The Year Between [Alpha Draft] - Pt 51;

[keybearer]

Chapter 51: Master and Superior

Another day, another meeting, and another step forward. Per the norm as of late, all remaining members had gathered, save for Axel. It was a time to take initiative. A time to cobble together a plan, and of course, a time to reflect on recent circumstances. Circumstances such as those surrounding the simulation.

So, naturally, Zexion was first to speak, stroking his chin in thought. “I saw the puppet. It would seem she decided to return to Twilight Town for a time, but this time, she delved deep into the datascape.”

His words captured Xemnas’ gaze.“And what were the results?”

“In short, it was a disaster.” He slumped over, lips pulled into a straight line. “Her presence alone caused the system to run wild with glitches, and her appearance was highly unstable. If I had to guess, it was due to the way Riku’s memories have influenced the data itself. The program has this peculiar tendency to shift visitors into a form that matches his memories, and if Xion was born from those very memories, well… I could see how problems might arise.”

Up until this point, Demyx had been staring aimlessly at the ceiling, leaning over the arm of his chair with half-closed eyes, as if he was about to pass out from sheer boredom. However, when Zexion finished speaking, his eyes popped open, and he shot up, sitting erect.

“But waaait a second. Riku’s never met you, so what happens when you go in there?”

“For once, you raise an excellent point.” Zexion snickered, a dry smile gracing his lips. “It seems the system can’t figure out what to do with me. Everything I touch peels away. My body is intangible, able to pass through solid objects like a specter…”

Demyx shivered, arms wound around his shoulders. “Dude, that’s creepy! How do you even put up with it?”

“Don’t forget that we’re all incapable of emotion. Unsettling as it is, it had no true effect on me.”

Demyx went slack-jawed at Zexion’s statement and deflated without another word. With his faux curiosity seemingly sated, it was time to focus on more urgent matters.

With a chilling gaze, Saïx peered up at Zexion. “And what of the puppet’s activities? It must have returned for a reason.”

“Hmm… Well, she seemed desperate for answers. When she encountered Riku, she begged to know of their connection.” Pausing, Zexion shut his eyes and folded his hands. “Moreover, she brought the Replica and Roxas into the mansion from parts unknown.”

Saïx growled, his hands rolling into fists. “Then we must uncover their whereabouts at once.”

“That shouldn’t be too difficult,” said Zexion. “After what transpired at Disney Castle, I find it highly doubtful that they would flee to an ordinary world. Thus, we need only apply the process of elimination.”

Chuckling, Luxord, tossed a pair of dice into the air. “Perhaps they have one last ace up their sleeve. One final card to determine their fates…” With a snap of his wrist, the dice vanished, replaced with a single tarot card: The Tower.

One look at the card, and the gears in Xemnas’ head began to spin. The implications were impossible to ignore. Of all the worlds in the cosmos, how many could truly serve as their haven? With Disney Castle proven penetrable, there was but one option left. One world that even the Organization dare not breach.

Xemnas’ forehead wrinkled, and his brows drew together. “If they have taken refuge in Yen Sid’s domain, then there is little we can do beyond providing… incentive for them to leave the nest. However, this will be incredibly simple. After all, at the center of this crisis lies one point of connection. A binding rope tying together the Keyblade wielders and their allies…”

“Then shall we cut the rope?” said Xaldin. “If this matter is as simple as you say, we should act now, before they’re able to form a plan.”

“No. This is not something we can rush. In order to leave a true impact, we must set the stage for the moment that is most significant. Then and only then shall we strike.”

From the start of the meeting, Lexaeus had remained silent as a statue, his arms crossed and a perpetual frown fixed to his features. Now, at long last, he cast his title of Silent Hero aside, his voice booming as he spoke.

“It isn’t the Replica we should be worrying about. He may hold our secrets, but based on strength alone, I believe we should focus on Master Aqua.”

Saïx bristled, shoulders hunched. “Yes, the Keyblade Master possesses a skill far beyond that of her fellow Keyblade wielders. The others are mere children by comparison.”

“Ah, but that’s not all,” said Zexion. “At the moment, she and King Mickey are the de facto leaders, the ones to whom the others undoubtedly turn for guidance. If we could just find a way to break through to them—”

“The remaining pieces would topple over like a string of dominos.” Once again, Luxord tossed his dice, catching them with single, swift gesture. “You know the rules quite well. The question is, how do we intend to use our knowledge to reap the winner’s pot?”

