*Squall and Kaldea finally escape the forest, reaching civilization, and meet a new friend. Meanwhile dark warriors have begun to gather to the god Chaos.*

Chapter 3

Emergence of the Dark Pawns

The roaring behemoth raised its giant fist, bringing it down on the evading Kaldea. She dove into the air, somersaulting as her skin and clothing blackened over in shadows. Shifting mid-air into the form of a panther, she landed on all fours. She watched the monster's fist smash into the soil sending up a cloud of dirt as the floor gave way to its power, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. Among the dust and dirt flowing into the air she spotted particles of blue light emerging out from the creatures arm.

The creature, only known as a behemoth, was an enormous muscular brute of a canine-esque creature with purple fur, bull-like horns protruding from his head, and flowing manes. Seeing the beast drop down on all fours and roar, brought her attention off of the peculiar particles and back into the moment. Kaldea took off dashing with the behemoth giving chase. As fast and agile as the panther form may have been for her, she couldn't compete with the monster's greater size and reach of its limbs. The forest quaked under its thundering steps.

(He'll catch me in a few seconds.) She thought, searching her surroundings for an idea when an enormous old tree came into view. (There!)

She turned, dashing for the tall tree while feeling the heat from the gaining behemoth's mouth as it closed in. Its jaws were gaping wide. She dove for the tree, passing through the structure like a ghost meanwhile the monster smashed headfirst into it. She leaped aside as the tree was uprooted and the behemoth tripped, barreling through. Kaldea doubled back, rushing and leaping at the dazed monster shaking itself. She twisted her body, the shadows over her receded as she shifted back into human form, burying a hard jump kick into the side of monster's face. The behemoth growled as its cheek merely absorbed the impact, the very motion of it turning its head to look in her direct throwing her back as she kicked off of it.

(Figures. I don't have any attack power up against something like this.) With her expression dulling, she thought as she landed gracefully on her feet.

Meanwhile standing in the monster's blind spot, Squall held his gunblade at the ready, wisps of powerful blue light flowing over the blade when he charged in. The monster was about to continue to advance on her but paused noticing the incoming attacker. It stood up on its two legs raising a fist to him as the warrior had already entered within his desired attacking range.

(Too late.) Squall, already determining the monster's chances, thought.

He leaped at his target, burying his sword into the monster's flesh and dragging the blade through it as he ascended. Bringing the blade out through the creature's collar bone he kicked off of it triggering the final phase of his attack. The energy released from the blade gathered together below the monster at its feet, and unleashed in one massive upward burst of light slamming against the behemoth and throwing it off of its feet. The creature lay still, succumbing to its injuries as Squall fell back to the ground, managing a successful back flip before staggering and falling to a knee.

"Not one of my more graceful landings." He groaned quietly before complaining, "Of course a malboro. It had to be a malboro."

Rubbing his head, he stayed on his knee resting while Kaldea approached their fallen attacker. It had fallen silent and still she saw, the young warrior having indeed taken it down in one hit. She searched her surroundings again. The blue glimmers of light in the air still on her mind. At first the environment appeared normal yet when she focused her eyes she saw it once again. No different than dust, the small specks of feint light drifting in the air around them. She hurried over to Squall as he stood back up with some effort.

"That was amazing." Kaldea complimented, "I figured you'd probably use that fire beast again but just your sword was enough. Speaking of which what was that monster you called out before?"

"A Guardian Force? You've never heard of one?" Raising an eyebrow, Squall asked.
"Kinda odd, they're pretty common knowledge and standard use within military organiza-wait a minute. You just turned into a panther. Where did THAT come from?"

"Oh you don't remember?"

Squall pondered for a moment. The memory of encountering the malboro had become hazy after regaining consciousness.

"Oh so the panther was you all along. I see. What sort of magic is that? How did you learn that?"

"Oh….w-well…." Kaldea began to say before trailing off.

She looked away, her expression turning saddened as she thought. Squall's eyes narrowed, he recognized the reaction. Orphaned at a young age, Squall, in a vain attempt to prove to himself he was strong became a recluse. He always kept everyone at arm's length. Other children and adults would then attempt to get close, or pry, as if he was some puzzle to figure out. As a boy this always irritated him, and instinctively THAT expression, the very same worn by Kaldea now would materialize over his features. That distant frown suggesting the mind just wandered to a painful memory which was better left forgotten.

"I think that's the last wave of monsters we're gonna be dealing with for now." Turning his attention to the fallen Behemoth he announced. "Actually it's better if we just keep moving before another bunch of them swarm us."

Letting Kaldea off the hook, he stood back up and started walking. Agreeing, she nodded before quietly following. Up ahead they could see beyond the trees to a large open space. They had reached the end of the forest at last. Suddenly in the distance a voice could he heard calling out. The two froze in place, listening carefully. They exchanged a glance as the voice faintly echoed out once again.

