AN: Thank you Crazygal17, FluffleStar, and the_Traveller for your reviews! Also thank you for the Kudos on AO3, I really appreciate it! Sorry if this chapter comes off as odd. A very big reason I state NoShips in this fic is because I find TerQua extremely squick because I see them as Absolute Siblings, so please no shipping. Everyone's just friends here. D,X Also- Screw Terra and Eraqus for dumping comatose 12ish year old Ven on 14ish year old Aqua and peacing out, because lol Women's Work. Aqua was/is so mistreated by her closest peers, man. Please R&R!

If she could just get the word out
God knows she's trying, they're watching her with eyes closed
She's always stuck with the old route
Does anyone knock when they barge in to beat her down?
Will you come back; it's all she wants to know/She knows she's part of the problem too
Could she let it go, it'd take a miracle/So that's what I'm praying for
-Mae, Tisbury Lane
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was nearing a week since Sora's disappearance. The Guardians of Light had kept in close contact via chat messaging, so it was particularly concerning to Aqua what was being reported about Kairi's ailing condition.

Naminé was by her side and was doing her best to keep the girl active, but it wasn't going to work for long.

Kairi somehow figured out how to traverse into Sleep, and it was a very different and frightening method then Riku had taken, one that no one could really prevent her from pursuing.

Naminé was losing her grasp on the situation quickly.

On the plus side, it seemed Roxas and Xion were going to stay with Sora's father for the time being- in the very least, until Sora came home. It seemed they were all able to easily fall into a family pattern that the two former Nobodies never had the chance to experience previously.

Not that it didn't mean they didn't get into trouble. Aeros was hypersensitive to the Corridors of Darkness, and they couldn't easily leave through the Dark Portals after the first time they came and went from Destiny Islands.

Riku needed his own Gummi Ship to help keep the peace.

Thankfully, Terra had already begun to plan out with Riku what the younger teen knew about Wielding, and just what it was he still needed to be taught. That way, the Gummi Ship needed for travel would come soon enough once Chip and Dale completed it.

It was a start.

Aqua just wished she could do the same for Kairi, and take her under her wing as an apprentice.

...Maybe she could look after Xion and Roxas along with Ven for the time being.

It was with these thoughts and worries that Aqua received a package for Terra from Master Yen Sid.

She looked over the plain white box, and its lack of an opening. She smiled wryly to herself as she brought it to where Terra was making a list in the Study, "Special delivery, just for you."

Terra paused from his work to glance up at her, "A delivery? For what?"

Aqua shrugged as she set it near her friend. He looked it over in confusion before placing his hand on it. The box disappeared in a mist of sparkles.

Within it was a capsule with a thick white casing with golden embellishments. It faintly reminded the two of the architecture of the Castle, and little of what they'd glimpsed in Scala ad Caelum.

Terra carefully lifted it, looking it over as Aqua noticed a letter carefully sealed beneath it. He hummed, "What do you think this is?"

Aqua looked it over, "...When I became a Master, there was a similar scroll hidden away in the Castle. It was held in a container similar to this one, and all the Master did was pull on a specific part of it, and it pulled out a small section of the parchment stored inside. His was the last name on it before he had me write mine as the up and coming ruler and protector of this World."

Terra mulled that over sullenly before carefully setting it down and looking at the letter. He stared at Master Eraqus's seal and smiled wistfully before he glanced up at Aqua, "And Master Yen Sid this was just for me?"

Aqua pursed her lips for a moment, "...I believe so. You want me to leave so you can read it by yourself?"

Terra stared at her for a long moment before returning his gaze on the envelope, "...Yeah. Sorry."

She smiled warmly, "No, it's alright. I'm sure it's something important, and I know you'll tell me if you think it's necessary."

He nodded as she took a step back and let herself out of the Study.

Terra stared at the parchment in his hands for a long miserable moment as he remembered his Master.

