Day 9

"I think I need to find myself a smaller blade, Dusk." Kuro murmured as he impaled his sword straight into the floorboards, having gotten annoyed after he became hyper fixated on examining himself in the large mirror he had taken from the Hotel a few days ago. The brass colored frame body mirror was posted in the corner of the cottage, sitting opposite of the bed and nestled between the window frame and the wardrobe.

The once barren bed now housed every pillow, throw and sleeping variety, as well as every different shade of fleece, duvet, and throw blanket he could carry back to the cottage over the last week. Dusk's once humble pillow now transformed into a mountain of fluffy perfection, with a cave carved out in the middle of them to retreat to should the call to slumber call them.

And nestled in the center of that pillow cave sat a small stuffed black and white cow sitting upright in the back of the feathery cavern. It quickly became Dusk's personal sleeping companion and was one of the only small toys Kuro had found while raiding a small home nearby.

Kuro's thumbs brushed over the edges of his chin and his cheeks, feeling the silver tipped stubble begin to appear along his face. He grumbled in annoyance and knocked a loose fist against the reflection, the burn of his orange eyes reflecting back at him only fueling the irritation he felt.

"There are plenty of knives out there, Kuro. Do you need any knife or should you require a specific kind of blade?" Dusk's voice mewled out as they steadied their stance in the wooden chair and grabbed hold of a can of fruit. Their eyes squinted in a heavy focus, their paws slowly lifting the can up to precisely stack it atop of the others. The Heartless held their breath as they moved.

Kuro heard the yelp first, as he glanced over at the small Heartless before he could see and hear the crashing of tin against wood. Dusk had been busy stacking the cans of fruits and beans on the center table for what was the third hour now. In specific rows of threes, twos, and ones. Then pulling them off to restack them in a different order. Fruits, beans, then fruit. The second row was bean and fruit, with the crowning can a fruit mix of cherries, pears and grapes.

Dusk had an all fruit tower at one point until Kuro snacked on a can of Pineapple chunks earlier that morning and threw off the count. Kuro walked over to the dining room table, his hand reaching over and grabbing one of the marked cans of beans and squeezed it in his hands. The can dented slightly under the pressure of his grip before he released it and let it go. His frustration turned now to one of the books he had taken from a nearby store, the page opened and held in place by a loose brick Kuro had taken from outside.

The left panel of the page shows the side profile of a man, mid-shave stroke with a straight razor. The words stating that one must shave with the grain to avoid nicks and ingrown hairs. Whatever that meant, Kuro didn't understand. He figured that any reading material would be beneficial.

"My face itches, and the book on hygiene says people shave their faces should they want to look clean and stay well kept." Kuro mumbled as he took the slightly dented bean can and walked it over to the sword. This was his first and would be the final can of the day, and despite the plan to keep rationing up unto death, he was starving. The schedule of a pastry in the morning, a can at night was beginning to wane on him physically. Tomorrow he was on his last pastry. Meaning he would either be down to a can a day, or bumping it up to two cans a day to maintain the ritual. He spun the can in his hand, feeling the contents twist and slosh inside. "I need a 'straight razor'? To shave my face. I don't think my sword here would be… appropriate. Unless I get really precise, very fast."

Few nights were spent with a growling stomach and a pawing at the walls to keep his mind focused on anything but hunger. He would have to go back out soon and continue to be more thorough. Although he had torn apart every cabinet and fridge he could find, he couldn't not find more food than what he found a week ago now.

With a swift motion of his hand, he cut the top of the can off and held the can upright to prevent spillage. Grabbing one of the dozens of spoons he had nabbed from the café on day seven, he dug into the cold beans and limp bacon with a low growl. Not gourmet but filling.

If that cook book was any indication, eating cold bean out of a can wasn't the most luxurious meal. Kuro glanced over at the piles of empty cans, doing a short account of what he had eaten thus far and what he had left. "If I keep at this eating pace, I'll have about two weeks worth of food left. Then I have four boxes of dog food that could last me at least a dozen days if I space them out correctly. If I need to, of course."

"That can't be it? Can it?" Dusk's voice heightened to a worrying tone, their eyes growing wide and their paws glancing over the cans littered along the tables. They grabbed one of the fruit cocktails and held it in their small claws. Dusk's antenna flicks and bends towards Kuro. Heartless didn't need to eat, Dusk didn't need to eat.

However, Kuro needed to eat. Kuro must eat. When people lose their hearts, they usually turn when they are killed. When an outside force kills them. The violent end of life. That made sense to Dusk. But to watch someone die ? Slowly deteriorate, like a candle whose own wet wax extinguishes its flames? That would be something new to witness.

Dusk stared solemnly at the can in their hand, a cruel image sparking in their head as they gazed upon the can. One of gaunt cheeks, exposed ribs and labored breaths. The image was haunting. Even for a Heartless. "What if you run out of food before-"

"I don't know." Kuro rolled out slowly and honestly, stopping mid spoonful to slowly wrap his lips and savor the taste of real food while he could. He didn't want to, but he hoped people would find them before he had to resort to eating the dog food. Kuro nulled over the beans thoughtfully with every swallow. "I don't know. I can go maybe…four weeks? Without food. One of those survival books-"

Kuro tables the can of beans as he walks over to the bedside, a stack of books on his portion of the bed had stacked so high he could rest the clock on the dining room table on the mound and it would sit eye level as he laid. He grabbed the first book, tossing it aside as it was a cookbook. Then he tossed the book on a beginner's guitar booklet. There, he found the survival guide. He thumbed through, finding the section on the rules of threes. "Three minutes is oxygen. Three days is water. Three weeks- it's three weeks- without food."

With a tight clench of his fingers, he slams the book in his hands. He sits on the bed, glancing over at the small Heartless as he tapes the spine of the book against his knee. The constant contact made him wince. He looks up at Dusk, a defeated smile on his face. He could feel the Heartless' anxious feelings from the bed, and it only served to make Kuro feel worse about the situation.

