Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts.
Note: This chapter involves actual battle moves from Birth by Sleep. I just put the names I know, which are pretty much just Japanese names.
Chapter 15– Resolve
Terra stared at the Heartless-turned prince. Dark aura was beginning to pour off him as he slowly lumbered forward. His once brown eyes now glared at the earth knight with pure, golden hatred.
"Caelum, just relax now," Terra said.
Reasoning with the Heartless was pointless. They had no reason in them.
"Caelum!" a voice screamed. Terra turned to see King Nox running out of the castle with Master Eraqus on his heels.
"What is going on here?" Eraqus demanded. One of the knights from the side approached the Master and the king.
"Prince Caelum challenged Master Terra to a battle for Master Aqua," the soldier answered.
"SHUT UP!" Terra and Aqua screamed in unison. The soldier jumped in alarm.
"Excuse me?" Eraqus said to the soldier. "A battle for Aqua?"
"Y-yes, sir," the soldier stuttered. Aqua shot a furious glare at the soldier. Terra snarled. Ven was looking back and forth between Terra, Aqua, and the soldier.
"I'll deal with my students later," Eraqus decided. "Right now, we have to take care of that Heartless."
"My son…" Nox murmured. Eraqus touched his shoulder.
"Nox, please forgive us for this," the old Master pleaded. "But we must eliminate that Heartless, whether it is your son or not. We cannot allow any Heartless to run amok in the worlds."
Nox was silent for a moment, but he answered, "Very well. Do what you must."
"Terra, get it!" Aqua screamed. The Heartless was closing in on him with lightning-like speed. He blocked the strike and tossed Caelum away. The Heartless landed perfectly on his feet.
"Get away from him!" Aqua yelled. She jumped up and slapped the armor on her left arm and light enveloped her. The light faded instantly and she was covered head-to-toe in silver, blue, and gray armor. Her helmet had two prongs like the ones on Terra's helmet, except the jutted backwards.
"Aqua, stay out of this, it's my fight!" Terra objected.
"I'm not letting you do this alone!" Aqua retorted, coming to his side and summoning Rain Fall. "I refuse to let him hurt you."
Terra looked at his lover. He didn't want her to get hurt either, but she wanted to help. He'd have to let her sine when Aqua made up her mind, it was set on the decision.
"Alright," Terra said, tossing the sword aside. He summoned Earth Shaker and stood in his stance. "Watch your back."
"Right!"
Aqua started off by summoning a massive ice storm, her Glacial Arts move. Rising into the air and twirling her Keyblade, Heartless Caelum's feet were frozen to the ground, but once the cold winds were over, it broke from its cold shackles and darted right at her. Terra rushed at it, performing a Sonic Rave, dashing right through it with multiple hacks.
Caelum stumbled and snarled at Terra and it rushed at him. Terra deflected it and Aqua dashed forward, her Keyblade gleaming with an aura of light. She was performing her Wish Blade move. She swung and Caelum recoiled when the attack hit him.
"Aqua, that's it!" Terra shouted, observing the hissing Heartless. "Keep using Light attacks on him! That'll finish him off! Weaken him enough hand I'll finish the rest!"
"You got it!" Aqua gave him a thumbs-up.
She struck again and again with Light spells, even unleashing her powerful Magic Hour attack. She turned into a ball of light and slammed down onto Caelum multiple times, stunning him, but he always regained his focus.
After Aqua completed the attack, Caelum finally grabbed her and tossed her aside. The water maiden sprawled in the dirt, avoiding hitting her head on a bench. Heartless Caelum approached Aqua and attempted to pry her helmet off with his claws. She kicked at the monster and threw him off her. It tried to attack again, but Aqua tossed up a Reflect Barrier to protect herself.
Terra snarled. Caelum wasn't going to touch Aqua. And he would never hurt her. He readied his Keyblade and shouted, "Hey, ugly!" The Heartless turned. "Yeah you, get away from her!"
Heartless Caelum hissed, abandoning its struggle with Aqua, and heading right for Terra, dark energy poured off him as he sped up, ready to thrash his claws at the earth knight.
Thinking fast, Terra bent down on one knee and lifted his Keyblade to his right shoulder, holding the Keychain end towards the Heartless. He focused all his energy into his Keyblade. A vortex of gold cubes appeared, surrounding Earth Shaker and expanding to a monstrous size.
The gold light faded and Earth Shaker had turned into a massive Keyblade-shaped cannon. The grip, which was now the spout, starting violently spinning.
"Fire in the hole!" Terra shouted. Aqua grabbed Ven and ducked behind the bench. Eraqus, Nox, and the guards all took cover. The Heartless paid them no attention as it continued its oncoming assault.
Terra's Ultima Cannon fired a massive energy burst at the Heartless. It dispersed into several smaller blasts that all aimed at it. The blast that hit Heartless Caelum blinded everyone, even Terra had to use his free arm to cover his eyes through the tinted visor of his helmet. A blood-curdling wail could be heard aside from the sound of several loud explosions.
