Happy Belated New Year! We are continuing on with the story. If you haven't already, check out Shaylex-Cosplay's story A New Destiny, most of this chapter is based off of her story.
Now on with the show!
Tenebrae opened a portal into a new world. He had followed what mana he could and was surprised to find it was a world between Realms. The black streets and buildings had some interesting architecture. It looked more futuristic compared to Daybreak Town. But there was more to it than that.
Tenebrae looked up and saw a white floating castle. And behind it was a… heart-shaped moon!?
'That can't be!' Tenebrae was shocked. The feeling was new, but the power was unmistakable. 'Kingdom Hearts!?'
The heart-shaped moon was different though. There was a darkness to it.
"I guess that is why Shaylex mentioned slaying Heartless. But Kingdom Hearts needs a special Key to be unlocked. So, what it that?"
Tenebrae walked through the streets. As he did, he cut through any Heartless that dared to approach. Weak they may have been, but many as well. There was almost no end to them, and Tenebrae loved it.
After he had a warm-up, he proceeded to the castle. 'That was where Shaylex had asked to meet. I'm not to enter, but still, why do I feel dread from this?' Tenebrae made it to the cliff that separated the city from the castle. He had no way of getting across.
Tenebrae looked up at the castle. There was a symbol on the largest pillar. It looked to be an upside-down white heart, with a four-pronged star connected to it. Tenebrae didn't recall every seeing a symbol like it before. He was able to connect the dots when he saw Shaylex step out of a corridor of Darkness. 'Could be a symbol like the Heartless. But for Nobodies?'
"Good morning." Shaylex said.
"Morning," Tenebrae nodded. "What is this mission for today?"
"We are going to a world called Agrabah," Shaylex explained. "It's a world covered in sand and heat. Your clothes don't seem to be suited for it."
"I'll be fine," Tenebrae said nonchalantly. "My clothes are unique. They link to my mana and I'm able to regulate my temperature."
"That's almost like my cloak," Shaylex smiled. "Then I guess we should get going."
Shaylex opened a corridor behind him. Tenebrae turned and walked into it, Shaylex following behind him. This corridor was different than what he was normally used to. Instead of near instant transport, the pair was walking down what seemed to be a hallway. The same symbol from before was there, many copies of it rotated around them.
"Follow me. We need to keep moving before we get ejected," Shaylex said, before moving to the other end of the hallway.
Tenebrae followed behind. When the two exited through another corridor, Tenebrae was unprepared. A large gust of heated wind and sand nearly knocked him off his feet. He quickly pilled on his goggles to stop the sand from stinging.
"Alright. The mission is to collect hearts within the city," Shaylex said, "I teleported us out here to avoid suspicion. But the Heartless will be flashy regardless."
"Alright then, let's proceed." Tenebrae felt like he was back in Daybreak Town. It was like was back with his Union, doing group missions. He suppressed the memory as he followed Shaylex into the city.
The giant stone walls lead into what seemed to be an entry point. There were some stalls and storage areas. Another walled gate seemed to separate it and the market. A large mound of sand was off to the side. Many scaffoldings could be seen as well.
As soon as the pair entered the city, they were met with Heartless. Shaylex summoned her Keyblade and charged at the ones on the ground. Tenebrae ran for the mound to attack the ones above. They made quick work of the Heartless, with Tenebrae's bloodlust almost peaking.
When the Heartless in the area was defeated, Tenebrae looked down from his perch. "Looks like we can both proceed from our levels," he called down. When Shaylex looked up at him, he continued, "I can see a doorway to go through. I'll go on up here, can you take care of the ones on the ground?"
"I can do more than that," Shaylex said with a smirk. "Don't fall too far behind." She then proceeded through the gate to the market.
Tenebrae jumped onto another roof and proceeded through the doorway. He saw Shaylex surrounded by Heartless below and got ready to intervene. A presence behind him made him dive forward as a group of Heartless surrounded him. "I guess it's playtime."'
Tenebrae relished in the fight. He cut through the Heartless and was able to quell his bloodlust. It was good of to help the Nobody. He did want to know how Shaylex made her corridors, it might be able to help with his recharge issue.
When the last of the Heartless was slain, he looked over to Shaylex and saw her finish up as well. More Heartless seemed to be appearing, so he jumped down to provide backup. Back to back, the two Wielders finished off the Heartless in the area.
