Ambivalence [Raen, Zack, Zexion]

[Zack]

Zack was so close to landing the hit. So close! Just as he was coming down, the orb exploded throwing him away from Zexion. The attack was quite fierce and he was surprised by how much damage it had done. He landed on the grown, a bit hard. After a few moments of trying to regain his breath, he stood back up, using his sword to help himself up. He was panting a bit heavily now, but he still had some fight in him and had his sword ready for anything more.

Zexion started talking some more, saying how the battle was unnecessary. Well the guy started it all by summoning up those heartless! Where did this guy get off on calling it unnecessary all of a sudden? He looked over and saw Raen down on one knee and Lanying was just lying on the ground. They were obviously in worse shape then he was, but he still wasn't in all that great a shape now himself after that attack.

He listened to both Raen and Lanying and then decided to add in to that as well. "Same here. I won't let the darkness consume you," he told Raen. He stayed ready for a fight, just in case that Zexion guy decided to go at it again. He hoped though that the guy would just leave, he wasn't so sure about being able to take him down anymore after that last attack.

[Fate]

Parting Words
Scent of Silence by Yoko Shimomura

This touching little moment was doing nothing for Zexion, his face as blank as it always was. Raen's friends were not going to let him fall into darkness it seemed, showing the emotion of caring and concern. These of course were beyond the Nobody, who only could understand them from an intellectual level. Though, he was not sure he could truly remember what it was like to feel something for another human being; he was not sure if he cared for anyone in particular when he was whole, but he was not about to dwell on that at the moment.

He looked back to Raen, nodding his head. "I suppose it was then," he commented, a slight smirk sneaking onto his face before fading away once again. He glanced to the others briefly, a grave stare in his eyes. "I trust that you will all keep to your words then. I do not doubt that you want to bear even more of a resemblance to me." This was obviously to Raen, though he felt he did not even need to make eye contact with him to get his point across.

A Corridor of Darkness sounded behind him, signaling his decision to leave. He did not need to linger here any longer, though perhaps he could give these fighters something to consider. "I leave you with one last warning. There is currently a man that is considered to be a 'tool of darkness'. He is very powerful and has an exceedingly large amount of control over the darkness. He also possesses the ability to taint one's heart with that darkness, resulting in further corruption." His tone dropped there, letting the words sink in before he continued. "I advise that you do not attempt to fight him; if you cannot even defeat me, then you stand no chance against this man."

He said no more, choosing against telling the three that he was on a mission to look for this man. He let the Corridor of Darkness absorb him and disappeared, leaving Neverland behind as he continued, yet again, on this mission. Would he meet any of them again? Whoever knew at this point; that was something Zexion was unsure of. There was also uncertainty surrounding whether or not he would even see Raen again in this form; he could very well let the darkness consume him, becoming a Heartless or a Nobody. If so, then things would certainly be more... interesting.

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[Nothingness]

The Sound of Serenity

Seeing that Lanying and Zack were safe and hearing them vow to keep the darkness from consuming him meant more to Raen than he could say. All that he really could tell them was, "Thanks." When Zexion opened another of his dark corridors, he left a message for the trio: that there was a man with control over the darkness, so powerful that he could actually corrupt one's heart, and that they should avoid encountering him. Raen knew that he would have to avoid that man at all costs, at least until he had finally gained control over the darkness. However, he didn't see that happening soon: he could still feel some of the darkness pulsing in his heart, waiting to break free even though the fight was over.

And then the Nobody was gone--just like that. Raen stumbled on to his feet, wobbling towards a rock for support, feeling a sharp jolt of pain in his back that spread and dulled throughout the rest of his body. A part of him was glad that Zexion was gone, but he was also left with a rather bitter taste in his mouth from the whole ordeal. He knew that Zexion was a manipulator, but he couldn't deny the truth in his words and more or less agreed with him on all points. Still, at least they were all alive. Weariness was evident in his voice as he spoke to Lanying and Zack, "Well...I can't think of anything to really say, nor do I particularly want too. Should we stay here a little while and recover a little, or head out? Personally I'd prefer we rest here a little while."

Absolute truth be told, the only thing Raen wanted to do right now was lie down and sleep, but it would be selfish to force them to stay if they didn't want too. He really didn't care where, but he just needed some down time. Too much had happened at once, and he just needed some time to process all of it. He needed to understand the darkness in his heart and he wasn't going to be able to do that in his present state, nor would he be able to if he was constantly traveling and fighting.

