sirenspull_logs | I'll look after you

Entry tags:

I'll look after you

Who: Riku and Aslan.
When: TBD, after this spoiler log.
Where: Out in the darkness.
Summary: Riku runs unknowingly to the one person who can help him.
Warnings: SPOILERS FOR KH3D in both the link and in this log for now. Tread with caution.

[Riku runs like a demon is on his heels into the night. His body is sore, burned, bleeding, and too tired to carry on for much longer, but he runs with no thought to where he's going...only that he needs to get away before Xehanort changes his mind about letting him go. It's a coward's move and every step makes him feel the guilt weighing down on his back like the darkness in his heart, but still he moves. Still, he runs.

He gets to the edge of the agricultural sector and into the beginnings of the woods before he stumbles headlong into the grass, the fall making the injury on his back scorch him with pain. It leaves him dizzy and incapacitated in the darkness, on his side in the soft blades. His breathing is labored and painful for several minutes and then he picks himself up, determined to keep going.

He walks for another five minutes, limbs sluggish, before he drops back down to his knees. He nearly falls forward from the exertion, saved only by his will. Eyes cast around in the darkness for enemies and, finding none, he contents himself to sit there and wait for his second wind.]

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[ He knows.

The shadows lengthen, and for a moment it seems as though the rot itself may be deepening around the keybearer. It's in that moment, however, that a gentle radiance drives the shadows away. The stench fades, replaced by the warmth of summer's light, carried forth by velveted paws.

Aslan bows that great shaggy head and softly nudges Riku's shoulder. He is here now, and the darkness will not have him. ]

[He can feel the darkness as easily as he can still feel the fire on his back, the X scar that's marked him now. Riku grits his teeth and begins to stand when the light surrounds him, bathing him in its glow. A soft muzzle presses into his shoulder and he turns, startled.

Like a small child might, Riku immediately presses into the shaggy mane, breathless in his gratitude.]

Aslan.

[You came.]

Edited 2012-08-27 03:50 (UTC)

[ Always.

Nuzzling the teenager gently, he returns the embrace as he is able, taking care not to jostle him. The ordeal Riku's suffered would have crushed anyone else, and it's his intention to heal rather than hurt.

He allows Riku to hold him as long as he needs to, the warmth of his presence conveying strength from golden fur to battered limbs. Finally, his expression grave, he looks at the young man. ]

Come with me.

[ There is much that bears discussion, and his haven is not far from here. ]

[His body is slow to relax, even now. He's been surrounded by darkness all night and even the gentleness of Aslan's glow makes him wary. The lion has never hurt him, never given reason for him to doubt, and that is why he doesn't pull away.

Riku lifts his head at the instruction and nods, pulling away so he can stand. He hurts all over, muscles sore and strained, but he can keep going for a little while yet. He has to.

He nods when he's ready.]

Lead on.

[ He searches Riku's eyes for a moment, making sure the keybearer is ready before padding silently towards the trees. He doesn't stray too far ahead and lingers to make sure Riku is following.

It takes a few minutes and no more to reach a small clearing, the plot of land untouched and unwithered by the darkness. He pauses here, and once Riku has stopped and settled, he'll face him once again. A soft breath of air, purpose in warmth and healing power washes over Riku, mending the worst of his hurts.

Riku is safe here, and though he's free to leave any time he chooses, there is a reason beyond that healing touch that Aslan has brought him this far. ]

[He follows after dutifully, like a lost animal going after whatever most resembles protection. And Aslan radiates protection, and gentleness, and kindness... It's such a contrast to the past two hours of torment. The fear that had gripped him fades slowly with every step he takes, his walk with Aslan reminiscent of his journey with King Mickey at his side. Once, long ago, he had fled at the idea of being so tainted beside someone so full of light.

Now, though ashamed of his weakness, he doesn't try to run. He can't hide any longer.

When they reach the clearing, he finds himself stopping if only to take in the sights of the undamaged earth, the fresh grass and the healthy greenery around him. It's the only safe area in all of the darkness. It tugs him forward just a few more steps before he sinks down and sits, knees pulled up slightly. His aches begin to subside under Aslan's warmth and healing, making him shiver in distress.

The walls of his shield are crumbling as easily before Aslan as they physically had by Xehanort's hand. He closes his eyes.]

Thank you. [His throat closes up.] Thank you for saving me.

[Because it hits him, then, how close he might have been to being devoured by the darkness outside, if not caught and ruined by Xehanort himself. Or Xigbar. Aslan is his only saving grace.]

[ He smiles faintly, a touch of sadness in his look. ]

I've not forgotten you.

