Kingdom Hearts Fan Fiction ❯ Kingdom Hearts: Castle of Darkness, Heart of Light ❯ Death and a Broken Bond ( Chapter 8 )

Sora let out a yell as he sliced at the heartless swarming around them. They hadn't been able to go forward for the past fifteen minutes now. They had to get to Cloud, to help him and finish this battle off for good. Sora had faith that Keirii will deal with Sather on her own, since she was the only one who could match the speed of the black wolf. So they were now trying to get to the top of the castle, where they believed that Cloud and Sephiroth were fighting what they all hoped was their final battle. But now they had hit a wall; a big, wiggling mass of heartless, Shadows and Neoshadows alike. There were so many that Sora could hardly tell them apart from each other. It was like wading through a thick lake of darkness. As long as everyone stayed on their feet, they were all set, for now.

 

“Arg!” Sora yelled as he lopped off a head of what he believed is a Shadow, unless it suddenly got very tall. “I can hardly tell these things apart, there's so many of them.”

 

“Keep at it Sora,” Mickey said, jumping and twisting among the heartless. “The more we can take out, the better. It seems like no more are appearing to replace the ones we've taken out.”

 

“Works for me,” Donald squawked as he cast Thundaga, taking out a group of heartless.

 

“We need to get out of this fast,” Cid called out, “or else Spiky is going to get more than just a little sore. I have a feeling that Sephiroth isn't too happy that his plan didn't work like he wanted it to and I bet he'll take that out on Cloud.”

 

“I have a feeling we aren't going to get out of this as quickly as we want,” Leon said, swinging his gunblade down, slicing a heartless down the middle. He looked up at Sora and said, “Go on ahead with King Mickey, Donald and Goofy. We'll finish up here.”

 

Sora nodded and Tifa turned and looked at him. “Help him Sora, and bring him back.”

 

Sora smiled at Tifa and then began to work his way out. He, Mickey, Donald and Goofy got out of the battle and began to head up the corridor.

 

“Sora!”

 

Sora spun around and saw Riku, fighting alongside Kairi. His best friend nodded at him and Kairi smiled. “Be careful,” Riku called out.

 

Sora nodded and called back to Riku. “Protect Kairi!”

 

“Excuse me, Sora,” Kairi yelled, taking out a Shadow, “I don't need to be protected.”

 

Sora grinned and turned back around and ran up the corridor, Mickey, Donald and Goofy behind him. He held his Keyblade tightly in his hand as he ran, slashing any heartless that jumped at them. Suddenly, Sora was thrown to the floor as the world around them shook. He lifted up his head and looked at the others. “What the hell was that?” he exclaimed.

 

“I think…” Mickey said slowly. He then jumped up, his eyes bright. “Sather's dark aura is gone! Keirii must have defeated him!”

 

“Then why did the castle just get all shaky and stuff?” Goofy asked.

 

Mickey looked thoughtful and then said, “Sather said something about being connected to this world. Perhaps that when Sather is killed, the world itself dies.”

 

“Then that means that we don't have a lot of time,” Sora said, pushing himself to his feet. “Come on, we have to hurry.” The four of them continued forward, going higher and higher up the castle and Sora hoped that it won't all come crashing down onto their heads.

 

~*~

 

Leon felt the ground shake and the heartless around them screamed in fright. He smirked and took that moment to take out the heartless around them. But many of them were disappearing into the shadows, meaning that something was up, and those things wanted to get away as quickly as possible. Leon looked over at Cid and said, “What do you think that shake was?”

 

“Dunno,” Cid said, swinging his spear at incoming heartless.

 

“Wait,” Aerith exclaimed, turning to look at Leon. “Sather said that he was connected to this world. Do you think that that shake was the world beginning to crumble?”

 

“And Sather's aura,” Riku said, looking over at Leon, “it's gone…”

 

“Which means that he's been defeated,” Leon finished off both of their thoughts. He smiled slightly and said, “She did it.”

 

“Well, we might want to skedaddle if we want to make it out of here alive,” Cid said, “If we can get back to the ship and get it going, as soon as the other get back, we can hightail it off this world before it destroys itself.”

