Those Trivial Recollections
Chapter 7: His Thoughts
(Xemnas Entries)
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File #1
This so called plane of Non-Existence is indeed an enigmatic paradox. We only speculated something like this even existed, but lo and behold, here is the undeniable proof. Since I had first arrived here in a fragmented state, this is possibly one of first instances where I've ever felt 'whole'. I was inclined to test this newfound feeling of false completeness and sheer will seems to have conjured up this book. It had appeared in front of me from what seemed to have been a mass of swirling thorny darkness soon after I had desired for a way to record my thoughts...
I can only assume it is the same darkness that we first tampered with. Still, it is a pleasant surprise that in return for having lost my heart, I have gained a new and invaluable power; the possibility of unadulterated control over darkness. That fading image of a man in my mind would have been envious of his student. It is only natural that one be jealous of someone who can embrace the luxury of true power.
Hm, I see how you function Fate... You allow me to taste power, but deny me the euphoria of pride and the foolish egotism of it. Emotion truly is a double-edged sword. Memories however, are a more interesting matter. Distantly I can still recall these alien emotions of dignity...but they are a mere mimicry of the true expression. This realization spurs on a new question: Am I still capable of instances such as envy or betrayal? Even the simplest of creatures retain the capacity for these actions.
...The others must not know of this yet, I do not have enough information on the stability of this ability. The other five do not seem to have fully recovered yet from the fatigue of their conversion to a Non-Existence. -For all I know, this power could be a talent unique to only myself, and I feel a semblance of duty to not put them at senseless risk at this moment with such information.
Still, I am puzzled as well as comforted by the familiarity I seem to possess for these five strangers. I am sure the feelings are mutual.
However, as an extra precaution, they musn't know of the existence of this book, or about the recent development of this power.
----
"Hey Xemnas! -What're you doing?"
"Nothing. I was simply lost in thought."
"Gotcha... -Whoa hey...who's that Lexaeus?"
"Zexion, he just arrived-."
"He looks like crap."
"He appears to be in more of a critical condition then-"
"Goddamn Xaldin, its just an expression!"
"Vexen, can you help?"
"I have very little experience in diagnosing sadly..."
"So what the hell do we do then?"
"...Just let him rest."
"...Seriously?"
"He will recover with time."
"Understood, I'll find a room for him."
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File #2
Now that I have more than appropriate amounts of time to elaborate on my- our perplexing situation, I shall start from the beginning. In a sense it was more like a twisted rebirth. I had arrived to this empty world first; alone, disoriented and clad in a strange, but reminiscent black cloak. I remember walking inexplicably towards a massive establishment of metal. Without straying too much into trivial detail, I had explored all of the citadel's grounds only to discover that there was virtually nothing except empty halls and multitudes of rooms with usually locked doors. I recall falling unconscious in the topmost (as well as the only unlocked) room for no real reason; however, I now know it was an adverse side effect of the body's sudden lack of a heart.
I (still) do not know how long I was blacked out. But once I had regained consciousness, I continued inspecting the castle's area for any previously missed details. That was when the first of the "familiar strangers" appeared. In a flurry of splintered white and black tendrils spurting forth out of nothing, a scarred man was unceremoniously dropped onto the ground; he would later tell me that he was named Xigbar.
To be honest, my first impression of him was someone who had no regard for authority, much less mine. However, he has proven to be very obedient. Perhaps his raw loyalty can be crudely related to that of a dog. He could be pledging his fealty to me as a sign of unspoken gratitude for "saving" him. An archaic notion, but it is welcomed nonetheless. Over the next consecutive days, the others had begun to arrive as well.
The second day brought forth a burly man named Xaldin, who was found at the very fringes of the fortress by Xigbar. My first thoughts of him were that he was nothing more then a mindless brute. After conversing with him however, that idea was quickly dispelled.
On the third day, Xaldin had found a gaunt and older-looking man named Vexen. He claimed he was a scientist. I had little doubt that he was given the way he carried himself with intellectual superiority; despite this, he has showed nothing but the humblest of respect for me. I do not have the faintest idea where it stems from; it is yet another riddle that has been added onto the ever-growing list.
