Vanitas (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
unbreakablechains) wrote2019-07-01 06:12 pm
unbreakablechains) wrote2019-07-01 06:12 pm
Entry tags:
Birth by Sleep - Light Novel translation.
After he brought down all the heartless, Xehanort slowly stepped toward Ventus' collapsed form.
"Really? You would rather die than use the power? Feckless neophyte."
Xehanort lightly kicked Ventus, turning his body over so he would be face up. For a moment he stared into his face while he thought. Coming to his decision, he once more summoned his keyblade and thrust it deep into Ventus' chest. A light shot out from his chest and his eyes snapped open.
"If I must... I will extract the darkness from within you myself."
Ventus' chest emitted a bright light, from which rose a pitch black figure. Within the large, dark egg-like sphere appeared a boy in a black combat suit and mask holding his knees light an infant. Simultaneously, the light in Ventus' eyes faded.
The boy slowly straightened his body. Landing on the ground, he gazed at Xehanort. He didn't know what kind of person this man was. Neither did he know who the figure lying on the ground was. Looking at him, he felt a bit sad.
Why should I be sad?
"Empty creature from Ventus' riven... to you, the name Vanitas shall be given."
"Yes, Master."
When hearing the reply from the masked boy he dubbed Vanitas, Xehanort laughed.
"Now -- I suppose I should go."
"Where?"
"To take Ventus to his resting place. I will be back soon. Do whatever you like."
With Ventus' unconscious body in his arms, Xehanort walked away.
The strong winds blew through the dreary land. Vanitas vacantly stared at his own feet. And then he looked up into the sky. The sky was overcast and dreary. He stared at his hand. He firmly grasped with his fist. At once a large key appeared.
He swung it once. From inside his mask, Vanitas laughed.
Scared
The fleeting emotion made Vanitas close his eyes. This is a memory from Ventus' heart. And when I feel this white fear, tremendous power is born. So, the way Xehanort said it, my fear can grow into rage and then it becomes power. However, if this power is to be born from what I feel now, I'll need something more.
Why is it when I was born I knew that?
A heart of darkness. A vessel of negative emotions.
From Vanitas' body rose a dark figure. Vanitas silently looked up at the creature. The shadow-like figure had two red eyes that glowed, a monster in the making.
"Unversed."
When Vanitas raised a hand to grab it, as though it were enjoying itself, the Unversed spun a circle around him.
This is my emotion. You can say it's a very immature creature. I suppose if you could call this a living thing, these inexperienced Unversed are merely made of broken fragments of myself.
Vanitas summoned his keyblade and swung downward at the Unversed. In an instant, the Unversed vanished from the sudden strike.
Despicable.
With that thought, an agonizing pain throbbed in his chest. It was from the moment the Unversed that was a broken piece of his being vanished. Vanitas gazed at the palms of his hands and then tightly closed them.
Lonely
Again, from Vanitas back, an Unversed weaved into being. The wind blew against the vast plain. In the distance, the sun was sinking into the horizon. From twilight, the sun was moving into a dark night.
Who am I?
Vanitas couldn't breathe. He held onto his knees as the weight in his chest choked him. More Unversed were born from his body.
Hurts
Rendered in pain, Vantias threw off his mask. The face that was revealed under the mask was no different from the Unversed. His skin was the same deep black color of his body and his eyes were red.
Huh, where is this?
Upon hearing the voice, Vanitas abruptly narrowed his eyes, sensing a small feeling of wonder.
Everything around him was covered in darkness. He couldn't see anything. Within the true darkness, a small shimmer of light shined.
Vanitas was collapsed on the ground, his breath coming in shallow gasps.
What the hell is happening?
He couldn't comprehend any of it. From the place he had sensed the voice, another sound, a sound like the wind, reached his ears. Is this the sound of waves? The beating of the tide? In the distance, he could see a light. As the radiance of the light grew, Vanitas drew his body in tighter.
It's time to wake up now----All we have to do is open the door.
When he heard that voice, Vanitas woke up from the nightmare and opened his eyes.
I get it. Something has roused Ventus. Maybe, no, it's not a mistake but a something unique. His heart was fading, yet that lifeless shell got his heart back...? Why? Someone saved Ventus? Who? Perhaps, just like me, it was someone born with a special heart. This is the wasteland---the sound of waves I heard. I didn't hear that sound from him.
Vanitas slightly shook his head. Feeling out of place, he put a hand to his mouth.
From a short while ago it was obvious that feeling was from a different world. That world---No, that boy himself... did he change Ventus?
Now, as Vanitas casually stood up, his face no longer resembled the Unversed. It had changed into the face of a young boy. A boy---15 years later, would resemble the face of a boy who would be known as a hero of light.
I can't start on a new journey yet. From here I will continue on the path of darkness.
Vanitas, with the face of that boy, twisted into a smirk and he started to laugh.
~~~
Xehanort and Ventus returned to that barren land close to where the Keyblade Graveyard was. Dawn was breaking. Ventus walked, bathed in the morning light, but he was only dimly aware of his surroundings.
"What? You brought it back?"
