Yo what's goin' on ma dear readers! :D I am really very sorry for the extremely late chapter update cos I just kinda forgot about it and was busy with my personal college life. Please forgive me -_- so in this chapter, our hero Ahmed meets up with Master Bux, Eraqus, Terra and Aqua and as you'll read on; might grow close to them (if you guys and girls haven't noticed, it's Ahmed who really teaches Terra how to fight. His signature stance and brute slow fighting style is adopted from Ahmed, only that Ahmed's attacks are partly themed with fire instead of earth – well, in this story at least ;)) so without further interruptions, I'll let you read on and figure things on. P.S. Sami's stance is almost identical to Vanitas', but his attacks are based on the Riftwalker Class in Dragonfable. Enjoy!
Chapter 5:
Ahmed's eyes widened as he slowly took in everything Ammar taught him about keyblades, Keyblade Mastery, the importance of the balance between Light and Darkness, and how the worlds were all linked. He took a deep breath as he spoke up again.
"So Ammar, does Asad know about all this?"
The said parted-down brown haired boy looked back to his new friend as they made their way down the winding staircase, "Yes, the Masters both told all four of us this together, and now you know too." Ahmed slowed down his pace.
"So wait, how long were we asleep exactly?" Ammar stopped as well.
"Actually, you've been asleep for the past week. Asad awoke only a day after you three arrived here. He had a swelling on his head and a minor bruise on his arm, but he was alright after a Potion. You could also be good as new with just a Hi-Potion, but I suggested that you should be given an Elixir. You know? Because you needed energy after losing so much of it during your beauty sleep." Ammar finished the last sentence as he placed both hands on his hips, smiling broadly.
Ahmed couldn't help but chuckle at his new friend's cheesy grin, then an idea clicked in his head, "Hey, why don't we use an Elixir on Sami to heal him up as well?" his voice ringing with hope.
The parted-down brown haired boy simply shook his head, "No can do I'm afraid. You have to be awake to drink any potion or eat an Ether…"
"But isn't there ANYTHING we can do to help him get better? He's my best friend!" Ahmed interrupted as he felt his eyes well up.
Ammar wrapped his arms around Ahmed in a brotherly manner as the gelled black haired boy did the same.
"There, there Ahmed. Everything will be alright I promise. Sami is probably getting well as we speak, dreaming about seeing you all again. I'm sure the Masters know what to do. Let's go."
As both boys made their way to the dining hall, Ahmed gazed around the castle, admiring how huge it was. The main entrance hall – almost bare of anything, was brightly lit up with hundreds of candles. A large circular window on one of the top half of the room. One could easily get lost in here. Ammar noticed the young boy next to him gaping and couldn't help but smile.
Ahmed looked back to his friend, "Hey, how long have you been living in this place?"
Ammar's eyes fell downward as he thought deeply, "I…. don't really remember. All I remember was waking up in this castle seven years ago. The rest of my life is like a complete blur."
"Hey it's okay. I'm sure you'll recall it all someday."
"No, you don't understand Ahmed," Ammar interrupted as his voice shook slightly. "You have no idea what it's like to…. to not being able to remember your past. How dumb it can make you feel in front of new people when they try to know you and you don't have an answer to fit their questions, but most importantly I… I… uh…"
Ammar stopped and pinched the bridge of his nose as he gritted his teeth. Ahmed stopped next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder reassuringly.
"I long for a family Ahmed. A real family, like every other boy throughout the worlds."
Ahmed paused as he understood his friend. He may not know how it might feel like that, but he did know how to make him feel better. He stepped closer and hugged him.
"It's alright Ammar," he cooed as he gently clapped his hand on the parted down brown haired boy's back. "In the end, it never really matters if you have a family or not, as long as you're surrounded by the people who love and care for you; your friends. Master Bux and Master Eraqus, do they care and love you?"
Ammar wiped his cheek with his sleeveless arm, "Yes they do. More than anyone possibly can,"
"See there you go! What else do you need right? And don't worry, from what I've learned from you, I can say that we too will grow to be close friends. Just you wait and see all the fun and adventures that await us buddy, just you wait."
Ammar smiled at this gelled black haired boy next to him. Even though he hardly knew him at all, but he was still making him feel so good inside. 'Ahmed is a true friend, just like Asad.' he thought as they continued their trek to the dining hall. 'I wonder if I can grow so close to Sami as well.'
As the two boys entered the grand dining hall, Ahmed looked up to the ceiling, noticing a great candle-lit chandelier. Beneath the chandelier, was the largest banquet table he had ever seen, big enough to seat over a fifty souls. On one end of the table; sat a tall man in a long dark blue robe and green hem, with brilliantly and a glowing golden colored beard and matching colored short hair. One look at his long face told Ahmed that this man before him was a jinn; with his odd-colored blue and yellow eyes, distinctive pointed ears and hair appearing to be made of light. Opposite him was seated another man who looked like an ordinary human, but with a look of wisdom and power in his eyes; he wore a white, red lined haori with a hood, along with a slightly shorter than normal, light-colored hakama. Underneath his haori, he wore a navy blue shirt with a large white X pattern on the front. A dull blue-green section of armor, similar to Ammar's, covered his abdomen. In addition, his black hair were tied into a short, high topknot, with one bang falling off to the right side of his face. He also sported a short, triangular soul-patch beard and a mustache. His look, overall made him resemble a samurai.
