Chapter 8:

Fortitude

A/N: This chapter is all violence and pain. Riku's dedication to his friends leaves him absorbing Xigbar's experimentations all by himself even though he is offered a chance to escape. On the other end Will is left tracking the captors and must decide whether he will continue down the path of unchecked rage he's been traveling or follow a new one. Thanks for reading. Reviews are welcome.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy or any characters used therein. The character Will does belong to me however.

Warnings: Blood, Gore, Violence, Sexual Situations, Sex, Offensive Language, Nudity, Torture, Objectionable Political Views, Rape and Dark Humor.

Pairings: Zack Fair x Aerith Gainsborough. Roxas x Axel. Finally have another pairing to add. HA.

Summary: Riku gets tortured for what seems to him to be an eternity while awaiting the arrival of a rescue no one else knows is coming. Will obsessively drives his group to the point of exhaustion to catch up and must decide how to deal with Xigbar and his minions.

Special Thanks: CrystalMeltdown for your review of the last chapter and Jade-Eyed-Jinchuriki for your support. And to everyone who still reads this fic.

A glass smashed on a polished wooden floor sending shards all about. Bare feet deftly dodged the bits. A tall redhead embraced a much smaller blond tightly. The blond shook violently and gagged. He coughed and wheezed and was escorted by the redhead to a nearby sink where he voided his stomach. The redhead patted the blond on the back and held his trembling hand. Emerald eyes met ocean blue.

"What's up Rox?" The redhead breathed in despair.

"It's Sora, Axel. He's in trouble. I know it." Roxas shakily made his way to a long wooden table and took a seat. Crumpling his arms and laying his head over them he fought back sobs. Ever since they were small he and his brother shared a connection, each knew when the other was hurt or sad or in danger. Mostly it had been Sora to come to his younger brother's assistance and had described time and again how he got a feeling of utter dread and a sharp pain in his chest as if he'd been stabbed. Roxas hadn't believed him until now because he got the exact feeling that Sora had described all those times. It hung on Roxas like a storm cloud over a flooded plain.

"How do you know? I mean we just talked to him yesterday and he said he was fine." Axel defended sitting across from his boyfriend. They shared a soft look for a moment.

"I just do. Sora always told me about how he would get these feelings every time I was in trouble or hurt, that sort of thing and he would come and help me. I just got that feeling he told me about. I'm scared, Axel. What if he doesn't make it?" The redhead snorted at his smaller companion

"If he's survived this long then he'll be fine. And that Riku kid. Didn't you say you're brother has a thing for him?" Axel chuckled.

"I don't know that, but he did talk about him a lot. For not being gay he sure does talk about guys a lot y'know?" Roxas smirked.

"Heh. I used to be like that too. I'm sure they'll watch each other's backs." Axel snickered at his own innuendo. Roxas gave a playful swat to the side of Axel's face.

"Maybe so. But it sounded like there was a lot more people with him than we thought."

"It's fine. This place can house about seventy people at a time. We only got like ten here now so it won't be a problem."

"Unless there's someone whose a total dick with them."

"Yeah. Like that guy on the phone the first time. What was his name?"

"Will I think. Yeah Sora talked about him too. Mostly about how he had him pegged wrong the whole time."

"Tch. Whatever. He's a bigoted asshole. I'll be sure to beat his ass when he gets here. Just for you love." Axel smiled broadly his green eyes shimmering in the dim light. Roxas leaned in and planted a kiss on his lover's lips.

"I don't thinks that's wise. It sounded to me like he's a really unstable person." Roxas tried to reason.

"Yeah right. I know his type. Talk all kinds of shit until your face to face with them. Then they're total pussies. I probably won't even have to swing to get him cryin' like a bitch." Axel laughed.

"I think you need to calm down. Before you get yourself in over your head." Roxas sighed.

"I'd like to be over your head." Axel teased.

"Really now? You up for it?"

"Always babe. Always." The pair rose from their seats and walked out of the room. Hand in hand they sauntered up the stairs to their shared room. Still Roxas couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. It felt as though his brother was in immense pain and may even be dying. He let Axel's voice and pleasantries carry him away to non-worry. Even though they made love the thought of his brother hurting and without help stuck in the back of Roxas' mind. He did his best to suppress it but he couldn't not all the way.

Sora rolled onto his side, his whole body ached from being left tied up on his back for what he could only assume was hours. He looked around at his friends all bound like him. They all looked frantically around for a way to escape, Zack in particular was working his wrists and legs hard to get out. They made no progress. Riku was still passed out, blood dried on his face around his eyes. A boot imprint was raising up from his face, red and angry. Sora very much wanted to strangle the one that did that to Riku.

