KH - Dive into the Void [Vanitas x Reader]

03: Fall

Someone was screaming, crying out in agony. The raw sound of anguish tore at your heart, but you didn't know what you could do to stop it. Wherever you looked, you only saw dancing shadows.

"Your suffering will only end once you forge the key," a harsh, raspy voice said. You whirled around, but couldn't find the origin of the voice. However, right after that, there was a snapping sound, and another scream echoed. "Only then will you have fulfilled your purpose. Then you will be complete."

"Y-yes, Master," a weaker voice, breathless and hoarse, replied.

***

It was one of those moments when a person woke up in the middle of the night for some unknown reason, and not like a "wake up for a moment then quickly slip back under" type of thing, but a "wide awake with the body on full alert" type of awakening.

You blinked up at the empty space above your bed, wondering what had happened to the deep sleep you had previously been in. A deep sigh of frustration left your lips, and you rolled over onto your side, tugging the blankets up to your shoulders in an attempt to fall asleep again. You had work in the morning, and walking into the cafe with bags under your eyes didn't sound that appealing. However, no matter how hard you tried, you couldn't slip back under. You tossed and turned restlessly, your brows furrowing in clear discontent. Why on Earth had you woken up anyway?

For the first time, you noticed how eerily silent it was. Yes, it was usually quiet, but never silent. Where were the usual nighttime sounds? Where were the cars that drove around even at such ungodly hours of the night? Something felt off, and only now were you beginning to realize how... empty your surroundings felt. As if something had sucked all the life out of the world around you.

You blinked your eyes and glanced around the room. Was it your imagination, or was it darker than usual? It was as if there was a haziness that blanketed the room in an extra layer of darkness.

And then, a loud creak echoed. Something was definitely wrong. You tensed in your blankets, eyes sweeping across the room, but you tried not to move too much. If someone or something was in your house, and nearby, then it would be better not to alert them to your position and present moment of consciousness.

The creak sounded again. You slowly moved your hand to the side of the bed grabbing the wooden bat that you always kept there for a scenario just like this. Sliding your feet out of your blankets, you rose from the bed and cautiously crept to the bedroom door, holding your bat up.

Easing the door open with your foot, you peeked out into the hallway. There didn't seem to be anyone, but that didn't mean the coast was clear. You moved out of your bedroom and continued down the hall, sweeping your gaze back and forth for any sign of movement.

Creak!

You froze, a chill going down your spine. That sound... it had come from behind you. You swiveled around, swinging your bat at the same time. However, it was knocked out of your hands by something large and heavy, causing your only means of defense to fall out of your reach. Before you could dive for the bat, you found the weapon pointed at your throat.

"Don't even bother," a rough, masculine voice drawled.

Your eyes widened as you looked at the intruder for the first time. He was entirely dressed in black, from his boots to his long coat to the strange helmet on his head. In his hand was a strange weapon. It was complicated in design, but it appeared to be....

A Keyblade?

Your heart skipped a beat. Why... why did you know what it was called? The name of the weapon had just appeared in your mind, making the situation even more confusing.

"What do you want?" you asked, trying to keep your voice from shaking.

The intruder chuckled darkly. "From you? Nothing. However, the old man wants you back now. It's time to come home."

"Wha—?!"

Before you could say anything else, the intruder suddenly shoved you back, eliciting a sharp gasp from your lips. As you tumbled down, you heard a strange sound from beneath you, and a strange darkness swirled into existence, looking a lot like a portal. Shadows danced up and around you, as if to swallow you whole. Your stomach churned with fear, and as you fell deep into the unknown darkness, as you gazed up at your abductor in terror, you heard a strange voice whisper into your ears.

"Dive into the void."