Chapter Three: Day 304: Researcher of Darkness.

She was choking, her hands clawing at the unyielding grip around her throat, legs kicking out weakly as she dangled up from the ground. Her blue eyes were squinting as she fought to breath and stay conscious, for to pass out meant sure death. She heard a deep chuckle, the voice familiar yet completely alien at the same.

She forced her eyes to open completely, gasping in terror as she stared into her attacker's face.

The man before her was familiar yet like the voice, completely different at the same time.

Skin that was once young and tanned was now aged yet retaining its youthful texture. Hair that used to be the healthy brown of fresh earth was now pale white, unnatural and death like. And his eyes…

She had loved his deep blue eyes and they were no more. In their place were amber flares of unending hate and malice.

Her attacker laughed and dropped her down onto the hard ground, watching with sick amusement as she clutched her red and raw throat. He held his arm out, black smoke swirling around his hand as a nightmarish black and silver ax tipped blade appeared.

Her eyes widened as he pulled the blade back, and she screamed as he swung down with tremendous strength-

Her eyes snapped open, taking in the light that pierced through the curtains on the window over her, creating shadows on the ceiling. She lay there, unblinking as the events of her nightmare replayed over and over again. She shuddered, eyes finally closing as she raised her shaking hand to brush her damp blue locks out of her eyes. Her skin was wet and clammy from sweat.

Aqua rose up, gasping as she felt a bed under her and sheets over her. She blinked in confusion before moving up to a sitting position, clutching the sheets over herself. She saw she was in a rather large bedroom; dusty cobwebs on some of the corners on the ceiling while the carpet and the sheets were clean though.

Aqua looked around a little more, seeing several dressers and nightstands and a door that presumably led to the hall of wherever she was. Aqua spotted something on one of the dressers and squinted, confused for split second. Her eyes widened and her face flushed when she realized it was her clothes on the dresser.

Nervously, Aqua peered down at herself and moved the sheets aside. Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of crimson upon seeing she was in her underwear and a light blue nightgown. Aqua moaned in mortification.

She kicked the sheets away, fighting back a shiver from the sudden chill and sat up, swinging her legs over the beds side and stretching, sighing as she heard several joints pop along her neck and shoulders. She looked around the room again for any kind of clock that could tell her what time it was but found nothing. Aqua stood up from the bed, wincing a little. She looked over her exposed arms and legs, seeing several dark bruises. She sighed. Seemed she had hurt more than her arm on the way down that hill.

Aqua looked back towards the dresser where her clothes where and saw a glint of metal. She looked at the side of the dresser and saw the familiar black and gray keyblade. Aqua walked up to it, her hand reaching for the hilt-

The door handle turned and the door opened.

Aqua saw a hint of black, something like a cloak, and her hand snatched out, grabbing the keyblade and raising it, blade pointed toward the intruder's neck, completely forgetting her lack of attire and defense if it was an attacker of some sort.

The door completely opened, revealing the interloper was indeed wearing the black cloak the three others had been wearing, but his hair was silver and long, lacking spikes of any kind and he looked to be only a little older then the two teens from earlier. Aqua blinked when she saw the silver haired teen had a blindfold around his eyes. She didn't lower her keyblade but now she had a confused look on her face.

The teem just stood there, gloved hand still on the door handle and Aqua suspected that even though his eyes were hidden and blinded, he was looking right at her. She flinched when he lowered his hand and spoke. "Good. You're awake." Aqua said nothing, her keyblade still pointed at the teen, though now her confused look was replaced by a look of surprise.

The teen's head moved slightly, hidden eyes looking at her keyblade. He looked back up at Aqua and asked, "You wanna put that down? I'm not going to fight you."

Aqua gasped. He could see? Aqua lowered her keyblade reluctantly and asked the teen, "How…Who…"

The teen held up his hand, silencing her. He lowered his hand, speaking softly. "You're questions will be answered in a little while. What I will tell you is that I am not with those three in black you fought yesterday. Right now just clean yourself up and get dressed. My associate wants to meet you."

Aqua bristled as the teen practically ordered her. Before she could snap back at him, he stepped back, closing the door behind him. Aqua blinked in confusion.

What had just happened?

Aqua sighed wearily, sinking back onto the bed. She let go of her keyblade and rubbed her face, suddenly tired again. Seeing smudges of dirt and ash stains on the skin of her hands, Aqua looked down at her arms and legs, grimacing when she noticed the dirt, ash and dried blood on herself.

