AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Happy Friday! Just a quick note before we dive in: I am so grateful for all the love in the last chapter.
Thank you to YumeTakato, crestoflight3, Crystal, and Scarlett-95 for your reviews. You have no idea how much they make me smile!
Thank you also to Arika Koski– I can't reply directly as you reviewed as a guest, but to answer your question: Yes? I think? I've rated the story as Teen because of the fantasy violence and mild language. If this story was a movie I would expect it to be a 12A where I'm from, which I think is similar to a PG-13.
Thank you to everyone who is reading, and to everyone who has added this story to their follow or favourite list. I've been bowled over by all the love!
Hope you enjoy today's update.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX | DIVIDE AND CONQUER
Axel swung blindly – one hand slicing his keyblade through the air while the other wiped the sweat from his eyes. His limbs felt like lead, his entire body ached, and he had amassed quite an impressive collection of bruises, scrapes. He had still yet to regroup with Isa, and whilst he had heard several of the others fighting through the throng he hadn't seen anyone since he'd been separated from Kairi.
A heartless clawed at his shoulder and he heard the fabric of his cloak rip. He swore and span on his heel, spearing the shadow and turning it to smoke, but the damage had been done. The sleeve was hanging awkwardly across his upper arm, keeping him from raising his keyblade overhead, and no amount of shrugging and jostling could get the torn fabric to stay in its proper place. He deflected another incoming attack before quickly shrugging his way out of his cloak; the pockets were empty now, and the heartless had already snared his hem several times in an attempt to drag him deeper into the fray. The shadows swarmed across it, clawing and tearing and ripping until the garment had been torn to shreds. It was a short distraction, but it bought him enough time to heal and prepare himself for the next wave of attacks.
It never came.
A pulse of blinding light swept through the Graveyard, slicing clean through the heartless. In the blink of an eye they disappeared, and Axel saw for the first time just how far they'd all been scattered; there were at least several yards of battle-worn ground standing between each of them. He turned on his heel, searching for the source of the light, and when he found it his heart stopped.
Kairi was in the centre of it all, hovering inches above the ground with the Master's keyblade speared through her heart.
The battle came grinding to a halt. Somewhere, Naminé screamed. Axel was numb, unable to tear his eyes away as Kairi collapsed heavily in to the dirt. The Master's keyblade disappeared in a shower of sparks that splashed against her lifeless cheek, and after a moment of stunned silence the Master placed his hands on his hips and leant in to peer down at her.
"Huh," he said, his voice cutting clearly through the silence. "Well that was unexpected." It was enough to snap Axel from his trance and he charged, a scream tearing his throat as he raised his keyblade high overhead. The Master extended a hand behind him, summoning his keyblade to block the attack without ever taking his eyes away from Kairi. Axel stumbled backwards, tripping over his leaden limbs and falling heavily on to his hip. Fire raced up his spine and Axel bit back a curse, clenching his teeth and readying himself for another charge.
As he staggered to his feet a burst of darkness erupted behind the Master and Vanitas exploded out of the shadows. The Master deflected him too, but as Vanitas flew backwards several unversed darted forwards, forcing the Master to turn away and giving Axel the opening he needed. He surged forwards, leaving a trail of fire behind him as he landed his keyblade across the Master's back and sent him staggering forwards. The Master quickly recovered, and he straightened with a sigh. He span sharply, slicing his keyblade through the air and summoning a great gust of wind that knocked the breath from Axel's lungs and sent him tumbling backwards. He skidded to a stop several feet away, wheezing and spluttering weakly in to the dust. He rolled on to his elbow, clutching at his burning lungs and trying not to think about the pain lancing through his shoulder as he lifted his heavy head.
