Kingdom Hearts: SfE Part 2 - The Final Keyhole and the Mark of Mastery

"Our island..."Sora looked at the burning mainland, frowning. "I can't believe they would do this.."Riku frowned. "Aw, don't worry! We can all fix it up together!"Selphie grinned. "Yeah, make it good as new."Irvine smiled. "But it'll have to wait until the islands are at peace again..."Valerie sighed.

 

"And to do that, we have to stop Gexln and... that Heartless," Jeffrey said. He didn't want to call it by Eden's name. It wasn't their friend, just a Heartless hiding her heart.

 

"We need a plan if we're going to destroy that heartless and bring Eden back..."Riku said. "I thought you wanted to SLAY the heartless?"Valerie huffed. "why would we? That'd be an even bigger bother!"Sora huffed. Night was starting to fall, the sun making a slow descent. "Well, we might as well rest up before taking on the giant bird."Irvine said. "Anyone want to help make camp?"Selphie asked.

 

"It is getting dark, they'll be wanting to sleep soon. How do you think they'd react to a little...wake up call?" Gexln asked.

 

"If we do make camp we'll have to have a look out...You know, in case they try to attack while we're sleeping."Riku said. "Ooh! Ohh! I'll do it!" "Me too, me too!"Valerie and Selphie waved their arms about. Sora couldn't help but chuckle. "alright, settle down." Irvine was going off with a group to gather supplies for the camping.

 

Valdis nodded. "Yes, Master. You are very right, as always." She looked at the night, noticing there was no moon. It was dark, clouds blocking away the moon and stars. She relished in it, preening her plumage. "Would Master like to rest before an attack?"

 

Gexln stood up. "Master's had enough rest for now. But i'll wait for you to rest" he stated.

 

Valdis nodded, curling around Gexln in a protective circle. The fight before took away some power, but the darkness would allow some healing to follow. She had fluffed up her feathers for Gexln to lie down in utmost comfort.

 

Gexln raised an eyebrow. "Kay?" he said, clearly confused. He cautiously laid down for a moment.

 

With everyone working together the campsite looked pretty decent. The campfire was burning and people had gathered fish and fruits for everyone. Valerie was away from everyone else, on the island where the big paopu tree was. She took a look at the star shaped fruit with a sad smile. Sora and Riku were with everyone on the campsite. Sora was sharing stories of his adventures, Riku adding a few details here and there. Selphie was listening with extreme interest. Irvine however, was keeping lookout. Rikus mother was tending to the silverettes back.

Valerie looked to Sora and Riku, glad that they were happy. But she missed her family and other friends back home.. or rather what few friends she had at home.

 

Jeffrey stood next the door near the bridge to the paopu tree island. He noticed Valerie was on the island across the bridge and walked over there. "Hey." He sat down on the paopu tree and looked up the sky. "Isn't it great out here? You can see all of the stars." He frowned. "No moon, though..."

 

"Yeah, it's great..."Valerie sighed, climbing onto the paopu tree to sit. "Everyones having a good time... even Riku seems to be in a great mood..."her gaze drifted to the star shaped fruit. She grabbed one, plucking it from the tree. "You know, these are bigger than I thought they would be."she joked, looking at the paopu.

 

Gexln sat up. Scanning the horizon, he saw two small figures, off in the distance on a small island. He nudged Valdis with his elbow quietly. "If there's ever a time to strike, it's now" he said, standing up and grabbing Darkness' Sorrow.

 

"Yep," Jeffrey replied, looking at the fruit. "I wonder what it tastes like - sweet?" he joked. Privately, he was glad it was night, so the darkness could hide his flushed cheeks.

 

Valdis stretched herself to half her normal height. "Would Master like to ride upon me and have an aerial advantage? Or would you rather surprise them through the dark corridors?" Her wings outstretched, she could quickly attack after hefting herself into the air with 5 powerful strokes.

 

Gexln thought for a moment. "A little of both, i should think. I'll take the dark corridors, launch an attack on the two over there" he said, pointing at Valerie and Jeffrey, "and then you can either strike those two while they're distracted, or attack the larger party. It's your choice. Either way, i can't waste any more time" he said. He opened a dark corridor, then paused. "See you on the other side" he said, then laughed quietly. Not that Nobodies have another side he thought as he stepped through the dark corridor, emerging in the shallow water next to the island soundlessly. He climbed up the ladder and, using a state of extreme focus, he melded into the ground just as a shadow would, unseen in the near-pitch-black of the night, as he slowly approached Valerie and Jeff.

 

"Who knows..."Valerie paused, her cheeks sparking red. "Something's up..."she said. "Maybe we should tell them to get closer to the group..."Irvine looked over to the two at the paopu tree. "aww, and ruin their moment?"Selphie giggled. Riku sighed, going to get the two in case of an attack, oblivious that the attack had already started.

 

Jeffrey stood up and put one hand on his katana. "I wonder what's the problem..." He searched the skies. "I don't see the Heartless anyway..."

 

"I dunno... But I can't help but feel like we're in danger..."Valerie looked over the island to the ground. "Think we could make that jump?"she asked. "Oi! Get down before the heartless shows up!"Riku yelled, below the bridge. "How?"Valerie asked. "Just jump into the water and swim!"Riku said.

 

Valdis ran into the air, using 5 powerful strokes, breaking the cloud layer. Hanging on an air current, she quickly banked towards the smaller island of the play area, targeting Valerie and Jeffery.