Chapter 34
The Mysterious Tower
Hinata recognized the room. She stood frozen in the open doorway, breath caught and eyes wide. This was from the vision. The crescent moon windowsill she imagined herself lounging on stood at the back of the room. Right in the center of the room was the old worn desk and the mysterious wizard sitting at its helm. It was all there, right in front of her.
"Riku—" she managed to say with a whisper.
"Yeah, I see it, too," he whispered back, waiting back with her as Sam and Velcia entered between them.
The breath she'd been holding released with a soft tremble. It seemed they were heading in the right direction and she grabbed onto that notion with everything she had. Someday, this place would be important to them, and she wanted to know all it had to offer. Glancing up at Riku, she noticed him smiling in a subtle sort of way that really only showed in his eyes. There were too many unknowns going on to let down his guard completely, but she could sense the change in him and she smiled in return.
She moved to shut the door behind them, taking the extra moment to gather herself back into the present. Then she turned and joined the others. The wizard sat patiently. His blue robes draped over him, his sleeves pooling on the table around his folded hands. A pointed hat sat atop his grayed hair, adorned with white stars and crescent moons. There was no doubt this entire tower belonged to him.
He silently studied the group with a hardened expression, allowing them time to acclimate to their new surroundings. Then his gaze settled on Hinata and she stared back. Her heart beat hard in her chest and the unmistakable sensation of being exposed washed over her. He could see who she was. She didn't know how or why, but something in the back of her mind told her he was seeing all the secrets and everything she hid from herself. Clutching her locket, she looked away, letting out a breath when he looked away in turn.
Whoever this man was, he was one of the most powerful beings she'd ever met.
The silence continued to linger until Sam cleared her throat. "So-uh, thanks for letting us get here," she said. "Who are you exactly?" Everyone looked over at her and Sam made a face, ruffling her hand through her hair uncomfortably. It was as if she was the only one that couldn't sense the strange magic in the man's gaze. "What?"
"I am Master Yen Sid," the man said with a deep resounding voice. "It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Samantha."
Sam pursed her lips, leaning her weight back on her foot and crossing her arms. "You know me?"
Master Yen Sid nodded slowly, motioning his hand towards them. "I have been watching all of you along your journey. As has the Organization."
"They have?" Hinata asked, fighting the urge to look away when Yen Sid directed his attention to her. "Why haven't they interfered?"
Yen Sid hummed, stroking his long beard. "I do not know. Perhaps they are occupied with what they consider to be more important matters, or they believe you are working towards a similar goal in pursuing Keres."
Hinata winced at the use of the name, but didn't say anything.
"Is the King here?" Riku asked.
With a nod, Yen Sid explained, "His Majesty is currently in council in the other room and is awaiting you, Riku. If you would care to join him." He motioned his arm towards a large door on the other side of the room.
Riku looked to the door, then at Hinata. She smiled and nodded shortly, watching as he left the room. Her smile fell as the door shut behind him, focusing back on the task at hand.
"For now," Yen Sid continued, "it seems the task of instructing the four of you falls upon my shoulders."
"Four?" Velcia asked, looking between them and mentally counting three.
Yen Sid motioned towards Sam's arm. "You have another among you, do you not?"
Lupe cleared his throat. "Sam, you mind holding up your arm?"
Sam did as he asked and the screen on her arm lit up, shining a small blue hologram of Lupe standing.
"Um, hello sir," Lupe greeted with an awkward wave and half bow, seeming unsure how to address the situation.
"How did he know you were there?" Chirithy could be heard asking a little bit away from Lupe, but out of view of the hologram.
Yen Sid smiled shortly, passing over the question and moving on, "Your pursuit of Keres has thus far been unsuccessful. Something I am certain each of you are quite aware of."
"We don't need you rubbing it in," Sam commented with a sigh, but then quickly shut up when she noticed the side glances the others sent her.
"Quite the opposite," Yen Sid said, shaking his head. "In my eyes, you have been doing everything in your power to obtain her. She possesses powers even I am unable to predict and it would seem she is similarly overwhelmed by them. Thus, creating the creatures you have begun to encounter."
"Do you know anything about them, sir?" Lupe asked.
With a swipe of his hand a blue light bloomed behind them. Everyone turned around, watching as a puff of red smoke appeared, leaving the scraggly dog-like creature behind. Its maroon skin stretched over its thin body, cracking and oozing golden goo that sizzled as it dripped down its body and pooled on the floor. Behind it, another creature appeared out of a plume of red smoke. Then another and another. Each one with golden acidic blood and falling apart the longer they jittered and squirmed.
"These creatures you see before you appear to be created solely from Keres' power," Yen Sid explained. "Some of them have tremendous powers and abilities, however, each creation also lacks stability. Their bodies wither and fall away, eventually succumbing to their own weakness."
As he said this, the bodies snapped, the acidic ooze burning through their stomachs and limbs, and they crumbled into a pile.
"This phenomenon does not make them any less of a threat," Yen Sid continued. "In fact, their acidic and destructive properties have the ability to wreak havoc on any world Keres releases them on."
"Just like Halloween Town," Lupe said.
"Are these creatures created from Keres' darkness?" Velcia asked, her hands fiddling with a piece of fabric from her shirt as she turned around to face Master Yen Sid. "If so, I believe I have seen similar creatures in the past."
Yen Sid hummed, nodding and rubbing his beard. "Yes, I believe I have as well. Do you refer to the Unversed?"
Velcia's eyes widened. "How did you— Did you also know of a young man named Vanitas?"
When he nodded again, Velcia seemed like she had a slew of more questions to ask, but couldn't find the words. Her hands tightened in front of her and she looked down at them.
Yen Sid sensed this and went on, "It is true the Unversed were tied to Vanitas. From what His Majesty and I came to understand, they were an amalgamation of his darkness and negative emotions. As his anger and suffering rose, so too did the intensity of the creatures. At this time, I am uncertain if Keres' creations are similarly linked to her emotions."
"What are you sure about with them, then?" Sam asked.
"It's likely connected to her powers," Lupe thought out loud, then caught himself and looked to Yen Sid. "Ah, sorry to interrupt, sir. I got caught up in it."