[ Though he sees Riku and his friends but rarely, they are never far from his thoughts. He takes a seat, then, plopping himself silently beside the teenager. The boy can lean on him if he wishes and seek what comfort he needs. ]

Tell me of your troubles.

I know. You never have.

[Riku doesn't know what it means to have a deity at his side. He barely knows how to treat Aslan but with the respect deserving of a king, the love deserving of a father, and the respect deserving of a friend. And that's all he knows how to give.

He leans just a little into the warm, soft fur of the lion's side.]

They had hearts. All along, Nobodies had hearts. And I wanted to believe it, Aslan, but...

[But if he had believed it for Roxas, Xion, and Axel (and he did), then he would have to extend the same thing to all of them. And that would mean that not only did they hurt people who could feel, but they also killed them in cold blood. Worse, he allowed Sora to do it when he should have taken responsibility for it. If anything, he had already dragged himself through enough darkness that he should be the one to live with the guilt. Not Sora. He doesn't know how the other boy will react.]

They had hearts and they were willing to continue the cycle of Xehanort. They let each other die, betrayed one another, and caused so much destruction to the worlds.

[ He never has, and he never will. Even if he should leave this place, there will always be a special place in his heart for those he's come to know. ]

The hearts of men are capable of great evil.

[ A solemn answer. The great majority of those who commit atrocities, after all, have no excuse such as a lack of emotions. ]

Sometimes, it's easier to accept an illusion than to seek the truth when it calls.

Edited 2012-08-30 04:47 (UTC)

I know. But it's... What other evidence did we have? They even admitted to not having hearts.

[He settles his head in his hands. It tightens his back, pulls at the wound. He hisses softly in pain.]

I don't know what to do now. I... I have to tell everyone. I have to tell them what happened, that I wasn't able to beat them. That Master Xehanort is alive.

Belief can influence perception though the truth remains the same. They were told they were empty, and so they believed.

[ He doesn't need to look to know the hurt that troubles Riku. The man's depravity apparently knows no bounds. ]

It is a battle you were not made ready for.

[ Though Riku faced the old master in battle once before, it was not by his own might that the other was defeated. There is much he has yet to learn. ]

They will be. [ A soft assurance. ] Terra must be the first.

[He scrubs his face with his hands, shaking his head.]

I should have been ready. I was a coward and I ran. I should have fought to the end, until they killed me.

[But if it had gone another way...he would just be a puppet used against his friends.]

I know. Terra should be first.

[His face burns with shame. He sighs.]

[ Aslan shakes his head. The boy has always been hard on himself, and this time is no exception. ]

There are times that discretion is the better part of valor.

[ Gently, he nudges Riku's shoulder. There's no disappointment, only warmth in his expression. ]

When you're ready.

[ They have a little time yet so Riku can recuperate. ]

[He wishes he could believe that. But he knows that when he goes in front of the others and tells them what happened and what transpired, the question on everyone's minds will be: How did you survive?

And the answer will be, "I ran." And that wasn't the answer he wanted to give.

Riku sets his forehead against the shaggy mane and sighs, closing his eyes. He feels so foolishly childish, his nerves rubbed raw and his mind spinning in frantic circles. He wishes he had the ability to cry. He wants to. But he can't afford any more shame this evening, not when he has more to look forward to.

His fingers curl against the soft fur of Aslan's coat.]

I'm so lost, Aslan.

[Since before so many of them arrived, Riku had taken it on himself to be there, to be the strong one, to be able to take care of everyone. He'd been there the longest. And now it was all falling apart, right out from under him. He hadn't failed his friends, not entirely, but he had failed himself.

He doesn't know if he is worthy of the Keyblade any longer.]

Edited 2012-09-04 01:18 (UTC)

[ He understands.

He sees and he knows, and though his vision has always stretched beyond what most are capable of, he is not blind to difficulty walking blindly can cause.

There's no shame in tears, not under these circumstances, and his view of the youngster has not diminished. He is proud of him yet, and loves him as one of his own. ]

Your journey has not yet ended. The twists and turns will only stop you if you allow them to.

[ Gently, he plants a lion's kiss on Riku's cheek -- an endowment of warmth, confidence and strength. ]

You will find your way.

[ He believes that even though Riku may not know it yet. ]

[He breathes into the lion's nuzzle, feeling the warmth and light wash over him. He closes his eyes and nods. Aslan's right, is always right. He wants to just forget his troubles for the night but he knows he can't. Not yet.

He nods once more.]

I need to call Terra. I'll relax later.

[No point in putting it off. It'll just look worse if he does.]

