-1Hope all who read ‘Is This What We Deserve’ enjoy this newer version of the story

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They huddled together, gripping each other for dear life and praying it was all just a horrible nightmare. It was a moonless night, but the pale orb’s light was unneeded for them to see the horrific sight playing out before them. Strange dark creatures ran amuck throughout the town, pouncing on helpless victims; women, men, children, even the elderly. Each time one of them struck, a small, glowing pink object would be pulled from that person’s chest and enter the black being.

Buildings burned from the fire spat out by floating red beings, while the small black creatures and few covered in armor attacked their friends and neighbors. The smaller of the two tightened her grip on the older female, tears making two clean trails on her otherwise dirty face.

“Where are they?!” she cried, brushing a few strands of her matted brown hair out of her face.

“I don’t know!” shouted the other woman over the roars of the terrified town.

The two hid themselves underneath a stoop, waiting for their husbands to come into sight. All of Radiant Gardens had run passed them, except the two most important people. A shriek came from her childhood friend. Glancing over she saw two of the smaller black creatures peering out at them from the darkness. Their glowing yellow eyes focusing intently on them. The small terrors pounced and there was an agonizing pain shooting throughout their whole bodies and then nothing.

--

Risha shot up from her makeshift bed in the ravine cave. Her long violet hair clung to her naked skin which had been drenched in sweat. She hugged the fur skin blanket in front of her chest, her breath labored. Grabbing a hold of the oddly designed cloak her counterpart stole for clothing and swiftly covering herself, she traveled up the caverns illuminated halls until she came upon the entrance. Clouds rumbled across the skies, ready to bring the rain the land was in such desperate need of.

Gently she leaned against the cold rock wall, running a pale hand through her purple hair. Her thoughts returning to her strange dreams. Why was she having them? What was their meaning? Was there any meaning at all? She had woken up in this ravine, she and Azara. Neither had any prior memories of who they were, where they were or what happened to them. They had stolen clothes and food in the dead of night, created names for themselves and made a “home” in the crystal caves carved into the mountain walls to hide from the world’s people. All they could learn from reading old newspapers was that the world they inhabited was called Hallow Bastian, formally known as Radiant Garden.

That name was too familiar for comfort. Radiant Garden. Just like the old castle on the other end of the valley. The two women felt drawn to it, but didn’t dare go any closer then they were. The rain began to fall, obscuring her view of the damaged palace hidden in silhouette.

A pebble bounced off a larger rock and landed at her bare feet. Glancing over her shoulder she found her only friend standing in the light of the glowing crystals.

“Azara? What are you doing up?”

“The dreams. I know they plague you too.”

Risha looked out towards the valley which was beginning to flood slightly from the heavy rainfall.

“Do you think they mean anything, Risha? Could our nightmares be the key to unlocking the past?”

The violet haired woman shook her head and looked back at her black haired friend. “I don’t know. Perhaps it’s better we not know of what has been, and focus on what lay before us instead.”

“But don’t you think we ought to know? We deserve answers to our questions.”

“Maybe.”

--

Xemnas shot upright from his position at his desk, only half awake. A document that had stuck to his forehead while he slept slumped forward just enough so the Organization leader’s face was only visible from the nose down if you were looking at him head on. The mocha skinned male sighed heavily and gently pealed the attacking paper from his being.

His orange eyes scanned the room for any intruders. No one was in the dimly lit office, yet a presence had disturbed him from his…”work”. He glanced out a set of large windows over looking the vacant city. Kingdom Hearts shone brightly. ‘Brighter then usual.’ mused the stoic leader.

A smile spread across his thin lips and a light chuckle rumbled in his chest. His bright amber eyes starred at the giant heart in the sky hungrily.

“That can only mean one thing. The true keys of Kingdom Hearts are near.”

--

Risha still stood at the mouth of the cavern, lost in thought. She knew that they needed to find answers. Why did they have those awful nightmares? And who exactly were the women they dreamed about?
Azara had gone back into the darkness of the cave to build a small fire. It was a chilly night, and the rain had started to pour down in giant droplets. Risha shivered and joined her companion by the fire, which was barely warm enough for both of them. There was a long silence as the two women stared into the flames. Azara was the one to break it.

"Risha..." Her friend looked up at her, but she continued to stare into the fire. "...we can't stay here for much longer. We need answers, or it will drive us mad." She raised her head to Risha, who nodded slightly.

"You're right. We don't have to keep living in this cave like primitives. And I must admit, the dreams are getting worse with each passing night."
"Mine are too." Azara agreed. Another long pause.

"We will leave in the morning when the sun is out. For now, let's try to get some rest." She stood and sauntered over to her makeshift bed to lay down. Azara also stood, and mumbled under her breath.

"That's wishful thinking..."

--

He ached in a place he knew he didn’t have. His cold golden eyes took in the heart shaped moon of the World That Never Was. It paled in beauty to…her. That strange woman who haunted his dreams. Saix pinched the bridge of his nose. Who was she? Why did he feel like he knew her?

--

Axel bolted upright in his bed. Franticly he looked around the overly white room.

“The hell?” he mumbled, half asleep.

Lazily he rubbed his eyes and laid back down on the bed, starring up at the empty ceiling. He let out a heavy sigh. He was willing to be munny that he’d look like hell in the morning. Sleep, as of late, had been a luxury he couldn’t afford. Dreams woke him in the unholiest of hours, plagued by Heartless and a woman he couldn’t quite remember.

“Why do I know you?” asked the red-head as he slowly returned to the world of sleep.

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Ya’ll know the drill