Mid-Realm

Aqua returned to the center of Fantasias and saw the same portal she had stepped in to enter this realm. She took one moment to look around, seeing the realms of Knowledge, Creation, Destruction and Choice before leaving the realm of spirits. She appeared in the same she had been before when she had met Drasil who had been waiting for her with a smile.

"You have returned. Did you find what you sought?" The spirit asked.

"…Not completely." Aqua admitted.

Drasil's smile faded. "They were not enough? Knowledge, Creation, Destruction and Choice were all there for you to use. How would they not be enough?"

That was an interesting question.

Jinn was able to tell Aqua where she was and what this world is.

Ambrosius gave her the ability to summon a copy of her armor and glider.

Nimue showed her it was possible to leave but at great risk.

And Janus…they showed her she might one day return if the vision of Mickey was correct.

"I…I learned much." Aqua admitted. "But my situation is unique. I'm afraid it was beyond their ability to help."

"Beyond their ability." Drasil repeated softly. "Then who can help you if not the spirits of the four gifts to mankind…" She then adopted a thoughtful face. "Then perhaps the ones who created them."

Aqua looked at Drasil. "The ones who created them?"

"The Gods…The Brothers…Our creators." Drasil clarified but then frowned. "But no human should enter their realms. You would surely die as mortals cannot traverse the realms of the Gods…But there is an alternative."

She gestured to another door. "Behold, Mid-Realm."

The door opened and Aqua could see visions of a world she had never seen before. "What is this place?"

"Mid-Realm is the world of the mortals, the creations of the Gods. However, my ability is unique for when I open a portal to Mid-Realm, I can choose the place and time." Drasil explained, her smile returning. "Time has no meaning in this realm and thus I can choose which time in history to send you, including a time when the Gods lived among their creations."

Aqua looked at the portal and back at Drasil. "Lived among their creations?"

"Yes. The Gods loved their world and their creations. Why would they not choose to live with them?" Drasil asked.

Aqua looked back at the portal. "And you can see everything that has happened and will happen?"

"I can."

"Wouldn't I be altering history if I am sent to one point in time?" Aqua asked, not sure of this new path. "I cannot intervene in the affairs of any world."

"And you wouldn't. History would not be changed if you were sent to a time when the Gods still lived with their creations. Where you would be at a point of time completely forgotten." Drasil said reassuringly. "And even if you had seen the future then that future would just be the past, unaffected by the new future."

Aqua wasn't sure what to make of that. "I thought time went in only one direction."

"It does but just because the past is changed does not mean the future is. Beside, you were never part of this world's timeline originally so you wouldn't be traveling to your past. It would just be your present." Drasil pointed out.

Aqua was trying to understand and hoped she wasn't making a big mistake by doing this but she couldn't just stop now. She wasn't even sure if this was a good idea but so far Drasil had been nothing but helpful so far.

"So what is your decision?" Drasil asked, gesturing to the door.

Aqua sighed and stepped into the door but stopped just as she was about to walk through it. "Just so we're clear. This can't affect how the world will go from the point you send me and I can come back when I need to."

"As I said, this is a point in time that is largely forgotten and shrouded in myth and legends. Nothing you do will affect the world all that much and of course. To come back just say my name." Drasil answered with an honest smile.

Aqua stared at Drasil for a moment before entering the doorway which closed behind her. Drasil smiled at the closed doorway and then held up the sphere which was original form, seeing a hole of darkness appearing inside it.

"Of course, something has already been changed when you visited Nimue. Only she and Janus would know about it but even then it has yet fully to manifest as a problem…" Drasil said with an interested smile. "But it's only a matter of time."

A small hole in the barrier between this world and the others had been made when Aqua came to the Spirit of Destruction for help. Even if she had stopped Nimue from making it too large a crack had been formed.

And Drasil could sense it would only grow bigger.

Xxx

When Aqua emerged from the portal the first thing she saw was…sunlight.

