Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Grandma?”

An elderly woman sitting at the edge of a bed smiled. “Do you want a story?” She asked her grandson, who became energized by the mention of another story.

He vigorously nodded his head in agreement, a wider smile than his grandmother’s. “Of course! But… can you tell me a different story? Please?” He begged, unnecessarily drawling out his plea as he gave his strongest puppy eyes possible.

His grandmother laughed. “Dearie, you don’t need to tell me twice. I know just the story for you!” She ruffled the boy’s hair, watching as he snuggled into the blanket to avoid any more ruffling. “But remember! D-”

“Don’t tell Dad, I know. He’s such a party pooper!” He pouted, puffing out her cheeks in annoyance. “No one likes party poopers.”

Oh dear . She might have to talk to his friends about what and what not to teach him; the last thing she needed was her grandson to swear like a sailor in front of their guests. It would be a wonderful sight, though, to see some of the more arrogant fools to be put in their place. “Now, now, don’t call him a party pooper. Let’s be respectful, hm?” Though, seeing him react to such a statement - that she could look forward to any day. “Now, onto our story.

Long ago-

“Not that story! A different one!”

The elder hushed the boy with a finger to her mouth. “No interrupting when I’m telling a story, dearie. And no, it is not the same one - we go before the times of fairy tales, when the Keyblade was owned by one.

“A time where Kingdom Hearts was still in the realm of Light, where the worlds were ruled by one true king.”

Long before the Heart of All disappeared, there was a small city that sat as a gate between the Heart and the World. Its citizens were of human likeness, yet they lived far longer than one. Compared to the life below where the citizens of the World intermingled and were varied, the people of this city kept inside, fear instilled of the horrid happenings outside their beautiful town. They feared, for they hoarded the very Heart, and did not want their precious light to be tainted by such disgusting acts. So they gave Kingdom Hearts a protector: their king, the Verum Rex.

The Verum Rex was, as told, the charge of Kingdom Hearts. He or she was given the task to ready themselves, body, mind, and soul, to serve Kingdom Hearts - to keep the darkness away from it. In exchange, the World would be safe from those who tried to steal the Most Important for themselves. Sometime down the road of protection, Kingdom Hearts gave its protector its most sacred piece: the key to use its power, the X-blade. The Rex earned power beyond those of below, to protect themself and the people, and the town was safe for hundreds of years to come.

But, as the Blade was passed down from Rex to Rex, and the advisors of the king, the ones to choose the Rex, became stricter, harsher, and telling increasingly worrisome stories, the people became just as curious. How cold was the world out there? How come their king had this immense power to protect them, yet they were unable to leave? Why restrict the people and its people from seeing even a glimpse of the people outside? ‘What were the humans outside like?’ they questioned, which soon became demands. ‘Let us leave, and see for ourselves what the world beyond is like!’

The king or queen, so far into the royal line that had forgotten what the World outside looked like, agreed with his people. But unfortunately the Heart’s protection, the safety of the people, came first; not to mention the advisors would get picky if he or she had decided to go and unlock the doors to their land for the World to enter.

So the current king, having his own son, who affiliated himself so deeply with his people, decided to argue for the benefits of opening up. Perhaps it was not as awful as they had assumed it was. They could also see how the people had developed after so long of a separation - maybe even judge them.

The advisors, albeit angry that they were being questioned, began to relent. ‘Fine,’ they said. ‘We shall allow one to join us - he shall bear the weight of judgement on his shoulders. But we shall be the one to judge him, to find him, to kill him if he dare step out of line and seek Kingdom Hearts. If we fails in any regards, the doors shall stay closed. We shall keep an eye on the Blade, and you will lose all custody of this land, your son, and die like a tragic fool.’

Certainly, it seemed so dire in the eyes of the people, who could never wish such a thing on their beloved ruler, but they too laid their hopes onto their incoming guest - or possible guest, if the council would ever keep their end of the bargain and find one.

Eventually they found a man, a man who would one day be known as the Master of Masters, the creator of the Keyblades.

However, this man knew of them years before they came to his land, thanks to his visions of the future. He had a goal to accomplish, one that had plagued him for years: to seek a way to stop a war, one that would ravage his people, and seal him from a place he would soon call a home (not to mention to protect the one he had fallen in love with accidentally). So, he did his utmost best to stand out, to be the chosen one by those bastards of the light, and protect the World. And, with the lack of disgust they had for the rest of humanity, they picked him up like he had planned, and soon assimilated him with their own people.

“Rexy-poo!”

No! Ignore the idiotic fool! Focus on your meditation. Be one with the light, and seek the guidance of Kingdom Hearts. Feel it embrace you, empower you, and take you beyond the land here. Let it be the key to your life, and have the warmth take you away. Let no person be a distraction to you, as you --

“You know I’m not going to stop bothering you, right?”

He. Isn’t. There! Retrace your steps back into the darkness and find your way to the li-

“Rexy-Dexy who sat on his master’s pecs-”

“WILL YOU SHUT UP YOU INSUFFERABLE BASTARD!” A gray-haired prince bellowed angrily to his acquaintance, already visualizing the X-blade striking through the fellow’s chest. “I’M TRYING TO - guh!” In the midst of his yelling, the intruder held his nose, waiting until the in-training Rex started gasping to let go. With each gasp to regain himself, he glared at the other. “Are you actually trying to kill me today just for your attention?” he growled through bared teeth. “Because you really are asking for the death of your people.”

His training partner (as well as partner-in-crime on certain days) was a tall man that could never show his face before him thanks to the advisors. Instead, he had half his face encompassed by a goat mask, to signify his role and the significance behind it - a way to demean and to keep him in line, a reminder he was a guest to be decided upon. He wore a black coat that held bells on the ends of the strings attached, to know where he was at all times. (It still didn’t help - he was worse than the Cheshire and kept hiding in places he could never imagine.) But that never stopped him.

Nor did it stop him from being an annoyance. “Hey, it’s worth it in case of emergencies.”

“Emergencies? Was I called by the Council?” Dear god that the humans worshipped, he did not want to deal with that mess. But if he had to - “I hope I did nothing wrong! I was merely meditating, doing as they com- did you just poke me?” Again a finger prodded at his side. “Will you stop that?!”

“Hey, you’re looking a little thin here. You eating alright?” Another prod, this time on the other side, one that he smacks away again. “Or has the Council ordered a ‘special diet’ like last time?”

“No, none of that! I am in perfect health, thank you.” That happened once , and that had been perfectly - and embarrassingly - addressed by his father. “Now will you tell me about this emergency-” the prince hissed as a finger tried wiggling its way past his arms, trying to pry through the makeshift barrier. “- or are you going to continue your increasingly annoying bothering ?”

It stopped, thankfully. The prince sighed, exasperated by the other’s ridiculous behavior. “Thank you,” he said, now being fully aware of the meditation room. One that continued to be so bothersome whenever he tried meditating because of the blasted waterfall - today had been successful, in comparison to the other twenty times he had done so earlier that week. But of course the son of a bitch (hopefully the masters didn’t learn of him picking up such words beneath him) would decide to ruin it - it was in his nature. (It wasn’t so bad, either.) Although… “What time is it, Supe?” It could be that he missed a meeting, and they were set to punish him, the jerks.

“Time? Oh, that.” Supe still held that smile of his, uncaring of how the prince could be affected by this. “I think it’s time you ate. It’s past lunchtime, last I checked.”

Did this fool only think about food? “No, not that! I meant-” Before he could finish, a loud growl echoed throughout the chamber. He knew his face blew up like a failed Firaga; simple things like this always made him turn crimson easily.

“Oh, would you look at that?” A hand grabbed his own as he was dragged outside. “Looks like wittle ol’ Rexy-Poo -”

“It’s Yozora, you dolt! And quit pulling me!”

“- is hungwy!” It did not matter that Yozora was digging his feet into the dirt or trying to pull his hand out of this tight grasp; it was always impossibly strong, stronger than any other who held him (which was only his father, and wasn’t that a weird thought). No wonder Supe was chosen to be his watcher. And to be the death of him. “Now, we’re going to go outside and actually get some food in that stomach of yours! Won’t that be a nice change of pace?”

“And what if I said no?” One day he would get out of this grasp. One day!

Again that smirk returned, fully intent on showing his disregard to the possible problems he was creating. “That ain’t up to you, sweetcheeks. We’re getting food, a change of place, and not training today.” They continued forth, as if Supe would always be in control of the prince. Arrogant prick. “Orders from your father, too, so don’t go blaming me for everything.”

Eventually the prince gave up, knowing that as much as he loathed taking a break from training, he enjoyed the respite that came from such. Especially from Supe; he made each one unique and interesting, not to mention borderline illegal. How the Council hadn’t killed him yet was impressive.

Though they would have to go through the people of Scala ad Caelum before they could reach Supe.

Fourteen pairs of eyes watched as their in-training Verum Rex was guided to and through the towns, snuck between alleyways, always inching towards the gates that led below. One specific pair belonging to the king crinkled in amusement as the fools he called advisors kept pestering him to kill the human.

“I told you, Sire, that he was a bad influence!”

“He’s flaking off - again!”

“If he keeps being distracted, we might lose our protector!”

“Y-you’re right! It might choose a different wielder!”

“What do we do then? All our training will be for naught!”

“Sir, please! We must act now!”

“This was a mistake, we never should have brought him!”

“Oh, what if he has tainted Kingdom Hearts already?”

“Impossible! Do not say such things!”

As much as he wanted to strangle each of them, that the only time it chose another was because that particular line was too weak (and grateful not) to wield it, that there was nothing wrong, that would cost him his life. Plus, this was amusing, to see chickens run without their heads; finally showed the bastards their place. But alas, being the king held him from showing such bad manners to the elders, as aggravating and deserving as it was, so he ignored them.

The Rex felt himself smirk, feeling the same thrum of amusement come from Kingdom Hearts. “You too, huh,” he whispered amidst the noise, soon to walk away from the view as the advisors clustered around him. At least they would not see Supe take his son outside; it was the least he could do for the two of them.

Down by the gates, Yozora struggled helplessly as once more he saw the doors to the Outside. “ Supe! ” He hissed, heterochromic eyes glaring at his friend. “You said last time it would be your last!”

Well, that might have been on him. Give the dog a bone and he’ll start hounding for more, he supposed. And Supe took advantage of that too much. (Well, he did love him, so.) “And I’ll keep saying that again until you admit you love this.” A quick ruffle of his grey hair as that mischievous smile fell down before him. One of his most authentic smiles. “Now c’mon! There’s only so long your dear old daddy can hold them off before they find out!”

The gates opened before the two, most likely his two guardians. Always on the side on Supe when it came to him, those two. (Then again, the three of them were his closest friends.) Just a smidge were they opened, or the Council would hear and the people would see. They didn’t need any of those to happen, although he was sure the city knew he left.

As much as he resisted, Yozora would never tire of seeing the great town of Daybreak, how it seemed so precious in the morning. Yet so fragile, the skies purple as the sun came across, the yellow that was so smooth in transition instead of a constant beating warmth. The coolness of the nature that brushed alongside his body, the winds that flowed faster yet still gentle, a caress that called to him. The bustling of the humans underneath, how they talked and walked with no fear, and the little cat spirits that followed them to and fro. The darkness that danced on the sides where the shadows laid, staring at him but making no move to go forth with their nature.

Despite the danger the world gave to him, he wished he could be free enough to leave Scala and stay here, witness the greatness of humanity while keeping it safe from above. But duty called, and he could not do so. So the calm reprieve that he earned - he’d hold onto it.

“Hey, don’t space out just yet.” An apple fell into Yozora’s gloved hands, bringing him back to Supe, who smiled so gently. Ah, that smile; the most precious to him. He couldn’t help but join in on that smile. “C’mon, put that apple to your mouth. There ya go. Now bite it.”

“Shut up, idiot.” One hand pushed the other as the other held it to his mouth. A bite in - “You stole these from Grannie Jack, didn’t you.”

“No! Absolutely not. Totally would not steal from him, I swear!”

“You’re rambling again. Stop that and maybe I’ll believe you.”

“Wh- no I’m not! How rude! I’m courteous, I pay for my shit, and I can swoon the ladies well enough to be a gentleman!”

“You’re doing it again.”

“What again?”

“Pay for your shit? No one gives you money - our currency is so different from your munny, it outweighs it in value. Although no one even works for money these days. We don’t require it like you humans do.”

“Damnit, how do you even know what we use- oh.”

“I have eyes, you dolt. Why don’t you use yours? Oh wait, you can’t, not with that mask smacked onto your face.” One he wanted to see dearly, to see who he was in love with.

