Kingdom Hearts Worlds

Rania had barely enough time to notice the strange attacker as he threw swords at her little group, causing them to scatter and hide to deal with more heartless.

"Dang!" she swore under her breath as she darted for a way to avoid the swords and continue to shoot any heartless in her way. "This just makes it worse! For everyone!" She kept running and shooting until a heartless took her by surprise and swatted her into a wall. She was in a very long daze as she tried to stay on her feet and focus her aim until another heartless was almost as close to her face. She shot it through it's little body, disintegrating it as she holstered one of the Furies and pulled out her rapier.

She had to find out where the other two bozos went as she walked along the wall, slowly regaining her balance and perception. "That heartless nearly knocked me senseless. At least it couldn't get any worse then this." she muttered to herself as she watched Derran fight his way through a heartless. "Come on Derran, let's find the noob and regroup!" She half shouted-half stated. She rushed over towards Derran whilst shooting several of the heartless behind him. "Keep on your toes!"

Maverick

Maverick watches as the Alliance members dodge his attack with a smile on his face. "Good, now that you're a little more separated it will be more interesting." He says as he makes a motion with his hand, causing his swords to come to him and resume floating around him. "Yes, you have kept this little bastion safe for years, but guess what? Nothing has happened such as this in recent years, it has been peaceful up till now right? You saying you kept this place safe means nothing because there hasn't been anything to protect from. Don't delude yourself!" He notices the one guy with the transforming weapon has jumped on top of a small building out of the corner of his eye and he also notices that his weapon has changed into a gun. "Well, your weapon is interesting." He says before he hears the man yell "Railgun MK. III" and fires a single shoot which he could tell was infused with lightning. With a smirk he infuses his hand that is wrapped in red bandages with darkness and he catches the bullet, the darkness protecting his hand from any damage. "See, you would have got me, if you didn't scream out your attack like that." He drops the bullet from his hand.

"Now as for who i am, my name is Maverick and this is only the beginning." He says as the large heartless confronts the Alliance member with the large sword and hears it speak. "You must be the other member, i was wondering what you looked like and what your powers were. I hope that isn't your only form." He says to his fellow member. Maverick raises an eyebrow when he sees the Alliance member encase himself in ice and watch as it begins to crack due to the onslaught from the heartless. He smiles as Nazo provokes the alliance member and he turns back towards the one with the transforming gun. "Im most interested in fighting you, i don't know how you fight yet." He says as his blades begin to spin faster and faster. When the blades are spinning fast enough to cause enough wind to ruffle his hair he throws one of them at the alliance member and the other one after that.

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Dante

Dante watches the ground continue to be stained by the darkness as more creatures fall, and even more appear. His question was met with silence as he suspected it would, the silence was broken by a monstrous roar coming from outside. "What the hell!?" Dante looks outside and see's that the winged man had his wings extended and floating upward as darkness begins to gather beneath him and an arm is made out of it and from the darkness an even larger version of thee monsters appears. He hears Sikes say something about the Masters falling into a trap and he looks at Sikes with confusion and looks to where he was pointing at. After he realizes he was talking about the darkness released by the monsters he understands and he nods when Sikes asks if the bigger monster will release darkness. "I don't think the world can handle much more darkness!" He says. "If it's destroyed, the world is hurt. If they don't beat it, the world is still hurt...." He turns towards Azer and Sikes. "i don't think this is going to end in a way we want." He says with a depressed look.

Azer slashed through one of the creatures that tried to make its way inside. She gave a nod at the guys who she now knew as Dante and Sikes. It felt like they had killed about twenty or more each but the number of the creatures didn't seem to change. They just kept coming and most of the ground was now tainted by the darkness that the death of the creatures left. Azer heard Dante ask what they should do and, honestly, Azer had no idea but to keep fighting the creatures off. That was when a loud roar made its way from where the masters had headed. Azer glanced toward the direction in the distance to notice the one of the same creatures they were fighting — the only difference was that the creature in the distance was as big as the building they were in. Her heart filled with dread just as she heard Sikes yelling, "Wait... no... no the masters fell into a trap!" He pointed at the stained floor and then at the enormous creature. "Won't that massive thing also release darkness when it's defeated?!"

Azer felt her body freeze, fear hitting her like a wave. The amount of darkness that would be released by the giant creature would be immense — that amount of darkness could end up devouring the entire world and them along with it. "I don't think the world can handle much more darkness!" Azer heard Dante say and then add with a troubled tone, "If it's destroyed, the world is hurt. If they don't beat it, the world is still hurt...." He turned to look at Azer and Sikes. "I don't think this is going to end in a way we want."

Azer returned his pained look and her eyes looked back at the giant creature. Her fists clenched, finding herself feeling helpless. That's when a flashback appeared in her mind and the image of her mother laying in bed came to mind with a younger Azer that couldn't do anything but watch. It's just like that time, Azer thought and felt a jab at her heart. She let go the breath she hadn't noticed she had been holding and only found herself able to say one thing. "... We should prepare ourselves for what is about to come."

Nazo
"Listen here you freak of a Heartless!" "Lineage is not for your grubby little claws!" "But if you like it that much, then I will be more than happy to run it through you!" the man with the large sword said to Nazo. "Oh come now, I'm not a freak, rather I'd use the word 'unique'," Nazo replied to the guy, his eyes flashing again as he emphasized the word 'unique'. "Still, you might be right, hands such as these probably aren't too proper for holding such a sword," that was when Nazo heard Maverick speak to him. "You must be the other member, i was wondering what you looked like and what your powers were. I hope that isn't your only form." Nazo smiled on the inside before speaking back to Maverick, "No, it surely is not," and with those words Nazo started reforming completly soon becoming Invisible, now that Nazo had a mouth he smiled quite wide towards the man with the sword who had retreated. Some flames shot out of Nazo's palm as a sword formed in their place he grabbed its handle and started floating in the air. "Now little man, how about something a bit more of a challenge as those Shadows clearly aren't on par with your level," he said towards his opponent. Gathering some dark energy into his hand he shot it towards the man and then rushed in after it with some quick slashes.
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Azoth
"See, you would have got me, if you didn't scream out your attack like that.""Now as for who i am, my name is Maverick and this is only the beginning.""Im most interested in fighting you, i don't know how you fight yet." Azoth didn't like a single word Maverick spoke. He smirked on the last part of what Maverick said, that meant they were even as besides using fire and swords Azoth didn't know Maverick's actual fighting style. Two spinning sword were thrown at Azoth. He jumped to the side dodging one of the swords, Azoth's feet landing onto the wall of a building as he jumped off of it dodging the other blade, he quickly shot in succesion five bullets at Maverick, two aimed for his heart, one for his head, one for his stomach and the last for a knee before he landed on solid ground rather than onto another rooftop.

