"Focus on the target in front of you. Strike at the most opportune moment," Eraqus instructed from his throne.

Sky observed the sluggish ball of light across the room. Caution was the focus of today's lesson.

"Rushing into a fight will most likely result in injury," Eraqus added. "Assess the situation. Every strike counts. Try to take it out in one swift blow."

Sky held her wooden sword ready as the ball of light drew near. When it came into range, she blocked its advance. She swiftly raised her sword and sliced it in two as it rebounded. The light vanished, a sure sign of defeat.

"Well done," Eraqus commended, rising from his seat. "With the progress you've made, you are on track to inherit the Keyblade."

Sky beamed. "Will I be able to visit other worlds when I get it?"

"Patience, child," Eraqus advised. "We mustn't rush the process. Continue to study and train. Prove that you are capable of becoming a Keybearer, then we can discuss traveling to other worlds."

"Okay…" She mumbled.

"Good. Now, about your magic…" Eraqus continued his lesson, describing the different uses of magic in combat.

It had been a few weeks since Terra, Aqua and, Ven left The Land of Departure to explore other worlds. Troubled by Xehanort's most recent visit, Eraqus had decided to start her combat training. Should something happen, she would, at the very least, be able to defend herself.

Until Terra, Aqua and Ven left, Sky had occasionally observed their training sessions. Now, she was receiving training herself and was eager to become as strong as the trio she idolized.

"Enemies heading straight for you can be stopped with blizzard. Fire spells are best used for quick attacks. For enemies floating out of reach, thunder spells would be the best choice. There are, of course, exceptions to these rules. For example-"

*Ding, Ding, Ding*

"Someone has returned," Eraqus remarked.

Dropping her wooden sword, Sky rushed out of the Great Hall, heading for the forecourt. A whirlwind of questions filled her mind. Where had they gone? Who did they meet? Did they have to fight the darkness? All these questions and many more raced through her mind as she pushed open the castle doors.

Standing alone in the forecourt was Ven, his gaze cast downward.

"Ven!" Sky exclaimed, dashing down the stairs. "Welcome home!" She stopped in front of him, smiling.

"Hey Sky," he greeted with a weak smile.

"Did you go to any cool worlds? What were they like? Did you see Terra or Aqua?" Sky prattled, giving him little time to respond.

"I-"

"Ventus?" Eraqus called. "You're alone? I thought Aqua would…"

Approaching the hesitant boy, Eraqus placed his hands on Ven's shoulders.

"Well, what matters is that you're home. You don't belong outside this world yet. You need to stay here, where you can learn-"

"In your prison?" Ven interrupted.

"What?" Eraqus froze.

"That's your excuse… for keeping me imprisoned here, isn't it?" Glaring at the older man, Ven harshly removed the hands from his shoulders.

Sky glanced between Ven and her master, confused at the scene unfolding. 'Prison?' She thought, brows furrowed.

"Ven-" She started.

"What did you hear?" Eraqus interrupted.

"That I'm supposed to be some weapon… Some kind of χ-Blade!" At this point, Ven was irate. All previous signs of hesitance had disappeared.

'Weapon? χ-Blade?'

"I knew it. Xehanort - he could never let it go," Eraqus mumbled.

"Master…?" She cocked her head.

"I failed," Eraqus said. "I had a chance to stop him and couldn't do it. But I will not fail again."

He summoned Master's Defender and aimed the blade at Ven.

Ven and Sky gasped at the sudden act of aggression. Eraqus had always been a patient man, never showing signs of dislike or hatred.

'What's happening?' Sky thought, backing into Ven.

"Master! What are you-" Ven started.

"Sky. Go back to the castle," Eraqus ordered.

"Huh?"

"This does not concern you. Go to your room."

"No!" She exclaimed, clinging to Ven. "Why are you fighting?"

"The χ-Blade has no place in this or any world," Eraqus declared. "Xehanort has made his purpose clear… and I am left with no choice. Forgive me, Ventus… but you must exist not more."

With a swift motion, he thrust out Master's Defender, chains shooting out from the Keyblade.

The pair shut their eyes, bracing for impact.

"Ven! Sky!" A familiar voice called out.

After what seemed like an eternity, the duo slowly opened their eyes. Before them stood a figure clad in red and gold armor, intercepting the strike.

"What!?" Eraqus exclaimed, shocked at the sudden intrusion.