Their time here continued on, unburdened briefly with ridiculous bits and pieces of their life they found while the Council did not have them focused so much on their studies or training. Supe had found the best prankster in Yozora’s young sister, somehow managing to get him to slip on a banana peel in front of his father. Meanwhile the prince had been able to sneak out through the window as their most grouchy teacher fell asleep, nearly able to sleep the entire day through until the advisor practically barged through his room and dragged him to the meditation room. (Okay, in hindsight, it wasn’t the best story? But they were so rare for him.) Apparently Aegis had managed to sneak down below again to put balloons all around the orphanages, but somehow got suckered into a birthday party that left him with broken glasses. Magia had his hat stolen, but it had somehow gotten all the way down below that he gave up.

As their laughter eased up and they fell to silence, that nagging feeling came upon the prince once more. It always came when the masked human had something to say, but never spat it out. Magia and Aegis always called it the Supe Sense, which was so aggravating in its alliteration and its truth but he could not deny it. Perhaps it was out of care, or it was how often the two had been together; no matter what, it was annoying.

“Is there something the matter, Supe?” The prince tried. These matters were always to be tiptoed around, having to avoid mines set up that could stop the conversation altogether.

He was pretty sure every time he asked him like this, his eyes would widen beneath the mask. “What? No! No, no, everything’s okay.” His head shook too much, his hands stuck beneath his legs. He always put his hands up while talking; it was a habit he saw tried to be controlled but never was. “Super peachy! Extra!”

“Supe, you’re rambling again.”

“No I’m not!” Brat.

“If you don’t spill whatever it is that’s befuddling you, then I will tell the advisors what we are doing.” As much as the grey-haired man did not want to say such a thing, it was the best threat to get the man to speak. A quiet Supe never did have the best things to say.

The other opened his mouth, then closed it. His jaw was most likely grinding against himself judging by how tense his jaw seemed. Fingers that were finally freed from underneath flexed and wiggled, like he didn’t know what to do with them. Like they held something important. What was on his mind that was so awful to spill?

He must’ve come to a decision, as he stood up from the edge they hung out constantly. “You need to promise me something, Yozora.” The other’s voice was serious.

He could do that. “I can promise you anything, Supe.”

“No!” He shouted, frowning all the while. “I need you to be serious about this, Yozora! This must not reach the Council nor your father!” What? “I need you to think hard on this, and keep silent about this. This must be kept a secret, or this world will be doomed!”

“Supe, what-”

“PROMISE ME!” His voice was so desperate and loud - it crushed Yozora and decided for him. (Oh, how easily he fell to Supe and his demands.)

“I-I can, but you have to tell me! Tell me what’s going on!” Now he stood up, giving his friend his full attention. “I can’t hold a secret if you won’t tell me what’s going on.”

The man took a deep breath. Held it. Then held out his hand. “I’m gonna hold you to your word, Verum Rex,” he said as

a grey blade shaped like a Key appeared in his grip.

It almost felt surreal, an insane surreal. But - “Supe!” He hissed, backing away from the man. “This is sacrilegious! Blasphemic! Do you know what you’ve created!?”

“Yes.” So monotone, like he knew he was going to have this reaction. But the tremor in his hand gave his terror away. “But I had to.”

“Had to?! What the hell-” A finger was held at his lips, and a quick “Shush.” kept him silent.

“You see…” The keyblade disappeared as Supe pulled his arms behind him, turning towards the sky above Daybreak Town. “You see, I can see the future. For as long as I can remember, I could see bits and chunks of the world. Most of the time they were nice - like spending time with you or with such others I’ll tell another time. Some were sad, such as the day I found out how my mother would die. But one,” a hand was raised, one finger pointing to the sky. “Stuck with me the most.”

Once more Supe turned towards him, his raised hands behind his back again. “A war. A war that will bring chaos and destruction - and the separation of light and darkness.”

Silence. Now was the time to question him. “But why Keyblades - why fashion a blade like our X-blade?!” The grey-haired prince begged his partner to answer. This betrayal needed to be known. “Why make weapons like this?”

“To protect the world from the darkness - to keep such a fate from occurring.” His frown worsened, seem to get angrier. “If I create these blades and hand them out to these people -” a hand gestured out to the town, implying - oh no - “- and give them enough hints, power, a head start - we can avoid this war. We can stop such a split from ever occurring. We can make sure there is peace again in this realm and keep your city safe!” He looked down, almost embarrassed. “... You safe.”

A war that would split the realm apart… A world that might bring harm to his city… “Supe…” It crushed him - that he would go behind his back and scheme to protect him, to go such lengths to keep them safe. “How could you.”

“... I had to. I couldn’t be sure-”

“Then you could’ve told us!” Yozora’s hands splayed against his chest. “You could’ve told me! We could’ve found a way to do this together, instead of going to such lengths-”

“You wouldn’t have believed me! The Council would’ve killed me! They wouldn’t care about this - this war!” His friend’s hands were now to his sides, clenched as his teeth were. His body was bent, but not so much to hide his anger. “They would’ve said, ‘Good riddance!’ and laughed as my land was destroyed. They would’ve said it proved exactly what they thought of us humans. They would’ve been happy to see your people unable to even leave Scala. I… I wouldn’t even be able to see you enjoy this land again.”

“But you could’ve told me, Supe. I find it hard to trust you when you do things like… like this.” He felt his heart crush under this emotion of betrayal. But he understood one thing.

He sighed, feeling self-hatred come upon him for daring to say these words. “... Supe.” Finally his friend returned to his face, to hear what he had to say. “I… I don’t want to say this. Because this hurts, that you’ve copied what should never be known - hells, ever known - by humans.”

“...But?”

Yozora clenched his teeth, feeling his mouth form into a frown. “But… I shouldn’t be letting this go. I should be telling the Council this-”

“You promised!”

“But I won’t.” His eyes fell upon the town again. Sometimes he felt his eyes were too symbolic of his life: one split between loving the realm of Light and the other holding to his duties. “I too don’t wish for this world to be ravaged by dark beings. I too want to walk amongst your people. I… I will leave this to you, if you are so confident in your duties.”

Turning back to Supe showed him the most shocked form of his friend he had ever seen. Perhaps he believed too much in his future visions that it made him too scared to tell others. That if he said such a thing to anyone, they would disbelieve him. Such a ridiculous fear to have for him; he was training for a blade to protect something he had never seen in his life. Although Supe was still in the right to keep such information from Scala - the Council would’ve kept him as a pet of their own, which would have been so much more dehumanizing than now.

“T-thank you…” His form slumped somewhat, before quickly correcting itself. “I-I mean, yes, your Maj- my Rex!”

“What are you doing here, Atuda?”

Oops. “Caught red-handed, huh?” The grandmother couldn’t help but smile guiltily at her son, holding her hands up. “He asked, Ansem, and I answered in turn. I’m sure he fell asleep to it some way into it.”

The glare stayed as icy as it always did on the topic of just telling his children a simple story. “I’d rather such stories be kept to yourself rather than go near her ears,” he sneered, opening the door that he just entered earlier. “Let us go, Atuda. I shall not risk any more nonsense being told to my son, awake or asleep.”

How heartless. (She deserved it, no matter how much it tugged relentlessly at her heart.) “Goodnight, Lea,” she whispered softly, pressing a kiss to the sleeping boy’s forehead before pushing herself off the bed to follow her son out. As soon as she took her final step out of the room, Ansem slammed the door behind the two of them. She looked at her son, returning his icy stare seriously. “They deserves to know the legacy of the Keyblade, Ansem, and I’ll be damned if he doesn’t.”

If his stare could cast Blizzard, Atuda’s body would probably be frozen solid (again). “Like my wife? Like my son? You keep giving them ideas of- of great fantastical magic, and look where those legends got you.” He argued, staring angrily at her hands. Where it once was so proudly held in. “Sooner or later that legacy will take my children from us. And I will not allow that to happen.”

“I promise-”

“You’ve made enough promises,” he interrupted without hesitation. “I don’t want to hear another broken one.” Ansem walked away, back turned completely to his mother. “Goodnight, Mother.”

Atuda watched her son walk away from her, too upset to tell him her whispered “Goodnight, son.” He was right; she made too many promises, and each one never was held. Her friends, her daughter-in-law, her father, the legacy she wanted to continue herself - not one was safe from the pain of the events nearly five years ago. Ansem was so wise, and she was proud of him - because he was learning from her; he was safe, as much as it pained her to admit.

“I’m so sorry, my darling Grey Tea,” she whispered to the walls of the hallways that she was now slumped in instead, feeling guilt weigh her down from going back to her room (which sat besides what used to be her daughter-in-law’s room). “I may not be able to make it up ever, but by this I swear on my life:

“I will protect my family, no matter what. Even if my heart passes, I’ll keep them safe.”

»»————-　♔　————-««

A gasp desperate for fresh air escaped the dark, crashing waters that were lit by the moon above. An arm pushed a grey-haired man up to the surface, face full of anger and frustration as soon as he threw himself onto the shore. With each frantic gasp, air returned to him, and gold eyes slowly started to narrow both in relief and in frustration.

With the anger came frustration, and soon frustration led to wrath. “God fucking DAMNIT!” He cried, smashing a fist into the sandy floor. The water rushing in and over his soaked boots did nothing to help his mood. Darkness rolled off his form, wanting to destroy the island that he was kneeling upon, see the world’s heart torn in two, feel the darkness take over the heart and lead the people to their inevitable doom as the Heartless came upon the land to feast on the citizens and see that those boys be killed, witness as the great world that tried to stop him from reaching his goals fell all the way to whence it came, just kill it !

“Told you they’re protective of him.”

Why would this man not leave him be? “I didn’t believe it would risk its heart for the sake of the boy,” he hissed, smacking the incoming hand away from his head. “I believe I’ve told you before: don’t touch me.”

His hooded companion chuckled, quickly using his other hand to ruffle his hair. Prick . “Aw, but you’re so cute when you’re mad!” The man exclaimed excitedly; he was sure he could see the grin the other was wearing if he tilted his head just a little bit. “Besides, technically I’m not touching you.”

“Let me remind you,” the young adult reprimanded the other through gritted teeth. “That I’m not a replacement for him .” Yes, he definitely should not have said that; he’d seen the man go ballistic whenever he told the story about his lover. So scary of a sore spot that he swore any time he went on a tantrum, the worlds quivered beneath him. But he was sickened by this treatment; he wasn’t some child that seemed similar to the one he loved. Could his companion not be so haunted by the reminder of him?

He felt his body still as the hand in his hair tightened briefly before relaxing. He had successfully escaped a quick death (which would have infuriated him; he wanted his revenge!), and with a scolding too. The grey-haired man did not want to risk such a repeat again, not when he could easily die in too many ways. “Don’t worry, lil Xehanort. I know all too well.” The hooded figure finally released his hair from his grip, which returned back to his side. “And besides, you look nothing like him!” The damn hands returned, squishing and pulling at his cheeks.

As he hissed and tried to shove the other off of him, the mystery man continued. “You look like that guy you nearly killed. You know, tall guy, sun-kissed skin, brown hair - a jock-looking guy? Probably the hair.” Just as quickly as the hands bothered him they were back to the man’s side. “Is that why you chose him as a vessel?”

That would be awful if that were the case. “Absolutely not, and you know it, fool.” Xehanort growled, holding his own set of hands from massaging the pain in his cheeks. “He was simply weaker than the others and held much potential.”

“Hope he’s not dead, then, or your plans are ruined.”

“I doubt it. If everything never was set in stone, this world would be in chaos from such pains.” A contradictory statement, but he had to see at least him killed. It happened before, just not by his hands; at that point he would be satisfied.

“If you say so,” the other said lazily, shrugging as they watched the boat which held the two he needed finally sink into the ocean. “Ah!” Xehanort whipped his head back to him in confusion by the sudden outburst. “What about that other kid? Riku, right? Doesn’t he live here?”

That bothersome pest of a pawn. “Oh, him.” The young adult still had yet to know how he would effectively deal with him. “I’ve yet to come up with a solution for him,” he sullenly admitted. Unfortunately, the boy was just as risky as his Heartless, both of them driving him insane from how much of a wrench they threw into his plans. “And I doubt I’ll be able to touch him yet - too many mistakes have been made that they’ll be prepared.” His Heartless would most definitely be crushed if he appeared at the same time as the previous attempt; that would be a very undignified way of dying, if you asked him.

“Why not just take the kid now?”

Confusion quickly took him once more, bewildered by the bold, sudden action. “Take? As in… kidnap him?” He asked, hoping he had heard right. Perhaps his deep thinking had made him hear things wrong.

“Oh, potato-potato! It’s not like that matters.” If anything, his partner seemed rather ecstatic at the idea. “What does is that you get him on your side. Teach him your ways, and maybe, just maybe, you can change the future!”

