Okay.
No one voted. So I made the decision myself. *sweatdrops* Maybe my results were just glitching, but it said zero, so yeah. Whatever.
Anyways, I chose what I chose, y'all may or may not have tried to influence this story, we're moving on. (Don't worry, I still love everyone who reads this :D)
Enjoy!
The next few minutes passed in a blur of shouting, worry, and running. The details were lost to Sora's mind as it still spun from confusion as it processed what was going on. But everyone was thinking the same thing: what in the worlds had happened?
They were all outside the clock tower's infirmary, waiting for Master Ava to let them in. Lauriam had insisted she tend to Strelitzia, and was with them as well. He was trembling- whether it was from his wounds, fear for the unconscious girl, shock in general, or all three, Sora didn't know.
Skuld was biting her lip, tapping her foot incessantly. Ephemer was trying to calm Lauriam down, and Brain was pacing in front of the door. Sora and the others, meanwhile, had no idea what to do, and barely knew what was going on.
"What happened to you guys?" Ephemer asked, "Was it Heartless?"
Lauriam swallowed, shaking his head. "No, not just Heartless. There were people there, too...they attacked us, and it was like they were controlling the shadows!" He rubbed his head, "One of them got Strelitzia as we were retreating and we just barely got away."
"People? Controlling the Heartless?" Skuld repeated, furrowing her brow worriedly. "They'd have to have really strong hearts and connection to the darkness."
"That's not worrying," said Ephemer.
"Or infuriating." Brain muttered, continuing to pace.
"How can someone control Heartless?" Sora inquired, "I thought they just did whatever they wanted."
Skuld shook her head. "If there is an entity whose heart is tainted with darkness, but is strong-willed enough, the Heartless will follow their command."
"The only problem with that is if that person shows any weakness, the Heartless won't hesitate to consume them." Ephemer shuddered, "Not a pretty thought if you ask me."
Kairi made a face. Riku frowned, "And there were multiple people?"
Lauriam nodded, "Three of them, where I was." He peered at the trio, "I don't think I've ever seen you before. I'm either extremely forgetful, or you're new recruits?"
"It's a long story," Skuld replied quickly. It looked like she didn't want to dump more shocking news on his traumatized head than anyone needed to right now.
At that moment, Master Ava came out of the infirmary. They all turned to her immediately. "Is Strelitzia alright?" they chorused.
She nodded tiredly, "She will be. I am rather surprised at the severity of her injuries, though. How many Heartless attacked you?"
"It was Heartless and people." Brain chimed in.
She stiffened, and then her shoulders fell. "...I see. I was afraid of this happening..."
"Of what happening?" Ephemer asked incredulously.
"Us Foretellers have been exploring the worlds as well. And we have seen these people."
"And you didn't tell anyone?!" Lauriam shouted, stuck between anger and complete shock.
Ava shook her head sadly. "We were suspicious, but it had only been very brief sightings, so most of us just thought we were seeing things, or that it was a coincidence, or that the people on that world were just being cold because that was how they were. But me?"
"You could tell it wasn't a hallucination, and you were too suspicious to think it was a coincidence?" Skuld suggested.
The Foreteller nodded, "I wanted to tell you. Actually, we spent part of the meeting before you introduced me to Sora talking about the situation."
They exchanged startled glances. Ava sighed, "You can visit Strelitzia. She's asleep, but keep her company until she wakes up if you want. I need to talk to the others." She turned and walked away.
Sora's head was still spinning. Was everyone going to be okay? Kairi patted his shoulder in an effort to comfort him, though she was clearly disturbed herself. The Dandelions went into the infirmary. Skuld paused and looked at them, "Do you want to come?"
"I need to think this over," Sora muttered.
"Take as much time as you need. If you guys need anything, let me know." She disappeared into the room.
Riku was staring off into space, pondering. "Who do you think these people are?"
"No idea, I've never seen them," Sora pointed out.
"I don't mean it like that. I was wondering what their goal is."
"Control the world?" Kairi suggested, "Send everyone spiraling into despair? Take revenge on those who have forsaken them? The list goes on."
Sora added, "Not to mention we have, like, no info."
The silver-haired boy sighed heavily. "I'm going to stay in the infirmary and see if Skuld and the others have any answers."
Sora and Kairi nodded. "We'll stay, too."
After half an hour of small talk and discussion, they hadn't figured out anything else. However, Strelitzia finally woke up.
When she stirred, anyone mid-sentence immediately dropped what they were saying and all attention was turned to her. She opened her eyes, wincing.
"Strelitzia," Lauriam exhaled, sitting on her bed. "Thank goodness. How are you feeling?"
