Silver turned slowly towards Takehiko as he spoke. The pirate began to walk over towards the boy, his metal cane thumping against the wooden floor. The gears and pistons in his leg spurted and creaked as they failed to properly move. Hydraulic fluid still dripped from the wound Jim had left. When Take revealed that he had possession of the map Silver's eyes widened and the pirate flashed a large grin. "Well well...what do we have here?" He closed the distance between himself and the boy, now standing over him. "You heard the lad, step back!" On his order the pirates, their weapons still trained on the keybladers, took a few steps back to give Take some breathing room. "Now if you'll be so kind as to hand it over." Silver extended his hand to retrieve the map from Take. After turning it over in his hand, proud of the accomplishment, he began to examine it closer with his red eye. He reverted his robotic arm back into a hand to try and pry the map open upon seeing nothing of interest on its shiny surface. A few grunts of frustration and several rough prods at the orb later Silver growled and shook the map. Gripping Take by the collar he shouted, "Gah! What kind of trick is this? Do you take me for a fool, boy!? How do you get the blasted thing open!?"
The pirates began closing in and the Captain realized that they could wait no longer. She had tried waiting until the last moment for the last two to jump on board but it was too late. "Now!" She shouted towards the Doctor and together they both shot out the cables holding the boat up. The boat dropped instantly plummeting at least two hundred feet before the Captain pulled on the sail to slow their descent. Just as she gained control of the boat there was a loud rumble that echoed through the skies. Before she could steer them into safety the boat was hit by cannon fire, shrapnel cutting into the Captain's side. The boat, damaged and the sail now torn, rapidly descended to the planet's surface. The boat crashed through the thicket and even as the Captain did her best to soften their landing the boat slammed against the ground and skidded along the dirt before it came to an abrupt halt and rolled to its side, sending all its passengers tumbling off. "Everyone in one piece..?" Jim asked, rubbing his neck. The Doctor chuckled as he adjusted his glasses and rose to his feet. "Oh, my goodness. That was more fun than I ever want to have again." "That was not one of my gossamer landings...ah!" "Captain!" Doppler rushed over to her side to help her to her feet when she stumbled, clutching her side in pain. "Don't fuss. Slight bruising that's all. Cup of tea and I'll be right as rain." She assured the Doctor before turning to Jim. "Mister Hawkins, the map if you please." "Right." He reached into his pocket and after a moment of digging he pulled out the golden orb...only for it to immediately break apart and turn into a pink floating creature. "Morph!?" Jim's jaw dropped. "Morph where's the map?!" In response the pink blob circled around him, squeaking all the while before zipping over towards the keybladers. "Are you serious? It's back on the ship!?" The pirates had surrounded Choma and Takehiko seconds after the others managed to get away. Not wanting to escalate the situation he allowed his keyblade to vanish. Silver had left the room in a hurry to head up topside. Moments later there was a boom, the sound of cannon fire. Choma's stomach turned but his face remained stoic. He glanced over at Takehiko looking at the boy for some sign that he held the map. Nearly a minute later Silver came limping down into the room, his robotic eye gazing at the two while his metal arm had now become a sort of cane used to support his busted leg. "Are ya all daft!?" Silver shouted at his own men. "They escape with the map and everyone's first instinct is to try and blow it up!? If I hadn't stepped in when I did we'd have no way of finding Flint's loot!" Choma breathed out in relief to hear that the pirate had prevented the destruction of the boat. "And you two...you lot are going to be our bargaining chip." "Is that so?" Choma spoke, raising an eyebrow. Silver growled and limped over his way to glare at Choma with his eye but the master's face remained calm as ever. The others were safe and the two of them left on the ship could take care of themselves for the time being.
The pirates began closing in and the Captain realized that they could wait no longer. She had tried waiting until the last moment for the last two to jump on board but it was too late. "Now!" She shouted towards the Doctor and together they both shot out the cables holding the boat up. The boat dropped instantly plummeting at least two hundred feet before the Captain pulled on the sail to slow their descent. Just as she gained control of the boat there was a loud rumble that echoed through the skies. Before she could steer them into safety the boat was hit by cannon fire, shrapnel cutting into the Captain's side. The boat, damaged and the sail now torn, rapidly descended to the planet's surface. The boat crashed through the thicket and even as the Captain did her best to soften their landing the boat slammed against the ground and skidded along the dirt before it came to an abrupt halt and rolled to its side, sending all its passengers tumbling off. "Everyone in one piece..?" Jim asked, rubbing his neck. The Doctor chuckled as he adjusted his glasses and rose to his feet. "Oh, my goodness. That was more fun than I ever want to have again." "That was not one of my gossamer landings...ah!" "Captain!" Doppler rushed over to her side to help her to her feet when she stumbled, clutching her side in pain. "Don't fuss. Slight bruising that's all. Cup of tea and I'll be right as rain." She assured the Doctor before turning to Jim. "Mister Hawkins, the map if you please." "Right." He reached into his pocket and after a moment of digging he pulled out the golden orb...only for it to immediately break apart and turn into a pink floating creature. "Morph!?" Jim's jaw dropped. "Morph where's the map?!" In response the pink blob circled around him, squeaking all the while before zipping over towards the keybladers. "Are you serious? It's back on the ship!?"
The pirates had surrounded Choma and Takehiko seconds after the others managed to get away. Not wanting to escalate the situation he allowed his keyblade to vanish. Silver had left the room in a hurry to head up topside. Moments later there was a boom, the sound of cannon fire. Choma's stomach turned but his face remained stoic. He glanced over at Takehiko looking at the boy for some sign that he held the map. Nearly a minute later Silver came limping down into the room, his robotic eye gazing at the two while his metal arm had now become a sort of cane used to support his busted leg. "Are ya all daft!?" Silver shouted at his own men. "They escape with the map and everyone's first instinct is to try and blow it up!? If I hadn't stepped in when I did we'd have no way of finding Flint's loot!" Choma breathed out in relief to hear that the pirate had prevented the destruction of the boat. "And you two...you lot are going to be our bargaining chip." "Is that so?" Choma spoke, raising an eyebrow. Silver growled and limped over his way to glare at Choma with his eye but the master's face remained calm as ever. The others were safe and the two of them left on the ship could take care of themselves for the time being.
"All he would say was that he was doing this for a friend. The boy seemed quite desperate about it. Make of that what you will." "And how did you tell him to accomplish the deed?" Atmos asked. "The darkness spawned from losing one's heart must be destroyed. Then the empty shell must be brought to an end so that the heart and the body can become one once again." Atmos had heard of such empty shells known as Nobodies but until then she had never heard of how to undo that kind of transformation. It seemed grim to say the least. "I see..." Atmos spoke after a moment. "Thank you for your time. We should get going." She turned to leave, wondering why Torrin would have chosen to return to the Realm of Darkness to turn someone back from being a Nobody. She had known that he had been wounded and was slow to recover. Perhaps he returned to speed his recovery? She crossed her arms and thought over the information the king had given them for some time, remaining silent. They could either return to the other students, hoping Torrin would join them again at some point, or continue to seek him out. "So many wielders from my realm have gone missing. I believe several worlds where masters and their students resided have been destroyed. I don't know what happened to everyone but they're no longer in contact with my people. With our numbers so limited, we cannot afford to go on without everyone we can get. We should follow Torrin." Choma was glad to see that the others had made it here safely. "There isn't much time to explain but some of us will have to stay here to keep an eye on the pirates." Choma responded towards Aria. "Go on the boat and stay with the others." As he spoke a pink blob rose from Jim's pocket and snatched a golden orb from the boy's hand. Immediately Jim gave chase. "Morph! No!" Given the boy's tone, Choma had to assume that this was the map he had heard about. He gave Takehiko a nudge to get the student's attention. "That must be what they're after." Choma looked away seeing the door Aria sealed already starting to be cut down by pirates on the other side. There was only a few seconds before the pirates would be able to breach the door. "They're coming through! Get to the boats!" The docking gate began to open and the boats were slowly lowered towards the opening on the underside of the ship. The entrance was breached and pirates rushed forth. Captain Amelia and the Doctor opened fire on them to slow them down before jumping onto one of the two life boats. "Hurry!" The leader of the pirates stepped out and pulled on the lever controlling the docking gate to begin sealing the ship's underside once more to prevent anyone from escaping. He then ran off after Jim and pink creature in the possession of the map. "Not so fast." Choma aimed his keyblade at the room's ceiling and fired off a Blizzard spell causing ice to shatter and shards to rain down from above. Both Jim and Silver covered their heads and took cover from the spell. Two golden orbs fell to the ground, one of them mysteriously rolling over towards Jim as if it had a mind of it's own and the other tumbling down a flight of stairs out of view from the boy and the pirate. Jim immediately jumped for the orb that rolled towards him and leapt to the Captain's boat. The second boat was too far from the gate to make it down in time. The only way out of the ship was to cram into one life boat. Seeing that they were not going to be lowered down and released in time before the gate was closed, the Captain looked at the two cables carrying their boat towards the exit. "Doctor when I say 'now', shoot out the forward cable. I'll take the other."
