I woke up in a forest, this clearly isn't the Everfree back home. This place had MUCH stronger magic within it. Even the air was soaked in magic. I looked around, my X still in hand before looking down. “Naga, well I need to learn how to fight like this anyways.” I commented to myself before calling out. “Wolf! Cript! Anyone there!?”
“No need to shout.” Cript said, walking up towards me. “Like this forest? I grew up in these woods.”
“Really?” I asked as I took a good look around. “It is kinda nice, though it feels like I am breathing magic instead of air.”
“Yeah.” He said, looking up. “I grew up in a temple, up the ways from here. This forrest was the last pure source of magic on this, my world. The monks that raised me, they were the last of this world's magic wielders. My mom dropped me off here when I was two, and that was the last time I ever saw her.”
“I’m… Sorry. I really am. But… Why am I here dad?” I asked him “Also, any idea what this is about?” I asked, showing him what has become of Oath and Oblivion.
“A bit of my doing.” He said. “I convinced Kingdom Hearts that it was time for stronger fighters. So, he forged your X-blade. Kexez created monsters only a X-blade can harm, and along with the Ventral Family clones, and the Embodiments, this Keyblade war will be way worse than the last.”
“Shit.” I said “So, to my first question, why am I here?”
“First off, we tackle one of your issues.” He said, and started moving along the path. I followed. “You were born in a world without magic, and reborn as a unicorn. That sudden change did not fully agree with your aura. As such, explains your weak magic compared to Twilight.”
“Really? You would think that it would be fine, considering I spent most of my life there, being re-raised as a unicorn.” I said, honestly surprised.
“Yes, normally...if you died before hand.” Cript started. “Death cleans the soul, washing away the past energies and thought, and rebirth infuses the clean soul with it’s new environments energies. You were reborn, before dying. Your soul was not ready for the new energies, and adapted slowly.”
“So… what’s going to happen?”
We arrived at a large gated temple...the massive walls long since fallen to near rubble and the building itself burned with ashes and charred wood laid about. “Is this…” I asked, letting the question hang.
“Yup. Where I grew up.” Cript said, still moving.
I followed behind, glad that I have gotten used to moving as Naga as we entered the temple ruins. Cript led me to a room where several chairs made from roots of a large, burned tree rested behind it. The trees roots having grown the important looking seats. “This is where my masters Medatated. See that tree?” I laid eyes on the long since burned tree, scorched deep into it’s bark. “That was the first tree to grow in this forest, and gave all the rest of this place it’s magic.”
“What happened?” I asked, dreading the answer.
“Nexus…” Cript said. “My mom was a member, a high ranking fighter. She conducted every order without failure… so my dad chose her to birth me… their perfect weapon. I’m not this strong because I was destined to be Eclipse, I was born to be this strong, and only ever get stronger. A fellow student here, a kid, Andy… my best friend… We both left for a year long travel. When I returned, he turned. Corrupted… my teachers slain, home in flames, and his hands covered in the fire and blood. Nexus corrupted him, made him a twisted puppet.”
“A cowardly move on your mother’s side.” I said, not even hiding my disgust for someone like that.
Cript was suddenly holding my neck, a handgun almost touching my eye. “My Mom left me here to hide me. She died, protecting me. My own father killed her, and shared with me that memory!” He tightened his grip. “You think Kexez, Psychopaths, the Embodiments are bad… Vincent, my old man literally eats people like them, just to gain whatever powers they might have for himself.” He let go, letting me breath and putting the gun away.
After a few breaths I look Cript dead in the eyes. “If there is one thing I learn since becoming open to the universe, is no one is eternal. All Tyrants, and heros as well, are but a bullet away from becoming but a memory. I’m sorry about your mom… I shouldn't have assumed.”
“My mom defied all she knew, because she knew what he had planned for me was the end of everything. Why do you think Zeke and I look alike? You think his family just happened to gain Psychopath blood in them? His family was created to breed his worlds worst, til he was born. Another me, another weapon. Vincent even fathered him. Yes that makes us brothers in a way. So are the rest of my ‘reflections.’”
“So you adopted your brother?” I said with a small smile, trying to defuse the situation.
“He hasn't accepted.” Cript said. “Like me, he wants to take it on without help.” Cript said, taking a seat on one of the charred seats, and taking a breath. “When your Keyblade war is going on, I and a few selected members will be attacking Vincents personal realm. He dies there.”
I closed my eyes and took a breath. “Rursus ieiunium, verum volant, et cor vestrum erit guiding clavem tuam.” I said, not sure why or what I said.
“Heh, thanks.” Cript said. He stood up, and walked over to the burned tree. He pulled out a pocket knife, and began cutting into it. At some point, a faint light began to glow from it, and once it was bright enough to cast a shadow, Cript backed up. “There.” He said, taking a breath.
“So, what do I need to do?’ I asked, slithering up to him.
