Don't fall asleep in the dreams that can come true.
"Hmm," grumbled Aqua in a low voice as she sat on the bed, immersed in profound tranquility. She rubbed her tired eyes with her hands, trying to dispel the fog that seemed to cloud her vision. Upon regaining some clarity, her gaze turned to her right side, hoping to find Sora's comforting presence.
However, Sora wasn't there by her side. Furthermore, she noticed with puzzlement that the jacket he had left hanging on the coat rack the night before was also missing from its usual place. This situation confused her, and her mind began to wander in search of explanations. She sat on the edge of the bed, perplexed, and proceeded to put on her shoes with mechanical movements.
Standing up, her eyes landed on the bathroom door. A fleeting idea crept into her mind, as if a mysterious echo whispered that maybe Sora was inside. She couldn't think of any other plausible place where he could have gone. With cautious steps, she approached the bathroom door and, once there, knocked three times gently, hoping for a response from the other side.
"Sora, are you in there?" Aqua asked in a barely audible tone, desperately longing for a sign of life. However, silence was her only answer. Not allowing herself to be defeated by discouragement, she turned the doorknob and opened it slowly. With her head peeking inside, she scrutinized the interior, only to be met with a baffling emptiness.
She decided to step into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. Once inside, she looked around for the clothes she had taken off the night before, finding them in their place. A momentary relief washed over her as she saw her belongings were safe. Nevertheless, the uncertainty persisted, and her question echoed persistently in her mind: Where was Sora?
Amidst the uncertainty surrounding her quest for answers, an unsettling thought slipped into Aqua's mind and escaped her lips in a barely audible whisper: "Maybe Rapunzel or Flynn came and took Sora." That theory seemed to be the most logical explanation for Sora's absence in the room. But she couldn't let her doubts consume her at that moment, so she decided to set them aside and leave them in a corner of her mind, at least for now.
With hesitant steps, Aqua made her way to the bathroom sink. She stopped in front of the mirror and contemplated herself for a few moments, lost in deep reflection about the events of the previous day. A glimmer of happiness lit up her face as she recalled what had happened. It was like living a dream, one she didn't want to wake up from. She sighed softly and, with precise movements, turned the faucet key, allowing the water to flow.
Aqua cupped her hands together, letting the water fall into them, and then brought it to her face, splashing the water to awaken her senses. Once she completed that simple ritual, she met her reflection in the mirror again.
However, an unexpected shiver ran down her spine as her mouth opened slightly, letting out a barely audible sound: "Uh..." Something seemed off in the image the mirror reflected. Her eyes, her hair, even her skin... everything seemed to have changed. Her expression turned into a mix of concern and fear.
Fear quickly escalated as her gaze descended to the sink, and she encountered a terrifying vision. Instead of clear water, a dark and viscous substance began to gush from the faucet, rapidly spreading over the sink and overflowing onto the bathroom floor. A black tide invaded the space, flooding it with unsettling speed. Aqua was paralyzed by the magnitude of what she was witnessing. What the hell was happening?
Aqua's heart raced as confusion and bewilderment seized her mind. "W-What's happening?" she asked with a trembling voice, trying to find a terrifying explanation to justify the dark transformation she was witnessing.
Suddenly, a chilling and terrifying voice whispered in her ears, "Come with me into the darkness..." That whisper seemed to crawl from the darkest depths of her subconscious, enveloping her in an unsettling promise of power and doom.
An icy shiver ran through Aqua's body as she heard those words, as if the wind itself had come to life to whisper in her ear. Slowly and fearfully, she turned her head forward, and her eyes met the mirror in front of her. Her reflection stared back at her, but it had completely changed. Now, that reflection had yellow eyes, the eyes of someone who had irreversibly fallen into darkness. The clothes she wore, though similar, were darker, the blue hues giving way to deep and gloomy darkness. The edges and sleeves of her attire seemed torn, as if worn by the most sinister abysses. Moreover, her hair now looked pale, with tips of dark blue and almost white roots. Aqua knew that appearance all too well, it was her corrupted version from the Realm of Darkness: Anti-Aqua.
"You cannot escape her, no matter how hard you try. Wherever you go, she will relentlessly pursue you," her reflection explained with a cold and serious voice, resonating in the air like a gloomy echo.
The impact of those words clung to Aqua, eroding her determination and plunging her into an abyss of fear. Unable to contain her distress, she raised her voice with desperation as she slowly stepped back, until her back collided with a cold wall. Her breathing accelerated, becoming agitated gasps that barely filled her lungs. Her heart pounded as if trying to break free from her chest. The pupils of her eyes trembled, revealing the fear that gripped her, while cold sweat beaded on her forehead.
"Enough!" Aqua exclaimed, trying to assert herself over the distorted reality of her dream. She knew this was just a nightmare, a creation of her tormented mind. She had experienced so many haunting dreams before, but she knew how to distinguish them from reality. With a trembling voice, she tried to convince herself that everything was fictitious, that there was nothing to fear. However, her reflection, Anti-Aqua, only smiled slightly, a macabre and malicious smile that challenged her perception of reality.
"Are you sure?" asked Anti-Aqua, her voice sliding like a threatening shadow in the air. At that moment, an eerie creak resonated in the bathroom, catching Aqua's attention. She looked down and witnessed the tiles slowly cracking, as if darkness itself was seeping into them.
"Darkness is something you cannot save yourself from, Aqua. It will chase you eternally, and you can only succumb to it. Nothing and no one can save you; your fate with darkness was written from the beginning," explained Anti-Aqua, as the bathroom tiles fragmented into pieces, floating in the air, creating an ominous dance.
"Enough! It's just a dream! Nothing is real! You're not real! You can't be here!" Aqua yelled at herself, trying to hold on to any trace of sanity left. She avoided looking at the mirror, for she feared what she would see in her reflection. The floor vanished beneath her feet, leaving only a safe spot where she stood, while the rest of the bathroom crumbled into a black abyss.
"I just have to wake up and return to reality!" Aqua exclaimed, raising her voice in the hope of breaking free from the chains of her nightmare and waking up safely. However, the relentless embrace of darkness seemed to resist, denying her an escape and engulfing her even further in its sinister grasp. The boundary between dream and wakefulness became increasingly blurred, trapping her in a labyrinth of mystery and desperation.
"Look at reality; the world is full of things that aren't as we wish. As we live, we realize that reality is nothing but sorrow, pain, and emptiness. In this world, where there is light, there must be darkness," Anti-Aqua explained without diverting her yellow eyes from Aqua's. The presence of her malevolent reflection had become unavoidable, hypnotizing her with its piercing gaze.
"Poor Aqua, poor Master Aqua. Did you really think you could be happy? What a pity," Anti-Aqua taunted with a malicious tone. "You'll never be happy, it's your destiny. Because of your incompetence, no one, not even that foolish boy, can help you. When he gets bored with you, he'll leave you abandoned and alone once more," she added, continuing her scathing discourse.
"I said shut up! You're just spewing nonsense! Sora would never leave me! What do you know?" Aqua questioned, feeling terror overwhelming her completely.
"Do you think Sora would want to be with someone as pathetic as you? Someone so gloomy? And... Do you think your friends want someone like that by their side?" Anti-Aqua concluded, stripping Aqua of any semblance of hope. Aqua fell into an overwhelming silence as she processed the merciless words of her own reflection. No, she didn't want to be left alone. Loneliness couldn't be her fate. No, it couldn't be...
The place where Aqua stood crumbled completely, sending her spiraling endlessly into darkness. In that endless abyss, where only emptiness reigned, she felt herself being dragged back to that place she feared so much, as if her destiny were irreversibly bound to desolation and despair.
"T-This is a dream, right?" Aqua repeated to herself with a trembling voice, feeling tears welling up in her eyes, desperately trying to convince herself that everything she was experiencing was simply the product of a nightmare and nothing more.
"But it feels so real," Aqua admitted in a whisper, releasing a small nervous and frightened laugh. She felt her body completely paralyzed, as if trapped by some invisible and powerful force.
"I- I just have to wake up, then I'll be in bed with Sora, r-right?" Aqua murmured, struggling not to lose her sanity. Her body trembled uncontrollably, and cold sweat accumulated on her skin.
"Why... why can't I wake up," Aqua whispered as desperation consumed her. Intense paranoia invaded her. Her lips trembled, her voice sounded fragmented, and her eyes, also trembling, let small drops of water escape. Her mind filled with memories: Xehanort, Vanitas, Terra, Ven, her master Eraqus... All those dark and dreadful memories that Aqua preferred to keep buried emerged inevitably into the light.
Finally, Aqua could no longer contain her sanity and composure, and she screamed in desperation, "Wake up already!" Her voice echoed in the darkness, laden with anguish and desperation. She couldn't bear another second in that place. She yearned with all her might to escape from her own mind, from wherever she might be at that moment.
A voice resonated in the darkness, whispering Aqua's name over and over. It was an enigmatic call, a presence that seemed to penetrate deep into her being. Aqua, feeling the oppression in her chest, slowly opened her eyes to find a vague shadow in the darkness.
"Why now? Why again?" Aqua murmured, a mix of anguish and frustration in her voice. Everything seemed to be against her, even in moments when she believed she had found happiness, nightmares and torments returned to haunt her. "Everything was going so well, everything was going smoothly. I hadn't had nightmares again, why now? Can't I ever have peace? Why is it that every time things are going well for me, these things happen? What more does this world want from me? I just want to be happy. Is that so hard to understand?" Aqua exclaimed with a trembling voice, releasing her accumulated frustration.
The voice in the darkness approached, shrouding her with its mystery. "Aqua..." it whispered again, a note of sadness and understanding in its tone. It seemed to want to tell her something, but Aqua wasn't sure if she was ready to hear it. The weight of her experiences and suffering became more apparent as tears flowed uncontrollably down her cheeks.
"Aqua..." the voice persisted, echoing in her mind like an unsettling echo.
"Why do these things always happen to you?" Aqua whispered as if she knew the darkest secrets of her soul.
Aqua clutched herself, her body trembling in the overwhelming darkness. Unanswered questions crowded her mind, pushing her to the brink of despair. "Will I ever truly be able to be happy?" she questioned in an anguished whisper. Her sobbing, now heartbreaking, filled the space around her as if her tears were an echo of her pain and longing.
"Aqua..." the voice insisted once more, almost whispering in her ears. Uncertainty completely enveloped her, giving her no respite or answers. In that moment, Aqua found herself in limbo, lost between reality and fantasy, unsure of what was authentic and what was an illusion.
Aqua's fate hung by a thread, entangled in the web of darkness and suffering. Uncertainty and mystery wrapped around her like dense fog as she desperately sought answers and a way out of the emotional abyss in which she was trapped.
"I-I don't know who's up there, but God or whoever you are," Aqua murmured between sobs, her trembling voice resonating in the room. Tears continued to streak her face, leaving a trail of pain and confusion. "Can't you just leave me alone for once? If you can't, then why did you give me a heart?" she questioned, her tone filled with hopelessness and helplessness, seeking answers from the unknown.
Silence extended in the room, interrupted only by Aqua's intermittent sobs. The darkness of the night seemed to engulf her, and her gaze got lost in the ceiling, as if hoping to find some divine answer in the shadows. Her mind was full of unanswered questions, and the weight of her past experiences seemed to crush her in that moment.
At that instant, Aqua let out a deep sigh, as if she had been relieved of a heavy burden. She opened her eyes and noticed Sora's presence in front of her, his face reflecting deep concern. Her breathing was still agitated, her body drenched in sweat as she tried to regain composure. Sora's eyes met hers, anxiously waiting for any sign that Aqua was okay.
"S-Sora?" Aqua stammered, her voice still trembling. Sora's comforting presence brought her back to reality, slowly dissipating the remnants of the nightmare that had tormented her. She saw how Sora sighed with relief upon hearing her speak, as if he had been holding his breath all this time.
"Thank goodness you woke up. You were sweating profusely, trembling, and even started crying." Sora paused, trying to understand the reason behind Aqua's reaction. His eyes met hers, and he noticed her blinking several times, revealing the tears that had accumulated in her eyes.
Sora's heart raced as he saw Aqua's state. He genuinely cared for her well-being and felt the need to offer her support. With a tone full of concern, Sora asked, "Are you okay? Did something happen to upset you? Do you feel unwell? Do you need water or maybe a comforting hug? Ask me anything; I'll be here for you."
Hidden in the shadows, Aqua was not visible to Sora, but the pallor on her face, her teary eyes, and the trembling in her body indicated that something was deeply wrong. Distress overtook Sora as he wondered what might be going through Aqua's mind. His desire to help and protect her intensified, and a sense of urgency drove him to be even more concerned for her.
Aqua sighed, relieved that it had only been a dream, albeit a heavy and murky one. She was glad it wasn't reality, as it had been a long time since she had experienced a nightmare of such magnitude. Nightmares in which she doubted the truth of everything she was experiencing had become increasingly strange due to their absence. Nevertheless, in that moment, she could only smile sweetly at the concern reflected in Sora's eyes. With tenderness, she reached her right hand to his worried face and caressed it gently, signaling that she was fine and he should calm down.
