It was one thing to read about out-of-body experiences, or to have had one while meditating. Eraqus was familiar with the concept.
It was quite another to have an out-of-body experience when one no longer had a body.
He stood, hands shaking slightly, and watched as his apprentice – his son - mourned him, tears falling to the mosaic that covered the courtyard. Whatever had happened – wherever he was – Terra was now beyond his help. All he could do was pray that his apprentice's heart was strong enough to face up to the trials that he would face – trials for which his Master could no longer prepare him.
THE GOLDEN SPARKLES WERE A SURPRISE.
He jerked in shock at the black-hooded figure that appeared next to him as if from nowhere, reaching for a weapon that, to stack surprise upon surprise, refused to come to his hand. The figure pointed a bony finger at Master Keeper, fallen and forgotten in a corner of the courtyard and very much beyond Eraqus' reach. THEY WERE RIGHT: YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU. The figure paused thoughtfully. WHOEVER "THEY" ARE.
Eraqus closed his eyes, silently accepting the truth behind that statement: this world's affairs no longer concerned him, even if he was still very much concerned for them. The very figure before him, unmistakable now, was proof enough of that. "Answer me one question," he requested, opening his eyes and facing the distant blue fire that burned in the figure's otherwise empty sockets. "My apprentices – Aqua, Ven, and Terra – will they-" He heard the quiet grieving behind him and almost could not continue. Still, he had to know. "Will they be meeting you?"
The figure was silent a moment before answering. EVERYONE DOES, EVENTUALLY.
"Yes," Eraqus replied, slightly startled by the answer, "but will it be soon."
THAT'S TWO QUESTIONS.
"That is a clarification."
The blue fire twinkled, and Eraqus came away with the distinct feeling that he'd won a game he hadn't been aware he was playing. NO, the figure answered, IT WILL NOT BE SOON. YOU, CONVERSELY, HAVE MET ME AND HAVE PLACES TO GO.
There was a moment's peace to be had in that reassurance, and Eraqus took full advantage of it. "All right. Thank you."
The Keyblade Master took his final steps into the next realm. Eyes of blue fire and cold comprehension were the only witness as the world that had once maintained balance toppled and fell into darkness and a shattered young man chased after the illusions of revenge and reparation.
It was only later, when Death returned to his own realm, that he found the three tiny golden lifetimers whose correspondents had caused such concern in the Master and whose transformation now stirred distant curiosity in their keeper. One contained sand that fell and rose in an endless loop. One had paused in mid-grain, falling sand frozen in midair – an inexplicable magical stasis. One had split into three interconnected pieces, broken but somehow still functional. Their lives had taken unexpected and in some cases nigh inexplicable turns, but his promise held true: for better or for worse, they would not be meeting him for quite some time. He thought back to the recently passed Master, so reassured by such a cold comfort.
But, Death reasoned, cold comfort was comfort nonetheless. Humans would find it where they could.
He replaced the lifetimers on the shelf. They all had at least ten years' time. He would check on them then and see what changes, if any, had occurred.
It gave him something to look forward to.
This might wind up as a series of drabbles - there are too many deaths and near death experiences (and, let's be honest, cheaters) in Kingdom Hearts for me to miss the opportunity. Would you like to see more? Let me know and I'll do what I can.