“That, is Origen magic. Older than most realms. Take it.” He said, moving to the side.
I went up to it and reached for it, hesitating. “Are you sure? It… it feels important I guess is a way to explain it.”
“It is, it’s part of why this temple was built. One of many guarded treasures…” Cript sighed. “But the past is past. The forest will live on without it. It’s magic will be weaker, but still very much present.”
“In you say so.” I said before taking a breath and reaching in.
The second I touched it, it felt like my whole body surged with power. I felt energy that could power whole worlds pulsate inside me. When the light faded I was twitching a bit, the last of the old magic settling within me.
“Feels amazing huh?” Cript asked.
“Yeah… and that’s what scares me.” I said, saying the last bit to myself. It feels like everything is finally right in my body, but the power it holds...
“Try levitating this.” Cript said, an apple appearing in his hand.
I started up my horn, and… the spell felt like nothing to cast. I worked years to get it right, even more to to use it in combat with Oath and Oblivion and now it feels like breathing. “It’s… so easy now.”
“Twilight will be jealous.” Cript laughed. He then lead me back outside, and we stopped outside what looked like a cellar door, and a ways behind where six graves, and balls of light over them.
“Come to pay respects?” I asked my father, still trying to get used to the feeling in me.
“Those are the graves of my masters, and the youngest student that was still here when Andy attacked. Think of those like Absent Silhouettes but… more lively.”
“... Joy. And I’ll be alone this time.” I said
“Who said you were fighting them?” Cript said, opening the cellar. Down a stone flight of stairs we entered a room with a large round door. Cript placed a hand on it, blue energy filling it’s designs as it rolled open. Inside was… scrolls...books...I can’t see the back...or the ceiling… Keeping Twi away from this place.
“Let us both agree to save this place from ANY reflection of Twilight.” I said dead serious.
“Oh I know.” Cript said, leading me inside. He sat me at a desk and then placed three books and two scrolls in front of me.
“Time for homework.” I chuckled, knowing that Cript knows I’m taking this seriously. I opened the books and… and I have no idea what these magic structures are or mean. “Translation please?”
Cript smirked. “Question, what is magic?”
“Beyond the whole Force spiel, it is enacting your will upon the world through interacting with the natural energies in certain ways along with your own internal energy.” I said. “And let me guess, only partly right?”
“Eh.” Cript said. “Magic, is energy, like anything else. Most magic has a will of it’s own, so taming it to use it can vary from life form to life form. On your world, magic is very tame, and it is easy to gather a lot of it. When magic is more wild and has more of a will of it’s own, you have to have a stronger will.”
I nodded. Made sense. After all, it Explains why some magic is more intune with certain people. “Makes sense.”
“The art of magic I was taught it called Will Magic, also known as Kin Magic. By either being stronger or getting along with your inner magic or the magic around you, you can collect near unlimited amounts of magic.” He explained. “Now then, there are three types of people who use magic. Those who generate magic within them, like I do, and those who gather it from around them. The third can do both. Twilight is this type, which is why she has always had a much easier time with advanced spells unlike others.”
“And I take it before now I gathered it from around me instead of inside me?” I asked. “Cause I just went on instinct most of the time.”
“Before you only gathered it from around you. Now, you also generate it from within. Now, you must learn to find how much you can pull from around and within you.”
“Well then, time to study… wow… Twilight affected me more than I thought.” I chuckled before looking back down, trying to make sense of the formulas.
Cript chuckled. “Try reading them, by having magic read it to you.” Cript suggested.
I thought about that for a moment before closing my eyes, letting my senses drift all around me, as well as now inside of me, before gently guiding it to the page in front of me… not realizing just how much magic was being drawn. I heard the sound of a cold wind blowing gently around me before I opened my eyes, looking down at the pages
The symbols gone, replaced with words I understood, clearly.
The Akaritive Spell
This spell revitalizes your physical form by taking that health from your opponent.
“That’s a morbid one.” I spoke, not noticing the hints of frost escaping my mouth before I kept reading.
This spell was developed by Ma Kitoru, in the year 4,000 bc. It was made to drain the enemy force when they were taking out your own forces in the battlefield, evening if not turning the tides of the battle. It’s creator ended up dying from his own spell when an enemy spy with a fatal illness, gave the illness to him then took his health, ending his life swiftly and painfully.
It has been marked as a Curse, and therefore Dark Magic.
“Dark magic?” I glance up at Cript. “Why do you want me to learn Dark magic?” I asked, finally noticing just how cold it has gotten, frost covering my arms, but not feeling cold.
“I don’t. I wanted you to learn to read the texts of magic. You just picked up the dark magic book first.”
“Oh.”I said sheepishly. “But why is it so cold? Is it because of my tunment to Frost?”
“Yes. Now that you are closer to magic than ever, you will have to learn to keep tabs on your linked elemental magic. Otherwise it will spire wildly.”
