Rachel half-flew half-ran back to the Tower. Master Yen Sid had sent her a magical message to return right away for an important announcement. She could sense this was big just by holding the paper.
The young Master had her egg snuggly in its sling and cradled it carefully as she went. It was like an arm sling only a lot bigger and made of much softer, plushy material. It made keeping the egg close a lot easier. But it was a little hard to run while carrying something that size. That's largely why she was partially flying. Yes, she could've left it at the castle with Aiden; she trusted he'd keep it safe and warm. But then Yen Sid or the others might ask why she left it alone. Leaving it behind because 'nothing could happen to it' was hardly an excuse. It was going to be her magical partner from the second it was born, no way she'd ever appear leave it behind. Besides, she was already feeling a very strong maternal attachment to it and wanted to keep it close.
"So sorry if I'm late!" She cried coming through the door. Rachel stopped at Master Yen Sid's desk.
"There was no need to rush," The sorcerer assured her.
"What's up with you?" Rachel asked Riku. "You look kinda grumpy."
"It's nothing," Riku said dully and couldn't be pressed to say more.
Once they'd arrived at the study, Master Yen Sid fixed Riku's nosebleed and magically cleaned up the blood. Sora still felt bad. But that was going to take a back seat with what was coming up. Neither Lea, Kairi or Bryan were there. Rachel and Riku stood off to the side of the desk while Sora stood before Yen Sid.
The sorcerer summarized and skipped some of the formalities. It would just be redundant to go through the full explanation of the Mark of Mastery. This time would of course be very different. The challenge of the sleeping worlds was by far not the way the Mark of Mastery was usually taken. Masters could of course (as Yen Sid had done) alter the traditional exam when the circumstances lined up that it was needed.
"This time, the Mark of Mastery will be conducted in a similar fashion to the traditional test." Yen Sid summarized the details of the traditional test just so they knew the history. "Though I have decided this test will be entirely combative. Sora, you will have to use all your skills and powers in a one-on-one duel against another Master of the Keyblade. I believe this is the appropriate course of action for several reasons. But first and foremost is I want the environment completely controlled. If it hadn't been for Xehanort's interference, I believe the chances of you not passing the exam the first time to have been minute. This will take place right here in the Tower, away from any unwanted interruptions.
"The duel will last until I decide. I will be watching for absolute proof of the growth of your skills and powers from your training and personal talents. As for the rules, I believe the saying is, 'anything goes'. Brute strength and magic in any form you can utilize will be allowed. I will of course be keeping a close eye for variations in your fighting style as well. A true Keyblade Master is not dependent on a single skill set.
"This duel will be strictly a battle of skill; not conquest. The objective will not be to 'win'. I will not be so interested in errors or miss-steps as I will in how the error was made or corrected. But any efforts to impress will not be considered. I am aware of much you can do. Now I wish to see you pull it all together."
"I understand. Who all will be there?" Sora asked.
"As this test will be conducted a little differently, if you wish your friends to attend, I will permit it. The exam will take place tomorrow at noon. You have made impressive strides in your training. Prepare you heart and mind, Sora, and I have little doubt you will prevail. And I can see there is still a question in your eyes."
"Um, yeah…who-?"
Sora half-glanced to Rachel and Riku. Where they here because one of them would be the one he was to fight?
Either would make sense. Of course one of Master Yen Sid's key points of their training was to be able to go all-out against a friend without hesitation. Who better than to prove he could do just that than against his best friend? Then again, Rachel would undoubtedly be fighting with all sorts of unpredictable magic, that would certainly keep him on his toes.
"That'd be me."
A voice came from behind. Sora turned. Bryan was leaning against the open doorframe. He had a crazy, evil smirk. Master Yen Sid had told him first about the Mark of Mastery for Sora; and whether or not he would be interested in assisting. Bryan was more than happy to oblige.
"So you and I will be facing off for real tomorrow." Sora said to Bryan when they were all dismissed from the sorcerers study. That would certainly be challenge if they met on the battlefield in more than a learning or sparring capacity. "I look forward to the challenge."
