Impending Darkness
A Kingdom's Heart
By: Novalon
Much of my life has been dedicated to pursuit of knowledge. That
knowledge has guarded this world well. Not a soul doubts that. I am
blessed with people's smiles and respect.
But though I am called a sage, there are things I do not understand. I
believe darkness sleeps in every heart, no matter how pure. Given the
chance, the smallest drop can spread and swallow the heart. I have
witnessed it many times.
Darkness...
Darkness of the heart.
How is it born? How does it come to affect us so? As ruler of this
world, I must find the answers.
I must find them before the world is lost to those taken by the
darkness.
Magnificent, truly a work that all needed to behold. My crowning achievement, a testament to all I had ever dreamed of.
Though I was considered to be one of possibly the purest of hearts, it was some time before even I, a leader of people would slowly slide my way to the "other side."
In the beginning, I was willing to save my world, but as time past, I became the one who would most likely end it's existence, at least as far as what it's inhabitants were concerned.
Many a time it has been before I aligned with the darkness… but what was the cause of my… enlightenment?
It was that fateful day that I had been tirelessly working on deciphering the innards of a recently passed away creature of the darkness. One of my loyal subjects had chosen an awkward time to interrupt him.
"Lord Ansem," the subject began, "have you found anything out yet?"
Imbecile… the man had truly lived up to his father's legacy.
The sage sighed, "I have looked at this creature for three hours… and yet I cannot come up with anything remotely close to an idea on what it could possibly have to do with the recent disappearances of certain people…"
This man was too thickheaded, however, "It's my sister-in-law… Kairi. Rinoa's been worried sick since her little sister up and vanished out of the blue. Even I can't help but feel that you, as the brightest man on the planet, might have come to some sort of conclusion… anything that might make me feel better!"
"What about our greatest warrior? Surely you feel quite unnerved by the fact that our One-Winged Angel has seemingly gone MIA?"
True, the man known as Sephiroth, who was a godsend against anything that even tried to attack them… but even their light of hope had vanished as well. Fate willed the inexperienced to take up weapons and fight for the defense of their home, no matter how futile their attempt would be.
"I admit… I am a bit taken aback by his disappearance. And the fact the Cloud vanished soon after…"
His eyes lowered after that… Ansem could see that he was thinking about the sudden vanishing of his partner in combat.
"Do not fret, Squall… I'm sure you'll see the both of them again. And who knows? Perhaps they will come back with your wife's younger sister in tow? But for now, we need your strength and support… keep a clear head so you are ready for the moment the darkness decides to attack again."
Pitiful. How could I steep to such a low as to reassure someone who did not understand the wonders of the darkness himself?
"I'm sure that I…"
He was cut off by the sounds of a gun firing in the distance. The man instinctively reached for his odd-shaped blade next to him.
Ansem calmly spoke, "I'm sure that is our expert marksmen taking out another specimen for me. Why don't you go check on Sir Valentine to make sure he is indeed faring well?"
"Whatever… you say, Lord."
It was odd how Leonheart put an emphasis on that first word, almost as if he said it more often than he needed to.
Some time later…
It is my duty to expose what this darkness really is.
I shall conduct the following experiments:
Extract the darkness from a person's heart. Cultivate darkness in a
pure heart. Both suppress and amplify the darkness within.
The experiments caused the test subject's heart to collapse, including
those of the most stalwart. How fragile our hearts are! My treatment
produced no signs of recovery.
I confined those who had completely lost their hearts beneath the
castle. Some time later, I went below and was greeted by the strangest
sight.
Creatures that seemed born of darkness... What are they? Are they truly
sentient beings? Could they be the shadows of those who lost their
hearts in my experiments?
"Lord Ansem…"
Leonheart again… how long had it been since they last talked?
"What is it?"
Squall coughed before he began, "We've begun plans for moving the population of the planet off to another world. All we need is your acknowledgement, and Dr. Cid can begin construction on his… odd ship…"
"I don't have time to worry about such trivial matters…"
The look of shock in Squall's eyes was enough for him to continue on with what he needed to say.
"But go ahead. Do know that if you all leave this planet, I will not be following you."
"My Lord…"
"Worry about yourselves… any sacrifice I will make is for the good of science."
It seemed to satisfy him… but it would be some time later that he would try again.
The shadows that crawl beneath the castle... Are they the people who
lost their hearts, or incarnations of darkness? Or something entirely
beyond my imagination?
