Kingdom Hearts does not belong to me, though that should be obvious.

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Calling to the Night (II)

Not explaining the details of how Rika was even in trouble, I dashed out of Merlin's house without waiting for Xena to follow. She did, however, slowly begin to catch up with me as I ran through the pouring rain. I slipped, crashing to the ground and getting my face and palms covered in dirt. Xena yelled out my name, running to where I fell and quickly helped me up.

Wiping the dirt from my face with my arms, I continued dashing through the rain until I reached where the courtyard was. Except I couldn't even see the courtyard. It was surrounded by a circle of men and women, all holding their Keyblades.

"Whoa," Xena said, staring in awe at the hundreds of people. The most Keybearers I've ever seen gathered together were the seventeen at the Lake of Destiny. This was…too much. All of the Keybearers seemed to be focusing towards the sky.

Xena and I fought our way through the crowd until we reached the fountain. Standing on each side of the fountain were Domino and Dante. Floating above the fountain with darkness spiraling around her heels was Rika, an evil and sadistic smile spread across her face. Xena called out her name. Rika merely looked down, silently chuckling.

"Rika," I muttered, my eyes staring straight at Rika. "Did the darkness take over your soul? What happened—?"

"Shut up," Rika said, her eyes falling upon me. She stretched her arms out to either side of her, darkness spiraling around her wrists. She looked like the same old Rika…except something was different. Those large green eyes seemed to glare daggers into my soul. Her smile was the most noticeable…she looked more sadistic than anyone I have ever seen. Her hair was flowing behind her in the strong winds. "I feel…stronger."

"What happened to her?" Xena asked.

Domino still looked as stunned as ever. His lip was quivering. He almost seemed a tad scared. "She…" he fumbled his words, unable to talk straight. Finally, he swallowed hard and explained, "She absorbed too much darkness. So much so that it nearly dispersed every fragment of light within her being. I can't…even sense any light within her anymore. I'm… ashamed that this even happened."

"Why so glum, chum?" Rika asked, lowering from the air until she stood tall on the top of the fountain that shot water from it. "As far as I could tell, you love the darkness, and want all worlds to be in this dark era you have in store…then why are you ashamed of accidentally making a little girl like me have a taste of the dark? Hm?"

"Because it's too much; it's consumed your heart!" Domino yelled back.

"This is what we wanted," Dante said, smirking. "Isn't it? We wanted every person to stop being corrupted by that infernal light. And filling their heart and soul with darkness…is exactly what we need."

"See, your buddy gets it," Rika said with a chuckle. "I'm actually glad that this happened." She held her hand out in front of her. "I'm not the scared, worried little girl that I once was. I may have seemed confident on the outside, but I was always terrified of being unloved. Ha, that's why I've bounced from one man to the next, trying ever so desperately to find the love I've longed for." She floated away from the fountain and landed on the ground next to Domino. Whispering in his ear, she mumbled, "You have a fascination for the dark that only I can understand." She put her face up close to Domino's and locked lips with him. She looked to Xena after finishing her long kiss with Domino. "Dear, you just had to come running over here instead of finishing your sex with Kane, didn't you?"

Domino nearly did a spit take, well, if he had a drink in his mouth. At the same time, I immediately began blushing as Xena looked away from Rika, afraid of making eye contact.

"Is that true?" Domino asked.

"Enough," Rika said, her smile turning into an angered frown. "Xena, you always were the weakest link. The frightened little girl always afraid to stay with the perfect man. You had nothing going for you. Crystal's captain of the cheer team and the volleyball team, Kristi's the most popular one in the junior class, Bela is the smartest one in the school…but what are you? Obviously someone nobody would miss."

"That's not true," I snapped at Rika. "I would."

"Nobody asked for your opinion, Golden-Eyes," Rika replied quickly. "Xena's nothing but a slut, having sex with someone she's only known for a day. I have to…test my darkness a little bit. Xena…"

"Xena, run," I whispered, and Xena slowly backed away.

