AN: This story is non cannon compliant with Dark Road, but partially compliant with Union X. For X, anything past the Keyblade War arc didn't happen with details of what did happen to come. For Dark Road, none of the events in the game occurred and Eraqus' and Xehanort's past is based off of the Xehanort Reports and flashbacks in BBS.
Chapter 2: The Mark of Mastery
The Mark of Mastery exam is considered to be one of the most important days in a Keyblade wielders life, and as such has several traditions surrounding it. There is the traditional format, where the prospective wielder undergoes a small series of tests put before them by their master. These tests lead up to a duel between the student and their teacher, or in the case of multiple candidates, each other. The duel is officiated by the masters, and they make the decision of whether or not the candidates have met the requirements to join their ranks. Knowing Terra and Aqua, I am sure that they will be able to pass the trials with ease and be made masters. Anyways getting back on track, there are two other formats that a master may choose to test their pupils.
There is the journey test, where the candidates are sent out into the worlds to accomplish a task that the master has outlined. Usually this is to search for knowledge in the worlds, to confront a denizen of darkness, and so on. This style is very hands off and the master will have to trust in his students that they will return safely with their task fulfilled. Upon their return, those sent out are named masters.
Finally, I have discovered that there is another, third, type of test. The test of dreams. Apparently in ages past there was such a thing as "sleeping worlds" the candidates would venture into the realm of dreams and awaken these worlds from slumber in some way. The exact details have been lost to time and as such I am unable to determine what the true purpose of such a test would achieve. Apparently such a test had fallen out of favor centuries ago and has not been used since.
Out of all of these tests, I believe that Master Eraqus will use the traditional test for Terra and Aqua, and, when we are ready, for Myself and Ven as well. – From the reports of Caelum, Apprentice of Eraqus
Sunlight drifted in from the large windows. Beneath them, three thrones sat with two of them being occupied. The one on the far left was empty, but in the middle one, Master Eraqus sat. Next to him, on his right an old man sat, his amber eyes scanning the room.
Caelum tugged at his fingerless gloves, the light grey fabric stretching as he did so. He took a deep breath and smoothed out his outfit. He was dressed in his usual attire consisting of a simple dark blue shirt with yellow stripes running up the sleeves and a pair of grey pants. On his left shoulder he wore the pauldron that would summon his armor. He looked over to Ven who snapped to attention next to him with Caelum mirroring his action.
Master Eraqus stood up from his throne and walked forward. Across from his stood Terra and Aqua. "Today you will be examined for the Mark of Mastery." Eraqus started. "Not one but two of the Keyblade's chosen stand here as candidates, but this is neither a competition nor a battle for supremacy, not a test of wills, but a test of heart. Both of you may prevail, or neither. But I am sure our guest, Master Xehanort…" Eraqus said gesturing towards the older man, "did not travel all this way to see our youngest prospects in years fall short of the mark."
'So that is the Masters old friend' Caelum thought as he looked at Xehanort.
"I trust that you are ready." Eraqus said seriously.
"Yes." Terra and Aqua replied.
"Then let the examination begin." Eraqus declared, raising his Keyblade in front of him. The blade lit up with light magic as a line of orbs of light appeared behind Terra and Aqua.
'And so it begins' Caelum thought as Terra and Aqua summoned their Keyblades and rushed forward.
From his seated position, Xehanort made a slight gesture, and the orbs began to move erratically. One drifted towards Ven as Terra and Aqua both shouted out a warning. Reacting quickly, Ven summoned his Keyblade and stuck the orb in front of him, causing it to disperse. "Don't worry about me. You two focus on the exam!" Looking up he saw another orb approaching, only for it to be hit by a blizzard spell.
Caelum lowered his Keyblade as the remnants of the ice spell faded from its tip. "It might be slightly more dangerous than our usual training Aqua, but me and Ven have been looking forward to this day just as much as you two have."
"He's right," Terra chimed in, "They have been training just as hard as us. They can hold their own."
