The Sapphire Sorceress

Disclaimer: The rights to Kingdom Hearts belong to Disney and Square Enix.

Act 26: The Taciturn Stalwart

"For our Superior—he is in dire need of the hero of light."

Castle Oblivion: ( Aqua's POV )

Despite the fact nobodies can't feel the pain of going through a grueling battle our memories make us remember how much the pain hurts. Even if the goal was to understand how strong the "Hero of Light" had become I still had the memory of pain go through my empty body. The darkness around me used to frighten my hollow shell, but now I've found the cold, vast, and lifeless void around here comforting.

"That boy...no wonder Marluxia wants him." I admitted to no one in particular, but at least my thoughts about him became certain. He also had the heart of a chosen one, but something was not right about him as I uncovered during our fight. He seemed more stressed, and from what everyone's told me Sora usually is care-free in his attitude. This might have to do with Namine and whatever promise he made to her since he's begun to remember her. My eyes took notice of the dark area I came into once my boots exited the pathway of darkness.

"This is the lower area of the castle." For the moment I felt confused about why I ended up here, but then I realized perhaps my diminished strength made it more difficult to enter in the higher levels of the castle. Hopefully I would not end up running into Vexen the last person I wanted to bump into today. Deciding to investigate I looked around for any of the members usually hanging around on this floor, so I peeked through a few doors only to find more empty rooms.

Turning around I thought my body sensed there was someone there, but it was just another hallway filled with no one. The lack of being around people besides nobodies must have gotten to me. I have not been around somebodies for a while, and usually it happens during a mission or fighting someone like Sora. I suppose it would not hurt to get some days off once I get back "home" from this home away from home.

"Aqua?"

A whisper spoke out from the darkness as I began to look for the source. Walking into a different room I could not find anyone besides a table in the room. My mind wondered if it was playing tricks on me, but I knew it might be the work of someone like an intruder. Then I saw the figure near the wall again who was just standing there, and I knew this was not some play of my imagination. I tried to call out to the person stalking me, but there was no answer as I tried looking at the face hidden in the shadows.

"Aqua? It really is you..." The voice was easier to ready, and I could not believe what that sounded like in my ears. It was...Terra's voice? I could see more of the figure which reminded me of what he looked like, so I moved out my hand to feel him confirming this was really happening. He moved away running from me all of a sudden which I didn't understand.

"Wait a minute I need to see you!" I yelled out to the figure, but he continued to run down another hallway of the darkened room. I drew out my fans begging to suspect whatever was drawing me here might not have good intentions. Then I felt arms come around my chest in a hugging way and...

"It's me Aqua Terra!"

Is this just some dream, perhaps an illusion, and or my wish truly becoming true. He looked so much like Terra, his hair was perfect, the outfit of a Keyblade Warrior, his face resembled my friend, and his voice...

"T-terra...?" My eyes didn't want to accept this as reality, and the fact I felt a genuine emotion inside my empty body. He smiled and brought his hand on my face feeling it for a moment; time stood still for us, but I didn't want this to stop anytime soon. My own gloved hand move on his chest in a slow motion. I was felt him pull me closer to his chest, and I sighed listening to his heartbeat...there was none.

"We have something in common...we both have no heart!" What? did Terra lose his soul to The Heartless as well? That shouldn't happen since he got taken over by Xehanort. Looking at his face those beautiful eyes slowly turned into that horrible yellow color. This can't really be happening! You can't really be here...damn you Xehanort! He just looked at me with a smirk, turning his hand now reaching out to grab my neck, and my body was frozen in fear even while my mind said to run away.

"Come on Aqua! Don't you want me here!" I pushed him back trying to keep him away, but those horrible memories poured into my head. So many failures that caused everyone around me to suffer. I was reliving my past life all over again right in front of my eyes. That's when it clicked in my heart Xehanort didn't take his heart at all. No Xehanort only desired his body, but why did Terra not have a heartbeat...like a nobody!

"Alright! I want to know which one of you guys is messing with me now!" I drew the edge of my fan on the fake's neck waiting for a response. This was not Marluxia, Larxene, Vexen, Lexaeus, or Axel from how the way this pretender was acting which left...

"I was hoping we could keep up this act for a little while longer." He removed the image of Terra showing me who he really was damn it Zexion! I didn't think about him using an illusion to fool me like this, but it did make sense with his powers as a nobody. After all he was given the title of "Cloaked Schemer" so this was not that surprising.

"What are you trying to pull exactly? I already don't like you now so what did you have to gain from this?" My eyes narrowed growing more suspicious about his intentions. He brought out his weapon, a black tome filled with details from several different spells, and information about Organization members.

