***Fading Sentiment ***
It was night.
And it was raining.
There was no lightning to illuminate the dark sky, no thunder to drown out the pouring downfall of raindrops.
Heavy back boots splashed into the puddles.
…Vengeance Lingers…
The man who walked through the rain was tall, slim but built and his face was hidden inside the hood of his black cloak.
He was walking down a brick path, towards a large castle, rain falling on him, the path and the castle itself.
It showed no sign of stopping.
…Broken Heart…Reformed…
The cloaked man moved ever closer towards the castle, rain running down his exposed jaw. His expression was blank. Uncaring.
…Second chance…
Finally, he stopped, standing before the castle, surrounded by puddles, and drenched by never ceasing rain.
He stood, hidden eyes looking at nothing. His hands flexed, clenching and unclenching by his sides.
His head rose, looking up the length of the castle towers.
…Not Even Half the Hero the others were…
High atop the peak of the castle's tallest towers, another man in a black cloak stood, his hood raised as well. He leaned casually against the towers point, lower jaw visible in what little light there was. He was grinning.
The grinning man extended his right arm out. And snapped his fingers.
Down below, the shadows around the still as stone hooded man shifted, bubbling, rising up as dead yellow eyes glowed from the darkness and claws extended out.
The hooded man made no move as he was surrounded by man sized living shadows, each staring at him with hungry yellow eyes while flexing dark claws.
The hooded man never took his gaze off the grinning man above.
The hooded man's mouth moved.
…What have you done with her...?
The grinning man laughed soundlessly.
His mouth moved.
…Wouldn't you like to know...
The living shadows moved erratically around the hooded man, who finally acknowledged their presence with a slight glance.
As he did, a brief flash of twin yellow flares could be seen under his hood.
Right where his eyes were.
…Body and Soul…Reunited…
The hooded man looked back up towards the grinning man.
The hooded man's mouth moved.
His right arm rose out, extending all the way up and out.
…My Rage…
The arm moved with a burst of speed, slamming onto the hooded man's left shoulder.
Golden light flashed.
…Awakens.
The light spread over his form.
The rippling black cloak…
Became armor.
The hooded man was now an armored knight.
The knight's black visor glared up at the still grinning man.
The knight extended his right arm out.
Blue and whites chains lit around him, moving steadily and quickly, encircling him.
And forming the outline of a heart.
…Repose…Water….Awakening…Wind…
Sparks danced between the gloved hand of the knight. And then power swirled in his palm.
…Earth…or…Another…
The magic extended out the entire length of his body, forming the outline of a mighty wide weapon. Blade like. And yet…
…It isn't you…It isn't you I have chosen…
Key like.
A Keyblade.
…Why isn't it him...?
The armored knight lowered his Keyblade.
He stared up at the grinning man, the shadows jumping around him, eager to tear into him with their claws.
The grinning man's hood rippled as the wind blew.
…You will never be rid of me…
The shadows crouched and pounced as one, dozens of claws all tearing for the knight.
Who thrust his Keyblade out and destroyed them all without ever touching a single one.
The armored knight looked up the tower.
And saw the grinning man was gone.
…Xe…Ha…Nort…Is that you?
The knight lowered his head slowly, Keyblade thrust out to his side.
While behind him, the grinning man reappeared, arm raised, balancing a crossbow on the crook of his elbow.
...Welcome back…
They stood back to back, lightning illuminating the black sky and everything under it at last.
…No light can save me now…
Under his hood, the grinning man's single eye flashed amber.
Behind his black visor, the knight's eyes flashed yellow.
…Will my sentiment ever fade…?
Beyond the castle horizon, another cloaked and hooded figure stood on a cliff side, the seas raging as the wind of the storm howled harder.
This hooded man's lower jaw was also seen.
And he was smiling.
In each hand, a twisted heart shaped hilt rested in his palms, electric blue blades growing from the hilts and sparking as rain struck the blade, hissing and steaming.
The man's mouth moved.
…Watch…
…As everything…
…Reconnects…