Hey, everyone. Shout outs:
Legionary Prime: Hopefully not. Zane is actually an OC that belongs to another one of my reviewers, so I'll tell him you said that, haha.
T1M3: Yeah, I knew he wasn't as universally liked as Jack, Marek, or Pierce, but I loved him as a character because he had so much depth. Well, this is the finale for Part 2, but we'll get into that quite a bit in Part 3.
soraroxas123: Well, thank you. I am, too!
Lucenthia: Thanks! Yeah, I was relying on Roxas to really bring that scene together emotionally. Legacies are very important in the series as a whole, and I knew if he was on the way out, Jason needed to be reminded of the good he had done, and not just the fact that Marek still hated him. It's kind of a bummer, too, because I know a lot of people were hoping the two of them would reconcile eventually. I definitely was referencing Veritas there, yeah. Veritas had a lot of reality to it in that point, though. No matter what happens today, it won't all be remembered hundreds of years down the road. People forget things or they change stuff.
Kristen Verne: Thanks! Ha, well at least they're married!
Alright. You know what I own. Pierce's team belong to their respective owners, and Zane belongs to soraroxas123.
Chapter 50: Beacon of Hope
The light of the campfire flickered in the moonlight as the men and women around it stared into its embers, not one among them knowing where to go next. Jack sighed as he crossed his arms and looked over at his brother. Marek was staring solemnly into the flames, his eyes glazed over and his mind a thousand miles away. "Marek?" he asked. The other man stiffened slightly and rubbed the back of his neck without looking up.
"He was an idiot." he replied softly. Jack rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Marek, he loved you. He loved us both." he told him. Marek held up his hand and conjured a ball of flame to it, before throwing it into the campfire.
"It doesn't change anything. It's still his fault that things happened the way they did. Xehanort, our childhoods, and everything they led to, they're on him, Jack." he muttered.
"Marek, he gave his life for us. Let the dead have their rest. Leave your grudge here and let's move on, together. Maechil did this. He took Jason and Eraqus from us, and he destroyed my home. He has angered the LE, so let's take the fight to him. I don't know about you, Brother, but there will be a reckoning. I will make him pay." Jack told him seriously. When Marek said nothing in reply, he stood up and walked away from the circle of people sitting around the fire.
He walked over to where Sora, Riku, Dawnomar, and Zane were standing. "We've sat here long enough. Where do we go from here?" he asked them. Dawnomar stared at him for a long moment before answering.
"To Radiant Garden." he said simply. Riku raised his eyebrows.
"Not a bad idea, but why there specifically?" he asked. Dawnomar turned away from them and began walking away.
"Because Jason had a contingency in place, were the Land of Departure to be compromised. He intended to move the Agency there tomorrow, because he suspected that Maechil had seen the map. However, he did not foresee that that the Organization would retaliate so swiftly." he explained as he continued walking.
"What contingency?" Jack called out before he could disappear. The Ancient stopped and halfway turned back to him.
"Speak to Ansem the Wise. He has been preparing it for months at Jason's request. He shall tell you all that you need to know." he answered. He then looked toward the sky and disappeared in a burst of wind, leaving the three Keybladers alone with Zane. The blue haired Ancient quietly stared back at them until Jack spoke.
"So you've been working with him since the war started?" he asked. The Ancient nodded.
"I have been feeding Dawnomar information whenever I could. Adenar's first attack on Denerim, for example. As I recall, you were given credit for stopping it. If I had not informed Dawnomar and sent him your way, you would have never gotten there in time." he explained. Sora crossed his arms.
"Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but what reason do you have for siding with us against Maechil? You were his captain, with everything you could have wanted." he asked. Zane shrugged his shoulders.
"Except for peace. Maechil's vision for the future will leave no survivors, only desolation. Besides, I have my own reasons for wanting payback on him." he answered, though Jack knew he had purposely evaded the question.
