Carolyn's Comments:
Mood: Happy
Rant: Finally, I've stopped beating around the bush and gotten back to the main cast. I'm sorry, but I just couldn't write with them for a while. I was buying myself time, jumping to other characters in other locations. But I still think those chapters came out pretty well. I've decided I'm gonna make a real effort to buckle down and get the chapters done faster, because making you guys wait this long is ridiculous.
And I noticed SoraLover020 has made a story with me and the rest of the guardian crew. WAI! I feel so happy! So honored that someone liked my story enough to write their own! Thank you so much, and remember if you need my help with ANY of it, just let me know.
The same night that a traitorous pact was made and Yuna realized something was wrong with the universe; Tira and Cedric had just finished the latest fencing lesson.
Tira leaned exhausted against the railing. The lesson had been considerably harder than last night's. He'd taught her about attacking and how to hit an opponent's vital points. It was difficult to measure Tira's progress since they couldn't very well stab each other to find out how good her accuracy was.
"Tomorrow I think I'll teach you how to channel your energy through a weapon." Cedric said, sheathing his weapon. "I won't be staying long, but at least I can teach you what to practice."
Tira nodded. She smiled. Cedric was a good teacher. Though he was making a conscious effort not to enjoy it, he still couldn't hold back his smiles and brief chuckles. Tira could see he had a good soul and a kind heart.
He's Ansem's son.
Tira shuddered. No. That was wrong. Her brother had been wrong…or lying. Cedric couldn't be Ansem's son. How could such a kind boy be the son of the most evil man that had ever lived?
Tira wanted to ask Cedric about it, but she couldn't. It was surely a lie, and if she asked Cedric he might take it as offensive. But still…the question gnawed at her.
"Are you alright?"
Tira jumped back to reality. "Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine."
Stupid Raphael. He probably got his facts wrong again.
Cedric smiled. "You did good today, Tira. I think you have a knack for this."
That comment made Tira blush. She turned her head, making it hard for him to see it. "Thank you. I've watched Raphael before, I've just never picked up a sword and made a real effort to learn before."
"Is Raphael a good fencer?"
Tira beamed. She liked to praise her twin. He may be a jerk sometimes, but she still loved him. "Yeah, he's one of the best. When the Heartless attacked our world, he kept so many people safe. He almost totally drove them back single-handedly." Tira's face became downcast. "But not quick enough to save our parents. They died soon after the Heartless first showed up."
Cedric's face paled. "Oh. I'm sorry."
Tira just shrugged. "Raphael drove them all back with the help of some other warriors. I used my magic to keep them from getting back in." She smiled. "This place is still protected by my magic, so you don't have to worry about any Heartless or Lifeless getting in. Even if the ceremony fails, we'll still be safe here."
Cedric blinked at her. "This place is your world?"
"Yes. The people of our world were the Legends Keepers. That's why we know so much about the Chosen One, the Keyblade Masters, and the Pure-Hearts."
Cedric nodded. "I'd heard about a group of people who kept all the legends and prophecies of the universe. This is that place?"
"Exactly. When the Heartless came, we knew that the Keyblade Masters would be brought together by the first war. Now that the second war has begun, our part of the story has begun. Raphael is zealous about keeping to the legend. He stays up all night reading over old prophecies, trying to find new ways to beat the Darkness this time. He thinks that if he can stop Darkness, he'll be making up for failing to save Mom and Dad."
While Tira spoke, her thoughts began to drift around this subject. She'd never really thought about it before, but now that she'd brought it up to Cedric, she felt like she was seeing her problem in a new light.
When they'd been children, growing up in peace, Tira and Raphael had been inseparable. There'd been no secrets between the two siblings. They'd done everything together. Tira had always looked up to her brother, and Raphael had always looked out for her.
But after the Heartless attacked, everything had suddenly changed. Raphael instantly morphed into a leader of wartime. He'd called orphans and refugees from other worlds to the sanctuary they'd built. Her twin had become so distant, burying himself in his work. It seemed that his goal to destroy the shadows had consumed him. The brother that she once knew, now only appeared in brief flashes. Tira still loved him. She loved no one more than Raphael; they'd been together since they were in their mother's womb. But he was changing.
"When the ceremony's done, Raphael will be normal again." Tira told herself for the umpteenth time, "Then everything will be as before. He'll be happy and smile again. It will all be the same."
That thought gave her so much happiness. She'd almost completely forgotten the times of her childhood. So sweet…so peaceful.
"We're in a messed up time, aren't we?" Tira laughed. "We're all so young, yet we're faced with some much hardships and warfare."
Cedric sighed. "I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes I wish it would all just stop. Just so I could get my head straight. Everything's being thrown at me too fast to comprehend. I just wish I could take a day off from being a hero."
Tira nodded. "My childhood was so innocent. Now I've seen so many people die, and for what? A madman's experiment."
Cedric stiffened. "Madman?"
"Yes, Ansem." Tira went on, "The man was an absolute beast. A complete lunatic. What sort of man inflicts that kind of suffering on his own people?"
Cedric looked down and mumbled. "Maybe he had reasons for it."
"There's no good reason that could possibly justify what he did." Tira said shaking her head. "I hate him."
Cedric sighed. He turned and began to leave. "The lesson's over. Go get some sleep. You earned it." He vanished around the corner.
Tira frowned. Cedric had suddenly seemed so subdued at the mention of Ansem.
Could it be…
She shook her head. Stop it Tira! You know it's not true!
She turned and entered the corridors of the massive temple. As she made her way back to her room, she stopped.
Cassius was sitting on the floor, back against the wall. His head was tilted back and he snoring lightly.
"Cassius?" She said softly. "What are you doing out here?" She knelt down beside him. It was obvious he was in a deep sleep. He was probably exhausted, and she didn't have the heart to wake him. She sighed and pulled him to his feet. She draped his arm around her shoulder and began to pull him towards his room. "Come on. Let's get you back to your room, you little weirdo."
If only she'd noticed the recently used syringe in his pocket. If only she'd noticed the medicinal scent about him. If only she'd noticed the odd little smile that he slept with. If only...
