Kingdom Hearts: Heart and Soul, chapter 20

Chapter 20: One lock down...

    By the time they had made it back to the church, almost all of the wedding goers had returned back to where they came from, be it their homes or the realm of the dead. The only ones left were Father Gutknecht, who was popping the cork back into his bottle of poison. Salem had to choke down a laugh as the elderly skeleton took the cup of poison, still full, and promptly tossed it out the window. Emily, Victor, and Victoria were waiting up at the alter. The Corpse Bride smiled joyfully as she rushed over and met the group of teens.
    “You’re alright! Oh thank goodness!”
    “What happened to Barkus?” Victor asked, bristling as he put a protective arm around Victoria. Angelique cleared her throat and fingered her staff nervously.
    “Lord Barkus is…” She fumbled for the right words until Salem came to her rescue with a carefree smile.
    “That dude won’t be causing anyone trouble anymore. You may commence with the honeymoon!” Vanitas and Tegan rolled their eyes at the Nobody’s attempt at lightening the mood. It worked though, because Victoria stepped forward, hands clasped demurely to her chest, as she bowed her head.
    “Thank you all so much. I don’t know what would have happened if you all weren’t here.” The young bride leaned her head against Victor’s chest, smiling happily. “I never thought I would see Victor again. But you brought him back to me. Thank you.”
    “Aw, it was nothing.” Sora flashed one of his signature smiles.
    “It was a lot of fun,” Kairi replied.
    “Well, minus the wedding crashers, psycho twelve-year-olds, and the near poisoning…OW!” Salem rubbed his head as Vanitas stuffed his fist back into his pocket. The purple-haired mage was about to make a remark when he noticed Emily slipping away. Victor did too.
    “Wait!” he called. The young man stepped away from his beloved and walked up to Emily. “I made a promise.”
    Tegan watched as a soft smile formed on the Corpse Bride’s lips. She couldn't help the smile forming on her own, albeit a slightly bitter one.
    “You kept your promise.” Emily decided. “You set me free.”
    She slipped the gold band off her finger and set it in Victor’s hand, cementing her resolve as she closed his fingers around it. “Now I can do the same for you.”
    The bride walked up to the group of teens and hugged each of them in turn. Angelique looked a little teary, but amazingly returned the embrace full-heartedly. She couldn’t help but think how strange it was giving a hug to one of her worst fears.
    Perhaps…My ’eart is getting stronger. But will it be enough to save Dante from himself? No, I must not think so negatively. I will be strong. Just like my friends.
    “What will you do now?” Salem asked. Emily looked towards the open doors of the church and Tegan’s heart tightened. She knew what would happen, but it didn’t make things easier. She had grown attached to the Corpse Bride, and part of her didn’t want to see Emily go.   Finally meeting her, after the many times she had watched the movie, made Tegan realize how real this adventure suddenly was. There were some things that you couldn’t change, and Emily deserved to rest in peace.
    Emily turned to Tegan and unclasped the Wayfinder from around her neck.
    “Thank you for everything, Tegan. This was just the bit of luck I needed.” Emily pressed the charm into the redhead’s hands.
    “Emily…!!”
    There was a flash of light and a metallic jangle. Everyone let out startled gasped as Emily began to glow with this soft, white light. Just above the Corpse’s head appeared a lock made of dull steel with blue enamel butterflies surrounding a large Keyhole. Chains made of the same dull metal as the lock branched out in six sections, each flying out and connecting to the walls and floor of the chapel. And every inch of it glowed with the same light as Emily.
    “W-What?” Tegan jumped back, Wayfinder falling to the ground with a musical clatter. Out of nowhere, Saving Grace sprang into her hand, the metal warm under her fingers.
    “The Lock!” Salem exclaimed. “It was here the entire time!”
    “Lock? What lock?” The Corpse Bride asked. Turning around, Emily let out a cry as she caught sight of the padlock floating behind her.
    “Salem, what are you talking about?” Sora asked. The mage fixed his eyes on Tegan and rushed over.
    “Tegan, this is the Chained Keyhole! The Lock is the one you have to get rid of so the others can seal the Keyhole. I should have noticed it was connected to Emily! God, how could I have been so stupid?!” Salem continued rambling on, much to Tegan’s frustration. The redhead ground her teeth before grabbing him by the shoulders and giving him a little shake.
    “Salem! Slow down for a second and help me here!” she shouted. “I don’t know what to do!” The teen blinked and smiled sheepishly.
    “Right, sorry. But Doll face, this is it! The thing Master was telling you about!” He swept his hands toward the giant lock in his typical, theatrical way. “This is the lock the Organization is using to seal up the Keyhole for this place. The basic gist of it is that you need to open the lock, destroy the chains, and reset the Keyhole. Then Sora and the others can re-seal it, and Emily can move on.”
    “She can’t do so otherwise?” Riku asked, eyebrow quirked. Salem nodded.
    “Emily must have had her soul connected to the Lock,” he explained. “Otherwise it wouldn’t have shown up the way it did. This church, it must be where the Keyhole is, so when Emily is here both pieces are in place. So as long as she’s connected to the Lock, Emily is stuck here. And if she’s stuck here…”
    Tegan knelt down and picked up her Wayfinder and held it loosely in her hand. The more Salem talked the greater the pit in her stomach became. If Emily’s soul was connected to the Lock, there was going to be trouble. Salem had told her once, back at the Mysterious Tower, what would happen.

