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Kingdom Hearts: Dark Dawn	By : RotSeele Category: Kingdom Hearts > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 3168 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts. I do not make any money from this story.

Chapter List
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Twenty-Five - Lumina Cross

The preparations for battle took less time than Kaoru thought they would. Most of it consisted with packing up the current camp and herding the children into the deeper tunnels. The old man Rinally had healed went with them, holding the hands of some of the younger children so they wouldn’t get lost. Kai wouldn’t say where they were going, only that they would be safer when they got there. Then, Kaoru, Kai, and Rinally left the abandoned camp and headed into the tunnels themselves, following Kai through myriad passageways until they emerged into an subbasement of a building. It was completely pitch black, which meant that Kaoru and Rin were once more relying on Kai to lead the way. It didn’t take long for the redhead to find a hidden latch that opened a trap door, and he guided Rin and Kaoru up through it and into the actual basement.
Surrounding them were a dozen or more adults, each one holding a weapon of some kind, and each one aiming it at the strangers. Kai held up his hand, focusing on a man near the back of the rather hostile group.
“They’re with me,” he said.
“Who are they?” the man asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Kai nodded. “The blonde is a Keyblade Wielder. His name is Kaoru. The girl is Rin; she’s a witch. She healed Lars.”
The man’s eyes went wide. “He’s alive?”
“The only survivor. He’s with the children. He’s leading the kids to that place.”
The group surrounding them began to whisper among themselves, and then slowly, the weapons drew back, allowing the teenagers to emerge more fully out of the trap door and then stand. Kaoru studied the men and women surrounding them. A handful of resistance fighters against a trained army? What were they thinking?
The man stepped forward and offered his hand to Kaoru. “My name is Ioshua. I’m the leader of the resistance. I’m glad you’ve come. If you truly are a Keyblade Wielder, then you’ll be a valuable asset.”
Kaoru took Ioshua’s hand timidly. The man had a powerful grip. His skin was criss-crossed with scars, and lines creased his face, especially around his eyes. “I still don’t know what’s really going on.”
Ioshua glanced at Kai, then focused on Kaoru and Rin again. “Lumina Cross is ruled by a monarchy. Or it used to be. About ten years ago, the last Princeps decided that Lumina Cross would become an open world, so that we could meet new people, learn new things, perhaps even increase trade. There was a huge plan to open up a port for gummi ships, new restaurants, and other things besides. What you see up there, all those signs, was the beginning of the Princeps’ idea. But others didn’t think that opening Lumina Cross was what was best. Everyone had heard of the story of Sora, the young Keyblade Master. Everyone had heard of the Heartless. People were afraid that if Lumina Cross became an open world, then the Heartless would invade. Or that something else equally destructive might happen. It took the Princeps months to convince people to take the chance.”
“But,” said Kai, “his dreams never came to pass.”
“Why?” Rin asked.
“Secundus assassinated him.” Ioshua answered softly. His eyes, Kaoru noticed, showed real pain. “Secundus leads a group of people who wanted to open Lumina Cross, but only for those who could pay the toll. He wanted to make Lumina Cross a place where the poor worked long hours and for little pay in order to support the extravagant lifestyles of those who had thrown their lot in with him. Many of the people who you see living above the surface are people who have either paid to live there, or have promised Secundus something. The rest of the population you never see. They’re either in the mines, working to death, or they’re part of the resistance.”
“That seems pretty cruel.” Rin replied.
“For whatever reason, Secundus believes that he can keep power by shaping things the way he wants them to be.” Ioshua said. “He’s completely delusional. Lumina Cross is so poor that in just a few years time, even those who are in his favor won’t be able to live. But every time we try to convince them of that, they just want us to work harder.”
“And Secundus does whatever he can to hunt down the members of the resistance.” Kai said. “We try to remove him, but he’s untouchable. The closest we got was earlier, when you showed up.”
