The Red Republic
The Grand Palace
The Palace that would host the last of the Royal Romanovs was alive this very night, Kuro had never seen such a wonderful sight. So many people dressed so prim and proper, the music played by a live orchestra, and an endless supply of food. Outside of the occasional scrap between men and Heartless, as well as that evening he spent under the sheets with Jessie, this was the most exciting thing he has done in his life.
Kuro glances over at the beautiful Princess as her gloved hands smooth out her golden gown, decorated with the finest jewels. She quickly adjusted her crown as it stayed crooked along her head. Kuro walked over to the Princess, taking the sash and fixing it so that the knotted end rested along her hip rather than place at the center of her chest. He then comfortably adjusted the jeweled bangles along her wrists and fixed her pristine diamond necklace straight. Her blue eyes met Kuro's orange stare as they realized how far and how different they were when they started traveling together.
Both had begun their journey to self-discovery in the chilling snow and finished their journey together in a new light, having both found out the history of their pasts within the last few days. Kuro discovered that he was the Heartless half of Sora the Keyblade Wielder, and Anya discovered she was the long lost Princess of the House of Romanov. Both of them now have to deal with the weight of their histories now that they are aware of who they truly are.
Anya had to come to terms with the life that was stolen from her in fire and blood, being forced to experience life as an abandoned orphan. Having spent many nights sleeping on the cold hard floors and her only pieces of clothing being the hand-me-down clothes of other children when she wore the finest garments rubles could buy and tailors could make. Her days were spent eating poorly made and unfulfilling meals for over a decade when her family had decadent meals made by experienced chefs.
Kuro has to come to terms with the life that he crawled out of the darkness into. Understanding that the nights spent alone in Traverse Town and world hopping searching for his purpose in the realm, fighting tooth and nail against Heartless, SHINRA, and vile men. Understanding his responsibility of being the darker portion of the heart belonging to the very hero of the Realm. The one who defeated the Seeker of Darkness and saved Naminé from the clutches of Organization 13.
She mouthed a short, 'thanks', when he finished adjusting the last piece of her jewelry. Kuro laughs softly with her while she wrinkles her nose in a playful way and gives him a warm grin.
"So," Kuro's voice was a mellow cadence, his orange eyes alive and full of happiness for his companion. A levity in the air that made the world feel like a brighter place. "Do I call you Anya or Princess Anastatia?"
"Oh, hush." Anya waved her hand, letting her gloved hand rest over his knuckles and tenderly grip his hand. Kuro's eyes glance up and state into Anya's, whose eyes meet his own with a sweet gaze before she lets out a short, gentle breath. The kind that made Kuro feel a similar easiness in his own body. "Kuro, I want to say thank you. You've been there for me and I know it's been a taxing few days, but I wanted to tell you how grateful I am for you and your support."
"Of course… Princess." Kuro smirked as he nodded his head and cradled his free hand over her own. He gave her a warm, caring smile. Her beautiful sky blue eyes meet his orange stare.
With a gracious and respectful bow, he leaves her to be with her grandmother, walking along to join the festivities in the grand hall. That's when he sees Xion standing off to the side, a flute of undrunk champagne in her hand as she stares out into the dance floor. Looking beautiful in her gown. He walks alongside her, staring out into the crowd alongside his Nobody friend.
"Nervous?" Kuro asked, shrugging his shoulders and nodding his head towards her.
"There's so many people…" Xion whispered tenderly, as though the very thought of being out amongst those people was too much for her. Kuro nodded, turning to her and nudging his head towards the hall. "They are all just… dancing and being together…"
"It's easier with a friend…" Kuro offered his hand to Xion, hoping she would take his invitation and join him with the rest of the party. She did take his hand, however, she began to lead him away from the hall and towards the gates. He glanced over his shoulder at the party they were leaving, opening his mouth to protest that he hadn't even had a drink yet. It's when she stares at him with those dashing blue eyes of hers that he shuts his mouth and follows in line.
"We can dance later. I'd like to get some fresh air first…" She stated with a giggle, dragging Kuro out into the evening air. The sound of her laughter made him feel a spark of joy in his chest. "With a friend."
Kuro couldn't stop his own laugh as he continued to follow Xion out into the streets of Paris.
Anya looks anxiously through the curtain at the dancing crowd, seeing the crown intricately spinning and jumping to the tune of the music. However, she was looking for her friend Dimitri, hoping that he was simply being a sourpuss and would surprise her with a bouquet of roses and that dashing smile of his. It was not meant to be, after the fourth cycle around the room, she had to succumb to what she knew in her heart to be true.
"He's not there, darling." Marie stated with a matter-of-fact tone to her voice, The very thought she had was spoken aloud, thereby making it true. The realization nearly took her to her knees in a now sudden pain in her stomach. "He's gone."
"Oh, I know he's not here, I just… sort of hoped…" Anastatia smirked as she rolled her eyes and turned back to see her Grandmother's look of knowing. Anya felt her face flush and her hands get clammy. "I mean, who's not there, Grandmama?"
"The remarkable young man who found a music box the night we ran from the palace." Marie said with an air of knowing as she could hear the forlorn longing in her stare and in her body. Pacing and anxiously twisting her fingers as she waited for the young man to make his appearance. Marie looks out into the hall and sees the crowd of people spinning and twirling, with beautiful gowns and eye-catching colors. Although Marie is enamored by the sight, Anastasia's heart wasn't with her that night. She was distant and low spirited, with her eyes searching the floor of hundreds for one specific man. "Look at them dance… You were born into this world of glittering jewels and fine titles, but I wonder if this is what you really want, my darling."
"Of course, of course it is. I found what I was looking for." Anya said with an unsure tone and a tenderness that made Marie's heart ache. She truly missed her companion. "I found out who I am. I found you. What more could I want?"
"Yes, you did find me, and you'll always have me. But is it enough?" Marie began to say, For a moment, Marie just held her. Hold her surviving family with a tender embrace. There are tears in her eyes as she squeezes her granddaughter. She knows she has to tell Anya the truth. She pulls away, looks at Anya, and sighs. "The man, Dimitri, he didn't take the reward money. Not a single ruble."
"He didn't?" Anastasia asked with her jaw dropping and her eyes going wide. She stares up at her grandmother and feels a stinging pain in her eyes from sudden tears. It then occurs to her that Dimitri must've not taken the money because it wasn't about the money anymore. And if he didn't want the money, he must've done it all for her. And when it occurred to her what she would have to do next, she felt her heart begin to crumble. She had to go after him, and leave her grandmother once again. Anya embraces her grandmother again, resting her head on Marie's shoulder. Marie turns Anya gently, pulling back the curtain to look back out into the dancing hall. GIving her one last look.
"Whatever you choose, we will always have each other." Marie said, leaning forward to kiss her sweet Granddaughter on her cheek before reaching down to take her hands into hers. The very hands she held over a decade ago for what she thought was going to be the last time. To know Anastasia is alive and well was enough for her. And unlike before, she knew she would see her granddaughter again. "Knowing that you are alive, seeing the woman you have become, brings me joy I never thought I could feel again.'Together in Paris' always and forever."
"Grandmama, I am so sorry-" Anastasia whispered as she felt her grandmother's hands squeeze hers affectionately and lovingly. The Dowager smiles warmly, her eyes glancing towards the back windowed door leading to the terrace behind the dancing hall. "I love you."
"And I love you, my darling star." The Dowager Empress whispered as she kissed her cheek once more. "I'll be here when you come back. Go get him, sweetheart."
Anastasia wasted no time in going out the patio doors and heading out into the hedge maze behind the Grand Palace. She had to run to go find Dimitri, to tell him how she felt and to assure him that she cared about him just as much as he cared about her. She found herself at the open mouth of the hedge maze behind the Grand Palace.
"Anastasia…" The voice was smooth and soft, a goading whisper against the wind. The sweetness that laced the word eased the fear in her heart and the anxiety that rested in her chest. To Anastastia's ears, this draft sounded as though it were Dimitri. Calling out for her in the dark.
"Anastasia…" The voice called out for her once again, Anastastia's feet carrying her away from the Grand Palace and began to lead her through the gardens and hedges. Leading her further and further away from her grandmother, and deeper and deeper into the clutches of Razputin.
The Red Republic
The Pont Alexandre III
Kuro and Xion walked side by side under the pale light of the moon. The Heartless' hands dug into their pockets, eyes focused on Xion as they strolled through the city streets. Admiring the smile she held. She wore her deep purple gown with pride and with confidence, not shrinking or faltering when she walked past locals. She looked beautiful, just as he knew she always was.
The city of Paris was a captivating and darling city, with blocks of the city crafted expertly from stone and mortar. The chimneys that lined the rooftops blowing out the occasional stream of black smoke to drift and dissipate against the shining starry night sky. The double windows they walked under glowed a somber golden light from within, reminding Kuro of the way the windows of Traverse Town would illuminate with neon lights and lantern posts in the dark. Xion noticed the large wooden doors nearly twice the height of Kuro that sat at the fronts of these homes, wondering how warm and inviting the homes were inside past the imposing entrances.