~
    “Hey, this is probably a stupid question but…What would happen if these Locks stayed in place, Witch-man?” Tegan had asked. Salem, who had his face buried in a piece of pie, looked up. His eyes clouded as he stared out a window. He looked troubled, something that Tegan hadn’t really seen in him before. She got the feeling that she wouldn’t like the answer.
    “If a world’s Keyhole is kept chained up, the world’s Heart could be in even more peril than a normal unlocked Keyhole.” He explained.  “With a normal Keyhole, unlocked that is, there is still a little bit of protection from dark forces. But with a Sealed one, a Keyhole trapped by a Lock, there is absolutely no protection. The Lock makes it so a Keyhole can’t do its job, and that makes it easier to get to the Heart. The Heart is seriously a sitting duck. But that’s not the worst of it…”
    Tegan frowned. “What could be worse than that?”
    Salem had pushed his food away and folded his hands across the table. “Sometimes, a Lock can latch onto a person’s soul by accident. When that happens, it always means trouble for the Lock. A Lock is some powerful magic, Tegan. Not only does it require a lot of mana and a powerful spell, but it needs one more thing from the Caster. And that component isn’t something that will coexist with similar, outside substances.”
    Tegan blinked. While this provided useful information about what she was supposed to be doing out in the worlds, a sinking feeling had settled in Tegan’s stomach. The way Salem was making this Lock business seem, it sounded more like a black magic ritual or something. Salem had already explained earlier that only Mage-type Anima could perform this spell because they were the only ones with enough mana to do so. But was there something else?
    “What else does the Lock need?” she said slowly. Salem looked down at his hands and took a moment before answering.
    “Soul, Tegan. In order to make a stable, functioning Soul Lock, you need to offer up a part of your own soul. That’s why there haven’t been many cases of Soul Locks over the years, not many people are willing to cut up their own soul like that. Its dangerous business. But if the soul in the Lock reacts with a soul that gets connected to the Lock...It will try to consume it.”
    “What?!” Tegan exclaimed, bursting out of her seat. “That’s insane! That can’t even be possible! Why would—”
    “Because for a Lock, it’s a defense mechanism.” Salem interrupted. “The one thing you need to understand about Soul Locks is that they were powerful spells used for equally dire situations. The Caster’s soul acts as a stabilizer and a security system, seeking out and destroying anything that could tamper with the Lock. It’s also why you, as a Warrior-type Anima, are the only ones able to destroy a Lock…”