I looked over myself. “I can see that.” I said, closing my eyes and gently asking the magic to be done as the frost melted off me and the temperature returned to normal. “Gonna need to practice that to not freeze everything around me.”
“Try not to give your girls a scare too. It can manifest...during that stuff, and last thing you want is to freeze your own-” I cut in, stopping him from continuing that sentence.
“Yup, and knowing them they will find a way to make it kinky.” I said with a chuckle. “Well, now I’m starting to catch up to the others, maybe I won't be totally destroyed like normal when the war comes.”
“Okay then. Now that this is taken care of, next is the real hard stuff.”
“Aaannnd now I’m worried.” I said, the small smile not leaving my face.
“This is going to be difficult Eclipse, for this first test, you will not have any powers, you will be in your original human form, and you will have no one.”
“Not even Oath and Oblivion?” I asked. He shook his head. “Damn. Well, better get it started. As much as Lulu, Shy and Dash will understand, I still want to see them before the next huge crisis.”
Cript nodded, and snapped his fingers.
I woke up in a dark, really cold room. I knew immediately I was human, my old body, and I was trapped. I stood up, letting myself get used to two legs before I started to explore the room, getting my bearings.
It was not big at all, in fact this room is down right tiny. Made from stone clearly and from what I could feel...had no doors or windows. Well fuck. I sighed before trying to figure out what I need to do here. As I pondered my thoughts I could make out faint sounds. Thuds, clanks, and a wham, like hitting skin. Great, horror movie world.
The wall across from me was then bashed open, startling me as I saw a blond haired man standing there. He wore a red vest, black shirt and pants, blue eyes, and looked...please. “So, you are this Colin Ventral.” He stated.
My eyes narrowed. “Who are you and how do you know my name?”
“I am Adam, new Devil/king of hell. I know everybody, whether they come to my Asylum or not.” He stated.
“....Okay then. I’ll take your word for it. So, Two last questions if you would answer them. One, where am I and what happens now?” I said, thankfully finally learned to take things with a stride.
“This is my Asylum. Cript asked me to...oversee your little test.”
“Alright. Well, let’s get this going. This is already going to be a heavy chapter, lets not add too much filler hm?” I asked, a small smile on my face and my hands behind my head.
“Heh, eager… you’ll regret that.” He said, stomping the ground of my little room, making it break apart and I fell down a long slide, and into… Infants… Infant corpses made up this whole new room! Oh god I feel sick… “First Test, See how far your sanity can stretch!” Adam called from way above.
With middle finger to the sky I looked around, having flashes of Luna and Shy’s kids in this state… it didn’t help me trying to hold back bile. “Gods this is fucked.” I said before standing up, trying to get off the pile ASAP.
Once standing I moved through this… sickness and over to the exit. The wallway I found myself in looked like Abstract art. Stairways to nowhere. Doors on the ceiling, a man on an upside down cross next to me and His guts are hanging out and his penis is all kinds of STD’s… I never walked away quicker. This… I had to be in Hell. There was no other way to explain all this. You know I always said I was going to hell but come on people. I let myself have my chuckle, knowing I wont get them often down here.
I opened a door next to me once I was well away from that...thing. It looked like a...a… Skeleton orgy… “Hey, close the door or join in!” One of them yelled.
I couldn't help but laugh. “Alright, enjoy bonetown.” I said as I shut the door and moved on.
The next door I opened was- OH GOD THAT’S A LOT OF SHIT… and my nose is dead. I saw a hand reach out of the literal shit pile, a woman pulling herself out...and spit some shit out. “Gah-No-No!” She yelped, something pulling her back under….
“Nope nope nope.” I said, noping it out of there after the door shut.
The next door I opened was...human Centipede… Just...just why? I groaned before moving on. I won't lie, the only one of these things that didn't weigh on my mind was the skeleton Orgy, and that was because it was funny. Everything else…. I may joke, but that is to help cope with this shit.
“Heheheheheehhe…” I stiffened up, hearing that ever so fucking laugh of the Left 4 Dead Jockey… I turned around, and...nothing. “Grah!” It fell from above, almost like it is trying to rip my head off as it is wrangling me around madly. I then do something I’m surprised no one in Left 4 Dead did in this situation, I forced us into a wall and banged it repeatedly against it before trying to throw it over my shoulders.
It managed to work, the fuckers neck snapped on the last bang and it fell off me. SHIT THAT HURTS! I stomped on its head to make sure its dead before stumbling on. “Damn, got so used to my strength, forgot how it was without it.”
I moved on, looking for a means to escape this place. I knew my breath was starting to become more ragged as my heart pounded in my chest, my hand twitching at the slightest sudden noise, begging to be filled with a weapon again.
I opened another door. Inside was a room with people jabbed full of knives and swords. They were like pincushions. ‘They deserve it’ I shook my head. That didn't sound like me. This place it getting to me more than I thought. I tried to ignore the strange rush down my spine as I moved on, feeling sick that such a thought came to me.
