Reikarth pulled together every semblance of a brain cell she had in her head and set it towards making a plan. Donald and Goofy were right behind her, and while the steady euphoria was still buzzing in her chest Reikarth pushed her excitement down in lieu of focusing on how the story was supposed to go. They were currently headed toward the balcony that Donald and Goofy were supposed to jump off of to join Sora, Reikarth figuring that since she knew how to get there through memory alone it would be an easy place to start. She even had a plan to get them to fall off of it according to the cutscene, though it felt kind of… mean. From there she had no idea where to go, she had a Keyblade, that seemed sign enough that she should help Sora but every time the thought of joining him came up she felt sick. There was no way she could help, not against the Heartless or any of the future foes he would encounter. More appealing to her mind was the desire to find a place to hide and never think about responsibility again.
Her feet finding their way up the steps of the balcony on their own Reikarth realized she was running out of time. Slamming back on her heels as she came to the edge she closed her eyes and prayed to the gods of slapstick comedy that this would work.
Donald and Goofy came racing out from behind her, and she could feel the wind as they passed her. Opening her eyes she saw them sail over the edge, true to their cartoon origins. Donald letting out a betrayed yell as they went over. Reikarth winced as a loud crash came from below, as well as a yelp of pain from Sora. Rude for sure, but her plan was effective and she didn't have to speak. Falling back into the relative safety of the shadows Reikarth watched as the Trinity Trio united for the first time, her gaze not even broken by the Guard Armour assembling itself like a Gundam.
Memories of doing the same thing at school break flitted through her head and she crushed them hastily. This was different, she wasn't fringing on the edge of a friend group and this wasn't a game. It was easier this way, she didn't have to explain herself to anyone and she wouldn't get in the trio's way, which she would absolutely would; seeing how good they fit together.
Donald, Goofy and Sora didn't function together perfectly, but they still fought much better than she could. Watching them from the top of the balcony was almost educational, creating a ball of guilt and desire. She really didn't know anything about fighting.
Sora wasn't exactly fighting pretty, but it was still leagues more effective than her own crazed swings. Donald threw spells out willy nilly, fires, thunders and blizzards casted with ease compared to her limited ability, and Goofy? She winced as he threw himself literally headfirst at the enemy, No. It almost made her angry, how was Sora already so much better at the Keyblade then she was?
Shaking herself Reikarth began sneaking back down to Second Street, she could only glean so much from watching, and the longer she stuck around the more likely it was that someone would notice her. Leon was probably already suspicious of her, and she did not want to deal with anyone's questions, not now, not ever. Stealing one last glance at the fight she watched as the trio bonded, clenching her fists so her nails dug into her palm she stole away, revelling in the distraction the pain brought.
Making her way down the steps Reikarth's stomach sank at the sight of Leon standing alone keeping watch. She briefly debated going back, but he had already spotted her and she knew already that ignoring someone who expected something was only exacerbating the issue. Swallowing thickly she jumped down into the plaza toward him.
Before she could even raise a hand to say hi he was asking her questions, rude. "Who are you?" Resisting the urge to ask who anyone was she bit her tongue "and what do you want with the Keyblade?" Leon's hand was tightly grasping his weapon, which rested impressively on his shoulder. Narrowing her eyes Reikarth shifted her weight from side to side as she tried to summon an answer. Saying 'The' Keyblade implied there was only one, meaning he didn't know her weapon was a Keyblade as well… which was almost disappointing. She didn't want to correct him though, in case he found it more suspicious for her to have one. Besides, the story and Sora's growth depended on them thinking that there was only one, it absolutely wasn't ridiculous for her to keep up this charade.
"Mmmm-names Reikarth" she mumbled, that was an easy one to answer. Breathing steadily she tried to keep her cool even as Leon's eyebrow raised and shedidn'tknowwhatthatmeantwasthatagoodresponseorwasthatabadone. "I want to help the Keyblade wielder, he has to do something very important" She couldn't meet his eyes as he processed her words. She hoped it worked, she was telling the truth even if it sounded like a lie. Her breathing was coming fast and hard; she couldn't start hyperventilating now, she couldn't, please please please she just wanted this to stop she would take the darkness again she would do anything.
"When you appear the Heartless numbers shoot up, way more than anyone would have expected, you leave Sora behind to run off into a back alley and immediately after the leader appears" She winced when you put it like that she did seem suspicious. Leon took a step towards her and she took a step back immediately, the distance between the two was fine thank you very much. Narrowing his eyes at her skittishness Leon lowered his sword. "Give me your weapon".
Cosmic Guide sparkled into her hand, and propelled by some strange muscle memory Reikarth stepped back into a defensive position.
"Stay back!"
Leon swung into action, the gunblade sweeping toward her legs. Stumbling back Reikarth fired off a blizzard into his chest, and while he was stunned by it flung herself forward. Slamming the guard of the blade into his chest she followed up by swinging the blade like a baseball bat, hearing him grunt in pain Reikarth over confidently stumbled into a stab. Her third strike was blocked and before she could get the chance to disengage he kicked her hard in the stomach, sending her skidding back. Her blood was pumping in her ears; before her breathing was overwhelming, now she couldn't get enough air.