"I'm okay, Sora," Aqua said softly, reaffirming her previous claim. But even as she smiled and caressed Sora's face, she knew it wasn't entirely true. Though she tried to conceal her true feelings, her trembling body and tears betrayed that something was amiss. However, Aqua didn't want to worry Sora even more. She didn't want him to feel guilty or powerless about her situation. So, she decided to downplay her own emotions.
But Sora wasn't entirely convinced by Aqua's response. He could still see the traces of trembling and tears in her. Hesitating, yet unable to resist his protective instinct, Sora asked her again, "But you're trembling and crying. Are you sure you're okay?"
Aqua took a moment to reflect before responding. Calmly, she tried to reassure Sora and put an end to his concern. "Sora, I assure you. It was just a silly nightmare, nothing more," she explained, trying to convey a sense of security. As she spoke, her body and being gradually calmed down, as if her own words were a comforting balm. However, Sora wasn't completely satisfied with that answer. When Aqua woke up, she noticed how she trembled and whispered words that he couldn't hear clearly. He wondered what kind of nightmares Aqua could have experienced to leave her in that state of vulnerability and distress.
"It's okay, if you say so," Sora muttered, acquiescing to Aqua's words. She smiled as Sora stepped back a bit to allow her to sit up on the bed. Aqua looked at Sora, who still had a face full of concern. She couldn't blame him, after all that he had witnessed. However, Aqua decided to lean in close to Sora's face, seeking to comfort him with a gesture of tenderness. She gave him a subtle and tender kiss on the lips, conveying tranquility and affection in that simple contact.
"I told you, don't worry, I'm fine," Aqua reassured with a faint smile, trying to dispel Sora's lingering worries. He nodded in response, slightly blushing from Aqua's kiss. Though he enjoyed those displays of affection from Aqua, he knew he still had to get used to them and express his own feelings more openly.
After emerging from the sheets that enveloped them, they both got up from the bed and prepared for the day. Aqua sat on the edge of the bed as she watched Sora walk to the coat rack and grab his jacket to put it on. However, her gaze shifted toward the bathroom door, showing a clear expression of reluctance. After the nightmare she had just experienced, she didn't want to enter there. Nevertheless, her clothes were inside the bathroom, and she couldn't leave without them.
"Is something wrong, Aqua?" Sora asked, confused to see her fixate her gaze on the bathroom door.
"Oh, it's nothing," Aqua murmured, looking down at the floor. Sora tilted his head slightly, still puzzled by her demeanor. Once fully dressed, Sora approached Aqua.
"Is it about what you dreamt?" Sora asked, showing his concern and trying to understand the reason behind Aqua's discomfort.
"Yes," Aqua admitted honestly, unable to completely hide the effect the nightmare had on her.
"Can I help with anything?" Sora offered, wishing to alleviate any distress Aqua might be experiencing.
Aqua pondered for a moment before making an unusual yet significant request. "Could you stay by the bathroom door while I get dressed with the rest of my clothes?" she asked, seeking Sora's company to feel safer and protected in that vulnerable moment.
Sora tilted his head slightly to the right, confused by the unusual request, but he readily accepted it without hesitation. Though it seemed strange, if it could bring Aqua some peace of mind, he was willing to do it. Their special connection allowed them to understand each other on a deep level, and Sora was determined to be there for her in difficult moments like this.
"Sure, I'll wait right next to the door if that's what you want," Sora assured with a faint smile, ready to fulfill Aqua's peculiar request. While he didn't fully understand the reason behind it, he knew it must be related to the intensity of the nightmare she had experienced. It seemed the most logical assumption at the moment. So, he positioned himself next to the bathroom door, patiently waiting for Aqua to change. As he waited, his mind continued to wander, and the question of what Aqua might have dreamt about kept echoing inside him. It was extremely unusual for a simple nightmare to affect someone that much, causing intense sweating and tears. It was evident that Aqua's nightmares were not ordinary, and this heightened his concern. Aqua had only mentioned having nightmares, but she had never specified what they were like or how she felt during them. Now, his worry intensified, knowing what Aqua had just gone through, and he feared she might experience another similar nightmare without him there to support her.
"I'm done," Aqua announced, coming out of the bathroom and pulling Sora out of his thoughts. He had been leaning against the wall, but his attention immediately turned to her, who now had the missing clothing on. Sora could still see that, despite having overcome the nightmare, Aqua still had a look of vulnerability in her eyes.
"Well, I guess it's time to head back home," Sora said, feeling a hint of sadness realizing they would have to part for the moment. But deep inside, Aqua wished their time together wouldn't end so soon. She wanted to make the most of every moment she spent with Sora, now that they were in a relationship. She wanted to enjoy more of his company and allow him to enjoy more of her.
"Yeah, I guess so," Aqua murmured, letting a muted and sad tone seep into her words. Sora noticed the change in her expression and immediately grew concerned.
"Is something wrong?" Sora asked, seeking to understand what Aqua was feeling. He watched as she avoided his gaze and clung to her left arm with her hand, a sign of her insecurity and shyness.
"I wanted to spend more time with you," Aqua replied, feeling embarrassed to openly express her desire. The words came out timid and filled with vulnerability.
Sora smiled subtly and moved closer to Aqua. With gentleness, he brushed a strand of hair away from her forehead with his right hand and gave her a small kiss in that spot. Then, he drew her into a warm embrace, holding her tenderly. Aqua closed her eyes, allowing herself to be carried away by the comforting and warm sensation that Sora provided. She enjoyed being enveloped in his arms, feeling how every affectionate gesture, no matter how small, became a precious treasure to her.
"Don't worry, the journey back will be quite long. We can spend time together on the ship," Sora assured with tenderness. Aqua clung to Sora's embrace, drawing even closer to him. Every second near him was a balm to her soul, and every cell in her body seemed to resonate with joy. Feeling that closeness with Sora provided an indescribable sense of security. She had never before experienced such a comforting feeling from being so close to someone.
"Okay, that's fine," Aqua nodded, letting tranquility wash over her. Sora smiled widely, gently releasing her from his embrace. They both continued to prepare to leave that magical world. They fixed the bed they had slept in, leaving it as pristine as when they first arrived. Then, they stopped at the balcony, watching as the kingdom began to wake up slowly. They remained there, immersed in the stillness of the dawn until Rapunzel arrived at their room to take them for breakfast before departing. She couldn't let them leave on an empty stomach.
Thus, they descended stairs and traversed hallways one last time, finally arriving at the dining hall. Flynn and Rapunzel's parents were already waiting there, ready to share a family breakfast. They sat together, sharing laughter and anecdotes while savoring the lovingly prepared food. This moment was yet another example of how Sora and Aqua had found a special place in the lives of those around them. The warmth and love shared around that table were a reminder of the value of human connections.
After eating, Sora and Aqua prepared to bid their farewells and return home. Now, they stood before the majestic gates of the kingdom, accompanied by Flynn, Rapunzel, and Maximus.
"See you, guys. Please be careful on your way back," Rapunzel mentioned, looking at her two friends, who nodded. "Promise me you'll come back."
"Don't worry, Rapunzel. Aqua and I will be back. It's a promise," Sora clarified, a big smile lighting up his face and spreading the joy to Rapunzel. "I'll bring Donald and Goofy too."
"That makes me really happy," Rapunzel mentioned, as Maximus whinnied in response to the mention of Donald and Goofy, clearly liking the idea. "I hope you enjoyed your stay here."
"Of course we did," Aqua spoke. "This place is very beautiful and colorful. I really enjoyed coming here. I had a great time."
"We're glad to hear that," this time Flynn spoke, wrapping his right arm around Rapunzel and pulling her closer to him. "See you, guys."
Sora looked at Aqua, and she looked back at him in the same way. A tacit understanding passed between them, and they both knew it was time to leave. "Shall we go?" Sora said, looking at Aqua, who nodded in response.
"Yes, goodbye, guys," Aqua bid farewell one last time before taking Sora's hand and intertwining it with hers, drawing everyone's attention to that sudden gesture for them. Both of them began to walk away across the stone bridge, playfully laughing at a cry from Rapunzel, which made them laugh a bit too.
Once on the other side of the bridge, they walked in silence, enjoying each other's company until they reached where they had left the gummy ship. A comfortable and enjoyable silence settled between them. Now, the question that occupied their minds was: how would their friends react to this? They would probably be happy for them, and they would likely receive some friendly teasing. Both Aqua and Sora could imagine the laughter and affectionate teasing from their companions when they told them about their relationship. Once aboard the gummy ship, they both boarded and took off without wasting time.
Although Sora tried not to let thoughts about Aqua's nightmares affect him, it was inevitable for him to ignore them. Seeing Aqua act so concerning raised curiosity and growing concern in him. Since when had she been having these types of nightmares? Was every night like this for her? What exactly did she dream? How did she manage them? Did Ven and Terra know anything about it? All these questions wandered through his mind, but he decided to keep them to himself, knowing that maybe Aqua didn't want to talk about it at that moment. He planned to address the issue in the future when she was ready, and he was aware that Aqua probably wouldn't reveal the truth to him to avoid worrying him more than necessary.
"We've arrived," Sora spoke as he landed the gummy ship at Aqua's home, and both of them disembarked.
"It's good to be back," Aqua mentioned, gazing at her home and then at Sora. "So... are you leaving?"
"Yes, I have to go with Riku and Kairi," Sora replied. Aqua sighed disappointedly at that answer. She definitely didn't want Sora to leave, but she also understood that she couldn't force him to stay with her.
"You can call me if you need anything... you know, about your nightmares and all that," Sora mentioned. Aqua nodded and realized that Sora was still concerned about that matter. She couldn't blame him. Even though she felt bad for causing him so much worry these past few days, and now with her nightmares...
"Relax, Sora," Aqua whispered with her soft but assured voice. Her blue eyes locked onto his, conveying a mix of calmness and determination. It was evident that she had something important to tell him. "It's been some time since I experienced nightmares like the one today, but I'm sure it was just an isolated incident. There's no need to worry, so please, stop dwelling on it, okay?"
Sora nodded, letting out a sigh filled with resignation. If Aqua said she was okay, then he should trust her. Despite his unease, he couldn't deny that he found comfort in the reassurance that Aqua conveyed with her gaze. "I just worry about you," he murmured, letting a faint smile surface.
Sora's statement didn't go unnoticed by Aqua, who returned the smile with gratitude and sincerity. "I know, and it makes me very happy, Sora," she admitted in a soft but meaningful tone. She felt grateful to have someone like him by her side, someone who always cared about her well-being.
"Well, I guess I have to go now," Sora said, averting his gaze to the gummy ship behind him. He took a step forward, preparing to depart from the Land of Departure and face new challenges. However, before he could take another step, Aqua stopped him by grabbing his right arm, thoroughly perplexing him.
Sora turned to her, confused and surprised. "What's wrong, Aqua?" he asked in a low voice, trying to decipher the serious expression now adorning his now-girlfriend's face. He wondered what he had said or done to provoke such a reaction from her.
"Do you seriously plan on leaving just like that?" Aqua chided, her voice resonating with a mix of frustration and sadness.
Sora was taken aback, not finding the right words to respond. What did Aqua mean by "leaving just like that"? What had he done wrong this time? Questions flooded his mind as he observed Aqua's serious face, a face that usually exuded sweetness and tranquility. He couldn't help but feel a certain fear, wondering what he had done to provoke such a reaction from her. "L-leaving just like that?" he stammered, trying to understand what was happening.
Aqua let out a soft growl as she pointed to her own lips with her index finger, emphasizing her gesture with a penetrating gaze. At that moment, Sora realized that Aqua wasn't angry about something he had said or done, but because she expected him to give her a kiss before leaving her home. Understanding flooded him, mixed with a slight sense of nervousness. It wasn't so much the act of kissing her, but the fear of being discovered by Ventus or Terra and how they would react if they found them in such an intimate moment.
"A-ah, you want that?" Sora said, finally catching the hint Aqua was giving him.
She didn't say a word, just nodded her head, waiting for Sora to take the initiative. Sora discreetly looked around, making sure Ventus and Terra weren't nearby. He would prefer to have an honest conversation with them about his relationship with Aqua instead of being caught in a compromising situation like this. Once he was sure they were alone, he sighed and slowly approached Aqua's face, placing a soft and delicate kiss. The gesture pleased the blue-haired girl, who had longed for this kind of affection. It wasn't a secret that Aqua was an affectionate person, at least she had been in the past, and now that they were a couple, that affectionate side was blooming again. Now that they were finally together, she wouldn't hesitate to ask for kisses or give them without a second thought. After all, she had waited a long time to do so, and each shared kiss reminded them of the love and special connection they shared.
"Happy now?" Sora asked, pulling away slowly from Aqua's lips to look directly at her. She responded with a radiant smile and nodded, releasing the arm of Sora that she had been holding during the kiss.
"I love you," Aqua declared without preamble. Sora felt a warm fire run through his body, and his face began to burn with a deep blush. Aqua's words resonated in his mind, filling him with indescribable happiness. She let out a soft chuckle, delighting in the expression on Sora's face.
