Namine was exploring the Palace of Eternity's lower levels. She had gone even further than before, passing the dungeon/lab a floor back before continuing further down. She soon reached a large round chamber with a pair of huge double doors. It was some form of entrance hall or throne room as a single white throne sat near the back of the room, facing the double doors. What she found the most interesting was the mural on each of the walls. It was a relief sculpture depicting various scenes. She quickly realized it was telling a story as each sculpture had a roman numeral beneath each one, depicting thirteen different scenes. From the point of view of someone entering the chamber, the scenes on the right hand side were odd numbered while the scenes on the left were even, both meeting up at thirteen which sat directly behind the throne.

Number one depicted a hooded figure in a cloak bearing a Mark of Mastery insignia on the back, traveling a narrow pathway, the sky behind it pitch black.

Number two depicted another cloaked figure, seated in a slumped posture on a throne with a symbol over it which depicted only half-a-heart. The heart was purposefully incomplete by the looks of the design.

Number three depicted an armored figure, knelt alone in a desolate wasteland, its head bowed forward and hands resting on the pommel of a sword driven into the ground before it.

Number four depicted another cloaked figure bearing a generic looking Keyblade in one hand with an X shaped object on the back of its cloak.

Number five depicted another shrouded figure but with an altered version of the symbol Namine recognized for Somebodys or Others on its cloak. It was a symbol all Nobodies knew. The sun shaped icon with the four quadrants only in this case, the sun icon was white with black quadrants instead of golden with white quadrants. The figure seemed to be running away from something.

Number six depicted a hooded figure with the mark of the Nobodies emblazoned upon its cloak. The figure had a sword in one hand and a Keyblade in another, the weapons held out to the side as if choosing between them.

Number seven was an armored figure, clad in dark hued armor with a large sword in hand. On its armor was the missing half of the heart from the second figure only this heart was black.

Number eight was a little harder to spot as the figure was stood in the distance, clad in armor with a star surrounded by a circle as its emblem.

Number nine depicted an armored figure kneeling before a hooded one. The armored figure had the symbol of a star leaving a trail behind it upon its armor while the hooded figure bore the symbol of the eighth figure and was posed in a way as if to give the impression of giving instructions to the armored figure.

Ten depicted another shrouded figure, looking towards a grand city with an equally grand castle in the distance, the symbol on its cloak being that of five pointed crown with jewels.

Eleven depicted an image of a simple cloaked figure with its hands held in front of it, palms facing towards each other, and a five pointed star floating between them.

Twelve was a figure clad in both armor and a cloak stood with a dagger held backwards in its right hand.

Finally the thirteenth depicted a single figure, clad in majestic looking armor, a single large sword floating over its head, pointed straight up, its arms held out to the sides, palms facing upwards as it looked towards the ceiling. On its chest was no one symbol but all twelve symbols of the others, arranged in a circle over its chest. In the center of the circle was a keyhole. It was only a symbolic keyhole though as it was only the outline of a keyhole.

Namine looked contemplative. She wasn't sure what these images depicted or were meant to represent. Her thoughts were suddenly disturbed by a crunching sound from nearby.

"Enjoying the tour, Sev?" Prishe asked from the throne, chewing on a mouthful of potato chips. Namine blinked at the sight of the abhorrent child. Prishe had a bag of chips on her lap.

"Prishe? What do you know about this place?" Namine asked as Prishe swallowed.

"It's an old legend. Kinda fuzzy on the details. From what I can remember, all thirteen of the people on these walls are connected to each other, their purpose is to awaken the gods to decide the fate of the worlds." Prishe explained, not really that interested in the legend or the room itself.

"Did the Sisterhood carve this?" Namine asked.

"Nah. They never come this far down into the palace. They've no interest in it. I come down here because this throne is com~mfy." Prishe said, wriggling herself into the throne before kicking back in a relaxed posture.

"Then, if they didn't carve it, who did?" Namine asked, confused.

"Probably whoever built the place. You do know we're just the renters right? First found the palace long ago and simply moved in. They've remodeled most of the upstairs but down here? Nah they just leave it be." Prishe explained as Namine looked contemplative.

