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Description
Organization Innocence: Audition

Silent Rebirth

Drowning.  Falling.  Despair.  Such is the cold embrace of darkness.

Why can I not remember anything?

Protect...

Who am I?

Protect...

What am I?

Protect...

Why is this voice telling me this?

Protect...

Why...

Protect...

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

White.  Black.  Scattered all around me.  Falling from the sky, like snowflakes.  That is the first thing that enters my vision.  What is this?  Paper?  Why do I feel such a yearning to it?

My thoughts and attention are quickly diverted by the bright lights that illuminate the area around me.  They flash and glow, revealing the red rooftops and shops of the pseudo-Victorian architecture.  I cannot help keep my eyes from enjoying such an incredible sight in front of me, but there is something amiss that is giving me a deep feeling of dread.

Despite the welcoming lights of the streets, not a soul was to seen.  Why are the streets empty?  Where is everyone?

Wait, what is this?  There is something amidst the paper.  A small, black journal?  Perhaps this might tell me who and, perhaps, where I am.

Opening the small, leather bound book, I find the pages blank.  I turned page after page, only to find the same result.  It is not until I am half way through the book that I find something incredibly strange.

The words on the page, they are fading right before my eyes, as if the journal were saying I am not meant to read the contents of its pages.  Page after page I turned in hopes of finding some information as to who I am.  In the end, my efforts are futile, for the letters of every page continued to fade from existence.

An empty feeling comes over me.  It feels as if I should be feeling something, only for a dismal copy to be taking its place.  Despair, I should be feeling it, but I cannot.  I quickly lose grip of the book as the pseudo-emotion overwhelms me.  It falls to the cobblestone road with a light clatter, its pages open for all the world to see.

What happened next was something remarkable.  Either by pity of me or some splendor of magic, five letters appear on the page.  L-O-C-K-E.

Just as suddenly as they appeared, they began to rearrange themselves, only for another letter to suddenly come into being and enter the flurry of letters.  C-L-O-E-K-X.  What a strange name.  Is that my name?

"Is too quiet.  Where the bloody 'ell is everyone?"

Another person?  Sounds like a man around his late teens or early twenties.

"Shut it!  Are ye trying to attract the heartless?"

Well, people now.  The second sounds like a female around the same age as the man.

"Yeah, Ixan."

This voice sounds distinctly higher, like that of a child.  I believe the child blew a raspberry at whomever this 'Ixan' is.

"You little brat!"  Shouted 'Ixan'.

"Don't ye dare pick on 'im ye spiky haired-"  The female scolded the man before being interrupted by the child.

"'Ey, guys, look!  There's somebody ovah there!"

I slowly picked myself up and turned around to meet the source of the voices that spotted me.  The first that came into my sight was a dirty, little boy with brown hair that had an ever jubilant grin on his face.  Behind him was a woman with hair as pink as cotton candy and a pair of rabbit ears perched upon her head.  The third, whom I assume is 'Ixan', was a heavily scarred man with blue and blonde hair.  The three of them wore coats of white and each had different variation of a foreign of accent.

The trio of strangers quickly approached me with a hint of caution.  Sizing me up, they spoke amongst themselves, just soft enough that I cannot make out what they say.

I must say, they are much shorter than I thought they would be, a fact that seems to intimidate them.  Well, the boy at least, considering he is hiding behind the female.  Is my appearance really that frightening?

"-Tall, scarred, an' silent.  Pay attention when someone speaks to ya', ye stupid statue!"

What?  Oh dear, I must have been daydreaming during my monologue.  Now the woman is upset with me.  I really did not mean to offend her.

"Give the bloke a break, Milix," the Ixan defended me.  "'E could be a mute for all we know."

Why is this man protecting me?  This is the first time we have ever met, yet he is willing to stand up for me.  I cannot understand why a complete stranger would do such a thing.

"That's no excuse for bein' rude!"

Ms. Milix certainly does have a spitfire personality, does she not?  Wait, she said 'scarred' when she was trying to get my attention.  What did she mean by that?