Slowly the young adult processed what exactly he was being told. “And you want me to take him now?” The time traveler nearly spat at the idea, now that it had run its course. A beautiful idea. However. “Destiny would be sure that I be dead if I tried. Not worth the risk.”

“Ah, yes, you would indeed die by Destiny’s will!” A hand was splayed across the other’s chest. “But not if I were here.”

“You would willingly destroy this world for my own gain?” There had to be a catch to this sacrificial attempt; nothing came without a price. (Why now of all times did he feel that pathetic patch of sentimentality float above and through his mind? Disgusting.) “Why?”

The man shrugged, like such a bold, dangerous statement was something of an everyday chore to him. “What’s wrong with helping out with the hero? Every hero’s gotta have the overpowered one-use assistant every now and then,” he replied simply.

This… this was a lot to compound on. “I…”

“Tick-tock! You don’t got a lot of time before that heart disappears!” Oh, as if he hadn’t given him the golden ticket underneath his nose so quickly! “I’ll give you-”

“Fine!” He shouted, half scared and half pissed off by the sudden introduction of a countdown. “Just - kill Destiny Islands!” And so he marched off, irritation dictating his path to the crib of his youngest pawn.

The man watched as the portal disappeared before deciding to walk to his destination. He’d give the boy, oh, maybe ten minutes of a head start before he’d inevitably crush the heart. How thrilling~.

Centuries ago he would’ve been against such an idea. Would’ve been crying at the idea of having to use others for the sake of recalling Kingdom Hearts back into the Realm of Light. Would’ve been there to try to guide either of the boys on a path of light and away from darkness.

Perhaps using time and worldline traveling had started to reduce him to such a state. Perhaps the knowledge of thousands of failures, worlds, lines, and the aggravating inability to even see him again had created a rot of care for anyone save him. Or perhaps the mocking acknowledgement of Kingdom Hearts to dare create children in the likeness of him and his lover as he failed time and time and time and too many times to count on any of his muscles that never grew older nor weaker as he searched and searched f̝̜̖͉̦̜ͦ̀ͅo͔̺̻r͓͍̓͗̃͊̏̀ͥ ̢̖̈ͦa̯͚͓̣͕̤͜ ̵͈̲͎̖͙̲̲̑̅w͙͚̰̰̮ͩ͂͑a̺̼̰̦̘̜͢ͅŷ͓̇ ͕͔͎̳̮̜ͮ͡t̮͓͂ͮ͌̓̉͘oͧͭ̿̋͆͏ ͉̮̯͕͍̏̆͗ͥ̋͝g̺̳͎ͧͨͬa̻̫̯̰͍̱͓ͤ̃̾͛̀̉i̝͚ͪ̂n͙̜̺̍̈̽ ͚̩̂̅̏͜hͮ̐͏i̬̯̙͎͔̾͛͂͒ͧ̃̽m̓̇ͣͩͬ̌̆͏̘̹̥͇͉ ̖͌ͮ́ͮͫb̻͔̬̘ͯͭ̌̉ͪ̌a̦̬̞̗̹͍ͮͅc̙̥͇̺̱͒ͧ̉ͧ̏ͩͦk̃̋ ö̱̫̟͙͍͎̬̳́ͭ͊̌ͯ͋n̵̹̠̣̰͖̖̭ͥ͊͗̿͂̌̀͛̓͜͢l̟͚͈̝̭͆̍͌̉ͥͥ̃y͎̠̱͖̱̝̎ͤ̈̄ ̷͎ͦ̄͋̋̌ͨ̐f̵͇̼̭̖̤̰̳̰̬ͫ͛ͥ̃͐o̦̪͓̜͖̫̩̬̼̽ͭ͆͗̽́͜͞r̢̜͕̲̼̲̲̉̅ͪ̈̉̃̽͘ ̴͕̭̦̮̘̆t̴̠̱̮̙̠̰̲̼ͧ̒̚h̵̜̤͎̽̔͛ͣͦo̗̻̱̝͍̩̐̚s̛̜̻̊̆̓̽̆ͫ͜ȅ̦̪̗͕̜̥͂ ̵͕̤̯̝̠͚̰̻̳̇ͯͭ̎ͮ̽͒̋t͖̗̂ͯ̍̓̉͟w͕̭̲̠ͬ̃̋ͭͯͩ̃͌͞ỏ̧̠̙̻͖͈̯̌̓ͤ͞ ̲̳̜̣̰̜̑̄ͪ͌̾ͬ͗f̷̡̙̥̯͎̼ͩu̻̻̮̭ͬ̐ͮ̈́̐̄ç̻̗͔͔̻̻͛͐ͭͥ̌̍͋ḳ̶̯̜͔̠̩̝̖̮ͤ̔̅̓̊͊̂́͜ĭ͓̱̩̮̝̣ͫ͋̊̋ͫ̈ͅṋ̵͈͖̝̀̽͛ͪ́g̺ͨ̇͒͂̆ͪ͢ ̷̥̤͎̳̼̰̳̓͑̍̽͐̓̈ͤ̆d̪͎͉̖̳̦̜͙̐͊̈ͫ͢ͅi̷̙̖̭̹̚͢s̴̬̭̖̪̞̝͓̫͋̄̏̎͆̚̚͝g̸̢̹̥̥̮ͪuͫ͆ͣͨ̈́̇ͮ͆҉̢͎͇̰͖̜̣̦̭͞s̡̧̙̣̜̰̪ͤͥ̓̾ͧ͑ͧ̕t̟̞̯̯̭ͪ̋͐͋͊͝īͮ̾͂̆ͣ҉͉̗̱n̶̬͕͇̊̐̓̂ͧ͗͘g̶̯̤̠̿ͯ̔̆͂ ̨̲̤͉̋r̟͔̦̓̄̽͒́o͉̻̥̗̙ͥ̈́͑̓̎́ͥ̕o̍̈́҉̴̩̭t̵ͤ̃̽ͬ̊̌̍̓ͤ͢҉̥̺͎̙͇ͅs̑̈́̊҉̸͓͖̦͕ ̻̣̥̙̬̬̜̪̂̍͂ͤ̕͜ơ̖̎̃͑ͪ̿̍f̓̅̔̃̽̃ͮ͜͏̳̮͍̯̥̙̗ ̤͉̦͖̺̣̺̖ͯ̂͗ͮͭ͝m͡͠ơ͟c̨k̴͠e̢̨͢r̨̕͜y̸̵̧̛ ̷̧̕͠͠t̶̢͜͠o̸҉͢͡ ̴̢͞f̷͢u̷̕c҉̷̨k͜ ҉͝u̵͡͠p͢͡ ̸̷̕e͟v̵͞ȩ̷̸̡̕r͝҉̴͠y̡͘͜͞t̵҉̷͢͠h̶̢͘͘i̢͞͡n̶̸̨̧͢g̸̶̴̢͠ ̢a͝҉g̷̢͡͝͝a̷͏i̛͘͡n̸̕͝ ͟͡͠a͏͞n͝҉̕ḑ̡͢҉ ̢̧̛͟a̸͞g͘͢͝͏a̧̢҉̶̴i̴̕͞͞n̛̕͟͠ ̶̸̛͝a̸̶͢n̶̶͜͞ḑ͡ ̕͘m̨͜a̶̴k̴̛͢e̡͡ ͞ḩ̸i̷͝m̸̧͢͝ ̵u̢҉Ņ̴A͜҉͟͝B̸̨̕͜͝L̶̨͜҉͘E̕͟͢ ̷̢͘͜T̸̵̨͢͢O̸̡̧ ̵̛͜͞͝R̴̢̢̛͘E̡̧͝Ą̢C̡͜͟H̕͢͞͡ ͢͞͡҉H̶͜͢I͘͢҉͏S̕ ͞͡Ļ̵̶͢O̵̴V͞Ȩ̶͟͏̢R̶͢͜ ̵̧̛H̵̨͝͡҉I͏̧͜S͠ ͏̢͡B͜͢E̡͝L̶͞͏͟OV̡̢͠E͝҉̡D͢͏͟͠ ̸̵̨̛̕Y̸̛͏̶O͢͜Z̸̢͟O̶̢̢͘͢R̛A̴̧̕͟͡ ̷͜W̵͜͟͝Ḩ̶O̴͢͏M͜͠͝ ̵͘͢H̶͘E̷̸̸͟ ҉̶͡͞S̸̢̛͘A͏̧̨C̷̶͟R̷̴̨͘͠I̷̴̶͞F͘͟͡I̢̛͟͜͢C̴͝E̡̛͘͘͡D̵̶̴̢̨ ̨̛̕E̶͡͝҉V̨̧͞E̵̕R҉͞҉̴Y̷҉̴͟T̵̨̛̛H͢͢͝I҉̨̨͢N͏̡G͘̕͟͡͡ ͘͢A̛͠҉̶L̴͢͠҉L̶͘͏̶ ͜҉͢F̵̧O̸̷̸̧R̴͝ ̢̡͘͡T̨͞H̛͠͠҉E̸͢ ̨͞҉̢S̷̨͟͢A̸͝K̶̛̛E͟ ̵̡̕O̡͞͝F҉̡̛͡ ̵͢͟H̷̨͝I̴M̵̴̸͠ ̶̢͜T҉҉Ơ̡͢͟͝ ̶̸̵͘͜S̛̕͢E̡͝E͘ ̷̛͟͜͝H͝͞I̷͏͏̶͝S̴̢̕͢͝ ̵̷̴̛͜W͢͝Ơ̧͝͡R̴̡͟L̢D̢͞ ̴̷̛A̛҉҉Ģ͢A̵̶͘͟͝I̢̕͞N̸-̴̵̢͠͝

Oops. “Oopsies,” Supe said stupidly as he felt the crushing winds of Destiny Island crash upon his body, trying to force him away from its heart. Perhaps that was just the problem of time traveling - you just simply forgot how long one step could take. Or you could be like that pawn that simply got scared the moment he saw a clock. Oh, how he wished tease the little boy, just show him how scary being stuck in time could truly be.

Alas, he still needed a pawn to open Kingdom Hearts. And who better to choose than one who despised the ones he needed dead? While Xehanorty could be dangerously foolish and unwilling when pushed to his farthest, he was miles better than choosing any of his stupid apprentices. Too talkative and preaching of his work (and unlike the two he hated so much, they stuck to their fated destinies like moths to a flame. Fools.).

The hooded one walked undeterred into the unknown past the door, past the markings that seemed to tell some sorry fool’s heroic death, past the roots and pests that tried to bother him. Oh, the Heart could try whatever it could to kill him. But… once you cheat death once, you try it again. If it works the second time?

“No one can stop you,” Supe said as the pinkish glow of the world’s heart slowly dissipated, light flowing out from where he stabbed.

He smiled and walked back whence he came, uncaring of what befell the people of the world. Why should he? He didn’t know them; they didn’t know him. And they were a means to the end; if anything, them knowing of him would hinder his plans. The more who knew about him, the more Kingdom Hearts would seek to end him. And that would just. Not. Do.

“I’m coming, my prince. And soon, you’ll be saved from that wretched light.”

»»————-　♡　————-««

Yozora watched through the waters of Scala as Destiny Islands crumbled before his very eyes. Those very same eyes that had watched countless other worldlines fall before the man’s anger; the many versions of himself that did or did not know of Yozora, what purpose he held, or simply wanted to stave off this demonic version of his dearest. The first of such actions had him in tears; now, once more, he listened apathetically to the cries of the people as they turned to beings grey and black.

It reminded him of the days whence their kingdom was forever gated from the realm below, how the people cried out for the gates to open. But then - death came upon the many, for the first time in centuries. No one knew wherst it came, this sudden death - “It is for the foolishness of the Rex before!” the Council had cried hours before their own - but not one died happily or peacefully. All their tongues, parched as they drank from the waters that showed of the bottom.

In the end, Kingdom Hearts cursed all but he and his guards, who now were only shells of themselves, with eternal death. Not even his sister was spared - his sister, who was the only one left who could tell him if he was insane for thinking that his beloved friend was going mad.

The Verum Rex was now left as a overseer, his powers stripped and useless, once more just a fancy title. He had no people to rule over, and he wished so dearly for the death of those who were still alive. He uttered, “Why!?” so many times in his life, calling to the King of Hearts for his sudden punishment when he and his friend simply wanted to see a war avoided. But it never answered in the way he liked.

But, perhaps it did know of its faults, that it was fully guilty and saddened by this sudden monster created. That it wanted to appease him, that Yozora was told. So it created two children in both the king and the mad wanderer’s likeness, albeit with the powers that were stripped from the king. Perhaps, it said, they could stave off this dark being and be free from the fate that could never be broken.

