Lining the Pieces up (open)

[ven]

"Aqua?"

His footfalls sounded through the castle in lonely echoes. The place nearly blinded him when he first woke up, head pillowed on his arms on the seat of a tiny white chair that got lost in all the emptiness. He'd spent some time poking around and got weird feeling after weird feeling. It was like no one had been in the castle for years, and yet everything had been left as if they'd only just gone out. No dust fell over the magic orb at the center of the room and no rot or rust mangled the keys of the computers he encountered.

"Terra?"

A lump rose in his throat when he thought of both of them. He couldn't remember anything after that fight with Vanitas, but Terra had been up there still fighting with Master Xehanort. Terra beat him, though, Ven thought stubbornly. Yeah, he must've! Especially if Aqua was still okay to fight. She got hit hard, but with her magic she must've been able to heal herself, and then she and Terra finished the fight. Ven was going to find them both soon enough.

In the meantime, he still had to find out where he was. The castle was all unfamiliar whiteness, but he had the strangest feeling he'd walked through here before. He'd been looking for something important...but it was gone now.

Maybe Sora knows, he thought with the same flash of familiarity he usually got from thinking of Terra. A lot must have happened while he was asleep, but it was time for Ven to catch up to everyone again.

Starting with the boy who'd saved him twice now, and whose spirit still haunted his fragmented heart.

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[Aqua]

These very halls had haunted her within the Realm of Darkness, and to finally be back here after so long. How she had escaped her prison was unknown to her, but the Keyblade Master was not about to question her luck. It was just wonderful to finally be out of there, and within the Realm of Light once more. As soon as she had awoken, she had found herself within her broken world. The former Land of Departure, but it was now Castle Oblivion. Over ten years ago she had left someone very important behind, but she was set on keeping her promise to Ven. She would be there when he awoke, and she had to wonder if his heart had returned as of yet. Even if he was still in slumber, then she would start on the journey she had set out on previously.

Finding Terra, and then waking up their third friend together. A guilt that had always been within her heart, because she had failed the both of them. If only she had just tried harder, but it was no use to dwell on it now. She had opened the grand doors to the castle, and was now wandering the pearly white halls. Only Aqua knew where to venture, as Master Eraqus had explained to her so very long ago. She could sense the door not too far off, and so she summoned Master Keeper to her hand. The keyblade that had been her only companion in the Dark Realm, and the keyblade of her Master. Would Ven still be there? He just had to be.

Aqua soon stopped in front of what appeared to be a blank wall, but this was where the entrance would be. Lifting Master Keeper to point at the invisible lock, a beam of light soon streamed from the tip of the blade. Luminescent chains began to flicker upon the white wall, a door soon forming as Aqua unlocked the Chamber. Her breath was held as she did so, worry gnawing at her on whether someone may have found this Chamber despite her being the only one able to. The door unlocked, and so she rushed forward, dismissing her keyblade as she pushed against the doors. They slowly crawled open, the blinding white of the Chamber momentarily blinding her. Nervous excitement flowed through her, hoping to finally reunite with one of her friends after all this time. As her eyes began to adjust, she quickly glanced toward the elaborate throne.

Which was empty.

Aqua merely stared with wide eyes, shocked that Ven was no longer there. Where was he? Panic flooded her, and she looked everywhere within the room for some sign of him. No one but her occupied the empty Chamber. Had she been too late? What is he had woken up long before she had managed to return? Aqua quickly fled the room, azure eyes always flickering to find some hint of her best friend. He had woken up! This thought did fill her with happiness, but also with extreme worry. Where was he? He would not know where he was, and she had promised to be there when he did wake up. "Ven? Ven!" she called out into the echoing halls, hoping that maybe she had not missed him. Her heart raced at a frantic pace against her chest, afraid that this was all for nothing. No, she refused to believe that. Their bond was stronger then that, and she did sense some presence within Castle Oblivion.

"Ven!"