He could see everyone from here. Naminé, on her knees, white as a sheet and clinging to Donald and Goofy who had been struck dumb. Vanitas, dragging himself through the dust, clutching his side and coughing crimson in to the dirt, shadows bubbling around his fingers but never quite taking form. Aqua, holding her shoulder tightly with Terra's head cradled carefully in her lap. Xion and Roxas leaning heavily against each other; one of Roxas' eyes was swollen shut while Xion was holding her wrist close to her chest. Ven, some distance away, tears streaming over the blossoming bruise on his jaw while Luxord knelt at his side, leaning heavily against his keyblade. Isa, alone, still standing despite tremors that left him shaking from head to toe. Mickey, limping towards Riku who stood still as stone, his face pale and horrified as his wide eyes stared at Sora – still drenched in shadows and oblivious to Kairi lying unmoving at his feet.
Each of them looked as battered and broken as Axel felt, while the Foretellers seemed to have barely broken a sweat. Ira, Aced, Invi and Gula had spread themselves in a wide circle; perfectly positioned between the scattered Guardians and their Master. Luxu stood behind Kairi, his arms hanging limply at his sides. His piercing blue eye watched lifelessly as the Master turned his attention back to Kairi who crouched down beside her with a thoughtful hum.
"So where is your heart, princess?" A hand disappeared beneath his cloak and he withdrew the jar containing Sora's heart. He glanced at it, tilting his head this way and that before turning his attention towards Sora. "More importantly, where is the missing piece of his?" He reached a hand towards her and fire erupted in Axel's veins.
"Don't touch her," he grunted, pushing himself to his knees. His body screamed in protest and he saw stars as bile coated his tongue. The Master sighed and twisted, leaning on his knee to watch as Axel slowly hauled his aching body up off the floor.
"Really?" he drawled. "You really still wanna fight me?" Axel drew himself up tall and recalled his keyblade, tightening his trembling fingers around the hilt. The Master chuckled and stood, slipping Sora's heart back inside his cloak. "All right, then. Gimme your best shot." Axel grit his teeth and sucked a sharp breath through his nose before he charged. His steps were slow and heavy, his keyblade three times its usual weight, and as he heaved it over his head he let out a furious, frustrated roar. The swing was slow and weak, and the Master easily shifted out of its path.
"My turn."
It was all the warning Axel got before the Master began a series of blows that left him reeling. There was no pattern to the Master's attack – no discernible rhythm in the way that he fought – leaving Axel with no chance of gaining the upper hand. Within seconds he was on the ground again with the Master towering over him. The Master sighed heavily, resting his keyblade under Axel's chin.
"Is this really how you wanna spend your final days?" he asked. "There are better things to do than fighting. Go home! Spend time with your loved ones!" He stopped suddenly and glanced around with a chuckle. The keyblade fell away and Axel breathed a low sigh of relief. "Then again, I guess they're all here with you, aren't they?" Axel didn't respond; he grit his teeth and tried to sit up, but the Master pressed his keyblade in to Axel's shoulder. The searing pain left him breathless and unable to resist as the Master pushed him back down. "Ah-ah, you stay down. You might not have anything better to do, but I do." He gave Axel's shoulder one last shove before pulling the keyblade away. Axel almost wished he'd left it; the pain was somehow worse without it, and he pressed his hand over the wound with a strained hiss. The skin was unbroken, but the blood below was quickly turning to ice. Axel could feel the shards coursing through his system, working their way in to his heart. Nevertheless, as the Master turned away Axel rolled on to his knees, biting his tongue to keep from screaming.
"Axel!" Xion called. She rose to her feet, but before she'd taken a step Aced was upon her, knocking her back in to Roxas with a single stroke. Axel felt his resolve harden and he planted a foot firmly in the dirt. The Master groaned, his shoulders sagging and his head rolling.
"Can't you just give up?" he moaned.
"Never," Axel grunted. It took every fibre of his being to push himself back to his feet, and he planted his keyblade in the ground to keep from toppling back down again. The Master slumped forwards with a dramatic huff.
"Fine," he grumbled. "Then I guess I'll just have to take care of you first." And then Axel was down again; left flat on his back by an attack he hadn't even seen coming. The Master's keyblade gleamed as he sliced it through the air, bringing it down towards Axel's chest-
CLANG
Isa appeared between them, his claymore quivering from the force of the blow. The Master staggered backwards, his keyblade ringing, though he quickly righted himself with a surprised chuckle.