The man he'd help weaken before Master Xehanort cut him down.

The man who tried to kill his best friend over some ancient weapon.

The man who was like a father, who's Heart hand clung to him throughout all of those years of imprisonment, loneliness, and suffering. Who's Heart encouraged him with silent whispers to stay strong and fight.

The man who gave him Hope, who in the end, helped resolve everything Xehanort had set out to do Peacefully and with Gentle Words.

Terra took a deep breath and broke the seal.

Terra,

By the time you are finally able to read this letter, I will probably be long gone. I know not what will have become of me, but what I do know is that what you face now is merely a matter of self doubt and a lack of confidence to pass your Mark of Mastery.

I apologize to you all, for though I have done my best to teach you all about the Worlds, I greatly rejected Darkness in all of its forms.

So much so that it only caused it to fester within your Heart even further.

Forgive me. I did not want you to suffer as I did at the devastating reality of what Darkness can do to a person. Xehanort is the root of my abhorrence of Darkness. The scars on my face, and the deep wounds in my Heart.

He was a beloved friend and brother to me. While we were young we both used Light and Darkness in equal measure, balanced as it should be.

But then Xehanort rejected the Light, so I in turn rejected the Dark.

I was foolish and heartbroken. I have only possibly caused you, Aqua, and Ventus more pain in abstaining from teaching you about Darkness.

You three are all my beloved children, loved equally in measure.

But you alone carry my blood.

Forgive me for my silence, my son.

I am sorry I could not protect your mother from that terrible disease she suffered. I have been blessed, to be able to take you under my wing and raise you, even under the guise of a Stranger so that you could grow into the man you have become.

I know not what will become of this journey I have set you and Aqua on. I can only hope that Ventus can be retrieved before it is too late.

The item I am leaving to you is the detailed tree of our family's root. Our bloodline that runs as far back as the Age of Fairy Tales, when the Lost Masters still walked this earth.

Before the First Keyblade War that Xehanort is so obsessed with.

You and I are the last known carriers of what they call the 'Blue Blood' of Keyblade lineage.

I never took pride or prestige in it, but it is my duty to pass along the information our family has so carefully safeguarded about the Truths that were learned about the Keyblade War.

About the Foretellers who disappeared.

The rise and fall of Daybreak Town, as it was transformed into Scala ad Caelum. The place where all Worlds Once Sprang. The knowledge left behind by our ancestor Brain, a Union Leader of the Dandelions chosen by Master Ava.

And the four other Union Leaders who were sent ahead into Time.

The names that were left behind, Ephemer, Skuld, Laurium, Ventus, Strelitzia, and Elrena.

I hope that perhaps you might find the answers that I was too afraid to even entertain. I will protect my family at any cost.

I love you, my beloved son, Terra.

Beware the return of the Black Box, and the Master of Masters.

May your Heart be Your Guiding Key.

-Master Eraqus

Terra read the letter over again and again, as tears burned his eyes and wet his cheeks.

It was so much to take in and understand, the burden the Master had left to him.

There had been several times Terra had entertained the idea of the Master actually being his father, but they were thoughts easily cast aside. It was simply too easy to fall into the idea that he was special, that he could be treated with either more favor or strictness compared to Aqua.

But to not only find out that it was true, but the incredible responsibility that came with it?

Terra couldn't help but feel glad the Master hadn't told him.

It still would have been better coming from his lips than after his grave.

Perhaps that was why he was so quick to give him a second chance after his initial failure to pass his Mark.

Maybe this is what he would have finally passed on to him, as proof that he was truly ready to bear the weight and responsibility of being a Keyblade Master.

He'd failed rather miserably.

However, he would bear this weight in silence, just as his Master did, and learn all that his Master knew on the subjects he spoke of.

His most personal study had always been off limits.

Perhaps now he would finally open that door.

He needed to speak with Master Yen Sid.

