Kingdom Hearts Fan Fiction ❯ Before the Fall ❯ Inhale ( Chapter 8 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Even was quite comfortable where he lay. He was warm and calm so he had to ask himself for what reason was he currently awaking. His answer came almost as soon as the groggy thought made its way completely through his mind: his arm began to throb dully. He groaned softly, the pain further jarring him awake. ‘Morphine must be wearing off.’ He almost shifted slightly when a movement beside him caused whatever was warming him to cuddle closer.

Still rather sleepy, he didn’t question what was beside him. The feeling of it cradled so innocently against him pushed the stinging of his arm to the back of his mind. He smiled happily and snuggled back just slightly, his mind offering a window in which to clasp slumber again.

Raine was alerted by the moan that whispered beside her. Slowly she was awaking, but she still had not gained full control of her body as it burrowed closer to the heat being radiated off her companion. Unfortunately she was not as drowsy as Even and as soon as she had carried out the action her body shivered and then tensed when the something beside her returned her gesture.

Her eyes slowly opened protesting against the brightness that filled the room as a result of the morning sun. When they finally stopped aching her they focused on the person she had nestled against. She swallowed the gasp that rose in her throat like bile. She had fallen asleep last night! Raine stared at the man a moment before closing her eyes again and relaxing. She smiled softly. Would it bad to admit that she didn’t abhor the idea that she had fallen asleep in the bed with him? She had just been shocked earlier.

Even soon began to wonder vaguely what was beside him that was moving, even if it was ever so slight. Finally his mind, too curious to allow him anymore rest until its interest was sated, forced him awake. His eyes fluttered open, dealing with the painful sunlight that now glowed in the room.

He did not tense, he did not even move when he looked down to see Raine’s slight figure cuddled into his chest. He felt her breath, just evening out fanning his shirt. His brain more or less merely gave a shrug before he closed his eyes. It would be a lie to say he was angry at her for being there. He had no complaints whatsoever and he went to prove that by sinking back into sleep.

His plans were foiled by the door swishing open. Raine must have closed it again after she had entered. There was no effort in pretending to be slumbering for him. He just remained limp and relax; being an apprentice and sometimes not wanting to get up if it wasn’t needed had made him an expert at feigning.

No footsteps entered or retreated and Even, though tempted to peer at the intruder did no such thing. Who knew who it could be? He listened carefully however, attempting to discern the person.

“Miss Raine,” the voice drew out in surprise.

Now, he was definitely interested. He knew that voice from anywhere. It was Ansem. Even felt Raine stiffen in his arms at the voice. He shook his head mentally. ‘Busted.’

“Someone’s not a very good actor,” Ansem sing-songed and Even could make out the sound of his foot tapping patiently upon the carpet. Oh, how he pitied the girl beside him right now, but he wasn’t going to make matters worse by waking himself. Nope, he was asleep.

Raine shifted and turned around, letting out a whimper at being found out. ‘Why couldn’t I act the same way I had when Even came into my room?’ She opened her eyes and smiled nervously.

“Good morning, your Majesty,” her voice was barely above a whisper.

Ansem glared at the girl with the discipline one would have for a daughter.

“That’s a very inappropriate position. Surely you must-”

The rest Even drowned out as then Raine interrupted. ‘Inappropriate? Is it? Well, I have no complaints…and it’s not like we’re naked.’

“Lord Ansem, it was just an accident…I came in here last night, I just wanted to check on him, make sure he was okay. I-I just got into the bed to stay for a while. It was an accident I didn’t mean to fall asleep…I just wanted to make sure he was okay.”

‘Looks like someone isn’t confident…Calm down, surely his highness knows your morals.’ Even droned in his mind, wishing he could tell the girl these words.

Ansem’s glare softened, “I’m sure this was all a mistake. I’m sure you wouldn’t compromise your modesty if you could help it.”

‘I suppose I couldn’t agree more,’ Even smirked inwardly, ‘at least I hope…’

“Never, Milord.” Raine spoke. Ansem smiled in understanding and gestured for her to get out the bed, “Well, Lady Raine let’s get you out of here before Even awakes and finds you in here accompanying him. He’s had enough surprises and I’m not sure if he’ll be happy about this one.”

Raine’s heart sank. ‘Maybe he’s right.’

Even had to fight the protest he wanted to voice. Then he got an idea; a wonderfully, awful idea. ‘No, no, Master Ansem…not just yet. She’s mine.’

