Here's chapter sixty - four. Thank you caitlinkeitorin and scrawlx1012 for reviewing last chapter!
Chapter Sixty - Four: Awakening
Gillick's eyes opened slightly and shifted to where Senn stood a little ways off. "Nothing's happening," he commented irritably.
"You need to be patient," Senn retorted, "with yourself and with me. I'm not…entirely sure how an Awakening works."
Gillick sighed. "Figures." Despite his growing frustration, he obediently slid his eyelids back down.
After a few moments, he heard Senn say, "Well, the Awakening used to be a part of the Mark of Mastery exam. There must be some way we can set it off."
Gillick's amber eyes flashed back open as he whipped around to glare at the older man. "We don't exactly have an eternity here!" he snapped.
Senn didn't seem phased by his outburst. Instead, he summoned his Keyblade, saying, "Perhaps using the water will help?"
"How the hell should I know?" Gillick growled, throwing his hands in the air in agitation.
Senn made no response, instead dipping the tip of his Keyblade into the magic infused water. Gillick, watching him curiously, saw when he motioned for him to draw closer. "Try standing in the water," he directed. The boy sighed, but obeyed without any other form of protest. This is ridiculous, he thought as he neared the glowing pool. This is never going to work. Slowly, he stepped into the glowing pool. Instantly he felt magic rippled around his legs and seep through the fabric of his pants into his skin. Startled, he tried to draw back, but found Senn's hand pressed against his back, forcing him forward. Eyes narrowed in slight agitation, the black haired boy continued to wade out until Senn called, "That's good!"
"And I need to be in the middle of the pool for this to work?" Gillick called back in exasperation. At this point the water was lapping at his waist.
"The center is where the water comes the highest," Senn called. "Theoretically, that's where you'd have access to the most magic." Gillick rolled his eyes, but was unwilling to protest. He could feel the power in the water around him, and knew that, perhaps, Senn's strange plan to initiate an Awakening would work. He clenched his fists. I have to control the power of the Knight. Determination surged through his heart. Whatever it takes.
"Gillick…what's going on?"
At Senn's voice, the boy looked at the water around him. It was glowing with a greater intensity, the magic within it almost physical as it touched him. He looked back at the Keyblader in surprise. The man's eyes widened and he breathed out in realization, "Your heart. The magic…is responding to your heart."
Gillick's amber eyes widened a fraction before narrowing, and he turned his gaze to the swirling waters. On his back, he could feel the sword - the Knight - pulsing. He drew the blade out and saw with a start that the runes etched onto its surface were glowing. The seal was made from the water, he remembered. Wondering if perhaps the sword could help him into the Awakening, he lowered it point first into the water.
All at once it was like the water had caught on fire. Startled, Gillick fell backwards, loosing his grip on his sword in the same instant. He thought he heard Senn call his name in alarm.
Then he hit the water.
He expected to hit the rocky bottom, but instead, he kept falling, his body angling so that he fell head first. He spun through the liquid, trying to right himself. What's going on? he wondered, eyes wide. How'd this pool get so deep? Is it…the magic?
It took him several moments to realize that he could breathe…moreover, he could see something coming up ahead. He narrowed his eyes at it. What's that? Upon drawing closer, he realized it was a circular, stained glass platform. What in the world…? His body seemed to right itself on its own, twisting so that he landed on his feet. As he crouched there, the water disappeared, leaving open air; he felt a brief flash of surprise that he wasn't wet. He slowly stood, looking around in surprise.
It is time you Awakened.
Gillick stiffened at the voice. It held words, but no sound or tone. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice reverberating through the air. "What's going on?"
As if in answer, a sound echoed behind him. He whipped around in time to see three pedestals rising out of the ground, each bearing a different item: a sword, a shield, and a staff. The soundless voice returned, cautioning him:
Only your true power can fight your fears; only your heart can tame them. Choose wisely.
Gillick snorted, looking up. Well, I guess I'm not supposed to really understand what's going on, he thought dryly. He leveled his gaze back at the weapons. I need to master the power of the Knight. He clenched his fists, then walked steadily towards the sword. As he wrapped his hand around the hilt, the soundless voice pulsed again through his mind:
The power of the warrior; invincible courage; a sword of terrible destruction. Is this the path you seek?