In the centre, sat three kids lost in deep conversation. A young boy no older than Ahmed and Ammar; in a grey v-neck t shirt, long dark brown hair that reached to the base of his neck in the back and is styled into rather messy, vertical spikes and bangs that framed his face. He had blue eyes and slightly tanned skin. He also wore a plain black wristband on his right arm. Next to him sat a young girl no more than ten, with medium-length blue hair, mostly parted to her left and blue eyes. She wore a black and navy blue, high-collared halter top and tan, fingerless gloves. 'She's… kinda cute,' Ahmed thought as he looked to her side and found the exact person he was itching to see; wearing a pair of small red shorts on a turquoise shirt under a black waistcoat with yellow-blue pockets, sporting yellow fingerless gloves and a pair of yellow boots with blue soles and black straps. His hair light brown and hanging over most of his small face, hiding one of his light brown eyes. Asad; completely healthy and happier than ever. He looked up to find his best friend, and his face broke into one a mother has when she sees her child.
"AHMED!" he cried as he stood up to greet his friend, "You're okay! I'm so happy!"
"I'm happy to see you too Asad." Ahmed bro hugged his younger friend and took a seat opposite the three children in front of him, next to Ammar who fist bumped the boy with vertical brown spikes and waved at the younger girl with blue hair who smiled back.
"Ah, I see you're all well now young man." began the old man with golden hair in a deep, warm voice. "I am Master Bux, and this here is my partner and good friend, Master Eraqus." he motioned to the man sitting across from him.
"Good to meet you son." Master Eraqus said smiling to his young guest, "What's your name?"
"Hello everyone. My name is Ahmed, and I can't thank you enough for all you have done for us."
The blue haired girl's smile widened as she extended a hand toward the gelled black haired boy as she started in her lilted feminine voice, "Hi, I'm Aqua. It's nice to meet you Ahmed."
"O-oh…. uh.. it's nice to meet you too." Ahmed answered; his voice trembled a bit as he took her hand. 'I think I'm in love…. wait, WHAT?!' he inwardly smacked himself. Sure Aqua was pretty, but he need not lose his head, right?
"Hey there, the name's Terra." the boy with messy vertical brown spikes greeted next as he fist bumped Ahmed.
After that, a few more introductions and history was exchanged all around the table. Ahmed learned that Master Bux and Eraqus had both been students at this place and lived here all their lives before they became Keyblade Masters.
Aqua was a young princess in a large tropical and forested world called 'Aika Village' where people spent their life playing on the sunny beach enjoying coconut smoothies, or exploring the vast jungle, hunting with their homemade tiki tools. She had learnt the art of weaving necklaces, charming them with magical properties.
Terra came from a much different world called 'Swordhaven'. This world was a large modern kingdom with lush cottages and healthy-natured people who specialized in potion-making, magic and Lore Mastery (A.N; a Lore Master is a wise individual who has knowledge of past events that happened around the worlds, compiling them into books and records for the future, with the additional skill of sending people back in time to any age they want to, so they may relive any past events they wished or missed. Common in the universe of Dragon Fable) , ruled by a good and just ruler known as King Alteon. Terra's family was one of the common folk and weren't of royal bloodline, so he couldn't apply for the Swordhaven Decree of Knighthood. The king, however had seen Terra's enthusiastic spirit and gifted him a wooden keyblade with his name engraved in the hilt on his eleventh birthday. Even though he didn't know how to fight yet, he was determined to learn how to though. Ahmed noticed his determined heart and promised his new friend he would teach him his style; making him more than happy.
During their magnificent feast of almost anything and everything a person could wish for, a curious question struck the young gelled back haired boy.
"Excuse me Master Eraqus, but if we're all here learning to wield and learn the art of the keyblade, wouldn't our family be worried to find us missing?"
The Master stopped sipping his goblet of fizzy lemonade and turned to the children as he swept away a stray dark grey lock of his hair.
"Well, you see young man; it's true that all your families will be worried to find you nowhere on your homeworld, but all five of you being here far far away from your homes are essential. You see, after years of chaos and warfare, there were five Foretellers; Invi, Gula, Ira, Aced, and Ava, that sought to protect the worlds from darkness. These Foretellers were a group of very powerful Keyblade Masters who controlled their respective Unions, each consisting of a young beast as its image; Invi's Union of keyblade wielders consisted of a blue snake, Gula's consisted of a white leopard, Ira's was a white and gold unicorn, Aced a grey bear and Ava had a white and blue fox as her Union's own unique image. Now, do you all know who were the main warriors and representatives of each Union?"
All five children shook their heads in sync.
"They were all children my young students. Ideally, most of them were all teenagers and youths from the ages of fourteen to eighteen, but I am positive that each Union would also surely consist of even younger people of your age."
Asad stopped munching his turkey leg and turned to the wise Master, "But surely the Unions may not only comprise of teenagers. I mean, surely there might as well be adults involved too right?"