"It'll be alright. Dusk." Kuro nodded insincerely, straightening his back and letting out a low sigh. "It's only been a week. It'll get better."

Dusk rubbed their small claws together, jumping off of the table top and onto the floor. Their small hat bouncing with the motion as they crawl up onto the bed. Kuro turns to Dusk, a weak smile forming. Even with the thought of food on the forefront of his mind, their nightly ritual had to continue. It started as an exercise for Kuro, turned into a fun and sought after portion of their evening routine. Dinner and a light reading of a book before bed.

Kuro clicked his tongue against the back of his teeth, reaching over to the stack of books and grabbing two different volumes. The one in his right bound with violet trim, the other bound in a shining gold. "Would you like to read the Salegg volume five, or the Mava volume two?"

"Well," Dusk muttered with a high pitched cadence, crawling over to their pillow cave and crawling inside. Scooping the cow doll into their arms and holding it close to their chest. "We read volume one of Mava two days ago."

Kuro silently agreed, as he opened the book and began to read aloud. Occasionally taking a spoonful of beans between pages. His voice lowered to a whisper as Dusk fell asleep, reading for a few more pages and then calling it a night as well.

Unlike his previous dreams, he imagined sandy shores and a glowing sun. The rays warming his skin and the feeling of salt water against his hands. In his dreams he was elated by the temporary sunshine, and when he awoke he was quickly depressed by the ever present night sky.

Roxas

Day 7

The Castle that Never Was

The days go by in a blur, an agonizingly beige blur. Roxas couldn't really count the number of days that had passed since he woke up in the Castle. All of his time in this place was a healthy cycle of sleep, unfocused pacing around the facility, sleep, and staring vacantly out into the endless abyss looking over the barren cityscape below, followed by of course some more sleep. Roxas had a schedule, for better or for worse. He had a schedule.

"Eww. You're awake?" The blonde haired heard Larxene complain as soon as her sights rested on him. her nose scrunching and her eyes squinting as though she smelled something foul as soon as she took notice of Roxas. Larxene was a lithe, slim yet fierce woman. With hair that wasn't so much blonde as they were a striking lightning bolt yellow, with two large bangs pulled back and hanging off the edges of her head as antennas do. Her eyes were a shining green like Axel's, but Roxas felt a fury and sadism that couldn't be hidden. Her lips curled into a vicious snide smirk, one that felt ready to bite as harshly as she barked.

"Hey, Roxas." The eye patched Xigbar uttered as Number Thirteen walked past him on his way towards Axel. Xigbar's golden eyes focus on the Keyblade wielder, as if he were drawing his eyes, chin and hair. After a few moments, Xigbar rolled his good eye, huffing with a baffled breath before shaking his head. His hand moved through his dark hair, the deep black of the sharpshooter's gloves making the gray streaks that are interwoven in his locks pop harder to the eye. His hair was pulled back tied into a ponytail that rested between his shoulder blades. Xigbar gives the Keyblade Wielder a two finger salute, a wick grin gracing his lips as he watches the young Nobody walk along. "Welcome to the program, as they say."

Roxas ignores the words of the others, making a beeline for the only member of the organization he could point to as someone he could pick from a crowd should he need to. The staggeringly tall fiery redhead with the tattoos on his cheeks. Axel pulled his eyes away from the glass, seeing the blonde hair kid walk over to him.

"Heya, Roxas." Axel's lips curled effortlessly into a wide grin, flashing his pearly white teeth to the still zombie like Roxas. Axel's smile falters slightly, as Roxas stares at him with voided blue eyes. Axel sucks in a quick breath and blows it out in slight irritation. It's one thing to be quiet, but to stare at him like he could see right through him? It was off putting, to put it lightly. "Something I can help you with there, chatterbox?"

Roxas continues to say nothing. Axel crosses his arms in thought, trying to play off that he didn't hear big news from Number Seven this morning concerning a new member joining. The Fourteenth member of Organization Thirteen. Not for nothing, it would confuse people. A thought which made Axel feel like laughing. If he could feel anything.

"Ah, I remember now. We were supposed to convene in the Round Room today." Axel rolls his eyes, sticking out his tongue while making a retching sound roll out of his mouth. Seeing Roxas' head slightly bounce back, a harder breath bellowing out of his nose. Axel noticed immediately and smiled swiftly, he had gotten something of a laugh out of the stoic faced blondie. "Blegh, meetings…"

Roxas' eyes glanced over towards the other members of the Organization, watching his fellow coworkers begin to gather their things and march on out of the room. Roxas scours his memory at the mention of the Round Room. Wondering if he had heard of such a place before. "Round...Room...?"

Axel's eyebrows bounced up in surprise, honestly impressed that Roxas not only could repeat the words that he had said, but had the infliction in his voice that he remembered being there before.

"Two words. That's better than nothing." Axel's thought, shrugging his shoulders and pursing his lips in slight surprise that it took him an entire week to string together two words.

"Yup. Apparently the boss man's got some big news." Axel nodded his chin towards the hall leading out of the Grey Area, before his eyes turned to the floor and a short warmth echoed in his chest. Right in the center of his sternum. "Wanna head over there?"

"Okay." Roxas' spoke with hesitation, as though he were still trying to get a grasp on multi-syllable words. The 'oh' was punctuated by a fast and hard 'kay'. As if it required great concentration to get him that far. The cadence made Axel laugh, a short and soft giggle.

"Alrighty then." Axel smirks, walking over and clapping a hand around Roxas' shoulder and pulling him along. Just so the blonde zombie isn't dragging his feet to an all important staff meeting. The pair walk linked together down the hall together, Axel leading him to the proper room. "Follow me."