Gillick narrowed his amber eyes. "The sword is my weapon," he said by way of reply, lifting it from where it hovered over the pedestal.
The ground rocked beneath him almost instantly. He staggered, trying to regain his balance. He heard an odd sound; one that resembled that of breaking glass. Startled, he looked down, and saw cracks running along the stained glass beneath his feet. Reacting on instinct, he began running, though there was no point; the entire surface shattered in an instant, sending him plummeting through thin air.
Gillick's eyes snapped open. He sat up abruptly, looking around with wide amber eyes. He felt the stained glass surface beneath him with one tentative hand. What the hell? Didn't this break? On closer inspection, though, he realized that the glass under him was a different color than the first had been, and there were no pedestals; instead, the staff and shield floated in the air behind a faintly glowing barrier. The sword was sticking point first into the ground beside him. He pushed himself off the ground, gripping the sword by its hilt and pulling it free. He frowned, feeling a flash of agitation that there didn't seem to be anything left for him to do. "Now what?" he asked, frustrated. "It can't be that easy to beat the Knight."
Are you ready to face your fears?
Gillick stiffened as the soundless voice resounded around him, but didn't have long to be surprised. The air at the other end of the stained glass platform began to contort, an odd whirring noise rising up from it. From it emerged an all - too - familiar armored figure, broken black wings slowly unfolding from where they were held close to its body. The Knight. Leveling his stare at the monster - at his monster - he settled into a ready stance. He'd been given a brief rundown on what an Awakening was from Senn; he knew that it involved things that normally wouldn't happen in the physical world, because of that fact that it took place within a person's heart. This is my test, then; I have to defeat the Knight. I have to defeat myself.
The Knight let out a screech before lunging at him. Gillick lifted his sword to block the blow, and was startled to discover how much power was behind the attack. It sent him flying backwards, and he landed hard on his back, the force of the impact causing him to bounce back further. Groaning, he began to pick himself back up.
The Knight was on him before he'd had time to recover. He instantly fell and rolled to the side, avoiding the clawed hand that tried to crush him from above. He rolled back to his feet, lunging forward with a war cry. He felt a jolt of surprise, however, as the Knight lifted one clawed hand and easily caught the blade of the sword. He struggled to free the weapon, but to no avail; his monster seemed far stronger than he himself was.
His eyes widened as he saw a fireball form in the palm of the Knight's free hand. Damn it! He released the sword and dived to the side just as the Fira spell flew past him. He skidded across the floor for a few moments before coming to a stop, quickly rolling over on his back. The Knight was staring at the sword it still gripped by the blade. Then it tossed it nonchalantly to the side, allowing to clatter across the stained glass. I have to get back to that sword. Gillick scrambled to his feet, making a lunge for the weapon.
He stumbled backwards when the Knight suddenly appeared in front of him, black wings spread wide and imposing. A clawed hand lunged for his chest, which he ducked under. Taking advantage of the fact that the monster was hovering above the ground, he fell into a slide beneath it. The momentum of it carried him straight to the sword, which he grabbed without hesitation before rolling back to his feet.
The moment his amber eyes lifted, however, he was hit by a powerful burst of lightning. He cried out in pain as the magic raced through him, his body held rigid by the electricity. When it finally ceased, he fell to one knee, panting.
Then he felt something hit him hard in the stomach - his fried brain realized after a moment that it was the Knight's foot - which sent him flying backwards until he collided with the barrier. He caught himself, managing to stay upright as the Knight lunged for him again. He brought up his sword quickly, using it to block the Knight's blow. As he struggled against his powerful opponent, his eyes narrowed in frustration. This is crazy, he thought, trying to force the monster back. It's so strong…how the hell can I beat it?
Only your true power can fight your fears; only your heart can tame them.
The black haired boy felt a flash of frustration. I know that already! he silently snapped out the soundless voice. How the hell does that help me?
Only your true power can fight your fears.
At the repetition of the first part of the phrase, Gillick looked at the sword in his hands. When the voice had said that first, this - along with the shield and staff behind him - had appeared. He'd chosen the sword, the power of a warrior; had it not been the right choice. He quickly shook the thought off. It had to be! I've always been a warrior! Fighting to survive, a blade in his hand as he faced the unknown…that was what defined him.
