"So, Shinra has made its home base on a world called Midgar? That's where you all are from?" Kuro noted while he stared at the various blueprints of Shinra Company areas in Midgar, some of these being huge rigs of mineral gathering plants and others of their smaller military bases. Detailing exits and guard counts and the like.

"Yeah, and Shinra has multiple worlds under their belts that they have been farming for years. Spira, Ivalice, the Goddamn Galbidian government basically rolled out the red carpet and welcomed them with open arms on their world." Barret spoke with a pointed tone, it seemed just saying the word Shinra made his mouth turn sour and his blood boil. He walked along the table, pointing at the star map of the worlds he spoke of, and jammed his finger atop the world of Midgar. Noted with a small impression of a globe, with a city divided into sectors and a huge corporate building in the center of the divisions. "And that's where the big bastard kicks his feet up. Shinra headquarters on Midgar. In the center of it all, like some kind of King."

Kuro stops mid step having started staring at the image of a colossal robot blueprint, the machine was outfitted with heavy set combat armor, caterpillar tracks underneath it for movement and several high caliber machine guns that were more robust than Barret's war machine. Hell, the guns stood taller than Barret did if the sketch's scale were to be accurate. Kuro raises his eyebrows while taking a healthy spoonful of his now fourth MRE bag as he walks around the table. Tapping the robot's machine with the rounded end of the spoon. Hoping to avoid dropping chili sauce onto the papers. "These things look dangerous."

The new base of Avalanche was set in the cafe that Kuro had purposefully began to tear away as continue building his kindling pile and to continue being warm for the number of days to come. Since the lights have returned, Kuro had gathered what little furniture he could scramble alongside Barret to reorganize and make the cafe presentable and usable for their new base of operations.

That being said, there were only a few more chairs and tables that could be salvaged. The two tables that remained in the restaurant were joined by a few hotel night stands and a dresser that was taken from a home for more surface area and to hold supplies. Namely, MRE bags, boxes of first aid kits and armfuls of empty magazines. With no ammo for them to be filled with.

The chairs ranged from a few stools that Kuro had accidentally forgotten to destroy and upholstered decorative chairs that lined the hotel and their rooms. Kuro had offered to move the beds to someplace more comfortable, but Barret had informed him that there was enough movement for one day and that they would figure out sleeping arrangements later.

"They are dangerous, tough as shit and mean as hell." Barret knocked his fist against the table top, and let out a bemoaned groan. His frustration with the machine reflected some harsh memories he shared with it. Prior engagements with these Shinra bots were difficult but they were fallible. They could be destroyed. His frown flashing a pair of bared teeth as he stares at the Midgar map. The idea of charging into Shinra headquarters and making the President pay for his crimes was tempting. However, they were not at all in the position to launch an all out assault. "But that's not the mission right now. First things first, is to get the rest of our team back here to Traverse Town. Which means, getting back onto the world of Midgar and collecting our remaining members. Jessie, enlighten me on where we are with our people."
"Well, Barret," Jessie leaned back on the cafe counter, taking her hands and hoisting herself up onto the top of it to sit down. Legs dangling off the side of the bar as she stares at Barret and Kuro. Both of them have turned to her to listen. Her feet kicking in the air as her head bobs from side to side. Her ponytail swinging from shoulder to shoulder. "Wedge and Biggs are currently in Sector 7 with Aerith's mother, so they should be safe for the time being. Elfe and Shears are supposed to be working with Fuhito to establish a secret base on Midgar for us to return to. And to be honest, I don't know where they went after we got all split up so I don't know how reliable that information is. But they're strong. They should be alright while we continue to set up shop here in this world."

Barret rolls his eyes, shaking his head with disdain as he turns his attention back to the map. Finger trailing over various entrance points and choke points that could be advantageous. Imagining the President's head with every heavy handed finger jab into the tabletop.

Kuro's attention was pulled elsewhere, however. His eyes wander slightly as he admires Jessie from his spot, bouncing from her eyes and lips and trailing down her breastplate to her knees and shins. She was very pretty, with kind eyes and a lovely smile. Kuro had to admit.

A look Jessie notices immediately as she nonchalantly crosses one leg over the other, emphasizing her plump thigh with a slow trailing fingertip. A breathy low sigh escaped her lips as she did. The canvas constricted against her muscle and showed how much leg was hidden under her pants, seeing it catch Kuro's attention immensely. Combing over the outside of her thigh down and sliding it under her bottom. Catching the way she moved made Kuro's jaw clench as he watched.

Her eyes squinting deviously, lips pursed to a soft press which made Kuro quickly avert his gaze and let out an uneasy breath. Feeling his blood pump faster and his breathing get somewhat erratic at the sight of her emphasizing her legs and her forlorn eyes. She made his heart race without saying a word. Without holding a weapon. An odd sensation for him to feel. He takes another bite of an MRE and returns to the table top. Trying to calm himself down.

