Eraqus entered the dining hall of the castle. He paused as the strong scents filled his nose.
He strode slowly down the table, eyeing the woman with...bemusement. He stopped, clearing his throat.
Moreth startled rather terribly - water splashed across the floor as she dropped the mop and turned to face him sharply.
"Apologies, I-" Eraqus began quickly.
"It's alright!" the woman cut across him, her face flushing as she brushed long dark hair from her face. Those familiar silver eyes...eyes rich with life and expression (as Xehanort's had not been in so long). She gazed back at him, hesitant. Nervous, even. She picked up and set the soapy, wet mop into the steel bucket, and folded her hands at her waist. "I'm sorry - if you needed to get through here-"
"No, no...it's only..." Eraqus trailed off. He crooked a small smile of amusement now. "This castle is heavily enchanted; it's never needed...cleaners or workers. And I think Xehanort would try and kill me again if he came back with the impression that I had turned you into a servant, or- castle maid."
The woman, Moreth, winced, bowing her head suddenly.
Eraqus cursed himself internally - you always did have the worst timing for trying out jokes.
"I'm sorry, that was inappropriate of me," he said quietly. "I-"
"Is that the kind of joke you two make with each other?" Moreth spoke, raising her head again, a smile suddenly growing on her face. "I can't judge what relationship my son has with his friends - especially two boys!"
"I..." Eraqus flushed now, awkwardness in his Heart. Perhaps a change of topic was wiser at this point. "You truly don't need to do any cleaning like this. Xehanort entrusted me with your safety, not so I could put you to such hard work."
The woman seemed to brighten, strangely, shaking her head. "I do have to clean. It's not hard work at all. It's busywork - it's what I like doing! And it's sort of what I need to be doing right now, too, or I'll go insane with all the fear and worrying in my Heart right now..."
"...I see..." Eraqus nodded slowly.
"Those enchantments on this place you mentioned before must be failing, because I've found a lot of spots that needed cleaning already," the woman went on, cheerful and confident now.
Eraqus eyed the woman for a moment, then, unable to help himself, he laughed. "Well - as long as you're doing what you're doing of your own free will...I appreciate your services, Ms. Moreth."
"Please, you're my son's best friend - just call me Moreth!"
"...Alright. Moreth."
Moreth tilted her head at him, a smile on her lips again. "I haven't wanted to get in your way these past few days since I came here, but...could I talk to you about my son?"
"Of course. Is there something in particular...?" Eraqus winced at his own choice of words - something in particular? How about the whole list of atrocities and falling to darkness, how about the fact that I'm currently keeping his present self under lock and key in my basement? How about the fact that-
"I know...about all of the bad things he's done - the person he became," Moreth spoke quietly. "But could you tell me about the person he was - the friend you knew him as? You have to have stories, don't you? Funny little stories, cute little memories...? You're his best friend! I know those other children are also his friends, but you were the closest to him, weren't you?"
Eraqus stared into her hopeful face. He gave a small smile and a nod. "I believe I can think of a few excellent ones to tell, yes. Let's see now...ah, how about the time when-"
A loud, roaring noise echoed from somewhere above.
Eraqus froze, turning his head to try and trace the source of the noise. He glanced at Moreth. "Stay here, please," he said firmly, and he raced out of the room.
He hoped it was nothing. He couldn't fail his new promise to Xehanort now: the promise to look after the mother that Xehanort had not told him of before in their lives...
Kana tied her hair into a long ponytail, stuffed it down the front of her shirt, then aimed her Keyblade out in front of her, revving the engine of her bike and lifting the front wheel as she sped into the portal!
She flew out the other side and into a...large, open room with crystals and high windows and thrones. Some throne room for a castle.
She slowed down and set her foot down to come to a sliding stop on the slick floor! She almost lost her balance completely - but she saved it. It was a real rush of excitement in her chest.
She'd already had some of this new hair ripped out before, and taken a fall she wouldn't have blinked at before...but she had now! She'd felt pain before, but pain now was so much more...painful. And strangely pleasurable at the same time.
Anyway...Kana swung a leg off her bike and pulled her ponytail out of her top, letting it hang behind her back. She let the Keyblade vanish from her hand.
She heard racing shoes, and an older man with long dark hair in white robes came running up some stairs into view. It was that Eraqus man - the one who had taught her- originator to use the Keyblade and all that. Kana watched him as he drew closer, feeling a rush of emotion in her chest. The things she sometimes felt with Even, or Xion, or Aerith and Tifa. Happiness, affection, joy...whatever you called them all.
"Aqua...?" the man said as he stopped in front of her. Then he shook his head, closing his eyes. "No - apologies - you...are not Aqua. It's Kana, isn't it...?"
"Yeah?" Kana said, shrugging and smiling. "And you're Eraqus. The guy who got a new body, like me. You trained Aqua."
"Y-yes, I did..." Eraqus gazed at her, frowning. He sighed. "I'm sorry. Do you...need something? Is it an urgent matter?" he spoke, eyeing her motorcycle strangely.
"Yes. I want you to tell me where to start looking for the Ultima Weapon - or where to find all these Nightmares. Or - no, wait! - that Darkness that's out there!" Kana stated.
