sirenspull_logs | falling in the black, slipping through the cracks

Entry tags:

falling in the black, slipping through the cracks

Who: Riku, Xigbar, and then two others.
When: Night. (Actual date will be when the log ends.)
Where: Sector 3.
Summary: Riku goes out to train and encounters something (and someone) he should not have.
Warnings: SPOILERS FOR KH3D. Violence. Fridge horror. Will update as needed.

[It's not so often any longer that Riku has the time to go out into the Darkness to fight. His job and providing for his friends always takes priority. Still, it's nice to get out, to stretch his legs, and to put his power to good use. He can make sure he's still on top of his game and training hard, even if he doesn't have the time to go to Terra's dojo.

He makes his way out through Sector 4 and then into Sector 3, fighting monsters as he goes. They aren't too much trouble, just enough to work up a sweat and to flex the muscles. He hasn't even tried to use his magic yet.

Riku continues on, unheeded by the dark. He's almost comfortable, having grown used to wandering on his own in the deepest of darknesses. He's still wary, however, and even more so when he thinks he sees someone in a dark coat head down a side street.

He frowns. Who's that? It's too tall to be Roxas or Xion. He hurries after them.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Riku nearly jumps when the hand comes down on his shoulder, turning quickly to face Xigbar. He didn't even hear him get up. The strength in his hand is enough to keep the boy from throwing himself halfway across the room but he does jerk his arm out of his grip enough to get better stock in his face...

And he sees that bright, golden eye. He'd never looked at it extensively before, but with the irony now staring him in the face, he curses himself even more.

He grits his teeth angrily.]

You... The both of you...

[He glances between them, furious. His right hand twitches into a fist as he considers calling his Keyblade.]

Do the others know? Or is this some sort of sick game the two of you have been playing all along?

What do you think?

[The Second always had a knack for expressing things more openly than he ever did. Xemnas says this coolly, remaining as he is, arms crossing languidly over one another as he silently watches the sudden invasion of Riku's personal space.

How quick Xigbar is to do what he does best within that window of time. How open Riku left himself in order to let it happen. The results of such actions are inevitable.

He can feel the youth's anger rise. It is one of the stronger emotions to take hold in his heart, almost tangible in its restraint, one that is constantly thrown in their direction due to their present conflict.]

I suppose things would have turned out differently if the truth of the matter was given away so freely. But even if the others shared the knowledge you now know, it still would have led to the same conclusion.

Of course...that was never the case. It would have been a foolish mistake. False promises and other prominent goals were far more valuable. That was all they needed – temporary satisfaction.

[Gold eyes narrow slightly in their renewed apathy.]

Here in this room, the combination of our past experiences tells us there is and will be no change in what has been stated. What has happened. We existed, and then we were defeated by the likes of you and yours. With the power of the keyblade.

In this ending, you were also satisfied.

[Another long pause is held before he adds:]

And, eventually...everything will be revealed.

[None of them know. None of them. It wasn't just a secret kept from those who would use it as their defense and shield, like Roxas and Namine, but no one else knew.

Now everything starts to unravel in front of Riku, even as he stands there. Kingdom Hearts, the gathering of hearts, was a lie. It wasn't meant to give them back hearts since they already had them. Castle Oblivion, the replica project... What was their true purpose if the creation of Kingdom Hearts was simply a means to an end and a piece of power Xemnas was gathering for himself? And if Xemnas had known, why would he let all of his comrades die? Where does Xigbar fit into all of this?

He doesn't have time to go over everything. Flanked by two enemies - they had always been enemies, he tells himself - he knows he has little chance of sounding the alarm or even attempting to explain all of this to the other Nobodies. And even if they were told, how many would believe him? How many would choose to aid him instead of staying with Xemnas?

He's scrabbling at straws, but he's ready to fight.]

You're right. Everything will be revealed.

[Riku stands tall and firm, eyes on Xemnas'. His voice rises steadily in anger.]

