-Kleis POV-
Now that I wasn't running through Castrum Kremnos, I could enjoy the sights. Castrum Kremnos is beautiful. There is an air in the city that makes you want to fight and defend your home. Following Gnaeus, I wondered about the maintenance and politics of such a grand city. Despite being such an iconic location in Amphoreus, the game hardly provided any information about Castrum Kremnos.
Usually, I would have been so fascinated by the city, but my thoughts were elsewhere. Now that I had a moment to myself, reality had sunk in. I used to be Brain, a union leader back in the Age of Fairies. Just who was I? I had to wonder just where Brain started and ended. When I tried to recall anything of Brain, but my memories were blank, the only things I could remember were what I remembered from playing Kingdom Hearts Union Cross. It was as if there was a barrier stopping me.
The more I thought about it, the more my head hurt. The mere thought of Brain caused me to be irritated. When did I become Brain's reincarnation? Was it when I became Kleis, or was I always Brain even before I filled out the CYOA?
I've been thinking, and it's strange that I even bothered with a CYOA in my previous life. I always found them silly. Why would I want to fill one out, hoping for an adventure, when I could just go have one myself? When I saw the CYOA I filled, some part of me felt a call to adventure. Like the room I was in suddenly felt too small — no, not the room — I felt like the world was much too small. The more thought about it, the dizzier I felt. Was is possible that I always Brain reincarnation?
I thought about my past life to see if there were any events I experienced I found odd…. Now that I thought about it, I always found myself strangely nostalgic when I played Kingdom Hearts Union Cross. Like I knew of the events before I played them, whenever my brother and I would talk about the game, I could always guess what would happen next. It would always irritate my brother since I would always spoil the game with my guesses. I could remember when I first started playing Kingdom Hearts that I could experience Sora's adventure.
My head throbbed, a sharp pain lancing through it. Then, I felt Chirithy's paws on me. "Kleis, I know this is confusing, but I'll explain everything when we get home," Chirithy said. "Don't worry about Brain right now; we need to beat this Nightmare first. Just know you're Kleis now, and the past is the past, the future is the future. Focus on what you can do in this moment." Chirithy's paws offered a comforting rub on my head.
"Your friend is right, Deliverer. Focus on the present, not the future. Dwelling on the past doesn't help anyone. We both have a duty to fulfill," Gnaeus said as we walked, and I couldn't help but frown.
"Gnaeus, aren't you worried about what you'll become? You saw in my memories–you turn into a rampaging Titan and hurt everyone in Castrum Kremnos." I challenged him. Even though I couldn't see his face, I saw his hands clench at my words. That his future self abandoned his honor and dignity to become a mindless beast… it must be eating away at him.
"You are correct Kleis I worry about my future actions, but I know why I did what I did. Do protect the people of Castrum Kremnos and all of Amphoreus, I would always make the same choice. If becoming a mindless Titan is my fate, I accept that. My actions protected Amphoreus for hundreds of years. Would do it all again if that means giving Amphoreus the chance for a new dawn," Gnaeus said with conviction.
I thought about Gnaeus's words, and he was right. What did it matter to me if I was Brain, a fragment of a long-buried past? I could think about that later, when the dust settled, and I removed the immediate threats. I had a duty, a burning purpose etched into my very essence. It is my duty to find and defeat the Nightmare that is plaguing the dreams of Castrum Kremnos.
I could continue my journey to save Amphoreus after vanquishing the Nightmare and purging its influence. I would have time to unravel the mysteries of my past life, to understand what it meant to be Brain, what power might slumber within me, and how it connected to my destiny. But that time was not now. Now was the time for action, for courage, for the fight that lay ahead.
I straightened my shoulders and went to find Gnaeus. "Gnaeus, could you tell me more about the Nightmare and how long it's been active?" I asked as we returned to the bridge of Castrum Kremnos.
"For a month now, the people in the city's residential district have been suffering. Whenever they sleep there, nightmares torment them. The city leaders sent for the priest at the Temple of Oronyx, but we've heard nothing back. Could the priest have found nothing amiss? It seems this nightmare is beyond the people of Amphoreus," Gnaeus said with frustration, slamming his hand on the bridge, and causing cracks to spiderweb across it. Before I could respond, shouts erupted, directed at Gnaeus and me.
