Kingdom Hearts: SfE Part 2 - The Final Keyhole and the Mark of Mastery

Eden returned, donning a baggy set of Riku's enchanted attire. The thought of wearing it clearly disgruntled her, but it was warm. "Carries such an odd scent as well, Shadow. Like I can smell everything you've been through... Wait, ignore that." She settled into the group, looking at the bowl before her. She would make a proper meal for everyone, one day. She allowed it to steep, remembering everyone had their own way of making the college delicacy.

 

"well I wouldn't say everything... after all clothes just get in the way of-"Riku paused, shaking his head. "nevermind. you really don't want to know anything about that."he said, turning red. "So we eat up to get our energy back and Then get to work on the keyhole. I like that plan."Valerie was eating her bowl of ramen. "There's still the problem of the keyhole being taken over by darkness. How are we supposed to fix that..."Sora sighed.

"There's always the world of darkness...."Valerie suggested. Sora looked at Valerie looked at her like she was crazy. "No! Nonononono. Thats too dangerous. Darksides are a common enemy there. Doesn't that give an idea of how powerful the heartless are?!"he huffed. "We wouldn't be there long. We fix the keyhole... Hopefully see if we can find Rikus body and get it back. Come back and seal the keyhole. Piece of cake."Valerie smiled.

"If you say so. But that world is definately too dangerous for me in my current condition.."Sora frowned. "Worry wart."Valerie huffed.

 

Eden raised an eyebrow at Sora. "Why do you think I kept Kairi with me? She's a princess of heart, the strongest of Light. She can cleanse the keyhole. Besides, Darksides seem easy. I know how to deal with them. Sora, I know how to fight most Heartless. I've even studied Ansem's reports, nododies... Sorry, going back to those old days, how embarrassing." She found the seasonings steeped enough and ate it, caring not for how long she had let it cool. She just heated it up again, with but a flicker of heat. Her stomach was soon filled, satisfaction grazing her lips. "I apologize, didn't even let you have any."

 

"Its fine. I'll have the oppurtunity to have food again when I get my body back..."Riku sighed. "I guess your right. But it's gonna feel weird being all by myself while you guys are in the land of darkness. I certainly won't need a bodygaurd again with that crazy guy gone..."Sora huffed. "I'm not staying with you. I wants some action this time around!"Valerie laughed. "Especially since I found out my daggers could be elemental."she grinned.

 

"We still can't risk Sora alone. He is more valuable then we are, Valerie. Remember that. Sora, RIku, and Kairi are valuable, we are expendable." Eden warned, thinking low of herself though she herself wielded her own Key. She still kept her ideas and demeanor.

 

"I'll be fine on my own. I may be pregnant but I can still fend for myself. When the guy attacked us it was me and Valerie who mainly took him down."Sora said. "What?!"Riku took over for just a split second, shocked. "Sora! You can't be getting yourself into danger while you're with child!"he snapped. Sora sighed, alittle annoyed that everyone was being so protective. "Fine. But can I have one body gaurd this time? Two would just be a waste."He said.

 

"Fine then. Who will stay. And if no one volunteers, I will stay, but someone will have to be appointed the leader." Eden glanced around, wondering who would be a makeshift leader if she did stay behind. She decided upon Gexln, as he seemed more serious about the situation then the others.

 

"Not me. I've had my action as Sora's bodygaurd."Valerie said. "E-Eden, you can't stay behind. If Riku's body is in the world of darkness they'll need his heart to get it back."Sora said, alittle nervous on Eden staying behind.

 

Jeffrey slurped up some ramen. "I guess I could stay," he replied, shrugging. "Sora's right about Riku's heart needing to be there, and I did less of the work than Val the last time. Out of the four of us, I'm the one with the least need to go."

 

"I wouldn't mind Jeffrey staying...."Sora said with a faint smile. "Alright. I salute you, fellow soldier!"Valerie saluted to Jeffrey. Riku couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. Jeffrey would have to go through the cravings, the mood swings, and Sora's constant whining of them being gone for so long. "So are we going now? Huh, huh?"Valerie had finished her ramen, excited on heading off. "Easy, puppy. Don't get so overexcited."Sora said with a gentle smile.

 

"Then it is settled. We shall be heading out within two hours, so everyone must rest while they can." Eden firmly called out, counting each head coming to the keyhole. She nodded in satisfaction, heading off to a corner where a bed was, and laid down there/

 

"I don't need rest. I'm full of energy and ready to get this thing over and done with already" Gexln said.

 

"Look, I know it's not the best idea now, but some of us have not gotten an hour of sleep within the past few weeks. So please, just some time. To restore some strength." Eden grumbled, her senses fogged from the hazy drowsiness.

 

Riku was already passed out in his haven. Valerie's hyperness quickly faded, the young girl passing out on a bed. Sora managed to get his rest on the way to Australia, but definately didn't mind taking a nap after his exhausting battle.

 

After some tiring resting hours, Eden slowly rose, legs stiff and sore, cracking her back. She was never going to get used to these few hours of sleep at a time, but right now, it was all she could muster. "Everyone, get up." She poked each sleeping individual, until they had awoken.

 

Sora woke up to the baby giving him a harsh kick, groaning. "I don't have to go, little one.."he muttered. Valerie awoke to rolling off the bed. "I'm okay!"She quickly got to her feet.

 

Eden sighed at Valerie, leaving her be to focus on Sora for the moment. "Here." Warming her once icy hands with her breath, she rested a hand upon the stomach, slowly moving it back and forth. She looked dazed while doing it, as if she'd fall over from little sleep.

 

Sora's face turned a rose red, alittle embarrassed. But he was thankful when the baby started to calm down. Attention nut, aren't you? "Augh... everyone ready to go?"Valerie stretched her body out with a small yawn.

 

"Hm?" Eden snapped back into reality, nodding. "Sora, when you can, get a plastic bag of warm water. It'll help." She headed outside, finding the sludge getting closer. She frowned, this wasn't getting better.

 

"We need to go and quick. Before the land is overcome by this sludge."Riku frowned. "C'mooon! We have to hurryyyyy~"Valerie whined.