[ven]

From the room at the top of the stairs, Ven wandered down into room after room, stairwell after stairwell. There were no windows to let in the light outside, and over time he lost count, turning back to run upstairs whenever he got the awful feeling he was headed in the wrong direction. Which way took him to the world outside? And where was this? The feeling that he'd been here before was entirely separate from the little flashes of familiarity he got from details sometimes, like the columns that should've been darker or the stairs that didn't quite go down far enough.

By the time he spotted the flash of gold, he'd already gotten so turned around he wasn't sure what floor he was on anymore. He must've passed it a hundred times already but somehow it didn't stick out even with all the empty whiteness around.

Slowly, Ven crouched beside it and picked it up by the chain as carefully as if it'd been made of glass. It clinked before his gaze, reflecting a haloed Ven with gold-hued eyes back at him.

"...Ah."

He gripped it in the other hand and let go of the chain to fumble in his pocket for a moment, pulling out a fragmented green star that matched the solid yellow one and looking between them. They were about the same size.

"Somewhere out there, there's this tree with star-shaped fruit..."

Had she been here? Had she made this? Ven didn't even realize he was squeezing the yellow star until he relaxed and saw the red spots where the points dug into his hand. He almost dropped it but only squeezed his own Wayfinder reflexively when he felt a thrum from below jar him out of his thoughts. What was that?! Rising sharply, he started to put the gold one back down, stopped, looked it over again, and then pocketed it. As he started to do the same with his own Wayfinder, he saw it flicker in a way he hadn't seen before. "Huh?"

He turned it in his hands, and somehow ended up aiming the topmost point at the stairwell down. Maybe it was his imagination, or maybe it was gleaming a much brighter emerald than he'd first seen.

Someone's here...!

Ven's shoes skidded into a run. "All right, show me the way!"

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[Aqua]

Where was he? Where was he?

Aqua leaned against a white wall for a moment, trying to catch her breath. She had been running through the various hallways, her thought process hindered by her panic and desperation to find Ven. This was her creation, so she should know where he was, right? Inhaling deeply, she felt tears prick at her eyes after a moment, just wishing she could find him sooner. She slowly straightened herself from her perch, ready to press on once more. Even if she had to search this castle top to bottom, she would not leave any space unturned. What floor was she on? Aqua was not too sure, but she instinctively knew where to go to leave this floor and the castle. It was of little use to her if she could not find Ven, though. "Ven, tell me where you are." she murmured gently, reaching for the Wayfinder she had made long ago. Right here in this very castle, even if it was no longer the Land of Departure. The star charm glittered brightly into her surprised eyes, warm upon the palm of her hand. That meant that he was here somewhere, and she could feel that. Aqua was not too late, and she almost wished to cry with relief. So close, so very close.

Aqua felt the warmth spread through her, and so she held out her Wayfinder, hoping it would lead her in the right direction. It seemed to tug her forward, and upward another flight of stairs. [How many floors? Up and down.] Excitement was rushing through her veins, and so the young woman pushed herself into a sprint. Her footsteps echoed throughout the halls, and she continued to head up the stairs, around a corner, and then up another set of stairs. She did not care if this took her hours, because at least she would finally be reunited with someone most important to her. Nearly out of breath, she did not stop and pause. Her Wayfinder was glowing more brightly, which had to mean Ven was close. Very close. Where was he? Around a corner? Another floor up? Maybe he would be able to hear her this time?

"Ven!" Another echo, and she waited for some sort of answer. Tears burned at her eyes again, but she was determined. A little ways more to go. Was he nearby? Aqua stopped for a moment, pausing at the bottom of another staircase, her eyes wide as she looked up the white stairway. Footsteps were echoing toward her, and they were not her own. Frozen she stood, finding it a little hard to believe that this was happening. Her lips curled into a relieved smile, her tears now sliding down her flushed cheeks. Was she dreaming? No, her Wayfinder was emitting a bright glow, and that was all the proof she needed. Their bond was unbreakable, despite whatever distance, and no matter what happened.

'The three of us will always be one.'