It was by the first time I had actually gotten a good my look at myself.  Indeed, I was quite horribly scarred, and only wearing pants and shoes.

From what I could see from my exposed torso, three scars stood out the most.  The first being one that started at the base of my abdomen to my rib cage, as if I had been dissected.  The second being a long scar that started from my left hip to my right shoulder.  Finally, the most notable, though not technically a scar, was a metal plate where my heart should be.  What in the worlds could have caused all of these scars?  Worlds?

As I looked up from my body, my eyes connected with those of the dirty boy that hid behind female.  I could see the apprehension in his eyes, laced with a hint of curiosity.  Why does it bother me so?  Suddenly, something catches his attention as he looks beyond me.

"Oi, 'eartless!"  The boy shouts as he pulls out a slingshot flashed into existence in his hand.

Quick as a whip, the boy's older companions ceased their bickering and bring their own weapons into being.  A strange, bladed weapon shaped much like a crescent moon came into being in the man's hand, while a large bomb with a lit fuse came into the woman's.

Before I could begin to wonder what was happening, the trio of strangers surrounded me, protecting me.  From what?  My question was soon answered by two glowing eyes staring right at me.  A wave of emptiness overwhelmed me as I stared into those lifeless eyes.  I should feel fear, but I could not feel anything.

There was little time to comprehend what was happening as a great shadow overcame the square, blocking out the light of the moon that lit the town.  Even the light of the street lamps struggled to shine through the fog of darkness that threatened to engulf us.

More eyes pierced through the fog.  Each holding a golden, lifeless stare.  Wanting to take us, to consume us, to join them in becoming the darkness itself.

Shapes soon became distinguishable as the shadows took form.  Beings tall and small, wide and thin, all with the desire to devour the four of us.

Slowly, they crept towards us.  Quickly, their numbers swelled.  Now, I know why the streets lay so bare.

I wanted nothing more than to run, but my body refused to listen.  Ever fiber of my being screamed at me to flee, but no matter what, it would not move.

Protect...

"Now look a' what ye' done, Ixan.  Your bloody shoutin' 'as gone an attracted all the 'eartless to us!"

"Me?!  You're the one 'oo wen' an' lit ya' short fuse.  Your as loud as ya' bloody bombs!"

It seems Ixan and Milix cannot seem to stop arguing even when in danger.

Protect...

"Guys, guys!  Can you both do this afta' we take care'a all the 'eartless?"  The boy pleaded to his companions as he readied his slingshot.

"Right, right.  Sorry, Nixso,"  Ixan apologized as he turned his attention to the creatures that were amassing in front of us.  "This isn't ovah, Milix, not by a longshot."

"Like 'ell it is, ye spikey 'aired freak!  I'll rip ye a new one when we get back!"  Flinging the bomb into a crowd of those creatures, causing a an amazing arrangement of light to burst forth from the explosion.  Quickly moving to and fro, gleefully like a rabbit, her bombs were a thing of destructive beauty and inspiration.

Protect...

"Get ovah ya'self, Shortfuse!"  He yelled as he cut through the creatures with his weapon.  It was like watching an elaborate dance with how he fought.  I could not help but watch in awe as he seamlessly tore apart the creatures with little effort.

Protect...

"Please just focus on the 'eartless!"  Firing countless projectiles into the shadows, causing many of the eyes to disappear in a wisp of smoke.  Nimbly dodging the creatures so fluidly and taking them out as they came.  It was reminiscent of that of a squirrel from what I could see.

Protect...

Despite their amazing skill, I could they were slowly losing ground.  The creatures simply kept coming.  There was no end to them.

Protect...

"Bloody 'ell, they just keep comin'!"

Protect...

"There's no end to 'em!"

Protect.

"Dammit it all!  We're not gonna die here!  Get ye'selves together!"

Protect.

Why can I not move?  Why can I not do anything?  Why am I so useless?

Protect.

This throbbing, this voice.  It feels like my head is going to explode.

Protect.

Shut up.  Shut up!  What am I supposed to do!?

Protect.

