Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Naminé's entire life existed from one prison to another, if not in a physical place, then bound to a person.

Castle Oblivion's soulless white walls. Hours spent wandering in utter isolation and silence before the Organization came...

Larxene and her sharp, merciless cutting knives and voice, hours of bleeding and healing to erase evidence...

Marluxia and the way he sent shivers of dread through her when he touched her shoulder, ran his hands down her arm, whispered in her ears, and (no, no no no don't think about it).

Axel and the casual way he killed his allies and would kill her if she acted in a way detrimental to his goals (he would have killed her if he had any clue what she would one day do to Roxas and...).

DiZ and Riku. A man more inhuman than Nobodies, filled with such hate it felt like she was burning up inside when he looked at her, like she should wither away and die as the worthless waste he said she was. And the boy... the boy who would damn himself and anyone else in order to save his friends. He never learned, and Naminé prayed Sora never found out just what part he had to play in Roxas's fate, because she knows Sora. She doesn't fear for Riku, she fears for Sora, realizing that Roxas had been forced into returning to Sora, had been lied to, forced to sacrifice himself to wake Sora up...

Because it had been a lie.

Because Naminé had returned to Kairi, only to discover it was another prison. An even worse cell. To watch as Kairi, Riku, and Sora slowly settled back into their normal lives after Xemnas had been defeated. To see the life she had never had, would never have, and had denied Roxas. If her consciousness had faded away, if she had truly become Kairi, it... it would have been okay (not fair... it's never fair). But it wasn't. So she looked for the one thing she had truly hoped for. She looked out of Kairi's eyes whenever she was near Sora, but she never saw anymore sign of Roxas. After they had willingly assimilated into their somebodies inside of Kingdom Hearts, and for a brief moment on the beach as the lingering essence of that artificial Kingdom Hearts faded away...

That had been it.

Just her in the worst prison she had been in yet.

Even worse because she had doomed Roxas to this fate to when she didn't have to. When if DiZ had just given her more time... another year or so, maybe... maybe she could have separated the memories she needed from Roxas for Sora to awake without killing him. Because it was murder. She had ended Roxas's life in exchange for waking Sora up. For doing the 'efficient thing' as DiZ said, and dumping all of Roxas's power into Sora in order to combat the Organization. When in truth, Sora thrived off friendship, off of allies, if they had existed together, just the thought or Sora and Roxas fighting back to back, and Axel would have tagged along to if that was what Roxas had decided... things could have ended so differently for them...

Roxas...

"I think I understand. I see myself the way you remember me. And you see yourself the way I remember you."

He didn't know any better.

He was so young, had such a loose understanding of the worlds at large, yet had fought so hard to stay himself, even after being forced to join Sora, he had still come out one last time to fight him after Axel died, and then at the end... he had looked to her. She had put on a brave face, and led Roxas to his fate, taking her own jailer's outstretched hand and disappearing into her.

There was a thin line between acceptance and resignation.

Her entire life had been resignation...

It was the strangest thing, to want to cry, to want to choke up and sob, feeling like she was, without actually doing so. Because it hurt, not for her, never for her, she never mattered, she wasn't worth it, she only caused pain. She hurt for Roxas...

"Kairi? What's wrong?"

Naminé looked out of Kairi's bleary eyes, at Sora looking at her with deep concern as her somebody spoke, "I... I don't know. I just... I felt so sad for a moment..."

Naminé wanted to wail. Could she have nothing? She couldn't even feel grief for what she had done without inflicting it on Kairi?

Why did she still exist?

Why hadn't her consciousness and memories and existence join Kairi?

Why hadn't she faded away?

Why hadn't she just died?

Why why why why WHY?

There was a choking, gasping sound, and it took Naminé a moment in her self-loathing to realize Kairi was on her knees on the sandy beech, sobbing as Sora fluttered around anxiously. "Kairi?!"

Naminé forced herself to cut it away, bury it deep down as much as she could and pull away. It took Kairi a few minutes to collect herself before wiping her eyes and staring down at her hands, sifting them through the sand anxiously. "I... think that was... Naminé."

"Naminé?"

For a second, she thought she heard Roxas's voice in Sora, and she was back to looking out of Kairi's eyes desperately, but all she saw was Sora, and despair took her again, making Kairi gasp. Naminé wanted to breath, take in deep shuddering breaths, but there was nothing. She had no body, she was just... inside of Kairi, a prisoner who could do nothing but float and grieve. Alone, always alone...

Kairi took another shuddering breath, and Naminé tried to bottle it up again.

"I... thought she and Roxas were gone or something?" said Sora, sitting down, "Honestly, that whole thing was weird. I still don't understand what exactly happened."

"Neither do I," admitted Kairi quietly, "And that... what just happened was scary... I've never felt that kind of... of suffering before."

"She... hurt you?" asked Sora, confused.

Naminé looked away. Always hurting people...

"No," said Kairi, "She's the one hurting."

If she had a throat, it would have constricted at those words.

Kairi stood up, "Where's Riku? He might have some kind of idea what's going on. Because Naminé made it sound as if this was the only way for her and Roxas to live on, so why is there this pain?"

Oh no...

No no no...

She watched with despair as the pair found Riku on the small island across the bridge and cornered him. The questions started flying, and Naminé wished she could sink so deep into Kairi she'd disappear forever...

"Okay, so Naminé was a different kind of Nobody?" asked Kairi.

"DiZ said that she was 'highly unusual'," explained Riku, "Because she didn't have the body nor memories that a Nobody is usually born with. Roxas got Sora's original body, and you kept yours, she's like a phantom. The truest Nobody of them all."

Nobody... that's all she was, nothing...

"Don't," said Kairi sharply, a rise to her voice, "Say that."

Riku blinked. "Say what?"

"Don't call her that," hissed Kairi, "It hurts her."

Riku gave Kairi a confused look. "How? For one, she's a part of you now, she should be gone. For two, she's a Nobody, she doesn't have emoti..."

SLAP

Naminé watched, stunned, as Kairi's hand ripped across Riku's face. "Bullshit!"

"Woah... uh... easy Kairi," said Sora, reaching forward and pulling her back.

It was like Naminé was in an ocean of red. Everything was hot, melty, a burning sensation in her chest. It was... anger. That was anger... it felt like it could swallow her up, but it felt... good to feel it... something to sink her memories into that felt right...

Riku watches Kairi, wide eyed, hand up to his face, saying nothing.

"You can't feel nothing," said Kairi slowly, angrily, "And feel that kind of anguish, self-loathing, isolation and loneliness..."

Riku looked away for a moment. "Maybe since she returned to you she can feel through you, she... had a pretty crappy life. Maybe she needs to sort through that before she fades into you."

Was... that it? Just acknowledge what had happened, and then she'd be free?

Free to fade?

"Why did she even have to?" demanded Kairi, "Why couldn't she live on her own?"

"Its like I said," explained Riku, "She was a phantom, her entire existence was unstable. The Organization wore their cloaks to protect them from the Darkness eating away at their existence. Naminé never wore one of those."

"Then why didn't you get her one?" exclaimed Kairi.

Riku hesitated. "I... never thought to? I'm not sure it would have mattered."

Kairi huffed. "And why not?"

"Nobodies are fated to fade away," he answers, "Their entire existence isn't supposed to happen. Its why they were trying to make Kingdom Hearts to get their hearts back and be whole. If they hadn't been messing with our worlds and lives, I wouldn't have done anything to stop them. But they were ruthless, cruel, emotionless monsters who..."

"Who just wanted his friend back," snapped Kairi thinly, "If you're thinking of Axel. I'm pissed he kidnapped me, believe me, but I heard him muttering enough about wanting Roxas back to understand what drove him."

Kairi's eyes narrowed. "I may not have really known Naminé outside those few minutes we were running through the castle, but not once did I ever feel like she was a bad person. Sneaky maybe, but not bad."

"I'm not saying she was...," began Riku.

"Sneaky?" butted in Sora.

Kairi looked away for a long moment, and Naminé could feel the girl's guilt and frustration, "I didn't know taking her hand would destroy her, she tricked me into it. Do you know what its like to see someone start to blur and fade away as you're running together and have no idea why? Then to realize later its your fault?"

Kairi looked down at her clenched hands. "I thought maybe, it was okay, if this was how she could live on, but it's not okay."

Her shoulder's slumped. "It's not. All those bits of negative emotions I've been feeling on and off that make no sense... they're not mine, they're Naminé's, and no one should feel like this. I... what she feels makes me think she came back to me not to be whole, but with the intention to die."

How... how did she...

"What in the heck..." began Sora, shocked, before rounding on Riku, "Okay, you said she had a crappy life, what did you mean?"

Pure panic ripped through her. Riku would tell them of Castle Oblivion, then they'd know what Naminé had done, replacing Kairi with herself, and everything would be even worse. Sora was forgiving, but Kairi? How would she react to that? No no no no no...

Kairi made another choking sound. "Okay... okay we... we need to pick this up tomorrow. I can't keep getting hit like this without downtime."

It took Naminé a moment to realize Kairi was running from Sora and Riku, practically sprinting towards the boats, ignoring the boy's calls for her to wait. Kairi rowed back to the mainland and bolted to her house, to her room, in what Naminé was sure was record speed. Kairi curled on her bed, bringing her knees up to her chest and putting her head between them breathing raggedly for a time.

"I... I'm sorry Naminé," whispered Kairi, curling her arms around herself, "I'm so sorry..."

Why was she sorry? She had nothing to apologize for. She was good. She was light. She was everything Sora would need. A real friend for everyone else. She had never hurt anyone else... not like Naminé had...

"I'm so sorry..."

When Kairi slept was the only time Naminé could really relax herself. When sight faded away, and she found herself sitting on the edge of a platform floating above an endless abyss of darkness. It wasn't real, just a manifestation of Kairi's heart, her prison made real in a dreaming mind. It still allowed her the motions of expressing herself though. Screaming out into the dark, crying, clawing at herself, breathing in and out, questioning her existence aloud, reminders of things she'd never have again...

"Naminé."

Her breath hitched. It couldn't be...

She slowly turned her head, and there, standing at the center of the platform, was a confused, but concerned, Kairi, staring at the young blonde's tear stained face. She took a step forward, hands reaching, but Naminé reflexively shied away from the hands that had taken everything away, making the girl stop. Kairi looked down at her anxiously, mouth opening and closing a few times, anguish and guilt on her face, before she spoke one word.

"Why?"

"I don't deserve to exist," whispered Naminé back, looking downward.

Kairi growled. "Like hell you don't. Everyone deserves to exist, Naminé."

She just shook her head, not looking up at her true self. "I'm just your shadow. I'm a Nobody, a nobody, I don't have the right to be. I just hurt people..."

Kairi closed her eyes for a long moment, fists clenched in anger, growing vicious. "Whoever made you think like this better already be dead, or I'll tear them apart myself."

Naminé didn't respond.

"Naminé... what do you want?" asked Kairi.

"To fade away," answered Naminé softly.

"What do you truly want?" stressed Kairi, "Because I refuse to accept that."

Naminé swallowed thickly, the way her true self was looking at her... she... she couldn't lie. "I don't want to be alone. I... I want to have had the chance to help people when it really mattered, not be forced to hurt them."

There is compassion in Kairi's eyes that makes Naminé want to shy away because she doesn't deserve it. "You're a better person than some of the people I've met or heard about if that's all you want. Naminé... no one deserves to be alone. Everyone deserves to be loved, and loved in turn. No one deserves to be forced to hurt others."

Naminé looks away, at least, until a light started to shine, making her look up at her somebody. Kairi was holding a glowing open palm at Naminé. "I refuse to accept this, I refuse to be a prison."

"I wont let you suffer," Kairi whispered with determination, "You deserve your own life."

Naminé's eyes went wide to see an blue heart shaped silhouette appear in the distance behind Kairi. That was... Kingdom Hearts? How..., were the Princesses connected to it?

Kairi illuminated with intense light, blue light from the Kingdom Hearts reaching out to entwined with her own, her voice radiating power, "I'm a Princess of Heart. What good is this power if I can't do anything with it? I brought Sora back from being a heartless, I have to be able to do something for you, anything."

The last thing Naminé saw was light exploding out of Kairi's hands, engulfing Naminé in its glory and warmth...

-She begs me with an intent as pure as her heart. Your life is free to do as you wish, Shadow of my child. Step out of the shade, into the light, into a time when you can truely help those who need it, and make your desire a reality-

Chapter Text

*poke poke poke* "Hewo?"

Naminé slowly opened her eyes, dizzy and confused, but feeling soft fingers poking her cheeks. Wait... her cheeks?

Her eyes flew open and she let out a startled gasp when sunlight flooded into them from above. She cringed, one hand going up to shield them, the other digging into grass and dirt underneath her body, a ripple of shock and confusion radiating through her. What in the world... how was she... how did she...

"Are you okay miss?"

Naminé lowered her hands and blinked a few times, the outline of a very young redheaded girl slowly appearing to be standing over her. "You fell outa a bright light."

"I... did?" said Naminé weakly.

"Ahuh," said the girl, "It was all swirly and shiny and sparkly and then 'poof'!" throwing her hands up into the sky and spinning on one leg, "You dropped down!"

Naminé rubbed her eyes and squinted, starting to make out the more detailed features of the girl. She was in a white dress with a purple bottom and blue lines along the top. She had purple-blue-white shoes, a soft and young face, but those eyes, those blue eyes... they were so familiar... unsettlingly familiar.

"Hey grandma!" called out the girl, looking past her, "I don't think she looks so good."

"Who doesn't look so good, Kairi?" came a curious old voice.