She could use a shower.

She looked around the room again and saw a second door. She stood up, walking over to it and opening it. Inside was a rather clean bathroom, complete with sink, toilet and shower stall.

Normally Aqua would never take a shower in a complete strangers home, especially under these kinds of circumstances. But a warm shower sounded like heaven at the moment and she decided to make a single exception to hr rule.

Closing the door behind her as she stepped in, locking it in case that teen came back, Aqua walked over to the shower stall and pushed the clear curtain back. Her hand touched the nozzle and after a few seconds of fiddling with the shower controls she got the nozzle to work and hot water rained down. Aqua ran her hand under the water, sighing in pleasure when she felt it was perfectly hot.

Aqua stepped back and moved to take off the nightgown when she froze and looked back at the door. She clutched at her chest, suddenly very self-conscious as she realized she was in a strange place with strangers and about to take a shower in their stronghold. Her master had taught her better.

But…

Something about that silver haired teen… She knew she could trust him.

And heck there weren't that many worlds with working showers any way. May as well take advantage of that.

Aqua looked around the bathroom one last time and then made sure the door was locked before striping off her gown and underwear and stepping in the stall. She sighed in pleasure as the warm water loosened her muscles, easing the tension of yesterday's battles. She stood under the water, eyes closed before she began to wash herself clean of the blood and dirt on he arms and legs.

The whirr of the multiple modems was always distracting background noise combined with the constant typing, most people would become completely engrossed in whatever was on the computer monitors. The man in red with the bandaged face typed away at three keyboards, his one eye looking at the monitors, which held a blue print of Twilight Town, each monitor showing the town layout at a different angle.

The typist didn't bother to turn his head as the silver haired teen entered the room. The bandaged elder spoke first though. "And how is our lovely guest, Riku?"

Riku looked at him through his blindfold and shrugged. Riku, "Seemed fine to me. Fell down a cliff and she was able to get back up the next day, not many can do that. Impressive reflexes and obvious skill with her keyblade." Riku trailed off, watching the elder man's reactions.

The elder nodded and turned away from his monitors, his one yellow eye meeting Riku's hidden ones. "And she defeated one of the Organization's assassins?" His tone had suppressed eagerness that Riku almost missed.

Riku nodded and replied, "Axel, their most dangerous one. Not an easy accomplishment."

The masked elder grinned and chuckled loudly. He swiveled his chair, facing his monitors again, watching a second blueprint of Twilight Town form. "She may be exactly what we need…to finally destroy Organization XIII." At the mention of the Organization, the elder's right hand clenched into a fist, the leather of his glove squelching.

He looked back up a Riku, his smile now friendly looking but holding no mirth.

"Now, shall we prepare our guest a meal?"

Aqua hesitantly opened the door in her room that led to the hall. She was dressed in her clothes once again and pleased to discover they had been cleaned. Her blue hair was still wet, making it look darker now, almost indigo.

She stepped out of the room and into the hall, closing the door behind her. As Aqua took in the new surroundings, she saw she was on the second floor of a large foyer room of a mansion. Aqua stepped closer to a railing and looked around the foyer.

The saw large amounts of debris, cracked floor tiles and parts of the ceiling, even some smashed furniture. What once was a beautiful mansion was now a shadow of its former self. Aqua found old memories of her home rising up but she quickly pushed them down.

Aqua saw two doors a the end of the hallway but decided to leave those alone for now and stepped down one of the stairs leading down into the foyer. She walked over to the right door and opened it a crack. Her eyes widened when she saw it was some kind of study, complete with bookshelves filled with multiple leather bound volumes in pristine condition. And a smashed table in the center of the room. Aqua could only guess that someone had destroyed it in a rage.

Aqua stepped back, pulling the door closed and turned around, heading for the next door-

Aqua jumped and let out a little gasp of fright when she saw the blindfolded teen watching her from across the foyer. He watched her with a blank expression before asking, "You always snoop around other people's homes?"

Aqua drew herself, scowling at the impudent teen as she snapped, "You always sneak up on people?"

The teen shrugged and turned, his hand waving in a 'follow me' gesture. Aqua frowned and followed after a few moments after the teen went through a second door.

