DISCLAIMER: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, Death Note, or Kingdom Hearts. I sent Takahashi a note asking for the deed to Ryou, but he sent me back an I.O.U.

The darkness was luring him deeper as he fell through the portal, and Ryou lost all feeling in his body. The fear in him, the gnawing hurt of what happened to Sith, the hatred in the past, all of it melted away while he floated in darkness, in nothing. He felt nothing, saw nothing, heard nothing. Nothing but the slow beating of his heart. It was a stark, harsh contrast to what he normally felt in his own life. Was it even real? Was it a lie? He couldn't answer, and he felt no need to. He was content to be as he was, free in the voids of Oblivion. Free of feeling, free of pain. Free of life and death. Ryou finally understood why Bakura had been driven mad in the darkness. It was easy to let go of sanity and humanity in this place.

Then reality crashed in around him, and Ryou suddenly felt himself land, hard, onto pavement. All of the pain and fear came back in a hurling mass, and it sent his stomach reeling once he was alive enough to remember it all. He opened his eyes instantly, and found he was dizzy, his vision blurred. He could barely see Yugi beside him, trying to support him, and he barely saw a swimming mass of black before him. Was it Axel? Was it Zexion? He couldn't even tell. He could only turn away. And then he vomited.

"Whoa, easy there, kid," came Xigbar's voice, but it sounded so distant in the jumble of Ryou's mind, "Take it easy, you're okay now."

"What the hell did you do to him!" Malik demanded furiously, but Xigbar shrugged as if he weren't surprised by Ryou's reaction. He didn't even really seem to care.

"Hey, this happens when you're spiraling through the abyss," the Nobody said casually, carelessly, "Some people can take it, most people can't. Ryou's a sensitive one, I guess." That was bullcrap. They all went through that portal, and not even Miho had such a strong reaction. All that happened was that she stumbled when she landed.

"We're all human, you idiot," Malik retorted harshly, "None of us upchucked our lunches." None except Ryou, of course. Ryou himself knew why – he was so enshrouded in the darkness of Bakura's magic, and so saturated with Sith's residual energy, that the tumble between the abyss and Oblivion was messing him up. It was almost like going through a blender.

"Where are we now?" Ryou managed to ask, this time without throwing up the contents of his stomach. His vision cleared only a little bit, but wherever they were, it was still in the middle of the night. Only the twinkling of distant stars told him they were outside. But whether they were in Domino, in Egypt, or in the World that Never Was… well, that was a different story.

"Still in the World that Never Was," Xigbar replied, turning and looking back at the white castle beyond the fading crystal bridge, "I wasn't strong enough to bring you all to a different world, but at least I got us all out." Considering how far Xemnas was going to block their escape, Xigbar's efforts were commendable and welcome. Ryou saw Sith out of the corner of his eye. She was unharmed, though her power felt weaker than he wanted.

"Thank you for that," she said to him, joining him as they watched the castle. There was no activity, and no one was trying to cross the bridge to stop them. Turning her head toward him, she asked, "What will you do now? You're betraying Xemnas by helping us."

"Maybe it's time for Xemnas to be betrayed," he replied with a shrug, and when he saw his answer only confused the Esper, he added, "Hey, look, did you want your husband or not?" Sith blushed, which clearly said she did. Saix just grinned a bit, laying a hand on her shoulder. He towered over her by several inches, several inches that Ryou didn't find so funny until now.

"We're all going through quite a change. I suppose we should just be happy we're alive," Saix commented gently, and then looked around at the others. Frowning, he said, "I still wish I knew where our kids are. If they're truly our sons, they wouldn't be stupid enough to worry us so foolishly." Ryou didn't want to say he felt Saix was being a bit harsh. But he was learning that the harsher Saix was, the more worried he actually felt. As if his grip on Sith didn't say enough.

"Victor always ran off when I needed him most," Ryou told them, and seemed to talk particularly to Saix, to ease his concern, "Sith, remember when Amber separated us all, trying to break the link we had found in Winbourne?" Sith nodded cryptically, though it was obvious she wasn't making the connection. Ryou smiled and said, "He showed up to help me find you. He'll be back."

