Fan Fiction ❯ Kingdom Hearts: The Third Epic ❯ The Coming of a Second Evil ( Chapter 1 )

The Coming of the Second Evil

 

Two years had passed since the door to the light had been opened. Two years since the party had departed for their own worlds, which they called home. Now the friends who had been long since separated were now once again reunited and were living happily on their island paradise. Sora, wielder of the keyblade had fulfilled his promise as well as his mission. He made sure that both Riku and Kairi made it back home safely. The three friends had longed for each other's company during their adventures. And now, with two years passing since the fall of the Heartless, they were once again living peacefully upon the sands of Destiny Island. Sora was never happier than to have his friends with him once again. Every so often, the circle of friends would gather at the secret spot, where the mysterious door still stands, and would tell their stories about the great adventure in other worlds. Around a roaring campfire, the three would tell the others of their adventures. At times, there was uncontrollable laughter and sometimes a deep sorrow that would fill their eyes with tears. Sora, though as happy as he was to be amongst friends and home, he still had a longing to go on adventures in other worlds, and perhaps reunited with those other companions who had remained faithful to him until the end.

One night, when the moon was full, Sora strolled upon the beach. The sound of the waves crashing upon the shore was so tranquil and quiet. He sat down on the white sand, which glistened in the moonlight and threw his head back. He closed his eyes and pictured the faces of the friends he had met when on his journey. Goofy and Donald, two of the wildest characters he could ever meet, were the most loyal to him.

“Let us always remember each other.” he remembered Goofy saying in that same humorous way. “No matter how far we are from each other, it is the friendship we forge that will last forever.”

It was then that Kairi came walking on the beach. She saw Sora sitting there in a daze. She walked up to him and smiled. Sora looked up and saw her standing there in the moonlight.

“Hey, Kairi.” he uttered.

“Hey, Sora.” she replied as she sat down next to him. “What are you thinking about?”

“I was thinking about the past.” he glanced at the beach. “This is where it all started. Our adventure four years ago. And two years since the day Riku and I returned.”

“Yeah.” Kairi edged herself closer to Sora. “Do you remember everything?”

“I do. I remember it as if it were yesterday. It all started when Riku, you and I were building a raft, so we could see what was out there.”-

“I remember that too. We had so much fun. Excited to see other worlds. But during the events on that fateful night, four years ago, our fantasies turned out to be quite different.”-

Sora glanced at her. “It was scary at first. But when I met Goofy and Donald, I realized that things may turn out O.K. The same thought went through my head, when our worlds were separated again. Even though I knew you were safe, I still needed to find Riku. Even then, I realized that I still had friends with me and that I'd be alright.”-

Kairi snuggled on Sora's shoulder, wrapping her arms around his arm.

“I was so worried about you too.” she uttered. “I didn't think that you were going to make it back. But now you're here and that's all that matters now.” Sora stood up and wiped the sand from off his clothing. Kairi stood and gazed at him for a long while. The moonlight reflected off his blue eyes which sucked Kairi's attention in like a twister. All she could do was gaze into his eyes, since being so beautiful when they sparkled in the moonlight.

 

“It's getting late.” said Sora. “It's best that you get along home before your parents worry about you.” Kairi glanced at him a final time.

“Alright.” she said. “I'll see you tomorrow.” With a final smile, she turned away and headed home, leaving Sora standing on the beach. He turned to head towards his own place. He strolled very slowly, enjoying the evening. The stars glistened in a great multitude and Sora knew that on each star there was a friend wishing the same as he.

“Sometimes, I wish that I could go back to see my other friends again. To see how they're doing. Goofy, Donald, and King Mickey.” he thought to himself. It was then that Sora sensed a presence behind him, lurking in the shadows. Suddenly a voice whispered on the gentle night breeze.

“Sora.” it called. Sora turned, but there was nobody there.

“Who's there?” he asked, but there was no answer. Only silence. Sora turned to continue on his way home. But once again, he heard that same eerie voice calling him.

“Sora.” it called. Sora turned again.