With a smile on his face, Vanitas bent down to look into cast down eyes. At that moment, Ventus retreated from him. In his troubled state, he huddled himself close to the ground.
"Why?"
Vanitas kicked him from behind. With a groan, Ventus tumbled to the ground.
If I'm not mistaken, even if this guy got his heart back, he's still a useless shell of a being.
Vanitas looked down at Ventus curled on the ground moaning.
Hate
I detest him. Why I hate him so much I don't know. Darkness began to swell from Vanitas' back. An Unversed was born.
"Oh------That....," Xehanort spoke up upon seeing the Unversed.
"Unversed. They're monsters born from the fragments of my emotions."
"Splendid."
I don't get what's so spelndid about it.
Irritated
"Don't do anything reckless, Vanitas." Xehanort stepped toward Ventus, glaring intently at Vanitas. His golden eyes emitted a faint glow.
"Reckless? Why? This guy is me. It's the Unversed that are splendid, isn't it? You couldn't just leave this guy to his sleep?"
"The situation has changed. Ventus' heart is now to an extent weaker."
"Idiot," Vanitas said over his shoulder.
It was apparent that Xehanort didn't understand entirely what had happened to Ventus. Ventus' heart was replenished because of someone. But to Xehanort, he only concluded that Ventus' heart is weak.
I'm still not satisfied. Surely this guy is half of who I am. But what is it that makes me still hate him?
"He's a nuisance. I should get rid of him."
The keyblade appeared in Vanitas' hand.
"Wait. I don't know what will become of you if you destroy him."
"----then what now? If I have to endure being with that guy, eventually I'm going to kill him."
Keeping his keyblade ready, Vanitas stared into Ventus' face as it was distorted in pain.
"If that's the case, I know of a place that's just right for him."
"Where are you going to take him? You act like this guy is so important," Vanitas ridiculed.
"So are you. Right now Ventus' existence is vital for my plan."
"Plan---huh?"
Without waiting for him to affirm or deny this, Vanitas stared at Xehanort while he summoned his keyblade away. I couldn't care less how Xehanort plans to use him. From the memories Ventus left within me, Ventus never seemed to respect this low-grade Xehanort for the master he is. But I'm different.
"Do as you wish, Master." Vanitas declared, turning his back on them as he walked away.
"Where are you going?"
"To get some peace of mind, if I can find it in this world."
Behind Vanitas, the Unversed soon followed a short distance behind him.
What do I do to get rid of this frustration? What was I born to do? Bearing with his temper, Vanitas frowned. Will the day I solve this problem come?
~~~
I think I felt Ventus' heart flutter and suddenly come to a stop. At the same time, the constant harsh winds in that world started to abide. Vanitas looked into the sky.
Again, the situation has changed---did Xehanort do something? I've been thinking about Xehanort's "plan" ever since he mentioned it. For what reason was I born? To allow me to be born and then take Ventus away, what will he do from here?
Unsure.
When feeling uncertain about the obscure future, once again an Unversed was born from his body.
As he watched the weak Unversed stir, he became frustrated. Again, another Unversed was born. When I look at those things all I see is my own weakness. It makes me uneasy and that, of course, makes another Unversed.
From Vanitas' hand, he summoned his keyblade. He swung it at the shifting Unversed. At that moment, a heavy pain struck his body. Naturally, since he had destroyed the Unversed, two more were created.
Vanitas wielded his keyblade against the other Unversed.
Won't vanish.
Give up.
Pain
Hate
From his many emotions, his pain flowed together and streamed out of him. The more darkness flows from me, the more my pain comes together to create a new Unversed. The more Unversed I destroy, the stronger I become. In short, it appears that the more I hurt myself, the stronger I'll become. The more and more powerful I am, the greater the Unversed power will be. The pain and hatred I suffer will make me stronger.
Being the darkness born from that guy I have the more difficult life. Why am I the only one going through this pain? Here I'm the only one being forced into this torture, yet what is he doing? He gets to sleep?
Jealous
A noticeably larger being rose from Vanitas' back, becoming an enormous Unversed. The huge Unversed fled off somewhere.
Seeing the size of the creature, Vanitas bit the inside of his cheek, and as he did he could sense Ventus' still heart open his eyes for a moment. But he couldn't feel anything. Therefore, right now Ventus did not have any emotions he could feel.
If only I could be like that guy and not have to feel anything. If I used to be together with him, why were we separated? It would probably be of some comfort if we were together. To think of how painful it is to be apart, I don't want to live this way.
Envy
I hate him. I hate Ventus. These Unversed that keep coming one by one are such a pain. What the hell should I do? Can I escape from here?
~~~
And so every day he kept moving in a lethargic way. Ventus' heart didn't wake up.
To distract himself from his boredom, Vanitas repeatedly destroyed the Unversed. By destroying them, he would feel pain somewhere in his body. From that pain again he would hate the world--and Ventus. From that hate, an Unversed was born.
Hurts
I keep going after Unversed and killing them, but it does nothing but bring myself more agony. Why am I hurting myself? Why won't Ventus wake up? Xehanort only watches me suffer.
Sometimes the pain makes me collapse to the desert floor. I fall unconscious. When I wake up, my cheeks are damp. Always being sad and lonely is tough. But I don't know what is making me so sad and lonely. Because I don't know, I keep destroying Unversed.