"I-I love you too, Aqua," Sora stammered, struggling to find the right words to express his feelings.
Aqua let out a soft laugh, relishing Sora's response. Then, he turned around and boarded his gummy ship, ready to take off and depart. Even with a flushed face, Sora left, leaving Aqua gazing at him affectionately. She wondered if he had ever been in a relationship before. In her opinion, Sora seemed extremely shy, as a simple "I love you" almost made him blush like crazy. Maybe it was his introverted nature, or perhaps she was the one provoking that reaction in him. Who knows. Either way, she found it adorable to see him like that.
Once Sora's gummy ship disappeared on the horizon, Aqua turned around and walked towards the entrance of her home. She didn't see Ventus or Terra around, so she deduced that they must be inside. She imagined the multiple questions both boys would ask her once she set foot inside the house. She just hoped they wouldn't be too many, but deep down, she knew she would share the news of her relationship with Sora with joy and enthusiasm.
Aqua slowly opened the door to her home and peeked inside carefully. She saw that there was no one in the living room, which led her to believe that Ventus and Terra must be in their respective rooms. With caution, she entered completely and closed the door behind her, feeling relieved for the privacy that moment provided her.
"I'm home!" Aqua raised her voice, making sure that both Terra and Ventus could hear her. It didn't take long before Terra descended the stairs with a smile on his face, a smile that combined happiness with a hint of mischief.
"Oh, the mighty Aqua is back from her date," Terra exclaimed playfully, enjoying the situation. Aqua sighed, somehow expecting this to happen.
"Yes, I'm back," Aqua reiterated with a smile on her lips.
"That's right, and you're not leaving until you tell me everything," Terra warned, making it clear that he was eager to know how it went with Sora. Aqua nodded slightly, aware that Terra was quite intrigued by the details.
She was pleased to see the enthusiasm and nonchalance with which Terra was taking her relationship with Sora. If it were someone else, they might have reacted differently, distancing themselves from her or even coming to hate her for it. But luckily, this was Terra they were talking about, and she could say with absolute certainty that he would never leave her alone and would support her no matter what. Even if it meant that she would date someone other than him. She approached the couch where Terra had sat, waiting for her with curiosity. Once they were both seated, Aqua decided to break the silence and start sharing the details of her date with Sora.
"What do you want to know?" Aqua asked curiously.
"I'm curious about everything," Terra replied.
"Well, ask me anything about it," Aqua invited.
"Alright," Terra said, bringing his right hand to his chin as he began to think about what would be the first thing he wanted to ask. "Where did he take you?"
"Oh, he took me to a place called the Kingdom of Corona. You should have seen it, it was incredibly beautiful and charming. It was filled with vibrant colors and brimming with life in every corner," Aqua excitedly began narrating, making sure not to forget any details. She described the exquisite decorations of the kingdom and shared stories of the friends she made during her visit. As Aqua enthusiastically spoke about the place, Terra couldn't help but smile tenderly. Seeing how Aqua talked about the kingdom with a radiant smile and great excitement, as if she were a little girl, filled Terra's heart with happiness and joy.
"It seems that Sora made the right choice in taking us there," Terra spoke finally, after Aqua finished describing the Kingdom of Corona. She simply nodded with a smile in response to Terra's words.
"Definitely," Aqua affirmed.
"Besides, who would've thought you'd be jealous of someone?" Terra admitted, and Aqua blinked a few times. She confessed to Terra how, at first, she felt some discomfort and annoyance due to the closeness between Rapunzel and Sora.
"Jealous? I wasn't jealous," Aqua admitted, but Terra looked at her with disbelief.
"Are you sure?" Terra asked.
"Definitely yes," Aqua asserted firmly, as she observed Terra's still incredulous expression. "Well... maybe a little, quite a bit. Okay, yes, I was jealous," Aqua finally confessed. Terra chuckled softly at Aqua's response, fully understanding her feelings.
"Alright, let's move on to other important matters," Terra said, and Aqua knew exactly what he meant by 'important matters.' She was prepared for the questions that would come. "Did you have any kind of physical contact? You know, any closeness." Aqua chuckled softly and nodded, remembering the deep closeness she had with Sora.
"One could say we did," Aqua admitted with a mischievous smile on her lips.
"That's absolutely fantastic!" Terra exclaimed with enthusiasm, raising his voice filled with excitement as a big smile of happiness appeared on his face. He observed Aqua, his close friend, with bright and expectant eyes. "What kind of closeness did you have? Tell me more, I want to know all the details."
Aqua pondered for a moment, enjoying the excitement radiating from Terra. "Well, our first closeness was quite simple. We held hands," Aqua revealed, reminiscing about the moment fondly.
"Oh, that sounds like a beautiful gesture," Terra admitted, nodding in approval. It was evident that he was genuinely happy for his friend and wanted to know more.
Aqua continued to explain, feeling the need to provide context to her story. "I guess so, although Sora and I used to hold hands even before that moment. In fact, it had become quite common between us. Since we met, our hands seemed to be drawn to each other. It was how everything began during our second encounter."
Terra was surprised by Aqua's revelation and blinked several times, processing the information. "Really?" he asked, incredulous but fascinated at the same time. Aqua simply nodded, unable to suppress a small smile as she recalled the details of their unique story. "Well, I suppose for you two, it was something natural then."
"Exactly," Aqua replied simply, understanding Terra's point.
As the conversation continued, Terra changed the subject, curious to know more details about Aqua and Sora's date. "By the way, where did you spend the night? I want to hear all about it."
Aqua lit up her face with a radiant smile, delighted to share her experience. "Oh, the friends I told you about provided us with accommodation. Rapunzel and Flynn were absolutely wonderful to Sora and me," Aqua said, her voice full of gratitude and joy.
Terra nodded in understanding. "I see, so I guess it was an amazing date for both of you. You look very animated and happy, Aqua."
Aqua responded with a knowing smile and nodded enthusiastically. Terra let out a soft chuckle, feeling himself getting caught up in his friend's excitement. Then, he stood up from the sofa, thinking that he had already gotten all the details about Aqua and Sora's date.
"Where are you going?" Aqua asked, curious about Terra's intentions.
"Uh, well, I thought that would be all. Is there something else?" Terra said puzzled, unable to hide his curiosity. Aqua simply nodded, capturing Terra's attention once again. The boy sat back down on the sofa, wondering what else could have happened on the date. To be honest, he didn't expect it to be a big deal, but something in the air told him there was more to uncover.
"What else happened?" Terra asked, noticing how Aqua avoided his gaze, looking down instead. A shy crimson blush formed on Aqua's cheeks, which intrigued Terra even more. Desperate to know what had happened between Sora and Aqua, Terra patiently waited for an answer.
"I... he... well..." Aqua stammered timidly, struggling to find the right words. "We kissed."
An overwhelming silence filled the room. For a few seconds that felt like hours, no one said a word. Terra blinked several times, trying to process what he had just heard. He wondered if what he heard was real or just his imagination. Did Aqua and Sora really kiss? The unexpected turn of events left Terra stunned.
"Y-you... you kissed!?" Terra exclaimed, snapping out of the shocked state he was in. Aqua was slightly startled by Terra's sudden outburst, jumping slightly in her seat.
"Shh, lower your voice," Aqua said, putting her index finger to her lips so Terra wouldn't keep shouting. "Y-yes, well, actually, I was the one who kissed him... more than once."
Incredulity continued to show on Terra's face as he tried to assimilate the information. The fact that Aqua had taken the initiative and dared to kiss Sora more than once left him astonished.
"Well, it seems like you don't waste any time," Terra admitted, still having trouble believing what he was hearing. His mind filled with questions, and his curiosity only intensified.
"I-I thought it was the right moment," Aqua admitted, still somewhat embarrassed. "It was on the balcony of the room. I just kissed him, that's all. I felt like if I didn't tell him, I would explode. So, well, I couldn't think of any other way to let him know I liked him."
"Well, that's fine, Aqua. If you felt it was the right time, then it's okay," Terra smiled, proud that Aqua had dared to take the first step in her relationship with Sora. Now, the lingering question was, "How did Sora take it?"
"W-well, at first, I thought he would react differently... b-but it turned out to be the opposite," Aqua admitted, her face growing even redder as she avoided looking at Terra due to the embarrassment of narrating this whole story. "A-and, well, he took it quite well."
"So, what happened next?" Terra asked, eager to know more details.
"W-well, he feels the same way I feel about him," Aqua concluded with a small, nervous, and loving smile. Terra couldn't be more surprised. He, more than anyone, knew that Aqua and Sora would end up together, but the speed at which it all happened was astonishing. They had only had one date, and they had already kissed. That must be a new record in the realm of relationships.
"W-wow, I'm still amazed that in just one date, you two could go that far," Terra admitted, assimilating the situation. Aqua let out a small embarrassed laugh as she scratched her head. She knew that maybe all of this had been too fast, but she was serious when she said she couldn't wait any longer to express her feelings for Sora.
"Anyway, I'm happy for you both. Sora better take good care of you," Terra expressed sincerely.
"Don't worry about that. He will definitely make me very happy... and I'll make him happy too," Aqua admitted with conviction and love in her voice.
"I'm glad to hear that," Terra smiled gently as he stood up from the sofa once again and turned his attention to Aqua. "I can't wait to see Ven's reaction when you tell him."
Speaking of him, where is he?" Aqua asked, curious about Ven's whereabouts.
"He's probably in your garden. Yesterday, while you were on your date with Sora, he made sure to take good care of it and make sure nothing happened to that blue rose you like so much," Terra commented. With these words, Terra got up from the sofa and headed out, leaving Aqua alone with her thoughts.
Aqua had a smile on her face as she learned that Ven had taken care of her garden while she was away. Without wasting any more time, she got up and left her home again, heading straight to the garden to see if Ven was really there. If that was the case, she would take the opportunity to finally tell him about what happened with Sora.
She didn't know how Ven would take this news, but he would probably receive it well. After all, he seemed very happy when she confessed that she liked Sora. However, Aqua couldn't deny that Ven was quite overprotective when it came to her and Terra, like any good brother. He would surely ask her a bunch of questions and make sure to say a few things to Sora when he saw him again. At least, that's what Aqua hoped would happen.
"So, taking care of my garden, huh?" Aqua spoke as she placed her hands on her hips, looking at Ven, who held an empty watering can in his hand in the middle of the flower garden.
"Oh, Aqua, you're back," Ven said, smiling as he carefully approached without stepping on any flowers until he reached her. "I took really good care of your garden while you were gone," he smiled as Aqua petted Ven's hair with her right hand.
"I really appreciate it, Ven," Aqua thanked him with a sweet smile on her face.
"So, how did it go with Sora?" Ven asked, curious to know the details of the date.
"Well, that's what I came to talk to you about," Aqua admitted as she stopped petting Ven's hair, preparing to share her joy with her brother.
"Great! Then tell me everything as we head back and put the watering can away," Ven suggested excitedly, indicating with gestures that they should return home. Aqua nodded in agreement, and they both headed back, leaving the watering can abandoned in the garden.
On the way back, Aqua began recounting exactly the same things she had shared with Terra. She told him about the Kingdom of Corona, Rapunzel, Flynn, Maximus, and how they stayed there. She described how it had been a wonderful experience and expressed her desire to go back someday. Ven simply smiled as he saw Aqua so animated and vibrant as always. To him, it was evident that Aqua's closeness with Sora had brought her renewed joy, transforming her from the bitter, sad, and lonely person she once was back into the same old Aqua, full of vitality and enthusiasm.
Ven was sincerely grateful to Sora for bringing so much happiness into Aqua's life. He recognized the positive impact that love and connection had on her, transforming her spirit and renewing her outlook on life.
"Wow, Aqua, so you had a great time with Sora," Ven said, taking in all the details of Aqua's date.
"Yeah, I really did. I wasn't sure about visiting a world, but I had a lot of fun," Aqua admitted, her small smile still on her face. She felt a sense of lightness and happiness that had been absent from her life for so long.
"Good for you, Aqua," Ven said, genuinely smiling, happy to see Aqua so joyful and fulfilled.
"But there's something else," Aqua mentioned. Immediately, Ven noticed the embarrassed expression on Aqua's face and knew his intuition was right.
"Is it what I'm thinking?" Ven asked, tilting his head as he observed Aqua. Without the need for a verbal answer, Aqua nodded, confirming Ven's thoughts. A joyful smile formed on Ven's face as he realized that his sister had found love in Sora.
"That's great, Aqua. I'll be honest, I never thought in a million years that you and Sora would end up in a relationship," Ven admitted, surprised but genuinely happy for Aqua. He knew they shared a special connection, but he never imagined it would develop into something so beautiful.
Aqua smiled shyly at Ven's comment. She hadn't expected something like this to happen so quickly either. Everything had happened in the blink of an eye. If she hadn't stepped out of the castle and danced with Sora at the party, she would have never realized the feelings she had been hiding for him. Perhaps fate had brought them together in that way, or maybe it was just the natural course of things. Whatever the reason, Aqua felt happy and grateful that it happened, and that was enough for her.
"I didn't expect something like this to happen either, but I'm happy it did, Ven," Aqua admitted sincerely.
