Greeks Is The Word (Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories) in Gamer's Gaming

The Road So Far…

Sora, Donald, and Goofy have come to Castle Oblivion in search of their missing friends, Riku and Mickey. However, in trying to find their friends, they are slowly losing their memories of the past. While they remember the events surrounding Sora becoming a Heartless, they cannot remember exactly what the castle was called, or that it was even in a castle. Even on each floor, loss of memories seems to be the running theme. Leon, Yuffie, Aerith, and Cid all seem to have forgotten the heroes. In Wonderland, the Queen of Hearts lost her memories and blamed Alice for the theft. As it turns out, it was a giant Heartless, the Trickmaster, who was responsible. But then again, is that even the case? Sora knows that these worlds are formed from his memories that have been encapsulated in cards by a mysterious, hooded figure. The higher Sora progresses in Castle Oblivion, the more memories he will lose. However, in losing, supposedly he will find something precious to him. Will it be Riku and Mickey? Or someone or something else? Will Sora even remember his friends when all is said and done? Only the path forward, higher and higher into Castle Oblivion, will provide the answers for sure, so our heroes press on to the third floor, using the Olympus Coliseum world card to progress further.

Now…

Sora set foot into the Olympus Coliseum once more and walked up to the gates. Donald, however, noticed a sign in front of the statue to the right. He yelled out to Sora and Goofy to come and take a look. Both of them rushed over and Jiminy hopped out to take a look, as well. Apparently, there was some sort of contest called the Olympus Coliseum Survival Cup that had just started up. Contenders would have to run an obstacle course and battle each other along the way. According to the sign, even Hercules would be competing for the Cup and that he had never been beaten. Hmm, I specifically remember beating Hercules during the events of Kingdom Hearts, but somehow, Sora and company have forgotten that, too. Sora suggested that they enter the competition also. Goofy figured Sora would say that. Anytime there was a contest, Sora was quick to want to join in. Donald figured Sora would compete, even if he and Goofy didn’t. Sora confirmed Donald’s suspicions, saying that he would. Donald figured that they better tag along anyway. Jiminy told them, however, that there was more on the sign. Apparently, only contenders who could complete the preliminary course would be entered into the main competition. The preliminary course was just ahead, through the main gates of the Coliseum. Sora asked what they were waiting for and the trio took off running for the gates. As the trio entered the gates, Hades, God of the Underworld, appeared and read the sign. “Hercules is a model of true strength and gallantry - the perfect hero.” Hades blazed bright red with anger. Hercules did nothing but infuriate him perfectly. He would like nothing more than to drag the halfwitted hero into the Underworld. A man called out from behind that sending Hercules to the Underworld is why Hades had hired him. Hades took in the blonde, spiky haired newcomer. What was his name? Cloud, that’s right. Hades told Cloud that his job was to defeat Hercules and, once he had him cornered, kill him. If Cloud finished off Hercules, Hades had promised to restore Cloud’s lost memories. Hades gave Cloud his word that he would do as promised. As Sora and company made their way into the Coliseum to run the course, Sora found another Key of Beginnings card in his pocket. Knowing how the game was played at this point, Sora set off in search of the proper door. In his battles, Sora once again faced off with Powerwilds and Bouncywilds, monkey Heartless with powerful attacks and crafty traps respectively. At the first door Sora came to, he was asked for a level 1 or above card. Thinking strategically for a change, Sora created a Moment’s Reprieve room to give himself a room to gather his thoughts, rest, and check his deck for the challenges ahead, knowing he could retreat here if needed. Two doors led out of the room. The one on the east side of the room needed a Key of Guidance card to open it. The door to the north only needed a level 4 or above card to open, so Sora chose a level 4 Strong Initiative card and proceeded through the door. In this room, attacking the Heartless first would stun them for longer once the battle started. Not only that, the initial attack would cause damage to his foes. Sora managed to add to his card collection in this room, gaining some Olympia Keyblade attack cards, as well as a Bouncywild enemy card. After fighting his way through the room, Sora had managed to find two exits. The one to the west led to a treasure room that required a special card that Sora still did not have. The one to the north asked for a level 5 or above card. Sora used his level 5 Teeming Darkness card, figuring it would be a good way to gain some experience and get stronger. In this room, Sora managed to get a few more cards, including a Blue Rhapsody enemy card. After all the Heartless were defeated, Sora discovered two exits in the room. One required the Key to Truth map card. The one on the east side of the room, however, only required a level 6 or higher card. Sora used a level 6 Moogle Room card, the only level 6 card he had multiples of, and proceeded into the room. In this room, Sora found a moogle floating around. Sora walked up to the moggle and the little guy told Sora that this was a moogle shop where Sora could trade in cards he didn’t need and spend moogle points to buy packs of cards. Sora traded in some of the moogle points he had collected to buy multiple card packs with attack cards, spells, and item cards. All in all, it was a pretty good take for Sora. But more importantly, in the southern part of the room stood the door Sora had been trying to find: the Key to Beginnings door. The door asked for a level 5 or above card, a level 7 or above card and the Key to Beginnings card. Sora gave up a level 5 Calm Bounty card, a level 7 Teeming Darkness card, and the Key to Beginnings card, allowing him to pass through the door and into the room beyond. The trio found themselves inside the Vestibule of Olympus Coliseum, where Phil, the satyr, was waiting for those who had finised the preliminary course. Phil seemed surprised that the three of them had made it all the way there. Sora told him that they had made it and wanted to go for the Cup now. Phil told him that he had come to the right place, not that he could ever beat Herc. Donald asked him why not. Phil said, “Two words: You. Ain’t. Heroes!” Sora told Phil that he was wrong. Goofy agreed and pointed out that Phil had said three words. Sora sighed and conceded Goofy’s point, but also asked how they could prove that they were heroes if Phil didn’t even give them a chance. Just then Hercules arrived from the arena. He agreed with Sora. The trio had cleared the prelims, after all. They deserved a shot. Phil agreed that Herc had a point, but still… Hercules said that they could always just cancel the games. Sora was stunned. Why would they cancel the games? Hercules told them that Phil’s prelim course was so tough, nobody else had finished it. Sora chuckled. He figured if Phil let them compete, then they wouldn’t have to cancel the games. Phil was about to explain how the games would go down as Sora and Hercules were the only two competitors when a voice came from behind, telling him that they weren’t the only ones. Cloud had made it through the course also. Phil figured the more, the merrier. Hercules said that he was looking forward to the games, but that he wouldn’t pull any punches. Sora told him that was fine, as long as Herc didn’t expect him to just take them either. Sora turned to Cloud and said that they should give it their best, but Cloud just harumphed. Phil got back to point and explained the rules. Rule 1, first through the obstacle course would win. Rule 2, in the event of a tie, a battle would determine the winner. Rule 3, you could interfere with your opponents on the course. And finally, rule 4, all challengers had to give it everything they had. With that, the three competitors ran out into the course. Sora received the Key to Guidance card and began making his way through the rooms to the proper door. Upon finding the door, Sora was prompted to sacrifice a green map card and his Key to Guidance card. Sora gave up one of his three level 0 Stagnant Space cards and the Key to Guidance card and went on through the door.