“Alright, I'm getting a little upset now!” cried Sora. “Who is it?! Riku! Kairi! Tidus! Wakka! Selphie!” Still there was no answer. Sora turned and quickened his pace towards the torch-illuminated walkway. Then, a third time he heard the wind call out his name. Even louder than before.

“Sora!” it said. Sora turned again, but this time he did see something. From the shadows he saw what looked like a red glowing eye looking straight at him. Sora walked a few feet towards the figure in the shadows.

“Who are you?!” he shouted. “Show you face!” But suddenly, a painful sensation, like that of a hand, gripped his throat as if someone was choking him. Sora gagged as he was suddenly lifted into the air by an invisible force. His feet dangled in the air as he rose higher above the ground.

“Heed my warning, Boy!” said the figure. “Do not interfere with our plan! When the time comes and we make ourselves known, stay out of our affair, or you will perish!” Sora was suddenly released and fell upon the soft sand. He coughed and gasped a deep breath. He looked for whatever it was that held him by the throat, but there was nothing in sight. Sora, terrified at what he had encountered, ran home and never looked back a second time.

 

 

As the new day came, Sora awoke as usual, but this time there was something occupying his mind. What was it that he had encountered the previous night. He put on his shirt and shorts, tied on his shoes and walked outside. The sun was gleaming as usual and the inhabitants of Destiny Island were doing their familiar routine. Sora walked along the beach looking for his friends. It was on the beach that he encountered Riku, who was once again perfecting his skills as a swordsman. He now trained with a sharpened steel sword. He had it unsheathed and the blade lay gently on his shoulder. He had been training since early morning and was now taking his break. He had taken off his shirt, revealing his muscular bosom. A towel hung around his neck catching the sweat that dripped down his face. Riku saw Sora coming and turned to face him.

“Well, good morning.” he chuckled.

“Hey Riku.” replied Sora. “You've been awfully busy today haven't you.”

 

“Just perfecting all my skills and keeping myself in top shape.” He took the towel and wiped the sweat from his brow. He then threw it at Sora, but Sora managed to catch it before the wet rag hit his face. “Hey Sora! How about a quick spar?!”

“Sure!” said Sora. Riku threw him a sheathed sword. Because of the increase in skill the two had acquired on their adventures, they were now training with real swords with sharpened edges. Sora took off his shirt, revealing his own muscular bosom, and the two fighters stood ready to attack each other.

Just then, Riku attacked with sudden speed, which almost took Sora by surprise. The two fought ferociously for five minutes. With sharpened swords, it could have been possible for the two to inflict serious damage if a mistake was ever made. But because Riku and Sora were so well trained in the art of sword fighting, they managed to brawl each other without spilling any blood. Within a period of five minutes, due to the adrenalin rush and the anxiety, the two were now drenched in sweat.

“What's wrong, Sora?” chuckled Riku. “Don't tell my you're giving up already!”

“No I'm not!” replied Sora. He crouched back in a pouncing position and lunged his sword at Riku, but Riku saw the attack well ahead of time and dodged the blade. He threw out his own blade, flipping it over to the dull side of the sword. Sora couldn't stop in time and the dull side of Riku's blade streaked across his throat. Sora fell to the ground, dropping the sword only a few feet away. Riku sheathed his blade and sat next to Sora who was still gasping for breath.

“It's a good thing that I flipped my blade over to the dull edge.” said Riku. “Otherwise I would have cut your throat. Had this been a life and death situation, you would have been dead.”

“I couldn't stop.” Sora uttered. “What a waste of energy. Using a lunging attack like that.”

“I know, but it was a good thing I saw it in the knick of time.” Riku showed his right arm to Sora. A bruise had developed on his forearm. “The blade didn't touch me, but the air pressure caused by the speed of your thrust caused this bruise on my fore arm. Had the blade been any closer, you could have made a deep cut. If the blade actually touched, my forearm would have been completely severed from my elbow. You've certainly improved, Sora.”

“I'm sorry for hurting you, Riku. I didn't...” Riku laughed.