~

    Warrior-type Anima make up in fighting power what they lack in mana compared to Mage-types. So really, I’m the only one who can do this. If that Lock stays in place, Emily will be in danger along with the rest of this world…But, if a Lock is comprised of a piece of the Caster’s soul, what will happen to it when I destroy the Lock?
    “Freckles?” Vanitas’ voice brought Tegan back to reality. Everyone was looking at her. Tegan nodded, gulping nervously as she stood next to Salem.
    “Show me what to do, Salem.” The purple-haired mage nodded.
    “Okay, so remember how I told you that you can turn your Stigma into a Keyblade? Well you’re gonna want to do that now.” Tegan did so and Salem pointed at the padlock. “Now this is the easy part. What you wanna do is point your Stigma at the Lock. It will take it from there. Then you just have to destroy the Lock, and everything will be fine.”
    Tegan nodded and took a deep breath. Raising Saving grace high in the air, she got into a stance similar to Sora’s whenever he sealed a Keyhole. She waited for something happen, pouring all of her attention to the Lock floating above her. She didn’t know what to expect when she felt this odd tugging sensation in her gut. The light around the Lock shifted, diving straight for Saving Grace and enveloping her.
    “Tegan!”
    Next thing she knew, Tegan was somewhere else. It was like this vast, empty space, with light everywhere. The area seemed to go on forever, like an endless void where ground and sky did not exist. The main source of light seemed to come from glowing orbs of energy, floating aimlessly around. As Tegan reached out to touch one, it passed right through her fingers and kept going. How odd.
    “Where…Where am I?” she asked aloud. “Salem! Vanitas! Can anyone hear me?!”
    ~You’re so loud…~
    Tegan jumped as the voice boomed all around her. The sound seemed to come from all directions and she couldn’t tell where it came from. Tensing, she summoned Saving Grace to her hands and crouched down in a defensive position. The voice seemed to sense this.
    ~A Stigma…So. You are an Anima then, little girl?~
    “So what?” she snapped. “You got a problem with it?”
    ~Suppose I do, what will you do about it?~
    Tegan huffed and glared at nothing. “That depends on you, now doesn’t it? I don’t have time for this! I’m pretty busy, so beat it and leave me alone!”
    ~And let me guess, you are here to destroy the Soul Lock, are you not?~ Tegan jolted. How did it know? Unless…
    “Then you will have to prove it to me that you can…” The voice suddenly came from behind her and a force slammed into Tegan’s back. She let out a cry as she was flung forward. She tucked into a roll as something flew over her and something’s foot slammed into her back, pinning her down.
    “And so far, you aren’t impressing anyone…”
    Tegan grunted as she knocked the foot off her back and scrambled away. Standing where she had been pinned was a tall figure shrouded in a coat. At first, Tegan almost thought it was an Organization member, but the color of the uniform was off. This one was dark blue, with white zippers and tassels. A white Keyhole was printed on the figure’s chest, and silver chains wrapped around its waist and wrists.
    “Who are you?” Tegan jumped up and held her halberd in front of her. The figure lifted his arms, gesturing to the space around them.
    “I am this space.” He explained. “I am the guardian of the Lock, the fragment of my creator’s soul that gave this empty shell life. And it is my duty to destroy you…”
    The figure rushed forward, swinging a vicious right hook at her. Tegan ducked and reversaled around it to release her Headhunter attack at his back. The Lock jumped out of the way and charged her again.
    “Show me your power, Anima child!” He roared. “Show me that you are worthy of carrying the blood of your people!”
    Tegan swung her halberd furiously in an attempt to keep up with the Lock’s wild swings and kicks. She may have had the advantage of a weapon, but the ferocity of the Lock’s attacks were nothing to laugh at. Fists flew at an alarming rate and she could barely keep up.
    What the hell am I supposed to do? I can’t keep up like this! He’s too fast!
    The Lock slammed a foot into her stomach and Tegan went flying.
    “Is that all you can do?” the Lock shouted. “Pathetic! And you dare call yourself an Anima?!”
    Tegan grit her teeth as she pushed herself shakily to her feet. Her stomach hurt badly and she was pretty sure she’d be bruised later. Nothing felt broken, but she didn’t know whether that was luck or the Lock going easy on her. God, she hoped it was the former. And it didn’t help at all that her opponent kept running his mouth.
    “You sorry excuse for a fighter! Have you learned nothing from the Anima before you? You shame your ancestors, runt!” He shouted.
    “…Shut up…” Tegan hissed. Despite how her body screamed in pain, Tegan felt heat rise up in her chest.
    “Of all the Anima out there, you are the single most weak, worthless, pathetic of all!”
    “I said shut up!”
    “Have your parents taught you nothing?!?”
    “SHUT UP!!!” That was the final straw. Tegan was seeing red as she pushed forward, raising Saving Grace high above her head. The blade glowed briefly before bursting into blue flame. She slammed it down, crying out “Flare Riot!”
    A ring of fire appeared underneath the Lock, exploding in a blaze of blue light and intense heat. The Lock was thrown up in the air and Tegan threw her arm out in front of her.
    “You’re through!” Out of nowhere, two chains shot out and snapped around the Lock, trapping his arms helplessly against his body. As the coils of metal tightened, Tegan glared at him furiously.
    “I don’t care what you think about me,” she hissed dangerously. “But no one insults my parents and gets away with it…” Reaching into one of her pockets, she drew out her summon crystal and held it fisted in her hand. What started out as her trying to help a friend had turned dangerously personal. Now it was Tegan’s turn to go berserk.
    “Bahamut!!” Her Eidolin appeared with an ear-shattering roar, in full Gestalt mode and Tegan jumped onto its back. The two sped forward and Tegan held out her Stigma, whose blade pulsed with energy.
    “Soul Devastation!” In a burst of speed, both rider and Eidolin sped past the helpless Lock, with Saving Grace slashing through it, chains and all. The energy transferred to the Lock, pulsing before exploding in one final burst. The Lock didn’t protest even once, not even screaming as he vanished into oblivion.
    Tegan panted as she clutched her side. Saving Grace disappeared in a flash of light as she slumped forward on Bahamut’s back. She pressed her cheek into the cool metal as she worked on steadying her breathing. The void around her began to dim and crumble away.
    I did it…

