The Ruined World

by Yue Twili

After crash landing on a world, destroyed as a result of a premature apocalypse, Sora has to find a way off of the world and back to his friends. Unfortunately, he got caught up with a certain vengeful Horseman. With no other clues to get off, the boy teams up with him. (Took place before Twilight Town's Final Visit)

20. Chapter 19

This chapter is a small series of one-shots that I wanted to detail the time the duo had spent in the Anvil's Ford. I saw this in another story and want to try my hand at it.

So let's get into it!

-Warning: there would be a PTSD trigger, and accidental underage drinking-

---

-You're a Mystic, Sora-

It took only a day for the fever and sickness to go away until Sora was fully recovered. The Maker openly expressed his relief at the news that the human had recovered so well. However, it appears the Horseman and Maker had a mutual agreement to not keep one thing from the human. After all, the boy deserves to know the truth. Especially considering why the Horseman was suddenly overprotective of the boy.

So they sat him down at the kitchen table and told him that the young boy is a Mystic. It was fortunate that he had learned of what and who they are from Dis and Uriel (with War thankful that the two had explained to the boy without the two having to do so). Yet, after they had told the boy, he had gone quiet. His expression was blank, before he just nodded. "Huh," the boy muttered. "So…I'm a Mystic?"

"Aye," Ulthane confirmed. "Mystics are very secretive, and most assumed they would look like the second set until their evolution. For the most part, you can't even tell who's who until they either show their power or whatnot. Some powerful sensors are the only ones who could sense them, but not a lot of people do that."

Sora fiddled with his gauntlet. "Well, that explains a lot. And why the gauntlet took to me." He stared down at it. It was still strange that it had just appeared, and in the hands of some lesser demons. If he is a Mystic, the best he could do is make good use of it. He looked at his hand. "So…the blue energy and fire is a power I have as a Mystic?"

"Their power comes in a variety of forms," War answered that one. He rubbed his chin slightly in thought. "From the looks of it, and from the injuries you acquired after using the force-field, and the headaches you had gained, those are mental based. You think with your mind on what shape you want the power to be, and how much input you could put into the power, using your body as a medium."

Both the human and Maker stared at the Nephilim, surprised at the information. "Wait…you know of it?" Sora asked him.

The Horseman's eyes are carefully blank. "I…once knew someone who has a power similar to yours. I had been around them long enough to know how it works, and to learn of the type of training they go through to use those powers properly."

The Maker regarded the Horseman for a moment. "Huh, you don't say," he muttered, playing with his beard a little. He seemed to have read the room, giving a shrug. "Well, I know little about magic, and the magicks I have are different. I don't think I could be of help here. 'Sides, I still have something to repair." He stood up from his seat. "Sort it out yourselves." He waved them off as he headed towards the forge.

The two watched the Maker go for a moment. Sora lowered his head, making a small grunt. "Well, that figures," he says. He leans his elbow against the (rather massive) table, his cheek in the hand. "So now what?" He muttered mostly to himself.

He didn't notice the Horseman regarding the human before his eyes shifted. Nor notice the Horsemen mull over his thoughts. After a few moments, the Red Rider came to a decision, sighing through his nose. Like the Maker, he isn't as experienced with magic – that one is usually Death and Fury's forte – though he knew someone that can use a similar power the boy has. (And a part of him wondered if the boy is her descendant, and by coincidence, inherited her power.) The Horseman is uncertain of HOW he could help, but he does remember what he learned basic wise from- well, his friend was starting out in using their power the first time. On the other hand, the boy is already experienced with magic. There may not BE a need…yet being a Mystic is a part of his heritage. The boy deserves to know of that part of him.

He would do his best.

War leveled his gaze onto the young human. "Listen," he spoke up, getting Sora's attention. "I know that I do not have much experience with magic, nor do I have a lot of knowledge with how to help you. But, if you like, I could try to help you be able to control your newfound powers. As I said, I knew someone with a power similar to yours. They told me of how they had to train to be able to use them effectively, and to slowly get used to them over time."

The boy stared at him in surprise. He blinked a couple of times. "Are you…offering…to teach me?" Sora asked him, slowly. The Horseman grunted. "…I'll…take that as a 'yes'?" Sora asked after a moment, trying to decipher the grunt. The man just grunted again.

The Keyblade user tilted his head. "Huh. You know, I kind of noticed that you're not much of a talker," he admits, recalling that the Horseman didn't talk much.

"There was…no need, half the time," the Horseman answered.

If Sora hadn't been around the Horseman as much as he had, he would have thought of him like Cloud or Leon. Yet, Sora believed War in him not having a need to talk half the time. With his role of being an Enforcer and all. Even if he isn't at all verbal, Sora actually appreciated the Horseman offering to help him learn to use his powers, even if his information about it is rather limited.

At that, he smiled at the Horseman, not minding at all. "Well, thank you anyway," says Sora, nodding. "Anything can help." He wiggled a little. "So, when do we start?"

The Horseman tilted his head. "You wish to start soon?"

"Well, sooner the better, right?" Sora asked before he carefully got out of his chair. "Besides, it'll give me something better to do than wait around and plan my next move."

"At least you are wise to make plans than to just wonder around," the Horseman says, yet the last one sounded like a jab at him.

Sora could only make a sheepish chuckle, because, well…War isn't wrong. He had been wandering around aimlessly, going to places in hopes for clues. He has a clue but…he doesn't know how to brooch the topic yet. Though, he couldn't help but be curious about this person War knew.

The boy soon regarded the Horseman. "Say, who's the person you knew that had powers like me?"

All Sora got in response is a stare from the Red Rider. The boy fidgeted a little at the stare. "Uh…"

The Horseman get out of his seat. "We'll start your training now."

"Wait, now?" Sora sputtered but the Horseman walked by him, dragging him behind him. "H-Hey!"

(Did he say the wrong thing?)

~o~

-To Improve a Gear-

It was a couple of days later, after on and off training with his newfound powers. From what War had attempted to explain, his powers are mind based. While he has magic power within him, some could apply that power in different means. The Horseman once mentioned necromancy, where people utilize the souls of the departed to fight for them, or re-animate bodies. There were a select few that could control the elements themselves. Some becoming one with the element they could utilize. Demons more often than not use those arts. Angels lean more towards light and healing. The Nephilim often have one or the other, very rarely would they have both. On the other hand, there is also alchemy, crafting their own potions.

Sora had heard of these abilities, learning some variety of magic from Merlin. The spells are different from the ones War had described, feeling more natural. But they also had a catalyst to utilize the magic, whether it was through a wand, a rod, a staff, or in Sora's case, the Keyblade. From the sound of it, Demons do not need a catalyst, and Angels, on some occasions, need a catalyst themselves. The difference between the magic he used and the magic both races used are the fact that they are not dark nor holy arts. Just plain magic.

Some Mystics are capable of using magic, but not all of them could use elemental variants. The type that Sora has is different, that allowed him to craft 'constructs' with his magic power. His mind merely needed to 'shape' it, and his body is the conduit to utilize it from the air. In extreme circumstances, they try to draw the magic power within them, but it would be fatal.

The two had figured that, so far, Sora was instinctively thinking of the shapes or what he wishes the power to do to his advantage. Yet because he made them too strong, he got a headache as a result. Eventually leading to him being exhausted faster.

So taking his experience to heart, Sora started off small, as if he was learning magic all over again. What's difficult, however, is the amount of power he puts into the constructs, having them break apart or be a magic bomb on some occasions (and he certainly got scolded for it from the Horseman).

Still, they made good progress, even if it is slow – one part being War's limited knowledge and Sora going at it at a slow pace. Though, when Sora regarded the gauntlet he wore, he remembered the armory he had found while exploring Ulthane's abode once. If he could copy a certain number of weapons, they could be useful if he ever lost his Keyblade again. He also felt guilty for forgetting to give back the dagger Uriel had handed him and felt as if he didn't deserve to use it once more for his own deceit (even if it were for good intentions, he had still lied to her…)

So with that in mind, Sora wondered about the halls of Ulthane's cave house, the lanterns illuminating the way to allow him to try to find the room he was looking for. After opening a couple of doors, he found the room he was looking for, making a silent cheer to himself. Entering the room fully, he browsed the weapons, looking over each of them. Some of them are rather…big, for him to utilize. Only a couple looked to be used by humans, (or rather human sized demons). Humming to himself, he regarded the weapons until his eyes landed on a wicked looking shield. Taking the edges with both hands, he pulled it away from the wall. A sword that was leaning against fell over and made a loud noise that startled him. He stared down at the sword afterwards. "Whoops," he muttered softly to himself. He was about to put the shield down to pick it up when he heard the door squeak open.

"What are you doing?" He jumped when he heard the Horseman's inquiry. He looked over his shoulder, seeing War gazing at him with a questioning look before he pushed the door wider as he entered the room.

"Oh! War!" Sora yelped out, suddenly feeling like a young child that got caught doing something he wasn't supposed to. "I just, I was just looking at, I…" He tried to make an excuse, but the Horseman crossed his arms and fixed the young human with a pointed expression, stopping him in his tracks.

"You have a bad habit of wandering off and getting into trouble," War stated, "especially when you were left to your own devices. I know you are old enough in human standards not to get into trouble, or to mess with anything, but your track record suggested otherwise." He paused a moment after his scolding to let it sink in. "Now, why are you in here?" He then asked.

Sora raised his head before he shifted the shield. "I was wondering if I could copy any weapons in here for me to use," he explained, holding up his right arm where the gauntlet is. "I mean…just in case, you know."

War regarded it, rubbing his chin with his right hand. "I do recall you doing that, making a copy of a sword you borrowed." Sora nodded before realizing the Horseman wouldn't see it. He was about to respond before the Horseman looked to him. "You want to get as many copies as you could, in case you lose the Keyblade again."

Sora couldn't hide the surprise at how quickly the Horseman figured out his little plan. "Uh, yeah," he confirmed.

"Do you know how to use some of them?"

The boy regarded the shield in his hand. "Uh…kind of? I kind of swing them around like a sword. And there was the time at another world where I practiced with a wooden staff. I wasn't good at it, though." And that's off the top of his head, with the latter as the truth. He isn't used to pole arms, and it had taken him a good while to get used to the longer weapon, and the balance required.

Sora raised his head but was startled to see a slightly dismayed expression on the Horseman's face. "Uh, what?"

War made an exasperated sigh, his fingers over the middle of his forehead. "How have you survived all this time?" The Horseman questioned. "I knew you were resourceful, but…" he cut himself off with a grunt. He collected himself. "If you are to survive on this world to return to your own world, you would need to learn to utilize other weapons." A pause. Then he adds, "Properly."

Sora then watched, in stunned confusion as the Horseman stomps to the wall, examining several weapons with scrutinizing eyes before he placed them away, taking those he deemed 'all right' to be gathered in his large hand, while a couple of others are just tucked on his back. And the next thing Sora knew, he was grabbed by the back of his hood by War. "H-hey! What are you doing?"

"Training you with other weapons," War answered bluntly before he slings the boy over his shoulder. He closed the door to the armory behind him.

"Wha!" Sora yelped out. "But I already know how to fight!"

"That may be, but for one to improve, they need to learn from other sources," War informed him. "Now, let's go."

Sora slumped over the Nephilim's shoulder, groaning in defeat. He had a feeling he couldn't talk his way out of it.

This is going to be terrible.

~o~

-Childhood Stories-

A few days had passed since the Horseman made the decision to train the young Keyblade user to practice his Mystic powers and to train him properly with other weapons. The schedule is simple: they are on two separate days, with one day focused on Mystic training, and the other day focused on training with a weapon of choice War picked. It fits, as the very next day, the Mystic training would be dedicated to mental training and energy concentration to let the muscles heal after the intense training regimen. The Physical training is something the Horseman KNEW he could do. A part of him lamented that Death and Fury were not around, as they could help teach the boy properly. Yet they are not here, and he had to make do with what limited knowledge he had, and a few things he could recall regarding the boy's power.

It helps that War had examined the areas of the Maker's abode, finding a large area outside that is secluded from demons. He was happy with the forethought to attach the Tremor Gauntlet to his cummerbund after using it to break through the Griever's exoskeleton. It allows him to push open the doors on his own with its help.

The two are currently standing across from each other. War opted to borrow a regular sword, leaving Chaoseater behind for the spar. The edges are dulled, perfect for this sort of training. They would leave behind bruises. While cuts could also be healed, certain parts of the body aren't so easily healed. So dull weapons are used for this exercise. His opponent, the young human, opted to use his Keyblade for this match up.

The Horseman had his hair up into a small bun so his hair wouldn't get in the way during this.

