It feels like an eternity passes before the attack is over. Sora is on pins and needles the entire time.
At least she succeeds in distracting herself for the most part. After making her Keyblade return to
(her heart)
wherever it goes when it isn't physical, Aerith takes her to a large room, full of cushions, blankets and toys. This is apparently where children stay during an attack.
It doesn't take long for those children to start to arrive. When they do, Aerith leaves. She's needed with the other healers.
Sora is left with a group of kids, both human and animal, and all curious about her. There are a handful of adults as well, but for the most part, everyone is younger than her. Well, the humans are. It's harder to guess the age of the animals.
She fulfills her wish of talking to an animal. While she would've preferred to have that wish fulfilled at another time a lot more, she isn't going to let her worry spoil this moment.
A baby deer is the first to talk to her. His name is Bambi, and he tries to ask her about her home.
She doesn't even get a chance to reply before an adult panther, Bagheera she later learns, scolds him for doing so. Apparently people aren't supposed to ask about someone's home without getting their permission first. She likes that rule.
She doesn't want to talk about her home. Not yet.
Fortunately, no one minds that she doesn't want to talk about it. Even better, most kids are more than happy to talk about their own worlds. Sora listens to the kittens, birds, and so many other animals with wonder. Talking to animals is amazing enough all on its own, but having them share stories of other worlds?
She can't wait to tell Riku about this.
The kids don't seem that worried about the attack. Oh, a few of them are scared, but both the adults and the other kids distract them with conversation and games. And they do so with an ease that shows they've done this many times before.
Just how often does Traverse Town get attacked?
Even with the distraction of talking animals, it feels like the attack goes on for an eternity. When it finally ends, she's led outside to the plaza.
Yuffie and Squall are alright. Sora has never been more relieved.
The rest of the evening, or what passes for evening in Traverse Town at least, goes by quickly. They eat in one of the restaurants, one that serves a mean spaghetti, and they talk some more. She's also introduced to Cid, the researcher who used to work directly for Lord Ansem.
"He ain't a Lord," Cid says with a scowl. "Not after what the fucker did."
Cid, as it turns out, loves to curse.
Unfortunately, everyone refuses to explain what Lord Ansem – just Ansem? – did. Apparently she's had enough shocks for one day, and no amount of assuring them that she can handle it is enough to make them change their minds.
Reluctantly, Sora decides to ask again later. For now, she lets them distract her with the story of how they escaped the destruction of their home.
They escaped in a spaceship. That's so cool. Riku is going to be so jealous when she tells him.
When Aerith finally joins them, Sora becomes worried all over again. She's never seen Aerith like this. Aerith looks dead on her feet.
Just how many people were hurt? And how badly?
"We didn't lose anyone," Aerith says. Once again, that's the most anyone will say about it. Sora is getting really tired of being treated with kid gloves. She can handle this.
Once again, her claim falls on deaf ears. Yuffie actually has the nerve to say that they have more experience than her, meaning they're better judges of what she can and can't handle. She's acting like Sora is a kid and Yuffie isn't, despite being only a year and a half older. Yuffie at least realizes just how much of an ass she sounds like, and she does apologize for the way she sounded.
She doesn't apologize for the message itself.
Sora is incredibly annoyed. But she also has no desire to start an argument right now. She lets it go. For now.
After Aerith's arrival, it doesn't take long for everyone to start preparing for bed. To Sora's surprise and delight, Yuffie and Aerith invite her to sleep with them. Sora immediately agrees.
She doesn't want to be alone.
Aerith and Yuffie turn out to live in a house along with seven other people, including Squall and Cid. Aerith and Yuffie's bedroom isn't large, the opposite actually, but it does have a large bed. It takes up most of the room, and it's definitely able to fit all three of them.
It turns out that Yuffie and Aerith always sleep together. Everyone here does. It's a way to comfort each other and keep the Darkness at bay. Sora would've asked for a clarification on that last, but by then Aerith has fallen into the bed and is fast asleep. Yuffie looks like she isn't far behind her.
She decides to ask tomorrow.
Sora hadn't thought that she was that tired, but her body proves her wrong.
She falls asleep the moment she closes her eyes.
The next days are a whirl of discoveries. She's taken on a tour of Traverse Town by Yuffie and Aerith. They aren't always with her, Yuffie needs to patrol and Aerith has to work at the hospital. But they spend as much time with her as they can.
Traverse Town is divided into three Districts, aptly named the First, Second and Third District. The First District forms the core of the town, and the Second District, separated by huge walls, surrounds it. The Third District surrounds the Second District in turn.
Sora is shown every nook and cranny of the First District. The various workplaces, shops, and so many other places. The mishmash of architecture, the magic infusing every part. It's wonderful.