Xion's hands folded behind her back, her eyes also on the Heartless. He walked with his shoulders squared and strong, his sleeves folded tight along his forearms and his suspenders taut along his torso. Kuro realized that they had been staring at one another far longer than they intended to, with Kuro tripping off of a curve he didn't see coming and Xion knocking shoulder first into a lamppost directly in her path.
They both laugh at the other, the sound of one another's laughter filling the air with what they would each argue was such a darling sound. Xion's laughter came out in a rattle, her breath humming along as though it were mimicking a strumming of a harp. Kuro's laugh came out in hard heavy blasts, as though they were the practicing notes of a heavy brass instrument.
"It's been nice, Xion." Kuro said aloud when his voice settled and the laughter ceased, as they crossed the threshold and ended up walking along the bridge between districts of the city. Kuro glances over then railing into the water, seeing the reflection of his orange eyes glow in the dark depths of the river below. "It's been so nice to feel-"
"Normal." Xion finished for him with a grin. This was a sentiment that these two, one a Heartless and one a member of the Organization, had what many would consider such an unorthodox but very welcomed break for their typical routines. They had gone to see a ballet, dressed in fanciful clothes, been in the presence of royalty, and attended a royal ball for a few minutes. An experience that they thought would never be a reality for either of them. Only to be found either in uninvited prowling in the dark or between the pages of a book. Xion's eyes fluttered shut as she took in a deep breath that relaxed her whole being. A breath of cold fresh air, the kind that she wouldn't experience back at Command or out in a typical mission. "It's nice to feel normal."
Kuro smiled at the sound of her relaxing sigh, leaning against the stone guardrail as he rested his weight onto his forearms. Basking in the light of the homes nearby and the lantern lights that sparkled in the distance. Kuro cleared his throat, just as Xion's thumbs tapped incessantly against each other. Without skipping a heartbeat, they turned to one another and began to talk.
"I want to ask you something-"
"I want to tell you something-"
They both flushed pink with embarrassment and diverted their gaze, Kuro to the floor of the stone bridge and Xion to the stars laid against the evening sky. Xion let out a huff, turning her eyes back to Kuro.
"I was hoping to tell you…" Xion smiled, reaching for his hand and taking it in hers. Her thumbs brushing over his battle weathered knuckles in a tender manner. Trying to relax and calm herself by being with him. Finding her worries melting under the glow of his hot amber shaded stare. "You're a strong fighter. You're a good friend. And I'm glad that you were in Traverse Town that night. Even if I did kick your butt."
"Xion…" Kuro whispered in a tenderhearted tone. To hear such kind words made his jaw clench and his body roll. His lips pulled into a smile effortlessly. His heart slowly thumped in his chest as he gazed upon his companion. "You're-"
"You're dependable. No matter where I go or what I face, when you're there then I know that with you by my side, it'll all be ok." Xion's eyes turned towards the river, seeing her reflection in the waters below. Not recognizing the black haired girl that stared back at her. In her beautiful gown, her serene smile, and hopeful eyes. "Right?"
"Yeah…" Kuro nodded, reaching over and patting a hand against her shoulder. Giving her a squeeze of affection as he looked at her. Admiring the warmth of her eyes and the soft curve of her lips. "Of course."
"That's good." Xion said softly, reaching over with her right hand and holding it atop of Kuro's. She let her thumb brush over his knuckles, eyes squinting in thought as she let out a short, confidence building sigh. "Kuro… I want you to come back with me. Back to Command."
"What?" Kuro said in a brief and stern voice, as he let go of her shoulder and pulled away from her. Eyes squinted as he met her gaze. Her once forlorn and gentle stare hardened, her sweet smile breaking and resting in a stoic, confused expression as she took offense to his tone and his pull away from her. Her shoulders locked and her chest tightening. "What do you mean come back?"
"You can wield the Keyblade! You can fight! You're able to use dark corridors!" Xion said, her voice hopeful and her hands interlacing together as she tried to put in a smile once again. "The Organization would be grateful for the help! Since we lost six of our members at Castle Oblivion, we would appreciate the support! You can help us get hearts and we-"
Kuro stared at her with a baffled expression, before interrupting her with a chuckle of complete disbelief at the suggestion. Xion's smile was washed away at the sound, her eyes going wide and soft when he laughed.
The same Organization that had initially sent Axel to get Kuro out of Hollow Bastion, leaving him stranded on Traverse Town. The same Organization that's main reason for sending Xion out into the worlds was to kill Heartless, which he was. The same Organization that had tortured Sora and Naminé for weeks on end.
"No." Kuro said, turning his eyes back to her as he combed his fingers through his silver shaded goatee. "No. The Organization hurt Naminé and held her hostage in that goddamn castle, they put Sora through hell in Castle Oblivion-"
"That wasn't my fault! Don't blame us for the mistakes of Marluxia and Larxene!" Xion shouted, pressing her hands against her chest as she took a step towards him. "Roxas and I didn't have any part in that!"
"Then who did?" Kuro asked, his voice rising to a low rumble as his amber shaded eyes grew dark and malevolent. His hands became fists and breathing became uneven. Images of Naminé held behind bars and made to be exploited and abused for their own nefarious ends spiking his rage immediately. "It was Xemnas who gave the order, yeah? To use Naminé to bring harm to Sora, Donald and Goofy? Marluxia is gone, but you are still being ordered to keep collecting hearts. That has to be the one that lords over you all, right? This Xemnas?"
Xion's jaw dropped at the question, her eyes glancing over the Heartless as he folded one arm over the other. His body firm and his eyes fierce and full of rage. She blinked, and for a moment she could see hellfire burning in his glare. She shook her head, refusing to give him an answer.
"What are you going to do? Do you think you can stop him?" Xion asked, seeing Kuro stand unperturbed and unbothered by the question. Kuro's eyes fell to the floor for a moment as he tried to steady his breathing, only to rise and meet her stare once again when he felt his resolve be steadied and his mind become clear. "He's the leader. He's extremely powerful and he's our one shot at getting hearts, Kuro."
"Do you think that'll stop me? Do you know what I've done?" He questioned aloud, focusing his wrathful orange eyes on Xion's irritated blue. "Do you have any idea of what I'm willing to do?"
Before Xion could bite back with an answer, they were interrupted by the sound of clicking feet walking up the bridge. The pair of other worlders turn to see Anastatia walking down the bridge. She appeared to be looking for something, the way her eyes were narrowed and her sights glanced over every which way. Trying to find the source of the voice that beckoned her name. When her eyes settled on a spot, Kuro and Xion's eyes followed.
On the other side of the bridge, a dark corridor had settled. It's inky surface shifting as if to mimic the river's current that was channeled just beneath them. Kuro's eyes narrowed and his hands held firmly at his sides. Out of the darkness came a malnourished man who wore a hooded brown robe that dragged along the ground behind him as he strolled out of the dark. His black wiry beard was combed down to an unfurled and splayed out bunch along the middle of his chest. His gangrene, open wound festering fingers clawed up to hook along the edges of his dirty hood and pulled it off.
The sickly green skinned man glares out at the three with a stare of pure hatred and rage. The same venomous feelings he felt so long ago. He steps closer and the corridor dissipates. Razputin bows sarcastically, his lips pulled in a cruel smile.
"Your Imperial Highness. Look what ten years has done to us." The warlock steepled his spindly fingers together as he looked over the Princess of the Romanov house. Glaring at her from head to toe before meeting her icy blue eyes once again. "You are a beautiful young flower. Me, I'm a rotting corpse."
"That face…" Anya began to talk, eyes squinted and she recalled a clear blue river of ice, shades of green malevolent energy and the harsh red plumes of fire. "The palace… you were at the party!"
"We both recall that particular party, don't we? It was like this one you just left." Razputin groaned with annoyance and disdain. His eyes literally rolled in his skull, going from their bloodshot green to their blistered and strained over white back to green again. "Celebrating another pompous and ridiculous Romanov occasion."
"I remember the fires… and the screaming…" Anya glances at her hand, images of blood flashing in her mind. Her whole body rolling as a sickness quickly washed over her. "The curse…."
"Followed by a tragic night on the ice. Remember how your family took everything from me!" The Mad Monk raises his palms and thunder echoes in the skies. The clouds above swirl into a spiral as malevolent green energy pulses and illuminates under the surface of the dark clouds. When Razputin begins to laugh once again, that's when Anya remembers. She remembers his devious cackle and his dark eyes. She remembers who she is talking to.
"You're him!" Anya points at him, her bottom lip trembling and her body beginning to shudder as she can feel the shrill screaming of her sisters echoing in her body and her eyes stinging from the pain of hearing her little brother call out for their mother's help as he was burned alive. "You're Razputin!"
