8 - video;

[todomarishi]

[Another video starts up, but about all it records as the minutes tick by is darkness. Some pitch black, shapeless space. There is, at one point, a thin line of light and a flash of color, then the NV shifts and the picture cuts to darkness again. Throughout the entry, there's noise. At first, it's little more than a low rumble, like thunder heard

Comments

action; dated to after any other encounters

[aslandish]

[ The Darkness still reigns, patches of rot and decay giving of a stench that is all too distinct. The odor lessens, though, and the atmosphere brightens, a gradual change that become more noticeable the closer he draws.

Watching the crackle of crimson light with no small measure of sadness, Aslan pauses in the crippled armor's path, his heart burdened with the consequences of Terra's choice. ]

action;

[aslandish]

[ The seal's removal has indeed helped him, that much is certain. However, for Terra to truly and completely return, he must regain that which has been taken. To do so, however, will be no small feat.

A measure of gravity present in his expression, he watches the other solemnly.

A difficult task lies before you now.

Xehanort. ]

action;

[todomarishi]

[His fingers flex over the Keyblade's pommel as he considers the situation they are all now in.]

I mean to destroy him.

action;

[aslandish]

[ He knows. Ever since they met and long before, it is the one prospect that has consumed Terra's thoughts and guided his steps, and though he understands it, more will be needed than simply taking vengeance.

Remember that which is precious.

A victory at the cost of that which is most dear is no true victory at all. ]

action;

[todomarishi]

[A small fire lights in his mind and he pushes himself up to stand, armor drawn to its full height. One hand lingers on the Keyblade. He 'looks' ahead, but his reply is directed to Aslan.]

I have not forgotten.

action;

[aslandish]

[ He watches Terra solemnly for a moment before giving a brief nod.

Be well, Terra.

The words linger, resonating in the atmosphere even as the light begins to fade, rolling back to reveal the same alleyway they were in before. The night has returned, and if Terra bothers to look, Aslan will be gone. A thought, however, remains -- a whisper that carries even over the oppressive darkness.

Your efforts will not be in vain. ]

action;

[todomarishi]

[Terra's armor doesn't move right away. He stands and waits, visor turning in the darkness, a familiar something closing the fingers of one glove into a fist. He looks and listens in his own way, stretching out that one sense as the minutes pass by unnoticed, unmeasured. He can feel the world around him, the darkness. The thought is there, too. He understands the words that rest beside him in the absence of the light. He waits a while longer.]

Aslan. [A whisper. There are other names, other messages, but none of them connect to his voice.

Thank you. I'm sorry.

Silence again.

His helmet drops slightly, a noticeable hunch in his shoulders that comes and goes. Drifting memories plunge to a stop and his focus returns to Xehanort's defeat. He picks up the Keyblade and walks away, out of the alley, back to the streets.

I'll stop him. No matter what it takes, this time I'll stop him.]