Chapter Thirty: Break

As comfortable as a Gummi Ship was, Ven did wish it would go just a little bit faster. Maybe that was just a result of how fast his own Keyblade Glider was, or maybe it was his surprise at how the Fairy Godmother could teleport between worlds in a flash. Most of all though, it was a chance for him to talk about his dream of Aqua, the Unversed and Vanitas.

Because if the Unversed were back, then either of them could be too. And Ventus really hoped that Aqua had managed to survive. Even if the price was Vanitas returning, the knowledge that one of his best friends was still alive after all these years was a piece of sorely needed comfort. A piece of hope he could hold onto after all these years.

Some proof that their fight wasn't for nothing.

Some sign that it was still right to keep on trying.

Once again his thumb rubbed one of the pieces of the wayfinder. The bond with Cinderella's Fairy Godmother was beginning to coalesce into a D-Link as he recalled her words.

"But those emotions are important to have, even the sad ones. How else will we recognize when happiness comes?"

It might have been a scrap of good news, but he wasn't about to complain. Not when there was so much going on. However, the shaking of the ship as it landed back at Hollow Bastion put an end to his contemplation. He glanced over to Naminé as she unbuckled her seatbelt and slowly began to stand. Ventus hurried over as she leaned on her chair, asking as he offered a hand, "Do you need me to walk you in the castle?"

Naminé shook her head gently as she managed to smile. "No, It's getting…a little better. Like the pieces are lining up." Gingerly, she made her way off the ship as they walked into the castle. Though she was able to walk on her own, she still was in no hurry to get to the main hall.

Well, Ventus could take some time to make sure she made it up alright. Working their way up the steps, Ventus glanced out the window to the fort in the distance. The only other place left that might have some clues to what happened to Terra and Aqua. He could only hope that the restoration had finally uncovered some clues, instead of more questions that each mission seemed to bring.

"We're back!" Yuffie announced as she opened the doors to the main hall with a grin.

Leon and Aerith were standing by the fire, while The Fairy Godmother was already in a chat with Merlin, sitting by the fire in one of the chairs. "…I know that it isn't good Pete escaped with one of them, but things should be easier thanks to the three of them…Ah! They're here!"

"Hi everyone." Ventus gave a small wave as he and Naminé joined Yuffie before the group. He looked around before asking, "Where's Cid?"

"There's some tech in the fort that got his attention, he's giving it a look-over," Aerith answered, and immediately Ventus relaxed. It seemed like they were one step closer to some answers. As Naminé sat down in one of the free chairs, a wince of pain on her face, Aerith made her way over to her and asked, "Is she having visions?"

Naminé shook her head with an uneasy smile. "Yes, but it's not so bad right now."

The Fairy Godmother folded her hands as she saw Naminé's state. "Even so, I do think it would be better for us to look into your dreams tomorrow when they aren't giving you so much trouble." She gestured over with a smile to Squall, leaning on the wall. "I've already told them about how you were able to fight off the heartless."

"Most of them anyway," Leon muttered as he crossed his arms and looked at Ventus with narrowing eyes. "What happened to the last heartless?"

Ventus rubbed his chain as he began to recall, "Pete said he was taking it to help search a castle in the realm between. But I'm not sure where that might be." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the clip from Eraqus as a thought came to him. "My master said keyblade wielders tended to hide in worlds between light and dark. But the only castle I know of there is Castle Oblivion."

Naminé furrowed her brow at the mention of the name. "If that was where Aqua left you to keep you safe, it might have some other secrets. I wouldn't be surprised given how big it is."

Merlin stroked his beard as he heard the news. "Still, better to do a thorough search." He rose from his chair and righted his hat. "I'll send a message to Yen Sid to see if he—."

"Ah!" Ventus leapt up from his seat at the mention of the keyblade master. "There's one more thing!"

Merlin paused and gave an amused chuckle. "Just one more thing?"

Ventus couldn't help a nervous laugh himself. But even so, this was important, he explained, "Naminé's picture of Ansem. It almost looks like Xehanort. What if they're connected?"

Merlin looked over to Aerith and Leon with a raised eyebrow. While Leon was as quiet as ever, eventually Aerith managed to smile and nod to Ventus. "We'll keep an eye out in the fort tomorrow." Though after looking over both him and Naminé, she suggested,"Right now, I think you both need some overdue rest."

Ventus took a step forward, put a hand to his chest and pleaded, "Can't we go to the fort tonight?"

Yuffie shook her head from her seat. "Ever since we went to Enchanted Dominion, you've been pushing yourself in fighting the heartless, Maleficent, and the Organization." Kicking her legs idly from the chair she suggested, "Don't you think you need to take some time to recharge? Do something fun?"

