The Third Epic: Conclusion

by LordCavendish

The quest of Riku and Sora come to an end. But what price was paid for their sacrifice. A rift between the friends has formed again. How will the two keybearers contend with this turn of events? Is hope lost for them?

4. Confronting His Excellency

Confronting His Excellency

Vandor, the capital city of the Dark Empire, a magnificent site it was with its high walls and fortified defenses. It was at its magnificent gates that Sora and the KH team landed their gummi ship.

"So this is the city of Vandor is it?" Sora uttered. "The very center of the Empire itself."

"Gawrsh." Goofy said. "Looks really inipi…intimi…ipinity…"

"Intimidating." Donald explained.

"That's it."-

Sora took firm grasp of his keyblade.

"Well, guys," Sora uttered, "from here on out, I go in alone." He stepped out of the gummi ship and worked his way to the massive gates of the city.

"Good luck, Sora."-

"Thanks. I've been trusting my luck a lot more than in the old days." Sora waved farewell and continued on his way. He entered the great gates and gazed about at this grand city.

"Are you the boy known as Sora?" a voice said from the entry. Sora looked to see a rather familiar face.

"Vegeta?" he uttered. "What…what are you doing here?"

"Heh, so I take you know that worthless Saiyan do you?" the man said. "He's an abomination to my family blood line. He is my ancestral descendent."

"Your descendent? And who might you be?"-

"I am Lord Exavier Crassus. Lead independent strategist of the Dark Empire and second in command of the Death Lords. His Excellency, Master Arakis, has asked me to meet you here and lead you to where he awaits you."-

"Then please lead the way."-

Crassus and Sora boarded a transport and made their way to the interior of the city. Along the way, Sora spotted a large body of troops marching down the thoroughfare in ranks of twenty. Their columns were long at least two hundred each.

"Soldiers?" Sora uttered. "Where are they going?"

"I'll tell you if you want, though it is of little matter to someone like you." Crassus replied. "For your information, forces of Saiyan warriors have broken through our defenses at the city of Vembria and are threatening to break communication between Gombria and Vandor. Therefore, we are sending out Deltan class mobile droids to the front."

Sora watched as each rank passed by the transport and eventually ended near the close interior. The transport eventually reached a large dome building that seemed to stretch for miles on end. The transport worked its way into the interior of the building and great neck speed. Finally, it came to a halt before a series of lift tubes in the buildings very center.

"This is as far as I go." Crassus uttered. "From now you, you're on your own. What you will do is take one of these lifts to the very bottom floor. Once you reach the lowest level, you go down the southern corridor. Go straight for the room at the very end of that corridor. That is where Lord Arakis will await you."

"Thank you." Sora uttered.

"Don't thank me, kid. After all that you've done to halt the Empire's progress, I have a good mind to kill you myself. However, to defy one of the Three Excellencies would mean an offense punishable by death." Crassus closed the doors and the transporter scurried away and an impressively fast pace.

Sora looked at the tall transparent tube-like structures and couldn't help but stand in awe at the sight before him. He pressed the down button and entered one of the lifts. The lift transported him downward, lower and lower. The place was silent and dark. Only the lights of each level could be seen as the lift descended deeper and deeper into the lowest levels of the city.

Finally, the lift stopped and opened up. Sora walked out and using one of the portable hovercrafts began his trek down the dark southern corridor. There were a series of lights that illuminated the long hall and the hovercraft worked its way down it at a very fast pace. Within a period of at least ten minutes, or so, he eventually made his way to the very last door at the end of the hall. Sora cautiously stepped out and entered through the large double doors. He gazed into to see a path of lights guiding the way. The path of lights seemed to stretch for hundreds of yards. Sora followed them one at a time. But as he stepped under the twelfth light, he heard a voice call out.

"I see that you have finally made it, Sora." The voice uttered.

"Is that you Arakis?" Sora asked.

"Yes, it is I, Sora, the mighty Lord Arakis." The room suddenly illuminated from end to end, revealing a plain, yet very large, room that had been painted white. Sora gazed about and saw Arakis standing not more than fifty yards away from him. "So we finally meet again and perhaps for the last time."

