-You know that one scene in BBS with Zombie Ven crying 'cause of Terra scolding him?
I've never been able to make sense of that cutscene. It's such a weird 'memory.'
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But things can't be as they seem, I'm so far from home
This must be another dream
But my eyes are open, And everything still moves in slow motion
Breathless and blue and behind your eyes, the sea
Oceans of light envelop me
-Thrice, Atlantic
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A few months passed as Ventus became a daily staple in their lives. Presently, he was sitting on a stone bench, watching as Eraqus had Aqua square off against Terra in a quick no-Magic spar.
Ventus, in his strange White World, eventually lost interest in the Blue and Gold one going at each other, their sounds of battle useless to his unseeing eyes as he moved his hand forward. It bumped against something foreign, not as cold as the stone he sat upon, but a soft welcoming sun-warmed wood. He lightly rubbed his fingertips on the object, tracing it until he found its hilt, grasping the grip of the strange object.
His hand flexed on the handle, familiarity slowly unclouding his mind as he recognized the shape.
Keyblade
He lifted it, and raised his other hand to catch the rest of it, as if his mind needed the assurance it was correct.
It wasn't a real one, but the shape was enough.
He slid off his seat clumsily, causing the Blue and Gold ones to stop. The Grey one also seemed to have his attention on him as the Gold one came near, "Ventus?"
The blond boy turned his head towards the voice. Why didn't he call him Ven?
He tilted his head in question while the Gold one placed a warm hand on his shoulder, "Do you wanna spar too?"
Ventus went to speak, to answer, yet he made no sound as he couldn't figure out what to say. With a click, he shut his mouth and in a well-practiced movement, he flipped the wooden keyblade into a reverse grip.
He stood still and silent, still staring towards the source of the Gold aura as a startled pause came over the three. The Grey one approached, "Reverse, hm? ...Not a recommended hold, and certainly unsuited for that practice Keyblade… However…" The Grey one seemed to contemplate, "Terra, why don't you see if he'd be willing to try a few light strikes against you?"
The Blue one came close, "But Master, isn't it a little soon?"
The Grey one released a breath, "He took up the weapon on his own, Aqua. Perhaps he's lonely, or bored with just watching on the sidelines."
The Blue one seemed displeased, but acquiesced as she lightly squeezed Ventus's shoulder, "If you get scared, you drop it, ok?"
Ven absorbed that information before nodding, allowing himself to be put into place within their practice area. The Gold one seemed to get into position, holding a different weapon than before, "Alright Ventus, come at me!"
Ven shifted and got into his (usual?) stance. Silence took over as Ven's empty gaze took in the great expanse of White clouding his vision.
He sprung forward and felt the wooden weapon connect with another wooden thing with a sharp crack! He startled and took a few quick steps back as he dropped the wooden keyblade, only to trip over it and fall back into the dirt.
The Blue one gasped as the Gold and Grey ones stood startled at the sight. The Blue one immediately came to his side and gently placed her hands on his shoulders, "Are you alright, Ventus?"
He felt tears raise up in his eyes, as he glanced just beyond the aura of the Blue one, only to have his unseeing gaze meet teal-green eyes, heavily shadowed under an off-white hooded robe. A desperate look of sorrow and rage bore into him as orange shaded pigtails poked out of the dark. How could you-!
He gasped and buried himself deep into the Blue one's chest, weeping in fear as she startled, holding him close as if to shield him, "Ventus?!"
He fell into slumber once more, and didn't wake for a week.
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The Castle hadn't even bothered to chastise him, and it left Eraqus with a strange and hollow feeling.
How? Why wasn't Urd telling him he'd jumped the gun, or Vor patting him on the thigh and saying he'd simply been too enthusiastic?
Instead he got the youngest version of his friend that he knew, as he glanced sullenly at the form of Xehanort during their youth in Scala, a leg propped up on his study's windowsill as Eraqus did his best to not squeeze the sake cup in his hand.
It was a rarity, but he felt like imbibing in the bitterness of alcohol.
The young phantom turned to him, studying him silently before he raised an eyebrow, 'A drink? Really? Is that how low you've gotten, Eraqus?'
The Master sighed heavily as he set down the small cup and container of liquid beside it on his desk. He pulled over his chair and sat tiredly, "And to what do I owe the pleasure of your appearance?"