The hallway changed, what was a glowing white floor was not beginning to look rotten, aged and worn. The doors changed from thick wood to heavy metals with viewing windows. I tried to just walk past… but damn my curiosity. I peeked through one, expecting another form of horror that I’ve seen so far.
Inside the first was what looked like a man, eating his own fingers while his legs were being eaten by maggots… I shudder, as I move on, trying to ignore the strange feeling starting to well up inside me as I moved on.
I started feeling hungry. Damn, when was the last time I ate? I shook off the thought, trying to find something. The next window showed a woman in a restrain jacket… Window! There’s a window in her room. I glanced around and started to open the door. Maybe the Window will give me a clue as to where I was… at least that was what I was telling myself. Logicly I knew moving forward would be better, but something told me to go in, check the window.
I entered, the lady looked up at me before looking back to...the blank wall. I walked passed her and… yup...hell. Demons, fire, brimstone...why is this building surrounded by a tall wall and is guarded? Actually, looking at the demons inside the wall I can see and the ones out there...the ones outside this places wall look...wild.
“Strange… but it’s hell, what did I want?” I said before turning around, heading for the door.
“Safe.” The woman spoke, making me turn and look. “Vast chaos all around, devil was angel sent. Saved us. This place, is no prison, it is haven.” She spoke, then burst out into manic laughter, making me leave and close the door behind me.
“Yeah. not ap- creepy at all.” I said, wondering why I almost said appealing as I moved on, the feeling growing as my steps echoed in the halls.
As I walked down the hall I came across a hole. The drop led down into a lower floor and I saw what looked like a green skinned man wearing white with an axe standing guard there. “Yo, what's up?” I asked from above with a small wave.
He turned, looking up at me. “Hey, why aren’t you in your cell!?” He barked. “We got a runner!”
I shrugged before smiling softly, a small chuckle escaping my lips. ‘Let the fools chace, gives me a chance to rip and tear!’ My eyes go wide as I take a step back. The fuck was that? I recover and start to run, knowing it won’t be long before guards swarm this place.
As I was running one of the doors broke down and- FUCK it’s Jason! I backed up...but to my surprise… he motioned for me to follow. All right then… as I was never a counselor I should be alright. That and I’m insane as I decided to follow the friday the thirteenth psycho.
I ran with him, and we hopped into a hole in the wall, sliding through the space between the walls and falling into a dark room. There was the light of a flashlight suddenly shined on me. “Did Jason send you?” Someone asked, right as a thud was made behind me. “Ah, so he did then.”
“So… who do I owe Escaping the guards? Besides Voorhees behind me?” I asked, knowing which machete wielding zombie landed behind me.
“I’m Alice. We are escapees, like you.”
“Well nice to meet you.” I said, wondering just what I need to do to pass this test already. ‘We had a deal.’ Damn it what is with that voice?!
“So, what you do in life to end up here?”
“No clue… I mean there is one thing but after that I did everything I could to redeem myself for it.” I said, thinking back to my lowest moment.
“Oh, what?”
“I… I killed my Cousin… and her unborn child…” I said, admitting my greatest sin… besides lust but I blame my wifes for that. ‘And boy did we enjoy it~’
“Oh, that all?” Alice asked, putting the flashlight on- SWEET FUCKING HELL SHE’S FRANKENSTEIN!! “I stole body parts from the local girls who bullied me, killed them then stitched their best parts for my own. This face isn’t even mine, brain is though.”
“And frankly who doesn't know about Jason.” I said with a sigh. “I get my sin is petty compared to others, but besides that, which I already got punished by a god for, I don’t know why I am here.” ‘Awe, doesn't want to admit to me! Hehehe! Lets have some fun already!’ The voice shouted, causing me to wince.
“So, wanna go raid the cafe?” Alice asked.
“S-sure.” I said, putting my hand on my forehead, the voice rather bothersome now.
She lead me to another crawl space where we all squeezed into some vents and they popped out to what looked like… a school cafeteria kitchen… huh, rather anticlimactic.
“Not what I expected from Hell’s kitchen. Expected more Gordon Ramsay.” I joked
Alice opened one of the fridges, pulling out a large tray of… Pizza! We all took some slices and began eating. “Gotta admit, those cooks sure know how to make good food for demons.”
I nodded. “Makes sense. Best way to calm anything down is to feed it.” ‘So why not feed me?’
“So.”Alice started, talking between bites. “I was thinking that, next we kill time in the library.”
Jason grunted an approving noise.
I shrugged. “Why not. Got nothing better to do.” ‘oh yes you do~’ Seriously this is starting to scare me now.
We headed back out, the Library was nearby and it was HUGE!!! Twilight would not wanna leave here either. “Damn, is today the day I find all the places my sister would love to be?” I thought out loud as I felt a pull leading me to some specific books. Why? No clue.