The two stared each other down, shifting into stances with their weapons up and directed at each other. The Horseman watched as the boy steeled himself. Without giving the slightest indication that they were starting, the boy lunged forward. War twisted his body to use the flat part of the sword to block the blow. The boy quickly backed off, attempting to use his smaller frame to get an edge in. Yet War was unmoving, using only a single arm to block and deflect the human's blows. Then he lunged forward himself. But the boy rolled out of the way. He returned to his feet and spun around in one smooth motion. War meets the swing halfway, letting the back of the blade slide over it as the man pivots around.

The two only let out grunts as the two slipped into a series of swings. Both sides shifting easily between blocking, deflecting and dodging their strikes. By now, they were familiar with each other's usual strategies. The boy doing what he could to land a hit in, or at the very least, make the Horseman move from his spot.

Compared to a few days prior, the boy's stamina had grown so that he was able to last a little longer with each training session.

That does not mean that one could still be knocked down by sneaky tricks.

The two got into a lock with their blades, the boy putting his strength to hold it back. War's lips quirked a little at the corner before he tried to use his heel to trip up the boy. The boy fell over, but he quickly caught himself, making a backward handspring to jump back. The boy stumbled a little before he fell onto his back. The boy groaned. "Messed up the landing…" he grumbled.

War let out a very light chuckle under his breath, approaching the human. "I suppose we'll take a break for now," he suggested.

The boy let out a sigh before he pushed himself up, stretching. "Yeah, I guess," he muttered.

The Horseman sat down next to the human, placing the sword next to him, crossing his legs. As the boy stretched his arms, War regarded him. To be completely honest, he was…actually pleasantly surprised with the young human. In the first hour days before, the child was hesitant to train with the Horseman at first, which he did not blame the child. He had never trained someone himself before, and it was the very first time he did something out of a spur of a moment. Yet as minutes went by, the young human soon began to enjoy the training, and he was a very quick learner. It was almost as if he has a natural talent. And the Horseman wanted to improve and hone that talent. Of course, some weapons are easier to use than others, but it took a couple of hours for the young human to get used to the weight and balance of the weapons the Horseman had picked.

Admittedly, War never really got to see or observe how the human fights, often preoccupied with his own, yet he could see the child using his smaller frame to get by most of the time. He is fast and light, an advantage he has to try to befuddle sluggish and larger foes. The Horseman also caught the human one-time training on his own with a couple of swords he has, attempting to dual wield. He had seen the human do so back at the Cathedral, but with two different swords this time.

Though, thinking more about it, he recalled the boy's bout with a Grappleclaw. He hadn't seen the fight fully but saw enough to have him piece it together later. The boy had a fight with a Grappleclaw blind and had barely managed to kill it. It was confirmed when he asked the child about it, and the boy admits that it was around that time when he first used his power. He was thinking of needing something sharp to save himself, manifesting a large sword to skewer it. He actually had a headache for a few days until that happened. The Horseman recalled how the boy had held his head after Samael helped him partially unlock Chaos Form. Which is…odd. Why would him attaining Chaos Form affect the young human so much? And why was it a catalyst for the boy to awaken to his powers as a Mystic? There is much he does not know, but he does know that she once told him that she had a headache when her powers first began to manifest, and it only went away when she actually used it.

(More and more similarities between the two…is it truly a coincidence? He…didn't want to think that.)

He pulled himself out of his own thoughts as the human drank from his metal waterskin, exhaling afterwards. "You know," the boy began, "I honestly thought it wouldn't go this well. I'm glad I was wrong." The Horseman grunted with the boy noticing. He held up his hand in a placating manner as he hastily added, "Not that you're a bad teacher or anything!"

"At ease," War said to him to calm him. "I am not mad, nor annoyed."

The boy eased himself, hearing it. "Oh," he said softly. The boy crossed his legs, drumming his fingers on his legs. "Though, you really are a good teacher. I mean, sure, I was coached, but I'm actually learning something here!"

The young human seems to find something good in most things. Yet he couldn't help but feel a little proud of himself in being able to teach and train someone. He has his own pride in being one of the strongest members of the Four Horsemen (second to Death), but he kept himself sharp and in shape over the years to keep his skills from going rusty during the long periods they were on standby.

However, he had let his curiosity peek through, asking the child, "Who taught you how to fight?"

The boy blinked at him. "Huh? Oh, well…" the boy rubbed the back of his head with his left hand. "Well…I'm mostly…self-taught? I grew up doing some sword fighting with my friend, Riku. His dad is the only one who knows how to train with swords. His mom too. So he knew a thing or two from them."

War quirked an eyebrow. So he is friends with someone who is a child of sword wielders? That is…interesting. "They never taught you?" The Horseman pressed.

"Well, like I said, mostly self-taught," the child shrugged. "I learned a few lessons, but they said to the two of us that 'experience is the best teacher'." The boy then slouched, pouting. "Though I could never beat him even in play fighting…"

Ah, now he sees what it is. They are friends, but also rivals too. Both of them being reasons to get better and improve themselves. War gestured to the human. "Surely, you must have improved over the years," said War.

"I guess," the boy responded. "I think I did get better." He scratched his cheek. "Though it wasn't just sword fighting. We also race each other at times, with our other friend, Kairi."

"And this other friend?" War pressed.

"Well…she doesn't play sword fighting with us," the boy crossed his arms, thinking, "But, she is stubborn. Um…we tried to help her learn it one time, but…" the boy grimaced. "It…didn't go well."

Perhaps he shouldn't ask what happened. So he just grunted.

The young human looked to him. "Did…were you ever taught by someone?"

"No," War responded honestly. "Like you, I was mostly self-taught. Your friend's parents are right about experience being the best teacher."

"oh, really?" The boy's eyes shot open in surprise. The Horseman merely nodded. He was given the bare minimum of training due to him being different from the others, being more angelic than the others (despite patches from his demonic parent), and perceived as weaker, being under the care of his unit's (only) healer. The younger Nephilim often push him around and make sure he would not get the training he needed to defend himself. Ironically, it worked out for him, as he learned to use a sword on his own, growing stronger and better with his experience.

The boy hummed, shifting his legs to lean against them upright. "It's kind of strange that we're kind of alike, but…not?" The boy says, staring down for a little. He raised his head to look at the Horseman. "You ever been to a beach before?"

War blinked at the question, before he had to search his memory if he had been to someplace like that. "…The strip of land by the ocean, river or lake?"

"The ocean," the boy answered.

"Then no, I have not," War answered easily.

"Really?" the boy didn't hide his surprise. War just grunted. For some reason, the boy made his cheeks puff a little. "Well that's no good! You should see it at least!"

"You do not need to concern yourself with that," War assured him. "It is all right."

"I know, but still!"

"Why do you insist on it?" War inquired, slightly confused on the human's behavior.

The boy sighed, slouching. "Well…it's been a while since I've been home. It's a set of islands, some large ones and a small one. Not like an archipelago, or anything. The smaller island is where kids go to play all day during the summer." The boy looked at his arm. "Ugh. I'm starting to look pale because I hadn't been in the sun for so long…"

So the boy is homesick. War could not blame him, having a similar feeling as him at times. It brought up a question he had thought weeks back when they had first met: why is the human out in the worlds and not at his home? His eyes shifted to the Keyblade, as if it were the answer. It may be related to what is happening with the boy, but… War stopped himself and mentally shook his head. No, it is not his business to ask. And he shouldn't assume anything.

He sighed a little before he glanced away. The Horseman caught the boy having a pensive look. He opened his mouth but seemed to have thought better of it and closed it. "What were you about to say?" War asked him, making the boy jump.

"Oh! Uh…" The boy lightly scratched his cheek. "Well…I dunno if I should really ask or…" The boy grimaced a little. "…do you…" he raised his head to look at him. "Did you have friends growing up?"

War easily shook his head. "No. I did not."

The boy had a dismayed look. "oh."

"It isn't as if it is a Nephilim thing," War explained to him. "I do not have childhood friends, not like you."

"Wait, really?" the boy looked up to him in surprise. "Why?"

"Nephilim children were trained at a young age to defend themselves. It was during the time where both angels and demons try to find units not attached to the main one where the Firstborns were at to wipe them out. Out of the children of the unit I first lived with, I looked more…angel, compared to the others' more demonic traits." He did not say that to seek sympathy. It was just the fact of a matter.

War wasn't surprised to see the dismayed expression on the boy's face again. Yet what he said next caught him off guard, "…You guys really were hated, huh?" The boy had lowered his head. "I, uh… Uriel told me about the Abomination weapons." He held up the arm with the gauntlet. "She thought it was one of them at first, but it wasn't." Ah, that made sense. One would think that as well unless someone, like his brother Death, knows what it looks like. The boy soon nodded. "I think I can get why you had to do what you did to keep other worlds safe. Still, it wasn't your fault for being born."

Silence fell over them, the ambience of the outside not disturbing it.

The small moment had the Horseman try to analyze the…peculiar tone the boy used at the last part. It wouldn't mean anything if it was said normally. But why the tone? Why did he sound so…sad?

The Horseman sighed through his nose. Why does this concern him? He…shouldn't try to lift the boy's spirits. Yet he was the one who brought it down. It had been a while since he had interacted with humans, and yet…the Horseman looked to the boy. "What are your own friends like?" War asked the boy.

The boy blinked, raising his head to look at him. "huh."

War fixed his request, saying, "What was it like, growing up on your world? With your friends."

The boy noticed it. He scratched his cheek. "Well…" The boy lowered his legs to somewhat cross them again. "It's a really beautiful place. Ocean as far as the eyes could see. I lived on the main island, where there's a small town built. The edges is where there are boats for people to go out to gather fish, and further into the islands is where there's the rest of the town. I have a few friends, but I was close in age to Riku and Kairi. We grew up together for nine years." The boy smiled softly. "We did a lot of things together, growing up together." He gave a small laugh. "Thinking about it…we had the stupid idea of making a raft to try to sail out to other worlds. I mean, we were kids, we didn't really think it through."

"As for Riku, well, I've known him since I was a baby." The boy's eyes are unfocused as he delves into his memories. "We knew each other pretty well. Sure, we raced with each other, and maybe there were times we had argued, but it never was bad enough that it ruined our friendship. He makes mistakes but…he did it with the best intentions. He," the boy collects himself a little, "he was always there for me. Even when I was sad." He pushed himself up a little. "Kairi, meanwhile, she isn't from the islands originally, but the three of us are great friends. She's kind, brave and strong. And a little sassy. She's the voice of reason for the two of us and likes to tease us on occasion."

War took it all in. The boy had lived a rather peaceful life, for the most part. He had spoken rather fondly of those two. They must be very important to him. Yet why is he not with them? War sensed the weapon by their side, as it as the most likely reason, yet there is more to the story he believed. The outburst the boy made days before rang through his mind, giving him some ideas.

Still, he had to ask, "Why are you not at your home at this time? Was there something you had to do?"

The boy glanced at him before he nodded.

War grunted. So that's how it is. He still has something he has to do before he returns home.

What that business is...well, he won't ask the boy much about it. Unless the boy wants to. And so he said, "I will not ask about your circumstances of what had happened. I would rather hear it on your own terms from your own lips."

After a moment, the young human turned his head to the Horseman with a surprised expression. It shifted into a grateful look. "Thank you."

He said nothing, and the two sat there in silence. As they did, the Horseman realized that he may had said too much. He may be perceptive, trying to figure out what one is thinking, but there's a select few who he could interact with emotional-wise. He only knew a select…people, but…

He sensed a question that would come from the young human, so he promptly stood up. "We have rested enough," he announced. "Let us resume."

"Uh…okay?" The boy let out, a little confused. "If you say so."

The two got into their positions and start their training anew.

~o~

-The Whereabouts of the other Horsemen-

The young human passed out the moment his head hit the pillow. The two had been training for a good few hours, taking breaks to rest and to eat. The boy was exhausted by the time night had fallen.

The Horseman shook his head at Sora before he pulled the blanket over the boy. Silently, he left the room, heading to the kitchen to sit at the table. He ignored the Maker as the Old One put away some things. Once he was done, the Maker regarded the Red Rider. "Well, you seem to be gettin' along with the lad," the Maker remarked. He leaned against the stone counter, crossing his arms. "Givin' him special treatment because of wot he is?"

War shot him a glare. "I am merely preparing him in case we are to go our separate ways once more," he stated. "Nothing more, nothing less."

Ulthane waved it off. "Ah, don't deflect," he snorted. "If you were really doing that, ya wouldn't be as lenient." The Horseman let out an annoyed grunt, bristling a little. Ulthane rolled his eyes openly at how the Horseman is acting. "Don't give me that. You know I'm right. Ya wouldn't be lenient unless you had met some humans yerself."

