Cross Worlds (Hiatus)

Chapter 56-1: "The Top Against the Broken"

"What the hell is going on in that castle..?!" Arima asks, a bead of sweat dripping down his forehead as he stares at the now ruined castle.

"Hopefully all of our men are alright. We had several members inside the castle fighting..." Sorey mutters. "And that scream before, that power...that was..."

"Riku." Aseiko speaks up, making them both turn to look at her. "As someone who's fought him head on, yeah, that was his energy alright. And yet it felt so...so..." Aseiko can't seem to think of a word to describe it.

"Dark... Distorted... That, and...sad. It felt...sad." Kari states, landing beside them all, but keeping her eyes on the dragon and phoenix that continue to fight in the sky.

"Well, looks like he took your advice to heart then Kari." Elizabeth states, firing energy blasts at the pink phoenix from two massive cannons, created from her memory magic. "He turned his 'sadness' into strength..."

"There's only really one thing that can mean then..." Sorey clenches his fists. "Re...awakening."

"Yo! Twelve o'clock!" Arima calls out, and all four of them quickly look ahead. However, the moment their eyes fall upon what he's looking at, their hearts all sink, their stomachs dropping.

There he floats in the sky, mere feet away from the epic battle between Raevoth and Eteros; Riku. Despite his changed appearance, there's no doubt, that power, those robes, the wrist blades on his arms, it is undoubtedly Riku. Both Raevoth and Eteros stop in their tracks when they notice his presence.

"Riku Reality... I wonder, can you even hear me right now..?" Despite the power behind his voice, there's a gentleness to Raevoth that can only be seen when he speaks to Raichi. It's clear he's concerned for the boy.

However, Eteros is a different story. For a moment Feena's voice comes out of the massive creature's beak. "It's you! But, if you're here then...The Queen... What's happened to The King and Queen?! What did you do to them?!"

Riku doesn't say a word, but it's clear his gaze is focused on her. Slowly, he raises his arm, aiming his wrist blade at the majestic, pink, flaming bird. It doesn't take a genius to put two and two together. Inside, Feena cries within the form of Eteros, tears spilling down her cheeks. "How could he... That monster..! Kill him! Kill him, Eteros!" Feena screams from within.

The phoenix spreads her wings and lets out a mighty caw, becoming entirely encased in pink flames. "Riku! Move!" Raichi shouts from within Raevoth, but unlike Feena, his voice doesn't break through. However, even if Riku could hear Raichi, would his voice still reach him?

From within, though he can't see much, his main desires continue to push through this distorted transformation of his. "If it wasn't for that stupid pink bitch...the others could've helped us fight The Queen... They would've made quick work of her..."

"No, I won't allow it." Raevoth glows and flies at Eteros, but Feena's anger allows the pink phoenix to move just a hair faster than Raevoth. Eteros dodges Raevoth and flaps her wings, sending a wave of pink fire into his stomach that explodes on impact. Raevoth roars in pain, but with a flap of his wings, the smoke and flames are quickly blown away. Unfortunately, it's already too late.

Eteros caws once more and flies right at Riku, flames erupting from every feather on her body. Without moving an inch, Riku opens his mouth to speak. His voice is both loud and quiet, a deep, unsettling echo following every word he says. "If it wasn't for you...they would still be alive." Riku's voice causes Feena to shiver from within her inner world inside of Eteros, her eyes going wide. Even though Riku's eyes are covered by the dark, glowing visor hovering above his eyes, it's as if she can see his eyes. He isn't looking at Eteros, he's looking directly at her.