'Soon as I get outta here I'm gonna fuckin' kill that Xigbar freak and every one of his lackeys.' Sora thought grimly. Riku let out a cough and his eyes fluttered open. He stared at the ceiling, grey concrete for a long time. Sora figured he was just stunned, but there was something about Riku's presence, the feeling that he let off was one of acceptance. Sora tried to struggle free but the bonds, a combination of rope and handcuffs did not budge. They all sported rope burns and cuts where the bindings were against their bare skin.

"I'll get us out of here." Riku whispered. Everyone else looked at him, then around the room. It was perhaps ten by ten feet with a ten foot high ceiling. It was of concrete construction with only a single window that was barred and one metal door. Sora couldn't begin to fathom how Riku could get them out, these weren't the sort of people who would easily fall for a deception and if he was in the condition that Sora was then he had no access to his power. It had been sudden, as they walked and Will scouted Sora felt a complete disconnect between himself and his energy, that had left all of them vulnerable and got them here.

"How?" Sora whispered in reply.

"It's me he wants."

"Don't do it kid." Zack warned.

"Riku...you don't mean?" Sora nearly coughed on his own words.

"I'm going to submit to him. If he's focused on me then the rest of you will be left alone."

"That's insane." Sqaull hissed..

"You got a better plan?"

"Yeah. We get free and kill these bastards." Sora growled.

"How's that working for you?" Riku asked. Sora did not reply knowing their situation was hopeless.

"Look kid, you don't know what he'll do to you. We gatta stay together." Zack advised.

"We will. But for you guys to be safe I'll have to go. I'll hold him off as long as I can, but I can't forever. Will's coming for us. I know it. So long as he's alive he'd never abandon his friends." Riku smiled.

"Is he just a friend?" Sora narrowed his eyes.

"I'm not sure. Honestly, I can't say if I love him or not or you for that matter." Riku looked straight at Sora who blushed deeply.

"What...?" The brunette breathed.

"I'm just doing what feels right to me. I'm not the person I was when this began and I know that in such a short time I've come to be quite fond of both of you, for different reasons. I just want you that had it not been for you, both of you, I would be dead. Thank you for that. And thank you for standing by me even knowing what a terrible person I was." Riku's voice cracked.

"It's okay. I stood by you because I'm no better."

"How's that?"

"I was a car thief in L.A. It wasn't that we had money, I just loved the thrill of it. Got away from L.A.P.D. lots of times. Anyway I got involved with a group of guys who were really shady mother fuckers. At first it was all fine. Steal a car, take it to them and get paid. Pretty sweet deal. Then they wanted me to start setting up accidents, they told me that the people I was targeting were rapists, child molesters, human trafficker, that kind of thing. Anyway, they paid me more for that. I was fucking naive. I met Kairi about a year after the first one. We hit it off immediately and I knew that I couldn't keep doing what I was, so I told them I was done and went and got a job. We moved to San Diego just to be sure. I thought it was fine. That's when Seifer came. He was a hitman, he broke into my apartment when I was asleep. Shot and stabbed me eight times, beat me with a bat and left me for dead. Kairi came home before they left and they...raped her in front of me. I never felt so angry. We were going to be married in the fall. She died, I didn't. I managed to make it to a phone and call 911 after they left. Then I made a deal with the Feds. Full immunity in exchange for giving them everything they needed to bring down everyone." Sora paused abruptly. Seemingly to gather his thoughts. Riku said nothing, no one did.

"So they started executing warrants. Finding, drugs, guns, people, all kinds of stuff. I demanded relocation for me and my brother. We came up here because it seemed like an unlikely hiding place. I spent six months recovering, we met two days after I was finished with physical therapy, Riku. That's been almost seven months now. So when I saw Seifer that time, I had to kill him. I had always planned to be more brutal and make him feel my pain, but I never had the patience for that. So I shot him in the head. The gun I took from him is the one he shot me and Kairi with. Do I believe in love, sure. I'm not sure that I can love again, especially not another guy." Sora leaned his head back.

"Would you be willing to try? For the sake of happiness?" Riku asked. Sora pursed his lips unsure of how to respond.

"I guess. Sure why not? Can't be all that bad y'know. I mean, I probably would've experimented by now if it weren't for my mom and friends. And high school." Sora supplied.

"Yeah. Society's a bitch. But now we can make a new one, where people are happy and don't go around fuckin' with each other over trivial shit." Riku smirked. It disappeared when they heard the metal door being unlocked. Xigbar stepped in smirking confidently, he was followed by a much taller male. The newcomer had fiery red hair and was at least seven feet tall and so broad he had to turn sideways to make it through the door. His face bore several scars along his heavily squared features and his green eyes regarded the group coldly.