"So, the bulk of the plan is we are going to go to this world and save your friends? Bring them back here and build the team back up? That should be simple enough, yeah." Kuro mumbled, hearing Barret chuckle as he glanced up from the plans and turned his attention back to the younger man. Raising his brows to him. Who raised his own brow at such a reaction.

"Simple? Sure. I'll accept this plan by calling it simple. Easy? Hell no. Shinra is on high alert since we made the jump into the ocean between worlds, and they sure as shit going to be ready to tear our asses into pieces if we go in there without a plan and go in loud." Barret noted, nudging his chin towards Kuro with an enthused smile. "I appreciate your tenacity, but you can't just walk into a dance like this without knowing the steps beforehand. Understood, kid?"

"Yeah, I think I get it, Barret." Kuro nods in a short understanding, his left foot tapping in quick successions of ones, twos, and threes. "We need to have a proper plan, not just a general idea."

"Exactly. Pay attention to me, and you might even learn something." Barret notes with a soft chuckle, then hearing the door open after. His eyes darted up to meet the body that walked on through. Riona walked into the cafe with a pep in her step, Alongside her, a hound with brown and white markings trails in behind her. Kuro's eyes dart to the canine as he takes a hesitant step back. Angelo's hair stands on edge when they sniff the air, the dog barks and bares their teeth at him. Rinoa grins, shooting Kuro a fond smile as she reaches down and pets Angelo.

"Relax, Kuro. Angelo's a nice dog. Aren't you? Angelo? Aren't you, baby?" She says whilst rustling Angelo's neck tuft and brushing their fur with their fingers. The dog's wide tongue lapping up into the air and their leg beginning to shake in its spot as Rinoa finds that one good spot and makes the dog whimper in delight. Kuro gives her a flat grin in response, extending his hand over towards the mixed breed.

The dog turns as Kuro approaches and snaps at the air towards him, letting out a loose bark at Kuro. Prompting him to pull his hand back.

"Angelo! Down! I'm so sorry. He isn't usually like this." Rinoa stated, grabbing Angelo by the scruff and making the dog sit down. They do so without further insistence, remaining in place until otherwise stated. Kuro winced at the sound of the bark, glancing over towards the Cafe doors and then back to the group. The image of golden hued stares and an insulated blue jacket popping into mind.

"Yeah, good dog. Speaking of being nice… I am going to go get my friend. All I ask is that you all please… keep an open mind. Be right back." Kuro muttered as he made his way over toward the cafe doors and walked out into the First District plaza. Kuro took a moment to bask in the light of the lantern lights as he marched over to the busted open gate leading to the Third District. As Kuro crossed the threshold entering the Third District through the now busted gate, Kuro marched into the square with his hands cupped around his mouth.

"Dusk! Come here! Dusk!"

The echoing of his voice thundered in the barren plaza. His eyes scanned over the area and realized the damage that had been inflicted upon this once beautiful place. The hundreds of bullets that had made contact with the walls had blown out divots from the intense impact of the gunfire. Their fight had covered the square floor in these layers of crumbled stone debris and spent shell casings. Kuro's eyes then turned to notice the singe marks along various surfaces from multiple missed fireballs from Xion and the numerous holes carved out in the walls and floor by Kuro's sword in some way or another. Kuro rested his hands on his hips, circling in a short rotation as he walked along the square. Kicking up shell casings with every step.

"Dusk!" Kuro called out again, seeing the small Shadow peek around the corner of the rising stairwell, the brim of their wide hat pulled up and showing their illuminating golden eyes amongst the dim lights of the Third District. The relief Kuro felt eased the tension in his chest and shoulders. Sighing out an easy breath. "There you are, friend."

"What are you doing with those soldiers? Those strangers could have killed you." Dusk exclaimed, their small paws combing over their round cheeks as they approached Kuro with an anxious stride. Their tiny feet shuffling over towards Kuro as he leans down to their level. Avoiding the sharper edges of stone debris as they moved. "That big man almost killed you. That gun on his arm could have torn you into pieces."

"I did throw the first punch on that one. I asked for that fight, I must admit. Besides, they seem like good people, Dusk. Granted, a little aggressive off the cuff but they are in need of a place to stay." Kuro stated, his arm reaching out to wrap around Dusk's back and pull them up to sit on his shoulder. Their heels tapping against his chest as the two of them walked towards the First District. "And they are like us. They have no home, the home they had was lost."

"To Darkness? But Sora-" Dusk began to mutter, only for Kuro to walk through the threshold and back into the First District. Kuro shook his head, walking past the lamp posts and towards the Cafe. Slowing his stride to enjoy the light illuminating off of the lanterns once again.

