Progression

Aqua was hard at work in the armory. A pauldron was in her hand, blue-green magical energy flowing into it from her free hand. After about a minute she stopped, examining the results of her efforts. She nodded her approval. Looked to be about ready.

She left the armory with the pauldron, heading outside. Past the doors to the castle she stopped for a moment to take in the view. She then proceeded into the forest outside the castle, walking along a dirt path until she came to a clearing. Kairi was standing at the edge of the clearing, opposite to a wall of earth at the far end. In front of that wall a number of target dummies had been erected.

Kairi had her keyblade out, holding it in her hands in front of her, while her eyes were closed in concentration. Her weapon began to shimmer, followed by an eruption of light. When that light faded Kairi's keyblade had been transformed, now resembling a bow. As Kairi drew the bow and an arrow made of golden light materialized. Kairi aimed at one of the dummies, then fired. There was a high pitched whistle as the arrow flew through the air. Then there was a bright flash and a loud bang that blew apart the earth mound, covering the entire clearing in a dust cloud. Aqua had just enough time to shield her eyes with her arm before the cloud enveloped her too. When the dust began to settle Kairi came into view again, coughing and sputtering.

"You know, I think I misunderstood the point of that attack. When you presented the idea of that keyblade form I pictured some sort of long range precision attack." Aqua said before she had to stop to clear her throat because of a particle that got into her mouth. "But it looks like that one is better suited to blowing up the shooting range than hit a specific target.

"Master Aqua? Didn't see you there." Kairi said, nodding to her in greeting. Then she turned her eyes back to the destruction she had wrought. "Yeah, I have to say that even caught me by surprise. Didn't know I had it in me."

Aqua smiled. "You're learning to put your light to good use. And it's an impressive sight without a doubt. I think this particular spell for instance might just be able to take down a Darkside with a single hit. I think exactly the kind of firepower we are going to need if we are to fight the Foretellers."

"You think it will really come to that?" Kairi asked.

"After what happened to Roxas and Xion? I would think it almost inevitable. And when it does happen we need to be ready." Aqua replied.

"Which is why as soon as Roxas and Xion have recovered enough those of us here are going to the world where you trained with Lea." She continued.

"Avalon. The world is called Avalon. So according to Merlin at east." Kairi corrected.

Aqua nodded. "Xion and Roxas can recover their strength through training. And all of us will have the time we need to hone our skills and prepare. Because clearly you aren't the only one that has to get stronger."

"It makes sense. Our chances ought to be better that way." Kairi said.

"You said all who are here. Does that mean… they'll be taking part too?" She then asked hesitantly.

"Not all the time. They still want to continue looking for Lauriam's sister. And they'll be keeping an eye out for the Foretellers for us in the meantime. But they will be showing up now and then to help us train. They have unique skillsets to test ourselves against and know the Foreteller's way of fighting. We have need of that." Aqua said.

"I know you don't entirely trust them, but please try to work with them on this. This ought to be useful for you too." She added. "And… you know… I think you should consider giving them a chance in any case. So far they have given us very useful information we might never have known about. And these training grounds? They helped us set all this up for you. They've been nothing but helpful. So I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt."

Kairi was quiet for a moment. "It… is rather hard for me to do that. But I suppose I should try. I'm friends with Axel after all. Someone who kidnapped me at one time. But I forgave him. And if I was willing to do it with him, then maybe I should be willing to do so with them too. Maybe not as friends, but as allies at least? With our current problems we should not let old grudges get in the way."

Aqua nodded. "Exactly my thoughts. Thank you, Kairi."

"Though… it might be easier if Sora was here to forgive them. He was really the one they wronged. And I'm quite sure he would forgive them. As quick as can be." Kairi added.

Aqua could not help but chuckle. "From what I understand he is willing to forgive just about anyone. All they have to do is ask for it while being genuinely sorry."

Kairi laughed. "Yes, definitely! But that is one of the things I love about him. How he is able to just take on all the things that should be upsetting and just… carry on unphased, all smiles and sunshine. I would never want him to lose that part of himself."

Then her expression turned serious. "Though I do worry sometimes…"

"You do?" Aqua asked, cocking her head.

Kairi nodded. "Like I said, he has faced a lot of upsetting things. And he looks to be fine with it on the outside. But there were times when he seemed more serious than I'm used to seeing him. Which isn't a problem as such, but I've begun to wonder how much of his happy nature might just be the surface. Could he have wounds he has refused to show to anyone? It would be just like him to focus so much on everyone else he neglects himself."