"All he would say was that he was doing this for a friend. The boy seemed quite desperate about it. Make of that what you will." "And how did you tell him to accomplish the deed?" Atmos asked. "The darkness spawned from losing one's heart must be destroyed. Then the empty shell must be brought to an end so that the heart and the body can become one once again." Atmos had heard of such empty shells known as Nobodies but until then she had never heard of how to undo that kind of transformation. It seemed grim to say the least. "I see..." Atmos spoke after a moment. "Thank you for your time. We should get going." She turned to leave, wondering why Torrin would have chosen to return to the Realm of Darkness to turn someone back from being a Nobody. She had known that he had been wounded and was slow to recover. Perhaps he returned to speed his recovery? She crossed her arms and thought over the information the king had given them for some time, remaining silent. They could either return to the other students, hoping Torrin would join them again at some point, or continue to seek him out. "So many wielders from my realm have gone missing. I believe several worlds where masters and their students resided have been destroyed. I don't know what happened to everyone but they're no longer in contact with my people. With our numbers so limited, we cannot afford to go on without everyone we can get. We should follow Torrin."
Choma was glad to see that the others had made it here safely. "There isn't much time to explain but some of us will have to stay here to keep an eye on the pirates." Choma responded towards Aria. "Go on the boat and stay with the others." As he spoke a pink blob rose from Jim's pocket and snatched a golden orb from the boy's hand. Immediately Jim gave chase. "Morph! No!" Given the boy's tone, Choma had to assume that this was the map he had heard about. He gave Takehiko a nudge to get the student's attention. "That must be what they're after." Choma looked away seeing the door Aria sealed already starting to be cut down by pirates on the other side. There was only a few seconds before the pirates would be able to breach the door. "They're coming through! Get to the boats!" The docking gate began to open and the boats were slowly lowered towards the opening on the underside of the ship. The entrance was breached and pirates rushed forth. Captain Amelia and the Doctor opened fire on them to slow them down before jumping onto one of the two life boats. "Hurry!" The leader of the pirates stepped out and pulled on the lever controlling the docking gate to begin sealing the ship's underside once more to prevent anyone from escaping. He then ran off after Jim and pink creature in the possession of the map. "Not so fast." Choma aimed his keyblade at the room's ceiling and fired off a Blizzard spell causing ice to shatter and shards to rain down from above. Both Jim and Silver covered their heads and took cover from the spell. Two golden orbs fell to the ground, one of them mysteriously rolling over towards Jim as if it had a mind of it's own and the other tumbling down a flight of stairs out of view from the boy and the pirate. Jim immediately jumped for the orb that rolled towards him and leapt to the Captain's boat. The second boat was too far from the gate to make it down in time. The only way out of the ship was to cram into one life boat. Seeing that they were not going to be lowered down and released in time before the gate was closed, the Captain looked at the two cables carrying their boat towards the exit. "Doctor when I say 'now', shoot out the forward cable. I'll take the other."
"Enough with the fighting! Come on!" Jim shouted towards the two girls. The pirates were going to break through the door at any moment and he wasn't going to let them get stuck in the crossfire. Without any further warning Jim pushed both Aria and Illiana down into the maintenance tunnel and jumped in after them. "Jim wait for us!" Doctor Doppler called and then motioned for Amelia to come over. "Uh...ladies first." "Come along Doctor we don't have all day!" Grabbing onto his arm she leapt with him down after the rest of the group. Seconds later there was an explosion overhead as the pirates breached the captain's cabin. "Move!" Captain Amelia ordered. "Moving!" Jim responded as he took off in a sprint to take the lead while Captain Amelia took the back, firing off another round behind the group to force the pirates chasing them to slow down. Up ahead were the life boats. "Darkness might be in play here. That's exactly why some of us must stay behind with the pirates." Choma could have made an attempt to elaborate his answer but it was sufficient enough to get the point across without wasting too much time. Choma went after Takehiko, his keyblade already drawn in case of danger. On their way down towards the life boats they did not come across any pirates as they were likely working on ceasing control of more valuable systems and likely were going after the captain. Choma hoped the other students had the sense to head to the boats as well. "If this doesn't work there's something I need to tell you." Torrin held his keyblade steady to keep the Nobody pinned. "Save it. I already know where you're going with this and I don't want to hear it." "No, you were right. She's not the only person I've let down. I don't know if I can undo what's been done to Mika but I can put an end to the mockery of her memory." Even as he raised his keyblade to strike her down Kaela continued to look at him with anger clear in her eyes. "I'm done running." "Hmph." Kaela smirked and her expression softened somewhat. "Good. Keep that attitude. I'm sure that won't get you killed." She averted her gaze and took in a deep breath while focusing now on the keyblade poised to end her. "This is it then. Don't die too soon, Torrin. Otherwise I'll make you regret it." "I hope you can find some peace." Torrin spoke solemnly, his voice set with determination. "Me too. I'll see you around on the other side, then."
"Enough with the fighting! Come on!" Jim shouted towards the two girls. The pirates were going to break through the door at any moment and he wasn't going to let them get stuck in the crossfire. Without any further warning Jim pushed both Aria and Illiana down into the maintenance tunnel and jumped in after them. "Jim wait for us!" Doctor Doppler called and then motioned for Amelia to come over. "Uh...ladies first." "Come along Doctor we don't have all day!" Grabbing onto his arm she leapt with him down after the rest of the group. Seconds later there was an explosion overhead as the pirates breached the captain's cabin. "Move!" Captain Amelia ordered. "Moving!" Jim responded as he took off in a sprint to take the lead while Captain Amelia took the back, firing off another round behind the group to force the pirates chasing them to slow down. Up ahead were the life boats.
"Darkness might be in play here. That's exactly why some of us must stay behind with the pirates." Choma could have made an attempt to elaborate his answer but it was sufficient enough to get the point across without wasting too much time. Choma went after Takehiko, his keyblade already drawn in case of danger. On their way down towards the life boats they did not come across any pirates as they were likely working on ceasing control of more valuable systems and likely were going after the captain. Choma hoped the other students had the sense to head to the boats as well.
"If this doesn't work there's something I need to tell you." Torrin held his keyblade steady to keep the Nobody pinned. "Save it. I already know where you're going with this and I don't want to hear it." "No, you were right. She's not the only person I've let down. I don't know if I can undo what's been done to Mika but I can put an end to the mockery of her memory." Even as he raised his keyblade to strike her down Kaela continued to look at him with anger clear in her eyes. "I'm done running." "Hmph." Kaela smirked and her expression softened somewhat. "Good. Keep that attitude. I'm sure that won't get you killed." She averted her gaze and took in a deep breath while focusing now on the keyblade poised to end her. "This is it then. Don't die too soon, Torrin. Otherwise I'll make you regret it." "I hope you can find some peace." Torrin spoke solemnly, his voice set with determination.