"No, they lost their world to this organization called Shinra. I guess they're like some kind of company that deals with harvesting worlds for resources." Kuro shrugs as he stares at the lamppost. Once again admiring the light and the warmth of the bulb. Kuro continued to go over to the front doors of the building and grabbed a hold of the handle. "Now, let's make a good first impression, yeah?"

"Is that an issue for me?" Dusk asked with a caustic tone, their eyes squinted in confusion as they tapped their paw along the top of Kuro's head. The claws displace some of Kuro's strands of silver hair. "Your new friends came to this world with guns blasting."

"You are a Heartless, friend. And they said they had been dealing with the likes of your kind for a decade. I'm sure they won't just start blasting if you walk in with me at your side." Kuro noted, letting out a soft sigh at the end of his sentence. The thought of someone having to fight the Heartless for ten years? It irked him. "Now, let's make you some new friends."

From inside, he could already hear the dog beginning to growl and yip towards them. Warning the group of the darkness just outside. The hound must've smelt the Heartless through the door.

Kuro's hand tightens around the knob, the other reaching up to pat Dusk's side to ease the stress they both were beginning to feel. And with sharing a quick glance for assurance, Kuro opened the doors and walked on in.

The room held their breath as they walked into the Cafe. The room fell quiet as Avalanche focused on the two of them. Kuro reached up to place a protective hand on Dusk, taking his right foot and placing it behind him to put his body in between the group and Dusk.

Rinoa had held Angelo by the scruff, who began to bark and holler towards the pair with bared fangs. Her hand trying to calm the hound down as she shushes and whispers for the dog to calm down.

Barret's eyes squinted as he stared at the small Shadow mounted on Kuro's shoulder. Slowly pulling away from the table and approaching the two. His thundering footsteps echoing in the room as the large gunman walked. Wondering what kind of magic caused this tiny creature to start wearing a child's small blue jacket and a wide brim hat. His narrowed eyes focused on the Shadow.

"So, this is the friend you've been hiding from us?" Barret grumbled, his face leaning in close to the Shadow as he lifted the brim of the hat with his left hand. "Just a little Shadow, wearing shoes and a jacket. Ain't that something?"

Jessie's eyes lit up, her hands clapping over her cheeks and letting out a sharp gasp, rushing over to Kuro and grabbing Dusk off his shoulder in a moment's notice. Her hands cupping under their Spinning in a short circle and staring at the small creature.

"Aren't you just the cutest little thing? Look at the hat! You're just so adorable! Does it dress itself?" Jessie asked, giving Dusk a few baby bounces and hoisting them higher into the air. Dusk's eyes went wide and their paws spread out to try and break the hold. "You're so cute! Like a little baby!"

"Put me down!" Dusk shouted, glancing over at Kuro for assistance. Of which he offered none, laughing at the sight. "Put me down right now! Kuro! Kuro!"

"That's Dusk. They do dress themselves." Kuro said, crossing one arm over the other as he keeps an eye on Jessie and his peripheral on Angelo. Ready to jump between canine fangs and Dusk should the need arise. Even if Rinoa had her hands on the dog, it wouldn't get near Dusk. "They've been my companion for the last few weeks now. They're very friendly."

"I've been seeing these Heartless for over ten years, every kind and in every kind of way. Some the size of buildings and others as small as your little friend here. In all those years I ain't ever seen one that didn't try to kill me on sight." Barret walked over Dusk, glancing over the small Shadow and examining the way they were being held by Jessie. Their golden eyes turned to focus on the gunman beside them. Barret gave Dusk a prodding poke in the stomach, gauging for a reaction. Dusk shivered at the sensation, their antenna underneath the hat flickering out and trying to get a read on Barret. The small wisps of their antenna tapping against his gloved hand. "How in the hell did you get this little thing to not be so… well heartless?"

"I couldn't tell you. It was kind of like magic. I just sort of… grabbed them up." Kuro admitted sheepishly, glancing over to his right hand as he spoke. The connection made between him and Dusk was an oddity, one he hasn't been able to replicate with any other Heartless he's come across. No matter how many times he's punched, grappled, or kicked them. "We had an instant connection, and then we started traveling together."

He flexes his hand, the once pristine white bandages around palms and knuckles had gotten darkened by sweat, ash and dust. Stained with spent tears and spilt blood. He recalled the sanitary tip of changing out bandages to maintain cleanliness in one of the booklets. And seeing as how they had fresh supplies, it might be time to replace them. Even if it was one of the first acts of kindness done to him without reciprocation. Kairi's tender touch lingered on his hands with a numbing sensation and sweet voice echoed in his mind.