"Besides, this can be practice for when it is our turn in a couple years." Caelum said smirking.
"Stay sharp you two." Aqua said.
"They truly are something special aren't they old friend?" Eraqus asked.
"Yes, quite." Xehanort replied. "I must admit that I was curious as to how well you have trained them. I hope you do not mind that I took the initiative to push them further."
"While I am unhappy that Caelum and Ventus were dragged into it, Caelum does a raise a good point that it would help the two of them grow further. As such I will not be interfering. For now." Eraqus said pointedly.
"The accident with young Ventus will not happen again, nor will it happen to any of your other pupils. I have learned from my mistakes Eraqus, and I hope to make things right with the boy someday soon." Xehanort said with a sad smile. "But enough reminiscing over past mistakes, this stage of the exam is nearly complete."
Looking up, Eraqus saw the last light orb be destroyed by Terra. "This conversation will have to continue later." He got up and walked down the podium while Caelum and Ven moved back over to the side of the room. "That was, unexpected." Eraqus started, "But one must keep a still heart in even the most trying of circumstances. It was still an excellent test, one that I allowed to let unfold. Which brings you to your next trail."
Terra and Aqua nodded and walked to separate ends of the hall. "Now, Terra and Aqua, the two of you will face each other in combat. Remember, there are no winners, only truths, for when equal powers clash, their nature is revealed. Begin!"
Terra and Aqua rushed each other, their Keyblades meeting halfway with a resounding clang. Aqua pushed away from the blade lock and slashed at Terra. Terra blocked two strikes before raising his Keyblade over his head and striking downward. Aqua danced away as Terra followed up this attack with a few slashes of his own. Aqua then rushed forward and slashed upward, causing Terra to jump back, her Keyblade inches away from his face.
Putting some distance between them, Terra grit his teeth as Aqua began to run forward. From his hand, a dark miasma began to emit forth. Noticing it, Terra clenched his fist and suppressed the darkness. The miasma dissipated and Terra raised his Keyblade to block another of Aqua's attacks.
"Who do you think will win?" Ven asked Caelum.
Caelum barely suppressed a frown. He knew what that miasma was. 'I had always known that Terra struggled with the darkness, but for it to crop up now of all times-'
"Caelum?"
Caelum blinked a few times as Ven looked up at him. "I truly don't know Ven."
"I can't wait until it is time for our exam. Then all of us will be masters!"
"Yeah," Caelum said forcing a smile, "That will be great." The two continued to watch the duel. The sound of metal clashing faded into the backdrop as Caelum began to worry about the exam results. 'That small bit of darkness Terra just performed, that is not good. Normally I would not be worried about it and just find ways to help him work through it, but Master Eraqus is very strict when it comes to darkness. It may cost Terra the exam this time.'
Eraqus called out, "Enough." Terra and Aqua stopped the fight, the two walking back to their original positions. "Please wait here while Master Xehanort and I discuss your results." The two went off into a separate room and the door shut behind them. Caelum bit his lip and waited in silence.
"What troubles you Eraqus?" Xehanort asked, breaking the silence. "I for one, thought that your pupils performed tremendously. It is such a shame that Yen Sid could not attend today he would also be singing their praises."
"Your words do me kindness Xehanort, but you know it is not that simple. While Aqua's performance was more than satisfactory, I am unsure of Terra, however. That flare of darkness that he displayed; I have my hesitations to name him master."
"Then don't." Eraqus looked up in shock. "You and I both know what the darkness is capable of Eraqus. It would be devastating to the boy and his friends, but it is ultimately the right course of action. Until Terra can learn to keep the darkness in check, I am afraid that he will not be able to reach the heights of mastery."
The minutes dragged on and tension in the hall was thick. A creaking noise broke the lull and Eraqus and Xehanort walked out of the room. Standing in front of the thrones, Eraqus began to speak.
