In a cataclysm known as the Nightfall, the worlds were almost completely destroyed by a harrowing surge of darkness.
In the shadows of the ensuing chaos a new group has taken shape. Led by an Aegyl named Kalos, the 11th Hour touts an esoteric knowledge of how to combat the darkness and restore the worlds. They might be the worlds’ best chance at survival; but nobody really knows enough about them to confirm or deny their claims.
On the brink of collapse, the universe holds its breath in anticipation. Of restoration? Of destruction? It is up to individuals like yourself to decide.
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There aren't enough praises in the world I'd like to give to wonderful coders for the Proboards community. The following have contributed to World Destiny in some way: W3 Schools for countless how-tos and countless of other souls who have helped get WD up to where it is.
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Yes, he supposed he was. But the way Syn had phrased it made it seem like there was something particular about it - something beyond one's personal demons and less pleasant side of their persona. No, he addressed it as if it was some kind of entity, and Kuu was reminded of an unpleasant thought he had had of the darkness he had experienced being sentient.
"You're not alone."
Kuu's eyes widened as the yellow eye appeared under Syn's skin, unable to stop himself from giving a small gasp of surprise. So Syn had something like him as well. This almost completely confirmed his theory that the Darkness was something that was alive, or at least active. It did not simply dwell there as a neutral force to tap into - it seemed to react more violently with the light, similar to the way two poles repelled each other. Despite the initial distaste at the darkness, he couldn't help but feel the familiar sense of fascination at having at his fingers a power that he had yet to understand, and the irrepressible urge to know, to learn about it began to rise. And here, Syn, was offering to help. How could he refuse?
'What is this darkness?' he asked. 'Why... why do I have it?'
Syn nodded. He closed his eyes and focused, feeling a slight chill as Sin awoke inside of his body. The magic, normally flushing through his body in an attempt to burn out the intruder, was clearer, less erratic- and Syn could focus it better. The flames inside of his body purged through his right arm, the limb bursting into flames, and the creature understood- it was a warning. The Heartless withdrew, closing its eye, hiding once more in the onyx crystal.
"Darkness just is. It is a part of us- just like the Light inside of us, we can use its power. But the Darkness corrupts, while the light protects. Inevitably, if the Heart becomes consumed in Darkness, it can be lost. Those who are weak are destined to fall to their greed or anger. The strong use the power, but inevitably fall to their own fury." He stretched his inflicted limb thoughtfully. "Then there are those who are strong and have fallen, but look for a way back into the Light."
The road to dawn was always a hard one to walk. Kuu's Darkness was obviously great but he didn't understand it. That put him in danger. Syn sighed. "Kuu, people hate the Darkness. It is destructive. Powerful. Parasitic. But the worst thing you can do is try to eliminate it- Light cannot exist without the Darkness. You must learn how to balance it."
"Above all else, you need somebody who will teach you how to fight it. And control it, if necessary." Synthest wasn't good with teaching. He definitely wasn't a team player- he worked alone because he felt his abilities and affliction made him an outcast. Who wanted a Heartless-human freak amongst them? The Dark XII knew what he was, and they were the first to point out that he didn't belong with humans. But realizing that Kuu had a similar problem made him feel a lot more welcome. "Look, I'm not really good at this, but-" He grimaced. "But I need a purpose. Would you consider hiring me to help you with your shop?" That way he could feel like he actually belonged somewhere. He could enjoy the company of one who wouldn't be disgusted in his disease. He could have a purpose. "I don't expect much in the way of pay, but it's better than going forward without a purpose or goal."
Kuu nodded. Yes, that did seem to echo with what King Mickey had said earlier. But he had the strangest feeling there was something more to this than that - whatever this darkness represented, its source had not felt like that of rage or greed, and as parasitic as Syn had made it out to be, it did not seem to be the same kind of darkness as his. Rather, despite the frightening lack of control he had held during that time over both himself and his memories, the sensation of being infringed upon had not been part of that - perhaps he had forgotten, perhaps it had taken over so completely that he had not had time to register its hold. But somewhere in the remnants of his memories, there was a piece of some kind of terrible, deep sorrow...
'The laws of balance once again...' he mused. 'I understand. I would not be so naive to attempt to destroy something that I do not comprehend.'
