"How are you feeling?" Riku asks quietly once Ven had left the room to get some snacks for their game night. He touches Sora's wrist with the bracelet. "...Is it working?"
"Yeah It is." Sora reassures with a smile. It's been a about a month since he got this bracelet from Namine. He's not feeling sore and his emotions are in check. "I'm not going to have a freak out."
"Good." Riku gives him a small smile. "I'm glad but...are you sure there's no side effects?"
"I don't think so. If there is I haven't noticed! Namine was really nice." Sora whispers. "Maybe we could go visit her some day together?"
"Maybe. I'd like to ask her some questions myself but for now..." Riku pauses. "I think it's best you stay here."
"I know." Sora can't help to frown. Soon after he came back, the council had reported to Aqua that Vanitas had been spotted or more so his power, in a village. The village was slaughtered with nothing but the aftermath of darkness surrounding the area like a fog. After hearing that, it was a quick choice to order that Sora stays home. Of course he was already staying home from missions but even Riku doesn't want him going to their hideout till this settles.
"They will continue to take your freedom till there's nothing left." Vanitas sneers. "I'm growing stronger by the minute...Give up and come to me."
"Don't worry Sora. I promise we'll go out again. I cant wait for you to see what I've done to the hideout! And we'll go see that witch." Riku puts a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. His eyebrows furrow. "...I'm not trying to make you feel trapped."
"You just care about me. I've caused a lot of trouble recently. I won't go anywhere." Sora grins when Riku ruffles his hair. He gives him this look that Sora recognizes. Riku is still worried about the freak outs. "I promise if it happens, I'll come to you." Riku nods seeming satisfied but Sora doesn't stop there. "And if you need help...Let me know." Sora hasn't forgotten the taste of him. He's been craving it recently. Maybe he likes just helping Riku or he likes the feeling he gets after. Same with Ven but he promised Riku he wouldn't help Ven anymore...not that he sensed he needed it anyway.
Riku swallows but he nods, Sora catching the slight flush of his cheeks.
"Your hair keeps getting longer Riku." Sora touches his silver locks. He's getting bigger too. Sora knows that he's 15 and Sora is 13 but it feels like he'll never catch up to Riku's progress both in strength and body growth.
"I don't feel like cutting it." Riku grunts.
"Then don't! I like it!"
"You like what?" Ven comes back carrying a bowl filled with popcorn and tasty cakes piled on top. He rushes over to where Sora is and sits down next to him pouting. He pushes the food into Riku's lap so he can wrap his arms around Sora.
"I was just saying how I like Riku's long hair." Sora answers with a slight laugh when Ven looks over at Riku with his eyes narrowed. Riku snorts and smirks at Ven like he won something.
"What about my hair Sora? It's not long but I washed it!"
"I like your hair too Ven." Sora chuckles when Ven perks right back up.
"Ven stop hanging on Sora and turn on the game." Riku says curtly.
"Why don't you do It-" Ven starts but when He sees Sora shift, he sighs. He gets up to get the controllers and turn on the system.
Ven and Riku have gotten a lot better. Though they still fight a lot, they are spending more time together. Riku and Ven use to fight for his attention. They still do but when no one backs down they will just settle with both spending time with Sora. Ven had swore that he would try to get along better with Riku. It seems they are both trying for Sora's sake.
"Thank you Ven." Sora gives him this smile full of appreciation.
"Y-Your welcome." Ven flushes. A bounce to his step as he hands the controller to Riku. Riku snatches it. The blonde tries not let it bother him as he takes his seat next to Sora again.
"How long is this fake getting along going to last?" Vanitas hums.
Sora will ignore it.
Another month goes by without a freak out, or more accurately, without a heat. The bracelet is working wonders. There's been no sign of Terra and when ever Sora mentions him, it gets tense. He wishes he would see him soon. He wants to get back on his training. They don't have much time left. Sora has been doing some training of his own with Riku and Ven. They've been kind enough to help him out but it's nothing like how Terra trained him. He wonders if he can even control this unknown power of his. Namine clarified for him that he's not just a werewolf and this light magic comes from something else. He wonders just what he is and what it means for this family. He must...No matter what, he must master this element so he can fit in with his brothers.
"You're still studying so hard." Sora blinks, looking over at Ven. The blonde walks up to him and wraps his arms around his neck to peer down at the large book he's reading. "You're still trying to train...you know you can take a break? You've been working so hard for so long. There's no one here that would stop you!"
"I know Ven but...I need to be ready for when Terra comes back." Sora closes his eyes when he feels that panic in his chest. Ven is still nervous about it. "I want to be stronger for myself too. I want to be able to protect everyone." Sora lays his head back on Ven's shoulder so he can look up at him. "I want to be able to protect you too!"
"Ughhh Sora why are you so cute?!" Ven squeals, squeezing Sora tighter.
"I was trying to be cool, not cute." Sora pouts.
"Ah! Sora is super cool! And cute!"
"I don't think you can be both-"
"Of course you can! I'm both cool and cute aren't I, Sora?" Ven lets go of him to do a pose. When Sora doesn't answer right away, Ven frowns. "R-Right?"