By the fourth day Vexen had discovered a newly formed Non-Existent One. He was a reserved man as well as a well-built one. I was later informed that his name was Lexaeus.
The fifth and most recent day, Lexaeus had found a diminutive Non-Existent one. He is by far the youngest one out of all of us. Lexaeus tells me that his name is Zexion. Much to my surprise (given his initial condition of a likeness to a coma) he seems to have recovered his basic motor functions like the others after a day of rest.
Having recollected all of the previous days, it is most logical to comment on today's activities. Currently this is being written in the same room that I had blacked out in; I have claimed this room as my own and the others seem to have followed suit for their own quarters. Oddly they have all chosen to be next to each other based on arrival order. Though I could hardly call it choice given that each of their "respective rooms" unlocked only when they arrived at its' door. Whether or not it is a coincidence matters very little aside from the fact that it is convenient for myself and the others.
Speaking of them, they are most likely outside and exploring the grounds for themselves now that they have the freedom and time to do so. I will soon be wandering around the area myself. There appears to have been a recent extension of sorts to the castle. Numerous of the previously locked rooms are no longer barred from me. There also seems to have been a general expansion of the area around the stronghold. I will be able to draw better conclusions if I observe and record the new "growth" of this world.
-I have no possible answers as to why the world is "acting" like this. Apparently there are more Non-Existent Ones then I first thought. However, this new arrival, "Saix", is different from the others. There are no feelings of familiarity about him whatsoever. I would have questioned him further, but he was severely unstable at the moment.
While trying to make our way back to the castle, Saix passed out. His timing was horrendous and inconvenient. I was carrying him back to the castle when a portal suddenly appeared in front of me. Feeling no danger from it despite how it reeked of darkness, I gladly passed through it and was deposited in front of the room next to Zexion's. With slight skepticism I tried the doorknob, half-expecting it to be locked. Much to my "joy" it clicked open and I placed Saix in his room before promptly resuming my exploration of the castle.
However, unexpected events had occurred. Zexion, Vexen, Xaldin and Lexaeus had returned with more Non-Existent Ones, who also bore no familiarity to me much like Saix. They had reported to me about their discoveries before I spoke to the new members myself.
The first I met with was outspoken and talked in a joking and scattered manner. Despite his juvenile speech and tone, he retained the capacity to understand basic rules and principles. Partway in asking where he came from, he blanked out before collapsing into his bed. Upon leaving the room, Zexion informed me that the young man's name was Axel before distracting himself with a strange toy. When I inquired about where he got such an item, he told me that he had found it in a recently opened storage room. How interesting.
The next new member I spoke with was one that was roughly the same age and the same questionable level of intelligence as Axel. Vexen had mentioned to me that the young man's name was Demyx before hastily retreating to "his" recently found "precious" lab in the lower levels. Demyx himself was a bubbly individual when I first approached him, but as the conversation wore on, he seemed to grow more fearful of me until he seemed to pass out from his anxiety. Though, it was more likely to have been due from the Non-Existence conversion. These new Non-Existent ones seem to be much younger then the "original six" of us as well as ignorant... Still, there is now a lab here as well?
The fourth arrival, I was unable to speak with, but based on the information that Lexaeus and Xaldin have shared with me, he is closer to our age and seems to have a higher degree of knowledge then the other two. Apparently this man's name is Luxord.
...Time certainly passes by faster when it is being wasted. While returning to my room I ran into Xigbar. From what I could gather from his habitually slanged dialect, the castle now has a kitchen. Given how we have survived so far without food or water, a kitchen seems pointless. Am I missing something about this bizarre world? Perhaps it is a sheerly sentimental and aesthetic addition?
----
"Xemnas, I found a strange scarecrow of a man, I brought him back for you."
"I see, so more are appearing..."
"More?"
"I found a man with an odd scar on his face earlier."
"So that's why the seventh room was locked..."
"Are there any other details?"
"His...intelligence leaves much to be desired."
"Interesting. Zexion?"
"Yes Xemnas?"
"What exactly is that contraption of yours?"
"Oh. It's some sort of miniature puzzle, it's rather mesmerizing."
"Where did you get it?"
"I found it in one of the upper rooms; there are several other puzzles up there as well."