"Too slow!" Rika shouted out, sending a wave of darkness from her palms straight at Xena. It slammed against Xena, sending her flying into the side of a building. I ran to her. "This power is unlike anything I have ever felt before in my life. And it's so easy to control. Domino, let's leave together."

"Huh?" Domino asked.

"You, me, and I guess Kane can come along for the ride," Rika suggested, putting a hand on Domino's shoulder. "Your quest for darkness is perfect. People need to experience power, like me. We'll be close allies, you and I." She looked to Xena. "Sorry, kiddo, but I had to do it. My darkness needed testing." She looked to me. "Kane, I don't hate you. I do see why Xena would want to lose her virginity to you…so hot with that silver hair and that pretty face." She looked to Domino. "Sorry, but I can't be romantically involved with anyone." Domino didn't seem to flinch at that news. "Plus, it's plain as day that you're already in love with somebody else." At that, Domino jumped. In love with who? She raised her hand into the air. "Every Keybearer in this dinky little world, listen up! Head to Sanctuary, the birthplace of all Keyblades! Travel to as many worlds along the way and spread as much darkness as you can. Complete what Domino started. Now go!"

She pumped her fist into the air, and each Daybreak Keybearer transformed their Keyblades into a Glider, each of them flying towards the sky and vanishing beyond the dark clouds. They listened to Domino before, but now they listened to Rika as well? Someone who hasn't been in possession of the darkness for long. Those who remained consisted of Domino, Dante, Rika, Xena, and myself.

"Wow, she's better at commanding 'em than you are, Domino," Dante said, staring up at Rika as if she were a goddess. "I have to go. There's somewhere I want to go…someone I want to see." He flew off on his Glider seconds later.

"Why is she acting so different?" Xena asked, picking herself off of the ground. "Power like this shouldn't change the way a person acts, or thinks. Then why—"

"Xena, dear, listen," Rika's feet hit the ground and she walked over to Xena, making the brunette slightly flinch. Rika put a hand under Xena's chin, tilting her head upward so the two could stare into each other's eyes. "I still love you. You're my sister for crying out loud. This darkness changes nothing."

"Didn't you just insult me?" Xena snapped back.

"I must admit, the darkness is a strange thing," Rika said, releasing Xena's chin. "It's the absence of light…it is cruel, power-hungry, and powerful. It can heighten all of your senses and is closer to making you one with the world than light is. The darkness makes you confident, courageous, and downright epic. It makes you smarter, and faster. Instead of being afraid of the dark like all of those light users, it embraces the dark and overpowers the light. That is what the darkness is. This is just what I needed to get out of my shell. A little push."

"How do you know what Darkness is all about?" Domino asked. As he said that, the rain halted.

"All of those rays of darkness that were shot towards me," Rika muttered, clutching her heart. "The darkness holds knowledge, and I have been filled with all of the knowledge and strengths of the dark." Holding each arm out on either side of her, she said with a determined smile, "Domino, time for the true test! Fight me!" She held out her hand, and in it appeared a Keyblade. She can wield a Keyblade!?

Her Keyblade was purple, the teeth of her blade as sharper than knives. Right above the dark handle was a large, demonic red eye. Sticking out of either side of the Key were large, demonic-looking wings. "Darksouls!" she yelled out, naming her blade.

"How do you have a Keyblade?" Domino asked out.

"The darkness created it for me," Rika replied. Jumping forward, she slammed her Darksouls into Domino's Starlight. Domino tried to hold his ground. Rika pushed forward until…Domino's Keyblade vanished into darkness. Rika had pushed too hard that the Keyblade vanished from all the stress. Swinging it again, Rika scraped her blade against Domino's stomach before he had time to back away.

"You made my Key disappear," Domino said, holding his hand out in front of him. "You really are strong. Nobody's ever been able to disarm me before. I guess I have to go full throttle. No holding back." He punched the air in front of him, and a fist-shaped shadow escaped his fist, heading toward Rika. She slashed Darksouls, making the dark fist dissipate. She slashed through the air, and a blast of darkness flew at Domino. The boy swiftly jumped over it, the blast of darkness crashing into the fountain behind him. Domino chuckled.