"Lord Gnaeus!" I heard a Kremnoan soldier shout in a panic. He ran up to us, his eyes widening when he saw me. "Lord Gnaeus, that's the intruder!" The Kremnoan tensed, drawing his spear, but Gnaeus stopped him with a raised hand.
"At ease, soldier. This man and his companion mean no harm; he is the prophesied Deliverer," Gnaeus said. I saw the soldier's eyes widen. "Now, soldier, what is it you need from us?" Gnaeus asked as the soldier straightened up.
"Lord Gnaeus, Lord Deliverer, that has been an outbreak in the residential area. There are monsters we have never seen before." The soldier explained with panic, which caused my eyes to widen.
"Unknown monsters! Do they have a symbol on their bodies?" I asked, and I could see the Kremnoan looked confused by my question. Ugh, how could I explain this?
"Kleis, show your back to the soldier," Chirithy instructed, and I was utterly confused, but I followed his order. I turned around, presenting my back to the Kremnoan. I heard the soldier gasp, and then Chirithy asked, "Sir, do the monsters have a purple symbol like this on their bodies?"
"Yes, they are. They're causing a lot of trouble," the soldier said, then paused. "What are you, a walking doll?" he asked. I turned back around and couldn't help but snort; Chirithy was definitely an odd sight for anyone who didn't know what he was.
"Deliverer, let us go!" Gnaeus said as he started running, and he jumped off the bridge to make his way to the residential area down below. I widened my eyes and ran to the edge of the bridge as I watched Gnaeus drop below.
"How crazy," I said out loud until a smile appeared on my face. I wasn't crazy enough to copy Gnaeus, but I needed to get down quickly. I eyed the chains that connected the bridge to the ground below. Sliding down below the chains with Flowmotion, I could catch up with Gnaeus. Landing on a roof, I could see Gnaeus battling Nightmares, hoping they would join him. We stood back to back.
"It seems like these are just normal Nightmares," I said, looking at our enemies. All around us were run-of-the-mill Nightmares, like Kooma Pandas, Komory Bats, and Meow Wows. I dash forward, Keyblade in hand, cutting one in half with no effort. Huh, these are much easier to defeat than the Black Tide Nightmares I fought before. A Komory Bat screeches in my ear as sound waves hit me. Pointing my Keyblade, I shot a fire that incinerated the Bat.
I turned my head, and I could see Gnaeus fighting the Kooma Pandas as he stabbed one through, causing it to dissipate into nothingness. Focusing on my fight, I kicked off the wall to launch myself into the air with Flowmotion and slammed back down with a shock dive, killing the Meow wows that surrounded me. There were a few Nightmares left in the distance, so I charged up my Keyblade. I hurled it towards the Nightmares. My Keyblade flew towards the Nightmares like a buzz saw as it sliced through the remaining Nightmares.
With my group down, I saw Gnaeus block a blow from a Kooma Panda. Before I could even raise my weapon to assist Gnaeus, I watched in horror as he absorbed the full brunt of the Panda's attack. The impact should have shattered him, but a strange phenomenon unfolded. Suddenly, a vibrant yellow aura enveloped Gnaeus's shield, pulsating with an almost blinding light. A fraction of a second later, the aura unleashed a powerful wave of energy, blasting outwards. The force of the wave was immense, tearing through the Kooma Pandas and their allies positioned behind them. The blast completely obliterated the initial Panda that struck Gnaeus and all the Nightmares caught in its radius, dissolving their forms into nothingness. Residual energy crackled in the air, and the battlefield filled with ozone.
I couldn't help but drop my jaw at the destruction Gnaeus caused with his attack. My body shivered, realizing that Gnaeus was holding back in our fight. "Is that it? The Black Tide is more of a threat." Gnaeus scoffed. I shook my head at Gnaeus's words.
"These should only be the foot soldiers, nothing to write home about. We need to find the boss controlling them. The closer we get to the boss, the stronger they will become." I responded to Gnaeus. He gave me a nod before we heard an explosion and screams echoed through the district. Gnaeus and I shared a look as we dashed to the explosion.
