Hey everyone! Here's the next chapter! I might take a break before doing the next chapter to do some side stories focusing on maleficent, other party members or Xehanort. Let me know in your reviews what you'd like to see. If I don't do it now, I'll likely do it after the end of Redcliffe. Anyway, on with the chapter!

Their descent was more noisy than Aqua had expected, each step into the basement echoing in the hallway. This hallway would be burned into her memory now, as she recalled how she had fought to keep herself from moving just a short time ago. She shook her head, clearing her mind of the forced kiss; she wasn't ready to bring it back to light yet. Her mind was still processing all that had happened. Instead she tried to focus on the feel of Terra's coarse hand as they walked close together. This was keeping her grounded. Whenever she imagined the way Vanitas's mouth moved against hers or how his tongue had slid over her lips, she simply gave Terra's hand a squeeze and the world began to be right again.

"So, when we get down to where the lyrium is, we should probably avoid too much physical contact with it." Aqua tried distracting herself.

"Did Vanitas hold you against your will?" Terra asked.

Aqua looked at him with a hint of utter disbelief.

"I know we have more important things to deal with right now, but if you don't talk to me then I'll have to bring it up. You can't avoid the situation forever."

She turned and started walking again only to be pulled back into Terra's broad chest before he pushed her against the wall and held a hand over her shoulder, leaving space between them. Despite the distance between their bodies, it felt like the very air was pressing in on her. His blue eyes were fixed on hers, gazing down with such an intensity she hadn't seen before when someone talked to her. She noticed her heart beating faster, betraying how she felt. There had been more than one times she had run away from situations like these in the circle, claiming to need more time to study so she could escape those walls. It had worked then; now was a different story. There were no books to hide behind. Now she may as well be a cornered rabbit.

"Terra-" Aqua looked in defiance. "We only have 30 minutes. We need to-"

"Aqua." His eyes softened. "I may not be the brightest flame, but even I can tell this whole thing has got your head in the clouds. It's not safe to go like that. I promised Eraqus I'd protect you and that's what I intend to do."

So he was only trying to fulfill his late mentor's wishes. Somehow that made the whole thing worse, although Aqua wasn't sure why. Had she imagined the way he looked at her? The way her heart skipped a beat when her name left his lips? How she had felt so secure with her hand in hers? Or how grounded she felt around him?

"Look, it's a thing that happens when I get too close to demons. I get mad around rage demons, sleepy against sloth demons and I guess I follow wherever a desire demon goes. Who knows how much more time Vanitas is going to give the Arl?"

"Okay. I didn't know." He pulled back. "Let's go."

"I guess I'm not 'playing my cards right', am I?" Aqua smirked. They had to go, but if he were going to give her slack about something she couldn't control, he would have to take what he dished out.

Terra immediately stiffened up as she spoke the line he had said to her only a few nights ago. He had read it in a book once and thought it had sounded cool, but hadn't really thought about the implications from their conversation as he said it. Now she was calling him out on it. Did he really feel that way about her? She was beautiful and could easily hold her own. But she was also clueless about certain things and occasionally headstrong. He certainly could do worse for a fellow Grey Warden and leader. It was just...the way his stomach dropped when Vanitas had claimed what was likely her first kiss. Not that he had any right to it at all, but she at least deserved to give it to whomever she pleased.

He held his hand out for her again, and she took it, releasing a small giggle over her win. The pressure she had felt standing so close to Terra dissipated and they began walking back toward the basement. As they got closer, Aqua could begin to feel the pull of the red Lyrium. It began as a small beat in the back of her head and grew until a full on pounding. If Terra were being affected in the same way, he was good at hiding it.

"This has got to be it." Aqua squeezed his hand.

Terra nodded and stepped beside her. He was feeling woozy from the red lyrium, but hadn't been shaking as badly as Aqua. At first he had thought they had been affected simply because they were Wardens. The tea they had taken at their joining refined the light inside them and perhaps that was what the lyrium was drawn to. However, maybe there was something more to it. After all, part of his templar training had included how to use lyrium. He had even learned about how it connected to the fade when talking about seeker training with Eraqus. Red lyrium though was wilder and more volatile. The red lyrium was likely affecting the two of them because of their magic and training. He was starting to feel the pulse of a headache spreading in his mind. This section was too close to the main vein. They would have another minute here, at best. At least now they knew where the tear was. They could go back to the group and-

There was no chance for that to happen. The pull of the tear had been too strong, and without warning had swallowed them up. Terra held on to Aqua's hand as best as he could manage, but in mere seconds everything went dark and he landed on the ground with a heavy thud. As he looked around, he could see a large and spacious hall with three large thrones at one end of the room and a stairwell on either side. There were large windows filtering sunlight in through the stained glass. If Terra hadn't known any better, he would have said he had been dropped into a palace in Orlais.

