Once again, Ray was having a strange dream. He found himself on the same glass platform as last time, holding the same rod he fought those Shadows with.
"It is almost time." The mysterious man said from behind.
Ray sighed and turned to him, getting really annoyed with his crypticness.
"Can't you just say it straight?" He said with a frown. "Almost time for what?"
"The time for your journey to begin. For you to become the vessel of hope for the galaxy beyond your world. Yet, you are still not ready to undertake this duty."
"So...is all of this to get me ready? I already beat those monsters, so what do you have in store this time?"
"Those were only tiny Shadows, the weakest of all Heartless. To truly prove yourself, you must fight a Darkside. Look down at your shadow, and see for yourself how strong darkness can become."
Ray looked down, if only to humor the cloaked man. He was surprised to see his own shadow look up at him with the same beady eyes as those creatures. Then it rose from the floor as it started to get bigger...and bigger...towering over Ray and becoming a muscular monstrosity with a heart-shaped hole in its torso.
"Where there is light, there is darkness." The mysterious man said. "When darkness rises, so does the light. Let the light in your heart never waver, and you will prevail in the end."
Then he disappeared, leaving Ray to face the Darkside alone. It raised a giant fist, then swung down on him. He screamed and ran away, falling flat on his face as the attack created a shockwave that tripped him. He groaned and got back up, turning to the monster.
How the heck was he supposed to beat this? It was too big and strong! But then he noticed something, the Darkside was struggling to get its arm out of a black hole in the floor. Looks like it was too big and strong for its own good. Getting an idea, Ray ran up to the arm and struck it with his rod.
The Darkside groaned in pain and wrenched its arm from the floor, throwing Ray back. He coughed as his back hit the floor, but he got back up with a smirk. Alright, he could make an advantage out of-
That thought was interrupted when a Shadow jumped on him out of nowhere. He screamed and shook it off, then saw two more leaping at him. He bat them away, then saw the first one coming for him. He quickly aimed the tip of the rod, feeling the flow of magic.
"Fire!" He shouted.
Just like that, a fireball shot out and turned the Shadow to smoke. Getting confident, Ray turned to shoot at the other two, only to notice the Darkside holding up a ball of dark energy. It was launched high, then it exploded into dozens of little spheres that rained down on the area.
Ray grit his teeth and started running around, trying to avoid getting hit by them. However, one still found its mark, striking the top of his head and making him stumble onto one knee. He rubbed the sore spot, then noticed the Shadows coming for him.
He quickly cast two Fires at them. One made a bullseye and destroyed its target, but the second Shadow ducked under the other fireball and lunged for Ray. He rolled out of the way, then came back up to smack it hard. It flew off the platform and down to the void below.
He let out a sigh of relief, then noticed a blocky shadow looming over him. He looked up to see the Darkside's fist coming for him, and he quickly dove away. Though he avoided getting crushed, the shockwave still sent him tumbling off the edge of the platform. He grabbed onto the edge, groaning as he tried to pull himself back up.
He could see the monster struggling to pull its arm out of the pool of darkness. It was only then that Ray noticed that Shadows came out of that. It was like the Darkside had endless reinforcements to call upon. Even if he could get back up...how could he beat this? Damn that man...
"I can't do this!" Ray shouted upward. "Not alone! You gave me magic, didn't you!? That means you have the power to beat these things!"
The man's disappointed voice echoed around him.
"Can you not defeat these things with your own strength? Hmm...that is to be expected, as you are now. But it is no less unimpressive."
There was a moment of silence, during which the Darkside pulled its arm out of the floor. The three new Shadows crept over to Ray, claws out as they were ready to finish him off. Then the mysterious man spoke again.
"Fine, I will lend you what power I have. It was bound to happen sooner or later."
Ray's eyes widened as he felt a surge of strength in his body, which was enveloped in a faint golden glow. He was easily able to pull himself up, and with one powerful swing he sent the Shadows flying back and off the platform.
"This...is your power?" Ray murmured, looking at his rod.
"It is but a portion of my true strength." The man answered with an amused tone. "Now, use it to finally complete your Awakening!"
