I'm so excited!

This chapter will introduce some stuff about Eraqus!

I hope you like it!

Kingdom Hearts © to Disney and Square Enix!

OCs © to me!

Chapter 6

Xehanort followed the other boy through the halls. White walls with mahogany and gold accents went on and on. Mahogany doors and large windows looked out over Scala ad Caelum. Their footsteps echoed across the marble floors.

It was more beautiful than anything Xehanort had ever seen before.

Down a spiral staircase, they came into a large dining hall that could seat at least thirty people.

"This place was once a seat of power for all Keyblade wielders." Master Sato came in from a side door, wiping his hands with a towel. "This city was full of life. Keyblade wielders and their families lived here. Wielders went to different worlds, bringing about peace across all worlds. I'll explain more, but first, breakfast."

The two boys sat down at the head of the table and their master set two bowls of rice topped with an egg and soy sauce(1).

Xehanort found this breakfast strage, but he ate it without a word.

Sato finished his bowl quickly before smiling at the boys. "Eraqus, if you don't wish to hear the tale again, you may go."

"No, sir." The other boy shook his head. "I like this story."

Sato nodded. "I had a wife, named Yua, and two daughters: Karen and Kanon. And I was dear friends with two brothers: Heiho and Fenikkusa(2). Heiho went off to another world, a world called Yggdrasil; while there, he met a woman named Unnr, and remained."

"Those were my parents!" Eraqus piped up.

"That is right." The master nodded, smiling sadly. "They both perished on Yggdrasil. Fenikkusa was… he was the reason this poor city is no more. I was on a mission to another world when Fenikkusa returned from a mission." Sato let out a sigh. "He was carrying a disease and was not aware. I returned a week or so later… to find the entire city dead. And those who did not die fled. I was alone to dispose of the dead… I had to use magic in order to keep from being sickened; I asked the help of two great sorcerers, Merlin and Yen Sid, to get rid of the sickness. It took me years… and when I was done, I took Eraqus under my wing."

Xehanort finished off his food. "I'm sorry…" He didn't know how he felt living in a city of the dead, but these two must live very lonely lives.

"Well, no need to harp on the past." Sato grinned. "Now, why don't we train. I would love to see how well you can fight, Xehanort."

The three stood down at the docks of the city. The two boys held wooden swords and charged at one another. They clashed against one another, the wooden sticks clunking softly against one another.

Xehanort found himself on the defensive.

The other boys on the islands fought with swords all the time, but since getting sick, Xehanort hadn't… well, honestly he'd spent a lot more of his time reading.

Not even two minutes into the fight, Xehanort found himself flat on the ground. "Ow…"

"You've never fought before in your life." Eraqus spun his weapon with a slight smirk.

"Shut it…"

Sato clapped his hands. "No need to argue. I had a feeling this was the case." He helped Xehanort up. "Eraqus, I would like you to run a lap around the lowest level of the city while I work with Xehanort."

"Fine…" The boy tossed his wooden sword into the grass, and took off at a light jog.

Xehanort looked down at the wooden sword in his hand. "I guess I'm not the kind of student you want."

"No, your lack of combat skills is not a problem. You're a beginner. Tell me, how do you learn best?"

"Reading and observing."

Fuji Sato smiled. "Well, I have plenty of books at the castle. As for observing, why not watch me and try and copy my movements?" Xehanort smiled, and his master summoned his Keyblade. "Just copy my movement."

Xehanort watched as his master demonstrated a few moves and stances, the boy copying to his best ability.

"You'll come up with your own combat stance quickly. Honestly, take a moment and try holding your sword. Figure out what is comfortable to you."

"Yes, Master." Xehanort held up his sword, trying out different poses until he held the sword in his right hand, slightly raised above his shoulder. "I like this!" He swung it around a few times, slashing, copying the moves he'd seen his master do.

Suddenly, his chest tightened.

Oh no.

The medicine!? He left it on the island!

"Xehanort?"

"M-Mast…" The boy coughed, blood bubbling up from his lips as his chest ached. His body shuddered and collapsed, his vision going in and out. The last thing Xehanort heard was his master's voice as he ran to him.

Sato ran to the fallen boy, scooping him into his arms. "Xehanort!? Xehanort!?"

"What's wrong?" Eraqus came running, finished with his run just in time.

"I don't know…!" The Keybearer held up his hand, allowing a magical glow to cover the boy in his arms. "Something is very wrong." He cast the spell again before pulling out a green bottle and trying to get the boy to drink it.

