Well, folks, Bruixe is back by popular demand, for Part Three of what I'm now calling the Twilight Avenger trilogy. (Sounds important, doesn't it?) Buckle in, people, because we're going to introduce some new characters, bring back a few old ones, and who knows? There's a lot of room for people in this plot.
Oh, and for those of you that are new (as in haven't read The Last Nobody or Silver Eyes), shame on you. Go back and read them. Right now. Because I guarantee I'm going to lose you in like three paragraphs. And that would just be sad.
I don't own any of the Kingdom Hearts characters, worlds, or anything else that I might get in trouble for using. I do, however, claim credit for my OCs. And for the record, yes, I know this chapter is painfully short. I promise there will be an update very soon. That said, enjoy.
Open up your eyes
And see these warning signs
Breaking through your heart and all the reason of your mind
Open up to find
Your action leaves behind
The very hope that's given for the world to feel alive
- Jeremy Camp, "Open Up Your Eyes"
"My lady?" echoed a timid voice through the hall.
The Lady of White Sands drummed her fingers against the arm of her high-backed chair, gazing impassively at her servant. "Speak up, Rawlings, and be quick. What news of the Watch?"
"The Watch is moving, my lady," he replied hastily. "A unit of ten, led by Councilor Danthus."
"He came himself?" the Lady mused.
"With ten Watchmen," Rawlings repeated.
She snorted. "The pawns will be no trouble. The Watch grows soft of late," she declared. "The years have dulled their blades, it seems. I shall have to remind them of the strength of the Old Bearers."
"But, my lady," argued Rawlings, "General Danthus is also –"
"Let him come," the Lady chuckled imperiously. "Let him come."
Danthus shielded his eyes from the bright sun of the Eternal Kingdom, scanning the dunes around him for any sign of danger. All he saw were his own soldiers and the pale reddish stone of the manor before him. High walls surrounded the building, intended as a guard against sandstorms, not men, he knew. Nevertheless, they were a foreboding obstacle.
"Hanna," he called, beckoning to his lieutenant. "What do you see?"
"The walls are deserted, sir," reported the woman, whose quick wit and fierce determination made up for her small, even tiny, stature. She was one of only a few women in the Watch, and the only one who had accompanied Danthus on this particular mission. "The front gate appears to be unbarred."
Danthus nodded, face betraying no sign of his anxiety. The situation appeared safe, but something in the grizzled Councilor's gut sent an instinctive warning through his blood. He ignored it. "Shall we see ourselves in, then?"
"Yessir," Hanna replied cheerily, waving over the rest of the Watchmen. "I dolove housecalls."
They moved in a loose formation through the outer courtyard, coming to a halt at the manor door. Hanna tested the handles. "Locked," she announced.
It's the missions like these that will be the death of me,Danthus thought, running a hand over his short, iron-grey beard. He raised his Keyblade, Proud Covenant, and unlocked the door.
They entered the front hall and fanned out, every hand resting on the hilt or shaft of their various weapons. A glint of something shiny caught his eye; he moved toward the high chair at the back of the hall.
It was a fragment of some sort of metal, jagged on the edges, sparkling with a light that seemed to be its own. Danthus thought it looked somewhat familiar; he reached for it, curiosity overpowering his apprehension.
"General!" he heard Hanna cry.
The Councilor turned immediately and found himself staring into a pair of steely blue eyes.
"Hello, Danthus," said the woman, and he knew no more.