Xigbar clapped his hands, bending over the edge of his seat. “Hey, how ‘bout I have a chat with the bluebird? Her and I go way back.”

“No.” Xemnas’ voice was firm, absolute. “If anyone is to meet this... Master Aqua, it will be me.”

The entire room lapsed into silence. Demyx’s mouth went agape, Xigbar winced, his grin growing stiff. Lexaeus merely shut his eyes, his blank expression indiscernible, while Zexion stroked his chin once more. Continuing to toss his dice, Luxord watched with a raised eyebrow, but chose not to say a word. Lastly, both Xaldin and Saïx stared, eyes narrowed and brows low.

Saïx was first to speak. “Lord Xemnas, are you certain this is wise?”

“Yeah!” said Demyx. “I mean, if anything happens to you, who’s gonna—I mean, not that anything would happen, but y’know…”

“Never thought I’d see the day where you were itchin’ for field work,” said Xigbar. “I figured you’d be too busy chatting with the moon to worry about some pesky Keyblade wielders.”

“Don’t be absurd,” said Zexion. “Xemnas is our Superior. If anyone is capable of assessing the matter, it’s him. And need I remind you that he has faced a Keyblade wielder in the past?”

“Yes, but that was Riku,” said Saïx. “Having faced Aqua yourself, surely you’re aware of her tenacity.”

How amusing. It was almost as if they cared, but naturally this was impossible. Nonetheless, a faint smirk lined Xemnas’ lips, there one minute and gone the next.

“It is because of her strength that I will face her. This is a matter of such importance that I cannot risk the lives of my fellow Nobodies.” He swept his hand over the empty cavity in his chest. “While I understand your concerns, you needn’t underestimate me. The Keyblade Master may possess great power, but power alone cannot shield the heart.”

Silence consumed the whole chamber for the umpteenth time, though, this time, the reactions were more subdued. While Demyx shivered and gulped, he managed to keep a fairly straight expression. Saïx and Xaldin continued to scowl, but the two nodded, seemingly content. With a snicker, Xigbar’s grin enlarged; no doubt he was aware of Xemnas’ intent. After all, violence was far too simple a solution, and this was a matter that required absolute control.

“So, I shall take my leave. Zexion, Xigbar, Saïx… I leave the rest to you.”

With a twist of darkness, Xemnas left the Round Room behind. Nothing more needed to be said.

x.x.x

“Wak! Hey, watch where you’re shooting those things!”

“Aw, ya can’t be too hard on her, Donald! She’s just practicin’.”

“Oh yeah? Then why don’t you be their target? You’re the one with the shield!”

“Ya know, maybe I should!”

It was hard not to laugh at the display before her. Having agreed to step out for some training, Kairi, Aqua, Donald, Goofy, and Sora had all made their way into Twilight Town’s sandlot. And, while Goofy and Sora had spent the last few minutes seated at the edge of a nearby bench, Donald was zigzagging all across the arena, ducking, sliding, and jumping over colorful balls of light. Red, blue, yellow, and orange, the sandlot shone with a rainbow of colors released from the tip of Aqua’s Keyblade. With her demonstration out of the way, she had then stepped aside, allowing Kairi to step into the center of the platform.

Feathers ruffled, Donald scooped up his hat, slapped it down on his head, and lumbered over to the bench, plopping down next to a wide-eyed Sora. Grinning, Sora’s shoulders bobbed up and down a little, and he covered his mouth, though no sound escaped him. Given Donald’s mood, it was probably for the best. Goofy, on the other hand, seemed more than eager to participate, as he hopped down from his seat and shuffled over to the platform with his head held high and his shield raised over his chest.

“All right, Kairi! I’m ready whenever you are!”

Aqua muffled a laugh with her hand. “Oh, Goofy. You don’t have to do this.”

“Maybe not, but I sure want to! This whole Shoot-lockin’ thing sounds real important.”

“True, but I could just as easily create magical targets. The last thing we need is for you to get hurt!”

A pat on the leg brought Aqua’s attention down to Mickey. “You don’t have to worry, Aqua! There’s a reason Goofy’s the captain of the guard.”

“Yup!” He gave a quick salute. “Besides, we all gotta stay sharp for the next time we’re stuck dealin’ with Heartless, Nobodies, or whatever other fellers get in our way.”

