"You're the ones being ridiculous! We need to go now!"
Sora slapped his hands down on the table and stood up in such a rush that his chair crashed sideways to the floor. Wincing at the noise, Riku barely had time to grab at his friend's arm just before he passed by on his harried dash towards the exit.
"Calm down." He tightened his grip, preventing Sora from taking another step. But it didn't stop his friend from uselessly continuing to try and wrench his way out like a fish struggling against the end of a line.
Riku grabbed at his other shoulder, making sure to hold him steady. "Stop. Do you really expect us to storm in, burst her out of imprisonment in who knows what condition and then escape without getting noticed in the slightest? It won't work. We need a distraction."
Panic was still screaming from his eyes, and while Sora stopped struggling outwardly, his fists were still clenched so tightly they were shaking.
"A distraction, fine. But not that! What is the point if she still has to do that stupid ceremony anyway?!"
The former general finally took action, rising up from her own chair and gracefully making her way over to the door. She leaned up against it, blocking its use just in case Sora had any more grand plans of escape. Her voice matched her eyes: cold and resolute.
"I understand it isn't the solution you were hoping for, but rashness begets only disaster. We will use the light binding ritual as our cover to rescue the witch."
"No, that's...no..."
Riku couldn't stand to look at the horrified betrayal staring back at him and released his grip. "Sora...listen, I'm not happy about it either, but-"
"No!"
It was as if all of Sora's words had left him, and he could only protest with all the verbosity of a child. Generally that only happened when he got himself so worked up and over emotional that all his logic flew out the window as well. There was just no reasoning with him at that stage.
Riku knew that well, but unfortunately Beatrix had far less experience dealing with his particular brand of stubbornness. She was casting a dour look at him, mixed with a sprinkle of bewilderment.
"Don't you see the folly in it? I won't be able to use Namine again. We barely managed to get copies of the keys as it is, and-"
"Because of Kairi! She gave Riku that key because she was asking for help! I'm not turning my back on her. Never."
"I'm not asking you to turn your back on her. Just not get yourself killed. If you charge in there now you will most certainly be put to death."
Petulantly, Sora crossed his arms and continued to shake his head. The threat of death itself, it seemed, was not enough to sway his stance.
As stubborn as ever. Maybe Beatrix will figure it out eventually.
She uttered a long, hissing sigh through her teeth. "I don't suppose you have any better suggestions on what else we can do?"
"I-I dunno! Anything but that! I'll go alone if I have to!"
He started for the door again but Riku deftly slid in front of him, barring his escape. "No you won't."
"Riku...I know you think I'm being stupid but I'd honestly rather die than give up on her. I'm only alive because she..."
His whole body shivered as he remembered some dark ghost of his past. The events he barely would speak of, and that Riku knew better than to keep asking about.
"I've been living off borrowed time ever since she saved me. If this is when I give it back...so be it. I know I can't expect you to do the same, but I'm going."
"You misunderstand. Her ceremony is tomorrow evening which means..." Riku reached over and plucked the copy of the lion shaped key off the table, twirling it a bit in his fingers. "We act tonight."
Beatrix huffed indignantly. "Oh, please. Don't tell me you are also agreeing with him now?"
Sora didn't catch the derision in her voice and immediately brightened at the mere implication of his involvement. "You're coming with me?!"
"You're not the only one with debts to repay. It's riskier to go in now, of course, but I don't think it's impossible. We'll come up with something."
Beatrix adjusted her metal eye patch and slouched further against the door. "Fine. As idiotic as it is, fine. But remember, this isn't an action you can take back. If we move, we move with derisive unstoppable force. Be it for our salvation or destruction we must put our all behind it. Have you made peace with everything and everyone you may leave behind?"
Riku took a long look out the window, and even though he could see nothing but the bleak darkness of the night sky, he knew what was out there. A whole kingdom that he had sworn to protect long ago. One that was falling apart before him. It may look whole and functional on the outside, but the core had been rotting for some time. It was only now he finally noticed the smell.
And maybe if he still was that insolent young whelp of his childhood he would ignore all of this mess and continue superficially serving the crown. Still believing that titles and definitions meant the world. He would have turned his back on these thoughts of treason and impending disaster to let the princess follow her cruel destiny. He would have calmly watched on the sidelines as the fool knight who had fallen in love with her suffered the consequences for straying from the rules.
But Riku could never think that way again.
That fool of a knight was his friend. He had taught him how rigid and destructive his views on life had been. Sora lived his life so simply and honestly, never once questioning the validity of three simple facts: Family wasn't just related through blood. Morality wasn't always aligned with the rule books. And justice was subjective. To him what mattered most was knowing in your heart what was worth protecting and unquestionably doing just that.
These concepts came so naturally to Sora, he made a pretty good teacher. And Riku never once wanted to forget what he was taught.
He never expected to have a long life at the end of the day. Just a fulfilling one. A life knowing that he had actually supported everyone important to him and that his family would be proud of his decisions. There was no question if his father knew the truth he would be charging down there himself to take Ellone back. Riku also knew if his mother were here she would likely be clenching Sora tight against her chest, ignoring his flailing attempts to escape while tearfully demanding some order akin to 'Don't you dare leave him alone in the dark again, do you hear me!? If he marches to hell, you had better be one step ahead of him. He needs you.'
Yeah...she would definitely be saying something like that. Always coddled Sora a little bit too much.
Riku nodded, and turned away from the dark window.
"You don't have to ask, Beatrix. We're both prepared. Wherever I've gone he's always followed, and now I'm determined to do the same."
Sora bobbed his head eagerly without a second of hesitation. "I already decided a long time ago I'd do anything to help her and...so long as my letter gets delivered...I think my mom'll understand. It's the right thing to do."
Chortling a little, Riku gave him a light nudge with his shoulder. Even in dark hours like this, when tension was high it was still worth teasing him. Somehow it made things more bearable.
"Uh-huh. Sure it has nothing to do with wanting a special reward or two from a certain royal lady of the candlestick wielding variety?"
Sora wasn't expecting that one, and he reddened slightly. "N-no! And what's with that title? That was one time and she already said-"
"Ah, alright then. So if she offers you a nice big kiss I'll just tell her you did it all for noble reasons and definitely wouldn't want anything of the sort."
Sora glowered at him, his face still tinged red as he grumbled out a few choice words. "Long live the ultimate king of all jerks..."
"Doesn't that mean I rule over them? Wouldn't necessarily make me one myself." He made it all too easy sometimes.
