Kingdom Hearts: World Keeper [Re:Joined]

Heavy Air

It can't be.
No, no.

The old man looked around a rather blurry place, visibly confused. His heavy breathing and inner pain almost felt unbearable. He heard someone speak. Others cry.

Finally, Xehanort's vision cleared up only to see Sora and the rest of the guardians of light. A figure stood behind them.

No. This-

It was gold, glowing. Seemed to stare at him. How could he tell? After all, that creature didn't have a face. He turned his head to the side, directly looking at his former best friend again, who was walking over to him.

Eraqus?
He tripped.

"Here."

Again?

Something was very wrong. This whole situation. Why was he sent back to relive this moment? What sent him back?

"Ready, my friend?"

Silence.

Last time, he said yes.
He was ready to leave this world, together with his brother student. Eraqus offered to go with him, even after the despair the master caused. A kindness he didn't deserve from anyone. He hesitated. There had to be a reason why he was sent back. If he takes a different route? Was it even possible?

"Xehanort.", Sora clenched his hand around the χ-Blade's handle. The unknown figure stood behind him, placing it's hand on Sora's shoulder. The boy's face remained serious while his eyes did not once lose focus.

"You have a role to play."

______________________________

A feeling of disappointment is lingering within the castle. Because Xehanort was left alive. Because the man who ruined so much, didn't receive any kind of punishment. The strange figure he saw before hasn't shown itself again.

While the master loses himself in his thought process, Even and Ienzo work on the laboratory's computer. A robotic voice takes part in their conversation. Ansem the wise enters the room, asking how the research they've picked up again is going.

"Well," Even starts. "We noticed very abnormal behavior in the Realm of Light." He stands up, tumbles a little and leans against the table. Since his recompletion, Even felt weaker than ever, which bothers him massively. He exhales and glances over to Xehanort: "And sadly, we still couldn't find anything about your 'figure' or what it was."

"Then why did you call me here?", Xehanort mumbles. Of course, he doesn't get a reply. Ansem rubs his hand against his chin, while raising an eyebrow. "Abnormal behavior?"
"Yes. It seems that something is happening in our worlds. You see, Terra, Aqua and Ventus traveled to check on them and they always got the same exact reply from the residents."
"And that may be?"
"The air feels heavy."

"Please, summon Sora this instant.", Ansem demands. "If one can find a solution for our problem, then it is most likely him."

Not even an hour later Sora, Donald and Goofy stumble through the laboratory's door. The three of them left a small trail of sand on the floor while entering.

"Hello!", the three of them yell as if from the same mouth. Ienzo flinches, replying with a simple good morning. "So, we heard you guys have a problem?" Sora asks. This laid-back personality of his sure is quite overwhelming. Ienzo explains the situation to him and Goofy while Donald plays around with the PC's keyboard again. "Huh. That really is weird. We'll see what we can do, leave that worry to us." Sora claims.

"Another adventure! Huh- Hey Donald! What are ya doin' ?"
Donald found a stack of flyers on the table: "We're looking for new Keyblade wielders? Since when!?"
Even leans over to the Duck, smiling: "We figured you three would spread these around during your investigation. I take that is ok?"
Sora gulps: "You do know we'll get in trouble for this?"