Chapter 4: Traverse Town Part 1

Kirito's head throbbed as he awoke. After rubbing his eyes of their weariness and blinking the sleep from his eyes, the boy took in his surroundings. He was currently seated on a bed in a single room home. Its walls and floors were made of dark bricks with a platform in the center. The room was decorated with desks, tables and furniture. Atop them were an assortment of books of different genres. There was so many books that there was one part of the outlines piled with book after book after book and nothing else.

Shaking his head, thinking that he was dreaming, Kirito swung his legs to sit on the edge of the bed. "Oh ho! He awakes!" an old voice voiced his joy at the boy's awakening. Said youth shot straight up and summoned Oblivion to his hand and stood ready to fight, facing the direction that the voice came from.

(Begin Merlin's Magical House)

It was a man dressed in what looked like a blue bathrobe that went down to his shins. Equally blue shoes and pointy hat were worn on his remarkably thin feat and elderly white head top. A long white beard went down to his abdomen and ran down to just above his shoulder blades. In his right hand was a wooden, brown stick that completed the ensemble, as well as the gold-rimmed, round glasses that sat on his pointy nose, that gave him the looks of a mage. There weren't many blue mages anymore, save for the Undine in Aincrad, but they could go berserk. Chuckling, the elderly mage waved his hand. "No need for that. I just live here and you fell through the roof just as I was about to sit down for a cup of tea. I fixed it fairly easily, but I figure that you should rest here and explain how you came to be here." The man got a glint in his beady eyes. "And how you came across that Keyblade."

Shocked, but not quick to let his guard down, Kirito asked, "You know about it? Who are you?"

Stroking his long beard, the man regarded the black-clad youth in a scrutinizing gaze. Satisfied with whatever it is he'd found, the man smiled and introduced himself. "My name is Merlin. I'm a wizard and world traveler. I specialized in magic and am tasked to help those in need. And who might you be, young lad?"

Finding some confidence in the old man, the boy dismissed his weapon and sat in a chair facing what he guessed to be the wizard's chair. "I'm Kirito. Swordsman. Beater. First things first, where am I?"

The much older man took a seat in the opposite chair and cleared his throat. "You, Kirito, are in another world. Traverse Town. A place where people who've lost their home worlds come to for a safe haven. Granted not everybody lands here when their world vanishes, but a great deal do."

The kid was befuddled. He'd done it. He's in a new world. "Traverse Town..." he sounded out loud. "Got it. So, Merlin, what do you know about the Keyblade? And, what about these shadowy creatures with yellow eyes? And what happened to my world?"

"Hold your horses, whippersnapper!" Merlin exclaimed at the barrage of questions. "For starters, those creatures are known as the Heartless. They're creatures of darkness, that prey on the darkness in people's hearts. That's how they're born; when one loses their heart to the darkness."

Quirking an eyebrow, Kirito sarcastically asked, "Isn't that a little backwards? They have stolen hearts in them."

A little annoyed at the sarcasm, the old man yelled, "Not my brainchild! Now, onto the Keyblade. That is one of the types of weaponry out there that can destroy the Heartless. On top of that, they are able to seal the Keyholes in the worlds. By doing that, the Heartless can't eat away at the heart of the world. Had it been sealed in your world, it may have survived. You never mentioned the name of the world you came from."

More of an observation, Kirito still heard the implied question. "No, I didn't. It's called Aincrad."

Merlin's beady eyes got even smaller than they looked and asked, "That prison world created by world renowned scientist, Akihiko Kayaba? No one's left or gotten in for years. You're saying it fell to darkness?"

The boy nodded. He still looked so expressionless. It worried Merlin a great deal. "Two friends of mine fell through a puddle of darkness after saying that only the strong would make it to the next world. Do you think they made it here, too?"

The old man stroked his long, white beard. "The odds are more likely that they'd end up here if you came together. Since they didn't, chances are that they landed elsewhere."

Kirito sighed and finally let the sadness show. "Okay. Just have to keep looking, I guess."

"Then you'll most likely need this." In a puff of white smoke, a brown pack appeared on the table in front of the boy. He carefully opened it. Peering inside, he found multiple light blue crystals with silver edges. There was a letter. Kirito opened the paper and read the message.

Kirito,

When you read this, Aincrad will have been destroyed. It was always the Commander's intention to destroy the world. To destroy my dream. Your home.

