Kingdom hearts requiem of dawn 

CHAPTER EIGHT

Sora and Riku wasted no time. With Mickey's death fresh in their hearts, their resolve was stronger than ever, but so was the darkness that radiated from Noctera. The air around them felt heavy, oppressive, as if the very world was suffocating under her presence.

Sora charged at her first, Keyblade gleaming with light. He struck with everything he had, trying to push through her defenses, but Noctera's speed was unbelievable. She blocked his attack with a single motion, twisting her blade and forcing him back with a powerful kick. Sora slammed into a wall, the impact leaving him dazed.

Riku stepped forward, his grip tightening around his Braveheart Keyblade. He knew that fighting Noctera alone was risky, but he wasn't going to let Sora take all the hits. With a burst of dark energy, he surged toward her, their blades clashing with a resounding crack that echoed across the battlefield.

Their battle was intense. Riku pushed his limits, fighting with every ounce of strength he had. Noctera was fast, but he had fought worse. He remembered his battles with Xehanort and the darkness he had faced within himself. This time, it wasn't just about defeating an enemy; it was about saving Kairi.

With a precise strike, Riku managed to slip past her guard, slashing across her side. Noctera hissed in pain, staggering for the first time. Her hand moved to the wound, her dark eyes narrowing dangerously. Rage flickered across her face as she looked at him, her voice dripping with venom.

"You'll pay for that," she snarled.

Before Riku could react, Noctera lashed out. Her blade moved faster than he could counter, and with a vicious swing, she slashed him across the face. Riku cried out, clutching his face as blood began to pour from the deep cut that ran from his cheek to his brow.

Sora, still recovering from being thrown into the wall, saw the strike. His heart pounded in his chest as he scrambled to his feet. "Riku!"

Noctera, satisfied with the damage she'd inflicted, gave them a cold smirk. "You're not worth my time," she said. "I'll finish this when the time is right."

With that, she disappeared into the darkness, retreating for now. The fight wasn't over, but she had made her point clear—she was stronger than either of them.

Sora rushed to Riku's side, his hands trembling as he lifted his friend. Riku was barely conscious, his breath ragged, but he managed a weak smile despite the pain. "You... gotta stop her," he muttered.

Sora shook his head, his eyes filled with worry. "We're not giving up yet."

He knelt down, carefully helping Riku to his feet. Blood stained Riku's clothes, but he still gripped his Keyblade tightly, refusing to let go. Sora slung Riku's arm over his shoulder, supporting him as they made their way toward the Gummi Ship.

Before leaving, Sora paused, his gaze falling on the King's fallen Keyblade. He couldn't leave it behind. With one last look at the battlefield, he reached down and picked up the King's Keyblade, holding it tightly in his free hand. A promise to finish what Mickey had started.

They made their way to the Gummi Ship in silence, the weight of their losses heavy on their shoulders. As the ship took off, Sora glanced back at the desolate landscape of the Keyblade Graveyard. They weren't just fighting for Kairi now—they were fighting for everyone they'd lost. And somehow, they had to find a way to bring Kairi back.

When they arrived at Master Yen Sid's tower, Sora carried Riku inside, his heart pounding in his chest. Aqua and Ventus rushed to meet them, their faces filled with concern.

"What happened?" Aqua asked, noticing the blood on Riku and the King's Keyblade in Sora's hand.

Sora's voice was thick with emotion. "We found her. We found Noctera... but she's too strong. She killed Mickey."