"With everything that's happened since then, I think his parents have a right to worry," Kaiba growled, and all three of them turned to face him. He seemed to have actually taken the worst hit from the portal, despite Ryou's reaction to it. His hair was disheveled, and his vest was practically falling off his arms. Why he hadn't bothered to straighten up, Ryou couldn't guess. But he made even Sith look pristine. And that was just a bit sad.

"Having trouble getting your legs back?" Ryuuzaki asked with a laugh. Kaiba turned sharply to his self-appointed combat partner fast and sharp.

"Shut up!" he snapped, and then turned back to Sith, "Look, Winchester, there's no easy way to say this. We're still uncomfortably close to Xemnas, and I haven't seen Artemis or Victor. We can either search, or we can leave, but there's no time for both." There was no way Sith would leave her own children. But as she looked upon the castle, and could feel Xaldin's fury mounting, she wasn't sure which one would spell their deaths faster. If they stayed for her sons, Xaldin would eventually catch up to them. The only consequences for leaving Artemis and Victor behind would be the heartache. There'd be no change to the future or to time, since technically neither existed yet.

In the end, she couldn't do it. She couldn't just leave them there. They were her sons, and they were Esper Princes, just like she was. In the end, she sighed and said, "If you all want to go back to Domino and protect your world, then go on ahead. But I can't leave them here alone. They don't deserve it."

"No, they don't," Ryou agreed, standing beside Sith and Saix. They were both surprised that he was there, and he nearly laughed at their expressions. He had to remind himself that one was a half-demented Esper, and the other was a psychotic berserker with a streak of murder, and that neither of them would find his humor funny at the moment. So, he cleared his throat and said, "Victor's like you, Sith. He's made friends and enemies in our world just like you have."

"Nice to know that humans still know what loyalty means, even if we don't," Saix mumbled, referring solely to the Nobodies, and more importantly, to the betrayal half of Organization XIII was committing. Jou, who was closer than even Malik was, just grunted in annoyance. Non-humans were just so damn moody sometimes.

"What, you didn't think we'd care about your brats!" he exclaimed, unable to control himself like Ryou could, "Come on, Sith! You know us better than you knew yourself, at one point!" That was a bold blow to make. Sith just stared at him flatly, and then shook her head. Even if it was a blow, it was true. She did know them, all of them. Everyone around her had hearts of gold, and a loyalty she understood too well.

"I thank you all for what you've done for my family," she said genuinely, and then frowned, "But I also understand that it isn't just my world that suffers. Rath hasn't forgotten that Domino has been my home for some time now. She could easily destroy it without my presence." That sobered up the anger Jou felt. He understood her offer now. For all they knew, Domino was a smoldering heap of a world. He couldn't bare it if that was what they'd be going back to.

"As soon as we find them, we've got to go back and see what's happening," he murmured, and Sith agreed fully. In fact, if it hadn't been for Xemnas, they'd be back in Domino by now. They'd be marching on to meet whatever threat Rath was brewing. She looked down, past the bridge and into the pit underneath the castle. Thousands of heartless were waiting down there. Clawing at the sides of the pit, trying to get up. Were those the enemies she'd face once she found Rath? Souls who lost their hearts to the ruthless Mystic? It was a sad thought to have, one that had been tearing at her since she'd left her cousin for dead, millennia before.

She was so engrossed in her thoughts, that she nearly forgot what she was looking at. It was only because of Saix's hold on her shoulder that she didn't fall into the pit. She yelped when she took a step toward them, toward the mass of darkness, and found Saix yanking her back before she tumbled. And when he spun her to look at him, she bit her lip and looked away. He wasn't exactly amused with her moment of… well, stupidity, from his point of view. He just saved her ass. He didn't need her throwing her ass back into the pits of hell.

"We don't need them clawing your heart out just yet, Sith," he grumbled, with just the right amount of sarcasm to take the sting out of his disapproval. She smiled weakly, letting him support most of her weight as he pulled her further away from the bridge. He'd considered letting go as soon as he was sure she was stable, but it was best to take that risk away entirely instead of watching her possibly stumble a second time. He still had a family to think of, after all, and he had to remember that Sith had a tendency to fall into idiocy when they least expected it.

