Chapter 2: The Call of Darkness


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It was here that I first learned just what the darkness could do. That I found my strength insufficient and failed. I couldn't rely on Master to get me out of scrapes anymore.

But I wasn't strong enough, and I failed.

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My first thought as I entered the Lanes of Between was that I had somehow flown into the night sky.

Millions of stars surrounded me, and I sped past pricks of light that all twinkled at me. I seemed to be in a huge tube that wound its way around the skies. In addition to the stars, exit portals were dotted here and there in the tube, and as I dodged them, I got a quick flash of the world that the portal lead to. There were so many, and I had absolutely no idea where I was going, so I just continued to swerve around the portals, trying to take in everything around me.

I had never seen anything like the Lanes Between before. I stared, wide-eyed, at the purple-black of the sky all around me, and was only shocked out of my examination of the Lanes when I realized that I was headed straight for a portal that had popped up out of nowhere. There was no time to swerve, so I allowed myself to fly into its crackling surface.

As I passed through, I allowed my Keyblade Glider to drop into nothingness, and walked into the world. I was in a bright glade, surrounded by bushes and tall trees that stretched into the starry blue sky, while birds sung off in the treetops. White cliffs rose off in the distance, and I saw that I was completely alone. A worn, dirt path lead off to my left, into a wide ravine, and the other end disappeared into a gloomy forest.

I dismissed my armor, and stepped away from the portal. It disappeared with a snap as I scanned the area. I wasn't exactly sure what I was supposed to do, other than look for the Unversed and protect the people of the world. And find any Princesses of Heart, but the only thing I knew about them was that their hearts were devoid of any darkness whatsoever, and evil was attracted to them like moths to a flame. I guessed that I should start by finding some people, then working from there.

I followed the path, away from the denser forest, until I reached a large, blue lake. I stopped at the edge of the lake, furrowing my brows as I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I could sense that something was wrong immediately.

I kept my gaze on the rippling water, but I tensed and prepared to summon Earthshaker.

A strange sound, something like the sound of ripping cloth, sounded from behind me, and I spun around, Earthshaker in my hand. I was momentarily confused upon seeing only a small, blue-black creature which regarded me with gleaming red eyes. It couldn't have been taller than a foot, and had four legs with no distinct claws or digits, merely a sharp point at the end. It had lightning-shaped antennae that sprouted right above its eyes, which were just red slits, and its triangular face didn't appear to have a mouth or any other feature. The creature, peering up at me through those small, red eyes, moved almost furtively, ducking from side to side as though to avoid my gaze.

I was confused for a moment. Then, I identified the strange aura that I sensed from the creature. It didn't feel dark, and I could only sense sharp spikes of emotion. Fledgling emotion, given form…

"Monsters. The ones Master mentioned." I understood then.

I heard that same, strange sound that heralded the first's arrival to my left and right, and I realized that it wasn't alone. I was surrounded by them, seven of the same, blue humanoid creatures. They formed a semi-circle around me, fencing me against the lake.

"These…" I began, speaking out loud unconsciously, "These are the Unversed!"

I stabbed at the one directly in front of me, knocking it away before turning to face its friends. I moved to slash one, but hit only air as the Unversed sunk into the ground. What?

I looked around, confused, before realizing that I could see a shadow where it had disappeared. The circular shade moved quickly behind me, before the Unversed rose back up from the ground and swiped with its claw towards me. I dodged back easily, and then slashed it away.

I was able to hit it once more, and it disintegrated in a spray of blue matter. I had no time to celebrate however, as the others converged on me. I cast Fire quickly, and the one closest to me burst into flames before exploding like its fellow, and I stabbed at another as it attempted to attack me. It disappeared on my blade.

The remaining four seemed wary to come closer, and two of them remained standing, still doing that odd, jerky dance while the other two sunk into the grass and shot towards me. They both rose at the same moment in front of me, and I decimated one with a blow, but was too late to strike the other before it attacked. The Unversed leapt up, and I brought my Keyblade up to block and throw it back. I Froze it with a flash of blue, and turned to face the other two.

One I took out with another blast of Fire, while the other turned tail and ran, heading towards the dense forest I had passed earlier.