Yen Sid patted down his hands in a calming motion. "Not at all, I would like to hear your theory."
Lupe smiled, then focused with his hand to his chin. "If Keres can't control her powers and they keep lashing out, that magic has to go somewhere. It's like it's dripping off of her and taking a shape of its own. And it's all erratic and falling apart because she's not meaning to make them most of the time. The only one we've known for sure she made on purpose was that giant bug that made you guys get trapped in nightmares, and that one was pretty solid. It took Velcia fighting it a ton of times to even get it down."
"And it was Keres in the end that ultimately destroyed it," Velcia admitted quietly, making everyone go quiet. She looked up, realizing everyone's eyes were on her. Taking a breath, she smoothed out her hair. "I realize I haven't been very forthcoming about what happened when I entered Keres' dream. To be honest, I haven't been sure it was actually a dream as much as her own mind."
Hinata put her hand on Velcia's upper arm. "You don't have to share it right now if you don't want to. We can move on."
Velcia swallowed, shaking her head. "Thank you. But I feel I have a responsibility to share it." She took an even breath and everyone waited patiently to hear her explain. "Inside Keres' mind… I discovered a tree made entirely of darkness… There were many creatures going towards it, many of them I recognized from my time in Halloween Town. As I made my own way to it, I also saw the same creature I battled across the various nightmares. It was as if it didn't see me and was only focused on the tree and returning there. It almost appeared to be… happy and excited to be home again." She swallowed thickly, her eyes darting around the room until settling on the melting candle on the corner of Yen Sid's desk. "But then as it reached the base of the tree, there were these strange dark vines that shot out of the ground and wrapped around it, forcing it to become part of the tree itself… It was happening to each of the returning creatures."
"She was reabsorbing them," Hinata said.
"It was more than that," Velcia said with a near whisper, her voice shaking ever so slightly. "The creatures were still alive, even attached to the tree."
"So she wasn't just reabsorbing them, but maybe their memories, too," Lupe suggested. "Like the nightmare creature. What if she got to see what it did in your heads once she got it back?"
Everyone seemed unsettled at that thought.
"It is possible," Yen Sid said, folding his hands beneath his chin. "With this ability, any creature's demise has little significance to lessening Keres' power."
"So it's pointless to kill them?" Sam asked.
"No, it's not that," Lupe said, shaking his head. "We still need to destroy them so they don't destroy the worlds they're on, but we can't expect Keres to get weaker the more of them we take out."
Yen Sid nodded. "Precisely. The Unmade, as we have begun to refer to them, may be an unintentional creation, but they are no less dangerous and need to be destroyed. Velcia, this tree of darkness that you refer to, are you certain it belonged to Keres?"
"I am," Velcia said, straightening. "Eventually I was forced inside the tree and found it hollow." Her gaze flitted away and she took in a deep breath while her fingers pulled and tangled together. "Keres… was in the center of it, with everything connected to her. But, she didn't appear to be in control. More… at the darkness' mercy."
"That's why you wanted to protect her," Sam realized with a mutter and Velcia nodded.
Yen Sid folded his hands on his desk. "Anything you experienced in Keres' mind should be approached with caution," he warned. "She was created by Nobodies, beings without hearts that regularly use the memory of emotions to deceive others."
"That's not—" Hinata started, then cut herself off. Her expression scrunched. The sort of way that meant her mind was wanting to go in two different directions.
She wanted to object to his cold definition of Nobodies. It sounded like her dad. He called Namine a witch, Roxas a tool, and expected her to take the life of any Organization Member she encountered. Yet she never did. Because she recognized the remnants of their hearts. The same way she could see Riku beneath his darkness and her dad beneath his shroud… But not Thaanix. It was a differentiation she didn't want to explore. Not yet. And so, she kept her mouth shut, not daring to challenge Yen Sid's sentiment on Nobodies in case he questioned her on hers.
When Hinata didn't continue speaking, Velcia bowed her head respectfully towards Yen Sid. "I will keep that in mind, thank you."
Yen Sid bowed his head in return, then turned his attention to the doors on the other side of the room. Everyone followed his gaze to see another wizard pushing the doors open. He wore similar clothes to Yen Sid, long blue robes and a tall pointed hat; though this magician's hat lacked the whimsical design of stars and moons. He entered the room completely, his white beard so long it nearly dragged on the floor between his feet. King Mickey walked in after him, alongside Riku.
Hinata looked at the magician, brow furrowed. He seemed familiar, like a memory she'd long since forgotten and was on the edge of recalling. She wondered where his wand was. Memories of shimmering sparks of magic bounced in her mind. Sitting in the grass, a little Kairi in her lap, watching fireworks soaring through the night sky and bursting with magic. She remembered following the trail of the magic, seeing it flowing from that thin wand and the magician holding it, dancing and laughing as he put on the show.
"Merlin…?" Hinata asked, the name coming out before her mind caught up.
"Yes?" Merlin spun around towards his name, nearly losing his balance and falling over. He saw Hinata and scuttled over. "Oh, you already know of me, do you? Just a moment-" he readjusted the thin round glasses sitting atop his nose, "have we met before?"
"Yes," Hinata said with a laugh. "I'm—"
"My, my, you have a memory spell placed over you, don't you?" Merlin interrupted, walking around her. "Isn't that curious? It's not very strong. What half-wit attempted such a trick? It is not half as masterful as the spell locking away memories of Sora."
"It's based on that spell," Hinata told him and Merlin hummed with a nod.
"Yes, yes, I can see that." He stopped back in front of her, his hand to his chin as he bent this way and that, looking at her. "Let's see here—" he tugged at his beard, his bottom lip jutting out in thought. "You weren't much smaller than you are now. Longer hair. Quite the fighter." He snapped his long bony fingers. "By jove, I think I've got it! Aiko?"
Hinata shook her head and Merlin sighed, putting his hand over his face.
"Oh I was certain I had it," he lamented.
"Aiko was my little sister's nickname," she explained. "I'm—"
"Hinata!" Merlin exclaimed, grabbing her hands and shaking them. "Oh how wonderful to see you again!"