The Round Room was this obscenely white and sterile environment, with the thirteen looking chairs encircling the center stage of the room. The centermost chair and the highest belonged to, of course, the leader of the Organization. Xemnas sat the highest and most prestigious seat in the room, on his stage right was the second member Xigbar, then on Xemnas' stage left was the third member Xaldin. And the order would continue back and forth, with the fourth sitting on Xigbar's side and the fifth on Xaldin's and so on.

Roxas, as the newest and 'greenest' member was given the shortest of the chairs, sitting opposite of Xemnas in the cycle ordering of members. Roxas glances over at Axel, who's rubbing his chin in thought as he waits for Xemnas to begin speaking.

"Good tidings, friends. Today is a momentous day." Xemnas' baritone voice echoed in the emptiness of the room. All eyes, if they were glossed over in a daze, focused on a different member in the room, or out of boredom, didn't hesitate to turn their now undivided attention to the leader. "I am pleased to announce that a new comrade has been chosen to wear the coat."

Number Six, Vexen, right eye opened wide as his lips were pulled into a devilish smile. As it was so unnerving to see someone so rigid and calculated attempt to make a positive gesture. The Organization looks down toward the floor in anticipation, when they appear. The newest comrade who had chosen to wear the coat.

A small cloaked figure walks into the room and stands in the center. The chairs of the other members towering over her, including Roxas' own chair. Which, even at the shortest, stood at least ten feet over the head of the new member.

"Number XIV." Xemnas announced with a solemn tone, all eyes darting to the center of the Round Room. All members focused and sized up the new member of the Organization. Larxene snickered and Xaldin's eyes averted their gaze in apathy. Vexen, with that sinister grin of his, seemed the most giddy and excited for this new member. A reaction that garnered a now peaked interest in Axel, who had never seen Vexen so much as stare without that arrogance that made him one of the more divisive members of the Organization. "Let us all welcome one of the Keyblade's chosen."

The hooded figure glances around the round room to get a look at all their new comrades, their sharp chin peeking out from beneath the shadows of the hood. Their lips flash a quick smile towards Roxas, which irks him. This stranger smiling? Like it was something to do? Roxas shook his head, hands slowly curling into fists against his thighs.

His first day being introduced to the Organization, he had to be escorted by Axel into the center of the Round Room because there were moments during the day he would lose tension in his legs and collapse. Axel equated it a baby deer still learning how to walk, which Roxas still had no idea what exactly a baby deer was.

Day 12

Traverse Town

"What are you, anyways?" Kuro's finger tips skimmed over the ridges of the horn, the cold brass nearly shocking to feel after the last few days of warmer evening humidity. His other hand was gently gliding against the side portion of the weirdly shaped box. Fingertips tracing over smooth grain wood and the occasional iron nail that held the box together. A hand moved to the needle arm and flopped it around playfully, watching it bounce along its hinge and stay attached. The other tugged on the crank to test its make. Not falling apart. "Do you make some kind of noise? Does your horn work like that?"

The machine was labeled a gramophone by a brass placard on the side of the machine. Whatever a gramophone was, Kuro hadn't the slightest clue. All he knew it was shaped oddly enough and caught his eye the last two times he passed through his house.

Kuro felt curiosity get the better of him as he started to fiddle with and spun the crank around. The winding of the machine slowly spun the wheel that laid underneath the horn. First slowly, then to its appropriate speed. Moving in a carousel fashion. The whole thing was just captivating to watch. "Some kind of plate spinning device? Do you hold food?"

He had found this machine in one of the abandoned homes in an offshoot of the second district. The home formerly had been home to mountains of dog beds and where he had found those boxes of dog food. He had passed over anything that wasn't food or comfort, and just now started to gather things that were considered, 'extravagant finds.'

The first was a straight razor he found in a bathroom cabinet that he has used to keep his growing beard off and his cheeks clean. The mirror he had grabbed from the hotel was a complimentary find associated with the razor.

The second was a pair of sleeping sweats, as he has been getting sores from the jean's fabric rubbing against him as he slept. It was a fine night when he crawled into bed with gray sweats and a blanket wrapped around his body. This device would be the third extravagant find he would consider dragging back to the cottage.

Kuro shrugged, reaching over and grabbing the needle and nonchalantly dropping it onto the disc. Just to see what would happen. Maybe it would fall apart. Maybe it would continue to spin with the needle implanted in it. When it made contact, the screeching racket bellowed out of the horn was deafening and the violent scratching made Kuro slam his hands against his ears to block out the sound. It grated the walls of his skull, leaving divots in the roots of his mind.

He couldn't wait for the noise to end on their own accord if this were to continue, taking his sword in hand to prepare to smash the screaming wooden box to pieces to end both their sufferings. As he leveled the sword for an execution strike, that's when the needle found its proper groove and then it struck him.

The fingers strumming the banjo so precisely. The sharp, plucking of the strings echoing deep into his chest. Kuro felt his heartbeat falter in his chest, his fingers beginning to shake.

~ Why are there so many ~

~ Songs about Rainbows? ~

~ And what's on the other side? ~

It sang. The machine spun around the plate and it sang to him. Kuro's eyes went wide, so surprised from the sound of the song that he lost the grip of the sword, feeling it drop out of his hand. Careening towards the floor behind him. The sword dissipated into a familiar dense cloud of smoke before it even hit the floor. Saving the floorboards from being stabbed by the wide blade.

Kuro dropped to his knees so hard he swore he would get bruises on his legs. This was it. The first sound he had heard in almost two weeks and it was a welcomed psalm of a low pitched banjo player. Singing about why there were rainbow songs. Kuro stared deep into the depths of the horn, the dark shadows in the brass mouth calling to him like a siren called a sailor to the sea. The picking of this instrument easing his spirit and mellowing his heart.

