Ventus yawned and stretched as he walked down the halls of Castle Oblivion, making his way from his room to the area he and Aqua had dubbed the great room, tucked away in the recesses of their home. It had been almost three years since she had used Eraqus's Master Keeper to transform the ruined Land of Departure, and they'd adjusted as much as they could. They trained and sparred together almost daily, trying to fight the boredom as they could find little else to do. He'd grown considerably and now stood at Aqua's height, though his personality hadn't changed much save his being a bit more mature after everything that had happened.
He walked into the great room and found his companion sitting at the table to one side of the room, and she looked up with a smile as he entered.
"Good morning, Ven," she greeted. "Morning" was a relative term, as the darkness around Castle Oblivion seldom changed. Referring to the time of day simply reflected their established schedule.
"Hi, Aqua," he replied as he sat down across from her, helping himself to the meal she'd put together. She had never been the greatest cook, but both of their survival instincts required them to adapt and learn. As she grinned so brightly at him, he couldn't help but smile as well. "What are you so happy about?"
"Master Yen Sid wants to see us," she told him, piquing his interest.
"Really?" he wondered between chewing and swallowing. "What for?" It couldn't have been anything too terrible, considering her mood.
"Well… originally, I thought I was going to, but I talked it over with him and he thinks he should instead."
"Wait… going to what?" he asked, leaning his chin against his hand.
"He and I both think it's time you take the Mark of Mastery examination." Ven's eyes widened in disbelief before he stood with a huge grin.
"You're kidding!" he guessed.
"I'm not kidding," she chuckled as he sat back down again. "I'm serious."
"The Mark of Mastery!" he repeated. "You really think I'm ready?"
"I think you've been ready for a couple of years now," she admitted. "Especially after everything that happened with Vanitas and the Unversed. But you weren't old enough."
"Wait… but then…"
"Yeah, I'm sorry. You've probably been okay to take it for the past year or so, but… I guess it slipped my mind. It wasn't until recently that I really thought about it."
"It's okay," he shrugged. "Things are different now, you know? I'm not surprised if it slipped your mind."
"Why didn't you say anything?" she wondered.
"Well," he laughed. "Did you ever ask Master Eraqus when you could take it?"
"No," she replied.
"Exactly. I guess it's a respect and dignity thing." This time, it was her turn to laugh.
"Yeah, so Master Yen Sid is expecting us so he can assess you. But," she smiled, "I'm sure you have nothing to worry about. You've done so much between when you started training with us and now."
"You think so?" he smiled. "Thanks, Aqua. You've been a great teacher over the past few years."
"I wasn't really teaching you," she told him. "Just… helping you practice. I've learned things from you too. You don't really need a teacher or a master anymore."
"Then… thanks for supporting me so much," he insisted. "Really. Thank you." She covered her cheeks just as they blushed a shade pink.
"Thank YOU, Ven. You've done even more for me." Her smile faded. "I probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."
"You're my best friend, Aqua. You and Terra. I couldn't let you die. Besides, you'd do the same for me, right?"
"Of course," she nodded. "Without a second thought."
"Then there we go." He smiled. "Anyway, we probably shouldn't keep Master Yen Sid waiting, right?"
"Of course," she laughed. "Eager?" He dipped his head as he stood up, and she followed him outside of the castle. Once out, both summoned their armor and transformed their Keyblades into their gliders after Aqua opened the path to the Mysterious Tower, and they entered the Lanes Between.
"Nervous?" she wondered as they approached the destination.
"I don't know…yes? No? Sort of," he admitted. "I mean… Terra was so confident when he took the exam, but Master Eraqus didn't pass him. I mean, I know it was because Terra couldn't control his darkness and the master was worried about him… but what if I do something to mess up and I don't even realize I'm capable of it?"
"You worry too much," she teased. "You'll do fine. You've practically looked in the face of darkness and laughed."
"It still scares me," he mumbled. "Vanitas is out there somewhere, and we have no idea where."
"All the more reason you should become a master," she pointed out. "No matter what he does, he could never be considered one. He's unstable, swallowed in darkness, and overconfident."
"Definitely unstable," Ven chuckled uneasily. "Dangerous."
"We'll beat him, Ven. Really," she insisted as they landed. They dismissed their armor and Ven took a deep breath and followed Aqua up the stairs of the Mysterious Tower. Just as they reached the doors leading to Yen Sid's chamber, doubt and frayed nerves suddenly hit him, making him dizzy.
