So um howdya do? :3
Honestly, I am FUCKED UP. Wasn't really having a great life at the moment, but I'm keeping the fake smile on no less and moving on! My broodiness is no exception when it comes to my stories, though. We already know what happened the last time, so right now I'm just gonna say who gives a flying fuck? My life is no excuse unless I'm DEAD!
So... Here! :D
Oh, and kinda need to warn you that it's gonna get a but gory.I also need to warn you that I suck at writing fight scenes, but hey, story needa roll the way story needa roll. So if it calls for a fight scene, I have no other choice but to call in a fight scene. Sigh...
Little Sweety Pea: Yes, 'tis a sad realization, but we all know who she'll be with. I don't think this story would be under RoxasxNamine if thay weren't the case xD
Shinyitlalianguy: Aww~! It makes me all fuzzy when you tell me how much you like my stories (this is to all of my other readers, as well)! And I would've loved it if Namine participated more in the games, too, y'know? But without her being all manipulated and stuff :/
Xenok: Finally! Another MoF fan! I loved Denzel Washington's part in the movie. Ugh... so sad! Dx Oh, and why thank youus! :)
Alrighty then! Enjoy! :D
.Twilight's Sun.: Oh, the Voices That Follow
Love and Darkness Come Hand-in-Hand - PSHH, More Like SHIT JUST GOT REAL
I couldn't tell how long it had been since I was dragged further into the unknown. Vanitas wanted to make me squirm and scream, but I wasn't going to let him be satisfied just yet.
But when I felt the warmth of his body leave me, that he wasn't pressed up against me anymore, and I was left all alone in the cold darkness, I started to tremble.
If anything, it was more of a monophobia than a nyctophobia. My one and only fear was loneliness. It made me feel vulnerable and that I was incapable of defending myself. You could say I depended on my friends for the strength and confidence that I have now. If it weren't for them, I would be such a lost, weak girl. Then, the list of phobias would've been transcendent.
It was too silent for me to bear, another second more and I could've lost my sanity, but I didn't. After the silence, I heard a soft voice; it was too feminine to be Vanitas's and much too young. I walked in the direction of the source, my cheeks burning considerably from embarrassment when I bumped into possibly a table or couch, I would never know. Then, a soft glowing light caught my eye. It was so far away that I could barely see it, but it was there all the same.
"Kitaru watashi to asobi!"
If I still remember clearly, I think the voice said something like, "Come play with me!"
Japanese was the first language I had learned when I was brought into existence. I remember, a time before I was known as a sorceress of darkness or the manipulator of memories, the children in my community would give me strange stares whenever I tried to communicate with them desperately. I had grown so accustomed to the native tongue my grandmother had taught me so strictly that it took me years to learn how to pronounce proper English. Along the way, my struggle was accompanied by ridicule and spite from the offenders I knew as my classmates. My grasp on the primary language had been worn away throughout the years as well, making my skills a bit dull from the neglect.
I blindly followed the beacon of my hopes like a moth to a flame as it started to float off. I wanted to hold it within the palms of my hands, to feel it's radiant warmth. My desire made me feel like a darkling possessed by the obsession of taming and conquering a light such as this one. My hands were outstretched in front of me, disappearing from view as they dipped into the darkness. The floating mass of brilliance began to ascend, as if trying to return to the Heavens or from whence it came. It was baffling at first, but I realized it was in fact making an ascent up the stairs. Either way, I still followed suit. When it finally stopped, it disappeared through the floor, making me sigh inwardly. I had to chase this thing, this ball of light! I'm not the kind of patient person to play hide-and-seek. In the dark.
I heard it giggle as I was giving in to the request of this entity. I was so close, the anticipation burned me when I only stood a few feet from it as it hovered. Being within such a close proximity, I didn't know what to do anymore. It was as if my initial motives were left and forgotten. My mind was blank as I held my stare on the personified Radiance. I thought I was so sure in what I was going to do, but... I just- I lost my sense of intuition at the moment.
"Anata wa watashi o hakken! Ā, watashi wa ushinatta!" The glowing light erupted into childish laughter.
Translating the not-so-foreign language in my head, I asked, "Was there even a reason to play this game?"
I think I heard it sigh after it ceased its uproar. "I don't know... Sometimes, I feel all alone here, by myself..." Now, the words were coming back to me, the familiarity immediately sinking in as the two languages meshed together.
"Wh-Why are you so lonely?" I whispered.
"I'm losing the one I hold dear. With the ending of this moon cycle, I'll be lost, wandering around in this dark place all alone. I have no one here to help me save him... That's why I would like it if you played with me! It would make me very happy if you did!"
I could feel my lip quiver from the words. I couldn't help myself to empathize for the poor thing.
"Don't pity her, you stupid girl," The second voice that followed, sounding as boyish as it was callous, made me cringe from the affront. A second light appeared and drifted toward us, but it wasn't as pure as the first. "That's all she was given, meaningless pity, so stop handing her what she already has too much of!"
Why they spoke in Japanese tongue, I have no clue whatsoever.
"I am not pitying her," I backfired immaturely with my arms crossed, slightly surprised that I involuntarily uttered the words in Japanese. "You have no business in telling me if I pity someone or not. I bet you're the reason why she's so lonely."
