Chapter 2: What do you mean!?
Sora sighed as the group of six arrived at Disney Castle. It had been a remarkably quiet trip between the worlds, the king being uneasily silent, Donald and Goofy keeping to themselves. Riku had always been reclusive, but Kairi should have been happier. And, well, Sora was sulking.
It's not that he didn't want to do this, but...
He didn't want to do this.
Sora had saved the worlds twice now, and the individual worlds more times than anybody cared to count. He was tired of it. Tired of the Keyblade throwing him into a life he never asked for. Why couldn't he just do what needed to be done and go home? Why did he continuously have to abandon his life in order to carry the burden of so many others? It's not like Sora regretted being chosen, but sometimes he just wished everything was over.
Another sigh escaped the brunet as the group entered the Audience Chamber. Kairi gasped at the room's size and whiteness. "Wow... it's so big!" she yelled to the high ceilings. Mickey, Donald, and Goofy were already on the way over to the throne placed in the back. While the rest of the group watched silently, Mickey pressed the secret button under the arm, revealing the entrance to the Hall of the Cornerstone.
Finally they were downstairs, Sora and Riku staring expectantly at the king. "Well, guys, this is it." "Huh?"
Mickey strode behind the Cornerstone to a spot on the wall. He knocked once, and an opening appeared. Sora made a small noise of disbelief at the seemingly endless darkness beyond it. "It's in here." He stepped through then, disappearing in an instant. Donald and Goofy followed without another word, and the Destiny Islands trio stood hesitantly.
"Well, Sora, Riku. Let's go." Kairi said assuredly, walking quickly into the shadows.
"What do you think, Riku?" Sora asked, staring at the taller boy uneasily. Riku remained in a pensive silence for a moment. "I think..." There was a tense pause. "We should go, Sora." Sora tilted his head for a second as Riku stepped forward. Hm. It sounded like Riku was going to say something else for a minute there. The Keyblade wielder pushed the thought to the back of his mind and followed Riku into the darkness.
Sora inhaled sharply at the coldness of it, that instantaneous darkness. He opened his eyes, not remembering closing them, and stared amazedly at his surroundings.
The group seemed to be in a huge library, bigger than the one in the castle many times over. Rows upon rows of bookshelves stretched out like an ocean in front of them. The rounded walls were practically made of shelves, but Sora could glimpse pieces of a wall behind them, even a few pillars. Not the pure white of the castle, but darker. Maybe wood? Sora looked down to see a lush red carpet blanketing the floor. Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Kairi were rows ahead of them.
Sora sighed, once again, and turned to see Riku watching him closely. "Riku?" "Yeah, Sora?" "What's wrong?" Riku made a small noise before beginning to walk off. "I should be asking you that, Sora." The brunet frowned slightly. Was he that obvious!?
After a few more minutes of quiet walking, the six turned down an aisle and Mickey headed directly toward a small wooden table at the end. The king placed one hand on the thick, dark brown volume, and stopped. "Guys," he said, voice serious, "this book, this library, was not built into the castle." Nobody said a word as apprehension became evident on all. "I think that this library can travel through time and space. It's the only explanation." He stood on a stool behind the table and waved everyone over to see the contents of the book, flipping to a page with the corner turned down.
"Read this, Sora, Riku, Kairi." The three leaned closer, and for a second Sora was reminded of the instant they received the king's letter. It brought a squirming to his stomach. He pushed the memory down, and focused on the old, faded text in front of him. The book was ancient, obviously, with slightly torn edges and eerie yellow-brownish paper.
The Keyblade is still a mystery to me. I still don't know how it came to be in my possession, but I do know, I think, that I'm supposed to use it to fight these strange creatures that seem to be born from darkness. I do know, however, that I will use this instrument to save my beloved.
Nathan, my heart aches for you.
Stephanie
"So, what is this, your majesty?" asked Sora out of reflexive curiosity. "It's a diary." "Kairi?" Sora stared, surprised, at his friend's answer. "She's right, Sora. It is a diary." "But whose?" Riku asked, a frown on his face. Mickey turned to Kairi, nodding. "Kairi?"
The teenage girl looked deep in thought. "Stephanie was barely older than us. Nathan was her love. The Heartless attacked their world, and Nathan was lost in the confusion and destruction. Then, Stephanie got the Keyblade, and set out on a journey to find him. Something in her heart told her that he was alive, and to not give up. So she never did."
"Kairi?" Sora asked softly, wanting to reach out and comfort her. But Kairi only bowed her head, red hair hiding her face. "She couldn't find him, no matter how hard she looked. For years she searched. But one day, Stephanie saw him." A pause, Sora thought the room was too quiet. Anything to stop the deafening silence rushing through his ears. "He was nearly dead. She ran to him, her heart reaching out for him after so long. But she was too late. By the time Stephanie got to him, he was almost dead.
