In a cataclysm known as the Nightfall, the worlds were almost completely destroyed by a harrowing surge of darkness.
In the shadows of the ensuing chaos a new group has taken shape. Led by an Aegyl named Kalos, the 11th Hour touts an esoteric knowledge of how to combat the darkness and restore the worlds. They might be the worlds’ best chance at survival; but nobody really knows enough about them to confirm or deny their claims.
On the brink of collapse, the universe holds its breath in anticipation. Of restoration? Of destruction? It is up to individuals like yourself to decide.
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There aren't enough praises in the world I'd like to give to wonderful coders for the Proboards community. The following have contributed to World Destiny in some way: W3 Schools for countless how-tos and countless of other souls who have helped get WD up to where it is.
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Her reaction... she had to be Kairi... a little less tan, her hair wasn't auburn, but this girl, she felt the same as Kairi did, maybe a bit hollow, but a light was still there. He stared at her, awaiting a response.
"No, I'm...her Nobody. But Kairi's all right. She's fine, and still in one piece..."
Rook sighed, half in frustration and half in relief. He ran through his time on Destiny Island in his head: A stormy night, Kairi alone on the Play Island and stranded... Rook had been happening along on his travels when he ran across her in the cave, helped her overturn her boat, and together they rowed ashore, taking refuge in her home and sharing stories, hot cocoa and, just before Rook left, she gave him a light kiss in thanks for getting her home.
But... at least she was in one piece, wherever she was...
"Kairi alive? Your sadly mistaken Namine. She died shortly after you came to "exsistince", and even now you try and confuse this poor boy into thinking his friend is still alive when he is clearly looking at her Nobody. How could you Namine. Thats so cold of you"
Rook's face turned sour. He turned to Marluxia, then back to Namine. SHE was lying as well? Rook clenched his fists into a ball. NO one could be trusted around this place. Was this what he was here to endure?
"Hey, yeah... if you're her Nobody, how is she fine and safe?" Rook's shoulders dropped when he realized the extent of that revealation. He stepped backwards. He couldn't believe that. Kairi had people who protected her. She talked about them but he had never met them.
Accusatory eyes turned on them both, "If I can't trust any one else, why should I trust either of you? You're either lying to me or trying to erase my memories, and I'm not going to let you do either!"
He placed his hand over his heart, "Guard Light!" His hand flew forward and he closed his eyes as the blast fired. He hadn't really even directed it, it was more of a blind fire in between them both. With any luck he would be rid of both of them, and barring that, perhaps he'd have time to escape in the confusion.
He spun around, looking for a door, but his bloodloss and exertion leant to a different outcome. He dizzied and staggered, fallen onto a table covered in plants, using a single arm to keep himself from eating dirt. He was still too tired from the fight prior to give any more.
Post by winterlovesong on Jun 26, 2009 13:31:40 GMT -4
At first, it seemed like the redhead would believe the blonde. She saw it in his eyes, and turned over the astonishing thought in her mind. He knew Kairi. He actually knew Kairi. And, despite the circumstances, the thought gave her some hope.
Then the Graceful Assassin opened his hateful mouth, and everything went wrong.
Naminé winced at the look he directed her way. A look to kill. A look that said, Your life is going to be living Hell if you make a wrong move. She didn't doubt it, though Marluxia wouldn't kill her, she was too valuable to be lost into non-existance.
...would he?
Well, it didn't matter, the blonde's mind was set. She may not speak out now, but she would, and then there'd be Hell to pay.
Every word Marluxia uttered - and the words of the Keybearer after - cut deep into the empty space of Naminé's absent heart. A liar? I'm not a liar, she thought desperately, as if trying to send the thought to the boy. I'm NOT. Not anymore.
She'd always been a more empathetic Nobody; sometimes it seemed she actually had real emotions. Naminé wondered if perhaps she actually did have real emotions. She was an odd Nobody anyway - it'd be entirely plausible.
Right now, her absent heart was reaching, reaching out to the poor, confused boy, beaten and ashen-faced and disgusted with both of them. She had to tell him the truth, she had to get him to listen...
But as long as Marluxia watched them, she couldn't.
Suddenly, it seemed as though the boy was on the offensive. Naminé's world exploded into a bright, aching light, almost like fire, and it seemed to take up the whole room, swallow her and Marluxia up with it, and it hurt -
She found herself on the ground, the remains of the attack dissipating. Her body was sore, her muscles ached, and she was seeing clouds of white spots, but she was still there. She hadn't received the direct end of the blast...
And perhaps Number XI hadn't, either. Now was the time to act.
The blonde forced herself to her feet, her muscles cramping. Naminé wasn't much one for pain, and it felt as though her body was feeling the remains of a fire. It felt battered. What kind of attack was that?