She isn't allowed into the Second or Third District. The Third District is overrun by Heartless, nobody goes there anymore. As for the Second District, that's the buffer zone between the Third and First District, meaning the only people allowed in there are those patrolling. She needs to train before she can join them. And she needs to recover all her energy before she can start to train. Sora doesn't like it, but she supposes a few more days of waiting won't hurt. No more than a few, though.
Squall doesn't join them on her tour of Traverse Town. He's too busy coordinating the defenses against the Heartless. Apparently he's the leader of the militia. Sora wishes that he'd spend more time with her, but she understands that he has too many responsibilities for that. Besides, she sees him during breakfast and dinner. That's enough to keep her satisfied.
Other people often show up for dinner as well, but the core group remains the same. Her, Yuffie, Aerith, Squall and Cid. Cid doesn't always show up, but he's there most of the time. Doesn't have a choice really. Yuffie literally drags him to dinner if he misses it more than a few times in a row.
During one of those dinners, she asks Squall if he wants her to call him by his new name. Yuffie is the only one who calls him Squall, and he often corrects her. True, he does it in a way that shows he has no hope of her obeying, but still. If he doesn't like to be called Squall, Sora will do her best to remember to call him Leon.
Fortunately, she doesn't have to.
"I don't mind if you call me Squall," he says with that faint smile of his. It makes Yuffie let out a shocked gasp that's only half faked.
"Why is she allowed to call you Squall and I'm not?" she asks with mock betrayal.
"She asked," Squall returns, looking dead serious. Sora is pretty sure that he's joking though. Aerith's chuckle and Yuffie's mock hurt confirm her hunch.
"You're killing me, Squall," Yuffie says.
"It's Leon," Squall says without any hope of her obeying. Yuffie replies with a cheeky grin.
"I don't mind if you call me Kairi either," Sora tells him, figuring fair's fair. Besides, she really doesn't mind. In fact, she likes it. Yes, Sora is the name she thinks of when asked about herself, but Kairi is her name as well. They both feel right.
Squall knew her as Kairi. It's nice to be called that by those who knew her then.
Her words make Squall's brow furrow with confusion.
"What?"
"Oh, this you've got to hear," Yuffie says, mostly with glee but there's some incredulity as well. Both she and Aerith had been flabbergasted when Sora had shared her story about her amnesia. Apparently Yuffie still hasn't gotten over it.
Judging from Aerith's amusement, she has.
"When the whole mess back home happened, Kairi got amnesia. Didn't remember anything from before, including her name. So they named her Sora. Know when she regained her memories?"
Yuffie lets a beat of silence pass, making Sora grin. Yuffie is still as dramatic as she used to be.
"Right before she arrived here. And I mean right before."
It's nice how Yuffie and the others avoid talking about the destruction of her home directly. Hearing about it is still too painful.
Squall looks at her with a blank expression she can't read even a little. Judging from Yuffie's satisfied grin, she can.
Cid shakes his head.
"Shit, kid, you had one hell of a day."
Just like that, her mood drops. That's a bit too close to talking about the loss of her home.
It's stupid, she can never predict how she's going to react to even a vague reference to her home. Most of the time it's fine, but then there are the times like this, when it hits her with ridiculous intensity.
She shrugs, not knowing what to say. Fortunately, her reaction is enough to make the others change the subject.
She really likes the rule that no one can talk about her home without her permission.
During her exploration of Traverse Town, Sora gets to know the people living here. As it turns out, they're are a friendly bunch, always willing to talk. It's from them that Sora learns just Yuffie and Aerith meant by 'keeping the Darkness at bay'.
It turns out that people can turn into Heartless. That's
(normal)
horrifying in ways she can't even begin to describe. Heartless on their own are bad enough, but to learn that people can turn into one? It's terrifying.
It makes her fear for Riku in a way she didn't before. But no, Riku is strong. He'll be fine.
He has to be.
She hopes that Riku isn't alone. Hopes he has someone to sleep with at night. That's why they sleep together here in Traverse Town after all. Sharing warmth protects you from being consumed by Darkness.
Though Traverse Town is apparently a place where you're more vulnerable to losing your hearts than other worlds. It isn't shielded like normal worlds. This is good. Well no, obviously it isn't good, but it's good that other worlds aren't as vulnerable. Means there's less chance of Riku becoming a Heartless.
She needs to think of something else.
Sora discovers that protection against the Darkness isn't the only reason why people sleep together. Or rather, live together.
It's because there isn't enough room. Traverse Town does grow the more inhabitants it has, but they can't use all the space it provides, not by a long shot. It wasn't always this bad, people used to live in the Second District as well, but they can't do that anymore. Too dangerous.