"I'd like to introduce you to my assistant. This is Saix. Saix, these are our newest subjects. Say hello." Xigbar began as if he were hosting a dinner party. The redhead grumbled softly.

"Hello. I look forward to making each one of you my personal toy." Saix' voice rumbled. He was content to lean against the wall as Xigbar paced back and forth in a mock search for the best candidate. They both wore white lab coats a twisted facade of a doctor and patient formed in their minds. It was clear that Xigbar was insane and if Saix was his assistant then he must be equally so if not more. There would be little use in attempting to reason with either or plead to their humanity.

"You're perfect. Saix if you would." Xigbar said halting in front of Riku. Sora went to bellow at their captors but the look of calm, sad resignation that came from the silverette froze Sora mid breath. Saix quickly snatched Riku up by the wrists and tossed him over his shoulder and walked out. He didn't even flinch when Riku's head bounced off the door frame and he let out a small yelp. Sora felt his teeth gritting uncontrollably, they hurt and he may have been causing cracks in them for all he knew.

"Relax everyone. You will all get your turn in due time. Try not to die until then." Xigbar said with a laugh. Slamming the door shut and latching it the black haired man strode down the dim hallway his boots clicking loudly. By the time he rounded the corner to his experiment chamber Saix had already lashed the silverette into place. Arms suspended high above his head, feet barely touching the ground he had to struggle to keep his arms from dislocating. He would tire soon.

"Welcome to my humble lab." Xigbar sneered. Riku snorted.

"Fuck off freak!" Riku spat. A small stain of blood was in his hair from the door way and in truth he was a bit woozy from the impact. A swift punch in the ribs from Saix had him coughing and groaning. Xigbar smiled intently.

"You have spirit. Well, why don't we just test how strong your spirit is? Since I'm such a generous man I'll make you a deal. If you survive the next forty-eight hours without screaming, crying or making any other sound of pain, I will let you and your friends free." Xigbar's smile widened and even Siax has a broad smile plastered on his face. Riku looked on grimly.

"Really? What's the catch?" Riku asked skeptically.

"Only this: if you fail to meet those criteria then I will make you watch me and Saix rape each of your little friends one by one. We'll take our time cutting them, burning them and doing whatever we damn well please while you sit there and watch every second of it. Then we'll make you do the same to them." Xigbar chortled.

"Fat chance of that." Riku said defiantly.

"Oh. Trust me. People will do anything I say to ease the pain. Now do we have a deal?" Xigbar's one eye was fixated on Riku. The silveretee regarded the offer carefully for a moment. Even if he had the smallest indication that this deal was legitimate he wasn't sure that he could possibly hold out that long, but for the sake of his friends he was willing to try. Every minute he spent distracting this lunatic meant the odds of escape or rescue were that much higher.

"Deal." Riku bowed his head.

"Splendid. Saix make a note." Xigbar instructed and then promptly slapped Riku on the face. He didn't hold back and just as Riku's vision blurred and he became shaky Xigbar relented. Riku had made no sound. Slowly the silverette folded into himself hoping he could separate his mind from his body enough to bear what was to come. Xigbar did not hesitate to snatch up a whip from a nearby table. He ordered Riku to count out each lash as he was struck, nine in all each shredding through his shirt and skin. Blood coated Riku's pale skin and Xigbar tore what remained of the rags from his upper body so that he could cauterize the wounds with a blowtorch. Riku stiffened when the fire began melting his skin and drying his blood but he made no sound.

"Saix, the shears if you would." Xigbar requested. Quickly the redhead grabbed a pair of shears from the table and passed them on to Xigbar. Riku feared the worst but Xigbar simply began cutting away Riku's clothes. Pants, underwear, boots and socks gone, Riku felt all too vulnerable suspended in air naked. He could no longer reach the floor with his feet and felt the terrible strain building in his shoulders. Xigbar knew this and violently yanked on Riku's body, eliciting two loud pops from Riku's left arm. He knew immediately that his wrist and elbow had come out of socket. Xigbar laughed like a hyena.

"I'm only getting warmed up!" Xigbar shouted as he stabbed Riku in the right armpit with the point of the shears then opened them, tearing a wide gash which he also sealed up with the torch. Already Riku had no idea how he was going to endure this but something in him kept soothing him, a small voice in the back of his mind telling him he would be fine, help was coming and Xigbar would die. Riku hung on that last promise.