Aqua found herself in a large dining room, with a table that could hold a dozen people easily, three spots set, on of the right side and left with the top chair already occupied. The person sitting in the top chair was dressed in a black robe with a red cape like cloak over that, strange yellow and black line symbols on his shirt. Aqua couldn't make out his facial features due to the fact he had several red bandages wrapped around his head and two black belts covering his left eyes, his right eye was still visible and Aqua suppressed a shudder of revulsion when she saw it was deep amber. What skin on his face she could see was dark, so deeply dark his skin almost blended in with his bandages.

When the elder man saw them enter his mouth lit up in a smile, a rather convincing one.

"Ah, our guest honors us with her lovely visage. Welcome, welcome."

Aqua slowly and carefully approached the left prepared seat while the blindfolded teen sat down in the one on the right. The bandaged elder stood up and walked over to Aqua's seat, pulling it out for her. He smiled, eye closed as he said, "Please, sit and relax."

Aqua eyed him for a moment, eyes alert and suspicious before she sat down and the elder pushed her seat in before returning to his own. He waved his hand out towards the table and said, "Please. Help yourself to whatever you'd like."

It was then Aqua finally noticed the food. On the table was perhaps over a dozen prepared meals ranging from steamed vegetables, soups, chicken, steak, and rice. You name it and felt like looking, it was probably there.

Aqua felt her stomach growl but fought back her hunger to look at the masked man again. He was placing some rice and cut up pieces of chicken on his plate, along with some green beans while the blindfolded teen was twirling his spoon in a bowl of miso soup. Aqua looked at the food again but decided to break the ice before she ate anything.

Aqua, "Is it normal to have a meal with complete strangers?" She looked at the blindfolded teen who didn't look back or stop playing with his soup. The elder smiled and lowered his fork.

"Ah," he exclaimed with another fake smile. "How right you are my dear. I have rudely forgot to introduce myself and my young friend." His one eye met Aqua's and this time Aqua couldn't fight her shudder.

"I am DiZ," declared the masked elder. He motioned towards the blindfolded teen. "He is Riku."

Aqua looked between the two, eyebrow arching. Aqua, "And why, mister 'DiZ', am I here?"

DiZ leaned back in his chair, hands folding in his lap. DiZ, "I was hoping you could explain that, my dear. Young Riku found you unconscious in the woods, bloody and bruised from what I would guess was a nasty fall." The masked elder then deliberately and slowly picked up his fork, piercing a piece of his chicken and holding it up to his mouth, his one eyes studying it like it held some secret. DiZ went on, "Riku also mentioned…a rather unique and hard to come by sword in your possession." With that said he plucked the chicken into his mouth, chewing slowly before swallowing and then looking back at Aqua.

"Or was it a key of some sort?" He asked, his face mockingly set in a wondering expression.

Aqua's eyes widened at that.

This DiZ person clearly knew of the keyblades.

Aqua spared another glance at Riku, but he only continued to play with his soup.

Aqua lowered her gaze back to her plate and decided to put something on it. She placed a little rice and some steamed veggies on it before adding a little dressing on the side. She took a bite of the rice before she spoke to DiZ again.

"You didn't answer my question."

DiZ stared at her a moment before grinning and looking at Riku. DiZ, "A smart young lady, isn't she?" Riku made no move to indicate he even heard DiZ and finally slurped a little of his soup. DiZ took a few more bites of his meal before wiping his lips with a napkin and saying to Aqua, "I brought you here because I couldn't let Organization XIII get their hands on yet another wielder of the keyblade."

Aqua blinked at that. She paused in thought for a moment before looking at DiZ and asking, "What's Organization XIII?'

DiZ sighed and folded his hands under his jaw, index fingers tapping together in thought.

DiZ, "To explain them, we must go back a few years, to the arrival of the first swarm of darkness made form. The Heartless." He looked at Aqua, his amber eye questioning. DiZ, "Have you encountered those shadows before?"

Aqua remembered the Heartless constantly stalking her in the Realm of Darkness, always watching her with their beady yellow eyes, waiting for her to let her guard down so they could strike. "I've encountered them," she whispered.

DiZ reached into a bowel of fruit and pulled out an apple. With little effort he plucked it into two halves, revealing the seeds inside. DiZ placed one half down on his plate and began plucking seeds from the apples core until only one was left.

DiZ looked at Aqua while holding the apple halve in his hand. DiZ, "Tell me my dear, do you know how a Heartless is created?"