Sikes

Sikes was paralyzed in both fear and helplessness in the situation they found themselves. But before anything else could be done, a sudden flash is seen around the center of the beast.

"...It's to late..." Sikes mutters as the beast is seen breaking apart, and in a large wave like form, a black darkness swarmed from it's collapsing body. Sikes flinched, bringing out his keyblade as he was motivated to not give up even in such a situation. "No! I wont let this happen again!!" He suddenly yells as he steps forward, gathering as much magic as he could as he forms up a barrier of flaming wind in front of the door way. He couldn't..no..he wouldn't let the same event of Dawn's Settlement happen again. As the black darkness arrived, Sikes strained as he tried his best to stop an endless flood of darkness with nothing more then his wall of magic.

Xero

Watching from within the dark mass in the sky, he gives a low chuckle as he watches the darkness flood all of the Land of Departure, slowly admiring the sight as he closes the doorway. "With that..phase one...is complete..." He says with a cheerful grin on his face as he vanishes from sight. Once back in the darkness, he opens up the spheres to communicate with the other two in Radiant Garden.

"Phase One is complete. You can stop playing with the maggots now. Return here for the next Phase." He says, ordering the others to come back.

Maverick

Maverick Hears Nazo confirm that he has more than one form and watched as the large heartless began changing shape, turning into a more powerful heartless. "Impressive." Maverick says and turns back towards his opponent in time to see that he has dodged his attack and is now on the ground below him and is about to fire at him. Maverick jumps high into the air, flipping backwards as the bullets fly by beneath him and he lands on a different roof top. "Guns are predictable, don't you think?" He says as he stretches out his arm and his swords return to him. "Now." He says as his arm and swords are engulfed in darkness. "Try and dodge this!" He brings his hand back and before he can finish the move a small black orb appears in front of him and he knew what was coming. "Oh man, already? I was hoping for a little more time to see if this guy had a weakness." He says right before a voice with a slight echo emanates from the orb. Phase One is complete. You can stop playing with the maggots now. Return here for the next Phase. Maverick sighs and the darkness engulfing his hand and swords fades and a Corridor of Darkness appears behind him. "That guy works fast, if he wiped out the so called 'Protectors of the light' the best of the best already, then you guys have very little hope. If only we didn't have to hold back, this world would have fallen as well." He slowly backs into the Corridor. "I think i'll leave you with a gift." He motions with his hand a numerous Shadows and Knight Heartless suddenly jump out of the Darkness as Maverick fades into it and the Corridor vanishes as he makes his way to Xero through the darkness

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Dante

Dante watches as the wave of darkness washes over the court yard and he hears Sikes yell and watches as a wall of magic is constructed in the door and blocks the oncoming wave of darkness. Dante notices Sikes flinch as he feels the pressure of the darkness on his shield and he hears Azer say they have to prepare for whats to come. Dante looks at Sikes. "Sikes...... I don't think there is anything we can do, all you're doing is just.....delaying the inevitable." Dante says and he looks at the Keyblade in his hand. "The Masters..... We need to find a way to leave. I think that's the only thing we can do." He says with sorrow as he fumbles with his necklace. Never before has Dante felt so helpless, weak and lost.

Derran was relived to find Rania was fine, even though he could do without the ordering. Still her efforts helped clear him off the rest of the Heartless attacking him. "Yeah, let's go find Azoth and hey, thanks." Derran called out to her as he was about to follow her. Before Derran could get to far he heard that talking Heartless speak again. "Oh come now, I'm not a freak, rather I'd use the word 'unique'," Nazo replied to the guy, his eyes flashing again as he emphasized the word 'unique'. "Still, you might be right, hands such as these probably aren't too proper for holding such a sword,"

Derran wasn't sure what he was rambling about until he saw it assume a new form. It was much less smaller but no less dangerous. Derran had never heard of a Heartless that can make itself look like an entirely different breed of Heartless. Just what is this freak. Derran noticed it speaking to their other enemy. Why didn't it surprise him that they were of course working together? Before Derran could speak it said something again. "Now little man, how about something a bit more of a challenge as those Shadows clearly aren't on par with your level,"

"Crap!" "No time to dodge!" Derran thought to himself as he gritted his teeth. The orb of darkness was shot fast and he was still dumbfounded when the large heartless became an entirely different one. "What kind of Heartless is he!?" Derran thought as the orb was inches from him. "I hope I can block it!" Derran became worried as he placed Lineage on it's broad side as he placed it between him and the orb. The orb collided with Lineage and the force knocked him back. The orb didn't damage him thankfully as he did a handstand and landed on his feet. Just as he narrowly avoided that threat in comes the shapeshifting Heartless with a series of wild strikes. "Ah son of -!" Derran nearly blurted as he side-stepped Nazo but he couldn't avoid all of those blows. While Derran managed to avoid the brunt of the Heartless attacks one of his swings did cut Derran right on his left shoulder. "GAH!" Derran cried in pain as he quickly leapt back away from his attacker.

Derran knelt down and placed his sword over his injured shoulder. He could feel his own blood running down to his hand. "What the hell is this guy!?" "I could barely keep up with him!" Derran began to curse under his breath. "No way!" "No way I will be done in by a lousy Heartless!" Derran shouted as he stood. "It's a good thing I taught myself how to wield Lineage with only one hand otherwise...I'd be done for." Derran thought to himself as he shot a glare at Nazo, filled with rage. "Well come on then!" "Is that your best shot!?" Derran blatantly challenging the Heartless. "I can still fight!" "Just because you injured my shoulder doesn't mean I can't kill you with just one arm." Derran spoke threateningly even, as if the last word was a promise.

