Good morning! I really am starting to count the days before christmas. As always, I'm not quite excited until just a few days prior! I have my pile of presents ready, and this year is a bit special because we've welcomed a baby in the family and I cannot wait to see that dear cutie! Only a week to go!

This chapter is based on theories rather than canon stuff so you shouldn't be spoiled, unless the theories get confirmed in which case this would be a heavy but unplanned spoiler.

The air was hot, and the sand crunched under his shoes. The man sighed. He wished his friend had come along, but he wouldn't ask such a thing of her ; he knew this place was too painful for her. A graveyard was bound to be full of sad memories, and this world was no different, it didn't matter if the war happened a year, a decade, or centuries ago - the souls of the early departed ones still lingered around, unable to find peace.

Lauriam looked at the desolated land and the forest of keyblades that spread to the horizon. How many of these had he known? Most of them looked familiar. Had he been able to summon his own, he probably would have added it to this morbid connection - the boy he had been died on this land as well. Instead, he sat on his knees quietly, closing his eyes. Addressing a prayer for every soul that had not found rest yet. There was one soul he wished to pray for more than any other, but he knew she wasn't there. She had not even been given the chance.

He stayed there in silence for a while, and minutes and perhaps hours flew by, and it still wasn't enough time to pray for each one of them. He felt observed, wondering if they could see him. If they recognized him. Many wouldn't know who he was, but he hoped they could feel his heart and understand. Realise there was someone out there who remembered them. Who still grieved them.

The feeling of being observed became more and more oppressing. It wasn't just someone looking at him anymore ; it was a clear, direct threat right behind him. Not just a wandering ghost of a fallen child, but the dark and powerful aura of a major Heartless. Something whooshed next to him, and when he opened his eyes, a weapon that was probably his size was stuck into the ground, missing him by only a few inches. He smiled, getting up slowly, stretching before turning around. He had heard about this massive Heartless that haunted the Graveyard. Back when they were in the Organization, they had been given the order to stay away from it. They weren't supposed to die until the fated hour.

"My apologies, I was busy praying. I guess I should have paid my respects to you as well."

The monster attacked, and Lauriam swiftly dodged the blow, his hands rummaging through his pockets. "It must be lonely around here. I assumed you might enjoy some company." This time, he had to dodge magic spells that would have left him in a very sorry state, had he been hit. He found what he had been looking for. The place was incredibly hot, and his hair was rather thick ; he was glad he had thought about taking a hair tie. He took it out of this pocket, tying his hair into a bun, dancing in the middle of the attacks, avoiding every single one of them.

"I should have brought biscuits with me. I'll try to think of it next time. I'm sorry, I was so eager to find out about you that I was rather disorganised when packing my things. I promise I'll make it up another day."

Could the Inferno understand his words? If it did, it showed no sign of it. It only attacked, again and again, trying to kill the man who did nothing but talk. With a yawn, Lauriam teleported himself out of reach, tilting his head.

"Come on now, you wouldn't want to harm an old friend, would you? Ephemer?"

The Inferno, who was dashing towards him for yet another deadly blow, froze right in its track. Lauriam chuckled, feeling his shoulders relax. He wasn't aware he had been nervous.

"It took me so long to find you. To find all of you. I'm sorry it took that long." He lowered his head. "And even now, I'm not quite sure what I can do to help. But I remember, Ephemer." He walked towards the static Heartless, and put his hand on its arm. The monster didn't move. "And I will find a way. I will find everyone else. I will save you all, if that's the last thing that I do."

The gigantic swords fell loudly onto the dusty ground. The Inferno was staring right at him.

"I will do everything I can to bring them back. Skuld, Ven… everyone. How about I bring them all here next time? Then we'll all have tea together? Elrena might be one of us as well, but I cannot make any promise about her. She dislikes high temperatures. Sounds about right to you?"

The Inferno took a few steps back, then a couple more. It started to fade away into Darkness, whence it came. Lauriam smiled at his friend, bowing to him. "Until next time, old friend."

And although this could just have been the wind, he could have sworn he heard a voice whisper back. 'Thank you'.

And although this could just have been the rain, he could have sworn he felt a water drop rolling down his cheek. 'Until next time.'

At this point no one can even be surprised when Lauriam shows up in a fic, I guess. I'd like to say this is the last we're seeing of him, but... *coughs* it's not. He's a very persistent kid.

Anyway, tomorrow's theme is "Breath of the wild", and we won't be slaying Ganon in it! (or run from guardians, brrr, I hate guardians)