[ven]

Room after room, stairwell after stairwell, all a maze of white and Ven didn't know where it began or ended. But the Wayfinder only got brighter the deeper he went until all the points were an iridescent shade of green that abruptly darkened any time he made a wrong turn and kept him determinedly on the path. It was all the same so he didn't bother looking at the rooms now, although every so often a speck of black would catch his eye in a skid mark or crack from some battle that took place. He could've sworn he saw ash on one wall -

's got to be all right, he's got to be all right, he's coming back and we'll have ice cr

- but it was gone before he could be sure. Ven didn't look back. He only pushed himself to go faster, so focused on the Wayfinder that he tripped down one step and stumbled back into a run.

An echo muffled by his footsteps made him look up, and time stopped.

The girl he'd last seen covered in armor and collapsed on the rock was standing now, achingly familiar and welcome as sunlight. It made him freeze there on the steps, catching himself for just a moment and staring. His lips twitched in what was supposed to be her name, but words didn't come. He only choked on the lack of them, and before he knew it he was falling without ever touching the floor in a knifing dash. He knew without knowing that it'd been too long, that an eternal dream had separated him from her until this moment, and for the first time he didn't care about being strong. It didn't matter if she or Terra thought he was acting like a kid; none of that stopped him from throwing his arms around her almost fast enough to knock her over and squeezing to keep the tears in. "A-Aq...!"

Behind her, he clutched the Wayfinder so tightly he thought it might break.

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[Aqua]

Had time itself stopped?

Aqua stared up at the very awake Ven, who was clutching his own Wayfinder. The bright glow caught her attention briefly, but she was soon drinking in his appearance once more. He looked the same as when he had fallen into his sleep, as if nothing had ever happened in the first place. His heart had returned, his wonderful blue eyes open for all the world to see. Her heart swelled with seeming him whole, and the tears just would not stop. Ven and Terra were all she had ever thought of within the Realm of Darkness, and if they would be alright without her. Part of her felt healed now that he was standing before her, whole and awake. It seemed they were both at a loss for words, and she just wanted to laugh happily, as if nothing had changed at all. Aqua smiled gently up at Ven, wanting nothing more than to rush at him herself. To make sure he was real, and that he would not fade away. Various words could be said, but she could find none. Her lips parted, but no sound escaped.

All she saw next was a black and white blur dash at her. Her eyes widened in surprise, stumbling back at the sudden weight. Arms slid about her, and she felt her breath knocked back at the sudden action. Aqua was surprised, but she soon wrapped her own arms around Ven, holding him close to her. He was real, warm within her arms, and she did not even attempt to hold back her own tears. She had been crying before he had flown at her, and she just laughed at finally having him here with her. It felt like she was home again, and she just buried her head against his shoulder. This was real, and that was all that mattered.

Still no words came to her, and her hold upon her Wayfinder tightened, feeling it's warmth glow bright now that's it's twin was so near. Maybe her light really had lead the way back to Ven, and also for Ven's heart to find it's way back to his body once more. She let her one hand raise up, slim fingers sliding through the windswept spikes of Ven's hair, as she used to do with him. Smiling through her tears, she just let this moment wash over the both of them. Words still escaped her, and she just wanted to stay like this for as long as she could. "It's okay... I'm here now," she murmured. Aqua would never leave again if she could help it, and this time she would not try and send him away. Look at what had happened before?

No, because they were far stronger together than apart.

[ven]

He really did feel like such a kid clinging to her like that, and he was shorter than he'd honestly expected to feel, but that was all a dim buzz in the back of his head. All he cared about was that he had a friend back, when Ven would probably only admit to himself that he was scared he might never see her again. There was something both terrifying and validating about how she shook with sobs, too, like something this scary to Ven had gotten to Aqua, of all people. Because if Terra was the strong one, then Aqua had always been undefeatable. Seeing Vanitas take her down in a single blow had scared him more than anything.

He clung closer when she spoke, hearing her voice from so much closer than he was used to and feeling his tears make damp black spots on her clothes. Yeah. She's here. She's here. Keep it together... But that was about to be a lost cause. It was so hard to believe, after everything had been so broken, that it could all be right again. If anyone was going to confirm that for him, though, it would be her.

