Disclaimer: The characters from Kingdom Hearts belong to SquareEnix and Disney. The characters from Final Fantasy belong to SquareEnix alone. I own nothing but this story.

Warning: This is a dark, supernatural tale containing violence and yaoi. If you are not into this sort of thing, I advise that you click the back button and find something more suitable to your tastes.

Summary: YAOI, RikuxSora.

Hello there! Welcome to the first chapter of Divine Sins, a giftfic for Dark Ki. Once you finish with my own sorry work, you should take a look at her stories, for they are more then worth your time!

This is the tame version of Divine Sins, meaning there are no lemons here, kids. If you wish to read the full version you may do so at or Sins

Chosen

Part Two

"Nnnn…"

Journeyman Yuna pushed off the heavy weight pinning her to the ground with a groan. She shook her head, trying to clear it. Her entire body was a solid mass of pain.

"What…what happened?"

She had been held fast by the green vines covering the temple, struggling to free herself. Just as she had began to feel dizzy from lack of oxygen, the vines around her head had suddenly loosened. After she was able to fill her lungs, she noticed a young acolyte of the temple cutting her loose from the vines that held her.

When enough had been cut that she could free her hands, Yuna tore through the rest, pulling herself through the window the acolyte was hanging out of. Together they raced through the vine-ridden temple to find and rescue Sora.

Since Yuna dared not use fire on the vines on account the fire would spread to burn the entire temple, their progress was slow and tedious. Yuna then pulled the acolyte out another window where she called the winds to carry them to the bottom floor where she could enter through the window she had been forced out of.

They were only halfway down when the temple exploded, propelling them a good half-mile away. Yuna had mercifully lost consciousness then, unable to feel the pain of landing. She had come around twenty minutes later, bruised, bleeding, and with a few cracked ribs.

The acolyte, however, had not fared so well.

"Goddess, no!" Yuna moved to kneel before the fallen boy whose body had shielded hers from much of the force of the blast. It had not been intended, it was what had kept the Journeyman alive.

A tiny fire spirit fluttered past Yuna's head and she lifted eyes brimming with tears to look at it.

Do not weep…

More fire spirits appeared around Yuna's head, dancing around her and singing.

He is with us…

"What…?" This was the second time in her life Yuna had heard the spirits speak. "Can… you tell me what happened?"

You live because you still have a task to carry out for our mother. Follow the sound of our voices—do not dawdle, even though you are injured…

The tiny wisps of flame vanished from view, but the singing continued. Yuna struggled to her feet and followed, not pausing to heal herself even though each step caused pain to shoot down the length of her body.

"…What happened to Sora? Is he with you too?" She asked them, but they did not answer. They only continued to sing, their voices thin, yet joyful. Yuna followed them up to the top of the hill she had fallen upon, and gaped at the scene before her.

The temple was gone.

In its place was a small sea of white sand, glistening like snow in the light of the silver moon above. More singing was coming from that area, and more fire spirits were dancing around a small figure hunched over in the center.

"Sora—!"

Yuna hobbled down the hill toward the figure as fast as her wounds allowed, tears of relief falling down her cheeks. The sand made it even more difficult to move, but she struggled on, needing now to know her apprentice was indeed alright.

As she neared him, however, the fire spirits would not allow her to get too close. When Yuna reached out a hand, she jerk it back because the fire spirits attacked it.

"Ah! What…?" Yuna gasped, confused. Spirits did not attack unless commanded to do so. What was going on?

The spirits that had led Yuna to this spot reappeared and joined the others.

It is alright. Our mother commands this be so…

Yuna turned her eyes from them to the nude boy sitting on the ground, hunched forward, his hands curled into the sand before him.

"Sora…?" Yuna inched closer, and the fire spirits let her. "Did the Saegin…?"

Sora shook his head slightly. "I don't know." He lifted his head a little. "How many…died?"

Yuna sighed, and closed her eyes. That was not the answer she was looking for, but she let it drop, realizing Sora may not be able to answer. "I'm not sure...but…" There was no way Yuna could protect her apprentice now. This would find its way to the high temple before long.

