Chapter 27 An Alliance
"Good morning Ventus," Master Eraqus says in greeting the next morning as Ven enters the kitchen. Ven merely grunts in response and goes to the fridge to get some juice. He is the last one up, and the rest of the apprentices are already seated around the table with Master Eraqus. Aqua and Terra watch the exchange between Ven and Master Eraqus anxiously, seeing that Ven is still angry at their teacher. Sora and Riku are ignoring everyone as they color furiously with the art supplies Master Eraqus had bought for them the other day.
Ven pours himself a glass of orange juice and walks to the table, glaring at Master Eraqus as he does so. "I'm going to Traverse Town today," Ven announces as he sits down.
"To see Zack?" Aqua asks and Ven nods.
"I'll take you there," Master Eraqus says.
"I'm fine by myself thanks," Ven replies rudely.
"You are not going by yourself," Master Eraqus says in a stern voice.
Ven grumbles under his breath, but doesn't press the issue. Aqua speaks up to change the topic. "Thank you Master Eraqus for the books," she says.
"Yeah, thanks," Terra says and both he and Aqua look to Ven for him to add his thanks as well. Ven, however, returns to glaring at Master Eraqus with renewed intensity. An uncomfortable silence falls on the breakfast table.
"Well, if we are going to Traverse Town we should leave now," Master Eraqus says briskly as he rises from the table. Ven gets to his feet as well without a word, and walks out of the kitchen. "Watch them," Master Eraqus says to Terra and Aqua pointing to Sora and Riku. His two older apprentices nod, and Aqua asks hesitantly,
"Master Eraqus, Ven is very upset. Wouldn't it be best to tell him-"
"I'm guessing you already told him that I asked you two to keep him safe from darkness," Master Eraqus says shrewdly. "It is alright, I'm not surprised."
"But," Terra says quietly. "There is more isn't there? What are you so afraid of him doing?"
Master Eraqus doesn't reply as he moves to the door out of the kitchen. In the doorway he pauses and looks back. "Knowledge can be a burden, and this is one burden none of you should have to carry." With that, he exits the kitchen and hurries outside to find Ven waiting for him at the bottom of the steps. Ven doesn't look at him, but as he comes up beside him, Ven summons his armor and keyblade. Master Eraqus does the same, and they turn their keyblades into gliders. Still in silence, the rise up away from the Land of Departure, and speed off in the direction of Traverse Town.
…
The square of the first district is a buzz of activity when Ven and Master Eraqus enter through the heavy double doors. People are milling around laughing and shopping in pairs or groups. "I didn't know so many people lived here," Ven says in surprise. "There wasn't hardly anyone out last time we were here."
"Merlin explained to me that most people stay indoors most of the time because they are afraid of the heartless," Master Eraqus replies. "I wonder why they thought it was safe enough to come out today?"
Ven shugs in response and, almost as if he had suddenly remembered he is supposed to be angry, shoots Master Eraqus a look. Master Eraqus sighs. "You may go off alone now," he says. "I will be at Merlin's when you are ready to return home. And Ventus," Master Eraqus says before Ven can run off. "Do not leave this world alone. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes," Ven says putting as much of his anger into the single syllable as possible.
Master Eraqus pretends not to notice. "Good. Have fun." With that, Master Eraqus walks towards the third district as Ven walks in the other direction to the 7th Heaven. He opens the door and steps inside letting it shut behind him. He looks around seeing many strange faces, but he spots two familiar ones at the bar.
As he makes his way across the room, Tifa catches sight of him and waves. Yuffie looks over as well and gets a big smile on her face. "Hiya Ven!" Yuffie exclaims. "You here to see your boy toy?"
"Uhh," Ven says unable to come up with an intelligent response to that. Instead he turns to Tifa who rolls her eyes at Yuffie before smiling kindly at him. "Is Zack here?"
"He's out with Cloud and Leon right now, but the shift is about to change," Tifa tells him. "Right Yuffie?" She says pointedly.