"Yes it is I! Razputin, the very one who has destroyed your despicable family! Who pulled the soul out of your disgusting father! Whose associate carved through your sisters like prime to-be-butchered swine! Who put your mama and baby brother to the flame to melt into puddles like wax!" Razputin shouted in utter and complete glee. Bartok shakes his head and decides that enough was enough. He jumps off of Razputin's shoulder and takes flight. The mass of shame that gathered in the pit of the bat's stomach was too much to handle.
"Sir! This has gone on far enough! You're on your own. This can only end in tears." Bartok shouted, taking a few flaps and going to fly up to the stone monument of a majestic Pegasus that loomed over the bridge and perched there safely. Not wanting to take part in what was to come.
Anya rests her eyes upon Razputin's, squaring her shoulders and glaring at him. She takes a defiant stance against him, facing him down in spite of all his horrific power. She lets out a short breath and feels her nerves harden into steel. "I'm not afraid of you."
"I can fix that! Care for a little swim under the ice?" Razputin shouts, only to see the Heartless charge towards him with his hands coiled and his eyes blazing with fury. The warlock cackles as Kuro slams his fist into the chest of the Mad Monk, crashing through his ribs and out the otherside covered in bonedust and dried flakes of blood. Kuro's eyes darted in surprise to where he should have felt a beating heart, only to feel chalky dry bones and flesh that tore apart in snaps and crackles.
"You're going to have to try harder than that to kill me!" Razputin roared as he raised his green glowing trinket and several Dark Minion's erupted from the contents of the vial. Kuro was immediately taken to the ground by the horde of devils, seven emerald shaded demons coming out of the trinket. Their claws tearing into the Heartless and attempting to rip him to bloody ribbons. Two on each of Kuro's legs, two crashing into the Heartless' torso, and one driving their nails into his skull. The one that dove for his head ended up cutting into his cheeks and temples with their thumbs stabbing into the Heartless' forehead.
The other four used their dagger-like nails begin to carve into Kuro's torso, shoulders and arms down to the bone, Each swipe left deep and jagged wounds, slashing into his shirt and ripping sleeves into shreds as the troop of demons cackled in delight of the pain they were causing.
Xion charged forward, trying with all her might to call her weapon to her hand. Sadly, she did not manage to call the blade before a rogue Minion burst from the confines of the glass trinket in a burst of green smoke to tackle Xion. Her hand rose to call forth a fireball only to feel a pair of claws dig into her forearm and divert the spell. The spell blasted off above Xion, exploding in the middle of the sky.
Xion moved to swing a fist into the demon's cheek, only for them to duck underneath the punch and slash across Xion's unguarded stomach. Cutting through her dress and leaving four lacerations. She cried out in pain, a hand clapping over the wound and summoning a quick Cure spell. A green glow emanates from her hand as the spell is cast and the ringing of bells is overhead. The wounds close shut, leaving light faded dark pink scars. The minion charges and attempts to take her to the floor.
Kuro heard Xion's cry, his vision fading into an image of black and turbulent stormy skies. Freezing ocean waters, small shadows attack him as he tries to make his way to Riku and Kairi. Taking him back to the night that his heart was sent on its journey to find his lost friends.
"There's no turning back. But this may be our only chance. We can't let fear stop us! I'm not afraid of the darkness!" Riku's voice echoed harshly in Kuro's skull, the pulsing sound of a heartbeat echoing in Kuro's form. Calling to something deep and powerful in his chest. His vision returns and he sees Xion on the defensive, ducking and dodging away from open palm swipes from the Dark Minion. That's when an unknown Dark Minion jumps onto her back and drags her down onto the floor. Images of Riku being sucked into darkness back on Destiny Islands are brought to his mind. His best friend was sinking into the darkness. Just as Xion was being taken into the dark by forces beyond their understanding.
Kuro's eyes grew with a now rampaging fury as he let loose a powerful roar and threw his hand up to fall forth his weapon. The very same one that he had denied himself use of until now.
This weapon was entrusted to Sora to protect his island. His heart used this weapon to find Donald and Goofy. His heart had used it to defend Alice's name from a kangaroo court. To protect Tarzan's family from Clayton. With this legendary blade he was able to defeat Jafar, Ursula, Oogie Boogie and Captain Hook in his efforts to find and protect Kairi. He used it to fight back against the Darkness, against the Heartless, against Riku and against Maleficent. And when it was necessary, it was used to open his heart and allow Kairi's to be free, and in turn, create Kuro.
"Stay away from her! She's mine to protect!" He roars valiantly. In a shimmering flash of starlight, the Keyblade was called to his hand. With its shining silver barrel, crown shaped sharp teeth, golden guard and leather bound grip. It pulsed with energy, it pulsed with power. Kuro's driving stab pierced through an emerald minion until the monster's torso slammed against the golden handle and burst into starmatter, being sent it into oblivion. The other four Dark Minions jumped off of the Heartless and shuffled back, scurrying on all fours as Kuro steadily rose up onto his feet and readied his stance. Keyblade held firmly in his right hand and his left hand flexing out wide and curling into a tight fist. The wounds along his face and body healed in bursts of his fast acting healing factor. Kuro slammed his closed fist to his chest and hollered at his enemies. "Come on then!"
The first minion lunged forward, only to be met with upward swing from the blade that knocked it airborne and a left haymaker that sent it tumbling across the bridge. The other three minions snarl and snap at the Heartless with blood stained fangs and saliva dripping maws. Kuro's left fist slowly unfurled, a rising jagged shard of ice forming out of the palm of his hand and preparing to cast a devastating spell.
"Deep Freeze!" Kuro threw out his hand and that single translucent blue small shard grows quickly into this massive chunk of ice that then bursts into a bunch of tinier sharpened fragments that tear through the side by side pair of minions as shrapnel tears through flesh. Shredding them into pieces of green flesh before they combusted into clouds of emerald smoke.
The final standing minion in the bunch lunged towards Kuro, who sent a quick series of slashes against the minion's face in wide horizontal swipes, following back and forth in quick swings before slamming the golden guard into the torso of the minion and rocketing it onto it's back. Kuro walks over, slamming a heel into the Minion's sternum, raising the keyblade and driving it hard into the minion's skull.
Smashing its thin boned head into the stone with the tip of the Keyblade, and turning the devil into dust beneath his feet. Kuro's hellfire gaze darts up towards the last remaining minion. In a quick and furious bark, he volleys the Keyblade in a hard and frenzied throw. The spinning blade slashing through the minion and cleaving them in half, and once it slew the dark beast, returns to Kuro's hand in a similar shimmering flash of light as it had done earlier.
Kuro's whole body rolls as his skin goosebumps and shivers under the weight of the power in his hand. Recognizing the true nature of the legendary weapon in his hand. He turns to Xion, who is currently has her arms up in a defensive posture and doing her best to block the rapid strikes coming from all around her.
"Xion!" Kuro shouts as he throws the Keyblade towards Xion. On instinct, she catches it in her hand, slewing the minion in front of her before turning around and sending a fireball into the face of the one that dragged her to the floor. With the minions dead, the pair turn towards Anastasia and Rasputin.
As they went to make their charge towards the two of them, Razputin's stance settled and he threw open his right hand, sending out a subzero airstream of chilling and harsh winter winds that blast into the Heartless and Nobody.
Nearly knocking Kuro off of his feet and blew Xion off of her feet. As she fell, Kuro reached out and grabbed hold of her Keyblade by the teeth, keeping her steady as the two of them slowly and steadily marched against the winds that blasted against them. Each stomping of their heels earned with a heavy and powerful fight against the tempest like current.
In Razputin's reliquary hand, he sends a short burst of green bolts that crash into Anya, sending the young Romanov woman to the ground, With a wicked smile that showed off his crooked and rotten teeth, the Mad Monk looked rapturous as he went to finish her off. "Pick a God and pray, Anastasia! No one can save you!"
"Wanna bet on it?" A voice shouts, Rasputin's eyes darting on ahead beyond Anya and receiving a brick to the skull that ceases both the emerald shine of the trinket and the horrid torrent of wind.
Dimitri, taking off his necktie and tossing it aside, runs to Anastasia's side. Anya struggles to make sense of what was happening, only realizing once their eyes meet that Dimitri was there, and that he chose to stay in Paris. He chose to stay here with her.
"Dimitri!" Anya watches as he rushes to her side and throws her arms around him, Pulling him close to her and letting out a sigh of relief. To feel his arms around her made her feel safe, despite the current circumstances. She pulls away, giving him an unburdened smile. "If we live through this, remind me to thank you."
"You can thank me later." Dimitri responded with a smirk, helping Anya back up onto her feet before they both stared down Razputin. Hands tightening into fists as they prepare to engage in battle with the warlock.
"How adorable, "together in Paris", for the last time!" Razputin cackles as he grips his reliquary tight in his fist, the vibrant emerald glow of the trinket flickering in quick blinding flashes. "Let's see if you remember this old friend!"