"Before we begin, I would like to know where Riku is! General Kai told me that you'd tell me where he is."-

"I won't hide anything from you, Sora. Riku has been put under the custody of General Ameba."-

"Put under custody? Where at?"-

"I do not know that vital information. I gave the custody privileges to Ameba and I haven't heard anything from him since."-

"Riku…" Sora gazed down at the ground, fearing the fate of his friend.

"But now to the matter at hand." Arakis pulled out his sword, a straight sword. "You've come here to defeat me and rescue your friend Kairi at last am I correct?"

"You should know that by now. What else would I be here for?"-

"No need to be brash now." Arakis fingered the sharpened steel of his blade. "Tell me, Sora, do you know the difference between a bout and a duel?"

"Not that I know of."-

"The difference between a bout and a duel is this. In a bout, the two combatants facing each other may fight with no holds barred. They may use every technique, every skill, every type of strength and cunning they can possibly muster in order to emerge victorious. In other words, total war. However, a duel is slightly different. In a duel there are limitations to what one can do. One must abide by a certain order of rules and laws. Therefore, Sora, I challenge you to a duel!"-

"OK, so you challenged me to a duel, so what are your terms?" Sora asked.

"Simply this." Arakis began to explain. "One, we use only our sword skills and techniques. Two, we can only abide by the use of the present weapons we have. Any hidden weapons used will be a violation of the conduct. Three, there will be no increase in the level of power beyond the five level mark. Four, the use of spells, or any other form of energy attack, whether they are energy waves, or elemental attacks, is strictly prohibited."

"So in other words, we use only our sword skills is that right."-

"Just the use of our blades, nothing more than that. The first one to land ten cuts on his opponent wins."-

"The first one to inflict ten cuts?"-

"Yes, that'll be the limit." Arakis turned about and stood not but ten yards from Sora's reach. "However, there is a consequence."

"What kind of a consequence."-

"If you win, then I shall let you go in peace. You will be allowed to take Kairi with you and you may return home after that. The Empire will no longer interfere with affairs of Destiny Island."-

"And if I lose?"-

"If you lose, then I will kill both you and Kairi. As far as I'm concerned, you two are just costing us money. And useless baggage has no purpose behind these walls."-

"If you try to kill me, then I won't hold back!"-

"Neither would I." Arakis drew his blade in front of him. Sora unleashed his keyblade.

"A keyblade, eh?' Arakis uttered. "I see you've had an upgrade in weaponry."

"You might say that. I'm more comfortable with the keyblade anyway."-

"Really, well let's see if the keyblade can match up with the Imperial fencer."-

The two began to circle on another, watching each other's moves.

Suddenly, Arakis lunged forward and clashed with Sora's keyblade, the two went head to head, clashing at one another. The skill displayed between the two was excellent. Fighting at the same level of strength, both Sora and Arakis were completely equal.

"So this is what if feels like to fight at his level." Arakis uttered. "Quite invigorating to say the least. Perhaps if I were to stay at this level, I might actually learn something from this boy."

It was then that Sora lunged with the keyblade and managed to cut Arakis's sleeve.

"Aha!" Sora shouted. "That's one for me! Nine more to go!"

"Quite impressive." Arakis chuckled. "Quite impressive indeed. However, you only scored one hit so far. You still have nine more to go. And believe me, it's a lot tougher when you're limited to only using specific techniques."

"Well, as far as I can see, I've done pretty well." Sora dodge rolled and struck again from below. He lunged upward and struck at Arakis. Again Arakis dodged too late and Sora managed to cut his other sleeve. "That's two for me! Eight more times and Kairi is well in my hands."

"A hit," Arakis commented, "A very formidable hit. I must admit that you're pretty good."

Sora dodged rolled and dodge rolled and struck again, from behind, slashing at Arakis. Arakis quickly blocked the attack, but the keyblade only cut and grazed his shoulder.

"That's already three down!" Sora chuckled again. "Sora three, Arakis nothing!"

"Very good," Arakis said, "Your skills have improved a great deal."

"Hey wait a minute." Sora uttered. "How come you're not more concerned about this? Are you trying to let me win?"

"Not exactly, I just needed to see how well you deployed your attacks. And you know what they say, information regarding your enemy is highly vital. However, if you want me to show how well I can strike you, then I'll gladly show you how it is done." Arakis suddenly began to spin his blade about like a top. Sora was astounded at what he saw.

