Chapter V! Finally, right?

Disclaimer:

I own nothing but my OC(s). Everything else belongs to either Square Enix or Disney.

KINGDOM HEARTS I

Chapter V

The Magician's House

Beyond Traverse Town's Third District, a hidden alcove lay the only path to an old cavern that housed an…eccentric little hut, isolated on a lone piece of dirt and grass surrounded by a deep body of water. But in order to find it, somehow one would need to bypass the sealed door. On Kori's person, she had a Blazing Stone set in one of her bracelets. The emblem on the old redwood door reacted, accepting the stone's heat, granting them passage. The mechanism ignited Ari's curiosity.

Kori laughed lightly. "It was my teacher's idea. He comes and goes so often, he didn't want to leave his house open to uninvited guests. Magic itself works too- but why waste mana? These stones can hold mana without draining. Less work for us- which beats using unnecessary power."

"Well, well," the glint in Ari's eyes was playful. "Since when did you become such an astute student?"

That earned her a good shove to the head. "Watch it, you! I could zap you for that."

"Really?"

"…" Kori blushed, embarrassment apparent in the sudden sideways shift in her gaze. "OK, I'm not particularly great at it. You've seen all these beads on my arms, right?"

Ari frowned thoughtfully. "Yeah…"

Kori sighed. "They help channel energy. If I'm having trouble with the spell, or am low on mana, these," she pointed to the long line of various colored glass and crystal beads, "help re-channel my focus. Make sense?"

The deep water lapped at the dirt shore of their end softly, as Ari took it in. It made sense- the use of her accessories. They were, after all, only human. And every person could only do so much, without some needed assistance. "Makes sense," she agreed. "But that still doesn't answer my previous question," she leaned into her friend's face, her simper clearly obvious.

Kori rubbed the back of her arm. "I…was tired of not doing anything…" she admitted, though her voice just above a whisper. "You were gone, Yuffie was getting into trouble. Squall was angry all the time. Cid and Aerith were…the only two who could hold it together. For the first year, I cried- all the time. And I hated it. What would you think of me, if you saw me in that state? What would me parents say?" Her voice was cracking, and she sniffled.

In a quick swoop, Ari pulled her childhood friend into a warm, slightly awkward hug. "Hey, hey- listen. Remember what I said back at the inn? About how I wasn't made of steel?"

Kori hiccupped; a laugh and a small sob. "If I remem-mber right," she brushed her palm over her eyes. "You said you w're'nt 'malleable as steel'."

Ari lightly flicked Kori's forehead, and laughed. "And I meant it. No one's that strong, Kori." She brushed a rebellious tear away, as it fought its way down Kori's cheek. "It's OK to cry. From what you told me earlier, back at the inn- you handled our home's destruction better than I did."

Kori frowned. "What…?"

Ari pulled away, bringing her arms back to her sides. Her smile? Tired and sad. "I…shut down. For a little while, I wouldn't talk, wouldn't show any intention of interaction with anyone. When people tried to pry, I'd yell. I cried only once- that first day and night I was found. It…wasn't until Sora waddled up to me one day, when Kairi dragged me to the beach with her, that I cracked a smile." She was laughing, the sound reminiscent and hollow. "He…wouldn't take no for an answer."

Kori hiccupped again, a grin spreading while she shifted her feet into the soft ground. "Yeah, you mentioned that. From the brief amount of time I've spent around him, I'm really not surprised."

Ari's laugh grew louder, turning on her heel and beckoning for the other to follow. "Yeah, well…we can go down memory lane later."

She trudged down the slope to the water's edge, Kori not far behind. The mud was surprisingly firm, and didn't sink their shoes as they wavered along the bank line. From where they stood, the shape of a cylindrical hut could just be distinguished from the darkness of the cavern.

"So, how do we get from here…to there?"

Kori took a soft leap from the bank to a rock protruding from the water's surface. "We just hop across- kinda like hopscotch." When Ari didn't immediately join she quirked a brow and looked back. "What? Don't tell me you can't remember our hopscotch days!"

"Of course I do!" Ari huffed. "I just wish I had better clothes for this…"

Kori's mouth formed an 'o', and she nodded in understanding. "Yeah, denim skirts really don't work well for movement, unless you let the seams out along the sides. We'll fix it up later, and go shopping for some new shoes too. Sound good?"

Ari sighed, crouching low and pushing from the ground as she mimicked Kori's jump. "…Actually…yeah. It really does."

The exterior matched the interior, in the sense it was crafted entirely from stones. However, aside from that, the inside of the small home was completely empty. Desolate, and unlived in.

