All That's Left [Alpha Draft] - Pt 32;

[keybearer]

Chapter 32: Yearning for What’s Lost

A constant hum permeated through the cold, metallic room. Save for the dim blue glimmers of three widescreen monitors, darkness persisted from wall to wall. An array of windows zigzagged across the screens. Some showcased rotating wireframe figures with six spindly legs, spherical eyes, and dagger-like mandibles. Others displayed clusters of zeroes and ones, the font neon green against a black backdrop. Brushing his unwieldy bangs away from his eyes, Zexion grinned maniacally at the sight and rolled his chair closer to the terminal. His fingers hovered over the keys, while the pale light from the screens cast shadows along his features. The binary continued dancing from left to right in varying patterns. When it finally ceased, he rubbed his hands together. This was it…

“Hmm… But the base program’s so simple. Eat, kill, multiply… is that really all there is?” He chuckled to himself, dragging the cursor over a clump of zeroes and ones. Perhaps he should have thanked the game designers for crafting such basic AI. The lack of complex functions left him with a blank canvas. A piece of malleable clay for him to sculpt...

He tapped the delete key, and that chunk of digits vanished, yet as he stared upon the screen, his smirk began to sag, while he sank like a rock into the cushions of his chair. True, Axel had emerged victorious, but his report… The puppet girl… How could she have possibly known?

A beep and a buzz from behind jolted him upright. A click and a slam followed, and the scent of soft soil carried through the sterile air. Swiveling his chair around, Zexion offered a nod of acknowledgement to Lexaeus. As he wandered further into the room, Zexion folded his hands in his lap and scooted aside.

“Back so soon?”

“Only for a moment.” He closed in on the screens, chin up and arms crossed, though his face remained ever blank. “I see the mission was a success.”

“Surprisingly. I suppose Axel isn’t a lost cause yet, although…”

He looked down, brows perking. “What happened?”

Sighing, Zexion stroked his temple with his thumb. “It seems Xion caught wind of his mission. Worse, Riku and his friends entered the game as well, quite possibly destroying the element of surprise. Axel crafted a ruse for the occasion, but they may very well suspect us even now…”

“And if they do?”

“Hmm… A fair point. It’s not as though they know the specifics of our plan, and even if they did, the rules of the game no longer apply. Still, it’s deplorable; that Xion discovered his mission at all suggests that someone is leaking information again, yet I’ve not noticed a foreign scent in months…” Thus, it was impossible for an intruder to break in, save for perhaps his brief moments of absence. Even then, however, wouldn’t Xemnas and the others have noticed? After Sora’s infiltrations, they knew better than to lower their guards! They simply couldn’t afford to…

Without even meaning to, Zexion clutched the arms of his chair in a crushing grip, hunching his back and snarling at the screens. That was foolish on his part; what did he have to worry about? Frustrating as it was, this was no time to let fabricated rage take hold within his hollow chest. No, this was a setback, but nothing they couldn’t contend to.

Ultimately, Zexion deflated, falling back against the cushions and letting his hands drop to his lap once more. When he next spoke, his words trickled out of him like slow, dripping water, his voice softer than before. “I’m not sure what to make of it. It doesn’t make an inkling of sense…”

Yet again, Lexaeus resumed a blank expression, save for a wrinkled forehead and slightly narrowed eyes. “Then we’re on even ground, or have you forgotten the sigil?”

“Of course not. I’m not daft, but as a faithful member of this Organization, I can’t ignore this… interference, nor should you!” He pushed away from the chair, nudging it back with his boot while he stared into Lexaeus’ eyes. “It’s not as though the others have X’s carved into their flesh, so…” He paused. “Just promise me you’ll stay diligent.”

“I will.” His forehead crinkled further, and he stroked his chin. “By the way, has Xemnas informed you of our next objective?”

He raised his index finger, about to scoff at his remark, but at the last second, he turned away, instead mirroring Lexaeus’ gesture. Why would he ask when the question answered itself? Naturally, given his rank, every new decision went straight to him… well, him and Saïx, but surely Lexaeus knew. So why ask at all? What was he thinking?

The answer came not with words, but the faintest trace of a smile.

x.x.x

After duking it out with killer insects, teetering across a sinking Mentos bed, and watching a mountain gush deadly cola, the tower’s tranquility was a welcome change of pace. Gone were the bright colors and tooth-rotting scents, replaced with cool, moist air, damp beds of grass, and a skyline lit with twinkling dots. Gaping, black gaps spread where smaller clusters of stars once shone. But that’s just how it was, wasn’t it? How it’d stay, too, as long as they ignored the Door, and as long as this fight dragged on.