"That's not a keyblade," the Master remarked. Isa didn't respond, watching as the Master reached out to tap the tip of the claymore. He let out a delighted giggle and bounced on the balls of his feet. "Oh now this is fascinating. I always wanted to see one up close to see if I was right, and I was. I knew it! I bet you don't even know what you've done, do you?" When Isa remained silent he turned to the others. "Do any of you realise how fascinating this is? Anyone?"
Silence. The Master gazed to each of them in turn, and when nobody spoke he planted his fists on his hips and shook his head.
"So many keyblade wielders and not one of you understands," he huffed. He sidestepped and gestured to the claymore as though presenting it to them for the first time. "This weapon is made from his will,just like your keyblades are made from your hearts. Xehanort actually did it; he created weapons that were just like keyblades, only weaker. Weapons of great power that could be called forth at will, but would never be stronger than a keyblade so they could never be his equal. Because a person's will is stronger than a body, but weaker than a heart." He turned back to Isa, banishing his keyblade and folding his arms across his chest. "It's almost a shame, because if it was a keyblade, then I wouldn't be able to do this."
He snapped his fingers and tendrils of darkness snaked their way around the claymore's jagged blade. They tightened – sounding like thorns dragged over glass – before the claymore shattered, disappearing in to shards of light that dissolved in to a pitiful shower of sparks. Isa gasped, clutching at his chest, and the Master shrugged. "What can I say? You should never bring a sword to a keyblade fight."
"You-" Isa wheezed, his shoulders trembling. The Master sighed.
"I guess there really isn't much point in you being here now that you can't even defend yourself," the Master mused. His keyblade reappeared and Axel felt his heart stop as the Master lunged forwards, blade first.
"ISA!"
A blinding flash of light sent Axel diving face-first in to his elbow as several startled cries rang out from the others. There was the distinctive sound of metal clashing against metal, and when Axel peered out from behind his arm he saw Isa – still standing – blocking the Master's keyblade with one of his own.
At first Axel thought he had somehow reformed his claymore; the design was strikingly similar to its Lunatic form, with the blue-edged blade forming the length while the teeth looked much like the claymore did in its berserk mode – a golden cross lined with silver sitting in the centre of a jagged circle, with five enormous, pale blue spikes forming a half-circle on one side.
"Isa…" Axel breathed. Isa merely huffed in response; his attention fixed on keeping the Master's keyblade from coming any closer to his chest. The Master seemed – for the first time – speechless.
"But… how?" he demanded, his voice trembling with fury. "Why would a keyblade choose you-"
"Why not?" Isa grunted. He took advantage of the Master's surprise to push him away, sending the Master staggering back, and Axel caught sight of the golden crescent moon dangling from the keyblade's pommel as Isa wrapped his hands around the hilt. The Master lowered his head with a growl as he flourished his keyblade behind him. He might have charged if not for Kairi who, still prone on the ground, had begun to glow.
It was faint at first – a small bubble of light that blossomed over her heart and slowly spread across her chest – but quickly it grew. Within seconds it had covered her from head to toe before becoming stronger, hiding her from view. The light reached out, swallowing Sora in a bubble that slowly rose off the ground. The higher it soared, the brighter it glowed, until it was a blinding star against the grey sky.
It exploded. Axel forgot how to breathe.
Sora and Kairi floated side-by-side, bathed in the light of two great golden wings that fanned out behind them. The hands between them were clasped tightly together while the others were empty and outstretched. Their eyes were blazing fury as they stared down at the Master who staggered back, a strangled noise rising in his throat.
"How?!" he roared. He reached in to his jacket and withdrew the jar; the heart within still span in lazy circles, and his head jerked back and forth between the jar and the sky. "How can you be-"
Sora and Kairi dropped in to a sharp dive, spiralling towards the Master in a golden blur. The attack was swift and devastating, sending the Master stumbling backwards amidst a cloud of light and feathers. The Master yelped and spluttered before finally colliding with Ira, sending them both tumbling to the ground as Kairi and Sora shot back in to the sky. The wings exploded, sending feathers falling through the air as they dropped hand-in-hand down to the ground. A feather landed over Axel's heart, and his body exploded with a gentle wash of light that soothed the worst of his aches. There were feathers for everyone, it seemed; even the Foretellers who swooned and staggered as the feathers dissolved against their masks, making the blue of their eyes falter for the briefest moment.
