Where fears and lies melt away
Music will tie

Time stood frozen. The stars were falling to the ground, resembling tears pouring from the night's sky. Terra gazed around at the endless wasteland before him through clouded eyes. Only one thing stood in contrast against the black of the night; a sole keyblade. He ran for what felt like hours until finally arriving before the weapon lodged in the dirt. The keyblade hilt protruded from a lion's head that was embellished with dark, blue eyes that seemed to stare into Terra's soul. His gaze began to travel the length of the blade and when his eyes rested on the lone eye that resembled a snake, he felt his entire body become immobile.

Terra tried to speak, but found his voice failed him and his limbs were frozen to their spot. When he strained to look around, he noticed the keyblade disappeared from the dirt only to rematerialize in his right hand. As blood appeared on the ground beneath his feet, he felt himself moving forward, inching closer to the body lying in the center of the sticky, crimson liquid. When his gaze fell upon the lifeless face of the fallen victim, Terra's mind screamed.

Before he could react, he lifted the keyblade in his hand and stared into the eye. Suddenly, his mind shifted and the only thing he could see was his reflection staring back at him. What scared him the most wasn't the sinister smile plastered on his lips; it was his evil yellow eyes and stark white hair.

Terra bolted upright in his bed the instant an evil grin spread across his face in the reflection from the dream. The moonlight streaming through the window illuminated the sweat glistening on his chest. His furiously pumping heartbeat could be heard as loud as a beating drum within the small room; or maybe that was just how loud it seemed inside his mind. Without a second thought, he threw the covers aside and was out of his bedroom flying down the hallway to ascend the stairs. Climbing the steps two at a time, he reached Nova's room in record speed and burst through to find her sitting up in bed.

"Terra, what's wrong?"

Nova's eyes grew wide as she noticed his ragged breath and the way his knuckles were white from his clenched fists. Terra's form lunged forward and before she knew it, strong, albeit sweaty arms, circled her waist and practically crushed her ribs.

"Nova, thank god you're alright. My dream…"

Nova stroked his hair and tried to soothe his worries. "Calm down, Terra, it'll be alright. Whatever it was, it's over now. It was only a dream."

Nova stroked his unruly hair softly and smiled as she felt his breathing slow down to its normal rhythm. After a few more moments in her arms, Terra finally lift himself from her lap and gazed into her adoring crimson eyes. His lips slowly inched towards Nova's until they met in a desperate kiss that filled her to the brim with the passion and love he felt for her.

"I need to know you're real, Nova." Terra whispered, before kissing her again.

Slowly, he lowered her body with his own until they were both lying on her bed. Terra made sure to touch every part of her body that night to ensure with his own hands that she was indeed real.

What's left of me what's left of me

Nova and her three friends went to watch the meteor shower together so as they were heading down to the clearing, Nova decided to stand back and watch the three of them enjoy their playful banter. When she looked up into the sky, she noticed the start of the meteor shower and smiled to herself, recalling her old friends and her dearly departed brother.

A few more stars shoot across the sky and Nova places her hand on her stomach, feeling a soft warm power beneath her fingertips. She softly smiled to herself and closed her eyes, rubbing her stomach in small circles. With a soft sigh, she walks over and joins her friends as they all enjoy the meteor shower together.

As they were heading inside to get some sleep for the big day tomorrow, Nova pulls Terra aside so that she can speak to him privately.

"Terra, I just wanted to let you know that I am very proud of you and I wanted to wish you luck tomorrow with the exam."

Terra smiled at Nova, pulling her into his embrace while kissing her forehead.

"I don't need luck when I have you there. You know I…I love you, Nova."

Nova stared deep into Terra's eyes, noticing the slight blush to his cheeks and after a few moments, she smiled.

"I love you too, Terra."

Nova leaned up and gave Terra a soft kiss full of love. She smiled softly, grabbed his hand and together they walked back into the building. She didn't know it then, but that would be the last night they ever spent beneath the same stars.

Morning came quickly and Nova found herself waking before Terra did. She gazed at him lovingly as she slowly lifted her body out from beneath the covers. With tentative fingers, Nova softly strokes Terra's cheek and then kisses his temple lightly. He stirred for a moment but quickly rolled over and continued sleeping. Softly closing the door behind her as she left the room, she made her way outside to the training yard.

As she got to the clearing, she lifted her hand up into the sky and closed her eyes. The star shard in her hand began to glow brightly and she disappeared. When she reappeared, she was standing in front of the Mysterious tower. Finally, she was able to work up the courage to walk through the door and begin the trek up the winding staircase.

"Nova, welcome back to my tower. It has been a while."

Nova smiled at Yen Sid and bowed politely before him.

"I felt the birth of a new star. Tell me what I have to do to change the future back to what it should be."

The daily things that keep us all busy
Are confusing me

The sun was shining through the stained glass window so that the room was illuminated in the natural light. Terra and Aqua stood at attention in the center of the floor while Ventus stood to the side so that he could observe the exam. Master Eraqus was accompanied by Master Xehanort, a friend of his that brought Ventus into his care a few years back.

Terra glanced around, curious as to where Nova disappeared to. When he woke up earlier that morning, he noticed she had awakened before him but thought that maybe she was just taking a walk and would meet up with him before the examination would start.

"Today you will be examined for the Mark of Mastery. No one but-"

Terra begins to tune out his master as he really tries to wrack his brain to figure out where Nova is.

"…..youngest prospects in years. I trust you are ready."

As Master Eraqus finished his speech, Terra finally brought his thoughts back to the situation at hand and willed himself to focus.

"Yes," Aqua and Terra replied in unison.

"Then let the examination begin."

The long awaited mastery exam began but was quickly concluded after a few minutes. Terra looked around and realized Nova still hadn't shown up so at this point, his curiosity was quickly turning to worry.

"We have deliberated and reached a decision."

Terra brought his focus back to Master Eraqus once again.

"Terra, Aqua, you both performed commendably. However, only Aqua has shown the Mark of Mastery."

Terra felt his heart stop as he heard the words that his mind was failing to process.

"Terra, you failed to keep the darkness within you sufficiently in check. But there is always next time. That is all."

After Master Eraqus' dismissal, Terra looked down in defeat, not listening to the new orders he was giving Aqua while he was still present. When he looked up, he saw that Master Xehanort and Master Eraqus began to walk off the platform. When they were walking out, both Aqua and Ventus ran over to try and console Terra but he was lost in thought.

"The darkness… Where did it come from?" And where is Nova?