I have been watching you and your friends for a long time, looking for those who could potentially wield the Keyblade and stop Heathcliff's plan. You may not be able to see it now, but I'm sure you felt a sort of "vibe" about him. That's the thing: he's not a man. He is a Heartless.

When special, exceptional individuals are powerful or special, and lose their hearts to darkness, a humanoid Heartless is born. They can think and plan, unlike their brethren. There is one other humanoid Heartless that I know of. I don't have a name, but I do know that he and Heathcliff are in a partnership together. They both command the Heartless to do their bidding.

I have selected you, Kirito, to be the champion of the Keyblade, to thwart Heathcliff. There is another out there, traveling the worlds, sealing what's known as Keyholes, or what is like locks on worlds. Let him and his allies combat the other, at least for now.

I need you to find the Princesses of Heart. They are seven maidens with hearts of pure light. If you can locate and protect them, you will be able to stop them. As a trade for your services, I have also enclosed likely locations you may be able to find your friends, as well as the Princesses, to an informant in this world, Traverse Town, named Argo the Rat. You will not have to worry about paying munny for their service, for I am paying them handsomely.

If you can do these things, and succeed at destroying Heathcliff and his partner, you may be able to restore Aincrad. Then, you and your friends may be able to return home.

Another thing: you must find Asuna. I saw her disappear before you did. I have selected her to be another wielder of the Keyblade for this journey, but there is also another role. You and I are both aware that you carry a deep darkness inside you. Your will is strong enough on its own to keep yourself together, but it won't be the longer you are without your friends, Eugeo and Alice. Asuna is the only one I have seen that brings out your light that much. That is the very role that she has been chosen for: to counteract your dark and fill the void with light.

Thankfully, destiny, it seems, has already chosen you both to be connected. Both yours and her dream confirms it. Eventually, you and the other Keyblade wielder will meet. Then, you will join forces to defeat your adversaries. I trust you and believe in you, just as your friends do, like she does.

Don't let us down. You can fix this.

Akihiko Kayaba

Kirito's jaw dropped. Kayaba?! He chose me and Asuna for this? We're kids! He paused his thoughts for a moment. No, destiny chose us. Whatever connection there is between whatever he needs me to fix and Heathcliff, he and so many others need me to do this. He took a moment to consider what he said about Asuna and the other wielder. Does that mean we'll be fighting together? The three of us? And was what he said true? Do I feel lighter with her? Even when compared to Eugeo and Alice?

"Those crystals in the pack are Teleport crystals. They were Kayaba's way of getting around the worlds," Merlin explained about the crysts that laid in the bag, forgotten for the moment.

Kirito looked back to the wizard and nodded. "Yeah. We had downscaled versions of these to get around Aincrad when we couldn't use a teleport gate. By the way, do you know anyone named Argo? The Rat?"

"Oh, yes. I know the Rat. Argo has paid many visits to me to help me get my hands on books. Why do you ask?" Merlin asked.

"My employer," Kirito explained, waving the letter, "has given them info about where my friends and some important individuals could be located."

"You can find the child at the First District. When you exit the way to my abode, you will be in the Third District. There are two double doors in front of you when you go past a ramp to your left. Enter them. Argo can be found in the alley behind the Accessory Shop. It is impossible to miss. If you run into danger, remember to come here."

Kirito rose out of his seat. "Alright. Thanks for your hospitality and the information, Mr. Merlin."

The wizard waved his free hand. "Just Merlin will do, my boy. Before you leave, take these. They are magical elements that should help you on your ventures."

Kirito felt life and chill enter his body. He had gained the Cure and Blizzard Elements. "Thank you. You've been more than generous, Merlin. See you later."

(End Merlin's Magical House)

After exiting the dark area, just as Merlin said, Kirito found the double doors that had a First District sign above it. As he approached it, he could feel the presence of the darkness from Aincrad.

(Begin Night of Fate)

Three shadows appeared from the ground. Kirito drew his Keyblade and unleashed a Horizontal skill on two of them. Two of a new breed of Heartless in armor and helmets appeared behind him. A Back Strike skill made short work of one of them. The other raised its claws to strike him. The Beater parried the attack and struck it down with a Vorpal Strike.

A blast of fire sounded behind him and saw the remaining shadow vanish into the flames. When they cleared, he saw a man with brown hair that spiked back and down. He wore a white shirt, black pants with zippers on the sides, a matching black, short-sleeved jacket, black shoes, closed gloves with straps on them, three belts wrapped around each other and secured at his waist, and belts around his left forearm. Around his neck hung a lion pendant on a chain. Resting on his right shoulder and in his right hand was a blade with a revolver's handle, big enough for a sword. His cobalt eyes studied the Keyblade wielder. A scar ran from above his right eyebrow, across his nose and below his left eye. His mouth was drawn in a frown that could be interpreted in many ways.