Kaoru was quiet for a minute. Then he looked at Ioshua. “Have there been any strangers here recently? Maybe meeting with Secundus?”
“Can’t say that I’ve seen anyone. Secundus is paranoid. He won’t allow anyone near him unless they’re one of his constructs. I’ve seen him kill one of his own advisors when the man started speaking about darkness and light, and how Secundus’s actions were endangering our world.”
“Is he afraid of darkness?”
“More like, he’s scared of darkness and light.”
Kaoru and Rin exchanged looks. It seemed as though they were now being pulled into a civil war between two different schools of thought. Granted, Secundus had shown both of them that he was a bad person, perhaps not inherently evil, but definitely someone who needed to be stopped. The problem was, the resistance didn’t prove that they were any better. Kaoru didn’t want to end up using Guardian to bring down the current Princeps, only have Lumina Cross come under the control of someone who was worse. Not that he was sure what he would be paving the way for would be worse, but from his point of view, he was doing a lot of interfering that didn’t have to deal with the Heartless. A lot of interfering that didn’t have to do with the true purpose of the Keyblades.
So he looked at Ioshua and said, “I promised Kai that we would help you, but I don’t think this kind of situation is meant for a Keyblade. I’m not saying I’m reneging on my promise, I’m just saying I may not be able to use my Keyblade to fight.”
“I understand. Keyblades are meant to fight against the forces of Darkness. They’re not meant to destroy dictators, no matter how awful they are. Still,” Ioshua said, “just knowing you’re with us may make Secundus think twice.” He clapped Kaoru on the shoulder, then turned to the gathered men and women. “We have to move carefully and smart. Secundus is definitely expecting a counterattack. He’ll have holed himself up there, and surrounded it with his constructs. If we want to end this today, we have to strike a decisive blow, one Secundus won’t be able to recover from.”
The men and women surrounding them nodded, making soft noises of confirmation.
“Also, we’re going to split into groups. If we move through the city in a large mob, we’re going to be seen before we want to be. We’ll take different paths and then meet at the fountain. It’s about that time, so we should be able to hide in the crowd. Once the show starts, we should be able to slip around and to the Princeps’ Residence. Kai, I want you to stay with Kaoru and Rin. They’re going to be our trump cards, so I don’t want them getting into danger. Understand me?”
Kaoru looked over at Kai, noting how the redhead stood slightly apart from the rest of them, with his arms crossed over his chest in a defensive position. He was staring at Ioshua as if the man had said the exact opposite thing that Kai had been wanting to hear. He remembered what Kai had told him, about how Secundus had been responsible for his parents’ deaths, and how much he wanted to get revenge. Kaoru had probably taken that hope away by saying he wouldn’t use his Keyblade to help, but it seemed as if Ioshua was taking measures to not allow Kai to fight.
But Kai only said, “Yeah.”
After that it was a flurry of carefully controlled motion. People slipped out of the building through different hidden doors in groups of one, two, or three. They hid their weapons inside coats or backpacks, or dressed them up as other things, like umbrellas or canes. Soon it was just Ioshua, Kai, Kaoru, and Rin left in the building. Ioshua drew Kai aside and gripped tight to the boy’s shoulder as they spoke in low tones. Kai gestured angrily, his eyes burning with rage. Ioshua just shook his head, said something, and Kai stiffened before deflating in defeat. He nodded, but it was clear he didn’t like submitting. Then Ioshua turned to Kaoru and Kai, nodded to them, and left.
Silence reigned in the basement for a while.
Then Kai blew out a breath. “Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?” Rin asked.
“Like Ioshua said. The water fountain.”
