-Kleis POV-
"You look well," I said, my gaze lingering on Mei. She might have worn the same familiar outfit from our last encounter, but the shift in her eyes truly captured my attention. Previously, they had seemed lifeless, a void of pitch blackness that held no discernible warmth or light. Now, however, a distinct spark flickered within them, an undeniable sign of life. While I could still detect the faint, residual shadows of that emptiness lurking in the depths of her irises, it was a mere whisper compared to the vibrant presence that now shone through. The change was subtle yet impactful, suggesting a shift from a state of deep despair or detachment to one of tentative reawakening.
"I hope so. After the insane gamble you've taken, I would hope your actions achieve something." Mei said with a faint chuckle that warmed my heart, truly the Mei I met before and now was night and day. In fact, the way she was acting reminded me of her Earth counterpart.
"I'm happy for you, Mei," I said with a warm smile. Mei, hearing my words, smiled back at me, which made my heart beat. "How are things in the Cosmos, Mei?" I coughed, turning to cover my blush. I couldn't help but be curious about what was going on in the outside world.
Mei tilted her head at my question, confused by it. "Kleis, it has only been two days since we last met." Mei said that had me frozen. I knew that time in the scepter and the outside world was different, but if I experienced a week while only two days passed for Mei? I bit my cheek at the news, at the thought of the time difference.
"So it has then, Mei. A week has gone by where I'm from," I answered, and Mei tilted her head at what I said.
"Kleis, just where are you from that time streams are so different? I can only think of a few places that experience such time zones," Mei asked, her voice laced with genuine curiosity about my origin. I could only let out a weary sigh. Revealing my true nature, that I was a data entity linked to an Emperor's Scepter, would, I knew with certainty, elicit a reaction far beyond mere surprise.
"Mei, I'm inside the Last Emperor's Scepter. Specifically, Scepter δ-me13, a former celestial neuron for Nous," I replied with a heavy sigh. Mei's eyes widened in shock that I wasn't blaming her. Rubert II's death sealed all previous scepters, causing them to lose their ability to communicate and make instantaneous war decisions. Discovering another hidden scepter could lead to disaster, especially one that was the cradle of a Lord Ravager.
"Kleis, how is this possible? I can understand a Scepter could be hidden; it has happened before. But how did you gain self-awareness within the Scepter?" Mei asked, her expression shocked, and despite her shock, I couldn't help but smile at her showing such emotions.
I thought about what I could say, but then it hit me. I could be honest with Mei; it wasn't like anyone could enter her memories, Black Swan could attest to that. "My past life memories returned, enabling me to become sentient within the scepter." I said truthfully, as soon as the words escaped my mouth, Mei's eyebrows shot up.
"Your past life memories, is that even possible? Clearly, you're not a Vidyadhara, so how did you recover your past life?" Mei asked, confused about how such a thing could have happened. With a Vidyadhara, I could imagine recovering memories being possible, but for a normal human, that seems impossible.
I pondered how best to answer. As much as I trusted Mei, admitting I'd been reborn from a world that turned this one into a game felt risky… But my experiences as Brian were a different matter. "Mei, what do you know about the Heart?" I asked.
"The heart?" Mei asked, a hint of confusion in her voice. I could see her contemplating my question. "I assume you're not referring to the organ that pumps blood?" She clarified, and I nodded. "Are you speaking of the theory that the heart is the seat of the soul, emotions, cognition, and consciousness? I had thought Genius Society member Ruan Mei disproved that theory herself?" She mused after a moment's thought.
I couldn't help but hold back my surprise when Ruan Mei disproved the theory herself. I almost let out a snort, thinking about how close she was to one of the fundamental truths in the world. It's ironic that the woman who aspired to be an Aeon denied the very path that could lead her there.
"That's not just a theory, Mei. The Heart is one of the fundamental forces of the universe, the very essence that gives life to all things. Haven't you ever wondered why Intellitrons can live? Despite being inorganic lifeforms, they still feel emotions just like us. Just look at the genius society member Screwllum. He's inorganic, but he's more human than the gods themselves," I explained. Mei's expression shifted as she contemplated my words. Before I knew this world was connected to Kingdom Hearts, I often pondered how beings like Screwllum and Ai-chan could experience feelings. But now, understanding the connection, everything suddenly made sense.
