AN: Thank you for the kudos on AO3! Please R&R!
Everything in time
Set your eyes upon the shallow surface
Hollow out your mind
How divine, you disengage your self
-Demon Hunter, The Heart of a Graveyard
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The first time Ventus began to awaken within Sora's Heart, after so many years blissfully wrapped in its warmth and dreaming through Sora's childhood days, it had been when Destiny Islands fell.
It was vague, but Sora's fear and confusion had been so strong that it gripped even him from the vestiges of his Sleep.
He'd barely had the strength to open his 'eyes' as it were, that all he could do was push forward the very tiny ball of Light that had been resting deep in Sora's Heart… or, the soul of the Kingdom Key, up to the surface of his Heart Station.
He'd fallen back Asleep then, but he was no longer in a Deep Slumber.
The second time he'd become aware again, Sora was forgetting himself.
Honestly, Ventus was almost too used to forgetting things that it didn't even phase him that Sora was being manipulated.
That was, until he found himself standing on his own Heart Station, unable to move, and his eyes just barely open.
He stood there for some time, absently seeing Sora's actions as he went further and further into the Castle of Oblivion.
Honestly, every time Sora ran into that pink haired guy his head hurt and he just wanted to go back to Sleep.
Still, despite being unable to do anything he couldn't help but begin to wonder why it was that he'd regained a vague semblance of his own form. He wasn't really able to move, and he was still just the small Light of his Heart… but he had a body.
As see through as it was.
The sound of a girl gasping made him just a tiny bit more alert.
"What…?" White sandals filled his vision, bare legs, and the hem of a poorly cared for white dress came into view.
The faintest recognition of something-someone similar slipped in and out of his mind with a trembling fear that was quickly forgotten and pushed away.
"...Who are you..? And why..are you here?"
Ventus wasn't able to answer, but the girl's timidity lessened. Slowly she examined him with a little more courage, "You're not… a part of Sora's Heart, are you?"
He barely was able to shake his head in the negative, but it seemed she saw it all the same.
"I see." She gasped, "Oh no.. the Links of your Memory… They're… They might get tangled up in Sora's if I'm not careful."
He minutely gathered the strength to lift his head, to try and get a look at her face. He only managed to lift his head enough to see her neck, taking in the sight of her light blonde hair. He was still so tired.
"Your memories… they're so sad."
He couldn't respond, but he carefully examined her body language.
She was a weak Heart of Light, so much like his own. Almost like a newborn's, yet being forced into the existence of someone older. She was afraid, almost too afraid, and her body wasn't built for battle.
He took in a breath, and forced his mouth to whisper to her, "Fight."
She gasped, clutching her chest fearfully, "I'm not… I'm not someone who can pick up a weapon to harm others. It doesn't matter that I came from Sora and Kairi both… I still-"
"You're… Heart… Fight. Only you… can." Ventus's head fell down to his chest as his eyes almost closed. He was still not ready to Wake up.
The girl stood there as his body began to fade away, leaving only his Heart, a ball of Light, to float in front of her.
Cautiously, she gently caressed his Heart as she seemed to examine his Memories. "I see… so you mean… I should do what I can with what power I do have."
Yes.
Carefully, he gently pushed some of his Courage to her.
I too was afraid to Fight… but I had to protect my friends, no matter what. Even if it meant my end. I was willing to Fight for them… so that they could Live.
Naminé closed her eyes, slowly nodding in understanding. The Heart was such a strange and fickle thing, but what this Sleeping Heart was saying to her…
She slowly released Ventus's Slumbering Heart as it slowly sunk back into his dormant Station of Awakening.
She would Fight with the Power bestowed upon her, and right the wrongs she had committed.
Sora deserved that much.
The next time Ventus was awoken, he was floating over someone else's barely formed and fragile Heart Station.
He dimly looked it over, the vision of a girl with black hair, as if sitting on a ledge staring out into the horizon.
He looked around, eyes settling on the back of the girl who's image he floated over. Ventus's Heart slowly came closer to the stained glass, until the slightest flicker of his body touched down on it.
Her head shot up, as if listening for something, before she slowly turned around and saw him.
The black haired girl became confused as she saw the ghost of himself standing there, too tired to lift his head or fully open his eyes.
She walked over to his Heart, "...Roxas?"
Ven…
The girl continued to stare at him, baffled, "What are you doing in my Heart..?"
Not… sure… Sleeping…
The girl bowed her head, a frown on her face, "Oh… I think… I might be asleep too." She looked him over a moment longer, "I'm Xion. You… look a lot like my best friend."
...Really? I'm just… me.
