The platform was a hazy, bloody color.

Sora stood straight, eyes locked forward, waiting for the battle to begin.

A misty, warped black portal appeared, and out walked a man, donned in the Organization's cloak. His short, silver hair blew weakly in the dry, stiff wind around them. His cobalt eyes focused forward, completely concentrated.

"Sora." Xavaran's voice was smooth, and eerily even. Void of all emotion and feeling.

The brunette summoned his weapon to his hands and gripped it tightly. The cool metal gave him a sense of strength, and the magic invigorated him.

"Let the battle rage."

Thick blood began to draw from an open cut on the man's arm, flowing into his hand and beginning to shape. A blade appeared, and then a handle, both a glimmery crimson shade, and the man clutched to it tightly. The sharp edge dripped his essence, splattering noiselessly onto the ground below.

And then he lunged.

Sora almost didn't see it; only the faintest whisper of the blade slicing through the air drew his attention to the attack, and he brought up his Key just in time to stop the fatal attack. His opponent was emotionless, his eyes like cold, dry fire – burning harshly, non-stopping, everlasting. It frightened the boy.

Another slash. Another almost-late defense.

Sora lashed out this time, at the man's face. Xavaran blocked with little effort, and made an equal attempt at an attack to the boy's face. The brunette ducked and smashed the Keyblade into the man's ribs.

He gasped, thrown off guard, wincing from the cracking of bones beneath his skin. He spun and struck the Keyblader, sending him flying and skidding across the arena.

The boy landed harshly, but got back up quickly, breathing hard. He watched as the man regenerated his wounds with blood, and he knew that this wouldn't be easy. This battle could go on forever, unless he could end it quickly.

And there was one way he could do just that.

He sprinted forward; weapon clutched tightly, and delivered a series of rapid, severe blows on the man. Xavaran blocked each one-handedly, with a bit of effort. Though his wrist stung slightly from the strain.

Sora continued attacking, his heart racing and his muscles aching from the expended effort and movement. He allowed the man no chance to retaliate, which seemed to distress his opponent greatly. But all he had to do was wait for that one, weak moment in which he could finish him off.

And after a long time of fighting, he got his chance.

Xavaran swapped the weapon from one hand to the other, allowing his previous hand to rest. The movement was fluid, quick, and swift.

Yet not swift enough.

The Keyblade master caught him by the leg with his weapon, bringing him down to one knee for only a moment.

And that was all he needed.

A sharp, thick piercing sound ripped throughout the still area, followed by the soft pittering and pattering of liquid drops onto the solid floor.

Blood dripped slowly, and then faster, from the stab wound in Xavaran's chest. The Key had embedded itself into the man's 'heart' deeply, causing him to go weak against his will.

A bloody cough broke the silence, as the man began to slowly fade. Unwillingly.

It almost pained the boy to have to look into the eyes of this man as he died. They showed no fear. No regrets. Nothing. Just…strength.

"I'll be back…" he gasped strongly, before his body disappeared and he faded from sight.

And Sora believed it.

Standing up, he looked around as the ground below him began to hum and tremble. Light lifted up and flooded his sight, and he somehow knew this was not over.

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This is the first in a series of battle-based drabbles, a challenge given to me by GS (aka GeassSamurai). The criteria for this one was:

Against Xavaran, he will see the full extent of Xavvy's abilities, and when

Sora wins, Xavaran will inform him that he'll return.

It was a really long battle, although it doesn't seem like it. Also, I think Xavvy's hair was silver…right? If not, sorry about that, Wy…

Xavaran is an OC that belongs to Wyrmhero.