A keyblade, sticking outside in the ground.
But not just any Keyblade. Master's Keeper. He needed to look closer, to make sure.
This time, Vanitas disregarded the scenic route, instead opting to jump out the window.
Sora's pockets were full of pixie dust anyway, so who cared. Gliding down, easy peasy.
Ventus' room didn't tell him anything, but this - this! - was a sign clear as day. Before Vanitas, there was a grave.
A silver Keyblade with a red hilt, commonly known as the Master's Defender, was sunk into a patch of flowers. On said hilt hung three glass stars.
Vanitas laughed. He laughed and laughed and laughed loud and without restrain, because who could have ever known those two old coots would kick the bucket before he did?!
That Vanitas bore witness to the hearts of the two men who ruined his life float off to Kingdom Hearts?!
And, he leaned forward to catch his breath, that those three sentimental fools left behind their precious charms?!
Vanitas could take one and break it. Or two. Or all three! Nothing stopped him from kicking over the grave of the smug old master.
He laughed some more, and oh, he started crying.
"He's really dead after all…"