Hello readers! Sorry for the delay but I am back with the Chapter 6! I know it's a shorter one compared to all of the other chapters I have put up so far but I needed to get this one wrapped up with so that I could get on with writing the rest of the story!
Thank you for your patience fans and here is Chapter 6 completed!
Kingdom Hearts III: Xehanorts Ambitions
Chapter 6
A Hidden Flame is Lit
Sora and Riku were walking out on the islands late tonight. For something rather unusual had occurred that evening. An event that neither one could really make any sense of, and left them wondering if things will ever be the same again.
The two opened the door to the shack and strolled right on up the stairs and out onto the bridge. Sora slowly treaded across it with Riku following him behind, conflicted about what his best friend had just told him moments earlier. Sora sat on the dip of the crooked palm tree while Riku leaned against it below him. The two boys gazed up at the starry midnight sky, just as they had done hundreds of times before.
As a shooting star streaked across the sky, a tear slowly trickled down Sora's face. "What am I going to do Riku?" He asked hesitantly, for Riku had remained silent since he had confessed to the worst thing he has ever done.
Riku inhaled deeply and sighed, yet he remained quiet. Leaving only the sound of the waves crashing upon the rocks below to fill the silence.
"Riku, please say something… I need your help." Sora asked, afraid that his friend was going to lash out on him.
Riku began walking towards the edge of the cliff, he then bowed his head and shook it. "For the first time in my entire life Sora I have absolutely no idea what to say to you." He replied solemnly.
"Could you at least take a shot at it?" Sora whimpered.
"Sora, you've been one of my closest friends since we were kids, and we always will be nothing can change that. It's just that, something about everything you told me doesn't add up. I'd like to believe this is all connected but I just can't figure out how. How long has it been since you noticed that symbol on your chest again?" He asked Sora.
"I noticed that my skin looked a little odd a couple weeks after we encountered Xehanort. It started off looking like a really odd tan but now…" Sora undid his navy blue tux coat and discarded it, he quickly unbuttoned matching sapphire blue vest and his white dress shirt to expose his chest. Right over the flesh covering his throbbing heart was a clearly defined letter X formed by what appeared to be inflamed skin.
Riku gasped in awe. He placed his hand over it, refusing to believe its existence. "Sora…that looks exactly the Recusant's Sigil…the mark of Xehanort himself." Riku looked into Sora's eyes, fear and anguish were as clear as the sky itself in them.
"What do you think this means Riku? Asked Sora worriedly.
Riku shook his head hopelessly. "I don't have a single clue Sora. But all of this, the sigil, you passing out whenever you're near an organization member for too long, and…this girl…are somehow all connected. I can feel it, but none of it makes sense especially…what did you say her name was again?"
Tears welled up in Sora's deep blue eyes again as he recalled what had transpired in the past few hours.
"Her name is ….."
Earlier that Evening
Today was supposed to be a wonderful day for Sora, or at least that's what he told himself when he woke up that morning, after all you don't turn 16 years old every day. And for the most part it was a grand day for our heroine. His mother made him and his friends a fantastic brunch, and afterwards everyone took turns giving him gifts. And as the day passed along the one event Sora had truly desired from the start had finally arrived. He and Kairi had decided to go out for dinner at the luxurious "Destina" the finest restaurant ever known to be on Destiny Islands.
As the lovely couple walked through the threshold of the restaurant a hostess guided them towards an eloquent table seated beneath a tall window with the best view of the islands in the distance. Sora pulled out Kairi's chair and invited her to sit first. Kairi giggled in admiration and sat down, smoothing out her red silk dress before placing the orange cloth napkin in her lap. Sora then swiftly sat down and mimicked her by placing his napkin in his lap.
He then looked up at Kairi, who was staring out the window while resting her chin on the palm of her right hand. Sora couldn't help but admire how stunningly beautiful she was tonight. She was wearing a strapless ruby red silk dress that ran down to her knees. The creases in the bottom of her dress were encrusted with little silver sequins that coiled around her stomach and ended at her torso. She had her hair in a single braid behind her back with a simple yet sophisticated red bow protruding from the back of her head. Around her neck she was wearing the red heart shaped pendant Sora had given her for their 5 month anniversary last week. It dazzled in the setting sunlight from the window.
"This view is breathtaking, wouldn't you agree Sora?" Asked Kairi as she continued to stare out the window in admiration. Sora glanced out of the ornate window to find that the sun was setting directly on the ocean to the right of the islands, casting a multitude of gorgeous colors across the water.
"It's beautiful Kairi, but I think I'm looking at something far prettier than nature." Said Sora coyly. Kairi turned to face Sora and smiled, her cheeks flushed to a rosy pink hue.
