And . . . time to go inside Riku's POV again! Whoo!
To be fair, I don't mean to switch POVs this often. The regular pattern was supposed to be Kairi's POV for two chapters then it would switch to Sora and Riku. But since the last chapter with Kairi's POV was over 10,000 words long I thought I would go ahead and do the chapters from Sora and Riku before going back to her.
That being said I've been waiting for this character to be introduced ever since around chapter 14 when I knew this story would be longer than I planned. I hope you all like this new character as much as I do.
Darkness.
How can one not get used to this? We are born in darkness, when we close our eyes to sleep we have to accept the darkness before we drift off into dreams. Shut out the light.
It's all a balance and I've fought hard to remain stable, to seek a path that will allow me to express myself calmly between two extremes.
But I'm losing. I can't protect myself from it, which in short means I can't protect them. Sora and Kairi. The people that matter.
This journey though . . . it will make up for it, right? Freedom . . . this will have to be enough. It must be enough.
Because if it isn't then I might as well give up now. If Sora and Kairi lose their heart this will all be for nothing and I will lose my strength to find a new path to dawn.
Yeah . . . this will have to be enough.
Don't Be a Gentleman: The King's Court
It starts in darkness. A portal.
I step in quickly and Sora's double follows me, his black body meshing evenly with the empty surroundings. His yellow eyes are the only thing I can see now. I look away from them and stare somewhere else, waiting for the dark ripple in space that signals where the portal will open next. A rift appears, parting away like a disgruntled sea of water, and I walk out of the portal into a forest.
The trees here are tall and crooked, slanted and tilted. Odd, disjointed angles. Black as tar, no greenery. No life. I step absently on a branch and pull my leg back as the roots dissolve into black ash underneath my feet. I frown and squint, trying to see through the sea of black trees.
Sora's double walks over to me in one smooth motion. It's almost like he's gliding over the roots of the trees. "This is the region of Amnesia's Embrace. It is a physical representation of the souls lost from a mythical place known as the Keyblade Graveyard," He says bluntly.
I raise an eyebrow, glancing at various trees. When we first arrived I didn't sense anything, but now if I stay still I can almost feel something . . . vibrate. A soft, dull ache vibrating in the ground. Souls trapped from within . . . is he telling me that this place is filled with spirits? I shiver once then dismiss the sign of weakness with a grunt. "Keyblade Graveyard, huh?" I mutter. It was more of a statement than a question.
"Yes. This is where I reside when the King of The Void has no mission for me." He continues gliding through the trees with ease, at one with his dark surroundings. If he closed his eyes he would be perfectly camouflaged if it wasn't for the spiky hair. Sora . . .
I shake my head. Thinking about him right now will just slow me down. Instead, I concentrate on my breathing and try to avoid as much of the roots as possible as I follow Sora's look-a-like through the rough terrain. It's strange, given that the only obstacles are mutated trees, but they've been formed . . . regular trees can't grow this way, let alone stand. It's more like a gigantic pile of thorns that tower over fifteen feet, clawing towards the sky. The only light I'm getting is from the moon, but even that comes in shattered spades thanks to the misshapen trees.
I grit my teeth and remain silent. Even though my body is screaming for me to run, I force myself to keep an even pace. Sora's double always treads ahead, moving with the grace of a shadow. Whenever I'm more than five feet away he stops moving and looks back at me with haunted, yellow eyes. Only when he stares at me do I risk moving faster. I hate those eyes.
Eventually the trees start to grow smaller and a castle looms in the distance. The sight of it is welcome and my lips twitch into a rugged grin. I'm about to break out into a run, eager to shake off the dregs of what might have been a lingering soul clinging to my feet, when a black claw holds me back. I flinch and turn towards my escort. "What?"
He blinks once at me. "It is natural to be drawn to the castle. After all, it is the only source of light in this world that is untouched. Pure." His characteristic smirk returns. "However, you'll want to proceed cautiously."
"Why?" I watch as he slowly lowers his claws, gesturing at my wounds. I frown. I hadn't even noticed the cuts on my waist, arms, and ankles. "Guess I was moving too fast."
"No mortal can trek through that region unharmed. Your blood is testament to your struggle, your hope to survive. They can smell it." He slowly lifts his head, staring directly into my face. "For the rest of our journey keep your eyes on the ground and hold onto me. If you don't you will be consumed."
A part of me wants to rebel and demand what's going on. But my instincts are replaced with anxious acceptance and I nod once, keeping my eyes level with the ground. I grip his claws, barely suppressing the urge to gasp as he squeezes my hands back, and walk with him slowly. It isn't long before I see what he meant by "They". It's subtle but the longer we walk the more I hear it.
