Chapter 8: Inside the Heart
Kairi was sitting on the edge of the glass platform in the darkness. After the storm, that was her go to spot to think and rest. She knew she was not in her beloved island no more. But she couldn't help but feel warmth where she was. From behind her, Ventus came up and sat next to her.
"This is my favorite part of this place. Sitting down and think. That's all I ever do." said Ventus.
"How long were you here in this abyss?" asked Kairi.
"For about ten years or so. I tried not to lose track." said Ventus.
"So let me get this straight. Are we both inside a heart? Sora's Heart? How is that even possible?" asked Kairi.
Ventus looked at her with thought. "Perhaps you are a speacial someone to him. And maybe your heart needed a place to hide. In other words, you loved him." said Ventus.
Kairir smiled. "I do. I loved him ever since I met him on the beach years ago. His warmth, his personality, everything. He's a gentle soul." said Kairi looking up in the abyss.
"You sound like a dear friend of mine. She was also a romantic." said Ventus.
"She? You had someone special in your life?" asked Kairi.
"Not really. She was in love with someone else. Another friend of mine. Their names were also very unique. Aqua and Terra." said Ventus.
"Sea and Earth. Curious. My name is supposed to mean sea too. And Riku means Earth also." said Kairi.
"What a coincidence." said Ventus.
"Tell me, what ever happened to them?" asked Kairi.
"Well things were never easy on us all. And to tell you that, we have to go to the beginning. When I was a kid, My parents saw that I was very good at sports, like Blitzball. Man that was my favorite! I wanted to be like my hero Jecht and his son Tidus! Their games were so epic! Anyway, my parents wanted me to pursue a carrer in sports, and that was when they met... him." said Ventus slowly.
"Him? You mean Xehanort? The same man who destroyed our island?" asked Kairi sadly.
"Yes. Him. The old man said that he was a sports leader and that he would help me achieve scholarships and stuff like that. Far from the east side of Destiny Islands was a castle that was hidden from the world. That was where I met Terra and Aqua. We both trained in using the Keyblade, the special sword that would have helped us all. It turned out I had I had to power to weild one and they both helped me with my training. Our teacher was a very kind and helpful man named Eraqus. He was Terra's father. We were all so happy in that place. We were like a big family. But Xehanort... he was never my favorite teacher. He would take me out on private training sessions, but he was brutal and wanted me to be destructive. Eventually, at some point in my training, I fell in a coma. When that happened, Eraqus confronted Xehanort to demand him what has happened to me. Xehanort then boasted that he split my heart in two. Half of me is right here, speaking to you right now. I represent light. The other half became a dark being known as Vanitas, a dark version of mysefl that is loose in the worlds. Eraqus was outraged and he banished Xehanort from the castle. In that time, Terra and Aqua were becoming a couple, and I was starting to feel better from my coma. But we were not ready for what Xehanort had planned. We later found out that Xehanort had a thing for both Terra and Aqua. Since they were more powerful, he wanted to abduct them and use them as vessels so he can be young forever. He arrived one day with a large army of Heartless with Vanitas by his side. Eraqus was killed by Xehanort that day, and both Terra and Aqua sacrificed themselves to destroy the heartless. I don't know if they survived or not, since I fell after Vanitas struck me down. And then, I ended up here in my little brother's heart."
Kairi shook her head. "He took everything from you." said Kairi.
"Yeah. He did alright." said Ventus.
Kairi let out a sigh. "He destroyed my old world just like that. He had an army, we lost, and we escaped. I don't know how we did it, But we ended up in the islands where it was safe." said Kairi.
"Perhaps there is some hope. Right about now, as we speak, Sora is out there and maybe someday, he will save you. I just know he will." said Ventus.
"What about you?" asked Kairi.
"My time is up. I might not return the land of sea and sky, but you have a better chance. It's only a matter of time." said Ventus.
Kairi didn't know what to say.
"Besides, I want you to be my future sister in law." said Ventus.
Kairi blushed and Ventus chuckled. It's been a while since he spoke with someone else.