"No you don't!" I wasn't letting the last one get away, and I almost grinned. This, I could do. I knew what to do; I knew where I belonged in a fight. It was the mind-games that confused me, the hard debates and lectures on intangible things that sent my head spinning. It felt good, to be back in control after everything that had just happened.

I followed it through the forest, keeping to the rough path. I kept pace with it easily, and was just beginning to get close when the dirt beneath my feet changed to paved stones.

The forest ended suddenly, and I found myself on a long, wide, stone bridge that sloped up, far above the ground below, and lead to a huge caste, one that was far bigger than any building in the Land of Departure.

My enemy hesitated in the middle of the bridge, glancing around warily. Before it could turn or run again, I jumped and brought Earthshaker down with a slash that decimated the small creature easily.

I straightened up and looked towards the castle, which towered above me, a gray giant larger and almost more impressive than the castle of the Land of Departure. The tops of the towers were a dark plum color, each adorned with long banners which waved wearily in the breeze. Despite the size, the castle appeared deserted. There was no movement discernable in the many windows, and no one marched along the battlements. Even the huge, oak doors stood closed.

But something on the bridge ahead of me caught my attention. I saw, to my surprise, that I was not alone: A singular figure, cloaked in a voluminous dark robe, stood not too far from where I had defeated the final Unversed, holding a long, black staff that was topped with a glowing green orb.

She—for I could see the soft curve of her face and the long, slim fingers that gripped her staff from where I stood—was contemplating the castle much as I had been, and her head was adorned by a black horned headdress. Her skin appeared to be green. I blinked, but shrugged mentally. Maybe it was normal in this world.

I debated internally whether or not to approach her. She may have looked strange, but I needed to know if Unversed were attacking elsewhere. Or if she'd seen Master Xehanort.

Before I could make up my mind or had even moved, she turned around and asked, in a high, strong voice, "What's this?" She paused and I felt her gaze pierce me like daggers. "Why aren't you asleep, boy? That fool Flora cast a spell to put everyone in this castle into a deep, deep slumber."

Everyone on the castle? Asleep? I wanted to pursue the subject, but Master Eraqus' instructions that no one should know that there were other worlds were ringing in my ears, so avoided the question and asked, "Who are you?"

She raised a green hand to her chest with a smile that didn't look particularly kind. "Why, I am Maleficent… as all who dwell in this kingdom should know." She gestured to the quiet hills and green forests surrounding the castle.

"Now you must reciprocate the introduction. Who are you?"

I weighed my words for a moment before answering. It couldn't hurt to tell her my name. "I'm Terra. Do you know anything about some monsters, like the ones I have seen around here?"

She strode away from me, towards the forest. "Hmph. Now why would I give a thought to creatures so base… so inconsequential?"

I chuckled quietly to myself shortly. "They are base, that's for sure."

Then, I shook my head and looked back up at Maleficent. "Anyway, I'm looking for someone. Ever heard of a man named Xehanort?"

She paused, feet away from me, and answered, bluntly. "That name is not familiar to me."

My heart sank. Had I come to this world for nothing?

Maleficent, however, continued. "Is he an outsider, like yourself?"

She didn't seem to expect a reply, only pausing briefly. "Oh, but wait… I do remember an outsider who was seen around the castle." She said, before turning back around to face me.

I looked over at her, trying not to get my hopes up. "Tell me. What was he doing here?"

"I couldn't say… I can only be certain that he was not from this kingdom."

I tried not to scowl once again, frustration sparking. Maleficent was no help at all.

"If you're curious," She continued, "Go see the castle for yourself. He might still be nearby. There—the entrance is past the bridge." She pointed one finger towards the doors.

I pursed my lips thoughtfully. I had to check it out. This was why Master sent me and Aqua, to find Master Xehanort and defeat the Unversed. If there was even the smallest chance that Master Xehanort, or a clue to his whereabouts could be found there…

"Thanks." I had just begun running towards the castle when Maleficent spoke again.

"Perhaps the stranger had spoken about imprisoning 'the light'…"

I stopped, turning partially back to look at her. Imprisoning the light?

