Master of All (Apprentice, Open)

[mrx]

The Door to Darkness called to him.

Xehanort’s eyes swept every line, every curve, every blessed inch of the door beyond him. He had wandered through the shadows, feeling their vast expanse against his brow. Despite the nominal changes he saw in the worlds, there are always constants. Darkness and Light, two opposites and similarities, elements that mix with and repel each other, they both co-exist behind his monument of a door. It was a disparate equation, as old as time itself. No matter how much the worlds are torn or renewed, no matter what kind of calamity or peace befalls them, Light and Darkness will limp on, the same as ever.

During long passages of time punctuated by boredom, Xehanort found his mind straying towards the state of the worlds and all they have thrown against him. These worlds were populated by fools whose heads are stuffed with antiquated morals and rules holding them back. What fools they were when he finally revealed his true colors. Xehanort smiled amidst the gloom at the memory. Their faces once filled with hope and respect, slowly morphed into shock and abject fear at the sight of him. Oh, if only he could relive that moment again.

Rules and morality, all this obstacles people throw in front of themselves, such a waste of time! Xehanort saw people with so much potential, so much they could accomplish, shackled by such petty concerns. People could do so much if only they let go of their consciences and do what their heart commands them to do. Instead, they hide away all that power with their misguided views on “evil” and “purity.” They deny the truth and let their hearts be swarmed by misconception and stupidity. Despite their potential, they deserved the death that life will inevitably deal them.

Why do you think he, the master of the Keyblade, had attained such power? Why had he lasted for so long when others have crumbled away, their names and existence lost in the mists of time and irrelevance? There is nothing to be gained with playing by the rules, keeping your head down and trying to just live through life. Leave those to the meek and pitiful. Xehanort was a man of initiative, a man with drive, focus. He had waded into the deepest realms, seen sights that would have left weaker individuals gasping for air. What was to be gained for forsaking common sense, for leaving behind a person’s morality and ethics?

Everything.

Only one person shared this point of view. Only one person had the intelligence and will to leave all and join the master in his search for the truth. A person fit to be his Apprentice. And right now, in this uncertain time, with the Door to the heart of all worlds in front of him, just within his grasp, Xehanort needed him.

Annoyance flickered in his face. This feeling of need, of dependence, was as unwelcome as it had been when he felt it before. In that desolate graveyard for fools and children, meeting an old acquaintance and two strangers who were too close to each other than what was comfortable, Xehanort had felt it. Feelings like those are too unwelcome in his mind. He had certainly been out of practice during the intervening years.

[apprentice]

The being of darkness slowly made his appearance. His walk was slow and yet powerful. Seeing his master his head drooped and rest down. How could one of darkness look over to his master with disapproval? He had surely surpassed any and all who had tried. Through all fights his body still walked as many others had fallen. The teachings he had received were truly fruitful in this life but to resort to Darkness had to put even the grand master Xehanort to some shame.

Coming up to his master, a knee was immediately sent down to the ground. It plated softly on the ground. His arms dangled down beside his body, the palms pushing down on the ground. His head turned straight down towards the ground. The formal status he took was known truly as a strong sign of respect. Completely shedding his body to a powerless state to show his loyalty and admiration to the saint in front of him. The saint who still took him in.

Curiosity wandered into the mind of the Apprentice however. It had been a while before Master Xehanort had resorted to calling forth Kingdom Hearts, or even to see it. Were the hearts inside needed? Was something amidst in the worlds? Maybe it was time to finally fulfill a calling. To join in with the worlds and settle the natures of Light, Darkness, and Neutrality. But no matter how he would think, his thoughts were wrong. A grand quality that his Master showed was being able to do the expected. That's why his status was Master.

Slowly pulling his head, the Apprentice looked up at the back of his Master's body. Looking through his observed the condition of the Door in front of him. Immediately, he dismissed all thoughts. They were now irrelevant and all thoughts would be only the ones his master approved for him to think of.

