Hikari's POV
I was flying over a beautiful town that was bathed in the early light of daybreak. Houses, shops, plazzas and gardens dotted the landscape in organized sections, yet all connected by dark yellow stone paths and bridges. In the distance, a clocktower that seemed to reach into the clouds stood proudly, two seperate structures with several spires jutting out from it holding the clock and swinging pendulum, almost giving it the appearance of a castle. Now that I thought about it, the town looked very similar to Radiant Garden.
The invisible power that was carrying me brought me to the edge of the shopping district, heavy fog close to the earth and below the bridges. As I got closer, I could vaguely make out three figures hiding in the shadows of a dead-end alley by a canal, talking in hushed voices. Two of them -one tall and one much shorter- wore simple white hooded cloaks that heavily concealed their appearance and even their gender. The third individual, however, was clearly a young woman, adorned in beautiful robes of pink and purple with golden trim and wearing what appeared to be a fox mask under her short hood.
I was placed on the ground but a few feet from where they stood and could finally hear what they were saying.
"What are you doing here?" The masked woman seemed somewhat alarmed. "If the other Fortellers knew you were here-"
"Please, Master Ava," the taller cloaked figure interrupted, his voice revealing him to be an older man. "I know how your master feels towards me and the kingdom I serve, but what I have to say is of dire importance. You are the only one I know I can trust."
Master Ava seemed hesitant, if her turning her head away and biting her lower lip was any indication.
The man seemed to notice her uncertainty, for he pressed on. "You and I both know that dark times are nearly upon us; even your master predicted that. I know you're not the naiveté little girl you once were, but are you certain that the orders of one man will be enough to stop an even greater disaster?"
Ava looked back at him at that point and, even though I couldn't see her eyes beneath the mask, there was shock and fear within them without a doubt. She seemed to reflect on the man's words for a few more moments before sighing and nodding her head. "To be honest, a rift has started to form with the other Fortellers. There is talk that a traitor is among us, causing everyone to slowly distrust one another. I feared that something would soon take place, but with the way things are going, it may be worse than I anticipated. However-" She clenched her hands before adding "I wish to continue the task my master gave me and guide the young Keyblade Wielders entrusted to me. If what you have to say will help me achieve that goal, I will gladly listen, Master Walt."
The man known now as Walt nodded. "I'm afraid that the situation is far more dire than you or the others are aware."
"What do you mean?" Ava questioned.
"Something has been working within the shadows for some time now; it has already disrupted the balance within the kingdom I serve, trying to forge a clear path to obtaining that key," Walt explained.
The Forteller grew stiff and drew in a gasp. "Who would be so insane as to do something like that, and how?"
Walt shook his head. "I know not who is responsible, but as to how they were able to accomplish this, I believe it began when the previous keeper of the sister guardian was struck down."
"What!? The master never told us that the X-Blade's protector was killed. When did that happen?"
Somehow, I knew that they weren't talking about the kind of Keyblade that I wielded, but rather the weapon Master Yen Sid had told me about; where it was the key to Kingdom Hearts itself and had shattered into twenty pieces during the Keyblade War, seven of Light and thirteen of Darkness. However, the sorcerer had never mentioned there being a "sister guardian" as Master Ava had just put it, so what did it mean?
"It has been nearly 18 years now, just before the current heir was born. Though I don't know as to how it was made possible, the cycle was broken. If we are to survive the coming battle, the guardian's power must be reawoken before the coronation in but a few short weeks."
"Reawoken? I don't understand; isn't the keeper's powers meant to pass on to his successor?"
"Unfortunately, since the previous keeper was lost before his successor was born, that power is now sealed." Walt seemed to hesitate for a moment before he added "There's also the matter of who the current successor is."
Seeming to finally join in on the conversation, the other cloaked figure stepped forward. However, when they pulled back their hood, my vision was obscured by the fog, though Master Ava seemed to be able to see their face, for she drew in a breath of surprise.