I was only satisfied that the worlds were kept safe. If what you say is true, then no one had to die. You let your comrades fall so you could gain power and nothing more. If you truly have a heart, Xemnas, then how can you live with yourself?

How can you desecrate their feelings, their hearts? How can you walk all over who they are?

[ He lets the boy jerk away, a quiver of heated anticipation rushing down his spine. This is everything he's ever imagined, everything he's ever dreamed of -- to see the fulfillment of everything they've worked for over the past ten years slowly coming together is staggering in all the right ways.

And he has been patient. He's been faithful too, the most loyal of Xemnas's watchdogs. He understood where no one else could, and for that, he has been rewarded.

He laughs. ]

All worlds begin in darkness, and all so end. The heart is no different.

[ His smile is almost manic in its sincerity. ]

Isn't that right, tiny brooder?

[Two different extremes. The active force and the passive. And Riku is caught between them both.

Although it is familiar, Xigbar couldn't have said it any better. Xehanort always did have a way with words. The truth of how it starts and how it inevitably ends. A subtle nod stays in stark contrast with the rise of gleeful menace from the other Nobody.]

...How will I live with myself...?

[The smirk fades, his features darkening instantaneously.]

I will be living the same way I've been living and existing between these realms, Riku.

[It wouldn't be good to have Riku do anything reckless here, and their goading will only push him further into his collected fury. Being aware of this, Xemnas wastes no time in moving first to subdue him. Arms uncross, graceful actions turning sharp, summoning a swirl of jagged black and white thorns out of thin air. Intertwining lines sweep around the keyblade wielder, making no mistake in keeping him still.

They still have appearances to keep up. For the time being.]

It's as simple as that.

[Those words.

He's heard them a thousand times in his mind, in his heart, in the darkness that he's walked through and in his nightmares. He's lived those words, seen them spoken, and he despises every single one of them. When Xigbar repeats them, even if it's not in the same deep undertone of Ansem the Heartless, he still feels a shiver run through him and a spark of anger ignite from within.

That's enough.

Riku lashes out, coiled and ready to strike, when the thorns wrap themselves around his body and stop him dead. He cries out in surprise, tugging at them in his rage. He watches them both, struggling as he bites back.]

You sound wounded, Xemnas. You know that this is all your own fault. Your curiosity, your lack of understanding of the heart-- If you had tried other methods or even allowed Ansem the Wise to help you, then maybe you wouldn't be here!

[His fists clench, unable to summon his Keyblade yet.]

And you're wrong. There is light in the deepest of darkness. It'll never go out! You're just deluding yourself and trying to justify all that you've done.

[ "Wounded"? Xigbar chuckles again, all mockery and dangerous smiles as he circles about the makeshift prison. It's almost predatory how he walks, languid and casual, yet coiled to strike in an instant. He's enjoying this quite a bit, and it's evident in every move he makes. ]

Sure there is, tiny brooder! What do you think Kingdom Hearts is? [ He gestures broadly. ] A mass of light shrouded in darkness.

[ He grins. ]

There's nothing we don't see.

[There is room for laughter, but that isn't chosen as a response. Xigbar has this down flawlessly.

Ire for ire? Doing this would be unproductive. Nothing registers as Riku calls him out for what he has done. Even if it is true, denying it would be foolish.

He stays where he is, gold eyes falling half-lidded.]

Is that what you heard?

[A hand briefly rests upon his chest.]

...Perhaps my acting has improved after all.

[The same hand falls away from his body, its motions flowing with what he says.]

As true as your words are, these past choices were made. The changes are permanent. And now it is nothing more than a fleeting memory.

[Riku scoffs softly, letting cockiness take over in his attempts to suppress his anger. He needs to think, needs to figure out his way out of this mess with his head and heart still intact.]

Your acting. Funny.

[He shoots a glance at Xigbar disdainfully. Of all people, Riku knows what Kingdom Hearts is like. Light in the darkness, housing a greater darkness. It's balance. That's what it's always been about. He had to find that out the hard way.