The result is that the First District is badly overcrowded.
When Sora tries to assure people that she'll get rid of the Heartless for good, Yuffie stops her. Apparently she wants to keep the fact that Sora has a Keyblade secret until she's had training. She doesn't want to give people false hope. Sora doesn't get why showing people her Keyblade would be a problem, but Yuffie's pleading is so earnest that she agrees to keep quiet until she's had some training.
Given that both Aerith and Squall repeat the warning later on, multiple times even, she made the right decision.
Talking with people also reveals that most are part of the militia. It seems like half of the adults patrol the Second District. Not at the same time of course, but still. Most are fighters.
They're fighters because they have to be.
They also all use magic. Not just the fighters, everyone. It's astonishing how many different types there are. Simba, the lion who saved her, can create blasts of light with his roars. Grumpy and Dopey, the two darves, can manipulate the earth with their pickaxes. Duchess the cat can enchant people with her voice.
On Radiant Garden, personal magic was the exception, not the rule. Sure, some people could make plants grow faster, like Aerith, or make light shows like Nana, but most magic was automated. It was harnessed and directed by technology.
That isn't the case in Traverse Town. Everyone here can use innate magic. Even the children can.
Yuffie and Squall can as well.
They couldn't in the Garden.
According to Merlin, a bushy-bearded wizard who's studied magic his entire life, it's because of Traverse Town's lack of shielding. The laws of magic aren't as rigid as they are on other worlds.
Sora can't wait to learn how to cast magic herself. That's another thing that'll have to wait until training though.
She's getting pretty tired of waiting.
She still misses her home. Still worries about Riku. Still bursts out crying at random times.
She searches for Yuffie and Aerith whenever it happens. Or, when they aren't available, she looks for the nearest person available comfort her.
Luckily, the people in Traverse Town are always ready to provide that comfort. They know the pain she's going through. And, as Yuffie points out with a bitterness Sora still isn't used to, they can't afford to withhold that comfort.
People turn into Heartless when they do.
Sora always feels better after she finishes crying. Then she starts worrying again, because she knows that Riku won't cry. Not unless he has someone pushing him. He'll bottle it all up instead, because Riku thinks it isn't cool to cry. Riku can be an idiot like that. Same with sleeping together with someone. He'll think that isn't cool either.
She worries how he's dealing with the loss of their home. Worries that he's all alone. She doesn't worry about finding him, sharing a paopu fruit means that they'll find each other again no matter what, but she still desperately wants to start looking for him. She wants to find him now.
She misses him. She misses him so much. Yuffie and the others are great, but they aren't Riku. They aren't her best friend.
Maybe it's because she misses Riku so much, or maybe it's just because she's sick of sitting around and doing nothing. Whatever the reason, Sora puts her foot down after a week has passed.
They're going to train her now.
"Okay."
Yuffie's easy agreement is completely unexpected. Sora had been convinced that she'd have to argue like crazy before they'd agree to train her.
"Why? Did you think we were lying about you just needing to recover your strength?"
Well no, she didn't think that. She just... thought it would be more difficult?
"We can wait some more if you want."
"No!" She doesn't want to wait! She wants to train now.
Yuffie grins, pleased with the reaction her teasing inspired.
"Let me check with Squall first," she says. "He'll want to handle this personally."
And given how busy Squall is, he needs to clear his schedule first. Sora understands.
She's still displeased to learn that Squall won't be available until tomorrow.
When the time to train finally arrives, Sora all but bounces after Squall as he leads her to the Second District. They don't go far, the "training grounds", aka, another large plaza, is right outside the First District. Far enough that they won't need to worry about someone accidentally getting in their way, but close enough to be able to evacuate quickly in case of an attack. There are apparently wards all over the Second District, meant to warn if any Heartless crosses them.
The Heartless need to cross a lot of wards to get to where they are now.
"Do you have any experience in fighting?" Squall asks. Sora rocks back and forth on her heels, feeling like she could burst with anticipation.
"I started learning martial arts when I was seven, and kendo when I was ten."
Squall gives her a surprised look. Sora gives a pleased smile back.
She isn't a rookie. The sooner Squall gets that, the sooner she can join him in fighting Heartless.
"That'll help a lot," he says, his surprise making way for that faint smile of his. Then he lifts his sword and takes on a defensive stance. He's already cast a spell to blunt the edge, to prevent her from getting cut by accident. She can still be knocked off her feet, though.
"Now then. Show me what you've got."
"Go, Kairi!" Yuffie cheers from the railing she's made herself comfortable on. One that provides an excellent view of their upcoming spar. "Kick his ass!"