"Terra!" Sky blinked, grateful for his sudden emergence.

"Sky. Back to the castle. Now." Terra commanded.

"But -"

"Now," he reiterated.

Not wanting to argue further, Sky rushed up the stairs, stopping at the castle doors.

"Master, have you gone mad?" Terra asked, armor dissipating in the light.

"Terra! I command you- step aside!"

"No!"

"You will not heed your Master?" Eraqus glared, anger dripping from his voice.

"I won't!"

"Why do all my attempts to reach you fail? If you don't have it in your heart to obey… then you will have to share Ventus' fate."

Shedding a tear, Eraqus launched himself forward. Terra remained in a defensive stance, blocking blow after blow with Earthshaker.

"Enough, Terra! He's right…" Ven conceded.

"Quiet!" Terra barked back.

"Terra…"

Eraqus sprang back, Master's Defender glowing with light. With a powerful motion, he released a devastating attack, sending Terra and Ven hurtling through the air. As Eraqus prepared for another attack, Terra rushed towards Ven, helping him to his feet.

Sky watched the battle from the castle doors. 'Why is this happening?' She thought as tears welled up in her eyes. She could feel Terra's anger growing.

"You may be my Master, but I will not let you hurt my friend!" Terra exclaimed, darkness erupting around him.

A shiver ran down her spine, and for a brief moment, she saw him transform again. The Terra she knew faded, giving way to the man with silver hair and golden eyes. Darkness encircled him as if it were to engulf him entirely.

"Has the darkness taken you, Terra?" Eraqus shouted, snapping Sky out of her thoughts. And, like before, the image was gone.

Terra swung Earthshaker back and opened a portal, hurling Ven in.

"Wait! Terra-" Ven started. But before he could get another word in, the portal closed, transporting him elsewhere.

Terra refocused his attention on Eraqus in time to deflect another attack. No longer confined to defending, he launched a powerful counterattack. Drawing upon the darkness, Terra darted across the field with incredible speed and strength. What Terra lacked in battle experience, the darkness compensated in speed and power.

Eraqus skillfully maneuvered across the forecourt, creating a barrier of brilliant light to fend off Terra's dark onslaught. Charging up power, he released bursts of light magic that illuminated the entire area. But despite his best efforts, Terra's relentless aggression continued.

Sky watched the battle unfold from a distance, tears streaming down her face. 'Why is everyone fighting?' She just wanted everything to stop.

Finally, the battle came to a sudden halt, Eraqus clutching his chest in pain. Terra dispelled Earthshaker, cautiously approaching his wounded master.

"What have I done?" Terra said, ashamed. "Master… I just… wanted to keep Ven safe."

"No. You were right," Eraqus said. "I failed you, Terra. Perhaps I've no one to blame but myself for the darkness inside you. And now I've done worse - raised my Keyblade against you and Ventus."

Terra took another step forward, sadness clouding his features.

"My own heart is darkness!" Eraqus exclaimed.

Out of nowhere, a dark pulse struck Eraqus from behind. Eyes widening in pain, Master's Defender tumbled to the ground with a loud clatter.

"Take Sky… somewhere safe…" Eraqus croaked out.

Before Terra could catch him, Eraqus dissipated into several strands of light.

Terra cried out in anguish, hands planted on the ground.

"Master Eraqus!" Terra yelled, sobbing.

Sky stifled a scream, hands covering her mouth. Where did that attack come from?

As if to answer her question, a portal materialized in the forecourt. Xehanort emerged through, his hunched form exuding a sense of sinister satisfaction.

"What a sight," Xehanort smirked. "Why do you trouble yourself with remorse, Master Terra? The man was bent on doing harm to our friend, his own pupil!"

"Master Xehanort! Why?" Terra looked up.

"You know, at times I find your progress quite striking," Xehanort said. "But you still fall short. Let all that anger out, my boy. Give your heart over to darkness!"

"What do you mean?" Terra asked, summoning Earthshaker once more.

"Still so blind…" Xehanort shook his head. "Then I will make you see. Come to the place where all Keyblade wielders leave their mark on fate - the Keyblade Graveyard!"

Summoning his own Keyblade, No Name, he raised it to the sky.

"There you will watch your dear Ventus and Aqua meet their ends, and the last light within you will die!"

