At the Land of Departure, Camelia was anxious. She was accompanied by her aunt, Strelitzia. They stood in front of the grand entrance of the castle. Camelia was lost in her thoughts.
"Is everything okay?" Strelitzia asked. Seeing her niece stressed, she gently caressed her upper back.
"Yes... It just feels really strange to come back here without mom," Camelia replied.
Indeed, Elrena and Lauriam were good friends with Aqua and Terra before the tragedy. When his fiancée was killed, Lauriam left everything behind to live elsewhere, including his former friends with whom he had been very close.
"You know..." Strelitzia interrupted the moment of silence. "It's just an open day. If you don't feel ready, you don't have to go."
"I know, but I'm ready," the young girl replied with conviction. She wanted to make her mother proud.
Strelitzia grinned, then she opened the grand entrance of the academy. Inside, there were at least fifty students of all ages, most of them went here with a parent. Ex-students had come to showcase training sessions for the newcomers. It was the first time the academy had received such a large crowd all at once. Initially, Aqua exclusively taught Keyblade arts to Kairi. Later on, she gained a good reputation as a teacher and started receiving more private students. Eventually, she decided to open the castle where she lived with Terra and Ventus to many new students. She hired teachers, Keyblade Masters, and experts in the field.
Camelia was completely mesmerized by the place. She observed the students training and chatting around her. On the entrance walls, there were magnificent tapestries depicting the greatest Keyblade Masters who had ever existed. One of them depicted Ephemer, the founder of Scala ad Caelum, a member of the five Union Leaders, and incidentally a close friend of Lauriam during their time together. Another portrayed Ava, one of the always benevolent Foretellers. There was also one for Eraqus, Aqua's master, and two others for Skuld and Brain.
"Camelia?! Is that you?!"
A familiar female voice interrupted the blonde and pink-haired girl while she was observing the surroundings. She turned to the person who called her. It was a teenage girl about the same age as her. She had purple eyes and medium-length hair with space buns on the upper half of her head. Her hair was black with a few green strands on the right side of her bangs. She was wearing a cropped hooded sweatshirt and long black flowy pants.
"Oh my god! Ichigo!" Camelia exclaimed, widening her eyes.
Camelia recognized her immediately. Ichigo rushed into her arms and hugged her tightly. They jumped and screamed like hysterical fans in front of a boy band.
Ichigo was Camelia's childhood best friend. Even after Camelia moved, they continued to communicate through private messages or shared photos on Kingstagram using their Gummiphones.
"I missed you so much!" Camelia's eyes welled up with tears. Ichigo had always been her only true friend. When she changed her life, she never managed to make new friends.
"So, what the hell are you doing here?!" Ichigo playfully teased her friend.
"I received an invitation from Aqua to join the school... So, here I am!"
"And what about your life in Quadratum? Aren't you planning to stay there?" Ichigo asked, surprised to see her friend return nearly six years after her mother's death.
"Well... I don't know if my father will ever have the strength to come back and live here. But as for me, I got kicked out of my old school, so..."
"Oh, tough!"
Camelia shook her head. "Oh no, don't worry! I never felt like I belonged there anyway!"
Ichigo looked into her friend's eyes with a sincere smile. She could see all the sadness reflected in them.
"If you stay here, you'll always have a place among us," she said, gently stroking Camelia's hair. Camelia nodded with a smile.
While the two girls were talking, the man accompanying Ichigo approached Strelitzia to greet her. He was a tall, muscular man of mature age, with sideburns and black dreadlocks tied in a low ponytail.
"Hi, Strelitzia," he said, briefly and respectfully embracing her.
"Hello, Dilan. Did you come with your daughter?" she asked, breaking free from his embrace.
He nodded. "How are you feeling? I heard you had a child, congratulations!"
"Thank you!" Strelitzia replied with a slight smile.
"Dad," Ichigo interjected in the conversation. "We're going to explore the place with Cam. We'll meet up later!"
"Sounds good!" Dilan hugged his daughter before she walked off in another direction with her friend. While waiting for their return, Dilan invited Strelitzia to sit on one of the benches in the room. They took advantage of the coffee provided for visitors and sat down.
"So..." Dilan wasn't very talkative, and neither was Strelitzia. He timidly decided to resume the conversation. "How is Lauriam doing?"
Strelitzia looked at the coffee cup in her hands and sighed slowly. It was the sensitive topic.
"Not very well, to be honest... I support him as best I can, but it's not easy. He constantly dwells on Elrena's death, he can't sleep at night. I'm really worried about him."
Dilan lowered his gaze, his expression turning sad. "I didn't know Elrena very well. But I knew Larxene. The two of them had a strong bond back then."
Dilan remembered the time when Larxene joined Organization XIII. She quickly grew close to Marluxia, and the two of them isolated themselves from the rest of the group. They were in their own little world. Larxene was always defensive when someone tried to integrate with them. Axel had managed to briefly join their group because she could tolerate him. However, when he sabotaged their plan, she never forgave him and became even meaner to others in the True Organization XIII.
