Xehanort's smile was on the verge of mad when greeting Vanitas at the manor doors. Most servants retired for the night. Only guards were active, one sniper on a dark balcony, and two patrolling the main yard.

Cane in one hand, newspaper in the other, he showed a full set of teeth when Vanitas stepped from the carriage.

"You've made an old man very happy my boy. Come. Let me get a look at one of those crystals."

Braig was there as well, stepping aside to open the door.

"Guess you can catch a break now." Vanitas said behind him.

Isa nodded, heading to his own room.

Down in the lab, Xehanort inspected a smaller crystal with a gloved hand, watching it glint at certain angles. He pulled a microscope from a cabinet, adjusting settings until finding it satisfactory to use.

"That shrine, the researchers believe it to be Nymian ruins. An ancient, highly advanced civilization. " He looked from the microscope with small smirk on his lips. "In the past, there have been small artifacts like cogs to a machine, coin and tablets. We knew little, save for their use of some form of energy source."

Vanitas looked to the crystal as Xehanort held it back up.

"It seems we have found it."

"How can you be so sure? If they're some sort of ancient power source, wouldn't it have run out by now?"

Xehanort chuckled.

"A catalyst will be needed. And for that, I have an acquaintance that is more than qualified to help."

Vanitas thought for several seconds when realization jolted the back of his neck.

"That man, Dr. Falicier."

"Yes, good of you to remember him." With the beckon of his hand, they walked out of the room and into another connecting area. Xehanort continued to talk as he took in the corridor of different rooms with locked doors and no windows, labels on plaques beside them. Without guidance, it was surely a maze.

"He too is a doctor of a field beyond common medicine. He can heal, but his techniques are not those you will find at a hospital. In fact, you could even say supernatural."

The Unda had deities and believed in miracles, but to hear it from someone seemingly dedicated to math and science was rather bizarre.

"You're saying the catalyst is magic?" Vanitas asked, skepticism covering his face.

A door was unlocked and opened, revealing what looked like a hoodoo emporium. Shelves and cases of books, vases, and mystical paraphernalia were neatly lined against stone walls. A single brazier lit the room above, casting light bright enough light for everything to be seen. A table and two chairs sat in the center.

"Dr. Falicier has a lab somewhat of his own. Just as you may be wary of his technique, he is weary of mine." Xehanort swept his hand across the room. "Yet it seems neither of us can function entirely without the other."

Intrigued by the trio of shrunken skulls, Vanitas stepped in and tilted his head side to side at the hanging trinkets. They certainly looked real, closed eyes almost ready to snap open when he leaned forward. Vanitas abstained from touching, not keen on the idea of what their mummified skin felt like.

"I'm guessing he'll be back soon then?"

"Not quite. He too is a busy man. But, we will be having guests."

Vanitas turned fully from the skulls, trying to ignore the feeling that someone was watching him behind his back.

"More researchers?"

"Far from it actually. An old comrade of mine and his children. Be mindful of your manners, I have to keep up appearances."

"Right." Vanitas had trouble picturing Xehanort with friends or anyone who didn't have a pencil and paper in their hands, but he'd do as he was told.


Journal Entry 16,

Time's passed, but it's rare I feel like writing. I make notes all the time on research, it's not personal, so it shouldn't go here. Omelet and Void are the same, maybe one day I can go back to training like I used to. It feels good to swing a sword.