"You…you have the ability to twirl your blade in a 360 degree spin using only one hand?" he asked.

"Indeed I can. I can do many things that you haven't even begun to imagine." Arakis suddenly lunged forward with the blade still spinning. He struck at Sora, but the young key bearer only dodged and deflected the sword, knocking it out of its spin. However Arakis gripped the handle tightly and side slashed from behind. Sora dodged as best he could, but the blade sliced across his shoulder and split the leather of his jacket.

"What just happened?" Sora asked.

"That is what I call the windmill thrust." Arakis chuckled. "It's one of the weaker attacks of my arsenal. Though an easy target when spinning, the speed to which it travels causes my opponents to underestimate the strength of the spin and usually add too little, or too much force behind their block. This distortion allows me to quickly grip the handle and transform the spin into a side slash." Arakis lay the blade onto his shoulder. "So the windmill thrust is like a decoy, a shield, and a deceptive attack all rolled into one neat little package. It can be used against head on thrusts and swings and can be turned from a defensive maneuver to an offensive maneuver without any openings."

"Man," Sora uttered as he saw the blood trickled from the wound, "he got me good."

"So the score is now 1 to 3 I think."-

"That was a clever attack, but I'll make sure not to fall for such a strike again."-

"Perhaps, you won't, but then again…" Arakis suddenly attacked again and the two clashed their blades together, "you may never know the outcome when you see the same technique."

"Well, here's a little something for you!" Sora shouted. He lunged forth using his Sonic Blade against the mighty Death Lord. However, Arakis saw the attack coming straight at him.

"Nice try, Sora, but do you really expect something like that to work on me?" Arakis quickly dodged the strike.

"It's not over yet!" Sora shouted. Arakis turned to see Sora rebound with a second strike. Arakis dodged in time again, letting Sora pass harmlessly by. But again Sora retaliated, thrusting a third time.

"Toro, Toro!" Arakis chuckled. "Like a bullfight." Sora passed again and again, at least six times and all six times, Arakis managed to dodge the attack. Finally, Sora tried for the seventh time, but the Imperial had grown tired of the attack. "This is all fun and all, but I'm getting rather bored with this back and forth, Sonic Blade technique."

In the final stride, Arakis leaped straight into the air and lunged downward, with his sword stretched out in front of him. Sora turned to see the blade coming straight at him. He dodged the attack, but the blade had already struck at his side. It cut Sora's side and pierced straight through his jacket. Sora rolled away, his leather jacket being cut from the impact point to the opened front. Blood began to trickle down Sora's side, smearing his white shirt.

"Again, I strike you, Sora." Arakis uttered as he pulled the sword from out of the ground. "That's two hits for me now, one more hit and then we'll be tide at three to three."

"Damn it." Sora uttered. "I'm getting to careless now. I have to focus. Already he's starting to catch up with me. I have to be more careful about how I deploy my attacks." Sora turned to face Arakis again. Arakis, with his hand at his side, stood vigilant.

"Tell me something, Sora." Arakis asked. "Are you always this tense when it comes to fighting?"

"Of course not, but I really don't have time to relax. I have only one chance, just one chance to fight and save Kairi. If I fail, then it's all up for me."-

"Are you afraid of making that one single mistake? You don't concentrate hard enough on the fight because you let a single thought of doubt and judgment enter your mind?"-

"What point are you trying to make?"-

"Only this," Arakis attacked again and struck at Sora's keyblade. Sora blocked and the two began to clash again, "you mustn't allow yourself to harden. Become durable in battle, don't be so uptight."-

"Well, I can't always go into battle like it was a day at the beach."-

Suddenly, Arakis grabbed hold of Sora, punched him in the face with the hilt of his sword and then slid the sword across his chest, cutting his shirt and his delicate skin. Sora backed off, taking off his jacket. He crouched down, his keyblade stretched out in front of him.

"If that's the case," Arakis uttered, "Then you will never know the art of battle."

"All I know about the art of battle is that there are two types of outcomes." Sora explained. "Those who win and those who lose."

"And tell me why there is always a loser?"-

"One must be willing to sacrifice what they have for the sake of, not only the other, but for themselves as well."-

"And that is a sign of weakness?"-

"Of course not!" Sora attacked again, charging head on against his foe. But Arakis was quick to defend and fended off the strike. "Weakness is only when that side decides to abandon their cause!"