“Don't sweat it. You're the first guy to ever wound me like that. You should be honored.” He threw out his hand, wanting to help Sora up. “No hard feelings right?”

“Not at all!” Sora smiled and grasped his friend's hand, being allowed to stand on his feet again. He wiped the sweat from his brow. “From now on though, I think we should use blunt swords. In case something does happen.”

“Alright then.” chuckled Riku. “We'll train with real swords when we manage not to damage each other in future spars.” Riku threw his sword on his shoulder and walked away.

“Riku!” cried Sora. “What about your sword?!”

“Keep it, Sora. Just hold on to it for the time being!”-

Sora smiled and sheathed his sword. He then walked back home to clean himself up. The two warriors went their separate ways never knowing that Wakka and Tidus had witnessed the whole thing.

“They've really improved, yah?!” asked Wakka.

“I've never seen two guys move that fast in battle before.” Tidus replied. “I couldn't even see them at times. And using sharpened swords to spar?”

“Should we start training too, Tidus?”-

“No matter how hard we train, our skills could never improve as much as Sora and Riku's.”-

 

“I guess we're outclassed then, yah?”-

“Way outclassed.”-

 

 

That same day, Sora walked on the beach where he had encountered the figure in the dark the night before. His mind was filled with questions as he strolled on the beach. What was that thing who so violently assaulted him, grabbing him by the throat and daring to strangle him? What did it mean by interfering in its issues? The incident had left Sora spellbound and continuously wondering about his evening encounter. He sat on the beach again and listened to the roar of the waves and the blowing of the gentle sea breeze. He lay down on the white sand and closed his eyes. The relaxing sound of the beach was soothing and Sora soon fell into a deep sleep.

It was in his dreams that he began to visualize a terrible premonition. Of future events that would once again cast shadows upon his home. Sora saw the sands of his island home turn black. The light had gone out and darkness reigned throughout like a starless night. The wind was foul and rank, as if the smell of moldering bodies. Sora runs down the blackened beach to find his sword thrust into the ground. He picks it up, but in the sky he sees the faces of his friends he had met on his many journeys. They were crying in pain and their flesh rotted off of their bodies. Soon, the sky began raining down not water, but blood with a sting like acid. Sora ran to shelter himself with the rain burning his skin. He looked up to see his friends Riku and Kairi, crucified on two iron crosses, swords thrust into their still beating hearts. They cried out for him, but no matter how hard he tried, Sora could not reach his friends. It seemed the closer he tried to get to him, the further they seemed to float away. Then, from out of the black sky, that same evil red eye stared down at him. Sora's throat began to constrict and he was lifted in the air. With a sudden motion, he was thrust into the sea. The sea too was red with blood. He drew his head up from under the ocean of blood, but a black narled hand seemed to grab him by the throat and thrust his head beneath the surface. Sora couldn't breathe and tried to raise his head with all his might, but the hand kept him firmly submerged beneath the bloody waves. Sora looked to see dead corpses lying at the bottom of the sea. Then suddenly the arms of the dead took hold of his arms and they too wrapped around his throat, making it utterly impossible to surface for fresh air. He then saw the eye staring down at him and he saw his own death. His arms and head being held underneath the ocean of blood as his legs thrashed about violently in the dry sand trying to break the strong hold around his upper body. Sora could see himself slowly suffocate. With a final breath, he cried out for help.

It was then that Sora awoke from his nightmare. He had been asleep for a good half of the day and the sun was once again setting in the west. He was drenched in sweat and his hands were trembling.

“Oh God.” he said. “It was just a dream. Just a dream.” But as he breathed a sigh of relief, a scream of terror filled the air. He looked about to see what had happened. He rushed to where he had heard the scream. As he approached, he came upon a horrific sight. Selphie, Tidus, and Wakka lay motionless on the ground. He ran to Tidus's side. Tidus had suffered a blow to the head and a stream of blood rushed from his right temple. “Tidus! Tidus! What happened?! Who did this to you?!” Tidus opened his eyes and glanced at Sora with a look of death upon his face.