A single tear, glittering with its own light, fell to the dust before Sora.

"I will reseal the mark for you. After I do so, we must prepare for a long journey. There is nothing I can do now. Word of this will reach the temple, and we will be hunted. I must take you to the high temple and present you to the Mahatma."

Sora said nothing. He only stared up at the night sky, still turned away from his instructor.

And the fire spirits continued to dance and sing joyously, even as silent tears fell down Yuna's cheeks.

Preparations did not take long; Yuna resealed the mark and placed her outer robe over her apprentice's shoulders, and then two left for the nearest town where they could purchase plain clothing to travel in. Yuna felt it best that they not travel as Shalieon; disguising themselves would make it difficult for the Saegin after Sora to find him.

Now clad in a simple white shirt and loose brown pants, his feet tucked into sturdy tan traveling boots, Sora would not attract many stares, and the fewer people who noticed him, the better. He kept his prayer beads strung around his left wrist, but his sleeve hid them from view.

Yuna chose a gray traveling dress over a white shirt, and wore her beads around her neck but under her shirt. There wasn't much she could do about her staff, so she wrapped it in a long piece of rough cloth and hoped no one found it too out of the ordinary.

They had waited to change until they had reached a forest, and then had changed directions and exited to the north. Before, they were heading eastward, which was the direction where a major temple was located, but the Mahatma stayed in the main temple which was north. If the Saegin was tracking Sora, Yuna hoped doing this would throw him off of their trail.

Even with these precautions, they moved quickly toward their destination, and for three days they only stopped twice for a brief rest, once for water and once for food.

But they could not keep up that pace forever, as they discovered on the fourth day.

"Lady Yuna…" Sora began, his voice low and heavy with exhaustion, "Can we stop for the night…? I don't think I can keep on this way unless I do…"

Yuna looked down at Sora, feeling her heart twist in her chest at the fatigue in his eyes, and at how he struggled to move. He had not complained once these past three days; instead he prayed constantly to the light goddess, his voice shaking every now and then. He knew, Yuna supposed, what was to be his fate…

"Yes, Sora. We will stop at the next town and stay in the inn. It will be safer to stay in a place where there are many people."

The next town was actually a walled city, and it was late evening by the time they reached it and the gate was being let down. The guards kindly let them slip inside, taking pity on the weariness of both travelers. They pointed out the way to the nearest inn and wished them a good night.

Though his eyes burned from lack of sleep, Sora could not help being curious about this new place he had come to. It was small as walled cities go, but clean, neat and well lit. The night guards were kind, and judging by how they were treated, it seemed this small city was peaceful as well. Sora released a breath, starting to relax a little.

As they approached the inn, Sora spotted a lone figure leaning against the building. He was dressed in a brightly polished blue-silver armor and a long red cape with a high collar that hid his nose and mouth from view. His eyes glowed a molten blue that reminded Sora of water spirits.

When Sora passed him, the man noticed Sora and watched him enter the building with an unwavering gaze. Sora looked away with a small shiver. There was something about his gaze that made him uncomfortable, as if the man knew something that no one else did, something that could forever change the world…

…or destroy it.

It was the same look he had seen in Riku's eyes when he had fought him in that town several days ago, with only one difference. That man's gaze held no trace of superiority; in fact, there was hardly any emotion at all.

Just as he moved to walk into the inn, he risked a glance at the man who was still staring. He pushed off the wall and began to walk away.

"Be careful."

Sora blinked, wondering if the man knew who he was.

"Sora."

Shaking his head, Sora quickly followed after his instructor. Sora was dressed like a simple traveler, so the man was most likely just warning him as most people warned travelers.

Most likely, but it did not feel as if that was what it was.

Not wanting to do anything except sleep, Sora refused any food offered to him. He only shuffled off upstairs to their rented room to collapse into bed. Yuna let him, understanding his exhaustion, and figured he would eat in the morning.

After only a few hours of dreamless sleep, however, Sora's empty stomach woke him in the rudest manner possible, growling loudly and churning unpleasantly. With a soft groan, Sora climbed out of bed and wandered downstairs to see if he could find something in the kitchen. Many inns left a little food out in case a patron grew hungry in the middle of the night as a courtesy. Sora hoped this was one of those inns because his stomach was not going to let him go back to sleep unless there was something in it.