"I know your master charged you with the care of the young Keyblade wielders in this town, so I am asking for your help, as a fellow keeper of the balance. Will you help us, Master Ava?" Walt at this point almost seemed desperate.
Master Ava looked back between the smaller cloaked individual and Walt for a few moments, before she rested her eyes back at Walt once more and nodded. "I will do what I can."
Walt sighed in relief. "That is all I can ask for. I just pray that Xiphos will be ready when we are to return."
At that moment, I felt my body grow heavy and my vision fade. As I closed my eyes and began to lose consciousness, one question kept ringing in my head.
Who's Xiphos?
Riku's POV
The silver-haired teen had tried to reach out towards Hikari, but was a moment too late as the tendrils of light yanked the Keyblade wielder towards The Cornerstone of Light, enveloping the entire chamber in a blinding illumination. When the light had faded somewhat to the point that everyone could see clearly, they were stunned to find Hikari inside The Cornerstone, her eyes closed and floating within as though she were submerged in water.
Riku turned to the mouse king with horrified eyes. "What's going on, Mickey!?"
"I... I don't know," Mickey replied, clenching his hands into fists, seeming just as frustrated. "There's so little we know about The Cornerstone of Light. It's only known power is the protection of the castle; never has it shown this ability, whatever it may be."
Riku looked away and back to The Cornerstone as he clenched his teeth and dismissed Way to Dawn. He walked up to the sphere of light, his eyes never leaving the still body of Hikari. Although he could see her, the silverette had no way of knowing what the strange magical object was doing to the Keyblade Wielder. It frustrated him that once again he could do nothing but stand by and wait. Did the power of a Keyblade Master amount to nothing when it came down to protecting those that mattered most? Riku thought to himself. He lifted his now free hand and placed it against The Cornerstone of Light, feeling the warm, smooth surface. "Hikari."
"There's no need to worry. I can sense that she is safe."
The Keyblade Master swerved his head to his right, surprised to find the transparent form of Ayame beside him. "H-How are you here?" He asked, quite bewildered.
The young ghost smiled. "Didn't I tell you? Through your connection with Hikari, I'm therefore able to reach you, though the power to become visible to you in this world is thanks to the Light of The Cornerstone." She turned back to Hikari's form before adding "While I am not fully aware of its origin or its capabilities, I have faith that the Cornerstone of Light means Hikari no harm."
"Riku; who is this?" Mickey stepped forward so that he too was standing before the Cornerstone, just to the left of Riku.
Ayame bowed her head in greeting as she faced the mouse king. "It is a true honor to meet you, King Mickey. My name is Ayame and I guess you could say I help keep watch over Hikari's heart."
"She's the one who helped me pull Hikari out of the Dark Margin," Riku emphasized. He looked back at Ayame and added "So then, do you know how Hikari ended up down here in the first place or why The Cornerstone swallowed her?"
Ayame looked to Hikari, her expression calm. "From what I managed to see from within Hikari's heart, it seems that The Cornerstone of Light could sense the worry plaguing her mind and called out to her. Somehow, it put Hikari in a trance that led her down here and from there, the Cornerstone spoke to Hikari through her heart. Hikari confided in it about her concerns and doubts about Genji, as well as the condition of the worlds that are slowly being swallowed by Darkness. The Cornerstone mentioned something about the two problems being closely linked and could be answered together, but only in the past. That was when it started to pull her in and you all arrived."
The two Keybladers seem to let this new information sink in for several moments, leaving the Hall silent. Eventually though, Mickey broke it.
"So what you're saying is that The Cornerstone is... alive?"
"I think it's more along the lines of artificial intelligence, like Ansem the Wise's computer back in Radiant Garden," Riku offered. A thought occured to him and he turned back to Ayame before adding, "But wait a second; if the Cornerstone is communicating to Hikari through her heart, shouldn't you be able to see what she's seeing?"
