Kingdom Hearts
Ch. 23
Olympus
Heroes and Gods
Sora opened his eyes gazing upon the ceiling of the control room.
Goofy was beside him. "Donald, I think you over did it?" he mentioned standing over Sora.
"Oh, who cares he almost got us blown to kingdom come. Luckily the ship has built in shields that fends off natural hazards." Donald begrudging said.
Jiminy hopped around the control panel hitting some buttons along the way. He began checking the extent of the Gummi ships condition. "Well, everything seems to be okay the ships just needs to repair itself."
He hopped on another button to activate the ships repair feature. Just then tiny doors opened around the ship. As they did, tiny micro bots with oval heads, two eyes, four legs, and a port for a mouth crawled out.
They began to run towards the engine room to fix the damages. "They should be done in a couple of hours. They shouldn't delay our schedule," remarked Jiminy. He hopped onto Donald's shoulders.
Sora got up and rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry guys," he apologized giving a small grin.
"You should be. Don't ever do that again," said Donald pointing at the young keyblade wielder.
"Well, let's clean up this mess," mentioned Goofy standing by the exit. The friends agreed and began to climb out of the Control Room. Jiminy hopped into Sora's hood and began writing in his journal everything that happened.
They walked into the base of the ship to see everything was a complete mess. Sora realizing this was his fault grinned and giggled trying to ease the tension. Donald still angry pushed the keyblades chosen aside and summoned his staff. He waved into the air and sounded,
"Higitus Figtus."
Upon casting the spell all the items that have been knocked down began to be lifted in the air. The broken appliances repaired themselves as all the plates, trash, and pillows went back to where they belong. Sora didn't know Donald could do something like this, even though he was a wizard. "Hey Donald, why don't you do that more often? Like when we have to clean."
Donald put away his staff and turned to Sora. "That's no reason to get lazy and dependent on magic."
Goofy walked over and reminded Donald, "Gee, it sure is useful that Merlin taught you such a neat trick."
"It's not a trick. It's magic," Donald explained.
Sora cocked an eyebrow and asked, "Who's Merlin?"
Goofy spoke for Donald, "He's our trusted mystics' master. Why Merlin probably the greatest Wizard to ever dwell among the stars. He taught Donald everything he knows in the art of magic."
Sora bent his arms towards his face, "Really that's so cool. Where is he? What world is he from?"
Goofy placed his hand under his chin and replied, "Hmph I don't know it's been over 40 years."
Donald brushed Goofy off, "Just forget about it. Let's get going." The friends exited the ship while the hatched door closed behind them.
The land seemed vast and grand. Different formations stretched across the land. Mountains, fields, valleys, and rivers caressed over this world. Nearby farmers were tending to their fields and livestock. The gang saw a dirt path a few clicks away. Following that road they'd come across a great city in a distance. Sora looked to his far left to see the town nearly out of sight.
"What level world do you think it is?" asked Sora folding his arms.
Donald surveyed the land, "Definitely a Level 3 world."
Donald turned around and pressed a button on the ship. Upon doing so the ship turned invisible. "This will keep the ship safe from curious folk," he said before turning around.
"Yeah especially since we angered one of this worlds gods. Hopefully he thinks that we were vanquished," remarked Goofy.
Sora said nothing before walking in front of them. "Guys, there is no god or gods what we saw was just another citizen from this world. Remember Wonderland with the disappearing cat. There are many worlds with many strange characters. But there are no gods. They don't exist," he said confidently. Jiminy popped out of Sora's hood after hearing the claim.
"Well Sora, looks like we have some explaining to do," he said before jumping on the ground.
Jiminy hit the dirt and turned to Sora. "Sora you are right, there are many worlds with different kinds of beings that inhabit them. But in some worlds, there are people who are higher than others. They often have tremendous power and live incredibly long lives. They are known as "Celestials." Organisms who have control of the domain in their own world. There are two classified types. The one's we just saw are known as "Gods" who have physical bodies and live in their own communities separate from most of the world's inhabitants. The others are known as "Spirts". Unlike the ones here they are usually invisible to ordinary people and are how you say one with nature. These celestials vary upon worlds. Most worlds don't contain them, while some it's up for debate. Most of them don't socially interact with people of the world. They are usually isolated and only step into people's lives if they get disturbed or someone wanders into a chance encounter. Either way gods do exist they just don't dwell in many different worlds."
"He's right Sora, don't anger them like we did last time," mentioned Goofy.
Donald walked up too Sora and says, "So don't questions peoples beliefs here when they begin to speak about their religion. Because here the gods of myth are real."
Sora dumbfounded about what they just claimed did not answer back. They passed him as Sora stood silently with his thoughts.
[Destiny Islands]
Then memories started to flood about Destiny Islands. It was a muggy day. There was just a serious rain storm. The sky was still covered with rain clouds while puddles left by the storm still rested on the road. "Sora time to go to school," called his Mom. A 10 year old Sora ran down the stairs with his book bag wrapped around his shoulder. Hikari was eating breakfast at the table.