…The Horseman went oddly silent at that. The Maker stared at the Nephilim in confusion…before his eyebrows shot up. Wait…did he…?

The Red Rider's eyes shifted away. "Once. Before the pact was made. But with a different 'set'."

Ulthane wasn't expecting an admission from the Horseman. But that? Well, that certainly explains a few things. How he knew a Mystic and everything. Though from how the Horseman is reacting…there might be more to it than that. A lot to unmask and dissect.

However, for his own sake, he decided not to press it, merely nodding. "I won't tell anyone," he promised. The Horseman merely grunted. Ulthane scratched at his sideburn, thinking. He sighed. "I got something I need to say too. I mean, you deserve to know what happened with at least Fury and Strife."

The Horseman turned his head to the Maker. "How?" The Red Rider questioned. Asking how the Maker even knew what had happened to his fellow Horsemen.

Ulthane sighed through his nose. "It's about ninety years ago, ten years after the pre-mature End War occurred," he began. "Even though a decade had gone by, there were still some humans living. But are in hiding and were being hunted down. Wasn't just me. Some other Makers were with me. We made a haven for them, but we knew it wouldn't last forever. Around that time, Fury showed up, hunting for the Seven Sins. I helped upgrade her weapon, for each human she found and brought back."

War turned to the Maker. "And? What of her?"

"She's all right, as far as I know," Ulthane responded. "She left to protect what remains of humans to this day."

At that, the Red Rider's white eyebrows raised slightly in surprise. Fury? Being a protector? That is…not like her. At all. At times, she can be the voice of reason, other times, she is impatient and abrasive. But out of them, she is the best mage who could utilize magic.

"I know what yer thinkin', makin' that face," Ulthane nodded. "Surprised me too, with the changes she went through. She seemed to have grown. She and the humans she left with are at a safe place only she knew."

War grunted, turning his gaze to the table. So that's what happened with her. She isn't dead, but is out there, protecting the remnants of humanity. Meaning, they aren't completely extinct at all. They haven't truly lost yet. Still…

"What of Strife? Do you know what happened with him?" The Red Rider asked the Maker.

"Honestly? I dunno. He helped us out, by posin' as a human," Ulthane explained. "But he helped hold back the Demon horde, led by the Destroyer himself, to let Fury and the humans escape. He's probably out there somewhere."

That does sound like Strife. At least two of his siblings are doing something. The only one he did not know the whereabouts of now is Death. It sounds as if Ulthane had no idea where the eldest had disappeared to. Surely, Death at least believed he is innocent, right?

Yet, he couldn't help but be bothered why the Council never mentioned any of them. He faintly recalled when they sent off Fury to hunt down the Deadly Sins, but he never heard from her, nor his brothers since. Had they never reported to the Council since then? Or…

Has something happened? And they were unable to report back at all?

There were just so many questions he has. His fingers lightly drummed on the table. Well, there IS one question he could ask. "Why are you telling me this?" He leveled the Maker with a glare in suspicion.

Ulthane shrugged. "' Figured you deserve to know. I didn't mention any of this with that pest attached to ya. Yer sister actually asked me to help you if we were to cross paths."

Pest…? War mentally questioned, before he quickly understood. Ah, he must have meant the Watcher.

No one in creation really liked the Council much. Despite them being a neutral force, not many were happy with the pact that was established, and there were skirmishes they had to settle. As well as other such problems. Obviously the Maker, nor Dis and Vulgrim, would really tell anything to the Council. Would this imply that the two demons knew of what became of Death?

His brows furrowed. He COULD ask, but the two are under a code themselves, on costumer confidentiality. Perhaps, at least while he has the Watcher with him. Meaning, he has to not have the Watcher around if he were to ask them. Yet he could not do that, as he was under the condition to be 'watched' as he's on Earth.

He huffed out a breath. How frustrating…

The Horseman nodded to the Maker. "I see. Thank you for telling me." The fact that Fury had asked Ulthane to help him…it means that she believes he is innocent.

He could at least take solace in knowing of what became of his siblings-in-arms.

The Maker blinked at being thanked by the Horseman. But…Ulthane merely nodded. "Sure," he simply answered.

The two ageless beings stayed in the kitchen in silence for a little while until they eventually left to different rooms.

~o~

-Of Duties and Roles-

A few more days had passed since then. Training is going well, in the Mystic arts and utilizing different weapons. They didn't talk about anything else since then, but it was fine with the Horseman. With less to talk about, the better.

As much as Sora wanted to know more about the Horseman, something told him that he should not pry into it as much. While he could ask, he should never ask so much…because it felt like the Horseman had been trying to make sure he doesn't get close, emotional wise. That's a similar attribute to Cloud – thus far. For some reason, this felt more…personal?

Sora was genuinely curious about the Horseman, and of the Nephilim race. What were their culture like, and all. He wanted to know the Red Rider himself. To be honest, he wasn't entirely sure why he wanted to know more about War so badly. With others that he had met on other worlds, he had taken some time to slowly get to know them. Like how Ariel was genuinely curious of the human world and wanted to know more and more about the surface. Falling in love with Prince Eric is another factor to know more about humans. When he talked to Ariel about it later after the fiasco with Ursala (again), the mermaid explained to him that the moment her father destroyed everything in her secret grotto, and not just the statue, it felt as if the king was rejecting her entirely. That she has no real place in his kingdom. She admits that that was the real reason she signed Ursula's contract. If she has no part in Atlantica, then she will find her place elsewhere. While Triton was just worried about her and wanted to protect her, he could have gone about it differently now that Sora thought more about it.

There were others he slowly got to know, and them having their own worries and struggles.

War is just a harder nut to crack. And Sora is conflicted on whether to leave him alone or try to get closer, only to be pushed away. He isn't sure what issues the Horseman has, and he's not certain if he wanted to pry deeply. He wanted to trust the Horseman; despite the dangers it poses. Not just him being a human but also being associated with someone that all of creation disliked would be bad for him too.

Still, the man is going out of his way to teach him a few things, helping him learn how to use his powers and how to use other weapons (and something told him that it would be REALLY useful someday). He appreciates it. So the least he could do is try not to pry too much into the Horseman's past. It's a good balance at least.

Before he knew it, it was nighttime, and the boy is ready to hit the hay. After removing his shoes, jacket, glove and gauntlet – he discovered that he could just…take it off while 'thinking' of pulling it off. It also responded to his thoughts – he soon went to sleep after saying 'good night' to the Horseman.

…

He awoke to the feeling of a small hand creeping up from behind him and up his chest, over his heart tenderly. Snapping open his eyes, he found himself at a verdant forest. Birds were chirping overhead, the winds lightly rustling the trees. He looked around a little, confused.

(It's…familiar? But…he never been here before, has he?)

He heard someone call out to him, but he couldn't hear the words, nor know the voice. Looking around, he found no one, until someone gently called his name once more. Turning, he saw… a blob? (Was it supposed to be that?) The Blob says something to him, asking him something before they hurried on. He felt compelled to follow it, not knowing why. Where is it leading him?

He followed the blob to a patch where there appeared to be a struggle. A predator, it looks like. The blob sounds concerned, wanting to check it out. They followed the trail. They soon found what they were looking for, a wolf dragging a deer to where two pups were at. For some reason, he said something regarding the wolf and how it would attract any demons that happen to wonder around. The blob seems to agree with it, saying that they would need a safe place.

It was not their problem, he said, though the blob shook its head, saying that it would one day be, because wolves control the population of certain animals.

For now, they left the wolf and her pups alone, resuming their trek through the thicket. The blob seems to have powers, using it to lift a fallen tree and set it aside. In a joking voice, the blob asked him if they're gonna do the work. Wordlessly, he approached and effortlessly moved another aside, creating a path. The blob went on ahead, and he followed.

Yet he froze. The blob wasn't around. He looked around frantically. He called out a name, but he couldn't hear himself.

Suddenly he was face to face with Kairi. "Sora, you NEED to wake up," she said to him. "You have to come home! You PROMISED!" She had her hands on his chest and pushed him. Towards the darkness.

He cried out, reaching out to her. "KAIRI!" He cried out as the darkness consumed him, and he gasped as he jumped. Lying there, he panted as he slowly woke up from the throes of a nightmare. Once his breathing evened out, he laid there with a sigh. Well that's typical. MORE weird dreams. He's been having a couple lately. He better get back to sleep, due to training.

However, as he closed his eyes…his ears picked up a small, distressed sound. Confused, his eyes blinked open. He laid silently, listening out for it but no sooner did he do that that he heard it again. Slowly, he pushed himself up and looked around for the source. The moonlight filtered in through the glass ceiling, giving a small bit of light. But as far as he could see, there's no one else in here…except for…

Turning his to the source, there he saw the Horseman on his side, asleep. However, he noticed with alarm of the sounds coming from the Horseman, as well as the small twitches he had made. His first instinct was to get up to his feet and try to wake him up, but when he got to his knee, logic suddenly kicked in, stopping him.

Wait. If he is a warrior who had been alive for thousands of years, there's no doubt that he would react badly to being woken up. He made that mistake before when Donald had a nightmare, and he isn't going to make it again. Though, how is he supposed to wake up a Horseman without getting himself killed later?

He looked around, before his eyes landed upon the pillow he used. Not thinking twice, he snatched it and threw it at the Horseman's face.

Upon impact, the Horseman's eyes snapped open. He grabbed the pillow and with a roar, slams it into the ground. Stuffing burst out from the burst seams, laid out uselessly on the ground. Sora stood there, frozen a bit while the Horseman panted.

After a little while, the Nephilim seems to have noticed that what 'attacked' him was just a pillow, blinking down at it in confusion. Wanting to defuse the situation, Sora awkwardly began, "Uh…don't think I could use that anymore…"

At his voice, the Horseman glanced at him, before back at the destroyed pillow. He lifts his hand, staring down blankly at it for a moment, before regarding the stuffing. A grimace formed on the Horseman's face, running his flesh hand up and over his face. "I…apologize," he muttered lowly. "I…did not mean to wake you."

"Oh, no," Sora waved it off. "It wasn't your fault you had a nightmare. I figured I could use a pillow to wake you."

War grunted. "That's smart at least…"

"Yeah…" Sora drawled out. "…I made the mistake of waking up a friend of mine when he had a bad dream. I nearly got a fireball to the face thanks to that." He shrugged nonchalantly. "So I used other means to wake him up."

The Horseman regarded him for a moment. "Still, you should get some sleep. My problems shouldn't keep you up."

Sora waved it off. "No, it's okay. I…kind of was already up."

It was a strange dream, honestly. How could he really explain it? Hm. Best not to talk about THAT one thing.

Sora returned his attention not the Horseman, noticing a peculiar look the man was making. "A nightmare had woken you up, has it?"

The boy was surprised once more. He was constantly surprised by how observant the Horseman is. Or perhaps, he's just really transparent. "Well, no I…" he began, trying to deny it, yet under the Horseman's gaze, he faltered a little before slouching. "Yeah. I did. Since I came here, I had been having a lot of them. I had them before on my journey, but…not as frequent. I also had some friends to help me with those."

"By friends, do you mean the ones from childhood?" War asked him.

"Well, no, not really," Sora shook his head. "A different set of friends." It soon hit Sora that he never really fully explained his situation with the Horseman. Sure, there were some snippets of the creatures he faced where he was from, but he never fully explained them, has he? It wasn't the Horseman's business to know of his situation, and he really shouldn't have to tell the Horseman himself. But…he wanted someone to at least hear him out.

While Sora was in his thoughts about it, War had regarded him. What is the boy implying. Did he not travel with his companions? If not…then it circles back to the Keyblade, how the boy had gotten wrapped up regarding the weapon.

As if the boy had come to a decision, he sat down fully. "Do you remember what I said back then when we first met? About the 'Heartless' and 'Nobodies'?"

Ah, yes. He did recall that. Such strange terms he used while trying to defend himself against his own scoldings. The Horseman nodded. "I do recall."

"Okay," Sora sighed. He pulled the Keyblade towards him to place it on his lap. "The night before we were supposed to set sail, supernatural creatures of darkness called 'Heartless' appeared on the islands. They go and steal, I guess 'hearts' from other people to make more. Including those of Worlds. My world was a victim of them, and we ended up separated. A year ago, I traveled to other worlds to try to find my friends, while also dealing with a group that's hoping to use Kingdom Hearts for their own ends, and deal with the Heartless making a mess on some worlds. I managed to stop them and the main mastermind behind it, and the worlds, including my own, returned. The only reason I didn't go back is because…my friend sacrificed himself to make sure the rest of the worlds don't suffer the same fate. So I had to go to try to find him." The boy scratched his head. "I…honestly don't know what happened but I was asleep for a year. After I woke up, I found out that there's another group that's after Kingdom Hearts for their own reasons. They're made up of where the bodies left over by people whose hearts were stolen by the Heartless or fell into darkness come alive. But that's only if they have a strong will. They're just called 'Nobodies'. They aren't 'somebody' – just a remnant of them."