As we arrived, I was stunned by the devastation. Everywhere I looked, I saw broken homes and injured Kremnoans. Nightmares were swarming, far outnumbering the Kremnoans. I exchanged a look with Gnaeus, and we charged into the fight. "Launch me, Gnaeus!" I shouted. He nodded, and I jumped onto his shield. When my feet made contact, they crackled with purple magic. Gnaeus yelled as he launched me towards the horde of Nightmares.
The surge of magic coursed through me as I soared through the air, a comet of light, and slammed down into the heart of the Nightmares with a devastating shock dive. The impact resonated with the force of a collapsing star. As my Keyblade met the cobblestones of the ravaged street, a shockwave erupted, a tangible pulse of pure light that washed over the encroaching darkness. The wave decimated the first wave of Nightmares, dissolving them into wisps of shadow and despair.
Gnaeus, ever the stalwart companion, was not one to be outdone. With a battle cry that echoed through the shattered cityscape, he leaped into the fray, his spear a silver blur. He moved with practiced grace, each thrust and parry a testament to years of training and unwavering courage, and carved a path through the remaining Nightmares. Their shadowy forms crumpled before his relentless assault.
Before I could even shout a word of acknowledgement or praise, the very air seemed to shimmer, and a fresh wave of Nightmares materialized before us, their shadowy forms twisting and writhing, ready to renew their assault. The battle was far from over. I could only click my tongue in annoyance. Pointing my Keyblade at the fresh group of nightmares, I shot a barrage of magic at them.
A blast of fire and ice instantly wiped out the group. As soon as I defeated one wave, another immediately appeared. Gnaeus hurled his spear, aiming for the horde; it pierced through a Nightmare. He held his ground as more spears materialized in his grasp, and they, too, tore through Nightmares. When Gnaeus's attack ended, I saw the Nightmares pinned in place by his spears.
At first I thought Gnaeus was done, but I was wrong. Gnaeus spear glowed, but it exploded in a shower of light. The explosion was massive and echoed through the district, defeating the Nightmares. I frowned because I had a sinking feeling, and it turned out to be correct when more Nightmares appeared. "Just how many of these Nightmares do we have to defeat?" I asked in annoyance.
"It doesn't matter, Kleis; we're not done until the enemy is defeated." Gnaeus declared as he charged towards the Nightmares. I grunted and followed, but we needed help. A sudden thought struck me, and I looked up at Chirithy.
"Chirithy, can you help?" I asked, spotting him on a rooftop. I knew Chirithys were Dream Eaters, which meant they could fight. He gave a nod and then floated down, landing on my shoulder. I felt him take off my hat before settling on my head.
"Of course, Kleis, leave it to me!" Chirithy said, his voice echoing in the desolate landscape. Though I couldn't see Chirithy, I could feel the raw, untamed magic building up within him. It crackled in the air, a palpable energy that made the hairs on my arms stand on end. Then, with a blinding flash of light, streams of pure magic erupted from an unseen source, arcing through the air like vibrant, ethereal whips. They slammed into the encroaching Nightmares. The Nightmares, caught in the unbridled torrent, shattered instantly, dissolving into nothingness. I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows at the sheer awe-inspiring display. The power was unlike anything I had witnessed before. Gnaeus, deeply concentrated on fighting the Nightmares, turned around, his face shifting from grim determination to utter disbelief. He stared at the unseen Chirithy in shock, his jaw slack, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and bewilderment. He seemed utterly incapable of processing the magnitude of the magical feat performed by Chirithy that had just unfolded before him.
"You couldn't do that before, Chirithy?" I asked, awestruck by how easily Chirithy had vanquished all the Nightmares. "And were you always capable of this?" I added, feeling weary.
"Not really, I just drew power from you, Kleis. That was your latent light I drew forth using our connection," Chirithy explained, and I nodded my head as that made sense. But that attack was from me? I really need to access that power if that is the case.
Gnaeus and I stood ready for more Nightmares, but none seemed to appear again. The plaza, once teeming with shadowy creatures, was now eerily silent. "It seems the horde has backed off. Where are we to go now?" Gnaeus asked, his brow furrowed in concern. I frowned as I honestly didn't know; this wasn't a game that would give me directions. My heart pounded in my chest. I let my Keyblade disappear, the familiar weight vanishing from my grip. Reaching up, I gently touched Chirithy, perched atop my head. "Chirithy, can you sense where we need to go?" I asked; Chirithy hopped out of my hands and dropped to the ground, his grey fur shimmering in the fading light.