"Ven?" Aqua prompted as he leaned against the wall to stabilize himself. "What's wrong?"
"J-Just need a moment…" he mumbled, taking several slow breaths to clear his head. "Whoo. I'm okay."
"Are you sure?" she wondered, touching his arm gently. "Don't psyche yourself out, okay?" He nodded.
"Yeah." He squared his shoulders. "Okay, I'm ready." They entered Yen Sid's chamber to find the sorcerer sitting in his chair like usual. He stood as they approached the table in front of him, a small smile reaching his features as both Keyblade wielders stood straight and at attention in an attempt to appear respectful.
"Welcome, Master Aqua, Ventus," he spread his arms for a moment. "Ventus, I trust she has told you why you are here?"
"Yes, sir," Ventus replied with a quick nod.
"Good, good," Yen Sid dipped his head lightly. "Yes, you bear the qualities of a Keyblade master, Ventus. You've proven that time and time again over the past few years." The old master smiled. "A part of me argues that a true examination isn't even truly necessary. But, think of this as a simple formality, a final test of your skills for you to demonstrate the Mark of Mastery. I have great confidence in you, as does Aqua."
"Thank you, sir," Ven replied.
"Now then… Ventus, you have had the rare occurrence of training under three distinct masters, and you have learned much from each of them," Yen Sid continued, to Ven's confusion. "Under Master Xehanort, you learned to be strong and embrace the light even when the deepest darkness threatened to consume you. You've stood against your own darkness in the form of Vanitas and persisted every time. Under Master Eraqus, you learned more about the ways of the Keyblade and the purpose and duties of its wielder, and the importance of light and its balance with the darkness. Finally, as you have trained alongside and under Master Aqua," Ven blinked- he'd never really considered himself training as a pupil to Aqua. "You have learned the strength and importance of the bonds of friendship and love." he felt his face flush a bit.
Love? he wondered silently, but stood tall and at attention nonetheless.
"You've committed great sacrifices even when you knew the consequences of your actions and remained strong and protective of those close to you," Yen Sid went on. "Even risking your own life in multiple ways to save the lives of others." The sorcerer glanced to Aqua for a moment, then back to Ven. "Even now, you prepare yourself to fight Vanitas and reclaim the lost part of your heart. And, because of that, I know I have no reason to fear you will fall to darkness. That is nearly impossible," he chuckled, "when you simply lack darkness in your heart as it is. But even before these events, you proved you will not fall easily into its clutches." He paused. "So, Ventus, with these teachings and qualities that you've learned and demonstrated, do you believe you are prepared to undergo the Mark of Mastery?"
"Yes, sir!" Ven replied, feeling almost giddy.
"Excellent. Then let us adjourn to the land outside the Tower so you don't wreck my chamber," Yen Sid chuckled, and they followed him back down the tower into the small yard-like area just outside. "All right, Ventus. Summon your Keyblade." Ven did as he was instructed and summoned the Wayward Wind. Yen Sid glanced around the floating piece of land. "For the sake of simplicity, your exam will follow the same format that Aqua's did." Several glowing balls of light illuminated into view, scattered around the area. "Don't worry about interference this time," the sorcerer told him. "And Aqua, because of that, I'm sure he can handle this himself."
"Yes, sir," Aqua dipped her head and took her place on the steps of the Tower.
"Now then," Yen Sid turned back to Ven. "Are you prepared?"
"Yes, sir!" Ven settled himself into his battle stance and scanned over the lights.
"Then take out these orbs as you see fit. Do your best to demonstrate the full extent of your abilities. Remember, these are just physical forms brought forth through magic, so don't hold back." Ven nodded. "All right. Begin!" At Yen Sid's mark, Ven sprinted forward, leapt up, and slammed his Keyblade down through the nearest ball. With his follow-up attack once he hit the ground, it dissipated, and he turned his attention to the next one. He gathered his strength and set his stance, then threw his Keyblade forward and destroyed another one before it came back to him.
"Throwing the Keyblade, hm?" Yen Sid remarked from his place next to Aqua as the apprentice hurried over to the next target. "Interesting. And very creative."
"It's one of his favorite moves," Aqua smiled. "A trademark, even. And it's effective."
"I can see that," Yen Sid nodded. Ven moved on and defeated another orb with a flurry of slashes strung together in a quick combination before making his way over to the next and finishing it quickly. His focus zeroed in on one that had drifted away from him and he shot a blast of Fire magic toward it, destroying it quickly.
