Chapter 4: Lunatic Descending Album
-Unknown Location-
The man in the white cloak looked down at the computer and sighed – everything was proceeding exactly as he feared it would. His plans for this were likewise proceeding well, but only because things had gone this far awry.
The computer displayed a large number of spheres, electricity interconnecting them, sometimes the spheres became barely connected, while other times they were basically one object.
The computer duly reported, The molecules have gathered upon the ancient world, and begin to attract hostile elements. My Lord of the Sky, will another variable be added to the system?
The white cloaked man simply put in a few lines of code, fingers moving across the keyboard, and the computer answered this likewise, The addition is accepted, and there is no chaos between the two systems. Operations may continue.
The White Cloak nodded in slight appreciation of even this moderately good news. It meant that even though things had mostly gone that man's way, that there was at least potential for recovery. Even as Jonahs continued his march forward, it was about time to move the other pieces around.
There was the girl in Destiny Islands, now fighting Shalor, and others across the worlds. He needed everyone who could be counted on to be active, if he wanted this to go the way it should. Rather than the way Wolfang wanted it to.
A second White Cloak walked into the computer room, carrying an unconscious young man. "I hope there is a good reason for this. I am not some thug you can employ for your own ends."
The first White Cloak looked back and gave a hearty, young sounding laugh, "I know better. And yes, this is required. Otherwise, their journey ends here. We need to make sure that all of the pieces assemble themselves in preparation for the Grand Game."
"Thirteen Darknesses versus Seven Lights...no matter how far things change, there will be an insistence toward similar events." The second man stated, sounding slightly dejected by this course of events. He looked down at his hands, seeming to feel a nagging sense of deja vu.
Though the past was changed irrevocably and left in such a way that made current events difficult to process, there was still a progression toward those same scenarios.
The first stated, "But there's nothing we can do about it. I told you about this before. Fate and Destiny may allow for deviations, but things ultimately play themselves out. Wolfang and Cavendish are both fools for thinking their interference will change anything."
"Fools is too weak of a word. They have wrought much damage...and given your relation to the former, I would think you would be averse to calling him a fool." The second man replied, his voice level.
"I will call that man what I wish. Our relation ended the day his grand deception was revealed. He is nothing to me..." It didn't sound like the first man believed that, in all honesty. The second man could see a brave mask.
"...And you sound like you don't want to believe that. Of course, its not entirely unbelievable...nobody can exile their heart entirely, not even you." And the Second White Cloak would know about such matters.
The first man retorted shakily, mustering any rage he could find, "Refrain from judging me in such a way! That man caused me to lose much...my people, my home, my...my beloved...and my brother..."
The second figure nodded at that, "I suppose all of that is true from a certain point of view...namely, yours, but you have to stop and consider other perspectives. Otherwise, you'll make all of Wolfang's mistakes when trying to fight against him."
There was a silence so heavy it could almost be felt by both of them. It was clear neither was quite used to the current arrangement between them just yet. Let alone the reality of their organization. They were loath to allow things to conspire in certain ways.
The first figure didn't even move, as if taking in the weight of everything his colleague had just said. He simply tilted his hood lower to fully obscure his features. "Now, if this prodding is done, will you tell me your name, my ally?"
The second figure seemed to contemplate, and then stated in a morose tone, "I am Xehanort."
The silence fully vanished, the first figure found himself grinning at the irony. Then laughing outright at his proclamation of identity.
The first figure slapped his leg once, looking over his grim fellow and calming down when he read his expression. Indeed, certain memetic notions did follow all the way here. "Mm...Xehanort...well then, Xehanort, I suppose you should be going, to meet Jonahs. Together with our little...gift..."
Xehanort placed the teenage boy they had "taken" into a device shaped like a rib cage of some sort, which activated immediately – the boy vanishing from where he was placed.
Xehanort then exited the laboratory through the door, thinking to himself, One day, you won't be able to run from the reality of your heart's yearnings. Though you fought in the past, you still long for the day the three of you ran beneath the same stars.
The first White Cloak looked down at a hazy picture of Jonahs and the others affiliated with the new Keyblade Wielder, it appeared that Wolfang's Agent stranded them for a time in Deep Jungle. Now was the time to see if Jonahs truly was worthy of what he had come to possess.
And if he was not, the Awakening would extinguish his life. And the Inverse Organization would need to choose another to serve as the Primarium.
Jonahs moved forward, a small smile on his face as he surveyed the surrounding area for any hostile animals. He had really wanted to get up and move, and this place was definitely an exciting place, where he could be free to move around without people fretting.
Though it did make some amount of sense for them to be apprehensive of him possibly being put in danger, he really hated the amount of time people spent looking into his activities.
Setanta meanwhile was looking around, seeming to smell for anything hostile that might not be so easily seen. This was certainly a new landscape, and he hoped Jonahs wasn't going to overextend himself here.
Eva, meanwhile, was for some reason extremely tense. She betrayed no hint of whatever bothered her, but she constantly had a hand ready to bring out her two-sided blade, just in case something moved wrong.
Jonahs could tell that Eva was not exactly at home here, and thought on this, She's not liking this...whatever she senses, I'm starting to get a really weird vibe around here...hey, didn't we pass that tree already?
Jonahs looked at the tree again, yeah, there was no mistaking it. This was a warning sign. He remembered passing the same thing numerous times when Wolfang wanted to meet with him back in Oceansburg. Did this mean the monster was going to put in an appearance here?
He readied his hand in case he needed to summon the Keyblade to it.
Looking around, and then feeling for that sensation of confusion and slight headache he'd felt then, he realized there was no such sensation.
He let out a sigh of relief.
This was however shortlived, as soon as they found themselves in a clearing, six dark portals opened up, releasing six blue monkey-like heartless, yellow eyes scanning their surroundings. Each one raised its arms and waved them above their head as one, and then started to get ready to charge.
Bringing the Key to his hand, Jonahs looked over at the others and whispered, "Lets clear these guys out."
He immediately charged forward with Setanta and Eva.
He watched Setanta strike one down in a single jab, and nodded in appreciation before striking down one monkey Heartless, following with the next in a single overhead swing. However, six more of the things leaped down from the trees, separating the fighters from one another.
Jonahs was at least reassured after hearing Eva apparently having utterly no trouble defending herself from these creatures.
Striking down another with his Keyblade, he saw a pink and red monkey show up behind Eva, taking aim at her with what looked like some kind of slingshot.