She had to cover her eyes for a moment so they could adjust and looked around to see she was in some kind of desert. Aqua sighed, hoping she would have arrived somewhere slightly cooler but supposed Drasil had her reasons for sending her here.

"Guess I should work on finding these Gods Drasil spoke of. Though why couldn't she just send me to them-" Before Aqua could finish her own question, she heard the heard the galloping of several dozen horses.

She looked and saw a group of about several dozen men on horses with blades and there were noticeably three horses with carriages as they came speeding towards the group. Before Aqua even knew it, the men on horses and carriages surrounded the group as they all looked around. The horsemen looked like they were dressed up in ancient looking armor and clothing, some having tattoos and no shirt, while all of them had swords, Macs, hammers, sickles, chains, spears, etc. on them.

Several of the horsemen jumped off as they aimed their weapons at Aqua.

As members of the nomads walked up to the Keyblade Master, they then stopped as a bald man with no shirt and a tattoo running down his face walked up to her, he started to speak. "Who are you? And what are you wearing?"

"…My name is Aqua and what I am wearing would be called clothes." Aqua answered warily. "And I have some questions of where I am. Like where I am for starters."

"The desert child."

"I mean where in the desert." Aqua clarified.

"You are in the west, part of Lord Sidorak's territory. You should know that, especially since King Sidorak does not take well to intruders. Even the gorgeous kind." The leader said with a disturbing grin that earned him a glare from Aqua. "Well, you don't look much but after we sell you lot to King Sidorak we will get a hefty pay."

The surrounding group slowly reached down and grabbed their weapons they were keeping on them.

"And what do you mean by that?" Aqua asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Either we chain you up and deliver you to Lord Sidorak in one piece... Or if you choose to fight back, we'll be happy to deliver you in pieces." The nomad leader said as he pulled out his own sword and walked closer to the lost master.

"Back off!" Aqua summoned her Keyblade and slashed the leader, sending him flying back several feet.

The nomads seemed to gawk at the girl's weapon with amazement.

"What is that!?"

"It looks like a weapon of the gods!"

"I've never seen anything like that before!"

"It doesn't matter what kind of weapon she has! Kill her!" Another nomad yelled and the men charged at the group with their primitive steel and wooden weapons in hand.

Aqua thought she would have it easy but then, she watched as many of the nomads started gathering energy into their weapons and hands, all of them different colors and suddenly realized it would not be as easy as she thought. 'They can use magic!'

That certainly changed things and not for the better.

(Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep OST Critical Drive Starts)

"Reflega!" Aqua shouted, summoning barrier that not only blocked the magical blasts but sent many of them back.

The nomads were taken by complete surprise as they were hit by their own attacks, blasting them back and sending the horses running. Seeing she did not have to worry about hiding her magic here she brought her Keyblade above her head.

"Thunder!"

Several nomads were hit by bolts of lightning, causing them to scream in pain. Several more charged at her but Aqua slashed through them with Keyblade and knocked them back. Another man, this one carrying a large axe yelled as he charged at her, swinging his axe but Aqua cartwheeled to the side, dodging and fired an ice spell that froze the man on the spot. Aqua narrowed her eyes as the nomads surrounded her and charged.

She raised one hand and a barrier surrounded her, repelling the nomads and knocking them down.

Just as the nomads got up, a voice stopped them. "You haven't yet faced me…"

Aqua and the recovering nomads looked to see a huge man standing there, bald and buff and everything. He smirked as he marched over to them silently with his massive Mac in hand. Without even saying another word, he raised his fingers as his eyes started to glow. Soon, all the rocks beneath him soon crawl up him and surround him in a very thick lair of rock armor as he seemingly became three feet taller.

Aqua raised an eyebrow as the rock covered man stood over her but did not look worried. Just as he raised his Mac to smash her, Aqua disappeared into blur. The Mac smashed into the ground where she stood, kicking up dust. The man looked around, wondering where she went but she appeared behind him as her form exploded into a burst of light.

