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[Third District : Merlin's House]



"The Keyblade is said to hold phenomenal power," Aerith spoke up, recalling the tales told by Merlin. Leon regarded them as just that- tales of an old man clinging to hope, valuable those his wisdom may be. Aerith, though... she believed. The Keyblade wielder was out there.

"One legend says its wielder saved the world," Merlin continued for her, still looking at his cup of tea with strange intensity. "While another says he wrought chaos and ruin upon it."

"The stories differ on the origin of the Keyblade, and how many there are. Some say that there was only one, chosen by the Heart of All Worlds, Kingdom Hearts," Merlin continued, glancing up at the young man with a look that revealed Merlin's inner worries. They needed this Keyblade Wielder, but... he had yet to show. "While others say entire wars were fought out between Keybladers of Light and Darkness. Until the Keyblade reveals itself, however, we can't know."

"The stories are common among the older masters, such as myself," he explained, taking a deep sigh. "Some of us take apprentices, forging for them False Keyblades in hopes that by training them, we might earn the favor of... whatever gives them out."

"I haven't done that in quite some time, but a good friend of mine has taken quite fondly to King Mickey lately," he explained, chuckling under his breath. "If anyone has the strength of heart to earn the Keyblade, it's that little mouse."

[Fal'navi :: Traverse Town :: Second District]

The Black Dragoon remained quiet upon the rooftop, grinning as he felt the magical essence of his target. It was oddly similar to his master's, yet...so disturbingly holy. Vereor, this boy you want me to face? Your brother? He seems powerful enough, but I hope I don't kill him. I know you'd be most disappointed if I broke your play thing... He quietly thought to himself before summoning his spear and stabbing it into the rooftop, shatting the tiles.

The elf began muttering dark incantations, then clapped his hands together. A Corridor of Darkness would open beneath Soryuju's feet, and the Darkness would quickly pull the boy inside.

[∫ ʋ ʓ ʋ ʁ ᾲ ɳ]
{You look like you fell down a tree and hit every possible branch on the way down.}

[Traverse Town :: Second District]

Suzu thought for a second, meeting eyes with her twin before shrugging. "If you say so, how about we keep him in shackles while he's aboard?" she half jested with a slight shrug of her shoulders. She watched the little one from her peripheral and merely figured she'd get their so-called "guard" to keep an eye on him.

"Eight people should fit, might be a little stuffy though?" Suzu voiced behind her twin, a little hesitant as she mentally scoped out their gummi ship. When she said it was spacious, she didn't think eight-people kind of spacious. Surely her parents didn't anticipate picking up people on their journey.

Suzu turned her gaze back to the dragoon just in time to see a portal open up and engulf the boy. The geomancer blinked twice, is that some new world street trick? "Soryuju?!"

[Traverse Town::Third District]

Window blinked, thinking. If the situation hadn't been so dire, the newcomer's fall would've been much more amusing. It was nice to know that they had one more ally...but it seemed to be paired with the appearance of another enemy as well. Making a decision, Window said, "We have come too far to turn back now. Let us try for the alleyway, especially now that we have three of us!" He felt a sense of command well up inside, much like when he conducted sessions with students. Someone had to come up with a plan, so he might as well try. "Formal introductions later, yes? Nalo, take the front of the group, and lead us into the alley. Your short-range attacks and fast reflexes should fare well against any Heartless that try and jump out through this smoke. And you...it was Artemis, yes? Cover our backsides with your longer-ranged weapon and keep anything from following too closely. I am deeply sorry for pulling you along with us without a choice. But, if we are to survive, I think teamwork would be the best course of action. I will stay in the middle filling an observatory role and call out direction and angle of attack of incoming Heartless as we run. Nalo, make sure to trust your hearing more than anything else, and tell us if you hear any approach. Is this satisfactory for everyone? If so, let us go!" he finished with urgency.

[ Ϩ Ѳ Ʀ ¥ Ʉ ϑ Ʉ ]

{Ignorance is bliss... until reality throws a Heartless siege at you.}

[Traverse Town : Second District Plaza -> ???]

"Well, if worse comes to- FFFU-," Soryuju shouted, immediately reaching out to grab onto the ground around him. However, despite the aid of the moogle, he was pulled in, spear and all.

ÅΓ╦ΣMφ§

"Someone with no destiny is like a blank page with no utensil to write with."

[Traverse Town :: Third District]

Artemis stood up quickly, the smoke seeping into the third district. He looked around as every thing around became a dark haze. His eyesight obviously not going to be the best asset in this matter. "Yeah, that sounds fair!" he said, in a slightly stressed voice. He ran up behind Window, and strayed a distance behind him, to make sure they did not conflict with eachother. He took in quick breaths, trying to keep as much of the smog out of his lungs. The heartless were near them and they knew it, as well as some new presence. They needed to be alert of their surroundings, keeping an eye out - not that they could see- hearing acute, and precise.

Artemis followed, and did not speak for a while.

The Heartless were not so easily distracted; they saw not with their eyes, but with their ability to detect hearts. The smoke impeded them no more than clear air might. The distraction, if anything, only aided them in their assault. They attacked from the sides of the alley, some even jumping up toward the wall before bouncing higher, coming in for attacks from above.

Little did the trio know that another Heartless had spawned, hidden by the smoke ahead of them, and this beast was no ordinary Shadow; it was a Fat Body, completely blocking what path their might be. Taking advantage of the smoke, the Fat Body charged forward, protected from the front by his perfectly-defended belly, running with enough force to knock an average-sized man straight off his feet. And with such a narrow alleyway, blinded my smoke, dodging such an attack was unlikely, at best.

[Fal'navi :: Traverse Town :: Second District Rooftops]

Fal'navi blinked at the mention of the attack earlier, getting to his feet with a small grunt of effort. Dragoon armor isn't the lightest thing in the world, but it works. He couldn't help but grin slightly as he looked to his helmet, waiting on the ground to be placed on the Darkwalker's head.

"I know who you speak of. Yes, I suppose they are my allies, but they are nothing to be concerned about. Oh, forgive me, I've answered your questions out of order. My name is Fal'navi Phoriv, and I serve the Veiled Gorgon..."

Fal'navi reached for his helmet, placing it atop his head with one hand while summoning his spear in another. "Although I do believe you know my master by another name...But enough of this talk. It is time we do battle. Oblivion calls for your blood!"