Tortured By Light
Series: Kingdom Hearts
Categories: AU-ish, Angst, Violence, Yaoi, Adventure, Etc.
Warnings: The usual…
Summary: Ansem has stolen or rather copied Riku's physical appearance and the two battle against each other in the dark side of Kingdom Hearts; a new dimension of worlds. Sora searches for his friend, but will he ever find Riku, and will they ever be able to seal the true doors of light?
Disclaimer: It should be pretty obvious by now what is and is not mine…
Author's Note: Seymour makes his appearance in this chapter; I couldn't resist. Anyway, expect to see a lot of final fantasy bishounen to pop up in my fic… hee hee
IMPORTANT NOTE: You need to have read my first fic "Bound by Darkness" in order for this fic to make any sense.
Seymour Notes: Since this is a Kingdom Hearts Fic, the Squaresoft universe's are not accurate in the sense of their respective game origins; therefore please do not e-mail me in an attempt to correct me for liberties taken regarding Seymour since I will remind you that Tidus and Wakka were half-pints living on Destiny Island.
WARNING: I ignore flames; so if you have any, I suggest you save your energy because I don't give a shit.
Chapter 4: Offensive Child Part 1
Riku awoke to a sudden chill, Sephiroth was gone and Kuja lay curled up by the remnants of the small fire. By the looks of it, Kuja was also terribly cold, but too exhausted to wake from it. Riku got up and stretched, his body ached from more than just an uncomfortable sleeping position. Memories of Ansem and Sora threatened him from the back of his conscience and he tried to think of something else.
Luckily, that something else came in the form of his stomach growling. Some bushes being rustled caught his attention at that moment and he swiftly turned to the source. Sephiroth emerged from the underbrush carrying a couple of odd-looking fruits.
Sephiroth handed a fruit to Riku and the lightly shook Kuja awake. Kuja swatted at him weakly out of impulse before getting up. Poor Kuja was an absolute mess and he lowered his head so that his silver hair draped over his shoulders in a futile attempt to cover himself up somewhat.
"First things first," Sephiroth began, "There's a path not far from here that should take us to a village hopefully. We should start out as soon as possible and plan on getting Kuja some new clothes as well as some necessary provisions."
"What about Ansem?" Riku asked hesitantly.
"I haven't seen any sign of him, but we should still hurry. The sooner we find the door of light and your friend Sora, the better chance we have of defeating him." Sephiroth looked over at Kuja and scanned the lithe mage.
"You look terrible." It wasn't meant to be an insult, Kuja wasn't used to physical fighting like Riku and Sephiroth were. His body had taken the beating rather hard, his silver hair was matted with tangles and blood, his porcelain skin was marred by bruises and cuts, dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep, and finally his ruined outfit made him the picture of pitiful.
"And you look like shit!" snapped Kuja, but with little true anger in his tone.
"Let's hurry." urged Riku, he knew Ansem was hunting him and that his time was running short.
Sephiroth nodded and without any warning, he grabbed Kuja and flung him over his broad shoulder. Riku tried to suppress a laugh at Kuja's indignation by biting hastily into his mystery fruit breakfast.
"Sephiroth! Release me you savage!"
"Shut up Kuja! You're not fit to walk, you'd slow us down!"
"Slow you down? Of all the nerve! Unhand me at once! How dare you humiliate me like this!"
"It's either I carry you or we leave you Kuja. You're low on mana among other things, how do you think you'll fare against the first possible threat that comes along?"
"I hate you!"
Sephiroth reached up and gave Kuja a light slap on the ass out of annoyance.
"Ow! You damned oaf! You dare defy me!"
"Shut up Kuja!"
"Ow! Stop that!"
"Then Shut up!"
"I won't, Ow!"
"That's it, I'm selling you to the first brothel we pass by."
"You wouldn't!"
"Then be quiet!"
Riku chuckled softly at Sephiroth and Kuja's banter, it was always amusing to watch them argue. The trio soon found the previously mentioned path with little effort and began heading north. The forest was full of strange surreal vegetation and odd sounds. Vines curled about to form intricate patterns on the path and on the surrounding trees. The thick canopy provided plenty of shade and a soft breeze made the long hike much more bearable. Kuja had passed out asleep at some point and was thankfully oblivious to the consistent jostling of Sephiroth's stride. Riku took the time to notice the beautiful scenery; the path was leading them towards a series of overlapping waterfalls spilling into a sparkling creek. The sight was breathtaking but at the same time, it also became unbearable. Riku tried not to think about it but he really had to go.