All my knowledge has provided no answer. One thing I am sure of is
that they are entirely devoid of emotion. Perhaps further study will
unlock the mysteries of the heart. Fortunately, there is no shortage of
test samples.
They are multiplying underground even as I write this report. They
still need a name.
Those who lack hearts... I will call them the Heartless.
The Heartless appear in groups, and are multiplying rapidly. I've
provided them both living and nonliving samples. They've responded only
to the living. They seem to multiply after absorbing something from the
living creatures. Their prey vanishes without a trace.
I believe the Heartless are taking hearts. They are born from those
who've lost their hearts, and thrive on hearts seized from others. The
hearts taken by the heartless become Heartless themselves.
Though I lack proof, I am confident in this hypothesis. I must also
study their behavioral principles.
Though they lack emotions, they do seem to have some intelligence. How
to communicate with them?
It's just occurred to me: Could they be the darkness in people's
hearts?
Squall entered the room again, looking around in confusion.
"Lord Ansem…? We'll be leaving in a few yea-…"
However, the lab was empty.
"Now… I wonder where he went?"
To study the Heartless behavior, I picked one out for observation. It
wiggled its antennae and, as if sensing a target, headed deep into the
castle.
In the deepest part of the castle, its antennae began vibrating, as if
searching for something. Suddenly, a strange door appeared. I'd never
known of its existence.
I had a large keyhole, but didn't seem to be locked. SO I opened the
door.
What I saw on the other side mystified me.
What was that powerful mass of energy. That night I observed a great
meteor shower in the sky.
Could it be related to the door that I have opened?
A massive core of energy lay beyond the door sought by the Heartless.
It may be the ultimate goal of the Heartless. But what is that energy?
I have devised a hypothesis, based upon my observations of the
Heartless.
The Heartless feed on other's hearts, and they yearn for that energy
core. That thing beyond the door must be a heart, too--the heart of
this world. There is no proof, but, having felt that immense energy, I
am certain. That was the heart of the world.
The Heartless are trying to take hearts not only from all living
creatures, but from the planet itself. But what do they mean to do with
the heart of the world?
He sat in his study as a young lady entered the room. A slight smile almost replaced his look of deep thought as she entered.
"Ms. Gainsborough, how nice to see you today… or I should say… this evening."
She clasped her hands in front of her, holding them slightly above her waist.
"Lord Ansem… may I ask why you are not joining us on the search for a new home… to get away from these… things?"
He chuckled, his slightly menacing laugh causing her to flinch.
"My dear lady, it's all for the pursuit of science! Do not think that these… animals… have any effect on me. Besides, the more I find out, the more I will know exactly how to get rid of these creatures from our home, you see? I don't want them spreading away from here, at the very least, I would hate it if you were followed while making your departure from the planet!"
She sighed at his words.
"I would miss you, my Lord."
He shook his head, "Do not fret… Dr. Cid will know what to do, I trust that he will lead you all in the correct direction."
"Thank you… Lord Ansem."
And she was gone, just as quickly as she entered.
Later that night, I walked outside, surveying a recent explosion seen off to the east. I left on a chocobo from the stables, saying nothing about it to the rest.
I am studying material from the meteors that rained down that fateful
night. What a find! The material is foreign to our world. It is elastic
to the touch, and when two pieces are combined, they bond easily.
None of the records even mention such a substance. Was it introduced
to this world when I opened the door? I wonder how many other such
materials drift through the atmosphere of this tiny world... I wish I
could soar off and find out!
Could there be uncharted worlds up there? My curiosity never ceases to
grow. But I should stop speaking of such unrealistic dreams. For now,
there is no way to venture outside this world. My people and I are all
but prisoners of this tiny place.
After the material was thoroughly examined, it was handed to Dr. Cid, where he devised a way of using the "gummi" blocks to help with the structural integrity of his progressing ship.
I, on the other hand, began work on a machine that helped with the purpose of studying monsters without hearts. It was, in fact, a machine that created them…
Of course, this little tidbit would taint the very feelings my loyal subjects had for me, and I was nearly caught too.
I had just created one and marked it, studying it's every moves. It did not seem to be very enthused with trying to steal my heart, and I sensed that it was trying to find a way out of the closed room to reach that core I had last spoken of. Finding that it could not do that, it seemed to emit a sigh and plopped itself in front of the machine that had been the very tool in creating it.