If the world is made of light and darkness, then we'll be the darkness.

He keeps that to himself.]

Permanent. But it's not just a memory. When they know the truth, do you really think they'll shrug it off as just another memory? The rest of the Organization will turn on you and yours.

[The threat doesn't need to be spoken: I'll tell them myself and lead the charge against you, Xehanort.]

[ Ah, at long last, the threats. It's funny, really, considering Riku has no idea what they actually have planned and no real way of stopping them either. Even if he and Xemnas fall here (which is entirely unlikely), they'll only return to their world where everything is truly set to begin.

It's a win-win situation, especially since the old man's arrival, and he honestly can't help but laugh. ]

Why, tiny brooder. You almost make it sound like we need them.

[ In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. The ones who stayed were unsuitable, and traitors could have no part. ]

Besides- [ his guns appear in an instant, his sights trained on the teenager ] nobody likes a rat.

[ He'll await the order from Xemnas, but if Riku tries anything...well. He won't bother being gentle. ]

[There is always an impressive display from this one. The maturity of Riku's control on his conflicting emotions and the urge to release what has been held back for quite a while has that effect.

And judging by the absence of a smile, the young man's words may have an impact after all.

Fragments of memory still appear every so often. They were (are) ill-timed. Memories of allies. Of enemies. What had taken place in one world, other specific events that were held in another. What was then. What once was. What still is to come.

As Xigbar speaks in turn, that only solidifies the latter pertaining to their plans. The threats said are strong, but their meanings remain empty to him. There is nothing to worry about. Nothing to be concerned over.

So what if he had 'felt' before. This is the present. The Now. He can care less.

Having the advantage, it's easy for him to give the order and be done with it. However, it would also be messy if not dealt with properly.

...But when did they ever do things properly?]

[ The unspoken command is all the prompting he needs.

Grinning widely, Xigbar's expression is the only warning Riku will get before a brilliant flash of light overtakes the room.

It clears, and then, it's down, down, down, plunging into an infinite sea of space, marked by the rapid passing of floors, concrete, and earth.

There's no going up, only the terrifying increase of velocity as the fall continues in a never-ending loop. It's a trick he's used rarely, but now it seems only fitting.

Unphased by the aberration he's wrought, Xigbar dives after Riku, his guns at ready. ]

[Xemnas' expression just barely shifts, just enough for him to know that he's reaching him somehow. He's angering him. And that's what he wants. He'll keep pushing if he has to. He just wants some sort of reaction. Riku even starts to say something until Xigbar's gun is cocked and he can feel the power stirring in him. He's not going to get a chance to do further damage to Xemnas. Not yet.

The room disappears and is replaced by some kind of endless vortex of space, the same rooms passing again and again and again. Riku twists in his bonds as he falls, flipping once and tangling himself further in the thorns. He summons his Keyblade, the weapon turning in his hand. He slips it beneath the bonds and slices through them, allowing him to drop out of the web with minimal damage.

That is, until Xigbar comes back into play.

Riku isn't used to the lack of gravity nor the speed at which they're simply falling. It's less like floating and more like the world is simply falling past them, looping again and again. He doesn't know what he can grasp or hold on to...and he's not going to get the chance to figure it out with Xigbar falling at him.

He immediately summons up another Thunder spell, letting the lightning streak across the room. His feet find something, some sort of handle, and then he's launching himself back at Xigbar, Keyblade out and ready.]

[ Funny thing about space. Here, in this place, where gravity is disregarded and the natural order of things is disrupted, Xigbar is, quite literally, in his element. This is his dominion, a world manipulated and crafted to his purposes, and it is here that he rules.

Twisting in midair, he evades the spell with ease, a mad sort of gleam in his eye as he hurtles towards the Keyblade wielder. It's only at the last moment, right before they collide that he vanishes, appearing behind and below.