By the time Axel was back on his feet (with some much-needed assistance from Isa), Sora was surrounded. The others had crowded around him, smothering him with hugs and squeezes and excitable yelling. Kairi, Axel noticed, had stepped back. She was watching everything unfold with a gentle smile, and was completely unprepared for Naminé who barrelled in to her from behind and wrapped her arms around Kairi's neck with a tearful cry. Kairi caught Axel's eye then, and his heart skipped several elated beats, though before he could speak he was cut off by a burst of darkness that erupted between them. Vanitas folded his arms with a huff.
"I thought I told you not to do anything stupid," he growled. Kairi shrugged sheepishly.
"It wasn't really my choice," she countered as Naminé finally released her, wiping away tears with the heels of her hands. Axel couldn't wait any longer; he swept in, skirting around Vanitas to sweep Kairi in to his arms.
"You have to stop doing this to me," he breathed as he felt her return the hug. She let out a weak half-laugh.
"I'll try my best," she answered. He set her down then and held her at arms' length, scrutinising her from head to toe.
"Are you all right?" he asked. She nodded and smiled.
"I'm okay," she answered, her eyes drifting back towards Sora. Axel didn't miss how Sora glanced back at her, and the pair shared a small smile before Sora was dragged in to another hug. "I really am." And for the first time in a very long time, Axel truly believed her.
Vanitas sniffed and folded his arms.
"While I'm just as delighted as everyone else that Sora's back," he drawled with a scowl, "we do still have a bad guy to beat, remember?" He jerked his thumb over his shoulder to where the Master had untangled himself from Ira and was dragging himself to his feet. The mood shifted in a heartbeat, though Sora remained smiling.
"It's good to see you too, Vanitas," he chuckled. Axel didn't miss the way Vanitas' lips twitched towards a smile that was quickly smothered behind a glare.
"Do you have a plan, Sora?" Riku asked. Sora nodded firmly, glancing to Kairi before he answered. The plan was surprisingly quick to explain, though it would be considerably less simple to execute (and judging by several uncertain glances that passed through the group, Axel wasn't the only one to think so).
"Divide and conquer," said Terra. Sora nodded. "I'll take Aced; we've fought before."
"I'll come with you," said Aqua.
"Then I'll take Ira," Mickey offered. "Donald, Goofy, you fellas should come with me." They both nodded, though not without a longing glance to Sora who gave them a grin in response.
"We'll take Luxu," Roxas said firmly as Xion nodded in agreement.
"Not without me you won't," Axel grunted. "I've been looking forward to the day I can wipe that smirk off his face." He glanced to Isa who nodded in agreement.
"Vanitas and I will take Invi," said Ven. Sora nodded.
"Riku, can you and Luxord handle Gula?" Sora asked. Riku glanced to Luxord who nodded firmly. "Kairi and I will distract the Master. If we can break his hold over his Apprentices, then we should have our chance to trap him."
"We'd better hurry up," Ven suggested, his eyes fixed on the Master who had gathered his Apprentices beside him. The blue eyes of their masks were more vibrant than ever as they raised their keyblades. Sora glanced over his shoulder before turning back to Kairi. Together they lifted their keyblades high, tips touching.
"Heal!" A shower of gold and green sparks erupted, washing over the group as the magic worked away the last of their injuries. It banished the ice from Axel's heart and he rolled out his shoulder, tightening his grip on his keyblade.
"Let's go!" Sora yelled. He and Kairi led the charge, sprinting towards the Master as the others followed close behind. Axel caught one last glimpse of Kairi as she leapt high, catching the Master's eye and distracting him long enough for Sora to knock him off-balance before Axel was forced to turn away. Roxas and Xion had struck Luxu, sending him staggering backwards, and Isa wasn't far behind. Axel planted his feet and placed both hands on the hilt of his keyblade, pulling it in to two chakrams which he sent barrelling towards Luxu.