He slowly unwraps the bind, feeling his hands exposed to the air once again as he lets the wrap fall to the floor. As they were being suffocated and now had the chance to breathe once again. The once punctured holes in his palms have been healed over since, not even leaving scars to remember the wound by. The bind as it unraveled was leaving etchings and left over pressure markings all around the back of his hands and the protrusions of his knuckles.

"Well, you just casually domesticated a Heartless. Ain't that something special?" Barret murmured, reaching up to tap Dusk with his fingers, feeling the pudge of darkness against him before pulling away and nodding. "Hello, there. Dusk. You ain't gonna try and eat me, are you?"

Dusk, hesitantly, raises a small paw and gives Barret a short wave. Offering a sweet 'hello.' Dusk, with half lidded eyes, then shakes their head at the idea of eating Barret. It was the head shake that made Barret chuckle. Even go as far as to get a surprising grin in response from the leader of this Avalanche branch.

Kuro smirked, sitting back and leaning against the doorframe of the building, watching the Shadow interact with the people. The sight of Barret offering a finger to shake Dusk's paw with and Jessie fixing the look of their hat made him feel hopeful. A new sensation that spread through his chest like a fire. Hopefully this could lead to others accepting Dusk, allowing them to be seen as more than just a monster.

Kuro's eyes just watching the group was interrupted by a familiar sight. Out of his peripheral vision, he saw it happen and it sent a chill to his bones. His heart sank into his stomach and he turned his attention back outside.

Glaring out into the square to watch the lantern lights once more begin to gently flicker. At first, he was sure it was a mistake of the brain. A simple quick remembrance of when the world used to be barren and devoid of any type of light. Illuminated only by the torches Kuro would carry and the shine of the stars above.

The lantern posts alternated between shining brightly in the plaza and swiftly flashing to the point of annoyance. He narrowed his eyes, walking out into the plaza and up towards the lantern posts. Staring at the lantern with great interest.

He shakes the post, the lights still flickering and flashing before him. Frustration overtakes him and he gives the post a swift kick to the base, the light immediately stopping.

He rests his hand along the iron, glancing around the area to make sure that no other lights were acting up. The other lantern was fine, the cafe sign was on and so was the Item shop. All that was left was the large sign in front of the Accessory Store. The light of the Accessory shop flickers as well, as if they were specifically doing so to get Kuro's attention.

Kuro followed the light up the stairs, then the flickering transitioned to a different lamp post. And so on and so on until the flickering led Kuro through the gates of District Two and into the open walkway.

The lights began to flicker over the now barren stores, pulling him towards the broken shop windows. Kuro approached one of the only unbroken windows of the district's clothing stores, peering inside to see if the lights within were beginning to flutter as well.

As soon as Kuro approached the glass, the lights all over the district were lost. The district once again lost to the pitch black. Kuro's eyes, once staring into a glass, found himself staring into a pair of aglow orange eyes held in a glare, reflecting back at him in the window pang. Their fiery stare then slowly rises, standing taller than him for a single second. As Kuro jumps back in surprise, the lights return to the district. Shining as brightly as they did that first night, as though nothing had happened. Those eyes disappeared as the lights returned.

"I never imagined one being afraid of the dark. It's the natural state of things, after all." Their voice was scholarly, weathered and came out in a low grumble. Echoing in the plaza and startling Kuro. Kuro's eyes darted around the district to find the owner of said voice. Around the stairs and the doors to the hotel, in the windows or hidden amongst the interiors of the shops. They couldn't be seen. "Although, it's in the dark that people reveal the truth about themselves. After all, the darkness doesn't offer a choice, just a path. Offering their cruel honesty is one of the only constants in this vast universe. The dark simply reveals all, eventually."

When Kuro turned his attention to the level below him, that's when Kuro saw them. They were seen standing in front of the butterfly mural fountain in the center of the district, staring intently at the painting before them.

The figure's cloak was a bloody crimson, their legs covered in a flowing black skirt with golden trim along the edge. Along the waist were three pouches of the same shade of red, their chest a cavity of darkness, with static blue lines that pulsated along the inside as a heart beats inside a chest. The head of the figure was bandaged as Kuro's own hands were just a short time ago, though their bandages were as red as their cloak's own coloring. As if it soaked every drop of blood it ever touched and held it.

Kuro squinted his eyes, his hand outstretched and summoned his blade. Making steps ever so slowly towards the figure with his weapon in hand. The heels of his boots slamming on each step as Kuro descended down the stone staircase.

"If you're planning on looking for a fight, regrettably I must concede. I would not be a competent sparring opponent. In my advanced age and all." The stranger echoed out, punctuating their sentence with a hearty chuckle, one that made his shoulders bounce and their eyes narrow.

"Stranger," Kuro uttered aloud, crooking his head to the side and approaching cautiously. "You're not the one messing with my lights, are you?"

