Chapter Text
“Let the Keyblade decide which of us is its true master!”
Riku held a hand. The Kingdom Key appeared in Sora’s hand and vanished to reappear in Riku’s. Sora couldn’t believe it. Neither could Donald and Goofy. Riku looked at the weapon.
“Maleficent was right. You don’t have what it takes to save Kairi. I’m the one who shall do it.”
“That’s… That’s impossible!” Sora gasped. “This can’t be happening! I’m the one who fought all this way with the Keyblade!”
“You were just the delivery boy.” Riku retorted. “Your duty is done. Go play hero with this.”
He threw the wooden sword at Sora’s feet. The boy looked at the toy in disbelief. It couldn’t be possible! He was the one who’d wielded the Keyblade until now! He had used it to fight the darkness, save the worlds, protect people! Why did it choose Riku over him!?
Donald looked at Goofy.
“Come on. We mustn’t forget our mission.”
Goofy winced.
“I know the king told us to follow the key, but…”
Donald gave him a heavy look. Goofy sighed and followed the duck, who sided with Riku.
“Sorry, Sora.”
Riku smirked.
“Thanks for your help, Sora. We have no need for you anymore, so be nice and get lost!”
Before Donald or Goofy could react, the teen threw a sphere of dark fire in Sora’s stomach. The kid was caught by surprise. The strength of the spell threw him overboard. Something hit him and everything became black…
The history of Thedas is a chant written in blood, sung by dragons with wicked eyes and wicked hearts. It is a dark world, with a heart full of darkness blacker than night. But if Thedas’s darkness is mighty, its light is enduring. For every crisis, a hero stands – for each calamity, a savior. Though weak, Thedas’s light is not so easily extinguished. It slumbers, an ember waiting for a brave heart to pick it. Then it will shine. Its victories are short-lived and the darkness easily takes over, but it resists. It shines.
Waiting for the one who shall carry it.
Somewhere in the Frostback Mountains
Revered Mother Sophia was on the way to the Temple of Sacred Ashes with an escort of Templar and mages when she saw the shooting star. Her gaze followed its trail and was surprised to see it land a few kilometers away from the road. One of the Templars turned to the priestess.
“Would you like to take a look?”
“Good idea. It won’t be that much of a delay.”
Along with her escort, Sophia headed to the star’s landing site. She found no crater or meteor. Instead, half-covered by the snow, was a young boy with spiky brown hair, dressed in strange red and white clothes. The boy was apparently unconscious, and didn’t react when the Templar took him in his arms.
“He looks young.”
“And sad.” A mage noted.
A silver pendant in the shape of a crown was hanging on his neck. He was surprisingly frail, Sophia noted, and his clothes looked unlike anything they’d ever seen.
“Let’s take him with us.”
Everyone was wondering where the young boy came from. They decided to wait until he woke up.
Sora awoke in a large tent. The first thing he felt was the cold. Wherever he was, it was freezing around. Fortunately, the clothes he wore were warm – Hey, wait…! How can you be warm in mountains when you are wearing shorts and a short-sleeved jacket? This was the second thing he noticed: his clothes had been changed. Mainly green and brown in color, they were made of a light leather armor covered by a vest, brown pants and a tissue scarf. Boots were at the end of the sleeping bag he was in.
He looked around. The tent was well-furnished, with a desk on which a man in armor and a woman in red and white alb and a tall hat were working. There were other sleeping bags, all empty, and other tables on which were books and potions. Sora rose and put on the boots. They were his size. The man and the woman turned to him.
“Good to see you awake, young man.”
“Thank you.” Sora answered softly. “Where am I?”
“In the Frostback Mountains, on the way to the Temple of Sacred Ashes. I am Reverend Mother Sophia, and this is Knight-Captain Jeremiah.”
The man in armor nodded. Sora did the same. The priestess looked at the teen.
“What is your name?”
“…Sora.”
“Sora?”
“Just Sora.”
The priestess raised a brow.
“Where do you come from? We found you unconscious in the snow. Your clothes were… unusual, I admit.”
His clothes hadn’t changed when changing worlds? Weird. Not willing to mention the other worlds, Sora decided to be as evasive as possible.
“I come from far. Very far. I don’t really want to say more.”
“It’s your decision.” Sophia softly said.
She could clearly see the sorrow in his deep blue eyes. From them came a feeling of innocence that didn’t leave her unmoved. She came closer to Sora.
“Your heart is troubled, child. What happened? I see a profound sadness in you…”
Riku’s betrayal and his theft of the Keyblade came back to Sora’s mind. He tensed suddenly. His grimace told the priestess much.
“It’s recent, and extremely painful.” Jeremiah couldn’t help but note.
“…They abandoned me.” Sora bitterly said. “Donald, Goofy and Riku. They gave up on me. I have nothing now. No friend… No family… No home…”
Sophia and Jeremiah looked at one another. The child was completely bereft.
‘Do we keep him?’ The captain asked.
‘Why not?’ The Reverend Mother answered on the same tone.
She gave Sora a tender look.
“How about you come with us, then? I am certain you’ll find a place by our side.”
The teen’s gleaming eyes were all they needed to see to know his answer.
The Temple of Sacred Ashes was still several days away. Sora didn’t know how to ride, but Jeremiah showed him the basics. He never stopped asking the Knight-Captain and Reverend Mother questions about the world around them, the history, the places, the people.
This is how he learned about the war between Mages and Templars. Led by the Senior Enchanter Neliel, an elven Spirit Healer, the mages that were with them sought peace and had made a truce with the Templars. Sora timidly showed them his magic, just like he showed Jeremiah his meager knowledge of swordsmanship. The Templar was disturbed to know someone gifted with magic could use a sword, but he carried on regardless and, while the mages showed Sora how they used magic in Thedas, the Knight-Captain taught him the basis of swordsmanship. Sophia appreciated the open-mindedness of the boy and happily answered his questions.
Then they reached the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Sora was speechless.
“It’s… amazing! It’s huge!”
His eyes filled with wonder made Sophia, Neliel and Jeremiah feel warm. He turned to them.
“Can we go visit it? Please!”
“Of course. This is where the Conclave is happening.”
The group headed to the Temple.
A few hours later, the sky burst apart.
For information, this story isn't listed as translation of Un Cantique de Sang et de Lumière because I'm writing and updating both at the same time, to keep my translating skills sharp. Feedback, especially in that regard, is appreciated.