"I've spent years studying the workings of the heart.

Yet it seems I still haven't learned a thing.'" -Ansem the Wise


Over the course of the next few days Xehanort and Eraqus became fast friends. The pair had become almost inseparable, often engaging in practice spars, or holding deep conversations. Eraqus wasted little time showing Xehanort all of his hangouts in and around the castle. Today the pair were hanging out at the old training grounds, located little ways out from the castle. The grounds overlooked the surrounding mountains and villages. Eraqus explained to Xehanort that the area was once often used for training, but now it served as a hangout for students, as well as making a great observation point for the frequent meteor showers. While they relaxed Eraqus began explaining the purpose of the castle. It served as a place where young pupils could study magic and combat. The castle was under the leadership of a man named Ansem who held the title of Master. Under Ansem, there served a council of mentors who tutored the students in their respective areas of expertise. When a pupil proved him or herself of high caliber potential, they were invited to undergo an apprenticeship with Master Ansem for more 'specialized training'. Eraqus was about to explain what that training entailed when a man in a white robe approached them.

Eraqus let out a loud groan. "Oh boy here we go," he muttered.

The man reached them and pointed at Eraqus with a stern look on his face. "Eraqus where have you been? This is the third lesson you've missed this week," he said.

Eraqus gave the man a bored look. "Come on Jensen lighten up. It's not like I've missed anything that I don't already know," he said dryly.

Jensen let out a sigh of frustration. "I don't care how advanced you are in your abilities. Your father would not appreciate you and your sister skipping lessons for your-" he looked smugly at Xehanort-"frivolous pursuits."

From the context of the exchange, Xehanort could tell two things. The first was that this was a reoccurring argument between the pair, and the second was that Jensen for whatever reason disapproved of Eraqus' new found friendship with Xehanort. As if to prove his observation correct, Eraqus simply shrugged casually at Jensen, rubbing him off. Jensen in return shot a nasty look at Xehanort before returning his attention to Eraqus, who clearly didn't have the slightest interest in what he was saying. Instead, he put his hands behind his head and leaned back slightly a smirk sliding on his face.

"So my sister is playing hooky too?" Eraqus asked Jensen.

Jensen tossed Eraqus an annoyed look that gave him the answer. "Yes, apparently the notion that class is beneath you, runs in the family," he said.

Eraqus laughed. "Which is why she and I make a good team. Great minds think alike."

This time, it was Jensen's turn to slide a smirk on his face. "Well, great minds become less great when they don't keep up with their studies. A sentiment I shared with your father when I told him of your...absences."

Eraqus once again let out a groan. "Really Jensen you just had to snitch me out," he said, clearly annoyed.

Jensen straightened himself to full height smiling at his small victory " , I did. Your father expects you in his study by the end of the day... and bring the boy too." With that Jensen bid the pair a good day and walked smugly back towards the castle.

Eraqus turned back to Xehanort still wearing an annoyed look. "I know Jensen means well but sometimes he is a real in the-" Eraqus stopped and let out a long sigh. "-Well I guess there is no use griping about it. Might as well get this over with now, " he said.

Eraqus began walking back to the castle and motioned for Xehanort to follow. Xehanort, however, halted Eraqus. "Hey, Eraqus no offense but why on earth do I have to meet with your father? Is he someone important around here," Xehanort asked.

Eraqus rubbed the back of his head nervously and let out a small sigh. "Look I didn't want to bring it up right away for a couple reasons,"- his face had suddenly contorted to look like he was about to spit out something unpleasant.-"You have to understand people treat me different once they find out." Eraqus was clearly about to admit something that was a source of discomfort to him.

"Will you just spit it out Eraqus," Xehanort said, as he started to laugh."I promise not to judge you."

Eraqus stared at Xehanort for a moment. "Well, you know how I told you about the master of the castle?... Well I forgot to mention he's also my father..." he said, trailing off.

"And?" Xehanort asked, rather bluntly.

Eraqus snorted. "What do you mean and?" he asked. "That's a kind of a big deal."

Xehanort shrugged, "It's not as big a deal as you're making it out to be. Back on the Islands, my father was on the Council of Elders," he said.

Eraqus stared at Xehanort for a long time dumbfounded at his new friend's reaction, or lack of reaction at such big news. Clearly, Xehanort was the first person to ever be unimpressed with Eraqus' father being the master of the castle. Finally, Eraqus clapped Xehanort on the back. "You know this is why we get along so well you don't let anything phase you. My sister is going to love you. I can't wait to introduce you," he said with a smile.

