Chapter LIII: Dawn of the End

Ushio arrived at the town's center as the others began to converge on their location.

"It looks like we've handled it." Riku spoke. "However, the Neo Seekers got away."

"Do we know where they went?" Sora asked.

A moment of silence fell over the group before it was broken.

"I might know where." Mickey spoke up.

"You do?" Ushio asked.

"Master Yen Sid was keeping tabs on them all this time. Before we arrived here, I spoke to him. By the best of his abilities, he believes he found a place they would frequently travel to."

"Where is this, Mickey?" Aqua questioned.

"You all might not like the answer." he said.

—

Waves crashed against the beach as an unnatural stillness filled the air. The moonlight shone down as seven made their way across the dark shoreline. Wanting to make sure the Neo Seekers didn't return to cause more trouble, Donald and Goofy elected to stay behind and defend Radiant Garden.

Ushio looked around her surroundings. Strange rock formations jutted out everywhere. A weird glow emanated from cracks in the formations.

"So this is the realm of darkness." Ushio muttered.

"It's…something being back her." Aqua commented.

"They should be around here somewhere." stated Mickey.

"That we are." Aster's voice called out. The crimson haired man stood atop a rocky outcrop. "We warned a few of you that you shouldn't follow us. I believe that message should have gotten through. Now, you need to be punished."

With a snap of his fingers, the ground beneath the seven began to sink. Inky darkness licked at them as they found themselves sinking deeper and deeper.

"Have fun dealing with your new paths."

—

Blackness filled Ushio's vision until she managed to open her eyes. A gentle wind blew as a full moon shone down on her. Flowers surrounded her on all sides. Getting up, she noted she was alone.

•[Midnight Garden]•

Walking through the flowery field, the girl felt the uncomfortable silence. She continued walking, the field spreading into the horizon. Reaching a flower-less path, Ushio took the dirt road. Onward, she walked before coming across a figure in a familiar black cloak.

"So you're the one who ended up here." the older gentleman spoke. "Truly this is an interesting place."

"Where are the others?" Ushio asked.

"Scattered throughout the place." Genex responded before continuing his speech. "Now this place has intrigued us all. Hidden deep in the realm of darkness, yet all these flowers bloom. A hidden sanctuary in this dark landscape. Even the Heartless seem hesitant to come here."

Genex bent down, taking a flower between his fingers.

"Such light in the dark. This place has only furthered my questions of the heart. Complexities like these exist within others. Yet, you've seen that it's not just people like us. The worlds contain many beings that possess them too. Animals, robots, even digital coding in games."

"What's this got to do with everything you've been doing?" Ushio spat back.

"Isn't it obvious?" Genex asked. "This is what I've personally been seeking. The truths of the heart begin to reveal themselves when things are pushed. Without conflict, you cannot grow as a person. What the others Neo Seekers want is none of my concern. Their need for such actions to be enacted has provided me with much data in the matter. Ultimately, this is why we came together. And now, my research is progressing swimmingly."

The grey haired man tossed the flower aside as he stared at Ushio. He pointed directly at her as long needles appeared around him.

"However, I was tasked with eliminating anyone that came after us. I suppose your defeat could prove educational in a manner."

Ushio summoned her Keyblade, getting into a fighting stance. She knew there'd be no talking it out.

—

A solitary cloaked figure walked along the shoreline. They had silently observed as the seven before had arrived at the place. Yet, the figure had not intervened. Things were starting to fall into place. Soon enough, the time would fall.

Deciding it was time, they'd shed the black cloak when they met the person they needed to. While they knew they couldn't reveal everything yet, things could come to light.

They sat on a rocky formation as they faced the ocean. A moment of reflection, that was all. Knowing they couldn't stay long, they took the time to watch the waves. Soon, things would heat up.