By: Naela
Summary: A being tied to Sora is awakening and now more than ever the Keyblade Master is needed. Only, no one seems to know where he is. How are Riku and Kairi tied into all of this and who are the Non-Existent Ones?
Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or any of its characters. They're all property of Squaresoft and Disney.
Chapter Ten: Back Again
It took a lot of convincing on Rinoa's part before they could manage to separate Aerith from the body. It was Squall who ushered the grieving girl to her room while Rinoa, using a Float spell, moved the body to an empty room and laid Cloud's still form on a bed.
Rinoa couldn't take her eyes off him. Cloud had always been aloof, like Squall, and he tended to keep to himself, but she'd known him since they were children, and seeing him dead made her knees weaken. His face had already gone ashen, and painted on it was a look of peace. It almost, just almost, looked as if he were sleeping.
She didn't turn when she heard the door open. Rinoa already knew that it was Squall. The warrior stepped up to her side and silently took her hand. She stared up at him and saw the passive look on his face but knew that it was all just a mask.
"Let's not stay here any longer," he said softly.
Slowly, Rinoa nodded and allowed herself to be led out of the room. Stopping once they were in the hall, she squeezed his hand and saw the quizzical look on his face. "Squall… never leave me," she pleaded, burying her face into his arm. "Never leave me like Cloud left Aerith."
Squall untangled himself from her grip and held her close to his chest with one arm. "I'm not leaving you, ever," he promised.
Reassured, Rinoa relaxed against his body. Together the two walked as far as they could from the room, neither noticing the frail figure making its way down the other side of the hall.
Stopping in front of the door the couple had just exited from, Aerith leaned against it for support, bracing herself for what she knew would be on the other side. Resting her hand on the knob, she trembled and clamped one hand over her mouth, choking back a sob as she slid the door open. She saw the corpse on the bed, and tears began to slide freely down her cheeks.
Holding out a hand, Aerith stumbled towards the bed and collapsed on her knees beside the body. Taking his hand, she pressed it against her cheek. It was icy cold, and the touch only caused more tears to form. She closed her eyes and laid her head against the bed, allowing her tears to pool on the sheets.
Twining her fingers with his hand, Aerith shifted, moving closer to Cloud until her head was resting against his chest. She didn't care if his body smelt heavily of dried blood--it was his blood. The same blood that flowed within their child. They'd planned on becoming a family, her as the mother, Cloud as the father, the baby, Auntie Rinoa, Uncle Squall, Uncle Cid… even Aunt Tifa.
Tifa… what would she tell her now? Blinking, she held a hand to her eyes as the room brightened. Aerith wondered why no one had bothered to close the curtains when they'd put Cloud in here. The sunlight didn't seem to fit at all, and it only worsened her mood. Slowly she moved away from Cloud. The light, she realized, wasn't coming from the windows, but from Cloud. A light surrounded his body, spreading from his heart to the rest of it. The hand was holding grew warmer and, slowly, his fingers tightened around hers.
Cloud's eyes opened, and she could see him blink as the light faded away. He took in a deep breath, looking as if he'd just woken from a deep sleep, and slowly he turned his gaze towards her. They stared silently at each other. Finally, Cloud smiled at her. Aerith bit down her lip, fighting back a sob as she moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Unable to hold back her tears, she began crying freely.
Stroking her back, Cloud pulled away from her and grinned. "I'm here," he said. "I'm back."
Aerith took his hand, placing it over the life that grew within her. "Welcome home," she told him.
"I don't understand… how?" Rinoa asked, staring into Cloud's vivid blue eyes.
They were gathered in the upper level of the library. Squall, Rinoa, Yuffie Aerith were all crowding around Cloud. Aerith was holding onto Cloud's arm, something that the blonde warrior would never have allowed her to do in public, but in light of the recent events, Cloud decided to let it slide just this once.
There was an odd silence as they considered the answer to Rinoa's question. No one was able to come up with a plausible explanation. They only knew for certain that Cloud had been dead. They'd seen the body and even checked to make sure, yet somehow he was here, before them and certainly alive, despite the mortal wound he'd received. They all looked from one to another and exchanged shrugs and glances.
"A miracle," Aerith spoke up, breaking the silence. "That's what this has to be."
Cloud shifted uncomfortably as all eyes were once again on him. He stopped his fidgeting when Aerith squeezed his hand reassuringly. Hanging his head, Cloud knitted his eyebrows and sighed. "I don't know what happened."
