All That's Left [Alpha Draft] - Pt 41;

[keybearer]

Chapter 41: Surrounded by Mistakes

Endless blackness surrounded him. His eyelids stuck together like glue. His head pounded as if repeatedly struck by a mallet. His arms, neck, legs, and back all throbbed with a persistent ache. It felt as though his bones had been replaced with a sack of boulders, and his body sank into… cushions? Probably. Come to think of it, it was kind of warm. Something soft and fluffy embraced him. Fabric of some kind. A quilt? A comforter? Whatever it was, he was content to lie within it, like a caterpillar in a cocoon.

Silence brought bliss, despite the pain. In sleep, he could forget his woes and mute the nagging voice droning on and on about Xemnas, the Organization, and above all else, his cowardice. Unfortunately, a dull humming sound soon pierced through the quiet abyss. Muffled murmurs gained clarity with each passing second, their voices steadily taking form.

Then, to top it all off, Riku’s skin started tingling. Heat drowned out the aches for several seconds, and when the warmth faded, the stinging dulled. It lingered, like a puppy gnawing on a bone, but better a puppy than a wolf.

“There. That should do it.” Was that… Tiz?

“And so, once again, the White Mage asterisk wins the day!” The second speaker had a distinctly male voice, higher in pitch with a slight accent. “I suppose all we can do now is wait.”

A third voice, shrill and scratchy, chimed in. “Still, what was he doing out in space?"

“Now, Zatz, show a little respect! If what Tiz says is true, then our friend here is a genuine Keyblade wielder!” The man paused. Something scraped against the floor. “Still, he did make quite an entrance…”

“I’ll say! You really ought to be more careful next time.”

“Er… Not that I disagree,” said Tiz, “but how was he supposed to see them? It’s not like this is an ordinary airship…”

That’s right. There was a boat… A giant boat.

“Precisely! Grandship is a true behemoth of the skies… or space, as it were. One young man amidst the stars is scarcely enough to register from afar…”

“Wait, but you said there were two—”

“A… slight miscalculation! Seems our friend here came alone.” The speaker paused. “By the way, Zatz, who’s manning the item shop?”

Another pause, followed by tittering. “Whoops! Uh… I guess somebody’s gotta keep an eye on our stocks.”

The floorboards creaked. “Precisely. And while you’re at it, perhaps now is the time to begin training some of our guests.”

“Yeah… Without Datz on board, I could use all the help I could get.”

“Then why are you still here? Go on! Your customers await your stunning service!”

“H-hey! You don’t have to push me.”

A giant boat in space… Tiz was there. Two strangers. So where was he? What’d happened? Did he seriously crash? And if he did, then…

As the door slammed shut, it finally came back to him. Spinning gears. Constant ticking. His back against the wall. Xemnas’ eyes locked with his, the words they exchanged. Riku’d fled, and now…

His eyes snapped open, and though the pain in his arm made him cringe, he thrust the blankets aside and hit the floor, hair frazzled, eyes bloodshot, and back arched. Darkness swirled around his fingertips. His surroundings were a brownish blur. Right now, he needed to hit the road before—

A shadow dashed out from under the bed, springing straight off the floorboards. In no time, Sora became a living roadblock, arms and feet spread, eyes narrow, and a frown on his face. Don’t even think about it, Riku!

Riku stumbled back, falling onto the cushions once more. At first, he merely gawked at his friend. Then it hit him. Sora had pursued him. He’d latched right onto Riku’s back, refused to let go… Of course he’d stick around, and of course he’d interfere.

Fully snapped from his daze, Riku took a moment to process his surroundings. Brown, wooden boards made up the walls, the ceiling, and the floor. A polished wood nightstand rested beside the bed, topped with a simple desk lamp, casting gold light against the walls. A small red carpet sat in the middle of the floor. A few wooden chairs littered the area. Tiz hovered next to one of them, while another man, taller and clad in a blue, fuzzy-collared jacket rose from his seat. His platinum blonde hair swished forward in a fluffy pompadour, and he clutched a black journal in hand.

“Ah, so our sleeping hero has finally awakened!”

“And you are?”

“You can call me Ringabel.” He took a bow, then cracked open his journal. “Now then, you’re Riku, correct?”

“Yeah.” He looked away. “But as much as I’d love to stay and chat, I’ve gotta run.”

Sora scowled, crossing his arms. Why, so Xemnas can chase you down again?

Riku winced. “Look, better me than the rest of you! Right now, I’m a walking liability, so just let me—”

“Thrust yourself into danger with zero regard for your safety? Cause your friends endless worry from a failure to communicate and a severe lack of foresight?”

His hands balled up, and he bristled. “I know what I’m doing!”

“Then what are you doing?” said Tiz. “It doesn’t sound like you’ve thought this through.”

“I’m keeping the Organization’s attention on me. I’m a decoy, okay?”

Ringabel blew a loud sigh, draping his arm over the back of his chair. “Unless they anticipated your behavior.”

“But…” No, Xemnas must’ve expected it. He’d laid out his words so effortlessly, as if he’d prepared his entire speech. It was the easy solution. The coward’s solution. Fleeing aimlessly would accomplish nothing, yet threads of darkness once again swirled at his fingertips. His heart rate accelerated ever so slowly. He couldn’t stay. He needed space. He still needed to think, and being cornered in some strange bedroom, interrogated, even, would do little to ease his inner storm.

