Chapter 5: Riku's Rescue

Night was falling. Riku was tired and hungry and thirsty. The Witch had already set up a war camp, and a number of Nobodies had already joined her ranks. She kept Riku bound to a tree. His uncomfortable coat was still on, and as the temperature was so warm, he felt even more uncomfortable.

"The Deep Magic cannot wait much longer," the Witch told her dwarf, "and neither can I."

"But it might be better to keep this one for bargaining with," he answered.

"And have him rescued? The Keyblade Wielder cares for him as a friend, and I am sure Aslan is doing all in his power to find him. Besides, if they are short one Son of Adam, perhaps the prophecy cannot come true."

"I cannot see how it will come true anyway. We have not seen one Daughter of Eve."

"True, but I do not want to take any chances."

"What Deep Magic are you talking about?" Riku asked.

"SILENCE!" She turned to Riku, her face at first burning with fury but then softening rather suddenly. "Actually, Riku, I am granting you your wish. You wanted to be a hero, and now, by paying the price of your heart, you will save my Narnia!"

He did not like the sound of that. The Witch raised her wand high above her head. But then, suddenly, she stopped and turned around. "What?" Riku saw out of the corner of his eye a silver wolf. "Where is your captain?" She must have been communicating with the wolf telepathically because there was silence for a long time, and then she looked up at the dwarf and said, "The Keyblade Wielder has defeated Maugrim." She looked back at the wolf and said, "No, we will not flee."

She continued to speak, but suddenly a girl hung upside down in front of Riku. He gasped. She jumped down. "Shh!" she whispered. She cut the ropes binding him to a tree while whispering in his ear, "Now, you're going to have to do some shinobi, so do what I tell you to do." She pulled out a pin and started to pick the lock of his chain. He looked at her questioningly. "Oh. I used to be a thief."

Meanwhile, the Witch was saying to the wolf, "We will fight! What? Have I not still my wand? Will not their ranks turn to stone and join my ranks as Nobody even as they come on? Be off quickly, I have a little thing to finish here while you are away." The wolf nodded and ran on. Then the witch turned around, and Riku was not there. She glared at the dwarf. "Where did he go?" she demanded.

"HIIIIIIIYA!" Suddenly, the witch was kicked in her head. Yuffie was hanging from the tree. She dropped down with a mischievous grin. The Witch furiously shot a spell from her magic wand, but Yuffie evaded the attack. Yuffie threw her shuriken at the Witch and hit several times. Meanwhile, Riku was making his getaway in the shadows.

The Witch began to yell at her, "You insolent . . . " But then she turned to her dwarf and finished her thought, "Daughter of Eve."

The dwarf's eyes grew fearful. "Are you going to use me to appease the Deep Magic?"

"No. We have work to do."

Yuffie and Riku finally made it out of the Witch's forest. "I don't know what everybody's scared of," Yuffie said. "That Witch is a pushover! And you make a pretty good ninja. I didn't even see you."

"Well, I've had practice making my way through shadows," Riku answered.

They approached Aslan's camp. "Well, here we are. Sora's going to be so happy to see you." She ran ahead, but Riku stayed put. She turned around. "Aren't you coming?"

Riku shook his head. "No. I'm not worthy to go in."

"But everybody's worried about you."

"They should be. I'm not one of the good guys."

Yuffie tried to do more to coax him in, but it wasn't doing any good. So, she shrugged her shoulders and went back to her tent. Riku crawled to a place near the Save Point, rested his head on a rock, and went to sleep.

At sunrise, the first thing Riku heard was one small whisper, "Riku."

Riku opened his eyes and sat up. A lion was sitting next to him. "You are Aslan," he said.

"I am," the lion replied.

Riku looked down. "Well, go ahead and say it."

"Say what, Son of Adam?"

"'I told you so.' It's what I deserve, isn't it?"

"I told you nothing, Riku. And even if I did, that is not something I would say."

"But you're here to judge and criticize me, aren't you?"

"Now, where did you get that impression? I am not one who judges. I forgive."

"But what I did is unforgivable."

"You have no idea what you have done, Son of Adam. Your mistakes have indeed caused great damage. And yet, nothing is beyond forgiveness. There is nothing I desire more than a contrite heart."

Riku shook his head. "Why does this keep happening? I want to do good. I really do! But I keep getting drawn into darkness, and I always realize too late that that's where I am."

"Every Son of Adam and Daughter of Eve feels some pull to the darkness. It is difficult to follow light. However, Riku, I can give you a clue. Sora told me that when you first came into this world when it was snowing, you refused to put on a coat. Why?"

"Because I wanted to show that I was tough, that I could withstand anything."

"And yet now, when it is much too warm for a coat, you have one wrapped around your shoulders, and a course one at that. Why?"

