The moon hung in the sky like an ominous pearl, illuminating everything in an eerie yellow glow. All around shadows seemed to stretch and cling, gripping with an intensity that almost implied consciousness. Because of them, the moon’s cold light gave no comfort. The atmosphere was confining, even where one could see the sky. Everything was on edge, poised to move but finding itself remaining stock-still. Even the sound of wind through the leaves was foreboding, as if the entire world had released a collective gasp.

It was in all this that the two men stood, perched on the roof of Disney Castle. Each was dressed in an outlandish costume, showing their support for the spirit of the season. It was Halloween, after all.

Things had been quiet for quite a while, which suited the one in the winged costume just fine. The night and the silence allowed him to think, which was something he enjoyed. The lack of activity, however, was not enjoyable to the second man on the roof.

“I’m so bored!” Ryu groaned. He paced around anxiously, trying to keep himself occupied. “There’s nothing to do.”

“It’s peaceful.” Gale responded.

“But that means we aren’t doing anything! Come on Gale, talk with me. You’re always so quiet.”

Gale just grunted. Ryu continued on.

“So, what do you enjoy doing?”

“Reading. Writing.”

“Do you like any games?”

“No.”

“Are you actually going to give me a real conversation?”

“Probably not.”

Ryu scowled and sat down, crossing his arms. A few short minutes later, he smiled.

“I’ll make you laugh then! So, a Heartless, a Nobody, and a Keyblader walk into a bar-“

“Do you see that?” Gale interjected.

“Hey, no interrupting.”

“No, look.”

Ryu turned to what Gale was pointing at. In the distance, towards the north, it looked as if the shadows were actually moving, scuttling along. It could almost be passed over as an optical illusion, if it weren’t for the dirty yellow eyes.

“Heartless.”

“There’re more over there.” Gale said as he pointed to the east. “We should split up. I’ll take the east.”

“Gotcha. I’ll get done before you do!”

Moving swiftly, Ryu ran down the stairs, intent on getting outside the castle as soon as possible. Gale, on the other hand stood on the edge of the roof.

“Let’s see if you got this right Aislin.” He whispered before jumping off.

He caught the wind and continued on, slowly falling but moving forward very quickly. In no time at all he was upon his horde.

Summoning Harsh Justice, Gale cut through a hapless Soldier Heartless as he landed. Pivoting on his heel, he stabbed a Shadow as it tried to jump on him.

“Only about twenty. This won’t take long.”

Three Soldiers tried to attack him all at once. He grabbed the arm of one and used it to smash another while he cut the last one in half. All three burst into inky smoke.

The rest of the horde stood their distance then. This one had eliminated five of their number with little effort. Even with their limited intelligence, they could tell this man was dangerous.

A Large Body charged forward, intent on flattening Gale with a single strike. Gale flipped over it and sliced its back. It wasn’t enough to kill it, however. Turning swiftly, the big Heartless put its bulk behind its fist and backhanded Gale into the remaining, waiting Heartless.

The horde bit and clawed at him, cutting him in several places. Their beady eyes glowed brighter with savage glee. There was food here, delicious, strong food. The man’s heart sang out to the Heartless, and they eagerly fought to get to it. They needed it. They had to have it.

Gale, however, had different plans. Fighting through the growing pain, Gale threw the dark creatures off of himself. Breathing harshly, Gale angrily eyed his foes.

“That’s it. You’re done.”

Harsh Justice glowed a dark red, almost like the color of the blood that spilled from Gale’s wounds. Gale fed his sword his magical power, strengthening it just as the wounds on his body strengthening him.

“Bloody Requiem.”

He was a blur of motion. The technique, along with his wounds increasing his abilities, allowed him to move swifter than the Heartless could react. He slashed them and stabbed them, beat them and pulled them apart. They could do nothing in the face of this onslaught, not even run. In little over a minute, the horde was nothing but smoke vanishing in the night's wind.

Pulling out a potion, Gale sat down and winced. He didn’t have the greatest reserves of magical energy, and even if his ability allowed him to grow stronger from wounds that didn’t mean they didn’t affect him. He drank the potion and looked up at the sky.

“I wonder how Ryu is doing.”