Chapter 19: Velcia and the Angel of Darkness

The cemetery was silent and still when Areshmin arrived, the only sound to be heard was the mournful crooning of an unseen bird. The sun had disappeared completely, and the moon's reign was uncontested by the twinkling stars that served as its companions.

Areshmin's soft feet made little sound as he plodded through the dark cemetery, and though he was a Chirithy he couldn't help but shiver at the unsettling and dour atmosphere of the place. He made his way over to a taller stone structure on one side and clambered up it as high as he could, looking out for any sign of the man they'd passed by earlier to no avail. He sat down, his small fuzzy legs hanging over the side of the worn stone, and pondered what to do.

The sound of footsteps caught his ear, and he quickly jumped to his feet to take a look. A woman was approaching, and she appeared to be coming straight for him. Somehow, despite the dark, the woman was entirely and distinctly visible, as if a gentle aura of radiance surrounded her. It was not the light of the moon - no shadow touched her features. Her hair was red and topped with a fruit-bearing laurel crown, and she was clothed in a white toga with golden trim. Areshmin took a step back, his first instinct to hide away from her, but her face bore a gentle and warming smile that put his heart at ease.

"Hello, little one," she said in a soft tone, holding out her hand invitingly. "Are you in need of guidance?"

Areshmin held his paws together, trembling gently. The woman noted his discomfort, and looked back out across the cemetery. "If you are looking for someone here, I am afraid you have missed them. My name is Hestia - I would be happy to assist you."

Something about her was almost divinely soothing to Areshmin, and a peace washed over him. "My friend and I are trying to help somebody. She has been through a terrible ordeal and only just survived. Her home is destroyed, and she is on the verge of starvation… we need to find someone who can help her."

"I understand," Hestia said. "You were looking for a man who was here earlier today, were you not?"

"I… yes, I was," Areshmin admitted.

Hestia reached her arms out towards Areshmin, tilting her head as if asking for permission to pick him up. Areshmin stepped forward slightly, and she grabbed him and held him in her arms.

"You have traveled far enough on your own," she said, walking towards the city. "Let me show you the way from here. Do pay close attention on the journey, so that you may find your way back later."

Areshmin nodded, taking a deep breath. A wave of relief washed over him and in this moment he felt, for the first time in a long time, that everything would be okay. Hestia made her way down the hills and near to the city, pointing out landmarks of interest for him to navigate from until at last they arrived near a house.

"Is this the place?" Areshmin asked, bracing himself as Hestia set him down on his own two feet.

"It is. Long ago they lost their only child in a terrible tragedy through no fault of their own - an incident only the Fates understand. But do not be apprehensive, for all understand that they have the favor of Zeus," she told him. "I believe they would be eager to help your friend."

Areshmin's eyes scanned the house, hoping for any sign of the people within, but the structure was dark and peaceful. They had likely gone to sleep. He turned back towards Hestia, holding his paws together. "Thank you. I am afraid I have nothing with which to repay your generosity, but you have my gratitude."

"You need repay me nothing," Hestia said, kneeling down beside him. She reached up to her neck, and took from it a necklace lined with deep red rubies. There was some sort of white stone in the center, a flawless shimmering stone which was engraved with a symbol Areshmin had never seen before. Areshmin had only a moment to contemplate it before she clasped it around his neck, the gem hanging over his pink Chirithy pouch. "Please, give this to your friend. It will help to soothe her heart."

"...Thank you," Areshmin said, holding the stone amulet up to look at it. "I will be sure to give it to her."

"Very well," Hestia said, standing back up. "Hurry back to her, now, and rest."

Areshmin nodded, stepping back. He wasn't sure who Hestia really was, but it didn't matter to him right now. She held out her hand, motioning for him to leave with an encouraging smile, and so after one more thankful bow he took his leave, disappearing into a puff of smoke to return to Balthazar as quickly as he could.

"Angel… do you think anybody survived that terrible fight?"

Balthazar's head lifted slowly, and he looked over at Velcia. She'd woken up a few times this night, but right now she was more alert than usual. An ominous feeling of dread began to swirl around his mind just thinking about the war they narrowly escaped, and he couldn't help but shudder at the thought.