Hinata couldn't find the words to say. She laughed, beaming as Merlin fussed over her about how worried everyone was when she went missing. Just like that, he'd broken through the spell and it was as if he'd never forgotten her. Even if he'd seemingly forgotten about everyone else in the room and what he was there for in the first place.
"Hold on," Sam stepped in. "I'm happy for you and everything but, how did you just do that?"
"Do what?" Merlin asked, genuinely curious.
"It seemed like you broke through the memory spell placed over Hinata," Velcia said with a growing smile. "I didn't realize that was possible. It was incredible to see!"
"Oh, yes, that." Merlin stepped back, resituating his hat. "I suppose it comes with experience. Even when Sora was locked from our memories, his connection remained in our hearts. For those connections are not so easily breakable. I simply focused on that connection for Hinata. I sensed it there, as faint as it seemed, and explored it until the connection was reforged."
"Do you think that process would work for everyone?" Lupe asked, bowing when Merlin spotted his hologram. "Sorry to interrupt, sir. I'm Lupe."
Merlin tipped his hat. "Well Lupe, I cannot say for sure. My connection with Hinata was forged long ago, yet it is also not as deep as the connections between each of you. Therefore, it was simpler for me to reforge. And it helps to know a bit of magic." As he said this, he put up his hand and gold sparks swirled from his fingertips.
"Well whaddya know?" Mickey said with a slight hop. "You're Ansem the Wise's daughter, aren't ya?"
Hinata peeked around Merlin's tall hat to see the king and she nodded with a smile.
"You're remembering her?" Riku asked.
"Not entirely," Mickey admitted, his gloved finger to his cheek. "But I just tried focusing on that connection like Merlin said and I remembered seeing Hinata once when I visited her dad."
"That was the first time we met," Hinata told him, going over and kneeling to his level. "I'm pretty sure dad sent me out to go buy the three of us some ice cream."
Mickey laughed. "That sounds like him!" He then hummed, getting a bit solemn. "But gee, do you know where he is? We could sure use his help."
Hinata's mouth twanged into a frown and she glanced up at Riku. DiZ's identity remained shrouded from others and even in a room full of allies, she couldn't bring herself to reveal it.
"He's… helping in his own way right now," she said slowly, hoping Mickey wouldn't pry further.
With a sigh, Mickey accepted her answer. "I'll just have to trust him." He smiled up at Hinata. "But I'm glad to see you're both doing ok! It's sure good to see ya again."
She smiled, standing back up to be beside Riku. The others continued to talk, getting carried away in their own discussions rather than the task at hand. Velcia and Merlin discussed the intricacies and failings of the memory spell, while Sam introduced Lupe to the king and recalled the time Mickey showed up on Montressor.
Yen Sid watched the entire ordeal in silence. His hands remained folded and he took it all in. Hinata and Riku remained similarly quiet and that seemed to draw Yen Sid's attention. Hinata strained a smile, then looked away towards the crescent shaped window sill. She didn't know the next time they'd be here or the next chance she'd get to sit there. Grasping her locket, she glanced back at Yen Sid.
"Um," she walked over to him, "I have a strange question. Can I go sit in that window?" She pointed to the crescent moon she'd been daydreaming about lounging in for the past several months.
Yen Sid glanced over his shoulder, a smile forming across his hardened face. When he turned back to her, he nodded.
"Thank you," Hinata whispered, bowing her head and grabbing Riku's wrist.
Riku allowed her to pull him over to the window, smirking as she climbed onto the smooth platform. She rested her back against the curve of the moon, and kicked up her legs. Holding onto her locket, she beamed up at Riku with an adorable, excited grin. He stifled a snicker, covering it with the back of his hand and clearing his throat. Shaking his head, he settled on a smile, leaning one arm against the top of the moon. Together they gazed out at the sea of clouds just outside the tower.
"It's even more amazing in person," Hinata said softly and Riku hummed.
Yen Sid lifted his hand. Hinata didn't see him do it, but she knew he did as an overwhelming urge to look towards him gripped her mind. She looked over, only then realizing the rest of the room had fallen silent, with all of them looking at Yen Sid's raised hand.
"The three good fairies are prepared to see you," he said, his deep voice resonating through the room. "They will provide you with details of Maleficent's return as well as provide suitable garments for your upcoming journey."
"Ah yes!" Merlin clapped. "There is much to discuss." He led the way towards the door and waved his hand over his head. "Come along now!"
Hinata got up from the windowsill with a chuckle. She and Riku exchanged a smile before she followed Merlin, leaving Riku and Mickey behind to speak with Master Yen Sid. They walked through a hallway, the walls speckled with even more stars and crescent shaped windows. Hinata gazed out of them, pointing out the top of a grassy hill poking out from amongst the clouds. Sam went over to a large window, holding her arm out to give Lupe a chance to see. She didn't have to do so, as he could see all of them walking around just fine from a scan on his computer, but he oohed and aahed at the sight regardless when Sam showed it to him.
Reaching the next room, they discovered a dressing room of sorts. Large wardrobes and mirrors lined the room, each covered with thick curtains and making the room appear unlived in. Just as Yen Sid had said, three fairies awaited them.
"Oh why hello girls!" The centermost fairy greeted. Red shimmering wings fluttered behind her back, spraying bits of gold pixie dust around her entirely red dress and bonnet. A thin silver wand sparkled in her hand. "It's so good to finally meet you."
"Yes, yes," Merlin said, waving his hand to get them to back up. Then he swirled his hand and bowed. "Ladies, may I present Mistress Fauna, Mistress Flora, and Mistress Merryweather. The three good fairies of Enchanted Dominion."
Mistress Fauna curtsied in the air, adorned entirely in green. "It is a pleasure."
"We've heard so much about you!" Merryweather added, the shortest of the three and completely covered in blue.
"About us?" Sam asked, then cleared her throat, ruffling the back of her hair. "And-um, it's nice to meet you all, too. I'm Sam."
The fairies giggled, making Sam's face warm.
"You needn't be embarrassed, dear," Flora assured her. "We have heard about your endeavors from Master Yen Sid."
"It was his idea to bring you here," Fauna told them with a sure nod.
"When that woman showed up in Maleficent's castle, we didn't know what to do!" Merryweather bemoaned, clenching her small fists. "Oh, if only we could use our magic there! We'd deal with her right away."