“Sora...” he muttered.

“Are you alright?”-

“A... man... He came and attacked... us. We didn't... have time to.. react..”

 

“Where are Riku and Kairi?! Are they alright?! Did they get involved?!”-

“Riku... Kairi... screaming in terror... Riku went after... him.” Tidus pointed towards the secret spot. Sora gently lay Tidus down and ran into the passage leading to the secret spot. As he entered the chamber, he saw Riku on the ground, covered in blood. He glanced up to see Kairi being grabbed by the throat by a man in black.

“Sora!” she cried.

“Leave her alone!!” shouted Sora. He saw Riku's fallen sword and he picked it up. Sora attacked the assailant, but an unseen force suddenly held him back.

“You again I see.What a futile effort.” The sword was suddenly knocked out of Sora's hand, far from his reach, by that same invisible force. “All in vain I'm afraid.”

“No!” Sora shouted. “I won't let you take Kairi!” Sora suddenly unleashed his double keyblades from his left and right hand, the Oblivion and the Ultima. “Let's see you take me out now! I am master of the keyblades!”

“Such idiocy. You will not be needing those” The man in black lifted a finger and suddenly, both the Ultima and the Oblivion, Sora's most powerful keyblades, were shattered like glass. The fragments spilled upon the ground and vanished into ashes.

“The Keyblades…” Sora uttered. His eyes filled with great fear now. “He destroyed them like they were nothing.”

“The Keyblades are nothing. And neither are you. You, Sora, are a mere relic of the past. The keyblades are obsolete against us. Nothing that we must fear.” Sora once again felt the grip of the invisible force around his throat. He was lifted in to the air with his feet dangling just a few inches of the ground. Sora opened one eye.

“K…Kairi…” Sora uttered, slowly strangling.

“S…Sora…” Kairi cried. “She then fell limp in the hands of the man.”

“You…You monster!”-

“I thought you were warned?!” said the man in black. “Is your life really that expendable?!” He turned towards the secret door, which suddenly opened, leading to a black vortex. From within the vortex, Sora could once again see the eye in the darkness.

“You...” uttered Sora.

“I warned you!” said the figure. “Now die!”

A sudden burst of energy threw Sora back towards the wall at incredible speed. But as he came closer to impact with the wall, a figure jumped out from behind him and caught Sora in mid-air. Sora looked to see a familiar face looking at him. A face that he thought he would never see again.

“Leon?” said Sora.

“It's been a long time, eh Sora.” said Leon.

“He didn't come alone either.” said another voice. Sora looked to see another familiar face.

“Yuffie?”-

“The one and only!” she chuckled.

“So, the Alliance has requested for your aid too?” said the figure. “Well, that's perfect. I now have more insects to worry about! No matter! You aren't a threat to me!” The figure turned and disappeared into the darkness of the vortex.

“This isn't over yet!” shouted Leon.

“Oh, I believe it is, my friend!” chuckled the man in black. “We have what we want and that's all we need!” With that the man turned, placing Kairi in his arms and entered the vortex.

“No you don't!!” shouted Sora. He quickly stood and picked up Riku's sword and attacked Kairi's kidnapper, but it was too late as the door shut behind the man in black. Sora pounded his fist at the door and dropped to his knees with tears in his eyes. “Why?! Why again?!”

“Sora.” said Yuffie. But Leon threw his hand in front of her in a jester as if to say `don't say anything right now.' Sora stood up slowly and approached his two comrades.

“It's happening again isn't it.” said Sora with his head down. “The Heartless. They've returned haven't they.”

“It isn't the Heartless this time.” said Leon. “It's a force far worse than anything the Heartless, or the Organization could ever conjure up.”

“You mean it's...”-

“I hate to interrupt,” said Yuffie, “but I think it's best we discuss this later. We have to tend to the wounded first.”

 

“Right.” Leon agreed. “I leave you to take care of Riku. We'll see if we can help your other friends.” Leon and Yuffie walked own of the secret place. Sora turned to Riku who was still laying motionless on the ground. He knelt over his friend and held him in his arms.

