Chapter Three
He Came From The Sea
New Destiny Island
Roxas Leonhart was not a happy teenager. The people on New Destiny Island were gathering at the Temple of Yevon to welcome to new Summoner into their lives. Roxas could feel nothing but contempt for those fools. He sat on the beach staring out towards the vast ocean that was his home all his life. He wanted to be angry at Sora but he just couldn't find it in his heart to feel like that towards his own twin brother.
Sora knew what he was getting into when he chose to become a Summoner but that didn't make it any easier of Roxas or Leon. Their father had been a Summoner and their mother had been his Guardian. When they left on their Pilgrimage that had been the last the Leonhart brothers had seen of their parents. Squall, or Leon as he preferred, became their legal guardian and protected the twins as best he could. But Sora had proven to be more of a handful than Roxas ever could be.
The little brunet wanted to be a Summoner just like his dad had been ten years ago. Leon had tried to talk Sora out of it but nothing would work. Eventually Roxas and Leon had to agree to their brother's wishes and let him train as a Summoner. Right now Leon and Cloud were inside the Temple of Yevon waiting for Sora to finish praying to the Fayth.
Leon became Sora's Guardian without any arguments and Cloud, being the most talented Black Mage on the island, also became a Guardian. The young blond man was like family to the Leonhart siblings. Cloud came to the island when his own home Nibelheim had been destroyed by Sin ten years ago. He became friends with Leon when they met and since then Cloud followed the older brunet around.
Cloud Strife was a shy person by nature. It took him days to work up the nerve just to say hello to Leon and his twin brothers. He was skilled in the black magic arts and he spent his days practising his magic. Cloud had tried to talk Sora out of being a Summoner but he had no sway over the boy whatsoever. He settled instead for being a Guardian as best he could. Roxas sighed heavily as his thoughts drifted to his twin.
He loved Sora and would do anything for his twin but he couldn't stay here and let him go on a suicide mission. To become a Summoner was a death sentence. Sora claimed he wanted to try and bring the Calm to the Known Worlds just like his parents had done a decade ago. Roxas was about to make his way back into the village when something caught his eye.
He saw something bobbing in the water not far from the beach. When the object got closer he noticed with horror that it was a person with silver hair. Not thinking twice he ran into the water and began to swim towards the person. He kicked as hard as he could until he reached the prone figure lying face down in the water.
Placing an arm around the thin body Roxas began kicking back towards the beach with all his strength. Silver hair was plastered to the face so he couldn't see the features of the person. Roxas made it to the beach and lowered the stranger onto the sand. Brushing the silver hair back he stopped when he saw a beautiful young man before him. Pale skin and slightly pink lips stood out.
Roxas checked to see if the boy was breathing and when he couldn't feel any breath escaping from those lips he quickly began breathing life back into the boy. It only took a single attempt though because the boy started spluttering up water. Roxas turned him over to expel the fluid from his lungs. He had caught a glimpse of bright aqua coloured eyes and when the boy turned back over those eyes were wide in shock. Pinks lips trembled slightly and he instantly tried to get up.
"Don't move so fast." Roxas pushed the boy back down. "Are you ok?"
"You...you shouldn't be here." The boy choked out.
"You're welcome." Roxas muttered with hurt. "Who are you anyway?"
"How can you be here Roxas?" the boy asked then he passed out cold.
"Huh? What did you say? How do you know my name?" Roxas asked but the stranger was asleep. "What the hell was that all about?"
"Roxas?" a familiar female voice called out. Tifa Lockhart came running down the pathway from the village. "What happened?"
"He was in the water but he's fine now." Roxas assured her. "He called me by my name."
"He said your name?" Tifa raised an eyebrow.
"He passed out before I could ask him what he meant. We should get him to the village." Roxas said.
"I wonder where he came from." Tifa murmured as she gathered the boy in her arms.
"Maybe his world got attacked by Sin. Most of the people here are refugees." Roxas pointed out.
"That's true but how did he know your name?" Tifa questioned.
Roxas said nothing as he followed the martial artist back into the village. Tifa was Cloud's best friend and she too came from Nibelheim. She was a master fist fighter and often stood up for Cloud. She wasn't a woman to be trifled with. When they made it back the village was practically empty save for a few children applying with their pets.