"What's so funny, Domino?" Rika asked, smirking back at the boy. "Don't get cocky, Silver-Eyes."

"Alright, Miss Dark," Domino replied.

"That is so weak, Purple."

"Demonic Witch."

"Barefoot Boy."

"Dark Girl."

"Terrible Kisser."

"Oh snap," Xena muttered. She didn't look as terrified of Rika anymore. If anything, she looked to be enjoying this squabble between Domino and Rika. It was rater enjoyable, despite all that's happened. Rika, despite being completely taken by the darkness, still cared for Xena like a sister and even gave me a compliment. Was the dark really all that bad? It made her more confident. But the way she acted before was confident. She acted normal enough…but that was just above the surface. Beneath her demeanor was that of a scared little girl. That all changed because of the darkness.

This darkness…was it corruption, or a way to get over your fears?

Blue smoke appeared from behind Rika, and out of it appeared Merlin, hovering two feet off of the ground and waving a crooked stick in the air at her back. "I knew I sensed a disturbance in the worlds. A powerful darkness has awakened…within you!" A blast of lightning shot from the stick at Rika. Rika whipped around and held her hand out, a blast of darkness rocketing towards the lightning. The two attacks collided, the darkness overpowering the lightning and blowing past Merlin, whom didn't seem affected by it.

"Merlin, what are you doing?" Xena asked. "That's Rika! So what if she has darkness?"

"People like him wouldn't begin to understand how good it feels to have the darkness coursing through their veins," Rika replied to Xena, sending a wave of darkness flying at the old man. Merlin held out his free hand and the darkness was redirected to the side, sending it slamming against the fountain. "He's too immersed in the light to understand. Isn't that right, old man?"

"The light, and the dark, must remain in perfect harmony!" Merlin shouted out. "That is the fate of all worlds! Nothing you can do will change that!"

Waving his stick around, Merlin conjured a tornado of fire to begin swirling around Rika's body. Rika simply smiled, the fire reflecting off of her green eyes and making her seem more menacing than ever before. Raising her hands into the air, the bright flames darkened until they were as black as night. The flames rocketed towards Merlin, but were deflected by a cast of Aero magic. The flames dissipated into thin air.

"I thought your magic was rusty, Father Merlin?" Xena questioned.

Merlin chuckled. "This old fuddy-duddy still has some tricks up his sleeve." Raising his stick, which I guess must have been his wand, the ground around Rika froze to ice, though it didn't seem to faze her or make her slip. He swung his wand through the air, a blast of icy cool air blowing towards Rika. She brushed it off as if it was just a small wind, and she leapt forward, swinging Darksouls at Merlin.

Merlin flew higher into the air, avoiding Rika's attack. He twirled his wand in between his fingers, and blue bubbles made of water appeared above his head, each homing in on Rika. They began popping all around her, water exploding into her face, though it didn't make her stumble at all.

"These two are a perfect match for each other," Domino muttered in wonder. He was right. Merlin wasn't being harmed by Rika, and none of Merlin's attacked seemed to faze Rika in the slightest. Eventually one of them had to time out, and the other would have an opening to strike.

Rika leapt at Merlin, and the man did the same. I had to do something. This fight wasn't going to solve anything. I jumped in between the two, about to be sliced in half with Darksouls and whacked in the head with Merlin's wand, until I did something surprising. Holding my arms out on either side of me, a large blast of wind escaped my body like an explosion, knocking Rika back and sending Merlin flying into the wall of a building.

Rika stared in awe at me as Merlin slowly stood himself up. I looked in front of me. A thin vortex of air was still swirling around me, cutting at the air. I lowered my arms, and the wind vanished. I fell to my knees. The skin of my arms, I noticed, was cut by the harsh winds caused by my own attack. Blood dribbled out of each individual cut. Domino didn't seem to notice. He jumped into the air and clicked his heels.

"Kane, you just used Aero!" Domino shouted out, running over to me and finally noticing my cuts. Wincing, he yelled out, "Cure!" Each cut closed, the blood vanishing.

