Authors Note: Well…this is awkward. I know I said that this chapter would be the season finale, however, once I got up to 13K words, I knew that I would have to split this up because I was not even done yet. So, here is another chapter before the finale. Please don't be to mad at me. Truthfully, there was not enough content before the war, so just transitioning would have felt really rushed. Since it is nearing the end of the first season, I really didn't want to do that.
Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. I have been busy like you would not believe and I am thankful for your patience. Hopefully the last chapter will not take as long.
Anyway, not much action in this chapter, but I did leave you all hanging, which I apologize for. I know cliffhangers suck, but you have to admit, it was a good ending for the chapter.
Happy thanksgiving. One thing I am very thankful for is the people that supported me in this story for as long as it has been going on. Thank you all very much for your encouraging words.
Also, I made another small durp in last chapter. In Kingdom hearts lore, a person is made of a body, soul, and heart. The heartless take the heart, but leave the body and soul, which is how Nobodies are alive. They are a body and Soul, but they lack a heart. I will explain it more in the chapter, but I will go back soon and fix that.
Well, I have kept you long enough. Here is another chapter. Please enjoy.
Warning: Reader: "U have TYPO!"
Me: No Way! I Do? Really? (Sarcasm)
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
P.S. The Lord of Pages had edited the third chapter. Big Shout out to him for getting that done. Thank you so much.
A Heart in the Void
Chapter 16
Wardes was sitting in a dark room, his one arm resting on the table as he looked at the man sitting across from him. It had been a few days since he had killed the Prince of Albion and those days had been agonizing. But what would you expect with the loss of one of you limbs.
Needless to say, Wardes was not in a good mood at the moment as he stared into the eyes of the man sitting across the table.
"You lied to me! You said that no one would be able to beat me with the powers of darkness! But as you can see…" he said as he lifted his stump. "I was beaten. Not only that, but I was beaten by an exhausted CHILD!"
The other figure just sat there with his hands resting in his lap. He had a patronizing grin on his face as he watched the square class mage vent his frustrations. True, he was a little surprised that someone managed to beat Wardes with the power he gave him, but then again, Wardes was a very prideful man, quick to underestimate his opponent.
"Do not blame the power that I bestowed upon you Sir Wardes." The figure started. "It was your own arrogance and pride that has lead to the loss of your limb. You should have never underestimated your foe."
"He was able to cut through the darkness! You said that should have been impossible." Wardes shot back
The figure rested his elbows on the table as he pondered this new information. "That is very interesting. There is only one thing that can cut through the darkness."
"Light." Wardes said bitterly as he reached over and touched his stump.
When the figure across that table heard this, his eyes widened a little. "That is correct, but how did you know that?"
"The person I fought said that light was more powerful than darkness. He used that power to defeat me. Why didn't you warn me of this?"
"Hmm." The figure responded as he rested his hands on his intertwined fingers. "Users of light are very rare. I did not expect you to meet one on your venture to assassinate the prince of Albion. What was the child's name?"
Wardes grit his teeth as memories of the boy entered his mind.
"Roxas."
Immediately, the other figure's eyes widened immensely. However, a sinister grin formed on his face as he lowered his hands to the table.
"Number 13. Roxas. The Key of Destiny. Oh the memories that name brings to me."
Wardes looked at the man skeptically. "You know this boy."
"I do. If he is your opponent, then you stand no chance against him." The figure said with a hearty chuckle.
Wardes saw red as he abruptly stood from his seat. "I will not be talked down to by a lowly commoner such as yourself. Don't think that just because Joseph summoned you that you can talk to me like that! Even if he sent you here to aid me.
The figure shook his head before he looked up at the man with sinister yellow eyes. "Joseph doesn't even know I am here. He is to busy with his…real familiar to keep track of me. I am here on my own accord…and for my own amusement."
"Joseph doesn't know you're here? Isn't he your master?"
The figure gave another low chuckle that seemed to make fun of the enraged man. "What are you going to do now Wardes? You are outclassed in this battle. You may have left Tristan to fend for itself, but they are a strong country. Even without the aid of Germania, they may still beat you, especially if Roxas is on there side." The figure said, changing the subject.
Wardes grit his teeth as he slammed his hands on the table. "Give me more power!"
A grin crossed over the figures face. "Your heart is not strong enough to handle the power of darkness. It will consume you. Not even Joseph has been able to handle more than what I gave you."
"Don't patronize me commoner. I am a square class mage, a noble blessed by the founder Brimir. I can take anything you give me. So give me the power of darkness." Wardes growled.
At the mention of Brimir, the figure could not help but laugh. "How nostalgic." He said as he looked up at the angered mage. "As you wish."
The figure stood from his seat before he walked over to Wardes and extended his hand. "Open your heart. Surrender it to the darkness…" He said as a vile green aura left his hand and began to enter into Wardes's being.
"Become darkness itself."
Immediately, Wardes's entire frame started to glow with a dark green hue. Never in his life had the man ever felt this powerful in his life. He felt like no one could stand up to him, that he could concur with just a twitch of his finger.
Suddenly, Wardes extended his hand to the side. Immediately, the darkness converged at a spot on the ground before a little figure appeared. The figure had a large, round head with two antennas. Its beady little eyes were yellow lacking any from of soul.
Wardes looked at the creature for a few moments before a grin split his face. "So these are the heartless creatures you have told me about.
The figure nodded as he glanced over at the small shadow. "Beware though. Heartless are fickle creatures. They follow who is strongest, and will not hesitate to betray you."
"Then we wont have a problem." Wardes said as he waved his arm. Immediately, the heartless disappeared in a flash of darkness. "Right now, there is no one more powerful than me."
The figure gave a small chuckle before he turned around and walked a few steps away. "Remember that this is what you wanted. Do not blame me if it betrays you in the end." The figure said as he extended his hand. Immediately, a portal of darkness erupted fro the ground.
The corridor of darkness.
Seeing that the figure was about to leave, Wardes called out to him. "Wait!"
The figure stopped before he entered the corridor. He looked over his shoulder at Wardes.
"How do you now Roxas? Who is he?"
The figure paused for a few moments before he let out a sinister chuckle. "In a way, you could say that I was the one that gave him his name." The man said as he stepped through the corridor of darkness, leavening a confused Wardes behind.
Stepping through the corridor of darkness, the figure found himself in his living courters, provided by Joseph himself. The man grinned to himself at the new information he had learned from Wardes.
"Roxas. How are you here? How did you not disappear when you fused with Sora?" he said as he looked out his window into the night sky. "I think I will stick around for a little while longer. Things have gotten very interesting."
The figure opened the door to his balcony as he walked out, letting the cool night are caress his face. He looked up to admire the twin moons in the sky as he closed his eyes.
"It really is nostalgic."
It was done. The ball had been dropped. As Roxas looked at his friends, there were no words to describe the amount of confusion and shock in there eyes. He couldn't really blame them either. He had just told them that he was not supposed to exist. How do you respond to something like that? What were you supposed to say? He had a similar reaction when Namine said that to him.
"I-I don't really understand. You're trying to say that the body can survive without the heart. How is that possible?" asked Colbert, trying to wrap his head around what he had just learned.
