As Aegle and I walked to our ship, we discussed Riku's comments. We decided to go fight Heartless in Hollow Bastion until we felt we were strong enough. Though neither of us wanted to admit it... Riku was right...
"So... we'll land in Merlin's House, fight our way to the Dark Depths, then force our way back to Merlin's house. That should be enough... right?" Aegle asked.
"Dunno... after all, there's no telling how strong or different the Heartless in the Realm of Darkness are," I commented. "We could be wasting our time."
"Nonsense!" she exclaimed. "We'll be stronger."
We soon landed in Merlin's house and did just that. As we were forcing our way back, though, something odd happened...
Time stopped on my way back up to the Crystal Fissure.
"What's going on?" I asked. Nothing answered me but my empty echo through the crystal crags.
I turned around to see a black-cloaked person standing there.
"You... you're behind this," I muttered.
"Did it take you a long time to figure that out?" she asked (I could tell by the pitch of her voice). "You're smart or something."
"Oh, shut it," I muttered. "Your sarcasm isn't helping. Tell me... why did you stop everyone but me?"
"Oh, I have my reasons," she said. "You see... you, Jake..."
"Leave him out of this," a familiar voice called out.
A dark corridor opened up behind me, and out walked the silver-cloaked Ike.
"This doesn't concern him, Amy. Leave him alone," Ike said.
"Oh? Afraid I'm going to attack his heart?" she asked.
"What the hell's going on?" I shouted. "This is me we're talking about, so don't ignore me. And who the hell are YOU?!"
I pointed at the cloaked woman.
"She's... my rival," Ike said. "Stand aside. We have something to settle."
I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach... as if he would kill me if I didn't move. I stepped aside.
"Let's go soft this time," Ike said to her. "After all, we wouldn't want to make a mess of things in front of those two, would we?"
"Sure... why not?" Amy replied, blasting me with energy. The wave didn't hit me... it just erected a barrier.
I pounded on the barrier and even tried to slice it apart. Nothing worked...
"Now... let's begin," Ike said. He slowly unsheathed his yellow sword, then disappeared along with Amy. I saw various outbursts of force across the Maw, but the two didn't reappear until about a minute later. They were clashing blades... Ike using his yellow sword, and Amy wielding a huge nodachi.
The two jumped back, brandishing their swords.
"I see... you've mastered flash steps now, too?" Ike said, breathing a little heavily. "Why don't you try making your own abilities instead of mimicking mine? Things would be a lot more interesting that way."
"Please," Amy retorted. "You've got nothing on me, especially in a dark place such as this."
I felt unbearable killing intent from both of them.
Ike summoned a crimson Spiraling Sphere in his hand. He tossed it at her, then vanished. Amy knocked aside the Spiraling Sphere, but was unable to dodge Ike's secondary attack; he stabbed her in the back, then disappeared again.
Amy disappeared.
"Flash steps? What is that?" I asked.
After more bursts of force, the two appeared again. They were breathing even more heavily than before.
"So... do you feel like ending it yet? I'm just about at my limit for this level..." Ike panted.
"Sure... why... not?" she replied. The two brandished their swords, then charged at each other. Moments later, blood flowed from Amy, and she slumped over.
"Still... can't defeat you," she muttered. "I'll get... better..."
"Just fade away," Ike said. "Like you were supposed to, so long ago."
"You know it won't be that easy," she said, standing up, then faded away. The barrier shattered, but time didn't resume just yet...
Ike's worn out. Now's my chance!
"You. Stand down," I said, pointing my sword at Ike. "Tell me... who are you?"
"Someone who loves you," he said, still breathing heavily. He didn't remove his hood.
"Take the hood off," I said. "A cryptic comment won't do it."
"You're not ready yet... especially after..." he muttered, then began walking off. I charged at him, yelling at the top of my lungs, but he jumped over me.
"Again, so soon?" he asked. "You're taking advantage of my fatigue."
"And?" I asked.
"I don't want to fight you... not now... but if that's what you want," he said, steadying his feet, "I'll... do it."
We brandished our swords and stared at each other.