Still, he asked, “What else am I supposed to do?” He didn’t mean to. The words escaped on their own.

With a small smile, Tiz moved closer. “Well, you can start by slowing down.”

“I…” His gaze dropped to the floor, and he slowed his breathing. No need to be hasty. He had time. He could work this out. Somehow.

The cushions shook a little. Sora must’ve hopped beside him. Riku, I get it. It’s scary to think about, huh?

“Well, what do you think? Nothing’s secret anymore, and I bet they’re listening right now…”

“Which is all the more reason to be cautious,” said Ringabel. “Simply thrusting yourself through space will accomplish nothing, nor will rushing blindly from place to place. Yes, they could very well be watching you, but you can’t let that possibility dictate your every action.”

“Easier said than done.” The words escaped in a groan, and Riku’s fingers dug into his palms. “Don’t you get it? As long as they’ve got their eyes on me, everyone else is a target. They could strike here just to put me on the ‘right’ track…”

“But couldn’t they do the same thing in some other world?” said Tiz.

“…Yeah.” A fair point. Location was irrelevant. He could flee to some unknown world, and if the Organization struck, he’d have no choice but to take action. For the time being, he remained in a stalemate. “But isn’t it better if I stay out of the way, while my friends keep up the fight? Right now, they’re in a blind spot—”

“Again, you’re assuming the Organization hadn’t anticipated this.” Ringabel tapped his chin with the bottom of his pen, then jotted a note in his journal. “Revealing their ability to spy on you was a calculated risk. If they’d kept it a secret, they could continue to monitor you, and you’d be none the wiser, but now you are alone. Moreover, you’re clearly afraid. In short—”

Heh. “I’m vulnerable?” Just like Xemnas said…

Well, you’re sure not thinking straight, said Sora.

“Gee, thanks.” He shifted sideways, pulling his arms close to his torso. It’d be so easy to slink away. At least then he wouldn’t have to put up with all this…

Two more thumps against the creaking floor, and Tiz spoke again. “You’re gonna be okay. Just take it one step at a time.”

“And what? Just lie around, hoping they won’t come after me?”

“Well, you did just crash into our ship. Don’t you think you should take it easy for a while?”

Riku reached behind his back, which continued to pinch even after that spell. Jaw set, he tried straightening his posture and gulped at the soft sound of cracking. He rolled his shoulders; they cracked, too, but the glint of black metal made him pause. “Ugh… Guess that’s what I get for forgetting my armor.”

“Armor, you say?” Ringabel’s eyes lit up, and a grin unraveled along his lips. “I’d wondered what the pauldron was for…”

“See for yourself.” He bumped the pauldron with his knuckles, and a white flash left him seeing spots. As the light settled, his armor once again concealed him from head to toe. Both Tiz and Ringabel boggled at the sight, though Ringabel was quick to jot another note in that journal of his.

“Impressive!” he said. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you’d stolen the Dark Knight’s asterisk.”

“Well, he definitely looks the part.” Tiz chuckled. “So, what can it do? Did you get any new abilities, or…?”

“As far as I know, it’s just for protection.” And with another tap of the pauldron, the armor flickered away. “But I can turn my Keyblade into a hover board, so there’s that.”

“So we saw,” said Ringabel. “It’s interesting, though. Our asterisks grant us new clothes and new skill sets, yet this armor has no extra bells and whistles? No dark magic, no added strength?”

“Well, I can wield darkness just fine, but that’s completely separate from the armor.” For an added demonstration, he called a small, blue flame into his palm, then snuffed it out by forming a fist. “Honestly, us Keybearers are already overpowered as it is. If we started gaining new skills every time we changed clothes, this war would’ve ended a long time ago…”

Now it was Ringabel’s turn to laugh. “Perhaps, but skills alone don’t dictate the outcome of battle. Strategy is equally important, and while a large selection of abilities does provide an added edge, not every skill is applicable at any given time. The same principle applies to the asterisks.”

Riku nodded, eying Tiz. “Come to think of it, didn’t you use one back in the village?”

“Yeah, that was the Monk asterisk, but we’ve got a few others. There’s White Mage, Pirate…”

“And Red Mage looks rather dashing, even if its owner was a wretched lech.” Digging into his pocket, Ringabel pulled out a small crystal, holding it between his thumb and index finger. “I’d offer a demonstration, but I suppose you’d rather take your leave.”

“No! I mean… ugh.” He rubbed his forehead, shutting his eyes. “Look. I’m sore, and… well, I guess some company wouldn’t hurt.” Because if left to his own devices, he’d probably act carelessly. He already had, after all, and beyond that, solitude led to a wandering mind.

Scooting closer, Sora poked at his unarmored shoulder. Sooo, what’re you trying to say?

Riku’s hands dropped to his hips. “Well, I’m not going back. Not yet, but… I guess I’ll stick around.”

Sora’s eyes slowly drew wider. He pulled away from Riku, then dropped to the floor, clenching both his hands and grinning so wide, his lips threatened to break from the constraints of his face. Whoo! This is great, Riku!

Ringabel squinted for a moment, then clapped his hands together. “Well, then! Shall we celebrate?”