Raen couldn't stand up any longer. His back slid down the rock until he was sitting, letting one leg lay straight down on the island while the other leg's knee was propped up. He exhaled deeply and closed his eyes, resting his head against the cool rock. And that's when it felt like he was truly hearing it: the sound of the ocean. "So peaceful. Nothing matters to it; the rhythm of this world." He was finding it hard to stay awake right now. For some reason it sounded musical to him, like some distant lullaby sung by a mother to her child. It was strange, yet comforting. He felt like the melody could consume him, but he wasn't afraid of that--he welcomed that. Being blanketed in something so gentle. And with those last calm thoughts, he drifted away along the tide of dreams.

[Zack]

Zack stood ready for anything that may happen. However Zexion just started talking some more as some dark portal appeared behind him. He told them about a man who controlled the darkness and could taint other's hearts with it, warning them that he was extremely powerful. And then he just left, leaving Zack there confused. Why did he give them that warning after fighting them? It didn't seem to make sense to him.

Zack put his sword away, glad that they could now catch a breather. He looked over and Raen had moved to rest against a rock. He asked about whether they should stay and rest or get going, saying he'd prefer the former. And then he just kind of collapsed, resting against the rock. He looked over back and Lanying and it didn't seem like either of them were going to be able to move for awhile. "Doesn't look like we have much of a choice," he said aloud smirking.

He started walking over to Raen. "Be right back for ya Lanying, I'm going to grab Raen first and get him onto the ship," he told her as he walked over. He had no problems getting Raen up over his shoulder and walked him to the ship. He sat him down against one of the walls in the ship, since there really weren't any good places to lay him down. He then went back out for Lanying.

"You ready? he asked her as he picked her up in his arms. "Oof, heavier than you look," he teased, though he wasn't sure if she would appreciate the comment or not. He then started to walk her over to the ship.

[Aerith]

Sleep Not Entirely Free of Worry

Zexion obviously enjoyed talking, since he did more of it before finally leaving through an odd portal of darkness. With the exit of the Nobody, Lanying could at last relax completely. The news of this powerful dark force was a faint concern tucked into a remote corner of her mind. Unless this person were to show up right this very moment, she did not care to think about him too much. Rest was a top priority, and she was glad when Raen said that he would prefer to rest, as well.

She watched him slide down a rock and drift off to sleep. It was a strange scene. She had never seen him sleep before, but he looked peaceful, almost as though none of events that had just taken place had happened. In that moment, he did not look at all dangerous, like the ticking time bomb she feared his heart might be. If only he could stay that peaceful forever. Wishful thinking had never worked for her before, and it probably would not do so now.

Her own desire to sleep was overwhelming, and her eyelids fluttered slowly closed. She heard Zack moving around, saying something about getting Raen and coming back for her. She rolled over onto her back, inhaling deeply of the salty sea air and enjoying the way the breeze caressed her face. It was not long before Zack returned, and she felt herself being scooped up into his arms. He made a joke about her being heavy, and had she had the strength to do so, she probably would have slapped him. Not out of malice, of course. It would have been in good fun. As things stood, she managed to mutter a soft retort. "I suppose you will need to train harder. You won't be very much good to all those damsels in distress heroes have to rescue." She paused, lost in her thoughts for a moment. "He will be all right...won't he?" The exhaustion took its toll, and she leaned her head against Zack's shoulder as sleep claimed her.

[Zack]

Zack heard Lanying give a retort about training harder to rescue damsels in distress and he laughed at that. "Yeah I guess I'll have to," he replied to her. He could have come up with another retort, but Lanying seemed close to falling asleep like Raen was. So he didn't really say much to her as he carried her to the ship.

He yawned himself as they got closer to the ship. It looked like they were all just going to rest up on the ship for awhile. Right before he started walking into the ship, Lanying spoke again and asked if Raen would be okay. He wasn't sure how to answer that right away. Would Raen be okay? Messing around with the darkness wasn't something one usually walked away from in one piece. However, Raen was most likely different from those others. Raen had Lanying and Zack to guide him back to the light if he got in too deep.

He felt Lanying's head touch his shoulder and looked down. She had gone to sleep. They all needed it after that fight. "Yeah, he will be. We'll make sure of it," he answered and entered the ship.