Hearts in Chains

Chapter Seven: Heart of Rage

Soreness. It was a feeling I had begun to adjust to these past few years, I mean what would you expect really? I fought countless battles within the Coliseum, most of them not only mentally tasking but as well as physically so of course. As I felt my mind begin to regain consciousness from the sleep I was in, the regular feelings of fatigue coursed through every muscle and appendage I had. This was all bearable; I had, as I said previously, become accustom to it.

However, a new feeling surfaced and melded with the fatigue aching in my joints. This feeling did not predominate my muscles, cartilage, or limbs; it instead took refuge in my heart. This feeling was one I hadn't felt for many years, and it was one I had entirely forgotten about…

As my eyelids lifted as I gazed out towards the rising sun that had stirred me from my slumber. It was then I realized what it was. It was hope. It had manifested overnight and it had begun to fill in the gap in my heart that had been empty for a few years.

Now I am aware of the contradiction here. Why would a slave feel hope, after all the revelations thrust upon me in such a short period of time? Well, to be blunt, the fact is that I am a lot closer to accomplishing something than twenty-four hours ago. Twenty-four hours ago, I was locked in a damp, dreary, dimly lit cage. My only hope for survival was to hopefully find an opening in the gigantic armor that was the Coliseum with Roxas. Oh, did I mention that I fought a variety of abnormal beasts that pushed me to my limit every few days or so? There wasn't much hope to be had in that scenario.

The only upside to any of that was Roxas was with me, while currently he wasn't…However, at least now, while I may be a slave I at least can smell the fresh morning air instead of the metallic scent of blood. I can feel the suns warm rays against my sun instead of the fluorescent lights of the Coliseum. I may have to hear many voices that will yell at me for something trivial (Like puking off their balcony for example.) but there is an upside. I at least get to hear Kairi's within it all. Meanwhile, at the Coliseum, the only positive voices I heard were Roxas' and Phil's. Other than that, it was a symphony of angry chants from the crowds.

It was hard to argue that I wasn't at least in a better place than previously. There were problems, just as there always would be, but now they were actually possible. I had a place to start…With this feeling in my heart and thoughts in my mind, I rose to my feet and moved slowly towards the balcony. I looked at the horizon and the rising sun that was already washing away the slight chill the night had left. I slowly lifted my hand and touched the area of skin over my heart that was accessible due to my still ripped shirt.

My fingernails dug gently into the skin as I felt every beat of my heart and I parted my lips slowly. The city before me was beautiful; the infrastructure was simply extraordinary. The architecture of each building was unique in its own special way and stood out to those around it. The color scheme of things was different everywhere you looked, nothing was ever simple or monochromatic. The rays of sunshine made the city shine in a jubilant glow.

"I am going to burn this entire city, district, or whatever it is to the ground." I whispered out flatly, my eyes narrowing as I looked upon it. The infrastructure was built on top of dead bodies, lost lives paved the way for this forsaken place…All that glitters isn't gold. I only have one goal in mind, and that is the utter destruction of the people responsible for the loss of my family and running the lives of everyone I care for.

I do not care if my goal isn't exactly classified as 'good' or 'righteous.' I do not need to be the hero. I am doing what feels right to me. I know it cannot bring my family back, and I am not expecting to feel complete once I accomplish my goal. I have no delusions of grandeur if I do manage to do what I say. But right now, it's an eye for an eye, and I am willing to go blind in the process if it means somehow quelling the anguish and hatred in my heart.

This hope? It isn't the lovey dovey kind of hope, it is the hope that I can accomplish my revenge. I am not a hero. Nor am I a villain. Both of those views are subjective to who looks at me and they are essentially black and white. I am simply who I am, and I only want what my heart wants.

After a few minutes of waking up along the balcony, I decided to step back inside the large estate. My first thought was to head to the only place I truly knew in this large place. Kairi's room.

I figured I may as well clear the air between us, and try to make sure we are on the same page. After a night to calm my temper, Leon's words seemed even more right. She wasn't to be held responsible for the acts her parents committed, blaming her would just be needlessly cruel. Plus, she was the only friend I had in this new World I was pulled into…

So I began to saunter down the hallway, sliding my hands into my pockets as my eyes drifted out of boredom to the many painting on the wall. They were of typical fancy things you would expect to see; flowers, fruit, sunsets, and various richly dressed people.

It soon became incredibly tedious since they began to blur together and look the same. Each picture of fruit was pretty much the same except they were arranged slightly differently. So instead, I focused my eyes down the center of the exceptionally long corridor as I let a yawn escape my lips. However, mid-yawn, I noticed something coming in my direction.

It was another person.

