//------------------------------// // Chapter 9: Vanitas's Own. // Story: Broken Barriers: Secret Reports // by BioQuillFiction //------------------------------// It's been about a month since he and the others got the report from that pegasus guard about what happened while they were on patrol. Vanitas was looking from the border of Everfree Village in the direction of where it happened. Tirek. He attacked the three guards and only one was able to get away. The other two are most likely dead knowing him, but that wasn't the only thing on his mind. The guards also found an orb in that direction before Tirek jumped them. He had a feeling about what it was. An Absent Silhouette. Unlike Lingering Wills, they can be anything from strong to weak, and are just a cosmic and magical imprint of something no longer existing. Vanitas went out to see for himself. When he reached the area he saw the two other patrols bodies, long decayed with obvious signs of being nawed on my whatever animals were around. Their necks were twisted and mangled, a clear indication as to how they died. Behind them is where Vanitas saw it, the Absent Silhouette. It radiated power, darkness, and light. He was surprised by both of them being there. From how they were balanced he figured who's Silhouette this was. Zeke's. He didn't know anyone else with a balanced heart and after what happened to him he wasn't surprised. That also means this thing was very powerful. He didn't really know if he could win, but it was a way to test himself. To see if his training is actually paying off. Now or never. “Let's do this.” He said. Vanitas touched the orb. In a flash of white, and when he opened his eyes, he now stood on a Station of Awakening. Zeke posed like he or Ventus from their fight on it, in the background was the Keyblade graveyard. In the background of that, Kingdom Hearts above it. Across from him was the orb, shifting and molding until it formed Zeke, who brought up the X-blade. Vanitas looked at the X-blade for a second. Remembering he was created to forge that blade once. Now he fights it's true wielder. He summons his Keyblade, Void Gear, and prepares to fight. “Hastaga.” He ups his speed and charges with a Dark Blitz. Keyblade surrounded by darkness. Zeke blocked, each strike Vanitas went for was blocked, then, Zeke countered. The impact knocking Vanitas back some before he got back up fast, blocking and crossing blades with Zeke, the two trying to push the other aside. Vanitas broke the lock and used a Command style. Dark Pulse. Surrounding him in darkness increasing the power of his strikes before using a Shotlock. Dark Salvo. Sending multiple blast of darkness at Zeke. The attack stronger than normal thanks to Dark Pulse. Zeke took them, and then rushed, swinging the Keyblade, Vanitas ready to block, only for it to be thrown up as Zeke then punched Vanitas in the stomach hard, followed by a roundhouse kick that knocked Vanitas to the ground. He got up quickly to avoid a slash downward and used Dark Firaga to send Zeke back. He switched styles to Firestorm and hit Zeke with a barrage of fire attacks sending him back before using Thundaga on him knocking down to his knee. He let Firestorm go to conserve stamina. Switching between styles can take its toll. Good thing he has been training this as well as some other things. When Zeke recovered, he raised a hand, several Keyblades surrounding him as he rushed at Vanitas, who swung, only for a Keyblade to meet his swing and deflect it, giving Zeke his hit and almost knocking Vanitas off the Stations edge. He quickly tried to get some distance but more keyblades came after him. He used Dark Thundaga to stop them, then had to block a swing from Zeke. He pushed him back with a kick to Zeke's chest before backflipping away then used a new style. WindBlade. One of Ventus’s favorite Command styles. He disperses Void Gear to summon six blades of wind that almost look like wings on his back. He rushes back at Zeke with one blade in hand. Another Keyblade tries to intercept him but a windblade counters it as he and Zeke clash. The Keyblades around Zeke disappeared, and Zeke backed away, and jumped off the Stations edge, flying back up on his glider, aiming it’s bow like half at Vanitas, using a Fenrir Keyblade as the arrow. Vanitas was a little use to that do to Aqua and John having similar gliders. The Keyblade as the arrow was new though. He used the wind blades on him to quickly move out of the way when Zeke shot. He had to use all the blades to stop it with the force sending him to the edge of the station. He looked back to see Zeke aiming another one. Rather than fire, Zeke’s glider disbanded, and he fell back down, and flew up again, this time on a gust of Keyblades, much like Vanitas himself did so long ago in the Keyblade Graveyard. “Copy cat!” He yelled at him. Zeke rushed in, the attack swiping by with the gust, but it was an easy dodge, until his gust of Keyblade floated