"I'm happy too," Ven replied with a radiant expression. He looked at Aqua beside him and noticed the joy reflecting on her face. He had managed to bring Aqua back, a person full of smiles and positivity, someone who always sought the happiness of others. In a way, Ven noticed that Aqua and Sora shared several special similarities.
As these thoughts slipped through his mind, Ven compared both young individuals within. Both Sora and Aqua shared admirable bravery, unwavering determination, and genuine kindness. They were willing to give their all at all times, but most importantly, they desired to make the people they cared about happy and protect those they loved, even if it meant sacrificing their own lives. Aqua and Sora were similar in many ways, yet they were also very different. It was curious, as if destiny always intended that special moment to be for the two of them.
"Believe me, I couldn't ask for a better partner for my dear older sister," Ven affirmed, expressing his sincerity. Aqua simply looked at him in silence, but her eyes shone brightly upon hearing those last words. A smile illuminated her face, and unable to contain her emotion, she replied:
"Awww, Ven." Aqua hugged Ven tightly as a show of gratitude for the beautiful words he had spoken. Ven rarely expressed such beautiful sentiments or called her "older sister," making Aqua feel incredibly fortunate to have Ven and Terra as her dear brothers, whom she would love and protect forever.
"A-Aqua, I can't... breathe..." Ven stammered, almost breathless, as he tried to catch his breath after the affectionate hug.
Sora's gummy ship gently landed on Destiny Islands, and a radiant smile spread across his face as he stepped out of it. His happiness was palpable, and for good reason. He was eager to tell his two friends, Riku and Kairi, about his date. He knew they would be excited for him, and although he'd probably receive some teasing, he could handle it. Nothing could tarnish his happiness in those moments.
"I'm back!" Sora exclaimed with enthusiasm, raising his voice as he opened the door, capturing Riku and Kairi's attention. Both of them were sitting on the living room floor next to a small table where they had put together a puzzle to combat boredom.
"Sora!" Kairi quickly got up from the floor and ran toward him with excitement, stopping right in front of him. "How did it go?" she asked, radiating anticipation. Sora chuckled, infected by his friend's joy.
"It was amazing, Kairi," Sora admitted, thrilled to share his experiences.
"Ven!" Kairi exclaimed, taking Sora by the arm and leading him toward where Riku was getting up. "Tell us everything!"
"You better hurry, Sora. If not, Kairi will probably explode from curiosity," Riku teased while crossing his arms and observing Sora with a subtle smile on his face.
"Alright, alright, let's see first..." Sora immediately began narrating his experience, leaving no detail behind, describing every moment of his date with Aqua.
His two friends, especially Kairi, listened attentively to every word that came out of Sora's mouth. While for anyone else, it might be strange for your ex-partner to be so happy about going out with someone else, for Sora and Kairi, it was the most natural thing in the world. Even if the roles were reversed and Kairi went out with a guy, Sora would be equally curious and happy to know all the details. The three of them had grown up together and been through so much that this was just another thing in their story, something they considered completely normal.
"Wow, it sounds like you had a great time," Riku commented with a slight smile after hearing the entire narration of Aqua and Sora's date.
"They're so cute together!" Kairi exclaimed excitedly as she hugged Sora. "When you held hands and shared drinks, it was beautiful!" There was no doubt that Kairi was a big fan of romantic situations.
"W-well, actually, there's something else I didn't tell you," Sora stammered, a little nervous. Kairi and Riku blinked several times, confused by Sora's words. Kairi let go of Sora and stood next to Riku, looking at Sora with curiosity, just like her friend.
"Something else?" Riku asked, to which Sora shyly nodded. "What would that be?"
"W-well... h-how should I put it..." Sora stammered, touching the back of his head as he tried to avoid looking at his friends. His cheeks started to blush, tinged with a fiery crimson. "Aqua and I... w-we kissed." An overwhelming silence filled the room instantly. Sora turned his attention to his friends, observing their reactions. He saw Riku with his mouth open and arms crossed, clearly surprised. On the other hand, Kairi had intense sparkles in her eyes, and a big smile of happiness was starting to form on her face.
"Did you kiss?!" Riku broke the silence, noticeably astonished.
"Hmm," Sora murmured, nodding his head.
"This is great!" Kairi exclaimed, raising her voice as she approached Sora and took him by the shoulders. "How did it happen? Who took the initiative? Where was it? Tell me everything!"
"W-well, actually, she was the one who kissed me," Sora admitted with some embarrassment.
"Aqua, wow... Honestly, I didn't expect her to take the initiative," Riku commented, coming out of his astonishment, while Sora laughed bashfully.
"Y-yeah, well, I didn't expect it either. It was on the balcony of the room, she told me to close my eyes and... well, she kissed me," Sora explained timidly.
"Can you two be any cuter?" exclaimed Kairi excitedly once again, making Sora smile softly. Kairi was definitely extremely thrilled about all this, and Sora swore that if she kept screaming with joy, he and Riku would be left without eardrums.
"So, are you two a couple?" Riku asked, to which Sora simply nodded in response. Riku smiled slightly at that. "See? I knew you'd make it happen. If it weren't for me, this wouldn't have happened."
"Of course not," Sora denied with a slight frown, making a small pout. Riku and Kairi just chuckled softly at his reaction.
The day went on as usual, and soon it was nighttime. Sora had to endure Kairi's endless questions throughout the day. She asked things like, "What did she say after the kiss? And what did you say after the kiss? What happened after the kiss? How did it feel to kiss her? Did you like the kiss? How did you react to feeling her lips? Did you say 'I love you'?" Kairi wouldn't stop asking questions, some silly and others more interesting. Sora was forced to answer, knowing that if he didn't, Kairi would never leave him alone.
On the other hand, Riku wasn't as intense with the questions. He only mentioned to Sora to enjoy his new relationship with Aqua to the fullest and to make her even happier. Sora vowed that he would make her very happy, and that was enough for Riku to know that Sora would take good care of Aqua. Besides, he knew that Sora could be quite childish at times, so he was sure that Aqua would take charge of keeping him in check and preventing him from doing anything stupid.
"Goodnight, guys," Kairi said with a big yawn as she hugged both Sora and Riku at the same time, and then she let go of them. "I'm going to bed."
"Goodnight, Kairi," said Sora.
"Sleep well," added Riku as he watched Kairi nod and head towards her room. Riku and Sora stayed a little longer in the living room, chatting about anything while each sat on a couch. They talked for a few minutes until Riku decided to bring up a topic that had intrigued him since Sora arrived.
"Sora, tell me, is there something going on?" Riku asked, showing his curiosity.
"Huh? Why do you ask that?" Sora responded, confused.
"Well, today you seemed somewhat distracted or worried. Is there any particular reason?" Riku admitted and asked, and Sora just sighed as he looked at Riku before nodding. "What is it?"
"Well... it's about Aqua," Sora muttered.
"Aqua. Did something else happen with her?" Riku asked, puzzled.
"Yes, well, I'm just worried," Sora admitted.
"Why?" Riku asked, interested in knowing more.
"You see, this morning, Aqua had a nightmare. She told me that she usually has several nightmares, and I thought they would be like any other nightmare, but..." Sora just sighed, remembering what happened in the morning. When he woke up, he saw Aqua trembling, sweating, and whispering things as he tried to wake her up. Then he witnessed her starting to cry.
"What happened?" Riku asked, showing his concern.
"She was trembling, sweating a lot, and started crying," Sora said, and upon hearing that, Riku opened his eyes slightly in surprise, remaining silent to let Sora continue. "She didn't tell me what her nightmare was about, but are those the nightmares she always has? If so, how can she endure that every night? She said not to worry and that she hadn't had nightmares like that in a while, but... I can't stop thinking about the image of Aqua in that state... Riku, I'm really worried about her."
"I see, so that's what it was. From what you're telling me, it sounds quite serious. I never thought a nightmare could affect someone so much," Riku mentioned while he brought his hand up to his chin, thoughtful, as Sora watched him without saying anything. "I wonder what kind of dreams she has to put her in that state."
"That's exactly what I wonder," sighed Sora.
"But if she said it's been a while since she had that kind of nightmare, then that means it's nothing to worry about, Sora. Maybe it was just for today and nothing more," Riku clarified, trying to offer some comfort and hope to his friend.
"You said 'maybe,' but what if it's not? What if she has another nightmare like that, and I'm not there with her?" Sora asked with concern. Riku just smiled slightly at his friend's concern, stood up from the couch, and approached Sora, crouching down to his level and placing both hands on his shoulders to calm him.
"Hey, take it easy. Overthinking it will drive you crazy and bring you more worries than you already have. Just trust Aqua. If she told you it was only for today, then you have to believe her. Besides, Terra and Ven are with her, and they won't let anything bad happen to her," Riku tried to reassure him.
"I know, but..." Sora tried to say.
"I already told you, stop thinking about it. Nothing will happen to Aqua, okay?" Riku interrupted, and Sora sighed and nodded in response. Riku smiled slightly at that, then stood up and removed his hands from Sora's shoulders. "Better go to sleep so you can be more at ease," he said, passing by Sora and leaving him alone as he headed to his room.
"I guess you're right..." Sora finally said resignedly, realizing that maybe he was letting his worry take over him excessively.
"Don't escape, Terra!" exclaimed Ven, raising his voice as he ran after Terra at great speed, chasing him around the outskirts of their home. Aqua watched them from a distance, enjoying the scene and chuckling softly at her brothers' antics.
"You said you were the best at games?" taunted Terra, provoking Ven's irritation. Determined not to be ridiculed by his older brother, Ven decided to pick up his pace even more, driven by a burning desire to surpass him.
"Alright, alright, that's enough, you two. You're going to end up fainting from all this running," intervened Aqua, approaching them to stop the race while Terra and Ven caught their breath, exhausted from that tiring game. "Sometimes you both get a little carried away when you play," she commented with a smile.
"We just don't like to lose, that's all," asserted Terra wearily as he sat down on the ground, gazing up at the blue sky. The sky was clear, not a single cloud in sight, and the sun's rays streamed powerfully, illuminating every corner of the area.
"That's true, we can't stand losing," added Ven, letting himself fall onto the soft grass. Aqua sighed affectionately as she watched her brothers with a smile on her lips. They were always engrossed in their games and competitions, always wanting to be the fastest, the strongest, the best at everything. It was a constant in their lives.
"If you keep going like this, it might catch up with you one day," Aqua said, laughing, but with a playful tone of concern. Terra and Ven chuckled sheepishly, turning their gazes to Aqua, grateful to have her as a sister and protector in these moments filled with mischief and laughter.
"You should listen to Aqua," spoke a mysterious voice from behind the three friends, immediately capturing their attention. They turned to the source of the voice and found an older man clad in an imposing white robe. He wore pants similar to Terra's and concealed an enigmatic armor underneath his garments.
"We know, Master Eraqus, but Terra and I love to compete. It's our way of showcasing our skills," Ven responded as he stood up and looked towards his master. "Is that wrong?"
"Of course not, Ven. It's alright to compete, but excess of anything is unhealthy," Master Eraqus mentioned with a serene and wise voice.
"I suppose," Ven sighed, reflecting on his master's words.
"Master Eraqus," interjected Terra, rising from the ground and looking at his mentor with determination in his eyes. "When will the exam to become Keyblade Masters be?"
"Huh," uttered Aqua, puzzled by Terra's remark, which caught everyone's attention as they looked at her confused.
"What's wrong, Aqua?" asked Ven, trying to understand his friend's reaction.
"The exam?" said Aqua confused, as the others watched her even more perplexed by her lack of knowledge on the matter.
"Yes, the exam. Did you forget?" Terra clarified, approaching Aqua and giving her a determined gaze. "It's when one of us will become a Keyblade Master," he added with a smile.
"Exactly. You've both been looking forward to this for months," exclaimed Ven, his excitement palpable as he looked towards the master, who nodded in response with a subtle smile. "How could you forget something like this?"
"I-I think something's not right in my head... I was already a Keyblade Master," stammered Aqua, confused. Upon her words, Terra let out a soft laugh, and Ven joined in, incredulous of what they were hearing from Aqua.
"Come on, Aqua, are you already declaring yourself the winner of the exam?" Terra asked, crossing his arms. Meanwhile, Aqua continued with a look of total confusion, not understanding what was happening. Where was she? Why was her deceased master there? Why wasn't she a Keyblade Master? Why was everyone acting so strangely?
"N-no, but..." Aqua tried to say, as she increasingly realized that something was wrong, that the reality she thought she knew was crumbling.
"Aqua, did you hit your head or something?" Ven asked, approaching his two friends and examining Aqua. "You're acting very strange."
"No, of course not... B-but all of this already happened, didn't it?" Aqua mumbled, confused, and everyone looked at her with expressions of confusion, believing she had lost her sanity for everything she was saying. Aqua kept her gaze fixed on the group, desperately awaiting a concrete answer.
"Maybe it's just nerves," Ven shrugged and then gave Terra a playful look accompanied by a mischievous smile. "Or maybe you're like this because you're going to face Terra in a duel for the title of Master," he joked, playfully elbowing Terra. "A battle of sweethearts."
