Whew…okay, guys, I'm exhausted. If the lower quality of my last few chapters is any indication of it… Anyway. Thanks all of you for sticking with this fic. It's nearing its end, although it won't end when you think it's ending…if you catch my drift. n.n

On to chapter thirty-two!

Chasing The Truth

By FlikFreak

Chapter Thirty-Two: A Thousand To One


Ven, look! The nobodies!

yep. Looks like they're slowing down. We can't rest yet, though.

Right. Everyone's exhausted; we're going to need some help.

You keep an eye on Rhyme as usual. I've got an idea.

Wait! Where are you going?

You'll see!


Neku flexed his fingers numerous times and felt his face for solidity just to be certain. The moment he was certain he was flesh and blood again, he nearly sank to the ground in relief. "I never want to do that again."

"It's your fault you were even there in the first place," Riku pointed out.

"Hey, it's not my fault I didn't know!"

"Everything go okay in there?" Cid asked. "None of the nobodies came to the computer room, but we still had some trouble guarding the place."

Sora nodded. "Yeah. We've password-protected the database so the Zoners can't access it." He turned to Neku. "By the way…what did you set the password to?"

Neku grinned foolishly, remembering what he had set it as. "Not. Telling."

"Oh, come on!"

"No, seriously. I'm not telling."

Riku rolled his eyes, but laughed anyway. "Knock it off, you two."

It was then that Xenuk jogged in from outside. "The nobodies finally slowed down," he reported in between breaths. "There's still got to be at least a few thousand of them and everyone's about worn out, but at least there aren't any new ones appearing."

"Any sign of the Zoners?" Neku asked.

Xenuk nodded. "We saw one of them near the Dark Depths on the canyon wall. We're not sure which one it is."

Sora's eyes narrowed. "Let's go., guys. Everyone needs our help."

"No argument there," Riku commented, already summoning Way to Dawn. "You ready, Neku?"

Neku shook his head. "Nope. Are you?"

Sora stared awkwardly at Neku for a moment before grinning back. "Nope, but I'm going anyway."

"Same here," Neku laughed as they headed for the door. He, Sora, Riku and Xenuk raced down the hallways, weapons brandished.


Shiki bit her lip. "Is this going to work?"

"It's better than doing nothing," Axel pointed out. "Besides, everyone here's just about worn out. They're going to need all the help they can get."

Bolt whimpered in agreement and curled up next to Rhyme, whom stroked his fur quietly. She had silently been hoping for the past few hours that the rest of the group would come back; the cycle of the warriors switching out to keep the nobodies occupied and away from the town had been constant for at least a day or two. The headaches hadn't helped either, although when she was about ready to curl up in the bed again she would feel a soft, warm presence near her, calming her enough to where she wouldn't feel so much pain or pressure.

"We'll have to get rid of them fast," Joshua pointed out, rubbing his chin in contemplation. "There are thousands out there, and if we don't finish them off quickly then we'll be worn out before it even ends."

"Can I help somehow?" Rhyme asked.

All heads turned to the girl. "You?" Yuffie echoed. "Can you fight?"

Rhyme bit her lip. "I can try. I just want to help somehow."

Though Freya's face was mostly hidden under her hat, it was clear that she was giving Rhyme a look of concern. The rat-woman walked calmly over to the girl, leaning her lance against the wall and kneeling down in front of her. "Rhyme, I understand that your intentions are pure, but you must understand why we haven't allowed you to leave. We aren't entirely sure what's wrong with you, but we do know that it's dangerous."

Axel nodded. "She's right, Rhyme. In the state you're in, you're a loose cannon. We can't risk you hurting any of us."

Rhyme winced, and Beat shot Axel a glare.

"But if no one keeps an eye on her she may hurt herself," Joshua pointed out, "And she does have the potential to help us either way."

"Correct," Freya replied. "Besides, she has protection."

"She does?" Yuffie echoed. "How?"

"She's been kept in here the whole time," Leon stated. "What other shields does she have?"

Freya stood. "I've noticed how she has only been taken once by any nobody, and it was only a very powerful one: Zarxilt, the Fallen Prince. The lesser nobodies haven't even dared to come near this place in the time that Rhyme has been held here."

"That's right," Leon muttered. "But what's been holding them back?"

Freya turned to Shiki. "When Zarxilt kidnapped Rhyme, wasn't Beat injured or knocked unconscious?"

Shiki nodded. "Yeah, he was."

"I thought so," Freya replied. "And to add to that, Rhyme, haven't you mentioned a white place, and a girl within it speaking to you?"

Rhyme paused, and nodded. She did remember that…but what did it have to do with all this?

