Grim Purpose [The Champion]

[Aerith]

Now to play the waiting game.
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[July 24th]

The End of the World was much different without Lethe and Kyza or even Ava to accompany her. If she had seemed out of place before, that sensation was compounded now. But this was necessary. There was much news to deliver, more than she had expected to have.

She remembered the way, of course, and her Corridor opened onto the area where she had last seen the Champion. Naturally, he was not sitting here waiting for her. He had said he would appear only if possible, so she settled in to wait.

How long to wait, though, was the question.

[Prythian]

There was a brief period of time. There was a sense of some presence looking about the area before the Champion arrived, golden sword gleaming in his hand. "Greetings." His harsh voice rang out in the darkness. "I assume you have news for me?" The sword vanished similar to the flash that had brought both it and the Champion here. His long nails seemed even more claw-like than the last time she had seen him, and while his hood was up, his breathing seemed somewhat strained.

[Aerith]

Where to start? Oh, yes.
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She did not have to wait too long. The manner in which he chose to appear might have unnerved her had she possessed a heart. Instead, she just fixed him with a dispassionate look.

"Yes. Quite a bit of news." She paused to make sure she began in the correct place. "The leader of the Organization, Xemnas, is dead. He was betrayed by three of the other members in a coup."

[Prythian]

The Champion almost seemed to draw back, taken by surprise. "...That was unpredicted." He said hesitantly. "I hold no concern about who Xemnas once was. It is he that ended up making me necessary at this point in time. Should he return... well, it is of no importance." The Champion waved a hand in dismissal. "What is the status of the Organization at this point in time, and what are their plans?"

[Aerith]

I'll tell you.
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Alanix suddenly remembered the advice to look into the Organization's history. She would need to do that soon. As it stood, most of what the Champion said in response meant nothing to her. So, she moved on to other topics.

"The Organization is attempting to function in a far more open manner. After some discussion, it was decided that the ranks would be abolished in favor of a council system. But one Nobody was chosen to act as a leader for the group, kept in check by everyone else." She saw no need to mention specific names until she was asked.

"As for their plans... they are going to take the side of the Keybladers and fight against you in the Graveyard.

[Prythian]

"What?" The Champion actually did take a step back this time. "They will- Fools, the lot of them. I have no issue with them and now they intend to get in my way." He turned away from Alanix and began muttering to himself under his breath, too softly to hear. "You are aware that until this point in time they were enemies, aren't you?" He asked her. "A lesson that is important to remember... no matter how important it is to fight a common enemy, enemies do not fight well together. Tomorrow will be absolute chaos." He shook his head.

"You will have to fight me as well." He didn't ask, but simply stated.

[Aerith]

How much fighting, exactly?
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She knew that lesson well. Power struggles often played out that way, with enemies of enemies trying to work together and failing. Would this arrangement turn out the same way? Why would Sora and his friends agree to fight alongside the Organization in the first place?

Having to fight as well was a somewhat difficult prospect to swallow. "If I must." Not that she had any delusions of grandeur about being able to hold her own against the Champion. She was still a fledgling among Nobodies and didn't hold a candle to anyone like Lexaeus. But perhaps there would be so much else happening that she could avoid fighting as much as possible.

[Prythian]

"I wouldn't worry about your own life." The Champion proclaimed with confidence. "Not from me, anyways. If I have allies show up, as is planned, you might have to be concerned with them, but I sense strength within you. I've said it before... Void and Chaos are an incredibly unusual combination." He shook his head. "Don't hold back anything you've got, and be careful. I will be holding back my own power throughout the events of tomorrow anyways." It sounded like he was grinning. "Everything will turn out to be for the best in the end."

[Aerith]

Thank you for the warning.
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Odd to hear him compliment her in a roundabout way. It wasn't something she had come to expect from the Champion.

"I will be careful. And I will keep that in mind." Any potential allies who joined him would pale in comparison, so perhaps she would focus on them. That way, she could still keep up appearances.

[Prythian]

The Champion shook his head. "With the Organization in a state of upheaval... even with a new system, they will not be well organized. And they will be suspicious of you. For your own sake, do all you can to avoid them finding out you meet with me. Should that happen, you will never gain your heart back through that group." The sword reappeared in his hands. "I will see you at the Graveyard tomorrow... or, perhaps not. There will be a lot of people there, after all. Fate has a way of drawing the connections together."

He vanished.

[Aerith]

He works quickly.
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He was gone, just like that. He certainly didn't waste any time. Everything would change tomorrow. She had no way of knowing what would happen. It was all up to, as he had said, fate.

She followed his example, summoned a Corridor, and left.