Chapter 1 - One Cold Night

Fresh snow lay on the ground, gentle flakes descended as if in slow motion towards the concrete roads and grass lawns. I walked down the empty street thinking to myself. Trying to distract myself from how cold it was.

But it was not a natural chill.

It was something that penetrates deep within you. It touches your soul. You can feel the pressure in your spine and in your abdomen. I suppose you could compare the feeling to a ghost passing right through you. Don't get me wrong though, it wasn't something that makes you shiver or your teeth chatter, it just gave you the chills. That being said, 37 degrees was quite warm out for winter when you think that most of the week before, the temperature was below freezing.

This chill like sensation originated from the thought of knowing that somewhere out here is a dark, vile presentence; A demon. Regardless how holding my keyblade at my side made me feel more secure, just the meer thought of the shadows in the dark gave me the chills. But I could not comprehend why. I have garnished much experience fighting them these past few years, so it was not a question of fearing the unknown. It affects you in a way that seems almost unexplainable, a seeping chill that no shield can deflect. It's painful. I wished I didn't have to remain here any longer, but it was my duty to find this demon.

I could imagine Hayden mentioning how ironic that would sound; me trying to justify something I can't explain. I would have returned the comment with a sarcastic glare…

I always thought of my friends when I was alone like this, fighting to protect my home. My friends could never help me with the burden I carry. They were all mortals.

"They can't know about people like me," I said with a sigh.

Hearing a twig snapping, I looked up and saw Cyrus coming my way. A slight smile rose to my face as I continued to speak under my breath, "At least Cyrus is here."

Cyrus was fairly tall, landing somewhere around 6 feet. He was not thin or fat, muscular or unathletic. His dark blonde hair seemed to always have cowlicks no matter how hard he tried to lay it flat. His rectangular orange tinted glasses gave him a serious "down to business" appearance, but his personality ranged from being a focused warrior to a class clown. When he was in one of those "moods" his smiles and facial expressions always had an over the top air to it. Cyrus has always referred to theses shadows by name, heartless, while I could only refer to them as demons.

We are tenants, keybarers. We keep the peace and everything we do a secret. We are able to protect people from the darkness that they don't even know that exists.

"Hey Adalia, guuuueeess what!?" Cyrus yelled, in an incredibly sarcastic, energetic voice.

"Mmm, what?" I replied, down playing his energetic tone.

"We get to go home! I took care of the heartless already," he yelled smiling and dancing wildly. His voice held a tone of ego as though he had just saved the entire world. I cracked a smile not being able to help it. Cyrus's acts of comedy were irresistible to smile at. He's such a dork and at the same time he is irrevocably efficient, I thought to myself. We both dismissed our keyblades.

"Ugg, thank goodness", I sighed as I scratched my head thinking to myself. "If we're all set I don't want to be out here anymore. I'm going to bed," I said in a slightly more somber tone turning homeward.

"Hey, are you alright?" He said, now in a serious tone.

I tried to form a smile as I turned back to look at him which ended up more like a smirk, "Yeah I'm fine," I lied. In truth I have been plagued lately by thoughts of being discovered as a tenant; a key bearer. I hated it the very thought of it. Imagining what my friends would have to go through if it were found out what I was, seemed nearly unfathomable. Well, nothing would happen to them; they wouldn't remember anything, like I was never a part of their lives to begin with. Or perhaps I'm just worried about myself, and worried that I would lose my grip on reality without my close friends. I was kind of lost in myself for a second, maybe even a little confused.

Cyrus observed me blanking out, "Damn girl, you need to stop spacing like that." He said with a smirk.

I said nothing and just smiled. Cyrus smile back, standing like a proud gladiator. He looked glad he successfully made me happy; causing a rift in the depressing mood that plagued me. He was damn good at that.

"You know, at least no one will ever find out you're a tenant," I said, "They'll just think you are insane, haha."

He folded his arms and said in a high pitched voice, "I'm not insane! I'm just a little tired!"

This last jest made both of us fall apart laughing. It felt good to just let loose, and simply laugh it out. I guess I have been a bit too worried about things lately. Well, I mean, if you were in my position you would too, wouldn't you?

I watched Cyrus wave to me good bye, and head off toward his home. He didn't live too far, but I often felt like he must have not wanted to be alone. Like he needed an audience for his over the top quirks. I thought for a second if maybe I should go with him so he didn't have to walk alone. I quickly I shook my head thought. He would be fine and I've got to stop worrying about absolutely everything. I turned around and started to head home. It would be nice to get some sleep.