"So the Sisterhood only occupies the Palace of Eternity. They didn't build it. Okay, that answer's that, so what's your story Prishe?" Namine pondered to herself. She then decided to try yet again to enter Prishe's memories but once again, got nowhere. Prishe's ears started twitching again in response.

"Again with the probing, Sev? You really do like punching that wall, don't'cha?" Prishe asked, amused by Namine's efforts.

"I want to know more about you, Prishe. You are my 'niece' after all." Namine said as Prishe chuckled.

"Sorry Sev, but telling you would be like spoiling the book for you and I don't do spoilers…that is unless the story sucks but then that's a different thing altogether." Prishe replied.

"Then would it have anything to do with why you're suicidal?" Namine asked, causing Prishe to pause, all sense of her usual jovial attitude disappearing in an instant. A small smile appeared on her face, but her eyes seemed saddened.

"When have I been suicidal?" she asked.

"Steadfast Stadium. You seemed almost anxious for that Laguna guy to use that superweapon on you. Then there's your careless fighting style. You willingly take the brunt of attacks that would kill or otherwise severely injure an ordinary person and yet you walk away completely unscathed. You have zero concern for your own wellbeing." Namine said as Prishe looked away.

"So far you're batting a thousand, Sev." Prishe said with a lighthearted tone but there was a shakiness to her voice which gave away her true feelings.

"Then…why do you endanger yourself? Why put yourself at risk?" Namine asked. Prishe's smile disappeared completely at this.

"Sev…do you…do you fear dying?" Prishe asked, confusing Namine.

"Huh?"

"Of course you do. You know what happens to Nobodies when they die. They fade back into Darkness or return to their Others. Why wouldn't that fate be something to fear? That's the one thing you and all the sisters fear. Death. Fading into Darkness, forgotten, never to return. Even people with hearts fear death. As we all get older, we become less and less afraid of dying and eventually make peace with the thought of it. Sometimes it's the thought of losing our friends, the people we care about, that we fear. The thought of being the last survivor. You've heard of survivor's guilt? That's what I've got in spades, Sev." Prishe explained but now Namine was even more confused.

"You survived something that others didn't? What was it?" Namine asked but Prishe sighed heavily in frustration as she leapt off the throne, the bag of chips landing on the floor but not spilling.

"No-no-no-no-NO! It's not what I have survived, it's what I will survive! My guilt is for events that haven't even transpired yet but they're gonna! And I have front row seats! Why?! Because some…Witch, cast a spell to make me-…!" Prishe yelled before stopping herself in realization and looking towards Namine who seemed to suddenly understand part of what she meant. There was a pregnant pause as the two looked at each other in silence before Namine finally spoke.

"You're not First's daughter…you're her prisoner. Some kind of…experiment." Namine said softly as Prishe took a deep breath.

"Yep. You got that much right, Sev. You know, they say that Fifth is the Lady of Avarice. Hmph. Well to me, you've got enough greed to go around, especially if you're willing to live with the hearts you get and what it takes to get them. I know I can't, no matter how hard I try." Prishe said as Namine's eyes widened, realization suddenly dawning on her. Prishe had slipped up and hadn't noticed.

"A heart…that's your secret! You have a heart!" Namine said, earning a scowl from Prishe.

"Close but not quite. Yeah, I have a heart. I was born with it. Never lost it. I'm not a Nobody like you are, Sev. My secret, the reason for my curse, is what was done to it. If you can find that out, then you'll know my secret." Prishe said before turning and heading for the staircase, leaving a stunned Namine behind in the throne room. Now she was more determined than ever to find Prishe's secret. It was then that she made a decision.

"Protecting Nixe and stopping the Sisterhood is only two thirds of the reason I'm here. The other part is saving you, Prishe. To find out your curse and to help you end it as best I can." Namine said as she started for the stairs, passing the eleventh image, the star in its hands briefly taking a soft golden glow as she passed but didn't notice.

Meanwhile in Sublime Stadium…

Jeckt and Nixe were stood across from each other in the empty arena, both ready for battle. Riku however was more dumbfounded by the turn of events. Nixe was still wearing Riku's coat but with the hood up over her head.

"What the-. Are you both serious right now?! You're going to fight here and now?!" he asked in disbelief before earning a smirk from Jeckt.

