Chapter 1

Sora:

As soon as we got into Merlin's house, I took a seat in the corner amongst the books. I needed time to think. What had just happened was unbelievable. I transformed into something dark…

Was it dark? How do I know this wasn't a dream? I stared at my hands. It felt so real. The taste, the hunger, the desire…

I shuddered. It was just a dream, a vivid one at that.

"Sora, you ok?"

I looked up only to see Yuffie staring at me in concern. Any other time, I'd offer a fake smile to keep her from worrying, but today I didn't feel like it.

"Honestly, Yuffie, I'm tired," I replied softly.

I actually wasn't lying this time.

"Come on. Merlin's house is connected to all of ours. You can sleep in my guest room. Honestly, you shouldn't kill yourself trying to do your job."

I chuckled nervously.

"Thank you, Yuffie. I'll just take you up on that offer."

I stood up and followed her through a wooden door into another room. I didn't bother to take in anything else as I followed her up a flight of stairs into a room on the left.

"Here you go. The guest bathroom is down the hall on the left. Make yourself at home. If you need me, I'll be downstairs with the others in a meeting."

I nodded and sat down on the edge of the bed. Yuffie left me in silence and went back downstairs. A shower sounds nice right about now. If I got enough sleep, I wouldn't have delusional daydreams. I stood up and headed to the bathroom. I flicked the light switch on…

Why was the entire bathroom decorated in weaponry? I know Hollow Bastion didn't get attacked all the time. Or did it? Oh, never mind. I closed the door behind me and turned on the shower. As the room filled with hot steam, I took a deep breath and sighed for the hundredth time. Relax, Sora. Now's not the time to act crazy. I took off my clothes and stepped into the shower. Hot water poured over my weary body, lulling me into a temporary dream-like state.

"I'm worried about Sora. He didn't seem like himself."

Yuffie? She didn't sound close to the bathroom. I thought she said she was meeting downstairs. I know the walls weren't that thin. I mean, she was downstairs. Weird.

"He was actin' kinda funny earlier." Goofy.

"How so?"

Silence. I couldn't hear anything else. After a few minutes, I turned the water off and stepped out of the shower. I grabbed a towel off of a shelf next to the shower and started drying myself off. Once I was dry, I slipped my clothes back on and exited the bathroom. I could hear my friends' voices again, but they were speaking so low that I couldn't make out what they were saying. I guess they didn't want to worry me. I walked back into the guest bathroom and spread out across the bed. Tomorrow I would start the whole job again. For now, sleep will overtake me.

Two hours later:

Shifting shadows surrounded all sides of me, yet they weren't blocking my vision. Surprisingly, I could see just fine. It reminded me of the End of the World, only I didn't feel so cold. The air was warm and inviting. Shadow Heartless emerged from the ground, antennae twitching in my direction. Their glowing yellow eyes peered at me as if to say "you are not welcome here". I willed my keyblade to appear in my hand so I could fight.

Nothing happened. I glanced down at my hand and saw that it was wrapped partially in a bandage. Where my fingertips were was long black claws. Claws? The shadows inched forward, letting out a low hiss. Hunger rose in my mind again. The shadows—they were food? The question drifted around in my head. Yes…they are. Go to them…

Instinct drew my body into action against the shadows. My claws tore through them easily. Oh, how amusing it was! I let out a howl. The remaining shadows melted into the ground, leaving me alone in the darkness. Moments later, a girl appeared. She had red hair…Kairi? It was Kairi!

"Who are you?"

Huh? I started to say something, but it came out as a hiss.

"Get away from me!"

Without thinking, I ran up to her and grabbed her hand. She screamed…

I woke up in a cold sweat. That scream sounded so real. Out of paranoia, I stared at my hands. No claws. No weird taste in my mouth. It's just a dream, Sora. Get over yourself. I sat up and wiped my forehead off. I don't think I can sleep now. Oh well. I rolled over to the side of the bed and stood up. I crossed the room to the window and glanced outside. Rain was pouring down outside again. Nothing to see here. I turned around and headed for the bed.

A sharp pain dropped me to my knees. Instead of a scream of pain, a hiss escaped my lips. I stared at my hands as they 'transformed'. Bandages appeared out of nowhere and wrapped around them. My nails turned black and lengthened. Black vapor oozed from my skin…

What was happening to me? Solid colors dissolved into shifting shadows again. The pain slowly faded away as I sat there on the floor. My ears picked up the footsteps from the stairs. Someone was coming. I turned towards the window and went through it. Glass exploded outward with my exit. I landed on the roof below and scrambled onto the part that was concealed in shadow.

"Oh my god! Sora!"

Yuffie's screams pierced the night air.