Frustrated, Sora gave him a playful smack on the side of his arm. "No! Definitely includes you! It means you are the biggest one of all."
"Oh, I see how it is." Riku shrugged casually, trying his best to look offended. "Maybe if you think that little of me I'll think twice about marching off with you to certain doom."
Oops. Maybe he did too good a job there with his acting and had gotten a bit too careless. Sora already wasn't thinking clearly, and now looked like someone had just told him every last fluffy little Shaggy Shoat had all suddenly gone extinct.
"T-that's not really what I...I didn't mean..."
The fact that Sora was so concerned over what was so obviously sarcasm made him smile, but Riku clipped him on the back of the head for good measure anyway.
"Hey, lighten up. Isn't that what you're always telling me to do?"
It took Sora a moment to comprehend it all. When it finally dawned on him he brightened, his smile the same cheerful sun as it always was. Just as it always should be.
"Heh, guess I am being a little bit too serious, huh?"
"Too serious!?" Beatrix groaned at his comment, mumbling something into her hand, but Sora seemed not to notice and eagerly bounced his weight back and forth between his feet.
"I know you're with me, no question! Together we've got nothing to worry about!"
"I wouldn't say nothing..." This time Beatrix's grumbling was slightly more audible, but Sora still seemed to pay it no mind.
"Let's go set things right!" His face was beaming as he spoke, but just as soon as he finished cheering, what was almost like a storm cloud passed over his mood and all at once he looked unsure for the first time that evening.
"Uh, but Riku...if something does happen down there, I..."
Sora's voice trailed off. He seemed lost and unable to even piece together a single phrase more of whatever was swirling in his mind.
"Spit it out already."
"Just...thanks. For always being there."
The sincerity in a face like that was hard to match, that was for sure. While he expected it, it still felt good to hear. He yanked Sora down by the shoulder and ruffled his hair fondly.
"I do bail you out an awful lot, don't I? But it's a price I'm willing to pay. I call it the Sora tax."
"Uh...tax?" Sora shrugged his way out from under the arm holding him down, trying to flatten his hair back into place. Every single one of his unruly spikes bounced right back up where they wanted themselves to be.
"Geez, am I really that bad?"
"The opposite. Maybe you're too thick headed to realize it, but you help me out every day. Help me keep things in perspective." He gave him one more bop on the very noggin in question. "It's only fair I give a little back now and again."
"A little, huh?" Rubbing his forehead now, Sora hesitantly chuckled, clearly trying his hardest to hold back some tears. Happy tears, hopefully.
Sora pawed one hand across his eyes and laughed again. "But, uh...exactly how much am I gonna owe you for this, then?"
"If we make it out of this I only want one thing." Riku lifted up a lone finger and leaned over to whisper in his friend's ear, making sure even Beatrix couldn't hear.
Sora bobbed, listening to the request carefully. And his carefree smile somehow blazing even brighter.
"I think I can manage that."
"Good. Now let's figure this plan out."
Kairielis was shaken from her dreams by the rough sound of armor clanking down the hall. Drowsily she sat up and, after covering herself up with a robe, cracked her door open just a peek to see what in the world had convinced the knights to run a marathon through the castle. But the first thing that she noticed was the smell.
Earthy, almost pine scented smoke hanging thick in the air like a blanket. Was it...fire? Briefly, she caught a glimpse over in the direction of the temple and saw, horrified, that there was a flickering orange light brightening up the late evening sky. Before she could venture out further, the door was slammed shut in her face from the other side, a gruff voice practically barking at her to remain inside where it was safe.
Because staying locked inside during a fire was obviously the most sane thing to do. She wanted to kick at the door to let her opinion be known to whoever was holding it shut right now on the other side, but refrained mostly because she wasn't wearing shoes and wasn't keen on stubbing her toe.
She had a sneaking suspicion that she knew who was behind that fire...
"You two had better stay safe..."
Sora nearly tripped down the winding stone steps, slick with moss and slime built up from the constant dripping of water leaking out from somewhere. Heck, it was probably seeping in from everywhere. The stones were practically oozing liquid. It was unsurprising, considering the winding path they were on was now most likely directly underneath the massive pool of water that Kairi dutifully blessed every morning. So far he didn't hear too much commotion up above them, so either the alarm hadn't gone up yet or Beatrix had been able to keep the guards off their scent for longer than she had anticipated.
It was so miserable and dark in the hall. How long had she been trapped here? All alone, amid nothing but the plink-plank of the dripping water and bubbling slime…
Unexpected nausea surged up in the back of his throat and he swallowed it down.
Then he actually tripped.
He skidded against the curving stone, saved only by Riku's quick reflexes in snagging his arm to keep him from pitching face-first into the wall.
"Sorry..." He mumbled, inwardly hoping he didn't look as sick as he felt. "I...something about this place..."
It was just like the dark pit of the sewer where he had been trapped for so long. That horrible place where he had languished in pain, forced to lick water off the walls, his only food the scraps that some of the stray cats he befriended managed to drag in for him. Hope had been the only thing keeping him alive back then, and it was a place he never wanted to return.
His stomach clenched and he felt like he was going to throw up again just thinking about it. For so long he had tried to suppress that period of time, but all of this was just boiling it up to the surface.
Somehow, he had a feeling that his friend understood the problem even without him being able to properly explain it.
"Ah. I see." Riku gave him a hefty pat on the shoulder. "Not to sound insensitive but you need to pull it together."
"Y-yeah." He took a deep breath, trying to ignore the damp stench in the air. It was sickening, but the more ill he felt, the more his resolve sparked into a roaring fire. Slamming his fist into the wall, he steadied himself and charged forward down the rest of the staircase.
"She's not staying down here any more. Not one minute more!"
Riku followed right behind him, but seemed far less enthusiastic. "Listen, I don't want to discourage you but...look at this place. How could any one person stay in the dark like this and not go insane after a month, let alone over ten years?"
His frenzied run died down and he skidded a bit on the slimy tiles. "Huh? What are you saying?"
"I'm saying...she might not be all there. Are you prepared for that, in case it happens?"
Sure, it was a fair question, but it made Sora incredibly uncomfortable. "...I'll do whatever I can. We can't give up yet."
Even with Riku's warning, when the two of them finally reached the furthest door, he still wasn't prepared for what he would see. The door was thick and had a small barred window set in the top. Below was what looked like a thin slot just large enough to slide maybe a plate of food or something similar inside. Otherwise, it looked like it had remained shut for some time. He peeked inside the window at the woman he knew would be inside.