The orange-haired girl sat up slowly, touching her head with a delicate hand. "...ow...what happened?"
"You guys got attacked while you were on patrol," Brain replied. "Lauriam brought you back here so that Master Ava could heal you."
"I feel like I've been kicked and punched all over."
"I'm just glad you guys are alive." Ephemer piped up.
"Honestly, I am too." Lauriam sighed, "Those people transcended my expectations."
"I only remember the Heartless and some kid with a scythe."
"Someone had a scythe?" Sora echoed.
The pink-haired Dandelion nodded grimly. "Three people. The one with the scythe was the person who started the fight. He was tough by himself, but all three?"
Strelitzia shuddered. "He was scary..."
"Which world were you guys on again?" Skuld inquired, "We should alert Master Ava so that we can tread more carefully in that area."
Lauriam thought about it. "The world doesn't really have a name...much like the place you went to, Skuld, with Radiant Gardens? This one isn't named officially."
"No name? Then how do you know where you're going when you're assigned?"
"For unnamed worlds, we come up with titles ourselves," Strelitzia said.
"Like Fire World?" Ephemer suggested.
"Still think we can come up with something better than that, Eph." Skuld said with an affectionate eye roll.
"What do you call the world you went to?" asked Kairi.
"The most popular name," said Lauriam, "is Evdomos."
"I've been there before." Brain mused, "Not too pleasant a place."
"Why not?" Sora questioned.
"There's a war going on there right now." Skuld replied, "Pretty intense. 'Evdomos' means 'seven' in one of their old languages."
"Seven?" Riku echoed.
"There are, or were, seven tribes on that world." Strelitzia murmured. "But one of the races almost completely wiped out two others."
"So there's a lot of fighting and complicated stuff going on," Ephemer sighed. "I hope I don't get assigned there anytime soon."
"Hopefully none of us get assigned there anytime soon." Brain pointed out, "If the Foretellers are smart, which they are, they won't let us go to Evdomos until we know more."
"I'll go tell Master Ava right now." Skuld said, "Let's see what she and the others have to say."
The Next Day...
Evdomos was indeed closed off as a place to patrol. Additionally, the Dandelions had to go in at least groups of three to all other worlds. There was a lot of confusion within the clock tower. Sora spent most of the time petting Cookie nervously. (The Dream Eater made him feel much better.)
Speaking of the Dandelions, he and his friends met another member: Elrena. She was a little impatient and on edge, but treated them nicely, especially after Candace started up a conversation with her.
Apparently she'd been at the Land of Departure, and due to surprising weather and Heartless attacks, her return had been delayed.
"Did you see anyone with the Heartless?" Lauriam asked.
"No. Why?"
She was then filled in on what had transpired, eliciting a lot of shock and her lightly ranting to herself about the "darned Heartless" and then her leaving to visit Strelitzia.
Sitting down on one of the large armchairs, Sora and his friends watched their Dream Eaters play with each other. Cookie headbutted Pixie in the leg, while Dawn circled rapidly around them. The Pegaslick whinnied indignantly, gently kicking away Cookie. Sora smiled despite himself.
"Hello, you three."
The trio gave a start, swiveling their heads to see Master Ava. "H-hi," Sora stammered. "Sorry, I didn't notice you come in."
She smiled tiredly. "That's alright. I just wanted to speak to all of you."
"What's wrong?" Riku asked, looking troubled.
"I'm aware you three had been planning on going to the Land of Departure to find Kairi's Master, right?"
They nodded anxiously.
"With everything that's been going on...I wanted to know this: how would you feel about getting separated?"
Their jaws dropped. "Separated?" Kairi gawked. "For how long?"
Ava sighed, "I'm not sure. Until this new issue comes to pass, I suppose."
The trio exchanged glances. Obviously, none of them wanted to be apart. The next room over or a half hour's drive away was fine, but Ava was implying that they'd be on different worlds entirely.
Then again, if they stayed together, Sora suspected it would cause a lot more stress and complications, just so that they could have their way.
His Master seemed to detect this thought process. "I know you don't want to be separated. However, if you stayed here, you wouldn't be able to find Kairi's Master for some time. And I wouldn't be very comfortable if I let you travel to the Land of Departure. I need to stay here in all scenarios, in case my Union or the other Foretellers need me."
"Won't Candace and Skuld come with us?" Sora inquired.
"Candace? Absolutely. And I know Skuld will too. But if three of these new people can endanger two of my Dandelions, what could more of them do to you? I could send more of my own with you, but then that will leave patrols stretched thin. Each patrol must have at least three members, and our numbers aren't infinite."