"You're looking at proof right now. When a Heartless takes your heart, all that is left is an empty shell. A person is made up of three main components, the body, the soul, and the Heart. The body is physical, everyone has it." Roxas started as he lifted his hand and clenched his fist. "The soul is what gives the body life." He continued, looking around to make sure everyone was on the same page.
"And finally, the Heart is what gives you an identity. It is the source of your feelings, your emotions, and everything that make you who you are. The heart is the most complex and important of the three."
"So you're saying these…Nobody's… they are just emotionless creatures left over from someone who lost their heart to these Heartless?" Asked Colbert, making sure he fully comprehended this.
Roxas scrunched his eyebrows a bit as he looked down at the grass before nodding his head. "Your body and soul can live without the heart…but it is an existence that I would not wish on anyone."
Colbert was just staring at him through his spectacles, obviously trying to decide whether or not to believe his words.
"So…that means you're just what's left over after Sora lost his heart?" asked Amy as she scrunched her eyebrows. "That…sounds terrible."
"It does." Roxas replied as he looked up at them. "But it's true. People like me…Or Creatures like me…we are born when someone with a strong heart ends up a victim of the darkness. All that's left is…nothing. If Sora had never lost his heart, I would have never been born. In fact, I was never supposed to be born."
"So that's what you meant…when you said you never should have existed." Siesta said as she scrunched her eyebrows. "But…how can you say something like that! It sounds so…sad. Everyone deserves to exist."
"I am used to it." Roxas replied as a more solemn look crossed his face. "When I was created, I was found by an organization of Nobody's known as Organization 13."
"Organization 13?" asked Kirche.
"Yeah." Roxas nodded. "They were a group of Nobody's that wanted to be whole. They wanted to truly exist, and I was there 13th member. Our goal was rather complicated so I wont go into detail at the moment."
"There were only 13 of you?" Asked Jessica as she adopted a thinking pose. "Then these heartless must not be much of a threat. If there were only 13 Nobody's including you. That means only 13 people were a victim of the heartless, right?"
Roxas stared at her for a second before he shook his head. "No. There are different kinds of Nobody's. The Nobody's of Organization 13 were created of people who had exceptionally strong hearts. When the person fell victim of the darkness, the nobody that was created kept not only their original form, but most of the abilities they had when their heart was still intact."
Roxas raised his hand as he summoned the oathkeeper. "That is the reason I can wield the Keyblade. It was because I am the nobody of Sora." He said sadly, letting the weapon vanish in a flash of light.
Everyone who was listening could hear the sorrow in his voice as he said that. It sounded so depressing, almost as if everything about him wasn't truly his, but borrowed from someone else.
"That is…truly depressing." Colbert said as he pushed up his glasses. "But what of these other Nobody's you mentioned. What is created by those who have a…weaker heart?"
Roxas had a pitied look on his face as he thought about the lesser of his kind. "The lesser Nobody's have an even more sad existence than mine. They have a body, but are unable to think as clearly as Nobody's like me."
"What do you mean?" Asked Tabitha quietly.
"Lesser Nobody's are simply…there. They don't have instincts, memories, or even the capacity to think on their own. The only way they can act is if they are guided by someone…or something."
Everyone pondered this for a few moments. It was until they remembered what Roxas had mentioned earlier that they began to understand what he was implying.
"Organization 13 was able to control the lesser Nobody's, am I right?" asked Colbert.
Roxas nodded again. "The lesser Nobody's would listen to us because we were like them. We were Nobody's. We could guide them and they would follow our instruction. I mean, what else would they follow. Without instruction, they would just simply exist in the plane of nothingness."
"So, your plan. You claim that you may be able to control these Nobody's. But why do you have to leave to do that? Why cant you just call them here?" asked Louise.
"Its because I don't know if they will listen to me anymore."
"…"
"Why is that?" asked Amy.
"Its because…I now have a heart of my own." Roxas said as a ghost of a smile crossed his face.
Everyone was silent as they heard that. Just moments ago, Roxas had claimed that he was a Nobody, a being without a heart. Now however, he was saying that he has one.
"How? How do you just…get a heart?" Louise asked.
Roxas glanced at her before he turned his attention to Kirche and Tabitha. "Do you remember the conversation we had with the water spirit?"
Kirche rubber her chin as she tried to recall that adventure. Tabitha however, remembered it instantly.
"She said that you were growing your heart. I also remember you saying something like that after you healed my mother." She said as her eyes widened a bit.
"Now that you mention it." Kirche said as a few memories played back through her mind. "You did say that you were born without emotions and that you were learning to follow your heart. I thought you were just being methodical, but you were actually literal about that." Kirche said as she let out a small giggle. "All this time you have been dropping hints here and there about what you were."
Roxas nodded again. "The water spirit said that Nobody's like me have the ability to…grow a heart in the place of the one that was lost. In my case, since Sora's heart has already returned to him, through my experiences and the people I have met, a heart was bourn in this empty shell."
"That is very interested." Colbert said as he rubbed his chin. "So I assume that these…lesser nobody's that you mentioned…they lack this ability to…grow a heart."
Roxas nodded again. "They are not like us. However, their situation is not hopeless. Just after learning about my own heart, I realized something about Nobody's and Heartless. If the Nobody is destroyed, and the corresponding heartless is destroyed as well, then the person who was lost to the darkness will return."
Eyes widened a bit at this new information. A few relieved looks crossed their faces as well. It seemed that there was hope for a person if they were consumed by the darkness.
"But…what about you?" Ellie asked with a small voice.
Roxas raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"You said that a person will return if his Nobody and Heartless are destroyed…But if Sora is already back, what does that mean for you?" Ellie asked as her eyes bore into him.
Everyone was silent for a moment before they looked over at Roxas. That was actually a really good question. Sora was already back, so what would happen to Roxas if he were destroyed.
Roxas looked back to the ground. "I was special among the Nobody's of Organization 13. I can only assume that because Sora had returned just moments after he became a heartless, I was born without emotions…and without memories."
"You didn't have any memories?"
Roxas shook his head. "I didn't. I had nothing. No heart, No emotions, no Memories, …Not even a name. When I was found, I was giving the name Roxas and the number 13. That was the only think I had…the only thing I was."
This new information further shocked his listeners. Ellie had tears streaming down her face as she listened to kind of existence Roxas had. She could not imagine what it would be like to simply stand there with literally nothing.
Ellie was not the only one that through that. The rest of them looked at Roxas in pity. It was difficult to understand what it would have been like to go through what he did.
Roxas laughed bitterly. "In a way, I was no different than the lesser Nobody's when I was first born. I simply followed the orders of the Organization, traveling to many worlds and mindlessly destroying the heartless. That was all I knew. That was all I had, and that's what I did."
Louise had a rare look of sadness on her face as she heard this story. It sounded so sad. She had it rough in her childhood because of her mother and older sister, but at least she had her other older sister and the princess to be there for her when she was down. She at least had a family.
But Roxas had nothing. He was literally…nothing. No one could really understand what that was like.