She was gaunt, and the very definition of unkempt. Her chestnut brown hair was long, thin and hanging in strings, clinging to her skin. She was snuggled down in a thick woolen shawl, but her bony shoulders still protruded from the top.
But most surprising of all was the strangely blank look on her face. Sora shook when he saw her, fumbling a little with the key in the lock in his rush to get the door open. Once it was unlocked he wrenched at it with some effort, but the hinges had long since rusted in place. It squealed against the floor, opposed to the slightest movement. It took both of them yanking on its side to make it open. Even then, she didn't even flinch.
Her gaze penetrated his mind, making him feel a bit dizzy and it took him a moment to realize he should probably explain what was going on before just hurling the door open and expecting her to flee with them.
"Hey...can you hear me?"
Her watery eyes looked beyond him, unblinkingly.
"It's a long story, but...we're here to get you out. The priests here aren't gonna be too happy about it, but we'll do our best to keep you safe now, okay?"
She didn't react and his heart sank. Was she already too far gone? It was exactly what Riku had said. No. There had to be someone there. Too many people were counting on them to give up on it all now.
Not quite as optimistic about the situation, Riku sighed and leaned heavily against the wall next to the prison door.
"Even if we strong arm her out of this place unwillingly, there's no way she can help anyone in that condition."
Silence passed in that cramped, awful hall, with nothing but the dripping to accompany them.
"I'll find her. I have to. No one is ever gone forever."
Crossing his arms, Riku lowered his head. "Do your best. If anyone can pull her out of that hole, it's you."
Well, after that encouragement there was nothing else to do but take a deep breath and go for it…
He gently rested his hand on the edge of the door frame and peeked into the room slightly, not wanting to intrude too far too quickly.
"Hey, there. It's great to finally meet you. My name is Sora, and this is my best friend Riku. He might look kinda scary but he's a good guy."
"Watch it..."
Ignoring Riku's quip, he took one small step closer towards Ellone, keeping both of his hands visibly in front of him just in case it made her nervous not to see what he was doing. Despite the door to her freedom being open, she seemed perfectly content to stay glued to her seat.
"I understand if you don't trust us, but we are friends of your brother. Do you remember Seifer?"
Her eyes closed, but otherwise she didn't stir.
"He misses you a lot. I know that you've been alone in this darkness for so long, but he's never, ever forgotten you. If you come with me, you two can be together again and start over."
A soft sound, like a low humming resounded from the back of her room, steadily growing in volume. She was...singing? But it wasn't any normal song. It was the same fluctuating melody as the pipes in the temple, playing their constant eerie music throughout the day. Honestly he wasn't sure if that was a good sign or not. Maybe it was just stuck in her head if she could hear it all the way down here all day every day. Or maybe...she was trying to tune him out.
"I guess...I'm not being all that convincing, am I? I should just tell the truth."
Not caring about the wetness of the floor, Sora plopped himself down right in the doorway, right at her feet. He could feel the water already beginning to soak through his clothes but he couldn't care less.
"The truth is...I came here because I'm really selfish. And that's probably why you don't care about anything I have to say. After all, why should you?"
He heard Riku kick grainy loose pebble into the stone wall, and grunt. Obviously he disagreed but didn't interject.
"I know the last thing you want to do is strain yourself over a selfish guy like me, bursting in here and trying to tell you what to do, but...if you can at least listen to me for only a minute I'd really appreciate it."
Her head bobbed forward, and her singing slowed, but didn't stop altogether. Maybe...that meant it was okay?
"I met someone a long time ago. When all the world was falling apart around me, darkness bursting out between every crack in the stone, she was my light. Everything about her just...brightened the world again. She brought hope to so many people who didn't have anything and I knew, I knew I needed to do anything to help her."
From the back of the cell, the pale shadow of a woman quivered, as if suddenly cold, clenching her shawl tighter around her body.
"The only problem is...she's a princess. She's so far out of reach for a guy like me but...I can't help it. I love her."
He closed his eyes tightly, just trying to picture Kairi in his mind. Remembering her smile to keep himself warm for a bit longer on the icy cold floor.
"But back then, a lot of people were trying to stamp her light out completely. There were these three guys that wouldn't leave us alone. Caught up with us down in the dark, with nothing but hate in their eyes. I didn't want them to take her so I...stayed behind."
His throat clenched and he gulped, swallowing heavily to try and dislodge the lump inside.
"And...I died. Or something close to it. Everything felt so cold and dark. My memory started to slip away. Even my name. I should have been gone. But..."
From the other side of the door, Riku said nothing. And the woman in the cell stared straight through him.
"She called out to me. And there was light everywhere. The most comforting, warm, wonderful light. She brought me back from the edge of nothing. I'll never, ever forget that."
Even softer now, the woman began to sing again, her body swaying back and forth. It was a different song this time, one that sounded vaguely familiar but it was hard to make out between the dripping water and the furious thump of his own heartbeat in his ears.
"She gave me hope. Even though it was still really hard to survive after that, and a lot of other people helped me too, I know if I had never met her I wouldn't be here. And right now, she's in a lot of trouble. She's suffering. I came to you selfishly because...I need your help to save her."
Ellone didn't really react much to this, just gazed forward, rocking slightly and continuing to sing her song very lightly into the darkness.
"I can't even imagine how much you've suffered for all this time but I know you're still in there somewhere. I want to help you, too."
Sora remembered the golden bird that Seifer had kept on his collar. "You like birds, right? Swallows? I really want you to be able to hear them sing again. If you let us help you get out of here you'll be free again. You could listen to them every day. You'll be free to do whatever you want. And if you decide you don't want to help us...I understand. That is your choice to make."
He lowered himself forward, down onto his hands on the dirty floor. With head bowed, he pressed himself down until his forehead bumped the rough cold stone. And he begged.
"But, please...e-even if you don't care about me, at least escape with us and think about it. Kairi only wants to help everyone. She hasn't done anything wrong and she needs her memories back. Seifer needs his sister back."
The lump in his throat only grew, and he couldn't stop a few tears from joining the pools of water on the floor.
"Please. I can't do it on my own. I'm ready to give everything I can. I'll give my life if I need to, but I can't do it without you."
Her singing voice chirped out even louder and Sora's eyes popped open. He knew that song. He knew it by memory.
It was Kairi's song, and Ellone was singing it now, without a single mistake, clear as day. He sat back up on his ankles, gaping at the woman snuggled deep in her shawl in front of him.
