Chapter 20: Control
"I have lost control over everything, even the places in my head."
Paul Hawkins, The Girl on the Train
-Faction 3: The Assassins Keep-
Sora stood in silence, only a single candle lit to light her face. She had left Mel's Goods about an hour, her task was to ensure the others safety while they executed their parts of the plans. Instead of following her friends, Sora found herself being drawn back to the place that had brought her the most pain. The place that made her feel empty and alone.
Why do you always come back? She could hear the words Lanus would tell her when he caught her crying during her first few months in the keep. But his words were never caring, they were said sarcastically, daring her to leave.
A sense of selfishness swept over her. She had finally been reunited with the people who once meant the world to her and she was more worried about herself. The reunion was not exactly Sora's favorite moment. Their stories and conquests were sad, but the happiness they all felt was so real. Sora didn't remember how to feel happy. How can they smile in a world full of darkness? She frowned at the flickering light, pinching the flame with her fingers to put it out.
Darkness. That's where she felt the most comfortable. She closed her eyes, losing herself for a moment to the dark blanket that covered the night. I wish I never recognized them, the red head thought, my mind is so conflicted now… All I know is- her eyes snapped open at the sound of footsteps sounding behind her.
In the keep? Sora and Sam were the only ones left who knew the location… And no one would dare step foot in it after Lanus' death. After she killed him.
Pulling the deep blue cloak over her shoulders, Sora slinked further into the shadows. "Hm. Doesn't seem like anyone is here," Sora enhanced her hearing, tuning into the conversation coming from one of the many rooms towards the back of the keep. A woman… she noted.
"You would think there would be stragglers hanging around," said a male voice, "unless they all had somewhere to go." She heard the two voices laugh, she had nowhere to go. "But who would want to shack up with assassins?" She rolled her eyes at that. We aren't that bad, though she did try to kill her best friend more than once.
The footsteps got louder, approaching the kitchen as they crossed to the front door. Enhancing her sight, Sora was able to catch a glimpse of the figures. Not familiar with them, she racked her memory of the faces Lanus had her memorize. The faces of nobles and people who would likely meet death at her hands.
The two 'intruders' had hair close to the color of silver, their eyes seeming to gleam in the darkness like people told Sora her's did. Their features made Sora pull back, the sudden feeling of being uncomfortable washing over her. "My brother would be so, so sad if he knew his dear assassins all left him after his death," the woman stated. Sora could have sworn the words were spoken to her. She felt something tug on her senses, willing her to crawl out of the darkness. She pulled against it, her body tensing against the mysterious force. With a final laugh, the pair left, leaving the assassin breathing heavily.
Sora stumbled out of the corner, her hand clenching her chest as she caught her breath. What was that, she thought, trying to piece together what had a hold on her body. The swirls up her arms stung, causing the woman to hiss. I need to get out of here…
She slipped through the window and into the cold air of the night, trying her best to separate herself from the pull coming from the woman. "Why do you always come back?" The words of Lanus spoke to her in a woman's voice. The woman's voice. Sora shook her head, rubbing her temples as she felt the beginning of a small headache. "For a star assassin you aren't too good at keeping hidden!" Sora jumped at the sudden interruption of the silence. She recognized the voice.
"For a star leader you aren't too good at keeping on track with your plan," she smirked, sitting on the edgy of the roof she was currently on. Taichi matched her smirk, walking to the ledge Sora was leaning over. Sora felt her smirk turn into a true smile, her heart picking up speed in her chest as she caught a glimpse of his own smile. "Don't get too close", Lanus' warnings rang through her mind.
"For your information," Tai said leaning his forearm against the low ledge, "I was told to avoid the main roads. So here I am, avoiding the main roads, but sticking to the plan." Sora shrugged, "Well, I was told to watch everyone's backs. And here I am, on a roof, watching you saunter through the dark alleys… Which, mind you, are the most dangerous…" her eyes swept the alley out of habit. He chuckled, "maybe I like being saved by you." She blushed, maybe he would save her.
"Sora…" his voice was serious, "why did you go back to the keep?" Her eyes widened for a second, the girl regaining her composure. How did he know about the keep? "So you weren't on the right course…" she avoided his comment, trying her best to sound playful and confident. It didn't work. He knew her better than that, sadly. Taichi frowned, his brown eyes shifting to the cool dirt under his feet before meeting her crimson orbs. Her heart skipped. Why did he make her lose control over her senses? "Are you… Okay?" His words were caring.