"Oh right, sure is!" Yuffie exclaims jumping to her feet. "I'll let your Zackypoo know you're waiting for him." Ven blushes slightly as Yuffie giggles and runs out of the bar.
As the redness fades from his cheeks, Ven takes Yuffie's vacated barstool. Tifa walks to one of the tables with a tray of drinks, and when she comes back Ven asks her, "So why is everyone in the town out and about today? Don't they usually stay indoors?"
"They do," Tifa replies. "But no heartless have been spotted in the first district in the last two weeks, so most feel it is safe enough to walk around in this part of town." Tifa places a glass of lemonade in front of Ven on the bar before leaving to tend to her customers. Ven sits sipping his drink alone until Zack slides onto the stool next to him.
"Hey Ven," he says with a smile.
"Hi Zack," Ven says putting down his glass. "I guess Yuffie gave you the message."
"Yeah, her exact words were 'Your blondie is at the bar waiting for his boy toy'."
Ven laughs slightly and asks, "So what do you want to do?"
"Well," Zack says. "Everyone and their mother is outside today, so maybe we should just hang here. I have some movies in my room if you want to watch one."
"Sounds great," Ven says right away giving Zack a grin and receiving one in return.
"Alright, this way," Zack says leading Ven to a door off the bar. "My bedroom is the basement." He opens the door and leads Ven down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs is a short hallway with two doors leading off it. As Ven follows Zack, Zack points to each door in turn. "Bathroom. Closet." The end of the hallway opens into one large open room. Against the far wall is Zack's bed, unmade and with clothes scattered all around it. "Sorry 'bout the mess," Zack says picking up some of the clothes and tossing them in a corner.
"I don't mind," Ven says as he continues to look around the room. On the right side of the room, is a desk, bookshelf, and dresser. Ven wanders over looking at the titles on the bookshelf. Zack seems to like adventure stories like him. Next to the bookshelf, Zack's desk is a mess of paper. It looks like notes on heartless sightings around town accompanied by doodles of different kinds of heartless and notes on their abilities.
The only thing on the dresser is a strange talisman. It's a glass oval painted to look like an eye on a black cord. Ven stares at it curiously for a moment before Zack catches his attention. "What kind of movie do you want to watch?" Zack asks from across the room.
Ven walks to the other side of the room where there is a small couch and a TV. Zack is going through a box of DVDs and Ven crouches next to him. "I dunno," Ven says scanning his eyes over the titles. "I haven't seen a movie in months."
"Really?"
"Yeah, we don't have a TV at MEKA," Ven explains. "Master Eraqus is pretty old fashioned. Last time I watched a movie I was on Carinol with-" Ven stops himself. He isn't going to think about him. Not on his date with Zack.
"So Carinol is your homeworld?" Zack asks not seeming to notice what Ven is thinking.
"Uh, yeah," Ven says then in an attempt to change the subject, "How 'bout a horror movie?"
"Pick whatever you like," Zack says standing. "I'll make us some popcorn."
Zack runs back upstairs, leaving Ven to continue going through the box. Zack had them organized by genre and Ven soon finds the horror movies. Final Destination. Arachnophobia. Jaws. Killer Klowns from Outer Space. He continues to flip through the DVDs until one catches his eye. Casper the Unfriendly Ghost. He pulls it out and stares at it confused.
Zack comes back down with a big plastic bowl in his hands, and he brings with him the unmistakable smell of fresh popcorn. "Is this really a horror movie?" Ven asks him holding up the DVD.
"You bet it is!" Zack says with a grin. "It's great. Is that what you want to watch?"
"Sure," Ven says and Zack takes it from his hand and gives him the bowl of popcorn. Ven plops down on the couch while Zack messes with the DVD player. It's starts to play and Zack jumps to his feet. He walks over to a light switch and flicks it making the basement pitch black except for the glow of the TV screen. Zack sits on the couch beside Ven and they both settle back with the popcorn. As the opening credits roll, Zack puts his arm around Ven's shoulders and Ven leans comfortably against him.
"You can hold my hand if you get scared," Zack says with a smirk.