"But." Roxas continued, getting everyone to look at him.
"There was a person who showed me the ropes of the organization. His name was Axel."
"Ah. I remember you mentioning him before." Siesta said. Siesta herself was having a hard time listening to this tale when Roxas started to explain what he was. It hurt to hear him say these kinds of things so…nonchalantly.
"Yeah. Axel I would do missions together here and there. However, every day we would watch the sunset while eating sea-salt ice cream." Roxas said as he let out a small laugh. "We were the closest things to friends as Nobody's could be. There were even times that we speculated if it were possible for Nobody's to have hearts. I think that may have been the first time where my heart actually started to form."
Suddenly, a memory played back through Roxas's mind. It was of the last moment he spent with Xion. How she disappeared in his arms with a sad smile on her face.
"I had another friend, a girl named Xion."
"Xion. I remember you mentioning her as well." Tabitha said.
Roxas nodded. "She, Axel, and I were best friends. I was the one that trained her as a member of the organization." Roxas said as he gave a small laugh. "She was a lot like me when she first started. She didn't show much emotion, and would always ware her hood to hide her face. It took a long time before she finally spoke to me. After that, she quickly became friends with Axel and we would all go on crazy adventures to other worlds."
"Hm, that sounds interesting." Kirche said with a smile.
That was when Roxas's mood became sad again. "She was the 14th member of the organization. I…I don't really know the full story for some reason, but recently, I have been remembering things about her." He gave a long pause as he felt his throat choke up a bit.
"Roxas?"
Roxas blinked a few times as he looked up. Siesta had concern in her eyes when she saw the sad look in his face. Roxas swallowed the lump in the throat as he addressed them again.
"Sorry, the memories are not that pleasant. She died…right in my arms."
At learning this, Roxas was not the only was who was feeling sad now. The mood had just turned a bit more tolerable when he started to talk about his friends, but now he was saying that one of the only people he considered close had died in his arms. Just how much had he suffered?
"You know, it's…almost funny. I didn't think much about it when it happened, but when Xion died, I cried for the first time." Roxas said as he tried to squash the feeling of sadness. "A person who was supposed to lack a heart, crying. It's strange that I didn't see It earlier…the making of my own heart."
"What killed her?" asked Ellie?
"Organization 13."
Everyone's eyes widened a bit when they heard this.
"What? Why would they do that? They sounded like an ok group to me. They would go around to different worlds and destroy heartless." Amy Kirche exclaimed.
"But they would also destroy everyone else that got in their way. They didn't care about anyone but themselves. They believed that they could be hole if they collected hearts from the heartless."
"And why is that a bad thing?" asked Siesta.
"Because they had no problem turning people into heartless so there hearts could be collected."
A gasp went through the listeners as there mouths dropped open. They could not believe what they were hearing. This organization would deliberately kill people and turn them into heartless so their hearts could be collected. They wanted to have hearts, but didn't would sacrifice others in order to achieve their goal.
"KYU, This story is bad!" Irukukwu exclaimed as she wrapped around Tabitha's arm tighter.
"I can only suspect that Xion found out what they were planning and tried to stop it. Xion was always a very kind person and would never allow that to happen. So she was killed. That's when I realized the true colors of the Organization. I left and tried to stop them, but I was stopped before I could do anything…by the same person who tried to kill Sora before. His best friend Riku."
"Tried to kill Sora before…" Colbert said as he stroked his chin in through. "Are you talking about the one that crafted the Keyblade?" asked Colbert
"Yes. He had a change of heart, and tried desperately to right his wrongs. But he needed me to do it."
"What do you mean?" asked Siesta.
Roxas gave a deep sigh as he looked up at her. "Sora needed to destroy the Organization…To protect the worlds from falling victim to their scheme. But there was only one problem."
"Which was?"
"I held half of Sora's power…and it was time I give it back to him."
"How?"
"By becoming apart of him again."
There was silence again as Roxas continued. He was getting a lot of looks that clearly told him that they didn't understand where he was going with this, so Roxas decided to elaborate.
"To make it easier to understand, I had to give up my existence so Sora had the power he needed to defeat Organization 13. So I did just that. I gave up everything and together, Riku, Sora, and I defeated Organization 13. Since I was apart of Sora again, I simply didn't exist anymore."
Siesta felt her throat chock up a bit as she continued to listen to Roxas's tale. It was so incredibly sad. He started with nothing, and had to give up everything in the end. It's no wonder he didn't want to share anything about his past with them. Not only was it really complicated, but it was also depressing. Why did he have to suffer so much?
"That was the second time Sora saved all the worlds. He defeated the leader of Organization 13, and that was it. I was no more, fated to fade away into nothingness."
By this time, most that were listening had tears in there eyes. Roxas's past was incredibly depressing and they didn't know how he dealt with it.
Roxas then looked at Louise. "Do you remember what I said to you at the ball?"
You gave me the chance to exist.
"I gave you the chance to exist." Louise whispered a she looked up at him.
Roxas nodded. "I was supposed to just disappear. But somehow, you summoned me from the void. I now exist, and have the chance to be someone." He said as he raised his hand and rested it over his heart. He smiled slightly as he felt it beating beneath his chest.
"And I can feel it. With everyone's help…" he said as he looked around. "My heart has been growing. I am learning how to feel. I am becoming somebody."
"That is…Quite the story. It is a lot to absorb and even more difficult to understand. I am still wondering whether or not to believe you though." Colbert said as he pushed up his glasses again.
"Whether you believe me or not, that is up to you. I don't really care, but it will help you to understand what I must do now." Roxas said as his eyes filled with determination.
"And that is?"
"I have to find the lesser Nobody's. Now that Organization 13 is gone, they have no one to guide them. And even though I have a heart now, I was still born from the loss of Sora's heart. I am still…a Nobody. That may be enough for them to listen to me."
"But what if they don't listen to you? What then?" Asked Louise.
"I don't know. They could attack, they could do nothing, but I will not summon them here until I know for sure. I will not risk the safety of my friends. Not again."
"So…you would put yourself in danger instead?" Siesta said, her eyes narrowing a little.
"Yes." Roxas replied with no hesitation. "I have been fighting my whole life. I have a greater chance to survive. Besides, I was never supposed to exist in the fist place, so if I do die, it will mean nothing. After all…" he said as he looked at the grass in front of him, a bit of sadness entering his heart again.
"It's the fate of a Nobody."
SMACK
Roxas's head jerked to the side as he felt a stinging sensation on his left cheek. His eyes widened a bit as he looked up to see Siesta standing there, her hand in the air after it had just struck his face. For some reason, his heart felt a bit heavy when he saw tears streaming down her face.
"What's wrong with you? How could you say that it would mean nothing! What about us? What about the people who have grown to care about you? How do you think we would feel if you suddenly died…if you never returned? Did you learn nothing when you saw your friend Xion die? Do you think we wouldn't feel that same about you?" Siesta cried as she wiped her eyes with her sleeve.
Roxas stared at her with wide eyes. He then looked around at everyone else. They were in a similar state as her. He did not expect this kind of answer. Usually people would just see the Nobody's as a person who was not supposed to be, so what was the point in actually caring for them.