"Oh Sora, you're so corny." Said Kairi as she leaned over the table, Sora did the same and they quickly pecked on the lips.
As they broke off, Sora smiled cheekily. "But you know you like it." He said teasingly.
Kairi giggled at his smile and picked up one of the menus the host had left for them. "Let's see, shrimp, steak, chicken, salmon, halibut…what do you think sounds good Sora?"
Sora's eyes quickly gazed over the menu, everything sounded too appetizing to him. "I can't make up my mind... how about you pick for me?"
"Very well I shall subject you to whatever my heart desires then." She said mockingly while snickering to herself.
"Works for me!" Said Sora. Once Kairi had made up her mind on what they were getting a waitress came over, as the waitress made her way over to the their table Sora found his eyes unable to look away from her. The woman had long silky smooth platinum hair that drooped down to the middle of her back. Her eyes glowed a warm amber color in the sunlight pouring across the dining room. She wore a simple black cocktail dress with frilly lace on her petite shoulders.
As she caught Sora staring at her she smiled courteously. Slightly biting her pale pink lips she asked, "Welcome to Destina, what can I get for you two on this fine evening?"
Kairi noticed Sora's fixated gaze on the waitress, half amused she cleared her throat to grab his attention.
"What? Oh yeah, dinner….what were we going to have again Kairi?" Said Sora as he sheepishly snapped out of his daze
.
Kairi rolled her dazzling blue eyes at him. She unfolded her menu again and looked up at the waitress as she spoke. "We will both have the Salmon en Papillote with Beurre Blanc Sauce." Said Kairi curtly as she waited patiently for the waitress to finish scribbling down their order.
The waitress smiled back at the two of them politely. "Alright we are very busy tonight so it will about a 45 minute wait for your order to be brought out, we appreciate your patience and if there is anything else I can get you just let me know."
"Thank you." Sora and Kairi replied to her as she began to walk away.
Sora continued to stare at her as she walked back towards the kitchen to place their order. She quickly walked back out and caught Sora's gaze momentarily, she then walked out the back exit.
"Follow her Sora."
An eerie voice in his head spoke.
Sora blinked in disbelief, a voice that sounded like his but clearly wasn't just spoke to him in his mind. He decided to dive deeper into this to see if he just imagined it.
"Who are you?" Asked Sora mentally.
The voice chuckled.
"I am you of course, now quit stalling and follow that girl, you know you want to, Kairi will be occupied long enough for you to go see her for a few minutes just make up an excuse and roll with it."
He said in the same creepy tone.
"Sora look, a bunch of dark clouds are moving in, it looks like it's going to rain." Said Kairi as she pointed out the window. Sora snapped back to reality again and looked in her direction. Sure enough a huge wall of pitch black clouds began rolling over the islands, it looked like it was going to storm pretty badly soon.
"Wow, it looks like all hell is going to break loose." Said Sora as he occupied himself with the momentary distraction.
"I said FOLLOW HER!"
The voice demanded angrily at Sora.
Sora suddenly felt his arms and legs moving involuntarily, he felt like he was being controlled like a puppet as he stood up and pushed in his chair. "Um, I'll be right back Kairi, I got to go to the restroom quick." He said as he felt his legs moving slowly in the direction of the door.
"Alright." Kairi sighed, never breaking her gaze out the window.
"Ok ok! I'm going now!" Sora yelled back at the voice in his head.
"I know, but trust me you won't regret this."
The voice chuckled darkly.
Sora shook his head out of irritation and double checked to see if Kairi was watching as he walked out the back door and into an inconspicuous alleyway.
"I was wondering if you were going to show up." Said an all too familiar voice behind him. Sora whirled around and found the waitress leaning against the stone all. She held a little pocket mirror in her hands as she corrected her gray eye shadow with it. After a moment she put her accessories away and walked up to Sora with a dazzling smile.
Sora couldn't help but noticed how beautiful she was, not to mention the uncanny resemblance she had to Kairi. "What's your name?" He asked curiously.
She laughed cutely. "It's Namiri." She said as she slowly up behind his head with her right arm and played with his hair. "I find you pretty attractive Sora." She said with a smile, looking up at him with her amber eyes.
Sora felt like he was frozen in place, before he knew it, he had wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her in closer to him. "I think you are too but…I'm seeing Kairi. She's the one I want to be with, she needs me and I need her t-" Namiri cut him off by placing a finger over his lips.
"I know Sora, but that doesn't mean she ever has to know this happened, does she? Come on I'm a pretty girl, you're a handsome guy what more is there too it? Moments in life like this happen Sora and we only get one chance to seize it, don't you want to see where this choice will take you? I'm all in for it if you are." She replied.
