I know this took forever, but I have had nothing but round trips to Hell and back more times than I care to count. I will be trying to update more from now on. Also, I will be putting Path to Dawn on hold for a little while. There are a few kinks I need to work out. Don't forget that inside Kingdom Hearts that quite literally everything is connected, and most of my stories are going to have to be connected in a very similar way. I will, however, be adding a few very grabbing twists to my saga later on that will make it stand out from the good ol' Kingdom Hearts Saga we all know and love. So without further adeui, here is the next chapter for a War to Remember! Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 15: A Bad Feeling

Master Eraqus felt very uneasy. He sensed that something terrible has just happened to Aqua. He felt a part of her heart be ripped away and be replaced with something containing a very menacing and...craving darkness. He then felt guilt consume his heart. Have I just caused the very thing I feared? Has Aqua begun to walk a line that only a select few have ever had to walk? A line filled with hunger, hate, seclusion from the light, a curse that can never be cured and involves a possible eternity of suffering in both life and death, and that which lies in between? As these thoughts began to run across his mind, he saw his calling mirror glowing; indicating that someone needed to speak with him urgently.

He walked over and used his power to allow the call to go through. It then revealed the face of former Keyblade Master Yen Sid. Master Eraqus then knew that things must be dire if Yen Sid is contacting him. That is about the only time that Master Yen Sid would ever try to contact him. Master Yen Sid was dressed in his usual blue robes that contained the symbols of the cosmos, along with the pointed hat that represented the symbol of a master wizard.

"Good day, old friend," Eraqus said in a semi-cheerful tone. He was doing everything he could to stay positive. Plus, he was trying to keep himself from becoming overwhelmed with guilt, for he just felt something that he hoped never to feel.

"Eraqus, there has been a dramatic shift in the stars. I have seen Aqua's star dim down greatly. The once bright shining light that always enveloped her heart become surrounded in both a darkness and...a craving," the old bearded man spoke with grief. Yen Sid knew that Eraqus had to have sensed what had happened, but knew that if he did; Eraqus would need counsel. Terra, Ventus, and Aqua are all like his own children. He thought of both Terra and Ven as sons, and always felt that Aqua was like the daughter he had always wanted.

Eraqus sighed. His unease was very well justified. "I see. So I have caused the very thing I wanted to prevent from happening. Aqua has become a child of the night hasn't she? A being of darkness. A creature from the pits of hell. A soulless monster. A being whom walks the line between life and death," Eraqus was rambling when he heard a voice behind him that he was hoping wouldn't have to tell what has happened.

"WHAT," Terra exclaimed. Eraqus turned around to see the horror and disbelief in his facial expression. Eraqus could sense the anger and sense of failure within him. Eraqus could definitely tell that Terra feels like he let down one of the only friends he had. The three of them were inseperable. To hear what he just heard had beset an unimaginable amount of sorrow upon his heart; sorrow that the two of them were sharing at this moment.

"What happened, Master?! I knew I sensed something wrong! Just tell me," Terra was practically demanding. Eraqus could sense the anger rising in him. Eraqus had to calm him down quick. He knew that this much anger could lead someone to darkness, and Terra still had a good bit of it in his heart. He needed to act now.

"Calm down, Terra. You, as a Keyblade Master, should know that this kind of anger leads down a dark road. You must compose yourself. Anyway, do you remember a few days ago when I had sent Aqua to a very forbidden world," Eraqus had asked the young man. Terra nodded his head, acknowledging that he remembers. It was a world that was unlike most others. A world filled with death, despair, and war.

"That world contains beings known as vampires. Creatures who live by feeding off the blood of others," Eraqus stated. Terra looked down in awe. He had heard of them. Men and women whose souls were taken and left as a creature whose power is immense and must feed on blood to sustain themselves. WAIT! Is THAT what Aqua has become?! Terra was beginning to feel as though a dagger was being shoved into his heart, for there was no cure for vampirism. There was a Keyblade wielder he had heard of whom tried. He had went rogue after a while. Terra was only told his name: Marcus, or as he preferred to be called; Mark.

Terra looked up to Eraqus with a very sincere look. "I am going. She will need support from us if she is to make it through this. And don't bother trying to talk me out of it, Master, for I will not listen," Terra told the wise old Master. Eraqus knew that arguing him actually will be futile, so he nodded his head; acknowledging his pupils decision. Terra then turned and started to head toward the main door to go help his best friend when Eraqus yelled out to him; asking him to hold for a moment.

"Terra, there are a couple of other things I wish to ask of you first. 1: I want you to pass all the knowledge of a Keyblade Master unto Aqua. I don't know why, but my heart tells me that it is something that must be done," Eraqus informed the young man. "Second, I want you to be on the lookout for new monsters that have been unleashed in that world. Fledgling emotions that have taken a monster-like form. Master Yen-Sid calls them the Unversed, and it seems they have intentions on working with the Heartless toward some goal in that world. Lastly, make sure that the light in your heart does not cast a larger shadow in Aqua's heart. Keep her light shining bright for me," Eraqus asked of his pupil. Terra nodded and raced off to go help Aqua and pass on the knowledge he had gained from Master Eraqus.

Eraqus looked down in sadness. Things really are going downhill. He then thought about Ventus. He would have to make up a good lie to keep the boy from knowing what is really going on.

Meanwhile...

Ventus was swinging Terra's old wooden KeyBlade that he used to use for practicing. Just then, he heard the tower bell going off and started to run when he heard a voice from behind him.

"Better hurry, Ventus. Or you will never see Terra and Aqua again," said a dark looking boy in a mask.

"What are you talking about? I can see them anytime I want," he said to the masked boy in an angry tone.

"Like right now? Terra? He's leaving you behind, and by the time you catch up; he will be a different person. And Aqua? Well, you may as well go visit her yourself," the masked boy continued.

"What are you talking about," Ventus exclaimed.

"You need to stop staying cooped up in this pathetic little prison of yours. Hey, I have an idea. I will take you to go see Aqua right now. Do you want that," the masked boy said as he offered his hand. Ventus hesitated. He felt extremely uneasy around this kid, but he does love Aqua and Terra more than anything.

"Better hurry and make up your mind, because this will be the only time you will see me acting friendly in any way shape or form. So, what will it be," the masked boy said, continuing to hold out his hand. Ventus finally made his decision and took the masked boy's hand. The only reason that Ventus decided to go was because he knew nothing at this point about where Aqua was, and the masked boy's words were ringing in his head. He wants to know what has happened to Aqua as soon as possible; so this was just a logical choice, plus his heart was telling him to go. As soon as their hands touched; Ventus learned one thing about the boy, and that was his name: Vanitas.

"You may want to brace yourself," Vanitas said as they entered a dark opening in the wall that he had just opened.