Silver Haired Savior
More than Life Itself
Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, or the song. Evanescence owns "My Last Breath." I don't. Don't sue!
Author's Notes:
This is regretfully the last chapter, excluding the epilogue. More info at the bottom.
Heavy "T" Rating!
Two days later:
Roses? I – I smell roses …is it Riku?
Sora slowly opened his eyes at the familiar smell, but the sight he saw was not a recognizable place. Dirt was evident on the walls and ceiling, not the usual tent roof that he saw. He tried moving his hands and legs, but as he did, he could feel ropes cutting into his skin, holding him down to a stiff, wooden table.
"H-Huh? Where am I?" Sora asked, panic stricken. "I don't like it here! How did I get here? I d-don't remember anything! Where's Riku?"
"I wouldn't be worrying about him, brat," a cold, harsh voice said from somewhere to the right of him. "I made sure that he wouldn't find you until after tomorrow."
"What do you mean? Why tomorrow? What's going to happen?" Sora questioned, getting frustrated.
"You'll find out soon enough …" the voice replied,
"Wait –" Sora started, but was cut off as the door slammed, sending a ripple of wind towards Sora, tousling his hair and ruffling the folds of his robe. Wait. Since when was he wearing a robe?
Covering his frail body was a long, black silk robe that wrapped around his body from his neck past his feet. The fabric felt soft against his skin, but it carried a dark, ominous feeling with it. He knew that it was evil, and whatever it's purpose, it was going to be painful.
"Help me … I feel light headed …" Sora muttered as he fell into darkness.
Riku was now having a nervous break down. Sora was gone, and nobody had any clue as to where he might be. Everyone had been searching non-stop since Leon had finally been able to figure out why Sephiroth wanted Sora so badly. He was about to go against nature.
"Cloud, were you able to find any trace of them?" Riku asked anxiously as he entered the house. The older boy had been released from the hospital the other day, and had been worrying constantly.
"I'm sorry, Riku," Cloud said with a sigh as he gazed towards the ground. He couldn't stand to look the boy in the face. Every time he did, he felt guilty. "I have a feeling he may not even be in this world any more. I think he's in Hallow Bastion by now."
"Do you really think …?"
"I've been talking to Leon. He agrees with me."
"Then- Then we have to go after him!" Riku cried.
"Only one problem. We need a ship that can get us there."
"I think I have a solution to that," a voice said from the doorway. They turned and saw Yuffie leaning against the doorway, a smug look on her face.
"Do you really have a way for us to get to Hallow Bastion?" Riku asked grabbing on to the older girl's arm.
"Sure do! We can go as soon as everyone's ready."
"Well, then let's go now!"
"We should wait until Leon and Aerith get back," Cloud said.
"But –" Riku started.
"Cloud is right. We should wait. We'll have a better chance of beating him if there are more of us," Yuffie said as she cut off the boy's protests.
"But if we don't, then Sora will be …" Riku started, but stopped as his voice broke.
"I know, Riku, I know."
When Sora woke up, he was only alone for a moment before he heard a door open.
"Finally, you're awake … that will make this more … fun," the cruel voice said. Footsteps could be heard getting closer and closer to the young boy and it was all he could do not to start quivering in fear at the pain that he knew the man would inflict. "Oh, what's that look for, little Sora-kun? Aren't you excited? You get to be useful in the spell that I'm doing."
"Wh- what spell?" Sora asked, hating himself because his voice was cracking. 'I have to be strong. I can't let him enjoy himself … not again …'
The sound of a knife being unsheathed pulled him shakily out of his thoughts. He strained his neck to see what he was doing, but it was a wasted effort as Sephiroth came closer to the small boy, so that he could see him.
"Don't be scared, Sora. It will only hurt a little …" he said, his dark eyes gleaming with the way he said it sent shivers up Sora's spine. He leaned in closer. "But that doesn't mean that it won't hurt," he taunted, alcohol evident in his breath. Sora's eyes widened.
He brought the knife close to Sora's skin with an evil grin, and lightly started making marks on the young boy's chest. The cuts stung sharply, making the boy clench his eyes shut, and grit his teeth in pain.
"Come now, Sora, don't try to act tough. You and I both know that you want to cry out in pain. Let it out," he murmured to the weak boy, suddenly pressing harder and making Sora give an involuntary scream of pain.
"St-stop it!" Sora yelled, trying to regain his composure.
"But it's just so much fun," the older man replied, as he continued to draw a mark on the creamy skin. The pain was intense, making Sora's toes curl and his fingers dig into the wood. After what seemed like forever of the torture, the knife finally let up, and Sora carefully opened his eyes. He saw Sephiroth licking the blade of the knife clean, Sora's blood running down the side. He whimpered softly at the sight, hoping it was inaudible enough for Sephiroth to hear. But, of course, he did, and he flashed an evil grin towards his victim and laughed a cruel laugh at the boy's reaction.
"Why are you doing this to me?" Sora cried.
"Wouldn't you like to know," he said with a mysterious air, as he moved closer to Sora, who tried to pull away from him out of instinct. He bent over and started licking the blood away from Sora's new mark. Sora felt dirty as he did this, and even worse when after he finished lapping up the crimson liquid, he started kissing the young boy on the lips, the coppery taste of his own blood making Sora cringe at the taste. A knock on the door quickly brought the older man off of him.
"Damn it," he muttered, walking away from Sora. "We'll continue this later," he scoffed, and left. Sora looked down at the mark on his chest, and started to sob as he realized what it was.
