May Your Heart Be Your Guiding Key

By SoulboundAlchemist

Chapter 29: The Key to Preparations

[Sumire’s POV]

“See you soon…”

I shivered as I watched the man on the screen fade into the shadows. I stood next to Melissa as she froze the video from last night before I glanced over to her. “Are you sure he was looking at me?”

“Couldn’t take his eyes off of you,” the techie nodded firmly. “If I had to guess, it almost seemed like he was evaluating you.”

“You think he put Spoiled up to what she did?”

“No,” she shook her head. “That was brewing for a while. This… I don’t know what this is.”

“I was about to run damage control,” the stranger’s deep voice spoke up behind us. We whirled around to find a tall, lanky man with dark skin, short black hair, and wearing a long, dark brown trench coat, and two immaculate hand cannons hanging from his belt casually leaning against the wall. “You have no idea how close you were to losing Luna to Tash’s forces.”

My Phantom Thief attire flashed into existence as I pointed Ace of Spades at the man. “Who are you?”

The man nodded as he pushed himself off of the wall. “Roland. Codename: Gunslinger. Leader of the Librarians of Atropos. I know who you are, Sumire Yoshizawa, and I know how much Kairi and Luna mean to you.”

“You are lucky I didn't have to intervene,” Roland crossed his arms in a disapproving way as he looked at the redhead. “You just got here and are already starting trouble in more ways you can count. As much as I don’t want to admit it, he was right in that you need more training, and so does Luna.”

I rolled my eyes, dismissing my gear. “Way to state the obvious there buddy. But if you’re implying I had something to do with this last fiasco, think again!”

“No one could have predicted what Spoiled was planning,” Melissa nodded in agreement.

“Hmmm…” the tall man looked at the duo, “ I’ll give that. You do have a point but my reason still stands. The way you handled it could’ve gone more than better.” He moved to one of the monitors with Luna, “She is one of the pillars of light and so are you. Tash nearly got her, and just having one of you is more than a disaster.” He quickly turned and drew one of his duel six shooters and placed the muzzle right below her chin, “Tell me what you'd have done if I were your enemy right now, could you save her?” He clicked the hammer back on the pistol.

“Tetrakarn!” I cried, raising the reflective barrier directly in front of the gunslinger. “I believe that answers that question.”

“Oh,” Roland raised an unamused eyebrow before he drew his second pistol and easily shattered the barrier with a casual backhand before having the second weapon pointed right at my forehead, “Were you expecting that?” He asked as he clicked the hammer back on the pistol too.

Both of us were frozen in place as Roland pulled the triggers only to hear an empty click.

”You two are stronger than most, but you're still too stiff,” Roland placed the revolvers back in their holsters, “Not even close to being ready to directly fight Tash let alone his Voidsent and Sin Eaters.”

“I can agree in regards to myself, but you may want to take another look at Luna,” I nodded towards the filly now glowing with green energy that had snuck up behind the man, a glowing dagger positioned at one of his vitals.

Roland blurred out and quickly blurred back in and was kneeling down in front of Luna and flicked her dead center in her forehead just below her horn causing the filly to yelp and fall back on her butt.

”Sorry about the rough introductions little princess but just know I had no intentions of harming you friends,” Roland stood to his full height, “I came here for you and her,” he motioned over his shoulder to me. “Again my name is Roland, Leader of the Librarians of Atropos, Codename: Gunslinger, and I guess you can figure out why. I also wanted to give you some more information on your enemy. I was hoping to run into your other agent, Master Sunset but it seems she has her hands tied in the Destiny Islands at the moment.”

“The Librarians of Atropos?” I tilted my head in confusion. “So, what? Are you some sort of organization that can travel in time? I mean, Atropos was one of the Greek Fates.”

“Not exactly. Our goal is to protect the worlds’ stories,” Roland shook his head. “We are a society of not just Keyblade wielders but also other strong hearted individuals that we recruit like you two,” he motioned to Melissa and me, “Our role is to protect the records of the worlds in the ancient Library of Atropos in the heart from which all worlds sprang, Scala ad Caelum. You see, each world has its own book and they’re stored in the library. Should that world fall it may be brought back as long as its book remains, should the books be destroyed then all hope is lost for its world.”