"E-Ellone?" He wiped the mix of tears and condensation off his face, struggling to see more clearly. "Are...are you..."
There was something much warmer in her face. While her eyes were still cloudy and distant, there was an unmistakable spark of something human. And she smiled at him, as warm and soft as the summer wind.
"I am. Somehow, I still am."
Two guards stumbled forward through the garden. The first to arrive in the courtyard managing a sloppy salute, sticking his leg out as he did so to also offer a ridiculous half-bow in her direction.
"It's good to see you back in form, General!"
The other knight, still trying to approach, nearly tripped over his partner's foot sticking out by the edge of a stone planter and yelped.
Blutzen and Kohel. Not exactly the most promising of knights out there, but perhaps on a night like tonight that was all for the best. It definitely wouldn't have been good news if a knight actually capable had been on duty. Cecil would have seen through her shoddy plans immediately.
But Captain Steiner's boys? She could work with that.
Beatrix stared daggers down at the two of them, flicking her hair over her shoulder.
"Is this honestly the best time for useless flattery? Report, Kohel. Now!"
"Y-yes, ma'am! Captain Steiner is on his way now!"
Blutzen immediately chirped up in turn, filling in more details. "Fire is out! The rest of the guard are standing by at the ready, awaiting your next orders!"
Beatrix pursed her lips and glanced up at the moon overhead, trying to gauge exactly how much time had passed.
"Very good. And the priests? The Grand Maester?"
It was Kohel's turn again. "All safely evacuated and gathered by the outside pond as you requested! No one injured in the fire!"
"Thank the Gods for that. Make sure to keep them there, well protected. Weimar can handle that along with Haagen. Don't let any of them take one foot into the temple until the all clear is sounded. You two, take Laudo and keep the back garden and exits to the temple secure. The rest stand along the perimeter of the pool. I will proceed through the front entrance with some men once Captain Steiner arrives. I'm counting on you."
Both knights saluted, but seemed hesitant to scurry off to their assigned duties.
"What's wrong?"
"Well...some of the boys were thinking we should wait until the Captain gets here to give out the ord-"
Beatrix shot fire at them with her glare.
"And let the culprits escape!? Are they mad? I've never been so insulted in my life! I may have changed positions but my skills and leadership are not to be questioned. This is an emergency situation and I am temporarily asserting control over this madness."
She rolled her fingers threateningly over the hilt of her sword. "Tell whoever-it-is that if they don't agree wholeheartedly with my orders they will be facing down a severe reprimand when this is all over. I guarantee it. Now pass that along and get out of my sight!"
"Y-yes, ma'am!"
Their armor clanked as they briefly collided in their rush to dart off and report to the other knights. She watched calmly from the edge of the fountain, her eyes following the remaining traces of smoke as it drifted upwards.
There was no taking any of it back now. Those two had set fire to the side of the temple, taking advantage of the vines that had long dried up in the summer heat that clung to the eastern side. She had been the one to 'spot' them, of course, and raised the alarm. It was easy sending most of the guards around on a wild goose chase through the gardens to search for the suspicious 'arsonists' just as much as it had been to encourage them to empty out the temple of the priests, leaving their path free.
They had every opportunity to reach Ellone's prison and bring her back up to the ground floor. Now she could only wait and hope that they were able to complete that task in time. The hardest part was yet to come.
Actually getting Ellone back out of the temple and somewhere safe was going to take not only luck, but some good acting and a strong stomach on her part.
But it had to be done. She gripped her hand tighter around the hilt of her sword. This is what it was going to come down to...
Justice truly was complicated.
Ellone gasped and stumbled, heaving against the stone wall. It was clear to both of the knights by her side that she could barely walk, let alone get upstairs to hide in the spot they promised Beatrix they would take her.
"I'm so sorry...I know you're counting on me..."
Shaking his head roughly, Sora knelt down in the cramped damp hallway and put his hand on her shoulder. "Your health is important too!"
Sora never claimed to know a lot about girls. He always somehow managed to flub things up one way or another. Riku always told him it was because he didn't understand etiquette. And maybe right now this was breaking a ton of etiquette rules, and maybe it would make Ellone decide she didn't like him, but it was the only thing he could think of.
He turned around and offered his back towards her, kneeling on the damp stone.
"If you aren't too bothered by it, I can carry you."
Sora focused down on his shoes, not really wanting to see her face if he had offended her like he expected. To both his surprise and relief, he felt her shivering arms fumbling to feel up his back to find exactly where he was.
"Alright...my apologies for the trouble."
Her shaky fingers also confirmed his suspicions about her eyesight. Or...rather, lack of it.
Eventually she found his shoulders and clutched at them, flopping down across his back. Even with her whole body weight she was depressingly light. Were the priests even feeding her down here?
She hung her thin arms around his neck, weakly doing her best to hold on. It was taking her a moment to get comfortable, but once she was more stable they would definitely be able to more faster than before. While he couldn't see Riku at the moment, Sora could hear his feet pacing a bit further down the tunnel towards the curving stairs that he had tripped down earlier.
"I'll check up ahead. I doubt Beatrix is going to hold off the guards much longer."
Sora nodded back at his friend, hearing his footsteps circling further up the stone steps as he ascended towards the dusty study above. Ellone finally stopped shifting and seemed to find a stable position against his back.
"You holding on okay? I won't drop you, I promise."
He felt her nod softly against him. Her skin was cold, her pulse nearly visible through her waxy wrists circled around him.
"Your name is Sora...correct?"
"Yeah. Standing up now."
He very slowly, using the wall as support, lifted himself up as vertically and stiff as possible. She shifted a little, but ultimately managed to stay put.
"Let's go!"
Sora tried to keep his voice encouraging, but it felt a bit hard to be optimistic in a place like this. Ellone didn't complain once, just breathed shallowly in his ear as he steadily made his way towards the curving stairs ahead.
"Are you both knights?"
The question took him a bit by surprise. For some reason he expected her to be entirely silent unless addressed, delirious even. But perhaps it did make sense as well that after so long without human contact she would be yearning for a conversation. Despite being so out of it when he had first seen her, something he had said must have really woken her up.
"Yeah. Er, well...we were. Probably not after today." He laughed nervously. "B-but uh, none of that really matters right now."
Ellone remained silent for a moment, and Sora inwardly kicked himself again. Great, now she was probably feeling guilty over the whole thing…
Suddenly, he heard her voice in his ear, as soft as the sound of a falling leaf striking the dirt in fall. "You...said you know my brother?"