"No," Sora cried pitifully, and wept. For on his chest was the sign of the Heartless.
"Come on, hurry up!" Riku yelled as they traveled through the second district.
"We're going as fast as we can!" Leon yelled back angrily while running to catch up with anxious boy.
"Well, it's not fast enough!" he retorted heatedly. They arrived at the giant wooden gate that linked the second district to the first, and Riku quickly pushed it open and went through, followed closely by Yuffie, Aerith, Cloud, and Leon. "Okay, so where is the person who has the gummi ship?"
"He should be over this way," she said, walking over to what seemed like an abandoned counter. "Ciiiid? Where are you?" she hollered over the counter. After receiving no reply, Yuffie started cussing under her breath. "Come on, guys," she said, jumping down a small cliff that was next to a building.
"Where is he?" Riku asked, following the young ninja.
"He might be in here," she muttered more to herself than to anyone in particular. They traveled around the building and was about to enter it, when suddenly, a group of darkball Heartless appeared, blocking their entrance.
"MOVE!" Riku screamed, pulling out a sword. He launched forward and started taking down the intruders one by one. With the help of everyone in the group, they quickly defeated the Heartless.
"What's with all the racket?" a gruff male voice asked, opening the door to the small shop.
"You should be grateful, Cid, we just saved your shop from some Heartless," Cloud said with an uninterested air. "I just can't believe you're still in Traverse Town, old man."
"Watch who you're calling old man, Cloud," he replied, and opened the door all the way to let them in. He watched as they all passed by, one by one into the warmth of the shop, and glanced at Riku before saying, "Who's this?"
"Cid, this is Riku. We need a gummi ship to take us to Hallow Bastion," answered Aerith.
"Hallow Bastion? Why would any sane person want to go there?"
"Because he has Sora!" Riku yelled, his worry becoming almost too much.
"You mean Sora as in 'Prince Sora?' But he's been missing for years!" He glared at Riku. "Are you the one who kidnapped him?"
"No! Don't tell me that you actually believed that bastard?" Riku asked angrily.
"Cid, I should have told you earlier, but I have to tell you, Sora wasn't kidnapped, he ran away! Ansem was abusing him, and he finally decided he couldn't take it anymore," Yuffie huffed. "Now, we need that gummi ship!"
"But why? If Ansem is dead, then he being back on Hallow Bastion should be a good thing!"
"But Sora doesn't even remember that he's a prince. The only thing he wants now is to be with Riku," Leon interjected.
"And if we don't hurry, Sora will … he'll … be …" Riku tried saying it, but the thought of it was just too much for him to bear. He slumped down and started sobbing into his arm."
Cid sighed. "Fine, I'll take you. But on the way, maybe you should start from the beginning."
"Deal!" Yuffie said, shaking Cid's hand.
"STOP IT!" Sora screamed, as he was ruthlessly pounded into the floor. His hands were tied behind his back, and he cried out in pain as he felt his nude body being used by the older man. He felt wetness between his legs and he knew it was blood. "Please, stop!" he cried out mournfully.
"Almost … there … ahhh," Sephiroth cried out as he released himself deep inside of Sora. "S-Sora …" he yelled, as he rode wave after wave of pleasure, not even caring that the boy underneath him was crying and bleeding profusely.
"I want Riku," Sora cried, and he winced as Sephiroth pulled out of his frail body.
"Well, too bad! Riku's not coming for you, and by the time he does get here, it will be too late! Heh-heh. Are you ready for another round? Just seeing you like this is turning me on," he whispered.
"NO," Sora yelled, struggling to get away by bucking his hips and scooting away.
"Now, now, Sora, that only turns me on more. Just look how excited I am," he said with an evil grin on his face. He grabbed Sora roughly by the hips and pulled him back in front of him. "Now brace yourself," he told him before roughly entering him again.
"Oww," Sora howled in pain as he felt his body being used again in agonizing pain. "It hurts!" When Sephiroth finally did finish, he redressed Sora in the black silk robe, and re-tied him to the wooden table.
"I wasn't lying when I said that we'd finish later. Sleep well tonight, for it will probably be your last," he said, and sauntered out the door. It closed with a slam, and locked with a small click.
"Riku … help me. If you don't, I may not survive much longer. Riku …" Sora sobbed as he passed out from blood loss and shock.
"Can't this thing go any faster?" Riku whined as they flew in the gummi ship.
"This is fast as it can go! Now sit down before I strap you to your seat!" Cid snapped while flying the ship. "Hey, Leon, we got some Heartless ships up ahead," he called down to Leon, who was shooting the Heartless down with the cannons and lasers.
"But I just have this feeling that – that Sora's in a lot of pain right now. He needs me! Sora's helpless without me!"
"He'll just have to survive on his own until we get there. Now, SIT DOWN!" Cid yelled. With a small puff of frustration, Riku sat in his seat and gazed out the window, staring at the many stars and worlds that they passed.
"Sora … what's wrong?" the young boy muttered to himself. "Why do I have this sharp pain in my heart? Why do I have this portentous, menacing feeling that you're – you're," Riku gulped, almost too afraid to finish the sentence, "Gonna die?"
"Whoa! We got a huge Heartless coming at us from straight ahead. Brace yourselves and strap on your seat belts," Cid called to all of the passengers of the gummi ship. "This thing is huge!"
"What is it?" Yuffie asked.
"Looks like a giant Darkside! What he's doing out here I'll never know! They don't usually just come out like this!"
"I know why it's here," Riku said grimly. "Sephiroth sent him to keep us away from Sora till he finishes that sick spell of his! We can't let him beat us! We have to get to Sora!"