There is a similar green pulse of energy from within the depths of the turbulent river waves beneath the bridge. Bursting along the surface of the canals in huge bulbous bubbles of green energy. As the bubbles pop, they leave a lingering verdant fog over the canal. The river's surface sparkles beneath the now violent crashing waters in a wick flash, and from the center of the smoke that hung above the water, it suddenly began to freeze the river over in a thick layer of ice.
The waves in the water are immediately frozen solid, with the thin tips of the waves crackling and shattering into pieces in the middle of their motion due to the weight. Leaving the river a perfect snapshot of it in the middle violent ripple and crashing of waves. With the gray waters bleeding out to match the fogged white of the ice's surface.
Out of the depths of the iced over river, a beast emerged. With claws that were frostbitten ebony black that ran up and bled into the beast's ivory biceps. It's blood red veins pulsing and popping against the white of its skin. Wings that were tipped off the same shade of black and faded into a shade of snow white as they drew further from the wings and closer to the body. Its once loose chainmail armor is now permanently frozen onto the beast's skin, leaving deep frozen steel links weaving through the monstrous bat's form. Weaving through muscle and bone throughout its torso and back as a seam of thread loops through fabric. Each time the beast flexes its muscles or shifts its body in certain ways, the chainmail tore through its skin and caused trails of blood to trickle down its broad and muscle bound chest. Dribbling down onto the surface of the ice.
The Unversed Monster from a decade ago roaring in a ravenous rage with glowing red eyes as it thrashes itself free against the ice. The Violent Vesper had returned, with its sudden reemergence and burst of life, and began focusing all of its attention on the bridge that was above the Unversed.
Its mighty flesh wings flapping and carrying it up into the air in two hard flaps. Hovering high above the bridge with a wicked desire aching in its claws to finish their mission. Kuro watches as the Vesper's crimson eyes turn immediately towards Xion, as she readies her fighting stance and prepares to fight with her Keyblade.
The Unversed's blood frenzied glare focuses on the weapon in her hand, diving towards her immediately with its maw open and saliva dripping off its dagger sized fangs. Remembering the previous warrior that sealed them in the ice having such a weapon.
"Xion!" Kuro immediately rushes towards Xion and shoves her out of the way, putting himself in harm's way as the Vesper's jaw clamps around his outstretched right arm. The Unversed right canine sinking in Kuro's wrist and the left canine breaking through The Heartless' bicep and nearly piercing through the otherside of the muscle. Kuro's left hand tightening into a fist and slamming into the snout of the beast repeatedly to attempt to break the hold. Each slammed fist rebounding off of the nose and simply annoying the beast. The Vesper crawls onto all fours, wings flapping and blowing Anastasia, Dimitri and Xion off of their feet, growling with its fangs still latched into the Heartless' arm.
"Kuro!" Xion and Anya shout in fear, their eyes focused on their friend. The beast begins its intimidation display, wings splayed out and growling towards its opposition, violently shaking the Heartless still in its mouth. The Unversed begins to start thrashing Kuro against the cobblestone bridge. Trying to tear the arm off of the torso in its violent pull. The Heartless' body smashes and crashes against the stone road three times before the Vesper throws its head up and releases Kuro as it roars in the air. The screech of the Unversed rattling the windows of the nearby buildings. Kuro was sent sailing through the air, trying to spin rightside up as he descended to the river below.
Xion charges into the fray with her Keyblade in hand, smashing the barrel against the Vesper's shoulder with a downward swipe, using the momentum to carry her arms and jump up to crash the tip of the blade against the Unversed's jaw. The Vesper felt the all too familiar sting of a Keyblade's power, before feeling the heat of a fireball plume from the tip of the weapon and sending it exploding against its cheek. The fireball explodes in a devastating blast that burns the Vesper's shoulder and cheek.
The Unversed rolled along its shoulders and crouched along the floor on all fours. Roaring at Xion in a fury as its skin bubbles and blisters, flapping its wings to send a gust of wind to knock the raven haired girl off of her feet. Xion, her body too small to hunker down and weather the gust, is rocketed off of the bridge and sent crashing into the riverbed below following Kuro.
The precious throw sent Kuro over the guardrail of the bridge and down into the iced over canal. The Heartless' body crashing against the ice and skating across the surface of the frozen river. Kuro's blood left a smear trail behind his glide until his body came to an eventual stop. Kuro slowly rose up onto his hands and knees, focusing his now rampaging rage on attempting to heal his gaping wounds along his arm, feeling tendons and flesh burn as the damage healed over.
Leaving only fresh blood to drain down his forearms and wrists. The Unversed had left huge holes in his right arm sleeve. Kuro grabs hold of the bicep tear in the shirt and rips off the sleeve. Leaving his right arm bare and his left arm still sleeved as he steadies his stance against the surface of the ice. As he marches towards the bridge with sure and heavy footsteps, that's when Xion was thrown over the guardrail and slamming onto the ice.
The Violet Vesper jumps off of the bridge and slams onto the river surface, their maw dripping with saliva and blood as they grab hold of Xion's torso and proceed to slam her hard into the ground. Kuro's careful stomps turned into a rapid mad dash, his shoes skating across the ice as he charged towards the Unversed with his fists held tight. He came only up to the beast's torso, so when he crashed his cocked fist against the Vesper, his momentum slid him forward and slammed into its leg. Kuro ducks underneath a huge hook from the Vesper, sending a series of quick jobs and finishing with a hard elbow into the rib of the Unversed.
The Vesper raises a heel and smashes it into Kuro's sternum, an audible crack being heard from the impact, nearly snapping the Heartless into two pieces and sending Kuro skipping across the surface of the ice as a rock skips across river water. As Kuro attempts to slow his speed by slamming his fingers into the frozen river, the friction begins to burn his digits and palms until he adjusts his position and slides the remainder of the way on his bent knee.
Kuro's harsh groan blows out a puff of fog as he attempts to catch his breath. The monster was tough, tougher than anything he's faced before.
That's when Xion's body is hurdled and collides with the Heartless, slamming them both against the ice. The Unversed barks out a groan of amusement, its forked tongue running along its fangs to taste the blood. With its heavy knuckles smashing into the floor, rolling shoulders back, it begins to walk towards the two warriors. Its heel dewclaw clicked against the ice in a piercing, skin crawling sound that reverberated through the ice and echoed in the canal.
Each clicking of this monster's heels against the ice brings the beast closer and closer to the Heartless and the Organization member. Ready to finish this fight and return to its dark master side. Wherever Vanitas might be.
Kuro's vision is blurred and hazy as he unsteadily rises from his hands and knees, eyes turning over to see Xion with gash along her forehead, a river of blood pooling along the side of her head with her keyblade still firmly grasped in her hand. Click.
Kuro's heart fell into his stomach, as he rampantly crawled over to her, his hands slipping on the ice and blood until he could turn her onto her back and scan her face for damage. His fingers tracing the open wound along the edge of her forehead and feeling the heat of her blood against his finger tips. Click.
"Come on please, please. Wake up. Xion?" Kuro whispered, her face flat and unaffected by his mewling cries. Her breathing was shallow and her body felt loose and weak against his form. He felt his lips tremble and his eyes begin to sting from tears as he gazed at her. He choked back a cry as he tenderly rested his palm against her cheek and nodded his head gently. Brushing his thumb against her cheek softly. "You're ok… you're going to be ok…I'll make sure you're ok…" Click.
Kuro's eyes turned towards the Unversed that was no more than three steps away. Kuro bars his teeth, eyes aglow with fury as he lets out a frenzied growl through snarling fangs.
"I'll be right back." Kuro whispered to her gently lowering the black haired girl back into the ice and rising slowly to his feet. He wipes the tears off onto his sleeve and readies his body for combat. "You stay right here."
The Unversed stopped just shy of closing in on their quarry, shoulders squared and their eyes flared with fury. This beast hurt him, this very monster tried to kill Anya so many years ago. Now it made the grave mistake of hurting Xion. And for that, it had to pay.
"You dumb son of a bitch…" Kuro wipes Xion's blood against his pant leg before he clutches his hands and feels his jaw lock. His vision goes red as he curls lips into a wicked and dark grin. His eyes bleeding into vibrant and solid shade of gold, his dark tanned skin deepening into an ebony with gray highlights along his knuckles and elbows. His nails elongate and sharpen into razor sharp points, his teeth now a row of fangs. Kuro's low rumbling voice is replaced with a barely restrained seething rage filled growl."You're going to suffer. You hurt Xion."
The Unversed cocked their right hand into fist and sent it hard into the Heartless to accept their challenge, who followed suit with a right hand haymaker swing of his own. The two crash into one another, knuckle to knuckle, with a force that reverbs and rattles deep into the depths of the frozen river canal. The low hanging icy fog that lingered just over the surface of the river dispersed as the wind displaced the chilled air. The Heartless followed up the punch with an immediate left hand swiping down in an overhead arc and piercing the middle of the Vesper's hand.
