Terra stood standing her back to a small fireplace. She was attempting to keep Iole in her arms, the creature wanted to poke around the store that they found themselves in that or place with three duck boys that were eyeing them oddly. At first Terra suspected them to be just large dolls but when spoke to her she nearly set the poor thing on fire in freight. Riku was talking with another one of the duck-boys apparently the man he came to see was no longer in the town. But with some luck the two walked out store with what Terra thought to be a gummi ship, whatever that was. Riku sighed tossing a small red block up and down in his hand.
"It'd be nice to say we're outta here but unless you've got a ship secretly waiting for you looks like we're stuck for the time being." He pocketed the object Terra shook her head as the two stood facing the large gates that from what she had been told led to the outside universe. "Isn't there anything we can do?" She asked holding her hand behind her back. He chuckled turning to smile at her with a mischievous grin. "There is always a way, you just have to be willing to look. Know what I mean?" He winked Terra cheeks flushed shaking her head.
"Louie told me that we should see Merlin, he could send us to the guy we need to see. Now it's gonna cost a lot, so how much do you have?" He asked rummaging through his own pockets. Terra quickly opened her pouch and pulled out a small brown bag that was tied around the top holding it out to him. "2000 Gil, I hope it helps." She said, he took tossing it up in hand and catching he laughing pulling out a similar bag from his pocket. "Gil? Is that the currency of your world? Here we use Munny; we'll see how this goes. Follow me and be ready to fight a few Heartless." She gave a firm nod placing Iole on her shoulder who squeaked enthusiastically as she followed after Riku. It didn't take long before the heartless reappeared when they walked back toward the second district.
Once again the key shaped blade appeared in Riku's hand as he charged toward the heartless. He brought down blade slicing through one and then with an upward swing took out another. Terra raised her into the air yelling "Firaga," a small group of the heartless erupted into flames. She continued to assault using various other spells while Riku hacked his way through. Pretty soon they seemed to all disappear the remaining few melting backing into the shadows. The two reached another large set of doors, Riku reached out to push the doors opened. He leaned his weight to his arm but the door didn't budge. "Huh?" He said leaning harder him to the door. Terra put both hands on the door and leaned too hoping their strength combined would open the door. Nothing.
"Hold on a second." He said motion of her to stand back, she took a few steps backwards as he leaned against the door on hand tight on the handle and his ear pressed against it. He pushed against it while pulling listening intently to the sound beyond the door. Terra tilted her head glancing sideways at Iole who was mimicking her head movement. He let go of the door standing up scratching his head. "What?" She asked moving slightly behind him peering over his shoulder as though she too could see the problem.
"It doesn't sound lock, and there doesn't seem to be anything against it." He said leaning against the door again. "Maybe its magic?" "Logically." "Then let me try something." He turned his head looking at her questioningly. She held her left arm out to her side, a green light emitted from the edge of her hand and move out taking the shape of a large pole. The ends were blades that were shaped like hearts with two ends sticking out slightly from the center of the heart. She twirled it around in her hand for a moment before placing it in front of her, she left go and the pole hovered in front of her.
Riku raised and eyebrow and quickly moved away from the door, Iole hopped down from Terra's shoulder and took up a place on Riku's who for a moment seemed a little unnerved by the monkey-like creature. "You know I have a keyblade which might work just as well." He said but just as he finished her right arm shot out "Firaga!" a circle of flame appeared before her and shot out at the door. It hit it in a puff of smoke and the only thing left of her attack was the large burned circle on the wood of the door. She twisted her lips into a grimace as she grabbed the weapon before it hit the ground. "Told you, what is that anyway? I saw you use magic before and you didn't have it." Terra twirled it again in her hand staring at it. "The Paramour Staff, I suppose named because the blades are shaped like hearts. I don't NEED it use magic, but it does enhance my magic, its also good for defense. Figured I need the boost to blow down the door. It's a bad day, can't even break down a door." She huffed as the Paramour Staff disappeared in green sparks. Riku shrugged his shoulder's gripping his keyblade tighter pointing it toward the door. "Why didn't you use that in the first place?" She teased watching intently as a small black beam of light shot out from the end and it the center of the charred ring. There was a clicking sound and the doors swung open.
"Because I didn't think it was necessary." He replied placing the blade on his shoulder as he walked through the door Iole still perched on his other shoulder. She growled under breath biting her lip at his smug response as she followed after him. This next district seemed empty the only sound that could be heard was the water following from the fountain on the far side of the court. "Feels eerie here." She muttered hurrying herself to where they were inches apart. "Scared?" He asked aware of how close she had just become, Iole growled her ears lowering as she glared straight ahead. "Well I am now." She muttered her eyes widening at her pet's new demeanor. "Then stay close, I'll protect you." He said his voice dropping a little, Terra narrowed her eyes and stopped walking. He turned his head; she had summoned her staff again and started past him.
