Video Game: Kingdom Hearts SOS: The Road To Light

"Well, if you're looking to take hits," the boy made a small guarding motion as he called out his keyblade to show it. "Then you gotta just work on blocking better. You know those weird sets of powers we can use from time to time, like when you suddenly just start wielding two keyblades or start firing energy bolts out of your keyblade? Well, with the power I'm currently using, I feel way more sturdy then I ever have. Heck, it's close to feeling pretty invincible. But well, blitzing something down is always fun too." He pointed towards the ship wreckage. "Reminds me of the first fight I was ever in. Just kind of kept tossing suns at a witch until she went down. And now this time - well, maybe we are reaching that point."

19/31

 

"...tossed suns?" There was a lot to unpack from what he just said but it was that particular thing that threw her off for a second before she rubbed her head and said, "I just wanna work on it because I uh... decided that I wanted others to be my shield since I knew others had my back... but I wanna at least be able to survive if I end up on my own..." Kaida thought for a moment before saying, "You seem to get in some exciting fights. What's the weirdest fight you've been in? Mine was probably that one we had with Mizrabel... but that last uh, heartless battle had some really odd moments in it too."

20/31

 

Stratos thought about it for a moment. "Where do I start? I feel like I've been in some pretty weird fights. The Mizrabel one was definitely bizarre, my first ever time I got to stay in a chest. But even my first fight, it was against a witch named Mim. First, we couldn't really use our keyblades and she just kind of turned into a rhino and then a dragon. But even then, right after that was the thing at Central Haven. There was like a thousand heartless, there were some really weird heartless. Heck, there was even this one that ate other heartless." The young boy shook his head as he reminisced about how bizarre some of his earlier fights had been, before saying, "I don't take it the order preps you for this kind of stuff, does it?"

20/31

 

Kaida listened to his tales with fascination, especially over the idea of them having to fight a dragon and a rhino without keyblades. And the heartless that are another heartless. When he asked her about the order she shook her head and said, "Not really, no. Most of the teaching at Central Haven was catered towards helping maintain word order and keeping an eye on the princesses of heart. Sure we had a lot of history related topics and discussions about heartless and nobody types, but we never had a point where they talked specifically about what all the possibilities would be when we went to a world." Kaida looked a little embarrassed as she admitted, "If it were that interesting I probably would have learned a lot more. Instead I can answer really random history facts. Especially about the time of the Thirteen Xehanorts. I... I don't even like to think about it, it's way too confusing. Even my master who was there didn't fully comprehend everything, said something about the whole thing being nuts."

21/31

 

Stratos looked curiously at his keyblade, not really having thought about all the history in all the worlds the strange weapons probably had. "Well, at the end I guess the field is the best teacher after all." Looking back to Kaida he continued. "But, I'd be curious to hear about any history trivia you got." Pausing slightly before saying, "probably, less confusing ones than that, but I don't think I've ever really known much about the past of my own world, let alone other ones. So it'd be cool to hear about it."

21/31

 

Boats were distracting, but Ananta couldn't help but notice Steel speak up. She turned around and saw he had joined the party once more. He spoke of how promises were important. She nodded along, agreeing with him. Though her face wasn't smiling, she was trying to listen to the current conversation, not sure how to react. Kaida's words got her to tilt her head. Imagining Aux getting cheesy was kind of hard, after all. But making promises was something Ananta had been doing for a long time. Her oldest promise with this group was with Steel. When she first saw what he had hidden beneath his mask and scarf so long ago, she promised to keep that a secret. She kept that promise until events made his reveal and she was relieved of keeping that one.

Steel covered his scarred eye and Ananta looked a little sad. She saw his other eye had changed color and that reminded her that Steel was a mystery. So many things going on with him, but she could tell he wasn't just going to talk it all out. The others talked about the way Steel was and Ananta sighed to herself.

She stayed silent for the rest of the conversation before speaking up. "I noticed the eye thing once." she commented. She looked to Steel while listening to Stratos and Kaida talk about things. Though Kaida did have some odd stories or history facts she said she could talk about.

"History of other worlds..." Ananta spoke out loud. "I'm curious too, my grandmother said she would teach me more about the other worlds, but well...you know." she shrugged. "I"m still a child according to my world. So I guess she figured I was too young..."

Ananta looked to Steel and gave him a smile. "Aren't you kind of glad I kept that promise?" she said. "I mean, the one about not mentioning what you had going on under your mask and scarf long ago. If you ask me, I think I like this version of you better. You're courteous and caring...well, you seem to be caring at least." she chuckled. "Though you do tend to keep a lot of things inside. I...I admit I want to learn more about you, Steel. So, well, that is uh...." she stammered, not sure how to put it. "if you want to, that is...um....maybe you could talk with me or us or...anyone more about your problems? I'm not good at all with talking, but I'd like to think I can listen well." she said, rubbing her arm. "You're the very first friend I made in this group, so...I want to be a friend you can depend on. Just like I depend on you." She remembered back when she was with them in Castle of Dreams. She remembered Steel helping her with the Unversed and...she was sad she didn't really talk much back then. "Oh my gosh, remember when I threw a rock at Vanitas? And when you always uh....ate....weird...orbs...??" she laughed. Thinking back to when she first joined the group, Steel really was her oldest friend from the group. They had their odd moments at the beginning, sure, but she was still his friend.