~ Rainbows are vision ~
~ But only Illusions ~
~ And rainbows have nothing to hide ~

Kuro let out a shuddering sigh, his lips breaking into a soft smile as he sat there and listened. For what he wanted to last forever. The song's melody and its message held a grip in his chest that refused to let go. Rainbows were but illusions, and they didn't hide anything. They were what they were. His breathing grew to become more erratic the longer the song played, and eventually sobering tears of pure joy raced down his cheeks and dribbled off of his chin. He never thought he'd miss the sound of a voice, a real voice.

~ So we've been told, and some choose to believe it ~

~ I know they're wrong, wait and see ~

~ Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection ~

~ The lovers, the dreamers, and me. ~

Kuro listened to that song in a trance, his eyes never leaving the horn. He imagined the warmth of the sun beating on his skin from his dream, the feeling of phantom sand sift through his fingers. Whatever the rainbow connection was, he wanted to find it with the singer.

When the record finally started skipping after the song had finished, he pulled the needle off and wiped away his ever flowing tears. He huffed and cleared his throat in surprise, steadying his breath and letting the shakes of his hands recede. He decided this would make for the great extravagant find for today, and that he wanted to hear that song one more time before he went to bed that night. He then proceeded to lift up and carefully carry the music box back towards the cottage as gently and as gingerly as he possibly could. Making sure to approach every step with patience and care.

He had to share it with Dusk. Dusk would love it, he knew they would appreciate it just as much as he does. Now, to find more music discs.

Day 14

The sound of rolling thunder that crashed just outside the walls of the Synthesis shop caught his attention. The thunder was loud and powerful enough that it rattled the walls of the establishment and on reflex, Kuro brought his shield out in a readying stance to defend himself from whatever summoned that damning noise. Eyes focused on the door leading back out to the First District.

Kuro had stopped by this place multiple times, often in search of working supplies to maintain the house and the surrounding areas. Hammers, various sizes and shapes of nails, the loose straps of leather and tanned monster hides that he could carry and leave in a box beside the front door. The smelting oven was still working, the heat of it making it unbearable to stay inside for more than a few minutes at a time from earlier in the week. However, the last two weeks must have been slowly eating away at the fuel inside, as the oven barely registered the embers in the oven.

The gauges registered the once intense heat that was burning within were now barely flickering and working. Just another thing in this world that was falling apart. The recipes of whoever was the smiths of this once prosperous workshop had neglected to pack their papers. The instructions for making accessories and magical enhanced items were written in a language Kuro could not understand.

With an interesting script of a somewhat romantic language and a constant word, 'kupo' written throughout that it was the only word he felt comfortable saying aloud. Wondering if it was some kind of battle cry, or a punctuation. It was when he was trying to decipher some kind of oddly shaped weapon, a sword with a protrusion at the tip, resembling some kind of odd key. The cheek of the blade ornate with intricate metal work reminiscent of the chapel back in Hollow Bastion, his eyes scanning over the recipe when he heard the thunder crash.

Kuro approached the window of the shop, peering out into the street. Eyes squinted as he took his freehand and pulled the curtain aside. He glanced out into the First District street, there he saw a pair of floating silhouettes out in the dark. The small glow of their staff tips used to light their way through.

The pair of gliding figures had small bodies with thin arms. Swinging at their sides were these three-fingered purple paws that held their weapons. They were cloaked in these high-collared coats with golden belts around their waists. The long robes extended down over their feet and legs, hiding them as they floated through the street. Atop of their heads were these wide-brimmed, cone shaped hats. One wearing a blue colored cap, and the other wearing red.

Kuro let the curtain fall back to its resting place, extending his right hand out and calling his blade into his hand. The hue of the blade glowing dimly in the dark as its weight pulls it down to Kuro's side. Kuro slowly moved towards the door, readjusting his hold on the handle of the shield as he tenses and loosens his shoulders. A sharp breath escaping his lips as he mentally hypes himself up to fight.

With a stern kick, Kuro slams his heel into the doorknob and rockets the door off of its hinges. Surprising the two Heartless in the streets.

Kuro charges out into the dark, the Wizards immediately turning toward him and beginning to steady their stances. The blue capped wizard raising their staff and summoning a torrent of icy wind towards Kuro, the wind's current nearly knocking him off of his two feet and into the wall.

Kuro planted his feet firmly into the street, feeling a thin layer of frozen ice cover his exposed knees and shins. The iron front of the shield gets colder as it absorbs and blocks the shards of ice that were shot at him. Each pivot and repositioning of his legs snapping and cracking the ice that stuck to his jeans with each shake of his legs.

Kuro ran forward, slamming the face of the shield into the floating body of the blue capped Wizard. The contact spiking the Heartless into the opposing wall. Denting the brick and leaving a dust trail to follow the Heartless to the ground. Kuro swung his sword back to strike, only to hear the rolling thunder once again in the dark skies above and a bolt of lightning zigzagging down from the sky. Blinding the area in a flash of light and the smell of burning skin filling his senses.

The bolt slams against Kuro's shoulders and back, the muscles in his body tensing and trembling from the attack. Kuro huffs and roars through bared teeth, gnashing his teeth together to keep from barking wildly and accidentally biting off his tongue. He could feel his body tear and split from the contact, his eyes going wide and his nerves fried so hot they went from blistering pain to strictly numb before the flash ended.

Kuro turned towards the red hat Heartless, taking off in a mad sprint and slamming his blade into its torso. The blade made contact and smashed into their body violently. The Heartless tumbled to the floor, carrying Kuro's blade down with them and dropping their staff out of their hands. The metal pommel striking the ground first and echoing in the alley.

Kuro grabbed hold of the dropped staff, the golden shaft headed with two jagged purple wings now in his hand. The center of the two wings an amber orb that began to glow as Kuro's hand made contact. Kuro turned toward the downed Heartless, raising the staff and slamming it down. The sharp blade of the staff tip striking down into their forehead. The wing tip dug firmly into the skull, then a puff of smoke and matter came soon after.