Heh. It was stupid. Ven should’ve grinned, he should’ve burst out laughing at their last victory. They got to fight through a video game, but no matter how hard he tried, silence pervaded. He could feel Sora’s claws flexing, digging into the cushy grass. He felt him roll onto his side, felt his cheek rest in his palm. Limbs jerked around like those of a marionette’s, with Sora as the puppet master. Ven couldn’t breathe, couldn’t blink, couldn’t even turn his head. His gaze trailed along the orange glow that spanned the horizon, but only because Sora looked that way; every movement was borrowed, and his voice mute to all but two people.

Sure, the others encouraged Sora to jot down Ven’s words, but it wasn’t the same. He remained an outsider, invisible, unheard… They probably forgot all about him, not that he could blame them.

As Sora slowly breathed in, the crisp scent of bark and pine needles melded with the moisture of the grass below. When he peeked over the cliff, the steep, rocky incline sank into a blanket of crawling clouds. Sadly, the absence of trickling waterfalls and a shimmering gold castle weakened the nostalgia of this starlit night. Even then, streaks of light shot across the gaps in the stars, and Sora sprung up, lips pulling into a smile so broad, his facial muscles pinched.

Ven, didja see that?

Of course he saw, though it took a few seconds for him to reply. “Right. A meteor shower… Man, we really lucked out tonight!”

His voice lacked the energy it might’ve carried all those years ago, when he rushed out of bed, barreled down from the castle, and parked himself along the cliffs of his home. Had the novelty really worn off? Well, maybe a little. After all, stars blinking out meant the end of a world, so what’d shooting stars mean? Were they really worth celebrating anymore?

…What’d gotten into him, thinking like that? What happened to thinking positive, keeping his head high, and taking everything with a smile?

A breeze rustled Sora’s hair and rattled the branches of the nearby trees. Moments passed without a word until Sora crossed his arms and pouted, proving that he’d caught on.

Hey, are you sure you’re okay?

He would’ve grimaced or shuddered or rubbed his neck if he could. Instead, he just tittered, hesitating before speaking. “’Course I am. I’m just… tired. I mean, all those bugs, fighting Turbo… I’m surprised you haven’t passed out yet.”

Aw, c’mon! I’m not that lazy. He sank back down, leaning his weight onto his hands. But Ven, you’ve been really quiet lately. It’s not like you at all…

“Well, uh… I just haven’t had as much to talk about. There’s so many other people around us these days, and that’s fine! You deserve to be happy…”

But so do you.

Here he would’ve flinched. “But… I am happy. Really.” Wasn’t he? Well, sometimes. Most of the time? It was fine. He was fine. Everything was A-okay.

Ven… Sora arched his back, crossing his arms, while his lower lip poked out and the rest of his face scrunched up. You sure don’t sound happy, and don’t try to tell me it’s nothing.

“But…”

Didja think I wouldn’t notice?

He clammed up, which was probably a stupid decision, because Sora got back up, slapped his hands on his hips, and spun toward the tower. Don’t make me get Aqua.

He would’ve waved his hands in protest, but all he could manage was a tiny yelp. “Aw, c’mon. It’s nothing serious!”

Then what is it?

“I’m…” A sigh slipped out of him despite his best efforts. “Look, I don’t wanna drag you down.”

The stiffness in Sora’s face subsided, and he wilted, loosening his hold on his arms. But why would you? We’re friends, and you’ve spent loads of time trying to cheer me up. Don’t you think it’s time I paid you back?

“But I don’t wanna be selfish, either.”

What? Since when are you selfish? You’re one of the nicest guys I know!

“Heh… Well, I try, but…” Was he being too nice? Had he become some kinda doormat without even meaning to? Even if he had, if he told the full truth, who knew what it’d do to Sora? A flash of white walls, scraping claws, and stabbing, twisting pain gripped him for all of two seconds. What if Sora tried again? What if he succeeded? There was still no telling what’d happen if Ven returned to his body…

Or if Sora could survive their separation.

So what could he do? What could he say? Master Eraqus had always said to speak honestly and from the heart. If he lied and Sora learned the truth alter on, what would he think? Would he even trust Ven anymore? What would it do to their friendship, and what would it do to him? Sora’d already suffered so much. He deserved better. He deserved a happy, carefree…

Oh, who was Ven kidding?