Ven scoffs, "I'm not going to be scared. I've fought heartless my whole life. No little ghost boy is going to scare me."
"Alright," Zack says still smirking. "I'll keep that in mind."
...
"I'm bored," Sora complains to Riku as they sit on the steps outside MEKA.
"Me too," Riku replies.
"You know what we should do?" Sora asks as he jumps to his feet.
"What?" Riku asks curiously, getting to his feet as well.
"We should go see Mr. Nort again," Sora says with a grin.
"Yeah," Riku says getting to his feet as well and beginning to walk down the stairs with Sora. "Maybe Mr. Nort will play a game with us."
"Let's go!" Sora shouts, and he and Riku run off in the direction of the mountain path. However, they are soon stopped by Aqua's voice.
"Riku! Sora! Where are you going?"
They both stop and look over their shoulders to see Terra and Aqua hurrying down the steps to them. "We're going to see our friend," Sora replies with a grin.
"Sora!" Riku exclaims. "That's supposed to be a secret."
"Oops," Sora says biting his lip.
"Who's your friend?" Terra asks.
"Nobody," Riku says in response and Terra rolls his eyes.
"You have to tell us where you are going or you won't be allowed to go," Terra says sternly.
Sora and RIku exchange a look and after a moment Riku says, "We're going to see Mr. Nort. He's bald. He lives up there." Riku points at the mountain looming over them. Terra and Aqua look at the mountain then back at the two boys with confused expressions
"Guys," Terra says slowly. "Nobody lives here but us."
"No! Mr. Nort lives in the caves up there!" Sora shouts back crossing his arms and pouting.
"Yeah! We saw him," Riku adds. Terra shakes his head and turns to look at Aqua who decides to try and help him out.
"Sora, Riku." They turn to her both of them now pouting because they aren't being taken seriously. Aqua crouches down in front of them. "I know sometimes it's sad that no ones lives here except us, but that's how it's supposed to be. There is no one named Nort here. Did you guys make him up to have someone to play with?"
"He's real!" Sora shouts.
"C'mon, we'll show you," Riku says running off before Terra and Aqua can protest.
"Yeah!" Sora says nodding his head with a huge smile. "Wait up! Riku!" He chases after Riku who has put a good bit of distance between himself and the others. Aqua exchanges a look with Terra and he shrugs his shoulders knowing they have no other choice but to follow the young boys. They easily catch up to Sora, but Riku has moved too far ahead and is out of sight. Sora stops and looks up at them as they catch up. He pouts, "Its not fair. Riku is too fast."
Terra ruffles Sora's spiky hair and then reaches down to Sora. "C'mon," he says with a half smile knowing this is what Sora wanted. Sora's pout disappears into a grin as he leaps up into Terra's outstretched arms. Terra lifts him, groaning as he pretends to struggle to lift the small boy. "Have you been growing Sora?" He asks with a smile.
Sora pulls away slightly and nods happily. "Yep! One day I'll be big like you," he says.
Laughing slightly, Terra and Aqua continue to follow the path that Riku had disappeared down. With directions from Sora, they are able to find the path up the mountain. When they reach the flat plateau, Sora fidgets in Terra's arms and Terra sets him down. Sora runs to a dark crack in the mountain side motioning for them to follow. "He lives in here," Sora says before disappearing into the cave.
Terra and Aqua exchange a skeptical glance, and move slowly to follow Sora. "Ladies first," Terra says standing to the side of the opening. Aqua gives him a kiss on the cheek and a playful shove before entering the cave. A few steps in, the cave opens up into a small circular cavern. A completely empty cavern.
The only light comes from outside through the opening, and it is just enough for Aqua and Terra to see Sora and Riku in the middle of the room, looking around confused. "Where'd he go?" Sora asks frowning.
"I dunno," Riku replies. "All the stuff is gone too."
"Sorry guys," Terra says. "No caveman in here."
"Let's go back outside," Aqua says. "This cave is creepy."
She and Terra turn and walk back out of the cave, and Sora and Riku reluctantly follow. Before they leave, they glance back around the empty cave one last time with confused and disappointed expressions. Mr. Nort is gone, and there is no trace that he had ever been there.