The Violet Vesper roared in pain as it attempted to take off with a flap of its wings, only for the Heartless' open palmed arm to lock and begin to summon a small orb of flowing darkness. A small sphere of a constantly swirling mass rested in Kuro's hand, where the center of the spiral swirled endlessly and grew. With a crooked grin, Kuro fired off a bolt of ebony that pierced through the fleshy wing of the Unversed as an arrow was shot through a thin layer of muscle. A Dark Bolt loosed out of the palm of Kuro's hand as though it were a bow.
Bolt after bolt is fired in quick succession, each blast finding its mark in tearing through the left wing of the Unversed until the Vesper swings out its left hand and drags it up into an upward strike that knocks the Heartless airborne and straight up into the air. The Heartless spins as he is thrown up into the sky, Kuro's hands clapping together and pooling together an enlarged mass of darkness just before he loses speed and begins his descent back towards the ice.
Wisps of shadow were amassed in the space between the Heartless' hands until the orb grew big enough that it resembled an ebony cannonball held in one's hand. And as the ball grew to fruition, the edges of the sphere caught aflame, a vibrant purple hued fire covering the surface of the dark mass.
Holding Dark Firaga in his hand, Kuro's descent is marked when he pulls his right arm back into a cocked and ready position, falling back to earth at rapid speed until he was close enough to smash the mass against the Vesper's cheek and detonating the explosive spell. The cast spell erupts into a dense cloud of smoke and flames, the Unversed thrown back off of its feet and collapsing onto its stomach as the flames scorched their ivory skin into a bubbling dark crimson shade. It's huffs of pain echoing in the near silent canal.
Kuro rebounds from the explosion by skidding along the edges of his shoulders, his claws stabbing into the ice and immediately stopping his momentum. His fangs barred and his eyes burning with vehement hatred as he springboards off of his hand and back up onto his feet in a forward roll. Taking off into a gallop on all fours towards the Unversed. His claws digging into the ice and ripping out chunks of frozen debris with every pull forward.
The Vesper could barely catch its breath until a pair of heels slammed onto the center of its back with a powerful stomp. A pair of claws grabbing the left forearm and fifth finger of its wing. With a leveraged heel to the where the joint of the wing meets their back, the Heartless tears the wing off of the Unversed's back as it tosses it aside. The monster roars out a painful sound, its voice hitching so high that it cracks when the scream crawls out of its maw in violent roar and rattles its own teeth with its volume.
"You're grounded!" The Heartless cackles as the sound of Unversed's pain hits his ears, the Heartless then runs along the downed Unversed's back and pivots off of the thick muscled shoulders of the Vesper. Using the jump to add power to the descending strike, slamming an interlocked pair of hands to hammer down atop of the Unversed's skull. The beast's snout bounced against the ice on impact, cracking the surface when it made contact. Heartless doesn't relent, as he sends a quick series of front kicks to the forehead of the Unversed, trying to crack through its skull.
The Violent Vesper raises their arm and blocks one of Kuro's kicks, the impact returning to Kuro and sliding him back. He rebounded off and immediately pounced back towards the Unversed and began scoring deep slashes across the Vesper's frostbitten forearms. The skin breaks off with each and every one of Kuro's swipes, clumps of bleeding black lumps of flesh crumbling onto the ice and breaking as though they were dried clumps of dirt.
"Kuro!" A voice breaks the sound of carving flesh, Kuro's golden eyes darting up to Xion up on her feet, the chime of emerald bells ringing in the canal as her head wound heals and her lips pull back into a wicked grin. The adrenaline of combat invigorating her. Before Kuro could reflect her expression, unable to even register the feeling of relief pass over him as soon he saw that she was alright and up on her feet, a taut fist collides into his chest and rockets him up and through the stone guardrail, breaking the stone he collided with into chunks of debris. Leaving him disoriented when he crashed upon the bridge's stone floor.
Xion readies her stance as she pulls her arm back and sends a spinning Keyblade towards her attacker, the blunt end of the tip crashing against the back of the Vesper's head.
The Vesper spins while on its hands and feet, its claws digging into the ice as it gallops towards Xion and lunges toward her with its claws pointed and ready to pounce atop of her.
Xion jumps overhead and slams the keyblade into the top of the Vesper's head as she dives through the air, floating through the chilled air and landing behind the Unversed. The Vesper roars in defiance as it follows its assault with two powerful slashes with alternating claws, each swipe being deflected by one of Xion's own swings. The raven haired girl jumped and slashed her blade in a downwards arc across the beast's chest, tearing through the chain links and cutting deep into the monster's flesh.
The Unversed stumbled back before getting pierced through the knee and sent down onto the ice. The Unversed's eyes squinted with a low death rattle echoing up through its chest as Xion spun her blade in the palm of her hand. The Vesper then lunged for a harsh bite that would have chomped down on her skull just as her flourish ended.
With a stance steadying the bend of her knees and planting of her heels, she drove the tip of her blade up through the roof of the Unversed's mouth. Piercing through blood and bone until the handle of her blade snuggly rested against the ridges of Unversed's gaping maw. The teeth of her Keyblade peeked out of the top of its skewered skull as the beast fell limp.
Xion watched as the Violet Vesper disappeared into a pile of purple hued gloop. Piling onto the floor before being caught up in the wind of the Paris evening air. The liquid drifted up and floated to the heavens as a bubble would get caught in an airstream, drifting off to parts unknown. Xion fell to her knees, needing a moment to catch her breath.
Anya, meanwhile, attempts to fight away the sudden tackling of a Dark Minion. Their green claws dug into her dress and nearly took her to the floor. Another minion grabs her by the length of her hair, going deadweight as soon as their spindly hands got a good grip of her locks and brought her down into the stone.
"No! Anya!" Dimitri shouts as he runs over and punches a Dark Minion off of his princess, slamming his heel into the chest of another. They don't explode into matter and smoke, instead opting to hover above the bridge and wait for their chance to pile atop of Dimitri as they had done to Kuro. Dimitri puts himself between Anya and the devils, chest puffed out and arms outstretched. "I got you!"
"Long live the Romanovs!" Razputin shouts with an echoing cackle, his jaw clicking and his teeth gnashing together as he prepares to watch his minions tear Anastasia apart. Raising his Reliquary and letting the power shine. "Finally, the last Romanov death!"
"I don't think so!" Anya rushed up onto her feet and slammed her elbows into the center of Razputin's chest and knocked him to the floor. She lands atop of him, desperately reaching for the trinket still in his grasp in an attempt to dispel the dark magic at play.
The two minions dove into Dimitri, tackling him into the ground. Their claws slashing at his forearms and his shoulders. Keeping occupied and unable to support Anya.
Rasputin manages to slip out of her grasp, summon an orb of malevolent emerald energy and sends it into the center of her chest. The spell crashes into Anya's chest and blasts her backwards. Razputin rallies up onto his feet, preparing to send another orb of green fire towards the last Romanov. Ready to exact his revenge.
"That's enough, sir!" Bartok, with a warcry that was shrill and high pitched, dove into his Master's face and cannonballed right into the Mad Monk's left eye. Lodging himself in the cavity of his skull distracting the warlock. Razputin roared as he stumbled away and clawed at his face. Dropping the glass Reliquary onto the floor as small claws dug at the inside of his skull.
The Mad Monk's scream echoed into the night as he tried to get Bartok out of his head, literally. Trying to get a hold of the bat's small body to pull them out of his skull so that he can resume his attempt to continue his regicide. His nails finally dig into the bat's hindquarters, dragging him out of the eye socket and throwing him away. The small white bat tumbling against the stone, falling limp when his body comes to a complete stop.
Razputin goes to take hold of his trinket to call forth another troop of Dark Minions only to feel the cord that held his Reliquary was frayed and cut. Razputin's breath was expelled from his chest in a sudden gasp, eyes darting all over the floor only to see that his glass vial was currently resting underneath the heel of the once amnesiac Princess.
Rasputin cowers as he feels a once foreign chill rush through his body. The heat of fury was doused for a moment by a wave of pure fear. His power was out of his hand, and under the literal heel of his forever sworn enemy. Anya glances over at the downed Dimitri, and feels her jaw lock in a now frothing rage.
"This is for Dimitri! This is for my family!" Each sentence punctuated with a driven heel into glass. Each strike made the Mad Monk squirm and convulse, as though his own body were receiving those very same strikes. The glass begins to crack and splinter under her stomps. "This is for everyone you've hurt!"
"I'll suck your life out like I did your disgusting father!" Razputin warns as he dives for Anya, a moment too late as Anya, with one final stomp, moves to crush the vial underneath her heel.
"Dasvidaniya!" Anya shouted as she smashed the Reliquary to glass shards and pieces of bent metal, shattering the glass vial trinket into tiny pieces. Its liquid contents spilling onto the floor and sinking into the stone, as rain sinks into dirt.