"Right, because you won't be doing that yourself any time soon," Saix nearly dropped Sith entirely when he heard that. Not only because of who said it, but because it was actually true. He spun sharply, and came face to face with his sons. Who were grinning like mad idiots when he saw them. Artemis, in particular, seemed happy to see Saix as he said, "Just admit you love mother so we can get out of here before Xaldin kills us." Saix's eyes narrowed. Artemis was just a bit too much like him.

"Haven't I done that enough this week?" he asked, and that earned him a punch in the gut from the object of his supposed love. He looked down to find Sith glaring at him. He just grinned again. God, he'd never tire of that look. It was just funny, considering that she barely reached his shoulders on tiptoes. But underneath that look, he knew, was the reality that she could easily turn that punch into a blow that would kill him if he took it too far.

"You could try pretending, at least," she pointed out grumpily. But for all the irritability and the threats underneath, Saix could honestly say she sounded happy. His grin turned just a tiny bit feral, enough for Ryou to want to back away. He simply didn't, because he couldn't leave Sith to deal with it.

"Considering his lack of heart, that might be better," Bakura commented, and Saix just grunted. He could deal with Ryou and the others pointing at him and making comments, but he did not want to deal with three spirits. He'd had to deal with Bakura plenty of times during his stay at Kaiba Corp, and he hadn't liked any of them.

"Bakura, where the hell have you been?" Sith demanded rather harshly, and the thief in question winced a bit.

"Hell sounds about right, Sith," Bakura replied calmly, and then seriously added, "We used Xigbar's portal to see how badly Rath's been messing with time." Sith stared for a long moment. His tone told her what he'd found wasn't good. And she wasn't surprised.

Quietly, she asked, "How bad is it?"

"Well, let's put it this way," Ishtar said sarcastically, not helping to lessen the stress of the situation, "Do you want the bad news, or the really bad news?" In truth, Sith wanted neither. Ryou glanced at her, and damn it, he wished he could've done something to wipe the concern from her face. She looked too damn tired.

"If you're going to kill me, might as well do it now," Sith finally sighed, shaking her head, "Bad news first."

"She completely destroyed the sealed memory," Bakura told her, and Sith's skin went white, "There's nothing left. The portal into Nesce is gone, Egypt's gone, everything's just gone. Seth went into hiding, but no one knows what happened or how." That was… really, really bad. Rath took complete advantage, but what Sith couldn't figure out was how it even happened. She understood that she was the living memory, but how did that even happen at all? Any magic causing such a thing should have ceased when she left that memory.

"And the really bad news?" she asked, almost afraid to do so. That's when all three spirits shared worried glances. None of them wanted to tell her. That meant she probably wouldn't take it very well. Ryou shivered. How bad could it possibly get?

"You're no longer a piece of the timeline," Yami finally said, and it felt like the bells of doom had finally tolled, "Everything that you've done has been completely unraveled. Whole worlds that you saved are falling apart now." That was far worse than anything Sith could've comprehended. Her mouth dropped and she nearly fainted.

"What!" she screamed, and gripped Saix's arm before she did fall. Her breathing became rapid, bordering completely on panic. Saix held onto her, and Ryou helped him keep her steady. Then he turned to Bakura.

"What do you mean, she's not part of the timeline?" he asked the old thief, "Bakura, what happened?" Bakura's lips thinned. This wasn't exactly the time to explain what happened during Sith's 'absence' in Egypt, but he might as well spit it out now before Sith finally croaked. He snorted.

"In all honesty, we have no idea," Bakura answered truthfully, regretfully, "The problem is, Rath did what should have never been done. She wasn't supposed to destroy Egypt. Sith was supposed to banish her sorry ass." Sith looked up at him, her eyes nearly red. Whether it was from fury or terror, though, Bakura couldn't say.

"And when I didn't, the impossible happened," she added emptily, "And because I'm still alive, everything I've done was undone, and now I'm nothing more than a rogue Prince." The trouble, unfortunately, didn't end there. Bakura's face said it all, and Sith cursed silently. What in hell could possibly be worse than this, she wondered.