Snarling, Jonahs ignored a burning sensation on his left hand and charged right between a pair of blue monkeys, barely giving the red monkey the time to be startled before striking it down.
Eva turned around and seemed startled by something, but it wasn't enough to distract her from the enemy, and as one tried to sneak up on her, she quickly pirouetted on her feet, kicking the monkey in the face and following it up with a slice from her two sided blade.
Jonahs found himself standing back to back with Setanta as he struck through the last few monkeys separating the friends.
The young spear-man smirked, "You looked kinda scary there for a second, but I suppose I'm not one to complain. Time to send these Heartless running tails between their legs!"
Jonahs briefly wondered why Setanta would say he looked "scary", but banished his doubts and focused on fighting. The two fought close to each other, complimenting their movements and covering any holes in their defences.
Before long, the last two monkey heartless leaped and vanished into dark holes that closed up behind them.
As the trio stopped fighting, Setanta looked at Jonahs and asked, "So, what was the deal with that dark glowy stuff on your left hand? It flared up right as we started fighting..."
You will inherit the gold and the black...
Jonahs remembered that strange entity telling him that, and then looked down at his left hand. He had not only inherited the Keyblade, but also this darkness...he remembered his father's stories about the Darkness, it was powerful...corruptive...but ultimately, it could be overcome, and people could return from it.
Even if he had this strong darkness within him now, that was no cause for alarm. He just needed to become strong enough to suborn it and stay with his friends. No matter what, unlike his father's own first adventure, he was not gonna lose Marcus, Setanta or Eva...
His power – his Keyblade – ultimately came from his heart, and if his heart was strong there was no way Darkness could win. At least that was what he gathered from his father's stories.
Eva walked over and said, "Jonahs, listen, we should tell your gra...your dad...about this. He has more experience than any of us do. The Darkness is something you might not be ready for, so you should be careful..." She spoke from experience – her own powers were Dark in nature. And she held off from using them precisely because she didn't know what would happen with so many other Dark creatures nearby.
Grimacing slightly, Jonahs looked away, "Is that it, then? I'm not ready? Again, I'm just going to be told that and left sitting there like I've done a wrong."
Eva sighed, she knew he could be difficult like this ever since that night, "Its not like that...listen, we barely understand how your Keyblade works, and whether its one of Light or Darkness. All I'm saying really is we should be careful."
Jonahs looked back at her and sighed, "I'm sorry..." He looked outward and simply nodded once, "We should keep moving, before more Heartless show up."
As they moved on, Setanta seemed to lag behind, as if he was thinking of something, but after being called out to, he moved right along as he heard something stirring in the trees above.
Catching up with the others, he asked Jonahs, "So, uh, how exactly are we gonna remember how to get back to the clearing?"
Jonahs thought about this, inwardly beating himself up for not thinking of a more definitive measure for such. He had never been involved in such an exploration, thus, he'd made this...error.
Eva saw this and bent down, a brief flash of dark blue energy on her finger followed by a large number of beads moving backward toward where they started off. "That spell should keep us able to find our way back, so long as there isn't any more advanced magical meddling."
Both young men let out a relieved sigh at the fact they apparently did have someone more experienced with this.
Though, Jonahs did admit, this left the question why Eva had that exact spell on hand. Maybe she had a bit more history than he knew. Whatever, he decided, what she told him was her own business.
However, as they proceeded forward, Jonahs got an odd sensation when he saw several more Heartless in the next area. They appeared to be slightly confused, but that ended as soon as he and his friends arrived.
Jonahs conjured his Keyblade to his hand, and his friends followed by drawing their weapons. The young keywielder smirked a little, not feeling the burning sensation on his hand this time.
They darted forward as the Heartless charged, this time swiftly undoing their dark foes, as Jonahs struck down one monkey, he found himself holding back a clacking metal soldier, but then struck its arm back and cut through it.
Eva moved like a dancer on the ground, slashing through the back of a monkey heartless and then slashing a soldier vertically as it disintegrated.
Setanta laughed wildly as he stabbed a monkey heartless with his spear and then charged forward, bowling down two soldier heartless as a wave of light formed around him during his charge. He'd learned a few Spear Techniques from his father and grandfather...
Yet this time it seemed they were being watched.
After finishing up the last Red Monkey Heartless Jonahs looked up at a large vine leading into the tree tops as a figure in a white cloak moved on.
He'd heard stories from his father about the black cloaked Organization and their powerful membership of Nobodies. But this guy...he didn't know if the others had seen the guy and he wasn't patient enough to ask them if they had. So he simply went charging after the White Cloak, deciding to preempt any trouble with such people.
He wasn't gonna let them get away. After he had heard of all the trouble the last organization caused, Jonahs decided he wouldn't make his father's mistake of conversing with and allowing the Organization members their fancy little getaways.
Setanta shouted when he noticed this, "Jonahs! Wait, what is it?" He still followed after.
Eva simply ran after him, deciding that he was being impatient and impulsive now more than before. Maybe it was anxiety. He was a layabout and gadfly, but he had his limits, and he probably blamed any trouble that came with Wolfang on himself.
She simply knew him too well. Deep down, he still blamed himself for at least one really old tragedy. She pitied him, despite how aggravating he could act some times. If this was love, it was extremely complicated and confusing.
Jonahs finally stopped near one of the large tree tops, the rings on the inside of the area indicated this tree had been cut through some time ago. And as it was, all three of them saw some sort of procession.
White null beings, composed of cloth, zippers and markings moved through the air like specters, almost seeming to bend themselves while moving like they had no bones or internal organs. Eva covered her mouth, realizing what these creatures were.
Among them were a number of smaller, stunted looking creatures composed of two malformed feet connected to a large plate-like form with a single eye at the center-bottom of the "plate".
And leading this ghastly procession were two men in white cloaks, as if inverted versions of the beings from Jonahs' father's stories. Were these guys new members of Organization 13 or...
Setanta opened his mouth and was about to shout, but then Eva clamped a hand over his mouth, "NOBO-" Eva looked down at the young man with an exasperated look on her face.
"Do you want to get into another fight, Setanta? With this many?" She gestured at all of them, though they seemed focused entirely on something else.
Jonahs saw a young man floating inside of a blue bubble of energy as the White Cloak stood in menacing fashion over the prone form. The White Cloak formed a bright red sword seemingly made entirely out of energy, and hoisted it up.
And that was all Jonahs could take.
He vaulted down to the center of the tree, the Nobodies parting before him, and the White Cloak stopped his energy sword mere instants from the prone youth's heart. "Ah, I have been awaiting you eagerly, Grandson of Sora."
