Before the Fall: Trial by Fire

Before the Fall: “Trial by Fire”

*****

Looks up with big, hurt, emerald eyes.
“What if I don’t want to?” She doesn’t want to cry. Doesn’t want to hurt. Doesn’t want to leave.
Doesn’t want to die.
“You have no choice.” “You must come.” Looming figures above her call, pulling her soul down into the darkness. Her mind is left. The mind is of no use when the body is left behind.
Remembers her life, briefly. “I want to stay.” Mind made up. Doesn’t want to leave. Stubborn.
“You can’t.” Another, kinder, holds out a hand. Pulls up, though still into the darkness. Lets the black surround her, drowning shadows consuming.

*****

Some time earlier…

*****

“Lea, it’s time for you to leave!” Pouts, wanting to leave. Now.
Sigh. “Mai, I promise we’ll make it in time for our song. For now, I need to finish.” Disappears behind a curtain, petticoat skirt swishing.
“You said we’d leave by seven – it’s ten after now.” Whines, then when Lea doesn’t return, flops down into an overstuffed chair, a red one. “Why can’t you ever listen to me?”
Lea returns, sighing, after a few minutes. “Mai, that barely took five minutes. It’ll be okay.”
“Then let’s leave, now.” Mai tugs on Lea’s hand, but the other pulls back.
“And go in this?” Both laugh. Lea turns away, behind another curtain to change.
“I don’t think our friends want to see your work clothes from Illicit,” laughs Mai. Shakes her head. “It’s not exactly…”
“Appropriate?”
Smiles, then laughs again. “Exactly,” Mai says. She taps the watch face impatiently, pulling the club-ready Lea through the back door.
To freedom.

*****

“Can’t you find another job, Lea? I worry about you sometimes.” Concern in her voice, though is barely audible above the music blasting from the speakers beside the stage.
“She’s fine, Arlene. Don’t worry.”
“I was asking Lea, not you, Mai.” Rolling her eyes. Doesn’t trust the unnatural, black-haired girl. Arlene moves just as easily to the beat as her friends, eyes scanning the crowd for someone.
“Looking for her?” Mai says, the dim lights adding to her cynical grin. Lerena.
A blush. Arlene turns away. “Maybe,” she mumbles.
Laughs. She can be so cruel sometimes. Lea turns back to her partner. Smiles.
“Our song.”
“I told you we’d be in time for it.” Pulls Lea toward her. Both dance, side by side.
“Unable to focus on anything but your surrender…So delighted with a new understanding…Spent and sighing with a look in your eyes…”
“Sweet revelation,” Lea whispers.
“Sweet…surrender,” Mai finishes. She makes her way closer to her other, warm flesh making contact. Both give a near-ecstatic smile.
By the end of the song, both are out of breath. Both covered in perspiration, the moisture on their skin dripping. The air has warmed significantly, enough for Mai to pull her outer shirt off. Only a tight-fitting tube top underneath. Black. A broken image centered on the fabric, two halves of the same fabric heart, cut.

*****

Hours later, Mai and Lea say goodbye to their friends. Arlene and Lerena return to their apartment, leaving the other two under a streetlight in Radiant Garden.
“They never showed up,” Lea said softly. Though the four friends had remained at Temptations from opening in the late evening until closing time, neither of the other two friends that made up their circle of six had showed up.
“It’s okay,” Mai murmurs, wrapping her arms around her partner. “I’m sure Sai and Jou are just…caught up in something.” Touches her lips to Lea’s ear. The smaller, red-head shivers.
“Caught up?” she breathes.
Mai smiles. “You know what I mean, koi.”
Lea shuts her eyes in content, sighing. “You get me every time you call me that, you know.”
“That’s why I call you that.” Smirk. “I know your weakness.”
“Oh, do you?” Lea’s eyes fly open, turning to look at her other. “What would that be?”
“Me.” The red-head lowers her eyes. “You know it’s true.”
A small smile, though reluctant to admit. “I…I guess so,” she admits finally, softly. The streetlight flickers.
“We should find a taxi to take us home,” Mai says, looking at her watch.
“Why not drive?” Lea frowns.
“You’ve had too much to drink, koi,” Mai teases, tapping Lea’s nose lightly. The redhead is a few inches shorter, enough to give the older something to tease her about.
“Just a margarita or two,” she protests, stumbling back a step. Laughter from her partner. She frowns again. “It’s not funny.”
“Is too.”

