Hollow Bastion is, unlike most other worlds in the game, not based on a Disney film. However, some similarities can be seen when compared with the Beast's castle from Beauty and the Beast and Maleficent's castle from Sleeping Beauty.
Losing the Keyblade
From where you start, jump on the floating platforms to get higher. Gliding will make it all much easier. Be sure to watch out for constantly moving platforms. When you get high enough, a cutscene will show Riku conversing with the Beast. After the cutscene, Riku will take the keyblade away from Sora and Donald and Goofy also leave Sora, remembering their mission - stick with the Keyblade Master. Sora will then partner up with the Beast to try and get into the castle and save the ones close to them. Your weapon will now be switched to the Wooden Sword and your only party member will be the Beast.
Getting the Keyblade Back
The path should be obvious from here. Keep using the platforms to get higher up. Eventually, you'll reach a single platform with nowhere else to turn. Keep moving forward to see the path marked as Castle Gates, and an elevator will be called to get you there. It takes a while to defeat the Heartless with just a Wooden Sword, so it's best to leave these to the Beast. Go down the stairs to the right of you and you'll come across a floating crystal sphere covered in lightning bolts. Examine this to call an elevator. You'll then end up to a place similar to where you started. Walk into the bubble on the right to teleport to another new area. Here will be a Save Point, a treasure chest, and a gate. Call Beast to the gate (the last option on the command menu) and he'll break it open. This reveals an area with another bubble. Walk into it to be teleported once again. This will reveal the puzzle of the Waterway. Go to the stone on the left and press Release. This will get one of the gates to move. Go forward and Release the next stone. From where you're locked in, go left and then forward for another stone to Release. The passage that you opened will lead to a stone on the ground. Release this to finally open the path to a bubble. Release the stone here to get the elevator moving, and Release the stone here to complete the puzzle. All that's left will be retracing your steps back to the Castle Gates.
Riku
- HP: 500
- EXP: 2000
Even though Riku has lost the Keyblade and Sora now has control over it, the battle with Riku is a tough one. You are joined by Donald and Goofy instead of the Beast, so be sure to have high strength and defense ready before the battle. Riku will be using the Soul Eater. If he lands a hit on you, it can do a lot of damage, so be sure to have Ether and Potions ready so you can always cure yourself. It also helps to equip Donald and Goofy with their own Ether and Potions. Summoning Tinker Bell also helps when your health runs low. Magic doesn't work on Riku, so you'll have to try to jump around and get behind him to get a hit. Jumping around and taking advantage of Dodge Roll will help to get away from Riku until you're ready to get a hit in. If you happen to run out of both MP and Ether, break open the pots lined along the walls for MP and even HP.