"I already owe you for taking me with you. Last thing I need is to owe you for saving my neck. And that tone in your voice could get you into trouble someday." She replied, she started down toward the court. A girl with long black hair dressed in a leather bodysuit with a dark blue half-skirt that was held on her waist by a black belt with a large crescent moon shaped buckle. On her hands were a pair of knuckles with small spikes come off her knuckles. Her eyes were violet and narrow; she smiled at Terra when she caught her looking. "I've been looking for you, Terra Vaan. Lord Ishvara would like to speak with you, its quite urgent." Her voice was as cold as her stare; Terra gripped her staff harder remaining firm on the step. The woman started toward them raising a hand to her. Riku glanced from Terra to the other woman wondering if they knew each other. "Ishvara? When did he become a lord, his is Praetor Baralai's advisor." Terra replied, the woman stopped her smile faded she balled her hands into fists.
"Ishvara is a great man, Baralai shouldn't be the Praetor! Ishvara is going to rule Spira, you're lucky Terra. You see he knows who you are and wants you to join him. After all, you're both the same in a way." The woman hissed her smile creeping back on her lips in a sinister twist. Terra looked at the ground thinking hard. "Terra, who is she?" Riku asked not liking the tone in the other girl's voice, Terra shook her head. "I don't know here, but…I can't help but think that I do." Terra's voice was low as she looked back up and held her staff horizontally in front of her. "Listen you tell Ishvara I refuse. If he has intentions of controlling Spira he should prepare himself for a fight. New Yevon, The Machine Faction, and The Youth League will fight back. It's Spira after all, even though everyone is fighting and choosing sides they will come together in the end to do what is right." The woman chuckled, "I, Maya, loyal servant to Lord Ishvara will never let that happen. I'll be seeing you soon." A large black portal opened behind her, Maya turned and stepped into it and it disappeared.
"Looks like your world is in more trouble than just the heartless." Riku said placing a hand on Terra's shoulder; Iole squeaked her tail whipping through the air. She turned her head with a firm nod patting his hand before descending the stairs. "Which way now? Seems like its urgent I get back so I can help." She said as he quickly descended the stairs after her.
Gabriel found himself staring at the large doors that led to the Bevelle Temple. A woman stood behind him in a large trench coat type dress that was dark purple with light blue stripes down its sides. She had short blonde hair that was held back from her face by a small black band, green eyes and tanned skin. She held a large handgun with a blue sphere with bits of red between the handle and the barrel. Gabriel held a long sword that resembled a katana but had a wide tip. On the handle of the sword was a small pair of wings and golden chain with a heart chain hanging from it. "Gabriel, are you sure he is in here?" The woman asked as Gabriel grabbed on of the door handles. "He said to meet him here, he knows where Terra is." Gabriel replied as he opened the door. "Are you scared Galatea?" He asked looking back at his companion. "Bevelle is empty; there is an eerie feeling the air. Not to mention those black creatures we keep running into. What do you expect?" Galatea replied sourly. "That the Captain of the airship Oasis to have a little backbone. Come on, you've fought you're share of fiends. Just think of it like that."
"I also don't like the fact that Praetor Baralai, Gippal, and Nooj have all gone missing yet again! And suddenly Ishvara decides to show up and assume command of Spira in their absence? It doesn't feel right Gabriel." Gabriel shrugged stepping inside; Galatea took one last glance around the deserted town before following after him.
Terra stood in front a large lake, in the center was a small island that held a small house. There some rocks sticking up from the water that allowed someone to cross the lake to reach the house. Riku had already started off across the rocks; he stopped looking back at her. "It's safe. Nothing is going to jump out of the water and attack you." He said as the girl took a small jump and landed on the first rock. Iole had taking back up her roost on her owner's shoulder and was holding on for dear life, she should have stayed with the boy, he knew what he was doing. "Ok great, that leaves the thought that there IS something down there." Terra yelled leaping across to another rock. Two rocks lay between them, he stood with his hands on his hips grinning Terra narrowed her eyes taking in a deep breathe before jumping again. Her feet landed on the edge of the rock, instantly she stuck her arms out of her side trying to grab the air as she wobbled in her place. Iole jumped from her owner's shoulder landing on the rock and grabbed at her boots trying to pull her back. Riku was quick jumping back across the rocks grabbing Terra's arms and pulling her forward. Iole cooed whipping the air with her tail once more. They stood there for a moment, Riku holding on her arms while she tried to catch her breath.