The phantom smiled easily, 'How about a game of chess?'
Light above.
Not chess.
He ran a hand down his face, trying to wipe away his stress before he got up stiffly, "Sure, Why not." Eraqus opened a treasure chest and pulled out a carefully preserved tiered checkerboard. He went over and set it down, aligning each black and white piece in practiced motions by memory.
The phantom watched with a pleased look on his face, 'You may go first.'
It was going to be a long night.
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It was a surprise when Ventus appeared at the breakfast table as if he hadn't been comatose for seven days. The blank look was still in his eyes, but seemingly no worse for wear as he slowly ate the food set before him.
Aqua watched him carefully, the memory of how he'd desperately buried his face into her breast, clinging to her painfully as he had mumbled a painful silent apology before sleeping once more.
She had no way of knowing what he had witnessed, but she didn't want the Castle to unknowingly harm his fragile Heart further.
Silently, she stood and walked out of the kitchen as Eraqus and Terra shared a glance behind her. She walked, her steps with purpose as she eventually made her way into the main room she practiced her ballet in.
The mirrors covered two of the walls in the room, "...Urd?"
The phantom appeared along with Vor's. The two of them troubled as the taller responded to her call, 'Aqua.'
The blue haired apprentice fiddled with her fingers, warring with herself before continuing, "What… What did the Castle show Ventus?"
The two phantoms shared a glance, also clearly disturbed by what had happened, 'The Castle decided to test Ventus's Will. It was much too soon. It pulled out an Ancient Memory... It isn't even sure that the Memory truly even belonged to him. It… The Castle holds deep regret for causing such a setback in the boy's recovery.'
Aqua huffed lightly, "Can… is it able to show me..?"
Vor covered her mouth with her sleeve contemplating, 'Since you can see and speak with us… it supposes it's possible.' She closed her blue eyes, and both Urd and Vor disappeared from the glass.
A faint glimmer, an almost missable shadow seemed to appear behind her, much, much too close to be reflecting. It was in neither mirror, but truly beside her.
The pigtailed girl's eyes were fully hidden in shadow, a deep set snarl on her face as the girl lifted a scythe made of white with black flower details. The robed girl made to swing, familiarity with weaponry clear as Aqua dodged, feeling the tip of the phantom's scythe scrape against her corset.
Thoroughly startled Aqua stared in fear of the specter as it seemed to glare at her until it decided to take a step back and faded from sight.
Aqua placed her hand over her chest and gripped her pendant as her heart beat quickly.
No phantom had ever tried to harm them. Terra had even promised.
So it begged to question, what sort of horrible things were haunting Ventus?
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The Castle seemed to be wary of harming those in its care, as Terra approached her a few days later after Ventus's second awakening stating that he hadn't even seen the boy at the edge of his vision since that time.
Aqua sighed lightly, shaking her head as she found herself unable to answer Terra's silent question. She herself felt wary of the phantoms once more, realizing that they had always been passive in their contact with them.
Despite the apprentice's silent unease, Eraqus, Terra, Aqua, and Ventus were back outdoors with the blond sitting on the side as the two older wielders worked on transforming their Keyblades. Ventus watched, still blind to the world around him as he felt something far away shift. He tilted his head and turned, staring in the direction of a new aura that had appeared. He walked away, the others not noticing his exit as he made his way into the woods nearby.
The aura was gentle, warm, and familiar as he came closer.
The aura seemed to be confused, wandering around the clearing it had ended up in before stopping with a gasp, "Ven?"
Ventus perked up, the silvery-teal aura coming closer to him as he felt connected to the other somehow, "Wow, it really is you. What happened after-" It stopped, seeming to study him further. The other gasped, lightly taking him by the shoulders as the world around him suddenly became less clouded, teal eyes and swirled silver hair becoming fuzzy in his vision, "Your Heart… It's been-"
Ventus felt himself pulled into a hug, "Your Heart… How in the world did that happen?" Ventus focused on the red scarf around the other's neck as he felt himself tucked under the other's chin, "Your Heart was torn apart in the cruelest way possible. It's a miracle you're still even standing, having sustained such damage…"
The other sighed shakily, "Ven… I can't stay here long. I'm on a journey to that Final Place. One day… Well. I don't intend on the Light expiring."