He ran to his Mom. She handed him some toast with butter. He plopped it into his mouth and devoured it whole. "Well get going and stay with your sister," she said. Hikari finished her cereal.
"Okay," he said a bit frustrated. He didn't like being reminded about these things a lot. Before opening the front door he noticed his Mother's good luck charm sitting on a shelf. Before going out to sea she gives it to his Father and then he'd bring it back. The storm must have been too dangerous to traverse. Sora concluded his Dad must be sleeping somewhere. He put his coat on while his Mother helped his sister in hers. He opened the door to see the road still wet from the storm.
Then his Father came down to say good-bye to his kids. He put his arms over his wife's shoulders and said, "Be careful you two."
The two siblings waved good bye as they ran off to school. Sora's Dad looked over to his wife lustfully. "Well we're alone, it's about to rain again, and I'm bored. You want to go upstairs?"
His wife remained silent. She looking over to him and gave him a grin. She grabbed his hand and closed their front door.
Sora and Hikari walked down the road till they made it to their school. Sora saw Riku and Kairi by the schools entrance. "Hey guys, how's it going?"
Kairi waved at her friend. "Hey Sora, everything's great. We're starting a new section in history today," she said smiling.
Hikari caught up to her brother and shouted, "Big brother, Mom says we need to stick together."
"Oh come on. We're already here. It doesn't matter," he said.
The bell rang and all the students went to their respective classes. Sora, Riku, and Kairi walked into their classroom and took a seat. Kairi sat next to Selphie in the front of the class while Sora sat behind Riku in the row closest to the windows. The teacher walked in as the bell ringed a second time. It was a 20 year old woman who was just recently married. She had a cool demeanor and wore glasses which she would often adjust. She had a short black skirt and a white buttoned blouse on. Her lavender hair was tied together in two long locks that stretched down and outward all the way to her waist. She wore purple slip on shoes that matched her hair color. She set her things down and was about to take attendance.
Soon the class room door opened as Tidus and Wakka ran in. "You're both late again," said the teacher sternly. The two boys tried to make an accuse but nothing would convince her to change her mind. She assigned them detention after class. They both then slumped to the back row and sat down in their seats. The teacher began to start the new lesson. She went on and on. Selphie took spot on notes and paid attention to every word the teacher said. Kairi followed her example. Riku studied intently to what the teacher kept saying. Sora kept losing focus and started on and off day dreaming.
The teacher ordered the children to open there text books to page 170. "Now how many of you can name me three different gods from legend. Kairi tried to raise her hand up first but Selphie beat her to it.
The teacher called on Selphie. "Yes," she said pointing to the girl. Selphie then began to name three gods off the top of her head. "The gods Maul, Cherche, and the goddess of the storms Ryux."
"Thank you," replied the teacher. The teacher then began to start her lecture, "You probably heard of these gods and the stories that are centered around them. Well hundreds of years ago people believed these stories were true."
The class laughed at the thought of such a claim. The teacher giggled a bit as well, "Hard to believe but it is true. These stories were considered real. Our ancestors would pray and make sacrifices to these idols. They were mostly created to explain natural occurrences. Like the storm goddess Ryux who was believed to dance in the sky which caused storms to brew. Nowadays we know better and after years of scientific discovery these questions can be answered. Now we have evolved to a point where we don't need gods and goddess anymore. We can move forward and improve ourselves." The class listened carefully as the teacher finished her lecture. She then ordered the class to write their own stories and make up a god for it. They all got out a piece of paper and began to write their own stories.
[Destiny Islands]
"Sora?" said Goofy trying to get Sora's attention.
Sora snapped out of it and turned towards his friend. "Sorry just kind of got lost in my thoughts," he said while rubbing the back of his head. "Well let's get going I wanna see what this world is like."
Jiminy hopped into Sora's hood after explaining, "I don't know how these people will react to a tiny talking bug. I'm just going to sit in your hood for now on." They agreed and the four friends set off. They followed the path and came across some farmers. They asked them where the nearest city is. "Oh you're upcoming warriors who want to battle at the colosseum?" said the farmer.
"Coliseum?" questioned Sora being this is the first time they've been here.
"Yeah the Olympus Coliseum. The place where the best heroes from all over the land go to duke it out to see who's the strongest."
"A tournament for heroes," Sora thought.
"Maybe I can get some pointers from real heroes." Sora raised his hand without consulting Donald or Goofy and asked, "Where is this Coliseum?"
"Waah?" said Donald startled.
The farmer pointed down the road, "Just keep following this road. You'll eventually make your way to town. You can't miss it."
"Thanks," said Sora before dashing down the path. He turned around and called out to Donald and Goofy. "Race yah," he then continued to run farther away.
"Sora!" yelled Donald after running after him.
"Not again," remarking Goofy trailing behind Donald.