[ If Riku is ready, then there is little reason to delay. He nuzzles the young man once more and gives him an encouraging nod.

He isn't going anywhere, and until the truth has been told, he has no intention of leaving. ]

[Terra's not sure what's going on. Two late-night calls to emergencies in three days, first one from Roxas and now one from Riku. It's confusing and upsetting and aggravating, but the only choice he has is to respond and to respond quickly.

With a nagging sense of déjà vu and his nerves still a little shot from the battle with his Master two nights ago, he gets dressed and slips out of his room. This time he's careful to be quiet on his way through the house.

He is halfway out the Departure door with his Keyblade in hand when he realizes he doesn't want to fly his Glider to the other sector. His mind provides him with enough excuses: he's tired, it's late, it's another emergency, he would spend the entire ride over making his heart that much more anxious trying to figure out what's going on. He feels his shoulders slouch as he makes his decision. With the door to the house closed tightly behind him, he lifts one hand up and beckons the shadows closer, letting the city's putrid Darkness mask his own.

He's been practicing far more than just Keyblade swings and magic spells and martial arts over the long months.

Just beyond the clearing in the forest, the darkness of his universe spills out of an unseen gash in the air and coalesces into a pitch-black flame that stands a hand taller than he is.

Terra steps out, looks up, and stops short. Behind him, the darkness collapses in on itself.

There's Riku.

(The right location. At least he was successful at combining the directions his successor gave him with his memories of the wooded area to guide the portal.)

... And there's Aslan.

For a moment, Terra hangs back, staring out at them as he inwardly anguishes over not taking the Glider.

But it's too late to go back now. Balling his fists at his sides, he forces himself forward. He makes his way out of the line of trees into the opening and comes to stand before the lion and the young man.

Aslan's light is bright as it ever was.

Riku's...

Straightening out of the start of a bow, Terra shoots an alarmed look Aslan's way, his own disgraceful entrance forgotten.]

What's happened?

[Riku's the first to sense the darkness, the Corridor looming up out of nothingness. He gets to his feet immediately, readying to summon his Keyblade even as his body protests and aches for it. It's seconds later that he smells Terra, his entire body going rigid with the idea.

He says nothing when Terra steps out and joins them, though he eventually nods in some semblance of greeting, too tongue-tied to know just what he might offer as a hello.

At the older Keybearer's question, he looks to Aslan, then back to Terra.]

I fought with Xigbar tonight. Him and Xemnas. There's...been an incident.

[Which is an understatement, but he doesn't know what else to call it.]

Xigbar has been tainted with Xehanort's darkness. I mistook him for Xehanort's Heartless. That's how deep his darkness went. And when I tried to fight him...

[Terra can hear about Nobodies and hearts later. The more important issue needs to be spoken. His eyes meet Terra's, unflinching.]

Xehanort is here in the city. Master Xehanort. He was there to protect Xigbar and to stop me from killing him.

[ He waits with Riku for Terra to appear. The manner of his arrival does not surprise the lion, nor does he appear to be perturbed by it. His expression, already grave, remains the same. It is a serious matter they must address now, and it is imperative that Terra understand the dangers inherent in what has recently transpired.

He allows Riku to begins, standing in silence as the young man relays what he has seen and experienced. When he finishes, Aslan continues where he left off. His tone is as solemn as his expression. ]

The tides of Light and Dark have shifted. With Master Xehanort's return, the delicate balance of this world is once more in danger of being disrupted. What has been done to Xigbar, he may also seek to do to others.

[ The mark on Riku's back is proof of that. ]

As a vessel who once bore his heart, it was imperative that you know. The two of you [ he glances at Riku ] have suffered more than most and wear scars none should be forced to bear on their own. It is for this reason that I wished to speak with both of you, together as you are.

[ It is here that he fixes Terra with that solemn, golden stare. ]

What he has done in the past, he may not attempt again. However, it is your charge [ Terra's and Riku's ] to be vigilant -- to guard others who may come into contact with him and become tainted by his ambitions.

[ His tone, though serious before, develops a low rumble around the edges; he wants no arguments on this final point: ]

It is also your charge to guard yourselves -- do not engage him unless there is no other option.

[ They have suffered enough at Xehanort's hands; he would not see them caused more pain if it can possibly be avoided. ]

Edited 2012-09-24 08:10 (UTC)

[It's a lot of information to take in all at once. A frank expression of shock etches itself on Terra's face as he stares first at Riku and then at Aslan.

In the end, he's left feeling a little sick. Of course Xehanort's back. His hands curl tighter at his sides, his fingernails digging into the meat of his palms. Of course. Right when the Master returns, right when they're all together again...

