When Senna asked him to train her to be able to fight, Terra had to admit he had some worries about it but he knew that she needed to at least know basic self-defense. So, for the first few weeks, he was more focused on helping her get her mindset into a more positive place, he knew that with how she was now she wouldn't last a second.

To her credit, she was such a diligent student and absorbed everything he taught her about having a mentally strong mind. The more she told him about how was shunned back in her village and how she was viewed, the more he found himself annoyed at how anyone could treat her so badly. She was kind and compassionate, yet they let their fear of her dictate who they thought she was.

While he knows this is something that will be a continuous progress for her, soon he felt that they were ready to get into the more physical part of the training. He was able to help show her potential positions and attacks, but she needed to learn how to figure out her own fighting style through practice.

He decided to have Aqua be the one to spar with her, it didn't feel right for him to be the one to do it. When he spars with Aqua, he can at least put more power into his attacks, but with Senna, he's afraid that one bad move might break her and the last thing he ever wants to do is hurt her.

Senna and Aqua were both standing opposite of each other, with Senna holding her staff in her hands and Aqua with her keyblade.

Terra could tell despite the brave face she was trying to put on, that she was nervous and more than likely overthinking.

"Do not forget, there can be no hesitation in battle. You need to go in with a clear head"

Senna just nodded and took a deep breath before running straight at Aqua, but as Terra predicted before Senna's staff could even hit Aqua, Aqua put up her barrier. It was a blue spherical shield of transparent hexagonal panels that protected her from all sides, with a violet hue to it.

While he wasn't a master when it came to magic like those two, he knew Aqua was channeling some magic in the barrier so when it dispersed, it would let out a counterattack and send Senna flying backgrounds. His eyes widened when he caught a small gust of wind gathering near her feet.

Suddenly she flew back right before the barrier dispelled, though her landing was a bit rocky as she nearly fell to her knees. She looked surprised by what happened.

Interesting, it seems she wasn't consciously aware of what she was doing.

Aqua smiled looking proud as she got into a battle stance "Good job Senna, now let's see how you dodge and counterattack."

"I've been working on something, so I hope this works," Senna said starting to sound a bit more excited.

Aqua then began cartwheeling her way over her way to Senna, and when she got close enough, she used her hand to lift her off the ground high enough to make a high jump attack. However, both to Terra and Aqua's surprise, she disappeared.

As quick as she disappeared, she reappeared right behind Aqua, and the ends of her staff were glowing as she prepared to attack, however thanks to her sharp perception Aqua was able to see her out of the corner of her eyes and quickly get herself out of the way which wasn't something that Senna expected.

Aqua then took advantage of Senna's surprise and lifted her keyblade for another attack, by the time Senna realized it she didn't have enough time, so she quickly lifted her staff and closed her eyes.

When Aqua's keyblade made contact with her staff, a huge wave was unleashed that let out a big gust of wind, causing Terra to turn his head to avoid direct eye contact, while Aqua was sent flying and crashing onto the ground several feet away.

By the time the dust cleared, Terra opened his eyes and immediately started running towards Aqua.

"Aqua"

Senna also realized what had happened and was immediately running towards her, alongside him.

Thankfully Aqua was already sitting up and chuckling "I got to say that was quite a powerful blast there."

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for that to happen."

Terra just stared at her curiously.

Just how powerful will she become once she can get her bearings when it comes to fighting? Also, I remember Master saying that summoners can use their familiars to help them out in battle.

"It's okay, but what was that technique you used to get behind me, was it teleportation" Aqua asked standing up.

"Well technically no, when Terra said it's important to have a quick way to be able to dodge, I've been working on channeling some of the magic into my feet and little bursts of wind will help make me move so fast that it looks like it's teleportation. It was my first time trying it out, so I was a little surprised by how well it turned out,"

Terra wasn't surprised, he remembered her telling him about creating a way of speeding up the process of healing someone of their inward injuries. He was impressed by her creativity and he wouldn't be surprised that she would eventually be mentioned in one of those textbooks for her genius.

Aqua then turned to Terra "I think we should call it early today, after all, tomorrow is the exam day."

"That's right your mark of mastery, are you guys nervous," Senna asked looking between the two.

Terra shakes his head "No, I know we'll clean up the exams tomorrow, and then you and Ven will be training under 3 keyblade masters."