Sora’d already caught on. His suspicions would stay even if Ven shut his trap, and if he didn’t say something, then the pressure would keep piling… He couldn’t reveal everything, but even then, other desires gnawed at him besides his hope for freedom.

“Well… To tell you the truth, I miss Aqua. Don’t get me wrong; your friends are great, and I don’t wanna take you away from ‘em, but…”

You’re feeling left out, aren’t you?

Geez. Was it that obvious? He would’ve cracked a sheepish smile, maybe scratched his cheek, but as always, only his voice was left to convey his feelings. “Guess there’s no fooling you.”

Nope! Sora bumped his fist against his chest, and while another grin crawled across his face, it only formed halfway before he sank back onto the grass. Y’know, you could’ve said something sooner.

“But you were so happy, and I didn’t wanna ruin things for you.”

Aw, don’t say stuff like that!

“But it’s true! I know you missed ‘em, and now you’ve got the chance to go on a real adventure together.”

Uh, Ven? We’ve been on tons of adventures already! Plus, it has been pretty crowded…

“Heh. I wasn’t gonna say anything, but—”

Hey, just ‘cause they’re my friends doesn’t mean I’ve gotta spend all my time with ‘em. They could probably use a break, and I don’t wanna hog the spotlight!

“From Donald and Goofy? But I’m sure they love having you around.”

His words made Sora wince. Actually, I meant Riku and Kairi. The fact is, they haven’t had a lot of time to themselves, and with so many people around ‘em, I bet it’s tough being open with each other.

Open about… “Oh! I get it.” Come to think of it, when was the last time those two spent time alone? Even when they danced around the campfire, a whole crowd of animals joined the fun.

Yep! And I miss hanging out like this, and I definitely miss Aqua.

“Man, so I got worked up over nothing?”

Pretty much. He shifted forward, climbing back on his feet and brushing the grass off his jacket. I’m just glad you told me. You shouldn’t have to keep secrets for my sake.

“Heh. Well, I’ll try not to hold back next time.” At least with some things. The full truth remained locked in a chest buried at the bottom of the sea. His yearning to feel the wind tickle his cheeks, to feel Aqua’s firm yet warm embrace, to soar on his Glider, touching the stars… It was too selfish. Too risky. He’d made it this long, so what was another few months? Another year? Sooner or later, it’d work out…

Maybe then he’d tell the truth.

x.x.x

“All right. Just have to focus…”

Normally, he would’ve waited to train. Though a day had passed, his back still stung from getting shredded by Turbo’s claws. His muscles still twinged from all that sprinting, rolling, jumping, and thrusting. Sure, he’d dozed on the way back from Disney Town, but while Donald and Goofy settled matters with that pesky cat, Riku remained on standby. Without an immediate objective, he could’ve, and probably should’ve taken the rest of the day off. The fact was, their attempted vacation ended as soon as they crossed paths with Xion, and past experiences had taught him not to push himself over the edge. If Kairi caught him, she’d probably stare him down, hands on her hips, until he relented and put his weapon away.

But she was down in the library, raiding the bookshelves with Belle, leaving him in the solitude of the castle chapel. From there, he’d slipped deeper into the castle, into the vast, empty ballroom where Maleficent met her end. As luck would have it, the towering ceiling and wide, round space created the perfect arena for some casual target practice. So, twirling Oathkeeper, he took aim at a pile of rubble, but which element to use next? What could he do to up the ante? Could he use something unconventional for Shotlocks, like Stop or Gravity? What about multiple elements at once?

Before he could entertain these ideas, a light clinking sound smashed through his focus like a hammer on glass. When he peeked over his shoulder, Aqua stopped, offering a tiny wave.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt you.”

He shrugged his shoulders, letting his weapon fall to his side. “Nah, it’s fine. Just wasn’t expecting company.”

“Well, I hope I’m not imposing.” Her laugh slipped out of her like a gentle breeze, and she continued her approach. “Though, if you’re training, I’ve always found it easier with a partner.”

“Point. And it’s not like that rubble’s gonna fight back…” But just for emphasis, he flicked Oathkeeper toward the pile, striking it with a bright yellow blast that scattered sparks on impact. “You sure you aren’t too busy, though?”

