Chapter Eight: Following Your Feet

Riku groaned pushing himself up from the ground. After they had been pulled up into the darkness they landed within it. Riku had let go of Terra not wanting to fall on her. Terra was on her feet her hands cupped in front of her holding small ball of flame. They were surrounded by the darkness; something he had wished would never happen to him again. He placed his hand on her shoulders; she looked back at him disappointed.

"I thought for sure it would work." She muttered looking down in shame.

"Well it did take us somewhere." He replied moving to stand in front of her keep his hand on her shoulders.

"I shouldn't have tried something I've never done, and something I don't understand."

"At least you're not alone."

"Iole…" she looked up.

She suddenly realized her furry companion was no where around. Riku left eyebrow twitched.

"Oh no! Maybe I sent her somewhere else, I have to find her!" She moved away from Riku darting off into the blackness.

He quickly followed her catching up with her this time.

"Iole is back with Sora and the others. She was thrown from the circle. Sora caught her before she blew further away." He said.

She stopped running; she couldn't really tell if she had gone anywhere. But it was good to know Iole was safe. She felt even guiltier now; she had cast the spell to take her to Gabriel only to lose Iole. The spell was a failure, she sighed slumping to what she assumed was the ground still holding the flame out in front of her. Riku sat beside her propping up a leg and resting an elbow on the knee. He placed his free hand in the space between them and stared off into the vastness of the darkness.

"I spent a lot of time wandering through the darkness. It was lonely, I hated myself I suppose that was one of the reasons I was engulfed into and eventually was consumed by it. Everything that happened from there on I blamed myself for, even though it wasn't always me who did things to hurt others. Kairi and Sora stood by me in the end. It's been a long journey to get home, the place we were trying to get away from.

Friends will always be there for you, no matter your mistakes. Don't be so hard on yourself Terra, as we've all said before he'll forgive you. I'm sure he already has. I'll make sure you get home safe, ok?"

She inhaled and slowly exhaled before looking at him not wanting to cry again. He smiled at her, she smiled back silently saying thank you. She wanted to get home on her own merit, but with no sense of direction she admitted it was nice to have someone willing to follow her making sure she didn't get into too much trouble. She did still feel bad though, he was separated from his friends and it was her fault. She scooted closer and laid her head on his shoulder holding the flame between them. While nothing was around them, it was cold. They sat there like that for awhile both staring silently ahead of them.

--

Gabriel stood staring down the curved hillside, he had just seen her and she vanished. The people who had been chasing her stood around confused. The boy had latched on to her before she had disappeared better hope she was unharmed. Nyx was behind him; over her clothes was a long black trench that was left unbuttoned.

"Where did she go?" She asked.

Gabriel ran down the hillside the ones who had been left behind stood talking to each other. Nyx charged after him calling for him to wait. The group had turned to look for the source of the noise. Gabriel was halfway down the hill when more of the black creatures behind to appear from the ground. He heard someone yell, "Sora, there are more heartless!"

He flung out his right arm a long katana appearing in his hand, its tip was wide and narrowed down into the handle. The handle had two small angel wings on it and a gold chain with a heart charm hanging from it. Nyx stopped a foot behind him holding out both of her arms. Twin sabers appeared in her hands, their distinction was their star-shaped handles.

"We have to reach those people; they'll know where Terra went. Nyx, can you handle this?" Gabriel asked.

She growled and ran ahead of them twirling and striking clearing the path. Gabriel ran after her swinging out his sword to his right sending a line of fire, he did the same to his left. He could still hear the others, their voices were growing closer. Nyx stopped nearly causing Gabriel to crash into her.

"Nyx, why are you stopping?" He yelled moving around her.

In front of them were the strangest dressed people they had seen yet. These were the people they had seen from the hillside, two were wielding what appeared to be key-shaped blades, they appeared to be human; at least the girl did. The other two weren't human at all; one resembled a duck carrying a staff, the other some kind of dog holding a shield. The one familiar face sat on the girl's shoulder. Iole leapt down running to Gabriel climbing her way to his shoulder. With his free hand he grabbed the monkey-like creature holding to his chest.

"Iole, thank Yevon you're safe." He said releasing the creature from his grasp.

She squeaked her reply returning to his shoulder and squeaked to the others who slowly walked toward Gabriel and Nyx. Nyx stood crouched poised to fight if need be, Gabriel released his sword and it disappeared; a point to make that they were no threat.

"Are you Gabriel?" The girl asked.

