Kingdom Hearts: The Coming Darkness

Chapter 11: Next Steps

     Haseo stared up at the ceiling of his 'room' in Hollow Bastion as he had done for a little over two weeks now. It had been sixteen days since the mission to The Land Of Dragons where not only did he give into the Darkness, but Master Lea himself had fallen in battle. Upon return a funeral of sorts was held and right after Haseo was put on a type of house arrest. Since that day his only real visitors were Master Riku and Tatsu. Riku attempting to understand what exactly Haseo had tapped into during his visits, while Tatsu more or less made small talk treating Haseo as he had before during his. Tatsu had informed Haseo that because of Lea's death Riku decided to allow Kaiya to take the Mark of Mastery exam, her needing to prepare being the reason she had not come to see him. He also told him about Shiro  who he had somewhat befriended and how shortly after Haseo was put on house arrest he departed apparently having someone he needed to find. Haseo's train of thought was broken by a sudden, but expectant, knock and his door opening. Riku walked into the room, however this time he was followed by someone Haseo did not recognize. A a fair skinned tall and slender woman with long blue hair and deep blue eyes. She wore a black halter top, corset, pants, and fingerless gloves. Adorning her waist were four pieces of light blue cloth that draped downwards. Also of note were her dark silver armored shoes and the dark silver armor that partially wrapped around her upper arms.

     "Haseo, allow me to introduce you to Master Aqua."

     "Master Riku has told me a lot about you."

     Master Aqua held out her hand and smiled. It was also of note to Haseo that were words did not seem to have any negative connotation to them. Another thing that stood out about Master Aqua to Haseo was the simple fact that she was actually very pretty. Haseo could not but feel slightly self conscious now. Hesitantly he reached out and shook her hand.

     "Nice to meet you."

     "You're a smart kid Haseo so I won't beat around the bush. I brought Aqua in because of what happened on The Land Of Dragons. There aren't many people out there who know more about the Realm of Darkness than her so if she can't figure out exactly what happened there then no one can."

     "Thank you Master Riku, but according to you this may not be connected entirely to the Realm of Darkness. So I may not be able to answer all your questions."

     "Anything would be helpful."

     With an understanding nod Aqua's attention returned to Haseo. She took a deep breath as she began to focus on him. Everything around her seemed to still then fade away and in the next moment she saw one of the things that compromised Haseo's very being, his Heart. She automatically knew the source of Haseo's power now, but was still uncertain of how it came to be. She did not know just how his heart was comprised purely of Darkness. In the next instant the world around her returned to normal. Riku saw the confusion in Aqua's face.

     "What's wrong?"

     "His heart is made of pure Darkness. He's kind of like Vanitas or Xehanort's seekers of darkness. How you haven't become a Heartless or even an Unversed is beyond me. Where exactly are you from?"

     "I remember a city of constant night kind of like Traverse Town. But I was a kid when I my world was lost, I don't remember the World's name."

     "It could be that your home world was closer to the Realm of Darkness resulting in Darkness being in your Heart, but still it shouldn't have become pure Darkness. And even though your heart is pure Darkness you don't seem to display any of the averse effects, other than the form you took on and your control over the Heartless."

     "I thought the same thing. He seems like a normal kid. A lot different than when I simply gave in to the Darkness when I was his age. Was there anything else Aqua?"

     "As I said Master Riku if this wasn't entirely connected to the Realm of Darkness I'd be of little help. Without information on the World he was originally from we can only go with the theory of him being born near the Realm of Darkness, but still that could be entirely wrong. I will say that, as you said, he seems like a normal kid. Or at least what passes for normal when it comes to the Warriors of Light."

     "I figured as much, but with me being in charge here I had no choice but to take these precautions. I'm sorry Haseo. I never thought that you were actually plotting against us, but I had to get a second opinion that I could trust. So, once again, I apologize for keeping you here."

     "It's alright understand why.  I commanded an army of Heartless. Yeah it helped save all of us, but obviously controlling Heartless isn't something that is linked to the Light."

     "I should apologize too. It is my fault you were stuck in here for so long."

     "I-It's okay."

     Haseo could not help but look away as replied to Aqua's apology. Still though he had replied mostly instinctively and could not help but wonder how it was her fault. Riku picked up on this and decided to elaborate himself.

     "As I'm sure Tatsu has informed you, Kaiya will be undergoing the Mark of Mastery exam. Aqua is the only Master I can easily get in contact with at the moment, so she has been helping me to come up with a suitable exam for Kaiya. Also she's had to prepare her World to take on an apprentice in a pretty short time. You see I had wanted to train you myself, but the more I thought about it the better it seemed you go with someone like her. Not only is she versed on the workings of the Realm of Darkness, but she's one of the most skilled Master's and most powerful magicians we have in the Warriors of Light. However, the decision remains yours."

     Haseo was somewhat in shock from what Riku had just told him. His mind was racing, but still he seemed to already know his answer. Before he could could give it Aqua's voice reiterated and simplified what Riku had just said.

     "Haseo, will you be my apprentice?"