Kaoru fell into step beside Kai when they emerged onto the street. Kai walked tensely, his eyes ever forward. There was a sternness to his jaw that hadn’t been there before Ioshua had said whatever he’d said to him. To Kaoru, Kai looked like someone ready for a fight and determined to find one, just to be able to cut loose and release the pent-up anger and frustration that currently filled his body. Rin walked behind them, studying the neon signs and the doorways they passed, keeping close to avoid bumping into other people on the street. There seemed to be a cloud of tension throughout the entire city. People walked by with heads bowed, not making eye contact with anyone. Even teenagers like Kaoru, Rin, and Kai were hurrying to get off the streets instead of hanging out at arcades or cafes.
“Does everyone know what happened?” Rinally asked in a whisper. “With the attack, I mean.”
Kai nodded. “Secundus broadcasts it. Makes sure everyone watches. It’s a reminder never to get on his bad side. To never look beyond what you’re allotted.”
“Do you really want him dead?” Kaoru asked quietly.
“Of course I do!” Kai growled. “He killed my parents! He’s killed my friends! He’s made the lives of everyone hell! Everything he’s doing, it isn’t the actions of a benevolent leader who thinks about his people’s well-being! He’s just doing whatever he wants, and makes sure that it’s his pockets that are filled with riches. No one deserves to live without hope. No one deserves to live being used as stepping stones by those who think they’re better. I’m going to bring him down, and I’m going to make sure he pays for everything he’s done.”
“When you seek revenge,” Kaoru whispered, “dig two graves.”
Rin looked at him startled, but Kai only looked confused. Kaoru met Kai’s gaze evenly. “It’s a saying. It means that when you kill the person you’re after, you’ll be killed yourself.”
Kai scoffed. “If that were true, then we wouldn’t have this problem.”
Rinally wrapped her hand around Kaoru’s wrist, staying the words that were about to come out of his mouth. She drew him back a little bit. “He isn’t going to stop,” she whispered to him. “He’s going to keep fighting, until either Secundus is dead, or he is.”
Kaoru watched Kai’s back as they walked through the streets, taking all sorts of twists and turns as they headed toward their destination. Kai’s back was tight and stiff with anger, and his step was heavy and determined. Rin’s words echoed in Kaoru’s mind, a constant reminder that this person in front of him would risk everything to achieve what he wanted. There was no middle ground, no grey area for Kai. It was all or nothing. Kaoru clenched his fist. He didn’t want anyone else to die. Oh, he knew people died all the time. That was the way of life. But to have a life cut short, to have it violently taken away, that was what he didn’t want. Suddenly he realized that, if he wasn’t here to help Ioshua defeat Secundus, then he was here to protect not only the resistance fighters, but their enemies as well. He was here to stand between them.
Convinced of his role, Kaoru stepped a little more confidently after Kai. Rin must have noticed the change in him, because she caught up with him and smiled. Wherever he stood, Kaoru knew Rinally would stand with him.
They reached the fountain area, and they weren’t alone. A crowd was already gathered there, in groups of twos and threes, chatting and laughing and acting as if nothing was wrong. Kaoru couldn’t tell who was part of the resistance and who was a normal citizen. He spotted Ioshua in the shadows, standing with a woman whose face was masked by goggles. Ioshua was looking over the crowd, studying the people. He nodded when he saw Kaoru with Kai and Rin, then put a finger to his lips. Then, he and the woman slipped away, moving like ghosts through the shadows.
Kai stood staring up at the fountain, his arms crossed over his chest. His face seemed to be set in a permanent scowl, and Kaoru wondered if the water would turn to ice from how hard Kai was glaring at it. Kaoru approached him, standing beside him without actually touching him. Kai’s green eyes slid to him, then slid back to the water. Kaoru focused on the top of the fountain, not saying anything, just waiting.
“Just stay out of my way.” Kai said softly, a threat unmistakeable in his voice.
Kaoru looked at him then, frowning slightly. “Do you really mean that?”
Kai didn’t have to answer; it was written all over his face. He turned his attention away from Kaoru and focused on the fountain. Kaoru shivered, unsure if it was Kai’s expression or the feeling of utter malevolence he’d exhumed that made him do so.