"'The light' could be so many things." Maleficent mused. "Could he have meant Princess Aurora?"

The name wasn't familiar, but it was worth checking out. Maybe she was a Princess of Heart, and Xehanort was looking into protecting her?

"Aurora…" I repeated. I didn't turn back to Maleficent, and instead continued towards the castle.


Just before I reached the doors, more Unversed appeared. I was surprised to see that they weren't all the same, small blue ones from by the lake. Of course, those were there too, and I noticed that they always popped up in groups, flooding up from the ground. I had to call them something, and Floods worked to describe the waves that they attacked in.

There were a couple of different Unversed that looked to be just a bit larger than the Floods, with more curved heads and three sharp, silver claws. They had the same fiery red gazes as the others, though they were shaped like stylized V's, and my first impression was that their eyes looked sad. A strange, black emblem was emblazoned on their chests, almost like two hooked, curved staffs that crossed together and created an angular, malicious heart-shape in the middle. Those where slower than the Floods, but stronger and bolder, and their quick, clawed attacks made me think of a Scrapper.

And there was a third Unversed, a red one that almost looked like a pot which rocketed around, fire glowing all around it, and my shirt almost caught on fire when one hit me. The fire elementals reminded me of Aqua's fireballs, and I thought of Red Hot Chilis, so that was what I dubbed them when they appeared with the same noise that called of the Unversed's arrival.

While the two new ones were sturdier and more difficult than the Floods, neither of them posed a real challenge to me, and I cut them down without a second thought, soon getting accustomed to their attacks. They disintegrated into mist after I hit them a few times, and I continued into the castle.

I pushed the heavy oak doors open with little difficulty, and found myself in a huge, dim throne room. It could have been at least twice the size of the one in the Land of Departure, and at the end of the room stood two high-backed thrones. The thrones looked almost tired, cast in shadow with no occupants, and the room rang emptily with my footsteps. There was no illumination to cast the shadows away besides the light from the shuttered windows and the door I had opened. It was eerily quiet.

Off to my left, a long, carpeted flight of stairs ascended past the tall, dirty windows, and spiraled upwards. I didn't see any other open doors or ways out of the throne room, so I started up the stairs, hoping to find this "Princess Aurora" or Master Xehanort somewhere above me. As I tread higher and higher, I passed stone corridor after stone corridor, each one long and silent, with locked doors leading to rooms I assumed were also empty and cobweb-ridden, and dusty decorations stood everywhere.

The thickly carpeted stairs made only a soft thud whenever my shoes hit, but no other sound disrupted the hush, and I saw no Unversed in any of the corridors as I raced past. The description that Master Eraqus had given of the Unversed made me think that they would try to attack the light and be drawn to it, and if Princess Aurora was a Princess of Heart, they would head for her. So I kept climbing, past windows showing hazy hills and gloomy forests, past too quiet doorways, and further into a feeling that not everything was right in this castle.

The place was absolutely deserted. Maleficent had said something about some "Flora" casting a spell on the castle, some form of Sleep… Still, this didn't feel right. I tightened my grip on Earthshaker and continued up the endless stairs. For one, how had Maleficent escaped the spell? Who was Flora? And, most importantly, was the stranger Maleficent had talked about Master Xehanort?

I made it to the top of the tower after a good while, and slowed before I entered the last long hallway. I couldn't see anything, but my every instinct was screaming at me that this was the place. The weary, heavy air that I could feel from the rest of the castle seemed almost lighter here.

I had to check. Any clue as to where Master Xehanort was would make the visit here worthwhile. There was only one doorway, and as I peered closer, I thought I saw a shimmer of something over the door. Magic, maybe? I stepped forward, into the hallway, and was greeted by the tell-tale sound of Unversed. Two Scrappers emerged from nothingness right in front of me, red eyes glowing ominously in the half-gloom. The first Unversed I'd seen since entering the castle… I guessed that it meant that this was the right way. I stabbed straight out, knocking one back and bringing Earthshaker back to block a swipe from the second. I moved smoothly from the block into a strike, throwing the second Scrapper against the wall in time to turn to the first and destroy it with a short sweep. I decimated the second with Fire, and was about to continue towards the room when something attacked me from behind.

