Twilight
"You cursed Salem with immortality?"
After the fight with Maleficent, Aqua requested to speak with both Brothers. They reconvened back to the Domain of Light, allowing Aqua to a sample some fruits to recover from her fight with Maleficent.
"Indeed we did." The God of Light answered with a nod. "She sought to upset the balance that we created and even lied to my brother when I turned her away. I initially pitied her but her selfishness led her astray."
"And now she spreads more lies." The God of Darkness growled.
Aqua sighed, rubbing her head to nurse the small headache she felt from everything that had happened. Salem had asked the gods to bring Ozma back from the dead, they refused so she tried to manipulate them and in retaliation they cursed her with immortality, preventing her from dying and being with Ozma in death. She wasn't sure whose side to pick in this since Salem had attacked her, blaming her for Ozma's death and the Brothers had both used her in some fashion. The God of Darkness had sent his Grimm after her, creating magical weapons to challenge her and even threatened to kill her while his brother, while initially helpful had used her to see into other worlds.
She had bad relations on to both the Gods and Salem and so far she was less inclined to be sympathetic to either side.
"You do not approve." The God of Light stated.
Aqua turned away. "It's not for me to approve or condemn your actions. I told you before, as a Keyblade Master I am not allowed to interfere in the affairs of the worlds. Though, lately that's been very hard to do because of the two of you."
"In what way?" The God of Darkness retorted mockingly.
"You sent your Grimm after me; you forged weapons to fight against me and my Keyblade, even after I chose to leave this world." Aqua answered, before looking at the God of Light. "You used me to spy on Daybreak Town, to see what it was like on that world. You both dragged me into the conflicts on this world."
"That was not our intention. We were both curious about you and these other worlds." The God of Light replied.
"And because of that, I have broken the greatest rules of all Keyblade Wielders." Aqua sighed as she turned away. "I was not supposed to let it be known other worlds existed but I was desperate, I tried to find my way back home but given what I was told about you two I thought those rules had been rendered moot. And it led to this."
"Why so glum? You got what you wanted, didn't you?" The God of Darkness asked with a small laugh.
Aqua spun around and faced the Brothers with a glare. "And the cost was I unintentionally allowed you to release Grimm into Daybreak Town. I am just lucky they only came after me and didn't hurt anyone else. What exactly would you have done if those Grimm had killed me? Set them loose on that world as well?"
"If they are as strong as you, I fail to see the problem." The God of Darkness replied.
Aqua narrowed her eyes. "My problem is you using me in your own little games. You even judge me, someone who is not part of your experiment, who you have no control over."
"We do not judge you, Aqua. You intrigue us. Your words, your actions, and your power is an enigma to us." The God of Light answered as his brother growled. "You even speak of others like us. Deities of death and even deities who rules over other deities."
"Hades, the God of Death and Zeus, King of the Gods on their worlds and Hercules is a Demi-God, Zeus' son." Aqua noted, her glare becoming a neutral frown. "Yes, I remember them. They are a lot different from the two of you. They look more human than you aside from their divine auras and they have names. I've noticed the two of you are only known by what you represent, Light and Darkness."
"And what use would we have for names?" The God of Darkness asked jokingly. "Everyone knows who we are."
"Names can give a lot more than a mere label. They can give meaning and power, even to things considered less significant." Aqua answered. "I've read up on many legends and myths of people naming their gods, making them more important in the beliefs of the people who worship them."
"Do you believe we should have names?"
That question threw Aqua for a loop as she considered that question for a moment. "Depends, are you curious of what names I might come up with or do you genuinely want one?"
"I think it's a waste of time." The God of Darkness scoffed.
"Perhaps but it is worth a thought, Brother." The God of Light stated, glancing at him before looking back at Aqua. "This could be considered part of the experiment and if we do expand, it is likely other mortals who meet us might decide to label us with names like Aqua states."
Aqua looked at the God of Light, wondering what he meant by that. Were the two Brothers planning to travel to other worlds? She wasn't sure if that was a good idea, given how they acted right now but maybe she could use this. She didn't want to try manipulating them like Salem tried but maybe show them that mortals, even the ones they created were more than what they had initially thought.