"You got any better ideas, genius? Put up or shut up, kid! No tag teams here! It's either gonna be a one v. one or a triple threat. Your call!" Jeckt said as Nixe looked over her shoulder towards Riku.

"Riku, let me do this. Please. You may want to take notes." She said with a cocky tone.

"Yeah, notes on what she does wrong." Jeckt added. Riku groaned in annoyance before turning and heading for one of the entrances to the ring. The minute he set foot outside of the ring, there was a loud buzzer as several small aerial camera pods took to the air, starting to circle the arena. Across town, numerous electronic signs and billboards switched to a live feed from the cameras.

"The following contest is scheduled for one fall! The first participant to pin the other for three full seconds will win the match! Introducing the challenger: From parts unknown, The Unknown Challenger!" an automated voice announced before showing a hooded Nixe but all of the information on her screen was made up of question marks. Her name was instead listed as "Unknown."

"Oh this is going to draw unwanted attention." Riku mumbled in annoyance as he reached one of the box seats overlooking the ring. Suddenly rock music started playing. (Battle Music Cue: Otherworld – Final Fantasy X).

"And her opponent. Weighing in at two-hundred fifty one pounds, from the World of Spira, he is the Steadfast Stadium Champion, The Great, Sir Jeckt!" the announcer said as Riku looked at Jeckt's stats on the screen and let out an impressed whistle.

"Two-fifty-one pounds of pure muscle is more like it." He muttered, the music continuing in the background as Jeckt and Nixe both stood ready to fight.

"Alright kid, first shot's on the house! Give me everything you've got!" Jeckt said, motioning for her to 'bring it.' Nixe smirked beneath her hood and pointed her Keyblade at him. Jeckt arched a curious eyebrow before noticing that her Keyblade suddenly took on a fiery red glow. She suddenly leapt into the air and fired off a burst of large fireballs. Her Flame Salvo Shot Lock! Jeckt grinned challengingly as the fireballs zeroed in on him, taking a step back with his massive sword reared back, an orange glow appearing around him. He quickly swung at the fireballs with his sword, the fireballs all exploding, but Jeckt was unscathed, still grinning at her with his stubble bearded face. Nixe, almost anticipating this, fired off a second salvo but again Jeckt smashed effortlessly through them before starting to charge towards her. Nixe fired off a third salvo but again Jeckt smashed through them. She quickly leapt back just as Jeckt brought his sword down towards where she had been standing, missing his attack by centimeters. Before she could blink, she had to block a second blow from Jeckt as he brought his sword around from the side.

"Come on! COME ON! COME ON!" Jeckt yelled with a grin, clearly enjoying the fight. Nixe was stuck on the defensive and Riku could tell. He instinctively started to summon his sword but before he could, he felt a hand on his right wrist. He looked down to see a short figure in a black hood that he recognized.

"Mickey?!" Riku asked, quickly being shushed by Mickey.

"Riku! Listen to me! Namine is in grave danger!" Mickey said in an urgent whisper, Riku's eyes widening in alarm.

"What? What do you mean?!" He asked as Mickey pulled him down to his level, whispering in his ear. Down in the ring, Nixe was still stuck on the defensive, unable to repel Jeckt, the Brutal Blitzer proving unrelenting in his flurry of attacks. Nixe grimaced in frustration.

"STOP!" she exclaimed, suddenly releasing a burst of strange white magic that formed a bubble around the two of them. Jeckt suddenly froze mid-swing, standing perfectly still as if time had stopped for him. Even the sparks that his sword and Nixe's Keyblade had let off from his last attack were suspended in midair. Riku noticed this.

"Wait, what just happened?!" he asked as he and Mickey stepped up to the rail. There was a visible sphere around the two but the sphere was slowly rippling, distorted. Nixe was taking a minute to catch her breath. She quickly leapt backwards, out of the sphere without a problem before everything in the sphere started to slowly move again, speed gradually picking up until it vanished completely, Jeckt suddenly staggering forward with his swing. He paused and looked at Nixe with a curious expression for a moment before smirking.

"Time magic, eh? Smart move kid! You're putting up more of a fight than I thought!" Jeckt said as Nixe dropped back into her fighting stance.

