Xehanort began packing some things in his room. He felt that he would not be able to work from the Land of Departure, as his Master would seriously hinder anything he tried to do.
He then heard a knock on the door, and quickly threw his bags underneath his bed. He went to the door, and opened it, greeted by Eraqus.
"Oh, Eraqus. How are you?" He asked. "Come in, come in."
Eraqus smiled, and walked into the room after being invited. "I'm doing well," He spoke as he looked around, "How are you?"
"I'm doing alright, I suppose. A bit tired, but I can push through it." Xehanort replied.
Eraqus nodded in return, looking at Xehanort's belongings scattered across the room, on shelves and desks. "I'm glad. Listen, Xehanort..." He said slowly, as he placed his hand on the wall. "I want to ask you, you and our Master, you're not going to end up at each other's throats, are you?"
Xehanort raised a brow. "What do you mean?"
"I mean," Eraqus said as he turned to look at Xehanort, "you and our Master aren't going to end up killing each other. Right?"
"I don't want to kill anyone." Xehanort said.
"That doesn't really answer my question." Eraqus replied quickly.
Xehanort sighed. "Our Master is misguided, Eraqus. I don't want to ever have to fight him, but I don't get to decide if I'm going to have to fight him, he does."
Eraqus nodded slowly. "You wouldn't kill him, would you? Even if he tried to kill you?"
"I'd defend myself as best I can without hurting anyone. But if I'm left with no choice in order to save myself, then I'm left with no choice." Xehanort explained.
"I'm caught in the middle, in all of this, Xehanort. I don't want to pick a side, you both mean so much to me." Eraqus told him, sighing sadly.
Xehanort placed his hand on Eraqus' shoulder. "You're lucky in his regard. Without a place of your own in the debate between me and our Master, you will never be forced to pick a side if you don't want to do so."
Eraqus looked at Xehanort, face to face. "I hope you're right."
"I know I'm right, Eraqus. But you have to realize it's right, too, or you'll be deprived of your freedom by manipulation." Xehanort told him.
Eraqus nodded once more. "Hopefully things can end peacefully." He said, turning and walking foward towards the door, as Xehanort lowered his hand back to his side.
"Maybe I'll see you later, Eraqus." Xehanort spoke.
"Hopefully." Eraqus replied, leaving and shutting the door behind him.
Xehanort sighed deeply, walking to the door and locking it, before he summoned a portal. He went into it, as a small orb of light on the wall that he hadn't noticed watch him depart.
Eraqus used the orb from the other side of the door, to unlock it and open it. He went into Xehanort's room, though the portal was gone. He wondered where Xehanort was going, but he could find out later.
He went through bookshelves and desk drawers, looking for something. He noticed a bag slightly sticking out from under the bed, and pulled both of the bags underneath it out, opening them and discovering their contents. He quickly scrambled through nearby desks, looking tirelessly, until he found a journal.
He opened it, and read the entries - Talk of bringing balance, talk of limiting light, talk of being chosen by the darkness. Eraqus' heart sunk - He believed his friend had given himself to darkness.
Eraqus took the journal with him, and rushed to meet with his Master.
Xehanort emerged from the portal into the realm of darkness, where he was greeted by the heartless.
"Whatever happens, if I have to fight anyone, don't push me to fight Eraqus, I beg of you." Xehanort said to the heartless.
It simply stared at him, and Xehanort sighed. "My Master's a fool, but Eraqus isn't. He understand more than our Master does, and he shouldn't be pulled into any conflict that happens. Please, tell me, somehow, in any way you can... that Eraqus won't get hurt in all of this."
The heartless lowered it's head, which alarmed Xehanort.
"Don't you dare make me do that!" Xehanort shouted.
The heartless then raised it's head up, looking at the darkness above, the spark still flashing. Xehanort looked at it, too, and then a look of sadness covered his face.
"But you wouldn't be making me do it, would you? You only chose me because fate chose me. I can't fight fate, can I?" Xehanort asked it.
The heartless floated towards the shore, and watched the waves. Xehanort walked up next to it, standing beside it.
"No one can fight fate, can they? Not even you and your kind. That's why you're here, I suppose." Xehanort spoke somberly. "I'm sorry."
The heartless looked at Xehanort, and nodded slightly.
"Am I going to have to give everything?" Xehanort asked.
The heartless looked away. Xehanort wasn't sure how to interpret this movement's meaning, and so he just nodded slowly, and placed his hand on the heartless' right shoulder. A dark glow covered his hand, but did not spread across him.
"When all of this is finished, when my task is complete..." Xehanort said, "...remember that I did this for all of you. Remember what I gave and sacrificed to give you and yours balance."
Turning it's head to look at Xehanort, it stared at him for a moment, before finally giving a nod.
Eraqus arrived at his Master's throne, where the man himself was seated.
"Master," Eraqus spoke, "I found something."
The Master sat up straight, nodding at Eraqus' words. "Hand it over, let me see."
Eraqus nodded in turn, and handed over the journal. The Master opened it, and read it intently, eyes narrowing. "It's Xehanort's journal. I found it in his room." Eraqus said.
"He seeks to limit the light? To actively hinder our efforts? This is unacceptable!" The Master shouted.
Eraqus looked very worried. He stepped back slightly, and watched as his Master stood up. "What are we going to do, Master?" He asked.
"There's only one thing we can do, Eraqus. Xehanort has to be stopped."