"I… don't know. Someone… must have…"

Velcia bit her lip pensively, her eyes watering. "My brother Aspis… Lupe, Leonna… all the Chroniclers, everybody I ever drew in any of my books… they were all there. They… they can't all be dead. A-aspis for sure, why, he must-!" her voice cracked and she began to cry softly.

Balthazar's wings curled low, draping down over his shoulders. He'd tried once to make a portal back to Daybreak Town to no avail. He hadn't entirely made up his mind on whether or not he would go through the portal if it had opened, but like Velcia the fate of the town weighed heavily on his mind.

He remembered the days he used to work alongside The Master of Masters, helping to save others who, like him, had been mortally wounded by Darkness. It had always seemed to Balthazar that not a thing happened in Daybreak Town that The Master had not foreseen, and he'd long taken comfort in that fact. And yet, for all his vision and vicious determination Daybreak Town had still somehow fallen to ruin - to Darkness. If he had known it would end like this, why would The Master have gone to such great lengths to set up Daybreak Town and the Unions?

"...Angel?"

Wings rustling, Balthazar looked back over towards Velcia.

"That day… before Master Aced hit me, a boy saved me from a group of horrible Wielders… I've had such a hard time remembering that day, but… there was something so familiar about him." Velcia paused, watching the gentle swaying of the Angel's wings. "I think I'd felt like I knew he would save me, but I don't know why I would have thought that. I've… I've been trying so hard to remember who he was, but then I think… you were that boy, weren't you?"

Balthazar's heart ached, and it was all he could do to keep his body still. She must not remember who he truly was, not now. "N-no…" he said.

Velcia slowly slumped, holding her hands to her head. "I don't know why I can't remember who he was. Something about him felt familiar, but I don't know why. I thought that maybe," she looked back over towards him, a stray tear running the salty path down her left cheek. "You… you're really sure you're not…?"

"S-sorry," Balthazar said, shaking his head. He had to find a way to shut this down, fast. "I… I'm a girl, anyway," he lied.

Velcia's eyes went wide and she blushed, then averted her eyes. "I-I'm sorry-!"

"It's… okay…" Balthazar said, mind scrambling to try to find a way to change the subject. "Could you tell me about your brother…?"

This suggestion caught Velcia off-guard, and for a moment she sat rigid in contemplation. She wasn't sure she was ready for that, and yet… she missed Aspis dearly.

"He… helped teach me to draw and paint. For a long time, I only saw him occasionally because he was very busy. But… after my Party fell apart, he made sure to be there for me almost every day. I don't know what would have happened to me if he hadn't come to help me," Velcia said.

"It sounds like he cared a lot about you," Balthazar said softly.

"He did… he tried to hide it, but I always knew…" Velcia smiled, wiping the back of her hand across her cheek.

Velcia recounted her first time meeting with Aspis, and told her Angel all about their somewhat lop-sided dynamic. Balthazar had heard most of it before, but after having seen the great lengths that Aspis ultimately went to in order to protect and help Velcia he was now understanding these stories in a different light.

When she was in the middle of one of her stories, Velcia was interrupted by the return of Areshmin, who appeared suddenly in the cave beside them.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," he said, trembling softly, "But I have good news. I have found the home of the man you saw," he said to Balthazar.

Balthazar sat up straight, noting the glowing necklace Areshmin now wore. "And…?"

"A very kind woman assisted me in finding them, she said that they would be more than happy to help Velcia."

Balthazar let out a sigh of relief, leaning back against the cavern wall.

"Help me…? How?"

Areshmin looked over at Balthazar. His friend was worn thin, and in no condition to explain. "You cannot live in this cavern forever, Velcia… you need food and a proper home."

"I…" Velcia's eyes were wide with worry. "But I can't just…"

"We know you are worried," Areshmin said, walking over beside her and resting his paw on her leg. "But I was told that they are very good people."

Velcia had opened her mouth to argue when the amulet on Areshmin's neck caught her eye, and instead she paused and reached for it slowly. "I… I recognize this symbol," she said slowly. "This is the mark of Hestia, the goddess of the Hearth…"

Areshmin twisted sideways, trying to reach the necklace's clasp with his paw but he could not reach it. "It is a gift for you. The woman who helped me find the house asked me to give it to you. Could you please help me to take it off?"

Velcia's hands were trembling now such that unhooking the clasp was no easy feat, but once she had there was a warmth to the amulet that began to soothe her heart. "You… you said a woman gave this to you…?"