"That's a tad presumptuous, is it not?" The figure responded with a leveled cadence and sure with a low rumbling tone of voice, their age and wisdom seeped into their words. Their tan sleeves folding behind their back as they spoke, their eyes made quick asides to the district around them. Noting the broken glass, the busted wall leading into the hotel, the general decay of the buildings and their foundations. Their orange hue glaring out before them, focused back on the butterfly mural as they spoke again. "To lay claim to this world? Is that an accomplishment for you? To be King of the Ashes of this barren place?"

"And if I am a King of the Ashes? What's it to you?" Kuro inquired, flipping the sword on their hand as they stared at the stranger. The measured breathing of the young man was the only noise that could be heard in the district. When Kuro reached the end of the stairs, he raised the sword up into a striking pose, left hand positioned under right and his knees beginning to bend. "Why are you here, anyways?"

"If you're content with a miserable existence in a dead world, far be it from me to tell you that it is a worthless endeavor. An experience I assure you, I could not be less of a stranger to. Should that be your prerogative to preserve a place like this, perhaps you and I are not so dissimilar as I initially thought." The figure noted, their voice bellowing out into the street as they stared at the young man. Noting his slicked back silver hair, the horizon shaded stare, and the copper toned skin. A familiar face with a stranger's voice. "And to answer the question of my appearance. Why I am here is due to the sudden traffic I had noticed picking up from this world. Then I happened upon you. The smell of sulfur and burnt wood in the air follows you, you know."

"How do you know about this world?" Kuro asked with increasing curiosity, hesitantly walking over towards the figure with their sword lowering at their side. The edge of the blade skipping across the stone street as he closed in towards the face of the mural. The bubbling current of the fountain was rotating murky gray water as the two spoke. "How did you get here?"

"With the Corridors of Darkness, of course. Are you unfamiliar? Fascinating." The figure noted, nodding their head towards Kuro with a soft smile. A smug, knowing smile. Their eyes narrow as they continue to speak to them. That's when Kuro noticed the shade of flame that this stranger's eyes held, an aged reflection of his own glare. "Now then, since you are fond of asking questions, answer me these inquiries. Who are you? And why do you bear such similar features to The Seeker of Darkness?"

"I'm Kuro. And as for my similarities to who you speak of, I can't say I know who you are referring to." Kuro glanced to the floor, eyes shifting in thought as he turned his attention back towards the figure. A question reared its head as Kuro glanced over this older man. "How do you use the Dark Corridors? Are you one of them?"

"A decade of life among the Dark can offer a boon and have its benefits. However, I find it intriguing that one such as yourself wouldn't be utilizing the Dark Corridors." The figure spoke so plainly and without the need to downplay the displeasure they held in their voice. It sounded as though it were beneath them to speak. A way of speaking that made Kuro lose patience very quickly. "As for, 'one of them' I assume you are referring to the Organization. I am not in their ranks. And from the looks of it, neither are you. Interesting."

"Why is that interesting?" Kuro asked, eyes turning to the mural of the butterflies mid flight, admiring the shades of wheat yellow, sky blue and forest greens. The figure's laugh was heavy and echoed harshly from the center of their chest.

"Just interesting, young man. You are lost, it seems. A stranger in a strange land. That is quite alright. I have seemed to make it a habit as of late to find lost things and make them into something more… useful." The figure chuckled, their eyes squinted as they nodded their head slowly. Kuro let out a huff, staring at the bandaged man.

"How could you make me more… useful?" Kuro asked with a facetious grin, deciding he might just carve through the stranger and call it a day. Return to Barret with an explanation he saw a Heartless and had to dispose of it. The audacity of this weathered stranger to call him less than useful, it made Kuro feel a bitterness rise in his throat. "Be quick about it-"

"I could teach you to manifest this Dark power, for instance. Manifesting dark corridors would be the first of the things I could teach you. Should you be so interested." The figure pulled out their hand from behind their back and tossed an item towards Kuro. One that he caught with his free hand and examined it quickly.

It was a device of simple make, with a long antennae sticking out of the gray box. A single button on the face of it. Kuro raised a brow at the oddity in his hand, giving it a quick shake before turning his attention back to the stranger. "Should you wish for the opportunity to become more than the sum of your parts, press the button and it shall bring you to me for further instruction. I believe you and I could benefit from a partnership. I'll send forth a corridor and it'll bring you to my world when you're ready. I'll be expecting you soon."

Kuro glanced back at the device, then towards the mural once more. The figure's silhouette disappears behind the fog of Darkness they had summoned beside Kuro, leaving them alone in the light of the second district and the sound of the fountain.

Kuro, pocketing the device into his messenger back, walked back to the Cafe with an odd look in his eye and curiously in his mind. The mysterious stranger and their weird button.