Chirithy paced slowly across the cobblestone plaza, his tiny paws clicking softly against the stone. I watched as Chirithy seemed to wander in thought, his small hands held up as if trying to grasp an invisible map. Gnaeus and I stood patiently, our eyes glued to Chirithy, wondering what he was sensing. If this were a less tense situation, I would have burst out laughing at Chirithy's comical actions.
"Kleis, Gnaeus, I can sense negative emotions building up in that direction," Chirithy said, pointing east. I shared a nod with Gnaeus as I scooped up Chirithy as we ran east. Gnaeus and I ran east, encountering Nightmares in our path. We slaughtered Nightmares as we ran, not stopping for a moment. Along the way, I could see that Kremnoan soldiers had arrived, fighting the Nightmares. Fortunately, the soldiers could defeat normal Nightmares.
As I followed Chirithy's directions, Gnaeus, and I arrived at a large training yard. "Gnaeus, where are we?" I asked, looking around. This place never appeared in the game, so I was a little confused. The training yard resembled a typical military training ground.
"This place is where my fellow Kremnoans and I train for the future. It was here that I met my fellow warriors, hoping that one day we would defeat the Black Tide. But now I feel foolish. After all we did, we were all played by Lygus — just fuel for an uncaring God (Nanook)." Gnaeus said, rage concealed in his voice. I frowned, putting my hand on Gnaeus's shoulder.
"I understand, Gnaeus. Our situations might be different, but I know how you feel... Though I don't remember my past life clearly, I went through something similar," I said, sensing the question in Gnaeus's gaze. "All worlds were united in a different era long ago. My past self trusted his masters, only to discover it was all a deception. The circumstances may vary, but I understand how it feels to be used," I answered Gnaeus's unspoken question.
Though I couldn't see Gnaeus face, I could feel he was thankful. "Thank you, my friend. Now let us find the Nightmare and end this farce." Gnaeus said as we searched the training ground. The air around the training ground was thick with anticipation. The usual sounds of clashing steel and shouted commands were absent. Only the soft rustle of leaves in the nearby trees broke the silence as we made our way through the familiar paths. We passed by sparring rings, obstacle courses, and weapon racks, each a testament to the countless hours spent honing skills within these walls.
When we entered the center, large pillars erupted from the ground, trapping us in. The earth trembled violently, throwing up clouds of dust and debris. I noticed each pillar was in the shape of a sword, its edges gleaming ominously in the dim light filtering through the gaps in the ceiling. The pillars seemed to pulse with a dark energy, amplifying the growing sense of dread that had been building since we entered the training ground. In front of us was a large orb of darkness that congregated before us. The orb pulsed with malice, growing larger by the second. Tendrils of shadow snaked out from its surface, reaching towards us like grasping claws. The very air around it crackled with an unnatural energy, making my skin crawl. Gnaeus and I shared a look before we both summoned our weapons. I gripped the familiar hilt of my ancestral blade, the cool steel a comfort in the face of the encroaching darkness. Gnaeus's own weapon materialized, a shimmering staff crackling with arcane power, his face set with grim determination. The battle was upon us.
The orb burst forth, sending waves of Darkness pushing Gnaeus and me back. I could feel Chirithy holding onto my shoulder, trying not to fall off. I watched as the wave of Darkness stopped, and before us was a massive Nightmare. My Heart froze at the familiar shape, a shape that I would never forget. Standing tall, shrouded in Darkness was Nikador, the future version of Gnaeus. I looked at Gnaeus and I could see him frozen in shock. Nikador may have looked different, but it is no doubt it is him.
Dyed in the color of a Nightmare, Nikador looked somehow more twisted than ever. Its weapon was a twisted amalgamation of the Black Tide and a Nightmare, a horrifying fusion of corrupted metal and ethereal shadow. The weapon pulsed with a sickly purple light, hinting at the raw power it contained. Its form was now clad in jagged edges that I could see would hurt if Nikador rammed into us, a jagged, offensive armor that screamed of aggressive intent. It even appeared to have a shield on its side, a dark, obsidian-like structure that seemed to absorb the ambient light, promising formidable protection. Now that I've seen Gnaeus weapons, I could recognize that Nikador held larger, more brutal versions of his weapons, suggesting a terrifying amplification of power. The sheer size and warped design of the Nikador made me shudder. The monstrosity that appeared before us was nothing like the Nikador, the future Chrysos heirs and Trailblazers would face.