Although the Nobodies didn't have hearts and were unable to feel anything, they still remembered the emotions of happiness, sadness, and anger they experienced when they had a human form. Larxene could deny it as much as she wanted, but she remembered. Well... she didn't remember everything. But she clearly remembered what Elrena felt for Lauriam.
Everyone in the first Organization could see that she was passionately in love with Marluxia, including Dilan. Everyone except the person it concerned the most. It was only much later that he opened up to her and finally saw who she truly was.
Lost in thought, Dilan had a sudden idea. He looked up, meeting Strelitzia's eyes. "We're organizing a reunion of the former members of the first Organization XIII in a few weeks. Almost everyone will be there! It would be great if Lauriam agreed to come!" He revealed with a smile. "Can you mention it to him?"
"Uh..." Skeptical, Strelitzia thought for a while, exhaling. "I'm not sure if it's a good idea."
"I know Elrena is no longer here... But we can show him that we support him. It might cheer him up."
Strelitzia was deeply touched by Dilan's kindness. Despite his imposing appearance, he was a big-hearted person. "Okay, I'll talk to him about it. Thank you," she replied with a smile.
Meanwhile, the two teenagers explored the various workshops of the school. There were a practical Keyblade training workshop, a theoretical stand on heart studies, and an introduction to magic... there was something for everyone.
"This is amazing! I feel like I'm really going to enjoy being here!" exclaimed Camelia. The more she discovered the workshops, the more enthusiastic she became.
"Look!" Ichigo pointed something out with her finger. Camelia turned her gaze in the direction indicated by her friend. It was a woman with blue hair, wearing a long, flowing off-the-shoulder dress. "It's Aqua!"
When Aqua noticed their presence, Camelia averted her gaze, blushing. The Keyblade Master greatly impressed her. During her free time, Camelia had studied all the greatest Keyblade Masters. Aqua was by far one of the best in her opinion. She was one of the few women to have reached that rank, and she was a true role model of perseverance for young girls who wielded the Keyblade.
"Don't you want to go talk to her?" Ichigo asked. Very embarrassed, Camelia shook her head, indicating no.
"Camelia!"
The young girl turned towards the person who had just spoken to her. Aqua approached the two teens who had been observing her from a distance.
"I'm glad you accepted my invitation!" added the blue-haired woman, smiling. "I've had the opportunity to work with your parents on several occasions. They were excellent Keyblade Masters!"
"My parents were… Keyblade Masters?" Camelia widened her eyes. She seemed unaware of this information. However, she knew that her parents had fought alongside the Light during the Keyblade War that had struck the worlds. However, she foolishly thought they were just ordinary Keyblade wielders. Concerning her father, the news didn't surprise her too much, as he had been elected as a Union Leader. But for her mother, who had followed him all this time…
Aqua smiled and nodded, confirming it. Camelia grinned, proud of what her mother had achieved in her lifetime.
"It's a very prestigious rank. Your parents truly deserved that position! They never stopped fighting, and their efforts paid off!"
Aqua gazed into Camelia's eyes for a long moment. She placed her hands on the young girl's cheeks, encouraging her to meet her eyes despite feeling intimidated. "I'm so happy to see you again," she said, widening her smile. "When I first met you, you were just a little child. As you grow up, you look more and more like your mother..."
The young girl blushed; it was probably the most beautiful compliment she could receive.
"My son is probably around the same age as you. I don't think you've met him yet. I believe you'll get along well," added Aqua. She signaled for a young boy to approach them. He had medium-length light blue hair and inherited his mother's sapphire-colored eyes. He wore a dark t-shirt with crisscrossing straps forming an "X" on his chest, cargo pants, and military-style boots. Despite his young age, he had the build of a top-level athlete and must have been at least 1.75 meters tall.
As he approached the girls, Camelia instantly caught her breath and felt her cheeks burn. "He... he's very handsome," she thought, trying to hide her reaction as much as possible.
"Hot!" Ichigo whispered in her friend's ear while Aqua's back was turned towards her son.
"Ichi!" whispered Camelia, slightly raising her voice.
She turned towards her friend, feeling deeply embarrassed. Ichigo noticed that her whole face had turned red. She couldn't help but giggle.
"Don't look at me like that, go for it!" Ichigo whispered back, giving her friend a nudge with her elbow to encourage her. Faced with her friend's determination, Camelia giggled slightly with a genuine smile.
"Hi! I'm Akira! Nice to meet you," he said, smiling and raising his right hand. After a few seconds of hesitation, the blonde girl shook his hand in return. "You must be Camelia, right? My mother has talked a lot about your family! She was hoping that you would eventually come back to live here."
"Uh... y-yes... um..." Camelia stuttered. Her throat felt constricted. Clearly unable to speak to him, she was very impressed by his presence. Compared to him, she looked tiny with her 1.45 meters.
"Oh... she's stunned!" Ichigo snapped her fingers twice in front of her friend's face. Camelia had her eyes fixed on Akira and didn't look away for a single moment. "I'm Ichigo!" She introduced herself to the young boy and shook his hand in return. "So, dear Akira! Single?" she asked him directly, with a flirtatious air.
