Kingdom Hearts: Army Of The Roses

Valentine's Day

I held myself within; churning within my mind, I wandered into a boundless void. Upon occasion, a whisper would flutter to my ear — drawing my attention. It was within this space that I found the only peace-of-mind that was available. 'Twas so rare to find myself enveloped by this bliss. A sudden shift shook my mind: a breeze ran between my ears, quietly I heard the rush of water before it grazed my feet, eyes pierced, I saw a darkness on the horizon which quickly swallowed me.

My eyes, near-bloodshot, broke their seal as I now gazed upon Caelum. To say the least, I was surprised to see him in my presence — and I in his — for I thought I had hidden myself well. Alas, it would seem that even during my meditation my work would not be patient.

"Sorry to catch you at such a 'bad hour', but I need you to do something!" With a tilt of his grin I now saw there was more behind his words.

"It's a bit tedious, I know, I know, but I need you to hop over to a nearby world to investigate some rumors." Flashing a smile made me see now the truth to his speech.

"Thank you, I knew you'd be just the one for the job! Just hop in and see if there's heartless to be seen!" I could piece the deftness of his words together: choosing now of all times to bestow upon me a 'scout' quest, he chose now in my hour of silence and meditation — when I couldn't speak to decline — a task he knew I'd be reluctant to attain. A tilt of my head sent him off and myself to his bidding.

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The air I breathed held a shadow within, a hint of smoke and ash filled my lungs. I looked out to the world to gauge my surroundings: atop a marble terrace I stood, before a set of jade-colored doors that led into a temple of sorts. Peering to the land below, I witnessed a marvelous spectacle: an enormous, brass colored statue paraded about a village, stomping the Greek-esc town beneath its feet to dust. With azure eyes, it climbed its own body, left and right it looked at its arms. It wasn't 'til now did I see a man, branding ivory skin and red markings, run up the giant's shoulder. With chained-blades in his palm he began hacking at the metal monster.

I deemed what I saw as unrelated and irrelevant to my task — never interfere with fate, always my rule. I found it wise to not tangle with destiny, wise and less exhausting.

I left the terrace, into the temple I went.

Quick, I was, to discover it wasn't a temple, neigh, a bathhouse is where I found myself. The damp air muffled my sounds: I couldn't hear all that there was.

"If there's anything here, make yourself known!" I shouted. Treading further from the door, I stepped on moistened tiles — had to note to not slip. Scuttling around the corners of my vision, I saw something that I myself couldn't see. With a pivot of my foot, I turned my body and lowered from my stance. Ready, I was, for anything.

"Make yourself known, now!" I demanded to no avail: silent was the room. I felt it, the air shift with a slight thickness: something was here, and now I heard its draw. The snap of thick strings made me guard: an arrow had been flung.

Forming in palm, Cain, my keyblade, shielded my cheek for an arrow shrouded in Darkness dare hit its blade. I jumped back, through the failed attack I saw what I came to greet: a demon of ivory flapped its grotesque wings, left-to-right it hovered awkwardly — almost as if its wings could not carry itself. With a bow in hand and a dark arrow in the other, it drew it's weapon once more. Before it did so, another creature threw itself in my sights: a small white 'ghost' brought itself between us. Its weak wings flapped left to right, same as the vex behind it, now I've assumed its role to be its master.

"Eugh!.." As if a bitter taste graced my tongue, I recoiled with a disdainful disgust. I rose my blade and swatted the bat-winged ghost from my sight. As I did so, another arrow planted itself against my blade. Backing to a column, I kicked off and into the air. With my hilt to my side, I swiped the air. The pitiful imp dropped from the steam before I could land my strike. Instead, I planted Cain within the jade of the doorway. Failure. I fell to a puddle below. With a quick bounce I found myself back in combat.

The little ghost fluttered confusingly back in my way, once again, between myself and the cupid that I faced. Composing my thoughts, I leapt once more. This time I was determined for this to be my last move.

Drawing another arrow, the cupid readied.

Everything had aligned perfectly.

Separating from myself, an illusion ran ahead of me, through the ghost, it drew the cupid's eyes. As it wasted its arrow upon my fallacy I conquered its pet: I lowered my foot upon the ghost and with a flick of my hilt and a swift push, I severed its body and shoved myself quickly through the air, plummeting my blade through the Heartless, I won them both in a single swift move.

I stood from the tile and looked back upon our arena.

"Disgusting..." I murmured.