Chapter 42 Zack Fair is the Sexiest Man Alive
"We're back!" Terra calls to the quiet castle as he, Aqua, Sora, and Riku enter through the front doors. They proceed into the sitting room to find Ven sprawled out on the couch with a thick leather book. He doesn't look up as they come in, keeping his eyes trained on the book in his hand and his brow furrowed in concentration.
"You're gonna hurt yourself thinking that hard," Terra says jokingly. Ven blinks and look over at them.
"Oh, didn't hear you guys come in," Ven says distractedly.
"What are you reading Ven?" Aqua asks looking curiously at the huge book.
"A Complete History of Kingdom Hearts, the X-blade, and It's Mysterious Wielders," Ven reads from the front cover.
"So they told you about the X-blade," Aqua says softly.
Ven nods. "Yep. Master Yen Sid even gave me this book to read. He called it an easy read, but it doesn't even have pictures."
Aqua can't help but smile at Ven's pout. It's just so...normal. He doesn't seem all that fazed by the sudden fate that had been thrust upon him.
Ven marks his page and quickly sits up, putting the heavy book on the coffee table. "Hey Sora can you come here?" He asks. Sora looks up curiously and walks over to him. "Would you mind showing me your keyblade?"
Sora grins and nods happily. He holds out his hand and his small keyblade appears in a flash of light. Proud of himself he holds it out to Ven who tries to smile back. "Do you remember me giving you this?"
"Uh huh," Sora replies. "You were sad that a part of your heart was missing so I fixed it and after that I could use the keyblade."
Ven rubs his head in annoyance at not remembering doing that. "Alright, thanks Sora."
"Can we have dinner?" Riku asks.
"Sounds like a plan to me," Terra says and they all head to the kitchen.
…
Later that night, Master Eraqus comes downstairs for a midnight cup of tea to find Ven lying on the couch reading once more. "Ventus," he says quietly as he enters the sitting room so as to not startle the boy. "What are you still doing up?"
"I couldn't sleep," Ven answers honestly as he sits up. "I'm not at all tired and everytime I close my eyes all I can think about is..." He trails off but his eyes glance at the book in his hands.
Master Eraqus sits beside him on the couch and takes the book from his hands. Setting it on the coffee table he says, "After everything we talked about yesterday, I never got a chance to ask you how you were coping."
Ven leans back and puts his hands behind his head while he thinks. "I think," he starts hesitantly. "I'm okay with this X-blade, Kingdom Hearts stuff. I mean it's all kind of strange to take in, but it I feel like...like I've figured out who I am and now everything makes sense."
Master Eraqus smiles. "Good. Maybe I should have told you sooner."
Ven shakes his head slowly. "No, I think if you had told me before Xehanort kidnapped me I would have been terrified. But now, I've already proven to you and to myself that I can stop him and keep him from getting the X-blade. Even if I can't remember actually doing it," He adds closing his eyes as he tries to remember.
"Give it time Ventus," Master Eraqus says rising to his feet.
"Yeah," Ven sighs unhappily.
Master Eraqus gives him a final smile before heading into the kitchen to make his tea. A few minutes later he returns teacup in hand to find Ven once more lost in his book. "It's time for you to go to bed," Master Eraqus says firmly.
"Five more minutes," Ven whines.
"Now Ventus, it's late," Master Eraqus says firmly.
With an exaggerated sigh, Ven gets to his feet and heads for the stairs grumbling. Master Eraqus stops him and holds out his hand. Giving him a dirty look, Ven hands over the book which Master Eraqus leaves on the coffee table before ushering Ven upstairs to bed.
...
Master Eraqus comes down the next morning to find Ven back on the couch with his book once more in his hands. "Ventus," Master Eraqus says with a sigh. "Did you sneak back down here after I specifically told you to go to bed?"
"I tried to sleep!" Ven says defensively. "Honest I did, but I'm really not tired."
Master Eraqus pinches the bridge of his nose. "I guess that is not too surprising considering you slept for six days straight." He lets his hand fall back to his side and looks at a grinning Ven. "Are you hungry?"
"Yes!" Ven says excitedly. He jumps to his feet, the book lying discarded on the couch cushions.