"Meeku?" Kaldea repeated, struggling to make out the voice.
"I heard Henry" Squall declared before the two proceeded cautiously.

A speck of snow drifted past as they emerged from the forest. Kaldea rubbed her arms while they took in the sight of the new area. The pair had arrived at a beach, welcomed by the calming sounds of the tides in the air as they rolled in. Light snow fell over the area, melting away and drawn into the sand instantly. In the distance a snow-capped mountain range towered over the region.

Taking their first steps they found that the ground simply ended. The forest was uneven with the beach, leaving a straight drop of a few yards down to the sand. It would be a hassle climbing back up the loose soil the two knew but neither had any love for the option of returning to the forest as they took the jump. Upon setting foot on the beach, Kaldea looked back at the wall of soil behind them. The wall extended off as far as they could see in both directions. Some trees that had been nearer to the edge of the forest in the soil hadn't had enough to support and tipped over, collapsing into the sand.

"It's like the whole forest was uprooted and plopped down next to this place." The observing Kaldea remarked.
"This definitely doesn't look natural." Squall agreed.
"When I take on that panther form, as you would expect my senses become a lot sharper. There's something in the atmosphere that just…..feels wrong. Something is out of balance. I think that's why the other creatures and monsters in the forest were so aggressive and savage. Animals are much more sensitive to the world. They pick up a world of things that our senses would never catch. If they are especially sensitive….They'll go wild."
"Really…For now, let's just keep moving, especially before something else finds us."

With the approach of night, the skies began to grow dark as they started down the length of the beach.

(Oh great, nightfall out in this place?) Squall lamented. (We have to find shelter fast.)

A figure in the distance came into view after traveling some ways down the shore. It appeared to be someone searching for something before finally taking a rest and having a seat near the water. The pair remained on guard as they drew closer. Clad in baggy black pants, with a blue and red undershirt under a silver and black short-sleeved jacket, sat a younger boy waiting to greet them. From the way he hugged himself the cold weather was obviously getting to him too. Squall and Kaldea exchanged another glance before she raised a hand calling out.

"Hello?" She called, the boy turning to see the newcomers.

They saw his face light up as he sprang to his feet racing to them.

"Hey Leon!" He shouted. "Finally! Somebody!"

Squall remained silent, the name call going over his head completely as he remained on guard.

"Man I'm glad to see you. Do you have any idea what's going on?"

Squall still remained silent before realizing the young man was trying to get his attention.

"What?" He bluntly answered. "Me? Do I know you?"

The boy's eyes widening in shock.

"Oh come on. It's me." The youth urged. "Sora? Remember Leon?"
"….No. And why do you keep calling me that?"

(Sure my last name is Leonhart but I don't have a reason to shorten my last name and go by that exclusively.) Squall thought.

"That's your name…..right?" Sora asked, a hint of doubt settling in his tone.
"Not quite. It's Squall."
"Okay before we go in circles." Kaldea interrupted. "What are you doing out here on your own? These lands are pretty dangerous."
"Oh I'm fine with the monsters. I'm trying to find my friends. Riku and Kairi." He sighed, "It's like we finally made it back home and everything and then the islands were swallowed up all over again. I just had them and their gone again."

Briefly sulking he hung his head.

(Sounds like what happened to Esthar.) Squall noted while observing the despairing boy.

"So that was you calling out before." Kaldea realized, "We heard you from afar."
"Yeah."
"Sorry but we've been all over the forest back that way," Squall began, "We didn't see another soul out there. I think you're gonna have to call it a day."
They all looked up seeing the darkening skies. Sora's frown deepened.
"I'm sure they are okay. We made it through after all." Kaldea attempted to comfort.

(I suppose. "I'm sure they are okay.") Squall pondered the words, (I'm having to repeat that to myself too. Rinoa, Irvine…..what happened to everyone?)

"Yeah. We can't keep looking in the dark." He announced, "Is there a shelter close by."
"Yeah." Sora answered, "I passed through a town a little further down the beach. We can head back there."
"If you don't mind would you be able to show us the way please?" Kaldea politely requested.
"Alright, this way Leon."
"Kid! What did I just say!?" Squall snapped as the boy took off running.
Kaldea merely chuckled, witnessing the sudden lapse in her companions otherwise always composed attitude. They quickly hurried after the boy.

A dark ominously red sky hung over the head of the god of discord who calmly sat on his throne. His burning lands below quaked with the emergence of another random tremor. Geysers of fire scattered throughout the land erupted sporadically in the distance he observed while thinking over Garland's words. Down on his knee, the knight was acknowledging "The child" as his new lord and master. He waited patiently for the god's reply.

"…."Chaos" you say…" The deity finally repeated.
"Indeed. Is it not a fitting name?" The knight replied.

