Disclaimer: The fallowing story plot, OCs, and head canons belong to Spirit of Writing. Kingdom Hearts, Disney, and other type of media belong to their rightful owner.
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Chapter 3: Into The Woods
The very next morning, Akira has already gotten out of bed before anybody else does. She currently in the living room and sitting on a couch, while packing certain stuffs into a bag that is part of her black belt. Most of the items she taking are a water bottle, a map, a small first aid kit, and a bag of konpeito that can fit inside. She is about to zip up her bag until a hand with a flat-screened phone held up to her face.
"Are you forgetting something?" Akira turn her head to see it was Alan, standing beside the sofa and have her phone."You should always have this with you. How else I can make sure you're doing well?"
"Whoops, I'm almost forgot about that." Akira made a sheepish smile."Thanks, Al." Akira thanked him, and grab her phone from him.
Once she packed up the last item into her bag, she put on the belt and made sure it fit around her waistline. Akira then got up from the cushion seat; therefore, she can smooth out the wrinkles on her clothes she picked out for today. She's wearing a long-sleeved, purple hoodie with a zipper left unzipped and reveal a black camisole underneath. Other parts of her attire include a pair of black fingerless gloves, dark grey cargo pants, and black knee-high hiking boots. Also some accessories like a black chocker, a purple-banded wristbands on both wrists, and her favorite star necklace.
Alan begin to scratch his bearded chin, and said,"You know...if you tuck in your pants into those boots it will help to prevent bug from crawling up your legs." Then he notice Akira's long, bright brown hair is left undone also messy like always."And you should tie up your hair, it might get windy today." He added.
"Got it." Akira took his advice, and she make sure her pants are tucked into the boots. Then finally, she tied her long hair into a ponytail with a purple hair tie. "Anything else, uncle?" Akira questioned.
"By now you should always know to be very careful, and make sure to call me in case if anything happen to you." Alan gave an advice to his only niece.
"Loud and clear, sir." Akira understood."I'll be back around noon, promise."
"I sure you will, my little adventurer." Alan smiled.
"Uncle...I'm not little anymore." Akira made a fake whine, and then let out a short laugh.
"Heh, I know, kiddo." Alan chuckled along with his niece."Just be careful out there, and don't go places you shouldn't be."
"Yeah, yeah, I got it." Akira said with a smile."I'll see ya later." She wave him a goodbye.
"Have a safe trip." Alan did the same thing, and said his farewell to her.
"Okay, I will!" Akira reply with spunk.
And with that, she walked out of the house. Alan remain in the living room to locked up the door from the inside. He then shifted his gaze to see a wooden glass display cabinet in the corner of the living room. Inside contain some photographs in picture frames, unlit white candles, and dried up marigolds too. One in particular that caught Alan's interest the most was the photo of a fully grown man with ebony hair that look spiked up, with bangs framing the sides of his face, cobalt blue eyes, and a bright grin on his face.
Alan couldn't help, but smile fondly since the photo show some resemblance with his foster niece. He can almost feels the memories from his past about to come up; however, the sounds of footsteps coming down stairs interrupt it. By turning his head to the other direction, Alan saw his young son halfway down the stairs and being fallow by none other than his loyal dog.
"Good morning, son." Alan greeted.
"Morning, dad," Sorin said with a yawn,"Where's big sis? She wasn't in her room this morning."
"Akira went on a hiking trip to Fairywood." The father informed.
"Wait...by herself?" Sorin sounded very shocked by that answer."Are you sure that's a good idea?" Sorin begin to question.
"Is there an issue you want to address, boy?"Alan wonder what troubling his son.
"Haven't you heard what happened yesterday?" Sorin brought up another question.
"Mhmm," Alan thought for a moment,"Are you talking about the ones that went missing from Hippocampus Coast?"
"Well, yeah...don't you think it's dangerous to let her go by herself?" Sorin said with some concern for his surrogate sister.
"I can assure you, Akira will be fine on her own." Alan said, calmly.
"Are you sure about that?" He questioned."A lot people had went missing, dad."
Alan let out a sad sigh,"Sadly, that is true." It was kinda difficult for him to admit the harsh truth, but still, he can't sugar coated."Although people had went missing over the years, it doesn't mean she will end up like them. Beside we can't let those kinds fear take over, how else can we enjoy our lives if we're constantly worry about it?"
" I...I guess you're right."Sorin seems to understand his father's words."But still, it's weird that two more people had gone missing this month. I wonder why this keep happening?"
