KINGDOM HEARTS: Edge Before End.

Chapter 0.2: Täuschung Ende-Part II.

After climbing 5 more blank platforms and fighting the Illuminati based Heartless along the way with Xander nowhere in sight...Myst finally reaches the 13th and final platform. "Ha...ha...ha...f-finally! I'm-I'm here at last!" says Myst, tired from making a long trek.

"...So, you have arrived at last." says a sudden, rather familiar voice. "! ...Yeah, took a while. But I'm here now, voice...no. That's not what I should call you, is it? I get it. I understand now...both whom and what you are. After fighting all those Heartless...I've come to realise something, thanks to that jerk Xander's words. Heartless...Illuminati. Illuminati are Heartless that have gained minds of their very own, or rather; consciousness. In that case...you...are one too, aren't you?" says Myst, slowly walking towards the centre of the 13th platform.

"...It is the role of the Seers and the Spectres to oversee the beginnings of the chosen XIII. You are the 7th, thus far. Six before you have been chosen and six more will follow in suite...each and every single one of them all being assigned both a Seer and Spectre respectively." says the familiar deep sounding voice...belonging to a man dressed within a hooded robe. Standing in the centre of the platform...

As Myst walks towards the robed man slowly and drawing ever closely, he cannot help but beg a question. "But...why!? what is all THIS for, anyways!? you say I'm the 7th. You say about XII others asides me...why!? what's the point in doing all this!? I don't get...I don't UNDERSTAND a single thing! for starters. Just WHOM are you!? you're an Illuminati, that much I know. But...why hide underneath that ridiculous looking robe!? just show me your face instead of hiding away!" remembering how Myst himself ended up here and his following experiences since the beginning. Upon seeing the hooded owner of the deep voice, he becomes annoyed to see the owner hiding behind a cowl...in the heat of the moment.

Myst reaches out his hand and drags the hood off from the unknown's head...before becoming horrified at what he sees. The deep sounding individual is revealed...to be a Heartless version of Myst! "...All Seers are reflections of the ones they are supposed to guide towards Destiny. It is inevitable...that you should be facing your own "shadow" in the flesh, fully enlightened from Darkness." says the "Dark Myst", confounding the original with no end in sight...

"N-No way..." says Myst, taking a few steps back. The "Dark Myst" reaches for the cowl that was tossed aside upon the floor, picking it up and wiping off the dust before putting the cowl back on the Dark Myst's face. "Now then...you have reached the final stage, just like you said that you would. As such...I shall reward you with one final battle. If you can beat me, in my real form...you shall be returned home. If not? well...as true of my nature as a Heartless, I shall take your Heart...and make it my own." says the Dark Myst, starting to exude an aura of Darkness; surrounding it's shoulders.

"!? ...TCH!" Myst summons his sword and raises his guard, realising that it was now time to settle things between him and the voice that had been guiding him thus far. "...Remember, "other me". This...is ONLY the beginning. Now watch...as Darkness turns WHOLE!" Dark Myst covers himself in a defensive position...before unleashing the full Dark powers emitting from within it's Body. "...So you're telling me your just another "Ghost" then!? well...FINE BY ME! this is perfect. This is the perfect way to settle payback! for dragging me down here, walking up an endless flight of stairs and lastly getting humilated by that jerk from earlier! if this is my Heart calling out...then. It's demanding...that I WIN! to settle the score! BRING-IT-ON!" shouts Myst, readying himself for whatever was gonna appear from inside the Dark veil.

Suddenly, the Dark veil turns from black into white...followed by a crackling sound. Emerging from the cracking Dark veil is shown to be a giant, white coloured transformation of Dark Myst called the "Lightside". At first, Myst is taken aback before quickly regaining his calm; remembering that this monster was still his "Dark side". With a single roar, it sends out a swipe of it's huge hand straight at Myst!

Using keen instincts and sharp reflexes that he has developed during his time taking on the trial, Myst becomes aware of newfound strength starting to awaken from within. Calling forth this new power, Myst coats his sword inside of a brilliant Light. "T-This power! my muscles, my movements. They...they all seem so natural, no way I've ever felt like this beforehand! !? WHOOPS!" Myst dodges the Lightside's swipe and then jumps atop it's hand.

"It's like...I could see a second ahead of time. There's no way I should have dodged that fast swing just now! but. My sword's Light...and my Body reacting like it is. Everything feels...Lighter, no pun intended." says Myst to himself, running up the Lightside's left arm. He next jumps up and follows with a two handed strike down upon the Lightside's head, greatly damaging it.

Safely landing to the right side of the platform, Myst makes a "yes!" gesture with his right hand at having successfully hurting the Lightside. However, the Heartless soon enough regains it's senses without a single moment to spare, resuming an onslaught of attacks against Myst.

The instincts and reflexes he has built thus far during his time here in the shadows has helped Myst unlock hidden abilities he himself wasn't even aware of. The ability to dodge by rolling, the ability to make a quick recovery whilst in mid air. All these new "tricks" as he calls them help Myst maintain a balance in fighting against the Lightside and keeping up an advantage point against the Heartless...it is then.