"It's a bit more complicated than that, Sith," Bakura told her, and her eyes narrowed dangerously, "She hasn't just destroyed the events that allowed you to be you. She's also banished Katt and your brother from time." Now Sith understood it. She blinked. Then she blinked again. Quietly, she looked up at Saix. He didn't understand the problem, nor did he get whatever it was Sith wanted him to get. He just looked down at her with more concern than he thought he'd feel.

"No heir to the throne of Nesce," she said, and the bell rung inside of them all again, "Now she can take the throne without repercussion. She's going to end the reign of the Espers. She's going to destroy Oblivion!" Her voice shook with terror, and it was all Saix could do to hold her without her slipping from his grasp. He knew he had to calm her down, but even Demyx would understand how truly bad this was going to be. Nesce was the world of Espers. If Rath corrupted it, then Oblivion would never last.

"Sith, what do we do to stop her?" Saix asked her firmly, knowing he had to get her focused before he lost her. Sith stared at him, her body shaking and her eyes brimming with tears. Damn it, he was losing her. Forcing all of his mental energy into a single spear, he aimed it for the small Esper in his arms and said, 'Sith!'

'…Saix… I'm scared,' was the quiet reply. Saix's expression softened a little bit. He didn't blame her. Hell, he'd be scared too if he found out he was no longer part of time. He looked down at her, and then at their sons. This could be much worse than he was thinking.

"Sith, we need you to focus," he said gently, and turned her to face her friends, "You have everyone who loves you right here. We're all behind you and will fight for you. We just need to know what to do." The problem was, not even Sith knew what that could be. But someone did, and that someone stepped forward. Ryou hadn't even seen him in the crowd, and hadn't known he was there at all. But somehow, Aeon had come back and was walking toward the Esper calmly, almost serenely. Mello was by his side.

"The best course would be to go to Nesce and battle her there before she ascends the throne and takes the Crown of Sicht," Aeon told him, and everyone stared at the time-keeper. His eyes didn't leave Saix's, however. Ryou found that particularly odd. Did he know what would happen in a few years?

"Sicht…" Saix murmured, looking down at Sith, "The first Esper king?"

"My ancestor," Sith replied, and smiled, "And my namesake. My actual name is Sicht-Rander, but Sicht is a man's name. When my father realized what he'd named me, he decided to write it as 'Sith' before it was… announced." Saix's eyes narrowed. He wasn't sure he believed her, but her name wasn't worth her lying about it.

"Why would your father give you a man's name!" Honda asked her skeptically. At this, Sith's smile became a little twisted. Ryou didn't like that smile.

"My mother died shortly after I was born. My father, needless to say, was not in his right mind for the next few years," Sith explained almost flatly, "When it came time to name me, his daughter, he seemed to forget that I was female. He named me Sicht-Rander Kyrstro Winchester, after the man who formed the city of Aeroglyph so long before me." She said her own name with such a bitterness that it actually intrigued Ryou a bit to hear. He couldn't help himself.

"What does your name mean?" he asked her, and was amused when he hit the nail on the head. Sith twitched a little and her cheeks burned as she looked up at Saix. But he wasn't about to stop her. His own grin said he wanted to know, too.

"There are a few meanings," Sith began, "Sith means ghost in the Esper tongue. Rander means wanderer on its own, and combined with Sith or Sicht means wanderer of the darkness. And Kyrstro…" Sith smiled bitterly, "…means bastard." Ryou's mouth dropped. No wonder she hadn't been happy to tell them. No wonder she had taken a new name when she came to his word! If her name literally meant 'ghost-wandering bastard,' then her father must not have been thinking very well. What a god-awful name to have!

"Your father was an idiot," Mello said. All mirth vanished, and Sith's eyes grew cold. He hadn't meant to do it, but Mello knew he just insulted her. And damn it, he still felt weak under her gaze.

"Do not say that to me again," she growled, pushing herself out of Saix's arms and storming toward him, "My father was a good man. He raised my siblings and I to be Princes, and he protected our kingdom for six-thousand years."

