A/N: Finally, the Mark of Mastery Exam is happening. Read on to see what the Exam will hold.
Sanctuary — Celina
Jackson was first to leave last night… Logan was right, something was going on with him.
It was strange, I hadn't known him for as long as Logan did but I considered them both my brothers. Jackson had vastly improved his skills in just a month, I tried just as hard— he had to be training differently than how we were taught.
I didn't really want to get involved, with our exam so soon but deep down I felt like I should have.
I was awake and dressed before either of them.
"Come on! If you don't hurry up you'll be late!" I knocked loudly on Logan's door as I shouted. Thumps resonated throughout the hallway as he stumbled out of bed.
"Ugh, I-I'm up. You don't have to be so loud." Logan mumbled tiredly.
I glanced down the hallway, Jackson's door was closed as usual.
I walked over, reaching up to knock. "I'm awake." He interrupted before I could knock.
"Well, you're in the same boat as your brother. You'll be late if you don't get ready now." I warned.
I went back down the hallway, stopping by Logan's room. He was half dressed and asleep again.
"Logan!" I found a spare shoe just by the door, tossing it at him. "If you aren't going to be on time, then I'll leave without you!" I couldn't help but laugh.
I double checked my room, making sure I had everything in order. Peeking by Logan's room again, he wasn't quite ready yet. Jackson's door still remained closed. Why was he so distant lately?
I stayed true to my word, leaving the boys behind.
As I approached the Throne Room, I could hear the Master speaking along with two other voices I didn't recognize. They must be his acquaintances he spoke of.
I stopped immediately, peering around the corner before entering. Two men, around the same age as Master Eraqus conversed with one another.
One wore mostly blue, the other clad in black.
"Your apprentices are late, Eraqus. This does not look well on them." The man in black chuckled.
Oh no! I'm late.
I quickly jumped out from my hiding spot. "I-I'm here, Master Eraqus." My face burning with embarrassment as I bowed.
The other two men glared as they watched me. Just before Master Eraqus could address me, we could hear the stampede that was Logan and Jackson rushing to the Throne Room.
Logan entered first, immediately stopping causing Jackson to collide with him. We're doomed, we've already failed. I grimaced at what was to come.
"Lovely of you to join us, boys." Master Eraqus calmly smiled.
He didn't scold us. I wasn't sure if he was furious or attempting to contain his laughter.
They scurried to take their places beside me, incoherently spewing apologies.
"What a— lively bunch of apprentices you have here." The man in blue spoke up. "I've heard tale of their antics, but never believed them to be nothing more than tall tales."
"It has been a learning experience for all of us. They are my first apprentices after all but I would expect better behavior out of all of them. There will be repercussions, for now we have a Mark of Mastery Exam to tend to." Master Eraqus stepped up to the middle throne, the other two following to either side and taking a seat.
"I have asked my old friends, Masters Xehanort and Yen Sid to aid me today. Your Mark of Mastery Exam will be far from traditional." He gestured to each one, Master Xehanort's gaze resting on Jackson while we listened.
It was unsettling to say the least. While Master Eraqus and Yen Sid appeared to have their similarities, Master Xehanort was different. He had an aura about him, I couldn't quite place where I felt this before. It felt more like a dream than anything.
"With threats of darkness encroaching, your Mark of Mastery will prove your skills of working together. You will first combat targets, and then one another but this does not entail who becomes Master. I have discussed with my acquaintances, who have suggested we extend the exam. You will be traveling to other worlds and given the task of finding the darkness' source in said worlds, to stop a threat in advance. Once that darkness is vanquished, only then will you have the chance to be named Master keyblade wielder." Master Eraqus explained.
"You will be facing darkness none of you know yet and may very well be unknown to us." Master Xehanort spoke up.
"As masters ourselves, we will help you if you see the need. Each of us have different skills as do you three. This Exam will not be easy and as Master Xehanort said you will be up against tough trials." Master Yen Sid added. I quietly nodded in agreement.