"You're going to have to be a bit more specific. We've been betrayed by too many Ancients to not suspect anything." he pressed. Zane smiled slightly at his comment, a small measure of humor in his eyes.
"And you have not betrayed the Ancients, Keyblade Hunter?" he asked in reply. The three raised their eyebrows.
"How did you know that? You weren't at the Traverse Town battle." Jack asked him. Now he was definitely cautious.
"I kept my eye on you from the moment you arrived. Dawnomar asked me to. I watched as you felt something beneath the Chamber of the Council. I told you then, that Maechil is hiding something of immeasurable power down there." he explained. Now it became clear.
"So what is he hiding down there?" the Rikkison asked, but Zane shook his head.
"That I do not know. Only Maechil and Tsunetar know exactly what is down there. But I do know this: Maechil deemed it too dangerous to exist outside of that prison. If Maechil himself fears it, then we would be wise to tread carefully." he told them. Jack nodded and looked over at Sora and Riku. He could see the weariness on both of their faces. They were all tired from the attack and fleeing to safety.
He put a hand on Sora's shoulder and walked back to the rest of the group, who were still huddled around the fire. "Get some sleep. First thing in the morning, we leave for Radiant Garden. I'll keep watch through the night." he told them.
Sure, he wasn't Grandmaster. He knew that, but in the absence of their leader, he knew someone had to do it until they got to a place of safety. Everyone murmured their agreement and began getting situated for the night. Jack, meanwhile, walked over and scaled a tall set of boulders. He sat down on the uppermost one, giving himself a vantage point where he could see in all directions.
Whether some of them would admit it or not, Jason's death had hit them all hard. The old man had kept them together, united. Now, Jack could feel the division among his friends and colleagues. He just hoped that whatever Jason had left for them in Radiant Garden, it would be strong enough to tie the group back together.
Rayne was still refusing to speak to him. He had deeply hurt her with the lies of the Keyblade Hunter. Still, he believed that he had done what was necessary. As long as his daughter was alive, he wasn't going to complain.
Tahara might have avoided being kicked out of the Agency, but he could feel a lot of the others silently blaming her for Jason's death. A small part of him did, as well. However, another part blamed himself for not retrieving the map fast enough.
He heard someone climbing the rocks behind him, and he looked back to see Andrix, of all people, coming up to him. "What are you doing? Go get some sleep." he said quietly. He had deliberately avoided the young man ever since the mishap several months ago. He had gotten an earful from Sora that day for throwing his apprentice around, but he had felt justified.
"I want to talk to you." the young man replied and sat down next to him.
"About my daughter? No thanks." Jack told him and went back to watching their surroundings. Andrix sighed, trying to muster up the courage to talk to him.
"Look, she might not be talking to you right now, but you're still her idol. You have no idea how much you mean to her. That's why she can't stand you right now. She had to force herself to accept that she had lost you forever. She accepted it, but right when she did, you came back. I just thought you might want to know that. We've talked about you a lot, and she has never complained about you, not once. At least, not when she had full control and the X-blade was being quiet." he explained. With that, he stood back up and got ready to climb back down.
"So you really knew nothing about what Tahara was doing for Maechil?" Jack asked without turning around. Andrix looked up at him and shook his head.
"No, I didn't. But I've met her family. They treated me like a son. If I had known they were in danger like that, I would have done whatever I could to help her. People's lives are worth more than pieces of paper and a castle, right? At least, that's what I thought you guys believed in when I joined." he replied, and began climbing back down, leaving the older man alone.
Jack sighed as he stared into the distance and tried to think of the trials still to come.
THE NEXT MORNING, RADIANT GARDEN…..
(Journey to Skyhold, Dragon Age Inquisition)
"Ansem, thank you for meeting us." Jack greeted. The LE had gathered in the entrance courtyard, where Ansem the Wise had come to meet them.
"Of course, Jack. The Council heard about the Land of Departure….and Jason. We are here to offer whatever assistance we can." he replied graciously. Jack nodded to him.