"Yes. She said her name was Hestia, in fact… she had a heavenly glow like I had never seen before. If you say this is the name of one of the goddesses of Olympus… I cannot help but wonder if it was the very same Hestia herself," Areshmin said, glancing over towards Balthazar, who was equally as awe-struck as Velcia.

"Hestia…" Velcia whispered, small tears coming to her eyes. "Please, can you show me this home?"

"Can you walk…?" Balthazar's voice croaked from across the room.

Velcia nodded confidently, then slowly began to try to stand up. Her legs quivered fiercely, her muscles weak and feeble, but with much exertion and the assistance of the cavern wall she eventually made it to her feet.

With a puff of smoke, her own Chirithy appeared beside her. "Velcia, be careful! Don't push yourself too hard!"

Areshmin shook his head. "She's nearly too weak already… we'll have to find another way."

A groan broke out from the other end of the cavern, and Velcia and the two Chirithy turned to see Balthazar rising up. "I will take her."

"B-but you-!" Areshmin started.

"Nothing… nothing else matters right now," he said, floating over beside Velcia. The two met eyes, and he held out his hands. "I will carry you as far as I can."

"I don't want to hurt you…"

"Please… otherwise everything we've done so far will end here," Balthazar pleaded. "You have to… you have to make it."

Velcia's eyes darted away to the floor, a great knot welling up in her stomach. She said nothing, but nodded reluctantly and before she knew it the Angel scooped her up in its arms.

Balthazar winced at the weight, light though she was, and strained to speak. "Show us the way."

The journey to Thebes from the cave took some time. Balthazar had to stop frequently to rest, as did Velcia. Even being carried put a strain on her. The sun was already starting to come up by the time that Areshmin began to leap with joy at the sight of the house. Balthazar stopped here, obscuring himself as best as he could behind a bush.

"The sun is out…" he groaned. "I don't think I should go any further, or someone might see me."

Velcia was lowered tenderly to the ground, where her wobbly feet did their best to play their part.

"Thank you… I think I can make it the rest of the way from here," she said, grabbing a hold of Balthazar's hand. "And… thank you so much, Angel. I don't know why I'm so important to you…"

Balthazar rested his other hand atop hers. "...Because I've seen the goodness in your heart and know that you are worth protecting," he said, his exhausted body shuddering sickly. "But now it's time for you to move on."

"But I…" Velcia trailed off, glancing over her shoulder at the house. She didn't want to leave the Angel, but she understood that she must. "Do you think that I can come visit you soon? I remember the way back to the cave."

Balthazar nodded his head weakly. "...If you need me, I will be there for as long as I can." He retracted his hands, floating back away from her and motioning towards the house. "But for now, you must move forward."

Velcia's hands lowered, folding meekly together as she looked towards the house nervously. "W-what if-"

"Neither of us…" Balthazar started with a shiver, "has time for worrying. Your Heart will be your guiding key."

The two locked eyes, each one hesitant to be the first to take the next step. With trembling limbs and rustling wings, Balthazar slowly turned away, ignoring the small whimper of worry from behind him. He made his way to a large olive tree not far away and hid himself behind it, then turned and peered out to watch Velcia.

She had made her way to the front door, and was fidgeting nervously. The door opened, and in the shadows Balthazar could only just recognize the man from the cemetery. He was startled to see their visitor, and was joined momentarily by his wife. They were concerned about something, and from her movements Balthazar could tell that Velcia was doing her best to try to explain the situation. The woman disappeared from view and returned only a moment later with a blanket, which she wrapped around Velcia's shoulders before inviting her inside.

Velcia turned to take one last look at her Angel, but Balthazar pulled back to hide behind the tree fully. He couldn't risk being seen. The leaves above him rustled, and Areshmin's voice called down quietly to him. "She has gone inside, and the door is closed. I believe she will be alright now."

Balthazar leaned back against the tree and slunk to the ground, shuddering with exhaustion. His wings slumped limply beside him. "Just a moment… then we can return to the cave."

Areshmin jumped down from his branch, but his fall was slow and floaty and he landed softly on his feet. He sat down beside Balthazar, resting his paw on his friend's pearl-scale robe; and the two recollected their strength for the journey back to the cavern.