"You ok now?" He asked letting go, she nodded he turned around and started to jump again this time she took his arm and jumped with him. As they both landed somewhat neatly on the next rock he chuckled. She let go walking ahead leaping onto the next rock. Iole jumped across and jumped onto Riku's shoulder making a noise smacking the back of his head with her tail. "What was that for?" He asked as the creature took off following Terra who was now one rock away from the island. "Hey!" He yelled taking off after them, a minute later they stood at the door of the small house. "Well?" Terra asked nodding toward the door, he raise a hand and knocked on the door. The door instantly flew open; "Well come in, I'm in a hurry mind you." An elderly man called out, chairs, books, and various bottles flew across the door way, Terra took a step backward. Riku took her by the elbow and pulled her inside with him. On a small raised platform stood an old man with a long white bread in a blue robe and pointy hat holding a wand waving various things into a small black bag. The chair they had just seen disappeared into the bag, and yet the back still remained small. "Oh wow!" Terra exclaimed as more large pieces of furniture followed the chair. The old man looked at the two giving his wand another flick and everything settled to the floor. He stepped down and walked toward them with a smile.
"What can I do for the two of you today? I hope it's nothing big, I'm moving today as you can see. My name is Merlin, and you are?" He asked looking from Riku to Terra, Riku cleared his throat while Terra left his side to examine the bag. "We need to get to Hollow Bastion." He replied, "How does this bag work?" Terra asked picking up surprised that it weighed near nothing considering its contents. "My boy, how did you get here that you can't use the same method to get there?" The old wizard asked chuckling, looking at the girl. "And her as well," He added turning back to Riku. "The King sent me here, as for her I was told she was transported here when her world was destroyed." Terra looked up from the bag which Iole was now poking her head into. "I see. Well in that case I shall take you with me. I'm moving back to my home there to help with the restoration. You still haven't told me your name, my boy." Merlin replied with a grin as Terra quickly fished Iole from the bag. "Riku," Merlin turned to Terra who set the bag down holding Iole under one arm. "And the two of you?" He smiled offering his hand to her, Terra looked at before bowing. "My name is Terra Vaan, and this is Iole." She replied standing upright, Merlin inclined his head turning to offer his hand to Riku who took it and shook it. Terra mouthed an 'oh' looking at Iole who merely tilted her head not sure what her owner meant.
"To answer your question Miss. Vaan, that is a magical bag that is somewhat like black hole." Merlin said walked back to the platform picking up the back opening it so the two of them could see the blackness that made it look as though the bag was empty. "A black hole?" Terra asked looking the old man in the eye; he nodded pointing his wand at large piece of paper on the wall. On it was a large black circle with various dark rings around it with lines with numbers and small bits of writing point toward a certain part of the picture. "He means that it can hold numerous objects and never be full." Riku whispered as Terra stared at the paper. "Oh, then how does he get things out of it?" She asked Riku shrugged examining the paper himself. "The same way I put it in, magic my dear." The old wizard replied setting the bag down again. "Now come and stand up here behind me so you don't get hurt. Come now, hurry, hurry." He ushered the two of them behind him as he raised his wand and extra hand and everything in the room once again rose into the air zooming into the bag. "Amazing," Terra whispered from the corner of his eye he could see the expression on her face, it was like of a child who just discovered something new; quiet cute. He shook his head laughing to himself, Terra glance at him confused. "What? I've never seen magic like this before!" She stated turning away from him defiantly watching as the last book zoomed into the bag and it snapped shut.
Merlin scooped up the bag turning to Riku and Terra motioning for them to join him. "Now the two of you hold hands and hold onto my arms, tightly I might add. Wouldn't want to get lost in the process would you?" Riku held out a hand to Terra as he grabbed one of Merlin's arms, she took it and held onto the opposite arm. "What about Iole?" She asked nodding to her; Iole sat in front of them using one of her hind legs to scratch behind one of her ears. "Ah yes of course your monkey friend." Merlin opened the bag; Iole squeaked hopping in grabbing one of the sides with her tiny paws and let out a loud noise that was a signal to go. "Now, though I'm sure it doesn't need to be said; hold on." Merlin said raising his wand arm that Terra clung to and tightened her hand on Riku's hand who seemed quite relaxed as though he had done this sort of thing before. A gust of wind seemed to swirl up around them from the floor, the house around faded away giving way to blue and white swirls. The gust was strong Terra tried to keep her eyes opened to see what would happened, they were moving forward. Before them was a large door that was glowing. The gust around them blew the door open beyond it was light. The next thing she knew she fell onto a hard floor with a loud thud.