In the room, Sora ran along the obstacle course and found Cloud standing there, waiting. Goofy commented how nice it was of Cloud to wait for them, but Donald reminded him of rule number three, it was legal to interfere with opponents on the course. Sora drew his Keyblade as Cloud was looking to narrow the field. Cloud told Sora to put his weapon away, however. He was not looking for a fight with Sora. Sora was confused but put away his Keyblade and continued on toward the finish line. Sora asked Cloud if he really was just going to let them go on ahead. Cloud revealed that he wasn’t in it for the Cup, just Hercules. Sora asked why. Cloud told him to stay out of his business and just go win his Cup. Sora drew his Keyblade once more. Cloud asked if he realized what he was doing by challenging him. Sora reminded him of rule number three and said that Cloud wasn’t the only one who wanted to fight Hercules. Cloud shook his head and attacked Sora. Cloud attacked Sora with his Cross-Slash and OmniSlash attacks and basically beat the crap out of Sora, but Sora somehow managed to survive and keep doing damage until, finally, he managed to defeat Cloud. After the battle, Cloud disappeared. Jiminy said that Cloud had headed for the finish line and that they better go after him. Sora agreed and the trio took off for the finish line. Sora received the Key to Truth card, as well as a Hi-Potion card. Sora took a moment to check his deck before running to the Teeming Darkness room, where the Key to Truth door was located. Sora used one of his level 3 Calm Bounty cards and the Key to Truth card to open the final door.