Aqua then went on the attack, telekinetically hurling her Keyblade at the rock man that easily smashed through his armor and the final hit sent him flying over several feet. Aqua landed on the ground as the other nomads looked on in shock and surprise. Aqua then began spinning, releasing dozens of magical blasts that hit all of the other nomads, knocking them back down.

All the while, the nomad leader was looking at this with amazement and fear in his eyes.

"This is impossible. The way she fights…It's like one of the great mages!" The leader muttered.

He charged at Aqua with his blade in hand and battled her one on one. She was definitely much younger than the warriors the nomad leader was thinking about, and much less experienced as the nomad leader actually managed to keep up with Aqua as he managed to get in a few hits on her. However the girl was just too strong willed and skilled as she knocked the nomad leader back into one of the nomad tribes carriages, which growled. The nomad leader picked himself up and looked back at the battle, only seeing the four teenagers taking her men apart like they were nothing.

The nomad leader got furious as he picked his blade back up and ran over to the carriages and slashed the locks off them, opening up all three of the carriages only to reveal a dark beast coming out of each of them. Aqua's eyes widened as three monsters, not Unversed emerged from the carriages. They had white mask like skulls and glowing red eyes. Two resembled large boars with tusks and other resembled a scorpion about the size of a horse with a golden tipped stinger.

"What are these?" Aqua wondered to herself, sensing darkness but different from what she had sensed before.

The creatures roared and charged at her with loud roars. Aqua summoned a barrier as the two boar-like beasts charged at her, sliding back as they slammed into her barrier. The barrier shattered, disorientating them and she quickly slashed at them, slashing at their eyes and fired an ice shard at one that pierced its skull. The other one roared as its counterpart began dissolving and leapt at Aqua who jumped back. She would have fired a spell at it but the scorpion monster grabbed her Keyblade with its pincers, and tossed her around before throwing her away.

She managed to somersault through the air and landed on her feet, watching as the boar charged at her again. She jumped back and prepared a spell, gathering energy at the tip of her Keyblade and released in the form of multi-colored spheres that hammered the two monsters and a moment later, they dissolved under the barrage.

The nomad leader was stunned. "Impossible. Those Grimm have fought many warriors and nomads over the years! Even though it's unbelievably hard to tame them, you can capture then and make them stronger by fighting them daily! You can't defeat these Grimm!"

Aqua looked at the nomad leader next. "Had enough?"

The nomad leader growled as he prepared to attack again, only he was stopped by a green energy blast that came from behind Aqua.

(Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep OST Critical Drive Ends)

"I believe she asked you a question."

That's when everyone finally got a look at the dark standing still. It was a man with a medium-dark skin tone with messy brown hair and eyes. He wore a blue-green tunic with a tan undershirt, a blue cape and black trousers with brown boots. Both his tunic and cape were outlined with golden markings. Over this, he wore metal armor held by brown belts and straps and was etched with ornamental patterns.

He carried a long scepter that was ornament in appearance with metal details, floral patterns and adorned with a green gem.

"It's Ozma!"

"Ozma?!"

"He's here?!"

"Run for it!"

It only took a look of this mysterious man to scare off the nomad leader as he jumped back on one of his horses and signaled the rest of his fellow nomads to do the same as they jumped on their horses and rode away. Aqua looked on with amazement as the man in front of them watched the nomads ride away.

He turned and looked at her. "Are you all right?"

Aqua dismissed her Keyblade. "I am fine."

"Good. You seem to hold pretty well against them." The man said with a friendly smile. "Not a lot of people around here can do that."

"And why is that?" Aqua asked.

"They work for Lord Sidorak. He's a warlord who has risen up in the west, taking control of this island and is slowly expanding his empire. He has remained undefeated and forced many of those he defeats to join and serve him but recently he sees to have become much stronger. He has since begun conquering any tribes, towns and kingdoms to expand his empire." The man explained. "I have come here from the north because his expansion threatens my home."