Rinoa bit down on her lip as she remembered Riku's words. He had said he'd find a way, and here was Cloud, standing before them, alive and well. She turned to face Squall, who was leaning against the wall, his arms folded over his chest, sporting a scowl that twisted the scar on his face. She held a hand over her mouth, hiding the smile that was threatening to take form. He felt her eyes on him and brought his gaze from the floor towards to her.
"What is it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Rinoa shook her head and brought a hand to her heart. "Just thinking about Riku…" she replied. "Something he said makes me think he's the one behind… this…" Her gaze flitted over towards Cloud, who showed no reaction.
"I wouldn't be surprised," Squall muttered. "There's more to that boy than he let's on. His eyes, they have the same look as he once had."
"What boy?" An accusing voice cut through the room, causing all heads to turn towards the door. Riku stood underneath the frame, his arms crossed against his chest and his eyes blazing with anger. Rinoa gasped as she stared at him. At that very moment, he was the very reincarnation of him.
When no one answered him, Riku stepped into the library, surveying all of the guilty faces and taking in their reactions. He took this as confirmation to his initial assumption and scowled. "So that's what you really think of me, huh?"
Though she barely knew him, Rinoa knew that something was amiss with the boy. Glancing over at Aerith, she saw the woman in pink frowning. Aerith also noted the difference and quickly moved away from Cloud. Stepping up to Riku, she stared at the boy, met his gaze unflinchingly and then wrapped her arms around him.
"Thank you," she murmured. The boy grew tense underneath her embrace. Despite his reaction, Aerith pulled him closer, hugging him tighter. Slowly, Riku reached up and placed his hands on her back, returning the hug, and he relaxed against her body.
She untangled herself from the boy and held him at arm's length. Seeing the softened expression on his face made her smile. With one hand, she brushed aside a stray lock of hair from his face, and she nodded in approval. "I know it was you who saved Cloud," she stated. "Nothing I can do for you will ever make up for what you've done for me, for my family."
All he'd done, his trip to hell and back, was worth it just to see Aerith's smile. Riku nodded shyly as she gently led him towards Cloud. The warrior locked gazes, and Cloud gave him a curt nod of acknowledgement before turning away. Riku heard an audible sigh escape from Aerith's lips. The woman turned back to him, still smiling, and shrugged.
"If you're really the one who brought Cloud back from the dead," Squall spoke up, catching Riku's attention, "then how did you do it?"
"I'd rather not say," Riku said, levelling a glare at the swordsman.
Squall met the boy's gaze, his expression deadpan. As expected, Riku was the one who broke the gaze. Everyone in the room knew of Squall's reputation for holding staring contests. No one was ever able to meet his intense gaze without flinching away, no one except for Rinoa. The girl in blue was pondering what to say to break up the tension when there was an audible creak. Being the one closest to the railing, Rinoa strolled over and gazed towards the lover level. Just visible over the top of one shelf, she could see a girl with ruddy coloured hair and a boy dressed in a leather duster much like Riku's. The two were glancing around, peeking behind bookshelves as if looking for something or someone.
"Who are you?"
Rinoa nearly jumped, but managed to restrain herself when she realized that it'd been Squall who'd spoken. Somehow he'd come up behind her without her knowing. The pair was also surprised, and they glanced up to see them. The shock in the girl's face quickly melted away into a smile as she waved at Squall.
"Leon!" she exclaimed.
Rinoa glanced back at Squall, shooting him an accusing look. The warrior shrugged and approached the railing. "Do I know you?" he asked.
The girl stopped her waving and nodded. "Well we only met briefly… but I'm Kairi. Remember me?"
"Kairi?" Squall repeated. Upon hearing the name said, Aerith quickly moved towards the railing and smiled at the sight of the girl.
"Kairi!" she greeted. "What a coincidence, first Riku and now you're here."
"Riku?" the boy asked, speaking for the first time. "He's here?"
Aerith nodded and gestured behind her. "He's right here…" She trailed off when she stared back. Riku was no longer in the room. She met Cloud's gaze, and he waved a hand over towards the upstairs exit. She frowned and turned back towards Kairi. "Or maybe not."
The pair moved away from the lower level and began ascending the stairs. Kairi stared back at a few of the fallen shelves with a wary expression before joining the others at the upper level. Aerith approached her and gave her an appraising look. "You've really grown," she said. Both girls grinned at each other, sharing a secret joke that no one else seemed to get.