"But…I just told you what I am. I am nothing. Why would you care for a Nothing?"
Roxas saw Siesta approach again. He closed his eyes, waiting for another slap, but instead, he felt two soft arms around his neck and a weight on his shoulder. He looked to the side to realize that Siesta had wrapped him in a hug and was resting her chin on his shoulder as she sat between his legs.
"Do you really need to ask why?" Siesta asked into his ear. "Do you feel my heart?"
Roxas paused as he felt a foreign thump against his chest. It was obviously Siesta's heart he could feel as she squeezed him tighter.
"What is it telling you? Do you really think that I…or anyone here would think any different of you just because of what you are?...What you were?"
Roxas paused again as he looked over his shoulder. His eyes widened a bit when he noticed the looks on everyone's face.
Kirche had a gentle smile on her face before it turned sultry. "Now that I know a little more about you, I can see why you could resist my charm so well. It seems I have a lot to teach you."
Amy and Jessica looked at each other for a moment before they grinned at him. "Just be sure to visit the inn every once in a while. We aren't like the nobles…." Amy started
"Hey!" Louise barked while Kirche was shot a small pout in there direction.
"Well…Most nobles. We don't discriminate, even against…A Nothing." Jessica finished. They both smiled at him, giving him an indication that they were joking around.
"Yeah! We don't care Roxas. Your still the best!" Ellie said before she pouted at Siesta. She wanted to hug Roxas right now.
"Whether you are a Nobody or not, you are still my familiar." Louise said as she turned a little red from embarrassment. "And…what kind of master would I be if I doubted you now."
Roxas blinked a few times. Now he felt guilty about hiding the fact that he wasn't her familiar anymore from her. He didn't expect that from the usually prideful Louise.
"It sure is fascinating, but I could care less. As long a you continue to protect my precious student, it does not matter to me what you are." Colbert said with a smile.
"KYU, Roxas! You are still one of my best friends." Irukukwu said with a fanged grin.
Lastly, Roxas looked over at Tabitha for a moment. They seemed to stare t each other for the longest time before he saw a ghost of a smile form on her face. She gave simple nod, which spoke volumes to the Nobody.
Roxas felt tears well up in his crystal blue eye, as he looked at all these people who didn't care about what he was. They were people that cared about him, people that would be sad if he were gone.
His friends.
Roxas reached over Siestas shoulder as he wiped his eyes with his sleeve.
"You…you will never understand what this means to me. I care about every one of you…but that is why..." He started as he gently grasped Siesta's shoulders and pushed here away until he could see her eyes. They were a little red from crying, but she had gotten ahold of herself for the most part.
"That is why I must go."
"Roxas-"
"I promise though." He said, interrupting Siesta. "I promise that I will come back. This is something that I need to do." He said as he took her hand and placed it on his chest. "This is something my heart is telling me to do."
Siesta paused as she felt his heart beat beneath her hand. She knew that Roxas's mind was made up. Slowly, she reached up with her other hand and grasped his coat. Gently, she pulled herself closer until she was rested her head against this shoulder again.
"Don't die…Please. Don't Disappear." She whispered.
Roxas nodded as he wrapped his arms gently around her back. They stayed there for a few seconds before he gently pushed her away. Both of them stood up, but Siesta was still pinching the edge of his coat.
Roxas looked at the rest of his friends before he took a deep breath. "I will return. I need to protect my home."
"Don't do anything stupid Roxas. Who will be the hero of the Fairies if your not there?" Jessica said with a sly grin.
"But look who we are talking to." Amy said as she rolled her eyes. "This is Roxas, the person who runs in swinging, not caring who his opponent is. Of coarse he is going to do something stupid." She said before she looked up at him. "Just, come back alive. It won't be the same without you."
Roxas chuckled a bit as he nodded. He then felt a tug on his other sleeve. He looked down to notice Ellie had somehow snuck over to him and grasped a handful of his coat. He raised an eyebrow as he heard her sniff and saw a few tears falling from her eyes.
"Roxas."
Roxas reached down and ruffled her brown hair, though this time she didn't respond like she usually did. So, he knelt down and tried to look her in the eyes, but with her head down, it was difficult.
"Ellie." He said as he raised her chin. Her eyes were watery as she sniffed again. Quickly, she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Roxas, you will always be there to protect us…right?" She asked.
Roxas gave a sigh as he wrapped his arm around her back and gently stroked her hair. "If I am to protect everyone, I will need some help. But again, I promise," he said as he pulled her away and looked into her eyes. "I will be back."
Ellie nodded as she slowly lowered her arms. She still hung her head as a few tears fell from her eyes. Roxas felt extremely bad about leaving her like this, but he needed to move quickly. Who knew when Albion would launch their first attack?
He stood up and turned to walk away, but was immediately met with a mop of red hair and another pair of arms around his neck. Obviously this was Kirche, but this hug was a lot more soft then her usual aggressive style. It only lasted a second though as she pulled away.
"You better come back Roxas. It will be a new achievement to seduce someone who lacked emotions at one point." She said softly.
Roxas blinked a few times before he gave a small, awkward laugh. He reached up and patted her on the shoulder before he turned his attention to Louise and Colbert.
"Since this is to help our country without loosing many lives, I will permit you to take this mission…Just…Come back safe, ok?" Louise said as her face turned red from embarrassment again.
Roxas grinned a little. "Never knew you cared so much."
"I do…I just…Just shut up!" she exclaimed as she turned away, her face red again.
Roxas laughed a bit as he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked around to notice Colbert standing there. "You say you are from another world. When you get back, I would love to hear about it. Please be safe. You have a lot of people that care for you here."
"Thank you." Roxas said as he gave one last look at the surrounding people.
His friends.
He then turned into and walked into the forest, leaving them all behind.
Roxas needed to get his emotion in check before he would leave to find the Nobody's. Now that he was alone, he took a few deep breaths to try and calm his heart. He was still a bit choked up that they all had such strong feelings toward him. That actually cared for him despite what he was.
"Ok." Roxas said, readying himself to leave his home. Surprisingly, he found this a bit more difficult that he actually thought. He really didn't want to leave this world, leave the people that he cared for…and cared for him in return.
"KYU! WAIT!"
"Huh?" Roxas turned, only to be met with a familiar blur. This time though, he managed to stabilize himself before he was rammed by the energetic Rhyme dragon.
Irukukwu launched at him before wrapping her arms and legs around his body. She latched on tight, to the point where she was nearly constricting the air out of him.
"Irukukwu, You're choking me!" Roxas gasped as he patted her back.
The dragoness lessened her hold on the poor nobody, but still clung to him, her face buried in his shoulder.
"I don't want you to go. What if we never see you again? Why can't you take us with you?" Irukukwu cried.
Roxas paused as he felt his heart grow a little heavy at making the innocent girl cry.
"She has a point. Why can't we go with you?"
Roxas turned his head to see Tabitha standing there, a concerned look on her face.
Giving a small sigh, Roxas gingerly pushed Irukukwu shoulders away. She reluctantly released him from her grip before she stood on her feet in front of him.