Merlin and Riku were still standing and turned as she slowly got up. "Are you ok?" They both asked at once, Iole jumped from the bag onto Terra's head examining her to make sure she wasn't hurt, when she was satisfied that she wasn't Iole took up to examining the room around them. Riku helped Terra to her feet checking her head to make sure she really hadn't hurt herself. His hands were rubbing the back of her head, Terra make a nervous noise her cheeks turning pink as she lightly pushed the boy away. "I'm fine." She replied dusting off her clothes looking around herself. There was a large desk that seemed to have a lot to various buttons and levers on it. Above the desk was a small screen and a lot of various shaped boxes with blinking buttons. At the desk was man with blonde hair and goggled on his head in white shirt, dark pants. There was something in his mouth he was rubbing his stubbed chin growling at the screen. "Ain't right, just ain't right!" He bellowed turning in his chair his eyes widening at his new company. "Damn Merlin, don't sneak up on me like that! You gonna give me a heart attack like that!" He exclaimed standing up wiping his thumb beneath his nose.
"My apologizes, Cid." Merlin said setting his bag down, the man chuckled waving a hand as he started for the door. "Ah don't worry any about it; I ought to be use to it by now. I'm gonna go help Leon at the Ravine. Don't want to be hit by anything from that bag of yours." He said opening the door, Riku followed after him. "Wait I came to talk to you about a Gummi Ship." He said as Cid disappeared outside, Terra could hear them talking their voices growing smaller and soon disappeared completely. "Well then Miss. Vaan I guess it's just you and me. Shall we unpack then?" Merlin said motioning to a platform that looked like the one from his other house. She nodded eager to watch the wizard's magic once more. Ten minutes later everything was in place Merlin sat his bag on a chest of drawers with a yawn. "Quite tiring do magic, wouldn't you agree?" Terra opened her mouth to say something but closed it her brow furrowing wondering how he knew she could do magic. The old man chuckled patting the girl's head. "It is easy to recognize my dear, if you would like I could help you learn a few new spells. They might come in handy on your journey home." Terra grinned nodded, "You would?" she asked about ready to jump up and down he might teach her how to do the bag trick. Iole sat perched on a large box her large eyes blinked as she curled into a ball falling asleep.
Riku returned a short while later with Cid and another man with dark hair and clothes with scar on his face between the eyes. Terra was holding out and arm concentrating on a tea pot that rested on a table on the platform. Merlin was instructing her on how to summon the object to her by flicking her wrist. As she did the tea pot zoomed toward the open door smashing on the wall, the three in the doorway jumped backward. "Oh I'm sorry! Are you ok?" Terra called heading for the door making sure that her accident really had not hurt them. When she caught sight of the man with scar she let out a tiny squeak. "I'm so, so, so sorry!" She said biting her lip; he chuckled shaking his head placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's an old scar, don't worry about it." Terra lowered her head turning back and walking inside still worrying that it was her fault, a though it wasn't bleeding in the slightest. "Come now Miss. Vaan it just takes practice." Merlin said soothingly motioning for her to try again. "Just focus on the cup and your hand, you'll get it right." And she did, the cup zoomed neatly into her hand, she grinned holding it up to the wizard pleased with herself. "Now what kinda ship we talkin 'bout here?" Cid growled sitting back down looking up at Riku, "Not a large one, big enough for two and able to defend itself well. I'm told that even space is filled with Heartless ships." Cid nodded turning toward the desk pushing a few buttons, on the screen above the desk showed a small block ship. "'Bout like that, eh?" "Yeah, that would be perfect. How much is it?"
Moments later, and penniless Riku and Terra left Merlin's house Riku took her by the arm pulling her toward a walk way to left of the house. "There is something you should see before we leave. You'll like it." He said as they headed up a large set of stairs. When they reached the top he took her shoulder turning her, what she saw was a large castle that had part hanging from it. It was far away and the land between was partly green and partly black. The castle itself was daunting but in its way beautiful. The sky behind it was turning pink and little stars were sparkling like small diamonds. The moon was full and just starting to rise; it was huge and looked as though it was painted behind the castle. "Wow, its lovely." She said placing her hands on the stone wall that protected her from fall off the large ledge. "I knew you'd like it, I'll bring you back sometime. But we need to go now." He replied taking her hand. "What do you mean bring me back?" She asked as they seemed to be lifted from the ground and then once again they were in the blue and white swirl void. And just like before they soon appeared somewhere else. He sat her down in large chair that was bolted to the floor. Around them was a large counter that stretched along the far side of the "room" above that was a large glass window and outside were millions of stars and blackness as far as the eye could see. He took a seat next to her; in front of his chair was small podium that had buttons and steering wheel. This place kind of reminded her of the bridge of the Oasis. "Uh, nothing, never mind. We're going to Destiny Islands now; we're going to see if we can't tract down Sora there." He pushed a red button and grabbed the wheel, they zoomed forward disappearing into the dark sea of stars.