I don't know what else I should do. If I keep defeating the Unversed, I won't feel anything anymore. Hatred will make me stronger. But, it's hard.
I destroy Unversed. I'm injured. My body is in agony.
Vanitas collapsed to the ground. Dust scattered around him.
"You really are amazing---Vanitas," Xehanort said as he walked toward Vanitas who groaned and struggled on the ground.
"Amazing? What's so amazing?" Vanitas asked through his rough breathing. What would make me so amazing? Me, who hideous monsters are born from.
A strong pain came over Vanitas and he cradled his body tightly. The pain was choking him.
"You should feel more and more pain," Xehanort declared and turned to leave. From behind him, Vanitas rose slightly off the ground.
"---hate this."
At the small mutter, Xehanort turned to him.
"I hate this. Why am I the only one who has to suffer?"
Xehanort laughed at Vanitas' words.
"Something funny?"
All I can feel in my chest is pain and pain and more pain, he thought and tore the inside of his cheek. Being like this, I'm tired of it.
"If that's the case, if I show you how to end your anguish---you will become the χ-blade."
"...χ-blade?" Vanitas repeated desperately.
"The stronger you become, in the same way, Ventus will become stronger. When you two fight one another the χ-blade will be forged. Then you---no, the worlds will be set free from their suffering."
Who cares if the worlds are freed from their suffering?
"For this to happen you must make your body and mind stronger, Vanitas." After stating his desire, Xehanort turned his back to Vanitas.
If I someday become the χ-blade, I will be freed from my suffering---.
A goal---a purpose. Within the darkness was a glimmer of light.
Why is he still sleeping?
And then, from far away---very very far away, he felt Ventus' heart stir slightly.
He's still sleeping because of me---but, I'm moving on a new path. So he will walk down this path too. In order to become the χ-blade.
~
Standing in the wastelands of the Badland, Vanitas closed his eyes. There had been a great movement in Ventus' heart, just now. But he didn't know if that meant that Ventus' heart itself was moving now, or if something else had moved it. But whatever it was, it made Vanitas feel warm, just a bit. It was a feeling as if lukewarm water was flowing through his chest. But despite this, that bit of warmth was not enough to warm his heart and it grew cold again as soon as the feeling faded. Before he had even had a chance to try to savor the warmth a bit, it had frozen over again. He could feel that the Unversed were surrounding him once more, but he heard nothing except the sound of the wind. It seemed to be in sync with the soft movement of Ventus' heart and for once, Vanitas felt barely any hatred or sorrow. Absentminded, he just stood there and let the day pass by.
No matter how many days passed, I would still be a being of Darkness, right? I didn't know when the world would start to move. Maybe, it had already started, long ago. But in the future ahead of me, I could see nothing but Darkness that had been bestowed upon me.
I had only one hope. And that was the χ-blade.
~~~
I'm scared.
When suddenly a strong emotion overcame him, causing pain like that of a wound, Vanitas momentarily stopped breathing, grasping his chest with his hand.
Was this Ventus?
It couldn't be anything, he was sure. But just as suddenly as the feeling had come, it vanished again, leaving only the pain. Vanitas took a deep breath. Ventus' heart had stopped again. He didn't know what had happened to him. But he knew that something must have happened.
~~~
Xehanort was watching Vanitas from above, his keyblade in hand.
"Yes, keep on suffering. Savor the pain. Only this way you can become even stronger."
Vanitas got back up from the floor, groaning. As soon as he tried to draw closer again, however, he took a strike under the chin and was thrown through the air. Once more, he hit the ground. Whenever Xehanort returned to this place when he was visiting the battlefield of this ancient war, he would beat up Vanitas with his keyblade before leaving again.
Vanitas' loneliness fed his hatred and made him stronger. That's why Xehanort was now usually leaving him behind here, by himself alone. However, that alone wasn't enough. Whenever this tactic alone proved insufficient, Xehanort would return here to train Vanitas himself. No matter how out of breath he was or how heavily he cried, all he could do was endure it with gnashing teeth and keep fighting. This didn't mean he was truly able to simply swallow down all the grief within his dark heart. But showing would have been a weakness. So he just produced Unversed. They could feel it out for him. Vanitas had to grow strong, very strong. That was all he was meant to do. And he also needed his loneliness and hatred. Just before his tears dry his Darkness would be the greatest.
"Yes, Vanitas, hate them. The people, the world, everything."
From Vanitas, who was still crawling on the floor, Unversed were born. Xehanort shook with laughter when he saw this.
~~~
It was unpleasant when it hit his ears.
Vanitas was laying there, face down, his eyes closed, his hands tightly grasped into fists. In his pitchblack heart, there was a sudden warmth flowing all over it and he heard laughing voices that kept on echoing in his mind. For just a moment, he felt as if he was there, as if he was Ventus, sitting there.
Ventus was laughing.
There were two people with him and suddenly Vanitas also knew their names. The boy's name was "Terra" and the girl was "Aqua". They were with Ventus, around him. They were laughing together.
