Chapter 15 Confusion
Zack comes back to his senses to an eerie silence and an intense pain. "Fuck," Zack hisses out as bands of pain radiate up his arm. It takes him a moment to identify the source of the pain as coming from his wrist where, along with the intense pain, he can feel the unmistakable feeling of blood on the back of his hand. As the pain subsides slightly for the moment, he is able to notice other things. Like the fact that the coliseum has collapsed right on top of him, like the fact that he is trapped with some heavy piece of rubble pressing down on his chest, like the fact that there is so much dust in the air he could barely breathe.
As he takes this all in, his eyes slowly adjust to the minimal light that somehow makes its way from the outside to him. The light reveals that it is Ven sprawled on top of him not a piece of rubble, and Ven's eyes are closed. "Ven," Zack calls before falling into a coughing fit from all the dust in the air.
When the coughing ceases, he tries again. "Ven, wake up. C'mon man. Please wake up." But Ven remains unresponsive and, to add to Zack's growing fear in the pit of his stomach, Ven's light blond hair darkens as blood from an unknown source soaks it. Zack wiggles his unhurt hand in the tight space until he is able to reach out and touch Ven's head. He pulls his fingers back now stained with blood and stares at them in horror. He shakes Ven's shoulder slightly. "No, Ven you have to wake up. You have to." Still there is no response. Panicking, Zack begins to jerk around slightly and knocks his injured hand against the rubble around him. Clenching his eyes against the pain, he forces himself to hold perfectly still. That's when he notices the slight breeze on his neck. Cracking his eyes open, Zack cranes his head to see with relief that what he is feeling is Ven's soft breathing.
"Ven! Zack!" The shout is muffled but obviously coming from somewhere above him and the rubble of the coliseum. He screams back as loud as he can,
"We're here! Help! We're down here!"
He waits, but there is no reply.
"Help! You gotta help us! Is anyone there?"
He waits again.
"Zack! Zack can you hear me?"
It is Aqua's voice. Relieved, Zack shouts back, "Aqua! I can hear you! We're stuck down here!"
Again he waits. She doesn't respond at first and Zack glances back at Ven who remains as still as ever his head resting on Zack's collarbone. There is even more blood now.
"Zack! We're gonna get you out of there!" Aqua's voice is accompanied by the sounds of shifting rock. "Is Ven with you?"
"Yeah," Zack shouts back. "He's knocked out." He hopes that he is keeping his fear out of his voice.
"Just sit tight we'll get you guys out in no time." Aqua however doesn't sound so sure. Zack awaits their rescue listening to the sounds of digging and trying to ignore the flashes of pain from his wrist. He tries to calm himself by breathing evenly.
It's all going to be alright.He tells himself. Herc,Terra, and Aqua will get us out. And Ven is going to be fine.Zack gently touches Ven's face. He looks so peaceful, like he is sleeping. A crash from high above is accompanied by a blast of dust into their small hole in the rubble. Zack glances up fearfully at the broken piece of pillar that is above them like a beam holding back the rubble. If that gives they will be crushed. Zack continues to absentmindedly brush Ven's cheek wishing he would wake up and praying that whatever god had kept them alive so far would keep the pillar from breaking before they are rescued.
"Ugnh..."
"Ven!" Zack says in relief as the still boy on top of him stirs slightly. "Ven wake up!"
"What..." Ven says as he slowly opens his eyes. "What happened? How did- ugh...my head."
"The whole fricking coliseum fell on top of us," Zack says noticing that Ven seems to have trouble focusing his eyes on him. "You got knocked in the head and have been out for awhile. Don't worry, the others are digging us out."
Ven is silent for a moment, blinking while he processes what Zack had said. Then, "I'm so glad you're alive, Tay."
Ven tries to give a surprised and confused Zack a hug in the tight space. "I thought I saw you die, but I guess I was wrong. I mean, you're here so you must have survived somehow."