If she insists.
Sora summons her Keyblade. Carefully looking over Squall's stance, she tries to determine the best way to attack. His sword is massive, meaning he has a lot of reach on her. But his sword is also a lot more unwieldy than her Keyblade. She has the advantage in agility. And while she doesn't know yet how fast Squall is, she also knows that her own speed is more than a little above average.
Let's do this.
Darting forward, she pretends to perform a frontal attack. When Squall moves his blade to counter, she spins on her heel and launches an attack on his side – Squall leans out of the way and hits her own side with the flat of his blade, making her stumble. Ouch.
Yuffie laughs. Sora ignores the flash of annoyance she feels and turns her stumble into a roll. Coming up behind Squall's back, she swings her Keyblade.
It's caught by Squall's blade as he smoothly brings it behind his back, not even looking at her as he blocks her attack.
She's starting to suspect that she's outclassed. Then she discovers that she's definitely outclassed when Squall spins around while doing a complicated maneuver with his sword at the same time, sending her Keyblade flying. Sora doesn't give him the chance to take advantage of the opening he created, ducks beneath his sword while summoning her Keyblade, about to hit in right in the stomach – Squall jumps back and Sora can only gape at the distance he covers. He is definitely using magic.
"Not bad," Squall says after landing on his feet. "Not bad at all."
"Are you kidding me?" Yuffie says. "That was great!"
Doesn't feel like it was.
"I thought you'd be slower," she tells Squall.
Squall actually smirks. It's painful how familiar he looks.
He looks like Riku.
"You aren't the first to make that mistake."
"Carefull, Squall," Yuffie says with a grin. "Your ego is showing."
"Beat me and then we'll talk about ego," Squall retorts, before taking on another defensive stance. "Now come on, Kairi. Impress me."
He raises a challenging brow.
"Unless that's all you've got?"
Sora narrows her eyes at him, even as she can't help but smile as well. Challenge accepted.
She and Squall resume sparring. It doesn't take long for her to realize that she isn't just outclassed, she is Outclassed. Squall is stronger, faster, and just plain better than her in every way.
It's kind of exhilarating. She thought she was pretty good already, but now? She sees that she still has so much to learn.
She can't wait until Squall starts teaching her. More specifically, until he starts teaching her magic. That's the greatest difference between them after all. His magic. Not just the fire he can create, though that's definitely a huge advantage as well, but the physical part. Squall uses magic to boost his body to superhuman levels.
It's amazing.
But before he can teach her about magic, he needs to finish testing her.
It's a test she passes with flying colors.
"You're good," he says after he's knocked her flat on her ass for the second time. "Firm grasp on the basics, nice technique, good instincts. You're a lot better than I expected."
"Admit it, Squall," Yuffie says with a grin. "You're impressed."
"Maybe a little," Squall says with a faint smile.
"Only a little?" Sora teases while getting back go her feet. Squall's smile grows.
"Maybe more than a little."
Sora grins, pleased to have gained his approval – she (dodges) the Heartless attacking her from behind on instinct and is already (swinging) her Keyblade when she (sees) a mana infused throwing star hit it, (destabilizing) its form.
Her Keyblade connects and the Heartless is (freed).
Sora doesn't have time to be relieved, is already (dodging) another Heartless and (freeing) another, dozens of them suddenly pouring out of the shadows.
"Kairi, get out of the way!" she absently hears Yuffie yell, but she's more (focused) on the shuriken Yuffie is throwing. Yuffie is (controlling) their flight, and she's (skillfully) using them to keep the Heartless from swarming her, (destabilizing) their forms, though not (dispersing) them.
Sora (frees) a Heartless while (kicking) another one away before her attention is drawn to Squall as he joins the battle. Magic infuses his blade, (destabilizing) Heartless whenever his sword connects. Sora wastes no time in taking advantage of the (openings) he creates, (freeing) every Heartless he hits.
With Squall's and Yuffie's help, it doesn't take long to (free) all the Heartless.
"What the hell was that?" Yuffie demands, leaping off the balcony she was on and catching her shuriken as they return to her.
She doesn't put them away as she waves her hands around.
"How did they get past the wards? Why did they, it's only been a week since the last attack! And you!"
Sora startles as Yuffie whirls around to face her.
"Why the hell were you holding back?"
Holding back?
"I wasn't holding back." The opposite, she was giving it her all.
"Oh sure, that's why you turned into a total badass when the Heartless attacked."
The words make her realize that her fighting against the Heartless hadn't been normal. It had, in fact, been magical.
It was the same kind of fighting she did against the Heartless on the Islands.
...Is it because of her Keyblade? Does it make her a better fighter?