He paused a moment to let his voice recover, and to let the Horseman absorb the information. "I know…that a lot of it is like it was all made up. I mean, it's…incredulous. You know? But there's this world, with angels and demons and the like." Sora held up the Keyblade to himself. "It's because of all of those, I can't go back to my world yet. And why I had to find a way off of this world and back to where I'm from. I'm not really the real wielder of this Keyblade. But with it, I could fight alongside my friends and save people. I know it doesn't have a good reputation, but I want to do what I can to protect the balance. And make things right."

After the young human was done talking, the Horseman took it all in. Barely a year ago, the boy was thrust into a situation to battle supernatural beings of darkness and leftover bodies reanimated by sheer force of will. The Horseman had heard little of the supposed supreme power of the worlds. Power enough to even threaten the balance should anyone foolish enough try to summon it. The boy had managed to prevent that the first time and is trying to stop another group from doing so once more. Even if he isn't the true user of the weapon he has, he faced the responsibility it entailed.

And yet, the Horseman couldn't help but feel that the young human shouldn't have to do all of it. To a Nephilim, the boy is too young to endure it all. The boy kept fighting in order to return to his home and live in peace. And now, beyond his own control, he has accidentally landed on this world and is forced to survive each day in hopes of trying to escape and return to where he came from, if only to finish what he started. Back to his friends and- hold on.

A sudden thought popped into the Horseman's mind. While he was thinking of the home the boy is trying to return to…while he was describing his friends, the boy never once mentioned his mother and father. He had described his childhood friends, but not the figures who raised him.

He did not know why that part bothered him. Why he felt that it was important to think about.

Before he could delve into his thoughts, War mentally shook his head. It was not his business, and if the boy wishes to share that part, that is the boy's own choice. He will not force the child to tell more about his life if he does not want to. He said so as much, days before. He won't break his word now.

The Horseman looked to the boy. "Then we should resume sleeping," he suggested. "You will need the strength to return to whence you came."

Sora looked to him, blinking. But Sora merely nodded. That is true. He has to get stronger to get off this world. He can't think of 'if's here. He has to think of 'when's. "Okay," Sora responded. As Sora started to settle in, he looked around a little. He spotted his bag, before he slides it to himself. Sora grunted. "Hey, War?"

The Horseman grunted, moving to lean into position.

Sora mulled over what he wanted to tell the Horseman…but he shook his head. "Actually, no. Never mind." He laid his head onto the bag. "Night."

He felt the Horseman's eyes linger on him until the feeling was gone.

(He couldn't work up the nerve to tell the Horseman about his plans.)

~o~

-Of Fishing and Food-

"Uh…" Sora droned out. "What are we doing?"

Tied around his chest is a thick piece of rope, fastened like a harness. He and the Horseman are on top of a raft-like platform. The Horseman announced to him that they would do something different for his Mystic training, snagging a rope, got the raft, and rowed out a little.

The Horseman held him up by the back of his jacket. "We will attempt to see if you can manifest 'hands' with your power to try to grab something from a long distance, followed by a 'trick' I am sure you can utilize."

"Oh…okay," Sora turned his head. "What's that?" He asked nervously.

"You may not know this, but the four of us were able to use an ability that allows us to 'breathe' underwater," War explained. "What we did was use a little of our own magic power to form a 'barrier' around us to provide most of us with unlimited air. It allows us to fight underwater and to dive deep."

The boy blinked at this. "Really?" He asked in surprise. "That's actually kind of cool."

The Horseman didn't say much else…and soon, Sora realized what he was about to do. "H-Hey wait!" he yelped out, but the Horseman had grabbed the other end of the rope. He tried wiggling out of it, but the Horseman was smart to have the harness over him.

"I will pull you back in swiftly if you are in danger," War says to him. "But you will have to learn how to channel that power over and around your body not like your barriers." He attached something to the harness. "Work fast. And yank twice." That was all the Horseman had to say before he rears his arm back, ignoring the humans' protests- and threw him as hard as he could. The boy screamed as he was flung far away, his voice becoming faint to the Horseman. The latter held onto the rope as it unfurled under him as the former got further and further away…until he heard a distant splash.

The moment Sora made impact with the water; he began to sink quickly. The boy muffled as he looked around, squinting through the murkiness and salt in the water. Why is he sinking so quickly? He felt his body, before he tried to reach for his back. His finger scrapped against something, making him realize that the Horseman had placed a weight on him to make him sink. He made a panicked noise, trying to swing his arms to swim back up, but the weight wouldn't let him get far.

At his rate, he couldn't hold his breath and he'll drown!

Panicking, he tried to frantically get the harness off, but he couldn't reach the knot on his back. He tried to pull it off like an actual harness, but they were pretty snug. His lungs are starting to burn…!

Suddenly, he felt the harness being tugged twice. He tried to look back, wondering if he had imagined it. What was that about?

"Yank twice," the Horseman's words echoed in his mind. He had wondered what he meant, but now he understood. Grabbing the rope, he yanks it twice.

Suddenly, he was pulled from the water from his back, his yelp muffled. He found his head feeling the wind, he took the moment to take deep breaths. Soon enough, he was pulled out of the water by the rope. Sora panted, dangling in the air. Feeling eyes on him, he looked to the Horseman who had a disappointed expression.

Annoyed at the expression, Sora frowned. "Hey, at least warn me or something!"

The Horseman had a hand on his hip. "I did. It was an exercise to have you try to form the 'barrier' over your body."

"Well, I couldn't do that when I was suddenly tossed several feet away and had a WEIGHT on my back!" Sora retorted. "I was panicking! What else was I supposed to do!"

War rolled his eyes. "Fine. I can just dunk you under until you learn. Would you like that?" He asked, sarcastic.

Sora stared at him in surprise. "Are…wait," he pointed at the Horseman. "Are…are you being sarcastic?"

The Horseman's expression did not move. Sora let his arm go limp as the silence stretched on.

"I'll just toss you in," War decided. "Is that enough of a warning?"

Still in disbelief, Sora just nodded. War adjusted his hold, allowing Sora to hold his breath. And he was just tossed into the water.

Under the water once more, he squints though the sting again as he sank a little. He looked at his hands, humming. Use magic energy to form a 'barrier' but all over your body, huh? Sounds easy enough. He grunted as he nodded to himself before he had his hands cupped over his chest.

("In order to channel the magic power through you," War began as he gently had the boy's hands over his chest, slightly curved and the palms facing each other, "you would need to 'focus' in the single point between your hands."

He had blinked down at this, during the first few hours of his Mystic training. "Like this?" He had asked.

The Horseman grunted as he nodded. "Magic power flows within us, like the lifeblood in our veins," he had explained. "Beginners try to 'tap' into it first and slowly draw it out. As they get better at it, they will find that it's easier to draw it forth. I know you are experienced with magic, so it may come easily to you."

Sora hummed. In a way, he's right. This would most certainly come to him pretty easily. He just need to tap into it and draw it out, right? Sticking his tongue out, his eyes squinted a little as he focused between his hands. Mentally reaching out to the power he had once felt when Donald first taught him how to use Fire magic. The power responded to him, and he 'pulled' at it…

Something began to form between his hands. Though, it got big and bright with each millisecond. "I believe you should ease up-" The Horseman began-

Before it 'blew up' in his face. A bit literally. He felt soot on his face, and he could only blink in stupor. "…Too much," he rasped out.

He heard the Horseman inhale sharply through his nose, but it wasn't a scold that came out. "You…got the idea. Try to pull back on it."

Sora turned to look at the Horseman. His face seem a little tighter and…was that a smile he saw?

For some reason, a part of him felt happy at seeing more than a scowl on the Horseman's face, even if it were at his own expense. So he isn't stone after all.

Sora just nodded. "Right," he says before he cleaned his face. He clenched his first, determined. "Okay, let's try again!" He had his hands into a similar position to get back into it.)

As he had practiced many times now, the energy came to him easily. This time, he guides it to cover his body. It was slow and steady, creeping over him. He didn't feel the water stinging his eyes, blinking them a bit wider. The water is still murky, but he could see certain shapes further out. The boy stared around in awe. He noticed the barrier flickering, so he yanked the rope twice.

He felt himself pulled out, but he maintained the barrier. "Hey! I did it!" Sora cheered, throwing his hands up. But the barrier chose that moment to crack and fall apart. His posture faltered a little as he let out a sheepish sound.

But War gave a nod, pleased. "Good. Keep trying, get used to having it around you," he advised.

Sora gave a salute. "Yes sir!"

And so they did it a couple of times after, Sora slowly getting used to and adjusting the magic energy to fuel the barrier around him. He released his breath after a few attempts, finding that he could breathe now. After what felt like hours, Sora managed to have it maintained for a few minutes as a test drive by War. After it had passed, the Horseman pulled him out, this time Sora maintaining the barrier around him.

After examining the boy and the barrier, War gave a nod of approval. "Good, very good," he says.

Sora beamed, giving a small laugh.

The Horseman gave a small shake of his head. "All right, now let us go for an actual test," he decided.

Sora blinked. "What do you mean?" He asked.

He was placed onto the platform and the Horseman easily undid the knot, letting the rope fall.

"Now that you are used to doing it, we will try moving around underwater. Later on, we will try underwater combat," War explained to him.

"Wait, why the last one?" Sora asked in surprise.

"Just in case," War answered. He didn't give Sora time to respond before he dove into the water himself. Sora felt the splash hit him, but he was already wet. The boy watched the surface as it started to settle. When the Horseman didn't emerge, Sora realized it was his cue to jump in after. Sighing, the boy dove in properly.

Once he was underwater, he formed the barrier over him, floating under the water as he looked around for the Horseman. A whoosh is heard, and Sora looked down, seeing the Horseman shot off with a strong stroke of his arms. A similar barrier is over his body. The Horseman merely looked back before he kicked his legs to swim ahead.

After a moment, Sora shook his head to snap himself out of it before he swam after the Horseman. The barrier flicked a little, but with a swift concentration, it stabilized. He kept it stable as he swam after the Horseman. Soon, he caught up to the Horseman, who merely looked back and nodded to him.

Sora smiled and gave a thumbs up. Then his eyes caught sight of something. Turning his head, he saw that there was a red snapper swimming by. His eyes went wide at it. A grin formed on his face, rubbing his hands together. He looked at his hands, wiggled his fingers and looked back at it. He can't do spells under the water, but he REALLY wants the fish. And he didn't want to scare it away. So…

Concentrating a little…he extends his hands, and a pair of 'hands' made of his magic energy formed and extends out quickly. They easily caught the red snapper, with the other fish quickly swimming away. "Yeah!" He cheered as the fish wiggled to get out of the grip. He commanded the energy to 'pull' back towards him, seeing the red snapper through the magic. Eyeing his prize, overly pleased with himself, he was thinking of taking it back to the abode and having it for dinner.

…Until he realized that he couldn't exactly swim back, while having it in his magic hands.

Oh, I didn't think this through, he thought. He was eager to get a red snapper that he didn't think that far ahead. But…there might be someone who could help.

With that, he twisted to look at the Horseman. He moved his hands to 'hold' up the red snapper. The Horseman gave him an exasperated expression before he signed. War grabbed Sora by the crook of his arm and the two swam back to the platform. Once they get there, War pulled himself out before he grabbed the boy by the jacket to pull him out. Once Sora is out of the water, he got onto the platform. Staring down at the snapper, he furrowed his brows…

And it ceased moving as icy mist floated around the hands. He adjusted his own hands before dismissing the construct hands, letting the block of ice land in his hands. He smiled. "Nice!" He sets it down. "All right, that's our dinner."

"Why a fish?" War asked him.

"Oh, you never had red snapper?" Sora asked him. The boy examined the caught red snapper. "Well, you're in for a treat. It's a good size, so it'll feed the three of us! It can be baked, broiled, grilled, poached or steamed!" His mouth is watering at the thought of it, wiping the corner of his mouth.

Too bad that there aren't any tuna around. Those had to be caught and prepared fresh. Yet they're harder to catch because of where they usually inhabit. So a red snapper would do.

"…Is it…all that good?" The Horseman's dubious question brought him out of his thoughts.

Sora stood up straight. "Well, not everyone likes fish. Some prefer beef, pork, veal, any kind of meat really. Fish has a lot of protein to them, so they're just as good for you. Anyway, it should be good to stay frozen for a while until we get home. It's better when they're fresh anyway."

The Horseman gave an inquisitive grunt.

Sora turned to him. "All right, so, what next?" He asked.