Nazo
After the quick onslaught of attacks Nazo stopped as a black orb appeared near him delivering a message from Xero. "Phase One is complete. You can stop playing with the maggots now. Return here for the next Phase." "Hmph," Nazo muttered to himself as he was just starting to enjoy himself. He listened to the sword fighter's comments, No way!""No way I will be done in by a lousy Heartless!""Well come on then!""Is that your best shot!?""I can still fight!" "Just because you injured my shoulder doesn't mean I can't kill you with just one arm." Nazo simply smiled at these comments. "Though words for an injured man but unfortunatetly I must bid adue for now but I promise you I we will meet again and then we shall see if you've improved even the slightest. As you are right now you are no match for me, remember my name, Nazo, remember it and hate it," Nazo said, hate was one of the strongest emotions of the heart and created a lot of power, it was also one of the darkest emotions of the heart but it seemed that like usual logic wouldn't be able to contain this man's rage, Nazo simply needed to push the guy in the right direction and a new heartless would eventually be born. Nazo gave one last evil smile before disappearing into the darkness like the heartless he was. He travelled towards the meeting place for
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Azoth
Annoyed that Maverick had dodged his attacks he was about to prepare for a counter as Maverick was charging up for another technique when the guy stopped when some kind of black orb appeared near him. Maverick's attack dissipated as he opened a corridor of darkness, the guy went into it while talking, "That guy works fast, if he wiped out the so called 'Protectors of the light' the best of the best already, then you guys have very little hope. If only we didn't have to hold back, this world would have fallen as well.""I think i'll leave you with a gift." he motioned with a hand and Shadow and Knight heartless began appearing. "Still more?" Nazo spoke to himself getting frustrated at all the heartless the guy was sending at them. Azoth simply dodged around attacks and shot at the heartless usually taking 1 or 2 shots for each of them as they were quite weak.

After finishing off the heartless (Derran and Rania would have helped as well) Azoth changed Pandora back to the suitcase and sat down looking at the destruction the two intruders had caused, Maverick and some other thing. He hadn't paid any attention to the other creature as Azoth had learnt quickly Maverick wasn't an enemy to take lightly but he did know the other creature had been fighting Derran. From what Azoth could tell the two had must have been called back or something, they seemed like they could have caused alot more destruction, Azoth simply wondered if his theory was true, who out there was pulling the strings and just what were they planning. It seemed though he soon stopped thinking about it as he had in fact fallen asleep now sitting on his suitcase.

Rania stopped mid-aim of her pistol when the man summoning the heartless mentioned that he was finished and would leave them a gift, but not before mentioning that the key wielders had apparently been defeated. Rania almost felt her heart skip a beat and drop like a rock immediately at the news. Her grip on her rapier tightened, as her eyes started to fill with rage.

"They've fallen? No, no that's not true!" she screamed as she charged at the appearing heartless as she slashed and shot her way through the crowd of them, trying to catch the mysterious, yet departing person who said that. "He's not gone! Dante isn't gone! He wouldn't let anything like some heartless destroy him!" She shouted. Her thoughts of one of her oldest friends in her family, the grandson of Squall 'Leon' Leonhart, started to well up as she heard shortly before she begun training that he was leaving to learn the ways of the keyblade.

But knowing that he might be dead, or worse turned to darkness was more then she could bear. She fought back her tears, reminding herself that there was a battle to be finished as she fought the rest of the heartless with Derran and the new recruit, Azoth, she believed his name was. Even after they finished fighting off the heartless, she would hold back any tears until she managed to find a quiet, secluded area to let loose her tears.

"Alright, I need a damage report Derran, and drag Mr. Sleepyhead along for the ride. After that, why not just take your time in getting it back to me to make sure there are no casualties." She firmly, yet shakingly stated.

Derran furrowed his eyebrows at the being called Nazo and gave him such a glare. Nazo. If only looks could kill. Derran watched Nazo disappear into darkness followed by his sword-flinging associate. But before Maverick disappeared he said something. "That guy works fast, if he wiped out the so called 'Protectors of the light' the best of the best already, then you guys have very little hope. If only we didn't have to hold back, this world would have fallen as well." He slowly backs into the Corridor. "I think i'll leave you with a gift."

Derran bared his teeth together and began to stare Maverick down as well. Talking about adding insult to injury. Judging by what he was saying he seemed to be talking about the Key Wielders. This was further confirmed by Rania's nervous breakdown. Then she spoke of Dante. Dante. Derran thought a moment about Dante. He remembers Dante from his childhood. He, Rania, and himself used to do a lot together when they were younger. We used to be the best of friends, we would do everything together. Not to mention we would always argue who's family was better, was it the Leonharts, the Strifes, or the Leradines. That same old argument, found it's way in our conversations at least everyday. Then we would say we will prove whose better by doing the most missions, or fighting the most evil when we joined the Alliance when we're older. All of that almost seemed like a life time ago. When Derran heard Dante was going to become a Key Wielder....

Derran stomped his foot on the ground when he remembered the day Dante left them. He knew Dante leaving hit Rania harder than himself, he is really special to her. They were inseparable and now he had to leave to go train. Derran couldn't help but feel angry towards Dante. He would never mention it in front of Rania, considering how dear he is too her, but he always hated him for becoming a Key Wielder. Maybe it wasn't so much hate as it was anger, leaving them like that, he knows Rania is proud of him but...it still hurt her... As for him...he just felt betrayed for some reason. Now however, hearing what they spoke of...if it was true....now Derran felt guilty. The last day Dante was here he didn't come to see him off, he didn't say goodbye or anything. In fact he didn't really much talk to him when he heard Dante was to be a Key Wielder. He always avoided him and gave him these hurtful looks. Back then...he wanted to be a Key Wielder.

Now however, he could care less...and that only served to resent the Key Wielders even more. They took his best friend away and they reduced The Alliance to mere sidekicks for them! Always thinking about them made him sick to his stomach. Now though....now he wished he gave Dante some of his time before he left and now he was upset with him up to his death. What kind of friend could he call himself now? Derran sighed. Rania must be filling worse...those two were a lot more closer than he ever was. Derran furrowed his eyebrows once again and looked up to see Shadows and Knights preparing to strike. Despite his injury he fought off the Heartless with his good arm, combined with the formidable skills of Rania and Azoth they finished them off.