I was thrown against the closest wall, nearly dropping my Keyblade at the impact, but managing to retain my hold and spring back up to my feet within seconds. My back protested loudly at my movement, but I had bigger problem to worry about.

The Unversed who had sneaked up on me was easily as tall as I was, and I was struck with surprise at my first glimpse of the monster. In addition to being as tall as me, it was twice as wide, with a tiny, round head and big hands that looked like they were gloved. The rotund figure was the same shade of blue and black as the Floods, and the same crooked heart that was emblazoned on the Scrappers sat on the new Unversed's pudgy belly.

This powerhouse had curved antennae like the Floods, and it advanced on me with slow, sure steps as its slanted red eyes stared me down. I readied my Keyblade, only to see it jump high with an agility that I had not expected and come crashing down, still at least three feet from me. My momentary triumph was replaced by immediate surprise when a shock wave of white magic spread from the Unversed's point of impact with the floor, and I barely managed to jump over it in time to avoid the hit.

I rushed forward before it could move and brought my Keyblade down across the huge monster's ample belly, but my attack didn't even seem to faze the thing. It simply swayed on the spot, regarding me unconcernedly with red eyes that were curved downward almost as though the Unversed was smiling. I took the opportunity, seeing no other attacks forthcoming, and slashed a few more times before the Unversed decided to fight back. I easily dodged its first two punches, and drew back as it jumped once again. Rushing in after it finally landed, I swung my Keyblade, hard, and managed to pulverize the giant Unversed.

I was almost panting at that point, and my back still throbbed defiantly from its recent impact on the wall, but I still turned when I heard more Unversed arrive. Two more of the Scrappers had appeared in front of the door, and since I could feel the strain in my chest that signaled depleted magic, waited until they came and tried to attack me to strike. I dispersed the first with two strikes, and easily dodged a swipe from the other.

I struck the other down moments after, and continued towards the door. There was no discernable shimmer then, but I could have sworn I'd seen one before, and there was something odd about the otherwise plain wooden door. For one, I could feel light seeping out from the room beyond, which was a stark contrast to the tiring aura I felt elsewhere in the castle, and for another, the door itself did not allow me to touch the handle, repelling my hand with an invisible shield. The field reeked of dark magic, and tainted the light that hovered behind it.

I knew I couldn't open the door without getting rid of the magic seal first, so I jumped back a pace or two to give myself room, and brought Earthshaker up, gathering my power and watching as it sparked on the end of my blade. The swirling light shot out and hit the field once at full power, and the seal broke with a sound of crackling electricity.

The dark aura faded as I grasped the handle and pulled the door open, waiting until I had entered and scanned the room before dismissing my Keyblade.

The room I entered was large and airy, obviously a bedroom, with lavish furniture and decorations. In the far corner, beside the two bright windows, a bed stood, partially hidden by drapery and shadows. On the bed, hands clasped over her chest, was a young woman who could only be Princess Aurora. Her long golden hair was splayed over the pillow, and her head was bedecked with a small tiara. She practically radiated light, and I stopped for a moment after entering, taken aback by the sheer amount of magic power I could sense.

For some odd reason, the whole scenario felt incredibly familiar. But I had never been to this world, or met a Princess of Heart, and I clenched my fists as I watched the Princess for any sign of movement. She looked to be either deeply asleep or dead, but I assumed that it was the former. What was it that sparked the deep, gut feeling that I'd stood here before?

"Thank you, Terra." I jumped at the voice. "It would have taken me so long to get rid of that pesky seal on the door by myself." I had been sure that there was no one else in the room when I entered, and I had heard no sound of the door creaking open or any magic.

I turned sharply, greeted immediately by the sight of Maleficent, who stood tall in the shadowy corner opposite, and I could see a jealous gleam in her eye that immediately put me on guard. "Thanks to you, I can finally begin my plan." She gestured to the sleeping Princess.

"What do you mean?" I asked, repressing the urge to summon Earthshaker.

"You see, the Princess, her heart is filled with light—not the slightest touch of darkness. And that is just the kind of heart I need." She finished, eyes riveted on the stationary Princess.

I drew my breath in sharply. She needed Princess Aurora's heart?

