Long ago, the worlds were once together as one in what is now known as the Age of Fairy Tales. In this period, Wielders of the Keyblade used their titular weapons to safeguard the Light that protected the world. Five wielders known as the Foretellers, each one a student of the first Keyblade Master known only as the Master of Masters, started their own organizations called Unions in accordance with the Master's wishes. In time the Unions grew, and as they did so did tension between the five Foretellers. Before he mysteriously vanished, the Master of Masters mysteriously warned of a looming disaster, and a traitor among the Foretellers. This created dissent and distrust until eventually, the five unions clashed in what was later called the Keyblade War. The conflict was so destructive, so disastrous that the World was shattered and its remains scattered across the Lanes Between until they each formed new worlds. The old Keyblade Order was gone, but a new one began to blossom in its place. Situated in the Land of Departure, it is here that young Keyblade Wielders are taught the precepts and trained to strike down any who would upset the delicate balance of Light and Darkness. It is also here, at the world's center, that a powerful relic of the Age of Fairy Tales is buried. A Keyblade, known only as the X-Blade. It is said that this weapon was what the Unions originally fought over. The blade itself is broken, much like the original world, shattered into twenty pieces: 7 of Light and 13 of Darkness. It is in the Land of Departure that two Keyblade Masters each train their pupils in the way of the Keyblade. But when the pieces of the X-Blade mysteriously vanish, the two Masters are unable to agree on how best to diffuse the situation. One of the Masters departs alongside his pupils and they decide to brave the dangers of the Darkness to recover the X-Blade. Meanwhile, the remaining Master tasks his pupils with tracking down the missing Master and pupils and to do everything in their power to prevent another Keyblade War from erupting.
It was a dark night, even the starry sky seemed to do little to shed light on the gloomy atmosphere. The Castle was situated on a high plateau overlooking sheer cliffs, with the only pathways being canyon paths and wooden bridges. Pillars were situated at various corners, connected by heavy looking gilded chains. Markings of the Keyblade Order adorned the paved walkways that led up a staircase to the castle itself. Normally warm and inviting, the castle almost seemed foreboding on this night instead. Figures quietly walked up the steps and to a side door leading into a little-known sub-level. One figure was clearly leading the others, as she used her appropriately Moon-shaped Keyblade to open the lock door and allow herself and her followers to enter.
Inside was almost labyrinthian, hallways that seemed to wind in endless circles. To the untrained eye, it appeared chaotic in its design, but this was very much deliberate. This passage was - by design - intended to deter intruders from retrieving the relics normally found at the center. Thankfully, the lead figure apparently new exactly which way she was going, else the group was likely to end up lost and wandering for hours. At the end of the winding labyrinth of corridors was a room, this one locked like the entrance door. It was a special lock that only one of two Keyblades were capable of opening. But like with the outside entrance, the lead figure's Keyblade happened to be one of the two blades able to open the lock. In the room was a set of pedestals. Twenty of them to be exact, situated in a circular pattern. In the center was a thick pillar adorned with many star-shaped trinkets of varying colors. The pedestals, seven of them of at least, housed shards of Light that floated above them. Each one radiating with raw power, and pure Light devoid of even the smallest hint of Darkness. The other thirteen pedestals, unfortunately, were empty. Their contents removed and their current whereabouts unknown. They were in fact the reason this group was gathered here.
The leading figure approached the center pillar and took a trinket off of it and held it for her followers to see, "Wayfinders," said Master Viper in a quick and matter-of-fact tone. She didn't want to idle for too long in this room, "Wielders of the Old Order were said to use them to stay in contact. Unbreakable connections can be created between the holders of these items. But these Wayfinders are special, they bear a secondary function. They are connected, not just with each other, but with each of the twenty pieces of the Relic. They'll prove useful to us as a means of tracking down the stolen Pieces. Come, each of you take one. You'll need them."