"No! No! No!" Razputin shouts, his hands slapping onto the stone where the liquid sunk into, pawing at it as he fruitlessly attempts to soak up any remains of the Black God's power. His eyes darted to the heavens above, clapping his hands together in what he knew was a pointless prayer. "Wait please! Chernabog, wait! Give me one more chance!"
The Mad Monk's skin begins to melt off of his brittle bones in sloppy mess, pooling in a visceral lumpy puddle of red ichor and green sludge at his melting feet. The upright bones barely connected by bloody bursting tendons and sewing thread thin strands of pulsing muscles echoing a pained cry that is similar to the sound of dry bones grinding. The bones clacking together and creating tension with one another. The monk's skeleton tumbles onto its knees, with no muscle to suspend the upper half of its crumbling body. The lower quadrants that were his legs were falling to pieces of meat and puddles of decaying human soup.
Its sunken empty eye sockets look up just to the skies before Razputin's vision fades to darkness hoping to see the canvas of stars one last time before he fades into oblivion, only to see the fury of Kuro's amber glare as he charges towards the skeletal warlock. The remains of Razputin attempted to escape from the pursuing Heartless with a backpedaling of his hands. Blind to what he was running from but feeling the seething rage that barreled towards him like a speeding locomotive. His loose skin slipping and dragging along the stones helplessly thanks to his clawing, his gangrene sickly shaded skin tearing off of his wrists and the inside of his palms as though it were wet parchment.
The silver haired warrior grabs hold of the skull by jamming his fingers into the eye sockets to keep him steady. Razputin's jaw clicked and they opened to begin a breathless scream but Kuro's other hand latched around the jaw and bottom row of teeth and ripped it hard off the skull. Kuro's lips pulled into a cruel grin, tossing the jawbone aside and flexing out his hand and wiggling his fingers in anticipation for the next strike.
"Back into the dark!" The Heartless roars as his hand crashes through the sternum and snaps rib bones without a missed moment, taking hold of the Mad Monk's crystalline crimson heart that rested in his chest, and smashing it into red dust in his hand. The thundering sound of the snapping of glass, followed soon after by the rushing adrenaline of power and the taste of darkness, the breath of life flowing through Kuro's arms and being vacuumed into his heart. The subtle glow of red highlights the veins in his arms before pulsing in a rippling heartbeat when it makes contact with his own heart.
In a heartbeat, Kuro feels a familiar intensity, the very same rush that he received when he ate Frollo's heart. There were the delicious waves of terror and the dread of death that came for the Monk in his final moments. That tasty feeling of horror just before the dark. There was a taste at Kuro's lips that was sweeter than honey, spicier than Midgar peppers, more bitter than unsweetened coffee, and it warmed his chest the same way a home cooked meal did.
Then there was the sensation, an acceleration of power when rubles rested in Razputin's hands from his various dealings and the desire to accumulate more wealth. Then came the sought after and constantly chased high of being pleasured by various women all throughout the night, tossing one aside for another that wasn't as tired or as boring, no matter how little time he spent with them.
There he tasted the monk's insatiable hunger for food in all its form, nourishment for the body and sustenance for the monk's soul. There he felt the anger and jealousy that Razputin held for the Royal family when he grew tired of listening to their issues and their voices. Seeking to permanently silence them once he had grown tired of sharing the wine they bought that filled his cup and splitting the food that their servants made that filled his plate.
"Kuro…" The Heartless turned to see Xion staring at him, her eyes wide and a dejected look in her eyes. As though the very flames that lit the vibrant light of her blue eyes were extinguished at what she had witnessed, leaving a barren disheartened stare. Xion had seen with her own two eyes Kuro not only violently tear into a man's chest, but devour his heart. Just like the very Heartless that she had been fighting.
Xion's eyes dart to the Keyblade in her hand, resettling her grip of her legendary weapon before taking a few steps back away from Kuro. He huffs and flexes out his hands, the warm sensation of an eaten heart subsiding, only to soften his expression and let out a short sigh at the thrill of combat coming to an end. His eyes then turn the sound of a choked back sob, a sullen look falling on his face as he sees Anya holding Dimitri in her arms. Her hand resting against his cheek and stroking it gently. His body held close to her own, its stillness sending an eerie chill through the Organization member and the Heartless. Kuro took a few steps back, trying to put some distance between himself and the young man.
"Ooh… Oh no… Dimitri…" She whispered, holding him close to her chest and burying her face into his hair. Her arms trembling and her eyes squinted shut to keep the tears from falling. She mumbles her next words as she squeezes him tighter. "Dimitri. I'm so, so sorry…"
Xion rushes to the young couple's side, raising her Keyblade and casting Cure. The spell is noted with its shimmering shine of an emerald shaded flash and the ringing of bells. Dimitri's breath comes out in a sharp gasp, his whole body cringing and shaking against Anya.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow…" Dimitri muffled against her torso, wincing as the pain rockets through his body and sends spikes of pain through his skull. "Please let go. Let go, Anya."
"Sorry!" Anya lets go of him, taking a quick shuffle back but still sitting right beside him. Her smile beaming as she tenderly stares at Dimitri with a warm glow to her cheeks. "Dimitri! I thought you were going to St. Peter-"
"I was going to." Dimitri chuckles, resting his elbows along his bent knees as he stares longingly at the Princess sitting across from him. He smirks playfully, eyes squinted. He laughs and it makes her heart jump. "But… I decided to stay when I realized I was a few rubles short of a ticket."
"You didn't take the money, Dimitri? Why?" Anya asked, raking her fingers through her hair as she let out a laugh of sheer disbelief. Her hard breaths easing to a slow steady rhythm as she settles her racing heart.
"I couldn't take the money. Because… I… Don't make me say it." Dimitri lets out a short sigh as he reaches for the untouched crown and holds it in his hands. Anya's heart throbbing in her throat and echoing out into the palms of her hands at the implication of his words. He let out a heavy breath into the jewels' faces and wiped the moisture off between his shirt. Staring into the tiara's jewels and ensuring not a single gem was out of place. The very object that separated and divided them, and would keep him from being with her was held in his hand. There was the thought of tossing it into the river and declaring his love for her here and now, but she had come all this way to be with her family. Which was the most important thing to be with her. "Anya… You need to get going. They're waiting for you."
Anastasia sees the forlorn look in his eyes, as though it pained him to truly hold the crown. But it's then she realizes that she didn't once care for the state of the crown or if a jewel was knocked out of place. The whole thing could have been smashed to bits or fallen into the river. But she was deathly afraid for Dimitri's health and life during that entire encounter, realizing just how important he was to her and how much she truly appreciated and cared for him. She took the crown and set it aside, before taking him by the collar and pulling him into her kiss without another word.
Xion turned from the sight and covered her eyes with a rising flush to her cheeks. Giggling softly to herself as she subtly peeks through the openings of her fingers. Kuro simply smiled and was grateful that they finally acted upon their lingering feelings towards one another, eyes diverting to the floor as he waited patiently for what the Princess wanted to do next.
Images flash in his mind of Sora's own experiences with love, the warmth of tender hands in his own, and sensation of lips against his. Kuro's mind grows hazy as he attempts to recall the person Sora was kissing, but it didn't matter. It warmed his heart all the same, a pleasant memory that he was glad Sora had experienced. To know the tender touch of another, a feeling they had both been able to experience.
The Red Republic
The Grand Palace
Kuro knocks on the door leading to the Dowager's private room. The hammering of his hand against the wooden door nearly knocked it off of its hinges. Sophie answers the door, only to be handed a hatbox by the Heartless. Kuro smiled, taking a step back and giving her a short bow out of respect. Dusk rushes out of the room to join Kuro at his side, barking in confusion as he approaches his friend.
"Give The Dowager my regrets that I need to run without giving her this myself. But I need to bid goodbye to my friend before I miss the chance to." Kuro clapped his hands, giving them an excitable shake before rushing out of the hall and trying to get out of the palace as fast as possible. Picking up Dusk to carry them on the way out. Sophie, despite her confusion, brought the hatbox to the Dowager Empress where she sat. The Dowager Empress reads the note on the box, before her lips pull back into a sullen expression and she looks inside the hatbox.
And in all its splendor and glory, laid Princess Anastatia's crown. Sophe took up the note, reading it aloud to her partner Vladimir, who was sipping his champagne in the lounging couch waiting for her to join him back on the comfy seat.
"'Dear Grandmama, wish me luck. We'll be together in Paris again soon. À bientôt.'" Sophie cries out as she rushes over to Vladimir and jumps into his lap. The combined mass of the two of them buckled the small legs of the couch and made them snap, hammering the wooden dowels as nails would be driven into a plank and making the couch now sit askew along the floor. Yet the two of them couldn't stop laughing as they held one another and began to kiss the other's cheeks and noses. "They've eloped. Isn't it romantic? It's a perfect ending for our Anastasia!"