The Lightside reveals it's true nature as an Illuminati based Heartless...it's eyes suddenly turn from bright red to bright gold. "H-HUH!?" Myst becomes shocked to see the change before further becoming horrified...seeing a change of tactics happen with his opponent...

"...LIGHT...LIGHT...LIGHT!" the Lightside shows the capacity to speak with it's current transformation! "It can talk!?" says Myst, stumped by his enemy's speech. "LIGHT...SEVEN. DARKNESS...THIRTEEN!" shouts the Lightside, suddenly grabbing Myst within it's clutches.

"What is this thing talking about!? isn't it supposed to be my shadow!? what's going on here!?" says Myst, not understanding the meanings behind both the seven and the thirteen numbers. Watching from inside the surrounding shadows is shown to be Xander, commenting on the fight at hand.

"...Seven Lights and Thirteen Darknesses. According to the old man...the Seven were already found some time ago. Which means...that the Unchained are..." says Xander, hinting at something. Refusing to let the Lightside overtake him, Myst quickly tries to formulate a new strategy.

"Ok...this thing is starting to act more like a Human in terms of combat but it still behaves like a wild animal in terms of mindset. If that's the case, then...hope this works!" Myst tries to riggle out of the Lightside's claws, seeing that it has no clear brain functions and is solely acting on instinct. "Take this! something I learned in no small part, thanks towards YOU!" Myst uses magic for the first time!

He casts a direct fire spell straight into the Lightside's face, critically damaging it. "Alright! I'm free! now...we end this!" says Myst, taking a step back. "...Sorry for putting you down like this...but I've got no other choice! here GOES! BLADECHARGE!" shouts out Myst, strengthening his sword in an even more spectacular Light then previously.

Swinging the sword down like a hammer with one hand...Myst cuts the Lightside clean in half! from the two sides of it's bifurcated Body, a pair of strong Lights emerge. Merging into a grand, singular Light...the Light itself in turn starts to change into a unique shape. Almost resembling...a Key of some kind.

Myst becomes quite shocked at what he sees in front of him before his sword starts reacting to the presence of the Light, shaped like a Key. Without warning, the Light merges with Myst's sword! next. The sword starts to transform into an entirely new weapon-a combination of both it's original appearance and the Key shaped Light...

"N-No way...my-my sword! it's!" says Myst, landing back down on the ground. "C-Congratulations..." says the Dark Myst, having returned to it's original form. "You have...succeeded. You have...succeeded...the trial. At long last...the 7th wielder has now come forth. This is the power bestowed to you...it is...the strength, of; your Heart." says the Dark Myst, falling atop itself.

"H-Hey!" Myst casts aside his new weapon, instead attending to the side of his shadowy Doppelganger. "You...would cast away the power you so rightfully earned? caring...for an empty shadow, such; as myself?" says the Dark Myst, confused by the original's actions. "Yeah, honestly, don't ask me why..." says Myst, not understanding himself his own actions...

"It's just...what good will that blade do me if I see someone whose hurting? I don't need a weapon. My family, my friends...they are my real power. And that's good enough for me...also, do I need a reason to help out an enemy?" Myst smiles, assuring his "Dark self" that he is purely acting on instinct. The Dark Myst then realises that it is not just instinct...but also, the original Myst is genuinely concerned from the very depths of his Heart.

"...You...are a rather strange chosen one. But...maybe, you are the one; that can change things...for the better." says the Dark Myst, unable to smile in kind; due to possessing the appearance of a Humanoid based Pureblood Heartless. Heartless being denizens of Darkness that not only lack mouths to begin with but especially are incapable of feelings such as content...

"...My time is almost relinquished...go. As promised...the way home...your trial, has ended." says the Dark Myst before making a snap with it's fingers...summoning a door with bright ornaments from out of nowhere. "!? That door...will it...really take me home? what about you though? I'm not just going to leave you here. You're badly injured from our fight!" says Myst, refusing to budge an inch.

"Take your leave, chosen. I'll watch over the Heartless...it's existence is doomed to fade back into Darkness anyways. Why bother caring for it?" appearing from a shrouded form of Darkness, almost like he was traversing right out behind the side of a corridor was Xander once more.

"! YOU!" shouts Myst, greatly unhappy to see the man whom gave him a sure defeat only earlier appear right in front of him again. "Heartless have no feelings...none whatsoever. They can only steal and devour the Hearts of others, such is the natural system. What? you're telling me that just because you fought it that you respect it now? ha. Get real, kiddo. The fact that you now have a Keyblade proves otherwise...at any rate. Leave already...if you don't, I'll just have to kick you through that door and make you leave." says Xander, making a threat with no room for negotiations of any kind...

"FAT CHANCE PAL! even if he still is my enemy...he was also the first voice I heard when arriving here. There's no way I'm going to-!?" suddenly, Myst could feel that something had taken control of his Body! it was a variation of Darkness. Being manipulated by Xander of whom says "Fool, your trial has already ended here. Other Worlds will soon await you...you WILL fulfil your part as one of the XIII. Don't worry, the six before you have already accepted their fates. And the following six will no doubt be the same...you ALL must play your respective roles. Soon enough, each of you will bare a Mark...the Mark...of the Recusant. Though whether or not the "true chosen" will be amongst you lot...that obviously will still await to be seen." says Xander.