She smiled warmly a moment before looking around as sadness crept back in, "I don't know what to do."
There was a long moment of silence before his Heart gently nudged her. She blinked as she looked at his immobile body before she continued, "I… I was created… to steal Sora's memories, and to replace Roxas… but… He's my friend! I don't want to be the reason he fades away into Nothing. But… if I don't, I'll be erased. It will be like I'd never existed!" Tears had gathered in her eyes. "Is that… selfish of me?"
He mulled her words over carefully before responding.
I gave up my life for the sake of my friends… But it's not selfish to not want to be erased from existence.
In the end, my desire to protect my friends and the Worlds brought me to my answer.
Xion wiped her eyes, sniffling. "I don't know… if I have that kind of courage."
That's ok. In the end, it's up to you to decide what's best, not only for you, but everyone you care about.
No one can judge you for not wanting to fade away.
Xion placed her hands over her Heart and closed her eyes, "Axel, Roxas… I don't want them to forget about me."
Have Faith in the bond you share… You're friends right? Your Hearts are connected. No matter how their mind forgets, deep inside of their Heart, your memory will remain, no matter how deep it's buried.
Xion breathed for several moments, soaking in his words. She opened her eyes, resolution and unmistakable grief in equal measure. "I understand. Thank you… Ven."
Let Your Heart be Your Guiding Key.
He faded into wakeful Slumber as his Heart returned to his Station.
Ventus was now Aware.
It didn't seem like very long until he woke up again. Ventus blearily looked around his Heart Station, attempting to discern what woke him up this time when he realized it was Sora himself who'd finally woken up.
He sleepily examined Sora's thoughts as they trickled down to his Heart.
It seemed he was uncomfortable and confused, but happy to see his friends.
But… something about his voice was bothering him..?
It was strange… Ventus recognized that voice, it was one that had brought him fear and anger…
But coming from Sora, it made him smile a little as he stared upwards in a daze. Ventus closed his eyes and reached out to Sora's Heart and gently squeezed his shoulder in reassurance, before fading away into Sleep again.
It was almost no time at all before he opened his eyes again, coming to face the back of a boy who looked weirdly like himself in a black coat.
...Roxas?
The boy whipped around, summoning his Keyblades and looking around angrily until his eyes settled on Ventus's Heart.
He frowned, lowering his Keyblades and walking over to the Light floating over his Station. "What do you want?"
Ventus could feel the boy's anger. Anger at having everything taken away from him so mercilessly.
Your Heart is hurting… and I guess… I came.
Roxas scoffed as he glared off to the side. It was more than bizarre for Ventus to see his face so angry. Let alone on someone else. What the heck had happened for that- oh right.
Probably when Sora stabbed himself with that Keyblade and they fell into Darkness together.
...Had part of himself slipped into this angry boy in front of him?
A thought for another time.
Roxas frowned at the floating Heart in front of him, "It's not fair. Why did I have to fade away for him."
Ventus didn't have an answer.
Roxas slumped and closed his eyes, tears of anger and frustration gathering in his eyes, "Was it so wrong… for me just to exist!?"
...My existence was made to bring about the end of all the Worlds… to form… some sort of terrible weapon.
Roxas's shoulders scrunched up as he sucked in a breath. He grit his teeth, angry, before slowly relaxing again as he straightened up. "I must sound pretty stupid, huh?"
Not at all. It's not wrong to want to live, to be your own person.
I'm sure Sora will one day feel the same about you.
Roxas gasped, before looking away in shame, Oblivion and Oathkeeper fading away as he allowed his rage to dissipate, "I was… supposed to do something. I don't remember who it was for, and why… But… I was trying to destroy Kingdom Hearts."
But you weren't able to.
Roxas shook his head in the negative before looking at the Sleepy Light in front of him.
Pass those feelings onto Sora. He'll understand.
Roxas frowned, "But those feelings. They're mine."
But you're not able to do anything anymore.. At least… Not right now. It's ok to share your burden with Others. If you have the same goal, why not share that weight?
Roxas closed his eyes and breathed for a long moment. "I refuse to go down without a Fight."
Good.
Roxas's eyes shot open as he looked at the floating ball of Light in front of him, "But you just said-"
I never said to roll over and let yourself fade away. Just that you should allow yourself to receive help from others.
Roxas stared blankly at the Heart for another long moment before relenting. "I… think I understand what you mean."
Eventually the boy nodded, "I still won't let myself fade away… but I guess… I'll make sure Sora understands my feelings." He smiled sadly, "I guess… I'll let myself believe he can finish what I started." He looked at the Heart as it slowly started to rise away into the darkness above, "Leaving already?"