Only once he slackened up, blinking away the wetness, did Ven remember the Wayfinder was still there. He would've dropped it from how limp and drained he felt, but he snatched it back from gravity with a tight clink. Being the first to pull back made him feel a little guilty, but he did it anyway, mainly so he could meet her gaze again. He wiped at the tears he'd missed with a palm and a sniff, and nearly broke down completely when he saw her eyes still shining with them. "Aqua! It's really y-you, I..." His voice sounded tight and fragile, and he couldn't make it any stronger if he tried. "Vanitas! I beat him! And I-I...and h-he's not coming back! So he'll never hurt you again, I promise!" His voice caught in a sob and he looked down fast enough that a tear rolled off his nose. "I'm so happy you're okay. I w-was scared, Aqua." Scared that he and Terra would return to Master Eraqus alone.

Scared that he'd spend the rest of his life wishing he'd just been faster or stronger or tougher like he always tried to be, for that single moment.

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[Aqua]

Aqua wished the tears would stop or slow, because she had never cried in front of Terra or Ven if she could help it. It just seemed silly now, because why should she stop? Perhaps it would comfort Ven, because she could feel his own tears dampen the black fabric of her top, and all she wanted was for him to be okay. She stroked his hair to comfort him, feeling at sincere peace for the first time in so very, very long. Her memories had been the only thing to keep her sane and going within the Dark Realm. Many times she had considered just allowing herself to fade, but her hope would renew and persist when she knew that Terra and Ven were waiting for her. They would need her, just as she needed them. Aqua let out a content sigh, choked a little by her tears. It was wonderful to be able to see Ven like this again, when her last memories of him had been sleeping, his heart wandering somewhere within the darkness. Did he know how long he had slumbered? Or would be as if a mere moment had passed for Ven? She did not want to think about it now.

Aqua did not mind that his hold on her tightened, and she did the same in response. She still feared that he would merely slip away from her, as if this were all a too perfect dream. She would wake back in the Realm of Darkness, and feel the emptiness of being alone once more. Her hold tightened, clinging to him as he did to her, willing away those thoughts. Reality had been so cruel to the three of them, and this reprieve seemed too good to be true, but it was true. He was here with her, warm and with a heart beat. Whole and complete. Her own heart felt such a way, as if a part of her had been missing. Their bond was unbreakable, and nothing could ever change that. Apart or together, their hearts were connected so intricately. Aqua smiled at the thought, because it was the undeniable truth.

Aqua almost vocally protested as Ven pulled away, but she stopped herself. She gazed at him with tearbright eyes, smiling in as reassuring a manner she could manage. Her own Wayfinder was still grasped securely within her hand, and so she slid her arm back, resting the precious charm against her chest. Warmth flooded through her, but she kept her free hand resting upon his shoulder. She had to keep some contact between them, not wanting to break away completely. Ven wiped away his remaining tears, and she almost laughed at the familiarity of the gesture. Always trying to be so grown up and independent, to prove to both herself and Terra that he just as mature. It was alright to cry, though. Especially in this moment. His voice was tight from the tears, and Aqua was sure her own voice would sound the same. She waited for him to gather his thought and words, trying to find her own. "I was scared, too. I thought that you would never wake up, but you found your way back. T-this is real," she replied, her voice quiet and strained.

Aqua just drew Ven close to her once more, not caring if he protested. She had been so, so scared when she saw him lying there. When she had tried to wake him up, and yet he had refused to. Yen Sid's words on that he had lost his heart. Her own heart breaking, as if she had lost her own, too. Her thoughts became a little more clear, and she thought of Terra through the haze. Ven's last memories were of Vanitas, so that meant he did not know of Terra or of Eraqus. Her heart clenched, and she closed her eyes in frustration. Why, why did this have to happen to them? How could she bring herself to tell Ven what they had both feared the most? Would he be able to handle it? No, no, she had to stop thinking of Ven as a child. It would be hard, extremely hard, but she knew he had the strength to take this.

