Final Fantasy XV - Kingdom Hearts

Part 13

Summary: Two warriors of Light, the Chosen King and Keyblade Master, face an unseen Darkness.

Three days later…

Following the events in Lestallum, mostly on the story with sightings of Prince Noctis within the area, the empire eventually lifted the lockdown of the town two days later. A Niflheim diplomat had been seen on the news and heard on the radio about the situation although much of the story was an allegory and twisted truths.

They even stated the man in charge of the lockdown was under harsh reprehension for their actions and cause of discomfort to the people of the town. Although many of the people, more so those who were under the empire's thumb, knew this was reprehension was no more lethal than a slap to the wrist.

Regardless they may have left the town but there was still the platoon that was fixed on chasing the party despite their orders to return to base. Caligo's ego was damaged not only because he failed to capture Noctis, but the fact he mistook another boy for the prince, which will no doubt spread into the military and he'd become the next laughingstock, and that would even trump Loqi's failure. Therefore, he sent what he could to hunt them down and bring as many of them as they could, dead or alive.

Forced on the run, the party had made it to a small motel to drop off Iris and the other civilians for safety and after ensuring they had the empire's attention they sped off on the roads and into the region, using the dense forests to hide from the eyes in the skies and when the magiteks were on foot, pick them off platoon at a time.

They kept this tactic up for a few days until either the emperor himself demanded all forces would return to HQ or they just gave up and just cut their losses.

On the fourth day morning, Ignis had received a call from Cor telling them Lestallum had finally been depleted of magitek soldiers and even nobodies. Which was a huge relief for the ten, seeing as they have been on the constant move to avoid getting trapped by the empire's forces and at the same time to keep them on the party to prevent the soldiers from finding Iris.

After the call and dispensing the news to the group, there was a huge relief and weight lifted from their shoulders.

'Finally, talk about persistent!', Prompto cheered, falling on his backside, 'No more running away from the magiteks!'.

'Better running away than constantly fighting them', Aqua quipped tiredly, stretching.

'I'm just glad it's done and over with, least now we can take a breather for now', Noctis said, rolling his shoulders. 'On the contrary, Noct, we've an opportunity to obtain a royal arm', Ignis remarked.

The prince looked at the advisor as he pulled out the map from his pocket and laid it upon the table. 'Recent reports from the hunters state they found a potential royal tomb within Malmalam Thicket', he explained, pointing the map. 'We're not too far from it either and with the empire retreating they'll be scarce in this region'.

Noctis let out a huge groan, along with Prompto. 'Aww, can't we just wait until another day?', Prompto whined.

'Yeah, we've been evading and fighting the empire for three days now!', Noctis agreed. 'I'm kinda on Ignis' side on this', Riku pitched in. The two boys looked at him as he folded his arms. 'Look it at this way, all we'll have to worry about is wild animals and heartless, if we get it done as quick as possible, we'll avoid any daemons'.

'Riku's right, and without nobodies too boot', Aqua said.

'And like Iggy said, we're not too far from it too, may as well grab it while we've got some breathing space', Gladiolus said with a nod. Donald and Goofy nodded in agreement, despite their exhaustion they couldn't deny they had an opportunity right in their hands. Noctis and Prompto though looked like they were trying to come up with an excuse, but then Sora threw his arms around Aqua and Riku's shoulders with a grin.

'Sides, you got two keyblade masters and two keyblade pros! With us, Donald and Goofy, this will be quick!', he said with confidence. Aqua smiled at the boy as Riku rolled his eyes, but none the less he nodded with agreement. The two boys looked at one another, before with a sigh/groan, Noctis nodded. 'Alright…let's go then', he said, surrendering.

'After breakfast, we'll head off around noon', Ignis said, clapping his hands and heading to the cooker. 'Need some help?', Aqua asked, joining him already. Given that he was now cooking for ten, Ignis nodded and they started to work while Gladiolus and the other two anthropomorphic helped get the tables stacked and ready. Riku turned to Sora, noticing they were one head short. 'Where's Kairi?', he asked.

'Oh, she's still in the tent', Sora said, pointing to the one in the middle, 'Aqua left her get some more sleep. Said she was out like a light when she hit the pillow'. Riku nodded in understanding, remembering unlike them Kairi wasn't used to such excessive hours like them, despite what he heard about her battles with the heartless and daemons. Even he was still feeling the tiredness tugging at him, only stayed by the caffeine running in his blood.