"Master…"

"Get a spare suit of armor. Now!"

Eraqus ran to a nearby building, one of many warehouses full of Keybearer materials, including armor. The boy grabbed one and ran back to his master, who slipped it over Xehanort's shoulder before activating it.

"Come, we need to take him to a better magician."

"Master Yen Sid?"

"No, Eraqus… someone who knows an even older magic."

Eraqus gasped. "Seiðr!?"

"Yes… we're going to see your mother."

The long trip through space ended at a world that looked like a giant tree with nine smaller orbs glowing around it.

The three landed, Sato carrying the limp figure of Xehanort in his arms. The boy's body shuddered as blood trickled from his mouth.

"We must hurry."

They ran. Through tall woods, where strange creatures warily watched the strangers. Coming upon a tree-covered hill, Eraqus yelled. "Chaurli! Wake up! We need inside!" The hill shifted slightly as a large scaly head lifted up. A massive turtle, a giant tree upon its shell, looked at them. Slowly, it stood up, revealing a heavy wooden door. Eraqus ran in and shoved the door open. "Mother! Mother!"

A woman, with long braided dark-brown hair, dressed in a light brown dress, stood up from where she knelt over a pot. "Eraqus?" She held out her arms, catching the little boy in a hug.

"Mother, you have to help him."

"Help who?" She looked up, gasping lightly as the sight of the boy. "Sato? What has happened!?"

The man laid Xehanort on a bed. "I do not know what has happened, but he needs help. Usually, spells and potions do something, even if they don't cure. Nothing happened, so…"

The woman pushed him aside and held a hand over Xehanort, her hand glowing slightly. "It is good that you brought him here. Eraqus, go to the back garden; bring me beeswax, pepperwort, yarrow, and chamomile. Go!" The boy left without a word. "Sato, you risked a lot coming here. If Yen Sid finds out-"

"I had to save the boy, Freya." The Keyblade master knelt beside the bed. "And, any excuse for Eraqus to see the woman who raised him."

Freya smiled slightly. "Well, I am grateful to see my little boy again. Tell me, did you know of this boy's illness?"

"No, he told me nothing of it. When we were training, he fell over and began bleeding from his mouth."

"His heart is out of balance." Freya's hand glowed again. "You were correct in saying that your magic would not work. But you will get quite the scolding for relying on my ancient, "dark" Seiðr. I assume Yen Sid is already aware that you are here; he has quite a knack for knowing those things."

"That he does."

Eraqus came running back inside. "I've got them, Mother!"

"Good." Freya took them, throwing them into a pot, along with some other ingredients and potions, before she cast some magic on it. "Sato, hold up the boy's head." She scooped up a bowl of the strange mixture as the master held up Xehanort's head. Slowly, she poured the drink down his throat. "There. That will help him."

"Thank you…"

Sato gasped slightly. He stood up, looking at a strange circle of light in the room. "Oh…" A face appeared in the orb. An old man with a long beard. "You were right, Freya. Master Yen Sid."

"Sato, you are visiting Yggdrasil? And you are at Freya's home."

"I am."

"Come to my tower and explain."

The orb vanished. And the master sighed. "I'll come back for my students. Freya, I trust you with them." He turned and left.

The woman sighed before turning to her boy. "Eraqus… how are you?"

"I'm fine." He looked at the other boy. "This is Xehanort. He's a brand new student; Master Sato and I brought him only the day before yesterday. What was wrong with him, Mother?"

Freya sat on the bed. "His body was rejecting his heart. I do not know why, but I will ask him when he wakes. You said his name was, Xehanort?" The boy nodded. "I see." She got up, checking all her potions and ingredients. "I know I promised that I would take care of you boys, but I am out of ingredients." She smirked. "Can you tell me which ones and where to find them?"

Eraqus looked at the potions. "The potions are made from water and mist from Helheim. There are ingredients from Jötunheim and Muspelheim missing."

"Correct. You remembered a lot. And you were only five when I taught you those things." She ruffled his hair with a smile. "Your father and mother would be proud too. Now, I need you to wait here. I'll be getting those ingredients."

"But, I thought… I thought Odin made it so you couldn't leave Midgar."

"I still have my ways, boy." Kissing his forehead, Freya grabbed her bow. "I will leave Hildisvíni to watch over you both. Now, what is rule number one when I'm gone?"

"Do not leave, no matter what."

"Good boy." With one more pat on the head, she left, leaving the boys alone with only the boar, Hildisvíni with them.