"We might have turned her into a flower," Fauna suggested.
"Now girls, girls," Flora calmed them, patting her hands downwards. "We have much to explain to our visitors. Let's not overwhelm them."
"Yes, quite right," Merlin agreed. "Best to start from the beginning."
The fairies all looked between each other and nodded. With a simultaneous twirl of their wands, streams of magic burst in the center of the room. The magic spread around them, changing their surroundings to a castle courtyard at nightfall. Fireworks burst in the sky, a feast of delicious food filled the halls, and people danced to lively, exciting music.
"On the eve of Princess Aurora's eighteenth birthday, the kingdom was in celebration of her return," Merlin explained. "However, something terrible happened to the Princess that night."
Hinata knew what happened to Aurora that night. She remembered seeing her in Hollow Bastion, amongst the other seven princesses. Wrapped in darkness, stolen from their homes, all for Maleficent's selfish whims. Merlin and the fairies continued to explain the events of that night, the vision changing around them. The way the fairies frantically searched for the Princess and the eventual panic as they realized how her absence jeopardized their entire world.
"And so, we came to the difficult decision to place the entire world under a sleeping spell," Flora explained.
As the words came out, the vision's color drained to gray. The flames over the candles and in the furnaces dowsed their light. Each and every person drooped to the ground, still, frozen, as if they were lifeless, but Hinata could see the faint rise and fall of their breaths. Within seconds, there wasn't a single breath of life in the entire courtyard. It was frozen in time.
"We kept everyone safe until the Princess' return," Fauna said.
"And when the spell was broken, none of them realized any time had passed at all," Merryweather said.
"But you've done it again now, haven't you?" Sam asked, watching the town's color return.
Fauna fluttered by a stone fountain as it bubbled back to life. "Yes," she admitted. "Even though we promised each other to never use our powers in such a way again."
"We had little choice, dear," Flora reminded her.
Hinata looked out into the forest beyond the castle. In the far distance, in the mist, she could make out black spires twisting into the sky. "How did Maleficent come back?"
The fairies went quiet and Hinata turned to look at them.
"She managed to travel through time," Merlin said simply.
"She what?" Sam asked.
"Traveled through…" Velcia repeated, her voice trailing off. "I never thought it possible."
"Well, anything is possible with the right magic," Merlin said, stroking his beard. "Maleficent's crow, Diablo, brought her robes to the fairies and they remembered her name."
"And she formed out of the darkness," Merryweather recalled, shivering.
Sam shook her head, huffing out a breath and turning away. "Great, we're dealing with time traveling now. What the hell am I doing here?"
"Sam, you ok?" Lupe asked.
Blowing out another breath, Sam ran her hands through her hair. "Yeah, fine. Just in way over my head. But what else is new, right?" She turned back to the fairies. "Ok, so evil witch is back and you froze the world again."
"We knew she would want to take back her throne," Fauna said.
Their surroundings swirled, changing to a dark fortress. A thick green mist plumed around them, making the details of the area difficult to discern.
"And with a plan of revenge that she would take out on the people!" Merryweather cried. "I wasn't about to let that happen."
"But we also knew that simply putting the world to sleep would not be enough to keep her at bay," Flora said. "We would need a way to prevent her from having any power."
"And that led you to freezing the use of magic," Velcia realized, her hands pressed together and leaning against her lips. "The amount of power needed to complete something of that level… I can only imagine the strain it's taken on you. And yet—" she motioned around them in awe, "you are still managing all of this."
"Mastery of magic comes with time, my dear," Flora told her, gently placing her hand along Velcia's cheek. "Someday you will understand."
Velcia blinked, a blush warming her cheeks as Flora fluttered away.
"We could not manage the spell on our own," Fauna told them, looking towards Merlin and holding out her hand.
"That was when I stepped in," Merlin said, taking a literal step forward. "Enchanted Dominion will remain dormant until the threat of Maleficent's control is gone."
"How exactly are the people feeling about this?" Sam asked, gazing out at the castle town far off in the mist. "Do any of them know you're doing this?"
"The Princess herself authorized it." Merryweather held out her hand and a scroll appeared in a burst of glittering silver magic. Inked calligraphy covered the scroll, explaining the conditions of the spell and when to release it. At the very bottom was Aurora's signature.
"I'm surprised she agreed," Lupe commented and Sam nodded.
"So the entire world's locked down," Hinata put the pieces together. "How did Thaanix show up here?"
"Thaanix?" Fauna repeated the name, realizing. "The young woman that looks like you! Yes, she arrived recently. We aren't sure how she found her way to Enchanted Dominion."
"Perhaps she was searching for a place to hide away," Velcia suggested.
"Quite possible, yes," Merlin agreed, pacing and tugging his beard. "If she were simply in hiding we would be more open to her remaining. However—"
"Let me guess," Sam sighed, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes, "she's releasing an unholy amount of monsters and they're wrecking the place."
"In short, yes," Merryweather said.
An array of Unmade appeared around them in the mist. It was so congested, Unmade fell off the sides of cliffs and clambered on top of each other, scraping at the black stone spires.
"It's only a matter of time until they reach the kingdom," Fauna said.
With a flick of her wand, the entire vision sparkled away and they were back in the dressing room.
"And there's nothing we can do!" Flora lamented, her hands over her heart. "Not without breaking the spell entirely and putting the entire world in danger."
"We'll do everything we can to fix it," Hinata assured them, her hand over her heart to show her sincerity. "Sam and I can fight without using magic."
"And I will bring plenty of ethers to fuel my magic myself," Velcia said. "As well as my other potions. Slow falling in particular should be useful."
Merlin tutted, wagging a finger. "I would recommend extreme caution, Velcia. It is deceptively easy for a mage to go beyond their limits in a world like this."
"Which would explain why Maleficent won't even go near it," Lupe added.
"She actually came to us for help," Hinata said, shaking her head.
"Only cause she thinks the copy's you," Sam pointed out. "But I'm kinda with Merlin, Vel, you sure you're up for this?"
Velcia took a deep breath, her hands gently clasped in front of her. "I appreciate and understand all of the concerns. It's true I don't know exactly what to expect on a world without magic. I'll make sure to focus on utilizing my potions before relying on my own magic."