"I'm just getting warmed up!" she replied only without her cockiness.

"Good!" Jeckt replied just as Nixe launched forward with new determination, seemingly putting Jeckt on the defensive. Riku and Mickey were surprised.

"That was no ordinary time magic. That was something more." Riku said before suddenly remembering what Mickey had said to him and looked towards the Mouse King.

"Mickey, if what you have to say is true, then why tell me and not her?" He asked as Mickey looked up towards him.

"Because they're watching her every move. You're the only one with a direct line of communication with her. The only one who can secretly convey a message to her without anyone noticing." Mickey said as Riku put a hand on his pocket before reaching in and fingering the lucky charm in his pocket.

"I understand. Thanks for the warning." Riku said as he returned his attention to the battle below. Nixe and Jeckt were now trading blows evenly although it was clearly obvious that Jeckt was holding back, assessing Nixe's true strength. During this exchange, Laguna, Ren, and Judge Gabranth came rushing out towards the judge's podium.

"Who signaled the fight?! I thought we were down for manic!" Laguna commented.

"That's maintenance, sir!" Ren corrected.

"What did I say?!" Laguna asked back, confused as they reached the podium, Gabranth quickly checking the controls.

"Sir Jeckt signaled the start of the match personally! Champion's privilege, sir!" Gabranth reported as Laguna shrugged.

"Ehh, no big deal. So who's he fighting?" Laguna asked as they looked into the ring where Jeckt and a hooded Nixe were still fighting.

"The computer can't get an I.D. on Sir Jeckt's opponent." Ren reported.

"It's the coat sir, I've seen them used before. They're surprisingly effective at obscuring the wearer's identity." Gabranth said, drawing his two swords and locking them together at the pommels, ready to interfere with the match.

"Stand-down Judge, I wanna see how this plays out. It's been a while since the Champ fought a match." Laguna commented as Gabranth silently lowered his weapon in acknowledgement. Down in the ring, Nixe and Jeckt were still trading blows. Jeckt however noticed Laguna, and the others' arrival and grinned.

"Looks like we're putting on a show, kid! Time for a crowd pleaser!" Jeckt said before leaping backwards into the air, rearing back his right foot as he started to glow with a torrent of orange colored energy. Nixe, recognizing the move quickly slapped her left shoulder, her armor forming over the sleeves of the coat while the chest plate, leggings, helmet, and boots all formed underneath the coat, the helmet being visible from beneath the hood. Jeckt suddenly launched forward, Nixe quickly moving to defend herself with a Reflera sphere but Jeckt easily broke through it, much to her alarm and frustration.

"Game over, kid!" Jeckt said with a grin before bringing his leg around to knee her hard in the chest and then deliver a vicious downward blow with the pommel of his sword, knocking her to the ground. Jeckt grinned and was about to prop his foot on her back to pin her down but she quickly rolled out of the way, leaping to her feet and rearing back her Keyblade.

"Blizzard!" she yelled, flinging a large cluster of ice towards Jeckt who quickly blocked the attack with his sword, grinning. Nixe was surprised by her attack as it wasn't an ordinary Blizzard spell but a Blizzaga.

"Looks like that training is paying off! Come on kid, make me beg for mercy!" Jeckt challenged as Nixe's armor vanished. She then cast a Magnega over Jeckt, the Brutal Blitzer merely grinning and digging his feet in, resisting the pull of the spell as Nixe came flying forward.

"En-Thunder!" she exclaimed, a bolt of lightning striking her Keyblade, giving it an electrical charge just as she came around and swung at Jeckt, the Keyblade striking his sword and launching him backwards. Jeckt slid backwards across the ground, his bare feet starting to smoke from the friction but with no visible damage. His grin widened as he saw the stars on Nixe's Keyblade starting to change between red, blue, and green colors. Nixe was now glowing with a yellow-blue aura as well as she entered her Runaway Rave Command Style. Up in the Judge's podium, Gabranth arched a curious eyebrow.

"A Keyblade?" he asked.

"Huh?" Laguna asked back, confused.

"The weapon wielded by the challenger, it is a Keyblade if I am not mistaken." Gabranth commented.