Raine moved to get off the bed, lifting her body just slightly enough. Even opened his eyes ever so slightly and with all the grace of a dozing man he turned over. Of course, this instantly sent a new wave of pain through his arm, but he had a more important task to attend to. He reached out his uninjured arm and firmly wrapped it about the girl’s waist and pulled her back against him.

“Nnnnnnnn,” he grunted in protest and buried his head between her shoulder blades. He felt Raine still in his arms and he smirked widely, his face now hidden from view. This action secured two things. Raine would not to have to deal with Ansem and what he predicted would be a lecture on etiquette and Even could have her all to himself for a while longer.

‘Oh…my…Lord,’ was Raine’s only thought as Even captured her in his supposed sleep. She watched as Ansem turned and scowled at him when she noticed he looked near tears, trying not to laugh.

“Master Ansem,” she reached out, “he, uh…doesn’t seem to want me to leave. I think I need some help.”

Ansem shook his head, “No, I think this will a perfect punishment for you.”

Even raised a brow, ‘Punishment, oh no…I strongly approve of her “lewd” behavior, but by all means leave her to me, no scratch that I absolutely recommend abandoning to her to my hands.’

Raine did not say anything else. She stared at the king with wide, pitiful eyes. Ansem shook his head again, “I expect you will receive plenty of discipline upon his awaking so I’ll take my leave.” Even felt Raine shake her head and make out a sound of fright in her throat.

‘Frightened to be stuck here with me? No need to fear, lovely…There won’t be any discipline. I thought awaking today was rather nice.’ He stopped thinking a moment to listen as Ansem’s footsteps seemed to step from the door. ‘That’s good, Lord Ansem. Leave now…shut the door.’ He heard the click of the door as it closed. He smiled, but said nothing for a few seconds. He waited till Raine’s body slackened in his arms.

“You can go back to sleep now,” he said, his voice totally aware, no sign of sleep making it raw. His words rolled with perfect clarity. “And don’t worry about me lecturing you.” He smiled away from her eyes, “I approve.” Raine felt him shift and something soft and warm grazed her exposed cheek.

Raine sputtered astonishment clutching her lungs. ‘He was awake? He kept me here on purpose? And did he just kiss my cheek?!’ That thought completed an orbit and then she growled lowly in ire, ‘HE WAS AWAKE!’ After her fury chilled which wasn’t long she giggled lightly. She turned in his gentle grip and lightly hit his chest. “You dog!”

He smiled in pride at her vehement, yet quiet comment and stared down at her in his arms. His face softened; he could definitely wake up to this every morning. In the soft light, he swore Raine could be anything than human. She was beautiful, and a definition of the word that only she embodied. His eyes scanned her face, but he was stopped by Raine’s light giggle.

“Even,” she asked, “since you’re not asleep and neither am I…Can you let me go?”

Even grinned handsomely at her, “Do you want me to?”

Her eyes widened, her cheeks taking on a familiar burning. Did she? No, but what he say if she admitted that? She opened her mouth to say something, but Even just chuckled softly. “I think I just got my answer…now…try to go back to sleep. Braig or Aeleus should be in here soon to give my morphine.”

“Braig?!” Raine gasped and struggle against his grasp. “Then I really should go! Ansem won’t say a word, but Braig will! I can’t be in here!”

Even frowned and his arm loosened around her frame. Maybe she didn’t feel the same. “Then,” he attempted to sound as nonchalant as was feasible, but he was hurt, “he’ll be here shortly. You need to go as soon as possible.” He pushed her gently out of the bed.

She stood barefooted on the carpet and stared at him. She had hurt him; he had just chiefly admitted his feelings and now she had injured him emotionally. She sighed, in being honest with herself she didn’t want to leave. She had just reacted out of instinct. She turned her gaze down at her feet and shifted them.

“Would you pretend to be asleep too if Braig came in here? Not, you know, be all prideful that I ended up in your bed?”

Even’s eyes which had been aimed away from her, but in truth had been watching her returned to her figure. His pulse quickened. She did feel the same? He smiled at her and nodded, “If you want me to…I guess I understand your hesitance. You’ve never been found in the bed of a man.”