"Hey, Seph."
"Hmm?"
"Um, I sorta got to go, can you wait a sec?"
"Sure but don't go far."
"I'll be right back."
Riku took off near one of the waterfalls and began to relieve himself among a patch of trees. As he zipped up and began to leave, something caught his ear. He turned his head, it had sounded human but it was hard to tell due to the waterfall. Riku wandered curiously near the waterfall, there appeared to be a walkway built behind the waterfall leading to a small cave. As Riku got closer, he made out what were several voices and one sounded terrified and angry. Riku crept up closer to the cave's entrance and cautiously peered in. Three tall figures surrounded a smaller figure that had been tied up and beaten. Riku tried to make out what was being said among them.
"Thought you could get away didn't you?"
"Stupid half-breed! It's all your fault!"
"The gods will be appeased!"
"What's the matter? Got nothing else to say for yourself?"
"I think he's still getting over that last kick."
"We're taking you back to the village, but first we're gonna have some more of our fun with you."
Riku hated seeing such bullying, even though he didn't know the whole story. In any case, this had to be wrong. Riku walked over to stand in the cave's entrance and at once the other four occupants turned their attention towards him.
"Who the hell are you?"
"None of your concern."
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Three on one is bad enough, but to have the one bound it truly tasteless!"
"You want to get hurt?"
"Actually, I just want to vent out a lot of stress, and your sorry asses look to be fair game!"
The three aggressors ran at Riku with daggers in hand as Riku conjured up his keyblade. The three appeared to be elves of some sort and were much faster than Riku had anticipated. However, Riku had more experience than all three of them put together and it showed. Each of their blows were parried against with superior accuracy. The bound figure struggled against his bonds during the distraction and soon managed to wiggle free. However one of his assailants noticed and left Riku in order to lunge for him instead. The smaller elf fell and fought desperately against the larger elf on top of him.
"Oh, no you don't! You belong to us now!"
"Don't touch me! I'll kill you all!"
"You've killed enough of us already! It's your turn now!"
"You stupid fools!"
"Silence you cursed demon!"
Riku glanced over at the struggling nearby, the smaller elf was in trouble. Riku glared at his two opponents and a fierce fire of emerald danced in his eyes despite the darkness. It was as if the darkness made everything clearer and his opponents hesitated at the sight of Riku's eerie eyes. That hesitation was all Riku needed to turn his parry to a surprise counter. He nailed one opponent with the flat of his keyblade against the base of their skull, and he sent the second one flying with a well-placed kick. The kick sent the opponent crashing into the third one, and the resulting crash left them both unconscious atop their former victim.
Riku walked slowly toward the smaller elf, keyblade still ready in case the elf decided to be less than grateful. Riku looked down on him as he struggled to get out from under the two lifeless heaps that were on top of him. He was definitely not what Riku had expected; he had elfin features, long cerulean blue hair, a strange pattern of veins visible on his forehead, and an outfit, although tattered, that was far too elaborate to be the property of a commoner. However, the most startling feature was his eyes, they were a deep violet blue that seethed with malice and fear to the point Riku took an unconscious step back.
"So, are you alright?" Riku asked, trying to break the ice. The young man finally got up and stood a few inches taller than Riku. He seemed to be around the ages of nineteen to twenty one; it was hard to tell with his features.
"What's your name?" persisted Riku.
"Why should I tell you?"
"Because It would be easier than saying 'hey you' or 'elf boy'."
"My name is Seymour."
"Mine's Riku, so Seymour, looks like you pissed off a rather unsavory crowd."
"What was your first guess?"
Seymour's tone dripped with cynicism and he limped slowly towards the cave's opening; all the time his eyes locked into Riku's. Riku made a step towards him and dismissed his keyblade.
"Stay back!"
"Wait a minute, I just saved you."
"I didn't ask for your help!"
"Why you!" Riku was in no mood to play the game of misunderstanding and he began walking towards Seymour. Seymour's eyes suddenly flashed with panic and he tried to run away; but as he turned to bolt, he crashed into something very big and very strong. Riku looked up to see Sephiroth along with Kuja in tow standing just outside the cave's entrance. Seymour found himself sprawled out on the ground rather obscenely and tried desperately to collect himself and get away but ended up backing into Riku.