Sora can't help to laugh at that reaction. He went from confident to shy in a matter of seconds. "Ven is the coolest and cutest."
"YES!" Ven cheers getting Sora to laugh. "Sora ditch that book and come out and play with me!"
"...I can take a break." Sora grins when Ven bounces in his excitement. "What do you want to play?"
"We could go out into the forest and explore together-" Ven starts.
"Sora- oh you're here too Ven." Riku walks into the room. He pauses when his eyes fall on Ven. Riku isn't good at hiding his displeasure.
"Hi Riku! Me and Ven were about to go into the forest to explore, did you want to come?" Sora smiles. He feels a tug at one of his links and catches the frown on Ven's face before he was able to hide it.
"Sora, I just want to hang out with you! It's been so long since it's just been me and you." Ven doesn't hold back once he realizes he couldn't hide his feelings.
"It's been the same amount of time for me too Ven. When ever I try to spend time with him you're already there. Sora is too nice to tell you to get lost." Riku stares Ven down when the blonde glares at him.
"Can't we just do something together? I enjoy spending time with you both!" Sora tries to defuse the situation. Riku and Ven turn their energy to him.
"But you enjoy spending time with me more right?" Ven asks. That question can't be answered.
"Go ahead Sora. Tell him. Maybe then he'll back off." Riku seems to think Sora will say he likes spending time with him more. This is becoming a nightmare. Before Sora can say anything, Ven is already making a retort.
"Ha! Yeah right! Sora obviously likes me more! You always want to do boring stuff like train. Sora likes being around me all the time!"
"You force yourself on every moment of his spare time. He can't even sleep without you invading his space. No, what's obvious is how much Sora likes me. We trust each other. He's told me things that he hasn't told you." Riku adds with a smirk.
"That's not true! Right Sora? You tell me everything! And I-" Ven freezes. Maybe he remembers when their link became damage because Ven didn't want Sora to see inside his heart. Ven is starting to be distressed.
Sora makes his decision. They both stop bickering when Sora stands up and without saying anything walks out of the room. Ven is quick to run after him.
"Sora-" Ven starts.
"When you two fight like this, I'm just going to walk away. I like you both. I'm not going to choose. I've been having a lot of fun with you too. It's been really enjoyable to be able to talk and play with you both at the same time. I also get that you guys want to have your own time with me. I haven't really been available and now I am. I just don't like you two fighting." Sora frowns. " You both are very important to me!"
"...I'm sorry I started it Sora." Ven hangs his head. Riku walks up to him, having heard all that.
"..Yeah." Riku still looks irritated. "...I'll let Ven have you but next time I want to hang with you without Ven tagging along like a lost puppy."
"I don't do that." Ven narrows his eyes. "You-"
"When the hell are we suppose to have our time?" Everyone blinks when Axel and Roxas walk up to them. He grins. "You two have been Sora crazed these past two months. I mean...I know a lot happened but damn we'd like to see him too!"
"You've both been hogging him." Roxas points at Ven who frowns. "He's our brother too. I'd also liked to spend some time with you Ven."
"Rox!" Ven's eyes widen from his brother saying that openly.
"So I think we should all play some games! Lets play some baseball or dodge ball like the good old days! You two have been acting like divorced parents." Axel mocks. "No this is the day I get Sora, no this is my time with Sora."
"Shut up Axel." Riku's eyebrow twitches, not able to suppress it. "...Though you have a point."
"Yeah I'm sorry Sora...I guess I have been overbearing." Ven apologizes. "I just...Want to spend time with you always. I never get tired of it but I should give you time away from me too."
"I don't mind it Ven but I don't want anyone to be left out. Playing a game with everyone sounds amazing! I can't remember the last time we were able to do that!" Sora perks up when the atmosphere turns light.
Riku and Ven still have their problems but at least it's stopped getting physical. Ven is trying and Riku is trying in his own way. Sora hopes there comes a time when they stop fighting all together but...he feels like that won't happen.
"They both have an obsession with you. There's no way they will get along. They just want to trap you. I don't get what they see in you though!" Vanitas laughs. Sora is about to say that Vanitas looks a lot like him but he stops himself. That would have been awkward to start talking to himself in front of his brothers.
Sora knows he should say something about Vanitas being in his head. He knows his darkness is festering in his heart even now. Sora feels like they wouldn't be able to do anything about it and then they would just panic.
Sora just wants these nice days with his brothers to continue. He'll do all he can to make sure that happens.
It's been three months since the 'incident.'. In those three months, Terra hasn't been around. Sora was hoping he'd get to talk to him much sooner. His brothers seem content with Terra being gone but it doesn't feel right to Sora. He's aware that Terra hurt him. He's aware he's been cruel. He knows but he can't bring himself to hate Terra. This is his fault. Because he's failed him. Because he's not an Occisor.
Sora asked Aqua where Terra was about a week after he had returned from getting the Bracelet from Namine. She had this pained expression, and she couldn't quite look the young boy in the eye as she said the words "I'm not sure where he is. He'll be back. We'll...make this better. We'll fix this."
Terra is a sore subject. Just the mention of his name will get Riku heated and Ven anxious.
So for now all Sora can do is wait. Wait and pray that Terra will come home soon so, just as Aqua said, can fix this.
