Chapter 47 The Mark of Mastery
In the month after the trip to Radiant Garden where Kairi became the latest addition to the keyblade wielders at MEKA, things returned to normal. Xehanort hadn't been seen or heard from the entire time and their fear and worry about him became just a nagging thought in the back of their minds. For Terra and Aqua, it was a busy month of rigorous training as their Mark of Mastery exam grew closer. With all their constant training, Ven saw little of them outside meal times, but Ven understood. He filled his boring hours between lessons and babysitting duties of the younger children with visits to Zack. Nearly everyday he found time to travel to Traverse Town and his and Zack's relationship had grown strong.
Kairi had immediately become part of the family and was hardly ever seen without Sora and Riku. The three of them spent their days challenging each other to sparring matches and playing hide and seek in the castle.
On Sora's fifth birthday, they all went to Traverse Town for a huge party Tifa threw at the bar. Master Eraqus bought him a crown necklace as a present from all of them at MEKA and he was ecstatic when he opened it. Sora had challenged Riku to a cake eating contest and the two of them ran around on a sugar hide terrorizing the adults until they came crashing back down. Despite being sick later from all the frosting he had eaten, Sora still claimed that it was the best birthday ever.
Ven's only complaint over the last month would be the lack of missions and lessons in other worlds. Terra and Aqua went on many, but Master Eraqus never allowed him to join them. He said it was so they could prepare for the exam without watching him, but Ven knew the truth was Master Eraqus didn't want him out of his sight for too long.
Despite this, Master Eraqus occasionally allowed Ven to visit Traverse Town on his own when he was busy at Master Yen Sid's tower preparing the exam for Terra and Aqua. For those visits, Ven was only allowed to use a light corridor for travel to keep Xehanort from catching him in between worlds.
Now the night before the exam, Ven finds himself wandering the quiet mountain paths of the Land of Departure dreading the coming of the next day when Terra and Aqua would take the exam and pass with flying colors to become masters. The very thought fills Ven with jealousy and then quickly with shame. He should be happy for his friends and to some degree he is, but he wishes more than anything that things wouldn't change for the three of them. That every morning he would still walk down to breakfast and grumble in his normal grouchy morning way at their cheerful greetings. That he and Terra would still spar for fun and Aqua would step in to break it up when the sparing devolved to wrestling.
Ven can feel his heart aching at the thought of never again spending hours after dinner talking and laughing about nothing and everything. He wants them to stay at MEKA with him forever. Who knows how often he would see them after they become masters? Would they visit once a month? Once a year? Would they have time to talk to him or would they be too busy?
"Ven?" Aqua's voice calls making him jump slightly.
Lost in thought, Ven's feet had continued on their own accord and he looks up to find himself at the flat summit of the mountain. Aqua is sitting on the bench by the edge of the cliff with Terra. The two of them are turned to look at him and Ven can tell from their slightly pink faces he had just interrupted a private moment.
"Sorry," he mumbles. "I didn't mean to- I'll just go."
He turns to go back down the mountain path, but is stopped by Aqua. "Ven, is something wrong?"
Ven glances quickly over his shoulder to see that the two of them had stood and are coming over to him with concerned expressions. He turns away from them again before replying, "It's nothing." He knows they are now right beside him, but still refuses to look at them.
"Obviously it's something," Terra says. "You can tell us Ven."
"Are you going to forget about me?" The words tumble out before Ven can snatch them back. Horrified that he had just said that aloud, Ven turns to Terra and Aqua who are looking at him with shocked expressions. Ven hastily says, "What I mean is… when you guys become master, am I going to see you again?" His voice cracks at the end and Ven swallows hard to keep his tears back.
"Ven," Aqua says quietly. She places her hand on his shoulder and gives him a comforting squeeze. "Whatever happens in the exam, Terra and I are coming back to MEKA."
"You are?" Ven asks hope flooding through him at her words.
"Yes, we already talked to Master Eraqus about it," Terra says. "Riku is my apprentice and Kairi is Aqua's. If we become masters, Master Eraqus is going to hand over the responsibility of training them to us. We're not leaving anytime soon, Ven." Terra's words lifts Ven's spirits and he smiles happily at them. "And don't worry," Terra adds. "we could never forget a pain in the ass like you. Believe me, I've tried."
"Hey!" Ven shouts feigning offense. Terra and Aqua start to laugh and Ven quickly joins in.
When the laughing subsides, Aqua pulls something out of her pocket and hides it behind her back so the boys can't see. "Still," she says softly. "We're going to go our own ways eventually. We can't stay here forever."