Garland himself didn't fully understand the origins of this creature that belonged to Cid, yet one thing he did notice was that he bore a striking resemblance to the demon Chaos of his world's legend. Garland had seen murals and depictions in the past of the demon lord he himself had been predestined to become. Though he didn't quite understand the connection to the figure who sat before him now, one things seemed clear. If "the child" had no name then what other name would be fitting?

"Very well. I am Chaos, the God of Discord." The beast declared at last. "Now then Garland…."
"Yes my master."
"I have sensed the presence of several strong souls who's hearts are darkened black. I've sent my image to appear before them and instruct them to gather at the shrine. They are waiting there now. Yet beyond them, I sense these lands are filled with powerful souls. From these first few who have embraced the madness of disorder, I want them to venture out and gather even more warriors to our side. Amass an army that will march on Order's Sanctuary and destroy Cosmos."
"I understand."
"Then go now. Deliver my order." The god commanded.
With a bow to the lord, Garland rose and set out for the Chaos shrine once again. A twinge of amusement arising within the warrior.
(To return to the shrine where this all began…..) He thought with a snicker.

Sora, Squall, and Kaldea arrived at the entrance of a tropical resort town.

"Costa Del Sol." Squall announced reading the sign at the entrance. "Isn't this a little chilly for a tropical paradise?"
"I know." Sora agreed, "When I passed through here before the townspeople said the mountain over there never used to be there."

Squall glanced at the snow-capped mountain range in the distance. Kaldea's guess from earlier about the forest being uprooted flashed to mind again. As they entered the town they found several very lightly dressed citizens out and about bitterly struggling with the cold. He searched the walking inhabitants of Costal Del Sol for any familiar face, yet Rinoa and the others didn't appear among them. He let out a disappointed sigh before turning his sights to the shops and houses in the small town.

"This place seems like it would be fun if it wasn't so cold." Kaldea noted, "Kinda defeating the purpose."

(At least I have a lot of blizzard magic junctioned to myself. The cold isn't really going to bug me.) Squall recalled with relief.

Continuing to examine his surroundings he spotted the local inn.

"I'm going to stop and rest here for the night." He announced, turning to Kaldea. "I guess this is where we would part ways."
"Are you sure?"
"Thanks a lot. I can't ask you to tag along any further. Don't want to take away from you reaching your friends or family."

Kaldea frowned for a moment before her lips shifted back into a soft mask of a grin while shaking her head.

"Are you going to continue traveling?"
"In the morning most likely."
"Come on Leon, do you really want to head off by yourself?" Sora asked.

He continued to cast a glare at the young teen.

"Are you sure you don't know me? You're the only person I know with that sword. This isn't the first time people have messed with my memories and you got affected ya know."
"I'm sure." Squall continued to glare. "And I'm about to use this gunblade on you if you don't get my name right already."

Kaldea merely laughed again at the pair's bickering before returning to the point.
"This place, you see, isn't my home." She began, "I'm still going to be traveling to. I actually think for right now it would be a good idea to stay as a team. At least if neither of us have a clear destination."

"Alright." Squall complied.
(She makes a point.) He had to admit to himself.

While Kaldea continued to examine the town Squall made his way over to a shop. Sora had already entered and was looking around.
"H-hello s-s-sir." A shivering store attendant greeted to the entering guest.
"Just browsing." He explained as he searched.

(I need to find some G-potions, or at least a G-returner. Ifrit took damage after the malboro encounter.) While contemplating, Squall scanned through the shelves and counter of items. (I don't want to get into many battles and risk them getting hurt badly enough that I lose them. Don't know how long my stay will be in this place.)

The young soldier failed to find what he was looking for and upon checking with the shop attendant, he found the man had no clue of what he was asking for. Giving up his search he started for the inn when a familiar face finally appeared. The unmistakable sight of Kiros stepped out from the building's entrance, dressed in a red body suit with bronze armor. The outfit was completely foreign to Squall yet his tall stature and the unmistakable beaded dreadlocks flowing behind him were all the confirmation he needed as he hurried after the man.

"Kiros!" He called, prompting the man to turn. "Finally, is everyone alright?"
"Pardon?" Kiros replied, his polite manner the young soldier knew all too well. "And who might you be?"
"Squall. Come on Kiros, it's me."

The man shook his head.

"You have me mistaken." He declared before starting to walk again.
"What are you talking about, we were just walking together earlier today."
"That is indeed not true. If you'll excuse me. I have something important to attend to."
"Kiros…." Irritated, Squall repeated.

The man merely shook his head not turning to acknowledge the young soldier again as the distance between them grew.

(Did he look younger?) He wondered, clenching his fists in rage. (First Kaldea and now this? It's like this whole world is messing with me.)

"Doesn't feel so great now does it Leon." An approaching Sora joked.
"Sora…" Kaldea attempted to warn when she noticed the hints of anger in Squall's features.