He was in luck—there was a covered basket on the table with some bread and a little cheese, and Sora fixed himself a small sandwich. It would not do to eat too much. If he did, he would have all sorts of strange dreams and Sora was not in the mood. He would just shut his stomach up and go back to sleep, he needed all the rest he could get for the next two days.

Finishing his small snack, Sora cleaned his crumbs off the table and yawned, ready to snuggle back into the soft bed in his room and sleep until morning.

But just as he took the first step toward the door, something in the shadows moved.

"Dew."

The perimeter of the room was suddenly surrounded in mist with glowing blue water spirits drifting through it quietly in rhythm, as if they were dancing a waltz. Sora spun on his heels, recognizing that calm, confidant voice.

"You!"

"Don't bother calling for help. We are behind a shell of silence, Windsinger." Aqua-green eyes gazed out from a hood of dark silk. "And you know I will not allow you to command any spirits either."

"Why are you doing this? What do you want?" Sora demanded, his voice shrill. Why was this Saegin here again? Why had he not he died? Why was his goddess allowing this evil to torment him?

"I would think the answer to those questions were obvious." Riku took a step forward, eyes watching Sora's every move. "Are you sure about the path you have chosen? Will you continue on this way, knowing what is going to happen?"

"I have no other choice."

"Yes you do!" Riku shook his head, knocking his hood from his head. "Come with me. There is no reason for you to march cheerfully towards death!"

"I will not surrender myself to the dark goddess, Saegin!" Sora snarled.

"You can't be serious! Sora, they are going to kill you. You will never become a Shalieon, when you arrive at the north temple of the light goddess, they are going to put you down like a dog!"

Sora lifted his head defiantly. He knew. He knew what was going to happen to him. If that was his fate, then so be it.

"If that is what the light goddess wills."

The words were brave, but there was a slight quaver to Sora's voice, and Riku did not miss the glint of fear in the apprentice's eyes.

"Don't throw your life away like that! Come with me and I will protect you from this!"

Sora smiled grimly. "But who will protect me from you?" He shook his head. "You are the cause of all of this, Saegin! Do you really think I'm stupid enough to go with my tormentor?"

"They are going to kill you Sora!" Riku snarled, lunging forward and grabbing the apprentice's arm. "Your goddess is leading you to the slaughter, and you are letting her do it—blinded as you are by misplaced faith!"

"And I would rather die than surrender to you!" Sora snarled back, trying to yank his arm away. Riku's grip was firm, and he jerked the boy toward him and spun him around, pinning his arms behind his back.

"I have never met anyone as infuriatingly stubborn as you! Now I see why we put your kind to death when we come across one of you!"

"I wish you had killed me!" Sora spat. "Why don't you make up for your mistake and do it now?"

"Oh no, Windsinger," Riku's lips curved into a cold smile, and he gripped Sora tightly around the neck. "I promised I'd break you, didn't I?"

Sora struggled to breathe, tears welling in the corners of his eyes. Not only was he without his prayer beads, but he could not draw enough breath for a full command. He coughed violently in his desperate struggle to breathe, and he felt Riku's fingers loosen slightly from around his neck.

"Try to say anything and I will choke it off with the first word." Riku warned.

Sora shut his eyes, all he needed was one word…

"Breath!"

The wind spirits answered his command eagerly, immediately slamming a window open so it could sweep the mist from the room. Riku released Sora and took a few steps back in utter disbelief.

"You're a Chosen!"

"Yes," Sora spat, standing up straight and fixing his clothing. "I am the chosen of the light goddess; the one destined to carry out her divine will. I will never surrender to the forces of darkness, Saegin! You will never break me!"

Glowing white wind spirits began to drift lazily around Sora's frame, silently waiting for his command. Riku frowned, quickly regaining his poise. He lifted a hand that was bound with his prayer beads out to the side.

"If you were a fully trained Shalieon, your new station might impress me. As it is, you being a Chosen is like someone giving a sword to a newborn. You have no idea what it is your goddess's will really is. She has given you a burden that is too much for you to bear."