Finally, he woke up-
Vanitas got up, shook off the irritation, and slew the Unversed it had caused with his Keyblade. The Unversed vanished without a trace that it had ever existed. There was malice much greater than his pain in his chest now, dyeing it darker than black. He wanted to cause someone despair and see them suffer.
Ventus? The entire world? Maybe Xehanort too? The people who were laughing with Ventus? He didn't even know. He just hated everyone and everything.
In the middle of the Badlands, a boy kept standing alone.
~~~
The old man was looking up at the sky. The night-darkened wasteland was empty save for the wind. The sky, however, was filled with thousands and thousands of stars. One of those stars seemed to glow bright than all the rest, and then it slid through the sky, falling.
The old man had already known that tonight there would be falling stars. On each star dwelled a world. Stars falling meant the worlds were changing.
A boy stood next to the old man. The boy, Vanitas, was also looking up at the shooting stars. His hair was as jet black as the darkness of night.
The old man clapped Vanitas on the shoulder. "We'll be up early tomorrow, so go take a short rest."
A glint took residence in Vanitas' eyes, as if he'd realized something. "You know I don't give a damn about going without sleep for a day or two," he grinned.
The old man-Master Xehanort-also smiled. "Our story begins now, Vanitas."
"Story..? Piece of cake," Vanitas answered, putting on the mask he'd been holding to his side before looking back up at the stars. The old man scoffed.
Stars streaked across the sky. One-two, three...
~~~
As if waiting for Master Xehanort to leave the hall, somebody was stanidng inside the castle.
"Huh..."
The person snorted, as if they-Vanitas-had also been watching the Mark of Mastery Exam.
However, not pausing at Vantias' behavior, Master Xehanort asked, "How is it, Vanitas?"
"Still nothing. I'll have to drill him into shape," Vanitas said with a laugh.
"Not here. It would be troublesome if they figured anything out."
"I know. I was thinking maybe I should send him out on a little journey of his own." Vanitas put on a mask he'd removed, and started walking. Staring at his retreating back, Master Xehanort's mouth twisted into a smile.
The worlds had begun to move, and to plunge them further into chaos, there was still work to be done.
~~~
At that moment, Ven heard the far-off tolling of a bell.
That sound is-the sound to let us know when something strange is happening in the Realm. When we hear it, we have to assemble in the hall.
Ven jumped out of bed and headed to the door.
"Hurry, Ventus," called a sudden voice, "or you won't see Terra again."
Ven turned. He knew the room had been empty-but someone was standing there. Clad in a black combat uniform and an expressionless mask that radiated ominousness was a boy who appared to be the same height as Ven.
"Huh? What are you on about. Of course I'm going to see Terra again," Ven replied, disagreeably.
"Go after Terra and see with your own eyes," said the boy-Vanitas, "that Terra won't be Terra for much longer." Vanitas was leaning against a shelf as if he had all the time in the world.
He didn't like his attitude, and he really didn't like what he was saying, and Ven gripped the wooden sword he had in his hand. "I don't know who you are, but who says you know anything about Terra. Terra and I are connected, and if you keep that up I'm gonna do something I'll regret."
Vanitas snorted, and began to walk. "How useless. 'Friendship', or whatever, is that it? You can't know unless you go make sure yourself. You're shut up in this tiny world, and you don't even try to see anything. What would you know?"
After Ven had turned back for a moment, Vanitas made darkness appear in front of himself. Then he stepped into it and vanished along with it.
~~~
Vanitas watched Ventus leave on his journey from a corner of the courtyard, and stared at the black opening that leads to the Lanes Between.
The dice are cast. There's no need to get my panties in a twist. Ventus will definitely get it done. Just like how I know Master Xehanort is doing what he has to do right now.
"Wait, Ven!"
Hearing a woman's voice, Vanitas hid himself in the shadow of the castle.
That woman must be the spare-Aqua.
"No! Stop Ven!" shouted Master Eraqus, behind her.
I assume that means Aqua is supposed to follow Ven. Master Xehanort did say that Master Eraqus would get in the way of our plans. True enough, thought Vanitas. Someone from the side of light who knows Ven's-my-true nature. He must surely have fallen into the trap because we used Terra.
"Bring Ven back," Master Eraqus ordered Aqua.
"I will by all means," Aqua replied, taking up her armour as the two had before, throwing her Keyblade into the air, and mounting it. Then, just like that she flew into the shrinking opening to the Between.
Now all actors are on the stage-well, in the Between. I'd better head for a few worlds myself, thought Vanitas, opening a corridor of darkness before himself. It was a dark space that connected the worlds. Vanitas looked at the sky.
Master Eraqus was doing the same. "...Master Xehanort...," he muttered.
By the time he knows everything it will be too late.
Vanitas stepped into the corridor of darkness, smiling slightly underneath the mask.
~~~
"You should doubt Terra, doubt him as much as you can," muttered Vanitas, watching Ven set off again from afar.
The larger his doubt grows, the more confused Ventus' heart will be, and the more he will begin to stray. That's another one of our goals.
Vanitas headed for the forest and made sure that the old woman-the Queen, changed form-come out of the trees.
"Well, I just hope they help me out by getting things done right."