"What would you like?" Master Eraqus asks as the enter the kitchen.
"Waffles," Ven says right away. He helps Master Eraqus gather the necessary ingredients and while the wait for the first waffle to cook they take a seat at the large table. "So I was reading that book and I came across something I don't understand," Ven says to Master Eraqus.
"And what is that?" Master Eraqus asks.
"Well," Ven replies. "It says that Kingdom Hearts is light and the X-blade wielder has a light filled heart, but the X-blade itself isn't purely light. In fact, it is more than half darkness. Why is that?"
Master Eraqus considers the question for a moment before answering. "Kingdom Hearts is an entity completely separate from our worlds. This separation prevents any darkness from reaching it. As I'm sure you've been reading about, the X-blade wielder's heart has a direct connection to Kingdom Hearts and that is why they are so light filled despite living among the darkness of the worlds. The X-blade however, though created by Kingdom Hearts, is a tool for men, therefore it reflects the worlds where darkness is always more abundant than light. However, although the light may seem insufficient against the overwhelming darkness, even the smallest light is stronger than a hoard of darkness. The X-blade may have more darkness than light, but the light it does have is stronger than the darkness."
Master Eraqus leaves Ven to think that over as he retrieves the now cooked waffle. Setting it down in front of Ven, they continue to talk about less important things. Soon the kitchen is filled with all the apprentices and the smell of maple syrup. When they had all eaten as many waffles as they could, Aqua turns to Master Eraqus and asks, "Would you mind letting Ven go to Traverse Town today? The others really wanted to see him."
"As long as you and Terra accompany Ventus, I have no problem with that," Master Eraqus replies and Terra turns to Ven.
"What do you say Ven?" Terra asks. "Feel up to going to Traverse Town? Like Aqua said, the others were worried about you...including Zack. He said he wanted to see you."
At the mention of Zack, Ven bites his lip and looks away, but he replies, "Yeah, I'd like to go."
Terra and Aqua get to their feet and head out of the kitchen closely followed by Ven. They reach the front doors when Master Eraqus calls to them, "Aqua, a word please."
Ven stops and looks back curiously, but Master Eraqus catches Terra's eye and he receives the silent message. "C'mon," Terra says to Ven. "Aqua will meet us outside."
As the boys exit it the castle, Aqua walks back to her master. "What is it Master Eraqus?"
In a low voice Master Eraqus says, "Xehanort is still out there somewhere. He said he would come for Ven eventually. Keep your eyes peeled and at the first sign of danger I want the three of you to come back here immediately. Until this threat is taken care of, our first priority must be Ven's safety."
"Don't worry Master Eraqus," Aqua says confidently. "You can count on Terra and I. We won't let anything happen to Ven."
"Thank you Aqua," Master Eraqus says giving her a weak smile.
…
Ven had barely taken two steps into the 1st district when he hears the excited squeal, "Oh my gosh!"
Then something collides with his shoulder and he is sent sprawling face first. "Ven! Ven! You're here!" Yuffie remains on top of him as she gives him a tight hug.
"Gah, Yuffie, where did you even come from?" Ven says struggling to get up, but to no avail.
"Ninja secret," Yuffie says before getting up and letting Ven also get to his feet.
"It's good to see you." Ven turns at Leon's voice and sees the older man leaning against the wall with the hint of a smile on his usually stoic face.
"I'll go get the others!" Yuffie exclaims before running to the doors of the 7th Heaven. As she goes, Cid walks down the steps from his shop.
"Well look what the cat dragged in," Cid calls from across the square as he makes his way over. "You had us all pretty damn worried kid." Ven grins sheepishly at him and Cid roughs up Ven's spiky hair.
"Sorry," Ven says fixing his hair. "I didn't mean to make everyone worry."
"It doesn't matter." Aerith's soft voice reaches Ven's ears and he turns to see her, Tifa, and Cloud coming out of the 7th Heaven with a grinning Yuffie. "We're just so happy that you're alright," she says clapping her hands together. Ven and the others that had been standing near the doors the keyblade wielders had entered though move to meet the girls and Cloud halfway in the middle of the square.