Aqua had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. Aqua, "I do. When a Heart like yours or mine is filled with Darkness and when the Darkness consumes that Heart, the person is turned into a creature of Darkness we all call Heartless."

DiZ nodded, looking at the apple halve in his hand with an amused expression. DiZ, "That is as good as any explanation. But your summation is incorrect in certain details." Aqua frowned, her brow furrowing in confusion.

DiZ raised his right hand, gesturing toward the apple. DiZ, "Let us say this is a normal human being." He flicked his wrist. "Let us say my hand is the Darkness within all Hearts." DiZ reached for the apple core and delicately plucked the single seed out, leaving the apple barren. DiZ held up the seed. "This is a Human Heart consumed by darkness." He dropped it onto his plate and continued. "Now it has become a Heartless."

Aqua nodded, but her face still showed confusion. Aqua, "That's pretty much what I explained. You just had a prop."

DiZ chuckled and looked at the apple again. DiZ, "If the apple is a Human and the seed a Heart…then what of the body, the fruit of the apple" DiZ studied the apple with his one eye. DiZ went on, slowly. "What becomes of the body left behind by the Darkness that has stolen its Heart? Consumed by Darkness and rejected by Light, if the Heart that it once held was strong enough and if the spirit lingered inside the now empty shell…"

DiZ carefully put the apple halve down next to the other half, which still had several seeds inside it. DiZ looked at Aqua and said, "Then the shell would awaken and behave as if it still had a Heart."

Aqua's eyes widened. She looked at DiZ and asked quietly, "Are you saying…that people can survive without their Hearts?"

DiZ shook his head. DiZ, "No, not exactly. You see, while the new being looks and behaves like its former self, it is not. It merely retains the memories and form of its former self, and that's in the lucky situations only available for a few of these beings, these non-existent ones. The rest merely fade away into Darkness."

DiZ pushed his half empty plate away and rested his arms on the table. DiZ, "Thirteen of these powerful beings have joined together to control the lesser non-existent ones. Their wills and forms are the strongest amongst themselves and because of their unique nature, they can walk through the Realm of Darkness without fear and blend in the Realm of Light with little effort. As such, they are very dangerous."

DiZ looked at her again, his single amber eye glinting dangerously. DiZ, "You were almost tricked by two of them, weren't you? You see, it is not the fact they have such power that makes them dangerous, it is the fact they remember what it was like to be true beings and as such, they can fool others and strike them down when a true being lets its guard down. You defeated one of them though and for that, you will have no doubt caught their attention."

He leaned back, staring at the ceiling while Riku simply went on eating his soup. DiZ, "Then again, you have alerted the Organization due to your own unique 'gift'."

DiZ looked at Aqua, who found herself whispering to herself in revelation. "The keyblade…"

DiZ nodded and went on. "My dear, one of the things you may not know about the keyblade is its unique effect on the Heartless. Because your keyblade is a weapon of light, they are instinctively drawn to it. They wish to dim this light you see, to block it out but in doing so, they are drawn to their doom. One such as yourself can easily vanquish any Heartless in your way."

DiZ leaned on his elbows, his face set in a thinking expression. DiZ, "But you may have noticed that certain Heartless release Hearts upon their destruction. Where do these Hearts go? Have you wondered that?"

In truth Aqua had only noticed this a few time but the question never once crossed her mind. Aqua shook her head, eyes closing as she frowned. Aqua, "No, I never wondered."

DiZ leaned back and went on, and Aqua suspected he just liked to hear himself lecture somebody. DiZ, "A Heart that is freed from a Heartless is freed from the Darkness and as such, it joins with the Heart of worlds, the greatest source of light and darkness in this universe." Aqua's eyes widened, as she instantly knew what DiZ spoke of.

"Kingdom Hearts…" She whispered.

DiZ nodded.

He held up his hand though, index figure raised. DiZ, "But the true Kingdom Hearts is sealed away due to the efforts of another keyblade wielder Thanks to his efforts, it is safe. But Organization XIII is not a group to be deterred by any means. They have gained their own keyblade wielders and using their keyblades, have begun to slay Heartless by the thousands. In doing so, they have created their own Kingdom Hearts."

Aqua's eyes widened in shock. DiZ nodded, his eye and face set gravely.

