Hi, guys. I hope you're liking this story and the changes so far. I'll try and update every weekend unless something happens to me or I'm gonna experience writer's block. Anyway, here's a new chapter.

Review replies:

7: Thanks. I hope you're gonna like the rest of the story.

Guest: Thank you. I'll do what can to make this story good.

Also, special thanks to Panther J for leaving a favorite and Shiranai Atsune for following the story.

On with the show.

Chapter 2: Ky's Birthday and Gift

The next day, Ky wakes up, gets off his bed, gets dressed, and heads out of his room and goes downstairs to find his mother in the kitchen.

(Kitchen)

"Morning, Mom." Ky said.

"Good morning, Mr. Twelve-year-old. Happy birthday, sweetie." Ky's mom said, as she hugs Ky.

"Thanks, Mom." Ky said.

"When are you and your friends going to the train station for your little outside adventure?" Ky's mother asked.

"Pax is supposed to be here by 8:30." Ky answered and his mother nods. "Hey, Mom. I know this is kinda outta nowhere, but what happened to my father?" Ky asked.

"Well...let's just say that your father had to leave while you were too young." Ky's mother answered. "Why do you ask?" She asked.

"Just curious. Is he ever gonna come back? Will I actually meet him?" Ky asked.

"I'm not sure when he'll come back." Ky's mother said.

"Oh, okay." Ky said.

Later on, Ky waits for Pax until he arrives.

"Hey. You ready?" Pax asked.

"Yeah. Bye, Mom. I'll be back. I promise." Ky said.

"Have fun, you two. Remember to be back here by evening." Ky's mother said and Ky nods and the two boys leave.

Just as the boys leave, Ky's mother returns to the kitchen, but just then, she finds the young man that Pax talked to before sitting on one of the chairs.

"You know, even a levelheaded master like you knows the meaning of entering someone's home unannounced and this is considered barging in." Ky's mother said.

"I see you haven't changed one bit, Sophia." The young man said, smiling.

"What are you doing here?" Sophia asked.

"You've forgotten, have you? Remember the deal we had?" The young man asked and Sophia realizes.

"Oh. It's almost that time..." Sophia said.

"Yeah. Tomorrow is that day." The young man said.

(Downtown)

Meanwhile, Ky and Pax go through the city for the train station, but during their walk, Ky can't help, but think about his encounter with the mysterious figure he met yesterday and about having a terrible fate unlike his father whom Ky has never even met at all. Ky also can't help, but think this destiny the figure told him and that Ky is supposed to fulfill it, but is believed to fail.

"My destiny...my father...? What was that guy talking about? I don't know what all of this means, but I'll find out." Ky said in his mind.

(Train Station)

Ky and Pax later arrive at the train station and they find Nex and Griff waiting for them.

"Hey, Birthday-boy. About time you got here." Nex said.

"Hey, guys. Listen, my mom said I can go, but we can't be anywhere that's farther than Requiem City." Ky said.

"That won't be a problem. Sapphire Forest is not too far. It's closest thing." Griff said.

"That's great, but we gotta be back here by evening." Ky said.

"We'll be back on time." Nex said.

Ky walks over to the ticket booth.

"Four students." Ky said, giving his munny to the ticket man, who gives Ky four tickets.

"Looks like the train's already here." Pax said, as the train arrives.

"Great. Let's go." Ky said.

The four boys enter the train and later on, the train starts to depart and while the four are riding on the train, Ky looks out the window, but then sees something outside and believes it's the cloaked figure from yesterday.

"Ky, what's wrong?" Pax asked.

"Huh?" Ky asked, as he looks at his friends and then looks back outside the window, only to find what he was looking at is gone already. "Was that him again?" Ky asked.

"What is it, Ky?" Nex asked.

"I dunno. I thought I saw someone. Guess my eyes were playing tricks on me." Ky said.

The train keeps riding until later on, it arrives at Sapphire Forest and the four boys get off the train.

(Sapphire Forest)

"Here we are." Griff said.

"Okay. Let's start exploring and see what's out there." Ky said.

The four boys go into the forest and they start exploring to find a different place outside the forest, but the forest is too big and it's like a maze, but Ky and Pax know what they're doing since they've been here before so they shouldn't get lost here. While the four keep exploring around the forest, Ky hears something and he looks around to see where the sound is coming from, but he sees nothing and so he keeps moving with his friends.

The exploration of the forest continues and they keep searching for the exit to the forest that will lead them to a different place, but then, Ky sees what looks like a white hooded cloaked figure and at first, Ky believes it's a ghost, but as he looks at his friends and looks back at the white cloaked figure, he is gone already. Ky looks around for him, but he decides to find his friends before he gets left behind, but then, he hears a different sound and he sees the white cloaked figure entering a cave.

