We're getting into what you all have truly been waiting for. Enjoy and please R&R.
To-xXx-Realize-xXx-This-xXx-Wish
Sora found Cedar's genuine personality endearing as they took a few days to acclimate to one another. Sora opened a small portion of the Tower for now as he knew he'd slowly open it further for the seventeen year old.
He was definitely strong, but first Sora had to teach Cedar to slow down and enjoy life a little. This displeased the mahogany haired teen, but Sora made him sit to meditate, "You won't hear the Earth over all those thoughts and muscles, Cedar. I can't give you a Keyblade unless you can actually listen to your Heart more than your mind."
The teen frowned, "But Master, that's hardly productive!"
Sora smiled kindly as he patted him on the head, much to the teen's aggravation, "Now, now, I know it's hard to slow down after having to take up working at the tender age of eleven, but I really need you to relax and listen. Being able to listen to your Heart is imperative. It's clearly going to be a long road for you, but once you're able to hear the Earth again, I'm confident you're Magic and Strength will flourish at amazing speeds."
Cedar looked down at his hands as he clenched and unclenched them. Slowly he nodded, "I understand, Master." He closed his eyes as he began to breathe just as Sora had demonstrated to him, his eyebrows low in concentration.
Sora couldn't help but smile at his effort, 'He's so earnest.'
Vanitas scoffed, 'Stop gushing about your children, you disgusting old man.'
Sora pouted as Auron chuckled lightly, 'I'd hardly call Sora's attitude parental just yet.'
The mixed brunette sighed internally as he rolled his eye. Cedar tilted his head, "Master, I don't know what you're doing, but you're distracting me."
Sora jumped back and threw his arms up slightly, "Wh-oh? Well then, I'll just leave you to it. See you in an hour!"
Cedar simply nodded as Sora shuffled off in slight embarrassment as Vanitas and Auron chuckled in the back of his mind. Jerks.
Once again he found himself in the lowest basement with the strange room from his youth. The arks and the strange prism orb. He scratched his hair as he sat down and began to tinker with a particularly finicky pod, as he could tell something wasn't right with it. He became absorbed in his work, eventually having to unpleat his braided hair and throw it into a rough bun.
'I don't understand why you don't just go back to short hair every once in a while, Sora.'
The mixed brunette stuck his tongue out towards the corner of his mouth as he reached deep into the circuitry of the pod, '...It reminds me of my parents.'
Vanitas paused, 'I know your father had long hair, but I don't recall your mother.'
Sora stopped as his brows furrowed and a frown marred his face, '...Chloe had long hair too…'
'...Something's inconsistent.'
Sora loosened a screw as he contemplated Vanitas's thought, '...Maybe? I can still vaguely remember my father, if only because I ended up kind of tall like him, and I have his coloring, but…'
'Despite that, you still take after your mother pretty heavily, and I don't know why the Memory is gone.'
Had he actually met his mother?
His hand twitched as a vague Memory passed his mind of The Final World, and reaching out towards a shadow that faded away in front of him.
Sora shook his head roughly, only to ram into the lid of the pod loudly. "Augh!" He swore softly as a chuckle came from behind him. He abruptly (and carefully) pulled away from the pod and turned, only to find Cedar with a plate of food and an amused look on his face, "It's about time you came up for air, Master."
Sora stared at him blankly before touching the back of his head carefully, "Did I concuss myself?"
Cedar rolled his eyes as he pulled Sora along into a chair and placed the plate of food in his lap. Sora instinctively took it and stared between it and the teen in front of him, "...How did you get down here, Cedar?"
It shouldn't have been accessible.
The mahogany haired teen rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, "I know I'm probably not supposed to be down here, but it's been five hours since you left me outside, and I was getting kind of concerned…"
Sora's eye widened as he realized he'd completely lost track of time… again. He blushed, "S-sorry Cedar… I hadn't even noticed. But still, how'd you find me?"
