Chapter CCII: The Loot Of A Thousand Worlds, The Quest For Treasure Planet Part XIV

Shivering... that was all Raiyana could do. In the sick bay, she had herself wrapped up in the pale white sheets, her concealed away body was formed almost like a small cocoon. As she held herself underneath the warm layers, she still couldn't help but think about one person. Mr Arrow...

For thinking of how she'd let him down, how she'd left him... to die. Without being able to do a single thing for him, it also made her think of someone from her past. Someone incredibly precious...

"RRRWWWRRRAAAGGGHHH!"

SLASH!

Watching her from a distance, as she slashed into the monstrous enemy. Slicing it into ribbons and turning it into ashes, with a swing of her claws. The young boy couldn't believe it! However he quickly smiled in delight as he ran towards her, crying out, "Raiyana you did it! You've won! You've-!"

However quickly the young boy came to a standstill, for looking on. The Raiyana before him didn't respond. Instead she made another sound, "GGGRRRHHH!"

Hearing her utter this savagely, the young boy looking at her perplexed and then becoming terribly nervous he asked her, "Raiyana?"

As these nervous words were uttered though, there came no true audible response. Instead the girl he was talking to, turned their pale glowing eyes to the young boy and it was clear looking into them that there was no human consciousness there...

Realising this, the young boy shivered in terror as he took a step back away from her. However this one movement, sent the transformed girl off angrily and she lunged for him roaring! Seeing this, the young boy tried to run as he shouted out loudly, "Raiyana! Sis!" But it was too late as-!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

Feeling these terrible memories violently flood back into her mind. Raiyana shivered horribly with the guilt and terror that she'd felt at that time... as it all returned to her, she bit her lower lip as the regret and guilt overwhelmed her deep inside.

Her eyes sorrowful, she then moved her hand to her necklace that held a merged golden sun and silver moon pendant, upon a gold chain. Looking to the precious item, she then flipped it open as she peered at the picture that was within inside of it. There she saw, was an image of a young white haired smiling boy who looked so carefree and happily towards her with his blue eyes.

Seeing the image, she felt her eyes begin to water and as her throat clenched painfully at the sight of him smiling. She couldn't help but say almost with a gasp escaping her lips, "Alex..."

Returned finally back to her original, human form. Raiyana stood in shock, for there lying across from her, having fallen from the strong enforced stone wall, now surrounded by fallen mortar and dust... was her younger brother.

Seeing him, immediately the long dark blue haired young girl ran to his side in moments! As she did so, she cried out in horror, "Alex?!"

There was then a sound of coughing and weak gasping. Hearing it, immediately the distressed girl took the boy and pulled him into her arms. Resting him upon her lap, she looked to him and cried, "What happened to you?! What did-?"
"Sis...?" Hearing him call to her, Raiyana looked down at him with widened eyes. As she did so, she saw him look up to her with clouded weakened eyes as he asked her, "Is it you?... Are you back now?"

Perplexed as she heard him say this, at first she couldn't say anything. However as the words settled into her mind, she quickly realised what must have happened, "Alex!? Did I do this to you? Did I-?"

However she was stopped in her tracks, as the young weakened boy reached up his hand. Then placing it upon his sister's cheek, he smiled up to her and whispered, "I'm glad... I'm so glad you came back, sis... I'm happy, I-!"

Quickly though the young boy gasped loudly again! As he struggled and writhed in another moment he became still as he dropped his hand to the ground. As Raiyana saw this she cried out in terror, "Alex! Alex!?" However quickly it was too late! For then the light in the young boy's eyes faded away along with the short series of breaths he'd been taking in. As they did... he stopped moving entirely.

Wide eyed as she saw this, Raiyana shivered and realising what she'd done to him... she couldn't take it!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

Then sobbing she held the body of her brother close as she cried out, "Alex! ALEX!" However no matter how much she cried out, no matter how much she shook him... her sibling never again spoke or moved.