“Oh, c’mon,” said Riku. “It’s not that big a deal…”

Are you kidding? You never give up this easily…

“Hey, who said anything about giving up? I just know my limits—”

Both Tiz and Ringabel shared a glance.

“Am I missing something?” said Tiz.

At that moment, Sora screeched to a halt, then spun on a heel, hastily writing, ‘Right. You guys can’t hear me…’

“Well, that’s not entirely…” Ringabel trailed off, then tucked his journal away. “At any rate, let’s not waste another moment! As long as you’re here, I want you to feel welcome, so shall we start with a tour? Perhaps a taste of Grandship’s culinary marvels? Or, if you’re so inclined, I could introduce you to some lovely ladies.”

He had Riku up until he mentioned ladies, at which point, his cheeks heated up and he threw up his hands. “W-wait! I’m not… I mean, I already—”

Sora slapped a hand over his mouth, shaking with what Riku could only guess was silent laughter. That was bad enough on its own, but soon after, Ringabel’s eyes took on an eerie glint. His smile grew and grew, and he tapped his chin with his pen.

“Ooh, could it be that our hero’s heart already burns with a passionate love?”

Great. Terrific! Bad enough that Sora looked to Riku with the word ‘smug’ practically carved into his features. The next thing Riku knew, he’d written a brand new note that tempted Riku to snatch that notepad the moment he saw it.

‘Oh yeah. He might try to act cool, but deep down he’s—’

Nope. No more. Just as Sora started the next letter, Riku lunged off the bed, pinning Sora to the floor and swiping that notebook from his clutches. He then hopped back, holding it high above his head. “That’s enough out of you.”

Sora’s cheeks puffed up, and he dashed at Riku’s legs, shooting up and grabbing at the notepad, but Riku stepped aside. Unfortunately, Sora latched onto his back and scurried up his shoulders. He latched onto Riku’s wrist, but Riku shook his arm and nudged him away with his free hand. Not to be deterred, Sora flew at his face, covering his eyes with one hand while Riku stumbled about, knocking one chair onto its side.

“Gee whiz,” said Tiz. “Um, you guys might want to look out for the—”

THUMP. They smacked up against one of the walls. In the process, the notebook hit the floor, and after rubbing his forehead, Sora dived down and snatched it away. Low, muffled laughter sounded off from a few feet away.

“A valiant effort, Riku! Though, really, there’s nothing to be ashamed of!”

“Easy for you to say.” He crossed his arms, hunching his shoulders.

Tiz rubbed his neck. “If it makes you feel any better, Ringabel used to tease me all the time.”

“Why does that not surprise me?” That impish smirk, the light, playful tone… Oh yeah. It made perfect sense. Riku’d have to keep his guard up around him. “Heh, well, I guess that’s what I get for picking on Sora all those years…”

“Oh? Now that’s a juicy detail.” So juicy, it seemed, that Ringabel once again whipped out his journal, all while crouching beside Sora. “Well, Sora, shall I be your knight of vengeance? Without Agnès on board, I fear it’s become too difficult to ruffle Tiz’s feathers…”

“H-hey! Leave me out of this!”

“…Or not! Which reminds me. Have you thought of what to say when your paths cross once more? I recommend flowers, perhaps a poem to convey your true—”

“Wow,” said Riku. “You weren’t kidding, were you?”

“No…” Tiz cheek’s gained a pink tint. “Just try not to take him too seriously…”

“Oh, but I’m dead serious!” said Ringabel. “As a champion of love, it pains me to see you stifling yourself. Fortunately, I’ve a wealth of experience regarding women, dating, and all other romantic affairs.” He glanced at Riku. “And, if you so desire, I’ll gladly share my personal expert—”

Tiz muffled his mouth with a hand, shaking his head. “Like I was saying…”

Riku snorted. “Lemme guess. He’s all talk.”

“Not exactly… It’s more that he lacks restraint. As soon as he sees a girl, there’s no stopping him.”

“And he’s friends with Aqua?”

Pushing Tiz’s hand aside, Ringabel clasped a hand over his chest. “Oh, we’re quite close! In fact, we’ve spent many a starlit evening together, sharing secrets, supporting one another… I even promised to look out for you.”

Riku cringed, ducking his head. “Geez… She’s that worried about me?”

We all are, said Sora. I mean, what’d you expect?

“Honestly, Riku, she felt as though she’d failed you.” Great, just what he needed to hear. “It’s… not my place, but I urge you to truly reflect on your situation and how it affects those around you.” Turning around, Ringabel moved toward the door. “But that can wait! The night’s still young, after all, and I did promise a tour…”

What was Riku supposed to say to that? He left for his friends. He’d never intended to hurt them, yet, just like Xemnas said, pain followed in the aftermath. It wasn’t that he didn’t expect this. Of course they’d take it poorly; he walked out on them with little warning, but surely Aqua of all people understood why. It had nothing to do with her! It was his choice. If given the chance, he would’ve stuck by their side…

So was it fair to stay away? Was it fair to turn his back on them?

It’d be so, so simple to go back… And maybe it was the moral choice, but was it practical? Not in Riku’s book. It was too soon. Too risky. He needed time, they needed time. He’d find a way to make it work. Then, when it was all said and done, he’d apologize again and again if he had to. As it stood, reflection was the last thing he needed. The longer he dwelled on this, the higher and higher his doubts would pile up, until they collapsed on top of him.