Sora nibbled on her bottom lip. No… "I'm okay," she forced a smile, "well, as okay as someone can be when the factions are being torn apart and…" Her words fell silent on her lips. Tai wasn't buying it. He saw right through her. "I'm… Tai, don't worry about me…" She reached out, resting her hand on his shoulder. Pressing her weight onto him, Sora slid off of the roof to stand by him. She frowned for a second, realizing how small she was next to him, the top of her head just to his chin.
"You make hard not to worry," he looked down at her, his fingers brushing her arm. Sora's instincts made her pull away, but she wanted so badly to press her face against his chest and hear him tell her it was going to be okay. A look of defeat crossed his features, his hand dropping to his side. "Well okay, you can always talk to me. I'm great at listening," he gave her a small smile, turning to continue his walk to his destination.
"Tai," Sora reached for his arm, turning him to face her. "Don't share secrets. They'll be used against you later." She blinked back the warnings, "I can feel it." Tai gave her a confused look. "Feel what?" He asked. Sora stuttered, searching for the right words. "There's… A pull? I can hear what it wants. I can feel what it wants… My body almost gave into it at the keep." She looked up at him, the man listening intently.
"I think it has to do with Lanus," she said quietly. "Sora, he's dead. I saw you kill hi-" she interrupted him, "No I know. I mean he had this pull over Sam and I. He used it to will us to do things when we weren't one hundred percent sold on his demands. It worked… No matter how I thought or felt about his reasonings, my body always gave in." She shivered at the memories of having to slit the throats of a few children who witnessed an assassination.
"We can fight it together," he brushed his fingers across her cheek, tilting her chin up so she had to look at him. A small smile tugged at her lips. "Too close. Don't lose sight of what's important." She ignored it, letting herself feel safety in someone who wasn't herself. She hoped she wouldn't regret it. "I'm not sure if that's how it works," she laughed lightly. "I think Lanus has a sister… And she's here." Sora whispered, instinctively checking their surroundings.
Tai raised an eyebrow, "Could that be the reason the pull you feel is returning." Sora nodded slowly, "That's what I was thinking. She… They? She was with a man. They were in the keep when I was there. I know they know I was there with them." Tai nodded. "At least you have an idea of why the pull is back?" He tried to reassure her, she appreciated it.
"True," she shrugged, "I just don't want to lose what little control I have." She meant the comment to be funny, but she knew deep down how true the statement was. "You wont's" Tai smiled at her, "Besides, you're a badass. I've always wanted to keep you safe, but after some demonstrations I've realized you don't really need me. And you know what?" She shook her head, "that's what scares me." Sora rolled her eyes as he gave her a cheesy smirk.
"Don't you have a dark palace to get to?" She said, a slight laugh in her voice. The two stood in comfortable silence. Sighing, Tai nodded. "Yeah yeah. I'll be on my way then." He leaned in, his lips pressing to her forehead. Sora closed her eyes, letting the warmth run down her body. He pulled away, giving her one last smile before turning to head towards his destination. "I'll be watching!" She said, moving to her right to make her way back into the comfort of the shadows.
The darkness welcomed her, the hair on her arms rising as it engulfed her. It pulled her and called, begging her to stay and not follow the others. Sora ignored the call, scampering across the roofs to the top of a chimney. She sat on the cool stone, mapping out the locations of Tai, Mimi, Yamato, Takeru, and Kari. Joe and Sam were on a different course. They're all still here… She said to herself. "Not for long." A woman whispered back.
-Faction 3: The Dark Palace-
Sam let out a shaky breath, his head pounding as he regained consciousness. Darkness. Where was he? He heard a groan next to him, a figure stirring in a … cell? Was he in a dungeon? He heightened his sense of sight, noticing that he was surrounded by stone walls and cool, iron bars. He was not alone in his cell.
"Where are we…" groaned his cellmate. He recognized the voice of Joe. "A dungeon. We're trapped." Sam's voice was annoyed. He wasn't too fond of failing missions. "How did we get…" Sam shushed the other's concerns, the sound of footsteps soon clicking down the hall.