...
"Stop right there!"
Xehanort frowns at the meaty hand held out an inch from his chest stopping his progress. The hand belongs to one of the guards outside the throne room he is trying to enter. Xehanort's hand clenches into a fist. How he longs to summon his keyblade and stab it through the ignorant man. A ghost of a smile brushes his lips as he envisions the guard's surprised face when he would look down to find the large keyblade sticking out of his chest. The blood would pour when Xehanort removed the keyblade and the man would collapse to the ground. His feeble attempts to stop the blood would be futile and his convulsing body would still.
"I said what do you think you're doing?" The guard says angrily giving Xehanort a shove that dissolves his day dream.
Xehanort stares silently at the man for a moment the image of his keyblade bloodied and the man's dead body flashing in his mind. His lips curls into a smile. "I am here to see King Keric and congratulate him on his ascension to the throne."
"Sorry sir," the guard says though he looks far from apologetic, "The King only sees visitors with appointments. You need to leave."
"Oh pardon me," Xehanort says in a mocking voice that makes the guard's face harden, "I do wish I had sent word that I was coming, but I like to keep everyone on their toes so..."
Xehanort leaves his statement hanging for a moment before summoning a flash of dark lightning which hits the guard in the neck killing him instantly. The second guard of the throne room who has been silently observing jumps in surprise and begins to fumble with his sword. Xehanort summons his keyblade and stands waiting patiently for the man to draw his weapon. With his sword finally out, the guard points it at Xehanort. Xehanort can see his hand trembling. With a sneer, Xehanort lunges forward swinging his keyblade for an overhead attack. The guard gasps in fear and raises his sword to parry the blow only to have it knocked out of his hand. The guard falls to his knees defenseless as Xehanort stands over him.
"Please...please don't..." the man begs. Xehanort ignores him and stabs forward with his keyblade. As the man is impaled by the keyblade, Xehanort hears him gasp and smiles knowing that is the last breath the man is ever going to take. With a tug, he pulls his keyblade back out, letting it disappear, and the man crumples in a bloody heap on the floor. Xehanort carefully steps over the body and stands before the great doors he knows lead to the throne room. With a burst of dark magic, he makes the doors swing open, crashing on their hinges, and strolls into the room with his hands behind his back.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" The teenage boy on the throne yells angrily standing with a haughty air. "This is my throne room and I will not have commoners bursting in uninvited. Rale! Lusa!"
"Your guards are dead, boy," Xehanort says and with a flick of his wrist the doors slam shut once more.
"Do not insult me! I am King Keric! I could have you beheaded for such rudeness." The boy king is angry, just the anger Xehanort was hoping to find.
"I'd like to see you try," Xehanort says in a threatening voice that makes Keric take half a step back. "Now I think you will take interest in what I have to say. It has to do with a certain young boy I think we both have a vested interest in."
"And who might that be?"
"Ventus."
At the name, Keric at first looks surprised, but soon his eyes narrow in anticipation. "You know where he is?"
"I do," Xehanort says noting with satisfaction the barely suppressed eagerness on Keric's face. "And I know how you can lure him here."
Keric slowly walks down the few steps from his raised throne to Xehanort and stands eye to eye with the older man. After a pause he says, "You are correct that I have a...special interest in bringing Ventus back here. But I am more interested in what you want from him."
Xehanort laughs. "That is of no concern to you boy. All you need to know is that Ventus will never come back to this world unless you let me make a few changes."
Keric's eyes narrow. "Go on."
"Are you aware that the boy possesses the legendary keyblade?'
"I am aware," Keric says slowly shocked by how much this strange man knows. "He tried to use it to defeat me several times, but his swordsmanship was childish. Even with the power of the keyblade, he was no match for me."
"Well his ability to wield the keyblade has taken him away from this world. The only way to make him return is to let the darkness destroy this world."
"What!" The king says shocked. "You want me to let my kingdom be destroyed? Are you mad?"