But stupid Leonheart had to come in at the wrong time… he began yelling, warning me for my safety, and attacked the thing in a fit of rage. It dodged his attack, regarded him in an odd manner, and proceeded to scurry out the door in which he had entered.
"My, what a startling discovery…" I spoke, "it seems the beast had taken an interest in a machine I was building…"
"Lord Ansem, I really think you should go with us when Dr. Cid finishes with his ship…"
"Do you not understand, Squall?!" I blurted out, surprising him. "Are you so thickheaded as to not see what I am doing for all of you?! I'm studying these creatures… I'm staying behind so that they wont go after you when you leave! For God's sake… I'm making sure your lives are saved! Do not worry about me, for I am but one man, but worry about the lives of yourselves!"
Odd, I used to get in such a fury back when I followed the light. The darkness is soothing, and brings me a calmness I have not felt since my early life.
There is no doubt that the Heartless are deeply connected to the
people's hearts. Further study may unravel both their motivations and
the mysteries shrouding the heart. As a start, I have built a device
that artificially creates Heartless.
By recreating the conditions that spawn the Heartless naturally, I
should be able to produce them artificially. This device is the
culmination of all my research thus far. The machine's test run
successfully created a Heartless. This may be a step toward creating a
heart from nothing.
The artificially and naturally created Heartless showed nearly
identical traits. But the two types remain distinct for the purpose of
the experiment. So, I will mark the ones that are created artificially.
It was one day when I came upon a very interesting person. He magically showed up in front of my door.
It was a very cheery creature, a small mouse. His name was Mickey and he happened to be a leader of his own people! We spoke for hours, especially about a mystical weapon… one that once I found out about it's existence, I knew I must have it!
Simply astonishing! Today I had a guest from another world. He is a
king, and his vessel is built of the material that composed the
meteors. He called the pieces "gummi blocks." It seemed that my opening
the door has opened a path to interworld travel.
We talked for countless hours, but one story in particular caught my
interest: that of a key called the "Keyblade." The Keyblade is said to
hold phenomenal power. One legend says its wielder saved the world,
while another says that he wrought chaos and ruin upon it.
I must know what this Keyblade is. A key opens doors. It must be
connected to the door I have opened.
"Lord Ansem…"
The mouse king had long left, and the next visitor to come was none other than Dr. Cid.
"So nice to see you, good Doctor. Tell me… how does your interstellar ship fare?"
Cid smiled, "The goddamned thing flies like a beaut, Lord. Those gummi blocks are hella good when it comes to getting the job done! The Highwind has been commissioned and ready for takeoff! We're waiting on you, sir!"
I sighed, gazing upon him with a look of regality.
"I hope you know that this is a voyage that I cannot join you on…"
After all, at that time, I still followed the light, I was so determined to see if I could take the power or the planet for myself and use it against whatever was creating the evil so that the heartless would not be able to follow the gummi ship.
"What I am going to do, Cid… is I am going to save you all, by going to the 'heart' of all the evil… and destroying it by taking it's very power! I know from careful dissection and study that these creatures can only be killed in such a way!"
Just as people have hearts, so do worlds. The same can be said of
stars in the night sky. And deep within each world lies a door to its
heart. The Heartless desire those hearts. Born out of darkness in
people's hearts, they seek to return to a greater heart.
He left… and I waited until all of them had departed from this world before I would try to use this way I devised of taking out the heartless.
Yes that's it.
I realized that as I walked towards the door, that perhaps I would be able to commit this act and save the people.
Or maybe not… because I truly found out what the beasts were…
The Heartless come from people's hearts, as does the darkness.
I began asking questions as I drew nearer to the large keyhole in the tower.
Is the core of the world's heart the world of the Heartless?
I knew what I had to do… for me to truly come to this place to learn the answer, I must find the Keyblade… and the princesses who the king said would open the heart of the universe to evil if they were all brought together by the force of darkness.
I will pursue the answer there and become all knowing. My path is set. I shall
seek out the wielder of the Keyblade, and the princesses.
The creatures reared up around me as my body began to undergo a transformation as I realized my purpose.
I wasn't here to save my people… I was here to destroy them.
My body is too frail for such a journey, but I most do this.
Power, unimaginable power, and knowledge… I would become a God…
All will bow down before me.
I will cast it off and plunge into the depths of darkness.
Such is the true way of the intelligent, only Dr. Cid would have been able to understand…
But since he did not… then he will join the rest of them when all is consumed by the impending darkness.