"That will be such an honor indeed," Senna said chuckling.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Aqua raising her eyebrows at him, he just playfully glared at her in return.

"Come on Senna, let's go to the hot springs for a while"

Terra put his hand up realizing he still needed to talk to Senna about a few things "Hold on, I still need to talk to Senna about a few things."

Aqua just smirks at Terra "All right I'll leave you and your student alone then, but don't keep her all to yourself, Senna and I got plans."

Terra just sighed as he watched Aqua quickly sprint away.

"So how did I do today" Senna asked.

"You're making progress, there's still a lot of improvement we need to work on but you're heading in the right direction."

She just sighed "Well that's good to hear, I haven't felt like I improved much."

"Remember Senna, you're not going to be an expert just in a matter of weeks. It took Aqua and I years to get where we are. Don't give yourself unrealistic expectations."

"So, what else did you need to talk about."

"I remember Master telling us before you came to the castle, that Summoners can use their Familiars in battle."

Senna looked concerned about the prospect "I mean yes that is true, but I don't want to put my friends in danger like that. My magic should be more than enough to handle anything."

Terra honestly didn't mean to laugh, but he couldn't help it. It brought him back to their first magic lesson when he said something similar.

"What's so funny" Senna asks pouting, and upset enough that Terra stopped once he saw her expression.

"I'm sorry, I was remembering when I said something similar to you when we first started our magic lessons"

Senna let out a sigh and tried to hold back a smile that was creeping up on her face.

When she didn't say anything, Terra just continued.

"I remember you telling me that I didn't have to be a master in magic, it's more like trying to cover for my weaknesses."

"Oh, how those words have now turned around towards me," she said chuckling.

"Trust me, I get where you are coming from, but I've seen the bond you've had with your familiars the past few weeks for the ones that you have summoned. I have no doubt you guys would make a great team in battle."

Senna was deep in contemplation "It's something I'll consider; I will need to maybe go back and talk to all of them at once about it.

"Senna-"Terra began not wanting to risk her running into that boy in the mask quite yet, she wasn't ready.

"It's okay, I was going to ask if you would watch over me when I do the ritual and take me out of it if something should happen."

"What do you mean take you out of it, you mean someone on the outside can influence you back into your body" he asked wondering how on earth that would even work.

Seann just nods "Yes, it was always a requirement back at home when a summoner would go to the land of familiars, they would need to have a partner watch over their bodies in case they were unable to leave on their own. The person would need to be someone they have a strong bond with, to help that person return back home."

Terra could feel his heart beating faster

Having a strong bond to help bring that person back home.

"Sorry to change the subject but Terra, I have a question that I've been wondering about for a while now."

"Sure, what is it."

She then pointed to part of his armor that was on his left arm "What exactly is that armor on your guy's outfits."

"They are called Keyblade armor when we activate the part on our outfits, we become clad in full body armor. It's meant to protect us from the darkness when we travel through the lanes between should the need arise to go to another world. Why do you ask."

Senna just shakes her head and smiles "Just wondering something I was curious about for a while now, just never found the time to ask."

Terra could sense she was telling the truth, but there was something else he could tell she was holding back.

"Well, I don't want to keep you any longer, Aqua will probably come back and give me an earful if don't let you go soon."

"Wait before I go, I got something I want to give you for your exam tomorrow," Senna said, as she was taking something off of her wrist.

Terra looked confused as she hung a bracelet in front of his face, that had little star and moon ornaments.

"My mother made this from when I was young, said it would bring me luck in the direst of situations, but I think it should also work for exams like this"

Terra was shocked by the gesture

"Senna, there's no way I can accept that. I don't want to take something sentimental especially one that was handmade by your mother" he said feeling awkward about the gesture.

Senna just smiled as she grabbed his hand and put it on his wrist herself "Well you can give it back to me once you become a keyblade master, I expect you to take care of it between and now tomorrow."

Terra just stared down and watched as the bracelet adjusted to his wrist before looking back up at a smiling Senna.

"I promise I will let nothing happen to it."

"All right good, then I'll see you later then," she said before turning around and making her way back inside.

Terra smiled as he watched her leave, he couldn't wait for tomorrow, not only because of the Mark of Mastery Exam, but he was going to tell Senna how he felt and after today he was more than hopeful that she felt the same way about him.