Jonahs was immediately put off by this guy, reminded both of Wolfang and of the truth, the ugly truth, of how he ended up as Sora's son. "You...how the hell do you know so much!? Will someone just give me some clean answers?"
The White Cloak put a gloved hand to where his chin should be and leaned forward slightly, "You are your grandfather's progeny, more truly than your own father was. Though it appears you and I have just as much in common."
Jonahs outright ran forward, Keyblade raised and he brought it down, crashing toward the White Cloaked Figure, who simply seemed to blur from that area to the right as Jonahs' Keyblade hit air. "I have nothing in common with Organization XIII."
The White Cloaked Figure chuckled in an oddly amiable sort of way, "Indeed you don't. And that is for the best. If you had the same Sign they did, then we would truly have to worry."
Eva and Setanta meanwhile had tried to move in to help Jonahs, but the Nobodies had solidified their ranks and it was clear if they tried to advance the creatures would turn hostile. Eva wondered about what exactly the Figure was talking about.
She thought about asking Setanta if he knew about the "Sign" of Organization XIII, but it was apparent going by his expression that he was just as clueless.
The White Cloaked Figure did however gesture toward them and asked, "So then, you do not know? Any of you...? How sad. I suppose, as a Primary Actor, you must be privy to certain information as it befits you."
Jonahs ran forward again even while the figure was talking and brought his Keyblade down again, once again missing the target when he moved extremely quickly out of the way. "Will...you...start making some damn sense!?"
The White Cloaked Figure returned to a more neutral position, "Yes...I definitely see it now. Very well, Jonahs, you see, I am with Organization Inverse Thirteen. Unlike the imperious old Organization, I will tell you right now...what it is we came to this World to accomplish."
Jonahs kept his Keyblade ready in case any of these Nobodies made a wrong move, and decided to just listen for now.
The White Cloak stated, bringing both arms up and gesturing to the world at large, "We simply want to act in countermeasure to the forces of the King of the Sky."
He then stepped backward into a black portal, and the veritable Nobody Army he had assembled vanished with him in sudden flashes of darkness. Jonahs tried to run forward to demand to know who the King of the Sky was, but found himself stumbling forward, next to the teenager floating in the blue energy.
Eva looked at Jonahs and stated, "Your Keyblade can unlock anything, and going by the feeling this gives me, this is an energy prison."
Jonahs stepped backward, preparing his Keyblade, and pointed it at the energy prison, this was followed up by a blast of light exiting the point of the keyblade and mixing with the energies of the "prison".
The magical prison dispersed very quickly, and the individual held within it let out a sudden shout as he dropped to the floor. Setanta immediately ran forward and started to help the individual up, looking at the person's black hair, blue eyes and svelte appearance.
The black haired teen leaned a little against Setanta as he balanced on his feet, "Thanks...I don't know what those bastards were gonna do with me, but I guess it doesn't matter now..." The individual leaned forward slightly though when he saw Jonahs' blade, "say, that wouldn't happen to be a Keyblade, would it?"
Jonahs looked at his Keyblade, waved it a little and nodded, "Yeah..."
The young man managed to stand on his own, and smiled broadly, "Hm, I remember hearing those guys talk about a Keyblade User...oh, by the by, my name's Shane, and thanks for the rescue!"
Jonahs dismissed his Keyblade and decided to ask, "So...Shane, how did you end up captured by those Inverse Organization guys or whatever?"
Shane put his hands behind his neck as the group plus its new apparent member walked along, "Well, I was just minding my own business, and suddenly this white cloaked jerk pops outta a dark portal, sicks a bunch of white husk things on my friends, and then knocks me out with a punch to the gut."
Jonahs swore to himself, much as they apparently divorced themselves from the image of Organization XIII's tactics, they weren't proving themselves as being very much better. "Maybe we can help you find your way back to your world..."
"Oh, you'd do that? Man you're a swell guy! Thank you thank you thank you! In return I'll fight by your side till that day comes. Shane Calston at your service!"
Eva looked slightly amused at his colorful attitude, "Well, I guess we could use all the help we can find. Are you sure, though? That prison seemed like it drained you."
Shane waved at her with a coy smile on his face, "Not to worry, pretty girl, not to worry, the S-Man can handle himself."
Jonahs twitched a little at this gesture, and felt like reminding Shane of who had to bail him out of that magical holding cell.
Eva honestly felt a little conflicted – on one level, Shane was another flirty guy when they already had Jonahs. On the other level, he managed to get Jonahs' goat...heh. He was a keeper. "You boys keep your hands to yourselves. Well, given all we've seen out here, I think we should head back to the World Barge."
Jonahs and Shane brought their arms to their sides, but still glared daggers at one another. One might almost visualize a red beam of power clashing with a blue beam of power between the two of them. Eva cleared her throat and they cut that out too. Whatever that was.
Jonahs spoke up, putting his arms in front of his chest, "We should get going back to the ship, tell them what we found. Maybe they've had luck finding out who exactly sabotaged the World Barge..."
And as the group headed back, Shane thought on that last bit, Sabotaged the World Barge? Whoever the guy is, he's sure got some cojones. Those things are dangerous if tampered with. Either they know what they're doing, or they don't care that they might end up dead too...
Shane caught up with the others, the new group heading back.
Setanta decided to speak as Shane came running up to the back of the group, whispering, "Hey, Shane, you think Jonahs seems...odd? I mean, I saw that black stuff on his arm, and he seems kinda...volatile. I mean, you haven't been with us long and-"
Shane nodded at this and replied in a similar whisper, "No, I see what you're saying. He's probably under a lot of stress...yeah, that's it." Being that he's the Keyblade Master Sora's grandson and all.
Shane them ruminated further as the group moved off, but said nothing of what he was thinking, because he didn't want to hurt their morale. He supposed that he had something he could commit to their cause, at least until the moment came when everyone's innate motives conflicted.
Mordryd looked at the blue magical cell holding the person his mother had created, Perseus Sarasho at his side. The person within this magical bubble was nearly an exact copy of the one called Cuchulain, created by his mother for the purpose of countering Cunla and his father.
But now, the original Cuchulain had passed on to the next life, and the Sorceress' Son did not really think Cunla as he was was too much of a threat. Not with all the forces he had aligned with.
Still, he needed every advantage he could get, and with someone who resembled one of Team KH to this level...it could make for one hell of a scheme. He'd done his homework, and he was ready to show he was more than just a pretty face.
