Dream. Dream. In sleep the truth is an illusion and the illusion is the truth. There you will discover yourself. In these dreams you can find your potential. Open up your heart to it and you'll find no door closed and every window of opportunity to open at your word.

So dream. And be made anew.

Light. Beaming from a surface above but gradually dimming with the depth of the ocean you now head-first sink into like a stone thrown from the shore. The radiance of the sky is all that you can see, its fading shine the transition from the waking world into a station for your timely departure into the next world. Glowing beneath you is that station, the Heart's home. Upon a pillar erect from the darkness below, the glass cover of your heart is this image made from your memories, your light, and your darkness. It remains stable under your landing. However, this story isn't about you alone.

Your Heart's Station tells the story of your past, present, and future. You are there among two others. These are the ones intertwined with you. These two people, your friends, are destined to play equal parts in your future and the future of all worlds.

Step forward. There's little time left to wait.

That's right. This isn't the final stop. It's only the first station of your heart.

Sibyll Ashworth, the dextrous youth with a sense of adventure. Youngest of all, you are depicted with one eye open and a hand stretched toward the center. A depiction of joy across your face brings hope to those who view your stain glass portrait.

Lucretia, the influencing youth with a primordial touch. Bound by a mysterious force you hand reaches toward the center but unopened in hesitation. A depiction of anxiety shrouding your brow brings worry to those who view your stain glass portrait.

Aellios, the one of awakened potential who seeks continued peace. Eldest among those of the chosen, your hand reaches towards the center but distance keeps you from reaching those around you. A depiction of focus formed from your gaze brings a feeling of determination to those who view your stain glass portrait.

These are the three images on that glass face.

Here you feel the strength of your hearts together. You do not see your friends in this place but you know in your gut that they are always with you. It's always been like that. The same feeling pulls you forward. Their hearts are moving on without you. Don't hesitate.

The first step causes your heart to bridge the gap to the next station. The glass circle bearing your picture is connected to a higher platform by a wide, winding path made from colored panes of glass. Each step is as solid as the last. No fear is felt as the strength of your heart is reinforced by the strength of the others.

Reaching the second station, the hue of this station is blue. It's a calming but melancholic color. Ahead on the same station is an odd door, transparent but its opacity a gradient growing weaker with the height of the door. Upon inspection this door cannot be opened as your hand reaches right through it when you try to touch it.

Before you can reach the next station, you must first come to understand that your heart has a great potential but some aspect of yourself must be given up in order to strengthen your heart for the battles to come.

Rumbling comes from all around, beacons of soft light cast beams upon three identical pedestals. Upon them are the tools for shaping your unlocked power.

The power of the Warrior, the Dream Sword: a promise of great strength, the mark of courage, but the bringer of destruction.

The power of the Guardian, the Dream Shield: a promise of protection, the mark of tenacity, but the bringer of solitude.

The power of the Mystic, the Dream Rod: a promise of enlightenment, the mark of wisdom, but the bringer of reckonings.

It is here that your have chosen the path you will follow. In all it appears that two of the hearts have chosen to wield the Dream Sword while the final has chosen the Dream Rod. Without the guardian, it can be surmised that what's to come shall perhaps be too ferocious for the hearts of those destined to bear in their future.

Upon choosing the power to sacrifice, the pedestals sink partially into the station. The tools for shaping your potential vanish except for the one chosen. You now carry that item in your hand. It's perfect for your hand, as if made to be held by you. In the near future you will come to understand the effect of these tools.

The door becomes solid as your flesh. It can be opened. It's now too late to turn the clock back and choose another tool.

It is the key that opens this door. Indeed it opens with the blinding light of the ones who the keyblade chose.

This is the final station.

Its hue is burned red with passion of the heart. The door behind you is gone but this is the final station. The deepest part of your heart. Beside you are your friends. You see each other in this dream of your heart.

You are connected. The unspoken words pierce your minds at once. Protect the hearts of your friends; destruction of one shall bring down the others.