"The reason I can't take any of you is because I am going to another world…through the corridor of Darkness."
"The corridor of Darkness? You mean that teleport ability you use?" Asked Irukukwu.
"Yes. That is actually a very dangerous method to travel between worlds. It's like walking through a hallway with an entrance and an exit. The only problem is that you're directly exposed to the darkness while you travel through them. The only reason I am able to use them safely is because of this." He said as he grasped the fabric of his coat.
"Why? What is that coat?"
"This was worn by the members of the Organization. It is specifically designed to repel the darkness. That is why none of you can come with me. If your heart is continually exposed to the darkness, it will consume you."
"Muuu" Irukukwu wined as she pinched the bridge of his coat. She could not argue with what he said. Based on his story, the darkness was very dangerous and she didn't want to be turned into one of these 'Heartless'
"So you are putting yourself in danger once again…by using this ability." Asked Tabitha as she narrowed her eyes a little.
"Yes. It is the only way." Roxas said as he gingerly grasped Irukukwu's hand and removed it from his coat.
"Roxas."
"You can't stop me Tabitha. I have to do this."
"I wasn't going to stop you. I know how stubborn you can be." She replied as she walked up to him. A small blush formed on her face as she reached for the collar of his coat and pulled him down slightly. She then quickly pecked his cheek before she let him go.
Roxas felt his face flare up as he touched the place where she kissed him. Tabitha had never done that before. Currently, she was looking down at the ground. It looked like steam was coming from off of the top of her head.
Suddenly, he felt something soft on his other cheek. Turning his head, he saw the fanged smile of Irukukwu as she pulled her head away.
"Chu. I kissed Roxas!" She said happily as she bounded over to Tabitha and hugged her from behind.
Roxas felt his heart beat a little faster as he looked at the duo, but he didn't have time to wonder why his heart would race every time that happened to him. He gave them a small smile before he extended his hand. Immediately, the corridor of darkness erupted from the ground, its wispy entrance beckoning him to enter.
One last time, Roxas looked at the two of them before he gave a small smile. "See you soon." He said before he turned around and walked through the entrance.
The rain was falling heavily from the sky as the Corridor of darkness appeared in an empty alleyway. Roxas frowned as he felt the cold drops gently land on his head. Looking up into the sky, he really had mixed feelings about being here again. He had many good memories of this place…but even more that were not so pleasant.
"Never though I would return here." Roxas said out loud as he glanced up at the massive, broken, heart-shaped moon. Just below it was the castle where he had spent the majority of his life. It looked like nothing had ever changed since he had last come here, besides the fact it was even more empty than usual.
Suddenly, darkness erupted from the ground in front of Roxas, causing him to summon the Oblivion to his hand. The darkness soon took a form that Roxas knew all to well. Its beady yellow eyes and long antenna were highly distinguishable.
"Neoshadows." Roxas whispered as he shook his head. "This place really hasn't changed at all." The Neoshadow lunged at Roxas, but he quickly sidestepped it before bringing his keyblade down on top of its head. Immediately, the Neoshadow exploded as the darkness dispersed. However, Roxas knew he was not done. He looked over his shoulder to see more heartless crawling out of the ground, most of them Neoshadows. They surrounded him on all sides.
"This feel really familiar." Roxas said to himself as he summoned the oathkeeper to his other hand. He spun them before they clashed with each other, sending a few sparking to the ground. He crouched down as he got into his battle stance, waiting for the heartless to make their move.
Immediately, the Neoshadows lunged at him as he charged into the midst of them.
Louise had returned to the academy shortly after Roxas had revealed the big secret about himself. If she were being honest with herself, she would have to say that it was incredibly difficult to believe what he had said. The only things that were stopping her from outright not believing him was witnessing firsthand what had happened to Wales, seeing everything that Roxas could do, but most importantly, it was the look in his eye.
During the whole conversation, He did not waver once. The sheer about of honestly in his eyes could not be refuted in any way. Everything he had said was true. And truthfully, I scared her a little.
Who knew that creatures like the Heartless could exist, and Roxas had been fighting them his whole life. That did explain his incredible skills as a fighter, but she had to agree a little with Professor Colbert. No one that young should have fight creatures like that, epically for how long Roxas had done so.
And to hear about his very existence. When she heard Roxas say that he wasn't supposed to exist, just hearing something like that was almost sickening. But that was what Roxas was. He would have never existed in the first place if that boy…Sora… had never lost his heart.
She could not understand what it would have been like to have that in the back of you mind for your entire life.
But now that she knew what he was…and what he had been through, she could understand why he was content with so little. It was because he basically had nothing in the first place. Even though she suffered from her…overly strict mother and sister, Louise had everything she could ever want besides being able to cast magic properly, however because of that, she was never satisfied with what she had.
After hearing Roxas's story, it was a lot easier to understand his thought process. If he never had it in the first place, why would he care about status, money, power…anything that the nobles desired and sought?
No
He really only cared that he existed, and that he had friends he wanted to protect. In a way, that was very admirable…Louise even felt a little envious of her familiar. She envied that he was so content when he literally had next to nothing.
Louise was not the only one with these thoughts. Kirche and Tabitha had retreated to Kirche's room in order to fully absorb what they had just learned about the mysterious boy.
"I knew Roxas was an enigma, but to think his story would be something like this." Kirche said as she rubbed her temples.
Tabitha gave a nod as she sat down on the edge of Kirche's bed. She didn't even have her book with her this time.
"Sad."
"You can say that again." Kirche responded as she sat next to her friend. Irukukwu flopped on the bed behind the two of them and hugged Tabitha from behind.
"When do you think Roxas will be back? I miss him already." Irukukwu whined.
Kirche giggled as she reached back and patted the dragoness on the head. "He just left. Give him some time. Roxas is an honest person. If he makes a promise, you know he will keep it."
"Muu! I know." Irukukwu whined as she rested her chin on Tabitha's head.
Kirche giggled again before she rested her hands in her lap, deep in thought. "You know, I would have never guessed that was Roxas's backstory, but ever since we first met him, there were things that he would say…and do that really didn't make sense."
Tabitha nodded in agreement. "After he gave me that Elixir to heal m mother, he mentioned that he was growing his heart. At the time, I had no idea what the meant." She said as she rested her chin on her intertwined fingers. "But now it all makes sense."
"Yeah it does." Kirche said, as she laughed a bit. "The first time I tried to seduce him, I thought for sure that I had him. But he turned around and asked me what love was. Can you imagine how shocked I was?" Kirche asked as she giggled a little more.
A small smile formed on Tabitha's lip. "Yes. You came to my room and complained about what happened, remember?"
"Oh yeah. I did, didn't I?" she said a she rested a finger on her chin. "But now I know why. Roxas wasn't really born they way we are. He was more…created than anything. So he never had parents to tell him what love is…Tabitha!" Kirche said as she suddenly looked at her friend.
Tabitha looked at Kirche with a raised eyebrow.
"He said that Sora was around 14 when he lost his heart, right?" Kirche asked, causing Tabitha to nod. "But Roxas doesn't even look 17 yet. Does that mean Roxas is less than three years old?"