"So, Aqua." The God of Light looked at Aqua. "What names would you consider for us, if we are indeed similar to these other gods?"
Aqua closed her eyes and took a deep breath, remembering the many myths and legends she had read in the library in the Land of Departure. Legends circling around the Keyblade, Kingdom Hearts and the Keyblade War, the eternal struggle of Light and Darkness but it didn't stop there. Over the eons, Keyblade Wielders collected knowledge on other worlds, even stories and brought them to the library to be read by future apprentices and show them what life was like out there. She remembered reading up on many stories, even finding a few on dragons during her time in the library when she was studying as an apprentice.
In some legends, dragons were destructive creatures, unstoppable monsters that burned entire lands, some even hoarding gold and other great riches to themselves.
In other legends, dragons were divine beings that offered great wisdom, strength and even redemption to those in need.
She remembered the name of a dragon that brought life to the world it lived in, recognized as the father of all life.
"Izanagi." She spoke, looking up at the God of Light. "You remind me of a legend about a dragon that gave life to the world it appeared in. He was the forefather of the gods in his world, the first male and a creator of life…Just like you and his name was Izanagi."
"Izanagi." The God of Light repeated softly, bringing a finger to his chin. "Something about this name…I find it to be fitting."
The God of Darkness looked over his brother who was still contemplating the name Aqua offered to him and looked back at her. "And what would you decide to call me, if I would even consider allowing it?"
Aqua stared at the God of Darkness, contemplating his appearance and nature and the name of a deity that was said to be literally born in darkness. "…Erebus, named after a deity who was born of pure darkness. Seems appropriate to you, considering he also thrived on spreading chaos and discord."
The God of Darkness paused, mentally repeating the name in his mind. He didn't show it, but there was something about that name he actually liked.
Aqua was silent as she stared between the two Brothers, awaiting their judgment on the names she offered. She didn't want to try manipulating them but it was clear they were not just different from their creations because of their powers, they had no value on life and death like mortals did. Sure, it's apparent the two Brothers cared for each other but it didn't extend to the humanity they created or even the ones that existed outside of their experiment.
The God of Light saw the mortals of this world as pets, something to be attended with and he gave them what they wanted because he loved them like pets and because of what they could do.
The God of Darkness saw them as mere playthings, testing them against his Grimm and that led to many deaths.
If they could be allowed to better understand, maybe they could actually stop these games and stop using their humanity and her as playthings in their eternal game. Aqua did not want to consider herself capable of doing so because that kind of arrogance was dangerous…but she felt she had to try. She had allowed herself to be pulled into this mess; the least she could do is try to fix it.
Whatever they would have said was stopped before they could look at her as the sound of many footsteps marching from behind caught their attention. Aqua turned around to see a great army rushing down the steps leading down to the Domain of Light. Shouts filled the air as they brandished their weapons, ready for battle against the twin deities. In a flash of light, the God of Light changed into his dragon form and approached the army that had invaded his home.
Just before they could attack, the God of Darkness let out a roar as he changed into his dragon form as well, landing next to his brother. The God of Light looked at the humans, the people he and his brother created and saw the hate and greed in their eyes.
What his brother and Aqua had said was true.
Their creations had turned against them.
And for what?
"Show us the one who has led you down this path." The God of Light requested.
"You do not order us! Your reign is over! We will have immortality like she does!" One of the rulers, the Zealous King Kahn shouted.
"She?" The God of Darkness snarled.
In immediate response, Salem stepped forth out in front of the army, staring at the deities in contempt with a determination to end them.
"So, that dark woman was right. You dare to spread lies and turn them all against us?" The God of Darkness growled, letting loose a blast of fire.
"She has stolen back the immortality you took from us!" The Stern Queen, Shen stated. "You made us weak so now we shall take it back!"
"This woman has lied to you." The God of Light replied. "She did not steal immortality from us nor did we take it from you. She was cursed with it for attempting to deceive us into resurrecting her lover for her. She was made immortal until she learns the importance of life and death and its balance and instead has used it to deceive you."
"Leave now if you wish to live." The God of Darkness issued his one and only warning.