The light faded and all that was seen was a smoky trail of dark aura steaming from the ground where the Heartless had been. He was gone.
"It's… over…" Terra huffed. The Ultima Cannon weighed a ton, and he thought better of straining himself. He changed it back into its normal Keyblade form before dispersing it altogether.
"Terra!" Aqua ran up to him, her armor fading as she was welcomed into his embrace. Her lover's armor faded as well, leaving them both clad in their normal attire.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Of course," Terra said confidently. "And you?"
"Just fine." She smiled at him.
"How did this happen to my son? "Nox asked, approaching the Keyblade Masters.
"He couldn't control his Darkness," Terra explained. "His lust for Aqua took over and he drowned his heart in his Darkness."
"Now, speaking of Aqua, why were you battling Caelum for her, Terra?" Eraqus asked sternly, crossing his arms.
"Master, Terra and I have been in a romantic relationship for about two months," Aqua said, bowing her head.
"I see," Eraqus muttered.
"Master, please understand," Terra said.
"There's nothing to understand other than you and Aqua have broken a law of Keyblade Masters," Eraqus said. "No Keyblade wielder is ever allowed to fall in love."
"Eraqus, if I may," Nox offered.
"Nox, stay out of this. It's between my students and I," Eraqus said.
"Master, it couldn't be helped," Aqua pleaded.
"Feelings like that can be helped, Aqua. Many Keyblade Masters learn to emotionally detach themselves from just about anything. Including emotions like love."
"Master, Aqua and I have been in love for a long while," Terra explained, pulling away from Aqua and holding his heart. "We just never truly realized our feelings until a few months ago."
"That is no excuse," Eraqus said. "Listen, I am glad that you both survived that fight and rid this world of its darkest being, no offense, Nox."
"None taken, I authorized the destruction of my son's Heartless. I have never supported his actions ever. But, Eraqus, listen."
"There's nothing to listen to," Eraqus cut off. "The laws of Keyblade wielders are put in place for a reason. Falling in love is a danger to the heart and our mission. I do not want my students to put a single life, the life of each other, for the sake of an entire world, should a danger like that ever occur. For this, I will have to find a punishment."
"Eraqus, don't punish them for having done nothing wrong!" Nox exclaimed.
"Excuse me? They have—"
"I know. They broke a law of Keyblade wielders. But they were simply listening to their hearts, yet another law of the Keyblade's chosen. Terra and Aqua follow the most important law of all Keyblade wielders. That's what they want you to understand. And it's why they could never tell you about their romance."
"King Nox is right, Master," Aqua added. "Isn't the most important law of Keyblade Masters… to follow their hearts?"
"Yes."
"Well, that's what Terra and I have done," she continued. "Our hearts have their own laws that reason does not obey. Our hearts brought us together." Terra took Aqua's hand in his and held it to his heart. "And formed an unbreakable bond," she finished.
Eraqus looked at his two students. He was still upset that they'd gone behind his back and gone through with their romance, breaking Keyblade Masters' ancient laws. But at the same time, they listened to the most important law.
"I never expected something like this to happen to any Keyblade wielders, let alone my own two students," Eraqus sighed. "But I will allow it."
Aqua gasped, Terra's eyes widened. In the back, Ven whooped with pleasure.
"Thank you, Master!" Aqua bowed to Eraqus.
"I will allow this," Eraqus cautioned, "but I do not want either of you to shirk your responsibilities to the worlds. You are Keyblade Masters after all."
"Of course, Master Eraqus." Terra bowed. "And thank you." He wrapped his arm around Aqua and pulled her close to him again.
"I deeply apologize about Caelum, King Nox," Terra said. "But it couldn't be avoided."
"I do not have any hatred for you, Terra, or you, Aqua," the king said. "My son had a twisted view of many things. His sick obsession with our young lady is just one among those many."
"But what now?" Eraqus asked. "Because of this, you have no heir to the throne when it comes time for you to step down."
"I think my sister's son, my nephew, will be a good replacement when my time comes," Nox said. "I'll speak to them about it."
"You're not too worried about this," Terra observed.
The king shook his head. "Not anymore. My son needed to stop before his reckless actions hurt more than just you two, Terra, Aqua. And I hope you two can now live together in happiness."
"We will," Terra said. "I already made that promise to Aqua."
"And me!" Ven added. The boy ran up to them and hugged their legs.
"That's right, Ven," Terra agreed. "And I think I know who my apprentice will be."
"This boy can wield a Keyblade?" Eraqus asked.
"He has the potential," Terra replied. "He's got magic speed. And I'm going to be his Master. If his grandmother will consent to him coming to another world with us."
"Another world?" Nox asked.
"I promised Aqua that we would go to another world after our whole mess with Caelum was over and done with," Terra explained.
"I see," Eraqus said. "Do you plan to train other apprentices on another world?"
"Possibly. But for the first while, I just want to be with Aqua," Terra said, facing his lover and stroking the blue bangs that framed her face. Aqua touched his hand gently.