Her bright, blue eyes stared at him as though she had already met him. Mentally he sighed; of course Terra would have talked about him perhaps she was just a concerned of everyone's safety as they were of hers. He nodded and placed a hand on Nyx's shoulder, she relaxed but held on tightly to her sabers.

"Yes, and this is Nyx. Who are you?" He asked.

The girl smiled briefly looking to the boy on her right. He placed his keyblade on his shoulder a goofy grin spread across what part of this face could be seen.

"I'm Sora, this is Kairi, and that's Donald and Goofy." Each gave a nod as they're names were called.

"Where did Terra go, and who was that boy with her?" Gabriel asked pulling Nyx back, last thing he needed was for her temper to blow and lose their only lead.

"We have no idea." The one called Donald squawked.

"Riku was the one with her. What was the magic she was using?" Kairi asked.

"Yes Gabriel, what was that?" Nyx snapped, her weapons disappeared and her hands flew to her hips.

"A gateway," he replied darkly.

"A gateway to what?" Sora asked glancing at Kairi; she was looking to the ground but quickly looked back up.

"To where ever she wanted to go. She never tried it before, she only read about it once while she was studying to become a summoner." His eyes narrowed.

Idiot, trying a spell you've never used before, stupid girl. No, Terra isn't stupid don't think that. He closed his eyes shaking his head, it was throbbing now. Nyx was glaring at him; he could tell what she was thinking. "Well if she knew a way to get home, then why are we running around trying to find her?" The others were looking at him questioningly as well.

"So she's back in your world?" Sora asked after the moment of silence.

"It's possible." He replied.

"Then we should go too so we can get Riku." Goofy said nodding to himself.

"Yeah, so how do we get to Spira?" Sora looked from Goofy to Gabriel.

"First, how did you get here?" He asked.

"Our Gummi ship," Donald said.

"What is a Gummi ship?" Nyx asked.

"It travels though space?" Gabriel asked before anyone could reply to Nyx, they all nodded.

"Then you should follow our ship." He said grabbing Nyx's sleeve and pulling her back up the hill.

"Ok we'll be right behind you then!" He heard Sora called.

"Damn it Gabriel I can walk on my own!" Nyx hissed.

"For once, just shut up Nyx."

"What is wrong with you?" Gabriel whirled around causing Iole to fall off his shoulder.

She squeaked, and he kicked her back glaring down at her. Nyx growled seizing him by his collar even though he was a foot taller than her. He smiled grabbing her wrists and shoving her arms behind her back.

"If you weren't so good at navigating I'd leave you here. Now be a good little girl." His voice was not his own.

For once in her life Nyx was filled with fear, he laughed and released her. She scooped up Iole who was cowering back away from Gabriel shocked that he had kicked her. Nyx for a moment stared down into the creature's eyes, then to Gabriel's back. She sucked in air and followed him, she was trembling inside whatever had happened inside that temple had changed Gabriel. She sincerely hoped Galatea was alright, more importantly she hoped she was alive.

--

Terra walked slowly behind Riku holding his hand tightly. She had ceased her Fire spelled and they were now wandering through the dark, lucky for them they hadn't come across a single thing. Riku seemed to know where he was heading; at least she hoped he did since he was leading. He stopped glancing back at her.

"Do you feel anything?" He asked.

She looked at him puzzled.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, do you feel as though you're getting closer to your world?" He smiled reassuringly.

She looking down to the dark floor, her ears were ringing. But that usually meant someone was talking about her. She looked back up at him; he turned around so he could face her comfortably.

"What am I suppose to feel?"

He shrugged.

"I'm not sure, I just thought that maybe you could feel it. Otherwise, I have no idea where we're going." He chuckled.

Her face dropped and she closed her eyes focusing on Spira. If she was supposed to feel it, she was going to thinking about it. Maybe if she thought hard enough she could feel it. Long shot, but it was worth it. Something felt like a spark to her right, she opened her eyes glancing in that direction. He nodded understanding and they walked slowly tightly holding the other's hand hoping they were for once going in the right direction.

"Where will you go once you get back?" He asked after they had walked for awhile.

"Home, asked if anyone knows where Gabriel is. I'll follow my feet if I have too."

"You mean your instinct?"

"Yeah, but "follow your feet" sounds cooler." She giggled.

"It does have a nice ring to it." He mused.

"What about you Riku? I feel bad that I basically trapped you with no means of returning back to your world."

"It's fine, knowing Sora he'll still come to Spira. So I'll get home, don't feel guilty about it I don't mind staying with you till he does."