Choma looked at Take. "There's too many to fight without causing a great deal of bloodshed." He briefly considered the boy's plan to keep an eye on the pirates by staying with the mutineers but for now they had to make sure everyone else could get off safely. One of the students stepped into view. Choma barely remembered the boy's name from the time Atmos had introduced her students on Eventide. "Glyde? There's a mutiny going on. From what I've gathered they seem to be after the map held by the cabin boy." Choma never trusted pirates. Not since his last encounter with them on another world. Even though those pirates sailed the seas and not the stars there was very little differentiating them. "If we can get our hands on the map we can shift the focus to us instead of the captain and the others." Meanwhile... Captain Amelia pulled out a pistol and looked on as Doctor Doppler locked and sealed the door behind the children immediately after they entered. "Pirates on my ship? I'll see they all hang." She spoke angrily as she powered up her firearm. "Doctor, familiar with these?" She tossed him the other pistol in her possession. The man caught it and handled it hesitantly with one hand examining it like it was some kind of foreign substance. "Oh I've seen..." The gun began to power up. "Well, I've uh read..." He lazily held the gun to the side and it went off, blasting a hole in the wall. The captain rolled her eyes. "Uh no. No. No, I'm not." "You three. You were the ones who fought off those beasts are you not? Was that a one time thing or can I count on you again?" She urgently asked Aria, Illiana, and Chrono. "Captain Amelia I don't think these children should be..." Even as he spoke he began to wave the pistol around and, upon noticing his own carelessness the man went quiet and stopped moving. "Mister Hawkins! Defend this with your life." She tossed a golden orb at Jim and as he reached to catch it the ball was intercepted by Morph. "Morph! Give me that!" Jim shouted as he wrested the ball from the pink creature's possession. Captain Amelia looked at her door seeing the sparks coming off it while the pirates began to cut through it. "With me!" She called on everyone in the room before aiming her pistol at the ground. She fired once, putting a hole in the floor and exposing the maintenance tunnels. "We can get to the life boats from here. Now move!" Kaela spun her blade around creating a wall of flame encircling the two. If Torrin wanted a fight to the death then she was going to make sure he wouldn't get away when she ended him. "Nowhere to run!" She shouted charging forth and bringing her keyblade down onto his. He pushed her back, proving that he had regained some of his former strength. She wasn't impressed. Kaela swung her keyblade up, cutting at the ground with the blade and sending sparks at Torrin. He didn't flinch but Kaela grinned and readied herself once more as her keyblade burst into flame. She charged again assaulting Torrin with cuts from every angle, her fighting style aggressive as she began to force him to lose ground and slowly back up towards the wall of fire. He parried each blow but just barely. "If that's all you've got then this will be quick!" Torrin attempted to retaliate after her remark but she ducked under his blade and twisted around to deliver a powerful spinning kick to knock him to the ground. She smirked while watching him clutch his stomach and try to regain his footing. Kaela brought her blade down to finish the job but Torrin rolled out of the way and kept distance between the two. She pointed her keyblade and launched a massive Fire spell his way. There was an explosion when it struck. For a moment, she had thought she had won but through the smoke Torrin leapt at her. Kaela jumped backwards out of harm's way but his blade sent out a shock wave that hit her regardless sending her flying back. Kaela pushed herself back to her feet and clutched her chest wincing at the pain. "What was that?" She asked herself, glaring at Torrin. "Doesn't matter. You're going down!" She ran at Torrin again and slashed her keyblade wildly at her opponent attempting to catch him off guard with her erratic swings. One cut clipped his arm and another caught his leg and once more she began to push him back until he growled in pain upon grazing the wall of fire, stepping to the side to get some breathing room. But Kaela refused to slow down and kept up the attack. She was winning. Their blades locked. Kaela's eyes were alight with a burning rage but when she looked upon Torrin's eyes through his disheveled hair whatever fear she had seen before had now vanished entirely. His eyes flashed yellow. Whatever he was planning she refused to allow him to go through with it and pushed down on his blade for force him to his knees. Torrin's keyblade broke in two suddenly, causing her to lose her balance. Torrin rolled to the side, catching the other half of his blade with his free hand and right before her eyes the two halves of the blade transformed into two. What!? Time itself seemed to slow and she was not fast enough to react to his sudden shift in technique. She attempted to parry his strikes while regaining her own balance but it was already over before she could raise her defense. Kaela found herself on her back her body stinging from several new cuts, staring up at Torrin, his keyblade now whole again and aimed at her throat. "What...what now?"
Choma looked at Take. "There's too many to fight without causing a great deal of bloodshed." He briefly considered the boy's plan to keep an eye on the pirates by staying with the mutineers but for now they had to make sure everyone else could get off safely. One of the students stepped into view. Choma barely remembered the boy's name from the time Atmos had introduced her students on Eventide. "Glyde? There's a mutiny going on. From what I've gathered they seem to be after the map held by the cabin boy." Choma never trusted pirates. Not since his last encounter with them on another world. Even though those pirates sailed the seas and not the stars there was very little differentiating them. "If we can get our hands on the map we can shift the focus to us instead of the captain and the others."
Kaela spun her blade around creating a wall of flame encircling the two. If Torrin wanted a fight to the death then she was going to make sure he wouldn't get away when she ended him. "Nowhere to run!" She shouted charging forth and bringing her keyblade down onto his. He pushed her back, proving that he had regained some of his former strength. She wasn't impressed. Kaela swung her keyblade up, cutting at the ground with the blade and sending sparks at Torrin. He didn't flinch but Kaela grinned and readied herself once more as her keyblade burst into flame. She charged again assaulting Torrin with cuts from every angle, her fighting style aggressive as she began to force him to lose ground and slowly back up towards the wall of fire. He parried each blow but just barely. "If that's all you've got then this will be quick!" Torrin attempted to retaliate after her remark but she ducked under his blade and twisted around to deliver a powerful spinning kick to knock him to the ground. She smirked while watching him clutch his stomach and try to regain his footing. Kaela brought her blade down to finish the job but Torrin rolled out of the way and kept distance between the two. She pointed her keyblade and launched a massive Fire spell his way. There was an explosion when it struck. For a moment, she had thought she had won but through the smoke Torrin leapt at her. Kaela jumped backwards out of harm's way but his blade sent out a shock wave that hit her regardless sending her flying back. Kaela pushed herself back to her feet and clutched her chest wincing at the pain. "What was that?" She asked herself, glaring at Torrin. "Doesn't matter. You're going down!" She ran at Torrin again and slashed her keyblade wildly at her opponent attempting to catch him off guard with her erratic swings. One cut clipped his arm and another caught his leg and once more she began to push him back until he growled in pain upon grazing the wall of fire, stepping to the side to get some breathing room. But Kaela refused to slow down and kept up the attack. She was winning. Their blades locked. Kaela's eyes were alight with a burning rage but when she looked upon Torrin's eyes through his disheveled hair whatever fear she had seen before had now vanished entirely. His eyes flashed yellow. Whatever he was planning she refused to allow him to go through with it and pushed down on his blade for force him to his knees. Torrin's keyblade broke in two suddenly, causing her to lose her balance. Torrin rolled to the side, catching the other half of his blade with his free hand and right before her eyes the two halves of the blade transformed into two. What!? Time itself seemed to slow and she was not fast enough to react to his sudden shift in technique. She attempted to parry his strikes while regaining her own balance but it was already over before she could raise her defense. Kaela found herself on her back her body stinging from several new cuts, staring up at Torrin, his keyblade now whole again and aimed at her throat. "What...what now?"
