Destroyed
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~
Chapter 17: You Can Never Win
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~
"To recognize what is beyond your ability to change, and to be content with this as your destiny - that is truly a sign of virtue~:"
Chuang Tzu
~
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The time is here.
The time is now.
Open up..
Open up..
Come, to me.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"I'm ready," she whispered to the shadows.
Self questioning had brought about her own sense of self, her vague memories of responsibility in a dim past. She remembered the needs and desires of others and other people to which she had wholeheartedly submitted her will and her life. This was no different, because even were there not a resolution to the problem then she would die and take him with her.
The shadows and shades of yesterday moved and whispered about her, eyes upon her.
Stuck in limbo and cornered by ghosts of people she once knew and loved, people from her own planet and from others. She almost ached with the feeling that somewhere in those shadows her old friends were watching her and waiting for her to recognise them, to reach out unto them and drag them willingly into life. She had no such ability.
After so long trapped in here with only her basest of normal senses, her own ultra-senses had begun to return. Slowly at first they made her more aware of the shadows and spaces, but as time went on she began to perceive once more aura's and power, magic and flows of life. It was all returning again with desirable force and gravity.
Soon, she guessed, she would be back at the height of her powers when she had left the world, the Planet. But something else that sparkled inside her like a tiny, unnoticed diamond.. it told her that her powers were growing even beyond that. Soon she would outstrip some of the greatest magical practicioners.. soon, sooner than expected she knew her magic would be able to easily overpower Sephiroth.
She thought he knew it too.
His bundle of sensations in the back of her mind was screaming towards anxiety and pushing her friends on the outside, in the real world, towards somewhere.. why?
It was up, she knew there was some kind of vertical slant to this madness. A tower perhaps.
"I remember a tower when I awoke," she murmured, frowning.
Hollow Bastion was a castle old and cruel with it's own lingering personality. It was built of deep catacombs and strange dungeons filled with traps and shadows, and tall, arching spires that flew off into mid air as it rested above a world of water. Deep in the sandstone blocks and past the grit and grime, she could feel the palpable magic when she had first stepped into the Castle.
He.. He had been with her since her first insane impulse to return here.
Something about that tower, she knew, was the key to the mystery and sooner or later it would all fall into place.
Aeris just hoped that it wouldn't be too late by then to put into action counter-measures.
The whispering of the shadows grew to a quickened crescendo, and blinking slightly, the slender figure on her knees in the faint glow of green light looked behind her at the shadows of yesterday.
"What is it?"
"Ansem," came one soft voice.
"He is close to the door," wailed another.
Aeris let her mouth drop open slightly, then clenching her slim hands into the skirt material she got to her feet. Feeling awkward in her heavy duty boots, hair a lank mess about her weary face.. she still managed some semblance of dignity.
"How close?"
"An hour in time, a step or two dimension wise.."
"The Keyblade master is already there."
"Darkness or light.. what do we do?!"
The ancient waved her hands at the ghosts who seemed riled up into formless panic, "hey, calm down.. slow down."
They listened and slowed their frantic shuffles and wails, featureless eyes turning towards her. She couldnt see their faces but she guessed they were all paying her attention now and being quiet, so she smiled as re-assuringly as she possibly could. In here she was their tenuous connection to the living, to the past as well as the future.
"Don't worry.. Sora will do what is right. We just have to remain calm. And we all should have a small chat.. I have a plan about Sephiroth and I'll need your help.."
A low murmur in the memories and then they shuffled closer to listen, and as Aeris explained she felt again the strange burning sensation in her chest. Ignoring it, however, she delved deeper into shadows, for the sake of the light...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was so dark and peaceful.
He could almost imagine stars, whirling over and under him.
~ I wish Kairi and Riku could see this.. ~
The thought brought tears to his eyes as he floated there with memories of home crowding in his head, memories of sun kissed sands and beloved melodies floating down from the high tree top base which they had made together so many, many years ago.
He remembered the soft smile on the young Kairi's face when she had first met Riku and he, her long sarong and her bright sapphire eyes that sparkled with the same laughter he loved to hear from her.
Never let me see her upset, never let me see her cry.. he had said to himself. Just ten.
He remembered the hollow under the great tree where a strange wooden panel had been and he and Riku had drew faces into the rock there with chalk stones, where Kairi and he had drawn one another.
He loved those faces and pictures and sometimes they would come to their island really early and pretend that they were pirates or great adventurers and on the rock they would record their battles and great legends for future generations..