(End Night of Fate)

"Another straggler. And with a Keyblade," the man commented.

Still tense for any sudden action, Kirito held his blade at the ready. "What do you want?"

The stranger could see that the boy was more serious than he looked. He dismissed his weapon and crossed his arms across his chest. "For the moment, to help. You seem lost. That, and I've never seen you before. Or a wielder like you."

Kirito's face betrayed nothing. "A wielder like me?" What does he mean? Did he know Asuna? Or the other one? "You have a point. Maybe you can point me in the right direction."

"Hmph," the man grunted. He turned around and walked towards the stairs to their right from the center area. "This way. My friends and I will fill you in."

Still wary of any possible threat, Kirito had his weapon in his hand. He followed close behind the swordsman in front of him. Before they could reach the wood door of the house in front of them, a Heartless in armor appeared in front of them.

The stranger summoned his weapon. Before he could engage, however, Kirito had slain it already with a Sonic Leap. Swishing his Oblivion to the right, he turned back around to face the man. His gray eyes had turned green like the light effect that was dissipating from his weapon. When it faded, so did his eyes back to gray.

"What was that?" the swordsman asked the Beater.

Still blank faced, Kirito turned back to the door. "It's better to explain it once."

The man smirked as they began their entrance. He's definitely more experienced than Sora. Maybe we'll be able to get home after all.

(Begin It Began With a Letter)

Leon, as Kirito heard the man introduce himself as (though one of them called him Squall), presented his friends one at a time to Kirito. A blonde haired man with goggles, sticking up hair, as well as some kind of pick in his mouth, small amount of scruff on his chin, a white shirt, blue, baggy pants, white cloth from his shins to below his knees, and black shoes was introduced as Cid. His manner of speech had a different accent from the rest.

Yuffie was the girl in a small, green tank top, her lower torso exposed, small tan shorts, long socks, orange sneakers and gloves, fishnets from her biceps to beneath her gloves, fingers exposed, black hair that bore a black headband with white on the top and bottom. Blue belts were worn around her shorts and over a shoulder each and a yellow scarf was wrapped around her neck.

The woman in the pink dress and an equally pink ribbon in her hair was Aerith. Black ribbon was wrapped around her neck, the ends tied in a bow. Silver bracelets sat on her left forearm. Her green eyes stood out from Yuffie's black, Cids bright blue, and Leon's cobalt ones.

"That's everyone," Leon concluded the introduction of his friends. He turned his and everyone's attention to the boy. "And this is..."

The young man eyed them all carefully. Cid looked a little harsh, but he could just be putting up a facade. Yuffie looked rather impatient, like she was waiting for Leon to get to the point. Aerith seemed patient and kind. She seemed like the type that would pray.

"I'm Kirito," he introduced himself.

Cid sneered. "Why'd ya bring 'im here, Leon?"

"I found him fighting the Heartless. With a Keyblade," the brunette explained.

Yuffie's eyes widened. "No way!"

Aerith put a hand to her mouth. It was as if she was saddened by that fact. "Do you really?"

Cid's jaw dropped. It was astounding how his pick didn't fall out of his mouth.

Leon nodded. "Yes. And a series of special techniques I haven't ever seen before."

"How so?" Yuffie asked, her curiosity peaking.

Kirito turned his head slightly to Leon, then Cid. "Could you both step back?"

Both men stepped to the girls and they all watched the boy. They witnessed him summon the Oblivion from his back as if he had a sword sitting there. Its shape as dark as the aura its summoning emitted. Kirito proceeded to perform his Slant and then his Horizontal skills.

"They're called Sword Skills. In my world, this is how we fought the monsters and creatures to advance to our freedom," the wielder explained.

After that, he relayed everything he'd told Merlin. After he'd finished, Leon put his hand on his left shoulder, looking down at him sympathetically. Yuffie looked shocked once more. Aerith's composure turned sad and clasped her hands together. Cid scrubbed a hand across his chin.

"Ansem's buddy actually did it," the blonde commented.

Kirito's eyes shot to him. "Ansem?"

A dark chuckle escaped Cid's mouth. "He was the lead researcher of the Heartless from our world. Both Ansem and Kayaba were the lead researchers there. Akihiko Kayaba left to study the worlds in order to achieve his dream: to make his own world and control it. Rumors spread that he did it. Others that he didn't."

