KINGDOM HEARTS: Edge Before End.
Epilogue χ (Cross): Mittellicht Täuschung Ende.
As Xehanort walks through the Dark passages of the sewer, trying to find a way out and into Light; using the magic of the Keyblade as though it were a bright torch. He reflects on the past, namely...from about a year ago, when he first arrived at Scala ad Caelum; following his decision to leave behind his island home.
"...U-Ugh..." says Xehanort, having arrived unconscious at the new World; surrounded by unfamiliar faces from all directions. "Who is he?" says the 1st bystander. "Got me, he must be an outsider." says the 2nd bystander. "B-But no one has ever breached Scala ad Caelum before! s-surely. He must be a resident from one of the distant towns..." says the 3rd bystander. "But those towns are empty, they are only there just for show. Why would anyone arrive here at Cable Town via those desolate places? it wouldn't make any sense." says the 4th bystander. "Neither would appearing from out of thin air...seriously, whom IS this kid?" says the 5th bystander...
"...They...are all the same thing. Whom is he? where did he come from? does he mean us harm? ...sigh. So...even if I go somewhere else...everyone...still looks and acts funny around me. Not funny...in the normal sense. Funny...peculiar..." says Xehanort before he falls completely unconscious, having only maintained his senses long enough to hear the bystanders speak of him in less then charitable ways...until.
"That is quite enough! all of you, move aside; stand-ASIDE!" states an elderly sounding voice, speaking with authority. "Young man, what ails you? can you speak? tell me your name." says the voice, trying to help Xehanort. However, the youth was too lost in Darkness to hear anything. "...Quickly! Eraqus! Baldr! bring the lad to the castle." says the voice, asking two other voices to lift up Xehanort and carry him towards the nearest landmark in sight...
"You can count on me master!" says the 1st much younger sounding voice, followed by the other "At once, Master Odin." says the 2nd voice. A few hours pass by...until at last, Xehanort awakens. "U-Ugh...w-where...where am I?" says Xehanort, resting right next towards the side of a window. Upon waking...he gets a first glimpse of Scala ad Caelum's majesty in full sight.
"Beautiful scenery, isn't it?" says one of the voices from earlier...identified as Eraqus. His appearance shocks Xehanort, slowly beginning to regain his senses. "Gah...what...whom are YOU supposed to be? what's with that ridiculous looking get up? you look like a clown." says Xehanort, wasting no time with being rude and making a first impression...
"Wow, just wow. You spare no time trading insults, huh outsider?" Eraqus claps away, somewhat amused by Xehanort's attitude. "Cut the chatter and tell me where I am...what IS this place? who are you?" says Xehanort, demanding an answer...just then. "I shall answer any questions that you might have young man...but first, tell us your name. As much as you wish to know us...it is the same vice versa. Not anyone can enter the domain of the Sky without prior knowledge...however. You yourself have managed to accomplish such a feat, even though you are young. Which begs the question...both WHOM and WHAT led you here?" says the elderly voice from before...revealed as Master Odin.
"! You're...the old geezer. I remember hearing your voice when I arrived here...so. You must know everything that there is to acquire about this strange place...both questions and answers...to seek out." says Xehanort, showing an inquisitive nature about the World of Scala ad Caelum...of which Master Odin recognises but remains silent about...
"You don't HONESTLY expect us to believe that you came here, simply from out of nowhere; do you? I mean. That's ludicrous, not saying it's impossible...but it's still ludicrous. No one has ever been able to enter the domain of this here stairway to heaven...not, unless they have a Keyblade." says Eraqus, distrusting of how Xehanort had proclaimed he didn't know a single thing whatsoever, that he was faking his story; to be exact.
"...I didn't say anything about coming from nowhere, I DID come from somewhere...though. It's probably someplace that missed your line of sight, clown." says Xehanort, continuing to mock Eraqus. "WHAT WAS THAT!?" shouts Eraqus, greatly annoyed and starting to become angered with whom he considers to be a lonely intruder. "So much for maintaining your cool, Eraqus..." says the earlier 3rd voice aside Eraqus and Master Odin, known as Baldr...
"Ah, Baldr. I see you have returned...well?" says Master Odin, greeting Baldr upon his arrival. "...No such luck, master. I cannot trace back any residual Darkness that our mutual friend here may have left behind, per his entry into our domain. It's...most curious to say the least." says Baldr, having completed a prior task assigned to him concerning Xehanort...that apparently has turned up fruitless in terms of results.
"Oh? looks like there is at least someone capable here...unlike a certain loudmouth and a old coot." says Xehanort, from a solitary glance; he could tell Baldr was someone of whom held his act together...in comparison towards Eraqus. "Hey! I heard that! listen you. You can insult me all you want...but no one, ABSOLUTELY no one gets to disrespect Master Odin; understand!?" says Eraqus, walking over to Xehanort and taking hold of him by the scruff of his collar...
"...Pff, whatever. I don't have time for this-!?" suddenly, Xehanort's legs give way and he nearly falls upon the floor...if. It were not for the assistance that Eraqus had decided to provide within the moment, next; saying the following words "H-Hey, take it easy! seriously. You are one stubborn guy, you know that? sheesh." says Eraqus, helping Xehanort up.