Out in the distance, past the shroud of gold-tinted clouds at the summit of Mt. Olympus, the full moon shone brightly, standing proud against the backdrop of twinkling stars. Balthazar lay on the rocks near the cave, staring up at the night sky and enjoying the cool night's breeze. The constellations were as clear as could be tonight, and he couldn't help but smile each time he found one of the many celestial figures that Velcia had taught him long ago.

"It is a beautiful night," Areshmin said, dropping down from a cloud of smoke.

"...It is," Balthazar said, not moving. "How is Velcia?"

Areshmin clambered up on a rock near to his friend and sat down. He'd been traveling down to Thebes each night to talk with Velcia's Chirithy, and had only just returned.

"She is regaining her strength quickly. The Pantazis are taking very good care of her, and today they asked if she would like to live with them permanently," Areshmin said.

Balthazar's heart leaped with joy, but he did not have the strength to do more than clasp his hands together gratefully. "Then… then she will be alright. Has she told them… about Daybreak Town?"

"I don't think she's told them much, only that she lost her home and family to a war. Her Chirithy says that they have been very respectful not to press her for details. It sounds like they are just thankful to be able to help her."

Balthazar turned a little, slowly stretching one wing that had been bunched up behind him. His physical form was almost entirely healed now, but it was becoming ever more difficult to fight back against the influence of the Darkness that comprised the Heartless body he inhabited. Balthazar retained control for the time being, but he knew it was only a matter of time.

"By the way… Velcia may try to visit us, soon," Areshmin said softly. "She wants to be sure that we are doing well…"

"I don't know how we're going to hide it," Balthazar said. "I can hardly move now. I… I would be surprised if we can make it as long as another week. I'm sorry Areshmin."

Areshmin shook his head. "No, I am sorry that I cannot do more, my friend. Know that I regret nothing, and am thankful for this extra life I have been able to enjoy. That we have been able to help save that precious girl from a fate as horrendous as that Keyblade War is all the justification that my existence needs, as both an Angel of Darkness and now as a Chirithy."

"...Thank you, Areshmin, for sticking with me to the bitter end. I don't remember most of the other Angels, but I do remember that you and I were the first. It was because of you that I had this chance, I can't think of anyone more fitting to be with me now," Balthazar said. He grunted, then sat up and slowly stretched out, feeling the heavy weight of the Darkness pulling against him as he did. It felt like trying to move through an ocean of thick honey.

"Areshmin-" Balthazar started, his voice cracking up. "I am worried what will happen when the Darkness does take over this form. Not just to us, although I am concerned about that too, but if a Heartless with powers the powers of an Angel of Darkness is able to run free through the world… I shudder to think of the damage it could cause."

Areshmin nodded, standing up and hopping down to the ground below. He walked out a ways, holding his paw against his brow above his beady eyes and looking out at Mt. Olympus. "I share your concerns. Truthfully, I can think of only one solution."

Balthazar crossed his arms, lowering his head. "...If Velcia is able to visit us soon, then maybe. Could we really ask her a thing like that?"

"I am not certain that we should risk the alternative."

Letting out a resigned sigh, Balthazar slumped slowly once more and watched as Areshmin returned to his nearby perch. The two sat in silence for a while, before Areshmin perked up.

"Ah, do you sense her too?" Areshmin asked, standing up and climbing to a higher rock for a better view.

"I don't. Are you talking about Velcia?"

"Yes, she is nearly here!" Areshmin said.

Sure enough, moments later Velcia came into view. Even though it hadn't yet been a week since he'd seen her, she was already looking significantly healthier. She smiled warmly at the sight of her Angel, and scampered over quickly.

"You're still here! Oh, I am so happy to see you again!" she said.

"It's good to see you too," Balthazar said, his voice stronger than it had been. The glowing light of happiness in his heart was invigorating, and it afforded him a temporary reprieve from the pressure of the Darkness. "Are you doing well?"

"Yes, I think so," Velcia said, shaking her head. "I still hurt, but I am getting better… I've missed you a lot. I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner."

Balthazar waved his hand. "No, I am glad that you have been able to rest."

Velcia paused, tilting her head as she looked into his glowing eyes. "You sound much better, too… your voice sounds so familiar, and beautiful now…"

"Th-thank you…" Balthazar said, knowing that if he could blush he certainly would be. "Ah, you brought your backpack with you?"