Kuro walked back into the first district and walked along to the Cafe, the doors were still open and the sound of laughter echoing from within. Kuro took his walk and turned it into a light jog, rushing up to the doors to investigate all the noise.

There he saw Dusk had taken their hat and placed it atop of Angelo's head, the dog's ears bent out as their wide eyes focused on Dusk. With a bark that sounded more jovial than aggressive, the hound lapped against Dusk's cheek.

Dusk's whole side of the face was lost in a wipe of the dog's pink tongue. Dusk's chuckles echoing in the room as they continued to rub Angelo's cheeks and neck, their eyes half lidded and their antennae tapping along the dog's shoulders and back.

Barret turned his attention to the front door, slowly moving towards it with his hand at his side as he joined Kuro's side. He rests up against the doorframe. Leaning his ear down towards Kuro as he opens his mouth to speak.

"Where did you go, kid?" Barret asked in a hush, crossing his left arm over his chest and cupping his right elbow. Fingers tapping on the steel that made up his gun arm. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah… I am alright. I saw this stranger all in red, and they wanted me to meet with them off-world?" Kuro answered the man, glancing up to Barret and giving him a squinted stare. "It doesn't matter. So, when are we going to get your people back?"

"I'll give you notice when it's time. However, I have a few things I'd like to ask you." Barret stated, seeing Kuro give him a nod to signal the attention Kuro was giving him. Barret shrugged. "This stranger, are they someone who you think you can trust? We are in slim pickings for help at the moment and every hand would help."

"They said they wanted to teach me how to do some useful things." Kuro shrugged, arms crossing over one another and his fingers fiddling with the leather patch of his elbow as he stood there in thought. To use a Dark Corridor would be beneficial to Avalanche in the upcoming mission, particularly with the fact they needed to get onto the world without notice or raising alarms. "One of the things he wanted to teach me was world hopping. Through these corridors."

"These 'corridors', are they discreet? Can they be used by multiple people?" Barret inquired, his voice getting a little louder and quick. Kuro nodded, glancing over at Dusk as he did so. Dusk was currently riding along Angelo's back like a cowboy, their paw gripping their hat to hold onto tight as the dog trotted along.

"That's how me and Dusk got here. Someone sent us through one of those corridors." Kuro noted with a chin nudge towards Dusk, who's the center of attention in this game as Jessie and Rinoa giggle at the sight. The sound of their laughter made Kuro smile. It was so innocent and beautiful to hear the sound of joy after so many weeks in near silence.

"Well, how about you start your career in Avalanche off with a covert mission? To engage a possible hostile with the intention of obtaining some valuable information?" Barret asked, seeing Kuro's eyes narrow as he turned his attention towards the gunman. Kuro flashes a wicked smirk, giving him a nod in response. Barret chuckles lowly, clapping his left hand along Kuro's shoulder and giving it a reassuring squeeze. Barret's hand reaches into his pocket and hands off a small telecommunicator to Kuro. It's the size of a pocket watch, with a switch on the side to activate the microphone inside. "Should you need a lift if you're stranded, I'll follow your coordinates and come get you ASAP. I'll postpone the OP until you return with the means of getting us to Midgar without causing a ruckus. Be safe out there, kid."

"I appreciate your help, Barret." Kuro noted, giving the Gunman a short nod before glancing over at the pair of ladies watching Dusk and Angelo. Barret glanced down at Kuro's currently barren hands, making a short strut over to dresser and grabbing a roll of white hand wraps and tossing them to Kuro. Who caught it with a swipe and began unfurling it. "Thanks."

Kuro began to immediately wrap the white cloth over his knuckles, only to have Barret walk over and pull it off with a stiff pull. His present frown and groan of disapproval startled Kuro. Kuro, with a wary look, felt Barret flip his hand over with the guidance of his own knuckles, before then handing the wraps back to Kuro's left hand.

"Loop through your thumb and then make sure you wrap it along your wrist so it doesn't bend on impact." Barret instructed, Kuro hesitantly doing so. The end of the wrap held a small loop, which he threaded his thumb through before pulling the cloth across the inside of his palm and bending it around the outside of his wrist. "Not too tight that it cuts off circulation but enough to be snug and secure. Yeah, yeah now you pull it over your knuckles about three times."

Kuro's hesitation then became guided instruction, wrapping around the dark ridges of his knuckles with three securing wraps. Barret nodded with approval before pointing to the heel of Kuro's thumb.

"Now, loop around here and through each knuckle starting with your pinky and ring." Barret told and Kuro did, looping the wrap through the space between fingers, and doing so with every other space. "Now, looping the remains over your wrist and knuckles to fasten your pressure point and your joint. You don't want your knuckles to be under wrapped or it'll hurt and you don't want your wrist to take all the power behind your punch."