"...Those rooms were locked earlier."
"I guess someone unlocked them then."
"Where is this man? I'd like to speak with him."
"The eighth room."
----
"Xemnas!"
"Did you find someone Vexen?"
"There-- why, yes I did. How did the news reach you so quickly?"
"Two more have already been brought in, a third is not surprising."
"Ah, yes, of course..."
"So where did you put him?"
"That neophyte brat Demyx is in the ninth room."
"...neophyte brat?"
"It is the only way to categorize them."
"I suppose the terming fits."
"If you will kindly excuse me, I would like to return to my precious labs."
----
"Have you come to report to me as well, Xaldin and Lexaeus?"
"...We found a man named Luxord on the outskirts of the castle so we brought him back."
"Where is he now?"
"The tenth room-"
"-But he is unconscious at the moment Xemnas."
"Such a pity."
-----
"Heeeey Bossman!"
"Where have youbeen Xigbar? Surely you didn't miss all of today's chaos."
"Nah, heard Vexen complaining about it when I passed him."
"Did you now?"
"Yeah. Oh hey, did you know that we have a kitchen?"
"No...?"
"Well, we do, but there isn't a damn thing to eat."
"We don't need food to survive anymore-"
"Yeah, I know, but its stupid and a damn shame to have it go unused."
"I'll be sure to stock it after I waltz down to the grocery store."
"Sure thing, and while you're at it, bring back some sandwiches, some pastrami would be awesome..."
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File #3
I have continued my inspectional tour of the building to validate the claims of Xigbar, Vexen and Zexion. In doing so I have discovered an additional room, a library. It is easily one of the most essential facilities in my opinion. What is even more intriguing is not only its sheer size, but how filled it is with books... My curiosity seems to be getting the better of me...I must read this one.
Such an...interesting book by this "Ansem". The very name of him seems to fill me with deep-seated rage...his data seems to parallel what little I can recall that concerns the darkness and other worlds. The bit of information that caught my attention the most was his mention of six students...I feel it is too much of a coincidence; it is evidence of what my own and possibly the others' previous lives were. I cannot risk such unneeded disorder over this information or anything else pertaining to this "Ansem" and his "students"- However, I have no idea how I can possibly hope to filter out all of the books by this man. I do not want to destroy so much information over an insect like him. I could try blocking off the room from the others, but that would attract their attention and suspicions. To simply ignore it would be the most foolish of actions.
-That book, it mentioned something about the theory of heartless. Creatures borne of the darkness in everyone's heart, their own hearts lacking in the sense that they no longer feel 'human emotion', hence the name being more of a play on words then being literal... If that much is true, then there must be other equals of it in terms of Non-Existence besides beings such as myself. I must simply discover the means by which to call forth the lesser Non-Existent Ones; the theory is sound, so the reality of it must certainly be true.
I must say. I was shocked by what the lesser Non-Existent Ones look like. They are pale, elastic creatures that bend unnaturally without bones and seem to twitch through the air as they act. They bear an insignia that looks remarkably similar, if not exactly like the designs decorating the building. I can conclude that it is the mark of "existences" not meant to exist. -I should resume my original task.
Commanding the lesser Non-Existent Ones requires little skill, they eagerly obey orders to a point that borders obsession. Sifting through all of the books in the library became a far simpler task with their zealous aid. Apparently at the instructions of "find all books that mention Ansem" they were be able to pinpoint any book that textually utters the scoundrel's name. Even if there were only three more books by him that were found, I feel more at ease.
The lesser Non-Existent Ones twitch involuntarily as they wait for the next task, how disturbing... Despite this, their docile servitude brings me strange comfort. However, I have no further need their of Existences at this moment; hopefully I can dismiss them back to wherever they originally came from before the others notice-
These creatures seem to possess the ability speak to me through unnatural means; they refer to themselves as "Dusks" while they call me "Superior". Their "voices" were unsettling, so I returned them as quickly as possible back to their "home". I seem to have neglected the possibility that they could have lucid thought processes. How careless of me.