*****

Back at the apartment. Finally. Both lie on the couch, exhausted. Silence. The rain pounds on the balcony door, started just after they managed to flag a taxi.
“Do you ever wonder about other worlds?”
A curious stare. “Why?”
“I don’t know.” Lea shrugs. “I was just wondering.”
“Weird.”
More silence. Thunder. A flash of lightning. The raven-haired dreamer stares out the window at the rain.
“It’s late.”
Agrees. “We should get some sleep. You’re working tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah.” A nod. “I have to finish her dress.”
“Lerena’s?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“It’s blue, right? The pale, periwinkle kind you save for your friends?”
“For my friends?” Glare. “Are you kidding me? I hate that material. It’s so sparkly…my whole workspace is covered in glitter afterward. I prefer the black satin and red silk.” Settles back into the plush, silky couch.
“Are you going to finish mine soon?”
“Maybe.” Smiles coyly. “But you have to pay me first.”
Pouts. “What if I don’t have the money right now? I don’t get paid until next week.”
“I wasn’t talking about money.”
“Ah?” Green eyes widen, then narrow. “Ah.”
“Well?”
“I haven’t got anything to pay you with like that, either.” Keeps a straight face.
“You—!” exasperatedly says, pouncing on the other. “I’m going to make you pay…! Kyaah!”
Both fall onto the floor, laughing and fighting amongst the down pillows scattered on the floor. Stop suddenly. Sigh together.
Mai stands up, pulling her other to her feet. Then pulls her into the bedroom, draws the curtains on the four-poster bed.
Dive into the realm of uncertainty. Who knows when they’ll return? All they know is each other…in the moment.

*****

Spark.
Flame.
A gust of wind dances across the window and doubles back when it sees the open window.

*****

“It’s so hot in here…”
“It’s just you, Lea.” A laugh.
“Mm.” Bolts upright. “No, it’s not.”
“What?” Her partner sits up, wrapping the crimson silk sheets around her torso. Sniffs the air. “Smoke?”
“Could someone just be cooking?”
Shakes her head. “No, it does smell like a fire to me.”
Both get up, throwing on their clothes from the night before. Lea touches the doorknob. Gasps. Steps back.
“It…it’s hot…” she stammers, fear growing in her eyes.
“Hot?” Eyebrows furrow, confused. Reaches out toward the knob. Gasps. “What…”
Taking a shirt discarded on the floor Mai twists the knob sharply, wrenching the door open. Eyes widen.
Flames dance in the once-beautiful living room – now charred, smoky, unrecognizable. Lea screams softly. “Fire? But…where did it come from?”
“I don’t know…” Mai’s voice – so calm and stable most of the time – shakes, her body following suite. She is scared. Going to die? Fear surges through both Mai and Lea’s veins, causing them to clutch at each other. It’s a known fact that when in fear you lose your senses. You’re left defenseless.
“Mai…I’m scared.”
Of course. The apartment is on the third floor – and no fire escape.
“If we die, I’m coming back to haunt the idiot of an architect who designed this place,” spat Mai, pulling Lea closer. Looks for a way out. Flames block the living room, the closet, the bathroom, the kitchen –
The kitchen. The stove.
Mai’s eyes widen even more with double fear and realization. “Lea…” she chokes, feeling the smoke start to fill her lungs. “The…kitchen…” Sinks below the cloud of smoke, pulling Lea with her. Hugs her tightly. “I…”
Lea nods silently, tears filling her frightened emerald eyes. “Are we going to die?”
Lips tremble. “I don’t know,” she says softly, tucking a strand of hair behind Lea’s ear. “But if we do…”
Clutches her lover tightly, the redhead violently shaking. “I love you, Mai.”
Closes her eyes. “I do too, Lea. I love you, too.”

*****

Explosion rocks the night, jarring the citizens of the town awake.
What?
What’s wrong?
Did something just happen?
I heard something – an explosion?
Questions – questions, and no answers.
The firefighters arrive – arrive, but too late.
Everything’s too late.
Too late for them.