"Master...," a low voice stated. It was spoken as if even speaking were wrong. The nature of it was raspy, as if he had a cold. Once spoken his helmet lowered a little as he gazed moved quickly down to his Master's boots.

[mrx]

Faithful as always.

Xehanort had great respect for the man that became his Apprentice. For a human being to willingly shed all of his independence and willpower over to a superior being was strength that was possessed only by a fortunate few. Humans had that irritating need to be so independent, to be the captains of their own destiny. Did they not see how they have marked themselves for destruction with that idiotic idea? Small-minded people with lofty, ‘noble’ ideals were always the first to fall.

Not his Apprentice. Not someone who can submit his life in the hands of another, one who can be so unwaveringly loyal without losing his sense of mind or person. A remarkable feat he had accomplished, a feat that could only be done by a person fitting to be the heir to the mantle of master. He had earmarked himself through the vast potential he displayed and proved to be more than a match for what Xehanort had in store for him. Time and time again, his Apprentice confirmed his place in the future, a future that will be beyond Xehanort’s wildest dreams.

Regrettable what nearly happened in the end.

Xehanort did not turn towards his Apprentice, still kneeling on the ground, still displaying his subservience towards his master. Instead, Xehanort raised his right hand, keeping the other behind his back. He flexed his fingers and stared at them, eyes glinting in the gloom. “I hope you have learned your lesson,” Xehanort drawled, emphasizing every word and inflection of tone. He clenched his hand back into a fist. “The Darkness is but merely one of many sources we accept and use. Do not be fooled into thinking it is superior to all. Is that clear?”

The worlds made a fool of him in that occasion. He saw his Apprentice fall into the complete dependence to Darkness, a trap that had befallen countless others but one that he was sure his Apprentice will avoid. So grievous had his thoughts become that he even considered a replacement, a certain Keyblade Wielder that proved ultimately to be unsatisfactory and a poor choice. It was a desperate and foolish mistake which was thankfully corrected in the last moments he had spent with his Apprentice. Xehanort carefully imprinted that memory deeply in his mind. He was cleverer know, more informed than before.

It’s time for something new.

[apprentice]

The Apprentice stared up quickly as his master's white glove emerged from his back. His heart almost paused with shock from it. It was like watching his judgment for life and death in front of his eyes. Watching them move freely, his heart slowly calmed. His ears then clinched as the warm, yet cold, voice of his master emerged.

"I hope you have learned your lesson," he had said. A slow chill went through him. Certainly after all he had been through mentally a lesson could only be learned. The darkness fueled him with power and even with an edge over his opponents. However, it left him in a state that nothing could recover him from. He was scarred with the darkness that even his form had changed. Power was what he wanted and it was what he received. The wise words of his master would forever be in his debt. Dropping down a small nod came from the Apprentice. Even though the Master couldn't see him he was sure that his movement could be felt.

“The Darkness is but merely one of many sources we accept and use. Do not be fooled into thinking it is superior to all. Is that clear?” As the Master continued to speak, the Apprentice slowly rose. He approached the master closely but never passed him. More than an arm distant away he paused. His thought was a confusion between what was fear and respect. Fear for what the Master had in mind and respect for that the Master still kept him in his favor. The Apprentice nodded once more in response.

Thinking from his powers of Darkness, the Apprentice had once passed through the thought that he was more powerful than his master. The power of Darkness had proven to show more power than what Master Xehanort had ever shown to have. But he kept these thoughts to himself. Slowly as the darkness engulfed him, he began to understand how and why the Master was at the rank of Master. At this time he also realized how foolish he was to think that this power was grander than the Master's.

The Master's power was simply untouchable. Obtaining the Darkness had only alternated his path in advancement. A path he'd have to learn on his own and find how to progress. However, due to his faith and loyalty it appeared that the Master had not fully given up on him. Although, as Terra arised, so did a fear of being forgotten. Fortunately, Terra's blindness diverted him from joining the Master. His ignorance to see the Darkness that was taking over him led to the Apprentice's second chance.