"...Earth to Sora!" The brunette jumps from the sudden hand in his face. He blinks, looking over at Ven who is pouting. "You weren't listening to me were you!"
"No I'm sorry Ven." Sora winces. "I was just thinking about-" He pauses. He doesn't want to upset Ven. He shouldn't talk about it anymore.
Ven must be able to guess what he's thinking about because he gives him this awkward smile. "Um...W-Well I was saying that I want to go the beach like in the movie!" He quickly changes the subject, pointing to the screen. Sora turns his attention back to the TV, taking in the sights of the blue ocean and the children playing in the water.
Sora smiles at Ven, the blonde relaxing when that troubled expression finally leaves the brunette. "Yeah! We should go to a beach together some day Ven! I use to go with my family! It was always fun! We could catch sand crabs!"
"Ohh! I've heard about those! I've always wanted to do that!" Ven perks up. "Maybe some day soon we could-" Ven pauses when they feel a shift. A portal has been opened in the kitchen. Ven holds his breath for just a second but when he senses his twin he exhales.
"That was quick!" Sora beams at Axel and Roxas that just walked into the living room.
"It was easy peasy man. They keep giving us these killer plant issues and it's nothing!" Axel grins. "Roxas didn't even have to lift a finger."
"We made it for the ending..." Roxas mumbles ignoring Axel to sit next to Ven, his eyes glued to the screen. Ven starts explaining what happened to his brother without Roxas asking. Sora's not sure he's even listening but Ven keeps talking.
"So Riku isn't back yet?" Axel comes to stand next to the couch. "He left with Aqua before we even went out."
"Aqua said that after the mission they were going to go shopping." Sora subconsciously tries to feel Riku's link. He's too far away. He can't sense him.
Thinking about Riku makes him think of how he betrayed his trust. Though Sora and Riku are still linked, Riku has lost trust in him. In these three months, Riku has always been close by, keeping an eye on him. He's holding onto Sora's crystal. He said it's for safety reasons but Sora's sure he's still worried he may run off. Ven agreed that Riku should take the crystal. The blonde has barely left his side. It's nice spending so much time with his brothers but Sora doesn't want to be the reason that their daily life changes. They just started going back on missions and of course Sora can't be left alone.
"They've caged you like a bird! Riku won't let you escape." Vanitas chuckles.
Sora understands his brothers are just worried about him. He hurt them bad running off. It had to be done. He doesn't regret it. He'll build that trust back up. He's made up his mind. No matter what happens...
He won't leave them.
A portal opens up. Riku runs out of it, looking pale. "Three vampires have been spotted in universe 67! The council has been alerted but we need back up to make sure they don't get away!"
"We should all go right?" Sora jumps up knowing just one Vampire is a big deal. He remembers still the terror he felt when he was a face to face with one as a human.
"You can't." Riku says quickly. "It's too dangerous to have you anywhere near them."
"Y-Yeah! Vampires are no joke Sora! It's safer here-"
"But Terra said that we should always stick together when dealing with Vampires-" Sora tries
"Sora you're going to get in the way." Axel says what Riku and Ven were trying to tell him nicely.
"It's not that! It's just safer here-"
"We don't' have time for this Ven. I'm going." Roxas runs through the portal, his blue eyes aflame.
"Roxas! S-Sorry Sora I have to go! I'll be back!" Ven runs after this twin, knowing how his brother is with vampires.
"Axel stay here with Sora." Riku stops Axel who was about to come through the portal. He doesn't give Axel a chance to protest before he jumps through the portal and it closes.
"Damn it Riku!" Axel snarls. Sora feels a little hurt. He knows his brothers don't know about his new found strength and they just want to protect him but he feels like a baby.
"Axel you should go." Sora says quickly, getting Axel to look at him. "I'm fine. There's no reason that you should stay behind. They need all the help they can get."
"...I know that...but hell you know I can't leave you behind. As soon as I leave something crazy will happen like Vanitas will show up or fuck, Terra all of a sudden. Riku would actually murder me if I-"
"Roxas has a hard time with Vampires." Sora presses, using Axel's weak point. He just has a bad feeling that his brothers are going to need Axel's help.
"I know! You don't have to remind me. He hates those fucking vampires-"
"He's also scared of them." Sora can't stop. "You...You know what happened to him right?"
"...What are you talking about?" Axel looks at Sora fully. Before it felt like he was trying to drown out what he says.
"ohhh I see what you're about to do."
"Roxas was almost killed by a vampire a long time ago. He still has trauma from it. Roxas needs all the support he can get! He might lose himself to his rage or freeze up in his fear!" Sora is just speculating but he's felt that fear before. Roxas still has nightmares about it. Sora doesn't feel right keeping Axel away. He needs to go. He won't hurt them anymore.
"He...what?" Axel's eyes widen. He grinds his teeth, his green eyes darting about as he tries to think. "He never told me that...fuck!" Axel grabs the crystal from out of his pocket. "I'm going. You have to promise me you'll stay here. Don't do anything crazy!"