I am thankful for the speedy departure of the Dusks. Lexaeus had been searching for a chessboard based on what he had heard from Zexion. Had he come in mere moments earlier he would have come to strange conclusions. Instead of continuing his search elsewhere, he asked me a set of bizarre questions that stemmed from something so ordinary.
The only way I could possibly deter him from asking further questions was to give him as ambiguous of a truthful answer as possible. -Truthful because I cannot risk distrust, and ambiguity for obvious reasons. The phrase left him shocked enough to allow my escape back to the secrecy my room.
I remember skimming over passages that spoke of something called "Kingdom Hearts", and a feeling of deja vu concerning renewed desire for such a thing...judging by my recalled anticipation, I will be trying to achieve possession of it in the future.
I will continue to read the books in better detail when I have the privacy to do so. I believe Demyx has found something based on the way he is now gleefully yelling at the top of his lungs in the castle halls...
We have yet another new Non-Existent One. The best way to describe him would be a wounded, but rabid animal. However, I cannot blame him given how Demyx tends to act, and his horrendous assigning of nick-names...such as "Mar-Mar" for the Non-Existent One he had brought in. The man himself gritted out "It's Marluxia" each time Demyx called him "Mar-Mar" or any other childish variation of his name. Had Marluxia been capable of passing out from erratically high blood-pressure, he would have instead of from the Non-Existence exhaustion...
----
"I was expecting more books by him."
ansemansemyouwerelookingforansemrightsuperior?dusksfoundallbooks.dusksswearit.
"What?"
dusksarehappytohelpsuperiorduskswilldoanythingforsuperior.
"I no longer need your help, can you disappear for the time being?"
yesyesofcourseduskswillduskswillwaitathomeforsuperior'sfuturewishes...
"...Disgusting creatures."
----
"Anything you would recommend?"
"What are you talking about?"
"The books. You are taking some of them, so surely there must be a genre you like?"
"Like? 'Liking' is a lesser form of 'love'. Beings lacking hearts do not have the capacity to 'love'."
"...It is only a matter of preference Xemnas-"
"That is a derivation of an emotion."
"But what about the 'emotions' we feel now? Surely we are capable of-"
"It is a pale imitation of the real article. You should learn to accept that Lexaeus."
"Isn't acceptance a derivation of emotion as well?
"..."
"How can you suggest a solution that entails a heart when we lack one given your standpoint?"
"Even mindless animals can 'accept' things Lexaeus, clearly we do not require hearts to do the same."
"Then why do you cut yourself off from the rest of us? What are you trying to hide from or possibly achieve in your solitude?"
"...You will all understand what I am trying to do someday."
----
"XEEEEEEEEEEEEEEMNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSS!!"
"Yes...Demyx?"
"I found Marly here!"
"It's...Marluxia..."
"Uh, well Mar-Mar-"
"It's...Marluxia..."
"-ain't feeling too great, I think he needs someplace to lie down."
"You did a good job on bringing him here, Demyx."
"Really? Thanks Xemnas!"
"...never mind."
"So, where can I set Pinky down?"
"...IT'S...MAR...LU...x..."
"Oh wow, he fainted. That's not good...my arms are getting kinda tired now."
"Take him to the eleventh room..."
"Yes sir! Aaaaah! So heavy!"
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File #4
I have finished reading all four of the books by "Ansem". Interestingly enough, I feel like I learned nothing even though the information is new. To reiterate, a person is composed of two main parts, the body and the heart. The heart is originally formed of light; however darkness can fester in it if the heart is 'evil' enough. Should such an 'evil' overwhelm and then corrupt the heart, the 'soul' is lost and the body is cast off to create a creature that is 'made' of darkness. There are different levels of these creatures, some are obviously more powerful then others, all dependent on the original's heart. All heartless hunger for the hearts of others, and stronger hearts attract more heartless; the attraction is very similar to moths to a flame...
All heartless lust after powerful hearts, such as the heart of a world; finding and reaching the world's heart is no easy task of course. The greatest and most ultimate heart would be "Kingdom Hearts", the heart of ALL worlds. Supposively, all hearts come from this "Kingdom Hearts" and so do they return to it. I wonder, does this mean that Kingdom Hearts purely light, or does darkness lurk within it? Or could it possibly be...pure darkness?