Aqua nodded. "I see. And I think you might be absolutely right. It's entirely possible that he carries a few hidden scars. I don't think it's possible to live our life without carrying a few of those. I certainly have mine."

A pause as Aqua thought back to something.

"You know, I don't think I ever told you this, but some ten years ago I met both Sora and Riku, and considered passing the power of the keyblade to one of them. But I didn't, because Terra had already done so. Because I thought one keyblade was enough for any friendship. I did not wish them both to have to bear the burden."

"And now all three of you have it. Shows what my intentions were worth." She added dryly.

"Yeah, funny how that works. Things certainly would have been different if we had never had them. But I think it all worked out for the best in the end though. The Heartless would have still come for us. And if none of us had had keyblades, then there would not have been anything we could do to protect ourselves. You may not have wanted to lay the burden on us, but for my part I don't regret us getting those weapons. I just wish they could both still be…" Kairi said.

She stopped suddenly, biting her lip. "Sora… I miss him… so much. And Riku too. I miss them both." She admitted.

Aqua nodded, understanding. "Of course you do. It's only natural." She said with sympathy.

"I should be out there with them, doing my part. But instead I'm still stuck training. Still too weak to help them." Kairi said bitterly.

Aqua gave a long look to the destroyed barrier of earth on the other side of the clearing. "I don't think you have too much to worry about in that regard. You'll be ready when they need you. I have no doubt. And even before then you'll be able to help with the problems here."

"But for now I'd say we have other reasons to wait. Quadratum sounds like a world that is different in a way no other world we have visited is. We must learn more of it before we send any more people there." She then tried to reason.

"We have to be sure it's not a trap with no exit." She added in her mind. Kairi wanted to believe Sora and Riku could come back, and so did she. And certainly she wasn't about to tell Kairi any differently. But Kairi had told her how they had found the way in. And she had conferred with Yen Sid about this too. And if just getting to Quadratum had been that unconventional, getting back out again might be equally as difficult. Perhaps more so. That was why Yen Sid though it better to wait until they had more information to go on. To be sure that those who went there actually could come back.

As soon as she had thought that she felt a pang of guilt. If they could not return, would that mean they would have to abandon them? Would they… end up becoming like her? Would they be left behind far from home, slowly eaten alive by despair, searching for an exit that could not be found, waiting for help that would never come?

No. She could not allow herself to be caught in that mindset. They did not know the facts yet. And until then wallowing in the worst possible outcome was the most harmful thing they could to themselves.

Kairi meanwhile, unaware of Aqua's ponderings, nodded, though she still looked sullen. Her head could accept the reasoning, but her heart was still reluctant. That too was a feeling Aqua was all too familiar with.

"Kairi… you're doing everything you can. The same as all of us. Don't blame yourself for the rest. You'll go crazy if you start thinking like that." Aqua consoled.

"Yeah…" Kairi said quietly.

A moment of silence.

"You know, I actually came to bring you something." Aqua said.

She tossed an object to Kairi, which her student caught.

"What's this?" Kairi asked, looking at the object. "Oh! You finished it!" She said as she recognized what she held, her mood improving almost instantly.

"Indeed." Aqua said, smiling. "So… want to try it on?"

"You bet!" Kairi said excitedly. "So, what do I need to…?"

"To start with just strap it to your shoulder." Aqua instructed, then waited as Kairi attached the pauldron.

"Right. Now close your eyes and concentrate your thoughts on your heart. Then reach out with your heart and mind. Search for the magic in the pauldron. Like reaching for your keyblade, except you're looking for something else this time around." She continued.

"Can you feel the connection?" She asked.

"Mmm-hmm." Kairi hummed, nodding, eyes still closed.

"Good. Now picture your hearts essence travelling along that connection, gently enveloping the magical essence when it reaches it. Imagine them slowly merging together until they are one and the same. So the armor is an extension of yourself, your heart." Aqua directed.

Kairi stood still for a time, her eyes moving beneath her eyelids as she focused.

"Do you think you've got it?" Aqua asked.

"Yeah." Kairi said.

"Very good. In that case, you see that circular crystal on the pauldron? Tap it firmly. The magic will take care of the rest." Aqua told her.

Once more Kairi did as instructed, becoming enveloped in a flash of light. Once that light faded Kairi was now standing encased head to toe in keyblade armor. It had much the same coloring as her clothes: pink, with sections of black, with thin silver lines around the edges of individual plates. A deep red cape cascaded down from her shoulders. Kairi was turning her hands over in front of her eyes, flexing her fingers as she admired her now armored form.