"But is doing so a bad thing?"-

"Sometimes, when one side believes that they've suffered enough and that their cause isn't worth the expense of lives; that is when they must make the ultimate sacrifice and surrender, or yield."-

"That may be a well accepted philosophy when it comes to large scale battles that involve people, resources, and a cause, but what of these menial little squabbles between two individuals. There is no one else involved besides the two opposing individuals."-

"The scenario is different, but the concept is the same."-

Sora lunged forward again, side slashing, Arakis dodged the strike, leaping of Sora's head. He landed and behind Sora and side slashed as well. Sora dodge rolled again and leaped towards Arakis at a lung again. But the Imperial only stepped aside, letting Sora pass harmlessly by. The young man leaped back to his feet and crouched down, waiting for Arakis to make his move.

"The concept is the same, that's true. However, the philosophy I'm trying to point out to you still remains to be unseen by you." Arakis attacked full speed. Sora saw the attack and he too lunged forward. The two collided and their blades passed one another. In the end, both warriors were opposite each other. There was a sudden silence between the two.

Just then, Sora grasped at his chest. A second cut had been made.

"You were a little careless back there, weren't you?" Arakis pointed out.

"You should talk." Sora uttered. Arakis looked to see that his left cheek had been cut. He wiped the blood from his face.

"Excellent. You've actually managed to strike me again. However, the score is still tied, four to four."-

"Don't worry. I'll change those odds soon enough."-

"A little overconfident aren't we?"-

"I could say the same about you."-

"Well, I guess you have me there." Arakis tapped the flat side of his blade gently on the surface of his fingers. "However, it appears that the tension is beginning to rise. Your heart has begun to speed up in its beating. The sweat continues to drip down your face. That is either from sheer exhaustion, or perhaps anxiety. Maybe a combination of the two. However if you want to win then you'll have to figure out how not to be so tense."

"That's easy for him to say." Sora thought to himself. "He has all the time in the world, plus he has absolute power on his side. To add, he has even greater fights to worry about. This fight with me is just an exhibition match as far as he's concerned. If he loses, then that's that. He goes away to face another enemy somewhere else and the battle continues all over again. But for me, if I lose, I lose everything, including my life. To add, Riku and Kairi may also be killed because of my loss. Arakis did say that we were taking up space in the Empire."

"Come now, Sora." Arakis said. "Let us continue shall we?"

"He may not have much to worry about, but I do." Sora once again drew up his keyblade. He then attacked again with all his might. "I have so much to fight for, so much to battle for, I can't afford to lose. But can that be helped? Can I prevent myself from losing? But what if I do lose? Then my trek here would have been for nothing."

Suddenly, as Sora went in for another strike, Arakis twisted just to the side and made a side slash to Sora's other side. Sora fell to the ground, his keyblade falling not too far from him. Arakis stood up, his sword at his side.

"You're losing it." Arakis uttered. "If you're not going to take this fight seriously, then you might as well just sit and wait for me to kill you. I have broken our little tie. It is now five to four." Sora stood up again, picking up his keyblade. "Perhaps it was a waste of my time to try and fight you. Riku was right, you are weak."

"What did you say?"-

"I heard it from Riku's own mouth. He said that you were weak and as far I can see I have no right to judge his opinion since he was right all along."-

"Riku actually said I'm weak?"-

"Did I stutter? That's why he left your group. It was because you kept postponing when it came rescuing Kairi, isn't it."-

"No, you're wrong! I wanted to save Kairi more than anyone else! But there were others out there who needed help! There were situations that we couldn't ignore!"-

"You could have just let it all go and not interfere, but you had to meddle in Imperial affairs didn't you! Because of your meddling, I will see you and your friends killed! All of them, including Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, and all your old comrades who fought along side you against the Heartless! If you had decided to maintain your course and fight only the members of the Cavendish Shinobis, then if you had lost today, I would kill only you and your other friends would be allowed to return home in peace. However, after everything that's happened, that is no longer a guarantee."-

"If we had decided not to intervene, then thousands more, if not millions would've had to suffer and die from your onslaught."-

"But what are they to you, Sora? They are just the nameless masses that still resist the might of the Empire?"

