Xehanort paced back and forth, watching his young, keyblade-wielding student practice his confirmed combos on the trees in the forest in which they were training. "Ventus!" shouted Xehanort, "Give in to the darkness in your heart! Give in to it!"
Ventus, panting heavily, fell to his knees. "Master, I can't go on." He fell face down.
"Ventus! Useless! Get up!" shouted Xehanort. But Ven was knocked out. Xehanort shook his head. "Pathetic. Unbearably pathetic." Nonetheless, Xehanort picked up his student and carried him, piggy-back style, inside the lair, to a bedroom to rest. Afterwards, Xehanort prepared dinner for the both of them. Neither student or master had eaten or slept during their three-day training exercise in the woods behind their hidden abode. This non-stop, intense training was merely a small step in Xehanort's grand plan to obtain the chi-blade, and unlock Kingdom Hearts.
So far, the plan was unfolding smoothly, because Ven always tried his best to appease his master. Even during the harshest of training, he never complained. In fact, the boy respected Xehanort as if the latter was his father.
Well, technically Master Xehanort was the boy's "father". Xehanort knew that his plan to form the chi-blade would most likely (a 75 percent chance) kill the vessel. Accordingly, he needed to find a disposable person to use. So he had sought out and adopted the most wretched little boy that he could find. "Yes, yes, this one shall do," Xehanort had said back then.
Although the Master's intentions were evil, Xehanort paid a lot of attention to Ven. They spent each day training, chatting, and doing chores. The 11-year old Ventus saw his master as a stern father figure who only wanted the best for him.
Poor kid didn't know how mistaken he was.
Eventually, when Ven awoke from his slumber, his entire body felt like it was weighed down by chains. Even lifting his head caused so much pain. It felt like someone had stabbed each and every muscle in his body with a white hot needle. He found the strength to stand up, though.
After a warm shower, Ventus went to the kitchen to see that Xehanort had laid out dinner for him. Chicken noodle soup. Ven ate alone, because Master had already finished eating. After dinner, Ven cleaned up and went upstairs to Xehanort's private study. He knocked on the door. "Master?"
"Come in, Ventus," replied Xehanort.
Ventus entered the study. Xehanort, an avid writer, was busy writing something in one of his many journals. Ven asked, "What are you writing?"
"None of your business, boy."
"Oh. I see. Well, um, thanks for dinner."
"Of course. We shall wake up bright and early tomorrow to continue your training."
"Thanks Master," replied Ven. He left.