there, and the front half began forming an almost mouth like contraption. Vanitas prepared himself, as the contraption began gathering energy, and blasted a beam of light and darkness at him. “Protect!” He disbanded the Windblade style and used Void Gear to use a defense spell. The beam hit the shield and broke in a second. Which gave him time to use the style Thunder Bolt to get out of the way. He looked back to where to Keyblade  contraption was and let loose a lot of lightning at them. The contraption fell apart and Vanitas saw Zeke land back on the station, a Master Keeper Keyblade appearing in his other hand as he charged at him. Vanitas formed a blade of darkness in is left hand and clashed with him. He had to focus his darkness more to keep it from shattering against the keyblade. They continued this for about a minute until he was sent back from a kick to his head from Zeke. when he recovered he saw a dozen keyblades flying at him at great speeds and tried to block them only to block less then half while the others cut into him a little. Vanitas powered down his command style from the damage he took. He was injured and was on his last legs. He had one last trick, but hasn’t perfected it yet. It takes a huge toll on his body after just a few seconds. Its why something like this is basically encouraged not to do, but he didn’t have a choice. It only works with one style at the moment though. Dark Impulse. He activated it and let darkness surge inside him. He looked at Zeke before taking something out from his pocket. A Wayfinder. “Funny. Even after everything. Me and my other still have this connection. Ventus. Help me. Give me your power.” He held the Wayfinder to his chest and activated his D-link with Ven. D-links and Command Styles aren’t supposed to be used at once. It takes a massive toll on the user, and from some reports Xehanort has told him. Has lead some to their death. It was a major risk, but thats why he trained till his bones nearly broke. He felt a massive surge of power. From both the link and style. He felt them mix, and then felt them conflict. This conflict is what causes the strain. Vanitas gritted his teeth and got ready. Holding his keyblade like Ventus does. Before he vanished before Zeke’s and appeared behind him in less then a second. There was a flash, and Vanitas saw Zeke was now wearing a red version of his normal attire, before quickly and rapidly landing multiple hits on Vanitas. Van quickly got up and used sonic strike which was way faster and stronger and hit Zeke. He then landed multiple hits before jumping back and using the spell Ragnarok. Its Shot lock version which launched multiple blast of magic that collided with Zeke. He saw Zeke through the smoke and noticed he changed again. He only had the X-blade now, and his attire was a dark blue. He slid, as if on skates, across the field and off the edge, rising back up on a ring of keyblade that he spun across as he fired magic projectiles at Vanitas. With his current speed he was able to easily block them before rushing Zeke. he knows this kind of form. Strong magic and range, but low close range and physical abilities. He got up close before using Ars Arcanum to quickly land multiple strong hits sending him onto his back. When they both fell back to the battleground, Zeke flashed again, his attire yellow, the X-blade floated in one hand while Master Keeper was gripped in the other as electricity itself seemed to eradiate from him. He rushed in, landing multiple hite before finishing with a spinning attack that drew Vanitas in before slashing and pushing him to the edge. He was hurt. How many stages does Zeke have?! He wasn’t going to win. He wasn’t stupid. If he was right his next form would be similar to Sora’s Final Form. which increase both magical and physical abilities to their max and beyond, and he doubted he would be done there. ‘Well. Guess this is my limit. How am i supposed to beat this?’ He saw Zeke walking towards him. Preparing to finish this. He closed his eyes to get ready for the blow when he heard a noise. He opened his eyes to see two  things. One. Zeke was sent back and was on one knee. And two. Somehow. John was there. “John?! How? ‘John’ looked back at him. “Get up Vanitas. You can still keep going.” “I can’t. Zeke is too powerful. Even if i somehow get past this one the next one will beat me.” ‘John’ shook his head. “So what? Core was way to strong for me also. Did that stop me, Zeke, or the others from trying? There will always be someone stronger. You aren't’ at your limits yet.” ‘John’ put his hand on Vanitas’s shoulder and he felt something hit him. He… somehow knew a new spell. “Don't give up. Darkness craves those who are weak willed remember. May your heart be your guiding Key.” with that ‘John’ vanished. Vanitas thought for a second before he realized what happened. “Dang. guess my Heart is more stubborn than me.” He said with a small smile. He got up to see Zeke had changed