"We'll figure out the details on the way," Hinata said, placing her hand on Velcia's shoulder. "For now, we should learn everything we can about what to expect when we get there."
Merlin hummed, scratching his head. He turned and began pacing the room, pondering about something. Hinata watched him for a moment, wondering what sort of idea he was cooking up.
"That is a marvelous idea, Hinata," Flora said, flying towards her. "I believe now would be the perfect time to give the three of you your new garments."
"Um, why are you giving us new clothes anyway?" Sam asked, awkwardly keeping her arm where Merryweather placed it.
A fabric measuring tape appeared in each of the fairies' hands and they wrapped them around the girls, gathering information. Each one took charge of a different girl: Merryweather with Sam, Flora with Hinata, and Fauna with Velcia.
"These are special clothes, dear," Fauna said. She gently touched Velcia's hair and mumbled under her breath. "Yes, I think this shade of orange will look lovely with green."
"There are magical properties imbued in them," Flora continued to explain. She fluttered back a few feet, her hand to her chin. "Now if we put gold there, and red there…"
"You won't have to worry about your powers being taken away anymore!" Merryweather said with pride. "You will look lovely in blue."
"It's true," Flora agreed. "There is a protection spell placed over them that will prevent anyone from absorbing your power."
"Master Yen Sid told us about what Keres can do," Fauna said. "We wanted to make sure none of you had to worry about that in your future encounters."
"That's incredible!" Lupe said through Sam's arm. "That will help so much. Thank you, ladies."
The fairies giggled. "Oh of course!" Merryweather said.
"Now girls, are we ready?" Flora asked. The measuring tape disappeared and was replaced with a thin silver wand. "All together now. One, two, three!"
With a twirl of their wands, silver magic shimmered from the tips, surrounding Sam, Hinata, and Velcia in blinding, sparkling light. A rush of adrenaline washed over Hinata. She felt the magic wrapping around her, forming gloves, belts, and boots. Even her hair reformed and changed along to the magic's whims. She kept her eyes shut, mentally following the movements and creating a picture in her mind of what her new outfit would look like. Then it all wisped away with dissipating sparkles and she opened her eyes, gasping at the sight.
Gold armor plating covered her shoulders, attached to a dark leather jacket that clasped with a golden belt right above her waist. Her locket remained clasped around her neck, resting atop of a high necked maroon shirt that split into a cream colored tone down the sides of her waist. Thick belts wrapped around her thighs, attached with satchels and little pouches for potions. Every detail was hand picked for adventure.
"Holy—" Sam started to say, stopping herself with a gasp.
Hinata looked over, seeing the blue, white, and gray details of Sam's new outfit. Just as with her own, golden pieces glittered and shined with buckles and linings. Sam's shirt cut off just beneath her chest, making it breathable and easily maneuverable- just the way Sam liked it.
Then Velcia, on the other side, was spinning and pouring adoration over all the details to Fauna, thanking her for each and every one. Various shades of greens, coppers, and golds covered her, seeming more like a battle tunic compared to Hinata's or Sam's. The top was layered, with puffed sleeves. Two belts crossed over her chest, clasped in the middle with a golden buckle that seemed to come right from the heavens of Olympus. A sheer green fabric draped from the boom of the tunic, shorter in the front and longer in the back, flowing with every movement Velcia made.
Together, the three of them seemed ready for anything.
"You all look amazing!" Lupe gushed, sounding like he was squishing his face.
Hinata and Velcia chuckled while Sam rolled her eyes with a smirk across her face.
"He's right," Hinata said, looking at each of the fairies. "Thank you. I don't know how we can ever repay you."
"You needn't worry about that, dear," Flora assured her, waving her wand. "These clothes will help on your journey. As you grow in your abilities, they will, too."
"You can add upgrades to them, too," Merryweather mumbled, poking Sam with her elbow.
"What sort of upgrades?" Sam asked and Merryweather simply smiled.
"We're sure all of you will discover with time," Fauna said. "But you all do look simply wonderful."
"Yes, yes, you all look lovely." Merlin rejoined the group waving his hands. "But there's one final thing I think is needed before you go."
"And what's that?" Flora asked.
Merlin stood up straight, summoning a long wooden wand. "Before you enter Enchanted Dominion, you each should know how it feels to be in a world without magic."
The fairies stiffened and Merryweather especially bristled. "Oooh, I don't like the sound of that, Merlin!"
"Are you certain?" Fauna asked, also fluttering back as Merlin went towards the center of the room.
"Now girls, I think he's right," Flora said. "It is unpleasant, but it's only for a short time. And our friends should learn what to expect."
Merlin looked at the girls. "Are you ready then?"
Sam was unfazed by the question, having no connection to magic in the first place. But Hinata and Velcia looked between each other with concern. Velcia took a deep breath and nodded to Merlin.
Merlin wisped his wand, seeming as if he were performing a magnificent spell, but not even a spark appeared. Everything went silent, still, and cold. Hinata shivered. It had only been a short while since she learned to recognize magic around her. When she learned they'd be going to a world devoid of it, she assumed it would be normal. The way things used to be for her.
Instead, she all at once realized the reality of what it meant to be somewhere without the existence of magic. Even Sam looked around uncomfortably, running her hands up along her arms. Color drained from the room, starting at the ceiling, webbing down the walls, through the furniture, until it reached them standing in the center of the room. The fairies dropped to the ground, their wings no longer sparkling or fluttering.
"Bring it back," Velcia whispered suddenly and without delay, Merlin tapped his wand and color burst back into the room. Velcia's knees trembled and she stumbled back against the wall, her breathing labored.
Hinata and Sam went to her side, but they weren't sure what to say.
"How… how is that possible?" Velcia asked, her voice shaking.
"You don't have to go." Hinata knelt, looking up at her. "Sam and I will take care of things there and you can help Lupe with watching over things."
Velcia shook her head, swallowing thickly. "No, no I can't. I wasn't expecting it, I know, but I will manage." She looked at Hinata, smiling softly. "And I will be careful." Standing on her own, she smoothed out her clothes. "Merlin, would you mind doing that again?"
"Are you sure?" Sam asked, helping Velcia stay steady.