Raine raised her eyes back to his and her mouth rose in a slight smile, a gesture which spoke more than a full-fledged one. She pulled up the blanket on the bed and climbed right back in. Once she had gotten snuggled up to Even and was comfortable she wrapped an arm around his neck and buried her nose into the crook of it. She smiled contently and let out a small sigh. Even gulped, feeling her lips caress his neck when she grinned. His free arm found her waist again. He pushed it beneath her side and then turned over, taking her with him. He wanted to hold her too and if he had to be on his back in order to do so then so be it. He felt his heart swell in love and pride. She had chosen him. He closed his eyes.

“Just relax, stay limp and calm. And do not, I repeat do not tense. If you feel yourself doing it yawn and roll over.”

Raine nodded against his neck, “Okay, I think I can do this, thank you, Even.” He laughed softly, “I know you can.”

These words still hung in the air when the noise that signified that the door was opening entered the room. Raine and Even both showed no signs of moving, they truly appeared to be slumbering.

“Awww, would you look at that? Isn’t that cute?” Braig chuckled under his breath upon getting over the surprise that was Raine and Even in the bed in such an intimate embrace. “Finally took action.”

Braig walked into the room and around the bed to Even’s side. The man’s face was neutral until Braig released the morphine into his arm. His nose scrunched at the discomfort, but eased again with only a mutter of a groan once Braig had removed the needle.

After a few moments of the man's silent gleeful observation Braig’s footsteps finally retreated, “I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone. Sweet dreams.” The door closed again. Silence reigned for a while longer, but was broken when Raine shifted to stare at the closed door.

“I did it,” Even could hear the happiness in her voice. He held her tighter and she returned to facing him. When she had rotated in his arms she had brought her face basically level with his face, perhaps just a little lower. His eyes focused on her softly colored lips. She was so close; their breath mingled, and her lips were parted ever so slightly, just demanding attention.

‘Kiss her,’ his conscious urged, ‘hurry, before you lose your courage.’

Raine saw the conflict in his eyes, saw their destination. Her cheeks blossomed cherry. She wanted him to kiss her, but she was nervous. What if she was unsatisfactory? She had kissed men before, but something told her everything would change if she allowed this, and she was scared she may ruin her relationship.

Even prepared to lean forward, for once going to listen to his heart instead of fear. Raine followed the reverse. “Even,” she smiled in fake humor waving a hand in front of his face, hoping it was convincing, “you’re awfully quiet.”

“There is no other way to admire the dove in my arms.” He rose his eyes to hers and there it was; that softness with which he was staring at her matched his expression the night he had entered her room. She choked on the words she had been planning to say.

“Even,” she whimpered in uncertainty.

“Shhh…I want nothing from you, but your affection. Don’t be scared…I love you,” He kissed her forehead. He kissed her cheek again. He stared into her eyes as he leaned to take her lips. She knew she could stop him if she wanted to, but she remained still as he tilted his head and his lips swept across hers.

He pulled back and stared at her in questioning, awaiting laughter or protest. She meet his eyes and her fingers rose to touch her lips in a daze and then they moved away to Even’s lips. He smiled beneath them. With a soft pressure, he kissed her fingers and nudged them back towards her. He pushed the appendages until they were the only barrier between their lips.

She removed them. Her hand touched his cheek as he kissed her lips again, harder this time. Both their eyes closed as Raine pressed her mouth back against his.

Several long kisses like this one followed, their lips just moving against one another, but they went no further. Even pulled away and smiled gently at her. He wanted to awake to her everyday. He wondered what Raine would say to this. He thought he’d leave that for later. He had something else he had to tell her, a thing far more significant.

They felt the same for one another, so he knew he should tell her about his connection to the disappearances of the people on their world. He prayed she would understand, especially after he told her his motives. He looked at her and she replied with a small smile. He hugged her close. ‘Please, God, Father in heaven... let her understand. I don’t want to break her heart…and I don’t want her to break mine.’

Raine returned the gesture with slight surprise. “I don’t deserve her…” Even muttered and she barely made it out. The girl wondered what he was talking about, but let it slip as he pulled back and without a small glance at her turned his observation to the clock on his wall. He carefully pulled himself up to sit up in the bed. “We should get up…Braig’s probably spread the news we were found in the same sleeping arrangements to the whole castle and possibly several shops. I’ll tell Ansem that I properly dealt with you."

Raine pulled herself up and turned to him and laughed. She removed herself from the bed. “Do you need any help?”Even snorted, “I broke my arm, not my leg. I’ll be fine.”