"They are getting stronger." Tenebrae was breathing heavily.
"Yeah, and more seem to be appearing than usual. I think Maleficent is almost ready with her plan." Shaylex seemed to be going over information she had, not really talking directly to him. Tenebrae listened anyway. "But from what Riku was saying yesterday, they're still searching for one or more of their pure hearts. From what I can gather, they already have 3 confirmed. Alice, Jasmine, and Belle. It is a possibility that Kairi could be one, because of her current situation."
'Hearts of pure light?'Teenbrae thought. 'Could it be?'
"What is her current situation, if you don't mind me asking?" he said aloud.
Shaylex looked at him. He saw something in her eyes as she did. "Kairi lost her heart, the day the islands were destroyed, just like me. But her Nobody was never created. Her body became an empty, lifeless shell. When I saw her yesterday, I felt her body, and there was not a touch of Darkness. Just pure Light. Hence why she is not a Nobody like me." Some of Shaylex's information seemed to be second-hand.
But it still sounded like what he knew. "If that's the case, does that make her a Princess of Heart?" Tenebrae deduced.
Shaylex looked confused. Looking at him, she asked, "Princess of Heart?"
Tenebrae tried to recall the information. "Yeah, it's a tale heard years ago. 7 girls, pure of heart, completely untouched by Darkness, are chosen to become the Princesses of Heart. Their task, keeping the balance of Light in check. To keep it from going out." This was information he never thought would come in handy. "I read about it in a library, when I was beginning my studies into the Darkness."
Shaylex rested a hand on her chin, thinking. "Makes sense. But why would Kairi be chosen?"
Tenebrae rested Kingdom Key D on his shoulder. "You know her better than I do."
"Hmm. She came to the islands when she was 5, the night of a meteor shower. Something must have happened to her home world and the Light protected her."
'A meteor shower? Could that be the same as the star going out a while ago?' Tenebrae thought.
Out loud he said, "Quite possibly. But what was the old World?"
Shaylex's answer didn't help. "She doesn't remember her past at all. Similar to me."
An idea came to mind. "Well there's only one place that might have answers. Traverse town. I've been there a few times and a lot of people go there to start new lives after…" Tenebrae realized the next phrase was a red flag. Shaylex had witnessed it herself.
"Their worlds are destroyed," Shaylex finished the thought. She seemed at ease saying it. "I know, I've been there. It's where I found Sora and Riku the first time after the Islands were destroyed. It wasn't a good reunion." That thought seemed to put her in a bad mood.
"So, there must be someone there who could help us out, right?" Tenebrae asked. He knew better than to pry.
"Could be. Okay, then once we are done here, we'll go to Traverse Town." Shaylex said.
Tenebrae nodded as Shaylex took the lead. They fought some more Heartless in another area close to a large gate. When Shaylex said they collected enough hearts, she opened a corridor. The pair stepped through into Traverse Town.
Their destination was different than normal. They appeared in a plaza of sorts, in front od a fountain that depicted a pair of dogs. Three ramps could be seen; two continuing to an area behind the fountain, the last one leading to another direction. A large door, with the number 1 was in front of them.
'The Third District?' Tenebrae thought.
"Maybe it's best if we split up," Shaylex suggested. "We can cover more ground that way."
Tenebrae nodded. He headed up the ramp towards the Second District. He looked back and saw Shaylex walk through the gate of the First District.
Tenebrae went through his own door. The alleyway was as inviting as usual. Heartless spawned everywhere he walked. He struck them down with ease. Having sated his battle hunger, these Heartless were more annoying than normal.
Tenebrae felt a shift in power here. It became a bit more apparent with the information Shaylex gave him. But maybe that could work in his favor. He needed a way to get out of the Realm of Darkness, with little side effect. What if this Maleficent had a means to do so?
Tenebrae felt some presences, non-Heartless for once, and jumped to a higher ledge. He was able to make it to the roof of a nearby building, when he saw a small group leave the hotel. There were three individuals; a young man with long brown hair, a young woman with brown hair in a braid, and a young girl with short black hair. The three of them went down the alleyway toward the Third District.
'Those three look important,' Tenebrae thought as the trio went through the door. He waited a few minutes before jumping into the alleyway. He followed them but tried to keep is mana down. He noticed them go into a house as he entered the Third District. 'There you are.'