"I won't! Please go! Please make sure they're okay!" Sora sighs in relief once Axel rushes into the portal. He just had a bad feeling that...his brothers needed back up. What if the council takes too long? What if Roxas gets hurt again? What if-
"You really are an idiot. You are aware that I hear everything you hear. I know you're alone. Are you that dumb or have you decided to stop playing these games? Have you decided to submit to me?" Vanitas sounds like he's smirking.
"No." Sora sits down on the couch, smiling to himself as if Vanitas could see it. "I don't think you would come. Even if you did...It would just work out for me! You'd finally be back home!"
"Yuck. Gross. Yeah you're right. I wouldn't give you the satisfaction." Vanitas growls before his voice goes quiet.
Sora watches the movie numbly, just waiting for another portal to open. He wishes he was with his brothers right now. He wishes he was fighting. He wants to show them...that he can protect them too-
A portal opens but Sora recognizes that scent immediately. He tenses only for a moment before he rushes outside. There, standing outside of the house, is Terra.
"Terra!" Sora can't help to yell out at seeing him. He rushes towards him, so many things going through his mind but all he gets out is... "I missed you!"
Terra freezes. It looked like he was about to get into a stance of some kind when Sora started rushing towards him. His eyebrows furrow as Sora makes it to him. The young boy smiles brightly.
"I've been waiting for you! I need to tell you this, I've been thinking about this the whole time and I... I...I'm sorry." Sora bows his head slightly. "You've been training me all this time and I don't have much to show for it. Things are going to change though. I'm ready for your training. I will do better. No matter what you throw at me. I'll get strong. So strong that the council will have to recognize what you've done!" Sora looks up at Terra with determination.
Terra has this look on his face like Sora just told him the most outlandish thing. He stares at Sora for a moment like that before looking around. When Sora doesn't make a move towards him or change expression, Terra frowns.
"..." Terra opens his mouth just to close it. He's stiff like a board.
"oh!" Sora jumps. "Sorry! We shouldn't be talking about this now! There's three vampires in universe 67! Everyone is already there fighting!"
Terra...doesn't really do anything. His gaze shifts. "They just left you here alone?"
"I'm fine! The most important thing is that they're safe! You have to help them!-"
"Then come with me!" Terra cuts him off. "This might just be what you need...You'll get a taste of the true enemy...and then it will awaken your powers! Not all his lost!" Terra nods to himself before making a portal.
Sora can't believe it. Terra wants him to come! This is great!
"I'll do my best!" Sora beams before charging into the portal. This his chance to restore faith! This is his chance to protect his brothers! He'll show them that he can take care of himself! He'll put their hearts at ease...and finally he can bring their family together with Terra here.
With the bracelet on his wrist and Terra by his side, Sora feels like he can do anything.
"Roxas wait!" Ven rushes to catch up to his brother who is just moving along without waiting for Riku. At this rate he'll lose him in the thick, strange, pure yellow trees.
"I can't wait! There's one close by, I know it! We can't let any of them get away Ven!" Roxas snaps back following his instincts and letting them lead.
"I get that Rox but we have to be smart about this too!" Ven tries to reason. "We have to go back to meet Riku! He knows where Aqua is-"
"She can handle herself! I know one is around here!" Roxas presses. The older frowns. His brother can't be reasoned with when it comes to Vampires. Not that Ven blames him but it gets dangerous when he acts like this.
Unable to stop Roxas, Ven keeps pace with his younger brother. This world is full of yellows and greens. There's so much yellow from the trees it's hurting his eyes. Why would vampires be here? What's the point? This looks to be a uncivilized area-
The twins stop when they reach a clearing in the forest. There, not even trying to hide, is a man with crazed eyes. His smile Is sweet and friendly though, with his fangs just peeking out over his lower lip. With how pale this vampire is and the bags under his eyes...Ven can tell this Vampire hasn't eaten in a while. He looks insane. An insane Vampire is a problem. They won't stop tell their thirst is quenched. Roxas learned this first hand. The Vampire that almost killed him all those years ago was crazed. If they're not careful, it's over-
"How dare you..." Roxas snarls, his shoulders shaking as he watches the smile grow. "You disgusting monster! To show such an unsightly face to me...I'll END YOU!" Roxas pulls out his sword, his eyes turning white. He charges the vampire without any thought.
"Roxas!" Ven follows his brothers lead, gathering his wind to push the vampire back when it had side stepped Roxas and almost sunk his teeth into him. "You have to calm down-"
"Hey...Hey..." The vampire chuckles, dodging another hazardous swing from Roxas. He's fast. "Why so angry? And you call me the monster?"
"You are the monster! You don't deserve to live!" Roxas growls when Ven used a burst of wind to push him away from the vampire. "What are you-"
"Calm down." Ven locks eyes with those shaking white orbs. "You can't just charge him. If he gets his fangs into you he'll suck you dry in a second. I'm not going to let you get hurt like that again!" Ven grabs Roxas by the arm tightly when he was about to go off again. "LISTEN TO ME!"
Roxas blinks at his brother yelling at him and those eyes that are staring at him with such concern. He blinks a couple of times before his pupils settle. His iris are still white but at least he's not just blindly trying to attack anymore.
