Chapter 41

"So, some guys just attacked you?" asked Axel.

Sora and the gang were at the hideout. This underground fortress was filled with torches, cement buildings, and guards. People were running around with weapons.

"Yeah...that just happened." Cloud looked at Sora. "Even though Sora kicked one of them down, it turns out that they were using less than a quarter of their strength."

"Were they the ones who caused this mess?" asked Goofy.

"No." Sora looked at his friends with concern in his eyes. "He was a Quincy, apparently."

"Like...Ishida?" asked Donald.

"Not quite. They were different...one had the power of fire, for example. Not like the magic, but like..."

"My fire," finished Axel.

"Yeah."

"So, basically, we got another group in this war. What are they trying to do?"

"We can figure that out later," said Cloud. "For now, let's focus on what is going on over here. How are we suppose to stop these guys from being killed?"

Blue entered into the conversation, arising from the darkness of the underground place.

"I was thinking of going into the smaller fortresses and finding some equipment for my warriors."

"How are you gonna manage that?" asked Axel.

"I was originally going to sneak towards the entrance, but some of the citizens were being attacked by the guards. We had no choice but to retreat. Now, we need one of you to help me with it."

"Sora," asked Axel, "Why not use your Anti-Form?"

"Oh!" Sora forgot that form ability. Sora suddenly felt odd about his settings, as if...as if he had been here before.

"Sure, I can help. What exactly do you need?"

"There is a book, containing instructions on something important. We need your help in finding that thing."

"Can you be just a little more vague?" asked Axel.

Blue glared at Axel. "I suppose that you are the annoying one here."

"Well," Cloud said, "You have not really told us about the book, or if this book can help us fight whoever enslaved your people. You also haven't explained anything about this planet."

Blue was red with rage, but before she could do anything, Sora spoke up. "Guys, we should just get the book before we ask questions. So, who is going to stay here?"

"Sora, you and Axel should go," said Donald. "Goofy, Cloud, and I will stay here to defend against the heartless."

"That sounds good with me," said Axel. "So, where is that castle with the book?"

"Look for a really large castle," said Blue, now calmed down. "You can't miss it, since it is the bigger tower nearby. It is surrounded by a dark aura, guarded by those creatures that attacked us."

"All right, then, let's head out!" Sora ran out towards the exit, changing into his dark form. Axel quickly followed, holding his flame keyblade. They both disappeared into the shadows.

They traveled through the shadows, reaching a tall castle. Sora immediately spotted three dark figures guarding the entrance. Axel threw his keyblade at them, disintegrating them into pieces on the spot.

"Well, we found the way in, alright!" Axel noticed that there was a map on the charred spot the guards were once standing on, and picked it up. "How lucky can we get?"

"So, what does it say on the map?" said Sora.

"It says that there is a treasure room in the basement of this place. We are going to sneak around."

"Why?" Sora held his keyblade up. "We can easily beat these guys."

"We can, but what if they know something important?" said Axel. "Plus, in your Anti-form, you can sneak around and not gain their attention. We can get in, get the book, and run out without anyone knowing."

"All right!" Sora and Axel went through the shadows, sneaking towards a set of stairs. Before they could reach it, though, many men climbed up to the top of the stairs. Sora and Axel stayed in the shadows, listening to them speaking.

"The boss wants us to take out that Blue," said one of the men.

"Why not the heartless?" said another man.

"For starters, we do not control them. They follow his orders."

"The majesty is the only one that can control them?"

"Yes. He said himself that he can control them ever since he was put back together."

"What are you talking about?" said a third man, who looked inexperienced.

The men stopped walking, staring at the first man. He cleared his throat, looking at his comrades, and spoke.

"What I am about to say is nothing but unconfirmed information. Our majesty was "killed" a long time ago when the heartless showed up. However, he only split into two humanoid beings, one of which brought down the past government. Recently, following the conflicts that occurred over a year ago, he fused back into a sentient being, having gained the power of controlling the darkness."

"Sir, how did he get that power?" said one of the men.

"It is said that he formed a contract with several other people who predicted the coming of the heartless. His other side went to search of powers, and he gained several abilities that could easily destroy this world multiple times over."

"But why did he wait until now to use them?"

"Because it would have been close to impossible. Our king is special, as he is charging up his full power to wreck that wretched world, where the time patrollers are. He needs several days to do so."

"Is that why-"

"No more questions - we were ordered to be at the heartless factory in three hours."

"Oh shit!" The men ran out of the castle, clearly fearing the outcome of arriving late to their destination.

"Well," said Axel, slipping out of the shadows, "it seems that these guys knew what they were doing."

"What?!" Sora was shocked. "They knew that they would be split into two?"

"Well, Xheanort knew that. At least, I thought I memorized that. But anyways, we do not have time to worry about that. Sora, let's go!"

Sora nodded, running with Axel straight into the basement. Sneaking around, they noticed many artifacts lying around.

"We are here on a covert operation, Sora," said Axel. "Got that memorized? We have to stay sharp."

"You just love to say that phrase, don't you."

They reached a room filled with gold. Axel and Sora watched their surroundings, and sure enough, they spotted several runes placed around a pedestal carrying a blood-stained book. Axel sighed.

"I guess I'm going super again!" He powered up, stretching his arms to get the book on the pedestal.

"So, Axel, how did you get your power?" asked Sora.

"I got that upgrade from when I was training," said Axel. "Before I set foot in Radiant Garden, I trained to activate several forms like yours. Like you, it was achieved through friendship and stuff."

"Wow. So...what do you call this form?"

"I'll tell you later." Axel's arm contracted, returning to normal size. Axel held the book in his hands, staring intensely at the symbol in front.

"What are you-" Sora looked at it, only to see that something was off. The book was not just any book.

The symbol in front of the book was the letter X. The symbol of the key.