Unable to understand Xander's cryptic message, Myst tries to break free from the Darkness' hold. "WHY YOU! LEMME GO YOU-!?" shouts Myst until a mere second later, Xander punches him straight in the gut and knocks him out. Myst then floats mid air, being held up by the Darkness enveloping him. "...This is what you want, right?" says Xander, speaking towards the weakened Dark Myst...

"...Yes...take him...and make sure his Memory is sealed. It will not do any good...if he retains all of his knowledge from this place." says the Dark Myst, next revealing itself to have barely suffered any damage whatsoever; having only fooled Myst into believing as such. Upon standing up, it walks away from Xander.

"...Heh, you know? you sure nearly had me fooled. Despite that grand transformation, you acted as though you were a mindless beast...that contradicts what I told the kid earlier about the Illuminati. Heartless that have developed minds of their own...now it looks like that I lied..." says Xander, showing a pout in his own way.

"...Do not misunderstand. I was only giving him a chance to fight me...if I truly fought all out, he would have lost his Heart. We did not want that...for he is a candidate for one of the XIII Darknesses, after all. The chosen XIII of Hearts...each baring a piece of the ancient X-Blade's Darkness. If they succumb towards the lurking Dark inside their Hearts...the XIII will become forging instruments for another X-Blade's creation. That must NOT happen...at the very least, not according to the Master's prophecy." says the Dark Myst...revealing revelation upon revelation.

"...The Master...I have never met him. I have only heard small regales from lord Luxu, through the messages he sent me across the Realms of Light; Darkness and Nothingness. Tell me...you seem to know plenty about the Master himself. In that case...just what ARE you? you're able to take the form of this kid here and you were even able to transform into a mutated Darkside. If I had to guess, there only exists one type of being that could accomplish all of that within a limited time span...are you per chance-" says Xander before Dark Myst turns around and "sheds his skin", in a manner of speaking.

"...I am. DARKNESS..." the "Dark Myst" fully transforms into a veil of pure Darkness before further transforming into a Corridor of Darkness, teleporting itself away elsewhere. "!? Oh man...guess...I've gotten myself mixed up with some very old, OLD karma...even so. Regardless of that "spoiler alert"...it doesn't change anything. Now then, time to get this punk back where he belongs." says Xander, watching the unconscious Myst...

A minute and a half later...Xander opens up the adorned doorway. Myst's eyes slowly awaken in reaction to the bright Light emitting from the other side of the door...Xander leaves a few parting words for Myst:

"...The Door to a thousand Worlds opens with naught but a single action. Hearts are meticulous by nature, they fear that which is deemed the unknown by themselves. However, on few rare occasions; Hearts are able to form Connections...regardless of any and all warnings. Whether that is a boon or a curse depends on the person in question, Hearts are filled with Light and thus...the powers of emotions. Darkness takes hold both if and when those emotions run rampant...tell me. Are you going to be one of those guys whom loses his cool at the sight of some tragedy and become Darkness itself? or...will you embrace Light and drive the Dark back? here's wondering. Now, I've done my part...go home. Find what you yourself are looking for out there kid, trust me...the World is vast. No one person...will stand in a single place all their lives, heh."

Xander hopes that this message has reached Myst's subconscious before sending the young man on his way. As Myst passes through the brilliant Light of the Door...he awakens, elsewhere. "!?" As though having finally awoken from a long, long Dream; at long last. "W-Where...Where am I?" says Myst, rubbing the back of his head...

Looking at his surroundings, he sees that he is in his room; filled with clutter. "...Yawn! sigh. Aw geez...was I...sleeping all day? it didn't feel like it. ! Wait a sec! what time is it!?" Myst tries to look for something, only to trip over himself upon his bed. "W-WHOA!" Falling from it without grace...he then finds an alarm clock. The time is 9:30 AM-Myst's expression turns horrified.

"Oh HECK NO! I'M LATE! I'm an hour behind schedule! I've got to hurry otherwise "she" is gonna kill me!" with no time to spare, Myst had to quickly get himself ready to go somewhere. After finishing all the necessary preparations and heading out the entrance of what appears to be his house, Myst waves goodbye inside it before leaving; most likely towards his family.

"Maybe...today will be the day! the day I finally confess my feelings...on the eve of the Midlight Festival!" says Myst, as he rushes off into the Heart of a small suburb. A district filled with posters everywhere for some kind of special event...

Myst as the narrator lastly says the following:

"This here is my home...a place seeped in endless Light, as far as the Sky over everyone's heads stretches. You won't find a much brighter, nor cleaner town around these parts. In fact, nothing else exists beyond the outskirts...this is all that there is. And...all that there will ever be. A quaint place to live in if sometimes boring as heck...someplace I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. This is my home...and as they say, home is where the Heart exists. This...is Midlight Town."

The Station of Awakening Arc-FIN.

The Midlight Town Arc-START.

TO BE CONTINUED.