The closer Sora got to the impossibly-far storm, the colder he felt. Wind threatened to push him away as he struggled to cover his eyes. Protecting them did nothing for his chilled arms and legs.
Static filled his brain, unraveling his thoughts. "Riku," he coughed, forcing his legs forward. "Wait for me," he gasped, words drowned out by its sound.
Squinting, Sora saw a familiar light in the distance, renewing his energy. Kicking at the black ground, he gained traction.
Its particles danced down the storm's eye, inspiring a vague awe in the observing boy. He smiled, feeling strangely comforted by the contrasting shades.
"Riku!", he called again, approaching the boundary. The air became thick, sending Sora into a cacophony of coughs, so he bit down to hold his remnant breath.
His steps became labored, the dirt beneath his feet loosening and quaking slightly. He kicked harder.
The darkened smog burned his eyes, so he closed them, focusing only on moving forward.
Riku, he pined silently, unable to open his mouth. Hazarding a glance, he noted that he'd made it. The darkness had eaten almost everything up and he wondered vaguely if he had gone with it, until his aching lungs begged the difference. Covering his mouth, he risked a quick gulp of whatever the air had morphed into. Luckily, it was still breathable. Unpleasant and vaguely warm, he mused, but bearable all the same.
Just when he'd thought he was making progress, the wind picked up, pushing him onto his back and scattering the precious air he'd just acquired.
Ow, the battered boy thought hazily, pushing himself up on the balls of his scraped hands. Twisting his body in an attempt to avoid the wind's full brunt, he took another breath.
The gale blew him forward, his face crashing into the dirt. He grit his teeth, feeding strength into his arms as he pushed off the ground, shifting his position towards the source of the storm.
"Stop it!", he cried, and for a moment, the waging currents quieted. The tired boy exhaled, his feet heavy but nonetheless, he kept walking.
Reaching forward, he waved his hand in an attempt to disperse the dark: to feel something, anything. "Riku!", he begged to the pitch. "Please."
As if on cue, the ball of light entered his vision. It was so bright, he had to narrow his eyes just to look around it.
"Riku?", he asked timidly, outstretching his hand towards the orb. When it jumped just beyond his reach, Sora pulled back. Instead, he set himself on searching the newly-illuminated space.
A little ways away, his eyes found a nostalgic form sitting, huddled closely to itself.
"Riku!", Sora called, his stance pushed by a sudden gust of wind. Every step lost to its pressure, he made up, his legs straining as he ignored their pain.
That was when he felt a tremor through his feet. Quickly looking down, his eyes widened as the ground cracked and crumbled beneath him. Not again, he vowed, jumping forward to an unblemished piece of land. Behind him, the earth split open. Wasting no time, he rushed onward, finally approaching his dear friend's back.
"Riku!", Sora tried again, placing himself in Riku's line of sight. "Huh?", he breathed, seeing the other's vacant stare. "Can you see me?", he wondered aloud, waving his hand in sweeping motions. The silver boy's eyes didn't move to follow.
"Riku, we have to move," he panted, exhaustion bleeding into his tone. Nervously, the smaller boy leaned down and gripped the stoic boy's shoulder, shaking him softly.
No reaction.
"Riku," Sora mewled. "I'm sorry," he whimpered, messily throwing his arms around Riku's broad shoulders. Their faces were at equal levels as he panted against the older boy's ear, vaguely nuzzling his cheek. "I did this to you. I shouldn't have asked you to talk so soon," he cried. "You just wanted to make me happy, and I took advantage of that, and, I-", he tripped over his words, the sight and sensation of his best friend wearing down his focus.
The other boy didn't shift against him. Sora noted vaguely that the only movement he felt was that of his silver, wind-blown strands.
"Riku," Sora cried, tightening his grip when suddenly the light entered his vision.
"Whoa!", he backed up, startled but never removing his eyes from its splendor.
The wind surged and strengthened, swirling around the silver boy as it whipped his disheveled locks.
Sora stared, dazed, as the spark dissipated into the frozen boy.
Darkness returned to the space, and for a moment of silence, Sora let himself be at ease.