Atmos appreciated the thoughts Boreas was willing to spare. In such a short time he had already proven himself to have an educated stance of the worlds' balance that would befit a keyblade master. "So you're offering to stick around until the situation is resolved? It would be an honor to have another keyblade wielder on the team. Team Light...Fighter. No, that doesn't sound right. Forget the team name." She shook her head. "As for our numbers...Well there's myself, Master Choma, Take, Chrono, Illiana, Glyde, ...Torrin might have found Tinarah... So that makes us nine in total if I include you as well." She could not bring herself to mention what became of both Aria and Mikaela. "As far as I'm aware, the Light Chaser has seven students. They are strong but not nearly on the same level as their master." Soon they approached the king's chambers and upon seeing Atmos the guards allowed them in. "Master Atmos? You returned? Is there news of my daughter?" "His daughter is the Princess of Heart that was taken by the Light Chaser." Atmos whispered towards Boreas. "I am sorry, she is not with me." "You are the second to have told me that..." The aged King closed his eyes and shook his head, sorrow clearly shown across his face. "Does that mean that Torrin was here?" "Yes. He came seeking answers to a most peculiar task... He wished to learn how to return a heart to a vacant body. I warned him of the nature of such a thing. I have only heard of it from a master who passed through this world when I was still young." Atmos's eyebrows furrowed. She was confused with why Torrin would ask such things. "Do you know where he went?" "To the edge of the Realm of Darkness." The king spoke. "Thank you, King Nedakh. I promise you, the next time we return, your daughter will be with us." She assured the man. Kaela stared up at Torrin, tilting her head to the side as she watched him pace back and forth. "I always knew you were a coward." She spat at the ground. "You know how to get your precious Mika back so why don't you just go through with it? Huh?" "It's not that simple! I don't know if it's immediate or if it takes time or...if it'll work at all. If I go through with this, there won't be any going back. If it doesn't work, you'll be gone forever." "If I could feel anything, I'm sure I'd be feeling sick right about now." She crossed her legs, trying to get comfortable while still having the chains Choma bound her with. Kaela looked towards the dark sea and watched as the tide came and went. They had returned to the Realm of Darkness...but just barely. "Why did you bring me to this side?" "If..." There was a pause in his voice. She rolled her eyes at his hesitancy. "If I'm going through with this, I'm not going to strike you down while you're defenseless. Coming here was the only way I could return to my normal self. I'm not back at a hundred percent but this should be a fair fight." "Oh so you want to kill me fairly? Is that it? Well boy aren't I lucky to have such a chivalrous man around?" Kaela pushed against the chains of light that held her. "And who made you the judge of who lives and who dies!? Why does that weakling who couldn't even defend herself get a chance come back while I fade away forever!?" Even as a Nobody she still wanted to fight for her own existence. Even if it meant not to belong anywhere. Even if she knew that it was Mika that was bonded to friends. She glared at Torrin. "I'll kill you before ever letting you bring her back. Don't you see that it's better this way? At least like this I won't ever need to rely on anyone else for help. That's what got Mika killed. She was weak! She was pathetic for even thinking saving that girl was worth her life! Tinarah should have just drowned!" "Hm." Torrin chuckled. "I'm glad you said that. Whether Mika returns or not, we're better off without a fake like you. Thank you for helping me realize that." He summoned his keyblade and split her chains. Instantly Kaela was up on her feet, keyblade at the ready to fight back and prove him wrong.
Atmos appreciated the thoughts Boreas was willing to spare. In such a short time he had already proven himself to have an educated stance of the worlds' balance that would befit a keyblade master. "So you're offering to stick around until the situation is resolved? It would be an honor to have another keyblade wielder on the team. Team Light...Fighter. No, that doesn't sound right. Forget the team name." She shook her head. "As for our numbers...Well there's myself, Master Choma, Take, Chrono, Illiana, Glyde, ...Torrin might have found Tinarah... So that makes us nine in total if I include you as well." She could not bring herself to mention what became of both Aria and Mikaela. "As far as I'm aware, the Light Chaser has seven students. They are strong but not nearly on the same level as their master." Soon they approached the king's chambers and upon seeing Atmos the guards allowed them in. "Master Atmos? You returned? Is there news of my daughter?" "His daughter is the Princess of Heart that was taken by the Light Chaser." Atmos whispered towards Boreas. "I am sorry, she is not with me." "You are the second to have told me that..." The aged King closed his eyes and shook his head, sorrow clearly shown across his face. "Does that mean that Torrin was here?" "Yes. He came seeking answers to a most peculiar task... He wished to learn how to return a heart to a vacant body. I warned him of the nature of such a thing. I have only heard of it from a master who passed through this world when I was still young." Atmos's eyebrows furrowed. She was confused with why Torrin would ask such things. "Do you know where he went?" "To the edge of the Realm of Darkness." The king spoke. "Thank you, King Nedakh. I promise you, the next time we return, your daughter will be with us." She assured the man.
Kaela stared up at Torrin, tilting her head to the side as she watched him pace back and forth. "I always knew you were a coward." She spat at the ground. "You know how to get your precious Mika back so why don't you just go through with it? Huh?" "It's not that simple! I don't know if it's immediate or if it takes time or...if it'll work at all. If I go through with this, there won't be any going back. If it doesn't work, you'll be gone forever." "If I could feel anything, I'm sure I'd be feeling sick right about now." She crossed her legs, trying to get comfortable while still having the chains Choma bound her with. Kaela looked towards the dark sea and watched as the tide came and went. They had returned to the Realm of Darkness...but just barely. "Why did you bring me to this side?" "If..." There was a pause in his voice. She rolled her eyes at his hesitancy. "If I'm going through with this, I'm not going to strike you down while you're defenseless. Coming here was the only way I could return to my normal self. I'm not back at a hundred percent but this should be a fair fight." "Oh so you want to kill me fairly? Is that it? Well boy aren't I lucky to have such a chivalrous man around?" Kaela pushed against the chains of light that held her. "And who made you the judge of who lives and who dies!? Why does that weakling who couldn't even defend herself get a chance come back while I fade away forever!?" Even as a Nobody she still wanted to fight for her own existence. Even if it meant not to belong anywhere. Even if she knew that it was Mika that was bonded to friends. She glared at Torrin. "I'll kill you before ever letting you bring her back. Don't you see that it's better this way? At least like this I won't ever need to rely on anyone else for help. That's what got Mika killed. She was weak! She was pathetic for even thinking saving that girl was worth her life! Tinarah should have just drowned!" "Hm." Torrin chuckled. "I'm glad you said that. Whether Mika returns or not, we're better off without a fake like you. Thank you for helping me realize that." He summoned his keyblade and split her chains. Instantly Kaela was up on her feet, keyblade at the ready to fight back and prove him wrong.
Choma raised an eyebrow upon listening to Take's plan. "Clever idea." He stated, his attention momentarily wavering when he noticed Jim step out of his hiding place looking upset over what he had just heard. The pink creature that traveled with the boy seemed to share his pain. "But an idea like that is too-" Before the master could finish his sentence a shadow blocked the light coming from the upper deck. Someone was standing at the stairwell. Jim looked up to see the figure up ahead but whoever it was had been out of view for Choma and Take. Heavy footsteps came down the steps. It was Silver, the cyborg, and when he caught sight of Choma and Take he spoke. "Playing games, are we? Even found yourself a new friend. I don't recognize him." "Yeah...yeah, we're playing games." Jim's eyes narrowed at the cyborg then glanced over towards the others before looking back at Silver. "Oh, I see. Well, I was never much good at games. Always hated to lose." Silver moved a hand behind his back. Knowing what the pirate was planning Choma stepped forward ready to intercede when Jim sprung into action. "Me too!" Jim took a knife and stabbed it into Silver's robotic leg, severing one of the hydraulic hoses before pushing he way past the cyborg and running up the stairs. Silver yelled in pain and glared at the two before him. Rather than confront them he turned and chased after Jim."Ohhhblast it all!" He shouted. "Change in plans, lads! We move now!" The crewmen cheered and began to draw their weapons. The Legacy's flag was torn down and quickly replaced with a pirate's flag. The mutiny was in full swing. After some time passed the two Chasers approached a massive tree, wind scattering leaves before them. As they came closer they could see a gnarled face on the aged bark of the willow. The face had not been carved into the wood but that was just how the tree had been shaped. It began to contort and the hollow spaces that were meant to be eyes grew narrow as it appeared the tree was trying to examine the young women before it. The face on the willow appeared to resemble that of an old woman. "You are not from this world. Are you travelers such as the man who came to speak with me before?" "Yes." Avra answered. "We have come seeking a princess with a strong heart. A pure heart that has the potential to save countless other worlds." "It seems you would be speaking of Pocahontas, child." "We need her. If you would be willing to-" "No." The willow stared at them. "I see something false about you. I was warned that this day would come." The wind began to pick up blowing louder and faster. "You will not take Pocahontas." Avra glanced over at Chrys. "Hey! Any help? I'm just making it angry!"