He shuffled, "Well, I don't know if it had anything to do with listening to my Heart… but I kind of got frustrated and yelled at the Tower, and suddenly the gear I was on moved." He shrugged, "And here I am."
Sora blanked. He stared. The Tower doesn't have sentience.
A presence flickered at the edge of his vision, a strange flickering shadow that moved unnaturally before disappearing.
Ah.
Sora smiled awkwardly, "Well, the mysteries of the Worlds will never cease. I'm not angry since I'm the one at fault, so be at ease, Cedar."
The teen relaxed with a smile, "Thank you, Master."
Sora began eating, humming at the teen's unique dish, "Is this a regular of your home?"
Cedar nodded, "Yes, sir."
Sora smiled, "It's good. Thank you."
Cedar beamed, happy with his Master's praise.
To-xXx-Realize-xXx-This-xXx-Wish
A few months passed, and Sora started to feel… weird.
It was hard to explain, but the longer he was around Cedar's strict attitude, the more he wanted to just sleep.
Sora rubbed his chest, as he sat in the shade and stared out at the sky above as Cedar went through his basic swings and maneuvers with a practice wooden sword. If the mixed brunette were to be honest, he was actually becoming concerned about how despondent he was being, and yet, he couldn't find the energy half the time to care.
Why am I acting like this?
Vanitas sighed, 'You should really take a look at what's going on in your Heart.'
Sora closed his eye, falling into a waking trance as he felt himself fall into his Heart.
He was immediately rebuffed by Darkness, as he clenched his teeth and ripped through it with a startled gasp. Sora stared in horror at his Heart Station as one seventh of it was teeming with living Darkness. Vanitas had clearly tried to pull it back, since it wasn't bleeding over, but… it wasn't a good sign. He floated down next to the annoyed Remnant, "What is this?"
Vanitas huffed, "You do recall that I said you weren't compartmentalizing things properly, right?"
Sora nodded, "Yeah…"
"This is the result. Cedar's Light and his enthusiastic work ethic is making you spiral in response."
Sora frowned, "But that's… that's not his fault…"
Vanitas glanced at him, "You do remember that the more Light there is, the deeper the Darkness, right?"
Sora paused and mulled that over for a long time before slowly nodding, "Yeah…"
Vanitas waved a hand, "This is the result. Cedar is like a personification of Vigor. It's eclipsing the Sin of being a Sloth."
Sora looked away as he placed his hand on his chest and felt that terrible ache, "...So what should I do about it? I know you can't just push down the Darkness, and the things associated with it. It just builds."
Vanitas was silent for a long moment, "Use that disgusting Keyblade and take out this part of your Heart, and trade it for a part of Cedar's." Sora whipped to face him in horror, "In return, give him a new name and his Keyblade."
The mixed brunette continued to look at the other in horror, "But… but that would be-!"
Vanitas turned to him, "I can't keep this back anymore, Sora. I don't really understand what's going on… but I know this is what we-you're supposed to do. Search your Heart, and you'll find it to be true."
Sora turned away from him, his breathing becoming slightly erratic as he clutched his chest, slumping slightly forward as he clenched his eyes and teeth.
The young him that held so much Light was agonized by the very idea of it.
Ventus. Tears built up and slid down his cheeks, I'm sorry.
If anyone were to understand how horrible a sin it was to take apart another's Heart… it would have definitely been Vanitas and Ventus.
It was the only solution he had to keep hold of himself.
To-xXx-Realize-xXx-This-xXx-Wish
Sora stood above the sleeping Cedar, a tired and almost dead look in his eye as he watched him, having added an extra layer of Sleep with a spell.
He took a deep breath and summoned Superbia. He couldn't help but ask once more, 'Is this really what I have to do..?'
Vanitus huffed, 'I told you to search your Heart. You're good at following its Guidance.'
'I've followed it and made things worse for myself too.'
'...This is how it's supposed to be. You and I both know it.'
He did.
He hated it, but Sora knew, without a doubt, that this was what he had to do.