Half second later, spastic lightning dotted the area. Even with the infrequency of a light source, Sora unmistakably saw Riku move. Mechanical, jittered motions but movement all the same.
"Riku!", Sora called, kicking forward as he reached out and swiftly getting pushed back when a gust of wind voiced its disapproval. Through narrowed eyes and raised hands, he searched for that familiar silver.
The space exploded in a flash of lightning, momentarily blinding the weary boy. Blinking heavily, Sora opened his eyes, only seeing the pitch black. He recoiled slightly then, when another flash revealed that the silver boy was mere feet away from him.
Sora shook his head, reminding himself of composure. "Riku," he breathed, stepping forward against the wind to bridge their distance.
A new bolt blazed, its illuminations causing both his feet and mind to freeze. "Riku?", Sora called, voice a hollow wisp. The other boy's eyes were bright and icy cold, his face stretched in a silent horror. Most unsettling of all, his gaze was locked squarely on Sora.
You, Riku thought, bitter and surprised. You're not, You can't be here, he pleaded.
The light abated and darkness returned.
"Riku?", Sora tried, quieter, fear squeezing his throat closed. "It's me," he cooed unconvincingly.
No, the silver boy vowed to himself. I, I, I want to, no, he fought himself. I don't want to tell you, he begged, but the nature of this place was too much to hold back. His defiant will was like a dam of brittle twigs, and the flood of his heart threatened to burst through. No, his thoughts screamed.
A flash revealed to Sora the larger boy's figure, huddled forward in tremors. He clung to himself helplessly, right hand clasping over his mouth.
It hurts, the silver boy cried, lungs seizing. Denying it, hurts. He grit his teeth. But, Riku thought purposefully, moving his other hand in front of his mouth. Saying it would hurt more.
"Riku!", Sora cried, running forward even as darkness descended over his eyes.
Thunder erupted in his ears as long, constant tendrils of lightning danced, swirling above them. Their constant supply of light, once wished for, was now met only with dismay.
Sora felt like his feet were moving through sludge: eyes frozen in horror as his best friend heaved into his hands. Between his fingers, a blackness seeped.
Sora's mind was in a panic, not knowing what to do, but only that he had to reach that vulnerable form. The wind picked up as he felt the ground tremble under him. Again, he thought hysterically, focusing his remaining strength into a leap.
Venturing a look down as he vaulted forward revealed the ground, or recent lack thereof. He forced his eyes ahead, focusing on the remaining circle of land Riku inhabited.
In the process, he couldn't help but see that the mass of black had pooled in the air, shapes forming in its expansion.
The shadow's wavering substance tempered a definite edge, small spires jutting out like jagged darts. With dread, Sora noted vaguely that it looked like a clawed hand.
The wind rose and billowed, forcing Sora away. Momentarily disoriented from its sheer power, Sora fell back and into nothing.
The shadowy hand had reached out, pulling another large, circular sphere out from within the pitiful boy. Rotating at unnatural angles, two small, golden circles burned their way into Sora, freezing his position in the air.
The younger boy, in a state of dreamy wonder, turned himself in place. I'm… floating?, he guessed, doing his best not to look down. Confusion melted away as he remembered his goal, his features hardened and resolute. "If it's floating, then I can-!", he exclaimed, waving his hands in front, paddling through the air. His balance was off, and his movements were messy, but he managed to glide forward.
Before him, the shadow was now crawling and pulling its legs out from between the silver boy's weary hands. Disconnected, Riku fell forward and onto his knees, hands obscuring his face.
"Riku!", Sora called, turning his fury on the pitch donning a serrated, broken guise of his best friend. He breathed in, willing the weight into his hands, letting the feeling shape itself. Keyblade, he commanded.
In a flash, his hands were gripping the form he'd come to know like the back of his hand. Turning his arms in a defiant stance, he rushed forward.
The shadowy form's golden eyes were trained on the obstinate boy rushing towards it. Its body twisted in his direction, clawed hands raising mere seconds before the keyblade connected.
Venting his frustrations in the form of his weapon, Sora pushed against the lengthening spirals, panting.