"Have you been tutoring him in magic?" the sorcerer asked of the blue-haired master.
"More or less," she replied. "He picked up quite a bit during his travels around the worlds. I just helped him refine it."
"You were successful," Yen Sid commended.
"Thank you, sir," Aqua nodded as Ventus finished off the last orb and returned to the steps, panting slightly as he caught his breath.
"Well done, Ventus," Yen Sid began. "You've demonstrated a large variety of abilities and the capacity to think quickly and decisively on your feet. However, these were only magic orbs. Now that you've warmed up, so to speak, it's time to see how you do in a real battle." Ven nodded as Yen Sid turned toward Aqua. "Aqua, I trust you'll act as his opponent?"
"Yes, sir," Aqua nodded and descended the steps, summoning Stormfall once she reached the grass.
"Very good," the sorcerer continued. "This will also be quite an opportunity to see how you've been faring, Aqua. On your marks…" The Keyblade wielders faced each other with a short distance between them and took up their stances. "Begin!"
Having the advantage of his speed, Ven swiftly closed the distance between them and struck, but Aqua blocked his attack. He rolled back before she had a chance to counter and struck again, knocking her off balance. She performed a cartwheel, avoiding his following attack, and retaliated with a cast of Blizzard magic. He dodged and threw forth his Keyblade in an attempt to get an opening.
Both continued for some time as the sound of Keyblade hitting Keyblade, the grunts and cries of battle, the heavy, exhausted breathing, and the blasts of magic filled the air. Finally, as Yen Sid watched with deep interest, Ven brought his Keyblade around and knocked Aqua off balance again, this time managing to score a hit that sent her to the ground. He flipped his Keyblade to a normal grip and pointed its tip at her.
"Enough!" Yen Sid called, and Ven grinned as he dismissed his Keyblade and held his hand out to his partner. Aqua took it and he pulled her to her feet, and she returned his smile. "Now then, let us return to my chamber," the sorcerer instructed, and the Keyblade wielders followed him back into the Tower.
"Are you okay?" he asked her as they ascended the steps.
"I'm fine," Aqua replied. "It stung a bit, but I know you didn't put the full force of your strength into that last attack." She shoved him playfully. "Why'd you hold back?"
"I didn't want to really hurt you," he told her. "That's why."
"Thank you," she told him, and he nodded with a bright smile. When they reached the chamber at the top of the Tower, Yen Sid took his seat and both Ven and Aqua went to stand in front of the table.
"Well done, Ventus," he began. "You performed commendably. You demonstrated skills of speed, strength, agility, quick thinking, even a strong proficiency in magic. You are very direct, and each move you displayed had the intention of weakening your opponent. Likewise, Master Aqua, you proved you have only gotten stronger since you were given your title. Eraqus would be proud of you both." He paused as they dipped their heads, and a shadow of grief surfaced in Ven's mind. "And so, Ventus, I am greatly pleased to confirm that you have shown the Mark of Mastery. You are officially a Keyblade Master by title and ability. Continue to hone your skills and protect the balance of the worlds." He glanced to Aqua. "Aqua, I trust you will continue to teach him in the ways of the Keyblade Master. He is ready to learn their secrets."
"Yes, sir," Aqua nodded.
"Very well. I will check on your progress soon. Master Aqua, Master Ventus, you are dismissed."
Master Ventus, Ven silently repeated, attempting to overcome his shock and amazement. He had been named a Keyblade Master after so many years of training. He'd finally realized his dream.
"Thank you, Master Yen Sid," he replied, and the two Keyblade Masters turned to leave. Once they were outside the chamber, Aqua smiled at her partner.
"Master Ventus, huh?" she emphasized. "Congratulations on passing!"
"Thanks, Aqua," he grinned and hugged her briefly, to her surprise. "I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you for supporting me all these years… since I came to the Land of Departure. You've always been there for me."
"You've done the same for me, haven't you?" she pointed out. He nodded, but his smile faded. "What is it?"
"I just… I wish Terra were here. All three of us should be Masters… I never thought I would become one before him."
"Ven…" Aqua sighed. "The three of us will always be one. I've always believed that. We will see him again. We'll find him."
"I know," his smile returned. "We will. We're the closest of friends, and we stick together."
"Exactly," she nodded as they exited the Tower, and both equipped their armor. As Aqua opened a path and Ven summoned his glider, he couldn't help but recall Yen Sid's comment before his exam.
I really do care about Aqua and Terra… he pondered. Is that what he meant by "love?"