Firing rapidly at Riku, there are some which go astray and deliberately miss. He'll make use of those later. For now he'll settle for skewering the kid with as many bullets as possible. ]

[Not good. He has the distinct disadvantage, even if Xigbar's on a manic streak that might leave him open to a few hits. He can't keep a beeline on him before the man disappears. Riku twists and turns in the air, upside-down now, and eyes Xigbar as he fires. He lets himself drop, free-falling into the endless loop of space, and then he twists and starts striking away as many bullets as possible.

He doesn't get all of them. One slices through his side with expert precision and he nearly recoils just like that. A barrier comes up only long enough to take some of the punishment off of himself before he's back to trying to follow Xigbar.

Riku knows this won't work. He has the even the playing field somehow.

He spins and summons his darkness, the dark that's his and no one else's, and starts slinging out as many blasts as he can manage.]

[ A manic streak, indeed.

After so many years of hiding the truth and masking what he is and shall become, it's a phenomenal sort of release to finally show his true colors. That isn't to say he's thrown caution to the winds -- not at all. He just doesn't have a reason to hide exactly how much he's enjoying this.

The air shifts, and he senses the rising darkness in the teenager falling above. His smile just stretches wider.

Go on, kid. I double dare you.

The bullets he sent off moments before circle and close the gap, a flurry of deadly lights rapidly converging around the teenager. If Riku manages to evade that barrage, he'll be receiving another from above as Xigbar moves again. ]

[Riku dares.

He dares to unleash that dark because he knows he can control it. Without Xehanort's Heartless tainting it, it's not even true darkness any longer, and he wields it to his liking. He lashes out with several wisps of darkness and sends them right at Xigbar as he falls, a controlled calculation to his movements.

He has to stop - is forced to do so - when he sees those needle-lights raining down towards him. He braces himself and calls up his shields, but the sheer number of them cracks his defense. A few hit their mark, disappearing into small shocks into his body. The pain distracts him and he curls, falling faster. He spins in mid-air and throws another barrage of his dark at Xigbar, hoping to get him closer so he can use his blade.]

[ He sees the shadows coming, molded into a weaponized form, and it's with relative ease that he dodges yet again. He has great mobility here, even more than he would have had outside the loop since he controls the very space through which they're falling.

Diving faster, he hurtles straight for the teenager. Unphased by the oncoming attacked, he warps at the last moment and retaliates -- not with bullets this time but rather a wave of darkness from the tips of his guns. It's Ansem's, it's Xemnas's, it's Xehanort's, and this is only the beginning. ]

[He tries to think of any spell he may know, anything to offset the falling. Gravira might work, he realizes, but if it doesn't, he'll be leaving himself wide open for trouble. He grimaces and flips backwards, ready for Xigbar.

The other man warps and Riku suddenly feels that darkness. He whips around and comes face-to-face with a wave of darkness so familiar it makes him freeze up.

The shield returns and takes most of the impact. It shakes what little grounding he has but not his resolve, which is why he lashes back out with his own blade in a vain attempt to catch Xigbar.]

Fight me without your dumb tricks!

[ Xigbar twists and rolls, navigating the loop with a natural grace one might almost call uncanny. He hasn't had this much fun in a long time, and it certainly helps that he doesn't need to hide it.

The challenge only makes him laugh. ]

No "tricks", eh, tiny brooder?

[ The manic smile he wears stretches even wider. ]

Have it your way.

[ Falling freely now, a swirl of darkness abruptly flares around his body. It's a massive thing, far greater than anything he's exhibited yet, so much so that his own darkness is practically engulfed in its folds.

He's never done this before, never fully tapped the depths of what lies inside him...but now, he is.

The shadows lengthen, and as Xigbar himself disappears in the encroaching darkness, it swallows everything else. ]

[He glowers as he drops, waiting for Xigbar to come at him or to attempt something just as insane once more. He gets his wish, but definitely not the way he intended.