Camelia instantly turned to Ichigo. She and Akira were dumbfounded at the audacity of the young brunette. Akira burst into laughter.
"Yes, I am single," he replied to Ichigo. "But you're not really my type!" he added, pointing his finger to the tip of her nose.
"What do you mean, not your type?! You have no idea what you're missing out on!" she grumbled, crossing her arms in a pouting manner.
Her reaction elicited a slight laughter from Camelia.
"Is she always like this?" the blue-haired boy asked.
"Oh, yes! She's more on the chaotic side. She loves causing trouble for me... in a friendly way, of course!" the blonde replied, pinching her best friend's cheek.
"You two seem completely opposite, I love this dynamic! I think the three of us will get along well," he affirmed with an amused expression.
"Attention, please!" Aqua solemnly requested as she tapped the microphone placed on a lectern, on a makeshift stage built for the event.
The three friends, along with the other students and chaperones, gathered in front of the stage to listen to the President of the Academy's speech.
"Dear students, parents, and friends, thank you all for coming today to discover our school. It is with great joy that I declare the 5th edition of the Keyblade Academy open!" The audience applauded cheerfully. Aqua smiled and continued her speech.
"It has been five years already since we have welcomed Keyblade wielders from all backgrounds. We have accompanied them and witnessed their ascent, from mere beginners to Keyblade Masters who now bravely fight for the Light.
It's incredible! I am always moved to see the number of new candidates increase each year. Five years ago, my husband Terra, our best friend Ventus, and I founded this academy with the hope of one day rebuilding the great era of fairy tales.
As a Keyblade Master, I've had to endure some difficult trials. I was supported by Master Eraqus, who always believed in me and my abilities. His support, along with that of my closest friends, gave me the strength not to succumb to darkness after nearly ten years spent in the Realm of Darkness. That's why in this school, we not only help you achieve the best physical performance, but we also work on meditation, self-confidence, to find your inner strength.
Remember, even when you find yourself in the darkest place that exists, there will always be a glimmer of light that remains. However small it may be.
If you feel ready to fight for a just cause, a cause that particularly touches you, you are in the right place! However, be aware that you are committing to several years of hard work. So, if you are brave enough, we will fight together in the name of Light, in the name of those who cannot fight.
May your heart be your guiding key."
The audience applauded once again. An old man dressed in a long blue robe and a wizard's hat stepped forward towards the podium.
"Now, I'll hand the floor over to our ambassador, Master Yen Sid!" Aqua concluded.
"Thank you," he said, taking Aqua's place after she stepped down from the stage.
Camelia looked into the old man's eyes. She was impressed by his serious gaze. "Who is he?" she asked naively.
"Wait, you study the Keyblade Masters and you don't even know who Master Yen Sid is?" Ichigo asked, surprised. The young blonde with a pink strand shook her head. "He's King Mickey's master, the one who tagged along with Master Sora on his adventures when he was a teenager," she whispered in her ear as her friend watched the man speaking on stage.
"He is one of the few most powerful and influential magicians and Keyblade wielders still alive. Personally, I wouldn't want to cause him any trouble!" added Akira, grimacing.
"That's true... he looks a lil' scary!" Camelia replied, fixing her gaze on Master Yen Sid.
"Come on, kids! For registrations, head over here!" As the magician finished his speech, a blond man dressed in white pointed to the registration booth for new students.
"Follow Ventus for the registrations!" Aqua announced. She approached Camelia from behind and placed a hand on her shoulder, causing the young girl to slightly startle. "If you feel ready to join us, you will make your parents very proud, I'm sure!" she said, smiling radiantly.
The young girl nodded, smiling. With Ichigo and Akira, she took a registration form and returned to Strelitzia, who was still talking with Dilan in a corner of the room.
"So? Did you like it?" Strelitzia asked. Camelia responded with a nod and a grin. "In that case, I have some news to share with you."
Confused, the three friends looked at each other. The red-haired woman stood up from the bench where she had been sitting. "Well... you are aware that we cannot ask your father to come back and live at Radiant Garden, right?" Camelia lowered her head and closed her eyes, looking sad. "The distance between Quadratum and the Land of Departure is far too long for a daily commute. So... Dilan is suggesting that you come and live with his family at Radiant Garden's laboratory."
In response to this unexpected announcement, the young girl's eyes widened. Dilan nodded. "Yes, you will share a room with Ichigo."
Instantly, Ichigo put her hands in front of her mouth, holding back a scream. Her eyes sparkled. She suddenly hugged Camelia, jumping up and down and squealing with excitement. "Oh my God! I am so, so, so happy! We will be able to see each other every day!" Camelia smiled and hugged her back.
Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind. "But... what about Dad?"
"Don't worry," Strelitzia replied in a gentle voice, shaking her head. "I will always watch over him. It's not the responsibility of a teenager to manage her father's depression..." she added, looking to the side before returning her gaze to her niece. "And besides, you will come back to live with us on weekends!"
The young girl responded with a wide smile.
"Welcome to the club!" added Akira, placing a hand on her shoulder.