“I think I can spare a little time. After all, it’s a Master’s responsibility to nurture the next generation.” She stretched her arm, calling her Keyblade in a twist of glimmering lights.

He looked away to hide the stupid smile that overtook his face. On one hand, a private lesson with a real Keyblade Master meant potentially picking up new tricks, like those oh-so-elusive Command Styles. On the other hand, he wasn’t Sora, and acting like a puppy hyped up on sugar just wasn’t his style. Instead, he rubbed his chin and tucked his other hand behind his back, feigning uncertainty.

“Hmm… I don’t know. Sounds like a lot of pressure.”

“Then just think of this as a friendly spar.”

It took a few more seconds before he finally dropped the act. “Hey, if it means skipping the lectures, that’s fine by me.”

His snappy comment made her cover her mouth, muffling the whisper of laughter that wormed its way out of her. “My Master probably would have started with lectures. If you were his apprentice, he’d assign you an entire shelf‘s worth of books on magic theory, but…” Her smile faltered, and she shook her head. “Well, I’d hate to bore you when you already know the basics.”

“Hold it.” Riku raised his other palm, brow creased and nose wrinkling. “Are there really that many books on magic?” Sure, it made sense on some level, but other than some rudimentary lessons from Donald and Merlin, he’d always picked up skills on the go.

“Oh, our castle library had hundreds of volumes, covering everything from history to practice and even advanced melding…” Trailing off, she stared at the floor, while her shoulders sank like rocks in a pond, and her once straight posture grew slack. “But that was a long time ago, and we don’t have the time nor luxury for traditional training.”

“No, I guess not.” He fell against the wall, slumping. “It’s too bad… I bet it would’ve made a huge difference before. Might’ve even stopped me from making all those mistakes if…” He stopped. “Sorry. I don’t want to put pressure on you. It’s not your fault that things turned out this way.”

“I suppose it isn’t.” Yet she refused to meet his eyes, and her words rang hollow, as if she wasn’t entirely convinced. “Perhaps if I was less experienced, I might have blamed you for abandoning the door, but you had responsibility thrust on you without the guidance you deserved. You’re young, Riku, and without the knowledge of the Lanes Between, I can see why you hesitated.”

“Yeah, but I should’ve known. You made it to the islands way before the walls broke down.”

“But you were just a kid. I don’t think anyone expected you to remember…”

“No, but I knew you came to the islands. I never forgot that…” He clung to those memories desperately, even if the specifics faded over time. He kept reminding himself that someone strong, someone cool had promised to show him the way, how he’d held a giant Key-sword, how for once, and how someone totally new drifted along the shore. Sure, it was stupid to wallow in guilt, but what if things had gone differently? If that man had found him, then maybe…

A hand touched his shoulder, and when he looked up again, Aqua had closed the distance between them. “Would you close the door now if given the chance?”

“Of course! I’d do it in a heartbeat.” Didn’t it go without saying? Who would want to let the worlds rot, other than a darkness-crazed maniac like Ansem? Even back then, the chains of regret constricted and crushed him. He’d made his choice with the full knowledge of the consequences, and now, almost two years later, worlds continued to fall.

For all they knew, they’d run into others like Tiz in the future. Where before the worlds’ downfall occurred out of sight, sooner or later, there’d be no escape. If anything, that gave more incentive for them to wrap this all up…

Though Aqua lingered for a moment, she soon withdrew, head high and hand clasped over her pendant. “Then you have nothing to be ashamed of.” Her voice carried a tenderness like a mother soothing her child, and she swept her Keyblade toward the center of the room. “But if that’s still not enough, you’re welcome to direct your frustrations at me.”

Riku lurched away from the wall, eyes wide in alarm. “No way! I don’t want to…” Well, maybe hurting her wasn’t a real issue, but why would he want to aim his feelings at her when she and nothing to do with them in the first place?

“You wanted a sparring partner, didn’t you?”

“Well, yeah, but it’s not like I blame you for any of this.”

“And I never said you did, but I was the one who started this discussion. More importantly, I want you to use your full strength.” Her lips curled into an impish smile, and her voice took on a sly tone. “If you have to, pretend I’m a Heartless.”

Snorting, Riku leaned toward her and reached for his hip. “No offense, Aqua, but I don’t know if you’ve got what it takes.”

“Are you saying I’m not scary enough?”

He locked eyes with her, failing to hide his growing smirk. “Not even close.”

