A Recognition of Shadows

[Reno]

Lazy and maybe a bit lonely, Invidia had stretched her body across the legs of the first three to return - Riku, Aqua and Terra. Stretched out as she was her head was resting on Terra's thigh, her body on Aqua's lap and her tail and back legs perched on Riku's nearer leg. She seemed to be dozing, tail wagging only slightly in content when someone pet her.

The team however was watching the two firebenders below, their shadows dancing with the flames being lit in great arcs across the stage and featured glowing with ever blast of flame. In just the course of two sessions, Sora seemed to have learned a lot. It was quite a sight, watching fire spark at all ten fingertips as he raised his hands high before bringing them together in front of him, fire streaming together in a great blast - that was mimicked by one of Axel's own and the two blasts collided and geysered upwards towards the open ceiling.

The others looked up as they were joined by the twins, Terra smiling as Ven came to sit next to him.
"Well, hopefully..." Aqua sighed but glanced over as Riku spoke with Roxas.
The blonde rose an eyebrow before holding out his hand expectantly, taking the stone and inspecting it carefully. "Hmm... that would be easy enough... if you don't have an objections to it being melted down, we can double-coat the blade. with the metal and then this."

[Rikugurl]

"Melt down?" Riku frowned some, glancing at the stone. "Like coating it? I'm not sure if the same effects will work if it's in a different form but I'm willing to try it if you're willing to help me make it."

"SORAN!" There was a call from the other side of the chamber and Soran paused his movements, just watching as Axel walked across the way, closing the distance between them. When he got a few feet away, he placed his hands together and bowed slightly before taking a relaxed breath. Their training was over for the day. When Soran did the same and relaxed as well, they could both hear clapping from above and looked up, seeing the whole group watching them and the air master cheering.
"ALRIGHT SORAN! I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT! WHOOO!!" He called happily, making Soran blush.

"Huh, didn't even know they were there..." Axel panted some, beads of sweat running down the sides of his face. Slowly, the two firebenders walked up the stairs to join them, Axel falling on the empty space near Roxas with exhaustion. That was when the group all spoke of their progress of the day.

[Reno]

"Heh, me either..." Soran admitted with a blush and smiled wearily, both of them trekking over tiredly and collapsing longways over the bench below the group. A blue eye peeked out before with an exuberant bark, Invidia pounced off from her comfortable little napping spot onto Soran's chest.
"Off! Oh Vi!"
The fox barked and laid down over the avatar. He merely sighed and pet her smiling as he pillowed his head under his other arm, listening to the other's as they spoke of what they found. Ventus and Roxas first described the cave they had found - right under the palace even! They hadn't braved going too far but they had noted the stairs leading into the darkness. It seemed the best place to start.

Then, it was Aqua, Terra and Riku's turn as they told them what they had discovered in the chamber - not only the forged copies of the war maps but also of the book... and was what written in it.
One part had Sora wide awake though as he sat up making Vi cry as she tumbled into his lap. "W-what!? He looks like me?!!?"

That's when he remembered...
"How will I find him? How will I know who he is?"
"Ah, do not worry about that Avatar you will recognize him instantly because he has a face that you can never forget."

"A face I could never forget... that's what Koh meant." Sora shut his eyes and sighed, looking further troubled. "Like a walking shadow...?" He looked behind him, just to make sure his was still there. He raised his hand and waved it, and his shadow cheerfully did the same but he almost looked like he expected it to jump from the benches and attack him.

[Rikugurl]

"Hmmm.... I suppose riddles always make sense when you find the answer." Riku spoke softly, watching the Avatar's shadow too. "The strange part is, the kids from the Earth Kingdom village said that everyone disappeared but more of those yellow eyed creatures appeared. We know for a fact these are shadow beings but I have to wonder... if they... 'steal' the person somehow and only leave their shadows. It said that Vanitas only wants darkness in this world."
"That's kind of silly though. Doesn't he know he can't have darkness without light?" Ventus said thoughtfully. "I mean, you cannot have a shadow unless light makes it. It's like... a balance that everything in this world has."