I guess so… Stay strong, Roxas.
Ventus almost jolted awake some time later. A terrible Dark and Oily feeling coiling in his stomach. What…?
A Dark sinister chuckle reverberated over his Heart Station, as if it were something nearby.
This Heart… it's nothing but our Prison, Ventus.
He grit his teeth as his body became more and more solid, until he was standing fully formed on his Heart Station. "Vanitas!"
The coiling Dark laughed as familiar boots slowly paced their way onto his Station, "What a shame, that they're dragging Sora's Heart so close to a never-ending Nightmare."
Ventus felt sick at the sound of his Other's voice, the sick glee on his face that twisted Sora's face, "What are you doing here?"
"Why… I've been Sleeping, same as You. Only difference is, is I plan to Get Out."
Ventus got into a battle stance, summoning Wayward Wind to his hand, "I won't let you hurt Sora, or anyone else!"
Vanitas laughed as he summoned Void Gear, raising it above his head as if he were a viper ready to strike. A strange sort of ecstasy on his face as he immediately dashed forward to fight his Lighter half. He cackled in mad glee as Ventus blocked and parried, "You're so Weak now! You were almost better off before you ever took a single step away from home to chase after Terra!"
Ventus growled as he continued to fight, "What are you people planning to do to Sora's Heart!?"
"Steep it in everlasting Darkness." The insane laughter of his Dark half reverberated across his Station as Vanitas slammed him into the stained glass, "You won't be getting in my way, Brother."
Ventus struggled as Vanitas gripped his collar and lifted him off the ground with ease, laughing as he threw him into the Abyss. Ventus screamed as his body began to disappear, 'No!'
Vanitas laughed as he stared at his brother's Heart as it fell deeper, "Struggle, Brother, and despise your own futility as you find yourself still unable to save anyone."
Ventus reorientated himself, finding that his Heart was falling fast towards the Heart of another's- Sora's.
He gasped as he saw the boy's semplance of himself float down, as if asleep, and begin to sink into a swirling mass of Darkness.
Ventus went after him reaching out with all of his Heart to Protect him from corruption.
His Heart acted as a Shield, covering Sora's Heart head to toe in the Armor that had once protected Ventus from certain Death.
And then, he fell asleep once again, as the Darkness slowly ate away at his senses.
We can't… let them have their way.
Two Hearts Slumbered.
"...-ave Aqua from the Realm of Darkness!"
Ventus stared up blearily, lying flat on his back on his Station.
Aqua..?
He jolted up, still woozy from Sleeping, but suddenly interested. Aqua was in trouble..?!
He had to save her!
"I'll go!"
"But … -ou can't! You -t ha- the Pow- -kening yet!"
The feeling of confusion and embarrassment settled in the air around him as Sora was chastised for Ventus's impulse.
This happened again and again, Ventus slowly getting himself into a standing position every time.
His Heart was bursting. He wanted to help Aqua, and all those around Sora could do was laugh at him.
Ventus wanted to cry tears of frustration as Sora continued to be belittled. But he already has it! It's still there! The Power of Awakening is in his grasp!
Ventus let out a choked sob before crying out from the depths of his Heart, It's right HERE!
A Light burst into the Darkness, slowly glowing as it formed Sora's Heart Station above him in the gloom of his Heart's Slumbering Darkness.
I… have to Wake up!
Sora's Heart finally Listened. 'Yes! ...Tell me what to do..!'
The Power of Waking…
Sora's Heart felt shame, 'I can't… I still don't have it yet!'
Ventus sighed almost exasperated due to his worry for his friend, You never lost it… It Sleeps… until someone needs it. Call to it…
Light began to gather in the center of Sora's Station, slowly forming his image as he replied, 'I am calling, with all my Heart!' Sora summoned Kingdom Key, and suddenly a reaction occurred, a Light building in the center of his Station as it Awoke a Keyhole.
A light rippled out, changing the face of Sora's Station as its image faded into darkness, the Light of the Keyhole shining, waiting to be unlocked.
Finally, the Darkness of Sleep that had covered Ventus's Station began to flutter away like a flock of birds, revealing the face of his Heart.
Sora felt confidence rush through him, and he immediately grasped Kingdom Key with both hands, and shot the waiting beam of Light to the waiting Lock on Ventus's Heart. Light began to expand like ripples of water over the familiar Stained Glass.
Thank you… for always keeping me safe, Sora…
Ventus felt his body begin to respond to the desperation of his Will as his Heart shot out of the embrace of Sora's protection and into the Light.
Ventus Awoke.