Instead Yozora watched as the man once called Master of Masters, the one he thought was Supe, planned and plotted for their deaths. “This!” he remembered the man screech in painful sadness. “This is surely the mockery of the Heart! No. No! I shall see that this is righted once more!” So sad, that his disappearance created such havoc and unnecessary chaos. (Or, that was what he wanted, like the child before that hated the authorities so much, he created scenes to escape them, like the councilmen before.)

So, as he watched the boys that were friends so early in another lifetime, be torn apart so easily for the sake of the game played between fools, the Verum Rex of the Staircase to the Heavens cried out in his weathered voice,

“May your hearts be your guiding key, my children of the Light.”

Chapter Text

“Master Eraqus, are you saying what I think you are saying?” His voice was soft, but Eraqus knew better. He was obvious in that regard, too stuck in being brotherly and biased against Xehanort.

“Why yes I do, Master Yen Sid.” Eraqus replied, uncaring of the mocking tone applied. “While I am far from unbiased, I do believe in his words. To a degree , Master Yen Sid, to a degree . I am not the naive boy I once was, but-”

“You are still naive to believe in a man who forcefully divided his apprentice for the sake of Kingdom Hearts !” Yen Sid interrupted him. “Do you not remember why he tore down our master and scarred the both of you? Do you not remember the letters he has written?”

“I do-”

“Then you must understand that he is planning-”

“I do , Master Yen Sid, but something is amiss here!” He would not take this! “While you sit in your chair and do nothing despite the apprentices you have on you - I know Oswald is of darkness, don’t play smart with me-”

“He is not my apprentice, Eraqus- ”

“- I find that my friend has lost his world , Yen Sid!” A damned hypocrite, saying he was one for light and yet he denied the rabbit! A disgrace amongst masters, for denying history and saying he was just and for the light. “While I’ve no doubt that he divided his apprentice - a fool’s hubris, one I hope he learns from - I do believe that the destruction was by someone else’s hand!” Eraqus paused, panting slightly before regaining his self. He had to be quick, or Yen would again cut him off from explaining. “While you delved into tomes of magic and history, Atuda and I spent years with Xehanort. Just as he learned of our history, we learned his. And while he held grudges against many for being seen as an outcast simply for believing in there being more, he did have friends. He. Did. Not. Hate. Destiny Islands. It was simply too small and crowded.”

Oh, Eraqus could go on about how much love Xehanort had towards several individuals - they were all colorful and wonderful, those who showed equal love and support towards him! He was not alone in being thrown out, although they all went separate ways, each dangerous in their own regards. (One was a woman from whom he’d taken Terra from. Oh, a liar he was to her, even these years by…) But while he found fault in the culture that he grew up in, he never hated Destiny Islands. Unless he did and he was - no, believe in him!

But this master was no fool. He knew this pause was deliberate. While Eraqus could hope for his elder ‘brother’ to find some sense in this time, he doubted he could ever relieve himself of that bias.

“Are you insinuating the stars to be fools ? That they aren’t telling the truth?! ”

And there it was. “There is always a chance that the stars can be wrong, Master Yen Sid. They could also be telling you something else, but you alone are the only one who can understand them. You could be twisting the truth.”

Yen Sid looked affronted; while Eraqus would apologize for such rudeness, he would never deny that there was a chance he was interpreting it wrong. Ancient beings were fickle creatures, and they were always subject to bigotry. (Atuda would probably join him in Xehanort’s defense, but at the same time, he hadn’t seen her in years, being so devoted to training his apprentices while keeping an eye on the worldly order. How he wished he could see her, but the children came first. They always would. )

“How dare-”

“Yes I dare. And I’m certain this star would agree.” He was sure of it, with how warm he felt suddenly. “You’ve holed yourself in your Tower for too long, Yen, and it has come with a price.”

“And you have fallen to folly, believing in a man who has used your love against you. Your memory blinds you, and thus you willingly fall further into this man’s embrace. Wake up , foolish Eraqus, and see who is right .”

How could he… But this man was entirely right; he certainly built enough memories with the man to be blinded. He at least found some reason behind his defense through them, unlike this master who believed in ancient words and found them absolute.

“I see this meeting was a waste,” Eraqus said finally, not wanting to end off with Yen trying to get the last laugh. Not with that disgusting remark of his love, which was never foolish.

Luckily, Yen Sid seemed to have gathered some reason, and nodded. “I must agree. I should have known better, should have seen that Xehanort would come to take your sense from you. But enough bickering,” the elder stated before Eraqus could find a retort against him and ultimately return themselves back to earlier. “What has happened has happened, and we cannot undo what will come to bite back. I hope that the next time we meet, it will be on… better terms, I suppose.

“I bid you my condolences once more, and I bid you goodbye.”

“ Good day , Master Yen Sid.” With a wave of his hand, Eraqus turned the connection to Yen’s mirror off, using that hand to cover his own face. “Terra is not gone. I’ll show you, Yen Sid, and you will not like it.”

Good riddance. He’d forgotten how henly his brother could be, and how it served to blind the man. As much as he’d love to excuse the other’s annoying behavior, it did hold reason: Xehanort did split Ventus up, and while he certainly would take in the apprentice, he had no idea of the darkness’s fate. Did Xehanort destroy it, knowing the possible chaos it could create? Or was he going to groom it for his nefarious plan? …Were there others like Ventus, who were split? No, they were most likely dead by this point; a ridiculous notion, believing there to be help from outside. It made nothing better, thinking of this.

“What are you planning, Xehanort?” He couldn’t help but wonder aloud. Oh, how they explored and delved deep into the stories of the old, debating on what went wrong with the Unions and how it was sadly exploited by someone out there - the traitor - but… did he truly believe in this nonsense? That he could be the one to open those doors?

“Where did we go wrong? What did I do?” That question plagued him, kept pestering and eating him alive. Where did he go wrong? Eraqus thought his love and their devotion to keeping the light alive was what could keep them together; their need to defeat darkness from ever getting out of hand a critical reason for being together. “What happened on that Day, Xeha?”

Before he could lose himself to ridiculous theorizing and needless misery, a knock called to his attention. “Master?” A feminine voice asked, muffled by the closed door. “I-is everything okay?”

Ah, Aqua. How he loved her like the Master had for him, when he had lost everything. It reminded him why he was here, why he was preparing them for this path should Xehanort prove him wrong ( again ). “Everything is fine, Aqua. You do not need to worry over me.”

The door opened, as she always took this to enter, and out popped her little blue head. Her eyes gave way to worry (the man doubted she and Terra would never stop wearing her heart on her sleeves). But with how she quietly stepped in, looking away as her eyes stuck to the floor after just briefly making eye contact, he realized she had eavesdropped and knew of his pains. “I.. You just sounded upset, that’s all.” She then looked back up, finally making contact. “Is there anything I can do to help? Anything to find Terra?”

Terra… “I’m sorry, Aqua, but there is nothing you can do to help me find Terra. It is not because of your weakness,” Eraqus interrupted the girl before she could find fault with her status. “But rather I cannot find him.” He walked over to her, waiting to get her attention before he tapped on her mark. “This helps me know where you two are at all times, but wherever Terra is…” He sighed, looking away. “I might not be able to find him.”

“Then Master -”

“He cannot either. Our guess is that he is either in a place we cannot reach, or….” No. This master would never say his apprentice was dead. “Or he is in another world, and has lost his mark.”

Aqua looked heartbroken when he brought himself to look at her. “Then… what can we do? How can I- we bring him back?” She gasped. “What if I-”

“ No , Aqua.” Eraqus stopped her before she thought further with such foolish naivety. “We will stay here and… continue your training, as we look over Ventus. We can only hope and pray that the darkness has not taken him.”

Aqua trembled before him, head straight down with fists tightly held. Here it was, what he was hoping to hide from her: his refusal to look for a boy who desperately needed it, all because he seemed to have lost hope so fast. All it was was to protect and ready these two up before whatever Xeha had cooked up came to drag them from his grasp. At the very least they could go down with a fight.

“How could you give up on him?!” Angry tears came to glare at his weakness and unwillingness, hands furiously moving about but unwilling to unleash it on her target. “He trained under you for so long, and you do nothing but wait? He could be out there, dead for all we know, or struggling to fight off the darkness! We…” She hiccupped. “We promised to be Masters together , Master. Why won’t you go look for him?”

Because he always put his duty before all. “Because if I leave, who will protect you?”

That wasn’t the right answer, judging by the flinch and hurt covering her face. “I… Do you not believe in my strength, Master?” Her voice rang softly in his ears. “Am I that weak, just like Terra said, that you can’t trust me alone?”

“Aqua-” Before he could take her, tell her no , never, she wasn’t prepared for what was stronger than her own master, for Xehanort and his plans, she fled, throwing the door open with such force that it banged against the wall. Checking it proved there to be a dent in the wall.

It felt natural, in a way; this was the Master’s office, after all. Eraqus had made sure to keep it as clean as possible when he took over, but never because he was now in charge of this accursed training ground. No, it was because he still naively believed the Master to be out there, not dead but alive . Their connection hadn’t shattered, like Yen Sid believed; it was still there. But he wasn’t here still, nearly twenty years later. That dream kept breaking up.

Maybe it was a sign that he needed to move on. Let go of his hope of regaining the Xeha he once loved. Be brave , and seek Terra out instead of holing himself in his box of maybes.

But Eraqus was always, and would never stop being, weak. The master could never bring himself to do that, because that damned apprentice excuse kept building with his fear. Certainly, both were justifiable with Xehanort’s power on the rise, but Aqua could defend herself from measly darkness! He didn’t train her in her best field because he didn’t believe in her... right? Regardless, he couldn’t trust that Xehanort would go after either-

Eraqus slapped himself. “No, don’t think that!” He scolded himself, angry that he had fallen so easily into that pitfall. “That’s just what Yen would want you to do! Believe in him, damnit!”

Unfortunately, his mind was set: should Xehanort return with his blade tinted red, Eraqus would and will stand up for his apprentices and defend what was his. There was no doubt of plans to come.

It was a shame Terra would be the first to be lost to the man’s plotting.

Ventus hated this hellhole of a world. If he could just leave this place he would, but no, something always had to chain him down to this place!

First it was whatever that guilt that plagued him from those damn memories of his - for what , he didn’t know nor did he care. It got him stuck here, powerless and separated and good riddance , what was he thinking?! It didn’t help that this teen was stupid enough to think that gaining the X -blade was easy, as every shard showed. Something about this place had called to him, told him, “Come here.” And then proceeded to beat him over the head with mystery and bruises and a whole lot of never telling anyone of this crud. The world was probably laughing at his stupidity, telling him whatever guilt he was trying to alleviate was a mistake and that this was earned.

Was being split into unequal twos a perfect balance?!

Xehanort could fuck off of even trying to tell him he was Ventus’s perfect dark half. If he was half of him, then he WOULD’VE REJOINED EASILY! BUT NO! This darkness that spawned from whatever guilt plagued Ventus was more willing to crush his light! His light , damnit! Trying to reform with him had nearly resulted in their twin demise, as he had misjudged his darkness’s strength. Yet Xehanort saw it fit to separate them.

Which was agonizing in every regard because he couldn’t. Stop. FEELING ! All day long he was subjected to sensations that weren’t his and voices that blended with his memories and causing such confusion that he couldn’t differentiate who was truly feeling what. Then there was the shocking burn of pulling hIs sKUll that PULLED and twISTed for a brief moment before finally . Finally that connection shut off. But then it was SUFFOCATING SOFTNESS that tingled his whole body and how do you deal with being stuck between soft and hard surfaces?

By vomiting, of fucking course!

Ooooh, how he hated what came out of him! It was a mockery of everything he’d gone through! It wasn’t bile that came out - no, it was whatever was overcoming his damned mind. It disturbed him, to see them form and then have the audacity to try and snuggle near him.

Whenever they did, Ventus destroyed them. Was this what Asshole Master Xehanort wanted? To humiliate him by having whatever was coming out to show the world his weakness? Did the worlds find it funny to mock the darkness like this?!

But that didn’t even HELP! Instead, they RETURNED to him rather than just dying right there and then, and this cycle of pain and whatever the fuck they were made of combined with hiding his weakness continued endlessly .

To put the final nail on the bludgeoned coffin, his master renamed him.

No longer was Ventus his name. No, that belonged to his lighter side, because this being didn’t deserve it. Apparently only the light could ever hold onto those privileges, of having an identity that wasn’t associated with the pain and overbearing discrimination of just being darkness despite HIM BEING THE ONE TO DO THIS! Instead, he now took Vanitas and was to answer to that.

It was as if he was being dictated his life again, like a parent would for their child. Except this asshole master didn’t care for him. His life was forfeit because he was made of darkness; no one would love him, and he was meant to die. Vanitas was nothing more than a weapon, an ace up Xehanort’s sleeve, and had one purpose: forge the X -blade. Once he did, then he could return to peaceful sleep within his light.