He enjoyed the look of horror that flashed over Luxu's face a little more than he probably should have, and he didn't try to hide his grin as the keyblades flew back in to his hands. Roxas and Xion had managed to get behind him and were quickly pushing him back towards Axel with Isa keeping him from escaping to the side. The others were driving Ira, Aced, Gula and Invi further afield, and so Axel danced backwards, leaving room for Roxas and Xion to drive Luxu further from his master.
"Now!" Axel exclaimed. Roxas and Xion leapt back as Axel trapped Luxu in a towering inferno. Isa planted himself squarely infront of the blaze with his keyblade lowered. He nodded and Axel let the flames disperse. Isa darted forwards, swinging his keyblade in a two-handed overhand swing. The strike was clumsy and weak – which was to be expected given that it was his first time handling a keyblade of his own – but it was enough to knock Luxu off-balance and into the path of Roxas and Xion who had circled around and darted towards each other, crossing behind Luxu with a synchronised flourish that left him staggering forwards.
The small victory was short-lived. Luxu turned, his blue eye gleaming as his lips curled back in to a feral snarl, and he launched his first assault on Isa who – still coming to terms with adapting his old skills to a new weapon – was left on the defensive. Roxas was quick to intervene, diving in between Luxu and Isa. It left him too close to truly defend himself, and he took several strikes to his arms and shoulders as Isa moved out of the way.
"Roxas!" Xion called as she thrust her keyblade high in to the air. He twisted out of the way of Luxu's next attack and leapt aside as Xion summoned a beam of light that sprang up from the ground and sped towards Luxu. Luxu blocked the attack easily as Xion teleported sideways to summon another, and then another. Luxu kept his guard in place, easily deflecting all three attacks, and when she sent her keyblade spiralling towards him he sent it straight back, catching her by surprise. She stumbled backwards, the keyblade skittering to a stop several feet away, and Isa planted himself firmly in front of her as Luxu began to charge.
Heart's Flame flashed with fire as Axel brought it down on Luxu's back, landing a heavy blow to stop him in his tracks before following up with several lighter hits – an upper slash, a high arc, a diagonal cut that nearly sent him to his knees. He glanced to Isa who nodded slightly before diving in with an attack of his own.
Was Luxu really struggling already? Axel danced back, bouncing back and forth on his toes as he watched the others continue their assault. It seemed impossible for Luxu to break through; with three keyblades against one, working in near-perfect harmony; any time he broke through one attack he was quickly met with another. Could it really be this easy? Xigbar had always been stronger than Axel had expected – Axel had found himself put in his place on more than one occasion by the man's arrowguns, and he hadn't forgotten the condition Kairi had been left in after Luxu had taken her from Radiant Garden – but it truly did seem that they were already well on their way to wearing him down.
Then again… He caught sight of Luxu's eye. The vibrant blue was duller now, with flecks of gold appearing through the cracks. Perhaps they weren't really fighting Luxu, only the Master's control over him.
Axel glanced around at the others. He found Kairi first, and he had to fight every urge to run to her as the Master sent her skidding through the dirt. Sora was quick to take up the fight, keeping the Master's attention and Kairi rolled back to her feet and covered herself with a healing spell before diving back in. They needed backup to keep the distraction going, and sooner rather than later, but that would mean freeing someone up to help them.
Axel turned back to Luxu, watching as he charged at Isa only to be intercepted by Xion who was easily able to push him back. Axel pulled his keyblade in two again, sending the chakrams barrelling towards Luxu followed by a wash of fire that left him stunned and staggering wildly.
"We have to finish this," Axel growled, catching his chakrams as they circled back towards him.
"I agree," said Isa. "The others need our help."
"Then let's do this," Roxas exclaimed. He glanced first to Xion and then to Axel who nodded at them both. His lips curled in to a grin.