The Apprentice brought his head up, with more confidence, and stared as what was apparently their goal. There was no point in thinking about what the Master was thinking because he was always wrong.

[mrx]

From his Apprentice’s silence, Xehanort knew in his heart that he was very fortunate in finding a person so completely loyal and subservient to him yet was also able to function independently and make his own choices. He did not need to look at the man himself to feel his confidence and renewed sense of self. It was practically emanating from him, an aura that belies his Apprentice’s new found sense of direction. He had learned his lesson and has come out better for it, as all mature men do. “Remember that you have my utmost faith,” Xehanort whispered, still glancing and that titanic door in front of them. “After all, why else would you be my Apprentice?”

He’ll go far.

They had spent enough time reminiscing over past transgressions. Too much time, truth be told. Xehanort cast away the memories in his mind, pushing them back. For the moment, they were unimportant. Time to look forward to the future.

Ten years can create enough changes to vex even the most careful of man. Xehanort had seen two such creatures in that graveyard for fools, creatures that he was sure did not exist in any form back in his time. New worlds have appeared, far too many of them to keep track. New faces, new developments, they all have to be accounted for before they can move forward. The intervening years had done well in eroding through their history. From what little he saw, much had changed. This Hollow Bastion, formerly the paradise of Radiant Garden, foul, heartless creatures that now prowl the Realm of Darkness, walking, heartless shells, the odd lack of Unbirths, all of it are a bit too much.

And this door.

“The worlds seek to thwart us yet again,” Xehanort murmured, more to himself than to his Apprentice. The heart of all worlds lay beyond this door, erected by the worlds as both gateway and protection. There was nothing like this back then. Kingdom Hearts was easily accessible, a boon for those who can find it. Xehanort and his Apprentice, in those last, frantic moments, had done so. It was one of those moments that Xehanort will remember for the rest of his life. The power it granted was beyond measurement, beyond control. Even a small amount would be enough for him.

All that power, locked behind this door. No Keyblade would work on this particular door, he was very much certain about that. Not theirs. The worlds would create the utmost defense for the most important heart of them all if there was the inkling that he’d return. How quickly things changed. From the most trusted person in all the worlds into a pariah, a symbol of all that is wrong. Xehanort had to roll his eyes at the thought.

There were constants, as always. They were somewhat comforting, knowing that some things never changed. Keyblade Wielders still exist, though smaller in number which was a great relief. Familiar faces, like that upstart Terra and the mouse warrior, now a King, were still around. And there was his Apprentice. Unchanged, just like his master. It could very well be that last day they had together and nothing would be out of place.

Xehanort sighed deeply, his eyes drinking in every detail of the door that stood in his way. “Time is ever an annoyance,” He started. “All we have accomplished has been reset back to zero,” He turned to his Apprentice and said, “Too much has happened while I was gone. What about you? Have you been busy at all?”

[apprentice]

“Remember that you have my utmost faith. After all, why else would you be my Apprentice?”

A slight sense of pride rushed through the Apprentice, but nothing would be seen to show it. Moments like this came and flew by. It was only a sense of respect that the Master showed to him. With his devotion, it was grand to have recognition but taking it to the heart, with what left of one he had, led a turn in power and eventually to a downfall. Any further embarrassments would not be accepted.

“The worlds seek to thwart us yet again,”

The Apprentice head slowly turned to the master. The worlds? Was something up that he was aware of? The last time something like this had even come up a grand war had started. The dependency on the Master had reached it's toll and with their disappearance everything went downhill. Then the three warriors arised to become heroes. Their ventures counted as legendary while the Master and him were tarnished as villains. As creatures of immense darkness and failures to a group of keybladers.