 

“But,” Riku said, “We need to get to Cloud, catch up with Sora.”

 

“Sora, the King, Donald and Goofy are all the help Cloud needs,” Leon said, “and I'm sure that Keirii is on the way up there by now. Cid is right; we have to get out of here as quickly as possible. We get the ship going, so we can take off as soon as they all get back to us and we won't have to worry about the ship warming up just as the world crumbles beneath us. The sooner we get all of that done with, the better off we are.”

 

Riku looked at Leon and nodded. Leon looked over at Tifa and he could tell that she wanted to go forward, to help Cloud. Leon walked over to her and rested a hand on her shoulder. “Tifa,” he said, “you know that you would only distract Cloud if you go up there. You may be tough, but you are no match against Sephiroth; none of us are.”

 

Tifa looked at Leon and nodded. “I know,” she said softly, “I just wish that there was something I could do to help.”

 

“The fact that he knows that you are safe,” Riku told her, “is all the help he needs. That's why I didn't go back to Keirii.”

 

Tifa inhaled deeply and said, “You're right.” She turned and headed back towards the entrance of the castle. “Let's get out of here, fast, before this castle falls on our heads.”

 

“Man,” Yuffie said, resting a hand on her head, “that would be a killer headache.”

 

~*~

 

Cloud crashed to the floor, skidding a few feet before he came to a stop, his sword landing a couple feet from him. Sephiroth walked slowly towards him, his long sword in his hand, the blade streaked with Cloud's blood. “I'm disappointed, Cloud,” Sephiroth purred, “I thought that you wouldn't be this easy to defeat.”

 

Cloud pushed himself up with his arms. He coughed and blood came out of his mouth and hit the stone floor. Gasping slightly for air, he wiped a hand across his mouth and reached out for his sword. He took hold of the hilt and pulled it to him, standing up as he did so. He stood there for a moment, regaining balance. Sephiroth stopped and looked at him, tilting his head slightly.

 

“Still determined?” Sephiroth asked with a chuckle. “Cloud, you amuse me.”

 

“Well,” Cloud said, returning to his stance, “that's the last bit of amusement you're going to get.” Then he lunged forward, swinging his blade down. Sephiroth raised his sword and stopped Cloud's sword. The two blades were locked against each other and both men were struggling to push the other back. Sparks formed between the two blades and Cloud began to feel himself being pushed back. He planted his feet onto the floor, trying to stop Sephiroth from pushing him back. He looked up at the silver haired man, who smiled wickedly at him. Sephiroth gave one final push and Cloud fell back, stumbling as he tried to gain balance. Sephiroth swooped up to his and plunged his sword into Cloud's shoulder. Cloud cried out and dropped to the ground, gripping the blade that went through his shoulder. His own blade fell to the ground and Sephiroth kicked it out of the way. Cloud stared up the length of the sword and into the face of his bitter enemy.

 

“Game over, Cloud,” Sephiroth said softly. Then he ripped his sword from Cloud's shoulder. Cloud collapsed, his strength gone. He didn't understand what was happening. How could he allow himself to be defeated like this? No, it wasn't over, not yet. But when he looked back up at Sephiroth, who was raising his blade for a final strike, he had a feeling that it really was. Cloud closed his eyes, saying sorry to the people that he was going to be leaving behind. Suddenly, there was a sound of metal striking metal. Cloud opened his eyes to see King Mickey in front of him. The tiny king was holding Sephiroth's blade back with his golden Keyblade. The mouse thrust Sephiroth back with a strength that Cloud never would have expected from something that small before he had met the king.

 

Mickey turned his head and looked at him. “Don't give up now, Cloud,” he said, “not when the battle is almost won.”

 

Cloud stared at the King, wondering what he meant, when he heard his name called out behind him. Sora skidded beside him, crouched low so he was eye level to Cloud. “Cloud,” Sora said, “Are you alright?”

 

Cloud nodded and tried to stand, but collapsed. Sora caught him and draped one of Cloud's arms over his shoulder. Cloud accepted Sora's support, and smiled slightly at the teen. “I will be alright,” he said, correcting himself. He looked at Sora and asked, “What did the King mean, `the battle is almost won'?”