“Wait,” Luna frowns. “You’re saying that if the Library of Atropos falls…”

“...Everything else falls with it,” Roland confirms. “That’s why it's our last line. We lose it we lose it all, and its the main reason why Tash is so focus on Scala ad Caelum.” He looked at the three of us, “I won’t allow it to fall. Your three are too weak. If you went up against even a mid-level Voidsent you’d all die. You,” he looked at Luna, “barely survived that fight against the Anti-magic Knight’s partial manifestation of a Sin Eater. Had the alchemist not intervened when he did, we could've easily been dealing with a monster far worse than even Tash himself. I don’t much care for the Sage as he falls under my classification of Ender like the Wizard, but I can at least respect him for trying to save those he can. What would you have done if your friend Asta had fully been turned? Then you’d have to not only deal with his monstrous abilities while also fending off Tash hoping he doesn’t gain control of said Sin Eater, not to mention that monster of an older brother of the knight who's just been helping you just as a pastime?!”

Neither one of us had an answer for the Gunslinger, and that really didn’t sit right with either of us. It didn’t help that I had essentially been useless. If it wasn’t for Ed’s intervention, more than likely, we’d all be dead right now.

“Don’t you think we know all this?” Luna asked quietly, her head bowed, and her eyes cast in shadows. “Since you like to spy on us so much, you should already know that I’ve been training in secret. I’ve been doing that because I KNOW how much of a liability I still am.” She lifted her head, revealing a glare pointed directly at the Gunslinger. “I know that, and I don’t need some secret organization to point it out to me. So what are you REALLY here for?”

“What good is a gun that only rests on its wielder’s hip?” The gunslinger asked the little filly, “The answer is nothing. It’ll only look nice or gather rust. I’ve already told you all why I came here. The librarians only get involved in the events of a story if they absolutely have to, I am the last line in our defense of the Library so you should be able to guess how dire this situation is,” he looked at all of us with a dead serious glare, “The alchemist trained you well, even giving you a glimpse of what it’d be like to actually fight a being of Tash’s level. He even left you with a strand to help in the coming fight. I am here because he judged it necessary for me to come forth and he told me you need to be forged into the true Pillars of Light you’re meant to be.”

Roland crossed his arms, “As I said, I don't like him but I do respect him and if he personally came to me for this then I'd better do it. So, are you willing to accept my training and become honorary Librarians?”

Luna and I exchanged a glance before nodding. Together we turned and said “We accept your training Master Roland.”

“And you?” Roland turned to look at the techie. “I know your strong suit isn’t fighting but there are a number of texts I would have you look over and learn from that could greatly help with your advancements here.”

The blonde tech expert nodded in agreement. “I will happily accompany you all.”

“Very well, let us go to the stargate then,” Roland opened the door. “Ladies?” He motioned. “How do you prefer to travel?”

“Stargate’s fine,” I sighed in exasperation.

“I will loan you this then,” Roland said as he reached into his back pocket and handed me a Deringer pocket pistol. “But I will not be leaving it with you. The risk is too great.”

I shrugged, as I quickly led the group to the Gate Room, where I placed the pistol onto the scanner. The Gate quickly dialed in, the familiar portal materializing in the ring.

“After you,” I glared at the Gunslinger. His attitude and gruff manner had seriously rubbed me the wrong way.

“If the machine accepts the key I will see you there,” He said as he pulled his hat down and he walked, well more like faded away into nothing.

“Gosh, I hate that,” Melissa growled behind me. “Now I have to figure out a way to block his style of teleportation.”

“That was more of a projection,” Chibi Ed said as he popped into the room. “Had Roland really been here you’d all be out cold before opening the door. He’s an ass, but he has a good heart and better intentions. I’ve prepped all the machines in the Gate Room for you. Place the key into the slot and activate. The Gate will take you the rest of the way, later,” he waved and popped away to do whatever he does when we’re not looking.

