Disclaimer: The following series and characters belong to their respective corporations: Nintendo, Disney, and Square-Enix, including their respectful developers. The following characters of this fic: Kyle Nasher, Dirk Lionheart, Alana (Lana) Blade, Drew Devin, and Nived Werd belong to author Mace the Manakete in agreement to his written consent.

Nintendo. Disney. Square-Enix
Kingdom Hearts Chronicles: Vol.1
KINGDOM BLESSINGS

—CHAPTER 2—
Darkness Abounds

-Wales-

Every room in the hotel were pitch black, except for the lobby which received moonlight rays through the windows and glass entry. Kyle, Dirk, Drew, and Lana tiptoed quietly down the stairs into the lobby, all making sure that they wouldn't make a cracking sound.

Kyle abruptly stopped in the middle, causing the trio unaware of his movement to bump into him and almost losing their balances.

Kyle turned around and shushed them. Dirk shot him a glare, "Dude, why did you do that for? You almost gave me an anxiety attack."

"You mean a heart attack." Drew corrected.

Dirk rolled his eyes, "Whatever."

"Quiet guys." Kyle snapped in a hushed tone, "I'm hearing footsteps."

"Wasn't me." Lana shook her head.

"Of course it wasn't you." Dirk argued, "Who else could it be?"

"Perhaps you."

"Or perhaps me." A familiar English voice sounded from up front. The four friends tumbled backwards, frightened to the voice of their uninvited guest. It was Duckworth. He stood right in front of their faces, carried a bright lamp on one hand and his other hand rested on his back.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, "Its past midnight. You were supposed to be dreaming in your suite."

"Of course we were." Kyle chuckled nervously, "it just that I... we... kinda got hungry..."

The trio nodded along. "...and we wanted to grab a midnight snack. Saaay, apple pie?"

"Oh really?"

The four teens gulped, feeling busted.

"But what about dinner? Didn't the Escargot and the Phoenix soup filled you up?" Ducksworth asked. Apparently he bought Kyle's lie much to their surprises.

"Oh, the Phoenix soup filled me up alright, but not the Escargot." Dirk shuddered at the thought of slurping moist with a gooey texture.

"I apologize for such poor service." Duckworth got out of the teens' way, allowing them to proceed, "you may go into the kitchen and get everything to your likings. But not everything." Duckworth said before taking off.

The four friends looked at each other briefly, "That was close." Kyle sighed.

"Yeah." Drew said, "And I thought we were goners."

"Alright guys." Lana clenched her fist feeling pumped up, "mission before leisure. Let's go to the Winter Manse and investigate."

"Err… guys, can we like make a quick pit stop…" Dirk pointed towards the restroom, his face looking sick and demanding. The four friends knew that face and immediately got on high alert.

Moments later, the four friends stood in front of the Winter Manse, built with Old English carves and painted in ivory color and marble decor.

This is it guys: the Winter Manse." Kyle said, "Once we enter, we'll never be the same again."

"By 'never be the same again', do you mean by our appearances or our lives? 'Cause either way, I'm out." Drew pointed.

Kyle simply shook his head, "I was only trying to scare the two 'I'm-so-bold' wannabes."

"Hey?" Dirk spoke with his mouth full, "who're you calling wannabes? I happen to be proud of my appearance, y'know?"

"Where did you get those donuts anyway?" Lana stared at the pastry in disgust.

"Kitchen." Dirk chomped, "Had a craving."

"After you barfed?"

"Okay!" Kyle interrupted the discussion, "So can we get a move on here?"

The four friends entered the manse's entrance, bypassed the garden, and came across a great hall of golden and ivory structure and canvas the size of a ballroom. Chandeliers and wall candles hanged about six yards from each other at every ceiling. Various portraits and stain glass images of past Wales's rulers hanged at every wall. At the very end of the hall was a large spiral stairway leading endlessly towards the sky.

"Whoa." Dirk breathed in awe, his voice bringing an echo.

"This place is magnificent." Lana raved.

"Very." Drew exclaimed.

Kyle approached little further to the room's center and looked around, "Now that's a lap of luxury we see." Kyle stated. He turned to face his friends when he saw behind them a shadow transmuting from the hall floor. The shadow had golden eyes the size of marbles and their antennas resting on their head moved freely. Kyle stood still, transfixed.

"What are you staring at Kyle?" Dirk cocked his head on one side. Kyle didn't respond. The shadow came closer and closer toward them.

Lana crossed her arms and frowned, "Oh, now Kyle that's enough. It's not nice to be stared at, y'know?"

To Kyle's surprise, the shadow multiplied and emerged from the floor. He pointed and screamed, "Guys! Behind you!"