Behind each of you a light glows brightly, forcing you to cast a dark shadow at the center of the station. It darkens and then a black liquid pools at it center, ripples from outside in. In the blink of an eye it grows, taller and taller until a huge monster appears.



The closer you are to the light, the greater your shadow becomes.

The creature brings its hands to its hollowed chest a flame of darkness begins to fester with ever greater intensity in the stabilizing form of a sphere.



@DustyOldCrow@lady athena@VKAllen

The first to react, the one bound by the outsider's touch. Perhaps it is their influence that allows her to act even before darkness itself. But even with such speed of thought, does she know how to vanquish the creature before her with the tool at hand or the spells in mind?

As for the other two, it seems as though this moment of revelation is a reasonable cause for brief hesitation. They would have less an impact on the start of this battle compared to their fox friend. But battles aren't won through quick reactions alone.

The beast itself appears focused upon summoning the energy. Consequently strengthening, the flaming sphere of darkness reflected its magnitude of potency through visible waves of spacial distortion. Looking at that, this battle appears to be a dream like thing indeed! Yet the hearts of the trio were unwavering. Each held the tool in their hands to unlock their potential. This darkness before them is but the first obstacle to overcome with their hidden power.



Combat Rule. Instead posting after each person, the Initiative Count will tell me the order of everyone's actions. So once everyone posts again, I will describe the round in full. If you're going to make any attacks or require a roll, please do so in the OOC thread after you've made your post in this thread. Roll twice to account for surprise Advantages or Disadvantages.

TIP! Going first in combat is a huge advantage because you can interrupt monsters sometimes, depending on your described actions. Going after the monster is a disadvantage cause it's actions can interrupt yours. When you have the advantage find ways to work with your party in order to overcome the weaknesses of bad initiative roles!

Quick Reference Combat Actions!

@VKAllen@lady athena@DustyOldCrow

The kitsune girl groans as she awakens from the raises the rod and casts the cantrip by touching Sibyll's sword "Light" on her allies’ sword. She seemed to be focusing on making the sword glow

@Mimikyu @VKAllen @Lady Athena

Sibyll waited just long enough for Karina to enchant his sword. He wasn't sure what she'd set out to accomplish as he twirled the surprisingly light longsword, but, as it trailed a white light behind it, he found he rather enjoyed the visual effect at least. He took a deep breath, falling back on his breathing exercises from archery to try and keep calm in the face of something that huge. Without hesitating any further, he rushed the Darkside, using his left hand to signal to Aellios to go left as he took the monster's right side, swiping at its ankle with his luminescent blade. Hopefully, Aellios would make enough of a distraction that it'd focus on them both, dividing its attention and making it more vulnerable.

@Mimikyu@DustyOldCrow@Lady Athena

His eyes narrowed upon the sight of this surreal world. Its skies dark yet his vision is clearer than day. Hulking in front of them-- a large mass of black mucous darkness reformed and embodied itself from the shadows of the three of them... Denoting a man with ominous glowing eyes and face covered with dark tendrils that became hair; a huge heart-shaped hole was by its abdomen. He held to his Greatsword firmly, teeth gritting one another as he leered at the monstrosity in front of him. He wanted to speak-- but for the life of him; he couldn't. Thoughts soared over his head and light flashed before his eyes as he saw Sibyll and Lucretia. His weapon gleamed with a bright and shining light that inspired him as the large hulk prepares an attack from its chest. He knew it was time to act. Fast. Feet quickly gripping upon the glass-like floor pushed forward with weapon in hand; edge dragging across the stained glass as he circled behind the hulk. His entire body cocked and turned with sword swung with all of his might in an attempt to sever its feet in a single swoop.

Bearers of light locked in step with quick swings sliced through long legs of a dark one kept still. Though it was not flesh carved, the damage was done. Unresponsive was the unflinching mass. Darkness met tendons and reformed as one, as to make the carving undone. Yet still something was amiss about the creature's face. Once focused it now seemed braced.

The sphere of flames held aloft above heads of three, burst outward as comets of heat and necrotic energy. Swirling around in air their paths were scattered away, bad concentration forced these comets to go astray. Except one would try hit its pray, the dear girl must find the way to avoid the pain.