He wasn't there before, and now I was caught on a collision course with whoever this was. It certainly wasn't Leon. From the distance, I noted easily that they were a male and their hair was an ebony color. It was not styled a certain way, his bangs went in every direction and in the back it cascaded down his back and nearly to the floor. The way he carried himself had an air of authority as we both drew closer to one another, it could be seen in his ramrod posture and the way his head was titled ever so slight upwards, as if he was looking down at you. Looking down with from what I could tell were vermilion-hued irises that stood out a mile away.

His lips were set in one firm line, and his face was as pure as porcelain, standing in stark contrast to his eyes. There was no sign of facial hair from what I could see. On top of this, he was dressed rather professionally, you know, suit and tie? Much more nicely than any slave would be dressed is my point. My analysis of him was abruptly cut off when his nearly barked commands at me. "Slave! Halt right where you are!" I expected it to come from a voice behind me, but instead it was from none other the man I was examining.

I obeyed and halted in my tracks as he now approached me at a much more rapid pace. Soon, he was before me and looking down at my with condescension in his eyes. It was his turn to scan every inch of me as I stood before him. "What is your name? And why are you not in proper uniform? Actually, never mind that, why are you wearing a shirt that is about to slip off your scrawny little body?"

I felt a slight pinch of annoyance rise as he commented on my figure. The Coliseum didn't exactly feed us like Kings so excuse the hell out of me. However, responding was probably the smarter thing to do than making a sarcastic comment. Whoever this dude was, probably had the authority to punish me with a whip. That wouldn't be the best way to start out my morning adventure…

"My name is Sora…I am a slave your daughter bought from the Coliseum just the other day. As for my shirt, I had begun to fall and someone tried to catch me, except they caught my shirt. So, it kind of…ripped." It wasn't the total truth but it wasn't a total lie either. I didn't really feel like explaining the whole situation to hi-

"Ah, so you are the slave my daughter bought…"

…

The words shot right through me as I immediately picked up the key words in that statement. This was her father, obviously…Memories began to hit me like a train from every direction as I began to recall more of my past that I had suppressed for years.

His name was…Vincent. Vincent Valentine.

Just as I came upon the revelation of who he was, he seemed to have a similar epiphany as I watched his eyes widen much as mine had. "Wait…You seem…familiar…That name…"

I'll be honest here, my thoughts weren't exactly focused on trying to remember every personality trait he had. Instead, I was heavily considering taking the nearest vase around me and bashing it over his skull.

This man…He was responsible for the deaths of so many people, including my family. I didn't have time to let the past come to me and make me feel sentimental. I had done enough living in the past, now it was time to live in the present. Like I said, now wasn't the time for me to act like some hero or decent person.

My eyes were darting everywhere and anywhere to find an object of some use to do what my heart was practically pleading me to do. I found a vase not too far to the side; however, it wasn't the vase I was focused on. Right in front of it laid a silver, ornate letter-opener.

"It's been so long Sora…I…" I could hear him beginning to speak. I didn't want to hear some apology, I did not want an explanation! My muscles tensed as I prepared to dash for the aforementioned object, however a hand seized my shoulder. I expected it to be Vincent in some attempt to be sentimental with me, however it was not.

"Ah, Leon…Glad to see you are awake." That would explain the hand on my shoulder…Did he know? The strength in which he gripped my shoulder signified that he did as he pulled me back a bit. I didn't look back, my eyes were still locked onto the planned weapon.

"Good to see you as well sir. I see you have met your daughters newest…purchase. And it seems you know each other rather well." "Ah, yes I do. He and my daughter were once romantically acquainted. Hmmm, it is a small world seeing you once more Sora."

Small world? More like the only one I knew you allowed to be burned to the god damn ground. And is he just going to ignore the fact I am now a slave and pretend everything is peachy!? There are so many things wrong here I can't even begin to fathom it.

Meanwhile, as I was ranting in my head, Leon responded in my steed. "Ah, sorry. He is a bit…Out of it I suppose. Last night was certainly busy for him. Here, allow me to go change him into uniform…" Leon began to push me forward and past Vincent, his grip on my shoulder tightening.

"I shall speak to you later then, Sora."

Words couldn't even begin to describe the rage I felt. I however was powerless to stop Leon pretty much shoving me forward like a shovel. Once I assumed we were out of earshot I spoke. "You can let me go now."

"I thought we were clear last night about what you were planning." "…I don't know what you are talking about, I wasn't going to do-" "Don't lie to me. I could see your muscles tensing up, and your head was tilted a bit and from behind it looked like you were giving that vase a sideways glance." "I was actually aiming for the letter-opener."