I traveled down the path to an isle with rather old looking books. I took one off the shelf, opening it the words them formed a face. “Oh great, people. God I hate people.” The book groaned… okay….
“Awe, I hate you too.” I said with a chuckle. “So, what are you about?”
“Well I’m about wanting to be alone, Madness, Insanities, old legends. I’m a LExicon for fucks sake ya twink! Ask me anything and I more than likely know about it.”
“Alright then, What is with this voice in my head that has just gotten louder the longer I’m down here?” I asked, wanting this to be over with. I didn’t know that there was some black starting to spread into the whites of my eyes, how could I have?
“Well, remember when you murdered your pregnant cousin?” The book asked, showing me the event in third person, then bringing back its face. “That triggered the Psychopath blood in your body, injected into your oldest Ancestor. You are not fully capable of becoming a Psychopath, rather, you can or will, become an Insanity. Almost like a Psychopath just much crazier and lacking manners and any sense of mercy. I mean hell, they are treated like dogs Insanities, when Psychopaths get a hold of them. Heh, imagine that, you with a dog collar. Oh wait, no need. Luna made you wear one on your wedding night for Role play.” SHIT HE DOES KNOW EVERYTHING!
“Damn, impressive.” I said, gasping as my voice was now multi toned. ‘Ah, you missed me? Come on, stop fighting and let me play!’ “The fuck..” I said as my mind was assaulted with scenes of me ripping people in half, covered in black and red… things and laughing… and the worst part is I enjoyed it.
I dropped the book. “Owe! At least put me away before you have your freak out.” The book whined. I ignored him and clutched my head, my now completely back with red iris eyes darting everywhere looking for… something! My breath quickened. ‘Finally, I’ll get to run wild in the perfect body! Brother would be so proud!’ “Hehe...heheha. Hehahahaha.” I chuckled as I felt my grip loosening.
“And he’s gone.” The book said, closing itself before poofing away in a blink.
It hurt all over. I tried to think of Luna, Shy, Dash, anyone, just for it to be ruined by a image of killing them, or worse. “A-Alice, Jason, Get out of here!” I said, wanting them to get out before this...Thing completely takes me.
This can’t be how it ends. It can’t. I can’t become a monster! I can’t… I gritted my teeth, forcing my happiest memories to resurface… including mom coming back to life… “I WON’T!” I shouted, my positive emotions and memories flowing and circeling with this things hellish images.
“You think you can get rid of me? You might as well just die as well! Heheheha! You don't get it do you? Hahaha! I am always here! Haha!” It said.
“Don’t need to.” I grunted. “Just need to control you.” I said, my own voice coming more naturally now, and less of a fight as my good memories began to integrate with this things wants.
“Oh looky here! I knew you were perfect! A fight for my very own body!” It said through my mouth as it also fought with it’s own images. Ones of pain, My family all killed, or raped, or other images that I know would normally ruin me. Key, normally.
I chuckled, standing back up. “You know, for being evil, your material is already overused.”
“What are you saying? After all, the square root of Raspberry has been legalized!” It said. “Let go already, it’s been too long since I killed or got off. That orange of a daughter of yours seems pretty tight~”
“Yeah, overused.” I said, stretching. “You see, you are right. You will always be there. Nothing I can do about that… so, I’ve accepted that. I’ve accepted you. But… I’m not becoming you. I’m gonna use you for what I want.”
“Oh the mortal tried to collar the god! Heheha! Your perfect, just as crazy as I am!” it said, mentally lunging for me.
“Yeah. Two equally crazy entities inhabiting the same body… though, science tells us two equally strong forces cancel out, in this case, seems my crazy is the dominant, but your powers are mine to use and abuse.”
“No..” ‘NO! I Want to see my brother again! I want to kill! Let me out! I will haught all of your blood! I will bathe in it!’ It said, starting to lose some control over my body.
“Yeah, well, touch cookies. I’ve always been afraid of something inside me. Now that I know what it is, you aren’t as scary now that I have something to lose, something worth dying for. Frankly, all you are at this point is my untapped new powers.” With that, In my mindscape I formed a collar and latched it into a mass of black and red, growling back at it. “Now Heel!” It heeded, almost forcing itself to bow before me. With a smirk I opened my eyes, now back to normal as I picked myself off the floor. “That happened.”
“Not bad.” Cript said, appearing behind me. “Taming your Insanity. Proud of you.” He said, throwing me a cookie.
I caught it with my mouth. “Thanks, though you would think that I already have that down, what with the readers and everyone knowing I actively see and tear down the 4th wall.”
“Yeah but one of your writters is lazy.” He laughed. “Lesson one, complete. Now, for lesson two.”
“What is lesson two? Also, what will happen to Jason and Alice?”
“They live here, if they get caught they will likely escape again.” Cript rolled his eyes. “Lesson two. Learning from the best.”
I raise an eyebrow and shrugged. “Alrighty then. Let’s get this show on the road.”
