And, again, it has been a month. XD I'm very deeply sorry. The last month of summer was a busy one. I turned 18, for one. Hurray, I'm so old. Haha, not really. Also, I encourage anyone who hasn't gone out and picked up a copy of "Eclipse", by Stephenie Meyer, to do so. It was a good read. True, the writing could be better, but the plot makes up for what the book otherwise lacks. I got to meet her and had her sign my book, which was special. :D
Thank you, once again, for all the reviews. I will put clouds in jars for all of you! Imagine how cool that would look if it were possible. Haha, well, I'll make the impossible possible.
Anyway. Here we are. Does anybody even remember where I left off? XD
"I wonder what they're doing," Naminé mused, staying as close as possible behind Roxas without actually touching him. Quickly adjusting the leather of the holster that held her spear strapped to her back, she turned her head to survey Kairi's expression.
Kairi, who was walking so close to Naminé that she almost ran into her at the slight change of movement, shrugged. "Riku is probably going insane, and Yuri is probably delighted. I hear this prince they're bringing in is pretty good-looking."
"Really?" Sora, who was trailing behind Kairi, asked. "Riku was so sure that he'd be… wow, never mind."
"You're horrible at keeping your mouth shut," Kairi giggled. "Remind me never to tell you secrets."
Sora's mouth dropped open, appalled, and shadows from the uneven distribution of light from the lantern he was carrying seemed to dance over his shocked face. "Of course I can keep a secret! Who says I can't?"
"You do!" Naminé answered, fighting a smile.
"Guys, soften up on Sora," Roxas suggested, though he too wore a grin. "I think it's a little early to be antagonizing him."
"Thank you," Sora said, giving the back of Kairi's head a pointed stare. "At least someone here knows what he's talking about."
The noises of their footsteps echoed off the dusty brown walls of the tunnel in the otherwise thickly silent air. Naminé kept her gaze fixed on Roxas's head, which was consistently bobbing right in front of her face. His bag was easily the smallest of all four of theirs, and Naminé vaguely wondered what he had packed. Probably just normal stuff, she thought to herself.
Roxas walked quickly and nervously, hoping that Naminé wouldn't notice that the lantern was shaking in his unsteady grip. She was so close to it—he could imagine her eyes boring through his bag in an x-ray vision fashion, and seeing what he had so foolishly thrown in on a final momentary whim.
Resting inside his bag, compressed against all of his clothes, was her diary. He knew that it had to be returned to its rightful owner, but at the same time, never wanted to let go of the one piece of Naminé that he had to himself. He knew that there was no way she would ever feel the same way as he did, and was more unwilling to relinquish the ray of hope that was the diary. How he longed to return to the days when he hadn't known who the perfect girl was, or whether he would ever be with her or not… returning to the days when he still thought he had a snowball's chance with the mystery girl seemed more appealing than ever.
Her face swimming in front of his eyes, even though she was walking behind him, he continued on, awkwardly tugging the strap of his bag to a more comfortable position. He knew that they were now far enough from the castle that it was best not to talk—they would be reaching the end of the passageway quite soon, and if they were lucky, it was still before dawn…
"No talking after we're out of the tunnel," Naminé softly reminded them as the darkness around them seemed to get softer and brighter with every step they took.
"Minimal communication," Sora agreed. "I wonder how Kairi will manage?"
Turning slightly, she responded with a scathing glare, but didn't speak. Embarrassed, Sora tried to offer a hushed apology for taking a revenge joke too far, but Kairi simply chose to follow Naminé's instructions and begin what would no doubt be an extremely lengthy silence. At the end of the tunnel, Naminé grabbed at Roxas' pack, and motioned for everyone to huddle up. They all crunched as closely together as they could in the narrow passageway, and in a voice so low they could barely hear, Naminé said, "After I put up undetectable wards when we camp at night, we can talk again. We can't risk being discovered. If any Adherence members find us, it'll mean an immediate fight, and we can't fight them while they are immortal. I will notify you all when the wards are up—whenever I speak, it's okay to speak. Use magic and instincts to send warnings."
"Magic and instincts… is that why I always seem to know where all of you are, no matter where I am?" Sora asked her quietly.
"Exactly. See if you can figure out how to harness that magic to talk to me. It's difficult, but if we can all manage that, things will be easier. Since that magic just exists in the bond between us, I highly doubt that the Adherence will be able to pick it up. We don't know whether they're scanning for foreign magic or not, but I'd rather be safe than sorry," Naminé swiftly explained, voice still lower. "Any questions before we go up?"
"Can we use magic if we fight?" Roxas whispered.