Saying nothing, Sora watched Riku's movements with a careful eye, knowing an attack would be soon, and almost dead sure of what it would be. Silence fell upon the room, the only movement coming from the wind spirits orbiting Sora.

Riku's hand twitched.

"Tears!"

"Breath!"

Water burst from the nearby pump, speeding toward Sora who had commanded the wind spirits to defend him. They caused the wind to slide through the attack, but the water quickly reformed and pushed Sora through the window behind him and out into the street.

His expression never changing, Riku turned and exited through the door, his movements casual. He had been correct; Chosen the boy may be, but he had no idea how to control the power he had been given. A Chosen may not need prayer beads to control the spirits as others did, but their presence did enhance the spirit's powers. Subduing the Windsinger would not be as easy as it was before, but it would not be too much of a problem.

"Wrath!"

As Riku stepped outside, the outer most garments covering his body suddenly burst into flame. Panic seizing his actions, he fell immediately to the ground, wriggling out of the dark material as he rolled around to smother the flames. Once free, he jumped to his feet, looking around with an angry snarl for Sora.

Instead of him, however, his eyes fell upon the slender form of the younger boy's instructor, the Journeyman Yuna.

"So, you survived. I'm impressed…slightly."

"You have cost me a promising student, young Saegin," Yuna said evenly. "And you are going to answer for everything you have done to him." She lifted her head a little, shifting her gaze to look behind Riku. "Sora! Distract him!"

"Shit." Riku hissed under his breath, taking a look behind him. Sora had a hand raised toward the sky, and Yuna must have given him his prayer beads, for they were draped between his fingers and were glowing a soft red.

"JUDGEMENT!"

Clouds swiftly covered the sky and thunder rumbled loudly above right before a massive bolt of lightning shot from the sky to the ground where Riku was. Because it took a while for the command to be obeyed, Riku was able to command the earth to surround him in a thick, but crudely made shield of rock.

"I pray for guidance; spirits of wind, ascend onto the heavens and carry my request onto your eldest brother. Pray answer me, oh first born of the wind spirits, Valfore, mighty shield of the goddess of light!"

Yuna held her staff in both hands, vertical from the ground. A bright beam of white light shot toward the heavens, splitting the clouds and the darkness and filling the area with a light as bright as day. Everything became silent for a moment, and then the wind began to howl as a brighter light descended from the sky at a breakneck speed.

Upon reaching the ground, it slowed, the winds from its Descent kicking up small particles of dirt and debris. Riku peeked out from his makeshift shield and frowned. It was one thing to face a Journeyman Shalieon.

It was another thing entirely to face one that could Ascend, or call a divine creature in service to the goddess.

"Dammit, that witch is going to make me reveal things I'm not ready to…"

Suspended above the ground, slowly flapping its massive bat-like wings was the divine creature known as Valfore. It was the mightiest of the wind spirits, and had chosen to use its power to shield the light goddess from danger as well as to guide her worshipers in moments of indecision.

Yuna gestured toward Riku with her rod and Valfore shot forward, using its powerful talons to rip apart Riku's crude shield. The Saegin fell back several paces, covering his face with his sleeve. This was quite a little dilemma he was in, there was no way he alone could take on the first born of the wind spirits—to even try would be suicide.

He also had a Journeyman and the Windsinger to worry about. He only had one choice—retreat.

"Dance!"

The earth churned to life, splitting the ground and shaking nearby buildings in their foundations. The attack did nothing to harm Valfore as it was flying, but Sora and Yuna had difficulty keeping their footing, and Riku slipped out of sight as the divine creature turned its attention to protecting the one who called it.

"No! He's getting away!" Sora wailed as the earthquake began to lose power and weaken.

"We have to let him go! We need to tend to the people of this city!" Yuna said through gritted teeth. She did not like the idea either, but pursuing the Saegin would mean neglecting innocent victims who may be in need of assistance. With a frustrated grunt, Sora turned to help Yuna check for any injured people.