How?  I know not how to fight.  I do not have anything to defend myself with.

Protect.

How am I supposed to protect them if I cannot even protect myself?  How?  How?!

Protect.

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

Everything suddenly went dark.  So lonely, so quiet.  I can make something out.  Purple hair?  A girl?

"Are you just gonna let everything end like this?"  The females asks.  Her voice sounds so soothing, familiar.  Why do I feel I trust her with everything I am?  "You never let anyone down like this."

Protect.

"What are you waiting for?"

Protect.

"Wake up!"

Protect.

"Get up!"

Protect.

"Don't let them down!"

Protect!

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

My eyes open as a strange surge of power courses through me.  It is difficult to describe what I am feeling, but there is one thing I can say about this feeling.  I can feel them.  Fear, anger, sorrow, hope, joy, but most of all, the desire to protect.

The emotions disappeared as quickly as they came, but the yearning to protect remains.  I can feel the power migrating to my hands, coming into being.  A flash, and two heavy objects appear in my hands.  Two swords, singled edged, hilts of ebony and crimson, and gleaming of silver.

Around me, I see the dark creatures slowly backing from me, yet transfixed on me.  There is little time to wonder before my thoughts were interrupted by the trio.

"Everyone, stay close!"  I hear Milix shout over her colorful explosives.  Many are taken out with each explosion, but more keep coming and taking place of their fallen comrades.

Without even a moment of hesitation, I found my feet pushing myself forward towards these strangers.  Strangers, like me.

Closer and closer, the creatures came to them.  Blades, claws, and so much more.  Lashing and slashing, all with the intent to kill.

"Nixso!"  I heard both Milix and Ixan yell.

One of the taller creatures separated the boy from the group with a swat of its arm.  Another of the creatures quickly came to cease upon the opportunity like a vicious predator. And much like a predator, the creature brought down its sharp claw upon Nixso.

Instinctively, I held out my arm with sword in hand.  Energy flowed through my arm and into my sword.  I know not how what happened next worked, but it was nothing short of a miracle.

A light blue, translucent bubble appeared around Nixso, blocking the clawed hand of the creature.  Everyone and everything seemed to pause to at the strange phenomena, stunned at the sudden appearance of the barrier.  All eyes quickly turned to me, three pairs in shock, the rest held a lifeless stare as they approached.

Another surge of energy instinctively welled within me, flowing out of me once again to form a barrier around myself.  The creatures were soon upon me within a heartbeat, forgetting their former prey for me.

The trio snapped out of shock not long after, given their momentary reprieve to collect themselves.  As quick as a flash, they began to take out droves of the creatures as I held the attention of the shadowy nightmares.  Things were turning up until the sound and quake of something heavy landed behind me.

I turned to face a figure, clad in black armor from head to toe.  An enormous sword and shield were held in its grasp, and a red symbol shaped like a heart were imprint upon the armor and shield.  Its face was concealed beneath a helm, but its eyes still glowed the same yellow as the others.  I have no doubt that this creature is cause of all this trouble.

Not even a moment after I had turned was I given quarter as it brought down its sword upon me.  I quickly brought my own blades to parry and counter.  I succeeded in stopping his blade from cutting me in two, but failed to get my own sword past its shield.

For what seemed like hours, we clashed with swords and shield.  Slash after slash, block after block, neither of us could get past the defenses of the other.  The only indication that I had of the battle of the others were the loud explosions brought on by Milix.

As our blades locked once again, I looked directly into the eyes of my opponent.  Its eyes, they were not like the others.  The eyes of this being held life.  I did not have long to contemplate before an explosion knocked the armored knight off balance, giving me the opening I needed.

Using both of my blades, I disarmed the dark knight of its sword and slashed at its arm.  My blades made not even a scratch, but it seemed to know it was a disadvantage now.  It waste no time at my slight shock of being unable to inflict any damage and bashed me with its shield.  The attack left no damage thanks to the barrier, but it had its desired effect of knocking me off my feet.