Xehanort cackles. "Don't tell me you care about your people? No, I think you are more concerned about yourself and the power you would lose. In that case I will make you an offer. Join me and I will bring Ventus back home. Join me and I will teach you how to control the darkness and conquer worlds. Though this world will fall to the darkness it will be well worth the loss. With Ventus' power all the worlds will be at our mercy and the darkness itself will do our will."
Keric licks his lips as he thinks of the incredible power Xehanort is speaking of. And best of all, he would get Ventus back. The thought of the younger blond boy once more at his side is reason enough to go along with the stranger's plan. "I'm in."
"Good," Xehanort says. "There is just one more thing. While as you said Ventus is a poor swordsman, his new friends who will come as well are much more skilled. Their power will have to be taken away."
"Can you do that?" Keric asks.
"Do not worry. They only have keyblades of light. When I put darkness into the heart of this world, there will not be enough light left for them to summon their keyblades. They will be helpless."
Xehanort begins to walk away from the king. "Wait!" Keric calls and Xehanort pauses. "You never told me your name."
"Names are a powerful thing boy," Xehanort says without turning. "For now I will keep mine hidden."
He continues to walk and when he reaches the door he pauses once more. Turning to face the young king he says, "Do not fail me Keric. I will return before this world falls completely to darkness and I expect you to have forced Ventus into submission by then. Make preparations, he should arrive in two or three days time."
With that, Xehanort exits the throne room stepping once more over the dead bodies of the guards. He walks down the corridor with a sneer of anticipation of his plan being set into motion.
…
"Don't go in there! Don't go in there! Don't! Ahh!" Ven screams as he buries his face in Zack's chest. Zack hugs Ven even tighter trying not to laugh at his reaction.
"He's gone. You can look now," Zack says to Ven who peeks back at the screen to see that Casper, the evil knife wielding ghost in the movie, had vanished leaving only the foolish sorority girl dead in the closet with her throat cut.
The scene changes to an angry mob outside the haunted house. "Oh no," Ven whispers pulling his knees up to his chest. He wraps his arms around his legs as a frat boy pushes the front door open with a creak. Zack holds him tighter. Even though he has seen this movie multiple times, this scene always gets him. The boy in the movie looks around the empty room and turns motioning for the others to enter as well. Then, out of thin air, Casper appears with his butcher knife in hand and slices the boy's neck open.
Both Zack and Ven scream and hold each other as the ghost continues his massacre of the mob outside. With all the people lying dead in pools of blood, Casper retreats into his house laughing evilly. The door shuts and lightning flashes around the house illuminating the butcher knife stabbed into the front door as a warning for everyone else who dared disturb him. The screen goes black, but Casper continues to laugh until the credits begin to roll.
Zack releases Ven and sits up stretching. He looks over to Ven who hasn't moved. "So you weren't scared at all, right?" Zack says sarcastically, and Ven looks at him pouting.
"I heard you screaming like a little girl at that last scene," Ven shoots back still pouting.
Ven looks so cute when he is scared and annoyed, and Zack can't help but lean in and kiss him. It's a gentle kiss, but when Zack pulls back, Ven grabs the front of his shirt and pulls him into a deeper kiss. Zack responds enthusiastically, wrapping his arms around Ven once more. They make out and Ven moves closer, nearly sitting in Zack's lap. Zack moves his hands to Ven's hips and Ven tangles his fingers in Zack's hair.
The light in the room suddenly comes on and they break their kiss to look around blinking in the bright light. "Ventus!" Master Eraqus voice calls down the stairs. "It is time to go."
Ven groans and yells back, "In a few minutes!"
"Two minutes," Master Eraqus says and they can hear him close the door.
Ven groans again. "Why did he have to come? I'm old enough to fly alone, but he tagged along as chaperon anyway."
Zack brushes some hair out of Ven's face. "Do you two not get along?"
"We used to be okay, but now...I can't look at him without getting pissed off," Ven replies.
"What happened?" Zack asks curiously.
Ven shrugs. "He's keeping something from me and it's annoying as fuck because it's something really important. He then had the nerve to try and convince me it's unimportant."
