Chapter 5 The Evil Gold Rings
"You want me to hit that?" Ventus asks with disdain, gesturing at the golden ring hanging in front of him. It has been nearly a week since the night he had arrived at his new home and for the first time he is going to be allowed to join in the training. Ventus had been excited, but he is quickly becoming disappointed by Master Eraqus' first lesson. Maybe Tay had read him too many stories, but isn't the wise master living in the secluded mountains supposed to teach him the secret to jedi mind control or how to catch a grain of rice with chopsticks? Instead Master Eraqus had brought him to these rings.
Master Eraqus sighs, "Yes Ventus. I want you to use that ring as your target."
Ventus eyes the hanging ring. He is a little offended that this is all Master Eraqus thinks he can handle. Sure he isn't ready to spar with Terra and Aqua, he had seen them fight each other for practice and knows he wouldn't last a minute against either of them, but he isn't a child. Maybe if he breaks the stupid thing Master Eraqus will let him do something more advanced.
With that thought in mind, Ventus approaches the ring which is turning slightly back and forth on its chain in the light breeze. He summons his keyblade and drops into a battle stance. His chest and stomach twinge a little along the lines of his half healed cuts, but he had waited fairly patiently all week to begin his training and he isn't going to let a little residual pain stop him now.
Ventus swings his keyblade around backhand like always and feels his arm jar slightly from the impact with the gold ring. It is heavier then he anticipated, but he quickly adjusts and slashes at it again. He continues to hit it over and over but is far from breaking the sturdy ring. Feeling foolish as he fights the ring, Ventus starts to get angry at the pointlessness of this drill. How was this teaching him anything about fighting heartless? Well, what better way to get out his anger then on the stupid ring?
"Take this!" He shouts and executes his combo move flawlessly. With a proud smirk, he watches as the gold ring swings on its chain farther then it had on any other hit. He tilts his head in surprise when the ring doesn't swing back down towards him like it always had before. Instead, it curves away from him in an arc around the pole it is attached to. "Woah!" Ventus ducks just in time to avoid losing his head to the ring as it comes flying around the pole to hit him from behind. "What the fuck was that?" Ventus exclaims as he jumps away from the contraption. From a safe distance he gives it the evil eye.
"Ventus! I do not tolerate that dark language." Master Eraqus walks to him with his arms crossed in disapproval. "It is ugly and vulgar and belittles those who use it."
"But you didn't tell me that thing was going to swing around like that! It nearly took my fucking head off!" Ventus shouts waving his arms at the evil ring now hanging still except for the slight movement of the breeze. Master Eraqus' eyes narrow dangerously and he says nothing. Ventus sighs in exasperation. "Fine. I'm sorry OK?" He crosses his arms and glares back at Master Eraqus.
Master Eraqus takes a calming breath and closes his eyes, raising his hand to his head. After a moment he removes his hand and says in an obviously controlled voice, "Learn from your mistakes. Always take in details around you. If you had taken the time to examine the contraption you would have seen the grove that lets the ring swing around the pole. Now do it again but this time be prepared."
"That's it? You're just gonna tell me to go hit the ring over and over? I thought you were going to teach me how to fight better." Ventus doesn't care if he is being disrespectful. Manners and tact have never been his strong suit.
Master Eraqus' mouth is pressed in a tight line and his eyebrows are at a dangerous angle. If it had been Terra or Aqua he was staring at with that expression they would have immediately apologized, but Ventus just glares back at him. Taking a step forward, Master Eraqus towers right over Ventus and with a stiff movement, Master Eraqus points towards the ring. Ventus holds his glare for a moment longer before he turns and storms back over to the ring. He attacks it again. This time when it swings around the pole he is prepared, and he turns quickly to block it with his keyblade held horizontally across his chest.
Master Eraqus watches Ventus continue to fight the ring with his arms crossed over his chest. After a minute he sighs and runs a hand through his graying hair. He respects Ventus' strong spirit, but his anger is too overbearing. Ventus would have to learn to control his emotions if he wants to become a keyblade master.
All the anger has to be coming from somewhere. Master Eraqus knows his new student is hiding what really pains him, but he is unwilling to push the boy. He has to be patient and let Ventus come around to him. Ventus really is a good person; he has just had a hard life so far. He has a lot to learn, especially about respect, but Master Eraqus is up for the challenge and watches Ventus continue to fight, scrutinizing his every move.
...
"How's it going Master?" Terra asks as he comes across the small bridge over the stream to the training ground.