Kairi...?

Naminé swallowed thickly, her eyes going wide, staring into the little girl's blue's own. That was... that's impossible...

"Y... you're Ka... airi...?" whispered Naminé.

It... it was her... it felt like her... it was her... but that's... shes just a little girl...

"Oh... oh my, where did you come from dear?" came a concerned voice.

Naminé leaned her head back to see an elder woman in a purple dress with a white apron over it. "I... I don't..."

She had been inside of Kairi, trapped, how was she out and alive? Why was Kairi a young child?

The little girl held out a hand. "Here, lemme help."

A hand that an older Kairi had held out not long ago...

To take her back in...

To absorb her...

Reclaim her...

To imprison her...

Naminé screamed. "NO!"

She shrank back, a surge of ice rocketing up her spine, the physical beat in her chest so loud and fast her ears were ringing, her eyes watering, a sob escaping her lips, rolling over and curling in on herself as she breathed raggedly. Not again-not again-not again-not again-not again...

Kairi yelped a little and stumbled a few steps backwards, withdrawing her hand and then falling on her bum, startled and looking a little scared.

"Shh child, shh," came the elderly woman's voice, kneeling down next to Naminé and rubbing her back, "Shh."

"G-grama? Whats wrong with her?" asked Kairi skittishly.

"She's just a little scared, that's all," said the elderly woman.

"But I'm not scary," whined Kairi.

"Well I don't know dear," teased the woman, "You are my ferocious little granddaughter."

Kairi giggled a little and made claws at her grandmother. "Rawr rawr!"

Naminé just laid there, curled up, for a few minutes as the ringing leaving her ears, the soothing hand on her back ever present, slowly coming back to herself. She uncurled a bit, peaking up at the elderly woman. She took note, and removed her hand. "Feeling better?"

"I... I don't know."

The woman gave her a look over, a slight frown on her face, lingering on Naminé's eyes for a long moment before she turned her head to Kairi, then back to Naminé, cautious curiosity in her gaze. "Hmm... what is your name dear?"

Naminé didn't need to be able to peer into the woman's memories to understand her connecting the dots even if she didn't understand why or what or how. If she was Kairi's grandmother, she knew her grandaughter's eyes anywhere, even if they were on someone else's face. "I'm no one."

The woman looked displeased. "No one?"

Naminé turned her head away, mumbling, "Just a shadow, just a Nobody."

The woman's frown deepened intently.

"Grama?" asked Kairi quietly, coming up to stand next to her, not-so-subtly whispering, "Why does she talk like that?"

The grandmother said nothing for a long moment, Naminé could feel her eyes upon her, before she spoke, "Because I think someone did her wrong Kairi."

Naminé tensed a little when she felt old wrinkly hands slide under her. "Oof, good heavens, I'm getting to old to be carting little girls around."

Naminé swallowed thickly as the woman heft her up and cradled her against her chest. "Come dear, lets find you a bed to rest in, my granddaughter is right, you don't look well."

She said nothing in response, just laid relatively limp in the woman's trembling arms. It was selfish, the woman was old, she shouldn't be carrying a body equivalent to a young teenager. She just... couldn't muster the strength to say anything, or do anything, but be carried around. In some ways though... it was nice... she didn't think anyone had ever carried her like this before. She'd been dragged around plenty of times by her wrist, though Larxene had grabbed her by her hair once or twice. That had hurt. This though, it was gentle, careful.

It made her ache.

"Kairi dear, could you go open the door for me?" asked the woman.

"Kay!" said Kairi, rushing up ahead.

"Would you like to rest, or bathe first?" asked Kairi's grandmother.

Naminé didn't answer.

The woman sighed. "Well, you've been laying in the dirt, you could use a bathe before being put into bed, your dress could probably use a wash too, best to get dirt stains out quickly, white is always such a chore to clean."

Naminé's eyes flickered up, sighting a cottage a ways from the stone path the woman was walking on, a small dirt road with a picket fence around it, plastered with finger-paints. Inside the fence was a garden on one side, a small play area on the other side, Kairi's was waiting on the steps, eagerly holding the door open while bouncing on her feet. Kairi's grandmother took Naminé inside and down the hall and into the bathroom, setting her down on the edge of a tub.

The woman huffed a bit, wiping her forehead. "Oh I miss my younger days. I could cart my own daughter across the town and back."

She sagged a little, sad. "Oh how I miss her."

Naminé blinked once. Kairi had no memories of any parents, this woman's voice tickled deep, buried childhood memories, so Kairi at least had known her. "What... happened?"

The woman looked away for a moment. "The investigation says it was an accident, took both my daughter and her husband from me in one night. My heart tells me someone did it intentionally. Someone robbed my sweet Granddaughter of her parents, me of my daughter."

She shook her head. "It's in the past my dear, lets get you washed."

She started the tub and then motioned to Naminé's dress. "Alright, out of that. I'll give you some of my spare clothes after while that's washing."

Naminé swallowed, eyes going wide. "You'd... give me clothes?"

No one had given her anything else to wear since she'd been born.

Kairi's grandmother gave her a puzzled look. "Of course, I'm not going to just leave you to walk around naked."

She huffed. "Kairi used to try to do that. Weaseled out of getting dressed once and ran down the street as bare as the moon once without an ounce of shame. Ah the innocence of children."

Naminé smiled a little. "It... sounds like a good memory."

"Oh I'll tease her endlessly about it when she's older," agreed Kairi's grandmother.

Naminé giggled a little before reaching for the bottom of her dress and lifting it up, taking it off, and handing it to the woman. Kairi's grandmother took it and set it on the sink before turning back, "Alright, lets get you in and..."

There was a sudden, sharp intake of breath, and Naminé's head turned to see the woman staring at her back in horror. Slowly, the woman walked forward and lifted a trembling hand inches from her back, her voice shaky, "That's..."

Then her tone changed.

"Dear," asked the woman with a voice of pure fire, of an righteous anger as she rested a finger on her back, on what felt like a little bump, "I'm going to ask you once, and only once. Are these cut marks on your back?"

Naminé froze and paled.

"Something to remember me by you little witch," whispered a memory of Larxene's malice filled voice, "Nothing left where anyone can see them, but these you'll always feel and recall our time together."

This... if this wasn't a dream of some kind, and she somehow had a new body, why would those still be there? Was this an exact replica of her old body?

She twitched a little. Why did the word 'Replica' make her ache?

Kairi's grandmother took one look at her pale face and closed her eyes. "Oh child."

The woman drew her into a hug, and Naminé trembled in it. She wished, oh how she wished, this woman had been her actual grandmother, that she had actual family. She was being so kind. Not because she had her memories messed with like with Sora, or because of a promise built on lies, or because Kairi herself had perhaps felt responsible for her. At most Naminé looked a little like the woman's granddaughter, and could offer her nothing that she knew of, she had just apparently dropped out of the sky, and was a stranger, but the woman still cared. She was nice just because she could.

The woman helped her into the tub and started washing her down. The shampoo smelt of flowers, it was a foreign, but soothing sensation. It was the first time she'd had anything like that. The most DiZ had ever gotten for her was a bar of soap at the old mansion, and Castle Oblivion had been spartan. Nothing in that place was welcoming or helped out an intruder, what one brought in was all they had. She'd been fortunate Larxene had thrown a scubbie at her to wash herself off with because she said she stank.

This... being completely clean, her skin tingly if but a little wrinkled on her hands, her hair not feeling greasy, was nice.

The clothes Kairi's grandmother briefly left to get, a nice knitted purple sweater and pants, felt strange. Not uncomfortable, just... she was used to having her arms and legs bare, used to being cold. Castle Oblivion had been a a little cool, the Twilight Town Mansion on the other hand had terribly cold nights. DiZ had never bothered getting her commodities like warmer clothes, a blanket, or a heater. Being warm... it felt nice. Though the feel of cloth on skin that had never born it before would take getting used to.

She led her down the hall and to a little maroon room filled with stuffed animals, toys, little child-drawn pictures, and a small bed. Kairi was there, sorting through her animals. "Dear, you can rest here."

"But... this is her room," murmured Naminé.

"That's 'kay," said Kairi cheerfully, plucking out a stuffed chocobo toy, "I'll sleep with gramma."

She looked down at the toy for a moment, thinking, before walking over and holding it out, "Here. This is Boco. He's my bestest friend, he says he'll keep you company."

Naminé's eyes went a little wide for a moment, staring at the little toy, before she carefully reached out and took it (making sure not to touch Kairi). "T-thank you."

The girl's grandmother gave the child a warm smile. "That was very nice of you Kairi."

Kairi beamed. "Boco says everyone should be nice, and sharing is a part of that. My bestest friend has the best advice!"

Naminé gave Kairi a curious look. She understood the thing with young children and make-believe/inanimate object friends, but, why would she choose this over a real person as her 'bestest' friend? She broke her thoughts and took a step back when Kairi started forward with a hugging motion, aborting the movement.

Kairi's grandmother laid a soft hand on the young child's shoulder. "She doesn't like to be touched dear."

Kairi gave her a baffled look. "Oh, um, okay?"

Naminé just hugged the toy chocobo to her chest and averted her eyes.

"Well, have a nice nap," said Kairi awkwardly, taking her grandmother's hand.

"Sleep well child, when you wake up, if you're feeling up to it, I'll make you some soup," offered Kairi's grandmother.

Naminé nodded her head and walked over to the bed, sitting down on it, freeing one hand from the chocobo to run along the blanket, to squeeze a pillow. It was all so soft. She laid down on the bed, staring up aimlessly at the ceiling as she clutched the toy, taking a shaking breath as the stress of it all caught up to her. She took a number of deep breaths until the soft patter of feet drew her attention to Kairi's grandmother, walking over and giving her a deeply concerned look.

"It helps to draw the blanket up dear," she said softly.

Naminé blinked and averted her eyes, mumbling, "I know, just..."

Wasn't used to having one to actually do it. She would have eventually drawn it up.

The elderly woman gently tugged the blanket out from under her, Naminé shifting a bit to let her do so, and laid it on top. "Thank you."

"Of course dear," said the woman, looking down at her for a moment before turning and walking away.

With all the confusion and stress plaguing her sudden new existence, she thought it might have taken awhile to get asleep, but...

Naminé blinked awake all the sudden, to the sound of voices talking outside of the room.

"What is it exactly you wished to report, ma'am?" came a deep, and terrifying familiar voice.

Of a titan of a man, hard and unmoving. Cold and uncaring. A nobody that hardly pretended any emotion of all. Who looked once at her, at Larxene, at Marluxia, and turned away from what was happening, not bothering to do anything.

Laxaeus.

"My granddaughter and I found a child earlier today, just entering her teenage years if I had to guess," explained the woman, "She... showed signs of both physical and mental abuse."

Naminé rolled away, putting her back to the door, hugging Kairi's toy chocobo tighter.

"Abused?" snarled Laxaeus in a deep, kindling voice, ire and anger rising.

"She has cut marks on her back, and the way she talks about herself worries me," admitted Kairi's grandmother.

Laxaeus said nothing for a long moment before he spoke in a tight voice. "The child's name?"

"She never gave it, and I've never seen her before," answered the woman, "She's blonde, has blue eyes, pale skin, and was dressed only in a small white dress that didn't properly fit her. Honestly... I gave her new clothes and she looked at me like I had just given her the world."

Naminé swallowed thickly, grabbing a pillow to shift over her ears. It didn't help much.

"There hasn't been a child abuse case since I was a young boy myself," muttered Laxaeus sourly, "I'll pass word along to the rest of the guard. They are going to want to interview the child."

"I'm making soup for her to eat, perhaps afterwards when she actually has something in her belly," suggested the woman.

"Very well," agreed Laxaeus.

"Thank you, Guardsman Aeleus."

Naminé gave a start and whispered, "Aeleus...?"

She turned her head towards the door and closed her eyes. There was no presence of a Nobody nearby. It... it wasn't him, it sounded just like him though. She curled up around the chocobo toy, turning its head up to face her. It felt awkward to do so, but... she'd never had a stuffed animal to talk to. Not to mention... she was technically only a bit older than one year old, even if her physical body was based on Kairi's. Or well... older Kairi's? It was never to late to try she guessed...

"Boco right?" she whispered, "What do you think is going on?"

She had only ever seen a chocobo in toy stores in some of Twilight Town's shops. She didn't know if they were a real animal or not. It was... a bird though right? They chirped or hooted. Some people say they sang, though nothing like a humanoid did. She tried to imagine the toy chirping back to her in the common language... it just felt awkward to even try. She sighed, depressed. She'd never had an actual childhood, trying to do childlike things now was pointless.

She didn't let go of the toy though. She liked the fluffy thing.

She retreated inwardly to think, tuning out everything else around her. She did, first, the only thing that ever seemed to calm or comfort her when everything else was going wrong, that DiZ was having a particularly bad day and took it out on her, or things like that. She reached for her connection to Sora, for the comfort she could never truly have from him. It was there, and for a moment, she just basked in his ability to live happily, to be content, to have friends, a real life. Though, the connection was... different. Not diminished, just... bubbling with youthful energy. Sora had always been a mixture of silly and goofy, though he could be serious when it counted. This... it was actual youth.

He was as young as Kairi was currently.

Naminé wasn't stupid. There was an answer, its just... how? Her last memories were of Kairi talking to her in that heartspace. Her true self, her somebody, the real person, had been trying to do something for her, for some reason. Naminé didn't deserve the attempt, especially if Kairi had somehow actually succeeded. Or... no. It hadn't be Kairi, the Princess of Heart had asked, and something else had answered. Something bordering on divinity...