"Then why didn't he protect you from Rath?" Mello asked her, and Sith stopped dead in her tracks. He couldn't protect them. He died trying to protect them. Because Rath was the one who killed him. Snuck into the palace on a full moon, a blue moon. Snuck into the throne room. Threatened him and slit his throat open when he wouldn't give his own daughter up. Nearly killed Sceppiro the same way. All of the anger and hatred Sith felt back then came welling up so suddenly. How could she explain that to him, to any of them? Not even Aeon was able to coax that memory from her.

"…" Sith couldn't speak. She simply snarled, her features growing dark, and she throttled Mello instead. He screamed wildly, flailing to try and throw her off. Damn it, he had no idea why she was trying to kill him. But he had one saving grace: Saix happened to be close. Saix intervened, grabbing Sith and pulling her away effortlessly. Sith screamed an incoherent word and began trying to slash at Saix now. But he restrained her before she even understood what she was truly doing.

When Sith could no longer move, she broke down. She just started sobbing, and there was no way to stop it. Her father was murdered, just like her mother was. Sceppiro, Katt, and their uncle escaped through a stroke of luck and found Sith in Egypt with Bakura and Yami. But they weren't safe. Rath had come after them, had killed their uncle and had forced Sith to do the one thing she didn't want to do, just to give Oblivion some kind of chance in hell at surviving. All of those horrid memories were back. All of the things she didn't want to remember. She just kept crying, and she felt someone holding her through it all. It was a nice feeling, but it didn't take away the pain.

"Sith," someone called her name gently. Saix? Was it Saix? Sith couldn't tell. The pain and fury were just too much. Sceppiro nearly died getting to Egypt. Yami did his best to help, but he was killed, too. And Bakura… Bakura was killed when Zork had been summoned, driven completely mad by Rath's influence. Damn bitch manipulated everyone around Sith just to strike at her. It hurt so badly, so terribly badly.

"Sith," that same someone called again. It was Saix. Why was he still here? Was he another tool in this sick game, too? What if Rath was using him now? What if Rath only made him think he could love her? What if it was just an illusion? Sith wanted no part of it. She pushed herself away from him, but found no purchase. His grip was far too strong. She dug her nails in his arms and tried to slash at him, but he shrugged the pain away and never let go. What trick was this?

"Sith, stop," he said gently. His voice was so calm, even with the pain she was inflicting, that she did stop. She stopped and looked up. What a horror she looked! Her eyes were red-rimmed, those green orbs watered with painful tears. Tears that stained her face and splashed onto her clothes. Saix sighed. He had never had to do anything like this before. He hugged her, buried his face in her hair.

"My father was a good man," she whispered quietly, trying to keep her voice from cracking, "He did what he could. They all did. She killed them all. She should have killed me, too."

"Don't say such things," Saix murmured, "Not in front of your loved ones." Sith was shaking, but at least he was calming her down. Ryou and Mello both watched them, and glanced at each other. Neither wanted to admit it, but they both saw in Saix what they lacked in themselves. Ryou lacked the strength, and Mello lacked the compassion.

'Will she be okay?' Ryou asked the blonde, not wanting to physically speak the words and possibly anger Saix. Mello took a breath, watching them both again. Then, he nodded.

'Sith has a lot of wounds, most of which didn't heal by the time she met me,' Mello replied seriously, his own eyes watering, 'But she's a tough one. She'll be fine, especially now that she found him.' Ryou had to agree. But he was almost surprised. Why had Mello been so mad at him over Sith, yet he was so forgiving toward Saix?

'What does this mean for you and Aeon?' he asked. Mello looked over at him, not quite understanding the question at first. Then he heard the true question, the one that wasn't asked. He smirked a bit.

'We're still her guardians, as are Bakura, Basch, Matt, Ryuuzaki, and even you,' Mello told him, '…I love her and want what's best for her, Ryou. In the end, that's what matters most to me. And look at her. She's finally happy, isn't she?' Ryou looked, and admitted that she was. She had stopped crying. Saix was with her. Artemis and Victor were with her. Katt was with her. She had her family; most of it, anyway.