DiZ, "The Organization members claim they wish to be complete…but this is not the case with all of them. Specifically, the groups Superior." Aqua noticed that DiZ tensed at the mention of the group's leader, his right hand gripping the table tightly. DiZ went on. "He wishes to use the power of Kingdom Hearts to remake every world there ever has been and ever will be. Of this, I am certain. I doubt many of his underlings are aware of his true intentions. They blindly follow him in hopes of becoming complete again."

Aqua lowered her head, face downcast. These non-beings must truly be desperate if they allied themselves with someone like DiZ described. DiZ reached into a pocket in his robes and pulled out a large box the size of his whole fist.

"My dear," he said before meeting her eyes again. "I wish to give you something. A gift to remember our meeting by."

He slid the box over to Aqua and leaned back, watching her intently. Aqua looked from DiZ to Riku, then finally to the box. It was a simple red box made of an unknown material. Aqua placed her hand on the lid and pulled it off easily. When she completely removed the lid, her eyes widened in shock.

Inside the box, was a gem type object shaped like a star, with a second star imbedded in the center of it. Aqua looked up at DiZ, whispering in wonder, "The Star Fragment."

DiZ nodded but said nothing. Riku finally looked up from his empty bowl, his hidden eyes giving DiZ a perplexed look.

Aqua glared at the masked man. "Where did you get this?" She demanded. DiZ merely smirked before he replied simply. "It was a gift, from an old friend of mine."

Aqua glared at the masked man, not buying his explanation.

DiZ went on, his voice serious. "Since you obviously know what it is, and what it can do, I cannot merely hand it over. It is, like I said, a gift and it holds some value to me." DiZ leaned back, hands clasped under his chin in thought.

"I offer you this," he said slowly. "Use it to go from world to world, doing whatever you please. And all I ask in return, is if you encounter any member of Organization XIII…"

He grinned, a predator grin that showed off every tooth in his mouth.

"Destroy them, with the power of your keyblade."

Riku gasped softly, looking at DiZ in shock, Aqua had an equally surprised expression on her face.

She looked at the Star Fragment, her face set in a confused expression as she thought over his offer. Riku looked at her, jaw clenched in tension as he waited for her response like DiZ, but the elder was much calmer looking. Finally, Aqua looked back at DiZ. But gone was her angry and mistrusting glare, and in its place was a more confused and innocent pleading stare, her blue eyes shimmering.

Aqua, "I can't do that. I don't want anything to do with this Organization…" Her hand moved towards her chest, clutching at a star shaped orange charm around her neck.

"I just want to find someone…" She whispered.

Riku's own expression softened in understanding while DiZ maintained his blank look. The elder sat back in his chair, thinking for a moment. Then, he spoke slowly, with a soft gentle tone hidden under his gruff voice.

"If by some chance the Star Fragment takes you to a world called 'Hollow Bastion', search the bowels of the castle in that world. You may find something of use in it." Riku looked at DiZ in confusion as did Aqua but she nodded and pushed her chair back, standing up as she picked up the Star Fragment, clutching it to her chest.

Aqua smiled slightly at DiZ. "Thank you for the hospitality, mister DiZ." DiZ waved his hand in a dismissive manner, suddenly looking annoyed. Aqua nodded at Riku, who nodded slowly back before she turned and headed out the door to the foyer. After a moment, DiZ stood up as well. "Clean this table." He barked at Riku before following after Aqua.

Riku sighed in aggravation.

'Next thing you know I'll be mopping the floors.' Riku thought bitterly.

Aqua stepped into the foyer, looking at the Star Fragment and thinking over DiZ's words. She looked up from the fragment and saw the doors that led outside. She started to walk over to them, when she heard a sound from the second floor. Aqua turned sharply and looked up, face set in an angry scowl in case it was an enemy.

Her face softened instantly, eyes lighting up as she smiled.

Sitting under one of the railings was a girl in a simple white dress, her long blonde hair going past her shoulders and her blues lighting up in curiosity as she met Aqua's friendly gaze. Aqua smiled gently and stepped closer to the stairs. To Aqua the girl looked very young, to young to be of any relation to DiZ or Riku.

"Hello," she called to the girl. The young blonde stared at Aqua for a long time, before her own lips slowly rose in a small smile. "Hello…" Her soft voice was so quiet Aqua almost didn't catch it. Aqua continued to approach, still smiling while asking, "What is your name?"