"Who's your friend?" Squall asked. He was now sitting on the railing, both arms crossed over his chest as he stared coldly at the boy behind Kairi.
"Oh! Uh guys, meet Enigma," Kairi said, gesturing towards the boy. "He helped me get here."
Aerith bowed her head in greeting, giving Enigma a warm smile. "Well Enigma, welcome to Hollow Bastion," she greeted.
The boy's face showed no reaction to her kindness, and he stepped forward past Kairi. "We've been searching for Riku," Enigma stated. His eyes scanned the room, and he shook his head in frustration.
"He was here a moment ago," Aerith said. "I don't understand why he would have disappeared…"
"Never mind, we can find him," Enigma said, strolling towards the door. His step faltered as he passed Cloud. Pausing, he stopped and turned to face the blonde warrior.
"Something wrong?" Cloud demanded.
"There's something not… right," Enigma replied.
"Ask your friend, Riku, then," Cloud growled, turning away.
Shrugging, Enigma headed for the exit and paused, waiting as Kairi gave the others an apologetic glance and hurried to catch up. Aerith frowned as she stepped forward, watching Enigma as he reached to open the door.
"Sora."
Kairi whirled around, but Enigma simply stared back at her from over his shoulder. The woman in pink placed a hand over her heart as she smiled. "Riku's been looking for you."
"What makes you think that I'm him?" Enigma snapped and stepped out of the room. Kairi lingered as she met Aerith's gaze.
The woman gestured for her to go on. "Be strong for him," she told her, casting a glace at Cloud then back at her. "They need our strength."
Nodding, Kairi left the room, having to run in order to catch up to Enigma. She saw him in the distance and called for him. The boy stopped and turned, waiting for her. Kairi came to a halt as soon as she was directly in front of him and placed both hands on her hips, scowling at the boy.
"What was that all about?" she demanded.
Enigma raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"How you were so rude to those people," Kairi retorted, gesturing back towards the library. "They were only trying to be nice."
There was an irritated look on his face, and he quickly turned away. "I don't have time to waste being cordial to others," he snapped. He couldn't comprehend why she was questioning his motives, and the longer he couldn't figure out the reason, the more irritated he became. "I brought you along to help me, but so far you're far from being helpful."
Kairi swallowed hard as she stared at Enigma's back, searching for some sign of what he felt. It gave no information and only served to make her feel more isolated. What he said had hurt, and she suddenly didn't want to be near him anymore. Taking a step back, she turned and bolted. Enigma watched as she disappeared into the library and stepped after her. He thought of calling for her attention, but by that time she was already gone.
It was cold up here, freezing if one wasn't dressed properly and prepared for the low temperatures. No one came up here anymore, and because of the potential danger it held, it'd been deemed a restricted area of the citadel and sealed off.
He used to come here as a child. Usually he was alone and most of the time improperly dressed, and oftentimes he'd catch a cold after being up here. This place, a balcony that had collapsed on itself long ago, had been a restricted area even when he was young, but still he broke the rules and came here.
There was that one time Cloud had found him here and told on him. He'd been in a lot of trouble afterwards, but despite all of that, he still came here. This was his secret place, where he could simply sit and think.
Such a pathetic existence you lead, clinging onto old memories of a past that no longer belongs to you.
That voice again! He growled, whirling around, trying to find the source, but like the many times before, there was no one around. Standing up, he scowled at the distance, trying to block the voice out. In his head, he heard a malicious laugh.
Stop trying to resist me, fool. Your powers may be formidable, but there's no doubt that your mind is completely and utterly weak.
He howled as pain exploded inside his skull, sending him to the ground writhing. He clawed at the cement with his nails until his fingers bled. Hugging his chest to his knees, he clamped his hands against his temples, squeezing his eyes shut. The pain subsided soon enough, and he was nothing more than a wheezing mass on the ground.
You've wasted enough time trying with your petty revenge. I want the princess, and so far you've given me nothing.
Sephiroth struggled to a sitting position, gasping as he stretched his wing and realized that he must have bent it in his struggle on the ground. Grounding his teeth, he slammed a fist against the balcony. It shook and tilted forward, threatening to slide off its support beam.
"The princess… I don't even know who she is," Sephiroth retorted. "How can I find someone I don't even know?"
