Cross Worlds (Hiatus)

Chapter 57: "A Brother"

~Several Minutes Prior, in The Cross~

Riku Fantasy paces back and forth, watching the battle taking place with Reality and the Teikoki via a wormhole-like screen made by Riki. "Gods. They're getting their asses handed to them..! Fuck!" He slams his fist on the ground. Riku Fantasy had long since been receiving notifications about the coming battle, unfortunately his life has been more than busy as of late. He's only been able to tune in to the battle itself right when it began. "If I had just had a chance to talk with him before all of this, then maybe...maybe..!" He grits his teeth, blaming himself for his alternate's current state.

"You can't help nor change what has already happened, Riku Fantasy." Riki states, appearing at his side and placing a hand on his shoulder. "All we can do now is watch and hope for the best."

"...Watch and hope for the best huh..?" Riku stares at the battle, watching as the Teikoki fall, and listening to the words Sorey speaks to Reality. "So I just have to run away from a problem that was mine to begin with again...watch as someone else has to carry my burden." His eyes fall upon Artemis, who he notices is dashing onto the battlefield right as Sorey is finally beaten. "...No."

Riku Fantasy stands tall and looks at Riki, a determination in his eyes that burns brighter than any fire than he could ever hope to make. "There has to be a way for you to let me enter that world. None of them are going to be able to stop Riku Reality when he's like that. The only one who could possibly stand a chance is...well, himself."

Riki looks back into his eyes, narrowing her own ever so slightly. "Are you aware of what you're asking me to do? If I were to allow you into a world with that body that doesn't belong there, that could have everlasting changes on your alternate's body. Not to mention the fact that you two would most certainly not be able to go unnoticed by the gods of your two worlds any longer."

"And if I sit here and do nothing, he will defeat everyone standing before him, and then end his own life. You heard him as well as I, his two greatest desires right now are to make his enemies pay, and to 'make it all stop'. What do you think that means he's planning on doing after he kills Feena?" Riku Fantasy glares at Riki, his eyes glowing. "I've made so many mistakes in my life...so many. This isn't going to be one of them. Whatever the consequences are, whatever I have to do in order to make it there and save that boy's life, I'll do it. Please Riki."

Riki glances over at the wormhole-screen, watching as Artemis speaks to Riku Reality. Deep down, she's moved by the words of Artemis and Riku Fantasy. She sighs softly and raises her hand, making the screen expand until it becomes an actual opening into that world. "Very well. We shall discuss what's going to happen after you complete your task. If you don't fail, that is. Go, Riku Fantasy."

Without a word, Riku Fantasy dashes through the hole, dropping from the sky and using his magic to rush to where Reality and Artemis are. He arrives just in the nick of time to catch Artemis after Riku Reality throws her.

~Present~

Riku Fantasy gently lets Artemis get to her own two feet. The scene in front of Riku Reality is so baffling, that even in such an uncontrollable state, he doesn't know what to make of it. He doesn't move because he doesn't know what move he should make. Riku Fantasy is an anomaly to Riku Reality. Ever since their lost conversation, he doesn't know whether to view him as an enemy, or a friend.

"For you to end up like that...you must be in a lot of pain right now, aren't you?" Fantasy jumps down from the upper level of ground he stands on, slowly walking towards Reality. "Are you able to hear me right now..? Can you tell me what happened?" Fantasy doesn't have to ask, for he saw the entire event unfold. He simply wishes to ground Reality; test his level of self consciousness and control.