Choma raised an eyebrow upon listening to Take's plan. "Clever idea." He stated, his attention momentarily wavering when he noticed Jim step out of his hiding place looking upset over what he had just heard. The pink creature that traveled with the boy seemed to share his pain. "But an idea like that is too-" Before the master could finish his sentence a shadow blocked the light coming from the upper deck. Someone was standing at the stairwell. Jim looked up to see the figure up ahead but whoever it was had been out of view for Choma and Take. Heavy footsteps came down the steps. It was Silver, the cyborg, and when he caught sight of Choma and Take he spoke. "Playing games, are we? Even found yourself a new friend. I don't recognize him." "Yeah...yeah, we're playing games." Jim's eyes narrowed at the cyborg then glanced over towards the others before looking back at Silver. "Oh, I see. Well, I was never much good at games. Always hated to lose." Silver moved a hand behind his back. Knowing what the pirate was planning Choma stepped forward ready to intercede when Jim sprung into action. "Me too!" Jim took a knife and stabbed it into Silver's robotic leg, severing one of the hydraulic hoses before pushing he way past the cyborg and running up the stairs. Silver yelled in pain and glared at the two before him. Rather than confront them he turned and chased after Jim."Ohhhblast it all!" He shouted. "Change in plans, lads! We move now!" The crewmen cheered and began to draw their weapons. The Legacy's flag was torn down and quickly replaced with a pirate's flag. The mutiny was in full swing.
"Yeah I'm fine just..." Jim motioned towards the runaway boot as it hopped right into a large storage barrel. "Busted." Jim whispered to himself as he leaped into the barrel after Morph. The sounds of crewmen could be heard and Takehiko was pulled into a dark corner behind some supplies. It was Choma. "I don't trust this bunch. Stay quiet." He whispered, crouching behind the other barrels. "We don't move until we've got the treasure in hand!" Silver responded towards an angry crewman. "I say we kill 'em all now!" Scroop growled. "I'll say what's to say! Disobey my orders like that stunt you pulled with Mister Arrow and so help me...you'll be joining him!" "Strong talk. But I know otherwise" "You got something to say?" "It's that boy. Methinks you have a soft spot for him." "Now mark me...the lot of ya! I care about one thing and one thing only! Flint's trove! You think I'd risk it all for the sake of some nose-wiping little welp!" "What was it now..? You've got the makings of greatness in ya!" Scroop mimicked in Silver's voice. "Shut your yap!" Silver snapped back. "I cozied up to that kid to keep him off our trail. I ain't gone soft." "Land ho! There it is!" A voice cried out overhead. The crewmen broke up their meeting to head topside where they would have seen that Treasure Planet was in view. Choma looked over towards Take now that the coast was clear and slowly stepped out from the shadows. "They're planning a mutiny..."
That morning Jim's eyes opened to the sound of a squeaking sound of Morph hovering near his face. "Not now Morph..." Jim muttered as he tried to swat the pink floating blob away. The boy sat up and looked over to his new bunk mates, Takehiko, Chrono, and Glyde. Jim pulled on one of his boots and when he went to reach for the other Morph flew into it and began hopping away. "Morph...knock it off it's too early." He rubbed his eyes starting to sound annoyed as he followed after the shapeshifting creature. Even within his boot Morph proved to be too quick for Jim to catch. The boot disappeared behind a chest and as Jim began to search for it Morph appeared behind him to kick him in the rear with the boot. "Ow!" Jim yelped as he chased Morph down into the lower deck. "Interesting." Soon they had entered the city and were now ascending towards the king's chamber. "Such loyalty and sense of duty is admirable." She complimented before moving on to the next subject. "The Light Chaser, from what I have gathered, seeks to eliminate darkness. The Heartless, the darkness in people's hearts, all of it. Recently, several worlds have been disappearing. A Master by the name of Thallasa believed that this Light Chaser would have known something about it. She vanished without a trace and now there aren't many masters left. When Torrin and I did make contact with the Light Chaser, we had just learned that he had begun going after Princesses of Heart. And..." Atmos paused, rubbing her wrist as she remembered their last encounter. "I was wrong to doubt Torrin's warnings. The Light Chaser was far more powerful than I. I escaped capture only through the use of a Star Shard when he sealed my ability to open a portal. And that's when I was found by your people."
That morning Jim's eyes opened to the sound of a squeaking sound of Morph hovering near his face. "Not now Morph..." Jim muttered as he tried to swat the pink floating blob away. The boy sat up and looked over to his new bunk mates, Takehiko, Chrono, and Glyde. Jim pulled on one of his boots and when he went to reach for the other Morph flew into it and began hopping away. "Morph...knock it off it's too early." He rubbed his eyes starting to sound annoyed as he followed after the shapeshifting creature. Even within his boot Morph proved to be too quick for Jim to catch. The boot disappeared behind a chest and as Jim began to search for it Morph appeared behind him to kick him in the rear with the boot. "Ow!" Jim yelped as he chased Morph down into the lower deck.
"Interesting." Soon they had entered the city and were now ascending towards the king's chamber. "Such loyalty and sense of duty is admirable." She complimented before moving on to the next subject. "The Light Chaser, from what I have gathered, seeks to eliminate darkness. The Heartless, the darkness in people's hearts, all of it. Recently, several worlds have been disappearing. A Master by the name of Thallasa believed that this Light Chaser would have known something about it. She vanished without a trace and now there aren't many masters left. When Torrin and I did make contact with the Light Chaser, we had just learned that he had begun going after Princesses of Heart. And..." Atmos paused, rubbing her wrist as she remembered their last encounter. "I was wrong to doubt Torrin's warnings. The Light Chaser was far more powerful than I. I escaped capture only through the use of a Star Shard when he sealed my ability to open a portal. And that's when I was found by your people."
Choma's eyes followed after Illiana when she left with something clearly upsetting her. Aria followed after her but given the state of things he knew it was better to leave the two to talk out whatever it was. He returned his attention back towards Takehiko to answer the boy's question. "The princesses are important, yes, but so long as even one is out of the Light Chaser's grasp then his plans are for naught. It will take time but I have a few ideas on where a princess might be located." Choma said, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "You all seem to be weary from your adventure. Perhaps you should turn in for the night. This ship seems unusually quiet and I must assume that most of the crew must already be sleeping." His thoughts circled back to the details Aria had given them. They weren't much to go off on other than the fact that the Light Chaser had amassed relatively few students. Just at the limit for the amount of students any master was allowed to have but he had to believe that this was just a coincidence and not a precaution. The names Aria had given were not familiar to him but she did give him the knowledge that they must have been fairly strong. Either way...Choma was left wondering. Atmos looked over at Boreas. "The light is not as...volatile as the dark. Someone with your constitution should be fine. But take care not to strain yourself for some time until you are sure you have your bearings in this realm." She cautioned the young man. "And as for Torrin...I suppose that is a long story but I will try to cut out the fat for you. A keyblade wielder going by the alias of Light Chaser has been causing trouble in our realm. One of his students abducted one of our own so Torrin offered to help me track her down. We were separated when we reached the Light Chaser's current base of operations and I assume that Torrin made it out. From what he's told me, I cannot believe he is too foolish to get himself killed after a year in conflict with the Light Chaser. He hasn't told me much else and, truth be told, there hasn't been time since we only met him two days ago." Atmos started walking in the direction of the palace. "You seem...particularly curious about his whereabouts. Is that the loyalty expected of the knights of your king or the curiosity of someone who knew him personally?" She questioned hoping to learn something about her knew, temporary, traveling companion. It wasn't every day she gained the chance to speak with someone from the other realm. She had just been reminded of just how little she really knew of it and she wanted to learn more.
