Chapter 3
The chamber was black, illuminated only by a thin pillar of light from the center of the ceiling. A creature in a formless grey cloak knelt within the light. Behind him, in the impenetrable darkness, the Leader spoke.
"Do you see? Can you see the future?" The cloaked figure shuddered painfully.
"I see…a future…a distant future…" It said, a spasm of pain going through its body. Its breathing and words were very forced.
"I see…three armored humans…they have keyblades…their world is a dusty wasteland…they come to a field of endless keyblades in the ground…the two kingdom keys are there….and the Way to the Dawn as well…They claim them for their own…then…" Its face almost hit the ground as another spasm wracked its body.
"Master Of Keyblade…the lost two…Memory of Xehanort…Chasers…Keyblade War…No…It's…" A hideous scream tore from the grey robe.
"DESTRUCTION! THE END OF ALL! THE VICTORY OF THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS! XEHANORT'S FINAL SIN!" It screamed, its body warping and distorting. It finally fell to the ground.
"…Our…victory…we…must…triumph…or…this…is…what…shall…come to pass…" It gasped, blood running from somewhere in its hood. It tried to get up.
"To stop this future…Sora…must…die."
Sephiroth crossed his arms, looking at the man in a black and green robe.
"I believe I've made it clear to you what we're trying to do, and where you stand in that, Sephiroth?" The man asked, still looking out a window, back to Sephiroth.
"Crystal. Now, about my terms…" The man waved a hand.
"Yes, yes…we won't let Sora die until you've had your rematch with him, and you have exclusive rights to fighting Cloud." He turned to face Sephiroth. "I've accepted your terms…I merely ask for your cooperation. If you desire Heartless to help you, or anything else, don't hesitate to ask…" Sephiroth cocked his head.
"One question…what would you have done if I hadn't agreed to what you wanted?" He asked.
"Nothing…We were already assured of your neutrality if we never approached you…but as you know, we could benefit from your…talents…on our side. Besides, it's not like you're the only person we've negotiated with…" Sephiroth looked up.
"Who else?"
"You'll be meeting him in a few minutes…you have quite a bit in common."
"One more question…what are these…things…you keep around…they're not like Heartless…hardly worthwhile to have as servants…" Sephiroth said.
The man found something very amusing.
"They're not our servants…we prefer to think of them as 'mutual friends.' They are not Heartless, but they are not Nobodies either. In fact…there's only one thing separating them from you or Sora."
"And that would be…?"
The man told him. Sephiroth laughed for a long period of time.
"So where is this person you want me to work with?" He said at length.
"Right here." A man's voice spoke. Sephiroth turned and looked at the person.
The cloaked man began to leave the room.
"Get to know each other. You're partners from here on out."
Then he was gone.