"So, does it fit? Do you need to adjust anything?" Aqua asked.

"No, I think I'm good. This feels… really cool." Kairi said. Aqua could hear her student was more than a little excited. "I did it!"

Aqua smiled. "You did indeed. Congratulations Kairi. Now you just need to figure out how to call for a keyblade glider and I'll be able to train you to use it. Once that is done you'll be able to travel to other worlds independently."

"Actually… I might be able to do that too. I think I've figured out what I was doing wrong with it." Kairi said.

"Really?" Aqua asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kairi nodded. "I was trying to emulate the gliders you, Terra and Ventus use. But then I remembered what you've been telling me about finding the ways my heart naturally wants to develop. So I realized my glider won't be like that. If I'm right in my case it won't even be a glider in the strict sense. And now with the armor I've got the final piece I need to make it."

"Huh. Well now I'm intrigued. Let's see it then." Aqua said.

Kairi summoned her keyblade, then paused as she concentrated. A second flash of light followed, after which Kairi was no longer holding her weapon. At first Aqua thought her student had made some kind of mistake. But then she was astonished to see a pair of large wings unfurl from behind Kairi's back. Aqua could see Kairi's keyblade formed the frame, her cape having transformed into a plumage of red feathers. She was about to ask if Kairi could truly fly with this setup, only for Kairi to hop upwards and flap those wings, gliding over Aqua's head to land a short distance behind her. She flew reasonably well for a first timer, though she did stumble a bit on the landing. A few things left to teach apparently…

"Kairi… that is…" Aqua said, at a loss for words. "…Magnificent." She finally managed.

"I'm glad you like it. I just hope these wings won't end up being too much of a showpiece. They're probably a little bit slower than your gliders…" Kairi contemplated.

"You'll be fine. Don't worry." Aqua reassured. "I'm just glad you finally managed to summon it. You should be proud."

Kairi nodded, grateful for the encouragement.

"…Oh, yeah… there's something else I came to tell you. I'm leaving tomorrow for a few days." Aqua carried on to the next topic. "I said I'd visit Ven in Radiant Garden and I think it's time I delivered on that promise. Besides, I'd like to hear his insights about the Foretellers. Maybe even to invite him to come train with us now and then if he thinks he has time for that. Terra will be in charge of your training while I'm gone."

"Okay. Well then, be sure to say hello to Ventus for me when you go." Kairi said.

Aqua nodded. "I will. But for now I'm still here. And seeing as you've learned how to call on your armor and your glider, I think this calls for a change in today's schedule. Namely I think we can spend today on flying lessons."

"Yes!" Kairi said, grinning widely behind her helmet, her somber mood from earlier all but forgotten.

Aqua spent the rest of that day practicing flying with Kairi, as well as passing on a few tips about fighting with armor on. That night they both retired with a feeling they had accomplished something meaningful. That great progress had been made in Kairi's training.


The next morning, after breakfast, she took some time inspecting her own armor. Remembering what had happened the last time she had travelled through the lanes between, she wanted to make sure there were no faults in her armor. But despite her best efforts she could find no problems with it. Which would have been good news had it not implied the problem was somewhere else entirely. She was a bit hesitant about going to another world. But in the end still decided to go. It would just be one quick jump. She would reach the other side before she knew it. And she already knew what to expect. She could take it. And she really did want to see Ven again.

Once she believed matters were in order she said her goodbyes, called Ven to let him know she was on her way, then departed. And as expected along the way she was hit with a sudden sense of coldness spreading from her heart. But she persevered. She would be fine once she reached the other side and returned to the realm of light.

She finally arrived, heading down towards the castle's courtyard. As she approached she saw people were already waiting for her. She saw Ienzo, Dilan and Aeleus, and when she got closer she spotted the small shape of Chirithy. She touched down, dismissing her glider and armor. She took a step forward, about to greet the others.

But then she halted in her tracks, her hand going to her chest. The feeling of coldness… was not going away. In fact it seemed to be getting more intense by the second. What was happening? What was…?

She stumbled, almost falling over. She heard someone call to her, but it was all a blur. She couldn't make out the words. She put her armor back on, but that changed nothing. The coldness still spread, consuming all other sensations.

She did not notice it happen, but she found herself on her hands and knees. She saw Chirithy in front of her, trying to say something to her, and she was dimly aware of someone in a lab coat close by as well.

"Please… I need… help. I need… Ventus." She forced herself to utter between clattering teeth.

The last thing she saw was Chirithy and Ienzo running off in the direction of the castle proper. After that everything receded from her, swallowed by an icy blackness.