"If what you're saying is true, it would explain why the Intellitrons I've met seem so human," Mei asked. "But do you have any proof, Kleis?" I wondered how I could prove my words to her. I knew I was right, but how could I show it? As I pondered this, I thought of the Keyblade, the very embodiment of my Heart. If anything could prove my words, it would be that.
Before I offered Mei my Keyblade, I summoned Eclipsed Radiance. "Mei, if anything can prove my words, it's this," I said, offering the Keyblade to her. "This is my Keyblade, 'Eclipsed Radiance,' a weapon forged from the embodiment of my heart. Just place your hand on the blade, and you'll know what I say is true." Mei raised an eyebrow, curious yet amused by my words, but complied, reaching her hand out to Eclipsed Radiance.
As Mei touched Eclipsed Radiance, I closed my eyes, focusing on the connection between our hearts. There was already a bond between us I had established. I concentrated on our connection and performed a simple act: I made our hearts beat as one. I wanted Mei to be aware of the bond we shared, just as I was aware of the small piece of light I had left within her. As I focused on this connection, I recalled Leon and Aerith's words: 'We may never meet again, but we'll never forget each other. No matter where we are, our hearts will bring us together again.' I poured all my being into those words as I searched for Mei and our connection.
A subtle tremor, almost imperceptible, ran through me. Then, it bloomed. My Heart pulsed with newfound vigor, and an involuntary gasp escaped my lips. It beat not just with my lifeblood, but with a borrowed rhythm, a shared pulse that filled me with an inexplicable warmth. Intertwined with this comforting heat was the undeniable presence of another heart Mei's.
The sensation was akin to the gentle awakening of spring, the delicate unfurling of cherry blossoms after a long winter. When I felt Mei's heart resonate with mine, the comparison was immediate and profound. I heard her own gasp, a mirror of my surprise, as I opened my eyes to see her other hand, her own physical heart held aloft. In that instant, as our gazes met and locked, I knew Mei finally believed me. The raw, unvarnished understanding in her eyes, the way they held mine captive, confirmed it: she understood the profound, life-altering connection that now bound us.
"Kleis, is this...?" Mei breathed, hand over her heart. "Is this the Heart? The real Heart?" Her voice trembled with shock and awe as she felt her own heart pounding. I couldn't blame her; the sensation was incredible. It's one thing to know you're alive, and another entirely to truly feel it.
I smiled at Mei's question. "Yes, Mei, this is the connection between us. It's proof of the Heart, proof that we are connected, proof that we are alive," I said, staring into her eyes. "Do you believe me now?" I added after a moment.
"How could I doubt you after you gave me such proof?" Mei smiled sweetly. "Are you sure you're not a member of the genius society, Kleis? In all my time, I've never heard of any theories that the heart is the seat of the soul, emotions, cognition, and consciousness. It's true," Mei said as she teased me.
"I hope so one day," I said, my laugh quickly fading into a more somber expression. "Honestly, Mei, the only way I can truly protect my home is by becoming a member of the Genius Society. Without it, there's nothing to stop any Genius or Faction in the cosmos from destroying it. As much as I hate to admit it, I am weak, Mei." I added, my voice trailing off as a wave of inadequacy washed over me. I hated that even if I saved Amphoreus, there would be nothing to prevent anyone from taking advantage of my new home.
There was silence before it broke when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see Mei standing there, her hand resting gently on me. Her eyes, filled with empathy, met mine. "Kleis, I understand how you feel," she said, her voice heavy with shared grief. "When my home, Izumo, was destroyed, I felt just as you do now — powerless." I could feel the sincerity in her words as her heart pulsed with sadness.
I couldn't help but clench my hands at Izumo's fate, and the thought that Amphoreus could end up the same way. Even though I knew things turned out alright in the original timeline, I couldn't accept it after seeing the mountains of corpses, over 61,921,629 cycles' worth. I looked at Mei, a thought forming in my mind.
