Disclaimer: I own nothing written about in this story.

Pursuit

AN: Well guys, sadly enough, this story is nearing its end. I'm sure some of you were expecting a bunch of chronicled world searches, but no. I feel like that would just draw things out unnecessarily.

Chapter Fifteen – of Fortitude

Ven retreated a pace or two and slumped with exhaustion, panting. His opponent came on relentlessly though, and he was forced to lift his Keyblade in defense as his muscles screamed their objections.

Blow after blow hammered down on his weapon, almost like a well timed musical instrument as he blocked downward strikes and slid glancing thrusts away with a resounding clang-kah-clang! Sweat was dripping into his eyes and the sting was nearly blinding him as his legs threatened to give out completely.

His master was being especially brutal today, and he didn't have Aqua or Terra around to come to his aid. They had been sent out on a special mission to another world, leaving him alone to train with the master all day.

It was not going well.

"Focus, Ventus!" the old man barked, but it was a futile rebuke as the boy was promptly knocked to the ground with one final strike, Wayward Wind sent flying and lodging itself into the ground some meters away.

Ven lurched forward, shoulders slouched in a sulk as he gasped for breath. "I'm-I'm sorry Master."

"Oh Ventus," Master Eraqus sighed dismally and knelt down to place a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder. When Ven looked up, he was met by a pair of gentle, caring, gray eyes. "How many times must I tell you?" He took a deep breath and gave him a hard look to make sure his pupil was listening. "Never forget. You're focus determines your reality."

Ven woke to a terrible ache in his shoulder and only faintly aware of lying on his back and covered in blankets. Slowly, his other senses came alive and he was able to feel the warmth of a fire nearby, could hear it snapping as it consumed whatever firewood it had been fed and detected its violent flashing against his eyelids.

Flashes? Feeling his heartbeat lunge into a panicked race, Ven fought to open his eyes. If it was dark enough for a campfire to flash then that meant it was nighttime or very near to it. He honestly didn't know how they were going to survive a cycle of darkness when he could barely fend off the beasts in the daytime. Especially wounded as he was.

Tentatively, he applied a hand to his groggy head. He felt like he had been asleep for days, but how was that possible when surely the Heartless would have attacked during that time?

The events from the previous battle came back to him in that instant. From summoning his Wingblades to losing his focus and getting stabbed in the back. If only he had been smart and kept one of his six swords at his side instead of focusing so much on providing Eraq with absolute protection... Eraq! Suddenly remembering the boy's discharge of light magic, Ven finally managed to open his eyes and cast a blurry glance about his surroundings.

Yes, the campfire was right where he thought it would be, and with relief he spotted another mound of blankets on the other side of the dancing flames, a mop of black-blue hair sticking out.

The scene puzzled him. How had they ended up like this? Surely Eraq hadn't managed to setup camp, much less a thriving fire like the one he was staring at. He tried to sit up and get a better look around but the pain in his shoulder was just too much and he relented, laying his head back once again. For the first time since he woke up he realized it didn't feel as bad as it probably should have. Feeling at the wound with his other hand he pulled away to examine the blue residue that had obviously been poured on it. Elixir? Who in this world would have gotten their hands on such a thing?

Even more confused than before, he turned his head to the other side and noticed a full bottle of the tonic sitting there within reach. Blinking at it for all but two seconds, Ven reached for it and leaned his head forward as much as possible in order to chug the contents as if he hadn't consumed anything for days. Maybe he hadn't, he couldn't remember.

After tossing the empty bottle away, he fell back with a desperate intake of breath. He had downed the liquid in one go and didn't regret it for a second. He knew before long his wound would be all but healed completely, perhaps leaving a dull soreness that he could easily contend with. It would also give him a boost in energy, which he would greatly need if he was to guard Eraq through the night.

As he lay there and waited for the elixir to do its work, Ven still wondered who could have possibly set up the camp and left the curious potions for him to use. Furthermore, he wanted to know how he and Eraq had survived that last battle. He distinctly remembered a bright light extinguishing the Heartless, and it had appeared to emanate from Eraq, not to mention he had been holding a Keyblade. And not just any Keyblade, but Master Keeper no less!