Blue swirly eyes looked down at La and Yue who were comfortable on Riku's lap. "Even they are opposites and they represent the continuous balance of the two when they circle. Has this Spirit forgotten that?"
"Probably... seeing that rage is a good way to get someone blind." Axel hinted in. "You guys said he was banished, right? I don't think he's thinking clearly.... he just wants to get back at who banished him here. It's like Soran last night when his rage made him want to do terrible things to my brother and that Rufus man... but luckily, I was there to help him see again. I'm sure we can't 'open' the Shadow Spirit's eyes so it won't be that simple.

"I wonder who banished him here..."
"Probably a Spirit of something that radiates light."


The group chatted a bit more until they all realized how tired they were. They slowly left the palace, heading back to their camp ground and settled in for the night, skipping dinner completely. No one had the energy to gather food to run to the city to buy any.
However, this night was not like the many nights before. Tonight, two members of the group did not sleep so soundly.

Yue was the cause of Riku's labored dreams as she curled rightly around his arm and visions haunted his dreams of the black creatures taking over the Northern Water Tribe. His hair became sweaty and his breathing became harsh, seeing the Oasis being swallowed up by darkness. He wasn't sure if this was just a dream or a true vision but he could not escape it for he could not wake himself up.

As for Soran....
"Heheheheheheheeheheeheheeheheheheheheehehehe~~~~"

"Heaheaheaheaheaheaheaheaheah!!!!"

"Heheheheheheheeheheeheheeheheheheheheehehehe~~~~"

Echoing chuckles filled the Avatars head and they became louder and louder until he couldn't take it anymore. His eyes opened only to see spiral golden eyes looking down at him. It was a crazy look he was staring at but what was worse was this figure laying over him had unruly spikes that were pitch black. It was hauntingly familiar to Soran as it mocked the hair he once had before the Monks shaved him bald. Fearful eyes glanced down and saw that the shadow he once had turned into the figure above him. Before he could comprehend anything else, he felt a heavy weight on his chest... and he could see a hand on it, darkness slowly wafting off it and the pressure started to become intense.

A wicked smile came over the golden eye boy and the chuckles started to fill Soran's head again, the pressure on his chest becoming unbearable and his breathing became labored. His chest was about to explode and he couldn't even scream. When his mouth opened----

"SORAN!"

Blue eyes snapped open to see the air master looking over him in worry. "Soran... are you alright?" Ventus watched his friend as he looked around and suddenly moved his arms around, watching his shadow follow it. "Ummm... you were tossing and turning and..." He glanced over at Riku who was still shaking in his sleep. "I think there is something wrong with Riku too. I tried to wake him but he won't snap out of it and Yue hissed at me!"

[Reno]

A spirit that radiates light...

All the way back to camp, Soran pondered this, even though the longer the trek, the more his legs trudged, his body worn from the intense training session. Though he hadn't wasted all his fire, his body felt empty, and shivery - though when he asked Axel told him it was normal. Fire-bending often unbalanced one's body temperature. When you were bending you were warm, sometimes feverish hot... but when you stopped it was like a case of pneumonia.

Even though Axel showed him how to blow hot air into his hands to circulate some heat it did little good and by the time they were back, the brunette was wracked with cold. Again, Riku's bed was offered to him - this time it seemed a necessity and their was little awkwardness for the brunette this time as he cuddled under the blankets near to the silverette and holding onto Invidia. In minutes he was asleep - almost before anyone else had even finished setting down their own blankets.

The others were quick to follow the Avatar's example though and quickly got into their own beds, cuddling up with their respective partners - or in Aqua's case, with her pillow - and were soon also asleep and things were peaceful...

But it didn't last.
Invidia's ears twitched when she heard Soran groan softly, his fingers tightening around her. Huffing in protest, she squirmed and got out of his arms but her ears rose as she heard the airbender give a soft cry, his head turning as he started to shake. By his head, La had slithered onto his pillow, looking down at the Avatar in worry. Invidia whimpered, licking his cheek but it didn't rouse the other as she had hoped, and soon she had to hop out of the way from a swinging arm as her master started to toss and gasp, as if he could not breath quite right. She started to bark in worry, pacing around the other nervously - and looked up when she heard fast footsteps approaching, whining at the sight of the Airbender.