The friends turned around, but it was too late. The golden-eyed shadows leaped on the gang, formed into a dark, translucent fluid and completely engulfed Drew.

"Drew!" The three friends shouted. The darknesses plunged back into the floor and split up again into many more shadows, completely surrounding the remaining three friends.

"We're trapped!" Dirk shouted.

"What are they?" Lana exclaimed.

"How should I know?" Kyle replied.

All trios jumped into the fray and threw in their punches and kicks, but it was no use. The shadows kept multiplying unceasingly.

"We gotta get out of here!" Lana ordered.

Kyle, Dirk, and Lana headed for the spiral stairway. Before Lana could land the first step on the stairway, the darkness quickly got hold of her. She screamed as the darkness engulfed her completely.

"Lana!" Dirk stopped short at the witness of Lana's sudden disappearance. He turned back and ran back downstairs, cracking his knuckles. Kyle attempted to reach him but was too late. Dirk was already halfway down.

"Dirk! Come back!"

His face turned to Kyle, "Just go on ahead! I'll take care of those pieces of—"

Dirk didn't finish his sentence since he vanished without a trace. Kyle cried, "DIRK!"

Kyle turned around to run downstairs but all of the sudden, the spiral stairway merged into a platform. Kyle stopped short at the edge and gasped. He looked down and saw no floor, just dark and shady clouds mixed in indigo colors and vortexes.

"Sweet snickers..." he whispered in awe.

He turned around to notice himself being surrounded by Wire Frames in Male forms.

The Wire Frames jumped on him but he dodged out of the way. He threw a meteor smash on a Wire Frame, sending him down to the abyss. Another one came from behind and landed a kick, sending him tumbling to the other side of the platform. Kyle got up and before he knew it, he was getting beat up excessively. Kyle extended his arms and a great wind force blew off the Wire Frames' numbers effectively. He looked over his right hand and noticed it wielding a sword the shape of a key, with an inscription piece shining in gold at the blade's side. The sword disappeared in a flash and the distracted teen felt a strong punch right on his chest, sending him flying toward oblivion.

………

In every soul lies true blessing…

In every blessing lie great powers…

Powers beyond the imagining…

And every soul cannot survive without blessing…

As darkness veils the world, four warriors of light shall come…

Each warrior of Light shall wield an elemental crystal: Venus, Mars, Mercury, and Jupiter. Only one will wield the Keyblade. Only one will seal the door… and free the Light.

Come Gate Guardian. Be summoned.

………

Kyle slowly woke up and saw himself in an empty room. He rose up to look around. His surrounding was nothing but white. It was like being lost in a very thick fog.

"Dirk! Lana! Drew! Where are you?" He called for his friends, only to get an echo in reply.

Right below his feet, a stain-glass seal took formation. Resting at the center was the symbol of a cerulean blue heart-shaped moon wearing a crown. Right in the middle was a bright keyhole shining its light through like a geyser. Around the seal were twelve portraits. Four of these portraits were of Zelda's, Snow White's, Toadstool's, and Cinderella's. The remaining portraits were shrouded in darkness, veiling their identities.

"Where am I?" he thought.

In the midst of your Awakening, Gate Guardian

Kyle looked around in panic, desperate to look for the source of the voice, "Who said that?"

No reply. Kyle scratched his head, "It's like I'm talking to myself." He then boomed, "Answer me! Who are you?"

In every soul lie true blessings, in every blessing lie true powers…

"Were you the one who sent me those text messages?" Kyle demanded, "Cause that last message was kinda funny, since I'm not liking thesejokes!"

As darkness veils the world, four warriors of light shall come…

Kyle pointed randomly, "That's it. Right there! That's the message you gave me. Yeah. I guessed it. It's April Fools ain't it? We're not even in April yet! So can you stop that sickness right now?!"

Each warrior of Light shall wield an elemental crystal: Venus, Mars, Mercury, and Jupiter. Only one will wield the Keyblade. Only one will seal the door… and free the Light.

Kyle stood speechless.

There are many worlds out here, Gate Guardian, but these Gathered Worlds all share one sky, one destiny.

"Where are my friends?" Kyle's voice raised, "What have you done to them?"

Be ready, Gate Guardian, Warriors of Light and wielder of Venus, Mars, Mercury, and Jupiter crystals, for the road you will take will challenge your souls. Do not worry about those you know and love, Gate Guardian, but beware of the Wire Frames…and the Heartless.

"Whoa, whoa, wait! What are you--WHOAA!!"

The bright keyhole suddenly shattered into a million pieces and Kyle fell through it and into oblivion.

NeXt ChApTeR