A new perspective
"But that… it can't be! That just can't be true!" Kairi gasped.
"I wish it was less true." Lauriam responded. It was now the morning after their party. And as promised Lauriam and Elrena had been telling Kairi of the truths they had uncovered.
"But the proof is everywhere. The room full of unused keyblade armor sets. The fact that a city the size of Scala ad Caelum is now completely abandoned, with no sign of the residents anywhere. The book we found and the records the King uncovered… we can only tell you what we've seen and heard." Lauriam continued.
After a few shaky breaths Kairi sat down on the ground. Hard. "…I thought we were doing so well. Before the Foretellers I actually believed that we had won, that it was over. That we just needed to get Sora home, and all would be well."
"I can see how you might have. The Guardians are a good team. About the best I've ever seen. The kind that almost never loses a mission. And from that bubble… it's easy to conclude you were winning. Especially when you lack a point of comparison." Elrena said.
"To be honest for the longest time our thoughts on this weren't all that different. When we first saw then the Foretellers seemed like the unwelcome disruption that ruined the start of a bright new future. Now… it seems things weren't as rosy as they seemed from the surface, even before they got here." She continued.
She sighed, shaking her head. "Sorry to be the bearer of bad news."
"I hope you can see now why we were reluctant to share this." Lauriam said.
"Yeah. I'm kind of starting to regret I had to go digging. Knowing what happened in your time was bad enough. But to now know the sorrow has followed us here… has been here all along, just beneath what we could see… is… it's…" She said, a single tear rolling down her cheek.
"Ignorance is bliss right?" She asked dryly. "Not when the illusion is inevitably shattered it isn't."
"Where do you even start with this?" She wondered.
"We have been asking ourselves that very question since we learned about this." Lauriam said.
"You were right to insist that I tell no one else about this. We can't. Not now. Not yet." Kairi said.
"Agreed. We need to find the right time, and the right way. Assuming there is one of either for information like this." Lauriam said.
"But at least having told you the others will know we weren't trying to play tricks on them." He added.
"Yeah. I can vouch for that much. I know your reasons now." Kairi said.
"But… knowing this… what must we do? What can we do?" She asked then.
"While I don't have certain proof at this point, I do not think it's a coincidence that the Foretellers appeared here bearing these Darknesses just as we are finding out about this. I think they may be the key. More precisely the Darknesses they carry with them. That's why they believe they must be dealt with." He said.
"And if that's not it? What if these things have nothing to do with each other?" She asked.
"Then we might be in real trouble. Then it might not matter if we beat them or not. If the Heartless were able to overrun our Scalan ancestors in time, then they can certainly overrun us. So I think I'd rather take my chances with the only alternative I see." Lauriam said.
"So you really believe if we beat the Foretellers we can turn this around?" She asked.
Lauriam and Elrena exchanged looks. "Maybe it doesn't have to go that far. If we are successful in removing Vanitas from Ventus, then perhaps we can do the same with them. There might be a way to destroy just the Darknesses." Lauriam said.
"You would want to try and save them? Why?" Kairi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Beyond not wanting needless deaths… these are people we knew once. People we respected. If there was an opportunity to spare them… we would not turn it down." Lauriam said.
"Some would say we didn't deserve to come back after the things we did. But here we are anyway. People can redeem themselves after a lot, if they are given that chance." Elrena said.
"But they've done worse than you." Kairi pointed out.
"Have they? They destroyed a world, sure. But Kairi… Lauriam and I were very nearly involved in causing the same. The only reason it didn't happen was because we were stopped. Forcibly. But we weren't bad guys from the get go. We were decent people back in Daybreak Town, I'd like to think. We just… went astray. The same might be true of the Foretellers. If we destroy the Darknesses in them… they might go back to being decent people too. Decent people who've made a lot of mistakes and who have lot to make up for, perhaps too much to ever get it done completely. But still." Elrena argued.
Kairi paused, then nodded. "I see where you're coming from. But… I don't know. They seemed to think Ventus was an exception to the rule. That they themselves were beyond it. If there was a way to do it don't you think they'd have done it by now? It just feels like chasing alternatives might turn out to be a wild goose chase. And given what the stakes might be it seems dangerous to waste time on something that may not even work."
"There could be something they've overlooked. Or maybe there is a solution they can't apply to themselves directly because of the Darknesses they carry, but need help from someone from the outside." Lauriam suggested.
"Look, I know it might be a long shot. All we're saying is that we'd like to try. Even if there ends up being no other way or we don't get enough time to use it… well at least we tried." He added.
"And I suppose I wouldn't stand in your way if you did find a way. Just saying…" Kairi replied.
"Well we aren't going to find out about this until later. We'll cross that bridge when we get there." He said.
"Fair enough." Kairi said.
"Look, I'm going to head back. Aqua will be waiting for me." Kairi said.
"Sure thing." Lauriam said. "Try not to worry too much about what we told you. Won't do anyone any good. Focus on the next day and the next hour. That is where changes can still be made. If there is a way to win this, then that is how we'll be able to reach it. And what really matter is that we don't give up."