"Oh! Yes!" Velcia said, sliding the backpack off and swinging it around in front of her. "I… I've been thinking a lot about what's going to happen to me now. The Pantazis have asked me if I would like to live with them forever, and… I think I am going to tell them I want to."

Balthazar nodded. "That's wonderful news."

"I think so, too… it is hard to believe that Daybreak Town is gone. I miss my brother Aspis so very much, and Leonna and Lupe too, but everything else… when I think about it all, well, my heart hurts so much. I have a hard time sleeping, and so I thought that… well, it might be better to leave my old things from Daybreak Town here in the cave with you," Velcia explained, holding out her backpack. "I think… I think that I need to try to make a new life here, and… and try to forget about what happened."

Hands trembling, Velcia's fingers making their way to the gold tiara necklace she wore, tracing along the gold plate and following the chain back around to the clasp.. "It… it doesn't matter where I'm from now, if this is my new home."

Balthazar held out his hand, watching as she placed the necklace in his scraggly hands. His finger rubbed across the emblem on the front, and he turned it over to look once more at the strange script across the back. He's spent so much time trying to find a way to decipher the meaning of these symbols and had never found an answer. He was happy that she was able to find contentment all the same.

Closing his hand around the necklace, he reached down and grabbed the backpack with his other. "I will put these in the cave for you," he said. "Is there anything else you want to leave here?"

Velcia shook her head. "I am not sure… I have been worried what might happen if someone reads my journals… I do not want to have to explain Daybreak Town or that terrible war to anybody. My memory of it is so hazy, it's… it's more like a nightmare than anything else. Could I leave them here, too?"

"Yes, of course…" Balthazar said, trailing off as a thought occurred to him. He may not have found the meaning of Velcia's symbols in his quest, but he had picked up another trick.

"Say," he started slowly, "I might be able to help you with those in a different way. I could teach you a spell that lets you lock any book or container so that nobody except you can open it."

"Oh!" Velcia's eyes lit up, "Oh, that would be wonderful! But… I'm afraid I've never been able to learn how to do any magic on my own, not even back in the Projected Worlds. There was this girl in that version of Olympus who tried to teach me some, but I was so horrible."

Balthazar nodded, remembering her struggles well. "I wonder if we could make something like a medal, that can help cast the spell for you."

"That would be wonderful, can you make one?" Velcia asked.

"Hm… on second thought, I'm not sure," Balthazar said, shaking his head. "I'm not very good at complex magic. Could I see one of your medals?"

Velcia nodded, and took back her bag and rummaged through it. A sly grin came to her, and she pulled out her Timeless River Pete medal and handed it to him. Balthazar was surprised to see it here, and shook his head as he grabbed it.

"This thing, huh?"

"Oh, you know him?" Velcia asked, tilting her head. "For a long time I thought that he was a very naughty cat, but Lupe helped change my mind and see that he wasn't trying to curse me at all." She paused, glancing at the medal art before leaning over and whispering quietly. "I do still think he is very yucky, but his heart is in the right place"

Balthazar let out a broken chuckle, turning the medal over in his hands. With the power of the Darkness within his Heartless form so strong, he was able to sense the spell in the medal vividly. It almost felt malleable. Holding it tightly between both hands, he closed his eyes and tried to tug at the spell.

Velcia watched curiously as a purple glow enveloped her medal, and soon after a flash of colorful light flickered from the Angel's hands. The light died down to a gentle glow, and the Angel's turquoise eyes opened once more.

"...I think that I did it," Balthazar said, handing the medal back to her. "Try it, see if it locks your book."

Holding the medal tightly, Velcia grabbed her journal from the pouch on her hip. "This medal feels different. Do I still need to use it with my Keyblade?"

"I don't know," Balthazar admitted.

With a shrug, Velcia held the medal against the cover of her journal and gasped as a warm glow enveloped the book. She removed the medal from the cover, then tried to open the journal to no effect.

"It's stuck tight!"

"That's good… can you undo it?"

Grabbing the medal once more, Velcia was relieved to discover that she could indeed. "Oh, good," she said with a smile, putting the journal and her Timeless River Pete medal back into her pouch. "I will keep Pete with me for now, then… he can keep helping me."