The girl's eyes moved a little as she was thinking about whether she should answer or not when-

"Namine!"

Aqua whirled around and saw DiZ glaring up at the young girl. Namine flinched and rose up, backing away from DiZ. DiZ glared at the girl before barking, "Return to your room."

Namine nodded quickly before practically sprinting back to her room. Aqua watched her leave, her smile turning into a frown then an angry glare as she faced DiZ again. Aqua, "How come she wasn't invited to dinner?" Her tone was accusing and angry. DiZ merely scoffed and began walking up the stairs. He called to Aqua from the second floor. "She has work to do. She will eat later."

Aqua glared at the masked man as he disappeared through another door. She looked at the Star Fragment and then back up towards the spot DiZ vanished into. Maybe this hadn't been a good idea after all, she thought.

With a sigh, Aqua turned and exited the mansion.

Aqua walked past the smashed pillars in the mansion courtyard and the through the unlocked gates. As soon as she was past them, they swung closed behind her, something metallic clicking as the doors locked themselves. Aqua looked at the Star Fragment again and closed her eyes in concentration. She had seen the king do this before, but she admitted she didn't truly understand how it worked herself. The king had told her 'Concentrate with your Heart, not your mind'. Aqua gasped as her heart fluttered, a strange warmth overcoming her-

The charm around her neck flashed red as the Star Fragment glowed, pure white light encircling Aqua before-

In a flash of red and white light, Aqua vanished from sight in front of the mansion gates.

There was a slow gentle knock on her door.

Namine looked up from her sketchbook towards her door, her right hand holding a blue crayon. "It's me." A gentle male voice called and Namine relaxed. "Come in," she called before returning to her sketch. The door opened and Riku stepped in, holding a plate with some leftover food.

His black cloak contrasted with Namine's pure white room as he stepped over to her table. "It's not much…" He said regretfully as he placed the plate down. Namine smiled up at him in gratefulness. "Thank you Riku…"

Riku blushed bashfully, rubbing the back of his sliver haired head. He could hear the 'scritch-scratch' of Namine's crayon against paper and asked, "What are you drawing now?" Namine smiled a little as she looked at her new drawing.

It was a simple sketch of three people, one with brown hair, one with blonde. And the last had blue.

"The beginning…" Namine whispered. Riku looked down at her in confusion. But Namine said no more and resumed drawing.

The air in the room Where Nothing Gathered had tension mixed with the staleness.

Axel sat in his throne across from Saix, while the Superior sat in his own, overlooking both of them, his amber eyes watching them with a blank intensity. Saix spoke first.

"You failed again."

Axel growled and snapped back, "She is way stronger then she looks, ok?" Saix glared at Axel before he responded, "That is no excuse. Your mission was to capture her and you failed. There are punishments for failure."

Axel gasped, his brow breaking out in a sweat as he glanced from Saix to the silent Superior. Axel held up his hand defensively.

Axel, "WaitwaitwaitwaitWAIT. I didn't come back empty handed. I've got something almost as good as capturing her."

Saix raised a brow while the Superior simply kept his gaze on Axel.

Saix, "And what, pray tell, is that?"

Axel smirked like a poker player about to deal his ace in the hole.

"Her name."

Saix growled in annoyance while the Superior's eyes widened slightly.

Saix began to speak, saying, "That is completely-"

"Go on."

Saix shut up the second the Superior spoke over him and stayed quiet. Axel took a calming breath, eyes closing before he opened them and said one word:

"Aqua."

The Superior stared at Axel for a moment, seemingly studying him completely as if gauging him for any hint of a lie. Then, after a small eternity, he nodded and smiled, that cruel smile that made both Saix and Axel shudder in terror.

The Superior spoke again, his voice flat. "Very good Axel. This is extremely valuable information and I thank you for discovering it. You may leave."

Axel let out a huge sigh of relief before vanishing in a burst of shadows. Saix gasped and looked up at the Superior, sputtering, "B-but sir, he failed the-"

"You are dismissed as well, Saix." Saix froze and shut up again, nodding quickly before vanishing as well.

The Superior sat on his throne, alone and in quiet solitude. He couldn't wipe the smile off of his face as he closed his eyes and whispered the woman's name slowly and gently, "Aqua…" His smile slowly became a smirk and he vanished a moment later, leaving the room devoid of life as it always was.