"We'd be going to the Land of Departure, though." Riku pointed out. "There's a lot of Masters and a Dandelion there, right?"
Ava wrung her hands. "I took that into account as well. While I'm not underestimating anyone, Xehanort is unavailable at the moment, Terra only passed the Mark of Mastery recently, and Ventus has been away from the Dandelions for a long time. I've not been able to check on them, and my knowledge of Eraqus and Aqua isn't that good."
"I really appreciate you worrying about us," Kairi said. "But they're Masters, right? And I remember Skuld saying that Master Eraqus trained three apprentices, and Aqua is an amazing mage!"
She sighed, "I know...I've just been so worried over it. It is the responsibility of Skuld and I to make sure no harm comes to you. And I can't help but be paranoid that these Heartless-controlling people will arrive in the Land of Departure. You three have barely even been trained."
"I'm sure we can fit a little training into the schedule, Ava."
The four turned their gazes to the hallway: Gula. As he approached, Ava frowned. "How many times have I told you not to slink in the shadows?"
"I'm not counting." He replied, then looked at Sora, Riku, and Kairi. "I can train Kairi in place of her Master. You, Candace and I can find a way to help them get better with their Keyblades."
Ava bit her lip, though she seemed surprised. "You would do that?"
"Anyone can feel sorry for you, but considering I've never had an official apprentice, this might also give my own experience a boost."
She smiled. "Thank you." She turned to the trio, "Here's a new plan: we can train you for a few days, and then send you to the Land of Departure with Skuld and Candace. That way, you can stay together and maybe continue under the mentorship of the Masters there."
They exchanged glances. A strange mix of hope, anxiety, and determination bubbled and Sora's heart. "Perfect!" he declared. Kairi and Riku agreed.
"When would you like to start training?" Ava asked, her smile turning completely genuine.
"How about right now?" Kairi suggested.
Gula smirked and beckoned for them to follow. "That's what I like to hear."
Unknown Location...
"Are you crazy?" A young man with long, pale blond hair paced restlessly. The room he was in was dark and badly lit, with the dusty, heavy curtains only allowing a fraction of light to peek through.
"I dunno." A teenage boy replied, sitting on one of the crates stacked near a corner. In his hands were a large scythe and a rock he used to sharpen it. His red hues glistened ominously in the dim area.
"Now those Keyblade wielders are going to be on our tail!" the blond man hissed. "If you'd payed better attention, your Heartless wouldn't have attacked that girl and her friend!"
"Keeeeep ranting," drawled the boy, tossing his head so that his short and messy silver bangs were out of his face.
The man growled and kicked at the ground. A youthful woman sat on a rusty bench nearby, resting her chin in her hands. "That's what you get for picking him up in that darned world. You brought him, he's your responsibility."
"Quiet." he grumbled, "I'm just real upset now. The master might not be happy that those wielders have their eyes on us." He pinched the bridge of his nose, his blue eyes disappearing as he squeezed them shut.
"No use dwelling on what-if's," the woman sighed, placing an awry lock of pale strawberry hair behind her ear. "We need to report back in a couple days. What are we going to say?"
The young man huffed, "That we screwed up? I have no idea."
"Just say that these stupid devices malfunctioned." The boy took something out of the pocket of his cloak and tossed it at him.
The young man caught it. "Don't throw these, for the love of- ugh! The scientists and mages said these are really fragile."
"So say that they malfunctioned, and our Heartless went haywire."
"It's just like you to tell me to lie," he snapped, before his expression melted into tired anxiety. "But I don't want you to get in trouble. That'll just complicate things. So fine, I'll say they broke or whatever." He walked over and gave it back.
The teenage boy shrugged, throwing the rock aside and taking the strange device. The light red-haired woman looked out the window. "We should leave tomorrow. The people on this world are starting to get suspicious."
The blond man picked up his weapons, checking them over. "Alright. I'll take guard duty tonight. You two get some sleep. And hopefully-" he rested his gaze upon the horizon beyond the glass. "-those wielders don't come back for revenge."
Review Responses!
verdance: I'm glad you think so! :) Hope you like this short chapter. ;-;
*headdesking* Bad. Chapter. My. Gosh.
This felt so rushed! But hey! At least I didn't wait for my two-week limit before posting! (Only because this is short compared to other chapters but whatever-)
Now, who could these new characters be? :3 I'd love to hear guesses~
Coming soon is the Land of Departure arc! I can't wait for it! Hopefully you lovely readers can, because I have to actually write it first. ;-;
Welp! Thanks for reading and I'll see y'all in the next one!
somibel, OUT!