"As my friends have explained once we fully assess your skills with combat, we will see you off to your first destination." He paused momentarily. "Now for the beginning of the exam, I ask that you take your places."
We stood at separate ends of room. We had prepared for this for some time. I knew this day meant everything to us and with such a rough start, we had to put a better impression on our masters than we did.
Master Eraqus summoned light orbs and they swirled around to the middle of the room. I looked to each face, Jackson seemed exhausted already. It was painfully obvious that he didn't get a lot of sleep. Logan was over his morning tiredness and looked more determined than ever.
"You may begin." Master Eraqus gave the signal. The orbs flew at a much faster rate, able to attack with bursts of light.
The masters watched quietly, each one taking a liking to us. Master Eraqus watched Logan carefully, as did Master Xehanort with Jackson. Master Yen Sid eyed me as I stuck with my spell casting.
Master Eraqus had told me of a keyblade wielder he knew, they used powerful magic and eventually gave up the keyblade altogether for spells. Was this Master Yen Sid he spoke of? It was such an honor to be able share a room with this powerful Sorcerer.
I kept myself calm and collected, I needed to focus. Logan had already powered through several orbs and Jackson had taken down a few already.
I solely used magic, taking as many of the orbs as I could while still keeping a level head of my attack patterns. Soon the orbs disappeared and we were left standing.
"Now, just as you have done in the past, you three will face each other in combat. This is not a test of strength alone but your willingness to think and act quickly against a skilled opponent." Master Eraqus explained the next part of our exam.
Whatever trick Jackson pulled yesterday won't work this time. We aren't out in the open and now we have three Masters watching over us. I watched as he settled in his spot across from me, leaving Logan to my right.
It doesn't matter who wins here… this is just for us to show off. Any and all spells were welcomed. So long as we didn't use recovery items, we could go all out.
"And, begin!" I barely heard the Master give the command. I was so focused on planning out my spells.
Both the boys attacked me first. Of course they would. "Hey, this isn't fair!" I dodged away from Logan's swing as Jackson jumped in.
They both attempted to attack again. They were predictable as always. I smirked, knowing I had caught them. "Reflect!" I shouted the spell. With little time for either of them to react they were met with an invisible barrier, recoiling backwards, leaving Logan to stumble over his feet.
I dodged away from Jackson, my sight set on him for the next spell. I knew of the more powerful spells, but I wasn't able to get much practice with them. I wouldn't intentionally harm him. I only needed to tire both of them out.
"Freeze!" Without notice I shot the cold blast at him. Just as I did during our practice yesterday only with a different, more powerful spell. He remained frozen on the spot.
By now, Logan had fully recovered. He seemed frustrated that I had bested him again. The Master was right, he still needed to work on his skills with magic.
He jumped, attacking from above.
"Wind!" Without thinking I had rushed under him, using a rarely used attack. It sent him nearly to the roof.
"Ahhh! C-Celina." Was all he managed on the way down. He attempted to right himself midair but it wouldn't be enough. Quick thinking, I used a weak blizzard spell, the snow now cushioning his fall. I'm sure it still hurt but he seemed grateful for what I had done.
"S-sorry." I mumbled an apology, helping him up.
"Look out!" He shouted, pushing me away as a burst of fire flew past us. My spell didn't last as long as I thought it would.
"D-don't f-freeze me ever a-again." Jackson could hardly speak from shivering. He rushed for me and Logan, using fire based attacks. Using what he could to warm himself from the effect of my spell.
We continued on for some time, each of us all easing out of our comfort zones. I began to use more physical attacks as the boys tried their hand at magic. I was beginning to feel drained having expended all my energy on spells. I could tell they were wearing down too.
"You three have fought wonderfully." Master Eraqus finally spoke up. "You have shown us enough of your skills and we have come to a consensus on what is next for you." He stepped down, approaching us.
"Thank you, Master." We answered in unison, albeit a little breathless. I had hoped with this, we have proven our worth.
"You will have a moment's reprieve to rest, then each of us would like to speak to you." He paused momentarily. "For now you are dismissed, please return once you have prepared."
"Understood." Logan answered.