~

    “Are you sure this is a good idea?” Turning around, the figure caught sight of two others standing behind them. Both wore identical black coats, but they were easily distinguishable from the other. One was a woman with long orange hair, while the other was a young red-haired boy.
    “Orders are orders.” The figure replied. “Not like I have much of a choice, right?”
    “Well, yeah, but you’re cutting up your soul, aren’t you?” Dante asked. “Even I know that’s gonna have repercussions.” The young warlock leaned forward on a floating red-and-black board, his multiple-sizes-too-large coat hanging limply off of his arms and legs.
    “We have a plan, remember?” Freya asked pointedly. “If you lose too much of your soul, everything we’ve worked for will go out the window…”
    The figure nodded. “Trust me, I know. I’m doing this little by little, don’t worry Lightning Goddess.” Freya grimaced.
    “I hate it when you call me that…”
    The figure shrugged as they turned around. The spell was almost complete. In a few moments, the Lock would be in place and they could leave. Only one final piece to the ritual.
    The figure withdrew a thin, black knife from their pocket. Damn, was this going to hurt…

~

    “Tegan!” Tegan blinked, letting out a startled yelp as she fell backwards. Arms wrapped around her as she looked behind, meeting a pair of startled golden eyes. Vanitas had been standing behind her, shaking her.
    “W-What?”
    “What the hell’s the matter with you?” Vanitas snapped, pushing her forward. Tegan blinked in confusion.
    “You just spaced out, Tegan” Sora explained. The brunette stood on one side of Vanitas, while Ventus floated on the other.
    “Yeah, then you turned whiter than Angelique’s hair,” the blond added worriedly. “And you’re bleeding!”
    Tegan looked down and noticed that she had been bleeding. A cut had opened up on her hand, a slash across her left palm. Where had that come from?
    “What gives?” Riku asked. “What happened?”
    “She fought the Guardian of the Lock.” Tegan glared at Salem. Fisting her hand, she leaned over and punched him square in the chest.
    “Salem, you damn bastard!” she screamed. “How could ya not o’ tol me ‘bout tae bluidy Lock?!?” Salem frowned sheepishly and rubbed the spot where she hit him. Tegan hopped there was a bruise forming already…
    “Tegan, please calm yourself!” Angelique pleaded, grabbing the redhead’s injured hand and healing it. Tegan glared daggers at the floor and heaved a sigh. That’s when she noticed they were missing people.
    “Where’s Victor, Victoria, and Emily?” The three were gone, leaving only the teens alone in the empty church. Kairi came up holding something in her hand.
    “They’ve all gone.” She said. “You’ve been standing there for fifteen minutes, just staring into space. The Lock crumbled away, and Emily…I’ve never seen anything like it, Tegan. She just…Well she turned into a bunch of butterflies and disappeared. After that, Victor and Victoria left.”
    Tegan’s face fell. Emily had already passed? But, she didn’t get to say goodbye…
    Tegan dropped her head and looked to the side. “I suppose the Keyhole’s sealed too?”
    “Yeah, Sora and Vanitas sealed it up.” Ventus frowned, unsure of what else to say. Tegan nodded.
    “But Emily wanted to give you this, Tegan.” Kairi held up a single blue rose to the other redhead’s face. Tegan’s eyes widened as she took the bloom and held it carefully between both hands. It was one of the roses from Emily’s bouquet.