As this terrible memory haunted her from within. It was then that she couldn't hold back the pain any longer, hugging her necklace close to her chest, she cried openly. Her tears falling rapidly from her closed eyelids, she couldn't contain the guilt and sorrow inside... it hurt, it hurt so much inside! Shivering as these feelings overwhelmed inside of herself, she was unaware of the portals of darkness that were forming around her.

She was so focused on the picture of her brother, that nothing else entered her vision at all. However as she focused so heavily upon her locket, the portals around the sick bay, grew and grew becoming massive, as the jaws of snapping teeth glinted out from within each of them. However still looking only towards her treasure, she couldn't help but whisper, "I couldn't do anything... I couldn't do anything...I-!"

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Raiyana?"

Immediately though as this soft, sweet young voice called out. The long dark blue haired girl gasped in recognition! As she did so, quickly the portals that had all formed around her all faded quickly, as though they were never there to begin with.

Moving the sheets off of herself, Raiyana with her cheeks still stained looked to the wooden door. As she did so, she heard the voice call out to her again, "Are you doing alright in there? Can I get you anything?"

Hearing this question being put to her, the melancholy girl looked down. For she knew who was calling her. It was none other than Yeul, she knew that she'd been worrying not just her but the others terribly with her behaviour... but with the way she was feeling right now. She couldn't bare to face anyone, so sadly she replied, "I'm fine Yeul... I don't need anything, don't worry."

However from the other side of the door, it was clear the young girl was not convinced. As she asked her still concerned, "Are you sure?"

As she heard her ask again, Raiyana then called back, "Yeah... I am, so please Yeul... I need to be alone for now, please."

Hearing Raiyana say this to her from the other side, depressed Yeul greatly. However she remembered times from the past when the distressed girl needed her space. So thinking of this, she went to respect her wishes. However before moving to leave, she told her, "Okay, but just so you know... I've left a meal here for you and..." realising she was faltering though, she decided to say what she needed to, "I hope that you feel better soon, me and Noel, along with all the others are waiting for you, so..."

As she heard her say these words to her, Raiyana quiet for a moment said nothing. However to put her friend at ease, she replied back, "Thanks Yeul... I'll do my best to get better soon and don't worry, I'll eat the meal too, so rest easy."

Hearing these words being told to her, Yeul quiet for a moment then nodded to her friend's words and replied, "Okay... bye, Raiyana I'll see you again soon." Saying that, the young girl then took her leave and exited the corridor.

Raiyana quiet herself, then heard the young girl climb up up the stairs and as she did. She then felt her depression surge up again inside, for thinking of the kindness that was still being shown to her by Yeul and the others and thinking of what she'd allowed to happen... she had to ask herself, "Do I really deserve this? Do I deserve to have such good people around me like this... after everything that's happened?"

As she asked these words, she was unaware though that a pair of cold green emerald eyes were observing her. As they were, they then narrowed as finally the being they belonged to decided to emerge out of the darkness.

However unaware of this happening, with hr back turned Raiyana looking down to her white bed sheets had to ask one thing, "How can they bear to be near such a dangerous person like me?"

As this question was asked though, a cold reply came from the darkness, "That assumption you have voiced, I will state now is incorrect."

Breathing in sharply in shock as she heard these words, Raiyana quickly turned around and there she saw-!

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Walking on back up the stairs, Yeul finally made it back up on deck. As she did so, her head was still bent down looking depressed. For she felt terrible that she still hadn't been able to cheer Raiyana up at all.

For looking back down to the stairs behind her, that had led down to the sick bay. She thought about how long Raiyana had been in there now. It'd almost been for at least a week or so and still she had not come out at all, to eat, or even to speak to her or any of her friends... as she thought of this, she couldn't help but ask, "How long can can Raiyana keep doing this to herself like this?... It isn't good, she shouldn't have to... I wish she-"

"Yeul?"