*****

Charred remains recovered – two lovers, embraced in each other’s arms.
“Who are they?”
“So sad.”
“A real tragedy.”
Who were they?
Why didn’t they flee?
Why did they stay if they knew they were going to die?
Death – a relief for them, perhaps?
Suicide?

*****

Sai and Jou hold each other tightly, each wearing a black rose in honor of their friends.
Arlene and Lerena weep quietly, tears never ending. Both wear black – saddened by the deaths of two best friends at once, ones they had just seen that night.
“I never got to apologize for never coming,” Sai murmurs, tightening his grip on Jou’s torso. “I…I feel so guilty…”
“It’s not your fault,” Jou replies softly. “Just think that they’re in a better place…they’re not oppressed anymore.”
Truth lies in Jou’s words – neither Lea nor Mai would be shunned for their love.
But what none of their friends knew was what happened to them…
Much later.

*****

Scream. Drowning. Crying.
“Let me go!”
Won’t let go – too tight a hold. A hold like her lover’s…soft, sweet, caring…
Cold. Her lover wasn’t cold. The ice surrounds her heart, rips it out of her soul, tosses it into the air for the stars to devour. A cry of pain.
Weeping.
“Don’t cry.”
Looks up – frightened eyes – doesn’t know where she is – doesn’t know anything.
“You shouldn't have emotions. You have no heart anymore.”
“That can’t stop me from remembering,” she whispers. Anger rising – resent, hate, bitterness for her lover being ripped away so cruelly.
“Yes, it…” Pauses. Silence. “You’re right. A lack of a heart can’t stop you from remembering. But it can try to stop you from loving.”
Shock of realization. Fright. Fear. A void of emptiness likes where her heart was – where her love was for Lea.
“You’re a Heartless now. Your heart was weak. You’ve left your old life behind and are now a new creature – a Heartless, my masterpiece.”
“Masterpiece?” Disgust. Eyes flash.
“You’re a special one – you keep your form, human, while acquiring new powers. You can’t feel emotions but you can feel the power. Embrace it.”
Closes her eyes. Feels the power. Licks her lips – it’s wonderful. “Almost like the taste of pain.”
“I thought you might like it.”
Opens her eyes – catlike, ice blue, glowing. Hair, silver, flows down her back. “What would you like me to do first?”
Smile. “I’m ordering you to patrol an area in Hollow Bastion. Keep your eyes open for a certain Keyblader.”
Nods. “Hollow Bastion,” she muses. “I like the name.”
“And your name – Yue. A name fit for a moon goddess.”

*****

Gasps. Pain. Agony.
“Help.”
There is no help – rips the support from under her, pulls her down in to the nothingness, a infinite void.
Nothing she had ever known had tortured her like this – pain unbeknownst to humankind. Pain so much it’s unbearable.
“You can’t feel it. You have nothing to feel.”
Looks around in confusion, fear, hope of help. “Who are you?”
“You’re in a place between worlds, between life, death, and existence. You do not exist.”
What?
“You’re destined to be a Nobody – your heart was strong. You’re the kind we need.”
“I’m…I’m dead, then?” chokes out, barely able to say it.
A nod from the shadows. “Though you wouldn’t know it.”
Fire. A fire rises in her chest. “What…!” she begins, in fear and pain.
“It’s your power – death by fire, and you learn how to wield it. Learn to use it. Use fire as your ally.”
“But…I don’t want it…” Shrinks away from the fire. Surges up again, tearing at her body. Won’t give in.
“You’re a Nobody now. Embrace your power. You’re here to help.”
Struggles against it, not wanting her destiny.
“Please.”
A gentle voice whispers in her ear – caring?
“Take it. It’s either this…or worse.”
“Worse?”
Nod.
Bites her lip, unsure. Reluctantly accepts it.
“There you go. Take my hand.” Reaches out from the shadows, takes Lea’s hand. Pulls her into the nothingness.