The blonde took one look at the two and started to try and awake them both - and it was Soran first who came too at a yell of his name. The brunette sat up and started to wave his arms like he was a bird and really it was very peculiar...

That dream.... Sora laid a shaking hand on his chest, feeling his heart beating a rapid tantrum in his ribcage. Had that been him? Vanitas? Or just a demonic vision of his own mind? He looked at Ven though when the other looked away nervously and did so as well, before gasping in worry when he saw Riku twisting and turning in the sheets, also caught in a nightmare and he quickly forgot about his own troubles.

"Riku!" Soran cried, moving over the blankets to reach out for the silverette. He ignored the snake as he gripped the silverette's trembling shoulders. "Riku?! Come on snap out of it!"

[Rikugurl]

"HEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!" Yue spat as her mouth opened and she gave a warning through her sharp fangs.... but was flung out of the way. She flailed some and recovered with some help from La. He wrapped around her though, keeping her from slithering back. With some more calls and shakes from the Avatar, glowing blue eyes snapped and Riku sat up, not realizing that Soran was right above him and their heads smashed into each other's. Ventus winced for them as they yelped, rubbing their heads in their clashed spots.

When Soran finally inquired, Riku was still shaking, his eyes slowly losing their light. "The oasis... the Tribe.... I saw them.... they were being attacked again. Isa... he was... with Edmy and... his disappeared but Edmy got away... Darkness... everywhere..." He panted, his own heart feeling like it was about to burst from his chest.
Ventus had to swallow, biting his lip some. "I hope Roxas and I didn't stir Vanitas when we... entered that cave..."

[Reno]

May the spirits spite him later for smacking Yue away, but he just couldn't sit there and watch the silverette suffer like that.

Arms wrapped around Riku comfortingly, bringing him in a close embrace. "It's okay..." He said softly, running his fingers gently through Riku's hair shaking some himself still. He glanced back at Ven and shook his head, "I'm not sure c-cause... I had a dream too. There was... my shadow... Vanitas maybe and he was... laughing... hovering over me and..." Tears welled in his eyes suddenly, wondering what would of happened if Ventus had not awoken him. Was it really just a dream? "He tried to kill me."

None of them noticed right away that they had an audience; they had made enough noise to rouse the other's, but it was Aqua who was pale - having heard what Riku said. "Isa..." She whispered softly, not really seeing them.

[Rikugurl]

If Riku was not so frightened and stirred by his hopefully 'dream', he would of blushed and melted as he was held by the Avatar. Instead, he leaned his head on the boy's shoulder, his fingers shaking as they cupped in his lap. His eyes rolled and focused on the princess, his heart aching even more at her words. "I.... I should have stayed... What if it was a vision and not a dream?"

Everyone paused as they watched Axel stand from his bed next to Roxas and circled his arms out wide from his chest. All around them, a small wall of fire circled the camp and his green eyes searched the forest... but no signs of any moving shadows. "Maybe... we're all exhausted and our dreams are taunting us. Hopefully the fire will keep them at bay..." He spoke softly, walking over the bed to Aqua and knelt down. "Hey, do you want me to send Maipe to your brother to make sure he is alright along with your Tribe?"

[Reno]

Aqua just shook her head at Riku's words burrowing her head in her knees. No, it was her fault. She should be back there with her tribe! It was her duty to watch over them...
When Axel came over and made the over though she rose her head, giving him a wobbly smile. "If you think he's up to it... please..." The red-head reassured her it was fine.

Her fingers shook badly as she wrote the letter to her brother and handed it up to the other, the two watching in silence as the bird alighted into the sky and disappeared behind the flames. She was entirely grateful when the other sat down next to her, an arm wrapped around her shoulders and bringing her close.

But the group was unsettled, and though tired found it hard to sleep or for some even lay down - especially Sora and Riku who were afraid of what they would see if they did. And it was eerily quiet.