Now the big beast bested was made aware the dangers of keyblade bearers below his stare. Swinging once around to turn, the big one learned not to wait for these two were too quick to let him wait. In less than a second's length his fist held high aloft like tree branch flinging, then fell quick to the floor with darkness surrounding. His swing was meant to the dear youngest one of them all. But through the young man's agility did the dark one miss. [8]

But his fist alone was not his last answer to this fray. He created a flat portal of darkness from which to further annoy his pray. The pool spreading around, even beneath the sword bearer's feet. Shadows once flat now appeared inflated, their small claws out reaching already. Black bodies acing hence, their small selves threatening to mince!



Near Sibyll who's sword glowed alight, did these shadows dare to fight! Their master cheering them to smite the wretched bearers of the light. Together they leaped for the boy's head their claws forcing the young man to dodge instead!



However, the large one was not yet satisfied, his head turned to that of the elder boy. He know just what to employ. Pulling the fist from the floor, the portal disappeared and in the same flash the giant one flailed his other arm to floor. But even with a long swing like this, the giant would again miss! [3]



@VKAllen

It had connected-- legs severed like droplets of water split by the steel of his blade; yet like water-- it merges back together. His eyes grew wide and his slit smile was horror, were this creature immune to damage? Its fists, firmly planted and his sights firmly quarried to the hulk saw what came next. Its large mass of shadows swung directly beneath him-- the pressure great but none of its girth had touched him. The creature had missed. He quickly followed by stepping around the monster's side; greatsword cocked by the lower guard and delivered an upswept diagonal swing by the tip of his sword.

The kitsune girl casts light on her own rod as she is sent flying back from being hit by the sphere of flame. The large burst burning her skin and fur a bit.

The rod glowed brightly in the girl's hand; however, the shining light hadn't stopped the sphere of flame from bursting upon her body. Blue mote erupting like a lamp tipped over, the sparks crackled and pinched at the girl. [2 Necrotic damage to Karina] Casting light seemed to be doing very little in her defense against that magic.

The giant creature ignored her, allowing her to concentrate on her agenda.

But that creature wasn't ignoring Aellios. Seeing the young man with the great sword swing, the Darkside tried to avoid the blade. Fortunately for the sword bearer, the heartless's massive form prevented it from dodging out of harm's way. Its slow movements were easy to track, too slow and big to miss even with basic swings and slashes. His huge body was cut again, this time the blade carving the arm of the heartless where he had swung around. Yet, the carving didn't last the body's flesh reformed once again.

In reaction to the pain the creature whipped his arm around to strike the older boy. However his bulky arm was not enough to strike the agile paladin who's armor allowed him to avoid the harm of the flailed arm. [10]

Unlike the giant, the small beings in tandem struck their target dead on the chest. Sibyll would take pierce of their claws and feel it pain surge from his chest. It was a strange sensation unlike a stab or a pinch. This was far more like being reached into and by the essence of evil entering his body. It dimmed the flame of his soul something he'd not felt before. [3 Necrotic Damage to Sibyll]



@VKAllen
@Lady Athena
@DustyOldCrow

He was able to slither along the darkness' tebdril which had attempted to overwhelm him. His back glided over the monster's gaseous form and pushed his waist forward while the girth went past him. Unscathed. There was only one thing to do-- kill or be killed. He regsined his footing, and twosted his entire body as the sword firmly grasped by hsi hand delivered a slash again-- now at the incoming girth in hopes to sever it as it meets.

At full swing the young man's sword reached high for the creature; however, the giant was watching and was able to block the attack with its hand, taking some damage in the process but grabbing the dream sword. He pulled at it, aiming to disarm his tiny enemy.

[Make a Strength Saving Throw @VKAllen]

The trio of shadows once again lunged at the young fighter, however it seemed he wasn't paying enough attention. Their attack struck him, forcing him to fumble on his attack. Once again that withering pain reached into his body. He would not last another strike.



