"Ab Origine" and the general, basic concept/story of "Ab Origine" are copyright Orin Drake 2006. Kingdom Hearts, all characters and generally all cool places are copyright Square-Enix and Disney, forever and ever and ever. Or so I'm assuming.
Background: My first tentative steps into... exploration. I've had the fortune of good philosophical conversation regarding the games and ideas/theories/rumors surrounding them (and I can't thank you guys enough for that). Of course, I can't seem to delve into anything that deeply and not emerge with some "interesting ideas", so... I truly hope this eventually manages to reflect the weird crap going on in my head. Sorta AU--I'll let you know in a few months.
"You run like river, oh like a sea
You run like
a river runs to the sea..." - "One Tree Hill", U2
Ab Origine
Chapter 4: First Shuffle
by
Orin Drake
Separated in battle. What an idiot he was not to have glanced over his shoulder, just once. Just once to see what Sora was trying to do. Riku had only realized the diversion a second after it was too late to move.
A mistake, as simple as that--but a timely one. Sora had used the last of his remaining energy to open a dark portal and slip through. Riku knew he could have opened his own and followed, but then that disgusting monstrosity headed straight for him might have made it through after. Whatever world the Keyblade Master had chosen to slip into would undoubtedly not have appreciated a mutated Heartless scurrying around in search of hearts and violence.
Fight, then. That was his option. Fight, rest, try to find some food, and then he'd have the energy and concentration necessary to open a portal to Sora again. An annoyance, to say the least. But soon, very soon, would be able to go home.
You really have no need to be so hard on yourself. The voice inside suggested quietly.
Riku grunted, his attempt at sleeping interrupted. "What? Why are you so damn interested?"
Your lack of sleep is interrupting my delicate thought process. The response just shy of complete sarcasm. It's a cycle. You blame yourself for something that wasn't your fault, losing sleep, obsessing--you were too busy fighting. You missed a cue. Sora merely had a bit of "bad timing". It's certainly not the first time.
"Don't use his name." The youth sighed, quietly.
An old nit-pick. And one that was promptly ignored, as always. Let it go. Rest. And then you and Sora will manage to get back more quickly.
"Anything else?" Riku seethed.
An amused sound. Well, since I've been invited--
"Xehanort. Shut up."
There was a mild smugness radiating from the trapped entity within, having been called by name. It was a rare enough occurrence to be considered perhaps a minor miracle. He rewarded the boy with a chuckle... and then his wish, if only for a little while.
Kairi woke from a dead sleep. There was a scream waiting in her throat, clutching at her chest. Hands fisted in a death grip around the blankets, she found herself too terrified to make a sound.
Namine managed. An agonized wail bridged the distance between them. Sora's heart was... Gone. A sobbed word. Aching and alone.
They reached out for Riku's heart in panic--all was static. He was disconnected... and not with Sora.
Throwing the bedcovers off, Kairi raced around for clothes and supplies. The hell she was staying put.
Namine let go a shuddering sigh, feeling a bit more comforted. She felt just awful for throwing her promise to keep Kairi on the island by the wayside, but... they'd understand.
Da-da-da-dum. ...Or maybe not. These will eventually get longer and actually be a story, somewhat explaining a thing or two. No, seriously.
If you'd like to be e-mailed when I update, drop me a line with whatever story/stories/website you'd like me to inform you of.