"He's right. We have to get around this thing or beat it as soon as possible," Aerith agreed.
"Cloud, go help Leon at the guns. Riku, Yuffie, Aerith, hold on tight," Cid ordered. Cloud climbed the ladder and joined his lover at the cannons, and everyone strapped on their seat belts. The ship did some fancy maneuvers in the air, avoiding dark balls of energy that was being sent at the small ship.
"I hope we make it out of this," Leon muttered more to himself, but Riku heard him.
"But … we have to … we just have to."
"Come on, we're almost to the top."
"But I've been carrying this kid up thirty flights of stairs!"
"Quit whining!"
"Easy for you to say!"
"Uhhh … huh?" Sora moaned as he woke up. He realized that he was no longer strapped to the wooden table, but he was on something warm and soft, although not very comfortable. "What's going on?"
"Geeze, he's finally awake! I would have said he was dead if it hadn't been for the slight breathing," a tall red headed woman said.
"Well, now that he's awake, he can walk himself!" a taller red headed man snapped, grumbling as he set Sora down on the ground. The young boy's hands were bound together in front of him with a rope that scratched at his skin, and Sora winced as it cut into his skin. Sitting down next to him, the older man grabbed the rope holding tightly to Sora's bound hands. The young boy looked from the woman to the man and back again. They looked so alike that they could be siblings.
"Aww. He's kinda cute. Too bad Sephy won't let me play with him."
"Don't call him that! You know that he will have your head if he hears you! Besides, you know that the runt is his play-thing."
"Hey, don't call me a runt! And I'm not a play-thing!" Sora yelled angrily.
"Heh. Like it matters. You're going to be dead within the night as it is."
"What? Why won't anyone tell me what is gonna happen to me?"
"Sorry, kido. We're not allowed to tell you," the woman said.
"But – it's … it's not fair …" Sora whined.
"Yeah, well, who said life was fair?" the man asked rhetorically while standing up. "Come on," he said, tugging on the rope as he climbed the stairs, making Sora stumble at the abruptness. He glared daggers at the sibling's backs, but they either didn't notice or didn't care. He tried to pull away from the rope, but the man's grip was too strong. So, grudgingly, he followed the two up the stairs.
"That was a close one!" Cid exclaimed, relieved as they flew away from the remains of their battle with the giant Heartless. A thick fog of darkness surrounded the area, so thick and black that when inside you couldn't even see the stars around you, much less where you're going.
"But we didn't get through it fast enough! It's almost sunset! If we don't hurry, he'll start the spell and then we'll be too late!" Riku growled.
"Well, we're almost there," Yuffie said, looking at the map and trying to comfort the boy, although she knew it was a lost cause.
"But … what if we're too late? What then?" Riku whispered, burying his face in his arm.
"Oh, Riku," Aerith cooed, walking over to the younger boy who was curled up in a ball on his chair. She gently grabbed his chin and lifted his face until his gaze met hers. His aqua eyes glistened with unshed tears, and it was taking all his self control not to have a mental break down. Dropping his face, which fell back into his arm, she sat down next to him She patted his back. "Oh, Riku, Riku, Riku. It really is okay to cry. I know you're worried about him; it's natural to be afraid for him. You – you're still only a kid, no matter how tough or mature you act, that's all you really are. You can cry if you want to. After all, they say that tears are diamonds of the eyes. Do you think Sora deserves them?"
"Of – of course I do! Sora deserves more than I could ever give him! I'm just lucky that it's enough for him. That I'm enough for him … I – I want my Sora!" Riku yelled, sobbing into his arm.
"Riku … we all want him back," the ninja said, trying her best to comfort him.
"We're here!" Cid yelled up to them, and they all looked out the front window as he came into a landing near the castle. It was much later than they had thought. It was, in fact, nearly night, and it was all Riku could do not to jump from the gummi ship before it landed.
"Hurry up!" Riku yelled as he threw open the door to the gummi ship and jumped down. Waiting impatiently for the adults, he stood there waiting, his anxiety growing every second. Once everyone was on the ground, they started towards the looming castle. Sora, hang on just a little longer …
"What are you going to do? Why out here? Why now?" Sora asked, confused. They had reached a plateau on top of the castle, but Sephiroth was no where to be seen … yet. He had a dark, haunting feeling that the silver haired man would be there soon, bringing with something to hurt him with.
"I told you, brat, I can't tell you!" the red haired man replied with a hiss, tying Sora to the wall.
"Why not?"
"Because it's against my orders! Now be quiet!" he hissed.
"Fine. But at least … tell me your name!"
"Why?"
"Because I asked!"
The red head sighed as he tied the final knot. "Axel," he said, and walked slowly away.
"I wish Riku were here …" His voice was full of desperation.
"Come on, through here!" Riku called, as he ran up to the castle gates. He busted the door open to reveal a large hall. Two stairs ran up to the second level, one on each side. Dust was afloat in the air, making the young boy sneeze as a cloud hit his face. He ran inside, trying franticly to find a clue – a scent, piece of clothes, anything – that would lead him to where Sora was. But as he looked around, he found nothing but dirt and grime.
"Where do you think he went?" Yuffie asked, looking around the musty room. They walked up the stairs, still searching for a hint of Sora. When they had searched the entire room, the small group still hadn't found anything.