Not sure where she was going with the topic, but Ananta hoped she didn't royally screw things up again. She noticed she had a tendency to do that.

(19/31)​

 

When asked about her telling some history, Kaida almost wanted to sigh since she said that was her personal least favorite section of the bunch when taught, but since the two of them at the very least seemed curious about the subject, she looked between the group and shrugged, "Alright uh, what kind of history would you like to know about specifically? There's a lot when the topic is just other worlds or something broad like that." she tried to think of an example topic to delve into but she couldn't think of any topics besides super specific things, so she tried to think of one thing and shrugged and said, "Uh... hm... fun fact? Gummi ships are only able to be used when the natural barriers that protect worlds are broken. It's not exactly safe for the world when that happens which is why the lanes between is usually the primary way a keyblade wielder would travel between world. Though, if you're desperate enough and don't want to, you know, break the world's natural barrier, you can use gates and still use gummi ships. I just... don't really know how they work to be honest." she stopped and looked around and said, "That was... much less a fun fact and more just a rambling of three different facts... probably unclear too."

22/31

 

Stratos didn't know who Vanitas was, but they must've been some kind of powerful or threatening giving how Ananta was laughing about the situation. He couldn't help but chuckle himself, but then let the girl speak to Steel unimpeded, as Kaida spoke up in response to being requested to give history trivia. Of course, he had no idea what it was that she was talking about - both in regards to what a Gummi ship was and what a world's natural barrier was. All the same, he seemed interested and rather than stating his confusion merely asked, "so, what's the difference between using the lanes between and a worlds...natural barrier? Like, there are other ways to get to worlds besides keygliders and boats?"

22/31

 

"Okay so uh... you know how every world has a heart... right? Well, if you don't uh, every world has it's own heart. And each world's heart naturally protects itself from anything foreign. When a barrier is broken, that's when outsiders, darkness, and heartless are more easily able to get into the world." Kaida paused to give a moment for him to process that before she continued, "When you use a ship, you usually cannot travel to other worlds, the world will not allow it and it'll probably destroy your ship while you're at it. The lanes between are like... smaller routes that a keyblade wielder can make to allow themselves an entry point without causing harm to the world's barrier. Usually only a keyblade master can grant access to those paths and it's sort of a trade secret. The lanes are more dangerous technically because of the darkness and that's why we wear armor." when he mentioned other ways to get there she said, "There... are other ways to get to a world, but they're a lot harder to do? I don't really know how reliable boats are myself. But another way I suppose are portals. I... have no idea understanding of that one though."

23/31

 

Stratos thought about what Kaida was saying as she spoke, trying to process what it was he was being told. "Alright so worlds have hearts and traveling via a ship is normally a bad idea. Got it. And I guess we've just been really lucky with how we've been getting from world to world so far. I don't really get most of what we've been doing, on a technical level at least, either." The boy then scratched his chin, looking at each and every one of the people that were here. Looking back to Kaida, confused he said, "wait, armor? I don't think any of us have ever worn armor before, let alone when going from world to world....is that a bad thing?"

23/31

 

When Stratos said they weren't using armor, Kaida was quiet for a moment before she blinked and said, "Wait... what?" she paused for a minute to process it before saying in shock, "What?! You guys haven't been using armor?" she looked at him and the rest of them concerned and asked, "H-how? The strength of darkness in the paths between makes it so it could literally tear someone apart... how... hm..." Kaida looked around while she was in thought before saying, "Maybe it has something to do with the timelines merging together. Perhaps because of that it's not affecting us in nearly the same way it should be. I'm pretty sure our keyblades were the primary reason we were so protected in the realm of darkness, so maybe something involving that? It's so strange though." Kaida looked back over at Stratos and said, "Seiza and I were almost killed for having our gummi ship break down in between worlds, the darkness was leeching in at an incredible rate and we only got out of it in what honestly has to be considered a miracle. The fact that you guys could just travel in that way puzzles me completely... wait... you guys were the one's that had Master Yen Sid sending you places before, right? Maybe he used some magic on you guys to protect you. That might be the better explanation." Kaida shifted her jacket to open it up a bit to show her keyblade armor activator that was strapped to the shoulder of her shirt and she sighed, "I usually have armor myself but, it got broken when we transitioned from the realm of light to the realm of darkness. But since we can't travel through the lanes right now with the keyglider method because of the lockdown, I hadn't honestly considered armor protection."

24/31

 

Ananta listened to Kaida explain the worlds and their hearts and their barriers. Eventually, Stratos brought up armor and Ananta tilted her head. Kaida seemed surprised and Ananta started off with a, "Uuuhhhh...." raising her hand. "I've always used my armor? I've had it since I left my homeworld. But it comes when I jump onto my glider...so...um...it's automatic?" She shrugged and looked at Kaida. "I can't speak for the rest, sadly. But I know I've worn my armor."