"Seifer? Yeah, he's my friend. Sorry we couldn't bring him to see you just yet."
She lowered her chin, pressing it into his back. "I fear...he may have fallen onto the wrong path in my absence."
"He might be hot-headed, but he's a good guy. Don't worry."
"I see."
Sora paused a moment and adjusted his grip on her legs, apologizing as he did so. Definitely needed to make sure he could keep her steady before starting up the looming stairs.
He took them one at a time, slowly. After a few paces he heard her voice again in his ear, gentle and quiet.
"...she spoke about you often, you know. I can tell she's very fond of you."
"H-huh? Who?"
"Miss Kairi. My room was directly below the blessing stone. She spoke to herself nearly every morning while blessing the water. Sometimes she sang."
Sora tilted his head up, but only saw the dark stone ceiling above. He wasn't sure what he expected to see. Maybe for just a moment he anticipated being able to see the pond from here or something, but it obviously wasn't visible through the rock. He hummed, not wanting to doubt what she said, but honestly wondering exactly how any of that was possible.
"She must have been talking really loud then."
Ellone's giggling was raspy and dry, but it was somewhat nice to hear her even work up the energy to try. "Voices travel quite well through water and the pipes above. It all echoed down to me."
"Oh...so I guess it isn't because you have magic ears or something."
Again, she laughed, and it came through much more clearly this time. "No, nothing like that."
Riku's footsteps came clattering back down towards them. "I can't see anyone in the temple just yet, but it looks like the entire pond outside is surrounded."
Ellone sighed, seemingly not too bothered about Riku's report. Probably because she had no idea what was really even going on at the moment.
"You really haven't changed one bit since you were a child, Sora."
Riku chuckled a bit from higher up on the staircase. "Uh-oh. She already knows your entire childhood now? How you could possibly spill that much in the thirty seconds I was gone is beyond me."
"Hey, I didn't-"
"I've seen your past. Through her eyes."
She said this so casually it was almost creepy. Sora also tried his best to ignore the amused little smirk peeking down at him from his friend's face above.
"Uh...h-hopefully you didn't see anything too bad?"
"Not at all." Ellone tightened her grip as they all finally slipped through the door marked with the figure of a lion out into the dusty room beyond it. "If anything, I understand what she sees in you."
Before Sora could respond, loud shouting and the clanking of metal echoed through the halls just outside the study. Riku cursed under his breath and shuffled them all over back behind a tall shelf lined with rows upon rows of keys.
"We're late..."
Sora could hear the yelling drawing closer and was fairly sure he recognized the voices. This was going to be...more than a little awkward if they were spotted now. If they were caught with Ellone, they would not only throw her back down into that pit, but there would be no hope of saving Kairi at all any more. It was important that no one knew where she was.
He kept his voice hushed, peeking around the corner of the shelf at the door. The sounds of movement in the hallway beyond were unmistakable.
"What are we gonna do? We still need to get her to the other room."
Riku stood up from the hiding spot and hastily snagged a key from off the hooks of the nearby rack.
"This is exactly why I didn't let you come on your own. I'll head to the room with the pipe organ in the back and start making a ruckus. You get her to the meeting place and make sure she st-"
The door to the study banged open with a crash, as if someone on the other side had kicked it in. Sora squished himself up against the tall key shelf, still trying to keep Ellone balanced on his back. Riku barely had time to do the same, flattening up against the tall piece of furniture thankfully before whoever just came storming in had noticed him.
Sora cast a quick check up at his friend's expression. If even Riku looked concerned? That would be bad. Really bad.
...and judging by the face he saw glancing back down at him, they were about two stages beyond utter disaster.
The clopping sound of metal boots began to steadily draw closer to the back of the room. As they approached, whoever it was began hurling the various desks and tables to the side, spilling books, parchment and all manner of belongings to the floor.
Riku very slowly rested his free hand on his sword, ready to pounce. Should the knight slowly approaching them step behind the shelf and turn to look over to the right...
Clang. Crash. Clang. Thwump.
Every step the knight drew closer the more destruction echoed across the room. Furniture was being upended every which way. Sora swallowed heavily, knowing that with Ellone on his back there was no way he was going to be able to draw his own sword. Not that he wanted to fight this guy off anyway. Getting through this without hurting anyone in the process was the ideal.
But now that he listened more closely, he realized that there were definitely at least two sets of footsteps in the room now. Riku's face also shifted slightly, having picked up on this also.
Sora held his breath, waiting as the heavy clomp of the metal shoes approached.
Make that three stages beyond disaster now.
He winced as the toes of a boot stomped just to his left and he half expected Riku to go flying out, bowling whoever it was down to the floor.
But for what felt like the longest time, no one moved. The owner of those shiny boots stood still. Sora held his breath. Ellone trembled on his back and Riku did nothing.
Finally braving to take his eyes off the floor, Sora glanced up...only to find Beatrix's shocked face, staring wide-eyed down at him.
Not knowing what else to do, he grinned weakly and waved.
She scowled back.
From the corner of his eye, Sora saw Riku quickly sign out something with his hands, point back to the shelf and indicate something else with sign language. He kind of regretted not really getting a handle on learning those signals himself, but he hadn't ever thought it was really that important before. Figures Riku would be right about chastising him about being lazy with that, too…
He had no idea what message Riku had relayed to her, but she watched them carefully a moment before about-facing on her heel and barking sharply at the other knight searching the room over.
"Flavien! The key to the music maintenance room is missing here! They may have holed themselves up inside. We must check immediately!"
Oh, so it had been Flavien who kicked the door in. Yeah, that made sense. He had always liked making an entrance. Almost as much as Seifer sometimes.
"Yes, ma'am!" Flavien's voice sounded off promptly from the other side of the room, and he charged back out with an eager yell.
"And make sure Sir Hans stays protected! He should never have gotten involved with this..."
Oh, great. That guy was here? Sora tried not to groan out loud and give away their position.
Beatrix loudly stomped off out of the room, but not before giving them both a sharp warning glance, not daring to say a word. It was already painfully clear that they needed to hurry.
Once there was a moment of silence again, Riku straightened and chucked the key to the pipe organ room aside. "Right. Won't need that then."
Still not knowing the plan, Sora straightened, stopping to adjust Ellone on his back for a moment again. Thankfully, Riku picked up on his confusion over what was happening now.
