Chapter 2

Lord Death

[Veritas]

I followed Kid and his crew to the large structure that stood in the middle of the city. The building had sort of a gothic look to it as it was adorned with giant skulls and spikes as well as giant lit candles sticking out.

'Hmm, that's interesting.' I thought.

We climbed the steps as I took in the view of the magnificent building. I whistled.

"So what is this place anyway?" I asked, putting my hands behind my head.

"This is the Death Weapon Meister Academy or D.W.M.A. for short." Kid said.

"This is a school? I would've never guessed given the design of it." I said.

"Yeah, pretty extravagant, huh?" Liz said.

"Yes but will you look at it." Kid said stopping in his tracks.

He looked up at the school, putting his arms out. It was as if he was admiring it. I looked up too. It was an interesting looking place, kinda like a church that worshipped skulls.

"Isn't wonderful! Look at how symmetrical it is! Absolute perfection." Kid said.

"I-I see." I said.

We walked inside the building being greeted to large, arching, shiny hallways lit by candles hanging from the walls. It was eerily empty, quiet enough to hear a pin drop. Kid led the way to his father's quarters, our footsteps echoing throughout the large hallways.

"So are we the only ones here?" I asked.

"Indeed. All the students are back home. Don't worry, it'll be crowded here tomorrow." Kid replied.

It was a good 5 minutes of walking until we made it to a large door implanted into the wall. It was adorned with a skull and a door knocker. Kid walked up to the door and knocked. The door then slowly opened up, revealing a new area. It looked like a desert with crosses all around. In front of us stood large guillotine like arches. It was… concerning to say the least. Kid then once again led the way with all of us following. After a minute of walking, we finally made it to him. In front of us on a large round platform stood a shadowy figure looking into a mirror of some kind.

'Is this him… Is this… Lord Death?' I thought.

We all walked up to the platform. As we put our feet on the platform, the shadowy figure turned towards us revealing a goofy looking skull face. It was the same face I've seen all around the city. He was… a lot less intimidating than I was expecting. The figure then lifted up a large, comically foam looking hand, which appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

"Heya Kid! Wassup?" the figure said.

"Hello Father, I hope all is well." Kid replied.

"I was about to ask you the same. I see you brought a new friend with you." Death said, referring to me.

"Yes I did. He actually saved me from those creatures tonight." Kid explained.

"He did? My my, I'm impressed. What is your name, boy?" Death asked me.

"Um… Veritas, sir. Veritas Keyheart." I said, standing up straight.

"Veritas Keyheart? Oh! You're the boy Nao told me about. How is he by the way?" Death asked.

"... He… isn't with us anymore…" I said, putting my head down. It was still hard to think about it.

"I'm sorry to hear about your loss." Death said.

"I, uh, have something for you." I said, reaching into my pocket.

I pulled out the manilla envelope and handed it to Death. He grabbed it with his large hands and opened it up. If I'm honest, I'm not sure how he could do that with with ease. He then pulled out the papers inside and read over them. As he nodded to himself, I began to think just what were on those papers. After a moment or so, Lord Death put the papers away and turned his attention to me.

"Well everything seems to be in order. Kid, mind giving us a minute alone?" Death requested.

"As you wish. Liz, Patty, let's go." Kid said.

"Riiiiight! " Patty said.

"See you later, Veritas." Liz said, leaving just me and Lord Death alone.

It was quite quiet as I stood next to Lord Death. It felt tense for some reason until Lord Death broke the silence once Kid fully left the room.

"The Heartless have been quite restless lately." Lord Death said.

"I've seen, but I'm here now so you don't need to worry anymore." I said.

"I'm glad to here but even with the Keyblade, you still need to be careful out there. One wrong move and you could become one of those wretched monsters." Death said.

"I understand sir. I'll be careful…. Um Lord Death, I have a question actually. How much about… all of this do you know?" I asked, trying to make sure I don't say anything I shouldn't.

"Oh, I know everything. As headmaster of this school, I know everything about my students." Death said.

"I-I'm sorry. Did you say student?" I asked.

"That's right. Starting today, you'll be starting classes at this school as per request from Nao. He said it'll keep help disguise you within this world." Death explained.

"Ah, dammit Nao. How am I supposed to find the keyhole if I'm stuck in class all day?" I said to myself.

"Cheer up, young boy. I'm sure after a while, you'll come like this school. And you might even meet some new friends along the way." Death said.

"Yeah, but still…" I said.

I really didn't want to go back to school. Not just for the fact that it's school, but I had a mission to complete. I couldn't just sit back at a desk and study knowing innocent people are being attacked. I just couldn't. I clenched my fist and gritted my teeth.