Vanitas grinned, and the dark trees stirred. The Unversed appeared and surrounded him. Then, Vanitas made a dark corridor appear, and vanished.
~~~
"Really? You would rather die than use the power? Feckless neophyte."
Xehanort lightly kicked Ventus, turning his body over so he would be face up. For a moment he stared into his face while he thought. Coming to his decision, he once more summoned his keyblade and thrust it deep into Ventus' chest. A light shot out from his chest and his eyes snapped open.
"If I must... I will extract the darkness from within you myself."
Ventus' chest emitted a bright light, from which rose a pitch black figure. Within the large, dark egg-like sphere appeared a boy in a black combat suit and mask holding his knees light an infant. Simultaneously, the light in Ventus' eyes faded.
The boy slowly straightened his body. Landing on the ground, he gazed at Xehanort. He didn't know what kind of person this man was. Neither did he know who the figure lying on the ground was. Looking at him, he felt a bit sad.
Why should I be sad?
"Empty creature from Ventus' riven... to you, the name Vanitas shall be given."
"Yes, Master."
When hearing the reply from the masked boy he dubbed Vanitas, Xehanort laughed.
"Now -- I suppose I should go."
"Where?"
"To take Ventus to his resting place. I will be back soon. Do whatever you like."
With Ventus' unconscious body in his arms, Xehanort walked away.
The strong winds blew through the dreary land. Vanitas vacantly stared at his own feet. And then he looked up into the sky. The sky was overcast and dreary. He stared at his hand. He firmly grasped with his fist. At once a large key appeared.
He swung it once. From inside his mask, Vanitas laughed.
Scared
The fleeting emotion made Vanitas close his eyes. This is a memory from Ventus' heart. And when I feel this white fear, tremendous power is born. So, the way Xehanort said it, my fear can grow into rage and then it becomes power. However, if this power is to be born from what I feel now, I'll need something more.
Why is it when I was born I knew that?
A heart of darkness. A vessel of negative emotions.
From Vanitas' body rose a dark figure. Vanitas silently looked up at the creature. The shadow-like figure had two red eyes that glowed, a monster in the making.
"Unversed."
When Vanitas raised a hand to grab it, as though it were enjoying itself, the Unversed spun a circle around him.
This is my emotion. You can say it's a very immature creature. I suppose if you could call this a living thing, these inexperienced Unversed are merely made of broken fragments of myself.
Vanitas summoned his keyblade and swung downward at the Unversed. In an instant, the Unversed vanished from the sudden strike.
Despicable.
With that thought, an agonizing pain throbbed in his chest. It was from the moment the Unversed that was a broken piece of his being vanished. Vanitas gazed at the palms of his hands and then tightly closed them.
Lonely
Again, from Vanitas back, an Unversed weaved into being. The wind blew against the vast plain. In the distance, the sun was sinking into the horizon. From twilight, the sun was moving into a dark night.
Who am I?
Vanitas couldn't breathe. He held onto his knees as the weight in his chest choked him. More Unversed were born from his body.
Hurts
Rendered in pain, Vantias threw off his mask. The face that was revealed under the mask was no different from the Unversed. His skin was the same deep black color of his body and his eyes were red.
Huh, where is this?
Upon hearing the voice, Vanitas abruptly narrowed his eyes, sensing a small feeling of wonder.
Everything around him was covered in darkness. He couldn't see anything. Within the true darkness, a small shimmer of light shined.
Vanitas was collapsed on the ground, his breath coming in shallow gasps.
What the hell is happening?
He couldn't comprehend any of it. From the place he had sensed the voice, another sound, a sound like the wind, reached his ears. Is this the sound of waves? The beating of the tide? In the distance, he could see a light. As the radiance of the light grew, Vanitas drew his body in tighter.
It's time to wake up now----All we have to do is open the door.
When he heard that voice, Vanitas woke up from the nightmare and opened his eyes.
I get it. Something has roused Ventus. Maybe, no, it's not a mistake but a something unique. His heart was fading, yet that lifeless shell got his heart back...? Why? Someone saved Ventus? Who? Perhaps, just like me, it was someone born with a special heart. This is the wasteland---the sound of waves I heard. I didn't hear that sound from him.
Vanitas slightly shook his head. Feeling out of place, he put a hand to his mouth.
From a short while ago it was obvious that feeling was from a different world. That world---No, that boy himself... did he change Ventus?
Now, as Vanitas casually stood up, his face no longer resembled the Unversed. It had changed into the face of a young boy. A boy---15 years later, would resemble the face of a boy who would be known as a hero of light.
I can't start on a new journey yet. From here I will continue on the path of darkness.
Vanitas, with the face of that boy, twisted into a smirk and he started to laugh.
~~~
Xehanort and Ventus returned to that barren land close to where the Keyblade Graveyard was. Dawn was breaking. Ventus walked, bathed in the morning light, but he was only dimly aware of his surroundings.
"What? You brought it back?"
With a smile on his face, Vanitas bent down to look into cast down eyes. At that moment, Ventus retreated from him. In his troubled state, he huddled himself close to the ground.
"Why?"
Vanitas kicked him from behind. With a groan, Ventus tumbled to the ground.