The two boys began trailing their way back to the castle. As they walked Xehanort decided to ask Eraqus something that had slightly bothered about his recent revelation. "Eraqus why would your father's position be something you're ashamed of?" he asked.

Eraqus was silent for a moment before letting out a soft sigh. " I'm not ashamed of him it's just we don't always get along.-" he stopped walking-"He doesn't treat me like his son half the time. I'm more like his student...I mean what sort father makes his son refer to him by his full name and title."

Xehanort nodded in understanding. Even though his relationship with his father was a lot different he still understood the strain that comes from your father being an important public figure. The two started walking again as Eraqus continued "I mean it wouldn't be so bad if it was just in public but it's all the time. He's like one of those weird actors who never breaks character," Eraqus said sarcastically, putting his hands behind his head.

Xehanort laughed at the joke causing Eraqus to laugh as well.

"Well I guess you'll be finding out for yourself since he wants to meet you as well," Eraqus said.

He gave Xehanort a curious look wondering what his father could possibly want with him. As the two closed in on the castle he could have sworn he saw a flash of blonde hair sweep into the doors. But when they arrived at the doors there was nothing there. Deciding his eyes were playing tricks on him he brushed it off and followed Eraqus into the castle as they headed for his father's study.

...

Eraqus led Xehanort through the castle before finally stopping before two large heavily decorated doors.

"Well here goes nothing," Eraqus said.

He knocked three times on the door and waited. There was a momentary pause before the two heard a voice telling them to enter. Eraqus pushed the doors open, and entered the study, as Xehanort followed suit. The room was full of bookcases each holding many large volumes, and ancient looking scrolls. A large glass stained door leading to an outside balcony filled the back of the room. In the center of the room stood a single desk, and a chair. The man occupying the chair could only be Eraqus' father Master Ansem. Xehanort's first impression of the man was one of authority. The man oozed an aura that left no doubt as to which man in the room was in charge. He wore an ornately decorated cloak of red. Underneath the cloak was a set of highly traditional looking robes. He had blonde hair, despite his aged face, and had striking amber colored eyes. His eyes told Xehanort more of a story than any words could. It was here Xehanort saw a man of great intelligence, and power. His eyes told Xehanort that before him stood a man not to be trifled with. Master Ansem met Xehanort's gaze as the two sized each other up.

Finally, it was Eraqus who broke the silence."Father, you wished to-" Master Ansem looked sharply at his son and cleared his throat rather loudly. "-I mean Master Ansem you wished to see me," Eraqus said, quickly correcting himself.

"It has come to my attention that you and your sister have been skipping your lessons with Mentor Jensen," Master Ansem said, after a slight pause.

Eraqus quickly went on the defensive. "But sir, Jensen is just being a stiff. He refuses to move us forward in our lessons even though we have long since mastered the material. It's not our fault the rest of students are-"

Master Ansem held up his hand effectively silencing his son in way Xehanort had yet to see since he arrived. "I did not ask you for excuses," he said, harshly giving Eraqus a stern look. "I expect you, and your sister to be at Mentor Jensen's next lesson no excuses."

"But sir-" Eraqus said, starting to complain.

His father stood up to full height, making even Xehanort flinch. "That was an order, and I expect it to be followed. Am I understood?" he asked.

Eraqus reluctantly nodded lowering his head in defeat. "Yes sir," he said.

"Good, you're dismissed and if you happen upon your sister relay her the message."

With that, Eraqus traipsed out of the study still wearing a look of defeat.

Xehanort was about to follow him when he was halted by Master Ansem. "I did not dismiss you yet," he said.

Xehanort turned back around and walked back to the desk.

Master Ansem sat back down in his seat. "Please have a seat," he said.

Xehanort looked around for a chair but there was none to be found.

Master Ansem chuckled slightly. "My apologies," he said, as he waved his hand and conjured a chair from thin air.

Xehanort's mouth dropped open in awe as he sat down in the chair.

"Please excuse my earlier tone, my children have been ah...rebellious as of late. They require a firm hand," Master Ansem said.

Xehanort kept silent about the subject feeling it was not his place to question anyone's parenting skills. Instead, he blurted out something else. "How did you make that chair appear out of nothing," he asked.

Master Ansem laughed. "Inquisitive I see-" He held out a hand. "-Before existence, there existed nothing. Out of that void of emptiness, the beginning of our world was born. Nothingness lays on the cusp of both destruction and creation. Harnessing it allows us minor abilities of creation.-"he materialized a small apple and tossed it to Xehanort. "-Few have the ability to master it. Even those that have only have are only able to create no more than furniture or small amounts of food, " he explained.