again. He was in the Final Form Drive. He smiled before bringing out his Keyblade again. The strain from the D-Link and command style combo taking a huge toll but his next move will help. Zeke was now dressed in all black, Keyblade forming wings out of his back as they were held together by chains of light. He waved his hand, Keyblade appearing and all trying to slash Vanitas, who blocked them with just seconds to spare each. “Ok then. This is my last trick. So here goes.” Vanitas lifted his keyblade up before using the spell. “Nature’s Gift!” Most don't know or even heard of this spell. It comes in pairs. Nature’s Gift and Nature’s Favor. For the most part these are the same. Both strengthening the users offence and defence  more than any other spell while healing them. The difference is one thing. Gift increases the power of Darkness type moves while favor increases Light. Vanitas felt his power rise to a lvl he hadn’t reach even when he used the X-blade itself from before. He looked at Zeke before they both clashed again. Only this time, for now, Zeke was being pushed back. Zeke retaliated, Keyblade coming to his aid in an attempt to bring Vanitas down, which didn’t work as darkness protected him, and then, Vanitas broke the stalemate, slashing Zeke in a perfect Zentenzukan. Vanitas Saw Zeke drop to his knees, his form gone and looking almost weakened. He didn’t let his guard down for even half a second. He figured Zeke had more forms and got ready for it. He felt the strain from the combo of his but not as bad. The spell from before really helped with its strain, but he shouldn’t rely on it forever. After this he is going to up his training. He has to master this. He saw Zeke stand up, and grab the X-blade from the grips of it’s two Kingdom Keys. a flash of white went up and down the blade from it’s center, and Zeke pulled it in two, the X-blade was now in half, and Zeke wielded each half back handed, one half pulsated with darkness, and the other irradiated an almost holy light. A dual wielded X-blade form? This looked to be trouble. He focused on his darkness and let loose as much as he could. He was at his full power, and He felt the strain from his Link-Command grow stronger. He didn’t have long. He and Zeke stared at each other. Then clashed. Vanitas clashed with Zeke as best he could, but the strain from his power was slowing him down. The spell was weakening from the strain and he was losing. Zeke suddenly slashed him in the chest with both keyblades forming a X on him with one side being light and the other darkness. He fell to his knees when he saw Zeke hold both blades to his neck. Vanitas felt...something take over, a flash of green before he spun on his knee, kicking Zeke’s leg and knocking him over allowing Vanitas to free himself. Before Zeke could get up Vanitas went in for an attack, and Zeke jumped back, pulling out his Wayfinder as it began to glow. His body flashed white, and he...wasn’t there. There was someone else there, an older man, dressed in winter wear, wielding X, dark hair, green eyes. This new figure slashed the X-blade, and sent waves of light energy towards Vanitas. He dodge the blast as best as he could. ‘What in the Heck?! Is that one of the X-blades previous users? Zeke's other forms are them? Whats next?’ He got up to fight. Even though he was low on strength. He felt the Link-Command move disable a little bit ago. After...whatever happened when he was about to be decapitated. The man then vanished, appearing behind Vanitas and grabbing him by his helmet, the pressure causing it to crack and begin to break. Vanitas now knew how Ventus felt when Xehanort did that to him. Once there were large enough cracks powerful lightening shocked Vanitas, smoke rising off his body as it went on. The next thing he knew he was opening his eyes to see the sky. He slowly got up and looked around. He saw the Absent Silhouette a few feet from him. He realized he lost. He was a little upset from that, but now knew where he currently stood. He has an objective now. He saw a boulder a dozen feet away and walked up to it. He cut off a chunk to show a smooth slab of rock. He carved his name into it as well as the number of stages he fought. Vanitas. 12 stage. Failed. He at least gained two things from this. A new spell that will really come in handy, and he unlock his Reaction Commands. He looked to the orb before turning around and leaving. One day he will be back to finish this. Although if he had to bet on it. John might be able to beat it  before him. As he was ready to leave, Vanitas spotted something near where he woke up. A small box. He walked over to it and picked it up. Inside were two things, a letter, and an unopened, freezing cold bar of Sea Salt Ice Cream. Vanitas opened the note. Inside, was one simple sentence. I’m waiting, brother. He looked at this before smiling under his helmet. Putting the Ice Cream back in the box for travel. He summoned his glider and left.