Aqua would be with him every step of the way. Inhaling deeply, she slowly pulled back, looking at her friend with a somber expression. "Ven, what I have to tell you is going to be hard. I-I wish I didn't have to at all, but you're strong enough to hear it," she forced herself to begin. She rested her palm lightly against his cheek, azure eyes peering into his sadly, fresh tears soon burning at her. Aqua was determined, though. It would be alright. Together the two of them would find Terra, and they would fix it.

[ven]

Aqua was more soothing than she knew. It took a painful fight against tears and the lump in his throat to keep from losing it, but once some of his mixed happiness and sadness got out he felt better. It didn't feel like he was going to shake to pieces or drown her in sobs anymore.

As she pressed the Wayfinder to her chest, Ven looked down at his, still glowing softly but subdued now that everything was okay again. Just one more now. He slipped it back into his pocket with the other one, looking up as Aqua spoke again and feeling his heart wrench a little at how fragile her voice sounded. Wake up...? He was sure he'd been asleep, and that he'd been dreaming for too long to measure in time. Everything had been scrambled when he first woke up, to the point that he wasn't sure who he was for a while. It'd all come rushing back, though, chasing away the unreality of dreams as waking does.

But now he had to wonder how long it'd been. Aqua looked the same as she had when he left her side the first time, and there were hollow blurs of being carried...if he concentrated he could just barely remember seeing her concerned eyes trying to meet his gaze. But then it was lost to the dreams and the lonely sensation of nearly waking, consciousness drifting to the surface just long enough to tell him he was sitting in a world of white. Only one dream burned strongest across his mind, but he couldn't be sure if it was real. It had seemed like a cloaked figure with a menacing aura stood directly in front of him for an instant. Ven just couldn't remember it all, months and months of dreams, and they slipped through his fingers like water the harder he clung to memory.

Aqua snapped him out of it with another tight embrace that Ven should have expected, and he returned it with the same fervor, holding tight like he wanted to keep some of her with him when they drew back again. When she let go, it was with a slowness he didn't expect, and Ven knew before he even met her gaze that something was wrong. His own blue eyes were full of worry, already dreading the hurt to come, and everything she said only seemed to confirm his worst fears.

"He's not..." He felt light-headed. Wavered on his feet. Saw the world turn red and fade back to white in front of him like someone had just slammed him in the head. "Terra's not...he can't..."

This can't be happening.

[Aqua]

Aqua wished she could have had Terra with her, but she did not even know what had happened to him at this point. Her last memories were of saving him from drowning in the Darkness, but Xehanort had gained control of his body. What if he had succeeded? She wanted so much to believe in Terra's strength, and she really did, but he had fallen to temptation once. Guilt ate at her thought for thinking such a thing, and maybe she was wrong. Maybe Terra had managed to regain control, but then she remembered him locking his heart. Oh, what had fallen upon her second best friend? Aqua had to steel herself, not wanting to show Ven her own doubts and fears, because she knew he would take it so hard. He was so close to Terra, and had always believed in him right until the end. Who was she to ruin that with her worries? How could she say this?

Aqua loathed seeing the extreme worry and anxiety within his blue gaze. All she wished to do was hold him to her, and pretend that everything was alright. Her heart had healed with finding him, but part of her was still incomplete without Terra. Both of them could feel the absence of Terra's presence. She bit her bottom lip, her gaze flickering to the side for a moment. How would he take this? Ven's reaction worried her as his words reached her ears, and she quickly glanced back to her friend. He swayed upon his feet, as if in a daze. Quickly pocketing her Wayfinder, she placed both of her hands upon Ven's shoulders to steady him. Her expression hinted on panic, worrying that he would perhaps lapse back into another sleep. It had happened before when he had become so overwhelmed. Her words died at in her throat, more worried about keeping Ven from sliding into unconsciousness. Aqua quickly drew him close to her again, trying to offer whatever reassurance she could.

