I've had the rug pulled from beneath my feet
"Baldr was-- I never thought he was the kind of person who could fall to darkness."
He wishes he'd figured it out sooner. That he'd realized who the inky, possessive, regretful darkness was coming from.
He realizes, as Vidar speaks, that Vor is still missing, though he waits until Vidar is done to point this out.
"Wait -- where's Vor?"
"She headed to the tower, to report to Master Odin about her return. I told her he's likely to be there meditating."
"So~ it seems like you haven't managed to gather the seven lights!"
Xehanort gasps like he'd forgotten to breathe as the choking darkness swirls into a being behind him. Baldr.
He and Eraqus jump back, Xehanort grips his Keyblade.
"I could play the part, if you like."
His voice -- tainted by what Xehanort now realizes to be darkness, not illness, how could he have not seen it before? -- is amused.
Eraqus shifts, lowering his weapon. Xehanort can't stand here much longer -- the darkness seems infectious, creeping its way into his own heart. But he stands strong, keeping his Starlight raised.
"So..It's true."
It's only by luck that he keeps his voice steady. Baldr -- Darkness, not Baldr -- gives a laugh.
"I was worried you'd tell everyone my secret. You've known for a while, haven't you?"
Hearts -- his tone is so smug, so knowing..
Eraqus bristles at the accusation against his friend. He isn't wrong, though...
"Baldr, darkness may have found a way inside your heart, but you're still you."
No... Can't he see? This isn't Baldr anymore. Xehanort can hardly find Baldr's shining light amidst the terrible, guilty, smothering Darkness.
"I'll bring you back to us!"
Darkness bows Baldr's head.
"Are you sure you want to do that? We're one now. If I disappear, he will too."
Vidar's light sparks behind Xehanort as the other raises the shimmering extension of himself.
"There's no time to debate this. We have no other choice."
Vali and Vala's lights shimmer and sparkle with their determination -- though Vali's is dulled in the sense of hidden, restrained, much like the boy himself is. Still, Xehanort has never had to worry if his upperclassman would fall to the darkness, even if his light wasn't as prominent. Darkness scoffs.
"Did you really think I'd even let you try? I have business at the tower."
With that, Darkness disappears, and Xehanort gasps for breath once more. Finally. Felt like he was about to smother under such intense feelings.
Business at the tower. He must be going after--
"Vor!"
Eraqus has the realization the same time he does. Leaving the three upperclassmen behind, the two friends rush off to stop Darkness.