She swayed on her feet slightly, her head pounding. Her eyes scanned the area, and found the redhead on a table of plants. She hurried over to him, stumbling somewhat, her body screaming in protest. She leaned down next to him, her own hands clasping the table to hold herself up.
"Listen to me," she said quickly and quietly, though fear of the boy retaliating was almost enough for her to give into pain and pass out. But for the moment, her will was stronger. "Kairi's all right, but right now you're not. I have to get you out of here - you're in grave danger. Marluxia...he..." Naminé couldn't find the words to describe how awful he could be, but her eyes gave away her terror.
Then she regained herself, thinking about how little time she'd have before Marluxia would recover, if he'd even been hit in the first place. "I'll portal you away," she whispered. "Please, trust me."
The ability to create dark portals was not beyond Naminé, but it was a task that required extreme concentration and energy. The blast from the Keybearer's attack already sapped up a lot of that, but she had to try, she had to get him out of here.
She righted herself, standing, and held out a trembling, pale hand in front of her, sliding her eyes shut. Come on, she begged silently.
Slowly, tendrils of darkness emerged from her hands, forming into a dark portal that would take the Keybearer to a safe place. Possibly Radiant Garden.
WHAT!?XI thought as Rook unleashed his Guard Light ability, and filled his eyes with light. Without thinking Marluxia flicked his wrist and a hored of rose petals surrounded him to take any damage he might have recieved from the attack.
How the hell does he have any energy left for an attack. He is stronger then I thought. However, this attack WILL drain him of whatever energy and magic power he has. The fool just cornered himself. XI thought once more and gave a slight laugh as the light dimmed and the rose petals dissapated.
The Assassin had to rub his eyes to rid himself of the blinding light. Not even dark users eyes can tolerate the luminious light. His vision still clouded Marluxia could see the boy collasped on a table of plants. Marluxia let out a scoff. The child was most likely dead, nothing could be salvaged if his body is not claimed by the darkness.
He moved towards the table, vision still obscured, he could faintly make out another. Namine! XI's eyes widened as he saw the Witch form a Dark portal, he let out a hellish growl and yelled,
"Namine! What do you think your doing!" The Graceful Assassin had began a full out sprint to try and follow Rook into the portal. Sadly it closed around him just as XI reached it. He tensed every muscle in his body in anger,
That no good, scheming, tratorious bitch! No one defies me! No one! Marluxia's mind was raceing was he walked a couple steps back and summoned his scythe Full Bloom. He swung down on the table and cut it in half. He then directed his nightmarish gaze to Namine. He gave an evil smile and began to walk her way.
Rook had spun about when Kair--...Namine... had approached him. Under their firled of view, his fist was balled abd about ready to club her when she began to explain away her situation.
Marluxia, that was his name? Kairi was alright? He listened, but only-half effectively. He'd seen "grave danger" before, and wasn't one to skip out on a fight. But here was a Dark portal, leading elsewhere, and Marluxia was closing fast. And so, tactically, Rook did the only thing he could in the situation...
"Don't...be surprised... when I come back for you," he told her. She was as much a hostage, held against her will, as he had been. And leaving her to the madman Marluxia was not how he intended to let things settle. Besides, he promised once long ago he would protect Kairi from harm. If Namine was, by extension, Kairi, and had no desire to hurt him, he had to protect her, too. Limply, he fell into the portal and hit solid ground a moment later, deposited limply on the streetside of Radiant Garden...
She had risked a lot to get him out of there. But noe she was in grave danger herself. He had to find a way to get back to Namine.
"C'mon... concentrate," he said, holding up his hands in front of him, "...Where were you... where did I come from just now?"
There... he felt it. A feint trace, almost like a long hallway conjoined by invisible doors. He just had to find a way through.
Hefting the BlackJack to chest level, he held it like a pointer, "Alright... you're supposed to be a Dark Keyblade, right..? Find me a way back..."
A swirl of dark tendrils opened before him, and Rook wasn't sure if it was his doing, the key's, or some combined strength of both of them, but exhausted and bloody, he stepped forward. Just in time, too. A claymore began to form and speed towards him as he disappeared into the void.
The portal opened back in the Marluxia's garden, and Rook stumbled forward, the Keyblade disappearing from view as soon as he entered it.
"Sorry...Namine... But I can't just let you take the punishment... for saving me. Let her go, Marluxia... you want me? You got me..."
He fell to his knee again, too weak to stand any longer. If Marluxia was as vicious as Namine implied, Rook didn't doubt the girl was in danger. And leaving her in harm's way after saving his, that just wasn't an act Rook could stand for.
((Sorry, large edit. This is pretty much two posts in one, trying to speed up Rook's actions so he isn't just lingering for a turn.))