-She begs me with an intent as pure as her heart. Your life is free to do as you wish, Shadow of my child. Step out of the shade, into the light, into a time when you can truly help those who need it, and make your desire a reality-

That toneless, soundless voice. More like words imprinted into her head than someone speaking to her. What had been said makes her squirm uncomfortably. Did Kingdom Hearts have its own voice? It's own thoughts and will? Or was it something else? If not... why would it grace her a moment of its light? A chance to live? Just because Kairi hoped to be able to do something? And what it said... she wanted to help people, but all her power did was hurt them. Rearranging memories or shattering their chains was hardly a benevolent ability, it was also limited to people connected to Sora, so she couldn't even use it to stop bad people.

Kingdom Hearts had wasted its time.

She drew the covers over her head and curled tightly under them, burying her face in the toy chocobo; tired, so tired...

Naminé nearly screamed when she woke up to the face of a certain red head inches from her own under the covers. "Am I really that scary?"

Naminé swallowed thickly. "It's... its not... not you, its just... please don't touch me. Something really bad," for her at least, "Would happen."

"But... I already touched you," said a baffled Kairi, making Naminé's face pale, "I poked you when you fell out of the sky and nothing happened."

Naminé felt dizzy and faint, "Nothing... nothing happened? I... I didn't fade away?"

She didn't lose what little freedom and existence she had?

"No?" answered Kairi, confused.

Naminé made a choking sound.

Kairi sat up, pushing the covers off them, "Are you okay?"

Naminé lunged at her, making Kairi yelp as she pulled the little girl into a hug, crying and rasping out, "Thank you... thank-you thank-you-thank you."

For being the reason she exists even as she does in the first place.

For being kind enough to care about someone who doesn't truly exist.

For not leaving her in that prison within her flesh.

For asking a second chance at life for her even if she didn't deserve it, hadn't wanted it, and had just wanted to fade into her (for not believing that).

"U...um, okay," said Kairi, looked a odd mixture between happy, confused, and concerned.

The door creaks open, through her blurry eyes, Naminé can see Kairi's grandmother standing there with the outline of two uniformed men behind her, the woman looks her over for a moment before turning to her companions, "Perhaps... she should be given a night's rest before you ask your questions."

"Of course," murmured Aeleus, "We've at least seen her and can begin a preliminary investigation off what she looks like. But if she has been kept in a cellar or hidden in a house all her life, the chances are slim of any kind of identification."

Naminé turned her head away, shutting them out. Even if that had kind of been true. Marluxia and that room in Castle Oblivion, DiZ and the White Room in the mansion, not to mention DiZ had thrown her in a closet and locked her in there until Axel eventually plucked her out of there after Roxas had... she buried that line of thought away with a shudder.

There was rattling of dishware being set on a dresser, then a shifting of the bed as Kairi's grandmother sat down next to them and rubbed gentle circles on Naminé's back. "Shh child. My granddaughter and I will take you in and look after you. Everything will be alright now, I promise."

Naminé clung to them desperately, feeling light headed and surreal beyond belief. If this was a dream, then she hoped she'd never wake up. Even if it was a lie, it would still be the kindest thing ever done for her. A new life all her own was more than she could have ever hoped for...

Chapter Text

Waking up to a warm bed was a strange sensation. No shivering or chills, no stuffy noses. What's more... her body felt... fine. Her body didn't feel like it was fading in and out of existence, she felt all of her limbs, there was no tingling numbness or lack of sensation, no fear that she was about to just vanish. There was no pain her chest for a lack of a heart, no empty sensation aching to be filled with whatever she could manage through interaction, even DiZ's cruelty had been preferable to empty isolation. She didn't feel the same flexibility of a Nobody's body (a monster's body), where she could bend at inhuman angles if she really wanted to. There were no lingering pains or aches from old injuries (abuses)...

Namine just... woke up warm and nothing felt wrong.

She couldn't stop herself from bursting into tears at that.

There was such a swirl of sensations inside her, she wasn't blind or dumb, she knew exactly what they were. What it meant for her to feel. That she... that she wasn't a... a Nobody anymore... that Kingdom Hearts had been able to give her what all Nobody's yearned for. Yet... it was constricting, suffocating, it hurt to be bombarded by them all at once. It was also confusing, because she swears she had felt some of them before, not to this extreme, and not through Sora or Kairi or those linked to them, but through herself... she had brushed them off always as phantom sensations, things she desired, or remembered through other, yet... having felt them full force now...

She doesn't understand.

Then the door to her room opens, and there is a quick pattering of tiny feet before little Kairi scrambles up into the bed and hugs Namine as tight as she can. "Hey! Hey! Are you okawy?"

Namine chokes, because it feels like she can't breath. Yesterday was a confusing mess, now... now its settling in and... she just can't...

"Grama! Grama!" calls out Kairi worriedly.

Namine curls, trying to breath, trying not to be a bother, there's spots in her vision, can't... can't...

There is a hard whack on her back and it jolts Namine into a deep, ragged breath, and then a fit of coughing, she lays there, shaking and breathing, Kairi clinging to her, the girl's grandmother rubbing her back. "Shhh child, shh..."

Namine gives a start and blinks awake, not sure when she fell asleep again. She immediately feels the swirl of... of emotions again before trying to shove them down. She doesn't need to drag Kairi and her Grandmother in and away from whatever they're doing just because Namine can't... can't handle this. She wonders, absently, if any of the Organization Members had ever considered what it would actually mean to get their hearts back, because Namine can't stand herself, couldn't before and definitely couldn't now with a heart, and while what she did to Sora, to Roxas, was horrible, what many of the Organization had done was even worse. Would they have been able to handle it?

She has doubts on that.

She doesn't move from Kairi's bed, just pulls the covers tighter, clings to Boco harder. It aches inside, it hurts, she doesn't want to go anywhere and do anything but stay here. She's not paralyzed, she'd felt that from Larxene's shocks and knives into her spine before the cure spells fixed the damage, its just... like there is some kind of fog in her head, a weight all over her body, crippling and preventing her from doing anything...

When Kairi and her Grandmother come in, and Namine doesn't react to them, Kairi whispers to her grandma. "Whaz wong with her now?"

Now.

As if its was expected for something to be wrong with her.

The weight gets heavier...

"Depression."

"Waz hat?" asked Kairi.

The Grandmother sits on the bed, running a hand through Namine's hair. "She's just sad Kairi, really sad..."

"Dear child? There are some people who would like to speak to you after you've finished your soup," said Kairi's Grandmother.

A request, and another scolding for not finishing it yet. It... it was just so hard to find the will to eat. She let out a soft sigh, nodded, and sluggishly moved to the edge of the bed, to the prop-up table put there with a now lukewarm mostly full bowl of soup. She sluggishly lifts the spoon, little droplets of it spattering on the table, on the bed, and on her clothes. It adds more to the weight... getting their room and clothes messy... she lets the spoon sink back into the bowl after her first mouthful and stares at it in silence.

There is a pattering of booted feet several minutes later, heavy, but as if they're trying to be quiet. The bed shifts and she feels it depress. She turns her head slightly to see Laxaeus... no, Aeleus, he's not a Nobody yet, sitting down carefully next to her. She catches a brief sight of Xaldin leaning against the door near the wall, she doesn't know what his somebody's name was.

"Good afternoon young one," offers Aeleus in a deep, but soft tone, so gentle compared to that empty powerful voice she remembered.

She doesn't respond, she can't bring herself to, she just stares at him.

The man's lips purse with clear unhappyness. His hands are clenched tightly around the blanket on the bed. She... upsets him. She bows her head and looks away, she doesn't want to be anyone's problem anymore...

"My name is Aeleus, and this is my friend, Dilan," offers Aeleus.

Namine knows its polite to say something, she just...

Aeleus holds his silence, waiting.

It takes Namine a very long time to offer a quiet, "Hello..."

Aeleus takes in a quick breath, had he been holding it that long waiting? "Could you tell me your name, young one?"

Namine swallows thickly. Why do they keep asking? It doesn't matter... the last person she had ask her name had been Roxas, or had she offered it without him even asking? It didn't matter either way, she had destroyed him to save Sora. Its better they not know her, safer for them. If... if she could just get the will to form a Dark Corridor and go somewhere else... she wouldn't bother them...

"I'm no one," she murmurs.

"Do you not have a name?" he asked, his voice thick with... something, "If... you were never given one perhaps..."

At that, her breath hitches. Xemnas had tried to name her once, but she had refused him and chosen her own... its why she had been left in Castle Oblivion rather than joining the Organization, even back then something had rubbed her wrong about him. There is a flare of fire in her all of the sudden that washes over the fog. Her fists clench in her laps, and its like she's burning inside. Maybe she is no one, but she will never let anyone else take her name from her and give her another.

"Namine," she answers, her voice quiet but harsh, "My name is Namine."

Aeleus gives a soft hum. "Namine, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Strange," comes a soft murmur from Xaldin, "She reacted at the notion of being named?"

Aeleus doesn't pay him mind and continues to speak, "Namine, I would like to ask you several questions, is that alright?"

She gives a sharp nod, but doesn't look at him, still staring at her soup. The fire is still there inside, she doesn't know what to do with it.

"If you are not comfortable answering, you may refuse," offered Aeleus, "But we wish to help you, and make sure who hurt you cannot hurt others. We were told you had cut marks on your back. What is the name of the person who did this?"

She's still burning, it won't stop, why won't it stop? She spits out the name with venom. "Larxene."

She catches Aeleus looking to Dilan out of the corner of her eyes, but the man shakes his head. They wouldn't know Larxene, at least not by that name, she might not even be of this world for all Namine knew. Oh she desperately hoped she wasn't...

"Was there anyone else who hurt you or... touched you in ways that made you uncomfortable?" asked Aeleus, sounding extremely uncomfortable himself.

Touched you...

At that, the fire is gone, turned into ice that chills her. She curls a little, the ice she feels is black, black ice, its... its fear. She doesn't... doesn't want to think of Marluxia... the hand on her shoulder, chilling voice whispered so close to her ear, the hand trailing down her trembling arm to her...

"Namine?" questioned Aeleus softly, a hand on her shoulder.

Namine gives a sob and violently pulls away, knocking into the prop-up table and flipping it, sending the soup all over. She curls on herself as she feels the bed shift. The world spins for her, shes in her room in Castle Oblivion, Marluxia's hand on her shoulder, knees depressing and shifting as he leaved over her, nononononononono... she had done what Marluxia wanted, he PROMISED! He promised not to...

"Dilan, go get Lady Ame," ordered Aeleus, "Now."

The world jars around her, shes not in Castle Oblivion. Marluxia is dead. Except he's not, he could come back again...

She bursts into tears. He could come back... he could come back... she can't... she can't...

Kairi's grandmother is there moments later, clutching her tightly. "Shhh dear one, shh, its alright, its alright, you are safe here. No one can hurt you here."

Namine clutches her desperately, burying her face into the woman's shoulder, taking deep and ragged breaths.

"Damn," she faintly heard Aeleus whisper, "Likely molested as well. When I get my hands on whoever did this..."

"All murder will do is end you up in jail," muttered Dilan, "Throw the book at them, but don't throw your life away with it. Scum like that isn't worth it, the other inmates generally take care of such trash anyway."

"If you could take such talk elsewhere, please?" stressed Kairi's grandmother.

The two leave the room, and Namine clutches the old woman for dear life, slightly flinching when Kairi comes to join and hug her. They stay there for a long time, letting her take deep breaths...

In out...

In out...

In... out...

I...n...o...u...t...

"What was the person's name?"

The question is soft, and gentle. Still so odd from Aeleus's lips, even a few visits now. Namine hated herself for being so weak. For freezing up or sobbing at the thought of... of... Castle Oblivion and what happened there. It had been easier when she didn't have a heart. What had she been thinking wanting this? Everything ached so badly, things she'd been able to think about before in a detached way, or at least suppressed compared to this, were so hard to handle. She had been able to get up every day to help fix the damage she did to Sora without trouble. Now?

Now it was a struggle to even get out of bed, to even eat. It made Kairi's grandmother scared, which made her feel bad. It also made her feel physically weak. It took her far to long to realize that since she had a heart, since she was human now and not some freakish non-existent monster... that she had all the requirements of being human. Nobodies didn't need to eat, but she'd seen the Organization do so, something to cling on to, something else to fake to make themselves seem normal. Seem real. Sleeping was one of the few restrictions they seemed to share with real beings. Aging... well... that was a swing and a miss for Nobodies, it was weird how it didn't make sense. Some aged, but most didn't, maybe she was missing something on the why of it. Namine herself was weird anyway without that. Her none-existence had broken enough rules as it was, so that wasn't really that big of a thing...

"What was the first letter of their name?"

Namine blinked at that. M... M... that was... that was easier...

"M."

"The next?"

"A."

"R."

"L."

"U."

"X."

"I."

"A."

When she didn't continue, Aeleus sounded it. "Marluxia."

Namine reflexively curled, choking a little.

Aeleus's hand was on her back, rubbing gentle circles. "Shh child, shh. They can't hurt you anymore, you have the entire castle guard who would readily stand as your shield."

She blinks up at him through tears, opening and closing her mouth a few times before a whisper escaped, "Why?"

There is deep sorrow on his face. "No child, no person, should be hurt as you have been, young one. All of us care, and are deeply concerned for you. We would readily step in to protect you."

Then why didn't you before?

Something must have shown in her eyes, because he closed his own and sighed, "I'm sorry we couldn't before."

Namine stares down at her knees, her fists clenched tightly in them, saying nothing...

"So that's the girl, huh?"