Miraculously, there was no injuries more severe than a couple bruises. Yuna healed those who were hurt while Sora calmed the frightened people of the city by reciting a few of the seven hundred and seventy-seven verses of the sutra of the light goddess. The glow of a few fire spirits that still lingered near him caused the people to crowd around him as if he were the Mahatma of the Shalieon, seeking comfort and guidance.

Yuna watched this from a little ways away, her eyes betraying her conflicted emotions. Sora had been her student and travel companion for two years now, and she loved him as if he were her own son.

Yet he had been taken by one of the Saegin, defiled and marked. The Saegin continued to hunt him, and as a result, a Shalieon priest and several acolytes had been killed. Normally because of all this, Sora would be put to death to protect all of the Shalieon as well as keep Sora from falling to darkness, however…

Sora had just been revealed as a chosen and also one beloved by the spirits. Killing him would not only weaken the command of the spirits of the Shalieon but also of the Saegin as well.

So now his fate was to be locked away for the rest of his life in the high temple, never having direct contact with anyone save the Mahatma. He would be kept alone in a single room behind countless wards and locks with only the spirits for company. It was worse than his previous fate, because at least then his death would have been swift and his suffering ended.

…But this way, his death would be slow and torturous; he would go mad and suffer as no one should suffer. Yuna would not even wish this fate upon one of the Saegin.

Lowering her head, Yuna turned to finish her task.

"Sora…"

Their departure the next day was swift and unceremonious.

Yuna did not even wait for the sun to peek above the horizon; she and Sora were gone before first light.

Because they were both still very weary, Yuna Ascended, calling Valfore to aid in their travels. Valfore could help them travel much faster than they could normally, and it was now imperative that Sora reach the temple as quickly as possible. Yuna did not like it, but the Saegin was not giving her much choice.

The ride was smooth and uneventful, and Sora dozed off, unable to keep his eyes open. Yuna let him rest, for he would certainly need it when he came to face the Mahatma.

They soon reached the outskirts of the holy city of Orb, built underneath the majestic high temple of the light goddess.

The temple sat gracefully upon sixteen massive pillars high above the ground and the city built below it. Because of this, the city had little sunlight. It was gloomy and dark in the city of Orb, but the people did not care, for above them lived countless Shalieon priests and Journeyman; for those who worshipped the goddess of light, there was not a safer place to live than this.

Instead of being relieved to be so near her destination, Yuna instead felt more apprehension. Though safe from the Saegin they would most certainly be, Sora's suffering would worsen. The thought left a rather bad taste in Yuna's mouth.

Valfore swooped low as they approached the wide river that flowed toward and through the mighty city, picking up speed as it descended smoothly.

The gentle motion woke Sora from his light doze, and he looked around sleepily, his chest tightening when he saw how close they were to their destination.

"We're almost there…" Sora murmured. "Look, there's the old watchtower."

Yuna's eyes turned to where Sora was pointing to—a large patch of dark green forest with the very tip of a tall tower peeking out from the trees.

The building had been used to watch for invaders hundreds of years ago, before the high temple had been built over Orb. Now, the building had no use; abandoned as it had been, it stood crumbling and overgrown by plants.

Valfore suddenly veered to the left, causing its passengers to cling to the thick, feathery hair that flowed down the divine creature's back to keep from falling off. Valfore then veered to the right, and Yuna lifted her head to look around and see what was going on.

As soon as she did, a massive ball of water knocked her right off of Valfore's back and she went falling into the river below.

"Lady Yuna!" Sora cried as Yuna disappeared beneath the river's surface. Valfore dove sharply towards the water to collect its mistress, giving Sora a good view of the thing that attacked them.

It was blue, scaly and snakelike, with fin-like wings and jaws filled with rows of razor-sharp, white teeth. It thrashed about in the river with a terrible strength, lunging for Valfore with a vicious hiss. Sora was hurled from the divine creature's back as it dodged the attack, and he landed roughly on the bank of the river closest to the holy city.

"Sora—RUN!"

Sora turned to the voice and saw Yuna pulling herself from the water's edge. She coughed and gasped as she struggled to her feet, holding out a hand to stop Sora when he started over toward her.