"V-Ven!" Terra exclaimed, blushing, as Ven laughed, and so did their master, who couldn't help but be amused by the situation. "D-don't listen to Ven, Aqua. He's just talking nonsense."
"Sweethearts? Ven, I'm dating Sora, remember?" Aqua reminded him, and Ven looked at her quickly, stopping his laughter. Then, he frowned and crossed his arms.
"Sora?" Ven asked, confused to hear that name.
"Y-yes, Sora, our friend," Aqua said, but the expression of confusion persisted in everyone.
"That name doesn't ring a bell at all," Ven stated, looking at Terra, who was equally puzzled. "Terra, do you know anyone named Sora?"
"Honestly, it doesn't ring a bell at all, Ven," Terra admitted, looking back at Aqua. "Are you sure you're alright, Aqua?"
"Did you get a boyfriend and forget to tell us?" Master Eraqus asked, adding to the puzzling situation.
"I'm fine! You're all wrong. Don't you remember Sora? Yesterday I told you what happened with him," Aqua tried to remember, but her friends simply shook their heads, having no idea who that person was. Gradually, irritation started to surface in Aqua.
"Riku? Xion? Kairi? Axel? Namine? Roxas? Donald? Goofy? Mickey?" Aqua asked, and they shook their heads again, indicating they knew nothing about those names.
"Aqua, are you sick or something?" Terra said, worried about Aqua's behavior.
"I'm fine!" Aqua raised her voice, frustrated by not understanding what was happening and by her friends not recognizing those names.
"Aqua, we don't know who those people you mentioned are, let alone that Sora guy. None of us know him," Ven affirmed, still puzzled by Aqua's behavior. Aqua looked at her master, who also looked confused. What was happening? Eraqus should be dead, not there with them as if nothing had happened. Was she the only one sane in this strange place?
"Aqua, why don't you go to your room and rest for a while? Maybe the sun's rays are affecting you," Eraqus suggested as he approached Aqua and gently took her right shoulder. But Aqua aggressively pulled away his hand and stepped back.
"I told you I'm fine! First of all, you shouldn't be here! You're dead!" Aqua exclaimed, exhausted from trying to make them understand her reality. Her words left everyone stunned. Ven and Terra looked at their master, whose eyes were wide open at what Aqua had said.
"A-Aqua, how can you say that to Master Eraqus?" Terra spoke, surprised by Aqua's words. Master Eraqus simply remained silent, processing everything that was happening.
"No! Don't you understand? Am I the only one who finds all of this strange?" Aqua asked, becoming increasingly agitated. She didn't understand what was happening. It was as if the world she knew was crumbling with every passing second, as if reality was being altered, as if she was somehow trapped in the past or as if all of this was a strange illusion.
"A-Aqua, I insist you're not well. We don't know any of the people you mentioned. Maybe it was all just a product of your imagination," Ven tried to reason as Aqua shook her head with determination. That was impossible.
"No, of course not. My friends were not a product of my imagination, and certainly not Sora. The only strange thing here is all of this," Aqua denied. Nothing she was experiencing was a figment of her imagination. Her friends were real, Sora was real.
"A-Aqua, just calm down. Nobody here knows what you're talking about," Terra said, visibly concerned about Aqua's behavior.
"What's all this commotion?" a senior voice asked with annoyance, approaching the group. His words resonated with authority and a displeased expression on his face. "I can hear all your shouting from my office. What's happening now? And why do you have that expression, Eraqus?"
"N-no..." Aqua whispered as her eyes focused on the figure from which the voice came. She was instantly frozen, feeling every limb of her body trembling. By instinct, she took two steps back, distancing herself. No, it was impossible. He couldn't be there. Sora had defeated him. It was not possible for him to be there as if nothing had happened. "X-Xehanort."
"Uh," Xehanort stopped once he was close to the group and looked at Aqua, examining her. He deduced that she was the cause of all the commotion. "What's wrong with you now, Aqua? Are you the one causing this uproar?" Aqua didn't respond and instead remained still. She was petrified, her body not reacting, and she felt the oxygen starting to become scarce. "I'm talking to you, girl," Xehanort continued, but Aqua still didn't respond until he grew tired and decided to approach her to find out what was wrong with her. When he was only a few steps away, Aqua's body reacted again, and she quickly stepped back, extending her right hand and menacingly pointing her Keyblade at Xehanort, as an instinct of defense.
"D-don't come any closer!" Aqua exclaimed, fear evident in her voice.
"Aqua," this time it was Master Eraqus who raised his voice seriously, snapping out of his astonishment from Aqua's earlier words. "What do you think you're doing? Xehanort hasn't done anything to harm you. Lower your Keyblade this instant."
"No!" Aqua quickly refused, feeling her body start to sweat even more as Xehanort stood before her. "E-everything here is wrong!"
"You insolent girl, that's not how Eraqus and I raised you. Lower that Keyblade right now!" scolded Xehanort, staring intently at Aqua with a completely serious expression. The mere sight of those eyes paralyzed Aqua, so she quickly averted her gaze and looked away, with no intention of locking eyes with Xehanort again.
"S-s-stay back! This isn't the real world! You're not real! Nothing here is real! It's all a stupid nightmare!" Aqua shouted, and as she did, the sky quickly began to turn a dark purple in her eyes. She looked back in front of her, but now everything had changed. Xehanort had a macabre smile on his face, while behind him were Ven, Terra, and her master, but they were completely transformed compared to a few moments ago. Ven lay on the grass, seemingly asleep, Terra stood with his head bowed, but his hair was now pure white, and their master was lying on the ground, apparently lifeless.
"You can't escape her..." Aqua froze as she felt two hands grab her shoulders from behind. "Darkness is something you can't save yourself from, Aqua. It will chase you for all eternity. You can only succumb to it. Nothing and no one can save you from it." Aqua saw her other self, the dark Aqua, the one with white hair, yellow eyes, darker skin, and reddish hands, standing by her right side. The dark Aqua subtly but maliciously caressed Aqua's shoulders and neck and then placed her left hand on top of Aqua's hand, the one holding her Keyblade, and slowly forced her to lower it, making it disappear.
"Y-you again," Aqua said, paralyzed.
"Shh," Anti-Aqua interrupted, her right hand caressing Aqua's chin and then taking it to make her look into her eyes. "Your destiny with darkness was written from the beginning... Not even he can help you."
"N-No, l-let me go, y-you're just a product of my imagination, n-none of this is real," Aqua pleaded, trembling more and more.
"Isn't it? Or are you refusing to believe that it's real?" Anti-Aqua asked with a malicious voice.
"I-I'm sure this is not real," Aqua nervously admitted.
"And what if it's not? What if you're still in the Realm of Darkness? Doesn't that intrigue you? Many times you had hallucinations in that world because the reality you believe to be real would be different," Anti-Aqua questioned.
"L-Let go of me, let me go," Aqua pleaded once more.
"Well, I will," Anti-Aqua said, releasing Aqua's chin and leaning closer to her ear to whisper, "No matter how hard you try... You can never escape."
"!" Aqua opened her eyes wide, her agitated breath filling the silence of the room. She quickly sat up on the edge of the bed, bringing her trembling hands to her face. There, she could feel the cold drops of sweat mixed with tears running down her skin. She observed her hands, which continued to shake, revealing the state of anguish that invaded her at that moment. She silently thanked herself for restraining from letting out a scream that could have woken Terra or Ven, her roommates.
"Why are they coming back?" Aqua wondered as the nightmares returned to haunt her without an apparent explanation. She had forgotten how awful that feeling of fear that took over her body was. A feeling she hoped to never experience again in her life.
She looked towards the window and saw that the night still reigned outside. Then, she shifted her attention to the wall clock, whose hands pointed to half past three in the morning. It was a late hour, and Aqua plunged into a moment of silence as her eyes roamed the sheets of her bed, recalling the details of the disturbing nightmare that had troubled her. The strangeness of that dream overwhelmed her. Why, after so long, did those nightmares come back? What had triggered them again? Why now, when she was in one of the happiest moments of her life, did this problem arise? Was there any truth to the belief that when one felt the happiest, something tried to snatch that happiness away?
"I don't want to go back to sleep..." Aqua whispered, flatly refusing the possibility of closing her eyes and letting another nightmare take over her mind. Fear enveloped her completely. She decided to sit on the edge of the bed and calmly wipe her tears, trying to regain her composure. Her eyes landed on her gummiphone, resting on the nightstand. Perhaps if she called him, she could find solace in him. After all, he had told her she could turn to him in times of need or when something happened. Aqua quickly grabbed the device, but then hesitated. "No, he's probably sleeping. Besides, I don't want to cause him more worries because of me..." she whispered while holding the gummiphone. She felt a strong need to call him and hear his comforting voice, assuring her that everything would be alright and calming her amidst her distress. However, she feared worrying him even more. Just this morning, he had already shown concern for her and her recurring nightmares.
"Hmm..." Aqua grumbled, hesitating for a moment before dialing the number on her gummiphone. She reconsidered not doing it. Was she really about to call him just because of a nightmare? Would she be able to interrupt his sleep for something so insignificant? She knew it was wrong, that calling him just to ask something like that was inappropriate. She knew that very well, but she needed to hear him, even if only for a moment.
Sora lay deeply asleep in his bed, with a smile drawn on his face. He seemed to be enjoying a pleasant dream, like most of his dreams. However, his sweet rest was abruptly interrupted by the loud sound of the gummiphone, which resonated throughout the room.
"Hmm..." Sora grumbled, grabbing the bed sheets and wrapping himself in them, trying to muffle the noise of the device and avoid waking up completely. But unfortunately for him, the sound of the gummiphone seemed to persist relentlessly.
"Who the heck is calling me at this hour?" Sora grumbled in annoyance at being torn from his sleep, as he sat up on the bed. Then, he looked towards the nightstand where his gummiphone rested. He picked it up and glanced at the screen to see who was calling. "Aqua?" he murmured to himself, surprised to see the name of the person calling him. Without hesitation, he decided to answer Aqua's call immediately, not caring about interrupting his sleep or the possible consequences.
"Sora?" Aqua whispered, as Sora remained confused by this call, and he could only wonder if something had happened.
"Sora, is that you? What's going on?" Sora asked in a drowsy voice, indicating that he had just woken up. Still, his tone also reflected concern for the girl on the other end of the line.
"Were you sleeping? I'm sorry for waking you up, forgive me," Aqua apologized.
"It's okay, Aqua. Tell me, what's going on? Are you okay?" Sora said, worried that something might have happened. It wasn't normal for Aqua to call him at this hour, and it could only mean that something was wrong.
"Well... I just needed to hear your voice, that's all," Aqua admitted, and in response, Sora was quite puzzled. Did Aqua really wake him up at three in the morning just to hear his voice? There had to be another reason behind this because, honestly, it was very strange.
"Just that?" Sora asked, confused.
"Well, it's also because I had a nightmare, and well..." Aqua murmured in a low voice.
"Of course it's for that," Sora mentioned. He knew it wouldn't be right not to worry about her. Exactly as he feared, Aqua had a nightmare, and he wasn't there with her. "Are you okay?"
"Sort of... I don't know, it was so strange and terrifying at the same time," Aqua mentioned as she clutched her gummiphone with both hands, recalling that strange and macabre nightmare. "I-I thought calling you might calm me down a little..."
"I wish I could be there with you right now..." Sora mentioned somewhat sadly, knowing that Aqua wasn't feeling well, and he couldn't be there with her. He could only help her from his home through a call, which certainly wasn't the same as being in person. "What did you dream about?"
"It was very strange... It felt like I was back in the past, the exam, Master Eraqus, Xehanort," Aqua explained, and Sora could only hear the muted and somewhat trembling voice of Aqua on the other end of the line as she spoke. It definitely wasn't a good dream, and he deduced that it was even worse than the one from this morning. "Sora... Why am I having nightmares again? Everything was going so well, I was so happy, and..."
"Hey, calm down, Aqua," Sora quickly interrupted before Aqua could start overthinking and questioning her own happiness, which he definitely didn't like. It only made Aqua more and more pessimistic about herself. "Relax, it was just a dream, okay? Everything is fine. Xehanort is gone, Ven and Terra are okay, you're okay, everyone is okay."
"I know, but I'm afraid to close my eyes and go back to that place again," Aqua said, referring to the Realm of Darkness. "The darkness follows me wherever I go, it doesn't leave me alone."
"Aqua..." Sora said, and he fell silent, his eyes showing sadness and compassion for Aqua as he heard her say that. "I know it's difficult, but try not to dwell on it. How about I come to your place tomorrow?"
"Are you sure?" Aqua asked.
"Of course, I'll help you distract yourself, okay?" Sora said with a slight smile.
"I guess that's okay," Aqua said, smiling a little too. Having Sora by her side would be nice; she liked the idea.
"Perfect. Until then, try not to think about it, and if something happens again, don't hesitate to call me. You know I'll always be there when you need me," Sora explained.
"Yes, thank you, Sora. Really," Aqua said.
"It's nothing, Aqua. I do it because I care a lot about you. See you tomorrow. I love you," Sora explained and said goodbye.