He remembered with sorrow Riku's face when his grandmother had died and how the older boy had cried. Just twelve.
So many had died for so much they couldn't control, so much pain and anguish had been suffered by those left behind. Was he left behind? Would this blade be enough to fix the world.. all worlds. He wanted his home back.
He wanted something impossible and out of reach to him.
But he kept trying, he always kept trying.
"Time.."
He looked down from the swirling blackness and his body righted itself.
Floating across from him were Donald and Goofy and some distance off was Ansem in the stolen form, his hair was platinum white, skin the colour of hazelnuts and his eyes were wide and amber, lidded with madness and desperation. Sora felt tired, more tired than he ever had. He had fought past worlds and strange monsters, through heartless and past the dangers of not knowing himself well enough. He had done all of it for his friends and for a future for Kairi. A safe place where everyone could belong..
"Ansem," he sighed softly.
Behind him Donald lifted his weapon and Goofy half hid behind his shield. Watching, they saw Ansem stretch his hand out towards a door of white.
It was beautifully carved, almost gothically so in appearance, with angels and demons all riveted on the outside. Veined with silver and sparkling, the doors cracked open and dark smoke began to effuse into the raven backdrop, seething and hissing as it touched new air.
"It is futile," spat Ansem, "The keyblade alone cannot seal the door to the darkness."
Sora frowned and looked down, thinking about it all. Why would everyone be fighting so hard for the shadows? If the true darkness came from the hearts of men and monsters, then why would it be contained in a door?
~ The closer you get to the light, the greater your shadow becomes.. ~
Darkside.. that huge, tentaclled monster.. here..
It fell slowly into place like a jigsaw and he smiled, watching Ansem as he stretched forth a hand, "Kingdom Hearts, fill me with the power of darkness.. Supreme Darkness!"
As his companions squawked in terror, he instead stayed calm, and lifted his boyish tenor in the night.
"You're wrong. I know now, without a doubt, that Kingdom Hearts... is Light!"
It was like opening a dam, and letting all the pressurised water flood out of the doors. It opened and seethed and spat it's fairy lights all over the horrified face of Ansem who was almost crying with despair.. he shook his head and tried denying it.
The light grew so strong that Sora was forced to lift a hand and shade his eyes, enough to see the madman was disintigrating..
"Lights," he gasped.."but...why...."
And then, he was gone.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
That was the change and with a gasp of horror Aeris too looked up as light flooded the darkness inside limbo.
It pervaded and clung to her, enervating her limbs and bringing her higher. It was as if someone had injected her directly with caffiene or some kind of energising drug, like the spell Haste. She was suddenly very.. very aware of the world and every living voice raised in praise.. except hers.
"NO!"
She knew now.. she knew.
The worlds would be remade, and with it their own world. With the planet came the wound.. came the scarring that helped connect all worlds to Hollow Bastion, all magical. Each had their own scar to give access.. the Knowlespole..
With the recreation came the immense powers of life and living.
That's was Sephiroth wanted, he wanted to be reborn.. not just as living, but to suck in all those powers.. and become a God.
And.. by helping Sora.. she had inadvertantly helped him.
Now, now she knew.
Whispering to herself as her knees gave out, the light got stronger and the sensations of triumph suddenly overwhelmed her senses...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Take care of her.."
Tears ran down his cheeks as the white door shut, with a dreadful clang.
Riku..
Swallowing hard, he looked up and over the snowy fields of what was most likely ashes.. and dugs his feet into it as his back leant on the door. Riku had just condemned himself to a life of terrible pain and there was nothing Sora could do, not one reasonable thing as a Keyblade wielder..
Donald and Goofy remained silent next to him, when the next thing caught his sharp eyes.
At the edge of reality, edges of the ashy fields, he saw a slim figure in a white croptop and a short purple skirt. She held a hand to her chest and looked about herself in worry, her dark red hair flashing in the sun of a new world being born. He didn't care anymore, and with a push from the door and a frown marring his brow he ran over to her.
Donald made to follow, but Goofy put a hand on his shoulder and with sadness in those big black eyes, just shook his head.
"Kairi!"
The girl looked up at his shout.
For the hundreth time, he felt his heart leap. Was it love? Was it soul bound? Either way, whenever he looked into those eyes he found himself entranced and he skidded to a slow stop.
"Sora," the princess called back, reaching out to his hand.
He moved his own, taking her cold fingers in his and revelling in the touch of her skin on his naked fingers. Kairi.