Velcia nodded and Merlin complied.
They watched the color drain from the room once again. Hinata's teeth clattered and she took in a shuddering breath. It was as if even the air itself was still and stagnant. Nothing added to it and nothing took anything away. Lifting her hand, she summoned an orb of water. The power came solely from herself and she felt it drain, evaporating along with the droplets when she spelled it away. Looking to Velcia, she saw her doing the same. A flame flickered in her palm, small and controlled. Velcia watched it with a focused gaze, sweat beading on her forehead.
"Velcia…?" Lupe asked hesitantly.
Letting out a sudden breath, the flame extinguished and Velcia leaned forward with her hands on her knees. "O-Ok, Merlin. Please bring it back."
"You alright?" Sam asked as the color returned to the room.
"Y-Yes," Velcia said, breathing heavily. "I was testing the limits."
"Dangerous, but wise," Merlin said. "It will be important to know your limitations if you are to join them, Velcia."
"Oh I really don't like that feeling," Merryweather whined, shuddering and checking her wings to make sure they still worked.
"Are you certain you should go, Velcia?" Fauna asked, her hands clasped in front of her chin.
"I will be alright," Velcia promised her.
"Whatever all of you decide, we give our blessing," Flora told them with the other two fairies beside her. "It will not be an easy journey."
"No, it won't be," Hinata agreed, looking at Velcia then back at the fairies and Merlin. "But thank you for all of your help. I think we're as prepared as we can be."
"I believe so too, dear." Flora nodded.
"Take care of each other!" Fauna said with a wave.
"And make sure to come back to visit!" Merryweather added.
"Yes, yes, now get going!" Merlin flapped his hands at them, ushering them out the door before they could all call out their farewells.
Hinata couldn't help but chuckle, even as the door slammed shut behind them. Merlin never was the type of person to slow down. Always had to keep things moving. They stood there for a moment, none of them making a move to leave the short hallway. Instead they caught their breath, their minds reeling from all the information they received in such a small amount of time.
"We just got magic clothes," Sam said, breaking the silence.
Hinata chuckled. "Yeah, that wasn't planned was it?"
"They really managed to lock down an entire world," Velcia said lowly, more to herself than to the others. Her gaze was distant and distracted towards the cosmos outside. "That amount of power is… terrifying."
"I'm really glad we're on their good side," Lupe commented, making Sam scoff.
"Seriously," Sam said. "Pretty sure any of them could make us disappear with a snap of their fingers. And we're playing clean up crew for them?"
"Don't say that, Sam," Velcia scolded gently. "They've provided us with so much so we can do this."
"I know, I know." Sam put up her hands, going towards a star shaped window. "I appreciate the clothes and all. Just goes back to being in over our heads. We see people like this that can literally make magic just—I don't even know what that was, just dry up? Like holy shit! What are people like that doing asking favors from us?"
"Merlin mentioned traveling through time," Lupe said. "Maybe they see something in us that we can't yet."
That made everyone go quiet, the weight of the concept heavy among them.
"Whatever the reason," Hinata said, "we've got a job to do. We take this a step at a time." She started walking. "So let's go."
The rest followed and they came back into Yen Sid's study. Mickey and Riku stood in front of his desk, reaching a pause in their discussion. They looked towards the door as it opened, both of them smiling.
"Well would ya look at that!" Mickey said. "You all look great!"
"So the fairies really did give you new clothes," Riku said.
"They even have a protection spell on them!" Lupe told them excitedly.
"So our powers can't be taken," Hinata explained, coming to Riku's side.
Yen Sid nodded with a hum. "I am glad to see the fairies' handiwork put to good use. Do you all feel prepared for your journey?"
"Yes," Velcia replied. "And we are so grateful for all of the help you've given us."
"Yeah, we appreciate it," Sam agreed, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Of course." Yen Sid bowed his head. "When you descend the tower, you will find your ship awaiting you. We provided your navigator with precise coordinates here. But know those same coordinates will not work twice."
"So, we cannot return?" Velcia asked.
Yen Sid shook his head. "Not by ship. At least, it will be that way for now."
"Ya see, this tower moves from world to world," Mickey explained, turning towards Velcia. "It doesn't tend to stay in the same place for very long."
"I see," Velcia said, her hand to her chin. Turning her attention back to Yen Sid, she bowed respectfully. "Then I hope we will be able to meet here again someday."
"As do I, Velcia, Samantha, Lupe," Yen Sid addressed each of them before looking at Hinata. "Before you leave, I request an audience with you, Hinata. If you can spare a moment."
"O-Of course," Hinata stammered. She looked to her friends, nodding in approval for them to leave. They nodded in return before leaving to descend the tower, leaving Hinata with Riku, Mickey, and Yen Sid. She glanced up at Riku, then back at Yen Sid. "What did you need?"
Yen Sid's hands clasped on his desk and he closed his eyes, breathing deeply. Everyone remained silent, waiting for him to speak. Hinata let out a breath of her own, little bits of anxiety rising at all the things he could say and all the possible reasons why it was taking him so long to say it. She peeked up at Riku, who appeared calm and stoic, but she could see it in his eyes. The way his gaze also flitted around the room, before catching her looking at him. The tip of his mouth tipped into an unsure smile, more of the emotion showing in his eyes that told Hinata he was just as lost and nervous as she was.
After an entire minute of heavy silence, Yen Sid said, "Both of you bear the marking to wield a Keyblade."
"What?" Mickey exclaimed, jumping back to look at them.
The room was spinning. Or maybe it wasn't, but Hinata couldn't tell the difference. She grabbed Riku's arm to steady herself, her eyes settled on the floor. Yen Sid knew. Riku knew too, but she'd chosen to tell him in a panicked emotional pour out of her heart. Now the most powerful being she'd ever encountered was directly talking about it and she needed to figure out how to respond.
Then it hit her. Both. He'd said both. Her eyes widened and she shot her attention to Riku. His brows were knitted together, his mouth opening and closing.
"H-How did you know?" Riku asked eventually, speaking up first between them.
"Did you know?" Hinata asked Riku with a whisper.
He glanced back at her, then back at Yen Sid, not replying.
