A quick explanation to everyone who saw all of the "original character" tags. This is completely AU of Kingdom Hearts canon. All of the characters are original, and none of the main cast exists. Disney characters will still make an appearance, and in fact I have quite a few Disney worlds planned. But we have new heroes, new villains, new monsters, and, most importantly, new threats.
Disclaimer: The cover isn't mine, I found it on google. It was posted to a roleplay forum by a user named Halloween Lover, but I don't know if they're the original creator.
Prologue
There was once a time when darkness and light coexisted in perfect harmony. Life thrived and the worlds were at peace. Sure, every now and then the balance would be upset by greedy people seeking power, but in the end balance was always restored by legendary heroes.
These heroes are known to wield peculiar weapons known as keyblades. Like skeleton keys, these unusual objects are able to both open and seal any lock. This doesn't just apply to doors and boxes either. Hearts and worlds each have a lock on them, and the keyblade has access to both.
Unfortunately, these days wielders are few and far between. Many years ago, a war took place, one that resulted in the loss of thousands of keyblade wielders.
This very same war is the reason the worlds were broken apart. Yet still, balance returned, and for hundreds of years the worlds have existed separately, with many of their denizens possessing no knowledge that any other worlds lie beyond their own.
The sole survivor of that great war, a wielder by the name of Corrian, was the only being left to pass on the gift of the keyblade. He raised an apprentice, and so did that apprentice, and so on. Today, a handful exist across the worlds, maintaining the balance as needed.
Or at least, that's what they're supposed to be doing.
But what were to happen when one of these wielders develops themselves a lust for power? Or for purification? In other words, what would happen if one were to use their power for the wrong reasons?
"Let me go, Al."
"No. This has to stop! You're going down a path that leads only to despair!"
"You're wrong. Despair is found in darkness. I seek only the purest of lights, one that cannot be found on just any world."
"Then why are you doing this? Why tear apart so many hearts?"
"Because it needs more light. It doesn't have enough to purge the world of darkness."
"Have you gone mad? You cannot purge darkness!"
"That is where you're wrong, Al. There exists a single entity with the power to envelop the entire universe in light far brighter than our imaginations can fathom. It alone burns brilliantly enough to cast the darkness to the voids of oblivion."
"…Kingdom Hearts."
"Exactly. But it needs more light if it's to completely destroy all darkness."
"Iv—"
"I told you to stop using that name!"
"Sorry. Ryvio. You're being irrational. Just what lengths do you plan to go to in order to fulfill your goal?"
"I'll do anything it takes. Light is the greatest source of good and happiness."
"…"
"Anyone who says otherwise can only be deemed a denizen of darkness and must be destroyed."
"…a fight? Ryvio, you know that nothing good could come of us facing each other in combat."
"Wrong again."
I know it's short. It's a prologue. It's not supposed to be long. It's simply designed to grab your attention. So, do I have it yet?
The first thing I need to clarify: yes, I am referring to the Keyblade War…kind of. This time, there were no dandelions, no Luxu carrying a box and a key, none of that. Corrian truly was the sole survivor of the conflict. At least, the actual conflict. The world broke apart, isolating beings of all shapes and sizes. The regular citizens (or in other words, the people who did not wield keyblades nor participate in the war) rebuilt each world.
It's also worth noting that the 22 chapter goal is subject to change.
Other than that, let me know what you think in the comments! Too vague? Not vague enough? It's just a prologue, people, I'll be getting into the real meat and potatoes in Chapter 1.