"Even with all of your strength, power, and newly-found wisdom you are still so easy to fool."

"So what it's not like you're perfect either..." Not to mention he likely had no idea about Marluxia's intentions with Namine. Then again it does seem like a conspiracy is forming in our group, he did seem like someone who would try holding up the image of a man in control, but the fact was Marluxia didn't trust any of the lower-level members of Castle Oblivion as much the rest of us.

"So you're admitting that you're still a nobody pretending your feelings are genuine very well, I suppose that's why you have hung around "Lord" Marluxia lately." He grinned knowing this would draw out my anger, and so I gave in venting out my fears, hatred, and venom towards the history left by my former master's ambitions.

"Do you know the kind of man Xehanort is? It was because of him I've ended up lost in the Realm of Darkness, lost all of my friends and other master, and most of all losing the heart to care about them. Oh...what am I saying you should know because you were there, Inezo disciple of Ansem the Wise!" Yes let's see him act confident about what he used to do before all of this, the young researcher of Radiant Garden learning from someone else about the world along with Even.

"That person is gone I'm all that's left of-"

"Yes you are the living corpse of that boy, and I'm the hollow shell of the former Keyblade Master Aqua. Despite these memories, even with the knowledge, and even if I could reclaim my keyblade I won't get back what's been lost without Kingdom Hearts."

He scoffed bringing out a page from his book about me. From the notes written it sounded like he thought I was hiding several things from him.

"I never trusted you from the first day we met, but I never figured you will be willing to follow Marluxia's orders. I would not be surprised if you were the one sneaking around in Vexen's lab area!" A truth that my lips could not lie about, and we didn't really get along with each other which was also true. I began to wonder how to respond to him, at the lack of a reply from myself he began to look into his book likely for a spell to use on me. I got ready to fight, but there was a sudden spike of power in the room which I knew belonged to our tallest nobody.

"That's enough both of you!" I knew better than to piss off one of the two former guards of Ansem the Wise. His imposing figure usually would put an end to infighting with other members, and he was easily one of the strongest members. While I managed to compose myself Zexion didn't look happy to see The Taciturn Stalwart arrive here now.

"Lexaeus! You have to believe me she's been spying in Vexen's study, and she might be in league with Marluxia she might as well be a traitor!"

The tallest nobody closed his eyes pondering his eyes, rolling my tongue in my mouth words were trying to form to explain myself to these men.

"Listen do happy to have any proof about you claim Zexion? After all you just disguised yourself who's to say you didn't frame me, the fact you're stating this without any evidence is hard to swallow isn't it Lexaeus or should I say Aeleus?" This was also true he didn't know for sure I was there looking around unless someone's told him. He realized this quickly pointing to his nose referring about his other skill.

"Then why did the room smell different from before? I could sniff out something different about the room..."

"Did you get the smell of Auxaq Zexion? Are you truly certain about this?" Number V seemingly was trying to believe Number VI, but lucky for me he shook his head admitting that he could not say for certain that was my scent. My sigh was quickly met with a stare by Lexaeus forcing me to stand at attention.

"While I can't say for certain you're working directly with the chosen lord, the fact you spend a lot of time up there often is very odd. Perhaps you can give us information about what's been happening in the higher levels recently." If this could help me stay out of hot water with these guys then I suppose this won't hurt much. The arrival of the second intruder, Namine's current state of being, and Sora's path through the castle would be learned by these guys. If they made a move against me then I would regret this move, but fighting against these three down here would be a very bad decision on my end.

"Riku and Sora are both here in the castle?" Zexion and Lexaeus could not believe their ears heard what I just explained to them. Nodding I confirmed that my last remaining Oracle nobody is keeping watch over him, and Sora was already going up a few floors.

"I've yet to hear an update about his status, but I know for a fact both of them are now in this place."

"I wonder if they will meet each other in this place. Still this does add up with this new smell I've gotten recently, but it has nearly the same smell of the Superior."

"Do you think there is a connection between this Riku and him?"

"It could be possible, and yet I'm more interested in how he managed to escape from the Realm of Darkness. It took the efforts of Axel to help bring me out so how could he escape such a place without help..."

"How indeed!" Vexen of all the times for him to show up! Did he also know about someone looking around his area, and did he suspect it was me like Zexion? He didn't look upset no he seemed rather pleased about the conversation taking place between us. He brought out some research paper looking ready for another long-winded speech about his data most likely, so thankfully Zexion and Lexaeus wanted him to get to the point.