The retort left a dreadful silence in the thick darkness, making me feel slightly nervous. They could be unworldly beings that lured and killed the unsuspecting for all I knew. Enraging them might be such a blondish move. Now, I regret letting Vanitas get the best of me in his trivial mind games.
"I-I didn't mean—"
"No, you're right," the dimming light sighed. "I'm sorry for coming on too strong. It's just that my disappearance is sending me on edge. With every night, my light fades away little by little. I'm... I'm so scared. No one is here to help me. My sister can only watch helplessly as I'm stripped of my own light. The darkness will devour me by dawn. It's too late for me now..."
"No, never say such a thing! When you give up, all you're doing is making the situation worse than need be. If you don't have hope, then you'll lose everything."
The first voice intervened. "But it's true... When the crescent moon wanes into the darkness, I'll be lost, wandering around in this dark place all by myself. Then, soon enough, I'll fade away, too."
These two were a sad case. I should at least make their time worth spending.
"Alright then, would you like to play?"
"Wh-What?"
"You did say it would make you happy if someone played with you before you left. Like you said, you're gonna be alone before you even begin to fade, so I'll say it again. Would you like to play?"
"Oh, would I!" I smirked when the brighter orb of light swirled around in excitement.
"But~ you'll have to give me your names first," I bargained, playfully wagging a finger at them.
"I don't know my real name, but you can call me Suki!"
"Kumori..."
"I'm Naminé," I pointed a thumb to my heart. "Well, you ready to play, Suki?"
With a slight squeal, Suki shot right through the ceiling once again, her brother following her without question. I tried to find my way back up the stairs, and when I did, the two lights whizzed past me, inches away from bumping into me. Brother and sister spiraled down the dark hall with me running after them, I could hear Suki laugh uncontrollably with happiness. We ended up in a room where an eerie light shined through the window, liberating my vision from the overwhelming darkness I had to bare with its faint glow. I panted in a desperate attempt to fill my lungs with much needed oxygen. Damn lights, I bet they don't need to breathe.
"Look outside," Kumori commanded. Slowly walking to the window, I peered through the glass to see what Kumori wanted me to see. It was a garden, far away from overgrown and neglected, with the grass as wild and free as Sora's sex-bed head. The trees of the forest that borderlined the garden were green with the vines that it was tangled in. In the middle of the garden was a narrow pond with lily pads and lotus flowers drifting lazily when a random drop disturbed the pond, sending ripples across its surface. There were stepping stones in the pond that lead to this beautiful gazebo encased in glass. The sight was truly beautiful.
"It's amazing," I sighed in awe, unaware that I held my breath in this whole time since I gasped out. Then, Suki started to throw herself around crazily.
"Brother," Suki gasped. "What if Naminé—"
"No," he deadpanned. "We're not risking the life of an innocent girl for our selfish desires."
She whined. "But Kumori—!"
"I said NO." Hm. I guess this Kumori kid must be an uptight ass if he wouldn't give in to the pleading desires of such an adorable orb of light...
What? A light can be adorable when it wants to be!
"Now, hold on a minute," I interjected. "Wouldn't this be up to my decision if it involves me?"
"Well, of course but—"
"And if I'm willing to do whatever it is to help you, shouldn't you be willing to accept my help, as well?"
"Y-Yes but—!"
"Then, lay it on me!" I smiled brightly as I gave the dimmer light a mock salute. "Give the orders, chief!"
Kumori sighed in irritation, floating closer to me. All I saw was foggy lavender.
"Earlier, we mentioned how it was too late to help me, but there is a way. I just didn't want to risk our chances or gamble against fate." Risk what exactly? "If you help us break the seal, the light will return, and it will save me from the darkness."
"So, if I help you break this seal, you'll be restored to your original self?"
"She an I both," Kumori added.
"Okay, this settles things," I tilted my head slightly. "What exactly do I have to do to break the seal?"
"You have to defeat the guardian. First, you must reach the gazebo. You'll know what to do from there, trust me."
"Alright!" I singsonged before they led the way back to where I was in the first place. I followed them until I collided into a hard, wooden surface. After rubbing the invisible bump I had on my forehead, I probed the wall until I felt something cool and round. It was a door.
I grasped the knob and twisted it, needing to tackle the door for it to open. I coughed and choked on the dust that scattered in the air from their sudden stirring and stood up. I was finally outside, and Suki or Kumori were nowhere to be seen. I looked up and saw the moon, only a feather of its light remained. I didn't have much time. Great...
I ran to the pond, stepping on the first stone without hesitation. Bad mistake.
"Wh-Wh-WHOA!" As the graceful swan I was, I was screaming and flailing my arms all over the place just to keep my balance on the slippery stone. I swear, if I don't die from drowning in the pond because I hit my head or break my neck, I'll be the next contestant on Destiny Wipeout. Axel and Kairi would be so proud. When I was able to stand, I looked ahead of me to see, like, probably twenty more stepping stones. How wonderful.