"! I didn't ask for your help." says Xehanort, before Baldr then interjects. "You still haven't regained your energy. Trust me, travelling a road such as the Darkness is something far more dangerous then any individual-experienced or otherwise can handle. It's something we are against using...at all costs." says Baldr, warning Xehanort of the dangers in using Darkness...
Xehanort goes silent, not able to rebuke Baldr's remark...since Xehanort himself does not have enough intel to work with. "...I take it...you wish to learn more about this World?" says Master Odin, surprising Xehanort; Eraqus and Baldr alike. "Master Odin?" says Baldr, knowing that the master was plotting something in mind. "H-Hold on, master. You aren't thinking of-!?" says Eraqus, correctly guessing Master Odin's idea in mind.
"This town is sacred ground. It is a nexus for which all things spring from existence...and. For where all things return...in order to die. It is our duty, as Keyblade wielders and masters...to guard Worlds such as this home of ours..." says Master Odin, beginning to explain things in depth towards Xehanort. "...Keyblade...this clown holding me up already mentioned that." says Xehanort, still being held around the shoulder by Eraqus; whom comically replies "I can just drop you right here, you know." says Eraqus...
"Indeed, it's the weapon we all use here in Scala ad Caelum to protect others from Darkness...and maintain the Light. Without it, all Worlds would be doomed...to suffer once more..." says Baldr with a solemn expression upon his face, joined by Eraqus and Master Odin. Xehanort, not knowing of the both tale and history that is...the ancient Keyblade War...does not understand the meaning behind the solemn expressions.
"...I have a proposal for you, young lad. You have two choices...one, is I can send you back towards wherever you came from...however. By doing so, we won't be able to uncover the mystery behind your arrival here...namely. Whom it is that sent you...and how were they able to do so, using the Darkness. Which leaves the 2nd choice...you may be allowed to study here, alongside Eraqus; Baldr and the rest of their fellows." says Master Odin, greatly shocking Eraqus and Baldr alike!
Even Xehanort is left surprised...until Eraqus accidentally drops him within the moment. "GAH!" says Xehanort, dropped onto the floor. "MASTER! you can't REALLY be serious, can you!? I mean. He is an outsider! an INTRUDER! if anything. This guy should be locked up and interrogated! why should we give him the benefit of the doubt and allow him to stay here!? even worse! study with us true Keyblade wielders!?" speaks Eraqus, voicing his obvious objection...
"I must agree, master. There's no rhyme or reason in this decision! why...why have you presented such a mind boggling proposal?" says Baldr, trying to react more reasonable towards the situation...as the master then explains his reasoning. "...It is quite simply really, you two. This youth...he shares...the same great potential that you yourselves, both possess." says Master Odin, shocking Eraqus and Baldr alike...more then beforehand.
Xehanort remains baffled, not understanding a single thing...before Master Odin resumes speaking "He is not aware of it himself...but given time. One year or more...he will strive to become the best equal that you two, including the others could hope to have around you. I honestly believe...that he...is the one...whom can wield the Gazing Eye." says the master...
"!? T-T-THE GAZING EYE!?" shout out Eraqus and Baldr simultaneously...before Xehanort catches a glimpse of something in the corner of his right eye. It is a uniquely shaped Keyblade hanging upon a wall...resembling...a goat of some kind. Finally, returning towards the present a full year later...Xehanort still continues navigating throughout the sewer passages.
"...The Keyblade of the Gazing Eye foretells the future of the World as it currently still stands. It was promised to me by the master, once I have passed my Mark of Mastery Exam. I cannot falter...it is...not my Destiny. To fade away into the Darkness...and be left a lonesome loser, down here in this abyss...
(Music Cue-The Foretellers from KINGDOM HEARTS χ Back Cover.)
"What awaits you...is not the abyss." suddenly, an ominous sounding voice makes itself known. It blacks out the Light of Xehanort's Keyblade magic, utterly Darkening his surroundings. He maintains his composure or at the very least tries to, questioning the voice that has appeared from out of nowhere; responsible for the manifestation of the Dark.
"W-Who are you!? show yourself!?" says Xehanort, taking up his normal battle stance. "...You claim to not be afraid of Darkness, and yet...you are. Truly...you are a mortal, the same as any. However...you yourself...are special. Special enough...to receive...the eye..." says the voice...
It's words horrify Xehanort, wondering...if it was talking about the Keyblade with the Gazing Eye. Without warning...a shroud of Darkness appears. "Destiny is never left to chance...except. Destiny is not writ in stone, either. Destiny and chance...both...go hand in hand. It is an inevitable part of the system...one that bares repeating. The eye sees and records all...hence. The system continues as it does, without any end in sight; whatsoever. It is a cycle, in simpler terms..." says the shroud, causing Xehanort to tighten his guard.
"...What...what ARE you!?" speaks Xehanort...as he appears somewhat mesmerized by the shroud, unable to contain his curiosity towards it. "...I am Darkness. That which all beings fear and loathe...yet. That...which is also born from their Hearts. I am that, or they...which the masses will sometimes call...the edge before the end. The final crossroads...before all Hearts...take the last plunge. For as long as I, he; she or they can remember...I have observed closely. The follies...and the strengths...of the Human Heart. If you wish to give this form in front of you a name...then...dub me as the entity named...χ-Super..." says the Darkness lastly, referring to itself...as χ-Super...