Destiny Keys

Chapter Four – Bylawna Grever and a Battle

By Glacierclaw

I'll say this – out of all the weird things that had happened to me so far, this was one of the weirdest.

The capitol city of Tazilen was huge. I had never lived anywhere except Traverse Town, so it surprised me. I wasn't used to it at all. For one thing, there were many, many people. The thing I found most fascinating about them was what they were wearing. Apparently in this world, the weirder the style, the better. I saw one girl with what looked like a hair band around her ankle, and a guy with his hair into one retarded-looking point. That was the weirdest thing I could think of.

The buildings were very tall. Some of them read things like, Tazilem Bookstore or Zajo's Hair Shop. There were bulletin boards with ads posted on them. I caught a glimpse of what one read – Are Those Yuragos Messing Up Your Home? Call Us! I had no idea what a yurago was, but I guessed that they were some sort of animal.

I turned to Torl and asked something I had been wondering about for a long time. "Hey – Torl? If you don't mind me asking, what's that thing below your left eye?"

Torl immediately tried to rub it out, but had no success. The green rhombus with the dot in the middle didn't disappear at all. "It is of no importance," he said shortly.

Veelock stopped suddenly. "There it is," she said, pointing her gloved hand. "Tazilem Military Hall."

It was a large, boxy-looking building that I thought looked very ugly. Gliec grinned at Torl.

"I've never been here before," he said breathlessly. "Is it cool?"

Torl only shrugged and said to the rest of us, "Come on." The four of us entered the building, the glass sliding door allowing us to come in.

It was at a nice, cool temperature inside, and was basically very plain. The floor was tiled and there was a mat in front of the door. A receptionist desk was straight ahead, and there was an elevator to the left and several hallways along the wall.

Torl and Veelock walked up to the desk. An older woman, her brown hair draped over one shoulder, blinked and looked up.

"May I help you?"

"We need to see Bylawna Grever," said Torl. "She works with military gadgets."

"Oh – right." She pointed. "Her office is down that hallway and on the right, in door 3R."

Torl nodded. "Thank you."

We turned toward the hallway. I stared at Torl and said, "Her office? How old is she?"

"Fourteen," he replied absentmindedly, turning toward a white door with the print 3R on the front. Before I could ask any more questions, he gave a knock.

"Come in," came a female voice from inside. Torl opened the door.

The office was rather small, but there were all sorts of interesting items in the shelves. There was a girl sitting at the desk, doing paperwork. She brightened when she saw the four of us enter, and quickly walked over.

"Torl! Veelock!" she exclaimed happily. "And who are you?" she added kindly to Gliec.

"I'm Torl's brother," he replied. "Gliec Hurn."

The girl – Bylawna – laughed. "Of course you are!" she said. "You two look so much alike." She grinned at Torl, and then caught sight of me.

"And who – " she began, but then stopped abruptly. "Oh my goodness, you must be Kyter! The Keyblade master!" She beamed at me. I blushed.

"Er – yeah," I said awkwardly. "That's me."

Bylawna Grever had long, blonde hair that she wore in two braids and her eyes were a deep blue. She reminded me a bit of Gliec, with his always-cheerful attitude. She was slightly shorter than I was and was quite thin.

She wore a small blue tank top, and on both her upper arms was a thick blue band. She wore fingerless gloves, another shade of blue, that had black wrists and lines to each of the fingers.

Bylawna wore moss-green capris and a string belt around them. The end of it hung all the way below her knees. Her shoes were like boots, high and thick, with a zipper. Just by looking at Bylawna, I thought that I could have a better friendship than I could have with Veelock or Torl.

"So!" Bylawna clapped her hands together. "What do need?"

"Kyter just got her a little while ago," said Veelock. "He needs items for battle."

I sent her a sharp look. Battle? I thought nervously. Of course, you idiot, I thought, the Keyblade's a weapon; of course you're going to be fighting people…

The blonde's expression grew serious. "Ah, right," she mused, and closed the door with a snap. "Don't want anyone to see that I've been giving you military stuff…it doesn't matter, really, I'm coming up with new objects every day, but don't go showing everybody what I've given you…now…"

She backed away from me, looking me closely up and down. Then Bylawna hurried to a shelf, pulling what looked like a pair of long gloves out and giving them to me.

"Gripping gloves," she explained. "It'll help you handle the Keyblade. Put them on, Kyter."

"Okay," I mumbled, and slid the left one over my hand. It felt very comfortable, and had a kind of material in the front that allowed a better grip on my Keyblade. There was a green emblem on the back of the hand. I pulled the other one on and brought out my Keyblade in a swirl of white sparks. I still didn't understand how I could do that, but I knew it would be better than to ask.

As I expected, the gloves allowed me to hold the Keyblade without letting it slide at all. Bylawna stared at me in amazement.

"Nice," she said, and stared at me for a moment once again. It wasn't long before she had shoved into my hands a pair of what looked like – "Shin guards," she said. "They're really useful."