~ I did it. Everything is fine.. but Riku is gone. I'll keep looking for him, no matter when or where.. just wait for me.. ~
The world was forming as sand and foam under her feet, the darkness whirling.. It started to shake and desperately she tightened her hold on him, eyes staring pleadingly into his.
~I can't, Kairi.. I can't.. ~
He held on though, the pain in his heart so sharp.
"Kairi," he said past the lump in his throat, "remember what I said to you. I'm always with you too, I'll come back to you. I promise."
She gritted her teeth as tears poured down cheeks he had never wanted to see wet with such, and with one last squeeze she cried out, "I know you will!"
The world exploded away from the ledge on which he stood, expanding backwards and looking up she stared at him. He stared back, hand stretched down to the girl of his dreams.. and then he fell away as the darkness swallowed him. Darkness all pinpointed and moving with such delicate grace, all about him and rousing his inner feelings. Success, joy, pain and sorrow.. but now it would all be alright. He had done his job..
Stars, he mused idly.. and smiled..
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"I have to get up," Aeris said, looking up at Yuffie and Leon. "The worlds are returning.. I will go now."
Leon arched a brow, helping her up. "Aeris, we'll go with you."
As Yuffie and even Cid, stood by the door with a strange cube in his hands, nodded she shook her head. The bridge and landway over towards the Magical world she knew best, with the wound and energy..
The time was so close.
"Alone."
"You have to be joking.."
Lifting her hands, she tilted back her head. From nowhere came the astounding blur of sharp icy shards, frosting her skin and arms. Her fingers became coated in frost, and then with a whisper released the spell soundlessly.
Leon gasped moments before the fireball crashed into his chest with disgusting force and threw him bodily down the stairs. The successive ones hit Yuffie square in the knees and effectively knocked her out as her head hit the floor with a small crack. The third took Cid by surprise, and exploded in his face.. as the smoke cleared he fell slowly forward onto the floor and didn't move.
Studying the quick carnage, Sephiroth in Aeris' body.. he smiled and then turned, stepping onto the land bridge across to Aeris' world and his.. and began walking towards destiny..
(( "heating" things up, heh.. bad pun of the day. This Author recommends everyone goes see X2, or else ^_~ ))
~
~
Chapter 17: You Can Never Win
~
~
"To recognize what is beyond your ability to change, and to be content with this as your destiny - that is truly a sign of virtue~:"
Chuang Tzu
~
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The time is here.
The time is now.
Open up..
Open up..
Come, to me.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"I'm ready," she whispered to the shadows.
Self questioning had brought about her own sense of self, her vague memories of responsibility in a dim past. She remembered the needs and desires of others and other people to which she had wholeheartedly submitted her will and her life. This was no different, because even were there not a resolution to the problem then she would die and take him with her.
The shadows and shades of yesterday moved and whispered about her, eyes upon her.
Stuck in limbo and cornered by ghosts of people she once knew and loved, people from her own planet and from others. She almost ached with the feeling that somewhere in those shadows her old friends were watching her and waiting for her to recognise them, to reach out unto them and drag them willingly into life. She had no such ability.
After so long trapped in here with only her basest of normal senses, her own ultra-senses had begun to return. Slowly at first they made her more aware of the shadows and spaces, but as time went on she began to perceive once more aura's and power, magic and flows of life. It was all returning again with desirable force and gravity.
Soon, she guessed, she would be back at the height of her powers when she had left the world, the Planet. But something else that sparkled inside her like a tiny, unnoticed diamond.. it told her that her powers were growing even beyond that. Soon she would outstrip some of the greatest magical practicioners.. soon, sooner than expected she knew her magic would be able to easily overpower Sephiroth.
She thought he knew it too.
His bundle of sensations in the back of her mind was screaming towards anxiety and pushing her friends on the outside, in the real world, towards somewhere.. why?
It was up, she knew there was some kind of vertical slant to this madness. A tower perhaps.
"I remember a tower when I awoke," she murmured, frowning.
Hollow Bastion was a castle old and cruel with it's own lingering personality. It was built of deep catacombs and strange dungeons filled with traps and shadows, and tall, arching spires that flew off into mid air as it rested above a world of water. Deep in the sandstone blocks and past the grit and grime, she could feel the palpable magic when she had first stepped into the Castle.
He.. He had been with her since her first insane impulse to return here.
Something about that tower, she knew, was the key to the mystery and sooner or later it would all fall into place.