Tabitha thought about it for a while. It did make sense the way Kirche had explained it. "It is possible."
"Awe!" Kirche said as her head fell, a storm cloud forming over her. "Does that mean I'm like a pedophile?"
If Tabitha were any other person, she would have probably burst out laughing at this point. However, that was a very strange way to think about it. She reached over to pat Kirche on the back, but the redhead suddenly raised her head with a large smile.
"It doesn't matter. If Roxas is a three year old, he is one sexy three year old. That gives the saying "Mature for your age" a whole new meaning, doesn't it?"
Again, Tabitha had a small smile on her face as she listened to Kirche's rationalization. It was times like these that she was really happy to have her as a friend.
Knock Knock
Kirche and Tabitha turned their attention towards the door. Tabitha sent Irukukwu a look before the dragoness nodded. She hid beneath the covers as Kirche stood from the bed and walked over to the door. Upon opening it, she saw one of the academy maids standing there.
"I am sorry to bother you Mistress Zerbst, but the headmaster has called for an assembly. Please meet down in the dining hall." She said.
"Thank you dear." Kirche said as she watched maid give a quick bow and move on to the next door.
"Well, tabby, I think we both know what this is about." Kirche said as she stood next to the open door.
Tabitha nodded as she stood and walked up to Kirche. "Irukukwu, stay here."
Irukukwu only gave a muffled reply that sounded like a snore. Tabitha sweat dropped as she realized her familiar had fallen asleep already.
Siesta had returned to her family's house after the talk with Roxas. She, Jessica, Amy, and Ellie all had a lot on their mind as they walked home, leaving little conversation between them.
When they walked in the door, they were greeted by Richard who automatically noticed that Roxas was gone. When he asked, Siesta just said that he returned to the academy with his master, Louise. Richard and Rachel were both disappointed that he left without saying goodbye, but quickly got over it.
Siesta walked up to her room before throwing herself on her bed, the conversation she had with Roxas playing through her mind. She had no idea that he had gone through so much. But it also explained everything as well.
Remembering the time they took a bath together, recalled Roxas saying that he had a lot to learn about emotions, but at the time, she thought he was just being methodical…But he literally didn't know.
Everything made so much sense now. Every time he would ask a question about emotions, it was because his heart was telling him things that his mind didn't understand. He didn't know why his heart raced when they shared a bed, why his face would turn red when they shared a bath together or when she kissed his cheek. He literally didn't know.
In a way, it was embarrassing because Siesta had assumed he was nervous or shy…Maybe he still way, but just hadn't realized it yet.
With those thoughts, Siesta mind went a different direction. If Roxas didn't know about these things, then how in the world would he understand something like love? Even people who have experience emotions their entire life didn't fully understand love. So how would he deal with something like romance? How would he understand it?"
Siesta gave a sigh as she buried her face in her pillow. It looked like if she wanted a relationship with Roxas, they would have to take it really slow.
However, now that she was thinking back, Roxas did react the way most boys would when she made her moves. Despite not knowing why his body reacted the way it did, he still reacted. His heart still raced, and he gave off the impression that he was shy whenever physical contact was involved…so maybe this wont is as difficult as she thought.
Kirche, Louise, and Tabitha were all listening as Osmond rattled off about the academy having to close for an unforeseeable future because of the war that was declared between Tristan and Albion. In that time, most of the boys would be recruited to partake in the battle.
The only problem?
Princess Henrietta herself would be leading the army into battle. Naturally, this inspired great fear in Louise. She needed to be there for her childhood friend. Since Kirche and Tabitha didn't have anywhere else to go, they decided to stay at the academy.
It was a long carriage ride later until she reached the palace. There was a multitude of people already there that has sworn their loyalty to the princess in order to fight for their country. When Louise finally showed up, Henrietta immediately sought her out and arranged for a privet room for them to meet in.
"Louise. I am so happy you are here right now." Henrietta said as she rushed forward and embraced her friend.
"Always your highness." Louse replied as she hugged her back.
"Louise, what have I said about calling me that?" Henrietta said with a gentle smile before she looked around in confusion. "Where's Roxas?"
Louise bit her lower lip as she looked up at Henrietta. How was she going to explain this one to her? She barely understood it as it was.
"Um, he is not here."
"Where is he? We are in great need of his strength for this war."
"He…it's really complicated." Louise replied.
"Well, I have time." Henrietta said as she sad down on a chair, beckoning Louise to do the same. "Please explain what happened."
Louise reluctantly took a seat before she started to retell Roxas's tale.
Roxas rolled his shoulder as he walked through the castle in the world that never was. He had encountered a lot of heartless, but they were still no match for him. However, the curious part is that he had not seen a single Nobody. Usually the castle was full of them, but now it was just full of heartless.
Roxas cocked his head to the side as another Neoshadow thrust its wispy hand at his face. He immediately, slashed upwards at the heartless, causing it disperse into particles of darkness.
Still, walking through the castle, it did bring back a lot of memories. How he was first introduced into the organization, and how he was given missions by Siax.
Roxas ducked as another heartless tried to surprise him by attacking from behind. He waited until the heartless was right above his head before he thrust up with his Oblivion. He completely skewered the heartless and watched as it dispersed.
As he walked through the castle, he had to wonder. Did any of the organization know that Xemnas's plan was a lie? He was proof of it. He didn't need the power of Kingdom hearts to obtain a heart. That happened naturally through experiences. However, if that was the case, then why did Xemnas need those hearts? What was the point of Kingdom hearts?
He continued to have these thoughts as he wondered through the castle, looking for any sign of the Nobody's. So far, he had only see heartless…and they were everywhere.
"Hmm." Roxas hummed as he watched another heartless disperse, curtsy of his keyblade. "Where are they?"
As he continued to walk around the castle, he began to feel a bit nostalgic, epically when he passed by Axel's room. He paused for a moment before he looked over at the door. Curiosity struck him as he pushed it open.
Just as he suspected, it was completely empty. Why would axel still be here anyway? Roxas was there when he faded away.
You take care…Okay?
Right back at ya…Buddy."
That was the last time he saw Axel. Roxas gave a sad sigh as he turned to leave, however, just before he did, something caught his eyes on the side of Axel's bed. Walking over to it, Roxas looked on the nightstand before his eyes widened a bit. He reached down to pick up a small wooden object…an ice-cream stick with only one word on it.
"Winner." Roxas read out loud as memories played through his mind. He and axel would always joke about never being able to get the winner ice cream. And when he finally did, that's when everything went to hell.
Giving a small sigh, Roxas pocketed the stick before he left the room. He walked down the hallway again before he reached his own room. Getting curious again, he walked up to the door and pushed it open. Immediately, a wave of nostalgia washed over him as memories of the time he spent in the room resurfaced.
I went to a new world today Roxas. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. I hope…that you can join me next time.
"Xion" Roxas murmured as he recalled the memory. Even through he was in a comma at that time, he could hear everything she would say.
Looking at his bed, something caught his eye. Walking over, he reached next to the bedside before he plucked something up. His eyes widened a little when he recognized what it was.
A seashell.