Namine sneaks a look from the couch on the living room of Kairi's home. She had learned that there had been guards stationed continually to watch over their house since she had first been reported. To protect... protect her. The warmth that invaded her chest at the thought of it, ever since learning it, had... had helped her get up from bed. Helped her eat. That more than just Kairi and the Grandmother who raised her could care. That the two weren't just special unique over-caring circumstances. It changed day by day, and she got to meet new faces, most she didn't recognize...

But the young man she saw now at Dilan's side peeking through the doorway she did. Was that... Leon?! He was so young...

Dilan cuffs the back of his head. "It's rude to stare, let us check in with Lady Ame and be on our way."

Leon scowls at the man, but moves, briefly giving Namine a nod as he does, a protective glint in his eye. He doesn't even know her... but he still wants to... to keep her safe...

Namine's eyes trail the specter from Sora's past until he was out of sight. That's right... she hadn't considered it, but he was from this world. Apparently as a guardsmen... or an apprentice one at least...

Then Namine's eyes furrow. Ame? Was that Kairi's grandmother's name? She feels abashed, it had been well over a week and she hadn't once asked the woman her name! She sighs and bows her head, curling on the couch and dragging Boco close to her. She lets her thoughts drift. If Leon was here, then so was Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, Cid, and Yuffie. She felt a little... awkward. She had seen who those people had grown up to be after...

Namine's breathing hitched, her eyes going wide.

...after Radiant Garden fell to the Heartless and they wound up in Traverse Town.

Pure ice rolled down her spine, a choking sound escaping her lips. Oh no... oh no no no... Apprentice Xehanort was here, doing his experiments with the others, and it was going to lead to this world being ruined. Lead to the outbreak of the Heartless and in turn the Nobodies. Kairi would end up on Destiny Islands, clueless about her origins, about her lost loving grandmother. Xemnas would be born and start the Organization, he would find others, fine L... Larxene and M... Mar...

She shivers, gasps escaping her lips. Why? Why can't she even...

"Nami?"

She startled, blinking rapidly and seeing Kairi next to her, hands on the couch leaning towards her with concern. "Need Grama?"

Namine takes in a shaky breath and lets it out. "No... no I'm... I'm okay."

Kairi gives her a dubious look, pulling herself up onto the couch and cuddling next to her. Namine rests her head ontop of Kairi's, a soft sigh escaping her lips. She doesn't deserve to have been born from Kairi... she really doesn't...

"Do you want to go outside today Namine? I cleaned your old dress for you."

Namine looked up at Ame, and then at the white gown, and recoiled from it.

Ame took a step back at that. "Namine?"

"Not... not in that," answered Namine shakily.

She stared at the dress, befuddled and a little transfixed at the bubbling blackness inside of her. The... the hate... of it.

Ame frowned a little, carefully folding it. Her eyes questioning, but doesn't ask.

Namine averts her eyes before swallowing and answering anyway, "I..."

When she sees that dress, sees that white... she thinks of Castle Oblivion, she thinks of the White Room in the Mansion...

"I hate white."

Ame asks the question then that Namine really wished she wouldn't have. "Why?"

Minutes pass before she can work up the nerve to answer. "My... my room was all white. Nothing else."

Nothing else but her drawings.

"I didn't... have any other clothes but that..." mumbled Namine, barely withholding the urge to curl on herself.

Ame nods slowly, tucking the folded clothes away. "Of course. Why don't we go shopping today and pick you out some colorful clothes? Would you like that?"

"I... you don't... have to spend your money on me," murmured Namine.

Ame smiled softly. "Money isn't an issue child, even if it was, I would still do so. Do you wish to go shopping?"

Namine swallows, feeling so small. "I... I would like that..."

"...and the Castle is home to Ansem the Wise," explained Aeleus, sitting next to her on a bench in the gardens, "Our leader."

Namine freezes for a long moment, swallowing back her fear to runrunrunrun. "What... what is he like?"

What was DiZ like before he... before he became DiZ? Became a monster just as bad as the Nobodies he hated?

Aeleus studied her reaction for a moment. "Would you like to meet him?"

She instantly shrank away from him.

Aeleus frowned a little at the reaction. "There's no need to be afraid. Ansem the Wise is one of the most kind and gentle beings you will ever meet in your life."

Namine stared up blankly at him. DiZ... had been nice once? It... it was hard to imagine. DiZ hadn't been nice to her a day in her life.

"He leads us, and is one of our chief intelligence in our society, an impressive scientist along with his apprentices," explained Aeleus.

Namine swallowed at that. "What... are their names?"

"Even and young Ienzo."

Namine blinked. What...? She thought... she thought Ansem had six apprentices, not two? When had... when had the other four officially become his apprentices? Now that she thought on it, when had Aeleus made the switch from Guard to Apprentice? How... how far back was she? She doesn't think Kairi was much older than this before Radiant Garden fell. She can't... she can't even poke around those suppressed memories, she's linked to this Kairi yes, but that replaced the Kairi she had originally been born from. She no longer had a deep chain of memories to look into, and she finds herself woefully uninformed.

She takes a moment to identify who they are with the weird X name scheme. Vexen and Zexion. Vexen she hadn't interacted much with outside... outside of his initial 'testing' of her to identify her powers and abilities. She holds back a shudder at the thought of it, mind skittering away. Zexion had been a lot like his comrade, uninterested in her and uncaring. Spent more time in his books in the basement of Castle Oblivion than in the upper floors.

"What are they like?"

"Even is... absorbed," answers Aeleus in an amused tone, "He is devoted to science and the exploration of endless possibility, as he would say. Ienzo is a shy lad, a little younger than you. But he is very inquisitive and intelligence, a prodigy to be if there ever was one. Ienzo is more of an intern than an apprentice at his age, so the title is more for his benefit and self-esteem than official, but I imagine he'll officially earn the position in a year or so anyway."

He huffed. "He'll be the youngest scientist in our society to date. I wish he would enjoy his childhood more though, it worries me that he may be giving up to much in exchange for the purist of knowledge."

Namine peers up at him, remembering how the pair had stuck together as Nobodies. "You care for him."

Aeleus looks a little caught offguard before he gives her a considerate look. "Yes, I do. I knew his parents before they passed. I do my best to look out for the castle's young ward."

"That's kind of you," she offers quietly as they start heading back.

He gives her a warm smile and a thank you, but all the while, Namine is burning again, burning with the question of why he didn't look out for her, and trying to swallow back the guilt at the thought, because Aeleus isn't the same man who had looked the other way before...

"...and there's been these odd little creatures roaming about that have been attacking people," warned Dilan, whispering to Ame quietly, "We don't know where they come from or what they are, but you should be careful transversing Radiant Garden for the time being. There has been no casualties yet, but plenty of injuries ranging from scratches to broken bones."

Ame nodded solemnly, "I will be, thank you for the warning."

Namine listens quietly from her position curled on the couch. She'd thought they might be referring to Heartless, and wouldn't that be terrifying for them to be already here. But no, if it were Heartless, there wouldn't be physical injuries like that, people would be losing their hearts and transforming into more Heartless. It couldn't be Nobodies either at this point, not before the giant Heartless outbreak. So what were they talking about?

"And do not hesitate to call on us if need be, you have two young children to look after," continued Dilan, "And the guard as a whole are rather fond of young Namine."

Namine blushes a little, clutching Boco tighter to her as the warmth in her chest spreads and encompasses everything. She lays on the couch, a lazy smile on her face, and puts the creatures to the back of her mind...

Namine nestled in behind Kairi as Ame sat down on the chair next to the bed. "Tell Nami the story Grama!"

Ame gave her Grandaughter a warm smile. "Of course child."

She coughed and cleared her throat. "Long ago, people lived in peace, bathed in the warmth of light. Everyone loved the light. Then people began to fight over it. They wanted to keep it for themselves. And darkness was born in their hearts. The darkness spread, swallowing the light and many people's hearts. It covered everything, and the world disappeared. But small fragments of light survived... in the hearts of children. With these fragments of light, children rebuilt the lost world. It's the world we live in now. But the true light sleeps deep within the darkness. That's why the worlds are still scattered, divided from each other. But someday, a door to the innermost darkness will open. And the true light will return. So listen, child. Even in the deepest darkness, there will always be a light to guide you. Believe in the light, and the darkness will never defeat you. Your heart will shine with its power and push the darkness away."

Kairi's breathing had evened out to sleep or close to it by the end, but... Namine's had not, her eyebrows furrowed. That story...

The true light sleeps deep within the darkness... was that... Kingdom Hearts? It had been behind the Door to Darkness, what the Heartless Ansem had been seeking. "Ame?"

"Yes dear?"

"Where did you learn that story from?"

Ame chuckles. "Why, the same way you are learning it. I was a young lass myself when my own Grandmother first told it to me."

"Oh," said Namine, "Thank you for the story."

"Its my pleasure dear, good night."

Namine stayed awake longer than she should of that night, linking various things in that story to real life. The darkness that spread and swallowed both light and people's hearts... was that the Heartless? They had consumed the hearts of worlds after all. The hearts of children that pushed back the dark... was that referring to the Princess of Heart? Did... did Ame know what Kairi was? Or did she just assume it was a fable? Because she was right that the worlds were all scattered. The Door to Darkness had opened once, to destroy Ansem, but... Kingdom Hearts hadn't actually returned from the Realm of Darkness.

She wants to think on it more, but sleep slowly overtakes her...

"And I wike these flowers the bestest!" giggled Kairi, dragging Namine along through the gardens while Ame was in the castle visiting the library.

Namine lets her, a little smile on her face as Kairi picks from each pocket of flowers without focus, which Namine translates to 'all' of them being her favorite...

Skitter skitter

Namine blinks at the odd sound, what in the world was...

"Oooh, kitty!" giggles Kairi.

Namine frowns and follows Kairi's gaze... to something that is definitely not a cat. It was this strange little creature that was somewhat humanoid in shape, but not color or appearance. It was entirely blue, and had thin arms and legs that didn't end in hands or feet. Its head was triangular, with oddly shaped ears and red eyes. Namine feels... irritation. Not herself, no, but from the creature. Its weird... its like the thing is composed entirely of irritation...

Then Kairi's hand reaches forward to pet it. "Kairi wait!"

The creature lashes out, scratching at Kairi's hand, making her squeal in pain and stagger back, clutching her hand to her chest. "Owwww!"

Skitter skitter

Namine's breath hitches when a lot more of the creatures suddenly show up. Her eyes go wide, her heart constricts with fear to see so many of them starting towards Kairi. She acts without thinking or hesitation, the fear in her chest transforming into... into something hard and firm, grabbing Kairi, struggling to lift her in her thin arms, and bolts for the castle. "What are they Nami?!"

"I don't know," breaths Namine, stumbling a bit before setting Kairi down, grabbing her hands, and running with her as the creatures keep coming for them. They run up the steps, and she sorely wishes she knew how to cast magic. She had been linked to Sora's memories, yet she had never bothered to try to learn from them, and the child Sora currently alive definitely didn't know magic.

They finish climbing the steps, only to find more of the creatures there blocking the door to the castle, no one else in sight. Namine chokes a bit in fear, and Kairi lets out a shrill scream, "They're coming up the steps!"

She grabs Kairi and runs to a wall, pushing her against it, trembling and swallowing thickly. She stands protectively in front of Kairi."Stay away!"

One Kairi had given her a new life, another had taken her in, she wasn't going to let her get hurt!

The first Namine takes a step forward towards and boots it, kicking it away. The next two though scratch at her, clawing at and into her pants. She hisses and stumbles back onto her butt before the whole group leaps at her at once. "Nami!"

Namine raises her arms defensively, choking a bit in frustration and fear, then someone's voice rings out.

"No!"

SHING

Namine lowers her arms, her breathing hitches, as her eyes land on a blue-haired woman standing protectively in front of them... the recognizable form of a Keyblade in her hand...

Chapter Text

The woman stands tall and firm, metallic blue and silver Keyblade held almost aloof downward at her side. Namine takes a moment to take her in, wide eyed and very confused by the mystery Keybearer. The woman is young, either leaving her teen years or just about to. She had blue eyes and blue hair down to her shoulder. She bore a black and navy blue, high-collared halter top, a black corset with two pairs of white laces and black shorts. There were two pink straps intersecting over her chest, with a very unsettingly familiar silver badge holding it together, Namine knows she's seen that badge somewhere before, but she's not sure where. On the woman's arms are white bell-sleeves and tan, fingerless gloves. She had a small, strange single piece of armor on each of her upper arms. She had black stockings reaching about halfway up her thighs, leaving a small patch of bare skin. There are two strips of blue cloth hanging down over her hips, along with a smaller, white strip of cloth tied around her waist in the same manner. Her silver boots are pointed and armored, with a sharp hook on the outer side of each.

Namine has never seen her before, she's sure of that, if someone else had who had been connected to Sora had, she doesn't know, she doesn't have access to those memories anymore, but... there was one thing that did tickle something. In her last prison, she had gone through Sora's memories of the defeat of the Organization, and what Xigbar had said...

"You've really put Organization XIII in a pickle. I guess that must be why the Keyblade chose you. But MAN, did it pick a dud this time. You don't look like you're half the hero the others were."

Maybe... maybe he hadn't been lying or trying to confuse Sora. Was... was this who he had meant? But wait, others implied plural, more than one... if so... where were they? Where had this woman been?

Kairi scrambles to her, hand grasping for the woman's in fearful response, resting on the Keyblade before the woman waves her back towards Namine.

"Take her and go, quickly!" comes the woman's sharp voice, "Fighting while protecting someone at the same time isn't something I have much experience in."