"Slight change of plans but still mostly the same. I'm going to confront her down there and buy you some time.
"Uh...confront? Wasn't she supposed to find us?" It didn't sound very appealing to think about Riku charging down into a whole crowd of guards alone. "Besides, I should be-"
"You've done your part." Riku gestured to the semi-limp woman dangling on his back. "Let me do mine."
"Riku, you..." His head felt heavy. The dust was far too thick in this room. "You might be going ahead, but I'm gonna follow right behind you. I promise."
"Couldn't shake you even if I tried." He thumped Sora gently on the shoulder and sighed. "Ellone, we're both counting on you. Take good care of Kairi for us."
So many things circled in Sora's mind. Things he felt like he still needed to say. But Riku somehow always seemed to know everything on his mind before he could even say it. Surely there was some response he could come up with?
All he could do was smile.
And maybe that was enough.
Without another word between them, Riku charged out through the door into the hall and was gone.
Sora waited by the door, listening, but only heard a rush of indiscriminate yelling that slowly faded as everyone outside raced towards the other side of the temple. He held his breath, counted to three, and slipped out himself.
He just had to make it over to the far room. Then Ellone could hide in the back closet until Beatrix was able to find her. It was going to be okay.
Riku had done his job well, and the halls were empty. But the sounds of shouting further down the hall had him extremely concerned. Helping Ellone get settled in her hiding place wasn't too difficult, but as much as he wanted to run off and help his friend, he also felt guilty just leaving her alone in the dark again, so shortly after she had just escaped it.
"Ellone...do you remember the plan?"
She adjusted her green shawl and tried to get comfortable in the dark corner. "Yes. I will wait here for a woman named Beatrix. She will knock on the door thrice, before entering."
"Yeah. That sounds right."
Again, he was at a loss for words. But this time he couldn't smile, because he was pretty sure that wouldn't do much for someone who couldn't see anything.
"Beatrix is...prickly but really caring and determined to do what's right."
He heard another loud shout from the hall and his pulse raced faster than he thought possible.
"Sora? I do hope we meet again someday. I'll do whatever I can to save her, I swear on it."
Even with his heart pounding with worry in his chest, Sora felt the slightest rush of relief to hear those words.
"I hope so too, Ellone. And...thank you."
"You're very sweet. If I must confess something, I'm ashamed you felt the need to beg down there. Had I been more aware I would have helped you in a heartbeat. For countless years all I've wanted to do is correct that horrible mistake."
Sora gave her a soft squeeze on the hand. "Don't blame yourself. Besides, everything will be alright now."
The shouting outside grew louder.
"I know it will."
Down the hall, a fierce stand-off between Riku and Beatrix was still on-going. She charged, he feinted, and the two clashed briefly before leaping away and circling one another again. Neither was making much headway.
The rest of the guards stood dumbfounded at the fight, still unable to process how or why someone as promising and rule abiding as Riku was mixed up in all of this temple-burning nonsense. And it looked for a time like they were almost evenly matched.
But Beatrix's sword strikes were clean, elegant and hard to predict. Her missing eye didn't impede her blade in the slightest. All she needed was one quick pirouette under his guard and she knocked him down heavily to the ground.
He recovered quickly, but the damage was still done, and he halted his advance to temporarily nurse his side where undoubtedly a massive bruise was forming.
"That was sloppy of me..."
"You're a fool. Coming in here alone. What were you trying to accomplish?" Beatrix spat back at him.
"He's not alone!"
Sora's voice bounced down the hall so powerfully it nearly bowled down some of the spectating guards standing in a half circle around the battle. They split to allow him through, gawking at his presence.
Beatrix eyed him coldly. "Ah, as expected. Cockroaches always come in pairs."
"Heh..." Riku chuckled through clenched teeth. "Somehow I don't think she likes you much."
"Yeah, what is up with everyone calling me a bug, huh?" Sora reached out a hand to steady his friend.
From the looks of Riku's injury, Beatrix definitely was keeping her promise to not hold back. She kept her sword held aloft, pointed at the both of them now.
"Tell me. Why did you set fire to the temple? What are you planning?"
Oh boy. Here it is.
Sora took a deep breath and stared Beatrix down. But his words weren't for her, so he made sure to shout them as loud as he could, letting his voice once more dance down the halls of the temple, reverberating through every open space.
"I refuse to let Kairi get married tomorrow!" Seeking him out in the crowd, Sora jabbed his finger directly in Hans' direction. "She deserves better than that creep."
"Excuse me!? You can't talk to m-" Hans' indignation was drowned out immediately as Sora continued on undaunted with his declaration.
"I refuse to stand by and just let it happen. I'll burn this place down if it's the only way to stop it!"
A frenzied murmur of confusion rippled through the guards. Many of whom were his friends, wiping their faces in utter disbelief at the scene. Everyone was focused on the three knights at the center.
Sora stood proudly in front of them all.
"Even if its wrong for me to say so, the truth is I love her! I always have!"
The murmur rose into a roar as the knights began arguing with one another, questioning exactly what in all the seven gardens was actually happening. Hans looked absolutely furious, but no one was really paying much attention to his ranting.
Riku hissed under his breath, still clamping a hand down over his injured side. "Way to be over dramatic..."
Beatrix didn't even flinch. Her stone cold face revealing nothing but contempt.
"Your resolve to your...goals is admirable. But I will show you no mercy."
She charged at once, the fury on her face masking every sense of regret she carried in her heart.
None of the knights who looked onto that fight suspected a thing. But they watched it until its bitter end, forever remembering it as a true display of spirit. Every player had unquestionable, unyielding devotion to their cause.
Yet in the end, only one could remain standing. Unbeknownst to those spectators ogling the battle, it wasn't a fair fight. It was never meant to be.
So she took no joy in her victory.
Beatrix tried not to visibly wince as the semi limp bodies of the two knights were hurled roughly to the ground. Having born the brunt of her initial attack after purposefully lowering his guard, Riku was looking completely dazed. Sora, however, was already stirring slightly. That one definitely had a stubborn resolve, even when he had already agreed to throw the fight.
Standing over the two of them was the head priest, Grand Maester Mika, a haggard old man with more bulging veins than skin on the surface of his arms. While he typically seemed frail, he was anything but. With an unexpected surge of strength and wrenched Sora's head up by a handful of his spiked hair.
"Where is she!?"
