Aqua leaned back, staring across the Sea of Darkness, as she called it. Of course there was nothing across the Sea except for more darkness. This Realm was remarkably consistent in that regard, if a bit bland.

She wasn't quite sure how long she had been in the Realm of Darkness. Without a sun days could not be counted and counting time by the minute was a task far too mind-numbing for her. She spent most of her time talking to the man in black that she had found here, even if he had little to say back to her. But she had to do something to occupy her mind, lest she let it go to waste. And so she talked.

Right then, however, she didn't feel much like talking. She was tired of staying still, in the same place. Instead, she decided, she would take a walk. Not too far away, or she might lose track of this place. She didn't expect to find anything, just get a little bit of exercise. Standing up, she turned to her memoryless friend.

"I'm taking a walk. Don't go anywhere while I'm away." She didn't expect him to. He rarely moved at all.

And so the walk began. The scenery was just as she had expected; just wisps of shadow and the like. And the eyes; yellow, large and mostly unblinking. Unsurprisingly this world was filled with Heartless, but only on the rare occasion did they do more than stare. This was one such occasion.

They jumped from the shadows at her, and she rose to meet their challenge. She did not wield a keyblade for nothing. But even with her skill she could not conquer the sheer number of foes. Not on her own. The surprise help came from the shadows. A figure as dark as the Heartless struck down the creatures piling on top of her. Now that the balance of power had shifted the tide of the battle followed suit. Soon the Heartless retreated, and Aqua stood alone with the shadowed stranger.

"It is not wise for one to walk alone in Darkness."

"And yet I see you do the same." Aqua replied.

"You are of the Light, whereas I am swathed in shadow."

"What exactly do you mean by that."

"I embraced the Darkness long ago. I became a Dark Knight. I have since become lost in the same shadows that give me strength. I pay the price for that." The Dark Knight paused. "I am Cecil."

"Aqua." She stared at Cecil. Sleek black armor covered his body and was adorned with spikes. Every inch of him was concealed by it. "Cecil, what world do you come from?"

"It hardly matters." He paused. "The Darkness writhes. I can feel it. As if it anxious, anticipatory, excited. Its growing stronger."

"The Keyblade has chosen its champion. He will save the worlds from the Darkness."

"Perhaps he will. But Darkness cannot be defeated forever, not like the Light can. When there is Light shadows are cast. If Darkness is to be destroyed forever than so must all things. A price we are unwilling to pay. And so the struggle will forever continue. Even if this champion succeeds one day we will need another. Do you know his name, this champion?"

"His name is Sora."

"Sora…" Cecil seemed lost in thought, he turned his back to Aqua and started walking away. "I wish this Sora luck."

"Wait! Where are you going?"

"I don't know. Perhaps I'll meet you again. Perhaps not. You should know that we aren't the only ones here, in the Darkness." And with that, he was gone.

Now along once more, Aqua returned to her beach. The man in black was still there, unsurprisingly. She sat back down where she had been before. Staring off into the stationary sun, she began to wait once more.