(no)
Does it give her special powers?
(yes)
"Seriously, Kairi, what the hell?"
"I think it's because of my Keyblade," she replies, giving her Keyblade a pensive look.
"The Keyblade turns you into a badass?"
Sora ignores Yuffie's sarcasm.
"I think so. Against Heartless at least."
"That's good."
Squall's words make her lift her gaze. She sees him give her a look she thinks is rueful. Or maybe relieved.
The way he shakes his head make clear that it's relieved.
"More than good really. That's great."
Yuffie huffs.
"You could've told us before," she says, starting to calm down.
"I didn't know about it before," Sora points out. Yuffie huffs again, but this time she's smiling. She opens her mouth to say something but she's interrupted by a shrill whistle going off. More whistles follow, each one accompanied by a loud crash and faint tremors running through the earth.
Both the whistles and crashes are getting louder.
Yuffie pales, looking utterly terrified. It makes worry rise with a vengeance.
"It's too soon," Yuffie whispers before Sora can demand what's wrong.
"Run."
Squall's voice is harsh, but he looks scared as well.
Sora doesn't even get the chance to say anything before Yuffie darts forward and lifts her up bridal style. Then she starts running with magical speed, Squall right besides them and what's wrong, why are they running – a sound makes her head (snap) up on instinct and she absently (feels) Yuffie prepare to jump, but she's already (kicking) Yuffie out of the way before Yuffie can finish and she (grabs) Squall's arm as she flies past him, getting him out of the way as well.
A massive gauntlet crushes the ground they'd been standing on not even a moment before, so loud she almost doesn't (notice) the second crash. Sora (lands) on her feet and (looks around) for the rest of the body.
She finds it on the opposite side of the plaza.
Terror rises.
The Heartless is huge. Not quite as enormous as the Darkness on Destiny Islands, but frighteningly close. It towers over the surrounding buildings, a mockery of a knight. Armor covers the Darkness of its form, (protecting) the heart (trapped) inside. It only has one leg and no arms, but its size alone is terrifying enough.
Well no, it does have one arm. And that arm is (blocking) the route to the First District. That means it can (control) its limbs from a distance.
This is going to be (difficult).
"Kairi," Squall says, his own eyes flickering between the arm and the rest of the body. "When I give the signal, run to the First District."
What?
"No." She isn't leaving Yuffie and Squall to fight this thing alone.
"This isn't up for debate–"
"Watch out!"
Yuffie's warning comes just as she herself (sees) the Heartless jump, and she (leaps) up a roof to avoid it.
Squall doesn't.
She almost jumps back down to get the idiot out of the way, but then she (notices) the mana he's gathering in his blade.
It's a lot more mana than before.
The Heartless crosses the distances with a single leap. Right before it would've crushed Squall, Squall swings his blade, magic bursting free. It doesn't (destabilize) the Heartless, the armor prevents that, but it does ruin its balance and makes it fall to its knee. Squall performs some (clever) footwork to both avoid being crushed to death as the Heartless falls forward and to get himself into a position for a follow up attack.
He slices his mana infused blade through one of the narrow gaps in the leg armor, (destabilizing) the leg enough that the Heartless can't get back up.
Squall is (good).
Except instead of taking advantage of the (grounded) position of the Heartless, Squall actually goes after the arm. Yuffie pelts the rest of the body with shuriken, (occupying) it by aiming for the gaps in its armor.
Sora realizes that Squall must be trying to get the arm out of the way so she can run to the First District. Does he still think that she's going to leave them? Yeah, that isn't happening.
Sora (jumps) onto the Heartless, careful to (keep out) of Yuffie's way.
"What the– Kairi!"
Sora ignores Yuffie's yell, more (focused) on keeping her footing as the Heartless shakes itself violently. Trying to throw her off.
It won't (succeed).
She (runs) up its back, (aiming) for its head. If she can (knock it off), she'll have a (direct shot) at its (heart).
The head spins around and fires a blast of Darkness. Sora hastily (shields) herself, (annoyed) at failing to anticipate that move.
The blast doesn't (harm) her, but it does knock her off the Heartless. Sora (lands) on her feet and (prepares) to shoot back to it, but Yuffie has jumped off the roof and lands besides her, grabbing her arm before she can go after the Heartless again.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she demands, but Sora is far more (focused) on the battle. Squall has been joined by Simba, Robin and someone she doesn't recognize. The three of them are occupying the main body while Squall tries to lure the arm away from the gates.
"Kairi!"
"I'm fighting," she snaps while yanking her arm out of Yuffie's grip, unable to believe that Yuffie is arguing with her at a time like this.