"We will avoid fights at all costs," Naminé replied. "We're in no position to challenge them right now."
"And if we do have to fight?" he pressed.
Naminé looked slightly conflicted. "We'll do what we can to dispose of them as quickly as possible, ideally without magic, and be on our way."
Roxas gave a quick nod. "Let's get up there, then."
Naminé gave her companions one last fleeting look. "We all ready?"
Sora and Kairi each gave their quick affirmative, and Roxas led the way to the surface.
Riku sighed to himself as he followed behind Yuri and Zexion in the enormous gardens of the castle. Their endless conversations over the two hour period they had been walking for were getting simply exhausting.
"I quite agree with you, this force your world has been troubled by must be taken care of," he said, nodding. "I will gladly summon my armies here to help you."
"Really?" Yuri asked, face lighting up. "I was certainly hoping for that! It'll be very difficult, despite the return of my world's legendary warriors, to rid ourselves of this nasty problem."
"It seems that your world has seen enough destruction," he said, giving her a quick, surveying glance. Simply delighted when he saw that she was happy, he added, "We'll definitely bring as much aid as we can."
"I would be more grateful than I could ever possibly describe to you… if I could end the suffering of my people."
"Though, it will be quite expensive to transport my whole army here, so, naturally, I ask for one small favor in return," Zexion said smoothly.
"I would gladly do anything you wished," Yuri said, bowing her head in gratitude.
"Not at all! My advisors, however, did tell me that they require me to request that you name me King after we are married."
Riku immediately flinched, sickened. His hands clenched into fists, and he couldn't help gritting his teeth. He knew this would happen—Zexion would turn up, worm his way into Yuri's good graces, and then take advantage of her power. Zexion would never be King of his world—he had two older brothers—but if he could get Yuri to name him King… problem solved.
He could tell that, despite the huge service Zexion would be doing her by helping her, she was still hesitant to make such a mammoth-sized promise. "I'll have to take that up with my advisors as well," she confessed, blushing. "They do still hold quite a bit of power over me, since I am so young still."
"I understand perfectly. Do mention it to them for me, though," he suggested warmly. "I would like nothing more than you help you govern this great world."
"Govern?" Yuri giggled. "I've never really thought of it that way before. I'm just the Queen, after all. Other people have a say, too."
Zexion, who had seemed quite stony-faced and emotionless, suddenly smiled. "Of course they do." He cast a quick, almost unnoticeable glance over his shoulder at Riku, who was wandering along the path several feet behind them. "Who did you say that was, again?"
"Him? That's Riku, my best friend, trusted advisor, and sometimes bodyguard," she said, smiling a little. "You'll really like him once you get to know him, his sense of humor is great."
"Bodyguard? I wonder, is he one of the famed warriors you have spoken of?" Zexion asked.
"Actually, he is, yes," Yuri said, nodding.
"Might I meet the other four today?"
Riku and Yuri froze simultaneously. "Um… I'm afraid that's not possible. They're all very busy, you see… yes, they aren't seeing anybody today," she quickly fabricated. Riku breathed an almost audible sigh of relief. At least she had the sense not to tell him what they were up to.
"Pity," Zexion said quietly, watching Yuri carefully as though he expected her to reconsider.
Riku's brow furrowed. Something about Zexion was off—who showed up here and immediately requested to be named King? Yuri was all that Hollow Bastion needed, and she knew it. Her parents had left the throne to her, and her alone. All of the advisors had been fools to think this wouldn't happen. Against his better judgment, he decided to have a quick listen to what Yuri was thinking. He had repeatedly assaulted Zexion's mind, but had received nothing back but thoughts of Yuri, which was both annoying and unbearable to hear. Looking far off into the distance, Riku dug at his internal magic and concentrated on Yuri…
That was a close call! I really hope he isn't asking about them all the time, because I really don't know when they will be back… I can't make him King, and I know I can't… what should I tell him? Riku would never forgive me if I bent to his wishes… He probably hates me already, anyway, just for talking to Zexion. It's so unfortunate that this really is the best option. He's not horrible at all, but… I just wish there were something else I could do.
Riku pulled his magic from her mind; he had heard enough.
After Zexion and Yuri's return from their hours-long stroll, the castle went into frenzy as wedding plans commenced. Riku hung at Yuri's side through the entire celebratory banquet, and now sat inside one of her many chambers, engrossed in a book focused on the monarchy of Hollow Bastion.
"Why are you reading that?" Yuri probed from across the room, where she had immersed herself in a complicated book of law. "I read that when I was younger."
"Sad. You can tell what it is just by seeing the cover," Riku said, half-teasing.