“Alright. You won’t have your X-blade for this but you will have Oath and Oblivion.” Cript said, snapping his fingers.
I woke up in what I think it outside a village is the music is anything to go off of. I got up. I felt my powers back, but my form was still human. As I got up, Neoshadows and Invisibles all appeared around me. With a sigh, I summoned Oath and Oblivion. “Come on you two, Let not get another scar from these Purebloods.” I said before charging forward.
Before I landed a blow through, Chains of light shot out from behind me, hacking the Neo Shadows and wrapping around the Invisibles. “Retribution!” That voice! I saw them all dragged along, the chains linking to one as...They returned to the X-blade, the Invisibles impaling themselves as the chains returned. The heartless slain, I saw… Unum… THE Unum, wielding X like Terra in the kh2 secret movie. “Hey traveler.” She said, walking over.
“Uh, hey.” I said “Didn't expect them to appear so suddenly, but I guess I wasn't expecting an X-blade wielder to show up either.” I said, resting Oath and Oblivion on my shoulders. ‘Okay, She doesn't know you. That means either I’m in the past, or there was a Unum missed by Core. This isn’t Zeke’s’
“Heh. You must be lost to not know this is Daybreak VIllage.” So Daybreak was Unum’s home too?
“Uhm, yeah. My dad sent me to find someone to help me train, and I kinda forgot to ask for a map.” I said. Lame excuse I know but hey I’m trying!
“Yeah, well I guess you ended up in the right place. No better place to find a Keyblade master. We are kinda known for that, well, used to. Now we are known for me wielding this big ass thing.” She laughed.
“Tell me about it, I’m known for wielding these twins back where I’m from, no let’s forget everything else I do.’ I said with a chuckle. “Name’s... Colin. Yours?” I asked, already knowing, but maintaining appearances. Besides, there are two reasons for giving her my original name. First is I am in my human form, so Eclipse will be a strange name. Second, even if this one ends up dying, I don’t want to create problems in the future if anyone here would recognize my name and personality.
“Unum Heart. Glad to meet ya Colin. Well come on, we might be able to find someone to teach you.”
“Thanks.” I said, following her as I mentally spoke to my partners. ‘Alright, we are definitely in the past.’
”Yup! Damn I miss these days! Heartless were being slain left and right, and all the worlds where still one.” Oblivion said.
”Not to mention our old Wielders… I miss Jeena. But hey, on the bright side We now are together with one wielder.” Oath said with a hint of melancholy.
”Yeah...wait, wasn’t MY Wielder in this town? Donovan?” Oblivion questioned himself.
”....Awe shit.” Oath cused, catching me off Guard. ”Jenna was here as well.”
‘Well this is going to be interesting.’ I thought as we continued to draw closer to the village.
The village was calm, rather peaceful and it’s population seemed fair. Guess Daybreak was always a place for Keyblade wielders. I smiled, it may not be the orphanage back home, but daybreak always feels like home to anyone who steps in it, not matter what version. “So, where are we headed?” I asked in a relaxed tone.
“Town hall. I know someone who works there that can help you.” Unum said. Town hall reminded me of Twilight's Library. I kept my mouth closed as we walked to it, hoping for their sake we don't meet Oath’s and Oblivion’s old wielders. I don't want them to hurt.
We entered a room and- CORE?! “Oh, hey Unum.” He said. “Who’s this?” He asked, pointing a quill at me. It was everything I could do to not charge at him or run. I took a deep breath to help me calm down. ‘It is him in the past. He isn’t evil yet. Calm down.’ I told myself.
“His name’s Colin. He traveled looking for a Keyblade master.” Unum explained. So glad I gave that name instead of Eclipse right now. Past (Future?) me is thankful for the headache prevented.
I nodded. “Yeah. My dad sent me to go train, stating that I was good, but needed professional training instead of being self taught.” I fibed.
“Oh. Well we can find you a master here. It’s half of my job to find young wielers a master, the other half is guarding the town.” He said, motioning for me to take a seat.
Disbanding Oath and Oblivion, I sat down, although I was ready to summon them at any moment. “So how does this work? Questions, a look at what I can already do, all of the above?” I asked, acting in my usual without-a-care-in-the-world attitude. No I was not going to mention my mark of mastery. It would cause more harm than good at this point.
“More of a synergy actually.” Core stated. “You see, some welders work better if their hearts are on the same field of power at their teacher, making learning easier.”
“So how does that go down?” I asked, honestly interested despite my aloof nature.
“Simple. Summon your Keyblade and let it copy how your heart’s true nature is. The result will be a flow of light and darkness that will actively seek out something like it.”
“That’s pretty cool to be honest, but will it work with be being a dual wielder? Seriously, I got both of them at the same time.” I asked.
“Huh. That’s a rare one, just rare, not unheard of.” He said. “Then, summon them both and try it. Often times with dual Keyblade wielders it takes both, especially if they are twin Keyblades, such as Oathkeeper and Oblivion, No name and Gazing eye, Rejection and Acceptance. The list goes on. So far we have forty nine twin keyblades that we know of.”