Eraqus blinked at her in surprise. Then he smiled at her. "You intend to offer your help?"
"I intend to save the worlds," Kana replied. "I think I can knock it out in a week or two. This will all be over, and you can all thank me for it: you're welcome!"
The man stared at her some more. Then he laughed. Loudly. Echoing in the throne room.
"I wasn't being funny," Kana said, frowning.
"No, no, of course not," Eraqus said quickly, his hand on his chest. "Forgive me - it's just...you truly do resemble her in more than looks, don't you, Miss Kana? At least...in her younger years..."
"Sure. Whatever," Kana said dismissively. "Can you tell me anything useful or not?"
"I could - perhaps. However..."
Kana stepped forward, leaning in to put her face in his. "What?!" she demanded excitedly.
"The Nightmares can be found on many worlds by now; a blind search would see you come across them soon enough," Eraqus said. "As for the Ultima Weapon, or this Darkness foe of ours...I am not the one who could tell you that."
"Then who is? I'll talk to them." If she had to...
"That would be Master Yen Sid. He-"
"Where do I find him?"
Eraqus closed his eyes, a smile on his lips. He shook his head again. "I can open a path for you to his tower, if you truly insist..."
"Oh, I do. I really insist! If you keep holding out on me, my swords will start to insist, too," Kana said, patting her hands down on her sword hilts hanging from her waist. "And you don't want that."
"There's no need for threats, especially against your own allies," Eraqus said calmly. "I will open a portal, and you may pursue your goal as you see fit."
"Then do it! I need to get out there already!" Kana said impatiently.
"As you wish, then."
After the man did what she asked, Kana jumped onto her bike, spun it around, and sped off into a new portal!
She emerged out the other side - into an empty room with a desk and a chair and some shaped windows.
There was an old man at the desk, with a pointy blue hat and a white beard. He stood up immediately, his jaw dropping, a hand raising.
Kana skidded to a stop and ended in a forward wheelie; she twisted her bike around on the momentum and slammed it down onto the ground again with a high laugh. She tossed her head and turned to grin at the old man. "Are you Yen Sid?"
The man stared at her some more, for a long minute. Then he slowly lowered his hand, putting it on his desk. "Yes...I am? And you are-"
"Kana. Eraqus said you were the guy who could tell me where to go to find Nightmares and some Darkness to fight," Kana said swiftly, waving a hand. "And an Ultima Weapon Keyblade?"
The idea of this ultimate weapon really appealed to her. There would probably be a lot of fighting over who got to use it, and if she could be the one to use it...imagine what kind of fights she could fight with it - and win!
"Indeed..." Yen Sid said slowly, still staring at her with bugged out eyes. "I...believe I can point you in the right direction. However, if you are to join this mission, I must warn you-"
"Just give me the directions, skip the warning," Kana interrupted.
Yen Sid sighed. He stroked at his long beard, raising his eyes to the ceiling. "If what the stars tell me is true...perhaps a warrior of your- caliber will be needed indeed, soon. Very well. The world you must go to is thus..."
He waved a hand, and a swirl of smoke appeared in the air. Out of the smoke formed a hazy image - of a world, and people!
"Hold this image in your Heart, and conjure a portal, and you may yet be able to reach it," Yen Sid told her.
"Okay - I got it. You really were helpful," Kana responded, beaming.
Yen Sid blinked. Then he gave a thin smile, bowing his head. "I am glad to hear it - I do strive to be."
Eraqus had watched the young woman go - younger in so many more ways than one would think (in mind, in Heart, and in experiences) - and turned away with a small shake of the head.
He was beginning to make his way back across the throne room, when a new portal of light burst into existence in front of him.
He braced himself for the woman's sudden return, wondering if he would need to actually jump out of the way of an oncoming vehicle this time-
But he relaxed as he saw the two figures striding out of it.
"Xehanort?" he spoke, staring at the young man. The young version of his best friend. The version that was still...his best friend. Said best friend was wearing a mask of an expression - though Eraqus could see the cracks in it, that revealed true emotions underneath... He looked to Amaya, questioning.
"He decided he wanted to come by for a visit," the woman said simply, quietly. "To check in with you - and his mother, of course-"
"Stop," Xehanort's murmuring tones came, as he glanced away from Eraqus and Amaya both. "I think I'm capable of speaking for myself, thank you."
"Of course..." Amaya nodded, closing her mouth and bowing her head. "I'm sorry."
Xehanort let out a sigh, and finally looked Eraqus in the eye. He strode forward - then stopped in front of him. His silver eyes blinked, and shifted. They shined now, like they used to, as his lips quirked. A small, humorous smirk, so familiar and so welcome on that face. "I wanted to be sure you weren't in need of rescuing again - that was a pitiful showing against my Heartless the other day, you know. It didn't inspire much confidence in me in regards to your 'Master' title. Apparently they just give it out to anyone, don't they?"