Running past me, it grabbed its sword jumped to the rooftops.  It looked down upon me with what I could discern as malice before being consumed in a plume of black smoke, taking the shadow that had fallen over the town with it.

The lunar light once lit the evening without the shadowy fog to obstruct it.  It was as if the town itself gave a collect sigh of relief as the stars twinkled in the night sky once again.  Peaceful.  That would be the best way to describe how everything feels now.

"So your the source of all the commotion, 'ey?"  A certain female rabbit commented.  "Didn' think a fellow Nobody'd be the cause of it all."

I picked myself up to face the trio that had approached me once again.  They seemed more relaxed than before, though Milix still seems rather irritated at me.

"Give the bloke a break, Milix. 'E probably just became one before we got 'ere."  Ixan casually pointed out.  "Come on, 'e even saved Nixso."

"Fine,"  reluctantly gave a huff.  "I suppose I do 'ave to ta' thank ye for savin' Nixso."

Tsundere.

"Yeah, thanks, mista'!"  Nixso excitedly exclaimed as he climbed onto my shoulders.  "Almost bit tha' bullet back there.  I owe ya'!  What's ya' name anyway?"

"Been wonderin' that meself.  What's your name, mate?"

"Yes, it's rude not give your name ta' others."

Should I tell them?  I do not even know if it is even my name.  But they have kind to me since they found me.  Even going so far as to protect me...

"Cloekx."  I softly spoke for the first time since I woke up.  I hope they were able to hear me.

"Cloekx, huh?  Alright then, let's be on our way, then."  Milix snapped her fingers together, causing a dark portal to suddenly appear.  "Come on you lot, let's get movin'!"

"Come on then, we'll tell ya' 'bout us on the way back 'ome."  Ixan said as he and Milix stepped into the shadowy portal.

"It'll be alright, Cloekx,"  Nixso reassured me.  "Nothin' ta' be 'fraid of."

I suppose I shall have to trust these people.  Perhaps they can help me recover the memories to my past and the black journal.  And perhaps, maybe even answers to the voice and the girl with violet hair.

With that, I entered the shadows in my search for answers.

Description
Organization Innocence: Audition

Silent Rebirth

Drowning.  Falling.  Despair.  Such is the cold embrace of darkness.

Why can I not remember anything?

Protect...

Who am I?

Protect...

What am I?

Protect...

Why is this voice telling me this?

Protect...

Why...

Protect...

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

White.  Black.  Scattered all around me.  Falling from the sky, like snowflakes.  That is the first thing that enters my vision.  What is this?  Paper?  Why do I feel such a yearning to it?

My thoughts and attention are quickly diverted by the bright lights that illuminate the area around me.  They flash and glow, revealing the red rooftops and shops of the pseudo-Victorian architecture.  I cannot help keep my eyes from enjoying such an incredible sight in front of me, but there is something amiss that is giving me a deep feeling of dread.

Despite the welcoming lights of the streets, not a soul was to seen.  Why are the streets empty?  Where is everyone?

Wait, what is this?  There is something amidst the paper.  A small, black journal?  Perhaps this might tell me who and, perhaps, where I am.

Opening the small, leather bound book, I find the pages blank.  I turned page after page, only to find the same result.  It is not until I am half way through the book that I find something incredibly strange.

The words on the page, they are fading right before my eyes, as if the journal were saying I am not meant to read the contents of its pages.  Page after page I turned in hopes of finding some information as to who I am.  In the end, my efforts are futile, for the letters of every page continued to fade from existence.

An empty feeling comes over me.  It feels as if I should be feeling something, only for a dismal copy to be taking its place.  Despair, I should be feeling it, but I cannot.  I quickly lose grip of the book as the pseudo-emotion overwhelms me.  It falls to the cobblestone road with a light clatter, its pages open for all the world to see.

What happened next was something remarkable.  Either by pity of me or some splendor of magic, five letters appear on the page.  L-O-C-K-E.

Just as suddenly as they appeared, they began to rearrange themselves, only for another letter to suddenly come into being and enter the flurry of letters.  C-L-O-E-K-X.  What a strange name.  Is that my name?