How was that even possible? Of all Keyblades, how had he managed to summon that one? Did Aqua somehow pass it down to him and was she now unable to summon it herself now that he had it? And what was with that explosion of light? He was far too young to be able to conjure such an advanced technique, especially since he hadn't had any magic training yet.

Thoroughly confounded yet equally thankful for the mysterious blessing, Ven sat forward gingerly, wincing at the fading ache as he was finally able to take a look around. As he had thought, dusk was spreading over the tundra, turning the white snow into a soft blue. There was a treeline behind him, and although he didn't care for the forest's proximity, at least he knew where the Heartless were most likely to appear from.

Blinking and squinting, he thought he caught movement in the shadows of the trees, what appeared to be a large, lumbering figure. But he couldn't be sure, with the flickering of the firelight and the shadows cast from the wavering branches above. He could feel a darkness there, but it was not aligned with the killing intent he had sensed from the Heartless earlier. Strange.

Dismissing the presence for the moment, though keeping alert to its movements, Ven turned when he heard fabric rustling nearby. Eraq was sitting up with his mound of blankets securely wrapped around him as looked around, seeming delirious and lost. "Uncle Ven?" he chirped, blinking as though he were surprised to see him alive and well. "You're ok?"

Ven patted at his own torso and arms experimentally and then grinned. "Yep, still in one piece." He was a little startled when he suddenly felt Eraq tumble into him, his small arms wrapped around his middle in a desperate hug.

"I thought you were- I thought they got you!" the boy sobbed wretchedly, his tear filled eyes aimed up at Ven as though he had honestly thought he had been killed right in front of him.

"Hey now," Ven soothed as he ruffled the boy's hair. "I wouldn't let anything like that happen." Lies.Ven frowned. Great, I'm lying to children now. "Sorry I scared you kiddo."

Eraq only sniffed in response, his sobs abating as he clung to his uncle. "Hey, do you know who setup camp for us?" Ven asked as he gave the woods another careful scan, not forgetting that suspicious presence for even an instant.

Eraq pulled back and looked around curiously, as though he were just then noticing his surroundings fully. He shook his head. "I've been asleep since the monsters disappeared."

"That reminds me," Ven muttered before giving the boy a serious look. "Eraq, what happened out there?"

"Oh." Eraq visibly drooped and released his hold on Ven as though he anticipated a lecture. "I tried to stay close to you Uncle Ven, really I did! But one of the monsters knocked me away and I didn't know what to do after that-"

"Not that Eraq," Ven cut in gently. "How did you summon that Keyblade, and that explosion of light?"

Eraq shrugged, grinning sheepishly. "I don't know. It felt like I was dreaming when that happened. But I wasn't really asleep either." He tipped his head, befuddled. "It was weird."

"Hm." Ven deliberated for a moment. What he described sounded kind of familiar, but it wasn't really making any sense either. How could he have wielded such power and not be in control of it?

"But there was this weird voice."

"Voice?"

"Yeah, a really deep voice. Old I think. Never heard him before."

"What did he say?" Ven pressed, a little too urgently he realized, with the wide eyed look Eraq was giving him. He tried to relax and softened his tone. "Do you remember?"

"Um, well, I didn't understand what he said at first, but when I asked him who he was, he just said that I was safe now."

Ven almost couldn't believe what he was hearing. Could it be that Eraq had someone's heart sleeping inside him, someone capable of summoning Master Keeper? As unlikely as the thought seemed, Ven wasn't about to underestimate the power of a young boy's heart, not when he himself had slept so long inside Sora's.

He shook his head dismissively. He could contemplate the matter all day but he still wouldn't be any closer in knowing the truth. Whatever mysteries rested inside the boy's heart would remain that way until he grew old enough to understand them himself. For now though, Ven was more curious about how they could use this unusual development to their advantage.

"Can you summon the Keyblade now?" As far as Ven was concerned, if the boy had his own Keyblade, then he could also forge his own armor. Of course, doing so would take some time, but if he had armor then he would be protected for the return trip home.

Ven's hopeful gaze was met with an innocent shrug. "I dunno."