"If Marluxia has interest in the Hero of Light why can't we invest ourselves in the Hero of Darkness?"

So that's it then! He's going to follow Marluxia's lead in taking advantage of a young boy for his plans. Could this be Vexen's own scheme to counter Marluxia, but that would mean a complete split between both sides in this castle. It seemed like there could be a complete civil war between all the nobodies in this place, and I was now stuck in the middle with no way out. This whole situation had turned into a cluster-

"Auxaq I believe you will be returning upstairs yes. Well then you can offer us with updates about Marluxia's scheming."

Damn it! Now I was going to become a mole for these guys, and I still needed to stay on Marluxia's good side, but still be loyal to Xemnas, and somehow find the Chamber of Waking in this castle. I wondered if I should have let my body fade away at least then my soul would have peace. Still I must stay strong and fulfill my true mission here, but I can't just let everyone manipulate me.

"Why do you wish to know? Are you trying to start a rebellion or something?" I could not just keep my mouth shut anymore, the answers I've been looking for must get answered by everyone here starting now. Vexen didn't look pleased with my defiance yet I refused to stand down.

"Why are you defending Marluxia? I thought you hated him the most out of everyone here." Lexaeus knew I didn't have much respect or kindness towards him only following orders out of respect for his appointed rank in Castle Oblivion. I quickly formed a defense to counter that statement, and I hoped it would not make me look too suspicious.

"I can't hate Marluxia, you Vexen or Xaldin despite not agreeing with their actions or methods, and such a feeling would need having a heart in the first place. I simply tolerate them under the order and design of our Organization."

"Yet you're been making a pal out of Axel and Larxene! Not to mention all of you have spent time with that girl Namine. Her powers involve memory manipulation which could get used for Marluxia's gain!" Zexion once more thought I became involved in whatever plan the "Lord" was forming to use on Sora.

"You don't know, that kind of paranoia leads to friction between a group, and if it leads into civil war then everyone will likely suffer. Still if you want to form your own plans for Riku be my guest." I turned around to leave, but I felt the powerful grip of the giant on my shoulder. Even if I wanted to move his sheer power would now allow me a single step forward. Looking up I could see he was ready to inflict pain on me.

"We can't let you leak information about our desires to Marluxia. You might be convinced into revealing this conversation by force..."

"Like you guys aren't forcing me to remain quiet already! What do I gain from running my mouth about your plans for Riku? I have my own problems to worry about so I don't have time to deal with your issues with Marluxia, but I will say this if you can't trust me then don't put your trust in anyway here!" I waiting for Lexaeus to let go of my body hoping that statement would not instigate a fight between these guys. Thankfully he did finally consider my words allowing me to break from his grip.

"We will be watching you Auxaq. Don't make us regret letting you go away now." I'm sure you all will, but perhaps you should take that advice Lexaeus. I could see Vexen and Zexion didn't agree with this decision yet I didn't really care about their approval at the moment. Before I left Vexen called out my name causing my head to move around at him. The smile on his face clearly implied a taunt most likely as he started talking.

"Subject Auxaq, if you should happen to run into that boy Riku don't hurt him too much like you did with Sora. After all he's a precious specimen to me much like that Replica." No he's not speaking about...I simply closed my eyes not giving that comment a response before entering the portal behind me. I knew when this was over that my meeting with Xion and Roxas would my number one concern. Looking around I could see the lights were on which meant I was back in the main hallways of the castle.

'I need to get back to Marluxia and find how out Sora is doing...' That was my current issue since he would start getting worried if I was not reporting back to him, and I could not make an enemy out of him now. Still I had some time to myself, and I figured it would be good to check up on Riku's progress as well. My inner voice tried connection with my nobody subordinate...

'That's odd no response.' I thought he might be a little busy, and so I waited for a while to get a reply back from it. The time passed by with no kind of answer which brought concern that Riku might have noticed the Oracle nobody spying on him. She did not know the floor he could be on, but she did know that he would likely be climbing up to the first floor of the castle.

"I can't meet himself like this I just got done with fighting Sora. Then again now would be the perfect time to look for Ven."

Even with the emotionless state of my body I was not immortal as with enough damage even those who should never exist can die once more, and if I lose my life this time I don't think I will even wake up again, as I would likely be sucked into darkness forever.

My arms folded over my chest as I let my mind wonder about things, and get my mind off Terra who was stirring in my head again thanks to Zexion's actions. How long has it been since I've gotten to really be myself not this altered version of who I was in my past life.