Yuri scowled. "Shut up! I hated reading that book." The fire popping loudly in the fireplace beside her seemed to match her temper.
Riku gave her a look. "Settle down."
Though she sat far away, she stared straight at him, her eyes boring into his. His stomach flipped uncomfortably, and she didn't even have to tell him not to say another word. Her gaze broke, and Riku was freed, much to his relief. Both turned their attention back to their books.
A. Notes on Monarchy and Marriage
Traditionally, Hollow Bastion royalty has avoided marrying other persons of royal standing, as linking worlds together under one power can be quite challenging. Situations of whether the spouse shall be crowned or not still arise, however, no matter who the King or Queen decides to marry. Oftentimes, Kings who have already proceeded through their coronation will marry and decide to give their wife the title of Queen, although it is not a law that any woman married to the King must be crowned as the Queen. It is, in essence, and always has been, the King's own decision to make.
Historically, if a lady has been crowned Queen and is unmarried, she is neither required to name any man she marries as the King. Absolute monarchy such as Hollow Bastion's is just that: absolute. The Queen or King makes all decisions, including whether the person they marry rules Hollow Bastion at their side or not. Queens and Kings that are untrusting and not willing to allow their spouses to rule alongside them will often bestow their partner with another noble title, such as duke or duchess.
Riku looked up involuntarily at Yuri. She was losing herself in the staccato movements of the flames. He could see her concentration slipping slowly from her eyes as she began to flat-out stare.
"You all right?" he asked, concerned.
She nodded once. "Just trying to work out why you would be studying our monarchy."
Riku gave a soft chuckle. "Well, I thought it might be best to read up on it. I'm no use if I'm uninformed." He shot a cheeky grin in Yuri's direction.
At last, her face softened. "I suppose you're right." She closed her book, and placed it on the small wooden table beside her. "Which section are you reading?"
Riku knew he'd get it for this. Bracing himself, he calmly answered, "Notes on Monarchy and Marriage."
She was standing almost immediately. In the blink of an eye, she had ripped the book from Riku's hands. "You would," she said acidly, snapping it shut. "I don't know what you want me to say, okay? I promised him I would do it!" Her eyes were focused once again on Riku's, intensity stirring behind the angelic color.
Riku lowered his head under the power of her stare, unable to withstand it. "I know," he said in a low voice, "but that doesn't mean I shouldn't look for another way."
She sighed, anger vanishing as quickly as it had come. "Yes, it does," she muttered dismally.
He suddenly looked back up, searching her expression. "You… really don't want to do this, do you?"
She turned away from Riku. Her back to him, she sniffed, "You really should get out of my head, you know."
Despite the fact that she was clearly upset, Riku couldn't stop himself from grinning. "Actually, I wasn't in your head." Luckily, she couldn't see how pleased he was with his observation skills.
"You weren't in mine? That's just fine, Riku, but you can't pull that for Zexion! I know you've been all over him today. Tell me, what did you see inside his pretty skull?" She turned around, and Riku was pained to see tears slowly leaking down her pale cheeks.
He stood up, and wiped her face with his hands. "I didn't see anything. He's protecting his thoughts from me, I think."
Sobs growing stronger, Yuri buried her face in Riku's chest, and he stroked her hair comfortingly. "What is he hiding, then?" she almost wailed.
Riku closed his eyes. "I really don't know. I swear to you, I'm going to do everything I can to find out."
Zexion glanced at the clock. It was nearing three o'clock—surely, the mind-reader was asleep by now?
Reaching into one of his many bags, he produced a letter from its depths. He slid his fingers along the seal, nearly ripping the paper as the wax relinquished its hold. He read what was written by the hand of his boss as quickly as possible.
Remember what we spoke of. Think of nothing but her when the suspected mind-reader is around. We have no proof, but it is better to take every precaution we can. Insist that you are crowned King. Do whatever you have to. Capture or eliminate the warriors that remain at the castle. Some will have ventured out to Akiko, as I have told you. The invasion waits for your command.
Roxas sprung through the hole quickly, Naminé imitating his movements with grace. She immediately recognized where they were in the small cavern, and headed down the narrow left fork, leading southwest, toward the Great Maw, her three companions on her heels. They moved completely silently, and Naminé felt a great pang of worry—something wasn't right at the castle. With her heart set on reaching Akiko as quickly as possible, Naminé quickened her running pace, everyone increasing their speed to match. Evidently, they felt her worry, as well…
Hm. I hope people are surprised by Zexion. :D
I'll try and work quicker this time, honest! Next chapter, we've got a journey and a wedding, so keep your eyes peeled for chapter 15 :D Don't forget to review!
Thanks for reading!
Lulala