I pulled off my shoes and put the guards over my socks. They felt rather funny to walk in, and took a moment to get used to.

"Anything else?" Veelock asked her. She, Torl, and Gliec were watching from the side of the room, looking bored.

"Yes," said Bylawna. "I don't think there's anything else I can give you, so…" She strode over to a smaller shelf that held tiny, electronic items, picked one up, and walked back over to me. She held out her hand, showing what looked like a tiny black microphone. "This is a link-phone. It'll send a message to everyone if you speak into it." She nodded toward the other three. "They all have one. All you have to do is press this little button – " She indicated a small blue button on the front – "and talk. Remember that everyone will hear it. You can clip it anywhere, Kyter, but preferably in a place where not a lot of people will see it."

I decided to clip it onto my headband, under a lock of hair. I thought that looked pretty cool.

"Thanks, Bylawna," said Torl. "This will really help us get rid of the Key Catchers."

Bylawna smiled. "I really hope you succeed," she said.

"We should go," said Veelock. "Sorry, but…"

"I understand!" said Bylawna happily. "You've got lots of enemies to defeat. Go on, you'd better hurry. I hate those Key Catchers – wanting me to help destroy Veeadon – anyway, it was good to see you again. Bye, Gliec!" she added to Torl's little brother, who beamed and said,

"See you, Bylawna!"

"We shall see you again sometime," promised Torl. "You are a major help in this war."

Bylawna laughed. "Thanks, Torl." She grinned.

The four of us left, feeling happier. I was sure that nothing could possibly stop us from defeating the Key Catchers now, even though there were so many of them and only four of us, if you counted Bylawna. But maybe, if we defeated a few members at a time…

I was pleased to see that the bilu was still there, still brimming with the blue light. Torl switched it off (it only worked to his touch) and it wasn't long before we were speeding across the grassy plains. I was actually looking forward to introducing those Key Catchers to my Keyblade!

But something else was bothering me. "Torl," I said, "why are they called Key Catchers?"

Torl opened his mouth to respond, but it was then that several things happened at once.

A brilliant, white disk came hurtling across the grass and rammed right into the side of the bilu! Gliec let out a scream as the vehicle toppled over, throwing its riders to the ground. I landed with a hard thud on the ground and heard Torl landing just beside me. Teeth slammed together.

I sat up painfully and looked at Torl. He was on his back and breathing hard, but after a moment he sat up too. "Something struck the bilu," he said.

"Yeah, no kidding," I shot back. "Look, there are Veelock and Gliec."

Torl climbed to his feet and grabbed my hand, pulling me up as well. I saw Veelock holding Gliec's hand as she walked toward us. She looked pretty pissed off. Gliec just seemed worried.

"I am going to kill whoever did that!" she exploded. "Torl, the bilu might be completely ruined. Look."

She poined toward the vehicle we had just been riding – it was on its side and smoking. I winced. How would we get back to the hideout now? It seemed impossible to look everywhere in these fields for the stupid little rock.

Torl stared at the bilu, then said, "I think it will be fine."

I glanced at him. "How could you say that? It's totally busted!"

"No, it is not," he insisted, then his hazel eyes widened and he looked past Veelock's shoulder – I followed his gaze and gasped.

About five tall, masked men were standing a yards away, looking very formidable. I knew immediately that these were the guys that had shot us down. I started to back away nervously. I hadn't even practiced with the Keyblade yet – how would we handle these guys?

Veelock, however, had different ideas. "Aha!" she crowed. "There you are!" With that, she charged at the Key Catchers, her fists ready.

"Veelock, wait!" Torl stepped toward her. "Damn it," he cursed, and brought out what looked like a hand grenade from the sash around his chest, and threw it at the evil men.

He had a really good arm – it exploded right in the middle of it. The Key Catchers leapt to the side, hovering in the air, and I was stunned when Veelock leapt nearly ten feet to kick one of their asses. She kicked him hard in the shins, making him double over, and then elbowed the guy in the side of the head, and jammed a knee into his stomach. I stared, amazed, when the guy's hand was suddenly swirling with a dark, awful-looking substance! I gaped in shock. What was that about? He moved to punch her with the weird hand, but she jerked to the side and delivered a string of punches to his side.

And this all happened in midair. I suddely got the feeling that these people weren't normal humans. When they finally hit the ground, I winced when another Key Catcher struck Veelock in the back with a long whip of the dark energy – she collapsed, dropping to her knees, but I was stunned when she brought out her leg and kicked him hard in the knee. Now it was his turn to fall. Veelock then rammed a foot into his side, kicking him hard.

I looked over at Torl. He was fighting three-on-one with a strange weapon in the shape of a T – but the edges were curved upward. Like Veelock, he too used martial arts – with, of course, a mix of different weapons. He struck with the weapon that looked like a T, hitting a Key Catcher hard in the side. The man jerked, and Torl, taking advantage of this distraction, pinned him down with the waepon, the edges curled around his neck. Torl then brought out a device that looked a bit like a huge insect and placed it right between the man's shoulder blades – he jerked and twisted, like he was in terrible pain the instant it touched. I watched as Torl went to defeat the other enemies.