After the fight Derran felt weak...he was losing to much blood from the gash in his shoulder left by Nazo. He was thankful they did leave when they did, any longer and Derran wouldn't have made it. Derran looked over to Azoth. He was surprised by his abilities, he was a lot more tougher than he looked. Never judge a book by it's cover they say. He noticed Rania ran off, obviously devastated by the news Maverick told them. Derran then looked to see Azoth fall asleep. It seemed it was over for now and good think too, he felt his head was becoming light and his vision a little fuzzy. He has to leave and dress his wound. Before he did Rania came back giving them orders once again. Yet this time she spoke without her usual confidence. Derran looked around to see the fires were being managed with but the buildings surprisingly didn't look half bad. Sure they were burnt but nothing but surface damage it would seem. Obviously they're goal wasn't to destroy Radiant Garden, no this was the warning shot, next time they will shoot to kill.

This made Derran even more upset. They just toyed with them, calling them weak and useless without the Key Wielders. Damn that Maverick. Derran muttered to himself. Nazo and Maverick, their voice and appearance etched into Derran's mind. They will appear again and next time they have to be ready. With they way they are despite how skilled they are, won't be able to take them down. It was clear to Derran that they are not strong enough to beat them and they weren't even trying. Derran looked to Rania and spoke.

"Yeah and the gash in my shoulder doesn't count for damage does it?" Derran cynically spoke. "Get Azoth to do your lousy damage report, he's more than competent enough!" Derran spat obviously he was upset as well. Derran hunched over walked past Rania, a look of discontent apparent on his face. "I'm going home and dressing my wound...I've already lost too much blood." Derran grimly spoke as he looked at trash can and furiously kicked it over. "CRAP!" Derran shouted in frustration then followed by an angry yell. Derran walked from sight as he headed home, events of they day weighed heavily on his mind.

Rania was shocked at Derran's anger, he never got angry before, and Azoth was still sleeping. Sighing sadly to herself she made her way back to the alley she was in before the day started and sat down by herself.

"Derran's a handful. He always was." she said to herself. She smiled ruefully as her thoughts turned once more to Dante Leonhart. The thought of her losing her oldest friend was still fresh on her mind. He couldn't be dead, there was just no proof. The tears started to come back on her eyes as she placed her face in her hands and started to sob for a few minutes, letting all that pain and suffering out. The last time she saw of that red headed boy was when he left to learn how to use a keyblade. Oh how jealous she was for a few days before learning how to use the Furies for the first time along with her rapier.

She softly laughed while the tears still flowed. "It's not as much fun as it is when you were around Dante." She said softly, as if hoping that somehow somewhere, her voice would reach him. It was probably a fool's hope, but nonetheless, 'twas hope.

<Dark Realm>
-Xero-

Suddenly appearing in a large Dark chamber, Xero steps toward what appears to be a throne in the end of the room. Once arriving to it, he calmly took a seat, lifting one of his legs over the other as he sat still, waiting for the arrival of the others from their tasks. As he waited, he gave off a light smirk, "Now..the pieces are in place and the pawns are given the motivation. Time to see how they squirm in desperation now."
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<Land of Departure>
-Sikes-

Not wishing to give up despite Dante's words, "No...I wont...let it all be gone into Darkness again!" He yells as his wall of wind and flame was breaking apart. In a sudden burst, it vanishes as the flood of darkness smothers all of them in an instant. Sikes not wishing to give up at all still, struggling effortlessly in the Darkness until he slowly lost sensation to him limbs, blacking out.
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As Sikes felt himself falling into Darkness, he suddenly was greeted by a strange light along with the others. The light suddenly broke through the darkness surrounding them, taking them along with it. The voice of one of the Masters calling out.

"Light will never fade as long as those with the keyblade in hand carry on the task of protecting it."
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< Radiant Garden>

In the highest portion of Radiant Garden, somewhere near the castle grounds, a ray of light suddenly beamed down from the sky in a brilliant fashion. It's brightness could be seen all across the area as it would get the attention of anyone close by. Down where the light touched the ground, 3 figures would appear as the light faded off.

Among those three, Sikes laid there, passed out on the ground from both the smothering of Darkness and the stress of trying to fight it back.

Derran shambled about the streets as he observed the destruction on his way back to Leradine Manor. Much like the base, it was only surface damage and even further away the signs of conflict could barely even be noticed. One would have to see the smoke near the center of town to understand something went wrong. It seemed the forces at work were only interested in targeting the base and of course sending some sort of message. If they wanted to destroy all of Radiant Garden it wouldn't have been all that difficult for them, considering how easily they toyed with them. Derran acted like a fool, believing that he and the others were the powerful defenders he claimed them to be. If Maverick and Nazo hadn't the restrictions previously placed on them, they would have wiped them out. The very thought of those two and their words burned within Derran, like a raging forest fire. Derran was nearing home and nearing some medical help but before he reached the front door a light caught his attention.

Near the castle grounds a bright light, brighter than any he's seen comes forth from the sky. As if some sort of divine intervention was made from prayer it shined across Radiant Garden. As if the name of this world wasn't already enough. The light lasted for a moment and then it faded. Derran had to shield his eyes from the event and even then he found himself blinking for a few moments. Gaining his vision, he squinted his eyes to see if he could spot something. From the angle he was at, it seemed as if the strange event produced nothing. Something had to have caused that, beams of bright light don't shoot down from the sky for no reason. Whatever the case Derran was gradually becoming weaker and he knew at this rate he would pass out before he reached the castle. As much as Derran would investigate this phenomena he cannot. Derran had to ignore it for the time being as he entered the estate.

