falling in the black, slipping through the cracks

[dawnward]

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.]

Comments

[dawnward]

[That second surge of darkness draws him taut from the pain, his eyes narrowing further and a choked cry forcing its way past his lips. But nothing sticks and he can feel it this time; the darkness pushes and pulls and there's a response within his heart, but nothing tangible. Nothing he can grasp any longer.

The realization brings a defiant smile to his face. He's not in the clear just yet; he can still be submerged in the darkness or his heart can be taken. But for now, he has a resistance, something to keep him safe.

He won't go down this way.

Riku turns his blade again and makes for another attack, energy fueled by his adrenaline and by his new discovery. Dark fire licks at his hands in turn, his own power, and he welcomes it gladly as he shoves it through his fingers and against Xehanort's chest.]

[capax_infiniti]

[At this close range it's all he can do to summon his blade once more, interposing it between their two bodies in order to block Riku's attempted strikes. It's an incredibly awkward position for both of them, especially with their blades being longer, but he attempts to bear down in order to lock Riku's arm all the same.

The darkness he expects, one of Riku's attempts to use his own element against him. The way Riku's heart handles darkness is fascinating in its own way, and he would love nothing more than to learn about it in its fullness. To test, to experiment, to know, but at this particular moment such a thing is unlikely. In his moment of distraction, an assault that should have had the ultimate effect, he had left himself open and Riku had been able to strike.

It's clear the boy won't go down now. He has a seemingly natural resistance against their mutual strength... and while he could simply overbear with magic until a magically-smote corpse remained, Riku would still come back. No, his initial thought of killing the boy was a foolish choice made in anger. Xigbar was salvageable, Xemnas had said so. Perhaps something to remind Riku of just what had happened... while the recusant's sigil would not engrave itself on his heart, something more physical would leave enough significance.

The darkness burst from Riku is enough force to push the two of them apart, and he knows Riku will make for the shattered window. Already the sounds of monsters can be heard... soon the room will be overrun. Time has run out...

Darkness flares around him and his blade and he steps, teleporting behind Riku one final time. He launches into a fast-two stroke combo, searing his hallmark into the boy's back... a statement.

I'm letting you leave. This isn't over.]

[dawnward]

[He isn't certain whether he expects Xehanort to try again or to recoil, and if he does the latter, he knows he won't allow Riku to believe he's been beaten. The stench of decay assails his nostrils and he glances at the window, knowing it's time. He has to go and he has to go now.

Xehanort disappears, replaced by searing pain in his back, enough to make him cry out. He stumbles forward and nearly falls, whipping around with a hand to his shoulder. One eye closes in pain; the other fixes itself on Xehanort.

He doesn't need to see what he's done. He knows.

Despite every part of him telling him to stay, to fight, to die...his logic wins out. He turns and makes a break for the window while he can, casting one last glance as he goes.

He jumps out and falls the two stories to the pavement. Without a sound, he continues, disappearing into the darkness.]

[capax_infiniti]

[For a moment he stands idly, watching Riku leave, blade at his side passively. The boy would run, and run, and spread the word. Things were coming to a head, and quickly. Then again, there was little to fear... even with Riku's heart's... unusual properties. The lightbearers wouldn't be enough to make a stand so easily. They would simply huddle together and try to plan and try to keep their numbers close for protection.

As though there was reason to attack them. Not yet. Not till the stage was properly set. They really thought in such limited ways, sometimes.

Something starts clawing in through the window, and he moves once more, slashing roughly with the blade, shoving the creature back through the break by sheer force. A moment of concentration, weaving together threads of magic, and darkness surges forth, filling in the space around the window, making a seal of darkness in order to keep the window from breaking further and letting anything in.

It would serve as a temporary measure. It wouldn't keep the degradation away, but it would help prevent unauthorized entrance for the time being.

A pause for a moment, waiting. The NV flies over, settling on his shoulder with a low whine... recorded for posterity. How pleasing modern technology truly was. He turns on his heel, opening the Corridor of Darkness back down to where Xemnas is tending to Xigbar.

There are yet important matters to attend to before the evening is through.]

[edge_of_nothing]

[There they are, just as they had been moments earlier. Although he still props an unconscious Xigbar up, his eyes look up at the appearance of the portal, slowly meeting Master Xehanort's gaze in silence.