“Well, you still oughta be careful.” Donald grumbled, rubbing his tail feathers. “Those lights are almost as hot as a Fire spell, and you’ll be dealing with a whole bunch of ‘em at once!”

“Isn’t that the point?” said Kairi, swishing her sword. “It’s like magical crowd control.”

“Yeah, but there’s only one me!”

Mickey folded his arms, tail flicking back and forth. “Say, Aqua, do ya want me to help out? It’ll probably be better if she’s got more than one target, anyway.”

She pursed her lips and tapped her chin. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt. In fact, why don’t we all work together?” She strode next to Goofy with Mickey toddling close behind.

Once everyone was in position, Kairi looked them over one by one. Taking a step back, she bent her knees, and raised her rapier. “So, all I have to do is focus, right?”

Aqua nodded, gesturing at the others. “The idea is to keep your eyes fixed on your targets while channeling your magical energy. It can be whatever element you like, but the key is to focus it into small pockets of power instead of a single large spell.”

“Well, that can’t be too hard.” Giggling, she took a deep breath, wrapping her fingers tightly around her rapier’s hilt. A small sphere of white light began to swell around the tip of her blade, and she squinted, glancing from Aqua, to Mickey, to Goofy, and back. As the orb grew larger, it split off into three more spheres, circling around the weapon’s tip. Then, with a wave of her arm, all four salvos rocketed forward, splitting off in different directions.

One flew directly at Goofy’s shield and ricocheted right off. Another rocketed towards Aqua from the left, which she evaded by tumbling into a quick cartwheel. The third shot towards Mickey’s face, but he leaped out of its path and scurried to the far right corner of the platform. The fourth circled in towards Goofy’s back, forcing him to spin like a top to deflect the blast.

Over by the bench, Sora broke into a wild applause, while Donald heaved an enormous sigh. With a bright smile, Aqua joined in the applause before striding over to Kairi’s side. All the while, Mickey and Goofy continued to clap.

“Great job, Kairi! It looks like you’ve already picked up the basics.”

“It helps that I had a great teacher.” Kairi tipped her chin up and grinned. “Still, I think I’ve got a long way to go before I catch up with you.”

“Well, one thing you can do to maximize your Shotlock is to continue channeling your magic even after the initial blast. When you’re facing large crowds, it’s important to keep the momentum going as long as possible.”

“So they don’t have time to fight back?”

“Exactly!” She reached for Kairi’s shoulder, and her smile nearly doubled in size. “If they’re too busy trying to evade, they’re much more likely to slip up. They could bump into one another, lose their balance at the most critical moment….”

“In other words, they’d be just like Donald.”

“Hey! I heard that!”

The two both burst out laughing, though Aqua was quick to resume a straight face. “All jokes aside, I think you should focus on mastering the basic Shotlock before I teach you more advanced techniques. Given how desperate the Organization’s been as of late, it’s important that you have a way to deal with the Heartless from a distance.”

“I know.” And at that, Kairi sighed, her once cheery expression vanishing in an instant. “I just wish it hadn’t come to this. I already had a close call a few days ago.” Her eyes drifted towards her rapier, as did Aqua’s.

“So what happened?”

Slipping her rapier into its sheath, Kairi looked at the sky. “An ambush, as usual. And it wasn’t just any attack, either! One minute we were heading out for supplies, and the next, a whole flock of Wyverns swooped down on us like we a midday snack.” She reached for the hilt of her sword. “One of them even tried to sneak off with my weapon.”

“Because they know.” Aqua’s hand curled into a fist, which she pressed against her Master’s pendant. “Was that the only time?”

“Well, sorta,” said Donald. “That was the first time they went straight for Kairi’s sword, but we’ve been swimming in Heartless no matter where we go.”

“Not everywhere, Donald.” Goofy gestured at their surroundings, which only made Donald moan.

“You know what I mean!”

With his hands tucked behind his back, Mickey paced back and forth. “I just wish there was somethin’ we could do about it. We could seal all the Keyholes in the universe, but that’s not gonna get us any closer to beating the Organization.” His voice came out slow, tired, and a frown spread across his lips. He stopped his pacing and gazed at the ground, his little hands bunching into fists.

