Annora knew things were hopeless. She never said it out loud, she couldn't bring herself to do that. But she saw it everywhere she went. Tensions were running high between all unions, and even the union masters seemed to be picking fights. Annora had heard Aced had picked a fight with some of the Dandelions. Ira had stopped things before they had gotten too serious, but Skuld- who had been the target of the aggression- was still sporting a few bruises.

Annora didn't know why she wandered back up to the cliff Luxu was watching from. But with the war drawing ever closer she felt it was right to visit him. He had to be suffering just as much as the rest of them. Maybe more, as it was his friends that were causing this mess.

Annora sat down beside Luxu without a word. He glanced at her calmly, not speaking for a moment. He took note of her expression, which was grim. Her shoulders were tense and her eyes looked longingly out towards the city.

"Back again?" Luxu asked, looking toward the city with her. It was a peaceful day. Well, as peaceful as things were able to get now.

"We don't have much more time, do we," Annora said. It was clear from the tone of her voice she didn't mean it to be a question. Just a statement of truth. Any trace of hope had faded from her voice. She sounded bitter and defeated.

"No, I don't think so." Luxu agreed, his voice soft.

"This war's going to happen, no matter what we do." Annora said, her voice matching his softness. Luxu nodded.

"Yes." He agreed. There was a quiet pause, only the wind creating a sound as dandelion seeds blew past on the wind.

"I'll accept your offer." Annora said suddenly, watching the dandelion seeds fall to the ground as the wind died down. Luxu looked at her in surprise.

"What?" Luxu asked, thinking perhaps he had misheard. He had made the offer so long ago, and he had assumed she had forgotten it. Anyone with sense would choose to join the Dandelions. They wouldn't have to watch the world end. They just got to be free.

"I'll be your apprentice or whatever," Annora said, turning to look at Luxu. Luxu frowned, realizing she was serious. Not that he wasn't glad, but he couldn't understand why. He hated having to do this. Why would anyone choose to carry his responsibility?

"I'm glad to hear that, but why did you decide to follow me?" Luxu asked, slowly choosing his words. "I thought you would have joined the Dandelions." Annora looked down with a soft smile. She nodded in understanding, trying to keep her smile from fading away.

"I thought about it," Annora admitted. "But I want to be able to pass on the story, the entirety of it. No sugar coating it, just the truth." She explained calmly. Luxu nodded once again.

"Why?" He asked. Annora looked up at him. To his surprise, the hope he had thought gone had returned. Her eyes were strong once again, the way he was so used to seeing them.

"So maybe it won't happen again." She said simply. Luxu found himself smiling at her words.

"I hope that works." He said. He looked back towards the town, thinking what their next move should be. "Go back to the town for now, when the war starts- and you'll know it when it does- meet me here." He said. Annora nodded and stood. She inclined her head in a small bow.

"Yes, sir." Annora said. She turned away, walking towards the path only she seemed to know.

"And Annora," Luxu said, catching her attention. She looked over her shoulder at him. "Let your heart be your guiding key," Luxu said. Annora grinned softly.

"Is that permission to change my mind?" Annora asked. Luxu smiled in return, though Annora couldn't tell.

"Maybe."

*<3*

Ava frowned leaning against a windowsill. She stared out into the city sadly, watching wielders pass by. Kamiko stood not far away, watching her master with a worried expression. Ava had hardly moved all day. It was unusual for her.

"It's not much longer Kami," Ava said very suddenly. Kamiko titled her head to the side in confusion. She quickly realized what Ava meant and nodded slowly.

"Yeah, I know," Kamiko said sadly.

"You know, Ira came up with a last theory," Ava said, her voice still soft. Kamiko scoffed looking away. Of course. Things couldn't be left alone. They had to keep the dust from settling.

"Really, what was it? Another dark Chirithy?" Kamiko asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Ava turned away from the window and looked at Kamiko in confusion. Kamiko rarely used sarcasm. It was a thing she did when she was on her last bit of patience.

"No," Ava said, taking note of her friend. "You're mad." She said calmly. Kamiko sighed and looked at Ava sadly.

"I can't help but think it's all his fault. He started this panic in the first place. And now last second he's throwing out something else." Kamiko said softly. She sounded defeated to even herself. This threat was hanging over her head too much.

"He's trying his hardest," Ava said, trying to defend her friend.

"Or maybe he's starting a war!" Kamiko snapped, turning to Ava quickly. Ava jumped back a little, shock clear on the portion of her face Kamiko could see. Kamiko looked away sadly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you."

"It's ok, you're under just as much stress as the rest of us," Ava said. She stopped, giving Kamiko time to reply. Kamiko was grateful for that. Ava always had a talent for reading the situation and seeing just what needed to be done. That was probably what was bothering so much about the current situation. She didn't know what to do.

"What's Ira's theory." Kamiko asked, looking to Ava.

"He thinks darkness himself is responsible." Ava explained. Kamiko looked at her blankly, before scoffing and looking away.