Understanding finally why Mello had been so harsh in the past, Ryou said 'That's why you hated me. Sith wasn't happy and you knew it.' Mello nodded firmly, and Ryou felt himself drop a bit. He had never wanted to hear it, but inside, he knew it was the truth. But seeing how different Sith was when she was happy… oh, hell, it still stung him, still hurt like a bastard. He was just a child, after all. He had gotten in way over his head, and even Sith had said it herself.

'I always thought that it'd be me she chose as her husband,' Mello admitted softly, sadly, 'For a while, she probably thought the same, too. But things change, Ryou. We all change.' Considering how cold Mello could be, that was a bold statement to make. But he understood it. Sith was an Esper Prince. According to Katt, very few of them were even left – the ones that were had to be in severe danger. If all it took for her to be happy was a man like Saix, then Ryou would accept it as graciously as Mello had.

'What makes you say that?' Ryou asked him curiously, 'I mean, you don't seem the type to believe in something like that. Last year, you were willing to kill me for Sith.'

'Sith once said something that I almost disregarded, about twenty two years ago,' Mello told him, and they turned to face each other fully, momentarily blocking Sith from their view, 'She said that destinies can be altered and threads can be changed in the blink of an eye, so long as we have the courage to do it. I… didn't have the courage to let her go just then. I wasn't ready.' Ryou could very well understand that. Until he learned who Victor truly was, he hadn't been ready, either. And when he learned Saix was the father, he knew there was no hope whatsoever.

'Seeing Sith happy gave you that courage?' Ryou asked him. Mello smiled now. It was a genuine smile.

'Knowing Sith was happy gave me that courage,' Mello corrected, and glanced toward the couple, 'I don't approve much. I think Saix is harsh and rude. His sarcasm would drive a normal woman completely batty. But Sith loves him, and I know somewhere inside, he loves her too. That's enough for me.' Ryou wished he were as mature. Part of him still didn't want to see Sith leave. Part of him wished he could have what Saix would have, could see what Saix saw. He shook his head.

'I want that courage, Mello,' he said sadly. Mello took a deep breath and patted his shoulder. It was a weird gesture, one he'd never thought he'd feel from the older man.

'You'll get it, in time,' was the sympathetic reply, 'Ryou, you're still so young. If I were alive, and not some unnaturally-living phantom, I'd be in my forties. Aeon's well into his ten-thousandth year. And Saix… well, who knows how old he is. But it takes time to learn these things. You'll learn. Just let things be.' Ryou nodded. He'd learn. He had a good teacher, and good friends. He smiled back and the two turned again.

"Sith?" Ryou called gently. Sith looked over at him. Her eyes weren't so red anymore. She tilted her head, and he asked, "How're you feeling?"

"Ready to forgive me yet?" Mello added unhelpfully, and when Sith frowned, he said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. But honestly? He gave you a man's name?"

"He did change it," Sith mumbled, and Mello laughed. That was true enough. Sith was the female variation to Sicht, after all. Ryou still couldn't see how the mistake was made, but he decided it was best to just laugh and keep Sith laughing. Laughter always made the pain fade. But they couldn't laugh forever.

Eventually, Sith looked back at the castle. They were still in the World that Never Was. They had to get out. And she knew who could do it. She let go of Saix, and after some convincing, he let go as well. Taking a breath, she looked toward Aeon and asked, "How did you and Mello get here?"

"Same way you did," Aeon replied casually, calmly, snapping his pocket-watch closed, "We went within the sealed memory to try and find you. We found a corridor of darkness instead." No doubt it was the one Axel had left open. Saix gave his old friend a glare, and the red-head in question just grinned and shrugged as if he'd meant to do it. Truth was, he simply forgot about it in the rush of heartless.

"We just jumped right in and hoped we'd catch up before shit hit the fan," Mello ended with a smirk. Sith stared at them both, and Ryou had the distinct impression that she didn't know whether she should congratulate them on traversing the darkness, or shake her head at their stupidity. If Xaldin had caught them, there was a chance neither would have lived. Why be modest? They wouldn't have lived. In the end, she simply laughed. She was glad they were loyal enough to follow her. And that it hadn't killed them yet.