"Ok," Ven sighed and held out his hand to demonstrate. "Hold out your hand, close your eyes and focus. Try to imagine it appearing for you."

The boy obeyed, but even after a few silent moments, there was no shimmer, no sign of the black-gray Keyblade like before.

Ven drooped mentally, though outwardly he tried to offer a comforting smile when Eraq looked up with a disappointed frown. "Sorry Uncle Ven, I don't think it likes me."

Ven chuckled with a genuine smile that reached his eyes. "It will in time Eraq." He gave the boy a reassuring pat on the head. "Just try and remember, your focus determines your reality."

Aqua was frustrated. With the world, with people, with the situation, but mostly, with herself. Sitting on the ground with her back pressed against a solid brick wall, she sighed out a pent up breath and leaned her head back dismally.

Terra had left her and Claire in a deserted alley just off of a busy marketplace, saying something about getting food that actually tasted like food and not chalk like the supplements they had been cramming down for the past week.

Arms crossed and leaning against one wall, Claire had stationed herself at the edge of the alley and was earnestly keeping watch as countless people passed by. The girl had an odd way of knowing when Aqua wanted to be alone with her thoughts.

Somehow, a routine had been formed, and Aqua had all but given up on arguing about these trivial little breaks Terra demanded they take. She had resigned herself to the dusty street as soon as her husband had wandered away, knowing he was probably going to get distracted once or twice on his errand. As much as she loved him, she really just wished he could see the urgency in their pursuit, the urgency she felt every second Eraq wasn't safely in her arms and Ven's steady presence at her side.

How many worlds had they checked since they departed Yen Sid's tower? Honestly, they flashed by like a blur in her mind. Every world seemed to have its peculiar characters and of course they each had their fair share of problems too. Problems that she simply didn't have time for.

Granted, as peacekeepers they were obligated to neutralize any serious threats, but if the world itself had no signs of otherworldly interference then they weren't really supposed to interfere. Of course, there had been some exceptions to that rule in the past, mostly involving Sora.

Regardless, the precepts were very clear on the matter, with interference kept to a strict minimum. At least, that's what she kept telling herself. Originally, she hadn't even thought about it, that is, until Terra had so bluntly brought it to her attention, and more than once. Now, as she sat and quietly contemplated the matter, she was coming to the slow realization that she had been in denial.

The truth of the matter was, she just didn't care anymore. Didn't care about the people, their worlds, or their problems. She cared about two things. Finding Eraq and Ven and getting them home.

Clamping her cerulean eyes shut, she fought off the tears that demanded escape and blinked them open again with surprise when she felt her Keyblade emerge unbidden in her hand. Master Keeper. She stared at it, bewildered for a moment.

Although she still felt horrible for lying to Terra about the matter, she really did know what had caused her collapse all those worlds ago. Master Keeper had left her, taking its presence and energy all at once. The feeling had been overwhelming, almost crippling, as she had grown so used to its brimming influence for so many years. It had gotten her through the darkest of times, provided a comfort that could not be defined and had thwarted the darkest demons in the deepest abyss.

To have it ripped away, on top of everything else, was just too much to bear.

Now that she held it once more, she could only wonder at it. She hadn't mentioned its absence to Terra. He worried enough, she knew he did, regardless of the bravado he attempted and his insistence about taking breaks to rest. She wanted to be reasonable about it. It was her nature to be reasonable, but it was as if her mind and heart were at war, creating such an unfamiliar haze of darkness that she could not see the path before her at times.

"You ok?" Terra had approached without her notice and was standing nearby with a worried look and an armful of fruit.

She felt a sudden urge to tell him everything, the Keyblade's absence, its return, the darkness, but she didn't see the sense in worrying him about something she didn't even understand herself. Like why the Master's Keyblade had left her in the first place.

Had it somehow deemed her unworthy, after all this time? Had she failed in some way to keep this new darkness at bay? If so, why had it returned? Had it just been testing her? Warning her to right her course or it would leave her forever? There were just so many questions and no answers.

If she could just have her son back to hold and protect and never let out of her sight again, and Ven back at her side to watch over and laugh with, then she was sure the darkness that she had somehow developed would dissipate.