Kuro turned his attention to the dazed Heartless that rested against the wall, taking the moment to inspect the staff. The amber glow flashing a bloody crimson, a deep sea cerulean, and a glimmering gold. His breathing mellowed and he focused on the Heartless. A heavy breath through his nose as he rose the staff above his head.

"Burn!" Kuro waved the staff in front of him, the tip of the staff surged with crackles of dark energy as a ball of orange flames rolled from Kuro towards the blue capped wizard. The flame made contact, the Heartless engulfed in a dark persistent flame. The Heartless roared in a disheartening wail, their body slowly burned into an ember of what it once was. Kuro threw his arm up, eyes aglow in a deep rage. "Bolt!"

From the sky it thundered, a zipping golden bolt crashing into the Heartless, zapping it into dust and smoke. The Wizard was dead, leaving its staff on the ground.

Kuro walked over slowly, taking up the second dropped staff and resting it along his shoulder. The wings dug into his shoulder as he heaves and huffs. He choked up on both of the weapons, carrying them comfortably towards the gate leading to the Third District. He needed to rest. He needed to sleep off that bolt of lightning and heal.

The walk towards the stairs to the main square wasn't the hard part of the path home. It was the step down the stairs that got to Kuro. Each step of the way down the stone stairs feeling a little heavier than the last, and sending shocks up his back and making him whinge. The first few stairs were hard on his chest and his lungs, the following steps made him feel as though his back was twisted and being scratched. The very last step took him down to his knees when he felt the pain rocket into his back enough to send him to the floor.

The aching pain of the thunder bolt against his body finally made itself thoroughly known and he groaned out a harsh painful sigh that echoed into the barren street. The fall had him dropping the staves and resting his hands against the stones to keep himself from falling onto his face. Kuro was bent over, groveling on the ground and grumbling in a nearly numbing pain. Dry heaving and shaking in his spot.

Kuro reaches down into his messenger bag, fumbling with the latch with his shaking hands for a few moments before he pulls out one of the red bottles. With a shuddering growl, he threw back his head and drank the blood colored liquid down. The taste of it reminded him of cherries and strawberries.

Kuro took a deep chested sigh as he felt his back's open sores reattach and lose their tender touch. The blistered heat bubbles across his shoulders deflating and skin returning to their normal state. The hi-potion was well worth the grab, and he needed to remember to always carry one with him going forward.

With Kuro's body healing and his breathing erratic still, he took a moment to just exist in the present. Sitting back on his heels just under the lantern lights of the First District square. He focused on slowing his breathing, shutting his eyes and listening. Focusing on the humming of the bulbs in the lanterns. Trying to make it the only thing he could hear. The only thing he wanted to hear.

With a determined mind and his hands unsteadily reaching down to grab the dropped staves, he prepared to make the walk back home. He opened his eyes and glanced up at the light above him.

That's when he saw it. The lantern lights slowly flicker, flashing and dying. Before Kuro could even process it, the lights then went dark. Kuro's heart dropped into his stomach as he saw the world around him disappear under the night sky. The electricity that had been running throughout the town must have finally stopped.

The only thing that held any light that he could see were the twinkling star lights that shine above. Kuro glared up into the midnight sky, the heavens above so far away. People were safe in their homes, with bellies full of food and surrounded by family.

He wanted to hate them. He wanted to hate them because they were so far away from here, so far away from the dark. Their days were full of laughter and warmth. Full of sound. Full of light.

But he couldn't. Even as much as he wanted to, he couldn't hate them.

"Hey!" Kuro shouted, his fists tightening around the staves as he roared towards the heavens. His voice carried through the darkness around him. Carried it to no one. "Anyone! Answer me! Please! Please! I… Please…"

Kuro's voice lowered to a whimper, lips trembling and his eyes beginning to adjust to the night. The gray silhouettes of the gates and the stones below him become more tangible.

"I don't want to die here… Please… Someone… anyone…help me."

The darkness answered with silence, leaving Kuro alone in the dark. Kuro accepted the silence from the heavens, and rose from his feet to meet the dark.

"Ok. Ok. Get up. Get up." Kuro assured himself as he walked through the gates leading to the Third district. The district was silent and cold. The fountain of the canine lovebirds was now a silhouette of shadows in the corner of the district. Kuro walked up the steps and headed inside the cottage.

The walk into the cottage was met with a pair of golden eyes, Dusk's form truly accustomed to the dark. The golden eyes of theirs were the only thing Kuro could see in the cottage. Kuro shut the door behind him, walking over to the dining room table and feeling for the chair. His shuffled foot crashed into empty cans of food and knocked over stacks of books, both read and on the reading list alike.

Kuro sat down when he felt the chair and pulled it out. With a heavy sit, he buried his head into his hands and let out a defeated sigh.

"What happened?" Dusk asked in a low voice, the tone of it reflecting the dread that surely radiated off of Kuro. Kuro turned towards the small Heartless, offering a low frown in the dark.

"The light's gone."

Day 16

"Alright, there we go." Kuro grimaced as he ran his left thumb between the open sores and blisters along the inside of his right handed fingers. Having pulled out splinters and rubbing fresh callouses. He glanced over at the now burning pile of wood he had gathered around the front of the cottage, enclosed around it were piles of loose bricks he had broken away from nearby walls to protect it from spreading and keep it contained.

Kuro fumbled through the survival booklet that he had opened beside him, which said to build a sturdy fire required to build a pit for it to protect the flames.

Carry the Fire. The mantra of the chapter was that human beings need to always carry the fire. Be it in their hands or in their hearts, having the fire is important. The busted chairs and tables he had spent the better half of the day gathering these kindling by either dragging them from the cafe in the first district and smashing them against brick and mortar or breaking them in pieces with his sword and carrying them from the hotel rooms tucked under his arms. All this was guided by the poor torches he made out of a securely wrapped curtain and a square chair leg.

Kuro groaned as he stretched his hands out over the open flame. The heat easing the pressure of his sores as he sat down near the brick circle and enjoyed the heat.