Hearing this voice calling to her, the young girl quickly turned around again. As she did so, there she saw before her it was none other than her guardian. Seeing him, Yeul then asked, "Noel?"

Seeing that he'd got her attention, the brown haired young man then becoming concerned by her worried expression asked her, "Are you alright? Is Raiyana still closing herself off to you?"

As she heard this question being put to her, the young girl looked down. As she did so, she then answered sadly, "Yeah, she is..." thinking of this, she almost felt like crying as she admitted, "I wish she wouldn't make herself suffer like this... But, there's nothing more I can do, I-"
Seeing Yeul struggle like this, Noel felt really bad for her. So moving his hand over, he placed his hand upon her head and as he did so. He stroked her head gently and told her, "Yeah I know, I know you wanna do more for her, Yeul." Then as he said these words, he looked down to the darkened stairs too and as he did so, he admitted, "Because I feel the same way..."

Yeul seeing that Noel was feeling the same was she was, made her feel a little comforted but this. However this still didn't solve problem, for things shouldn't be this way for any of them, especially when they'd been finally reunited. They should all be enjoying their time together like they used to, they should be-

"Ahoy! There lads!"

Surprised out of her thoughts, it was then quickly that the young girl and her guardian saw that approaching them. That it was none other than Cait sith, who was riding upon the top of Nozomi's head.

Seeing the female keyblader and her cat companion, Yeul then observed the girl wave hand to them both as she greeted them saying, "Hi Yeul! Noel! You guys doing alright?"

Seeing her look at them so cheerfully, Yeul for a moment forgot her depression and whispered, "Nozomi..." Then revealing a small smile she replied, "Yes we're doing alright, how about you and the others?"

Hearing her ask this question, Nozomi then replied brightly, "Yeah we're doing okay! They're all waiting in the galley and we were sent to fetch you, since it's nearly dinner time."

To which Cait sith decided to chip in, "Yep! At Mr Silver's request!" Then looking really keen, the small crowned cat admitted, "It's gonna be a course of his good old stew again! Haven't had that in a good while!"

Noel hearing the small cat state this, then asked him, "You really do love that stew don't you?"

Cait sith then replied immediately, "Ya know it lad!"

Nozomi herself though couldn't help but utter, "Let's just hope though that it doesn't have any eyeballs this time!" For the very memory of that, really put her off...

Seeing her look like this, Noel then couldn't help but laugh and admit, "Yeah! Let's hope not."

Quiet for a moment as she rid the gross memory from her mind, Nozomi though then thought of something else that came to her mind, "So? Is Raiyana still not going to eat with us?"

As this question was put to her, immediately Yeul looked down with sadness again and as she did. She admitted with her smile gone now gone, "No...it doesn't look like it, though I did bring down a meal for her, so I know she won't go hungry...but still..."

Seeing the depression that now surrounded Yeul and Noel again, Nozomi then saddened herself said, "I see... that's a shame."

To which, Yeul then simply nodded in reply quietly.

There was then a silence that descended amongst everyone there, for they all knew why Raiyana was sad and it only added to their own melancholy. For with the death of Mr Arrow, they all-

"Oh c'mon now!" It was then suddenly Cait sith spoke up. Doing this suddenly, Nozomi felt the small black and white cat leave her head and quickly he made it over to both Noel and Yeul.

Seeing him do this, Nozomi then started to ask, "Cait sith? What're you-?"

Hearing her begin to ask him, Cait sith then interrupted her as he replied, "I'm here to tell ya lot to stop grievin' here! It's gonna put me off the food!" Then looking to the two surprised individuals he'd come to talk to, he told them, "And I know fer a fact that if ya lot keep actin' down in the dumps, ya just gonna make Rai lass more upset! So knock it off now! Ya hear me!"

Perplexed as he heard the small crowned cat state this to him, Noel was quiet but after a moment he couldn't help but utter out his surprise, "Cait sith..."