Yuffie actually looks like she's about to argue further, but that's when the Heartless sends both its arm and leg after (her) and they're forced to (leap) out of the way.
The First District opens. Sora absently (notes) the people joining the battle, but most of her attention is on (dodging) the limbs. The gauntlet spins around as it chases after her, razor sharp edges trying to cleave her in half, while the boot tries to crush her like a bug. They're fast.
She's (faster).
(Gathering) mana, she (searches) for an opening. She (finds) one when lightning arches through the air and hits both the gauntlet and both, the spell (powerful) enough to stun them, and Sora wastes no time in (darting) forward and (thrusting) her Keyblade through one of the gaps in the armor of the gauntlet.
She (channels) Light.
The Darkness breaks and the Heartless s̶̕͢c͘͘r̢҉ea̷͢ms̨. She (hates) it when they do that.
The gauntlet starts dissolving, but Sora is more (focused) on the main body. The Heartless is angry now. Worst of all, the others, not having the (protection) of a Keyblade, are still struggling to overcome the effects of its scream. They're disorientated and all but defenseless.
She needs to draw the Heartless away from them.
"I'm sorry, did that hurt?" she (taunts), relieved when her plan works. The Heartless vibrates with rage.
Sora spreads her arms with challenge.
"You want payback? Come and get it."
The Heartless needs no further encouragement. It recalls its boot, increasing its (mobility), before jumping towards her. Sora (waits) until the last possible moment to (leap) up, making the Heartless (waste) the Darkness it had gathered by avoiding the wave it sends out on landing.
She realizes too late that the wave is powerful enough to reach the nearest person on the ground, watches with horror as Simba is (consumed) – someone darts between Simba and the wave right before it would've hit. Sora can't spare them as much attention as she wants, she's (landed) on the Heartless and needs to (focus) on not being thrown off. Or shot off by blasts of Darkness. But a quick glance reveals that both Simba and the other person, Goofy, are unharmed.
Goofy is holding a shield.
Did he actually (block) the Darkness? That's (impressive).
She returns all her (attention) to the Heartless when Darkness starts slithering out the gaps in its armor, razor sharp tendrils trying to skewer her. While it isn't too difficult to (dodge) the tendrils without losing her footing, they do prevent her from (knocking off) its head.
A glowing arrow cuts through several tendrils, making her glance at the source.
Robin has recovered from the scream.
"Aim for the head!" she (yells).
Robin listens. The next arrow hits the head.
It doesn't budge.
Robin aimed for a gap in the armor. More specifically, the gap where eyes would normally be. That's not what he needs to do.
"Hit the neck! The head needs to be knocked off!"
It isn't Robin that obeys. It's Yuffie. A windmill shuriken smashes against the helmet, making it jerk.
The jerk creates a brief gap between the helmet and the rest of the armor, and Robin immediately shoots several arrows at it, (destabilizing) the Darkness a little. Better, but still not good enough.
Fortunately, Squall joins in, shooting blasts of fire at the head. Then the others join in as well, launching a variety of attacks. Almost there...
The head is finally knocked off. Sora immediately (darts) forward and (dives) into the armor before the Heartless can recover. Darkness surrounds her, but she (shields) herself and searches for the (heart). She finds it.
She (frees) it.
The Darkness breaks. Sora (lands) on her feet and looks at the dissolving armor. It's over.
They won.
She returns her Keyblade to (her heart).
And suddenly she's wavering on her feet, the exertion of the fight catching up. Sora manages to keep standing, but it's a close call. She's feeling more than a little woozy.
She could really use a nap right now.
"Kairi!"
Sora leans into Yuffie's embrace when Yuffie lands besides her and pulls her into a hug.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Tired, but fine. And so relieved that everyone else is fine as well.
Yuffie lets out a harsh breath and tightens her embrace. She's trembling.
"I was so worried," she whispers. Sora somehow finds the energy to lift her arms and hug her back.
"It's over," she hears someone say, sounding relieved. "It's gone."
"It's gone for good."
Squall's statement, soft yet easily heard, makes her turn her gaze towards him. She sees him look at her with clear relief.
"She used a Keyblade," he continues and suddenly everyone is looking at her with shock and disbelief. "It won't reform."
The shock starts making way for hope. The disbelief doesn't fade though.
"It won't reform?" Simba repeats like he can't believe what he's saying.
"No, it won't," Squall confirms. "It'll never return."
Robin lets out a sound that's half a laugh, half a sob. Then everyone else is joining in, disbelieving and kind of hysterical laughter filling the air. Make that definitely hysterical, actually.
Yuffie is laughing as well. Sora closes her eyes and tries to keep herself from falling asleep right here in Yuffie's arms. She also feels herself smile, involuntarily amused.