"Is that what it is? Huh, I thought it was a gunblade from this distance. Oh well I-…wait, a Keyblade?!" Laguna asked in realization as he pulled a set of binoculars off the counter and looked closer at the armored Nixe.

"Sir?" Gabranth asked as Laguna lowered the binoculars.

"Call the Turks and get Joshua here. Tell him that we've got a message to send to Si'Lea." Laguna said as Ren quickly picked up a telephone off the podium. This didn't go unnoticed by Riku and Mickey.

"That can't be good. Come on, Nix, wrap this fight up fast!" Riku said, anxious for Nixe to finish Jeckt off. Down below, Nixe hadn't moved, attempting to psych Jeckt out but Jeckt was merely grinning in response.

"Finally!" Jeckt said as he clinched his left fist, rearing it back behind him just as Nixe charged forward, her armor suddenly forming again as she moved to Jeckt's right, hoping to avoid his fist as she brought her Keyblade around for a strike but was surprised when a monstrous hand covered in bone-like plating with large spikes near the shoulder. (End Battle Music) She looked and saw Jeckt had unexpectedly changed forms. His hair had grown long and white, large bone-like spikes were protruding from his shoulders and the tattoo on his chest had turned white. (A/N: His Dissidia EX Mode) He had Nixe's Keyblade caught in his left hand. Nixe could only stare in disbelief.

"You surprise me kid. You got me to bring out the big guns. But it's time this match was over." Jeckt said, letting go of his sword and then coming around to deliver a vicious right hook with his right hand, the impact from the blow sending out a visible shockwave and sending Nixe flying back all the way to the opposite wall where she bounced hard off of it, ricocheting into the air before landing hard onto the ring surface on her back, the Keyblade armor absorbing the brunt of the attack but she was still dazed. Riku and Mickey both cringed at the sight.

"Ooh, that's gonna leave a mark." Riku muttered as Mickey nodded in agreement. Jeckt, back in his normal form and with his sword on his shoulder, calmly walked over and propped his left foot up on her chest, leaning against it as Gabranth raised a microphone.

"One! Two! Three!" he announced before a buzzer sounded, Jeckt raising his arm with a grin in victory as a Victory Fanfare started playing over the speakers. Riku grimaced in disappointment. He had hoped Nixe would've won but he knew, just from watching Jeckt, that she was outmatched by far. On the ground, Nixe let out a groan.

"Oww." She groaned as Jeckt took his foot off of her and extended a hand.

"Not bad kid. No one's ever gotten me to go that far before. Not even my own kid, the crybaby." Jeckt scoffed as he helped Nixe to her feet, her hood falling back as her armor disappeared.

"You're being uncharacteristically nice to me." She commented.

"You put up a decent fight. If you were old enough, I'd be buying you a round." Jeckt said before alarms started sounding.

"What's that?" Jeckt asked as Riku came running into the ring.

"That's our signal to leave! Those guys in the suits are coming!" Riku exclaimed as Nixe gasped in alarm, noticing Reno, Rude, Cissnei, and Isa running up to the edge of the spectator seats.

"There she is!" Isa yelled.

"Nixe! Stop in the name of President Liore!" Cissnei yelled as the Turks all leapt down into the ring. Nixe immediately raised her Keyblade.

"Looks like we may have to fight our way ou-OW!" Nixe yelped, clutching her right arm in pain, the aftermath of her fight with Jeckt really starting to kick in.

"We might!" Riku said, summoning his sword before Jeckt suddenly stepped in to block the Turks, resting his sword on his shoulder.

"You guys want something?" Jeckt asked with a challenging smirk.

"Sir Jeckt! Step aside!" Isa ordered as Reno rested his nightstick on his shoulder.

"Yeah, we're not gonna hurt her. We're just gonna keep her here until her mom arrives. Got it memorized?" Reno said with a smirk.

"Well the Great Jeckt ain't about to let that happen! She lost fair and square and after the fight she put up, I say she can go." Jeckt said, continuing to block their path, this made the Turks visibly hesitant.

"We have our orders, Sir Jeckt." Isa argued just as Gabranth came on over the loudspeakers.