Nozomi seeing the small cat do this, then decided to step in to explain, "Well, I know he didn't say this in the best way to you guys and I'm not one really to say it either, but... I think he just wants you to cheer up." For looking to the two of them she said, "Cause I know it seems bad now but, things will get better soon so... don't worry so much, okay?"

Yeul hearing Nozomi say this, was quiet. However still she couldn't help but worry and say, "But-"
"Don't fret ya pretty little head lass!" With that hopping on over, Cait sith then landed on her shoulder and stated to her, "Rai lass will be just fine, remember she ain't all alone, she's got ya lot and the rest of her mates to help her along the way... she'll be better soon! Just ya wait and see!"

Quiet as she heard Cait sith state these words to her, Yeul was surprised. However feeling his warmth upon her shoulder, for a moment she forgot her worry and smiled saying to him, "Cait sith... thank you." With that she then stroked him gently upon his head behind his crown.

Feeling her do this, the small cat then couldn't help but laugh and say, "Wow, lass! Ya touch is almost as soft as me highness's!" Then as he smiled at the pleasant sensation, he told her, "Now? Why don't we move ourselves huh?"

Hearing this question being put to her, Yeul then nodded and said, "Okay, let's do that." With that she proceeded forwards with Cait sith still riding along with her.

Seeing him walk off like this with Yeul, Nozomi then couldn't help but utter annoyed, "Man, he certainly know's his way at charming doesn't he?"

As he heard this comment himself, Noel then let out a small laugh and replied, "Yeah! Looks like it." With that he walked forwards with Nozomi beside him. As he did so, he then decided to say something more, looking to the female keyblader he told her, "By the way?"

Curious Nozomi turned her head in Noel's direction and as she did so, she heard him say, "I never said this to you before but... thanks."

Puzzled as she heard him say this, Nozomi asked, "Huh?"

Noel then explained to her, "For protecting Yeul before and... well, for being there for Raiyana when we couldn't be there... thanks."

As she heard him say this, Nozomi quiet for a moment then smiled and replied, "It's no problem." However she couldn't help but admit, "Though in all honesty... I don't think I've really done enough for her."

Surprised as he heard this, Noel asked her, "You don't?"
Shaking her head, Nozomi then replied, "No... I mean, I think I've helped a little bit, but... I can still tell that Raiyana is hurting, even before with what happened with Mr Arrow... there's still something hurting her deep within."

Noel hearing this was quiet, however he then saw Nozomi turn to him and as she did. He heard her ask, "Do you know what I mean?"

At her question, Noel was silent further for a moment before he looked forward and admitted to her, "Yeah, I know what you mean... now and again I've noticed she's been in pain in with something for a long time." However on a sad note he then said, "But, even with me and Yeul beside her, she hasn't really talked about what it is with us."

Surprised as she heard this, Nozomi then asked, "She hasn't?" Noel then in reply shook his head and as he did, she looked down sadly and said, "That's not good though... I mean, she shouldn't let herself carry that burden all alone... if she could share it with everyone, then maybe-"

"Yeah but that's easier said than done," Noel told her in reply. For looking at Nozomi he then told her with a serious light in his eyes, "We all have our burdens to bear and unloading it carelessly onto the shoulder's of another, can be even harder than carrying the weight itself."

With those words said, Nozomi became wide eyed as Noel walked on a little ahead of her to catch up with Yeul and Cait sith. As he did, the female keyblader left alone to walk on could understand what he meant. She knew it all too well about it... however putting a hand to her heart, she couldn't help but say after remembering the feeling she had, had telling John Silver about her pain, "But... that burden itself, if you keep it to just yourself and let it gain too much weight... it'll just cause you to collapse in the end."

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Raiyana in the meantime, alone within the sick bay was now faced with someone that she'd never seen before! Seeing her, she asked immediately, "Who're-!?"