"Hmm. I have an interesting idea. Saix hand me the syringe." Saix obedient as ever followed his instructions like a dog. Xigbar twirled the syringe in his hand for a moment a faux sheepish smile on his face and then jammed the point cleanly through Riku's penis. Riku arched his back and could feel a guttural cry building but he managed to suppress it as the syringe was retracted and reinserted six more times. Intently Xigbar pushed it through the tip of Riku's penis and gave several sharp tugs forward laughing at the pained faces Riku made. Finally, he injected whatever the solution was into a vein. Saix snickered in the background.

"My god he's got a tiny dick!' The redhead cackled. While it was true Riku wasn't going to win any size competitions he was offended. He was completely average at just under six inches and to have this psychopath insult him where no one else had, save Marluxia, made the silverette particularly irritated. He glared intently at Saix and strangely felt his penis come to life and in short order he was fully erect for both of his tormentors to see.

"That took no time at all! Very nice adjustment to the formula." Xigbar commented. Blood streamed out of the many punctures in Riku's manhood and he felt nausea set in. He nearly passed out right there but was torn from any chance of that by Xibbar placing a heated cigarette lighter against his foreskin, it was the kind of lighter one would find in a car, round and short. His body crying to him Riku simply frowned as Xigbar went over his genitals with both the lighter and the torch, the skin bubbled and turned a black color. The sickening smell of burning flesh filled Riku's nostrils, it wasn't an unfamiliar scent but it had never come from him before. He couldn't keep from watching them do this to him, he was too fixated on besting their will with his own.

"Look at that barbecued baby dick! So that's where they get hot dogs from!" Saix taunted. Riku wanted desperately to have Ygglemir in his hand so he could carve that man's face off. Panting Riku found himself being lowered to the ground where he received several kicks to the back. His buttocks were slashed with a knife and then sutured closed. He was then rolled onto his back and with Xibbar pinning his arms Saix strode over and undid his lab coat. In a second he had his own throbbing manhood out, Riku judged it to be at least twelve inches and much thicker than anything he'd ever taken before. He inhaled sharply in preparation knowing there would be no lubricant or warming up.

"He looks loose. Just means I can give him a real fuckin'" Saix spat. Riku's legs were forced toward the ceiling and Saix plunged into him. Xibgar held Riku's head forcing him to watch the redhead contort his face in sadistic pleasure. The first thrust had made Riku bleed he had no mistake about that but whatever went on in the ensuing frantic pounding that followed he wasn't quite sure because he felt a very sharp pain deep in his bowels that made all the other tears and abuse his backside was taking go mute. What disgusted him the most was that he could watch Saix' penis move underneath his own flesh.

'Odin. Fenrir. Someone help. I can't take this!' Riku screamed in his mind. Only the cackles of Saix and Xigbar came. There was no divine intervention, no voice that said he was going to be rewarded for enduring this. Nothing, but the strange impression that someone who was very angry was growing nearer and nearer. It was a familiar presence in him mind and it wasn't until sometime after Saix had climaxed inside of Riku and forced him to lick off all the mess from his now flaccid penis that Riku recognized the presence. It was Will. He was alive. That alone lifted Riku's spirit enough to resolve to endure. He did not flinch or waiver when Xibbar snatched up a belt sander from the table and revved it menacingly.

Miles away a burned man clad in black ran. Deftly he darted between trees and through thickets, past gates and over crashed cars. His companions, not nearly as driven or angry as he struggled to keep up but did so for fear of what would happen if they didn't. The land scape had changed from the small town of Lebanon to the wrecked highway and forest. Demyx claimed to know the way but doubts began to form in Tifa and Tidus' minds after the first five hours of journeying. Will had not let up one bit since they began and no one had asked him for a break.

"Alright. We can't go on!" Tidus finally shouted as he stormed through a blackberry thicket. He was covered in scrapes and bruises as were the other two, only Will wasn't but his bandages were fast becoming tattered revealing darkened flesh. They began noticing this about an hour earlier but said nothing, at first they were unsure of why he was wearing the bandages in the first place but the burned skin that was now visible explained all they needed it to. Will irate rounded on his companions.

"What!? You think we can just stop?! The others are out there! We gotta get to them now!" Will roared with such intensity that the nearby group of minotaurs who had been looking to attack them while they were unaware fled, bellowing in their hideous language. It hadn't been a large group but still Tidus felt himself shrink down and Demyx busied himself with his short blond hair, pretending to be fixing it. Tifa put her hands on her hips and glared right back at Will.