"When a Keyblade Wielder bequeaths the power to wield to another, there is a magical marking left on the individual's heart," Yen Sid explained. "Over the years, a Master can come to recognize it."
"Can you tell who did it?" Hinata asked with a shaking voice. She cleared her throat and said again with a stronger tone. "Do you know who bequeathed the power to us?"
Yen Sid stared at her for a moment before slowly nodding. The hesitation made Hinata's body go numb. She nodded in return and looked around for a place to sit. It was only a matter of time before her legs gave out. Out of a plume of purple magic, a green cushioned chair appeared and Hinata shakily sat down, sending Yen Sid a smile of thanks.
"Master Yen Sid," Mickey said, stepping forward. "Why bring this up now?"
With a hum, Yen Sid brought his clasped hands to his chin. "With Riku's journey bringing him here with you, Mickey, it is time for him to begin his training. If he so wishes."
"You… can teach me how to wield it?" Riku asked.
"If you feel you are ready," Yen Sid replied.
Riku looked down at his hands, holding them out in front of him. "I… don't know if I am."
"Well why not?" Mickey asked. "You've worked so hard to return to the dawn. I think you more than earned it!"
"Thanks, Mickey," Riku said with a soft smile. "But with everything going on. The way I look. Is this the right time? What if I'm not ready?"
"I think you are," Hinata said, pushing herself up from her seat. Riku looked over at her as she continued and walked over to him. "You told me back on the island that you wanted the power to protect the ones you care about. And that's been something you've worked towards every single day. You're doing it right now… You're a protector. And to me, that's what being a Keyblade Wielder truly means." She grabbed his hand. "So, I do think you're ready. And I know you can do this." She grinned. "I can't think of anyone else that deserves it more."
The tips of Riku's ears burned red. He squeezed her hand before releasing it and Hinata stepped back to give him space. "I…" he started to say. "Alright." He looked at Yen Sid, standing taller. "I'm ready."
Hinata could nearly burst. If the others weren't there, she'd run forward and wrap her arms around him. Instead, she settled with grinning, hoping he could tell just how proud she was of him.
"Very well," Yen Sid said. "I am glad to hear you say that."
"Me too!" Mickey agreed with a swing of his arm.
The excitement was short lived as Hinata felt the attention drift back towards her. Even Riku looked over at her and he smiled in that sort of encouraging sort of way that told her to take her own supportive advice she'd just given him. She glanced towards the door, briefly contemplating running. The thought brought a small amount of amusement to her. She'd rather run like a child than talk about her fears. Maybe that was the sign she needed to open up.
"I…" she started, crossing her arms before immediately moving her hands again to have one clasp her locket. "There's a lot of things I don't know." She closed her eyes and chuckled. "I mean about Keyblades. Riku might be ready, but I don't think I am. I don't think I'm even ready to accept the fact I have the ability."
"I understand." Yen Sid replied. "Even beyond the circumstances, accepting the role as a wielder is not to be taken lightly. You have the ability, but it must be your choice to wield it. And only when you are ready."
Hinata nodded, sitting back in the chair Yen Sid summoned for her. "I'm glad to know that…"
"However, I do believe it would be wise to understand what it means to have the ability," Yen Sid continued. "It would do well to quell your fears."
"If I may ask, Hinata," Mickey walked towards her chair, "who bequeathed the power to you?"
She opened and closed her mouth a few times. His name stuck in her throat, making it hard to breath and impossible to speak. After a moment, she shook her head, casting her gaze to the floor.
"Aw, I'm sorry it's painful to remember, Hinata," Mickey said, placing his hand along her knee. "But I hope ya know you can talk to us. We're your pals and we're all here for you."
Hinata looked up at him. She finally felt that connection Riku had with him and she couldn't help but smile. So sweet and genuine, with the type of sincerity that she knew he meant every word. "Thank you, your majesty," she said softly. "It… was Xehanort. One of my dad's apprentices."
Mickey's eyes widened, his tail flicking. "He! I didn't realize he had a Keyblade!"
"Unfortunately, no one did," Yen Sid explained. "He kept his abilities hidden." His eyes closed and he hummed, stroking his beard. "There is a heavy magic surrounding your mark, Hinata. Do you understand it?"
"Not entirely," she admitted, running her thumb over the engraving of her locket. "I… just recently remembered the moment I was given the power. Riku and I wondered if there was some sort of memory spell placed on me that made me forget."
"Hmm, that is my theory as well," Yen Sid agreed.
"Why would he make her forget?" Mickey asked.
"Perhaps so she would not inform her father of his power," Yen Sid surmised.
"But then he tried to get her to join the Organization, so she'd be a Nobody with a Keyblade, like Roxas was," Riku said.
"Or a Replica," Hinata added, suddenly stiffening. "Does Thaanix have the ability, too?"
"Hmm," Mickey hummed. "If you just remembered it, maybe she doesn't realize."
"Unless she did get to see what was in my nightmare…" Hinata mumbled, before looking up at Yen Sid. "Is it possible for her to wield the Keyblade?"
Yen Sid sat back in his seat. "As unfortunate as it is, yes."
Hinata went pale. She looked at Riku, then the door. Standing up, she stammered, "I-I have to go."
Mickey jumped in front of her, his gloved hands up. "Hinata, wait! There's no need to rush. We gotta figure things out first."
Shaking her head, Hinata said, "She is in a world where no one can touch her. She's getting all the time she needs to figure things out and maybe even figure out how to summon the Keyblade herself. If she does, I don't know if we can stop her."
"There's no magic there for her to do that," Riku pointed out, grabbing her shoulders. "Everything's going to be ok. She probably went there to lay low. An extra five minutes getting some answers won't change that."
She wanted to fight him on it, to hug him, to go back to the clocktower and watch the fireworks with him. Instead, she nodded, placing her hand over his. "Alright…" she muttered.
"It may come as a relief to hear that summoning a Keyblade is not a simple task," Yen Sid informed her. "If Keres has indeed gained the memories from your nightmare, there is no telling how long it will take her to master it. So you needn't worry."
Hinata nodded, swallowing thickly. "That…that does help." She turned to face Yen Sid, Riku and Mickey standing on either side of her. "What else did you want to know?"
