Thanks, mom.
Strife Mansion, The Next Morning.
She was in a cell. A cold, filthy cell with a silhouette of a monstrous figure chained to the opposite end of it.
She could hear the low pitched screams and yells fill her ears as she endlessly attempted to break the gigantic, small-spaced iron bars of the cell. Her fruitless actions only gave her small bruises and rashes from the roughness of the bars themselves. She cried and screamed as she felt a presence creeping up behind her. Darkness blanketed her as she turned to see the abomination free of it's chains as it smiled in amusement, getting closer... She felt hot breath steam across her skin as she heavily inhaled, hoping for cold, fresh, relieving air. It was only getting closer, though... No distractions or saviors...
Getting Closer..
She inhaled once again heavily, regaining breath as her eyes opened, wide in shock. It was a dream. No. A nightmare. A horrible one. Her eyes worriedly shifted over to a peaceful looking Roxas, who was in his quiet, light slumber. She came to a sudden realization she was crying in her sleep as she felt tears running down her face. She needed company so bad. She felt cold and alone- even next to her new friend.
The only thing she had left to do was to wake him up and tell him what happened. She quietly nudged him in the arm, hoping he was a light sleeper.
And that he was, as his eyes slowly blinked open. He mumbled, sitting up on the bed, "Yeah?" He then examined her over, seeing the worried look she worn on her face.
"Are you okay?" He automatically asked, regarding the widened azure eyes and the pale, colorless skin. "Are you sick?"
"No," Namine replied. "I'm.. cold. I had a nightmare.. a terrible one..." She stuttered anxiously. She looked desperate for safety.
Roxas looked her over then sighed. "Gosh..." He took her close to him and laid his head on her forehead, realizing how hot it felt. "You caught a cold from it."
She shifted her head up to him as the fragile sounding voice curiously asked, "Really? That must have been too bad for my own good.."
The boy disguised himself under a mask of a pretty smile and sorry eyes. Behind the mask though, he felt heartbroken at the sight of watching someone so meek and feeble suffer what could've been a realistic nightmare.
For a moment, he felt every pulse that had flown throughout his body. He felt something strange... he was able to hear his own heartbeat fasten. A bitter taste had entered his mouth like he had bit into a cold and unpeeled lemon.
They both jumped a little as they heard a bloodcurdling cry coming from outside Roxas's window.
They both scrounged up whatever clothes and shoes they were able to find. Roxas found his weapon and Namine quickly ran in the dressing room clutching a long sleeved, black Victorian Era gown.
Roxas wondered why the hell was everyone living in this secret land wearing the total opposite of what a modern day person would carry from their closet. He had no time to ask as he bumped into Namine, all of a sudden seeing her with matching black earrings and fair berry lipstick, her hair curled with side swept bangs as she grabbed her sketchbook from the dresser and grasped her pair of boots to shove on.
All he wondered as he stared down at her, his jaw dropped 10,000 feet underground was; ahem, how did she do that again? They both caught up with each other as they ran along toward the front door, forgetting breakfast and wondering what the situation was out there.
They looked up to see a horrifying and gigantic purple figure, its features similar to that of those small creatures that had attacked Namine the previous night. It was digging its claws into Petrova Street as it gave another spine chilling roar.
Roxas couldn't believe his eyes as he observed what was going on in front of him. A line started to carve itself into the chest of the monstrosity as it turned toward him in sudden alarm.
The last thing Roxas knew, was that he was staring anxiously at Namine, who was drawing a beautiful however fast-drawn picture of something... He remembered her ability, though.
She was a witch. With the mere ability to lure events into place as she desired.
His eyes closed and his mind prayed. His breath quickened, His weapon astray.
Everything went silent.
He woke up. He woke up to see that his vicinity had completely changed. Namine was there. So was the monster. Everything else changed.
Roxas's eyes widened as he stared on into the monster's eyes. It was looking directly at him as if it knew his deepest secrets. Attempts to even try and run away would be nevertheless fruitless if he took a chance. The only thing he was able to do was anxiously wield his keyblade, and seize repining as the monster prepared it's filthy claws for piercing.
Namine looked furious as she scrabbled away at the floor, rummaging for her pencil as it rolled toward the monster. She couldn't reach it as she realized she was headed right for the monster's feet. She hopelessly looked over at Roxas as the monster roared once again.