Pointing the Wolfsoul Staff forward, Mordryd recited aloud, "I call upon the dispelling power that dwells within the winds – Dis-Spell."
A burst of strong wind touched the holding cell of the artificial human, and Sarasho looked slightly unamused, "Are you certain releasing such a person is wise? Do you need for a direct agent in Radiant Garden so much?"
Mordryd looked over at Sarasho with a smile, "Oh, he'll be more than my direct agent."
Sarasho visibly shuddered, just about any of the implications in that statement were not ones he wanted to think about. "Whatever you say. Just don't make things difficult with errors...this alliance has no use for idiocy."
Mordryd pouted a little as his spell finished its work and the artificial person fell forward, suddenly stirring awake for the first time in many years. You think I don't know that, Sarasho?
The clone immediately asked of the two people present, "Where...am I? Liana...that witch...she put me into some sort of long sleep..."
Sarasho shushed Mordryd in advance when the young man looked indignant at the clone calling his mother a witch. The Key Master replied, leaning down to look the artificial human in the eye, "You're in Tsare Viole, a world far from where you most likely remember being. Do you have a name?"
The clone seemed to think a long time on this – he stretched his arms and legs, it was like he had been frozen in there for a damned long time. "My name's Jason. And...who are you guys?"
Sarasho again spoke in advance of Mordryd, and stated, "I am Perseus Sarasho, and this is Mordryd Hellish, son of Liana," Sarasho gestured at himself and Mordryd, "But you are in no danger from him – he's quite different from his mother."
Mordryd wheeled on his feet and glared at Perseus, "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"
Perseus just grinned at that, and said nothing. Jason however just nodded and saw what Sarasho meant. "Where is Liana? Did...something happen?"
Mordryd looked down, he knew Jason would probably be glad for it like everyone else, but he still said the honest truth, "My mother's gone. Banished from this realm. Probably dead."
Jason walked over and put a hand on Mordryd's shoulder, "I didn't exactly know her well, or like her, but...sorry about that. It hurts to lose your mom..."
Mordryd had never received that reaction, so he was rather surprised. He just didn't understand it. Most people were dismissive of him or angry if they knew his relation. This was one of the first times he had ever received empathy for his loss.
Most others saw fit in such a time to spit on him or kick him while he was down. It was an odd feeling...it wasn't like being pitied...
"Alright...uh, thanks. I guess."
That odd figure who had appeared at Wolfang's side during the speech now appeared standing just a few feet away from the two now three people. He announced, "Jason will be allowed to accompany Mordryd back to Radiant Garden for the next parts of his mission."
With that, the figure covered in tags and wrappings vanished. Jason looked at Sarasho and asked, "Was that creature some form of ghost or ghoul?"
Sarasho shook his head, "I don't know – it just appeared during the speech at our leader's side, but nobody seems to know where it came from. It does seem...foreign, though. Something's not right about it. You two should get going."
Mordryd nodded quickly, he didn't want to be around too long while that ghastly customer was slinking around, "Will do, you don't need to tell me twice."
With that, Mordryd started to guide Jason out, though the young man glanced about as he left the storing room, as if trying to gauge what time it was, and when it was – thereby, telling how long he had been asleep.
Alas, there was no means to telling time down here, in this castle. He hoped that this "Radiant Garden" had some means toward this end. Still, he got the feeling he had been asleep for far longer than had been intended.
Jason looked out at the world around him, bright white...but altogether stale. As if the place had been drained of color. Breathing deeply, he kept walking even as Mordryd seemed to guide him into some sort of black portal.
Then they were in a wide world full of colors...
Elva panted as she deflected another heavy blow from Shalor's blade, each time he seemed to strike faster and heavier, and then parried or deflected her own incoming strikes. She...she admitted, she was fast and kind of strong, but she didn't have the stamina or endurance to keep up like this.
And her attacks even when they did connect just seemed to crash into him and do nothing. She winced and backed up slightly to avoid another overhead slash, that created a crater when it struck the ground, also having to divvy to avoid the shrapnel.
She panted yet more, and spoke, "You...I see why...Sarasho...picked you...for his bodyguard, admittedly. What are...what are you...? Some...kinda Heartless-thing?"
He replied in a dark tone that seemed to have a deep, almost wheezing breath first, "I was recreated the way I am a long time ago. And then brought here by Master Sarasho. Now, are you ready to end this silly game and stop obstructing me?"
She managed to bring her blade back up, parallel to the ground and denied him, "No, No...you're not gonna do...whatever it is you're gonna do to Daj..."
Shalor sighed audibly and got ready to move again, preparing his sword, covered in an aura of darkness, and making it flare to life more visibly.
"Elva, stop." Kadaj stood there, looking every bit the reflection of Riku in his young years, though his hair was cut shorter than Riku's during that time. He was dressed well, a white button up shirt and black dress pants imparting an official look to him. That he had grown up, and was no longer a youth.
He strode forward, between the two of them, "I thought this was the time of peace, of a lack of war. If your Master would have you fight in such a way...fine then. I'll go with you..."
Elva started to walk forward – dammit, she liked Daj and she wasn't going to let Sarasho do whatever the hell it was he wanted to do to him. "D-Daj...stop...I was just-"
Kadaj looked around and then motioned at the destruction of the sidewalk and surrounding grass and street, "Elva, your fighting Shalor is going to cost a lot of people their earnings. This is a time of peace, as I said – and I cannot stand nonsensical violence like this."
Elva looked down, barely even looking up – not because she was sad, oh no – she was furious with that capitulating, masochistic, surrendering assh-
Daj looked back at her and sighed, "Don't worry, I'll be fine. You shouldn't worry so much. He wouldn't send this thing to abduct me. As soon as I'm done telling Sarasho no for the last time, I'm coming home. Promise."
Elva looked back up at him and shouted, "You better! Because if he turns out to be rebuilding Viicous in his basement, I'm coming for you if you like it or not!"
Daj shrugged his shoulders, what could he do?
He started to step away with Shalor, as the mechanical looking man pointed a hand forward and a black portal opened, leading to Sarasho's office, which he and Daj stepped into. The portal closed shortly after.
Elva started to head home, cursing herself for not practicing enough to get the better of Shalor. She'd need to start taking part in those sword-fighting tournaments she always heard about. Jonahs always seems to compete in them...maybe I should ask him about it. Whenever the heck he gets home.
As she kept walking, for some reason she detected that it was starting to get dark out, large black clouds in the sky foreshadowing rain and fog. She groaned – she hated the rain, she hated the wet, miserable fog, and now she'd need to think about why Sarasho wanted Daj again.
