make it so everyone is happy but it seems no matter what he does one of his brothers gets upset.
"Please teach us how to make apple pie." Sora tries again.
Riku locks eyes with him before he averts his gaze and starts to bring out ingredients- The air shifts. Sora has gotten use to that feeling and he knows it means a portal has opened.
"That must be Terra and Aqua!" Ven whips his head over towards the new presence in their home. Sora is about to shout his greeting but the words get caught in his throat.
Terra and Aqua walk into the kitchen, grim expressions causing the air around them to have an ominous aura. Sora doesn't have to be able to feel emotions to see how tense the space between his brothers have gotten.
"Sora we have to talk to you." Terra holds out his hand. Aqua won't make eye contact with Sora.
"...Okay." Sora walks up to the towering adults. Ven takes a step forward with him. He freezes at the sharp look he gets from Terra.
"I need to talk to him alone." Terra's voice is firm and his stone gaze doesn't change when Ven's blue eyes get wider in his disappointment and worry.
Sora swallows as he led down into the basement by Aqua. She has him by the wrist. She holds him so tightly that Sora wonders if he had tried to get away from her if he could.
"Have a seat Sora. Do you need something to drink?" Aqua lets Sora sit on the couch. She smiles at him but it doesn't reach her eyes. Sora shakes his head, fiddling with his fingers when Terra gets closer. He feels like he's gotten in trouble somehow. A guilt he doesn't understand making him kick his legs restlessly.
Terra sits down in front of him and takes a deep breath.
"Did...did it go bad with the counsel?" Sora asks unsure.
"I will be honest with you Sora...we haven't been on the counsel's good side for awhile now. Since Vanitas has run away, the counsel's patience with us has been thin. Vanitas was a special one. We were suppose to watch him and monitor his progress. Now he's out to do as he pleases with his power. The counsel doesn't want to admit it but I think they're scared of what Vanitas could become." Terra locks eyes with Sora. "...So when I told them about you being a special one...They said that they did not trust us with you. They want you to live at the capital."
"Huh?" Sora's eyes widen, his heart feeling like it just froze in his chest. "B-But-"
"They want to examine you and do research on you...Just like they did to Vanitas...but this time they want you to live at the institution. They don't want you to leave their site since we've lost Vanitas-"
"But I-I don't want to leave you guys! I want to stay here! I...I belong here, with my family." Sora stands up from his seat, too upset to stay still.
"Sora-"
"I won't let you!" Sora's eyes widen when Ven slams the basement door open. He comes marching down, his face flustered, his breathing heavy. His eyes are set flame. "I won't let you take him to the capital! Sora wants to stay here with us! I won't let Vanitas be the reason why Sora has to go there...They'll torture him! The capital is cruel with their experiments and you know this Terra!"
"Ven...You were listening." Terra doesn't seem surprised, just tired. "...You too Riku?" Riku opens the other door in the basement, coming out with a silently fierce expression of his own.
"If you make Sora go to the capital...I'll steal him away and run! We'll run far away!" Ven yells, gripping his small fists. Those eyes are watering.
Sora feels his own eyes get wet from the strong emotions in this room. He puts a hand to his heart, fighting back the tears. Frustration, fear, worry, anger and...something close to hate. Sora can't sort them all out and he doesn't want to.
He has his own fear, his own worry and sadness that's holding him down at this moment.
"Ven Iv told you before that if you're going to spy, wait to hear the full story. Don't charge in with half of the truth." Terra gives him an exhausted glare before he looks at Sora. His eyes soften. "I'm not sending you away Sora." Sora looks up at him. "The reason it took so long is because we had to fight the counsel with many court cases, trying to prove our right to raise you and to keep you here with us. We won...so the counsel won't get what they want fully. We had to make comprises though."
Terra words have calmed Ven down considerably and Sora can see Riku's shoulders relaxing...but the emotion is still too much.
"What compromises?" Riku questions.
"The counsel gave us a training program that Sora is to follow strictly." Terra nods to aqua. She holds out a large book and places it in front of Sora. She gives him a smile of encouragement when he opens the book up. His eyes widen when he sees each page is a day...filled with things they want him to do and what they want Terra and Aqua to monitor and record.
"We are to follow this book and...in four Occisor years a member of the counsel will come to see if you are up to pare with their standards. Also...Sora if you are to ever run away like Vanitas did, if we were to lose you in anyway..." Terra closes his mouth when he sees how Ven has gotten closer and Riku's expression has gotten grave.
"What?" Sora swallows.
"Our section would be put to death. Every last one of us." Terra locks eyes with Sora.
"What?! T-Then i'll never leave! I wasn't going to leave anyway!" Sora puts a hand on his chest.