"You need to understand, we aren't your slaves and we don't have to do what you say." Tifa shot. Will's eyes were pinpoints and he could have throttled her right there were it not for the sudden impression in his mind. He felt Riku, distantly but he could make it out. He was in pain that much was certain. Will had been projecting his own aura outward for the pass four hours and was beginning to feel tired. He was lying to himself though, he was exhausted. He hadn't even tended to his own wounds before he made the group take off on their run. Will sighed heavily.

"Besides, what use are we if we're all falling over dead from exhaustion when we get there?" Tifa's voice softened. Will snorted. There was no argument he could win here so he didn't try to. They made a hasty camp in the middle of the road. They were surrounded by wrecked vehicles and were careful to spread glass and other material around to rouse them should any creatures come lurking in the night, which was fast approaching. They managed to find enough bandages to replace the ones Will had been wearing, it had been awkward for them to see his nude, burned body, but he seemed entirely indifferent, at least they thought since it was hard to distinguish his facial expressions in his state. They also tended to his wounds, he was far to fatigued to heal himself or anyone for that matter and for that he was told to rest. He quickly found sleep taking him, the screams of his victims were mitigated by that one impression of Riku that still lingered with him.

"This is bullshit." Sora hissed. His companions were asleep. They had opted to rest up after their attempts to remove their bindings failed, leaving them all sorer and bloodier for their efforts. Sora couldn't sleep, not since he heard that machine and the macabre sound of tearing flesh. That had been two nights ago. He couldn't believe that they had been stuck in this room for that long. They hadn't been given food or water and he really wasn't sure if his companions were okay, certainly any longer and they would not be able to move much less coordinate an escape. Sora's thoughts turned to Riku who had not fought to remain and how he had been in there for so long. Sora could not begin to fathom what they had done to his friend but he knew it wouldn't be pretty. Sora rolled to his side and stretched his legs and arms, he wanted to be able to get up and fight when the time came. He hoped it would be soon.

"Nineteen." Will whispered to his comrades. The hid amid the bushes surrounding the small collection of buildings. It looked as thought it may have been a small farm since it had a windmill large enough to have a mill for flour. According to Demyx that was the armory now. It had four guards. There was the house to the left, two stories and fairly large, its old siding creaked in the wind and a few boards hung attached only by one side. They had watched six go into the house a hour ago. They appeared to be all that occupied the building. There was a curious smaller structure that was located between the windmill and the barn where the vehicles were stored. It had no guards. The barn had two.

"Xigbar and Saix will be in the basement of that one." Demyx pointed. That made twenty one in total. Will nodded solemnly. He paid close attention to the groups of patrols wandering the perimeter of the farm. One four man group had gone to the south and a three man group to the east. They weren't particularly heavily armed but they could certainly prove to be an issue if left unchecked. Will decided it would be best to ensure their flanks were secure first to avoid being taken by surprise like they had been in Lebanon.

"Wait here. I'll deal with the patrols." Will instructed. He went to move but was halted by Tidus.

"Here. This is yours anyway." Tidus produced his forty five from his waistband. He was much slimmer than Sora was now that he wore no hoodie. Will had made them discard any bright colors that they had. Will nodded and pocketed the pistol only slightly annoyed that the suppressor he had was missing. He crouch walked a distance and then dropped to his belly. Navigating carefully through the trees and shrubs he quickly found the three man group heading straight for their location. Thinking quickly Will snatched up a rock and threw it at a tree to their rear. They immediately froze and looked all around. The apparent leader motioned for them to split up. Will smirked with confidence.

'Gotcha.' He thought to himself. Two of them had moved to the left and right and were quicker than the one that remained. With expert skill Will snuck in and with lightning speed grabbed the man's chin and yanked to the right. A cracking followed by his gurgling sounded softly. The other two must have heard because Will heard them start back his way. He dragged his victim in to the shrubbery so they could not see him. Coming back they looked around for their friend and found nothing. Will waited for them to look another direction then threw a rock as hard as he could. It struck the man on the right directly on the nose. He fell to the ground cursing and bleeding. The man on the left turned to help him but was met with a fist to the chest. The spiked gloves Will wore dove deep and penetrated the man's heart. He crumpled to the ground with a slight yelp. The last man stared up and tried to beg. Will grabbed his Adam's apple, squeezing it tightly and pulled it out.

'Now for the other four.' Will thought darkly.