"Come on, let's move on," Cloud said, and opened the door straight across from the entrance. Inside they found a long hallway, with an eerie door at the end. They cautiously, but quickly hurried through to the door, wary of traps that might be waiting for them. As they exited the hall and entered the room, the scent of Sora hit Riku in the face, and he anxiously looked around for the brunette. Of course, he wasn't, but the silver haired boy found some other things that belonged to Sora.
He found Sora's clothes stuffed lazily into a corner of the room, the foul man's scent covering the clothes. He found the wooden tablet that Sora had been chained to, and he saw the soaked in blood, staining the surface. He could smell Sephiroth's scent on that, as well, and it made his heart burn with anger.
"Sora …" he whispered, fearing that he might be too late. He stole a quick glance at his watch, and he saw that it was nearly time. The scent of the younger boy was coming from another area of the room, and Riku ran over. A large, black doorway was visible. "Come on! They weren't here to long ago!" Riku yelled, and burst through the door. The others quickly followed the worried youth, and climbed higher and higher.
'Gods! How high is this damn castle anyways?' thought Riku as he kept going up and up what seemed like an endless flight of stairs. He found another door up ahead, and with a surge of hope he sprinted to the top and broke down the door only to find an open plateau. He looked around angrily, tears stinging his eyes and threatening to spill out. He ran out in to the open, and rounded a corner of the castle to see yet another doorway. But there was something different about this one, making Riku smash himself into the wall so that he couldn't be seen. A swoosh of long, silver hair disappear through the doorway, and a red haired lady stood in front of the doorway, guarding it.
"Don't worry, I'll keep the door locked and intruders out till the ceremony is over," the lady said, and the door shut with a slam. She leaned against the door way, making sure no one got in, and no one got out.
"What's going on, Riku?" Leon asked as he joined Riku behind the wall.
"Sephiroth just disappeared up those flights of stairs. I think Sora's up there. But first we have to get around this guard," the young boy whispered to the older brunette.
"Well, what should we do?" Aerith asked, overhearing what the silver haired boy had said.
"I think she's were gonna have to fight her before anyone gets through," Cloud interjected.
"That's probably true," Yuffie said.
"So … are we just gonna jump out, or what?" Riku questioned.
"Hey! You there! Hiding behind the wall! Out! Now!" the red head summoned, answering Riku's question for him.
"So, you found us," Yuffie said coolly, walking out first.
"But what are you going to do about it?" Aerith asked, standing next to Yuffie.
"I'm going to fight you!" the red haired lady yelled, pulling out a weapon unknown to them.
"Wh-what kind of weapon is that?" Riku asked as he stood behind the two girls, the two other men standing behind him.
"This? It's what's called a shiraffé," she said, brandishing the weapon. It was a circular weapon, with sharp spikes surrounding it. "Observe." The weapon burst into flames, and she got into a fighting stance, the twirling, flaming object held threateningly out.
"Whatever you call it, a weapon is still just a weapon in your hands. Bring it!" Yuffie replied, pulling out some shuriken as Aerith took a fighting stance beside her.
"We'll help too!" Leon said, pulling out his gunblade, but was stopped by Yuffie's outstretched hand.
"No! You need to save strength for other battles. Aerith and I can take her."
"Yeah, Yuffie and I can take her. As soon as there is an opening, I want you to go, no matter what you hear, or what you see."
"But –" Leon started, but Riku silenced him.
"We understand."
"Good. Now bring it!" Yuffie yelled, flinging her shuriken towards the other girl, two connecting, two others barely missing. The red head rushed forward, casually brushing aside the shuriken like they were nothing, and continuing straight for Yuffie. The young ninja leapt out of the way, dodging the attacks that were sent upon her, and Aerith put up a shield, guarding her from the attack. The red head jumped back as a fire spell whizzed passed her, and dodged another well aimed shuriken.
"Heh. You're pretty good for a fighter," said Aerith, putting a protect spell on Yuffie.
"Yeah. What's your name?" Yuffie asked, panting slightly.
"Arida," she said simply, before charging back in, her weapons a blur as everything moved all to fast for the untrained eye. Aerith aimed a blizzard spell at Arida, and it connected, effectively putting it out for a moment, lessening the attack on Yuffie. The raven haired ninja took out a special shuriken from her pouch, and held it up to the air. It glowed blue, and became huge, and the ninja used it to block the next flurry of attacks that was released upon the duo.
Throughout the entire duel, the two girls had been slowly moving the battle farther and farther away from the door, trying to make an opening for the men to go through. They kept the battle moving, as Leon, Cloud, and Riku sneakily moved towards the door, trying to go unscathed and unnoticed by Arida and her blazing weapons. They had just barely reached the door, when the insane red head noticed, and sent a flame spell their way, leaving herself open to one of Aerith's many lightning spells. The spell connected, making Arida cry out in pain and grab her arm. In her rage, she swung her weapons, and made contact with one of Yuffie's arms.
Leon quickly pulled the door open as the battle raged on, neither side winning, neither side losing. Cloud and Riku looked sympathetically towards their two battling friends, hoping more than anything that they would be okay.
"Hurry up! There's nothing more you can do! You heard them; they wanted us to go no matter what. It's nearly midnight!"
"O-okay!" Riku shakily agreed, and reluctantly followed Leon upstairs with an equally reluctant Cloud, both wanting to stay and watch the battle between the women. But they knew that they had to save Sora, otherwise they might never see him again. They walked in to the small room, and looked across the short hall. Great. More stairs. They charged up the stairs, heading closer and closer to the top, and closer and closer to what Riku promised himself would be the final confrontation with the ruler of Hallow Bastion.