Based on this information and drawing some of my own conclusions, us Non-Existences must be the by-product of a person who has become a heartless. We lack hearts and we do not hunger for them, I can then assume that we are seperate in that sense from the beings of darkness. A theory I have yet to prove is how we can retain thought and mimic emotions. I assume it is from the soul's memories our shells of bodies may recall. Even if the body is cast away, the fragments of memories will remain with us to an extent, perhaps it is because the body is what contains the 'soul'. Still, I wonder what would happen if a heartless and its Non-Existent counterpart managed to bring itself back together again?
The other passages make several references to a door. Supposedly these doors are what separate other worlds as well as act as a shield to each world's respectable heart- does even this shell of a world have a heart? Most likely not given that this world was never meant to have existed. "The World That Never Was", that is what this world shall be called.
The more I think about the characteristics between the heartless and Non-Existent Ones, the more the similarities between the two become increasingly apparent. One book that was documenting the different "species" of heartless mentioned the observation of "developed additional abilities" that would be unique to a specific category of heartless. The ability to gather more heartless as well as "teleportation" are powers all of the heartless shared. I have discovered these "default" parallel abilities for the Non-Existent; I must find out if we Non-Entities have "unique" abilities as well. Perhaps I shall experiment with the Dusks to confirm my theory.
After repeatedly asking the Dusks several variations of the question "realizing one's own unique power" they have shown me a strange room that is sealed off from the rest of the castle. It is filled with what appear to be a total of thirteen vertical tablets that resemble blank tombstones. The Dusks seem to treat this room like it is sacred and they refer to it as the "Proof of Existence"; the name is a notion of optimism no doubt... One of the Dusks has been avidly pointing at a lone slab that stands in the front of the other twelve. With the way it excitedly repeats the word "Superior" over and over, I can only assume that it is mine. However, if each stone represents a Non-Existent such as myself, I can assume ten of the other stones are the other's; so, to whom do the other two belong to?
Examining the slab has yielded no results or clues. The Dusks that idly worship the room around me offer me no inkling for actions I should take. Perhaps I should try the same command I use to summon the Dusks and portals on the slate...
I do not have the slightest idea what happened. My "tombstone" is now gone and all I can feel is a stinging sensation that seems to encase my hands... I have little time to worry about it though, the Dusks have informed me that there is a new arrival that I must attend to.
Luxord and Marluxia were the ones who found the most recent addition to our group of misfits, a young woman whose name is Larxene. She is a rebellious woman who was able to put up a commendable front of stability before she most likely passed out in "her" room. Her hostility should have troubled me, but she is the perfect diversion for the other "neophytes" while I continue my research...
When I returned to the room, "Proof of Existence", I asked the Dusks about what happened to my own "tombstone". From what I can tell of their incessant chatter, the stones are the stored "potentials" of higher Non-Existences. By "activating" these structures, a Non-Existence is able to access hidden powers... I have asked the Dusks about what my "hidden power" is, and they tell me "control over nothing". I will investigate the matter further.
The Dusks are chanting amongst themselves about somehow giving me more power. All I feel at the moment is a burning pain in my hands that seems to be growing with each passing moment. It is becoming more difficult to write-
----
"Tell me Dusks, how does one realize their unique power?"
superiormustspeakquestionmuchsimplierdusksdonotunderstanddusksaresorry.
"Is there a way to obtain more power?
dusksaresorryduskscannotanswerquestiondusksdonotknow.
"...Do you understand what are the heartless?"
yesdusksknowtheheartlessheartlessare-
"The heartless have powers that were given to them from the darkness."
yesyesdarknessisasourceofgreatpowerbutsuperioralreadycanusethedarkness-
"What does the Nothingness give to its Non-Existences?"
dusksnowunderstandyesdusksunderstandsuperiorwantstogothereduskswillshowsuperior.
----
"What is this place?"
calledproofofexistencedusksonhallowedgroundsomuchpowersuperiorispleased?
"Why are there thirteen?"
oneforeachoftheotherslikesuperior.
"And which of them would be mine?"
superior'ssuperior'ssuperiorcangainpowerduskthinks.
"How exactly?"
duskdoesnotknowsuperiorshouldknow.