Sora turned Superbia towards himself before carefully touching it to his chest, concentrating on not extracting his entire Heart, but only the part that had been overcome with Darkness due to his inertia. In a deep dark and purple sphere, it floated from him, small and tiny as he gasped softly with a slight stumble, feeling the emptiness of it as he quickly turned the dark Keyblade and held it over Cedar's chest. He made delicate work of it, carefully extracting an equal amount of Light from his Heart and gently coaxed the piece of himself that he had pulled away to enter the teenager.
Sora took in and absorbed the small orb of Light he'd taken from Cedar, and immediately went into a Dive into Cedar's Heart with his Darkness.
Cedar was still unaware, still safe from this horrible madness.
Gently, Sora landed on Cedar's dark and asleep Heart Station, only a small 'x' over where his Heart's image might be, glowing in the abyss. Sora took the waiting Dark orb and went to that Light, staring down at it with a deep sorrow in his chest and on his face. "Sorry Cedar… that you have to help carry my burden." He coaxed the Dark fragment into the shining Light, and once it placed itself the brightness was wiped away.
Sora was left in complete darkness for a moment until suddenly, from the center it began to melt away. The mixed brunette sighed softly as he floated up and away from the Station as he watched the change happen in the teen's Heart.
Cedar's Heart Station became simplified in a way he'd never seen before, as his station became ombre hues of teal, with white lines that seemed like cracks in the earth, and the image of a Bear emblazoned upon it.
The teen's Heart Station would soon return to the way it had been before he'd tainted it, but for now, he knew that he would be able to handle it.
Sora knew what Cedar's name would now be, as the next day he granted him his Keyblade, Ursus.
"You are now officially my apprentice of the Keyblade as all of your hard work has paid off. With this achievement I grant you a new name, Aced."
The teen bowed respectfully as he clenched his Keyblade, "Thank you, Master."
Sora smiled, feeling better than he had in ages.
The guilt would fade in time, once he understood the purpose of such a sin.
To-xXx-Realize-xXx-This-xXx-Wish
Aced had been with him for a total of five months before his Heart pulled at him to leave with urgency. Sora was almost startled by it, as Aced hit him with a particularly strong swing of Ursus, throwing him back several feet as he failed to block.
The mahogany haired teen balked, "M-Master!"
Sora pulled himself from the hole he'd made and waved good naturally, "And that's why you shouldn't allow yourself to be distracted in battle, Aced."
The brown eyed teen was still balking, "I… I didn't really need a demonstration!"
Sora chuckled as he dusted himself off and rubbed the back of his head, "Aaa~h" he waved again, "It's fi~ine." He held his hands behind his back as he stood straight, "Some urgent business has come up, so I'll leave you to self study for the rest of the evening." He turned and waved, "See ya."
Aced choked, "B-but Master! It's still only mid-morning!"
Sora turned and smirked, "And I'm sure you'll make quite the practice regimen for yourself. I trust your judgement, Aced."
The teen straightened up before nodding, "Yes, Sir!"
Sora chuckled lightly as he walked away.
Once he knew he was out of sight he made haste to change into some traveling clothes, donning simple blacks and greys as well as his traveling cloak. He took a small pack, feeling like he should bring a wrapped bit of food and drink and a sturdy piece of fabric.
He frowned as he opened a Light Corridor with a flick of his wrist before walking through it with ease.
On the other side he found himself immediately met with an annoying downpour, the skies grey and dim as he made his way through whatever dingy Town he'd ended up in. He breathed out into the cold air entirely unlike the mild weather of Daybreak as he wandered the allies and backways.
He was seeking a small Light, now that he'd entered such a drab and dreary Town. His Heart ached as it pushed him along, a Keyblade not even needed as something deep and muddled urged him onward.
He'd nearly missed the small bundle of child had he not been used to the Shadow that liked to bask in his presence all of these years. He stopped abruptly and turned, staring at the mess of black hair covered in a worn cloak. He frowned as he cautiously took a few steps back towards them before carefully crouching as he gently spoke, "Hey."