Yen Sid smiled. "I believe I should be asking you that same question." He motioned his hand towards her. "What do you wish to know about Keyblades?"
Everything in her mind was still a mashed up mixture of numbness and panic. There used to be questions swirling in there, keeping her up at night, but they weren't there now. Shaking her head, she whispered, "I-I don't know." She grazed her finger over her locket, the familiar cool engraving coaxing her thoughts to calm. "I-um… wondered if Keyblades get passed down. If I summoned a Keyblade, would it be the same as Xehanort's?"
"It would not," Yen Sid replied simply. "A Keyblade is connected to its wielder's heart. When it is first summoned, its appearance matches the heart."
"Though, there are special keychains that can change their appearance!" Mickey added with a hop. He held out his hand, summoning his Keyblade. Its blue and yellow details shone under the light. Stars speckled the blue blade, surrounding a large golden star at the tip. A crescent moon keychain dangled off the end of it. He clipped it off and the white magic shined around the Keyblade, showing a simplistic gold and silver key with a mouse head shaped keychain dangling off of it. "So it would be possible to make Keyblades match in appearance with those."
"That would explain Xehanort having the same Keyblade as the old master Velcia remembered," Riku said.
"Old master?" Yen Sid asked, stroking his beard. "Did Velcia recall his name?"
"Just that he was with Vanitas," Hinata said and Yen Sid's eyes widened. "What is it?"
Yen Sid's eyes closed and he hummed. "I cannot say for sure. The master with Vanitas was also named Xehanort. As was the apprentice Ansem the Wise took under his wing. Though, at the moment, there is still much left unknown. They may very well be one and the same."
"How is that possible?" Riku asked.
"Merlin mentioned Maleficent traveling through time…" Hinata had her hand to her chin.
"Hmm, yes that is a theory of mine as well," Yen Sid agreed. "Though I will have to look into it more as time progresses and more of Xehanort's plan becomes known."
"Maleficent traveled through time?" Riku asked with a whisper to Hinata.
"I… apparently," she whispered back. "I don't know how or what it means. Merlin seems convinced though."
"Is there anything else you wish to ask, Hinata?" Yen Sid asked.
She looked back at Yen Sid, then away again. "I'm… not sure. Knowing I can't summon the same Keyblade relieves a lot of my worry about it. I… wish I could ask why he chose me. Lea and Isa would have been just as good." She laughed softly, awkwardly. "But I know that's not something you can answer."
Yen Sid hummed. "Indeed it is not. Though I believe you may be able to answer it yourself, when you are ready to face it."
"Maybe," she said softly.
"It seems it may be time for you to begin your journey," Yen Sid told her. "Are you prepared for it?"
Hinata looked up at him and nodded. "I am. We have all the tools and knowledge. This is our best chance so far."
Yen Sid nodded. "I believe you will find what you are looking for. May your heart be your guiding key."
Hinata bowed respectfully. "Yours as well. Thank you." She turned and bowed to Mickey as well. "And goodbye, your majesty."
"Safe travels, Hinata!" Mickey waved.
"I'll walk her out," Riku told them, turning with Hinata towards the door.
Hinata sighed as the door shut behind them. She hadn't realized the strain she'd been holding in her body, tense and stressed. If Riku hadn't been there beside her, she wondered if she would have fallen to the floor. Instead, Riku's hand wound around hers, keeping her steady as they walked down the stairwell.
They walked silently at first. The sound of their footsteps against the stairs echoed through the floating cosmos around them. These were their last fleeting moments together and Hinata knew it. She took an even breath, focusing on the moment.
The excitement and pride for Riku began to rise back in her chest. It was finally happening for him and she couldn't be happier for him. Nearing the door, she bumped him with her hip. "You can wield a Keyblade."
Riku breathily laughed. "So can you."
"Totally not the same," she objected while rolling her eyes as Riku opened the door.
The round room greeted them on the other side. Hinata walked forward, Riku's hand slipping from her own. She went to one of the large stars, feeling the warmth of the magic inside of it.
"This is it then, isn't it?" she asked, glancing back at him. "You're staying here."
"Yeah…"
"How are you feeling about it all?" she asked.
He looked around the room, hands in his pockets. "Alright. Like this is the right call."
Hinata pulled back her hand from the star, rubbing her fingers together as gold magic dust sprinkled out of them. "I know what you mean." She took a breath and turned towards him. "I'm really proud of you. Next time I see you, maybe you'll already be a Wielder."
He chuckled, walking towards her. "I don't know about that. But thanks." He looked at her, his eyes flitting over her face. "I've… been thinking a lot about what Merlin said about the heart connections."
She looked back at him, smiling, hopeful. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't curious if he would try the same thing. Maybe it was foolish to hope it would be that simple. Riku's gaze continued to dance over her and he grinned shortly, the expression softening into a smile.
"The… first date we went on, I planned a hike," he started, his brows knitted together. "But it started raining pretty hard instead."
Hinata nodded, she remembered it well. The pouring rain while they remained hidden under the covered balcony on the ferry.
"I was mad about it," Riku recalled with a sheepish laugh. "But then you just grabbed my hand and… you ran out into the storm."
"That's right," she whispered, trying to remain quiet and patient.
"I…" he laughed again, rubbing the back of his neck. "I remember you laughing. Both of us completely soaked and you didn't care. You… You were beautiful." His hand gently went to her chin. "I think that was the first time you took my breath away."
Hinata's breath caught. "I think you just took mine."
Riku chuckled, leaning forward and gently pressing his lips against hers. He moved so deliberately, so softly, Hinata melted into his touch. It took her a moment to open her eyes when he pulled away and she matched his grin.
"It worked," she whispered and Riku nodded.
"I'll keep trying," he promised. "I'll line all the pieces up."
"Ok." She nodded with a breathless laugh.
Riku rested his head against hers, neither of them saying anything. They knew it was time. Hinata hated leaving him behind. She hated their paths led in different directions, even if it was only for a short time. He grounded her, but now she needed to learn how to ground herself.
"I…I should go," she admitted.
"Yeah…"
She pulled back first, smiling as she walked backwards towards the door. "I love you."
He smirked. "I love you, too."
With one last look towards him, she opened the door and left.