"Mmm. You feel so nice." Xigbar taunted. Both he and Saix had buried themselves inside Riku. It was far more than the silverette could handle and blood flowed from his anus. He looked horrid. He face was covered in deep gashes and bruises, he was missing eight teeth, four on the top and four on the bottom all of which were his front most. His body was pale and a bit thinner from a combination of blood loss and starvation. Xigbar had cut off Riku's nipples and electrocuted him multiple times. His arms and legs were all out of socket and his eyelids were gone necessitating constant moisture. Xigbar had ground the flesh from Riku's feet with a belt sander. His buttocks now had holes that went straight to the hip bone from a drill. Nails protruded from Riku's knuckles and elbows. He now had a penis that was pierced with bolts leaving gaping holes in his manhood. Hair stained with blood and back devoid of flesh Riku was surprised that he was still breathing albeit laboriously. Still he felt somewhat calm, he could feel Will close in.

'Just a little more.' Riku thought to himself as he felt Will extinguish four more lives. He then felt Will's presence move away for a short time and then close back in. It seemed that the burned male was ensuring that they were no ambushes waiting for them. The impression Riku was left with was one of vengeance. It was clear Will was fighting off his sadistic anger. Riku knew the others would be saved even if he would not be and that made him smile.

Will watched as Demyx led Tife, bound only enough for their charade to work into the house. The pair would serve as a distraction and eliminate the two guards in the living room. Tidus swiftly climbed to the second floor and hid in a closet waiting for the radio operator to arrive. They only had two: one in Xigbar's lab the other in the house. Will did not want anyone to know they were coming, though he knew Riku did. A muffled struggle and a soft gagging sound and a few seconds later Tidus motioned to Will that the operator was dead. Will nodded and tapped the living room window three times, fortunately it faced away from the windmill and barn. The guards moved to inspect and were garroted for their trouble. That left three in the kitchen.

'Time to go.' Will lifted up the MP-5 he had taken from one of the patrollers. It was fitted with a suppressor which was the only reason he had picked it up in the first place. He moved silently to the side door that led into the kitchen. He could hear the three voices talking inside, they were loud. In an instant Will kicked open the door and fired. In less than three seconds there were three dead men on the floor of the kitchen. Will whistled softly and the others appeared. Tidus held a rifle, it too was fitted with a suppressor.

"Where did you guys find all this?" Tidus asked.

"We raided the National Guard Armory in Lebanon." Demyx supplied.

"NG has this kind of shit?" Tidus asked in wonderment.

"Alpha troop, 82nd Cav was stationed there. They have a lot of shit. I knew someone who was a sniper with that regiment. That looks like an M-14. Why don't you trade me Tidus?" Will held out his MP-5 barrel up. Tidus took it and handed Will the rifle, he was glad to have a lighter weapon. Will led the group out the side door and aimed at the barn. He found one man looking around from the loft, Will placed a round in his head. The next was sitting just inside the door and wasn't fully visible, but Will guessed. The man fell to the side clutching his shoulder and Will shot him again in the chest, he twitched a bit but didn't make a sound. Two from the windmill headed for the barn.

'Goddamn it.' Will thought as he shot the one that was trailing behind. The one in front broke into a dead run, making for the barn. It took Will five shots to bring him down. Fully automatic firing came from the windmill. The rounds were given out like candy on Christmas. They had no idea where Will was shooting from and when they ran out, exposing themselves Will did not hesitate one bit to shoot them down.

"Good shooting." Demyx applauded.

"What're you talking about? That was shitty." Will sneered.

"Don't worry about Xigbar hearing the shooting. His little lab is sound-proof, at least from up here." Demyx assured.

"Good. Alright. Demyx you and Tidus get as many weapons loaded into that truck as you can." Will ordered pointing to the military supply truck.

"Tifa take my forty five and search for medical supplies and food. Get all that shit into that truck and secure it. Once I get the others loose I'll send them up to help. Tell them to get whatever you can't. We move out in thirty minutes. Go." Will instructed and raced for the concrete structure. He turned over the key in his hand that unlocked the door. He was careful going down the steel staircase. He didn't want his boots to click. He found himself in a narrow corridor. There was a ninety degree turn to his left and a door just before that. Will moved to the door. It wasn't locked but it had a steel bar that held it in place. Carefully he moved it so that it did not squeak or alert anyone. He stepped inside.

Sora's eyes lit up when he saw Will standing before them. He held a rifle. The empty scabbard for Bak'frelm was now on his back. Will quickly went to work cutting the ropes with a knife and using his power to melt the handcuffs. Sora could have kissed him in that moment he was so overjoyed. Then he remembered Riku.

"Where is Riku?" Will asked his eyes narrowing.