----
"What happened-?"
superiorsuperior.
issuperiorsatisfied?superiormustbestatisfied...
superiorsuperiorthetwelevthoneishere.
"...I will attend to that first then."
superiorwantsduskstodowhat?
"Wait here for the time being."
dusksunderstand.
----
"And who the hell is HE?"
"Lord Xemnas! AH! A thousand apologies! This lovely sunflower-"
"He means Larxene."
"SHE means uptight bitch-"
"Shut your damn mouth you pine-tree headed narcissist."
"BUG-HAIRED WHORE."
"PINK-HAIRED FA- PUT ME DOWN YOU BEARDED BASTARD-!"
"Terribly sorry Xemnas, Marluxia and little Miss Sunshine are both a touch cranky."
"Tch...cranky he says..."
"I'll show YOU cranky- HMMF? MMMMMMFF!"
"Do we have a room available for our charming guest?"
"The twelfth room should suffice Luxord..."
"Ah yes of course! The room down the hall from Marluxia's is a perfect choice!"
"WHAT?"
----
superiorhasreturnedsuperiorhasreturned!
"I need to know, -what exactly happened to my tablet?"
dusksdonotknowsuperiorhasreleasedsuperior'spower.
"In that case, what IS that power?"
superiorhasthestrongestpower
superiorwouldhavestrongestpower,superiorissuperior.
superiorhascontrolovernothing.
"Control over nothing..?"
superiordoesnotsoundpleased.
butsuperiorhasbestpower.
superiormustwantmorepower...
duskscangivemorepowertosuperior.
butitisduskstreasure!
itisforsuperior!
dusksfailed.
dusksmustpleasesuperior.
morepowerforsuperior!
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File #5
It has been two days since the burning sensations in my hands started, only today have they fully subsided since then. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised to discover what exactly "control over Nothing" entails. The pain seems incredibly reasonable for the new powers I have gained; I still have not finished discovering what can be done with the element of Nothingness. In the meantime I would like to ask what exactly was the 'treasure' the Dusks were speaking about. As of late their flurry of words for sentences seem to have been becoming clearer and clearer... Their most notable conversations concern a 'special' princess they had recently found... The only thing that is female within the immediate world is Larxene however, and I severely doubt it is her.
Apparently, the Dusks' treasure was a stray heart that they had found off of one of the other worlds, specifically from one called "Hollow Bastion". If one heart can give this much power, I cannot fathom what even more hearts can grant me. I will ask the dusks about showing me how to get to this "Hollow Bastion".
The Dusks refuse to tell me how to get to "Hollow Bastion". Their reasoning is from some sort of threat by someone or something called a "keyblade". Judging by the "apparent" dread they seem to have for it, it is some sort of weapon that can destroy Non-Existences. I would like to see this oddly-named weapon...
I suppose I could do a series of trial and error for such long-range teleportation, but the better part of common sense suggests not to do something so drastic. For all I know the portals of darkness could take me to a place with no return, and that would be rather...undesired.
As a change of subject and from curiosity getting the better of me once again, I have asked the Dusks to show me who this 'princess' of theirs is.
Such an unusual girl. She seems different from the others. She is a frail girl garbed in white and is extremely pale. She also appears to be much younger then the others. The dusks regard her as 'no name'. They tell me she is different from the others and myself, even though it is apparent that she is a higher Non-Existent Being. The Dusks reassure me that she is not the owner of the last tombstone and that she is just an odd anomaly.
Speaking of such a thing, I wonder, who is the true owner of thirteenth stone? Why are there even specifically thirteen in the first place? I doubt all of this was pre-ordained by something as flimsy of a concept such as 'fate'. And this is on too grand of a scale for it to be simply a 'coincidence'. This 'no name' girl only seems to sleep. I have requested that the Dusks relinquish her into my care and they have hesitantly agreed to my demand. I would like to further study this 'anomaly' of a higher Non-Existence. She seems to have originated from Hollow Bastion as well...that world has been reoccurring more often as of late...
