Chapter 5

This was all so much to take in for Kira. The Kingdom Key was now in her hands. Sora stood in front of her, beaming from ear to ear. She was slowly embracing her destiny. Even if she didn't quite understand what that destiny was.

She began swinging the Keyblade in random directions. She was trying to get used to holding, and eventually fighting, with it. Sora stopped her by gently grabbing her wrist. "If you keep doing that, you'll tired yourself out. You won't have the energy you need to complete the Awakening."

She lowered her arm, his hold on her still sustaining. "Sorry, I just want to be able to use this thing."

"It's something that will just come to you. You'll get the hang of it in no time." His hand moved from her wrist to her hand. She intertwined her into his. It was a natural movement, almost like breathing. It was also extremely comfortable for them both.

In the blink of a eye, giant, elegant white double doors appeared. They reminded Kira of the doors of her church that she went to when she was little. "I guess I go through those doors."

He smiled. "Yup. Let's go."

Hand in hand, they entered the next room. It was almost identical to the last room. The same image was shown on the floor. The difference was two sets of stained glass stairways, each leading to another platform. Sora tapped her hand. "Welcome to the Station of Calling. This is the second stage of your Awakening."

She became puzzled. "Second stage? How many stages are they? And, what exactly am I fighting?"

"There are three stages to an Awakening. The Stations of Serenity, Calling, and Awakening. And the answer to your other question is the Heartless. More importantly, Maleficent."

Kira vaguely remembered Maleficent. A green skinned witch with the power to transform into a powerful dragon. She was the Overlord of all the Heartless. "But, you defeated Maleficent."

For the first time, he grimaced. "I'm not the only one with a self in your world. Unfortunately, so does Maleficent. We also fear about a second Ansem."

The name sent fear down her spine. Ansem, he controlled Riku to try to gain Kingdom Hearts. He was created from a guy named Xehanort , whose Nobody became the leader of Organization XII; Xemnas.

"Don't worry about it for now. For now, concentrate on the Awakening. Look over there." He pointed to a black creature with huge glowing yellow eyes and jagged antennas. "That's a Shadow. Weakest of all the Heartless. Destroy it."

She released her hold on his hand and braced both hands on the Kingdom Key. She lunged at the Shadow and smacked it in the head. It jumped back and few inches. She followed it and gave it two more swipes. It dissipated into darkness.

Was this it? A few good hits and it's destroyed? "This is too easy!"

Sora nodded. "It can be at times. But, that's a Shadow. There are a lot more stronger Heartless than them. You have to be prepared for everything. Now, go up those stairs."

She darted to the stairs. Shadows appeared wherever she ran. She massacred every one of them as she began to run up the stairs. It seemed like an eternity to finally arrive at the second pillar. Three larger, leaner versions of the Shadow appeared out of the ground. "What are those?"

Sora ran to her side. "Neoshadows. Bulked up versions of the Shadow. They're a lot faster than the Shadows too. Be careful!"

The Neoshadow in front lunged at her, but was pushed back by Sora's Keyblade. "Don't just stand there. Fight them!" She stabbed her Kingdom Key into the head of the Neoshadow that Sora pushed back. Sora had already destroyed the other two by the time she was finished.

She started running up the second set of stairs. Shadows tagged her, but they were no match for Kira. Countless Heartless battles later, she made it to the final pillar. One problem: There was no door. Kira screamed, "Are you serious!"

A group consisting of three Shadows and two Neoshadows appeared from the floor. Kira whacked the first Shadow, destroying it instantly. Sora easily defeated the two Neoshadows by the time she was done with the other two Shadows. The door appeared, and a mysterious voice called to her.

Enter the door,

Be prepared for what wait behind it,

But, do not be afraid,

The darkness is nothing to fear.

Sora placed a hand on her shoulder. "I can't follow you from here on out. Good luck Kira."

"Thanks." She grabbed the handle and opened the door to the final stage of her destiny.