Ventus, Velle, and Aqua floated in the Lanes Between, knocked out from the force of the blast. Unbeknownst to Velle, Terra had succumbed to the darkness and was now possessed by Xehanort. His possession, however, was more serious than Velle's. Terra literally had a piece of Xehanort's soul inside of him, the poor warrior of light was locked away tight somewhere in his mind, mortified as he watched someone else control his body. Velle and Aqua had exerted too much of their energy and as they floated in the abyss a small figure inched towards them. It was King Mickey he was holding the star shard in one hand and with the other reached out for Aqua's. He was there to bring them back to the safety of Yen Sid's tower.
Aqua was the first to wake, having exerted herself surprisingly less than Velle had. She stirred and opened her eyes, finding herself flush against the floor. "Where am I?' she mumbled. The blue haired Keyblade Master sat up and looked around with confusion.
Yen Sid walked slowly up behind her, "Aqua, you and Vellum lost consciousness. Fortunately, Mickey found the three of you drifting in the Lanes Between, and brought you back to me to receive proper care." he explained slowly. "I'm sorry...but there was no sign of Terra."
Aqua sighed, not meeting the wizard's eyes. "I see…"
Velle groaned, the voices of Aqua and Yen Sid stirred her from her sleep-like state. "Ugh, my body hurts…" She mumbled as she sat up. She opened her eyes wide, "Where am I!?"
"It's okay Velle, we're with Master Yen Sid and King Mickey...Mickey saved us." Aqua informed her.
Velle nodded, she allowed the last few moments to sink in for a moment before she gasped, "Ven!"
Aqua jumped, how could she not have checked on him sooner? The two hopped to their feet and ran over to the unconscious boy who was leaning gently against the wall.
"Ven!" Aqua tried but got no response.
"Ventus!" Velle called a little louder, shaking his shoulder, but she also got nothing. She felt like her heart was in her throat, "What's wrong with Ventus? Why isn't he waking up?" Velle asked, she felt her eyes sting.
"The boy's heart is sleeping…" Yen Sid explained. Velle froze, she felt her heart breaking, she failed to save him.
Aqua, the ever rational one of the group, frowned, "When will he wake?"
Yen Sid looked down sadly, "I could not say. It is almost as though his heart has left Should it return, he may very well wake. Should it not, then he may sleep like this for all eternity."
Velle's tears fell freely down her cheeks and onto Ventus's hand, he didn't move, didn't hug her, didn't touch her cheek and tell her everything would be okay, he didn't even flinch. How could she have let this happen, how could she be so weak that she couldn't protect the boy she loved. Love...she never even had the chance to tell him that she loved him.
"No…" Aqua muttered. "I'll keep him safe, until he wakes, forever if I have to." Velle's hand held his as she cried quietly.
"I will tell you what your friend needs right now. It is not your protection. He needs you to believe. You see Ventus's heart hangs in the balance. It sleeps in a place between light and darkness. From all I can perceive, that means he will be looking for a friend, one who believes in him, to show him the way home." His large eyes fell on Velle's tearful form, she met his gaze with bloodshot eyes. "Just as long as you love him then Ventus will be able to find you when he wakes."
"He can?" Velle squeaked. That was the moment Aqua realized that Velle had been crying, her head shot up and she looked at her friend with sadness.
Yen Sid strolled over to his desk and took a seat, " He can follow that love back to where he belongs...beside you in the realm of light."
Mickey smiled ", Aw! Don't you worry, guys, I believe in ven, too."
Velle wiped her eyes, "Y-you do?"
"Gosh, he's been as good a friend to me as anybody. And if the three of us believe in him with all our hearts then he'll have three lights to follow instead of just one!" Mickey looked at Velle with a reassuring smile.
Aqua smiled, "Four lights… Terra." she reminded them.
Mickey frowned, his ears falling slightly, "But...Terra's gone. Maybe for good."
Aqua shook her head with confidence, "I think...I know how to find him." She took out her wayfinder and clutched it in her hands. Aqua turned to Velle, "We should go...we need to find Terra, Velle, he needs our help."
Velle sniffed but stood to her feet, "Right!"