"Yeah," she murmured, dismissing the blade and stood up. "Fine."

Before Terra could inquire further, since she knew he could sense that she obviously wasn't fine, an obnoxiously loud ringing sounded from high above. They both turned to see an enormous tower in the distance where the sounds seemed to emanate.

"You think that just means its midday in this world?" Terra wondered as he handed her some of the fruit.

Aqua shrugged and studied the grand tower for a moment before glaring at the food he'd forced on her. She didn't want to eat, she wanted to get moving. Or at the very least eat while they were moving.

"They're much louder than the bells on the clock tower back home," Claire commented as she drew beside them and accepted her share of the sustenance. "No luck finding clues about Eraq and Ven?" she asked Terra with a frown.

He shook his head sadly. "I asked around, but no one's seen anyone matching their descriptions."

Aqua bristled suddenly. She could feel her irritation flaring and was unable to rein in her temper. "I told you they weren't here. We don't need to spend this much time in each world."

"Aqua," Terra started quietly, shifting on his feet uncomfortably while Claire took the opportunity to discreetly edge away. "We've been over this. I don't want to risk missing them if there's a chance-"

"And I'm telling you we're wasting time!" Aqua snapped back with a fierce look, heedlessly dropping the fruit she hadn't wanted in the first place and gesturing around wildly in her aggravation. "Why can't you understand that? Where is your urgency?"

Terra was silent for a moment as he stared back at her with what seemed like surprise, then pain and finally patience. Aqua was only idly aware of how her blood felt like hot acid in her veins. Was this what darkness felt like? It seemed to exude a heavy pressure on her mind as well, willing her to submit to its influence, and she felt like she was at her breaking point, an unfamiliar hysteria overtaking her until she felt Terra's hand cup her face. His gentle touch seeming to quell the chaos running rampant throughout her entire being.

"Ven is a skilled master now and I have faith in his abilities." He gave her a long, meaningful look. "Why don't you?"

"I-I do believe in him." She could feel the tears in her eyes but forced them back with sheer determination and a set jaw. "I just- I need to find them Terra. At any cost."

"Any cost?" Terra repeated, sounding both incredulous and disappointed as he retracted his hand, it being his turn to make expressive gestures. "Aqua do you even hear yourself? When all of this is over, what price will you have paid? And will it even be justified?"

Looking straight into his deep blue pools and seeing her reflection there, she could only look away, ashamed, suddenly realizing what she was becoming. The fight had left her completely and she had no reply for him, having only a strong feeling to crawl away somewhere and sulk. How terrible a thing darkness truly was. She couldn't even define who she really was anymore, so lost and afraid in the haze and confusion the crisis had caused.

"Remember what the master always told me?" His hand returned to her face to bring her wavering eyes back to him. "Fear of losing will only lead to one place."

"But you-"

"I'm afraid of losing them too," he supplied, somehow reading her thoughts. "But we can't let that fear overwhelm us to the point of despair."

Sighing raggedly and placing a shaky hand over his, she nodded compliantly. She could feel that the fires of her dark emotions had all been completely extinguished, all in response to the light of his guidance and loving devotion. "I'm sorry," she nearly sobbed, only barely able to resist the temptation of his comfort and knowing she would succumb if she tried to finish her thoughts aloud. Where would I be without you?

"You're ok," Terra cooed gently and leaned down to kiss her forehead fondly before pulling her into a tight embrace. "You're ok," he repeated with an unwavering certainty, his chin resting on her head.

They remained that way for a long moment and when Aqua finally felt her mind clear of that influential haze, she realized that on top of carelessly tossing away the food he had given her, somewhere among their argument, he had dropped his share as well. How insensitive could she possibly be? Terra was doing his best to take care of her while at the same time trying to hold everything together in their search and she had all but thrown it back in his face. Even at that, he still responded tenderly, patiently, never provoked by her outbursts.

She pulled away from him, intent on apologizing again when she heard Claire gasp suddenly. Glancing behind Terra, Aqua quickly saw what had startled the girl. A silver-blue fog had materialized and was forming an image with a hissing noise. Terra turned to see it as well, curious but not concerned. They both knew what the fog was even before Master Yen Sid's face appeared in the magical mist.

