'Why couldn't you just give him what he wants?' Eraqus asked gently some time later, as the three of them were walking outside in the gardens.

Mirna leaned down to Agata and whispered something in her ear; the child nodded with a smile and ran off, back to the castle.

'Eraqus' she said slowly 'No Name has unspoken potential to it. I know you sense this, but believe me, its capabilities are beyond your wildest dreams… Giving such a power to Xehanort…' she stopped and looked up at the sky, her eyes darkening with sorrow 'It would destroy him, I know it. And I couldn't stand to see that happen… to know that I caused it…' she closed her eyes, a single tear rolling down her cheek 'You are both like sons to me. I want to protect you... And still, he hates me.'

'Master…' Eraqus put a hand on the woman's shoulder to show his support, and she opened her eyes, staring blankly ahead.

'Do not tell me he will come around. You and I both know him, he will not. He hates me, and he hates Agata - he thinks we robbed him of something that was destined to be his. But, truth be told Eraqus, I cannot tell you if Agata will be my successor. That is not why I chose her.'

'Then why?'

'Agata has the potential, but the real reason behind my decision is that… I was lonely… very lonely without you two. Hah, imagine, an old hag like me, wishing for a family once again, wishing for some young energy that I can guide the right way, just one last time… Eraqus, I hope that soon you will take pupils of your own and experience the joy of having apprentices' she said, reaching out for his hand and squeezing it 'A family of your own.'

Eraqus thought about returning to the Land of Departure, to that big, empty, sunlight-filled castle, not unlike this one. He would go by his daily routine, but it would always be the same, only his books to keep him company apart from the occasional visitor. Suddenly, Master Mirna's feelings started to make some vague sense...

'Master' he said 'I will return now, but I promise to help train and guide young Agata as if she was my true sister. And, I will try to speak to Xehanort. Maybe all he needs are pupils of his own.'

Mirna let out a faint smile.

'You have become wise with the years living in solitude, Eraqus. But I hope you do visit us soon. Until then, as always - may your heart be your guiding key.'

The sunlight was blinding and people were brushing by them, hurrying on to do their errands - even the sky was bustling, with seagulls zipping through the air and cawing loudly. Scala ad Caelum was as magnificent as ever.

Agata squeezed her master's hand while taking in the bustling of the immense city - this place was still new to her, with all the sunshine, the sea, the wind, the liveliness.

'Don't be afraid, child.'

Agata looked up into the smiling face of the Master and nodded, but her expression didn't ease up.

'Do you think it can be fixed?' she asked, and glanced at the box she was carrying, inside it the chess pieces that were damaged by Xehanort.

'I am sure. There are few things in life that cannot ever be fixed' the woman said 'You will see, he can fix it. I have known him for ages - he is very old, and very wise. Even older than me - imagine!' she chuckled and the little girl also managed a smile 'He has lived to see a lot, and has told me many interesting my favourite one was about the lost masters' the girl nodded, recalling the ancient tale of the first masters and especially the one from which the Master's Keyblade allegedly originated. 'Then, since I couldn't get enough of the stories, he gave me the chess set as a gift… He is a kind man, I am sure you will like him. And... we are here.'

They stopped in front of an unassuming, tiny house. It was just as white as the others, with a small wooden door. Next to the door there was a tiny bench on which a figure was sitting with a slightly bent back - his face completely covered by the black coat's hood that he was wearing.

'Master Mirna' the man said delightedly in a slightly frail, raspy voice as he noticed them. He slowly stood up, but the Mirna stepped over to him and took him by the elbow to support him.

'Ria, it is good to see you, old friend. How is your health?'

The old man's smile became visible for a second form underneath the hood and he waved his hand in a dismissive way.

'Don't worry about me, I lived through worse. One old coot like me living or dying doesn't matter anyway. But I hope you are well, Master Mirna?'

'Yes I am - actually, I came to ask you a small favour, Ria, if that is alright. You must forgive me, you see, my older apprentices were quite reckless… Agata, give it to him.'