"You're wrong, each of those people have a name and their own individual lives. I can remember members of those worlds who had fought and suffered to keep the Empire at bay as best they could. Van Flyheight, Heero Yuy, Quatre Raberba Winner, Kira Yamato, Athrun Zala, Jim Hawkins, Ico, Kenshin Himura, Sanosuke Sagara, Hajime Saito, Kaoru Kamiya, the Oniwaban group, Son Goku, Son Goten, Vegeta, Cuchulain, Lu Xun, Lu Bu, Cloud Strife, Squall Leonheart, Yuffie. They all put their lives on the line in order to prevent the Empire from further expansion!"

"And yet several of those worlds still fell when we retaliated."-

"At least you were deprived of certain elements that would've allowed to gain a strong advantage!"-

"They can easily be compensated for."-

"To you it may be just a job, just a game to expand the boundaries of Imperial territory, but to them and people like me, your game is a matter of life and death, a matter of freedom and enslavement! That is why I can no longer let you get away with this!"-

"But you'll never be able to defeat me when there are so many ideas running through your head. It was because of your continuous dwelling on the situation of your friends that allowed me to break the tie in my favor."-

"Stop your monologues already! They're giving me a headache!"-

"Not as much as your incompetence is."-

"Quiet!" Sora lunged again, attacking with nothing, but his hatred. He attacked head on against Arakis, who was calm and collect when it came to fighting. As best he could, he tried to strike at Arakis with all he had, but the mighty Death Lord easily evaded and blocked his every attack.

"This isn't good." Arakis chuckled. "You're getting emotional."

"You keep your opinions to yourself!" Sora shouted, angrily.

"But in your present state, you cannot hope to defeat me! It's because you're weak! Just as Riku said!" Arakis side slashed again he further cut Sora, this time across the back. Sora stumbled to the ground, now injured with six cuts. The effects of the battle were taking their toll as the blood continued to seep from his wounds. "That's six wounds already, Sora. Three more for me before I make the tenth and final blow."

"I can't afford to lose! Not today!" Sora again attacked wit hall his might and the two went into intense clashing of their blades. It was a spectacle that could not be rivaled. However, despite the effort Sora put into it. Despite his focus on the cause, despite his heart and soul put into this battle, he still could not strike at Arakis.

At that moment, Arakis struck again, cutting his way through Sora inflicting another cut in the process.

"Tsk, tsk, Sora." Arakis uttered. "That's seven already. At this rate, you might never see your friends again."

"But how?" Sora uttered. "How could I go down that easily? I was focused, I had my cause flowing through my mind and heart. I knew what I was fighting for. But how come I'm losing ground? If I lose anymore, it's all over for me. Is it because I'm just not good enough? It is because I'm not as skilled as Arakis?"

"That's not the case at all." Arakis placed his blade on his shoulder and turned to confront Sora. "Your skill and strength are equal to my own right now. Our power levels have remained equal from the start. However, it is the manner of how you are fighting this battle that is allowing you to lose. You are focusing too much on the cause to which you are fighting for. As a result, you think of the 'what ifs' and are starting to question the outcome, or consequences. As a result, your timing and reaction is being thrown off completely."

"But I only have one chance."-

"That's right and as far as I can tell, if you continue conducting yourself in the same manner as you have throughout the entire battle, then that one chance will never be fulfilled."-

"What is it that I'm doing wrong?" But just then, Sora saw Arakis coming straight at him, thrusting his sword in front of him. Sora attempted to block the attack, but though he was able to knock blade of its course, he still received a cut across the forearm. He fell to his knees.

"You might as well enjoy your last few minutes of life." Arakis uttered. "Your downfall is inevitable now. I have already managed to cut you eight times in the duration of the battle. One more cut and then I can go for the kill."

"Is it really over for me?" Sora only lay on his knees. For that instant, he lost all hope, all chances of success. But from out of the corner of his mind, he could hear Riku's voice.

"Giving up already?" the voice cried out. "Come on, Sora, I thought you were stronger than that."

"Riku…" Sora suddenly saw a flash of his past. Off when he and Riku would spar on the beach. They would tumble and brawl, but they didn't care about the outcome of their sparring matches. The reason was because they had fun. To them, sparring was a game, nothing more. Sora could remember every word Riku had uttered that one time, after a critical spar.

