Hey I got another chapter done for this story!
I also drew a cover art for this now!
Ch.4
"There is still more I must research first. But I have come to the conclusion of one thing. From the looks of it… your Heartless half is slowly taking over."
Maria's eyes stayed wide. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. "Wh-what? What do you mean?"
"It is exactly how it sounds. The Heartless half of you is slowly taking you over. Soon enough it may consume you completely," Saix replied.
"But why? Why is this happening to me?" Maria asked, desperate to find the answer. The blackouts scared her… and if they were going to keep happening… she wanted to find a way to stop it.
"That is the part I still must look into further. There are still many things left unanswered. But I will be sure to get to the bottom of this."
Maria wanted to feel more at ease with that. She wanted to believe Saix could find an answer about her condition. Even though she still didn't like how Saix spoke to her at first, she was glad he at least was trying to do something. But there was still things that were plaguing her mind. "When you said...talking control over me. You said it would consume me. Does that mean… eventually…" Maria bit her lip as she tried to manage her words.
Saix slowly nodded. "Yes. You will most likely have more blackouts as the Heartless half grows stronger. Then eventually you won't ever come out from that savage Heartless mind. And you'll be like any other Heartless; mindless and roaming the darkness to find hearts."
"Is... Isn't there s-something you can do though?" Maria asked as a uneasy feeling formed in her stomach. She looked down at her hands to see that they had begun to tremble slightly. Even though she wanted to know more about the subject, it also made her feel more and more afraid.
Saix seemed to ponder the question for a moment. It almost looked like he wanted to have an answer, but he couldn't get one. "I do not know about that. But we shall keep you contained in this cell until there is something we could do."
"So I am just supposed to sit here and wait while you try to figure all this out!?" Maria ended up shouting slightly.
"It would be too dangerous to have you staying in the castle like a normal person. You pose a threat to us," Saix replied as his eyes narrowed.
"A t-threat? How could I be a threat? I'm just a girl!" Maria decided to take back feeling glad about Saix wanted to help her. He was still just as rude as before!
"A girl who has the powers and abilities of a Heartless," Saix responded. "If you were to lose control and go roaming around the castle, it could be trouble. This is just a precaution."
Maria huffed in annoyance. "I don't like being treated like a monster… or prisoner…"
Silence fell between the two of them. Neither of them spoke for a few minutes, but then finally Saix spoke up once again.
"I'm sorry then."
Maria looked at him with a bit of surprise. She did not expect to hear that from him at all. "What?"
"I can assume what happened to you was not by your choice. What happened is still a mystery, but it isn't your fault what you have become. I shall take my leave now," Saix said before turning and walking away.
Maria only continued to stare. Had she really heard Saix right? Did he actually say he was sorry? She knew he was saying sorry as in he felt sorry rather than apologizing for his rudeness, but it was still something. She still couldn't fully read him though. With his emotionally expression and rude remarks, it was really hard to figure out what he was truly thinking.
Realizes that it was still probably late at night Maria yawned and laid back down. She closed her eyes and tried to fall back asleep, but the words Saix had said before still haunted in her mind. The Heartless half of her was slowly talking control… and it soon could completely take over her.
"If I can't remember what happens to me when I blackout… what will happen when… when I completely become a Heartless? Will I just forget who I am? Will I even know?"
More and more thoughts formed in her mind, making her less tired and more worried. She curled up as she let out a long sigh. She had no idea what to do anymore… and now she felt too scared to even sleep. "What if the Heartless half of me tries to take control when I am sleeping? If I am awake… will I even know if it happens? I don't know anymore…"
Day 113
After Roxas finished up his mission he started to head where Maria was. He had a bag with some food in it to bring to her, figuring that she was probably still hungry. He really wanted to talk to Saix about at least letting her have food, but he knew it would be pointless. On his way though he was stopped by Saix. He looked down at Roxas and gave him a long stare before speaking. "Do not go to see her anymore."
"Why not?" Roxas asked taking a step away from Saix.
"She is dangerous and is becoming more unstable. So I advise you to stay clear of her," Saix replied.