Sora paused for a moment to ponder on what she had said. "I…I want to say that this all feels wrong and that it should never happen in my head but…..something in my heart feels like this is meant to be. I want to see where this path takes me Namiri. I want to be with you too." He spoke softly, in his head however he was panicking.
"Sora what are you doing this isn't right!" He kept telling himself but the voice in his head was compelling him to obey.
"Yes Sora, YES! Now's your chance go for it!"
It commanded him.
A bolt of lightning suddenly flickered against the dark cloudy sky, followed by the deafening roar of thunder. Moments afterwards rain began to fall upon them. The two of them then looked into each other's eyes deeply and slowly tilted their heads to the side for a passionate kiss. Sora felt like this moment could last forever as his heart fluttered with delight but in his mind he felt nothing but dread and remorse. Hesitantly he broke the kiss off.
"Namiri, I don't understand why this is happening." Said Sora.
Namiri giggled. "Neither do I Sora, but it felt wonderful." She replied. The rain slowly began to turn into an absolute downpour.
"I have to go Namiri." Said Sora.
Namiri squeezed him a little tighter. "I know Sora. But we'll meet again, right?" She asked looking up at him with her gleaming amber eyes.
Sora removed his hands from her and gently pulled hers off from the back of his neck. "I don't think that's a good idea Namiri, my heart belongs to someone else." Said Sora solemnly.
Namiri's once ambient cheerful smile vanished and was replaced with one of desperation. Tears began to well up in her eyes but she held them back, only allowing a single trickle to fall to the pavement. "Fine. I see how it is. But if we ever cross paths again Sora just know that I'll still be willing to give it a shot." She choked out. Namiri quickly wiped away the tears with her arm and inhaled deeply.
"Namiri I'm sorr-" Sora began but Namiri cut him off.
"Go back to her Sora. She's waiting for you." Said Namiri as she pushed him towards the door. Sora began to hesitantly walk towards the door, as he swung it open he glanced back at her. She was standing emotionlessly in the rain, trying to make it evident that she didn't get upset before she came back inside. Sora then carefully closed the door and entered into the warm dining room atmosphere. It felt like a whole different world compared to the strange territory he just ventured back from. He walked back towards the table and found Kairi drumming her fingers on the table impatiently out of boredom.
"I'm back!" Said Sora as he reached over her shoulder and pecked her on the cheek before sitting back down.
As he sat down he noticed Kairi looking at him quizzically. "Whats wrong?" He asked her nervously.
"I thought you said you were going to the restroom?" She asked.
"I did." He replied.
"Then how come your hair is dripping wet and theirs raindrops rolling off of your coat?" She interrogated him. Sure enough Sora began to notice the raindrops traveling down his navy blue tux coat and onto the red carpeted dining room floor.
"Oh shit man! You better act fast!"
The voice in his head taunted.
"I needed to get some fresh air, this dining room feels awfully stuffy now that it's raining outside." Said Sora quickly, hoping that she would accept his answer.
Kairi continued to glare at him for a moment after his reply and then her dark expression faded away into her usual cheerful self. "Oh, ok then. Just curious." She said with a smile.
Sora chuckled at her reaction but in his mind he was sighing with relief at the thought of avoiding a nasty confrontation.
The rest of the evening carried out swimmingly. Sora and Kairi enjoyed a splendidly delicious meal and walked home after the rain had stopped. They kissed each other farewell and called it a night. As Kairi stepped inside her house she turned back and apologized for questioning him earlier. Sora accepted it and waved goodbye as he began to walk down block. Sora knew that if he tried to go home and go to bed right now, sleep would never come due to the enormous amount of guilt he felt after tonight's events. He walked over into Riku's yard and chucked a pebble at his bedroom window on the second floor.
The window flew open moments later and out popped Riku's head. It was evident that he had been sleeping as he was rubbing his eyes furiously. "What's up birthday boy?" He said with a yawn as he noticed that Sora was standing below his window.
"We need to talk Riku, something bad has happened." Said Sora darkly.
Riku suddenly woke up and the sound of his friends grim tone. "I'll be right down, then we can go out to the islands for some privacy." Said Riku before shutting his window.
Nearly half an hour later the two of them had reached the islands, the clouds had faded away to reveal a starry sky that night. By the time Sora had finished explaining about what had happened at the restaurant tonight, he was speechless.
…..
Moments later
"Her name is Namiri." Sora choked out as he broke down into tears. Riku allowed him to sob silently for a moment, he then walked over to his friend and placed a hand on his left shoulder.
"Look Sora. You're an amazingly good guy who made a mistake. We all make mistakes, alright?" Said Riku to his weeping friend.