"Do students learn that here?" Xehanort asked.

"It is not learned by the students..at least not by the average student," Master Ansem responded.

Xehanort nodded in understanding. Master Ansem studied Xehanort rather curiously before speaking again. "Eraqus tells me you came here from another world. Is this true?" he asked.

Xehanort hesitated before nodding. " Yes, sir."

Master Ansem nodded in return. "From which world did you come from?" he asked.

"Destiny Islands sir," responded Xehanort.

Upon hearing this Master Ansem raised an eyebrow, his curiosity peaking with interest. "That world has rich and extensive history," he said.

"Yes, my father has told me some of it. How an outsider came to Destiny Islands with five children, and how he left leaving one of his children behind," Xehanort said.

Master Ansem stroked his beard and smiled."Yes..that's how the story goes," he said slowly.

The way he said it gave Xehanort the impression that there was much more to the story that Master Ansem knew of. However, he didn't elaborate and instead appeared to be in a state of deep contemplation. Xehanort stayed nervously silent waiting for Master Ansem to continue. He suddenly returned his attention back to Xehanort."How did you escape your world? Under the circumstances, it should have been impossible."

Xehanort hesitated for a moment not holding the same level of trust with Master Ansem that he shared with Eraqus. Xehanort proceeded to tell Master Ansem a modified version of the events that led to his arrival at Destiny Islands. He made certain to leave out certain details such as the ancient page he found. When he finished Ansem studied Xehanort giving him the impression that he was aware Xehanort was not being wholly truthful. "Do you wish to return home?" he asked, suddenly.

Of all the questioned he could have asked this was the last one Xehanort expected. "Wha..what?" Xehanort stuttered.

"Do you wish to return home? If you so desire I can easily return you to the Islands. That is if that's what you want," he said, watching Xehanort carefully.

Xehanort was suddenly filled with anxiety. He couldn't leave now, he had only just arrived. He thought about his parents who were probably stricken with grief at the apparent loss of their son. However, his heart was desperately reminding him that his place was far beyond the shores of Destiny Islands. His destiny began at the Land of Departure, and he knew in his heart he had to finish on the path he started.

"No sir I believe I was brought here for a reason and... I would like to see what that reason is. I think this place has a lot more to offer me than the Islands," Xehanort said.

Master Ansem gave Xehanort a short nod. "This castle serves to teach students in arts that will equip them for the world much larger than their own. Whether it is combat, magic, or defensive strategy our Mentors who teach here are the best. Few students master what we have to teach here, even fewer have the qualities necessary for the true calling that this castle offers. I hope you prove yourself one of those few. I expect you to join Eraqus and my daughter at their next lesson.-"

Xehanort interrupted. "Pardon the interruption but what is this true calling you speak of. Eraqus said you do specialized training but he never got around to explaining what that training is."

Master Ansem laughed "Follow my son around I'm sure you'll figure it out. Part of discovery is the journey that leads to it," he said with a wink.

For some reason, Xehanort felt this statement held a double meaning.

"At any rate, you will begin your lessons alongside my children. Do your best to impress me. You are dismissed," Master Ansem said.

Xehanort got up and was about to leave when Master Ansem halted him. "One more thing when you arrived I noticed you were capable of materializing Ethereal Blades. Could you show me?" he asked.

Xehanort lifted his hands and summoned forth his blades. Master Ansem nodded in approvement. "A very impressive form of Aura Weapon, even more so for one of your age. Thank you for showing me you're free to go," he said.

He stood and reached behind his desk pulling out what Xehanort immediately recognized as his knapsack. "I believe this belongs to you. It was brought to me when you first arrived."

Xehanort took it, and ruffled through its contents everything appeared to be there except the torn page."Sir, did anyone find anything else when I arrived? Maybe a torn page?.."he asked

Master Ansem gave Xehanort a questioning look.

"It's a keepsake from my father," Xehanort quickly made up.

Master Ansem looked at Xehanort for a long time before shaking his head. He looked directly into Xehanort's eyes. "No one reported finding such an object. It must have gotten lost when you arrived," he said.

With that Xehanort left the study, and went to go search for Eraqus.


A/N : This chapter was a little hard to write because I wasn't sure how I wanted to characterize Xehanort's and Eraqus' master. I know the plot points I want to include but I was having trouble reconciling them with canon. I finally found a solution that allows me to go the direction I wanted while still following the canon storyline. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter. Please review it really helps in the motivation department. It also helps me know you guys if like the story and will help me fix any problems you might have. The next chapter will introduce one of the most important characters in the series. Hope you guys look forward to it.