"But why? What do you mean by unstable? You shouldn't say that about her, you don't know anything about her!"
"And I suppose you do?" Saix asked, raising an eyebrow. "If so please tell me all about her."
Roxas gritted his teeth, knowing Saix was right. He took in a deep breath as he withheld his next comment. Saix on the other hand, had more things to say. "This is for the safety of everyone here as well as herself."
"By keeping her locked up like that?" Roxas asked.
"Yes. Exactly that."
"But why? I was the one who found Maria and brought her back here. I think I am allowed to know why," Roxas stated, hoping to pry Saix enough to get some answers.
"It is because of her Heartless half. The strength of that half of her is growing. Eventually it will completely take her over and there won't be any Maria left, only a Heartless with the appearance of a girl."
"That's not… That can't be right…" Roxas started to say, but he felt he was at a lost for words. He knew that Maria looked like a Heartless, and that she was afraid of that fact, but he couldn't imagine her being lost to that part of her.
"If you do not believe me, then you can go see for yourself. But don't tell me I did not know warm you," Saix said before he walked off to someplace else.
Roxas shook his head. He didn't want to believe Saix, not one bit. He continued to walk again until he got to where Maria's cell was. He was about to speak up when he heard the faint sound of groaning. He slowly stepped in front of her cell and looked. Maria was sitting in the center of the cell with her legs pressed against her chest. Her hands were gripping her head tightly, and covering most of her face.
"M-Maria? Are you okay?" Roxas asked.
With a startled gasp Maria looked up at him and the two locked eyes. Roxas ended up gasping as soon as he saw her face. The inky darkness had spread further across her face now. It nearly was covering her entire face at this point. Even though the darkness was around her right eye, it still remained green. Though Roxas could see the terror and fear that filled both of her eyes.
"Roxas… What are you doing here?" she asked quietly.
"I came to see you of course. I've done that now for the past few days. Why wouldn't I visit you?"
"I just… don't think it's safe anymore Roxas…" Maria said as she turned her head to the side.
"Don't tell me your believing more of what Saix is saying to you. Don't listen to him! He is just-"
"No Roxas!" Maria shouted, cutting him off. She turned back to look at him. "What he is saying is truth. Look at my face. The darkness as spread further hasn't it?"
"Well… I mean…"
"It's spread more...hasn't it." Maria said persistently.
"Y-Yeah… it has a little," Roxas replied.
Maria wrapped her arms around herself. "I feel weaker too… not in strength… b-but mentally. I know I'm slipping away… eventually my Heartless half will consume me."
"No. That won't happen! I know we can find a way to help you before that happens! I promised I would help you and I know that there can be something. Just don't give up hope yet."
A small smile formed on Maria's lips. "Thank you Roxas… Thank you for not giving up on me."
"Of course. I really do want to help. Oh also here is some food," Roxas said as he held the bag threw the bars.
Maria reached forward slowly and took the bag. She nodded thankfully, but she didn't say a word more. She just opened the bag and began eat the contents that was inside of it. Roxas waited a bit, but he had no idea what else to say.
Soon enough he cleared his throat. "Are you going to be okay by yourself again?"
Maria slowly nodded, her eyes shifted to the floor of the cell. "Yeah… Should hopefully be…"
"Hey like I said, don't give up hope. I know I can help you and I will," Roxas said as he gave her a smile. He then paused for a bit before speaking again. "Though I have to go now and fill out my report. I had a long mission for today. I'll try to be back a little earlier next time okay?"
"Okay…" Maria muttered as she went back to quietly eating her food.
Roxas let out a worried sigh before he started to head back to his room to fill out his report. He really did not want to believe Saix one bit. He never wanted to think that Maria could lose herself to the Heartless mind. He wanted to keep believing there was a way. No matter what though, he would do something to help her at least. Bringing food to her each day was one thing he could do, and talk with her a bit. But… if the Heartless half was truly taking over… giving how much the darkness had spread… there wouldn't be much time left.
So I hope eventually I can get this story wrapped up. I know how it will go and I feel I can do it in a chapter or 2 more. We shall see how it goes though.
Thanks for reading!