"Is too quiet.  Where the bloody 'ell is everyone?"

Another person?  Sounds like a man around his late teens or early twenties.

"Shut it!  Are ye trying to attract the heartless?"

Well, people now.  The second sounds like a female around the same age as the man.

"Yeah, Ixan."

This voice sounds distinctly higher, like that of a child.  I believe the child blew a raspberry at whomever this 'Ixan' is.

"You little brat!"  Shouted 'Ixan'.

"Don't ye dare pick on 'im ye spiky haired-"  The female scolded the man before being interrupted by the child.

"'Ey, guys, look!  There's somebody ovah there!"

I slowly picked myself up and turned around to meet the source of the voices that spotted me.  The first that came into my sight was a dirty, little boy with brown hair that had an ever jubilant grin on his face.  Behind him was a woman with hair as pink as cotton candy and a pair of rabbit ears perched upon her head.  The third, whom I assume is 'Ixan', was a heavily scarred man with blue and blonde hair.  The three of them wore coats of white and each had different variation of a foreign of accent.

The trio of strangers quickly approached me with a hint of caution.  Sizing me up, they spoke amongst themselves, just soft enough that I cannot make out what they say.

I must say, they are much shorter than I thought they would be, a fact that seems to intimidate them.  Well, the boy at least, considering he is hiding behind the female.  Is my appearance really that frightening?

"-Tall, scarred, an' silent.  Pay attention when someone speaks to ya', ye stupid statue!"

What?  Oh dear, I must have been daydreaming during my monologue.  Now the woman is upset with me.  I really did not mean to offend her.

"Give the bloke a break, Milix," the Ixan defended me.  "'E could be a mute for all we know."

Why is this man protecting me?  This is the first time we have ever met, yet he is willing to stand up for me.  I cannot understand why a complete stranger would do such a thing.

"That's no excuse for bein' rude!"

Ms. Milix certainly does have a spitfire personality, does she not?  Wait, she said 'scarred' when she was trying to get my attention.  What did she mean by that?

It was by the first time I had actually gotten a good my look at myself.  Indeed, I was quite horribly scarred, and only wearing pants and shoes.

From what I could see from my exposed torso, three scars stood out the most.  The first being one that started at the base of my abdomen to my rib cage, as if I had been dissected.  The second being a long scar that started from my left hip to my right shoulder.  Finally, the most notable, though not technically a scar, was a metal plate where my heart should be.  What in the worlds could have caused all of these scars?  Worlds?

As I looked up from my body, my eyes connected with those of the dirty boy that hid behind female.  I could see the apprehension in his eyes, laced with a hint of curiosity.  Why does it bother me so?  Suddenly, something catches his attention as he looks beyond me.

"Oi, 'eartless!"  The boy shouts as he pulls out a slingshot flashed into existence in his hand.

Quick as a whip, the boy's older companions ceased their bickering and bring their own weapons into being.  A strange, bladed weapon shaped much like a crescent moon came into being in the man's hand, while a large bomb with a lit fuse came into the woman's.

Before I could begin to wonder what was happening, the trio of strangers surrounded me, protecting me.  From what?  My question was soon answered by two glowing eyes staring right at me.  A wave of emptiness overwhelmed me as I stared into those lifeless eyes.  I should feel fear, but I could not feel anything.

There was little time to comprehend what was happening as a great shadow overcame the square, blocking out the light of the moon that lit the town.  Even the light of the street lamps struggled to shine through the fog of darkness that threatened to engulf us.

More eyes pierced through the fog.  Each holding a golden, lifeless stare.  Wanting to take us, to consume us, to join them in becoming the darkness itself.

Shapes soon became distinguishable as the shadows took form.  Beings tall and small, wide and thin, all with the desire to devour the four of us.

Slowly, they crept towards us.  Quickly, their numbers swelled.  Now, I know why the streets lay so bare.

I wanted nothing more than to run, but my body refused to listen.  Ever fiber of my being screamed at me to flee, but no matter what, it would not move.

Protect...