Choma's eyes followed after Illiana when she left with something clearly upsetting her. Aria followed after her but given the state of things he knew it was better to leave the two to talk out whatever it was. He returned his attention back towards Takehiko to answer the boy's question. "The princesses are important, yes, but so long as even one is out of the Light Chaser's grasp then his plans are for naught. It will take time but I have a few ideas on where a princess might be located." Choma said, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "You all seem to be weary from your adventure. Perhaps you should turn in for the night. This ship seems unusually quiet and I must assume that most of the crew must already be sleeping." His thoughts circled back to the details Aria had given them. They weren't much to go off on other than the fact that the Light Chaser had amassed relatively few students. Just at the limit for the amount of students any master was allowed to have but he had to believe that this was just a coincidence and not a precaution. The names Aria had given were not familiar to him but she did give him the knowledge that they must have been fairly strong. Either way...Choma was left wondering.
Atmos looked over at Boreas. "The light is not as...volatile as the dark. Someone with your constitution should be fine. But take care not to strain yourself for some time until you are sure you have your bearings in this realm." She cautioned the young man. "And as for Torrin...I suppose that is a long story but I will try to cut out the fat for you. A keyblade wielder going by the alias of Light Chaser has been causing trouble in our realm. One of his students abducted one of our own so Torrin offered to help me track her down. We were separated when we reached the Light Chaser's current base of operations and I assume that Torrin made it out. From what he's told me, I cannot believe he is too foolish to get himself killed after a year in conflict with the Light Chaser. He hasn't told me much else and, truth be told, there hasn't been time since we only met him two days ago." Atmos started walking in the direction of the palace. "You seem...particularly curious about his whereabouts. Is that the loyalty expected of the knights of your king or the curiosity of someone who knew him personally?" She questioned hoping to learn something about her knew, temporary, traveling companion. It wasn't every day she gained the chance to speak with someone from the other realm. She had just been reminded of just how little she really knew of it and she wanted to learn more.
Alder summoned his keyblade. "I'm ready to put Ria down." He looked over at Daeni and Cerdic, glad that they had decided against fleeing. Chrono, as he had guessed, was also in favor of fighting. "It's about time we put Ria in his place. We've lost too many people already." He spoke with confidence. He thought a little more on what Mora said on their choices and raised an eyebrow after catching on to a small detail. His mind traced back to the first things he could remember upon waking up and though the location could have been different Mora seemed to be deliberate in choosing the direction to lead them in. "If you're talking about the same cliff I'm thinking of, we're heading back to the extractor." He paused. "Or what's left of it. Was that your plan?"
Alder summoned his keyblade. "I'm ready to put Ria down." He looked over at Daeni and Cerdic, glad that they had decided against fleeing. Chrono, as he had guessed, was also in favor of fighting. "It's about time we put Ria in his place. We've lost too many people already." He spoke with confidence. He thought a little more on what Mora said on their choices and raised an eyebrow after catching on to a small detail. His mind traced back to the first things he could remember upon waking up and though the location could have been different Mora seemed to be deliberate in choosing the direction to lead them in. "If you're talking about the same cliff I'm thinking of, we're heading back to the extractor." He paused. "Or what's left of it. Was that your plan?"
Choma folded his arms as he listened to Aria, an expression of concern crossing his face. If what she said about the Light Chaser was true then their concerns were going to be of a larger scale than just clearing out the darkness lingering on the worlds they passed through. Choma believed the Light Chaser's actions would not only lead to instability but the possibility of a new war. "I see... Thank you for bringing this to my attention." Choma was ready to ask of Aria's experience with the Chasers in an attempt to get a better read on them when she questioned why he had never told her of her status as a Princess of Heart. Taken aback by her sudden knowledge of the subject, then coming to the realization that the Light Chaser must have seen to telling her he took a moment to compose his thoughts. "I had to keep it a secret to protect you. The more you knew the more likely you would have taken actions to put yourself in harm's way. If there had been a situation where you could offer to trade yourself for the life of another, you would have no doubt taken it because you would have known of your value as one of the Seven. By not knowing that I took that choice from you. Though it seems that this was in vain." He made no attempt to apologize. The action he took was the correct one with the knowledge he had at the time. "For now, the plans remain unchanged until we have more information. Clear worlds of darkness and keep the Light Chaser from taking anymore Princesses. I had no intention of give you any other directives. All of you look stronger now than when you first arrived at Evetide. Keep this up and soon you will prove to be more than a match for any keyblade wielder." Choma glanced over at Aria before continuing to speak. "Also, Aria, what did you learn during your time with the Chasers? When the time comes we should have a better understanding of who we are facing. So what are we up against?" Atmos took a moment to catch her breath and clear her head when they were on the other side. "That...that feels much better for me." She spoke after a moment before straightening herself and allowing her keyblade to vanish. Until then she had never experienced the side effects in being in an area of such strong darkness for so long. Any time she had come across such an environment she had always had her armor accessible to her. They had arrived at the ruins on the outskirts of Atlantis but the city was just in view. The air itself felt calmer with no Heartless around but she couldn't help but feel that something was off. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that the princess of this world had yet to be returned. Still, she had to be certain that Torrin had not come here to drop her off beforehand if he did find her. "Come, we should stop to pay the king of this world a visit. Perhaps we may get lucky and Torrin will have returned."
Choma folded his arms as he listened to Aria, an expression of concern crossing his face. If what she said about the Light Chaser was true then their concerns were going to be of a larger scale than just clearing out the darkness lingering on the worlds they passed through. Choma believed the Light Chaser's actions would not only lead to instability but the possibility of a new war. "I see... Thank you for bringing this to my attention." Choma was ready to ask of Aria's experience with the Chasers in an attempt to get a better read on them when she questioned why he had never told her of her status as a Princess of Heart. Taken aback by her sudden knowledge of the subject, then coming to the realization that the Light Chaser must have seen to telling her he took a moment to compose his thoughts. "I had to keep it a secret to protect you. The more you knew the more likely you would have taken actions to put yourself in harm's way. If there had been a situation where you could offer to trade yourself for the life of another, you would have no doubt taken it because you would have known of your value as one of the Seven. By not knowing that I took that choice from you. Though it seems that this was in vain." He made no attempt to apologize. The action he took was the correct one with the knowledge he had at the time. "For now, the plans remain unchanged until we have more information. Clear worlds of darkness and keep the Light Chaser from taking anymore Princesses. I had no intention of give you any other directives. All of you look stronger now than when you first arrived at Evetide. Keep this up and soon you will prove to be more than a match for any keyblade wielder." Choma glanced over at Aria before continuing to speak. "Also, Aria, what did you learn during your time with the Chasers? When the time comes we should have a better understanding of who we are facing. So what are we up against?"
Atmos took a moment to catch her breath and clear her head when they were on the other side. "That...that feels much better for me." She spoke after a moment before straightening herself and allowing her keyblade to vanish. Until then she had never experienced the side effects in being in an area of such strong darkness for so long. Any time she had come across such an environment she had always had her armor accessible to her. They had arrived at the ruins on the outskirts of Atlantis but the city was just in view. The air itself felt calmer with no Heartless around but she couldn't help but feel that something was off. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that the princess of this world had yet to be returned. Still, she had to be certain that Torrin had not come here to drop her off beforehand if he did find her. "Come, we should stop to pay the king of this world a visit. Perhaps we may get lucky and Torrin will have returned."