A fleeting, near silent burst of laughter was her initial response before she locked her Keyblade in a vice and straightened her stance. “Well, I’ll try my best not to bore you.”

Brisk as lightning, she tore across the floor. The teeth of her Keyblade swerved toward his neck, but Riku dropped and rolled beneath her weapon. Sliding to a stop behind her, he thrust at her back, but she whipped around, parrying his Key with a single, decisive swing. Grinning, Riku sprung backwards, and as soon as his feet hit the floor, he catapulted himself at her with his Keyblade outstretched. Though he lunged all across the room, Aqua danced between his strikes, caught in a string of flips, spins, and cartwheels.

As he took his fifth lunge, the air surrounding her rippled, and he slammed into a wall of interlocking hexagons, jolting to a stop. The barrier trembled. The plates blew apart, shoving Riku back with explosive force. Wincing and hissing, he flipped forward, sending Oathkeeper twirling for Aqua’s waist as the last plates of her barrier receded. Like before, she cartwheeled away, and the Keyblade breezed through thin air.

Well, she wanted his full strength, so why not shake things up? Breathing slowly, he thrust Oathkeeper toward the ceiling, spreading a pulsating dome over Aqua’s head and stopping her mid cartwheel. The walls of the dome stretched toward the floor, but a small bead of light swelled at her Keyblade’s tip. A whirling wall of white and black light flashed up from her feet, and the Graviga dome blinked out of sight. When she raised her Keyblade again, Riku flung himself into one dodge roll, followed by another, but while his gut told him to keep an eye out for multicolored streaks, Aqua became a human missile, her body a blur as she cruised his way.

So she could use Sonic Blade, too, but what about her magic? Where were the swirls of raging fire? The relentless light bullets raining from the sky? When Aqua closed in, Riku raised his Keyblade to block, but as he lunged for a counter strike, she bounced up, then kicked off of the air itself and whacked her weapon against his back. Grunting, he caught himself on his palms, then rolled to the left when she shot down a second time. When she hit the floor, he launched his feet forward, striking her in the side, but while she wobbled backwards, she soon retaliated, thrusting her entire weight into his back.

This time, he warped across the room, flooding the air with bright orange streaks. The first two projectiles crashed into Aqua’s back, but she whipped back around, deflecting subsequent blasts with a barrier. As the blasts surged toward Riku once more, he cloaked himself in a whirlwind, sending them scattering toward the walls. Smoke spewed from his weapon. The entire room darkened, and once the barrier receded, a ring of lightning bolts surged from the ceiling.

She tumbled away, breezing between the crashing bolts. Had she expected it, or was she just that fast? While a wave of relief washed over him that she’d avoided a point-blank strike, he hoisted his Keyblade over his shoulder and smashed its teeth into the floor. The entire ballroom shuddered and quaked, and Aqua teetered over, her balance compromised. Gulping, Riku plunged into a black haze. He dropped before Aqua, thrusting in a violent frenzy, while black ribbons curled down from his neck and latched to his skin.

He swiped at her shoulders, but she vanished in a flash. Motion from the corner of his eye made him pivot in time to parry her Keyblade with his own. When Riku thrust again, Aqua flipped backwards, and he chuckled at the display.

“Since when can you teleport, anyway?”

“Oh, I always could, though the range is more limited than your corridors.” She held her Keyblade level with his chest, though refrained from attacking for now. “By the way, that was an excellent use of your Quake spell.”

“Heh. Well, I had to do something to slow you down, and since you wouldn’t stop prancing around, I figured I’d shake things up a bit.” He winked, snickering despite the earth-shattering atrociousness of that pun.

Though she covered her face for a moment, Aqua wheezed a single chuckle. “If your words were weapons, I’d have already lost.”

He lowered Oathkeeper and clenched his other fist, biting his lip to contain another snicker. “Then maybe I should punish you for all that dodging.”

“Riku…” Her voice colder than before, she met his gaze with a blank stare, though her icy tone soon cracked, with slivers of warmth trickling back in. “Remember, a real enemy won’t give you a chance to crack jokes.”

Backing away, he readied his weapon. “Then let’s kick things up a notch. No more holding back!”

Fueled by darkness, he rushed at Aqua so fast that his feet barely touched the floor. He struck with a flurry of thrusts, but each swing ended with the clatter of clashing keys. They danced around one another, slashing and parrying until the rippling of a budding barrier sent Riku doubling back. Once it faded, he charged, spewing bright blue flames. She twirled out of the way, taking the bait, and he warped behind her, swiping with Oathkeeper’s blunt side.