Sensing his tension, Aqua took it upon herself to approach the King, kneel down by his side, and look him in the eye. “We all wish it was easier, Mickey. I hate how helpless we are. How even protecting the worlds runs the risk of aiding them…”

Mickey’s fists began to tremble, but he managed a slow nod. “But I can’t fail again. Not after what happened to you and your pals…”

“And you won’t. None of us will.” She gripped Mickey’s shoulder, sweeping her arm towards the bench. “It isn’t like before. This time we know the risks.”

“And we do have a lot more friends on our side.” Slowly but surely, his lips began to perk. “Gosh, what am I thinking? I’m the one who should be setting a good example!”

“Hey, nobody said you weren’t,” said Kairi. “We’re all stressed, Your Majesty, and it’s okay to admit it.”

Scratching his head, Sora proceeded to pull out his pen and paper. ‘Well, maybe we should take a break. Anyone up for some ice cream?’

“Well, I sure am!” said Kairi, hopping back on her feet. “C’mon. I’ll buy.”

The duty-driven part of Aqua might have declined. If she were firm and unyielding, she would have urged them to stay and train. After all, the circumstances were dire. Logically, it was important to prepare for the worst, but fortunately, Aqua wasn’t bound solely by her duties as Master. No, after putting forth so much effort over the past two hours, they all deserved the break. A chance to leave their troubles behind and enjoy each other’s company.

So, when Kairi took off in the direction of the Tram Common, Aqua naturally followed suit, and in a matter of moments the three had slipped out from the Sandlot into the wide and bustling Market Street.

Crowds of people flooded the path. Teenagers on skateboards skidded down the road, slapping posters on every vacant wall, bulletin board, and idle tram car. A young couple dressed in black berets whispered to one another, muttering something about the nearby coffee shop. Two Moogles fluttered over Aqua’s head, squeaking with joy over the latest Mognet deliveries. By the time she’d taken in her surroundings, Sora, Kairi, and the others were already several yards ahead of her.

After wedging her way between a boy in a black beanie and a smaller child with a shadowy, black face, Aqua began sprinting towards her friends. However, just as she made it halfway, she heard a soft whoosh from afar. Stopping mid step, she pivoted around, eyes scouring the area. Between the gaps of passersby, a lone figure appeared, wandering up the steps to one of the many walkways spanning over the street. A black coat covered him from head to toe, and though it was difficult to tell from afar, he had a wide, more muscled build than that of Riku’s Replica.

She cast a quick glance to her friends, then proceeded towards the stairs. Perhaps it was careless to pursue this stranger on her own, but on the other hand, a large group would likely dissuade them from lingering. At the moment, she needed to assess the situation, and to do that, she needed the element of surprise.

Thus, rather than squeeze her way through the crowd, Aqua followed the flow of movement. With brisk steps, she followed the trail of a man with spiky silver hair, draped in a long black coat. A circle of squealing young women surrounded him, gushing over some sort of Struggle tournament. As he took a sharp turn to the left, Aqua continued up the stairs, passing a trio of teenagers including a rather portly boy with messy black hair, a taller, skinnier blond dressed in camouflage pants, and a brown haired girl in an orange tank top. As she passed them, Aqua gave them a smile and a wave, but there was little time to chat.

Turning the corner, she leaped down from the walkway, taking slow, cautious steps across another strip of tram tracks. The figure moved without pause, ducking into a gaping hole in the wall—the same hole that lead into the forest and, in turn, the mansion.

Without even realizing it, Aqua had once again broken into a sprint. Her metallic boots clanked against the pavement, no doubt alerting the Nobody of her presence, but at this point, it didn’t matter. She had to intervene before he discovered the mansion. Before he discovered Riku!

Ducking low to the ground, she dived into the hole and skidded across the forest floor. Only dim glimmers of sunlight reached between the crisscrossing branches of the surrounding firs and pines. A deep shadow stretched over the grassy landscape, and Aqua had to squint at first in order to distinguish the figure from the surrounding tree trunks.

Pressing her palms against her thighs, she rose to her full height and took a single step forward. There was a swish, and something flashed in the corner of her eye. When she turned around, she found the hole had been covered in a shining, translucent barrier.

Her eyes popped wide open, then snapped into a narrow gaze. Her breath hitched at first, only to slow as she turned back around. If this was a trap, then she would have to face it the same way she would any other conflict: with a sharp focus and a clear head. This wasn’t the time to let her nerves get the best of her.