"I would like to know that too." Alan agreed."Anyways, how about we have breakfast?" Then he went on to change the subject into something else.
"Okay!" Sorin responded."Also can you please teach me some sword fighting techniques? I want to get better at it since I have trouble fighting back, while try to keep my defense on." He ask his father about sword fighting styles he can learn from him.
"Of course, I'll gladly teach you the skills." Alan smile, and acceptance his son's request.
It been long bus ride through the hilly terrain. Akira was gazing out the window, seeing how scenery of trees passed by, until she saw her destination come to view. Akira quickly got up from her seat, in order to reach out for a button that is on a steel pole, and then press it to make a dinging sound that signal the bus driver to stop. The bus begin to make a slight turn till it stop on the side of the rode, while Akira head over to back exit and waited for the door to open up.
Once the bus door automatically folded itself to let passengers out, Akira was the only one to get off. The bus begin to drive away, but Akira didn't bother to watched it leaved. Akira is too focus on stretching her arms, legs, and back since being inside that bus for more than a hour made her body feeling cramp.
"Finally...I'm here." Akira said with relief, while doing some arm stretches.
Looking around the area to see it's mostly woodland until she spotted a huge archway made from logs, with a sign hanging from it, and a black road that go directly to the park called Fairywood National Park. Finding the entrance to the park made Akira walk a short distance to get there. As she getting close toward the open wooden gates, Akira has spotted someone standing on the side of the archway.
"Mhmm, do I have enough?" The strange person ponder out loud.
The stranger appeared to be a young girl around fourteen years old or younger. However, something about her look very odd. Firstly, the outfit is not suitable when going to a park. She is wearing a white, dress-like hoodie that reach to her thighs, and a pink belt around her waistline. Plus she is wearing tights, black shorts, brown boots that reach to her knees, golden rings bracelet on both wrists, and finally wearing a pair of white opera gloves. The big hood of her dress was concealing her entire head and face, making it impossible to see her facials features.
Suddenly, the strange girl turn her head and look directly at Akira."Oh, why hello there!" She begin to wave with her right arm, but she got no respond from the person she talking to. "Huh, guess you don't like to talk, don't you."
It wasn't long till Akira came to the realization of the stranger was trying to talk to her. Even though the stranger's face is mostly cover, Akira can tell she facing directly at her.
"Wait, me?" Akira then pointed at herself, wondering if the hooded girl is trying to talk to her.
"Yes you, silly." The stranger hold up a hand to her hidden lip, and cover giggles. "I just saying hello. By the way, my named is Kitigin! But my friends like to called me Kitty." She then revealed her name.
"Kiti...gin..." Akira try to pronounce it.
The strange girl, named Kitigin, nodded her head. "Yes! And what about you, what's your name?" She then waited for the brown-haired teen to reveal her name too, but sadly she got no answer."Huh, guess your shy one, aren't you?" Kitigin assume from the lack of response.
Akira let out a low growl,"Fine, my name Akira. There you're happy?"
"Oh, wow! That's such a cool name!" Kitigin said, cheerily."Especially it could mean bright and smart, or graceful strength." She gushed over Akira's name.
"It does?" Akira wonder if her own name really mean those things. However, she realize there are other things she need to do."What I am doing? I shouldn't be wasting time." Akira whisper, and then begin to walk down the rode.
As she walk on black rode to the park main entrance, with Kitigin fallowing her on the same direction. Kitigin manage to walk beside Akira at the same pace, and a little too close to her shoulder. Noticing she was too close to her space, Akira to take a few steps further away from her.
"Hey, Akira. Is this your first time coming to this park?" Kitigin asked, then waited patiently for Akira's answer.
"No..."Akira sigh,"I been here lots of time."
"Wow, that's so cool, Akira!" Kitigin was amazed by the fact."I bet you're an expert around this place. You know always wanted to come here, but I been busy lately. This is my first time coming here..."
"Just great," To her dismay, Akira is now stuck with a talkative girl.
Akira's can only rolled her eyes in annoyance from hearing the white, hooded girl blabber about stuffs. All she can do was to suck it up, and occasionally give her short responses if Kitigin give her a question. She went on and on about other places been to before, then talk about her experienced. Thankfully, it only lasted for a couple of minutes until they reached the end of the rode.
They arrived to a place where many people would gather around in the main area of the park. Akira and Kitigin look around the place until they found a booth to pay an entrance fees. Akira went up first and pay the worker with the right amount of money, then it was Kitigin's turn to pay her fees too. Once they done that, they are now allow to fully enter the park to explore.