"How will she ever forgive me Riku? I cheated on her." Said Sora as another fresh wave of tears fell to the sand. Riku then places both of his hands on Sora's shoulders and gave him a quick jerk, startling Sora so that he would stop mourning at his mistake.
"Listen, you really care about Kairi right?" He asked seriously.
"Yeah of course I do Riku."
"Then that is all that matters Sora. You don't have to confess every little moment of weakness you ever have had to her as long as you promise to me and yourself that this won't ever happen again, is that clear?" Riku asked, gazing intently into Sora's eyes, as if he could see right through him. He then let go of Sora's shoulders so that he could wipe away his tears.
Sora then inhaled deeply and sighed. "Clear as sea Riku." He said with a small smile of comprehension.
Riku smiled back. "Glad to hear it. Now on to more important matters." Riku started searching his pocket for something.
"What are you looking for?" Asked Sora.
"Something Mickey gave me in case I ever needed to get to somewhere in a hurry…aha! Here it is!" Exclaimed Riku as he pulled out a glowing blue star from his pocket.
"What is that thing?" Asked Sora.
"It's a stargazer! Or at least I think that's what Mickey called it?" Riku said with an off colored chuckle. "Either way the name of it isn't important what matters is that its going to take us to Yen Sid right now! Hurry grab ahold of it Sora!" Said Riku as he pulled Sora's hand forced him to grab ahold of the star.
"Why are we going to Yen Sid's right now Riku? It's late!" Said Sora worriedly.
Riku laughed half-heartedly at Sora's comment. "Because we need answers Sora, and fast. Besides I bet that old man never sleeps anyways with the way that Einstein mind of his keeps spinning with knowledge."
The star suddenly radiated with an aura of blue light and zapped the two of them into the night. They traveled up and away from the Destiny Islands and moments later, landed on the doorstep of Yen Sid's Tower.
The two of them gazed up at the crooked tower in wonderment. It had been quite a while since the duo had been at this place. They then looked each other in the eyes and nodded.
"Let's do this Sora." Said Riku as he offered Sora his hand. Sora gave one of his signature cheeky smiles and grabbed ahold of Rikus hand firmly and gave it a good shake.
"Let's find our answers." Said Sora. As they entered the building and began traveling up the winding sets of stairs a sense of relief began to wash over Sora, for he really believed at that moment that everything was going to be ok. They were going to find out what this mark on his chest was and how to get rid of it and Yen Sid would be able to provide a reasonable explanation as to why he had been passing out around Organization XIII members and he would hopefully never be bothered by that Namiri girl ever again, so he could remain forever faithful to Kairi and live a happy and wonderful life for the rest of his days.
"How tragically wrong he is."
The voice in Sora's head stated amusedly.
"For this is only the beginning Sora, and I for one am not as easy to dispose of as you would believe, you foolish boy, your just like him in every way possible."
The voice then let out a wicked laugh.
Sora shuddered. His heart felt suddenly very cold for a moment. Whatever hope he had just felt had vanquished entirely and was replaced with dread instead.
…
A Very Brief Preview for Chapter 7
The room fell silent as Yen Sid walked over to the edge of the room and gazed out of his ceiling high windows into the starry skies.
"Sora although you failed to pass the Mark of Master Examination there is one thing you can do to redeem yourself. And is a task no other person can perform other than yourself." Said Yen Sid.
Sora hesitated to speak, so Riku kicked him in the back of his leg to get him to talk. "I would be honored to accept this task Master. Just name it and it will be done." Said Sora in a very professional like manner.
Yen Sid continued to gaze out of the window intently but continued to speak. "The day you were born a boy named Ventus lost a rather large piece of his heart. This was the result of Master Xehanorts handiwork and he had every intent of ditching this poor boy's body on Destiny islands and leaving him to die. However at the last moment he was saved by you Sora. Your hearts merged that day and became one allowing Ventus to live on and prosper." Said Yen Sid in a grave tone. He then turned around to face Sora.
"It is because of Ventus you gained the ability to wield the Keyblade on that fateful night your home was destroyed Sora. Later on he along with two other noble Keyblade wielders met their demise at the hands of Xehanort. And because of the events that have followed throughout your life these past few years so have several other innocent people, and because of this connection you have with Ventus all of their hearts are connected to yours. You alone Sora are the only one who can save all of these people, but to do so you will need the aid of a Keyblade that only one other person ever in existence has been able to wield." Said Yen Sid.
Sora stepped forward. "And what Keyblade is that Master?" Asked Sora.
"Sora, you must find The Key that Returns Hearts if you ever want any chance of finding these poor people and defeating Xehanort once and for all." Spoke Yen Sid grimly.
…
And that's all I have for you folks! I will hopefully be back soon with Chapter 7! Please feel free to comment in the box below or inbox me with any questions, comments, or concerns.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