War had turned his body to stare at the water. Sora tilted his head at the Horseman, making an inquisitive hum. After a few moments, the Horseman sighed a little. "Very well, let us hunt."

Sora blinked. "Huh?"

"If you say that they are good, then I want to see for myself," the Horseman determined. "What are considered 'edible'?"

Sora blinked once, twice. "Uh…maybe I could…point them out?" He suggested. "You might not know what some of them look like."

The Horseman nodded. "Very well. After you."

The next thing the boy knew, they spent most of the time underwater doing the most unorthodox way to fish. Sora recognized a few of them, some more red snappers, a couple of cods, a sea bream. What they could catch, he snatches them and quickly freezes it to put onto the platform with the others they caught. Too bad they didn't' see any tuna, but that's fine.

After a while, Sora gazed down at their haul. "Okay! I think that's enough!" He nodded. He looked up, seeing seagulls flying about. He frowned. "Hey, back off!" He shouted at them. "This is ours!" Little rats with wings! They always try to get what's not theirs! How are the seagulls even alive, huh? ?

"…Perhaps we should return," War suggested. The boy looked one second away from casting a wind magic to blow the avians away.

"Yeah, good idea! Otherwise, they'll get at our fish!" Sora says, glaring at the seagulls.

Soon enough, the two had returned. There was a bit of a dilemma of how to carry their haul in, but Sora had an idea and asked War to get his back, so he could carry it all in. War quickly understood and had returned after a while with the bag. Once the fish are placed in, Sora happily made his way up the trail, humming to himself.

War watched him for a moment, raising an eyebrow at how the boy is acting over a cluster of fish. It's just fish, isn't it? He soon followed the human up the path. "We will attempt underwater combat the day after tomorrow," he announced to the boy.

"All right!" The boy responded.

The next while, Sora spent the time setting up some things, getting some salt. The boy carefully prepared the fish, scraping the scales off and then chop off the head to remove the organs and cleaned it thoroughly, before he asked Ulthane to fillet it (since he has a bigger knife and all), before he took care of the smaller ones, splitting them open from the underside to remove the innards and cleaned them out with water. Some are skewered to be cooked over a grill or pan seared.

The Horseman watched on, seeing how serious the young human is in taking food preparation. The boy knows what he's doing in handling the fish. Then again, the young Keyblade wielder did say that where he lived has people who gather fish. So the boy most likely learned how to prepare fish to be eaten. After a while of the boy being attentive on the fish, he deems them ready to pluck them out to be placed onto plates.

"Okay!" Sora announced. "Food's ready!"

Ulthane snatched a skewer as Sora took one and a plate of pan-fried red snapper, placing the plate before himself and handing War the skewer. "Here," the boy offered.

The Horseman gazed at it for a moment before he takes the end of the skewer. Sora placed the plate on the table with his power before he used it to heft himself up. The boy had gotten himself comfortable, having a fork in hand. Taking the piece to his mouth, the boy chomped down at it. His eyes lit up and he wiggled in his seat. A sign that he enjoyed the taste.

War glanced back at the skewer. He regarded it for a moment, before he took a tentative bite.

Sora was munching away, having a hand on his cheek. He hadn't had red snapper in a while, but it is heaven in his mouth.

"Gotta say, lad," Ulthane began, having eaten through his. "This ain't so bad."

"Right?" Sora agreed, grinning at him. He turned to War. "Hey, how is-?"

…

The two stared at the already bare skewer that is merely placed on the table. The Horseman merely gave them a stare. The Maker and human stared at Horseman in shock and surprise. They didn't even hear him eat. Yet he cleared the skewer already.

Sora tried to look behind the Horseman, leaning back in the chair, before he tried to look under the table. No sign of the fish. The boy sat up straight in his chair, staring up at the Horseman with wide eyes. "Did…did you just…?"

War merely looked to him. "Do you have another?" He simply asked.

The human and Maker slowly turned their heads to look at each other. Ulthane wordlessly took another skewer to hand to the human, who passed it to the Horseman. "Thank you," he said politely, taking the skewer. He bit into it, at a more normal pace now.

Sora and Ulthane gave each other befuddled looks.

What…just happened? ?

Did they imagine it, or…?

Deciding to ignore it for now, the two resumed eating their meals. Though Sora couldn't help but shift his eyes to try to see it again.

He never did.

~o~

-Bathtime Blues-

Sora's eyes went wide as he found something deep in the cupboards. He was going through some today after their intense training again on a whim, until his eyes spotted a bag. Pulling it towards him, he peered into it and dug around…before he pulled out a bar of soap! Digging further, he pulled out shampoo and conditioner!

In that moment, he felt like going on his knees and thanking whatever god out there for these sacred products. "Thank you…!" He muttered to himself, holding them to his chest.

Now he just needed a place to take a bath!

After visiting the Forge and asking Ulthane if there's a place to take a bath, the Maker – still tinkering with War's other prosthetic – directed him to a room where there's some pools of water that was over some magma he managed to bring into the forge for his work. He made those to relax in from time to time, but the boy could use them.

Cheering and hugging the Maker's leg, the boy dashed off to the place.

Grabbing some things, like a bucket, some towels and a few other things, the boy eagerly took off his clothes and started to scrub himself pink on the ground away from the water. Once he was sure the grime is off of him, he proceeded to wash his hair with shampoo, getting it all nice and sudsy. Once he was sure his hair felt clean, he rinsed himself off before putting conditioner into his hair. While he let it set, he proceeded to use the soap to wash his clothes, especially his undergarments. The magic clothes don't get dirty, but he kind of want to have them washed anyway.

Thankfully, in his 'pockets', he has spare undergarments, and an alternative set of clothes as they dry. Those miraculously stayed dry and didn't get a musty smell despite where they were at.

Once he thinks they're clean enough (cleaning them by hand is different from using a washing machine and dryer), he had his clothes over a pole, hanging them over and such to let them dry. With that done, he rinsed his hair once more before he steps over to the hot spring. He dips his toe in first, before he goes into it fully, exhaling in bliss. "That's nice…" he muttered in content. The sores and aches and pain just soothes and slips away.

He laid his head against the outcropping surrounding the pool, staring up at the sky as it shifts to night. He closed his eyes, having a content look.

After what felt like a while, he heard heavy footsteps approaching him. Thinking it was Ulthane, he opened his eyes- only to stare up at the Horseman. "AH!" Sora yelped out, backing away. "Geez, don't scare me!"

"What are you doing?" The Horseman inquired, ignoring the human's jump scare.

"Uh…" Sora began, staring up at him. "I'm just soaking in the water to relax. I washed myself and my clothes earlier."

The Horseman tilted his head before he looked behind him to see the clothes in question. He looked back down at the human. "And where did you gain the items?"

"Uh…" Sora rubbed the back of his head. "I found a bag with a bar of soap, and some other stuff to clean myself. I mean, I felt grimey, and my hair started to feel oily." He grimaced as he tugged at his hair. The spikes are becoming tamer and less full since he didn't have access to some hair gel. "Speaking of, I need to find a brush later…doubt he has one though…"

"And why are you just lounging?" War questioned him.

"Because I want to?" Sora responded, with a quirked brow. "I mean, am I not allowed?"

The Horseman grunted, going into its usual frown. "Well, I just wanted to relax for once," Sora added. His eyes shifted. "Speaking of, do you want to join me?"

War blinked in surprise. "Why?"

Sora considered it. Why DID he ask the Horseman to join him? "Uh…I dunno," he confessed. "But, you don't have to. I'll just stick here for a while until I get out." Sora turned away from the Horseman to lean against the outcropping on the other side. He felt his body relax again. He felt on edge around the Horseman, mostly because of how…overprotective he is with him. Always checking up on him every once in a while. The boy had thought it was a strange coincidence at first, but he began to notice it more and more. He gets that he is a Mystic, but he just wanted to have a small moment to himself. Some breathing room at least.

Sora gave a small sigh. The water caressed his chest, being a little…higher for some reason. He registered the sound of water splashing a moment after. He blinked a couple of times before he noticed someone beside him. Turning his head, the boy was surprised to see the Horseman, being bare. Sora moved over to give him some room as the Horseman copied his posture over the ring. The Horseman let out a small hum. "This feels nice," he muttered.

The boy regarded the Horseman for a moment, before he got back into his position, enjoying the silence. The boy raised his head to stare at the sky. Stars are starting to appear. The boy couldn't help but smile at that. For the most part, this world is cloudy, obscuring the sun for the most part of the day, including during the night. It's mostly over the ruined city. Yet over here, the skies are clear of them. What of the rest of the world? Is it cloudy? Are they clear?

Honestly, he isn't sure, and he also isn't sure if he had the time to do that. He had to get back to his friends. He has to get off this world. The longer he takes, the more he'll just make them, and Kairi, wait. But the only thing that can give him solace is seeing the stars over him. It's proof that the worlds are all right, that he managed to stop Maleficent and Xehanort's Heartless from overtaking the worlds into darkness. And somewhere out there is his own world.

At the thought of his world, the boy frowned a little. It's been a year since he last set foot on the islands (and the 'illusion' from the Dark Realm doesn't count). How exactly…could he adapt to life back there again? He knows of the existence of other worlds, and he can't just play it off as being on a trip for a whole year. The thoughts he had within the caverns of the subway trickled their way into his mind before he shook them away. He isn't going to dwell on that now. He may as well just fake it for a while. Eventually, things will go back to how they were. Right?

Sighing quietly to himself, Sora regarded the Horseman beside him. Then raised his head, staring. This is the first time he fully saw War's arm, chest and back. Numerous scars littered some parts here and there. It wasn't just scars, though. Around his waist, around his shoulders, his skin seems to have a very different texture, and looked a little glossy. On the Horseman's back are two awful looking scars, with what looked like scales circling around the holes. Lastly, Sora never really noticed, because he wasn't paying attention, but War has pointed ears, the tips being red. All of these made him realize just how…inhuman the Nephilim are. War looks so humanoid, yet the patches and the scales, including the ears, give off inhuman traits. There are plenty of scars on the Horseman, yet his attention is drawn to the pair on his back.

Sora wanted to ask about the other scars but…the ones on his back drew his attention the most. "Hey, can I ask something?" Sora asked after a while. The Horseman grunted, with Sora taking the pitch as a 'go ahead'. "So…how did you get the scars on your back?" The Horseman turned his head to look at the human. "The ones on your upper back, spaced out vertically," the boy clarified.

War's eyes widened a little. "Ah. Those." He bent down to show them in full. "Those were where my wings are originally."

"Wait, really?" Sora asked, before he tried to picture said wings. Big and white…or something similar to the ones his other form manifested. He got out of his imagination as he looked back at the scars. Sora began to reach out but refrained. "What…happened to them?"

There was silence for a moment. Sora wondered if he had overstepped his bounds, before War answered, "When I was born…my wings were mangled." He held up a hand. "My demonic…parent, has wings themselves. Feathered and one of membrane does not mix well. They would trouble me and would eventually become lame. So my caretaker had to remove them herself, for my own sake."

Sora's eyes went wide, before he stared at the scars. He had those since he was born…? Looking at them, they look older than the other scars. "…Oh," he said finally in a soft voice. Sora moved to the other side. "Did you…uh…" he glanced away, trying to find the words to say, "ever think about it?"

"No," War answered honestly. "At the end of the day, they would be useless."

Sora regarded him. That…makes sense. Some animals could hardly function if they either broke something important – like a bird unable to fly, or a four-legged animal unable to move fast enough. All of those to run from predators. Or to travel. To live.

In a way, an angel without their wings could not fly. Much like a demon who is born with wings who couldn't fly if they were damaged. The boy could scarcely imagine that. Sora only hoped War wasn't in so much pain when his wings were surgically removed.

After those thoughts, the boy lowered his head. "I see…" he said softly. Sora leans fully onto the outcropping. He drummed his fingers on it. "So…I kind of want to ask. What are the other Horsemen like? I didn't ask much about them. Or, well, I didn't get the chance to even ask about it." The boy looked to the Horseman. "If you want to talk about them I mean."

The Horseman glanced at him for a moment, before humming. "Well…contrary to what people believe, the four of us never knew or met each other before we became Horsemen," War explained. "We are not particularly 'close'. Not like you are with your childhood friends. But we all have mutual respect for each other."

"Oh, really?" Sora asked in surprise.

"In fact, we are not really 'siblings' – it's a 'brother-in-arms' term. They each have strengths and weaknesses. Death is the oldest of the four of us, being among the 'first born'. He is agile, cunning, and resourceful. He wields a pair of kamas that combine together into a scythe." Using his left arm, he drew what they looked like, with Sora getting a gander. A pair of poles with curved blades, before he drew in a scythe. Sora looked at it carefully. It seems a little strange, because if it were made of two mini scythes, where's the second blade? The boy narrowed his eyes. …Unless the other blade is made to be 'straight' somehow, making it appear longer.