However, Syn's request did raise an eyebrow. He had not had anybody ask to work in the shop before. As far as he had understood from the previous owner, there was only one who could stay safely in the shop, and that was the owner himself. He couldn't imagine what terrible things could occur were two individuals to remain bound by its rules for a prolonged period of time. And besides, he knew that this was not the place for Syn. Indeed, he had the eyes of one who had travelled, seen, and felt much, and were often possessed by one who yearned for a home - but the Mu was not that home. The Mu was a place of in-between, where journeys neither began nor ended, but merely continued from. Syn's journey was not yet over, and the Mu was no more than a step in the middle of that journey.
'Be sure that you know what you're asking,' Kuu said with a hint of warning. 'The laws of the Mu are not ones to be taken lightly. If you were to gain a purpose in return for dwelling here, can you measure your purpose in the number of days? How many days must you work in order to fulfil the weight of the purpose you will gain? Can you guarantee that this purpose will not change in gravity, or conviction over time? Then how would the length of your time change then? What if it were to last eternity?'
Kuu softened as he told him, 'This is not the place for you. You are a man of resolve, and to trade such resolve for something as incalculable of time is not wise.'
He gave a smile. 'You will always be welcome here, should the Mu deem it fit that you find it again. Perhaps an arrangement of sorts can be made - it would not be a bad thing to have an extra set of skills at hand from time to time when particular clients come in. After all, the Mu is a place of exchange, it does not always have to be with me. But I'm afraid that I cannot allow you to shackle yourself to this place any further than that.'
There grew a point when time no longer factored into things. When your body has been the same for years, when those around you grow older- weaker. Or when they die and they can rest in peace. All that Syn knew was his time was determined by his willpower and how long he could fight the disease raging inside of him. Since it seemed to be what had stunted his body to never grow past what it was now. And it was for that reason that he didn't understand what Kuu was trying to say. What was time if not the only absolute?
Nevertheless, he understood what his acquaintance was getting at. Still- the thought of going out into the Worlds once more with skill, strength, and willpower, but nothing to devote it to, made him wince internally. The wandering was getting very old very fast and he was about done with it. If only the RGRUC was still in shape, he would join them. He remembered hearing about a group of protectors in Traverse Town, but nobody ever stepped forward when he asked about it. He had no news of the worlds outside, and even if he did, didn't know if getting there would be so easy. After all, it was either by Gummi Ship or the Corridors Between, and he wanted to avoid the Darkness at all costs.
"Is there anyone out there who needs a soldier?" he asked, looking around to see if he'd dropped anything. "And... have we exchanged equally? I dun wanna leave and find I've forgotten something dangerously important." There was a smile there as he thought about the consequences of forgetting how dangerous his flames had become.
Pondering on Syn's question, Kuu thought about if he had any information on whether there were any jobs around for someone like Syn. In such uncertain times, it wasn't rare for the worlds to be in need of strength. A certain mouse king came to mind, along with his words about the threat to the Realm of Light.
"Kuu, there’s much darkness in the Realm of Light right now. Some of it, my gosh, I hope you’ll never have to worry over."
Kuu sighed inwardly. Well, I'm worrying about it now, Mickey, he thought a little despondently.
'These are uncertain times,' Kuu said carefully. 'And as unpleasant as it may sound, strength is often sought for during times of uncertainty. The Realm of Light, or so it is called, seems to be unsettled by infringing darkness - I'm sure you've picked up on this in your travels. When whole worlds are threatened, there will almost certainly be a call to arms, and soldiers like yourself will be invaluable in the upcoming battles. Whether it will escalate to become a war - well, let us hope it will never come to that.'
He smiled. 'As for your exchange, I believe we have offered each other knowledge of equal value. There should not be a problem upon leaving the Mu - your memories and powers will be safe. And the power of these walls are not so absolute that they can utterly erase what has been done - after all, it is impossible for memories to be truly lost forever. In a sense, what has been lost is merely waiting to be found.'
Standing up, he bowed to the dojo before exiting. 'Let me show you to the door. It is easy to get lost in here.'
Kuu led the way back down through the corridors and labyrinthine shelves of books and artefacts until they reached the lobby once more. The day outside had barely faded - there was no way to measure the time that had passed within the walls of the shop by the light coming from the windows. He turned to face his client. 'Well... it seems that this would be goodbye. I hope that you will be able to find all that you are looking for - journeys have a way of finding things.'