As darkness poured out of No Name, Xehanort unleashed a beam into the sky, creating a foreboding dark orb. The chains of the castle shook violently as the ground trembled beneath them.

"You won't need a home where you're going!" Xehanort exclaimed before vanishing through another portal.

"What? Xehanort!" Terra shouted, desperately reaching out in vain to catch him.

The castle shook, slowly ascending to the darkness. The forecourt split open, earth rising to the sky. Terra watched helplessly as his home was falling apart before his eyes.

"Terra!" Sky cried in panic, clinging to a pillar for stability. "Terra! Help!" She didn't understand what was happening, but she knew they needed to leave as soon as possible.

Snapping out of his stupor, Terra summoned his glider and quickly scooped her up. With an ironclad grip, Sky held on as Terra raced toward the portal he created.

Looking back at the destruction, Sky felt more tears fall. This world was now desolate. Lost to darkness.

Home was no more.

Gentle waves lapped onto the shore as Terra and Sky landed on a secluded beach. Compared to the now eerie feeling of The Land of Departure, the tranquil beaches of Destiny Islands felt welcoming.

Quickly setting Sky on the sand, Terra dismissed his glider before anyone could spot them.

Sky stared off into the distance, still reeling from the events of the past couple of hours. 'What's gonna happen now?' She thought. Their home was gone, and so was Master Eraqus. 'Where will we go?'

"Sky?" Terra called.

Snapping out of her thoughts, she turned to face him.

"I have to go."

"You're leaving?" She asked, sadness once again clouding her features. "Please don't leave me…"

Terra sighed and knelt to her level. He didn't want to leave her, but he also had no choice. Xehanort was a dangerous man. The man was hellbent on hurting his friends. Who knows what would happen if he failed to protect her?

"I have to help Aqua and Ven," Terra said softly. "We don't want what happened to the Master to happen to them, right?"

Sky shook her head.

"Why can't I go with you?" She asked.

"It's way too dangerous," Terra explained.

"But I've been training with Master!" Sky exclaimed. "And I'll be here alone…"

Terra frowned. He was leaving her alone in an unfamiliar world. It was peaceful for now, but that could change at any moment. And if something happened to him…

"You're right," he conceded.

Beckoning her to come closer, he summoned Earthshaker, flipping the hit of the Keyblade to face her.

"Huh?" Sky blinked.

"Here," he said, motioning for her to take hold of the blade.

Sky shuffled across the sand and wrapped her fingers around the hilt.

"In your hand, take this key. So long as you have the makings, then through this simple act of taking… it's wielder, you shall one day be. And you will find me, friend. No more borders around, or below, or above, so long as you champion the ones you love."

While Terra spoke, she could feel the Keyblade's power flow through her, filling her with strength.

As she released Earthshaker from her grasp, Terra rose from the ground.

"Do you remember what Master taught us about other worlds?" He asked.

Sky nodded.

"Don't tell people that other worlds exist. And the Keyblade is only used to fight darkness," Sky recalled.

"Good. I have to go now. I can't keep Aqua and Ven waiting any longer," Terra said.

"Okay… Promise you'll come back soon?"

"Promise. And I'll bring Aqua and Ven, too," he said.

Changing into his armor, Terra summoned his glider. He looked back at her forlornly before disappearing through another portal.

'Please be safe,' Sky prayed, sitting in the sand. She was alone now, even if it was only for a little while. But she had faith in her friends. She knew they were strong. She knew they wouldn't lose.

Hours had gone by since Terra had left. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the tide started rolling in.

Sky trudged her way to the nearby town, feeling the chill in the air. Walking up the main road, she realized the town was nearly deserted. Shops had shut their doors, and lights blinked out one by one.

Sky plopped on a nearby bench, unsure of where to go, shivering from the cold. The warmth of the day had disappeared entirely.

She hugged herself tightly, trying to hold on to every bit of warmth she had left. Several thoughts passed through her mind:

'How long was he going to be gone?'

'Are they okay?'

'When will they be back?'

Sky had been so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't notice people exit the nearby building.

"Thank you for the book recommendations!" A brown-haired woman said as she ushered two boys outside. "We'll be back in a couple of days to return them."

"Of course! Anything for my favorite customers!" A young black-haired woman smiled. "Oh! One more thing before you go…"

As the women conversed, a brown-haired boy chattered excitedly to his friend about the book in his hands.

Only half paying attention, the silver-haired boy scanned the area around him.

