The next day, sunlight streams through the stained glass window in the Throne Room
of the Land of Departure as Terra and Aqua face three large chairs, two occupied.
Ven looks over and sees an elderly man with yellow eyes who returns his gaze. Ven looks away.
Eraqus gets out of his chair and proceeded weak next to Terra and Aqua. He clears his throat before speaking.
"Today you will be examined for the Mark of Mastery. Not one but two of the Keyblade's chosen stand here as candidates, but this is
neither a competition nor a battle for supremacy-not a test of wills, but a test of heart. Both of you may prevail, or neither.
But I am sure our guest, Master Xehanort, did not travel all this way to see our youngest prospects in years fall short of the Mark."
He summons his keyblade and holds it vertically and holds his hand to the hilt, creating a small aura. Five white balls of light appear in midair and Terra and Aqua ready their Keyblades. Master Xehanort adjusts his hand and the balls mix darkness with the light. Surprising Terra, Aqua, and Master Eraqus, he smiles.
Aqua and Terra finish off a few of the darkballs when two rouge ones fly directly at you and Ven. "(Y/N)! Ven!"
You both summon your keyblades and select them from hitting you. "Don't worry about us Aqua! Ven and I got this covered!"
Ven, you and (Y/N) are in danger here! Go wait in your room!" Aqua pleaded.
"No way!" Said Ventus, "I've been looking forward to seeing you two become
Masters. I'm not gonna miss it now!"
"They can take care of themselves, Aqua. They've been out there training just as hard as us." Terra said.
The small fight continues as even more as balls kept flying around. One by one they were defeated and the Mark of Mastery exam was complete.
Eraqus stood back up and confronted Terra and Aqua. "That was unexpected...but one must keep a still heart even in the most trying of circumstances. It was an excellent test, one I chose to let unfold. Which brings us to your next trial."
Terra and Aqua, the two of you will face each other in combat. Remember, there are no winners-only truths, for when equal powers clash, their nature is revealed. Terra and Aqua rush each other and clash swords. They pull back and Aqua goes in for a strike, but is deflected by Terra's blade. They collide twice before Terra makes a large underhand swing at Aqua, who flips backward.
Terra swipes at her left and right, Aqua dodging both swings. Aqua slices at him, but he dodges back. She goes in again and he dodges,
barely missing the blade. He jumps back and Aqua starts running toward him. He readies himself and darkness emanates from his arm. You looked at Terra nervously, knowing Terra is making the wrong choice to let his darkness show.
He sees it and quickly shakes it off and blocks a blow from Aqua. Masters Eraqus and Xehanort watch from their chairs. Xehanort smiles as the two combatants continue to exchange blows for a few more minutes before finally stopping.
"We have deliberated and reached a decision. Terra, Aqua, you both performed commendably. However, only Aqua has shown the Mark of Mastery. Terra, you failed to keep the darkness within you sufficiently in check. But, there is always next time. That is all. Aqua, as our newest Keyblade Master, you are entitled to certain knowledge. Please wait here while I discuss something with Master Xehanort." Eraqus said as he walked down some steps with Xehanort.
Terra stood there, sad and angered at himself for the small darkness episode. He let his mind think for it's self instead of listening to his heart. "The darkness... Where did it come from?"
"There's darkness within me... So what does that matter? I know I'm strong enough to hold it back." Terra said, sitting down on the castles' front steps.
"Yes... You are indeed strong. The darkness is nothing to fear young Terra. Yet...how frustrating that Eraqus refutes its power. Why, you could train with him forever and still...you'd never be a Master in his eyes." Xehanort said as he walked down the steps and stopped next to Terra.
"But why? Help me understand, Master Xehanort. What is it that I have failed to learn?" Terra said, resisting the urge to let tears fall from his face.
Xehanort chuckled and continued walking past Terra. "You are fine as you are. Darkness cannot be destroyed. It can only be channeled. If you channel that power in the right ways... it can lead you to good things!
Bells ring and Terra looks around before running up the stairs to the castle. Xehanort waited for Terra to leave before he exited though a corridor of darkness. A loud bell sounds, startling Aqua, who looks around for the cause. A light appears behind the three wooden chairs and Eraqus turns.
You turn with him and walk over to the chairs and discuss something with your dad's old friend Master Yen Sid. You both come back and speak with Terra and Aqua about what Yen Sid said. "That was my dear old friend Yen Sid. As you know, he is Master no more, but he still keeps a close eye on the tides of light and darkness. His counsel serves as signposts on the road we wielders of the Keyblade must walk. All the more reason, then, for concern-for he tells me the princesses of heart are in danger."
"Not only from the forces of darkness, as you may assume, but also from a new threat-one that feeds on negativity." You added as your father nodded.
"Yes." Your father continued. "Fledgling emotions that have taken monster form-Yen Sid calls them the Unversed. As wielders of the Keyblade, you are tasked with striking down any who would upset the balance of light and darkness. The Unversed are no exception. I tried to pass this news on to Master Xehanort, but my repeated attempts to reach him have failed. I doubt there is any connection, and yet... This all troubles me."
Aqua and Terra understood the situation and started to walk off. Eraqus stopped Aqua for a moment to tell her some Masters-only info of sorts. "I told Terra this could be a second chance to show the Mark of Mastery...and I meant it. However, that flicker of darkness he
displayed during the examination-I can sense it runs very deep. If he were to-If those powers were to prove too much for him to handle, I want you to bring him back to me at once. It's for his own good. I could not bear to lose any of you to the darkness."
Outside of the castle, Terra ruffles Ven's hair and smirks. He walks away and pounds his arm against the spaulder on his shoulder. Light covers him and armor appears over his body, electricity crackling around him. He summons his Keyblade and shoots a blast of light into the sky, opening a portal, before throwing his Keyblade into the air. With a flash, it transforms into a glider and descends toward him.
"Whoa!" Ventus said.
Ven stares at it in awe. Terra jumps on and rides it into the portal in the sky. Ven thinks for a moment and hits his spaulder also, causing his armor to appear. He looks over himself and stands firmly, summoning his Keyblade. He spins it in his hands and tosses it into the air, with a flash of light, his glider decends. He jumps onto it, riding it like a skateboard. Aqua runs down the steps as he takes off into the sky.
"Ven! No, wait!" Aqua said, watching two of her friends leave the world.
"Dad, I know Ventus...let me go help!" You pleaded as your father panicked for a few moments. He finally broke down, having no other options.
"Fine! You have to bring him back!" He said, going back inside to converse with Yen Sid.
You both engage your armour, summon your gliders and escape into the galaxy.