Ah who was she kidding? He wanted Daj for his Heartless Hunters again.
Though there always were...rumors. Some people were whispering nowadays that Sarasho didn't just want to hunt Heartless, he wanted to reignite war, out of some dark desire in his heart for it. She didn't pay these rumors much mind – they were just more people slandering the guy.
There were legitimate reasons not to like him, but making up new ones was not helping get rid of the Vice Mayor any faster.
All of a sudden the darkness seemed to be thicker, more surrounding – like she was standing in a tunnel. She drew her sword, and soon enough stood surrounded – black dog-like creatures growled, their claws scraping at the earth beneath them.
Elva got into a defensive posture, "Heartless...but I thought..."
She immediately had to defend herself from one of them running forward and slashing with its claws, her sword breaking on the claw as the blade collided with the claw. She cursed and stabbed the creature once with the broken end of the sword, the dark being dispersing.
However, the sword was now totally useless, so she discarded it and started running, dodging the growling, roaring, hungry mouths one by one by one...but eventually it began to become apparent more and more of these damn wolf monsters were pouring out of the woodworks.
Their callow yellow eyes looking at her with a blatant malevolent intent. For the first time in a long time, Elva felt scared, her eyes widening in terror – she remembered what the Heartless did to their victims. She remembered Sora's story about watching one of them actually do that to someone.
And she remembered that people turned Heartless were indistinguishable...
Backing up, their eyes and mouths presented almost like a hungry wall of teeth, claws and eyes darting, full of hate, in front of her, she didn't even notice the black portal behind her, until she started falling. Falling into it.
You were not supposed to be involved.
And who the hell, she thought at the voice in her head, thinks they can tell me when I was supposed to be involved or not?
But you have spirit. That cannot be denied. If you prove yourself, you will be given a way to fight your way out of the darkness.
But beware of the wolf that howls at your door, pretending to be your loyal dog.
She then found herself standing on a strange stained glass landscape, resembling Sora and Riku looking at one another, younger than she'd ever seen them. Both were gripping the handle of a blade with two more keyblades at the center, forming an X, an iridescent central blade casting a brilliant glow.
She examined the panels, showing four spheres near the end of the glass area – pictures, of the old KH Team, Kirin...Ophelia Billiard...Cuchulain...Cunla...
She then found her eyes drawn to a trio of objects at the center of the area, what looked like a white and blue staff, a sword, and a shield with a sword emerging from the end.
Choose your method of offense. How will you fight your foes?
The sword, a power of destruction, to awaken the devastation principle within you. Bring forth an album of woe up'n your foe.
The staff, a representation of a side of you that you deny. You are possessed of great magical potential, and through that, you may find yourself on a path that you never thought possible...
The shield, a will to protect others. This weapon hinges upon your role as a protector. You stand beside others, but you do not sit idly by.
She looked down – truth be told, she had never really studied magic because of something that had happened a long time ago. She saw how dangerous magic was. A side of herself that she denied. She couldn't deny any part of herself, if the darkness she had seen up there was any queue.
She indeed feared the magic possibility, and largely because she had seen what magic had done to Jonahs, yet...yet somehow, he managed to wield it without any fear of it or of himself.
She was barely able to watch in sanctioned fights when one of the combatants brought out his arsenal of spells, out of remembrance of what happened to Jonahs.
There was trouble on the horizon. She had to be fearless.
She walked forward, and took up the staff, getting a feel for how this weapon felt. Yeah...she remembered Sora's words. Magic was a tool, not an end in and of itself. It could cause great harm, if misused.
That was when a trio of small, yellow eyes beings appeared before her, and she was instructed, To start, practice your magic upon these. But be wary, even these lowly servants of the dark have fangs.
Elva nodded, and prepared herself, as one of the creatures lurched forward toward her, she immediately fried it with a bolt of lightning, the creature vanishing into shadows. She found herself moving to avoid cutting claw attacks from the other two.
She grimaced when her Thunder Spell missed one of them, due to its moving along the floor. She then had a thought, and concentrated on cold, chilly things, stabbing her staff at the ground and sending a wave of ice over the area it was moving along.
Blizzard. She remembered some fighters using that in a number of ways, but this was gonna be a pretty good use. The Heartless in the floor vanished in a dispersal of dark smoke.
She decided to try the last spell in the classic triad. This one...
Time seemed to slow. She saw it approaching her, but inside she felt horrible for using this spell. She remembered all that this kind of spell did to her brother. What he saw that night. When the house caught fire.
She knew fire was a destructive, powerful element, and that she would need to use it very carefully.
"Fire." A bright red burst of fire exploded from the tip of her staff, flying into the heartless mid-jump, followed by a dispersal of black smoke.
Excellent, Elva. I am impressed.
So, she thought at him, what do you call yourself? I mean, you're talking in my head, so you're obviously a pretty powerful person.
I'm called Deverez. But that's not important right now. You have another choice to make.
The remaining two weapons showed up again.
Choose a second weapon. This will shape your future. Your power. Your Key.
She slowly walked over toward the shield. She would protect Jonahs and all other members of her family. So that a repeat of the events of that miserable night could never happen. She would never allow anyone to hurt Jonahs that deeply ever again.
He always talked a big game about protecting others, but he neglected when he needed protecting. And she intended to take up his cause.
She picked up the shield, and found it was quite strong – a little heavy, but just right for her arm, she found. She saw the sword vanish, and then looked out as a set of stairs showed up out of the area.
As she ascended the stairs, she saw the previous area vanish.
At the very top, a new door appeared before her, and she tentatively gripped the door handle, sliding the shield on to her arm via a pair of handles before doing so. The door opened as soon as she touched the handle, and she found herself now standing in a new glass landscape.
Prove yourself here, and you will survive. Falter, and I am afraid the trial will repeat until glory is achieved.
She did not like the sound of that, and thought of complaining to Deverez about this, but then she felt him leave, and found herself looking at the new landscape. It looked like a pair of individuals with white wings, and a wide open door between them.
A large sphere of magic was being formed by their hands, between them. Their eyes were closed, and they had neutral expressions.
She was guessing this was the part when a monster dropped down on her and announced its brutal, murderous intentions. And apparently, Deverez was all too happy to supply what she was expecting.
All of a sudden, a massive, ebon and silver creature dropped from the heavens, its body covered with a set of priestly regalia that seemed to beat and pulse with life the same as the creature's silvery skin, with the Heartless Symbol upside down on its chest, the cloth there ripped away and showing the pulsating emblem.