"For what?" I asked her, suspicion rising inside me.

When she did not reply for a long moment, I seriously considered calling for my Keyblade and forcing her to answer me, but was spared the necessity when she continued.

Her voice had taken on a faraway tone, and she sounded almost logical for about half of a second. Maleficent tore her eyes away from the Princess to beseech mine as she spoke. "Imagine with me, the most glorious of futures… seven of the purest hearts, each overflowing with light. When brought together, they grant the power to rule all worlds." Maleficent's gleam of desire had changed into a spark of manic power, and the head of her staff began to glow a sinister green as she finished her last sentence.

My instincts were screaming at me that whatever this crazy lady was dreaming up was not something I wanted to get involved with or just let happen. "What do you mean?" I asked her, wary that at any second she might attack, and subtly inched closer to the Princess, blocking her from Maleficent's view as best I could.

She grinned, and if you didn't look closely, you might almost think it was a kind smile. Her eyes were truly fixed upon me now, almost approving, sinister. "Why, that Key you hold… The Keyblade, is it called?"

I summoned said Keyblade, anger sparking like a flame in my chest. How did she know that?

"Where did you learn that name?" I shot the question, trying to keep my rage from boiling over.

She did not answer. "That useful trinket there is the only way to obtain hearts." Her tone was silky smooth, and my anger grew with every word. I clenched my fist around my Keyblade's hilt. The only way she could have learned of the Keyblade was if she really had met Master Xehanort, and he had told her for some reason that I couldn't comprehend about the other worlds, which was forbidden, as he knew.

"No more games. Where is Master Xehanort?!"

She no longer stood by the pretense of false kindness, and her next words were spoken in a hard tone. "Impudence will get you nowhere, child."

I bristled with indignation, barely even trying to keep my temper under control.

"If you wish to learn more," she continued, and her tone was almost civil once again, "You must retrieve the heart of Aurora."

"And why would I ever want to do that?" It was hard to get the words out through my clenched jaw, but I managed. Maleficent was really starting to get on my nerves.

The witch smiled, a smile of amusement and complete assurance, and it made me uneasy.

"It's not a matter of 'why', but of will." Anger was clouding my senses, and I barely even registered that her staff head had begun to glow once again.

"In your heart," she continued, "there is darkness just waiting to be awakened." I bristled at the word. Darkness. It seemed that no matter where I went, it still followed. Still swirling under my skin. Could I ever escape it?

Before she said another word, something invaded my mind. A fog of confusion burst into existence in my head, and numbness stifled any clear thought. I blinked drunkenly, suddenly drowsy and disconnected from the world around me.

"I—I don't know… what you're talking about." The words were hard to force out of my mouth, and it felt like my tongue was out of sync with my brain.

"Perhaps not yet…" I barely heard Maleficent's words.

The fuzz in my brain grew. It wasn't a haze of pain, or anger that I'd felt before, more like a fog of weariness that weighed my limbs down. I was hardly aware that my Keyblade was dropping to my side.

"But I have the power over sleep." Maleficent's words echoed around my head, but the meaning didn't make any sense. I shook my head, trying to clear it. Belatedly, I realized that something was very wrong. My brain was sluggish and with every second, I could feel my eyes wavering lower. She must have cast some sort of spell… I couldn't bring myself to care much.

"And I can awaken what's inside you…"

The fog was thicker now, covering my sight and nerves. It was as though a veil had been drawn over my comprehension, separating me from reality. Nothing processed. Everything was a blur. Awaken what's inside you…

"Then, you will be free to be who you truly are."

I was aware in some corner of my mind that the fog hurt. It was a disconnected pain, like someone close to me was injured, but I didn't truly feel it.

I swayed on the spot, breathing heavily, mind wandering. Unbidden, memories sprung to the front of my mind.

My Master, standing tall in front of me, his hard gaze boring into mine. The words he spoke were ones I remembered from countless lessons, thousands of warnings. "Do not forget that darkness lurks in every heart. It is our foe! If there is a way we could be rid of it…" Master drew his Keyblade. "You must destroy it!

"Push the darkness down—allow it no quarter in your heart."