"I'll carry him, just help me get him on my back," Aqua stated. Velle did as she asked and the two walked out of the Mysterious Tower.
"Ven needs a safe place to stay, Aqua." Velle said quietly. She was acting different, almost fragile.
"Velle, I-" Aqua started but gasped when she felt Ventus move.
"Ven!?" Velle exclaimed, but there was no response. He did however summon his keyblade and open a portal for them. "Where do you think that leads?" Velle asked, eyeing the portal warily.
"There's only one way to find out, come on!" Aqua announced, the two friends walked into it with Ventus in tow. They walked slowly out of the portal and into the Land of Departure but something wasn't right. Aqua and Velle's eyes widened as they looked upon what once was their home. The ground beneath them had been fractured, and the castle itself had been distorted almost beyond recognition. Aqua's eyes fell on a lone keyblade laying in front of them, it was Master Eraqus's. She sighed, feeling saddened by the loss of her Master. Aqua picked Eraqus's keyblade up. She remembered the last words she said to Eraqus as she promised to bring back Terra and show him that he had what it took to become a Master. And then she remembered the last bit of knowledge her Master bestowed upon her and what he wanted her to do to the land of departure if he fell in battle. Aqua set Ventus down in one of the thrones and walked to the center of the chamber.
Velle knelt to examined the blonde's sleeping face, he looked peaceful, not like he was in pain of any kind. She leaned in and pressed her lips to his cheek, "Ventus, can you hear me?" she whispered. "Ven, come back to me, please…" She felt the familiar feeling over tears running down her cheeks. "Please, Ven...I-i...I love you, I didn't get to tell you before..." This time she pressed her lips to his and sighed sadly when she received no response, of course it wouldn't be that easy. She turned to see what Aqua was doing and gasped when she realized they were in a different room.
"What...happened? Where are we?" Velle asked, standing upright.
"This is a place that Master Eraqus called Castle Oblivion…" Aqua walked up to Ventus and patted his hair down like a child. "I know it's a lonely place but it's safe. Terra, Velle, and I will be back to wake you up before you know it. Come on Velle, Terra needs us."
Velle turned back to look at Ventus. "I...I can't go with you, Aqua."
"What? Velle, I need your help." Aqua countered.
"No you don't, you never did. You're a Master on your own...if we plan to save Ventus he'll need more than just our belief in him. He'll need our strength...and I'm not strong enough yet." Velle explained to her, she sounded as if she had wisdom beyond her years.
"But Terra needs us, Velle!" Aqua argued.
"Terra needs you, Aqua. If you really care about him as much as I know you do then this is something only you can do." Velle looked back at Ventus again before they walked out the door. "And I need to get stronger for Ventus." Her heart hurt, for some reason she knew that Aqua would not be successful in her endeavors.
…
I knew one of us had to go on.
…
There was much more at stake then just Ven and Terra-
…
The light was in danger.
…
Aqua, I'm sorry…
…
But I know you'll understand-
…
When I come to get you too.
…
Aqua shook her head, "No, Velle, we shouldn't split up. It's too dangerous."
Velle fixed her older friend with a look, "It's been dangerous, or have you not noticed?"
"What if Vanitas is still out there?" Aqua countered.
Velle snorted, "I hope he is, I could use a punching bag right now."
Aqua's eyes became glossy, "I don't want to lose you too, Vellum. You're like a little sister to me."
Velle smiled, "You won't lose me." She reached into her pocket and showed her the wayfinder Aqua had gifted them all. "As long as I have this and even if I don't I know you'll always find me. And I will find you."
Aqua sighed in defeat, "There's nothing I can say, is there?"
Velle snorted, "No, there's not. I also have a lot of questions that I need to find answers to...and I think I know someone who can give them. And besides, don't worry, you're not gonna get rid of me that easy. I need you to get back to Ven, don't I?"
Aqua smiled and nodded, "You do. You really have grown so much in just this short time, I bet you could even become a Master."
Velle chuckled, "Nah, I promised Ven we'd make Master together."
"That's very noble of you...I wish Terra and I had made that promise...I should never have accepted the title...I knew something was wrong when that darkness appeared. I failed Terra…" Aqua mumbled.