"We're going to kill him. He won't get away from us! Together we can do anything!" Ven reassures. " Together we can take care of this vampire without getting hurt and then we'll go home and finish that movie with Sora!"
"Ven..." Roxas settles down, taking a deep breath before he glares at the vampire. "...Sorry and...thanks."
"Of course! What are big brothers for?"
"...You're only older then me by like a second." Roxas snorts but he's able to smile just ever slightly in this situation.
"...Interesting..." The twins blink when the vampire tilts his head. "is that concern artificial too?"
Ven freezes at that comment. The way this man narrows his eyes in glee...He knows more then he should. "Calling me a monster. The pot calling the kettle black! You two are an abomination!" He laughs. "I'll let you in on a secret. I've been fasting on purpose, just so I can DRAIN YOU FUCKERS DRY!"
"Just try!" Roxas and Ven snarl. The vampire really is no match for them together. Roxas, with a clear mind combines his wind power with Ven to hold the charging vampire in place. With his power he's able to still move towards them but it's in vain.
"Do you want to do the honors Roxas?" Ven hums, those white eyes gleaming.
"You know I do." The vampire laughs but Ven can see the sweat pour down his face. Roxas runs towards the vampire, with the wind circling around him he's stuck. He's not fast enough to dodge. He puts his arm up in vain for Roxas to swing his sword down, cutting through the flesh like paper. The man screams in pain, still trying to back up but Ven won't let him move.
"H-How?! How can you freaks be this strong?" The vampire grits out. Roxas takes this time to slice off the other arm, the gushing blood gets mixed in the wind surrounding him, turning it a sickly red.
"You know I've always wanted to try something." Roxas' smile turns sinister. "what would happen if I filled your body with the power of my air?"
"M-MONSTERS! ARTIFICIAL-" Whatever he was going to say is silence when Roxas channels the wind into the two stumps for arms, invading the exposed veins and arteries, filling the body up in till It can't hold anymore. The vampire explodes into a mess of gore, blood being flung all over the trees and on the twins.
"Well...I knew that was going to happen. I just didn't think it would have been that much of a mess." Roxas shrugs his shoulders, wiping his mouth of the blood and flesh that had splat on him.
"That was crazy Rox!" Ven chuckles, pulling off the vampire's intestine that had landed on his shoulder. "Though it works for killing Vampires, it takes too long!"
"Yeah I know. He just pissed me off. Talking about things he knows nothing about..." Roxas pauses. He glances at Ven, that pure face covered in what's left of that vampire. "...How did he know?"
"..." Ven frowns. "I don't know. The only ones who should know are Terra and Aqua...unless somehow Vanitas found out."
"I'm sure he was behind that mercury attack. It wouldn't surprise me." Roxas snarls. "This...Something about this doesn't feel right."
"The vampire was just waiting for us. Like he knew we were coming. Was this whole thing suppose to be a trap?" Ven bites his lip. His thoughts drifting to Sora. He had just left him back at home. He...He should be fine. Axel is with him. Axel could handle a vampire. There's no reason to feel uneasy about Sora! The trap couldn't have been for him... "If not for him then for us?"
"Seems like a stupid trap. He wasn't that strong-"
"Roxas! Ven!" Riku comes out of the forest, supporting an injured Aqua. It looks like she's bleeding heavily from a wound to her shoulder and another wound in her leg that makes it hard for her to walk.
"Aqua!" Ven rushes up to the blue haired woman, frowning deeply. "What happened?! Was it the vampire-"
"I took care of the vampire but...There was a werewolf that backed him up. I wasn't expecting that. Riku really saved the day there." Aqua chuckles weakly but Ven can tell she's in a lot of pain. Ven looks at Riku. His eyes are still white. He only has some minor cuts here and there.
"I didn't see that coming. The wolves are working with the vampires!" Riku growls, grinding his teeth.
"Where the hell is the council?!" Roxas snaps, those eyes wide with panic. "Are there others around? What if there are more wolves?"
"There's one more vampire..." Aqua glances at the gore that use to be a vampire on the ground. The one that Ven and Roxas had killed. "I don't know about the wolves. I don't know where the council is but we should retreat. Something isn't right." Aqua takes deep breathes. "That vampire stayed behind to fight me so the other two could get away but I could tell that no other portal was made leaving."
"Yeah...This vampire was just waiting for us..." Ven frowns, that twisting of his gut coming back.
"The third must be doing the same." Aqua winces.
"We need to go back and make sure Sora and Axel are okay." Riku says what Ven was thinking. "It's like they're trying to buy time with keeping us here-"
"Roxas! Oh thank God I found you!" Everyone freezes when Axel rushes into the clearing. He's ruffled up, his clothes torn. "I ran into a fucking werewolf and then-"
"Why are you here?!" Riku cuts him off his eyes wide with panic. "Where is Sora?!"
"He's back at the house, I-"
"WHAT?!" Everyone shouts at once.
"Sora!" Ven quickly pulls out his crystal, making a portal home. He's the first one through. Riku moves quickly with Aqua next, sending Axel a look that could kill.
"What's going on?! Did you guys take care of all the vampires? What's the rush-"
"We think this was a trap to make Sora more vulnerable." Roxas looks at Axel agape. "Why did you come? Why would you leave him?"