Master Eraqus simply smiled before stepping back over to the others.
"I much rather would have been thrown through the ceiling than frozen solid." Jackson chuckled, making his way back towards his room.
"Hey, it was an accident, alright?" I laughed. "Although, I will admit it was pretty funny."
"Maybe for you it was. I had fully accepted my death once I knew how far back down I'd have to fall." Logan interrupted, following after Jackson.
"Well, now you know don't surprise me like that." I chuckled, my laughter finally subsiding.
Even though we had to fight, we still cared for one another. I think this is what it means to be a keyblade wielder, protecting those you care for.
I made my way back to my room as well. Something didn't quite settle with me. It got unbearably cold as I neared my door with no sign of the brothers, I expected some petty prank.
"Very funny guys." Opening my door, the dim light revealed someone I didn't recognize.
"Who are—" I started.
"Oooo, lacy. Wonder who you could be wanting to wear these for, maybe the tall moose man?" She turned around, my face immediately paling in response.
"Y-you should leave right now." I warned, my voice shook from embarrassment. A stranger in my room, rummaging through my intimates with the gumption to assume I took interest in Logan!
She stood there quietly. I had never seen the likes of her before. Long dark hair, piercing golden eyes, strange black clothes. It was obvious she was not from here.
Her face lit up with a smile as she stood firm.
"G-give me that." I rushed for her, ripping the delicates away from her.
No sooner than I encountered her, she suddenly disappeared. Darkness enveloping her as she left.
"Cel, who were you talking—"
"Logan!" I screeched as I turned around, my underwear still in hand. I couldn't have been sure how red my face was but it was enough that Logan understood to leave.
"I-I should go now." He awkwardly turned on his heel, quickly rushing back down the hallway.
I slammed the door, turning back to my room. Not much was out of place, save for the open dresser drawer.
I couldn't have imagined that… there's no way.
"Perhaps it's stress over the exam." I softly reassured myself, uncertain if what I had just witnessed was real or not. Regardless, no one knew. I couldn't tell the Master what happened…
I tidied up, taking a moment to gather some spare items I had, using them to replenish my energy.
Not wanting to dwell on possible insanity, I focused on returning to my Mark of Mastery Exam. Back in the Throne Room, I found Master Eraqus and Yen Sid.
"Celina, you've shown remarkable skills with the arcane arts. I look forward to seeing you progress more." Master Yen Sid greeted me.
"It's such an honor for your praise, Master." I thanked him.
"Granted all three of you were late to begin your exam, I will give you the benefit of the doubt. I have been harsh in your training lately, I know that it can be tiring." Master Eraqus added. "As for what we wanted to speak to you about, you are the first to join us. With such a skill in magic, we expect that you are able to hold your power responsibly and as such, Master Yen Sid would like to bestow you a gift of sorts."
"As you travel to other worlds, it is very important that you keep yourself unseen from its inhabitants. The World Order is something to protect. Not everyone knows of other worlds, so I will grant you the power to transform yourself and your peers. With ease of travel, you are able to complete your task much more sufficiently. Along with this, the last part of your exam involves you to travel, myself and my acquaintances would be more than welcome to aid you three in anyway we can." Master Yen Sid continued where Eraqus left off.
"Thank you, I know I will use this power responsibly." I accepted the ability, thanking him once more.
"Once we have spoken to Jackson and Logan, you will be briefed on the final portion of your exam, for now you are free until we have spoken to them" Master Eraqus added.
"Understood, Master." I grinned. I was so close, their praise meant the world to me. Becoming a keyblade master is my life's goal. Then finally, I could find the truth about my past.
A/N: I would like to give a special thank you to Daughter of Kyne for putting up with my nonsense and helping me with this project along with the continued support and reviews! Along with granting me permission to cameo Celina's "visitor", all aspects of her character belongs Daughter of Kyne. Our mysterious girl will have her time to shine, so don't fret. We will learn more about her as we progress.
All reviews and criticism are welcome. Thank you in advance for your continued support!
~the-titan-that-never-was