(20/31)​

 

Stratos didn't realize the severity of what he had said until Kaida began to bore it into him just how dangerous what they had been doing was. He had never really felt some kind of dark pressure trying to over take him or anything nor did he ever feel the lanes were exceptionally dangerous. All the same, it had appeared that traveling wtihout armor, or any form of protection for that matter, had been a very foolhardy thing to do and it was likely due to Yen Sid that he at least was still fine. He looked to Ananta as she made her comment, and shrugged saying, "well, mine hasn't so I'm not sure if that's like, a difference in keyblade or what. But, I guess I should be glad that we can't travel with our gliders right now." The boy then realized something saying, "so, are the world's natural barriers down now, because even if we get a ship from Jumba, won't we just be...you know, if they're still up?"

24/31

 

"If there are heartless on the world, it is a safe conclusion to believe that the barrier is broken... we have not seen any heartless, so I don't actually know." Kaida looked up at the sky and said, "I have an itch that they may already be broken anyway due to the timeline mess going on anyway. But uh... it's easier to leave a world than it is to get into one. So we might get lucky. I don't like completely relying on luck but it's all I've got to go on." she bit her lip for a moment and shrugged, "Or maybe even the fact that Jumba and Pleakley are even on this world is evidence of a break. That's all the evidence I can bring to the table."

25/31

 

"I don't know about you guys, but I think they're a natural part of this world...not some out of world thing." Ananta commented. "And the worlds have been like this for awhile...I swear I've seen heartless before this, but I may be wrong." she shrugged. "Oh and uh...I haven't had my armor since the realm of darkness, so don't expect me to magically make it appear either. I guess my journey through that place after that scientist trapped me in a cage had some effects on me." She crossed her arms.

(21/31)​

 

Stratos shrugged saying, "well, I probably would've just launched us out into space without knowing it anyway, so any assurance is better than what we had before." Stratos scratched his head as Ananta made her comment saying, "well, I don't know how large the bubble that is this world is, but, I suppose if the heartless are everywhere else in the universe they probably could come here too. Besides, we just locked the keyhole here, so like they might've had the option before? Come to think of it, I know we go around locking them willy nilly, but I'm not actually sure what that's done."

25/31

 

Luna listened intently as Aislinn as she spoke of her troubles. She was quite worried for the lives of her families. The girl placed a hand on her back as she tried to console her. Aislinn had felt a bit guilty for comparing her problems to Luna's. The girl shook her head as she looked at Aislinn. "You have every right to feel like that. Don't worry about my problems and the scales of it. Don't ever think your problems are lesser than others. Your problems are just as important as anyone else's." She rubbed her back as she spoke, briefly pausing before continuing. "I can understand the feeling you're currently experiencing right now. The thought of the worst happening to your family and friends, lost in the dark as to if they're alive or if they have passed. I understand that. But don't feel like you have to bottle up all those emotions. Have faith." Kel had then spoke up, offering his own advice. "With us being so far away from our homes, hoping for the best is really all we're left with. If everything goes well then your home should be fine." Luna nodded her head before following up. "Have faith in them. You're the only one who knows your family the best. So believe in them to be able to defend themselves. I have nothing but faith and hope that my brother is out there somewhere among these distant worlds....fighting to keep our people safe...keep our family safe as well as himself." Luna smiled as she held her charm bracelet. She looked at it, smiling fondly at it. Aislinn had then suggested that the trio should get some rest. Kel had agreed with the idea. "You guys go on ahead. I'll be heading to bed in a little bit." She smiled as she waved the two 'Good Night'. She looked into the fire and reflected over the events leading up to this present moment.

She looked at her ring on her left ring finger. "Have faith....Though there's this strange feeling....As if you're facing a new trial....Koa.....Please stay safe...." She brought the ring up to her mouth with the other holding it. "That goes for you too Aki....." Luna then stood up and walked to her tent to sleep for the night.

August Attendance: 21/31

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Ananta looked at Stratos and was a little confused how he didn't know about the keyholes. "Well, locking them is a way of sealing the heart of the worlds for awhile. They won't get unlocked unless somebody with a strong darkness comes along and tries to unlock it...I think. Either way, locking it is only a bandaid." Ananta started. "There's no sure-fire way of knowing how long it takes, but I know from experience, it's not permanent."

(22/31)​

 

"Locking keyholes? That helps protect the heart of the world from being consumed by heartless. If the world's heart is consumed, well, the world is destroyed. So us locking those keyholes is a form of protection and a really good thing." Kaida clarified for Stratos and reassured, "If there's one thing we should definitely keep doing cause it's a good thing, it's keep locking those keyholes. Also it's not really a 'for a while' type deal, if you lock a keyhole it should never be opened again." The blonde rubbed the back of her head and sighed, "I wasn't exactly able to ask anyone what the best way of travelling would have been, so what I'm hoping is that if we get a ship that we can leave the world with no problems and hopefully get to a place where we can meet everyone else."

26/31