"I wanna be strong one day like that kid who left. He went to the outside world. I bet he's really strong now."-Riku


In the months that followed Xehanort's skill with his Aura Weapons grew to the point of mastery. Long gone were the days that materializing them caused Xehanort great strain. He adapted quickly to dual wield combat, and soon his Malice Blades, as he had come to call them, became weapons of deadly precision. He also learned from his father that he was capable of using them as a conduit to focus and use magic. Though this skill was much harder to master then using the blades themselves, Xehanort soon found himself able to use powerful magical attacks in tandem with his physical combat.

His father too showed great interest in his Aura Weapons. Specifically, he was interested in the form they took. His father explained that Aura Weapons are unique to the individual and no two weapons were alike. He explained of all the many unique shapes an Aura Weapon could take, there was one form that was not unique. Ethereal Weapons were a type of Aura Weapons that were extremely rare. According to his father's archives on Aura Weapons, these weapons were associated with the divine. Their wielders had such untapped power, that when materializing their Aura Weapons, they always took on forms of pure energy. This was because a pure physical form like a sword or a gun had a finite capacity for how much power it could draw out. Ethereal Weapons had an infinite capacity and as such were the only forms capable of utilizing that power. Wielders of these weapons were quite rare, and always had a large impact on the greater world.

In his father's words this meant Xehanort must be meant for greatness.

"It's destiny!" his father would always say with excitement.

He would always have a look of pride when he explained this to the other islanders. But as Xehanort walked the beach late at night, staring out at the vast expanse of the ocean, he was reminded just how trapped he felt. On his tiny island home he was a prisoner. Trapped within the confines of his world, Xehanort failed to see what world changing destiny could possibly await him. Apart from mastering his Aura Weapons, only one thought plagued his great mind. Looking up to vast sky, and taking note of the numerous amount of stars, Xehanort once again pondered the other worlds he had seen in his dream.

There was not many details he could recall but that part was always crystal clear. For whatever reason the vision of a world beyond his own resonated with Xehanort so powerfully that it had become nigh impossible to forget. He was inflamed by the idea. The very thought that there was more for him to experience beyond these shores shook him to his very core. Though he had no proof those worlds existed he knew that they were real. He was so sure of it that it was as if the very fact was etched into his heart. He sat down and continued to stare out at the vastness of the sky above.

He made no movement as he heard a familiar set of loud footsteps approach him

"Hello, father can't sleep either?" asked Xehanort.

"How can I sleep, when my wife keeps bugging me to find out where our son, who likes to stay out late, has decided to wander off to," he said with a wink.

"Sorry father, I was just doing some thinking and lost track of time," said Xehanort.

"It's okay, just let your mother know next time. She has tendency to worry, and when she worries I end up hearing about it," said his father clapping Xehanort on the shoulder.

His father then sat down next to him as he too gazed up to the stars. As if reading Xehanort's mind his father then spoke about the very subject he had been thinking about.

"When I was your age my father used to tell me that for every star, there exists another world," he said.

Xehanort was shocked at such a confirmation from his father. Xehanort turned his head and paid his father rapt attention as he continued.

"He told me that our people's history is deeply rooted with a man who came from another world. He told me that there once was a time when all the worlds were one. However something happened that separated them," explained his father.

Xehanort was enthralled, all this time he had wondered if his vision could possibly be true, and now here was confirmation. Xehanort nodded eagerly, urging his father to continue.

"In the aftermath of the worlds separation, a man appeared on this island. He arrived with five children, and stayed here seeking refuge. He raised those children as his own and in time they began to call this place home. The people of this island welcomed them with open arms," said his father.

He paused and gazed back up towards the stars.

"Then one day the man and four of the children disappeared without a word. They were never seen again. The only evidence that they had ever been there, was the silver haired boy that had been left behind," his father finished.

Xehanort was amazed beyond belief at the reality that there really were other worlds, that his own people had history involving them. The possibilities flew through his head.

"What happened to the man and the other four children?" asked Xehanort.

"No one knows, they were never seen again. We only know that the fifth child remained here. He stayed here for the vast majority of his life, before one day disappearing himself. It's said that though he left, his descendants remain here to this very day. Although time and word of mouth have distorted which family are actually his," his father responded.

Xehanort contemplated for a moment. The males of his family had always bore the same long crop of silver hair. Perhaps his family were the descendants.

"It's not us if that's what you're thinking," his father said, interrupting his thoughts.

Xehanort smiled, his father always had a way of knowing what he was thinking.

"I've combed our ancestry more times than I care to admit and there is no link that connects us to that man," his father said with a laugh.

Xehanort laughed as well and then once more turned to his father.

"Why are you telling me all this father?" asked Xehanort.

"Because I was like you when I was your age. I too dreamed of a world that lay beyond these waters. I dreamed of the adventure and knowledge that the outside world would bring me," his father explained, letting out a long and weary sigh. "But those dreams are distracting, dangerous even. It was those dreams that almost cost me the life of your mother."

For the first time in Xehanort's life, his father wore a look of deep sadness.

"I tell you this not as a deterrent, but as a warning. Don't let your dreams become an obsession. Don't let them distract from what matters the most," he said gently.

Xehanort stared at his father then nodded.

"I understand father," Xehanort said.

His father clapped him on the shoulder his cheerful disposition returning immediately. "I almost forgot. Tomorrow is your birthday. Now that you'll be old enough I want you to accompany me on my survey of the Northern Islands," he said.

"What does that entail?" asked Xehanort.

"As an elder it is my duty to survey the unexplored islands to see if there are any resources our people can make use of," his father said, standing up and motioning for Xehanort to do the same. "Tomorrow we're going to explore a particular island from the Northern Islands. We got a long day ahead of us so let's head home and get some sleep."

Xehanort got up to follow his father but paused and took one last look up at the stars. Regardless of what he told his father his dream of seeing the outside world seemed more possible than ever. Xehanort felt deep within his heart that tomorrow's journey would be crossroads of his destiny. His entire life suddenly felt as if were building up to whatever awaited him on that day. One way or another his destiny was upon him and tomorrow would be it's first step forward.


AN:Sorry guys for the wait but life happens unfortunately. At any rate from here on out I will attempt to put out three chapters week. I already have the next chapter done and am working on the third. Hope the first few parts don't seem too boring because it's just setting up the stage for what's to come. After this next chapter things will definitely pick up. Hope you enjoy and please review it helps motivate me.