Instead of freezing her, she merely stumbled, and when he flickered to her left, she vanished. A blow to the ribs sent him plummeting. On his way down, he flipped upright, jabbing at her waist, but when shimmering plates appeared, he withdrew.

“Aqua, c’mon! I said no holding back. Isn’t it about time you used your magic?” She didn’t need to pull punches for his sake. He needed the challenge. He needed to toughen up. After a whole year locked in data, she, Kairi, and all the others strode miles ahead. So why? Why was she playing safe? Why stick to dodging when she could do so much more?

He waited for a response even after she looked away. Her face hidden, she clutched her Keyblade in a crushing grip. She stood still. Stayed silent.

It didn’t last long.

One moment, her back faced him, and the next, she came at him, surrounded by a ring of surging electricity. She slammed into him, eyes widening upon impact, but he dug his heels into the ground, clenching his teeth and shaking from the currents shooting through his body. Even so, he smiled, shoving himself forward and spinning like a top. As expected, she tumbled away, but when a trail of ice shot at her feet, she rocketed off the ground. She plunged down at him, and his surroundings turned searing white, drowning her out entirely.

Impulsively, Riku threw himself toward the floor. His skin tingled. His body stretched, and black smog swallowed him from head to toe. He shot away from the light as a mere, shadowy streak, emerging from darkness just in time to catch a dense, white column striking the ground. Another white flash from above propelled him into another Dark Roll. Then another. Pillar after pillar crashed at his trail, but he kept rolling until his breaths became wheezes and he simply had to stop.

The ballroom shivered one last time, but Aqua breezed over the ground and shot toward his side. Grunting, he dispersed the sparks with an arc of wind. Blue embers danced in his palm, and he lifted his hand, ready to unleash Dark Firaga…

But he stopped, curling his fingers against his palm and snuffing out the flames. A chill spread as mist swirled around Oathkeeper’s end. Of course, she disappeared again, leaving an empty ice crystal in her place, and while he started to turn around, a firm grip on his shoulder petrified him.

“Riku, that’s enough.”

He bristled at first, and his entire face pinched tight, but within seconds, the tension trickled out of him. His heart throbbed beat by beat, and only now did the presence of slick sweat along his cheeks register. It was fine. This was a spar. Not like they meant to hurt each other. She was right. Of course she was. Even so, he muttered a reply.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

“Hesitate? Well, this was never meant to be a serious battle.”

“Yeah, I know…” He rubbed his neck, sighing. “But you wanted to see my full power, and I still wound up pulling punches.”

“So? You’re not the only one.” Stepping away, she glanced around the room, then waved for him to follow. The reason became clear when she settled on the floor, crossing her legs and pressing her back into the wall.

Soon, Riku plopped beside her, tipping his head back and shutting his eyes. A few minutes passed without a single word, but eventually Riku opened his eyes once more, shifting to face her directly. “Say, how come you took so long to use magic? Isn’t that your specialty?”

“That’s the whole reason I refrained.” She gazed at her hands, slouching. “I wanted to train you, not hurt you. He would have…” She paused. “Never mind. It’s not important.”

His eyes slowly drew wider, and he scooted closer, leaning over with his hands pressed to his thighs. “Aqua, is this about—”

“…Yes. It’s about Terra.” She averted her eyes again, gripping and releasing the white cloth around her waist. The next time she spoke, she did so slowly, as if contemplating each word. “You said you remember me, but what about him? He was tall, strong… He had brown hair, and—”

“I know.” Heh. So it was true, then. Terra was that man from all those years ago. “But he said I shouldn’t talk about him. Said the ‘magic’ would wear off…” Sure, it was a little childish to believe that now, but silly or not, he’d clutched that promise close to his heart. Breaking it now just seemed… strange, even if she’d uncovered the truth herself.

“…It figures.” Her voice carried an almost bubbly air, if each bubble popped after forming. “He was always sentimental. Always loyal… By keeping it secret, he probably he thought he could protect you.”

“Yeah, but he said I’d find him someday…”

“And if given the chance, I’m sure he’d search for you. I doubt he’d rest a minute…”

“Then…” Was it even right to ask? Was it even necessary? Aqua had vanished into the Realm of Darkness. Ven, whoever he was, became trapped inside Sora’s body. That Terra hadn’t surfaced at all beyond the simulation cast storm clouds above his head. She’d already mentioned how he’d lost control. Her past talk of Xehanort painted a grim picture, and Riku reflexively reached for his chest.

