Chapter 7

Dark Abyss

Point of View: Kairi

Written by: Lyphe

My head fell low, my arms and legs restrained by thick, dark chains. I felt weak, relieved of my energy. All I could do was stare into the cold cement floor. I heard liquid, and somehow the sound brought hope to my lifeless soul. I was limp, my memory blurring and faint, though I was slowly regaining it, and my senses. Water, cold water sprinkled onto my face, bringing life to my pathetic form. I groaned.

Where was I? How did I get here?

I lifted my head. I winced, thorns...some sort of whip was coiled around my neck. Trying hard to ignore the pain in my neck, I peered around, taking in my surroundings. This place...this strange place, had an air of evil within it, and I was all part of its dark purpose. Looking down, I realized chains bound my whole body. I looked about. This was some sort of jail cell, or dungeon. Tunnels and paths led beyond my cell. A gate separated me and...a guard...? He was dressed in dark garments, a black cloak to be precise. He seemed to be...asleep?

I decided it was best not to awake him. My eyes explored the rest of this abyss. There was no light except for a single cracked light bulb that hung from the ceiling of my cell. A single stream of murky water flowed. My thoughts stirred. This place wasn't a dungeon at all. In fact, it looked like some sort of underground sewer. I looked around my cell. Feeling the weight on my back, I concluded my backpack was still with me.

Footsteps.

My ears alerted me someone was coming this way. My breathing halted as the sound of footsteps and splashing water grew closer. Dropping my head back down, I closed my eyes to give the impression that I was asleep, or perhaps dead. Finally the footsteps stopped before my prism.

"Don't try to fool me. I know you're awake."

I shivered at the sound of the icy cold voice. I heard him clap twice. Suddenly, without warning, my eyes shot open and my head raised to meet his. My eyes widened. His image was horrifying, although I never did see his actual face. Actually his attire revealed no part of his flesh. His attire consisted of some sort of robe, red and black. His hands wore black gloves. Around his neck was some sort of necklace: a chain and stones, stones with carvings of ancient writings. Hanging down before his chest was some sort of accessory. It bore a black heart with lines across it. The symbol of the Heartless... His whole face was wrapped up in some sort of blood red cloth with streaks of black material crossing over his left eye, completely hiding it. His remaining eye was truly horrifying and brought about me unwanted goosebumps.

It was yellow, like some sort of shiny surface, for it pierced the darkness that consumed me. I could feel its cold stare on me. And I couldn't speak even if I dared to. Never before had I encountered such a being on my own. He kicked my dozing guard mercilessly. I winced.

"You! You are to watch her, not sleep! Do you know how precious she is?!"

Precious?! Then why am I tied like a doomed prisoner?!

Then turning to me, he spoke with a bone chilling laugh.

"So you have finally awaken, princess!"

"What...?" I mumbled, still weak.

"After all these long days of work, I am so close to the ultimate prize!" he laughed maliciously.

Gaining my courage, and some strength, I glared at him.

"The ultimate prize? And what role do I play in it?"

He smirked at me, this look filled with devious intentions.

"What role? The final piece!" he roared, "As you know, exactly one year ago, the ruler of darkness, Ansem, sought to find the darkness with the help of the seven princesses of heart. You may also recall exactly one year ago, the Keyblade master sealed away all darkness."

"Sora..." I whispered.

"Now, it may seem he sealed away any hopes of releasing it back into the world. But I have found a way to do the impossible!"

"You!" I cried, "Who are you?"

"You'll see in due time, my dear. Now, as I was saying, you agree that once the seven princesses of heart were used to contain darkness, keys of darkness, if you please. But after the Keyblade master sealed away the darkness, there is no use of them to open the doorways to darkness. But in my studies, I have discovered they serve a new purpose now, locks of light, I call them. Destroy the locks, and the door is open. Destroy the princess, and darkness is freed."

"No..." I whispered.

"Oh yes, yes it's very true. And as you can see..." he said slyly as an army of Heartless appeared behind him on command, "...I've already destroyed most of the locks.

I gasped as he tilted his head and released a truly cruel and sickening laugh that only a true villain could perform. With that, he left me, laughing as he walked down the echoing corridors.

My head drooped once more.

He...he killed them all... All of them, and I'm his next victim.

I began crying uncontrollably. I looked up to my sleepy guard.

"Did he really...kill them...?"

The cloaked person, or perhaps one of his faithful Heartless, nodded as he yawned. I don't think he realized he just leaked out information to me. Seizing this opportunity, I whispered to him.

"Hey, who was that guy?"

Suddenly regaining his senses, the guard turned and faced me, fully awake. His yellow eyes, matching his master's, glowed in the dark. A tongue sprouted out of his mouth and hissed at me. I was instantly hushed. Glaring at me, the guard slowly returned to his post.

I let out a sigh. That...thing scared the life out of me. I glanced at his back, completely scared out of my mind. He is definitely NOT human.

I let my head fall again. I shut my eyes tight. I don't know anything any more. I don't know how a storm far out at sea could possibly lead me out here to this simplified version of hell. I don't know where I am, or where my friends were, or if I'd ever see them again. I don't know who that robed man is, or why he's undoing all this evil Sora worked so hard to stash away.

Sora...

And I don't know where Sora is, or even if he's alive.

My eyes snapped open, rejuvenated with life. Determination swept into my soul.

I knew one thing for sure.

I glared down the path the robed man walked down.

I had to escape.

Author's Notes: Okay, I think I died. I just checked out email account, and there were 8 reviews. Oh, and by the way... WHAT THE HELL YOU TALKIN BOUT AMANDA!?!?!?!?!?!?!? If you recall correctly, I never said I wanted to stop because we weren't getting enough reviews. I said:

'Hey, you think we should stop Message in a Bottle for a while? 'Cause no one really reads it, and I think it might be a waste of our time. And besides, if we stop, we can focus on our own stories better, and when we actually do start it again, we'll probably be better writers...'

AND THEN later, I said we WOULD be continuing it! (by the way, I couldn't remember what I wrote, so I kinda made that up by memory)

Oh yeah, if we DO stop, it'll be if we have too much work, or if I convince Amanda to put it on hiatus. But...that won't be happening anytime soon!

kk, sorry this chapter took so long! I actually finished yesterday, but didn't have time to post it up.