The Dusks are cheering that the final higher Non-Existent has arrived. I will go to see who is the thirteenth member of our odd organization of higher Non-Existent Ones. I will make sure that the Dusks watch over the 'no name' girl in case she awakens in my brief absence. I cannot have her wandering around through the castle; she would most likely be a distraction for the others in a way different then Larxene...
Axel 'found' the new member, Roxas. He seems different from the other members as well; he is more similar to the 'no name' girl. He is easily the youngest in the entire group; he must have had a terribly powerful heart to 'exist' as he does now. I have once again asked the Dusks where he originated; they tell me it is Hollow Bastion. I must figure out a way to reach that world, so many curiosities seem to spawn from there.
----
DusksPrincessIsSoPrecious.
ButSheIsNotLikeSuperior.
SheIsAMistake.
SheSleepsSoMuch.
----
"What exactly was it that you gave me?"
DusksTreasure.
TreasureWasAStrayHeart.
DusksFoundItInWorldCalledHollowBastion.
"I would like to visit this world. How do I get there?"
NoNOSuperiorMusn'tGoThere!
DisappearFromKeyblade.
DEATHDEATHDEATH!
JustLikeTheHeartless.
DeathByTheWeaponOfTheWorlds.
----
"Who is this princess of which you speak?"
NoName.
SheIsDusksPrincess.
"May I see her?"
AsSuperiorWishes.
"Hm, how interesting. Will you release her into my custody?"
SuperiorShouldNotTroubleHimself-.
NoNameIsAMistake,NotLikeSuperior.
"I insist."
AsSuperiorWishes...
----
"Hey Xemnas-! I found Roxas here, out there."
"Uh...hello...Xemnas..."
"He can stay here right?"
"Of course."
---------------------------------------------
File #6
It has been two days since my last entry. I was able to convince the Dusks to take me to that world, Hollow Bastion. It is a fitting name given its condition. The Dusks were cajoled into taking me to that darkness-filled world under the pretense of possibly finding 'No Name's heart. For some reason, the Dusks do not seem to mind or notice this blatant lie. Maybe the reason the Dusks did not mind is because I promised to bring back a heart... Whichever the reason, I have gained greater access to other worlds.
The Dusks have been using the Corridors of Darkness, roads set up by the forces of the heartless. These paths can be safely used by Non-Existences because of our lack of hearts. The Darkness does not notice those without a heart it seems. I'm lead to believe that the darkness uses the 'light' shining off the heart to 'see' it, otherwise the darkness is blind I suppose; I say this because I was able to pass by several starved heartless unscathed, and further tested the theory by destroying some, my presence continued unnoticed. An appropriate metaphor would probably be a bat and sound; using what it produces to bounce off its prey and surroundings to seize its quarry...
While on Hollow Bastion, I saw so many interesting sights...despite how steeped the world- or better put, the lone castle on that world is- in darkness and heartless, it appears to have retained its "World Heart". -Which brings me to my most interesting point of the excursion, the Keyblade.
The weapon is quite eccentric, it resembles a giant key...most likely why it is called such a thing. Despite its bizarre appearance, it is a fascinating weapon from what I could briefly observe. The Keyblade has the power to 'free' the hearts stolen by the heartless, as well as destroy their existence. Most troubling is how I have discovered that the Keyblade does hold a threat to our group. Even at only partial strength (I have no idea how I know this myself, but I can sense that he is not 'whole'), he is a formidable power to be dealt with...I was even forced to give up the 'extra' heart the Dusks gave me to escape total Non-Existence...
However, there is an odd glimmer of "hope" for us. The boy wielding the weapon, he is very similar to Roxas...I have no real evidence, it is more of an instinctual guess, Xigbar would call it a "gut feeling"; but it could be used to my- our advantage. I should try to find out what IS the Keyblade Wielder's name; it may answer some of the new questions. I've come to believe that he and Roxas are somehow connected...and if what I am thinking is true; I may be able to form a countermeasure against the threat of this Keyblade Wielder...
I must think on the matter before taking any regrettably irreversible actions...
----
"Dusks, I must gain access to Hollow Bastion."
Superior Shouldn't Trouble Himself.
No Name Is A Mistake.
"How else can I search for her heart?"
Superior Shouldn't Trouble Himself.
But Superior Wants To Go Look For Her Heart!