So, naturally, Riku followed along. “All right. Then lead the way.”

Ringabel wasted no time whisking them out the door. It happened so fast, the rest of the Inn became a blur of wood, lamps, doorknobs, and a few pots and paintings. Before stepping outside, Ringabel tossed a few coins onto the counter, then sauntered through the doorway. A cool breeze swept into the lobby, making Riku shiver, but despite the cold, he dragged himself onto the ship deck…

And promptly lost himself in his surroundings.

Unlike Captain Hook’s ship, the deck seemed to stretch on for miles, spanning out into bridges, stairs, and walkways. A sweet aroma drifted through the air. Pink blossoms crept over the railing, overlooking the ship’s lower levels. Small, wooden buildings spanned before him, topped with canvas roofs and smoking chimneys. Up above, flags flailed atop tremendous towers. A spiraling ramp led to a gargantuan, wooden dome, its walls lined with windows shining with golden light, while great sheets of canvas covered its top. But the insane architecture was only the beginning, for the second Riku emerged from the inn, the distant sounds of a bouncy melody intertwined with more creaking boards, more pounding footsteps, and a whole range of voices.

And not just voices, but a colorful crowd.

A huge, green frog strolled down one of the bridges, joined with a bipedal pig with curly, blonde hair. A burly man with black hair fixed in a ponytail stormed out of one of the shops with a wooden sign bearing a sword. A chubby, big-nosed midget rushed behind him, shouting for him to slow down to no avail. All the while, a soldier in dark green armor climbed up one of the stairways, whispering to a tiny, red dragon perched on… his? Her shoulder? With all the people weaving to and fro, it was difficult to tell, and while he stepped forward for a closer look, he soon found himself staring at a cat and fox clad in top hats and raggedy clothes. They hovered outside the doorway to one of the shops, cornered by a gray rabbit in a police jacket, who held up a tiny can and waved it in the fox’s face.

“Oh, don’t think I didn’t see you, Mr. Wise Guy. Now, drop the potion, or I’m gonna have to report you to the—”

“Excuse me for a moment.” Ringabel wedged his way through the masses, taking a huge step toward the little bunny. “Now, what seems to be the problem?”

“Oh, just a fox up to his old tricks again.” She turned up her nose, expression dry. “I caught him sneaking off with one of these.” She held up a potion bottle, waving it in midair.

“Now, let’s not be too hasty!” said the Fox, faking a cough. “I’m a bit under the weather, you see, so I figured a little magic medicine would do the trick.”

“A likely story.” She leaned closer to Ringabel, whispering. “I saw the cat standing watch by the door. Does that sound innocent to you?"

The cat brought a baggy sleeve to his mouth, shaking his head wildly. As this played out, Riku looked to Tiz.

“Huh. This place is a lot busier than I expected.”

“Yeah… I’m still getting used to it.”

The fox continued pleading. “Look, this is all a terrible misunderstanding! Yes, you’re low on stocks, but this is a serious ailment! And besides, I paid just as much as any respectable customer.”

“No, that cat was pick pocketing the other residents! And if that’s not enough, I heard them whispering about the space port.” She waved the potion back and forth. “Now, let’s pretend for a minute that he isn’t sick… and he really isn’t. Why would he need so many potions?”

“He’s a scalper, isn’t he?” said Riku, and the rabbit’s ears perked.

She lifted her chin, eyes half-lidded and a smile on her muzzle. “Yep, but that’s typical fox behavior.”

“I don’t know about that. I met this fox down in Nottingham, and even if he robbed from the rich, he gave it all back to the poor instead of lining his own pockets.”

The rabbit blinked, silent for a few seconds. “Well, okay. I’m sure there are some foxes out there who aren’t lying, manipulative cons, but he’s not one of them!”

The fox stumbled back, grasping at his chest. “Can you believe her, Giddy?”

The cat hiccupped and started nodding, until a sharp look from the fox made him start shaking his head instead.

“I’m inclined to agree,” said Ringabel. “As it stands, our supplies are already short, and I cannot condone the monopolization of our healing items, let alone pick pocketing and black market sales. I’ve been incredibly tolerant of your antics up until now, but unless you shape up, you’ll need to find your own lodgings, away from Grandship.”

“Drat…” The fox snarled, digging into his pockets. “Fine, then. You can have your potions. We’ll just have to take our business elsewhere!”

After setting aside two more potions, the fox stormed off, and the cat stumbled behind him. However, as he trailed along, more potions tumbled out of his shirt, further proof of the rabbit’s claims. Fortunately, before the furball made it too far, both Ringabel and Tiz cut him off. What’s more, Ringabel unsheathed a glittering white sword, aiming it at the fox’s chest.

“Now, now. We’re not quite finished yet.” He looked over his shoulder. “Tell me, Riku. Do you know any status spells?”

“Well, there’s one.” And with the flick of his wrist, he called his Keyblade and aimed it at the two crooks.

“W-wait!” the fox shrieked. “Ringabel, please… Surely we can discuss this like civilized gentlemen…”

The rabbit laughed. “If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime.”

“But—”

Tick, tock, tick…

As light wound around the fox and feline, their bodies froze entirely. A few of the surrounding residents stopped. Some gasped. Others’ jaws dropped. Some even applauded. Skipping along, the rabbit whipped out a pair of handcuffs.