"Why's he going in there for?" Ky asked, as he looks both ways and then goes into the cave to find the white cloaked figure.

(Forest Cave)

Ky looks around the cave for the white cloaked figure, but as he reaches the end, he decides to give up and go back out, but then, he hears another sound and he looks around to find its source and another sound is heard, much to Ky's annoyance.

"Wherever you are, come out now! This isn't funny!" Ky yelled, but another sound is heard. "COME OUT!" Ky shouted and just then, a black phantom like creature with crimson spiked crescents around its body appears. "What the...? That looks like a creature from my dream..." Ky said to himself. "What are you? It's a little early for Halloween." Ky said.

"wE hAvE bEeN sEaRcHiNg FoR yOu." The phantom creature said.

"What? You're searching for me? Why?" Ky asked.

"yOu WiLl CoMe WiTh uS." The phantom creature said, as it unleashes a black beam attack.

(Battle Theme: Busting Up the City)

Ky moves out of the way to avoid the beam attack and Ky tries to deliver a punch, but he goes through the phantom, who unleashes chain weapons and starts attacking with them, but Ky moves and tries to punch again, only for the phantom to shoot another beam and hits Ky, knocking him to a wall.

"What am I supposed to do to this thing? I can't do anything." Ky said.

"wEaK. i ShOuLd HaVe ExPeCtEd MoRe FrOm YoU. nO mAtTeR. i ShAlL tAkE YoU." The phantom creature said, as it goes for Ky.

"Leave him!" A voice demanded and the phantom turns to see the white hooded cloaked figure.

"yOu!" The phantom creature yelled, as it attacks with its chains, but the white cloaked figure dodges.

"Nice try, monster." The white cloaked figure said, as he attacks with what looks like a key shaped sword with a gold edge, an angel wing for teeth, a crown at the top of the edge, gold hilt, gold handle, silver markings on the edge, and a gold chain with a gold crown at the end. "Prepare to meet your end." The white cloaked figure said.

"nO! nOt ThAt WrEtChEd WeApOn!" The phantom creature yelled, as it shoots a beam at the figure.

The white cloaked figure dodges and attacks with his key weapon, but the phantom keeps trying to attack the white cloaked figure, who shoots a fireball spell, burning the phantom, but it unleashes a wave attack, but the white cloaked figure keeps striking with his key sword until he unleashes a white beam and destroys the phantom creature.

"Disgusting creature." The white cloaked figure said.

"Whoa..." Ky said.

"Are you all right?" The white cloaked figure asked, helping Ky up.

"Yeah. Thanks for helping me." Ky said.

"I know you're twelve now, but you still should be cautious when going out on your own, Ky." The white cloaked figure said.

"How do you know my name?" Ky asked.

"All will be revealed in time." The white cloaked figure said.

"Uh, what is that weapon you..." Ky was cut off by a voice.

"KY!" A voice called.

"That must be my friends. I'd better find them. Thanks for the help, mister." Ky said.

"Wait, Ky. I came here to give you something." The white cloaked figure said.

"What?" Ky asked.

"I have a gift for you." The white cloaked figure said.

The white cloaked figure performs something and just then, a light shines within Ky's chest and then a light aura surrounds Ky's body until it dissipates.

"What did you do?" Ky asked.

"I have cast a spell on you. This is your gift. It is a power that will awaken within you. Whenever you're in danger and if you believe that all hope is lost in the darkness, that power will save you. I have been waiting to give this to you, Ky." The white cloaked figure said.

"Thanks." Ky said.

"I must be going now. Someday, I know we'll meet again. Happy birthday, Ky." The white cloaked figure said, as he vanishes in light.

"How did he know it's my birthday today?" Ky asked.

"KY" A voice called again.

"Coming!" Ky said, as he leaves the cave.

Ky gets out of the cave and he finds Pax, Nex, and Griff.

"There you are. What were you doing in that cave by yourself?" Pax asked.

"Sorry. I just wanted to see what's in there." Ky answered.

"What was in there?" Nex asked.

"Just bats. Nothing special." Ky answered.

"If you wanted to go by yourself, you could've said something." Griff said.

"Yeah. C'mon. We should get going and see what's outside." Ky said.

The four boys explore through the forest until they finally reach the end.

(Sapphire Field)

"Finally. Look at this view. This is beautiful." Ky said.

"Surely through this field, there has to be something else." Pax said.

"Hopefully, we'll see what's out there." Griff said.

"You won't." Nex mumbled under his breath.