Aqua thought this over. While this had nothing to do with her, if this Sidorak was causing trouble it was possible she might run into him sooner than later.

"And his castle is nearby?" She asked.

The man nodded. "Yes. In the center of this island."

"An island?" Aqua raised an eyebrow.

"It's a rather large island with a desert but there is a settlement with water and trees in the center." The man pointed to the west. "Sidorak has begun conscripting anyone he can find to join him, hence why those men were trying to capture you."

Aqua accepted his answers for the moment. "And those monsters?"

The man looked at her in surprise. "You've never seen them before?"

"Can't say that I have but I may have seen things similar to them." Aqua admitted.

"Well, we call them Grimm. They are creations from the God of Darkness." The man answered. "They normally stay in the Land of Darkness but some of them journey out to attack villages. It appears Sidorak managed to capture and train some of them."

Creatures of Darkness created by a God of Darkness.

Aqua wasn't sure what to make of that but Darkness and Light were fundamental parts of existence and no one, not even a wielder of the Keyblade could change that.

"But where are my manners? My name is Ozma." The man smiled as he introduced himself with a bow. "And you are?"

"My name is Aqua and I'm looking for someone." Aqua said hesitantly at the end. "I think I may need help finding them."

"Well unfortunately for now you will have to seek shelter. There is no time to waste. We better leave before it gets dark and more monsters and bandits start to appear. Follow me and I will you to shelter." The man named Ozma said as he just turned around and started walking away.

Aqua just stood there for a second looking at one another unsure.

"If you don't want to become as Deathstalker's meal, follow me." Ozma yelled back and the young master followed along.

Xxx

The nomads were still riding their horses as they got closer and closer to a large building in the distance that looked like a massive coliseum. As the group made it up to the side where a large door was standing in front of them, as the top showed a large golden ram's head with ruby eyes. The leader of the nomads got off his horse as he walked up to the huge double doors.

KNOCK-KNOCK!

The doors slowly opened, allowing them to enter a high furbished thrown room. There were women clad in revealing garments and a red carpet leading up to a throne with someone sitting on it.

"What do you want? Do you have anything to offer your king?" He spoke in an intimidating voice.

"No Lord Sidorak, we just wanted to inform you we ran into a mysterious lady in the middle of the desert. She had an amazing weapon that we have never seen before! She was as powerful as a mage." The nomad leader answered.

"Really now? Even so, she is still no trouble. Now leave at once or be terminated." The shadowed man said, his guards ready to attack.

The nomad leader stepped back out of fear as he held his hands up and yelled. "Wait! Wait! Wait! We were also attacked by Ozma!"

A moment of silence passed by, before Sidorak raised his hand and the guards lowered their weapons. "Let's speak..."

Xxx

Ozma and Aqua walked through a camp in the middle of the desert with horses at manmade stables and tents and fires set up with people gathered around them. Aqua looked around and saw kids running around having fun, people in circles around the fire making swords and weapons, and much more. She continued to follow Ozma until they made it to a larger tent then the rest as a fire was burning in front of it with a pot boiling over it.

Ozma stopped walking as they followed in his tracks and stopped as well.

He turned around and looked at Aqua. "Please..."

Ozma grabbed the huge pot from the fire and placed it on the ground as he pulled off the lid and looked inside of the pot, smelling the steam that ascended from it with pleasure in his face.

"Grab a bowl and help yourself; you must be hungry after that little battle with the nomads. And follow me inside, I believe I possess information you might want to know." He said as he took a bowl and poured himself some of whatever that was in the pot before he turned around and walked into his tent.

Aqua mimicked Ozma's actions as they all walked into the tent.

It looked much bigger inside as she looked down to see Ozma was sitting on the floor crossed legged which Aqua copied him as she sat in front of him while seeing him eat. The Keyblade Master again mimicked him as she started eating the grub that Ozma was eating, but that's when Aqua gained a face of disgust and looked down at her grub…Only to see piles of massive, thick, slimy worm squirming around in her bowl.

