A/N- Hay everyone. Remember when I said this wasn't going to be a long drawn out project. Well my imagination has decided to hijack the story, because the more I think about it, the bigger I wanna make it.

I'll still try to keep the structure the way I planned originally, but get ready for major plot.

Anyway, Happy Reading.

King of the Sky

Chapter IV

Strange Encounters and Dark Plots

Sora groaned as he cracked open his eyes and pushed himself up off the cold, hard ground and yawned "what happened?" He mumbled and an object floated down into his vision "you passed out from exhaustion as soon as we exited to portal" the object said and Sora blinked a few times before he recognized the form of his Ghost.

Chirithy's words then registered in his brain and he scratched the back of his head sheepishly "oh, sorry about that. I guess that fight took more out of me then I thought" Sora replied. The Guardian then looked to his surroundings though and found himself in a swampy area, with a fire burning next to him "where are we?" he asked.

"Nowhere special" a voice spoke from behind him and Sora jumped to his feet and spun around to see a person standing behind him, wearing a black coat with the hood up, obscuring his face, and over his shoulder floated a black shelled Ghost with a poisonous green eye.

Sora didn't drop his guard as he eyed the man. Something about seeing that coat and the man's voice, set him on edge, like a bad memory. Which unfortunately he couldn't remember.

The man chuckled slightly as he sat down with a pile of firewood and tossed a log on the fire "no need to worry, though that's good instincts, to be weary of strange people in black coats" he said and held up a hand in greeting "call me Luxu. I'm the one who's been watching over you and your Ghost while you took your nap" he said.

Sora looked to Chirithy as if silently asking for confirmation "we might not have survived where we ended up if not for him" the Ghost replied, though he didn't sound like his usual, chipper self.

Sora looked back to the apparent Guardian "well, thanks. My name's Sora" he replied as he sat back down, though he too seamed to lack his usual sunny personality. Something about see that coat just didn't sit right with him for reasons he couldn't remember.

Luxu seamed to perk up at hearing the name, but whatever his thoughts may be, were hidden by his hood "well…that's an interesting name…" he said with an ominous undertone "so, what brings you out here?" he asked.

Sora felt a little uncomfortable as he sat there "well, it's kinda a long story…"he trailed off before looking around "where are we anyway?" he asked.

It was here the black Ghost floated down closer "this place my dear, is the Ascendent Plain" she began with a soothing voice that seamed to evaporate Sora's concerns "it is a realm that exists separately form the physical world but mirrors it. We have carved out this little space to accommodate you and protect us from the negative effects of this place" she finished.

Sora scratched his head a little as he thought on that "so…it's like the Realm of Dreams?" he pondered and the Ghost's eye brightened a little "I don't know of this realm you speak of, though it is probably connected somewhere in here" she began "I would very much like to learn more about this Realm of Dreams" she said as she floated closer.

Ether out of defensiveness or jealousy, Chirithy subtly put himself between the unnamed Ghost and Sora, who scratched his head sheepishly "sorry, but I can't remember much about it" he replied and the Ghost gave a disappointed but playful hum "oh, that's too bad" she said before floating back over to Luxu.

Chirithy hummed as he studied to two "well, now that my Guardian's awake, will you finally tell us what you two are doing out here and how you managed to make this place? I'm pretty sure I never heard of you two at the Tower" he said, his digital voice cracking with mild irritation.

Luxu just chuckled though "that's probably because I'm not a Guardian" he said and Chirithy's shell expanded in surprise before his eye narrowed at them "so you're a Risen" he said and Sora gave him a confused look "Risen?" He asked, though was more concerned what had his Ghost so agitated "Risen were what we had before Guardians. Most became cruel Warlords. I didn't think there were any left though" he answered.

Luxu just chuckled in response "you'd be surprised what you can find if you only look hard enough" he said while gesturing widely with his hands "as for why we're out here. Me and old Ghosty here, both have our own reasons. Her to satisfy curiosity. Me…I'm out here lookin' for something or should I say someone…someone who got themself lost" he said.

Sora hummed "well, is there anything we can do to help?" he asked, in spite of his feelings regarding the cloaked figure. He just couldn't help it. If someone needed help, he just had to asked.

Luxu laughed in response and waved off his concerns "thanks but no thanks. I'm already hot on the trail" he said with mirth "but what about you, new Light? What's your plan?" he asked.