Taking a very deep breath, I began my hopscotch game of life or death, with each jump as unpredictable as the last. I smiled through the struggle when I noticed how close I was to the gazebo. On the third to last step—
"WHAT THE FUCK?" I felt something slimy and cold grab onto me, making me cringe immediately. A gray hand was latched around my ankle like a shackle, attached to the limb of whatever the hell was submerged in the murky waters. Then, I was pulled in, nearly gagging on the nasty pond water as it hit me in the face. I started to panic as I felt more hands on me. There was no choice but to blindly kick myself around. They were screeching and moaning as they clawed at me. When I finally opened my eyes, I was met with humanoid creatures. Millions of them. They were all trying to have a peace of me, holding onto me as if I would be the one to safe them from their suffering. I could feel their claws piercing into the flesh of my arms and legs and they were slashing at my body mercilessly.
This was it, wasn't? Kumori didn't want to risk the chance of me possibly dying for their safety. Or what if this was just a... A caper? What if they just tricked me into my own demise for their entertainment? What if they planned this whole thing from the very beginning?
Huh, I guess even the brightest of lights are tainted with darkness.
I felt my lungs burning painfully from the lack of air. My resistance was futile, obsolete. There was no point in fighting the hands anymore. Miraculously, the hands just disappeared. I took this as a chance to kick myself to the surface. I gasped and coughed violently as I ravished the air around me. I brought myself onto the stone I fell off of, intending on not falling back in the water ever again. I wrung my once feathery soft hair to rid not even all of the disgusting water. My soaking wet state left me mortified and disgusted.
"Never again," I groaned out, waiting for the paranoia to subside. I quickly stepped over the last two, hoping no more decomposing monsters would come after me, and made it on the steps of the gazebo. I realized that there was a large purple bruise around my ankle and I was missing a sandal, thinking that one of those creeps made off with it somewhere underwater.
Those creatures are some weird mofos...
I tore off the useless sandal and threw it, screeching, "HERE! TAKE THE DAMNED THING IF YOU WANTED IT SO MUCH, YOU BASTARDS!"
When the sandal was airborne, a tremendous gnarly beast, something similar to an angler fish, and probably bigger than Axel's car, leaped into the air. I paled considerably when it's blown out of proportion jaws snapped shut over my brand new shoe. The sound of it's long sharp teeth colliding together was deafening, and the tidal wave of a splash it made as it returned to the unknown depths made the threatening pond churn like the sea in the midst of a storm. And to think I was in the water with that...
I shivered before walking up to the gazebo and going inside. There was nothing to be seen while I scanned my surroundings. Just a typical, beautiful centerpiece for any normal garden. But according to the previous events, I could say this garden was anything but normal.
"You'll know what to do from there, trust me..."
I shook my head to rid myself of the annoying words, looking around once more before going back down the steps with my hand on the banister. That was quickly short lived when I felt a sharp stinging pain go up my arm. I pulled my hand away to see that my fingers were bleeding.
"What the..." I looked under the railing to see a sword tied lazily to it. Ripping the sword from the strings I examined it. Engraved in the blade was the word "Saika." The flagrantly dark aura it emitted was overwhelming. It kept whispering chants that were foreign to my ears, which pretty much startled me. Such a weird blade it was. I toyed with it a little, twisting my wrist sharply as I slashed the air. Even if it was probably not a good idea to use it, it was still pretty cool.
Oh, what the hell! I'm keeping it!
I wiped my bloody fingers on my skirt and walked back into the gazebo, this time standing in the center. Something didn't feel right... The floor was hollow here. Using the Saika, I broke through the wood, revealing a secret entrance. I couldn't tell how far into the ground this tunnel was, but there is no time to worry about it, especially when time itself is too limited for trivial matters. I descended into the darkness without a thought. It wasn't the greatest idea, I know, but I really wanted to help Kumori and Suki free the light. They would've probably been lost forever if I hadn't decided to go through with this.
The terrible stench slapped me in the face, making me gag at the tainted, moldy air. I could feel the same kind of dark energy that swirled around the Saika just at the end of the tunnel. Whatever it was, it had to be big and ferocious. This is where I began to take caution of my surroundings. Every creak, every drop of water that plopped, or any other sound was registered as I continued with this silly quest.
Maybe if I defeat the guardian and make it out alive, I'll tell everyone how I savagely tamed and rode a wild sea monster. Yeah... They'll believe me. They will, and they shall!
The closer I got to the enemy, the heavier the evil force had become. I could see it now, there was a small light at the end of the tunnel. I ran, Saika held up in preparation as I reached the light, which was actually a torch with flames that licked the air voraciously. I could finally see what I had been surrounded in for some time now; and it wasn't pretty. Blood was smeared and splattered in some places on the walls and on the ground. Blood also dripped from the rocky ceiling, making me conclude that it wasn't water that fell on me when I was still wrapped in the darkness. I passed by an occasional rotten corpse, some already a pile of brittle bones and others... Still fresh, as if it were recent. I felt like I was next to join the collage of this ghastly catacomb.
Gritting my teeth, and steeling my nerves, I made it to a stone-slab door that touched the ceiling. When I saw that there was smeared blood dragging from where I was to under the door, I nearly hightailed it, especially when agonizing screams ensued on the other side of the door. My grip on the unsheathed Saika began to tighten.
I shall not lose my nerve, I shall not lose my nerve, I shall not lose my nerve...