Countless repetitions of Master Eraqus' words echoed dully around my head.

The memories faded as quickly as they had come, and I saw Maleficent once again, this time cloaked in green magic that wavered up like emerald flames from her shoulders and staff.

I glanced, uncomprehending, down at my hands and was surprised, in some corner of my head, to see that the same green magic which cloaked Maleficent also flickered over my body.

The numbness was in complete control of my brain now. I could barely feel anything. I was vaguely aware of hunching over as the unfelt pain increased, then straightening up at some request that I was almost sure wasn't my own.

It was as though someone had seized the reigns of my head and was telling me where to go.

Raise your Keyblade. I could not identify where the order came from, but my arm raised Earthshaker regardless, until the tip hovered over the Princess.

Gather your power. I summoned magic from somewhere inside me.

Take her heart. The final order would have sounded almost gleeful if I could have comprehended it at that point.

Beams of light burst into being on the edge of my Keyblade, which expanded outward, until it finally reached its limit and faded. To replace the lost light, something seemed to rise from Princess Aurora's chest. A glowing sphere of sun hovered above her, until it answered some unheard beckon and rose up, over my head, until it fell into Maleficent's waiting claws.

I heard the witch's exultant remarks through a heavy daze. "Here it is… Just what I've waited for." The fog still numbed my brain, making it hard to think, hard to move. I watched, unfeeling, as the light of Aurora's heart was cloaked in Maleficent's green magic.

The daze lifted suddenly. The reigns were thrust back into my hands, and all that was left of the invasive presence was a vague pain and a bone-deep knowledge that something was horribly wrong. I jerked back, trying to process everything that had just happened. My mind spun, attempting to grasp what had occurred, moving a mile a minute.

Maleficent was still speaking, and I really heard her this time. "To think that all he spoke of was and will be true…"

I put a hand to my head, which was throbbing. Something had happened. Something really bad. What was bad?

Then, like a crackle of lightning in a dark gray sky, I remembered.

I had taken Princess Aurora's heart. I had succumbed to Maleficent's magic. I had let the darkness inside of me take control.

"What?" I tried desperately to deny what every nerve was screaming at me. "How did I—"

Then it really hit me.

I had taken Princess Aurora's heart!

I stumbled back, head whirling, horror freezing my veins.

I turned to the green-skinned witch. "What did I do?" I already knew, or I thought I did, but I had to be sure that this wasn't a dream. I hoped desperately that it was a dream.

"What did you do?!"

Maleficent smiled once again, as though I was some incompetent child and she had to explain some simple math problem. "You speak as if I pulled some invisible strings. No, you couldn't further from the truth, child. I simply whispered to the darkness you are already holding inside."

Everything inside of me was screaming denial. I couldn't have done this. No, never! That couldn't have been me. I could control my darkness. I always had. This couldn't be true. I wouldn't believe it.

Somewhere deep inside of me, however, a small part of me whispered that maybe I had. Maybe I really was that weak. Maybe I really couldn't resist the darkness.

"How… how could I do this?" I wasn't really asking Maleficent. I was hardly even aware that I spoke aloud.

My knees felt weak, and I was breathing fast. I had done it. I had taken a Princess' heart. I had succumbed to my darkness.

I had failed as a Keyblade Wielder.

I had failed my Master.

I had failed Aqua. I had failed Ven.

"Yes, you did." Maleficent spoke again, and despite myself, I listened. "But, we had a deal. You wanted to know where Xehanort went." Her words struck something inside of me, inside of the hole of despair that gaped in my chest.

Xehanort…

"He was here, yes. I spoke with him, but as to where he went, I cannot answer. He disappeared into the darkness."

I realized dumbly that it wasn't worth coming to this world after all. She didn't know where Xehanort was. But it didn't really mean much. I had already failed. My job was finished, as surely as I stood there. I was beyond useless.

The witch spoke once again, and I dragged blank eyes up to her profile. I wanted her to shut up. I wanted to be able to move back time and undo the things I had done. To go back to before the Mark of Mastery when everything was simple and I could just relax under the stars with Ven and Aqua.

"But now I know that the Keyblade is necessary to gather hearts."