The door burst open, and four familiar faces stepped in. "We late for the party?"

Shiki dove forward and pulled Neku into a tight hug. "You're okay!"

"And made of flesh and blood," Neku added. "It's good to be in the world of color again."

Riku shook his head. "That was partially your fault, you know."

Ignoring his friends' playful bickering, Sora turned toward Rhyme and quickly made his way for her. "You feeling any better?"

Rhyme nodded. "A little."

"There's been trouble," Freya stated, "But we've been able to keep her calm. When I ordered all the casters to the front lines, she calmed considerably, so I think I may have an idea on what happened with her."

"We can worry about that later," Joshua interjected. "Once we clear out the nobodies, then we can give explanations."

Sora nodded, his expression changing from concern to determination. "Right. Let's go."


"The performance has nearly begun," Jaxuk observed as he stood on the wall of the canyon. "The lesser nobodies are falling, but I am still accomplishing my goal…"

"And what goal would that be?" Meyxours asked.

Jaxuk smiled maliciously. "By the time our troops are gone, our little heroes will be weakened, and much easier to eliminate."

"I thought you disliked watching them, Jaxuk. Why not join?"

"I have my reasons," Jaxuk replied, shoving a few strands of silver hair out of his face. "Besides…I'll join when it's my turn to walk on stage. I'm sure you had…plans for this act?"

Meyxours laughed. "Of course. Jaxuk, I know you dislike missing out, but surely you would enjoy witnessing this…"

Jaxuk laughed. "But of course, Meyxours…a display of your power is a performance I wouldn't miss for the world…"

With a grin of contempt, Meyxours lifted one hand in the air and beckoned. Dark clouds began to gather in the sky…


"Rhyme!" Beat cried. "What's wrong?!"

Rhyme clutched her head, her eyes squeezed shut. "Something's wrong," she muttered as she struggled to regain composure. "Outside at the canyon. I can feel it all the way from here."

"This far?" Joshua questioned. "It must be powerful."

"What is?" Sora asked. Joshua didn't answer.

Riku ignored the question. "We're leaving," he stated. "Whatever's going on out there, it can't be good."

"I'm going with you."

All heads turned to Rhyme, whom was on her feet and standing taller than she ever had before. Beat was the first to protest. "Rhyme…you'll get hurt."

"I fought in the Reaper's game, didn't I?" Rhyme protested, her voice as soft and kind as it always was. "I can help. I promise."

Beat sighed. "Stay close to me, then."

Nodding triumphantly, Rhyme hurried to her brother's side. Everyone left the house, unsure if they would return alive.


Kairi sent the finishing blow to a dusk and stumbled backward, her only saving grace being the healing spell that Aerith sent her way moments later. Shantotto blew up another section of nobodies, but the fighting was beginning to take a toll on the ambassador. "We can't keep this up," Kairi muttered. "Where are they?!"

"Over there!" Aerith cried, pointing.

Elated, Kairi turned her gaze to the entrance of the canyons. Sure enough, there they all were: Leon, Yuffie, Freya, Sora, Riku, Neku, Xenuk, Shiki, Joshua, Axel, Bolt, Beat, and Rhyme, all with whatever they could fight with in their hands. Kairi did a double-take at the last arrival. "Rhyme? What's she doing here?"

Aerith hesitated. "Why is Rhyme here?"

They weren't about to receive their answer. Keyblades flew, spells shot around, and Yuffie's shuriken flew in loops, obliterating the opposition as they charged through. Beat and Shiki were near the back with Rhyme, and didn't have to do any fighting thus far.

But Kairi knew they would. After all, the largest mass of troops was in the gorge past the crystal cavern…


Neku grit his teeth, slashing a dragoon out of his way as they made their way toward the gorge. "This is nuts!"

"It was worse when the heartless were around," Sora replied, taking down three dusks in succession, "But don't let your guard down."

His words came too soon. The world all around them shook, knocking the warriors off their feet. While they were regaining their feet, a berserker took the opportunity and readied a strike with its hammer.

"Oh no you don't!" Freya shouted, leaping high into the air and impaling the nobody on her spear, obliterating it and a nearby dusk with a proceeding swipe. Yuffie hurled her shuriken on a group of dragoons and leapt up in time to catch it from its rounds. A few dusks came too close for comfort, but Leon made short work of them with a few slices from his gunblade and a fireball when they retreated out of reach. Bolt snapped at a creeper that wandered near, chewing on its leg (if that could count as a leg) and throwing it aside viciously.

Joshua sneered. "We don't have time for this…where are they all coming from?!"