“That’s interesting. Alright, let’s do this.” I said, summoning both into my hands, smiling as the flurry of darkness and flash of light covered each hand before revealing their forms.
The resulting aura then left them, flying around the room before...circling Core. “Oh, well isn’t that convenient.” Core said, surprised.
Internally I was stunned. Externally I just shrugged. “Yeah, rather surprising to be honest.”
“Well, That’s a new one. Never had an apprentice before.” Core said, looking thoughtful. “Well, guess I’m going to be teaching you then.”
“Sure.” I said. Inside I still haven't recovered and was staring off into space of my mindscape.
“Guess there’s no time like the present. Come on, we best train just outside town limits.” Core said, getting up from his desk as I followed.
‘Guys… Tell me this isn't a paradox, or than this is just an illusion.’ I spoke to the two keyblades as we walked.
”I honestly have no idea.”
‘Stars this is gonna be a headache. At least I’ll have a story for the others later… wonder why Core didn't recognize my fighting style… meh.’ I thought before paying attention to where we were heading.
”Well it was a great many years since you are born Eclipse, likely he forgot all about you by the time you meet him.”
‘Let's hope, otherwise Core had more planned for me than we ever thought.’ I responded. “So, I know we are headed out of town, but where are we heading exactly?”
“A nearby open field. Plenty of space to train.”
I nodded, taking a deep breath of the clean air with a small smile. “It really is peaceful, minus the heartless of course.”
“They appear here and there. Rarely are they trouble.”
“Yeah, still, best not to grow complacent. That’s why we train after all, right?” I said before mentally cursing. I remembered that I looked like I was barely 18, not someone who has fought for years on end. I shouldn't have this much wisdom in battle.
“True.” Core said simply. “So, have any family aside from your father?”
“Well, yeah. Where I’m from, Polygamy is accepted, so I have three wives, and basically adopted a orphanage.” I admitted with a chuckle. “Should have seen the looks on their faces… Thats one memory to treasure.”
“Hm. I can image. For me, it was always just myself, my brothers and my father. Never met my mother and father never said her name even. We figure it must have been a bad falling out after we were born or she died. One of the two we figured. Our youngest brother vanished some years back. I still think him alive somewhere, but I grow doubtful as time goes on. My eldest brother is with father. The two are wizards, and brother wishes to create new variety of spells for Keyblades and even non keyblade wielders.”
“Noble goal. I hope you find your other brother one day.” I said honestly, despite knowing he does... just not in a happy way.
“Thank you. That warms my heart to hear compassion, even from a person I only recently met.” This core is so polite and nice, losing Unum really screwed him over.
“Anytime.” I said with a smile. “So how is this going to go down? This whole apprenticeship thing?” I ask, being my carefree self to hide how much I now feel sorry for Core.
“For now I feel simple practices are in order.” Core said, stopping and waving his hand, making five balls of light appear. “Take them out as fast as you can.”
I nodded with a grin before taking a stance. “Just say when.” I said, Oath and Oblivion giving a small flash each, telling me they too were ready to show what we got.
“Ready...begin!”
With a burst of speed, and a little bit of wind magic, I dashed to the first, striking fast and true before jumping back. “Blizzard!” I said, shooting Ice to finish it off before throwing a warp raid to another orb. I stabbed them both into the sphere before pumping all my heart into my keyblades, making them shine and be covered in darkness respectively before releasing the blast, taking care of the second one. “Mega flare!” I said, launching the super fireball at a pair that strayed too close to one another. I dashed in quick and strong, attacking the pair at the same time before I backed off. I turned to the final one before I poured my everything into Oath and Oblivion and sliced. For a second, nothing seemed to happen before a wave of Light intertwined with Darkness launched at the final orb. I smiled before taking a knee. “Woo, that last attack was draining.”
“Amazing.” Core said. “Tell me, what that Mega Flare spell of your own making? I’ve never seen such a pyromancy before.”
“Kinda. One of my family is in tuned to fire, and lets just say we like to experiment.” I said, bullshitting my way to explanation.
“Interesting. I may have to tell my brother he has some competition.” Core laughed. Wow, he’s nice, and gullible. This is the same guy who almost killed us all several times before? “With skill like that I feel we cna advance onto the more master level training. First off, can you summon forth chains of light?”
I chuckled, scratching the back of my head. “I’ve never tried to be honest.”
“Here.” Core said, summoning a single orb of light. “Try it. The chains of light are one of the first spells taught to man by Kingdom Hearts. Only those who wield the X-blade like Unum or those deserving of the title of Keyblade master can use them. Think of them as extensions of your Keyblade. Or in your case Keyblades.”