Aeris just hoped that it wouldn't be too late by then to put into action counter-measures.
The whispering of the shadows grew to a quickened crescendo, and blinking slightly, the slender figure on her knees in the faint glow of green light looked behind her at the shadows of yesterday.
"What is it?"
"Ansem," came one soft voice.
"He is close to the door," wailed another.
Aeris let her mouth drop open slightly, then clenching her slim hands into the skirt material she got to her feet. Feeling awkward in her heavy duty boots, hair a lank mess about her weary face.. she still managed some semblance of dignity.
"How close?"
"An hour in time, a step or two dimension wise.."
"The Keyblade master is already there."
"Darkness or light.. what do we do?!"
The ancient waved her hands at the ghosts who seemed riled up into formless panic, "hey, calm down.. slow down."
They listened and slowed their frantic shuffles and wails, featureless eyes turning towards her. She couldnt see their faces but she guessed they were all paying her attention now and being quiet, so she smiled as re-assuringly as she possibly could. In here she was their tenuous connection to the living, to the past as well as the future.
"Don't worry.. Sora will do what is right. We just have to remain calm. And we all should have a small chat.. I have a plan about Sephiroth and I'll need your help.."
A low murmur in the memories and then they shuffled closer to listen, and as Aeris explained she felt again the strange burning sensation in her chest. Ignoring it, however, she delved deeper into shadows, for the sake of the light...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was so dark and peaceful.
He could almost imagine stars, whirling over and under him.
~ I wish Kairi and Riku could see this.. ~
The thought brought tears to his eyes as he floated there with memories of home crowding in his head, memories of sun kissed sands and beloved melodies floating down from the high tree top base which they had made together so many, many years ago.
He remembered the soft smile on the young Kairi's face when she had first met Riku and he, her long sarong and her bright sapphire eyes that sparkled with the same laughter he loved to hear from her.
Never let me see her upset, never let me see her cry.. he had said to himself. Just ten.
He remembered the hollow under the great tree where a strange wooden panel had been and he and Riku had drew faces into the rock there with chalk stones, where Kairi and he had drawn one another.
He loved those faces and pictures and sometimes they would come to their island really early and pretend that they were pirates or great adventurers and on the rock they would record their battles and great legends for future generations..
He remembered with sorrow Riku's face when his grandmother had died and how the older boy had cried. Just twelve.
So many had died for so much they couldn't control, so much pain and anguish had been suffered by those left behind. Was he left behind? Would this blade be enough to fix the world.. all worlds. He wanted his home back.
He wanted something impossible and out of reach to him.
But he kept trying, he always kept trying.
"Time.."
He looked down from the swirling blackness and his body righted itself.
Floating across from him were Donald and Goofy and some distance off was Ansem in the stolen form, his hair was platinum white, skin the colour of hazelnuts and his eyes were wide and amber, lidded with madness and desperation. Sora felt tired, more tired than he ever had. He had fought past worlds and strange monsters, through heartless and past the dangers of not knowing himself well enough. He had done all of it for his friends and for a future for Kairi. A safe place where everyone could belong..
"Ansem," he sighed softly.
Behind him Donald lifted his weapon and Goofy half hid behind his shield. Watching, they saw Ansem stretch his hand out towards a door of white.
It was beautifully carved, almost gothically so in appearance, with angels and demons all riveted on the outside. Veined with silver and sparkling, the doors cracked open and dark smoke began to effuse into the raven backdrop, seething and hissing as it touched new air.
"It is futile," spat Ansem, "The keyblade alone cannot seal the door to the darkness."
Sora frowned and looked down, thinking about it all. Why would everyone be fighting so hard for the shadows? If the true darkness came from the hearts of men and monsters, then why would it be contained in a door?
~ The closer you get to the light, the greater your shadow becomes.. ~
Darkside.. that huge, tentaclled monster.. here..
It fell slowly into place like a jigsaw and he smiled, watching Ansem as he stretched forth a hand, "Kingdom Hearts, fill me with the power of darkness.. Supreme Darkness!"
As his companions squawked in terror, he instead stayed calm, and lifted his boyish tenor in the night.
"You're wrong. I know now, without a doubt, that Kingdom Hearts... is Light!"
It was like opening a dam, and letting all the pressurised water flood out of the doors. It opened and seethed and spat it's fairy lights all over the horrified face of Ansem who was almost crying with despair.. he shook his head and tried denying it.