Tifa took the boy towards the town inn and placed him on the nearest bed. He was still sound asleep when Tifa wrapped him in a blanket to keep him warm. Roxas quickly went to his own home to get changed. Maybe the boy would wake up and provide him with some answers before Leon and Sora returned from the temple. Tifa had left the inn by the time Roxas returned leaving only himself and the silver haired boy from the sea.
"Who are you?" Roxas murmured. At that moment the stranger began to stir.
"Where am I?" he rasped. Blurry aqua eyes opened and stared at the blond. "Roxas?"
"How do you know me? Just who are you?" Roxas demanded.
"Oh...right, different place." the boy looked distant. Roxas was beginning to wonder if he rescued a crazy person.
"So what's your name?" he asked.
"My name is Riku." The silver haired boy answered.
"Now that we have that established where did you come from?" the blond took up a seat near the desk of the inn.
"I was found near Destiny Island." Riku replied.
"Yeah I saved you remember?" Roxas scoffed.
"No...I was found near Ruins of Destiny...the old Destiny Island." Riku looked sick saying that.
"Are you kidding?" Roxas whispered. "Because if you are that isn't funny."
"These guys saved me. I ended up there but can't remember how. They said something about Sin's toxin." Riku sat up.
"You came into contact with Sin?" Roxas gasped. This kid must be charmed.
"What is Sin anyway?" Riku asked quickly. Roxas gaped at him for a few moments.
"You really don't know?" he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Oh man, this is a bad one."
"Where am I now?" Riku rubbed his red eyes.
"You're in Destiny Village on New Destiny Island and the toxin basically causes amnesia." Roxas explained.
"And just who are you?" Riku eyed Roxas with suspicion.
"I'm the guy who saved your life and the name is Roxas Leonhart. And how did you know my name?" the blond crossed his arms.
"You..." Riku looked anguished then stopped. "You just remind me of someone I knew once."
"Right..." Roxas didn't buy it but he let it slide for now. "Well you're welcome to stay here if you want Riku."
"Where is everyone anyway?" Riku glanced around the empty inn.
"At the temple waiting for the new Summoner to emerge." Roxas muttered. He got up to leave when Riku called out again.
"Is someone named Sora here?" he asked.
"What did you say?" Roxas rounded on the boy. "How do you know my brother's name?"
"I don't have time to explain but I need to see Sora." Riku pleaded as he got to his feet.
"No, you're not going anywhere until you tell me." Roxas growled.
"Look, all I can say is that a Fayth sent me to help him." Riku glared at the small blond boy.
"A Fayth sent you here?" Roxas didn't look impressed.
"You don't have to believe me but I need to talk to Sora." Riku pleaded. His bright eyes stared down at Roxas' in defiance.
"Why should I trust you?" the small blond challenged.
"You don't have to but I only want to see Sora." Riku asked calmly. Roxas stared at the boy for a few moments before making his choice.
"If you say the Fayth sent you then I guess you can see Sora but I doubt Leon will be as nice." Roxas sneered.
"Yeah, thanks for the tip." Riku frowned as he made his way to the exit.
Riku stepped out of the inn and into a small village. Several tiny houses lined a small cobble pathway that led directly towards a stone temple sitting on the cliff top. Palm trees swayed gently in the breeze and the familiar scent of the sea was calming to Riku. He almost felt at home again. He noticed that the adults were gathered at the entrance to the temple. Making his way towards the entrance Riku glanced back to see Roxas right behind him.
The silver haired boy reached the entrance and stepped into the cool inner chamber. Statues of men and women lined the circular chamber. Some held swords and others held staves. A flag with a strange symbol hung from the ceiling. Men and women wearing coloured robes walked through the chamber chanting a prayer.
"Roxas how are you?" a man approached the blond.
"I need to see Sora. I'm taking him with me." Roxas motioned towards Riku.
"Who is this man?" the priest asked as he eyed Riku.
"He's a friend and I need to see Sora." The small blond replied evasively.
"If you think it is wise then go ahead into the Cloister. Your brothers are waiting for there." The priest stepped aside to allow Roxas and Riku to climb the steps.
"What's the Cloister?" Riku asked.
"The Cloister of Trials is a test for the Summoner and their Guardians to enter the Chamber of the Fayth. And you're about to see it firsthand." Roxas answered as he stepped into the entrance to the Cloister.
"I've got a really bad feeling about this." Riku muttered as he followed Roxas.