"Oh hell what do I have to lose!" Why not roll the dice as Luxord would put things. Even if I got into a fight with Riku it can't end like the battle with Sora, as I would make sure to leave if this got too much for me to handle. The problem is I don't know where he is now, so I would need to find where exactly I ended up through my portal.

'It's easy to get lost if you don't know where you're going...'

Just like I had done this castle was so warped, changed, and twisted around even I could end up wandering through these hallways until the end of time. Still I could felt that I was getting closer to finding my friend in these walls. It was a faint sense, but I knew that I would find him sooner than later. Then I felt the atmosphere change almost like there was something getting closer to...me?

'This feeling it's so dark and vile, but there is a glimmer of light in this void what so of presence is this?'

I looked down at the floor wondering if there was some way to find Riku through this place. Despite my better judgement telling me to just leave this place I went down the steps and heard someone speaking to himself.

"This is 8th Floor of the Basement. I'm one step closer to purging out this darkness, and proving Ansem that he was wrong about me." Well at the very least I know where I am now, but that voice made it sound like it could only belong one person, Riku himself. I wondered what would be worth the risk of fighting him like this although he is Sora's friend. If Sora actually decided to forgo losing his memories just to meet him then he really is special.

Using another portal I passed through the blank room, and appeared right in front of the white-haired boy our second "guest" of this castle. That's when I felt the surge of darkness grow even stronger which meant...this boy was the source!

"This smell it's just like that other guy Vexen." So he's already gotten to him then? Well at least I don't have to worry about explaining too much about myself.

"You're working with him aren't you!?"

"I won't deny that's not the case, but he and I have different...agendas in mind."

Looking at Riku's face I began to remember a time when he looked much different, and there was someone else...Sora! Yes the both of them were in this same image inside my head, but how did I know about them unless we've met before this moment. So how come they don't remember about that? Perhaps it's because I've changed, they were so little they don't remember, and maybe due to the loss of my memories I could not piece this together until this moment.

"Then you're also my enemy!" Well it looks like I won't get a chance to reminisce with him. His dark blade tried connecting with my body, but I easily avoided the weapon as I wondered if he might remember me if I spoke with him more. Standing my ground I held out my hand to calm him down for a moment.

"Don't you remember an island in a vast ocean, the sun was slowly fading, and the fact you were right next to your best friend Sora that night."

He seemed to know about some of what I was speaking about yet he looked more angry, and he was gripping his blade tightly.

"How do you know about Sora? I've never seen...you?"

Yes I knew he might have come recollection about what happened that day. Even I had forgotten all the details about that meeting however I could remember with Riku's help. Giving him a nod I replied with my real name hoping this would stir some of his memories.

"Do you remember these names Riku: Terra, Ventus, and Aqua?" I let him think about it for a moment hoping that he would focus on remembering instead of fighting me. I knew that it could end up backfiring on me, but now I merely wished to talk with him nothing more, and it seems like my gamble is paying off. He looked up at me gazing at my face likely trying to remember something.

"I do remember someone being on the islands and that person had blue hair...like yours, but so what! The fact you know about that could be some trick you're doing on me. Even if we've met before you're still using that darkness...that darkness which ruined my life along with everyone else. I can't let that go because that darkness...is something I must destroy alone!"

No, no , and damn it no! Before I could argue he charged me with a burst of speed, and I had to deflect the weapon with my own. His eyes looked lit up with new-found determination to defeat me along with his vendetta against darkness. Unlike Sora's attacks which were simple but powerful Riku seems to have a clear head in mind with his movements, so when I took notice of him trying to grab my arm he clearly knew what he was doing.

'Light and darkness they both are part of the balance.'

Just like with Ventus and Vanitas or perhaps a better example would be with Ventus and Terra. Even Masters Eraqus and...Xehanort have this element of opposite elements played between them; leaving me figuring this would also be the case with Sora and Riku's future destined to stay at different ends for each other tragically. Yet this boy was trying to fight against that fate with all his strength, so determined to refuse what the world expected him to become another being of darkness.

"You've certainly become stronger Riku, but unlike Sora you seem to embrace using that dark power you despise..."

Yes it was rather ironic he hates me for having such power, and yet he's using that same power in battle.

"JUST SHUT UP AND FIGHT!"

He began to glow purple as the surge of darkness grew suddenly in the room. He began to swipe at me even more now, and I needed to use some of my power to keep him from hurting me too much. I swung my weapons to force him to back off, not expecting him to charge back with a direct hit to my body causing me to kneel for the moment. Gritting my teeth I knew that I would have to take this seriously now.

'Mine Shield!'