That truly penetrated the horror that filled my brain. To complete her plan, she needed the Keyblade.

"Join me." She turned to me, an eager smile turning her lips. "Collect six more hearts of pure light. Then, we will rule all the worlds together!" Her voice rose to a thunderous crescendo with the last words. She was obsessed with power; I could see it in her eyes, which were gazing far beyond me, onto something I couldn't see. She was transfixed with the possibility of ruling the worlds.

I glanced down at the still Princess, horror twisting my heart. Her face was tranquil, undisturbed, though somehow she looked even more motionless than she had before. If it weren't for the sudden absence of the previous light which had radiated from her being, I would have guessed nothing had changed.

I decided then, deep inside my heart, that I wasn't going to let this happen. I couldn't fail Aqua and Ven and my Master any more than I already had.

I remembered the smile on Aqua's face when she gave me the little Wayfinder charm, just the night before. I remembered Ven's earnest encouragement, the look of wonder on his face as he watched the falling stars. It felt like such a long time ago. The sound of my friends' laughter rang in my ears, and I felt a burning desire to be worthy of the friendship they had given to me. Of the sympathy and encouragement I had sensed in their gazes when I fell short of the Mark. Aqua, Ven, and Master. I had to make it up to them. I had to show them that I wasn't bound by the darkness in my heart.

I found new resolve from somewhere inside me. I wasn't going to just lie down and let Maleficent have her way. I was going to stop her, and show Master that I was worthy of the Mark.

"You seem to be mixed up." I informed Maleficent, anger once again filling my tone, but this time I would keep it under control. I would force the witch to give back Aurora's heart and stop this insane plan. "I'm a peacekeeper, not a tyrant!" I raised Earthshaker higher, ready to take on the enchantress—dark magic or no dark magic. I wasn't going to go down without a fight.

Before she could respond or I could do anything more, I felt a tremor which shook the very floor. I kept my eyes trained on Maleficent, though I wanted to glance around for the source of the shaking. If the trembling was just a distraction, I intended to keep my eyes on my opponent. It had almost felt like it had come from below…

"Hmm…" Maleficent did not look worried or put off by my words and refusal of her proposition. Instead, her voice contained a note of contempt. "For a peacekeeper, you're off to an exceptionally poor start. Remember this, child—the darkness in your heart cannot be held back by brute force or strength. Now, my work here is done, as is yours. Wasn't there someone you needed to chase?"

Emerald tendrils of magic appeared at Maleficent's feet, rising up from the floor and slowly consuming her, dragging her through a portal.

"Wait!" I jumped for her, twisting in mid-air for more power, and brought my Keyblade down where Maleficent was, only to find that I was too late. I only hit air.

She was gone.

I had little time to berate myself over my failure to stop her as another tremble shook the room, harder than before.

Whatever it was—and I had a bad feeling that it was Unversed—that was causing the shaking must be downstairs.

The Unversed… they're going to bring down the castle! I had to do something. I couldn't let Aurora and the others in the castle be killed. Even if it meant letting Maleficent get further away.

I ran out of the room, Keyblade still in hand. I didn't look at the quiet Princess again. I couldn't.


There were no Unversed in the halls or on the staircase, and I dashed down the stairs as fast as I could without falling. The quakes grew both louder and more frequent as I neared the Throne Room.

When I finally made it to the cavernous hall, the sight that greeted me was one I was thoroughly unprepared for.

If I had thought that the bruiser of an Unversed from before was big, I was wrong. This Unversed was huge. It had to be at least twelve feet tall, and it resembled a giant spinning wheel, bounding around on three legs and shaking the floor with every ear-trembling landing. The Unversed had two arms that branched off near its head, one of which held a large wheel, and the other a spool of golden string. The monster was mainly red and black, and looked to be made of wood, though I knew that couldn't be true. The ceiling was already cracking in places as the giant Unversed bounced around, and I knew I had to destroy it before it caused the entire castle to crumble.

As I rounded the corner and entered the room, the Unversed seemed to sense my presence and turned to me, regarding me with large, almost sorrowful scarlet eyes. The monster immediately bunched its legs and launched itself into the air.