'Well go see if she wants to join us for breakfast, she'll need a full stomach for the day. And I'm sure she'll appreciate something other than cup-a-noodles', Riku said, smirking when he sees Gladiolus turned to him. 'She just doesn't appreciate the good stuff!', he argued.

'How do you eat that stuff so easily? I think I ate more oil than noodles!', Riku taunted playfully.

'Talk crap about the noodles again boy, see what happens!', challenged Gladiolus.

Sora laughed at the two as Riku kept slandering the delicious noodles, and more promises of misfortune from Gladiolus, he approached the tent and opened the flap to enter it. Inside, he sees Aqua's sleeping bag neatly made, as he expected, and sees Kairi still in hers though it was held up to her cheeks. Curious Sora knelt near her, gently shaking her. 'Kairi? Kairi, wake up', he whispered. No sense in startling her.

Kairi murmured something and tugged tighter on her bag, like she trying to block off his voice. Sora blinked at this, surprised how stubborn she was being. Unlike him and Riku, she was a very light sleeper. Sora knew if you so much as sighed she'd wake up in a heartbeat, or even if something like a feather fell on the ground she'd be up, it made his attempts for a late-night snack trickier with her as a roommate.

'Kairi, time to wake up', he said, shaking her shoulder. Kairi groaned before her eyes fluttered open though Sora was surprised to see how much effort she was displaying just to open them. The girl rubbed her eyes tiredly and slowly, looking at Sora. 'Morning…', she said, though her voice was hoarse and sounded like she struggled to get the word out. Kairi must have noticed because she started to clear her throat, even that looked like a struggle.

'You ok?', Sora asked.

Before he touched her, she waved him off. 'Yeah, yeah…sorry, just a little groggy, that's all', she said. Retracting his hand, the boy gave her some space as she sat up.

'Iggy and Aqua are just making breakfast there, I'm just here to see if you wanted something other than Gladio's cup-a-noodles', he said. After calling them by their full names from the start the Gladiolus was insistent that he'd start using the nicknames, more so Sora guessed since they helped save his sister and butler. Sides it was easier than using "Gladiolus" all the time. Kairi lightly giggled at him, smiling tiredly. 'I don't know how he could live off that stuff…', she sighed.

As she and Sora exited the tent, Sora took note of how sluggish she was moving and even noted that it looked like she was trying to stay steady on the way out. Maybe he should let her sleep a little longer he thought as she stretched out weakly in the open air.

Several "morning" greetings and a few jabs here and there as breakfast was served, a simple oatmeal with honey and fruit of various choices as they all sat at around the campfire. While the others were conversing with one another about a few topics here and there, like Prompto explaining to Riku what "Bust a Base" is.

The silver head was given a shake of the head by all three of royal retinue, which only gave him a bad feeling he was gonna want to walk away from that conversation…

All the while Kairi was slowly stirring her oatmeal until the honey mixed in it but sorely wished she reframed from doing that when it took a stickier and gooier look to it. Her stomach churned at the sight of her breakfast, even the smell was making her nauseous on its own. While it wasn't her first choice of a meal Kairi enjoyed a well-made oatmeal with honey, and Ignis made a great one last time she ate, but now its as if the mere thought of putting it in her mouth was the most revolting thing she could do.

She shook her head, letting her mind wander wasn't going to change her appetite and besides, she needed the energy for today. Kairi scooped up a morsel of the gooey food and eat it, but the very moment her tongue tasted the substance, she mustered all her will not to gag or worse, spit it out. It was like swallowing poison and her stomach rebelled at her. She swallowed it, shuddering subtly as she wanted to throw up.

She must have overreacted because the moment she let out a breath, Goofy looked at her. 'What's wrong?', he asked quietly, not wanting to get everyone's attention. She was grateful for that and his consideration. With a weak smile, she turned to him. 'N-Nothing, sorry. I think I just added too much honey', she whispered back, 'My sweet tooth got the better of me again, haha'. Goofy gave her a nod, despite knowing Ignis was the one who poured the honey in at a reasonable amount and Kairi hadn't even touched the jar of honey.