"Your magic's rusty?" Xena asked. "I'd be blown away if I saw how you are at full power."

"Definitely no pushover," Rika said, stepping over to Merlin and putting a hand on his shoulder. "I'm still Rika, Father. No amount of darkness will change that. Why can't you stop being terrified and start appreciating the very thing that began the worlds in the first place? All worlds began in darkness, just as they will end. The heart…your heart of light…is no different. In the end, darkness will take every world back to whence it came, along with you. To the darkness."

"You may be right," Merlin said, hanging his head down, his blue pointed hat falling to the wet ground, exposing his light black hair. "But don't let it cloud your judgment, girl."

"Where's Kale at?" I asked.

"Safe," Merlin replied. "He's being watched by a few Keybearers back in the Daybreak Protection Committee Headquarters. They, as well as myself, detected a powerful darkness awakening, and I came over here as soon as possible." He walked to me, staring into my eyes. "You may not be that experienced in using magic, but your powers are stronger than any other I have ever seen. You'll be a fine wizard, Kane."

I bowed in his presence. I don't know why I did it, but I felt as if I needed to do it. Rika crossed her arms. "Can we get home? The darkness seems to be eating away at all the food I ate earlier. I'm starving." I looked to Rika. One moment, she was scaring the living hell out of me, and the next, she seemed almost like the same old Rika…only more confident.

And we returned back to Merlin's place. Kale was there waiting with two light Keybearers, and they vanished upon our arrival. Domino ran and jumped onto the couch in the living room, lying down with his arms behind his head as he relaxed. Xena and I sat at the table while Rika raided the fridge. Kale said he was tired and headed upstairs to nap. Merlin sat on a recliner in the living room, looking almost out of breath.

"I'm getting too old for this," he muttered, and I'm not sure if I imagined it, but I could've sworn his black hair began to turn gray in some places.

I looked to Domino on the couch. So many thoughts clouded my mind. He wanted the darkness to rule all, so other people wouldn't be corrupted by the light any longer. He also was my best friend, and would kill if anything happened to me. So was he a good guy, or not? He murdered his parents…I still have no explanation for that. I was taught that the black magic…the darkness...was a cruel entity, vicious, even evil. But the way it made Rika more…confident…was it really all that bad? It made Domino powerful, it changed Rika a whole lot, and she had said that the worlds started in darkness. I was slowly finding less and less ways to call the darkness evil.

I went upstairs into the guest bedroom to find Kale asleep in my bed. I found where I had put the book Merlin had given me earlier. I sat in Domino's bed and opened the book, turning to the second page. It was an illustration, drawn with dark ink. I saw two figures standing opposite one another on a barren wasteland. On was shrouded with a black coat so I couldn't see his face or physical features. The other one—

I gasped. It looked identical to me. The person on the page had longer hair, yes, but it was definitely me. Silver hair, golden eyes…

A steady knocking came from outside, and I saw Xena in the doorway. I smiled, sitting up and walking towards her, leaving the book open on the bed. Closing the bedroom door as I stepped out, I looked into Xena's eyes, smiling at the way the light above made them sparkle.

"So…when are you going to leave?"

I gasped at the question. I had completely forgotten that Domino and I were even traveling. In actuality, I didn't even want to leave. Kale and I could stay here happily with Merlin and the girls, and not have to worry about Domino's ambitions, the Keyblade Hunters, or anything else that has happened over the past few days.

"I don't know," I muttered, looking towards the ground now. "I kinda want to stay here, but…Domino needs me. Where he's going, he'll be heartbroken without me."

"I understand; friends do come first, after all," Xena replied with a smile. "But come back and visit every once and while. I'll miss you lots." Slipping my hands in hers, she leaned forward and kissed me. Her lips felt warm, and I felt as if nothing could tear us apart. Until Rika literally tore us apart.

Standing in between us, Rika grumbled, "That's enough PDA, guys. There are still some of us here, you know." Xena stuck her tongue out at Rika. "Domino says to get your stuff. The three of us will be leaving shortly."