"That's ridiculous." Kamiko said with a frown. Ava titled her head to the side in confusion. That hadn't been the reaction she had been expecting at all. It wasn't at all how anyone else had reacted. It seemed off.

"Is it?" Ava asked. She looked down as she wove her fingers together. "I thought, it might hold some merit." She said.

"It doesn't. He would never." Kamiko insisted. She froze, realizing what her words sounded like. She frowned, her lips becoming a thin line. Ava looked up at Kamiko slowly, trying to understand what had just happened. Kami couldn't know anything about darkness. She was too bright.

"Kami? Do, do you know something?" Ava asked in disbelief. Kamiko laughed and looked away, tears beginning to fill her chocolate brown eyes.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't just, you know, tell someone." Kamiko said with a nervous laugh. Ava frowned in confusion.

"Kami? What is it?" Ava asked. Kamiko looked up at Ava calmly.

"Darkness can't be the traitor because Takiko is just as scared as everyone else," Kamiko said simply. Ava took in a shocked breath. Kamiko smiled softly and looked away.

"Takiko is," Ava began, not able to finish the thought. She didn't need to though.

"Yeah. He is. But I guess it's fine if they call him the traitor. At least you're in the clear. You have light after all." Kamiko said, looking at the floor with unnecessary interest. Ava stood from where she sat calmly.

"Kamiko, I'm so sorry. If I had known I would never have agreed." Ava said, stepping towards her lieutenant. Kamiko didn't react to her words. Ava swallowed nervously. "I won't tell Ira." Ava decided. Kamiko looked up at her in shock.

"You won't?" Kamiko asked, disbelief filling her voice. Ava smiled and nodded.

"No, it looks like this war will just have to come." Ava said. Kamiko hugged Ava tightly. The embrace was gladly returned by Ava. Kamiko smiled broadly as she stepped back.

"Thank you," Kamiko said, still smiling at Ava. "What about the Master?" Kamiko suddenly. Ava frowned, her head tilting to the sided, a lock of her pale red hair showed for a brief second. Kamiko rarely got to see that. She hardly saw any part of Ava's physical features. Some rule from the Master.

"What?" Ava asked.

"If you find him then maybe he can stop it." Kamiko said, explaining her sudden mention the teacher who had been gone for too long.

"No one knows where he is." Ava objected.

"What about Luxu?" Kamiko asked, raising her eyebrow in challenge. Ava frowned yet again.

"No one knows where he is either." She objected. Kamiko shook her head with another laugh.

"Try looking anyway. If anyone can stop it, he can." Kamiko insisted. Ava seemed to think about it for a moment before she finally nodded, looking up at Kamiko. If she hadn't been wearing the mask, their eyes would have met perfectly.

"You're right. I'll go look. Keep everything in order while I'm gone." Ava said, her voice resolute for the first time the entire conversation. Kamiko nodded simply. This was their last chance.

*<3*

Takiko entered the room he could usually find Invi in to see the master reading the book of prophecies. The cloth that usually was pulled up over her face was down, showing her worried frown. Takiko paused in the doorway, taking note of her tense posture. She hadn't looked at the book in a long while. She must have been desperate to be back to the useless book.

"Are you alright?" Takiko asked. Invi jumped a little, startled by Takiko's sudden words. She looked at him for a moment before turning back to the book and flipping a page idly.

"No. There's nothing we can do anymore." Invi said. Takiko reacted only with silence. She sounded so much more bitter than she usually did. Takiko suspected that's what the stress was doing to her. "Even if Ira's latest theory is true, we can't find him in time." Invi continued when she realized Takiko wasn't going to talk.

"Find who?" Takiko asked curiously.

"Ira thinks whoever holds darkness is the traitor. Or darkness himself is the traitor." Invi explained. Takiko swallowed nervously and stepped back without thinking about it.

"Oh." He said nervously. Invi didn't seem to notice, however. She only let out a heavy breath that sounded too shaky for her to be completely calm.

"It's impossible Takiko. We're all going to die." Invi said, sadness weighing in her voice. She put her face into her hands, trying to calm herself. Takiko frowned. He hated watching Invi tear herself apart over this. He had to do something.

"Do you really think it would stop if you found darkness?" Takiko asked cautiously. Invi took a breath and nodded, slowly looking back up and turning to Takiko.

"I don't know. But I would hope so." She admitted. Takiko sighed and look at the ground.

"Fine." Takiko decided. Invi looked at him in confusion. "I always hated lying to you anyways," Takiko said, not looking at Invi.

"What are you talking about?" Invi asked. Takiko looked up at her, keeping his gaze even. He felt like running away. He didn't want to die for who he was. But he couldn't let Invi suffer. He couldn't let everyone suffer because he didn't want to die. His life wasn't worth the thousands that would die if he didn't act.

"I am darkness. If you think turning me in will help, fine. I'm always ready to die for you." Takiko said simply. Invi stared at him for a moment in utter shock. Takiko gave her time to process what he had said.