"You didn't fail Terra, you'll only fail him if you give up on him. We have to believe in Terra and ourselves just like we have to believe in Ven...just like I believe in you."
Aqua sniffed, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
She chuckled, "Too late." Velle hugged Aqua, "Good luck Aqua, come find me if I don't come find you first."
"I will, Velle. Be careful." Aqua replied.
Velle continued down the dark narrow path, she stole a fleeting glance at the castle that once was her home. She felt sad and displaced, Velle turned back towards the path. There was one person who might be able to help her on her endeavours, but she didn't know how to find him. The darkness that engulfed the land was almost suffocating, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her wayfinder. She froze when she heard her bracelet jingle against it and instead brought her hand up to examine the piece of jewelry.
"Huh…" she mumbled, it had been a while since she even looked at the dainty charm bracelet. The charms consisted of a small flower, the mark of mastery symbol, and something else that looked strangely like a paopu fruit. "When did I get this bracelet?"
Velle's hand reached for her head as she examined the charms, she felt a dull ache but nothing compared to what she'd experienced. "Looking for someone?" A familiar voice asked.
Velle looked up to see Braig leaning against a decrepit tree with his arms crossed over his chest, "Yeah, I'm looking for you." She said in a matter-of-fact manner.
"Well, ya found me. What can I do for you keyblade wielder?" Braig asked, uncrossing his arms and pushing off the tree.
"I need answers."
Braig raised his eyebrow, "Can't give 'em to you."
"I need them," she urged.
"Nah, you don't. Those answers aren't gonna help you. What you need is a little guidance." Braig replied with a smirk.
"What kind of guidance?" Velle asked curiously.
Braid summoned a portal, "Follow me."
He stopped in front of the portal when he realized Velle wasn't moving. "I don't know…" she mumbled, unsure.
"C'mon, whaddaya got to lose?" Braig urged in a light hearted manner.
"A lot." Velle whispered, looking down at her feet.
"Have I given you a reason not to trust me?" Braig asked with a grin.
Velle thought for a moment, " I guess not...but you aligned yourself with Xehanort. And if you're with him, you're against us."
Braig chuckled and turned around to face her completely, he threw his hands in the air. "Wouldn't life be simple if it was just black and white?" He snorted and continued. "But it's not that easy, because there are a lot of grey areas. Weren't you with Vanitas?"
Velle frowned, "That's not the same!"
Braig made a face, "Isn't it, though? You aligned yourself with Ventus's darkness."
"Not entirely!" Velle argued.
Braig held his finger up, "Ah-ha! So it's not so simple, is it?"
Velle faltered, "I-i guess it isn't…"
"Good, so get in the portal." He paused. "Oh wait, throw this on first." He handed her a coat and blindfold. Reluctantly she put them on and allowed the mysterious man wearing an eye patch to lead her into the dark corridor. They reached the other side and Velle slipped the blindfold off.
"We're back here again?" Velle asked while looking around. They were standing in Daybreak Town again, "Why?"
Braig rolled his eyes, "Always with the questions...Follow me."
She walked behind him, something about this place felt so familiar. Velle's ever constant headache was starting to irritate her. "Do you have a potion?" She snapped suddenly.
Braig jumped and turned to see Velle clutching her head. "Jeez, what's up with you? Here." He handed her a small bottle and she drank it quickly, slowly feeling her head clear.
"Ugh...I don't know...my heads been killing me." Velle mumbled, she rubbed her eyes and then looked up at Braig.
"Hm...interesting…" He turned back to their original path. "Well, are you good to go now?"
Velle sighed, "Yeah, I think."
"Alright, let's march soldier!" Braig jested as he continued to lead the way.
He stopped in front of the fountain she'd moved for him before. "Why are we here again?" Velle asked curiously.
"You'll see, wait here." Braig descended the passage and left a confused Velle standing alone in the ghost town.
"I don't see why I have to stay here...I've already been down there once." Velle was about to follow him when she suddenly felt a whoosh of wind pass her face. She looked up and gasped, Daybreak Town was no longer abandoned and decrepit. The town she was looking at was bright and warm, the purple rooftops were vibrant and the ground was clear of debris. There were people walking around happily, but something caught her eye. The back of a very familiar blonde's head. "Ventus?" She whispered, the boy seemed to hear her and started to turn around.