She closed the distance between them and kissed his cheek, “Okay, then. Good morning, Even. I’ll see you…though…you might need some help getting dressed.” She walked from the room and shut the door. Even watched her departure and a grin plastered itself on his face.
“Poor girl. You should have seen her face when he said that. I had to get her out of there before he further embarrassed her. And besides…drunken words are sober thoughts.”

Ienzo laughed lightly at Aeleus’ words, but still managed some coherent sentences, “That isn’t such a strange thought…I mean, don’t all men secretly wish to see a woman naked at least once in their life?”

Ienzo continued to chortle as Aeleus cast him an disapproving glare, but it soon faded into exasperation at the man’s correctness. He rubbed his hands across his temple and sat down by Xehanort’s side in the library as they continued their research for Ansem’s upcoming lessons.

Xehanort had been listening to the men’s conversation, with absentminded interest until Aeleus' comment on Even’s inebriated words. His stature remained unchanged and his eyes stayed focused upon the passage he was reading, but an unmistakable smirk spread across his lips. ‘If only he knew,’ Xehanort mused to himself about Even, ‘Raine is breathtaking clothes or lack thereof.’ An urge for him to laugh in arrogance was strangled. ‘I’ll always be two steps ahead of him.’

This trio of young men weren’t the only ones to roam the library his afternoon; Ansem stalked amongst them, observing them as a parent would their children. He rolled his eyes at Aeleus and Ienzo’s conversation, musing in amused compliant. Xehanort’s obvious smirk did not escape his eyes, and though, certainly chilling, Ansem asked nothing; Xehanort had always been a strange man.

Braig, had long been missing. Judging from the position of the sun in the sky he had been gone well over two hours, not having been seen since he had been ordered to administer Even’s medication.

Ansem wondered at the mentality of his apprentices when they didn’t give Even an elixir or even attempt a cure spell. This question had simply enough been answered by Braig earlier that morning.

“We’re running low on ‘em, probably should send someone out to get more,” he had said in answer to the elixir question. “As for the cure spell…that wouldn’t have sealed a broken arm, at least, at this point. Sorry, Master Ansem, but we still aren’t well versed in the healing magic.”

This had upset their king. “You need to know these arts! Soon your tutelage under me will be complete and you will each have to pursue your own way in this Kingdom…Healing art, though, the most complicated magic is the most important, there is no way to know when its precious powers are to be needed.”

Dilan, Xehanort, Braig, Aeleus, and Ienzo each lowered their heads in shame and now the hour found them reading energy manual tomes and other such prints. Ansem sighed and stared at each of his present apprentices in disappointment and indignity. Perhaps he was becoming too soft.

“I believe this presents the most opportune lesson. This shall be the focus of your lessons from now on until you all have mastered a satisfactory level. Off you go to study, I care not how, but you will be working on honing this skill. Because each of you has mastered one element to its fullest, healing is made substantially easier. You have experience in basic control. This will not only add to your magical arsenal but teach you further restraint.” He had chided.

Thus, Ansem was here, in the library observing as three of his conscious students studied techniques in books. Dilan had retreated elsewhere, learning better with hands-on experimentation rather than page turning. Ansem could only hope that Braig had offered to join him after his trip to Even’s room. This, however, was doubtful.

Yet, if he had not joined Dilan, than where in the Garden’s walls was the aviary attendant? Ansem seriously hoped he wasn’t right when a thought entered his mind. Raine had been imprisoned by Even this morning; with a bit of luck she had escaped, or so Ansem prayed, if she hadn’t than that was why Braig had been absent for such a prolonged period of time. Ansem swore that man was as bad as a girl when it came to gossip, and a situation such as Even and Raine in a bed would have be the juiciest item to have occurred in months.

Ansem pitied both the girl and Even without a second thought. ‘Let’s just hope-’

The door to the library swung open and in waltzed Braig, mischief written all over his face. He walked up and without warning settled in-between Ienzo and Aeleus.

“Sorry I took so long, but you’ll never believe what I saw this morning.”

Ienzo and Aeleus who had both been glaring at him insolently instantly lost their anger and curiosity emerged in its place. Xehanort even raised his head, as stupid as some of Braig’s “news” often was he was a glutton of interest, thirsting for every bit of news he could find.

Braig must have caught his plain attention. He turned to Xehanort and offered him a smile, or perhaps it was better described as a sneer. “Oh, hello there, Xehanort.”

Everyone lost not the deeper context of his words. They were dripping in sarcastic surprise and malicious content.