"Until tomorrow, Sora... I love you too," Aqua said goodbye as well.
Aqua hung up the call and then questioned whether it was a good idea to call Sora. In a sense, it worked a little as she felt less paranoid after talking to him. However, she was now certain that Sora would be very worried about her, even more than before. Although she still felt somewhat scared, she lay down on her bed and stared at the ceiling for several minutes. The only sound in the room was the constant ticking of the clock, which seemed to resonate in her mind.
Aqua was still trapped in her nightmares, despite Sora's words urging her to stop thinking about them. Each nightmare was more chilling than the last. She supposed it was inevitable since the Realm of Darkness left her with several lingering effects and traumas. One of them was her fear of darkness. Just walking down a completely dark hallway or even thinking about similar situations terrified her. Moreover, the mere thought of Xehanort filled her with fear and made her body tremble. However, what haunted her the most was the constant fear that all of this was an illusion and that she was still trapped in the Realm of Darkness. Just the slightest possibility of that idea terrified her immensely.
That's why every time she was with Sora, those fears completely disappeared. She knew she could rely on him for help. When she was with him, she felt safe and protected. So, whenever she felt afraid, she would remember Sora to gather the necessary courage and push away those dark thoughts from her mind. Sora was, so to speak, her refuge and safe place, where she knew everything would be alright. However, despite all that, she felt terrible for causing Sora so much worry. He had mentioned it himself on the balcony the night before. He wanted to rest, and at that moment, the least he was doing was resting. He only worried, worried, and worried. She felt extremely guilty about it. Sora definitely didn't need to worry about her anymore. Perhaps she should let him handle it on his own.
Tomorrow, she would try to clear that fact from her mind once again. Aqua convinced herself that Sora no longer needed to worry about her. He deserved to be happy and at peace, and her problems should take a backseat. After all, Sora's goal was to be her boyfriend, right? Aqua felt like it no longer mattered, that her problems, traumas, and internal conflicts should no longer affect Sora. Now, he should only worry about himself and his own happiness. At least, that's what Aqua thought.
With a sigh, Aqua slowly opened her eyes as the rays of the sun illuminated her face. She realized she had fallen asleep due to her constant thinking and worrying after talking to Sora. She stayed for a moment, gazing at the ceiling without any apparent reason, lost in her own thoughts. However, a spark of hope and anticipation ignited within her as she remembered that Sora would come to see her today.
Determined to set aside her worries for a moment, she got out of bed and went downstairs to the living room.
Sora got up from his bed, being hit by the strong rays of sun that filtered through the curtains. He stretched and yawned, feeling slightly more awake. He sat on the edge of the bed and pondered for a moment. One didn't have to be a mind reader to know what Sora was thinking about. His mind was filled with thoughts about Aqua and how she was doing. Since that late-night call he had received, he had been quite worried about her.
He decided it was time to call her and make sure everything was alright. But before that, he thought that maybe Aqua would be busy or having breakfast with Terra and Ventus. So, he opted to join Riku and Kairi for breakfast before making the call. He wanted to make sure Aqua was calm and happy, and he would do everything he could to achieve that.
"Good morning," greeted Sora as he approached the table where Riku and Kairi were enjoying their cereal.
"Good morning, Sora," Riku and Kairi responded in unison as Sora took a deep bowl and served himself some cereal with milk. Then he sat at the table with his friends and started eating.
"Remember that today is your turn to cook," Kairi reminded him, while Riku just nodded.
Speaking of which... I'm not sure if I can do it," said Sora with some concern in his voice.
"What? Why?" asked Riku, confused, just like Kairi.
"I promised Aqua I would go to her place today," Sora explained without giving further details.
"I see... But why? I mean, didn't you just have a date?" Kairi asked, visibly puzzled.
"Yes, but it's for something important," mumbled Sora without revealing more information. Riku noticed the expression on his friend's face and got an idea of what it could be. He nodded in response and then said:
"Don't worry, Sora. It's fine, I'll cook today, Kairi."
"Okay, sure," Kairi replied with a shrug, not making a big deal out of it.
While they enjoyed their usual breakfast, they continued chatting about trivial matters until they finished. Then, Sora decided to take a bath and put on clean clothes before visiting Aqua. Before leaving, he made sure to call her to let her know he was on his way. Aqua briefly replied that she was fine and would be waiting for him. Without further delay, Sora said goodbye to Riku and Kairi before boarding his gummy ship and speeding away from the Destiny Islands.
During the journey, Sora reflected on how to approach the topic of Aqua's nightmares. It was a complex issue, as it originated in Aqua's own mind. Although he couldn't come up with a concrete solution at that moment, he was determined to do everything possible to help her overcome those nightmares. Perhaps he could reach out to Terra or Ventus and consult with them about it, as they surely knew how to face such situations and could provide their support.
On the other hand, Sora was considering the possibility of being straightforward with Aqua. He knew she avoided talking in-depth about that topic, or at least didn't want to do it with him. He understood it was a delicate matter, but if Aqua didn't explain in detail how she felt, he couldn't provide the help she needed. Maybe he should find a way to make his girlfriend open up and share her feelings.
Upon further reflection, Sora realized that Aqua hadn't been very open about her emotions. Although she had revealed some things, like that night when they made a promise, Aqua hadn't gone into much detail. She always expressed her feelings in a general way, avoiding going into specifics. Sora wasn't satisfied with that because he wanted to help her and make Aqua feel secure by his side. He longed for her to be able to express herself confidently about her problems and feelings, beyond simple phrases like "I'm scared." Only then could he understand how to deal with the situation and take care of her in the best possible way.
After a long journey, Sora descended from his gummy ship on the Land of Departure. "Uh," Sora exclaimed, seeing Aqua in front of him with a lovely smile on her face while she sat on the last step of the stairs leading to her home. "Were you waiting for me?" Sora asked, smiling slightly as Aqua approached him, visibly happy to see him.
"Yes, I couldn't wait, so I came here to await you," Aqua admitted, and Sora just chuckled at that. He found it incredibly adorable that Aqua was waiting for him there. "I really needed you to be here," Aqua affectionately mentioned as she approached Sora and hugged him, holding onto him tightly but lovingly. Aqua closed her eyes, feeling like she was in the clouds in Sora's embrace.
"About last night?" Sora asked, and Aqua only nodded in response. "Don't worry, I'm here now. I'll make you forget all about that," Sora lovingly mentioned. "So today, I don't want to see any sad expression on your face, understood?"
"Mm-hmm," Aqua murmured softly, still immersed in her own world without letting go of Sora, who just chuckled softly at this.
"Where's Terra and Ven? I'd like to greet them too," Sora mentioned.
"They're inside the house," Aqua replied, finally letting go of Sora to look into his blue eyes. "Come, I'll take you to them to let them know you came."
"That sounds perfect," Sora said, and Aqua took his hand to lead him to her home. Sora smiled subtly at the joy on Aqua's face. She seemed genuinely happy to see him, which pleased him for several reasons. At least today, Aqua wouldn't be sad. Although Sora had planned to talk a little about the nightmares Aqua had been having, he would decide when the right time would be to address that issue. For now, he just wanted to make sure she was alright.
"Terra, Ven, Sora is here," Aqua announced as she entered the living room, with Sora holding her hand. Both boys, sitting on the couch, looked at them.
To say that Sora was nervous would be an understatement. It was evident that Aqua had already told them about their relationship. Terra and Ven were like brothers to Aqua, and vice versa. Sora knew how much they cared for each other, but he didn't know how they would react to his presence now that he was Aqua's partner. He could only imagine both of them getting up from the couch and walking towards him and Aqua until they were standing in front of them.
"Sora, it's good to see you," Terra said, smiling slightly.
"Yes, Aqua has already told us everything," added Ven, with a big smile on his face. Sora returned them a nervous smile.
"That's great, guys," Sora responded, smiling slightly as he felt the nerves running through his body.
"I hope you take good care of Aqua," Ven mentioned, looking at him seriously. Sora quickly nodded in response.
"Don't worry, Ven. You know Sora will take care of Aqua," Terra intervened, putting his right hand on Ven's shoulder and smiling at him.
"It's just a precaution," Ven argued, causing a small laugh from both Aqua and Terra.
"Sora and I will be in the garden in case you need us," Aqua mentioned cheerfully, and Ven and Terra nodded in response.
"Of course, Ven and I will take care of preparing lunch, right, Ven?" Terra said, smiling as he glanced at Ven, who nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, don't worry. When you come back, you'll be amazed by our cooking," Ven stated with determination. Aqua nodded in response.
"Alright then, we'll be back in a while," Aqua concluded, leaving the house with Sora. Both Terra and Ven smiled at seeing Aqua's excitement at having Sora there in her home. Although it hadn't been much time since they last saw each other, perhaps it was the love that had her so animated.
"Wow, hey Aqua, let's slow down," Sora requested, trying to hold Aqua back as she was walking quite fast towards the garden after saying goodbye to Terra and Ven, while still holding his hand.
"Sorry," Aqua apologized, somewhat embarrassed, slowing down until she came to a complete stop, looking at Sora. "I'm just happy you're here. It's silly, I know. It's not like we haven't spent enough time together..."
Aqua admitted that she loved having Sora there with her, and it filled her with happiness. With him, she could feel alive and happier than ever. As she had pointed out on previous occasions, Sora was her refuge, her special place where she could be herself. When he wasn't around, she felt sad and lonely, which is why she was so excited.
"Don't say that, it's not silly at all. It's beautiful that you want to spend time with me, Aqua," Sora said with a little laugh escaping his lips.
"I'm really sorry, I don't want to be so bothersome to you," Aqua apologized again. She was new to this, hadn't had much experience with romantic relationships, and didn't want Sora to perceive her as someone overly annoying or clingy.
"You'll never be bothersome to me. Why would I even think that the person I love could be bothersome to me? That's completely absurd, Aqua," declared Sora, smiling faintly as he let go of Aqua's hand, only to take it again, this time intertwining their fingers. "You'll never be bothersome to me at all."
"If you say so," Aqua sighed, and with that, they continued walking a bit more until they reached Aqua's garden, this time at a slower pace and without rushing. Sora was once again amazed at the beautiful place full of flowers. He would swear there were even more flowers than the last time he was there.
He watched as Aqua carefully walked among the flowers after letting go of his hand. He simply stood there, looking at her with a subtle and tender smile, and then he saw Aqua gesturing with her right hand for him to come closer to her. Sora carefully stepped into the flowers, following Aqua, who began to walk just a few steps more until they reached a secluded area with only one blue rose, which they both loved.
Aqua sat down on the grass to the right of the blue rose and then patted the left side of the grass, indicating to Sora to sit beside her. Sora simply obeyed and sat right next to Aqua on the right side.
"I must say, this garden looks even more beautiful than last time," Sora said, glancing at Aqua, who didn't take her eyes off the flowers in front of her.
"Thank you, I put a lot of effort into making everything look lovely and vibrant," Aqua whispered, with a subtle warm smile. "This place gives me so much peace. I told you last time, this is my little special space where I feel calm."
"I know..." Sora said no more, and they both remained silent for a few seconds after that. Sora didn't know what to say and thought that maybe this was the right moment to talk about Aqua's nightmares. What better place than this to address that issue? He knew Aqua was expecting him to ask about it, so better late than never. It was time to tackle this topic.
"This... do you want to talk about it?" Sora asked, referring to Aqua's nightmares. He saw how Aqua sighed and then shook her head.
"I really don't want to," Aqua murmured, refusing to talk about that topic.
"I just want you to tell me everything about it, Aqua. When you told me you had nightmares, I thought they were just regular nightmares. I never expected them to be this intense," Sora explained, kindly requesting. Aqua let out a small groan upon hearing that. She didn't want to, she didn't want to keep worrying Sora.
"Sora, I don't want to, I don't feel comfortable talking about that," Aqua clarified, turning her attention to the boy with her gaze, who just remained silent.
"But... I just wanted to know, you know, are they always like this? I mean, do you always wake up like this after a nightmare?" Sora kept trying, and Aqua sighed at Sora's questions. It seemed that Sora wasn't going to stop until she told him some things.
"Well, can I be honest with you? What you saw yesterday could be considered mild compared to other times," Aqua finally responded.
"What?" Sora asked.
"Many times, Terra would come into my room at night to wake me up. I would scream in my sleep quite loudly. I don't exactly know what I was screaming or saying while I slept, all I remembered upon waking up was something related to the dream I had. Mostly, it was me in the Realm of Darkness. Nothing else, just that scared me. But now... now they're more confusing. Someone tells me that I'll never be okay, that I'll never escape the darkness, that it's chasing me... that all of this is actually my hallucination, one more of the many I had in the Realm of Darkness," Aqua whispered, as Sora looked into her eyes, now sad and filled with fear, no matter where he looked at them. It hurt to see her like this, to see her so scared and sad was the worst thing he could witness in his life. Did Aqua really endure that every night? All alone?
"Is there anything else I should know?" Sora asked.
"Sora..." Aqua murmured his name, trying to avoid further questions.
"Please," Sora pleaded, and Aqua sighed again.