Its hood fused with a head crowned with thorns curving upward, making two curving loops on each side, the silver metal of its horns fusing into its elongated, beastly muzzle. Unlike the Heartless her father told her of, this beast had bright red eyes.
Elva prepared herself, holding her shield in front of her and readying her staff to sling a spell at the beast, but quickly found herself having to run as the thing lurched forward, bringing its large right hand crashing down numerous times, a wave of light seeming to emanate from wherever it struck.
And no matter what, even though its eyes were constantly in a squint, it seemed to have her in its sights.
The creature's initial assault was absolutely relentless, Elva being forced on the defensive almost immediately as it brought one arm and then another crashing down in a rampage.
She used her superior speed to outmaneuver it, and then found herself looking up and seeing its massive right hand coming down. Wheeling it to the side, she watched as it seemed to smash into the arena and slowly began rising back up.
She took her shot, firing off a Thunder spell right at that ugly maw. It seemed to find purchase, and the large Heartless fell backward slightly, and she followed this up with a Fire spell that slammed into the creature's abdomen.
That was when the creature roared, and Elva found herself wincing due to the sheer volume of its keening cry. She only barely managed to dodge the next few attacks, and due to her ears ringing, she was launched off her feet when the right hand crashed into her in a punch.
She groaned, yeah, it was pretty clear what the monster's dominant hand was.
She managed to get back up on her feet, if Jonahs could handle those tournaments, and Daj could handle Sarasho, she could handle one priest...!
When the right hand came crashing down again, this time she tried something more innovative – she jumped up on the arm. It was a lot bigger than the left arm, and made for a handy bridge.
Scaling the creature and ducking to avoid a swat from the left arm, she prepared her shield's buckler blade and started slashing away on the beast's head, darkness seeming to pulse out of its wounds. She managed to get in one last burst of fire from her staff and then leaped off when the creature tried to swat at her again.
And apparently all this managed to REALLY piss it off. A black aura started to come over the entirety of the monster, its right arm gathering the most intense black energy, numerous...dark skulls?...gathering there.
It began thrashing about wildly at Elva, each swing from its right arm followed by a burst of black energy she had to avoid. One close call resulted in her being thrown to the side when the energy wave came up.
It went in to try to finish the job, but she managed to dodge roll out of the creature's onslaught, regaining her standing as it turned around, and she took her shot, shooting a Thunder spell at its head.
The creature still charged at her, intent on either killing her or taking her heart. Whichever was worse.
The black aura still as intense as before, she watched as once again its claw slammed into the ground, and this time she took her distance and decided to try something. Aiming along the ground, she launched a Blizzard spell at the claw while it was down.
The ice wave covered the claw, and the black aura dispersed, the monster frantically trying to pull its arm free. She resolved herself not to give it the chance.
Gathering a Thunder spell, lightning fell in bolts around her, a golden spell circle forming in front, a massive lightning bolt forming along the staff and she brought the catalyst of her spells to the circle, resulting in a large number of lightning bolts flying off right at the creature.
It was struck first in the head and then blasted across its frame, countless lightning bolts striking it and finally prying it out of the ground due to Elva's own sorcerous onslaught.
And finally it was launched over the edge of the platform they found themselves on.
She looked over the edge of the area – was this it...?
Suddenly the platform started to shift, and she was brought to look down at the creature holding on with its feet, and forming a massive sphere of dark blue energy it held between its hands. She let out a gasp of shock as it brought the sphere flying at her, her footing lost.
If she did nothing she'd crash into this enormous sphere...
She remembered Jonahs, the legends of the Keyblade, she remembered everyone she swore she'd defend, she needed a blade for this maneuver.
Jonahs...Daj...I cannot die here, she resolved it to herself, she had to fight even to the last, and she promptly examined every bit of the creature she had seen, finding herself putting targets across its body – where she would need to hit it.
Where she'd seen it was strong and weak. Lax and capable. She found herself examining the blue sphere in front of her, similar signals appearing across it as a massive number of spell circles formed around her.
The circles moved forward and caught the huge blue sphere, slowly pushing it backward, and then the eighteen or so Circles around her opened fire with a large number of bright blue rays that pierced through the sphere of force.
Taking some of its power with them, the rays bombarded the creature below unendingly, every single time she moved her staff, eighteen more blasts rained down.
Until finally the creature keeled over, and Elva found herself slowly descending, touching the platform again.
Though you were a little close, you got the hang of advanced maneuvers and the Shotlock. Usually, only advanced Keywielders develop that...very well.
Elva saw her staff glow brightly with light, and it quickly turned into a long blade with four curving blades at the end, vaguely reminiscent of the monster she just defeated. Its horns. The blade was silvery-blue, light weight and suited for her.
The keychain was a large hand with a blue sphere at the center. She also saw her shield develop into a silver and gold buckler shield that was a lot better suited for her arm. She tested it out, sliding it on and off.
"Thanks, I guess, Deverez..." There was no response. No voice for her to call out to, "Deverez?"
All of a sudden she saw the world flash white around her, and she felt the vague sensation of falling. She winced and prepared herself, trying to control her descent...and then she found herself standing in the middle of a public park.
She looked above, at the metropolis around her, and remembered her father's stories.
She also remembered Jonahs' trip here, and briefly wondered if she could catch up to him, if he was still here, after all.
"This is Oceansburg...but...why am I...here?" She then swore as she saw a group of the city guard run by, apparently fighting a group of dog-helm wearing men with twin swords. She got a vaguely eerie sensation from the dog-helmed men.
But that hadn't stopped her before, and if she could handle that...that Fallen Cleric Heartless, she could handle these lunatics. Taking aim from afar, she blasted one of the dog-faced individuals just as he was preparing to strike one of the guards down with a blast of Thunder.
The dog-helmed man immediately leaped back to his feet, and all of them soon after apparently decided to get out of there before things got worse for them.
Elva found herself shaking, and gulped – yeah, it definitely felt like that last blast took more out of her than she should've used.
She found herself looking at another woman. She was apparently affiliated with the guards she just saved. Having odd very light-blue, almost silver hair, a tall, imposing frame, and clothed in a variety of whites and light blues. "You saved my guardsmen. My thanks...oh..."
She seemed to notice Elva was now wavering on her feet, trying to keep herself from what she knew would come next, given how much she had exerted herself.
The blue eyed, blue haired woman immediately shouted as Elva collapsed on the ground, "Get me a stretcher, stat!"