The child gasped and pulled into themselves more with a tiny and half silent squeak. Sora sighed internally at the sight, saddened. He put on a smile though as he decided it was best to not move any closer to them, "My name's Vara. Are you lost?" He wasn't sure why he felt it best to use that fake name, yet it seemed to be the most appropriate thing to do.
The small bundle of long tangled black hair slowly uncurled a little as they looked up at him with ice blue eyes and a smudged dirty face. He could tell they hadn't been eating enough. They shook their head in the negative at his question.
His smile fell as he tilted his head, "You're all alone..?"
They nodded, still frightened.
Sora knew that any child on the streets for any length of time would know not to trust an adult. One never knew what they might be up to, and he knew this would be difficult since his missing eye would only make him scarier. He sighed as he rubbed his head, "I'm sorry."
They blinked and tilted their head as they hoarsely spoke, "Why?"
He tilted his head in turn as he thought for a moment, "Because I've been alone for long periods of time too. Losing the people you care about, or who care for you is… difficult."
The child searched him in a way that was unnerving, "You have a kind Heart, Mister Vara."
Sora blinked, finally realizing that he was speaking to a little girl, "Oh. Uh, thank you?" He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly with an odd smile on his face, "I'm sure I seem pretty scary, with my eye missing and all…"
She shook her head as she glanced at her worn out shoes, "You have a kind look in your eye. It's nicer than the way anyone else has looked at me since I lost my parents." She coughed lightly.
He sighed as he pulled out the piece of fabric he'd grabbed, "Here."
She blinked as she looked between it and him, cautious, "Why?"
He blinked, "You're cold. I have plenty."
She mulled it over before taking the offered fabric, quickly wrapping herself in it as she absorbed its warmth gratefully. She rubbed her face on it, not having felt anything so soft in some time, "Thank you, sir."
He nodded, "I know you don't have any reason to trust me… but would you like to come live with me? I think you have a lot of potential in Magic, and there's plenty of room in the Tower I live in."
She shrunk a little as she watched him, noting his relaxed and easy posture, while also mostly keeping himself out of reach of her to ensure he wasn't crowding her space. She thought for a moment before slowly nodding, "Okay."
He nodded with a small smile, pulling out a small packet. It was just a quick half sandwich he'd thrown together, but she didn't have to touch it with the wrapping. He carefully held it within her arm's reach, "Eat this first, it's not much at the moment, but I think you'll feel a bit better for it."
She took it, unwrapped it, and examined it before sniffing it as she finally decided it was safe to eat. She took small measured bites, looking between it and him.
He sat back on his haunches comfortably close to the other wall in the alley, looking around as he gave her space.
The girl finished the sandwich and shuffled before standing up and slightly patting herself down, "My name's Aveia."
Sora smiled, "It's nice to meet you Aveia. I need to be able to carry you where we're going, since it's a place you can't get to easily by foot, alright?" She nodded as he continued, "I need you to put your arms around my neck and hold on so I can lift you with one arm, since I need my other hand free… ok?"
She thought his instructions over before cautiously going up to him and doing as he asked. He told her exactly how he was going to pick her up and where as he stood carrying her in more of a sitting position. He raised his free arm and with a flick of his hand a Light Corridor opened. Aveia gasped softly at the sight of it as he went towards it. She buried her face into his neck as they passed into it. It didn't take particularly long for them to pass through, but it was a bit stressful for her.
He came out into the sunny yard where Aced was steadfast in his practice. He paused as he noted his return, "Master!" He paused with a frown as he lowered his arm from a swing, "A child?"
Sora nodded, "I'm going to get her into new clothes, so keep doing what you're doing. Looked good to me!"
Aced shook his head as he returned to his practice.