"Jason's contingency." he stated. Ansem's eyes widened slightly, but he bowed slightly and turned away from them, looking toward his own castle. He touched the earpiece in his ear.
"Unveil Project LE." he stated. He then motioned them forward and began walking toward his castle in the distance. "Jason spoke to me about the need for a secondary facility shortly after the outset of the war. We have been preparing it here." he explained as they walked through the city.
They reached the staircase leading to the castle, but Ansem led them up a new path. Up ahead at the top of the stairs, the group could see a grand structure concealed under a tarp large enough to hide a skyscraper.
Ansem raised his hand, and unseen workers pulled the tarp down.
Standing before them was a towering and glowing castle in its own glory. It stood twice as high as Ansem's fortress and covered twice as much ground. It overlooked the entire city with strategic defenses built right into the place. It was practical and stylish, comparing to Maechil's in the Golden City. A new home for the Light's Enforcers.
"The Hall of the Keybearers." Ansem spoke as the group stared at it in awe. He then walked out in front of them. "Now, only one last order of business. The LE must appoint a new Grandmaster to replace the one they have lost. That decision is between yourselves." he told them.
Jack looked around at Sora, only to find Sora and everyone else looking to him. He sighed, and resolutely walked forward and looked at his colleagues. "Alright. If that's what you want, then I will be your Grandmaster. For now." he told them. Most of them nodded to him, and the others just stared at him. Jack exhaled. He hadn't wanted this, but he knew it was time.
He walked over to Sora and placed his hands on his cousin's shoulders. "Until the time comes for you to lift the burden from my shoulders." he said softly. Sora smiled and nodded to him. With that, the Keybladers looked to their new home.
"Time to settle in. Now, the Keyblade Wielders emerge from the shadows and take their place at humanity's side." Jack announced. The group walked toward the castle, but he glanced back to see Rayne and Marek walking away. Without saying a word, he understood.
Rayne's training needed to be finished, and the time apart would give her time to think.
He sighed and stared into the sky. He had never wanted to be Grandmaster, no matter how much Terra had tried to pressure him about it. But now, he knew he could get them through the war. If they wanted him to lead for now, then he would. In Jason's absence, someone had to step in. For now, he would fill his father's shoes. But in time, he knew the mantle belonged to another. (end Journey to Skyhold)
KINGDOM HEARTS, MAECHIL'S CHAMBERS…..
Maechil was sitting at his grand table, staring at a white orb in his hand. A knock on his door caused him to look up. "Enter." he said calmly. The door opened, and the icy blue haired Tsunetar walked in.
"My lord, I received your orders. I only wish to make certain that it is what you wish to do." she said. He nodded.
"It is, Tsunetar. The Adamant Army is on the move, and the Fleet is mobilizing. Soon, Jack will call for war, and we shall be ready to destroy him. The death of Jason has reminded the LE that they are not untouchable, but I wish to show them that they are not as strong as they believe they are. Rally the Kingdom Slayers. It is high time the humans faced Ancients who wield Keyblades far better than their own champions." he ordered. Tsunetar bowed respectfully.
"I will send our own Wielders out to challenge the LE. They were ignorant to believe that we had none among our ranks." she agreed, and walked out of the room.
Maechil sighed. For as confident as he was, a nagging feeling of doubt had been festering within him. All of it was stemming from the Prophecy, the last thing that Zatorian had foretold before his execution. He had seen and read pieces of the Prophecy, but he yet could not put them all together to see the entire future. He solemnly looked back into the orb and let it pull his mind into its contents.
ZATORIAN'S VISION, THE NEAR FUTURE….
(You Were Born for This, Epic Score)
COMING IN PART 3….
The skies were murky and cloudy, but beneath the cloud cover was a low and dark valley. On either side of the valley, great armies had gathered. The great white doors to Kingdom Hearts were thrown open, Ancient soldiers and ships pouring out into the landscape.