(A faint image of a scythe with a green, slightly curved pole, and the blade pink flashed through his mind.)

His back itched for some reason.

"The second eldest is Strife. His main weapons are a pair of guns, but he uses a pair of sabers for close combat. He is sharp in thinking, and in his reflexes…" for some reason War made a face, "even if he says some terrible jokes."

Sora tilted his head. "Tear-able like paper?" He tried to joke.

It took a moment before the Horseman leveled the human with the flattest expression he ever saw. Sora smiled nervously. "…Yeah…that's lame," he conceded, shrinking a little.

War looked away. "The last one, the only female of our group, is Fury. She is headstrong, at times being a voice of reason but is mostly a rather impatient one. Out of all of us, she is the best at magic. Her only weapon is a whip that can be energy or serrated blades. Hers and Death's are among unique ones that are tailored for them to shift into different weapons. Mine and Strife's are not that complex. He carries around his sabers with the hostlers for his guns, and they have endless bullets in them, so he never runs out of regular ammo. You've seen me with Chaoseater."

"That huge sword with the faces on the sides?" The boy asked. "No offense but that sword's…" he made a face, "a little creepy. And not just the looks."

"Well, it's a sentient sword that drives whoever uses it mad with bloodlust, forcing them to go on a killing spree," the Horseman explained. "It wasn't always my sword. But it took me years to overcome its possessive nature."

Sora stared at the Horseman in surprise. Is that what it was? The energy he felt back then? He had no idea that the sword is…alive. And could do that. But how did War knew that? Was he…?

A part of him is scared to ask, but…he had to. "Uh…" Sora began. "Did…were you ever under its influence?"

The silence that hang over them was deafening. Sora fidgeted, feeling uncomfortable. He was about to tell the Horseman that he changed his mind, and he didn't have to answer…until he noticed War placing his hand over his left arm. "Twice. Only twice."

Sora stared at the arm before his eyes shifted upwards. "…Okay," he said softly. His eyes lowered, and then caught sight of something. It's…a strange looking scar. It looked puckered, but it also looked…as if someone or something attempted to do something, and tried to heal it afterwards, leaving the scar to be as it is.

"What happened there?" The words had come out without him thinking.

War looked at him in confusion for a moment, until he looked down at his chest where the boy was looking at. Sora immediately realized what he had done when the Horseman froze. His eyes had widened a fraction at the sight of the scar. Feeling as if he is in danger, Sora slowly backed away.

A moment later, the Horseman let out a sound before he quickly backed up. His back hits the wall, his left hand over the scar. The dark complexion the Horseman has had become noticeably paler, his chest heaving as his left hand started to claw at the scar.

Upon seeing that, Sora just reacted. "Stop!" He cried out, manifesting the construct hands to push the arm away from the Horseman's chest. "War, stop!"

The boy looked to the Horseman's face. The latter's eyes were clouded over for a split second until the Horseman blinked, the clouded look vanishing. The man panted but he seemed to be in a daze. Hesitantly, Sora dismissed the constructs, yet scared of how to proceed. He opened his mouth to speak, but he hesitated. Bracing himself, Sora asked, "War?" No response. "War, are you okay?"

The Nephilim's eyes were on him. In the next moment, the Horseman's expression shifted. The familiar furious scowl, but now his eyes had started to glow, turning his sclera blue and his iris white. His hand had curled into itself with an orange glow around the eyes. Intimidated, the boy backed away, lowering himself until only his eyes and the top of his head are above the water, as if the water would hide him. Yet all the Horseman did was turn quickly to the edge, his back facing the boy, before he pulled himself out. With a flick of his arm, steam erupted from his body, instantly drying the Horseman off.

Storming over to where his clothes lie, the Horseman snatched them, pulling his pants on first. "I'm done. Enjoy your soak," he said to the boy, his voice nearly a growl. Without waiting for the human to reply, the Horseman left the room.

The stomps faded out, allowing the boy to slowly rise from the water. After staring at the passage for a while, Sora lowered his head, feeling guilty.

(He should have kept his mouth shut…)

"…I think I'm done too…" He muttered to himself dejectedly.

~o~

-Drunken Confessions-

It had been a few days since the…incident.

Ever since Sora had brought up the scar, the Horseman was in a foul mood. Well, fouler than he usually is, compared to the usual for the Maker. The Horseman often come by, demanding how much longer would it take for his arm to be repaired, often leaving abruptly after the Maker gave him an honest answer each time: that it being a few more days.

Because of it, Sora hadn't been able to train with the Horseman with his Mystic power and weapon training. He had expressed the worry to Ulthane, who only assured him that the Horseman is throwing a hissy fit and would calm down soon. Sora wasn't so sure, having an idea of what put said Horseman into a 'hissy fit'.

Sora was surprised to see a reaction out of the Horseman as that. Almost as if the Horseman was…triggered, at the sight of the scar. On one hand, he didn't think that it could happen to someone like War, who seemed to have nerves of steel, undaunted and such. Yet, on the other…it made sense. War had lived for thousands of years. No matter how hardened you are, there will be…holes even they can't cover. The boy recalled Donald saying that he and his friends had to have some help to cope with their trauma.

(Were the Horsemen ever given that? From the looks of things…probably not.)

Sora wasn't sure what he was planning to do, but he tried to find the Horseman for a little while. Yet it was as if the Horseman was actively avoiding the two, only emerging to question if his current arm is done being repaired and storming off after getting his answer. After a couple of days, Sora gave up trying to the Horseman, opting to try to train by himself. Yet it wasn't the same without War around.

And so, a few days later, Sora sighed as he entered the kitchen. He placed the Keyblade onto the table with his construct hands, pulling himself up and buried his face into his arms. The boy hardly had any energy since the incident. His clothes have dried fully, but he opted to train in his spare clothes for a little while. Moving his face from his arms, he idly plucked at the gauntlet a little, fiddling with the metal parts before he sat up straight to stifle a groan. He pushed himself off the chair, pacing a little. All of a sudden, he felt restless. He wanted to do something, but he didn't feel like training. He wanted to check up on Ulthane but didn't want to bother him. He wanted to try to find the Horseman, yet he couldn't find the man no matter where he looked.

War couldn't have gotten far because they had made an unfortunate discovery regarding the seal the Watcher had on the Horseman. He couldn't be away from more than a hundred meters from the Watcher until the seal acts up and made the Horseman double over in agony as a result. The first time had terrified Sora, and it was a struggle to get the Horseman back near the premises for the effects to wear off. After that, they never attempted it again.

Sora knew that the Horseman isn't stubborn enough to even try it again. But the Horseman surprisingly made himself being unable to be found.

The boy wanted to help him, to make him feel better, and yet…Sora didn't know how. And he felt powerless that he couldn't undo a mistake he made. So his only choice is to wait for the Horseman to return on his own. Perhaps then, Sora could hopefully apologize for bringing up the scar on the chest.

(Would it really fix anything though?)

Sora stopped pacing and furiously rubbed his head with both hands, frustrated. He needs something to drink. Sora went over to a cabinet to get a cup to draw himself some water, until he noticed a pitcher. It was made of clay, yet Sora had never seen it before in the room. Curiosity taking over, the boy got himself a stool to peer into it. It's a dark purple liquid of sorts. He gave it a sniff before his face scrunches. It smelled…weird. The boy raised an eyebrow before he poured himself a glass and took a sip…but his face scrunches at the taste before he forced himself to swallow. "Ugh…!" he sticks his tongue out. That was…awful! He didn't want to drink it anymore, but it felt rude to just leave it alone or dump it out.

Slumping his shoulders with a sigh, Sora committed himself to finishing the drink.

Some hours later…

It had gotten dark by the time the Horseman finally decided to go back into the Maker's home.

The whole time, with Chaoseater on his back, he stewed in his thoughts about the whole thing. For the first time in a long time, feeling agitated. Seeing that scar…just brought back memories he tried so hard to bury.

The first time he saw the scar, he froze – whether in shock or in horror, he did not know – and nearly gone into a catatonic state until he forced himself to pull himself together. He tried to avoid looking at it ever since, so he never did anything that requires him to take off his leather under guard. It would just circle back to one thought whenever he saw it.

He should have been dead. The shot should have killed him. Yet he isn't. Why?

A part of him had a feeling why, but it would lead to other questions.

Why did she vanish? Why did she leave? If it wasn't her, then who did it? Who saved him?

A part of him is angry at himself for nearly losing it onto a human. The boy's question was innocent. He didn't know.

Yet the reminder brought out certain emotions that he didn't want to unleash on the human. That was why he had to distance himself from the two to cool off. To try to calm his emotions down. Telling himself that the boy didn't mean to ask the question. That it wasn't the boy's fault.

As he calmed down, logic flowed in. The tone in the boy's voice was in shocked horror. And in a way, the Horseman does not blame the boy, for the scar looked unnatural. He was hit with a gunshot, and someone who treated him tried to remove the pellets and hastily tried to heal it up, leaving the unnatural scar behind. It was long before he met Strife, and there were other Nephilim that used guns. Even though his body is sturdier than the others, some things can still damage it. From gunshots to magical weapons.

So of course the boy would be horrified to see the scar and ask about it. And from the demeanor the boy had when he snapped out of his trance, the boy was very afraid. The boy even tried to snap him out of it, now that he thought about it.

It's unfair to blame the young human for asking a question out of concern. He didn't know this could happen, yet the Horseman is angrier at himself due to the fact that it had still affected him. He thought he was better. It shouldn't have affected him as much as it did back then. And yet, it appears he was wrong.

He has to be better. He can't let this hold him back.

He has a mission to do. A duty to fulfill. He is a Horseman, charged with protecting the balance. Right now, he has to end the Destroyer, and then he would put his duty aside to find the people responsible for the Destroyer's rise, and to those who framed him.

He is a Horseman. He cannot be weak.

He has to protect the balance.

(He will get his revenge.)

Finally, he felt his emotions calming down. Exhaling slowly, he let his eyes stop glowing now that he isn't agitated or had a need to do so. He glanced around a little before he allowed his body to relax. He removed Chaoseater to place it next to him on the ground. The Horseman managed to placate it the past couple of days by luring Demons near him for one of them to take the sword and allow it to control the demon to slaughter the others, before going to him to allow him to finish it off. He did this whenever he could, making sure that the demons wouldn't wise up to his attempts. He didn't want to go further, and he could feel it whenever it felt like he is. He didn't want to be defenseless when it happens to allow the demons to get an easy kill. And it would be a VERY embarrassing, and pathetic death.

Now that he had a moment to himself, fully calmed down, he mulled over what he should do. The Maker isn't sensitive to his abrasive attitude, the Old One not even intimidated by the Red Rider at all. Yet…he should at least explain to the young human that it wasn't his fault. The boy is a bleeding heart, yet he shouldn't feel responsible nor guilty for something that happened as an accident.

What to do?

The Horseman gave a sigh, picking up the sword and standing up. Worrying about it won't make it go away. He'll just have to get it over with.

He entered the abode, and as he walked through the hall, his eyes glanced to the kitchen he's passing by and walked on. He slowed to a stop. War backed up to the kitchen and looked in fully. Leaning over on the table, giggling away is the young human. His face is red, and he has a cup in his hand, and a pitcher next to him. For some reason, the Keyblade is on the floor, but the boy didn't seem to notice.

War stared at this, puzzled. "…What are you doing?" he questioned.

The boy noticed him, perked up and sat up, holding up his cup in a greeting. "Heeeeey War!" He greeted the Horseman, with a notable slur in his voice. "How have ya been? Hadn't seen you in," he hiccupped, "forever!"

The Horseman stared at him before he cautiously approached. "Are you…well?" He asked.

"Yeah! Never better!" The boy assured him. "Just…drinkin' Ulthane's juice, ya know?"

'Juice'? As far as he knows, Makers do not make juice. They make their own wine but- the Horseman's thoughts abruptly stopped, and he stood still. Oh. Oh no.

War glanced over to the pitcher and pulled it towards him. He stared down at the contents – he couldn't tell if it was half empty or half full – and gave it a sniff. His nose scrunches at the unmistakable smell of fermented fruits and sugars. The Horseman made an annoyed grunt after having his suspicions confirmed.

Oh great. The boy got into the Maker's homemade wine and got drunk.

He blames himself for leaving the human unattended. If he had known, he wouldn't have left the boy alone. This is on him.

War looked to the human. "You're drunk," he stated to the human.

"What? No ah'm not!" The boy protested, as War placed the pitcher away from the human. The boy had a confused look. "Wait. Ah'm I?" He rubbed his chin, thinking.