"This is Leviathan, one of the three divine creatures that serve the dark goddess! The Saegin after you must be able to perform a Descent!"

Sora's eye's widened with understanding. Just as an Ascent can only be done by a Shalieon, only a Saegin can perform a Descent. Descending allows the Saegin to somehow become the divine creature instead of call it, making it able to perform faster and more accurately.

However, an Ascended creature could fight alongside its summoner, making it far more deadly.

"I will hold him off! You must hurry to the temple!"

"But lady—"

"Once you are on holy ground, he can torment you no longer!" Yuna interrupted. "Hurry, Sora…run!"

With his heart twisting in his chest, Sora turned and did as he was told, running at full speed toward Orb while Yuna fended off the angry Leviathan who tried to go after Sora.

It thrashed its tail about and then slammed it down upon the surface of the water, and a massive ball of water rose from the river and shot toward Sora. The water ball splashed into the ground near him, sending him flying into the air again, but this time Sora had the presence of mind to command the wind spirits to cushion his fall.

Taking a breath, he looked at the forest that was now only a few yards away to his left. It would give him the cover he needed to get out of range of the creature's attack. Sora headed over toward it, praying Yuna could keep it occupied just long enough for him to reach the trees.

That prayer, it seemed, was answered; nothing interrupted Sora's flight toward the forest, and he made it safely. After passing the first couple rows of trees, Sora paused, turning his head toward where his instructor was battling.

"Goddess be with you…"

Sora turned after a moment and continued through the forest, dashing around trees as fast as he could. He ran until his lungs burned and his muscles ached. The small branches of bushes ripped his clothing and skin as he raced past them, but he continued on until he burst into a small clearing where the crumbling watchtower stood.

As he paused in the wake of the tall structure, his body decided to insist upon rest. Trying to breathe deeper and faster then he was able to caused him to fall to his hands and knees, coughing violently. Sweat ran in rivulets to the ground, and Sora stayed there until he was able to breathe normally, then pushed himself to his feet and staggered to the building.

Part of the watchtower wall had cracked and crumbled away, leaving a hole large enough for Sora to walk through. He peeked inside, hoping to find an abandoned weapon of some kind to protect himself should he be attacked when he left the forest.

Instead, Sora saw a huge statue of a woman in full armor. She was sitting upon a short wooden base with a gigantic sword in front of her. Her hands were tipped toward the ground as if ready to receive an offeringhands large enough to hold Sora with room to spare.

Forgetting that the building was in terrible shape and certainly not safe enough to be inside, Sora moved toward the statue and placed a hand onto the tip of the woman's finger.

"Why…is a statue of the goddess of light here?" Sora stared up at the stern expression on the statue's face for a long while before climbing into the cupped hands and curling up into a ball. Releasing a breath, the pain and anguish he had experienced over the past week washed over him in one huge wave, and he broke down.

"Goddess…" he sobbed when he had calmed somewhat. "Why is this happening? Are you testing me still? I don't—I don't know how much longer I can withstand this…!"

The only answer Sora received was the echo of his own cries resounding back to him. He shut his eyes, his tears of pain and confusion wetting the chilled stone beneath his head.

A chill suddenly ran down his spine to the small of his back and then something on his skin—the seal felt like it shattered.

"…Did she answer you?"

Sora shot straight up in the statue's hands, eyes wide with horror and disbelief. "No!" If he was here, what happened to—?

Riku walked into the building, ignoring Sora's outburst. "Has she explained to you why people had to die?"

"L-Lady Yuna…"

Riku snorted. "Most likely still fighting the Mahatma of the Saegin. I told him that she was a Chosen…it was the only way to get him to help me."

Sora's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "But…but I'm the Chosen…"

"Yes, and if I told him that, he would have tried to kill you instead of simply slow you down." Riku paused at the base of the statue, and held out his hand. "Come down from there. You've given yourself to the light goddess—put yourself in her hands once before, and she did nothing to protect you. Why don't you try taking my hand? I won't ask you to give yourself to the dark goddess. All I ask is that you listen and trust what I tell you."

Sora looked at Riku for a full minute before slowly shaking his head.