How did this affect them now? Had new keybladers truly arised? Were they now in search for them? With this in mind, Apprentice turned to Kingdom Hearts. The Door to the Hearts of ALL Worlds. The power gained from the simply glance of Kingdom Hearts was enough to power the universe forever. Again, the last time the Master had even called himself to come close to contact with Kingdom Hearts was when the three warriors arrived.

"Master...,"

“Time is ever an annoyance. All we have accomplished has been reset back to zero. Too much has happened while I was gone. What about you? Have you been busy at all?”

The Apprentice stopped his words and silenced himself quickly. During this time of leave what could one consider themselves doing. Hiding themselves from the world while fighting against the darkness. This was more than a battle in itself but nothing more had happened. One would consider it...

"Sleep," the Apprentice stated. A correct term to say. While sleep one is invisible to the world. Anything and everything around them is blank and unknown. Awaking from this time of rest one finds themselves in a new surrounding. A new day. A new night. A new life. Accuracy was spoken through each word of the Apprentice. Conversation, as the Master stated, caused time. Time was of the essence and was wasted from unnecessary acts. A strong lesson the Apprentice had learned was that Simplicity was Accurate and more powerful than anything.

[mrx]

"Sleep,"

Xehanort did not react to his Apprentice’s admission. Given how quickly the years have passed, how blurry some things have become, he himself could very well have done the same. There were realms that could only accessed through the netherworld of slumber, hidden passages to doors that never open and never will. You are both dead and alive to the universe. Through sleep, one was the closest anyone could get to pierce the fabric of truth. While Xehanort doubted that his Apprentice could possibly know the potential, he didn’t expect him to do so.

The pair of them had been dead to the world. An entire decade or more lost to musings and empty thoughts. It might have been necessary at the time but it now only served to rankle Xehanort to no end. He still had his power, his knowledge, his abilities, all of the skills and wisdom that have served him well before. He just has to start from scratch, work his way from the bottom of the barrel before he could establish himself yet again. It seemed churlish of him to be frustrated by what would only be a minor inconvenience.

Xehanort nodded at his Apprentices’ words, finally turning around and looking at him. He was the same as ever, no detail changed or altered in any way. His Apprentice had taken on a form common to those who wield the Darkness but Xehanort did not begrudge him for that. Only when he went too far to the other side and lost all sight of meaning was he concerned. While playing preference was alright, going too far, especially with something as tricky and volatile as the Darkness, could’ve potentially lost him his heart. Xehanort had taught him better than that.

But that was the past. Now they needed to concentrate.

“We need to be on our way soon,” Xehanort mused, lost in thought. “Our first priority is information. Too much has changed and we cannot hope to resume operations without even the smallest morsel of knowledge,” He was now in command, his brain working overtime. “You remember those odd beings at that graveyard? We start with them,”

It will not be easy, clawing their way back to their former position. But Xehanort had to admit, even only in his mind, that the challenge was relishing.

[apprentice]

As the master turned around the Apprentice starred only for a tiny second before turning his helmet down to the side. His golden eyes always appeared to pierce through the users heart. As if they saw everything and knew exactly what one was thinking. A strong and powerful trait for someone to have, especially since all this illuminated from simply his eyes.

“We need to be on our way soon. Our first priority is information. Too much has changed and we cannot hope to resume operations without even the smallest morsel of knowledge. You remember those odd beings at that graveyard? We start with them.”

Information. Once again they appeared to just begin wandering to look for facts. Facts about the world, the enemies, the heroes, the hearts, the status of worlds, and anything extra. Was going out for the time to complete this simple task truly necessary? The Apprentice's helmet slowly gazed up to look at the man. Even though his gaze appeared to do this, he was truly looking at Kingdom Hearts. Wasn't this to the answer to all...the power of all?

Last time they were here, the goal was to obtain power. Now they were here to start the beginning of gaining information. It was true that they were not truly updated on the information needed but that came through time and travel. How would one find....suddenly the thoughts stopped in the mind of the Apprentice. His eyes directed to that of the Golden eyes of the Master. He tried to understand what exactly he was thinking but he was left without an answer or even a guess.