Roxas was the only one with the mere ability to even do something about this.
He gripped his keyblade tightly as he looked up confidently at the monster. This time, he wasn't backing down.
He let Namine's form perish as she ran to the Cloud Mansion for retreat. He didn't.
As the monster freely ran at Roxas, he ducked and dodged its life-threatening move and tiptoed as fast as hell behind its back.
The monster was large and heavy, carrying a lot of weight, so every move he made was not quick due to his size. This weakness allowed Roxas to stab the middle to upper back, which was where he remembered laid the heart shape of the monster as it bent down to turn. The abomination wailed and screeched in agony as it slowly started to fall back...
It looked truly amazing- not that Roxas admired the terrible creation itself, but the way it died felt like someone had replayed the scene and left it in slow motion as the monster gradually faded into ashes.
He heard nothing but his own pants and breath while he felt burning sweat sting his eyes. He stood, his keyblade appearing in his hand surrounded by dark magic.
He squinted as he stared on, his eyes starting to widen. How did he not notice this the night before with those heartless?... There, in the pile of Burgundy ash, was a small sphere of light that started to rise. Its surrounding was of a misty essence as it continued to levitate in the sky. The sun or moon could not compare their illuminating light to the strange sight..
"ROXAS STRIFE, GET DOWN HERE NOW!" He gulped as he heard his little sister's voice echo through his mind. When Kairi was mad, you never, ever messed with her. He learned that the hard way. He yelled out, "I WILL LATER, JUST, MOVE ON WITHOUT ME RIGHT NOW!"
He also heard heavy footsteps from his big brother as he turned toward his blonde, spiky hair and tall, muscular form. "Okay, you're probably going to scold me and tell me not to ever walk out that door unless I got permission to. Go ahead," he whined, just hoping that the freaky morning would be gotten over with.
"No," Cloud chuckled, patting his confused brother on the head. "You're the most important person there is out there. That was a good kill."
"Oh... thanks..." muttered Roxas. He then suddenly remembered that strange light... the beautiful and soft glimmer it gave out... the type of hypnotic eye-catching item that you would get from only the tip of Maleficent's wand or a diamond... He had to ask his brother now, it was the time.
"Hey, umm... I saw something float from that thing..."
"What? The heartless?" Cloud asked, concerned. Okay. First question answered.
"Yeah.." He scratched his head as he collected his thoughts back. "It was a white ball of light, I dunno. Brighter than the sun. Misty looking."
"Oh, yeah, heartless collect hearts from people. What you saw there was indeed a heart. Don't get worried over any of that stuff thou-"
"WAIT, WHAT?" Roxas's voice raised as he worriedly stared on over at a laughing Cloud. All he got back was a smile.
"Hey, uh, by the way, if you wanna learn most of that, I got something in the mail for you." Cloud said. He pulled out an envelope assigned to the address of the Strife Mansion on 2479 Petrova Street. He threw it at Roxas as his smile widened.
Roxas caught his letter and ripped it open as his blue eyes scanned the mysterious letter, his mind catching on to every word he found:
Dear Roxas Strife,
We are pleased to hear that you have become a part of The Secret Order of Hearts. An invitation to a special school for all teenagers with a unique ability is granted as you hold a great power and advantage. We also invite your sister, Kairi Strife. She possesses a manner in which she has the mere possibility to follow in your footsteps. You will now be attending Lilith high, a school for the magical and powerful.
Wishes hopefully fulfilled,
Olette Anne, Magic Abilities Teacher of Lilith High.
"Hmm..." Roxas looked at the letter as the sun shined over his hair.
"Lilith High."
"UGH, I'M DONE WAITING FOR YOU, ROXAS!" A furious Kairi stormed on over, a worried Namine holding her hand whispering, "He's okay, dear, just hold your anger a little lon-"
"Oh, my, freaking GOODNESS, ROXAS! You had me so worried there for the whole morning, I even spilled my cheerios on the way to the dining room!" Kairi ranted on until Roxas mischievously smiled and threw his little sister the letter. He then walked over and softly pushed a shy Namine to Kairi's side as the two girls both looked at the letter, wonder and curiosity growing on their faces.
"Hmm," Namine wondered aloud-
"Lilith High."