"Ven-"
"I wasn't mad at you for leaving. It was hard without you, but I used everything you taught me to stay alive. And you won't believe it, but you were right! There are other worlds out there. I've seen some. They're incredible... nothing like home. Nothing like it," Ven trails off mumbling incoherently while gripping Zack tighter.
Still confused and now worried, Zack awkwardly returns the hug with his uninjured hand. "Ven," he says slowly. "Who do you think I am?"
Ven releases him and pulls back slightly so he can look him in the face. "What kind of question is that Tay?" He asks Zack rubbing the back of his head. His expression changes to horror as he brings his hand back in front of him covered in blood. "My-my head," Ven stutters.
Zack quickly grabs Ven's shaking hand and squeezes it tight. "You're going to be fine," Zack says calmly even though his heart is racing. "Just try not to move around too much. Here, lie down again." With a little bit of shifting and a few curses from Zack when he bumps his injured hand, they settle down again with Ven lying down on the ground and Zack sitting beside him hunched over to fit in the tight space. Now Zack can see his wrist and know immediately that it is broken. It is twisted away from his body at a painful angle and a deep cut across the back of his hand is bleeding profusely.
Another loud crash comes from above followed by a blast of dust. When the dust settles, Zack can hear voices from the outside. They are muffled and indistinct, but closer than before.
"You hear that Ven," Zack says trying to smile. "That's Terra and Aqua coming to rescue us."
Ven looks off thoughtfully. "Terra and Aqua... You'd like them Tay. They're keyblade wielders like me! Can you believe that? I'm not the only one!"
"Ven-"
"You'd like them Tay. Terra is kind of like you. He looks after me y'know? And Aqua is so smart. And strong. They both are. Smart and strong," Ven pauses then turns his head looking over at Zack his brow furrowed. "Tay, why did you have to die?"
"Ven, you hit your head really hard," Zack explains slowly not wanting to alarm Ven. "I'm not Tay. I'm Zack. Don't you recognize me? We fought the Hydra together."
"Zack?" Ven echoes. "But-but...My head hurts Tay. It really hurts." Ven clutches his head closing his eyes tight.
Sighing Zack pulls Ven close and rubs his shoulder trying to comfort him. "I know Ven. We'll get out of here real soon, I promise."
Ven is quiet except for an occasional moan of pain. A few minutes later, Zack feels him relax slightly. "Tay," Ven says quietly. "Can I tell you something?"
Zack can't bring himself to tell Ven he is wrong again and just sighs. "Yes, of course you can Ven."
Ven takes a deep breath. "I lov-"
Light suddenly floods their hole in the rubble and both of them blink and look up to see a worried Herc looking down at them. His face breaks into a relieved grin as he tosses the massive piece of rock he had just lifted behind him. "Zack! Ven!" He shouts happily and then turning his head he shouts, "Guys! I found them! They're ok!" Herc turns back to them. "You two are ok, right?"
"We've been better," Zack says with a thin smile. "But we'll live. Right Ven?"
Zack looks back at Ven who is staring at him confused. "Zack..."
"Oh thank god."
Zack looks up again to see Aqua with tears in her eyes next to Herc. Half a second behind her, Terra comes up next to her and crouches down to get a good look at them.
"We'll have you out in no time," Terra says and he, Herc, and Aqua work quickly to clear enough debris to move the pillar over Ven and Zack so they can get out. While they are doing this, Zack turns his attention back to Ven who is still staring at him.
"Ven, do you know who I am?" Zack asks and Ven nods.
"You're Zack," Ven replies is a tired voice.
Zack smiles. "Glad you remember me now."
They both jump slightly at the crash from Herc pushing the pillar out of the way. Now able to stand, Zack gets up before bending back down to help Ven. He places Ven's arm on his shoulder and wraps his good arm around his waist pulling him to his feet. Walking Ven over to the edge of the hole they are in, Terra reaches down and gently lifts Ven out. Once Terra released Ven to Aqua, who swarms him like a mother hen tending to the wound on the back of his head, he reaches back down to help Zack clamber out. Zack carefully makes his way down the pile of rubble to solid ground with Herc and Terra following close behind.