Derran reached inside the manor and was immediately greeted by his father, Oster. "Son!" "What are you doing here!?" "You cannot be possibly done with-" Oster was caught off seeing his son's wound. "My dear boy!" Derran was about to collapse as Oster ran to his side and propped him up. "Miranda, get over here now!" Oster shouted for the family servant. "Please father, I'm alright enough to walk." Derran spoke weakly. "Don't be ridiculous Derran your injured and you've lost a lot of blood!" Oster spoke sternly but concerned. "Miranda!?" "Miranda where are you!?" "Get in here now!" Oster commanded at the top of his voice and a humble woman came sprinting down the hall. "My dear boy what happened!?" Miranda frightfully asked. "My son is injured get him to his room and get his injuries dressed now!" Oster commanded. "Yes of course!" Miranda confirmed as she held Derran up. "Come on now young master we must stop the bleeding." Miranda softly spoke as she carried him. "Worry not my son." Oster spoke from behind as he gently took Lineage from Derran's grasp. Derran slightly fought him but ultimately let go of the sword. "I'll take good care of Lineage just take care of yourself!" Oster called out as the two disappeared.

Several other servants cleared Derran's bed as they undressed him and began to examine his wound. There was much chatter mostly over what happened today and about Derran's wound. There was much concern and even some tears could be seen but Derran was fading in and out to hear anything coherent. Soon Derran passed out. He was still alive, if not just weak at the moment. It was some time but they dressed his wound, stitched it up and placed bandages upon it. Derran remembers being awoken slightly for him to take some medicine in case of infection. For the time being Derran was asleep in his room recovering from today's events. Derran couldn't help but stir in his sleep. While he appeared peaceful on the outside, on the inside a tempest of emotions was raging. Anger, grief, guilt, and disappointment raged within. After all of his training, after all of the Alliance's work it was nothing compared to the attack! Two people brought the Alliance to their knees within moments! And they also took down the Key Wielders with such swiftness as well!? Derran couldn't help but curse the situation and yet he still is reminded of that light. Just what was that light? Was it a sign of good things to come? Or is it just more trouble? Derran doesn't know. He wants to know but he can't force his body to awaken. Even if he is ready mentally, physically he needs time to recuperate. Derran rested even though his mind wasn't at ease.

Dante

Dante watched as the wall Sikes made began to weaken and faster then he could do anything the wall vanishes and everyone in the hall was swallowed up by the darkness. Dante fought blindly in the darkness, as he felt himself falling deeper into the darkness a bright light began to glow in the deepest part of it and reaches out to it and remembers a saying he read in one of the books. " Even in the deepest darkness, there will always be a light to guide you." He says as the light becomes brighter, pushing back the darkness and wrapping Sikes, Dante and Azer in it's warmth and he hears a voice which belongs to one of the Masters. "Light will never fade as long as those with the Keyblade in hand carry on the task of protecting it." The light's intensity grows, causing Dante to Cover his eyes with his arm and he feels something hard and cool press against his back and when the light fades he finds himself on his back, starring up at an all to familiar Castle. He feels exhausted from fighting the monsters and struggling within the darkness, but the sight of the castle fills him with happiness. "...Home..." he says as he looks around to see Sikes Passed out and Azer although Dante can't tell if she is also passed out. Dante lifts his head and looks out at the town surrounding the Castle and he spots smoke from numerous fires rising into the air. Dante blinks a few times to see if it is just his mind playing tricks on him due to being in full contact with the darkness. He sits up and struggles to his feet. "Ra-Rainia..." He takes a few slow steps forward. "Derran." He says as he thinks of his Childhood friends. "Was this place also attacked?" He asks himself before he falls down, exhaustion over taking him.

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Maverick

Maverick makes his way through the darkness and enters a large dark Chamber where Xero is sitting on a Throne. "The members of the Alliance are underwhelming, if you didn't tell us to hold back we would have had Radiant Garden and no one to oppose us. Oh well, that might have made it boring." Maverick says as he leans against the wall.

"...It's to late..."

Just like Sikes had said, it was too late. The darkness poured out from the body of the creature, falling and rushing to them. Azer closed her eyes automatically and waited for the darkness to swallow them. That is, until she heard Sikes yell. "No! I wont let this happen again!!" Her eyes snapped open to see Sikes form a barrier between them and the darkness. It was obvious he was struggling to keep it up.

"Sikes...... I don't think there is anything we can do, all you're doing is just..... delaying the inevitable." Dante's voice ran out from besides her. "The Masters..... We need to find a way to leave. I think that's the only thing we can do." Azer opened her mouth but closed it the next second. She had now idea what words she could offer in that situation. There were definitely no words to make things better.

"No...I wont...let it all be gone into Darkness again!" Sikes yelled but his wall of magic was weakening. Only a few seconds passed before it finally broke and the darkness flooded inside. Azer could feel the darkness knock her out of her feet and fall into it. It felt cold against her skin and she immediately started struggling against it.

As much as she tried, she couldn't break herself from the darkness though. Her hands reached for the skies but they grasped nothing. It didn't take long for the darkness to block her vision and make everything black. It was then that she decided to give up and allowed her body to stop fighting against it. Yet just in that second, a sudden blinding light appeared through the darkness, almost as if wrapping itself warmly around her. She found herself needing to close her eyes at how strong the light was.

In the distance, the familiar voice of one of the Masters could be heard.

"Light will never fade as long as those with the keyblade in hand carry on the task of protecting it."

Suddenly the warmth disappeared and Azer felt something cold against her back, causing her eyes to shoot open. She stayed still for a moment, trying to recollect herself. She took even and deep breaths before allowing her eyes to roam. She found a giant castle that she immediately recognized as the one in Radiant Gardens. At the sight of it, she sat up quickly with her eyes still marveling at the beautiful castle. Her heart felt like it was about to explode as she took in the rest of the view. Once seeing the small town in the distance, her heart slowly began to relax. Her home that she hadn't seen nor been at since her mother died was right in front of her — or, to be exact, she was home.

That's when a familiar voice snapped Azer out of her thoughts. Her head turned to the side to finally notice Sikes, passed out on the floor, and Dante, who was struggling on his feet. Unfamiliar names left his mouth before a question that Azer fully understood was asked, "Was this place also attacked?" Just as he said it, though, his legs gave in and he began to fall down. As soon as she saw that, Azer quickly pushed herself from her sitting position and jumped forward, barely able to catch Dante. While placing him safely on the ground, her head looked around quickly for any help she could find. She would struggle enough with trying to carry one guy, two would be impossible.

