Reki's eyes widened with fear and confusion.

"Who-what are you? How do you know me?"

The hooded figure smirked at her. Delicately removed his hood, revealing the person within the cloak.

What she saw was a boy with long, feathery-blue hair, his bangs covering his eyes. His expression still had the same smirk.

Reki's look melted into a big smile.

"RIKU!"

Riku put his finger to his lips, telling her to not be so loud. Reki did not completely understand, but she obeyed.

Riku turned around, motioning for her to follow.

Reki nodded and began to follow him.

They approached a rusty gold gate protecting an old mansion.

"Okay, we're here."

He opened the gate, allowing Reki to walk in first. Reki looked in awe at the beautiful yet deteriorating mansion, in all it's splendor. In the corner of her eye, she thought she saw a girl with blonde hair staring at her through a curtain. She turned sharply to look at the window, but, to her dismay, she only saw a white curtain billowing in the wind.

"Reki? Are you alright?"

She turned around, a little bit confused at what had happened.

"Fine, fine."

"Sorry for being abrupt with you earlier, I promise that we can talk in here, we'll be safe."

"Okay, that's no problem. What is this place, anyway?"

"Well," He began walking to the double doors, "It's sort of a hideout. For DiZ and I."

"Who's DiZ?"

"It will be explained in time."

They approached a library, which led into a secret lab. He casually walked through it like it was his own home. Soon, they approached a man fiddling with a computer. His face could not be seen for the black bandages covering his face, however a single amber eye could be seen. The rest of his body was cloaked in maroon clothing.

"I'm back, DiZ. I have a friend with me."

"Ah, wel-" He turned around to look at Reki, his smile dropped immediately. He raised a finger at Reki, who was taken aback by his booming voice. "YOU! LEAVE THIS PLACE AT ONCE!"

"D-" Riku tried to reason with him, however, he was cut off.

"I SAID, LEAVE!"

Riku realized that there was no point anymore in reasoning seeing the fury in his eyes, he obeyed.

"As you wish."

"I'm so sorry about this," Riku began, escorting her back to town, "He's usually not like this. Probably upset about something or another."

"Don't worry about it, I didn't mean to impose, even though I was kind of shocked."

"Well, at least your alright, didn't take it too personally."

"Yeah."

He turned around, brushing the occasional branch gently out of his way.

Reki took a step, but something white had fluttered right past her. Before her stood a mysterious white creature, with no face.

It's arms and legs flowed freely like the wind, mysterious lines around the body lit up one by one. Reki tilted her head in slight confusion to what theese creatures were. More creatures fluttered past her, landing near the first one.

"Shit." She muttered under her breath, "Hey Riku, we've got trouble."

Riku turned around.

"Damn it. Dusks."

They slowly crept towards them, beginning to back both of them into gnarled roots and trees.

"Well, what do we do now?"

Riku smirked at her.

"Don't worry, I got a plan."

"Well," Reki said, "It better be good, because," They finally bumped into the backs of the gnarled roots, making no escape from the mysterious creatures, "You have to do it now."

"Here it is!" He abruptly grabbed Reki's wrist, sprinting with all his might to the mansion.

"TH-THIS I-IS Y-OU-R B-BIG P-P-LAN?" She yelled in between huffs.

"I know. Very unique, no?"

"BAKA-" Before she could finish her sentence, Riku tripped on his long, black cloak, causing them to tumble down a hill, scoffing their faces and clothes with the earth. (A/N: Don't you ever wonder why they never trip on those things? If I was in that game, by the time that game was over, I would be in stitches XD)

The dusks crept even closer now, cornering them into a no-escape situation.

Slowly, they regained their balance. Riku pulled out a sword in the shape of a wing, it's dark-maroon features gleaming with the light of the forest.

"Stay behind me. When I lunge, you run. Got it?"

Reki nodded.

"Okay, on my count. One, Two, Three...NOW!"

Riku lunged at the Dusks, repetetively slashing at the quick and nimble bodies. As he was the diversion, Reki darted towards the exit, running with all her might to the only salvation from the situation they were in. Dusks got the better of her, teleporting right in front of the exit.

Reki gritted her teeth. Slowly, she backed away, trying to make a quick and logical defense plan in her head.

"Shit. Think. What can I do?"

"REKI! RUN!" Riku yelled, slashing at the last Dusk that was standing near him.

She tried to raise her leg, but it didn't budge an inch. Confused, she tried once again, a bit more vigurous this time. Once again, she tried to move her legs, however, once again, they did nothing for her.

"Wha-"

"Godamnit! A paralysis spell!" Riku tried to run over to her, but he was to late. The Dusks lunged for Reki. "REKI!"

Her eyes widened even more now.

"Someone! Anyone! Help me!"

She put her arms in front of her face, embracing for the impact, and perhaps, even death. She closed her eyes, waiting for the creatures to painfully tear her apart.

"Sora!"

Nothing happened.

She opened her eyes, seeing that the Dusk was frozen in midair. Slowly, she put her hands down from her face, and reached up to tap it. Figuring it was safe, she now realized that the spell that had been cast on her was gone, and she could move freely now.

As she took a step forward, everything shattered into glass, falling into an endless abyss. She screamed in fear of being swallowed, but, white doves flew from where she stood revealing a beautiful stained glass potrait.

A soft voice penetrated her head.

So much to do,

So little time.

You are ready,

Aren't you?