Sora must have dozed off at some point because the next thing he knew was him waking up at the caress of his step-father's lover. The small contact sent shivers down Sora's spine, and they weren't shivers of pleasure. The small boy was dwarfed by the tall man's size, and he tried his best to press himself in the wall, wishing more than anything to be back home, cuddling with Riku and not having a care in the world.
"I bet you want to be back home with that brat, don't you," Sephiroth asked coolly, still caressing Sora's chin. "Too bad you won't ever see him again. Pity, really," he said, but Sora could see that his eyes held no pity, no sympathy. Instead, they were laughing. At him. At Riku. At what he was about to do next. His eyes danced with uncontained mirth, but at what, Sora didn't know.
"And what exactly are you planning to do with me, huh?" Sora asked heatedly, angry at the man standing before him. He hated him. He feared him. He wanted to beat Sephiroth bloody. He was afraid that Sephiroth would beat him or Riku bloody. An inner duel raged inside his body, but right now, his anger was winning.
"I can't believe you still haven't guessed. Well, I'll humor you. First of all, Sora, do you know what tonight is?"
"No," Sora replied slowly, suspicious of the older man.
"Well, tonight is what people call a lunar eclipse. That's when the sun and the moon align directly. It will be happening at precisely midnight tonight, aligning the earth, sun, and moon in perfect harmony."
"So what does that have to do with kidnapping me, beating me, raping me, and all the other crap you've pulled, huh? Why the hell are you doing this to me, you sadistic bastard?" Sora yelled, feeling the ropes cut into his skin as he struggled against the bonds. "Just let me go!"
"My, what a foul mouth you've obtained. Who would've thought that such words come out of such a pure mouth? I'll tell you what this has to do with you. As you know, Ansem is dead. But, haven't you ever wanted to bring someone back from the dead, who their killed before it was their time to go? Haven't you ever wondered what it would be like to be able to hold someone once again?"
"O-of course I have …" Sora said quietly, hanging his head. "My parents died! They died before it was their time! What about them, huh? How come they don't deserve a second chance?" Sora cried, still oblivious to the fact that it was, in fact, Sephiroth and Ansem who killed his parents.
"Well, I've found a spell to bring my lover back, but the cost was higher than one might have expected. Of course, it requires a blood offering, that I could have done myself. It requires it to be when 'the universe is aligned.' In other words, during the eclipse. But there was one more thing. 'A flesh offering covered in dark silk.' That one confused me for a bit, before I realized that I needed a human sacrifice. In other words, you," he finished, an evil smile on his face.
"M-me? B-but why?" Sora asked, truly frightened now that he knew what Sephiroth was planning once and for all. He was going to use Sora to bring back Ansem.
Riku, Leon, and Cloud hurried up the stairs, two at a time when they had the energy to jump that many. They went higher and higher, until they reached another door and Riku quickened his pace and threw it open, effectively startling the red haired man there. He took one glance at them, and a devilish grin spread across his face. With a fluid motion, he moved towards them and away from the door that he was guarding and pulled out his weapons.
"You must be the rescue party for that little brat. Name's Axel and I will be destroying you today," he said, throwing a flurry of fire spells at the small group. Instinctively, Leon and Cloud held up their weapons in defense, protecting themselves and Riku at the same time.
"What, too cowardly to give us a chance, Axel?" Leon said with a smirk on his face.
"Wait a second! I know you! Long time no see, Squall," Axel said, a smirk on his face as well.
"It's Leon now," Leon growled.
Riku and Cloud looked confused. "You two know each other?" Riku asked, a delicate eyebrow arched with amusement.
"Hey, Cloud. Do you remember how when I was younger I was sent to that summer camp and you missed me sooo much?"
"Yes," Cloud said begrudgingly.
"Well, meet my number one enemy's best friend. Axel was best friends with a man named Seifer."
"Well, an enemy of Leon's is an enemy of mine!" Cloud said, and pulled out his sword. Riku pulled out his Soul Eater sword, and got into fighting stance, but Cloud held him back. "Riku, it's going to be midnight very soon. If you don't hurry, you know what will happen to Sora."
"He's right, Riku. As soon as we clear an opening, I want you to go through. You have to save Sora," Leon whispered, before charging at Axel, weapon raised as he prepared to clash with the fiery red head. They met with a clang, metal and against metal as both men fought for dominance.
"Cloud … Riku … GO!" Leon hollered, holding Axel back with his gunblade. With a sprint of energy, Riku and Cloud went directly for the door, dodging various bullets from Leon's gunblade, and fire spells from Axel. They clawed the door open and started inside, but Cloud looked back worriedly at his lover.
"Leon … are you sure? Can you take him by yourself?" Cloud asked, his blue eyes glittering with rare unshed tears that only showed themselves when he was truly scared. Riku looked at him appraisingly. Who knew Cloud cared so much, with the way he acted?
"I'm sure! Now GO!" Leon yelled, while blocking a flurry of flames aimed at Cloud and Riku.
"Cloud!" Riku whined, tugging on the older man's shirt.
"Fine. Let's go," Cloud said, putting away his sword and running up the stairs.
"Stop it! It stings," Sora hissed as Sephiroth cut into his skin, effectively drawing some blood. He took the blood and started drawing weird symbols on Sora's legs and arms. "Leave me alone!" Sora screeched trying to wiggle away, although he knew it was a worthless attempt. The cut stung something fierce, and he whimpered softly at the touch.
"Stop struggling, brat," Sephiroth spat, resisting the urge to force his way onto the boy. "Not long now, Sora, before you'll be gone, and I'll have my lover back."