"We have deliberated and reached a decision. Terra, Aqua, you both performed commendably. However, only Aqua has shown the Mark of Mastery." Aqua let out a small gasp at the news. Eraqus continued, "Terra, you failed to keep the darkness within you sufficiently in check. But there is always next time. That is all. Aqua, as our newest Keyblade Master, you are entitled to certain knowledge. Please wait here for further instruction."
Aqua turned to Terra and raised a hand, "Hey…" she started sadly.
Ven ran up with his head down. "Terra, I'm sorry." Caelum walked up to offer his support as well, but Terra ignored all of them.
'The darkness where did it come from?' Looking up he noticed his friends. "Sorry, I know that you all want to help, but I need some time alone." He said walking away.
Just down the stairs, Xehanort walked up to a boy hidden in the shadows. "What do you make of Ventus?"
"He ain't gonna cut it. Somebody's gotta break that loser in."
"Not here, you won't. I have to keep up appearances."
"I know that." The boy said putting on a helmet. "He just needs a little incentive to leave home."
Caelum entered the library; everyone had gone their separate ways following the announcement. He sighed and glanced around. Seeing that no one was around, he walked over to a section that was barred off from the rest. 'Everyone is elsewhere preoccupied by the results of the exam.' Caelum thought, 'No one is around, but it still doesn't hurt to check. If the others knew about my forays, well best not to think of it. Ask for forgiveness later and all of that.'
Taking a breath, Caelum ran his hand in front of the locked gate, golden sigils and runes lighting up as his hand passed over them. His eyes narrowed as he took them in. "Still the same defensive ward scheme, save for the one additional ward. It blocks a specific person though and it's not anyone who lives in the castle." Pausing in thought, Caelum placed his hand under his chin. "Could it be to block Master Xehanort? But why would the Master exclude his oldest friend?"
Caelum shook his head. "You can think about that later Caelum," he muttered to himself. "First focus on finding a way to help Terra." He looked at the various symbols and began to interact with them. "Suppress the wards that would alert the Master, bypass the restrictions for non-masters, tweak the ones that prevent the books from leaving, avoid triggering the secondary alarms, and bingo. Now for the final step." Caelum briefly summoned his Keyblade and lined it up with the gate. The tip of the blade glowed briefly, and the gate softly clicked open. Caelum then slipped inside.
Taking in the shelves, he tried to wrap his head around the day's events. 'The darkness in Terra is getting worse. There is no denying that.' Caelum thought, 'But he has not had a flare up in months, why did it happen today? Was it the stress? The worry of failure? Of weakness?' He absentmindedly pulled a book off of one of the shelves. 'Sealing Magic? Sounds promising, I'll have to investigate that later.' He tucked it into his jacket and walked up to another shelf looking at the titles.
"Mark of Mastery Exams, read that one, Advanced White Magic, not helpful right now, A Guide to Summoning, no, come on there has be something regarding darkness here." Caelum sighed as he took a look around. "Why are there so few books on darkness in this section of the library?" He grumbled. "You would think that with our primary mission being the destruction of darkness we would have at least some information about it."
Almost turned away before he noticed a slim bookmark sticking out of the shelves. "Now what do we have here?" Caelum wondered pushing aside some books to get a better look. He pulled out a dusty tome coughing as he did so. "Wha-What? I thought that the wards in the library kept this place in good condition. No dust, cobwebs nothing." He looked for a title on the book but found nothing. His curiosity peaked Caelum flipped through it. "I don't recognize this language. Is it a dead one?"
Muttering to himself he began to translate what he could. "Daybreak, Union, Clocktower, Book, Fountain, Dandelion, Kingdom, Keyblade War." Caelum let out a shaking breath. "What is a Keyblade War?" Caelum's ponderings were interrupted by the sudden ringing of bells.
Caelum looked up in a panic before darting out of the restricted section. As he passed the gate he frantically undid his work at the entrance and reengaged the ward scheme. He raced down the hallway wondering what was happening. He saw Aqua standing ahead in the main hall. He arrived just as Terra ran in. "What's going on?" Caelum asked, out of breath.
"I don't know." Aqua replied. "Why isn't Ven here?"