As a passive observer, he had seen enough. The clashing of two undeniably great powers, one outdoing the other in a handful of well-executed attacks before taking the fight elsewhere. (Perhaps for the better.) Riku had fought well; he would continue to be someone worth watching out for now that he knows their "secret."

There stands the question, however.]

...He's gone?

[capax_infiniti]

[A dismissive gesture, hand casually extended outward.] He felt it rather prudent to leap out the window...

[Eyes bore into the pair on the floor, and with a fluid motion he lowers himself down to squat next to Xemnas. Xigbar seems to be intact, outside of a great deal of blood on his face. It's rather obvious just what had happened... a frown settles itself on Xehanort's face once more. How... base. A low blow from the high-and-mighty light, indeed. Fingers brush ever so lightly against the downed Nobody's cheekbone, pressing into the bruised and swollen skin ringing his newly-damaged eye.

Soft green swirls of healing magic fill the air, coalescing around Xigbar, repairing the damage done there.]

[madannoshashu]

[ He stirs finally, the skin and tissue pulling together under Xehanort's healing power. Grunting softly, a hand automatically goes to his face, his eye -- he's disoriented, and not just because of the injuries he suffered. He was jolted quite violently out of the darkness that took him over, and he's still reeling from that.

It's only when he finally opens his eye and sees the old man through the cracks of his fingers that he snaps to full awareness.

Frustration and anger immediately flash across his features. ]

Where is he?

[ A low, infuriated hiss. ]

[capax_infiniti]

[The Nobody's delicate heart is not tempered enough to handle the darkness he's attempted to wield... even now it lingers, threatening to flare up again and consume him. Xehanort shifts his hand downward, resting it on Xigbar's shoulder... and digs the tips of his fingers in, attempting to diffuse the building darness a bit.]

Out of our reach for the moment.

[madannoshashu]

[ He's barely even aware of it. The darkness builds in response to the vehemence of his emotions, and he can't get a handle on either. The rage is nearly all-consuming, and it's only that weight of that hand on his shoulder that keeps him from pursuing the errant keybearer.

He doesn't say anything. Trembling with fury born of humiliation, he bows his head and clenches his fists at his sides, unaware of the wisps of darkness threatening to flare into something greater. The worst of it's being tempered, and when he finally has the presence of mind to thank the old man, he will. ]

[edge_of_nothing]

Quite the escape.

[He frowns slightly as the old master drops down on the other side of Xigbar to heal the injury caused by said keyblade wielder.]

Unfortunately, the building has suffered just as much as he did.

[A minor setback to having an impromptu battle in the corporation. He figures Xehanort already took care of the Darkness and its creatures if Riku had to break a window open. Nothing else needed to be more damaged than it already is.

The other Nobody recovers quickly. Impressive – especially when they both get to watch Xigbar go through each strain of emotion.]

His strength is underestimated...but he has been taken care of.

[capax_infiniti]

[With Xigbar's situation under control he turns to address Xemnas for the moment, letting the other Nobody struggle with his fledgling emotions. Like a child learning to turn over, he will only assist if it gets out of hand.]

These locations aren't well-suited to the High Duels. My apologies.
Obviously, there is a window that needs to be fixed before the degradation worsens.

... [the fingers on his other hand curl and uncurl, grasping at nothing.]

That boy's heart... it's quite fascinating. It seems he's developed a resistance...

[And his gaze falls back on Xigbar.]

Some more in-depth training may be required. A leave of absence... or if you feel you would rather mould him... [A formality, but an essential one. While they are both his, there is still a system of rank and file and privilege that will be upheld. Xemnas has earned the right to choose the fates of his particular underlings... if he wishes to manage the handling of Xigbar's growing darkness, then that is his prerogative.]

[edge_of_nothing]

[Mild annoyance crosses his features as he looks over what remains of the office. It's an apology he will have to accept.]

No. They aren't. But it will all be fixed.

[But being acknowledged in this manner is good. Refreshing. He still has control over what is considered his.

That's all that matters.

Xemnas closes his eyes, nodding once he's made his decision.]

You have my permission to do so. Being closely connected, he will need your guidance.

[Although they both know of darkness and its properties, Master Xehanort has more experience. Deeper insight. Who better to harness this power than the one who started it all?