(Ven's Room)

Ven just lay on his bed playing with the wooden keyblade sword that Terra had once gifted him when he first came to live in the castle.

He was feeling pretty lonely the past few weeks, due to Aqua and Terra busy preparing for their mark of mastery exam and then Senna training with them when she was able. He was stuck by himself in his lessons with Master Eraqus.

Even though he tried to reassure Ven that once it was over Aqua and Terra would take over much of his teachings, he still wanted them there with him now.

He hated being alone, it made him scared and vulnerable. When he was with his friends, he felt like he could do anything as long as they were by his side.

While he couldn't remember much of his training with Master Xehanort, he knew all he felt was fear and pain and it nearly overtook him. He never wants to feel like that again, nor does he want anyone else to be that consumed by it.

Ven just drops the sword on the ground in frustration, wishing he could just think about something else, but it is hard because today marks the day he first came to the castle. The day he came home.

Soon Ven found himself getting sleepy, and as much as he tried to fight it he found himself drifting off into a very familiar dream.

(Ven's Dream)

He could slowly feel his consciousness slowly fading away, all he was aware of was that he was being carried by his master, wrapped up in a white sheet, to someplace that felt warm. He could hear the waves as they quietly made their way to the shore and the nice warm breeze and while his vision was getting blurry, he could see sand.

"There you, see? An empty world, like a prison"

He wanted to respond, but Ven just didn't have the energy. Instead, he felt himself being placed down on a tree.

"I imagine you will be right at home."

Slowly he started to let his eyes close, waiting for the end to come.

Within the darkness that now consumed him, he heard a voice. It was so quiet, that he thought he was imagining things.

Hey, where am I?

"Who's there"

Suddenly he felt himself being engulfed by a light, and suddenly he felt himself falling deeper into a watery abyss. The sheet that was wrapped around him, disappeared leaving him in only his pants and boots.

When he opened his eyes, he found he was standing upright on what he thought was a white pillar, but it was shattered into two halves with the other one missing. This seemed so familiar to him

Suddenly the voice spoke to him again.

I'm a brand new-heart.

Ven just looked out into the darkness, realizing where he was at.

"But this is-, Why are you in my heart?"

The Light brought me. I saw it shining in the distance and followed it here.

Ven put his hand over his heart as he looked down at it feeling what had happened to him.

"Yeah. That was my light. But my heart is fractured."

He then looked over at the part of the pillar that was broken.

"And now the little I have left is slipping away"

Then join your heart with mine.

"Huh?" was all Ven could say, he didn't have much energy to do much else.

Suddenly the pillar began to shine and the missing half of the pillar started to be repaired.

Now our hearts have touched. Nothing else will slip away. And one day… you'll be strong enough to win back the part that already did.

He could feel the light returning to him so he closed his eyes letting the light embrace him

"Right. Thanks."

It's time to wake up now. All we need to do is…

Ven opened his eyes and spoke at the same time the voice did "Open the door."

Suddenly the light from the pillars dispensed as flying feathers all around him, and now the light was replaced with a glass stain image that consisted of a sleeping Ventus holding his keyblade, with a small background that appeared to be badlands.

Ven just blankly stared up as the feathers continued upward.

(End of Dream)

Ventus opened his eyes and realized it was already nighttime outside.

That dream again.

It was an occurring dream one that he would have frequently a couple of years ago, but he hasn't had it for a long time now.

He couldn't help but sigh as he started to sit up in his bed because it felt so real and that voice sounded so familiar but he knew that wasn't possible. It was so young, nothing like Terra or either his Master's.

He wanted so badly to tell them about it, but then it might force those horrible images to come back into his mind, he was terrified he wouldn't be able to handle them.

Ven looked out his window and suddenly his mood got instantly better when he saw numerous shooting stars happening outside.

He smiled as he put his hands on his windows in excitement "A Meteor Shower"

Ven immediately jumped out of his bed and started running out the door to get a better view outside.

Authors's Note

Here we go, we're nearing the end of this first arc. I decided to split this up into two parts, as Ven's story is going to play a very important part in going forward, and this was the best place to end it here. This wasn't my favorite chapter to write, but I hope you guys were able to enjoy it. I'm hoping part 2 will be out sometime by the end of the week, as it probably won't be as long as my usual chapters.