Xehanort blinked, never having seen this side of Braig before. When the realization of what he had implied in words finally hit him he could not react without consequence, but he turned a cold glare upon the man as he prepared his monologue. Whatever he was going to say was going to affect him and, for some reason, the one-eyed man was going to derive pleasure from his reaction. Despite his resentment, Braig’s expectancy caused Xehanort to become even more enthralled.

Braig glanced around, and once assured that his had everyone’s silent notice he chuckled. “I went to give Even his morphine, and,” Ansem at once knew what was to fly from the man’s mouth, “I found our comrade snuggled intimately with our latest guest.”

Ansem felt the pity ignite in his being. Aeleus, on the other hand, was awed. “Raine?”

“Damn straight!”

Xehanort had to control his surprise and the upsurge of rage that threatened to overrun him. He sniffed the air, as if sensing his worst fear.

Ienzo’s face was crimson as he spoke, his voice softer than normal, “Were they undressed?”

Despite pure embarrassment Ienzo did not hesitate with his words, they were taken down to a softer tone but held no lag: licentious boy that he secretly was.

Braig snorted, “No,” he said as if it was the most outlandish question, “Even’s arm’s broken…even I wouldn’t attempt something like that.”

Xehanort seemed to calm after that. During the exchange his face had grown tighter and he felt his teeth gritting until his jaw ached at the effort. He replaced his usual façade of serenity and placed his eyes back at the passage he had been reading. ‘It appears it’ll take more than a display of strength to warn Even that I can act on my desire…How unfortunate for him.’ He lowered his head further to conceal the dark grin that opened his lips and revealed his teeth.

In his whole life, there was nothing that could have prepared Even for the stares he was met with when he gingerly opened the library door and stepped in. Though still in high spirits, his mood had dampened with having to search for the others of his group. The library had been the second to last place he was willing to look to find his comrades, and upon opening the door he saw he had struck gold. Yet, he was a little unnerved and surprised by the gaze he was met with.

They knew something and when his brain registered that he smiled smugly, his eyes finding Braig. He shook his head, his heart and ego swelling with pride.

“You ruin what a man should tell his friends personally, Braig.”

He cocked an eyebrow in humor when their eyes widened at his words, that smirk of his dwindling but just as powerful small as it was large. The apprentices, Xehanort included, as well as Ansem regarded the eldest apprentice in astonishment; had he just said that with no foul undertone thrown in? Was he boasting?

Ansem gazed at his first apprentice and knew than and there that he had been awake from the moment he had entered, throughout Braig’s observation, and had stayed so until now. Ansem smiled with fatherly pride at the boy. Had he snagged the maiden? It had been plain from the moment Even had helped her with her twisted ankle, that Raine had garnered the affection of the eldest and most stalwart of Ansem’s elite students.

“Well,” came a voice, “you’re in a very good mood. Did you lecture the girl?”

Dilan, who had entered while everyone had occupied themselves with staring at Even spoke these words. He stepped off from the window seal where he had somehow managed to get in from despite it being on the second floor and had been observing unnoticed. He walked up to stand at Even’s side as he voiced his opinion. Even turned his head slightly at the man and the corner of his still smiling lips jerked as they widened in pleasure.

“Lectured her?” He chuckled, “Oh, no…quite the opposite.”

Dilan’s eyes widened momentarily, but he recovered promptly and lightly patted Even on the back while Aeleus and Ansem flushed visibly. Braig had a borderline giddy grin lightening his features. Ienzo was openly shocked: his mouth hung slightly ajar and a light pink brushed his cheeks as he contemplated what that might mean. As Even returned his conceited stare back to his fellows he noticed only one amongst the group that gave a different reaction. In his face there was expressed no discomfort nor surprise.

Xehanort coolly met Even’s gaze. The change the elder witnessed in his visage sent a quiver down his spine and he could feel an icy wind rattling his innards. Despite that Even merely smiled at Xehanort, pride and elation overriding caution. Raine had made her choice. Xehanort would give up, at least, that’s what action he should take.

Further ignoring any warning alerts in his head, Even took a seat at the table across from Aeleus. “That was the best sleep I’ve had in weeks, and awaking to Raine, though a little surprising at first, I had no complaints.”

“You didn’t…compromise her in anyway did you?”

The eldest shook his head at Aeleus’ questioning, “I wouldn’t think of such a thing.” He was staring at the books scattered across the table, trying to discern what the day’s lesson was without spoken words.

