Cold, hard stone walls were all he could see. Five corridors around him, each one leading somewhere different. This was where the paths met. He had the feeling that only one of these paths led out, only one led home. Instinctively, he ran to his left, down endless corridors, taking one turn after another, his feet surprisingly quiet on the stone floor. He sped up, seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. He was out. He stopped dead in his tracks. He was on a beach in the moonlight. The full moon brightened the beach, almost light as day. His eyes widened as he saw someone walking along the beach, looking radiant in the moonlight. The figure looked his way, and his heart skipped a beat.
"Sora! I'm so glad you're here! I see you passed the little test." Kairi ran towards him, and he ran for her, pulling her close, all past heartbreak long forgotten.
"Kairi, you're okay!" Sora didn't want to let her go as she went to pull away, but she pushed harder, until he grudgingly let go.
"Sora, I don't have much time. There's something you need to know." As she was talking black fog enveloped her feet. "Shit, they know I'm gone. Listen closely, and pay attention. You see this beach?"
"Of course." Sora was a little confused.
"It's night time, but it's almost as light as day."
"So?"
The fog was up to her neck. "Sora, remember, even in darkness there is light. At night, there is a moon. It lights up the darkness of night as the sun lights up the day." The fog had covered her head, and as it faded away, her voice echoed. "Even in darkness… there is light…"
"Sora! Sora!"
Sora was shook awake by a strong pair of hands.
"Huh, where…?" The events of the previous night came flooding back to him. "Tidus, how is he?"
"Kinda bad, he lost quite a bit of blood, but we've bandaged him up real good now, so he's gonna be okay." Wakka replied, moving back and allowing ora to stand.
"Ya know, we didn't move too far." Wakka commented, and for the first time Sora took in his surroundings. They were in the cave he'd been in the previous day. Selphie was knelt by Tidus, who was sat against the wall of the cave. Riku was stood by the entrance.
"Oh my… We're here!" Sora saw all eyes turn to him.
"You've been here before?" Riku asked, walking over to him.
"Yeah, I was chasing heartless and I wound up here, I tried to open the door, but all I did was make that tiny burn mark."
"Well, try again." Riku said.
"But I can't, a voice told me I wasn't strong enough."
"So why don't I help? If we both try we might do it." Riku stood, closing his eyes and summoning his keyblade. Sora stood next to him and did the same. They then focused on the door, raising their keyblades as twin rays shot at the door, aiming where the handle should be. As they focused a keyhole appeared.
"Look!" Selphie said in amazement.
"Yeah, a keyhole!" Wakka commented.
"No, the writing!" Selphie exclaimed.
"What writing?" Wakka asked. "There's nothing there."
"Yes there is!" Selphie began to read the writing:
"Lighter than day, yet darker than night,
This is, and isn't the door to the light,
You purest of heart reading this verse,
Read it carefully, and heed these words:
United we stand yet divided we fall,
There are six other hearts, gather them all,
Bring them here, to this very door,
Then use the key to end the war.
Lighter than day and darker than night,
The hearts of your saviours are in for a fight,
For light and darkness fight as one,
Both under the moon and out in the sun,
They're hearts are united, and yet opposed,
Soon this dark secret will be exposed,
United we stand, divided we fall,
Lose one of your saviours, you lose them all,
From what I've said it seems you can't win,
But be strong, have faith, and never give in."
"Give up NOW!" The same cold voice filled the heads of both Sora and Riku, and an invisible force pushed them both back. They lost their concentration, and their blades fell and vanished. Yet Selphie could still see the writing.
"What the…?" Tidus asked groggily. "Six other hearts?"
"That must mean the other princesses of heart. We need to bring them here. But what I don't get is the last verse. 'The hearts of your saviours are in for a fight'? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Sora looked at his companions for answers.
"Well, who are my saviours? I guess it must be you guys, you all saved me." Selphie said.
"But we wouldn't have been able to if it hadn't been for you two." Wakka turned to Riku and Sora, who were now next to each other, holding hands.
"But we're not gonna fight!" Sora exclaimed.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that." All except Sora turned to the entrance of the cave. Riku's gasp made him turn though. When Sora saw how Kairi's body had changed, he too involuntarily gasped. The hair was short and spikey, and jet black. The eyes were hard and cold. And the body itself was sexy. And masculine.
Sora's keyblade materialised in his hand. "I hope you haven't had breakfast, because I have a huge can of ass-kicking with your name on it." He raised his weapon menacingly.
"Could I get fries with that? I'm starving." Kairi raised her sword.
"Fries coming right up." Selphie said, her jump rope in position.
"Oooooo, fiery little one, isn't she?" Kairi laughed, then launched at Riku, who dived out of the way, leaving Sora to block and counter Kairi.
Riku tried to summon his keyblade, but it wouldn't come.
"Riku, what are you waiting for? Help me!" Sora shouted, parrying another attack and striking out.
"I don't think he wants to help you. I think he likes to see you suffer." Kairi said maliciously.
"Shut up!" Sora cried, swinging the keyblade with all his power and effectively knocking Kairi's sword out of her hands. He then immediately swung at her head, knocking her out.
As Sora turned, Riku's keyblade materialised in his hand.
"A little too late for that now, Riku." Sora was pissed off.
"It's not my fault," Riku protested, "it wouldn't come."
"That's not the only thing that won't be coming anytime soon." Sora had forgotten they had company.
"That's fine, I have a right hand, after all, that is all I've had for a while." Riku retorted, walking over to Selphie and sitting down, his keyblade still in his hand. Sora walked over to Tidus, who was drifting in and out of consciousness.
"He's lost quite a bit of blood. He needs to at least drink something." Sora said.
"I'll get him something." Selphie said, jumping to her feet.
"No, you stay here, I'll go with Wakka." Riku got to his feet, ad Wakka, who had been all but forgotten, also got to his feet, glad of finally having something to do. They both left, absentmindedly stepping over Kairi's limp body.
"That was some lovers tiff you had." Selphie said cautiously, walking over to Sora and sitting next to him.
"It was, wasn't it? I didn't mean to snap like that. I'll apologise when he gets back." Sora had calmed down now.
"The hearts of your saviours are in for a fight." Tidus said, becoming conscious again.
"It's started already." Sora and Selphie jumped up, hearing the deep voice that meant that Kairi was awake again. "It won't be long now. My work here is done." And with that, Kairi turned and ran out of the cave.
"Let's get after her!" Selphie prepared to chase Kairi.
"No!" Sora said, "It might be a trap, we don't know what's outside the cave waiting for us. We'd better wait until Wakka and Riku get back.