Akira head to a certain direction while Kitigin still fallow her. Soon they reached to another part of Fairywoods, where many trails are lay out and lead to different locations. Also saw a couple of hikers getting themselves ready for the long hike ahead.
"Wow, there're so many places to explore!" Kitigin beamed by the sight of the many trails to choose from. "I wonder which part of Fairywood we should go?" The white, dressed girl wonder while scratching her cheek.
"We?" Akira look directly at her with confusion.
"Well, I thought we should stick together, you know." Kitigin shyly look down at her own feet, and pressed two index together. "I'm still new to this place. And I have no idea about the terrain of this park. You been here to this place many time, right? Maybe you can give me a tour through the park if you want to..."
"Look, there are other people here you can fallow, and they are way better than me." Akira pointed out the many people around the hiking area."So why bother sticking with me?" She simply asked the strange girl.
"It's not because of that...I really like to get to know you better, Akira." Kitigin revealed without hesitation.
"Huh?" Akira's head tilted in confusion.
"Sorry, it sounded weird, right?" Kitigin sounded very sheepish, and rub the back of her head. "I just like meeting new people, and I want to see how far we can go together. In fact, you kinda remind me one my friend who's a sword master-" Suddenly, Kitigin's cover her mouth.
"Wait, a sword master?" Akira became intrigued."You mean an actual swordsman?" She questioned even further to make what she heard wasn't misinformed.
"Um, no...I didn't say that, really!" Kitigin shoot down the slipped up she made. "Anyways, can we still go together, please?" She plead in hopes for the brown-haired girl will accept it.
Out of nowhere, Akira was put in a difficult decision to make. Either allowed Kitigin to fallow her or reject it, so can go on the hike she been planing all day. One of the big reason why is because they barely know each other. They just meant at the entranced, and for some bizarre reason, Kitigin want to fallow her. Also she didn't want to give away her trust so easily.
However, Kitigin is young and inexperience. She have no knowledge about the terrain of Fairywood, and most likely she might end up getting lost. It would be wrong to let someone like Kitigin to be all alone.
"Oh man, what would Terra do?" Akira whisper, then start to imagine what kind of choices he would make. Thinking about it brought back memory of him doing things that always seemed right. Then she begin to remember the things he used to say to her when she was little.
You should always do help other in need-even if we don't know them. Imaginary Terra would say to her like a conscious. Hearing those phantom words cause her to feels some kind of sympathy. She want fallow his words since she believe it's the right thing to do. Even though her insecurity telling her otherwise.
Akira let out long sigh."Fine," She started,"You can come with me, but I picking out the trail, got it?"
Kitigin gasp, happily."Oh my goodness, thank you!" Suddenly, Kitigin grab Akira's right hand and begin to shake it rabidly. The sheer strength and speed, almost cause the brown-haired girl to lose her balance."I promise I won't be a bother!"
"Hey, let go!" Akira try to pull away her hand from Kitigin's tight grip.
"Whoops, sorry about that!" Kitigin apologized, and let go of Akira's hand.
Akira and Kitigin made their way to look over the many trails to choose from. While most hikers trying to pick out one; however, Akira have already decided on a trail. They are now standing on the starting point of a trail that go through the denser part of the woods. From where they are standing, the endless rows trees made the other end look very shadowy and the path look faded away.
Akira's head turn to the right, so can look at Kitigin."Are you ready, or do need to..."
"I'm ready!" Kitigin answer, confidently.
Without any further delay, they begin to hike on the trail through the dense woods. From where they are started, there weren't many trees until further down the path. The once visible sky is slowly get cover up by the long, branch limbs with full of leaves. However, not completely since a few rays of light manage to reach the forest grounds. Preventing the forest from becoming dark and difficult to explore.
The path they are walking on look a bit faded due to the exposure of nature. On the ground it have a deep, rich brown color soil with patches of grass growing from it. The cool breeze made the leaves to rustles, and fall of from their branches. There were also the the sound of wild birds singing their songs.
During the walk, they haven't spoken since they began. Which is kinda off putting for Akira, since earlier Kitigin had talked a lot when they first meant. When she turn to face Kitigin, the first thing she notices is that Kitigin was looking around at the scenery they are surrounded by.
"Wow, this place looks so pretty!" Kitigin then pointed out the trees with early-signs of falls colors."It almost like the fairy had painted the leaves with colors of a sunset!"