Ansem was Xehanort’s Heartless, and he tried twice to claim Riku’s body. So what’d that mean for Terra? What had happened? Why had he lost control? He’d refrained from asking before, clinging to the desperate hope that he was somebody else and that this Terra was an unrelated friend. He did so even when reality smacked him in the face. How stupid. How naïve…

Even so, he forced the words from his lips. “Where is he now?”

She flinched, hands clenching and back arching. Her breathing slowed, and her voice grew monotone. “He was taken by Xehanort. You should know that by now…”

He folded his arms, nodding. “But Xehanort became a Heartless.” And if Sora was any indication, and if this Terra was half as strong as he’d appeared, then what about his Nobody?

She concealed her eyes beneath her hand, pressing her elbow into her knee. “It’s true. His body must exist somewhere, but that doesn’t mean it’s him. Terra would never toy with the hearts of innocent people. He’d never force others into the darkness! He’d know better, and if he was still there, he’d fight back, just like he did before… Just like when…”

He reached for her arm, then pulled back, casting a glance at another pile of debris. “Aqua, it’s…”

“No. I can deny it all I like, but it’s not okay.” Briefly, she peeked at Riku, but just as soon as her eyes fell on him, she pried them away. “I know it isn’t entirely my fault, but I really thought that I could save him. I wanted to believe that my sacrifice would grant him a happy ending, but instead… Well, we’ve both seen the results. This isn’t what Terra wanted…”

No. Of course not. The man he’d met all those years ago seemed so kind. So sincere. If Riku shut his eyes, he could still feel Terra reaching down, ruffling his hair. His words of support sparked a fire inside Riku that only burned brighter as the years sailed by.

“Heh… Well, you’re not alone in feeling that way. Don’t forget, I’m the moron who doomed the universe. I threw my responsibilities aside to save one person, and that was after I let my world fall apart… But see, I knew what I was getting into with the Door. You didn’t.”

“Well, yes, but it’s easy enough to rationalize how we should feel. Changing it is another matter entirely…” She reached behind her back, digging out her Wayfinder and curling her fingers between its points. “The last time I spoke to Terra, I said that he’d go astray… If I’d have known what’d follow, I—” She stopped, voice lowering. “I’d apologize again and again, but would that even be enough?”

“Hey, he’s your friend. I’m sure he’d understand.” More importantly, he’d probably tell her to stop beating herself up. After all, wasn’t that what friends were for? Time and time again, he’d let his own guilt pile on top of him, but Kairi, Sora… Donald and Goofy, even Xiruk knew better than to let that slide.

“Perhaps, but it was my lack of faith that led him astray.” She pulled the Wayfinder over her chest, shutting her eyes. “Terra tried so hard. He wanted nothing more than to impress our Master and become a hero, but he struggled with darkness, and because of it, failed to earn his Mark of Mastery. I could tell it crushed him, but he kept trying... I think he tried harder than any of us, but I still scolded him.” Her voice dropped even lower, practically a mutter. “Instead of offering my support, I carved a wedge between us…”

“And you regret it, don’t you?”

“Of course! There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t regret what I said… I’ve had over ten years to dwell on it, and now that I’ve seen what’s become of him, it’s only gotten worse…” She cupped her other hand over her fist, holding it steady. “I don’t want to lose hope. I can’t afford to when there’s so much at stake, and I know that he’d want someone to show you the way.”

“Then… what if I told you I talked to him? Well, I don’t know if it was really him, but…”

Her eyes snapped open, and she shifted to face him directly, although her hands remained clamped around her charm. “What are you talking about, Riku?”

He reached for the side of his neck, exhaling softly. “Just when Ansem was about to swallow my heart, I saw a light… Then he came to me. He told me not to give up, and he put things into perspective. My hopes, my fears… He gave me the strength to keep fighting.” Sure, he might’ve just been an illusion, but even then, “A guy like that doesn’t just disappear. Even if the Terra I saw was just a piece of my memory, that doesn’t mean he’s gone.”

“No… He’d never surrender to Xehanort. I’m sure he kept fighting long after I left, but…” She opened her hands, staring down into her palms. “What am I saying? No matter what happened back then, our bond can’t be broken.”

