A Reunion of Recent Allies

[Shaizen Latross]

Shaizen could almost feel the worry Marmadue had for the man who had warned them of the Heartless. It was the look on his face. The same look healers in Luniel had when a Guardsman was missing or had just disappeared from the healer’s tent. It happened often, due to certain pride and sense of duty the Phoenix Guild carried.



He would lean his head against his hands and drink the last of the water given to him. Once finished, he would set the glass back on the table before looking at Marmadue, speaking once more of the man.



“Hey, don’t worry too much about him. If he was able to find out about a Heartless, open a portal to warn us of said Heartless, and had gone through whatever it was he did to gain said things, I am sure he is fine. Whoever he is, just the fact that he was able to do those things tells me he is more than capable of taking care of himself. No one goes that long without getting at least a few scrapes, and yet he was strong enough to open a portal.”



He would sit up in his chair and reach his arms behind his back, stretching them out in order to pop his shoulders. He was a little out of practice, having so little to fight or train with here. He needed to find something for such before he forgot completely, or became out of shape to fight.



“Well whatever these portals are, and if they are able to be opened, I will be there whenever one does. Know that I know of them, I wish to see what all I can find out. Guess all we can do is wait to see if someone finds out how to open one or if another one is opened from elsewhere once more.”

[Marmadue]

"Ah?" Marmadue seemed to be taken aback slightly when Shaizen suddenly told him not to worry about the man who had warned them about the Heartless' attack – though it took him a moment to really realize who Shaizen was even referring to. Whatever worry he had felt hadn't been mentioned, and the Yuke certainly hadn't expected it to be so obvious to any onlookers… But it seemed that wasn't the case. He rubbed the back of his neck, his fingers combing through his feathers. It was a bit embarrassing, to be caught in something like this all of a sudden…

"…Yes. I ah, can see the logic of such a sentiment," he nodded – though he was not one to just believe in pure hope. There was still some reluctance and doubt in his voice. The Yuke did not know enough of the Heartless or this Gabranth person to really be able to tell what happened after they left. There were too many variables… So many that perhaps Shaizen only really needed to remind him that he didn't have to worry because he couldn't predict what had happened with worry alone. Marmadue returned his hand to his lap, his gaze directed at his guest.

"I shall be sure to question the keyblade wielders about the nature of transportation between worlds. It is… Ah, something I have been quite curious myself, as well."

[Shaizen Latross]

“Well, I would imagine everyone to be curious of such a thing. Especially if it can be used openly and give us the ability to travel to multiple worlds. If people keep showing up in Twilight Town at the rate they do then we will run out of space. We need more havens, or just a larger one that is more easily protected.”



That was one of Shaizen’s main worries. If people kept coming to Twilight Town, sooner or later, there will be more people than they will be able to house and protect. It was an natural instinct of his to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves, and most in Twilight Town seemed to have that problem. With so few warriors and so many who had led different lives, the burden that weighed on the shoulders of those who actively fought against the Heartless was slowly growing.



As Shaizen thought of all this, his mind also began to wander off on the thought of all the different kinds of worlds. Luniel was beautiful in its own way, the cities shining beacons and havens in a world split between Light and Darkness. Just how many different worlds were there, and how many of them had a unique beauty that could only be found there.



“How times change. Not long ago, I thought Luniel was the only world there was. Now I am sitting here with someone from another world discussing how to get to even more worlds. Man, if I told anyone in Luniel that this is what I would be doing they would have thrown me out of the city.”

[Marmadue]

"Indeed," Marmadue let out a sigh when Shaizen mentioned the teeny tiny issue that was the barrage of newcomers. It wasn't something he could really freely talk about, not when he often took in those who had lost everything. It would not have been a very fair subject after everything they had been through…
"Finite space and supplies pose an issue," a cold, hard fact. Twilight Town hadn't lost everything and there was still plenty of scraps to use, but there was no sun. The Yuke couldn't claim to be one who knew much – if anything – about farming, but that he believed was quite the hurdle to overcome if one wanted to get a steady supply of food.