Xehanort grunted, “Did you say anything to her or did you leave her in silence?”

Even fixed him with an irritated glare, “I spoke to her.”

“What did you do, apologize to her for grabbing her in your dreams? Always the gentlemen, eh, Even?”

His little quips were extremely grating, Even decided, but the exchange had coveted the notice of more. He gazed down at the tabletop and gently ran his finger over the glossy wood, tracing the patterns.

“I told her the truth,” an attractive smile shaped his face, “I told her I loved her.”

“If you didn’t have a broken arm,” Braig exclaimed, “I’d give you a hug right now. Congrats!” Even let out a nervous laugh, rising his eyes to met the second of Ansem’s apprentices.

“Finally,” Ienzo rolled his eyes, mirroring exasperation.

Aeleus leaned over the table and patted Even’s shoulder, “You made fine choice, Even.”

Dilan clapped and winked at the man. Ansem nodded in approval, smiling at his oldest. They had no need to inquire as to Raine’s reply. Even’s demeanor was proof enough.

Xehanort glared down at his volume. Jealousy emitted heavily from his hunched figure. Ansem was taken aback by his newest apprentice’s behavior, but he observed that the others did not share his reaction. His gaze upon the man softened; it wasn’t an odd occurrence in the midst of friends for two to be fighting for the attention of the same person. He had full confidence Xehanort would recover, thus he centered his paternal stare upon Even and explained to him the assignment.

Even, minutes later, found himself reluctantly immersed in the dusty walls of books. Ansem had left soon after enlightening him, a meeting scheduled with the Restoration Committee demanding his attention. They were hoping to receive his permission to begin repair on old section of the kingdom.

Even brought his hand up to a promising book, but allowed it to fall. Normally the book worm, he had never felt more rebellious towards reading. He closed his eyes and overheard Dilan confiding that he was going to return to his method of practice. That appealed to Even more so than idly scanning pages. He opened his eyes and turned, resigned to the decision of joining the man.

He had no sooner done that when he witnessed Xehanort nearing his side. He knew this wasn’t going to be a comfortable conversation. He would not back down, however.

“Having fun,” Xehanort stopped in his tracks, asking the question with forced informality.

Oh yes, the man was definitely up to something. Even had a strong opinion he knew what it was. He spoke levelly, nevertheless. Let Xehanort be the first to crumble. “Not particularly, I was actually thinking about joining Dilan.”

Xehanort gave an acknowledging nod. Even bowed slightly, “Glad to see you understand the sentiment. Then you’ll forgive me for cutting this conversation short. I need to speak to him before he leaves.” He made an attempt to pass the younger man, but Xehanort was swift to block his path. He stared callously at Even, who met his stare with a questioning one.

“You’re a fool, Even,” And he broke, “You and I are both aware of who is the strongest between us. By pursuing Raine as you are, you’re only setting yourself up to fall long and hard when this is all over. You’re betting unwise in this game.”

Even shifted and stared at the younger man sideways, “It’s useless, Xehanort. She has already made her choice. Please, be a man and give up while you are ahead. If you refuse, it will be you who is blinding himself.” Xehanort’s reply was a maniacal grin; his eyes were wild with ill intent.

“We’ll see…Do tread carefully, Even. It would be a most remorseful misfortune if you were to be injured further.” Overly sweet, and full of poison these words poured from his mouth as he removed himself from Even’s path. Suspicion, leaked from the older man as he walked passed him, every movement executed with sereneness. Xehanort had unabashedly threatened him and his eyes promised more. Even would not be swayed; despite his unnerved and plainly terrified interior, his exterior with carefulness was displayed as collected. Xehanort was a bear baited with a potential meal, show one weakness to him and he would devour you.

Even emerged from the labyrinth of pages, Xehanort trailing him by a few paces. Xehanort reveled in an innocence that could not be proven ailing as he once more took his seat at the table. He did not return his thoughts to his volume of study.

“We will be meeting tonight,” the announcement sounded without preamble.

Dilan and Even, who were preparing to leave, halted in their steady retreat and a series of emotions crossed their faces until they finally settled in despair.

“The day once bright is now darkened as his words, like ominous clouds swiftly strangle our light.” Dilan had never so accurately or poetically captured the sudden change in atmosphere. Even felt his stomach clench, nausea weakening his tested resolve.