Welcome back to Chapter 2! I hope you enjoyed the beginning!
You may begin reading!
*GONG*
Above the clearing fog, the towers of Notre Dame stood dramatically against the blue sky. Wind whipped around and through the attics of stone and wood, waking a young man from his sleep.
"Terra!" sung the sweet stone Aqua. "It's time to wake up!"
He moaned at her soft voice and rolled over in his bed. Ventus playfully came over and tugged the thick blanket off of his bed. A chill filled Terra's body and he moaned louder at the sudden cold.
"Ok... I'm up..." he groaned sleepily.
"Yay!" Ventus cheered.
Terra stretched his dark well-built body before actually getting out of bed. Aqua giggled nervously, seeing his bare chest and handsome face.
"Aqua, let him have his space." Eraqus's icy voice spoke sternly to her.
Aqua left the room quietly as Eraqus strode over to Terra, holding a clean pair of clothes. Terra was once his student before the incident, but that still didn't mean he couldn't be a fatherly figure to him. Aqua had the mother figure down... sometimes. Ven was like a little brother. Eraqus put the clothing in Terra's arms and looked at him with little emotion.
"Today is the day, Terra. The Festival of Fools."
"Yeah, yeah... I know. The day the people of Light tease the Darkness with some tricks and tom-foolery. Why today?"
"It's the only day you can be allowed to wander around the public eye and not raise and eyebrow! I think you should savor your last few days of freedom."
Eraqus was talking about what was to come. Xehanort would perform a body-switching ceremony soon to complete Terra's transformation to the Darkness. It was only a few days away. This could be Terra's last chance to see the people.
"I have to ask his permission first. He always says no though. So I don't see why I should." Terra pointed out as he changed into his black cloak, making sure a stalking Aqua wasn't around.
"Give him the excuse of your last day to see and experience the people. He won't shut up about the ceremony anyway." Eraqus frowned.
"I guess so..." Terra replied glumly.
"TERRA! IT'S HATCHING!" shouted Ven from outside.
Terra and Eraqus ran over to Ven and watched as a baby bird hatched out of his small egg. He had been abandoned by his mother weeks ago. Terra somehow knew the egg would hatch and never let anyone touch it, not even Xehanort knew about the egg. The egg itself felt like light glimmering deep inside Terra's heart.
"Hello little guy." smiled Terra. A warm fuzzy feeling grew in his heart.
The baby chick tweeted for food and Aqua ran over with some bird's milk and a warm towel. All the men turned to her and questioned the items in her hands.
"What? I wanted to be prepared." she replied innocently.
A loud clunk echoed through the bell tower. Xehanort had arrived.
"Damn it." cursed Terra.
Aqua, Eraqus, and Ven ran to the other side of the tower, sheilding the bird and other evidence from sight. Terra went over to his workbench and glared at his model of Paris.
His little wood figures were gathered in the center in front of the Notre Dame. Little paper decorations hung around the small rooftops as if the toys were celebrating the Festival as well. Terra's own wooden figure stood on top of the Notre Dame in his dark clothing, staring straight ahead with a grim face.
"Terra, my boy." An old voice sneered.
Xehanort crossed over to Terra and smiled evily at his creation of Darkness. Only a few days left...
"Good morning, Master." Terra replied with forced enthusiasm.
"Don't act surprised. It's only me." The old man grinned. "I brought you an early surprise for your 20th birthday tomorrow. I thought you might like it."
Terra looked up at his Master. Xehanort never gave decent gifts for his birthday. So why give it early? The old man pulled out a small pouch from his inside pocket and tossed it at Terra. In the pouch was a few thousand munny, shining brand new in the light.
"Master... I... than-" Terra stammered only to be interrupted.
"No need to thank me, my boy. I wondered how much money would need." Xehanort pondered aloud while walking over to the balcony overlooking Paris.
"Um, sir? Need for what?" Terra asked.
"The Festival of Fools." Xehanort spoke.
Did Terra's ears decieve him? Was this all a joke?
"Really? The Festival? I can go?" It was hard to contain his excitement.
"Yes. Consider this a day of freedom from your personal hell. Now I know you're excited but please remember, I will be watching you around town. Enough trouble lurks about and I don't want to hear that you were a part of any of it."
"Yes, Master. I promise I won't disgrace your name." Terra smiled brightly at him, bowing deeply.
"Very good. I shall be leaving you now." Xehanort spoke as he started to go to the exit.
"Um, sir. Master, I have another request..." Terra spoke before he stopped the words from leaving his mouth.
"Another? Enlighten me, my boy. You are my number one priority." Despite saying this, it didn't guarentee a positive result.
Terra shuffled nervously and glanced a different direction while running a hand through his silver hair.
"Well? What is it? I haven't got all day!" Xehanort shouted.
"Can I go outside tomorrow as well? It would be my birthday you see..." Terra suggested.
For a moment, the only sound you could hear was the wind hitting the handmade wind chimes outside the room. Xehanort sighed deeply and walked over to Terra.
"Terra, my son... Why don't you recite the alphabet for me?"
Fear rose in Terra's chest, this was never a good sign.
"Yes, master."
Xehanort look out to the horizon and started the lesson with his pupil.
"A"
"Abomination..."
"B"
"Blasphemy..."
"C"
"Contrition..."
"D"
"Damnation?"
"Yes,... E"
"Eternal Damnation..."
"F"
"Festival...NO! I meant forgiveness!"
"Terra, you said festival." Xehanort frowned grimly.
"I'm sorry master! Please forgive me! I didn't mean it!" Terra begged at his master.
His master turned to his pupil and watched as Terra got on his knees and and folded his hands. Terra was not letting his one chance at freedom slip.
"Terra, I love you like a son. I see you as the future of our beloved city Paris. I overlook your progress of studying the proper way man should behave without actually being down there to experience the harsh cruel world I punish. You know what happens in this city because I tell you the wrong actions of man. If I am letting you down here on this day, of all days, to see the wickedness of man without justice, I let this go on to see you learn your lessons. Do you see what I mean, my boy?"
Terra rose to his feet and stood loyally next to his Master of Darkness. His way of life now was shown before his eyes.
"Yes, master. I see your plan for me. I'm sorry for causing you distress."
Xehanort patted Terra's muscular arm.
"I forgive you, Terra. I will still let you go down today. As for tomorrow, I will have to think about it. I don't know why you want to leave your sanctuary. You've been here for 5 years now."
But they both knew very well why Terra desired to see out of this prison cell. Anyone stuck for five years in the same place would give anything to be free.
"I love my home, master. I want nothing more than to serve you." Terra flat out lied.
Xehanort proceeded to leave. Leaving Terra with his thoughts, he left with a single phrase.
"This is your sanctuary, Terra."
Wheeeeeeee
We are just flying through this story like no one's business!
Don't worry the song 'Out There' is in the next chapter. It's one of my favorites so I wanted to make sure it had it's own chapter to savor.
Check back soon!