Ari walked the entire area, looking from top to bottom. She found nothing, not a trace of life. The sound of her lightweight beach shoes squeaked against the cool stone as she came to a stop. "Uh…Kori?"

The other girl was standing near the raised platform in the center of the one room lodging. It, too, was made from assembled stones. Kori was lost to her own thoughts, one arm crossed over her chest, the other raised as she tapped at her temple. "Hmm…I was sure he was supposed to be back by now…"

"…Kori?"

"Did I get the date wrong?" she wondered aloud, her free hand playing with one of her bangs. "No, I wrote it down. Did he get held up? Hmmm…"

"Kori!"

The girl startled, jumping into a defensive stance, arms held loosely crossed in front of her. It was a beat before she realized it was only Ari. "What…the hell?" She whined. "I was thinking!"
"You were mumbling out loud." Ari quipped.

"Ohoho," an old raspy voice chortled. "She does do that on frequent occasion, doesn't she?"

The auburn haired girl whirled on her feet, immediately tense and ready to bolt. But Kori turned, her stance relaxed, although her lips set in a pout.

"Now, now." From the green-curtains covering the doorway, stood a tall, lanky aging man dressed in light blue robes and hat. "No need for that pout, young missy. I've caught you more than once talking out loud for the world to hear." He winked behind the spectacles perched on his nose.

Kori huffed, crossing her arms and looking away. Although her blushing gave her away. Ari stifled a laugh at her friend's embarrassment, relaxing her posture and righting her posture upright again.

The old man chortled, setting his large handbag down by his feet. "Now, my dears, I'll get to the both of you in a moment. But first…"

From his bag, he pulled a long wooden…stick? With a flick of the wrist, the room was bathed with light.

Ari wondered right then and there, just what it was she'd been dragged in to… "You…"

The old man sat in a large red plush arm chair, sipping a cup of freshly brewed hot tea. Across from him, sat the two girls, each on smaller, but equally as plush pieces of furniture. A tea set sat between them, on a round garden table.

The old wizard sat his cup down onto its dish. "Now then." His gaze first fell to Kori, but soon moved and stayed on Ari. "I'm sure many details haven't been brought to light. Am I wrong in coming to this conjecture?"

He received silence. Kori's gaze fell to the cup on her lap, untouched. The other girl, however…

Ari took a sampling taste of the hot beverage. A little bland, in her opinion, but the brew was warm and welcoming in that damp cavern. "First, mind if I ask something?"

The wizard beamed. "Yes, yes! Be my guest, dear."

She placed her cup back onto the cup's plate. "Didn't you live on our world a decade ago?"

A tea cup fell. Kori's eyes were wide, her mouth agape. She spluttered. "Ari…!"

But the old man didn't seem to mind the brash question. He laughed, brushing skeletal fingers through his long white beard. "Aha. I was warned about that sharp mind of yours! As for your question…" He mused, smiling at Ari's waiting eyes. "Yes, indeed. For a time, I found residence there. A good vacation home, if I do say so myself. However, let me reciprocate with an inquiry of my own- just how did you remember…?"

Ari's eyes fell to the cup in her hands. Her lips quirked upwards. "You were the one that was rumored to have a magical book. Not to mention, no one else wore robes out and about in town." She tilted her head with a cocky grin. She knew had Kori blanched and paled.

"Shutup!" Kori squeaked behind both her hands.

The wizard eyed the auburn girl; his eyes reflecting humor and curiosity. And he knew, that she knew, he was analyzing her. "Indeed- I did have such a book. While I've been gone, I've been trying to find its pages and bind it back together." He reached into his bag, which rested beside his chair. A moment later, his long, knobby fingers held out a broken book. The binding was torn and ripped, as were its precious pages. "A most curious book. One that was once told to being the key to unlocking the inner prowess within." He smiled fondly at the old book. "Of course, I've never tested it myself. However, those who had the chance, came back with a new glimmer in their eyes."

Ari eyed the book, like a child that had their eyes caught onto something interesting. Her gaze moved down its cover, roaming the spine- up long fingers, and onto a bearded face. "So…mind telling me your name?"

The old wizard laughed. "Indeed. I, am Merlin the wizard. I have been expecting you to show at my doorstep for quite some time, Arina."

Her face felt cold. "How did you know my name…?"

"Well," Kori bit her lip. "I…probably mentioned your name, once or twice."

Merlin chuckled softly, his fingers brushing through his beard again. "Indeed, you have Kori. However, I was told years ago of a young girl…who would need help and guidance on her quest."

"By who?!" Ari demanded, leaping to her feet. Her own teacup went sailing.