"We had no way of knowing," Aerith continued.

"Until now," Leon finished. He was now leaning against the wall next to the door. "You came from there. Aincrad, you called it. The Heartless must have gotten to the Keyhole. Another world has fallen to darkness."

Kirito nodded, his face still blank.

(End It Began With a Letter)

"Kayaba mentioned another like me and Asuna. Have you met someone else with a Keyblade?" he asked, gesturing to the weapon resting in his hand at his side.

Leon nodded. "We have. He came from a different world, too. He's just a boy. Younger than you. He's had minuscule amounts of experience in real combat."

"Sora is looking for his friends, as well," Aerith chimed in, "with the help of the King's friends."

"Sora?" Kirito asked. He turned to Cid, Aerith and Yuffie. "And who are these friends and this King?"

"Sora is traveling to the other worlds to find his friends Riku and Kairi," Cid gave his two cents.

Yuffie picked up. "Alongside him are King Mickey's court magician, Donald Duck, and his captain of the guard, Goofy. The King went missing to find out why stars are going out."

Leon re-entered the conversation. "Ansem wrote reports on his findings. We think the King went in search for them. Sora and the others found some parts of it throughout their journey so far. Most of the pages, however, are in the possession of Maleficent."

(Begin Villains of a Sort)

Kirito raised an eyebrow. "We believe her to be the other that is controlling the Heartless, as Kayaba mentioned in his letter to you," Cid explained.

Actually, he's wrong. The other mentioned is a humanoid Heartless as well. According to the description, brief though it may be, not much is known about the other. I will keep that to myself. At least, for now.

Leon's face darkened. "She's the one responsible for destroying our world."

Sympathy crawled into the back of the wielder's mind, but he pushed it back. He needed to focus. "First things first. You say Sora's out there, looking for the King and his friends. What about the Keyholes? More worlds will fall if they aren't shut."

Yuffie spoke up again. "Sora has sealed the Keyholes of two worlds: Deep Jungle and Wonderland."

"But not here?" Kirito asked. Shouldn't he have started here?

"At the time, Sora hadn't known that that was part of his mission. He accidentally sealed it in Wonderland because the Keyblade reacted to it on its own."

Leon explained, "That, and even we don't know where it is. The sooner it's done, though, the safer this world will be. The Heartless will still appear, but they won't be able to consume the world through the Keyhole."

"Well, then, that's step one," Kirito concluded.

(End Villains of a Sort)

"There hasn't been a clue? Rumors?"

Cid rubbed his chin again. "There's a rumor that more Heartless appear in the Second District, near the clock tower and the fountain near the entrance from the First District. Sora was at my shop not too long ago. I asked him to make a delivery for me in the Third District to that loon, Merlin. After that, he said he'd check out the clock tower."

"Then I'll investigate the fountain," the wielder declared. "The Keyblade should just seal the Keyhole on its own, right?"

They all nodded. "Be careful," Leon warned. "The Heartless will do everything they can to stop you."

Kirito headed to the door. "I'll see you later. This shouldn't take too long."

(Begin Where Is This)

A boy with spiky, brown hair and blue eyes looked up at the stars. One looked like it was about to burst.

"Hey, guys! Look!" he called his allies over and pointed up at the night sky of Traverse Town.

"What's wrong?" a dog-like creature in green on two shoed feet asked the boy. An inquisitive quack noise sounded from a duck creature in blue. All three looked at the star.

"Not another one," a croaky voice came from the duck.

The star blinked out at last. Another world was destroyed. "Somebody else's world is gone, too," the boy lamented. A Keyblade with a square guard and cylindrical blade rested in his hand.

Not knowing what else to do except move on, the two animals encouraged their friend to follow. "C'mon, Sora. We hafta deliver that book. Remember?"

The boy perked up again. "Oh! Right. Let's go!"

(End Where Is This)

TBC...

Shocking, isn't it?

I felt like Merlin got a little downplayed, so I thought he'd make a nice addition to Kirito's introduction to the outside world/Traverse Town. Since both Ansem and Kayaba were scientists, I figured they'd both come from the same world.

I deeply apologize for the delay in the release of this chapter. Last month, I took a drastic physical injury that left me on bed rest for two and a half weeks. Coherent thought was a no-go, so this chapters revisions and edits were postponed until I recovered. Again, sorry, but it couldn't be helped.

F7S