Tifa leans down to examine him closely and he shifts awkwardly under her gaze. She smiles and laughs slightly. She straightens up and interlocks her fingers with Cloud's she opens her mouth as if to say something when the doors to the 7th Heaven open and Ven looks up to lock eyes with Zack. Everyone takes a step back from Ven to give them privacy as Zack walks over with a mixture of emotions on his face. Ven gives him a sad smile as Zack stops short right in front of him his expression still clouded with too many emotions. Zack opens his mouth but nothing comes out.
Ven decides to speak. "Zack, I'm ok, really."
Zack just continues to stare at him.
"Zack," Ven says again desperate for him to say something in reply. "I'm sorry. What I said before, I shouldn't have been so-"
Ven is cut off as Zack suddenly moves forward, lifting his hands to Ven's cheeks, and tilting Ven's face up. Not caring that they others are watching. Not caring that Ven had broken up with him. Not caring about anything except the boy whose face he has cradled between his hands, Zack kisses him.
Ven is shocked at first. But only for a moment. He relaxes as Zack pulls him closer and Ven happily wraps his arms around Zack's neck. They hold their passionate kiss for several moments before breaking apart. With a smile, Ven rests his head on Zack's shoulder feeling Zack's strong arms holding him tight.
"I'm sorry," Zack says quietly in Ven's ear. "You had every right to be mad at me. But that's in the past. All that matters is that you're safe and if I ever find that Xehanort guy I'll kill him for what he did to you."
Ven pulls away slightly in their embrace and rests his forehead on Zack's. "Sorry if I scared you. I feel bad that everyone was so worried about me."
"They were worried because they care about you," Zack replies. "I care about you."
Ven smiles. "Why don't we go some place to talk?"
Zack nods in agreement and they release each other. Ven glances around and sees everyone hastily look away with smiles on their faces not wanting to be caught staring. Everyone except Yuffie who walks over and throws her arms around both boys' shoulders. "You two are too cute," she proclaims ignoring their red faces. "I mean seriously, that kiss was like the sweetest thing I've ever seen."
"Uh thanks," Zack says ducking away from her. He grabs Ven's hand and pulls him away from her as well. "We're gonna go back to my room to talk. Alone," he adds as she makes a move to follow them. Ignoring her pout and the other's glances, Zack tugs again on Ven's hand and they turn away walking back to the 7th Heaven.
…
An uncomfortable silence falls on Ven and Zack as they sit alone in Zack's bedroom. Ven sits stiffly on the small couch while Zack is perched on the corner of his bad. Ven glances at Zack intending to speak, but instead looks away again.
Zack is the one to find his voice first saying, "I'm sorry Ven. I shouldn't have tried to hide our relationship from everyone."
"I'm sorry for overreacting," Ven says. "I didn't mean any of the things I said. I...I don't want to stop seeing you."
"Me neither," Zack says quietly and Ven looks at him and smiles. Zack moves to sit next to him on the couch and takes his hand. "Ven, will you be my boyfriend, again?"
"Does this answer your question?" Ven leans forward and catches Zack's lips with his. When they break their kiss, they cuddle up close of the couch with Ven's head on Zack's shoulder and Zack's arm wrapped around him. The silence that descends on them is no longer uncomfortable as they just sit enjoying each other's presence.
"Do you want to tell me about Xehanort?" Zack asks softly and feels Ven tense up. "Terra and Aqua already told us you don't remember much."
"I don't remember anything," Ven says in a small voice. "At least not anything important. Master Eraqus calls it repressed memories. He says with time I might remember, but I might not."
"What do you remember?" Zack asks curiously.
"I remember Xehanort telling me he gave me the keyblade," Ven says his voice taking on an angry tone. "I remember him threatening Sora and then me going through a dark corridor to keep Sora safe. After that, nothing."
"Nothing at all?"
"Nothing until I woke up at MEKA six days later," Ven replies frowning. "Sora says we went to this red rock wasteland of a world and I fought Xehanort and heartless till I fell. Then he says I gave him the keyblade. I can't believe I did that." Ven shakes his head sadly. "When the others saw me they said I was like a mindless zombie just staring at the ground until I fell unconscious. I hate not being able to remember any of it."