"I guess the fact about Xehanort... Last night, I dreamt of him. I looked into his eyes, those yellow eyes, that smile... That sinister gaze," Aqua explained, hugging her knees while Sora continued to hold her. She buried her face in her legs, remembering Xehanort and feeling a shiver running through her whole body. The memories of the nightmares came back once again. Usually, dreams are forgotten shortly after waking up, if only that were the case for Aqua and she could forget those nightmares. Unfortunately, she remembered every tiny detail of all her nightmares with precision, not forgetting any. She hated it, she really hated not being able to forget.
"Aqua... is there anything I can do to help you?" Sora said with a calm and caring voice, reflecting assurance and love towards Aqua. "I want to help you, let me help you, okay?"
"You've already helped me so much... I don't want to burden you anymore, you've done enough, Sora," Aqua explained, looking at him with gratitude and concern.
"You're not a burden, Aqua. You'll never be a hindrance, a problem, a bother, or anything like that," Sora expressed firmly, seeking to convey his sincerity and affection. Aqua listened attentively and obeyed, slowly lifting her gaze towards Sora. Their eyes met, and in Sora's eyes, Aqua could see deep concern, compassion, and kindness.
"You're my girlfriend, my partner, the person I love the most in this world. When I asked if I could be by your side yesterday, I promised myself that I would take care of you and wouldn't let anything bad happen to you. I will never leave you alone," Sora continued with determination. "No matter how many times you say that I've done too much for you, it won't be enough for me. I want to do so much, too many things for you. There will never be enough things I have to do to see you happy. I just want to take care of you. Let me help you, please."
Aqua remained silent, feeling overwhelmed by all this. She cursed herself for not being able to deal with her problems on her own. Now she felt like she was causing trouble for Sora. Sora was supposed to have decided to be with her to be happy, but so far, all he had experienced was worry and sadness. It seemed like she was transferring her sadness to him, and she didn't want that. She didn't want any more help from Sora. She felt like he needed rest and tranquility. She didn't want him to worry about her anymore. After all, they were already a couple. That's what Sora wanted, right? He didn't need to help her anymore. Sora had already fulfilled his purpose with her.
"Oh, how about we go for a walk in the woods for a bit?" Aqua said cheerfully as she got up from the ground, completely changing the subject and leaving Sora's previous words hanging in the air.
"Aqua, but..." Sora tried to get back to the previous topic of conversation, but Aqua had already headed out of the garden and was calling him to follow her.
Sora sighed sadly and got up from the ground slowly. Did Aqua not trust him now? She didn't respond to his words, which made him wonder why Aqua didn't want his help. Nevertheless, he wasn't going to give up. He was determined to insist as many times as necessary. He just wanted to help his girlfriend. Was that so wrong?
Sora decided to let the pending topic go for the moment and followed Aqua through the forest to enjoy a little walk without delving further into the conversation. As they walked, the tensions between them gradually dissipated. Smiles returned to their faces, and joy and laughter filled the air as they shared stories and experiences.
Aqua told Sora about the latest books she had read and shared curious and amusing anecdotes that had happened to her during the short time they were apart. Although it had only been a day since they had reunited, they had little time together to catch up, but every word they shared was gratifying and entertaining to them.
They decided to take a break and sat under a large tree in the middle of the forest. Aqua settled on the green grass and leaned her back against the tree trunk. Sora settled down beside her on her right, and silence enveloped them as they enjoyed the breeze and the peaceful sounds of the forest.
Aqua rested her head on Sora's shoulder for greater comfort, and he remained silent, lost in his thoughts. He wondered if it would be a good idea to continue insisting on the topic that worried Aqua so much. It seemed obvious that she didn't want to talk about it, but what else could he do? He had always been there to help her at all times. Why should it be different now? He just wanted to take care of Aqua, was that so bad?
Questions continued to churn in his mind, and he yearned to understand why Aqua rejected his help at that moment. He needed at least an explanation to fully comprehend her.
"Aqua..." Sora whispered her name with a mix of sadness and puzzlement in his voice.
"Sora, I already told you..." Aqua tried to interject, but was quickly interrupted by him. "But I can't leave it like this. I'm worried, that's all. Why don't you want to talk about it with me?"
Aqua remained silent as her mind immersed in reflection. Why didn't she want to talk about it? The answer was simple: she didn't want to worry him even more. Was that so hard to understand?
"What about if we go to a lake I know?" Aqua tried to change the subject again as she stood up from the ground and stopped leaning her head on Sora's shoulder. "It's just a few steps away, but if we hurry, we'll get there."
However, Sora took her wrist to prevent her from walking away. "Aqua, stop avoiding me," he requested with seriousness but in a calm manner. "I just want to talk. Why don't you want to listen to me?"
"I already told you what I had to tell you, Sora," Aqua clarified calmly as she kept her gaze fixed on him. "That's it."
"No, that's not it," Sora emphasized, and Aqua sighed resignedly.
"Sora, let it go," Aqua grumbled as she freed herself from his grasp and finally stood up. Sora decided to follow suit and stood up as well, watching Aqua take a few more steps forward.
"Why? You're my girlfriend, I worry about you, and it feels strange that suddenly you don't want to talk about your problems, especially when our relationship has been based on that since we first met," Sora explained calmly, trying
"That's the problem," Aqua said as she kept her gaze fixed on Sora's eyes. "Our relationship has been solely about me, my damn traumas. I don't want that anymore. It's no longer necessary for you to worry about me and my problems."
"But why? Why do you want to push me away now? I don't understand. I've been helping you all this time, and now you're asking me not to?" asked Sora, confused, desperately seeking an explanation.
"Yes, I don't want your help anymore," Aqua clarified, leaving Sora perplexed. "I want you to stop."
"But... why?" Sora asked, unable to fully grasp the situation.
"Because it's not right," Aqua responded firmly. "I can deal with this on my own. I don't need your help."
Her words hung in the air, leaving a tense silence between them. Sora was overwhelmed with a flood of conflicting emotions: the desire to protect Aqua, the frustration of not understanding her motives, and the fear of losing her. What did all this mean for their relationship? How could he move forward when he was being asked to step away from someone he loved so deeply?
The nearby lake seemed to have lost its appeal, now overshadowed by the confusion and conflict that invaded his thoughts.
Aqua understood one thing with absolute certainty: if she wanted Sora to stop helping her, she had to be direct and firm. Simply saying "I don't want to worry you" wouldn't be enough to make Sora stop. She needed to use stronger, somewhat harsh words, but without going so far as to yell at him in anger or insult him. She would never do that. Instead, she would talk calmly and lovingly, making it clear that she didn't want his help. This way, Sora would understand, stop worrying, and focus on other things. Both could move forward, happy, as if nothing had happened. However, this was also difficult for her. Talking to Sora like this wasn't her style, but Sora needed to understand, one way or another. After all, she would give him a kiss to calm him down, and everything would be resolved.
"What? Why are you telling me this now?" asked Sora, visibly confused. Aqua was suddenly acting strange, and he didn't understand why she didn't want his help now. Had he done something wrong? Had he been too insistent? Was he being annoying?
"Because I simply don't want to, period," Aqua clarified without further ado. "You've helped me a lot, and I truly appreciate it, but I don't want to keep receiving your help. You've done enough, and that's it. I don't want you to help me, I don't want you to worry about me, and least of all, I don't want you to be burdened by me."
"But... Aqua," Sora tried to say, not understanding this abrupt change in her attitude. Although Aqua wasn't being aggressive or yelling at him, the words she spoke stirred a strange feeling in his heart that he couldn't comprehend.
"But nothing, Sora, it's enough," Aqua interrupted him. "Your goal was to become my boyfriend, right? So why keep up with that help?"
"Then, if you didn't want me to help you, why did you call me last night?" asked Sora, as Aqua looked away for a moment. Being honest, of course she called him because she needed his help, but it was a mistake to do so. By calling him, she started to worry him more than necessary, and that wasn't right. So that's what happened.
"It was a mistake" Aqua clarified, and Sora remained silent as he listened to her words. "It was just that, a silly mistake. I shouldn't have called you or explained what was happening to me. It won't happen again."
The atmosphere became filled with unresolved tension as Sora struggled to process Aqua's words. Confusion and longing reflected in his eyes, but Aqua remained steadfast in her decision. She believed this was for the best, that distancing themselves from her problems would strengthen their relationship in other aspects. However, as she observed the pained expression on Sora's face, doubts began to stir within her. Had she made the right decision?
"I... I understand," Sora finally murmured, lowering his gaze slightly. Aqua watched him and gave a faint smile, seeing that Sora understood her point. She approached him and placed a gentle kiss on his right cheek.
"Good boy. I'm glad you understand, Sora," Aqua said as she held his hand. "Come on, how about we go back to Terra and Ventus?"
"Yes, that would be best," Sora replied, trying to put on his best smile for Aqua, who nodded sweetly and began to walk beside him.
During the walk back, Sora and Aqua resumed the conversation. Well, more precisely, Aqua talked, and Sora remained silent, still processing her words. Seriously? He couldn't believe Aqua had told him all that. Although she wasn't aggressive or insulting, her words hurt him deeply. Did she really consider seeking his help a mistake? He couldn't believe that Aqua firmly believed that asking for his help had been a mistake. It hurt him to the core. Supposedly, he was there to help her, take care of her, protect her. While his desire to be with her went beyond just being her boyfriend, it was never his main goal. He always wanted to ensure her safety, which is why he decided to get to know her better and be by her side. It wasn't because he wanted to be her boyfriend and that's it.
Did Aqua really believe his help was solely about being her boyfriend? Seriously? How could Aqua think that of him? It would be taking advantage of a person, and he didn't want that. He never tried to take advantage of Aqua's vulnerability to get closer to her. Did Aqua really believe that of him? Did she really think he was capable of acting that way? Seriously... Did she really see him as that kind of person?
Doubts and pain piled up in Sora's heart as he walked alongside Aqua.
After a short walk, they arrived home, and upon opening the door, the irresistible smell of food enveloped them. They walked to the dining area and saw Terra arranging some dishes with food on the table. They had arrived just in time for the meal.
Terra invited them to sit down, and they did so. Shortly after, Ventus returned from the kitchen with drinks, and everyone began to eat calmly, chatting and conversing. Although everything seemed fine, both Terra and Ventus noticed something strange in Sora. They may not have known Sora deeply, but they knew his personality. Despite joining the conversations and laughing from time to time, his expression seemed subdued, as if he were trying to hide his true feelings. Something was worrying or saddening him, and that was unusual. Had something happened? Aqua seemed fine, in fact, she looked very happy. Both Terra and Ventus wondered what was going on with Sora. They decided to let it go for now, but if the situation persisted, they would talk to him. Perhaps something had happened that he didn't want to share with anyone, not even Aqua.
After finishing the meal, Terra got up from the table and began to collect the empty plates and glasses from his friends to take them to the kitchen. Today was his turn to wash the dishes, after all. As the water ran and the sound of the plates gently clinking echoed in the kitchen, Terra immersed himself in his thoughts. He glanced at Sora, noticing his subdued expression again. Perhaps it was time to approach him and ask what was going on. Terra wanted to help his friend if something was affecting him, as they had always been there for each other. But he knew he had to be patient and wait for the right moment to address the issue with sensitivity and understanding.
"Let me help you," Sora said as he stood up and approached Terra with his completely empty plate and glass.
"Don't worry, Sora, I can handle it," Terra replied. There was no need for Sora to help; after all, he was their guest.
"Yeah, don't worry, Sora, you don't have to do that," Aqua chimed in. But Sora shook his head slightly.
"I've spent a lot of time in your home, let me help," Sora insisted, taking the dirty dishes and empty glasses from Terra's hands.
"Alright, but let me help you then," Terra sighed, and Sora simply nodded as they both headed to the kitchen to start the task, leaving Ventus and Aqua alone in the dining area.
The kitchen fell into complete silence, only the sound of water running from the faucet could be heard. Sora was focused and lost in his thoughts as he washed the dirty dishes. As he washed them, he handed them to Terra to dry and put away. Besides wanting to help with the chore, Sora also longed for a little time to think and reflect more on Aqua's words. Just a little more, as he couldn't stop turning in his head the fact that she really wanted him to stop worrying about her and that asking for his help had been a mistake. That was what affected him the most.
Perhaps Aqua didn't say it with the intention of making him feel bad. She would never do such a thing. However, unintentionally, her words had a much greater impact than anyone could have imagined. Words have a remarkable power over people, whether they are good or bad. You just have to be careful about how you express yourself to those you love, and it seems that Aqua didn't do it in the best way.
"Thanks for helping, Sora, but I said I could do it myself, buddy," Terra spoke while drying one of the plates Sora had handed him, expecting a response that never came.
"Sora," Terra asked, but still received no answer. "Hey, are you listening?"
Terra gave Sora a small nudge to snap him out of his thoughts, and it worked. Sora blinked several times as he returned to reality.
"Oh, yeah, sorry," Sora smiled faintly, feeling embarrassed. Terra made a small expression of confusion at Sora's very unusual behavior. It wasn't normal to see him so quiet for so long.
"Hey, are you okay?" Terra asked.