Terra

The man rubbed his head and looked around. There didn't seem to be a tear in the veil from this side of the fade. He needed to find Aqua and find her fast. Who knew what dangers were lying here, waiting for them to wander into a trap. Then there was the issue of needing to find Ventus. If his heart really was here in the fade, then all they needed to do was send it back to his body. Not that Terra had any idea of how to do that, of course. Maybe Aqua would? She might not have known how to get into the fade otherwise, but she had understood quite a bit from her studies. He had never even thought about what sorts of things mages learned. He only had his own memories of training and growing up with Ventus to rely on.

Each step rang through the massive empty hall just as loudly as his steps in the hallway had. Maybe there was a door, or some trail to follow down one of the sets of stairs. It didn't seem like it mattered which one he went down as they both led to the same place. He placed a hand on the banister ready to move down when the same bone chilling air that had appeared in Redcliffe castle began to swirl around his being, possibly leading him to the last person he wanted to see right now.

Vanitas.

"About time you two got here. Unfortunately it looks like your rocky entrance into the fade kept me from finding wherever Ventus's heart was lying around. It's hiding somewhere around here, most likely sleeping."

Terra summoned his keyblade and charged at Vanitas. The demon smirked and jumped in the air, leaving Terra with his keyblade stuck on the throne. Gingerly vanitas landed on the blade and sneered down at Terra. The Warden growled before pulling his weapon free and throwing Vanitas into the air.

"What did you do to Ven?"

"I already told you, nug-brain, I don't know. That's why I need your help."

"And why would I help you? I'm not about to lead you to my best friend."

"Not even if it's going to find your girlfriend?"

"She's not my-"

"Oh quit the crap." Vanitas rolled his eyes. "I saw the way you were pounding on the barrier when I stole that kiss. I could sense your desperation from miles away."

Terra grit his teeth. It had only been a couple of weeks since they had met. But they had lost and gained so much together. She was the only one who could have helped him carry the sorrow over Eraqus's death. They had struggled through the circle and he had managed to share one of his heaviest burdens with her, in part. Vanitas must have been trying to confuse him.

"It's not love, it's something different. Maybe camaraderie. People don't fall in love so quickly except for in stories."

"You sit in denial however long you want. It's what you did with your heritage, isn't it?" Vanitas shrugged. "You spent a lot of your childhood playing with Venty wenty and hoping that you really could be brothers."

Terra gasped. "How did you…?"

"I had access to his mind, duh. How else do you think I was able to go between your world and the fade? I'm using his body as an anchor. As long as his heart is out of it, I can hop in between whenever I want."

"Then why are you looking for his heart now?" Terra gripped his keyblade.

"Look, let me make this blatantly clear. If I don't have the heart, I can only stray so far from his body. If I can get to his heart, then I can possess him and go where I please. Get it, Merlin?"

Terra wasn't about to stand for this mockery any more. This demon could talk about his father King Hermod all he wanted; Terra didn't care. The man had left his mother, who in turn had left him. There was no familial relationship between the two anymore- there hadn't been for a long time. But Vanitas was threatening Ventus, and that was simply unacceptable. He lunged at the demon and swung his keyblade diagonally across his body. It managed to hit Vanitas simply because he hadn't expected Terra to fight back. With a smirk and a quick look over the man's weapon, he brought forth his own weapon. It had more teeth in the key section and was black and red. He held it up and assumed his battle stance.

"Winner gets what they desire. If I win, I get Ventus, no questions asked. If you win, I'll show you to the Arl. Pretty sure your girlfriend is heading there, anyway."

"Tidus is here?Then I have no choice. I have to win."

"Before you ask, Vanitas leapt forward and pushed his blade against Terra's till their faces were incredibly close. "I'm the reason the Arl is still hanging onto life. As long as his heart remains in the fade, he'll survive."