"Yes, you are," the Horseman began to try to pry the cup out of the human's hand. "I believe you have enough already."

"Hey! Wait!" The boy held firmly, refusing to let go. Even when War had to hold it high to leave the boy dangling, the boy refused to let go at all. "C'mon! I dun' wanna waste it! Ith rude!"

"The Maker can make more," War told him. "Just…let go!" He used his other hand to grab at the boy's arm to pry it away, but the boy has a surprisingly strong grip. The Hoseman felt the boy kicking his feet a little, but it did little to himself.

Why is it that the boy is acting like a petulant child now?

The Horseman released the boy's arm. "Let go of the cup," he said to the boy sternly.

"No!" The boy protested.

"Sora, release the cup." The Horseman jabs the boy lightly with his finger.

"No, dun wanna!" The boy whined.

The Horseman felt his lower eyelid twitch. Why? JUST. Why? Why are human children like this?

He forced himself to calm down, pinching the bridge of his nose. "All right," he began, releasing his nose, "what would it take for you to let go?" The boy let out a confused noise. Sighing, War set him back onto the floor, releasing the boy's hand. "What would take for you to let go of the cup and stop drinking?"

The boy looked dazed before he understood the question. "Oh…! That what you meant?" He hummed. He started to lean back, so the Horseman snagged the boy by the shirt he's wearing (a red shirt with a crown and a pair of shorts as his attire currently) to keep him balanced. The boy didn't notice. Miraculously, the boy had not once had the cup unbalanced to spill the contents. He perked. "Oh! Can you stay and finish this with me?" He held up the cup.

War made a face. "You cannot be serious."

"Pleath! I dun wanna waste ith," the boy says to him. "Pleath?"

The Horseman flattened his lips at this. The young human just didn't want stop, huh? Surely this can't be the only method. The Horseman was about to open his mouth to suggest something else…

Until the human stared up at him with big, soulful eyes. Eyes that made him uncomfortable. What is this expression he's making? The boy even started to whimper like a dog. For some reason he felt something in him break at the expression. He also felt awful and guilty, the longer he stared at the boy's face.

Finally, the Horseman caved. He sighed. "Fine," he said reluctantly. "I'll help."

The boy noted it before he had a happy look. "Yay!" He cheered.

The Horseman made a small groan before he turned to where the cups are. He isn't going to drink that filth, but he's going to make sure the human doesn't drink more and end up so drunk he would do something he would regret. Maybe get a few things as well to soak up the alcohol in the boy's system.

(The only reason he knew this is because Strife got 'wasted' before and had some food out to eat so he wouldn't get drunk easily. It just made him last a little longer until he inevitably blacked out, and he had to take care of his brother when he got hungover during the secret times the two come together to relax away from the Council's eyes.)

War got himself another cup and filled that one with water before he pulled out something that would be easy for the human to eat. He found some left over jerky and grabbed a couple.

He turned and very nearly felt his heart stop when he saw the boy trying to get back on the chair, but had it dangerously tilted with just one hand. The Horseman set the items down quickly on the table and grabbed the boy. He plopped him onto the seat and got into the other one.

"What's this?" The boy slurred, seeing the other cup and jerky.

War just pushed the water to the boy. "Drink some water," he urged the human. To keep up the pretenses, War poured himself a drink. (He isn't going to drink it; he'll pour it back in when the boy isn't looking.)

The boy hummed something, leaning against the table. War just nudged the cup to him, before sliding a jerky to the human, who takes it and munched on it idly. "Hey War, can I ask something?"

"What?" War asked without thinking, trying to nonchalantly sit there to wait for the opportunity to snatch the cup away from the boy.

"Were you- or like, did you fall in love with someone?" The Horseman froze at the question. He turned to look at the boy, who didn't seem aware.

That was…quite the question. But…

"Why are you asking?" The Horseman responded, slowly. He wasn't sure how he should answer it, in all honesty. Not without…no, best not delve into those thoughts. He has to hear what the boy has to say.

The boy slumped dramatically, moaning as he buried his face. "Yeah, like you'd know," the boy said without malice. "Just…I kind of want advith." The boy pushed himself up to lean against the Horseman. "Shee… I have…two crushes. But I thhink I'm in love. I just don't know who to love though."

After a moment, War parroted, "Who?" Raising an eyebrow. Did he have more than one person to love?

"Here's the thing." Sora slapped a hand on the metal arm, pushing himself away from the Horseman, though he was caught by the Horseman before he could accidentally lean too far away. "I got two buddies. You know 'em. Riku and Kai -hiccup- Kairi. I like them. Like…like them, like them. Riku's purdy. And strong. And kind. He just gets purdier. And Kairi…she's purdy too. But I like her personality. They both look cute if they," the boy paused, looking dazed before he resumed, "they grew their hair. Wanna thread my fingers through 'em. I like 'em both but…" The boy covered his face with a hand, sniffling. "I can't choose between 'em! What do I do about this?" he leaned over onto the table, sobbing.

After the boy was done talking, War just…sat there. Trying to comprehend what he just heard.

One could…love the same gender? What? Is…that a thing? He had HEARD of it being such a thing but didn't think it was an actual thing. For there to be relations with the same sex. But to love both? Is that really a thing? HAS it always been a thing?

While the Horseman is under a mental crisis, Ulthane soon arrived into the room. He was looking forward to having a drink to alleviate some stress from the past few days. But the moment he entered, he stared blankly at what's before him on the table. The boy crying, the Horseman staring ahead with a perturbed look…and a familiar pitcher near the two, some jerky and three glasses. He blinked before he pulled himself from his stupor. "Oi, what's going on?"

Sora raised himself. "Ulthane! You ever were in love?" He nearly wailed to the Maker.

The Maker took note of the slurs, and realized, to his horror, what happened. "Ah, lad. That wasn't for you," Ulthane says. "The drink I mean."

The Horseman regained himself. He noticed the Maker before he narrowed his eyes. He dumped the drink into the pitcher, stamped the cup onto the table, and stood up from his seat. "Did you realize what you have done?" He began as he stomped up to the Maker. "WHY did you leave your wine out to be reachable and noticeable to the boy?"

The Maker did a double take before he narrowed his eyes, hands on his hips. "Oi! I didn't think he would get he would get into it!"

"Hey-ey! What are you arguing about?" The boy called out. "Whath going on?"

War turned to the boy with a look. "All right that's it," he muttered before he stormed over. He snatched the cup from the boy swiftly before the boy could react and dumped it down into the sink, despite the boy's protests. He nearly slammed the cup down onto the counter but refrained himself. "There."

"War~! Come on!" The boy complained, slumping over his chair. "Thath a waste!"

"Lad, I could just make more," the Maker informed the human. "Besides, don't get so worked up."

"I ain't!" The boy protested. "Don't treat me like a kid!"

Whatever both were about to say in response didn't leave their lips before the boy gagged, covering his mouth. Ulthane noticed the signs, picking the boy up from the back of his shirt and held him over at the sink. Just in time, as the boy spewed out the contents within his stomach, splattering over the basin of the sink. Once the boy is done, he just slumped over.

Ulthane sighed, pulling out a rag to wipe the boy's mouth. "Horseman, take him to the room. Make him sleep. I'll clean up here," he says, passing the boy to the Horseman.

The Horseman sighed but takes the boy. "Very well," he said. The boy was moaning, but the Horseman turned towards where their bedding is. The Horseman glanced to where the Keyblade us before he shook his head. He'll get it later. Making sure the boy isn't going to spew the contents of his stomach out again, the Horseman placed the boy onto his shoulder. It wouldn't be good for the boy to sway around too much, making him sicker.

Going down the hall, he felt the human push himself up. "War? Did…did I upshet you?" He asked.

"What made you say that?" War inquired.

"Few days ago…you were scared and then…mad. Then I asked a weird question today," the boy responded, sounding rather guilty. "'M sorry."

Ah, that. "No, it was not your fault," the Horseman assured the human. "You did not know."

"Still wanted to apologize," the boy says. He went quiet, and the Horseman nearly assumed he is drifting off to sleep before he felt the boy pat his back. "Hey War? Can I…can I tell you a secret?"

"You do not have to," War immediately responded.

"I wanna…" the boy slurred, and the Horseman heard small slaps. "Ith something I never told Riku and Kairi. I trust you."

The Horseman grimaced to himself. "You should not," he said. "Trust me, I mean."

The boy hummed. "Okay. I'll tell you." The boy went quiet again, for a long while. The Horseman was slowly walking towards the room to not sway the human as much. For a while, the boy didn't say anything. Had he gone to sleep? Well that made things a little easier.

War arrived at the door to the room. He reached out to the door.

"I…I'm adopted."

The hand stilled. The Horseman was silent, wondering if he heard it right. He slightly turned his head to the human, who curled his arms under his head. "I'm adopted," the boy repeated. And he sounded as if he was in pain saying it.

"…Adopted?" The Horseman parroted, unfamiliar with the word.

The boy mumbled, "Means I was raised by people…not my real pareeents. I overhead 'em one day, when I wash realllllly young." He held up a hand to make a pinching motion. "Talkin' about…about how they'll tell me the truth. That I was…given up." The boy moved to rub his face into his arms. "Never told my friends. Nor anyone. Not their problem. But…I can't help but wonder. I mean. My folks are good to me. Raised me well. Though…" He trailed off, sniffling.

The Horseman analyzed what he had just heard. Slowly, the pieces of the human's demeanor trickled in. During a training session where the boy told him of his childhood friends, the tone of voice he had regarding the Nephilim. It made sense to him now.

With it in mind, the Horseman finished the boy's train of thought. "You could not help but wonder who your true parents are."

"Yeah," the boy admitted, his voice soft. "Wonderin' why they gave me up. Washhh…I unwanted? Did somethhhing happen where they had to give me up? I dun'o. I try not to think about it sometimes." The boy slumped. "Part of the reason I want to go out, an' 'plore the worlds, is maybe…I dun'o. Find them. But…if I'm a Mystic…did they…did they wanna protect me or something? Or is it something else?"

So that was why the boy went silent after the two told him that he's a Mystic. The boy had assumed the reason 'why' is because he is a sub-class of humans.

"I really don't know…" the boy finished.

The Horseman grunted. "…if you were to find them, what would you do first?" he asked the human.

"Huh?" The boy mumbled.

"I know you heard me," the Horseman said, opening the door.

The boy made a noise as he slowly walked in. "…I dunno. Maybe.. ashk them why they lef me behind?"

"And, depending on the reason and how they would answer…what shall you do?"

The boy was silent. "…I dun'o," the boy answered.

War sighed through his nose. "Sora," he began after a moment. "You are…fortunate to be raised in a peaceful environment. Raised by people who treat you as their own, despite not being related to them. You have loyal friends. We Nephilim never had that luxury, discarded as we were by our own birth parents, and of all races for how…unnatural we are. Looked upon in scorn for something we had no control of. But it is not the circumstances of your birth that defines who you are. It is your experience, and the life you had, that matters more. They are what make you who you are. Do not forget it."

The boy was silent. "Wow," the boy says, a little dazed but a little happier. "Yer smart, War."

"No. Just wise," War responded.

The boy hummed. "But…thanths. For saying it." The boy settled onto his shoulder…and not long after, he heard the soft snores of the boy.

The Horseman glanced at the human, bemused. Sighing to himself, he gently and slowly placed the human on top of the bedding. The boy is still asleep, so the Red Rider pulled the blanket over him. Once he did that, he regarded the young human. The Red Rider grunted before he silently left the room.

The next morning…

When Sora woke up, his head was pounding, and he felt sick. The boy curled up in the bedding, turning away from the light. He groaned, cradling his head.

"So, you've awaken," the boy covered his ears. Even though it was low, it just made his headache worse.

The boy slowly opened his eyes, squinting a little. But closed them immediately, because even the dim lighting hurts. He groaned, miserable. His mouth also tasted awful too. Feels awful as well. What happened?

He felt the floor vibrate a couple of times before his brain registered that they were heavy footsteps. He heard a cloth flutter before he felt it cover his face. Blinking his eyes open, he automatically lifts the thing from his eyes and saw that it was a thick cloth. Thick enough to make it dimmer around him, which helped immensely. But his head was still pounding. Then he noticed a cup presented to him by a large hand placing it down.

"You should drink. You are dehydrated," the voice said to him lowly in a baritone.

Using the cloth to shield his eyes from the light, the boy moved his head, slowly, to follow the massive arm to the face. He didn't have to look far, as the source soon sat down near him, revealing it to be the Horseman. The boy blinked in surprise. "Oh," he said softly. The boy looked at the cup. He reached out and pulled it back towards him. He began to get up, but winced as it made the throbbing worse. The boy powered through it, managing to sit up. Tugging the cloth further over his head, he took a sip of the drink. He made a face at the taste but swallowed. "Ugh…what happened…?" he muttered. His throat hurts a little.