The silhouette remained unmoved, its bright eyes unblinking and attentive.
"Ugh", Sora grimaced, feeling no leeway. Unsettled by its unending gaze, he swiftly looked behind the creature to check on Riku's condition.
The moment of inattention caused the force behind his hands to falter and a shadowed talon swatted him away.
Sora was sent once again flying backwards, but the hit hadn't been too forceful, so he quickly managed to right himself. Taking on a defensive position, he took in his surroundings. The shadow didn't stir, with Riku a little ways behind and below it. Even through squinted eyes, the boy couldn't see his dear friend clearly enough to offer any solace.
Angrily, Sora eyed the monstrosity. Its form wavered as always, but the hard, pointed lines outlining its body remained stoic.
What's it doing?, he wondered, floating forward and stopping to gauge its response.
Its body and eyes didn't move, but Sora couldn't shake the feeling that its gaze was completely absorbed in his own movements.
Unsettling, he frowned, setting his mind to strategy.
It's strong, but, maybe I'm faster, he hoped, abruptly dashing forward and under it, straight for Riku.
After a few seconds of watching, the figure rushed ahead, swatting him from behind with ease.
Spiralling a good distance away, Sora dematerialized the keyblade to realign himself.
Okay, not faster either, he fretted, rotating back to a vertical position. Checking the pitch's location, he noted that it didn't follow.
It really doesn't want me to reach Riku, he surmised, annoyed.
"Riku," he uttered, unable to get a clear view of his goal.
He breathed in. If I'm not faster, then I'll try this.
Holding out his hand, the familiar weight returned, and he shot forward, meandering this way and that.
The black shape regarded him curiously, letting him pass, eyes and head turning to follow. Seeing his objective, it dove for his back, its snarled, twisted coils extended in a sweeping motion.
Sora twisted around to meet the attack, arms shaking under the block. "Saw that coming," he smirked, one eye closing in exhaustion. He shuffled the keyblade against the razor-sharp edges, aiming the tip towards the creature.
"See ya," he smiled before inhaling to focus.
"Fira!"
At his behest, large shots of fire erupted up from his weapon and into the hand of the pitch. The attack gave him a boost backward, creating a gap between them.
Just as Sora was about to turn himself around and escape, a high-pitched shriek assaulted him. Still gripping the keyblade, he helplessly cupped at his ears, trying to drown out the noise. It doesn't have a mouth, he struggled, eyes closing in pain. Where is that sound even coming from!?
The inside of his head began to thrum, and amidst the static, there was a looping noise he couldn't quite make out.
His eyes shot open, and he stared wordlessly at the shadow in front of him.
Its limbs were down at its sides, its head thrown back as the shrieks increased in volume.
Stop, Sora begged, removing one of his hands from his ear. Shakily, he resumed his aim.
"Thundara!", he called, the sky brightening in response.
The creature was pushed back, its screams cut off.
Sora, taking advantage of its disorientation, flew towards it, blade poised to strike.
Its head twisted around to face him, piercing eyes shrinking his resolve. A split second later, both its claws were raised.
The shadow tucked forward, using the momentum from its swing to careen against the determined boy.
Instead of merely pushing Sora's blade back, its claws didn't stop. Swiping frantically, the creature resumed its wailing.
Sora grimaced, his hands too busy trying to block to protect his ears.
Don't, don't, don't, don't, don't
A voice, he noted. But, whose?
His teeth clenched, arms weakening with every swing of the shadow's claws.
Its flurries carried on, until Sora was too weak to block, and his weapon faltered.
A serrated blade cut into his shoulder, the pain causing him to close his eyes and cry out.
He was surprised, then, when silence descended upon the space.
Tentatively, he opened his eyes.
The creature was now further away, its golden eyes locked on its own monstrous hands. Its head pulled back, a pained howl ringing out anew.
Sora, realizing that this was his chance, swiftly craned his head to see Riku. As he did so, the volume of the creature's wails multiplied.
Notice, notice, notice,
Sora's breath caught and he quickly moved to turn around.
He remembered the other Riku and his sad words.