"Ready to get wild?" Roxas and Xion grinned back.
"Can't wait," Xion answered. Isa darted out of the way as Axel leapt high in to the air, his chakrams spinning wildly as searing white flames danced over the blades. He sent them flying towards Luxu, trapping him in a circle of fire as Roxas and Xion ran away from each other in a wide circle until they were standing opposite each other.
"Now!" they cried. Axel launched his chakrams again as they charged, slashing at Luxu as they passed and leaving a blazing trail in the dirt behind them. Axel caught his chakrams and immediately sent them flying as Roxas and Xion charged again. They rushed at Luxu over and over, the blazing trails turning like spokes on a wheel, charging at him thirteen times before Luxu let out a strangled cry.
"Big finish!" Axel hollered. Roxas and Xion charged, his keyblades sparking along the ground while hers was held high, and as they crossed Luxu one last time they sent him flying in to the air. Axel darted forwards then, bringing his flaming chakrams slamming in to the ground which erupted with flames.
Luxu collapsed to the ground in a heap, his breathing laboured and his body trembling. They gathered around him, keyblades pointed down towards him as he slowly lifted his head. A gleaming gold eye blinked at them.
"You guys always were… royal pains in my ass…" he grunted. He wheezed a weak, dry laugh in to the dust. "Never thought I'd be thanking you for kicking it."
"Now you be a good boy and stay down while we deal with your friends," Axel ordered. To his surprise Luxu merely waved a weak hand and nodded, his golden eye sliding shut.
"Couldn't help them even if I wanted to," he murmured. Axel glanced to the others, relieved to see his own uncertainty reflected on their faces. A small bubble shield sprouted up over him and Axel danced back, keyblade at the ready, only to find Naminé standing several paces away with a delicate keyblade pointed towards Luxu.
"I'll keep an eye on him," she said before thrusting her keyblade in to the air and casting a healing spell over them. Roxas' mouth was hanging open, his eyes bulging as he took in the delicate forget-me-not teeth and the checkerboard handle.
"Naminé-" Xion breathed.
"You should help the others," she said, turning her attention back to Luxu. Axel stepped closer, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"You sure you'll be all right?" he asked. She glanced up at him and nodded.
"I'll be okay," she answered. Okay. Axel squeezed her shoulder and smiled, his eyes travelling down her keyblade.
"All right," he answered, allowing himself a small smile, "but when this is all over we're gonna talk about this." Naminé's cheeks flushed and he patted her shoulder one last time before turning back to the others. Isa was already eyeing the battlefield, and as Axel fell in beside him he tilted his head towards Gula.
"Riku and Luxord are struggling the most," he said. Axel let his eyes linger over Kairi for a moment before nodding.
"Then let's go," he said. He glanced back at Naminé one last time before following the others.
Gula wasn't particularly strong, but he was certainly fast and cunning, and was easily able to manage both Luxord and Riku (who weren't exactly losing, but they weren't really winning either judging by the frustrated scowls plastered on their faces). Roxas and Xion quickly intervened, crossing infront of Gula and searing a blazing X in to the dirt as Isa leapt across the centre, striking at Gula and catching him off-guard. Riku and Luxord staggered back, and Axel caught Riku's eye.
"Go help Sora and Kairi," he said. "We'll take Gula from here." Riku glanced towards Luxu and Naminé (and Axel didn't miss the shock that flashed across his face) before nodding.
"Luxord," said Riku, "can you help Ven?"
"Of course," he answered. He swung his keyblade through the air twice, sending a barrage of cards and feathers slicing towards Gula before he span on his heel and retreated. Axel watched them both go, keeping an eye on Gula as Roxas and Xion finished another staggering joint attack and Isa quickly added a series of heavy blows to the end. Axel rejoined them then, leaping between Roxas and Xion and draping his keyblade across his shoulder.
"Ready to get wild?"
Ven darted back as Invi pressed the attack, her blows fast and furious. It was a struggle to stay on his feet, and just when he thought he had finally gained an advantage Invi swept her keyblade in a wide circle, summoning a great wave of water that knocked Ven off his feet and sent him tumbling head over heel as the water poured itself in to his lungs.