The trio found themselves inside the arena. Hercules and Cloud were fighting, but Herc had come out on top. Hercules begged Cloud to give it up, but Cloud returned to his feet and told Herc that they weren’t done yet. Herc said that he couldn’t guarantee Cloud’s safety if they kept fighting like this. Cloud told Herc to worry about himself. Sora ran to Herc’s side and told him that he had his back. Cloud told them that it wouldn’t matter how much backup Herc had. He was going to defeat Herc and get his memories back. Sora was stunned that Cloud had also lost his memories. A voice came from the doorway, telling Cloud that they didn’t want to go spilling the beans. Hades walked into the arena to Hercules’ surprise. Hades told Cloud that he had oversold himself. All he had done was wear Hercules down. Hercules then told Cloud that he was fired. Cloud was taken aback. His memories…they had had a deal. Hades laughed. Did he really think he could regain his lost memories just like that? Cloud looked ready to attack, but Hades flashed a wall of fire and knocked everyone out of the arena besides Hercules. Herc cursed Hades, figuring Hades had been behind everything from the start. Hades said that Cloud may have worn Herc down, but he was going to finish the job and send Herc on a one way trip to the Underworld. Sora, Donald, and Goofy got their wits back about them and ran to Herc’s side. Hercules told Sora to back off, but Sora asked how they could go one-on-one if Hercules was in the Underworld. Hades figured Sora had a point and would just have to go with Hercules! With that, Hades attacked. He used a spinning flamethrower attack that covered the whole arena, but Sora managed to stay close by and avoid the flames coming from his hands. Hades also used fireballs and other flame related attacks. Though Sora spent most of the battle playing dodge, he managed to keep stringing together attacks and, with a little help from Donald and Goofy, Sora managed to defeat the Lord of the Underworld and obtained the Hades enemy card as a reward. Meanwhile, Phil had decided to cancel the games. Sora asked why and Phil told him it was because everybody had been worn down by Hades attack. Sora asked about his match with Hercules, but Herc told him that Sora wouldn’t want to compete with him in his condition, but they would have a match when both of them were at their best if Sora could wait. Sora agreed to it. Over on the other side of the arena, Jiminy called out to the heroes, telling them that Cloud was coming around. Herc asked if he was okay. Cloud said that he was and apologized for messing up the games before turning to walk out of the arena. Sora yelled after him, telling Cloud that he hoped he got his memories back. Sora told him to forget about what Hades said. Sometimes, the tiniest thing could make a person remember something they had forgotten years ago. If the memory was important, then there was no way that it could ever be gone for forever. That is what Sora believed, anyway. Cloud drew out a card from his hand and tossed it to Sora. Cloud thanked him for helping him out. Sora asked if Cloud would want to just come with them instead, but Cloud declined and walked out of the arena. Sora looked at the card and it was a Cloud summon magic card. The trio left the arena as well and Sora found himself back in the Conqueror’s Respite room. Sora reset his deck and made his way through the exit and back into Castle Oblivion’s corridors.

The trio made their way towards the staircase to the fourth floor as Donald looked down and said that he hoped the king would be okay. Sora turned and asked why he would bring that up. Donald said that he wanted to make sure that he still remembered why they were there. And he did. They were on a quest to find the king. Goofy remembered too, recounting how Mickey had stayed on the other side of the door to the darkness to make sure it closed. Donald told him that he was right on target. Sora chimed in that he was looking for Riku, and that Riku had been on the other side of the door with the king when they had shut it. Sora figured that there was no way they would forget the most important memories. Donald said that was a good thing because he didn’t want to forget. The scene changed to another part of the castle, where Axel and a blonde girl were looking into a giant crystal ball. The girl commented on how Axel seemed pretty intrigued by Sora. Axel asked if Larxene didn’t feel the same way. Larxene commented that she hadn’t decided yet. She thought that what intrigued her more is whatever Axel saw in him. Axel explained about how Sora had become a Heartless and if one becomes a Heartless… Larxene finished, saying that the unfortunate soul lost their minds and their feelings and were consumed by darkness. Axel agreed, but said that Sora had not lost those things. He had held onto his feelings, even as a Heartless. There was only one other person who had managed to do that. Larxene said that it must be the strength of Sora’s heart that allowed him to do that and what interested Axel must be why the Keyblade chose Sora’s heart. Axel asked if unlocking the mysteries of the heart wasn’t exactly what the Organization’s mission was. Larxene simply giggled as the scene cut back to Sora, Donald, and Goofy making their way up to the fourth floor. Donald was wondering if there was anything else they had forgotten. Goofy wondered that, if they did, what would it have been? He couldn’t remember anything, so maybe he really was losing his memories. But whatever they were, they couldn’t have been very important memories, or else they wouldn’t have forgotten them. Sora pulled out his Oathkeeper charm and told them about how Kairi had given it to him and that he had promised to return it to her. Sora said he could never forget making that promise, so he would never forget Kairi. Kairi appeared in Sora’s mind, smiling at him. Sora smiled back, but as he did, a blonde girl appeared behind him…in his mind…weird. Sora came back to reality and wondered if he knew that girl. Goofy said that they better keep moving and the trio turned back to the fourth floor door. Sora pulled out his Agrabah world card and held it up to the door. The door opened and the trio made their way into yet another world of memories....