Xehanort said he could return them back to one piece. It sounded like a dream come true despite everything screaming at him to run, turn around, flee whatever darkness consumed his light . So, as if reenacting his past, Vanitas accepted such a proposal, just to stop feeling incomplete.

What a fool he was, thinking perhaps Master would be kinder to him.

By the end of today’s training, he’d retched up a number of “Unversed”, as Master called them why is he calling them that they aren’t supposed to exist stop naming them , and was forced to suppress each one. Each attempt he failed resulted in another round of “Beat Vanitas Near Death”, beaten just close to unconsciousness before Master would rid the Unversed himself.

“You must first control your urges before we even think of continuing further,” the man had said before another kick to his stomach. “Get up.”

And so it continued until finally Xehanort called for rest. Too bad he had to stay in this cold, desolate land and fend for himself. He could at least be happy he couldn’t eat.

Something nudged him from behind, burning through his suit. “ Damnit ,” he hissed, turning around and destroying the Unversed with a quick Fire to the face. He ignored its name, its cry for pity and safety, and bit his lip as it seeped back into his body. “Why can’t you just stop , damnit…” He knew it would be far from the last - there were some that had managed to escape somehow, but in this state? Vanitas would probably crack his head open if he tried to take them out.

It wouldn’t be… too bad, if he left them about. Right?

Regardless, the being finally had some time to himself. Better make the best of it by finding some place to sleep, since his original home was probably destroyed. Again.

“Ugh,” Vanitas drawled as he forced himself up. “He couldn’t have left me a Tent now, could he? Damn jerk and his stupid beard and his bald head…” He kept grumbling insults as he walked off into the unexplored.

While he could certainly say he was impatient and wanted off this dreadful world, he knew it would take time to regain what he’d lost. The fortunate part was that whoever was in charge of his Light was willing to keep it safe ; he doubted Xehanort told him the truth of Ventus and the fate of his dark side . He ultimately benefited from the light’s inability to sense darkness out truly, so if his Light or another being of light tried to seek him out, good luck to them. Unfortunately, due to the split and thus only being darkness, he could easily be swallowed up by the same darkness he was comprised of or be defeated by any weak wielder. Or maybe Master would kill him during their training.

The possibilities behind his demise were endless. Vanitas really hoped he wouldn’t reach any until he returned home; then he could die peacefully in his true heart.

Despite the morbid thoughts constantly throwing him off track - and often into monsters’ dens and fights - Vanitas found himself a temporary home in the hollow pillar far from where the Split occurred. Certainly far from what he’d prefer - anything warm and not smelling suspiciously of human and ancient crap - but it’d do. Quickly he threw a fire down onto a rotting blade he’d taken with him, unsympathetic towards the small, outraged cry from it for not being used properly. It was fake, anyways, so what did it matter?

“Welcome to the club,” the being murmured, sighing in relief as the fire slowly seeped through him. Belatedly he forgot about the winds when choosing the place, so the fire didn’t last long as a blast blew out his winds. Vanitas growled as it went out, but chose to stay. “Deal with it, ghost,” he grumbled as again the blade was lit.

It stayed as such, him lighting the blade over and over until eventually he ran out of mana. Then he got angry and ugh , out came a fire-based Unversed. Exhausted and unwilling to subject himself to another round of pain after draining himself of whatever it was made of, he let it be. At the very least it warmed him.

“Don’t get too comfy, you shit,” Vanitas told the Unversed, hissing as came closer. “Not that close, damnit! Get baOUCH!” It backed away at his cry of pain, now leaving him cold and even more annoyed. Again he hissed at it. “Will you just sit still and NOT burn me, damnit?! How hard is it to do that?” Ignoring the whine, he curled himself as best as he could into a ball and tried to sleep.

Only to feel suffocated and burning and who in their goddamn bright mind decided to come into the middle of a wasteland on the noisiest ship in the world?!

“Moth’r flickers and their godsdamned hearts on a turkey crud.” Vanitas pulled himself up, angered now that he had to move again because he was definitely not going to deal with this all night. “Let’s go, Chili.” At the chirp, the being jumped down.

Did the worlds really not like him? Did they really think it was nice to fuck with someone who already had a shitty enough life for the past few years? Or did they think it was funny to place stinking, disgusting, ancient and terrifying old coot here?! Who the hell thought of ruining the sanctity of this graveyard even further? And what attracted old men to this place, anyways? Well, this guy here certainly wasn’t going to stay here any longer and have his ass handed to, so off Vanitas and, ugh why did he name it, Chili would go, searching for a godsdamn quiet place to sleep in.

“I’d never thought I’d see the day when I’d meet another like me,” a deep voice spoke behind him, chilling Vanitas to his core and freezing him in place. He nearly lashed out at the hand placed on his shoulder, and only then did he come face to face with the nicely dressed stranger.

Those amber eyes, that darkened core, the sliminess of his very dark essence, yet the scent of royalty, strength, and godly molded around it - this was it, Vanitas supposed. His death at this man’s hand, slowed only by his interest in him.

The being didn’t bother taking a step back, accepting his fate there. “W-who are you?” He managed to whisper, shivering as hands slowly came to hold his helmet. Desperate fear came to his mouth, choking him as he slurred out, “Don’t touch me! ” and pushed the other back.

Sadly, he couldn’t stop the fear flood from coming out - damn his sensitivity! - and darkness came forth. Sticky, sticky fear slithered casually as he tried to force it out, desperate for it to stay back, stay back I said! but oh, when was life kind to him? No, the darkness said, it’ll come out regardless of how he was or what he wanted, and out it poured, filling his helmet for the lack of space to leave. As it took and took and took, his knees lost control, and he fell to the floor. Unwilling to lose more of his precious, precious oxygen, he forced himself to spill his self before this very stranger who spilled evil and ancient darkness, with humiliation following shortly after fear came to pass.

Ventus groaned as a hand was placed on his head, wishing dearly for it to leave him be, only to feel crippling pain as light light oh it burns help me Master called out. Ventus remembered he was n’t supposed to be here , that this isn’t right, not this time too late too LATE , and ooooo , how he hated those eyes. Disgusting pity when he didn’t even NEED IT!

“ What do you want? ” Van tus spat, clenching his teeth as ANGER HATE HIM HATE HIS GUTS HATE HIS PITY TAKE IT ELSEWHERE slinked down his ears. “Did Master send you?” To kill me? To rid of what he didn’t need, as he’d found someone else now?

The mixture of someone froze once more as the hand moved back to his chin, tilting his head towards the man. But instead of amber eyes, blazing blue that spoke of his royal core, of the distant light this man once held, came to stare at him. There was a rasp of unrecognizable chimes and bells, nothing he thought he’d ever come to understand with how ancient each rang out, before the man finally spoke common. “I do not know of which master you speak of, for there are seven who have hidden themselves so easily, few know of the truth. I only came here because this,” and something came from his hand, driving Vanitus to struggle fruitlessly before it disappeared. He wished he could take control of his boneless arms and cover his ears as the man dared to belittle his state by what, trying to calm him?! That was EVIL and could’ve swallowed him whole! “I’m sorry, little one, but what calls calls, and you too were called here. There is little else to do but dance in the gods’ hands.”

Well dance his ass if it meant this idiot would be forced to be on his knees in front of a maniac! “Nnnot on my waahhhhtch,” Vanitus moaned as he pulled his head out of the man’s grasp, falling further into the ground, the world spinning with flecks of black coloring his sight. He didn’t bother getting up; a waste of energy and time he didn’t want or feel he could use. Gasping, he continued, “Ahhhnd… what… call? Ha….”

“Oh you poor, poor soul,” the man murmured, irritating Vanitas before a sudden wave of relief filled his essence. What? “It’s the least I can do, from one tortured soul to another. And besides, we must wait.”

Wait?

“Yes, wait. Don’t ask - they always do when they don’t know. But someone has changed the clock, and in answer the fates have thrown their lots. We’re just waiting for the other two to appear.”

“What the hell are you saying ?”

“Well,” the man said as he dropped something down - it looked ora- a Tent ? Really? “We have time. Surely we can use it to chat some more - it’s not every day one meets the Accursed in his sane, normal self. What say you,

Vanitas?”

“Is aaaaaaaaaa ,” a rather annoying voice drawled directly into his ear. “C’ mooooooon , let’s goooooo already! Ansem’s gonna kick my ass if we get back late!”

“Would it bother you to leave me ?” Isa hissed as he jabbed the other with his pen, smirking as the man recoiled back in pain. He didn’t care if the man was overexaggerating; that ran in the family unfortunately. Whatever kept his personal space was good enough for him. “And besides, we’re far from late. You just don’t want to deal with Rude realizing you’re lying.”

“HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT?!” The man yelled as he again went back to shaking Isa, much to his amusement and annoyance. “HOW?!”

“Shut up and let me finish this , Reno. It won’t take long.”

“You said that thirty minutes ago!”

“Well it would’ve been finished by now if you weren’t being annoying and bothersome . This takes time , and unlike you redheads I actually want to do something other than being a pest.”

“So mean! I’m telling Lea you called him that.”

“He’ll be thrilled to be called something so nice.”

Reno was a brat through and through, and it did little to raise questions against Lord Ansem for the adoption of the child. Then again, the family was filled with redheads, so maybe it was their fetish fascination with the color red. Or it could’ve been Lady Cozbi who took in a distant relative. Who knew. Either way, it didn’t matter why him, but rather why him, an annoying man who kept chatting their ears off. (Seriously; couldn’t he leave him alone?)

It could be that he was trying to make up for Genesis and the Lady, but Lea had that in the bag. He didn’t want TWO annoying redheads to be this chatty because of one’s death and the other’s disappearance.

“Are you dooooooo- OUCH!”

“Leave him alone, you big palooka!” Ah, Yuffie; how nice it was to have her among them. He was sure he was going to owe her a cookie, or perhaps a materia in this current time, but regardless, he would pay his due. She did save him precious time.

When it wasn’t directed at him.

“Thank you, Yuffie,” he said as he held the papers together, knocking them against the table before stapling them perfectly. (It drove him insane, thinking of papers not perfectly stapled and otherwise in the wrong position. The less thought of what Lord Ansem worked with the better.) “ Now we may leave. Next time don’t rush me when I have work to do, or I’ll make sure we’re late.”

“Sheesh, you take that way too seriously! You’re just a kid!” Oh, how those words still ruffled his feathers. This redhead wouldn’t understand I’m poor and an orphan if it hit his privileged head. “Besides, growing up means you gotta do big things like paperwork and meetings and that’s boring .”

“Maybe I do want to do those things, Reno, because they are important and rather interesting. If you paid attention ,” Isa growled out, not wanting to point out how those were often the high-paying jobs. “Maybe you should quit your job.”

The little girl gasped. “You should! Then we could become ninjas together!” Yuffie exclaimed, shaking Reno’s shoulders from where she sat upon. “Team Screw Papers for life!”

“Hell yeah!”

“Then perhaps I will start letting you do the paperwork, Reno.”

“Ah, Rude.” Isa ignored the squawk of fear from Reno, changing his tune to one of begging, and Yuffie scolding him for being such a coward. “Good afternoon, sir. Can you take him off our hands?”

“Certainly. My apologies for leaving Reno with you.” Brothers in arms when it came to Reno and Lea; annoyances needed to be dealt with a heavy hand and carefully. “I do hope he hasn’t caused too much trouble.”

“None other than his usual.”

“Good.” And with that, he dragged the redhead with him, uncaring of Yuffie still on the man nor the pleas of “Please, anything but paperwork!”

While Isa was irked by the man’s persistent annoyance, he did remind him of his desire: to see the meteor shower Elder Lady Atuda and the old townswomen kept talking about. Surely it would fuel Cid’s workaholic imagination, producing stronger machines meant for travel if rumors were true concerning gummi pieces raining down during meteor showers. (If he could achieve his dream of space travel as well as produce the works of his predecessors, that would be amazing.) And for once he’d be able to enjoy the nighttime sky with his family, not having to worry about the pains of previous years. Maybe he would meet her again. It did get boring looking at the same long stone ceiling painted blue and white since they couldn’t afford to leave the slums often enough.

“Isa?” A tap on his shoulder made him blink, and looking over showed Tifa, already hauling barrels of beer with her. “Could you give me a hand? It’s a little heavier than expected, but if you can-”

The bluenette smiled, although he hoped it was small enough to hide. “Certainly,” came his reply as he carried a light barrel. Consequences of joining in the same training facilities as the royals and Tifa training the poor orphans. “How’s training coming along?”

“Good, good. Finally got the newest set down - careful, please! Coming through!” Her voice echoed down the street, people following in suit with some asking if they could help. “Certainly, but be careful. Don’t drink!” She warned one set of customers, who loved that brew in that particular barrel (stupid alcohol smell). “Anyways, got the set down, and Dad’s throwing another fit again.”