I nodded, knowing this will be a dead giveaway of my Mark of Mastery. I took a deep breath and let myself go, focusing on the chains of light I have seen now many times. In my mind’s eye, They were different from normal chains of light, probably since I have made true piece with my darkness and light, but they should function the same. I lifted both Oath and Oblivion before willing them to try and chain up the orb, my eyes still closed so I really can’t tell if it worked, or if I’m looking like a fool.
“Excellent.” Core said. I opened my eyes and the orb was wrapped up in the chains of light. “Now, swing it up into the air, and slam it back down.”
I smiled before raising oath, having her hold a majority of the chains as I lifted up the orb and slammed it down. Before it landed, I had oblivion make a spike of black ice appear from under the spot, skewering the orb. “Want a Light-kabob?” I joked.
“Huh, interesting form.” Core said. “Now, how about your Commands?”
“Thats… a hard one to answer.” I said with a nervous chuckle. “My dad said I have some, but I don’t know how to use them, or any to be honest.” I looked rather sheepish as I spoke honesty.
“Hm, now that is interesting. Well, do you know of any from seeing them in person, or hearing or reading about them?”
“Well I know of a few. Fireworks, Dream Catcher, Transcendence, Dark Raid, Victory Pose, Meteor Rain, Explosion, Time Splicer, and Ghost Drive. But how to use them? No clue.” I said with a shrug, thankful that Lancerot knows how to check old chapters or I would have never remembered all those.
“I know of Dream Catcher, Transcendence and Meteor Rain. Can you explain the rest?”
“I don’t know anything about Dark Raid, save for the name, but Fireworks and Victory Pose are just show Commands, no power to them save to awe a crowd. Meteor is what my dad calls a Shocklock, but they can’t be used often. Explosion is a Area of effect attack, Time Splicer is a strange mix of Stop that warps you around to attack all affected opponents, and Ghost drive is a Style of attacking all based around warping locations.”
“Hm, shotlocks are few and far between. They are very new magic.”
“Really? Huh, wonder how Dad says I should know it then. Weird.” I said, playing dumb.
“Well, to activate a shotlock you have to focus on what you want to hit with it, be it one or many foes. As you learn to become familiar with them, they become easier and you can lock onto foes in seconds. The more you can focus at once, the more times you can use your shotlock.”
“Got it. Seems easy enough.” I said with a shrug.
“Now then.” Core said, summoning a large herd of orbs of light. “Focus.”
With a pop of my neck I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, before opening them, my red eyes focusing on the orbs in front of me while still pumping magic into the twins. I felt the magic surge and on reaction, I leaped into the air, spinning Oath and Oblivion in their respected hands at their centers as large fiery rocks shot out of the small whirlwinds, each fiery rock exploding on impact. It ended, but I felt that Shotlock could go further. Guess I’m gonna have to level it up. “That was impressive, but I can tell I can do more…” I said as I look at where the orbs used to be.
“Yes. Practice makes perfect.” Core stated.
“Well, Good thing I have a excellent master to help me train then huh?” I asked with a laugh.
“Alright then. Now, what’s next?”
“Good question. I guess we can work on Dream Catcher. I have no idea how that one works.”
“Dream Catcher, The move that summons your opponents Dream Eater as your allie, using some of their basic moves against them.”
“That's interesting for sure.” I said with a nod. “But how useful is it to one without a Dream Eater?”
“Useless.” Core stated simply.
“I probably won’t be using it often.” I muttered to myself before speaking up. “Well, I think that one can hold off then. Any your interested in helping me learn?”
“Time splicer.” Core stated.
“Time Splicer? Well, if you think you can trust me with Chronomancy.” I said with a shrug, not saying that I already know Stopga.
“Time splicer transcends basic or even advanced stop spells. It alters your own movements through time, giving the illusion of teleportation.”
“Interesting. I already know Stop, so it should help out with learning it. Well let’s get to it before it gets late.” I said with a smile.
“Right.” Core said, summoning five orbs of light. “Time Splicer uses a lot of mana. Each spell has a unique trigger, for Time Splicer, it’s a mix of Stogza and the matrix used to open DTL’s.”
“Really? Well what’s the harm in trying. How long did it take you to learn it?”
“Without freezing myself… a week.” Core admitted.
“Yikes. Looks like we’ll be spending some time on this one.” I said before stretching. “Alright then, Let’s do this Oath, Oblivion.” I said with a smile before trying to focus on doing what Core said to do, using stopza and a DTL at the same time.
And I froze. “Well… Wonder how long yours will last?” Core pondered, taking a seat on the ground. “Not sure if you can hear this, but mine lasted about four hours. Was stiff as all hell after it was over.”
I mentally rolled my eyes. ‘So, guys, what happened?’ I asked the keyblades
”Hey! Casting two completely different types of spells from two different classes of magic is hard. You’re lucky you didn’t end up in a DTL to we forgot where!”
‘Okay okay chill. Look, we just need to figure out what went wrong and try again… when we unfreeze that is.’ I said, trying to calm down the brotherly Keyblade.