Click.

“All done! Now, why don’t I take them off your hands?”

“But of course, miss Hopps!” Ringabel took a bow. “As always, your efforts are most appreciated! Please keep up the good work, and if you visit the tavern later, I’ll be sure to foot the bill.”

“Thanks, but that won’t be necessary.” Taking the two crooks by the wrists, she started moseying toward the stairs. Before heading down, however, she took one last look at Riku. “Oh, and welcome to Grandship!”

As she vanished down the steps, most of the gathered residents continued on their way. With that, Riku leaned against the item shop’s outer wall, dismissing his weapon and stuffing his hands down his pockets.

“Well, didn’t see that coming.”

“Neither did I,” said Ringabel. “Those two have always been rather shifty, but this is only their second attempt at a con since they’d arrived. Still, I suppose it could be worse. Just the other day, our resident pirate nearly made off with all our rum…”

“Sheesh. You sure it’s safe keeping a pirate on board?” The word spoke for itself. Pirates pilfered, they plundered, they waged war on the seas.

“Oh, he’s generally harmless, and I daresay he’s brought a… unique atmosphere to the ship.” Soon Ringabel joined Riku against the wall, watching the people pass by. “Admittedly, I have had to turn a few people away, but I’ve done my best to make Grandship a safe haven among the stars.”

“Then…” The answer was obvious, but nonetheless, he had to ask. “Are all the people here from fallen worlds?”

“Indeed.”

That simple word skewered Riku, but he tried his best to hold still. To keep his face calm. Unfazed. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly, but if Ringabel noticed, he chose not to comment.

“That’s why I’ve taken it upon myself to turn Grandship into a refuge. You see, when Luxendarc first fell to the darkness, I found myself all alone… well, barring Zatz and the Proprietress. But where most people become stranded across the cosmos, I was fortunate to possess this airship. Thus, I could search for the ones I cherish, and I’d thought to aid others in their plights.”

“But there’s so many of them…” Too many. Sure, Traverse Town’s population had exploded in his absence, but that was one world. This was another town entirely, packed with droves upon droves of strangers, human and nonhuman alike. Just how many even came from a single world?

“I know what you mean…” Tiz set a hand on the banister, looking down at what Riku assumed was another crowd. “Before I came here, I never would’ve guessed that there were worlds with living candles and singing frogs.”

“Singing everything, really,” said Ringabel. “Spontaneous song numbers are shockingly common across the worlds, and I’ve even been swept up in the theatrics from time to time.”

Riku started to laugh, but it died as soon as it formed. On one hand, they were right. The worlds varied to a ridiculous degree, but… Well, how could they make light of all this? Every single person on this ship had suffered at one point or another. They’d seen rising shadows, winds tearing their homes apart. Thunder bellowing, lightning flashing, striking, and burning while tremors ripped through the earth. That this ship held so many people at all left Riku with a bubbling nausea in the pit of his stomach. He gulped, and the deck beneath him seemed to sway. Left, then right. Left, then right…

He pushed away from the wall. “I need a minute.”

It was his only warning before he tore down the path, slipping past an orange cat, a living tea kettle, and a brawny, brown-haired barbarian in a torn, red getup. All of them were refugees from worlds lost to the shadows. All of them victims who’d suffered beyond Riku’s reach. For how long had they lived here? Just how many were there in total? How many more would follow?

After everything he’d learned, and after encountering Xemnas, it was too much to process at once.

Still, a voice called as he made his retreat. “Riku, wait up!”

He didn’t look back. “Not now, Tiz!”

He wandered across bridges and around corners until the path reached an abrupt end. A sort of balcony stretched over a cluster of white-roofs below. Distant figures no more distinct than ants milled about, but where the shopping district flooded with residents, only about four specks caught his eye. Legs sore from his retreat, Riku sank against the rail, using his arms as a pillow for his chin. Sure, it was extreme on his part, but…

Heh. He’d known since he abandoned the door that this might happen. By allowing the Heartless free rein, worlds would continue blinking out of sight. The sky would grow emptier and emptier, wide gaps replacing constellations, but those stars were so distant. Even when he looked out the windows at night and saw another light fade away, it was just another number. A tiny dot with no face and no name…

Traverse Town was another beast entirely. Everyone there was a victim, and far more visible, but back when he’d last set foot there, there was a certain calm over the cobbled streets. Now, like this ship, colorful masses made it their home. Even with Kairi, Aqua, Xiruk, and the King fighting in his stead, the struggle continued. If anything, it’d gotten worse!

But again, there was distance. Sure, he’d seen Tiz, but he was an isolated case. This was not.

The price of his selfishness lay before him, completely unaware.

Thump, thud…

He couldn’t run now, and maybe it was rash of him to abandon them so abruptly. The shadow at his feet shifted, but Sora remained quiet and unseen. Though reluctant, Riku took a chance and peered at the sky, but when a star began flickering, his body turned to ice.

“No!” The ice shattered. He threw his arm aside, calling his Keyblade and drawing it back. He had to go. If he hurried, then maybe—

A hand grasped his shoulder, steady and firm. “And what do you think you’re doing?”

“I have to go! That world’s—”

“Twinkling, like any other star?” Releasing his hold, Ringabel moved in front of him. “Look again, Riku. And, for the love of light, breathe.”