"That was a real work out wouldn't you say, Sora?" Riku uttered.

"You were really tough." Sora replied.

"Well, you weren't much of a pushover I can tell you that."-

"Tell me, Riku, how would you act if this were a real fight?"-

"If this were a real fight, then the possibilities are endless. The only difference in a real fight is that you are fighting for a cause and most importantly, you life. But despite this, you must always remember,r Sora. Whether it is a fight for life and death, or just a practice spar, the main thing is that it's still a game. And when it comes to a game, you must always remember that you win some you lose some."

"You win some, you lose some." Sora uttered. "Could it really be that simple?"

"Sora," Arakis said, "I know that you've lost all hope, but please don't let it end in shame."

Suddenly Sora stood up and turned to face Arakis. But instead of dissent, Sora had a smile streaked across his face.

"It isn't over yet."-

"I see. You've lost all hope so now you'll freelance it. The best way to go I think."-

Arakis and Sora clashed their blades again and went into sudden hand to hand combat. The clashing lasted for ten minutes. But with one fatal swoop, Sora dodge rolled passed Arakis and cut him at the leg. Arakis, shocked at the outcome, gazed down to see his pant leg had been severed.

"I think the score is now five to eight."-

"How did he do that?" Arakis thought to himself. "Could it be that he's somehow managed to grasp the true art of battle?"

Arakis went on the offensive again and the two clashed for a further five minutes, their blades never blind to seeing an opening. But once again, Sora found a weak spot and lunged his keyblade. The keyblade severed the red chevrons of Arakis's left arm.

"That's six to eight now." said Sora. "It seems that I'm catching up."

"I take it by this sudden turn of events and this boost of confidence that you have found the meaning of battle." Arakis uttered.

"I sure did. To me, this fight is just like one of the old sparring matches Riku and I used to have on the beach."-

"Excellent. Then you have really found the essence of battle! Then, let us enjoy our little match!"

Again the two clashed with all their hearts, striking, evading, lunging, rolling, dodging, blocking. The way their conducted their blades was perfect. Barely any openings were visible. Sora suddenly leaped over Arakis's head and slashed at him from behind. Arakis turned in the nick of time, but he had suffered yet another cut on his right shoulder blade. Sora now scored seven to eight. Arakis again attacked and the two fought fiercely with their blades causing sparks. Keyblade and Imperial fencer taking in blows to each other, but not to the users wielding them.

"Sora's mind is free of fault and doubt." Arakis said to himself. "Now, he is perfect."

Sora struck again, lunging his blade at Arakis and cutting him at the side. The score was now eight to eight and a tie was reestablished.

"Looks like I finally caught up with you." Sora chuckled.

"You certainly did, my boy."-

"However, I can't stay here and play all day with you. I still have friends to save."-

"Careful, Sora, don't let your emotions get the best of you again."-

"From here on out though, Arakis, I'm winging it!" Suddenly Sora threw his keyblade. The keyblade spun around and flew towards Arakis. The Death Lord only dodged the attack.

"Well, that was a stupid move." Arakis uttered. "Why throw your weapon away when the fight hasn't ended."

"Who said that I threw it away?" Arakis suddenly heard a fluttering sound approaching him. He turned to see the keyblade coming straight at him. He dodged in the nick of time, but the fluttering blade severed him across the chest, cutting the shoulder strap in two and severing his frock. Arakis glared at Sora.

"The tie has been broken again." Sora uttered. "Nine to eight in my favor."

"That was a clever little trick." Arakis said. "But then again, so is this!"

Arakis threw his sword before Sora. Suddenly, the blade of his sword shot out of its hilt. Sora say the blade some straight at him. He drew his head to the side, letting the blade pass harmlessly by.

"That same trick won't work on me." Sora said.

"Don't think it's over!" Arakis jerked back the blade, which was attacked to a nylon chord. The blade then, cut deep into Sora's right cheek. Arakis retracted the blade back into its hilt. "Correction, the tie his still on, nine to nine." Arakis crouched down, his sword placed to his side. "Now I can finish you off with my infamous Bullet Lunge. This attack will be able to pierce straight through your chest and exit out the other side."