I rolled my eyes, before dropping the key into the slot and leading the group through the Gate. We quickly found ourselves in a large, silent, atrium. In the center of the room stood a trio of white, marble statues. One depicted a figure in bulky armor holding a shield, another depicted a figure in a cloak, aiming down the sights of a hand cannon, and the third depicted a woman in robes, brandishing a Keyblade.

”You managed somehow,” we heard as Roland stepped out from behind the gunslinger statue. “I’m guessing you have your machine always on standby then?”

“In a sense, yes,” Melissa nodded. “To be more accurate, the Stargate only properly activates when receiving a signal from the DHD, or from any other device attuned to it. Otherwise, its, as you said, in standby.”

“That technology is dangerous and shouldn’t be in the hands of children,” Roland sighed, “But children are all it seems the guardians are anymore,” he said with a sad tone, “Follow me if you would,” he motioned and led into the building not far behind the statues.

Melissa’s eyes flashed, as little sparks of electricity sparked over her, before she calmed down and followed as she grumbled under her breath.

I shook my head before turning to Luna. “What do you think?”

Luna opened her mouth to answer, but before she could say anything, a voice rumbled through our heads.

“You would do well to follow the Gunslinger, oh Guardians, mine.”

I jolted, Ace of Spades coming up again. “Who’s there? Show yourself!”

A low, rumbling laughter rolled through our heads. “You shall learn of me soon enough. For now, all you need know, is I am the Library’s greatest secret.”

The laughter faded out, as I lowered my hand cannon.

“Well, I guess we’re going into the spooky Library then,” I sighed.

“Right behind you,” Luna replied.

We quickly made our way down the same corridor that Roland and Melissa went down, catching up just as Roland stopped before a door.

“Its seems the Library has accepted you three,” He said without even turning around, “This place is sacred to all things in this universe. Should you ever wish to leave or become someone we must fight against you will be cursed to forget everything you learn here as soon as you choose to change sides or truly wish to leave with your heart, doomed to never enter and never remember for the rest of your days. Understand?”

We all nodded, just as that rumbling voice went through our heads again. “Enough with the theatrics, Roland, and let them in.”

“OK, seriously, who IS that?” I demand.

“Time for you to meet then,” Roland rolled his eyes as he forced the door open with one hand. “Enter,” he ordered.

We slowly filed into a large, round, crystalline chamber. A set of stairs before us led to a dais, and a tunnel leading down. As we climbed the stairs, we watched as a large triangular head poked out of the tunnel, followed by six snaking tentacles that attached to the neck.

My eyes widened as I recognized the creature in front of me. “An Ahamkara,” I breathed in disbelief.

“Indeed, oh Guardian mine,” he chuckled. “You may call me Tariven.”

“He’s a descendant of the original founder of the Library and his power rivals that of even the sage in some aspects,” Roland spoke up, “Or at least from what we know about the alchemist. The dope doesn’t seem to mind letting the blonde nuisance in here at all.”

“Now, now, for all his faults, he is still an amusing diversion,” Tariven scolded. “He is the only one who has given me a challenge in my long life.”

“You mean you aren’t able to twist his wishes,” I shot back.

“Oh, very good,” the wish dragon’s laughter took a darker tone. “It's such a rare thing for humans to understand what we are.”

“But they're far from normal humans,” Roland crossed his arms as he eyed us. “You’re more like the alchemist than normal I’d say.” He sighed, “Don’t let him mess with your mind either,” he warned us. “The alchemist being able to come and go in here as he pleases is one thing, if any of you get seriously hurt he’ll be more than happy to tear me apart. Twisted bastard has the most loving heart of anyone I know.”

“Sounds like Ed,” I chuckled. “In regards to the Ahamkara though, do you have ANY idea just how dangerous he really is? He feeds on the energy created when making desire into reality, and his kind tends to turn even the simplest of wishes into faustian bargains!”

“You are not wrong, oh Guardian mine,” Tariven nodded. “However, I am not the rest of my kind. My egg was raised by the paracausal warriors of the Sol System. I was but a Whim when I vowed to honor my father Tarinis, and not offer twisted wishes.”