As they were, they wouldn't last forever, Heartless or no Heartless. A new world, to inhabit or to gather supplies from… Well, those were potential fixes to their problems. They would certainly need to find out how to move between worlds and how safe that would be before they could actually consider doing so. Marmadue was stroking his chin in thought, not breaking the silence. Once Shaizen did start talking again, however, he was quick to return to their conversation.

"Ah," the Yuke stroked the back of his neck, slightly unsure about whether or not the part about getting thrown out of a city was a joke… He knew next to nothing about the culture of Shaizen's world, after all. How would he have reacted if someone had said something like that? Believed it? Perhaps not, if there was no evidence to back up such claims.
"…I cannot say I ever came across anything that would have suggested someone ah, had stumbled upon the existence of different worlds. Such a discovery was still… Very much unknown to us. Perhaps knowledge that I now possess would have paved the way for a better future."

[Shaizen Latross]

Shaizen would stand and stretch his arms out once more before resting his elbows on the hilts of his upside-down-sheathed swords. He would look around the room once more and smile a little, realizing the people that had come here were still rather lucky. In many cases, situations like this made it so that those stuck usually had no medic of any kind. The fact that Marmadue was here was a lucky streak that no doubt saved quite a few lives at least. And the fact that Marmadue was willing to take on such a responsibility made Shaizen feel a certain respect for him.



“You up for a walk? I’ve been wanting to walk around the less Heartless-filled areas and see if i can’t find a place for myself. Figured if I can find a place big enough i might be able to set up some sort of barracks. A place where warriors can stay and be able to get ready to fight quickly. Maybe have those who can’t fight sleep in back rooms if they wanted. It may not be much, but I have known little else than to fight and protect.”



He would sigh a little and look down to the amulet around his neck. A simple, empty Reservoir Crystal from his world, it was given to him by Gil, his mentor, and was told that it belonged to his father. He had died fighting Heartless alongside his mother, the two being the last surviving members of their squads at the time. Like them, Shaizen had lost his squad to Darkness, but had survived. He wondered for how long though, with as little knowledge that they had.



He would shake his head a little before looking back to Marmadue, letting a small smile across his face before speaking again.



“So, wanna join me? I could use a little help from someone who knows the town better than myself. Plus I am sure you could use a break from this place, no? I am sure you have been working hard the past few days, haven’t you?”

[Marmadue]

The invitation to join Shaizen for a walk was quite unexpected, to say the least. Unexpected, but understandable. Perhaps all they had talked about had made the man to search for something he could do to aid the town, too – or perhaps he didn't wish to end the conversation just yet, but wasn't used to sitting in one place for too long. Marmadue tilted his head slightly, but didn't question the motives. Perhaps it would do well for them both. There had been slightly less Heartless around after the large one fell, so it gave them a chance to take a better look around. And the Yuke had been stuck in his makeshift clinic for some time now… No one had barged in through the door during their chat, so perhaps that meant he didn't have to be prepared all the time. Perhaps he could stretch his legs.

"Ah… I cannot see the harm in that. It should be safer, now," he nodded in agreement,
"I did scout the area after the battle, but I did not pay as much attention to the state of the buildings. It is clear that some that once stood are now but a pile of rubble," Marmadue continued, explaining that his current state of knowledge was outdated by now. There were many refugees who had holed themselves in the buildings that still were somewhat livable, so was there still something that was exactly what Shaizen was looking for?

"It would be ah, safer to stay where the masses gather. Less Heartless there, than on the outskirts," the Yuke stroked his chin, perhaps just stating his thoughts out loud. There would have to be enough space for what Shaizen wished to do, as well. Nothing really came to mind immediately, but there definitely were plenty of old husks and skeletons of large buildings that once existed! Building materials weren't exactly hard to come by now, but actual skilled force to make sure the walls didn't fall over and the roof didn't leak…

Marmadue stood up, straightening his coattails, seeming to be ready to go.
"We might not find what is ah, perfect. You might need to be on the lookout for a… Project."