The crowds thickened. Kaoru pressed a little closer to Kai and Rin. The three of them stood together, letting the crowd push them where it wanted to. Kaoru didn’t think he’d see Kai so passive, but the redhead didn’t lift a hand to anyone, let alone snap at them. At one point, Kai actually grabbed Kaoru’s hand again, pulling him along as the crowd jostled them away from the fountain and closer to the shadowy building along the edge of the square. Rin followed, keeping up somehow. If she noticed Kai’s behavior and Kaoru’s red face, she didn’t mention it, and Kaoru felt grateful for that. Kai was like a walking contradiction; Kaoru felt as though Kai was the only person in the world who could smile and say ‘I’ll kill you’ at the same time, but then he displayed extreme gentleness and caring in the next breath. His touch was warm and firm, but his eyes were like solid ice.
Then it began. The fountain began to light up with pale primary colors. Yellows and blues mixed to make green, blues and reds mixed to make purple, and yellows and reds mixed to make orange. The colorful display caught everyone’s attention, including Kaoru and Rin’s. Kaoru couldn’t understand where the colors were coming from; when he’d inspected the fountain earlier, he hadn’t seen anywhere that could be a source for those lights.
“Pretty,” Rin breathed.
“Where do the colors come from?” Kaoru asked.
Kai shrugged. “Secundus had the fountain built about ten years ago, and always keeps adding crap to it that no one knows about. These lights come from polarized crystals hidden in the stone basin and in the statues. Everyone comes here to watch it.”
“I guess people enjoy the display.” Rin said.
“No. More like we’re required to attend. It allows Secundus’s people to get a head-count of everyone who’s left in Lumina Cross.” Kai replied softly.
Kaoru looked around. The entire crowd was captivated by the lights, but he could see people moving slowly out of the crowd. He assumed they were resistance members, making their way to the rendezvous point. “Where is the Princeps’ Residence?” he asked.
Kai glanced at him, and then his eyes swept over the crowd. His face remained passive, but his body tensed with excitement. “This way.”
Kaoru and Rin followed Kai through the crowd, moving carefully to keep from drawing unwanted attention to themselves. Kai led them away from the fountain toward the giant building resting on the edge of the courtyard, then angled away from it slightly, as if there were an invisible wall there that he didn’t want to touch. The three of them edged around a stone pillar that had a lightning rod sticking out of it. On the other side of the pillar was the beginning of a huge wrought-iron fence, which then extended into the shadows beyond the courtyard.
Kai kept walking, but tilted his head to the left. “That’s the Residence.”
Kaoru and Rin tried to be subtle about looking, but there really wasn’t any way to stare at the massive building and not be obvious about it. The Residence was at least six stories and took up most of the street they now walked. It was made of dark, drab stone, which made the building look even larger and more imposing that it actually was. The bare stone between the windows was draped with bone-white tapestries depicting a symbol in deep, deep red. Kaoru assumed the symbol was that of Lumina Cross’s ruler, the Princeps, and not necessarily Secundus’s own crest. He didn’t doubt that Secundus would have done whatever he could to erase the former ruler of Lumina Cross, but to attempt to remove such an important symbol like the crest of the office just seemed ludicrous. But then, Kaoru thought to himself, who knows what a madman thinks?
Kai led them past the building and into a side street that walked past another side of the Residence, leading to a gate. Kaoru assumed that it was probably like a servant’s entrance, or the staff entrance, or something of the like. Kai said nothing as he stepped up to the gate, slammed his elbow into the pad beside the gate’s lock, and pulled off the cover of the pad to reveal a touch screen. It flickered to life, showing only the barest of cracks where Kai’s elbow had shattered the fragile glass. Kai punched in a code, then shoved on the gate. It opened with an irritated groan. Kai stepped aside to allow Kaoru and Rinally to step through, then followed them in.
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Kingdom Hearts: Dark Dawn