Touching his arm, he gave a reassuring smile. 'And don't worry about me. There is a method to the worlds, and I trust that in time, I shall grow to understand and embrace it better. As you have said, I am what I am because of all the things that make me the person that stands before you - I cannot disregard any part of my self. Light has a tendency to find a way.'
For memories to be lost forever? No... He knew it wasn't impossible. He glanced to the floor, feeling a chill creep through his heart. His memories had been gone once. A long time ago- his mind replaced them with falsities. And when he remembered it only made him hurt.
The pyrokinetic followed Kuu back through the shop, looking once more at all of the odd nick-knacks he had loaded the shelves with. When he reached the entrance, feeling as though days had passed, he discovered that the afternoon was not yet over; evening was only just being born. But this evening was that of a goodbye- Syn had to admit that he was concerned for Kuu. Despite the silver-haired man's experience, he did not yet know of what the Darkness entailed. He wanted to leave Kuu with something to contact him, but he could think of nothing. Maybe when they stepped out of the shop- "You should join me outside for a moment, Kuu," he said as they stood at the door. As Kuu reassured him about his problem. He reached into his jacket pockets and his hand curled around a spherical object. Oh yeah...
He unfurled his hand to look upon a small crystal. It was a foggy orangish-red, nothing that he could use. But he had enjoyed it very much despite the fact that he knew not what it was. A small Shadow had dropped it one day, and he had been curious enough to pick it up. "We're all driven... to survive Kuu. And sometimes that drive leads us to the Darkness. If you ever need help find me." His steely blue eyes found their way back to his friend. "I can help you walk to Road to Dawn."
As he stepped out of the door, he held his hand out. The strange, smouldering gem was outstretched, awaiting acceptance. "It's something to remember me by." Maybe its flames would protect Kuu from the Darkness.
With a slight smile of thanks, Kuu reached out and take the gift. As the silver-haired scholar fingered the dusky flame-coloured stone, he looked to his client as he left the Mu. 'And you too, remember... never lost - just waiting to be found.'
- EXCHANGE COMPLETE - - Synthest -
Gained a Magic Boost Syn is now capable of casting two spells simultaneously, as well as allowing him to cast up to five spells without a cooldown, after which he must wait two posts until he can use magic again.
Gained the ability to Command Bind Using synthesis materials, Syn can combine them and draw on their power to create stat-boosting enchantments. These are dependent on his proficiency with the Command Bind as well as the purity of the materials at his disposal. The rarer the component used, the longer the period of effect. Shards last a single post, gems lasting three, while crystals last a single page. However, in order to use successive Binds, the previous Command Bind must be cancelled. Since the materials used in this technique are finite, using Command Bind in quick succession can take a heavy toll on one's inventory. Syn is currently capable of Type A Command Bind, which allows him to activate Fire Boost, Magic Haste, Leaf Bracer, Air Combo Plus, HP Boost, HP Prize Plus and Link Prize Plus.
Gained the ability to use Hellfyre Using Command Bind and Synthesis in conjunction, Syn refines his fire magic into an intensely powerful blue flame, so extreme that even the caster is unable to touch it. This fire is capable of burning through almost any substance, and cause flammable materials to combust almost instantaneously. This allows it to break through any form of physical defence and counteract most magical barriers. Its lethality can only be checked by complete immunity to flame, incredibly powerful magical shielding of the light or dark element or advanced water magic of the highest degree.
Due to its sheer destructive power, it is highly unstable and cannot be maintained for more than two posts without coming apart and proving a potentially mortal danger to any in its vicinity. If its form is not solidly maintained from the very outset of its casting, it will run amok and burn its caster, making it almost impossible to manipulate its shape after it has been summoned. This makes Hellfyre highly unsuitable for a multiple-strike long-ranged attack, due to the inhuman degree of control one must have over each and every projectile in question to make sure it does fall to pieces. Once used, it cannot be cast again until the next page.