*****

Blinks, eyes clearing of shadow. “Where am I?” Starts, hearing a voice unfamiliar to her ears.
“You aren’t Lea anymore.”
Turns around. Sees a group of six – seven – men, all dressed in pitch-black trench coats, staring down at the new arrival.
“We are Nobodies, simply shells of our old lives.”
“We shed our hearts along with our names.”
“Accept a new name along with a new life.”
“You have to accept it.”
“It’s your destiny.”
“Take it.”
Hears the sixth voice – the one heard in the darkness. Short, purplish hair. Eyes downcast. “It’s your destiny.” Had he accepted it already?
“You’re Axel now.”
Snapped back to reality. “Axel?” Looks out the window, reflection visible. Gasps. Lea…Axel…blinks, not wanting to accept what she…he…was seeing.
“What’s going on?” whispers.
“You’re the opposite of your past life. You’re to leave it all behind.”
Shakes head. Squeezes eyes shut. Doesn’t want to. Wants it all back. Runs outside, outside into the rain. Wants to cry. Misses Mai.
But where are the tears?
Eyes open in surprise. Where is the emotion? Where are the tears?
“Nobodies can’t feel. We have no emotions. We have no hearts. That’s what Kingdom Hearts is for.” The purple-haired man points up at the sky, to a heart-shaped moon. Looking back at Axel, with soft eyes, waves his hand. A door, made entirely of shadows, appears. “The Superior wants you to go to Hollow Bastion. Survey the area. Report back. First mission – don’t screw it up. Do well and there’ll be something in it for you.”
Was that a hint of a smirk in his smile? Confusion, watches the other man turn away back into the dark building. Sighs. Walks back into the shadow.

*****

“Kyah!” Falls. Hard. “I think I need to work on that.”
“Aw, a Nobody having trouble with a silly Darkness Portal?”
Growls. Looks up. Sees a silver-haired woman, silver wings outstretched behind her. “And who are you?”
“I’m Yue. The Moon Goddess.” Flicks her wrist. White ribbons lash out, binding Axel’s arms to his sides. "Nice to meet you...ah...?” Pauses.
“Axel.” Eyes narrow. Why does she seem so…familiar? Shakes head. "Sweet revelation," he mutters.  Surprised at his own words, unsure of where they came from.
“Revelation,” she murmurs. "Sweet surrender..." Eyes widen, staring at the red-haired man in shock.
“What?”
The ribbons drop, coiling into a pile then winding themselves back around Yue’s wrists.
“You…”
Eyes widen as well. “Mai?”
Both stand, frozen, before Yue launches herself at former lover, tears trickling from her eyes. “Lea.”
Axel remains motionless, unsure of what to do. “Mai…”
Looks up with wide blue eyes, saddened. “What?”
“I don’t think this will work.”
“Why not? We’re both alive, and…” she looks Axel up and down, blushing slightly, “Despite the fact you’re…a man now, things can still work.” Voice hopeful, false cheer evident in it.
Shakes head, pulls away.
Tears form in the emotionless eyes. “Lea…” she whispers, reaching out.
Again, Axel shakes his head. “No.”
Closes eyes against the pain, then lashes out again with the ribbons. “Then you’ll experience what I’m feeling now, Axel!” Sends icy energy through them, relaying pain to Axel’s nerves.
Cries out in pain, then summons the fire he hates so much. Burns the ribbons. Sees the Moon Goddess’ eyes widen in fear and remembrance. Arms extend. Tugs on something, invisible.
Two disk-like chakrams form from the flames, spiked, surrounded by fire. Slashes out at the ribbons, burns them, reducing the white silk to ash.
Pins Yue to the ground, chakrams pointed at her throat. “Looks like I win.” Smirks. “I never won. I was always the kind, submissive one. Now look who’s the uke.”
Yue bites her lip, drawing blood. Struggling to find control. “It’s easier to run than trying to find the truth again. This is goodbye, Lea.” Clenches her eyes shut, looks away, disappearing back into the shadows.
Smirks. Stands up straight. Feels…power.
“You passed.”
Looks around. Sees the purple-haired man…Zexion, was it? “What?”
“You passed the test. You’re part of Organization XIII. You passed with flying colors, as the Superior says.” Reaches out, pulling Axel back into the Darkness Portal, back…home. “Your trial by fire.”