Soran sighed as he relaxed his grip some on Riku, the two of them just leaning close together now.
Terra opened his arms as Ven came back to him, holding him near, able to sense his distress... as the airbender felt his as well.
Aqua shut her eyes, laying her head on Axel's shoulder, her mind a whirlwind of thought and worry.
Roxas sighed as he laid on his now very empty bed looking up at the night sky, frowning at the stars alighted by flame. He shut his eyes.

"Hmm....Hmmm....."
Several pairs of eyes opened.
"Hmmmmmm...hmm hmm....Mmmm mm..."
Slowly, they glanced over at Roxas where the blonde, one of his hands drumming an unheard beat on his chest.
"♪Winter, spring, summer and fall...
Winter, spring, summer and fall...
four seasons... fooour loves...
four seasons... four loooves...♪"
Terra blinked and glanced at Ven, raising an eyebrow. Was... Roxas singing?

"♪In win-ter,
so barren and cold,
two benders meet,
finding warmth.
In win-ter
so barren and cold,
two benders smile,
finding love.

In spr-ing,
all bright and new,
two youths gaze,
finding passion.
In spr-ing
all bright and new,
two youths tell,
of love.

In sum-mer,
with lush and heat,
two royals bow,
finding fire.
In Sum-mer,
with lush and heat,
two royals propose,
their love.

In fa-alll,
only color and wind,
two peasants spark,
finding passion.
In fa-all
only color and wind,
two peasants laugh,
with loooove.

Winter, spring, summer and fall...
Winter, spring, summer and fall...
four seasons... fooour loves...
four seasons... four loooves...♪"

There was silence for a few moments, everyone having risen from their thoughts to listen, then a chuckle and Sora was smiling as he asked, "Where did you learn that?"
Roxas shrugged from where he lay, smiling. "Mom used to sing it to me. It's nursery rhyme."
"Can... you sing another?"
The blonde blinked and sat up, seeing everyone watching him and blushed. "Do you guys actually... want me too?"
"Yeah!" Sora said in excitedly.
"Sure." Terra shrugged.
"It would be nice..." Aqua added.

[Rikugurl]

The silver hair guardian slowly wrapped his arm around Soran's waist, shaking still but he was unsure if it was still the vision or now because he was becoming bold with the Avatar. They leaned against each other and every now and again, there was a silent yawn and heavy eyes around the camp but no one dared to sleep. There was only the sound of the ring of fire crackling around them. He watched as La loosened his grip and together, they started to slither in a circle around him and Soran which gave him some peace of mind. Yue was no longer acting so strange.

Ventus was one of the people who gave a soft yawn, his eyes fluttering close as he leaned back into the strong chest of the earthbender. He smiled as he felt small kisses on his fluffy head, slowly reaching up behind him to run his fingers through Terra's hair.

That was when they heard it and they had to think twice about it. Was it in their head or was someone with them singing. The air master opened his eyes and looked out as his twin started to sing. He sat up in Terra's lap, feeling arms wrap around his shoulders and he reached up to hold onto the strong hands clasping by his collarbone.
Axel looked out, his long arms wrapping around the princess to give her some comfort. He smiled when he realized it was Roxas who was singing, almost dumbfounded when he found out that the blonde warrior knew how to sing... and well.

When the sweet song ended, Ventus felt a awkward when his brother revealed that their mother had sang it. He.... he didn't remember it at all. Was it sang after he left? Guilt ran through his head and he leaned harder into Terra, wishing he would disappear but Terra wasn't helping! He wanted him to sing another song? His cheeks became red as he looked away, trying to block out his brother's next song but this time... it was.... familiar.

He remembered it and sat up again. He swallowed to clear his voice and softly lip sang to test if he still knew the words. When he was confident... his voice came through.

[Reno]

OOC: Text me if you're going to be getting on too, okay?

"Well... alright let me think of one." Roxas said, glad his blush was hidden in the shadows from the flames behind him. He hummed softly, random, disjointed tunes, trying to think of another tune, feeling a bit on the spot and then as he shut his eyes.

And then it came to him like a cutting slice of a sword came to his foes.
"Now boys, enough. Dry your tears and listen to me." His mother had said that last fateful day he and his twin were together. And then she began to sing. But not just any tune. The perfect tune.