"For a few minutes, a feeling of complete loss consumed her. He fainted, she thought he had died. But still, she took him back to the nearest town. Found out he wasn't dead, and stayed by his side for so long while he recovered. But he was in a comatose state for months more. She never left him. One day, he finally woke up."
Suddenly her head snapped up, away from the book. Her eyes cleared, and she looked around at the grave faces staring at her. "What's wrong, guys?" Sora blinked, surprised. "Kairi, you don't remember?" "Remember what?" "What you were just saying! About Stephanie and Nathan?" Kairi gave Sora a confused look. "Sora, what are you talking about? Do you mean the Stephanie and Nathan here?" She motioned to the still open book.
"Yes, them, Kairi! You mean..." he stared at her, partly sad and partly confused. "You don't remember what you just told us?" Kairi was staring at him strangely, and he knew the others were as well, not saying anything. The silence was too much again, it was suffocating him. Somebody say something, already! he screamed in his head, but the room remained silent.
"What is this, your majesty?" Riku asked, waving a hand over the diary. "It's the diary of an old Keyblade wielder. She lived years and years ago. Stephanie is Kairi's ancestor." Two people gasped at the revelation. "Wait, what did I say? I just remember reading the book, and then everyone was staring at me." "Kairi, what happened was you came in contact with a very personal object of your ancestor's. I think that your hearts are connected because of the Keyblade. And because of that connection, you were able to see into the past, into Stephanie's heart."
"What?" "Your majesty, how does this relate to Xehanort?" Not that Sora actually wanted to know, not that he actually wanted to be here... "Sora, this entire library is full of books like this. Not all of them are diaries, but they all have to do with the history of the Keyblade and its wielders. This is the Library of Keyblades." He jumped off the seat, walked over to a nearby shelf, and dragged another book off. This was even bigger, with a leather cover.
"This is another diary. Riku, I think this is from your ancestor." The silver-haired boy looked carefully at the volume before carefully opening to a random page, hearing the crinkling of old paper. Riku leaned in closer, and Sora read over his shoulder.
Somehow, I must stop him. Jonathan is getting too powerful for his own good. I have proof of my suspicions that he is planning to betray me, but I don't know if I can stop him. In my old age, I have become feeble and can no longer fight. If he were to challenge me directly, it would mean my death.
However, the other day, a most interesting object stumbled into my possession. A blade, shaped as a key, strangely enough. I have a feeling that this weapon is supposed to help me save my home from my son.
Riku sighed. "Yeah, it did." Sora stared at his best friend, wondering what the boy was seeing. Donald, Goofy, Mickey, and Kairi seemed to be thinking the same thing. "Jonathan was a spoiled child, and grew greedy as an adult. His father feared that his corruption would destroy his home and family, so he challenged him. It was a quick fight. With the Keyblade, Jonathan lost fast. After that, the Keyblade disappeared and he never saw it again. But, he didn't need it, really, because the threat was over. And he never regretted the loss."
"See?" Mickey said. "These are your predecessors. They had the Keyblades before you, and you're all connected. I think that's how you can see their pasts, just by coming into contact with something close to their hearts." The group stood in a silent circle as the news sunk in. "Sorry, Sora." Mickey said sadly. "I've looked a lot and I can't find anything from the past about your ancestors." The brunet smiled, fakely. "It's okay, your majesty. But still, how does all this relate to Xehanort?"
Once again, the king walked to another shelf and brought over a third, much smaller tome. "This is the most interesting of all." He flipped to a marked page. Sora, Riku, and Kairi leaned in closer. "This one, I think, is what Xehanort wrote many years ago, when he was a Keyblade master."
Those fools are misusing the power of the Keyblades. To use such a gift to merely keep order in the worlds is a waste. I know a much more useful path for their power. However, I do despise the idea of the others discovering my purpose, so I have resorted to planning in the dark. One day soon I will rise against the others and show them the true power of the Keyblade.
"That sounds like it could be him." Sora said thoughtfully. "So, what happens now?" Riku asked, frowning slightly. "We know that Xehanort's back, and he needs to be stopped. Do you know where he is?" King Mickey shook his head. "No, I don't. And I can't find even a clue as to what he's up to." "So, what are we supposed to do?" Sora asked impatiently. "Hm... I guess we just have to go to all the worlds and ask if anybody's seen anything." Sora wanted to sigh again.
"Okay, so, what're we waiting for?" he instead found himself saying. "Which worlds are letting us travel to them?" "Well," the king said, all traces of sadness gone, "right now only Radiant Garden. We'll have to unlock the paths to get to the others." "Okay then. Let's go." "Right."