Xehanort gasped as he felt a warm feeling shoot through his blood. His eyes shot open, and his mouth. As he gasped, a small puff of blue smoke shot out.

"Xehanort!"

He blinked, looking over at his friend. "E-Eraqus?" His eyes glanced around the strange home, full of potions and strange dried plants. "Where are we?"

"You passed out during training and were bleeding. Master Sato brought you here…"

"Where is here?"

Eraqus grinned. "My mother's home… well, not my real mother." The boy grinned happily. "Her name is Freya. She can do this old magic called, Seiðr. That is what saved your life. But, another master doesn't like Seiðr… and I mean, it is dangerous and can hurt the user, like all Vanir magic, so Master Sato got called away for a scolding most likely. Mother had to replenish her ingredients, so she left me to keep an eye on you."

"You talk too much…" Xehanort held a hand to his head.

"Sorry…" Eraqus helped his fellow student sit up. "Mother's magic and potion should have healed your heart… but we don't know what was wrong in the first place. Mother said your heart was being rejected by your body."

Xehanort sighed. "I was… going to tell you and Master Sato, but everything moved so fast."

"Well, you're cured now!"

"How? My doctors said I was going to die…"

Eraqus grinned. "Well, my mother is a goddess, so she should know a lot of things."

"Wait… what!?"

"My mother is a Vanir goddess." Eraqus chuckled. "Master Sato told you that my father and mother died. When I was an infant, the frost giants of Jötunheim attacked our home and killed my parents. Freya found me in the rubble and raised me. When I was five, she sent me to live with Master Sato" The boy looked at his sickly companion. "Hey, when you're feeling better, I'll show you my favorite place!"

Xehanort rubbed his eyes. "Well, you said I'm cured, so why don't we go now? I'm feeling ok."

"We're not supposed to leave…" Eraqus leaned against the wall. "But… I know where the ingredients Mother needs are, and it will take her quite some time to get them… if we can. Eh… I don't see why a quick trip to another realm wouldn't work."

He jumped up, holding out a hand to his friend. Xehanort sat up, taking his hand. "Lead the way."

Eraqus opened the front door, only to find a large boar on the other side, snarling. "Oh… Hildisvíni. Hello." He closed the door. "Alright… not that way. There's an underground path we can take." He opened up another door, down a stairwell to an underground river. "We can take a boat to the Bifrost."

"The what?"

"I'll explain on the way. Just get in the boat." The boys climbed into the wooden boat floating on the water. Eraqus took the paddle and pushed them through the water. "Alright, so this world is split up into nine smaller 'realms' that are like smaller worlds, all connected by the branches of Yggdrasil, the world tree. We're in the central realm, Midgar. My personal favorite realm is Alfheim, home of the light elves. That's where we'll go."

"And the Bifrost?"

"A rainbow bridge between realms." Eraqus grinned. "It'll be the coolest thing you've ever seen."

"I bet." Xehanort leaned back in the boat, pulling a notebook from his pocket.

"What's that?"

Xehanort smiled. "This is a journal. I'm going to write letters to my friend, Venus, and tell her all about our adventures."

"Cool…"

Xehanort smiled and began writing:

Dear Venus,

Apparently, I'm cured! At least, that's what Eraqus says. Eraqus is nice. He's a little younger than me, I think. He and Master Sato did what they could to save me. I'm on a world now where a lady cured me. A world made up of smaller worlds. We're sneaking out… going to see a place called Alfheim.

I wish you could see this place, but I'll my best to describe it.

The underground cave… The walls and water are full of lichen that glow. The water is a pretty green and I see small fish in the water.

I can see the sun now… The sky is just as blue as home, but there are gray clouds in the sky. I see white trees covered in orange leaves. The leaves are all over the ground and make the ground look so colorful. Close your eyes and imagine the orange coral we see sometimes; imagine the leaves that color and all over the ground. It's amazing.

I'll be sure to tell you everything I see and do.

I miss you, but I'm sure you're doing alright. One day, I'll come back and give you these letters.

Your friend,

Xay

I hope you guys like it!

Yes, a lot of this is based on the new God of War game. I chose to do that because I not only liked the game, but I liked their interpretation of Norse mythology.

Please review!

Footnotes:

(1) This is a type of traditional Japanese breakfast called tamago kake gohan.

(2) Heiho is the Japanese word for "square" and Fenikkusa is the Japanese word for "phoenix". Phoenix is where the word "enix" comes from.

Nahum 1:7

"The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust him."