With a sigh, he turns his head into Zack's chest while Zack strokes his hair gently. They sit like that both lost in their own thoughts for several minutes before Zack suddenly says, "Wait I know."
Ven sits up as Zack gets to his feet and goes across the room to his dresser. He picks up a strange talisman which Ven remembers looking at it the first time he had been in Zack's room. Zack turns to him with a grin. "Under hypnosis you can remember all kinds of things you don't normally. Wanna let me try it on you?
"Hypnosis?" Ven asks skeptically.
"Yeah," Zack replies now eager with his sudden idea. "When I was back in Greece, after you guys left, I was wandering around and this woman appeared. She said her name was Hera and she knew that Phil had decided to be Herc's trainer instead of mine. She seemed to think I was mad at Herc for that and she said she had a grudge against Herc that had something to do with his father.
Anyways, she wanted me to help her hurt Herc, but of course I said no way because Herc is my friend. Well, she got really mad and told me that she was a goddess and I had to do what she said. I told her the answer was still no. Man was she pissed! She summoned this intense storm to try and make me submit. I fought hard but she was powerful, more powerful than Hades even. She was going to win but then a man jumped in between us and yelled at her about trying to use others to do her dirty work. He said she would leave Hercules alone or else. She seemed afraid of him and vanished into her storm.
The sun came back out and the man came over. He introduced himself as Hypnos god of sleep and apologized for Hera. He had the strangest eyes. Just looking at them made me feel like I was under a spell. He was about to leave when he came back and handed me this." Zack holds up what looks like a glass eye on a leather cord. "He warned me to be careful because this talisman is infused with his magic and can put anyone under hypnosis."
"And you're sure you know how to use it?" Ven asks nervously.
"He made it sound really simple," Zack says looking at the talisman.
"Well, alright," Ven says still not sounding 100% convinced. "Just don't make me do anything stupid."
"I won't," Zack promises and then adds with a smile, "This time."
Ven gives him a look, but Zack ignores it pulling Ven over to his bed. "Lie down." Ven frowns at him and Zack sighs in exasperation. "You have to be comfortable for this to work. Just lie down." Ven does as he is told and then looks expectantly at Zack.
Zack sits on the edge of his bed he leans over Ven swinging the talisman in front of Ven's eyes. "Just relax," Zack says in a quiet soothing voice. "Watch the eye. Watch it swing back and forth. Forget everything. Think only about my voice." Zack can see that Ven's eyes are out of focus, but they continue to follow the swinging of the talisman. "You're getting sleepy," Zack continues. "Your eyelids are heavy." Ven at once seemed to struggle to keep his eyes open. "It's ok. Let yourself slip away. Just listen to the sound of my voice. Close your eyes. Relax. Just listen to the sound of my voice." Ven's eyes are closed and his breathing is slow and even.
Zack puts the talisman down on the nightstand beside his bed and after hesitating waves his hand in front of Ven's face. Ven has no reaction and a smile creeps onto Zack's face. "Can you hear me Ven?"
After a moment Ven replies in a slow voice, "Yes."
"Ven, I want you repeat after me. Zack Fair is the sexiest man alive."
"Zack Fair is the sexiest man alive," Ven repeats at once, his face remaining as blank as before. If Ven had been awake Zack knows he wouldn't have been able to say that without blushing. Ven is really hypnotized.
"Awesome," Zack says with a grin, but that melts away as he remembers why they are doing this. "Ok I want you to go to the wasteland Xehanort took you to. Can you picture it?"
...
Ven opens his eyes to see the barren empty world of rust colored rocks. He looks around seeing nothing but the flat rock stretching from horizon to horizon. He hears Zack's voice coming from all around him. "Is Sora with you?"
"Yes," Ven says looking down to see Sora holding his hand and looking up at him with a scared expression. Sora fades away. "But Xehanort has him." Ven looks back up. He is facing Xehanort who has his back to him. With a growl of anger, Ven rushes him and swings his keyblade. In a flash Ven is on the ground looking at Xehanort who wears a cruel smile. Xehanort points to him and his mouth moves. "X-blade," Ven whispers knowing that is what Xehanort had said.
