Arrival

A Kingdom Hearts fanfic

By:

Chison

Making their way off the airship, Mareo looked all around, taking in the sight of Jeuno. "Mareo!" Alena shouted, waving her hand, calling his attention, he quickly joined her, "what do you think of Jeuno?" She asked, "Its cool…is the city in two layers?" Alena nodded, "yes, the city is made of the lower and the upper, its one of the center points of the three nations, acting as a bridge." "Wow…" Mareo gazed as they walked past the crowds of people going about their business. "Hey Alena, wait up!" He called to her, finding her stopped at the top of a set of stairs, he quickly joined her and they made their way up three more flights of stairs. Walking towards a massive cylinder, Alena spoke, "this is upper Jeuno, this is where all the wealthy and powerful live." From the crowds of the lower section, it seemed peaceful and somewhat regal with people wandering around in luxurious clothes.

Coming to the building, they let themselves in and came to a small desk with a young man behind the counter, "excuse me…" Alena interrupted the man, "we are looking for the Consulate of San d'Oria. Can you help us?" He nodded and pointed to his left, "yes, if you go straight down this hallway, it will be on your left." Alena thanked him and they wandered down the hall, "Alena…did you notice something odd about that guy?" Mareo asked, causing her to stop, "what do you mean?" "Well…" Mareo started, "he just seemed a little frigid…he didn't seem to move at all…" Alena looked down the hall past him to the man, and she shrugged her shoulders, "He seemed all right to me…" they again started down the hall when they saw San d'Oria's flag hanging from the ceiling, "looks like we are here…" she opened the door and let Mareo through first, finding chairs to his right, Alena pointed in a general direction, "take a seat Mareo…this might take a while, I've got to report to the Princes we have arrived." He nodded as she walked away, and slowly made his way to one of the chairs and sat down, looking around at the small room; he clasped his hands in front of him. "I wonder what's taking her so long…" Mareo said aloud, then he began to twiddle his thumbs.

Forever seemed to pass by when Alena finally came from Mareo's left, "sorry that took so long, come on, we have a chance to meet Kam 'lanaut, the Archduke of Jeuno; and we might get some information about the Abyss from him." Mareo got up from the chair and nodded, "great, he might even know about Heartless…" They made their way back out of the building, and ascended another flight of stairs to their right, finding a pair of guards who stopped them, "What business do you have at the Auroral Palace?" Alena looked over the two men and pulled out a sheet of paper, handing it to them, reading it over, they slowly moved out of the way, allowing them to pass. The duo made their way down the long pathway to a giant metal door, when they approached it, the door opened by itself. Mareo swallowed a lump in his throat, and followed behind Alena.

The only light in the room was two beams focused on two chairs; they cautiously made their way towards the chairs and took their seats, "Abyss." Was the first word they heard, looking around for the source, another light shone across a table, revealing a blonde haired man, wearing blue sashes around his body and a wide, red collar extending above this head, "this is what you have traveled to speak about right?" The man asked, stunning Mareo and Alena, "Every nation has this…" he took a moment to find the right word, "problem, you should concern yourselves with those instead." Mareo got up from the chair, "its not just Abyss…" he said and held out his right hand, and the Keyblade appeared, causing the man to widen his eyes as he looked over the weapon, "ah…" was all the man said, and closed his eyes, "just…who exactly are you?" Alena said, leaning forward in her chair, the man flicked away a blonde lock and said, "I am the one you seek, Kam 'lanaut. If I am not mistaken…" Kam started, "that is the ancient weapon capable of undoing any seal correct?" he asked, pointing to the Keyblade, and Mareo slowly nodded his head, "Yea… Oh!" Mareo started, "What do you know about Heartless?"

This caused Kam 'lanaut to rise out of his seat and towards the darkness, pulling back a curtain, allowing the light to fill the room. "All we understand at this point is that they do not have hearts of their own, yet seek them. We theorize they emerge from the Abyss, but we know nothing else other than that." Alena got out of her chair, "what about the Beastmen…could they have…" she started, but was cut off, "no…the Beastmen do not posses the power to summon such beings…but perhaps this is a sign…" Alena was confused, "a sign?" Kam turned back to the pair, "yes…the ancient god of Twilight, Promathia is said to sleep in the center of our world, causing Abyss to pour from this very being…he could easily summon those creatures…" Mareo's eyes narrowed, "all right…how do we get to Promathia?" Kam 'lanaut was taken back, "you wish to face a god?" He nodded his head, "god or not, I'll try." Alena looked over Mareo then took a step beside Mareo; "I will come along with you, since you don't know your way around."

Looking over the pair, Kam nodded his head, "very well. I will aid you on your quest. There is rumored that a city of Goblins resides under the ground, constantly moving, I can give its last known location." He reached inside his robes and pulled out a single sheet of paper, sliding it across the table. Alena grabbed the paper and looked it over, the directions pointed south, "thank you Kam 'lanaut, Archduke of Jeuno." Alena gave a bow, and tapped Mareo's shoulder to do the same and they left without another word.