Dragging, sliding footsteps. In a few minutes I'm in a crowd of humanoid beings. Black bodies, darkness pressing in from every corner. They walk beside me, past me, behind me, away from me. Pressing in pressing out. Some claws swipe at my chest, others linger near my pants and hair. Before they can cross a line Sora's double growls and they slither away, leaving me alone. If I hadn't been holding onto him I know the crowd of heartless would be ripping me to shreds. But why wouldn't they attack me anyway? Is this guy controlling them somehow? He's not the king, but they seem to obey him. Huh . . .
I swallow the lump I didn't know was in my throat and focus on the claws gripping my hand. It feels like an eternity but eventually we meet cool metal. I sigh against the palace gates, shaking. "What . . . what was that?"
"They aren't heartless," is all he says before he pushes open the gate. "I can not continue. You will meet him on your own."
"I see."
He just blinks at me once before turning, walking back the way we came. I know I shouldn't, but I look anyway. I watch the black humanoid swarm part ways for him. There's something really sad about the procession; it's the air of someone willingly walking towards death. When he disappears into the forest the swarm convulses and pushes towards me.
Right. That's my cue to leave. I walk calmly through the gates, breathing out with relief as the moonlight fully hits me in the courtyard. The palace stands before me, sharp and deftly modeled. It's not a castle, it's a fortress. Unlike what usually precedes such establishments, there are no guards to be found. The grand doors at the front entrance simply open the moment my fist raises to knock so I go in.
The interior inside doesn't leave anything to the imagination. It is grand but not pompous. Egomaniacs can fool you like that. They may have a demeanor more humble than your average citizen but deep down you can sense their lust for power. Well, that's always been the case for me.
I stare blankly at the standard staircase, unimpressed. When I move to walk up the stairs a pulling sensation urges me to stop. With the precision of a man being controlled by an invisible force, I lurch to the left, nearly falling to the floor as my mouth opens up in shock. Right next to me is a pedestal. It's base is white and crowned on top is a small box with purple chains wrapped around it, tethering it to the white post. A box in chains . . . what was so important about that?
"I am the king's servant. Nothing more. He alone holds the purple chains around a box with my name. It is my bond, my will. I. Have. No. Name."
That's right . . . he said that to me before. His true identity is locked in there. Without thinking I instantly reach for the box. My fingers lightly brush over the top before I'm flung back sharply into the air, arms flailing in twin panic before my back hits the wall, shifting air out of my lungs in one painful motion. I cough and splutter at the floor, grunting through the pain.
"Forgive me. I wasn't expecting you."
The pain in my chest distracts me from the familiarity of his voice. All reason slips as I try to regain enough oxygen. I manage a single cough before retorting, "Like . . . I'm going to believe that. You sent for me." I cough again and stand using the wall for support.
"Did I? Hmmm, oh yes, that's right. Heh, so the squirt actually got something done on time for once. Good, he's starting to take this seriously."
I watch a pale hand pat the chained box. I swallow and clear my throat, crossing my arms. "Just make this easier for me and take me to see the king already."
The figure turns and smiles at me. The smile is the only thing I can see given that he's wearing a hood. Unlike the ones worn by the infamous Organization 13, this robe is white and lined with silver. The rest of his attire is pretty modest. baggy black pants and a grey shirt with a heartless symbol in the middle. He's not wearing shoes, oddly, so I'm left staring from his bare feet up to his devilish smirk. "Well?" I ask, trying not to sound impatient.
His smile only widens and he pats the box one more time before standing in front of the stairs. "Now, now, you can't see the king like this. You sound tense. You should take a breather." He mimics my posture while smirking. "I can't let you address the king with an attitude and all. You understand."
I sigh. "I understand completely. I just want to get this over with."
"That eager to leave, eh?" He chuckles and for some reason it makes my heart clench painfully.
I grit my teeth, fighting the irritation. "Just take me to him."
He shrugs then steps to the side, gesturing towards the stairs. I resist the urge to roll my eyes and walk carefully, ignoring the tugging sensation I experience when I pass the box. After a few steps the unnamed boy with the creepy voice follows me. "So, how was your trip?" There's a genuine hint of curiosity in the statement, but the tone offsets that and it sets me on edge in ways I can't describe.
Come on, just one step at a time. He'll be out of your hair soon. "Fairly unpleasant," I say, deciding to keep my answers short.
He just makes a "humph" sound before chuckling again. There is something about his voice that really bothers me. "Ah, so my brother was harsh?"
My foot pauses mid-step. "Brother?"
"He Who Has No Name, or as I call him, Jahdic." His voice darkens. "Such is the punishment of those who disobey the king's orders. If you challenge your intended purpose, you don't deserve to keep your identity. The King of The Void will reform you . . . and that will be the end of it."