“Riku?! Riku?!” he said. “Are you alright?!” Riku opened his eyes.

“Sora.” he whispered. There was a ghastly wound on his shoulder and across his chest, with streams of blood seeped from these immense cuts in his flesh. He gasped for breath as he reached for Sora. Sora placed his hand upon Riku's. “I tried. I tried.... to protect... Kairi... but..”

“Don't talk. Save your energy. I got to get you help.” He picked Riku up, putting the arm of his dying friend around his neck and led him out of the secret place to seek medical attention.

 

 

Riku opened his eyes and gazed around at where he was. He was in his own room, in his own bed, and his wounds had been bandaged up. He turned towards his bedside table to see Sora sleeping in the chair, resting his head on the bed. Riku sat up and placed his hand on his slumbering friends shoulder.

“Hey, Sora.” he whispered. Sora stirred and looked at his friend.

“Hey, Riku.” he uttered in a groggy voice. “You're awake.” He pulled his head up. “How are your wounds?”

“They're fine. I don't even feel any pain.” He scratched the bandages on his chest. “It's kind of itchy though.” The door opened and two other figures came into the room. It was Leon and Yuffie.

“I see you've finally come to.” said Leon. “That's good.”

“We thought you weren't going to make it.” added Yuffie.

“Where are the others?” asked Riku.

“They're doing fine. They suffered only minor injuries. Nothing serious, but your folks were worried sick.”-

“You still haven't told us why you're here.”-

“We've come to retrieve you. The universe needs your skills at its disposal.”-

“But why?” asked Sora.

“If you don't help us, this new threat will spread to other worlds including your own.” said Leon. “We need all the help we can get.” There was a period of silence until Riku gazed at his three comrades.

“We'll do it.” he said. “We have to get Kairi back.”

“That's right.” said Sora. “Kairi's been taken by those two guys. Any idea who they are?”

“We don't know.” Leon explained. “Whoever they are, they intend to cause trouble. That's why you must come with us.”

“Well, we have no choice. They took Kairi. We have to get her back.”-

“Sora.” said Riku. “Hand me my sword.” Sora reached for the sword which rested upon the bedside table. He handed it to Riku and the young warrior unsheathed it, showing the glistening steel. “By this sword, we promise to retrieve Kairi and do all we can to save her and our home.” But he suddenly dropped the sword and grasped at his shoulder.

“Riku!” cried Sora. As he gently lay Riku down. “You're still injured.”

“I'll be alright.” Sora picked up the sword and placed it back in the sheath.

“No, you're not! If you try and fight in your condition, you'll be killed. Leave Kairi to me. I'll bring her back safely.” But Riku grasped him by the collar of his shirt and lifted himself up.

 

“We're in this together! If we must fight and die, then we will do so together. Understand?” Sora gazed into his friend's eyes and saw a great fire of determination burning from within. He grasped Riku by the hand which grasped his shirt and his friend released him.

“If we must fight and die together, then I won't stop you.” said Sora. Riku smiled and sat up again. He reached for his sword and stood out of bed. “This time, we stick together from beginning to end.”

“And vow never to stray from each other.” added Riku. He placed his arms around Sora and hugged him. “I will stay by your side as you have done for me countless times in the past.” He released Sora and the two walked out of the room with Yuffie and Leon following behind.

 

As they reached the door in the secret place, Riku and Sora fastened on their swords. They stood in front of the wooden door and waited for it to open. As Leon and Yuffie stepped forward, the door suddenly opened and the same black vortex was seen.

“Here is where our mission begins.” said Leon. “We head for Traverse Town. There we will get all the answers.”

“Is there someone waiting for us in Traverse Town?” asked Sora.

“Yes. The people who will help us in this mission.”-

The four walked through the door into the swirling thick of darkness, towards a light that gleamed like the end of a tunnel. As the door closed behind them, Sora and Riku new there was not turning back. Thus, their third great adventure begins.