"Couldn't have come at a better time," she stated, and sounded more like her usual self. She walked forward and yawned, realizing now that her little hissy fit took more out of her than she thought. That wasn't good if she planned to escape any time soon. "Can we still use the portal?"

"Er…" Mello's face blanched, and he glanced at the time-keeper, "Think we could?" Ryou felt Sith's annoyance peak, and knew that if they couldn't, she'd take her anger out on both of them. Aeon, at least, should've known they'd need an escape hatch. But he seemed more in control than Mello was. He smiled genuinely at Sith, and nodded.

"As a matter of fact, we can," he told her happily, and her anger dropped, "We can go anywhere you need to, but the portal only has so much energy left." Which meant it was a one-way trip. Sith looked at Ryou, and knew how badly he wanted to return to his world and make sure it was all right. Likewise, he knew she wanted to head directly for Nesce before Rath took whatever was left of it. It all came down to who was willing to make the sacrifice.

In the end, it was Sith. She looked at them, all of them. Mello, Matt, and the Nobodies all sided with her, but that was nothing compared to how many people wanted to head to Domino first. And in truth, that might be the better choice for them. If they got a feel for the damage Rath may have caused, it'd prepare them for what lay ahead. Sith sighed, turning to Aeon again. It was clear she did not want to go, yet she still said, "We head to Domino first."

"Sith, are you sure?" Saix asked her seriously. Sith nodded. There would be more corridors, and if she just recovered a little bit, she could open another one, even where Nobodies couldn't.

"Aeon," Sith called firmly, and the time-keeper looked down at her, brow raised, "Let's go." Then, she turned to the four Nobodies among them. She knew Saix was coming whether she wanted him to or not. But she couldn't account for the other three, and so she said, "I'm not asking you all to risk your lives. I understand what will happen."

"Save it, Sith," Axel cut her off, and grinned again, "Look, I know I'm an ass, but Saix is still my friend. And I don't like Xemnas much, anyway. I'm coming with you guys, if only to keep the heartless off your backs." Sith smiled. Somehow, having him there felt appropriate. Then she turned to Zexion and Xigbar. Zexion smiled weakly and shook his head.

"I will meet with you in Nesce," he told her, "There are things you will need me for, and I promise to help you. But I must prepare first." Sith nodded, knowing she could trust him. Out of all of them, save for Saix, she could trust Zexion the most. Last up was Xigbar. He just shrugged.

"Someone's got to stay and make sure Xaldin doesn't go after you," he reasoned calmly, "I've got the best chance of calming the man down. Even if I have to blow his head off to do it!" Sith hoped it wouldn't come down to that, but she did agree that Xigbar's use was better spent in his own realm. Ryou wasn't sure if she simply agreed to keep him out of trouble.

When it was said and done, and all four Nobodies had their plans laid out, it was finally decided. Aeon smiled when Sith joined him by his side, and he waved his hand toward an ordinary patch of dirt. It didn't stay that way; instantly, that black portal swam into vision, along with the traces of darkness trying to break out. Aeon had been right; it'd been weakening for some time now. Sith could only hope it'd hold everyone as they made it through – she knew it wouldn't last soon after. Quietly, she turned to Ryou.

"Are you ready?" she asked him. He bit his lip. He wanted to go home. But he didn't even know what they could be walking into. After a deep breath, he nodded. He'd know very, very soon.

"Whenever you are," he replied. Sith smirked. She was never ready to face the danger ahead. But she did know how to jump right into it. She drew Zealacht, and did just that.

And when she did, thirteen others joined her.

-(End Chapter)

The opposition against Xemnas just keeps adding up as Xigbar turns his back to rescue Ryou from the Castle that Never Was. After they escape from Xaldin, Sith finds out that Rath has gone ten steps further and removed the entire Winchester family from time, erasing most of the good that Sith's family has done for Oblivion. Knowing that puts thousands of worlds, and the throne of Nesce, in danger, Sith must decide whether to stop her cousin or let Ryou's friends go home. In the end, her friendship wins over common sense. But what will they be returning to? How far has Rath gone in their absence? Find out next chapter, so click that Review button!