A shiver runs down my spine and I swallow. Sora's double . . . so Jahdic is his name? It definitely sounds foreign, almost like how Aqua and Terra were speaking before. It definitely carries that vibe . . .
Well, all I know is that if this guy is going to talk this way about what is supposedly his own brother I don't want to be in his presence longer than I have to. I pick up the pace.
Even with my attempts to avoid conversation, the guy keeps pushing. It doesn't make much sense given that he's a servant and all, and with the way he was talking earlier it's all I can do not to hit him in the back of the head and continue the rest of this journey on my own. But there's something about his voice that stops me, a familiar note that keeps me from striking back. I can't not answer him and it's really starting to get irritating. The moment I settle my mind and focus on his voice the reason hits me full force and by the time we reach the top of the stairs I'm shaking like I've stepped out of a cold shower. Every wound, physical and mental, seems to throb under his gaze and I glare at him.
Because of how close we're standing I should be able to make out more of his features, but all I can see is his mouth, which is now pursed expectantly. "What?" He asks.
I look away. "You sound . . . you just sound like one of my friends."
"Oh?" The only way I can describe his smile is cruel.
I suck in a breath. "Please just . . . take me to see the king." And quit talking while you're at it.
As if he read my mind, he remains silent the rest of the way. It's unnerving that I still haven't seen any guards or other servants. Just hallway after hallway with rows of picture frames that are blank (odd). The floor is a mess of tiles, the simple black and white checkered pattern, and then we enter the throne room. It is, like the front room, quite modest in design. The throne in question looks more like a couch. What kind of ruler am I dealing with here?
The room is too silent. It's like we're the only ones in this castle. I turn toward my companion. "Where is he?"
All I get is a smirk in return before I watch him walk towards the throne and sit on it, leaning his head back on one of the arm rests and resting his legs on the other. He lifts his hands over his head and glances at me. I don't know whether to laugh or flip him off. "Of course," I mumble before getting into a kneeling position. "You know you could have said something."
He shrugs before getting into a regular sitting position. "I like to get to know my subjects beforehand. Like I said before, you caught me off guard. Might as well give you a tour of the place while I'm at it." He gives me an impish grin.
I frown, taking in his bare feet again before addressing the obvious. "Subject? You knew I wasn't from this world." Not to mention the fact that he basically spent his whole time questioning me until we got here, but of course he'll just renounce that.
He pops his knuckles. "Well, here you are now. I don't think you're really in a position to challenge me, Riku. This is my domain and you're standing in my courtroom. You can tone the sarcasm down a little."
"Courtroom, huh?" I tilt my head. "I'd think this stuff would be over your head. You're too young to be a legitimate ruler."
"I do not follow the rules of your world, Riku. I suggest you get rid of those prejudices. It doesn't do well for the mind or the soul, no? Simple minds are the ones that fall to darkness first." His smile nearly looks genuine this time.
Is this guy serious? As if I can't see what he's doing. "You can stop that."
His smile widens into a smirk. Scratch that, he probably does know. "Stop what?"
I get up from my crouch, hands clenched. "Stop using his voice. It's not going to work."
His mouth opens up for a second and then he breaks out into laughter. Rich, full chuckles that tug at my heartstrings. I sever those strings with one motion and run at him, fist poised. What happens next is too fast for my eyes and I end up breathing heavily, staring at my fist locked in his right palm. His smile hasn't left but any humor in his tone has disappeared. "Does it bother you that much?"
I growl. "Stop it now." My muscles flex but he doesn't budge. He pushes me with one hand, striking me in the middle of my chest, and I'm sent flying again before I land on my butt.
I groan as he speaks to me from afar. "I'm not doing anything, Riku. This is my voice."
"No . . . " I spit at the ground before sitting up. "You're not . . . you're not . . . "
He cuts me off while removing his hood. "No, I am not him. Though . . . appearances can be deceiving, right?" He raises his eyebrows at me, black eyebrows that frame his yellow eyes alongside black, uneven spikes for hair. His facial structure, from the shape of his noise to his round chin to the child-like cheeks and his wide, olive-shaped eyes, are identical to Sora's. Even his hair is the same shape, more distinct and recognizable than the being he called brother before. This is truly Sora's dark double if he ever had one.
I slowly stand, fighting the minor stabs of pain as my body recognizes the aspects of Sora in a person that isn't him. "Who are you?"
"My name is Vanitas." His smile looks twisted from a distance. "Welcome to Dasbma uv Rettah Rayndc."
Huh, the only thing I could make out of that title was "Dasbma" which means "Temple" . . . I think. "Look, I don't know what you're trying to accomplish, but I need to get my friends out of this world. It's not safe for us."