I barely had time to hurl myself out of the way before it landed, exactly where I had stood a moment before. A magic wave of destruction emanated from the point of impact, and I jumped over it, attacking as soon as I was close enough to do damage. I didn't have much magic left, so I only used my Keyblade, which made long scratches on the Unversed, but didn't appear to have much effect. It leapt up once again, and I rushed out of the danger zone. Again, I sprung over the burst of magic when it landed, and attacked once again. All the while, I could feel its eyes on me, and I could have sworn that it looked sad.

The battle continued as such for a long while, and although its jumps were not particularly difficult to dodge, I soon began to feel tiredness lapping at my arms and legs. All of my attacks didn't look to be doing much damage, and I began to get frustrated.

It appeared I wasn't the only one however, and it stopped jumping around after a while of the same fruitless attacks, and I could almost feel its gaze begin to burn with anger. I backed up warily, expecting another jump, but instead the giant began to literally glow with rage, and charged at me with such speed I was taken by surprise. It nearly knocked me over, but I managed to move out of the way—or so I thought. Instead of passing straight past as I dodged, the end not leading the charge spun and knocked me backwards.

I flew back, landing hard on my back, which vehemently yelled its unhappiness at another hit.

I managed to drag my body off the ground, turning immediately to find the Unversed. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as I felt, rather than heard, something move above me. My extensive training kicked in before I had totally processed the movement, and I found myself rolling out of the way. I wasn't hit. Barely.

The Unversed slammed down exactly where I had stood moments before, and I must have caused enough damage to slow its reflexes, because I was able to run over and strike a few times despite my chest and back throbbing with every breath before the monster was off again.

It didn't charge that time, simply unraveled a long piece of the golden wire wrapped around its spool and lassoed me. I was far enough away to not be yanked in with the first retract of the spool, but felt the wire grow searing hot around my arms. It was definitely magical, which impeded me from breaking away at first as the Unversed dragged me closer. I saw what it was going to do before it happened and was somehow able to find a weak point in the wire and bust free just in time to avoid being smashed by the other hand of the Unversed.

I ran back in, hoping that this Unversed was almost dead. My head still felt raw, like an exposed wound, and my back was throbbing. I began slashing, using some of the more advanced techniques and hits that Master had taught me.

Thankfully, the Unversed seemed out of energy as well, and with a final blow, I jolted it so hard it collapsed. It tried valiantly to struggle to its feet once again, but only fell back to the ground before exploding in a blast of particles.

I nearly sagged to the ground then and there with relief. I felt like a giant punching bag, and my head still felt fuzzy from whatever Maleficent had done.

I glanced around warily. No more Unversed popped up to challenge me, no people came rushing from the doors to see what was going on, nothing moved. Were it not for the pounding headache and loud pounding of my heart, I almost could have believed that nothing had changed in the castle.

It was time to go. But first, I had one last thing to do.


I swallowed, hard. It was hard to drag my eyes up to Princess Aurora's still, peaceful face, but I did it. Was it just the fading light, or did her face look paler than before? Thinking about that too much made me think about what I'd done to her. I had to get her light back. But I couldn't, not now.

It was my fault that her light was stolen. It was because I was weak.

But I would get her light back. Once I learned to stand up against the darkness.

I would return and stop Maleficent.

But what good would I do now? I didn't know where the witch was, and anyway, Maleficent would only use her magic once again, and then I'd wake up to find I'd hurt all of the Princesses of Heart.

I would return and get her light back.

Once I was stronger.


The dark forest seemed even gloomier as the sun set, but I barely noticed. I kept my eyes on the ground, trying to ignore the guilt twisting my insides. My mind whirled with the impossibilities of what I had learned in that world.

Why would Master Xehanort want to "imprison the light"? What had Maleficent meant when she said he'd "disappeared into darkness"?

The purest hearts of light—did they hold the answer?


AN: See- shorter! By a bit! And hopefully the writing was a bit better. I'm not quite confident with the first part, but hey. Hopefully my bad writing hasn't driven any of you wonderful readers away.

Again, Seabit is the person who smoothed everything out-and I probably messed it up more after she made it great.

Thanks for reading! I appreciate fav's and follows and reviews!

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