On closer inspection, the flickering was less like rapid blinking and more of a gradual glitter. A steady pulse, like the beat of a heart. Riku’s Keyblade vanished, and his arm dropped almost immediately. He stared in silence, numb.

Thump…

Tiz stopped beside him, his voice soft and his words slow. “What’s gotten into you?”

“…I really shouldn’t be here.” The words slipped from his lips on a whim, but it was too late to take them back.

“Because of the tracker?” said Tiz. “Don’t worry. We aren’t gonna let them turn Grandship into a battlefield.”

“But that’s not it!” Not all of it, anyway. “Look, I don’t know how much you know about me, but I’ve got no business being around all these refugees.”

“And why not? You’re just like us, Riku, so if anyone would understand—”

“I don’t think it’s that simple,” said Ringabel. “You feel responsible, don’t you, Riku?”

He turned his back on them, chewing on his lower lip. As Ringabel said, slowed his breathing, but that breathing soon gave way to broken laughter. “Guess there’s no point in hiding it…”

“But why?!” Tiz probably didn’t mean to shout, but his voice pierced the air like a bullet. “It’s the Heartless that swallow so many worlds. They’re the ones hurting innocent people!”

“Only because I’m too slow to stop them.” Riku pointed toward a wide gap in the stars. “Every person here is someone I couldn’t save. And if I couldn’t save them, then I couldn’t save their friends, their families… I’ve probably failed millions of people, and I don’t even know their names.”

“Well, you can’t save everyone,” said Ringabel.

“And aren’t you forgetting all the people you have saved?” Tiz added. “What about Pacha’s village? You didn’t fail them, and I’m sure there are plenty of worlds that would have been done for without your help.”

Finally, that shadow pulled away from Riku, and Sora popped onto the deck. He stood up straight, scribbling away. ‘I can think of tons of ‘em! Like Halloween Town, Atlantica, Neverland, Agrabah, Wonderland…’

“And even our dear Master Aqua hasn’t saved every world. There are simply too many to account for.”

“I know that.” Riku didn’t mean to snap, but while they may have meant well, their reassurance fell short of the mark. “But it could’ve been different.” The Door, his decision… He couldn’t bear to elaborate. What would they even think if they knew? What was he supposed to do, just blurt out that his own selfish choice prevented their homes from returning?

In this case, ignorance was bliss. Bad enough that they’d been pulled into this mess, with the Organization still watching.

Folding his arms, Tiz nodded. “You’re right. It could’ve been different, but for whatever reason, this is the outcome we’re stuck with.” And while he could have left it at that and still gotten the point across, he pressed on. “But I get it. How do you think I felt when Norende got swallowed by the chasm? I saw my own brother fall to his death, and I was powerless to save him!”

“Ngh…” For whatever reason, Ringabel shuddered. This time, he hid his face from the group. “Yes, I… certainly understand your feelings, Tiz. If I shut my eyes, I can still see those wretched claws tearing through the sea. The winds threatening to shatter Grandship plank by plank, the struggle to stay together amidst the ensuing chaos…” He peeked over his shoulder. “Nonetheless, some factors simply lie outside of our control, and it’s unfair to hold you to impossible expectations.”

“No, I guess not.” Again, ignorance was bliss. They’d be singing a different tune if he told the whole story, so for their benefit, Riku’d keep it to himself. “But it’s stupid. This whole time, I never once thought to connect with them. Here you are, giving all these victims a home. You’re making a huge difference in their lives, but they’re all just strangers to me.”

“Well, to be fair, you’re a very busy boy, what with the Heartless, the Nobodies, and recent developments.”

‘See, Riku? You don’t have to beat yourself up! You’ve already got enough to deal with, anyway.’

“Not only that,” said Tiz, “but nothing’s stopping you from meeting them now. Just try to take it at your own pace, and go with what feels natural!”

“Well, I still don’t think I should be here. Even if you backed me up, the Organization’s leveled a whole town before, and I’m sure they’d do the same to this ship.”

“An outcome I’m more than prepared for, should the time come.” For emphasis, Ringabel pulled out another asterisk. “Besides, I seem to recall that you desired company.”

Ugh. He just had to pull that card. “Yeah. It’s… nice having someone to talk to.”

“Well, would you like to relocate? I suspect a hot meal would do us all some good.”

After everything that’d happened, how could Riku refuse? Between fleeing from his friends, his face off with Xemnas, and his crash landing, food was the last thing on his mind. He really had acted carelessly, and if he was to continue on his own, he needed to care for himself.

So, before he knew it, Ringabel wound up leading him back toward the shops, down the stairs, and toward a wide open doorway beneath a sign showing a wine glass and a plate of steaming food. The music, once a distant murmur, now blasted out the door, complete with drums pounding to a tropical beat, joined by some guitar. The deep voice singing alone made Riku freeze.

When life down here’s a thundercloud, I take off for the air
I soar above the madding crowd, without a single care
I’m not one to stick around when problems start to brew
So see you later, navigator, I know just what to do

When he poked his head inside, he found a big, grey bear swinging around the stage. However, unlike a certain jungle bum, this bear wore a yellow jacket and a red hat. So was it just a coincidence? Like Little John, the voice matched up perfectly. Rather than question it, though, Riku followed the others through the pub and only took fleeting glances at the crowds of strangers gathered at the table. The white, marshmallow-like robot seemed eerily familiar.

