Okage Hearts
Chapter 28
I don't own Okage or Kingdom Hearts. Anything that says otherwise is either misinformed or blatantly lying. Of note, there are only one or two chapters left for this story after this one.
The group stood silently after Beiloune left the room, each attempting to determine just what their next course would be. After a moment, it was Ari that broke the silence.
"Epros," he said, "You mentioned Beiloune's plan, back when you were the Phantom Evil King. Do you know where the World Library is?"
"I once had that knowledge so surely I ought," Epros replied, "Yet though I seek out the memory, I simply cannot. I suspect Beiloune took it to help hide his plot."
"Well, that seems problematic," Kisling chimed in, "If we are to confront him in order to preserve the world as it is, then we need to be able to locate the World Library he has repeatedly informed us of."
"I know how to get you there," a weakened, familiar voice said. Turning, the group saw the Vampire Evil King, standing nearby, seeming to want to rest.
"You want to help us fight Beiloune?" Rosalyn inquired incredulously.
"I do not wish to fight Beiloune," The Former Vampire Evil King said, "Even if I did, I was not invited, so I could not go. Nevertheless, I can help you find the World Library. You need to get a permit, then a bridge will arrive. If you wish, I will bring the bridge. I won't face repercussions, correct. He did invite you."
"Why are you so pathetic now that you've lost your power?" Stan asked, "You're worse than the Chairman Evil King."
"Who?" he inquired before waving the though away, "Never mind. My reasons are simple, though I often curse my own wretched existence, I am rather fond of it, and would much prefer to not cease to exist. Now, I need to go get the bridge."
After taking a long walk to get across the impossibly long bridge once it was in place, the group found themselves standing on a land that seemed to be made of twisted branches and stones, which formed odd bridge-like structures that covered the landscape.
"Of course," Ari muttered under his breath before a thought struck him. Beiloune had the last of Stan's power, so the Map O' Evil Kings would likely be able to find him. At the very least, it was worth a try.
'You are very lucky he's not hiding himself,' the Map noted in its strangely dry tone as it displayed their surroundings, "Still, what works works, I suppose. Just go down the path I marked off and you'll be right outside of the World Library."
"The Map says to go this way," Ari said in the slightly louder tone he'd become accustomed to using since he got his heart back, "So, let's go."
With that, the group once more headed out, intent on finding Beiloune and bringing an end to his scheme.
Once they reached a large, square building, Epros said, "In Beiloune's domain, we've much less to fear. He'll be wary lest he harm something truly dear."
"He's evil for a human," Stan said, "But I'll punish him all the same. He'll see what real power is!"
"And he'll face justice!" Rosalyn interjected. With that, she began to charge at the doors, only to find them locked. Without a word, Ari pointed the Keyblade at the door and unlocked it. As they headed inside, they found themselves in a bizarre landscape. It looked like a room made entirely of darkness, with only a dull green glow in the stones giving off any light.
Moving forward, our heroes found themselves face to face with a distinguished looking old man who said, "Ah, you're the reason Beiloune is so angry. Welcome to the World Library, the core of the world!"
"You're a human!" Big Bull said, stating the obvious, "You can't fight."
"You're most certainly right," the old man said, his arms behind his back as he smiled at the group, "And you're our only hope. We are simple clerks in this library. We only record the Classification."
"And Beiloune's list of classification is here?" Kisling asked.
"Yes," the old man replied, "Now listen carefully: There are three buildings, the center, and the west and east wings. Some doors require a key, but I suspect you don't need to find them. Don't rush, though. He's not going anywhere. Good luck."
Once it was apparent that the old man was not going to talk any further, Ari and company continued their quest.
"We're going to wind up fighting a lot of ghosts and Heartless, aren't we?" Ari mused aloud.
"Almost certainly, Slave," Stan said, "They should be the perfect warm-up for when we face off against that irritating human."
"I don't think it can be helped," Linda added, "He wants us to lose, which means he'll send a lot of those things."
"Well, then, shall we?" Ari sighed, pulling out the Map. Somehow, he knew that this was going to be more unpleasant than the rest of his adventures.
It had taken almost an hour for them to find it, with several locked doors opened and countless enemies defeated, but eventually, they found their way through that maze of a library with help from the Map O' Evil Kings and managed to get to Beiloune's private study.
"It's the moment we've been waiting for," Stan said, "It's time to defeat Beiloune in the name of the Great Evil King. You all know what to do!"
"Yeah, let's go get him!" Linda cheered, followed by an enthusiastic agreement by Big Bull.
"What are you going on about?" Rosalyn asked, "We're here to defeat his corrupt system in the name of justice! I know he's tougher than the Evil Kings we've fought, so stay on your guard everyone, and give it everything you've got!"
"I'm here to seek intelligence," Kisling said, "With luck, I will manage to find some by the end of things."
"To each champion, their raison d'etre! Who is to say who is right?" Epros stated, "For evil, for justice, for science, you enter, only you know the reason you fight. Forward my comrades and we shall advance with variant motives in sight. I will learn what I seek, and to victory we shall, in our great teamwork, unite."
"I guess it's time to meet our maker," Ari said, preparing to unlock the door that would lead to their greatest battle.