Then an image of Mala and Riun flashed through his mind. A small voice inside his heart whispered, Is that really still who you are? Images of countless people flashed through his mind; people who had neither a name nor face, but all seemed to be crying out for help. What surprised him was the fact…that he wanted to answer them. Have I…changed? He supposed, thinking back, that he wasn't the same person he'd been before he'd met Mala and Riun, but he'd known that; he'd knew that he wanted to protect them. But if the sword wasn't the weapon to do it, then what-
His eyes widened in realization. The shield. He glanced backwards to where the item was floating. Was that his true power, then?
With his thoughts distracting him, the pressure Gillick was putting on the sword to keep the Knight at bay weakened. The creature quickly took advantage of this, breaking through his defenses and stabbing him in the shoulder with the tips of his clawed fingers. Gillick let out a cry of surprise and pain. His eyes only slits, he started to lift the sword to retaliate, then stopped. His eyes closed briefly. No, he thought, lowering the weapon as the Knight's clawed hand was pulled out of his shoulder, blood dripping from the tips of its fingers. His eyes opened slowly and he looked up at the monster, everything in him screaming at him to attack. However, he had more important things on his mind. I will do whatever it takes to control this power…and to protect them. He watched as the Knight drew back to strike him again. I am not a warrior. The claw shot forward. I am a guardian!
Light flared around the sword as Gillick jerked his arm up. The Knight's clawed hand collided with the wide, metal surface of a shield. The creature hissed angrily before slashing again at the protective barrier. However, as before, its attack failed to break through. Gillick smirked slightly. "Let's try this again." He stepped forward, pushing back with the shield. The Knight growled, bracing itself and flapping its black wings a few times as it struggled against the shield the blocked its path. The black haired boy took a step forward, managing to push the Knight back slightly.
It was enough to allow him time to dash to the side, away from the Knight's slashing claws. He spun around, lifting the shield as a fireball flew his way. The magic collided with the protective surface and dissipated instantly. Gillick snorted. Great, I can block its attacks. He thought. But how the hell am I going to beat it with a shield? He could try bash it, he supposed. Resigning himself to the idea of a slow fight, he lunged forward, shield out to collide with the Knight's chest. It forced the creature back a little ways, but did no real damage. Gillick gritted his teeth in agitation. This is getting me nowhere. He knew what his 'true power' was now; shouldn't he be able to fight this thing? He blocked a Blizzaga spell, looking contemplatively at the edges of the shield. Maybe if I try hitting it with those?
The Knight's claws rang off the metal of the shield. He quickly swiped his 'weapon' sideways, forcing the clawed hands of the Knight away. Then he lunged his arm forward with a war cry, the edge of his shield aimed at the monster's chest.
A thrill of shock pulsed through him as darkness surrounded the shield. When the defensive item collided with the Knight's chest, the darkness flew off it, forcing the monster to go flying backwards with a roar of fury. "What the hell…was that?" Gillick cried in surprise. He hadn't been trying to use magic.
Only your heart can tame them.
Gillick stiffened as the soundless voice repeated the end of the phrase. His heart…but how could…?
Then his blood ran cold as he understood. The darkness the had formed around the shield…that had come from his heart. After all, Viril had infused it with darkness when he'd defected to the Dark Army. But that dark power could never be used without using a Keyblade…the physical manifestation of a person's heart.
He baulked at the idea. This wasn't the same as switching a sword for a shield. No! I can't use the Keyblade! He felt claws rip at his already - wounded shoulder, and he hissed through gritted teeth, slamming the edge of the shield into the Knight's helmeted head to force it away. He saw darkness begin to form around it, and quickly backpedaled, his mind reeling. Looking at his monster with wide amber eyes, he desperately sought an alternate solution. There has to be some other way! I can't use the Keyblade! I won't!
But no matter how many ideas he thought of, he had a sinking feeling in his heart; there was no other way.
He lifted his shield to block the another of the Knight's blows. 'Face your fears', the voice had said. 'Tame them.' He narrowed his eyes. I am not afraid. He felt his feet slipping, and immediately started pushing back with more force. The two struggled against each other, at a stand still. Gillick looked at the Knight from behind the edge of his shield. An image of him flickered in place of the Knight. I am not afraid.
He felt his heart throb, a small voice inside him whispering that he was lying to himself. But he didn't want to be afraid.