Tenebrae leaned against the wall of the building. He wanted to get a good earful, without looking suspicious.
"I can't believe it! We get our home back!" This voice sounded energetic, young and feminine.
"Yes, after so many years," this voice was also feminine but more soothing "I wonder if we will be able to rebuild?"
"We have to. Hollow bastion can't stay as it is." This voice was masculine, sounding both tired and determined. "And if Sora can defeat Maleficent, it will make everything better. Once that happens, we can return to our home."
'Maleficent?' Tenebrae thought, 'That was the name Shaylex mentioned was behind this. And Sora, where have I heard that name before? Either way, this news is interesting. I should look around some more.'
Tenebrae moved from his spot and went back to the Second District. He walked through the alleyway and came to an open path. He looked towards a mural and noticed something; the feeling of a Heart. There was a barrier protecting it though. A barrier that felt like a lock.
'I know all things have hearts, even worlds,' Tenebrae thought. 'Could this have been a safety precaution? But by whom?'
Tenebrae ascended a staircase that lead to another level. Walking in front of a giant gate, he walked towards the nearest building. The building seemed to be a hotel of sorts. Going inside, he noticed a few doors and a desk. No one was around and there didn't seem to be anything worth exploring. He cut through some Heartless as he left.
Tenebrae decided it would be best to leave the hotel. When exited, he saw Shaylex running up to him. She seemed to have a relieved smile on her face.
"I found out where Sora is heading! A world called Hollow Bastion." Shaylex said happily.
'Sora? The same name from earlier. Shaylex knows him?'
Tenebrae nodded before he spoke. "Yeah, I overheard some people talking in a house in the Third District about Hollow Bastion. That's apparently where Maleficent is."
Shaylex had a determined look on her face. She nodded before saying, "I know where I'm going next. Hollow Bastion. Time to kick the crap out of Riku." She threw a fist up in the air. Tenebrae couldn't help but nod at her enthusiasm.
That enthusiasm seemed to fade when a corridor appeared. Out of it stepped a tall man. He was dressed in a coat like Shaylex. His long red hair looked almost like a mane. His green eyes looked at Shaylex with urgency. The purple triangles under his eyes made them pop.
"Shaylex. You're needed back at the castle. Urgetnly…" the tall man seemed to notice Tenebrae standing beside her. "Oh, I didn't realize you made a friend."
"Axel, his name is Tenebrae." Shaylex explained. "He is a Wielder, like me. We're only working together to collect more hearts. I've been trying to find out where Maleficent is hiding."
"That's why you're needed back at the castle," Axel said, "Xemnas wants to speak to everyone. Come on Shaylex." He pointed to the corridor that had not vanished.
"Okay." Turning to Tenebrae, Shaylex said, "Sorry Tenebrae. But if Xemnas has called a meeting, then it's serious."
He nodded to her. Tenebrae remembered meeting with Master Ira. "I Understand. Go, I'll be waiting for you though."
He watched as the two Nobodies went through the corridor. 'With the name Xemnas, that makes 4. Can 13 mean the number of people in their ranks? If so, could that have a correlation to the 7 Princesses of Heart? And what of the Kingdom Hearts copy in her world?'
More questions and not enough answers. Tenebrae was getting nowhere. Shaylex was guarded and that was fine. He had been like that too. And she was strong enough to handle herself.
"Not much I can do," Tenebrae said as he walked to the First District. He walked past a blond man with a toothpick in his mouth. "I have no need to go to Hollow Bastion. But if the Princesses of Heart are there, then what could it mean. They only house the Light so it can live on."
Tenebrae went to the cafe and sat down. He ordered a drink and some snacks.
'Going to the Hollow Bastion is a bad idea anyway. Even without including Shaylex, there are too many individuals going there for some reason. 'He thought as he had his snack. 'Maleficent, Sora, Riku, that trio That already has signs for a big battle. And the Organization itself, do they plan to do anything? Shaylex did find the information after all. It could be of use to them.'
Tenebrae finished his snack and paid. He left through the large gates and headed back to the Realm of Darkness. -
And here we are. This chapter was easier since I had a base to work on thanks to Shaylex-Cosplay. And let's just say that after this chapter, things will be getting weirder for Tenebrae.
Unitl next time!