As for me, I was just standing there, watching all of this in stunned silence with Gliec beside me. Maybe they won't need me, I thought hopefully. Maybe.

Gliec suddenly gasped. I whipped around and jumped about a foot in the air when I saw none other than a Key Catchers member standing right behind me. His eyes crinkled and I could tell he was smiling under that green mask.

"Hello, Kyter," he said, and brought out what looked like a long, pointed sword.

I noticed that this Key Catcher looked different from all the others. His hair and eyes were very dark, but he was wearing a long, silver cloak. None of the others were wearing that. I stared at him in shock.

"You don't know who I am, do you, Kyter?" he sneered.

"So what?" I snapped. I looked down at Gliec. "Gliec – run," I hissed, knowing that Torl would take my head off if something happened to his little brother.

"Don't bother," snarled the man. "It's you I want." He glared at me. "My name is Master Oraton, Zelek. I am the leader of the Key Catchers."

I gave him a disgusted look, suddenly overflowing with anger and confidence. I mean, a second ago I was hoping I didn't have to fight. "Master, is it? Well then, Master, it'll take a lot to destroy me!" I brought out my Keyblade. The magnificent silver finish shone in the sunlight, and the gripping gloves I wore on my hands made it easier to control it.

Oraton laughed. "I admire your courage. This'll be easier than I thought."

Gliec backed away, sensing a huge battle. I didn't see him run – my eyes were locked on my opponent, and I felt no fear. The Keyblade was pointed straight at Oraton, and suddenly, he struck.

The sword lanced through the air, straight toward my chest. I winced when I saw that the tip was covered in the dark energy, and there was a black blur as it shot at me. I swung the Keyblade. It hit on the blade of the sword with a loud clang, blocking it. I then swept it away and quickly slashed – but I was too slow - he jumped backwards and flicked his hand as though trying to get a fly off of it – it was suddenly covered in the same black susbstance.

I didn't have time to think as he shot his hand forward. I could see the blinding light coming from it and I knew that this was what had hit the bilu – but I jumped, nearly twenty feet into the air! It was incredible, and I knew it must have been the Keyblade's power giving me stength. I shot down toward Oraton, who looked stunned and angry, at a breakneck speed.

He brought his sword up and blocked me. I kicked him hard in the shins and he recoiled, and that was when I hit him with the Keyblade square in the chest – and it made a loud banging noise.

I blinked. My first thought was that he had rockhard abs, to be honest – but then he pulled back his cloak and showed me a sliver of armor over his waist.

"Nice try," he sneered, and slashed the sword.

I screamed as it cut my shoulder – blood seeped out from the wound. I blocked with the Keyblade as he made to slash me again, but his stength overpowered mine and I was blown back. I leapt to my feet and slashed the air – close to his face.

Oraton shrieked in anger as the green mask was ripped away. His nose and mouth were finally revealed – how amazing – but something else was too. Right under his left eye was a green rhombus with a dot in the middle – the same mark Torl had.

I stared in shock. Oraton glared at me. I was stunned when his sword vanished and he disappeared in an instant, leaving me utterly confused. Then, realizing that the others were still in danger, turned toward where I had last seem them fighting.

But the last of them were disappearing in a blink. Torl and Veelock turned around and ran up the hill toward me.

"What happened?" demanded Torl.

I glared at him, not forgetting what I had seen under a Key Catcher's mask. "I fought the leader of the Key Catchers," I grumbled.

"You fought Oraton?" exclaimed Veelock, looking extremely jealous.

"Yes," I growled, "and I ripped the mask off his face."

Torl took an intake of breath very quickly. Veelock shot him a quick glance and looked away – and Gliec, who had come to join us while I was talking, was staring at the ground. I got the impression that I was the only one who didn't know about this.

"Can you explain to me why you have the same mark that the Key Catchers do?" I demanded of Torl.

"I – I used to be in that group," he muttered. "And so did Gliec."

"Why doesn't he have that symbol?"

"I can explain once we get back," Torl said.

I scowled but didn't say anything as we walked toward the bilu, which had stopped smoking. Torl pushed it over so that it was flat on the ground again and did a check-up on it.

"It looks good," he said, running his finger along the pipes on the bottom, checking for holes. "The smoking was probably just caused from a shift in one of the valves…anyway, we'll get back to the hideout now."

Veelock looked up at me. "Yeah, Kyter, that cut on your shoulder looks pretty bad."

I had barely noticed it. Maybe it had to do with how I was in such a bad mood, and my adrenaline was spiked from my first battle. I was amazed that I had come out of it still alive – and it was with the leader of the Key Catchers too! Maybe, we had a chance to defeat those guys after all.