If I'm not mistaken, even if this guy got his heart back, he's still a useless shell of a being.
Vanitas looked down at Ventus curled on the ground moaning.
Hate
I detest him. Why I hate him so much I don't know. Darkness began to swell from Vanitas' back. An Unversed was born.
"Oh------That....," Xehanort spoke up upon seeing the Unversed.
"Unversed. They're monsters born from the fragments of my emotions."
"Splendid."
I don't get what's so spelndid about it.
Irritated
"Don't do anything reckless, Vanitas." Xehanort stepped toward Ventus, glaring intently at Vanitas. His golden eyes emitted a faint glow.
"Reckless? Why? This guy is me. It's the Unversed that are splendid, isn't it? You couldn't just leave this guy to his sleep?"
"The situation has changed. Ventus' heart is now to an extent weaker."
"Idiot," Vanitas said over his shoulder.
It was apparent that Xehanort didn't understand entirely what had happened to Ventus. Ventus' heart was replenished because of someone. But to Xehanort, he only concluded that Ventus' heart is weak.
I'm still not satisfied. Surely this guy is half of who I am. But what is it that makes me still hate him?
"He's a nuisance. I should get rid of him."
The keyblade appeared in Vanitas' hand.
"Wait. I don't know what will become of you if you destroy him."
"----then what now? If I have to endure being with that guy, eventually I'm going to kill him."
Keeping his keyblade ready, Vanitas stared into Ventus' face as it was distorted in pain.
"If that's the case, I know of a place that's just right for him."
"Where are you going to take him? You act like this guy is so important," Vanitas ridiculed.
"So are you. Right now Ventus' existence is vital for my plan."
"Plan---huh?"
Without waiting for him to affirm or deny this, Vanitas stared at Xehanort while he summoned his keyblade away. I couldn't care less how Xehanort plans to use him. From the memories Ventus left within me, Ventus never seemed to respect this low-grade Xehanort for the master he is. But I'm different.
"Do as you wish, Master." Vanitas declared, turning his back on them as he walked away.
"Where are you going?"
"To get some peace of mind, if I can find it in this world."
Behind Vanitas, the Unversed soon followed a short distance behind him.
What do I do to get rid of this frustration? What was I born to do? Bearing with his temper, Vanitas frowned. Will the day I solve this problem come?
~~~
I think I felt Ventus' heart flutter and suddenly come to a stop. At the same time, the constant harsh winds in that world started to abide. Vanitas looked into the sky.
Again, the situation has changed---did Xehanort do something? I've been thinking about Xehanort's "plan" ever since he mentioned it. For what reason was I born? To allow me to be born and then take Ventus away, what will he do from here?
Unsure.
When feeling uncertain about the obscure future, once again an Unversed was born from his body.
As he watched the weak Unversed stir, he became frustrated. Again, another Unversed was born. When I look at those things all I see is my own weakness. It makes me uneasy and that, of course, makes another Unversed.
From Vanitas' hand, he summoned his keyblade. He swung it at the shifting Unversed. At that moment, a heavy pain struck his body. Naturally, since he had destroyed the Unversed, two more were created.
Vanitas wielded his keyblade against the other Unversed.
Won't vanish.
Give up.
Pain
Hate
From his many emotions, his pain flowed together and streamed out of him. The more darkness flows from me, the more my pain comes together to create a new Unversed. The more Unversed I destroy, the stronger I become. In short, it appears that the more I hurt myself, the stronger I'll become. The more and more powerful I am, the greater the Unversed power will be. The pain and hatred I suffer will make me stronger.
Being the darkness born from that guy I have the more difficult life. Why am I the only one going through this pain? Here I'm the only one being forced into this torture, yet what is he doing? He gets to sleep?
Jealous
A noticeably larger being rose from Vanitas' back, becoming an enormous Unversed. The huge Unversed fled off somewhere.
Seeing the size of the creature, Vanitas bit the inside of his cheek, and as he did he could sense Ventus' still heart open his eyes for a moment. But he couldn't feel anything. Therefore, right now Ventus did not have any emotions he could feel.
If only I could be like that guy and not have to feel anything. If I used to be together with him, why were we separated? It would probably be of some comfort if we were together. To think of how painful it is to be apart, I don't want to live this way.
Envy
I hate him. I hate Ventus. These Unversed that keep coming one by one are such a pain. What the hell should I do? Can I escape from here?
~~~
And so every day he kept moving in a lethargic way. Ventus' heart didn't wake up.
To distract himself from his boredom, Vanitas repeatedly destroyed the Unversed. By destroying them, he would feel pain somewhere in his body. From that pain again he would hate the world--and Ventus. From that hate, an Unversed was born.
Hurts
I keep going after Unversed and killing them, but it does nothing but bring myself more agony. Why am I hurting myself? Why won't Ventus wake up? Xehanort only watches me suffer.
Sometimes the pain makes me collapse to the desert floor. I fall unconscious. When I wake up, my cheeks are damp. Always being sad and lonely is tough. But I don't know what is making me so sad and lonely. Because I don't know, I keep destroying Unversed.