His swung his arm downward at an angle as a knee was softly placed on the ground. His helmet faced directly with the ground and the finished product was an appropriate formal bow.

"Yes sir," the Apprentice spoke. Pushing himself back up the Apprentice returned to his original position. Suddenly a bright shroud of darkness appeared around his right hand. With a blink of the eye, a black and red keyblade appeared in his head. The Master would probably question his actions but that's why words were made. "Action?"

The overall summary was that they would talk, but getting to them would be different. Would they search? Ask around? Fight around? The possibilities were endless and finding them wouldn't be a simple cup of tea. The Apprentice's face was stern and strong as if ready for any action that would be told to him. Disappointment would never come across the Master's face again.

[mrx]

"Action?"

Xehanort arched an eyebrow. It seemed his Apprentice was itching to go out and exercise rather than pace himself. It was understandable, really. Locked away for ten years, dead to the world, someone as young as him would still feel that need to swing their trusty weapon against the enemy. He was not so old as to have forgotten that feeling. Restlessness breeds impatience and impatience leads to incompetence.

However, that does not excuse impulsiveness.

His Apprentice was getting ahead of himself. They had left the worlds in a blaze of glory and destruction. They had pushed back and eliminated every obstacle they encountered. All they wanted to do they had accomplished. The worlds and their inhabitants cowered with fear and worshipped them. All that power, all that prestige, it was intoxicating. It seemed like they could do no wrong.

Now, though, things were different. Nothing is more destructive than time and it has wrought them dearly. The rest they had entered into was well-deserved and without it Xehanort doubted that he’d be feeling as spry and eager as he did now. More than ten years and a great deal has been altered. New creatures have popped up, unknown even to the master, especially that cloaked thing they had met. The state of the worlds had altered irrevocably, an example being the world of Radiant Garden, if the man was right, now existing under the moniker of ‘Hollow Bastion.’ Who knows who possessed the Keyblade, if there are new wielders out there? Lastly, there was their old friend Terra, as unchanged as the pair and possessing flashy new powers. So many questions and no answers so far.

What did his Apprentice expect them to do? He was holding out his Keyblade expectantly, waiting for orders as dutiful as always. Does he even know where to start? Was he relying too much on his master to sort things out, to lead him around like a dog cowering underneath the lash of a whip? This was not what he expected. A mind limited by what he does and who he depends on would only waste away. Perhaps it is time for another lesson. After all, there’s always something new to learn every day.

“Action?” Xehanort responded, stroking his chin. “Yes, I quite neglected that front,” His eyes swept in his Apprentice’s figure, ever ready for anything. If he had ever lost him, a replacement would never appear again even if he looked for one in millennia. “Tell me then, what course of ‘action’ should we attempt?”

[apprentice]

Already his goal was starting with a failure. At the simple arch of his Master's eyebrows, he knew that what he was thinking was quite different. Was he rushing in thoughts? Or was even the Master interested in it? The Apprentice didn't know anything to do except for simply watch and wait for a reply. He was never a good guesser at what his Master was thinking.

“Action? Yes, I quite neglected that front.”

So he was right. Quickly the keyblade in his hand disappeared in a shard of data. He now stood wasted and just useless, as he himself even felt. What was more that they could do? Whether were finding information or not there were steps that would need to be taken. They were lost in this new world. Through their "sleep" a sense of time, establishment, and even life had changed over this course of a simple count of years. Who knew of the new enemies...who knew who were allies? They were forced into a darkness of being different when they were the ones that were the Light of the past.

The Apprentice's helmet slowly dropped. The thought that he was repeated finding ways to become a failure was beginning to build as stress. This was why his words never came out. Words led to demise as physical movement was enough to show how one felt. Just standing there he could feel the sharp eyes of his Master piercing him.

“Tell me then, what course of ‘action’ should we attempt?”