That made everyone in the army stop and falter from the God of Light's words. Some stopped and whispered with each other, slightly unsure now.
Only until Salem stepped forth. "LIARS! You took him from me, revived him and then killed him right before my eyes because I was able to deceive you! I proved you could be tricked like any mortal and for that you cursed me!"
"Salem, stop!"
Salem stopped, watching in slight surprise before narrowing as Aqua stepped out between the two gods. "You…"
"Salem, this is not the way to solve this." Aqua stated pleadingly. "Trying to destroy them will not bring him back."
Salem glared at Aqua in contempt before looking back at the gods. "Attack! Destroy them all!"
The God of Darkness roared and let loose a blast of fire that Salem countered with her own magic. The armies followed suit, launching a barrage of magical attacks at the gods.
"NO!" Aqua shouted and leapt up, summoning her Keyblade and coming between the twin deities and the attacks. "Reflega!"
A spherical barrier surrounded her just before the attacks collided with her and immediately launched them right back at the army that had launched them.
(Kingdom Hearts OST Black Powder)
(Info: Defeat Salem and her army)
Aqua grunted as the strain of blocking multiple attacks pushing her back but she kept the barrier up, blocking and reflecting each and every magical attack, sending them right back at the very army that launched them. Soldiers screamed as their own attacks blasted them back, causing the army to scatter, dropping their weapons. Salem along with the three main rulers managed to block or dodge their own attacks being thrown back at them. Once the last magical was sent back, Aqua dispelled her barrier and landed on the ground.
The Brother Gods stared at Aqua in complete surprise, watching as she not only deflected the attacks meant for them back but stepped up and took it all for them. The four rulers, having been at the front of the army were the first to recover and immediately attacked her.
Aqua cartwheeled to the side and pointed her Keyblade at them. "Thunder!"
A Thundaga came down from above, blasting the ground around four and knocking them back. King Kahn, having the most negative feelings towards Aqua aside from Salem, roared and charged at Aqua. He had lost his Earth Scythe but retained a large sword that he swung at Aqua but the Keyblade Wielder ducked and summoned a Bladecharge that cut the sword in half. Kahn looked at the remains of his sword in surprise, leaving him open as Aqua let loose a Firaga spell that blasted him back.
More soldiers recovered and fired magical bolts at Aqua, forcing her to use Reflega to deflect them back.
"KILL HER!" Salem shouted, firing a magical bolt.
Aqua cartwheeled out of the way, landing right on her feet as several soldiers charged at her, brandishing swords, spears and axes.
Realizing she couldn't win in a head on fight because she outnumbered and that she needed to fight smart, Aqua raised her Keyblade. "Blackout!"
The first wave of soldiers screamed as their vision suddenly blackened. Aqua charged forward, slashing her way through them and knocking them down.
Another waved charged at her.
"Mini!"
They shrank down until their height was below Aqua's feet. That caused several to hesitate as Aqua kicked past them.
"Poison!"
Aqua then released toxic bubbles from her Keyblade which dispersed into a violet wave of energy. Those that were affected dropped their weapons, feeling sick and collapsed. She kept on moving as more and more soldiers tried to attack her, some now keeping their distance and firing bolts of magic with their bows.
Aqua surprised them by teleporting behind them. "Firaga Burst!"
Aqua then held her Keyblade up and conjured a miniature sun that rained down smaller fireballs down on the surrounding soldiers, scattering them and blasting them across the battlefield. Aqua looked around and saw the army was struggling to reorder itself, soldiers that were not knocked out or injured rushing to get back into ranks.
"RAH!"
Except for the Zealous King Kahn and his warriors.
They were all rushing towards her, letting loud battle cries.
"Bind!"
A wave of yellow energy surrounded them and prevent them from moving.
"Thunder!"
A quick Thundaga blast blasted them back and knocked them out. Aqua wasn't down as she leapt up, 'locking' onto the army as they tried to reorganize. A light surrounded as she spun gracefully, firing several volleys of magical energy at the army, hitting them head on and knocking many of them down or into each other.
"You!"
Aqua turned and faced Salem who approached her with a barrier of lightning surrounding her. "Salem, stop this. This isn't going to bring him back."
