I worked my way to the top of a small hill I had seen a ways back. I had been traveling for about an hour since I had heated myself, and had done the same thing four times since then. From the top of the hill, I could see a large frozen lake spread out in front of me. Their was a thin layer of snow over the ice, so I couldn't be sure how thick the ice was. I jumped down from the hill and landed next the lake, testing it with my foot. It seemed sturdy enough, and I stepped out onto it. My eyes focused on my feet as I took careful steps on the lake. A loud noise off in the distance diverted my attention, and I snapped up my head to see what it was.

"Terra!" Came a shout.

Two small figures were approaching in the distance. I squinted my eyes to see who they were. It was Aqua and Ven, running towards me from the other side of the lake. Aqua was dragging Ven behind her, as he struggled to balance while running. My heart skipped at the side of them.

"Hey!" I shouted in response.

Nothing was behind them, and I was curious to wonder why they were running. My curiosity was cut short as something nailed me in the back of the head, blurring my vision and sending my sprawling to the ground. I heard the ice crack as I landed.

As my vision recovered from the blow, I could faintly hear a laugh from beside me. It was a familiar laugh, and I regretted knowing who it belonged to. His voice was low and coated with spite.

"Terra, Terra, Terra," Master Xehanort chanted above me, "You shouldn't have come for them. It is a mistake you will soon regret."

I lifted my head from the ice and turned to see Master Xehanort looming over me. A wicked smile covered half of his face and his eyes gleamed with unknown desire. He was holding his keyblade close at his side.

"You see," I heard him continue, "I am seeking something, Terra."

He paused for a moment, tapping his keyblade on my back.

"I am seeking a new apprentice."

My mind pondered over the thought of Xehanort's current apprentice. His apprentice always resisted human contact, giving him a negative reputation among the keyblade bearers. He avoided people at all costs, spending countless hours training magick and combat. I had only seen him a few times, and each time he had seemed so distant from the world around him. No one knew his name, but no one ever asked. I had figured he was killed with everyone else back at the temple.

For some reason, I ignored his statement. At the current time, I could care less about what or what not Xehanort was seeking. Right now I knew I had to prevent him from harming Aqua and Ven. I pushed myself up with my arms, fixating myself in a kneeling positioned. From there I stood up, placing my feet firmly on the ice. Under me, the ice churned and moaned, affected harshly by the crack my body had created previously.

My head pounded. I ran my fingers through my hair and looked at my hand. Blood. There wasn't much, but it was enough to put me in a disoriented state. I looked over at Ven and Aqua. It seemed that they had stopped running towards me once Master Xehanort had appeared. They stood from a distance, watching us. I turned my head back to Xehanort. He held a focused glare at me.

"So then, Terra," He snarled, "Are you willing to fight to the death in order to promote things that you think are valued?"

I nodded and summoned my keyblade to my side. It appeared instantly in a flash of white, finding comfort in the warm of my hand. Xehanort laughed and held his keyblade in front of him. I did the same.

"By the power of my friends," I promised, "I will destroy you."