Xion always like seashells, and would collect them every time she visited the ocean.
Suddenly, a stabbing pain shot through Roxas's mind, causing him to collapse on his knees. "Arg" Roxas gasped as he clutched his head in his hands.
"Roxas, I'm out of time." Xion said as she stood up. Roxas could only watch in confusion before she removed her hood. That was when Roxas's eyes widened immensely. Instead of Xion's face, he was staring at someone completely different.
Sora.
"Even if I'm not ready, I have to make this choice. You have poured so many memories into me…given me so much, that I feel like I am about to overflow." She said as she turned her head to look at him.
"Look at me Roxas, who do you see? If you see somebody else's face…a boy's face…than that means I am almost ready. This puppet will have to play her part. Roxas…This is him. Its Sora."
Roxas could only look at her in confusion. What in the world was going on? Why did she look like that?
Suddenly, Xion walked forward, as if she was walking on thin air before she flipped her hood back on and turned towards him. She extended her arm, and with a more sinister voice, she said.
"Your next Roxas, I have to make you a part of me too." She said as darkness began to form around her, causing the air to ripple with power. "Don't you see, this was why I was created."
That was when the memories of the battle between Roxas and Xion played through the Nobody's mind. Roxas watched as he Xion attacked him, but in the end, he was able to overpower her, to the point where he finally defeated her. In the end, Roxas watched as her face returned to normal.
"Who are you…again. It's weird, I feel like I am forgetting something really important." Roxas said as he massaged his forehead.
"You'll be better off now…Roxas." Xion said as she began to fall.
Roxas rushed forward and caught her before she hit the ground. However, just as he did that, particles of light began to emit from her being.
"Am I…the one who did this to you?
"No. It was my choice…to go away now. Better that… than to do nothing, and let Xemnas have his way. I belong with Sora…And now, I am going back…to be with him."
Roxas could only watch in confusion as this strange person continued to evaporate in his arms. Suddenly, she touched his hand, getting his attention.
"Roxas, I need you…to do me a favor. All those hearts that I have captured…Kingdom hearts, set them free!"
Now Roxas was even more confused. How were the hearts trapped? Why did he need to free them? "Kingdom hearts? Free them?" he asked before he noticed that the lower half of her body was starting to disappear.
"Its too late, for me to undo my mistakes. But you can't let Xemnas have Kingdom heart. You can't."
Now Roxas was thoroughly confused. Why did he need to stop Xemnas? Wasn't it their plan to use kingdom hearts so they could be whole?
"Goodbye Roxas." The girl said as she reached up with her hand. "See you again. I'm glad…I got to meet you. Oh, and of course…axel to. Your broth my best friends."
Roxas felt her hand on his cheek as he watched her continue to disappear.
"Never forget, that's the truth."
It was that instant, that all the memories of Xion suddenly returned to the Nobody. All the times they spent together on missions, all the times they enjoyed each other company on Twilight tower while eating sea-salt ice cream.
As Xions hand fell from his face, Roxas immediately grabbed it out of the air. "NO! Xion! Who will I have ice cream with." Was the only thing he could say at the moment. However, his words did nothing to stop her from disappearing. He watched helplessly as she evaporated into particles of light, leaving nothing behind…nothing except a pink seashell.
"Xion." Roxas whispered as he felt tears roll down his cheek.
Roxas blinked a few times as the memory ended. Now he had a clear picture of what happened to Xion. Is wasn't the members of the organization that killed her.
No.
It was him.
He was the one that killed his best friend.
Roxas felt tears roll down his cheeks as he clasped the seashell in his hand. Based on the memory, it seemed that Xion had found out what Xemnas was really up to. And also, it revealed the reason why Xion was created. She was a puppet that was meant to copy Roxas's ability to the point where the organization didn't need him anymore. They would use her to be there key barer to collect hearts. The perfect puppet that would bend to there every will.
It seemed that Xion knew what they were planning, so she had Roxas kill her so they would loose that asset.
"Xion." Roxas whispered as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "It seems that you sacrificed even more than I did." He said, finally knowing the whole story behind the mysterious girl in his memories. "I…I wish I could have done something for you."
You already did.
Roxas's eyes widened, as he looked around frantically. He swore he had heard something, but he was the only one in the room. There was nothing in this castle except for heartless.
"I must be tired." Roxas said, his memories making him emotionally exhausted. Looking at the bed, Roxas walked over to it at sat down on the edge. His body seemed to agree, as he felt 10 times more tired. He threw his legs over the edge, resting his back against the soft mattress before he closed his eyes, holding the seashell close to him as he fell asleep.
Kida flew through the air before he landed roughly on his back, The Forgotten Light falling from his grasp.
"Aug!" he gasped as he caught up a bit of blood. His body was covered in bruises and cuts from his battle with his former student, Xehanort. He slowly tried to sit up, but found it really difficult because of the extreme amount of pain his body was in.
Xehanort was standing there, a grin on his face. The only indication that a fight had taken place was a small scuffling of his cloths. He had his keyblade resting on his shoulder as he looked down at his master.
"It seems that your age is finally effecting you." Xehanort said with a condescending grin.
Kida didn't say anything as he felt the dark power he tried to use against Xehanort fade away, leaving him even more weak than before. He glanced down at the ground before spotting his keyblade. Immediately, he tried to reach for it, but was met with an incredible amount of pain as Xehanort appeared in front of him and slashed him across the chest.
Kida hacked up more blood as he crashed to the ground again, even further away from his keyblade.
Xehanort shook his head as he looked down at the old man. "You know, when the battle started, there was a chance where you could have won."
Kida looked up as he narrowed his eyes.
"You always said that Light was more powerful than the darkness. Have you ever once heard me say that was a false statement? Darkness may be powerful, but light will always cast it away. Had you used it, you have been able to put up more of a fight." He taunted.
Kida grit his teeth as he realized that Xehanort was right. He had lost himself to his own anger and channeled the power of darkness…
Suddenly, Kida's eyes widened as he clenched his teeth.
"You planed this didn't you?"
"I did. The moment you used the darkness to try and defeat me, that was the moment you lost. You always did have a quick temper, so all I had to do was mention your favorite student. I knew you would loose it."
Kida grit his teeth as he realized Xehanort was completely right. He had done what he always advised against. He had succumbed to the darkness…and it yet again left devastating consequences.
However.
"Xehanort, why would you do this? Why is the darkness so appealing to you? What is the point of all this power if you don't use it to protect people?"
It was briefly there for an instant, but Kida saw it. A vague look of sorrow that crossed over Xehanort's face before he quickly covered it up.
"The hearts is truly a curious thing. It can bring you great joy and happiness…" He said as he looked away from Kida.
Kida's eyes widened again as he saw a more longing look in Xehanort's eye.
"But…It is also the source of despair, sorrow, anger, jealousy, regret, misery, hopelessness, anguish…So many terrible things that you wonder if it is even worth it to have a heart. And you know the main reason why people feel this way?" He asked.
Kida narrowed his eyes, but continued to listen.
"It is because of other people. Where they bring happiness, they can also bring greater sorrow, they can fill the gabs in your heart, but can also leave you to the suffering of loneliness" Xehanort said as he looked Kida dead in the eye.