"R-right," stammers Namine, grabbing Kairi's hand, but taking a sharp breath when more of the creatures started to appear, effectively surrounding them.

"I can't fight like this," muttered the woman in frustration.

Dark fear scrapes along Namine's spine, warring with the hard and firm sensation in her chest to protect Kairi. She steels herself for a moment, before she desperately crushes the fear, "K-Kairi, when I move, get ready to run, okay? Run and don't look back no matter what you hear, o-okay?."

"Nami?"

Namine rushes to the side as the creatures start to swarm at the Keybearer, throwing herself at the nearest creatures and shoving it out of the way, then tackling another one. "RUN KAIRI!"

She catches a glimpse of the sandled feet running, Kairi sobbing as she fled, before the creatures swarm all over Namine, biting and scratching and dragging her to the ground. She screams in pain...

"GET OFF HER!" came a roar.

A barrier of translucent energy ripples off of Namine's body, throwing the creatures off. Then the Keybearer is standing directly over Namine, one foot in front of her, one foot behind, Keyblade held defensively, batting away the creatures leaping at them. She's pinned down and struggling trying to protect her... because Namine was to weak to do it herself... always a burden...

"I... I'm sorry," was all Namine could whisper.

The woman briefly glanced down at her, eyebrows furrowed. "There's nothing to be sorry about, what you did was very brave."

Namine swallows and looks away.

"Hiiiyaaaaa!"

Namine looks up in time to see- IS THAT MICKEY MOUSE?!

Her jaw drops to see the King flipping through the air, an unfamiliar blue and white Keyblade with yellow star teeth at its end, cleaving through the creatures. He lands on both feet like that acrobatics he just did were nothing before he turns and looks at the woman. "Hurry! Ya gotta get that girl to someplace that's safe."

The woman opens her mouth to speak, but its Namine that does, "Y-your majesty?!

Mickey startles. "Huh? How do you know..."

He reflexively turns and bats a monster leaping at him. "Talk later, get her out of here!"

"Right," says the woman, frowning at the mouse, and then at Namine, "You're not of this world, are you?"

Namine shrinks in on herself, swallowing. Oh no, she had forgotten all about it. About the World Order. They weren't supposed to know about other worlds...

The woman sighs and picks Namine up, booking it down the stairs, stopping to find Kairi hiding anxiously at the foot of the stairs. Aqua takes a few sharp looks around before setting Namine down next to her. "Nami! You're hurt!"

The Keybearer holds up her Keyblade and mutters, "Cure."

Namine takes in a sharp breath as the bites and scratches heal. "You two, stay here, don't go anywhere unless more of the Unversed come."

Un-what?

The woman doesn't stick around, rushing back up the steps to fight alongside the King. Namine doesn't pay attention to the sound of battle, instead, she curls up, bringing her legs up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. King Mickey and the Unknown Keybearer knew she wasn't from this world because of her big mouth. What kind of trouble was she going to be in? W...w-would they take her away? Throw her in some kind of prison... hurt her?

She lets out a soft gasp when Kairi's arms wrap around her, sniffling. "Nami? Awre you 'kay?"

Namine makes a choking sound and hugs Kairi back...

"Namine!"

She startles to hear and then see Aeleus rushing to them. He kneels down in front of her, eyes honing in on the scratch and bite marks that ripped through her clothes with open concern and barely withheld fury. "What happened?"

Kairi shakily pointed up the stairs when Namine couldn't respond. "Monsters tak'd us! But the lady and the mouse with keys hewp'd us and are fighting them!"

Aeleus nodded and reached to his belt for a radio. "Dilan! To the palace gates now! The creatures are attacking, Namine and Kairi were caught in the crossfire, saved by unknown parties still fighting."

Dilan's voice crackled through. "Understood."

Aeleus glances backward. "Squall, guard them!"

Namine looks past him briefly to see the young guard coming in behind, drawing his sword and nodded. "Got it. Go teach em' no one messes with the Guard's Wards."

Aeleus huffed and rushed up the stairs, drawing his mighty sword. Other guards swarm the area, and it doesn't last much longer before Aeleus calls down for Leon to bring them up. Namine's legs feel like jello, like shes going to buckle and fall with every step. Her heart beats fast, the hard and firm sensation in her chest is gone now, only icy fear remains. She's only just started to really settle in here... she... she doesn't...

The Keybearer and the King stand at an awkward stance, talking with a cluster of guards. The woman especially looks a little flustered and caged, not appearing to like being at the center of attention. Leon leads them closer... closer... closer...

"Thank you, miss Aqua, and mister Mouse" said Aeleus, "For stepping in and saving the young Wards. It was irresponsible of us not being aware of their wandering off and stationing someone to watch them. We owe you a deep debt of gratitude."

"I was, um... happy to help," answers Aqua bashfully.

"Gosh, we were glad to help!" says Mickey cheerfully, before he glanced over at Namine, "Though, I'm kind of curious how she knows 'bout me, I don't think we've met before, I'm not exactly from these parts."

Namine wilted at the look, fear trembling down her arms.

Mickey's look turns to concern, but takes a step back rather than forward as the entire guard shifts in response to Namine's fear. Some stepping protectivly closer to her, other hands warily trailing towards their weapons.

Aeleus takes a few steps to Namine and kneels down in front of her. "Namine? Are you alright?"

She swallows back her fear, trying, but failing to speak.

Aeleus's face clouds with something dark. "Is he one of the ones who hurt you?"

That gets her to speak, because as afraid of Mickey as she is at the moment, he is not evil. "No!"

"Then why are you afraid?" asked Aeleus.

"I'm... I'm not supposed to be here," whispered Namine, "And he knows it."

Aeleus's eyebrows furrow. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Gosh, this is about to get complicated, isn't it?" says Mickey, scratching the back of his head, "Ho boy!"

The woman, Aqua as Aeleus has called her, doesn't react to the World Order reference, instead, there is a flicker of anger in her eyes. "What did you mean 'one of the ones who hurt her'?"

Namine shrinks a bit, wishing Aeleus hadn't said anything. She doesn't... doesn't want more people to know about what... what happened than absolutely necessary.

"Leon, why don't you take them over there for a moment while we... talk," answered Aeleus.

Leon nods and nudges Kairi and Namine away. She drags her feet though...

"Young Namine appeared one day not long ago, according to young Kairi, in a flash of light," explained Aeleus, "She was taken in by Kairi and her grandmother, Lady Ame. However... Lady Ame had noted significant signs of physical and mental abuse to the young girl."

Aqua takes in a sharp breath. "Significant how?"

"I don't believe such personal details are yours to know."

"Unfortunately, it might be," rebutted Aqua.

"And you are going to have to explain that if you want me to elaborate."

Namine freezes then, as another voice, a terrifyingly familiar one, echoes out. "What is going on out here?"

Namine pales as DiZ steps out of the Castle, ice washing down her spine. Nonononononononononnoooooo...

"Nami?" comes Kairi's quiet, concerned voice.

"Lord Ansem," calls out Aeleus, "There has been a... situation."

Namine shakes as DiZ approaches Aeleus, gazing over the group, sizing up Aqua and Mickey, and then his eyes towards Namine and she completely locks up, feeling tears streaming down her face...

...and then it all breaks when concern, not contempt, comes across DiZ's face. "I take it that is young Namine, perhaps you should take a moment to see to her, Guardsman Aeleus, she looks very unsettled by whatever transpired."

Namine faces whiplash, blinking rapidly and shaking her head at DiZ's reaction... except its not DiZ, this isn't the mansion... its Ansem the Wise... and they're in Radiant Garden...

She falls to her knees, wincing briefly at hitting the bricks. Aeleus is there in a short moment, rubbing small circles on her back. "Shh young one, it will be okay, you are fine, you are safe."

Namine takes deep breaths, trying to get her emotions under control. Why was it so hard to do this? Why was it so hard to be a person? She swallows and forces her attention away, keeping her head down but her ear tilted towards the main group.

"Hmm," comes DiZ... Ansem's voice, "If someone could explain this to me?"

Mickey speaks first. "Lord Ansem, are you the... leader in these parts? If we could speak in private..."

"If by these parts, you mean this world, then yes," answers Ansem briskly.

Mickey winces. "Ah... that's..."

"These men are people I trust," answers Ansem, "Even with so grand a secret as that."

"Milord?" questioned Xaldin.

"I will explain in more detail later, if you would please start from the beginning...?"

"My names Mickey Mouse," said Mickey, holding up a hand to shake, "Nice to meet ya."

Ansem takes it and nods. "You as well."

"I'm sure you know about the Monsters all running around and causing trouble by now," says Mickey, waiting for Ansem to nod before continuing, "I was sent out to help try to get a handle of the situation by my teacher, as I'm sure miss Aqua was by hers."

Aqua nods.

"I've investigated a few worlds, this one the latest, and was trying to clean up a bunch of these things," continues Mickey, scowling a bit, "They don't have regard for anyone, child or otherwise. I came across Aqua trying to keep Namine safe and stepped in, and well... Namine recognized me."

Ansem hummed. "I had thought as much of her. The guard might believe that Namine had been kept bound and chained in a cellar somewhere in our world, but I was not so quick to disbelieve young Kairi's account of her appearance. I am to assume then she is from another world?"

"Probably... and I'm going to go outright and say I really don't like what you just hinted at," said Mickey, voice tight.

"I'm going to ask again," said Aqua firmly, "What was meant by 'extreme signs of abuse'?"

Ansem frowned, rubbing his beard. "I've read the guard's reports myself, and find myself rather displeased. There were cut marks all over her back and in places not usually visible underneath her clothes. Aeleus believes she was molested, and the way she has been noted to talk about herself signifies extreme mental and emotional abuse."

Namine finds it hard to breath for a moment, her face burning in fear, shame, and frustration.

Aqua made a choking sound, face paling, then contorting with fury. "She's just a child!"

"Not all monsters of the world are shaped like the ones we just slew," spat Xaldin, "The names of the perpetrators she identified are Marluxia and Larxene, have either of you heard of them before?"

Both shake their heads, and Aqua takes it a step further, gritting out, "No, but I'll be keeping my ears and eyes open."

There is something there all of the sudden, that twinges at Namine's senses. Something like Riku, like Maleficent, like so many others, brought out by her fury. For a moment, Namine thought she saw something purple about Aqua, but then its gone so fast she thinks she might have imagined it.

"I was never going to say anything on the matter of my suspicions of her origins unless I was forced to, but, I take it there are rules and regulations on what is and is not allowed between worlds?" posed Ansem.

Mickey nodded. "Yeah, there are, and exceptions in what we do about that is really small."

"Surely you would not send her back?" stressed Ansem.

"Light no!" exclaimed Aqua.

"That's the normal requirement," muttered Mickey in a halfhearted counter, "To send people back and seal the way over if possible. Some people we let off the hook if their intentions are pure and they're not trying to meddle, but usually those people don't stay in other worlds that long, wanderlust more than anything else. Permanent settlement is... an icky subject, because its someone who isn't naturally there who will stay for the rest of their lives and potentially change the course of a world and the events there in a way they weren't meant to."

Ansem takes in a breath and slowly lets it out. "I understand what you are saying, Mickey, but if you attempt to take Namine from here by force, none of the guards would allow it, and I do not wish for an extra-worldly conflict to occur under my rule."

"I don't think I really want to," admitted Mickey glumly, "What happened to her isn't right in any world."

"Perhaps," said Aqua firmly, "I could talk to her first? Trying to make a decision without all the facts, and her input on them, is unwise."

Ansem hums in response. "If she is up for it."

Aqua separates from the group and regards Aeleus briefly, "If we could have some privacy for a moment?"

Aeleus grumbles a little but withdraws his hand from Namine's back and steps away, gently prying Kairi's hands off Namine and taking the scowling girl away. "You better be nice to Nami!"

"I have no intention of hurting her," answers back Aqua.

"Leon," calls out Aeleus as he moves, "Please take Kairi to Lady Ame in the library and inform her of what has transpired."

Leon nods, and frog marches Kairi into the castle. Namine watches her original self go, heart constricting and feeling alone-alone-alone.

Aqua sits down in front of Namine, her voice is very soft, and very gentle, "Hello Namine, my name is Aqua."

Namine's eyes flicker up to meet her. The woman's eyes are tight with anger, but its not directed at her, at her, there is only kindness and sadness mixed together. "Hello..."

"Do you know of the World Order, Namine?" asked Aqua softly.

"They're not supposed to know about one another," she answered, "I haven't said..."

"I figured," cut in Aqua gently, "But your presence here is still a disruption to the natural state of this world."

Namine's shoulder's slumped. "I... I have no where else to go."

"Light, Namine, I'm not saying I'd send you back to wherever your homeworld is, I wouldn't send you back to those who'd abuse you," said Aqua sternly.

"A Nobody doesn't have a right to be," muttered Namine, "A thing can't be abused..."

There was a very sharp intake of breath, Aqua's calm composure broke, and she looked like she was about to either cry or go murder someone, her voice cracking a bit, "Namine, you are not a thing, you are a person."

Namine just bowed her head and didn't reply.

"Light above," whispered Aqua hoarsely, taking in a breath, "Namine, what world are you from?"

"I... I don't know," she answers.

Does being born in Castle Oblivion count as a world of origin? What was the name the castle even resided in? Or did she technically owe Radiant Garden being her homeworld since Kairi was born here?

Aqua's lips purse. "I'm not going to send you back, but we need to know how you got here."

Namine tenses, and that firm and hard sensation fills her again. "She saved me. She sent me away to save me. I'm not telling you anything that would get her in trouble."