"Because! Because he told me...that a vampire almost killed you and he was worried and that just freaked me out and..." Axel frowns deeply. "Fuck Roxas. I hope I didn't fuck up."
"...You really put Sora at risk just because you were worried about me?" Roxas grunts but despite his better judgment he feels something tug inside of him. ""That's pretty messed up-"
"You come first." Axel averts his gaze when he felt that Roxas might burn a hole in him.
"If Sora is okay, I'm going to punch you really hard. If he's not okay I'll do to you what I did to that vampire." Roxas grunts before rushing into the portal. Axel looks at remains of the vampire and goes pale.
"Well Shit, Sora you better be okay!" he rushes into the portal and it closes.
Right when this portal closes, another one opens on the other side of the forest.
Sora and Terra walk out of the portal and take a look around at the yellow trees. Sora with interest and Terra with stone expression.
"The vampire is close. It's not trying to hide it's presence." Terra glances at Sora. "I'm going to let you kill it. Show me you have the power to do so. Show me all of this isn't for nothing..."
"I-I'll do my best!" Sora can't help to be a bit nervous. The way Terra is talking it sounds like he's not going to help him. He's heard many horror stories about Vampires. Just the fact that one of them almost killed Roxas...It's terrifying.
They continue to make their way into the forest. The hairs on the back of Sora's neck start to stick up. He wonders if this is how Terra feels? Is it because he's a werewolf that his senses are prickling like this?
Strangely enough there's a woman waiting for them against a tree. There's no doubt she's a vampire. If those red eyes didn't give her away it would be those sharp fangs. She blinks when her eyes fall on Sora.
"Well...It seems like the plan has fallen apart. Never would I thought that you would come to me yourself. If I had known that I wouldn't have gone through all this trouble."
"Who are you?" Sora can't help to ask. She doesn't seem hostile. Terra hasn't gotten in a stance either. Actually Terra has moved away from him and is now watching him from afar...Has the test started? It doesn't feel right to make the first move.
"That's not the right question." She grins. "You can ask a better question then that can't you? I'll only answer one!" She hums.
Sora thinks for a moment. "...What do you want?"
"That's a better question!" She nods. "I just want all Occisor dead. Also I got paid hella money to end your life! Of course the other vampires had their own reasons for joining in but I'll tell ya, mine is just for the money."
"Someone paid money to kill me?" Sora's eyebrows furrow. "Why?"
"I don't have all the answers." She snaps. "The fact that I'm not having back up now means the others are dead. Even those stupid mutts couldn't do anything-"
"Why are you talking with her Sora? She's the enemy." Terra cuts in. "Just end her so we can go home."
"ohh are you the daddy? What is this? Father and son going on a hunt together? How cute-"
"He is not my son." Terra says with no hesitation.
Sora knew this. He knew Terra didn't think of him as a son. It's not like Terra is his actual father, he's aware of that but he didn't expect it to still hurt even though he knew.
"Ouch. That's kind of messed up daddy-"
"Sora what are you doing? We don't have time to be standing around!" Terra is starting to get angry. Sora can feel that darkness start to gather and that laughter is present.
"Eh, Look kid. I know I can't win against you both so how about I just dip and we can forget this ever happen!" She gives him this smile.
She hasn't shown any interest in fighting. She's just talking to him. Sora finds himself nodding.
"Sora!" Terra roars. "You can't let her get away! She's the enemy!"
"But..." Sora's brows knit together.
"Here I'll even throw in some information for your trouble! So the guy that hired me gave us some juicy information on all of you." She grins when Sora tenses. "Oh would you like to know? Did you know that your brothers Ven and Roxas were born from terrible experiments on-"
She doesn't get to finish her sentence. Terra had moved so fast that even Sora didn't see the earth spiking up till it was already through her torso and her skull. Sora just stares with wide eyes at her corpse that's staring back at him...Experiments? Ven and Roxas? Sora looks at Terra but he doesn't look at him.
"Why...Why didn't you do anything? Why don't you listen?" The tone of his voice gets Sora's heart to sink. When Terra looks at him, Sora has to take a step back. Those white eyes are staring him down with that disdain...The same disgust he saw when Terra had beat him. The darkness is too much...His heart is surrounded by it. "If you say anything to Roxas or Ven about experiments...I'll send you to the capital without hesitation."
Sora swallows down the lump in his throat but he nods. He blinks away the tears as Terra starts to mumble to himself.
"No one should know about that...It's not right...They have no right...I won't let them hurt Ven anymore..."
Hearing that, Sora only wants to ask Ven more. But if just Sora hearing about it is getting Terra this unstable...Then he feels like he should hold off. If it was something that Ven wanted him to know...he would have told him. He would have seen it. These memories are locked away in Ven's heart. They are not open to Sora so...He should leave it.
"Should you really? Aren't you curious?" Vanitas coos.
"We're going home." Terra finally talks to him again. He makes a portal and walks through. Sora follows quickly after him. The young boy was hoping he could make amends with Terra but it seems like Terra is done playing nice. Sora will just have to try harder. He'll do his best so everyone can be happy.
Still he wishes it didn't hurt so much.