Eraqus found himself smiling in return, his Heart glowing with warmth. This was Xehanort - his best friend - pure and true. For this moment, at least...he was back. And perhaps, as Terra had said, and as Amaya had spoken of...perhaps he could truly bring that boy back for good. If he upheld his promise, lived up to it, this time. If he just... "Even with this new, strong body, I'm still a little rusty, I'm afraid. I promise to do better next time," he said, half in jest, half serious.
"Hmph. You'd better," Xehanort replied, gazing at him intently.
Eraqus gazed back...
Then, they both began to laugh at the same time.
"Well, if you want to see your mother again now, she's in the dining room," Eraqus said, recovering himself. "She's hard at work - cleaning."
Xehanort blinked. "What...? Cleaning?" He frowned. "I thought I asked you to keep her safe, not turn her into your personal maid!"
And there it was, Eraqus thought wryly. "I haven't! She's doing it by her own free will; she's said it keeps her mind off of...negative thoughts. Like worrying about you. She seems to enjoy it, honestly."
Xehanort froze, his mouth open. His cheeks tinged pink as he looked away quickly. Then, down at his feet. "My mother...enjoys...cleaning?" he said, halting, murmuring, as if unable to believe the words.
"Apparently so," Eraqus said, restraining a grin now. "Is that a problem for you?"
"Well, it's definitely not what I imagined...but I suppose so long as she's truly acting of her own free will, I'll nix the thoughts of seriously killing you again," Xehanort muttered. He drew a breath and straightened. He looked Eraqus in the face, entirely serious now. And yet still seemingly...uncomfortable or embarrassed. "Eraqus, I-"
"Yes?"
"I just..." Xehanort hesitated. Then- "I suppose I should apologize for...the things I never said, or got the chance to say." He glanced at Amaya, then focused on Eraqus once more. "Apparently, even in all the decades after my time, I never told you about...well, my mother. Or Amaya. Or...where I grew up. Perhaps I should have. Best friends do share that sort of thing with each other, don't they?"
Eraqus stared at his old, young friend in pure shock. And amazement. And...raw emotion. He swallowed, blinking quickly, and offering a smile to the young man. He shook his head. "We all have our secrets, Xehanort. Things we'd rather not talk about - even with the closest of friends, or even family. Things that...are our right to keep to ourselves alone. I never asked after the first time because I wanted to respect your right to that." He paused. "And because you seemed to get really annoyed with all the questions, and I didn't want to ruin a chance at friendship."
"Well, seeing as keeping it all inside of me didn't seem to...work out too well for anyone...perhaps...the alternative could yield better results?" Xehanort spoke slowly. He gave a small, almost nonchalant shrug. "Who knows?"
"I'll be glad to listen to whatever you have to say, old buddy," Eraqus said, smiling again.
Xehanort stared into his eyes. "I should also seriously apologize for killing you in the future..."
Eraqus looked down, his smile fading. "Well, I certainly don't want to say water under the bridge, or anything that would condone the act - but I am alive and well again now. Stronger and better than ever, in fact. And the you that got to that point, that did such a thing, is not the one that stands before me-"
"And I never will be."
Eraqus blinked, his head shooting up.
"I- just want you to know that, as well, I suppose," Xehanort went on, in almost a stammer. "I...do not want to ever get to a point where I could- contemplate such a thing, let alone actually go through with it. It's...I suppose I can see how I would, over enough time, with the right mindset and-" He stopped, shaking his head. "But I'd like to do everything possible to avoid that fate for myself...and for you. I know that must mean nothing, coming from the man who proved himself capable of it, but-"
"Xehanort...it means everything to me," Eraqus whispered. "It means so much, to hear you say this with such conviction. If it's forgiveness you seek, I give it to you. Just...yes, don't do it again," he awkwardly concluded, with a laugh.
Xehanort nodded, quite seriously. "I promise you, I won't." Then his face flickered, his body eased, and and then he gave a smile of his own. Light, and equal, and true. "Anyway, with that all out of the way now, I think I'd like to see my mother again."
"Of course," Eraqus agreed happily. He looked to Amaya, pausing.
The woman flashed a small smile, simply nodding. "You two go. I'll have my own company."
As soon as she finished speaking, smoke burst in front of her, and her Chirithy friend - named Star, now - appeared in front of her. "Huh? Oh, hey, champ! Need something?" they said immediately, gazing up at her.
Amaya sank to her knees, then sat back on the floor fully. She held out her arms, her smile widening. "I just needed someone to spend a little time with - while I give those two some time together," she replied, nodding up at Eraqus and Xehanort.
Star turned with a hop, looking up at them as well. They nodded, raising a stubby arm. "I thought it was going to be something a little more important than that...but okay, I guess?"
Amaya bowed her head and let her arms fall, looking embarrassed now.
Star turned back to look at her. They shook their head and went to climb into her lap, laying their head against her body. "Sorry - I can tell you need this...so I'm here for you!"
Amaya smiled, placing a hand atop Star's head to stroke and caress at them. "Thanks...I can always count on you, can't I..."
"You bet, kiddo!" Star exclaimed happily.
"Well then..." Xehanort spoke, clearing his throat and shaking his head at the small being. "Eraqus - let's go."
Eraqus nodded, and strode off across the throne room - with Xehanort by his side.