"The Witch made me wear it. I don't know why I still have it on. Maybe it's my way of punishing myself."

"You don't know what's best for yourself, Riku. This is something you must learn, and you learn it by listening carefully to those who love you. But you don't want to listen to others, because you want to be independent."

"It's true. I just wanted to be a hero."

"Despite all the mistakes you've made, you are a hero in Sora's eyes. Go to him. He is eager to see you." Riku nodded and took a few steps toward the camp. "Wait, Riku!" Riku stopped and looked at Aslan. "Take off your coat. Leave the old life behind you for good." Riku nodded, took off the coat, and dropped it by the Save Point.

Sora was watching Riku from a distance. He could not hear what Aslan was telling Riku, but there was no need for him to know. Riku approached him, still with his eyes lowered to the ground.

"What's done is done," Aslan said. "There is no need to speak of the past."

"Sora," Riku said, looking up for just a moment, and then lowering his eyes again. "I'm so sorry."

"No, I'm sorry. This was my fault."

Riku shook his head. "It was all me this time."

"It's ok, Riku," Sora said. "At least you're here again, and you're still in one piece. And I take it you're still you. Not a Nobody, are you?" Sora poked Riku in the middle.

Riku laughed. "Stop that!"

"Only if you promise that we're never splitting up again!"

"OK, no problem. I'm done with the Witch." Sora stopped poking him. Then Riku quickly jabbed him in the middle. "GOTCHA!" They laughed and played some more. Riku then apologized to Donald and Goofy, and he greeted Kairi. Everybody was just glad to see him back.

"Oh, Riku, before I forget," Sora said, and he pulled out the blue present, "Merry Christmas."

"Christmas in the springtime?"

"Hey, Santa Claus gave that to me personally."

"Sure he did."

"Stranger things have happened."

"Yeah, I know." He pulled the wrapper off and marveled at his gift. It was a new keyblade. It didn't look exactly identical to Sora's, but it was very similar. "I bet this one's not made by the power of darkness."

"We got a big battle we're going to fight very soon," Sora said. "What do you say we do some leveling up this afternoon?"

"Sounds like a good idea."

"Oh wait, here. You probably need this." Sora tossed Riku an Elixir.

"Thanks," Riku said.

The members of the army played practice battles fighting each other until they were much stronger. They developed new strategies and new Limit Attacks. Yet in the middle of their practice, something unexpected happened. The White Witch crashed the party.

Her dwarf came ahead and begged Aslan an audience with his Queen on a matter to both of their advantage. "A truce?" Kairi whispered.

"No way," Riku answered.

Everybody else was sneering and hissing when the dwarf said the word "queen," but Aslan silenced them. "All names will soon be restored to their proper owners. In the meanwhile, we will not dispute them. Your mistress may enter the camp if she agrees to leave her wand with one of the watchmen at the entrance." He nodded toward Cloud and Leon. Cloud nodded back, and Leon made a gesture with his finger near his forehead to indicate that he understood.

A few minutes later, the Queen strode in as the dwarf rolled out a red carpet before her. She stared at Aslan, and the whole company grew silent. "There is a traitor in you midst, Aslan," she said coldly. Sora, and many other eyes, looked at Riku, but Riku just stared ahead.

"What is that to you, Jadis?" Aslan replied. "Was his offense against you?"

"Do you not remember the Deep Magic, the law engraved on the Stone Table by the Emperor-of-the-Sea?"

Aslan growled. "Do not play ignorant, Jadis! You know well that I was there when it was written!"

"Then you know that every traitor belongs to me, and every traitor I have a right to kill." There was an uproar which Aslan calmly hushed. He and Riku were the only ones who didn't show fear. "But I will not kill him. You see, Aslan, the Deep Magic you know has changed."

"Explain what you mean."

"About a year ago, I had two young visitors. They appeared as Sons of Adam, but they were not. They were merely shadows of men, what they called Nobodies. They told me that they knew that I also was a shadow of a Daughter of Eve. You see, Aslan, whenever a creature's heart is stolen, and they are not willing to let it go, they become a Nobody. These two shadows of men knew many Nobodies, and they had the ability to control them. Their purpose in seeing me was to invite me on a quest they were taking. They sought a place they called Kingdom Hearts where they would be complete again. I was not interested in a quest. If I left Narnia, I would leave it forfeit to you. But this whole matter of creating and controlling Nobodies intrigued me. I learned so much from those men regarding that matter. In summation, Aslan, my price has gone down. I no longer desire a life. However, the traitor's heart is forfeit to me!"

Sora jumped forward and drew his Keyblade. "Come and take it, then!"

The Witch scrutinized him. "So you are the Keyblade Wielder. There's something very familiar about you. I feel as though we have met before. But in answer to your threat, silly boy, mere force cannot deny me my right. According to the Deep Magic, if I do not receive the boy's heart, all of Narnia will be overturned and perish in fire and water!" There was another uproar.