"No one is hiding and no one is getting left behind." Choma said sternly. He folded his arms and wishing he could tell them all about Mika but, in the event that Torrin failed, he chose not to get their hopes up. He was about to speak once more when Aria came in to hug Choma. He returned the embrace and nodded at her. "I'm happy you're alive and well." He moved away and placed a hand on her shoulder before turning his attention towards Chrono. "We'll get your sister back. We won't lose anyone else." "For now, there is a technique I will teach all of you to help make the battles ahead a little bit easier. This is something that will only become more powerful with the more bonds you make." The party has learned of Dimension Links! Check the OOC Thread for details on the technique.
"No one is hiding and no one is getting left behind." Choma said sternly. He folded his arms and wishing he could tell them all about Mika but, in the event that Torrin failed, he chose not to get their hopes up. He was about to speak once more when Aria came in to hug Choma. He returned the embrace and nodded at her. "I'm happy you're alive and well." He moved away and placed a hand on her shoulder before turning his attention towards Chrono. "We'll get your sister back. We won't lose anyone else." "For now, there is a technique I will teach all of you to help make the battles ahead a little bit easier. This is something that will only become more powerful with the more bonds you make."
Choma stood on the deck of the RLS Legacy waiting for the students to return. Jim had returned to the crew quarters to rest for the night and when the students arrived topside Choma approached them. "It's been some time. I am sorry for having left you all for so long but I had to search for aid." Choma paused as he looked at the others. "There were no masters or wielders left to find. If there are, they are in hiding." Atmos looked at the keyblade wielder who approached then towards the king who seemed to contemplate the decision for a moment before nodding. "Very well then, Boreas. You know your duty. I give you leave." "Thank you, your majesty." Atmos then turned towards Boreas and summoned her blade, leaning on it for support. She knew where the students had gone after she left them and she found some comfort in that though she was unsure of how they were faring in their affairs. But as for Torrin? She had no idea where he ended up. Possibly he had stayed with the others but given what little she knew of him, it was likely he went off on his own to handle his own business. "I am ready to return to the Realm of Light. Let's go, Boreas." "Alright." Avra nodded in agreement before leading Chrys down to the stream where the water flowed in the direction of the willow tree. She briefly considered summoning her glider to get there faster but doing that would have caused any sense of subtlety to vanish entirely. The willow may not have been aware of their presence and Avra wanted to keep it that way until she was ready to fight alongside Chrys. "I didn't have time to build a canoe so we're just going to have to walk along the river's edge until we get there." Avra started walking, keyblade at the ready as she led the way. She glanced over at Chrys but looked forward once more choosing not to distract herself with any other thoughts. Any other apprentice might have asked what had happened in their absence. Avra on the other hand was focused on the mission at hand.
Choma stood on the deck of the RLS Legacy waiting for the students to return. Jim had returned to the crew quarters to rest for the night and when the students arrived topside Choma approached them. "It's been some time. I am sorry for having left you all for so long but I had to search for aid." Choma paused as he looked at the others. "There were no masters or wielders left to find. If there are, they are in hiding."
Atmos looked at the keyblade wielder who approached then towards the king who seemed to contemplate the decision for a moment before nodding. "Very well then, Boreas. You know your duty. I give you leave." "Thank you, your majesty." Atmos then turned towards Boreas and summoned her blade, leaning on it for support. She knew where the students had gone after she left them and she found some comfort in that though she was unsure of how they were faring in their affairs. But as for Torrin? She had no idea where he ended up. Possibly he had stayed with the others but given what little she knew of him, it was likely he went off on his own to handle his own business. "I am ready to return to the Realm of Light. Let's go, Boreas."
"Alright." Avra nodded in agreement before leading Chrys down to the stream where the water flowed in the direction of the willow tree. She briefly considered summoning her glider to get there faster but doing that would have caused any sense of subtlety to vanish entirely. The willow may not have been aware of their presence and Avra wanted to keep it that way until she was ready to fight alongside Chrys. "I didn't have time to build a canoe so we're just going to have to walk along the river's edge until we get there." Avra started walking, keyblade at the ready as she led the way. She glanced over at Chrys but looked forward once more choosing not to distract herself with any other thoughts. Any other apprentice might have asked what had happened in their absence. Avra on the other hand was focused on the mission at hand.
Alder had led the way until the group reached the fork in the path, in which he followed Mora's suggestion to head down the path that was in a better state. Not like there was much a choice to go any other way since she knew the area better. He kept silent, having nothing else to say to the rest of the group. Eventually they entered a room and Alder turned to look around. It hadn't seen use in quite some time telling from the amount of dust that had accumulated. The supplies looked completely unusable much to his disappointment. "Looks like this all has seen better days." He muttered, looking over towards the paintings. "Hm...this world must have seen a lot of war. And now they had to put up with Ria." Alder looked away and towards Mora. "Nothing else around here looked any more useful than a keyblade. So I'm ready to keep going." He glanced at the shield Mora carried and briefly considered taking one as well but he didn't want to start changing his fighting style now that he had finally gotten used to his keyblade once more. "Let's keep moving then."
Alder had led the way until the group reached the fork in the path, in which he followed Mora's suggestion to head down the path that was in a better state. Not like there was much a choice to go any other way since she knew the area better. He kept silent, having nothing else to say to the rest of the group. Eventually they entered a room and Alder turned to look around. It hadn't seen use in quite some time telling from the amount of dust that had accumulated. The supplies looked completely unusable much to his disappointment. "Looks like this all has seen better days." He muttered, looking over towards the paintings. "Hm...this world must have seen a lot of war. And now they had to put up with Ria." Alder looked away and towards Mora. "Nothing else around here looked any more useful than a keyblade. So I'm ready to keep going." He glanced at the shield Mora carried and briefly considered taking one as well but he didn't want to start changing his fighting style now that he had finally gotten used to his keyblade once more. "Let's keep moving then."
With the combined force of their attacks the Demon Tower began to break apart and dissolve, until nothing remained. The skies were clear once more. Chrono gained 6 levels! Takehiko gained 5 levels! Aria gained 5 levels! Glyde gained 4 levels! Illiana gained 4 levels! Every character gained an ability! Go to the OOC Thread to choose your bonuses. With the battle over Jim grinned and looked at the others and shouted a hearty "We did it!" to everyone, pumping his fist in to the air. With the Heartless defeated he started to turn the life boat around and head back to the RLS Legacy.
With the combined force of their attacks the Demon Tower began to break apart and dissolve, until nothing remained. The skies were clear once more.
Sparks and flame surrounded the Demon Tower as the magical energy caused it to continue to drop magic orbs. The Demon Tower began to rotate rapidly, throwing off flaming Shadows from the main body. Take's boat took the brunt of the attack while Jim's boat, which was at a distance, took less damage. The Heartless swarm buzzed about and flew at the party once more before turning and starting to head away. Now feeling the damage, the Heartless swarm tried to get distance from the party. Illiana took 11 Damage. (9/25HP) Chrono took 9 Damage. (15/35HP) Take took 4 Damage. (31/45HP) Aria took 0 Damage. (29/35HP) Glyde took 5 Damage. (20/35HP) Jim's Life Boat took 6 Damage! Take's Life Boat took 12 Damage! Jim's Life Boat: 71/100HP Take's Life Boat: 67/100HP Demon Tower: 118/180HP The same three choices are present for the pilots. Choma looked over at the Nobody calling herself "Kaela" who was now tied up by magical chains of light conjured by him then over at the young Master, Torrin. Kaela seemed to be refusing to speak with him so long as she was bound so his only source of information was the boy. "I was told by the Council about what happened to my students." He spoke, regret clear in his voice. "You made the right call leaving. The only problem is that you have nothing to show for it. You couldn't have known that." "I was told some interesting things about you, Torrin." "It's not important right now. I saved Aria from the Light Chaser so you at least owe me your discretion." Choma nodded. "Thank you for being there when I could not. What of Master Atmos? What became of her?" "I don't know. I had to leave her, along with the Atlantean princess, behind. She might have been captured, killed, or made an escape. I just don't know. I'm sorry." Choma folded his arms and sighed. Tinarah was missing. Atmos was missing. Mikaela had now become...this, and at least one princess had been captured. He needed to return to the others but bringing "Kaela" would serve to be a problem. She had proven to be unstable and likely would be more of a danger than any help. Not to mention the amount of distress it would cause his students should he return with her in that state. With no idea how to return her to her normal self someone had to go find a way to undo what had been done to her. "Torrin, might I ask a favor of you? I feel I have no right to be asking this of you but-" "Find a way to get Mika back? Yeah. I can do that. Leave her to me. You've been separated from your students long enough anyway. And...I think I know just the place to start looking."
