Chapter 1: Under the Stars

Everyone in the universe shares the same sky, though this is only known to a select few. The millions of glistening stars stretch endlessly across the night sky, shining down like lanterns upon the residents of the worlds. This sight is beautiful and must be protected at all costs.

Every star is actually an entire world, filled to the brim with people living out their lives and chasing their dreams. The worlds themselves remain separated from each other. High walls made of light surround the worlds, both containing and keeping out those that would seek to destroy the peace. As such, travel between the worlds is impossible. To most people at least. There exist lanes that can only be accessed with a Keyblade. These "Lanes Between" are maintained and watched by the master of the Land of Departure.

Master Eraqus is the one who currently maintains the seal, but I believe that there is more than one way into each world. The Lanes are simply the safest option. However, even then the lanes are far from safe. Otherwise Keyblade wielders like myself would not need to don armor to protect ourselves when within the lanes. I hope to one day have the chance to explore the Lanes and access other worlds. Perhaps when I become a master in a couple years I will be able to do just that. There is still so much to learn, I cannot wait. – From the reports of Caelum, Apprentice to Eraqus

Gravel crunched under his boots as Caelum walked towards the hill. He had seen Ven slipping out as Caelum returned to his room from the library. Smiling softly to himself he followed Ven outside. As he walked, he looked up and felt a sense of peace. Above him were thousands of stars, twinkling in an inky backdrop. Oh how he longed to explore the universe and uncover it's secrets. He ran a hand through his short hair, the brown strands parting around his fingers.

He thought about the report he wrote earlier in the week, particularly about the Lanes Between. 'The Lanes are the surest way to traverse the sea between worlds.' He paused, 'Unless there are other unknown ways into each world, most likely through the efforts of powerful magicians. Or perhaps the denizens of darkness have their own ways...' Caelum walked with a hand on his chin.

Lost in his various thoughts and theories, he nearly jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around, he glared at a giggling Aqua. "I thought I told you to never do that again."

"I know," Aqua replied, "but someone has to keep you grounded in the real world. So, what's going through your head now?"

"The vast number of worlds that exist and how they might be accessed." Caelum replied. "We know of the lanes between, but I theorize that someone of significant magical power could potentially bypass the walls, and enter other worlds."

"You got all of that by looking at the stars?"

"And various books in the library."

"Why you do not have a bed in there by now I do not know. Anyway, have you seen Ven?" Aqua asked.

"I saw him running out here, he's likely just ahead." The two walked out into the clearing at the top of the hill. Seeing Ven, Aqua walked over while Caelum stood back, knowing what would likely happen. Ven let out a yawn and leaned back, only to find Aqua looking at him. With a shout Ven jerked up as Aqua giggled once again.

"Gimme a break, Aqua."

"Ven, you hopeless sleepyhead. You know you should have at least brought a blanket."

"Are you quite done scaring everyone tonight Aqua? Because if not I think Terra is still asleep." Caelum said stepping forward.

"But - did I dream that place up? It really felt like I'd been there before… looking up at the stars…" Ven said. Aqua leaned down and ruffled his hair.

"'Cept you've always lived here with us, and Caelum it's not my fault that you and Ven don't pay enough attention to your surroundings when the two of you get lost in thought." Aqua defended.

"Yeah… I know." Ven said. Ven and Aqua sit down on the edge, their feet over the cliff face. Caelum stands back and sits on the bench instead. "Hey Aqua, do you ever wonder what stars are? Where light comes from?" Ven asked.

"Hmm… well they say-"

"That every star up there is another world." Terra finished walking up. "Yep, hard to believe there are so many worlds out there besides our own. The light is their hearts, and it's shining down on us like a million lanterns."

"Did you get that from the library, or from one of my reports?" Caelum asked.

"The former."

"Uh huh"

"What? I don't get it." Ven interjected.

"In other words, they're just like you, Ven." Terra said, changing the subject.

"What does THAT mean?" Ven asked, still confused.

"You will understand when you are older Ven. But don't think I saw through your attempt at changing the subject Terra." Caelum chastised.

Behind the three Aqua giggled as they bickered back and forth. "Hey, what are you laughing at?" Terra asked.

"I can't help it. You all would make the weirdest brothers."

"If we are all brothers, then that would make you the mother. You did take on a mothering tone when telling Ven he should have brought a blanket with him out here." Caelum said causing Aqua to blush and everyone to begin laughing.

"Oh yeah." Aqua said a little while later after everyone had settled down. "Terra, you and I have our Mark of Mastery exams tomorrow. I made us all good luck charms." Aqua pulled out four stars made of stained glass. She gave one to Terra, Ven and Caelum.

"Me and Caelum get one too?" Ven asked.

"Even if Caelum isn't taking his exam until next year and you won't for a few more after that, I decided that each of us could get one." Caelum looked at the bright yellow glass that made up his star as Aqua continued. "Somewhere out there, there's this tree with star-shaped fruit and the fruit represents an unbreakable connection. So as long as you and your friends carry good luck charms shaped like it, nothing can ever drive you apart. You'll always find your way back to each other. Technically, I think you're supposed to make them with seashells, but I did the best I could with what I had."