"Now look a' what ye' done, Ixan.  Your bloody shoutin' 'as gone an attracted all the 'eartless to us!"

"Me?!  You're the one 'oo wen' an' lit ya' short fuse.  Your as loud as ya' bloody bombs!"

It seems Ixan and Milix cannot seem to stop arguing even when in danger.

Protect...

"Guys, guys!  Can you both do this afta' we take care'a all the 'eartless?"  The boy pleaded to his companions as he readied his slingshot.

"Right, right.  Sorry, Nixso,"  Ixan apologized as he turned his attention to the creatures that were amassing in front of us.  "This isn't ovah, Milix, not by a longshot."

"Like 'ell it is, ye spikey 'aired freak!  I'll rip ye a new one when we get back!"  Flinging the bomb into a crowd of those creatures, causing a an amazing arrangement of light to burst forth from the explosion.  Quickly moving to and fro, gleefully like a rabbit, her bombs were a thing of destructive beauty and inspiration.

Protect...

"Get ovah ya'self, Shortfuse!"  He yelled as he cut through the creatures with his weapon.  It was like watching an elaborate dance with how he fought.  I could not help but watch in awe as he seamlessly tore apart the creatures with little effort.

Protect...

"Please just focus on the 'eartless!"  Firing countless projectiles into the shadows, causing many of the eyes to disappear in a wisp of smoke.  Nimbly dodging the creatures so fluidly and taking them out as they came.  It was reminiscent of that of a squirrel from what I could see.

Protect...

Despite their amazing skill, I could they were slowly losing ground.  The creatures simply kept coming.  There was no end to them.

Protect...

"Bloody 'ell, they just keep comin'!"

Protect...

"There's no end to 'em!"

Protect.

"Dammit it all!  We're not gonna die here!  Get ye'selves together!"

Protect.

Why can I not move?  Why can I not do anything?  Why am I so useless?

Protect.

This throbbing, this voice.  It feels like my head is going to explode.

Protect.

Shut up.  Shut up!  What am I supposed to do!?

Protect.

How?  I know not how to fight.  I do not have anything to defend myself with.

Protect.

How am I supposed to protect them if I cannot even protect myself?  How?  How?!

Protect.

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

Everything suddenly went dark.  So lonely, so quiet.  I can make something out.  Purple hair?  A girl?

"Are you just gonna let everything end like this?"  The females asks.  Her voice sounds so soothing, familiar.  Why do I feel I trust her with everything I am?  "You never let anyone down like this."

Protect.

"What are you waiting for?"

Protect.

"Wake up!"

Protect.

"Get up!"

Protect.

"Don't let them down!"

Protect!

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

My eyes open as a strange surge of power courses through me.  It is difficult to describe what I am feeling, but there is one thing I can say about this feeling.  I can feel them.  Fear, anger, sorrow, hope, joy, but most of all, the desire to protect.

The emotions disappeared as quickly as they came, but the yearning to protect remains.  I can feel the power migrating to my hands, coming into being.  A flash, and two heavy objects appear in my hands.  Two swords, singled edged, hilts of ebony and crimson, and gleaming of silver.

Around me, I see the dark creatures slowly backing from me, yet transfixed on me.  There is little time to wonder before my thoughts were interrupted by the trio.

"Everyone, stay close!"  I hear Milix shout over her colorful explosives.  Many are taken out with each explosion, but more keep coming and taking place of their fallen comrades.

Without even a moment of hesitation, I found my feet pushing myself forward towards these strangers.  Strangers, like me.

Closer and closer, the creatures came to them.  Blades, claws, and so much more.  Lashing and slashing, all with the intent to kill.

"Nixso!"  I heard both Milix and Ixan yell.

One of the taller creatures separated the boy from the group with a swat of its arm.  Another of the creatures quickly came to cease upon the opportunity like a vicious predator. And much like a predator, the creature brought down its sharp claw upon Nixso.

Instinctively, I held out my arm with sword in hand.  Energy flowed through my arm and into my sword.  I know not how what happened next worked, but it was nothing short of a miracle.

