Chapter 2

When Cold Rains Fall

It was odd, something completely unexpected by Eoxodem. Rain in the City of Darkness. The World that Never Was… It was dark, something he had never caught a true glimpse of. Xehanort and I will destroy it all. Kurix…Xa'kiir… He didn't need them for this battle. This would be the final battle of the Keyblade Wars, and they would only stand in the way of the true goal. They have yet to know my name, the name of a fellow Chaser, Xehanort's warriors.

Beneath Eoxodem, countless beasts of the night lay in pain. The Heartless cannot take this? Fine. One clap and the rain dissipated immediately, leaving a foreboding black sky. Soon, even pain will be meaningless to them. As Eoxodem stood at the edge of Memory's Skyscraper, he began to think about something that had plagued his mind over the last day.

If Xehanort has the kind of power to control something as amazing as pure Emptiness, he could easily turn on all three of us. Kurix and Xa'kiir would surely come to me; they must know that I am their superior. Keyblades in hand, Xehanort would fall to them. And his power would be mine for the taking.

The same one was here as well. The King told me to watch him in particular. What is so special about him? The Man in the Gray Coat crouched beneath a building's tarp to take refuge from the rain. He had been searching Eoxodem's mind for the past hour, just waiting for something important to pass through. This is what he needed to hear. So they think the Keyblade Wars are still raging? And then there had been something about Xehanort. He really is alive. If Xehanort was still alive, then that meant that Emptiness was no longer safe. The King must be informed. And if Emptiness was unsafe, the worlds were surely on the brink of destruction. Sora and Riku…they must be summoned to this place.

The constant breaking of his mind was irritating Eoxodem. You won't escape me this time, Tronahex. Scanning the ground, he quickly clapped, resulting in a mass amount of lightning forking through the clouds above, lighting up the ground like a flare. But first to find you.

This was odd. How does he know I'm here? Tronahex backed into the wall under the tarp to avoid detection. Eoxodem…he was always the clever one. He had to think quickly now to avoid that very cleverness he had once admired. I can't fight him. Eoxodem was an incredible fighter, too fast for words, and possessing a Keyblade that was able to morph its own shape, just like all the other Chasers' Blades. I won't stand a chance. But someone else will. Tronahex thought for a while about what to do, and finally came to the worst conclusion. The only conclusion.

What is he doing? He can't be challenging me, can he? Eoxodem stared at the tiny figure moving beneath the Skyscraper. Tronahex…I'm supposed to stop you at all costs. Don't make me do that.

Tronahex was running as fast as he could to the bottom of the massive building. This is the only place it can be opened. He knew Eoxodem was above, watching him like a hawk, waiting to strike at any moment. But something was not as he had expected. He is not breaking my mind?

Eoxodem jumped, Keyblade in hand, ready to strike. He knew the target. Tronahex. He knew the consequence. Losing my former friend. He didn't know the reason. Xehanort said simply to eliminate him if he is spotted. Eoxodem thought as he landed why Xehanort had acted so strange. He had seemed to anticipate Tronahex's arrival at the City. Did he know this was coming? The thought struck him again as he lunged at Tronahex, all friendship thrown aside for one swing of the Keyblade.

Tronahex felt the weapon strike him in the back. I must open the Door first! Pain coursed through his legs, making crawling his only escape.

"Tronahex, stop!" Eoxodem's voice sent a chill down his old friend's spine.

"No! The Door must be opened. You of all people should know this Eox."

"Stop calling me that!" Eoxodem swung the Keyblade again, making contact just below Tronahex's neck.

"You used to be my friend." Tronahex coughed and crawled forward a bit more, to where he was almost touching the Skyscraper.

"And you used to be strong."

"Why did we turn to him? I always wondered, that's why I went to the King. He saved me Eox! Let him save you too! Xehanort will only betray you and the rest of the Chasers, you know that!"

Eoxodem was silent for a moment. "Yes, I know very well…" Eoxodem glanced to his feet and lowered the Keyblade. "I…I know full well what's happening…"

Tronahex finally made contact. The tower's surface was cold beneath his fingers. I just need a little more time. "Eox, please come to us." It's coming. "The King can save you, I know he can!" Emptiness. "Please…"

Eoxodem dropped his Keyblade and noticed something rolling down his cheek; a single tear. Do I still have a heart? What is this? "It's too late Tronahex. No one would forgive me now, not even your King."

"That's what I thought too, Eox. Please give him the chance." Now!

"What are you doing?"

Tronahex turned to his friend and outstretched his arm. "Please come with me. This is what Emptiness can do for you. Don't be deceived by Xehanort, he'll lead you to madness, as he almost did with me!" Tronahex had opened a Keyhole in the Skyscraper that began to pull him in. "Come with me into Emptiness, where Light and Darkness do not exist!"

Eoxodem picked up his Keyblade and lunged again. "Tronahex, your King is weak!" But the weapon never made contact. In a split second, Tronahex disappeared into the Keyhole, leaving nothing but a wisp of black smoke behind him.

Now even he is gone. Tronahex…why did you ever leave us? We had everything… Eoxodem clapped again, and above him black clouds let loose their tears once again.