Prologue
It was over. The hope of the worlds, which hinged on the three figures left fighting, was slowly shattering. The horde of darkness, no matter how many were destroyed, continued to grow and press in around them. Ventus, wiping his brow, looked to his two closest friends. The ones who had been with him since the beginning. He saw the skill with which they fought, but he knew. He knew that there would be no winning this battle. Still, they fought on. Using every ounce of their power to slow the impending tide. Never once considering giving up. His thoughts flashed to the many memories they shared. Seeing Terra and Aqua training while he, due to his age, was left out. The concern in Aqua's eyes after he was injured trying to follow them. The way Terra fended off the Unversed while Aqua took him to safety. Back then he had always felt like a burden. Now it was different. Now he was standing beside them. And they stood together. A team. Humanities last hope.
The battle raged on. He always thought it was funny how things seemed to slow in the heat of battle. Everything felt so clear. He parried a claw that was aimed at his back. Pivoting on his left foot, he covered his right with an aero spell and delivered a kick to his attacker. He saw the shadow disintegrate but immediately was confronted by a couple of soldier heartless. Completing his spin and using his momentum, Ventus hurled his keyblade at the approaching foes. It cut through them like paper. Their hearts being released from their bodies, drifting away. He saw a flash of well, aqua, in his peripheral vision and a crowd of foes were simply gone. Even in battle, he admired the grace with which Aqua fought. Terra, on the other hand, was like a force of nature. Less grace and more sheer power, barreling through enemies They complimented each other well, with Ventus being the final piece. What he lacked in grace and strength, he made up in versatility. Ventus could think on his feet and respond to situation. Yet, where was the solution to this problem? No matter how much he tried, he couldn't think of a way out for what they faced. Was he really giving up? What would Terra and Aqua say. He doubled down. Fighting with everything he had. Parrying and responding with a speed that he didn't know he had. He wouldn't let his two friends down. He wouldn't be a burden. Just as that thought crossed his mind Ventus heard a shrill cry. He looked to Aqua seeing what had caused the distress only to see her mouthing something. Yet, her body language was clear. She was pointing behind Venus. Turning, Ventus was too late and could only stare as the beam of light headed straight for him. He tried to raise his keyblade but he knew it wouldn't make it in time. Right before the red light collided with him a hulking figure lept in front of him. Ventus' world exploded as he was thrown from the blast.
Disoriented, Ventus laid there trying to regain his senses. He felt countless bruises and cuts but he had survived. It wasn't until someone was standing over him, with tears in her eyes, begging him to get up that Ventus registered what had just happened. Terra had taken the blast that was meant for him. Once again, he was rescued by his friends. Climbing slowly to his feet, Ventus saw Terra. He was thrown from the point of contact and was laying motionless with a gaping wound in his back. Ventus let out a scream and felt rage unlike he had ever experienced before. He would protect his friends. He summoned his keyblade but was amazed when a second keyblade appeared in his had. Oathkeeper. That was its name. He didn't know how he knew, but he did. He recalled the graduation ceremony. Aqua, Terra, and himself all making a pact to always protect each other. That desire must have summoned it. Ventus cast aero and was a whirlwind as he kept the enemies from his fallen friend while Aqua tried to heal him. A claw made it past his defenses and sliced a line across his arm. Another grazed his cheek. He was just about at his limit, but he wouldn't allow them to break through to his friends while he still drew breath. He knew what he had to do. Expending all his energy, Ventus pushed out with both keyblades channeling his remaining strength into a cyclone spell. The enemies in a mile radius were obliterated as the wind sliced them to pieces. Panting, Ventus sagged to his knees, dropping his keybades. Then Aqua and Terra were there. They helped him up and both Terra and Ventus were leaning heavily on Aqua. The look on their faces said it all. Ventus' spell had earned them a break but in moments they would be surrounded again. Aqua was the only one who was in any condition to fight, but even she looked to be on her last leg. They knew what they had to do. They must protect the light. At all costs. They each made eye contact. Their eyes saying all the things that they didn't have time to say. All the feelings that they wanted to express. As one, they lifted their keyblades to the sky and yelled in unison "Light". A flash of light flew from each of their keyblades, drifting upwards. The beams collided in the sky and the resulting flash lasted but a moment but effects would be felt long afterwards. When the flash dissipated the only remainder of the three heroes were their keyblades, abandoned by the wielders to give the only thing they could give. Hope.