Rather than join the crowds, Ringabel led the way up a flight of nearby stairs, past the bar and its shelves full of liquor. Where the lower levels contained simple wooden kegs and round, wooden tables topped with candelabras, the upper levels were decorated with gold, framed paintings and fresh, potted flowers. The tables there shone with a fresh coat of polish, and in place of wooden chairs, round, leather booths arced around the tables’ edges. It was there that the group took their seats, though Ringabel dashed down the stairs long enough to place their orders.

In no time at all, a plump, old lady came waltzing to their table, carrying a tray in one arm. She wore a pink bandanna around her head and a long sleeved black dress with an apron tied around her waist, and she greeted the gang with a big, bright smile.

“So you’re that kid from the crash. Good to see you up and about!”

“Uh, thanks.” Riku sniffed the air, watching the steam rise from the plates. A blend of sweet, spicy, and salty scents swirled together. Shrimp and lobster sat side by side with fat, juicy steaks. Bits of chopped meat floated amidst vegetables in a soupy concoction, with a side of roasted pheasant.

His staring must’ve caught the woman’s attention, because she was quick to slap a plate down in front of him. “Go ahead, dig in! A boy like you oughta eat his fill, so you can grow big and strong.” She chuckled. “Though you’re already pretty brawny, aren’t ya?”

His cheeks flushed a little, and he rubbed one of his biceps. “What can I say? I like to stay in shape.” Though all those days spent sparring, racing, and swimming certainly helped.

“Then that’s all the more reason to take care of yourself, kiddo.” She finished passing out the plates, turning toward the steps, though she didn’t leave just yet. “I heard things are pretty rough for ya. If you’re really one of those Keybearers, then I bet you’re under a whole lot of pressure.”

Great. She just had to bring that up, didn’t she? “Yeah. It’s kind of a long story…”

“Well, I won’t pry. Just make sure you get lots of rest, all right?”

When a dreadlocked pirate shambled over to the bar, she zipped down the stairs. By then, the savory smell of the steak was too much to bear. In no time, Riku dug in, his taste buds tingling from the zesty spices blended with the sauce drizzled over the still bloody beef. With equal eagerness, Tiz shoveled bites of his stew down, while Ringabel took tiny nibbles between writing in his journal. From time to time, Sora’d poke his head up from beneath the table, but given the company, it made sense that he’d stay hidden.

Before long, though, Riku couldn’t help but ask. “So, what’s with that journal, anyway?”

Ringabel peeked up from the book, twirling his pin. “Well, I like to keep a record of my travels. People, places, history… It’s all quite fascinating to me.”

“So, what? You’re gonna write about me next?”

“Oh, I already have! And Sora, too.”

“Dang.” He took another bit of lobster, blotting his face with a napkin. “You know, I bet you’d get a kick out of Jiminy. He’s just like you—has a journal, constantly takes notes… Oh, and he’s a cricket.”

“Well then! You’ll have to introduce us one day.” Predictably, he jotted something else in his book. Another note, maybe? “Actually, this book and I have a strange history. You see, I’ve no memories of my past, but when I first awoke in Caldisla, this journal was right beside me, full of strange passages. It detailed events that had yet to pass, people whom I’d yet to meet…”

“Yeah,” said Tiz. “He knew all about me and Agnès before we even knew his name.”

“In a way, you could say it was the journal that tied us together! Its guidance served us well on our quest… for a time, anyway.”

“Wow. You’re awfully well adjusted for an amnesiac,” said Riku.

“You could say that I’m adaptable! I certainly try, at any rate.”

“Heh, well, you’re better off than I was when I lost my memories.”

“…Wait, you had amnesia, too?” said Tiz. “How’d that happen?”

“Ugh. It’s hard to explain. Something about the chains in my heart… Point being, I was a mess.”

“But clearly you’ve recovered since then! Tell me, what was your method? Did the memories simply return with time? Was there a trigger that brought them back to the surface?”

“Nah. Naminé used her powers to patch things up.” Though, come to think of it, “I wonder if she could do the same for you…”

Yet again, Sora crawled out from under the table, pen and paper in hand. ‘I’ll have to ask the next time I see her!’

“Ah… Well, that certainly would be… interesting.” He paused in his writing, squeezing his pen. “Still, don’t trouble yourselves for my sake. You already have your hands full with the Organization, and I’d hate to slow you down.”

“Heh, he’s gonna do it anyway, Ringabel. That’s just how Sora is.” He bent down, shooting his friend a smirk. “But that sounds like some book… Mind if I take look at it?”

“Help yourself!” He passed the journal along, and Riku began flipping through it posthaste.

Paragraph upon paragraph filled each page, with occasional pencil sketches in between. Where would he even begin? Did he read it cover to cover, or was it best to skim? Unsure of the proper approach, he settled to glance through the pages, stopping on an image of a fire donning black armor, with sharp, spiked segments and horn-like protrusions shaped like lightning bolts.

“Huh. Who’s this guy?”

Ringabel leaned over the table, then promptly drew back. A strained gasp escaped him, and he once again gripped his pen. “That’s… Alternis Dim, the former bearer of the Dark Knight asterisk.”