[Shaizen Latross]

Listening to his words, Shaizen would nod in agreement with that which Marmadue said. It was true that, in its current state, Twilight Town housed very few buildings that could be used safely. However, even if it was a single-floored abandoned restaurant or shop, Shaizen would be able to turn it into the base of operations he wanted it to be. He had done so with as little as a twenty-foot shack in Luniel during raids on Bandit fortresses. Most buildings here seemed to be a bit bigger than that at least.



“You have a point there. Finding a good building will be difficult. But I will be satisfied if it was just two big rooms. One for the civilians to feel safe and one for the warriors to do what they do. Setting up defenses around it will be easy, I can do that with whatever building that proves usable.”



Seeing that Marmadue was ready, Shaizen turned and headed for the door. Upon reaching it, he would turn the handle and hold the door open for his host, allowing him to exit first.



“After you. Let’s see if we can’t find a place close to others, but just enough so that those who might stay there as fighters still stand between them and any threats, no? Staying closer is indeed a smart move, but we still need to be able to be the first thing enemies might run across.”

[Marmadue]

Marmadue waited for Shaizen to stand up as well, following in the man's footsteps to the door. There was a momentary pause as he waited for his guest to exit first, but the realization hit him fast enough. With a polite nod, the Yuke stepped out of the door and slowed down his pace to wait for Shaizen to come to his side.
"Ah… Considering the rather central location of the Market Street, it would be quite the considerable challenge to be the first line of defense if you were to be situated in just a single location," he spoke after a moment of silent musing. It would be quite impossible, in fact. That didn't really help narrowing down the area at all…

"…I ah, at least cannot say I have been able to deduce if the Heartless appear from a particular spot. Perhaps… You may know more about that?" Marmadue looked at Shaizen. The Heartless truly were an enigma to him, seeming to just appear out of thin air whenever they wanted… But that couldn't be the complete truth, either. Otherwise they wouldn't be safe anywhere, the town would surely be overrun already. But Shaizen knew more about them. True, they had just talked about how the creatures acted different than what the man was used to, but perhaps there was still something that could be of use?

[Shaizen Latross]

Shaizen stepped out onto the street behind Marmadue and looked to the man as he spoke. Yes, it would be difficult to be there every single time the Heartless showed up. However, so long as the location made it possible to get there in an acceptable time then Shaizen had no problems. He just hoped there were still some houses open in such a location.



“Well, I understand it is impossible to always be the first to combat an attack. I would like to just be able to join the fray should the Heartless show up so close. Nothing too big, or too central. Just in an accessible spot.”



Marmadue’s question on how Heartless seemed to pop up out of nowhere made Shaizen think for a few seconds as they walked. While the Heartless could just show up out of the shadows, they did seem held back by certain boundaries. Perhaps certain magics or physical physics had some kind of rule over them as well.



“Well, from what I have personally seen, so long as the location is able to be accessed by any normal being, and isn’t too populated, the Heartless can appear. The more people there are, the fewer seem to appear. Almost as though they are limited by ratio of Heartless to people. More people mean less Heartless. Could be due to size helps people hold on to hope, makes it harder for Heartless grab a hold of their Hearts. But, that is merely theory. Who can really say why it is they show up when and where they do?”

[Marmadue]

Marmadue glanced over his shoulder as he listened to Shaizen explain what he had noticed about the Heartless' way of appearing. It seemed that the two had figured out similar limitations… But there was nothing the man knew as a fact, either. A pity, that. The Yuke turned his gaze in front of him as he continued to walk in silence. It certainly would have been useful had they known more about their enemy, but alas…

"Such mysteries are unfortunate," he finally said out loud, perhaps just musing to himself. It would have been easier to come up with strategies, if they just has a bit more knowledge about how the Heartless worked… Oh. But he was getting sidetracked. Marmadue's posture straightened as he remembered what it was they really had come here to do, his steps having been quite aimless for a while. Right. Scouting an area for Shaizen.