Sora groaned and winced in equal measure, not even conscious enough to answer. The priest roared in anger and released the fistful of hair, letting Sora's head flop back down to the stone before upending a bucket of pool water down onto him. Sora mumbled something into the stone and the priest whipped back around, indicating for two of the guards to lift him back up to his knees.
"What did you just say?"
Still half-groggy, Sora barely managed to tumble out a coherent sentence. "...I don't know who...you're talking-"
"You know who you cretin!" Mika smacked him across the face, his thick ring leaving a noticeable scratch across Sora's cheek.
More awake now, but clearly in more pain, Sora still said nothing.
"Who orchestrated this!? Was it him?" The priest jammed a finger fiercely at Riku's still slumped body, now only slightly starting to wake. One of the guards held a boot firmly down over his head, just in case he tried anything from his prone position.
Sora's body was still shaking, but slowly recovering as he continued to take steady, even breaths. "No...he was only helping me..."
"So you admit this was your doing then!?"
Sora lifted his chin to look up at the winkled face of the priest hovering over him with an expression of nothing but twisted hatred. But he didn't blink nor even flinch into the face of such rage.
"Grand Maester, if I may...he openly declared his intentions to the entire regiment here." Beatrix tried to explain, but Hans came darting out from behind her, interrupting furiously.
"That fool! He tried to set fire to this holy place! Fully admitted to his lewd desires for my bride."
For the first time, Sora reacted, struggling against the arms that held him back. "Lewd!? And she's not your property you stuck up puffin!"
"Puffin!? Listen here you little insignificant dirt clod on my boot..."
"Enough!" The priest shrieked in rage again, and lifted his hand over Sora's face, threatening yet another slap. "It's clear you orchestrated this, then. So tell me, where is she!?"
"I don't have any idea what you're talking about."
Sora winced again as the guards twisted his arms back under the direction of the head priest. The priest held nothing back as he rained his stiff hand down repeatedly onto his captive before running short on breath. If he had been more sprightly, he probably would have continued for several more blows.
Eagerly, Hans stepped forward. "I wouldn't mind having a go. This upstart obviously needs to be beaten down."
He cracked his knuckles and gave Sora a fully unrestrained smack on the side of his face, smugly pleased with the red mark it left on his skin.
"I'll make sure you never see her again. You failed, and you will suffer for it. Just the thought brings me joy, that your stupid plan was so hastily stamped out."
Beatrix furrowed her brow. Obviously no one had told Hans about Ellone, or he wouldn't be so confident at the moment. Just scanning the crowd it was clear who was in the know and who wasn't. His little speech also served only to confirm that Sora had been right about every poor word he said about the man.
The duke sneered again and gave Sora another smack, this time with the back of his white glove. "So much joy that I think later today when she gives her heart to me and we lean in for our first, sweet kiss, I'll close my eyes and be sure to think about your pining face."
Somehow, Sora found the energy to chuckle towards the ground. "Might wanna rephrase that."
"Why you-"
Hans gave Sora one brutal punch in the stomach. He heaved and coughed painfully, trying to fill the air back in his lungs that had all at once been knocked out. It was hard to watch, but Beatrix maintained her stone cold expression, knowing one single twitch of her face could give it all away. Pacing back and forth, Mika wrung his hands desperately, casting glances in her direction.
"General! Ah...former general, I mean...I know you transferred from your position, but please...he has freed a very dangerous criminal. One who will likely do everything in her power to find the princess. We must locate and stop her."
"Understood. Emergencies like this leave no time to squabble over titles. I've already directed the captain's men on where to search. If she hasn't already fled, we will find her."
A truthful statement. However, naturally she wasn't going to mention that there was one room she had glossed over when doling out orders. She was going to make sure she searched that room herself. Later. Alone.
And of course then report there was absolutely no one there at all.
"After the search, if she still has not turned up, I will be sure to guard the princess personally. We can't take any chances."
Bowing deeply, Mika rubbed at the wrinkles of worry creasing across his forehead. "Yes...yes of course."
The temporary calm that filled the Grand Maester immediately faded when he turned back around to face Sora, still hanging in the clutches of the guards and Riku who was now being yanked up to his feet, still disoriented.
"Do you realize what you have done!? You may have doomed us all! I will make sure of it that you suffer for this. If you speak, and tell us the truth I can guarantee you far less pain than what is to follow should you refuse."
Absolute silence was the response.
"Where is she!? Where is the witch!?"
As she expected, Sora said nothing. His eyes were marred with pain, but there wasn't a single fragment of weakness or regret in them. They shone back a brilliant bright blue, the same color as a cloudless sky.
"Drag him away to the prison cellars! And take that other one with him! I'm sure the warden will think of plenty of ways to open them up."
Beatrix cursed inwardly, and bowed to take her leave. Those boys were going to need a miracle.
Hopefully Ellone was going to be able to provide it. But before she could work her magic, that poor weak girl hiding in the back of a closet needed help.
"Why aren't you answering me!?"
Kairielis hissed at the back of the former general, shuffling along behind her, still trying to adjust the sleeves of the sundress she had only barely managed to throw on before getting marched out of her room like livestock off to pasture.
She had far too many questions and Beatrix was answering none of them. But by far the strangest thing was the slumped over form of her cousin resting in her wheeled chair being carted along just in front of her. Why had Beatrix even brought her cousin over here? If she woke up...
And what was up with the heavy shawl draped over Namine's whole body, like it was the middle of winter, completely covering every inch of her skin? Had there been a fire at the temple or not?
And more importantly…
Were Sora and Riku okay?
"Beatrix, please! Even if you must drag me off somewhere why are you forcing Namine along as well? She's already had a horrid fit just the other day in the temple, and-"
"Princess. Your questions are well warranted, but now is not the time."
She stomped her foot against the tile. She was far far too grouchy to deal with this right now. Even ignoring the fact that she was supposed to be getting married today, of all the horrid things that she had to put up with, being treated like a child was not something she was willing to grin and bear so easily.
"I have a right to know matters that concern me!"
"Indeed you do." Despite her emphatic agreement, Beatrix didn't stop and just continued wheeling Namine down the hallway towards one of the infirmary rooms. "Those two boys you are so fond of risked everything to make sure that you can truly know. If you want to honor that sacrifice, please come quickly and quietly."
"Wh...s-sacrifice!?" The word alone filled her with absolute dread. "B-beatrix, they're...please tell me they aren't..."
The former general finally stopped pushing the wheeled chair, gripping the handles so tightly that Kairielis could see her knuckles turning white.
"They are alive. For now. But there isn't much time."