Zack looks around and spots Ven with Aqua sitting in the shade of one of the few walls still standing. Aqua's hand is on the back of Ven's head and a green light appears. With a sigh, Zack sits heavily on a piece of marble and looks at his broken wrist.
"I'll heal that for you," Terra says sitting beside him. Terra's fingers are gentle as they examine Zack's wrist, but he still grimaces in pain. "Alright Zack," Terra says, "This is going to hurt."
Nodding his head wearily, Zack looks away and a moment later Terra turns his wrist hard putting it back in its proper place. Zack groans in pain through gritted teeth.
"I'll get you and Ven some water," Herc says almost to himself looking for something to make himself feel useful. He hurries off towards the city.
Zack looks back at his wrist that is still bleeding, but now isn't pointing the wrong way. "Curaga," Terra says and a green light from his hand falls on Zack's wrist and the bleeding stops.
Feeling his wrist slowly healing from the magic, Zack sits quietly for a moment before asking, "Terra, who's Tay?"
Terra immediately stiffens and doesn't look up to meet Zack's gaze. "Tay was a friend of Ven's a long time ago."
"He died?"
"Yes," Terra says. "How did you know?"
"Ven, he must have hit his head really hard because for awhile he thought that I was Tay," Zack replies.
Terra glances at him his brow furrowed. Then he nods, "That must have been what he meant."
"What?" Zack asks curiously.
Terra releases the magic, but doesn't release Zack's hand. "At the end of your match with Ven, did you notice anything strange about him?" Terra rummages through a bag at his feet while Zack thinks back.
"Now that you mention it, he gave me a really strange look when he knocked my helmet off," Zack says. "At the time I thought he was just worried he had hurt me."
"After the match he said something to me that I didn't understand until now," Terra says pulling a long bandage out of the bag. "He was talking about how much you look like Tay." Zack looks up startled and Terra begins to carefully wrap his wrist. "I never met Tay, Zack. But from what Ven has told me about him, he has messy black hair like you and from what I've seen he had a personality like your's as well. That's why he thought you were Tay. But your eyes are blue, and Tay's were green I think."
Zack soaks this in while Terra finishes bandaging his wrist. When he is done he says, "Don't use your wrist for a couple days. Magic healed it, but not completely."
Zack nods that he understands then turns to walk over to the others."Hold on Zack," Terra says. "There is one more thing." Zack turns back and looks at Terra waiting. Terra frowns slightly scratching his head like he isn't sure what to say. "Zack, Tay and Ven were very close. Tay...was more than a best friend to Ven. He...uh..."
"He loved him."
"How did you...?" Terra says surprised
"Something Ven was trying to say," Zack explains before walking over to Ven who is still sitting in the shade now sipping on a cup of water Herc had brought him. Zack and Terra join Aqua and Herc who are standing next to him and Herc hands Zack a cup which Zack eagerly drinks from washing away the dryness in his mouth left by all the dust.
"It's all gone."
They all turn in surprise to see Phil in the doorway that leads to the city with a crushed expression. He walks to them with his eyes trained on the pile of rubble where his coliseum used to be. Once he reaches them he pries his eyes away and looks at them sadly. "Are you all ok?"
"We're fine Phil," Aqua replies.
"Phil!" Herc shouts catching the satyr's attention. They all look at him and he plays with the hem of his toga nervously. "Was that him? Did he send the lightning bolt?"
"Yep," Phil says leading Herc away from the others. "That was your father." He leads Herc over to the pile of rubble before turning back. "Oi! Terra, Aqua! Front and center!"
"He probably wants us to talk to Herc about being a hero," Aqua says to Terra who nods in agreement. "We'll be right back, ok?" She says to Ven lightly rubbing his hair.
"Ok," he replies quietly without looking up and when Terra and Aqua move away Zack downs the rest of his water and sits next to Ven with an exaggerated groan of exhaustion. Ven still doesn't look up, keeping his head down, and his eyes trained his lap.