He watched the fire's smoke plume up into the night sky, the heat vapors displacing the stars above him in a wavy way. Kuro cleared his throat to yell.

"Dusk! Fire's going. Come on out."

On cue, Dusk scurried out of the cottage, the door swinging open and their blue insulated jacket dragging against the stone and one of the two wizard's staves held tightly in their claws. Their nails scratching over the wing tipped portion of the staff anxiously. The fire was deadly to them, but the measured heat of the fire was irresistible and lovely. Dusk walked over to the furniture pyre, their shivering ceasing as they rested by the flames. The jacket heated up immediately.

"Why didn't you wait for me to start the fire? I need to practice with the staff." Dusk murmured, eyes half lidded and their antenna curling back as they pouted. Kuro chuckled at the sight, glancing over at his companion before reaching into his messenger back and pulling out a can of baked beans. Summoning his sword and slicing off the top, he places the tin can on one of the bricks that was based along the roaring fire, letting the meal get warmed up by the flames.

"I got impatient." Kuro grumbled with a grin, snickering to himself as he watched the can. Quickly spinning the can around for even cooking, blowing on his fingertips to cool them down. "This is the first real fire I built, you can light the next one. Promise."

Kuro crossed his legs, sitting down on the ground with his elbows resting on his knees. He glanced up at the skies, staring up at the starlights and the canvas of sky painted by shimmering worlds. The distance of the worlds felt like they were lightyears away, yet he was sure if he could just reach his arms out just enough, his nails could carve into the dark and hit them.

Kuro stared at his hands, the damage he's taken over the last few weeks, the dwindling supply of food, the fact his world was just cloaked in darkness began to settle into him. He felt so tired, so hungry, and so alone. His eyes absentmindedly resting on his sword, the chilling blue hue of the blade reflecting the glow of his eyes.

"Dusk… Do you know what happens? When you die?" Kuro asked, his gaze resting on the heavens as he spoke. His voice was low, trembling, and had an air of fear to it. "I just… I want to know what to expect. Just in case, for the worst, you know."

"For Pure Heartless, I suppose we go back to the Abyss. Until we are called out again. The Artificial Heartless, I imagine they just… go away. Their hearts return to the body." Dusk shrugged, glancing over at Kuro. Dusk's eyes glistened in an unfamiliar feeling as they looked over at Kuro. It was a feeling that was associated with death, but it was deeper than pain. It was deeper than loss. Dusk couldn't put a word on it, as they stared at Kuro. Whose eyes reflected in deep thought as he stared up into the night sky. "Kuro… are you-"

"I don't know. I was just thinking about… What will happen to me?" Kuro questioned, eyes squinted as he grew more unfocused and stared into the dark spaces between the stars above. "I might die here. And I think I need to start… coming to peace with that."

"You're not going to die here, Kuro." Dusk assured Kuro, even if they weren't sure if there was any way to help him. Dusk couldn't make food. Dusk couldn't bring the lights back. Dusk couldn't call out for help. Kuro was an island, and Dusk couldn't save him.

"I wish I believed that, Dusk…" Kuro saw the beans in the can begin to bubble and steam, and with the back of his hand, moved it away from the flame as far back as he could on the brick. Kuro rose to his feet with a stretch to his arms, turning towards the cottage. "I'm going to get a spoon. Be right back."

Kuro walked inside, shuffling around in the dark to get the spoon.

Dusk heard shifting of the gates that lead to the first district, their head turned towards the sound as they rose from their spot. Dusk's claw scratched the amber orb between the wingtips, and began walking over to the steps. Dusk's way lit, they shuffled down the steps and moved further down into District Three.

Dusk reached the bottom level of the district, the gates were pushed steadily open and this lithe silhouette walked out. Their pitch black leather coat blending them into the dark, the silver tassels glinting from the light emanating from the staff. Dusk's eyes go wide as they see a pair of piercing blue eyes, spiky brown hair, and a youthful face. Dusk dropped their staff, frozen in their spot.

It was him, it was the wielder of the Key. It was the Heartless' greatest fear.

"Sora…" Dusk murmured in absolute fear, as Sora raised their gloved hand and a ball of bright red flame began to grow in their hand. Dusk tried to grab their staff, but couldn't move their arms. Instead, Dusk did the next best thing for them. "Kuro!"

Dusk wanted to run, but couldn't find it in them to do so. The fear is overwhelming and damning. Dusk felt those cool blue eyes of the Keyblade wielder focused on this lone Heartless, void of any mercy or sympathy. The flame ball was thrown with a heavy hand, spiraling towards them at great speed. Just before the flame makes contact, a dark shadow bolts down the stairs and moves in front of them.

Kuro shielded Dusk from the spell, the flame displacing across the face of the canine's shield and spreading out in a wave across the dark area around them.

Kuro lowered his shield, their orange eyes glowing in the dark as they focused on this intruder who decided to intrude on his world. To attack his friend. The stranger wore a cloak similar to the red haired individual that sent him here, although they were much smaller, their frame more graceful and small.

Their hood was pulled over their head, their round chin poking out as they crooked their head curiously at Kuro. Their hands flexed and relaxed intermittently as they focused. Kuro glanced over at Dusk, nudging his head towards the stairs in a not so subtle way. Dusk agreed immediately, scurrying up the stairs in a haste. The cloaked figure motioned to follow Dusk, a few steps being taken only for Kuro's sword to appear in his hand and tap the cheek of the blade against their chest.

Stopping them in their spot.

"No you don't." Kuro stated sternly, their voice dropping to a guttural growl, shoving the cheek further into their chest and knocking them back. The figure took the shove, taking a few steps back before steadying their stance and focusing on Kuro. Kuro banged the cheek of the sword against his shield, the sound of iron on iron ringing in the area. Kuro's arms spread out to beckon this cloaked stranger to challenge him.

