[Kingdom Hearts AU] Someone to Watch Out for You

When the Last Light Goes Out

He wasn't going to lie about it, but hopelessness had settled into Ven's heart. It didn't help that Sabrina was back yet. The Gummi Ship felt far too quiet. He looked over their map and even more dread came over him. There was only a single bright light left.

And it was flickering out.

Ven cursed, immediately bolting into action. He found a spot to land at Beast's Castle with his Keyblade glider minutes after. The world looked even worse at ground level. The once weathered, yet still beautiful, bridge that led to the castle was broken in sporadic places. Darkness oozed out of the cracks, larger globs swallowing the gargoyles that once decorated the sides. When the earth shook, signaling the end of the world's integrity, Ven believed it was his own body giving out.

"Sabrina." Ven finally managed to croak. He was able to move forward in slow motion. Witnessing a world fall to darkness felt like a terrible nightmare. It was so beautiful, yet so terrifyingly dangerous. He almost fell into one of the sinkholes on the bridge- a large stench of darkness flooding his senses in the process. The rush only made him feel worse as he shouted again, even more desperate than before, "Sabrina! Sabi! Where are you?!"

A loud roar heeded his call as he crossed the archway into the courtyard. Ven's body went into flight mode. He had no clue what could have caused such a sound- the roar had seemed so frustrated and pained. Whoever it had been must have been large. He just hoped it wasn't anything after Sabrina.

(Not that he would doubt she would anger something far larger than her, but that was well beyond the point here.)

Ven entered the castle itself just before another loud roar shook the ground. Or perhaps it was an actual earthquake. The timing of either event were too close to tell. The roar sounded like it was close- right up ahead behind a door that sat at the top of the staircase. Unfortunately for Ven, the Heartless were blocking the stairwell itself. Along with several Neoshadows actively trying to bring the whole place down through sheer force alone. One of the pillars in the entryway was already knocked over, with at least two others ready to give way at any moment.

There was no hiding the growl Ven made as he pulled his Keyblade out.

"Just try to stop me." he threatened before charging forward.

And the shards of darkness did attempt as much. Shadows came out from the globs of darkness and immediately launched themselves at Ventus. He barely blinked as he cut them down with a single strike. All his focus was solely on the door ahead. Nothing was going to stop him. He wasn't going to let anything stop him from reaching that door.

Even after cutting down several at the base of the stairs, the Neoshadows still waited for Ventus as he reached the top. Ven's grip on the Keyblade got tighter. Two more Neoshadows were destroyed, the last one was launched directly at the door in front of them. The doors easily gave way, allowing Ventus to move forward before the Neoshadow's darkness had time to dissipate.

"Sabrina!" Ventus nearly barked as he entered the ballroom.

Placed at the center was Sabrina, alright, and with her was a large beast. The fellow wielder's head snapped around to look at him. She did not come over to him though. Once she was sure it was him, Sabrina returned her attention to Beast.

"I must... get Belle..." the Beast said in a small, broken voice.

"She's not here." Sabrina pointed out to him, even gesturing around the ballroom. "We saw them take her away."

"Then... I will go after her."

The Beast attempted to move forward. He immediately fell back to his knees in pain. Sabrina didn't hesitate to get to his side. The Beast growled at her attempt to help, but certainly didn't oppose her either.