Leon stopped me outside of some door, presumably we had passed Kairi's room a while ago. He the used his grip on my shoulder to turn me so I faced him. He didn't exactly seem…pleased. His lips parted as an annoyed sigh came out. "Answer a question for me."

Wasn't much of a request, more like a demand…Regardless, I stayed silent as I stared up to him. "Let's say I wasn't there…" He began, whispering lowly as his sapphire eyes focused down on me. "And you did go with your gut and try to disembowel Vincent with a…letter-opener. We will disregard the fact that he probably has some type of weapon on him and you would be dead after the second swing. Let us say, by some miracle, you actually did stab him enough times to actually kill him. Then what would you do?"

Realization slowly came over me as my actions became more foolhardy the more I thought. Luckily, I didn't have to admit this as Leon continued. "You don't know. He'd be dead, and you'd have to be on the run. And good luck trying to escape from here easily. Not as if Kairi would help you, you just filleted her father. I sure as hell wouldn't. No disrespect, but I don't know you and I am not going to risk being executed because of some ham-fisted assassination attempt. So, we are clear that your plan would probably not have worked due to Vincent being most likely armed? And even if by some miracle you did end him, you'd only have achieved a short-term objective." Leon continued on, popping holes in my plans left and right without mercy.

"You kill him? You kill the man who allowed the death of those on your little island. What about the men who actually did the deed? The ones who physically killed your family? I am not a big advocate for revenge, but if you are going to do it then at least look at the future. Every action you do has a consequence, and that consequence may sometimes be death. Trying to kill Vincent would have resulted in just that. If you are fine with dying, then at least make sure you do all you want before you kick the bucket."

I was a bit shocked I was getting advice about how to kill people and how to exact revenge from Leon, but grateful all the same. I tended to forget he was a slave along with me; maybe it was because of the attire? Regardless, he had plenty of points and none that I could try to dispute. My dejected glance to the floor was enough for him however.

"Good…Now that we are on the same page, go get dressed and make up with Kairi." The door we stood in front of was pushed open as Leon began to saunter away.

"Thank you." I stated, my eyes flickering up to his turned back. He acknowledged my statement with a wave of his hand as he continued to go down the corridor. I let out a slow sigh as I turned my body and entered the room.

It was only lit by the light from the rising sun that cast in through the numerous windows around me. The room was somewhat barren, with only a door to my left and a few stray boxes in the center. Presumably, this is what I was supposed to be going for, so I moved towards them and bent to peel them open. First thing that caught my attention was a yellow sticky note atop the contents reading. "Slaves must shower before putting on their formal attire."

It was then I noticed the uniforms that lay beneath the note. The uniforms were nothing fancy honestly, just a crimson tie with a white shirt and black jacket to go over it. The pants were simple black khakis and shoes were brown loafers.

It took me a fair amount of time to finally find my right size for everything. I wasn't exceptionally tall or short, I was what you would call average for a mall. That sounds like it'd be a simple find but it really wasn't, apparently they were more used to have larger and bulkier slaves.

I picked up the items and gazed at the door to my left, presumably that would be the shower? The prospect excited me; finally for once I could clean myself properly. The Coliseum barely provided us with enough water to wash our face. Their logic apparently was that we'd be dead soon enough so why bother wasting water on us.

I suppressed the anger that was beginning to cook inside me as I pushed the door open which lead to a rather lavish bathroom. "I'm surprised, didn't think they'd give me something actually decent." Everything shone perfectly, the sink top being made from what appeared to be marble, and a full-body glass mirror was beside it. Opposite of it was a sparkling white porcelain toilet.

I guess if you wanted to watch yourself poop then you could.

However, what attracted me most was the shower straight ahead. There was not a spec of dirt to be found, for now at least. The clothing I was carrying went straight from my arms to the floor and the clothes on me were ripped from my skin as I practically jumped into the shower.

I cranked the water levers in various directions to adjust the heat. I didn't even budge a bit when ice cold water began to be poured on me from the showerhead. It was just nice to feel my skin be cleansed by water. The only thing close to this that I had ever received in a long time was when I fought a mix of Red Nocturne and Blue Rhapsody Heartless.

Heartless, while they may look incompetent are more than aware of certain situations. As soon as one would cast blizzard the other would cast firaga and suddenly, I'd be drenched. I digress, after a few minutes I finally got the water adjusted to a nice, steamy temperature.

I looked down momentarily and I could see loads of grime just washing down my body and down the drain soon after. My hair went flat as well as I softly ran my fingers through the plethora of knots tangled within. I just stood there for a while and let my skin be rinsed clean before reaching to the side and grabbing a bar of soap.