"Terra, Aqua," the wizard greeted with a respectful nod to both of them. "I bring good news." Both Keybearers blinked at him, their mouths slightly ajar in suspense. "I've found your boys. I've notified Cid and he is transferring the location to your ship as I speak."

"Th-Thank you Master!" Terra exclaimed with a bow, though Aqua was still too dumbstruck and speechless to offer any form of gratitude.

Yen Sid nodded to Terra's response with a mild smirk but it fell away instantly when he turned his piercing gaze to Aqua. He said nothing more, but scrutinized her carefully, causing her to drop her eyes in shame for some reason. She felt an overwhelming wave of failure wash over her in that moment, yet she could not pinpoint why exactly. Did he somehow know about Master Keeper leaving her? Was he disappointed in her for it? She really wished he would just say what he was thinking already, things would be a lot more simpler that way.

The wizard's image soon dissipated completely, but his ominous eyes never left her for an instant, causing Terra to turn his concerned gaze to her. "Aqua, what's-"

His words were abruptly cut off by a disturbance from the mouth of the alley, close to where Claire was standing guard. "Blasted gypsies and their accursed magic!" grumbled a passerby, the burly man's eyes were trained on the magic fog that was still swirling oddly, though Yen Sid's image had faded. "Sometimes I think that maybe Frollo had the right idea when-"

"No dear, you don't mean that!" said the woman beside him, presumably his wife, as she tried to pull him away. "Judge Frollo was a cruel man!"

"Aye, well, I suppose you're right." The man sneered and cast one last glance at the trio in the alley before moving on with another grumble, his words fading into the buzz of the marketplace. "Still, do they have to practice such arts so openly?"

Claire had watched and listened to the whole disturbance with a quizzical expression, turning to her masters when they drew beside her. "I don't understand," she told them. "I always thought magic was useful. Is there some reason certain people hate it?"

Aqua was barely listening as Terra explained the matter. "Magic is a form of power." She knew she had to sort out the mystery behind Master Keeper's absence, her darkness, and whatever it was Yen Sid was neglecting to tell her, but now all she could focus on was that she would soon see her boys again. "And sometimes, people fear what they can't understand," she heard Terra conclude, feeling his hand clasped warmly with hers even though his attention had been momentarily drawn to Claire.

They headed for the nearest city exit, seeking out the quickest spot to signal their ship to pick them up. Even though there was still witnesses outside the gates, the few that seen the ship would probably just be regarded as insane, so Terra and Aqua didn't concern over the matter much as they boarded the vessel hastily.

"I've already sent the coordinates," Cid's voice sputtered over the radio as they strapped in. "Riku says he's sending Leon's team to rendezvous with you there, but he's recalling the other team back home in case we get some backlash for any reason."

"Thanks Cid," Terra replied and directed the ship into the sky. There was a muttered "good luck" from the other end before the transmission cut off, leaving the cockpit in a brief silence as the ship responded to its new destination with a lurching whine.

Feeling her temperament finally starting to equalize for the first time since Merlin had told them that Eraq and Ven were ok, she turned to meet Terra's gaze and they shared a comfortable smile.

"Let's get them home."

"By Kye," Ven swore as he watched the chaos unfold in front of him. "What is going on here?"

It had only been a few hours since he woke up, but that had been longer than he originally thought before the Heartless decided to attack. The dark of the night had taken hold, but the bright glow of the moon above shown down and lit up the snowy ground with a dull blue hue. He could plainly see the shadowy monstrosities stumbling around in their confusion among the trees.

Eraq had dosed off beside him some time ago, only to jerk awake when Ven moved to stand in response to the attack. He didn't however, even have to lift a finger to defend their position. It was quickly becoming apparent to him as to why he and Eraq had survived so long in their prolonged sleep. The Heartless hadn't been able to get at them, being too consumed with going at each other instead.