The knight watched her attempting to eat, but everyone time she puts oatmeal in her mouth she had this look of disgust on her innocent face and even swallowing it looked like she was struggling. Concern swelled in him as he turned to the watchful eye of Gladiolus, who shared the same knowing look at the captain. Ignis looked between them and when he sees Kairi swallowing her fourth teaspoon worth of oatmeal, his brow furrowed with concern.

After her fifth teaspoon of oatmeal which was getting smaller and smaller with each scoop, Kairi couldn't stomach any more and just quietly whilst everyone (she assumed) was deep into conversation with one another, she approached the table and placed her bowl that looked almost untouched back on it. She jumped slightly to see Ignis by her side, his own empty.

His smile was soft and genuine as his eyes carried worry. Sheepishly Kairi looked down, rubbing her arm. 'Sorry…', she mumbled, a wave of guilt washed over her. 'Think nothing of it, what isn't eaten today can be used for later', he assured her. 'However, I should have asked if you liked oatmeal'.

'Oh no, I do, and yours was delicious', she promised, 'Its just…I'm not hungry'.

'That's fine, but I would feel better if you would have at least eaten a fruit before we go', he asked, 'It'll be quite the ride to the thickets, and we'll be searching for the tomb for a while'.

Looking at the fruits in the tupper wear, she held back her groan and while having the advisor watching her, Kairi plucked a red apple from it and to sate her concerned friend took a hefty bite out of it. She gave him a thumbs up and walked away while he cleans up at his insistence, she approached the edge of the Haven and after checking the others were still busy, she subtly dropped the apple into the large towers of the grass and swallowed her chewed apple with another shudder.

No sooner did it hit the bottom of her stomach, she almost wanted to spit it out. A wave of nausea rose in her stomach and she even felt like vomiting it up but swallowed it back down. Kairi took a deep breath to relax and settle herself, she was just not at a hundred percent she mentally assured herself, she was still waking up. Maybe it was the three days of running and fighting had finally caught up with her, and again she was the less experienced one so perhaps she's still adjusting.

One more inhale, she exhaled and returned to the others.

Once breakfast was eaten and dishes washed, they broke camp and headed for the Regalia and car, luckily the thicket was at least only three hours away from their location, so they used the chocobos to transport the remaining.

This time Gladiolus and Prompto took to the birds at the giant's offer, letting Kairi and Sora sit in with Noctis and Ignis in the car as everyone else piled into Aqua's own. The drive was quiet and soothing as the cloudy day hinted at rain, but the cool summer breeze was soothing them, more so for Kairi who leaned into her seat with her elbows resting on the door, her head resting upon them. Exhaustion was eating her; she felt her eyes growing heavy as the world passed them by.

Deciding if she rested, she'd be more fit for the trek, Kairi allowed herself to drift away into a slumber.

Malmalam Thicket

An insistent tap on something metallic stirred her from her not so peaceful sleep, Kairi opened her eyes to see Prompto looking at her. 'Bad news, we're here', he laughed. Kairi blinked wearily at him before she sat up and looked around her surroundings to find they were in what looked to be a forest just ahead of them with a Haven luckily nearby a small car park.

Kairi rubbed her eyes tiredly, a dizzy sensation was fogging her mind as she felt like her balance just disappeared on her. She opened the door of the Regalia and exited out of it while Prompto waited for her. 'Where, where are the others?', she asked. She didn't relish the fact her voice sounded like she was trying to cough up something, nor the fact it felt very dry.

'Just by the bridge down the path, Iggy wanted to make sure we're all good to go before we start looking', he explained. 'And lucky us, no imperials were around'.

Least she didn't have to worry about being ambushed by more of those bucket heads.

She and Prompto proceeded down the pathway to find the others have indeed been waiting at the bridge ahead of them. There were waves and some greetings amongst the teasing she got for sleeping in, but unknown to Kairi, Riku and Aqua were taking a good look at her.

'So, there's a royal arm somewhere in there?', Donald asked, pointing to the forest across the bridge.

'That's what the Marshal told me, and so far, most of the reports from the hunter's have been fairly accurate', Ignis assured as they all started to cross the bridge.

'How many times did you guys go looking for one only to find nothing?', Riku asked.

'Six times. Hope today's not the seventh wonder', Gladiolus remarked with a chuckle.

With Kairi trailing behind, she shook her head as they crossed the bridge, attempting to look around the forest to distract this weak sensation that was starting to tug on her body. Every step felt like she was walking a mile and her limbs were pleading for her to just stop despite not even starting the real trial of the day, and that trial was making her up the massive hill before them. Every fiber of her being was all it took for her not to cry.