Ray steeled his gaze at the Darkside, which had got on its knees and was charging energy within the hole in its body. Then it was unleashed in the form of three spiraling spheres, all honing in on him. Even something like this...was nothing compared to the power he was feeling right now.
He took the rod in both hands and batted the spheres away with one mighty swing, sending them all flying back at their user. Two struck either arm, while the third hit its face. It nearly fell back, then bellowed in anger as it rose to its feet. It drew back a fist, then brought it down on Ray to crush him.
He did something he could never have done before now. He jumped high, going over the fist just before it crashed into the floor and got stuck. Ray landed on the arm, then ran along it and stopped on the shoulder. The Darkside turned its head to him, seemingly surprised.
"This nightmare is over!" Ray declared, stabbing with the rod.
He drove it halfway into the monster's eye, spewing darkness from it like blood. It roared in anger and pain, shaking its head to throw Ray off. He held on long enough to cast Fire three times directly into its skull, then yelped as he went flying. He managed to grab the edge of the platform as he fell, and he pulled himself back up.
He saw the Darkside stumbling around, holding its gravely wounded eye. Slowly, it was disintegrating, starting from its shoulders.
"Your Awakening is finished." The mysterious man said. "When you wake up, it will be time for your journey to begin."
Ray suddenly felt exhausted, and he collapsed on his back. At the same time, the Darkside fell forward, right on top of him. He was now drowning in the darkness, slowly losing consciousness.
"Remember, do not be afraid." The man concluded. "Let your light stay strong, and you will become the vessel of hope the worlds need most."
Then Ray blacked out as the dream ended.
…..
Ray awoke with a gasp and sat up. He panted and clutched his beating heart, taking a little bit to calm down. He felt like he was about to die…
After getting his bearings, he noticed that it was night time. But there was something else that concerned him...lightning flashing across the sky and the winds bellowing across Dawnshine City.
He remembered what he promised Gwen. No matter what, he would take her out of this boring city and explore the galaxy with her. So even though he was rather concerned about this storm...he wasn't going to let it stop him.
He got up and grabbed the travel bag he had prepared, then snuck out of his room and went downstairs to leave the house. When he stepped outside, he was met with strong gusts that made him flinch, but he grit his teeth and started running down the road toward the mayor's estate.
On the way, the city's emergency alarms started blaring, and a woman's voice echoed all around.
"This is an emergency! All citizens are to find a safe room to hold themselves in! A violet storm is approaching, and is expected to last all night!"
Ray could hear shouts and screams from inside the houses around him. He kept running, and after turning a corner he saw the mayor's place up ahead, blocked off by a steel-barred gate that was locked by an electronic lock. Ray reached into his bag and took out a key card, something Gwen had given him for whenever he wanted to visit.
Ray unlocked the gate and ran onto the grounds, then towards the large house in the middle of it. He could hear some commotion going on inside, probably Gwen's family moving to safety. Figuring he could use the chance, he knocked on the door.
Gwen's father, a portly and short man, answered it. He looked rather frightened, not really unusual given the circumstances. But what he said next really surprised Ray.
"Ray! Oh boy, have you seen my daughter anywhere!?"
"N-no…" Ray said in confusion. "I was just...coming over to check on her myself."
"Oh dear…please, go find her! I have to get my wife to the cellar!"
"I'll do that! She'll be safe with me, okay? And stay safe!"
With that, Ray ran off the grounds and down the street. He went to the direction of the docks, taking out his phone and sending a message to Gwen. Had she left already because of the weather?
The only message he got was from his mom, who had gone on a rant about him not being home. He just told her that the mayor asked for him to look for Gwen, and that everything would be alright.
When he reached the docks, he leaned against a wall and took a moment to catch his breath. Then he looked toward the pier, and sighed in relief as he saw Gwen standing there. He jogged to her, then smiled as he gave her a hug from behind.
"You're safe." He said softly. "You made me worried."
"I'm sorry." She whispered. "But I just couldn't wait any longer."
She stepped out of Ray's embrace, making him confused. Normally, she would have hugged him back...
"Ray...it's out there, " She said dreamily, reaching out toward the water. "the place I truly belong…and I can go there."
