Chapter 4
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Whatever was on the other side of this door was not going to be pretty. I was certain that no amount of preparation would ready me for the darkness that lay in wait on the other side. Slowly I turned the door knob as sweat ran down my face. My drive for vengeance outweighed by fear. One last deep breath and I flung open the door and a deep wave of sorrow passed through me. The world that used to be so beautiful, the center of all the worlds, was completely ravaged by darkness.
I turned to look at the old man, but, again, his house had faded. 'Well, he's a lot of help.' I thought to myself. I began to venture through the city. The white cobblestone that made up the majority of the cities structures had been turned black as night. The sky was totally black. It seemed as though there were no sun to provide light and no moon or stars to gaze at.
A new, fresh hatred for Cethin arose in me. I began to run as fast as I could towards the castle. I saw many Heartless' on my way there, but they didn't matter. Nothing mattered now except that my friends and more importantly, my dad, had been killed by this mad man. I had nearly reached the gate when a huge Heartless appeared in my path. "I wish you would just leave me alone!" I screamed as I charged towards the Heartless. I launched myself onto one of its arms and began to make my way towards its head. The Heartless attempted to shake me off, but I held fast. Smaller Heartless's began appearing on his arms and I simply jumped over them I continued on my way and soon reached my target. I thrust my keyblade into the center of its head and launched myself down onto the ground. I watched as the Heartless shrank into the ground and completely disappeared.
Now I was at the doorstep of the castle. Two Neoshadows blocked my way. They wouldn't have been a problem, but I didn't have any time to waste on them. I jumped over their heads and began to run up the face of the castle. I reached a balcony that would allow me to access the throne room. I was certain that Cethin would be there. Vengeance would soon be mine. I rejoiced at the thought of his demise. I pushed the memories of all my pledges to withhold my rage into the back of my mind. Nothing was going to hinder me now.
I entered the throne room to see Cethin standing by the throne with his keyblade in hand. He laughed in his twisted way as I approached him with my own keyblade in my hand.
"Cethin!" I screamed as I approached.
"Ah, if it isn't the son of the keyblade master himself. Have you come to thank me for ridding you of those pesky C.o.K. members? Or do you wish to swear your allegiance to me?"
This, of course, enraged me and I rushed forward to kill him. "I'm going to kill you!" I said as our keyblades met. "Very!" I screamed as I slammed my keyblade against his. "Very! Slowly!!!" His keyblade was knocked from his hand and he fell to the ground. I stalked towards him, prepared to deal the final blow.
At this point, Cethin was smiling, again, in his twisted way. "What if I told you that the C.o.K. was still alive?" I stopped in my steps. "I wouldn't believe you." I replied. Cethin stood up. "Bring in the prisoner!" I kept my key trained on Cethin as the doors to the throne room opened. Two Neoshadows led Lior into the room. I nearly fell over and then I realized that this could be some kind of trick. "No games, Cethin!" I said.
Cethin laughed. "Who's playing games?" He replied, "Bring the prisoner here." He commanded the Heartless'. The Heartless' obeyed willingly, bringing Lior towards Cethin. I stepped in their path and eliminated them quickly. "Lior isn't coming anywhere near you." I said.
"Fine," Cethin said, "I won't set foot near her."
What happened next seemed like a nightmare where my feet were moving to slow. Cethin launched a black orb at Lior, causing her to vanish from my sight. Without even thinking, I thrust my keyblade through his heart. Cethin began to laugh again. The laugh began to get deeper and deeper. "Fool!" He said in a deep demonic voice. Cethin's body fell over limp. I stepped back in shock, simply staring at what was happening before my eyes. A tall man with dark tan skin and pale white hair appeared next to Cethin's body. "Cethin was simply a pawn that I used to get to you." The newcomer said, "I am Mesna, a Possessor and now that you have vanquished Cethin, I will control you!" Mesna rushed towards me with the speed of a freight train. I raised my keyblade, but it was too late. I fell to my knees and, once again, I began to experience the feeling of death.
"Be gone foul creature!"
'That voice,' I thought to myself, 'I know that voice. It's… that old man.'
I felt as if a battle were raging within me. I could feel myself jerking around, but I couldn't see a thing.
"You cannot shun me from him, Aros. I cannot be purged until his body dies."
"Get out of my head, Mesna!" I began to fight him with my mind. His hold was powerful, but I felt I would win.
"Axel, do not resist! You will destroy yourself!" The old man, who's name I now knew was Aros, said.
"No! I have to fight it!" I replied.
"Axel! No!!!"
Those were the last words I heard.