Balthazar chuckled, grimacing at the returning strain in his body. Using his magic had taken a bigger toll on him than he had expected, and he slowly sat back down on his rock.

"Are you alright, Angel?" Velcia asked.

There was a distinct pause, and Balthazar shook his head. "I'm not," he admitted.

Velcia fought off a worried frown, doing her best to stay positive. "I will do anything I can to help you."

Glancing over at Areshmin, Balthazar's heart sank within him. They were running out of time, and he knew he couldn't afford to wait. He tried to sit up a bit straighter, and shook his head solemnly.

"Velcia… I am not meant to be in this Heartless body, and the Darkness that comprises it is becoming too strong for me. There's… there's a favor that I need to ask of you, something that only you can do."

"Anything at all!" Velcia said, clenching her fists with determination.

"I… I need you to use your Keyblade and… and destroy me."

Velcia's eyes opened wide in shock, her face instantly snapping to a sickly pale. Her lips trembled and she stepped back slowly, shaking her head. "N-no…!"

"I… I didn't want to ask you, but I-"

"Then you should not have!" Velcia shouted. "How could you ask me to do such a terrible thing? Angel, I… I-!" Velcia's voice was cut off as she burst into tears, and she quickly turned and ran off.

"V-velcia!" Balthazar called. He tried to get up, but he was too weak and collapsed back down onto the rock with nothing but a pained groan.

Areshmin ran over to him, climbing up onto his lap. "We had to try… Velcia will be alright."

Balthazar groaned, holding a hand to his face. "What else can we do…?"

Areshmin shook his head solemnly. "I do not know. What happens next may be beyond our control."

"Damn it…" Balthazar grumbled, his head slumping back against the cave wall with a sigh. "Oh, Velcia… what have I done…"

His eyes drifted up to the top of Mt. Olympus, and he sighed. Whatever would happen to him would be up to Zeus now. The Darkness inside him would surely take over before long, and deep inside he could hear it taunting him with threats of destruction. He knew that, before he lost his control entirely, he would need to get as far away from Thebes as he could.

But for now, he had no strength for such a venture. Looking up into the sky, he watched the moon slowly crawl down towards the horizon. The blackness of the sky was beginning to lighten, if ever so slightly now, and he hoped that he would soon be able to go back into the cave and see what energy he could muster up for the next night.

A small, meek voice broke out from not far away. "Angel…?"

Balthazar's eyes flashed open, and he lifted his head to look around. "V-velcia?"

Soon enough, she came into view and was by his side. She was still crying, but her expression was soft and compassionate, and she picked up his hand and held it tightly.

"Velcia, I'm-"

"No, I am sorry," Velcia cut him off. "I… I was so selfish. I was supposed to help you, and I… I only thought about myself. You were trying to tell me something important, and I… and I left you."

Balthazar leaned his head back. "No… I shouldn't have asked you that."

Velcia took a stuttered breath, rubbing her finger across the back of his hand. "Is it true… that the Darkness is going to take you over?"

Balthazar nodded weakly. "There's nothing I can do to stop it… and if it does, this Heartless will go on to cause as much suffering and destruction as it can. I don't know if I'll even be alive anymore when that happens, but if I am I will be stuck watching it."

"That's why… that's why you asked me to destroy you," Velcia said, shaking her head. "It… it's really the Heartless that I need to destroy. If I do that, what will happen to you?"

Balthazar took a deep breath. "I don't know. I think my Heart, my true self, will be freed, but I don't know where I'll go after that. Heh… I guess I'll find out either way."

Velcia bit her lip, holding back tears. "A-aren't you scared?"

"Yeah, of course I am," Balthazar said, placing his free hand over hers. "But… I've died before. I can do it again. This life… I'm glad I was able to use it to save you."

"M-me too. I'll always be thankful that you did. How… how long do you have?" Velcia asked, watching Balthazar's body tremble.

"I don't know. Now that the Darkness knows what we are planning, it is starting to fight against me even harder," Balthazar told her. "It may only be a few hours."

Velcia pulled her hands back, stepping back and wiping her tears. "I… I see. Are… should we do it now…?"

Balthazar nodded weakly, then mustered all his strength and slowly stood up. His wings stretched out, and he watched as the first rays of the morning sun began to peak over the eastern horizon. It was time to go.

