The Journey of One

Chapter VI

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Location: Neverland

            This time, I never lost my consciousness.  The light dissipated around me, and a world formed itself.  I stood on a pirate ship in the middle of a vast, moonlit ocean where the million-star sky was perfectly reflected on its surface.  The wind howled through the black, sails carrying the ship gently through the water.  The deck was silent and the wooden barrels, tables, chairs stood vacant.  I decided to go inside to see if anyone was there and headed through the doorway.  Quickly ducking my head inside, I saw that there was no one here also.  I returned outside where this time, the Heartless were fighting against Sora's group – in midair!  I was startled at first, but I soon realized that this world somehow enabled flight for not only Sora and the Heartless, but for me as well. 

After sensing this world's heart I came to understand this and the fact that there was no Princess of Heart here.  I quickly flew just inside the doorway continuing to observe the battle.  I noticed that Sora, Goofy and Donald were accompanied by a fourth fighter again, but it was not Aladdin.  It was an orange-haired boy with slightly pointed ears and a forest green outfit with brown shoes.  Flying around him was a small fairy-like creature, glowing a bright yellowish color.  But those two being there made no difference, seeing how the vastly outnumbered group was once again being pushed down onto the deck.  Sora and the others had slain countless Heartless in this world alone by now, yet they were still losing the battle and continued to be pushed further into the ship and closer to me.  When I realized that I was in their path of retreat, it was too late.  Sora had already noticed me and again slashed me into oblivion with the Keyblade.

            I had grown accustomed to this disintegration sensation that had ensued after every time the Keyblade touched me, but that did not change the fact that it was mind-blowing.  Again, the world vanished around me and the piercing brightness consumed everything.  Innumerable flashes went through my mind as the emptiness slowly filled my surroundings.  The shadow had not even appeared yet, but its voice spoke: "Do you realize that you did not use your senses in Neverland just now?"

            I was puzzled with this revelation.  "You're right… I didn't.  Why did I forget?"

            "You didn't forget, One.  You decided against it.  You decided against it because you are trying not to become a Heartless."

            "What are you talking about?"

            "Eh?  You didn't… that's odd."

Remembering those strange visions, I asked it: "What is it that I see when I come here?"

             "Those are premonitions, One.  You are catching glimpses of things to come."

            "I can see the future?"

            "No one can see past the choices they make.  Since what you see has not happened yet, you cannot understand them.  But fate— or destiny has already laid the path that you walk now."

            "I see… and what of the 'Heartless?'  What is there goal?  I thought that we—they, were meant to find the Princesses of Heart and return to Kingdom Hearts?"

            It paused for a moment, and then answered: "One, it is time you know what the Heartless are.  First you must understand this: there are four realms that make up everything.  First is the Realm of Existence.  This is the place where you have traveled through all this time.  Wonderland, Deep Jungle, Monstro, Atlantica, Agrabah – these are all worlds that lie in the Realm of Existence.  Then there is the forgotten world, the world of emptiness, the Realm of Non-Existence.  This is the place you are in now.  And there is also the World of Light and finally the World of Darkness.  This dark realm is the cause for the Heartless and simultaneously what the Heartless are.  They are mere creatures, figments of the dark world's shadow.  In other words, they are heartless, mindless bodies made entirely out of pure darkness."

            I took a few moments to absorb all that information, and then replied: "And what-"

            "This is the extent of knowledge necessary for you to have.  Now you must go, One."

            "No!  I'm not finished!  Tell me what I am!"

            "One, we haven't much time.  You must—"

            "Answer me!"

            Silence settled for several moments before he finally answered me: "One, you are 'special.'  You are something… that is beyond comprehension.  You're existence defies all rules of existence and all laws of non-existence.  You are inexplicable and worse, equal to and greater than everything.  There is… nothing more that can be said about you.  Just remember, One: you are not complete.  You do not fully 'exist' yet.  But soon you will—"

            Before It finished, I fell out of the emptiness pondering Its words.  It had said that I was an existence that defied, was greater than, less than and equal to everything.  Once again I was met with shock as the truth settled in.  And once again, I transformed.  My turban became a bandanna and an eye patch, my scimitar became a long sword, and my long boots became shoes.  The ever-stronger urge inside me grew even more from this reality and I could feel my consciousness being altered from it.  Something was definitely changing, and it was changing fast.