"But … I don't wanna die …" Sora murmured while hanging his head, tears threatening to break from his sapphire eyes.
"Too bad," Sephiroth said as he grabbed a book from down by his feet. There was a loud crash outside the door, and the older man spun around towards the door. "Dammit," he muttered, and quickly flipped the book open to a page.
"Riku?" Sora asked, hope creeping into his voice.
"I highly doubt that even if he is here, that he made it past all three guards. Now shut up, and let me work," he growled, turning his attention back to the book.
"You're wrong! Riku is gonna save me and he's going to kick your butt!" Sora yelled, his eyes defiant and fierce.
"Shut up, you little brat!" Sephiroth snapped, slapping the younger boy on the cheek, making him cry out.
"You … you'll never get away with it!" Sora screamed.
"I believe I already have," Sephiroth said as the sun slowly started to cover the moon.
"N-No!" Sora cried as he realized that the eclipse was almost at the highest point. Hurry, Riku!
Riku could see a door up ahead, and he felt more hope than he ever had before. He sprinted to the top, and was almost there before a dark mist started to form in the way. A dark portal was opened, and a blonde woman stepped out.
"MOVE LARXENE!" Riku screamed, pulling out his Soul Eater sword, which he bought from Cid. He held it out threateningly, glaring at the blonde.
"Why? So you can save that slut of yours? I think not!" she said, getting into a fighting stance as well.
"Sora is NOT a slut! Now move, or I'll cut you down where you stand!"
"Oooh, such strong threats coming from a young boy. Care to show me that you can back those up?"
"With pleasure," Riku replied, his eyes narrowed in anger. He rushed forward, Cloud right behind him. He swung the sword at the blonde woman, who dodged it. Riku jumped back into the wall, missing a lightning bolt. Using his legs to spring off the wall, he launched at Larxene and managed to cut her with his sword, although it wasn't anything too serious.
"You jerk!" she cried, grabbing her arm in pain.
"That's nothing compared to what you did to Sora," Riku said coldly, landing in a crouching position a few feet away from her.
"Who cares what happens to him?" she shrieked angrily.
"You just don't get it, do you?" Cloud said, holding his sword out in a defensive position. "Riku doesn't love you. He never will. He loves Sora, not you. Do you really think he would risk his life like this for someone that he didn't care about? Do you honestly think that any of us would be here if we didn't care about Sora? Well let me tell you, we wouldn't waste the energy if that were the case. Riku, go on. Save Sora before something really bad happens. I can handle her!"
"You – you bastard!" Larxene screeched, at a loss of words that someone would dare talk to her like that. "You – you're lying! Riku loves me!"
"No, I don't! Get that through your thick head!" Riku retorted heatedly.
"But – but I … No! I won't allow it! I'll make you love me!" she yelled, summoning up a large thunder attack. There was a loud crash as the lightning came down, and Cloud held his large sword up just in time to protect both him and Riku.
"Ergh … Riku … go! Just remember, that you're on your own now! There won't be anyone else to protect you. You have two lives to carry on your sword now. Both yours and Sora's. Go, and good luck. We'll join you when we can," Cloud said, staving off the attack.
"Thanks, Cloud," Riku said, and stealthily rushed past the blonde and towards the door.
"Unhh …" Sora moaned as the spell that Sephiroth was reading started to take hold of him. He was starting to glow with an eerie blackness that enveloped him, surrounded him.
"That's it, Sora, let it take you. Give into the darkness. You can not win. Surrender your heart to the darkness, and forsake the light. It can't save you now. For, at one point, all hearts return to the darkness it was born in," the older man said, still using his magic on the boy.
"You – you're wrong!" Sora spat as he felt himself being pulled into the dark. "All hearts … are made of light! You chose to give your heart to the darkness. No one is born evil or hateful! It's something you learn! I refuse to give in!" Sora yelled, and his heart started to glow a bright light. The sound of a door being blasted open echoed through the plateau, and meekly Sora raised his head to look at the newcomer. "Riku!"
"Sora!" Riku yelled. "I can't believe that I was almost too late! Sephiroth, let Sora down now! He's too pure for your purposes! Someone with a heart that innocent will never succumb to the darkness!"
"Silence!" Sephiroth screamed. "All hearts return to the darkness! It is the way of the world! Your heart will be consumed by the darkness whether you like it or not!"
"Never!" Sora and Riku yelled simultaneously.
"I will not repeat myself again. Let. Sora. Go!" Riku said dangerously.
"No way!" the older man replied, sending another spell at Sora.
"Agh!" Sora cried as the darkness gripped tightly at his body, shocking his frail form with black thunderbolts. "It – it hurts!"
"Sora! That's enough, Sephiroth! You won't ever hurt him again!" Riku bellowed before charging at the evil tyrant. He slashed with his sword, but the older man evaded easily. He took out his whip and managed to smack the silver haired boy twice on the back. Riku winced at each contact and he felt blood running down his back, but he didn't care. He turned angrily to face the tyrant, and charged at him again, but this time he fell into a dodge roll and landed behind Sephiroth, then cut him on his arm.
Now angry, the silver haired man used his whip to captured the sword and fling it to another part of the plateau, far away from Riku. With an evil smirk, he made quick work of Riku's legs and arms before he was a bloody mess. But despite his wounds, Riku kept standing. He refused to let Sephiroth win.