"If they won't bring him back then I'll destroy everything they have created." Salem snapped.
She held out her hands and sent a blast of lightning at Aqua who immediately blocked with a barrier. Salem then slammed her hands into ground and a stream of magma traveled through the ground towards Aqua who immediately teleported out of the way just in time before the magma exploded out of the ground. Just as Aqua appeared behind her, Salem spun around and fired a red blast. Aqua immediately cartwheeled out of the way and pointed her Keyblade at Salem.
"Freeze!"
She fired three chunks of ice right at Salem who didn't even bother to dodge or block, allowing them to hit and cut her up. She chuckled while Aqua watched as the wound immediately healed itself.
"You see, Aqua? You can't hurt or kill me." Salem as she raised her hand. "But I can kill you!"
A blue light appeared around her hand, forming a giant ice sphere. Salem held out both hands and pointed them directly at Aqua. The ice sphere responded to her movements and flew straight at Aqua who gasped but responded immediately. Fire surrounded her Keyblade as she swung and cut through the ice sphere right through the middle. The ice sphere exploded and like what would happen with dry ice, steam shot out everywhere, covering the battle field.
Aqua kept her guard up, awaiting Salem's next move.
"So you can coat your weapon with the elements?" Salem's voice echoed through the mist. "That's impressive. Only a master level mage could attempt that…Or even try it."
Aqua's eyes widened as she spun and jumped out of the way as a spear made of pure electricity shot out from the mist. Aqua watched as Salem emerged next, sparks flying from her hands which Aqua quickly blocked. Salem grinned, believing she had Aqua where she wanted. The magic spread out, touching discarded weapons such as swords, spears and axes, all of them made of metal along with armor pieces and all of them flying at Aqua.
Realizing Salem had used a spell to turn her into a magnet for all the weapons, Aqua summoned a fiery aura around her and the weapons all fell to the ground within a few feet of her.
"I guess you forgot that magnets lose their charge once they're superheated." Aqua remarked to Salem who scowled.
In response to that, Salem raised her hand and gathered electricity around her palm and fingers. A second later the spell was released in a mighty wave of lightning that gave Aqua no time to dodge so she summoned her spherical barrier around her. The force of the blast knocked her back into the mist that still covered the area.
Salem then raised her hands, summoning large pieces of earth and sent them right into the mist after Aqua. Meanwhile inside the mist, Aqua landed perfectly on the ground and looked up, hearing something flying at her. She quickly fell to the ground and saw several large objects fly over her.
'She truly wishes to destroy me.' Aqua thought as she lifted her head. 'But she doesn't know I dodged.'
She cupped her mouth and let out a scream.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Outside, Salem grinned when she heard Aqua scream, waving her hand and the mist parted around where she heard the scream. Only when it parted, she didn't see Aqua like she expected. If she had been hit, she would have been lying on the ground, wounded or dying. Salem then realized Aqua had tricked her and frantically looked around, trying to catch her opponent before she could strike.
It didn't matter.
Salem then felt something slam into her face, knocking her back as Aqua suddenly appeared in front of her.
"You tricked me." Salem grunted, rubbing her face. "I can't believe I fell for such a basic trick."
Aqua said nothing, preferring to just stand there while glaring. There was nothing to say at this point as Salem was beyond reasoning. Salem growled, angered by the way Aqua was standing, as if she was daring her to continue fighting. She looked behind Aqua and smiled for some reason.
Aqua remained firm but sensed movement behind her.
The Stern Queen, Empress Shen and King Charlemagne emerged from the mist, ready to attack.
"You're wasting your time!" Salem taunted. "You can't defeat all of us, no matter how powerful you might be."
Aqua said nothing, merely readying herself for the next attack. Just as the three prepared to attack, Aqua summoned three spheres of light of light that spun around her and hit all three opponents, exploding on contact. Shen and Charlemagne were knocked to the ground while Salem immediately recovered on account of her curse. Angered, Salem immediately lashed out with a blast of lightning at Aqua who teleported out of the way.