Deciding she couldn't just stay there and hope someone would pass by, Azer forced herself up to her feet. She made sure to grab and pull the others so that they were both leaning against a wall close to them; she found it better than the way they had been lying on the ground. Azer hesitated at turning her back to them, but figuring it was the only choice she had, she began to search for help for her and her comrades.

Rania was still sitting where she was, unable to control the tears flowing out of her face. Suddenly she saw a flash of light nearby near another part of the town. Resolving to figure out if it was good or bad, she got up and dried her tears before walking, with her rapier in one hand and one of her guns in the other. She walked in the general direction of where exactly she saw the light, hoping to run into either a heartless or a refugee from another world taken by the heartless. Either way, she had to remain in her collected state of mind.

In looking in the direction of the flash, she noticed it came from the castle grounds. "Ugh, this is gonna be a long walk." She muttered as she started to walk the road towards the castle to see what she could find there. She half hoped it was some form of help more then another wave of heartless, Azoth's still sleeping and Derran was being Derran again. She knew that Derran resented Dante for becoming a keywielder, knowing full well he himself wanted to be one just as badly.

Sighing she continued walking towards the area of interest, still hoping it was help more then just another threat.

Azoth
Darkness surrounded him before a light suddenly appeared far off in the distance. He wondered what the light was before is disappeared and was replaced by two glowing eyes. The eyes looking familiar some how but he couldn't quite remember, like something that was just out of reach. Suddenly Azoth woke up finding some kind of pillar of light brightening up the world and just managed to get an idea of where it was coming from before it had vanished. With a quick look around he couldn't spot Derran or Rania and wondered if they were the cause of the light which suddenly made him slightly annoyed that they hadn't bothered waking him up for whatever fun they were probably having making giant pillars of light in the sky and with that thought in mind he left to investigate while the dream he'd had was completly forgotten about.

Azoth hadn't exactly been majorly wounded by the enemies but he did realise he had a couple of small cuts here and there from bits of rubble that had gone flying around from Maverick's attacks and at least one from a heartless that had been lucky enough to get in a surprise attack. The cuts were ignored though as Azoth continued running towards the high spot the light had been at. Eventually he managed to make it to the location where the light had been and saw two guys sleeping against a wall and a girl searching for something, the direction Azoth had entered from put him behind the girl. Curious as to what the girl was looking for and not at all interested in boring people who only ever sleep Azoth walked up to the girl, "Hiya," Azoth said when he'd gotten close enough to talk from normal distance so he didn't need to yell at all, "What cha doin'?" he asked her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nazo
Travelling through the darkness Nazo took the form of a Neoshadow and only just realised that he seemed to be missing his red scarf he liked to wear, he suddenly remembered he'd dropped it when he'd been going towards Radiant Gardens and quickly managed to find it easily enough. Nazo put it on before he soon arrived at a large dark chamber where Xero was sitting on a throne and Maverick was already there. "The members of the Alliance are underwhelming, if you didn't tell us to hold back we would have had Radiant Garden and no one to oppose us. Oh well, that might have made it boring." Maverick had just said as Nazo entered. Nazo did agree but also didn't agree with Maverick, yes he wanted to have Radiant Garden but he wanted the world for himself, after removing everyone from it he would have made use of its large space to store some of his stuff. "So Xero, whats the next part of your plan since it seems you've already started it I'd like to know a bit more of what I can look forward to," Nazo said practically ignoring Maverick as he didn't really feel like talking to the guy.

Derran's state of mind went from bad to worse. He was beginning to dream awful dreams. Some were profound and emotional, others were simply strange and erratic but all had a central theme. Derran found himself running through fields as the vegetation and plant life faded into a dry desert. The ground cracked and the color drained as the earth began to split appart. Derran screamed as the earth intended to swallow him whole. Derran ran but the crevice grew into a canyon and Derran lost his footing. Derran held on to a loose chuck of hanging ground as he looked towards the abyss. When he stared the abyss stared back, two bulbous glowing eyes stared at him and the a cruel smile formed. The darkness of the canyon turned in to a gigantic Heartless and it spoke to him as it towered above him, blocking out the sun.

"Just give up Derran...the Darkness isn't all that bad." It mockingly spoke. "Take it from Nazo, your already on the edge so why hang on?" "Why not fall?" "Besides it's not the fall that kills you after all." The Nazo laughed manically as it brushed up against the canyon wall making it fall, Derran along with it. "NOOOOOO!" Derran shouted as he fell into darkness.

Derran kept on hearing Nazo mocking him as he fell deeper and deeper. . "Tough words for an injured man." "I promise you we will meet again." "We shall see if you've improved even the slightest." "You are no match for me." Derran twisted and turned as he scrunched his face wrestling with the voices and thoughts in his head. He can hear Maverick's voice as well as they started to come through.

"So Alliance members? Is this the kind of action you were looking for?" "Yes, you have kept this little bastion safe for years, but guess what?" "Nothing has happened such as this in recent years!" "You saying you kept this place safe means nothing!" "Don't delude yourself!" Maverick's voice faded as Derran began to mutter. "N-no...you're wrong!" Derran spoke as he continued his decent.

Maverick's and Nazo's voices began meld messing up their coherency but some last phrases managed to reach his ears. "If he wiped out the so called 'Protectors of the light' the best of the best already, then you guys have very little hope." Maverick spoke. "Remember my name," Nazo spoke, ""Now as for who i am..." Maverick then interjected. "Nazo," "My name is Maverick," "Remember it and hate it." " And this is only the beginning." As their faces and voices faded Derran saw a mysterious figure open it's mouth as Derran fell in. "NOOOO!" Derran yelled as he snapped awake.