At the slight sound of his voice, a small jolt came from the Apprentice as he looked up. He was asking him for his opinion. This caught the Apprentice off guard. Was it same to take the risk and answer? Or should he remain quiet? But what about the judgment of the master? Was this another test? There were many answers to this question but now understanding his Master's point of view the Apprentice froze. There weren't any options because they didn't have information. They needed to not look for where the battle stood but however what the battle was. Only one answer came to mind.

"Hollow Bastion."

He recalled the scene where the similar looking boy and cloaked man were. He also recalled the encounter with Terra but that wasn't important at this time. Hollow Bastion appeared to be the next place to start because everything else was unknown. Standing completely still he hoped his answer was legit enough for the Master to understand. There was much meaning behind those words.

[mrx]

He could sense his Apprentice’s disappointment, not at his master but at himself. It was only natural to feel shame when the sting of failure slaps you in the face. Everyone feels it. Even he, Xehanort, who would not readily admit it to anyone, had felt humiliation and pain before. It was one of those inescapable factors of life. Unlike some of them, at least failure had a purpose. It was a learning tool. It helped them shape themselves into something closer to perfection. They needed to learn what was right and what works. While true perfection was impossible, just being close to it was fine with Xehanort.

He had such grand plans, for him and his Apprentice. Once again, he felt the towering presence of the door behind them and where it leads to. The light amid the darkness was a potent force. That was their ultimate goal after all. To conquer that all there is to conquer, to remove all boundaries so that anything and everything is possible to them. Only through the gigantic power of the heart of all worlds was that possible. The reserve of power and knowledge culled from all existence. To think that reservoir where everything was and where everything will be sundered excited the explorer, the curiosity that once drove him.

Xehanort knew he was old. All of his willpower had been dedicated to slowing down that immortal enemy, the one that erodes all in its path. He could only allow a small amount of his power to aid him. Some would say that the kind of power he wielded was enough but those were fools. It will never be enough for him. He sought to carve a path towards the most potent of forces, to create a niche in which only he and those he deemed worthy will reside in. If he cannot accomplish that, then the only person he felt worthy enough to do so will carry on in his stead.

They cannot fail.

His Apprentice uttered their only option. Xehanort nodded thoughtfully at his words, eyes closing in thought. Everything was a learning process but he needed his Apprentice to be equipped to the best of his abilities. They both knew failure. They both knew how sour and horrible it tasted. There must be little chance of defeat for them. Knowledge, power, anything to tip the odds to them. They needed them all. Back then, they had all that and held the cornerstone on which all the worlds turned but not anymore. Starting from beginning, Xehanort saw a long road filled with peril and obstacles.

And he’ll blow them all apart.

“Then Hollow Bastion it is,” Xehanort responded to his Apprentice. The cloaked man will be the first to serve their purposes. The time for discussion, for now, was finished. Xehanort walked past his Apprentice, eyes glowing with purpose once more, a smile on his face. Behind him, the Door to Darkness towered, a lonely ivory bulwark set against the darkness.

XEHANORT EXITS THREAD

(OOC: Just thought it would be time to finish this thread and move on, hope you don’t mind, really sorry for the wait!)

[apprentice]

((lol I wasn't sure if you wanted me to reply but after remembering we have to put exits I'm finally replying. xD))

“Then Hollow Bastion it is.”

The Apprentice's mind calmed at the resolution of his answer. There was more he felt needed to be done but how would they do it? This "starting over" period was beginning to take it's toll on the Apprentice. As the master walked past him, the Apprentice's head tilted up to see the Door to Kingdom Hearts. The entry to vast power and the Heart of Life itself. Did Kingdom Hearts have the answers he needed? If so many of the Heartless fought to have this power then they obviously had the answers to what it stored.

But in due time everything would come.

The Apprentice turned to see the Master open a pathway. Slowly rising his hand, a fissure through reality appeared. Within it a dark depth of darkness. Walking into it he continued his strive for information. Hollow Bastion was the new target.

Xehanort's Apprentice has left the thread