 

“Keirii defeated Sather,” Sora said, “and the world is beginning to die. Didn't you feel that tremble a while ago?”

 

Cloud nodded and said, “I did, but I didn't really register it.”

 

“Enough of this,” Sephiroth said. He walked towards them as another tremble shook the castle. Donald and Goofy stood in front of Cloud, Sora and Mickey, weapons held up and ready.

 

“You have to get past us,” Donald said.

 

Sephiroth smiled coldly and said, “With pleasure.” Then with a sweep of his arm, he used his power to send Donald and Goofy hurtling into one of the towers nearby. Mickey yelled angrily and lunged at Sephiroth, who blocked the king's attack and thrust him to the side. With Mickey, Donald and Goofy out of the way, Sephiroth advanced towards Sora and Cloud.

 

Cloud tried to stand again, but failed to do so. He was given out. He looked at Sora and said, “Get out of here. He'll kill you too.”

 

Sora shook his head and said, “I told Tifa that I would bring you back. I'm not leaving you behind. I don't do that to my friends.”

 

Cloud stared at Sora in amazement and then he smiled. “Neither would I,” he said. Then he looked forward as Sephiroth got closer. Sora held his Keyblade ready, and Cloud wished that his own sword wasn't feet away. He and Sora waited, although in the position they were in, they didn't have much defense. Suddenly, a shadow cast over them and Cloud looked up to see a silver and blue wolf soar overhead. The wolf landed between them and Sephiroth, her large body blocking them from view. “Keirii!” Cloud exclaimed and then he stared in horror when he took a good look at her.

 

Keirii's body was covered in wounds from her previous battle. One of her hind legs practically hung from her; only the tips of her toes touched the ground as she tried to take all of her weight onto her three good legs. Her shoulder was cut wide open and slowly spilling blood down her leg. Her hips were soaked in the blood of the wound there and a gash above her right eye had spilt blood into that eye, sealing it shut. Cloud had never seen her look like this and somewhere deep inside him, he was told that Keirii will not be able to take Sephiroth on. He had a feeling that she knew that as well, and yet she stood between them, protecting Sora and Cloud from this madman. She was willing to give up her life to protect Cloud.

 

“No,” Cloud said softly. Sora looked at him and Cloud told him what he thought. Sora looked at Keirii, a strange look in his eyes. Cloud watched as Keirii stood facing Sephiroth, ears pricked forward and her head lifted high.

 

“You won't hurt them,” Keirii said, “Sora, or Cloud. If you want them that badly, you have to get by me.”

 

Sephiroth laughed and said, “As I told those two fools; with pleasure.” Then he lunged at Keirii, who jumped high to face his attack. She dodged his sword swing in mid-air and she slashed at him with her fangs.

 

She flew by him and Cloud thought that she had missed. But when Sephiroth landed, Cloud saw a deep gash that ran across his arm. Sephiroth stared at it in amazement, as if wondering how she had been able to even touch him. Keirii landed a few feet away, still close enough to get between them. She turned her head and stared at Sephiroth, her violet eyes glowing with an intensity Cloud had never seen before. “It's over, Sephiroth,” she said, “The battle is over. You have lost.”

 

Sephiroth smiled and asked, “What makes you think that?”

 

“Your hold on Cloud is weakening, because he has finally found his light, although he may not know it yet.”

 

“Cloud's light has been dead long before you met him.”

 

“It was never dead, only buried, deep within his heart, waiting for Cloud to find it.” Keirii smiled slightly and her tail waved slightly. “It was there all along, waiting for the time when Cloud was ready to pull it out again. No one could give him his light; he had to find it in his heart.”

 

“And how did you come to that conclusion?” Sephiroth asked coldly.

 

“When I saw Cloud fight off Sather's control over him,” Keirii told him. “I had felt the light that was in Cloud flare up, only for a moment, but it was enough to let me know that the light that everyone thought Cloud lost had been there all along.”

 

Cloud stared at Keirii in disbelief. She was saying that his light had always been with him, that he had never lost it. Which means, Cloud thought, that I can beat Sephiroth. I have the power to do it. But how can I tap into it again.