Then it was hopeless to save him without getting some kind of cure first. Terra thought. If only there were some way to get a message out to the real world.

Terra slammed his keyblade harder against Vanitas, pushing the demon back. He seemed to be pleased that the warden had such strength. In all his time studying with the templars and chantry members, strength was something Terra could do right. It was a way he could gain approval from those in charge. Instead of whispers of lineage, passive aggressive remarks or side glances they finally told him they were proud and thought he could make Templar commander one day.

In anger Terra began a barrage of attacks against Vanitas, every nerve alive with adrenaline. If there were ever a battle he needed to win, it was this one. He would do it to make Eraqus proud. To prove he wasn't a useless noble or a commoner no one. He was Terra Theirin of the Grey Wardens. And he was going to protect his friends and save his world. Vanitas was only a step in his progress.

Vanitas was fast though, occasionally disappearing altogether before appearing above Terra's head. The man dodged before getting slammed on by his opponent's blade. On one such occasion, he took the opportunity to attack Vanitas's side. With a powerful stroke of his keyblade, Terra sent Vanitas flying once again. A low growl escaped the enemy's throat as he rose up and threw his weapon. It landed squarely on Terra's back and knocked the breath out of him.

Again Vanitas hit him, but after that, Terra was prepared. He spun around and dodged before hastily slashing toward him. Vanitas fought a bit like one of his old training partners back in the Chantry. Terra always had a bit of trouble defeating him back then with all of his crafty moves. Eraqus had always said you could tell a lot about a man by the way he used his weapon. Terra's fighting style had always been straightforward and intense, just as he knew he could be. Based on the way Vanitas was fighting, Terra knew he had to keep a strict eye on him.

In the brief moment that Terra was distracted by his thoughts, Vanitas swept his foot out and knocked the Warden down. Calling his keyblade back to his hand, Vanitas made the move to stab his keyblade into Terra's heart. That was where an opening presented itself. Terra utilized what little magic he knew and created a small earthquake around Vanitas's feet. This gave him enough leverage to knock Vanitas down while still getting up himself. As the warden was about to make the finishing blow, he stopped himself. Instead his keyblade remained mere centimeters from Vantias's head.

"You won...I guess." Vanitas replied slowly.

"Take me to the Arl." Terra stated simply, keeping his keyblade in hand.

"You gonna let me up at least?"

With a sigh, Terra recalled his keyblade. He kept his eyes on Vanitas as he slowly rose. It was the first time Terra had realized he was at least a head taller than this dreaded desire demon. Somehow he was inwardly satisfied to know this piece of information. As if to say they should get going, Vanitas turned and began walking away. With any luck, they should be in and out in no time.

Aqua

Upon waking up, aqua rubbed her head. The last thing she could remember was being torn away from terra, and then she was here. If anything, she was at least grateful that the headache was gone. She looked around to take in her settings. She was outside somewhere, as high above her head was an endless sky full of stars. Under her feet was a courtyard of some kind with soft green grass and dim lights attached to swinging hoops in the middle of a field. The piece of ground where the courtyard resided was floating in the sky.

Connected to the courtyard was a long, thin stretch of land that seemingly went on and on. Aqua tried calling to Terra, but there was no response. They had been separated so forcefully and the fade was so large that there was no way to know where he could have gone. How long would he last in the fade? He was strong, sure, but it had been a while since they got a chance to rest. So much had happened in just the short time they had been together. Aqua was due for a nap.

So she began to walk, step by step, followed by the sweet aroma from the flowers in the courtyard. A gentle breeze pushed her forward. Even though she knew she was in the fade and time was of the essence, there was still a calming feeling that had overtaken her. Maybe it was sheer exhaustion taking over or perhaps it was a spirit in the fade, but as she was walking down the small strip of land, she could have sworn she heard a voice on the wind. It was sad and very faint, seeming to move with the breeze itself as opposed to being carried from one place.

"Who are you?" The voice whispered.

"I should be asking you the same question." Aqua looked up as if the owner of the voice were simply floating above her.

"You don't look like a demon, so i guess it would be okay to tell you." The voice fluttered from one shoulder to another. "My name is Ventus, but my friends call me Ven."

"Ventus?" Aqua gasped. "Where are you?"

"Right here. Can't you see me?" Aqua felt a slight breeze where a hand should have been on her shoulder.