The stranger answered immediately.

They swiftly sprinted off to the right, each hand holding a handful of fire and serving it to Kuro in quick throws. Kuro followed their sprint, each fireball met with a shield bash to break the spell and turn them into puffs of gray smoke. Pfft. Pfft. Pfft. Pfft.

Kuro trailed behind the stranger with his sword, finally catching up enough to take out measured strikes to cut them down. Each swipe of his successfully ducked under, each overhead chop or upper cut swing was dipped out of the way by this swift hooded spell caster.

The stranger webbed out their hands, small currents of electricity zipping between their fingers as they threw their hand up into the air. The roll of thunder echoing in the night sky.

Kuro, not wasting a moment, raised his shield up in defense. The bolt of lightning crashing into the open maw of the iron canine, the spell successfully blocked as it briefly illuminates the area. Kuro notices the reflection of the lightning in the stranger's blue eyes, hidden in the hood of their cloak.

"Can't trick me with that-" Kuro began to shout before getting a punch to the throat. The contact of the gloved hand made him cough and gasp for air for a moment. With Kuro briefly dazed, the stranger pulled their arm back and summoned another ball of fire into the palm of their hand. Kuro moved his shield arm to block the incoming attack, only to feel the glove clamp around his forearm and discharge the spell directly into him.

The impact of the spell in such a close proximity causes a blast that rockets both Kuro and the hooded figure in two different directions. Kuro slams into the fountain face in the dark, denting in the image of the two dogs and his skull crashing against the metal before landing in the low basin of water below. His rage immediately spiking as once again he was wet.

The stranger is sent careening into the bottom stairs of District Three. Their back and shoulders catching the brunt of the fall. Their groans of pain have a high pitched feminine sound to them. Kuro's eyes narrow as he groans out of his own pain as well.

Kuro shook his head as he tightened the grip around his sword, his ears ringing as he slowly rose to his feet. His eyes transition from a fiery orange to a burning golden shade as he tightens his fists and slams his heel into the ground. Darkened flame swirled and covered his form, his skin darkening to a charcoal gray for a brief moment before he felt his rise of bile shoot up his throat, his eyes returning to their typical orange and his charcoal gray retreating to return to his typical copper toned skin.

The lack of food, the dire mindset of his situation was truly starting to wane on him, he felt so slow, and so winded by this short scrimmage. Whatever rage he tried to utilize was squandered due to his lack of energy.

"I am so tired." Kuro felt his mind echo as he ran his hand over his open mouth as he pants heavily. "I can't keep doing this…"

He steadies his stance and readjusts the grip of his sword, pointing the tip towards the stranger with a strained look in his eye. He wasn't well, but he would be damned before someone hurts Dusk.

"You came to the wrong world, stranger." Kuro stated, twisting his sword in his hand as he watched the stranger slowly move away from the steps and begin to move towards him. Those blue eyes of theirs shining in the dark. "You can quit. No shame. Just leave, and never come back."

The stranger shook their head, their hands coiling into fists and their shoulders tensing. They got into a fighting stance. Their heels nearly touched and their elbows brought close to their chest. Kuro groaned, nodding solemnly in response.

"Yeah, yeah, ok." Kuro spun the sword in his hand letting the weight carry it in circles before letting out a sharp breath and flexing his legs and arms. "Ok, let's go!"

The hooded figure charging towards him with their left hand covered in a layer of ice. The dense smoke of the ice trailing behind them as they run.

Kuro juked to the left, swiping with their sword in a downward strike. The strike misses, the blow hitting the floor and smashing the stone underneath. The hooded figure rose their fist and cracked it against Kuro's chin, their wrist bending on impact and bruising them. The stranger took a few flash steps back, putting distance between them and Kuro. Their free hand rubbing the back of their stinging wrist as Kuro swiped at them with his sword in wide swipes.

Kuro growled in annoyance, chasing after them with a sure charge. Taking the sword into both hands, Kuro took a wide swing and smashed it against the stranger's side as they were distracted by their hurting wrist.

The cloak's magically enhanced armor didn't allow the blade to cleave through as Kuro had planned for, but offered no defense with displacing the power behind the strike, as evidenced by how the stranger's body rag dolled against the ground after the blow was struck. Kuro walked forward, jumping into the air and bringing the sword down to spike it through the hooded figure.

The stranger grunts out a painful sigh as they roll out of the way, the sword smashing into the cobblestone floor down to the hilt, a smoke cloud of ground rock puffing up into Kuro's face. The hooded figure's hand begins to swirl with another ball of flames to be thrown. Kuro unsheathes his blade from the floor, running towards the stranger. The hooded figure throws the fireball, Kuro's blade smashing into it. The blade's metal glowing bright red for a brief moment before the spell gets parried.

On contact, the blade extinguishes the fire but leaves a huge cloud of black smoke in its wake. The huge cloud coating the lower level of the Third district in a thick dense fog. The stranger spins in their spot, listening to the movement in the dark for where Kuro was. Footsteps to the left, a ray of frost is sent out only to collide into the wall.

Behind her, a fireball misses their mark. When the sound echoes from the right, the stranger raises their hand and calls a bolt of lighting somewhere in the dark. The thunder rolls and the bolt of lightning smashes into the ground, the silhouette of Kuro illuminated as it hits the ground behind him.

A pair of orange eyes flashing in the dark and the light of the lightning flashing in the cheek of the blade. Before the hooded stranger could react, Kuro struck.

Kuro slammed their shoulder into the stranger's chest and knocked them off of their feet and onto their back. Leaving no room for reprieve, Kuro mounted them immediately, forearm pressed into their collarbone and the tip of the blade fixed above their throat. The rageful orange meets the alarmed blue.

"You should have given up." Kuro grunted as he pulled the sword back to deal the finishing blow. Sending this enemy back into the pitch.

