I breathed a heavy sigh as I made it through to the other end of the portal, the endless space now laid out beyond. The darkness of the In-between cradled me peacefully, offsetting the flood of emotions overwhelming my body. Twinkles of light representing the worlds offered promises of new homes, but loss still sat in my heart like a rock. I rode by on my motorcycle, thoughts now drifting in my mind.
"Where do I go?" I thought to myself, "Master, where do I go?"
Then, right in front of me, a light, brighter than any other, caught my eye. Hope flooded my eyes as tears came to me instinctively and I rode towards the light, gaining speed and a growing sense of happiness as I got closer. The light flooded my eyes, and I entered the portal into the world.
All of my fears, all of my qualms, all negative thoughts seemed to disappear as I entered this world. A canvas of colors presented itself before me; flowers of all different colors occupied almost everything in sight. The sky was bright blue, with not a cloud in sight. I rode to see a tall castle spiral to touch the sky. A suburban city surrounded the castle; the houses stood quaintly in neat little rows, almost seemingly united. Bustling townsfolk walked the streets, markets bustling with business. The castle, on the other hand, seemed almost deserted and yet stood protectively over the town like a guardian. Flowers surrounded the town, finishing the picture of Sanctuary.
I landed outside the city walls, careful not to attract any attention to myself. I quickly reverted back to normal and I walked inside the city gates to be met by a crowded street. I easily blended in with the crowd, walking along searching for shelter for the night. I picked out a little alleyway and tried to cross to it, when a hand touched my shoulder.
I reacted and turned around, summoning Oathkeeper and Oblivion almost on accident. The person recoiled back in shock and I realized it was just a teen. Red spiky hair is what I first noticed about him; then it was his amused emerald green eyes that caught my attention, like he always found something funny. He wore baggy tan cargo pants that stopped ¾ of the way down and an orange vest over a white tank top, exposing his seasoned figure. A yellow, of many varieties, inconsistent patterned bandana looking scarf wrapped around his neck.
He recovered from shock quick and looked at me quizzically.
"You're a Keybearer?" he asked, "Never imagined someone like you to be one of them, didn't even know you could have two of them."
"Excuse me? What do you mean by that?" I leered at him, "And how do you know I'm a Keybearer?"
He looked at me, grinning. I stared down and saw my Keyblades clutched in my hands. I quickly released my Keyblades and they evaporated into light. I looked down, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.
"And can I have the honor of knowing the chosen one's name?" he said sarcastically, "Name's Lea. Got it memorized?"
"Emiri," I said curtly, still embarrassed. Lea grinned and I couldn't help but grin back.
"You look a little lost there, Emiri," Lea commented, "how about I grab you some grub and take you back to my place." Lea already began walking away. Emiri shortly followed.
Lea met up with a character that almost looked like his complete opposite. He had spiky blue hair, but controlled and pulled back, arching up and then falling in spiky lairs to his back. His green eyes were paler, a calm but friendly glint hidden beneath. He wore a dark blue zip-up turtleneck jacket that scrunched onto his arms halfway, a crescent moon on the left breast, and white pants that fell casually top his neat slip-ons.
Lea greeted him and then talked to him for a brief minute. He looked over at me curiously, and then turned back to Lea. Lea walked over to me.
"This is Isa, Emiri," Lea told me.
"Looks like Lea can't help but pick up stray dogs," Isa commented.
"Oh ha, ha," Lea retorted, and began walking. Halfway to a vendor, he turned his head, beckoning to us, "You coming?"
I quickly ran up to meet him, Isa following slowly. He caught up quickly and the three of us walked up to the vendor and ordered Ramen noodles. Lea looked into his pockets, fresh out of Munny. Isa rolled his eyes and pulled out some Munny from his wallet for the cashier. We headed over to a ledge overlooking what seemed to be a central square, and sat down. We ate silently, then…
"I heard somewhere in a far-away world, where the days are always twilight, you can overlook a city on a clock tower," Lea fantasized, "I also heard they have the best ice cream in all the worlds. Wish I could go there."
"Maybe in your dreams, Lea," Isa taunted, "considering you, you could go anywhere with your imagination."
"I'd rather mess with other people's minds and be immortal there," Lea said smiling, "Then I can travel anywhere in all the worlds."
"I know I can't get you out of my memories," Isa commented, "That would be impossible. You're too obnoxious." He fakes rolled his eyes. Lea laughed. I smiled at them.
"Can I ask?" I began timidly, "How do you know so much about the worlds? You're not Keybearers, and I thought only the bearers knew about other worlds."
"About a few months ago, we met a character named Ventus. He seemed like some kid at first, and I knew he was after I whopped him, but he was a keybearer," Lea explained.
"I actually believe recalling he wiped the floor with you," Isa commented.
"Fine, it was a draw," Lea conceded.
"Right…" Isa said.
"I think I know him," I recalled, "Yeah, he was one of Master Eraqus' apprentices! Maybe he's still alive!"
"Hope so, he owes me a rematch," Lea added, "I even saved up Munny and got these!" Lea pulled out two Chakrams, red and pointed sharp at the ends. He summoned some fire magic and twirled them around a bit, amusing his audience before one twirled too high and flew off in an arch. Fire shot everywhere, lighting up the area like fireworks before swiftly returned right to Lea, catching it as it made it to his hands.
"Wow," Lea said in awe, "I mean I meant to do that."
"Sure you did," Isa said.
"Shut up, will ya," Lea turned to me, "You see what I have to deal with?" Lea began laughing. Isa joined in, and eventually I couldn't keep from cracking a smile and laughing.
"I guess we're friends now, huh?" Lea said to me, throwing his arm around me and walking, "Best you stick with me, don't wanna get lost again." Isa smiled, nodding contently, and we walked off as the sun set.