Something hard collided with his side and he rolled into the dry dirt, coughing up water and gulping in air as Vanitas rolled to his feet beside him, shaking droplets from his hair.
"C'mon," he grunted before melting back in to the floor. The shadow zipped this way and that until it was beneath Invi who, despite her best attempts to dodge the attack, was unable to defend herself when Vanitas sprang up from the floor. He sliced his keyblade down towards her and sent her staggering back towards three jagged spears of ice that sprouted up from the ground. She twisted deftly out of the way, and as Vanitas brought his keyblade down a second time she summoned a wall of ice that wrapped itself around the blade, tearing it from his hands. Vanitas disappeared in a flash of crimson, reappearing behind her and recalling his keyblade to attack her from behind.
"Need a hand?" Luxord was standing over him, offering his free hand to Ven who took it gratefully.
"Thanks," he said, summoning Wayward Wind back in to his grasp. "What about Gula?"
"The others are taking care of him," Luxord answered. "I thought you might need a little help over here." Ven nodded, relieved.
"She's not strong, but she's fast and she uses a lot of magic," he explained, glancing at Luxord from the corner of his eye. "Are you gonna be all right against her?" Luxord smirked, his eyes fixed on his target.
"I'm a little rustier than I used to be, I'll admit," he answered, "but it's all coming back to me." And with that he ran forward, his keyblade at his hip ready to catch Invi by surprise and knock her in the air where Vanitas was quick to flatten her back down to the ground.
Ven darted forward, catching Invi as she drew herself back to her feet and leaving her dancing backwards. This time when she skirted around him he was ready; he twisted and leapt back, using Strike Raid to catch her in the side. She flinched sideways with a hiss, a spell forming at the tip of her keyblade, but Luxord intercepted. He twisted his keyblade around hers and sent it spiralling through the air while Vanitas sprang up in front of her, spinning wildly and summoning balls of dark fire that rained down around him and seared Invi's robes. She doused herself in water to extinguish the flame and Vanitas thrust Void Gear into the downpour, turning it to ice and freezing Invi inside.
"Nicely done," Luxord complimented. Vanitas sneered at him out of the corner of his eye before darting forwards, catching Invi as she freed herself from the ice. Luxord tilted his head slightly, a curious frown playing across his face. "Even with my memories restored, I still fail to see how he came from you." Ven chuckled, watching as Vanitas continued to keep Invi on her toes with barrages of fireballs and towering spears of ice.
"It's a long story," Ven answered, scratching the back of his neck. "One that I think I'm finally starting to understand." He glanced at Luxord then, studying him from head to toe. His memories were still settling, and he couldn't say with any certainty that he had them all back, but so far he hadn't been able to place Luxord in any of them. He shifted his weight and cocked his head. "So did we… know each other?"
"You don't remember?" Luxord asked, and the flash of pain that lanced through his eyes made Ven's stomach churn.
"I-I, well, everything's still one big jumble," he stammered, "but I'm… I can't place your face." Luxord glanced down at himself, as though seeing himself for the first time, and when he looked up it was with a sly smirk.
A fireball cut between them and Ven leapt back with a yell, turning to scowl at Vanitas who was scowling right back.
"If you to are done gossiping, we have work to do," he spat. Invi's keyblade caught him in the shoulder and he whirled on her with a furious roar. Ven paled.
"Sorry, Vanitas!" he called, diving back in to the fight, taking the heat to give Vanitas a moment to breathe. There was, after all, every chance that their memories were still divided. Perhaps Vanitas would known how they knew Luxord.
Invi leapt high over Ven, her keyblade sparking against his as she twisted in the air and landed in a deep crouch. Ven darted towards her and she danced back, impossibly fast. Her keyblade lanced out towards him and he twisted, feeling the chill of the blade as it slid harmlessly across his shoulder. He rolled with the blow, spinning out of it and catching Invi with a backhanded swing that sent her stumbling backwards towards Luxord who wasted no time in launching an assault of his own.