Post by winterlovesong on Jun 27, 2009 17:29:21 GMT -4
Naminé wanted to faint with relief when the boy's eyes met her own and revealed that he was no longer hostile towards her. He believes me, she thought, swaying on her feet, dangerously low on energy. Maybe she would faint - that didn't sound like a bad idea.
Her brow puckered when the boy insisted he'd come back for her. Ragged and bloody, it would do him no good but get both of them in trouble. It was best just to have one of them in harm's way than both, and she was willing to risk herself for the cause.
The Keyblader must not fall into the hands of the Organization. Whether it be Sora or this redhead, she was going to commit herself to the cause.
Before the blonde had time to protest - even though she didn't know what in the worlds to say - a savage screech that she recognized all too well came from the other side of the garden. She whirled around, her sky orbs wide as Marluxia lunged for the boy.
By the next moment, however, the Keybearer had stepped into Naminé's dark portal, and disappeared, leaving Naminé to fend for herself, just like she'd thought.
Problem is, that probably meant she was now Marluxia's target for torture and other distasteful pastimes.
Naminé stumbled backwards in fear when the Graceful Assassin gracefully sliced the table in half. In half. If that scythe had no problem tearing through solid metal, the blonde's weak skin-and-bone combination wouldn't stand a chance against it. As she stumbled, her sandal caught on the floor, and she fell backwards on her behind, now entirely at the mercy of the Assassin.
"Leave m-me alone!" she barely managed to stutter through her dry lips. Like that would do any good.
And then, out of the corner of her vision, Naminé spied a slice of darkness. She wondered if that meant she was finally going to faint...
...but then, she caught a glimpse of a shock of red hair. The Keybearer. He was back for her, just like he'd promised. As relieved as Naminé was, she was also dismayed; now they were both in trouble, and the boy was in no position to be fighting Marluxia. He could barely stand.
Naminé managed to find her voice. "Run!" she blurted out to him. "Go, get out of here!"
A Keybearer's life would always, always be put before a Nobody's. No matter the circumstances.
Marluxia's anger blocked any sounds that Namine would have made, being decived and lied to where not smart things to do to an Assassin. The devil like grin still on his face Marluxia simply chuckled and said to Namine as she stumbled backwards,
"You should have known better then to do this Witch, I hope you have enjoyed your last moments of freedom. I will make sure your locked up for this. And I---" XI's words were cut off as he sensed a Dark portal opening in his garden.
An Organization member?...No, its someone else. It's...it's....him? So he really can control Darkness. Just as I thought. His usefulness will exced even Mars's. Marluxia thought as he turned to see Rook emerging from the portal.
"Must everyone play the hero? You truly are a confused man. Im sure you will have no problem finding your place amongst the darkness here." Marluxia said as he made Full Bloom vanish into the Twilight yet again. He turned his head around to face Namine and said with annoyence, "You will recieve your punishment in due time Namine"
Marluxia had just the job for Rook to do, time to return to Disney Castle. XI gave a wave of his hand and a plant grew out of the soil as if waiting for teh signal. It was a plant that herblores made all forms of Potions out of. Execpt that it held 3x the amount of potency, a wonderful thing to have in situations like this. The plant resemblemed a Rose in everyway, save for one thing. Its leaves were Green. The plant grew right next to Rook and blossemed before him. Inside where 5 leaves tightly bundled together in the shape of a small bowl. Inside of said bowl was a shimering red liquid
"Inside that plant you will find the main ingredient for what you call a Potion. There may be a small quantity but the potency should be enough. Now on your feet, we have work to do..." The Assassin's words were ones of truth and honesty.
After all, he doesn't want his new toy to be broken on their return to Disney Castle.
"Must everyone play the hero? You truly are a confused man. Im sure you will have no problem finding your place amongst the darkness here."
"Run! Go, get out of here!"
The male Nobody bore down on her, "You will recieve your punishment in due time Namine"
Rook spoke up, "No she will not... you'll either let her go, or promise nothing will happen to her..." He took a deep breath. This is what it came down to, he decided, "...she... can take my memories. But don't hurt her. I promised to look out for Kairi. That means all of her."
Rook stood as Marluxia went on about his potion. Whatever he was scheming, he needed Rook in top condition. But as long as he could guarantee Namine's safety, what choice did he have.
He took the potion offered from Marluxia's hand, and nodded his agreement.
Post by winterlovesong on Jun 29, 2009 11:55:43 GMT -4
Naminé stared up at Marluxia in horror. True, he wasn't hurting her - yet. But that by no means was enough to console the poor blonde who was facing her worst nightmare in reality, something she'd never hoped to do again.
Locked up...forever?
If there was one thing she feared the most in her existence, and it couldn't be a person, it was being lonely forever. If Marluxia's threat was true, and she was no longer free - though, she'd hardly been free to begin with - would she never see the light of day again? Would she be condemned to live here for as long as she existed? Naminé wanted to cry or something, but all she could do was stare up in horror at the Assassin, who was gracefully condemning her.