Ven gets to his feet and finds himself looking up at a cliff at the top of which he can see Xehanort and Sora watching him. "I need to save Sora," Ven says.
"What's stopping you Ven?"
"Heartless," Ven replies as he notices neoshadows all around him. He looks up to see Xehanort speaking. Ven says the words he remembers, "Let the dark impulses waken in the pit of your heart. Release them here and now!" The heartless start to move towards him. "Embrace the darkness. Produce for your master the X-blade!"
"What do you do?"
"No!" Ven screams covering his head in an effort to protect himself from the heartless that leap at him. They pile on and he can feel their claws scratching at him. "No! Don't fight! Don't fight!"
"Ven! What's going on?" Zack's voice is urgent.
"Don't fight! It's what he wants," Ven cries curling into a ball on the ground as the shadows pile on top of him.
"Ven!" Zack is calling him. "Ven! What's going on? What do you see?"
...
"Zack!"
Zack turns quickly to see Cloud running down the stairs with Terra and Aqua right behind him. More thundering footsteps bring the other adults down the stairs as well. He jumps to his feet and rushes over to them with his arms out.
"Shh! Shh!" He says frantically waving for Cloud to be quiet.
"What's going on?" Cloud demands. "We heard shouting. Is Ven alright?" He and the others are peering around Zack at Ven lying prone on the bed.
"He's remembering," Zack tells them quickly.
"How-" Terra begins to ask in a loud voice.
"Shh!" Zack says again. "I hypnotized him." Putting his finger to his lips he beckons them over and returns to his spot on the bed next to Ven. "Ven, what do you see now?" Zack asks.
"It's dark," Ven replies in a small voice. "I don't know what's happening."
The others open their mouths to ask questions, but Zack waves at them to stay quiet. He turns back to Ven as the latter says, "I can see something now."
...
Ven opens his eyes finding himself on his back looking up at the dusty sky above the wasteland. "I can't move. I'm too tired," he whispers.
"Is anyone else with you?"
Xehanort's face appears above him. "Xehanort," Ven says. Xehanort's mouth moves and Ven fills in the words he knows were said. "If I must...I will extract the darkness from within you myself."
"What's Xehanort doing Ven?" Zack's voice asks him.
Xehanort's keyblade appears in his hand. Ven looks down the shaft at the old man on the other end. "No, don't, please."
A beam from the keyblade hits Ven in his chest. "Ungh..." Ven cringes in pain.
"Ven?"
The pain builds and builds as a ball of darkness forms in the air above Ven. Unable to stop it, Ven screams out as something wrenches itself from his chest.
"Ven! What's going on? Wake up Ven! Wake up!"
Ven's scream dies away as a dark boy whose face is covered by a mask lands on the ground next to him.
"C'mon Ven! That's enough. Wake up!"
The boy turns his head to look down at Ven. "Vanitas," Ven moans as everything turns black.
...
"Ven? Ven!" Zack calls worried. Ven had screamed out and now after saying the name Vanitas he isn't responding. The others have surrounded the bed and Zack is doing his best to ignore their accusing stares. This is not going as smoothly as Hypnos had made it sound. Zack forces himself to take a calming breath. He puts his hand on Ven's and squeezes. "Ven, what do you see now?"
He holds his breath hoping that Ven will respond and to his relief he does. "Falling...I'm falling."
"Why are you falling?" Zack asks.
"The little I have left is slipping away."
"What?" Zack asks confused.
"Broken...fractured...lost..."
"Ven, where are you?" Zack asks desperate to understand what Ven is telling him.
"My heart...Why are you here?"
"Who is with you Ven?"
"Sora..." Ven says confused.
"Sora is with you?" Zack asks.
"Open the door," Ven says with a sigh and his previously blank face frowns as he slowly opens his eyes blinking.
Zack shifts on the bed and Ven turns to look at him. "I-I remember," Ven says as he sits up. "I-I remember everything."
ZACK IS BACK!
You didn't think I'd break up Zactus forever did you?
Now Ven remembers what happened. Is that good or bad? Well, we'll just have to wait and see.