Vexen's POV
after a short while of silent waiting; I finally plucked up the Courage to speak. We had a while until Jexak would have recovered enough, so why not try to break the ice?
"So, Dynasteelen, what is your story?" I asked, nerves evident in my voice. The heartless sighed and massaged his forehead.
"Tis a very long, long story." He admitted, as if he felt guilty for something. That took me by surprise. Could heartless feel guilt, remorse even? 'Ansem' certainly never did.

"long ago, before the realm of light." Dyna began, clearing his throat. "there existed a realm of pure darkness. And unlike what you might believe; it was at peace. A true utopia. There was no war, no famine. No citizen wanted for anything. Everyone was a friend to each other; and to each other everyone was a friend. There was a status system, certainly, but everyone respected their place and the places of others.

our emperor was a being known as Carbonicus; the element of earth, and creation. I know very little of them, how they came to be; or even how they created the world I lived in. perhaps they always 'were' and never 'were not'. It matters not. They were strong; omnipotent, and incredibly kind and generous to all.

I was the keeper of peace. For while the people were not in war; there were wisps and malformations that occasionally threatened the people. I took great pride in commanding my forces; and keeping the innocents safe. In truth; my love for them was perhaps a little too strong." He continued, black tears forming in his eyes.

It was clear he wasn't entirely heartless; that there was some truth in him being some kind of ancient primordial being. This emotion was pure; and almost beautiful to witness. He looked so fragile as he spoke, like a father talking about the death of their child.

"Carbonicus created the first creatures of light; in an attempt to bring diversity; and stabilise the quantum-state of our world. The anomalies were getting worse, you see. But the people of light betrayed us- thought they were superior. We cast them out. But they returned in greater number; having commanded the anomalies against us.

Not only did they destroy the city and the guard; but I was forced to watch them murder and-and defile those I fought so hard to defend." He choked up; utterly distraught by his recollection. He wiped his face, rage burning in his eyes. "I have been sealed away for far too long inside of Jexak's 'world'. Fate has freed me; and what I want more than anything is vengeance. To return the universe to the way it was, even if it takes me a thousand years."

He paused; his breathing heavy. I put my arm around him, comfortingly. This whole situation was bizzare.
"your story is truly horrific. Such pain you have witnessed." Was my weak, ill-thought response. Dyna weakly smiled. "Indeed. Perhaps my double was right after all…there IS some part of you that is human." He admitted. I simply sniggered.
"maybe around one percent, sure." I replied, shaking my head. The two of us stood, and began deciphering the inscriptions and carvings.
"It seems that for now; we must muster all of our skills to reach that we all seek." Dyna mused. "We are fated to forever be foes; but I suppose that we shall at least be foes that understand and respect one another, even if we don't act in kind."

Meanwhile: several paper-trails away!
Axel and Demyx were trailing behind; having finally reached the dwarven ruins after much bickering and messing about.
"This place is pretty neat. Cold though." Demyx chuckled as he walked through the crumbing building.
"Don't worry lute boy, stick close and I'll warm ya right up~." Axel jokingly flirted; putting his arm round his friend as they walked, in no real hurry. They reached the devastation caused by Jexak and the Giant Centurion.
"Whoaaa." Axel blinked, awestruck. "Those guys really did a number on this place. What do you suppose happened?" He asked. Demyx shrugged. "Beats me; but this seems fairly impassable right now." He noted in his lower tone- clearly annoyed at the prospect of hard work.
"Nonsense, this'll be easy. Geography one-oh-one right? Water gets in rocks and erodes them yeah?" axel surmised. Demyx shook his head.

"Yeah after like, hundreds of years maybe. Or constantly freezing and melting it. Sadly Vexen is kinda like, way ahead of us." Demyx corrected him. "But we could just shadow step past; or find another route." He added. Axel crossed his arms and frowned.
"Aw; but that's no fun." He pouted; turning around. "I didn't even see another route anyway."

Demyx sighed and backtracked for a while; axel breaking into a jog to catch up. He stopped by a wall, making sign motions with his hands.
"Right- I'm just mapping a path with the help of running water." He explained. If we can break through this wall- there should be a cave tunnel that will lead to a large chamber."
Axel groaned. "And that helps how exactly? We can't break walls this strong." He argued. Demyx ambled over to the remains of a dwarven sphere. He struggled, trying to lift it. Axel sighed and lifted the other end.

Together the pair ran at the wall; using the sphere as a ram. A small crack formed in the wall.
"Again!" Demyx shouted. Axel nodded and together they repeated the steps until the wall finally came crashing down. Demyx was right; there was a cave; glittering with gem formations and slick black stone.

"let's go buddy." Axel chirped with a grin. "Jex is counting on us."

Main story

My eyes slowly flickered open-seeing naught but the cold grey ceiling. I weakly pulled myself upward, and then onto my feet. Vexen and dyna were discussing the carvings, as if they were old friends. Clearly I had missed something.
"Hey!" I called, the mere act of speaking still causing me pain. They both quickly pivoted toward me.
"I don't believe it, he's awake! Thank gods!" Vexen exclaimed, running toward me. "listen; you might not like it, but we all have to co-operate here, okay?" He instructed; helping me to the gigantic stone doorway.

"This is where we need to go." He explained; leading me to a grey pressure plate. As I stood upon it; runes lit up on its metallic surface. Dyna and Vexen then took their own places on the Black and Blue plates respectively. I looked on as the door creaked open at a snail's pace; bats exploding from the opening and flying off hastily. Vexen walked back over and took my arm.

"Come now Jexak; we'll get out of this mess-together." He assured me; with a strange warmth in his voice. The three of us walked through the door; the unlikeliest of allies. Fate has a funny way of toying with conventional norms; doesn't it?