Sora turned and carried her towards the Tower as Aveia slowly loosened her grip and started to look around. She was filled with wonder at the place, happy to be somewhere warmer and sunnier than the Town they'd left behind. She was fascinated by each gear and stairway as she was brought to a specific area. Sora finally put her down in front of a bathroom, going in ahead to see just how dusty it was, since while he'd done some level of cleaning and updating since Chloe had been a child, let alone having passed so long ago… He found himself pleased with it. Thankful, the dust could be cleared up after the poor child cleaned herself up.
He turned only to be startled that she was on his right. She jumped at his gasp before he raised his hands, "S-sorry! I didn't notice you there, it's kinda my blind spot…"
She blinked before her eyes widened, "O-oh. Sorry, Mister Vara…"
He shook his head, "No no, it's alright. Let me just get you some supplies and a change of clothes and then I'll leave you to it." He paused, "Uh, you… you know how to clean yourself, right..?" He didn't really mind having to help her if he had to, but he was still a total stranger and didn't want that extra stress.
She nodded, "Mmhmm."
He relaxed with a relieved sigh, "Oh, good. Now wait here and I should be back in about ten minutes." He quickly excused himself as he first dropped back into his room to drop off his wet cloak and switch his shirt since it'd taken in some water.
After about ten minutes he returned to the bathroom he'd left Aveia in, knocking on the door lightly to get her attention before coming in with a bundle of items. He placed each item, leaving the pile of clothes in a basket he recalled was used for clean clothes. He then quickly explained how the water system worked for the bath as he filled it with warm water to a height he felt comfortable with before shutting it off.
He turned to the little girl, "Alright. I'll stay close in case you need anything, but otherwise feel free to take as long as you need. I'll just be in the next room cleaning up a bit for you, alright?"
She nodded, "Thank you."
He gently patted her on the head without thinking before he blinked and pulled back, "You're welcome." He excused himself again and closed the door behind himself before going into Chloe's room.
He didn't know why he'd never done more with it or changed it while she was still alive, but he stood for a long moment, taking in the time capsule of a room before slowly shaking his head and taking out his Gummi phone.
Data yawned before blinking sleepily before yelling out, "Again!? You waited years again to pull me out?! What, just a few pictures this time?"
Sora blushed as he scratched his cheek lightly, admonished, "Uh, well… yeah…"
Data huffed, "I'm good for more than photos."
Sora chuckled softly, "I know, and I'm actually going to need a lot of your help soon with building and monitoring the programming behind some Data Worlds I need to put into the system… but for now, can we just take some pictures of Chloe's room before I change it for my newest soon-to-be apprentice?"
Data's eyes widened before going downcast, looking away as he rubbed the back of his head, "O-oh.. yeah." He nodded, "Sure." The AI opened the camera app, letting Sora do as he pleased before the mixed brunette thanked the digitized version of himself and promised once more that he'd be used a lot soon before he put the Gummi phone away.
He took a deep breath of the room's stale air, feeling as if just a tiny bit of Chloe was still there before walking over to the windows and throwing them open. Fresh air immediately cleared the staleness as he turned and looked at the clean room. Sure there was dust, but Chloe had made use of it occasionally even when they'd been partners, the closet still full of various clothes from all of her ages.
He didn't have much of her childhood clothes left, but considering they were pretty outdated as it was, he decided to first tackle the bed. It would be used first, and the most important part that needed to be clean.
Aced poked his head in, "Do you need help, Master?"
Sora almost jumped, but managed to catch himself in time with a smile, "Sure Aced. I'd like to flip the mattress and change the bedding and pillows."
Aced nodded and immediately came over to assist.
Soon enough the two men had the bedding changed and replaced. Even the pillows were new as Aced was left confused on where and why he had such things easily in storage, of which Sora had no answer.
The Tower, while it wasn't sentient, did provide for its occupants. Not everything of course, but… enough.
Sora supposed that ment, if given the appropriate program, it could become sentient. He just had never felt the need for it.
There was a shuffle at the door, "Oh."
The two turned to the little girl in the doorway, ice blue eyes wide in wonder as he black hair was left in a wet mess despite the towel she'd tried to use to dry it, "Is this… my room?"