Xigbar engulfs the room in that darkness, that familiar inky black that he's come to know so well, and then he disappears inside of it. The entire mess gives the Keybearer vertigo; he no longer has the reality of falling, instead engulfed by the illusion that he is stagnant when he knows it's not true.

Riku closes his eyes and comes to terms with their new battleground, his senses on fire.

Darkness prickles at his neck, setting him on edge. He can't sense anything else; it's too overpowering. He grits his teeth in anger, readying himself for the onslaught he knows Xigbar will deliver.]

[ The darkness spreads, saturating the very air with the fragrance of its stench. It's a deep well that stretches on and on, and only the half-heart beating in Xigbar's may know its limits.

It'll be enough, though, and that's all that matters.

The shadows pool, and eventually he emerges. The guns have disappeared (they were Braig's weapons, not his), and for this, he no longer needs them. A mesh of purple and black gathering at his fingertips, the edges of his coat billow slightly as the power builds.

Curling the fingers of his right hand, he stretches it forth, almost casually. Almost instantly, fiery shards of darkness begin to form. It's space mixed with the unnatural power he's gained over ten years of housing Xehanort's heart, and it's high time it served it's purpose.

Gathering the fragments about him, he sends them in waves -- a whirlwind of fire and shadow. ]

Edited (argh typos) 2012-08-15 03:47 (UTC)

[He stands prepared for Xigbar when he returns, the grip on his blade unyielding. Riku casts a suspicious eye over his lack of weapons and he straightens, falling into stance.

It's then that the darkness opens up and changes, all cloying and fitting to Xigbar's own element. He's never seen it do something like this before; it's a different breed of darkness. It's tainted his element and warped it...

And now Riku's in trouble.

He backs up and whips his blade around, long and powerful strokes slicing through the waves. It doesn't leave him unharmed; the flames lick at his bare arms and burn him, leaving dark lines on his skin. They remain even after he banishes the dark from in front of him, hand moving into the black and trying to harness it to himself, and they sting into him.

He huffs in pain and then throws his own attack at Xigbar, his blade singing with ice to combat the fire.]

[ Tainted and warped is exactly what it is.

Having opened himself to darkness, he's submitted to it as well, and in so doing, allowed it to have free reign. It's power under control, but also controlling, in its way, because of the very nature of its source. The change is in more than his scent and power level -- it's a more visceral sort of transformation marked not only by his stance, but also his demeanor.

Xigbar is the type to taunt and play -- whoever stands in his place cares only to see Riku submit.

The air warps around him, absorbing the brunt of the blast before some of the ice gets through. It frosts his coat but only barely makes an impact. He smiles, and though it's no longer manic, there's dark purpose in that ominously knowing glance.

What's left of the shards return, dancing about him with deadly brilliance as he walks towards the teenager. Darkness all but pools beneath his feet, and for a moment, he disappears entirely. Emerging from behind and below, he only has to gesture, the blacks line streaking Riku's limbs suddenly magnified in strength and weight. There'll be a crushing sensation too, like the air itself is trying to shove the teen into the ground.

He has plans for this one that will not go unanswered. ]

Edited 2012-08-15 04:36 (UTC)

[He doesn't allow himself to give in to the dismay he might usually feel with an opponent like him. Nothing seems to work against him; Xigbar's powers have grown exponentially since his fight with Sora. He could have easily taken the man had he been only as strong as he had once been. Two years have been generous to Riku's own abilities, after all.

But this is something he can't predict and can't fight like this. Xigbar is feeding off of the darkness. He's changed, even within the past half an hour, and his brutality is disconcerting.

He spins his body and his blade and keeps attacking until Xigbar disappears. He holds his blade up and at the ready, prepared to fight as he turns and moves, unwilling to let himself be caught unawares. It happens anyway, despite his best intentions; the darkness catches his limbs and paralyzes him, forcing him down.

He drops to his knees and struggles vainly to keep his head up, his blade clenched between his fingers. He grits his teeth angrily, refusing to give in.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject