Chapter 2- A Shadows Heart
Pitch appeared on Opassa Beach of Another World, and instantly started to leave, but stopped and looked back to where the portal was, "Catch me if you can?" he muttered before he continued to his trek away from the beach.
Pitch arrived at Arni Village shortly before dawn, he made his way to the docks, and an old fisherman was sitting on the edge of the dock, waiting for a fish to take his bait. "Its not even dawn yet, how long have you been out here old man?" Pitch asked just trying to make conversation.
"This is the best time to go fishing youngster. Before everyone else is awake and making a racket. And I haven't been out here for too long." The old fisherman said as he kept his eyes on his line dipping into the water.
Pitch nodded and looked out into the water, letting his mind drift back to Opassa Beach. The girl was only being kind; he didn't need to be so rude. He could have had a chance to form a friendship with her, and possibly gain something meaningful form it. Who was he kidding? She obviously loved that guy she was with, why else would she be out in the middle of the night with him. "Love, what everyone seeks for, but is ever elusive. Alas I am always alone, living in eternal darkness." Pitch whispered to himself
"What? Did you say something?" The old fisherman asked looking over at pitch. But Pitch never responded so the man went back to fishing. Soon the sun rose and the village slowly started coming to life as the villagers woke up and started going about their daily business. Soon Leena walked out to the dock yawning.
"Everyday, it's the same thing. All I do is watch the children and make sure they don't drown." She muttered as she walked and stood next to where Pitch was sitting. She didn't even notice him until she almost tripped over him. "Oh sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going. My name is Leena. You aren't from around here are you? What brings you to Arni?" She asked him smiling brightly.
Pitch stood up his face grim, "Despair leads my life." He said flatly before falling backwards into the water. Leena was shocked when he fell into the water, but when he didn't come back up her instincts took over and she dove in after him. She quickly caught him and pulled him up to the surface and onto the fisherman's boat.
A crowd had gathered when the fisherman shouted about Leena diving in to save the stranger. She didn't notice as she checked him and realized that he wasn't breathing. "Oh no. Don't you dare die on me." She said as she started to give Pitch mouth to mouth. Not wanting this stranger to die for no reason. After a few breaths he coughed up water but just stared up at the sky. "Thank god," said Leena as she breathed a sigh of relief that he was okay, "What was with the falling into the water thing? I'm sure your life can't be that bad that you'd want to kill yourself."
Pitch continued to stare blankly at the sky, "Then I guess I am really alive, if I can die." Pitch said softly.
Leena helped him up and back onto the dock, and took him to the café after finding someone else to watch the children, "So, what's your name stranger? I did save your life, I think I at least deserve to know your name." Leena said as she sat down across from Pitch.
"My name is Pitch Black. I thank you for your kindness though I believe it is misplaced in someone like me." Pitch said softly, leaning forward slightly so his bangs cast his eyes in shadow.
"Tell me," Leena said trying to get him to open up a bit, "you said something about despair leading you. What exactly do you mean by that?"
"I mean that my life never has any amount of happiness. You deserve better." Pitch said standing up and turning to leave. "Perhaps some day another wayward angel shall make their way here." Pitch headed towards the door but on his way out someone was rushing up the steps and crashed into him knocking him down.
"Bugger! Watch where yer goin!" A young blonde girl dressed in Red shouted at him as she got up, "Hey Leena." She said as she walked over to Leena, "I heard some guy almost drowned a little bit ago and you turned out to be the big hero. Who was it? One of them kiddies out there?"
"No actually, it's the guy you just ran into." Leena pointed towards the door but he was already gone. "Okay, he is really weird."
"No kidding. He bumps into me and don't even apologize for it. That's just rude." Kid said annoyed, "Lets go after him. He couldn't have gone far. Any idea about where he would go?"
"Well, he said something about a wayward angel. Does that mean anything to you?" Leena asked the fiery blonde.
"Wayward angel? Probably just some loony." Kid said but then suddenly she went deep into thought, "Wait, wayward angel, could refer to the Angelus Errare."
"Angelus Errare?" Leena said raising an eyebrow, "Wait, do you mean the dimensional distortion?"
"Yep. But I thought only Serge could open it. He's still got me pendant so he could come back here. But lets check it out, maybe he went there." Kid said heading out and Leena following close behind.
Soon the two girls were standing on Opassa Beach, looking for any sign of Pitch having been there. "Well, I guess Pitch ain't here. Maybe he was just a loony, and was babbling. Lets just forget about it." Kid said getting rather bored with searching for the young man.
"I know what he said Kid, and I think he probably meant something. I'm determined to figure out what." Leena said matter-of-factly.
"Well, I'll help you look for this guy when Serge comes around here looking for him." She said turning to leave, and as if on cue, the Dimensional Distortion opened, depositing Serge and the Home World Leena onto the beach. Kid slowly turned around and muttered, "Why did I have to say anything?"
Both Leenas made eye contact for a moment then they both whispered, "I will never get used to this." Then the Home World Leena questioned both Kid and the other Leena, "Hey, this is a weird question but have you by chance seen a guy dressed in all black, dirty-blonde hair, he calls himself Pitch?"
"Bugger! I guess he was talking about this place then," grumbled Kid, "You guys lookin for 'im? So are we."
"So this guy came from your world. But how was he able to open the Distortion, and more so how was he able to activate it? Serge, obviously still has Kids pendant or he wouldn't be able to come here, so He must have something that can activate it." Said the Leena from Another World
(A/N-from here on, whenever Both Leenas are around HW Leena will refer to Home World Leena, and AW Leena is of course Another World Leena.)
"Well, that's why we're looking for him. We want to know how he's able to travel between the dimensions." Serge said looking around, as if he hoped that pitch was around.
"Same here mate." said Kid, "I really wish you were here on a social call though. It been pretty boring since ya went back home. But hey I guess we can thank this Pitch guy for bringing the group back together."
"Oh my, my ears are itching. Is somebody talking about me?" Said a voice from a rocky ledge above them. Pitch leapt down and stared at them all expectantly. "Well, here I am, ask your questions and I'll be on my way."
"We just want to know how you're able to go between the two worlds. We thought Serge was the only one who could open then dimensional distortion. As far as we knew only Kids pendant could activate it." said AW Leena.
"Simple. I don't know. I just knew that I could open this gate. As for activating it, maybe this has something to do with it." Pitch said reaching into his shirt and pulling out a small star shaped crystal that hung on a chain around his neck. "Well, there's your answer. I'll be leaving now."
"You didn't explain anything. You ain't leavin' until you've given us some answers." Kid said stepping in his way.
"I can't explain that which I don't understand." Pitch said softly, and then he looked her dead in the eyes, "I'm sure you can see that I am telling the truth. If you wish to continue this conversation though, it shall continue with our weapons. I will not be delayed any further." Pitch said grabbing his halberd.
Serge gripped his swallow ready to fight, but Kid stepped out of his way, "Okay then. But this ain't over. We will find out what's goin' on here." She said as Pitch walked past her.
HW Leena walked u p to Kid and grabbed her by the shoulders, "Why'd you let him go? You seemed as intent as us about getting answers."
Kid looked into HW Leena's eyes, "Cause he was right." She said pushing Leenas arms way, "I could see that he was telling the truth."
Pitch walked into Termina. He was hoping that this Termina would be more exciting than the Termina in the Home World. Pitch wandered around the town, he had heard about the Shrines, and in the other world there were less than impressive, but this world seemed much better off so he was going to take his chances. When he arrived there He noticed a young knight kneeling down in front of a grave. He noticed the young man set down a cloth wrapped object and say a small prayer. Pitch was intrigued and he didn't want to disturb him so he remained silent observing the knight actions.
"Father, brother," said the young knight, "I believe that I proven myself worthy of wielding the Einlanzer. But I shall not leave your memories unnoticed. I had your friend Zappa forge this sword. I know that it will honor your memories as well as the Einlanzer did." He said as he unwrapped a magnificent sword form the cloth that he had sent down. He then drove the sword into the ground, and said "May I continue to honor your memories and wield the Einlanzer as both of you did before me."
Pitch remained stoic as he watched. The young knight was paying honor to his fallen father and brother. "I do believe that your kind words will mean more than that sword, young knight." Pitch said, "I am a stranger and cannot speak form true knowledge about this, but as long as you live your life as they would want you to. Their memories will never die."
"Thank you sir." said the knight, "My name is Glenn. Sir Glenn of the Acacia Dragoons. Normally this sword would be there." He said patting the sword that hung form his belt, "But now that I wield this sword, I believed that they still deserved a sword to mark their honor and achievements."
"If that sword was held by both your father and your brother, it would only be right for the blade to pass to you, being the next in line in the family. That is a truly strong sword; I can sense its power. Wield it with honor. Fare thee well." Pitch finished and he then turned and walked away. In the other world the blade was a rusty old relic, that wouldn't be of use to anyone, but in this world it was apparently still a mighty sword.