"Should we head back to Requiem City?" Ky asked.

"I'd say we should." Pax said.

The four boys go through the forest to return to the train station and they wait for the train to arrive until the train comes and the four go into the train, which starts to move and while the train is riding back to Requiem City, thoughts start swirling around Ky's mind, as he thinks about the white cloaked figure he encountered in the cave and the gift Ky got.

"Ky, are you okay?" Pax asked.

"Yeah. Just thinking." Ky answered.

"About what?" Griff asked.

"You guys remember our promise? When we grew up, we would go out and see the world?" Ky asked.

"I remember. I've never forgotten that promise." Griff said.

"Neither of us have. It might happen." Pax said.

"Don't assume so." Nex mumbled again.

"Nex, what's wrong?" Ky asked.

"Nothing." Nex answered.

The train returns to Requiem City and the four boys get off the train and move through the city.

"We still have enough time before evening. You guys wanna go to the beach?" Ky asked.

"Yeah! Let's go!" Griff said.

They go through the city and finally arrive at the beach.

(Beach)

"Man, I love the beach. It's beautiful. I don't think it'll ever change." Ky said.

"Yeah. I hope not." Pax said and then he remembers something. "That reminds me." Pax then takes out a box. "Here, Ky. This is your birthday present." Pax said.

"Thanks, Pax, but you didn't have to give me anything." Ky said.

"I know, but I want to. Go on. Open it." Pax said, giving Ky the box and Ky opens it, showing a gold necklace with a crystal key at the end.

"A necklace?" Ky asked.

"Yeah. Happy birthday." Pax said.

"That's it? You're giving Ky jewelry for his birthday?" Griff asked.

"For your information, this necklace is very special." Pax said.

"It just looks like an ordinary necklace to me." Griff said.

"Yeah. To YOU." Pax replied.

"Guys, chill out. Thanks for the necklace, Pax. I like it." Ky said, as he puts the necklace on around his neck.

"You're welcome." Pax said.

"You know, I'm twelve now and it made me realize something." Ky said.

"What's that?" Griff asked.

"Growing up means some people can change." Ky said.

"None of us has changed, Ky." Pax said.

"I know and I'd like to keep it like that." Ky said.

"Then we should promise we should never change." Nex said.

"That's a good idea, Nex. It's settled. We'll never change as we grow up." Ky said and the three nod.

Later on, it's almost evening and Ky makes his way back home and he finds his mother.

"I'm back, Mom." Ky said.

"How was your adventure?" Sophia asked.

"Great." Ky answered and Sophia sees the necklace.

"Where did you get that necklace?" Sophia asked.

"Pax gave it to me. It's a gift for my birthday." Ky answered and Sophia nods.

"Listen, Ky, someone will be coming over tomorrow to meet you." Sophia said.

"Really? Okay. Who?" Ky asked.

"Someone who is special and once he meets you, he's going to...take you somewhere." Sophia said.

"Where?" Ky asked.

"You'll know when you meet that person." Sophia said.

"Am I gonna be somewhere away from here?" Ky asked.

"It's likely." Sophia answered.

"Okay. Before this person takes me somewhere, can I say goodbye to my friends first?" Ky asked.

"Yes." Sophia answered. "Now, how about we have some cake?" Sophia asked.

"That sounds good." Ky answered.

Meanwhile, Pax finds the young man at the same area of Requiem City.

"Master, I've given Ky the necklace like you ordered." Pax informed.

"Excellent. That should be able to protect him." The young man said.

"I know that tomorrow you're gonna take Ky. I didn't tell him." Pax said.

"No matter. As soon and I take Ky under wing, you're gonna come too." The young man said.

"Yes, Master." Pax said.

Meanwhile, Nex returns home and he finds the same boy.

"So, you enjoyed your last day being 'round that brat?" The boy asked.

"It almost took all day and I had to make it worthwhile." Nex said.

"So, you ready?" The boy asked.

"Yeah. I've had enough of this pathetic world. When do we start?" Nex asked.

"The master wants it done tonight." The boy answered.

"In that case, where's the door?" Nex asked and the boy makes a twisted smirk.

Meanwhile, the white cloaked figure is outside the house Ky is in and he is watching Ky.

"Soon, Ky...your power will awaken and will help you fight what's to come. I believe in you." The white cloaked figure said, as he vanishes in light.

Another chapter done. I hope this wasn't short. I hope this story is getting good so far and I hope you like changes in the version. Next time, Ky notices a stormy night is happening, but something goes horribly wrong, but he obtains something much to his surprise, but a friend of his betrays Ky and attacks him. See you all in Chapter 3. Take care.