Terra continued running through the grounds, the strange bird-like Unverse flying above his head. So many questions flew through his head. How was Vanitas able to create these creatures? How long had he been able to? He shook his head. Whatever the answers were they could wait until they had found the youngest apprentice.

A chirp caught his attention as he looked up at the bird-like Unverse that was flying above his head. A part of him was wary of the creature, but if they were created by Vanitas and the master didn't fear them then he had nothing to worry about.

The Unverse flew down to hover in front of him, giving small chirps.

"What is it? Do you know where Vanitas went?"

The bird did a couple of twirls around him before flying ahead in a direction that Terra quickly recognized.

"Are you leading me to the summit?"

The Unverse gave a cry that sounded like a confirmation. Terra began to run after the creature along the trail. At least now he had an idea of where to start looking for Vanitas. The two of them continued along the mountain path until they reached the training grounds when the Uvnerse seemed to tense.

"What?" Terra questioned. "Is something-"

He was interrupted when the creature released a loud cry that sounded like a mix of pain and fear. Terra looked in shock at the creature. What could have caused it to release a sound like that? He quickly began running as the Unverse once again began to fly towards Vanitas's location, with a more urgent speed.

If you attack these creatures, Vanitas will feel the same pain.

The Master's words rang through his mind. If Vanitas was hurt did the Unverse also feel the same pain? That was the only thing that currently made sense. But what, what could have hurt Vanitas? The Land of Departure was one of the safest known worlds from the touch of the Heartless. Worry began to fill him as he quickly sped after the Unverse, hoping that Vanitas was alright.

The two soon found themselves on the summit where Terra froze at the sight in front of him. Ahead, holding an unconscious Vanitas in one arm, stood a figure in a black hooded coat. The Unverse, not stopping, reached them with a cry, diving and pecking at the figure's head.

Terra, breaking out of his shock, rushed towards them, summoning Earthbreaker.

"Who are you?" he growled, swiping at the figure who quickly dodged to the side. "What do you want with Vani?"

The figure didn't respond, instead choosing to simply look at him. Terra couldn't tell if it was with intrigue or simply preparing for another attack. Raising Earthbreaker, he glared at the cloaked figure.

"I'll ask again." He growled out. "Who are you? What do you want?"

The figure remained silent, causing frustration to rise in him. With another growl, he leapt towards the figure again, his anger and worry for the youngest of his family driving him forward. Rushing forward, his body seemed to move faster and harder than usual, only to miss the figure as they jumped backward from his strike. His eyes widened when he saw what looked to be wisps of darkness swirling around his hand and arm.

"Interesting."

Terra looked back at the figure after hearing the deep raspy voice.

"It would seem that not only young Vanitas has the aptitude to wield the power of darkness."

Not removing his gaze from the figure, male from the sound of his voice, he flicked his arm, dispersing the wisps of darkness into nothing.

"What do you want with Vani?"

The strange man remained silent, seeming to be considering something as the hooded head remained aimed towards him.

"I can see that Eraqus hasn't told you the entirety of young Vanitas and Ventus's past."

"What?" Terra questioned, his body becoming more tense. What did this man mean? He knew that the twins had come into the Master's care after Eraqus had received that message from Master Yen Sid, but how was this man connected to them? Was he somehow involved in their past?

"Another time, perhaps." The man said as waves of darkness began to appear around their feet.

The Unverse released a cry of what sounded like fear, reminding Terra of its presence, as it once again dove towards the man. Terra, realizing what was about to happen, rushed forward as well, arm reached out in an attempt to reach Vanitas. Rushing towards them he swung his keyblade at the man as the Unverse swiped and pecked at the arm holding Vanitas. The man gave no reaction to the small creature, but slowly turned his hooded head towards Terra.

"Give my regards to Eraqus for looking after my old apprentices."

Terra, barely giving thought to the man's words, reached out to grab the younger apprentice's arm, his fingers a breath's distance from contact. In a burst of darkness, Terra was pushed back, a distant squawk could be heard as the Unverse suffered a similar action. Gritting his teeth, he quickly looked back at the man only to feel his body tense and numb at the now-empty space in front of him. No. Where did they go? Why would that man want Vanitas?

A small squawk came to his ears as he felt the small Unverse fly over and land on his shoulder, its small body quivering as it pushed itself against his head. How could he have let this happen? His thoughts went back to the words that the man had spoken before disappearing. What kind of connection did this man have to the twins and how was the Master connected? Did he know the man? Did it have anything to do with the Master telling them to act as if the twins had always been with them due to Ventus's amnesia?

"Terra?"

The small voice caused him to turn to the trail. Aqua and Ventus stood at the entrance of the summit, their Unverse companions at their sides, all four of them showing some form of anticipation or fear. He couldn't stop the grimace from forming at the look on Ventus's face, the small bit of hope that seemed to peek through the fear of what they most likely guessed had happened to the youngest apprentice due to the agitated Unverse around them.

Releasing a sigh he moved towards the small group.

"We need to return to the Master. Something… something happened."