"By which you mean not safe for them, right? Whatever happens to you isn't even important enough to note, yes?" He gives me a knowing look while tapping one leg against the floor. "Do you believe you are destined to be consumed?"
"Like you said, what happens to me isn't important. At least, not right now." I stand up straighter. "I have a higher tolerance for this. I can sustain myself for longer periods of time in the darkness. I know I'll find a way out, it's not me I'm worried about."
"Ah, so Jahdic's theories about you were true. You do take on too much by yourself." He shakes his head. "Sharp mind but slow to learn I see."
I grunt. "You don't know what you're talking about. You're fooling no one with this act."
Vanitas' eyes snap open and the glare he gives me is so intrusive, almost personal. "You're fooling yourself. You fail to accept the fact that you are more transparent here than you ever were before. There is nothing you can hide from me, Riku." He stands and walks towards me.
"You don't know anything." I summon my Keyblade, ignoring the pain that shoots up my arm the moment I do it. It's an unexpected reaction but I have too many things on my plate to even wonder why that happened.
"Should we test that?" He's standing ten feet away from me now, eyes never leaving my face. "This world is very special, Riku. It reveals more secrets than what it's occupants care to admit. It reveals more than what you know about yourself in your world. Here people come to me for knowledge . . . well, the people that exist here." He shrugs.
I growl. "Just get to the point. Why did you call for me?"
Vanitas tilts his head, smirk growing. "I see that the only thing on your mind right now is fighting me." A Keyblade appears in his hand fluidly in one dark spark. I watch as an eyeball opens up in the middle of the blade's handle and the eye glows purple as Vanitas raises the weapon towards my head. "Is this what you truly want?"
I stare at him for a few seconds. He's not even standing in a stance. I can tell just from his face that he's nowhere near his highest level. If he fought me now he would just be playing with me and I don't have time for that. Sora and Kairi could be losing their hearts while I stand here, battling this cryptic king who looks a little too similar to Sora. Are his moves the same? Is he the real puppet master behind Sora's attack against Kairi? After a few moments I lower my weapon. "No, that's not what I'm here for."
"That so?" Vanitas circles around me, eyes searching for weak points. "That's a shame. You see, I learn the most when a person is fighting. Words can not match against flesh's innate state: to bring about suffering in as many ways as possible. By nature, people are inclined to do evil. By nature, people love to watch each other scream. They revel in it, crave it." I imagine shark teeth as I watch his smile grow. "You really do want to fight me, Riku. Don't hold back, I want to see the true you."
I get into a defensive pose, narrowing my eyes. "I take it you're not going to give me a choice."
Vanitas gives me a mock look of surprise. "Now why would I even consider that?"
In one feral swoop he catches me in the stomach, sending me in a painful roll that stops only when I dig my Keyblade into the ground, etching an orange half circle of sparks as the teeth of my blade skid into tile. I breathe in fully and bring my blade up in time to block his next assault. He laughs. "Yes, that's it. That's what I expected from you." He jumps back and lifts his free hand up, palm facing me, as a purple swirl of energy forms in his hands.
I point my Keyblade at him, watching the fireball form. "Big mistake, Vanitas. This is a waste of time and you know it."
"A waste to you but necessary for me. I can't trust my secrets to those I don't know." He twists his face and grins at me in a way that chills my heart. "After all, I'm not Sora."
"No, definitely not." I easily push his fireball away before it finishes forming with a reflega spell. "How about you let me see the real you, Vanitas. It's only fair."
"Touche." He gets into a different stance and his outfit transforms into a flowing suit tattered in mixtures of red and black. His face is now covered in a helmet-like mask. "It's not every day I get to fight as myself. I hope you'll make this a challenge for me."
Now that his face is hidden focusing shouldn't be hard. I smile back coldly. "Again, not really my choice, huh?"
He doesn't respond, only jumps into the air and slashes for my head. I hit back and the sound of our blades crashing reverberates throughout the room. The moment registers in my mind and instantly I know that this is a fight I can't lose. With the revelation sealed, I breathe in deeply and think to myself.
Just play along for now.
Well . . . what do you guys think?
I'm not kidding when I say I literally saw Vanitas appearing like eleven chapters back. Didn't think it would take this long to get here, but hey, not like I can skip introducing the world and all that good stuff.
Well, I hope you all enjoyed. It's been sort of rocky for me with massive writing blocks tearing at my motivation. Thanks for all the support and continuing to read thus far.
EXTRA NOTE: Yes, I used Al Bhed in this chapter again. If you have a translator you'll be ahead of the game as far as knowing who Vanitas' "brother" is . . . unless you're good at guessing.