It quickly became clear that whoever Luxord had been in his past life, he had been as adept with a keyblade as Luxord now was with cards. The golden studs gleamed as he expertly wove the keyblade back and forth, leaving Invi unable to break through his assault. She took each blow in her stride, matching his skill with hers, and Ven wondered if they might have gone on forever if not for Vanitas who's barrage of darkness made her trip over the hem of her robes.
Ven threw his keyblade in another Strike Raid, leaping forward as Luxord leapt back. Together Ven and Vanitas pressed forward, driving Invi back as the blue in her mask's eyes began to flicker flashing green and gold – so fast Ven almost missed it.
"Behind you!" Luxord cried. Ven span, finding Luxord staring down the length of his keyblade towards Invi, his face the picture of pure focus. Ven grabbed Vanitas, tugging him out of the way as Luxord swept his keyblade in a wide arc and leapt high in to the air, firing a barrage of silver cards and crimson feathers towards Invi who staggered back, falling to her knees.
Ven frowned, his eyes travelling to the ground where a feather had come to rest across his boot. He bent down to pick it up, running it through his fingers as something urgent pressed against his brain, fighting for freedom. The familiar feather faded, and at long last Ven finally placed it amongst his memories.
"Brain?!" Ven blurted. Luxord turned and smirked over his shoulder, and Ven felt the world begin to spin as the memories rushed to the surface, though it was still a challenge to try and match the slender, dark-haired Brain from his memories to the broad blond before him. "But… how?!"
"It's a long story," he parroted with a mischievous smile. "One that I think I'm finally starting to understand." Ven could only laugh, and as he deflected a barrage of ice he grinned at Luxord.
"You and I will have to catch up when this is all over," he said. Luxord nodded with a smile.
"I look forward to it."
"Ven!" Vanitas barked. There was a light blossoming on Vanitas' chest – a small pearl of blinding white light. Ven glanced down, finding a similar orb sitting over his own heart, only his was black as night. The two seemed to be pulling towards each other, and as he recalled his keyblade he felt his heart – and Vanitas' – swell. They raced towards each other, and when their hands collided the orbs exploded in a wash of light and darkness. They twisted, pointing their keyblades towards Invi and releasing two beams that lanced towards her – darkness and light in equal measure, twisting around each other like snakes, until they hit their target and erupted.
Vanitas let go and Ven staggered, planting his keyblade into the ground and leaning heavily against it. He glanced over to Vanitas who was swaying slightly but holding his ground nonetheless with his keyblade clutched firmly at his side. Their eyes met, and Ven felt something shift in their connection as Vanitas let go of a little of his darkness, replacing it with a sliver of Ven's light.
When the light and the darkness dispersed they found Invi lying in the dirt, the eyes of her mask yellow once more. Ven was the first to move, making his way to stand over her with his keyblade hanging at his side.
"We trusted you," he said. "We trusted in the Wisdom of the Foretellers-"
"And we trusted our Master," Invi breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. She lifted her head and Ven's eyes traced the glaring fissure that ran down the centre of her mask. "I see now… why you were chosen…" And with that she let out a heavy breath, her head lolling to the side.
"We should help the others," Luxord said firmly. Ven quickly scouted the Graveyard; Riku had joined Sora and Kairi in distracting the Master, while Axel and the other former Nobodies were still wearing down Gula.
"We should split up," Ven said, watching Aqua and Terra struggle against Aced. He turned to Luxord. "Go help Mickey, Donald and Goofy with Ira. We'll take Aced." Luxord gave a sharp nod before turning on his heel and sprinting towards his next target with a spell on his lips. Ven thrust his keyblade high and cast a healing spell that eased the aches in his fingers and sealed the grazes on Vanitas' cheek. Vanitas' lips curled in to a half smile – the closest to a 'thank you' that Ven was likely to get.
"Ready, brother?" Vanitas asked, his eyes ablaze. Ven nodded.
"Ready."
Hope you weren't expecting a quick finish to this fight…
See you next time!