Upwards they went, some making conversations while others were taking in the scenery and even taking a few pictures. Kairi was more focused on just motivating herself to keep going with the thoughts of getting back to the sleeping bags. She turned into a conversation between Riku and Gladiolus just to keep her mind off the trek, and despite not giving two Chocobo eggs what their topic was she tuned in intently just to keep herself going.

'Didn't think Iris was into outdoors', Riku hummed, 'She never really talked about it'.

'Yeah, I know, but you'd be surprised. I remember once she caught a frog when we were just camping near a lake back home', Gladiolus chuckled. 'She wanted to take the little monster home, but pops was adamant she'd return him home'.

'Why? Was he just teaching her frogs aren't pets?', Riku asked.

'Ahh hell no, pops was just a wimp with those things!'.

Riku laughed in response. They kept talking about various other topics that Kairi find mostly boring or just not her thing, but it kept her mind off her aches. As time went on they came to a small forested corridor that leads further into the cavern, which they deduced would likely be where the royal tomb resided. Great, she thought to herself, least they were getting closer.

Walking into the corridor there was more greenery than rock she noticed, moss-covered walls with vines dangling from all over and several patches of green were all over the place as well as grass covering the path mostly. 'Be on the lookout for anything', Gladiolus stated, greatsword out and ready, 'Last thing we need is an ambush in the corridor'.

Kairi couldn't agree more.

Then as they were likely halfway through the corridor, Aqua stopped everyone, raising her hand. When there was silence, she gestured to a peculiar looking plant just nestled before a tree. It looked more like a houseplant with its large green leaves and tiny purple flower amidst it sure, but the blue-haired master's eyes narrowed. Next thing they knew Aqua tossed her keyblade at it, and sure enough when the blade bounced off the tree a large beast leaped out of the ground, the house plant attached to its head.

'Ambush!', Aqua yelled as more started to surround the ten from all around.

Kairi summoned Destiny's Embrace as everyone drew their weapons, hands both clenched around the handle as two mandrakes prowled near her, hissing and snarling at her. She glared back as her hands shook and sweat ran down her forehead, but she shook her head stubbornly and ran at them.

One of the drakes swung its claws at her, she parried it and struck back with a stab of her keyblade. The blade missed the center of the head, but the teeth of her weapon managed to cut the monster's face enough to warrant a retreat from her. Kairi turned to the other too late and received a claw to her stomach, cutting cloth and flesh and the force knocked her back to the wall with a heavy thud.

Kairi hissed in pain, clutching her stomach and the urge to vomit was growing, but when the wild beast attempted to rip her open came, she met its charge with a wild swing of the keyblade. The blade carved through the monster as she pushed herself off the wall and moved to the right, cutting the monster and letting it crash into the wall.

Her steps became unbalanced and she staggered, almost losing her footing altogether with all the rocks in her way. Kairi lifted her keyblade to cast cure, yet even her magic was seemingly weakened for the green light was brief and while her wounds closed, she felt one poke could open them again. To make things worse, she felt even weaker when the spell ended. Kairi gritted her teeth as she raised her head to see the mandrake leaping at her, but only for it to then be tackled by Gladiolus' shield. He smashed the beast aside and away from the princess.

The giant turned to Kairi. 'You ok?', he asked, but his eyes narrowed when he sees just how weak she looked. Kairi nodded weakly regardless, then she turned to the fallen mandrake and fired a pearl at it while it was on its side. The spell finished it off quickly, and once it lied still, Kairi again felt more fatigue from the casting and was then forced to use her keyblade as a walking stick to keep her up.

Another drake leaped out from the shadows of the corridor, to which Gladiolus greeted it with a two-handed swing of his sword and not only did he sink the edge of his sword into it but he sent it flying away from them. He grunted though as more started to gang up on the two, figuring out that Kairi was vulnerable as opposed to fighting fully prepped and able-bodied prey. Kairi growled as her body seemed to fight against her mind's orders, holding her keyblade up and ready for more.

Just in the nick of time, the drakes were then rushed by Goofy and Noctis, the captain tackling them like a football player while Noctis started to shoot at them with his pistol, picking off the ones Goofy couldn't hit. As the drakes turned onto the more immediate threats, they left themselves open to Kairi to charge in and cut her way past them, forgoing her magic to conserve what pathetic amount of energy she had left at this point.