Gained the skill Iblis Edge Syn forms a hilt with the metal from his Virtegon and summons a triangular blade of Hellfyre to rise from it. The length of the blade can be stretched to three metres, although it is in proportion with the breadth of the blade. Its length must be preordained upon casting, and its length cannot be changed once it has formed, unless it is dismissed and re-formed once the cooldown period has passed.
Due to the nature of it being made from Hellfyre, it is able to burn through the enemy's defences and cannot be successfully blocked by anything other than equipment with magical durability of the highest degree. Being struck by this technique causes a burn almost without fail. Since it is in essence virtually weightless, attacks can be made with greater ease and speed, although control over its shape is more difficult to maintain the faster it is swung. This technique can only be used once per page for two posts, and no other techniques using Hellfyre can be used following this technique until the next page.
Gained the skill Belias Blaze Syn summons a sphere of Hellfyre and launches it at his opponent. Due to its highly volatile nature and its size when thrown, this technique is an extremely dangerous due to the instability of its form. Upon impact, the sphere explodes violently, causing fatal damage to anything within a two-metre radius (the same degree of described damage as Hellfyre) and heavy splash damage to all nearby foes. The explosion also results in a conflagration that spreads over a three-metre radius that cannot be put out except through highly advanced water magic or other powerful enchantments.
Due to the nature of it being made from Hellfyre, it is able to burn through the enemy's defences and cannot be successfully blocked by anything other than equipment with magical durability of the highest degree. Being struck by this technique causes a burn almost without fail. The sphere is relatively slow in transit due to the concentration Syn requires to keep it from falling apart while moving, and its size is inversely proportional to its speed. This technique can only be used once per page, and no other techniques using Hellfyre can be used following this technique until the next page.
- Kuu -
Gained a Light Boost Kuu is now capable of intermediate light magic, giving all techniques that incorporates light an overall upgrade.
Gained the ability to enter Dark Mode While unable to control it, Kuu is capable of transforming into a dark version of himself for up to 5 posts when subject to immense physical or emotional duress. When in this form, he is incapable of using any of his previous techniques, and unlocks a new set of dark-based skills. His physical abilities are enhanced and his senses heightened, greatly shortening his reaction time and raising his attack rate and power to inhuman levels, while also granting him almost complete magical immunity and allowing him to strike continuously without a cooldown rate.
However, he develops an acute weakness to light magic, and is unable to form a coherent battle plan as his entire concentration is placed on preventing himself from attacking allies and to regain control. In this form, all in the vicinity are potential enemies, and he targets them according to what his darkness deems to be of the most threat to it. Upon the dissipation of Dark Mode, all of Kuu's magic is drained and he is placed in debilitating pain due to the exposure to the light he uses in order to restrain the darkness.
Gained the ability to use Star Dash Using his Star Shard, Kuu is able to move short distances at a speed fast enough to break through World barriers. He is able to combine this with physical and magical attacks to form extremely fast and powerful combos and finishers that are very difficult to defend.
In order to use Star Dash effectively, however, Kuu must get a very clear idea of where he is going to, and as such, he requires to time to get a firm hold over his surroundings. This means that this move is difficult to do straight away in a place he has never been before, and almost impossible to execute in the dark. To compensate, Kuu almost always removes his spectacles to use techniques using the Star Shard, but overuse of the combination of processing each and every route while simultaneously attacking and keeping track of his movements using his eyes takes a physical toll, limiting his use of Star Shard-based techniques to five per thread. He can use the Star Dash on its own an unlimited number of times, however.
Gained the skill Ars Astrorum Using the Star Shard, Kuu makes a series of arcing warps combined with physical attacks to deliver an incredibly fast combo that strikes relentlessly from all directions. Its almost untraceable speed, along with Kuu's pinpoint route-plotting for each individual warp makes this technique highly difficult to defend against or avoid. However, this is traded for attack power, as it is almost impossible for Kuu to have enough time to put enough strength and momentum into each and every strike when delivered at such an insane attack rate, and takes the majority of his concentration in maintaining its speed and accuracy. As with all of Kuu's techniques using the Star Shard, it can only be used as one of five Star Shard-based techniques per thread limit.