Kairielis suddenly felt like she couldn't breathe, and every slight gasp she forced into her lungs burned like a lemon soaked parchment cut.
"Now that you understand, come. And try to look presentable so no one grows suspicious." Beatrix then stiffly resumed her journey down the hall.
This time, Kairielis fell in behind her, wrapping her arms around herself tightly, wishing she could hide her face away from the world under a deep hood like her cousin right now. How was she supposed to look calm?
They passed one of the cleaning staff doing her best to wipe down some smudges on a window and the maid temporarily glanced up at the two of them, tipping her head in slight concern at the procession of the wheeled chair and the princess following behind.
Kairielis tried to greet her in a chipper tone, to assuage any fears that this wasn't a perfectly acceptable situation, but must not have been very convincing.
The maid narrowed her eyes for a moment at her cousin's slouching form. "Pardon my intrusion, but is Miss Namine quite alright with, erm...being out?"
Well, time to put those diplomatic skills to the test again.
Kairielis cupped her hands together and lowered her voice as if in apology. "No, no, pardon us! We are just testing out a new therapy for her is all. If she can put up with going on a little morning stroll with me then maybe she can come to the light bonding ceremony today. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Nodding in understanding, the maid hastily curtsied and shuffled to the side to allow enough room for them to pass. "Oh, that would be. Best of luck and please take care."
Thank the gods that excuse actually worked. Beatrix gave her an appreciative nod and continued on.
Ugh, she never should have given Riku that key. Whatever those two had just done it must have been...bad. Gods, and it's not like she had any ability to pardon anything too serious if they had really gone and done something extreme.
When they finally reached the correct infirmary room, Beatrix stopped to first hold the door open for her to enter. Kairielis stepped into the room and shivered. It wasn't that the room was particularly...cold, there was just something off about it.
Everything seemed to be mostly in order, though. There were two beds here, and it was quite small all things considered. One of the beds was empty, but tucked in the other, her cousin was still resting quite peacefully.
Wait.
Namine...was…
She whirled around to the door just as Beatrix shut it behind her, still holding the handles of the wheelchair, pushing...whoever-that-was closer.
"W-who..."
Two bone-thin shaking arms lifted up to slide off the heavy draping hood, revealing a gaunt, skeletal woman beneath.
"It's been a long time, Miss Kairi. My name is Ellone."
"U-um..." She had so many questions she didn't even know where to begin.
"I can tell by your voice that it's you. For years my only light and comfort was the sound of your voice echoing down every morning through the waters of the temple from above. I heard you singing quite often as well. Perhaps I heard many words you intended to only say to your mother, and I apologize for eavesdropping, but it was comforting to me nonetheless."
The woman, Ellone, as she called herself shifted a bit in her chair, tipping her head back and forth to listen more closely about the room.
"There is another girl here, yes? Perhaps Miss Namine? Oh the poor dear..."
Kairielis was baffled, but stepped to the side, so that she could get a look at her cousin resting in the bed. However, she didn't seem to even notice or react to her movement at all.
She realized all at once why.
The woman was blind.
"Y-you live in the temple? Pardon me but...Beatrix, where are Sora and Riku. What is going on?"
Beatrix sighed and wheeled the chair over to the foot of Namine's bed, gesturing for Kairielis to sit down on the other.
"There is a lot to explain. And right now several fates hang in the balance. Lives that depend on you to listen to what she is about to tell you. Including the lives of those two."
Kairielis nodded, clutching at the hem of her dress. She didn't know exactly what that meant, but understood well enough.
Ellone cuddled her thick shawl closer and struggled to clear her throat. Before she could even ask, Beatrix had already nudged her with a fresh cup of something to quench her thirst. Ellone's hands were so shaking and weak she was having trouble taking a sip, so Beatrix reached over and assisted with even that.
"I am...currently not in any state to use my powers, so please give me a moment to recover. In that time, I will explain." She took another slow sip. "Your dear Sora came to rescue me, with his friend Riku at his side. Both, I assume, are now being held under charges of treason."
"What!?"
"Please, Miss Kairi, not so loud or you will draw attention to us here. This must be kept a secret, for I am no doubt considered a dangerous criminal."
While Ellone had no sight, there was something piercing and mysterious about her gaze, like she was staring deep into her soul. Kairielis could only sit back down silently, fiddling with her dress in nervous anticipation.
"I am a sorceress, you see. With the ability to manipulate what binds us all together. Our hearts, and the memories within them."
"A sorceress...like Maleficent?"
"Indeed. She was my teacher. But I will come to that later."
Kairielis gasped, and recoiled a little on the bed. That little revelation just added a ton of new questions into the mix, but she clamped her mouth down and kept quiet. Sora and Riku were far more important right now.
Ellone thanked Beatrix for the drink, then folded her hands across her lap, sighing.
"The reason you cannot remember your past, Kairi, is because I was forced to steal it away from you. And because memories cannot simply vanish, I had to place them elsewhere. Namine was so similar to you, both in body and spirit that she was considered an acceptable vessel."
"V-vessel? Wh...memories can't just be...can they?"
Ellone continued as if not hearing her question. "Kairi, I know for a fact your memories are inside her right now. The process, however, left her with some horrid side-effects. The memories were not meant to be there. Her psyche fought back against them the whole time, so instead of lying dormant in the back of her head, they are constantly in turmoil inside of her, rendering her utterly trapped."
Kairielis gazed in horror at the peacefully slumbering form of her cousin. What was happening? None of this made any sense...
But if this woman really understood what was going on with Namine, perhaps she was the only person in the world who could help.
"C-can you fix it?"
"When my strength returns, if you allow me, I would certainly like to try."
A/N:
Just wanted to give a quick shout-out to all the people who have been giving me comments this whole time. I am absolutely grateful that you have taken the effort to not only read all of this so far but comment as well. It really means a lot.
To the few that have been leaving comments on nearly every chapter...
what-a-wannabe: Wow, thank you so so much. I cannot even tell you... The enthusiasm in your responses always manages to make my day. I don't want to give anything away about the ending, but I'm doing my best to make it something that will resolve everything fully.
Q-A the Authoress: You are always really prompt with your reviews it's impressive! I'll do my best to keep rocking it, as you suggest.
KHLostEmpress: Hopefully this chapter is interesting as well! Thank you for always coming back to read my updates.
From here on I decided to try and be more personally engaging with you guys, so if there is ever any concern or question don't worry about bringing it up.
I'll keep trying my best!