"Got it!" Braig announced as he reached the top of the stairs.
Velle jumped as the alive and bustling Daybreak Town faded back to abandoned and grey. She didn't get to see if that boy was really Ventus. She clenched her fists in frustration but decided to keep her vision to herself. If she told Braig he might never take her back to the curious little town. Velle believed she'd be able to find the answers she desired there. "Wha-what did you get?" Velle stuttered, turning to look at him.
Braig was holding a mostly intact book, it was burned and the corner was a little ripped. "There was once a great wielder who wrote down the ancient ways of the keyblade in this book. You're actually really lucky that it's still mostly intact."
"What do you mean, the ancient ways of the keyblade?" Velle asked as she took the book from him and examined it. The cover was illegible but the pages were fine, the handwriting was eloquent and there were hand drawn images. "Is this a book of magic spells?"
Braig nodded, "It's a good tool to have."
"Why are you giving me this?" Velle asked slowly, closing the book and looking at the odd man.
Braig rolled his eyes, "Questions, questions…" he sang. "Wouldn't you like to know? Do you want it or not?"
Velle jumped and held the book to her chest, "I do. I want the book, thank you."
"Alright, well, we gotta skedaddle. I have somewhere important to be." Braig summoned a portal and sighed dramatically when Velle didn't move.
"Y-you're not gonna tell Xehanort about me right?" Velle asked quietly.
"Are you kidding me? Does it look like I have a death wish? C'mon kid, time's a-wastin''." He gestured for her to enter the portal and she nodded. Velle tied the blindfold tightly around her eyes before entering and letting him lead her to the other side again.
"Traverse Town?" Velle asked with a cocked eyebrow.
"Yup! Take care, little lady. I'll see you around!" He summoned another portal and stopped before entering, "There's a concealment spell in there...use it. Make sure no one sees or gets their hands on that book but you." With that Braig left her alone in the bustling district. Velle looked up and down the street, spotting the hotel she and Vanitas had spent so many nights in. She felt a blush rise to her cheeks at the memory but then she felt her eyes prickle. If Ventus's heart was sleeping...what happened to Vanitas? In her own heart, Velle knew he was going to be okay, but that didn't stop her from worrying.
Velle checked into the hotel and sat on the bed, she pulled out the book from Daybreak Town and began to read it. She stopped at a page that seemed to grab her attention, "Locking away the heart." Velle read the title out loud. "Why would anyone ever need to do that?" she asked herself. Despite her skepticism she was determined to learn every spell in the book. Quickly she flipped through the pages trying to locate the concealment spell. "Got cha!" Velle exclaimed as she stopped abruptly on the correct page. She read it quickly and summoned her keyblade, she tried to cast the spell but failed.
After some time Velle collapsed on the hotel bed, she panted having exerted her energy. "Okay, one more time!" She commanded herself. "Twentieth-ish time is the charm right, Velle?" She asked her reflection in the mirror. She groaned and summoned her keyblade again, she closed her eyes and ran through the steps in her mind. She held the blade in front of her and a purple circle of light surrounded her. She felt her entire body become as light as a feather as she gathered the strength. In one swift motion she threw her keyblade into the air and bellowed, "Hide!"
She opened her eyes and gasped as the book seemed to be sucked into her bracelet. "Huh?" She dropped her keyblade to the hotel floor and examined the piece of jewelry. "How do I get it back again?" She mumbled. Suddenly a knock came to the door and she jumped, "Who could that be?" Velle mumbled. She walked over to the door and opened it to reveal King Mickey.
"Mickey! How'd you find me?" Velle asked, surprised.
Mickey smiled sadly at her and held up the star shard, "We need to talk Velle."
Velle hesitated when she noticed Mickey's reluctancy, "What's wrong?"
"We need to go to the tower," Mickey explained. He held his hand out for her, "Come on."
"O-okay," Velle stuttered. She grabbed the key to her hotel room and took Mickey's hand. They were immediately engulfed in light and transported to Yen Sid's tower. Once she caught her bearings Velle looked to Mickey. "Did something happen?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.
