It has been a year since the fall of the Organization. After I left the World That Never Was, I returned home to Radient Garden. I'm not really sure it qualifies as home – I felt no real attachment to it, other than familiarity, which is enough for my subconscious to create a desire to stay here.
I isolated myself in the castle's library. As these upper levels are still infested with Heartless, none from the town the venture this high. I've observed the Heartless in this world. While the town only has a few types, outside my room almost all types into congregate. Perhaps some of this variety relates to the research we conducted here. The mystery here comes from the fact that they choose to be up here, not down in our basement laboratory.
Another part is may be the presence of Maleficent, the self-styled leader of the Heartless and my own presence. I'm still unsure of the relation between Heartless and Nobodies. While the two are created at the same time, we act very differently. It could be put down to our very natures – a Heartless only lives to seek out more hearts, while we Nobodies are allowed to stop and understand the world around us. I know is that the two never appear together, but as of yet, I am the only Nobody in the castle. I would have believed that my presence would have diminished the shadowy swarms, but instead it has caused them to diversify. I also expected to see Dusks and Creepers appearing here now, but they have not. Could our work in the basement serve as a beacon to the shadows and a repellent to low-ranking Nobodies?
Maleficent paid me a visit at one point. She was not happy to see me - she knew what I was, though not whom. All I wanted was to be left alone, however. It took some convincing for her to believe that, however we were able to create a sort of agreement - the library would be my territory and the rest of the castle was hers, or as much as the heroes of the town would let her. I didn't care all that much; the library was a comfortable enough place for me. Perhaps I should have said something more as the castle had once been my home. But despite the bit of familiarity I carried about the place, it was not enough to be called attachment, nor enough for me to argue over. After all, I spend time on other worlds, observing the movements of the Heartless hordes there – and the library contains what remains of our notes.
I venture into town from time to time. My lack of a heart has not gotten rid of most of the basic necessities of life; of those, the only thing I do not seek is companionship. There is a different sort of energy about the village now – somewhere between hopelessly entrenched and convinced that tomorrow will be better. Occasionally I see those whom appear to recognize my Somebody, but then they decide that I cannot be. And I choose to allow that illusion to stand.
One of the few illusions I have left in my power. Since Riku broke through two years ago, I struggle to create even the most basic illusions. Perhaps it was a mistake to use my skills a year ago to eavesdrop upon my former cohorts. Perhaps it was that brief flash of euphoria. Not that it matters – what's done is done. The powers of the Cloaked Schemer are gone.
Thus, I am left with nothing. Ienzo's memories are but half-remembered dreams. VI's abilities were fleeting as his illusions.
Now is a time to start a new chapter. I will continue to study the Heartless and the Nobodies as I had set out to do over two years ago, though I am alone now. I have no doubt that the heroes of the light will seek my destruction should we meet. I will neither seek them out nor will I flee them when they show. I cannot hide from them forever nor can I defeat them, lacking anything that could truly be even called a challenge.