The young spirit shook her head. "I'm afraid that's not the case now. When the Cornerstone of Light pulled Hikari inside, a new form of communication was established that goes beyond that of the heart. I... I don't know how to explain it, but it's almost as if they're connecting on a level as deep as Hikari's very soul." She paused for a bit before continuing. "Since I only sought refuge within Hikari's heart, I have no way of knowing what Hikari is experiencing or when she will be returned. All we can do it wait"
As if on cue, the Cornerstone of Light began to shine brilliantly once more. Everyone turned to see the surface of the orb ripple like a watery surface. The rippling increased as Hikari's body slowly left The Cornerstone, her body horizontal with the ground. Acting quickly, Riku held out his arms, right before Hikari had completely separated from the magical item and fell into Riku's arms. As if in reaction, the light faded from the Cornerstone of Light to its normal glow.
Carefully, Riku placed Hikari down with her head resting on his knees. The others, including Queen Minnie, were instantly with him, all concerned for Hikari. Thankfully, within a few short moments, Hikari let out a slight moan and her eyelids flickered.
"Seems everything is alright now," Ayame stated with a smile. "I'll head back now. Take care everyone." She closed her eyes and faded from the scene.
When Hikari's eyes began to open, King Mickey let out a happy chuckle. "Good to have you back, Hikari."
Hikari's eyes opened fully and she looked to the king with a small smile. "Good to be back," she replied, slowly sitting up.
"How you feeling?" Riku asked, bringing the young Keyblader's eyes to him. Despite Hikari now being awake, concern seemed to be keeping a hold.
"I-I'm alright," she quickly stammered as she turned away before Riku could see her reddening cheeks. She shook her head as if to clear it -and possibly her blush- before she continued. "If anything, I'm even more confused than when we got here."
"What do you mean?" Minnie inquired, tilting her head curiously.
Hikari slowly got to her feet, accepting Riku's offered hand to pull her up, before looking to her friends, confusion evident in her eyes. "What I saw, The Cornerstone of Light said it would help me find the answer to what's happening with the worlds being threatened by Darkness, as well as stopping Xehanort's influence on my brother; but what I was shown didn't make any sense." She placed a hand on the side of her head, gripping her hair slightly as she let out a frustrated groan. "I remember being in a town I had never been before and seeing three people. They were talking; something about shadows at work and trying to obtain the X-Blade?"
Mickey's ears to perk at this. "You don't mean the X-Blade from the Keyblade War do you? The one that shattered and formed the seven of Light and thirteen of Darkness?"
The teen nodded. "That's what I think at least, though I haven't got a clue what they meant when they said something along the lines of 'sister guardian'."
"Sister guardian?" Riku repeated, turning to the king. "Mickey; does that ring any bells?"
The small Keyblade wielder shook his head. "I'm afraid it doesn't. Maybe it implies that the X-Blade had an actual wielder, but it may be best if we inquire about it with Master Yen Sid; he may have a better idea of what it may mean."
"There was one other thing," Hikari added, bringing all attention to her once more. "From the way they were talking, something big was going to happen soon; something involving someone named Xiphos."
This time, Minnie seemed interested. "That name sounds vaguely familiar." She rested her head in the palm of her hand, thinking. "I just can't remember where I've heard it though."
Everyone fell silent, trying to figure out how any of Hikari's vision made sense. Perhaps a solid minute passed before suddenly, a grumbling sound was heard. All eyes turned to the source, which caused Hikari to blush in embarrassment as she placed a hand on her stomach.
"S-Sorry; guess that whole experience and all this thinking had made me hungry," she apologized.
Just then, another growl was heard, this time, coming from Riku. The silver-haired teen also blushed and rubbed the back of his head. "Any chance you could set us up with a meal, Your Majesties?"
The two mice laughed and nodded. "We'd be more than happy to. Let's head upstairs."