Chapter 8

Sephiroth's eyes scanned the abandoned lighthouse. He remembered the days he would aid his father in managing the place, all before it had been shut down when a newer, more streamlined model had been built. It had been years since he had stepped inside of it, but even just being there brought an air of nostalgia to him. Not that he could pay it much mind as his eyes landed on the pool at the bottom of the tower. The sight caused his hands to tighten at his sides as he realized his assumption of his siblings was correct.

"What are you doing here?" Riku demanded, bringing Sephiroth's attention to him. He glared back at Sephiroth, as if ready to physically fight for the creature below.

"He was the one following us." Namine spoke up, her voice shaking, still wrought with the tears she shed when Sephiroth had called her out on her blatant lying when she had returned home. "H-He knows, Riku."

"Did you really believe you could keep it from me?" Sephiroth asked, his tone making Riku tense. He looked over Riku's shoulder to the creature down below.

"His name is Sora." Riku bit in return.

"Hmph," Sephiroth walked down the steps, until Riku blocked his path. "You are brave, but reckless to trap him here."

"I wasn't asking for your opinion." Riku glared up at him. "He's recovering here. Whether or not you like it."

Sephiroth's eyebrow quirked up at Riku's confidence a smirk tipping the corner of his lips. "Is that so?"

"Please don't tell anyone, Sephiroth." Namine pleaded, her hands clenched over her heart. When he looked over his shoulder at her, she added. "You know what those pirates would do if they found out about him."

"Namine!" Riku scolded.

"You're right, Namine," Sephiroth told her, looking back to Sora, who was watching the ordeal with widened, frightened eyes. "It wouldn't stand a chance against them. Creatures like that sell for a high price."

"You're not getting anywhere near him," Riku warned, his eyes narrowing. "I told you before, this doesn't have anything to do with you."

"You're right," Sephiroth nodded, noticing the surprise on both of his siblings' faces. "Regardless, I should know when and why my siblings are lying to me. Particularly when it gets in the way of our livelihood."

Riku scowled, "Should have known that it all comes back down to work. As long as we're keeping up as your servants, you couldn't care less about us."

"Riku, that's not true." Namine objected, falling silent when Sephiroth's hand went up as a way to tell her to remain silent.

"Believe what you want." Sephiroth told him, putting his hand back down at his side. "It makes little difference to me."

"Riku," Sora spoke up, catching everyone's attention. "You, alright?"

The tension in Riku's shoulders lessened considerably as he looked over his shoulder at him and nodded. "Don't worry."

"It speaks our language?" Sephiroth asked, getting a scoff from Riku.

"What do you care?" He muttered, his eyes downcast towards the stairs.

"Fair enough," Sephiroth looked away from Sora, turning around. "Now that you know the trouble has passed, you should return home for the night."

"I'm staying." Riku told him, standing his ground.

"Riku, please, you'll get sick." Namine stepped forward.

"It's not up for discussion." He told them, turning around and heading back down to Sora.

"Riku-"

"It's alright, Namine," Sephiroth placed his hand on her shoulder. "Let him stay if he insists."

Namine let out a breath, turning along with her older brother. "Alright…"

Riku looked over his shoulder as he reached the bottom of the steps, watching them leave and shut the door to the lighthouse behind them. Once they were gone, he sat down on the bottom step, letting out a long breath as he buried his face in his hands.

The sound of splashing water didn't faze him, knowing that Sora was heading over to the other side of the pool towards him.

"Riku…?" Sora asked, his hand reaching out and resting along Riku's arm.

"I'm alright, Sora," Riku assured him, turning his head to peek up at Sora, a strained smile on his lips. "I'm alright."