"No, my darling, Sophie, it's not a perfect ending…" Marie spoke tenderly, laying the letter down and letting her eyes lead her to the open window. Staring up at the very moon that loomed over her beautiful Anastasia this very night. She blew a kiss to the waning moon, hoping the winds of the evening would carry it to her granddaughter's cheek as she had done so many nights before. She would see darling granddaughter again, that much she knew. "This is a perfect beginning."
The Red Republic
The Canal Bridge
Kuro runs through the city streets as fast as he could to bid farewell to his Royal friend with his small shadow canine in hand m. He bolts through alleyways and jumps over fences and guard rails until he finally finds the bridge where his raven haired companion was posted up and joins to stand alongside her. Kuro raises Dusk to sit them on the guardrail. The trio of them overlooking the small barge as it slowly moves through the canal.
"Did I miss them?" Kuro asked as he approached her, Xion both shaking her heads in response as they followed the bobbing of the boat as it passed from underneath the bridge and back out into the open.
On the top deck, the con man that was once a servant of the Royal family and the Princess that was once an orphan, are seen in an embrace and in the middle of a passionate kiss. Their eyes pulled to a close, his hands holding steady to her waist and her hands interlocked behind his neck. It's when they hear the whistling and the laughter from above that they break their hold of one another. Anya's lively blue eyes turn to meet Kuro's fiery orange as she floats down the canal.
Her lips breaking into a huge wonderful smile as she sees him. Her friend who fought for her and protected her now saw her off as she took off on the next step of her journey.
"Kuro! My friend! Dasvidaniya!" Anastasia shouts as she gives him a wave before pressing her cheek against Dimitri's chest and rolling out a sweet laugh. His arms wrapped around her as she continued to shout. His lips pressed to the top of her head as he held her tightly. "I hope to see you soon! Good luck! I hope you find what you are looking for!"
"I'm glad you found what you were finally searching for!" Kuro shouted while he smiled warmly and triumphantly in his friend's glorious victory. Her blue eyes aglow with passion and joy as he claps his hands and cups them around his mouth. "Dasvidaniya, Anya! Your Grace! Farewell!"
The two young lovebirds embrace once more along the deck of the ship and begin to dance to the song in their hearts. Dancing underneath the passing lantern lights, the glow of the windows of the french buildings and the twinkling stars above. Going forward into a future with the joy of having each other to be both their confidant and their compass. Ready for whatever life throws at them.
Kuro felt his heart grow warmer due to Anya finding her family, finally getting to Paris, and in her journey finding love in a man that'll cherish her and love her as she deserved to be. He had hoped he would see her again one day.
Kuro glances over Xion, who stares at the Princess of Heart, her once tender smile slowly fading to a scowl the further the woman was taken away. Xion's mission was complete, but at the cost of losing her ability to summon her Keyblade.
Eventually, any friendly expression had fully disappeared once the Princess was out of sight. Her eyes drifted toward Kuro, her blue eyes soft and void of any kindness and warmth. Icy cold and withdrawn, just as the Romanovs were famous for. Kuro felt a mass gather in his throat. She looked so distant from him, as if she would just a few steps and then would have to squint to properly see him. He cleared his throat, meeting her stare.
"Have you thought about what your next move is going to be? Because I made my choice and know what that means for me." Kuro asked softly, even though he felt he knew the answer already. Xion tightly gripped the railing, averting her gaze for a moment before resettling in on his orange glare. "Xion…"
"I need a heart, Kuro." Xion whispered to Kuro, before giving him a painful smile and a deflated chuckle. The kind that echoed hollowly in her chest. Reminding her of what she longed for most. "And the Organization will get me one if I help them. We only go after Heartless, and once we get our hearts back, then it'll all be worth it."
"Xion. This Organization hurts people. There has to be a better way. With the keyblade, you could-" Kuro slapped his hand on the railing to punctuate his point before Xion let out a huff of irritation. She turns to face him, raising her hand up in a futile attempt to resummon her weapon. And just as it had throughout this venture, it refused to answer her call.
"The only thing that made me important was my Keyblade. Don't you understand? How many people rely on me? How many people need me? How many people depend on me to do what I need to do to give us what we need? You are trying to take away our only chance to get our hearts, Kuro." Xion explained with a level of vitriol and venom that made Kuro's palms sweat and his heart palpitate in his chest. Xion's hands rested against her eyes, her body beginning to shudder from the stress and the worry. "I can't go back to command without it! They'll-"
"Then don't! Don't go back!" Kuro's voice rose to meet her energy, and Xion's shoulders locked and her back remained straight. "Come back with me, you can-"
"Be reminded of my failure? How I am incomplete? Live on with being a shell of a person? Wake up everyday knowing I'm just a husk without a heart? I can't!" Xion ran her fingers through her hair. Displacing her flat raven shaded locks as tears streamed down her cheeks. Her breathing became uneasy and sharper. She let out a hard sigh and took a step back away from Kuro. "I need to get my Keyblade back, Kuro. I need to get it back. The Organization needs me! I need them!"
Kuro stood in silence, his eyes shifting from her stare to the floor. He chewed his bottom lip out of frustration. He turned back to the railing, and grabbed the rail sternly and stomped his foot into the bridge.
"Need? Need? Goddamn it. Frollo. SHINRA. The Organization. All these people who stomp and abuse those who are meek and helpless. People like Arthur, Naminé, those poor people who live in the slums of Midgar. Using people who they can manipulate and use like tools until they aren't useful anymore. People like Quasimodo, people like you. No more. Not another step." Kuro cursed, hanging his head low as he glanced down into the river. Staring into the reflection of his glowing glare in the depths of the dark waters. He found the strength to look back at Xion when he summoned the courage to say what he needed to say next. He walked up to her, his lips pulled to a victorious smile. "I won't let SHINRA, these villains like Razputin and Frollo, or the Organization continue to hurt anymore people, Xion. And if you will have me, I want you at my side so we can fight these sons of bitches together. You and me!"
It's then he realizes that he had reached for her hands and held them tightly to his chest. His scored up paws cradling her gloved tiny hands close to his thumping heavy heart as he stares intensely into her eyes. Images of Sora taking Kairi's hands flash in Kuro's mind, the heat of her hands similar to the warmth he recalled in Kairi's.
It's when he realizes that Xion's face changes for a moment, it flickers as if he were flashed with a sudden ray of sun from a shifting cloud. Her chin becomes rounder and her cheeks more full, her eyes lose their edge and are a sweet soft calm ocean blue, her nose is not as pointed and round, her raven hair now a shade of familiar auburn. Kairi…
Seeing the glint of mystifying light in her stare as her jaw clenched and her cheeks grew more rosy. Kuro's hands were rough and heavy, and yet continued to hold her so tenderly and gently. Both of their eyes slowly became half lidded as they both became lost in their senses. He was lost in her beautiful blue eyes, and she was charmed by the intensity and warmth of his orange eyes. His lips pulled to a soft smile as he awaited her answer. Anticipation of her answer to join him excited him.
She pulled away from him when she finally grounded and found herself, remembering her mission and her life's goal, her eyes diverting to the floor to hide the anger in her stare. Her arms folding behind her back, her hands tightening into hard fists as she attempts to calm down the sparks that echoed in her chest and her racing thoughts.
The feel of his hands on hers reminded her of the warmth that was lacking in her chest. The thundering of his heart she felt in his hands reminded her of the hollowness of her own empty chest. There is a silence that creates an immediate chasm between the two, soldiers on very different sides of the conflict.
One a puppet for the Organization, the other a Heartless of AVALANCHE and conspirator with DiZ. Their once tender stares turn into heated glares, once steady waves turn into violent turbulent blue seas meeting the once warmth and tender stare that turned into a fiery and fierce sunset's shine. Neither one of them budged from their positions.
"No." Xion stated surely and said it with her chest. Raising her voice and straightening her posture. "I won't betray the Organization, we are only doing what is necessary. I will not betray Roxas and Axel and deny them their chance to have hearts either!"
Kuro let out a pained sigh in response, one that was followed by a defeated, flat, heartless chuckle. He rocks back on his backmost leg, eyes still fixed to her as he lifts his chin up to her. His vision grew voided and wrathful as he unfurled his right hand.
"How are you going to do that without a Keyblade, then? You said it yourself," Kuro raised his hand, and with an intention as effortless as breathing, the fabled weapon was called to his hand. Xion barred her teeth and glared at the Heartless with a brewing rage in her eyes. Taunting her with her very weapon in her hand. He dug the barrel into the ground in frustration, trying to scuff up the perfect shine of its metal. "This gives you purpose? This wakes you up in the morning?"
Purposefully, he begins disrespecting the blade in front of her to sell how little he cared about this weapon with hard and fast twists into the stone. He didn't care for the legacy, he didn't care for the power. This was her leash and collar to the bastards that hurt Naminé. He cared about her, for herself.