“I take it you’re here to avoid him.” Their relation had become strained after her mother’s crushing death (literally), her wanting to protect herself and him wanting to keep her safe from any further harm. In the end, while he kept complaining incessantly and, unfortunately for the other, publicly, he still let her train with Master Zangan. It was just annoying having to constantly hear a grown man rave about “my daughter, she must be in danger” and “you’re hurt and therefore must stop!” out on the streets every day. “You should just leave him and move out.”

Tifa sighed, smacking a child from behind for trying to take a sip. “I would if I could, Isa, but I don’t have the money. And I know those lessons aren’t free, no matter what Master says.” Then she grinned, mischief in her eyes. “You really want me to leave, don’t you?”

“No, I don’t.” Then everyone else in the orphanage would become insufferable , especially Cloud (whenever he DID return). “There’s only so much I can deal with those idiots before they break loose. Watch it , Идиот!”

Tifa laughed, pulling him back from being trampled by an oncoming horse trailer. “Are you going to study every language just to find a way to say fool and try to look cool in front of Lea? I assure you, it’ll come back to bite you in the ass.”

“That’s if you let Yuffie find out. And me learning different languages is none of your business.”

“Someone’s a wet cat today,” Tifa whistled as they came to a stop, putting her barrel down before the stairs that led to the surface. “Well, I better let you go. We both got dates to wait for -” She deliberately ignored his splutter and pulled the barrel out of his hands before he fell and broke it. “- and I’m not gonna keep Firehead off of you. You best make a wish on those stars for a chance to kiss Lea!” With a shove, she sent Isa off, waving and laughing at whatever face he was making. “Good luck!”

The teen would’ve loved to have said some choice words right there, but the crowd of people heading upwards pulled him away from hearing - and punching - range. Knowing Master Zangan, he’d have probably beaten their asses for using their new knowledge for petty fights. (And knowing Tifa, he’d stand no chance to her because she’d make it her personal mission to kick his ass just because she couldn’t handle her joke being thrown back at her.) But she was right: if he didn’t get to the surface faster than the current traffic, he’d miss his spot next to his family and friends.

It wasn’t a shocker to see the various people of all kinds of species flock upwards: it had been years since something had seemed so fascinating and lovely, and what better way to damper Kairi’s birth than with the rarest event of their lives? Well, Elder Lady Atuda had all sorts of words to say, being the most distraught of them all, but she was always like that with the littlest of things. It didn’t help that the oldest rumor in the book, “if you wish on a meteor it’ll be granted”, had started spreading the moment word had gotten out, so she was beaten ruthlessly on all sides. Regardless of whether she wanted it or not, the people were going to celebrate and enjoy something in their lives before the dreaded Niflheim empire decided to forego their abstention and obliterate this world.

As much as Isa would love to find out why she was so sad tonight, he wasn’t going to ruin a perfectly good night especially with how tedious her own relation with Lord Ansem was becoming .

“ISA! ‘Scuse me! Coming thr- sorry, sorry!” Looking around for the source, Isa noticed Lea, his hair helping him stick out, with Aeleus not too far behind. The elder clearly looked squeamish for his tastes, but probably stayed because someone had their new sister in their hands. Like an idiot. “You made it!” At the slight movement in his arms, the other teen quickly whispered, “Sorry, Kai!” before managing a side hug. “Got stuck with baby duty since Reno’s busy.”

And Aeleus was too afraid of hurting her . “It’s better you than him,” he said, noticing how Aeleus seemed to stiffen at the misdirected comment. Waving for the elder to come closer to him, he added. “Let’s head over there before it gets too crowded. We’re not having a repeat of last time.”

“Totally wasn’t my fault but okay, whatever you say,” Lea grumbled as he took the hint and marched forward. “Onwards, my minions!”

As they walked - or rather squeezed on by, since the closer they got to the royal family the more packed it got - Aeleus leaned over. “It’s not what you -”

“‘Think’, huh? I know you, Aeleus.” Isa narrowed an eye in as best of a direction as he could towards the damn giant - seriously why did he go as guard if no one recognized him still? - with a good jab to the gut. Or at least he thought it was Aeleus’s; he might’ve gotten someone else or missed. (Score if it was Briag.) “Get your head out of the gutter and stop thinking of him. If you keep hesitating, you’re going to miss out. Now what I’m going to do is get Lea-”

“Isa, please wait-”

“- to hold your damn sister because not everyone has that chance, and she deserves it. Reno would probably know best.” I would know it. Feeling for the man’s gloved hand, he pulled them forward, ignoring Aeleus’s attempts to get his attention. “Let’s go before we garner anyone’s attention any longer than we need to.” And hope someone doesn’t start throwing rumors again. Gods be damned if Yuffie goes at it again…

Getting through the square was tough, as many had gathered, but eventually the group managed to reach the castle’s entrance. Certainly they were in a bad angle - he doubted they’d be able to see them cross - but whatever the Lady could get her hands on tonight, she was sure to take it. (Apparently it was for security reasons, but he was sure she didn’t want to see the meteors. Weird old ladies, seriously...) But it was a good trade-off, as they could see most of the square from here. If anyone attacked tonight, they’d spot it and go off - and, if the old hag was right, Lady Atuda might show her strength. It was doubtful she’d need, seeing as they had many powerful (and hidden) guardsmen planted around the town alongside some mages who’d managed to survive the attack.

“Ah, thank goodness you made it - it should be any moment that they’ll rain down upon us!” Aerith, bless her name, came in to hug each before pausing at Lea. She whispered something he couldn’t hear, but it didn’t seem like anything too bad if his unkempt smile was to go by. At least until he elbowed Reno’s hip, prompting a hissy fit between the two.

Before Aeleus could join his gang of misfit guards, Isa quickly pulled the man with him, unwilling to let him just run away. Again ignoring his stupid excuses and giving quick “hello”s to the Lord and Elder Lady, he tapped Lea on the arm and avoided a swing. “Before you hurt Kairi with your idiocy, can you hand her to me?” He whispered-scolded the other, nodding at the questioning tilt of his head. He could never stop thanking the family for being incredibly smart - despite what the current scene showed - as he delicately took Kairi into his arms. How warm… and yet so sad. “Thank you. Now .”

Aeleus seemed to back away, but quickly seemed to change his mind if Elder Lady Atuda’s gentle glare was to go by. Isa guided him into holding the little girl, and it was as if she knew it was him that she woke up with a happy sputter. Or maybe she’d been awake all this time, just playfully sleeping so she could surprise her brother. It worked, regardless of her plans, as the poor giant nearly stumbled in shock before repositioning his arms. “See? I told you so!” Oh, how he wanted to tell the idiot that, but the scene was too adorable (never in his mind did he believe he’d say adorable in his life) to interrupt. Aeleus needed everything he could to prove himself, and it would be best to start with the newest addition to the land.

“Well look who we have here !” He just wished it didn’t take all of his attention, as he was unable to avoid Zack’s heavy ambush. Isa coughed as he fell to the floor, already trying to scramble out of the man’s grasp. “Hey hey, don’t be so scared! It-”

“Shut up and get off me, damnit,” he wheezed, gasping as he was lifted up and back on his feet. Didn’t help his breathing issue. With the best glare he could manage, he hissed, “Why do you keep doing that?! You’re so damn heavy!”

“I might keep doing it if you keep glaring at me like that. No one could dislike my presence! Right, Kai Kai?” The soldier cooed at the little girl, laughing at the giggles of the girl before hugging the crap out of Isa. My chest-! “And you can’t blame me - it’s been so long, little man!” He ended it with a ruffle to his hair, much to his annoyance. “Glad to see your hair’s yet to change. Maybe we sh-”

“Don’t. ” Zack laughed hard again, before making grabby hands as if to make due on his stupid joke. (There was nothing wrong with his hair being like this. So what if Cloud was his hero? ) Thankfully Dilan put a stop to it, dragging the soldier behind him as they returned to their stations at the front of the gate. “Don’t apologize for actions that aren’t yours,” he quickly said, unwilling to hear the red giant do so for the umpteenth time for his fellow guardsman. “Pay attention to Kairi.” With that, he walked towards Lea, who was jumping up and down next to Reno and his so-called girlfriend, Aerith.

Poor girl; she really didn’t deserve the stupid thing Reno and Zack had over her.

Too bad he couldn’t enjoy some damn peace in this place (what did he expect) as Lea viciously latched onto his arm - ouch - and shook him. “‘S ‘boutta start, Isa! C’mon!”

The teen tried to shake him off, but to no avail. “It hasn’t started yet , Lea. Be patient.”

“No can do! Not when you’re here!” A bright smile flashed before his eyes, reminding him why exactly he wanted to sock him in the mouth. But it was just enough for Lea to pounce on him, shouting, “I told you - look! There goes one!”

Despite being so far away from the crowd below, Isa could still hear the “ooo”s and “ahhhs” alongside the cheers and drunken shouts of happiness from below. And indeed, the other was right - streaming across the sky was the first meteor, or at least what seemed like one. And then another one followed. And then another. For the first time in years, the people were ecstatic over such a lovely night.

Except Atuda, who clutched and held her chest, her face paling in the clear, colorful light of the shower, and Kairi, wriggling and already making sounds verging close to tears.

Of course, who would pay attention when Lea, bright, flaming and amazing Lea, set his lighted smile upon Isa, yelling, “Make a wish, Isa, quick! Before they burn out!”

With a smile of his own to match the other’s enthusiasm, he turned away, wish on his mind. I wish-

“MASTER!” Eraqus blinked before rushing quickly to the source of his apprentice’s voice, the desk which should’ve been cleaned by now made further a mess. “HELP!”

“The hell is that?” Vanitas wondered as a portal appeared on one of the taller pillars. Instead of Master appearing, a man dressed in a black coat walked out, holding a weird bundle in his arms. Before he could get anything further, the stranger next to him disappeared, suddenly under the pillar. “Wo- wait up, old man!”

“ Oh no ,” Isa swore he heard Atuda say before she rushed off, pushing past guards with ease and ignoring Lord Ansem’s concerned shout. He did see her motion for Ophelia and Olberic, two of a wandering band who stayed for the time being (thanks to the empire, everything was dangerous now), yelling, “Pardon me!” and “Excuse me, please!”

They didn’t get to question her, as suddenly cries of fear and panic rose from below. If the guardsmen weren’t rushing over when either the cries started or Atuda ran past them, then they certainly did when a godsforsaken meteor-shaped object crashed into the square - it had to be there, as the cries increased tenfold.

“Lord Ansem, you must wait!” and “Lord Ansem, come back !” came from the remaining lord’s guards, Cecil and Kain, but if they hoped words would stop a ruler who ignored his mother’s wisdom, they would be wrong.

And if they thought they could stop the storm of family, fearing the worst to come? Over Isa’s dead corpse would he see the empire kill them off; better off together than alone, with Kairi at least somewhere safe.

“Aqua!” Eraqus cried out, his tone betraying him when he needed the calm the most. But how could he not think that the boy’s darkness had returned to take out its light half? “ Aqua! ”

“Mast- EEK!” The moment his eyes found her form, she ducked and shrieked - a good idea, as whatever was chasing her had decided to lash out and would’ve struck a fatal blow had she not done so. Unfortunately, it did not last, as another followed so fast, there was no way she could’ve predicted it to hit. At the very least it landed on her legs - he’d take any part over her head.

Before whatever could continue to attack them, the master brandished his own blade, calling out, “Reflega!” What astonished him - and had him quickly smashing a hand over both their armor pieces to call upon their respective sets - was how it was so easily shattered , like he hadn’t used one of the strongest shield spells. Well, it should’ve been strong enough to last some blows, not just one singular strike.

But oh, how his heart fell too, saddened by what he saw before him. For none other than Terra it couldn’t be! stood before him, eyes yellow and hands red, with purple following upwards to connect to his neck. What happened? What happened within the week that they couldn’t find him?

It cost him time, dawdling when he should’ve prioritized his other apprentice, but again he was saved by a well-timed “Reflega!” thrown by Aqua when it should’ve been him! before the next strike could end the foolish master. While it did hold up longer, it still broke, this time forcing them both backwards.

At least he regained some clarity. “How dare you take my apprentice!” Eraqus spat, finally raising himself to meet his apprentice head-on. “It wasn’t enough that you took Xehanort, but now him, too?!” As his arms finally rose, he decided to go on the defense, his blade managing to hold off what looked like an enraged yet unconscious Terra’s vicious, vicious blow.

“Curaga!”