She said she wanted to join her friends in fighting Heartless. She definitely got what she wanted.
Here's to hoping her wish to find Riku will be fulfilled just as quickly.
...
Riku absently spins his sword around as he looks around the chamber. It's an impressive sight. Intricate pillars line the room and the floor is covered by decorated tiles. Stained windows let in different colored lights. By now he's discovered that the light and tiles are meant to complement each other, creating a different image depending on the time of day. It's beautiful.
It's meaningless.
He hates that he can't enjoy this. Hates that a sight like this only annoys him.
He hates that Sora isn't here. If she was, she's be running around and excitedly talking about how beautiful this place is. Or she'd slowly be walking around instead, taking in the room with wonder.
She'd be dragging him along to explore another chamber as soon as they finished exploring this one.
Riku spins his sword around faster, to the point where he has to pay conscious attention if he doesn't want to accidentally cut himself. He doesn't want to think about this. Doesn't want to think about anything really.
He just wants to find Sora.
Unfortunately, Maleficent's spell to find her has failed. Supposedly at least. Supposedly she's also trying it again, new runes filling what he's come to think of as the magic chamber.
He hates that he can't tell whether or not she's being truthful. His studies are going nowhere.
He knows it's only been two weeks, knows it's normal that he hasn't made any progress yet.
Doesn't stop him from hating it.
Halting his spinning with a frustrated sigh, he prepares to go to another room. He got a nasty bruise on his back in his last fight against Maleficent's dummies, and Maleficent apparently finds this "injury" significant enough to refuse to create any more dummies. Yes, he can still practise with his sword, but that isn't the same as a real fight. It doesn't calm him down as much.
Which means he can either study or explore instead. Studying right now would only frustrate him more. So, exploring it is.
It isn't helping as much as he'd like. Or at all really.
He honesty can't overstate how much he hates this.
He halts when he sees something move from the corner of his vision. Yet when he turns to look at it directly, he sees nothing. Frowning, he looks again, trying to find what it was that drew his attention.
There's nothing there.
Did he imagine it?
Moving in the direction he thought he saw something, he finally spots something out of the ordinary. One of the shadows cast by the pillars is darker than the rest.
For some reason, the sight fills him with unease.
Glancing up at Diablo, he sees that the raven is still seated high on the rafters and still looks completely at ease.
It confirms that he's being ridiculous. It's just a shadow. Nothing to be scared of.
Squaring his shoulders, he moves closer. He also makes sure that he has a secure grip on his sword. Just in case.
The closer he gets, the more difficult it becomes to control his fear. Something inside him is screaming that he's in danger.
Riku ignores it.
Halting next to the shadow, he hesitates briefly before poking it with the tip of his sword – shadows fly up and he's dodging on instinct, black claws barely missing him, so close he can feel the chill brush his cheek. An absent part of him hears Diablo caw like crazy and also realizes what this thing is but it's buried by the need to keep dodging, the shadows moving with impossible speed and changing direction in ways he can't predict – he screams as claws rake over his arm, agony shattering his thoughts and he's falling down and he can't fall down, needs to keep moving – green fire engulfs the shadows and a sound he has no words for shreds his brain apart.
Riku becomes aware that his ears are ringing and that there are spots dancing across his vision.
What the hell just happened?
Blinking rapidly to get rid of the spots blurring his vision, he becomes aware that something is touching him. He also becomes aware that his arm is cold and hurting. Not as painful as the pounding of his head, but painful nonetheless.
With a huge effort, he manages to turn his head and look at his arm.
His arm is being held by Maleficent. Her hand is glowing. Riku tries to pull his arm out of her hold, but Maleficent's grip tightens like a vice, making the pain even worse.
This time the pain clears his head. He's lying on the floor. He's lying on the floor because he fought a Heartless and lost. Maleficent got rid of the Heartless with magic. And now she's... healing his wound?
His wound, which he now sees isn't serious. Yeah, it hurts like hell, but they're just scratches. He's gotten worse injuries from climbing trees.
"Let go," he mutters while trying to free his arm again. Once again, Maleficent doesn't let go. Riku scowls and sits up, but Maleficent still doesn't let go. "I'm fine."
"You are not, you foolish child," Maleficent actually snaps, making him tense up. It becomes even worse when she glares at him. Maleficent is unsettling even at the best of times, but having her glare at him? Terrifying.
"It's just a scratch," he snaps back, annoyed by her reaction. And by his own.
Maleficent takes a deep breath.
"A scratch caused by a Heartless," she counters with forced calm. "This is not a mere wound to the flesh. This is a wound to the heart."
She gives him a look that seems to pierce down to his very soul.