As the drakes' numbers dwindled, the remaining pack started to flee the fight all together while the ones stubborn enough were brought down one by one thanks to the party. After that and once they were certain there was no more need to worry for any wilder beasts, they resumed the trek with more desire to find an open space.

All the while Kairi was forcing herself to keep going despite her aches and new stinging sensation of her wounded stomach, refusing to fall behind. She wiped the sweat off her forehead though, surprised it was getting hotter here when just outside was a manageable coolness. Through the corridor, they came to a stream and a Haven just nearby. Breathing quietly to herself, Kairi grimaced when they had to walk through the stream, holding back a squeak from the cool water splashing against her exposed legs.

'How far do you think the tomb is?', Noctis asked, looking to Ignis.

'I'm not sure, with luck not much farther', he replied.

'Guys, we've got trouble!', Prompto yelled.

Ahead of them at the top of the stream, there were a mixture of beasts seemingly waiting for them all, a giant toad (It took all Kairi's will not to scream in disgust) giant wasps, two more mandrakes and two large crabs.

'Hey Gladio, think Iris would wanna adopt THAT frog?', Riku laughed.

'I can hear my old man screaming in his grave…', Gladiolus chuckled. 'But for the love of Astrals, DON'T tell Iris this!'.

They all charged into the fight, spreading out to cover more ground and keep the monsters busy with their foes. Kairi went with Ignis and Goofy to deal with the giant frog, against her better judgment for sure. The toad's mobility was limited luckily due to its massive size and with Ignis and Kairi constantly attacking it they gave no chance for it to leap away, but attacking its side was risky as Kairi was nearly turned into a pancake when it attempted to put its massive size to use.

When she evaded its body rolling attack, she stood in front of it, which then made it reel its head back and then ejected its very elastic tongue at her. Kairi lifted her keyblade to block it, but that was a bad choice because the force of it knocked her off her feet and down the stream in a tumble. Kairi rolled and bounced off the ground, her vision was hit by the various amount of water her body splashed onto herself and she couldn't get her bearings.

As she tumbled to the waterfall, her body slide off it and was in the air. Before she fell, her hand was caught, and she bumped into the edge of the waterfall. Looking through the water that splashed against her, Sora was holding her hand as tight as humanly possible while his left hand was holding onto the keyblade stabbed into the stream. The look of determination in his eyes almost left her speechless as he grunted, pulling her back up.

Once she was back on the edge of the waterfall, she fell on her knees, shaking. Sora knelt near her, hands on her shoulders gently which prompted her to look up at him. 'Are you ok?', he asked, his voice was heavy with worry and he was panting too. She figured he probably saw her at the very last minute when she was attacked and practically flew down here to save her.

Kairi looked down, shaking and she could feel tears welling up in her eyes. Wordlessly, she shook her head. 'No…no I'm not…', she confessed. Everything hurts, she was exhausted, and she felt like she could vomit everything she's eaten for the past few days. She was being beaten by the wildlife like it was her first day on the job, she was delaying the team and worst of all, Sora had to push himself to save her again.

'Kairi…', Sora whispered gently, taking her into his arms as she sat there. It was only when he felt her skin against his own did Sora realize just how hot she felt against his cooler skin, and thus prompted him to look at her face to face. He sees the sweat, new and dried, on her face, how pale she looked and weariness that could only be described as dead tired.

'Kairi, why didn't you tell me you were sick?', he questioned, not harshly but with genuine worry in his tone.

'I…I didn't…I thought I was just…', she said, but words failed her. Shrugging in defeat, Kairi said: 'I don't know. I thought it wasn't anything'.

Sora gently flicked her forehead, making her whine in response. 'You doofus…', he chastised softly. He helped her to her feet just as the others joined them, each other panting. 'Everyone ok?', Ignis asked, eyeing Kairi.

'No, Kairi's sick', Sora announced.

Before Kairi could squeak a response, Aqua was already on her like doting mother, checking her for everything, anything and something. She sighed. 'He's right, she's burning up', Aqua revealed. Kairi again opened her mouth, but Ignis pointed out the Haven. 'Then we can set up camp here', Ignis announced. 'Noct, take a few of the others with you and see if the tomb is ahead'.

