The World That Never Will Be chapter 25
by the infamous and notorious tocasia
(11/1/2019)
CHAPTER 25
After a long enough pause, Sephiroth said, "The power inside Kingdom Hearts... I wonder what it is, what it means. How does it work, using Kingdom Hearts to rewrite reality?"
"...I don't know." Master Aqua's answer was becoming familiar, increasingly steeped in an angry, helpless frustration he hadn't wished on her.
He would have to reassure her soon.
His precious ally added, "Only that it is a power that must be protected. I wonder if even Xehanort knows... or if the darkness is just manipulating his obsession? Wait, Sephiroth, you're not thinking of...?!"
He shushed her panicked gasp, as soothing as he could, "No. No, don't worry about that."
Designs on Kingdom Hearts were out of the question with his current company.
...and if the darkness took over those who tried... He would not risk his sanity. Not unless he was sure he needed the additional strength. Sephiroth greatly doubted such necessity would arise.
His previous decision of disinterest would stand.
...could one even claim it without a keyblade?
It was not a strategic use of his energy.
...an almost-beach house wasn't, either. But that was different.
"Would there be any sign?" he mused. "Would we know if Xehanort had succeeded?"
"Of course we would!" Master Aqua insisted. "We'd never have escaped the darkness. If Xehanort gets his way, there'll be nowhere to escape to. Ever. For anybody."
"A transfer of hearts... do you know how it is done?" Sephiroth inquired next. A tactless topic. Necessary.
"No! Of course not!"
As predicted, he disliked being the catalyst of her horror's recollection, of her downcast expression. But he must continue.
Aware of how abrasive he could be, Sephiroth made his voice gentle. Patience for Aqua's love to instinctually mimic. "How can a heart be defeated? If you kill something, where does its heart go?"
Yes, she filled in the blanks, and imagined Xehanort's demise. The perfect flash of black fury in her eyes momentarily dispelled all annoyance at him.
...he should not be doing this. The way he was steering the conversation was self-sabotaging.
"It goes to the heart of the world or to Kingdom Hearts. Hearts like to be with hearts. Why?"
Because...
"I think I have only my own heart," Sephiroth said.
Aqua boggled at him, "Yeah, probably. That's normal... unless... someone you cared for very much, or who cared for you very much, gave you a piece of theirs."
"A piece of who they are... a memory of their Self?"
Master Aqua counted off on her fingers, "People are connected through their hearts... worlds have hearts... hearts remember when others don't... hearts bring life..."
Sephiroth allowed himself the dread he'd been secretly begging to confront.
No, she would have said something. She saw into my heart, when she tried to unlock it. She'd have mentioned anything unusual. No, I only have the one. It beats in this body as it should...
"...can one harness the power of hearts and not know it is that power?"
"I don't think so," Aqua told him, and looked like she was trying to remember. "No, your magic is different."
Relief flooded his entire consciousness. Hearts were not what he had taken. Master Aqua was not obligated to hate him solely on that technicality. His silence was not such a severe betrayal.
It felt good to be innocent of something he hadn't been accused of.
Ha!
But it cannot have been a mistake for him to desire her approval.
Aqua was getting tired. Hadn't Sephiroth said he'd relent? But he'd just changed the subject to hearts! Presumably he had a plan for Xehanort that required these details? At least he wasn't going after Kingdom Hearts himself.
Masters Eraqus, Yen Sid, even Xehanort had never quizzed her like this! Sephiroth asked endless chains of questions, and she didn't have the answers.
She wasn't giving up though. Everything she did know was sweet victory.
Today was the most they'd talked at once. Would her voice be hoarse tomorrow?
They were both still seated. Instead of curled protectively around her, his wing was spread wide, held tall in salute of the sky, and though he showed no other motion (besides gesticulating wildly), it quivered to his words.
She got the feeling he was trying hard not to get up and pace. It was contagious. But she stayed where she was. He was, undoubtedly, the best entertainment for miles around.
...that sounded really bad. She didn't mean to be so mocking.
I can't believe I was ever ashamed that I talked to myself, Aqua thought.
Maybe, someday, they could have contests.
Sephiroth fought for control, reeling in the psychic storm of his own making, lilting towards, towards...
Concepts dueling for his attention spilled into reality, words longing for life. "Are memories of heart distilled more potent than memories of an entire soul? Is that what gives keyblades their strength? How, then? How are they forged? Is sentience preserved?"
"I don't know."
"A keyblade... what else may be locked and unlocked? Specific memories? Pain? Time? Truth? Does the heart know things the mind does not?"
Brave Master Aqua cut him off with her glare, earning his fleeting surprise.
...and gratitude. How desperate he must seem, lost in his visions. He typically sought solitude for his scheming.
Ah.
...he was being very rude.
If he couldn't keep up with his thoughts, she couldn't either. He'd never meant to leave her behind.
She'd never take care of him in return if he was so neglectful!
He'd neglected himself, too, before, in the throes of not-madness, chasing the clarion call, the flight of fancy. He'd hurt those who would have helped him...
That would not happen now.
Sephiroth sighed, brushed his bangs out of his face, regathering composure. "Too many questions again. I apologize."
Aqua sighed back. She should've told him how irritated she was awhile ago.
She would've, except what she was irritated by wasn't really him. She was mostly mad at herself.
Sephiroth's passionate curiosity didn't bother her. She liked how much he cared, his intensity was beautiful, and honestly, it was exciting to wonder what he might do with the information, unfettered by tradition as he was. She refused to be terrified by his potential. They were allies, and friends, and... they did a lot of cuddling, for friends.
His voice... he could be speaking nonsense and she'd listen all day anyway.
There'd been no malice in his questions. Not once had he taunted her ignorance.
Heh. She should probably forgive herself, too.
Maybe... she was a little jealous of him for asking what she should have, first.
She couldn't unlock all the secrets of the universe for him like he seemed to want her to.
...although it was kind of flattering that he thought she could.
"It's just... I'm sorry I don't have all the answers for you, Sephiroth."
His listening wasn't full of blame, so she went on, "Perhaps I was supposed to discover them on my journeys."
He made no sound of disagreement.
"I'll learn," Aqua affirmed, "I'll figure it out myself, or I'll find another master to teach me. I guess... I'm like you. I'm not happy without answers. It wasn't something I noticed before. Master Eraqus's lectures were so structured. I thought we'd covered everything. I just wanted to uphold the order. I hope... I hope I didn't discourage Terra and Ven if they had questions..."
Sephiroth interjected, "No. It was up to them to speak their thoughts."
Aqua wasn't certain. "I hate not knowing. It means I won't know who to trust..."
Sephiroth laughed bitter understanding. She felt less alone.
"If only Ven hadn't run away! Then Master Eraqus would have had time to teach me more..." Aqua clapped a hand over her mouth. "I shouldn't say things like that..."
"Why not?"
"It's wrong to blame Ven for everything, right? Not fair?"
"Maybe," Sephiroth said.
"I like being with you. It's nice. I don't feel like I'm babysitting all the time. I can't control your darkness, but I think I can trust you not to do anything really stupid."
Beneath theatric bemusement, Sephiroth looked dangerously, mischievously, contemplative. He was a fantastic actor.
"Hey! Don't take that as a challenge!" she teased.
"Ha! Alright, I won't."
"Promise?"
He humored her, "I promise not to do anything really stupid, Master Aqua."
"Thanks. I won't, either. I won't make you worry like that."
With one hand, he rubbed her back, between her neck and shoulder, and she was sure... everything was going to be okay.