He drops his head, his mouth pressing into a thin line as the shift from alarm to anger finally forces him to rein in his emotions.

He's quiet for a long moment after Aslan's given them their charge. There's one thing he's not sure he fully understands and that's the taint both Riku and Aslan have mentioned. What did it mean to be tainted by Xehanort's darkness? How had Xigbar become tainted? Was Xehanort sharing his darkness, his power, with other people? That didn't make much sense, especially when Xigbar's past actions in the city were considered...

What has been done to Xigbar, he may also seek to do to others.

Had Xehanort devised a new way to steal away the hearts and bodies of others for his own use?

Keeping his eyes down, Terra shakes his head, mostly to himself. The details don't really matter. The important thing now is figuring out what to do about the general threat that is Xehanort.

Forcing aside those thoughts and the sting that comes from being reminded of his failures, he speaks up.]

How are we supposed to guard anyone from him? [It's one thing to protect their close friends, but he doesn't get the impression Aslan was only referring to them.] There are so many people in this world... There's no way to tell who he might run into or try to involve in his schemes.

[His head sinks lower: he didn't miss the severity in Aslan's last command but he has to voice the questions that are the loudest in his heart.]

Wouldn't it be better if we stopped him before he has a chance to hurt anyone else? Before he can disrupt the balance?

[ He expects the questions.

There is no doubt in his mind that it is a difficult thing he has asked -- to protect not only those they care for the those they have never met. The city is at risk, in more ways than one, and though it may seem impossible or unfair, Aslan has never asked for more than he knows others are capable of.

Shaking his head once, he meets Terra's gaze squarely. ]

The rules of this world make preemptive action difficult if not dangerous. They have positioned themselves well -- too well, to be taken so lightly.

[ After all, it was only his own intervention that allowed them to have the victory last time. He cannot guarantee that things will happen the same way twice. ]

Watch them. Ally yourselves with those would stand with you, if not on the battlefield than in other ways.

He will seek to ally himself with those who have similar ideas to his own, and if possible, corrupt them.

You must be ready.

[Terra's frown deepens. If they were discussing any other matter, if Aslan were instructing him on how they should handle any other person, this would be the point where he would acquiesce to the King of the Wood's orders. But it's Xehanort.]

I don't understand. How are we supposed to watch them? Who would stand with us and what could they possibly do to help us if they can't fight?

[Desperation sharpens his tone as he goes on, leaving the frivolous questions behind to get back to what he considers to be the main point.]

Aren't there enough of us to take him on? We have plenty of Keyblades on our side... We have the advantage of numbers, don't we?

[He gestures to Riku. There are so many Keybearers in the city now.]

How can we wait, Aslan? Our inaction gives him the chance to find more allies and to mess with more people... He'll be the one who's ready.

[ And it is precisely because it is Xehanort they are speaking of that Aslan will not compromise. His countenance, though bright and warm as ever, is as kingly and stern as it has ever been. ]

There are times that discretion is the better part of valor.

To attack him now, when he has had time already to prepare, will only play into his hands. Until he compromises himself and openly becomes an enemy of others besides yourself, he will be able to turn any assault upon himself and those who stand with him to his own advantage.

[ His eyes bore into Terra's. ]

You must wait.

[Terra holds Aslan's gaze at first, an unspoken challenge to the lion's assertion plainly visible in his eyes and clinched jaw, but the moment soon passes and with it goes any thoughts of arguing further. He looks away with a small grimace. It's painfully clear Aslan isn't budging on this issue. There's nothing he can say or do to change that. He'll have to follow the commands he's been given... Or try to, at least.

How hard can it be to go on doing nothing and being no one while one of the two men responsible for the ruination of his life is free to plot and scheme to his heart's content?

With the fire inside him thoroughly doused, all emotion fades from Terra's visage, leaving him with an expression that is simply blank when he glances back to Aslan. Holding his left hand over his chest, he bows low before turning to leave.]

[ He watches the young man in silence, more than aware of the struggle Terra refuses to voice. It's a hard thing he has asked, and he very knows it. Even so, he'll not back down or change his mind.

It is with a very real pang, however, that he witnesses the change -- the veil of blankness that falls and the gesture of half-hearted acceptance and respect. He's being shut out, and much as he wishes there was something he could say to make this easier, there isn't.

A warm breeze gently buffets Terra's back, and an echo of it briefly makes his Wayfinder shine. For all that they may disagree on this particular issue, the connection between them has not been revoked. ]

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I'll look after you

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