Salem then spun around and immediately launched another with Shen and Charlemagne assisting her, attacking Aqua as she reappeared. Aqua cartwheeled out of the way, barely dodging the attacks. More soldiers arrived to help their rulers and ally but Aqua would not allow it.
She closed her eyes and activated her command style: Ghost Drive.
She warped around the largest group of soldiers until they were all surrounded and Aqua finished with a powerful shockwave that sent many warriors flying, along with Shen, Charlemagne and Salem. Everyone screamed as they crashed into the ground, rather hard. Aqua appeared in the middle of the battleground as the mist finally faded, panting slightly now.
Taking on so many warriors had been difficult, even for her and her constant use of spells was draining her stamina.
Still, she couldn't give up here.
She couldn't allow these people to throw away their lives by attacking the gods over a lie. If what she knew of the two Brothers was anything to go on this idiotic attempt for immortality just satisfy Salem's vengeance would end…Badly.
An enraged scream caught her attention as Salem literally flew at her, slamming into her and both rolling around the ground. Salem gripped Aqua's Keyblade and a red aura surrounded her as she tried to destroy the mystical weapon. Aqua grunted as a bright blue aura surrounded her as she got back up, grappling with her weapon against Salem.
"This is all your fault! You ruined everything!" Salem shouted in maddened fury.
"I am stopping you from making a terrible mistake!" Aqua shouted back. "I will not let innocent people die because of your selfishness!"
"So what if they die?! Why should their lives matter to me?!" Salem ranted as her entire body began to glow.
Aqua noticed that Salem's hands were gripping her Keyblade even tighter and they were sizzling with a deep heat. "This is not what he would have wanted!"
"What does it matter?! He's dead and they wouldn't give him back!" Salem shouted, her voice becoming distorted from the magic she was gathering up for her next spell. "But if you care so much for him, I'll send you to him!"
Aqua grunted as her form pulsed with a form of magic just as Salem cast her spell.
A spell of incineration.
(Kingdom Hearts OST Black Powder Ends)
A pillar of light exploded underneath Aqua's feet, propelling up into the air just as there was a huge explosion with a shockwave of flames spreading out in all directions. Aqua watched with a stunned face as the flames even burned members of Salem's own army. The attack ended as Aqua fell back down onto the scorched ground. From where Salem had stood, there was only a skidmark left…leading down into a lava pit.
There was no sign of Salem.
Aqua looked around and saw the surviving soldiers and rulers all staring at her with surprised faces. She was about to say something when a flash of light caught her attention. With widened eyes, Aqua watched as Salem completely regenerated from the attack and lunged at her, slamming her into the ground before she could react. Salem then raised one hand and gathered magic into it, intend on finishing Aqua off.
"You see?!" She looked at her followers. "She can't stop us! No one can stop us!"
"Enough!"
The God of Light flew in, knocking Salem back with a roar and wrapped his serpentine dragon body around Aqua to protect her.
Salem immediately got back up, snarling at the light deity. "Destroy them!"
The remaining soldiers immediately fired magical blasts at the God of Light but his brother appeared in front and held out one hand/paw. All of the magic was gathered into that paw, becoming a purple sphere of energy. The survivors looked on in shock, Salem included.
"My own gift to them…used against me."
The God of Light looked away in disappointment while Aqua immediately stood up. "Wait!"
The God of Darkness glanced at her. "What do you want?"
"Please, just tell me what you intend to do." Aqua requested.
"Is it not obvious? I am punishing them for their transgressions. Humanity has turned against their creators and thus they will be put in their place." The God of Darkness answered, holding up the sphere.
Aqua's eyes widened. "Please wait. If you must punish anyone, please just punish the ones who have attacked you. Spare the ones who are not involved in this."
The remaining soldiers and rulers looked at each other, now scared of what might happen.
"We created them. They must know the price of turning on their creators." The God of Darkness responded. "Who are you to make this request?"
"Yes, I won't argue with that. I ask only out of consideration for me defending you that you spare those who are not here and who were not involved in this. Please, don't take your wrath out on the innocent." Aqua pleaded, clasping her hands together. "If you agree to this, I will revoke my plea for you to stop sending Grimm and warriors after me. Please, Erebus!"
The God of Darkness turned his head back to Aqua. "I did not agree to that name!"