"Now now Veritas, I won't make you just sit in a desk all day. Here at the D.W.M.A. we believe students learn more by doing than reading. So we have missions students can accept." Death said. He took his large hands back out. "They usually are for hunting monsters known as Kishin but with the rise of Heartless lately, we started offering Heartless hunting missions." Death continued.

"K-Kishin? I'm not following." I said.

"Well they're sort of like Heartless but instead of capturing hearts, they capture human souls." Death explained.

"I see. So should I take up a mission now? You know, get started early." I said.

"No no, in fact. I suggest you take a day off." Death said.

"Take the day off?" I said.

"Yes. Think about it, how can you be in top form if you run yourself ragged." Death said.

"He's right, Master Keyheart. Even Keyblade wielders need a day of rest in order to fight for the light." Cor's voice said.

"Hmm… Fine. I guess you're right. So what hotels are nearby? Kinda need a bed to sleep in." I asked.

"No need to worry, I had an apartment put together for you when I was first told of you coming." Death said.

"I'm sorry, did you say apartment?" I asked.

"Indeed." Death said, nodding. "There are apartments around town that students rent out and reside in. Usually the students pay for these residents using money they receive by completing missions. However, since you're helping out with our Heartless situation, I've decided to take care of the rent for you."

"Oh, that's very kind of you. Thank you." I said.

"No thank you. Now here." Death said, handing me a piece of paper. "These are the directions to get to your temporary home here. I hope all is well. If you need anything, just ring me on the mirror."

"The mirror? I don't follow." I said.

"42-42-564, whenever you want to knock on Death's door. Just breathe on the mirror and write those numbers and it'll call my magic mirror. Kinda like a phone. Cool, huh?" Death explained.

"Y-yeah. I'll see you later Lord Death." I said, leaving before Death stopped me.

"Hold on. You almost forgot this." Death said, handing me a card with my picture on it. "THis is your student ID. It's only one star so you only have access to the library and level one missions. Anyway good luck and enjoy your day off tomorrow."

"Thanks, I will. Have a good night." I said, waving goodbye. I looked over my ID.

'How did they get my picture for this.' I thought.

After leaving the school, I followed Death's directions through the city, trying not to get lost as I navigated through the streets. It took maybe 10 minutes or so before I ended up in front of the apartment. I looked up at the large dark grey building with many windows lining it. I walked into the front door to be greeted to a lobby with dark blue walls and dark grey carpet lit up by ceiling lights. I walked up the stairs, climbing all the way to the third floor. I walked down the hallway until I found room number 313. I tried the doorknob but it was locked.

"Should've guessed. Now where's the key?" I said to myself.

I looked all around the door and underneath the doormat in front of it but I couldn't find the keys. I was about to go back and get them from Lord Death but then I got an idea. I reached my hand out and summoned my Keyblade. I took a few steps back and aimed it at the keyhole of the doorknob. Light gathered in the tip and shot out in a beam. Once it hit the keyhole I dematerialized my sword and regripped the doorknob and twisted. Luckily, it was unlocked this time and I was able to enter.

When I entered the apartment, I was greeted to a dark room. I reached around the wall to find a light switch. Once I found it, I flicked it on. When the lights came on, I was able to fully analyze the room. I saw a fully furnished living room with a couch, tv, and everything you'd see in a living room. It even had a stereo speaker system. Attached to the living room was a furnished dining room with a large wooden table with chairs and a china cabinet. Attached to that was a kitchen. I walked through it and opened the cabinets and fridge to see it was fully stocked with food. Going down the hallway I found only 3 rooms: a bathroom and 2 fully furnished bedrooms. I entered one of them and looked around. It had a nice big bed, a desk, and closet filled with hangers for clothes.

I re-entered the living room area and locked the door. I then noticed a small set of keys next to the door hanging on the small hook.

'There they are.' I thought.

I took the keys and pocket them. I then headed back into the room I was just in, deciding it to officially be my bedroom. I closed the door and sat on the bed, taking off my shoes.

"So, Master Keyheart, how do you enjoy this world so far?" Cor's voice asked.

"It's alright. It's unique. Also what did I say before? Call me Veritas." I said.

"Sorry Master Veritas." Cor's voice said.

"... Eh, close enough I guess." I said.

I then laid back onto the bed. Surprisingly, it was soft. Like, super soft. Better than any bed I slept in before. I felt like I didn't want to get out of it. Laying in it, I felt my eyelids get really heavy. I resisted at first, but I let the urge to sleep take over my body. I was out within minutes.