"Do you have any clue what he isn't telling you?" Zack asks.
"From Terra and Aqua I know that he wants to protect me from darkness, but the problem is I don't know why," Ven replies with a sigh. "I just have this feeling there is something about me that he knows and just won't tell me. But I still have to listen to him so goodbye Zack."
"Goodbye Ven," Zack says giving him a kiss. "When do you think you can come back?"
"Hopefully soon," Ven says with a smile and gives him a kiss back. With a final smile at Zack, Ven walks back down the short hallway with the closet and bathroom.
"Ven!" Zack calls after him and Ven pauses at the bottom of the stairs to look back. "Don't forget to check under your bed tonight for Casper the murderous ghost boy!"
Ven sticks his tongue out at Zack and continues up the stairs. His smile fades when he opens the door at the top to see Master Eraqus standing with Cloud at the bar. He walks over and says, "I'm ready. Let's go."
Master Eraqus turns to him with a slight smile. "Alright Ventus, let's go home."
Ven glares back at him and walks out of the bar without waiting for him. Cloud looks at Master Eraqus with one eyebrow raised. "Teenagers," Master Eraqus replies with a shrug in response to his silent question. Cloud nods in understanding and Master Eraqus leaves him to chase after Ven and take him back to MEKA.
…
Later that night, all the apprentices and Master Eraqus are gathered around the table in the kitchen eating a delicious meal of pasta in Aqua's famous meat sauce. Putting down his fork as he finishes his last bite, Master Eraqus announces, "I will be gone for the rest of the evening. Tomorrow's lesson is going to be off world for the three of you." Master Eraqus gestures to the older three apprentices. "And I must make final preparations. I will see you all in the morning."
"Bye Master Eraqus." Sora and Riku say as Master Eraqus leaves the kitchen. The older apprentices stand and begin to clean up the kitchen.
"Can we play outside?" Riku asks.
"Only if Ven goes with you," Terra replies and Sora and Riku both look to Ven expectantly.
"Sure, why not," Ven says with a shrug and lets Sora and Riku drag him outside to play.
Aqua is drying the last dish when Terra comes up behind her and whispers in her ear, "It's just the two of us."
Aqua smiles and puts the dish away before turning to face Terra. She gives him a quick kiss, and then hurries out of the kitchen. Terra follows her and finds her sitting on the couch in the sitting room. She pats the cushion next to her invitingly, and Terra wastes no time in sitting beside her and kissing her passionately. His arms are wrapped around her, and his hands are caressing the small of her back. He can feel her fingers tangling in his hair as they make out for several minutes.
Aqua breaks their kiss breathing heavily, and gives Terra a mischievous grin. He only has a moment to wonder what she is thinking before she pushes him down on the couch and lies on top of him. She kisses him again, and Terra is in complete bliss. Nothing could ruin this perfect moment except...
"Holy shit! Woah! PG guys! PG!"
Ven's voice makes Aqua jump off Terra faster than Terra thought was humanly possible. He sits up and turns to see Ven staring at them from the doorway with an amused expression and his hands covering both Sora and Riku's eyes.
"Hey!" Riku shouts in protest. "I can't see!"
"Me neither," Sora says and then proceeds to lick Ven's hand.
"Sora!" Ven says taking his hand back. Sora just laughs and looks curiously at Terra and Aqua who are both a brilliant shade of red. They are both also too stunned to speak.
Ven takes his hand off Riku's eyes as well and says to both boys, "Bedtime boys. Go on."
Grumbling Sora and Riku leave the room and head up the stairs. As the climb the steps Sora asks, "Riku, what were Terra and Aqua doing?"
Riku rolls his eyes. "They were kissing Sora," he says.
Sora considers this for a moment and then asks, "Why?"
"I dunno. It's just something teenagers do," Riku replies.
"It looked gross," Sora says. "I'm never gonna kiss anyone!"
"Me neither!" Riku says and they both run to their room.
…
Back downstairs, Ven sits down in a chair, leaning back with a wide grin on his face. Terra finally finds his voice again and asks, "Why- why did you guys come back in so soon?"