Roxas smiled, fingers drumming and dancing to an rhythm only he knew - before he began to sing it. Softly, growing in tenor and beauty. Mother had been a wonder with music.

It really was quite a song. Soft and gentle, but the blonde who sung it managed to pull off the passion and significance the words and his audience became evermore attentive for it; and Sora could almost imagine the gentle lilts of a flute - the Air Nomads choice instrument - joining in with the blonde's voice.

"♪It's time to move ooout of the daaaark-ness
Use what you feeeel in-siiiiiide~
Your faith alone will guiiiiide you
Feeeel the turning tiiiiiiide♪"

It was after this point that a hesitant voice, echoing Roxas' so neatly it even was a copy of his voice if not for uncertainty, slowly joined in. Blue eyes opened, looking at Ventus with such surprise that he remembered it and eyes full of happiness; it didn't take long for Ven's voice to join his in perfect harmony, the twins having no trouble. One would argue they must of practiced... if this group did not know the circumstances that split them apart. The only difference between the two was Roxas, despite NOT being an airbender, could hold his notes longer.

"♪It's in your heaaaart,
it's in your sooooul
Don't be scaaared,
keep believing!
I know you knooow, deep insiiiide
That your tiiiiime
has cooooooooooooome.

Once in every life-time
If you do beeelieeeeeeeeve
Man can move a mountain
Change the cooourse of historrrrry
How faaaaar we've coooome
So faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar....
from hooooooome.

Trust in your path, you've been chosen
Become your destinnnnnnnny
Lead and they will fol-low you
Your truth will set you freeeeeee♪"

The two sang the pre-chorus and chorus once more, and though the song was short and airy as many laments of their country were, it also held wisdom that spoke to them all.
Perseverance.
Belief.
Destiny.
Strength.
Leadership.
Faith.
Heart and Soul.

It seemed to work a magic over the group, calming their hearts and re-instilling their hope in their purpose. And slowly - started by Axel and followed by the rest - a light but exhilarating applause arose for the two.

[Rikugurl]

The was a soft blush on the air master's face when he heard the claps, Terra bringing him closer to clap in front of him as well. He had to chuckle as he looked out over the camp to his brother. "I remember when mother sang that to us. I don't know how she could keep the beautiful tune as the tears ran down her face." His eyelids lowered as he tried to remember everything he saw. To him, he thought it was a bad joke, that in the morning, her and their father would said it wasn't true and Roxas and him could go out playing around the village again. He was not expecting that when they awoke and went to the table for breakfast, that a monk was waiting there for him.

He now wondered if this was a sign. A sign that if you are scared, things still must be done and you cannot turn your back on it, even if it seems like a better choice. He walked up that mountain that day, not knowing what the future held but he had gained his best friend and wisdom that he may not have received if he stayed in the village. He was pushed harder and learned to find harmony in his body. What would they learn and find when they enter that cave when they were ready? It would be scary but... in the end, it would be worth it.

"Perhaps we should all get some sleep again. Maipe will be here when we get up and we can continue from there." Axel spoke wisely, rubbing Aqua's shoulder before slowly getting up and heading back to his bed with Roxas. His arms wrapped around the warrior and they all slowly laid down again, the light of the fire around them warming them from the cold night. Even the guardian and Avatar stayed close and found some peace to continue their rest.
No more nightmares haunted their dreams and they were all able to get some sleep.

In the morning, the fire went out, leaving a ring of chard grass around them. Slowly, all eyes awoke but green, the heavy sleeper unable to shake off his bad characteristic.
"Mmmmm~" Ventus moaned as he awoke, his face sleepy as he stretched and yawned against the brunette. He looked up around the forest canopy above them and focused on a particular branch were a dragon hawk sat. "Ah, Maipe is back~"
Not caring that Axel wasn't awake yet, the princess was quick to get from her bed and over to the tree. Her arm was held out and Maipe landed on it easily, watching his talons so he wouldn't harm her.

Some watched as they saw her open the case and pull out a letter, Maipe flying back up to the branch as she unrolled it... and her face became twisted in pain. The letter was from Edmy...