"So you're mind's made up?" Xena asked, concerned for her sister. "You're really gonna leave this place behind?"

"I follow the path of darkness, a road of passage that shall lead me towards my destiny," Rika cryptically responded. "Oh, watch this." She snapped her fingers, and the light from each of the lightbulbs lining the hall flew from the bulbs and into Rika's hand, in which they each turned to darkness. It was now dark in the hall. "I took away the light from the lightbulbs. Pretty simple. Now, let's put 'em back. Black orbs appeared in her hands and they shot towards their respective lightbulbs, each of them slowly lighting up until the hall was lit again. "Okay, Kane, get your stuff ready."

"I think it'd be wise to keep Kale here," Merlin muttered, walking into the hall from the staircase as Rika stepped down the stairs. "Keep him out of all this darkness nonsense." He approached me and whispered into my ear: "If you will, monitor Domino as he progressively delves deeper into the darkness. Same with Rika. Report back to me if anything happens. You can communicate with me if you try hard enough. Now I do believe Domino and Rika are waiting for you, son."

"Yes, sir," I replied, bowing again for some reason, as I saw Merlin hobble off and down the steps. Looking to Xena, I winked, heading back into the room and grabbing my satchel. I slipped the book of prophecy Merlin had given to me into my satchel. I was all ready to go. I rushed down the stairs with Xena right behind me. The front door was wide open, Domino and Rika both standing next to it, waiting for me.

Xena smiled, a tear trickling down her cheek. "I've only known you for a short while, but…please, just go. You can't just stay here. You need to be free. And to make sure that they don't—" Merlin elbowed her shoulder hard, making her stop talking. "Go."

"Wait!" I yelled, and ran back up the stairs. I couldn't leave Kale like I did last time. I rushed into the guest bedroom and saw Kale sleeping soundly. Bending over him, I lowered my face down and kissed his soft forehead. His eyes opened and he stared up at me. I smiled. "Hey, buddy."

"You woke me up," Kale said, pouting. "Why…are you wearing your bag? Are we going somewhere?"

"I am," I told him in a soft voice. "You're not." By the looks of Kale's face, if I would've had supersonic hearing, I would have heard his heart shatter. "I'm sorry, kiddo, but it's too dangerous for you outside. Enix's place was temporary…but this place should be your home, at least until I come back. We can't risk you being in harm's way again."

"Don't go," Kale pleaded, a tear dripping down his cheek as he grabbed my shirt tight. "Please don't go."

"I have to, Kale," I muttered. "Domino and I, and Rika, have to keep traveling for now. It is too dangerous for you, Kale."

Bending over more, I wrapped my arms around the boy. I was almost afraid to let go…to have to leave him again. This time, I wasn't sure when I'd even come back. Mustering all my courage and strength, I released the boy and began walking out of the room, faintly hearing the sobs from the room. I almost turned back, when I heard him yell, "I'll miss you!"

"Same here," I called back, and without looking back, I went downstairs again to meet Rika and Domino. "Merlin, Xena…take care of Kale for me. Rika, Domino, let's go."

The three of us stepped outside. Domino summoned his Glider, while Rika…summoned her own. Hers looked demonic. It looked similar to Domino's but was all black and dark purple. It had wings on it that probably made it go faster. The wings looked demonic. On the area she stood was a large red demonic eye. I stood behind Domino on his. I looked back to the doorway. Merlin and Xena were smiling and waving at us…and I faintly saw the body of Kale stepping down the stairs to look out the doorway. His little arms raised and waved at me.

I waved at him, and within seconds, we were off. Rika took off faster than us because of those wings that raised her speed. Domino and I followed closely behind. Then we crossed the border.

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Writing that farewell to Kale was hard to do, but it had to be done. So how'd you like this chapter? As you can see, Kane is very conflicted on whether or not he should still be Domino's friend, and whether or not the darkness is truly evil or not. And YES! I've waited for so long to introduce Rika as part of the main cast and now...she is! No, she is not here just to replace Tara. She was always meant to be in this trio. Anyway...stay tuned for the next chapter!