"Terra told me about Tay," Zack says trying to break the tension. Unfortunately, Ven just ducks his head lower and doesn't respond. "I'm sorry, Ven." Ven just shrugs still not saying anything. Zack sits quietly for a few moments plucking up the courage to speak again. "Y'know, I was really scared for you when you wouldn't wake up," Zack finally says. "There was all this blood and I didn't know what to do."
Ven lifts his head slightly and mumbles, "Sorry I scared you."
"I'm not mad," Zack says. "I'm happy you're okay. I was just worried before because I...I think I...I think I..." Zack trails off looking away.
"You think what?" Ven asks and Zack lifts his head to meet Ven's blue eyes shining with hope.
"I think I like you," Zack says the words tumbling out before he can snatch them back. Ven stares at him stunned and then smiles slightly. That's all Zack needs. He leans close quickly kissing Ven lightly on the lips. It only lasts a couple of seconds, but it stretches on for an eternity. Ven leans in closer and Zack lifts his hand to Ven's cheek. When they break apart, Zack gently rubs Ven's flushed cheeks feeling happier than ever. And guiltier than ever. Letting out a sigh, Zack drops his hand and stands.
Ven jumps to his feet as well. "What's wrong Zack?"
"I'm sorry Ven," Zack mumbles turning away.
"What are you sorry for?"
"For kissing you," Zack says sadly. "I shouldn't have...it wasn't right...I can't do that."
"I liked it," Ven says moving to stand in front of Zack trying to look him in the eye, but Zack averts his gaze. "It felt right to me."
"I liked it too," Zack admits looking everywhere except Ven. "But I have to go."
He moves to walk away and Ven grabs his hand stopping him. "I thought you wanted to train with Phil," Ven says quietly.
"The coliseum is destroyed and I can't fight with my wrist like this anyways," Zack replies making no move to pull his hand back.
"Where are you going to go?"
"I don't know," Zack admits. "But I have to go. I'm sorry Ven, I really am."
Ven is quiet for a moment. Then, "Promise me you will go home."
"What?"
"You said that the others you escaped with are on a different world," Ven says. "Go back to them. I'm sure they miss you."
Zack turns to face Ven to see he is dead serious. Without giving it a second thought Zack agrees just happy Ven isn't furious. "I promise. I'll go home and maybe one day I'll see you again."
"I'd like that Zack," Ven says softly.
"Me too," Zack says. Ven lets go of his hand and they stand staring at each other for a moment. Then, without words, they both move in and their lips lock in another kiss more passionate than their first. Zack breaks it seeing the disappointment in Ven's eyes and turning away quickly to keep Ven from seeing the same reflected in his own eyes. "Goodbye, Ven."
"Goodbye, Zack."
Zack walks away keeping his eyes set straight ahead, he wouldn't be able to keep moving forward if he looked back one more time. As he leaves the ruins of the coliseum far behind, he walks alone down a long and winding road. It is going to take a long time to find a way home, but Zack is in no rush. He needs time alone to think. He had kissed Ven. A boy. Going home would be hard. Facing Ven again, if he ever go the chance, would be hard. It's easier to just keep walking away.
...
"Ven, where is Zack going?" Terra is behind him, but Ven doesn't turn still staring at the doorway to the city that Zack had disappeared through.
"He's going home," Ven says quietly feeling his voice crack slightly.
"Ven, we saw you and him-"
"Don't Terra," Ven says interrupting him. "It doesn't matter. He's leaving."
"I'm sorry Ven," Terra says placing a heavy hand on Ven's shoulder. "Let's go home as well."
Ven nods and allows Terra to lead him back to Aqua and the others to say goodbye before speeding away from Olympus and away from Zack.
...
"Master Eraqus we're back!" Terra calls out to the silent castle as they walk into the sitting room. After a moment they can hear his footsteps coming down the stairs. With a groan of exhaustion, Ven falls onto the couch. He stretches out taking up the whole thing and then rolls on his side away from the others so his face is buried in the back cushion. Terra and Aqua sit with less dramatics and wait for Master Eraqus to come to them.