A sad silence descends on them and Ven looks up at the sky filled with stars. So many worlds are out there. One day, they might be scattered among them as masters fighting to protect the worlds from evil. They couldn't be selfish. If it was necessary, they would have to go their separate ways.
"Here!" Ven looks down just it time to catch the green object Aqua had tossed to him and see Terra catch something orange. "I was planning on giving them to you both tomorrow, but this seems like the best time," Aqua says.
Ven looks curiously at the small star shaped object in his hand. It is made of green stained glass and silver held together by a brown cord. On the top a brown cord is tied with smaller charm also tied to it. In the center is the Mark of Mastery symbol.
"Somewhere out there, there's this tree with star-shaped fruit," Aqua says. "And the fruit represents an unbreakable connection. So as long as you and your friends carry good luck charms shaped like it, nothing can ever drive you apart. They're called Wayfinders because you'll always find your way back to each other. Technically, I think you're supposed to make them with seashells, but I did the best I could with what I had."
"Sometimes you are such a girl," Terra says jokingly.
"What do you mean sometimes?" Aqua says giving him a quick kiss.
Ven is still admiring his charm, but frowns and asks, "So this isn't a real good luck charm? It can't really keep us together?"
"Well, that's yet to be seen. But I did work a little magic on it," Aqua replies.
"Really? What?" Ven asks curiously.
"An unbreakable connection," Aqua says holding up her charm. "No matter where we go and no matter how far we get from each other, our connection will remain for ever. We will always be able to find each other again."
…
"Today you will be examined for the Mark of Mastery," Master Yen Sid says in a serious voice as Terra and Aqua stand at attention in front of him. Master Eraqus is watching from the side of the room and the other apprentices including Mickey are in the adjoining room. "Not one but two of the Keyblade's chosen stand here as candidates," Master Yen Sid continues. "Remember, this is not a competition. Both of you may prevail, or neither."
Aqua glances over at Terra who gives her a wink and quick smile before returning his attention to Master Yen Sid. Aqua looks back at the wise man as well as he says, "You will be tested on your fighting ability, your resourcefulness, and your speed to see if you show the Mark of Mastery."
Master Yen Sid waves his hand over his desk and a blue book appears before Terra and Aqua. "Terra, Aqua, contained within this book is a world made entirely of magic. Nothing inside of it is real. However, though it may only be an illusion created by myself and Master Eraqus you must treat it as if it were real. Your test is to find your way through the world we have created for you and return here. Time will be your enemy. Be quick. When you return here, I will pass judgement on whether or not you are fit to be masters."
Aqua can feel her heart beating faster than normal from her nerves, but she forces herself to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. This is it. The moment she and Terra had been dreaming of nearly their entire lives. As Master Eraqus steps forward she can see the pride in his eyes as he regards them.
"Part of the test is individual and part of it you will work together," Master Eraqus says to them. "It is important for a keyblade master to be able to succeed on their own and with help from others. Other than that, the details of the test will be revealed once you enter the book. I have the utmost faith in the both of you to show the Mark of Mastery. Good luck and remember, speed is important but haste makes waste. Time will not be the only consideration Master Yen Sid uses to determine if you passed."
Both Terra and Aqua nod to their teacher. Hearing his confidence in them calmed their nerves and made them feel that they are indeed ready for this.
As Master Eraqus takes a step back Master Yen Sid beckons the two candidates forward. "Are you ready to begin?" He asks in a serious voice. Terra and Aqua turn to look at eachother. With their eyes staring deeply into the other's they nod. "Then place a hand on the book."
Hesitantly, Aqua reaches out to the book on the desk in front of her. Terra does the same and they both touch it in the same instance.
To Master Eraqus and Master Yen Sid, it looks as if the two of them dissolve into shimmering stars and are sucked into the magical book. "Good luck," Master Eraqus says again as he stares at the book, lost in thoughts about his apprentices.
"I'll go retrieve the other apprentices," Master Yen Sid says rising from his chair. "No reason they shouldn't use this time to train." Master Eraqus nods distractedly as Master Yen Sid moves to the door of the adjoining room.
…
"So what does it do?" Ven asks Mickey as they stand together in the adjoining room. Sora, Riku, and Kairi are on the other side of the room chasing each other in circles and giggling. The young children are completely oblivious to the importance of today, but Ven has a knot in his stomach from worrying about his friends. Sensing Ven needed a distraction, Mickey had decided to show him what he called a Star Shard that he had in his pocket.
"It's a way of traveling between worlds," Mickey explains holding the shard up so Ven can see it. "It's as fast as a light corridor, but ya don't have to worry about using it too much."
"Where'd you get it?" Ven asks curiously as he admires the blue star shaped crystal.