"Mei, please train me," I pleaded. "I need strength to save my home, but I'm too weak. I have a weapon that can help me gain power, but I don't know how to truly wield it. You're the strongest person I know." I added, to defeat Lygus and Irontomb, I need combat experience against Emanators.
"What are you so afraid of, Kleis?" Mei asked, sensing my hidden fear. I paused, considering her question. I was afraid of Irontomb, Lygus, the Heartless, the Aeons, but most of all, my weakness.
"Mei my home is the cradle of a Lord Ravager that if not stopped WILL destroy Nous." I said, Mei's eyes widened at my words, and I could feel her Heart freeze in shock.
"How?" Mei stammered, her voice laced with disbelief. "How could this Lord Ravager kill the Wisdomwalker?" She added, her shock palpable. The way Mei stammered was surprising, as it seemed so out of character for her. But upon reflection, it made perfect sense. Mei was old, and as such, she must have known that Aeons could indeed die. The fates of the Tayzzyronth and Ena served as undeniable proof of this. However, the notion of an Aeon falling at the hands of a mortal was simply unheard of.
"This Lord Ravager is being nurtured by the first Genius, Zandar One Kuwabara. My home, Scepter δ-me13, has been simulating destruction for over 33,550,336 cycles since the end of the Second Emperor's War. The experiment is almost over, and I can't let Zandar win, Mei. I need your help," I pleaded to Mei.
Mei's eyes narrowed at my words before she sighed. "To think the First Genius is still alive and intends to destroy his creation. If Nous is killed, the War of the Gods will undoubtedly begin," she said. "Kleis, I could find Screwllum and ask for his help," Mei added, but I shook my head.
"Mei, there's no doubt that a genius's help would aid me, but that would also draw the attention of other geniuses. I cannot afford to attract the notice of the Lord of Silence, Polka Kakamond. She would obliterate Amphoreus without hesitation. While I may not know much about Polka personally, I'm well aware of her reputation and can expect her reaction." I stated, and Mei winced at my words.
I knew Mei was strong, but Polka possessed the same ability to remain undetected, having eliminated countless geniuses without a trace. All it would take is one moment of Mei's distraction, and Amphoreus would be gone. Then there was me, not knowing about Amphoreus's spatial coordinates. The only reason Herta and Screwllum could even locate Amphoreus was by following the silver trail of the Astral Express.
"I can't seek the genius's help yet, Mei. I need to work silently from the inside. Zandar doesn't know about my sentience or that I broke free from my programming. I've already made some progress in saving my home. I just need to get to the core of the scepter and freeze it. That way I have time to learn how to save my home," I said, knowing there was a way I could make Amphoreus a real world, but it was risky. So risky that I didn't even want to think about it.
Mei's eyes searched mine, as if seeking answers. I felt as though she were peering into my soul, seeming to read my very being. After what felt like an eternity, Mei let out a sigh. "Very well, Amphoreus is your home. It is up to the inhabitants of a world to decide its fate," Mei said, accepting my words. "But if you want to save your world, Kleis, you need strength. Zandar is an Emanator of Erudition. Unless you can bridge that gap, you must be able to survive fighting an Emanator." Mei added, and despite asking for her training, dread coursed down my spine.
Mei backed away, readying herself in an Iaijutsu stance. "Prepare yourself, Kleis," she said. "If you wish to fight an Emanator, you must be able to withstand one." I gripped Eclipsed Radiance with both hands, bracing myself. I knew I stood no chance; there was no doubt about it, but I needed to learn everything I could.
For a moment, only the soft echoes of oblivion's still waters could be heard. I channeled everything into my being as Path energy filled me with the power of light, both forces coursing within me. My eyes focused on Mei, ready for her move. Though I braced myself, no one was ready for what happened next. One moment Mei was in front of me, the next there was a flash of purple lightning, and the world went dark.