"...In their own way...it seems the counsel has trapped you..." Terra smiles to himself but it's bitter. "...Things will be harder on you Sora. I've looked through the book...it's tough. Also, since we can't lose you, as for now, you'll never be able to go on a mission alone, even the most basic."
"I don't mind. As long as I can stay with you guys...as long as I can continue to live with my family...i don't care what it takes!" Sora jerks when Ven is suddenly on him, hugging him tightly from the side. He rests his head on his shoulder.
"You love us so much Sora..." Ven whispers in his ear, his voice breaking. "...Do you feel it?" Sora does feel it. He feels Ven's feelings flowing in him. It takes Sora off guard when his head gets fuzzy with admiration and adoration. It feels like he's being wrapped in a warm blanket...it's so tight, suffocating but pleasant. The tightness is Ven's...guilt. His pain, his worry. Sora doesn't understand why Ven is feeling like this but he knows he wants to help.
"It'll be okay. I'll surprise you with my skills. Believe in me." Sora smiles when Ven looks at him with those big blue eyes.
Ven's lips wobble and he nods, Sora feels that blanket loosen up and now it's just warm. "I believe in you Sora."
The younger boy feels the blow in his chest...faith. Ven has faith in him. Sora feels...powerful. There's something flowing through his veins as he stares at Ven's believing eyes.
"S-Sora!" Ven gasps, letting go of him. "You're glowing!"
Sora looks down at his body and indeed he is glowing. There's light surrounding him, pulsing around his body. "How did I...?" Sora looks at his hands and he knows this light is the power he felt surge just a moment ago.
"Sora how did you channel that light?" Terra gets up, glancing at Ven. "Ven take a few steps back. He can't control it well."
"Sora wouldn't hurt me." Ven states with confidence. "This light...it's not harmful..." Ven reaches out to touch Sora. He smiles when it doesn't seem have any affect on him. "See?"
"I don't know how this happened...I was just looking at Ven and I felt the faith he has in me and then...this happened. I feel strong and I don't know what to do with myself. I feel scared." Sora admits, backing away from Ven when he was able to hug him to comfort him.
"...Faith?" Terra's eyebrows furrow and he starts to flip through the book.
"Stay calm Sora. It's okay."
"I feel like there's something I need to do...something-" Sora stops when he looks at Ven once more. Those eyes...filled with worry...it's doing something to him. He feels the need to touch him. The light is calling to him, whispering to him. "V-Ven don't come any closer-"
Ven doesn't listen. He wraps his arms around him and gives him a tight hug. Sora knows it's because Ven couldn't help it. When Sora is scared, he wants to comfort him...but now it's too late. Sora feels the light leave his body and go into Ven's.
In that moment he can't hear anything. He can't hear Terra or Aqua yelling...all he can feel is Ven. There's nothing but white around him and all Sora can see is...Ven's heart. He reaches out like in a trace and touches the floating crystal like heart, caressing it with his fingers. Sora is touching Ven's soul. He's touching the most intimate part of him.
Sora hears a sound, something shattering...the heart opens up to him and he can see it's core. Sora wants to leave this place, he doesn't' know if what he is doing is wrong or-
"Sora...I accept you." Ven's voice comes out of the heart. Just like that, Sora knows what to do. He touches the core, a burst of light going into it and then surrounding Sora like a ring.
Ven soul...is now linked with him. Sora hears the seal before the room of light disappears.
"Sora! Sora!" Sora's eyes snap open. Aqua lets out a sigh of relief would Sora is able to get himself off the ground. "You just passed out are you okay?"
Sora isn't comprehending what she's saying. He's looking for Ven. What he saw just now...was that a dream? Sora's heart beats faster when he sees Terra is fussing over Ven who has a hand to his heart, his eyes closed.
When Sora looks at him, those eyes open.
"Ven are you okay?" Terra asks. "Did the light damage you? Do you feel pain anywhere?"
"No...No pain..." Ven says, his voice airy like in a trance. He shakes his head and snaps out of it. "No...i'm fine. The light didn't hurt. It felt like...like something amazing just happened."
"Amazing?" Terra questions.
Sora feels the same way. He can't put it into words though and he wonders if Ven will be able to. Ven just shakes his head.
"I can't explain it but...nothing bad happened."
"I want you both to go to the infirmary. I want to check you out. I'm still concerned." Aqua grabs both of their hands to lead them.
"Sora your training will start tomorrow after classes. I'll help you as much as I can...I will also be keeping reports on you. I'll send a report of this incident to the counsel." Terra explains.