"He's not. I know he isn't, but his heart... Master Xehanort somehow placed his heart within Terra's, a-and he took control of him," she began with a strained voice. Aqua inhaled deeply, closing her eyes as the memory resurfaced. His eyes that horrible gold, his earth brown hair lightened to a ghostly silver. His eyes so cold and cruel, but Terra had fought against him. "I had to battle him. I-I tried to bring him back, but he locked his heart away, falling into darkness. I saved him, though. I gave him my keyblade and armor, and he made it back through," she tried to reassure. That was over ten years ago, though. So much could have happened, but she would have felt it if Terra's existence had completely ceased. He was out there, waiting for them both to come back. She let her hand slip through Ven's blond spikes soothingly, as much for herself as for him.

"He's out there, I know it. Terra would never lose to Master Xehanort. I promised you I would bring him back, and I will."

[ven]

"He's not."

He's not. Ven's breath rushed out of him in a sigh so deep he felt it in his toes. Whatever else had happened to Terra he could handle, as long as it meant that he could see his best friend again. His eyes were still too ready to hurt as he listened, knowing that even if it didn't mean Terra was gone forever it was very serious.

It was, and Ven's chest grew tight as if to protect his heart from Aqua's accusations. She hadn't supported Terra when he needed it, but the timidity in her voice and sincerity in her eyes made him waver. She was telling the truth. Terra had fallen.

But Ven didn't feel disappointed in his best friend. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't surprised and crushed, but he knew firsthand the kind of strength that Xehanort wielded. Even then Terra must have been tricked. He looked up to Xehanort so much, and deep inside Ven knew but didn't want to admit that at some point Terra lost sight of what was really important. It was easier to accept that Terra had been fooled when Xehanort had even tricked Eraqus. All that mattered now was getting to him and freeing him. It had to be possible, since Ven was here now and had defeated the Vanitas that attacked him from within.

He'd stood numbly in her arms while she spoke, but now he looked back up at Aqua with a flash of guilt, instantly sorry for feeling so hostile. Terra probably didn't need Ven to defend his every action against any critic in the world, but no one would ever convince Ven of that. He closed his eyes and reached up to rub her back in a soothing but awkward way, a child trying to learn comfort through trial and error. "You're right," he almost whispered, voice hoarse from the tears shed. "Terra's going to stay strong for us, too. And you don't have to bring him back alone." He paused to let that sink in, working to convince himself just as much as her and trying to say all the things Terra would say, if he were here. "It'll be okay. If you don't have your armor, or your Keyblade..." That was a scary thought, too. But Ven wouldn't let it move him. If his friends were in pieces then he'd just have to be stronger.

It took a reach to find the Wind, pushing back layers and layers of intangible dust and flaked off memories that didn't belong to him. He could feel a fight for this Keyblade, and at the same time sense the unfelt sadness in winning it for good. Light knifed up past his elbow in a shimmer that resolved into his Keyblade's familiar weight, and he ducked his head in toward Aqua with a smile. "Then I'll protect you, Aqua. I promise."

[Aqua]

It was such a hard situation to admit, and Aqua just wished she had showed more belief in Terra. Perhaps Ven and Terra had been right so long ago. Maybe her new title had changed her, but she had only done what she thought was right. She did not doubt the sincerity within her heart, but maybe if she had just done something different. What did it matter, though? The past could not be changed, and all Aqua could do was focus upon the here and now. Ven needed her, and she needed him just as much. With the two of them together, Terra would be found, and maybe everything would be alright once more. The three of them could still have that same dream of becoming Masters. It would just take a little more time, and they had all the time in the world now. Everything had changed so much in their absence, though. How would they both react? Aqua glanced down at Ven, smiling as brightly as she could manage for him.

She looked back down at him, and she could see the brief guilt in his own blue eyes. She did not blame him for wanting to deny her words, because she certainly had no wish to believe it. Aqua knew the bond Terra and Ven shared was so strong, and it was so hard to believe the worst in someone that important. She had convinced herself that Terra was far too strong, that he would be able to control the darkness in his heart. All of them had lost sight along their journey, but it had been Master Xehanort that had played them all. If anyone was truly to blame it was that conniving old man. Aqua closed her eyes, grateful for the hesitant comfort that Ven was giving, and she smiled sweetly at her friend. Aqua was glad that Ven had not changed at all, even after so long away. "I wouldn't dream of finding him without you," she replied back, but she soon quieted herself. It seemed he was trying to find the right words to say, and so she patiently waited. Would she be able to regain her keyblade and armor? Radiant Garden would be the first place for them both to check.