Gained the skill Starfell Kuu leaps upwards, surrounding himself in a powerful shield of light and then warps downwards at his target. Upon the moment of impact, he explodes the shield outwards, combining with the force of the warp speed to cause devastating damage on the target and all surrounding enemies. Its sheer speed and power makes this move highly difficult to evade or shake off, but the linear nature of this attack makes it easy to predict, allowing enemies to take defensive measures, making this technique most effective as a finisher. As with all of Kuu's techniques using the Star Shard, it can only be used as one of five Star Shard-based techniques per thread limit.
While not stupid per se, there were times when Sora showed a certain lack of foresight. He was demonstrating this now.
A typical person who had watched a healthy dose of horror movies would have seen right away that a dark building with black pillars adorned by faceless dragons was likely a place were dark things had the potential to happen. He or she would have assumed at once that a sign as cryptic and mysterious as the one hanging inside the shop meant something equally mysterious was going to occur. Therefore, the typical person would have bypassed the building and kept on walking (quickly). If this person was an adventurer, he or she might enter, but with a certain degree of caution or at least a readiness for anything.
Not Sora.
He simply saw the lantern in the doorframe and felt like entering.
It was really that simple. He had no other agenda, except maybe to ask the whereabouts of his friends, Riku and Kairi. He hadn’t minded that they wanted to leave the islands and see and learn new things that the Worlds had to offer (he just wished they could have done it together).
Kuu collapsed onto his knees, panting, while the various spell orbs that had surrounded him dimmed their previously exuberant radiance, returning the dojo to its ordinary lantern-lit glow. Sweat dripped from the ends of his hair, soaking the training robe he was wearing. Wiping the moisture from his face with his sleeve, he picked himself up from the ground and wearily made his way to the side of the training area entrance. He fell against the door frame, almost forgetting to bow to the dojo before leaving.
A small table was prepared next to him, with an old earthenware cup containing a cup of tea from the pale green teapot that stood beside it, previously hot, now rather cold. Kuu breathed a flame to light within his hand and wrapped it about the cup to warm it, inhaling its ancient scent to calm his ragged breathing before taking a sip.
Again, it didn't seem like he was making much progress. He'd thought that attempting to connect with his inner darkness through meditation would help him to grasp a better degree of control over when to use it (or to keep it from appearing) but it seemed that through the cracks in his patience and his calm the darkness erupted in lances of frustration and restlessness, seeping through his core and causing him to lose control before he could gather it together. It was as if it knew absolutely everything there was about him, all the links in his armour and all the faults in his person, twisting them together in an unforgiving stake to drive straight into his very being. It was only thanks to the spell orbs he had set up around him filled with his light magic (which he had set to react to certain levels of darkness) that it was nullified before it went too far, and this tea infusion to calm him and help recover his strength before he fell to pieces.
It was proving to be a rather painful method, one which he was inclined to abandon to try another, but there was nothing he could think of except to try, to practice, to learn. Mickey was far away, and Syn he knew struggled with his own darkness - there was no telling what to forces would do when in such close proximity. No, there was no-one who would be able to help.
As Kuu lifted the cup to his lips for another sip, the air changed within the Mu, and he knew that someone had entered. He put the cup down, and was about to go to greet the guest when he realised that he was still in his drenched training robe. Quickly stepping out of it and opening the door of the bathroom four shelves away, he dropped himself into the tub of water (now freezing, but what could he do) and using air currents from his hands whipped the water to envelop and whirl about him, washing the sweat from his body. Climbing out (and almost toppling the whole tub over as he did so) he summoned up a small gale to dry himself as he reached for a spare set of clothes - a light jade-coloured changshan conveniently folded nearby. He swept it over himself, wiping his misted glasses on its cloth as he exited the bathroom and made his way towards the entrance.
'Greetings,' he said as he approached the lobby. 'How may I help y-'
The silver-haired scholar stopped and his eyes widened, having to look over the top of his glasses just to make sure that his client was the person he thought it was. Spiky brown hair, blue eyes, with a thoughtless, spontaneous and utterly infectious grin. Even after all those years, there was no doubt.
When no one answered at first, Sora took the opportunity to wander in and look around. Never mind that he hadn’t been invited in. Never mind that he didn’t know the first thing about this place. Never mind that, while he had visited Radiant Garden dozens of times in the past, he had never once seen this shop. Sora simply accepted it existed and assumed it existed solely for the purpose of him exploring it. This was how he was able to absorb the massive concepts of Heartless, Doors, Princesses of Light, talking animals, and magical keys without losing his mind—he was completely open to new experiences and had no template for “normal.”