Gasping she shot off another blizzard while her lungs clawed at her body. Leon hopped to the side, dodging the blast so that he could press the attack, dashing forward while shooting off a fire spell. Still out of breath Reikarth threw herself to the side, feeling the heat of the spell graze her arm. Rolling onto her side she pulled herself to her feet. She could feel her mana shortage head thrum in the back of her head.
Her desperation to end the fight must've shown on her face. Leon got almost cocky in his assault, swinging long and wide with the back of the blade in an attempt to knock her off her feet. With energy she didn't know she had Reikarth leapt over one and slammed Cosmic Guide onto his head. Shining bright the weapon burst into stars that homed in on his arms and legs, leaving burning welts where they made contact.
She should run, but the chance presented itself and she took it. Slicing Cosmic Guide five times in a brutal combo she sent Leon sliding back along the stones. Dashing forward she made to continue, feeling adrenaline coursing through her. With a roar Leon swung his sword up and caught her across the chest, sending her flying into the air.
Gasping Reikarth felt her body lock up as she landed on the ground, feeling rather than hearing the cracking sound as she fell. Her sight swam as all the air in her lungs rushed out in a violent woosh. Traitorously, Cosmic Guide faded from her grasp. For a moment all Reikarth could do was stare into the night sky, little glimmering stars winking at her as she struggled to breathe. Pain flooded her body as blood began to stain her front, her chest throbbing with agony.
All those stars were other worlds yes? What she would give to be up there in the stars, in any other world other than this one where people knew about her.
Distantly in the ringing of her head she could hear Leon… and someone else. Hear, but if the sounds meant anything she couldn't make it out. She found it hard to think of anything but those other worlds that had entranced many others. Reaching up to the sky she tried to summon Cosmic Guide. Her being was pulling towards that empty space, if there was any hope of escaping this situation it was with her Keyblade!
Taking deep breaths she began the laborious task of pushing herself up higher to bring herself closer to those stars. Leon's voice grew louder, and angrily she flexed her fingers, feeling Cosmic Guide just out of reach. Her head burst into pain and she slammed her eyes closed and grabbed at the hilt she trusted was there. Gloved hands gripped her shoulders and she flung into action. Rather than trying to break out of their grasp she pulled from the memory of Cosmic Guide fluttering out of her reach and felt herself flux from the ground and into the air. Cosmic Guide called and she twirled herself in the air with a grace she had no memory of having. She wasn't thinking anymore, something else was commanding her, a soothing light overtaking her vision.
Reikarth landed on metal, immediately she felt linked to it; similar to how it felt to use Cosmic Guide, like it fit perfectly to her. Feeling refreshed, she opened her eyes.
She was riding a Keyblade Glider, glittering with stardust the cerise pink metal had formed a brutal spearhead, with two juts of twisted metal coming from it perfect for her to grab. The main piece had accents of gold and on either side of the main piece she was standing on twin pieces of gold metal that twisted left and right to match the shape of the main piece floated, ending in a shape that looked like bird wings. Looking back, the end of the main piece tapered off into a strange burning energy, the same that swirled around Cosmic Guide. As she shot forward it left behind a trail of golden stardust and light.
Whooping in unabashed joy she swirled into the stars, leaving behind Traverse Town. Bending her knees she found that she could turn the Glider by shifting her weight and that leaning forward caused her Glider to speed up. Somewhat disturbingly she couldn't lift her feet off of the metal, but she tried not to worry about it, she was sure that when she needed to get off of it it would allow her to.
More importantly, Reikarth worried about the aching in her brain, she was drained to the bone, no magic was going to change that. She was sure how long she was going to be able to stay awake, and even without the pounding in her head her body hurt from the wounds she had sustained. At some point she was going to have to land, something told her it would be a bad idea to pass out in the middle of space on her comparatively small Glider.
Spinning the Glider around Reikarth ruminated on going back to Traverse Town, despite the poor circumstances she left in. It was tempting, the world was still in sight and she knew she could pick up potions and a quiet room to nap in. Though she would have to confront Leon once again and convince him she wasn't an enemy, no small task.
She jerked around with a harsh movement left and right by something in the dead of space. Looking around frantically Reikarth spotted a dark shadow that occasionally flitted around, only visible when it was silhouetted against the light of the stars around her.
It was difficult to focus, but she managed to keep an eye on it long enough to dodge its second pass, catching a better look at it as her Glider's starlight illuminated it.
Slick, black scales and savage claws flashed by, along with one great yellow eye. Reikarth screamed and abruptly swung the Glider around, with no thought too where she was going other than away from whatever thing she had just made eye contact with. Her Glider careened wildly as she panicked, losing all sense of direction beyond the knowledge that she was moving fast. Stars and worlds blurred together and she had to close her eyes or else risk vomiting. Whatever it was shot past her again and Reikarth was spun around as it clawed open her side.
Retching she felt her blood rush to her head, everything was a mix of screaming and aching as she tumbled in the air, her wounds burned. The cool metal beneath her turn hot and for all of two seconds Reikarth was certain she was in hell.
Then everything went black.