When everyone had a Wayfinder, Master Viper led them back out to the Outer Courtyard, "I ask a lot of you, my pupils. I know that. The precepts strictly forbids it. But the missing pieces are too important to leave alone. Whatever consequences are begotten by my actions, I am prepared to face them. But if any of you are not, then you are free to remain here and continue your training under Master Cormack's wise tutelage. And I will not hold that choice against you. But if you are willing, then come with me, and we will brave the coming storm together. May our Hearts be our guiding key."
After this, Viper summoned her Keyblade and used it to open the Lanes Between. Then she used a silvery button at her waist to don her Armor. It was something all Keyblade Wielders were given, a means to protect them from the Darkness that filled the Lanes Between and allowed them to safely travel from one world to another.
"This is most troubling." Master Cormack stood in the throne room. Behind him were three thrones. They were meant for the highest ranking Masters to sit together and convene. However, Cormack was the only Master now present. The other Master usually occupying the opposite throne was gone. And all but one of her Pupils had gone with her. In fact Master Cormack had only learned of this departure thanks to said student coming forward and informing him, "But, I am glad you chose to do the right thing, Raine. You may have given us the advantage we need to stop something terrible from happening." he said, then glanced over each of his own Pupils, who had also gathered.
"Today was to be a momentous day. One our own was to be examined for the Mark of Mastery. And yet..." his gaze had paused on Celestia before he offered a heavy, apologetic sigh, "...I'm afraid the Exam will have to be postponed. This potential crisis must take priority. Celestia... I am truly sorry." but then he returned to shifting his gaze between all the pupils, "I'd like for you three to come with me. There are preparations we must make before any actions can be taken." he then began to leave through the exit that would take him out to the courtyard. Master Cormack led his pupils to a hidden door that led into an underground passage.
"This passage leads to where the Relic was buried," he explained, summoning his Sun-shaped Keyblade and using it to open the door, "It can only be opened by either mine or Master Viper's Keyblade. Inside you'll find the hallways to be winding and rather confusing. This is also a defense mechanism, designed to deter would-be thieves and intruders." as the group found itself in the Labyrinthian passage. Cormack's words rang true about the nature of its design. But the pupils had nothing to fear, as Cormack was one of the few who knew the exact path that led to the end of the passage. Once there he once again used his Keyblade to open a door similarly locked like the one outside.
"Behold, the Relic... or at least what is left of it." when the door opened, the Pupils got their own look into the chamber. The pedestals, the pillar, all still in place. The only things missing were the thirteen stolen Pieces, and now four of the trinkets had been removed from the pillar, "Just as I suspected. These devices are Wayfinders. You may have read about these in some of the old books and scrolls. The connections formed between them are unbreakable and said to be able to transcend even the Realms of Light and Darkness. These Wayfinders bear also a connection to the twenty pieces of the X-Blade. The missing Wayfinders are no doubt in the possession of Master Viper and her students. But that will also be their undoing, for you three need only each take a Wayfinder of your own and you will have the means to search for them across any World they may pass through."
Master Cormack waited for each of the Apprentices to take a Wayfinder. Once they did, he would lead them through the passage and back out into the Outer Courtyard, "Master Viper has unlocked the Lanes Between. These forbidden passageways will allow the Keyblade's Chosen to traverse between worlds. But beware, the Lanes Between hold immeasurable dangers from the forces of Darkness. However, your Armor will protect you. Remember also that Order must be kept. You must not reveal the existence of the Keyblade or other worlds to those you may encounter." he closed his eyes, offering one last heavy sigh.
"I know that this news is a shock to you but my words are indeed true. Master Viper has left us, and her pupils with her. They no doubt wish recover the missing pieces of the relic. But what cost are they willing to pay? Would they allow the Darkness to take them? It is not a price I am willing to pay, not even for the X-Blade. I'm afraid I must task you with seeking out those who left and to bring them back before it is too late. It is a dangerous task, you will have to brave many dangers when traveling the worlds, but I am confident that you will succeed. Remember the precepts, and may your Hearts be your guiding key."
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