    “She said that she wanted to wait until you woke up, but she couldn’t.” the princess said with a soft smile. “It was time for her to go home.”
    Tegan held the flower up to her nose and sniffed. It smelled lovely.

~~

    Back in the World That Never Was, twelve figures sat in ludicrously tall chairs aligned in a circle in an otherwise empty gray room. One figure, with long blue hair and a well-known cross-shaped scar, glared down at a trio sitting across from him.
    “So the Keywielders, and the Anima, have already sealed one of your Locked Keyholes.” Isa didn’t bother to hide the irritation in his voice. “Care to explain why you failed a simple set of orders?”
    “Oh, blow it out your ear, Moonman!” Dante shouted as he hugged his Komory Bat, Deimos, to his chest. His multi-colored eyes glared insolently at the blue-haired Vessel. “They were stronger than we expected. I even need new clothes cause of my fight!”
    “It was just one world, Number V.” Freya retorted.
    “That doesn’t excuse the fact that you failed, Number XII!” Isa snapped. There was a click and a bang as a bullet whizzed past the Luna Diviner’s ear, embedding itself into his chair. The bluenette growled as he fixed his eyes one the occupant of the tenth seat.
    “Geez X, how many times of we told you not to blow holes in the furniture, kiddo!” Braig looked down at his fellow Vessel with an amused smirk. “Can’t keep patching every bullet hole you make, kid.”
    The Vessel known as 10 shrugged and rolled his eyes. With his hood down, he ran a hand through his hair, shaking out the strands. His gunblade, Soul Stealer, lay by his side.
    “Just keeping an eye on my teammate, Braig.” He droned, shooting a glare towards Isa. “And it wasn’t a complete failure for your information. We accomplished what we set out to do. Myra’s daughter has awakened her true power. It’s only a matter of time until it matures fully…”
    The figure sitting in the Round Room’s tallest chair laughed.
    “Good, very good.” Xehanort proclaimed. “Everything is going according to plan then.”
    Dante sat up in his chair as his Nightmare flew in circles around his head.
    “Hey, Patchy,” Braig twitched at the nickname. “Just thought you might wanna know the cat’s outta the bag with your kid. Everyone knows he’s a Nobody, but I don’t think they care.” Braig was about to reply when the Vessel next to 10 started laughing loudly.
    “Is that so?” This Vessel, like all the others, wore an organization coat. But unlike everyone else, he wore his tied around his waist. “So the little coward’s finally out of the closet then. Good! I knew I sensed him earlier…Now I can go beat the shit out of that useless shell.”
    “You have a mission, Number IX.” Xemnas warned. “It would serve you well to remember that.” Number IX simply growled in frustration.
    “Why can’t the Assassin just handle that one by herself?” he argued. “I don’t see why I need to come.”
    “You will go because it was an order by the Master, you swine.” A feminine voice next to him hissed. “Ansem told you to go, so go you will!” Before IX could get into a fight with Number VIII, Xehanort cleared his throat.
    “You all have your assignments.” He concluded. “Keep to them and we will have our goals accomplished soon. Meeting adjourned.”