She doesn't even know how that would work. Kairi is so young here, even if her older self had broken rules about the worlds (and maybe about time if there are any rules about that), could she be held responsible? How would someone even seal that ability? Would it hurt Kairi? Over her dead body is the answer. And what about Kingdom Hearts having a hand in it? Namine has the very intense notion that she needs to keep her mouth shut.

Aqua studies her for a long moment, concern warring with duty. "I see."

Aqua considers her before speaking, "Is this something this 'She' would do often?"

"Its the only time it ever happened," murmurs Namine, eyes drooping, "She wrapped me in light and... and I was free."

Something in Aqua's shoulders loosened at that. "So it was an act of light then, alright. Okay. Good. I can live with that so long as it doesn't end up being abused."

There is silence for a long moment before Aqua speaks again, "You know Namine, I said it before, I'll say it again, what you did was very brave, to help Kairi run."

Namine shrugged. "She took me in. If I had to die to keep her safe, that's... that's o-okay."

A hand gently cups her chin and tilts her head up, studying her intently, and Namine feels... feels the stirring of some kind of magic, and of light. "Your heart holds shadows and scars, but despite this its filled with such care and light, because you mean that, not just in a defeated way, you would care enough about her to readily give your life in her defense, to stand against the dark even if you are afraid. If given the chance to heal and shine, I wonder... would you be special enough?"

Namine blinks at her, confused.

Aqua's hand falls down her neck to rest on Namine's collar bone. "Beyond that, there is something strange about your heart."

Namine half-tenses, half-shrinks on herself.

Aqua pulls her hand back and regards Namine for a moment, thinking, before asking, "Is it alright if I ask you some... personal questions? I wont ask them lightly, but they are important."

Namine's voice is quiet. "...okay."

"What are you most afraid of, young one?"

There is something about that tone, that reminds her of her last brief conversation with her older true self, and she finds that she can't lie. "Being alone."

She swallows. "Always alone."

"It sounds like a fear you have experience with. Why are you alone?" asks Aqua gently.

There were so many reasons she could give. "Because I'm a witch."

"And more often than not, those with magic are persecuted," said Aqua, sighing, "I'm sorry you've had to experience that."

Namine scoffed bitterly as the burning sensation from days ago returns to her. "Persecuted? I wish that was it. They don't persecute me, they use me, use my power to hurt others."

She bowed her head. "I don't want to hurt people..."

There was an edge to Aqua's voice. "Those who use special children like tools and weapons are despicable."

Its there again, that sensation, Aqua's anger bubbling dangerously close to the surface, and this time Namine knows she saw a flicker of purple, and black, but its so fast before its gone and smothered, almost instinctively. She's not sure Aqua knows or recognizes what happened. The woman is filled with light, but Namine... Namine brings out something dark and ugly from her...

Aqua composes herself and asks her next question. "What do you want out of life, young one?"

Namine found herself repeating what she said to the older Kairi, and feeling strangely offbalanced by the echoing between then and now. "To not be alone, I... want to have the chance to help people when it really matters, not be forced to hurt them."

Aqua nodded with approval, but the sadness in her eyes deepens. "That is a good desire, Namine, I only wish it hadn't been born in counter of such suffering."

Namine says nothing, hands clenching on her pant legs.

Aqua lets out a soft breath. "What is most important to you?"

Namine blinks up at her. Beyond the repetition between Kairi and Aqua... there is something oddly familiar about this, tickling a vague memory briefly connected to Sora that she can't access anymore. "What.. is the difference between that and the last question?"

Aqua smiles. "Look deep in your heart, and you'll know the difference, and the answer."

Namine swallows and bows her head, closing her eyes. She's hardly had a heart long enough to know how to search it. But...

She thinks of Kairi. Of Sora. Of Roxas. Of Ame. Of all the guards who look out for her...

"Those I care for," answers Namine softly, "I'd give anything to protect them."

Something seems to solidify in Aqua's eyes. "After risking yourself for Kairi, I thought as much."

"Ho boy," murmurs Aqua, "The Master is going to pitch a fit, but... I think this is the right thing to do, even if its so soon after my Mark of Mastery. It also answers the World Order problem, and I think... you are special enough. Hurt beyond belief, but so pure, so strong when it matters despite the pain and doubts. I think you have what it takes, Namine."

"I don't... understand," stammered Namine.

Aqua moves to stand, summoning her Keyblade, and for a moment, Namine is afraid, but then Aqua reverses her grip on her Keyblade, holding down the handle towards her. "In your hand, take this Key. So long as you have the makings, then through this simple act of taking, it's wielder you shall one day be. And you will find me, friend—no ocean will contain you then. No more borders around, or below, or above, so long as you champion the ones you love."

Namine's breathing hitched, her eyes going wide. Was... was Aqua... she doing what Namine thought she was doing...?

She stares at the handle in disbelief. "I..."

"The choice is yours, Namine," says Aqua softly, "I cannot make you accept this. I am a whats known as Keybearer, it is my role and responsibility to keep the world and its peoples safe. Its a hard, but rewarding life. You might not be able to stay long or often in the lives of those you cherish, but you will have the power to defend them from the creatures like the Unversed, from the darkness, from that which unbalances the worlds, to watch over them from afar as a silent guardian."

Something in Namine settles at that. There was always the fear of being a burden, making people change their lives to suit hers because of her weakness... but... if she could become strong enough to protect them instead... not interfering, but being there when they needed her... she doesn't think she's worthy of this... but... if she can save people she cares about... maybe even prevent this world from falling, Aeleus and the others from losing their hearts and being twisted into Nobodies...

This... this is everything she asked for. This is what Kingdom Hearts granted her. To make her desire a reality.

Her hand slowly and shakily reached up and grasped the Keyblade and... and something surged inside of her. She jolted slightly, shocked that she actually felt it, knowing and fearing what it meant; Aqua smiled. "Its done."

Again, Namine stares at Aqua, at her Keyblade, the notion of being a Keybearer as a profession echoing in her mind, and wonders what happened to Aqua? Mickey knew her, but had never, not once, mentioned her to Sora or anyone connected to him. Why? Was... was she dead in their time? There is no way Aqua wouldn't have interfered and tried to fight Ansem, Seeker of Darkness, nor would she have stayed out of the Organization business. Namine knows missing important information, she knows this.

Namine lets go of the Keyblade and settles her hands on her lap. "What... happens now?"

"Now, apprentice," says Aqua with a soft smile, "I think we need to go talk to your caretakers."

Something in Namine flutters. Apprentice. The realness of what happens rears up and slaps her in the face. She blinks rapidly, breathing hitching for a moment. That its actually happening. This isn't a dream. One moment she had been running from monsters with Kairi, the next... the next she's... she's been chosen... chosen by someone... wanted... she wants to buckle to the ground at the notion, but forces herself not to. She's been chosen to be a Keybearer, and she can't even try to deny it. She felt it, the moment she touched the Keyblade, something in her heart had stirred...

Aqua held out a hand, and Namine took it, feeling the warmth of the woman's gentle grip. Her presence is soothing, and she can't help but think Aqua would have gotten along with everyone in her time. It fills her with an ache though, this woman's barely met her, yet suddenly cares so much, like Kairi, like Ame, like all the guards. Yet she's gone, shes dead, in Namine's time.

Not if she can help it.

She grips Aqua's hand a little tighter, and walks back with her towards the others...

Chapter Text

"No! No! No! You can't take Nami 'way!"

Namine's stomach twisted at the distress and tears all over Kairi's face. "She's my Nami!"

Aqua bit her lip. "Kairi..."

"Mr. Allus!" cried out Kairi, "She's gonna take Nami away! Make her go away!"

Aeleus sighed softly from the doorway. "Child, if Namine wishes to go, I cannot make her stay."

Kairi's voice makes Namine ache so much. "Nami... don't go pwease..."

The ache is twofold. One, because she doesn't want to make Kairi sad, and part of her doesn't want to leave. Two... two is the memory of being in a prison of Kairi's unintentional making, of being trapped inside her, and this, in a dark part of her mind, reminds her of that, of being bound to Kairi again. She knows the thought is beyond unfair to her, Kairi is a little girl, she doesn't want to lose her friend, her only friend... because Namine hadn't been blind to notice that not once had Kairi played with any other child here, even if she hasn't figured out why. She is so kind and sweet, so why is Kairi isolated from any other children?

She pushes the thought aside and moves to sit next to Kairi on a couch in the foyer of the Castle. "Kairi..."

She knows better than to mention the World Order, a four year old wont understand nor care about that, but if she used what just happened... "The monsters that attacked us, I'm leaving to get strong enough to stop them and anything like them."

"But... Gamma says yowr all huwrt inside," said Kairi, sniffling, "I wanna keep Nami safe n make you better."

Namine closed her eyes and took in a shaky breath before opening them and moving to wrap her true self in a hug. "You already have, Kairi, you already have."

Namine separated, but held Kairi's hands in her own. "You... you were the first who really showed me people could care about me."

She had set her free from her prison, and sent her here to have her own life. Kairi had known her for what she was, a Nobody, a thing, an abomination, yet still helped... Sora had helped in Castle Oblivion... but he hadn't known all of what she was. Would he still have helped? Maybe... probably... but Kairi was still the first.

Kairi blushed a little. "And Gamma."

Namine giggled, looking at Lady Ame in appreciation, the woman returning a smile. "Yes, you and Gamma."

"I don't wan you to go," whined Kairi.

"She will be able to visit from time to time," offered Aqua quietly.

Kairi glared at her.

"Kairi," said her grandmother softly, "Don't be ru..."

The sound of pounding feet echoed down the hallway. "Aeleus! The refinery is on fire!"

They all turned to the sight of Xaldin, face red with exertion from sprinting, "There are reports of a man and a boy with keys fighting a giant monster."

Aqua suckered in a sharp breath, rushing for the doorway and shoving past the guards. "Terra! Ven!"

More keybearers?

Then she actually registered the words, her face paling with fear. Aqua wasn't alive in her time, did she die here?!

Aeleus and Dilan rushed after Aqua, and Namine only hesitated a moment before going after them, heart pounding in concern and fear.

"Namine, wait!"

Namine doesn't listen to Lady Ame, running down the hallway struggling to keep the guards in her sight. Aqua is already long out of sight by the time she's left the castle huffing and puffing. She's got a long way to go if she ever wants to use a Keyblade if running for a little bit puts her out of breath. She considers herself lucky Aqua and the Guards clear any Unversed in the way, or she'd be a sitting duck. She loses sight of Aqua quickly, wow, she can move fast. By the time she sees the refinery come into view, the smell of smoke is clogging her nose, several nearby buildings are on fire...

Namine yelps and stumbles to her knees when a massive beam of energy blows out of the refinery, clipping a building's roof and blowing part of it away. Namine makes a fearful choking sound. She steels herself and rushes towards the entrance, finding Aeleus and Dilan standing tensely.

"I hate to say it friend," mutters Dilan, "But I don't think we can handle this."

Aeleus nods firmly. "Leave it to the Keybearers, move to support only if absolutely necessary."

"Terra! Ven!" Namine hears Aqua cry out as she rushes in.

Then Namine closes the distance, standing behind the guards, and a choking sound escapes her lips when she sees Xemnas and Roxas fighting a gigantic humanoid Unversed that reminds her of a Guard Armor heartless.

"Namine!" exclaims Aeleus, "What are you doing here?"

She pays them no attention, staring wide eyed at the combatants. Xemnas isn't dressed in his signature cloak, nor is his hair silver, but she recognizes that powerful form, she recognizes that face, the hair is shorter, but still the same shape. Roxas... Roxas is wearing clothes like his birth clothes, but the Keyblade in his hand is completely different... and held backwards? How can he be here? Did... did Sora set him free too? If she reaches out with her powers and examines his Chains of Memories maybe she can figure...

Her eyes widen further. He's not Roxas.

She feels it instantly.

The thing is, she can still feel him, can still touch his Chains of Memories. Whoever he is, he is still connected to Sora, but he looks just like Roxas! Whats going on?

Xemnas glances at Aqua briefly, he's bruised, torched a bit, with a few rips along his clothes. "Good to see you Aqua, mind its fists and watch out for its lasers!"

"Right!" she calls back, rushing into the fight and launching lightning from the tip of her Keyblade at the monster.

Xemnas's voice is... very different oddly enough. Far less deep, full of seriousness, yet kindness. She takes a moment to look him over. Brown hair that went up in a sort of spiky way, but not as much as Sora's. His skin is a little tanned. His chest is covered in a skintight black high-collared shirt. He had a red X over his shirt, almost like suspenders. One of his arms below the elbow is are except for a black wrist band, the other has a kind of extended gauntlet that goes down to his elbow. He has a kind of black sash with some kind of badge as it's connected. The badge is the same somewhat familiar kind that Aqua has, its like a cross but the top part went into another shape. He has a hakama connecting to tan pants covering his lower half. He has armored and pointed boots.

"Ha!" says Not-Roxas, wheezing a bit, "This thing can barely keep up with the two of us, it doesn't stand a chance against all of us together!"

Then the Unversed backhands Not-Roxas with a giant hand and sends him flying.

"Ven!" "Ven!" cry out Xemnas and Aqua.

Namine curls her fists, fingernails digging in out of concern and worry. So his name is Ven? That would make Xemnas... Terra? Wait... Xemnas was the Nobody name of Ansem's amnesiac apprentice Xehanort who stole his name. So Xemnas... Xehanort... was an amnesiac Keybearer named Terra? How had it turned out like it had?