"Aqua, sometimes you are such a girl." Terra said.

"Hey what do you mean sometimes?" Aqua said crossly turning towards Terra.

"So this isn't a real good luck charm?" Ven asked sadly.

"Well, that's yet to be seen. But I can see that Aqua put at least a little bit of magic into these, beyond making them more durable that is." Caelum said trying to cheer him up.

"Really, what?"

Aqua smiled and held up her charm. "An unbreakable connection. So long as our bond, remains strong, the charm will never break."

Terra got up and began to walk away. "Well, tomorrow's the exam. Anybody want to spar?" He asked. Ven immediately summoned his Keyblade.

"I can take ya!"

Caelum laughed to himself as he watched Ven dive right into the fight. His speed keeping him from being caught by Terras raw strength. He looked over to Aqua, "Would you care to spar with me as well?"

"All right."

Caelum and Aqua walked over to the opposite side of the mountain top. "Ready?" Caelum asked as he felt the comforting weight of Scholar's Resolve appearing in his hand with a swirl of feathers. The Keyblade itself was admittingly fancier than any of the other blades in the Land of Departure. The blade portion was silver with a yellow stripe running down the center. The "teeth" of the key resembled a bird's wing, angled toward the blade. The hilt was as silver as the rest, with two sets of spikes protruded out of the middle before curving back in. From the keychain, an arrowhead symbol dangled with a yellow jewel glinting in the center.

"As long as you are." Aqua replied summoning her own Keyblade.

Caelum smirked and immediately launched forward, closing the distance between him and Aqua. She dodged to the side and launched a blizzard spell towards him. Caelum blocked the icicle and responded with a fire spell.

Aqua conjured a barrier and blocked the incoming spell before retaliating with several small strikes. Caelum blocked the attacks and looked for an opening. Seeing one, he struck out and landed a good blow on Aqua knocking her back. Taking the advantage, Caelum quickly used a silence spell on Aqua, preventing her from using magic. Aqua, to her credit, did not let this stop her as she kept out of range of Caelum's reach and avoided any spells that he sent her way.

Caelum was annoyed by this but kept up the pressure. All he needed was to land a few good hits and the fight would be over. Of course, this is when the silence spell ran out and Aqua launched several spells at him forcing him back on the defensive.

Caelum jumped to the side as he dodged an incoming fireball. Watching carefully, he noticed a pattern, fire, fire, blizzard. As the icicle raced towards him Caelum moved right and called lightning to surround him. The electricity circled him, and Caelum was about to launch himself forward. But before he could the lightning flared up and hit him, breaking the spell. Grimacing from the shock, Caelum could not keep up with the barrage and landed on his back. He groaned and de summoned his blade. Aqua walked over and held out a hand to him. Caelum took it and was pulled to his feet.

"Nice work with the silence spell." Aqua complimented, "You almost had me a few times, but what were you trying to accomplish with the lighting magic near the end?"

"I was trying to conjure something similar to your barrier spell, but something more attuned to offense. Lighting magic is notoriously tricky to manipulate, even if it would present the best results. Perhaps I could start with using fire magic before attempting to fine tune my control over the lighting element."

"You do know that you do not need to push yourself so hard to keep up with us."

"I know. But you have your skill with magic, Terra has his strength, and Ven his speed. Out of all of our traits, I just have my mind, I have to level the playing field somehow."

On the other side of the mountain top, Terra and Ven's spar had wrapped as well with Terra helping Ven up. He looked over at Aqua, "Sorry but I got distracted watching you two fight." He apologized. "You and Terra are going to clean up at the exam tomorrow. I wish me and Caelum could join as well."

"I hope it's that easy." Terra replied as he walked to Ven. "And don't worry, you and Caelum will be able to join us in a couple years."

"Anyway," Caelum started clapping his hands together, "We had better get back, it's getting late."

Ven nodded and ran to Terra and Caelum who had began to head to the path down the mountain. Aqua smiled and looked up the stars. "Together… always." Before she turned and joined them.

Elsewhere on another world, a mouse was surfing on a book. He struggled to stay on the book as it was dragged into a whirlpool that had formed. He was thrown into the air before the ocean disappeared and he ended up in his master's study. Landing on the floor with a thud he picked himself up and walked to the desk rubbing his head.

The mouse looked at his master with concern. "Mickey," the man started, "I cannot shake the feeling something terrible is about to transpire." Mickey looked at him in confusion. In the sky outside, four stars twinkled as the threads of fate enveloped them.

That would be the last night we ever spent beneath the same stars.

AN: And I am back. To the people who are unaware I had previously attempted to write a fanfiction here back in 2020 but then everything blew up in the world and life became incredibly difficult. But I am back now with this brand new story here. I am hoping to upload a new chapter every week so stay tuned.