“You fool!” Again he blocked another set, before it hit him - this was the direction towards Ventus. Maybe he stood a chance at regaining his apprentice. “Aqua! Fall back to Ventus’s room! Once you reach it- UGH!” How strong did the darkness make a child, who was only barely starting his elemental studies? Eraqus didn’t want to know how much further it could make him; that was his son in all but blood, and he couldn’t bear losing one more to darkness. You took Xeha from me! I won’t let you take Terra from me , too! “Fortify the room! I’ll hold Terra back!”

He worried when he heard a “Cura!”, but it abated somewhat when he heard the telltale sound of her boots clicking away with speed he wished he could implement into his strikes. It didn’t last long, as the fallen teen sped past him to try and follow her. But he would not have that. “ Catena! ” He cried out, holding still as chains whipped past him and threw themselves around the teen’s arms and legs.

It didn’t work; the darkness worked to the teen’s strength in every way possible, and Eraqus had to quickly catch up to Terra. Attempting to lasso or block him back failed, as he managed to finagle out of the chains and straight-up punched the ice walls. Master would kill me if I couldn’t manage just one apprentice , he thought with maybe some fear-induced internal laugh as once more Terra destroyed what should’ve been a four-tiered Blizzaga Wall .

If Terra could breeze through his own magic? Aqua would stand no chance.

Eraqus had failed as a master: today, this foolish man would lose both of his apprentices and one entrusted to him by another.

But not without a fight. “Aqua!”

Vanitas could not believe his eyes nor what had just occurred: in the mere minute that he rushed over to reach the stranger, he now found his arms filled with a bundle of white and annoying, annoying tears. Looking up showed their newest stranger watching them before leaving just like that. Like he hadn’t just dropped a baby out of nowhere. Like the baby was totally not going to die upon impact had this being not attempted to save him (thanks, Trini- DAMNIT he named ANOTHER one!).

Of course, whoever the hell this freak was with him laughed at every attempt to shut the baby up. Didn’t even help him, the jerk! “Oh, what a duo you two make,” the man said, kneeling down to the being’s level. “I must say, that was quite the catch! Not every boy can catch a falling baby like you. Well, that might be limited, seeing as I’ve only just recently awoken.”

Nope, not asking on that. “Will… you just.. shut uuup .. for one fucking… minute?” Vanitas growled, huffing as he shook the baby more. Wasn’t that- nope, just made it worse, fuck his life fuck this day why was it only getting worse . In a fit of rage, he shouted, “SHUT UP!” knowing it would do absolutely nothing; it just made him feel better.

“While it would certainly be fun to watch you struggle more - oh, don’t give me that look, you’d do the same! I’ll help you out,” the man waved off another of the being’s growls before snatching the baby from him, shaking the baby much more gently than he was prior. “See? Not so difficult.”

“I wasn’t doing anything different!” Vanitas shouted, trying and failing to take the baby back. “Mother f-”

“Nuh uh uh!”

“ARGH!” He held his head as he cried out, now angered further by the man’s ridiculous behavior. How did he go from some terrifying beast to the most annoying thing in the worlds, barring a crying, bitching child?! “Will you stop tha HURGH !” Fucking hell, body, give him a damn warning like before!

fear flooded him once more, confusing him immensely. Fear? He was angry, not scared! Was his emotions now flawed, too?! No, that couldn’t be it; he was himself! He was the original, what was going on?!

don’t come near me!

An arm moved so fast in front of them, Isa coughed upon impact. “What the hell, Zack?!” Lea scowled, trying to move past Cloud, who’d done the same. “What gives? Oi! ” He did have to agree; they were mere feet from the square. Surely there was nothing wrong

Zack made a waving motion, prompting confused guards to try to pick up three kids who were known for making escapes. Especially Yuffie, whom he thought would be Zack’s priority, seeing as he was the most efficient at catching her. With a shrieking “BOMBS AWAY!”, the little ninja threw a set of smoke grenades (where did - ugh, Cid was going to yell at him again) and ran past the guards. The teens took that chance to join, because like hell either were going to stay back and not find out. Curious to a fault, Isa supposed.

“Damn it!”

“Stupid brats!”

“Damnit - get back here, guys! Cloud, c’mo- Aei rith!? ”

“This way!” Isa blinked, and wow, when was Aerith so fast? Regardless, she had all three of their attention, quickly guiding them through a weakened crowd with apologies on her lips. As the people of Radiant Garden knew her well, they kindly opened up, although a few sent confused stares as they passed.

Lea took advantage of this to whistle stupidly. “How’d you do that? Zack’s impossible to dodge!” He asked, yelping as Yuffie agreed as with a pounce onto the redhead. “Careful with the goods, Yuf!”

“Since when were you goods?” Yuffie threw back, and once more she got into her fifth argument of the day (no, he didn’t keep count, it was just natural).

Ignoring the two idiots in the back, Aerith replied with a wink. “That’s a secret!” She laughed softly at the groans they all let out, knowing exactly what she meant. Damn idiots in love.

Eventually they managed to finessed their way through as much of the crowd as they could, although their sight was still blocked by a number of tall assholes. Some stood and deliberately had their backs to them while others tried to shoo an already intrigued group away from the thin guard circle. All the while whispers of “Is that him ?” and “I wanna see!” went around, worry sheer and clear.

“I don’t think we can get past them,” Isa remarked, only to slap his face with a hand. Aerith looked worried, although he assumed it was more from his actions than whatever it was she was feeling, but didn’t say anything as Isa waved the two over.

They were equally hooked, stupid smiles knowing a game plan when they saw it. “You got something for us?” Lea asked. Yuffie followed it up with a “It better work.”, like she doubted his plans ever failed.

Well, it did once, but that was because they chose Angeal of all people to prank on. Their fault not even his best plan worked, especially when they pinned it all on him and then ran away. Jerks.

But that wasn’t what he was working on. “Yuffie, start a small Fire - Fire , Yuffie, Fire , we’re not looking for anything too dangerous - on one of the guards.” She groaned, but still nodded. “If you can, try to come back, but if not, just get away. Last thing we need is for you to be arrested again. We’ll just rush on through - I’m sure the crowd’ll help hide us, since we’re so small.”

“Can I be of any assistance?” Aerith asked, to which Isa accepted with a nod. She was always useful as an ally, able to hide any prank with a smile only Zack and Tifa could see through. “How about I just ask what’s going on? That way we can cause as minimal panic as possible.”

Oops, he forgot about that. “Sure. Any complaints?” Each shook their heads, although Yuffie’s smile was looking more manic than earlier. Someone had plans of her own, but Isa wasn’t going to save her ass. “Let’s go, then.”

Spinning on the dime, Aerith tapped on one of the men’s shoulders, quickly gaining not one but two of the men’s attention. Sheesh, he hadn’t expected her to act so fast! (No wonder those two were dating; clever foxes they both were.) “Excuse me?” Her innocent self put on a show, now having both centered on her. “What’s going on over here?”

It worked: they quickly stammered, enchanted by her kind, innocent aura, and focused completely on her. “Ah- Aerith, ma’am! It- It’s nothing big, y-you jus- head back the way-”

“Now now, I can certainly take care of myself,” she said with an entirely terrifying smile that spoke of all the magic she’d learn while she snuck in Merlin’s stash. Not to mention the few summons she held that were probably illegal under the treaty. “But I’d like to know what’s going on, so I can help if I need to.” A kick hit Isa - ouch , where did she get that from?! - most likely her way of telling them Go, damnit!

It really, really, really should not have worked, but with Zack appearing and pulling Aerith back all while gaining the guards’ attention fully, it went through. Hooray for Aerith, their savior.

Knowing her, she had a hefty price up her sleeve, and was just waiting to use that favor from them. Probably something magic-related or forcing them to Heal with her, but nothing distasteful. Unlike someone here.

Yuffie nearly gave their position away, giggling as they hid by one of the abandoned stands not burning. While he’d certainly believe it another day to be her work, she didn’t have the capabilities to toss Fires that far away - at least, not “believably” far away. “Did you see that guy’s face?” She let out a chuckle before the two teens covered her mouth with a “Shh!” Out of her mouth can a muffled “Sheesh!” but otherwise complied.

“Lea, can you see what’s over there?” Isa pointed at the burning stand, which was now being surrounded by several armed guards and - the Lordship and her Elderly? Hearts on a cross, what was going on ?

“On it.” Yuffie squirmed as Isa held her down, unwilling to let her go and let their position be found. Whatever Lea saw, made him gasp and fall quickly to his knees, eyes wide and scared.

“What did you see?” Yuffie excitedly asked, shaking him slightly to get answers. She did finally take note after a couple of shakes, now kindly (they really needed to have a talk on reading the mood) asking, “Is it Genesis?”

Lea shook his head just as quickly as he fell, but he was interrupted.

“Get away from him!”

Aqua trembled behind the various bookcases she’d set before the entrance. Each cry for magic had her flinch, with the tremendous boom following just as closely. Was this the power of darkness? No way could she fight against that! And if even Master was struggling -

“Keep it together, Aqua!” Aqua slapped her helmet, forgetting she was still armored despite the added weight. “Don’t give up on Master yet!”

That was hard to believe in when the sound of fighting came closer still.

Nervous energy took root in her heart, a fruitless struggle to get rid of. And as that nervous energy took control, all she could do was fall to it. Words that were teases and insults she’d long overcome came back to haunt her, dauntless in their attempts to stop her from remembering what she should truly be worrying. But what could a weak, small female do in the face of a taller, muscular man who had much more time spent in beating the training wheels outside while she dilly dallied inside, studying only tomes and bending metal to her will?

As the booming got closer, so did she to the sleeping apprentice - Ventus. Ventus was his name. How funny, that he was the one to bring her out of those awful depths and back to the present, where she was needed. Certainly, Terra was more fit than her, and there was no way her magic could possibly hold back the towering powerhouse. But if this apprentice, small and weak as she was, could just hold him back with some spells as she took him out - if she could sacrifice herself for the boy’s good, that was all that mattered. Aqua would gladly do so, if it meant that the darkness wouldn’t get their hands on another innocent light.

“Blizzara!” She cried out again and again, watching as the entrance became ensnared with an ever-growing ice barrier. But she wouldn’t stop there - a “Reflega!” was needed; she knew hers was stronger, felt it in her bones, as if it were one with her. But now was not the time to be wondering such things; Ventus needed Apprentice Aqua, not-

A cry took her attention away, and that was all that was needed to take her attention away. Just a second to look at who cried. Just a second Terra needed to burst on through all her barriers and into the room, looking monstrous and nothing like the boy she was slowly beginning to understand and bond with.

It terrified the apprentice, seeing a looming pillar of leaking darkness. A jealous part of her yearned for that strength he was showing off, but deep inside she knew what bolstered the other. She still wished for it, to prove that she didn’t need to be so helpless behind just magic. It was that part that pushed her, pushed her to crying out, “Terra! It’s me, Aqua! Wake up!”

It garnered the right attention - that jealous bit was angry that he wasn’t looking at her, but past her, like she didn’t even mean anything! - but a deadly one. Had she not thrown up her trusted Rainfell, she surely would’ve been dead again. It didn’t stop the shock from rankling through her body, her armor barely providing defense against a darkness that seeked her. It probably was through the cracks on her shell. “Terra! Please!” Again Aqua cried out, grunting with each blow her pathetic blade held against. “It’s me! You have to wake up, or you’ll only fall further! Pl-”

Another cry, this time becoming a wail. It stopped Terra in his tracks, providing Aqua some room to breathe.

Only to be mercilessly smacked with his blade to the head.

Aqua gasped violently as her helmet broke, colliding against a wall. Damn this room for being so small! “Ter- AH!” Her cry fell short as pain lanced through her head - had she gotten a concussion? Hearts hearts hearts this wasn’t good! “D-”

The pillar wasn’t moving. He stood there, watching Ventus and whoever else was there. Then-

“ S… or…. a…. ”

Sora? Wait, that was- !

“ Catena! ” Whatever brief period of peace they had was shattered, as again the Master cried out another “ Catena! ” and ensnared the boy. He quickly devolved into pained howls, arms twisting and turning to get out of the chaining jail. If Aqua was right, she swore her ears heard him crying out, “ Sora! No! ” But his voice was so distorted by darkness, it was just a guttural mess.

“Aqua!” Master gained her bleary attention ( why her when she failed to stop her own friend?!) with a loud shout, although it burned to listen. Definitely a concussion if it left a ringing sensation. “On my count, use Sleep! One-”

“ Gragh! Groooo! ”

“Two!”

“ Sooooo -”

“SLEEP!” They cried in unison. Aqua let out a shout as her body shuddered - not now! They needed to do this! Again they cried against a resisting mass, “SLEEP!” and again Aqua shrieked, trembling as her body lapsed against her nearly-depleted magic.

Shit ! He wasn’t down - he was close, but not enough! Come… on!

