Chapter 1:
I could feel the uneasiness in the air, that eerie tension that would happen occasionally amongst my comrades. This is how these days usually are in the Castle That Never Was. A place for those who've lost their hearts to congregate and plot. I can only recall bits and pieces of how I came to be a Nobody. I remember frantic running in Traverse Town, people screaming random nonsense about "Black creatures from hell." I remember losing my parents in all the commotion, and crying. Lots and lots of crying as I ran down the paved streets of the buzzing town. I didn't know where to go so I dashed for the back alley... It was the only thing I could do. Getting down behind a dumpster, I waited. I don't know what I was waiting for, maybe for the pain to be over. I wanted to hear my father and mother call my name again... "Theari!" I could practically hear them. And the very last thing I remember was those black creatures surrounding me, tormenting me with those glowing red eyes. And then blackness... Absolute void. When I awoke from what I thought was death, I was in a white-walled castle. It was absolutely massive... I must've wandered it for an hour before a white-haired man approached me. He was clad in a black coat and wearing black boots. "Exirath. Welcome to The Castle That Never Was... Your new home..."
Ever since that day, I took on the persona of Exirath. I can conjure and control shadows, giving me the codename "Chained Raven", mostly because I use chains as my weapon. I don't know much about what I've become... a Nobody... What makes them any different than humans... "Exirath!" My eyes snapped up to hear Axel shouting my name. "Y- Yes?" I stuttered. The red head stopped in front of me. He seemed had been running. I took in his slender figure and mildly muscular arms. He was staring at me with those teal beauties of his. "Saix would like to see you. If I were you, kid, I'd hurry. He seems pissed." I jumped. I hate to keep Saix waiting. He's incredibly impatient. "Where did you see him last?" I asked him, biting my lip in haste to take off. "Hmm... I think he was in Twilights View." He answered. I stretched out my hand, opening a dark void. I felt a slight sting on my butt as Axel gave me a hard slap. "Go boy, go!" He urged with a smile. I tried to hide my grin as I stepped into the swirling dark. I was absolutely terrified of what Saix would do to me for being late... I just forgot. Surely, he'd understand... I don't know though, I've heard stories of him going absolutely berserk.. It did not sound pretty. I stepped out onto the white floor, seeing Saix staring out the window at Kingdom Hearts, marveling in its beauty. "Y-You wanted to see me sir?" My voice quivered. "I wanted to see you half an hour ago." He said, his voice seemed to make my body rumble. He turned quickly and struck me with those crystal, yellow eyes. "Where the hell have you been!" His expression turned to anger as he glared at me. "I-I... Well.. I just..." I couldn't find a proper excuse to give him. He held his gloved hand up to silence me. "Nevermind that. I need you to go to Lexeaus's aid at The Beast's Castle. There has been a fairly large reading of heartless and we need it investigated. Lexeaus, of course, was on time and has already left." He said as he turned back to view Kingdom Hearts. "Go now." I didn't hesitate, quickly creating another void to take me to Lexeaus's location.
The Beast's castle was dark and eerie, as always. I had appeared in the West Wing, walking towards number V's location. I saw his large figure moving quietly among the shadows taking out a few heartless in the process. His strength was so immense, it always seemed to impress me. I looked around at the strange upscale scenery of the castle. The suits of armor, the multiple chandeliers and the long, decorative rugs. I ran up to Lexeaus and he seemed to had already noticed my presence. "You're late." He said flatly. "Yeah. I know." I replied with an uninterested tone. "Let's move, the heartless reading seems to be coming from the ballroom." He ordered." He began walking but I grabbed his arm to stop him. "We can't just go running out there. What if that walking candelabra or that talking teapot are out there? We could risk compromising this mission." I stated. He simply nodded and opened a gateway to the ballroom. We both stepped through and waited. "What do you suppose it is this time?" I asked. He looked down at me with a strange expression. "The Heartless?" I said, clarifying. He simply shook his head and patted me on the shoulder. "It's probably nothing..." He replied simply. I ran a hand through my long black hair and shrugged. "You're right." We stepped out into the large ballroom with surprised expressions. There a spiky-haired boy slaying the Heartless that stood before us, fighting along side a duck and dog. "Sora..." I heard Lexeaus mutter. I was startled for a moment. I had heard so many stories of a boy named Sora that was the Keyblade Bearer. He turned to us, after slaying the Heartless, in a battle stance. "The Organization!" The trio shouted. "Lexeaus... Report to Saix. I can handle this." To my surprise, he didn't protest. He quickly disappeared. "Sora, is it?" I asked as they approached me. "What do you want?" He shouted. "I want to have some fun... But first, Sora, are you afraid of the dark?" I said menacingly. I could feel my other side taking control... My dark side. Shadows span all across the ballroom, surrounding them, in darkness. My chains dangled from inside the sleeves of my coat. I saw them looking around, frightened. "So Sora!" He looked back at me. "LET'S HAVE SOME FUN!"