"Little by little. Step by step. Got it. And I suppose you're right. Though on the other hand we can't be aimless. I hope the picture of what we need to move towards becomes clearer as time goes by." Kairi said, then took her leave.
She wandered back towards the camp, hands crossed in front of her, kicking a loose rock before her as she walked. Lauriam's advice was sound. Dwelling too much on the tragedies of the past could drive one quite mad. And thinking too hard on implications for the future could just make it seem like an unscalable mountain. All the same, at the moment she was failing at follow that advice. Such terrible losses that they had known nothing about. Such a sacrifice to live up to…
So caught up in it all she was that she nearly bumped into Lea.
"Oh! Axel, hi." She greeted, smiling apologetically.
"Hey there, Kairi." Lea replied. "Everything alright? You're looking kinda glum." He asked.
"Yeah' I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind, with the Foretellers, and Darknesses… and all that stuff…" She said.
"…Say, I think I saw you going to have a chat with Elrena and Lauriam. They didn't say anything to upset you did they?" He asked, a slight hostility creeping into his voice.
"No, no, no. They did nothing worth blaming them over." Kairi said, shaking her head tiredly.
"Axel… mind if I give you a bit of advice?" She then said.
"Sure." Lea said with a shrug.
"Leave them be. They aren't who you think they are." Kairi said, surprising Lea.
"I know what you're scared of. You're worried about your friends. You think Lauriam and Elrena are playing both sides against the middle. That they might backstab us at a critical moment and then you'll lose your friends again." She continued.
"That has kind of been their MO in the past, has it not?" Lea argued.
Kairi shook her head. "Different them. Against a different group. You were also planning to betray the Organization. And I you've done some questionable things for the sake of your friends. To me even. But all the same I'd trust you with my life now. I know you'd never betray us."
"Yeah, but…" Lea tried.
"Look, I was worried about the same thing as you are." She cut in. "For a long while I wasn't sure we could trust them. I thought of the things they did and I treated them with suspicion because of it. But I was wrong about them. Elrena can be bit of an annoyance at times, I know. It's just who she is. And Lauriam can be overprotective when dealing with people he cares about, to the point he's scary. But these are human faults no different than ours. At the end of the day I believe they are decent people trying their best. They are that now at the very least. They don't deserve suspicion like this from us. Don't let who they were in the Organization cloud your opinion."
"Huh. First Aqua, now you. Those guys really are something else." Lea said, rubbing the back of his head. "They're either a lot more silver tongued than I remember… or maybe there is something to what you're saying."
"I mean… I get what you're trying to tell me. And it's not like I don't trust your judge of character. But I'm not as sure about them. And it's going to be a while before I let them forget about the incident with the mirror. Even if that wasn't malicious it was incredibly sloppy of them." He continued.
"And on the other hand… I'm sure you noticed how Elrena and Invi were reacting to each other. They know each other. As more than just a boss and an underling. And the way they talked… I don't think that connection is fully gone." He explained.
"That's obvious enough. They did mention that they were looking for ways to destroy the Darknesses without hurting the Foretellers. I don't think they'd bother with that much if there wasn't some personal link." Kairi admitted.
"And… and that doesn't bother you at all?" Lea asked.
"Not really. They're just looking at people they used to know, wondering if they might still be saved. We wouldn't do it any differently with any of us that fell to darkness. If Roxas, Xion or Isa were in such circumstances, what would you do?"
"…Whatever I needed to do to save them." Lea admitted after a pause. "And honestly, that's the part of them that worries me. There isn't much I wouldn't do for my friends. You've got that much memorized, clearly. And if it's the same with them and the Foretellers… then how can we be sure they'll pick our side if it comes down to a choice?"
"Because they know the stakes. At this point I'd say they know them better than you do. If it comes down to it… I believe they will make the right choice." Kairi said.
"Well… I do hope you are right. You and Aqua both. Because if you are wrong it could cost us more than a little." He said.
Then he frowned. "Wait… what do you mean they know the stakes better than I do?"
Kairi sighed. "I don't really feel like explaining that part right now. Maybe another time, okay?"
"I better get going. There is still training for me to do today. Catch you later." Kairi said and left, leaving a very puzzled Lea behind.
"I think it's just about time. I believe she's ready." Aqua said to Terra and Ventus, the three of them gathered around the still smoking remains of the campfire.
"So quickly?" Terra asked.
"*Quickly* is all relative here. This world allows for a great deal. And we've taken full advantage of it. I've pushed her as hard as I think is decent. And she has really been giving this her all. I'm not sure how much I've left to teach her at this point. Anything else is learned out there, amongst the worlds. I should do my best not to hold her back from that." She said.
"You've both been training with her. What do you think?" She asked.
"We aren't the Master here. But that said… she's been doing really well. If you're feeling that she is ready… I don't really have an objection." Terra said.
