Author's Note:

(Well! As promised, here's the next chapter of "By Which We Fight." I'm sorry to have left you in such a cliffhanger, but I'll bet you'd already guessed what would've happened next.

As stated before, Griff, Tasha, and the Isle of Reanai are of my creation, but you have my permission to use them in your own fics. I do not claim the rights to Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy, or any other Squaresoft game. Enjoy!)

Chapter Two

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So bright….shadows…Tasha, running toward me…Tasha…

"Tasha!"

Griff's eyes snapped open, exposing a clear, blue sky to his field of vision, and he bolted upright. What he saw next defied all principles of logic in his mind. Towering directly in front of him was a castle built from stones of the purest white. He had read about castles, but had never seen one in person. Looking around him, he saw that he was in a type of garden, with hedge sculptures and various flower beds arranged in odd shapes that he didn't recognize. Reaching down with his right hand, he was relieved to find that his swallow lay on the ground next to him. Picking it up, he stood and dusted himself off. Sand caked the surface of his jeans, and his white t-shirt was in about the same condition, with the added décor of rips and tears.

Great…

"Oh? And who might you be?"

Griff turned around, bringing his weapon up, ready for battle. He immediately lowered it when he saw a female duck, wearing a dazzling pink dress, with lace frills on the collar and cuffs. "Oh, I'm sorry," the duck continued. "I didn't mean to startle you." Griff held his weapon ready, just in case. The way he saw it, ducks weren't supposed to talk, or wear clothes. The duck gazed at him with bright blue eyes. "My name is Daisy," she said. "I'm Gideon Lombardi," Griff answered with a bit of hesitancy, "but people call me Griff."

"And I am the queen, Minnie," came a new voice. Griff looked toward the castle gates and saw a mouse dressed in an elegant white gown, with frills located in about the same places as the duck's dress. "Might I ask how you arrived here?" she asked, walking slowly toward them. Griff shook his head, looking at the ground as he spoke. "I'd like to know that myself. I can remember a storm, and then these shadows started to appear…"

"Shadows?!" Daisy exclaimed. She turned to Minnie. "Your Highness, do you think…?" Minnie nodded and made a gesture for Daisy to settle down a bit. Turning back to Griff, Minnie spoke softly. "We're sorry. Please continue."

"It was a strange storm," Griff went on. "I had never seen one like it in all my life. Sure, there was thunder and lightning, but there was no wind or rain. These shadow-things just started sprouting from the ground and attacked me and my girlfriend, Tasha. They attacked her father, too. They jumped on him, and a red light came from his chest, then disappeared. He went limp after that. I tried to escape with Tasha on one of our boats, but a really big shadow stopped us. It attacked, and all I remember was a bright light as it struck the ground, and Tasha running…" he trailed off, remembering it clearly. He looked back up at Minnie and Daisy. "Please tell me I'm not the only one you've seen today."

Minnie shook her head solemnly. "I do not know what happened to Tasha, but as for what you saw, I'm afraid your world was destroyed." Griff shook his head vigorously, unable to take any of it in. "What?! What are you saying?" Daisy took a step forward. "It is just as she says. Your world was invaded by creatures called the 'Heartless.' Tasha's father was unfortunate enough to have had his heart devoured. That was the light you saw above him. We had believed the Heartless were all but destroyed three years ago." Griff narrowed his eyes. "Well, obviously, somebody missed some," he said, squeezing the grip on his swallow. "Tasha…" he whispered. Daisy looked at her queen, who nodded, having heard him also. "If you're intent on finding her," the queen began, "then we may be able to help." Griff looked up at them, his face growing hopeful. "Are you sure?" he asked, easing his grip on his weapon. "Of course," said Daisy. "This way, please." Minnie led the way into the castle, followed by Daisy. Griff looked around himself at the skillful stonework that must have taken years to master. There were beautiful murals engraved into the walls as they passed. One depicted a battle between a dragon and a gallant knight, wielding only a broadsword. Another told the story of a shadow covering the land, its inhabitants running in fear, chased by creatures with features similar to those which he himself had fought. Daisy turned to face Griff. "Don't fall behind, Griff," she said with a smile. Griff quickened his pace, and followed them into the castle.

From high above, crouched on the roof of a parapet, a figure watched them leave. His spiky, blonde hair remained motionless, despite the breeze. His cloak, however, rode the air currents like a kite. The metal buckles on the numerous straps adorning his clothing glinted in the sunlight, as did the claw on his left hand.

So he's the one…..

Without a sound, the figure moved away from the parapet, and prepared for his own journey.

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(Okay. Chapter 2 finished. I'm sorry it wasn't as long as the first, but it's time for bed right now, and I have to make up all the sleep I've been missing due to waking up at 5 in the mornings for school…::grumble, grumble:: _o I plan to have the next chapter done and posted by tomorrow night, where we will find out where Griff is being taken, and ::small fanfare:: what happened to Tasha! I will also plan to update every other day, starting Saturday. So, until next time!)