“At least not to those he deems unable to handle them,” came Ed’s voice. We all looked around and saw him floating in the air next to the dragon right at eye level, “This is your only warning young one. Harm any of them in any way and I will end you and replace you with someone more suited to your throne. Understand?”

We all heard the bloodlust in his voice and everyone knew that Edward truly meant what he said. Even Roland had barely managed to draw his guns before he was frozen in place by utter terror of some form.

”Your kind are not hard to come by for someone like me as you’ve already guest but one with intentions like yours is,” Ed warned as he slightly leaned in, “Don’t give me the headache of that search.” He looked over at us and smiled, “Good luck in your training ladies,” he said before blowing away on a nonexistent wind.

I shivered just a little bit. “He still scares me a little.”

“Same,” Luna agrees.

“Why the hell do you let him in here?!” Roland yelled at his benefactor. “He’s a sociopath with godlike powers who apparently is even more powerful than you!!!”

The wish dragon’s laughter roared in our heads. “Because he’s not stuffy, like some Librarians I know.”

Everyone was silent as Roland just stared awestruck, “You know what. I’ve had my fill of it for today. You explain to them. It’s not like you don’t love the sound of your own voice anyways. Call me when explanation’s are done and I’ll show them to their quarters,” he waved with his hands that he was done and walked out while slamming the door behind him.

“About time,” the dragon snorted, before turning his massive head towards us. “Believe it or not, he’s not as bad as he comes off as. That being said, I could tell he seriously, as you humans say, rubbed you the wrong way.”

“You could say that,” I nodded.

“He pissed Melissa off,” Luna chimed in.

Tariven’s laughter echoed in our heads again. “Indeed. But now, on to business. As you know, the Library of Atropos is the last line of defense against Tash. I may be a paracausal being, but even I can’t stand up to Tash alone. He’s the equivalent of a being that was once the Sol System’s greatest threat, The Witness.” I felt a shiver go up my spine at the name. The dragon turned his head to me, as if sensing my discomfort. “Don’t worry, the Witness truly was destroyed. You won’t have to see the true horror it brought to Sol.”

“And Tash is the equivalent of that?!?” Melissa yells in shock.

“Yes,” Tariven nodded. “However, unlike The Witness, Tash has an obvious weakness, or weaknesses, rather.”

Now THAT got our attention. Tash, the seemingly all powerful, god-like paracausal being had not one, but multiple weaknesses.

“I see that got your attention,” the dragon chuckled. “His first weakness is his arrogance, obviously. The second, is his nature of being both of the light and of the dark, yet not being able to use them in harmony. That’s what you’re here for. The Library will certainly improve your martial prowess, but it is the harmony of light and darkness that you must learn. A holy power we call Prismatic.”

“But…” Luna hesitates. “But, I’m the only one who’s learned Strand at the moment.”

“Well then,” I nodded. “I guess me and Melissa will have to learn quickly then, won’t we?”

“Yes you shall,” The dragon agreed. “You’ll also have a great task ahead of you in instructing Kairi in the Prismatic arts afterwards as well.”

“Speaking of which, why isn’t she here?” Melissa asks.

“A good question. I fear that Kairi would have attacked first, and asked questions later, given her knowledge of Ahamkara.”

“Right,” I muttered. “She certainly seems to know a lot more about these paracausal abilities, it stands to reason she knows more about the Ahamkara then the rest of us.”

“Correct. Now, your training begins tomorrow. Since the Gunslinger has already agreed to it, he will lead you to your quarters.”

The doors opened once more to reveal Roland standing there, just as grumpy as when he’d left.

”Done?” He looked at the dragon.

“Yes, yes, not that you couldn’t tell already,” the dragon grumbled. “You were obviously listening at the door.”

“You’re a pain in the ass that needs a sitter,” Roland snarked, “All right ladies if you’ll kindly follow me once more, I’ll show you to your rooms.”

Author's Note

Heheheh, bet you all weren't expecting an Ahamkara, OR a secret organization to be turning up!

Anyway, sorry for the long wait on this one, been pretty busy for a while, but I finally got this chapter done! I'll have another chapter, with the training, hopefully sooner then this one took!

Big shout out to Alvasa for helping with Roland's dialogue!

See you all next chapter!