Apologies for the shockingly late chapter. >.>; Direct abuse to moi, not Dee!
Chapter Five
Flinging his arms back, ready for a good battle, Gilgamesh rushed at Sora, a wild smile upon his face. Knowing he wouldn’t stand a chance if this giant struck him, Sora dived to the ground, deftly rolling across the blazing sand, away from the beast’s path. Looking back up, he saw the glint of a blade in a chink of light.
“No,” he clenched his teeth together, scrambling to a defensive stance. Holding the Keyblade across his chest, he thrust it up to meet one of Gligamesh’s blades, meeting in a vicious, metallic clash.
“Impressive!” Gilgamesh laughed, bringing the weapon back in a jolt of his arm. “But you can’t keep this up for long, boy.”
Within an instant, Gilgamesh brought two blades back, before hurling them down towards Sora’s body. On his toes, Sora darted to one side, before making a rapid attempt at the beast’s side.
“There’s no way you’re taking this!” Sora exclaimed, thrusting the Keyblade at Gilgamesh, demonstrating the power of the weapon. Giving a shout, the beast was flung to the ground, squabbling maniacally in a cacophony of anger and agony. “So go back to wherever you came from!”
Gilgamesh managed a struggled grunt in response.
“Not until I wrench the blade from your lifeless hands!”
Suddenly heaving himself to his feet, sending the sands into a flurry, he swung his aching body around to meet Sora, sending him backwards with a well-aimed smack to the chest.
Hurtling back, skidding over the hot sands, Sora felt the grating sting against his skin as the rush of battle ran over it. But, there was no time to examine the injuries, with Gilgamesh making another attempt at him, blades swinging wildly with each thunderous footstep.
“Look out!” Kairi cried, reaching forward with a desperate hand as she watched the creature stalk towards him. Riku grabbed her arm as she burst from her spot, having to drag her back from the fray. She pulled her limb from him, a sour look on her pretty - albeit frantic - face.
“There’s nothing you can do,” he said sternly, holding her back.
It wasn’t as though he didn’t want to help Sora, but if Kairi got in the way, the consequences were anyone’s guess. They did not know how strong Gilgamesh was, but judging by the mighty weapons he wielded, it was safe to say that he was incredibly powerful. He didn’t want her being in his line of fire - and he knew Sora wouldn’t want her anywhere near such a dangerous situation.
Riku looked to the battle, eyes narrow as he racked his brains for something to do for Sora. He seemed able to hold his own against the beast, but it seemed he’d need a serious stroke of luck before he’d get his opportunity. Perhaps if he could distract Gilgamesh for a moment…
But he shook the idea off, silver hair shining in the blazing sun. Underestimating himself, he felt he’d just get in Sora’s way.
“Give up!” Gilgamesh hooted wildly, his lowest hands resting upon his hips. “You are indeed strong, but I have fought greater foes than you.”
“Never!” Sora protested, clasping the Keyblade in both gloved hands. Sweat glistened upon his brow, but he was not about to succumb to this beast’s will. “I’ll never give this up!”
With that, he ran forward, flinging the Keyblade with a powerful swing, striking Gilgamesh’s mighty chest with a devastating blow. He was young, but his incredible strength was undeniable. As the creature fell backwards, he stole a glance at Kairi and Riku, just to make sure they were safe.
Riku gave a simple nod, while Kairi clasped her hands together, jumping up and down in excitement. She called out words of encouragement, warming his heart, coaxing his determination further.
Looking back to Gilgamesh, Sora gave a confident, sunny smile. This only angered the beast further as he raged forwards, ready to make a move.
Their blades clashed in a rapid duel, each unwilling to back down. Sora easily countered Gilgamesh’s attempts, but his attacks were nothing against the creature’s defences - not to mention his numerous arms. His hair swirled wildly in the flow of battle, face boiling over with raging emotion.
Sora’s Keyblade met with one of Gilgamesh’s weapons in a sudden clash, each pushing forward with a great deal of strength. Holding the Keyblade forward, giving this all he had, Sora became desperate as he felt himself moving backwards - while he’d grounded his weight perfectly, he was simply too light to hold his own against the creature’s hulking form. The gritty sand stung his ankles as he skidded back, unable to force himself forward against Gilgamesh.
“I have to try,” he thought, brow furrowed, teeth tightly clenched together. “If I don’t, he’ll steal my Keyblade…”
With a firm determination rooted inside, he decided he was not about to let the beast get the better of him. In an incredible burst of strength, he forced the Keyblade upwards, flinging Gilgamesh’s arms upwards - some weapons even dropping to the hot ground in the confusion.
“You - ” Gilgamesh began in a roar, but silenced himself as he fell to the ground, clasping the weaponry back within his firm grip. He was not prepared to lose his prized possessions in his struggle for the Keyblade, tempting as it was.
“Perhaps I did not think this strategy through properly,” he mused to himself in a heavy breath, in a proud stance, as if merely awaiting Sora’s response. He eyed the foe, trying to comprehend how such a frail body held such great power beneath this scrawny appearance. “He is remarkable…”
Before he could react, Sora threw himself forwards. In a panic, Gilgamesh flung a single arm back, sending a shimmer through the air.
“Time to make a hasty exit!” he smirked, thrusting one weapon towards Sora - knocking him backwards to buy himself some time.
Looking back towards where he’d thrown his power, Gilgamesh’s eyes widened in horror.
“No!”
The portal swirled dark before him, mystifying and ever-changing, sucking anything and everything into its depths - not to mention, a struggling Kairi.
“Kairi!” Sora shouted, eyes alight with desperation as he saw her, clinging to Riku’s arm for life as he tried his hardest to keep her on the ground.
“Don’t let go!” she cried out to Riku, her little hands grasping at him to stop herself falling into oblivion. He could barely hear her over the roar of the portal.
Strain lining his young face, teeth gritted as he fought against the strength of the portal, Riku tightened his grip on her arm. He had to think of something, anything to save her, but just pulling her by the arm wasn’t going to get her anywhere.
In retrospect, it was a horrible decision.
Sora fell to his knees in shock, unsure of the sight he beheld.
Riku made a grasp for Kairi’s shoulder with his free hand. It worked; until the loss in balance sent him - and Kairi - hurtling into the bleak beyond.
And they were gone.
<3
