We've reached one of my least favorite chapters of the story. But, before that, shout outs:
Celeron96: Really? Well you should if you get the chance. It's the best game in the series. And I never thought about it like that.
AngelicWinds: Really, what did they do to stop you? Are you just being lazy? lol, just kidding.
TheEighthLight: Do you like Walking Dead and Dragon Age? Seriously, everyone likes different things.
13TheAce: Lol, yeah it did. Oh, I got ya.
TWI1IGHTMAST3R: Well, that makes me feel better. And I won't. As grateful as I am for ALL of my reviewers, I just don't have enough to reach 200 by chapter 40. I'd love to, but I don't have like 2 dozen like you do. I'm not bashing you guys, believe me your support overwhelms me. That's why I set the goal as 175.
OMG WE JUST PASSED IDOD IN REVIEWS. WOOHOO! THANKS SO MUCH. Ok, calm down. Only one person voted on my poll! Please vote.
You know what I own!
Chapter 28: Eraqus' Demise
"As hard as I tried, I wasn't fast enough to make a difference."
Ventus flew down to the courtyard in the Land of Departure. He began to walk to the castle, but hesitated and looked down when the master walked out to him. "Ventus, you're alone? I thought Aqua would…..Well, what matters is that you're home." he said as he put his hands on the boy's shoulders. "You don't belong outside this world yet. You need to stay here where you can learn…." he began.
"In your prison?!" Ven suddenly exclaimed. Eraqus stood up and looked at him warily.
"What did you hear?" he asked seriously. Ven clenched his fists in anger.
"That I'm supposed to be some weapon, some kind of "X-blade!" he yelled. Eraqus sighed.
"I knew it. Xehanort, he could never let it go." he said slowly.
FLASHBACK…
Eraqus stepped forward as Xehanort turned to leave the room. "Wait, Xehanort. There is a reason the precepts bar us from such knowledge. Why do you seek the X-blade? Would you blanket all the worlds in darkness, reduce them to nothing?" he asked unbelievingly.
"But darkness did cover the world once, in legend." Xehanort responded as he turned back. "We know so little about the Keyblade War, only that it was just the beginning. Amidst that crisis a precious light was found. It is a curious tale, and one worth exploring. They say ruin brings about creation, so what then would another Keyblade War bring? When the darkness falls, will we be found worthy of the precious light the legend speaks of? I must have these answers." he explained as he looked on. "The X-blade needs to be forged, and with it, the door to the Keyblade War unlocked!" he exclaimed.
"Fool. You would risk an apocalypse out of sheer curiosity? I will never allow it, Xehanort! Not while I live!" Eraqus yelled angrily.
"But once again you have it all wrong, Eraqus. Darkness is a beginning, you see, not an end. At birth, we all emerge from a world of darkness into light, do we not?" Xehanort asked him.
"Poetic excuses!" Eraqus yelled. Xehanort turned and began to walk away. Eraqus summoned his Keyblade.
"If words won't dissuade you, only one thing will!" he yelled. With a yell, he charged at Xehanort. The older man turned around, flaring with darkness. He shot two dark projectiles at the younger man, both hitting him in the face. Eraqus collapsed to the ground. Xehanort walked toward him as Eraqus propped himself on his elbows.
"That power….Has the darkness taken you, Xehanort?!" he demanded. Xehanort walked away.
"Not your concern." he replied.
END FLASHBACK…
"I failed. I had the chance to stop him and couldn't do it. But I will not fail again." Eraqus told Ven as he summoned his Keyblade.
"Master, what are you…..?" asked Ven, scared.
"The X-blade has no place in this or any world. Xehanort has made his purpose clear, and I am left with no choice." Eraqus told him. "Forgive me…..But you must exist no more!" he yelled as he sent a light attack at Ven. Ven backed up and closed his eyes in fear.
"Ven!" yelled a familiar voice. (Terra's Theme, Birth by Sleep)
Terra stood in front of Ven with his armor on and Keyblade in hand. "Master, have you gone mad?!" he yelled. Eraqus frowned in anger.
"Terra, I command you: Step aside!" he yelled.
"No!" Terra yelled as he dismissed his armor.
"You will not heed your master?!"
"I won't!"
"Why do all my attempts to reach you fail? If you don't have it in your heart to obey, then you will have to share Ventus' fate!" he said, shedding a tear. With a yell, he charged at his pupil. Ven watched in horror as Terra tried to combat his master.
"Enough, Terra! He's right!" he implored.
"Quiet!" yelled Terra, still fighting the master. Ven sighed.
"Terra…." he said. With a grunt, Terra was pushed back. Eraqus jumped back and hit them with a light attack. Both boys fell back. Terra landed on his feet, and Ven landed on his back. Terra picked Ven up, who was limp. With a gasp, he looked at the master, who was charging up another attack.
Taking deep breaths, he closed his eyes, and looked at Eraqus. An aura of darkness appeared around him. "You may be my master…..But I will not let you hurt my friend!" he yelled as his darkness repulsed.
"Has the darkness taken you, Terra?!" yelled Eraqus. Terra summoned a portal behind him and tossed Ven into it. Ven looked up.
"Wait, Terra!" he yelled as the portal closed.
MEANWHILE….
Jack shot through the Lanes Between as fast as he could go. His rider was groaning from the speed. "Hang on, Terra. Don't let him use you!" He urged. The world came into view, and Jack shot down toward the castle. (end Terra's Theme)
After a fierce battle, Terra slowly walked toward the gasping Eraqus. "What have I done, Master?" he wept. Eraqus shook his head.
"No, you were right. I raised my Keyblade against you and Ventus. My own heart is darkness…." he began as something struck him in the back.
'NOOO!" yelled Jack as he landed behind Terra. Terra watched in horror as Eraqus fell forward. As Terra went to catch him, the master faded into little white clouds and disappeared. Terra slumped forward and wept.
"Master Eraqus." he said sadly. Jack looked on in disbelief. His face contorted in rage as he summoned his Keyblade.
"Why do you weep, Master Terra? The man was bent on bringing harm to your friend." Xehanort appeared out of nowhere smiling. Terra summoned his Keyblade as Jack charged. Xehanort dodged Jack's attack and struck him in the face. Jack fell backward off the platform and was left hanging onto the edge.
"XEHANORT!" he roared. Xehanort smirked as he turned back to Terra.
"Why, Master Xehanort!?" Terra yelled.
"Sometimes, I find your progress quite striking, but you still fall short. Let that darkness out! Fine. Come to the place where all wielders leave their mark on fate: The Keyblade Graveyard. There, you will watch your dear Ventus and Aqua meet their ends, and the last light within you will die!" he yelled as he shot a dark beam into the air. Darkness immediately appeared and began to swallow the planet. Xehanort smiled as he left through a portal.
"Wait, Xehanort!" Terra yelled. He looked to the edge, but Jack was gone. He frowned in anger as he summoned his rider. "Aqua, Ven. I won't let him hurt you. And Jack, wherever you are, I hope you're alright." he said. He set course for the graveyard. Unbeknownst to him, Jack still stood on the planet. He stood in front of the castle, watching as his home was taken by the darkness.
"You just couldn't leave me alone, could you, Xehanort. Well, it's your fault. I swear I will be the one to vanquish you, even it kills or permanently scars me, I will be the one to send you into everlasting darkness." he promised angrily. Goodbye…..Master Eraqus." he said as he summoned his rider. He followed Terra to the Graveyard. not knowing what was to come.
Next two chapters are the last BBS battle with Xehanort. About five more BBS chapters though. Vote on my poll, review, and see ya later!