Her thoughts trail off into a sense of awe as she watches the three fight. Aqua tosses Ven a cure, and the three of them pincer the giant Unversed. Terra rains heavy brutal blows, Ven darts in and out with rapid strikes stabs and slashes. Aqua rains magic from afar before cartwheeling in and surging forward wrapped in magic, mixing physical combat with her power. There is a sense of teamwork between the three, covering for one another and casting cure if they fall under the brunt of the monster's focus. Taking advantage of openings created. Its amazing, its powerful... its...

Its inhuman.

Namine swallows and tries to still her fear. She knows she has nothing to fear from them, if those two are Aqua's friends, then they won't hurt her, and Terra isn't Xemnas yet. But... it doesn't ignore how unreal it is to witness a Keybearer, let alone three of them, fight at once. She'd never been able to feel real fear (Maybe? It... felt a lot like the fake fear she thought she'd felt) before she became a real person. If she could re-live the memories of Sora's most intense battles, would she feel that fear directed at him?

The monster had already been wounded, and Namine smiles with relief when it falls apart into pieces... that keep moving! What?

She yelps when Aeleus grabs her, lifts her up, grabs Dilan's arm, and pulls them out of the way as the monster's pieces start bounding around and shooting laser bolts everywhere. He shelters her, heavy arms wrapped protectively as lasers blow past the corner. He doesn't move, doesn't let her free to watch and see if Aqua is alright. The fighting goes on for a few more awful minutes, each cry of pain or explosion of energy sends a spike of absolute terror through her, and she wishes so badly she already knew how to fight so she could help.

Standing aside while someone she cared about was fighting in a life and death situation was awful.

"We did it! HA!" came Ven's tired cheer.

Namine collapses to her knees, a relieved breath escaping her lips.

Aeleus glances down at her for a moment before he shakes his head. "I suppose we should see if we can offer them any after-battle assistance, have any potions on you Dilan?"

"A few."

Aeleus helps her up, and they walk out to see Ven on his knees, huffing and puffing. Terra's hands are on his own knees, bending over to catch his breath. Aqua is wiping off her forehead, late to the fight, but still tired by it. She briefly casts ice and water over the area to put out fires before she walks over to Ven and starts fretting over him, poking at his injuries.

"C'mon Aqua! Really, I'm fine-oww oww oww not there!"

Aqua gives him a dubious look. "And you Terra?"

"I know better than to try to lie to mom," teases Terra.

Aqua huffs and gives him a mock glare.

"We have some potions to offer you and your comrades, Lady Aqua," calls out Dilan.

Aqua turns and then freezes when she sees Namine, fear, and then anger on her face. "Namine?! What are you doing out here! You could have gotten hurt!"

Namine shrinks a bit. "I... I was worried..."

Aqua closes her eyes, stressed. "I've been training to do this all my life Namine."

Terra grins "Made a friend, Aqua?"

At that, Aqua hesitated, face going passive and uncertain. Dilan merely shakes his head, walks over, and distributes the potions. Namine sheepishly walks up to Aqua. "Sorry..."

Aqua sighs and ruffles her hair. "It's alright, but from now on... well... I don't exactly plan for you to be anywhere near anything dangerous until your training is even close to complete."

"Training...?" poses Terra quietly before he takes a step towards Namine, peering down at her closely, his hand starting forward, "I feel..."

Namine takes a reflexive step back, foolish fear overtaking her that she can't help, he's not Xemnas, but he's still...

"Terra," cuts in Aqua quietly, but firmly, hand reaching out to lay on his arm, "She's..."

"Your apprentice," he breaths in surprise, eyes going wide, delight spreading across his face, "I feel it, you chose her! You found an apprentice already?!"

"Woah, no way!" exclaims Ven excitedly, rushing over to them, stopping a little bit away and grinning at Namine, "Hi! I'm Ven!"

"I'm Terra," the man offers with a silly smile.

They're so kind, but so overwhelming, all three Keybeaers to her front, the guards to her back. She tries to respond, but all she gets is a flushed face and unsteady breathing. She feels boxed in. Then their faces turn to concern, and she feels embarrassed. She finds herself frustrated with herself once more, wondering again why its hard to do basic things real people do?

"A bit of space please," ordered Aqua.

"Little shy huh," teased Ven lightly, but took a few steps back all the same, Terra doing the same.

Aqua knelt down in front of Namine and spoke softly, "These are my friends, Terra and Ven, I've known Ven for years, and Terra even longer since I started my own training, I'd trust both of them with my life."

Namine nods shakily. "I... I can tell they're your friends... just..."

"Don't worry, they won't hurt you like... they'd protect you from anyone who would," corrects Aqua before adopting a teasing tone, "They can be a little overwhelming at times though, being boys that like to show off and all."

"Hey!"

Terra laughed a little, but he's giving Namine a more studious look now, a hint of a frown on his face, "Aqua, word please?"

Aqua steeled herself, rising to her feet. "Have you said your goodbyes to your friends here yet, Namine? You should do so before you leave."

She doesn't wait for a response, turning to walk away with Terra. Ven isn't smiling now, a little worried as he looks back and forth between his friends. Namine just stares at the ground, she already can tell what Terra is about to question.

They are a bit away when Terra speaks in a low voice, but Namine's always been good at listening and hearing things she wasn't supposed to from the Organization. "Aqua, whats wrong with her?"

"There's nothing wrong with her," Aqua bites back.

"I didn't mean it like that," said Terra, "But she's far to afraid of us for no reason."

Aqua looked away for a long moment. "Child abuse."

Terra takes in a sharp breath, a soft curse escaping his lips, fists curling, anger on his face. Ven brings a hand up to his mouth, stuttering a bit before glancing at Namine quickly and looking away.

Aeleus tugs gently on Namine's shoulder. "Come Namine, the rest of the guard would like to give their goodies."

He calls over to Aqua, "I will bring Namine to the central square for when your business here is concluded."

Aqua nods at her, eyes lingering protectively over Namine, before turning back to Terra and speaking in low tones. "I'm sorry to leave you to this alone, Terra, but I have to take her back home, her and Ven."

"Hey! I don't want to go back yet, I've been out here helping...," Ven begins to counter before Namine is out of hearing range.

"Is it always going to hang over me?" Namine asks quietly, staring down at the ground as they walk.

Was she always going to have people talking quietly about her 'past' around her?

Aeleus sighed softly. "For a time, it will, but once you've had a chance to find your footing and step into your own path, it is my hope that it will become nothing but a distant unpleasant memory."

He paused to reach down and tilt her chin up. "It is my hope that one day, years from now, when you are trained as your teacher is, you'll return here. I look forward to meeting the woman you become."

Namine flushes a little, but nods. "I'll come back."

She smiles a little despite how her words spark a groundless and foolish fear. "Kairi would probably find a way to come drag me back if I didn't visit."

Aeleus chuckles softly. "I'm sure she would, she is quite fond."

"Look after her?"

"Of course young one. Of course..."

Namine sits on a bench in the central square as Aeleus patrols the area nearby, tearful goodbyes said, feeling drained by it all. Today had been... intense.

"Huh, so you're the new fresh meat then?"

She startles and looks up at... "Riku?"

A boy stands in front of her, in a black and red version of Riku's dark bodysuit. The primary difference being the lack of a heartless-like emblem, and the pitch black helmet the boy has. He is... much more imposing, and Namine can't help but tense around him. She can feel darkness emanating off him.

The boy crosses his arm and leans down at her, Namine can practically feel the sneer. "My name is Vanitas, not Riku! Whoever that loser is."

She shrinks back as much as she can against the bench, and the boy snorts, pulling back. "Just another light-filled weakling. I bet you can't even summon a Keyblade yet."

She flushes a bit. "I... Miss Aqua just barely chose me!"

She had been chosen, wanted, she's not going to let someone demean that!

Vanitas laughs and flicks his wrist, Namine's eyes go wide when a dark silvery and red/black Keyblade appears in his hands. "I could summon mine instantly. Guess you've got a lot of catching up to do, little girl. If you manage to even live that long."

Namine flushes further before she worked up the nerve to glare at him...

Then the teeth of his keyblade are underneath her chin against her neck. "Careful there girly, pissing me off could be the last thing you do."

Black fear pulses through her, and she's so tired of it. Being afraid. She grits her teeth, hopes Aeleus or Aqua is nearby if she's about to get herself killed, and tries to be brave. "You're hardly scary for a guy wearing a skirt."

The Keyblade falls away and he starts sputtering. "H-hey! Its a mini-cape, not a skirt!"

She glances down at it, and then back it him, eyebrow raised.

He huffs. "Skirt or not, I'd wear it better than you would."

"So you admit its a skirt then?"

"That's not what I said!"

"I think it is."

"Shut UP!"

The smile that had been forming falls off and she swallows thickly at the sight of his grip tightening on his keyblade. "You run your mouth for someone I could break in half like a twig."

A snicker escaped his helmet. "Actually, a twig would probably be harder to break than you are."

Namine flushes in frustration. "That's... I..."

"Admit it, you're a weakling."

"At least I'm not mean!"

"Waaaa, waaaa, she called me mean, boo hoo."

There is a fire starting to burn in her chest, and before she thinks twice, she gets up right in his space and stomps on his foot. He glances down at his foot, his helmet almost colliding with her head, then he looks back up, throws his head back, and howls with laughter. "Was that supposed to hurt?"

She yelps when he grabs his arm and throws her to the side, she lands on the pavement and cringes. "Oh, look at the little girl about to bawl."

She scrambles to her feet, but rather than doing the intelligent thing and running, she balls her fists and yells at him, "Why are you being mean? What have I done to you?"

Malice coats his voice. "You exist."

Namine takes a step back, paling.

He flexes his grip on his Keyblade. "The Master says killing the fresh meat should cause a lot of chaos and trouble that he can take advantage of, but personally, I don't care about that. What I care about is how a weakling like you gets chosen out of blue for failing to protect a little girl and getting clobbered, while I..."

He cuts of and snarled, taking a step forward, a black aura coating him. Namine takes a step back in response, feeling the icey-hot rage through the air, a prickle along her skin, in the back of her mind...

Wait...

Her mind?!

She stretches out and is shocked when she feels his Chains of Memories, he's connected to Sora! Except... there's something wrong with his Chain. Its... broken? Corroded? Like there's chunks of it missing... no, not missing, like they were ripped away. What... what is this? She's never felt anything like it. Even when she was working on Sora and Roxas and... and... just those two, it had never felt like that.

"A weak, pathetic, little brat like you, whole, chosen and cherished," he spits out, bitterness coating thickly, "While I get to be incomplete, fighting to be whole while stuck with the master. You don't deserve it!"

He hefts his Keyblade with lethal intent, but black fear for her upcoming death isn't there, its instead incredulousness, rage exploding within her. "Whole? You want to be whole?"

Is he some kind of Nobody? Is that why he feels all weird? "You think being whole is good?"

He hesitates. "What? Of course it is!"

She can't control the emotions erupting inside of her. She can't keep the rage and the pain out of her voice, nor the sneer off her face. "I thought that too, I used to be nothing, a shadow of my true self, then I went back to her, and it was nothing but a prison watching someone else's life trapped within them. You thinking being whole is what you want? You're wrong. How about I show you what it feels like!"

She aims a hand at him, taps into his Chain of Memories, and shoves it down his throat. She forces upon him the isolation, the loneliness, the suffocating sensation of being trapped inside of Kairi unable to move, someone else's emotions smothering her, watching someone else live their life while she was trapped, the sensation of knowing there was no escape until her true self died, the envy and jealousy, the desire to live, the desire to die and be free, all of it she presses upon him.

Vanitas screams.

He screams in horror and fear and denial. "NO! NO NO NO NO!"

He claws at his helmet and throws it off, falling to his knees and taking in deep ragged breaths and...

He looks just like Sora.

He pukes black ichor that fades into the ground before staggering to his feet. "I don't want this!"

He forms a Dark Corridor and bolts through it, leaving Namine suddenly all alone. She stares at the spot her ran through for a very long moment, blinking slowly.

That... had that really just happened?

She slowly walked back over to the bench and sat down, feeling incredibly drained, her head drooping. Her arms are trembling, breathing ragged. She stares aimlessly at the ground for a time. She just wants to go home and sleep. Except shes not going home, shes going with Aqua to... somewhere. Going with a woman she knows next to nothing about, to an unknown location, who could be acting nice for all she knows...

"Namine?"

The voice is gentle, she looks up and see's Aqua staring down at her, nothing but kindness and concern in her eyes. Namine swallows back her mindless fear. "I'm tired..."

Aqua gives her a soft smile. "It's been a big day for you. I'll take you and Ven home, introduce you to my Master, and get you to bed."

"Your Master?"

Aqua pauses to reflect. "I mean... we're both Keyblade Masters, I don't have to call him that anymore, but that would be weird. He's been that for years."

"Is... is he nice?" Namine asked quietly.

"Yeah he is!" comes Ven's voice, peaking around Aqua's side, "He's smart and kind, well, so long as you don't break the rules."

"Then you get chores," said Aqua, giving Ven a pointed look, "Like Ven's going to get for the next year for running off on his own."

Ven winces. "Ah... I was worried about Terra!"

"You can argue you that with Master Eraqus then," Aqua answered smoothly, "Now c'mon, lets go home."

Aqua summons her Keyblade and throws it into the air and...

Namine's eyes go wide as it transforms into a kind of vehicle. "Keyblades can do that?!"

"Yep," said Aqua, grinning, before she slapped a button on her arm armor and, in a flash of light, was surrounded in blue armor. "Woah..."

What... what was all of this? Keyblade Vehicles? Armor transformations? Just how much had Sora been missing? Or perhaps... how much had been lost after these three and their master died? Because none of them except Terra, kind of, existed from when she was from. There was this weird look alike thing with Roxas and Ven, she didn't have an explanation for that, but she knew they weren't the same person. Roxas had come from Sora after all. Its all so confusing...