"You have nerve," he said in a low hiss. "Take your hand? You are the cause of all of this! Do you think I'm so stupid I would entrust myself to the one who promised to break me!"

"I had hoped it would not be necessary." Riku said through his teeth. "But you are still giving me no choice. I will prove, once and for all how little your goddess values you."

Sora opened his mouth to command the spirits to protect him, but Riku swiftly lifted a hand. "Tears!"

Water formed at the tips of his fingers and shot toward Sora, choking the command off. Riku began to climb into the statue's hands with Sora, and every time Sora tried to speak a command, Riku doused him with water.

Why is this happening? Sora thought as Riku drew closer to him. Haven't I passed your test of faith?

Maybe…maybe this wasn't a test. Why else would this be happening—again?

Maybe he just wasn't worth saving.

HOW…DARE…YOU!

Riku paused, feeling the very air vibrate with the power of an angry goddess. Fire and wind spirits began to drift through the air, singing hymns of praise in loud, otherworldly voices. Riku was suddenly slammed against the furthest wall, hard enough to knock the breath from his lungs.

THIS INSULT SHALL NOT GO UNPUNISHED!

Riku was hurled into another wall and dropped onto the floor. When he managed to climb to his feet, he found himself lifted into the air, the fire spirits burning away his clothing and scorching his skin.

"AAAAAAGH!"

INSULT ME AGAIN, AND—CHOSEN ONE OF MY DARK REFECTION OR NO—I SHALL FLAY THY SOUL FROM THY FLESH WITH MINE OWN HANDS!

The fire spirits split apart from the wind spirits and gathered into four large balls of flame surrounding the statue of the light goddess's hands where Sora lay, still and trembling. Riku was then flung to the ground, naked and horribly scorched.

NOW FLEE, OR DIE WHERE YOU LAY!

Riku obeyed, not willing to test the now nonexistant patience of the goddess. Sora watched him make his escape and whimpered, fearing that he was next in receiving punishment. The goddess's voice softened, but Sora still cringed in fear.

Do not fear, faithful servant. I give onto thee my sword.

The fire generated by the fire spirits shot up toward the heavens in four mighty columns, meeting in a single point in a massive burst that made the sun seem dull. The fire then shot back toward the earth, hitting and destroying the ruins of the watchtower and from that flame rose a bird of gold.

Phoenix, first born of the fire spirits, mighty sword of the goddess of light.

It carried a cloth the color of rubies in its beak, and it stared at the boy in the statue's hands expectantly. Sora slid down and walked over to the proud creature, laying a hand hesitantly upon its golden feathers.

"You're so warm…"

Phoenix draped the cloth across Sora's shoulders and the boy leaned in and rested his forehead on the divine creature, taking the time to thank the light goddess for this precious gift.

Go now my servant, and do not fear the future, for you are the one who will carry out my will.

Sora lifted his head and stepped back, allowing Phoenix to go back to the heavens, now that he was no longer needed. The wind spirits danced around him, laughing and singing in their otherworldly voices, urging Sora to go on and face his destiny.

And tightening the red cloth around his body, Sora did just that.

Author's nonsense: Long time no see, eh? Sorry 'bout that, everyone. I had a terrible time this summer. Anyway, welcome to Divine Sins! As was stated in the opening notes, this is a gift for Dark Ki because she's a sweetie, and I like spoiling friends!

Can you believe how long this chapter is? This is the longest chapter I have ever written! I hope you like it so far Ki, I'll probably cry if you don't!

I haven't forgotten about Pisces and Karma. Pisces is currently being rewritten because it has some serious problems, some I put there on purpose. If you want to know the full story of why I decided to do this, you can check out the author's note I posted at and on my livejournal( my username is yamiyume

I've also decided to do a posting every week to let anyone know how my writing is going and whatnot. This posting will be on my livejournal. So if you're curious, or just want to make a comment, bug my muses to get busy or threaten my life if I don't write faster, drop by anytime. The postings will be titled "Blue News" and will go up every week on either Monday or Friday.

Whelp, I don't have much else to say except for REVIEW! Tell me what you think, I really want to know!

See you soon, I hope!

Ciao!