She refused to summon her Keyblade or draw the sword she’d been granted. Instead, she took three more steps forward, brushing her hand against the bark of a nearby pine.

“I know you’re here.”

At first, there was only silence, then the sound of crunching leaves. Back bent, she once again scoured the woods on the off chance that yellow eyes would appear from within the shadows.

They never did, and she continued along, nearing the heart of the forest. It was then that she saw him, the man in the black coat, standing as still as the trees.

His hood covered his face, though from behind, she doubted it would have made a difference. However, even with his entire form concealed, a few features stood out. First and foremost was his height, as the man stood roughly a head taller than her. He had wide shoulders, a sturdy, muscular frame. His hands were clasped behind his back, no weapon in sight, and his overall lack of movement made it difficult to discern if he even noticed her presence.

She was about to take another step forward, when he abruptly broke the silence.

“There’s something remarkable about this world…” His voice was low, a deep baritone with a steady tone. Proof that she hadn’t met this man before.

Nonetheless, now was not the time to drop her guard.

Keeping her eyes fixed to the man, Aqua moved just a little closer. “And why is that?”

“Ah… I would think that one of your status would have realized it by now.” He unclasped his hands in a wide, sweeping gesture, though he still refused to turn her way. “It is a world teetering on the edge, between light and dark. Fitting for a town named after the twilight of dusk…”

She recoiled, grasping her pendant. So this man knew of her and her title… Perhaps she should have expected this after her encounters with both Saïx and Zexion. Regardless, his calm demeanor filled her with an unrelenting tension. She stood rigid, ready to defend herself at a moment’s notice.

But if he wished to converse, then perhaps it was time for a more relevant question.

“Who are you?”

The man tipped his head up ever so slightly and clasped his hands once more. “My name is of no importance.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

“Oh?” His head turned halfway towards his shoulder, but he was quick to look away. His voice took on a somewhat lighter tone. “You’ll have to forgive my lack of enthusiasm. You see, even if you were remotely imposing, I lack the heart to feel fear…”

“So where are the Heartless? I would have expected them to appear by now.”

He shook his head. “I know it would be futile.”

But was it really that simple? Given her past experience with Nobodies, it seemed highly unlikely. Perhaps he was simply waiting for the moment her guard dropped, in which case, she’d have to remain firm. This was no time for idle conversation.

“Then tell me why you’re here.” It was a command, not a request.

“Is it so wrong to seek intelligent conversation?”

She glowered, suppressing the urge to draw a weapon then and there. She wanted to retort, but what was she supposed to say? On its own, his reasoning was sound, but as a Nobody and member of the Organization, every word he spoke dripped with suspicion. Having experienced Xehanort’s treachery firsthand, she was no stranger to mind games. Said manipulation was what cost her one of her most cherished friends.

So yes, in this case, it was very, very wrong. He probably knew that as well as she did.

But the man continued speaking anyway, undeterred by her silence.

“Now, I am well aware of your plan, and I admit, your persistence is admirable. I never would have anticipated that you would cast aside your Keyblades so effortlessly. However, there is one critical flaw in your scheme.”

Her fingers twitched. “If you think you can change my mind, forget it. I can see right through your lies.”

“Believe what you wish.” The man shrugged. “But tell me, have you even considered what becomes of the hearts released by weapons other than the Keyblade?”

Aqua lurched backwards, gaping at the man’s words. Truth be told, she hadn’t thought much of it before. If the Keyblade sent the hearts into the Organization’s domain, then what did become of those hearts? Did they simply float free, returning to whence they came? Did they disappear? She couldn’t begin to answer.

The man must have expected this, because he let out a hushed chuckle. “Without the aid of the Keyblade, those hearts will never be free. In time, they will return to the Heartless’ grasp. It may take minutes, hours, perhaps even days, but in time, they will return, perhaps worlds away and beyond your reach.” Pausing, he gave her another passing glance. “You see, Master Aqua, your efforts have done far worse than delaying the inevitable. By abandoning your Keyblade, you have put innocent lives at risk.”

The ground seemed to rumble beneath her feet. His words hit with as much force as ten Keyblades. Both her hands flew over her pendant, and she turned her gaze to the forest floor. She couldn’t trust him. She couldn’t begin to accept his statement, but what if he spoke the truth? What if those hearts truly did become Heartless once more?

If that was the case, then was it right to continue down this path?

She squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head back and forth. This wasn’t the time to lose faith, least of all around one of the Organization’s number.

“Why should I believe you? So far, you and your Organization have only inflicted pain.”

“It is the Heartless who inflict pain. We simply guide them from world to world, seeking your aid in ending their pitiful existence.”

She inhaled slowly, expression souring even more. “Then explain why you push others into the darkness. Explain why it is you interfere with other worlds.”

“Those we lead into the dark have already strayed down a dark path. We simply hasten the process so that they, too, may find solace in oblivion.” As he spoke, he made more broad, sweeping gestures. “As for the worlds… Well, Monsters Inc. is in the midst of a crisis, so we took it upon ourselves to aid them in their plight.”

“And Manhattan?”

“The world was already steeped in darkness. Demona was but a tool to strengthen your resolve…”

Aqua scoffed, rolling her shoulders back. “You’re no better than Xehanort.”

“Xehanort?” The man let out a hoarse, hollow laugh. “What a familiar sound...”

There was something strange about his tone. It was light, almost carrying an edge of amusement, and just hearing him made Aqua grimace. If he knew Xehanort, then…

“I’ll ask you one last time: who are you?”

“I’m what’s left, or… Maybe I’m all there ever was.” More cryptic answers. She should have known.

A few moments passed, and he continued. “Now, allow me to provide an alternative perspective. Consider our goals… a collaboration. You free the worlds from the Heartless’ filth, and we obtain the hearts we so desperately desire…”

“And what do you plan to do with those hearts? Sora told me that you intend to—”

“Create Kingdom Hearts? Indeed. But as for how I intend to use its power, I see no reason to elaborate.”

Of course. Aqua huffed and shook her head. “Then how can you expect us to cooperate? If this is a collaboration, then both sides should share a common goal.”

Finally, the man turned around, though he continued to conceal his face. “Have you always been so rash, Keyblade Master? Is your pride so important to you that you would allow it to cloud your judgment?” Despite his harsh words, his voice was level. Calm. He almost sounded bored.

Regardless, Aqua refused to respond, and the man continued without pause. “You believe you walk a righteous path, and look at what you have done thus far. Look at the stars. As darkness spreads, the light dwindles. In time, there will be few worlds remaining, and who will carry the blame?”

Aqua winced. Her right hand flew over her chest, and tension gripped her from head to toe. His words drove a knife halfway into her chest. His voice cold, authoritative, and scolding, as if she were but a child. He continued to watch her, his arms straight at his sides, no weapon within his grasp. It would be so much simpler if he attacked. If he flooded the woods with Heartless. At least then she’d have a reason to stand and fight.

But here, alone in the forest, her only weapons were her words. It would be foolish to attack first; it was possible that he expected it. Almost guaranteed.

She’d been snared in a trap, forced to confront the worst possibility imaginable.

In her shoes, she was certain that anyone else would fold. They’d lose heart. Accept defeat and fall right into this Nobody’s clutches, but Aqua didn’t have that ‘luxury.’ There was far too much at stake to take chances.

Her face began to shift into a glare, and she pulled out her Wayfinder, pressing it over her heart.

“What do you know about responsibility? I’ve spent most of my life training to uphold the balance, but you’re nothing but an arrogant child, toying with forces beyond your control.”

“Don’t be so quick to assume.” With a wave of his hand, the shadows at his feet twisted and stretched. A red, armored torso with gorilla-like arms emerged, raising a shield resembling a snarling black dog. But before Aqua even got a chance to draw her weapon, the man slashed across the torso of the Heartless with a beam of red energy. Its body faded, and its heart drifted through the treetops.

“At the moment, it is you who lacks control. If I so desired, I could summon an entire horde of Heartless with a mere thought. I could engage you in combat, but doing so would only strengthen your delusions.”

Her shoulders shook. Her chest tightened. Once again, she found herself suppressing the urge to summon her Key. It was difficult enough not to shout.

She wanted to tell him how wrong he was. How he was the one suffering delusions. How he was a fool if he believed she could win her over so easily. How she would never trust someone who saw fit to hide in the shadows, keeping his face, his name, and his intentions a secret.

She almost did, but before she could make so much as a sound, a black figure leaped over her head, hands cloaked in shifting green flames.

Sora made it within inches of the man’s chest, but a glassy, box-like barrier burst up from his feet, sending Sora flying backwards. The momentum staggered the man slightly, and his hood finally flew back.