There's another reason why you're not going back in there… that man's on your mind again. You worry so much about a boy who's turned his back on you.
The mocking tone in the voice made Sephiroth wince. He had enough power to destroy worlds, yet he could do nothing about this being that had access to the innermost secrets of his heart. He hated this feeling--he hated being helpless.
Stop racking your tiny little mind about the boy. He's alive.
Sephiroth froze, and slowly he stood, leaning against the wall for support as he glanced up at the sky. "Alive?" he questioned. "How? I saw him die."
You, yourself, escaped death. You've come across many people who should have been dead but are alive. Why does this surprise you so?
In a way it made sense. Sephiroth supposed that, if he could come back to life, then it wasn't impossible for Cloud. He wondered idly if this voice was the reason why Cloud was back to life.
Locked in a prison forged by your own faults. Clearly you're not ready to return to Hollow Bastion. Take your time then. We have all the time in the world to waste. The Gathering will not happen until he is complete.
Who he was, Sephiroth couldn't care less. He was too relieved to think. The pressure in his mind had released, and he knew that the voice had gone. He was alone now, the secrets of his heart was no longer being accessed. This made him smile.
And so we finally reach our tenth chapter! Yeah okay, so I lied last chapter about Sora, Kairi and Riku being reunited, things took an unexpected turn, one that I didn't foresee and well yeah, okay, I PROMISE they'll be together again next chapter. Riku's been acting a little angsty lately hasn't he? As many of you have been saying his mood's been a little "dark"... more on that will be revealed later. Just hope you guys didn't find that Aerith and Cloud seen as cheesy as I found it... but then again, cheese can be a little fun at times. ^_^
Yes... the Big Bad finally decides reveal himself after a long duration. I think most of you guys can figure out who he was... yes, he DID make an appearance in a previous chapter. Sadly, he seems to have quite a few "puppets" to play around with. Oh and there's a bit of a clue in the last bit about the relationship between Cloud and Sephiroth. I don't know if it shows up... but when I was writing "the voice" I kinda had Albedo (from Xenosaga) on my mind so I'm hoping the crazy little white haired man isn't showing through.
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Koorino Megumi: Yes dearie, Reverse Side of the Mirror... *coughs* Yeah yeah, go ahead and laugh. I don't think I deserve a lot of these descriptions since I was basing Tartarus on how Disney created it. Yeah, you better worry!! ::cackles::
Cynthia Chen: YEAH!! Go Riku! He has been rather dark and I'm delighted to find out that I've writen his "dark" personality in an original way. ^_^
Meiko: Cool! You go to ansemreport.com too? Yeah, it's a really good site to find Deep Dive info, I don't what I would have done without it. Thanks for the encouragement!
Victorious Light: Nope... not evil... just unintentionally confusing. Though I like this idea of me being evil. Thanks for the compliments and I'll try to get the next chapter up soon!
Shinji Ikari:
Nah, I didn't think you were some sort of elitist, I'm just a little self-consious about my writing, that's all. You know, I do believe I've read your argument on GameFAQs before. You make quite a few valid points, but I have a hard time in suspending my belief that a kid, even if he IS fast, would be able to defeat a skilled swordsman and Sephiroth was pretty fast when I fought him... yeesh, it took me an hour of just standing around waiting for the perfect opportunity to whack at him and then retreating in order to defeat him. That's just me, considering how my brother was able to defeat him under fifteen minutes. So I guess you do have a point there.
Mythology: Yes, I'm into Nordic, Greek, Eastern myths. I enjoyed slipping in some references about Tantalus and Persphone in chapter nine. I've even had some of the characters parallel a few mythological figures. Balder and Hod being two very big examples and you can take a stab at who's supposed be those two.
Xeno: I had a suspicion with the Lacan part, but a part of me also thought that Lacan was also a reference to Jacques Lacan as well. I agree with you about Xenogears, I seem to prefer it over Xenosaga, probably because it has closure and Xenosaga needs to rely on Episode II before anything starts making sense about it. It's too bad about the RPG, I probably would have participated had I'd taken an interest in Xenogears a little earlier.
Well Riku might listen to Persephone on some extent, but I thought I made the point clear enough through Riku's threat that Persephone's restraint on him wasn't that strong.
The Oblivion=The same keyblade to unlock hearts... that's a subject I'll be touching on soon in the next few chapters.