"No, I'm sorry. Your body is back in the castle. What's left here must be your heart...or something."

"So I can go back to it?"

"That's what I'm here for. My name is Aqua and I'm a friend of Terra's."

The wind blew playfully around her, shifting her robe and mussing up her hair. She laughed as it lofted her off the ground before placing her back down. The wind was speaking so quickly and moving around her head that she could barely understand what was being said. She caught bits and pieces about missing the man and how much he's grown over the years.

"Terra's really here?" The wind settled. "Well come on, lets go see him!"

"I'm sorry Ventus, but we can't do that. Terra and I were separated when we entered the fade. I'm just as lost as you are."

"Hmm...I guess that is a problem. The only other place this road leads to is a town with a really nice water fountain and bell tower in it. We could check there." Ven suggested.

Aqua nodded, seeing it was likely the best option they had, Aqua began to walk, the wind softly brushing her as she moved. They still had a bit of a wall ahead of them. Far in the distance she could see the town Ven had referenced. At least they could get to know one another as they walked.

"So, you said you know Terra. How did you guys meet?" Ventus asked.

"Well, I was recruited into the Grey Wardens and met him at Ostagar."

"Wait, you're a Warden, too? That's so cool. Tell me, what do they do at the joining? What's it like? Can I join, too?"

Aqua paused. She hadn't been told any of this when she had joined. Eraqus would have told her if the information was widespread. Come to think of it, there hadn't been anything about the joining or the Warden order in any of the books she had read, either. Maybe that was because it was a secret? After all, it likely wasn't good for the knowledge of the Dawn's Mirror flower to be out and about. Who knew how many would die without understanding the risks they took. Which gave her a mental reminder to ask Terra about everything when they got back. There had been one or two surprises even after she had joined, and she needed to know everything. Secrecy may have served the Wardens well, but it wouldn't do to keep quiet among each other.

"No, I'm sorry Ven. I don't think I can. But once we find Terra, he can tell you all sorts of stories of where he's been."

He sighed. "I'd like that. Terra's been like a brother to me. He may have gotten sent away to be at the chantry and with the templars a lot when I was growing up, but he always made time to play with me when he could. I can still remember all of the sword fights we'd have with sticks. I think that's why my mom never liked him much."

"I think it's because of her heritage. She's from Orlais and gossip is practically a national pastime there. But I don't think she was ever comfortable with all of the talk in Orlesian court. Maybe it was one reason she wanted to come to Ferelden with dad."

"So when people started talking about Terra's heritage…"

"She tried to shut him out all together. Or at least avoid him. That's why she didn't want me playing with him. But he looked sad, so I couldn't leave him behind. Besides, he's always been really strong and cool. I want to be like him when I grow up."

"Maybe one day you will." Aqua nodded. "Say, Ventus. Speaking of growing up, when exactly did you realize you had magic?"

"Not long ago. Maybe a couple of years. I learned how to use the wind all on my own, but other things started to happen. Then I accidentally hurt one of our workers. She and her family ran our gardens and landscaping; I don't know how, but they made everything look amazing. Anyway, after it happened, a lot of people talked. Her family was sent away with some money in return for secrecy, but I don't even know where she is, or else I'd go and apologize."

So he had had some accidents, too. Memories of a time when she had burned her father came rushing into her mind. She also recalled a time when she had almost given away her secret to the Liadon family when, in her anger, nearly levitated a rock at the daughter's head. A flush of embarrassment filled her face. It was likely all part of finding out you had magic, but that didn't make it any easier. Ven had to go to the circle to learn how to control his powers. Living in the circle hadn't been all that bad. She had even made friends, even though she had foolishly put her studies above everyone and everything. She had always told herself it was because that was the only way to get out of the tower, but….deep in her heart she knew that wasn't the reason. If truth were told, she was scared of getting too close to anyone and ripped away. It had happened to her and everyone she grew up with. There had even been a couple of instances of live births that resulted in the parents being separated from the baby. Cid claimed it was for everyone's own good.

"Ven, you know that you're hurting people by staying out of the circle, right?" Aqua spoke softly.

The wind stopped blowing around her and settled in a small circle around her feet. It was blowing weakly with barely enough force to even move the loose cloth of her skirt. He had known that for a long time. Somewhere he thought that maybe he'd be strong enough, maybe he'd be an exception. But at the same time, he knew Aqua was right. He wasn't where he belonged, and only the circle could fix that. Perhaps it was already too late….