"Who wrote that law?" Yuffie said aloud. "It sounds stupid!"

Sora looked intently at Aslan. "It can't be true, can it?"

Aslan said sadly, "It is very true. I do not deny it."

"Well, is there anything we can do to get around it?"

"Work against the Emperor's Supreme and Just" (he gave Yuffie a stabbing glance) "Magic?"

"But . . . Riku's not going to become a Nobody, is he?" Kairi said softly.

"Enough!" Aslan said. "I will speak with the Witch alone."

The Witch joined Aslan in his tent. Donald and Goofy tried to press their ears against the tent flap, but they could not hear. The waiting took forever. Sora was filled with such dread.

"Sora," Riku said, "no matter what happens to me, we're still friends. Our hearts are still connected."

Sora nodded, trying hard to believe it. He remembered what Aslan told him, to trust in him even in the darkest times. It was so hard now.

Finally, the Witch walked out of the tent. She walked past Riku and gave him one probing stare. Riku just defiantly stared back.

"I have settled the matter," Aslan said. "She has renounced her claim on the Son of Adam's heart." The whole camp cheered. Riku even broke into a smile.

The Witch turned around. "But how will I know that this promise will be kept?"

Aslan answered with a loud roar. The Witch's face went even whiter, and she ran all the way down the rolled-out carpet. Everyone in the camp laughed. Leon punched the Witch with her wand on the way out. She grabbed it and gave him a humiliating look. After she left, there was such a celebration, but Kairi noticed that Aslan was not celebrating. In fact, he looked very sad.

After dinner, Aslan pulled Sora aside. "Tomorrow, the war will begin. Direct everyone who was sent from King Mickey to take every Nobody in the Witch's army. There will be other creatures of evil with her, however, and the Narnians are to fight them. Your ultimate object, Sora, is the Witch herself. Do you understand?"

"What about what the beavers told me, about not fighting Nobodies who are close friends of theirs or risking losing their hearts forever?"

"You need not concern yourself about that. If a Nobody attacks, it must be fought. Their true nature will be restored soon enough."

"I don't understand why you're telling this to me now. Aren't you going to guide me on the battle field yourself?"

"I cannot promise that, Sora," Aslan said quietly.

"You told me to trust you. How can I do that if you cannot guarantee that you'll be with me?"

"You must learn to trust me even when I'm not present."

"Are you saying that I'll have to fight the White Witch alone?"

"No, Son of Adam. You will not be alone."

Sora was about to ask what he meant, but then Leon and Cloud interrupted. "Sir, we are ready for the night watch. If you approve, I will watch at the entrance of the camp, and Cloud will take the rear."

"No. I need you both at the entrance."

"But sir," Cloud said, "we are trying to take precautions in case the Witch leads a sneak attack tonight."

"She will not attack tonight. Yet that is wise planning, Sons of Adam. It is how a soldier must think. If the battle tomorrow, you both may be captains under Sora and Riku. However, for tonight it does not matter."

Cloud and Leon both offered thanks, though they remained confused. Aslan left before Sora could ask any additional questions.

That night Riku was very troubled. He kept thinking about what Aslan had said to him. "You have no idea what you have done, Son of Adam. Your mistakes have indeed caused great damage." He had no idea that the Witch wanted to put an end to him until just before he was rescued. He had no idea that his grave mistakes would mean the end to Narnia. Just how did Aslan resolve things so quickly? Will Narnia survive? What was he, Riku, to do?

Around midnight, Riku got up and walked out of his tent. He slipped outside of the camp and was making his way down the hill when he heard Leon's voice say behind him, "Where do you think you're going?"

Riku turned around and saw Cloud and Leon staring at him. "I can't sleep," Riku explained. "I want to take a walk for a little while."

"Not planning on going back to that Witch, are you?" Cloud asked.

"No! I'm done with the Witch! I hate the Witch! To be honest, I hated her all along."

"Sure you did," Leon said.

"Cut the kid some slack, Leon," Cloud said. "I've been in his shoes, once."

"Riku!" Kairi appeared and ran down the hill with him. Aerith followed. "We'll walk with you."

"Well, I was hoping to go alone," he said.

"I think we'd prefer you take an escort," Leon said. "Just to make sure you're not going to the enemy again."

"Fine," he sighed.

"Be careful," Cloud said, looking straight at Aerith."

"We will, Cloud," she replied.

They walked into the forest. "So I guess you couldn't sleep either."

"We're worried about Aslan," Kairi replied. "Aerith and I just have a feeling just hovering over us that something terrible's going to happen to him."

"Can anything happen to him?"

"I think so," Aerith said. "He's been acting strange ever since the Witch got here. He's worried about something."