Ventus could feel a pang in his heart at the idea. He remembered when new worlds were an adventure, not a mission. A chance to meet new people, not a fight for his life. He sighed, his arms drooping at his side. "I know. But is it really alright for me to go and have fun when there's so many problems?"

"Yes, because you've been working to fix them and have been doing pretty well," Aerith responded with a smile as she crossed her arms. She looked over to Naminé and Yuffie. "All of you. You definitely deserve some time to rest after everything you've been doing for us."

Yuffie smiled and lifted her arms up with a tired cheer of, "Wooo…" Her arms flopped to her side as she chuckled, "Sorry, that's as much cheering as I can manage right now."

Naminé nodded from her seat with a faint smile."If my head clears up enough I'll take some time for my drawings. What about you Ven?"

For a brief instant, Ventus remembered his lifetime pass to Disneyland that he still managed to hang onto. But somehow, it just didn't feel right to go off to a new world all on his own. Though part of him wondered if he could find a way to buy a few more passes from Scrooge, wherever he was. He glanced out the window, wondering where the duck was right now.

And at the sight of the blue sky, it hit him. It was one of the simplest freedoms he had in the land of departure. But it was one that he definitely could use right now.

"I think I'll fly for a while."

At Ven's answer, Squall crossed his arms and spoke up, "Just keep away from the cranes Cid set up for construction and you'll be fine."

Ventus remembered how he used to run outside when Eraqus said he had some time to fly. The way he used to cheer, feeling the wind on his face, soaring through clouds and around the mountaintops.

Today was a bit slower, he didn't quite have the energy to run outside after today's fighting. But as he set foot on his glider and gained some altitude, there was a quickness in his movement again. Watching over the slowly rebuilding city, he could see a glimpse of the glory it once had. It definitely made his heart feel a bit lighter.

He was willing enough to keep away from Cid's equipment, just the feel of the wind through his hair was plenty for now. He burst through the now clean clouds, watching the sun begin to sink on the horizon. Diving down to the waves of the waters below, his speed kicked up a spray which caught the last sunlight of the day. A smile slowly came to Ventus' face. He definitely needed a moment like this. A chance to just enjoy the simple beauty of this world being reborn. Lazily gliding around, he glanced over to the balcony near the castle. Where it seemed that Yuffie and Naminé were sitting.

He decided to float over to them, a good moment like this was best shared with friends after all. And after everything they had been through together, he was sure that Yuffie and Naminé were pretty close friends. Though with Naminé, he couldn't help a feeling that there was something more to it. Even though they had met a few weeks ago, she had slowly become someone he truly cared about.

Naminé had made her way to the balcony to get some fresh air. Hoping that it might help with the headache of these new memories. As she saw the sun begin to set in the sky, and felt the wind gently blowing through her hair, Naminé sat down on the ledge to see the city. To see what she and Ventus had helped to protect.

She reached for the notebook in her pocket, but hesitated in flipping it open. Though she had a desire to draw, Naminé was coming up blank on what she actually wanted to make. Sighing, she set the paper to her side and simply watched the sky. Eventually though, she managed to spot a familiar glider rising higher and higher. Weaving through the clouds before racing through the waters below.

Naminé wondered if someday, she could join him in the air. Free as the wind to go where they wished. In Castle Oblivion, it was something she never dared to dream of. The only choices for her future being a painful death, or to destroy a hero's heart. She shook her head gently. No one should have to live their life in fear. And the Organization wouldn't terrorize anyone else like that. She had found her freedom, and had the chance to protect the freedom of others. And she wasn't going to waste it.

Minutes later, Yuffie had meandered onto the balcony and sat herself down beside her. "Hey. Looks like I'm not the only one who wanted to admire the view." She glanced over to the Notebook at Naminé's side. "Anything you're thinking of making?"

"Nothing yet." Naminé shook her head as she saw Ven's glider come a bit closer. She waved at him as he arrived at the balcony ledge and hopped off, asking, "Did you enjoy your flight?"

Nodding as the glider morphed back into his keyblade. "Yeah, just wish I had a way for you two to join in."

Yuffie rubbed her chin and raised an eyebrow, "Well, you seemed happy enough with Naminé joining you." She smirked as she suggested, "Maybe the two of you could make it a date?"

Ventus blushed, waving his hands in front of him, sputtering "W—Well I've never…never thought about dating before!" Naminé herself was at a loss, feeling a blush coming to her cheeks at the idea. However, Ventus somehow managed to ask, "But…well, would you like to try it sometime, Naminé?"

