Choose Your Adventure...

[lockandkeyblade]

Today is the day.

You may have come to the Land of Departure seeking strength, skills or chasing a dream. Or maybe you came because you're trying to escape something: a desolate world, crippling self doubt, or had nowhere else to go. Either way, it's been a long journey with Sora, training and learning and fighting to earn the right to earn the

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1. ;~;

[reverse_destiny]

[So much is different here. Sora is older than he ever remembers seeing him. There is no Roxas (something that frightens him). Or perhaps he's just young, managed to break through to here at the wrong time. Still, he's here. And he's crouched with the other who's helped him through so much, and they're being attacked. But that's not the most distressing part. Not to him, at least. No, nor is the injuries the other has sustained.

The most distressing part is that he can't get the Heartless to back off.

Even before he came, before his adoptive father (if he can still be called that) devoured him from the inside-out and he was lost for awhile, he was able to still control them to a degree. But why... Why can't he now? Why won't they obey and back off and just stop long enough for some form of healing to be done?

But then Sora's holding his hand, and all he can do is stare. What? Ready?]

R-Ready for what?

[lockandkeyblade]

[And as the younger Sora, his darker self, situates himself in the dream, familiar memories that don't belong inside the dream start to filter in. Nothing clear manages to come to Sora's mind, only vague feelings and the emotions behind them, but one thing rings true: this is somebody important. Someone Sora's always needed to take care of and protect. And he can do so now.]

This keyblade. It'll keep you safe. And it's pretty important to me.

So... I need you to take really good care of it once I give it to you... okay?

[reverse_destiny]

[...Keep him safe? But if he's safe, what about--]

What about you?

[He didn't come all this way just to lose someone he cared about, not when there were precious few out there. Roxas, this Sora, maybe Riku, Ami... Not too many, really. Not enough people he could reach, and this is a strange twist on his worst fear of being abandoned. Except that it's not abandonment, it's that Sora might die.]

[lockandkeyblade]

Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself.

[Sora gives his best smile because there's no sense in scaring the other. So long as he gets out of this place all right, then it'll be okay. He just... wishes those memories were a lot clearer. He's pretty sure they're important.]

But you've got some really important things to do. Lots of worlds to see.

And lots of friends to make.

[reverse_destiny]

[Lots of friends to make? But what's the point if he loses one of the people he cares about the most? He's so tired of it--of losing things and people and just.. So tired.]

You're hurt. There's no way you can do this on your own...

[lockandkeyblade]

I won't give up that easy. Promise.

[Oh Sora... He may not know much about the other's past, but he does remember going great lengths to ensure the teen's safety. And he's ready to do the same now. He wishes there were more time to explain the gravity of the situation, the danger they've found themselves in, the urgency. But most of all, he wishes he'd gotten to know a few more things about him. And maybe share a couple more memories before their time was done.]

But first you've gotta let me give this to you. And when it's yours, you'll have to go down the mountain path and find the ship that's waiting down there. You got it?

[reverse_destiny]

...All right.

[It's a lie. He won't run. He'll take the key, but then he'll fight. It's one of the things he's good at. And maybe, maybe, if he does that the Heartless might listen enough to give the two an escape. Maybe. He has to hope. Because hope is all they have now.]

[lockandkeyblade]

Then... come a little closer. And keep your hand on the keyblade.

[From there, it's just a soft murmur of words, like a small prayer.

In your hand, take this Key.
So long as you have the makings, then through this simple act of taking, its wielder you shall one day be.
And you will find me, friend-no ocean will contain you then.
No more borders around, or below, or above, so long as you champion the ones you love.

It ends with a slight nod on Sora's part. A sight pause, and a tired exhale... Then:]

Take care of yourself.

[reverse_destiny]

...I will.

[But he doesn't leave. Instead, he stands and turns towards the large, open space. And he just quietly walks forward, the black Keyblade in hand. And once he has enough space between him and Sora, so that the other can't stop him...

He smiles back at the other for a moment, and then suddenly, faces forward as darkness pools under him. But then it surges upward, and his clothes cling to his body as strange black clothes, similar to muscle in appearance, meld onto his body and eventually forming into a very familiar suit. He looks forward, adopting a blank expression.

He never wanted to use this form again. Never wanted to access this dark power. It caused so much harm, so many hearts lost to the darkness... And yet, maybe, it's a glimmer of hope. Maybe it'll give him some authority. And if not, the strength boost that comes with it will help.]

If you plan on taking this world, then you'll have to go through me.

[lockandkeyblade]

[It's strange the way that the other boy walks; It isn't with any measure of caution, or desperation or urgency... it's with determination. As if he means to...]

[No.]

[The darkness gathers around him, over his clothes and skin. It's like it's becoming a part of him. And Sora realizes too late what the others' intentions are. It isn't to escape, it's to stay and fight.]

Sora! What're you-!?

[reverse_destiny]

I'm taking care of myself. I've been a Heartless before... So I should be fine.

[He doesn't mind, really. He'll prepare himself, even as glass shatters and wood splinters. He holds that Keyblade in hand, not minding the weight one bit. It feels oddly... Right. Like he was meant to hold it.]

You said I have to champion the ones I love, right? Then I'm not leaving you behind. I'll fight to the last breath!

[lockandkeyblade]

[Champion the ones... Sora swallows, taken aback by those words. He's touched, even if it's hard to swallow, hard to fight down that growing panic.]

You're insane! There's no way you can take them all on.

[And as if to emphasize the threat, black fingers sneak in through the cracks in the glass, sliding its body through the gap. Two or three of the smaller ones have already filtered inside. And a larger creature trudges forward towards the entrance.]

[reverse_destiny]

I just have to last long enough for them to recognize the authority I have. Then I can at least get us a path to safety.

[But that's the thing. He has to last that long. And he's not sure if they will recognize his authority at all. If they don't, then it'll be a hell of a fight, but he will try as hard as he can. In fact, he's already racing forward, slicing easily through the small ones, awaiting the larger one.]