"Brother," The God of Light spoke softly. "She speaks the truth. They were misguided by the deception of that woman and Aqua fought them, rather than allow them to fight us."
"And now she pleads for them. The ones who tried to kill her." The God of Darkness replied, looking to Aqua. "Why should their lives matter to you?"
"I am not pleading for them or Salem. I am pleading for the two of you." Aqua stated, causing both dragon deities to look to her. "Salem has painted you both as monsters, cruel and uncaring. While being gods makes you different from us mortals, it doesn't make you the monsters she has called you. Don't give her the satisfaction of being right."
That surprised both deities who considered her words.
"And why should it matter if she is right?"
"She has a point, Brother. Punish the ones who have turned against us, if only because she has risked her life in battle against them and for us. She has at least earned the right to make this request of us." The God of Light agreed.
The God of Darkness snarled. "…Very well. Since she has indeed proven herself by fighting for us, I will grant her request. But I will take back what I have given."
With that, the God of Darkness crushed purple energy sphere in his palm which then exploded in a blast of purple light that spread out, enveloping the army, the continent and then the rest of the world. When the light faded, Salem was the only remaining while the rest of her army had been vaporized, leaving only dust behind, with a golden glow surrounding her.
"No…No…" She muttered as she slowly got back up.
The God of Darkness landed in front of her and stomped his foot on the ground, knocking her back. "You thought there was no greater punishment we could bestow upon you?"
"I'll come back!" Salem threatened. "I'll tell the rest of the world of this massacre! Build a new army!"
"And you can explain to them why they have lost their magic." The God of Darkness snorted.
Salem's furious expression turned to shock. "Wh-What?"
"I would have wiped out all of humanity were it not for her," The God of Darkness glanced to Aqua as his brother uncurled himself from her, allowing her to step out. "She pleaded for mercy for those who did not participate in this foolishness and I have granted it, if only because she fought against you for us. So I only eliminated the army and those who supported them but at the same time I took back my gift. Humanity no longer has magic and I made sure they now know who is responsible."
Salem's eyes widened in horror. "No…"
"I would have taken your magic as well but that would mean breaking the curse on you and as Aqua said, I will not give you the satisfaction." The God of Darkness said and scoffed. "Let the rest of the world, those that remain cast their own judgment on you."
"This planet was a beautiful experiment, but it is merely a remnant of what it once was. We will learn from this failure. I hope you will learn from yours." The God of Light then looked at Aqua. "For your service today, we offer to take with you us as we depart. There is nothing for us here now."
Aqua looked between both deity brothers before making up her mind. "I am sorry but I must refuse. My path is different from yours. I hope you will learn greatly from anything I have offered or done for you but I know that my heart is pointing me to a different path."
"Very well." The God of Light said as he began to vanish into a bright light of dust. "We thank you, Aqua for your wisdom and service today. We hope you find what you are looking for."
"No! You can't leave!" Salem shouted. "You can't leave! COME BACK!"
"Still demanding things of your creators…" The God of Darkness scoffed before glancing at Aqua. "Though you stated you would take back your plea for me to cease hunting you I hereby rescind the order for my children to hunt you for fighting against that dark woman and those traitors on our behalf. Consider this to be my generosity. "
The dark deity then disappeared into a beam of purple light that shot up into the sky and out of the atmosphere. As it shot out of the planet and into space, it passed through the moon and shattered it in the process. Moon like fragments began to fall to the planet, crashing into the surface.
Aqua sighed, wishing that the dark deity hadn't crashed through the moon when he had left.
"YOU!"
Aqua spun around, facing Salem who glared at her hatefully. "Salem-"
"You did this! If you hadn't interfered-"
"Then everyone would be dead!" Aqua shouted, having enough of Salem's attitude. "You'd have gotten everyone killed just because you wanted to spite them. This is not on me, Salem. This is all you're doing. Be thankful I convinced them not to wipe everyone on this planet but you'll have to be the one to explain this as Erebus said and I sincerely hope they will be more merciful with you than those two were."
She walked past Salem, not sparing her another glance or word.
As for Salem, she simply fell to her knees…and screamed.