The light grew so strong that Sora was forced to lift a hand and shade his eyes, enough to see the madman was disintigrating..
"Lights," he gasped.."but...why...."
And then, he was gone.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
That was the change and with a gasp of horror Aeris too looked up as light flooded the darkness inside limbo.
It pervaded and clung to her, enervating her limbs and bringing her higher. It was as if someone had injected her directly with caffiene or some kind of energising drug, like the spell Haste. She was suddenly very.. very aware of the world and every living voice raised in praise.. except hers.
"NO!"
She knew now.. she knew.
The worlds would be remade, and with it their own world. With the planet came the wound.. came the scarring that helped connect all worlds to Hollow Bastion, all magical. Each had their own scar to give access.. the Knowlespole..
With the recreation came the immense powers of life and living.
That's was Sephiroth wanted, he wanted to be reborn.. not just as living, but to suck in all those powers.. and become a God.
And.. by helping Sora.. she had inadvertantly helped him.
Now, now she knew.
Whispering to herself as her knees gave out, the light got stronger and the sensations of triumph suddenly overwhelmed her senses...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Take care of her.."
Tears ran down his cheeks as the white door shut, with a dreadful clang.
Riku..
Swallowing hard, he looked up and over the snowy fields of what was most likely ashes.. and dugs his feet into it as his back leant on the door. Riku had just condemned himself to a life of terrible pain and there was nothing Sora could do, not one reasonable thing as a Keyblade wielder..
Donald and Goofy remained silent next to him, when the next thing caught his sharp eyes.
At the edge of reality, edges of the ashy fields, he saw a slim figure in a white croptop and a short purple skirt. She held a hand to her chest and looked about herself in worry, her dark red hair flashing in the sun of a new world being born. He didn't care anymore, and with a push from the door and a frown marring his brow he ran over to her.
Donald made to follow, but Goofy put a hand on his shoulder and with sadness in those big black eyes, just shook his head.
"Kairi!"
The girl looked up at his shout.
For the hundreth time, he felt his heart leap. Was it love? Was it soul bound? Either way, whenever he looked into those eyes he found himself entranced and he skidded to a slow stop.
"Sora," the princess called back, reaching out to his hand.
He moved his own, taking her cold fingers in his and revelling in the touch of her skin on his naked fingers. Kairi.
~ I did it. Everything is fine.. but Riku is gone. I'll keep looking for him, no matter when or where.. just wait for me.. ~
The world was forming as sand and foam under her feet, the darkness whirling.. It started to shake and desperately she tightened her hold on him, eyes staring pleadingly into his.
~I can't, Kairi.. I can't.. ~
He held on though, the pain in his heart so sharp.
"Kairi," he said past the lump in his throat, "remember what I said to you. I'm always with you too, I'll come back to you. I promise."
She gritted her teeth as tears poured down cheeks he had never wanted to see wet with such, and with one last squeeze she cried out, "I know you will!"
The world exploded away from the ledge on which he stood, expanding backwards and looking up she stared at him. He stared back, hand stretched down to the girl of his dreams.. and then he fell away as the darkness swallowed him. Darkness all pinpointed and moving with such delicate grace, all about him and rousing his inner feelings. Success, joy, pain and sorrow.. but now it would all be alright. He had done his job..
Stars, he mused idly.. and smiled..
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"I have to get up," Aeris said, looking up at Yuffie and Leon. "The worlds are returning.. I will go now."
Leon arched a brow, helping her up. "Aeris, we'll go with you."
As Yuffie and even Cid, stood by the door with a strange cube in his hands, nodded she shook her head. The bridge and landway over towards the Magical world she knew best, with the wound and energy..
The time was so close.
"Alone."
"You have to be joking.."
Lifting her hands, she tilted back her head. From nowhere came the astounding blur of sharp icy shards, frosting her skin and arms. Her fingers became coated in frost, and then with a whisper released the spell soundlessly.
Leon gasped moments before the fireball crashed into his chest with disgusting force and threw him bodily down the stairs. The successive ones hit Yuffie square in the knees and effectively knocked her out as her head hit the floor with a small crack. The third took Cid by surprise, and exploded in his face.. as the smoke cleared he fell slowly forward onto the floor and didn't move.
Studying the quick carnage, Sephiroth in Aeris' body.. he smiled and then turned, stepping onto the land bridge across to Aeris' world and his.. and began walking towards destiny..
(( "heating" things up, heh.. bad pun of the day. This Author recommends everyone goes see X2, or else ^_~ ))