The other took a step back, observing the younger, "I'm sorry I can't stay, to help you heal and become strong again." He gazed off into the distance the younger had come from as he smiled slightly, "But I think the people you've been placed with… I think your new friends will be able to help you grow where we failed you."
The taller patted Ventus on the head, "May your Heart be your Guiding Key, Ven."
The other seemed to fade away into white as he turned, Ventus suddenly moving forward with his hand raised, "Ephe-!"
"Ventus!"
He stopped, turning as the moment was forgotten in his haze. Terra came up to him and grabbed him by the shoulders harder than he'd meant to in his haste, "Why did you leave?!"
Ventus stared at him in shock, surprised and uncomfortable as Aqua came up beside him, "Terra, you're hurting him!"
Tera gasped and released him, taking a step back to give them both space as Aqua looked him over, "Ventus… Are you alright?"
The youngest looked between the two, confused that he could now see them in the haze that was his world. They were fuzzy, just like the other one, but they were now more than just colors. He took in a breath, but the feeling of grief of having his (friend?) leave him (again?) caused tears to run down his face. His Heart Hurt.
Aqua moved forward and gently pulled him to her as he lightly held onto her, crying while Terra felt more than awkward as he stood to the side. Eraqus stepped into the clearing with a concerned frown on his face as he looked to Terra, "What happened?"
Terra sighed, "I… accidentally yelled at him."
Eraqus shook his head as he stepped over towards Aqua and Ventus, "For now, let us take a break and see if-"
Ventus gasped and pulled out of Aqua's hold, shakinging his head. The three watched him in shock, surprised at his shift in awareness. The three looked at one another as the Master sighed, "I'll go make lunch. How about you three see if he is willing to practice with a wooden sword."
The two nodded as the eldest left them there.
The three apprentices looked between one another once more as Terra turned, "C'mon. I'll go get the practice swords, you take him to the field."
Aqua nodded as she gently took Ventus's hand and guided him to their chosen place.
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Being a Keyblade Master is all I've ever dreamed about!
-And in this act of taking, it's Wielder you shall one day be.
What's that about? Some Master
you are.Ventus stared at the ceiling of his room, lifting his right hand upwards and noticing a faint scar on his thenar. He pulled his hand back towards himself, examining the webspace between his pointer finger and thumb in fascination. It moved partially over the latter part of his thumb, as if he'd spent a long time using an ill-suited weapon for his preferred style of Wielding. He blinked, glancing around his room before sitting up and hopping out of bed.
After showering and dressing for the day, he made his way over to the kitchen, looking around knowing the great halls were familiar, but unable to help feeling as though he was seeing everything for the first time. He shrugged the unease off and entered the kitchen, taking note of the Master, Terra, and Aqua all already beginning to eat, his plate set out in his spot.
He glanced around, realizing he needed a drink. Aqua watched him and stood with a smile, "Morning Ventus. Did you want some apple juice this morning?"
He looked at her with a nod before sitting down and beginning his meal, the juice set before him as usual. Aqua smiled at him and patted his head before continuing her own meal.
It was a morning like any other, yet something had changed. Ventus couldn't really put a finger on it, occasionally glancing at his chatting housemates as he carefully ate his breakfast. The Master would occasionally watch him, as would the others to ensure he didn't make a mess.
It was a little unnerving, how much silent attention they were giving him.
"Well then, I believe today we will continue working with Ventus on simple forward strikes." The Master stood and set his dishes into the sink, "We shall meet in the usual field in 10 minutes. Prepare yourselves accordingly."
Terra and Aqua straightened in attention, "Yes, sir!"
Eraqus smiled at them all and left, leaving the three to finish their meal and wash their dishes. Just as Ventus set his down at the sink, Aqua placed her hand on his shoulder, "I'll take care of washing those today, how about you go ahead?"
Ventus stared up at her for a moment before nodding, leaving the two behind as he wandered the halls at a lazy pace.
...Where was the practice field again?
He sighed with a shake of his head, stretching out strangely underused muscles. He frowned, stopping as he looked himself over. Nothing was out of the ordinary, yet something wasn't quite right either.
Ventus scratched his head, continuing on before he noticed a phantom standing in the hall. He stopped, eyes locked on the faint individual with grey-blue eyes and hair, as well as black, green, and gold clothing.