//Moments after//
"Ugh," I groaned, eyes shut tight, feeling a throbbing ache in my head. "That was so embarrassing. I knew I'd lose, but not that quickly." I winced, mortified by how fast I'd been defeated.
"You did better than I expected. You didn't lose consciousness immediately; you held on longer than I expected. Most people in your situation would have collapsed as soon as my sheath hit their head," Mei chuckled. I felt confused. I should have felt my head getting wet from the still waters of oblivion. Instead, my head was resting on something quite soft. When I opened my eyes, I saw Mei staring at me.
'Oh my Akivili,' I thought I was in the position that all Kiana's across the imaginary tree would kill me for being in. Blushing faintly, I could only stare at Mei as she provided me with a lap pillow. I took a deep breath as I searched for words. "Mei, what is this?" I asked because I needed some clarification.
"Do you like it? A friend told me long ago that men love this," Mei said, and I could only thank said friend for providing Mei such words of wisdom. They must have been a member of the Genius society, for how smart they were.
"Your friend was wise," I stammered as I stared at Mei. "How was my performance? What should I have done better?" I asked about changing the topic back to our spar. Mei hummed as she brushed my hair, lost in thought.
"To begin with, you need to channel your internal energy better. You should be able to react faster, but the way you channel your imaginary energy wastes energy." Mei said after a thought. I thought about her words and I couldn't help but frown. How was I wasting energy?
"What am I doing wrong that wastes energy?" I asked confused just what I was doing wrong. Everything I did felt natural. But what I did is wrong?
"You're forcing your energy into your body instead of letting it flow naturally," Mei explained. "Think of it like a river, not a waterfall. A waterfall splashes uncontrollably, expending a lot of energy all at once. But a river channels its power smoothly. If you channel your power like a river, you'll control the energy in every cell." I couldn't help but chuckle at her words. Mei frowned and flicked my nose. I yelped as she channeled lightning into her fingers. "What's so funny?" Mei asked, frowning. "You should pay attention," she chided me.
"I'm sorry, but seeing you so passionate, I couldn't help but imagine you as a teacher." I said as I let out a chuckle. Mei's eyes turned sad at my words.
"Becoming a teacher would have been nice. If I never had to fight and Izumo was not in the shadows of IX, I would like to be a teacher." Mei said sadly as she stared at the manifestation of Nihility. I stared at Mei and I couldn't help but curse myself for making her sad. Thinking about Izumo, I thought about its fate as it now was sleeping in Nihility's Shadow…. Sleeping in Nihility's Shadow… sleeping?
My eyes widened, and I almost jumped out of Mei's lap as a thought struck me. Mei must have felt my reaction, as she looked at me curiously. "Kleis, what's wrong?" She asked, confused, and I couldn't help but smile.
"Mei, what would you say if I told you Izumo isn't gone?" I asked, seeing her eyes widen in shock before she frowned, her face clouding over.
"I'd call you a liar," Mei said, frowning. "I watched Izumo sink in IX's Shadow Kleis. There's no coming back from the shadow of Nihility." I could tell she wasn't amused by my words.
"Mei, I swear I'm not joking. I can bring Izumo back, but I need to escape the scepter and find a safe place for my body. My body and soul are separated right now, but with our connection, I might send my soul out. However, that would put my body in danger if I can't find a safe place for it." I explained to Mei, who frowned and then looked at my body. She poked and prodded it as she inspected it.
"I didn't notice it before. You seem to be like a memetic entity, like Memokeepers." Mei said as she looked over my body in thought. "I have never seen such a thing. You are like a Memokeeper, but not," Mei added, confused at my current state. I couldn't help but chuckle at how confused Mei was.
"I am lucid dreaming right now; my body is asleep in reality, but my consciousness is here now." I explained as Mei nodded at my words.
"That would explain why you seem like a Memokeeper. But Kleis, you should know Nihility would affect you even more than usual in this state," Mei said seriously, and I nodded. I was just as skeptical as the Memokeepers when I delved too deep into Nihility's shadow. Until I build up more defenses, I shouldn't push my luck.