Pitch walked back across town and shortly arrived at the docks, and he noticed the Magical Dreamers ship docked there. He then heard a massive guitar riff, that Pitch wasn't really sure he would call music. He started up the stairs of the ship and saw several girls crowding around a door. He figured it was probably the room of one of the band members most likely the lead singer, and they were just crazy fan girls. Pitch was about to leave when he heard a voice behind him, "Are you a fan, or is one those girls your sweetheart?"
Pitch turned around and saw a girl whose beauty mesmerized him. She was a few inches shorter than him with bright red hair, and wearing a skimpy bright red outfit. There was a star under her left eye and her headband had a crescent moon shape on it. "N..no." stuttered pitch trying to regain his composure, "I was merely wandering around the city, and this happened to catch my eye."
The girl smiled at him, "Either you're lying, or something shocked you." She said putting her hands on her hips, "So which is it?"
Pitch blushed slightly, "I was shocked. Your beauty is truly mesmerizing." He said giving her a small smile, "Might I ask your name?"
"My name is Miki, dancer extraordinaire." She said spinning around, "Thank you..."
"Pitch Black." Pitch responded, "I take it that when you say you are a dancer, you mean with this group, am I correct?"
"Yeah, although some people think I would be better off dancing on a pole. Especially with the costume I wear, but I want to be comfortable on stage." She said brushing some of her hair over her shoulder, "And plus, being dressed like this really brings in guys. Just like how Nikki brings in the girls."
"I can see how men would flock to see the show. You are a breathtaking sight." Pitch said taking the opportunity to look her over.
"Its nice to get a compliment like that from someone who isn't a fan trying to stalk me. If your gonna be in town for a while why don't you come by and see the show. I'm sure you'd enjoy it."
"I tend to come and go a lot. I never really know if I'll be around for long." Pitch said shrugging.
"Well, if you are still around," she said while reaching into her arm wrap and pulled out a ticket, "Here's a front row ticket. I hope to see you there. Even if you don't like the music, I'm pretty sure you'll like the dancing." She said as she turned and ran off to her dressing room.
Pitch looked at the ticket. It seemed like good deal, and he had no real commitments. He figured he could stick around or a few days. He'd find something to keep himself occupied. He then remembered Viper manor in the other world was being rebuilt and being used as an orphanage. The differences in the two worlds had already been quite drastic, he figured that Viper Manor was probably also quite different. Which was a good assumption seeing that the Acacia Dragoons were still patrolling Termina, and no trace of Porre having invaded was present.
Pitch quickly made his way out of Town and To Viper Manor. It was truly magnificent, standing proudly in all of its glory. The gate was wide open, but two guards stood ready. Pitch was confused as to why the home of the Lord of El Nido, was standing wide open. "Excuse me, this is Viper Manor, correct?" he asked
"I already know what you're going to ask. Yes, Viper manor has been opened for the public to enter. General Viper said it was because he wanted to make sure all of his people know how much he cares." Said one of the gate guards, "Feel free to explore the grounds, but there are several guards placed all around the manor, so don't try anything funny."
Pitch nodded and entered the grounds. He had no care for exploration, but it seemed to be a good way to pass the time. Hen slowly entered and realized that the guard wasn't kidding, in the front lobby alone there were 5 guards, 1 in each corner of the room and 1 standing in the center, "Greetings, visitor. I'll have to ask you to leave your weapon with us, no one is allowed to enter the manor armed." Said the center guard. Pitch remained silent but grabbed his halberd and swung it around so the blade was to the guards' throat.
"Very well." Pitch said lowering it and handing it to a guard who had drawn his sword, "I was halfway expecting you to scream in fear. Impressive. I'll be back for that later." Pitch said as he headed through the main doorway leading to the main hall.
Once pitch was gone the center guard breathed a heavy sigh, "I thought that maniac kid was gonna kill me. I thought being here would be a safe job."
Pitch found himself in the main hall of Viper Manor. General Viper was sitting in front of everyone speaking to anyone who came up to him, "Much like a king addressing his servants." Thought Pitch. He wasn't interested in listening to the old man. He instead went towards the door on the left on the main entrance to the hall, and found that it lead to the library. Pitch never really had much a use for reading, but something told him, that he should go to the library. Pitch didn't know why but he was curious so he crossed to pathway to the library and as soon as he entered, "So, the shadow with a heart has finally arrived. I've been waiting for you, Pitch Black." Said the librarian.
A/N-Blah! I know a kinda slow chapter. Sorry if I got your hopes up about an exciting story to let you down with this chapter. Trust me, the next one will be a lot more exciting. I promise.