"Riku! Please, stop! You'll only end up killing yourself!" Sora pleaded, although he knew it wouldn't work. He looked up at the sky and realized that if Riku didn't hurry, Sephiroth might win after all. He watched as the older man grabbed a hold of his wrist with the whip and knock him over using it, but the silver haired youth immediately struggled to his feet and, to the shock of everyone there, he wore a smirk.
"That all you got, old man?" he asked tauntingly, his breathing heavy as he managed out that short sentence. His eyes full of malice, he quickly jumped backwards in a back flip and managed to leap over to his sword. But as he reached for it, he also pulled out four shiny pieces of metal that neither Sora nor Sephiroth could identify at first. But as he took aim, Sora immediately recognized them. Shuriken.
But it was not Sephiroth who Riku was aiming for, but Sora. He flung the tiny weapons, Sora closed his eyes, waiting for the impact … but it never came. Instead, he felt the ropes that held him to the wall sever, and he fell to the ground unceremoniously, and lay there in a heap as shock and weariness caught up with him. But something else was wrong … he was still covered in the dark aura.
"Riku … something is wrong! It won't go away! The darkness, it won't go away!" Sora cried out, alarmed.
"What?" Riku asked, dodging another string of attacks from the older man. "But … it doesn't make any sense! It should have gone away!"
"Because, the spell is still in effect!" Sephiroth said, attacking the silver haired boy. With all of the jumping and leaping, Riku managed to slowly get over to Sora, and he looked at him questioningly as he blocked off another attack. Before Sephiroth could regain his composure, Riku stabbed him in the leg and the stomach, and the older man fell, cursing a line of swear words that Riku and Sora had never even heard before.
As the older man was distracted, Riku sunk to his knees and looked at Sora closely, and suddenly, he grabbed the brunette and held him closely. Despite the danger, Sora relaxed into the silver's touch, and wrapped his arms around Riku as the older boy held him protectively. "I love you, Sora," Riku murmured while kissing the top of his head, and slowly, the dark started to fade.
"I love you, too," Sora whispered right back, tears pricking at the back of his eyes. And as they held each other like that, the dark aura faded away, slower and slower until it had completely disappeared.
"N-NO!" Sephiroth yelled as he struggled to his feet, his hands clutching at the spot where Riku had stabbed him. "You – you can't win! Guards!" he roared, and the door burst open, revealing a raven haired boy followed by two other who were holding … bodies … They threw them into a heap, and Riku and Sora immediately recognixed who they were. There was Yuffie, Aerith, Arida, Leon, Axel, Cloud, and Larxene, all lying there, unmoving.
"Are … are they dead?" Sora whispered, barely able to believe his eyes.
"No, not dead, but all of them are badly injured and all are incapacitated at the moment," the raven haired boy said. Sora and Riku both let out a breath that they hadn't known they were holding at the news, but Sephiroth just grew angry.
"Those fools were supposed to keep intruders out! When they wake up, throw them in the dungeon!" he bellowed at the robed figures, who then walked out.
"Face it, Sephiroth, you've lost," Riku said in between breaths as he got to his feet with great effort. "You're plans have failed, and you will not win," he continued, but as he did Sephiroth got an evil grin on his face.
"But you see, not all hope is lost. You see, I can still make my plan work. All I need is you!" Sephiroth said, aiming his whip at Riku.
"Wh-what?" Riku asked, his eyes becoming huge in shock.
"I never realized it till now – what a fool I was for not realizing sooner!" Sephiroth said.
"Realize what?"
"You, Riku Renvulle, are a child of the dark. Haven't you ever wondered why you can smell things that normal people wouldn't? Why you can fight with the strength that other men can't? Or, lastly, why you can cast dark spells? It's because you are a dark child, just like me, Ansem, and a few other people here."
"A child of the dark? Me?" Riku asked, seriously confused by this point.
"Yes, a child of the dark. That is why you and Sora can never be together. It goes against destiny. He is a child of the light. Light and dark cannot clash. It goes against nature," Sephiroth said calmly.
"Screw destiny!" Riku yelled, aiming his sword at the man. "I may be a child of the dark, but there is one thing that sets me apart from you swine!"
"Oh yeah, what's that?" Sephiroth sneered.
"A heart!" he yelled, and stabbed him again through the arm. "That's something a jerk like you could never understand! And you, you bastard, have played with mine and Sora's too much!"
"D-Damn you," Sephiroth muttered, before he slowly stood up and pointed a shaking finger at them. "You will pay for that! I don't care if this spell does take my life! As long as it takes you with me, I don't give a damn!" he yelled, dragging his book next to him. He started flipping through the pages, searching for a spell.
"H-hey!" Riku yelled, charging towards his enemy, but was blown back by a powerful spell. Both he and Sora were slammed into the wall opposite the plateau.
"Ah, here it is! Prepare to die, brat! ULTIMATE DARKNESS: HEART CRUSH!" he yelled, his voice echoing as he a boding evil darkness emitted from him, headed straight towards Riku, and the older man fell to the ground, dead.
As Sora realized where the spell was headed, he did the only thing he could do. He protected Riku. The young brunette clutched on to the silver haired boy, shielding him with his own body. Pain coursed through his entire body, making the young boy grip tighter to the older boy's tattered, ripped shirt. The intense pain made the boy scream out in agony as he felt the spell trying to rip him apart from the inside out. The darkness was trying to crush his heart into a million pieces, but his will was too strong. His clothes started to shred themselves, and cuts opened up all over his frail body.
"Ahhhhhh!" Sora screamed, before the spell finally ceased, and he collapsed.