"Grub worms are a great and nutritious meal, when you're in the dry heat of the desert, you're going to need as much water and protein as you can get. And these creatures are filled with them." Ozma said as he ate another spoonful of them while Aqua's face of disgust increased as she placed her bowl down.

"I just lost my appetite..." Aqua muttered. "So ummm…Ozma, you said you had some information for me?"

"Yes. This is a safe haven for many people trying to escape Sidorak's tyranny. I came to help smuggle them out before going to stop Sidorak myself." Ozma said as he put his pot down. "This island is far to the east, cut off from the mainland but it's perfect for raiders, bandits and even warlords to hide in because it's across the sea and there's no form of law enforcement out here. He's recently come across or created an object of power that greatly enhanced his magic."

"An object of power?" Aqua asked.

"A gem for the most part. Not unlike the one on my scepter." Ozma gestured to his scepter that was off to the side. "It channels and enhances my own magic."

Aqua looked at the scepter, sensing a magical power around it before looking at Ozma. "And you plan on confronting him?"

"I do. He is becoming a dangerous threat and the people are suffering under him." Ozma nodded with a serious gaze.

Aqua stared at him, sensing a great amount of light coming from him. He was much like Prince Charming and Hercules:

A hero.

"Do you wish my help against him?" Aqua asked.

"It would be appreciated but only if you wish it. I will not ask you to become involved in this fight that's not your to begin with." Ozma answered honestly.

Aqua raised an eyebrow, not expecting that answer but could tell he wasn't lying to her. "But if I do, can you help me find who I am looking for?"

"If you would help me, I would indeed help you in return." Ozma nodded with a smile. "I am sure with your skills helping me, Sidorak would be stopped."

"And how do we find this Sidorak?"

Before Ozma could answer, both of them heard multiple screams from the clan outside the tent as shadows of people started running around.

There were attackers outside. Without even saying a word, Ozma picked up his staff and dashed outside to face down whatever villain or monster who was threatening her people. Aqua followed suit, dashing outside and standing next to the heroic leader. They saw several men standing there in golden imperial roman-like armor carrying sharp looking spears as they approached Ozma and Aqua.

"I am going to give you one warning and one warning alone... LEAVE the camp at once, and I will spear your life, but if you attack... All of you will die... And I will travel all the way to Sidorak himself with a war party and destroy him!" Ozma yelled furiously.

The men in imperial armor just looked at each other and laughed before turning back to him.

"We have finally got information of where your camp is from a band of raiders... You and your people are now hereby property of the humble and great Lord Sidorak." One of the guards said as all of them aimed their spears as Ozma and Aqua.

Aqua summoned her Keyblade and pointed at the guards. "You heard the man."

The men stopped laughing and charged at the two warriors.

"Mini!" Aqua shouted.

There was a wave of energy and the men all began shrinking until their height was only up to Ozma and Aqua's shins. They stopped and stared at her in complete shock as she smiled, before swinging her Keyblade. Ozma joined her, slamming his scepter into the ground and releasing a green energy shockwave that knocked all of them back.

It was over in less than a minute.

The armored soldiers were all lying face down on the ground, thoroughly beaten and bruised from the two warriors that had faced them.

"That was impressive." Ozma looked at Aqua with a smile.

"It's just a simple spell. Nothing too impressive." She shrugged before becoming serious. "So, are we going after Sidorak?"

"Yes." Ozma nodded, glaring at the men before looking to the grateful civilians they had saved. "Make your way to the boats and we will meet you there."

Aqua just watched as Ozma took charge, guiding and directing the people to safety. She remembered in her vision by Janus that she had considered bequeathing the Keyblade to several people but she couldn't tell who. She wondered if Ozma had been one of them before shaking her head. Even if she had thought about it she couldn't consider that right now.

They had a warlord to stop.

She only hoped it would somehow lead her to these Gods she was looking for.