Chapter 8 I Am Ready

Kairi's POV

Dear Kairi

It's me. It's Sora.

I found the message in the bottle you sent me, so I'm writing a message back to see if it'll reach you.

I want you to know that I'm okay. I'm in Quadratum, and so is Riku.

We're currently trying to figure out a way back home, and Riku believes that, since your message reached us here, that your connection to us could be our key back home.

I promised that I would come back to you someday, and that's a promise that I intend to keep. So please wait for me until then.

Sora

I finished reading this message to Master Aqua and everybody else inside the castle.

"So", Terra started. "This means that both Sora and Riku are in Quadratum."

"And that they are safe", Aqua added. "Thank goodness."

"What's going on here", somebody said.

We turned around…and saw two people walking into the room.

"Lauriam", Ven started. "Elrena. Look what we found."

That's right. The two people who walked into the room were Lauriam and Elrena. Also known as Marluxia and Larxene, former members of Organisation XIII.

Lauriam was wearing a black, short sleeved button up shirt that was buttoned up; black jeans; black combat boots and a black thread around his neck with a dark pink rose pendant attached to it.

Elrena was wearing a white, long sleeved button up top; dark brown, leather jeans; dark brown, leather, open toed ankle boots; a dark brown, long sleeved, open jacket with a cream fur hood and dark brown, leather, fingerless gloves.

Ven gave the message to Lauriam, who read it.

"So", he started. "Sora is in this 'Qudratum' like you all expected?"

"See", Elrena started. "I told you not to worry. That kid is like a leech. No matter how hard you try, you just can't get rid off him."

"So", Ven started. "What do we do now?"

I didn't know about everybody else, but I knew what I wanted to do.

"Master Aqua", I started. "I…I…I want to go to Quadratum!"

When I said this, Master Aqua looked at me in surprise.

"You want to go to Quadratum", she asked in shock.

"Yes", I replied. "I wanted to go with Riku when he went, with all my heart! But I didn't, because I knew that I had to finish my training. But now, thanks to you Master Aqua, I feel like I am finally strong enough to stand by Sora's side!"

After I said this…Master Aqua sighed.

"I understand", she started. "However, as your master Kairi, I cannot let you go unless I believe that you are ready."

"Master Aqua…", I started.

"That is why", Master Aqua started, interrupting me. "If you say that you are ready, then I must test you to see if it is true."

"What do you mean", I asked.

"Kairi", Master Aqua started. "It is time. You must take your Mark of Mastery exam."