"Ah. So sweet of you two to finally wake up." The voice belonged to a silver haired woman. She smiled a catlike grin, her black nails running chillingly slow up the cool bars of the cell. "Who are you?" Sam asked. "You're worst nightmare." She chuckled, "But you can call me Lillian. You may have known my late brother Lanus?" Sam's eyes widened in surprise, Joe backed against the far end of the cell.
"I knew him," his voice was weak. "Oh, I know of your history, assassin." That's when he felt, the pulling of his body, the movement of his feet taking steps towards the woman. Actions he did not choose for himself. "Interesting," Lillian purred, "you're weaker than her." Sam grunted against the mysterious pull. The dark touch. "Than who?" He eyed her, his feet slowing.
There was that catlike grin again, "Why, your companion. Your competition. Sora." Sam gave her a confused look, not sure of the context. "She will always be one step ahead. You're nothing compared to her." He felt the familiar pang of jealousy as Lanus' words echoed through his mind. "Stronger in what way?" He whispered.
Lillian raised an eyebrow, raising her pointer finer. "She didn't give into the darkness so easily," as she finished her sentence, Sam felt his body tense, bringing him to his knees against his will.
-Faction 3: Brick District-
Mimi smiled as she hurried down the stone pathway, Yamato on her right. They were together again and if it were up to Mimi, she would run off with him and never come back. The two were headed through the brick district of faction 3, constantly on the lookout for stray Darklings.
"Yamato? What is a Darkling, anyway?" Mimi asked quietly, pulling closer to him. The man shrugged, "I'm not sure. I just know them from the description Tai gave me before we left." Mimi sighed at his response. "I've seen one before. I mean that's how I got to this faction, but everyone around us seems normal…" She looked around the street, the red brick of the buildings seeming dark brown from the moonlight.
"Yeah Meems… Normal people don't wander around this faction at this hour…" Yamato leaned closer, giving a man a nervous smile who seemed to stare a little too long. "Tai said the Darklings meet in this district. You see any, just set a little fire and I'll splash a little water and boom! We're good to go."
Mimi chuckled, "It sounds easy when you put it that way… Eeep!" She let out a little squeal as Yamato took a sudden right turn into a small alley. She breathed heavily, "What was that for?" She scolded him, her eyes meeting a playful expression on his face. "Sorry… I just missed you…" Her angry expression melted away, tears threatening to spill over. "I thought you were dead…" He whispered. Mimi shook her head, not wanting to hear anymore of his sorrows. "But I'm not! And we're together now! Fighting bad guys and kicking ass," he chuckled at her comment. "We haven't kicked any ass yet." He said, his blue eyes taking in her brown ones.
His hand reached out, brushing a loose strand of brown hair behind her hear, his fingers lingering on her cold, pink tinted cheek. Slowly, Yamato leaned in, his lips being met by hers halfway. Mimi smiled against his lips, her arms snaking their way around his neck. Yamato let out a small laugh, pressing her against the wall to deepen the exchange. "How much did you miss me?" He whispered into her lips. She raised her eyebrow, "How about I sh-"
"Ahem!" The two separated quickly, looking for the source of the interruption. "Don't you guys have some Darklings to take care of?" Sighing loudly, Mimi looked up at the ledge of the roof. "Sora! Seriously?" Sora waved her fingers playfully, "Just making sure everyone is sticking to the plan. You know, no distractions or whatever…" Yamato glared at her, causing the red head to raise an eyebrow. "Do you know what it's like to miss someone like this? I thought she was dead! Not like you would know how that feels, seeing as though killing is your favorite sport." He regretted the words instantly.
Sora's playful expression turned to stone, her lips a thin line. Mimi fiddled her thumbs nervously. "Sora, he didn't…" Sora shrugged, pushing to stand. "He's not wrong. Darklings. Stick to the plan." Before Yamato could take back his words, the assassin was gone.
"Oh shit. I didn't… I was just…" He rubbed his face, "Yamato, it's okay. She knows you didn't mean any harm by it…" Yamato shook his head, "but did you see her face? I struck a nerve and…" Mimi tugged him out of the alley. "Like she said. Darklings." Yamato let the girl drag him down the stone streets.
*Author's note:
Random spark of inspiration tonight! I decided to get the ball rolling with a bit of romance and some dark moments. Thank you so much for the kind reviews as of recent! I've really enjoyed coming back to this story. Let me know what you guys think!