"Are you ready, Areshmin?" Balthazar asked.

"Of course," Areshmin said, standing beside Balthazar.

Velcia's hands shook, and she summoned her Keyblade to her hand reluctantly. "Angel, I… I can't do it…"

"You can… you must, please."

"B-but you saved me, and I-!"

"It's your turn now to save me. Destroy this Heartless… and free my Heart. I… I'll find a way. I'll always be with you in your heart, alright?"

Velcia pointed her Keyblade towards him, her eyes so wet now that she could hardly see. Balthazar could feel a swelling surge of Darkness inside of him as the evil within began to claw away his control. He let out a pained groan, holding his hand to his chest.

"A-angel!" Velcia exclaimed, watching as Balthazar fell to one knee. He groaned again, and she saw an orange hue begin to wash over his eyes.

"Velcia… now…!"

Closing her eyes, Velcia's Keyblade unleashed a stream of light magic and she let out a pained shout. The light magic from her Keyblade overtook the Heartless and a terrible, monstrous shriek broke out.

Balthazar opened his eyes to see Velcia on her knees, her Keyblade on the ground beside her as she sobbed. He held out a hand towards her, but gasped at the sight of it - it was his own human hand. He looked down over himself to see what appeared to be his true form, before noticing the charred and dissipating remains of the Heartless shell he'd just inhabited.

"V-velcia!" Balthazar called out.

"She can't hear you," an unknown voice spoke from behind him.

Balthazar turned to see a winged man wearing dark robes standing not far away, a large sword hanging down from his side. This man had an eerie glow to his form, and radiated an imposing presence.

"Why can't-"

"Your mortal form has perished, but your soul lives on as a Shade," the man said, motioning towards the nearly-vanished remains of the Heartless. "My name is Thanatos. I'm here to escort you to what comes next."

"W-what is that?" Balthazar asked, his ethereal form cold and numb.

"You are not of our world, but your selfless acts of love and devotion have earned you the favor of Olympus. Worry not, for you shall spend the remainder of your days in Elysium," Thanatos said, motioning with his hand. "Come, follow me."

"E-elysium…" Balthazar said, noting that his ghostly form felt compelled to follow Thanatos whether he wanted to or not. "Where is that?"

"It is a part of the Underworld," Thanatos explained.

Balthazar's eyes shot open wide, and he stopped in his tracks. "I… I can't be going there!"

"You must," Thanatos said. "It is the natural way of things. Do not worry, it is not a bad place and you have nothing to fear."

"I've been there before, I don't know how you can say that…"

Thanatos stopped and turned to Balthazar, looking him in the eyes. "You could not possibly have been there, and yet in your eyes… how curious. I wonder, what tapestry do my sisters weave for you, Balthazar?"

Balthazar stood still, feeling a chill wash over him.

A curious smile crept along Thanatos' face, and his eyes flickered over to look at someone behind Balthazar. "Hestia… it is unusual for you to visit a Shade under my care."

"I am sorry to interrupt, Thanatos," Hestia said, coming up beside Balthazar. "But it would appear that the Fates have woven a different path for this one. I am meant to take him elsewhere."

"Impossible," Thanatos said, gripping the handle of his sword but leaving it sheathed.

"It is true. I am to take him to the far land, to meet a man known there as Zros."

Thanatos shook his head. "This one is dead, Hestia, he cannot be allowed to remain among the living." Saying so, he began to draw his sword only to find the blade stopping short. He looked down at it with surprise, and Balthazar looked to see what appeared to be the faint outline of translucent threads staying Thanatos' blade.

"…I see," Thanatos said with a resigned sigh, releasing the hilt. "So be it. He is yours now, Hestia."

"Thank you, Thanatos," Hestia said with a bow, turning towards Balthazar. "Come now."

Balthazar looked at Thanatos with a bewildered expression, and gave him an awkward wave goodbye. Thanatos said nothing, but did almost seem to be amused by this before he disappeared into thin air.

"Where are we going now…?" Balthazar asked. "Why did you save me…?"

"I have done nothing of the sort," Hestia said. "The Fates have taken an interest in you, it would seem, and have woven a different fate. All that I have been told is that I am to escort you to meet with Zros."

"Who is Zros?" Balthazar asked.