Sora smiled with a nod before glancing at the teen near him and motioning towards him, "This is Aced. He's a big guy, but he's got a good Heart."
Aced frowned at him as the little girl nodded. She walked a few steps into the room, "How old is big brother Aced?"
The teen rubbed the back of his head, "Seventeen."
She nodded, "I'm six." Sora blinked as she turned to Sora, "Mister Vara. I couldn't find a brush for my hair…"
Aced blinked, looking at the mixed brunette with shock and distress, "Wait, you had a name Master? And didn't tell me?!"
Sora blushed as he rubbed his head, "S-sorry Aced. You can call me Vara, too." Aced slumped as Sora grinned awkwardly, "I found a comb and brush for you." He went to the vanity and pulled out the cleaned brushes for her and sat down, motining her over, "Let me take care of your hair."
She paused, glancing at Aced as the teen moved away to allow her room. She went over to Sora and Aced dismissed himself with a slight bow before walking away.
Aveia minded her fingers for a moment, not sure of what to do before Sora gently helped her turn and carefully collected her hair into his lap, "I'm going to start at the bottom and move upwards, alright? You've got a lot of snarls so I may have to cut some out."
She nodded silently, and he got to work, humming to himself as he did so.
To-xXx-Realize-xXx-This-xXx-Wish
Aveia was a very obedient child, which would seem like a dream except that she never really asked for anything. She was more likely to share a reward treat than to keep it all to herself.
It made Sora internally miserable.
He had to go particularly out of his way to coax her into accepting things. Sure, she took the clothes without any issue, as well as the necessities, but beyond that…
He sighed lightly as he watched her braid together a flower crown. He was making one as well, since it was pleasant enough and he wanted to make sure she got one as well.
She wouldn't make one for herself, that was for sure.
Dealing with her benevolent and giving personality made him re-evaluate some of the things he'd held on to that he could have easily given away, but had felt too sentimental to part with.
He rubbed his head in thought as he gently spoke, "Aveia."
She looked up, "Hm?"
"Do you feel anything from the World around you?"
She tilted her head in contemplation before looking out across the yard, "The flowers, I guess."
Sora blinked. "Really?"
Aveia nodded as she returned to her flower crown, "They sing."
Sora nodded, "I see." So… healing Magic was her forte? "Anything else?"
Aveia shrugged, "Not really."
The mixed brunette hummed, "Well, I guess for now, I'd like you to listen to the plants around you as much as possible. We can build from there."
Aveia nodded with a small smile, "Thank you, Vara."
He nodded as he finished his crown and placed it on her head, "You're welcome, Aveia."
He had so much to learn about her.
Sora had no intention of pushing her to speak about herself and what had happened to her parents. It would be cruel, and he hoped she would share in due time. For now, it was simply a waiting game.
Aced was nowhere near as patient though, and Sora had to constantly remind him not to push her on it.
He rubbed his face, 'Am I in trouble yet, Vanitas?'
'No, but you will eventually. All I can tell you is to start getting rid of stuff and finally getting to that Magic imbued clothing idea you've had for ages. They should be given cloaks for leaving the Tower.'
Sore agreed with the idea, 'You're right… I should have done that even for myself centuries ago…'
Vanitas huffed, 'You have that stupid coat to protect you, and the cloak works fine as well.'
Sora hummed as he felt Aveia put the crown she'd been working on onto his head. He looked at her and she smiled brightly, "Do you like it?"
He glanced up and patted it gently before smiling, "Yes, it's very lovely." He looked towards Aced, "Are you making one for him too?"
Aveia nodded before moving to a new spot with fresh flowers to work with, humming softly to the songs the flowers were singing only to her ears.
Sora shook his head slightly as he laid back with his arms behind his head to stare at the sky. He took a deep breath before slowly exhaling, and promptly fell asleep under the pleasant sunlight.
He dreamt of beaches and shores, as their laughter rang out across the sand and planks.
A tear fell down his face as he slept, Aveia the lone witness to its trail.