Just then, Aqua bent down and placed her hand where she felt the wind the strongest. To Ven's surprise, he felt a warmth coming from her, as if she were actually touching his shoulder. Even though it hadn't been too long since he had been brought into the fade by that demon, he had gotten lonely. For the first time since Terra left, he felt like someone had seen him- really seen him. Not as the Arl's son, not as an unreported mage. But as a kid who was still trying to figure things out.

"I know how you must be feeling. I was taken to the circle ten years ago after a demon attacked my home. For the first few months, I just tried my best to be the best mage I could, like my dad asked. Eventually I found a friend and made a home for myself. You just have to believe that maybe this will be good for you, too."

"But why does it have to be this way? Why do mages have to be locked up? Can't they just be free to be tutors or healers or something? I didn't ask for this life."

"I don't know. But I know that it's going to change, I promise. When the blight is over, I have a plan to help change the minds of the people about mages. We aren't dangerous and we aren't animals. I'll go to the royal court of Ferelden if I have to. Or even Thedas as a whole!" Aqua replied.

"Some of us are. Some of us summon desire demons like Vanitas." the wind subsided even further, and Aqua could only feel a hint of air passing across her palm.

"That was an accident. Besides, demons are always trying to get out of here. He probably sensed your desire to get the spell right and managed to come out. It doesn't help matters that your home is sitting on a huge vein of red lyrium."

"Do you really think it'd be okay if I went to the tower?"

"Yes. I know First Enchanter Mickey very well. I'm sure he'd love to have you there and would make sure you could fit in. You never know, maybe you'll even get to leave the tower before too long. It all depends on how hard you work and how quickly you'd be able to get your magic under control."

"They won't hurt me away because I summoned a demon?"

"Well, you might not be a favorite in Cid's book, but as long as you don't do anything else that's forbidden, you should be fine."

"He sounds grumpy. Like 'hey you mages. Get over there and clean those barracks. And I don't want to see a water spell!" Ven impersonated what he thought Cid might sound like.

Aqua laughed at his attempt. He actually wasn't too far from the truth. She was glad to be able to feel the wind at her hand stronger. It even began to pick up and move around her middle and then her shoulders. While it was still a little cold due to his emotions, it was warming up as he continued to do impressions of how he imagined life in the Circle to be like. As they kept conversing, she stood up and began to walk again, towards an unknown future.

To say she was anything but surprised once they arrived was an understatement. She had been here before, though it had been a long time. Perhaps it was part of the fade tricking her, but once she laid eyes on the fountain in the middle of the courtyard, images from her harrowing came back to her. At least there was no demon chirithy with her this time. Just a boy whose heart was hiding in the wind.

Redcliffe

The sun was going down on the town, and while many of the inhabitants hid in the chantry, those who were still in the castle felt more worry than they. Terra and Aqua hadn't returned from their trek into the basement. Kimahri and Stitch had traced their steps, but had found nothing. Pete told them there had been a noise in the other room over, but it was an empty room with a closet. They returned to the Bann and Arlessa whose faces fell when they returned empty handed.

"So what do we do now?" Yuna asked.

"We need to get ahold of the Circle of Magi. They'll be able to send a mage into the fade after them. I have a feeling they managed to find a way after the demon. Aqua seems to be a fully competent mage." Flynn responded. "I can send some of my best men."

Kimahri shook his head. He simply turned before saying "We go. Our mage."

"Empty the castle?" Stitch suggested. "Demon is gone."

"That's a good idea. Come on, let's go take care of that, Yuna."

Within the hour, the surviving castle staff was brought together and reunited with their families. Many of the townspeople were anxiously awaiting the return of the creatures, but when they didn't come, a collective air of relief washed over the town. All felt it, except for those in Aqua's company. They expressed their worry in different ways, but for them there was no sleep gained that night.

Okay, notes time!

So I think I mentioned seekers before, but they're basically the police of the police. They have rigorous training and eventually become incapable of being posessed and don't really need lyrium anymore.

Terra and Aqua both land in the Land of Departure, but they aren't connected here.

Nugs are little creatures that usually roam the underground where the dwarves live. They look a bit like pigs.

I chose to compare Merlin here to Einstein. Since he was such a great wizard and all.

The gardener who got hurt was Strelitzia