Sora nods but he's still not really with it. Only when he leaves the room does he realize that Riku is no long here. When had he left? Sora can't remember. Did he run out when all the light stuff happened? Sora's brain is still too fuzzy to think.
"I'll be right back." Aqua leaves the two boys in the infirmary. Sora looks down at his hands for a moment before looking over at Ven. His eyes are closed...he looks so peaceful but Sora knows he isn't asleep.
"...Ven...what did I do to you? I...I don't remember much but I...I think I did something to your heart."
"You did." Ven looks at him with such a pretty smile. Sora can feel it clearly, the adoration and love that's coming straight from Ven. He's never been able to feel with such clarity. "I think...no I know that we're connected now. It's like I feel you inside me and...all of me is loved. I feel so light and free...as if ive been saved."Ven chuckles. "I don't know what you did but...i'm glad it happened."
"You don't feel like i've crossed a line? I...I felt like I touched your soul Ven. I..." Sora hugs himself. "I felt...all of your guilt, your pain, your happiness...everything in an instant. I don't know if I was suppose to go so deep-"
"Sora i'm happy you did. Like I said...by doing that it feels like I'm free. I know i'm loved by you. I probably should have told Terra but I didn't want to. This seems special and I don't want to tell anyone. This power of yours, just like you, is a wonderful thing. It helps people, it doesn't hurt. You're amazing!"
Admiration, it hits Sora hard in the chest full force and he can feel himself get flustered.
"I-I didn't even know how I did it! I'm not amazing at all!"
"Yesss you are! Don't even!" Ven jumps over, putting Sora in a head lock. The two boys start to giggle, wrestling with each other on the bed, trying to knock the other one off.
Just like that, Sora feels something lock into place and he's not fuzzy anymore. It's almost like what he did was a dream and It didn't really happen...
but he can feel the difference in Ven. They've gotten closer and Sora can sense him a lot better.
"Would you two stop? I haven't checked you out yet!" Aqua comes back to sight of the two boys rolling around on the floor.
"Sora started it! He won't admit he's the best!"
"I can't be the best when I don't even know what I did!"
"You're always the best to me Sora!"
Aqua watches the two boys go back and forth, rolling around and pushing on each other. She smiles to herself and shakes her head.
There's not reason for her to worry just by seeing the display in front of her, she knows when she checks them up she will find nothing.
They're both doing just fine.
"Mom what am I good at?" A young Sora looks up to his mom, turning his attention away from his homework.
"many things! What brought this question on?"
"...Some kids at school said I wasn't good at anything...that I was stupid because I get a lot of questions wrong...They said that's the reason why dad didn't come to the party at school for father's day today."
"Honey, your father is just busy. Don't listen to those other kids. They don't know anything about you." His mother warps her arms around her son and smiles into his hair. "You have no reason to be sad. Sora you have the power to open hearts, that's what you're good at."
"The power to open hearts?" Sora blinks. "When did I do something like that?"
"You do it all the time with that smile of yours Sora. You're kind and you're good at sharing this kindness." His mom smiles when Sora's face gets red. "I don't care what they say...I see your father in you. I know that you'll be just like him."
"Just like dad?" Sora turns to face his mom. She cups his cheeks and rubs her nose against his.
"Just like him. You'll open the hearts of everyone you come across and give them light."
"I don't think I can do all that mommy. I don't think daddy does that either. I think you're just making that up." Sora pouts.
"I'm not!" She giggles. "...Maybe you can't now, but I have this feeling when you get older...you'll be just like your father. I have faith in you." She kisses Sora's forehead. "Don't listen to others Sora. They will tell you many things that are not true about yourself like that you're not good at anything. As you can see, you are good at things Sora. So just remember who you are and nothing anyone can say will harm you."
"..." Sora closes his eyes, taking that all to heart before he smiles. "...You're right mom. I am pretty good at making people smile! And i'm pretty good at soccer too! They didn't know what they were talking about!"
"Exactly." She smiles. "You'll do great things Sora. Don't let anyone tell you other wise." She hugs her son. "I know your father isn't around much but he loves you dearly. There's no one in the world he loves more than you. If he could have been at your father's day party ,he would have been there in an instant."
"I don't think that's true. He loves you the most that's why you're married." Sora retorts, trying to get away from his mother's loving kisses. A boy can only take so much of being smothered.
"Yes we do love each other but...you should have seen the way he looked at you Sora...the day you were born. The love we have for you, is something very special. You are the proof of our bond and we will always love you."
"I'll always love you guys too." Sora squirms, feeling his face get hot from being so happy. "I just wish dad was around more."
"Me too. He'll be back tonight and then we can watch a movie together...how does that sound?"
"Great!"