Derran awoke in a cold sweat as he sprang up. He sat as he began to rub his hair but when he went to lift his left arm his shoulder throbbed. "GAH!" Derran shouted as he took his hand and placed it over his bandaged shoulder. Derran panted heavily as he placed his hand down. "That's right I was injured." "Nazo....Maverick..." Derran furrowed his eyebrows as he thought about those two. "Whoever they are...I can't let this happen again..." Derran thought almost as if giving a pledge. Derran looked over to see a cup of water on the table by his bed. Derran picked up the cup and gulped it down. Almost giving no time to breath, Derran was extremely thirsty. Derran dropped the empty cup on his bed as he wiped his mouth. Derran gave a heavy sigh as he looked towards the window. The curtains covered it from the outside sun but thoughts of the pillar of light soon entered his mind. Derran should investigate but judging by the radiance of the light others must be doing it by now. Derran can't exactly go even though he wants to. His wounds are all too fresh and the family servants would most likely stop him at the behest of his father. Derran couldn't help but feel as if something is going on and he should be there. Derran placed his hand over his face as he gave a sigh.

Derran immediately began to think about Dante. "Dante...how would you have handled things differently?" Derran muttered too himself as he laid back down against his pillow. As he did Miranda charged inside. "I heard you shout are you alright?" she asked. "Yeah I'm fine...I just want to be left alone right now if you don't mind." Derran spoke in a melancholy attitude. "As you wish." She kindly spoke as she left the room. The door closed behind her and Derran blankly stared at the ceiling. Derran was lost in the days of his childhood. Will things ever be the same again?

Azer's search didn't last long. She had only made it a few feet away from her original point when a voice cut through the silence she had been indulging in. "Hiya," a deep voice said from besides her. It was enough to make Azer jump a good few inches. She quickly turned to face the person who had appeared. "What cha doin'?" he questioned while Azer tried to calm down her nerves that had spiked at the scare he had given her.

For a moment, Azer was at loss of words; she honestly had no idea how to begin explaining. Quickly, she settled to start with the basics for that moment. "I was looking for help with these two," she explained and looked at Sikes and Dante. "We're Keyblade apprentices from the Land of Departure. We were attacked moments ago though and somehow ended up here." As she said that, a frown tugged at her features. While still looking at the unconscious boys, she continued, "They seemed to passed out though, probably from exhaustion. I needed help with them since I can't really carry both of them." Azer sighed before looking back at the stranger. Just then she noticed the injuries he had himself. They were minor injuries but injuries nonetheless. "It seems we weren't the only ones attacked though," she added and let her eyes roam to the city, where there was still smoke rising from certain spots which had most likely been attacked.

Her eyes returned to the boy after a few seconds, who she realized she should've introduced herself to by then. "Oh, and my name's Azer."

Rania was about to reach the castle grounds when she noticed Azoth talking to someone. How the heck did he get ahead of her?! Last time she saw him, he was sleeping at where he sat after the battle was over. She calmly walked over towards the two just as the person Azoth was talking to introduced herself.

"Azoth, firstly how was your nap, secondly, I'd like to know who she is and wh-" She stopped short when she noticed the two unconscious boys, and recognizing one of them as her eyes widened and her mouth opened in shock. "These three are key wielders, probably the apprentices, otherwise he's just a figment of my imagination." As she thought this she approached one of them and stroked a lock of red hair off his face.

"Dante, thank goodness you're alright." she said to herself as she regained her composure and looked at Azoth. "Well don't just stand there!" She barked at him, "Let's get these two back to town!" As she said this she sheathed her Rapier and put her arm around Dante to lift him onto her shoulder. "Alright Azoth, get the other one." She said in a strained voice. "Either it's just me or Dante gained a few pounds in muscle, cause his deadweight feels slightly heavier." she thought in annoyance. She started to walk, feeling a big weight in her heart come off of her, knowing that her oldest friend was still alive and well. She nodded to the young girl called Azer to follow her to town. "Azoth will catch up to us."

She half wished Derran was here to see this, it would make him feel a lot better that both the Alliance and the Keywielders haven't lost yet.

Azoth
It seemed that Azoth had startled the strange girl, who quickly faced him. He waited for any kind of reply from the girl and was about to be distracted by something else when she finally spoke. "I was looking for help with these two,""We're Keyblade apprentices from the Land of Departure. We were attacked moments ago though and somehow ended up here.""They seemed to passed out though, probably from exhaustion. I needed help with them since I can't really carry both of them.""It seems we weren't the only ones attacked though,""Oh, and my name's Azer." Azoth listened as Azer spoke, nodding every so often as thought he was perfectly understanding everything that was going on. "Ah I see, my name's Az-" "Azoth, firstly how was your nap, secondly, I'd like to know who she is and wh-" Azoth turned to face Rania who had suddenly cut him off from his introduction and only one thing in Rania's sentance had confused him, he didn't remember taking a nap. It seemed Rania knew one of the boys as Azoth noticed she gained a look of surprise at seeing one of them... or maybe it was both, he didn't know. Azoth managed to catch the word 'Dante' from something Rania muttered to herself and was about to ask when Rania suddenly barked orders at him.

"Well don't just stand there!""Let's get these two back to town!" "Y-yes maam," Azoth said with a slight salute as he was caught off guard, she had suddenly shocked him with the sudden aggressiveness in her voice. "Let's get these two back to town!""Alright Azoth, get the other one." Azoth let go of his suitcase for now and proceeded to pick up the other guy slinging him over his shoulder before going back and picking up Pandora again. Azoth was used to carrying heavy loads when needed and a single person wasn't too much of an issue though currently Rania's suddenness with her appearance and orders had made Azoth forget about his fatigue from the fight earlier. He proceeded to follow Rania towards wherever it was she was moving them, the Alliance's base had most of it destroyed from the fire and some heartless that had infact snuck in there, it seemed a new base would be needed. He turned towards Azer, "Umm, yeah so my name's Azoth, pleasure to meet you," completly having forgotten what else she had said, like about being a keyblade wielder or also being attacked.

Before the person could even finish his sentence, a woman walked over to them and looked at his direction. "Azoth, firstly how was your nap, secondly, I'd like to know who she is and wh-" she began to speak but her eyes caught sight of the two boys behind them. Her eyes widened at the sight and her mouth opened, clearly stunned. Seeming to forget about Azer and the guy she learned was Azoth, she made her way to them and bent over by Dante. She muttered something under breath that Azer couldn't quite catch before turning back to Azoth. "Well don't just stand there!" she snapped. "Let's get these two back to town!"