The books lining the shelves held little interest to him. It reminded him of a library, and the only library he had ever found remotely intriguing was the one inside Radiant Garden’s castle, which was loaded with hidden passages, puzzles, and secrets ripe for uncovering. But the odd items nestled comfortably between ancient tomes and modern How-To guides intrigued him. And like a child in a toy store, Sora felt the need to touch every single one of them.
The intricate stone figurine obviously needed to be picked up and examined. The jar of glass marbles lit mysteriously from the inside obviously needed to be opened. The treasure chest with the gold padlock obviously needed to be unlocked (in case there was a map inside).
He was just about to unsheathe what may or may not have been Sr. Piran’s Blade when Kuu entered.
“Oh, hi!” He greeted with a cheerful grin, carelessly putting the article back where he found it, “I’m Sora. Is this your shop?”
Kuu made his way over in soft, swift strides and carefully placed the sword back on its stand, rather grateful that Sora hadn't managed to unsheathe it before he'd arrived - St. Piran's Blade had a tendency of bursting into rather dangerous flame when in contact with a pure heart, and whether Sora's was pure enough or no, he'd rather not take chances with a heart capable of wielding a Keyblade. As he made sure the weapon was safely put away, his mind turned quickly as he tried to process the presence of the Keyblade Master in his shop.
From what I can figure, he doesn't seem to recognise me, he thought. Understandable, as we never actually met officially while I was on the Islands. And we never crossed paths while he was in the Land of Dragons either. But I never would have thought that he'd come here of all places - I thought he was back on Destiny Islands? Maybe he's come looking for something... or someone, of course - Kairi. What timing is this... looks like I still have a lot to learn about the Mu.
'Ah... good afternoon,' he said, turning to face him. 'Yes, my name is Kuu, I'm the current caretaker of the Mu. Here, you give as much as you gain. Whether it be ancient artefacts or timeless knowledge, new stories or lost memories, strength or wisdom - what you receive is dependent on what you lose.'
Kuu had to suppress a smile from rising from his lips at the easily recogniseable spiky locks and unclouded, bright blue eyes - the characteristic youth and timeless childlike quality that shone through despite the impressive, well-travelled build and battle-ready attire that showed little physical evidence of the thin, wiry-looking boy chasing waves about the beach only a few years ago. He wondered if he himself, like Sora, had changed over the years - so much that a boy living on the same islands as him for two years had no glimpse of recognition when he came face to face with the former Islander. How time stole away the days.
'Well then... may I ask what is the cause of the honour of greeting the Keyblade Master in my lobby?' he asked with a hint of a foreshadowed smile.
“Nice to meet you, Kuu.” Sora was remarkably gifted at remembering names and the faces that went with them. If he had met Kuu officially within the past six years or so, he would have remembered him with little difficulty. While Destiny Islands was a small World with only about three thousand occupants, the boy was not acquainted with every single person living there. There were a few hundred kids he went to school with, and while, he could have named many of them, his closest friends were Riku, Kairi, Selphie, Tidus and Wakka.
“So…it’s like a fancy shop?” He asked, turning his bright gaze over the Mu’s interior, “But you pay with stuff other than munny.”
Ok. He could accept that easily enough. Every World had its own rules about exchange, customs…and even physics. What was acceptable on one World could be completely unacceptable on another. Flying was fine in Neverland, but breathing underwater was not. Breathing underwater was fine in Atlantica, but forget about using Summons. A person should bow to the princess of Agrabah, but bowing to the Pumpkin King was optional. Magic was more-or-less universal in some form or another, but there were always exceptions. Munny was mostly consistent to the untrained eye, but surely Scrooge McDuck would have had something to say about the confusing rate of exchange between Worlds. The Mu, in comparison, operated with fairly simple rules.
Sora accepted it all in stride.
“Just saw the place while I was walking around. Never been here before, so I decided to check it out. How’d you know about the Keyblade Master thing?” Mostly the only people who knew about it on their own were bad guys and wizards. Not that he was suspicious of Kuu—quite the opposite, he was ready to be friends with him—but hey, maybe he was a super mind-reader and it was always nice to know these things