"Hey," he called, spotting Sky. "Who are you? I've never seen you here before."

Sky snapped out of her thoughts, her brown eyes meeting his green.

"Uh-ummm…" She shrank back, shyness overcoming her. Apart from the four people she spent most of her life with, Sky had never interacted with anyone else. Eraqus hadn't allowed her to venture outside of The Land of Departure.

"I'm Sora!" The brown-haired boy chimed in, startling her. Sky recoiled further, moving to the other end of the bench.

"Sora! Don't scare her!" The silver-haired boy scolded. He then turned back to the scared girl and smiled. "I'm Riku."

Sky's eyes darted between the two boys, unsure how to react. She wasn't expecting to meet people.

"Sora? Riku?"

The women paused their conversation, now focusing on the three children.

"Oh! Sweetie, why are you out here by yourself?" The black-haired woman asked. "It's freezing!"

Sky averted her gaze. What could she say? She wasn't allowed to talk about it, and she wasn't sure they would believe her if she did.

The women exchanged a glance. Her presence was an anomaly. The island was small enough for everyone to know each other, and they hadn't seen her around before.

"My name is Cass," the black-haired woman said softly. "What's your name?"

"Sky…"

"It's very nice to meet you, Sky. Why are you out here so late? Shouldn't you be heading home?"

Sky nervously fiddled with a lock of her ash-brown hair. She wished Terra had prepared her for this.

"Sky…?" the brown-haired woman prodded.

"My friend said he'd come back soon…"

"How long ago was that?" Cass asked.

"Four hours ago…"

Alarmed, the women exchanged concerned glances. Who leaves a child alone for four hours? Were they planning on leaving her here all night?

Cass took a deep breath. 'How could someone be so irresponsible?'

"It's getting pretty late. Why don't you come inside for the night? You can stay until your friend comes back," she suggested.

Sky stared at her blankly. Terra had left her on the beach. How would he find her if she wasn't there? Sleeping outside wasn't an option.

"Okay…" Sky conceded, sliding off the bench.

The women sighed in relief.

"Great!" Cass exclaimed and turned back to the other woman. "I'll take care of her."

The woman nodded. "Alright, it's time we get going. I'm sure Riku's mother is getting worried."

"Awwww… do we have to?" Sora whined.

"Yes," she insisted, "it's getting late."

"Can we come back tomorrow?" He asked.

"That can be arranged. If that's okay with you?" She directed at Cass.

"Of course!" Cass smiled.

"Yay!" Sora cheered. "Bye Sky! See you tomorrow!"

The young boy turned and skipped down the street.

"Wait! Sora!" His mother called. "Come along, Riku."

He nodded and followed after her.

"Hey Sky, let's play tomorrow. We can show you around the island," Riku suggested.

"Um…okay…" She looked away. "See you tomorrow."

Riku smiled and waved before continuing down the street, disappearing into the distance.

"Well, it's not getting any warmer out here, so in we go!" Cass gestured to the door. Sky nodded and entered the building. Upon stepping inside, she gasped in awe.

"A library?" Sky marveled, taking in the countless number of bookshelves.

"Yep! Do you like reading?"

"Yes!" Sky exclaimed. Cass chuckled, knowing she had a bookworm in her hands.

"You and me both," Cass smiled. "But you can explore the shelves tomorrow. Now, we need to get you to bed." She pointed to the staircase leading to the second floor.

"Fine…" Sky pouted.

Once on the second floor, the pair rounded the corner and stopped in front of a door.

"You can stay here for the night," Cass said, turning the doorknob.

The room was small and cozy, furnished with a single twin bed dressed in soft, floral-patterned sheets. A wooden nightstand stood beside the bed, adorned with a delicate lamp and a few books. A door on the opposite wall led into a compact but tidy bathroom.

"Thank you," Sky replied shyly.

"Of course! I'll be right down the hall if you need anything. Good night!"

"Good night," Sky called back.

The door closed with a gentle click, leaving Sky alone in the room. Sky laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Despite the long day, sleep eluded her. She had hoped Terra would be back before sundown, but from what she had seen, Master Xehanort's strength was daunting. But she knew that Terra, Aqua, and Ven were stronger. They would win and come back for her. They were just running a little late.

'Please be safe…' she pleaded as she drifted to sleep.

Little did she know, it would be a long while before she would see her friends again.