"Uh it started raining," Ven replies still grinning. "I guess you guys were too distracted to notice."
Aqua walks up to Ven and puts her hand on his shoulder. "Ven, listen to me," she says in a serious voice. "Please don't tell Master Eraqus. If he finds out-"
"He'd probably be okay with it," Ven says giving her a smile. "But don't worry, my lips are sealed."
"You don't seem all that surprised," Terra says.
"Well you see," Ven replies. "I have this special talent. I'm really good at faking being asleep."
Terra and Aqua stare at him confused for several moments before realization hits them. "You were awake on the beach!" Aqua cries in shock.
Ven laughs and nods. "I heard everything. You guys thought you were so sneaky. But you can't fool me." He stands. "Now you two lovebirds have fun," he says walking out of the room, but then he pokes his head back in. "But not too much fun!"
Both Aqua and Terra turn bright red, and Ven laughs to himself as he climbs the stairs. As he passes Sora and Riku's room, which is next to his, he can hear them talking and sees that the light is on inside. "Lights out!" Ven calls through the door. "It's bedtime."
"'Kay Ven!" Sora's voice calls back and the light turns off.
Ven continues to his room and quickly gets ready for bed. Switching off the light, he flops onto his bed with a sigh. He closes his eyes and lets himself begin to drift off. However, before he can completely succumb to sleep, a slight sound makes him open his eyes. Looking around he sees nothing. With a shrug, he closes his eyes again, but he hears it again. His eyes shoot open and he sits up looking around. There it is again! With his heart beating faster than normal, Ven turns on the small lamp beside his bed. It only illuminates half the room leaving the far side in eerie shadows. He sees nothing, but the sound continues coming from across the room.
Swallowing hard Ven gets out of bed slowly. The floor creaks slightly as he stands and he almost jumps a mile. Shaking himself mentally for his reaction, Ven walks to the other side of the room determined to find a logical answer for the sounds he is hearing. He slows as he leaves the circle of light from his lamp and enters the dark shadows. The sound stops for a moment and he relaxes, but then it returns a little louder than before. With his heart hammering, Ven walks up to his wardrobe against the wall. The sound seems to be coming from here. Reaching out a trembling hand, Ven slowly turns the doorknob, and throws open the doors to see...nothing. There is nothing in his wardrobe except his clothes.
The sound hasn't stopped, but Ven's eyes narrow. It is clearer here, and he can tell it is coming from the wall behind the wardrobe. Pressing his ear against the wall, he hears the unmistakable sound of Sora's laugh. The noises he had been hearing were just Sora and Riku talking in the other room.
"Stupid, stupid," Ven says to himself making his way back to his bed. He mentally scolds himself for being scared so easily. But when he turns his light off, plunging the room into total darkness, unexplainable fear grips him. Groaning, he pulls the sheet over his head. Why did he watch that stupid horror movie?
So just for the record, as far as I know there isn't a movie called Casper the Unfriendly Ghost so yeah I made it up. I was going to use a real movie (like the other movies Ven was looking at) but I don't watch a ton of scary movies and I don't remember the ones I have seen well enough to write about them.
I wish this chapter wasn't so freaking long, but I wanted to keep all this stuff together. Having trouble remembering all the important stuff that happened in this super sized chapter? Well here is a summary to refresh your memory.
Ven is still mad at Master Eraqus, Ven and Zack had a great first official date, Xehanort and Keric have made an alliance, Xehanort is planning on luring our heroes to Carinol to get Ven, and Aqua and Terra know that Ven knows about them.
I DREW PICTURES! I'm not a great artist, but I did my best to draw the outfits I described for the gang in Christmas Town. If you want to check them out this is the account I set up on devianart.
I'm still working on Halloween Town drawings and I'll post them when I get them done.
OKAY! This chapter is already monstrously long so here are some short and sweet responses to reviews.
Mexi: I hope you like the drawings!
SnowKawasagi: Here's some Terra and Aqua just for you :)
MLSoT: Cuddle time ruined by Master Eraqus :(