"Gnaeus, are you ready?" I asked, pulling him from his thoughts. "Didn't you tell me not to worry about the past or future? We have a duty, and that's fighting the Nightmare plaguing Castrum Kremnos," I said, earning a snort from him. I watched his shoulders shake with laughter.
"Haha, you're right, Deliverer. Why am I even worrying about this Nightmare? Who cares what I might look like in the future? If my life can Trailblaze the way for a new dawn for Amphoreus, then so be it." Gnaeus said, turning to look at the Nightmare Nikador before removing his helmet. With Gnaeus's helmet off, I could see he looked a lot like Leonidas. "Listen here, monster that lies deep within my heart, I can't fully understand why we ended up like this. But what I understand is that you've hurt the people of Castrum Kremnos, our people. That means even if you are me, you are my enemy." Gnaeus proclaimed as a yellow energy enveloped him.
The symbol of the Coreflame of Strife appeared behind Gnaeus as red tattoos appeared on his body. "Come, Deliverer, it's time to put the monster to rest!" Gnaeus said to me, and I smiled at Gnaeus's newfound resolve. Together, Gnaeus and I ran to Nightmare, weapons in hand. The Nightmare gave a roar, sending shockwaves everywhere.
Gnaeus rushed in front of me with his shield raised. I could see a familiar yellow aura block the shockwaves as he pushed through. I pressed my hand to Gnaeus' back and suddenly felt my body filled with an unknown instinct. Channeling magic into my hand, I launched myself over Gnaeus, slamming my Keyblade over Nikador's head, landing on his head.
Gnaeus followed up with a spear that pierced Nikador, causing it to screech it rage. Nikador's back pulsed with energy, knocking me off, and Nikador's spear knocked Gnaeus away. Nikador slammed his spear into the ground, which sent Darkness to the ground. I grimaced, seeing Nikador summoning Black Tide Nightmares. "Insignificant bugs!" Gnaeus roared as he slammed his shield into the ground, causing Pillars of earth to shoot up, piercing the Nightmares. I eyed the pillars and dashed towards them, swinging between the pillars with Flowmotion.
I swung onto the top of the pillar as I let Chirithy off my shoulder. "Chirithy, I'll count on you to attack Nikador with magic." I said to Chirithy, who nodded, and who charged himself with magic. Launching myself at Nikador, Chirithy cast countless different spells at Nikador. I watched as the water hit Nikador, making me widen my eyes.
"Kleis lighting!" Chirithy yelled, and I followed Chirithy's order and cast a lighting spell at Nikador. Nikador's body shook as sparks coursed through its body. Gnaeus, using a pillar as a launchpad, flew as he pierced Nikador through its shoulder with his spear.
Nikador let out a roar of pain as it grabbed Gnaeus and slammed him to the ground into a pool of Darkness. "Gnaeus!" I yelled in panic as I tried to make my way to him. But Nikador slashed at me with his spear, causing me to jump back. I jumped between the stone pillars to make my way to Nikador to free Gnaeus. A roar echoed under Nikador's hand as a pillar of yellow energy made its way into the sky. Gnaeus, surrounded by a yellow aura, rose out of the pool of Darkness, lifting Nikador's hand. I could see Gnaeus' veins pulsing with raw, untamed energy as he picked up Nikador, throwing him away with brutal force. Nikador's body flew and hit the military barracks with devastating power, collapsing the building in a cloud of dust and debris. I thought for a heart-stopping moment that the fight had ended before the terrifying, ominous purple light ripped open the sky. All around Castrum Kremnos, the once familiar landscape was plunged into an oppressive darkness, infused with the same unsettling purple hue. I ran towards Gnaeus, my senses screaming a warning, cautious of whatever monstrous plan Nikador had concocted.