For the young sword mage, it seemed she had an opportunity to act, but it had been wasted standing still in this dream like battle. She'd not even used more magic that to create light and the rod in her hand glowed with that magic. Behind her was the shadow of her form. In front of her was the shadow manifested, the enemy that seemed to keep her petrified and inactive. Should her heart prove strong enough then she will still be able to beat this monster.

The sword mage stood around taking the hits. She felt like the only way to beat the darkness was to face it head on. She shakes her head and notices the shadow figure behind her. She breathes deeply as she slowly approaches it She shuts her eyes and reaches her rod out to it.

The Darkside's perilous fists caught in contact with the blade's eye. With an urgent yet desperate pull-- He removed the sword from its clutch! As the sword dragged and struck the glassed floor, its momentum returned to Aellios and prepared him for another vigorous sword slash powered by the strong pivot he performed with his entire body; so much so that he over swung.

The giant in agony, writhes new pain manifest in its chest. The oldest bearer's blade tore through the thin ligaments of its chest, across the face of the heart shaped hole. There the giant separated, its liquid flesh of darkness unable to reach its torn ends and now the giant was to fall and fall it did.

Heavier than expected the shoulders touched the glass first. Beginning the cracks upon the pane. Already the three bearers could hear the sounds of shattering without even looking.

Thus none should have been surprised that the dream would end with them falling. Falling into the abyss below with glass shards falling with them, together drifting downward beyond the reach of the light.

Then the dream ended.



Sunset rays or orange were cast upon the eyes of Karina and Aellios. Sand underneath their legs and stone planks as restboards, the two had been sitting next to the shake on the white beach of the isle. Dusk was at hand, yet the pair were not alone on the small shore.

"Hey, are you two ok?" A familiar voice asked. It was Yuna who was standing beside Aerith.

"Seems like they rested well." Aerith said, reassuring Yuna.

"Don't suppose you've seen Sibyll? He didn't even come to school today." Another person interupted, it was Cecil. He approached from behind them. "It's not like him to miss fencing matches."

"Oh? We didn't see you at the gym!" Aerith said, surprised.

"I was there. Just in the doorway." He replied. "Uh anyway, what were you two doing there? Yuna, Aerith?"

"Being good friends and watching -well waiting for him to show up." Yuna said.



@VKAllen@Lady Athena@tobiax

As the final blow was unleashed, the fall of severed dark evil in twine broke the crystal surface beneath his feet-- and so his allies too. The lips opened yet no sound escaped his chords. Left with the light of the darkest sky did its glimpse diminished faintly as Aellios's eyelids; glinting glass shards enamoured their deathly descent into a never ending darkness whence direction had no truth.

The eyelids felt the scorch of the sunray's deviant claws and tore opened the rift and a surge of lightning filled the body with force. The earthly shells frorthed forth his feet into wind as a frightful gasp escaped his lips. His hands were seeking for naught. "Hey, are you two okay?" The voice was unstrange to the elf and his conscious steadfastly faced the female near him. Yuna, Aerith.

"Seems like they rested well." His thought assumed that their bodies did not react nor show any signs of a nightmare. Had it not for Cecil, he would've opened his lips to speak-- the Paladin of Light interjected in question of Sibyll, a friend whom had vanished. Strange as it was Sibyll who insisted that they never skip training. They bickered. Yuna, Aerith and Cecil over attendance until it seemed as though their conversation wasn't coming to an end. Aellios gathered his seemingly deproved strength and stood on his feet to close distance between the group.

"Sibyll, Karina and I..." He mustered a deep and exhausted sigh. "... We were... Dreaming." He came to a halt in speech. "We stood atop of pillars made of beautifully stauned glass. It depicted the three of us. We traversed... Followed a path guided by light until a large darkness appeared before us, wanting to consume us." The palm of his hand reached for his aridly dampened forehead, extracting as much disfigured memories that he felt. "It was surreal. I remembered combating this giant. It produced smaller beings that ravaged Sibyll." After his breath gathered, normalcy ensued his composure. "Just in time as I slew it. The glass shattered and here I am."