"Ah. I feel a good starting point would be to circle the Market Street. Plenty of streets and alleyways cut through buildings, giving you ah, more options for mobility. If your placement is not ideal, I see the merit in attempting to, ah, aim to mitigate the issues that might rise," the Yuke continued, leading Shaizen along. The best places near Market Street most likely already were taken, but their way would take them further along soon enough.

[Shaizen Latross]

Marmadue’s responds to his thoughts on the Heartless’ methods of travel was one that Shaizen agreed with. Like everything else with the Heartless, the creatures were more predictable in Luniel. Here however, they were more random, strategic about where they went and when they got there. At times it made Shaizen question if they really were more intelligent here. Them again, for how little he had seen if them so far in this town, he couldn’t come to any conclusions just yet.



“Yes, smaller passages such as those do make for certain advantages. Travel, plus tight traps can be set up in them. Even the Heartless have their limits to avoiding damage, and most of them aren’t the best at moving quickly through narrow spaces. Honestly, if there was some kind of… I dunno… abandoned storage space with moderate room, that would be perfect. Make it easier to set things up instead of having to go by a pre-made floor structure.”



Shaizen would look around as they walked. While he searched for anything that might serve for what he wanted, he would wonder how many might be willing to stay in the place once he got it set up, or how many warriors would be willing to fight as guardians. Twilight Town was at war with the Heartless, yes, and most would be outside the town fighting them back, but that didn’t mean that the townspeople should be left undefended. He hoped others would see that as well, but knew he would have to wait until he got set up before seeing if they did.

[Marmadue]

Marmadue gave Shaizen a nod, it seemed that the both of them agreed on the strategical advantage alleys would give. That meant they should avoid the long rows of buildings without gaps in them – and that certainly gave them a point where they could start from. Instead of looking at the buildings, they could look at what wasn't a building and see if there was something that looked acceptable nearby. The Yuke's gaze scanned their surroundings as he walked, taking note of what he saw. Twilight Town had always had many ruins – as far as he had been there, at least – and their numbers hadn't grown any lesser. Many buildings still were reduced to rubble, though some piles that once were had been cleaned up and used elsewhere as materials. And while Shaizen had wanted to get a bit further away, it was easy to say that the buildings that had survived were mostly full: many lights shone indoors, leaking out from the windows and cracks, illuminating the dark streets.

But then… His eyes stopped in the direction where the Sandlot was. He knew there weren't many lights there, if any – not so soon after what had happened. There was still so much to clean up and fix. It took a moment for Marmadue to notice that he had stopped walking as well.
"Ah. I apologize," he spoke up as he started to walk again, continuing to walk further away from the Market Street.
"…Had we been here earlier, perhaps I would have suggested the Sandlot. Plenty of ah, open space," the Yuke continued, his back now turned towards the place in question. It would have made for a good training ground – not that it didn't anymore, but the buildings around it… Weren't in such a good shape anymore.

Same could be said for many buildings around them as well. So many had crumbled when the large Heartless made its way through the town. It was an unfortunate sight to take in – but perhaps it could have been worse. Much worse. It was the first time he really took a good look around the town however, forced to witness everything that had transpired, the damage they had taken.

Not that all was lost, however. Twilight Town was large. There might have been many buildings too unstable to live in and many refugees who needed homes, but they mostly stuck together. The further they got, the darker it got, less light making its way out the windows. Had the Yuke been alone, at this point he would have rather turned back than continue…
"…Here. Ah, this is where we truly begin our search. I do not tend to venture this far, but the same goes for many of the other residents. We should take note of everything that might be of use, as we continue."

[Shaizen Latross]

Shaizen had been looking at all the buildings which were already taken by other survivors. It seemed as though all the buildings that were in livable condition were taken by now. The realization of this made Shaizen also realize just how late he had come into this war. With so many taking shelter here, the amount of worlds the Darkness had taken must have been countless. He hoped that his efforts might help ease those who now called Twilight Town their home.