The phantom smiled at him uneasily, as if afraid to approach. At his unsure expression Ventus relaxed, their gaze still locked on one another before the specter came close and carefully took his hand. The other carefully pulled him along, Ventus allowing the other to do so as he stared at the man in wonder, "...what's your name?"
Ventus coughed lightly, suddenly realizing that his voice was in terrible disuse.
The phantom stopped in front of the doors he needed to get to the practice field. He smiled and lightly squeezed the younger's hand. Hermod.
Ventus blinked, and the phantom was gone. He stood there for a long moment, baffled as he felt Terra and Aqua approach. Terra smiled as he lightly ruffled Ventus's hair, "Get lost?" He pushed open the door, "C'mon, can't keep the Master waiting!"
Aqua placed a gentle hand on his back as she helped to guide him out. Everything looked so new and bright to him, even though everything looked the same as usual.
It was weird.
Terra picked up his wooden keyblade while handing Ventus a wooden sword, "You remember what we went over yesterday?"
Ventus tilted his head as Aqua stood off to one side of the field, the Master on the other watching with a smile on his face.
He didn't, but he nodded anyway, unsure of why everything was so confusing and weird. Why was everyone treating him like he'd fall apart?
Terra got into position as Ventus followed suit, his sword held in reverse grip as he crouched into position, ready to spring into action. Terra stood in his own form, a look of determination as he waved Ventus forward, "Show me what you've got!"
Ventus wound down and sprung forward swiftly, striking at Terra's wooden keyblade three times before using the last of his momentum for a fourth final strike. Terra blinked in shock, absorbing the hits with a well practiced Guard before smirking, shifting as he retaliated with a single powerful strike.
Aqua gasped as Ventus felt himself fly up into the air, but he was prepared for it and spun himself, landing on his feet as excitement charged his blood with a wide grin. He laughed while preparing to strike once more, "Good one, Terra!"
Terra startled along with the other two, confusing Ventus in the back of his mind as he shrugged it off again and went to strike. Getting back into defense, Terra took three of his strikes before pushing his keyblade forward, causing Ventus to lose his footing. He stumbled, but caught himself as Terra took a step forward and went to side strike at him. Ventus quickly guarded and took the hit, sliding a few feet in the dust before returning to his starting position.
"Enough!"
Ventus blinked as he relaxed, standing straight and giving the Master his full attention. The older man looked between his three students before walking up to Ventus, "Are you alright?"
Ventus frowned, his ever present confusing bringing a small amount of annoyance, "Yes, Master. Terra didn't do anything that could hurt me."
Master Eraqus looked him over befuddled before he agreed, "You are correct… you did well. Your footwork was impeccable, and your recovery was splendid."
Ventus lit up at the praise, smiling with a short laugh and rubbing the back of his head, "Thank you, Master." He let his arms fall to his sides as he looked over to Aqua, who approached him with her hand up to her chest while questioning, "Where did you learn to move like that?"
Terra appeared on the Master's other side as the three focused their attention on him. He looked at them all in confusion, shifting uncomfortably as he answered weirded out, "From you guys, of course. It's what we've been training for, right?"
The two apprentices glanced at one another while the Master's brows furrowed. He went to speak before pursing his lips a moment, rethinking his words, until he relaxed into a smile with a warm look on his face, "Of course. You've been improving by leaps and bounds since you arrived here." He lightly patted Ventus's head, making the blond appreciate the affection and forget his earlier confusion. The Master stepped back and looked to Aqua, "Why don't you try facing off against Ventus? Perhaps he has more tricks up his sleeve to surprise us with."
Aqua reluctantly agreed, taking for herself her own practice sword and got into position, the two other men moving off to the side to observe as the blond spoke up, "...Did I do something wrong?"
Aqua looked at him in confusion as he rubbed the back of his head, "Of course not, why do you ask?"
Ventus shuffled, contemplating for a moment before looking at all of them earnestly, "It's just… Why won't any of you call me Ven? We're friends… right?"
Terra and Aqua seemed shocked by this revelation, while the Master took it in stride. Aqua smiled at him, "I'm sorry, it… must have slipped my mind, Ven. Sorry for worrying you."
Terra nodded, "Yeah Ven, we just kind of forgot with how crazy things've been lately."
Ventus smiled brightly as he got into position with a nod.
Everything was now right in his World.