A New Challenger Appears
Xarehs had decided to take Jaidux out to Aggrabah. He felt training in the hot desert sun would be a nice challenge for the young key blade wielder. He hadn’t however, thought about the side effects of the heat on his own body. Being what he was, his body temperature was already distinctively higher, and the constant heat of the sun only added to it.
After only a few hours of training, Xarehs was already ready to call it quits. Jaidux, on the other hand, was barely feeling the added stress of the heat. Clearly, more adjusted for the desert than his program companion.
Letting out a laugh, Jai looked to the exhausted Xarehs, twirling his keyblade in one hand “Who’s training who today, Boss? You look like you’re ‘bout ready to fall apart”
Grunting, Xarehs managed to make it back onto his feet. He had already shed his uniform jacket and shirt and yet it still felt like he was in an oven. “Maybe we can rest in some shade for a bit, I’m starting to second guess my decision to bring you here,” he said with an exasperated groan.
Jaidux sniggered as he tossed their water-skin towards Xarehs. He trotted over to the rocky wall behind them and sat himself in a sandy area protected by the shade. The lack of sun mixed with the protection of the surrounding rocks made the temperature in the small cove drop drastically.
Xarehs took a seat next to him, enjoying the feel of the cool sand between his fingers. “Next time, remind me to pick someplace cold. I heard there’s a world called Arendale that can get pretty chilly,”
“Aww, come on now Xar, you wouldn’t do that to me would you? I’m not cut out for the cold!” Jaidux whined, taking some of the dried meat and bread out of his bag and handing half to Xarehs.
“And you think I’m cut out for this heat?” Xarehs chuckled gesturing to the endless sand surrounding them, taking a bite of the bread.
Jaidux shrugged, knowing neither would win this argument, turning his attention to his own food. He was about to take a bite when there was a sudden weight on his shoulder. Startled, he dropped his bread, jumping closer to Xarehs. The sudden motion threw a small creature off his shoulder and into the sand.
The creature shook its fur, sending sand flying in every direction before sniffing to locate the bread. Jaidux relaxed a bit seeing it was only an animal as both he and Xarehs watching it curiously.
Jaidux slowly reached for the bread in the sand, approaching the critter cautiously. He held the bread out at arms length towards it.
Sniffing, just as cautiously, the critter moved closer. It inspected Jaidux more so than the bread itself. Seeming to have come to a conclusion about him, it happily snatched the bread from his hand, nibbling on it.
Jaidux watched as it ate, examining it. He’d seen these creatures on occasion in his home world. They were polecats, small rodent like animals with long bodies, covered in a mix of spotted and striped fur. Normally they avoided people, too scared of them, but this little one didn’t seem to share that feeling.
Jaidux was about to reach out and touch it’s fur when there was a sudden fluttering of large wings from above. The sound caused both he and Xarehs to snap to their feet, weapons ready. The small polecat, still with bread in its mouth, dove into Jaidux’s bag, hiding.
The glare of the sun overhead blocked most of their view of whatever had made the noise, only able to see the silhouette of large wings. Fearing it was a heartless attack, they both were mentally prepared for combat. To their surprise, a female voice called out to them.
“Calm yourselves fellas, if I was planning to attack, you would already be dead.”
Still not willing to take themselves off guard, Xarehs called out to the unknown person. “Show yourself then, how do we know we can trust you?”
The female scoffed at them. She launched herself into the air, gracefully bringing herself down to their level. “I clearly did not make it back to my world or you both would know to whom you are speaking!”
Xarehs and Jaidux exchange confused looks before turning back to her. “And you are?” Jaidux asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice, finally getting a good look at the unknown female.
She was taller than he was, but still a good deal shorter than Xarehs. With blonde hair that faded to brown, and skin as tan if not tanner than Jaidux’s own. If she hadn’t mentioned being from a different world, Jaidux wouldn’t have known it. He did note her clothing was a bit different, and there were those wings of hers as well.
She lowered her hooded gaze at Jaidux, glaring, “I am Anta, daughter of Horus, a Guardian of War and Protector of the Sky!” she announced, her voice almost booming. And as if on queue a large brown falcon landed on her shoulder, eying them, “This,” she continued, “ is Haru, my trusty companion.”
At some point during her introduction, Xarehs had flipped on his visor and had began scanning her. The look of surprise on his face concerned Jaidux, unsure if it was good or bad.
Turning his attention back to Anta, Jaidux straightened up a bit, but still remained on edge. “ I am Jaidux, and this is my boss, Xarehs.” He introduced, gesturing to Xarehs, noticing he had also relaxed a bit, dismissing his data discs all together.
Xarehs clicked his visor off, placing his hands on his hips, “You’ve been traveling worlds?” He asked bluntly.
His question peeking Jaidux’s interest, turning back to Anta, awaiting for her response.
Anta nodded, turning her attention to Xarehs. “Strange creatures of darkness attacked my world. Not even Anubis had power against them. At some point during the battle I blacked out, when I awoke I was not in my world anymore. Something caused my powers to weaken, but I discovered I could create some kind of dark portal. Using them, I have been searching for my home since.”
She paused, kneeling to pick up a handful of sand, letting it fall between her fingers, “I thought I had found my home. This world is similar, but my people know me, respect me, and worship me,” she looked up at the pair, “clearly neither of you do.”
Crossing his arms, still examining her, “Well we may not be in your world, but we are the same as you. Those same creatures attacked our worlds as well. We know them as Heartless. It seems like they have stolen your heart, as they stole ours.” He gestures to himself and then to Jaidux.
With a quite disgusted expression, Anta looked them over, scoffing, “Like you?? How DARE! How can either of you be like me. I was once a goddess, with powers even you couldn’t imagine.”
A smug smirk spread across Xarehs’ face, “Either way, you’ve had your heart stolen. You’ve gone through the same transition we have.”
Nodding in agreement Jaidux blurted, “We have a group, a safe haven in a sense, you can join us!”
Xarehs held a hand out to silence Jaidux before he gave away too much information about them. “It’s true we do have a group, and you are welcome to join," he paused for a moment, "if you prove to be useful to us.”
Anta was glaring daggers at Xarehs, not realizing she was playing right into his hand “How dare you insult my usefulness! I’ve lead armies into battle, trained forces of thousands, and created empires!”
Nodding, Xarehs turned to Jaidux, “ I think she could be useful, we could use someone to help train.”
“I agree, “ Jaidux responded, nodding. He turned back to Anta, “What do you say? Come with us, see if you like it? We could help you find your world again.”
Anta stood silent, weighing the pros and cons of their offer. She still had no idea what they were talking about. Heartless? Stolen hearts? It made no sense, but they seemed to know more than she did. Finally, turning to Xarehs and nodding, she said “I will go along with you, if at least just to see if you can assist me at all.”
Jaidux smiled in excitement. To his suprise, the tiny polecat emerged from his bag, scampering up onto his shoulder. “Oh, Hello again. I forgot you were here. Did you want to come with us too?” He received a happy squeal noise in response, and the critter scampered back into Jaidux’s bag.
Xarehs glanced between the two, opening a portal. “Alright, lets head back to base then.”