He would look to Marmadue as his words turned to speak of the Sandlot, also noticing that his comrade had stopped a few steps behind. While it was one of the places he had yet to explore, he still knew of its location and realized that, while it was outside the main area of survivors, it was still rather easily accessible to anyone who wished to go there.



“Hmm, the Sandlot, you say? I have yet to actually see that location, though I must say it may be a good spot. Decently close to where most tend to spend their nights, we can stay out of their way for the most part and still be able to respond to attacks rather quickly. And hey, if the buildings are all crumbled to pieces, I can always just use some elbow grease and clean it up. Could use rubble to make barricades too. If you think it’s the best bet, we can head there now. It’d be nice to see a new location.”



Shaizen could tell that few came this far. The rubble was more common and had the appearance of little activity after it fell. In the Market Street one could see the marks and efforts to make the building livable, while here the buildings were still full of the debris and broken pieces that had fallen over time and under stress of attacks.



He would look back to Marmadue and wait to hear his response. Shaizen felt rather relieved to have the healer here with him. Someone who knew of the area as well as one Shaizen felt he was able to trust. If the man had wanted to do him harm, he could have easily done so when he had discovered him unconscious in the alley. Instead, he had taken the injured Phalanx into his home and helped him recover. No enemy would do such, and so Shaizen had decided to trust the man, and was more than happy to accept any advice he had, especially on this matter.

[Marmadue]

"Ah?" Marmadue turned to look at Shaizen, clearly not having expected that him mentioning the Sandlot – that one place that he thought was no longer suitable – would have gotten the man interested in it! He really hadn't said he thought it would be the best place, quite the opposite! Perhaps in the past, but no more. Well. Of course, some things hadn't changed: the location, the free space… But that was also where the giant Heartless had caused the most damage. For a moment, the Yuke just stood there, dumbfounded and unable to find a word.

"Ah, well, if you have yet to seen it with your own eyes… I will concede that there are many materials to be used that no longer ah, have a use elsewhere. But it will not be an easy task, to clear all that," he finally managed to figure out something to say. Would Shaizen actually want to, if he saw the state of the place? …Would it hurt to try? Marmadue glanced from one side to another, as if he were having difficulties actually looking at Shaizen head on.

"…It would be quite ah, beneficial, if someone were to focus their efforts on clearing the area. But it is not a task for a single person," the Yuke continued, extending his hand to non-verbally indicate that their new destination was behind them. He started to lead the man towards the Sandlot – it did no good to talk about its future if Shaizen hadn't even taken a good look at it.

[Shaizen Latross]

Shaizen looked at Marmadue, a little confused by the reaction the man had at his wish to see the sandlot. Perhaps he had heard him wrong before, or maybe Marmadue didn’t expect such a quick reaction. Whatever the reason was, Shaizen was set to see this area. From what he had heard of Twilight Town, it was decently close to where most of the citizens lived, and was clear of others, making it a rather nice spot for what he wanted. Even if in the end it was only to be used as a place for Shaizen himself to call home, and no one else decided to join him there, he would do with whatever he had.


“Well, I can understand that it might be in ruins, and it won’t be easy. But, if it can be cleared, it could be made a livable space for others. Doing so would increase the area in which Heartless are less likely to appear, if what we spoke about earlier is indeed correct. And not just that, but having the townspeople spread out in such a manner would make it easier for more to get away. Otherwise it would be everyone in a single area where it would be easy for a larger Heartless like before to get them all in one swoop. And besides… I need something to do while there is no fight.”


He followed behind Marmadue, closing his eyes for a second as they walked before looking up once more.


“I can’t just sit around. I’ve always lived for battle, training, or something like that. If I can’t find anything to fight, I can at least do what I can to help those around me in other ways.”


He wondered if Marmadue might understand what he meant by this. His parents having died, he was taken in by a higher up of the Phoenix Guild, and was trained from a young age. Gil, his father’s friend, didn’t exactly have a parent’s instinct, and knew only of combat. This is how Shaizen grew up, and thus ended up the same way. He knew only of combat and those he could trust to fight alongside him or support him.