He bit his lips feeling his cheeks redden a little; she stopped walking and was looking at him. He quickly let go of her hand holding his hands up in defense, she smiled and laughed. He was always one to speak his mind, but for once he wished he could keep his mouth shut. She pushed back a piece of her bangs behind her left ear still smiling at him.

"I'm glad to hear that. I like you Riku; I hope we'll still be friends in the end. I'm really glad I met you, and thankful you're kind and willing to help me." She looked to the ground.

Her mind was racing, she looked back up. His hands had dropped his expression was hard to read, the right side of his mouth jerked up into an awkward grin. She smiled back then turned and started walking again. Whatever had just transpired was making her nervous; he was beside her instantly he held out his hand again. And gladly she took it, happy as she was to be going home she was sad at the thought of eventually saying goodbye and not knowing when they would meet again.

--

Haniel had nearly fallen asleep when he heard the booming footsteps coming closer. As the door opened Gabriel stormed into the room and was at his side in an instant. Nyx silently walked in behind him and sat at her station Iole still cradled in her arms. The creature had recovered but still refused to get close to Gabriel, Nyx couldn't blame her one bit. She knew she should say something to someone, Haniel maybe he could get Gabriel to talk. Daphnis, the mechanic; he and Haniel could take Gabriel…maybe.

"There is going to a ship behind us following us back to Spira. Its fine, they were helping Terra and one of them went with her when she used a gateway spell." Gabriel summarized.

Haniel jerked up an eyebrow but turned his attention to the wheel. Mashing a blue button the ship jerked from being idle ready to go. He flipped up a green switch and pulled up microphone from beneath the wheel.

"Ladies and Gents of the Oasis this Haniel you're wonderful driver speaking. Hold on to your hats, or in your case Minthe your bear; because we're high-tailin it back to Spira!" He replaced the microphone and they were off.

He eyes Gabriel who slipped into Galatea's chair across of him folding his arms behind his head and propping his legs up on her board. He turned his head back for a moment looking at Nyx who looked back, he should she was spooked about something. She glanced and Gabriel then back down to her own board then to the screen pretending to read it.

"Don't mind her Haniel; something on that world just scared her." Gabriel said softly.

"I'd like to see that, somethin that scared the fearless Nyx." Haniel chuckled as they continued on.

--

Terra and Riku had finally reached the source of Terra's "spark". She reached out her free hand, the darkness was solid. Riku reached over placing his hand over hers. The solidness began to melt away beyond the blackness she could see water, a starry night, and people walking away from them talking. As the opening grew larger what she saw caught her by surprise. Mount Gagazet, women young and old were climbing down from an opening in the rock. Trying to inconspicuous they quickly stepped from their gateway and down onto the mountain. One of the older women turned around and smiled at them politely.

"Ah, are you here for the hot springs too? I'm afraid however, young man you'll have to wait awhile its ladies turn." She replied turning around to face the others.

"Where are we?" Riku whispered.

"Mount Gagazet, Bevelle is a good distance from here." She replied.

The woman turned to them again, and motioned for Terra to go on up into the opening. Terra smiled and waved a hand.

"Perhaps another time, we need to get to Bevelle." She replied.

Old woman raised an eyebrow.

"Bevelle? Well you're and awful long way from there. I'd suggest you take a hover when you reach the Calm Lands if you want to get across it fast. Though enjoying some of the attractions could be worth your time. Perhaps you could even get something nice for the lady, hmm?" She winked at Riku who hid his face behind his hair.

"Thanks. Come on, dear." Terra chuckled hurrying along the mountain path.

They had been running along the mountain's path for awhile when Terra came to a halt. So far they had been running on solid rock here snow was covering the ground but it was clear where people walked since the stone was visible. Terra turned to glance back at Riku just to make sure he was doing alright. She wasn't meaning to rush so much, that since they were getting closer to the base of the mountain the snow would be a hazard.

"Is everything alright?"

"I suppose I should be asking you that."

"I'm fine."

She smiled and started off again, though at a slower pace trying not to slip. It was a long run but around the next bend he could see where the snow ended and the slope of the mountain began to flatten out. As they continued they passed a group of lion-like humanoid creatures Terra called "Ronso" and soon they were standing at the base of the mountain where it met a large lush green valley that was bustling with activity.

"The calm lands, isn't it lovely?" She asked glancing up at Riku.

"It is," he replied taking it in.

Spira, it was turning out to be an interesting world. Terra pulled on his hand they were off once more.