Chapter Four
The Cloister of Trials
New Destiny Island
Temple of Yevon
The interior of the temple was a thin passageway lined with torches and more of those strange symbols. Roxas took the lead and motioned for Riku to follow him towards the end of the passageway. There was a door that would take them into a chamber with a simple puzzle. Sora would have already solved the problem so that made it simpler for Roxas and his guest to reach the Chamber of the Fayth. Centuries ago, when the Cloister of Trials had been created, they were used for a single purpose.
These puzzles would help the Summoner prove his or her strength and intelligence to the Fayth and thus receive the Aeon but only if the Fayth believed them to be strong enough. Roxas pushed open another door allowing the torchlight to spill into a silent marble chamber. Riku noticed that the symbols were glowing, gently emitting a soft blue light from the smooth marble.
"What's that sound?" Riku asked when a song reached his ears. It reminded him of a lullaby.
"That's the Hymn of the Fayth." Roxas replied.
"It's beautiful..." Riku said softly.
"The people sing it. It brings them hope for the Summoner." Roxas looked sad for a moment then the look was gone. "Follow me."
Riku stared around the chamber just to admire the beauty of the place. He had never seen temples like this in any of the worlds he had visited when he helped Maleficent and Diz. There was something calming and serene about this place but the knowledge that it had been built after the destruction of the original Destiny Island shattered the peaceful illusion.
Roxas reached the chamber he was seeking after walking down a few more passageways. The small blond reached what looked like a lift of some sort. Unable to see another option Riku followed Roxas onto the platform that also had a glowing blue glyph. The moment his feet touched the stone it began to descend into another section of the temple.
"So why where these temples built?" Riku asked as the lift took them deeper underground.
"Are you kidding?" Roxas scoffed then he saw the blank look on the boy's face and he nodded.
"That toxin did a real number on you." He muttered before explaining. "The temples were created so that the Summoners could receive the Aeons. After the Machina War the temples became the only source of hope for the people."
"Yeah, this sounds like a really fun place to hang out." Riku sighed. The lift stopped with a shudder.
"Welcome to the Chamber of the Fayth." Roxas cocked his head towards a stone door decorated with blue glyphs.
"I talked to a Fayth but I don't know what it is exactly." Riku admitted as they approached the door.
"It's a physical manifestation of the Aeon. Once the Fayth blesses the Summoner they turn into the Aeon." The small blond pushed open the stone door.
"And this is where Sora is?" Riku felt trepidation course through his body.
"Listen, let me do the talking. Cloud is a little shy and Leon has a nasty temper." Roxas warned. Riku felt better already.
They entered the chamber deep below the temple where two men stood silently. One had spiky blond hair and he was carrying a thin metal staff. His blue eyes widened when he saw Roxas enter the chamber with Riku. The other man had shoulder length chocolate hair and stormy eyes.
He had his arms crossed and a scowl was on his face. A scar between his eyes was visible. The moment he spotted Roxas the scowl became worse and he approached the small blond.
"Who the hell is this Roxas?" Leon growled as he stared at the silver haired boy.
"The name is Riku." Aquamarine eyes narrowed. "And I wanna talk to Sora."
"I don't know you and how do you know my brother's name?" Leon demanded tersely.
"Where did you come from?" Cloud spoke up.
"He came from the sea actually. He washed up on the beach. I think the toxin affected him." Roxas cut in quickly.
"You survived an encounter with Sin?" Cloud gaped. Riku nodded but Leon was already moving again.
"Toxin or not you don't belong here." Leon glared at the boy.
"I just want a word with Sora. It's important ok." Riku really didn't have time for this debate.
"Leon, he knew my name when he saw me; he knew Sora and he claims to have come from the Ruins of Destiny." Roxas put a hand on his brother's arm.
"Ruins of Destiny? But only the Al Bhed have jurisdiction out there anymore." Cloud murmured thoughtfully.
"A guy called Xemnas saved me." Riku swallowed. That would take some getting used to.
"An Al Bhed saved you?" Leon stared at Riku for a few moments. "Why do you need to see Sora?"
"The Fayth sent me." Riku said evasively.
"And you expect me to believe you?" Leon snorted. Riku rolled his eyes.
"You don't have to but all I want is to talk to Sora for a few minutes." The silveret pleaded.
"What do you think Leon?" Cloud asked gently.
"Leon, you're the best fighter on the island. If Riku tries anything you can kick his ass." Roxas reasoned.
"Gee, I feel so loved here." Riku groused. His aqua coloured eyes flickered towards the only other door in the chamber.