“Heh. Something tells me he’d understand. I mean, Xehanort must’ve held the upper hand for a while, or this world never would’ve fallen.”

“And he did stab himself with Xehanort’s Keyblade… For all I know, that sealed away his heart. Perhaps it sealed them both…” Tucking her Wayfinder away, she rolled to her feet, taking a whiff of the dusty air before releasing a steady breath. “For now, we can only speculate, but I know one thing for sure…”

“And what’s that?”

“If he saw you now, Terra would be so proud.” She beamed as she said this, a crinkle in her eyes. “You may have stumbled from time to time, but you did what he never could and triumphed over your darkness. Better yet, you did so without losing yourself or your light.”

“Yeah, but it wasn’t easy.” He rubbed at his back, thankfully concealed by his armor. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad I found my own path, but it took a lot of sacrifice for me to get this far. The worlds, my memories… Sure, the power boost is great, but even it’s got some kinks.”

“Oh?”

“Heh, yep. Like this armor? Well, turns out it’ll go out on me if I push myself too hard.”

“Well, it’s no wonder! If you’re generating it from your heart, then you’re stuck splitting your focus between armor projection and magic.”

“You’d know all about that, wouldn’t you?”

“Only in theory! Master Eraqus forbade us from using darkness. In fact, Terra and I both wore armor designed to protect us from it.” She looked Riku up and down, brows knitting. “Perhaps… Well, I can’t make any promises. It’s been an awfully long time…”

“Wait, what are you talking about?”

“Armor. Like I said, I can’t make promises, but I do know of someone who specialized in creating it. Perhaps she could design suits for you and Kairi… If she did, then I could teach you how to use your Gliders.”

He raised his index finger, then dropped his hand. “Uh… You mind running that by me one more time?”

For whatever reason, be it the look on his face or his puzzled reaction, Aqua started giggling. “Ah, that’s right… You wouldn’t know. Sorry; I keep forgetting how much of our heritage has been lost.”

“Eh, don’t sweat it. That’s what you’re here for, right?”

“That goes without saying. I know I’m not Terra, but…”

Riku snorted, rising from the floor while his armor evaporated. “Haven’t you heard of substitute teachers?”

“Yes, but they’re not exactly common among Keybearers.”

“But you said he’d want someone to look out for me, and who better than one of his best friends?”

“True, and, well…” A gentle sound escaped her, not quite a laugh, but not quite a sigh. “Honestly, Terra’s magic skills leave a bit to be desired.”

“Ouch. Was he really that bad?”

She waved her hands. “No, no. He wasn’t terrible by any means; he simply believed that a strengthening his body would in turn strengthen his heart. His fighting style reflected it, too.”

“Makes sense. His muscles even put mine to shame.” He jokingly flexed to prove his point. Sure, it was cheeky of him to say that, but judging by the way Aqua’s face lit up further, she must’ve appreciated his quip. “But, hey, if you’re still worried, just stick to magic, and he can cover the rest.”

“I suppose it’s only fair. I’d hate to steal his own pupil away from him!” She looked across the room, grabbing her chin for a split-second. “It could be a while, but I’ll do whatever I can to guide all of you.”

“Just don’t push yourself too hard.”

“I suppose I could stand to relax a little more.” Her smile grew crooked at that remark, and she added, “Oh, but before I go… Thank you for listening.”

“Hey, don’t sweat it. You’re talking to the king of bad decisions, so I get it, and if you ever need to vent again, just say the word.”

Nodding, she extended her hand. “Only if you do the same, whether it’s to me, Kairi, or any of the others.”

“Heh, like you had to ask.” He took her hand, shaking it straight away, but once he’d sealed the deal, he started moseying across the room. “Anyway, I should probably check in on Kairi before hunts me down.”

“Fair enough,” she said, “but you’d better behave yourself!”

He skidded to a stop, cheeks burning. “I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

Thankfully, Aqua withheld her giggles, though she raised her eyebrow and cracked a tight-lipped smile, as if she’d seen straight through his defenses. Nonetheless, she let the subject drop, and the two passed from the ballroom back into the darkness of the chapel, where they finally parted ways.

However, on his way out, a shadow shifted in the corner of his eye. For an instant, the dusty chapel reeked of charred soil… He slowly turned his head, flexing his fingers to call for his weapon again.

But the scent faded, and the only movement came from the shadows dancing in the torchlight.

TO BE CONTINUED