I began to rub myself from head to do, shoving the bar of soap deep in as I rubbed relentlessly. I'll spare you the details of the process, but after about fifteen minutes or so I finally felt clean. Using shampoo, I repeated the same process with my hair as I closed my eyes and began to scrub into my scalp. As I did this and rinsed my hair out, thoughts began to conjure in my head.

What would my job be like? Would I just be keeping Kairi company or would I be doing menial labor of some sort. Hopefully it was the former and not the latter, I get bored rather easily…But that would be all too simple, just keeping the girl I enjoy company? Getting her a beverage or a snack whenever she wanted it, it'd just be too easy.

These thoughts continued to persist in my head as I stepped out from the shower and began to dry myself off with a towel hanging near the shower. I tried to make some haste so that I could go and see Kairi and get things resolved as quickly as I could. I was never really angry at her I suppose, just the news hit me so suddenly and I was at my limit for the day.

However, today was new and I was filled with the odd sensation of hope. So with a grin upon my visage, I began to dress myself in the formal attire. Once everything was said and done, I looked into the mirror.

I am not one to brag, but I looked sharp as ever. I mean, anything was an upgrade compared to the rags I once wore and that white T-shirt that was ripped from the collar to my midriff. My hair had begun to take its natural form and spike up into any direction it felt, my skin now not only felt pure but looked it as well. I didn't know how it looked at the Coliseum but I imagine it was smeared with grime, blood and dirt. While it still had blemishes here and there, it was without a doubt cleaner.

And for once in ages I had been able to get a solid look at my irises, which still maintained a bright azure glow from when I was a kid. Some things never change I suppose…Like the man in a black cloak standing behind me.

Wait.

I felt my body tense up as over my shoulder a figure stood behind me shrouded in a black cloak. I spun around and immediately put my fists up in a defensive stance as I took a step back, pressing my back against the mirror. Much to my dismay, the figure still remained there when I turned around. I was really hoping it was just some weird figment of my imagination.

"Who are yo-" "You are Sora, correct?" I blinked and slowly lowered my fists to my side, arching my brow a bit. Was he the help or…? What was with the get-up? How did he know my name? While I was busy asking myself these pointless questions he spoke once more. "I will assume that as a yes. Hmmm…Tell me, how much do you hate the people who killed your family?"

My body felt numb for a moment as my heart-skipped a beat or two. Had someone heard Leon and I's conversation and reported us? Was this some highly skilled assassin that was going to end me right here? No, no I couldn't die here. My hands instantly rose back to a defensive position as I watched him carefully. The question he asked was a fully loaded one and I had no intention to answer it.

"Silence…? Unusual response. Regardless it doesn't matter what you say, I can tell just by your heart. You have an excessive amount of hatred and anguish within it. Your heart pumps it right into your veins." See my heart? What the hell was this guy on about? Was he some-

I felt a sudden strike to my chest that bypassed my guard and pushed me farther back against the mirror. "Feed the hatred." Were the words spoke as I suddenly felt an energy pulse into me. I know that sounds vague but I couldn't describe it. It didn't physically harm me but I could feel something working into my blood as the chemicals in my body began to change.

The feeling dissipated just as it came, and my body felt regular. His hand retracted, as he gazed at me behind his hood. "This is how you will achieve your true desires." I questioned the statement but I felt a sudden in my weight materialize. I urgently looked to the side and some sort of essence appeared from thin air and formed in my hand. For some reason, my body instinctively grabbed ahold of it and as my skin made contact, the essence materialized into a tangible object.

"A…keyblade…"

In my hand, I held a simple keyblade, much like the one I had used previously to fight that large heartless. I blinked a few times; questions began to come out of thin air in my head as I felt myself question everything that had just happened.

"It is not like the keyblade you used in the Coliseum," There was another question that popped into my head, how in the hell did this man know about my Coliseum past? "those were just generic knock-offs of what a real one is like. They only held a third of the power this has. This can hurt a human as well. Not cut them, but it can cause the same pain it would to a heartless. This blade has numerous spells within its realm of capability; you merely need to learn them."

This information was a lot that was thrust onto me, and it was becoming very annoying at how often sudden bucket loads of info were poured on me.

"Call upon it by merely thinking of its existence." He stated as the keyblade evaporated from my hands into the air and left only a few twinkles drifting in the air. I parted my lips to speak but he immediately placed a gloved hand over my mouth.

"I do not care about your questions. You should not either, they don't matter. All that matters is fulfilling your revenge." Then, just as he was done a oval of darkness appeared from behind him that he stepped backwards into. "I'll be observing…" And with that ominous statement, he and the darkness disappeared along with the answers to my questions.

What just happened?