The face she saw made Aqua’s heart freeze. The knife thrust its way into her chest, and all she could do was stare.

Silver hair brushed against his shoulders and back, with bangs parted across his face. Golden eyes glistened in the darkness of the woods, and Aqua’s hand instinctively moved to her neck.

Terra’s heart has been extinguished… smothered by the darkness within him!

“N-no… It can’t be—”

The man turned his back on her, shaking his head. Still paralyzed, she could only watch as Sora crouched low to the ground and charged a second time. Just like before, the man called forth a barrier to block his path, but Sora persisted, firing flames at his feet. Sending surges of lightning crashing through the canopy. Each time, the man sidestepped, flickered away, and reappeared where he once stood.

Sora’s claws dug into the earth. The shadows rising from his back, arms, and shoulders lashed at the air around him. His eyes glowed brighter than ever, and he bared all of his pointed teeth.

“Terra, stop!” Ven cried, but the man once again turned his back on the duo.

“Well, Aqua, it has been a pleasure, but now I must bid you farewell.” He pressed his palm against the bark of a nearby pine, and a portal began to crawl across its surface.

Aqua stumbled towards him, heart racing. “Wait! I’m not through with you!”

He didn’t dignify her with a response. As Aqua drew close, he threw back his hand, summoning one last barrier. Skidding to a stop, she could only watch as the darkness swirled around him, concealing him behind its inky tendrils. When his barrier finally faded, the whirling blackness had concealed him entirely and slowly began shrinking away.

Snarling, Sora barreled towards the portal, but Aqua grabbed him by the wrist, pulling him back.

Together, they watched as the last traces of the corridor collapsed into a mere shadow on the forest floor. With Xemnas gone, all the tension that had bubbled up inside of Aqua popped, and she toppled forward, landing on her knees. For several long seconds, she stared at the tree trunk, but it was no use. He was gone, and now only his words remained.

A deep, dull ache overtook her heart. Her entire body went ice cold, and she lifted her Wayfinder, threading her fingers between its points. With a tiny frown, Sora slid closer to her and peered over her shoulder.

“Are you gonna be okay?”

“…Don’t worry, Ven.” She breathed deeply, forcing herself to stand. “I just need a little time to think.”

Sora’s brow furrowed, and he glared at the ground. ‘You’re not hurt, right? If Xemnas tried anything fishy, I swear—’

She interrupted his writing with a pat on the head. “Thank you, Sora, but I’m really all right.”

“Well, we should probably go tell the others. If Xemnas was here…”

“I know. This could mean anything.” She peered past the trees, toward the direction of the mansion.

A pat on the back pulled Aqua’s focus back towards the forest’s entrance, to the hole that led her here, finally free from the barrier. Waving his hand, Sora crawled ahead, and after a few moments of hesitation, Aqua slowly trudged behind.

Yet, even as they returned to the safety of the Tram Common, her mind was elsewhere, lost in the sea of words that Xemnas left behind. Lost in the onslaught of emotions erupting in her heart. Lost in the image of his face.

It was all too much to bear.

x.x.x

It was late. She knew that, but no amount of knowledge could shake her insomnia. Rubbing her eyes, Xion trudged across the floor, silent and slow. Her whole body felt like a rag doll, arms loosely swaying as she walked, upper body sagging forward. If only Roxas was awake right now, she could ask him to hit her with another blast of Sleepga, but, true to form, her friend was tucked under the blankets, the only evidence of his presence being a lump under the covers and the tips of his messy blond hair poking out near his pillow.

Too tired to slip outside but too wired to slip back into bed, Xion stood up on her tip toes and peered out a star-shaped window. The clouds coasted over a clustering of stars vaguely resembling a giant spoon. Each little star shimmered one after the other, spaced one second apart. With her arms crossed over the window pane, her eyelids began to slide shut, when she noticed something… odd about the glass. A discolored smudge, a vague greenish blue.

Shaking off her exhaustion, she leaned closer to the glass, and then it hit her. There were two turquoise splotches. And they weren’t splotches at all…

Her hair was still black. Her coat and gloves remained. Her face was still soft, round, and feminine. Just by taking a quick glance, no one would have suspected it, but as Xion stared at her own reflection, rivers of ice began seeping through her veins.

TO BE CONTINUED