Kuro did as he was told, binding the remaining length of the wrap and securing it with a fastened tie. Barret tapped the bounded hand with a knuckle tap, feeling the security of the bind before giving Kuro a wicked smile and an approving grunt.

"Now you're ready to bust some heads." Barret raised his fist, Kuro meeting it with a sturdy knock. The two exchange a glance of satisfaction before Barret returns to his DIY war table. Once more going over the plans.

Kuro, now binding his left hand, cleared his throat as he turned his attention towards Dusk. Beckoning them over with a curl of his fingers. Dusk, seeing Kuro's hand, hopped off of Angelo with a short jump. Turning back to give Angelo a quick pet before their paw moves to start readjusting their hat as they approached him.

"What's going on?" Dusk asked, Kuro nudged his head towards the front door as he marched outside with Dusk trailing behind him. Finishing the final wrap of his left hand and tightening it. Dusk watched Angelo over their shoulder, seeing their new friend crook their head in confusion as the pair left the cafe. Wondering why the playing has stopped. Dusk watched as Kuro pulled out a small gray box, thumb hovering over the button.

"I have met someone who wants to teach me how to use Dark Corridors, and Barret wants me to investigate the lead to hopefully secure a way onto Midgar without triggering a response from Shinra." Kuro explained, moving his eyes from the button to Dusk, giving the Shadow a soft smile as he continued to speak. "I will be heading off-world to meet this stranger. If you so wish, I would like for you to accompany me."

"Why would you want me to come with you?" Dusk inquired, their left eye shutting softly as Kuro felt a warmth rise in his chest. He offers a quick shrug and soft smile.

"I would feel safer with you at my side." Kuro said with certainty, giving Dusk's hat a playful tap along the brim. "You're my friend, you'll help keep me safe."

"Aren't you afraid of what this stranger could have planned? What if it's a trap?" Dusk asked, squinting their right eye as Kuro shook his head in return. He let his thumb circle around the edge of the button.

"They say they wanted me to work with them. Then they gave me the means to go to them. If they wanted to kill me, they would have done it earlier when I was about to eat dog food and the lights were out." Kuro justified his reasoning to Dusk. Just before glancing over at the cafe. The sounds of people inside made him feel a warmth in his chest. "Besides, Barret asked me to do it for them. They brought back the lights and gave me a device to call for help should I need it. I'd like to help them where I can if I can."

With that being said, Kuro presses the button. The antenna extended out, the tip of the rod pulsing a bright red as it sent out its signal.

A few moments later, the Corridor of Darkness appeared before him. It's pulsating black abyss echoing out and calling out to him. Kuro reached into his pocket and pulled out the telecommunicator. Making sure the device was on him before tucking the device into his messenger bag and tightening down the black canvas with a belt loop, He pats the device down to secure the strap. Kuro loops his arm down and pulls Dusk up onto his shoulder to perch, and the pair of them walk on through the dark door.

As soon as they step through, the darkness dissipates, and leaves the first district plaza a barren place it was once more. The only thing being heard was the hum of the lantern bulbs and the small talk between Avalanche members from inside the cafe.

Twilight Town

The first thing Kuro noticed was the crunching of dead leaves under his heel. The satisfying crushing of the fallen autumn shaded blades tickled his ears in just the right spot with every step.

Unlike the ever present starlight and darkness of Traverse Town, the warm glow of the setting horizon peeking out through the tall trees of the forest of this new world was a breath of fresh air. Kuro's fingertips tracing the space between the bark of a nearby tree. Feeling the wood itch and scratch against him as he walks.

Kuro's eyes drifted up one of the many towering red bark trees surrounding him as he passed. The occasional fall shaded leaf descending out of the branches above in delicate fashion, brushing across the fair air in simple wide strokes from left to right, before nestling gently into a bed of its brown, orange and yellow sisters. Kuro kept walking forward, a hand resting on Dusk's foot as he maneuvered over overgrown roots and fallen logs.

"Have you heard of this world?" Kuro asked, stepping up the side of a hollow curve of the forest floor. His hand out in front of himself ready to fall forward and keep crawling upwards.

"This is a new world for me. Since I've been disconnected from the Hive, it's been an odd predicament to not know where I am." Dusk explained, their head bobbing to the uneven rhythms of Kuro's steps. Kuro's steps securely digging into the dirt. Carefully moving up the hill.

Eventually, the pair reach a massive ivory mansion, preceded by a huge brick wall topped with spikes and an iron gate that was closed in the front. The spires that peaked along the roof of the house were a sight to behold as if it were holding up the sky above. The center of the largest spire housed a stained glass window, with a bright golden moon and pangs of violets and blues. The image at the top of the awning was of a clocktower. Kuro approached the gates and pushed them open, walking into the front yard and past the moss and vine covered columns. The deteriorating marble and stone eaten away from the years and neglect.