Both Masters chuckled softly, "Do you think like that because children have been neglected by adults throughout time?"
All five children cried in unison,
"Well, yes."
"The answer is no, my good children. The Unions did not consist of any adults. Why? Well let's say children are way better than any adult can possibly become or hope to be when it comes to fighting the forces of evil with good. Adults complicate fights; involving their personal desires and enmity in their major motives, whereas children will fight for the truth – whatever is right, like the safety of their friends, the importance for the survival of whom they love and for the thrill of being heroes and to be good in the eyes of others. All this can help a child achieve what is right much quicker and better than any other adult possibly could. This way, they'll also learn some important life lessons; learn the value of friendship, and so much more. The light in a good child's heart will shine brighter than any good adult's, making them face any situation, and any enemy no matter how tough and scary they may be. So anyone who says that children are immature and imperfect for anything dangerous or challenging is either too overconfident over themselves, or too afraid to admit." Master Bux finished with a soft chuckle.
All five children's jaw dropped as their eyes fell to the dining hall entrance. Both Keyblade Masters at first looked puzzled but followed their line of sight and reciprocated.
There in the distance, standing heavily bandaged at the huge double doors; a boy with jet black messy hair and large raven colored eyes. He gave his signature smile when he saw Ahmed and Asad looking back to him as if seeing a ghost, both Masters were stunned to find him hurt, but still mobile, Ammar nearly spat out his cherry chocolate mousse, Terra quirked an eyebrow at him, and Aqua just blushed as his deep eyes met her azure ones.
"SAMI!"
Both gelled back haired and long brown haired young boys bounded from their seats and grabbed their friend in a headlock nearly choking him to death and muttering unintelligibly. The Masters couldn't help but chuckle. Sami looked back mortified as his beloved teammates strangled him.
"Hey!... Cut.. it.. out.. guys.. AHHHH! SOMEBODY HELP!" Terra, Aqua and Ammar burst into laughter as well. Sami seemed like a likeable character.
"We were worried sick dude!"
"How are you?!"
"Just look at you bro, you're a wreck!"
"You need more rest!"
"Krazy kid!"
"How are you gonna get better like this?"
Sami simply shook his head. Master Bux got up and strode over to the three boys. Ahmed and Asad stopped their lecturing and let the old jinn come through – yes, Master Bux was a jinn. Pure-blood jinn of Light they noticed. Ahmed saw up close that his ears really were very long and pointy as his hair and beard were a glowing golden. He came up to Sami and crouched down to his position.
"How are you feeling young man?" he began in a deep, warm voice. Ammar sensed a feeling of déjà' vu. Sami gulped before he responded.
"Umm…. I.. uh…" he stammered as was his habit when he felt nervous, he sighed before continuing "I felt strange when I w-woke up in a d-different bed sir. I'm not really used to sleeping anywhere e-else and I knew t-that I was a long way from home, so on instinct, I d-decided to explore this vast castle. I'm feeling much better now. T-thank y-you for your hospitality."
Both Ahmed and Asad gave their friend a thumbs up as he made it to the end quite well.
Master Bux placed his hand on the messy black haired boy's shoulder. "I sense that you have a habit of stammering my son?" Sami looked around nervously before he sighed and nodded. The jinn simply smiled back kindly and patted him.
"It's alright Sami. I'm sure you'll get over your weaknesses one day. That's what's going to make you a unique hero. I sense a strong presence of light in you child, and I can guarantee you will do wonders. Just believe in yourself." The said jet black haired boy stood stunned before he nodded back, rather happily. Master Bux reached in his pocket and pulled out an elixir.
"What's that?"
"An elixir. This might help," he opened the round package and handed the starry liquid to the boy, "There, drink up."
Sami stared into it, before he gulped down it entirely. Within seconds, just like Ahmed, he felt good as new. He took of the cast on his leg and noticed as the wound healed into a scar before completely disappearing into his tan complexion.
"Thank you so much sir!" Sami cried happily.
Master Bux smiled back.
"Come on now, you must be hungry. There's plenty to come around still." He led Sami to the large table as the boy seated next to Aqua who looked back at him curiously. The messy black haired boy flashed his signature smile once more which deepened the short blue haired girl's blush. Terra rolled his eyes.
"Hey there, I'm Sami. What's your name?"
"Oh! Umm… hi I'm Aqua," she smiled as she took his hand and shook it. 'Why am I feeling this way?' she kept thinking to herself.
"Name's Terra buddy," the boy with messy vertical brown spikes spoke up as he shook next. Sami greeted him back just as happily.
Ammar wiped his hand on his apron as he forced a large chunk of pepper steak down his throat. "I'm Ammar! I've been hearing a lot of you lately from Ahmed and Asad. Wanna be friends?" Ahmed and Asad smirked.
Sami smiled as he shook his meat-scented hand casually.
"Yeah. It's good to meet everyone. I'm sure we'll all be great friends."
And that they will indeed.
Whew! Finally done. So what do y'all think? Bet you didn't see that coming did you? :D well anyway, please review. I'll try to update ASAP. Peace out!