"Around the corner." Sora replied. He helped Squall and Aerith to their feet. Will turned and started down the hall. Rounding the corner he got a clear view of Xigbar and Saix having their way with his friend. Will's vision went red and he let out a shout that shook the walls. Panicked Xigbar dove across the room and went for a gun, Will shot just as he filled his hand with the weapon sending it flying across the room. Will then shot him in each knee so he couldn't make a break for it. Saix charged at Will, ignoring the red aura around the shorter male. Saix punched at Will who met the blow with his forehead. The bone in Saix' forearm gave and snapped like a twig sending a pointy end tearing through his flesh, with a cry Saix cradled his arm. Will then kicked him in the crotch with his shin sending the man up of the ground a few inches and doubling over to the floor, on the way Will brought the butt of the rifle up to meet Saix' jaw. He fell to the ground like a rock. Will panted his anger abating. Then he saw Riku.

"Will...you...came for me...?" Riku choked on his blood. Will stepped forward and freed the silverette from his bindings and cradled his limp form in his arms. Wrapping him in his trench coat Will gently supported Riku's body as he carried him toward the others who had remained behind, not willing to see what they had done to the poor man. Will felt tears slip down his face, he felt guilty for not being more aware, for not being here sooner. Most of all, he felt guilty it was not him in Riku's place.

"Of course I came. I wasn't going to leave anyone behind. We're like family at this point." Will managed at length.

"Family...I'd like that." Riku whispered his voice meek.

"I know. We'll get you all patched up and get the fuck outta here. I just gotta take care of something first."

"Please...not worth...it...let's just...go..." Riku trailed off, his injuries were fast becoming the better of him. Will brought the broken silverette to the rest of the group who stared on in shock.

"Aerith. You and Yuna get his wounds under control. Zack you carry him topside. Sora, Squall help the others get the truck loaded up." Will instructed his voice cracking. Zack nodded and took Riku from Will's arms. Sora was angry he wanted to handle this too.

"Will...no...more...please..." Riku whispered. The burned man turned to him.

"Last two."

"Promise...?"

"Promise. Now get going." Will said turning back to the lab. He was quickly halted by Sora who spun him around.

"I can't do that shit while you take care of them. I have to help you. For Riku." Sora hissed.

"Listen, you want vengeance, I get that. But vengeance is what got me the way I am now. Go topside. This cannot be an emotional endeavor. If it becomes that then I'll lose control again, like with Marluxia. Riku needs us now. Go help take care of him if it makes you feel better. He could use a reassuring face by his side." Will's voice was surprisingly gentle. His eyes were firm and Sora relented and did as he was told. Will continued on. Moving deliberately he kicked Xigbar's gun away which he was just now reaching for the second time. His rifle still lay on the table where he had set it and Saix was still out cold.

"Let's begin." Will said absent of emotion. He grabbed Xigbar and lashed him up. He then took a syringe of their special formula and injected it into his penis, which was roughly twice Riku's size. It wasn't long before Xigbar was hard and he smirked confidently. Will made no expression, he simply put on a lab coat, goggles and a face mask. Fetching up the belt sander he ground Xigbar's penis into a nub. Unlike Riku, Xigbar screamed at the top of his lungs. Apparently he thought Will wasn't going to go through with it. Will crushed Xigbar's testicles with a pair of pliers then ripped them off entirely. Shuddering Xigbar coughed and sputtered, Will used the same blowtorch to seal up Xigbar's wounds, Saix finally roused at this moment, as he regained consciousness his face twisted with horror.

"Oh good you're up. On you're feet." Will ordered. Saix glared at the shorter male.

"Either you get your ass up or I'll shove those rats in your ass." Will threatened. Saix went wide eyed, how this stranger knew he was terrified of Xigbar's rats was beyond him so he followed his commands as he knew Will would do it. He had already mangled Xigbar in a horrific manner and he didn't want to needlessly receive the same punishment. It seemed Xigbar trained his assistant too well.

"Now fuck him." Will pointed. Saix moved to do as he was told. He spread his former master's legs and lined up with his anus.

"Not there. His new hole." Will corrected. Both of the others went wide eyed at that. A grotesque grin spread across Will's face, though they couldn't see it they could feel it. They knew he was being completely serious. In Will's mind he thought up creative ways to punish these two in the short time he had with them, he couldn't spend two days like they had with Riku, but he was determined to make it seem as though he did.

"Riku. It's me." Sora said at his friend's side. He had used his powers to regrow Riku's eyelids, teeth and to stop his anal bleeding. The silverette gave him a soft smile. Sora felt drained from his ordeal, the starvation and then use of his powers left him nauseous and light-headed. He held Riku's hand gently, knowing any excessive pressure would cause a great amount of pain. They had laid him on a bed on the first floor to make him as comfortable as possible. Aerith finally returned with an armload of supplies. She began by sedating Riku. He quickly nodded off and they went to work setting his broken limbs and dislocated joints. The did their best to treat his burns, cuts, abrasions and his myriad of other wounds. Sora wasn't sure what they would do about his genitals which were swollen, his penis still had bolts in it and had become infected. His testicles had been crushed as well. They did their best, finally Sora needed to leave, the blood and crunching of bones was getting to him.