Master Eraqus turns his head away from watching Ventus to see his oldest pupil looking anxiously at the younger boy now trying to fight off four rings all on one pole. Instead of answering Master Eraqus gives it a moment and from across the grass they can both hear, "Stupid...fucking...evil rings...I...hate...this..."
Terra looks over at his master and can see the older man is close to snapping. Terra takes half a step back. He has only seen Master Eraqus lose it once. It had been years ago when he and Aqua had run off to explore the world only to get lost and not make it back home until Master Eraqus had found them missing. Terra winced inwardly at the memory, he definitely does not want to see his master like that again. He glances back at Ventus who is still swearing to himself. Aqua had been right that Ventus' surliness would make him and Eraqus butt heads.
"He'll cool off eventually Master," Terra says trying to calm the situation. "He just needs time to...adjust."
Master Eraqus nods stiffly. "I know Terra. These changes are a lot for him to take in all at once. But his anger...There is something he is not telling us."
Terra nods in agreement. He and Aqua had been discussing the same thing when they were training earlier that day. Ven's story had been horrible enough, but it is the parts he had refused to talk about that made them concerned.
Master Eraqus tries to force himself to relax. "He's much more of a handful than you and Aqua," he says with a thin smile. "I think I've been a little spoiled that my students have been so easy to get through to up until now. Ventus will be more difficult."
Terra grins back. "You can't fool me. You're glad we found him, aren't you?"
"Of course I'm glad you found him. He was alone without any instruction-"
"No," Terra says, "You're glad that when me and Aqua become masters you will still have a student."
Master Eraqus opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. Terra is right. Before Ventus had come, he had been dreading Aqua and Terra leaving his school. He is of course happy that he has taught them so well, but lately he had been wishing to go back to when they were children, eager to learn and dependent on him.
Terra makes him jump slightly when he put his arm around his shoulders. "Don't worry, you won't be getting rid of us so easily."
Master Eraqus pretends to sigh in disappointment at that news and Terra laughs. Inside, Master Eraqus sighs in relief.
"Why does he hold his keyblade like that?" Terra wonders aloud moving away from Eraqus. He summons his keyblade and tries to imitate the strange form Ventus had. His movements are clumsy as he tries to fight with his keyblade held backwards.
"I assume that it is something unique to the world he is from," Master Eraqus replies. "Why don't we go discuss it with him? I have a feeling he is close to giving up on the rings."
Master Eraqus pulls a small cup out of his pocket and crouches next to the stream for a moment. Straightening back up with the cup now filled to the brim, he walks over to Ventus and the pole with four rings with Terra half a step behind him. "Stopga," Master Eraqus calls raising his hand.
The rings that had been flying around Ventus freeze in the air and he stumbles slightly in surprise. He regains his balance and turns quickly to look at Master Eraqus his anger still showing on his face. "Rest," Master Eraqus tells him hanging Ventus the cup of water. Ventus let's his shoulders sag and his keyblade disappear. He takes the cup of water and gulps it down.
Master Eraqus and Terra wait patiently for him to finish and regain his breath. After Ventus drains the cup, he hands it back to Master Eraqus and puts his hands behind his head, leaning back and breathing hard. When his breaths become less ragged, Master Eraqus says, "From watching you I have learned a lot about your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to fighting. But we will work more on that tomorrow. Today I would like to talk to you about the strange way you hold your keyblade."
Ventus frowns slightly and summons his keyblade once more. "I've always held it like this. Its how Tay taught me." He looks up at Master Eraqus and Terra. "How do you hold yours?"
Both Master Eraqus and Terra summon their keyblades and hold them out to show Ventus their grip. Ventus holds his keyblade up as well. "So...mine is backwards?"
"Yes, you hold your keyblade backhand," Master Eraqus says. "From what I saw today, I believe that it has not hindered your ability to fight. It should not be a problem going forward."
"Good," Ventus says and his keyblade disappears. "Now is it dinner time yet 'cause I'm starving."
Terra looks to Master Eraqus quickly with a hopeful look in his eyes. "Yes," Master Eraqus tells them and they both smile. "Lessons are done for today. Find Aqua and the three of you can get dinner ready I have some business to attend to. I'll be back late tonight."
Terra nods and he and Ventus turn to head back to the castle. "And Ventus," Master Eraqus calls after them, "While I am gone, Terra and Aqua are in charge so listen to them." Ventus makes a face at Master Eraqus and doesn't see Terra until its to late. The older boy wraps his arm around Ventus' neck and pulls him close. He digs his knuckles into the top of Ventus' head causing him to squawk indignantly.