"Jeckt! Stand aside or we will consider your Championship Title vacated!" Gabranth ordered but just earned a challenging grin from Jeckt.

"So in other words, I'd have to fight someone to regain the title? Sounds like fun! Go ahead!" Jeckt replied as Gabranth and Laguna blinked in surprise.

"Oh geez he's serious!" Laguna said in disbelief. Jeckt then glanced towards Nixe and Riku.

"I think this is the part where the two of you leave." He commented.

"Right. We can't thank you enough, Sir Jeckt, for everything." Riku said as he put his arm around Nixe, helping her towards an unguarded side entrance.

"Could've done without the bruises but yeah, what he said!" Nixe said as they hurried out the door.

"Alright, now that the kids are out of the way, who's first?" Jeckt asked as he eyed the Turks who were clearly hesitant to make a move.

…

Riku and Nixe had managed to escape the arena proper and were just exiting the world barrier on Nixe's Keyblade Glider. Riku had his coat on again while Nixe had her armor on, Riku holding on as usual.

"We need to put as much distance between us and Steadfast as we can. I can practically feel mom's gaze shifting this direction like some all-seeing eyeball!" Nixe said as she struggled slightly to remain upright.

"Well we're not going to get very far until you've had a moment to recuperate. Jeckt really didn't hold back much didn't he?" Riku asked as he pulled an elixir from inside his jacket.

"He never really does. He was always the strongest of the Sublime Guardians. He's been the Steadfast Champion for as long as I can remember, a real crowd favorite. He's the best there is." Nixe replied as Riku handed her the Elixir which she downed in seconds, the Elixir flowing into her despite the helmet. Instantly her injuries were largely healed and her energy replenished.

"That much is obvious. But it looks like his help paid off for you. You've learned to use the final tiers of Magic Spells and you put up an impressive fight." Riku said as Nixe flexed her arms.

"Really? Thanks. I suppose now would be a good time to head back to Sublime." Nixe said as Riku arched a curious eyebrow.

"How's that?" he asked, confused.

"Well if Mom's on her way here, she'd never expect me to head home of my own volition. Besides, we need to investigate that address we got off that Sister, don't we?" she asked as Riku nodded.

"Right behind you." He said, holding onto her with his left arm around her waist while subtly reaching into his coat pocket and grabbing the lucky charm.

Back in the Palace of Eternity…

Namine was just returning to her room, her mind dwelling on her recent conversation with Prishe. She had to find out more about her. She had to find a way to meet with Vincent Valentine and ask what had happened. Something had changed between the two memories she'd gleaned from Nixe on Nomanisan, Vincent especially and if anyone knew anything, it'd be Vincent. She was just removing her coat, and reached into the right sleeve to begin turning it dark-side-out when she sensed a strange but familiar connection form between her and Riku.

"Riku?" she asked, quickly pulling her hand out of the sleeve and was about to reach into the pocket when she heard footsteps on the marble floor outside. She quickly threw her coat back on, straightening it before quickly sitting down at her table and grabbing her doodle pad and box of crayons, making herself look busy just as the door opened, allowing Third to enter.

"Ah, Seven, just the Sister I was looking for." Third said as Namine arched a curious eyebrow.

"I've just been exploring the Palace." She replied.

"Oh I know. I also know you've been talking with the Abhorrent One." Third said as Namine shrugged.

"So? I'm curious about her." Namine replied as Third gave an understanding nod.

"I was too at first. Then I learn her secret and once the mystery disappears, she just becomes a detestable brat. But that's beside the point. First has a mission for you and the Abhorrent One. A true test of your strength." Third said as Namine hesitantly rose from her feet.

"What is it?" she asked as Third smiled darkly.

"Your mission is simple. You are to fight and kill the Keyblade Master known as Aqua."

End Chapter 43.

Three words: BOM-bom-bom!

Also I am so hearing the Final Fantasy Victory Fanfare when Jeckt won just now.

Oh and Jeckt's weight is not a random number. I based his weight on WWE Superstar John Cena. We can also safely say that Steadfast Stadium combat is pretty much the RKH universe's answer to wrestling since swords and magic are permitted. The match between Aqua and Si'Lea wasn't an official match so there wasn't any fanfare.