A flick of the wrist and wand, and the cup was safe and sound on the table once more. "Now then, if you're going to refrain from any more damage to my chinaware," Merlin grouched. "I will explain what I can. An old friend of mine, a powerful sorcerer, passed on the message for me to watch after you for a time. This, of course, was years ago- before your home was overrun by Darkness. Once the Darkness came, you were whisked away from us. By the time your star was found again, you were settled in a new home- with new friends and family."

Ari felt numb. Her legs felt like jelly, and her insides were doing an unpleasant tango. "How did…?" she collapsed back into her chair.

Merlin smiled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. His gaze was tender; empathetic. "It wasn't easy. But through someone he knew, he found you again. However, my acquaintance made the decision to keep you there. It was thought, that with the love and nurturing the ones who gave you a second chance, you would grow and develop your potential. Unfortunately…that doesn't seem to be the case…"

"But…" Ari's eyes widened. She locked her fingers together, the digits running along her knuckles. "Why…? How…?"

Merlin's smile softened ever more. "I cannot breach all of the truth for you. You must come to that on your own. For even my acquaintance cannot disclose everything to me."

"Can I meet them?" Ari suddenly inquired. "Your friend, I mean."

Merlin shook his head. "I'm afraid that getting there would not be ideal. The Darkness is causing great amount of chaos and unsettlement in the lanes, even creating blockades between the few routes remaining."

"That's awful!" Kori gasped. "Is that what took you so long?"

"Impatient as always, hm?" The wizard shook his head. "Not entirely- it was finding a safer route here that took more time. But, that isn't why we're here, now is it?"

Both the wizard and the peach haired girl's gazes fell heavy onto Ari. She could feel them, and the intensity. She'd been expecting to meet a teacher, who could maybe help her out by pointing her in the right direction. Instead, she saw a familiar old wizard, who revealed that there had been people who knew where she was. On top of that, she was inadvertently being told that she had an important role in this life. But they wouldn't…couldn't…reveal what that was. 'Why?'

"That's right," Kori's murmur was soft, gentle, and full of pride. "Merlin, Ari's used magic!"

Merlin's eyes lit up. "Is that so?"

"Not intentionally," Ari muttered. She lifted her eyes back up to the conversation. "I've made a barrier once- to shield myself and my friend Sora when our island home was ripped apart…"

"And?" Kori pushed.

"Kori…" Ari warned.

"It's alright, my dear." Merlin coaxed. "Whatever you say, won't leave this room."

"I doubt that," Ari muttered under her breath. "And…The Keyblade."

Merlin's genteel demeanor faltered. He quickly became serious, and focused. "What did you say…?"

"I never called on it, alright?" Ari jumped to defend herself. "But…Sora…he has it and…but… He was in danger twice and…"

Merlin seemed to understand. "You used it to protect him, and fight away the Heartless that were after his heart."

Ari felt her chest squeeze in on itself. "Y-yeah…"

"It was awesome, Merlin!" Kori squealed. She launched herself over the arms of both her chair and Ari's, wrapping her friend into a squeeze. "That big boss in the Third District didn't stand a chance! It was like she knew exactly what she doing! Like she was meant to use it!"

"Kori, shuddup!" Ari cried, diving away, trying to silence the other girl's outbursts.

"Interesting…" from across from them, Merlin pondered this new detail. "Then we should start soon."

"Start?" Both girls stopped their entangled brawl. Ari's brow narrowed. "What are you on about…?"

"I was instructed to watch after you once," Merlin reasoned. "Now that you've come back to us, it is time to start your training."

"My…training?"

"Indeed," Merlin laughed. "I will guide you through the art of magic. This will set you for your journey. I had heard the Keyblade bearer has started his quest. Once he comes back, you will accompany him, and keep him safe and focused. That is all I can tell you- for even I do not have all the answers."

"…" Ari nodded, once. "Great. When do we start?"

"We'll be on an accelerated schedule," the wizard warned. "We start tomorrow. Kori will assist in your learning from time to time. Be warned, Arina- this will be harsh and taxing."

"Bring it, then. I'm not afraid of hard work," Ari's mouth cracked into a grin. "By the way- if you're going to be my instructor there's one thing you should know."

"Oh?"

She barked out a laugh. "It's Ari."

"Ari," Merlin tested, nodding in approval. "We start on the morrow."

Author's Endnote:

Chapter V is complete.

Be disappointed now- I'm not going to cover the training. Next chapter will be about three weeks later. And just before Sora and crew come back.

To those who've played Dream Drop Distance, you'll know what I mean by "accelerated".

I apologize for conversation heavy…!

~ AoZ