Tiz’s eyes widened for a moment. “Ringabel—”

“I’m all right. Really.”

“Wait, did something happen between you two?”

“In a manner of speaking. You see, we were in the midst of battle when our world met its untimely end, and…” He reached into his pocket, digging out an identical journal. “You could say I’ve more questions than answers.”

“So there’s two of them…” Strange. Were the contents similar too, or was it just the exterior?

“Indeed, though if it’s all right with you, I’d rather not discuss this further.” He set the journal down, but chose not to open it. Instead, he looked upon the cover with a look of sheer dread until he could stare at it no longer and tucked it away again.

The rest of the meal passed with little interruption, save for the clinking of silverware and the passage of one performer to another. Between nibbles, Riku perused the journal further.

‘Edea...

My beloved Edea...
I pine for the chance to see a smile unfurl across your face set in equal parts courageous fire and innocence.

I long to hear your voice, sweet like a spring breeze. Let it speak my name, and I shall die a happy man.’

An image of a girl accompanied the passage, a bow in her long, blonde hair, and her clothes a cross between armor and a dress. Was this Ringabel’s doing? Riku opted not to ask. He’d already hit a sore spot, after all, and there was no need to trouble him further. The pages went on, describing the struggles of a man incognito, stripped of his armor in a simple port town, where he found himself thrust into a boar hunt and the witness to a flash of light that preceded a disastrous quake. A village reduced to rubble, a river flooded with corpses… The discovery of Tiz, a goblin attack and the subsequent rescue…

It was like reading an adventure novel, and he was half-tempted to borrow it for the night, but it really wasn’t his place. But, oh, the questions he yearned to ask. More than the meal and the company, the journal provided a welcome distraction from the looming dread of the Organization. It’d been too long since Riku stopped to enjoy a good book, but this wasn’t fiction, and the struggles chronicled truly happened.

Still, it made for one heck of a story.

By the time they finished eating, Riku returned the journal Ringabel. With the deck clear for the night, Sora crawled out of the shadows, and the four gathered by the inn’s entrance.

“So, a space port… This I’ve gotta see.”

“And you will, provided you don’t run off again.”

“Nah. I’ll stick it out for a little longer… at least until we dock.”

Sora’s claws tapped against the deck, and a frown crossed his lips. But when are you gonna go back?

“I don’t know. I’ve still gotta figure out how they’re tracking me in the first place, and until I do, I can’t risk holding the others back again.”

“There’s no stopping you, is there?” said Tiz.

“Afraid not, but I’ll try not to act so careless this time.”

“Good. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

Riku reached for his hip, gesturing with his other hand. “Are you volunteering?”

Tiz laughed. “Do you really have to ask?”

“Nah. You’re a pretty straightforward guy.”

Standing up, Sora marched over to Riku, poking him with a claw. Well, don’t count me out, either!

Of course he’d say that, but Riku’s stubborn pride pushed him to resist. “Sora, c’mon. I’ll be fine.”

Riku, I know how you get when you’re on your own. Sometimes, you bite of way more than you can chew…

“And you don’t?”

Sora hesitated, scratching his cheek. Well, okay, maybe I do sometimes, but that doesn’t matter right now! What really matters is that you’re having a rough time, and I wanna be there to bail you outta trouble.

Tiz watched the two closely, then cut in. “There’s no point in fighting it, Riku. If he’s as stubborn as you said, then he’ll follow no matter what you do.”

“Yeah. I mean, the fact that he chased me out of Traverse Town proves it.” He cracked the door open. “Anyway, I think I’m gonna call it a night.”

“As you should,” said Ringabel. “Sleep well, Riku, and try not to worry so much.”

“Well, I can’t make any promises, but… thanks for putting up with me.”

x.x.x

“So another member has fallen… How disappointing.”

“You’re telling me. I mean, Lex was practically a brick wall. Seeing him go down like that’s just sad… Heh, but I guess that’s what happens when ya mess with Keybearers.”

“Then why are you smiling? You just lost a comrade… and a potential vessel.”

“Please. You’re dealin’ with a Nobody, kiddo! You really think I cared about that old muscle head?”

“No, but that brings you to a total of eight.”

“So you can count. Good job!”

“This is hardly the time for jokes…”

“Man, you sure you aren’t the Nobody?”

“And what of Xemnas?”

“Eh, still MIA. Maybe he’s having a nice little chat with his trusty rust bucket.”

“Hm. Well, he better have an alternative in mind.”

“Kid, kid. If there’s one thing you can say about Xemnas, it’s that he’s always got some kinda backup plan. His backups have backups, same as the old coot, although…”

“Go on.”

“Heh. Don’t you worry about it. In fact, how’s about you hit the Keyblade Graveyard? You’re into nerdy stuff, right? And that place is a goldmine of history…”

“And home to a decaying suit of armor who’d sooner have me skewered on his Keyblade than set one foot on those desolate cliffs.”

“Aw, you scared of a little danger?”

“No. It might even pose a unique challenge, were I devoid of self-preservation.”

“Heh, too bad. It would’ve been some show.”

“Well, I think I’ve heard enough for the time being. Now… I trust you will keep a closer eye on the proceedings from this point forward.”

“Like I didn’t already.”

“Heh. Well, good luck with those unsavory pirates…”

TO BE CONTINUED