"She's learned a lot for sure. I'm seeing it more day by day." Ventus said. "Sure. Let her take the exam. She deserves that much."
He gave a short laugh. "I suppose that means she will reach the rank before me. I don't mind though. I mean, it has been a dream of mine, same as with you two. But while I may have been at this longer… I don't think I'm ready to be a master yet."
"Good to hear you agree. I'll okay it with Mickey and Yen Sid next. They are going to be needed in the examination after all." Aqua said.
"Where is Mickey by the way? I haven't seen him all day." Terra asked.
"Oh, he left. This morning. More work to do. Took his cohorts with him too." She explained.
"I see." Terra said. "Aqua, when last we spoke about this you were wondering how she might be tested. And you suggested that I might take a redo of the test with her. Is that still the plan we're going with?"
"It is. And I've actually got a more detailed idea about that." She said.
"But perhaps we can talk about that later." She said, noticing Kairi walking towards them. "For now… let's give my pupil one more test before I recommend her for the exam. Just so she can prove she really is ready."
The three of them got on their feet to greet Kairi.
"There you are. So, are you feeling like getting back to work?" Aqua asked.
"Better than some." Kairi quipped. "How are Roxas and Xion doing?"
"Improving. Isa says they'll probably be able to rejoin us later today. And stomach pains aside they're definitely thinking we ought to do this again sometime." Aqua said.
"But we can get started without them. In fact I'd like you to be my focus today." She said.
"Oh?" Kairi asked, raising an eyebrow.
Aqua nodded. "We've been doing a lot of practicing as teams. And you've picked up a lot about facing down a group of opponents. But now you've earned yourself a proper challenge. Because now you'll be facing all three of us at once.
Ventus and Terra looked at Aqua in surprise, having not expected this. To say nothing about the astonished look on Kairi's face:
"A… all three of you? At once?"
"That's correct." Aqua confirmed. "Now, I realize you might be a tiny bit outnumbered. But just… hold your ground. And we'll see what happens."
Kairi nodded, understanding. She was reminded of her vey first test. This sounded similar. Winning might not be the point.
Their group moved outside the camp, then summoned their weapons as one. The trio moved around Kairi, surrounding her. Kairi was making sharp turns on the spot, her eyes moving from opponent to opponent, taking care not to forget about any of them. She braced herself, physically and mentally. This was going to be tough. Three top notch opponents simultaneously. Each with a totally different fighting style, which nonetheless would complement the styles of the other two. She would most likely lose this match. But that did not matter. She just needed to give this her very best shot, hold on as long as she could, in the hopes of meeting the unknown standards Aqua was expecting of her.
Right before starting the fight Aqua took note of something. There was a subtle difference in Kairi's stance, her expression. Not necessarily better or worse, just different. She was only able to notice it because of the uncountable hours spent training her. She seemed more serious, more somber. More mature in some ways. A new weight had been added to her heart it seemed. A sorrow weighing her down, being channeled into renewed resolve. And she could have sworn this change had not been there earlier today. Last time she had seen her before now she had been going to have a chat with Lauriam and Elrena. What could have passed between them to cause this?
She shook it off for now. There was still work to do. And she shouldn't prod into her private matters. If this appeared important she could always pick this up later. With that thought she launched her first attack.
After that day's training Kairi found herself a pen and a piece of paper. Then she went to a secluded spot and began to write:
"Sora, it's been a while since I made a letter for you. Probably not sending this one either… wouldn't really even know how to send it right now. But even so I hope the words will be able to reach you where you are. I… kind of feel like I need you to hear me right now. I've been training really hard you know? I'm hoping it won't be very much longer now. I'm… kind of getting the vibe from Aqua that she thinks I'm close. If you haven't come back to us by then, I'll finally be able to join the search for you. And this time you won't need to worry as much about me. Equal partners from now on, okay?
I do wish you were home. And not just for my usual reasons anymore. A lot has been happening. I'm not even sure where to begin explaining it all to you and Riku. Certainly not something I can do in a letter I might never send anyway. Going to have to sit you both down for an hour or two of storytelling when you get back. At the very least.
But Sora… I came across something. Something terrifying. The worlds may be in more danger than any of us realized. And the cost of defending them… far more than we knew. I'd write down what I mean but… I don't think putting it on paper is the right way. I need you to be with me, right in front of me when I tell you. It will soften the blow for both of us.
Sora… we need you back with us. I need you back with us. With what I've just learned… I can't imagine trying to do this without you. You were the one who brought us together as the Guardians. And like we've been your strength, you've been ours. You've helped us gain that extra inch we needed to win when it was most needed. And now I think it will be needed more than ever.
And… if these words find a way to reach you… tell Riku he better get himself home too. There are people waiting for his return just as much. I think more so than he is able to realize at the moment.
Oh, and I heard you may have come across a girl named Strelitzia. Be sure to bring her along for the ride. Her brother is very much hoping to see her again."
Her writing finished, she set down her pen, sighing and closing her eyes."Please, Sora. Hurry."