"You can't be serious. You're too, too kind." Invi said. Takiko chuckled in reply. He looked at Invi with a dark look. Dark enough she backed away in fear.

"I am. I promise you I am." Takiko said softly.

"How, how long have you known, who you are?" Invi asked, tripping over her words. She would never do that under normal circumstances. Takiko shrugged.

"Pretty much my entire life. I can still remember small bits and pieces from my lives before. Not much." Takiko admitted, he looked away from Invi. He waited to hear the sound of her keyblade being drawn. Much to his surprise the sound never came.

"I won't turn you in." Invi said. Takiko turned to her quickly, shock clear on his face.

"Why not?" He demanded, stepping forward. "If it will stop the war-"

"I'm not sure it will." Invi cut him off firmly. "And I'd rather not lose my lieutenant before the war. You mean too much to me for that." She said. Takiko nodded and stepped back again.

"Right. Of course." Takiko agreed softly.

"Maybe, maybe darkness isn't so bad. It's just how it's used." Invi said, turning back to the book of prophecies. Takiko smiled softly. She was the first in a long time to even dare suggest such a thing. A shame it was far too late.

*<3*

Gula frowned looking down at the desk where he had all sorts of information spread out. His leopard mask was off, sitting beside his hand. His hood was down as well, for once letting his messy blonde hair show. His blue eyes were narrowed as he read over the papers, looking almost like the eyes of the leopard that represented him. Jax stood beside him, looking over the papers. It was an odd thought to Jax. Gula would never take his mask off in front of the other Foretellers, but with Jax, he never minded.

"We haven't gathered nearly enough lux." Gula said, not looking to Jax.

"I still think this is a bad idea." Jax said simply. As a union they didn't have enough lux but combined with the other unions, things looked dangerously close.

"What other option do we have?" Gula asked. Jax didn't answer as was to be expected. Gula shook his head with a heavy sigh. "Ira's new theory isn't working." He said evenly.

"Isn't there another way?" Jax asked quietly. Gula shook his head once again.

"There's no time to find one. The war is drawing nearer and we're no closer to finding the traitor." Gula replied. He was attempting to seem calm. Jax could tell he wasn't, but he admired the effort all the same. It seemed these really were desperate times. There were no options left. No good options at least.

"Takiko," Jax said softly. Gula looked up at Jax in confusion, his blue eyes widening just a fraction of the way.

"What?" Gula asked in confusion.

"Takiko is darkness. Kamiko is light." Jax said simply. He turned away from where he and Gula had been standing, pacing away into the room. Gula turned to follow Jax with his eyes, a hand going to his hip.

"Why are you-" Gula began to ask. Jax didn't let him finish.

"You think that will find the traitor right? That will stop the war?" Jax asked. Gula nodded slowly. He watched Jax for a few moments before asking his next question. He was just noticing how tense Jax was. His usually calm demeanor seemed more forced. He was surprised he hadn't seen it sooner. It was so obvious now that he was looking.

"How do you know that?" Gula asked. Jax shrugged, keeping his back turned to Gula.

"They told me," Jax said calmly. Gula frowned. That wasn't a secret that would be given to just anyone. Not if Takiko and Kamiko had any sense. Which Gula was quite certain they did.

"Why?" Gula asked. Jax didn't answer. Gula sighed heavily, looking at his old friend. "Jax, please tell me why," Gula said calmly. Jax swallowed nervously and wet his lips before turning to look at Gula.

"They wanted me to stop you. I told them all the pieces had to be in place. And they told me they were two of the pieces that would be there." Jax explained calmly. Gula nodded in understanding.

"But, how do you know that? All the pieces." He asked. Jax rubbed the back of his head nervously.

"She told me." Jax said simply. Gula frowned.

"She?" He asked. Jax nodded.

"Kingdom Hearts." He said simply. A tense silence filled the room. Jax avoided eye contact as Gula stood with his mouth slightly open in shock. He blinked a few times in surprise before finally closing his mouth.

"All these years, and I never knew," Gula said softly. Jax shrugged as if it weren't that big of a deal.

"I'm sorry. It's just, I didn't want you to, you know." Jax said, refusing to meet Gula's eyes that were filled with awe.

"Treat you like you were different." Gula finished for his friend. His eyes softening. Jax nodded.

"Yeah." He agreed. Gula sighed and turned back to the desk.

"Well, can you ask her, please stay away," Gula asked. Jax took in a shocked breath and snapped his head up to look at Gula. "You all say it's a bad idea. If you three who know her best say that. Then you're probably right." Gula said. Jax smiled softly and nodded.

"I'll ask, but I doubt she'll answer," Jax said. She liked to talk when she wanted to. But if he had a question or request, she would usually ignore. She was a free spirit that saw much more than he ever could.

"It's worth a try. Anything is at this point." Gula said simply, putting his mask back on. Jax nodded in agreement. The unfortunate truth.