"Fuck!" Sora shouted as he retched outside the house. He made his way to the windmill. Demyx, a newcomer had told him that it was the armory. He didn't ask how he knew. He found Yggelmir and Bak'frelm then his own Oly'be'nas. The three blades were not particularly heavy and he carried them to the barn. He soon found the truck being loaded by Tidus, Demyx, Squall and Zack. He joined them. Noticing the military Humvee that they were also loading up, he set Bak'frelm and Yggelmir in the cab in between the driver and passenger seats. A loud bellowing alerted the brunette.

"Not now!" Zack moaned.

"Just keep loading. I'll handle it." Sora instructed. They looked at him and he was surrounded by green. He drew his sword and held out his left hand high above his head. He then pointed his sword at the group of minotaurs, zombies and harpies that were charging at them. From the earth six spirits arose. Two were wolves, one was a bear and three were humans. They stood clad head to toe in black, plated armor. Sora felt a sudden twinge of shock spread across his mind.

"We are at your command my lord.' One of the figures spoke.

"Names." Sora demanded mere seconds before the combat would begin.

"Geri and Freki are the wolves. Abenir is the bear and we are Ventus, Terra and I am Aqua." Came the reply. Sora nodded and motioned for them to follow him. The battle was fierce but the attacking creatures had no answer to the spirits Sora had summoned. He glided on his feet and struck like lightning. He was more than skilled with his katana, he was experienced in the ways of swordsmanship. He moved with grace and aggression and the creatures had no chance of winning so they ran. Sora stood panting in the field. He thanked the spirits with a low bow and the returned to the earth. Blood streamed down Sora's ears.

"Where did you learn to do that?!" Demyx exclaimed.

"Learned the spell a few days ago. As for the sword, I was in Kendo classes for ten years before all of this shit." Sora beamed, returning to help his friends. He felt great pain in his head and was sure he had over done it. He would need to ask Will about how to handle this later. Now was not the time. Sora made note that the Humvee had a large machine gun mounted on top of it. He thought of how Will would like that.

Will turned the disc over in his hand. He placed it in his book, he had no idea how it got here but it did. Now he had it back. He gave one final look at his final two victims as he wrote in the volume. Xigbar dangled upside down, his flesh in a heap below him, Will had skinned him like a deer and rubbed him down with salt. Saix' screams were muffled by the duct tape he now sported over his mouth. Will had shoved rats into his body and was letting them eat their fill. Rising with a sigh Will conjured a red orb into his hand and tossed it into the center of the room. In short order they would find out what it was like to be a frog in a microwave. Will quickly exited the structure.

"Time to get the fuck outta here." Will grumbled. He walked up to the surface and found everyone, minus Riku standing around waiting for him.

"I'm guessing you're all ready then." Will said absently.

"Yep. Listen. Dem here said that if we go past the widnmill to the north there's a dirt road that links to the highway. That highway will take us to the compound." Zack informed Will who nodded.

"Good. Let's go. I'm tired of being here already. How's Riku?" Will asked.

"He's stable. But he is in very bad shape. He might not live Will." Aerith informed sadly. Will grunted loudly. Sora patted his shoulder lightly and he calmed down, Will noticed that Sora was bleeding down his ears.

"Ok. Riku all set?" Will asked. Aerith nodded and Squall explained how they had set him in the back of the Humvee in a makeshift gurney. He was secured and was not in pain at the moment. Will motioned for everyone to get ready. He told Tidus and Squall to take charge of the truck. Aerith, Yuna, Sora, Zack, and Will took the Humvee. Demyx and Tifa hopped into the back of the truck amid the boxes and crates. No one laughed or joked. There was a foreboding silence amongst the group, they collectively felt that the last few miles would not be traversed easily. Looking back at the farm from the driver seat Sora prayed that the place would be destroyed by a storm or something of that nature. No place that held such pain should be allowed to survive as far as he was concerned. He could hear Will cursing from his position on the machine gun and hoped they would all finally make it to the compound, they couldn't handle much more of this.

A/N: This was a very intense chapter to write and it took me quite a while to do it. I really feel bad for Riku, but it is part of his plot line. Anyway, I can't say anything negative here other than this is really long and I apologize for that. As for the torture as such, I did warn everyone about that. Anyway don't feel intimidated to share feedback. Thanks for reading.