All you thought about was someone else, even when I was right in front of you.
At that moment, the creature trembling in front of him looked so painfully familiar.
Ah, you're, Sora thought dreamily, recognition lighting his way.
He swallowed painfully, remembering Kairi and her sad smile.
Notice his heart.
And he remembered the final words he'd been tasked to keep.
Don't turn away from the real him.
Sora looked around purposefully. This whole place is Riku, huh.
His heart squeezed. And he's still so, so afraid.
The weapon in his hand dissipated.
He reached towards the shadow. "You were right," he smiled painfully. "I wasn't listening."
Slowly, he floated towards the wailing darkness.
It didn't notice his approach until he was mere feet from its position.
Its neck twisted to face him, its arms wrapped over its chest protectively. The shadow stared, long and cautious.
Sora stopped, raising his hands slowly. "You don't have to be afraid," he cooed, tentatively moving in its direction.
All along its surface, spikes rose. It raised its hand to bar his path, its pins extending to prick the skin of Sora's hand.
He bit down the scream, not ceasing his advance.
"I know you don't mean to hurt me," he tried to exclaim, more a mutter from the pain.
The shadow's watchful eyes shone in alarm, another hand raising defensively, piercing Sora's hand further.
With clenched teeth, Sora gently took the pitch's jagged hands in his own, bearing their pointed edges. Gradually, he moved to bring them down at its sides.
At first, the creature resisted, but after a while, its arms hung limply.
"I won't turn away from you anymore," he called sweetly, enveloping his arms around its shoulders.
The contact caused the form's surface to jolt, spikes momentarily extending like a cat with raised fur.
Sora didn't retract his arms. "I'm here," he reminded softly.
After long moments, the shadow relaxed against his touch, barbs retracting into its smooth surface.
Sora's smile widened when he felt its shuddering hands enclose around his own back. He beamed at its unsure eyes, craning his head forward until his forehead met its own.
Its fearful actions only made him want to be more affectionate and gentle. Playfully, he nuzzled his nose against it.
"Whatever you want to say, I'm here," he murmured with a soft gaze.
The shadow's grip around him tightened, their bodies pressed closely. Vaguely, Sora felt a faint, comforting heat: similar to that of being healed.
The figure in front of him flickered, its surface fading and leaving remnant twinkles in its wake.
Sora closed his eyes, focusing on that warmth.
"I love you," rang a voice he hadn't heard in what felt like forever. It was different from his past self; aged and seasoned with discovery and life.
Sora's mouth became a mess of lines as his heart thrummed, pumping blood to his quickly-reddening cheeks. Inhaling deep, he cupped at the air between his hands, all solid substance gone. Vaguely, he registered the feeling of solid ground returning beneath him.
He opened his eyes, finding the silver boy a little ways before him.
Riku's frame shook as he regarded the residual lights dancing across his skin. Forming together, the orb of light faded into his throat.
"Riku," Sora called to him, causing the silver boy to reflexively cover his mouth.
He heard it, the silver boy lamented, eyes widening as he turned away from the object of his fear.
"Riku," Sora cooed again, but he couldn't hear him.
He knows now, Riku whimpered, head falling forward in defeat. He couldn't silence his curiosity. How did he react? What does his face look like now? Will I ever be able to be around him again?
Tendrils of darkened smoke closed around him again, and Sora's call was drowned out from beyond it.
"Riku!", he called breathlessly, the mass obscuring his view of the pale boy.
Riku crouched forward on his knees, mental fatigue showing even in this form. Don't look at me, he begged quietly.
"Hey," another voice rang out. Riku did his best to place it: the tone familiar yet higher than he would have liked. He couldn't help but turn his face towards it.
His eyes froze on another, younger him, mouth a hard line as he faked an air of confidence.
"You're," Riku breathed.
"It doesn't really matter right now," the other boy sighed. "What does matter," he expressed, walking forward and looking down at the mess of the boy before him. "Is that I followed him to you," he smirked derisively. "I'd given up on what I could do, like we always seem to," he chuckled.