 

Sephiroth laughed, bringing Cloud out of his thoughts. “So, maybe he did find it,” Sephiroth said, “but it won't do him any good now. His life is now over.” Then Sephiroth turned and came towards Sora and Cloud. Sora let go of Cloud and jumped to his feet. Cloud looked up at the teen and then looked around as Donald, Goofy and Mickey started coming towards them. Sora stood over Cloud, holding his Keyblade tightly in his hand. Cloud then heard a howl and looked over at Keirii. The wolf lowered her head from her war cry and she charged at Sephiroth. Realization struck Cloud when it dawned on him that Keirii had done a war cry meant for a final strike; that she wasn't expecting to come back from this attack alive. “Keirii, NO!” Cloud cried, scrambling to his hands and knees, but before he could get himself up, Keirii jumped up at Sephiroth, her fangs bared. Time seemed to slow as Sephiroth held out his sword towards Keirii and plunged it into her middle.

 

Keirii hung suspended from the sword and Cloud, Sora, Donald, Goofy and Mickey watched in horror. Sephiroth smirked and flung Keirii from his sword as if she was only the size of a small dog. Keirii dropped to the ground like a rag doll and laid still. Time came speeding back as Cloud stared from the fallen form of his sister back to Sephiroth. Using a strength that came from nowhere, Cloud dove for his sword, rolled up to his feet and lunged at Sephiroth with a cry. Sephiroth blocked Cloud's attack and hardly had the time to swing around and block Sora's attack. Sephiroth jumped back a safe distance and chuckled.

 

“Poor Cloud,” he said softly, “to have to see your pathetic sister die. A measly Wolfkin, defeat me… such a fantasy.”

 

Cloud snarled under his breath and prepared for another attack, but he spotted a blur of movement with the corner of his eye. Sephiroth didn't notice until the last minute. Keirii, battered and bleeding, flew at him and plunged her fangs into Sephiroth's arm, tearing it to shreds. She then clamped her teeth into his sword hand, snarling angrily. Sephiroth knocked Keirii aside and the wolf dropped to the ground. Sephiroth stared at Cloud, hatred burning in his icy blue eyes.

 

“This isn't over, Cloud,” he said, and then he disappeared into a halo of darkness.

 

Cloud watched him go and then dropped to his knees, his sudden burst of strength gone. He leaned forward with his hands on the ground, breathing heavily. Then, in front of him, he heard a familiar, soft laugh. Cloud looked up as Keirii pushed herself up with her front feet, her hind legs dragging behind her.

 

“Call me a measly Wolfkin,” she said weakly, “I showed him.” Then she slowly began to drag herself over to Cloud, who stayed where he was, waiting. “I came… as quickly as I could…” Keirii reached Cloud and she dropped to her side, her head in his lap. “I had… to keep… my promise.” Her body shuddered and Cloud watched as she changed back to her human form. “I need… to protect…”

 

“Shh,” Cloud said, resting a hand on her head, “It's alright now. You're right, it's over now.”

 

Keirii smiled sadly and said, “Yeah, it is, for me…”

 

“Don't say that,” Cloud exclaimed, “you're going to make it.”

 

“Don't kid yourself Cloud,” Keirii said, her voice getting weaker, “You can feel it as much as I can; I'm not going to make it. I knew it the moment I jumped between you and Sephiroth.”

 

Cloud gritted his teeth and closed his eyes tightly. “This… isn't happening. It can't be happening.”

 

Keirii's eyes were going out of focus. “I'm sorry,” she whispered, “for being a pain in your ass.”

 

Cloud opened his eyes and he stared at her. Keirii's eyes flicked up at him. “Cloud shook his head and said, “You weren't a pain. I'm… I'm glad that I met you. You help me through so much.”

 

Keirii smiled again, although it was weaker than before. “I didn't do much. Most of it you did on your own. I just pushed you a little. I'm just glad that you… found your light… that I was here…”

 

“Keirii,” Cloud said, “I don't know how I found it though. How can I pull it out again, like you said that I did before?”