I don't know what else I should do. If I keep defeating the Unversed, I won't feel anything anymore. Hatred will make me stronger. But, it's hard.
I destroy Unversed. I'm injured. My body is in agony.
Vanitas collapsed to the ground. Dust scattered around him.
"You really are amazing---Vanitas," Xehanort said as he walked toward Vanitas who groaned and struggled on the ground.
"Amazing? What's so amazing?" Vanitas asked through his rough breathing. What would make me so amazing? Me, who hideous monsters are born from.
A strong pain came over Vanitas and he cradled his body tightly. The pain was choking him.
"You should feel more and more pain," Xehanort declared and turned to leave. From behind him, Vanitas rose slightly off the ground.
"---hate this."
At the small mutter, Xehanort turned to him.
"I hate this. Why am I the only one who has to suffer?"
Xehanort laughed at Vanitas' words.
"Something funny?"
All I can feel in my chest is pain and pain and more pain, he thought and tore the inside of his cheek. Being like this, I'm tired of it.
"If that's the case, if I show you how to end your anguish---you will become the χ-blade."
"...χ-blade?" Vanitas repeated desperately.
"The stronger you become, in the same way, Ventus will become stronger. When you two fight one another the χ-blade will be forged. Then you---no, the worlds will be set free from their suffering."
Who cares if the worlds are freed from their suffering?
"For this to happen you must make your body and mind stronger, Vanitas." After stating his desire, Xehanort turned his back to Vanitas.
If I someday become the χ-blade, I will be freed from my suffering---.
A goal---a purpose. Within the darkness was a glimmer of light.
Why is he still sleeping?
And then, from far away---very very far away, he felt Ventus' heart stir slightly.
He's still sleeping because of me---but, I'm moving on a new path. So he will walk down this path too. In order to become the χ-blade.
~
Standing in the wastelands of the Badland, Vanitas closed his eyes. There had been a great movement in Ventus' heart, just now. But he didn't know if that meant that Ventus' heart itself was moving now, or if something else had moved it. But whatever it was, it made Vanitas feel warm, just a bit. It was a feeling as if lukewarm water was flowing through his chest. But despite this, that bit of warmth was not enough to warm his heart and it grew cold again as soon as the feeling faded. Before he had even had a chance to try to savor the warmth a bit, it had frozen over again. He could feel that the Unversed were surrounding him once more, but he heard nothing except the sound of the wind. It seemed to be in sync with the soft movement of Ventus' heart and for once, Vanitas felt barely any hatred or sorrow. Absentminded, he just stood there and let the day pass by.
No matter how many days passed, I would still be a being of Darkness, right? I didn't know when the world would start to move. Maybe, it had already started, long ago. But in the future ahead of me, I could see nothing but Darkness that had been bestowed upon me.
I had only one hope. And that was the χ-blade.
~~~
I'm scared.
When suddenly a strong emotion overcame him, causing pain like that of a wound, Vanitas momentarily stopped breathing, grasping his chest with his hand.
Was this Ventus?
It couldn't be anything, he was sure. But just as suddenly as the feeling had come, it vanished again, leaving only the pain. Vanitas took a deep breath. Ventus' heart had stopped again. He didn't know what had happened to him. But he knew that something must have happened.
~~~
Xehanort was watching Vanitas from above, his keyblade in hand.
"Yes, keep on suffering. Savor the pain. Only this way you can become even stronger."
Vanitas got back up from the floor, groaning. As soon as he tried to draw closer again, however, he took a strike under the chin and was thrown through the air. Once more, he hit the ground. Whenever Xehanort returned to this place when he was visiting the battlefield of this ancient war, he would beat up Vanitas with his keyblade before leaving again.
Vanitas' loneliness fed his hatred and made him stronger. That's why Xehanort was now usually leaving him behind here, by himself alone. However, that alone wasn't enough. Whenever this tactic alone proved insufficient, Xehanort would return here to train Vanitas himself. No matter how out of breath he was or how heavily he cried, all he could do was endure it with gnashing teeth and keep fighting. This didn't mean he was truly able to simply swallow down all the grief within his dark heart. But showing would have been a weakness. So he just produced Unversed. They could feel it out for him. Vanitas had to grow strong, very strong. That was all he was meant to do. And he also needed his loneliness and hatred. Just before his tears dry his Darkness would be the greatest.
"Yes, Vanitas, hate them. The people, the world, everything."
From Vanitas, who was still crawling on the floor, Unversed were born. Xehanort shook with laughter when he saw this.
~~~
It was unpleasant when it hit his ears.
Vanitas was laying there, face down, his eyes closed, his hands tightly grasped into fists. In his pitchblack heart, there was a sudden warmth flowing all over it and he heard laughing voices that kept on echoing in his mind. For just a moment, he felt as if he was there, as if he was Ventus, sitting there.
Ventus was laughing.
There were two people with him and suddenly Vanitas also knew their names. The boy's name was "Terra" and the girl was "Aqua". They were with Ventus, around him. They were laughing together.
Finally, he woke up-
Vanitas got up, shook off the irritation, and slew the Unversed it had caused with his Keyblade. The Unversed vanished without a trace that it had ever existed. There was malice much greater than his pain in his chest now, dyeing it darker than black. He wanted to cause someone despair and see them suffer.