"Fairy...?" Akira made a confusing look.
"Oh, I guess it sound weird doesn't it?" Kitigin's rub the upper part of her arm.
"It sound like it came from a kid friendly version of it." Akira answer to her questions."In the original source, most fairy are tricksters that like to cause problems."
"Hey, that not true-I mean, we'll there more than one type of fairy." Kitigin hesitated to finish her sentence until she sort of agree to Akira's point.
"True, but prefer always the ones that aren't rewritten." Akira stated.
"Guess you like reading the grim fairytales version, don't you, Akira?" Kitigin pointed out.
"I guess so," Akira shrugged.
"That's cool! I also love fairytale too!" Kitigin would love to talk about fairytales. Now that they found a common ground, she will get to talk about it and get to know Akira better. But sadly, it never happened. Akira went back being silent again since didn't want to continue their brief talk.
As they continue their hike, Kitigin would occasionally make short glances over to Akira. Even though her eyes are hidden beneath the hood of her dress, she can still see Akira walking beside her. From what she can see, Akira look like she have something in mind. And yet, she look very focus on the trail they been fallowing for a while.
Kitigin begin to wonder if the trail has some kind of special significant to her. Akira look very relax by the peace and quiet of nature, as long as nobody is bothering her. In fact, they haven't seen any hikers walking on this path. Kinda make this place feels very lonely since there no other people.
She starting to piece together that will help her understand Akira better. Although she kinda worried it might offend her, she still want to ask Akira a certain question that been her mind for a while.
"You know, I can see why you like walking on this trail." Kitigin started.
"Yeah, so what?" Akira's head slightly turn to face her.
"You like being alone, don't you?" Kitigin asked.
"Is that problem?" Akira made a low, growl.
"Nope, but it would be nice to have company. One of my friends was supposed come with me, but yesterday he got really hurt." Kitigin explained a few details about it. "You wouldn't believed how he got hurt." Then she added that part, so it can be sound a bit more interesting.
"What do you mean by that?" Akira curiosity starting to show.
Kitigin's couldn't help, but smile since she finally got Akira's intrest. Before can start telling the story, she clear up her throat to make sure there were nothing stuck inside, so she can speak clearly.
"Well, about my friend, he love to do stunts a lot. He really good at it, but he can be very cocky." She gave a small explanation about her friend, but not too much since she doesn't want to gave away his privacy."What happened was my friend was doing parkour during the daytime like he always does. He try to do a long jump over a gap between two building, he almost made it, but something distracted him, and he ended up falling onto a pile trash!"When she told finish the story, Akira's mouth almost drop to the ground. Something about it doesn't sound right, especially the falling part.
"How the hell did he survive that!?"Akira was mind boggles by the fact of somebody surving the fall.
"It wasn't a long fall, and he only suffered getting his arm dislocated. Thanks goodness my other friend was there to help him out."
"Wait, you have another friends?" Akira was surprised.
"Yup!" Kitigin confirmed.
"How come they didn't went with you?" Akira asked."Don't friends always do stuff together?"
"They like to do other things, which is okay to me since we all have likes and dislikes." Kitigin explained the reasoned why her own friends didn't come with. There wasn't a hint of"But it would've great they were all here, we could have a great time and become friends!"
"I doubt it," Akira clenched her hand.
"What make you think that?" Kitigin questioned.
"Trust me, it wouldn't last long."
"I guess so...but still, wouldn't it be nice just to meet new people even though just for a day?" Kitigin gave her own personal opinion about , there was no answer from Akira."Um, Aki...?" Kitigin try to talk to her, but only to find out that Akira went back being quiet again.
Kitigin bit down her own lip from making a disappointing sigh. She was so close to make Akira to open up more; however, it wasn't enough. She wish there was a way to make Akira feels more comfortable around her. Talking with Akira made the hiking trip more enjoyable for her. But for now, it's best to give her some space since Akira doesn't like socializing much as she does.
Further down the dirt-path, the woods became more dense and shadowing. Akira notices the trees branches are now blocking out the sky. Making area become darker when it still daytime. Not only that, but the trees starting to look the same that it feels like they are going through a maze of some sort. When she look down at the ground-its was practically cover by thousands of dead leaves, and only few patches of grass grew.
It wasn't long till she reach a split in the rode. There was a wooden post sign between the two paths, and two carved arrows pointing opposite directions. Akira and Kitigin made a stop in front of the sign, so they look at words written on it. Akira check both pathways that exist in this area, the one on the left have more trees, while the other look like a clearing.