"S-Sora? What have you done?" Riku whispered in shock as his young lover collapsed on him. "N-No! S-Sora! Speak to me! Open your eyes!" Riku sobbed as he gathered his lover into his arms. "Sora?"
"R-Riku …" Sora said weakly, opening his eyes to reveal his sapphire depths. "It hurts … Are you okay, Riku?"
"Don't worry about me! What about you? You took that spell for me," he said quietly as tears slowly blossomed in his aquamarine eyes. "Oh, Sora, what have you done?" Riku asked again as a lone tear drifted down his face.
"My love, please don't cry for me. I did it because I love you. If I hadn't, you would have died," Sora replied gently, reaching a trembling hand to Riku's porcelain skin, he stroked his cheek and wiped away the tear that was rolling down it, and the two others that followed it.
"But Sora, now you're going to … you're gonna …" Riku started, his lip trembling. "Sora you can't leave me! I won't let you!" he cried, clutching Sora to his chest.
Hold on to me, love,
You know I can't stay long.
All I wanted to say was I love you and I'm not afraid.
Can you hear me?
Can you feel me in your arms?
"I don't think I have a choice … Please, don't cry for me. I'm happy. I was finally able to help you, for once. I was able to protect you like you protect me. Uhhh …" Sora moaned as another bolt of pain shot through his body.
"No! I won't let you leave me! I'll … I'll follow after you! I won't let you die alone! Please, Sora, don't go!" Riku whimpered into Sora's neck.
"No … don't commit suicide. I would never be able to forgive myself if you did. I want you to live. For the world. For me. Survive so that no one will forget me. Please, Riku, stop crying. The look on your face is hurting me more than the spell ever could," Sora murmured, wrapping his arms around the older boy's neck.
Holding my last breath,
Safe inside myself,
Are all my thoughts of you.
Sweet raptured light,
It ends here tonight.
"But I don't want you to leave me. I can't survive without my muse, my other half – you!" Riku sobbed. "I don't want to be alone! I don't want to be by myself anymore! Without you I'll die!"
"Don't be ridiculous. You won't die, Riku."
"Yes I will! I hated my life before I met you! I hated the feeling of always being alone! You're the only one who understands me! I need you!"
"Please, stop. You're making my heart hurt."
"Sora, I can't! I don't want to live without you! I can't!"
I'll miss the winter,
A world of fragile things,
Look for me in the white forest,
Hiding in a hollow tree (come find me).
I know you hear me,
I can taste it in your tears.
"Riku … I don't think I have much longer in this world. I just want you to know … I'm not afraid. I died protecting you. That's all I want. I can't think of any better way to go than protecting the oneI love the most. So I want you to paint, draw, be an artist … live," Sora said as he winced, his words laced with pain.
"Sora … Sora, don't talk like that! You're gonna live! You have to!" Riku cried, tears the falling faster now.
Holding my last breath,
Safe inside myself,
Are all my thoughts of you.
Sweet raptured light,
It ends here tonight.
"Riku, my love, I'll always be in your heart. I'll live on as long as you never forget me. I love you, Riku," Sora whispered as he slowly fell into the darkness.
"NO!" Riku screamed, clenching his eyes shut as the tears fell harder and harder.
Closing your eyes to disappear,
You pray your dreams will leave you here,
But still you wake and know the truth,
No one's there.
"Riku … before I go … is there one last thing you can do for me?" Sora asked, smiling gently at the older boy.
"Anything," Riku sobbed.
"Kiss me, please."
"Of course," Riku said, bringing his lips to the younger boy's.
Say goodnight,
Don't be afraid,
Calling me, calling me, as you fade to black.
Riku savored the taste of the brunette's lips, fearing that this would be last time he would ever be able to kiss his young lover. Tears rolled down his face, mixing themselves with the kiss, the salty taste strange in their mouths.
A crash echoed around the plateau, and silently, it started to rain. But neither one cared. Riku only gripped tighter as Sora's hand slowly stroked his back, his shirt getting wetter and wetter as the rain came down.
As their kiss prolonged, Sora started to slip away. His soft, creamy skin became cold and numb, as did his soft, rose petal lips. His hand ceased its soft caresses and it slowly slipped to the frozen, wet ground. In shock, Riku slowly opened his aqua eyes and met Sora's sapphire, ocean blue eyes as they slowly started to fade.
Trembling, Riku lifted himself from Sora, holding him closely in his arms. "Sora? Sp-speak to me!" he called as the rain pounded harder and harder.
"Riku, don't forget me," he murmured.
"Never, my love. I'll remember you always," Riku replied as his tears silently carried on.
"Good," the brunette replied, a soft, sad smile on his lips.
"Do you really have to go?"
"Yes," Sora replied, as his chest started to glow with a soft, entrancing light.
"I love you," Riku said as he hugged the boy and buried his face in his chest as he cried.
Holding my last breath,
Safe inside myself,
Are all my thoughts of you.
Sweet raptured light,
It ends here tonight.
"I love you, too, Riku," Sora whispered, as his eyes closed, and he tenderly drifted away, the beautiful glow fading, as everything slowly became darkand the sky continued to cry crystalline tears from the heavens.
Owari
End of Part one.
Author's Note:
Well, that's the end. No more. Fini. I will add an epilogue after this, but this is more so that I can answer questions and so you guys know what's next. Now is the time to ask questions. I will answer all of them in the epilogue. By the way, I am looking for 4, maybe five people to put in my bridge story. Email me if you want the part, or leave me a review. There are a couple requirements, so I'll either tell you in an email, or I'll tell you in the epilgue. Which ever works for you. Ja ne.