Aqua watched Ven with worried eyes, hoping he was not straining himself. Soon enough radiant light flashed before her eyes, and she saw the familiar shape of Ven's keyblade rest within his grip. Her eyes widened in surprise, but she was soon smiling brightly at Ven's accomplishment. It could not have been easy, but he had always been strong. This merely proved it. Tears soon formed within her eyes at his promise, and she laughed a little at the reversal of the situation. Aqua had been the one sent by their Master to protect Ven and bring him back home, and now he was doing the protecting. She smiled and nodded, but she would still protect him. Her keyblade was lost, but she still had their Master's with her. In a way, Master Eraqus was still with them as well. "I know you will. And we'll both go together this time."

[ven]

The Wind was strong under his grasp now, relinquished by whatever hold had kept him from it for those long seconds, but Ven grew vulnerable again for a moment when Aqua laughed. It probably wasn't to be mean, and chances were it had just slipped out, but that wouldn't stop Ven from pouting. "It wasn't supposed to be funny," he almost said, but once she nodded he knew she didn't mean anything by it, and he smiled in turn. His heart swelled with pride and there was a look of calm surprise in his eyes when she said they'd go together. It would have been great, too, if Terra said they were off to find Aqua together, but somehow it didn't quite compare. Ven admired and aspired to Terra in every way, but his respect for Aqua ran deeper, almost as deep as his respect for Master Eraqus. Now that she was a Keyblade Master too, that only made sense. Not that Ven would let that change their friendship.

"Right," he said with a firm nod. He raised the Wind and looked down at the handle, feeling how much heavier this was than the wooden replica he'd once held. But that was safe at Peter Pan's. For some reason when he thought of Neverland, he remembered Tinkerbell very distinctly now, but he couldn't remember meeting her whenever she wasn't with Peter. "We'll find him," he continued anyway, pushing that to the back of his mind, "and together, we'll make our dream come true!"

Keyblade Masters. The three of them. It was just as bright and shining a dream as it used to be in Ven's mind, before Vanitas made sure he left home and Xehanort got Terra and Eraqus to fall for his traps.

Maybe he was getting ahead of himself, though. Ven straightened and let his Keyblade go, turning from Aqua for the first time since he'd seen her in order to look around more closely at the white room. "But...where are we?" There were still little flickers of familiarity and still little flashes of deja vu, but neither seemed quite connected to the same life. Ven honestly didn't expect Aqua to know, it just seemed important. As long as they could leave to find Terra, though, they could always come back and figure it out. Maybe Eraqus would know...or maybe Sora would. He had to meet Sora anyway. After sleeping in the boy's heart for so long, Ven had a lot to thank him for.

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[Aqua]

Aqua bit the inside of her cheek as Ven pouted up at her for her unexpected laugh. She smiled at her friend in apology, honestly not meaning anything by it. It had been one of happiness, and she just hoped he realized that. Aqua was quite proud that Ven had been able to summon his keyblade, and was maintaining his hold over his weapon. No doubt this had been his first time since waking up, and it was a relief that everything seemed to be in order for Ven. His heart had healed, he woke up, and his keyblade answered his summons. His smile alleviated her worries, and so she knew Ven had disregarded her little laugh. Her gaze became fond as she looked to his keyblade more closely, still held in that familiar reverse grip. She remembered thinking how odd it had been when seeing Ven first summoning it in such a way, but it was simply him. Nothing had changed too much, and that was such a relief.