"You gonna calm down or what?" Riku was thoroughly annoyed with this Seymour character.
"You sure took a long time Riku."
"Sorry about that Sephiroth, I was distracted."
"Obviously, so what exactly happened?"
"Nothing I couldn't handle, I found three guys beating up on the ingrate before you and decided to even the odds."
"Well, we need to be going now, it's getting late and if it's possible I'd like to get to a town before dark. I think Kuja is hurt worse than we originally thought; he needs medical attention and another night in the cold isn't going to help him. Also, we'll need provisions among other things."
Riku nodded in agreement and touched his chest with one hand, the pain he had felt that night was Ansem's; he was sure of it, but what did it mean?
"Hey you!"
Seymour looked up at the tall general startled and slowly rose to his feet.
"Do you know the way to your village?"
Seymour paled considerably at the mention of his homeland and shook his head no.
"Don't lie to me! Now take us there, it's important."
"No!"
"What?"
"I'm not going back there! Ever!"
"Whatever, can you at least point us in the right direction?"
"I suppose."
Riku reached up and placed his hand gently on Seymour's shoulder and the blue haired elf shuddered at the touch.
"What happened to you and why?" asked Riku.
"None of your business." muttered Seymour.
"I saved your life, the least you can do is tell me what was going on."
"Very well, but only if you promise to let me go."
"Sure."
"Right, It all started when my father, the chief of our tribe went against tradition and married a human woman. At first, our people were just annoyed, but then my father began to try and change our people's religion to the one practiced by my mother. Our tribe grew angry and decided that it was blasphemy. Since he was the ruler of our people, the blame was thrown onto my mother and she was murdered for her so called crimes. I probably would have been killed along with her, but I was the only heir and none of our females would want him since he had been with a human. But recently, our world has started to die. A great darkness looms just off the horizon and everyday it comes closer. The tribe has decided that the gods are punishing us; and that my father and I are to blame. Yesterday, a mob broke into my father's house and murdered him in the village square; I was smuggled out of the village by one of my father's few supporters and later caught by the three you see there. You know the rest, but my people are no doubt still after me and I have no desire to be a sacrifice to their gods."
"It seems this world is doomed to be devoured by darkness as well," remarked Sephiroth.
"If only I had Sora's keyblade, then maybe I could fix it."
"We need to hurry and get what we came for before it's too late, who knows what the next world we visit may have."
"I don't understand what you are talking about." Seymour spoke quizzically.
"Your world is about to be destroyed and we can not stop it; since you're here I'll offer you to stay with us an leave when the time comes. Otherwise you resign yourself to either die or become lost to some other world by chance."
"I can't say I'm fond of either choice."
"I have an idea," interrupted Riku, "How bout you wait here for us. This cave is well hidden, we'll go to your village and get what we need and then come back for you."
"I suppose, but why do you want to help me?"
"Do you want to ask stupid cliché questions or do you want to live?"
"Fine, I'll wait here. The village is only about two miles north of her, just keep following the road over there." Riku gave Seymour's shoulder a reassuring squeeze and smiled at him before following Sephiroth and Kuja out.
It was starting to get dark as Riku and his companions made it to the village known as Guadosalom. Sephiroth went with Kuja to find some sort of medical help while Riku went to secure a room for the night. The Guado tribe were somewhat wary of the human outsiders but decided that they had more urgent problems at hand. The village doctor, however seemed to be the only sensible soul in the village. The doctor indicated to Sephiroth to lay Kuja down on the bed so that he could get a better look at the young mage.
"How did this happen?" asked the doctor.
"A fight in a bar," responded Sephiroth, unwilling to release any more information than what was absolutely necessary.
"Well, I'll see what I can do. Don't worry, I won't harm your friend but you did chose a rather bad time to visit this village."
Sephiroth cocked his eyebrow questioningly at the doctor.
"This tribe is a tribe of fools! Something bad starts coming, and rather than try and come up with any rational means of addressing the issue; these fools start sacrificing to their blind and deaf gods, all the while stirring up more panic and less reason."
"We are sorry, we had no choice but to come here."