However she was made silent in moments as a blade was raised and pointed to her. Making her look at her wide eyed as the dangerous weapon was held to her neck, she saw that it was a keyblade! Her eyes widening she heard the intruder tell her coldly, "Do not make any sudden movements."

As she heard this, Raiyana herself had no idea who this person was! However she then decided to ask her cautiously, "Who are you?"

Hearing this question being put to her, the long brown haired girl then replied, "My name... is Hari."

Quiet as this name was being given to her, Raiyana looking at this girl as she stared down at her with her cold green eyes. Could tell she was not one to be underestimated, so she asked her trying to be serious in turn, "And what is it that you want?"

Listening to this question being put to her, Hari then replied to her, "What I require of you... is an answer."

Puzzled as she heard this being put to her, Raiyana then repeated, "An answer?"

Hari then replied to her, "Correct," with that looking to Raiyana she asked the baffled girl, "What are you?"

Perplexed as she heard this being asked, Raiyana uttered, "Huh? What am I?"

Hearing the puzzled tone to her voice, Hari said nothing as she concentrated hard with her green eyes upon the girl. Seeing her do this, Raiyana was horribly uncomfortable, but she gave her answer, "I... I'm human? Why would you-?"

"Incorrect," Hari replied back instantly.

Hearing this, Raiyana then asked her, "What? Incorrect? Why would you-?"

"You are not human," Hari replied interrupting her as she continued to stare down at her. As she did, it was clear that Raiyana was becoming unsettled as she looked into her cold green irises. As she did this the servant of Maleficent continued on to ask, "Could it be that you have forgotten your true identity?"

Repeating a single word that was discomforting her, Raiyana felt something inside of her cracking at this single verb, "Forgotten?" However looking at this person who was holding the keyblade to her throat, she forgot her fear for a moment as she demanded becoming outraged at this, "Why are you asking me something like that!? What makes you think that-!?"

SLASH!

Suddenly Hari, not using words brought forth her keyblade and went to strike Raiyana! However moving quickly back and turning, the long blue haired girl brought forth her double edged scythe! As she did so she struck into the dangerous weapon that came for her!

CLANG!

As this happened making sparks fly, immediately Raiyana gritting her teeth looked at Hari fiercely! However the cold green eyed girl staring at her, moved fast! Removing her weapon out of it's joined position with the girl's double scythe, she moved again to strike her centre!

Quickly though each and every time, Raiyana managed to keep her at bay! However Hari continued on to speak in her cold icy toned voice, "You think that this power and foresight, is something that a normal human would be able to have in this situation?"

Hearing her say this, Raiyana felt her words unnerve her! But becoming bitterly focused, she didn't want her getting under her skin! Again she went to strike her away, however Hari evading her strike, continued on, "You know it is not, this power you possess is unnatural, these movements and your reactions, they all prove that-"
"Stop it!" Raiyana cried out and as she did, immediately she felt something snap inside at these tauntings! Her rage triggered, one of her arms transformed and became sharpened and glowed with fierce red and orange in coloured power!

As this occurred, Hari moving in one direction was suddenly brought down by her neck! Being forced down onto the wooden floorboards, she gazed up at the enraged girl with her cold empty eyes as her attacker breathed in and out heavily, straddling her.

Raiyana filled with her rage looked down at Hari bitterly! Then moving her arm back, she was about to claw her with her sharp nails when she heard, "Do you see now?"

These words automatically stopped her in her tracks, making her claws stop mere inches away from the cold green eyed girl's face. As they became still Hari looking at her unnerved informed her, "These are not the movements nor the power of a normal human being." Still as she heard her say this, Raiyana was silent as the cold keyblader went on to ask her, "Do you wish for me to enlighten you about the truth of your true identity?"

Hearing her ask this, immediately the rage that the scythe wielding girl had been feeling quickly flowed away to be replaced with anxiety as her power flowed away in moments! As her hand and arm returned to normal, something was building up within her in a terrible turmoil! She didn't want to know the truth! She didn't want this feeling inside! Immediately she told her, "No! No don't say another word! I-!"