Nikador, defying the laws of physics, jumped impossibly high into the air, a silhouette against the purplish sky as he threw his spear skyward. I watched, breath held, as the spear transformed, shimmering and growing, until it became the Blade of Fury. Nikador grasped the hilt of the weapon, its already immense size swelling further until it dwarfed even the tallest skyscrapers, an impossibly large blade hanging in the air. The Blade of Fury was then engulfed in the same swirling, ominous purple aura that had permeated the sky, crackling with untold power. Gnaeus and I exchanged a look, a silent understanding passing between us. That blade, massive and terrifying, was clearly meant to devastate the ground, to cleave the very earth.
Nikador let out a primal roar, a sound that echoed across the shattered landscape, and slammed the Blade of Fury downwards. The world seemed to hold its breath. In response, Gnaeus slammed his foot into the ground, a tremor running through the earth. A colossal pillar of earth erupted from the ground, lifting the two of us towards the descending blade.
Gnaeus lifted his shield up which intention of blocking the blow. I could feel myself strengthen as Gnaeus surrounded the piece of earth and us with his aura. I placed my hand on Gnaeus's back, channeling my light into Gnaeus' body. All around us, the yellow aura transformed into a bright light. Nikador's blade and Gnaeus's shield.
When sword and shield made contact, there was a massive explosion of Light and Darkness mine, as each force fought for dominance. Gnaeus and I clenched our teeth as we slowly being pushed back. "I do not care what my future holds, but I will not stop. Coreflame of mine, you might be a force made by The Ruin Author (Nanook) but you are now mine. Now that I know what you are, you're not a power filled with Destruction (Nanook) but with countless past demigods all fighting for their ideal future. For far too long has Destruction (Nanook) plagued Amphoreus!" Gnaeus yelled, my eyes widening as the Coreflame of Strife appeared before us, filled with unknown power. "Deliverer, show this twisted version of myself that serves Destruction (Nanook), Amphoreus's Vengeance!" Gnaeus bellowed.
I gritted my teeth as I reached for the Coreflame in front of me. My fingertips touched the Coreflame burning when they made contact. I grunted in pain as I grabbed the Coreflame. I could feel the power of Destruction trying to destroy me. "Irontomb, you made a fatal mistake!" I said, gritting my teeth as the power of the Coreflame tried to destroy me, "You did too good a job to simulate the paths."
I pointed my Keyblade at the Coreflame and a Keyhole appeared on it. As my Keyblade sank into the Coreflame and channeled my light into the Coreflame. I had thought long and hard about how I could gather the attention of one of Them (Aeons). That was when the thought occurred to me.
The Scepter was one giant Simulated Universe with the way it calculated what the first cause of life is. With how the Scepter was like the Simulated Universe, it could attract Them (Aeons). I knew it would work with how the gaze of Destruction (Nanook) was first received, that meant it could work with any of the Aeons.
The Scepter currently blocks outside interference; however, a signal could be sent from the inside. The Coreflames had a direct link to Scepter δ-me13. With that thought in mind, I tried to open a link to the Scepter. Energy burst forth from the Coreflame as I opened a link to the Scepter. I wanted to see how Nanook felt when his plans got disrupted.
I yelled in pain as my Keyblade sank into the Coreflame. Gritting my teeth, I struggled to turn my Keyblade when I felt Gnaeus grab my Keyblade as he helped me twist the Blade. Chirithy paw handed on my hand as the power of Light filled me.
"You're right, Gnaeus. Just because this Coreflame was bathed in the Golden Blood doesn't mean it still belongs to the Destruction (Nanook)," I said, my hand still burning. "Gnaeus, channel everything into the Coreflame—channel the past rage, ambition, and your vengeance. Not just you, but every demigod of strife before you."
Gnaeus removed his hand from my Keyblade and grasped the Coreflame along with me. Although I couldn't read his mind, I could sense Gnaeus pouring his heart into the Coreflame. I watched as Gnaeus clenched the Coreflame, letting out a roar that came from the depths of his being.
"Deliverer, now is the time! Show this creature of Destruction what path this Coreflame truly belongs to!" Gnaeus roared. I grinned as I felt my Keyblade turn with ease inside the Coreflame; any resistance I previously felt was now gone.
I glared at Nikador, seething with anger, seeing him as just one of the many issues plaguing Amphoreus. "Nikador, this Coreflame is no longer a tool of Destruction! It is now part of the endless HUNT!" I roared, my Keyblade clicking as I turned it. The Coreflame pulsed with energy, then unleashed a colossal beam of light that shot skyward, piercing the heavens and continuing its path until it collided with them.