He merely answered by jabbing the boy in the shoulder with his fist before entering the inn.

The powerful voice of a mezzo-soprano echoed throughout the halls of the Chaos shrine as a young woman in a red dress stood at the top of the steps. Her red hair flowing in the wind as a strong breeze entered through an enormous hole in the wall. The Chaos shrine had fallen into even worse condition since Garland's last visit. The surrounding territory was engulfed in flames as the entire forest outside had been completely destroyed. In the distance the scorched ruins of Cornelia could be seen. Not a soul was alive in the land anymore after Chaos had reshaped it into his stronghold.

"Enough!" A voice shouted at the songstress. "I'm trying to enjoy this desolate site of burning death and emptiness AND YOUR HARMONIOUS SERENADE IS MUCKING IT ALL UP!"

The singer stopped abruptly, casting a cold glare on the outlandishly dressed jester who stepped out to confront her. The man wore an outfit composed of primarily red and yellow fabrics, a mismatched jumble of stripes and polka dots. Around his neck was a red and white striped ruffle with a red cape boasting yellow and red inner linings flowing down his back.

"Why don't you do something a little more destructive to kill time." He suggested, "I don't know…like killing something."
"I'm thinking of a certain loud mouth I'd like to kill right now actually." She threatened.
"Oh really, do go on." The jester dared, leaning in with a grin when a staff was held out between them.
"Stop." A mysterious priest-like figure instructed.

The man dressed in flowing long robes with much of his chest exposed. His long blue hair was styled into long antlers.
"Certainly we were not called here to fight amongst ourselves. That would truly be a waste of time."
"Indeed." A dark-skinned young man resting against a pillar spoke out.

He was dressed in a yellow trimmed coat over a khaki wrapped shirt and trousers with brown boots. His white hair was styled into a quiff, held back with a blue headband. He stood with his arms folded holding a long staff in his hand with bladed rings on either end. He continuously twirled the staff between his fingers.

"Unbelievable. Spinning, twirling, rotating, and spiraling. Ten years, a hundred years, even a thousand years and people still fail to change. And now God's are lowering themselves into the charade of war? This really is a good joke. I'll lend my hand to this affair if the god of discord can truly plunge everyone into oblivion and finally end it."
"You…." The priest said, recognizing the young man but he was halted as he approached.

An overwhelming atmosphere of malice and hatred emanating from the youth proved too intense.

"It seems you've made some interesting friends since we last met."

The priest stepped away, repelled by an otherworldly scent the young staff wielder reeked of.

"Well that's a boring way to look at things." The jester retorted to the young man's argument, "Speaking of which I'm already bored. I was promised heroes of harmony to bash and burn and I'm not seeing them."

"Well said." A fifth man in their group laughed.

On the steps below the four a man sat, examining the edge of one of his two gunblades. This newer model blade was crossed with a pump action rifle. With an intact barrel worked properly into the weapon's design this blade did have the ability to fire bullets when not in close range. The wielder of the unique sword had silvery white hair that was heavily spiked in all directions, even covering a portion of his face. He wore no shirt, his entire upper body completely bare, with white pants, a black sash, and knee high boots.

"I'm only here for a good fight. Something better happen before my blades start to rust or I just might make sport of all of you."

He plunged his sword into the steps before laying back, lounging on the stairs.
"Enough, your wait is at an end." Garland announced entering the shrine. "I bring word from our lord Chaos."
"That's his name?" The priest inquired.
"I'm liking him already." The Jester laughed.
"Our orders are short and simple." Garland continued, "We will start by spreading out and gathering even more warriors to our cause. We are amassing an army to march on the goddess Cosmos. It is up to you warriors to decide who is worthy."
"The weak shall know no mercy as they are slashed and slaughtered." The gunblade wielder chuckled with a sadistic grin. "Only the strong shall walk beside me."

Two more masked figures stood silent in the corner of the open space. One wore a black mask with red and white markings. The mask covered his face except for his eyes and mouth. Shoulder length wavy silver hair framed his face.

"I see. So this is our first duty to Chaos…" He noted.
The final member of their group remained hidden completely beneath a brown facemask and helmet. A long cape draped over his shoulders hung around his body.
"Even a god has need to seek more power to accomplish his goal? Amusing." He remarked, raising a fist as waves of crimson energy began to flow over him.
"That is all. Disperse." Garland ordered.

Without any further questions the group broke off heading their separate ways.

~Chapter End~

Characters Featured this chapter:

Sora(Kingdom Hearts)

Eve (Parasite Eve)

Kefka Pallazzo (Final Fantasy 6)

Seymour Guado (FF 10)

Shuyin/Baralai (FF10-2)

Weiss (FF7 Dirge of Cerberus)

Ruecian (Threads of Fate)

Grahf (Xenogears)