Kuro walked to the front door and pressed his hands against wooden doors, shoving the massive entrance open and marching inside. The lumbering doors behind him shut harshly when he let them go.

The interior of the house was in just as much disrepair as the exterior. Once, Kuro had imagined, a beautiful front room had been destroyed, with destroyed curios and debris spread all along the tile floor beneath him. The squeak of his boots a short annoyance as Kuro continued his walk.

The suits of armor posted around the room reminded Kuro of the suits he saw in the first world he had awoken to. There were two staircases ahead of him, leading to the second level and allowing access to the two separate wings of the mansion. Kuro stepped into the center of the room, Dusk still perched on his shoulders as he glanced around the room. Resting his weight onto his heels and spinning in his spot. Kuro didn't expect a warm welcome if the first impression of the stranger was to be their baseline, but he had expected to at least be welcomed.

"Hello! Sir!" Kuro shouted, his hands moving to cup around his mouth as he spun. He loosely let his hands land against his thighs. "I'm-I'm here!"

Kuro's eyes squinted, as he positioned himself in the center of the room. He glanced over at Dusk, shrugging his Dusk perched shoulder nonchalantly and making the Heartless bounce with the motion. His eyes scan the second level walkways for any sign or shift in the shadows.

"I appreciate your due diligence in joining me with this opportunity despite our initial encounter. Not many would appreciate the pragmatic approach. I often have to be more… creative with certain individuals. Another facet of one's control of the darkness that has proved to be beneficial." The man spoke out, coming out of the doors on the western wing of the mansion. Their swift steps carried them across the walkway, their eyes turning to see Kuro and Dusk. "I can tell the Corridor responded to you without issue. If I may inquire, are you feeling well? Do you feel… frail or tired?"

"I guess, I feel fine?" Kuro glanced around, patting his chest, knees and stomping his heels. Offering his raised arms and webbed out hands in response to the pat down. He nudged his chin towards the bandaged man. "Should I not be?"

"Those who use the Corridors of Darkness often don't feel the impact of the concentration of darkness necessary to allow such travel. As prolonged use of the corridors can lead to the corruption of one's heart." The crimson cloaked man explained, turning around the corner of the second floor and beginning his descent down the stairs toward the landing. "There are notable exceptions, however those that don't require the proper attire for safe travels come in two varieties. Those that lack hearts, mistakes that shouldn't exist like those in the Organization…"

The bandaged man reaches the landing, his orange hued gaze resting on his guest as he lets his arms bend behind his back as he stares intently and with piqued interests. Stopping just shy of the first descending step to the ground floor. Kuro thought immediately of Xion, whose lack of heart would make her traveling through the corridors a safe venture for her. A thought that eased the worry he felt for a moment.

"And?" Kuro asked, crossing his arms across his chest as he met the man's look with one of his. His right heel pressed into the floor as the toe of his boot tapped against the tile below him. The echoing of the small knocks of his foot ringing out. "And those…"

"Those whose hearts are already corrupted. Like those of the Heartless. A familiar entity, as I can tell by your companion." The bandaged man nodded towards Dusk, whose golden eyes lowered in acknowledgement of their ability to traverse through the dark without issue. Kuro nodded, glancing at the floor of the mansion as he listened. "Tell me, how did you come to control this Shadow? How did you get it to listen?"

"I don't control them." Kuro explained, ensuring to punctuate Dusk's sense of personhood, his small companion was not an It. They were Dusk, and Dusk is his friend. "I suppose I grabbed hold of them, and they sort of… became Dusk?"

The bandaged man nodded in acknowledgement, before waiting patiently for Kuro to continue. The silence in the room was thick, and Kuro could feel it on his face.

"Dusk mentioned that they were cut off from the Hive when we made contact, and since then, it has been just Dusk. I can't explain it." Kuro finished with a hand reaching up to pat Dusk on the foot, a soft smile breaking his face as he did so.

"Your small friend is one such example of a being that needn't worry about corruption of the corridors. As they are not susceptible to being corrupted more than they already are." The man explained, before his gaze fell to the end of the stairs as he contemplated with a squinted eye.

Kuro began to walk towards the man, reaching the edge of the stairwell and staring up at him as he rested at the top of the landing. Kuro opened his mouth to speak, letting out a huff.

"So, of the two possible answers-"

"Your ability to walk through corridors without taking issue, the command of the small Heartless on your shoulder, and if I may be so bold, the shade of your hair and eyes leads me to believe in a single option for you." The bandaged man interrupted, cocking his head to the side as he stared at Kuro with intense curiosity. With a stern stare, and a clenched jaw, he continued. "You, my boy, are a Heartless. The question now is, whose heart was strong enough to create you?"