Kida nearly flinched at the lifeless look on Xehanort's face.
"Or they can caused feeling of love, but that can also quickly turn to hate and anger. A long time ago, I contemplated the heart and wondered if it was even worth it to have one." He said before a grin crossed over his face. "So I opened my heart to the darkness. It took away my pain, my hate…my sadness. I renamed myself Xehanort, which is appropriate, don't you think? No heart, crossed with an X."
Kida stared up at his student as he pondered his words. To a degree, Xehanort had a point. However, he was missing the greater picture. Suddenly, the old Keyblade master looked at his former student with a new expression.
Xehanort noticed this look before a frown formed on his face. "What is with that look your giving me?"
"I pity you Xehanort. Just because you couldn't handle suffering, you gave up everything. Now you are cursed to wonder the worlds with no purpose. No one to fight for, no one to love. It's a sad existence that I would never want."
For the first time, Kida saw Xehanort loose a bit of his composure. "Don't patronize me Kida. I have achieved what most people only dream of having. I can live forever."
"But at what cost? You are consumed by your own hate, allowing the darkness to influence your mind. You live for no one but yourself. What a hollow, and empty existence." Kida said as he shook his head.
"Shut your mouth Kida." Xehanort growled, his hands clenched into fists.
"Despite being as old as you are, you are still a selfish little brat that runs from his problems. It seems that not even eternity can change some people. You're weak Xehanort. Only the truly strong can bare the burdens of the heart."
"…"
Kida watched as darkens began to emit from Xehanort's body. "You just sealed your fate." He said as he raised his keyblade. "This is the end for you, Master Kida."
"I am old, Xehanort. I will be passing soon." He said before he raised his hand. "But that day is not today."
Suddenly, Xehanort was met with a massive amount of pain from his back. Kida's Keyblade had changed into its glider form as it rammed into the distracted man. Xehanort was thrown forward and crashed on his stomach as Kida jumped into the air and landed on the glider.
Xehanort only had time to look up, only to notice that the glider's Mega laser was completely charged, and aiming straight at him.
"…So this was your plan? Distract me so you could concentrate on charging your glider with you own magic. I have to admit, I am impressed Kida."
"Don't try and flatter me, Xehanort. During this whole battle, the forgotten light has been siphoning my magic from me." He said as he hovered his hand over the Firing bottom. "All I had to do was wait for the opportune moment." He finished as he slammed his hand on the button. Immediately, a massive beam shot from the bottom of the glider, heading straight for Xehanort's figure. The beam hit the ground with a devastating explosion, sending rocks, dust, and debris flying in all directions.
Kida shielded his face from the explosion as the wind whipped violently through his hair.
It took a while for the dust to settle, but when it finally did, Kida lowered his arms to see a large crater where his mega laser had struck. There was no sign of Xehanort, so Kida could only assume that he was destroyed in the blast.
"I am sorry, Xehanort." Kida whispered, trying to hold the tears back from killing his own student.
"I'm not."
Kida didn't even have time to react as he felt pain erupt on his back. He was sent flying from his glider as he hit the ground on his front. The glider turning back into a keyblade before it fell to the ground.
Slowly, Kida pushed himself to his knees as he looked around. His eyes widened when he saw Xehanort standing there. Right behind him, there was a wispy pillar of darkness that seemed to be the source f his escape.
"W-What? How?" Kida gasped.
Xehanort would have smiled triumphantly, but he was actually clipped by a portion of the laser. He had blood dripping from his torso from a large gash across his side. He was also holding his limp arm, which was also gushing blood from a large wound.
"I-I am impressed. I have not been injured like this in a long time. But you are in worse condition, Kida. You will not be able to survive these your wounds, so I will leave you here to die. Farewell." Xehanort said as he turned to enter the strange portal.
Kida grit his teeth as he tried to push himself up. Using the last of his strength, he forced himself to his feet and extended his hand. Immediately, he forgotten light appeared in his clenched fist. Kida then punched his shoulder plate, equipping his armor as he used his remaining strength to rush at Xehanort.
However, Xehanort looked over his shoulder with a grin as he saw the approaching man.
"You are so predictable. Kida." He said as he ducked under the keyblade, spun around so he was behind the old master, and shoved him through he wispy portal. Kida could only look around in shock before the portal closed. The last thing he saw was Xehanort's tired, but victorious smile.
He was only in the darkness for a few moments before he roughly hit the ground on his back. He coughed up more blood as he felt his vision fade. He didn't have any more strength left, and he knew Xehanort was right. He was not going to survive much longer.
"I-I have to warn him. I have to warn Eraqus." Kida gasp. Using sheer willpower alone, he pushed himself to a seated position. He raised the forgotten light and was about to open a passage to the land of departure.
RAWR!
Kida suddenly looked to his side, only to see a massive creature standing over a white-haired man. The creature looked like a massive dragon, and Kida watched as the other man raised his staff. The creature however simply batted it away like it was nothing before it opened its mouth wide, ready to consume the man where he stood.
Without even thinking, Kida pointed The Forgotten Light at the dragon.
THUNDERGA
What was left of Kida's magic was used as a massive bolt of lighting fell from the sky and obliterated the dragon where it stood.
Blinking a few times, Kida realized what he had just done. He used everything that he had left in that spell. He was completely spent now and didn't have the strength to open a portal to the land of departure. He couldn't warn Eraqus, he couldn't stop Xehanort.
He had failed.
With those thoughts in mind, he fell on his back and let his armor evaporate from off his body. He vaguely saw the man he saved rush to his side and utter a few words, but Kida wasn't listening. He felt his vision start to fade; the last thing he saw was of Xehanort when he first became his student. The smug smile on his face that Kida thought was just the overconfidence most children had. He now knew better.
But still.
Kida had cared for Xehanort as if he was his own son. It pained him to realize what his beloved student really was.
"I have failed you as a master…Xehanort" he murmured as his vision went completely black. His being evaporated into particles of light, leaving nothing behind but The Forgotten Light…and an old journal.
Authors Note: Well, another chapter down. I am Pretty sure the last chapter of this arc will be next. The reason it was not included in this was because of the sheer amount of words i would have had. This chapter was 12K plus, so you can imagine how insanely long it would have been, but it also would have taken a lot longer to come out. So, what did you think? Did you enjoy? It was a bit difficult to do. The part with Roxas and all his friends was difficult because i had a hard time managing each character and there thoughts on what they learned about the Roxas, but i feel that i did an ok job. Also, Kida's story ends here, as you can tell. His story was a tragedy, but it was necessary for the plot. I hope you guys enjoyed it.
Also, would you like to see this story split up into separate fanfictions? or just pile on the chapters so this is just one big fic. Let me know.
So, please leave your thoughts in a review as well. I love hearing thoughts on the story. It always makes my day when someone takes the time to review. I have a bit of the last chapter written, so i will try and get it out as fast as possible. Thank you all so much for the support on the story. I am using a new laptop to write, so there may be a few more error because i am not used to this keyboard yet, so please forgive me.
Until then!