"O-Oh G-G-God..." I sucked in some air, and with every ounce of my willpower, and I truly mean every ounce, I pushed the doors open, barely able to enter the realm of death. The place was covered in blood, both fresh and dried up in some parts of the cavern. I heard wailing sobs and sniffling, making me perk instantly. Curled up with his knees to his chest, sat a child with dirty gray hair. The baggy white shirt he had worn as an only means to protect himself from exposure was torn and sanguine.
I hesitantly placed a hand on his shoulder, causing him to snap his head up. This young boy was so beautiful, perfect even when regarding that he was caked in blood and grime. He was like those infants that were used to advertise merchandise; so flawless with such an adorable youth. I was pierced by the appalling bloodshot lavender eyes that greeted me. I recognized them immediately.
"Kumori..." The whispered call made him sob once again as he reached up to me wordlessly, confirming it was him and signaling that he wanted to be held. I dropped the torch and Saika, picking him up and holding him close. He was shaking so much, I couldn't blame him.
Then he started to sob and squirm in my clutch. The poor boy must have been traumatized with what happened in this room prior to my entry.
"Shh, it's okay, Kumori," I bounced him gently as I rubbed his back. He became more frantic in his attempt to be put down. "Goodness, quit acting like a brat!"
He started to scream and shout as he resisted against me. He kicked me in the midst of our struggle, my immediate reflex to drop him and hold my pained stomach. I saw that he was already hiding cowardly behind a body, which I assumed was alive only minutes ago, whimpering as he stayed put. "Sheesh, what's gotten into you? Didn't you want to be held, like, a second ago?"
The only response I was given was a decent-sized rock to the head, courtesy of the little brat.
YOU SON OF A BI—!
The sound of stone grating against stone made me jump and quickly turn around to see the doors closing. The collision of the two doors made the gears in my head turn, but when I realized, it was too late.
Next thing I knew, I heard Kumori shriek and then, I was at the other side of the soon-to-be blood bath of an arena. I groaned, eyes shut tight, as I rubbed the newly formed bump on my head. Hitting a wall isn't really helpful when dealing with a guardian. As you can see, I'm telling you the most obvious shit in the world right now.
Speaking of which, where the hell is this thing?
Even with the stars disappearing from my vision, I still had to squint in the horrific darkness that surrounded me, leaving the torch's flames to lick the obscurity which seemed like miles away. Knowing that there was some, some blood-lusting creature lurking in the shadows shook me up a bit. My senses were on high and I flinched at every sound and movement. This mother fucker was psyching me out. I knew it with every part of me that it was testing me, seeing what my first move would be. Its low, guttural growls were, unfortunately, not so far away.
I couldn't help looking at the torch, craving for its assistance as well as the Saika that I had stupidly dropped. The way it glinted in the flames made me huff. I felt like this had all been a waste because, let's face it, foolishness and curiosity are probably the worst personality traits to ever be burdened with. I mean, who would ever abandon their only means of protection in an uncharted catacomb with the possibility of being torn to shreds?
ME! That's fucking who!
Other than that, I was shocked to say in the least. I had all of this time to think about how much of a dumbass I was, and yet, the guardian was kept at bay. I was supposed to be smart and take God's blessing for stalling the creature and reach for my Saika, but I was making the same mistake by pondering this in the first place.
Finally, I made my first step, inquiring how the guardian would react. As expected, another growl ripped at its throat, daring me to take another step. I knew if I did, it would be the very last thing I'll do. I needed a strategy, and quick.
"Kumori," I called out in the darkness, knowing I could've been killed the moment I uttered the name. He sniffled in response to let me know he was listening. "Didn't you... Want be held a second ago?" It was still dreadfully silent, and I was becoming anxious that he wasn't as intelligent as he seemed. The boy did warn me about the guardian, after all. Anxiety had slowly crept into fear when there was still no reply. I was standing firm, but my mental breakdown would confirm otherwise if Kumori would just freaking reply!
It was then, I heard the clatter of noise at the other side of the cavern. The unknown beast snarled and roared, its cries becoming distant as it headed toward the noise. I couldn't allow to give myself any second to sigh of relief as I quickly scrambled to the beautiful flame and the wonderful sword that repeated it's nasty whispering mantra. Now, with my chances of survival going up seven percent, I was ready to fight (pretty sarcastic, aren't I?)! My pugnacious demeanor kicked in when I caught a glimpse of the guardian.
It. Was. Horrendous.
The thing was definitely not as cute as the cowering boy; far from it actually. It was humongous! The ram-like horns sticking out from its head curled endlessly, gouging into its eyes. This creature was blind, both advantageous and disadvantageous. It wouldn't be able to see me, but it still compensated this lack of sense with acute hearing and taste. The gray skin was wrapped tight on its body, showing strapping muscles bulging from beneath. The arms were the most built, lengthy and thick as they curled into sharp, out of proportion, ivory claws, which were stained from their previous encounter with the formally screaming mess that was the corpse. It had the hind legs of a goat and a slithering tail with a sharp-edge, like a blade. Its mouth split into four, peeling back like a banana, revealing row after row of razor sharp teeth and a long serpent tongue as it cried out between a roar and a screech, sending spit mixed gory matter in my direction. Ugh, nasty!
And dangling around its neck was a giant, golden key.