You are more a coward than anyone for not admitting that you are afraid.
Gillick closed his eyes tightly, annoyed that the memory of Senn's rant on courage had returned at that moment. But the words continued to ring through his head, refusing to leave him alone. He opened his eyes slowly, looking the Knight square on as the two struggled for dominance. Shaking, he swallowed his pride, and admitted silently, I…am afraid. The Knight snarled, eyes glowing behind the tinted visor of its helmet. I'm afraid…of myself.
This was what the voice had meant by 'facing his fears.' The one thing that he feared, more than any other, was himself and the power he'd been given. He didn't trust himself not to get corrupted by the Keyblade, and now, he didn't trust himself to handle to power of the Knight. The power caused so much pain - he caused so much pain - and he'd wanted nothing to do with it.
It was so ironic he almost laughed. I'm as bad as Mala. She'd been right when she'd called him a hypocrite; he'd been running away for as long as he could remember. From the Armies, from the Keyblade, from himself. Now here, in his Awakening, faced with the monster he'd become, he could no longer run away. He was forced to face his fears.
"No," he growled aloud, amber eyes blazing as he glared at the Knight. "There is something I fear…more than you!" I will not let this monster out again! He gathered his courage, his body cold. He didn't want to; as much as he hated to admit it, he was terrified. He could feel the incessant pounding of his heart, the sound drowning out the snarling of the monster before him. But if he wanted to tame this power, then he had to. He had to face his greatest fear.
He took a deep breath, pushing back against the Knight. "I am…a Keyblader!"
Mist exploded around the shield, morphing the weapon into something else. The Knight, with less resistance, fell forward…
…onto the waiting edge of a Keyblade.
The weapon easily pierced the Knight's armor, the tip emerging on the other side. Gillick didn't flinch, didn't move, his hands gripping the hilt of his Keyblade so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The Knight's head lifted slowly, an odd, quiet sound reverberating from within its helmet. Then it slowly dissipated, the particles that came from it drifting towards Gillick and entering his body, leaving him holding a Keyblade in empty air. The runes that had once been on his sword slowly etched themselves onto his left arm, glowing briefly before the power receded. The soundless voice echoed around him, offering only these words:
You have Awakened at last.
Gillick's eyes snapped open to see Senn leaning over him. Startled, he jerked upright. "What the hell were you doing?" he spat at the older Keyblader.
"You fell into the pool," Senn said, gesturing calmly to the glowing water. "You were unconscious when I dragged you out; I wanted to make sure you were alright."
"Unconscious…?" That experience had all been in his mind, then? No, he corrected himself silently. It was in my heart.
Senn's eyes narrowed at him. "Your shoulder plates…" When the man trailed off, Gillick looked at the armor. Instead of the normal, plain gray, they were a startling silver, gold rising up along the edges. The sight reminded him of what had happened after the Knight had disappeared, and he quickly checked his arm. Just like in his Awakening, the runes were etched into the skin.
Senn's eyes widened at the sight. "You…tamed it, then?"
"Yeah," Gillick responded with a nod, not removing his eyes from the marks. "I found out that my fear was holding me back."
He could practically feel Senn's amusement. "I see."
"Shut up," Gillick growled at him, frustrated at his smug tone.
There were several moments of silence before Senn said, "I must warn you before you leave…don't undo the seal."
Gillick snorted. Do you really think I'm dumb enough to do that? he wanted to ask. Instead, however, he queried, "Why? What will happen?"
"The power will go rampant," Senn replied. "With the X - blade broken, there won't be stability; its unrestrained power, along with the power of Kingdom Hearts, could potentially tear apart the fabric of the universe. And once the seal is broken, I'm not sure it can be fixed."
Gillick's mind, however, was stuck on the sentence before. Shit. The Knight's power was half of the X - blade's power; if the Armies tried to summon the X - blade, they'd only get half. Which would mean…
"I'm leaving." He began to walk away, then paused abruptly. "…Thanks." Then he slammed the armor on his left shoulder. Instantly the armor of the Knight surrounded him, the runes on his arm glowing to life. He raced out of the tunnel, his mind set on one thing: We have to keep the Armies from summoning the X - blade.
There's the end of chapter sixty - four. Reviews would be awesome, please!