This was the only thing that made her important? He couldn't believe that they would care so little for this wonderful woman they had the privilege to know. They didn't consider her smile or her laugh to be important. Or the way her nose twitches when she is full of glee. Or how her hands felt just right when they were held by his own back on the island-
Kuro's body shuddered at the thoughts that raced, some of them making sense and others disorienting to him. Images of Kairi overriding the thoughts he had for Xion once again. Red washing over black only to fade back into ebony again. Regardless, he jabbed the barrel into the ground to resettle his senses. The sound of it echoing through the canal. "This is what makes you important to them, right? This key? This stupid, goddamn thing? You and the other guy are the only ones who can release hearts. And if you don't have it, he can pick up the slack-"
"Then I have nothing, Kuro! I can't afford to not have it! It's what makes me important!" Xion charges towards him and goes to pull it out of his hands. Kuro lets her take it, effortlessly, letting her feel its weight in her hands before he flexes his hand once more. It disappears from her grip and reappears in his own hands. He gives it a few courtesy swings, emphasizing his point home. Her voice shrills as her hair begins to become disheveled and wiry. "Kuro! Please! I don't have a heart! That's all I have!"
"This isn't what makes you important!" Kuro roars angrily, before he takes a pivot and chucks the blade away from the both of them. Sending it the distance of at least two city blocks before it crashes against the waters of the river and plummets into the dark depths. "This isn't all you are!"
Xion runs to the railing, desperately reaching and calling for it in fear to return to her. To come back to her hand. Deathly afraid that it will remain at the bottom of the river. She groans in a sound reminiscent of an aching pain, her eyes glistening with tears as the Heartless huffs in a rage. Kuro points at the river, the veins in his throat tight against his skin as his voice rises to a shout.
"You're important because you are important, Xion! You matter outside of the goddamn job you do! Not because of what weapon you can use or what they think they can use you for!" Kuro rests his hands along his waist and paces around the bridge slowly. His eyes focused on the bridge before rising up to look at Xion. "Because you're-"
"I won't let you stop us." Xion said pointedly and without a single hint of regret in her voice. Vileness rising in her throat as she stares dejectedly at Kuro. Not an ounce of fear in her eyes. Her eyes are now an icy, cold blooded blue. "I won't let our chance at having hearts be ruined by you."
Kuro's eyes shut, his hands curling into fists at his sides as he takes in a deep sigh and bellows it out just as heavily.
"If that's the case…" Kuro said with a disdain for his own words lacing every syllable. "Then if there comes a time where it'll be me or the Organization, I need you to stay out of the way. Stay out of my way, Xion."
Xion scoffs, eyes narrowing as she stares at the Heartless. Her feet shifted against the cobblestone as she looked baffled by the audacity of Kuro. With his intense orange eyes meeting her stare.
"Are you threatening me?" She asks incredulously. Kuro shook his head immediately, the fury in his eyes breaking to reveal the sorrow that hid behind his glare. Her voice cracked when she asked the next question. "You would hurt me, Kuro?"
"I wouldn't hurt you, Xion. I would never hurt you." Kuro said with a flat affect and a stern tone. His voice trembled as it fell to a lowly place, one that echoed the sadness in his heart. "You're my friend. You aren't property or a tool for me to use. But I won't let you kill me. And I won't let you keep me from stopping the Organization. They will pay for their crimes. I'll make sure of it."
The two of them stand across from one another. The line that they made in the sand showing exactly where the other laid. Xion sniffles to herself as she wipes her cheeks as Kuro pinches the bridge of his nose and exhales a heavy breath. Xion summons a dark corridor and goes to leave without a second thought.
"If you were really my friend, you wouldn't do this to me." Xion words cut deep, deep enough to make the Heartless physically wince as though he were struck. She turns her back to him, not looking back as she enters the dark. "The next time we meet, we won't be seeing each other as friends. Don't forget that. Because I won't."
Kuro watches her leave without another word, her back towards him the entire time as she crosses the threshold and into the darkness. As soon as she disappears, his shoulders fall and his eyes turn towards the river below. Seeing the reflection of his welling tears in his eyes as he meets the water. He had lost his friend, one of his first. He buried his eyes into the palms of his hands, his heart aching.
"You know," Kuro's eyes immediately shoot up as he turns to the sound of the voice and sees Bartok walking along the railing. Their wings folded behind their back as they approached the Heartless. Wiping his eyes with his sleeve as the bat approached. "I've been there. Fighting with girlfriends. I had a girlfriend who wanted me to give up my career as a lich's minion and when I try to told her of the benefits, she didn't want to hear any of it. Threw me to the curb like last week's stroganoff. Banged my head good, too."
"Why are you here, creature?" Kuro asked with a squinted eye, returning his attention to the river. Cursing the orange eyed beast that stared back at him in the depths of the water. The one that drove Xion away. "I killed your master. You're free. You can leave."
"You did kill Razputin. Violently, yes." Bartok nodded as he approached Kuro's fist and tapped it with his tiny claw. "I just wanted to let you know no hard feelings. Ok? I told him to not go after the girl a dozen times! But the Horny Man tempted him to do it!"
"What, 'Horny Man' tempted your master?" Kuro inquired, feeling his tongue get uncomfortable when he realized what said aloud. Cringing to himself as he shakes off the wave of discomfort and continues to listen to the small bat.
"He wore red and has bones jutting out of head like antlers! He talk about twins that didn't stop you and you got help from Mimzy. He talked about Judge that you killed. And now you killed Razputin! You're killing all his friends!" Bartok flaps his wings to help with a jump and rests his small feet along Kuro's knuckles. Staring up at the orange eyed man with a nervous grin. "They keep eye on you! They want you to stop!"
"There is something afoot here, Kuro." Dusk murmurs as they glance up at the taller Heartless and let out a short puppy whine in response. "He mentioned the two people from Arthur's world and he knows of the Judge who held Quasimodo hostage in Notre Dame. These beings from different worlds are connected with one another and conspiring to something malevolent. Much like the Mistress of all Evil."
"That Mistress Maleficent really did a number on the whole conquering worlds thing. She makes the blueprint for counsel of evilness. The Horny King did a good job copying it." Bartok stated with a snicker. Dusk and Kuro's eyes immediately darted to the bat as he continued to speak. "She has the horns as well! I wonder if they are related, these two horny people?"
"You can understand me?!"
"You can understand them?!"
Both Dusk and Kuro shout as they both are baffled that Bartok could apparently understand Dusk.
"Yeash. I understand. Minion talk is no more different than Darkness talk. Very similar to trained ear." Bartok chuckled whilst flapping his ears to accentuate his ability to hear and listen to Heartless, his lips pulled to a wide smile as the two Heartless bounce stares between each other and back to Bartok. Dusk barks happily and Kuro smiles warmly. Bartok noticed the happiness and felt a chilling wave wash over him. Smiling hardly ever meant anything good to him. "Why the smile?"
"How would you feel about working with us?" Kuro asked, crossing his arms over one another as he shrugs his shoulders. "We killed your master, sure, you're free to do as you please. But if you have more information on this counsel of Darkness, I would like to get all the information I can."
"Work with you?" Bartok whispered as he began to anxiously rub over his knuckles. He shivered at the thought of working with someone possibly evil again. "Like… partners?"
"Of course. Partners." Kuro smiled, nodding over to Dusk. Dusk nodded in turn. "We're partners, me and Dusk, in this together. And we'd be happy to add you to the team."
"Team? A-Me?" Bartok chuckled, his spirit rising as he walked over and looked at Kuro with a beaming smile expression. Bartok spun on his heels, elated at the opportunity to work on a team. "I'd be a-! Oh wow! Wow wow! Accept! I accept! Won't regret it, old man!"
Bartok flutters to rest along Kuro's shoulders, as the Heartless summons a Corridor of Darkness with a wave of the hand, and crosses the threshold with Dusk trailing behind him.
"Oh boy! This'll be fun!" Bartok shouted deep in the darkness of the void. The trio exited the world and left the Red Republic.
As they left the city and the world, the Keyblade Kuro had thrown remained where it landed, settling down against the river's floor. The teeth dug deep into mud, cutting into the dark green moss and crashing against the long forgotten stones with its handle pointing up towards the surface of the waterway.
It stood unperturbed by the current of the rushing waters, it laid there present and at the ready for its master's call. Whenever that would come. Occasionally, when the clouds shifted just right that night, it would allow the blade to catch the light of the waning moon. In the ray of godlike radiance, the Keyblade sang against the dark. As it was made to do.
The silver barrel and its golden guard would and could be seen reflecting the celestial body that hung against the blanket sky of long dead stars and vibrant living worlds. The Keyblade illuminated the darkest depths of the canal without fail by creating an underwater aurora of shimmering whites and vibrant golds to combat against the encroaching and ever present darkness of the river. Clashing and shifting against the current as oil flows and is separated from water. Fighting back the darkness all around it without end, as a Keyblade always would.