Elva then well and totally lost consciousness. She felt someone grab her up before she fell, thought she heard some people arguing, but she couldn't hear anything any more.
Wolfang looked down at the scrying pool, scowling darkly as he considered what the implications of this foretold. It meant that that man was not only still active, but that he had enough resources to form what could amount to a third side in what was to come.
The Usurper had returned and now Wolfang had to confront that ugly part of his past.
This was simply no fun at all, no it was more than that, the Wolf King mused, it was the end of the prologue, now it was time for the first Act's events. He had to continue, but with the realization that his enemy had managed to survive Time and the separation of the Realms.
Well, even if that guy was back, there was extremely little he could do at this point other than a mostly futile attempt at damage control. More or less, the real negative effect he had on Wolfang...was more or less emotional.
You betrayed me, and now you stand here again. I will crush you, for what you did that day. What you did to her was beyond unforgivable. What you did to ME was beyond unforgivable. I will make you SUFFER.
Any who watched Wolfang, like Doom out in the hallway, could see a black aura of hatred cloaking him. That alone told Doom that whatever they saw in that Jungle had a personal effect on Wolfang. It was an advantage he could use, though the volatility could make things...difficult.
Doom temporarily gave Wolfang space, and decided to look into the status of his "first task", as nauseating as it was to "take orders" from anyone, Doom was ultimately achieving everything he desired. No pathetic play-hero could stop what was to come.
Back in the Scrying Room, Wolfang paced about trying to figure a way out of the scenario he'd gotten himself into.
The darkened figure grimaced, trying to think of useful pieces he could put forward to make it clear to that man that the future was his. He had a lot of potential moves.
Now that he had this power, there were certain beings he could call upon. While he was limited in terms of direct force as things were now, he could call upon a terrifying being to assist him. Someone sealed away during the war between Light and Darkness, so long ago.
When the two powers initially split, this being was made to be a great general of darkness, but always he hungered for more power. He wanted to supplant the one who made him. This King of the Heartless was a dangerous being to call upon, but Wolfang by now had little choice in the matter.
The Wielders of the Light sealed him away due to his hatred and malice, but withered as the seal was, it didn't matter it was such ancient people who created such a seal. The matter was simply Wolfang's tremendous power and the being sealed in there.
It took little preparation nor effort for him to call upon this ancient being, just as well because it was his "right" as things were now.
The scrying pool started to bleed pitch black energy into the air, slowly forming into a dark portal, into the very depths of the world of darkness. There was a very good reason Wolfang had willed this room to become larger...
...For what emerged from the scrying pool portal was something that dwarfed Wolfang's physical form. It resembled a malevolent centaur of some sort, four legs ending in sharp, blade-like hooves, armor covering the entirety of its body, though bones showed through in certain parts.
The humanoid body was likewise covered in blackened armor, blood still splattered across its form, numerous needles pinned through several portions. Across its form were numerous eyes shifting amidst the darkness inside its humanoid body's form. A half of a metallic black halo merged seamlessly into the two shoulder plates, raising behind the head.
Its face was simply a knight-like helm with numerous darting eyes in the spaces between plates of armor.
Wolfang smiled widely as he saw what he called forth, feeling that the balance once again shifted, "Welcome to the world of the mortals once again, Lord Summerill."
The creature seemed to stir awake and looked around, "Castle Tsare Viole? Hmph, it is not as bleak as what I-ah, you are the one the small creatures of darkness whispered of. The Wolf King of the Angyl. I am humbled to stand in your presence."
The creature spoke politely and cordially, but its lying was readily apparent. Its voice was to the utmost sarcastic, sardonic, steeped in false politeness that hid an innately violent, malevolent heart and soul.
Wolfang felt like telling him to cut the crap – he knew both of them would ultimately be using each other due to the powers involved. The only question being where this all went. "Well then, King of the Heartless, I would tell you of the plight of the worlds."
"Such news would be as sweet as honey upon the tongue after a long journey through a desert. Tell me of the foolish worlds of Light. Where are the Princesses, and their White Crimson artifact?" Summerill veritably cackled with glee as he thought of bathing that sacred artifact in their blood...
"Time has passed. The Princesses as you knew them, and the Princesses as the Keyblade Wielder known as Sora knew them...are gone. Yet Seven remain. Yet Seven we seek. Though they know not, White Crimson is hidden with them." Wolfang stated in a slightly eager sounding tone.
"Hehehehe...AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Then the vacuous little mouse has aged unto uselessness...this is an excellent opportunity..." Summerill seemed to sadistically relish the thought of ripping through an aged Sora. In his mind, it would be as easy as snuffing out the last embers of a fire.
"One we are taking advantage of. Welcome, King of the Heartless..." Wolfang motioned around him, "...to my Dark Alliance. Together we will bring about a new age of fulfilled ambition." He then put his palm on his chin, "So, to start things, I'd say I'll let you go, to begin your fiery revenge."
Summerill simply motioned toward a wall, a large black portal of darkness erupting from the floor, and he looked back toward Wolfang, "My eternal gratitude, Wolf King, for this service. As you likely foresee, I will gather my forces and bring such hatred and chaos upon the worlds, they will beg us for the simplest breath, the smallest grasp for water."
And so as Summerill left, he and Wolfang thought of one another, respectively;
Such a fool, releasing one such as I. The worlds will know what it means to incur the wroth of Summerill, King of Darkness...for a time, we will be as allies. But I do not intend to share the space within the Darkness I spread across the worlds with anyone. I alone will rule as Supreme God of all I see!
Such an idiot. Believes himself infallible, but ultimately, Summerill is a necessary piece in the puzzle. He's not tasteful, but there's a definite advantage to be held just by letting him loose and allowing him to do as he pleases. Slowly, closer and closer, I'm moving toward that Divine Move, Minus Thirteen...
Grimoire Aebreum at 12.5% Restoration. Systems 17.5 % Operational. UNABLE TO-ZXYSFDFDVXGHSDGCFE
NEW INITIALIZING...
Souls Accumulated: ZxkjhvERRORPROTOCOL:Execute
ERROR PROTOCOL CANNOT BE LAUNCHED. SEAL IN PLACE. PREPARE ULTERIOR
Sora breathed deeply, shuddering awake from that horrifying nightmare. He saw a world of white, of gray, of a million horrible things colluding around a massive computer, of a large, eternally singing being keeping everything running.
Her wings clipped, numerous swords keeping her from moving as those creatures moved about. Yet the swords were illusory, not entirely real and not entirely fake. And they were leaning toward false more and more these days.