His attention languidly falls back onto the Second.]

Xigbar.

Take a few days off. [A pause. His brow furrows.] I expect you to heed that order.

[madannoshashu]

[ Only half-listening to what the others are discussing, he struggles with the impulses to pursue, and rend, and tear. He's never felt anything like this, or at least not that he remembers, the anger and hate a raging fire burning in his heart.

The old man's touch is stabilizing, though, and after a long moment, he finally regains enough of himself to listen to what's being said properly. He catches the tail end of the commentary on Riku's heart but doesn't truly react until the mention of actual "training".

His head lifts, and he looks at both of them, his eye going wide. It shocks the fight out of him (at least somewhat), and by the time Xemnas finishes giving the order, the tension has bled out of him completely.

A few days off?

He almost looks like he wants to protest, but of course, he doesn't. Instead, he takes a breath, eye closed, and nods his assent. He's calmer now, finally, the darkness no longer threatening to boil over, and as much as he dislikes leaving Xemnas alone to handle things here, some things are far more important. ]

[capax_infiniti]

[Xehanort nods in assent as well. Already he's going over what he knows of the island, just where will be a good place to handle this. Somewhere isolated so that whatever lightbearers decide to investigate won't find them so easily. Somewhere where the darkness they'll be throwing around won't be immediately detectable.]

The beach will be the best location. We shall be easy enough to contact, if you require either of us to return promptly. This way, we will both be absent for the aftermath, in the case that the lightbearers come calling. They shouldn't present you with that much trouble... [he gestures in a vague shrugging motion] one would hope.

[Straightening out, he withdraws his hand from Xigbar's shoulder as he rises to his feet once more. He holds it out, in a gesture familiar to not that long ago when Xigbar had been laid low for other reasons... an offer and an invitation.]

Come with me.

[edge_of_nothing]

[Yes. Xemnas means every word. Gold eyes almost narrow when the reaction starts as such, but his expression barely wavers as the other Nobody accepts his order. And although he doesn't make eye contact with Master Xehanort, he nods at the choice that has been made.]

As long as our communication lines are kept open, we shall have no problems if the circumstances were to change upon whim.

[A thin smirk forms as an afterthought.]

And I assure you...they won't.

[The old master stands. He, too, leans back to stand once more. Here, he steps away from Xigbar.

But he does not leave him alone. He stands behind him.]

[madannoshashu]

[ The beach.

He listens and doesn't comment -- the other two have matters well enough in-hand that his contribution is unnecessary. He feels awkward enough as it is that these extra measures have to be taken on his behalf in the first place, never mind his failure to obliterate Riku as a problem. It's shameful, and though the worst of his emotional instability has leveled out, the rage and hatred lingers in his heart.

It's for that reason that he only looks up after the old man makes that invitation. He stares at the offered hand for a moment before taking it, allowing Xehanort to help pull him up. There's much to do yet, he knows that, and despite what's happened, the only direction they can go is forward.

He's come this far, and there's no turning back. ]

[capax_infiniti]

[Good... muscles flex, pulling Xigbar to his feet, a twinge of pain and growing wet spot reminds him that he does need to attend to where Riku did get him. There will be time for that, though. A bit further...

He nods once more to Xemnas, taking his leave. It is the Nobody's building, after all... proper respect should be paid. At this point it's a bit moot... but the gesture is there all the same. He fixes his location in mind, opening the Corridor a step away.]

Once again, the Plan is in your capable hands. I will contact you if there are... complications. [He'll try not to break your Second too much, but this sort of training normally does take a lot of time...]

[There's nothing more to say. He turns, heading for the portal and a rather unique impromptu training session.]

[edge_of_nothing]

[Xemnas says nothing in return.

As Master Xehanort does this, he takes the time to place his right hand over his chest, bowing his head in respect.

His gaze, cast downward, casually glances back upward to where the old master once was. To where Xigbar is to follow.

It's better not to keep the man who means to train you waiting.]

[madannoshashu]

[ "Complications".

He doesn't give the word much thought, other than a twinge of uncertainty. Everything, it seems, has happened too fast tonight, and the impact is only starting to catch up with him.

He looks at Xemnas, hesitating just briefly before following the old man.

Whatever happens, he'll do his best not to disappoint either of them. ]