Closing my eyes for a moment to charge I set up the traps around me which Riku didn't care about as he thought I was doing something else instead. The boy foolishly charged into my trick getting him with the magical explosion becoming stunned. With the tables now turned I threw my fans right at his body, running at him taking hold on his arms, and finally holding them behind his back while he was trying to get re-focused.

"That's enough! I don't think you want to harm me, its obvious we both know things about each other don't we? So why can't we learn more about each other instead?" Even if he didn't want to see reason I tried to learn more about Riku instead of being forced into using more energy fighting this intruder.

"Yes I would like to know more about you," He suddenly began to grow more powerful with his aura of hatred growing inside him, "It's just that I don't really care about you now." He was able to blow my back with just a spike in his power. That's when I took notice of a shape forming above Riku's head, it was faint, and hard to see however it was the shape of a man floating above the boy's head.

"This is your fault! It is because of you my power is growing out of control..."

Riku's voice just got deeper and more sinister. Suddenly he began to charge something in his hand, the shape look like a ball of dark energy which meant he would throw it at me. I began to cartwheel hoping to avoid the attack, but suddenly he rushed at my direction with a huge slash from his blade. He felt more powerful just with this blow, and that figure above looks more solid as well. Looking up at the man I began to see the face of a tanned-man with...yellow eyes!

"No it's you again! You're supposed to have gone away!" Into my Terra, but why are you here?

My hands began to tremble once more.

My body was starting to breathe more heavy.

My legs grew tense and tight.

My eyes stared on the exact image of Master Xehanort only somewhat younger.

"Even now you still taunt me..." I was unsure what to think about this, but if Riku was becoming consumed by the very thing that took my friend I did not know what else I could do to stop it. Riku walked towards my direction slowly, patiently, and without any hurry as the footsteps came to an end near my body.

"Xehanort?"

"You never met or heard about him, but he's someone I know well along with being of two masters. I don't know how you came into having that kind of power however if you let your wish for revenge take hold then you will be lost to darkness just like...he was." My eyes didn't want to look him in the fact knowing the darker outfit he was wearing also was a sign of that power I grew into fearing and hating so much.

"Hypocrite! You have this same kind of darkness as me..." Yes I do.

"Do you think I wanted to end up this way to begin with? I was not willing to lose everything I once was, but you still have to chance to hold on with that beating heart in your chest."

"Heh. Xehanort huh well if he's anything like Ansem then you are scared of him too I bet it's because you're weak!" His voice was starting to dip more deeply again he might somewhat possessed by that power he is wielding.

"No that's why I'm not afraid of this Ansem you speak of, another thing I must mention is that "Ansem" is likely a fake someone merely using that name which belongs to someone else. The reason why I fear this "Ansem" is the face on his body, what he represents to me, and the fact he feels like both Xehanort along with my Superior." Yes these men have that skin, body, and yellow eyes.

"What? How do you know that Ansem is a fake!" Yes I should explain more about this, but even if I did he might not believe that Ansem is just a heartless taking the shape of Xehanort. There is also the fact he's still under the power of his remaining energy. Until he deals with his own demons my words can't help him. With a sigh I would have to refuse his demand. Naturally he tried to make me answer him with force.

"Damn it just tell me who is Ansem already!" He prepared another fireball of dark energy, but this time I was ready with Barrier to deflect his attack easily. I suppose giving some answer is better than leaving him in the dark with nothing which brought a little smile on my face.

"There is someone else in this castle who is seeking out answers. He's losing his memories in the process yet that is how things are this place, to find is to lose and to lose is to find. That is the way in Castle Oblivion." The rhyme spoke by Namine, and now has become a quote to define what this castle now has become, the hollow remains of a once beautiful land of radiance. Riku must have figured out some of what I was saying as he now longer was in his dark attire now wearing his yellow outfit.

"Do you mean Sora is here? Where is he stop with the riddles!"

"If that is the person you are looking for then you will find him, but you must continue to go through the castle's floors to reach what you seek. Along the way you will also be fighting whatever is still controlling you perhaps even losing yourself to darkness once more. I can't help you overcome your past only you can do that Riku."

Even if I wanted to save you it would be impossible. Leaving him with the information that might give him a clue about overcome his darkness I returned to my personal dark void of nothingness. Once again there were many questions running through my head, and I still can't find the Chamber of Waking, but I took some comfort being able to see the both of them again, and perhaps one day I can find this Kairi.

[ I should mention Aqua has the number XV and Oracle nobodies due to the new Final Fantasy game which got delayed. -_- Oh well I can wait two more months, but I figured someone might be interested in knowing that. Anyway the COM arc is reaching the end with just a few chapters left stay tuned dear reader. ]