It was a foreign world without any humanity or nature within it, and everything was covered by a layer of ash and soot. There were vague remains of buildings, but there was nothing left visible on them – just the layer of ash and soot.
And the creatures in that world...it was one world, he decided, he didn't want to see. This had been a recurring theme in his dreams ever since that black blood disease had initialized. It was almost like he was seeing something beyond the scope of light, beyond the reach of the darkness.
The heart and the body...when the heart was taken, it became a Heartless. When the Heartless formed, often, a Nobody formed as well. Maybe that forsaken world was where the soul went. He didn't remember spending any time there, thankfully.
Or, perhaps, there had to be a cause for a soul to go there.
Sora got up and held his stomach – he had slept for far too long. He examined the clock on his wrist. Going downstairs, he saw Kairi and immediately smiled. No matter what happened, as long as he had his old friends with him, he would never let the things he saw win.
He had won through Vanitarium, Cavendish and his cronies, Sirius Viicous and his, and he would not allow these visions to overcome him.
Regardless, they were worrying. He had warned Jonahs to be wary, but he did not doubt that the boy's internal trouble would bubble forth. He hid his true demeanor underneath a smile, a joke, a jest, and optimism.
Kairi turned the television on, to try to find something to watch to allay their doubts and fears about what was currently going on, only for the exactly opposite to be shown.
President Alric Maynes, his second son Deric at his side, was making an announcement related to the "spreading Darkness" that had recently been brought to his attention, and a troubling group that had recently announced their intentions related to this.
"I regret to say, across worlds, that our treasured normalcy – our grand, seemingly eternal peace purchased by the heroes of old – has come to an abrupt and disgraceful end. A group of malcontents and traitors has grouped together under an individual who calls himself Matsuno Kyonori." Alric seemed utterly displeased by these recent events – this utterly demolished the credibility of the "preservation of peace" he had promised.
When the picture of Kyonori showed up on the screen, Sora's eyed widened, and he lurched forward slightly. Wolfang Richler. That was Wolfang, there was no question of it. He made absolutely no effort in concealing who he actually was.
Alric continued, ruffling his hands slightly (exchanging note cards), "Do not worry, citizens of the Alliance, I will ensure that these upstarts are shown that the sacrifices of the last generation are not in vain. They call themselves a "Dark Alliance" but what they are is nothing but a motley band of terrorists and curmudgeons with no legitimacy. We will crush them as surely as our forefathers crushed Cavendish and Viicous."
Sora wondered previously if it was possible to view that man any more as a billionaire who was critically out of touch with reality. Sora had told Kairi that Maynes couldn't possibly get any more ridiculous than he already was.
He'd been proven wrong with that absolute winner of a speech.
Sora decided with this in mind he needed to discuss these events with Kairi, given their kids and grand-kids were being thrust into the midst of it, "It...seems the more things change, the more they stay the same. I cannot imagine Maleficent making a similar grandiose statement, though."
Kairi simply sighed and looked to the side, "...I suppose it was foolish to think that the darkness could be banished so easily. It just...doesn't seem fair. We all sacrificed so much. Why does this have to happen now? When we have children to worry for?"
Sora looked outside – though war had not touched Destiny Islands yet, with everything that had happened before, he didn't doubt it would. "I need to talk to Riku. We may need to board a World Barge. You know as well as I do that this will hit Destiny Islands."
Kairi wanted to object, she wanted to believe that Matsuno wouldn't do such a thing, but not after so many enemies before him attacked the Islands in the course of their ambitions. "...Yes. I cannot imagine how Elva and Mimi will take this. After all that's happened..."
Sora got up and tried to call Elva up, but it seemed like her phone was either off or not in commission. "Damn...well, I suppose its time for the hardest talk Riku and I have had in a while. You know as well as I do he won't leave the Islands without a fight."
Kairi looked over the table, where so many happy memories had happened when the children and grandchildren had been young, "Where will we go? I will not trust that absurd simpleton Maynes with our safety."
Sora knew that Maynes was a malignant goon, and he controlled the only place they really could go, though he had some cards left to play in that regard. He'd made friends in Oceansburg who could help him get there safely and without Maynes catching wind of it.
He decided to call up Mimi, since Elva was apparently being rebellious. "...Mimi, I know its in the middle of your school hours, but this is important."
Mimi sounded frightened by the tone Sora was taking, and asked, "Is...is this about the Dark Alliance and that Matsuno loon?"
"...Yes. I am afraid we'll need to move away from the Islands until things settle down." How ironic – in an older time he would have relished the chance to leave, to get out there into the worlds beyond. Yet now, here he was an old man, and he regarded the idea with dread.
"B-But grandad! What if Jonahs comes home and-!" She was not taking this well. She audibly stepped outside into a hallway, trying to conceal her tears.
"Jonahs is already involved in his own adventure. We need to make sure that we don't endanger the Islands or become targets – you remember my story of seeing Cavendish that night, right?" Sora shivered slightly at the memory.
"Yes...just...can I please say goodbye to my friends? I mean, what if we...what if we..." She finally couldn't conceal tears any more, and began to sob into the phone.
"Mimi, make sure you tell your friends to be safe. I hope everyone gets through this."
With that the phone call ended, and Sora was left wondering what he would do after he got to Oceansburg. The war would hit everywhere, if it erupted as viciously as Alric seemed to hint. The Conservatoris had wanted a big war event for a long time, to seal up their base and regain popularity.
Neither side in this really seemed like the peace-wanting sort.
Sora looked out the window at one of the few remaining Paopu Fruit Trees, he wondered if they'd all be together by the end of this. No...they had to. Come what may, their friendship and resolve would not falter or dissolve.
The Mole knew that the forces of this world were closing in, and that Jonahs would soon enough approach the camp again. Exactly as he intended. And Jonahs...dammit, the Mole cursed to himself, he had found a new ally.
At least the man with him was nobody of significance.
Wolfang had made a promise, and he believed beings like that were compelled to keep their promises, regardless what may come. Jonahs would be delivered to the Magistrate, tried on trumped up charges, and unceremoniously executed.
It was a pity, this callow mole had loved that boy once, but the dissonance, the lack, was too great.
He would be expected to move along with the others into the Mega City, and from there he would meet up with Wolfang's forces. The Dark Alliance had apparently dispatched some of its agents to the Mega City, for the cause of delivering this world to Wolfang.
A/N: And finally finished the chapter. Hopefully the next one won't be such a struggle. Read and review, thanks.