I boldly charged at the beast, holding up the Saika back for a swing with my right hand and the torch in the other, thinking how insane I was. The beast mimicked me, but tried get a hold of me with its jaws. I took this as a chance to shove the torch up and down its throat, and to my amazement, the torch exploded, spouting a powerful fire into the demon, making it screech and squeal. I saw something glint far above our heads as the fire lit up my surroundings for a moment; it was a large suspended candelabrum caged in black metal.
Maybe if I timed my attack with the torch and aimed it at the right angle, I can light up the cavern and use both of my hands to fight.
The beast cowered away, the skin around it's face was raw and heavily scorched black. It was critically damaged to the point where it could barely unhinge its jaw like it did moments ago, but it still managed to snarl and charge after me again. I repeated my movements and tried to shove the torch back in its mouth, but the beast was too quick for that, it had learned its lesson in flaunting its oral cavity.
"Shit," I hissed out, holding my stomach. The beast nearly sliced my head off with its tail as it turned. I jumped instead of ducking, which was a dumb move on my part, but hey, I'm still alive. The wound wasn't too deep, but it was deep enough that my blood quickly seeped through my shirt.
"You know what? You're fucking dead, now." I ran to the beast again, pinning its tail down with the sword. It cried out as it struggled to rip its tail out from the sword, giving me the chance to jump and crawl on its back to its shaking head and forcefully pry its mouth open. I replaced the torch back in its mouth, waiting for any signs of the torch's impending burst. The beast began to shake and buck under me as its mouth began to sizzle with smoke. With the last second, I withdrew the torch and a powerful torrent of flames shot up to the ceiling. The hanging lantern ignited with reborn flames and sparked embers flitted to the ground in a shower of flares.
Success!
The creature reacted violently to the light that it had not seen in possibly decades or centuries, tossing its head from side to side as it roared painfully. I did a quick fist pump and dashed to its slithering tail, freeing it as I retrieved my Saika and jumped when the appendage swiped at my feet. With both hands holding onto the Saika, I jumped and stabbed the beast once more, this time on its back. More screeches erupted from the disoriented beast as it still continued to resist the light that poured for the heavens while I continued stabbing and slicing at it. For some reason, it took much more to cut through the skin of its body. It bucked me off of its back, sending me flying to the wall.
"Ow..." I chuckled (I'm not sure why I did) as I swiveled the Saika in my hand. I passed by Kumori, feeling slightly perturbed that he was holding onto the dead body, but soon, it wouldn't matter. I'll save him— Oh, and Suki, too.
"You're gonna die you little fuck," I chuckled once more, holding my sword out in a stance. "And I'll have your head mounted in the wall of my fucking dorm room!"
The beast screeched furiously, jumping on the wall to my surprise. I ran after it, intending to kill it right then and there, but it kept evading me, slashing me with its tail. I was covered in gashes and deep cuts and the guardian's tail was severed off and to the side somewhere by the time I finally reached the damned abomination before me. I recall throwing that dead body Kumori was so attached to at it in a fit of rage because it tore off the pretty skirt Xion picked out for me. When it took the initiative to charge at me, I used the slippery, bloody ground that the guardian oh so kindly provided for me to my advantage, running and throwing myself on my back like a slip-and-slide, sliding against the ground between the beast's legs meanwhile stabbing it in the chest and dragging the Saika along with me. Unfortunately I was showered with blood that gushed from where I severed the tail as I slipped through.
Standing up, I witnessed the insides of the beast spill from its holding place as it swayed this way and that, continuing to screech and groan as the life literally fell out of it. I dropped the Saika and fell to my knees, panting and coughing a little as I clutched the first cut that ran across my stomach to stop the bleeding.
Finally, it was over.
"Na... Na! Nana!" I tossed my head to the side to see Kumori scramble over to my devastated state, throwing himself onto my arm, sobbing. I winced from the sudden pain that jolted up my arm. I guess it's broken... I must've been so hocked up on adrenaline, that I didn't notice. I'm surprised I didn't pass out yet.
"It's not going to hurt you anymore Kumori, I promise," Nonetheless, I wrapped my broken arm around his small, fragile form in assurance. "It's dead."
Kumori tugged on my arm, making me hitch my breath in excruciating pain. "S-Su!Suki!" He cried out, pointing to the entrails of the guardian that were sprawled all around it. Oh my— Don't tell me that she's...
I picked myself off of the ground, no matter how much my aching body complained, and limped to the dead guardian. The foul stench of blood was so strong, I involuntarily cupped my hand to my face, which proved futile since I gagged anyway from the scent of my own blood. I looked closer at the innards, squinting in speculation. For a minute, I thought I saw the massive pile of gore stir, but decided against it, rubbing my eyes with my good arm. Kumori fell to his knees on the gushy pile, sifting through it like it was just a mountain of sand.
"D-Don't do that!" I squeaked, but he continued moving the gory matter aside, being completely oblivious to my attempt to get him away from the unsanitary filth. When I tried to pull him back by the shoulder he stopped.