Sparks and flame surrounded the Demon Tower as the magical energy caused it to continue to drop magic orbs. The Demon Tower began to rotate rapidly, throwing off flaming Shadows from the main body. Take's boat took the brunt of the attack while Jim's boat, which was at a distance, took less damage. The Heartless swarm buzzed about and flew at the party once more before turning and starting to head away. Now feeling the damage, the Heartless swarm tried to get distance from the party.
Choma looked over at the Nobody calling herself "Kaela" who was now tied up by magical chains of light conjured by him then over at the young Master, Torrin. Kaela seemed to be refusing to speak with him so long as she was bound so his only source of information was the boy. "I was told by the Council about what happened to my students." He spoke, regret clear in his voice. "You made the right call leaving. The only problem is that you have nothing to show for it. You couldn't have known that." "I was told some interesting things about you, Torrin." "It's not important right now. I saved Aria from the Light Chaser so you at least owe me your discretion." Choma nodded. "Thank you for being there when I could not. What of Master Atmos? What became of her?" "I don't know. I had to leave her, along with the Atlantean princess, behind. She might have been captured, killed, or made an escape. I just don't know. I'm sorry." Choma folded his arms and sighed. Tinarah was missing. Atmos was missing. Mikaela had now become...this, and at least one princess had been captured. He needed to return to the others but bringing "Kaela" would serve to be a problem. She had proven to be unstable and likely would be more of a danger than any help. Not to mention the amount of distress it would cause his students should he return with her in that state. With no idea how to return her to her normal self someone had to go find a way to undo what had been done to her. "Torrin, might I ask a favor of you? I feel I have no right to be asking this of you but-" "Find a way to get Mika back? Yeah. I can do that. Leave her to me. You've been separated from your students long enough anyway. And...I think I know just the place to start looking."
When the Blizzard spell struck it appeared to miss the swarm of Heartless save for a lone Shadow that caught the blast. The area of effect spells like Fire and Thunder seemed to do more harm, destroying several Shadows within the Demon Tower. The spells cast against the Demon Tower caused it to behave more erratically as it came spiraling towards them. The swarm swooped in once more, the mass of Heartless spreading to claw and scratch at everyone on the boats, violently shaking both vessels in the process. Illiana took 5 damage! (20/25HP) Chrono took 11 damage! (24/35HP) Take took 10 damage! (35/45HP) Aria was critically hit for 6 damage! (29/35HP) Glyde took 5 damage! (25/30HP) Jim's Life Boat took 13 damage! Take's Life Boat took 11 damage! Jim's Life Boat: 77/100HP Take's Life Boat: 79/100HP Demon Tower: 154/180HP Upon being damaged orbs of condensed magical energy began being dropped by the Demon Tower. You remember that your master had once spoken of such things being dropped by powerful foes but had only seen it in demonstrations before. Now, a choice is presented to the pilots of the life boats: Hang Back - Continue casting magic at a safe distance and reduce the damage your life boat will take in the next turn. Follow the Magic - Speed up and focus on gathering magical orbs. Doing this restores 5MP for each person on the boat. Demon Surfer - A dangerous option that puts your boat within the swarm of Heartless but allows you to damage it with physical attacks. Upon having seeing how her friends utilize magic, Aria has learned Thunder! Time passed. During her time within the castle Atmos had received a history lesson from King Joch that even she had never heard before. She had heard that long before the Keyblade War there had been another war between those who wielded the keyblade. It seemed that this war had caused a great deal of distrust towards those in the Realm of Light. "Why is it that only those in this realm remember such a war? I've never seen any mention of it in our texts." "Why would there be? Not only did your side start it but it was our side who nearly won. The only reason our side did not crush the Realm of Light was because we knew of the damage it would do to our realm as well. We forced peace onto you and your people were quick to forget their humiliating defeat." Joch explained. "I...I can see why only your people would remember then. A War of the Realms...I never thought such a thing ever occurred." Atmos placed his hand to her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. Her surroundings started to spin ever so slightly making it difficult to keep her balance. "I feel...off..." "I believe you've overstayed your welcome in this realm. Why didn't you use your armor to protect you from the effects of the darkness?" "The activator was damaged...I haven't had time to fix it myself." "Then it is time we return you to your realm. Just keep in mind our deal, Master Atmos. Return my nephew to me." The King looked over towards his knights and motioned for one to come over. "This is Boreas Thessalian, a talented keyblade wielder and knight in my service. He will guide you back home. Just point him in the right direction and you will return to where you need to be." "Of course. Thank you, King Joch. But before I go, I must ask...does this nephew of yours have a name?" "His name is Torrin."
Time passed. During her time within the castle Atmos had received a history lesson from King Joch that even she had never heard before. She had heard that long before the Keyblade War there had been another war between those who wielded the keyblade. It seemed that this war had caused a great deal of distrust towards those in the Realm of Light. "Why is it that only those in this realm remember such a war? I've never seen any mention of it in our texts." "Why would there be? Not only did your side start it but it was our side who nearly won. The only reason our side did not crush the Realm of Light was because we knew of the damage it would do to our realm as well. We forced peace onto you and your people were quick to forget their humiliating defeat." Joch explained. "I...I can see why only your people would remember then. A War of the Realms...I never thought such a thing ever occurred." Atmos placed his hand to her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. Her surroundings started to spin ever so slightly making it difficult to keep her balance. "I feel...off..." "I believe you've overstayed your welcome in this realm. Why didn't you use your armor to protect you from the effects of the darkness?" "The activator was damaged...I haven't had time to fix it myself." "Then it is time we return you to your realm. Just keep in mind our deal, Master Atmos. Return my nephew to me." The King looked over towards his knights and motioned for one to come over. "This is Boreas Thessalian, a talented keyblade wielder and knight in my service. He will guide you back home. Just point him in the right direction and you will return to where you need to be." "Of course. Thank you, King Joch. But before I go, I must ask...does this nephew of yours have a name?" "His name is Torrin."
Jim sailed the life boat right behind Take's, his eyes filled with determination as the two boats began to close in on the mass of Heartless. An ominous red glow came from the swarming Heartless as it turned, sensing their approach. It flew at them ready to attack. "Look out guys! Here it comes!" A BOSS BATTLE COMMENCES The swarm of Heartless came in and attacked the boats, scraping against them and chipping at the wood. The swarm moved too quickly to be damaged by physical attacks. Only magic-based attacks will hit it! Jim's Life Boat took 10 Damage! Take's Life Boat took 10 Damage! Jim's Life Boat: 90/100HP Take's Life Boat: 90/100HP Demon Tower: 180/180HP If one of the Life Boats falls to 0 HP then the party will be forced to retreat. The Demon Tower can break through your Guard! Guarding efficiency is reduced by one half.
Too many screens to be fake. So...it seems like Unversed are making a comeback. I wonder if it'll be related to Vanitas or we'll get a new explanation for it.
