The Realm of Darkness. A place devoid of Light. Separate from Time, or so the legends say. Here is where the Darkness is strongest. Yet few ever traverse this place.

There was one who did not fear the Darkness. No, he relished it, used it. He wanted to understand it. He wanted to know why it was feared. He wanted to know why it was shunned and the Light praised. He even went so far as to abandon his duties to further his research. He knew of another who followed his mindset but wasn't sure if he would meet that man.

This Seeker was named Tenebrae. His very name meaning that which he researched. He was a Seeker for balance, for understanding, and for truth. One who wanted to know what the Darkness truly was. ***

-Tenebrae, Tenebrae! -

Tenebrae opened his eyes to see a dark void. He looked down and saw a stained-glass portrait of himself. He was dressed in his official gear, with a black button-down shirt and a gray vest. He wore dark-brown cargo pants, and black shoes to complete his outfit. His dark hair was combed down, and rimmed glasses framed his face.

Something about the portrait seemed off to him. There was a tint to it that seemed to flicker under the surface. He wrote it off as being his eyes adjusting to the sudden light.

-Which Union does your heart belong to? –

To Tenebrae, that question was an easy and a hard one. He did not like the idea of belonging to one group. At the same time, he had admiration for the Foreteller, Master Ira. He was one who had the knowledge and intellect to be in his position.

"Unicornus." Tenebrae called out.

From the edge, a staircase of light appeared. It ascended and connected to another platform. Tenebrae walked to the staircase and tested them. Even without a base, the stairs were stable. He felt the sides and noticed a barrier to keep him from falling.

Tenebrae ascended the staircase to the next platform. This platform had a red tint, to match the Union Color he had chosen. The portrait was the same, but there were streaks of silver in his hair. Checking his own, he did not see any streaks in it.

Three platforms appeared around him. There was a sword, a shield, and a staff on top of one of them.

-What power do you seek? –

Tenebrae walked up to the staff. In his head, he heard, 'The power of the Mystic. Inner strength. A staff of wonder and ruin. Is this the power you seek?'

Tenebrae focused on the staff and felt its power surge into him. He looked over to the other two platforms. The ones holding the sword and the shield.

-Now, what will you give up in exchange? –

'With knowledge, I won't need to worry about getting hurt.' Tenebrae thought as he walked up to the shield. 'I also don't plan on fighting too much.'

-You gained the power of the Mystic. You've given up the power of the Guardian. Is this the path you seek? –

"Yes!" He called out. When he did, the glass beneath him shattered. It took him a second to realize, and that was when he fell.

The descent was met with another stained-glass portrait. This one was of a young man he did not recognize. It looked almost like a twin of him, with silver hair. Darkness pooled around him and swirled in front of him. A shadow figure appeared before him, with what looked to be a black Keyblade.

-The Keyblade is a weapon of Light. It houses the power to vanquish Darkness. –

A Keyblade appeared in Tenebrae's hand. It looked like the beginner Keyblade, Starlight. The silver blade and purple guard shone, even in this void.

The shadow figure struck first. Tenebrae blocked the attack, and he could feel he power behind the Darkness. Tenebrae parried and blocked most of the attacks. He felt himself being pushed to the edge. 'So, this is the power of Darkness. How fun it will be…. TO CRSUH IT!'

Tenebrae vanished and slashed at the shadow's back. He kept slashing at it until it was vaporized. He had a feral grin on his face, as the glass pane shattered. His expression changed quickly. His grin became panicked as he fell. Fell into the eternal Darkness. ***

Tenebrae woke up screaming, his dark eyes scanning his environment. He was in the library the Union's shared. In front of him, another tome talking about the difference between Light and Darkness. Another tome which shunned the Darkness. He rubbed his face and wiped away any drool that came from his mouth.

Tenebrae readjusted his glasses and tried to look like he didn't just have a panic attack. 'You are a member of Unicornus. Have some composure.'

He still remembered the speech Master Ira made. Of having to work alongside those in the Union and keep the Darkness at bay. 'And I tried. But all those fools only care about showing off. Especially HIM!'

Tenebrae grit his teeth as he thought of the one who earned his ire. Another member of his Union, who had earned his spot for his ability and charisma. He didn't want to remember the name, lest he grow jealous. 'And who am I to be jealous? Just because he has popularity.' His head sunk. 'And friends in other Unions.' His head went lower. 'And girls literally throwing themselves at him.' The last thought caused him to hit his head on the table.

He could hear the murmurs of the other Wielders as he wallowed in self-pity. He didn't care. None of the m gave Tenebrae the challenge he was looking for. The only one who did, was HIM! And Tenebrae gave up trying to best that one long ago. Tenebrae only ever collected Lux to fill the quota for the day. He only did group missions when assigned.

His Chirithy appeared on the table in front of him. "You know that Master wants everyone to be friends. It wouldn't hurt to make some. Maybe even K…"

Tenebrae glared at Chirithy. "Don't utter his name. It's bad enough to see him during briefings. I don't want to spoil my off time thinking about him. Besides, I have all the friends I need in you," he patted the books to his side, "And the stories of the past. I have no need for trivial things. Besides, everyone talks about how many Heartless they destroyed. And how much Lux they gathered. It's becoming boring."

"Maybe it would be better if you used that sense of competition?" Chirithy questioned? "Knowledge is good and all, but don't you need to be able to put it into practice?"

"And I do." Tenebrae stood up. He began to put away the books he was reading. He made sure none had any of his spit, before safely storing them. "I practice just like the others, and I go on missions. It's not Like I spend every hour of the day in here."

Tenebrae grabbed Chirithy and place it on his shoulder. He exited the Library to see that it was dark out. "I just spend the rest of my day in there." He lit a small fire spell to make some torchlight, as he headed to his apartment.

It was a small place with everything he needed. Luckily the Union helped to pay for it. But the Munny he earned from missions was his main source of income. Tenebrae set Chirithy off to the side, as he went to wash up.

"I worry about how much time you spend at night," Chirithy called. "You really should spend more time sleeping."

"But night is when I'm at my best intellectually. I need to do the most research I can before sleeping."

Chirithy sighed. "And that's where I worry."

Tenebrae came out in his pajamas and tackled Chirithy. "Don't worry, my friend. It's only curiosity. It will not consume me." He hugged Chirithy as he fell asleep for the night.

Hello there, I'm Knightmare, and this is my part of the Light Protectors Universe.
The first few chapters will be following the KHUX near the Keyblade War missions. And we get to see a perspective out side of the MC. The other Protectors will be introduced later, and you will see Tenebrae's thoughts on them.