"You should go back to your body now," Mei said. "Staying here longer in the still waters of oblivion can't be healthy." I frowned, knowing she was right, but I wanted to stay. I thought about it and realized she was correct.
"You're right, Mei," I said with a smile, "but before I go, would you like to meet a friend of mine?" Mei looked at me, confused how I could bring someone here. I thought about my connection with Chirithy as light gathered above my chest, and Chirithy appeared on my stomach. "Mei, meet Chirithy. Chirithy, meet my friend Mei," I said, introducing the two.
Mei's eyes locked on Chirithy as she did not blink for a moment. "Hello Mei, my name is Chirithy," Chirithy said as he introduced himself to Mei with an outstretched paw. Mei said nothing as she reached for Chirithy, but instead of shaking his paw, she grabbed Chirithy and hugged the dream eater.
I could only smile as Mei hugged Chirithy with a soft smile. At this moment, Mei truly looked beautiful as she hugged the dream eater.
"Kleis, you have quite the adorable friend," Mei said as she hugged Chirithy, and I could only smile amused as Chirithy struggled to escape Mei's grasp. Honesty Chirithy should be glad in his position as most people would envy his position.
"How about the three of us take a picture?" I asked, Mei's eyes lit up as she pulled Chirithy from herself. Chirithy let out a gasp, finally free from Mei's deep chest.
"But I don't have my phone with me here," Mei said, frowning. I mirrored her frown, realizing I didn't even have a teleslate myself. Actually, now that I thought about it, I didn't have a teleslate at all.
"Kleis, I have your phone," Chirithy said as he rummaged through his pouch and pulled out a teleslate, handing it to me. I looked over the teleslate and it looked like a typical iPhone, but my eyes widened at the phone case. There on the back was the Imaginary Tree, the origin of everything.
'Now that I thought about it. What is the state of the Imaginary Tree and Kingdom Hearts? Are they the same thing?' I thought as I sat up from Mei's lap, as the three of us got into place for the photo. Using the teleslate was second nature to me as I readied the phone. The three of smiled as we took the photo.
"Mei, I'll see you again later. I don't know when or how much time will pass, but we'll meet again," I said, placing my hand over my heart. "And Mei, even if we never meet again, we'll never forget each other. No matter where we are, our hearts will guide us back together," I added, returning her smile. Mei smiled back, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Mei grabbed my hand and pulled me into a hug, her head resting on my shoulder. Her breath tickled my neck. "You're cute thinking you can escape me. You need to take responsibility for bringing the light back into my life, Kleis," she whispered. A shiver ran down my spine. "Kleis, you might not know this, but I'm an Oni, and we Oni get what we want," she added before pushing me away. I could only watch as Mei walked away, her hips swaying.
I couldn't tear my eyes away from Mei's hips as she walked off. Sensing my gaze, Mei turned back with a smirk before vanishing into the still waters of oblivion. I stood there, frozen, until Chirithy started nudging me. "Chirithy, what's wrong?" Chirithy asked, and I let out a sigh.
"That, my friend, was a woman declaring her territory," I said as I readied myself to go back to reality.
"I don't get it," Chirithy said, confused, as I just patted my Dream Eater friend. "Time to go back home. Will you take us back, Chirithy?" I asked, Chirithy nodded before I felt my body float as we left the still water of oblivion.
//Back to Reality//
As woke up as I found myself back in reality. I could see the clock close to morning as I stretched; I heard a knock on my door. Confused, I walked to the door as I found Castorice waiting for me with a smile. Just as I was about to greet Castorice, she suddenly invaded my personal space as she sniffed me.
"Castorice is something wrong?" I asked, confused by her sudden actions. Castorice pulled herself back as she narrowed her eyes at me.
"Lord Kleis, were you with a woman?" Castorice asked, and my heart stopped. I couldn't believe it! How could this girl's intuition be so sharp? I felt Castorice grab my hand, and her touch was no longer gentle.
"Akivili, please help me," I mutter as I came to learn that Castorice may be a secret Yandere.
Chapter 7: Lap Pillows and Plans End
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