Rhyme winced as she stood. "Up ahead…something's there!"

"We'd better go check that out first," Riku said. "Defeat the leader, and the others will follow."

"Freya and I will keep the ones here busy," Leon declared. "We can't let them reach the town or the castle."

"You go on ahead," Freya added. "We can take these."

The group raged forward. Joshua was able to summon forth a few beams of light to clear the way while Axel hurled his chakrams as he ran. As they made their way past a small crystalline crevice, they found themselves coming to a halt near an enormous gorge so full of nobodies that the opposition looked like more of a giant white mass than anything else.

"Kairi, Aerith and Shantotto should be somewhere around here," Axel said. "But there are so many nobodies I can barely make out where the ground is!"

"We could have passed them earlier," Joshua reasoned.

Neku gawked. How many nobodies are there? he wondered. We had to have passed plenty on the way here, but…how can there be more?!

"It's close," Rhyme whimpered. "It's really close…"

"What is?" Beat asked.

Rhyme shook her head. "I don't know…but it's bad…"

Sora , whom had previously been paying close attention to Rhyme, jerked his gaze upward. Sapphire eyes widened in terror and he pointed forward. "Look! It's up ahead!"

Neku, along with everyone else, followed Sora's gaze. Sure enough, dark storm clouds had gathered around the dark depths beyond the canyon. Standing among them was an enormous creature, chains binding its arms in place. Two large petal-like structures stood on either side of it, enclosing its sides like a protective shell. Sharp fangs lined its jaws, and its head was bandaged heavily…except for its left eye, where there were numerous bloodstains. Though the creature was bound, somehow the chains made its teeth and claws even more menacing.

"What is that thing?!" Riku cried, terror on even his face. Bolt snarled at the beast, crouching downward.

"An Aeon," Xenuk replied, gritting his teeth. "They're extremely powerful summons…even more powerful than spirits, espers and eidolons. Meyxours told me about them."

"A summon…?" Sora echoed.

Xenuk nodded. "This one was his favorite…it's called Anima."

Neku grit his teeth. "This is nuts…we have to go through a horde of nobodies and a demi-god?!"

"Better get to work, then," Axel reasoned, summoning his chakrams in a burst of flame and starting forward.

Yuffie spun on the spot and parried a blow from a Berserker. "Xenuk and I will handle the small fry! You guys go after Anima!"

"Sounds good to me," Riku noted.

Nodding in agreement, Xenuk cracked his knuckles. "Anything you guys need from me before you run over there?"

"Just get us a path to that Aeon!" Sora cried.

Xenuk quirked an eyebrow and calmed. "Alright, then, stand back."

They did. Once they had, Xenuk did the same, leaving Bolt to stand in front of them, facing the horde of nobodies between them and Anima. With a calm voice, Xenuk spoke. "Bolt…speak."

The canine's eyes narrowed, and he widened his stance. His tail straightened, and his ears laid flat against his skull. He didn't seem to react to the nobodies closing in as he growled and drew back his head. Then, in one swift motion, Bolt gave a loud bark.

Shockwaves tore through the canyon, kicking up stones and tearing down the nobodies in its way. Whatever wasn't demolished by the shockwave either slammed into a nobody, was pelted by the rocks and boulders, smashed into the wall, or was thrown into oblivion. Anima still stood, but there was no longer anything between the Aeon and the warriors.

Neku gawked at the destruction before him and turned his gaze quickly to Bolt, whom was glaring at the scene before them and panting for breath. A single bark can do all that…?

Xenuk was entirely unfazed. "Well, there you go. One path, just as ordered. I might've overdone it a bit, though."

"That's all we need," Riku replied, shocked by Bolt's performance.

Sora shook himself from his trance and turned to Xenuk. "If you find Kairi and the others, make sure they know I'm okay, got it?"

Xenuk nodded. "Will do. Be careful; Anima is really powerful." And with that, the Nobody and the dog raced toward the remaining nobodies behind them.

Neku tightened his grip on Music of Shibuya. "Come on, guys!" He shouted.

The group race forward, toward the Aeon awaiting them past the gorge. A shriek from Anima replied to their charge, the storm clouds growing darker as they approached.


So...was that better? n.n I wasn't planning on putting Anima in this fic...but it happened. And for a reason. What reason? You'll see.

Zoners:

The Deceptive Evoker, Meyxours (Chasing The Truth/???)
The Elegant Reaper, Jaxuk (Chasing The Truth/???)
The Fallen Prince, Zarxilt (Chasing The Truth/Final Fantasy XI)
The Ruthless Emperor, Naxeyv (Chasing The Truth/Final Fantasy XII)