"Kairi is going to place herself in the care of those at Radiant Garden, and fall into Slumber."

Naminé's solemn voice came through the group call late in the evening two weeks after Sora disappeared.

"I've done everything I can to stop her, to try and find a different way, but it's all come up empty. I'm not really sure of what I should do with myself, if I should stay by her side or not… but I will stay at the Castle, at least for a little while to make sure she's alright."

Aqua felt intense grief grip her Heart, as she thought of how badly she had failed her apprentice, "Where are you now?"

"Riku and I are going with her to Radiant Garden now. We're going to look after her as she begins her journey… and then I believe Riku will be going over to you."

Aqua closed her eyes solemnly, "I see… I understand." She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

It hurt, to have been trapped in the Realm of Darkness, the Dark World for so long, only to be hardly able to help anyone in the Light. It didn't help her lingering loneliness and trauma from that Dark and terrible place.

"Thank you for the update, Naminé. Riku, please let us know when you're on your way to The Land of Departure."

"Got it."

Aqua ended the call on her end, carefully putting away the Gummi phone before taking a walk around the grounds of the Castle.

She never did learn about the letter and item Terra received, other than it was personal and that he couldn't talk about it yet.

She could wait.

Aqua had learned great and terrible patience in that regard.

That didn't mean she didn't find herself consumed with unreasonable rage she turned inward.

She sighed as she contemplated the idea of taking on Xion and Roxas as apprentices for the umpteenth time. Sure, Lea was also new to the Keyblade Wielding business, but he and Kairi had trained together.

His combat experience made up for a lot of his lack, and showed to be an incredible boon for Kairi's inexperience.

She paused at the training area, where Ventus was busy hitting the training mechanisms in an attempt to fully reclaim his physical strength and stamina.

Having others by his side would be a real benefit. Both to give him partners to train with since she and Terra were no longer active daily, as well as a different set of experiences to learn from.

Perhaps they could all benefit from it.

She took out her phone, and stared at the unsent invitation she had written to Xion and Roxas in a private message a few days ago.

It didn't really feel wise to bring this subject up then… but now, she had nothing to lose.

She finally hit Send.

Aqua and Ventus came to meet Riku when he landed. He looked around in wonder, "It's amazing to think that this place used to be Castle Oblivion…"

Aqua raised an eyebrow, "You're familiar with when I'd had the Land of Departure sealed away?"

Riku nodded, "Sora's memory was lost, but I certainly remember it. For some reason we had to use Cards and combine them to attack."

Aqua's face went blank, "...Why Cards..?"

Ventus chuckled, "You don't even know how the Castle worked when it was sealed?"

Aqua shrugged as she looked to her friend, "I didn't exactly stick around after I made sure you were safe. I never planned to be gone that long, you know."

Ventus rubbed his head awkwardly, "Ah, right…"

Riku smiled, "Well anyway… I guess Terra's still working on a few things?"

Aqua hummed in affirmation, "Yeah. For now, we're gonna give you the tour."

Riku nodded and waved a hand, "Lead the way."

So they went, Aqua and Ventus making a bit of a show of the Castle and all of its rooms. Some areas were still blocked off, but otherwise it took a couple of hours to get around the main building, and check out the training facilities.

Riku was rather surprised by it all.

The two proceeded to tell him how a usual day of training went, and how they'd lived their lives until that fateful Mark of Mastery a little over ten years ago.

Now they had yet to acclimate into a new norm.

Riku rubbed his head as he glanced to Ventus, "So how are you holding up, Ven?"

The blond looked up to him, "Huh?"

Riku waved a hand as they made their way back to the Castle from the training grounds, "I mean, I know when we went into the Keyblade Graveyard you said you were alright… But I can tell you've been training a lot since then. You seem a bit stronger."

Ventus rubbed his head, "Ah… yeah. At the time I hadn't totally realized just how out of shape my body was. Between how strong I'd been when I went to Sleep… and then living through Sora's life and memories, I was kinda not at all prepared for my body not to react like I thought it should."