Surprisingly, Bryan laughed. This wasn't like a haha funny laugh. It was a little creepy.
"What?" Sora asked.
"Looking forward?" Bryan's man-snicker had a very obvious you-have-no-idea-what-you're-in-for edge. "Oh, trust me Sora, tomorrow you will definitely be singing a different tune; and if you're not careful, quite possibly a few octaves higher." They stopped just outside the door to Rachel and Bryan's room. "You've never actually fought me at my best before. Honestly? Since my last serious Heartless boss, the only person I've gone all apocalyptic with is my sister. As good as the rest of you are, she's the only one I trust to go full-throttle against and not have to worry about things getting out of hand.
"And passing the Mark of Mastery is a serious honor. Master made a good choice that you have to get through me to get it. The test for becoming a Keyblade Master has no room for friends. So, you can look forward to it if you like. But believe me, Sora, come tomorrow on the battlefield, I'm gonna rip you apart."
With those parting words he went into his room and closed the door.
Everyone was left in a stunned silence in the hallway.
"Wow…" Rachel breathed after a second.
"Is he serious?" Sora asked, honestly a bit freaked out.
"He sounded serious,"
"I honestly couldn't tell." Rachel said with a non-committal shrug.
That was hardly reassuring. Those two seemed to know each other inside and out. Sora had never heard Bryan be that cryptic before. And if that speech surprised his sister, was Sora in trouble? Rachel went back to the training castle shortly after.
Riku gave Sora a consoling pat on the shoulder. That made Sora uneasy. Yeah, the test to become a Keyblade Master couldn't possibly be easy or it wouldn't be worth it. Still, the way Bryan spoke was very uncharacteristic of him. Was he just trying to put Sora on edge? To see if he could shake him before an important battle? A psych-out tactic? Try and freak him out to test if he could work through it on the battlefield? Or was this truly going to be a fight unlike any he'd ever fought before?
"He actually said that?"
Lea and Kairi were told about the Mark of Mastery but weren't keyed into the details of what went on after until the next morning at breakfast. Neither Rachel or Bryan were there. That wasn't too much of a surprise. Rachel mostly stayed at the magic training castle so she wouldn't be in until probably just before the exam. Bryan was no doubt preparing for the showdown in his own way. This could of course range anywhere from careful meditation to just sleeping in.
"It was so out of character for him. I've never heard him so cryptic before." Riku commented. "I really don't think he was kidding."
"Wait a second," Lea said, piecing something together. "He's never gone all-out on us before? What about the whole thing about going postal on a friend so you can do worse to an enemy?"
"Maybe that part when he spars with us is just for our benefit." Kairi suggested. "Bryan has already mastered it. You've seen the way he fights with Rachel and that's just for practice. And she's family. The very first time we saw them sparring when we first met them shocked us," Kairi said, referring to the morning after meeting the sibling Masters. She had seen Sora and Riku get serious in a scuffle before but Rachel and Bryan looked like they were deliberately trying to hurt each other.
"I get what you're saying but now I'm annoyed. And that poses another question: just how strong is he?"
"That's a scary point." Riku said.
Rachel and Bryan had long-since told their friends about when Master Yen Sid allowed them to choose a direction for their training as his apprentices. Rachel wanted to follow the path of sorcery. Bryan wanted to be the greatest swordsman and learn all talents and secrets of his Keyblades. Just how seriously had he taken his training and just how far had he gotten?
"Besides," Kairi continued. "Everything will be fine. Sora will do great. He'll pass the test and come out better for it."
"Yeah, sure," Sora agreed, although his conviction sounded shaky.
"Don't second guess yourself! You're strong and you can hold your own just fine!"
"It's just-."
"No 'justs'! You'll be great!"
"So now not only are you excited and nervous about the test, you're also mentally conflicted about how serious Bryan was about skinning you alive and wearing you as a coat."
Sora looked a little green.
"Riku!" Kairi scolded. "Stop winding him up!"
"But it's so easy."