"Guess we're going that way." Akira pointed at the clearing path.
"Okay then!" Kitigin agreed with her.
Before she can take her first step, Akira's body begin to shiver oddly. It wasn't because of the cold wind that causing her body to shake uncontrollably, but something else.
"What..." Akira wonder.
"Akira, are you alright?" Kitigin became very concern, and try to figure what's wrong with Akira.
"I-I don't...know." Akira wasn't sure how to explain it. The feelings of her senses going haywire made it difficult to think properly. And yet all this feels so familiar, like what happened to her yesterday."Why is...this happening again...?" She said, painfully.
"Again?" Kitigin's curiosity begin to rise even higher. "What are you talking about, Akira?" The hooded girl want to know what's happening to her friend.
Akira grab hold of her head, when she feels pressure start to build up from inside. Her mind became clouded with negative-feeling and also painful headache that stir inside her mind. Akira's sight turn blur as if she was going blind. Also having trouble with breathing since sounded like labor breaths.
"Akira..." Kitigin's voice sounded very faint as if it being muted.
In Akira's mind, she begin to vision a kingdom being hit by a dark storm, but it wasn't an ordinary looking storm. The thick layer of black clouds have completely took over the sky that is impossible for light to cut through. The foolish bystanders that got caught by the massive storm are trying look for shelter or trying out run it. However, they were too late. Shadows begin rise from the grounds, and attack the innocents town folks who weren't able to escape.
They all screams in agony and horrors, as one by one getting consumed by the living shadow. Akira can only watch the horrific images of people being separated from their loves ones and friends. There was so much destructions that became horrible to watch.
"...it hurt..." Akira hissed in pain.
Suddenly, she feels a tight grip on her shoulders and then her body begin to shake rabidly. Causing the terrible images she saw in her mind to fade away, and found herself in back in reality. Her vision turned back to normal, and the first thing she saw was Kitigin standing way to close her face.
"Akira! We have to go!" Kitigin almost yell to her face.
"W-what are you talking about, and why are you shaking me!?" Akira was extremely confuse of what's going on.
"Sorry,"Kitigin apologized, and let go of Akira's shoulder."But we have to get out of here, now!"
"Wha-" Before she can asked anything, Akira was interrupted by a sudden tugged from the wrist.
Akira didn't realized until she saw Kitigin was grabbing on her wrist and dragged her away from the split path. So many question starting pop up in her mind.
Akira~
Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice call out to her. It sounded so familiar, and it been long time since she last heard it. She wanted to know who say that, so she stop running and look back to see who voice it belong to. From the moment she look back, her eyes widen in pure shocked and disbelief. Standing on the left path, there was a young man who has earthy brown hair and dark blue eyes as cobalt. Dressed in a familiar, dull orange jacket and tan-colored pant.
"Terra!" Akira cried out in pure joy. The young teen simply couldn't believed her eyes. The person that she always look up to and given her so much happiness is now back, after so many years apart from each other. "You're finally back!" She can already feels tears begin to blurred her vision, and swell in pure joy.
Never in a million years, Akira thought of finding her older brother in the woods. Even after many years apart, Akira still remember how her older brother look like. She instantly recognized his gravity defying, brown hair and his deep blue eyes from a long distant. Even the clothing he is wearing brought back memories since they last saw each other. It almost like Terra haven't change at all.
Akira~
Then suddenly, Terra begin to walk away and head toward the denser part of the forest.
"Wait, Terra!" When Akira was about to go after him, something was holding her back. She look back to see it was Kitigin, still holding onto her wrist with all her strength."Hey! Let go of me!" She commanded.
"Akira, please listen. He's not-" Kitigin try to say something to her, but Akira cut her off.
"I said let go!" Akira yell.
By using her free hand, Akira force Kitigin's fingers to pry open, enough for her hand to slip out. Once she is free from Kitigin's grasped, Akira begin fallow the path where she believed she saw Terra.
"Akira, wait!" Kitigin cry out.
However, Akira completely ignore her cries. She didn't want to listen, nor look back to see if Kitigin is fallowing her. All she care is going after her older brother. Without considering the danger lies ahead in the dark parts of woods.
To Be Continued...
AN: Finally! This one is done! My god this one was a huge pain to write. It prevented me to do other kinds projects that I wanted to do. One of them being a sister story that ties with this one, called Lost Sky. Hopefully it will be out soon somewhere in this month. But for now, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.
Anyways, good night everybody and see ya next time.