Chapter 3

Kairi opened her eyes. She lifted herself onto her hands and knees, "Ugh, what happened?" She shook her head and sat up. "Where am I?" okay so I didn't intend to land right in front of a random castle in the middle of nowhere.

The castle was a twisting mesh of spires. It was mostly a dirt brown color with green slanted roofs. There were a few gold framed windows and a large set of double doors. They were the only entrance into the castle.

Is it Castle Oblivion? It doesn't look like it but it looks like it could be. I'm confusing myself. Let's take a look around and then go from there. Kairi stood up and walked cautiously up to the large double doors that led inside, "Is this Castle Oblivion?" How do I know Castle Oblivion?

Me, silly.

"Namine?" Kairi asked, "You've been to Castle Oblivion?"

Yep. I used to live here.

"Weird," Kairi looked around, "So you're how I know this place."

Yep, unfortunately I can't exactly help you as I've only been in a few rooms in the upper levels.

Kairi nodded, "That's alright. I'll figure this place out." She pushed open the right door and slipped quietly inside, "Why does it look so different from the outside? Did something happen?" She cringed as her voice echoed throughout the room. Okay, note to self. Think instead of speak. That would help in your sneaking around.

Maybe something did happen. I haven't been here for over a year, almost two.

"Alright," Kairi glanced around, "I guess I go forward. It's not like I have much of a choice. There aren't any hallways or anything."

There will be.

"Alright," Kairi ran her hand along the wall curiously, "It looks like it's made of marble but it feels different."

I always thought it was made of marble.

Kairi shrugged, "I don't know. I'm not really good at identifying rocks."

Help me.

"What?" Kairi lifted her head and looked around. She was tense. Adrenaline coursed through her veins.

Help me.

"Who are you?" Kairi asked. I don't see anybody. "Do I know you?"

Ventus, Vanitas, I'm not sure anymore. I don't remember if you know me anymore. I know you. You're a Princess of Heart.

"Where are you?" Kairi looked around. There weren't any doors except the one ahead of her. She walked through it and found herself in a wide white room. It was empty. A door sat in each wall, the one she had walked in from and then three others. Two were to her left and one to her right.

I'm here.

"Okay," Kairi nodded, "I'll help you." She wandered the halls of Castle Oblivion until she was sure she was going in circles. Maybe this way? No that's the way I came, right? I don't know anymore. What about this way? No, that's definitely a hallway I've been down before. I'm so lost! Kairi shook her head, "C'mon, you'll find him…them? Ugh, whatever." She sighed and walked down another white walled hallway. All of these halls look the same. It's so quiet here. I can hear my footsteps bouncing back to me. It's creepy.

Look out!

Kairi crouched instinctively as a key blade flew towards her. She turned, still in a crouch. A walking suit of armor? Is there anyone in it? I don't think so. The armor was grey, silver, black, and blue with odd ear-like plates attached to the helmet that pointed down. It looked as though it was made for a female body. Kairi sighed, "I have to fight a walking pile of metal." She leaped forward. 'Sora learned on the fly so why can't I?' her words rang in her head. Well I guess I'm learning on the fly. "Why are you attacking me?" she growled at it. Well I guess that's not really a fair question since I'm attacking it now.

To protect.

"Protect? Protect who?" Kairi asked. Now I have armor talking to me. What has my life come to? She was hit in the stomach and knocked into a wall. She cried out in pain but managed to roll out of the way as the armor went to step on her.

Protect.

"Yes, protect but protect who?" Kairi repeated. I feel like I'm not going to get anywhere by asking the same question over and over again.

Protect friends.

"Alright," Kairi nodded, "I'll help—" she squeaked as the Keyblade barely missed her. She stumbled backwards, "I'll help you! I'll help you!"

The armor stopped moving.

Kairi sighed in relief, "I'll help you protect your friends. Just tell me who they are and how to find them." Okay, don't mess this up Kairi. Angering a walking suit of armor equals loss of head.

Ventus, Terra protect them. The armor disappeared in a bright flash of light.

Kairi flinched and shielded her eyes. "That only answered one question," Kairi sighed, "Oh well. Wait a minute! I'm looking for Ventus!" She grinned, "Alright!" She picked up her pace until she was running through the hallways. She rounded another corner and found herself at a dead end, "Oh my—ugh!" Kairi growled in frustration. She went to kick at the wall and her foot went right through it, "Whoa!" she jumped backwards. What the? Maybe this is here to protect Ventus. She slowly and cautiously pressed her hand against the wall. After a moment it passed right through. She stepped through.

A short hallway led to a large white door.

Kairi walked slowly up to it.

It's trapped. Namine warned.

Kairi nodded, "Alright. Let's see here." she searched the door carefully. There. Alright. She carefully lifted the handle. It triggered the trap. Kairi, having expected it, rolled out of the way as a wall of fire sprung up in between her and the door. Once the flames died Kairi climbed to her feet, "Well that was exciting. It's hot in here now."

Yeah it is. Namine agreed.

"Let's see what's inside," Kairi opened the door and stepped inside.

A throne sat in the middle of the room. It was huge, making the boy sitting in it seem even smaller than he was. Kairi walked up to him, "Hey, you awake?"

He didn't respond. He had golden brown hair that was spiked up. He had a black and beige jacket and long black and grey short. His shoes were armored sneakers.

"Okay, I'll take that as a no. How do I wake him up then?"

He reminds me of Roxas.

"Yeah he does," Kairi sighed, "Except the armor on his arm and his jacket is different."

Yeah.

"I must thank you, Princess. Long have I looked for this boy and now I have found him. Thanks to you."

Kairi turned.

Xemnas stood behind her. He smiled. It was cold and unpleasant.

Kairi growled and summoned her Keyblade, "You'll have to go through me to get him!"

"Admirable but you don't know how to use that," Xemnas smiled.

"Oh yeah?" Kairi glared at him, "Try me."

"Very well."

Uh-oh. What have you gotten yourself into this time? Kairi steeled herself and prepared for the fight of her life.

"I will take great pleasure in destroying you," Xemnas leaped at her.

Kairi dodged quickly and sliced at the nobody's side. She spun around and hit him in the back.

He landed and flipped, hitting her in her cheek.

That's gonna bruise. Kairi snarled, "Fine." She darted forward and sliced at him twice before flipping backwards. In the middle of her flip she hit Xemnas with three spells: fire, water, and thunder.

Xemnas smiled, "Well done." He grabbed her and lifted her off the ground, "but it wasn't nearly good enough."

Kairi kicked him in the gut, "You maybe a nobody but you still feel pain." She kicked him again. Then she aimed a blizzard spell on him. I'll get caught in it but I'll be alright.

Xemnas dropped her and rolled away.

Kairi shuddered and then turned to face him. She lowered her head and put her hand over her heart.

His eyes widened, "What?" he leaped forward, "No!"

Kairi closed her eyes, "Let the light guide the night to dawn and let the world feel the warmth of the sun." She began to glow with a bright golden light. "And in the end the night will come again but until then," her eyes snapped open and she leaped to meet Xemnas in the middle, "the light will shine bright!"