Under what was possibly the liver of the beast was a small girl, her hair drenched red and flat against her head. Her eyes were a luminous violet and her skin was unbelievably paler than mine or Kairi's, close to the color of snow. Her expression was stoic, emotionless as she stared into the very depths of my eyes. If I knew she was inside the guardian, I wouldn't have pulled such a stupid move as to slice it open, but if I didn't, well, whatever. The only thing that matters is that she's alive. That they're both alive and well.
I pulled both of them into a tight, one-arm hug. "Oh, thank goodness you guys are okay!"
"Th-Thank you," Suki whispered. "For everything..."
"Nana..." Kumori whimpered. Aw, they were both so small and adorable! I just wanted to eat them up! Nom nom no- Wait a minute... I don't think Suki would like that in the least... Eheh...
"No need to thank me! Remember, I said that if I willing, you'll have to let me!" I felt like I was on the verge of dying, I felt completely exhausted to the point where I could barely stand. Keyword: barely. I walked over to the guardian's head, and ripped the thread that held the key. I held it up and waved it in the kids' faces. "Is this what you need?"
They both shook their heads and walked me over to the stone doors.
"The key unlocks from the inside," Suki pointed to the doors. "The lock within the door itself is the actual seal. If you unlock it with the guardian's key, then the light will be freed, as well as Kumori and I, but before you try and do any of that, you need to cut off the head of the guardian... And~ set it on fire for good measure."
"Oh, alright..."
Aw! So much for mounting it on my wall. It would've been a beautiful masterpiece with an epic backstory... Sniffle.
I did as I was I told, recovering my Saika and the torch and doing the deed. Then, I headed to the massive stone doors, where Kumori and Suki waited patiently, Suki holding the key for me. I took it from her and jammed it into the keyhole; it fit perfectly. As it magically twisted on its own, I slung Suki on my back as I carried Kumori, holding him with my right arm as the other dangled flaccidly. When the doors opened, a gust of wind from behind nearly sent us toppling over, but I firmly stood ground. I felt myself being bathed in warmth as an unknown light enveloped us, blinding my eyes, making me smile.
"Naminé... Namine! Naminé, wake up, please!" I felt someone shaking me as a familiar voice displayed its fears and concerns. I didn't feel like opening my eyes, not yet. After the burning light, the darkness became so inviting and warm. I felt assured, safe even, as I continued to drift in this darkness. The voice wouldn't relent on its callings or the hands with its shaking.
When the hands removed themselves from my shoulders, I couldn't help squirming uncomfortably from the loss of touch.
"Oh my God... Kairi's gonna freak! She'll probably have my head mounted on her fucking wall if she finds out!" I mentally smirked from the also familiar words. My curiosity got the best of me, forcing me to slightly open one of my eyes.
I was back in the forest, to my surprise, meeting the sight of a pacing, and very panicky, Vanitas. He was pulling on his hair in denial, but tears weren't shed.
"Th-This can't be happening! It's all my fault! N-No, I can take her to Olette! She'll fix her... Y-Yeah... She can fix her..." I quickly closed my eye as he turned around. I felt arms beneath me and the strange feeling of being picked up from the ground. I tightened my grip on whatever it was that was in my left hand, which was extremely painful and difficult for me. Then, I was laid onto something rigid, yet comfortable while I heard a loud noise and felt fast motion. We must've been in his car.
I chose this moment as the best time to "wake up," stirring and moaning in the most convincing way possible.
"Oh," I heard him gasp. "Thank God!"
I slowly opened my eyes. "Ugh... Wha... What happened?"
"You're fucked up pretty bad, Naminé, so don't move too much. Don't worry, though, I'm taking you to O-Olette..." He shuddered an inhale as he had the steering wheel in a vice-like grip as he sped down the lonely road. "I-I'm so, so sorry Naminé..."
"Van," I cupped his face with a bloody hand, making him shudder from the affectionate gesture. "What happened?"
"I-It was only a joke, I swear! When I left you alone, it was only for a few minutes! When I came back, y-you were gone, a-and I looked everywhere in the chateau for you! I couldn't find you! I-I couldn't find you, and I was scared. I knew the place was evil from the start, I shouldn't have brought you there. I didn't think that you would get hurt, b-but when I saw you... Lying on the front steps, with the color gone from your face... Your clothes in shreds and all that blood, I-I just lost it..."
He seemed true to his words; he was pretty out of it himself right now. He didn't seem to be the type to show fear, or any weakness in general, so easily. The memories flooded my mind, filling my head to the brim with every detail. I looked down and panicked when I saw it. The Saika. It shined in the darkness of the car, as if it suggestively nudged at me about the past events. I felt like I was being mocked.
"Y-Yeah... I was wondering why you had a sword in the first place. For a second, I thought you used that sword... On yourself..."
I immediately snorted from the accusation, looking at him with shock before yelling, "What would make you say such a thing? Did you really think I pulled a sword out on myself?"
"Well, there's a rumor about people being possessed by demons when they enter the chateau. There were several reports of the victims drowning themselves in the pond behind the chateau or throwing themselves off the third floor, but the police and search teams were never able to recover a body to identify. The pond was mysteriously barren and there was no evidence of shattered windows, but witnesses still claimed to have seen their partners or friends scream chants and weird incantations before throwing themselves in the water and never coming out or breaking through the windows and tumbling to their death."