The king jumped off the stool again, and started walking toward the portal. Donald and Goofy followed. "Come on, Sora, Riku." Kairi called after them. Sora found himself forcibly swallowing another sigh. "Come on, Sora." Riku said to the brunet. "Coming, Riku." But he hesitated. One glance was cast at the book sitting innocently on the table before it was swiftly grabbed and put carefully into a pocket.
(Later, In Radiant Garden...)
The King led the group through town, many people casting curious glances toward them. However, all looks were ignored as Mickey opened the door of Merlin's house.
"Hey, Merlin!" Mickey called out. He was greeted by a bright 'poof' of blue and a flash of sparkles. "Hello, now, what seems to be the problem?" "Merlin, we've got trouble. Xehanort's back, and we need to find him. Do ya think you can help us?"
"Oh, my, Xehanort, you say? Well, that's certainly not good. I'll whip up a locator spell in a jiffy, then. I say, why don't you all go over to Ansem's Study and check for clues? Leon and the others are over there, as well, I believe." "Thanks, Merlin. We will."
Mickey turned to face the others when Merlin disappeared. "Ok, I think we should split up. Donald, Goofy, you take Kairi to the Marketplace. Get supplies and ask around if anyone has heard anything about Xehanort. Sora, Riku, and I will head over to Ansem's Lab and look for clues. Come meet us there when you're all done."
The Magician and Knight nodded at their King before leading Kairi off in the direction they had come from. Mickey turned to Riku and Sora and nodded before setting off.
No sooner had they rounded the corner to climb the bailey stairs then a group of Shadows appeared, surrounding the trio. Immediately Sora, Riku and Mickey huddled, backs close. The Kingdom Key flashed into Sora's hand, and Riku's Way to the Dawn appeared. King Mickey had his Golden Key already present, and flipped forward to slash two of the enemy.
Out of the corner of his eye, Sora saw, sadly, the two hearts float up and disappear into the darkness. Would they be going to the new Kingdom Hearts? Run forward, destroy the one on the right, twirl and backhand the left one. Two more hearts lost to oblivion, two more souls erased from this dimension.
Parry the claws, see Riku get hit in the back and feel a moment of panic. Don't turn, don't stop. Riku's tougher than that. He'll be fine. You can't afford to panic. Slash, cut, and knock into the air. There's too many around you, what to do!?
Sora twirled the Keyblade, shouting "Fire!" Riku watched from behind silver bangs as red and white flames surrounded his friend, and the half-dozen enemies exploded into a dark aura, the hearts instantly floating upwards and being absorbed. How many Nobodies were created with these Heartless? How many opponents would they have to fight before the final battle? When would they be able to go home and move on with life, no more fighting other than an occasional friendly spar? Jab, slash, sidestep, block, let the body protect itself. Shadows are the weakest Heartless, nothing much to worry about.
Get hit again, in the side this time, and know somehow that Sora is looking at you still, and know that he knows that you're okay. He knows you better than to worry.
King Mickey was flipping around, taking out various heartless of the group. Conserve energy, but don't let them get into town. Then there will only be more, and this time it might be people we know and love. Don't let too much feeling into the battle, it never turns out good. Control anger and try not to think. It's easier to act first. Take out the enemy and move on. Because we've got bigger problems.
Finally, all the enemies had been defeated. The trio watched, apathetic if not a little sad, as one last heart floated up, the white, pink, and yellow twinkles quickly stolen to what would be the new Kingdom Hearts. Once it was gone, Mickey silently went forward. Sora and Riku followed a second after. Not even a look was needed.
They continued like that for a while, battling the weak heartless that always seemed to mark the beginning of a new journey, thinking the entire time, but never saying a word. Another group materialized on the path to the Postern.
Cut. Stab. Backslash. Blizzard on the one trying to get him. Parry. An opportunity for a combo taken. Mickey just tripped, he must be getting tired. Fire on the ones near you and a rapidly cast Cure. They're lessening...
Eventually, the Heartless were all gone. It was only Sora that stopped to watch the small, yet pretty, heart be swallowed by the grabbing darkness. Riku and Mickey, he knew, had seen too many of the same. And so had he.
But why keep going, if that was true? Sora thought as he walked, following his companions up the path. Why keep fighting? To protect the innocent, you must destroy the condemned? It made no sense! Everyone had the right to live, so why did a select few have lives torn and hearts stolen? And the Keyblade wielders, who are supposed to protect people, are doing what?
Killing.
Sora stopped at the revelation. They were outright killing and destroying these souls. And the hearts were being taken into darkness... this isn't right. When Sora, more thinking than watching, saw Riku stop and turn his head slightly, he moved forward. It might not be right... but it's all we can do right now...
Xehanort, you will be the last one I kill.