"Following the heart can sometimes be a dangerous thing," Eraqus said. "But I can tell I'll never get these two off the journey in which their hearts have led them." He turned and walked away.
"So, does that mean…?" Ven started.
"Everything is going to work out, Ven," Aqua said, reaching down and ruffling his hair.
"Hey! Cut it out!" the boy protested.
The water maiden obliged and turned to her lover. The earth knight pulled her closer and kissed her passionately.
"Let's go," Terra murmured when the kiss ended. "I know of a world that's perfect for us."
"Really?" Aqua asked.
"Somewhere peaceful. Where we can't be disturbed."
"That sounds… perfect." She smiled her sweet smile just before Terra's lips claimed hers again.
Later that day, Eraqus, Nox, and Ven's grandmother came to see the trio off in the central courtyard. The old woman had given permission for Ventus to go with them and train to use the Keyblade he would likely receive soon. But Ven would have to contact her every few days or so to let her know how he was.
Aqua would use her Keyblade Rider to carry herself and Ven to the world Terra would lead them to. Terra was carrying their personal belongings in a magic backpack that could carry an infinite amount of items.
"We promise we'll take good care of him, ma'am," Terra vowed to the grandmother.
"I know you will," she replied. "And thank you. You've become good friends to my grandson. I can see he values you both a lot. Ventus, you behave yourself for the Keyblade Masters."
"I will, Grandma," Ven promised.
"I love you, dear child," she said, embracing the young boy. "Be careful."
"Yes, Grandma. I love you too."
"Terra, Aqua, may I have a word?" Eraqus asked.
"Certainly, sir." Terra and Aqua followed their Master into a secluded corner of the courtyard.
"You have everything you need?" the elder Master asked.
"Yes," Terra replied.
"Good. But there are some things I must request of you both."
"What, Master?" Aqua asked.
"Keep it secret from this world you head to that you are outsiders. Make them simply believe that you are from far off, possibly another part of that world if you must. Just keep the other worlds a secret."
"Yes, sir," Terra said.
"And I have one more thing to say…"
"Yes?"
"Take care of each other."
Terra and Aqua were astonished. They could sense that their Master was still not very comfortable with the fact that they had broken an ancient law of Keyblade wielders. But hearing this from him was… strange.
"I see how much you both care for each other," Eraqus said. "That is something no one can change. And remember to always listen to your hearts."
"Master, King Nox told me something similar when he found out about Aqua and I," Terra said.
"He is a wise man," Eraqus agreed. "I just feel so sorry that his son was a terrible source of Darkness like he was. Do not let anything like that happen to yourselves or young Ventus."
"Yes sir," the lovers replied in unison.
"I am very proud of you both." Eraqus smiled. "You both truly are worth to be called Keyblade Masters."
"Thank you, Master." Aqua hugged her teacher, hoping it would be enough before she could see him again.
Terra shook hands with Eraqus before leading Aqua back to an anxious Ven.
"Are you guys ready?" the boy asked.
"Yeah, let's go," Terra said. He slapped his shoulder pad, summoning his armor, and called out Earth Shaker. He hurled the Keyblade into the air and it became a motorbike-like device big enough for him to ride on. He mounted it and waited for his companions.
Aqua mimicked Terra's actions, smacking her bracer, glowing, and reappearing in her armor. Bringing forth Rain Fall, she threw it into the air and it became a giant blue bow with a small, crown-shaped platform on the bottom for her feet. She jumped on and Ven scrambled onto it behind her, grabbing her waist.
They'd given Ven a special piece of armor for him to use. He wore silver armor with gold and red lining. His helmet, like his friends', it had two prongs on top, his jutted diagonally backwards.
Ven gave a final wave to his grandmother before clutching tightly to Aqua as she and Terra directed their Riders into the sky and soared away.
They flew into the dark space between the worlds known as the Strange Dimension. Stars shot past them as they raced through the cold blackness.
"Just follow me!" Terra called back to Ven and Aqua. "I know where I'm going!"
"Okay!" Aqua responded.
After an hour of following Terra through the icy darkness, Aqua sensed a warm light from the nearest world, the one Terra was leading them to. They flew into the light and when it faded, the trio was flying above an ocean and a small island with a town.
Terra directed them towards the edge of the island, landing and dismissing his armor and Rider. Aqua and Ven landed just after him and also dismissed their tools.
Aqua looked around. The world had a tropical feel to it. There were palm trees at the far ends of the beach and the sunset far out on the horizon was just dropping below the water. Waves lapped the shore, where Ven had run down, kicking off his shoes and stepping into the surf.
"So, what do you think?" Terra asked. He approached Aqua from behind and wrapped his arms around her.
"Terra, this world is beautiful," Aqua said. "What's it called?"
"Destiny Islands," he responded.
YAY! Everything works out! Terra and Aqua get their happy ending!
I hope you liked the final (actual) chapter. The epilogue will be up soon enough. Just please be patient.