"Welcome back, did you enjoy the coliseum?" Master Eraqus talks as he walks down the hall towards the sitting room. "I hope Phil didn't work you too hard. He can overdo it some- Ventus! Is that blood?"
Ven turns his head slightly and sits up as Master Eraqus rushes over concerned. "I'm fine," he says but that doesn't stop Master Eraqus from grabbing his head and turning it to inspect the blood stained hair on the back of his head.
"I already healed him Master Eraqus. He's fine," Aqua says soothingly to her mentor. Master Eraqus doesn't take her word for it instead finishing his own thorough investigation before releasing Ven.
"What happened?" He asks looking around at all of them.
Aqua is the first to speak up saying, "An evil god of that world, Hades, set a monster called the Hydra on the coliseum. With Herc and Zack, two boys that were training with us, we fought and won. But the monster destroyed the coliseum and Ven and Zack got buried in the rubble." Terra notices Ven look away at the mention of Zack. He feels a twinge of empathy knowing how Ven is feeling.
Master Eraqus nods slowly, the frantic air that he had had since finding out that Ven had been hurt calms. "I've heard of Hades from Phil. He has been giving that world trouble for as long as anyone can remember. But what was he trying to accomplish with the Hydra?"
"He was just pissed that I wasn't listening to him," Ven says. "He wanted me to let him awaken the darkness inside me or something. He said it would make me a better fighter."
"He did what!" Master Eraqus shouts angrily making Ven jump on surprise. "What did you do?"
"I-I said no," Ven stammers. "And got away from him as fast as I could."
Master Eraqus sinks into a chair with his hand over his eyes. "Go to your room Ventus."
"What? Why?" Ven asks. "What did I do?"
"Now Ventus!" Master Eraqus says in a tone that keeps Ven from arguing any further. Sulking, Ven storms out and stomps his way upstairs. Only when the loud banging of his bedroom door being slammed shut is heard do Aqua and Terra turn to their master.
Master Eraqus raises his head from his hand and leans forward in his chair. "Terra, Aqua, I can not tell you everything. It is not my place to burden you," Master Eraqus says very seriously to the two of them. "But I must tell you this: Master Yen Sid was very serious when he said that Ventus could bring a good or evil change to the worlds. Right now it is impossible to tell which will come, and that is why I and you as well must do everything we can to protect Ventus from any darkness. If he were to be touched by anymore darkness the results would be disastrous."
Neither Terra nor Aqua know what to say. Aqua is the first to speak up saying, "Master, Ven would never do anything evil. He wouldn't. And of course we will protect him."
Terra jumps in saying, "He's like our little brother, we won't let anything dark harm him."
Master Eraqus tries to smile. "It eases this old heart to hear your optimism. Thank you. Now you must be tired from this long day. Why don't we all turn in?"
Terra and Aqua comply standing and following their master to the stairs to the second floor. "Please do not mention anything to Ventus," Master Eraqus says to them. "He is better off not knowing. It would only cause him to worry." Both Aqua and Terra promise not to say anything to Ven and they all go their separate ways at the top of the stairs for a good night's sleep.
Soooooo I know I said last chapter that this would take forever for me to get out. Well...I lied. Some stuff happened at school today and we got sent home early so I had a couple extra hours to write and those couple hours stretched into like 6 because I didn't want to do any homework. So yeah.
OK! So Ven and Zack! This was just a taste of what is to come. Yes I know I'm sappy and cheesy. I'm not very good at lovey scenes. I'd much rather write action scenes but whatever!
Alright so this story has officially been renamed The Dark Seeker Sage: MEKA and I've also changed the summary to reflect what this story is about better because when I first started I had no fricking clue what I was writing.
If anyone out there is actually reading this
#1 you're awesome
#2 I hope you liked this chapter
and #3 I feel like giving you a hint about what's to come in the next chapter:
Two new main characters will be introduced. They are not OCs but like Ven they have a different story then in the games. And they will change MEKA for the better :)