"You mistook the Maker's wine for 'juice' and drank it, then got drunk," the Horseman bluntly responded. Sora was about to take another sip before it went down the wrong tube, causing him to cough.

"What?" Sora exclaimed, and immediately regretted it, holding his head while still coughing.

"You are hungover. You didn't drink any fluids, mainly water, to stay hydrated," War explained to him in a low voice once the human ceased coughing. He held out something else. "Keep taking sips and eating these to recover. Ulthane is preparing something to alleviate the pain to make it go away."

The boy moaned. "Is this what it's like?" He asked, feeling utterly miserable. "And the Captain regularly drinks something like that?"

"I am not sure who it is," War began, "but until you recover, stay in bed, drink water and eat the bland food. Ulthane will arrive with medicine to help with the symptoms."

Sora moaned, setting the cup down and carefully laid back onto the bedding. "I'll check or ask someone about anything strange before I get into anything from now on," he says.

War sighed. "That is perhaps the smartest thing you said. Keep your vow."

Sora was about to nod but thought better. So he just gave the Horseman a thumbs up. He proceeded to pull the cloth over his face.

It took about a day for Sora to recover from his hangover.

He is NEVER going to drink anything with alcohol again.

(Ulthane teased him mercilessly afterwards, saying that it put some hair on his chest.)

~o~

-Plans for the Trip-

A few days had passed since then. It had been almost two weeks since the two stayed at the Maker's home for their own reasons.

Ulthane grunted as he looked over the arm a little before giving a nod. "All right. A couple more days, and I should have it fully repaired and working," he announced to the Horseman.

War nodded, grunting. Good. After that, he could resume what he's doing and deliver the Griever's heart to Samael, and then get started to find the next Chosen. It's been a hectic two weeks, yet he didn't mind it somewhat. He was at least productive than to just idly wait around.

Sora, in his traveling clothes now, lowered his head upon hearing that. A couple of days. And he hadn't told them of his own plans. He raised his head to where he's sure is the direction of the Black Tower. His own ticket back home.

"So, where are you planning to go, Horseman?" Ulthane asked the Red Rider.

"I am not sure yet," War answered, thinking. And he shouldn't really say much about his own…deal, with Samael. They were meant to be a neutral force, so a Horseman working with demons or angels is…well, it depends on the situation, really. He honestly didn't like doing it, but given the situations most of the time, he had little choice. He will soon find out what his next destination is soon.

"Eh…not that I'd blame you, regarding the Destroyer," Ulthane shrugged. "You went after the Griever for the reason, so I imagined that it's related to the Destroyer."

"Well, you are not wrong," the Horseman sighed.

Ulthane looked to the boy. "What of you lad? What are your plans?"

Sora looked up to them. Well, he's addressed. So…he may as well tell them. He would have to convince the Horseman now. "Actually…I got a confession to make," he began. Raising a fist to his face, he cleared his throat, as the two elders glanced to each other and back to him. Sora looked up to them. "When we were first brought here, I had…I guess a dream? It's the end part that's important though. An angel appeared. He has long robes, pretty long wings," he moved his arms to gesticulate and enunciate the features, "and…" he paused before he tried to make the shape of something behind his head, "got something behind his head that looks like a sun." He lowered his hands. "He said that he's in the Black Tower."

The two glanced at each other. "An angel? In the Black Tower?" Ulthane parroted. "Are you sure lad?"

"Yeah," Sora nodded. "He said that he could get me out of this place. Get me home. So…"

The two immediately realized what the boy is trying to say, as Ulthane held out his hand. "Hold up lad! Yer not saying that you want to head there."

Sora nodded. "Yeah. It's the only clue I have. And I need to get back to where I came from as soon as possible. I can't go around the entire world, hoping to find it. So the tower's my best chance to get out of here."

"Lad, that's the stronghold of the Destroyer," Ulthane persisted. "It will have many powerful demons guarding the halls. Yer not an angel or demon that could handle it."

"I know, but I have to!" Sora shot back. He clenched his hands into fists. "You can't stop me."

Ulthane slouched. Of all humans, why is a teenager more stubborn than adults? "Horseman, speak some sense into the lad," Ulthane pleaded with the Red Rider, gesturing to the boy.

The Horseman narrowed his eyes. "I do agree. Heading to the tower would be dangerous for the young human. It would be ideal for him to stay in one place."

"Right?" The Maker nodded, feeling pleased that at least the Horseman has common sense.

"However," two heads looked to the Horseman as he started, "as we had previously mentioned weeks before, he is a Mystic." The Horseman had a finger curled under his chin. "Certain parties would eventually know of his existence as that as well as an Outsider. It is a matter of 'when'. And though I do not doubt your strength, Maker, even you would be overwhelmed, trying to protect the boy."

The Maker pressed his lips together, making an annoyed grunt. "I should have known you don't have common sense…"

"I am only thinking about it logically," the Horseman retorted. "And you know I am right, Ulthane." He gave a pointed look at the Maker, who grimaced.

The Horseman was not wrong. Even with two other Makers, it was difficult to protect a large group of humans, and trying to help them survive, with limited food and resources. Humans can get sick, and medicine was the most difficult to attain. And since they aren't produced in the factories and labs the humans had, having been taken over and destroyed by demons, it was rather scarce. No other human could go out of Haven before they're mauled to death by a demon, and there was so much one Horseman could do as he went out scavenging. And that was before said Horseman revealed himself after posing as a human for a good while. As much as he hated to admit it, the Red Rider is right about one thing. Even the Maker himself has limits.

Yet, the boy is a good kid. Surely there's another way…

Ulthane turned to Sora. "Lad, are you absolutely sure you want to head there?"

"Positive," Sora said, determined. "I don't have much time. I spent too long here. I have to get back."

War understood a little of the human's situation, as well as the boy's urgency to leave the world. To be honest, the Horseman isn't sure how time works beyond this world. For all he knew, it would be days or years beyond. The boy has to hurry to return to his comrades and stop the group from trying to abuse certain powers they should not meddle with. The Maker may not know, but even the Old One has to concede that he could not change the boy's mind.

As he expected, the Maker sighed, slouching. "There's no changing your mind, is there?"

"Nope," the boy answered.

Ulthane groaned, straightening up as he rubbed the back of his head. "O'right, fine. It ain't fair o' me to keep you here against yer will."

"I'm sorry, Ulthane," Sora apologized. "But I need to get into the tower. It's the only clue I have and I'm really hoping the angel can help me."

Both the Maker and Horseman were dubious about it. It may be an angel that's trying to lure the boy into a trap for one reason or another. Yet the ornament the boy had mentioned…there's only one angel both know that has something like it. Yet one question lingered on their mind.

What is he, the Angel of Death himself, doing in the Black Tower?

Ulthane hadn't seen the angel since…that day. He was unaware of what became of his unwilling ally, nor did he ever spoke to him after. So what was he doing in the Tower?

War had a similar thought, having not seen the angel after the Abomination Vault incident. He didn't hear of the going ons regarding the two kingdoms, with the Angel of Death having his role of watching over the Well of Souls. So why is he in the tower? He did not turn traitor on Heaven, has he…? Or…was there something else? The Horseman narrowed his eyes. No. He should not assume otherwise until he enters the tower himself and interrogate him.

(The Maker and the angel are connected somehow. What that connection is, he WILL find out.)

However, the Horseman has a single question to the human, turning his head to regard said human. "If your goal is the Black Tower, do you have a means to enter it?"

Sora blinked, stilling. "Oh, uh…" the boy looked sheepish. "I, uh…" he scratched his cheek. "I…didn't really think of that yet?" He had a sheepish smile at the end.

War's face shifted into boredom. Somehow he isn't surprised at the boy's thoughtlessness. The Horseman sighed. He came to a choice himself. "If you want to be able to get to the tower, then you need to be adequately prepared."

The two looked to the Horseman in surprise. "Uh…why?" Sora asked.

"I will confess. I initially wanted you to be in my sights at all times. You COULD be safe, but you often have a proclivity to get yourself into trouble." He paused. "Somehow." The boy had a sheepish expression. "Though, realistically, you would be safer around me. It would expose you to more dangers, yes, but it's a risk to ensure you can be protected."

After taking it all in, the boy crossed his arms to think. That IS true…War is the only one who knows of a way to get within the Tower. And it kind of trails back to the Horseman, doesn't it? Quite literally, his key to return home is through the Horseman himself. Their goals aligned, with War wanting to enter the tower to deal with the Destroyer, and his means of returning home lies there as well. "I guess that is true," the boy conceded. "It's going to be a long trip, I think. You're right, I do need to get prepared." The boy soon rushed off to do that.

Ulthane groaned as soon as the boy is gone. "Keep an eye on the lad."

"I make no promises," War answered honestly as he soon trailed after the human.

The Horseman soon found the boy at the kitchen, humming a little. After hearing him enter, the boy turned to him. "I'm going to need a few things. Refill my water canteen and get properly stocked with some food. I'm not the best of cooks, but I'll take what I can get." The boy turned…but then turned to War. "By the way, I got a question." The Horseman grunted. "How are the Chosen related to the tower?"

War quirked an eyebrow. Only now, he's asking about it? Then again, they hardly ever talked soon after dealing with Tiamat. So the boy is in the dark about his…dealings.

"There is…an acquaintance of mine that says he could help me find a way into the tower," War began slowly, entering the room. "The Chosen are the ones who guard the tower. If I kill each of them, I will be able to enter."

"oh, really?" Sora asked, intrigued. "Who's this acquaintance?"

"That would be Samael, the second prince of Hell." The Horseman noted that Sora froze a bit upon hearing it.

"…Uh. Did I hear you right?" Sora asked him after a moment. "Samael. THAT, Samael that Uriel told me about?" The Horseman's silence is his answer. Sora's arms went limp. "You're serious."

"I am not as pleased," War admits. "But he is my only lead."

Sora crossed his arms. "Um. I dunno if I could…REALLY trust him. Considering."

The boy is smart to not just accept the Second Prince as a new friend. In fact, even War himself is dubious of Samael's words. He is not a fool to not know that the next in line has his own motives. He surmises that it had something to do with the…changes that happened in the last one hundred years he had been inactive. And yet…

"He is our only lead at this point," the Horseman repeated.

Sora sighed, slouching. "I guess."

"The key I had mentioned is in my other arm," War then says, "I need to bring it to Samael. From there, he will tell us where to head next."

"So is that how it is?" Sora asked. "Though, I guess it made sense if you don't know who or what you're looking for."

"Precisely," War nodded. "Until then, we will prepare and keep training. All right?"

Sora looked to him before he smiled. "Yeah. So, let's get to it!" He looked pumped.

At that, War cracked a very faint smile to himself.

(Not that Sora would notice.)

And that was that. Their partnership is reforged.

---

And…that is that. Yup. Back then I was figuring out a bit more regarding certain situations, until I thought up something. We hardly knew who Sora's parents are (only a mention of his dad from Riku in Birth by Sleep, and we only heard his mom's voice when she called him down for dinner the night the Islands fell), or what they looked like. So I want to take advantage of that to slide in a little something. After all, the kid is a Mystic, and being on a peaceful island is a lot safer than anywhere else, right?

I never had been drunk, and I'm not sure if I did a drunk character right. I don't think I did okay with someone who is enduring a panic attack after a PTSD episode. Considering that we still don't know much about the Horsemen, excluding some of their past histories with certain things, we don't know their past, who they were before they became Horsemen and such. So I got free liberties to make shit up for the Red Rider. So I hope you don't mind if I made War out of character for this. (I have reasons.) So give me some feedback on that.

(Privately, I had been waiting to write that part since I somewhat based it off the first time Miss Kobayashi met Tohru in the Dragon Maid anime. I had to scrap having a drunk War because not only would it be REALLY out of character, but…I really can't picture him that. It was supposed to be for laughs and a comedy moment, but…yeah. So enjoy a teenager getting drunk on accident.)

Lastly…yeah, I made Sora bisexual. Nomura mentioned that the entire series revolves around his relationship with Riku, and while there are hints to there being feelings between Sora and Kairi…once I start reading some stories from the author HouseOfSanne, I discovered that I like Sora as a bisexual a lot more. And he's a cute bean being around the two people he loves most. So he's bisexual. My story, my rules.

I gotta say, this is by far the longest chapter I've written. Didn't expect it like that. It's honestly been a while since I've written a long chapter, and I'm kind of happy this turned out okay. I had the most fun on most parts. But now back to the plot. They got their break, but their journey continues.

The next chapter, Sora meets the Second Prince himself…stay tuned.