It's some twisted curiosity that lead his steps here. Normally, he'd avoid places like this, where people knew and hated him, but he had to look.
How was his dearest brother faring these days? And those who treasured him?
Indeed, today the Land of Departure awaited Vanitas.
They locked the front door, of course, which was the first thing telling him the place laid empty. Why not open it with his magic key? Because magic keys couldn't open what other magic keys had locked.
After a bit of spying through windows and other such necessities, he broke one open. With his fists. Try locking that. He confirmed no one was inside first, though.
Amazing, how he remembered travelling these halls, despite his visits being few and far between. Everything started here, did it not?
"Hello!" "Hello!" "Hello!"
A dash of daring and he yelled out into the hallway. His echo made the only reply. Nothing dwelled here except dust.
Like a snapshot of the past. All empty. All emptiness. Ironic.
With nothing better to do, while avoiding the main hall due to phantom pains of aquatic magics, he headed upwards. He climbed the winding stairs, for once, instead of teleporting or scaling the walls.
He savoured each echo speaking null. This damned place deader than dead; for now, forgotten. The cloud of dust stirred upon each footstep spoke volumes. That trio had to havhe left months ago.
Actually searching for Sora, no doubt. Unlike Riku.
Vanitas arrived at his destination. A simple door on the upper floors, identical to the two flanking each side of it. Brown wood, a silver handle. Elegant carvings lending it the same air as the rest of the place.
His door in another life.