The sky fractured as data appeared throughout it. I grinned, just because this was a dream meant nothing to the Reignbow Arbiter (Lan). After all, this was the archer whose arrows could affect cause and effect. In my mind's eye, a figure appeared, showing my bargain had paid off.
My eyes widened as I saw a new symbol appear on the Coreflame. It was an ARROW. "Gnaeus, it's your turn!" I yelled, and Gnaeus nodded.
Gnaeus squeezed the Coreflame as his eyes widen feeling the power. "Hahaha so that's the Power Mydeimos felt in the future!" Gnaeus let out a loud laugh, his eyes narrowing at Nikador, "Servant of Destruction (Nanook) let it be known that past and future Demigods of Strife shall follow the HUNT! (Lan)" Gnaeus proclaimed.
Gnaeus let out a roar as the power of Nikador was pushed back further and further. The tension in the air was palpable, with the very ground trembling beneath our feet. With unwavering determination, I placed my Keyblade over Gnaeus's shield, focusing all the remaining energy into one decisive strike. Light gathered at the edge of the Keyblade, shimmering and intensifying with every passing second.
Suddenly, a brilliant beam of light fused seamlessly with Gnaeus's powerful attack. Together, we shouted in unison, our combined power surging forward as the beam pierced through Nikador's defenses. The radiant light streaked upward, cutting through the darkened sky like a spear.
As the beam ascended, countless streams of data codes materialized in the sky, swirling and attempting to obstruct our assault. These codes twisted and writhed, desperate to halt the devastating light. Yet, the beam of light and the relentless force of the Hunt shattered through the digital barriers with unstoppable momentum.
Nikador was engulfed in the blinding light, his form dissolving and disappearing as the energy consumed him entirely. In the aftermath, only a shattered sky remained, fractured and silent. Beyond the ruins, the stars of the Cosmos twinkled peacefully, a serene reminder of the balance restored.
"So that's what the starry sky looks like. It is beautiful, Deliverer." Gnaeus said, his voice hushed with reverence as he gazed upwards. The sky, a canvas of endless black pricked with a million glittering pinpricks of light, was a sight none of the Kremnoans had ever witnessed, trapped as they had been in the Scepter. From the hidden warrens and makeshift shelters where they had huddled in fear, the Kremnoans emerged, drawn by the sudden shift in the world, the absence of the oppressive gloom. They crept out, their forms shadowy against the dim light filtering from the distant stars, and looked upon the sky in awe.
"Kleis, do you see the people?" Chirithy's voice, a soft whisper in the sudden quiet, broke the spell of the celestial display. I turned my gaze from the heavens and understood what he meant. All around us, with faces upturned, bathed in the ethereal glow of starlight, were the Kremnoans, their expressions mirroring the wonder that filled my heart. Children, their eyes wide with pure, untainted awe, pointed and gasped at the trails of light that streaked across the cosmos. Mothers and fathers, their faces etched with the lines of hardship and worry, were now softened by the radiant light, their expressions brimming with a joy that had been absent for so long—the joy of freedom, of the knowledge that Nikador was gone.
"Partner, this is what it means to be a Keyblade wielder — to bring happiness to the people of all worlds, the best we can." Chirithy said, his voice resonating with quiet pride. He climbed onto my shoulder, his small form a comforting weight, and with a familiar gesture placed my hat back on my head.
"I understand, partner," I said, my voice thick with emotion, the words catching in my throat. "For the first time in this life, I really understand."
We stood side-by-side, the Keyblade wielder and his Chirithy, amidst a sea of awestruck Kremnoans. Together, we all looked to the starry sky, and as we watched, the stars, like silent whispers of hope, continued to fly across the cosmos, each a promise of a brighter tomorrow.
Chapter 5: Nightmare End.
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Author's Note: Sorry for the wait. I had to research some information, so I held back the chapter to add things. I hope you enjoyed the Chapter. Warning, my computer was acting up, misplacing words after spell check. Let me know if you spot any. I think I got them all. The aftermath of the fight will come after the chapter and the consequences of Kleis stabbing the Coreflame.
Support Me on: https://www.patreon.com/cw/SchweinHinoKami if you want more and can't wait.
May your heart be your Guiding Key.