---

The kitsune girl lied on the ground groaning. She was exhausted from that dream fight. It was in that moment that she realizes her friend was beside her and that someone was talking to them. She listened to what Yuna, Aerith and Cecil were saying before nodding her head wearily. The girl had decided to listen whole heartedly to Yuna and Aerith, but completely ignore Cecil.

She quickly shakes her head before rising from the sands and stretching. She goes for a quick walk to make sure her legs awake from the slumber that could of been going for a few days. She returned soon after to properly listen to Yuna and Aerith

"Glass and a Giant? Doesn't make any sense to me. Well, when if you do find Sibyll then tell him that he owes us a show."

"Maybe it was another world!" Aerith said excited. She loved the idea of other worlds and being foreign to Destiny Island only fueled the ideas of being whisked away to her real home.

"You all shared a dream?" Yuna asked confused. "I believe you. Dreams are real. Especially when they're shared." Confident in her reply, she only received a concerned gaze from Cecil.

Cecil glanced up when something caught his eye. A star... falling? It glowed brightly and was zooming but it's path was erratic. What in the world could fly like that? A giant fire fly?

"Hey! Watch out!" Cecil exclaimed, seeing the ball of light whisk around and aim for the beach.



The Dhampyric girl would be basked in the sunset light, surrounded by people unfamiliar to her. Her last memories were of grabbing the strange object she had in her grasp. It seemed to be some magical transportation device. However, she would realize the events leading up to obtaining the gummi block were foggy. Maybe she would remember something earlier in the day but certainly not something an hour or two prior.

"Who are you?" Cecil asked, expecting combat from this magically appearing person.

@VKAllen@Lady Athena@tobiax

Water. That was the first thing she noticed- the sound of calm, gentle waves lapping against a sandy shore. Before her mind even began to return to wakefulness, she could hear the waves. Something was in her hand. She clenched her fist around it, only to feel the ground beneath her shift and slop about. Sand? It was all around her. She shifted her spine, feeling how she settled in it, noticing it was rather uncomfortable. So, as her bright green eyes opened, a shine of yellow dancing within them in the falling light, the blue haired girl sat up. Before even realizing there was anyone around her, before her eyes were even fully opened, she began brushing the sand off her back, and out of her hair.
"How did I get..." she pondered aloud, when her eyes fully opened, bringing the sudden realization that she wasn't alone- "Woah!"
As she finally caught her footing- being unused to standing on sand, especially with boots on- she passed a quick look over the group that was around her. Two of them were elves, that much was obvious. The other three... humans maybe? One looked to be in costume, complete with ears and a fluffy tail, while most of the others- did they just come from school?
The girl spread her arms, on which she wore light blue sleevelets, in a diffusive manner, "Okay, look, I don't know why you brought me here," she began, speaking slightly quickly, "But I'm sure we can work something out, right?"

Now, lowering her arms, the blue haired girl remembered the object in her hand. Carefully, she attempts to slip it into the pouch at her hip, unnoticed. To aid in this, she adjusts the top of her white vest, the top three buttons of which were opened, showing her red undershirt and a small crystal necklace.

"Perhaps." The quaint elf fluttered his fingers eyes blinked to appeal weight of his speech. The thought wandered as to Sibyll's disappearance. Consumed by the feeble shadowlings in his dream had he become an unknown. Was the dream related?

"I believe you. Dreams are real. Especially when they're shared." The girl named Yuna sweetly replied with her faithful tunes; that dress of hers comfortly wrapped around the slender figure. Aellios returned her approval with a firm nod.

"Hey! Watch out!" The way in which Cecil faced also alerted Aellios as he turned and stood in front of Aerith and Yuna as if to protect while the shooting star impacted the beach puffing sands around them. He made sure he was ready for whatever may come.

"Afraid I haven't made my wish yet." Aellios joked as he stood guard by Yuna and Aerith. "Have you two? Hopefully it's not some message from another wor--" Emerged forth a human, which almost made Aellios's jaws reach the sands. "Would you look at that." He did not let his guard down as seen by his ferocious expression as he awaited the newcomer's actions.