"Riku calm down!" Axel begs, dodging another punch from the sliver haired boy. He can already feel a bruise coming on to his left eye. He's not holding back right now. "Fuck! Roxas some help?!"
"You deserve it." Roxas is keeping his eyes on the burning vampire. When they came back they found that one was searching their home. Most likely for Sora. They killed him without too much issue but there's a problem. Sora isn't here.
"What are we going to do?! Riku Stop trying to kill Axel! We need to find Sora!" Ven is pulling at his blonde locks, his young heart can't take another Sora missing scare!
"I told you to stay with him! Why in the fuck would you come after us and leave him alone?!" Riku is screaming. "Do you realize what you've done?! If the Vampires have whisked him away we won't find him in time-" Riku is red in the face. His anger is about to turn into panic. Axel can see it.
"I know! I know, I just-" Axel winces, his face pale.
"Please stop fighting. "Aqua tries weakly. She's healing herself. She puts a hand on Ven when he was about to make a portal. "We have to be smart about-"
That's when another Portal is open. Right in their kitchen. Everyone freezes. Riku pausing in mid punch.
Terra and Sora walk out into the living room and pause. Everyone is staring at them with wide eyes. The house is a mess. There's holes in the wall and the smell of burning flesh is coming through the window from outside. Time is standing still it seems. It must be a shock to see Sora but to see him with Terra...
"Aqua!" Terra quickly rushes over to her when he took in her state. Those hard eyes soften with concern. "You're hurt! You should have waited for me! I told you I was coming."
"Sora!" Ven rushes towards him and tackles him into a hug. "I'm so glad you're okay! We couldn't find you and we feared the worse!" Ven pulls away only to freezes when he sees those puffy eyes. "Sora?" He asks softly.
"Where were you?!" Riku shoves Axel away to rush over to Sora. He glances over him and sighs when he sees he's not hurt. "How did you leave-"
"I ran into Terra and we came to help you guys!-"
"Terra." Riku snarls, Everyone tensing at him addressing the head of the house hold with such a tone. "What were you thinking?! Taking him out to fight a vampire? Have you lost your mind? Or do you just want him dead?"
"I-It's okay Riku! I'm okay! It was training-"
"Training my ass!" Riku doesn't calm down. "Terra answer me!"
"If Sora can't even use his element in the presence of a vampire then it's no use." Terra glares back at Riku. "Have I not explain to you what happens if Sora can't please the council? They will kill us all! If Sora ended up dying, it was a lost cause anyway. He would die today or he would die later when he fails to please the council."
"Terra please." Aqua begs.
"T-Terra how could you!" Ven can't believe his ears. "Sora...Sora means everything to me! Are you really saying that you were trying to kill him? Did you really just say you don't care-" Ven trembles.
That darkness grows and Terra snarls. "I don't care! Not when He can't even summon his power! He's useless!" The darkness keeps building. The rooms is being filled with it. Riku...the feelings coming off of him...it's murderous. "If he fails to please the council...we'll all die! If we're lucky! If not, they will take you away from me and do as they please! It will be hell for you Ven and it would be all Sora's fault!"
"N-None of this is his fault!" Ven sobs. "Vanitas is the reason we are even in this mess! Sora is trying his hardest! Please stop hurting him!"
"Yeah it isn't Sora's fault! Our past has nothing to do with him." Roxas snaps. "you can't keep trying to kill him! I won't allow it-"
"Are you standing against me?!" Terra stands up, Aqua not able to calm him down.
"You aren't fit to be the head." Axel stands next to Roxas.
"I'll kill you before you harm him again." Riku's eyes have turned white. Something is about to break.
"STOP!" Sora screams, getting everyone to look at him. Even though Terra's words hurt...It hurts more seeing this. He's tearing them apart and he doesn't want that. "It's okay. I don't mind what he said-"
"Sora he just admitting to trying to kill you!" Riku snaps.
"I know and I don't care." Sora's response gets Riku stop. "I...I don't want this. I don't want all this fighting." Sora locks eyes with Terra. "...I want you to keep training me. I have to be ready for the council-"
"Sora!" Riku's eyes widen.
"It doesn't matter if I train you or not if you can't even summon your element all is lost! We only have 7 years before they show up!-"
"Sora you can do it. Use your links." That voice! That soft feminine voice. He recognizes it immediately. That's right...With them he can do anything. He'll have to thank Namine later once again.
"Meddle some witch!" Vanitas sneers. "I'm going to-"
"Ven." Sora calms his racing heart, trying to drown out all this hate, all this sorrow. Ven looks at him with those big pools of blue. Sora walks over to him and cups his cheeks, wiping his eyes. "...You believe in me don't you?"
His answer is immediate. "Of course I do!" Sora feels it in his chest. That faith. Sora smiles and nods. He lets go of Ven to walk up to Riku. "Riku...do you believe in me?" Those aqua eyes don't look away.
"I do." Sora feels their link tug. "Sora what's-"
"Let me show you Terra... That I'm not a lost cause!" Sora hopes this works. He takes that faith, he takes that feeling and from the bottom of his heart he wishes for light. Sora hears a hiss as his body is covered in light. He hears his brothers gasp.