“SLEEPGA!” Aqua let loose one last spell - a strong enough spell, surely - before she felt her body convulse, unable to handle such a powerful spell with what little she had left. Before the spots could converge as one and finally throw her into darkness, she celebrated the little victory of making the towering, dark pillar falter and fall to whatever Master had in store for him.

She was terrible, wasn’t she, for thinking Terra fared a terrible fate.

Ardyn watched as Vanitas fell, raising an eye as another one of his creatures fell from his mouth. Ah, what a blast from the past - he remembered when he couldn’t control the Scourge as it seeped from his own mouth. It did make him curious as to what these were made of - just because they were akin to brothers, what with the light casting them out and the gods punishing them as mere factories for darker machinations than their bodies were made of, didn’t mean their fellow creatures were of the same type. Hells, he didn’t know what the Scourge was made of, but it could link back to its creation by the gods’ - or Bahamut’s - hand.

Oh well. To each their pains.

“Isn’t this a surprise, Riku?” Truly this decaying host didn’t know where he learned these names, just that they were important. Again more evidence of it being the gods’ creation, but it didn’t mean anything in the long run. “Our little guest here - Oh!” He stepped back as the poor boy heaved again, creating a bigger puddle of darkness. “It seems he’s not finished yet.”

The boy piqued him: for someone so young, there was a reminiscent feeling to him. Something ancient and warm and nostalgic , but that wasn’t it. No, it was that chiding question: how could a child of darkness be born in the realm of light? Preposterous; children were born of both, only a select having some leaning towards either side. And even if one wanted children of darkness, they would have to toil themselves and force it into a child.

Something like the Niflheim emperor did to his own future. Like that stupid, foolish professor to sons not his.

“Look, Riku! Look who has decided to join us.” A small creature pulled itself out of the pooling puddle, which was finally shrinking. Heavens knew how much that poor boy sacrificed just trying to get that out. It didn’t seem that Vanitas was returning; something must’ve happened, perhaps his link or it being too much. Wouldn’t surprise him that one like him would die so fast. But the creature pulled his attention, his curiosity unsatiated. “Would you look at that. Like a flower blooming a swamp. Ah, but you wouldn’t know what a swamp is.”

As if reacting to its presence, the boy awoke slowly, droopy red eyes looking at the sleek thing. A small giggle came from him, and he pulled a hand from his blanket (it smelt of seas quickly frozen in the winter) to reach to the little creature. And just like that, the creature nuzzled the hand, eyes closed and twisting upwards as if in bliss.

“How peculiar…” Ardyn couldn’t help but voice his thoughts; and it was true: how did it accept someone other than its host so happily? Vanitas didn’t seem to be affected negatively, but he doubted Riku was hurting him just by interacting with his own creations. It had to be related to - “How could I forget the ever amazing Verum!” The legendary Verum, who seemed to have abandoned the realm of light alongside Kingdom Hearts. How sad, that he would not answer their prayers.

But what could have happened those years back - a thousand years ago, halfway within his own imprisonment? Certainly, the stories told of the world being shattered and the Heart of All Worlds disappearing, but why would the Verum’s power be given elsewhere? Hells, how did one foretold to hold the very bright light’s power have such a dark, hidden side? He wished he could take the boy with him,

“But something tells me you’ll be needing him,” he whispered as he gently deposited the boy down, unwrapping him as he did so. He wasn’t in control; no, the Scourge was again, but it didn’t feel wrong to do so. In fact, it felt right. Maybe this was what fate held in store for the boy: assistance to someone who walked a similar path as his, and maybe change it for the better.

It worked, whatever the boy was doing, as Vanitas gasped and trembled like a newborn. He searched left and right, bewildered most likely to have returned to the present, before his sight was taken by Riku. “ You ,” he whispered in confusion, holding onto the boy’s hand. “What did you do ?”

As if that child would have the answers for him. “You know,” Ardyn had to hold the laugh at Vanitas’s quick glare at him. “You could be nicer to your guests.”

“Guests?” Vanitas spat at his feet, his usual brattiness back to hide his broken shield. “I’m pretty sure I didn’t invite you . And who the hell touches a kid, anyways? Creeper.”

The gall of the child! But to be fair, they had certainly met, and he had been reminiscing of himself as he looked at the child. Not the brightest thing to do to someone who kept his guard up too often. “My apologies, Vanitas. I simply got carried away upon meeting you - I mean no harm at all.” He waved the child down, now laughing once more at the audible disgust. “I know you are curious of me, but our fates will never intertwine again. I am only here just to relax, enjoy a new land, and maybe see for myself a child of pure darkness. Alas, I must depart from thee -”

“Who the fuck says ‘thee’ -”

“- and must bid you adieu. Duty calls, as I’m sure yours does to you.” He smiled as Vanitas sent him a questioning look before he quickly covered his face. Ah, Ravus; he’d certainly chosen well in dramatic entrances. As well as coming on time. “Don’t tell your master of me, and don’t seek me. Or you’ll see a terrible fate before you can meet your own.”

Whether it was him not wanting to leave a lasting impact or jealousy over Ravus’s timing, he did not know, but he did recognize pain when he saw it. He hoped the man didn’t see - or perhaps he did. Did it matter? Oh, Ardyn didn’t want to be found out yet ; the game hadn’t even truly started yet! But he needed to keep Vanitas away from any pesky beliefs of seeking him out for stupid answers he couldn’t give him, even two thousand years old. And he wasn’t even aware of nearly all of it!

Hopefully destroying his creatures would make him think twice of coming to Eos.

“Ah, Ravus, man of the hour!” The Accursed teased the boy - look, he could try every trick in the book and that wouldn’t fool him; he knew a desperate brother when he saw one - as he glared wordlessly at him. “Any later and I think that poor brat might’ve broken a vessel or two! It’s like you read the future.”

But no, killjoy as always, Ravus went back to boring old politics. “The emperor wants to see you, Chancellor. He isn’t happy that you missed the meeting concerning how to continue further with Radiant Garden. The vote originally planned for tonight was postponed since you-”

Radiant Garden, Radiant Garden. So beautiful, yet so deadly. Roses certainly fit it, although the love for that world must have surely been dying with Atuda. And how tragic her and her friends’ stories were - nothing to ever be noted save by the memories of their closest.

“Chancellor -”

“We won’t need to bomb them to death, Ravus dear.” Ah yes, that was a pretty face, that disgust in his eyes. He liked it when the boy was honest. Too bad it was only his eyes that showed the truth. “We’ll just pay them a visit - not now, but later down the line. I’m sure they’re far from forgetting our little trip all those years ago.

“Now, tell me Ravus, since we have some time to kill - has your mother told you the legend of the Keyblade War?”

“I said stay back! ” The man shook Quicksilver before him, prompting the guards to cluster further into Ansem’s bubble.

He had to commend the man for such bravery - and being conscious after falling from who knows where. Did he care that he was being held at gunpoint? No. That fear had long since abated; nowadays he wished that he hadn’t grown so numb to it. The consequences of having fought alongside the very men who protected him yet didn’t recognize an inch of him.

No matter; this man needed to be dealt with quickly before Sephiroth did. Quicker if he was one of Hojo’s . And even faster if the Niflheim Empire heard of his return.

“I’m afraid I cannot, sir, for Sephiroth must be dealt with,” Ansem said blandly, already feeling aggravated further by this bickering. “You do not understand -”

“ You don’t understand anything about this boy!” Again the gun clicked, but more from the parts moving around. Clearly broken, most likely on impact, but the man must be delirious from the fall to not have noticed. “He’s done nothing wrong! I would know because I’ve raised him for the past five years!”

He found him, then. But what did he do is the question . “And do you know of what he has? Do you know that he was raised a monster? A source of chaos and the worlds’ destruction?” Ansem didn’t pity the boy; all of Hojo’s research showed he was beyond hope. Whether he was kind or not didn’t matter, for he would destroy them all for nothing less than that Ancient mimic that sought only the death and inheritance of the worlds’ hearts. “It is ridiculous to think you know everything when, as you’ve said, you’ve only known him for five years.”

This man did not know reason, for he backed further towards Sephiroth’s unconscious body. “This boy came to my world with nothing but a sword and his name! In the years he’s been with-”

“Who’s to say he wasn’t lying? Not you, certainly.” No pity for an idiot out to get himself killed. If needed, he would be dealt with swiftly. “For the last time, good sir, for your own good: move .”

“Then you’ll have to kill me with him.”

Ansem grinded his teeth together. This was far from the outcome he’d like, but this man had clearly fallen into ‘Jenova’s’ trap. He didn’t even think the very boy he stood next to was the one who destroyed his world! But the man had clearly made his mind: death to protect a monster. He gave him a choice, although he would’ve wished it was out of the public’s eye. “On my mark,” he commanded, hearing the telltale sound of weapons being raised and readied.

He did have to give credit where it was due; that man flinched at the army before him, yet kept his ground. Glares of nervous energy were nestled behind him, no doubt being the boys experimented on by Hojo. (Had this man not considered other casualties prior? That perhaps there was more than the eye could see?) But he was stupid for never doubting a stranger that came from nowhere.

His hubris, not Ansem’s.

“Fi-”

“Hold your fire.”

Ansem could not believe his ears nor his eyes. That black suit… that voice… There was doubt: Vincent Valentine, keeper of his father’s deepest secrets and guard to that same man, was standing right before him. By all means he should be dead - or asleep, as apparently the demons of Chaos that rest within him took quite the toll on his resurrected body. (It should’ve been death, but Hojo never did quit at death, did he?)

“Vincent?” His voice failed him for the first time in years, but there was reason behind it. Unlike the foolish man behind his believed-to-be-dead friend and trusted advisor from so long ago. Unfortunately, Sephiroth needed to be taken out before it was too late. “Nevermind how you’re here again. I ask that you -”

“I cannot do that, Lord Ansem, for various reasons. Such as this being Lucretia’s son.” He walked further into place, now standing in front of Ansem much to the closest men’s bewilderment. A ripple was felt as the guards devolved into frantic whispering - she was a well known topic amongst the people of his castle for her death - but she wasn’t of his interest. No, that was for Even to dissect and lament again if that was the case.

“That’s not enough to stand down. If you know that’s her son, then you should know that we must take him out.”

“Professor Celandine is in the right, my lord,” Vincent challenged him again. “I’ve been with them for these past years and not once has Sephiroth remembered anything. He’s far from the boy we once knew, Ansem.”

Damnit. If Sephiroth really didn’t remember anything, and both of them were right, then - damn the gods! - he’d have to let them go. But that was if the evidence gathered proved true in their favor - and that meant the three wouldn’t be leaving any time soon. “I hope you are more than ready to talk for quite some time then, Vincent Valentine. You hold their lives in your hands - if I find that I don’t like what you’ve -” Or that professor. “- found, or that there is bias in your report, then I will see you both killed.”

A small, challenging smirk appeared before him as Vincent’s eyes flashed briefly - or perhaps that was his tired mind working against him. “I’d like to see you try. Good evening, Lady Atuda, Lord Ansem.” He bowed before walking past him, ignoring the confused crowd he had created with his mere presence.

Ansem might have given the Professor Celandine too much credit to his bravery - he slumped the moment he realized neither would be dying soon. With how much blood was spilling from him, he should have been out earlier; adrenaline could make a man stand for longer than necessary. Oh well; it made life much easier in the end, as there was no more hassle in bringing either into custody.

“Ansem.” His mother’s voice called him from his duties, and he turned to see Lea and his fellow friends with him, each with a guilty smile that clearly said they weren’t going to apologize for going near danger. “Let’s go home. I think we’ve all had enough excitement for today.”

“Indeed. And Lea?” At the boy’s withering gaze, Ansem said, “You are to be put under Aeleus’s protection and services until further notice. I’ve told you once before, and I’ll tell you again: stay out of trouble . Understood?”

“Understood…” The dejected boy hurried, quickly leaving them in the dust as the crowd truly parted for them and their prisoners.

He wouldn’t be so cruel as to let them stay curious and afraid for the night. “Cecil, I trust that you and Kain can help them return to their homes down under tonight. If they ask, tell them we’ve got it under lockdown. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” the dark dragoon replied, and he quickly started gathering the closest civilians with him. “This way, if you please.”

A thick finger tapped his shoulder, revealing himself to be Aeleus with Dilan next to him. “Are you sure about this, Lord Ansem?” His son asked, his face as concerned as his friend’s could ever show - which was nothing.

The lord thought long and hard before giving his answer. “Unless either lies or Sephiroth awakens to what we fear, we must give them the benefit of the doubt. Now come, you two. Sleep awaits no one, and I am not willing to stay another minute awake.”

“I’ve decided whom shall be my vessel.”

“Oh? And who will it be?”

“I thought it would be obvious to you. Eraqus’s pupil, Apprentice -“