"He's serious this time." Sora uttered. "This time he really means to finish me off."

"We end this now! No tricks, no surprises. Simply a duel of whose sword technique will endure the best."-

"A lunging technique, eh?" Sora uttered. "I guess Arakis means to finish this little duel of ours with a contest of strength. To see which one of us will remain standing in the end. I must somehow strike before he does." Sora took his stance, the stance of Battoujutsu, which had learned from Kenshin Himura. "There is only one attack I know that is swift and powerful enough to strike just before an enemy's"

"A swift draw stance." Arakis uttered. "It seems that Sora plans to attempt to strike me before I get the chance to strike him. Well, luckily, I know how to counter such an attack." Arakis crouched down even more. He suddenly lunged forward with great neck speed.

"Here he comes." The two drew nearer and nearer until within less than three seconds, the two were on top of each other. Without hesitation, Sora deployed his keyblade from its rear guard position and struck, but Arakis only managed to see the attack and parried it. The lock of their blades grew intense with every second, until finally, Arakis broke Sora's attack. He then drew his sword above his head, ready to bring down the final blow.

But as he prepared to deliver his blow, Arakis suddenly saw that he was being drawn closer to Sora.

"What's this? I'm being drawn towards Sora?" Arakis thought. "Is he using excess energy? No, his battle strength is still at equal level to my own." Arakis was drawn closer in. "But how? It must be the air that's being drawn to him. The force behind his swing must've been so powerful, the air around us must've been distorted and was blown away from the area. However, the timing was delayed due to my parry. But as a result, the air is retracting and dragging in everything with it. Could this be…" Arakis drew his sword before him. "The only way to counter such an attack is to strike Sora before he gets the chance to strike me!"

However, Arakis's counterstrike came at equal time to Sora's own counterstrike. He spun at a 360 degree turn and struck at Arakis. Arakis, however, thrust out his own sword to cut Sora at the shoulder. There was bright flash of light that accumulated when the two clashed. As the light faded, Arakis and Sora stood in their final poses. Arakis thrusting his blade straight forward while Sora was caught in side slash pose.

Then, after a period of ten seconds, Arakis collapsed to the ground. A massive sword cut was streaked across the front of his frock. However, Sora didn't emerge unscathed either. He had emerged with a small cut on his arm.

"Damn." Sora uttered. "It was still a tie."

"No it wasn't." Arakis uttered. He stood up to reveal that the attack had not broken his skin. "If I hadn't been wearing this reinforced frock, I might have died. So the outcome was more than you yourself had expected, Sora. Tell me what the name of that attack was?"

"It was an attack that I learned from Kenshin Himura in the 'Rurouni Realm.' It's called the Amakakeru ryu no Hirameki."-

"The reason why I asked is because that attack is similar to the Imperial Spin, which I developed years ago. I just never held it in high esteem because it has been rendered obsolete. However, fighting at your level has proven to me that an attack like that still has a lot of power." Arakis pulled out an info disk from his inside pocket. "And as I have promised, here you are. The information disk will act as your guide in case you forget my words." Arakis pointed and directed. "You must return to the main level then you take the passage to western observatory. Go to the fifteenth floor and travel down the east wing corridor, until you reach the end. After, you take a right and look for room #372. That is where you will find Kairi. After all the hardships you've gone through, you more than deserve your rewards."

"Thank you." Sora took the info disk and began his way out. He suddenly turned. "Wait though. Are you just going to let me go even after everything I've done to stop the Empire's expansion?"

"All you did was delay our progress, nothing more. Even though you eliminated the seven most power ninjas ever known, you are still practically invisible to the eyes of the Empire's Imperial elites. However, I find you to be a rather interesting young man. Thus, because you have proven your gallantry and your determination, I allow you and your friends to return home. And you have my holy oath that the Destiny Islands will never be penetrated by Imperial forces ever again." Arakis turned his back. "Now go. Kairi longs to see you."

"I won't forget this." Sora then turned and began his way down the corridor, leaving Arakis in the room.

"So now it is finished, on my part anyway." Arakis cleaned his blade of Sora's blood and sheathed it back into its scabbard. "Sora's on his own now. And this time, there is nothing that'll shield him and his friends from the Imperial threat."