"Something has indeed happened, Vellum." Yen Sid's deep voice grabbed her attention. Velle turned to him and the look on his face made her heart drop to her stomach. "Aqua has been lost to the darkness…"
Velle bowed her head, "I see…" Mickey's ears lowered with sadness.
"It's okay Velle, we'll get her back! We'll get all of 'em back." Mickey reassured her.
Velle smiled, "Mickey...you're light is so bright. Thank you for everything you've done for us." She looked at Yen Sid, her smile seemed to grow even larger. "It's okay, Master Yen Sid, we'll be okay. I'm going to train and get stronger and when I do I'll go get Aqua and we'll save Terra together, and then the three of us will wake up Ventus. I know it!"
Yen Sid couldn't help but smile at the small violet haired girl. Mickey grinned, "Y'know Velle, you're light is pretty bright too, almost blinding! I know you can do it, and if you need any help I'm here!"
"I-is it true that you're training Mickey in the art of the Keyblade?" Velle stuttered.
"It is," Yen Sid replied.
"C-could I talk to you alone for a moment? I just…"She stole an apologetic look at Mickey. "I just have some questions I'd like to ask you."
"Of course, if you would excuse us Mickey." Yen Sid addressed the king.
"Sure! No problem, I'll be out in the hallway." Mickey waved and shut the door behind him.
Velle sighed and turned to Yen Sid who was taking a seat at his desk. "You said you had questions?" he asked slowly.
"Yes...I-i'm not supposed to tell anyone about this but…" she began, Yen Sid regarded her with interest. "I recently came into the possession of a book of ancient keyblade magic." He raised his eyebrows, "I cast a concealment spell on the book to hide it...but I forgot to see how to get it back. Do you know how?"
Yen Sid closed his eyes and nodded slowly, "I must ask you how you came upon such a rarity."
Velle looked at her feet, "I can't say…"
"Hm…" Yen Sid hummed.
"I-i won't let the book fall into the wrong hands, that's why I cast the spell in the first place." Velle added quickly.
"Very well…" The next few minutes Master Yen Sid described to Velle how to recall the book. When she was ready, she tried the spell and was elated when her bracelet glowed purple and the book reappeared on Yen Sid's desk. "Vellum, should you ever need a safe place to lay your head...please know that this tower welcomes you."
Velle smiled and nodded at the elderly master, "I gotta go, I'm going to master all the magic in this book. That's how I'll save my friends, I just know it!" She concealed the book again and turned to leave, but the sound of clattering grabbed her attention. Her wayfinder fell out of her pocket, "Huh?" Velle bent to pick it up, she remembered the night of the Paopu Festival. 'What was that world called again? Oh right, Destiny Islands!'
She stood outside the tower and nodded to herself, Destiny Islands would be her next destination. She tapped her armor and summoned her glider, the next thing she knew she was on her way to the islands. She didn't know what exactly drew her to the world but her heart told her to go, so she did. And every mile nearer she got she felt like she was getting closer to Ventus.
When she reached the world, Velle tapped her armor to disengage and dropped to her feet on the soft white sands of Destiny Islands. The sun was shining bright and the breeze rustled her hair in the wind. She smiled to herself and took a deep breath of the salty air.
"Woah! Are you an angel?" a young voice asked in wonder.
Velle jumped and turned around to see two small boys one with brown spikey hair and one with shaggy silver hair. Velle giggled, "Of course, not."
"B-but you fell from the sky!" The brunette countered.
"Uh…" Velle paused. How was she going to explain that? She looked up to see several palm trees lending the island shade. "I just jumped down from a tree!" She sighed internally, her quick thinking always got her out of trouble.
"See, Sora. I told you she wasn't an angel." The silver haired boy snickered.
"Hey! It's not funny, she coulda fooled me. I mean look at how pretty she is! My mom told me that angels were beautiful." Sora argued.
"Aw," Velle sighed. The scene unfolding in front of her was adorable. "Thank you, Sora, was it?"
Sora nodded, "Yup! And that's Riku!"
Riku stood and nodded to her, "You look really familiar."
Velle looked at them both closely before grinning, "Hm… you two too!"
"So what are you doing here on this island?" Sora asked curiously. "Most of the adults stay on the mainland."