THE DEFINING CHAPTER IN THE WANDERER'S SAGA…
On the other side was a plateau, and the members of the LE stood together, united. Jack stood at the front, Keyblade in hand. He silently raised his Keyblade into the air. The armies of the Council of Sovereigns marched into view on either side of the plateau, and Mickey's Gummi Fleet descended from the clouds.
On the other side, Maechil and the survivors of the Organization stood confidently. He smirked at Jack, who smiled back.
"Now!" he yelled. A crack formed in the middle of the valley, and the earth split apart with a great explosion. Out of the abyss, multitudes of Heartless came crawling out. Maechil's eyes widened as Wrythenann and Chernabog emerged with a roar. A moment later, a great beast of darkness leaped out and landed at the forefront of the Heartless army, Marek standing on the back and holding a great chain. The lord of darkness looked back to his brother, and Jack nodded.
With that, Marek pulled back on the chain, and the Heartless army immediately charged toward the Ancients, the LE and Council armies following behind.
ALL OF THE PIECES SHALL COME TOGETHER….
Rayne walked through a dark world, only to turn around and see Zatorian's ghost staring at her. She walked toward him, wanting to hear what he had to say.
Jack was standing perfectly still, sensing a presence he had not felt for a long time. He glanced behind him, seeing an old man in a black coat, his back to him. "What are you doing here?" he muttered. The old man merely chuckled in response.
The great monster called Sin stared down at Pierce and his group, glowing with Darkness as the Divine Being merged with the creature.
A massive stone creature reared back and slammed its sword down on Jack, who erupted with light and caught the attack, stopping it.
"I am the Prince of Darkness!" a man in a red cloak appeared in the midst of a great army, unfurling a red whip and striking countless enemies.
"You fight well...worthy of the name Belmont."
THE BEST IS YET TO COME….
Pierce let out a yell and slammed Hidden Resolve against Lorans' blade. Blaze charged for him from behind, But Rayne tackled him to the ground and threw him to the side, before floating up into the air and exploding with energy as she embraced the powers of the X-blade.
On an empty plateau, Maechil readied his scepter as Dawnomar walked toward him. "We have waited long enough, Maechil." he muttered and twirled his staff as they readied for battle.
Aqua, Roxas, and Xion stood on a small rocky platform surrounded by water. They turned to the side as a monstrous serpent vaguely resembling Tsunetar flew out of the water and fell down toward them with fangs bared.
Marek covered his Keyblade in darkness and crashed it against Saenatar's battleaxe, the two of them glaring furiously at each other.
DESTINY IS NEVER LEFT TO CHANCE….
"The Prophecy speaks of you in great detail, Jack. You are the one chosen by fate." Dawnomar's voice echoed as Jack angrily charged toward Maechil alone. The two brought their weapons together in a clash that shook the world.
"Jack, you cannot. You do not yet have the power to match Maechil in combat!" Dawnomar's voice echoed pleadingly.
Jack looked up at Maechil as his eyes flashed white, and light energy began streaming off of him.
"He has gone unchallenged long enough." Jack's voice replied.
Jack soared into the air and crashed into Maechil, who let out a groan and flew higher into the sky. The Wanderer soared toward him with an insane amount of light energy streaming off of him and reared his Keyblade back. "You can't run from your fate!" he yelled.
Jack looked out at the rest of the LE and instantly became covered in a broad flame of light. He took it all in, and then repulsed his arms, exploding with enough energy to light up the nighttime sky.
TO BE CONTINUED….IN PART 3…..
(end You were born for this)
And that is the end of Part 2. This Part sure took me a while. Well, if you didn't notice, Part 3 is going to be the biggest undertaking I've done thus far. It's going to be the biggest and the best in the series, and there is so much still to come. So I hope you're all excited, and don't forget to leave a review. Alright, guys, I'll see you in a few weeks to kick off the start of Part 3!