Suddenly, a pool of darkness appeared at her feet. She turned to Ray and held out a hand, giving him a smile...but not the kind that he was used to. This wasn't merry or teasing...The smile Gwen had now was rather creepy, further emphasized by the darkness swirling around her.
"Join me, Ray. You belong with me, don't you? Where I belong, you will belong."
There was a part of Ray that wanted to take her hand, and go with her into the darkness. To go wherever she wanted to go, no matter how dangerous it was. But still...there was that bigger part of him that felt like this was wrong. This wasn't Gwen at all. She wasn't acting like herself…
That was why in the end, he stepped back and shook his head, giving her a pleading look.
"I...I can't." He choked. "Gwen...get out of there before it's too late. We can still hop on a boat and explore beyond this world."
Gwen looked down sadly, and the darkness started to swallow her up.
"I see..." She murmured. "Then...this is where we part ways. Good luck out there, Ray."
Then the darkness dissipated, taking her along with it. Ray stood there for a minute, looking at where his beloved once was, then he fell to his knees. Tears fell from his eyes as he sobbed. She was gone...He had let her get taken away, and now...he didn't know where she was.
The Shadows appeared around him, but he was too focused on his own sorrow to care. Even as they tackled him onto the ground, he just took it as punishment for being a failure of a boyfriend. He closed his eyes, and soon began to fall into the cold darkness.
Maybe...this would be how he found Gwen again...Yes, that sounded fine...just fine…
"Are you really going to give up?"
Ray opened his eyes as he heard that man's voice beside him. There he was, the only source of light within these dark waters. His cloak was gone, replaced by a shining suit of armor. His hair was blazing red like the sun, and eyes shining like gold.
"Stay strong." He said firmly, offering a hand. "Don't give in to the Heartless. If you continue this journey, you will see the one you love again, I swear it. Now...take my hand."
Feeling a surge of warmth in his body, and with a hope of finding Gwen, Ray took the man's hand. At that moment, a light flashed like a star where they connected.
Ray opened his eyes, and with a defiant shout he rose to his feet, and a blast of light destroyed the Shadows on and around him. He breathed heavily, looking around at the now empty docks. Then he noticed a weight in his hand, and he looked at it.
It was only some kind of golden stick, with a crimson grip. But still...Ray could tell there was some kind of power in this thing. What was it though…
"That is a fragment of my Keyblade." The man's voice echoed. "Use it well. Now, look below you."
Ray looked down and saw the bubbling water under the pier. He jumped back just in time to avoid the jaws of a ferocious sea monster. Wood and water were scattered as it rose, roaring with ferocity. It had the head of a shark, with many rows of razor-like teeth. Its body was that of an octopus, complete with eight lively tentacles that seemed to be searching for prey.
But the oddest thing about this monster was its eyes. Beady and yellow...just like the Shadows and the Darkside. Was this...what all of them had? What had that man called them again?
"This is...a Heartless, isn't it?" Ray asked.
"You are correct." The man answered. "They seek to consume the light of all worlds. As one who bears a Keyblade, you must destroy them."
The giant Heartless focused its gaze on Ray and raised its tentacles in unison, then swiped at him with every one in quick succession. He grit his teeth and tried jumping and rolling away from them, but still got hit by the second tentacle. He coughed in pain as he was thrown aside, and he tumbled halfway across the dock before sliding to a stop. It hurt so much...there was no way he could beat this thing...
"How can...I destroy this?" He groaned as he staggered to his feet.
The man hesitated before answering. "Hm...as things currently are, even borrowing some of my power won't be enough. You will just have to survive until you are taken out of this dying world."
The Heartless aimed its open maw at Ray, charging up a bubbly energy. Once it was finished, it was unleashed as a high-pressure jet of water. He rolled away, and the attack cut a line through the concrete.
"So I have to survive…" Ray said in disbelief. "You really are asking a lo-"
He stopped as he noticed something going on with the Heartless. Orbs formed on its tentacles, which were lowered onto the docks. Then the orbs fell off and broke, revealing a dozen small Heartless, this time more like piranhas with webbed feet. Their beady eyes immediately turned to Ray, and he cursed under his breath before getting up and brandishing the Keyblade.