Sora scratched the back of his head sheepishly "actually I'm not too sure. I'm just going where my heart leads me" he said but Chirithy floated down closer to his Guardian "yah, but we are gonna have to find a way to the City eventually" he said.

Luxu hummed as he pinched his chin "well, maybe I could help with that" he said and waved his hand.

There was a sudden flash of light and a Taken portal appeared behind them, causing the two guest to jump in surprise "uhh, thanks I guess" Sora said, a little uncertain but Luxu just waved off their unease "don't mention it. A word of warning though, watch out for the Taken. They're all over the Ascendent Plain these days. You should be able to fallow the ley lines to an exit though" he said.

Chirithy's vice crackled with surprise "wait, just like that? You don't want us to hang around for a little while longer or help with anything?" he asked but the nameless Ghost chuckled in response "no need to fret. You've already helped us far more then you know, little Light" she said.

Chirithy seamed to bristle at the nickname "don't call me that!" he said, almost pouting, earning a chuckle from Sora and Luxu both "yah, and besides, you got a lot of work to do new Light. Better get a move on" Luxu added.

Sora seamed hesitant for a moment before standing up "well thanks for everything. I guess we'll see you around" he said before prodding his still pouting Ghost "yah, see ya'" he grumbled and Luxu laughed some more "see ya' around" he said as he watched Sora drag his Ghost along until he disappeared to wherever Ghost go and Sora hopped through the portal with a final wave.

Luxu waved back until they were through "may your heart be your guiding key" he whispered once they were gone, then proceeded to laugh before pulling down his hood, revealing pointed ears, brown hair in a ponytail that was beginning to grey and a scar leading from his left jaw to his yellow eye and an eyepatch on the opposing side.

Luxu then looked to the "Ghost" and asked "so, what do you think, your royal deceitfulness?" he asked while giving a mock bow to the Ghost, who laughed at the display "he is very powerful, and a very sweet young boy…and also deliciously naïve" she said before devolving into laughter as her shell began to crack and brake, allowing black ichor and other substances that could not and should not be described, to flow out and take on the giant, chitinous form of a Hive.

Not just any Hive though, as noticeable by the bonelike growths from her head, like a crown and the massive moth-like wings, draped down like a cape.

Savathün, The Witch Queen, gave a lipless smile as her three eyes watched the portal close "I haven't feasted on such innocent naïveté in centuries" she mused as she basked in the ambrosia…

And yet her Worm still hungered for more.

The Witch Queen brushed the thoughts of her annoying Worm aside for the moment though, as she turned her gaze to her guest in her, recently relocated, Throne World "though I must admit, I'm not sure which one I find more curious. The twice anointed Guardian or you, my manipulative fellow conspirator" she mused.

Luxu gave an expression of mock hurt "my dear Queen. You surly don't mean to insinuate that I have plans against you as well" he playfully replied, to which Savathün chuckled "oh please, I am the god of lies and schemas. I knew the moment you appeared in my Throne World that you had your own plans, even before you asked me to intercept the boy" she said, without a hint of malice or slight.

Luxu merely shrugged "well what can I say. I guess we'll just have to see who can outplay the other first" he said before snapping his finger "oh, and before I forget" he said and held up a hand to the Witch Queen as Darkness covered it and Savathün gave a small gasp as she felt the dark power surge outward from her blackened heart, like a long locked door had suddenly been broken in.

Luxu smirked "there, that should be enough for you to figure out the rest. And that completes our deal" he said before turning and opening a Dark Corridor "see yah around, your highness" Luxu gave one last mock bow before entering the black portal.

Savathün chuckled lightly to herself "I think I'm actually going to miss him" she mused. It wasn't often she met someone who could match her scheming.

She brushed that thought aside though as she held a three fingered claw to her heart, and then held it out as she let pure Darkness bubble up from her hand. She then laughed as she gazed upon what event her brother could not do.

She now had the power to call forth the Darkness without communing with the Deep.

Even her Worm felt as though it were impressed, as a small Heartless emerged from her hand and she hummed her song to it, and watched as it succumbed to her will "such an innocent looking form, for such a beautifully horrid creature" she mused as she stoked the Heartless's head with one of her claws. It wasn't so very much unlike a Taken, now that she saw it.

This was far from the end though. Savathün had far greater plans for her new Dark power. So much preparation and so many schemas to set in motion.

Yes, this was only just the beginning. Oh Reader Mine.