Somewhere out there, there is a world which is magnificent and bright beyond all other worlds. In this land where azure sky and sea meet, there was a giant, luxurious castle - and in that castle a great hall, where once upon a time, two boys were playing a game of chess that would soon determine the fate of the world.

Now, many years later however, only one of them, a dark-haired man was sitting by the window, thoughtfully gazing at the bustling city below and wondering about the day they both set out to fulfill the roles their master had given them. Two young men, full of hope for the future - and now…? Where have all those years gone?

'I take it this is certainly more lively than whatever is going on in that huge hollow castle of yours.'

Eraqus was jerked back into the present by a voice that he faintly recognized - more like the tone, the lull of speech, because the voice itself matured into a raspy, crude one throughout the years.

'Xehanort!' Eraqus exclaimed as he turned around and saw his friend leaning against a wall in the shadows. He changed so much… but then again, Eraqus reminded himself, so has he.

They have last seen each other when they were both around the age of twenty - and now, quarter of a century later, time has left its mark on both of them.

'You're bald' Eraqus noted surprised, and stepped closer to his old friend. Xehanort wore a different garb from his student days - the black accented with some white and red now, and his face has gotten longer and thinner than he remembered.

'And you, Eraqus… well, not much has changed, except the lines under your eyes' Xehanort let out a smile and reached out to squeeze the other one's shoulder 'It is nice to finally see you again, brother.'

'Yes, you must tell me everything about your travels! I have sent many letters to you through the master, inviting you-'

'I was too busy to come back' Xehanort cut him off and looked towards the tallest wall of the library, fixing his eye on something displayed on it 'Eraqus, you have no idea of the vastness of worlds… the vastness of knowledge that is out there!'

Eraqus followed his comrade's gaze, then let out a sigh. That accursed Keyblade, again.

It was hanging on the same wall - probably untouched - since they were children. That ominous black and gray weapon with the goat's head and the strange eye symbol on it. Eraqus wished he could simply destroy it then and there.

'I know why we were called back, brother' Xehanort turned around, smiling 'The master will want to finally bequeath the Keyblade to one of us.'

'Xehanort…' Eraqus sighed and looked away - he couldn't believe that they were having this conversation again.

'I know you don't wish to wield it, brother' the dark skinned man said, slightly raising his eyebrows 'I have no qualms with you about this. But - to me, it is calling out. It has been, for years. All the knowledge I acquired during my travels, the entirety of the path I took -it all lead me here, to this moment, when I will become its wielder.'

'Xehanort, please. We haven't seen each other in decades, and now… all you can think of is-' Eraqus sighed, and realized what a fool he was. He thought that the feelings boiling inside Xehanort in their last years of tutelage would be calmed by all these years of travelling, and that they could reconnect, like when they were boys.

But Xehanort turned towards the curtains fluttering in the wind and coldly said:

'The master is old now. It is time a new successor is named. This is the most important.'

'Why, why, Xehanort, just please refrain from organizing my funeral while I am still alive, alright?' a playful voice called out to them, and they both turned towards the entrance to the library.

There was an elderly lady standing there with a pleasant smile, wearing an oversized crimson coat on her shoulders, letting the rich fabric encompass her figure. Her hair and eyes were both silver-colored and although she smiled at them warmly, an aura of grace and power surrounded her.

The two men bowed deeply towards their master.

'Master Mirna' Eraqus then spoke 'It is good to see you in good health.'

'I feel the same way about you two. It has been quite long since the three of us were together like this' Mirna said, stepping close to the two men and took one of their hand in each of hers, closing her eyes for a moment 'I called, and your hearts led you back to me, and for that, I am utterly grateful.'

Xehanort fixed his gaze on the floor, with a slight sense of remorse in his eyes.

Master Mirna slowly opened her eyes and looked at him, but he refused to look back at her. She sighed.

'I understand there is… somewhat of an expectation connected to your return' she kept a level tone as she let go of their hands, but her eyes betrayed the sadness in her heart.

'Master, Xehanort didn't…' Eraqus started but was cut short by the outstretched arm of his brother-in-training.

'Master, there is no fooling you' Xehanort said sternly, now looking unabashed into his master's eyes 'Yes, I expect that you called us back to pass down No Name. Since Eraqus clearly has no interest in wielding it, it is only logical to bequeath it to me.'

Silence enveloped the three of them. Mirna slowly lifted her head the slightest bit, not breaking eye contact with her disciple:

'Is it really, really that important to you, Xehanort?' she asked coldly, gesturing at the Keyblade on the wall.

'Yes.'

None of them noticed, but the eye in No Name quivered ever so slightly.

The old master finally looked away, shaking her head.

'I did not call you to pass down No Name just yet. I inherited it from my Master while I was younger than you, and its power… it nearly destroyed me. I do not wish the same fate for you.'

'But Master! I spent 25 years studying-'

'ENOUGH.' both young men tensed up as their Master's stern voice echoed through the library 'We shall not speak of this again' she added in a hoarse voice and turned around 'It is time we talked about why I did invite you back. Agata!'

A small figure appeared in the doorway - a little girl with short grey-brown hair and light purple eyes. She was leaning against the wall as if in hopes that she could disappear into it, like a chameleon.

'Come, child, it is alright' Mirna said in a much warmer tone, and held out one hand. The girl, about eight or nine years old, slowly made her way toward the master but it was very obvious from the expression on her face that the measured pace she displayed was already the master's teaching. Only when she put her hand in the Master's did her expression light up, and so did Mirna's when she looked at the little girl.

'Admittedly not much has happened since you two left' Master Mirna said, turning back to the two men 'So I decided to take another disciple. A last one, probably. I wanted you two to meet her - this is the reason I called you back. The only reason' she added strictly 'This is Agata.'

The two men were obviously quite surprised at the sight of the little girl, who was a whole generation younger than them. She bowed deeply towards them.

'I… I am honored' she said in a respectful voice 'I have heard many things about you, and… and hope to be a wise Master like you two, one day.'

Eraqus let out a smile, and stepped closer to the little girl, offering a slight bow.

'Agata… though surprised, but I am also very pleased to have gained a little sister in you. Xehanort and I are both pleased.'

The tanned man, however, kept his distance and looked sternly at the young girl.

'Xehanort' Mirna looked at the man and raised her voice ever so slightly 'Please recall the day you came to this house. How alone and afraid you were. You found a new family here, with Eraqus and me. Now, Agata is in our family as well. Please, help her on her way as you would with a blood sibling.'

Xehanort said nothing, but instead turned around and slowly walked towards the windows. The chessboard was still there on the broad windowsill all set up, as if it was just waiting for him and Eraqus to sit down and play again, like they did so many years ago.

He thoughtfully picked up a piece, one representing a goat. In the reflection of the ebony black piece he caught a glimpse of No Name behind him.

'All these years' he slowly said 'All those years that I spent studying… where you sent me, Master… it was just to get rid of me. I see it now.'

'Xehanort, what….'

'Admit it!' the young man shouted, and with a sudden motion, knocked all of the pieces off the board 'You never wanted me to inherit No Name and its power, you think I am too weak to wield it! And since Eraqus, the perfect blue blood Eraqus won't take it, you just found yourself another fool who might!'

Mirna raised her hand and summoned a silver and crimson Keyblade, pointing it directly at Xehanort.

'You are crossing the line once again' she whispered.

'Apparently this is the last time, Master' Xehanort replied icily, and turned around, heading for the exit. Before he left, he stopped in the doorway and, not even turning around, said: 'You will not live forever, Master. And when your time will finally be up, I will come and claim No Name - this, I guarantee you.'