"But something," he paused, eyes looking beyond the other. "Maybe his belief is contagious," he settled, smiling.
Riku backed away from his approach, knees skidding across the rocky surface beneath them. No, he cried. I'm going to stay here.
"And, what?", the younger boy balked. "What is running away going to prove?"
I, I, I, Riku tried, panicked mind running in circles.
"If he was going to deny you, he wouldn't have followed you here."
That's not true, Riku declared, teeth bared. Sora never leaves anyone behind, no matter what.
"Then listen to your own words for once," the other shrugged.
Riku stared at him, eyes wide.
"I've been thinking, and I know you've thought it, too," the younger of the two continued. "Maybe believing in what others see isn't so wrong, after all."
Riku's palms were clenching into the ground as his head hung forward. I know, he agreed, bitter.
But I'm afraid. I might misunderstand those beliefs.
"And you think he isn't?", the other silver boy posed.
Huh?, Riku exclaimed. Sora, afraid, he wondered purposefully, his mind flashing to their recent encounters. He saw those big, blue eyes full of worry as he carried himself through their interactions. How, no matter how messy the result, he nonetheless tried his best.
Sora, Riku thought longingly. I don't want you to look so sad.
"If you really want to walk beside him," the other boy stated quietly, extending his hand.
Riku took it, and the other pulled him up.
I have to believe I'm worth walking with, Riku gulped. Even if sometimes it's difficult to see.
"Yeah, and even if you ever falter and try to run away again," the younger boy smiled, letting him go. "He's the type to always follow."
His form and the smoke around them began to fade.
"And Riku?", the vision of his past asked, nearly gone. "You can talk now," he chuckled, the sound all that remained of their exchange.
Riku stared at the place where he was, not hearing the other boy approach.
"Hey," Sora breathed against his neck, adding an emphasizing puff of air to the final syllable: his revenge for being ignored.
A muffled gasp escaped his lips from the surprise, but Riku didn't turn to face him. Instead, he hung his head forward and gulped: physical manifestations of psyching himself up.
Sora took a step backward, giving the taller boy a little space. His eyebrows furrowed as a smile played across his lips. "Riku," he breathed, patting the other's lowered head.
Huh?, the silver boy reacted blankly, not moving.
"This position is a little difficult, but," Sora chuckled. "Riku, you're still scared, aren't you?"
The silver boy's eyebrows creased further. I-
"It's okay," Sora offered him, removing his hand. "Take as long as you need," he smiled. "I won't look away from you anymore."
Riku couldn't stop his body from turning to to face that dopey grin. He stared for long moments, unsure what to do next.
"Still," Sora wondered aloud, not meeting his gaze. "I'm always so surprised."
Riku tilted his head to the side, beckoning him to elaborate.
"Just when you think something about you is darkness, Riku," Sora began, raising his gaze to meet him. "You're always light."
The silver boy's unsure eyes lit up, even as his eyebrows were a mess of worried creases.
"So," Riku began breathily, self-consciously putting a hand over his throat. "Sora," he finished, surprised at his own voice.
"Yes, Riku?", Sora beamed.
"I," Riku tried, pausing for breath. "I want to believe in myself, but I'm, I'm not sure how," he stuttered, eyes moving to search the other boy's expression.
Sora's grin widened, the very image of content. "You've already taken the first step," he beamed. "Now, let's go home," the younger boy offered, holding his hand out towards him.
Riku looked down at his hand as his timid expression deepened.
Sora offered him his sweetest smile, allowing him the time he needed.
"Where," Riku struggled. "Where is home?"
"Hmm," Sora pondered, wearing a mock expression of thoughtfulness. "Everyone's is different, but," he grinned impishly. "If you're asking about mine, it's wherever you are."
The silver boy's eyes widened, the crease in his features softening, as his vision flicked from the gentle gaze of his beloved to his offered hand.
Mind made up, Riku reached forward, taking Sora's hand.
"Then, let's go together," Riku smiled, eyes resolute as he nodded towards his most precious person.
Sora grinned knowingly, returning the action. "Leave it to me."
Around them, everything became blindingly white.
And then they were gone.