Even the arrival of Rook couldn't quite shake her, though she did shout out and tell him to get out of here. When Marluxia spoke to her again, his tone irked, she realized her sentence had been left hanging for who knew how much longer.
She wasn't free...but it was better than what she could've been.
The redheaded boy defended Naminé, who was slowly getting to her feet, sore, aching, and shaking. Take his memories...can I even do that? It was obvious, now, that he wasn't close to Sora's heart. Maybe he was close to Kairi's, but there was little she could do about that but change some of his memories with Kairi, and there was no way she would be doing that.
She watched as the boy took the potion Marluxia offered him, which only meant his strength would be needed elsewhere. He was going to fight again? That small amount of potion might not heal his exhaustion, and Naminé couldn't help but be worried for him.
"Be careful," she whispered, her lips hardly moving, barely making a sound. She doubted anyone would hear her.
She crossed her arms, making the motion of hugging herself. She was drained, and there was nothing more she could do here. She felt too weak, too shaky. Her knees were wobbling as she was standing.
Her light blue eyes stared at the ground, her light blonde hair falling over her face like a curtain of sunshine. All that was left for her to do was hide behind that sunshine.
"Such high demands for someone in such a low position. But, if thats what you wish..then so be it. Namine's saftey shall be granted, only that you follow all instructions.". XI looked back at Namine to be trieing to find a sanctuary in this moment.
Why does she feel such compassion for this boy when she doesn't even know him. Is she like Roxas? Able to "feel" emotions stronger then the others? Tch, no matter how strong we "feel" these emotions...all are fake!
XI snapped his fingers and a portal opened up and he adverted his gaze at Rook. Time to see how much he is willing to do to keep Namine safe.
"Its time to pay that Castle another visit boy" The Assassin gave a gesture for Rook to step into the portal.
Rook took Marluxia's potion and instantly began to feel its effects. Slowly, the weariness that had overtaken his body began to replace itself with a calm sense of normalcy. He still ached from where the sharp barbs of the roses penetrated his skin, but the bleeding seemed to have stopped.
Back to the Castle? Rook could only assume her was rejoining the fight, now having to aim himself against those he sided with before. Marluxia had said no one there trusted him. This would be why, in the end. He'd have to think of something, a way to free Namine before he did harm to anyone else. Hell, at this point, he'd rather have had his memories taken. At least then he wouldn't have to think about what he was doing in the same state of mind.
He looked back at the girl and swallowed hesitantly, before giving her a nod of reassurance. This wasn't going to be easy by any means. Fighting friends, helping an obvious enemy, trying to look for some way to get back here and aid the Nobody of a friend. Rook was no thinker, certainly. But he'd have to find a way.
He had dreams, he wanted to be remembered, he wanted to be more than an echo of a World nearly erased. This was not how he ever envisioned it happening. "My name isn't 'boy'. It's Rook."
He stepped through, almost hoping this would be his last trip anywhere.
"Hmm. Very well...Rook" Marluxia said as he followed his new apprentice through the portal. He turned back to give Namine a glance and stepped through.
Post by winterlovesong on Jul 4, 2009 22:06:58 GMT -4
Naminé was torn.
Of course, she was relieved. Marluxia was done hurting them - for now. And for the moment, Naminé was safe.
But the boy - Rook, he said his name was - probably wasn't safe. In fact, he was probably in a horrible predicament right now. Fighting his friends? Fighting Marluxia? She didn't know, and was afraid to find out.
And as for keeping her safe... the Assassin hardly ever kept promises. His word meant nothing, nothing. Naminé wasn't going to be safe. And in any case, he'd probably think that his promise wouldn't come through after Rook finished whatever Marluxia was making him do. Rook might be a different person, or dead, neither scenarios having any good effect on Naminé.
As the two stepped through the dark portal - the Graceful Assassin sparing Naminé a parting glance - she slowly rose to her feet, aching from Rook's earlier attack. She glanced for the door and quickly made her way over there.
She needed to think, to think about how she was going to get out of this. Her head was spinning from pain and all the thoughts running through her head that this single encounter had spurned. Were there more Keybladers out there? What was Marluxia's plan? More importantly, what did this mean for Sora? Was he okay? Her whole body ached with worry, and not just for Sora and Riku and her Somebody, but for the new Keyblade bearer, Rook. She didn't want to think about it, but she dared add another thought to her already jumbled mess -
Had she actually made another friend?
That would make it worse if anything happened to him.
Her footsteps quickened through the hallway to her bedroom, where her notebook was. She'd rest for a bit, and then maybe head to the White Room of the Old Mansion. She did most of her thinking there. It was the only place - besides where Kairi was - that had ever felt like "home" to her.