Riku hummed, "I suppose Sora could relate. After he woke up after being asleep for the better part of a year, he was a little out of shape himself. He recovered pretty quickly, but he definitely seemed uncomfortable at first."

Aqua smiled at the two, "Well, hopefully Ven will be back to full strength in no time. I wasn't exactly in my best condition at the Graveyard either." She shook her head, "Spending so much time fighting endlessly in the Dark Realm, unable to eat or sleep… Just continuously walking and fighting. It was an incredible mental and physical burden that caught up to me during that fight. I froze when my strength was needed the most."

Riku looked at her solemnly, "It would have been nice if we'd have had a chance to prepare… but well, it's not like Xehanort was going to wait for us to do that."

Aqua nodded as Ventus opened the Castle door for them, going through and heading up to the main room where the Master's thrones were.

She stared at the three vacant seats and sighed, "Do you think Roxas and Xion would be willing to come to train as well?"

Riku hummed as Ventus was shocked, "Wait, what's going on?"

Aqua crossed her arms and looked away in contemplation, "Well… I'm not really feeling up to rejoining training just yet… and I thought it might help you to have others to fight with, like before our Exam. I also thought it might be good to see where Roxas and Xion were in terms of knowledge. Similar to what Terra's doing with Riku, really." She looked at the two boys, "In the end, it's up to them if they're willing. I just thought… I'd ask. With everything that's happened with Kairi… I feel like I really failed her."

Riku frowned, "But Aqua, Kairi only started wielding a Keyblade less than half a year ago, and I was the one who handed her Destiny's Embrace."

She smiled at him sadly, "That might have been the case, but I can still tell that I was the one who did the Ceremony with her. It may not have been a formal one, like what I suspect was done between you and Terra, but… She still carries a tiny spark that denotes her as my apprentice."

Riku sighed, "Oh…" He looked at Ventus, "Kinda makes me wonder if, because Ven's Heart was inside of Sora, if that's why he ended up Wielding a Keyblade… Or if it was just Destiny Islands itself that gave it to him because my Heart was too weak."

Aqua looked at Ven in question, while Ventus looked between the two. He allowed himself to think for a while, crossing his arms before finally shaking his head. "I think he's always had it." He glanced at Riku, "I don't think what you're saying is wrong though. I think there are several factors that went into why Sora ended up with a Keyblade… but I don't think he inherited the ability from me." He looked to Aqua.

Aqua hummed as she mulled it over, "I know when I ran into Riku and Sora on the Play Island, I could only sense that Riku had the gift passed onto him. I had honestly planned to do so with Sora, but… I didn't want a repeat of what had happened to us, to happen to you two." She looked at Riku once more.

Riku placed his hands on his hips for a long moment, "...Is it possible... that the Ceremony was done when he was an infant by his Mother? But… because he was so young, and maybe because it was done in a way that hasn't been done before, it just became suppressed over the years, or had a lesser chance of happening?"

Aqua mulled that over while Ven finally spoke again, "Well… I know when Destiny Islands was falling, I remember becoming sort of aware… and that his Keyblade was already present inside of his Heart, ready to be summoned. I just gave it a little nudge, and it went to him when he needed it most."

Aqua rubbed her head, "Well, in any case, all of this is conjecture, and we may never really find the true answer. Not unless Sora's mother returns and is able to tell us herself, since I'm sure Sora himself doesn't even know."

The two boys nodded as Terra finally met them in the throne room, "Sorry I took so long, guys." He smiled at Riku, "Welcome to the Land of Departure. May your time spent here be of benefit to you."

Riku smiled with a nod, "Thank you for taking me."

The plans for Riku's training were reviewed, and by the end of it Roxas and Xion had made their decision.

They would also train with Ven for the duration of Riku's tutelage under Terra and would join the next day.