"Me? Pff, of course, I'm fine," Sora said with cheerfulness in his voice, but Terra wasn't entirely convinced.
"Are you sure? I noticed you seemed a bit down earlier," Terra clarified.
"Me? Must be your imagination, Terra. I'm not down," Sora kept insisting.
"Did something happen? Is it related to Aqua?" Terra asked again, and Sora fell silent for a moment.
While his original plan was to talk to Terra and Ventus about Aqua's problems, now, after she scolded him for doing so, he didn't know if he should or not. Should he ask? Or should he stay silent? He didn't want Aqua to be angry with him. Perhaps he was being too bothersome with that topic.
Is he really the problem? Maybe he's worrying too much about Aqua, but it's inevitable. What should he do?
"No, it's nothing..." Sora murmured as he washed the last dirty dish and handed it to Terra. These problems are his and Aqua's, no one else should know about them. He's the one being a total idiot with Aqua. She's strong and doesn't need him to always take care of her. He's just a paranoid fool who's bothering her too much.
"Sora, but..." Terra tried to continue the conversation, but Sora was already walking towards the kitchen exit.
"Come on, let's join Aqua and Ventus," Sora smiled as he left Terra behind, who just stayed silent, thinking about Sora's attitude. Something is not right, and he knows it.
"Maybe Aqua knows what's going on with him," Terra muttered as he dried the last dish. He will ask Aqua about it when Sora is gone. While Sora's attitude doesn't seem to be something worrying, it's strange.
The day went on as usual. Sora, Aqua, Ventus, and Terra explored the surroundings of Land of Departure. They visited the forest, the small lake Aqua had talked about long before, and had a lot of fun. There were games and laughter, but despite all that, Terra kept analyzing Sora's attitude. Even when he seemed cheerful, he looked sad deep inside. Terra didn't understand what was really happening to him. Ventus tried to inquire more about it and tried to talk to Sora, but he received the same response as Terra: nothing. Sora seems to not want to talk about the issue even with Ventus, despite the trust they have.
"Hey, Aqua," Terra called out to his friend, who was standing near a tree watching Ventus and Sora, who were playfully sparring with their Keyblades as a way to pass the time.
While Terra wanted to talk about this when Sora wasn't present, he couldn't wait any longer to find out what was going on. He knew Aqua must know something about it. Besides, at that moment, Sora was too far away and distracted to overhear them.
"What's going on, Terra?" Aqua asked, turning her gaze to her friend.
"I want to talk about something related to Sora," Terra clarified, and Aqua became puzzled upon hearing that.
"Sora? What's going on with him?" Aqua asked, confused.
"No, there's something more. Hasn't he told you anything important, perhaps?" Terra asked, and Aqua shook her head.
"Not at all. Maybe you're imagining things, Terra," Aqua smiled slightly. "Sora is fine. He's the same as always."
Terra was confused. How could Aqua not notice? Even someone not so close to Sora would notice that strange mood in him. Why didn't Aqua see it? Something wasn't right.
"Aqua, I think you're not noticing," Terra interjected.
"Come on, Terra, if my boyfriend wasn't okay, he would tell me," Aqua explained. If Sora was really not okay, that would be the first thing he'd tell Aqua. "He's fine."
"Hmm, if you say so..." murmured Terra, resigned to try to get more information about the matter.
Many things have happened since then. After taking another small walk back home, Terra and Ventus decided to leave Sora and Aqua alone so they could have some time together. They were in the same spot where Aqua used to stargaze and where Sora and she were on the first night he arrived.
They were sitting together, well, Aqua was sitting while Sora rested his head on her lap and listened to Aqua narrating a story from a book she had brought when they returned home a while ago.
While Aqua narrated, Sora kept his eyes fixed on the blue sky with some clouds, trying to distract his mind with Aqua's storytelling or searching for animal shapes in the clouds, but nothing worked. His mind, his heart, everything in him still hurt, but not because of Aqua anymore.
He no longer thought she was wrong to want to distance herself from him. Now he blamed himself and was angry with himself for being such an idiot. He had been too insistent and stupid in trying to force Aqua to tell him her problems. If he had kept pushing, Aqua would most likely have yelled at him or, worse, rejected him. He realized he had been too bothersome with her; he had always been somewhat bothersome in their relationship.
"Are you listening to me?" Aqua asked, taking her attention away from the book in her hands to look directly into Sora's eyes.
"Yes, I'm listening," Sora admitted, and Aqua smiled softly.
"What was this chapter I just read about?" Aqua asked, waiting for Sora's answer. However, Sora stayed silent, lost in his thoughts for a moment.
"Well..." Sora began to formulate a response, but Aqua chuckled softly as she realized he was trying to guess.
"You weren't listening, right? What are you thinking about?" Aqua asked.
"It's nothing, I was just lost in the clouds," Sora lied, looking away to the white clouds. Aqua simply smiled and leaned closer to his face, giving him a sweet and brief kiss on the lips, which Sora reciprocated without hesitation.
"I love you..." Aqua whispered inches away from his face, slowly pulling away from the kiss.
"I love you too, Aqua..." Sora murmured, as Aqua smiled and fully moved away from his face, returning to the story she was reading.
"Alright, now pay attention," Aqua instructed.
"Yes, I will," Sora replied.
"Good boy," Aqua praised, affectionately caressing his hair.
Several more hours passed until night fell, and Sora had to return home after saying goodbye to Aqua, Terra, and Ven. As he journeyed back to Destiny Islands, at least he felt happy to have made Aqua have a good time. Today, Aqua was notably happy, and that reassured him. Maybe he should stop worrying so much from now on.
But even as he thought about that, he couldn't help it. There were still a few hours until bedtime, and he worried that Aqua might have nightmares during the night and not call him. After learning that she thought it was a mistake to ask him for help, he wouldn't be able to sleep soundly knowing that Aqua might be scared and alone.
"I'm back," Sora announced as he walked through the door of his home, where Riku was watching him from a couch, fiddling with his Gummiphone.
"Hey, how did it go?" Riku asked.
"I think I messed up," Sora admitted disheartenedly, and Riku simply blinked a few times.
Lying to Riku or Kairi is something Sora can't afford to do. Besides, they know him so well that they might figure it out themselves. Sora knows he can rely on them to talk about his problems, and right now he needs to talk to one of them.
"Did something bad happen?" This time it was Kairi who asked, appearing in the living room.
"Something like that," Sora muttered as he closed the door and headed to the larger couch in the room, where he sat down.
"Did you have a fight with Aqua?" Riku asked as he got up from his seat and sat next to Sora on the large couch, on the right. Kairi did the same but on the left side.
"No, I just think I was too insistent about her nightmares," Sora admitted.
"What nightmares?" Kairi asked. Riku just sighed and looked at Kairi to explain.
"Sora found out that Aqua has been having very intense nightmares ever since she came out of the Realm of Darkness, and he's been worried about that," Riku quickly explained, not going into too much detail.
"And today I tried talking to her about it, but she refused," Sora explained.
"And that's why you're like this?" Kairi asked. Sora nodded.
"She just avoided the topic and didn't want to talk to me," Sora began to explain. "Then she said she didn't want my help anymore, that she didn't want me to help her anymore. I asked her why, and she said she didn't want my help anymore, period. She called me last night scared because of a nightmare, and when I asked her why she called me then, she said it was a mistake..."
"Oh, Sora, maybe Aqua didn't explain herself very well, that's all," Kairi tried to cheer him up.
"Yeah, buddy, maybe she didn't mean to make you feel bad," Riku supported the idea.
"I know, it's just... I think I was too bothersome and an idiot. I was too insistent about it, and now I don't know what to do. Aqua doesn't want me to worry about her, but I can't help it, and I don't want her to be mad at me either," Sora explained, sighing heavily.
He felt lost. He knows Aqua's intention wasn't to make him feel bad, but he can't help it. He feels like an idiot right now. His girlfriend doesn't want him to worry, he understands that. But how can he not worry? Aqua can't not want him to do that. He's her boyfriend, he loves her, he wants to take care of her, protect her. He can help her even if it's just a little. She shouldn't have to deal with everything alone. Their relationship has always been based on trust and mutual support, and now what? Is that trust and support worth nothing now? Is it gone? Why?
"Awww, Sora, don't be like that. Aqua probably just doesn't want to worry you anymore. You've always been there for her, and she probably just doesn't want to bother you anymore," Kairi tried to explain.
"But..." Sora tried to say.
"Look, why don't you just go and get some rest? Maybe you can figure this out tomorrow," Riku explained with a smile. "We'll help you find a solution."
"Yes, we'll help you," smiled Kairi, and Sora sighed. "How about a hug?"
"I don't need a hug," Sora mumbled.
"Oh, I think you need a hug, don't you, Riku?" Kairi said with a smile, looking at Riku, who just chuckled and nodded.
"Hey, I don't need a hug," Sora said as he felt Riku and Kairi hugging him tightly.
"No?" Kairi asked playfully. "You're always hugging us, and now you're shy about it?"
"Hmm," grumbled Sora, and Kairi and Riku chuckled.
"Aqua serenely ventured into the labyrinthine corridors of her dwelling, as the daylight filtered through the windows, bathing her home in its glow. Her path led her to the kitchen, in search of some fresh water to quench her thirst and return to Terra and Ventus to enjoy more games. Opening the refrigerator, she pulled out a glass and filled it with the clear liquid. Leaning on the sink, she drank the water calmly, her gaze lost in the sunny landscape outside. She planned to call Sora for a chat, immerse herself in her garden all day, take a stroll through the forest, or simply lie down under a tree and be carried away by a refreshing nap. She yearned for moments of relaxation and delight.
"Hahaha..."
Aqua blinked repeatedly upon hearing the laughter reverberating around her.
"Ven, Terra?" Aqua asked, but no response reached her ears.
"Aqua, naive and unfortunate Aqua," her eyebrows furrowed as she looked around in confusion, puzzled by that voice.
"Who's there?" Aqua inquired, trying to summon her Keyblade, but it refused to appear, no matter her efforts.
"Who would have thought you'd be so foolish."
The kitchen rapidly changed its appearance, taking on a dark purple, gloomy, and dim tone. The floor transformed into a watery, pale liquid that enveloped Aqua's feet, as she watched in awe and terror at this sudden change. She frantically searched for an exit in all directions, but the kitchen door had vanished, trapping her in a square, dismal, and oppressive space.
"You again," Aqua muttered nervously, recognizing the figure that appeared in her dreams with increasing frequency.
"How's my sweet Aqua doing?" Anti-Aqua, the female figure, emerged behind her, grabbing her shoulders and bringing her face close to Aqua's, inhaling her scent. "Oh yes, the fragrance I perceive is fear and desperation. I love it!"
"What do you want? Why do you always appear in my nightmares?" asked Aqua, petrified.
"Oh, darling, I'm just waiting for you to accept your destiny," Anti-Aqua explained with a sinister smile.
"M-my destiny?" Aqua murmured, bewildered."
"Yes, your destiny is to plunge back into darkness, that's how it should be, and I'm here to guide you towards it, slowly," whispered Anti-Aqua with a malicious and terrifying voice. She released Aqua from her grip on the shoulders and started circling around her with grace and slowness.
"I will never succumb to darkness. You're just a product of my unfortunate imagination, you're not real, you never have been," Aqua asserted seriously, trying to maintain her composure.
"Oh, dear," whispered Anti-Aqua.
"Argh!" Aqua grunted as she felt Anti-Aqua tighten her grip around her neck, holding her with her right hand.
"You're truly foolish," Anti-Aqua told her. "Do you think this is just a product of your imagination? I'm real, more real than you can imagine. I am your pain, your suffering, your sadness. I am you."
"A-argh, I can't..." Aqua groaned as she felt Anti-Aqua squeezing her neck even harder. "I can't breathe."
"Why do you keep denying the fall? What motivates you?" Anti-Aqua asked, loosening her grip a bit so that Aqua could respond.
"I-I... I have friends who support me and a special person who cares about me. That's why I'll never fall into your damned darkness," Aqua explained, in pain.
"Pff~ HAHAHA!" Anti-Aqua laughed heartily at Aqua's response.
"What are you laughing at... Argh!" Aqua grunted again as she felt more force in the grip and a lack of air in her lungs.
"What a good joke. I didn't know you were a comedian," Anti-Aqua mocked, containing her laughter.
"Friends? Support? Concern? You are the one who has pushed away all those aspects," Anti-Aqua explained, staring fixedly at Aqua. "A special person? You are the one slowly pushing him away yourself."
"W-what are you talking about?" Aqua asked, barely managing to articulate words.
"Oh, dear, you're so foolish that you don't even realize it," Anti-Aqua smiled slightly with malice. "I won't tell you. Gradually, that boy you love will distance himself more and more from you until you regret it in the future. Just like in all aspects of your life, you always manage to push away the people you love without even realizing it."
"S-Sora would never... Argh!" Aqua groaned again as she felt Anti-Aqua tighten her grip around her neck, depriving her of oxygen.
"That's right, keep talking about him. Tell me what you desire most, and let me have the pleasure of taking it away from you" concluded Anti-Aqua in a sinister whisper.