However as she said this, the thing inside of her that she could feel churning and storming inside moved! As it did so, she almost felt like it'd cracked like a glass! Instantly as it did, portals of darkness emerged everywhere around the room and as they did, immediately monsters began to walk forth towards her and her captive.

Immediately looking up at these beasts that now surrounded them, Raiyana didn't recognise them! They weren't heartless! But they were!? However she didn't want to acknowledge them! Getting up she backed away against the wall and as she did so, she cried out, "No! No! Stay away from me! All of you! I don't want-!"

However the monsters paid no heed to her cries, as they surrounded her. Hari herself getting up from her fallen position, looked to the surrounded girl as she shivered under the growls and enraged gazes of the beasts that were around them. Seeing that this stage had come into effect she walked over towards her target. As she did so, she saw that she looked to the monsters and then to her with terror. As she did so, Hari said coldly, "It appears I no longer need to inform you of your true identity, now do I?"

As she said this, Raiyana made no movements instead she continued to shiver badly. As she did so, Hari then told her, "You've already remembered have you not?"

This question being put to her, Raiyana quiet then silent with shock finally felt what it was within herself finally smash open, as she re-called the past she'd so desperately wanted to forget!

"ALEX! ALEX!"

As her screams filled the air and her brother lay still in her arms, Raiyana's tears continued to fall unyieldingly as the flames and chaos of her falling, destroyed world continued to burn all around her.

However as she continued to do so, suddenly from portals of darkness emerged monsters. Countless shadows, horrible and black in colour. As their haunting yellow eyes cast their gaze upon her...hungrily.

Holding her young brother, Raiyana then opening her tear brimming eyes saw the horrible hordes as they all came racing towards her! Wide eyed at the sight of them, there was no time for her to get away as they all came fast and furiously!

"NOOOO! LET ME GO! NOOOO!"

But it was too late and as their claws all dug into her and she felt all this agonising pain... the darkness ensnared all that she was... as her heart was taken and dragged away into the unknown abyss...

As her memories came back finally, Raiyana was still. However looking down, the terror and the pain of that time overwhelmed her so much, that tears fell as she realised what she truly was, "I'm not human at am I...I'm nothing...I'm-"

"A being that has no heart of it's own, a body that moves, though should never have existed to begin with... you are a Nobody," Hari answered for her coldly as she gazed at her.

Hearing this single word being given to her. Raiyana was speechless... she couldn't say anything now. Not at all... but now knowing the reality of what she was... how could she-?

"You know now, do you not?" Hari asked her, as she said this the long blue haired girl looked to her with widened eyes and as she did. She heard the cold keyblader tell her, "Your powers as they are and the way you behave... you are not fit to be amongst living beings with hearts, if you continue to remain loose and chaotic, you will only bring further harm to those you care for."

As she heard this, Raiyana felt helpless... knowing now that she was a monster. Like the one's that surrounded her and Hari she asked, "I will...?" Then as she uttered this quickly her despairing mind came to the conclusion that this was the reason that Mr Arrow had died, her brother too and if she remained with the others, then?

The very thought of it hurt horribly inside, becoming desperate as she realised this. She looked to Hari and asked her, "But then? What am I supposed to do!? What can I do!? What-?"

Suddenly though surprising her, Hari reached her hand out to Raiyana and as she did so. She told her, "Join in my services... do so and I will show you, the way to tame your powers."

Hearing her say these words and looking to the hand that was being offered to her. Raiyana was silent, however looking at the monsters and then thinking of the others who were so unwary and unprotected from her and her power. This girl, wasn't frightened of her and she knew the others if they discovered, would be... she couldn't let that happen.

So though she felt foreboding, the desperateness she felt was even stronger. Reaching her hand out, she then took hold of the cold and calculating hand that was now offering her salvation as the unwary keyblader's and the rest of the crew upon the RLS Legacy ate and laughed together...