Dusks Must Please Superior.
...Dusks Will Take Superior To Hollow Bastion.
"Excellent, we should leave immediately."
Superior Must Know.
Superior Will Not Be Harmed By Darkness.
But Superior Must Run From Keyblade.
Keyblade Will Kill Superior.
Even Though Superior Is Blessed By Power Over Nothing.
----
"Who are you?"
"Ah...it seems you are special too."
"Ansem?"
"That's a familiar sound...You look like him."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Which means, you are not complete. Incomplete one..."
"...?"
"That power...Allow me to test your power."
----
"...Truly fascinating. This is going to be enjoyable."
"What're you talking about?"
"In your present state, you cannot possibly understand. In any case, the time we meet again will doubtless come."
"Wait, who are you-?"
"I am...a mere shell."
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The Present and Unwritten Entry (Xemnas' POV)
Xemnas sat at his ivory desk, hands folded together and brows drawn deeply in thought. In the uppermost corner of his desk lay his ebony book with the emblazoned numeral I on the cover. He eyed the book skeptically out of the corner of his vision. He had just "distributed" twelve similar books to the others. But unlike his, their thoughts wouldn't be much of a "secret". Maybe it was some sort of unfounded hint of guilt that he felt that was causing such a delay in his actions-.
The corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily. Non-Existences didn't have feelings. He was beginning to regress like one of the neophytes who needlessly clung onto the feeble hope of emotions; no, even some of the older ones still held onto the idea of possessing emotions, even if they didn't voice it. Instinctive greed to protect fake emotions built from memory fragments. Even if they were thoughts produced and written from fake emotions, it was all being spied upon by real betrayal. Some 'great' leader he was- no he was doing it for the sake of monitoring their stability.
In Xemnas' grand plan to survive against the Keyblade he decided it was best for the other twelve to gain their "powers" as well. And if his theory proved correct, one of them would have powers that mimicked those of the Keyblade; maybe even surpass it given the current wielder's...incomplete condition. If that much were to happen, then he could possibly get that member to harvest hearts for them to use... It was only a matter of time before the Keyblade Wielder found his way to their world after all.
Quietly sighing to himself, Xemnas summoned up the ever-obedient Dusks with a loose flick of his hand. He would be needing their help to maintain whatever trust the others had in him, as well as the tiny scraps of 'order' that were in the castle. The creatures formed themselves into existence in his room and silently swayed as they waited for their master's orders.
With some effort he got out of his seat and held up his book in the air. With another flick of his wrist, several sets of handwriting in different colors and legibility sprung out of his book and ran along in the air as if it had gained the ability to write. None of the frenzied words that traveled through the air were his. Each row of words sped through their literary bulk while others paused before resuming their normal speed. Xemnas himself barely skimmed over the words, there were enough thoughts swarming in his mind as it was.
Eventually all of the sentences came to a stop with twelve different variations of "I'm going to sleep". Satisfied with the conclusion to the flurry of words, he dispelled them and motioned for another image to emerge from his book. Several transparent levels of the castle formed itself before him as well as thirteen numerals scattered along the replica hallways. He cast a glance at the once-again sleeping 'no name' curled up on his bed. She had inadvertently reminded him of something important about the 'game' he was about to play...
With a steady hand he "pressed" each of the respective doors in front of each numeral and the transparent representation turned red. It would be much safer if each member was kept solitary from the others...Unlocked doors were an invitation for chaos.
With all of the doors locked, he dropped his hand to his side, but still surveyed the map of the castle. "Do you understand your orders Dusks?" He muttered the question with his back still facing them, but they nodding with understanding. He dismissed them with a half-wave and they disappeared from the room. All he could do now was wait and see how the game turned out.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Uh...it's Xemnas. Oh man, so many problems, so much text
and so litte beta! Next chapter will be a 'rewind' that tells you the
'arrival' of each of the members, and then onto the "GAME". So much
text...so unorganized...
As a lame clear-up, the 'quotes' following each entry are the conversations that took place. I honestly have no idea how to incoperate them smootly into the entries, and ALL of those events really don't need to be elaborated on... Who 'no name' is should be fairly obvious.