A light blue, translucent bubble appeared around Nixso, blocking the clawed hand of the creature.  Everyone and everything seemed to pause to at the strange phenomena, stunned at the sudden appearance of the barrier.  All eyes quickly turned to me, three pairs in shock, the rest held a lifeless stare as they approached.

Another surge of energy instinctively welled within me, flowing out of me once again to form a barrier around myself.  The creatures were soon upon me within a heartbeat, forgetting their former prey for me.

The trio snapped out of shock not long after, given their momentary reprieve to collect themselves.  As quick as a flash, they began to take out droves of the creatures as I held the attention of the shadowy nightmares.  Things were turning up until the sound and quake of something heavy landed behind me.

I turned to face a figure, clad in black armor from head to toe.  An enormous sword and shield were held in its grasp, and a red symbol shaped like a heart were imprint upon the armor and shield.  Its face was concealed beneath a helm, but its eyes still glowed the same yellow as the others.  I have no doubt that this creature is cause of all this trouble.

Not even a moment after I had turned was I given quarter as it brought down its sword upon me.  I quickly brought my own blades to parry and counter.  I succeeded in stopping his blade from cutting me in two, but failed to get my own sword past its shield.

For what seemed like hours, we clashed with swords and shield.  Slash after slash, block after block, neither of us could get past the defenses of the other.  The only indication that I had of the battle of the others were the loud explosions brought on by Milix.

As our blades locked once again, I looked directly into the eyes of my opponent.  Its eyes, they were not like the others.  The eyes of this being held life.  I did not have long to contemplate before an explosion knocked the armored knight off balance, giving me the opening I needed.

Using both of my blades, I disarmed the dark knight of its sword and slashed at its arm.  My blades made not even a scratch, but it seemed to know it was a disadvantage now.  It waste no time at my slight shock of being unable to inflict any damage and bashed me with its shield.  The attack left no damage thanks to the barrier, but it had its desired effect of knocking me off my feet.

Running past me, it grabbed its sword jumped to the rooftops.  It looked down upon me with what I could discern as malice before being consumed in a plume of black smoke, taking the shadow that had fallen over the town with it.

The lunar light once lit the evening without the shadowy fog to obstruct it.  It was as if the town itself gave a collect sigh of relief as the stars twinkled in the night sky once again.  Peaceful.  That would be the best way to describe how everything feels now.

"So your the source of all the commotion, 'ey?"  A certain female rabbit commented.  "Didn' think a fellow Nobody'd be the cause of it all."

I picked myself up to face the trio that had approached me once again.  They seemed more relaxed than before, though Milix still seems rather irritated at me.

"Give the bloke a break, Milix. 'E probably just became one before we got 'ere."  Ixan casually pointed out.  "Come on, 'e even saved Nixso."

"Fine,"  reluctantly gave a huff.  "I suppose I do 'ave to ta' thank ye for savin' Nixso."

Tsundere.

"Yeah, thanks, mista'!"  Nixso excitedly exclaimed as he climbed onto my shoulders.  "Almost bit tha' bullet back there.  I owe ya'!  What's ya' name anyway?"

"Been wonderin' that meself.  What's your name, mate?"

"Yes, it's rude not give your name ta' others."

Should I tell them?  I do not even know if it is even my name.  But they have kind to me since they found me.  Even going so far as to protect me...

"Cloekx."  I softly spoke for the first time since I woke up.  I hope they were able to hear me.

"Cloekx, huh?  Alright then, let's be on our way, then."  Milix snapped her fingers together, causing a dark portal to suddenly appear.  "Come on you lot, let's get movin'!"

"Come on then, we'll tell ya' 'bout us on the way back 'ome."  Ixan said as he and Milix stepped into the shadowy portal.

"It'll be alright, Cloekx,"  Nixso reassured me.  "Nothin' ta' be 'fraid of."

I suppose I shall have to trust these people.  Perhaps they can help me recover the memories to my past and the black journal.  And perhaps, maybe even answers to the voice and the girl with violet hair.

With that, I entered the shadows in my search for answers.