"How...?" Terra stares at him with wide eyes. But in those eyes Sora starts to feel it...hope. That is enough. His light spreads engulfing everyone in the room. He wishes from the bottom of his heart that the anger and sorrow will be drowned out. He wants them all to feel his love and dedication. The light retreats back into his body. Everyone is looking at him. Ven's tears have tired, Riku is holding a hand to his heart. Axel had moved to hug Roxas...And Terra is staring at him. Really looking at him.
"There's hope. "Sora smiles the brightest he can muster. "So Terra... Don't give up on me. I'll make the council proud. Believe in me...and I can do anything!" Riku and Ven's link tug, making him smile. In that moment he can feel two small links starting to form with Roxas and Axel...They are starting to have faith.
"...We start tomorrow." Terra doesn't say anything else. He picks up Aqua and carry her away.
"We have to make a report to the council Terra. The wolves are working with the vampires..." What Aqua is saying is drowned out the farther they walk away.
Sora is left with his wide eyed brothers and this warm feeling in his chest.
"I get it..." Sora chuckles to himself. "My strength comes from you all, my family. I kept trying to do things by myself. I was thinking about it all wrong." Sora was thinking like an Occisor. But what he is...whatever he is...that part of him gets strength from others. He needs essence from them. He needs faith.
His brothers surround him, all asking him questions excitedly. They finally were all able to see his power of light.
And for once Vanitas doesn't have anything to say about it.
"So what's the plan?" Axel address Riku once Roxas had fallen asleep. Riku is currently staring over at Sora who is fast asleep...with Ven in his bed. The sliver haired boy wishes he could just push Ven off the bed and keep him from snuggling up to Sora. It really is annoying how he still sleeps in Sora's bed at his age...though if Riku is honest with himself, he's mainly mad that it isn't him. "Terra is losing it. There's no telling what he's going to do during these training sessions."
"Someone is going to have to stay with Sora during these training sessions." Riku says after a moment of thought. "Terra might try to disagree but we won't let him. I'd rather it be me but I know I can't miss missions for 7 years. I'd like the second person to be you Axel. We will switch off days so we can both continue missions-"
"Why not ask Ven to do it?" Axel frowns. He gets what Riku is trying to do but he likes going on missions with Roxas.
"I don't trust that Ven would actually go against Terra if he needed to. I trust that you would though." Riku locks eyes with Axel. "If you're worried about Roxas, he can handle himself. You charged in to help Roxas and left Sora who really needed protecting. Roxas was able to take care of that vampire no issues-"
"Look I get that Roxas is strong but if I feel like he's in danger, I will always go for him first. You're the same with Sora." Axel sighs. "I am sorry I left him. I'll stay with him during Terra's sessions but you know Ven is going to want to do it too. I don't see why we can't all just do it. I'm Sure Roxas wants to protect Sora too. No one is happy with Terra right now. He said some pretty fucked up stuff right in front of Sora."
"..."
"Do you really think Terra would try to kill Sora in front of Roxas or Ven? He treats them like his actual children." Axel rubs the back of his head, readjusting himself on his bed. "Look, I think the plan is this. Tomorrow we tell Terra that he can't be alone with Terra. We say we'll take turns being with Sora during these sessions and the others left will continue to do missions. We could use all the help we can get Riku. There's no reason to leave out the twins. They're actually starting to see that Terra isn't always right. They were taking a stand against him down there. This might be our chance to keep separating them from Terra. Then...We can make our move. Soon we'll be strong enough to fight Terra and win."
Riku knows Axel is right. It's not that he minds Roxas helping. It just bothers him having to trust Ven with Sora. He doesn't trust him. He is a wolf hidden in sheep's clothing. He still isn't able to say anything to Sora about Ven's disturbing reaction to mercury. He hasn't been able to tell him about what Ven did to all those people. He still hasn't been able to break this seal that Terra put on him all those years ago to prevent him from saying anything.
Without a choice, Riku nods his head to agree with Axel. And that's that.
Riku doesn't' want to entrust Sora to Ven. He hopes when tomorrow comes that Ven won't want to be apart of this plan. He knows that it's a false hope. Ven is stuck to Sora. Riku finds himself wishing from the bottom of his heart...that he could get rid of Ven.
"If Ven wasn't around...Sora would be all yours."
There's a voice in his head, in his heart. He's had these thoughts before. What If Ven would just disappear? How can he make that happen without hurting Sora? He tries to shake these thoughts away. He knows it's darkness.
"You can't talk about how Ven is a wolf...what if you showed him?"
These thoughts are dangerous but they are oh so tempting when he sees Ven snuggled up into Sora's chest. Touching him and feeling his warmth. Riku knows what he's feeling for Sora isn't normal. He's sure Ven has the same impure thoughts.
Though Riku is happy Sora is no longer in any distress every month he can't help to feel a little lonely without the closeness they use to have. He knows Sora said that he would do the same for him but He knows that would be just using Sora. Just thinking of how Ven had Sora help him...gets his blood to boil. He won't be like Ven. He would never use Sora.
This darkness just grows and grows every day. He can't stop it. This wish in his heart. He yearns for it more and more.
This desire to have Sora all to himself, no matter the cost.