Her cheeks still aflame, but Naminé slowly smiled and answered, "That...that sounds fun, Ven."

Yuffie was left wide-eyed at the exchange, and nervously began to chuckle as she admitted, "Um...I was just joking about the date thing."

Ventus smiled before slowly sitting down besides Naminé, "It still was a good idea…so thanks."

Naminé giggled at Yuffie looking off to the side sheepishly at Ven's gratitude. Her eyes fell to her notebook and she picked it up, an idea finally coming to mind.

Ven watched as she began to pick out colors. "What are you thinking of drawing?"

She smiled as she began to put color to the page. "Three friends watching the sunset together." It might not have been an extravagant memory, like her escape, or meeting her first friend. But even so, Naminé knew this was a memory she wanted to hold onto.

A simple moment with her closest friends.

After everything today, Roxas was glad to have a chance to unwind with Axel and Erxart on the clock tower. The Unversed attack was enough of a curveball as is, but having to explain things to Xemnas was difficult. Even if Roxas wasn't in trouble.

In the end, all he learned was that there was someone else controlling these new dark creatures. Someone Roxas' size in a black and red suit called Vanitas. But the strangest thing was the order given on what to do with him. "Why would they want Vanitas captured alive?"

"Beats me." Axel mumbled through a bite of ice cream. "The Organization isn't in the habit of taking prisoners."

Roxas scoffed as he idly twiddled the ice cream stick in his fingers. "If we catch him, maybe we could ask him why he sent his Unversed just against me." The memory of Demyx loudly practicing music on one of Wonderland's treetops stuck with him. Even though he was belting out a ballad, the Unversed were hardly attracted by the noise.

Erxart chewed a bite of chocolate ice cream at the idea before grimly suggesting, "Maybe Xemnas knows already. The only surprise he showed was that the Unversed were active."

Axel shrugged and looked over to Erxart beside him. "Something else to look into tomorrow then."

"Wait, tomorrow?" Roxas' perked up at Axel's aside comment, Axel began to look nervous as he asked, "Do you know something?"

Scratching the back of his neck, Axel chuckled before answering, "Listen Roxas, this is some sensitive stuff for my investigation. I can't just talk about it more than I have."

Narrowing his eyes, Roxas crossed his arms and began to mutter, "Ven was more willing to talk to me than you are."

Axel looked away at the response, without an answer. But Erxart wasn't quite as impassive, wincing after his response. He turned to Axel and put a hand on his shoulder. "I know we need to stay inconspicuous, but if there's something that Roxas should know to be safe, then we shouldn't keep that from him."

Axel looked over to Erxart, mulling over the suggestion. Eventually, he smiled and shrugged, "Alright, we might not be able to bring you along for this investigation, but we'll definitely pass along anything you need to know. Okay?"

Slowly, Roxas smiled at the compromise, nodding. "Thanks Axel, you too Erxart."

Axel chuckled and pointed over to Roxas, "Hey, you decided to stick around the Organization for us. It's only fair we…"

Erxart furrowed his brow as Axel trailed off, watching as his gaze moved upward. "Axel, what's wrong?"

"Hold still," Axel answered in a cold voice before snapping his fingers. As he did so, a burst of flame exploded above them before a small Unversed dropped down to the clock tower ledge.

Roxas and Erxart wasted no time in stabbing the dark creature with their keyblades. As it dissolved into darkness, Roxas quietly suggested to Erxart and Axel,"We should go." A grim nod from both of them was the only response before they made their way to a dark portal back to the castle.

Castle Oblivion was quiet, a feature that Marluxia once enjoyed when he was first posted here. No one spoke unless he permitted it. But now that silence had become oppressive, as his allies and assets had dwindled to nothing. All he had now was Lexaeus' note, the one sign that this was not merely him losing control. The one chance he had to salvage something of his plan.

Which led to now, with him knocking on Lexaeus' door. He was uncertain if the stalwart might eventually be swayed to distrust the superior. But at the very least, he questioned Zexion, which was enough for Marluxia to work with. The door opened and he smiled, "Lexaeus, I am glad—."

"Quiet!"

The hissed response soon preceded him being grabbed and pulled into the room. Lexaeus closed the door behind them as he began to whisper, "I do not know how much time we have. But if I am correct, then my worst fears have been realized, and we have been pawns from the very beginning."

As Marluxia got to his feet, he could only ask bewildered, "Time before what?"

Lexaeus clenched his eyes shut and turned away from Marluxia. "Before we and the keybearers are either ensnared…or silenced."