So... Those humanoid creatures weren't real? They were just a figment of my imagination? But that would be impossible considering that I still had that bruise on my ankle, some parts turned green. I shivered at the recollection of being pulled around by those nasty underwater lurkers. I guess the drownings were just a cover for the real truth of it all.
Wait a minute! If there were other people then—
Dammit, I was duped!
Those two are damn lucky that they were saved by the light or else their heads would've rolled with that of the guardian's.
"Oh," was all I could muster.
"I don't know what I would do to myself if I actually lost you... Hell, the others would probably think the same way." I felt an unknown warmth spread in my chest from the words.
With the way Van was speeding, we made it back to the dorms. He couldn't care less about the school parking rules that he was violating.
"Do you think Olette's up there?"
"No, I don't think she would be sleeping by now," I conjured, wracking my brain for stored information. "She's probably still clubbing with everyone else." With that said, he hurriedly reversed the car in a three-sixty and sped out of the Academy.
"I know where she might be, but I'll need you to stay in the car."
"Hey! I wanna come, too!" Vanitas looked at me as if I just gave birth to a chocobo.
"Have you seen yourself lately?" I sweatdropped when I realized what he meant and kept silent. "Mhm, exactly."
We stopped for a second time, but this time we were parked in front of a windowless building. The entrance was guarded by a bouncer who didn't fit the part. He reminded me of Roxas or Ventus (did I really have to mention the other when they're twins?). He looked like you could walk all over him if you used the right words.
"Alright, whatever you do, do not look at me when I'm persuading the bouncer. You got that?"
"Um... Okay?" As he left the car, I fell back on my seat. I tried to sigh as I did so, but I failed as I felt an undiscovered pain from my torso when I rested my arms on my stomach and gasped instead.
"Shit, that hurt," I mumbled to myself. The Saika began its dreadful chant again and I was bored as hell as I waited. Maybe if I just take a little glance at what Vani's doing—
I noticed movement in the rear mirror from the passenger side of the car before I could even sneak a look and nearly screamed.
"HOW THE HELL DID YOU GET IN HERE?" I yelled with a hand clutching my beating heart.
Damn those kids...
"Well, for one, we couldn't just stay in that dreadful place. I mean, hello~, evil chateau that wreaks of death," Kumori's words were drenched in a know-it-all tone, which irritated the hell out of me. "Two, it's not so difficult to sneak into a vehicle when your savior's lover is too concerned for her health to even notice a bunch of out-of-place kids. Oh, and three, did you really think we were just lost souls that found their way back to heaven or something? Because that's honestly insulting."
"YOU KNOW WHAT? HOW 'BOUT I INSULT YOUR FACE, YOU LITTLE BRAT!" I was trying to grab at him so I could pulverize the little sucker, but my seat was in the way. His smirk made me all the more steamed.
"Please, don't hurt him! He can't control what he says half the time, honest!" Suki pleaded, holding her hands up in between the boy, who only grinned mischievously when Suki wasn't facing him.
"Oh, I bet you he was just now," I growled furiously, preparing myself to reach out for him. But I paused when I finally noticed the change. "Wait... You guys aren't little kids anymore?"
It was true. They were exceptionally taller, but not as tall as I was. Well, the point was that they weren't little toddlers anymore, okay?
"We were merely children around the time when we were consumed by darkness. It would only make sense that we would be trapped that way in the seal," Kumori answered. "Plus, children symbolize innocence and vulnerability. It would've made it easier for the guardian to overwhelm us with its influencing darkness. That, and the fact that it also made it easier for it to devour us, as you can see with what happened to Suki and all."
The ghostly girl shivered from the memory.
"I see... So, how old are you now?"
"Hm," Kumori tapped his chin comically. "I'm roughly thirteen, which makes Suki twelve."
Suddenly, a few shouts broke through the silence, making the dynamic duo duck from the windows. I saw Vanitas running away from the bouncer and an angry crowd of familiar faces, dragging a terribly wasted Olette along. The poor girl had a difficult time keeping up due to the fact that she was wearing gray stilettos.
"NAMINE! NAMINE, UNLOCK THE CAR NOW!" Vanitas yelled, making me go wide-eyed as I hurriedly obeyed. Suki opened the door without being spotted and Olette was shoved in seconds later. Suki closed the door silently while Van jumped into the driver's seat, making the engine roar to life and taking off with NASCAR status, exceeding the limits to insure our safety.
I couldn't get the burned image out of my mind: Two pairs of eyes staring at me. Infuriating violets that swirled with anger and betrayal, while the other were a broody, electrifying cobalt, filled with confusion and disbelief.
Okay... Nothing spells awkward more than me being where I started before this whole entire mess:
Sitting on my bed, in nothing but a towel.
What made it awkward was that Vanitas was leaning against the wall in front of me whilst staring intently at me as Olette was in the bathroom looking for aspirin for the hangover she would soon experience in the morning. The blood was soaking through said towel even with the well-needed shower and it was too quiet for my liking, so I struck up a conversation despite my weak state of mind from major blood loss.
"You seem pretty thoughtful," I chirped aloud, watching his face flush a shallow pink.
"Y-Yeah... You still look pretty bad even though you cleaned yourself up."
"Oh, because that's what every girl wants to hear from their date," I drawled playfully. "So, what did we need Olette for?"