"So, what are you doing up, Riku?" Kairi asked.

"Well . . . I was thinking about going to see this Stone Table. What the Witch and Aslan were saying about it just made me curious."

"I guess we could start by heading over there." But even as they began heading in that direction, they saw the Lion. His head was bowed, and he walked very slowly. The others began following him from a distance.

Suddenly he stopped and said, "Children, why are you up and following me? You should be resting for tomorrow."

They approached. "We couldn't sleep," Riku replied.

"We are worried about you, Aslan," Kairi said. "What is wrong? Are you sick?"

"No, dear Daughter of Eve, I am sad and lonely," Aslan said.

"Then, please, Aslan, let us come with you."

"I will be glad of your company tonight. Please children, lay your hands on my mane so I know that you are there."

The three of them all put their hands on his mane, as he had instructed. Though they had been told that Aslan was a wild lion, his fur was kempt and soft. Somehow, though, Riku felt something even underneath the fur. It felt as though he had a connection to the Lion's power, his heart. Kairi was trying to hold back tears; she could feel Aslan's deep sorrow.

After a while, Aslan stopped. "I am sorry children, but from here, I must go alone. Make sure no one sees you."

"Is there nothing we can do?" Riku asked.

"Please, Riku, this will be hard, especially for you, but it must be done. Put your trust in me. Thank you all, and farewell." He walked on alone.

"What is he talking about?" Aerith said softly.

"I say we go see for ourselves," Riku whispered. They went in the opposite direction and hid in some bushes.

Before them stretched a numerous crowd of evil specters, almost like the dark side of Aslan's army. Yet this seemed much bigger since it also included a great number of Nobodies. In the middle of the gathering stood the Witch herself. She was in a different garb, a black, flowing dress attached at the shoulder with a black bird's wing, and her silver hair was down. "She looks like a female Sephiroth," Aerith whispered.

"Shh!" Kairi hissed.

Aslan approached the Witch. "So, the fool has come! Tie him down!" Many of the creatures came forth with ropes, but they kept approaching him and then drawing away. "Bind him, I say!" the Witch ordered, raising her hand. At that, the Nobodies at her command took the ropes and did her bidding. Riku expected Aslan to fight back or break the ropes, but he did not. The Nobodies fastened Aslan down to a large structure in the middle.

"You see what that is?" Kairi said. "That's your Stone Table, Riku."

Riku nodded, but from here he couldn't read it. "Shave off his mane!" the Witch ordered. Again, most of the creatures were hesitant and the Nobodies had to initiate the command, but once the shearing began and they saw Aslan as nothing more than a big cat, it became easier for the enemies. They even started taunting him as though they were talking to a little kitty. "Muzzle him!" That order was carried out almost immediately now, since they were no longer afraid of the Lion. Then the Witch gave a cruel, unexpected order, "BEAT HIM WITH CLUBS!"

The girls hid their eyes as Aslan was struck, but Riku saw it all. Every creature standing immediately around the Stone Table struck the lion hard. Aslan made no growls or roars; with the muzzle in his mouth, he sounded like he was whimpering like a dog. The evil creatures' taunts now challenged his power another way. "Hail to the King! So tell us, oh powerful Aslan, who hit you? You say you can save Narnia. Why don't you save yourself?" Riku couldn't help but ponder that same question.

With a wave of the Witch's arm, all fell quiet. She approached Aslan. "Now, who has won?" she said coldly. She used the same tone of triumph as she did when she destroyed Riku's keyblade. "Did you honestly think, Aslan, in your great wisdom, that you were saving the human traitor? Your heart will appease the Deep Magic tonight, but when you are gone, what will stop me from taking Riku's heart as well?" She leaned over, as though she was listening to Aslan whisper something. (Whether he actually said something or if this was an act is not known.) "The Keyblade? Well, Aslan, I am tempted to turn you into a Nobody and have you fight in my ranks tomorrow. But I also know that your protection of the Keyblade Wielder and his precious Keyblade beats in your heart. As long as you live and your presence is near, I cannot harm Sora. Now that your heart will be stone and your presence kept from going forth, you have given me the Keyblade and all of Narnia with it!" The evil creatures cried out in joy. The Witch leaned over again. "I see such despair in your eyes. Good. It will be the last emotion you will feel!" With that, she stabbed Aslan with her wand, and he let out a great cry, and his body petrified. At that, two silent tears streaked down Riku's face. The other two girls were already crying, but Riku was filled with such shock and sadness knowing that Aslan did this for him.

The Witch then addressed her army. "We will attack before dawn! With one surprise attack on our enemies, with their leader gone for good, what have we to fear? Surely it will not take long now, and we will carry the Keyblade back to my palace as a war trophy!" There were many hoots and hollers and cries of evil joy once more. Shortly after, the dark ranks began to retreat.