"Very well then, I will send my pupils to investigate." Eraqus said from behind the thrones. "Yes I understand. Farewell." Eraqus then turned and walked to the three gathered.
"That was my dear old friend Yen Sid. As you know, he is Master no more, but he still keeps a close eye on the tides of light and darkness. His counsel serves as signposts on the road we weilders of the Keyblade must walk. All the more reason, then, for concern, for he tells me the Princesses of Heart are in danger. Not only from the forces of darkness, as you may assume, but also from a new threat, one that feeds on negativity." Eraqus paused to take a breath. "Fledgling emotions that have taken monstrous forms, Yen Sid calls them the "Unversed." He nodded to each of them. "As wielders of the Keyblade, you are tasked with striking down any who would upset the balance of light and darkness. These Unversed are no exception. I attempted to pass this news on to Master Xehanort, but my repeated attempts to reach him have failed. This is not as strange as it is difficult to contact him of late, but it still is troubling to me."
"Master Xehanort is gone?" Terra asked.
"So here we are. I need you three to get this situation under control. Eliminate the Unversed and make contact with Master Xehanort. I have unlocked the Lanes Between. You may use these secret pathways to travel between this world and countless others. The darkness looms closer than usual within these spaces, but your armor will protect you. Lastly remember that order must be kept. You cannot tell anyone there are other worlds. Now go and fulfill your duty."
"Master, are you sure about this?" Caelum asked. "Are we ready for such a task?"
Eraqus nodded, "Though only Aqua is officially a master, you and Terra are adequately prepared to face such a task."
"Yes Master." The three chorused. Terra turned and began to walk away.
"Terra," Eraqus called out to him. "Consider this an opportunity. A second chance for you to change my mind."
"What?" he asked.
"You must know, I care for you like my son. If I could have my way, I would name you Master in a second. But how can I, when you are so obsessed with power? Terra," Eraqus said seriously, "you mustn't be afraid of losing. Fear leads to obsession with power, and that obsession beckons the darkness." He placed a hand on Terra's shoulder, "You must never forget."
"Thank you master." Terra said bowing his head. "I swear…I will not fail you again."
Caelum smiled and followed Terra to the entrance. "So, it looks like you will be able to become a Master sooner after all."
"Yeah, I guess you are right," Terra conceded. "It is still hard to believe that I am getting this chance."
Caelum smiled as they walked out into the courtyard. "I could not find much in the library about darkness, but who knows, it is a big universe out there. Perhaps you will be able to find a way to conquer your darkness out there."
"Maybe," Terra said with a thoughtful look. "Stay safe out there." He raised his left arm to Caelum.
"You too" Caelum said grasping forearms with him.
"Terra!" a shout rang out from behind them.
Caelum shook his head fondly. "Guess that's my cue to leave. Maybe we will run into each other out there?" Caelum turned away and activated his armor. It looked like a combination of Ven and Aqua's armor but with a color scheme consisting of bright silver with light blue accents. He summoned his Keyblade and opened a portal in the sky with it. Concentrating, Caelum threw his Keyblade into the sky and it transformed into his glider, a slimer vehicle that resembled Terra's save for the color. He soared through the portal and left the Land of Departure behind.
In a far off world a dark corridor opened up. Dust billowed around the vast canyons. "Is it done?" Xehanort asked.
"Yes, Ventus has left the safety of his home, and the Unversed have been unleashed as you ordered Master."
"Good, and Eraqus suspects nothing?"
"Nope. Not a clue as to our true intentions. I have been meaning to ask, I understand the need for Ventus and Terra, but why the other two?"
"I have not lived this long without backup plans Vanitas."
"Yeah, yeah" Vanitas replied dismissively. "You have drilled that into my head enough times these past four years. But if all we need is a backup, then we don't need all of them right?"
AN: And that is another chapter done. Whether you liked it or hated it please review, it inspires me to keep writing as it means that you all are engaged with the story. Next Chapter: Hearts of Light