"I understand, but I'll warn you that the Guado don't take kindly to outsiders, especially not to humans. I'm a doctor, and a good one at that; I'd be a fool to deny my skills to anyone in need. You should probably try and find some clothing for this young one while I patch him up. He'll be in good hands, don't you worry."
Sephiroth smiled warmly at the doctor, he honestly felt a sharp pain at the fact that this decent man was probably going to die and that he knew it too.
With Sephiroth gone, Kuja began to stir slightly. Callused but gentle hands kneaded and prodded at his chest and abdomen. Kuja hissed as his bruises retaliated but a soothing voice reassured him that he would be all right. The doctor was relieved to find no broken bones and no signs of internal injury, just some bad bruises, minor cuts, and few bruised ribs. He prepared a salve and began brewing an elixir. By the time Sephiroth returned with Kuja's new outfit, the doctor was tilting Kuja's chin up so that he could drink the elixir.
"Apply this salve to his bruises when you get him settled for the evening. The potion will need some time to take its full effect, and judging by the boy's appearance I doubt he'll want any scars."
"Thank you very much, how much do we owe you?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Our world is on the brink of destruction, what's munny gonna do for me now?"
"Then do know that we are very grateful."
"I hope you guys find what you're looking for."
"Why do you say that?"
"Just a feeling I have, anyway good luck."
"Thanks again."
Meanwhile Riku was lounging about in the inn's only vacant room, or so they claimed. It didn't really matter, by tomorrow they'd all be gone. Sephiroth returned with Kuja and laid him out on the couch to apply the salve. Kuja was feeling better since the elixir was starting to work. However as soon as Sephiroth began to apply the salve on a particularly nasty looking bruise, Kuja started to retaliate.
"Damn it! Sephiroth are you mad?"
"Shut up Kuja, doctor's orders so be still!"
"Ow! That stuff burns now knock it off!"
"No."
"Ow! Not there, not there! Bastard!"
"Hey Riku, be useful and help hold this fool down so I can finish this quicker."
"Not you too! Let go! Hey! I will not be oppressed in this manner!"
"Damn Kuja! You are a hassle!"
Kuja's tail shot out angrily and wrapped around Sephiroth's wrist in a painful grip.
"Kuja, I'll only warn you once, get your furry extra appendage off me, or I'm hacking it off!" The tail released Sephiroth instantly and Sephiroth continued to doctor his peacock of a companion.
"There you go, all better."
"Shove it Sephiroth… what about my clothes?"
"Hold your horses, your highness and pull that tail of yours out of you ass long enough to listen to me for once."
"How dare you address me like that!"
"Take these and shut up."
Sephiroth dropped Kuja's new outfit on top of him and went to grab something nice and fermented out of his bag.
"You call these clothes?" Kuja inquired sarcastically.
"That or your birthday suit! At least you won't look like an abused prostitute."
"Stupid Jerk," muttered Kuja as he casually began to strip off his battered rags and slip on the new outfit, which consisted of pants and a tunic.
"Ridiculous…" muttered Kuja once again, "We'll just see about this, after a few modifications, and we'll see who has fashion sense."
Riku found himself feeling antsy; he needed a walk to take his mind off of things.
Riku wandered about till at last he reached the village square, there was a lot of racket and excitement. Something was definitely happening. Riku managed to make his way through the crowd to see what was up. Much to his horror, the young guado from before with the blue hair lay helplessly at the mercy of the angry mob. The crowd cheered at the return of their unwilling martyr and there standing ominously over Seymour stood a dark figure holding a chain leash that was attached to Seymour's throat. Seymour was holding himself while shaking, his clothes were an even worse mess than before, and Riku could make out stains of blood as well as new, more recent bruises on the guado's body. Riku looked back at Seymour's captor; he wore a hood to hide his face but as the figure slowly turned to face him an unmistakable amber glint where the eyes would be caused Riku's blood to turn cold.
"Ansem's here! He found me again! But how? And what did he do to Seymour? Please, not what I think he did! Oh, please no! I've got to save Seymour and we all have to get out of here! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Why!"
To Be Continued…
Author's Note: My sick attempt at suspense. What happened to Seymour, will the village succeed in sacrificing him, what will Riku do, and what horrifying 'modifications' will Kuja make on his new outfit? All that and more will be in part 2. I hope you enjoy, and don't hesitate to email me your suggestions. ^_^ I do apologize for the delay, but I have at last found a beta-reader to prod me along.