"Y-yes maam," Azoth stammered and gave a quick salute to her, seeming surprised at the sudden change of tone.

"Let's get these two back to town!" the woman said as she began to hoist Dante up besides her. "Alright Azoth, get the other one," she added. The strain in her voice made it obvious of how much Dante's weight was against hers. The sight made Azer glad that she had found more people to help. Azoth followed her orders and went to pick up Sikes, throwing him over the corner before picking up his suitcase he had set down before. It surprised Azer at how easily he could carry Sikes but she quickly dismissed it. As the young woman began walking, she nodded at Azer to follow. Azer easily complied and began to walk with them into town. Her body was tense as they got closer and closer. Memories began poking inside her as her eyes would catch familiar places. She hadn't expected to come home so suddenly.

"Umm, yeah so my name's Azoth, pleasure to meet you," Azoth said as they were walking. Azer looked at his direction and gave him a nod, feeling to tired and tense to even offer a smile.

"It's nice to meet you too."

"There's only a few other places we can go besides the building, but I know where to take Dante to make him a bit comfortable. Hold on Dante, you're almost home." Rania thought as she walked into the town and towards a house where she knew Dante wouldn't flip out about. She at times took a deep breath of air before continuing onwards towards the goal in mind.

When she got to the building in mind, she smiled at the door and the words upon it. "Club Members only." she took out a key and unlocked the door to it and went into the building leaving it open for Azoth and Azer to get in. "Just put him on the couch Azoth, I'll be with you in a moment." She stated as she took Dante towards a room and looked in it. Letting in the air of familiarity flow into her senses as she looked at all the pictures set upon one part of the room, reflecting on a happier time before Dante, Derran and herself came into this room, nay this building. Turning to the bed she set Dante down upon it and rested his head on the pillow.

"Welcome home, Dante." She said to his unconscious frame as she walked out of the door and back to where Azoth and Azer were. "Nothing to do now but wait till they wake up I'm afraid." She stated. "Now, Miss Azer, can you tell us what happened at the Land of Departure? Where are the Masters?"

As Dante sleeps he dreams about his friends. He dreams of the time they met, and the times when they would argue about who's Family was better even though each house was important. He watches as if from a distance as He and his friends grow older, the times they would run through the streets fighting off imaginary foes as Keyblade Masters. He watches as numerous arguments take place where one ended with Dante running off, trying not to cry. The next thing he see's is his younger self sitting against the wall that surrounds the city with his head resting on his knees which he is hugging against his chest with his eyes closed, trying to regain his composure when the young Rania walks up and brushes a lock of his hair out of his face making him look up at her before he jumps up and rubs his eyes with his arm to make it look like he hadn't been crying. The image fades and they are all older and Dante was telling Derran and Rania about how he met a Keyblade Master and how he was going to go learn how to use the Keyblade and the scene morphs to him getting on a Gummi ship and taking off.

The next thing Dante knows is he is running though the streets consumed by flames as his mind turns the few billows of smoke into a raging inferno with only one purpose, finding his friends. As he runs through the streets dodging people that are running past him notices that they are not running from only the flames, but the creatures which attacked the Land of Departure. In the distance Dante see's his friends fighting the creatures and they are very clearly losing. As he fights his way to them, the darkness pools on the ground from the slain creatures and slows him down, with every kill slowing him down more and more. After what seems like forever he finally makes to the area they are fighting in and they turn towards him and smile after they destroy the last Creature. Dante slowly walks forward and as he was about to embrace his friends a dark figure with wings and red eyes appears behind them. Before Dante can warn them two blades are shoved through them and they begin to fade into darkness as does Dante. As Dante is floating in the Darkness of his nightmare he faintly feels something brush a lock of hair off his face and hears a gently voice whispering his name.

As he slowly comes out of his sleep he begins to hear snippets of conversation and feels himself being placed on a bed and he hears the voice of his Childhood friend, Rania. "Welcome home, Dante." And he opens his eyes as she walks out of the room. He sits up and looks around and notices he is in their clubhouse, a little dusty but still the same way he remembers it. He looks at the pictures on the wall of when they were kids. He stares at the picture before walking over to them and uses his finger to wipe some of the dust off of one when he hears Her voice. "Now, Miss Azer, can you tell us what happened at the Land of Departure? Where are the Masters?". He gets a big goofy grin on his face when he peeks out the door and see's her back is to him. He runs at her. "RANIA!" He grabs her in a big hug and tackles her. "Im so glad you're okay! When we got here i say the smoke from the flames and was worried for the worst. Wheres Derran? Is he okay? What happened here?" He asks as he gets up and helps Rania to her feet. He looks up and see's a guy with a suitcase. "Who's the business man?" He asks before she has time to explain anything about his previous flurry of questions.

Azoth

"It's nice to meet you too." Azoth simply gave a friendly smile to Azer after her comment and continued to follow Rania. It seemed they weren't heading towards the Alliance's headquarters but to somewhere else. They eventually got to where Rania was leading them and Azoth noticed the words 'Club Members only.' on the door as he passed it. "Just put him on the couch Azoth, I'll be with you in a moment." so Azoth did as Rania instructed and put the guy he'd been carrying on the sofa and waited for Rania to return, he felt a little tired.

Rania soon came back to the main room of the place, "Nothing to do now but wait till they wake up I'm afraid.""Now, Miss Azer, can you tell us what happened at the Land of Departure? Where are the Masters?" the name of the world 'Land of Departure' seemed to ring something in Azoth's memories but he still couldn't remember what it was but it seemed that was the world Azer had come from. Azoth was about to ask Rania or Azer what the world was and who these 'masters' were when he noticed movement at the doorway of the room Rania had dropped the other guy in. The guy ran into the room and hugged Rania while shouting her name, he then proceeded to question her about stuff before noticing Azoth. "Who's the business man?" Azoth put out his free hand to shake the strange guy's hand as he started to introduce himself, "Hi, I'm Az-" Azoth said suddenly falling asleep while standing up, this only happened for a few seconds as he fell over backwards hitting the ground. It seemed Azoth had been losing a bit more blood than what he'd thought... at least if he'd noticed. While at first it would have seemed that Azoth had fainted or something his snoring soon confirmed that he was infact asleep.