"Left untended, it will consume you."
He's shivering in his boots. Literally so, his arm feels frozen.
"And do what, give me a cold?" How scary.
Riku ignores his unease as Maleficent keeps giving him that piercing look.
"It will transform you into a Heartless."
What.
"That's impossible." Those things are... there's nothing human about them. How could he ever turn into one?
"As impossible as Darkness consuming an entire world?"
Riku flinches, both at the sharpness of her voice and the reminder of what he – the reminder of losing his home.
Maleficent briefly closes her eyes and takes another calming breath.
"The Darkness must be extracted from your wound. Allow me to do so, Riku. Please."
Riku grimaces. He doesn't want her performing magic on him. At all.
He wants to turn into a Heartless even less.
He gives a curt nod.
Maleficent lets out a sigh of relief, before her hand starts glowing again. Riku forces himself to sit still as he feels her magic delve into him. It feels... oily. Clingy.
Invasive.
He hates this. But he can't deny that he does feel a noticeable difference. The cold biting into him starts fading.
It doesn't disappear completely. Even after Maleficent finally lets go off him, a faint chill remains. But it's easy to ignore, and Riku really wasn't exaggerating about hating it when she uses magic on him.
He gets to his feet and rubs over the scratches, no longer bleeding and looking like they're days old instead of fresh. Why, exactly, couldn't Maleficent do this to the bruise on his back?
"Thanks," he forces himself to say instead of snapping at her, figuring he should at least pretend to be grateful.
Maleficent lets out a soft sigh and gracefully rises to her feet. She looks tired.
"I am aware you do not find my company enjoyable, Riku. But do not let your dislike of me endanger your life. The Heartless are dangerous in ways you cannot imagine. Should you have another encounter such as this, come find me. I beg of you."
Riku crosses his arms and looks away, uncomfortable with her... her pleading. That isn't something he ever expected to hear from Maleficent.
It makes him feel guilty. He doesn't like feeling guilty. Especially not when it comes to Maleficent.
"If you know I don't enjoy your company, why do you keep seeking me out?" he mutters and becomes annoyed all over again by how petulant he sounds.
"...There is no one else to seek out."
Maleficent soft words make him glance back at her. She looks... not vulnerable, Maleficent isn't capable of that. But this is the closest she can get.
Diablo lands on her shoulder and lets out a soft noise while rubbing his head against her cheek. Maleficent gives him her equivalent of a warm smile and gently caresses his feathers.
"Diablo makes for fine company of course. But I do miss conversing with other people."
And there are no other people to talk to aside from him. Riku shifts his weight, even more uncomfortable than before.
He's being an ass. Has been ever since he got here. He knows that.
This is the first time he's felt real guilt for it. The first time it really hits him how unfair he's being. Maleficent has been nothing but helpful ever since he met her.
He should stop taking his anger out on her.
"Thanks," he repeats, ensuring he sounds sincere this time. "For helping me I mean." Both this time and all the times that came before.
Maleficent looks at him with surprise. She didn't expect him to thank her for her help. Another sign of how much of an ass he's been until now.
She smiles. It's unnerving as always, but Riku ignores that. She can't help how she looks.
"You are most welcome, Riku."
Riku can't find it within himself to smile back, but he at least manages to bite back the retort that wants to escape. Progress.
He needs to get a hold of himself. Yes, he's angry at everything about this cursed situation, but taking it out on Maleficent won't change anything. It'll only make it so she'll no longer want to help him.
And she really doesn't deserve his hostility. The opposite. No matter how creepy she looks, she's more than earned the benefit of the doubt. Yes, he can't know for sure whether she's being truthful or not, but until now, she's only helped him. She's given him clothes, food and shelter. She's provided him with access to all the books about magic he could want. She gave him a sword and targets he can vent his rage on.
She's been kind to him. Despite how horribly he's treated her in return.
Riku promises himself that he'll do better from now on. It's the very least he should do.
Besides. If – when he finds Sora again, she'd be disappointed with the way he's been acting. She'd scold him for being rude to someone who, until now, has only been kind to him.
He'd give anything to have her scold him. But that's impossible right now.
He'll settle for improving his behavior instead. And he'll ask Maleficent to start teaching him magic instead of trying to figure it out on his own.
He's going to stop moping around and find Sora no matter what.
AN: I present, an update. Probably won't be another one, at least, not for a long while. This was inspired by KH3 coming out, meaning I'm seeing KH fanart everywhere. It was impossible not to write another chapter. But now that the chapter is finished, my muse is satisfied.
Anyway, even though it's only one chapter, hope you enjoyed it! Also, I'd love to hear what your thoughts about this chapter. Or just the story in general :)