"That's the Chamber of the Fayth. Only the Summoners can enter there." Roxas explained. When Leon and Cloud looked at him strangely he sighed and explained.
"So the toxin really did a number on you." Cloud grimaced.
"And yet you still know Sora and Roxas." The tall scarred man pointed out.
"You can interrogate me later but right now I have to talk to Sora." Riku stood his ground.
Before anymore arguments could break out the door at the other end of the chamber opened and a gentle light spilled out. The Hymn of the Fayth played softly across the room and then a figure emerged from the Chamber of the Fayth. A small figure with spiky hair staggered out of the light and slumped against the wall.
The figure was wearing black boots that ended a little below his knees. He also wore navy coloured shorts with a purple accessory that looked like a skirt with a slit up the side. A red skin tight top covered his thin torso while his arms remained exposed.
"That was incredible." A voice that made Riku's heart ache with longing spoke up.
"Sora, are you ok?" Leon made a move to take hold of his brother but Riku beat him to it.
When the small brunet slumped forward he expected to hit the ground but warm arms grabbed him instead. Sora raised his eyes to meet a beautiful face that simply couldn't be of this world. Eyes the colour of the ocean stared back at him while silver hair framed an ethereal face.
Sora had never seen anyone like this boy before. When he regained his senses he thanked the boy and regained his strength so he could stand on his own. The boy stepped away with a look of such longing on his face Sora fought the urge to comfort him. He smiled when he saw his brothers and Cloud standing there with hopeful looks on their faces.
"I have done it. I have become a Summoner." Sora smiled brightly.
"You worked hard for this Sora. Who is the Aeon?" Roxas asked thickly.
"It is the Lord of War. The Fayth calls itself Balthier." Sora nodded his head. "And he is anxious to see the sunlight again."
"You have attained your first Aeon." Cloud smiled at the young boy. "May we see the Aeon?"
"Yes but first who is my rescuer?" Sora smiled at the blushing silveret.
"I'm Riku. This is gonna sound strange but I need to talk to you. The Fayth sent me." Riku explained hurriedly.
"I beg your pardon?" Sora raised an eyebrow.
"We'll explain later but show us the Aeon." Leon motioned for Sora to follow him towards the doorway.
The small brunet nodded then vanished into the passageway with his idler brother and Cloud following him. Roxas glanced at the silent Riku before following the others out. Riku could only stare after the boy who was Sora. His best friend was here, safe in this world but the absence of any recognition tore at his heart.
This had been his greatest fear, even greater than becoming a Heartless. He feared that Sora would forget him. Seeing that look on his face almost finished Riku but he managed to hold it together. Unless he could keep it together he knew he wouldn't survive like this, not with Sora looking at him as if he were a total stranger. Taking a deep breath Riku followed the others out of the chamber.
When they emerged from the temple the people gathered outside in the village as the Summoner made his way to the centre of the small community. He was now holding a rod with a red ribbon tied to one end. Raising his face to the sky he closed his eyes and
began to chant to call the Aeon to him. Four lights emerged from the ground beneath his feet and flew into the air. The lights converged to form a figure with a large pair of black wings and carrying a spear. The Lord of War was a tall and attractive Aeon in the shape of a human man. He had rust coloured hair while his ears and fingers were adorned with jewels. Dark eyes glittered with power while his body hovered a few feet off the ground.
Fire, water and light swirled around his body. These were the three elements he had command over. He turned and bowed before Sora with a smile on his face. The Aeon was dressed in a long sleeved shirt with a brown jerkin, black leather pants and black shoes.
Sora approached him and held out his hand. When the Lord of War shook it the people began to cheer. So far Sora had gained the approval of one of the oldest Aeons in the Known Worlds. His spear, the Holy Lance, shone in the sunlight. The tip was made of gold while sapphire ribbon was woven around the handle.
"We shall need your power. Will you help us?" Sora asked the Aeon. He smiled in response before bowing his head then vanishing into light.
"It looks like he respects you." Leon sighed. Roxas choked but smiled for his twin.
"And I did promise to have a word with Riku." Sora turned to the stranger.
"No you didn't." Cloud spoke up.
"But I was going to." Sora replied. "So what do you have to tell me Riku?"
"Summoner, the villagers wish to give you their thanks." A priest from the temple interrupted.
"Oh, well I'll talk to you son Riku." Sora smiled then he approached the cheering villagers.
"He has his first Aeon. Maybe you can talk him out of getting anymore." Roxas muttered then he left before Riku could ask what he meant.
"Yeah, this isn't gonna be easy." Riku sighed. He didn't notice the Fayth standing nearby with a smile on his youthful features.
So far things were going according to plan.