"I can answer that myself, thank you!" We both looked at the bathroom door to see Olette walk out, standing beside me. "You see, it all started when I was nine years old, but I don't wanna waste your time for my little life-story. We need to fix you up nice and good!" No doubt, she was definitely smashed when we kidnapped her.
"You might as well tell me since we're here."
"Pshhhah! Right now, I have to be a serious doctor, Namnam, so you stay quiet while I see what's wrong!" She started to poke and prod every part of my body, checking for any damage. When she pulled on my broken arm harshly, I reacted immediately with a stifled scream accompanied by a very long stream of hissed profanities. Then, with her eyes closed, she dragged her fingers up my torso, making me gasp in pain and shudder with discomfort from how cold and soft her light touches were.
"You know," Vanitas spoke up, curiosity and humor building up in his voice. "I wouldn't mind if you guys wanted me to leave you two to your privacy..."
"O-Oh, thanks Vani!" Then, my smile started to fade when I gave him a second glance, my face scrunching up from his perverseness. "Ew! Vanitas!"
He chuckled impishly. "Aw, man! If I kept the charade up a little longer, I could've been peeking through the peephole I made before our date by now," he whined. Even if the statement was extremely perverted and disturbing, the mock pout on his face was so cute!
But the pillow to his face was only proof that he needed some etiquette.
"Ugh, pervert pals. They'll never let you down."
"Unless it's on the sheets," Olette added, giggling when she saw the look I gave her. I seriously gotta stop making faces or I swear, I'll end up looking like my grandmother... May her burning soul rest in piece. "Okay, with all jokes aside, you're in a serious fickle. You have a few broken ribs; I'm surprised that you're not suffering from internal bleeding, which is a very, very good thing. Your arm is dislocated and broken, fractured in several places, and you're literally one step away from breaking your ankle (I'm not even joking). God, Naminé, what happened to you?"
See the thing that I liked about Olette the most was she would humor any of us in serious situations. She may have her deep concerns over her friends (because she's just that kind of person), but she wouldn't be swarming all over you like Kairi would. She wouldn't scare you shitless with the actual magnitude of the problem at hand, and she was always levelheaded about all sorts of things. This girl deserved to have a red cross slapped on her chest and pop little suckers in kiddies with scraped knees and slap band-aids on their boo boos.
Heheh, I bet Hayner asked to play "Doctor" with her a few times, if you know what I mean~.
Wait, what were we talking about again?
"Um... I uh—"
"And what happened with your date with Roxas? Because him dancing with some random girl at the club tells me otherwise," she quipped while Van's eyes widened in shock before narrowing into a scrutinizing glare.
Dammit, Roxas!
"UGH! Fine, I was on a date with Vanitas!" I couldn't help grounding out the words. "I knew Kairi would've never let me go on a date with him, let alone Roxas, so I uh, told a small lie..." And to prove my point, I made a small space of air between my thumb and index finger while I squeaked the last words.
She shook her head, tutting lowly while her hands glowed with a green, plasma-like aura as she pressed them against my injuries. I was slightly surprised; this was the first time that I would be able to witness her abilities in action. What better way than to experience it yourself.
"You know there's gonna be some questions, regardless who was going on a date with who, because one: you guys abducted me, and two: Everyone couldn't help but notice you're condition, which, by the way, will soon be undetectable within the hour."
"Thanks Olette," I sighed afterward, resulting in a chain reaction of sighs.
"No doubt that Roxas is going to castrate me come Monday morning," Vani joked as he sat down beside me, holding me close. "But it was worth being with you. So, after all of this is done, do you think we can have a normal date? Y'know, without the Takeout foods and haunted houses?"
I giggled nervously as he rested his head on my shoulder, my stomach twisting into knots. I wish I could see if he was blushing; I took pleasure in seeing how I affected him.
"Absolutely."
"Oh, Naminé, you just keep piling one thing on top of another," Olette reminded, her "disappointment" ruined with a smirk. "I guess this love is a secret I have to keep."
OH MY FUCK! I HATED TYPING THIS CHAPTER! Lol, like seriously, though. It was such a thorn in my side and it's been stuck in my doc since the day I uploaded the previous chapter. D: Ugh!
I know, I know:
"Grace WTF was THAT? Wasn't that a bit random?"
Yeah, sure the guardian and the whole save the light thing was a little over the top, but eh it's my story, so whatever. If you think this way, well good for you and whatnot. I could honestly care less about candle flames :p
However, it makes it more interesting because of the NEW OCs! :D Which means I might actually use that deviant account of mine... :3 And! What will everyone think about VaNami? Or Namitas? Or Vanimé—? You know what I mean! D:
Oh, Vanitas... You're back to your old self :3
Now, this is really important to know! I'm gonna put off TS for a bit, but that won't mean I'll stop writing it up. I'll continue typing up all the other chapters while I give my other stories some well-deserved coddling! Just like the good ol' days! :3
So no fret, no fret. I think the order of updates will be like this:
1) Secret Tree House
2) Ocean Waves
3) Let Love Take Its Course
and
4) Balance Your Morals, Hun!
Well, see ya later! I REALLY need some sleep. I haven't gotten any in like forever! Bai! ~.~