"I do not know him, he is not of this land," Hestia admitted. "It is not often that the Fates indulge an outsider so, but Zros is said to be an associate of a man who has the audacity to call himself 'Master of Masters'."

"T-the Master-!" Balthazar exclaimed. He stopped, holding his hand to his chest. His vision had begun to blur, and he quickly recognized it as the same overwhelming, ethereal sensation that had first begun in the Projected World of Olympus so long ago. It was overwhelming now, and he could not hear Hestia's reply.

Balthazar stumbled down to his knees, breathing deeply as the wave washed past him and his vision cleared. He still felt the pressure, but it felt more manageable now.

Hestia knelt down beside him, shaking her head. "Balthazar…?"

"What was that…?" Balthazar asked.

"Time…" a new voice spoke up.

Balthazar and Hestia turned now to see another glowing figure, an old man with a long beard.

"Cronos…!" Hestia exclaimed. "What are you-?"

Cronos shook his head, his beard swaying like a pendulum, then he looked at Balthazar. "Your actions have set in motion a sequence of events that now cascade forward into the future… It is difficult for a mortal to understand, but every now and then the consequences of our actions take some, hm, time to unfold. This great weight you feel upon your soul is the motion of these events as they shift and settle into your future."

"What do you mean?" Balthazar asked, shaking his head. "W-what have I done?"

Hestia's brow furrowed. "The Fates-"

"Ah, the Fates… Even the works of the Fates are made to fit into the constraints of time itself," Cronos said, shaking his head once more. "They will soon understand… as will you both. Hestia… grab his hand, feel what he feels."

Hestia looked at Balthazar, who raised a hand meekly. She grabbed it and closed her eyes, shaking her head. "I do not understand… whose Heart is this that he feels?"

Cronos smiled, but did not feel compelled to answer her question. "Balthazar, tell me… are you content?"

Balthazar looked at the man in disbelief. "W-what do you mean?"

"It is true that the will of the Fates is not easily swayed, but on occasion their works can be delayed for a time. Your meeting with Zros shall always come to pass, eventually, but your actions have created a rare opportunity for you… a chance to take another path. So, I ask you again, are you content with where you are, and where you are going?"

"I…" Balthazar trailed off, his mind racing. "I am thankful that I have saved Velcia. I would happily pay this price again, but…"

"But…?" Hestia asked softly.

"But I cannot say that I am content, no," Balthazar said, gritting his teeth. "Everything that The Master has done, the destruction of Daybreak Town… all those people dead and fallen into Darkness, tricked by The Master. All of my friends, and Velcia's… no, I can never be content with that. I don't know what plan The Master thinks he has for me next, but I'm done being his pawn."

Hestia shook her head. "You can't-"

Cronos waved her off, and once satisfied with her silence closed his eyes. He ran a hand through his beard, and even this did not interrupt the rhythm of its sway. "I do not know what you will find on this path, but the Heart that you sense… the Heart that you have called back to you, is the key."

Hestia tilted her head, but her eyes widened in understanding. "The Heart he senses… it draws near. But where are they?"

"Not where," Cronos corrected, "But when. Balthazar, you are upon the crossroads of your destiny. You can join with this Heart as it passes us through time and see what path you find, or let it pass you by and travel with Hestia to meet Zros."

"Will the Fates allow this?" Hestia said under her breath.

Cronos gave her a knowing smile, but said nothing.

Balthazar groaned, holding his hands to his head. "How am I supposed to make a choice like this?" he whispered, closing his eyes. The feeling inside was growing stronger and stronger, and now he too began to recognize it as a Heart. He paused, focusing on this, and suddenly his eyes shot wide open in recognition.

"I-i know this Heart, but I can't place where from," he sputtered. He glanced up to see Cronos and Hestia looking at him, each with a different expression of differing expectations. Balthazar gasped sharply. "Velcia will be safe…?" he asked.

Hestia nodded uneasily, but couldn't help but cast a glance over towards Cronos. She wasn't sure she understood what was happening any more than Balthazar did.

"I'm not going to follow The Master's plan anymore," Balthazar said, gritting his teeth. "Not after what he's done." He closed his eyes again, putting all of his focus on the overwhelming light of the Heart that drew ever closer. He felt a resonance surging between his own heart and this other, and in a moment of instinct created a Heart Link and disappeared from Olympus.