Destined Hearts

Chapter 33: Fighting

"Takeo?"

"Takeo!"

"What...?" Takeo groaned as he slowly opened his eyes, when he did, he saw he was back in The Castle That Never Was. When he looked up, he saw Vanitas kneeled down beside him with a concerned look on his face.

"Are you alright?" He asked as Takeo slowly sat on his knees and put his hand on his head.

"What happened to-" He gasped as he remembered what happened between him and Emileigh.

"Em!" He quickly stood up, but his legs gave out on him, and he fell back to his knees. When he looked at his hands, he saw they weren't red. As a matter of fact...he was back to his original appearance. Vanitas quickly put his hand on his shoulder, stopping him from doing anything else.

"You and her just...disappeared. Then you came back out like lights on the floor." He explained. Takeo then looked at the floor for a moment, then back up to him.

"Where is she?" He asked. Vanitas pointed his thumb behind him, and there was Emileigh, laying unconscious as her prosthetic arm was ten feet away from her. Takeo sighed as a small tesr fell from his eye.

"I'm so sorry.." He muttered. "I tried my best to fight back...but it looked like Xelhmigei was right. I did end up hurting Emileigh.."

"...How did this happen?" Vanitas asked, unsure how to react to this.

"...Kuro came, and he tried to attack her. But I pushed her out of the way...and it looks like he brought me here." He said. "Why did I let my darkness get the best of me?!" He pounded his fist on the ground. Vanitas put his hand on his shoulder as Takeo looked at him.

"You did say you wanted to protect her, and that's what you did." He said. "You knew the risks of keeping her safe, but you still took those risks, no matter what."

"But I still hurt her!" He exclaimed. "I almost..." He bowed his head down as more tears fell from his eyes. "I almost...killed her.."

"Emileigh wouldn't want you to let yourself break like this." Vanitas said. "She wants you to stay strong. The darkness can be stronger than you...but it can't be stronger than your heart. Your hearts are connected, right?"

Takeo's eyes widened a little, but he smiled as he closed his eyes.

"Yeah. Thanks...Van." He smiled and Vanitas nodded his head. Takeo tried to stand up again, but this time Vanitas held onto his arm as he stood up. Takeo then walked over to Emileigh and he eyed her stump where her prosthetic arm was. It was still radiating with darkness...a lot more darkness. He had a feeling...that her arm wasn't even an arm, but something more.

"She's going to need this, right?" Vanitas came over, holding her prosthetic arm in his hand. He tossed it to Takeo as he caught it with one hand, and he gently hooked it back to its spot.

"That was a nice show you put on." The duo both turned around and they saw Xelhmigei walking towards him.

"What do you want this time?" Vanitas glared.

"Ouch. Talk about trying to catch up." She smirked. "I have to say, didn't think you two would actually survive." She pointed at Takeo, and Emileigh, who was unconscious behind him.

"You're the one who put more darkness in me in the first place." Takeo glared as he put his hand on his chest. "Why do you need me?! I know why you need Em, but why me?!"

"Light and Darkness. That's all I'm going to give you." She remarked and Takeo growled. "But...I don't want you stranded here, so..." She snapped her fingers, and a Corridor of Darkness appeared behind them.