'Sure, who wants to keep exploring the place and find worse beasts to fight?', the prince asked jokingly.

Once the camp was set up, Kairi was immediately put into a tent with Aqua and Sora, the latter being there more so for emotional support (truthfully, she just wanted him there for comfort). Aqua had some medicine on her, courtesy of Ignis earlier, and after some check-ups, properly healing her wound and even added some soothing magic to help relax her stomach. 'That should help soothe your body, and once you sleep the magic will start fighting back the illness', Aqua explained, placing the medicine beside her. 'Just take one after you wake up to be safe'.

Kairi nodded as her master left the tent, leaving the two teens alone in the tent, Sora sitting near her as Kairi laid down. The princess let out a sigh as she looked to the ceiling in defeat, eyes downcast in sadness as aside from her pride taking a kick, she knew they were delayed because of her. Her musings were broken when Sora gently stroked her cheek, earning her attention. 'Don't worry, the others aren't going to hold this against you', he promised. 'At the very least we aren't trapped or in a really bad spot'.

Kairi pouted though, not exactly feeling like she hadn't caused some form of annoyance to their friends. Sora then leaned in and pecked her cheek, ruffling her hair. 'I'll be outside if you need me, alright? Just yell if you need me', he said. But before Sora could even get off the ground, Kairi caught his arm, giving him a puppy look. '…stay?', she asked quietly, shrinking with each second passing. Kairi felt ashamed of her neediness, but being sick and weak, she needed him by her side.

With a friendly smile that warmed her heart, Sora laid down beside her in the bag, letting her warm-up against him in peace.

Noct's Group

'I'm telling you, I'd be a five star!', Prompto argued.

'Heh right…you'd probably be one of those rare but garbage tier characters', Noctis argued.

' *GASP* How dare you! Riku, did you hear that!?', Prompto said aghast.

'Guys…you DO know this is all going over my head right?', he asked, chuckling. 'What the heck are "five stars" and "garbage tier"?'.

'Wait…have you even played King's Knight?', Prompto asked, stopping in his spot. Even Noctis ceased his walk and looked at Riku with the most serious look he'd ever seen from the man. 'No?', Riku asked.

He wished he kept his mouth shut.

'WHAT!?', gasped the blonde, almost horrified.

'No way! We're gonna fix this!', Noctis decreed. 'Soon as we get back to camp, we're installing that on your phone!'.

Riku rolled his eyes as his friends started to go on about KK, he gave Donald and Goofy a looked that said: "what have I done". They, bless them, gave him sheepish grins and shrugs, just as clueless as he was. While Noctis was strongly saying he'd be a seven-star character, Riku was concentrating on the task at hand. The sooner they get the royal arm the sooner that they can take Kairi out of this place and somewhere she can recuperate. Once the climbed the hill that lead out the cave, Gladiolus was ahead of them, yelled out the tomb was just up ahead.

They sprinted upwards to the top and sure enough, there was indeed a royal tomb. But that wasn't all. Before the tomb was a large beast laying down on its side, deceased. A Bandersnatch from what Riku remembered from reading one of the bestiaries Ignis carried and loaned him, and judging from the kill it looked fresh. They approached the creature to confirm it, and indeed it was deceased.

'Sweet! No boss battle!', Prompto cheered with a grin. 'Lucky us!'.

Yet the others didn't seem to think so, instead, Riku and Gladiolus looked more tense. 'Hate to burst your bubble Prom, but we're not out of the woods yet', Gladiolus grunted. '…did you just make a pun?', Prompto asked.

'He means Prompto, something isn't right', Riku said before Noctis could comment. 'What? We didn't have to fight this thing! What's the issue?', questioned the blonde.

'Simple, we didn't kill it…someone else did', Gladiolus said. 'And say this thing or person killed it and is still around, who could be a problem?'.

'And they say the big tough guy is usually the stupid one'.

They turned around to the entrance, and standing on top of it was likely the hunter.

'Good to see you again, kiddo', Xigbar greeted…

A/N:

All this from scratch! One day it took! God damn it I need to plan better…

Q1: Do you all like how Kairi's written in this? I love this character and while I feel like Nomura should do more with her, I still think she's a good character in the series. Just downplayed and underused.

Q2: Thinking of paring Riku with Iris…

Q3: Are you guys enjoying how these chapters are structured?

As always, thanks for reading! Stay Awesome but more importantly stay Safe!