After studying the scene more closely, it was the larger, more powerful Heartless that seemed determined to get at him and Eraq. The smaller, more numerous shadows were the troublemakers, either leaping at the centaurs and causing them to stumble and crash or swarming the Neo Shadows to hamper their movements. There were times when he thought he might need to intercept an airborne enemy, but every time he brought his Keyblade to bear in response, a shadow would leap from the trees and snarl at its winged brethren, slashing at it mercilessly.

Ven didn't know what to think at this point. Eraq seemed to be equally transfixed on the pandemonium, remaining as quiet as possible in his cave of blankets at Ven's feet.

There was a sudden hiss of magic behind him and Ven turned distractedly for an instant to be surprised at seeing Yen Sid's face appear there in a billowing silver cloud. "M-Master Ye-"

"No time for pleasantries I'm afraid," the wizard interrupted with a careful, sweeping glance. "I've managed to contact your friends, they are on their way. Unfortunately my connection to this world is weakening. You are on your own until they arrive." Yen Sid paused for an instant, giving a curious tilt of his head. "Though it seems you have an unexpected ally already."

Ven could only wonder at the comment, the question not coming fast enough to his tongue as Yen Sid's image winked out as quickly as it had appeared, the fog fading into the air.

Turning his attention back to the screeching battle of Heartless, he caught Eraq's curious gaze though the boy remained silent and Ven didn't bother to try and explain the wizard's visit.

So Terra and Aqua were coming? That was some good news at least. But this unexpected ally that was mentioned puzzled him. Was he referring to Wentai? It would sort of make sense if he was, but the commander wasn't helping them right now, so it didn't make much sense to have mentioned it.

Disregarding the matter, Ven focused on his enemies, Wayward Wind in hand and prepared to fend off whatever came his way.

"Enough of this nonsense!" came a shrieking voice from the thick shadows of the forest. He couldn't see who it belonged to but it certainly sounded feminine, and somewhat familiar.

Before he could ponder too deeply on it, there was a sudden boom that resonated outward, possibly for miles. A moment later and another, longer quake shook the ground, followed by a far off, enormous roar, as though the creature it belong to had just woken from a long sleep and was not at all happy about it.

Ven chuckled nervously. Maybe he wasn't quite that prepared.

Aqua stepped off the ramp and into the foot of snow on the ground. From inside the ship she had seen the white landscape reflecting harshly that of the morning sun, giving off a false sense of warmth until she felt the cold wind lick at any exposed skin, the frigid temperature catching her off guard. So consumed by her drive to find her boys she was finding it nearly impossible to focus on the smaller details. She also had the odd sense that they had been to this world in the past, but the matter seemed irrelevant at the moment.

Terra joined her a moment later and draped a spare brown cloak over her shoulders, no doubt procuring it from the ship's storage compartment. Claire exited soon after him, sporting one of the hooded coverings herself and wrapping it around herself tightly as she shivered against the cold.

"Well, this is the world Cid transmitted to us," Terra commented with a cursory glance around before turning to her expectantly. "Where should we start?"

Closing her eyes, Aqua titled her head back slightly in concentration. It was starting to snow lightly and she could feel the cold flakes landing on her face as she searched for the light of her son and brother. After a long moment she could indeed feel their presence a long way off, theirs and a horde of darkness pressing down on them. She snapped her eyes open, the urgency she suddenly felt nearly causing her to panic. "We have to hurry, their under attack!"

Aqua was both astonished and grateful when Terra nodded in agreement to her fervor for what seemed like the first time since the crisis began. "You lead," he told her as he summoned his glider.

Aqua did the same and turned to help Claire mount up with her when the girl seemed to stumble on something in the snow. She reached down and scooped up what appeared as a small black creature, but Aqua quickly recognized it as Eraq's moogle. "Kupo," she murmured as the girl handed it over curiously. Sensing her boys in the distance had been one thing, but holding the frozen solid plush doll in her hands made everything all the more tangible.

They were in the right place.

AN: I do not own the Star Wars quote in this chapter.(Qui-Gon Jinn for the win.) Also, there is a song with amazing lyrics by Within Temptation that inspired a scene here, called: The Truth Beneath the Rose. Youtube has lyrics video if you wanna check it out.