"Don't worry Master," Terra says as Ventus struggles to escape his grip. "We'll keep him in line." Terra loosens his grip slightly and Ventus is able to pull himself free. Master Eraqus walks away with his eyes raised to the sky as Ventus tries to tackle Terra to the ground only to find himself the one pinned down. Master Eraqus summons his own silver armor and turns his keyblade into a glider similar to Terra's. As he rises away from the world he looks back to see Ventus tapping out and Terra helping him to his feet. The two then head back towards the castle in a race. Master Eraqus smiles under his mask as he speeds away into space to see what Merlin had been so insistent about.
...
Aqua had already stared to prepare dinner deciding that tonight was going to be personal pan pizzas. She had all the toppings laid out when the boys had entered the kitchen and she had chased them out with a wooden spoon telling them to come back when they had cleaned themselves up. In the meantime she happily prepared her own meal and is enjoying her famous bacon, pineapple, mushroom pizza when Terra and Ventus return with all traces of dirt and grass stains from their tussle outside washed away.
"Awww! You already made yours?" Terra complains when he sees Aqua eating while he still had to make his own pizza. Aqua just raises her eyebrows at him and dramatically takes a bite out of her pizza.
Terra frowns and she giggles slightly. "C'mon Ven," Terra says turning away from her. "Let's get started."
Terra walks over to the counter and grabs a chunk of pizza dough. He turns to hand it to Ventus only to find him still standing in the doorway of the kitchen. "Ven?" Terra asks confused by the look on Ventus' face. Then realization hits him. "Oh, sorry do you not like being called Ven?"
Ventus looks down for a moment, but then lifts his head with a grin. "Nah, Ven's fine. Actually that's what Tay used to call me. Since you guys are my new best friends it seems right for you to call me Ven too."
Ven walks over next Terra who hands him the pizza dough and gives him a shove. Ven shoves him back with a grin. Terra's hand falls in the bowl of flour and he gets a mischievous glint in his eyes. He throws some flour at an unsuspecting Ven getting it all over the right side of his face and making his blond hair even paler. Ven is shocked for a moment, but recovers quickly and throws a handful of peppers at Terra. Terra responds with shredded cheese and Ven counters with bacon chunks. Both lock eyes for a moment and then lunge at the same time for the spoon in the tomato sauce.
"Boys!"
Aqua's annoyed shout stops both of them as they struggle for the spoon. They turn to see her shaking her head at them. Both put on sorry expressions and hang their heads over their respective balls of pizza dough. They work silently on stretching their dough into a pizza shape for a moment. Then they catch each other's eyes and can't help but laugh. Aqua walks behind them and smacks the back of each of their heads on her way to get more water. "You two idiots are cleaning up this kitchen when we are finished eating and it better be spotless when you are done!" Aqua warns before returning to her dinner.
Terra is working intently on creating his pizza when Aqua says, "Wow Ven, where did you learn to do that?"
Terra looks up to see Ven toss his dough into the air and catch it again on his fists to continue stretching it. "One of the odd jobs I took was at a pizza joint," Ven says tossing the dough into the air again. "I used to get to eat the ones that got burnt for free." He tosses the dough again with a little too much enthusiasm. He winces as it hits the ceiling and sticks. He sighs. "And that's why I got fired." Terra and Aqua burst out laughing and he joins in as the dough falls back into his hands.
The rest of the night is filled with laughter. To Ven, Aqua and Terra may have been strangers only a couple days before, but tonight they act they have been best friends his whole life. They stay up late just talking about whatever comes to mind and Ven hears stories of the best and worst moments Terra and Aqua had had living at MEKA. When Master Eraqus comes home expecting to find a quiet dark castle, he instead walks into the living room to see his apprentices rolling on the ground laughing. Seeing him, they smoother their laughter as quickly as possible and leave him to guess what story Terra and Aqua had been telling Ven about him. He just rolls his eyes at the three of them and disappears into his study.
Ugh finally I'm so tired of writing out Ventus! Now I can call him Ven :)
Lol can you just imagine Master Eraqus with like steam coming out his ears as he deals with pissy Ven? Good thing Terra was able to calm Eraqus down or Ven would have found out the hard way that Eraqus may be old but he can still wipe the floor with any opponent. And yeah before Ven came Eraqus was suffering from empty nest syndrome with Terra and Aqua being all grown up. Poor guy!
Mexi: All I'm going to say about Ven and Prince Keric is wait and see. He's one of the dark secrets from Ven's past that Ven isn't quite ready to talk about.
Next chapter we're going to another world! Yay! Road trip! Or rather flying keyblade gliders in space trip! ... Yay!
Do you want to know where they are going? Well then you will just have to follow this story to find out!
Review! Review! Review!