The Grand hall was decorated specifically for the calling ritual. Large flowing banners and tabards hang from the top fo the ceiling and pooled in excess on the floor leading toward the center circle where Rafe stood. On a raised Dias the queen stood with her council and advisors, their age difference made glaringly obvious when the queens fair features contrasted against the aged and bearded old men. Normally he would feel indifferent about their observations, but ever since the incident with his father their eyes had been accusatory, every action he made scrutinized. He closed his eyes concentrating on the right he was about to perform, even with their eyes on him he could still visualize on the task at hand.
Rafe let his consciousness fall deeper within himself, he started to feel wind and knew he was doing the right thing, the grandhall was deep within the castle and there could be no breeze outside of his mind. Slowly a floor began to appear around him, he could see it even with his eyes closed. This arena was in his mind. In front of him was a pedestal with a shaft of light almost three feet tall standing on it. The shape indistinct but Rafe knew this was what the right was about. Slowly he approached the pedestal keeping his gaze fixed on the light, for a moment he thought he saw something in its brightest center turn black but shrugged it off since it was gone before he could confirm what it was. Reaching his hand out the beam of light flared slightly its edges dancing like fire light, but it wasn't hot. It felt neither cool nor warm only physical as he closed his hand around it. Then the fiery light collapsed into his hand engulfing it in its flames before vanishing, but he knew it was his now.
He opened his eyes to see the queen and her advisors till watching expectantly.
Rafe grinned in victory, at the queen, before he raised his right hand. Light erupted from his palm taking its full three foot length burning brightly before bursting away in a bright flash leaving Inner conflict within his hand.
The weapon felt light and natural despite its apparent size and mass. Rafe never stopped grinning presenting the weapon in clear view of everyone there.
"You've failed."
The words hit him like a punch from behind in a tavern brawl Rafe snapped his eyes toward the head advisor his grin replaced with a look of aggravation. "Failed? are you blind you old bastard!?" He said once again brandishing his keyblade.
"Mind you tongue whelp, I can see it very well but that is not the weapon of a champion but rather a seeker, it was forged from darkness and meant to extinguish the light." The man snapped but failed to hide his own satisfied smirk. "Though I suppose I shouldn't' be surprised, you are HIS son."
Rafe was charging even as the words left the mans lips.
"STOP THERE RAFE!"
This time it was the queen who was speaking. Rafe stomped his foot down comign ot a halt instantly, he could never explain it. The queen was of an age with him but somehow could cow anyone in her presence.
"Minister Cavral, you will refrain from speaking again during this ceremony, that insult was beneath you and more importantly, unfair." She said icily to the man before turning to Rafe once more.
"But as unworthy as his insult was Rafe, there is some truth to his words. I have noticed your change in bahvior two years ago, you don't voice your thoughts but I can tell you harbor hatred towards teh kingdom for your fathers death."
Rafe was at a loss for words, he knew it was true but what could they expect. "You want me to except that he died a traitor? There was more to it, there had to be!" He said angrily. The queen only nodded. I don't only see darkness in your keyblade Rafe but it is there, before we can accept you into the knighthood, you need to settle this conflict in your heart.
With that the ceremony was ended as the queen was escorted away, leaving Rafe alone in the grand hall fists clenched in frustration.
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Later that night Rafe was standing on the balcony of the palace's east wing, this was always his home the entire wing given to him and his father and housing their library and training area. He was watching the city and night sky without seeing them, his mind still back in the grandhall with the queen and her words.
"Glorious failure wasn't it" The voice came from behind him and Rafe reflexivly pushed himself backwards raming his shoulder against the intruder. He had locked the doors in his frustration and the only way in now was if a footpad had scalled the walls.
Rafe shifted his arm slightly so he was pinning his would be assailant against the wall with his forearm against their neck. However Rafe took a step back wondering if he was already asleep. The person infront of him now was dressed in a black robe with purple trimm but what unerved him was that even as close as he was, he could not see the mans face. It was as if a void existed where their head should be.
"Who are you!?" Rafe demanded summoning his keyblade.
"Mmm, a fine weapon. You should be proud of it seeker. You take after your father well." The figure said raising Rafes anger again.
"Just what do you know about him!?" he demanded pressing his keyblade against the intruders heart.
The figure chuckled amused at Rafes easily provoked temper. "Only an observer young man, but just giving you the answers isn't enough. You want to exonerate your father yes? clear him of his crimes?"
Rafe didn't answer but every part of his faceial and body expressions confirmed the question was true.
"You'll have to then prove that light and darkness are two halves of the same coin. The queen is a brilliant woman but needs proof. "And how do I get this proof?" Rafe asked.
"Seek out the answer, just as the title I've given you implies. Seeker."
With these last words and a wave of his hand the ground beneath Rafe opened into a dark portal.
Rafe felt himself sinking into it quickly as it rippled like oil around him. "Aah what!?" He shouted but was powerless to stop himself from falling into the darkness.
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In a dark abandoned alleyway, a small black vat sat watching the starry sky. The creature had been there for hours enjoying its secluded venue, however all things come to an end. Just in front of the cat the air distorted, it looked as if a large bubble was being inflated in the space between space, It grew to the size of a small crate before bursting and vanishing all at once only now a young man was knelt on the ground disoriented and confused as he watched the frightened creature race out of the alleyway.
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