Ventus? The entire world? Maybe Xehanort too? The people who were laughing with Ventus? He didn't even know. He just hated everyone and everything.
In the middle of the Badlands, a boy kept standing alone.
~~~
The old man was looking up at the sky. The night-darkened wasteland was empty save for the wind. The sky, however, was filled with thousands and thousands of stars. One of those stars seemed to glow bright than all the rest, and then it slid through the sky, falling.
The old man had already known that tonight there would be falling stars. On each star dwelled a world. Stars falling meant the worlds were changing.
A boy stood next to the old man. The boy, Vanitas, was also looking up at the shooting stars. His hair was as jet black as the darkness of night.
The old man clapped Vanitas on the shoulder. "We'll be up early tomorrow, so go take a short rest."
A glint took residence in Vanitas' eyes, as if he'd realized something. "You know I don't give a damn about going without sleep for a day or two," he grinned.
The old man-Master Xehanort-also smiled. "Our story begins now, Vanitas."
"Story..? Piece of cake," Vanitas answered, putting on the mask he'd been holding to his side before looking back up at the stars. The old man scoffed.
Stars streaked across the sky. One-two, three...
~~~
As if waiting for Master Xehanort to leave the hall, somebody was stanidng inside the castle.
"Huh..."
The person snorted, as if they-Vanitas-had also been watching the Mark of Mastery Exam.
However, not pausing at Vantias' behavior, Master Xehanort asked, "How is it, Vanitas?"
"Still nothing. I'll have to drill him into shape," Vanitas said with a laugh.
"Not here. It would be troublesome if they figured anything out."
"I know. I was thinking maybe I should send him out on a little journey of his own." Vanitas put on a mask he'd removed, and started walking. Staring at his retreating back, Master Xehanort's mouth twisted into a smile.
The worlds had begun to move, and to plunge them further into chaos, there was still work to be done.
~~~
At that moment, Ven heard the far-off tolling of a bell.
That sound is-the sound to let us know when something strange is happening in the Realm. When we hear it, we have to assemble in the hall.
Ven jumped out of bed and headed to the door.
"Hurry, Ventus," called a sudden voice, "or you won't see Terra again."
Ven turned. He knew the room had been empty-but someone was standing there. Clad in a black combat uniform and an expressionless mask that radiated ominousness was a boy who appared to be the same height as Ven.
"Huh? What are you on about. Of course I'm going to see Terra again," Ven replied, disagreeably.
"Go after Terra and see with your own eyes," said the boy-Vanitas, "that Terra won't be Terra for much longer." Vanitas was leaning against a shelf as if he had all the time in the world.
He didn't like his attitude, and he really didn't like what he was saying, and Ven gripped the wooden sword he had in his hand. "I don't know who you are, but who says you know anything about Terra. Terra and I are connected, and if you keep that up I'm gonna do something I'll regret."
Vanitas snorted, and began to walk. "How useless. 'Friendship', or whatever, is that it? You can't know unless you go make sure yourself. You're shut up in this tiny world, and you don't even try to see anything. What would you know?"
After Ven had turned back for a moment, Vanitas made darkness appear in front of himself. Then he stepped into it and vanished along with it.
~~~
Vanitas watched Ventus leave on his journey from a corner of the courtyard, and stared at the black opening that leads to the Lanes Between.
The dice are cast. There's no need to get my panties in a twist. Ventus will definitely get it done. Just like how I know Master Xehanort is doing what he has to do right now.
"Wait, Ven!"
Hearing a woman's voice, Vanitas hid himself in the shadow of the castle.
That woman must be the spare-Aqua.
"No! Stop Ven!" shouted Master Eraqus, behind her.
I assume that means Aqua is supposed to follow Ven. Master Xehanort did say that Master Eraqus would get in the way of our plans. True enough, thought Vanitas. Someone from the side of light who knows Ven's-my-true nature. He must surely have fallen into the trap because we used Terra.
"Bring Ven back," Master Eraqus ordered Aqua.
"I will by all means," Aqua replied, taking up her armour as the two had before, throwing her Keyblade into the air, and mounting it. Then, just like that she flew into the shrinking opening to the Between.
Now all actors are on the stage-well, in the Between. I'd better head for a few worlds myself, thought Vanitas, opening a corridor of darkness before himself. It was a dark space that connected the worlds. Vanitas looked at the sky.
Master Eraqus was doing the same. "...Master Xehanort...," he muttered.
By the time he knows everything it will be too late.
Vanitas stepped into the corridor of darkness, smiling slightly underneath the mask.
~~~
"You should doubt Terra, doubt him as much as you can," muttered Vanitas, watching Ven set off again from afar.
The larger his doubt grows, the more confused Ventus' heart will be, and the more he will begin to stray. That's another one of our goals.
Vanitas headed for the forest and made sure that the old woman-the Queen, changed form-come out of the trees.
"Well, I just hope they help me out by getting things done right."
Vanitas grinned, and the dark trees stirred. The Unversed appeared and surrounded him. Then, Vanitas made a dark corridor appear, and vanished.
~~~