 

“You already did,” Keirii told him, “Just a few moments ago. That strength that you found, that was it.” Keirii coughed and she sighed softly. “I'll always be with you Cloud.”

 

“Keirii no,” Cloud whispered, leaning closer to her, “don't die. Please, don't go…”

 

Keirii blinked slowly and looked at Cloud. “I love you, Cloud. You were the brother that I never had; that I always wanted.” Then she looked at Sora and said, “Tell Riku that… I'm sorry.”

 

Sora nodded as tears spilled down from his eyes. Donald moaned sadly and Goofy hung his head. Mickey stood beside Sora, the saddest look on his face. Keirii stared out at nothing and said, “Stay with me, Cloud.”

 

Cloud nodded and began to stroke her blue streaked hair. His vision blurred as he felt Keirii's life begin to slip away through their bond. Keirii smiled one last time and whispered, “So warm…” Then she let out one last sigh and her brilliant violet eyes closed for the last time. Through the bond, Cloud felt Keirii's life blink once and then disappear, leaving an empty space where Keirii had been in his heart. The backlash of her death slammed into him, putting pressure on his chest. He lifted Keirii into his arms and shook her slightly.

 

“Keirii, don't die…” he whispered, tears sliding down from his eyes. “Please…”

 

Mickey stepped beside him and rested a hand on his shoulder. “She's gone, Cloud,” he said sadly.

 

Sora dropped to his knees, staring at Keirii's still form in Cloud's arms. “This isn't happening,” he said softly.

 

Cloud buried his face into Keirii's hair, breathing in her scent that was already starting to fade. She had died protecting him. “She died because of me,” he whispered, “She gave up her life for me.”

 

“She loved you Cloud,” Mickey said, “She did what any other brother or sister would do; protect the sibling they love more than anything. You were the first thing Keirii had that was close to a family and she never forgot that.”

 

Cloud held Keirii tightly to him. She was gone, and he couldn't bring her back. Cloud lowered his head and screamed out his pain and sorrow. The place Keirii had been in his heart was empty now, like someone had cut out a chunk of his heart. Cloud cried and none of the others tried to stop him.

 

~*~

 

Riku and the others got to the ship as another tremble shook the ground. They ran up the ramp and were met up by Chip and Dale. The two chipmunks were jumping up and down, chattering wildly. Riku couldn't understand what the two were saying and he stared at them, as Yuffie exclaimed, “Slow down, will ya?”

 

Dale took a deep breath and said, “We were worried that you won't make it back here. We have to hurry and get out of here. The world is about to implode!”

 

“Not `implode' you dummy,” Chip squeaked, bonking Dale on the head. “It's going to explode!”

 

“I'm telling you!” Dale wailed, rubbing his head. “It's going to implode!”

 

The two chipmunks resumed their wild chatter as they argued over the matter. Riku groaned and ran a hand through his hair. This wasn't going to be good, if those two continued to panic like that. Kairi covered her ears as the chipmunks got louder and even a little aggressive with each other. She looked at Riku and said, “We'll never get out of here if those two don't stop.”

 

Cid stomped up the ramp, after inspecting the outside to make sure a heartless hadn't decided to come along and mess with anything. He glared at the two chipmunks and yelled so loud that Riku's ears rang. “SHUT UP YOU TWO AND GET BACK TO MAINTAINANCE! WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE AS SOON AS HIS MAJESTY AND THE OTHERS GET BACK!”

 

The chipmunks clammed up in an instant and stood at attention. They saluted to Cid and scampered towards the back of the ship. Cid took a deep breath and Leon walked over, twisting his little finger in his ear. “Did you have to yell so loud?” Leon asked the pilot, “The room here is small and sound travels…”

 

“With those two,” Cid grumbled, “sometimes I have to yell. If they weren't so good at what they do, I would have gotten rid of them a long time ago.”

 

Riku left the two men and went to the cockpit with Kairi. He went to the large window and looked out. Something didn't feel right. He couldn't explain where the feeling came from, but it was there; something had happened. It was making him worry, a lot more than he wanted to.

 

“Sora… Keirii… all of you… please make it back,” he said softly.