A Second Chance

Ten Years

Starting with a recap from chapter 8

[♥]

The Boy in the Mask has known nothing but pain for his entire life, so it only stands to reason that in death, he should be surrounded by never-ending pain. It's excruciating, so painful that he can't even bring himself to scream. Darkness is enveloping him, causing his bones to crack and break as his lungs fill with the thick gunk that makes up the darkness.

"Hey."

The voice is kind, and the only somewhat normal thing that has brought Vanitas something other than pain.

"Hey," Vanitas responds.

It feels like talking to an old friend, someone he can trust and rely on.

"Do you need a break?" the voice asks.

At the same time, the pain lessens. It becomes more bearable, his bones and muscles finally receiving some relief as the spasms subside and his mind starts going numb.

"Yeah. I think I do."

"If I let you in... do you promise not to do me harm?"

Vanitas pauses, mulling over the question.

"Yeah," he finally responds, before gasping in relief as the pain fully stops and he's pulled into an unknown light. "Heh. It's warm here."

"There's always room in here for one more... Vanitas."

An overwhelming feeling of relief rushes over the boy, like a calming wave soothing over the sand after a fierce storm. For the first time in ages, he can breathe without a wince of pain, and move his body without fear of agony.

He cautiously opens one eye, and then another. He's lying on the ground, staring up at an endless black sky as he slowly comes to his senses. With a shake of his head, Vanitas sits up, running a hand through his messy hair as he glances around. He's seated on a beach devoid of water, in a place he's been many times before.

In fact, he was born in the very spot.

The edge of the Realm of Darkness.

And then, it all comes rushing back. The fight in the Keyblade Graveyard, the failed merger with Ventus... Somehow, despite losing, he's still alive. But, how? Who was that voice who pulled him from the abyss?

And why does he have a sinking suspicion that voice is somehow connected to Ventus?

~

Vanitas' years stuck in the Realm weren't much different than [Name]'s and Aqua's. He wandered around the fallen worlds alone, fighting off Heartless and other monsters lurking in the shadows. And yet, true to form, his worst enemy remained himself. No matter where he was or what he was doing, Vanitas couldn't escape the memories of his past.

He couldn't forget the years of abuse suffered at his Master's hands. He was manipulated, transformed into nothing but a heartless killing machine. But is transformed the right word, if he's been a monster from birth? Well, whatever happened to him, all he knows is that his body is covered in scars, his bones crack constantly from healing poorly, and he secretly jumps at loud noises because he fears it's Xehanort coming to harm him once again.

After all, his Master's motto is that strength comes from blood and pain. And Vanitas sure learned that lesson fast.

Maybe that's why he absolutely hates people so much, he finds himself thinking. The only person he really, truly interacted during his whole life is a man who beat him senseless during his daily trainings. That's not exactly setting him up to have a healthy relationship with humanity... Then again, he does greatly enjoy inflicting pain on others, too. Maybe that's why he and Xehanort made such a perfect match – a bond formed through suffering. Because Vanitas definitely dreams of a day where he can watch the worlds burn under his palms, finally feeling real control.