Sora's eyes slowly open. He groans as he sits up, rubbing his head. Another memory of his mother...This one is still making his heart beat fast.
His mother had told him that he had the power to open hearts...isn't that what he did to Ven? But how would she have known he could do this? Sora wasn't an Occisor back then. His mother couldn't have known anything about it.
Maybe she was just saying that at the time, to make him feel better, to make him feel special...it's just strange how spot on she was.
Sora hugs his knees together, biting his lip. That memory also makes him think of his father.,...he really didn't see him much. Whenever he did, his father would smile at him with such sweetness and tenderness. He would take him on his lap and he would ask him about what Sora's been doing. Everything he said, it felt like his father was holding onto every word.
Even though he wasn't there much...Sora knew he was loved.
Sora swallows down the lump in his throat. Thinking of his parents always ends up with him remembering they're gone. Even after all theses years, the pain is still there. The lost still waves heavy on him.
Sora blinks when he looks out of the window and sees it's dark...he's also in the infirmary. He remembers wrestling with Ven and then Aqua saying they should rest... Sora gets out of bed and sees a letter on the bed.
"Axel and Roxs are back! I'm going to go tell them about the counsel and everything to keep them up to date. Come meet us in the basement when you wake up!
Love Ven."
Sora rubs his forehead for a moment. Right...Axel and Roxas weren't there when Terra explained everything that went down with the counsel...Sora's eyes widen when he remembers Riku. Where had he gotten off to?
"The trees." A voice whispers to him. Sora knows he shouldn't listen to any voice, knowing it could be Vanitas but somehow Sora knows the voice is right. Riku is outside. Sora feels like he needs to see him. Something is unsteady inside of him.
Sora walks outside into the cold night air, feeling like he's walking in a dream. The freezing wind is waking him up quickly and soon enough he finds himself in front of the forest out around the house.
"Hey Riku are you out here?" Sora calls, looking around.
"Yeah." Sora follows his voice to a tree to the left and looks up. Riku is sitting on the branch, looking down at him with those aqua eyes. They stand out against the darkness.
"Why are you up there? It's so cold out here." Sora rubs his arms together.
"If you're cold you should go back inside."
"But I want to talk with you." Sora smiles when Riku slowly looks back down at him. Riku looks conflicted for a moment before he sighs and jumps down from the tree. He crosses his arms and leans against the tree.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"Well I...did you see what happened?" Sora whispers, not really sure why. "Back there I..."
"I didn't see it but Terra told me all about it. Your power came out and attacked Ven. Aqua said you both were fine." Riku runs a hand through his hair.
"When did you leave? Why did you leave?" Sora asks.
Riku shrugs his shoulders. "I didn't know I needed a reason to leave." He grunts. "I heard all the information that I needed. You're not leaving for the capital but you have to train strictly. That's all I was concerned about. If I had known I would get to see your power I would have stayed." Riku glares towards the woods. "You didn't need me. Ven was there for your comfort."
"But I need all of you." Sora grabs Riku's wrist. "I don't know how hard things are going to be now...but I'll do whatever I can to stay with you all. Not just Ven. I need all your support...I need you too Riku. We're brothers aren't we?"
"I don't think of us as brothers nor do I think of this as my family." Riku grits his teeth, yanking his arm away from Sora.
Sora feels something curl around his heart but he doesn't let it bother him.
"...But we're at least friends right?" Sora smile when Riku looks at him with wide eyes. "I think if you as my family but...even if you don't think so, I know we're friends! As my brother, as my friend, as whatever you want to be called Riku, I need you and I wants to spend a lot of time with you too!"
With those words, Sora watches as Riku's attitude changes. His aqua eyes lose darkness and his body loosens up. He stares at him for a long time before he smiles.
"You're hopeless you know that?" Riku chuckles at Sora who is smiling despite how much he's shaking from the cold. "Come on, lets go inside."
"You want to go and hang out with the others in the basement? Axel and Roxas are back!" Sora walks by Riku's side.
"No i'm fine."
Sora walks next to him for a moment, catching how Riku glances at him from the corner of his eye. Sora has this feeling...
"Then do you want to play a game with just me?"
Riku smiles. "yeah. It'll be back tow work tomorrow so lets make the most of tonight. I have another game if you would like to try to beat me Sora. The key word try."
"I won't just try Riku I will succeed!" Sora shouts. Sora feels his chest tighten in joy when Riku laughs. It feels like he's just gotten rid of something that was binding and unpleasant. Sora doesn't know if it's his own happiness or Riku's he's feeling...but he senses his relief.
Riku is best when he's smiling.
Next chapter they'll get a little bit older. Thank you for your support! till next time.