[Reno]

A sad smile was mirrored on Roxas' face and he nodded in silence. What they also failed to realize... was that she wasn't just giving them a new song to sleep by but had been giving them a lesson. Moreso, the song was for Ven... but Roxas now could relate to it as well.

The blonde smiled more when Axel came back to their bed, willingly snuggling up to the other under the covers and soon they all slept.

But the morning that awakened them was not one of joy, even though their rest was full. When they saw Maipe, everyone felt nervousness as Aqua leapt from her bed to retrieve the letter. Everyone was watching her closely, hoping and praying....

But when her expression fell, so did their hearts. Roxas started to silently shake Axel awake but Terra was the first up walking over to her.
"Aqua...?" He called softly - rather than a verbal answer the letter was shoved in his hands.

It was a very short letter, though lettered crossed out and rewritten a dozen times and in places ink smeared and dots of water found on the letter. Whoever had written it had either been standing in a drizzle... or crying.
Dear princess
To the pri
Aqua,

I regret to info
It is unfortu
I hate to say
.....He's gone. There was a raid and we fought but we had to retreat and the next thing I knew he wasn't behind me anymore.

People are expecting me to lead now. The town and the army. It's chaos here. I don't know what to do. I'm scared.

Come home please.

Edmy.

Blue eyes went wide with horror and he looked up, only to find Aqua had turned her back to him, her head in her hands and her body was shaking all over. The letter was dropped, uncaringly, and Terra reached out for her, holding her close. Her legs trembled badly so he slowly helped her sit down but nothing could truly ease her pain as she started to wail.

Her brother was gone.
The man who had looked out for her since the day of her birth, who continued to worry over her and look out for her as she grew, was gone.

She didn't even tell him goodbye...

[Rikugurl]

Ventus bit his lip as Terra left his side and was given the note, seeing how the two acted after reading it. So... Riku's dream wasn't just... a figment of his imagination. Yue... Yue must of given him these dreams to warn him what was happening to the Oasis last night. She tried to warn him but all they did was sing. Now, another community was destroyed. He looked over in the direction of the Avatar, seeing the bald brunette hold himself as the guardian wrapped an arm around his chest but his face was grim as well. He silently watched at La and Yue left their places and slither towards Terra and Aqua, circling around them when they came close.

It was starting to feel like everything was going backwards.

Axel's body moved and moved and suddenly shoved hard until he rolled out of the blanket. His face nuzzled into the grass but at a sudden pinch, he cried out and awoke. Green, sleepy eyes and messy red hair were easy to see as he sat up but he didn't even get the chance to clear the sleep away when he heard crying. The narrow eyes moved to the area and widened when he realized just who was crying. In a second, he was stumbling to his feet and rushing over, about to snap at Terra to get away from her but it wouldn't do any good.

Instead, he crossed over the snakes and knelt down, reached out and took her hand in his. "Aqua...?" Even though he had just awoke, he could guess what had happened. Isa was gone and Maipe had brought the crushing news.

There was the sound of feet hitting cement and the whole group glanced over, seeing a woman in noble Fire Nation clothing. It was Ashbel she came with a message.
"Fire Lord Huǒ has summoned you all to the Throne Room."

[Reno]

What could they do?

They moved automatically, fixing up camp and getting themselves cleaned up, but feeling numb and horrified inside. Honestly, if anyone was thinking logically about it, even had they of rushed back the exact second Riku had his dream... it was already too late. It was a two-day trip back to the Water Tribe; nothing and no one, not even Shesha, could have gotten them there in time.

But no one said a word; no one could. They all felt sick with guilt inside. Hadn't they just seen Isa and Edmy not a half week ago? And now....

Aqua traded her tears for emptiness, her visage nothing but a mask of expressionlessness. The rest of them just wore their shame on their sleeves and the trip to the palace was so silent it was almost as if no one was in the carriage at all. Not even Soran nor Ventus tried to perk anyone up with their naturally morning bounciness.

Feet echoed as they walked down the long, long halls to the throne room, the shadow of the Fire Lord able to be seen under his imposing arch, suddenly more demonic somehow. A devilish thought occurred to Terra at that moment: what if all of this, the clues and the missing noble - what if they were just ends of broken trails, set up to lead them off course?