The stranger in response raised their hands and clapped them to Kuro's cheeks, thumbs moving steadily towards his eyes to stop him from striking. As the stranger rose in their spot to drive their thumbs further, their shoulders left the stone and the weight of the hood pulled back and revealed the hooded stranger's face to Kuro.

Her eyes were a pair of gentle sea ocean blue when shown with the rest of her face, her hair was straight and colored jet black, hanging short on her head. Her chin was soft and round, her face currently in a grimace as she struggled for her life.

Kuro's eyes went wide, dropping his sword in shock and stepping off of her immediately. His hands resting against the stone floor beneath him as he stares wondrously at this stranger. A person, a living breathing person. Who is currently backing away from him and staring daggers at him. Regardless, she was a person.

Her eyes whinging in pain. She carefully rolls her wrist, when it reaches a certain stretch, she groans out in pain and cries out gently.

Kuro feels a twinge in his chest, his eyes softening as he watches her in pain. He lets out a short chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Why do you look like Kairi?"Kuro mumbled to himself, his breathing shallow as he crawled up onto his knees, taking in a heavy breath and working hard to get himself up onto his feet. Dusting the excess dust and soot off of his jeans and jacket as he walks over to the hooded stranger. He reaches down into his messenger bag, hoping she'll understand the gesture and pulling out a small red potion and walks it over to the stranger.

She holds her hand up into an open palm, the tips of her fingers sparking tiny flames before they die immediately. Kuro raises a hand slowly, trying to show her he meant no more harm. She tightens her hands into fists.

"Relax, it's ok. I'm not going to hurt you anymore." He takes the cap off and drinks some of the potion before her. Showing her he was going to share with her a drink he would partake of himself. He places the potion down, the glass knocking against the stone floor echoing as he takes a step back and keeps an eye on her. Her blue eyes darted from the quarter drank potion and back to Kuro. He gestures his chin towards the drink. "It'll help with your hand."

The hooded stranger grabs the potion off the ground and quickly drinks it, tossing the glass aside when she gets to the last drop. Letting the empty container shatter on the ground. The noise made Kuro laugh. She rolls her wrist around again, the pain subsiding and eventually disappearing entirely.

She glares at Kuro, rising up onto her feet. Her closed fists still up and ready to fight. Kuro shakes his head, shrugging his shoulders.

"I don't want to fight you." Kuro states plainly. She curiously cocks her head to the side, slowly moving back towards the gates of the Third District. She walks to the doors, casting a glance over her shoulder before pushing through the gates and exiting. Kuro watches her leave, lips curling to a soft grin. "Goodbye."

– The World that Never Was –

"Xion, did you complete the mission as ordered?" The scarred Nobody spoke candidly and directly, their baritone voice carrying in the barren Grey Area. His eyes were void of any feeling surveying the landscape beyond the imposing glass windows in the lounge area.

Xion, the now hooded black haired girl, simply shook their head in response. The scarred Nobody's eyes squinted as he turned from the window. Away from the abyssal gloomy skies of a world that never truly was.

His slow gait thundered in the hall with each stomp as he approached her. He sees her coat is covered in soot and ash, the abdomen area torn and impacted from what could have been a deadly blow. His arms folded behind his back, his gloves creaking together as he tightened his fists. When he finally stops, he looks over her, his intense glare now focused on her.

"Why not? Did you plan on disappointing us on this, your first outing?" The scarred Nobody asked, Xion once again shook her head. As he opened his mouth to reprend her some more, he heard a distant sound. His eyes darted from her up to the hallway, the sound of clicking heels reverberating up the walkway. Axel approached the lounge area with his hands folded behind his head. His red locks bouncing with every step. "Dismissed. Get yourself cleaned up. Look presentable."

Xion walks along, walking past Axel as he approaches the scarred Nobody. His eyes scanned her over as he passed along. His lips pouting as he sees the extent of her damage. The scarred Nobody returned to the window, staring out into the vast nothing. His intense glare reflected in the glass.

"Saïx, who cleaned her clock? I thought you were sending her to a nothing place to get her bearings?" Axel inquired, his thin arms bending out as he let out a heavy yawn. Smacking his lips together.

"I was told on a recent reconnaissance mission that the world of Traverse Town would be an ideal place to do warm up excursions." Saïx grumbled with his chin dipping down. His eyes shifted to stare at Axel's reflection in the glass. "An expedition that was established by you."

"I don't know what- oh. " Axel's face drops, his lips curling to a devious smile as he snickers softly to himself. Raising a gloved hand and rubbing his chin in thought. "I really should have… had a better look at the place. Who'd she run into?"

"What did you leave there, Axel?" Saïx asked, crooking his neck to the side and staring at the red headed Organization member. Axel smirks, his eyes turning to the window.

"Someone who popped up on Lord Xemnas' radar as soon as he was spit out." Axel stated plainly, huffing out a sigh through his nose as he meets Siax's gaze. "However… I must say. He must be putting in the work if Traverse Town hasn't been overrun with Heartless yet. He could be useful. Just a thought." Axel tapped his temple with his two fingers. "Got it memorized?"

"Next time, notify me immediately should you act out of turn. Particularly high acuity targets." Saïx stated turning his torso until he nearly bumped chests with Axel. " We cannot have little secrets. Understood?"

"Crystal." Axel responded nonchalantly, nodding his head towards Saïx before walking off down the hall. Saïx watched him go, before turning back towards the window. Saïx grumbled lowly.

"You're being sent to C.O in the next few days to deal with our issues in the Castle. Make arrangements." Saïx ordered, hearing Axel's feet pull to a sure stop. A contemplative stop. Saïx shifted his eyes to see Axel's back in the window pane. His shoulders tensed and his hands pulled into tight fists. However, after a brief moment, he loosened his muscles and let out a breath. Then started back to his walk. Axel's silence was his compliance with what must be done. Saïx nodded to Axel's reflection before he disappeared into the dark. "Dismissed, Axel."