Velle's eyes widened before she giggled again, "I'm not an adult!"
Sora blushed, "Oh, sorry."
"I'm looking for a quiet place to read my book where no one will bother me. Do either of you know a good spot on the island?" Velle asked with a wink.
Sora gasped with excitement, "I do! I do! I do!" He groaned when he received an elbow to the stomach from Riku. "Ow, Riku, that wasn't very nice."
"Shut up, idiot, that's our secret!" Riku hissed.
Velle frowned, "Hey, Sora's right, that wasn't very nice of you, Riku."
Riku blushed and looked down, "S-sorry Sora."
"If it's a secret I promise I'll keep it a secret too!" She reassured the silver haired boy.
Riku thought for a moment and then gave her a reluctant sigh as he pointed behind her to a waterfall. "It's behind the waterfall, you promise you won't tell anyone?"
Velle grinned and scooped up Riku's pinky with her own, "Pinky promise!"
"Sora!" A voice shouted.
"Riku!" Another voice yelled.
"Dinner!" They called in unison.
"Aw man!" Sora whined.
"It's alright Sora, we'll come back tomorrow." Riku told his friend.
"But we just met the angel!" Sora complained.
"She said she's not an angel!" Riku hissed.
Velle grinned, "I wish I was an angel, but sadly I am not."
"C'mon Sora!" Riku urged, he walked over to the dock and started to untie their boats. "Mom's gonna be mad if I'm late again!"
"B-but, I don't think we should leave her alone...it's gonna be dark soon…" Sora faltered, the four year old looked up at the setting sun on the horizon.
Velle snorted, "It's okay Sora! I'm not some damsel in distress, I'll be fine!"
Sora's eyes widened, he had a strange feeling of Déjà vu. Velle paused and smiled, the young boy's eyes looked just like Ventus's. "Sora! Come on, you're gonna get me in trouble again!" Riku yelled.
Sora shook his head, "Well...if ya say so. You're the grown up. Will you be here tomorrow?"
Velle rolled her eyes, "I'm not an adult, trust me, the real adults remind me all the time. And maybe, just check for me in your secret spot!" Velle looked over at the impatient Riku, she smiled and waved her hand at him. "I promise I'll keep your spot a secret, Riku!"
"Sora!"
"Riku!"
Riku cringed at the sound of his angry mom and Sora jumped. "Whoops! Gotta go! See ya later, angel!" Sora called over his shoulder as he ran to his unimpressed friend.
"My name's Velle!" She shouted. "...not angel…" She mumbled with a snort. Something about those two boys seemed so familiar, she'd wondered if she'd seen them at the Paopu Festival. Even as they rowed away in their little boats back to the mainland she could feel the warmth of their light shining back at her. Velle sighed happily as she turned to where Riku had pointed before. "It's good to know me and Mickey aren't alone…" She whispered, she could feel that someone had granted both boys the power to wield the keyblade. She wondered if it was one of her friends, she reached the waterfall and saw a small hole in the cliff beside it.
She knelt on the ground and peered inside, "This can't be it…" but sure enough the hole got bigger and led to some kind of cave.
Velle exhaled heavily, "I hope I can fit…" she crawled into it and was relieved when the mouth of the cave began to widen. When she could she stood fully and examined her surroundings.
She smiled at the doodles carved on to the wall, that must have been Sora and Riku's doing. Her eyes fell on something strange, inside the cave was a large wooden door with no door knob. Velle narrowed her eyes at the oddity, she took a step closer and she noticed a random paopu fruit laying in the corner of the cave. She stopped in her tracks, she didn't care where that door led. She needed to stop goofing off and learn the spells in the book so she could save Ventus. She wished he was here, then they could share the Paopu fruit like she'd meant them to from the beginning. Velle sighed and summoned her keyblade, tonight she would not sleep, nor would she sleep tomorrow. Velle wouldn't rest until her friends were beside her again.
She thrust her keyblade in the air and bellowed, "Reveal!"
Bright purple stars rained down on her from the tip of her keyblade and she watched them in awe as they seemed to dance around her. On the ground just in front of her the book of magic began to materialize.
"Alright!" Velle said, sitting on the ground with her legs crossed. "Time to get to work."