The girl bit her lip and held up the box to the old man as carefully as she could - his face was still impossible to take out and he emitted a strange eeriness.

'Oh?' Ria gently took the box from her, then mindfully sat down on the bench and placed it on his lap, proceeding to open it and examining the pieces.

'Hmmm, you sure did a number on these' he chuckled 'Buuut, I think I can fix it… But more importantly, who is this young lady? Your daughter?'

Agata took a step closer to her Master as the old man lifted his gaze to look at her. Mirna laughed and nudged her a bit so the little girl would take a step forward.

'No, not quite. She is my new apprentice. Her name is Agata.'

'Hello' the young girl said, bowing a bit as it felt appropriate towards such an old, wise man.

'Agata! It means pure of heart and mind. A very nice name!' the old man said delightedly and reached into the box, picking up the piece with the fox on top of it 'In fact, your name reminds me that of the Master Ava, one of the lost masters. Have you heard of them?'

'Y-yes, that is the Master's favourite story' Agata said timidly, but couldn't hold the old man's gaze and kept looking anxiously at her own feet 'And Ava was her favourite, and that's where my name comes from…'

'Ah yes, Ava... ' the old man chuckled with the tiniest hint of bitterness in his voice 'Well she was quite the pure one herself, so you have someone great to live up to. So be good and do whatever Master Mirna tells you, OK?'

'Yes' Agata replied with a determined nod. Then she felt her Master's hand on her head, which filled her whole body with a gentle warmth.

'Now, now, let's see' old man Ria grumbled as he fingered through the pieces in the box 'Come closer child, hold out your hands for me. Ah, the crown of light broke… and, oh my, the goat as well.' he said in a low whisper as Agata stepped close to him and he put the broken pieces in the small outstretched palms.

It was as if the world had quieted down around the two of them: the old man gently going through the box, sometimes picking up a broken piece and putting it in the tiny palm of the girl with utmost care. He wore dark gloves, and all she could see was a flash of his wrist - white, wrinkly, old skin. Her lilac eyes wandered up to his face slowly, trying to catch a glimpse of his face, but she could only see his chin and a thin mouth surrounded by countless wrinkles.

'Do you know about Master Luxu too, little lady?' he asked softly, not looking up from his inspection.

'He was… he was the one who left the other Masters… and passed down his Keyblade' Agata replied, gazing down at the goat chess piece in her hand, a small bit of its horn chipped off from the fall.

'Yes, and that is the same Keyblade your master has. It is the most ancient of all the Keyblades' Ria remarked nonchalantly, and closed the box, extending both hands towards Agata. 'Give them to me now, child.'

She felt a strange notion, a sort of pull towards the old man that was an even mix of curiosity and anxiety. For some reason she thought this man knew many things about the adult world and the fears of the heart, so maybe, just maybe, she could ask him about the one thing she did not want her Master to know...

Agata stepped even closer, and as she put the pieces into Ria's hands, her voice was a mere whisper, inaudible to anyone but the two of them.

'Do… do you think Master Luxu ever felt really lonely? He had such an important job, but he had to do it all alone...'

There was a sudden silence, as if the wind, the sea and the seagulls were all erased from this reality.

Agata gathered all her courage and looked up - and finally managed to see the old man's eyes: a pair of bright, intense amber eyes looking down into hers, as if peering right into her heart. Ria opened his mouth to say something, but no answer came for what seemed like an eternity.

'Hm... I think so. When he set out he was a boy, only a bit older than you. Do you feel lonely too, child?' he finally said quietly. Agata nodded in reply. 'One important message the old Masters gave the world was this: May your heart be your guiding key. So, my advice is this: little lady, stay close to your master, and remember this phrase, and you will find the path you have to take.'

'May my heart…be my guiding key...' she whispered, more to herself than anyone, and put her hand on her chest.

A bit later they said goodbye and started heading back to the castle - but did not care to look back. If they had, they would have noticed that the old man had gotten up and kept looking at them until they disappeared in the crowd.