Chapter 8: Our Journey Begins

"I've had Vexen working on these for quite awhile." Xemnas said as Saix walked in with a box and taking out two familiar devices.

"So, he's been making watches…" Axel observed with a raised eyebrow. "Can we go now?"

"It's not just a watch, it's a communication device of sorts. It works just fine it seems, but it's not exactly certain. Guess you two can test out the distance it can reach." Saix stated.

Zexion held one of them in his hands, fiddling with the controls.

"So even there, we can contact you here, possibly?" he asked. "Has he mentioned any bugs?"

"None have been seen. Fire-resistant, waterproof, and immune to freezing temperatures. It should be fairly reliable." Xemnas confirmed as Zexion nodded, intrigued.

Just then, a beep was heard and a holographic screen popped out of Axel's communicator. He giggled at the sight before realizing the other three were staring at him. He shut off the device and smiled sheepishly.

"Anyway, Vexen also informed me that there is only one Pure World that is inhabited with life that has been discovered so far. That would be Earth." Xemnas nodded to Saix who pulled up an image from Xemnas's computer.

"So, we look for this thing? What about the others?" Axel asked, completely serious now.

"The others aren't suited for human life. Improper gravity and oxygen levels." Saix explained. "As long as you just go to Earth, you two should be fine. This is the only place they could have possibly gone." Xemnas nodded in agreement.

"However, this is a extremely large world. It contains pieces of most of the worlds outside of the Pure realm. It will be a difficult journey." he said.

Axel sat back in his seat and clasped his hands together.

"I have hope. We can do this. We've waited long enough, this will be nothing." he stated confidently. Zexion silently nodded next to him.

"Okay then, all is set. I suppose you two can venture out whenever you wish." the Superior stated finally. The two made to leave when Saix cleared his throat loudly.

Without turning to look at them, he said; "Good look you two. May the Kingdom Hearts be with you."

Axel and Zexion decided it was better to rest for the night before attempting to leave for Earth. They also set aside a little while to find more information about Earth, only to find it to not be anything out of the ordinary.

"So, we should be fine. Nothing to worry about." Axel said after their research.

"Except the fact that we could get lost. End up in the wrong part of the world, somewhere with a language unknown to us." Zexion said flatly.

"Don't worry about that, Zex. Seriously, we'll find them. I just feel it, you know?" the redhead explained, " I don't know. We should get some sleep, big day tomorrow."

Aqua woke up feeling as though she was hit in the head with a brick. She groaned and turned over in the bed she had been placed in.

'What happened to me?' she wondered, letting herself completely relax.

"Oh, hey! You're awake now," Ven said, peeking into the room. He walked up to her bed, "You had us all worried sick."

"What happened?" Aqua asked, voice coming out weakly.

"Hmm… we figured you wouldn't remember. Weird." the blonde said quietly, scratching his head. "Ah… how to put this."

"What?" she snapped, trying to stay patient. Ven's eyes went wide then he blinked. Aqua sighed. "Sorry, I'm just confused,"

"Well, I am too. You flipped out on the Organization guys then had some type of… inner darkness explosion. I don't even know. Ye Sid said it happens when you let the darkness take over."

Aqua felt like her heart turned to stone and dropped into her stomach, causing her to physically wince.

"I let darkness get the better of me?" she whispered. Ven patted her on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, Aqua. You're not alone. This happens to the best of people. Besides, it was probably only this once." Ven said to reassure his friend. Aqua nodded, not looking into his eyes.

"Come on. Get up and readjusted. I'm sure everyone will be excited by your recovery."

"You look tired." Ariel commented, studying her best friend's face. "Actually, you've looked tired all day."

The two girls were heading to Tyler's house since Ariel was spending the night during their school's spring break. Tyler blinked to focus before responding.

"I just keep having weird dreams. I end up staying awake trying to make sense of them. I don't know, it's probably nothing." she said.

"Weird dreams like what I've had? You know, the Axel thing?" Ariel inquired with a curious expression.

"Yeah, except, I never see the person's face. They never talk or anything. They just creep in the shadows in a black cloak type thing." Tyler responded. Thunder rumbled in the distance right after she spoke.

"Looks like a storm is coming." Ariel commented. As if on cue, the rain came pouring down. The two laughed and ran for the house before they got completely soaked.

Zexion woke up to Axel standing over him.

"Kingdom Hearts! I thought you'd never wake up. You're a heavy ass sleeper." Axel said.

Zexion sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"What are you talking about? I am usually a light sleeper. I doubt you tried to wake me." he said.

"I did! Like, ten whole seconds ago! Get up. Let's go!" Axel said, going for the door.

Zexion was glaring at his back when he turned around again.

"Oh, I packed stuff for you because I figured you'd be a dunce and attempt to take cloaks," he seemed to not notice Zexion's look. "We don't need to stand out that much so wear regular clothes."

Once he walked out, Zexion mumbled curses at him and got out of bed to get ready.

Axel and Zexion figured that the way to the Pure Worlds was through the portals since that is how Rexial and Tryxel disappeared. However, this was more complicated than it seemed.

"So, how the hell do we know where we're going when all there is to see is a bunch of swirls?" Axel asked as Zexion paced around.

"Ugh, there has to be another way. This is so tedious!" the slate haired boy yelled, kicking at nothing.

"Whoa there." Axel said, grabbing the shorter boy by the shoulders. "Calm down, I'll try. You just follow."

Zexion relaxed a little and Axel let go of him. He looked around and began motioning as if he was miming. Zexion glared at him feeling as though that wouldn't help anything.

"VIII…"

"Shh, I'm on to something. Trust me." the redhead said, never once stopping his movements. Zexion sighed and rolled his eyes.

Maybe Axel was hallucinating, too much excitement from being that much closer, but he could have sworn he saw little blobs of light floating around. Bright, white sparks that even stung as he touched them.

"VIII, we're going to be consumed by darkness if we stand around any longer." Zexion urged.

The redhead ignored him and the stinging on his fingertips. There's no way he was imaging this. Shortly, Zexion noticed what looked like a hole in the portal. He stepped closer to see what Axel was doing but all he saw was Axel moving his fingers as if he were sliding something and a growing hole.

"You can't see that, Zex?" Axel asked quietly, stepping back. He was squinting.

"The hole?" Zexion asked.

"No, the light." Axel responded, finally turning away to inspect his hands. Zexion's eyes widened. Axel's fingers had burns on them.

"What the hell. All I see is a hole." he said, looking at the boy in wonder. "Is this where we go?"

"I don't know. And if this is the place, I don't see how we'll survive getting through? How will I? You seem unaffected." Axel said.

They stood in silence for awhile. Before Axel suddenly put his hand through the light. Zexion jumped to stop him, but Axel stuck his other hand out to push him away. He bought his hand back in front of him, it was still the same as before.

"Maybe it's safe? Just too bright." Axel took a deep breath. "I can handle it."

"What if you go blind?" Zexion asked thoughtfully. Axel looked at him with a smirk.

"I won't" he said and then climbed through the hole.