Aqua almost considered summoning her own keyblade, but this was a moment for Ven to appreciate. Something for himself to experience and feel happy about. Even she remembered when his actual keyblade had been replaced with Terra's old wooden one so long ago, and the memory of the mock Inheritance ceremony. Her smile turned fond, the memory one of her most happy she held close to her heart. The thoughts darkened when she recalled what had befallen the wooden keyblade that last time she had seen it. Broken and tossed aside by Vanitas, as if a mere child's toy to him. Aqua nearly clenched her hands into fists at the thought, but she quickly calmed herself, and still she smiled. A small giggle escaped her lips, but Aqua nodded happily. "Yes, the three of us will all become Keyblade Master this time," she agreed. Perhaps she would even be the one to proctor the Mark of Mastery for the two of them. Now there was a rather funny thought.

Ven dismissed his keyblade, and so Aqua watched as he shifted his stance from her and to the bright white walls that surrounded them. Oh, she already knew what question she would soon have to answer, and a rather heavy feeling settled within her heart. Of course she would know where this was, since she had created the 'where this was.' Would she even be able to transform this world back to Land of Departure? Master Eraqus had only explained to her what to do should this world fall to darkness. Her smile faded, and her expression turned somber. She could not keep this from Ven, but how she wished she could. "When I became a Keyblade Master, the Master entrusted me with an important secret about our world," she began, her voice shaking just a little. "Should the Land of Departure fall to darkness, then it was up to me to lock the world away to keep it safe. When you were sleeping, you were able to bring me here, and I found our world in ruins. Master's keyblade was the only thing I found," she explained, and she slowly outstretched her hand, Master Keeper appearing within her grasp.

"I-I placed you on the throne, and I transformed our world into Castle Oblivion, and I'm the only one that can venture here without getting lost. It would keep you safe until I came back, but I think I can fix this world back," Aqua finished, biting her bottom lip in worry. So much to explain, and so much for Ven to take in at once. She could not fathom how hard this must be.

[ven]

That time Aqua's giggle made things feel right. It brought Ven back to times they'd sat on the parapet at the top of their mountain and talked about all the little things that didn't matter and filled the starry sky with voices and laughter. He smiled at the memories, glad that things felt the same now and the lump in his throat was fading because of it.

He didn't expect Aqua's voice to shake again, and his eyebrows turned up in concern when he heard it. Had something happened to...

No.

Oh, she'd only meant that their world was in ruins. That had to be hard for her to see, and Ven couldn't imagine it, though he felt like he'd rather see that than this strange new place, even if it came from Aqua's care. But...if she'd only found Eraqus's Keyblade...

Ven wanted to deny it when he saw it in her hand, but he knew the shape too well. Seeing Aqua's hand at the hilt felt wrong, like it had when he first saw Lea toying with Terra's wooden one, before they'd become friends.

He might not have even heard the rest of what she said, if not for the spike of pain that sliced through his temple and made him put a hand there to stop it. "Uhngh...!" It was strange. During that moment, the one that Aqua used to say "Castle Oblivion," Ven knew that he was standing right there in the castle with her. But he also knew that someplace else, far darker and gleaming with dim green-blue light, he stood listening to a lighter voice say the same words with her at the very same time, so that the words echoed and he lost both voices together even though they were both so familiar.

The moment passed and Ven stared at his shoes. The palm still pressed to his temple was forgotten. Slowly, he looked up. "But...does...does that mean Master..."

He saw the answer in her eyes.

And just like that nothing could ever be all right again. "No...! No, that can't...th-this can't be happening! That isn't...fair..." Horribly, he remembered the last time he'd seen their master, from behind Terra's Keyblade. He recalled Terra's face twisted with anger, the frighteningly loud shouts, and the way he'd landed in the portal barely conscious.

Terra had turned on the Master.

Ven refused to believe that Terra had...Terra couldn't really have...but Master Xehanort had tricked them all. Maybe he sent the darkness to their world, because Terra had been fine when they met together at the Keyblade Graveyard. Eraqus must have been overwhelmed...but if Terra hadn't fought him, then...

If I had just...

"Aqua..." The world blurred in front of him. He pressed his palms against his eyes to shut it out. "It's my fault. Terra fought with him because of me...because...i-if they hadn't fought, then...then maybe..."

For an awful moment, Ven wished he had never woken up at all.

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