In the Realm of Darkness, three armored Keyblade wielders marched across the wasteland.

"Is that Sora?" Ventus pointed out at the horizon. "No. It's just a rock."

"They're all rocks," Terra said.

"This is boring. When are we going to fight a Demon Tower again?"

"We just fought one yesterday," Aqua sighed. "Or was it two days ago?"

Terra stopped, followed immediately by Aqua while Ventus kept walking. "Ven, why don't you run ahead and scout the field."

"You got it!" Ventus scampered away with youthful exuberance.

Meanwhile, Aqua turned to Terra.

"What's wrong?"

"You're losing track of time," he told her. "That Demon Tower was a week ago. Are you okay?"

Aqua looked down. Her helmet blocked Terra from seeing her distressed face. "I'm fine. It's just the Realm of Darkness. It does things to you. Messes with your mind. I've been here the longest, so it affects me more."

"Then we should take a rest."

Aqua shook her head. "I said I'm fine. We need to find Sora. He saved me from this place. I'm not going to let him be stuck here for 10 years."

Terra didn't know what to say. It had been a year since they were reunited, but things were just as chaotic as when they were first separated. Aqua was once at the top of their class, set to succeed Master Eraqus. But she was different now, carrying a burden of despair and a decade of heartache. Something was always coming for her. Always on the horizon. Terra, on the other hand, hadn't even been sure of himself when life was normal. After being prisoner to a mad man, his confidence was even less so. Ventus was still the happy go lucky kid who fell into their lives one day, delivered by Eraqus.

"Aqua . . ." Terra said, looking for the rest of his words. I want to help you. I want to hold you and keep you from falling apart.

"Terra?" Even behind their helmets, their eyes still met. I need this. I need to save Sora. I need-

"Terra! Aqua!" They looked and saw Ventus running toward them from afar, being chased by a swarm of flying Heartless. "I think I found a nest!"

"Zipadees," Aqua noted, identifying the creatures. She held her Keyblade in fighting position. "Ven!" She ran ahead.

"Wait," Terra said.

He was too late. He ran after her and watched as she leapt into battle. Terra followed. Together, the three of them swung their Keyblades at the flying Zipadees. They used their elemental attacks. Even after 10 years apart, Master Eraqus might as well have been among them in the form of the strategy they deployed. Fighting back to back, in formations and sequences they studied as children. But the Heartless were too much. One second of her timing, one movement too slow, and Aqua was struck by an attack. Her dark blue armor fell tumbling to the ground.

"I've had it with you," Ventus yelled. With his Keyblade, he summoned a tremendous gale of wind. With unstoppable force, Ventus spun away with the swarm in a tornado.

Terra stayed behind and ran towards Aqua. "Are you okay?"

Aqua was breathing much too fast as he arrived. She looked at the inside of the helmet and saw nothing but a glass prison. Tapping her shoulder, she escaped from the prison and withdrew her armor.

"I can't breathe." Aqua was frantic. Her heart was racing. She sat on the ground and hugged her knees to her chest just to hold on to something. "I can't do it. I can't."

Terra knelt beside her. He withdrew his armor, revealing his serene blue eyes. "I know how you must feel. No control. Like your body is just an empty suit of armor and you're only trapped inside, watching everything go wrong. But you are Aqua. The strongest Keyblade Master in generations. And the best friend anyone could ask for." He hugged her. "Darkness gives birth to light. And fear gives rise to bravery."

In a swift moment, Terra gave his armor to Aqua and materialized it around her. Terra stood and ran in search of danger. And Ven. Aqua remained sitting. She felt his armor's embrace and thought it smelled like the ground after rain. She smiled. Terra. Sturdy as the earth beneath her.

Aqua rose to her feet. She removed Terra's armor, summoned her Keyblade, activated her Spell Weaver form, and charged back into battle. Running toward the horizon.