"Fine, come and get me!" He challenged. "I'll beat you all and find Gwen!"
The piranhas gnashed their sharp teeth and charged. With them being some distance away, Ray aimed his Keyblade. He felt the magic inside him, so he was going to use it. With three cries of "Fire", he shot a trio of fireballs into the bunch of Heartless. They all swerved or stopped to avoid them, but two still found a target to strike. Two piranhas were burned to a crisp, while two right beside them were knocked back from the small impact bursts.
Ray noticed the giant Heartless shooting another jet of water at him. He dove aside, narrowly avoiding it. A few of the piranhas closed in and lunged for him, jaws wide open, and he rolled away from them. He quickly got back up and shot another couple of fires to get the rest of the approaching Heartless to back off, hitting one in the process.
He panted a bit and looked around. There was too much pressure on both sides. He couldn't make it at this rate...He had no choice but to find a safe place to hide. So he turned and ran, heading into the city. But he was immediately stopped by a group of Shadows appearing in his way.
He looked back and saw the piranhas getting close, and the giant squid preparing another water blast.
"I could use some of your power now!" He shouted desperately.
"Hmph, as expected." The mysterious man grumbled. "Here, I'll give you enough strength to survive this ordeal!"
Ray felt a surge of power in his body. At the same time, the small Heartless pounced at him while the giant one shot water. He made a high leap into the air and backflipped over the attacks. The jet of water ended up obliterating many of the small Heartless and scattering the rest.
Ray stumbled as he landed and nearly fell back, but managed to keep on his feet. With renewed confidence, he took advantage of the disarray and charged in. He struck a few piranhas as they were getting back up, turning them to dust. He noticed little crystal hearts coming out of them, but didn't think much of it.
The rest of the Heartless got on their feet. As they headed toward Ray, he used Fire twice more to roast a couple of Shadows. Three piranhas leaped as they reached him, and he sidestepped and struck back. One-two-three swings, and they were destroyed.
He gasped and nearly buckled when his leg was scratched by a Shadow. He destroyed it in one strike, then looked to see two more crawling around him. They came up for a flanking attack, which he backstepped to avoid. He caught them both in one strike, killing them off.
Ray sighed in relief, thinking that was all of them. Then he noticed the giant Heartless lowering its tentacles, which were covered in black pods. More piranhas broke out of them, twice as many as before.
"You should run!" The mysterious man warned.
"I know that!" Ray snapped, turning around.
Once again, he ran into the city, this time with nothing getting in his way. He ran through the streets, thinking of a safe place to escape to. There was only one place, far too high for the Heartless to reach him. His destination was Diamondhead Tower.
The storm gradually got worse. By the time Ray reached the skyscraper, the winds were threatening to blow him away. Lightning crashed onto the smaller buildings, sending blackened stone flying everywhere. He threw himself into the doors of Diamondhead Tower, narrowly avoiding getting fried.
He laid on the floor as he caught his breath, feeling sore and exhausted. For a second, he wondered if this was all just a terrible dream. But this felt way too real to be one…
He forced himself to get up and enter the elevator, then pressed the button for the top floor. The elevator went up...and up...at a pace Ray had never found so slow until now. At least it gave him some time to rest…
After a painstaking handful of minutes, the elevator dinged and opened its doors. He ran out and down the hallway, heading for the door with the 'no unauthorized persons' sign. He threw it open and went up a winding staircase, coming to a stop at another door at the top. He opened and stepped outside, meeting the fierce winds that nearly blew him back inside.
He struggled around a corner, then sat down and slumped against a wall. He breathed heavily, his vision flickering from his tiredness. He looked up and saw the most incredulous thing. Hovering over Dawnshine City was some kind of mass, which appeared to be the source of the storm. Winds spiraled in and out of it, bringing up the buildings in charred pieces.
"You did well here, Ray." The mysterious man said softly. "It is time for your journey to begin. You may not be ready, but I will be here for you."
"...Thank you." Ray murmured as his eyes closed.
He felt himself get lifted into the air, and heard the wind howling around him. The last thing he thought about before he blacked out completely...was whether Gwen was safe, and where she had gone to.