"Well ya see…" Mickey replies with a small nervous laugh. "It's Master Yen Sid's, but he doesn't know I have it."
"Oh, gotcha," Ven says reaching out a hand to touch the glowing shard lightly. He can feel its energy pulsing under his fingers. "So what would Master Yen Sid do if he found out you had it?"
Mickey laughs nervously again. "I'm sure he would-"
"Mickey!"
Both Ven and Mickey turn to see Master Yen Sid standing in the doorway with Master Eraqus just behind him. Both men's eyebrows are turned down at dangerous angles. Ven guiltily tries to take his hand back, but finds it held firmly by the energy of the Star Shard. "What the?"
He looks down at the shard only to quickly close his eyes as it begins to glow too brightly to look at. The bright white light grows bigger, enveloping both Ven and Mickey. They disappear into the orb of light which shrinks to the size of a tennis ball.
The ball of light shoots into the air and bounces off the walls and ceilings. Sora, Kairi, and Riku have to duck quickly to avoid being hit as it flies over their heads and out the window. The two masters rush to the window and watch the orb of light fly away erratically and disappear into the stars.
There is stunned silence for a moment before it is broken by Sora saying, "That was cool! Do it again!" Riku and Kairi join him in chanting, "Do it again!", until Master Eraqus hushes them with a serious look.
"Where would that have taken them Yen Sid?" Master Eraqus asks in a tight voice.
"Star Shards are notoriously unpredictable," Master Yen Sid replies lowering his head slightly. "I warned Mickey countless times of the danger of playing with it. It takes a carefully trained mind to control it. I'm afraid Mickey and Ventus had no control over their destination when it went shooting off."
Master Eraqus nods having been thinking along the same lines. He walks back to the study with Master Yen Sid following and closes the doors behind them so the children won't hear their discussion. Master Eraqus paces as he talks. "Xehanort is still at large and looking to use Ventus for his twisted plans. We need to get them back before their path cross with his. But how are we going to find them?"
Master Yen Sid sits slowly in his chair. "There is a way to locate them."
"What are you thinking?" Master Eraqus says pausing in his pacing to watch the other man.
Master Yen Sid closes his eyes and moves his hand in a circle over his desk. Purple smoke appears and when it clears there is a light purple orb sitting on the desk. Master Yen Sid picks it up and balances it in the palm of his hand. "Show me Mickey," he says in a commanding voice. In response the orb darkens in color.
Master Eraqus moves closer and his eyes widen. Now in the center of the orb is an image of Ven and Mickey. Both are lying in what appears to be a field of wildflowers with the Star Shard lying between them. As the masters watch, their apprentices stir and slowly get to their feet. They are talking, but the orb has no sound. Both turn and look at a large castle in the distance. They return to talking as Mickey gently picks up the Star Shard. They both stiffen and whirl around to stare at something the masters can't see. The two apprentices quickly run off and disappear from the image. The image of the wildflowers fades as Master Yen Sid places the orb back on the desk.
"I did not recognize that place," Master Eraqus says. "Did you?"
Master Yen Sid shakes his head. "It was unfamiliar to me. Go Eraqus. Find them. I'll monitor Terra and Aqua's test and watch the children. Go find Ventus before Xehanort does. Here." Master Yen Sid hands the orb to Master Eraqus who takes it gingerly. "If you need to see them simply ask it to show them to you."
Master Eraqus gives Master Yen Sid a quick nod and carefully puts the little orb in his pocket. He quickly hurries out of the room and down the many staircases before finally bursting out the front doors. Wasting no time he toss his keyblade and hops on the glider that returns. As he shoots away into the sky, he silently hopes that Ven and Mickey would stay put and stay safe until he found them.
ShinyGlaceon: As much satisfaction as I'd get out of having Ven beat up Keric I don't see it happening this story. Maybe in the sequel… But for this story Keric's role is basically done.
So remember way back when in like the first chapter when I mentioned that Terra and Aqua were nearly ready for their mastery exam? Well I finally got around to it! Haha I'll pretend I've been planning for it to be like this all along, but truthfully I just forgot that it needed to be in this story...
The next few chapters will be half Terra and Aqua's exam (which will be nothing like the one in the game if you didn't notice that already) and half Ven and Mickey's adventures with the Star Shard.
Update on my life: School sucks. It takes up all my time. I have a headache.
Happy belated Labor Day! (Does anyone actually know what that holiday is for? I mean, at my school we get a four day weekend for Labor Day and no days off for Rosh Hashanah later this week. Does that even make sense? What the hell is so special about freaking Labor Day!)
Random rant about Labor Day over… REVIEW :)