She wonders briefly if the dark boy had any involvement in it. She's too tired to think on it... and he seemed... like he was lashing out more than anything. Something was wrong with him, hurt and broken in him. So she decided to keep it to herself for now, maybe she could find a way to help. Riku had only needed someone to show him the way back after all, even if he had caused all kinds messes along the way.

Aqua moves to sit on her glider. "Come Namine, I'll keep you in a barrier for the trip so the darkness of the Lanes Between doesn't touch you."

Namine walks over, and Aqua, to her surprise, flicks a finger and levitates Namine onto her lap. It probably would have hurt to be grabbed by armor, her skin isn't toughened at all. That was... thoughtful of Aqua. A translucent barrier surrounds Namine, cushioning her from rubbing against Aqua's armor. She smiles up at Aqua, not quit sure if the woman sees it. She settles her barrier covered back against the armor as Aqua takes to the sky, a brief bright gate appearing that she goes through...

A gasp of wonder escapes Namine's lips as they leave the world. The Lanes Between are... beautiful. So many stars and swirling glowing dust. Closer worlds off in the distance. Her head turns this way and that, drinking in the sight. Ven pulls up next to them on a kind of hoverboard, coated in his own armor, before he gives her a thumbs up. He shoots off, and she starts giggling when he does a hand stand on his board, showing off. Aqua shakes her head, and Namine imagines she's huffing with amusement.

Namine's eyes widen as they approach one world in particular. A marble white and golden castle-like structure floating on clouds, giant chains attaching it to two close mountain peaks. The castle connects to a flat area and to a nearby mountain with a summit. Namine takes it all in as Aqua moves to set down her Keyblade Vehicle along with Ven, dismissing her armor and the barrier around Namine. The doors to the castle open as they touch down, and out of it strides a man.

The was older, Namine wasn't quite a judge of age, but perhaps around Aeleus's age. She has to scramble through her memories to try and identify his clothing. He had a white, red lined haori with a hood over a blue shirt with a white X on it. Connecting the two halves of his clothes was a bit of armor, along with a symbol on it that she recognized from Aqua's clothes, the one that connected her pink stripes. His bottom half was a white, or a very light tanned hakama, his armored boots sticking out from underneath it. His black hair was tied in a short topknot, with one bang hanging close to his eye. And speaking of his black eyes, or rather, eye, he had a scar going over but not hitting his right eye. His face was hardened, a mustache and small patch of hair above his chin.

Namine swallowed a bit, this had to be Master Eraqus, he looked a little intimidating...

Ven slaps his armor and dismisses it as Eraqus approach. "Uh... hey Master..."

Eraqus kneels down, grabs Ven's shoulders, and pulls him into a tight hug. "Ventus, do not ever scare me like that again! You are not yet fully trained, you don't belong in the outside world yet, you could have been grievously injured going off on your own!"

Ven, or well, she guesses that had been short nickname for him, flushes. "Ah c'mon, it wasn't that bad! I figured out how to cast cure pretty quick, and Aqua healed me after that giant monster hit me..."

"Giant what?!" exclaims Eraqus, pulling back and giving Ventus a stern look.

"Uh... Unversed come in big sizes?" he says sheepishly.

A pinched look crossed the man's face, and he squints more at Ventus's clothing, definitely looking over the roughed over cuts. "I see."

"Ventus."

"Y-yes?"

"You are grounded for the next year."

"Ah come on!"

"Do you want it to be two?"

"No..."

Aqua giggled a bit. "Go a bit easy on him Master, he did good out there."

"I'm sure he did," said Eraqus dismissively, "It doesn't ignore..."

"He saved a Princess of Heart whose heart had been stolen."

Eraqus goes immediately silent, staring at Ventus, both eyebrows climbing to the top in astonishment.

Ventus turns beat red. "Well... I... I mean any of us would have!"

A wide and pleased smile crosses Eraqus's face. "Well... I'll have to ask for the circumstances later, but I suppose you can be grounded for half a year then for such exemplary work."

Ventus groaned.

"I can make it back to a full year if you so wish."

"No no no! Half a year is good!"

"I'm pleased you agree."

Namine couldn't help it, she started giggling at that.

Eraqus pauses before his head turns to actually look at Aqua, then at Namine sitting in her lap. Namine's giggle fade, and she goes very uncomfortably still under the intensity of the man's gaze, shrinking a little. Aqua slowly gets up, picking Namine up and setting her down off the vehicle before it vanishes. Aqua grips Namine's hand in her own before she clears her throat in a loud, slow bulb.

"Master Eraqus, I would like to introduce you to my apprentice, Namine."

There is a soft intake of breath from the man, and for a moment, there is an air of disbelieving wonder about him before he stands up, his face slowly turning into a calm, cooled mask, eyes calculating and judging, whatever he had been feeling pushed aside. "It is unexpected for you to find one worthy of the Keyblade so soon after becoming a Master."

There is a tension coming off Aqua all the sudden. It takes Namine a few moments to recognize Eraqus is calling Aqua's judgement into question. At first, it puts fire into Namine's stomach, but... there is no hostility or malice or anything like that in the mans eyes or tone. He's posing the question, and expecting Aqua to defend her choice, to defend Namine. He... he wants her to be able to. Its a test.

"The first action I saw her do was to nearly sacrifice herself to save a young child, despite being weaponless and untrained," said Aqua, pride and challenge in her voice.

There is a brief twitch of Eraqus's mouth, as if he wanted to smile, but held it back. "I see, but one act of valor does not make a Keybearer."

"I asked her a set of questions, per protocol that you taught us," continued Aqua, "And found her answers well said, heartfelt, and becoming of her."

Eraqus hummed. "Which questions were asked?"

"Fear, desire, and importance."

Eraqus nods slowly. "Fear? A strange choice if she had willingly put herself in danger to save another."

Aqua pauses, and her Master's eyes hone in like a hawk, but does not speak, waiting for Aqua to. "The circumstances around her required a more... pointed focus."

That apparently wasn't what he wanted to hear. There is a slight frown to his face, an air of caution about him now. "I see."

Namine swallows, and her hand tightens along Aqua's. Eraqus's eyes trail the motion, but he does not comment on it.

"Taking Namine as my apprentice was the best choice in the situation presented," began Aqua in a careful tone, "And while it solved a... World Order problem, that was only a secondary thing to her worth as a person and a potential Keybearer."

"A World Order problem," repeats Eraqus slowly.

"Master...," begins Ventus uncomfortably.

Eraqus waves him off. "Explain, Master Aqua."

"Namine was... trapped in a... terrible situation," says Aqua, and Namine's shoulders slump once again at the way people skirt around it, "Someone cast her from her world into another to save her from it where she had been taken in by a family. I firmly believe that given time to heal and shine, Namine will become a fine Keybearer."

Eraqus says nothing, his eyes are hard on Aqua's, and Namine feels the sweat in Aqua's hand. The stand off goes on for a very uncomfortable minute before its broken.

Aqua steels herself, and her voice goes harsh. "I do not wish to, but if I must become a Seeker to take her as my apprentice without your approval, I will."

That gets a single raised eyebrow from him. "You are very determined to train her."

"I will train her."

The testing mask fades away into an amused smile. "Far be it from me to try and bar you from training an apprentice, Master Aqua. Though, I am going to ask about the finer details of how you met your apprentice later for record purposes."

Aqua lets out a breach, relaxing. "Of course Master."

Eraqus turned his gaze to Namine and smiled. "A grand-apprentice before I'm fifty. What a pleasant surprise, I'm glad to meet you Namine."

"I um... its nice to meet you too," she said quietly before yawning and then flushing at it.

He chuckles. "A long journey?"

"Its... been a very, very long day for her," said Aqua, "An early turn in to rest would do her good. She can sleep with me for the night until another room is set up."

Eraqus nods. "Agreeable."

He turned to go before pausing. "What of Terra?"

Aqua hesitated. "I... wasn't certain about leaving him out on his own, but..."

"Is there reason for this concern?" posed Eraqus, and despite the criticalness of the question, there is worry.

"I'm not... entirely sure, I've heard about something he potentially did..."

"Oh come on Aqua!" exclaimed Ven, "If you're talking about what the witch said you're being ridiculous! There's no way Terra would take a Princess of Heart's heart, she was lying to mess with us!"

Eraqus tensed. "What?"

"I'm... inclined to agree with you Ven," said Aqua slowly, "A witch by the name of Maleficent..."

They had met Maleficent? Well... her causing problems wasn't anything new.

Eraqus immediately scoffs. "Her? She never learns, does she?"

"You... know her?" asked Aqua, suprised.

"Know is a strong word," said Eraqus with distaste, "I trust her word little and would dismiss them as an attempt to cause strife between allies. Was there anything of actual note to be concerned about?"

Aqua bit her lips for a moment before shaking her head. "Not that I saw. We left Terra a little while ago on our way to come here, I talked with him and... he seemed fine and in good spirits."

Eraqus nodded, satisfied. "Good, good. While leaving him to face this conflict alone is unwise, even if he were a full Master, Terra's strength is in endurance and raw power..."

Well, wasn't THAT true even as Xemnas.

"...I am confident in his abilities. We will give him time to investigate the matter, and periodically set out to check on the situation," continued Eraqus, "Terra knows his limits, if he needs help, I trust he will come back and ask for it. Now come, put Namine to bed and then meet me in the dinning hall to tell me what has transpired in your travels."

"Yes Master," echo both Aqua and Ven.

With that, they departed up the steps to the castle, and Namine eyes them wearily. Aqua took mercy on her, kneeling down to give her a piggyback ride.

Namine's thoughts drifted to the conversation, her heart fluttering and squirming about what Aqua had said, that she would have left all of this behind to train her if Eraqus hadn't wanted her to be trained. She doesn't feel worth of it at all. "Whats a Seeker?"

"A Seeker of Darkness," begins Aqua, not noticing the way Namine briefly freezes at that, "Is a Keybearer unbound to the bastion. One who transverses beyond our home area and assigned worlds to seek out darkness upsetting the balance of the worlds. I've read that it can be a lonely life, years out on your own between trips home."

Namine is briefly dumbstruck. The Heartless Ansem, Seeker of Darkness had been his title. It... it had been a perversion of a role a Keybearer could take? But... but wait, how would Ansem have known that if he hadn't had Terra's memories? Or... had it been something he had only loosely remembered? She shakes it off as unimportant, Ansem Seeker of Darkness wont come to exist if Namine has anything to say about it.

"Assigned worlds?"

"Our line of Keybearers is assigned to protect the Princesses of Heart and the worlds surrounding the ones they live on," explained Aqua.

"Are... are there other lines of Keybearers?"

"Oh yes," said Aqua, "But... the worlds are a huge place, Namine, gigantic beyond belief. It would take years traveling the Lanes Between to even reach the closest Line of Keybearers aside our own. Worlds often come in large clusters, grouped together in a large area. But between these areas are incredible stretches of empty darkness, not a star, not a world within them. There are a few that are closer, but, Keybearers are not a group of large numbers, we haven't had the numbers to watch over all the worlds since the Age of Fairytales."

Aqua sighs and shakes her head. "And Keybearers back then were much different then they are now."

Namine is curious about that, but tries and fails to stifle a yawn. Aqua chuckles. "There will be time for lessons to come, lets get you tucked in."

She doesn't particularly remember the trip to the room, but before she knows it, she's tucked in under a comfortable set of blankets. "Good night, Namine.

"Night Aqua," murmurs Namine sleepily,

She closes her eyes, only stirring briefly sometime later when Aqua climbs into bed and draws her close. Namine nestles in against her and goes back to sleep...

Chapter Text

The feeling of fingers gently combing through Namine's hair is something she's grown used to since she came back in time. Though not generally with arms around her, pulling her tight against someone's chest. Usually, she wakes to find Ame gently doing so next to the bad, old sad eyes looking down at her from above. That's not quite what she wakes up to this time.

Namine slowly opens her eyes to an unfamiliar room, blinking a few times. "Hnn?"

"Good morning, apprentice," comes a soft, warm, and very happy voice.

Namine tenses fearfully for a moment, the hair-thumbing pausing, "Namine?"

She swallows and tilts her head to the side a little to see who...

Oh.

Aqua.

Right.

She's a keybearer now.

Namine closes her eyes and swallows. "Sorry, just... woke up in an unfamiliar bed and I..."

"It's alright," said Aqua softly, "It will take some getting used to waking up here."

"Was... was it hard for you?" asked Namine.

Aqua hums. "I don't actually remember. My earliest memories were of being my Master's sole apprentice around... six or seven? Somewhere around that age."

Namine frowns a little. As a memory witch, she knew people had memories years earlier than that, even if they are somewhat forgotten or faded, morso as they grow older. Not having any before then is... odd. The only methods she's aware of that dealt along those lines were repression or suppression/smudging a memory. The former being Kairi and her youth at Radiant Garden because of the Fall, the latter being... being Namine's crimes at Castle Oblivion. At least, those are the methods via Namine's power. Actual erasure for example is something Namine isn't sure she's capable of, and if she was, nothing she'd want to do.

Being able to completely shatter memories of a person is horrific enough, but even that isn't actually erasing them, just breaking every link at once.

She's... uncertain what it means in Aqua's specific case.

"Terra though, he took a bit, was kinda skittish early on, jumped at loud noises," mused Aqua.

"Why?"

"Don't know," answered Aqua, "I didn't ask about his life before becoming a Keybearer, and he never offered. I have the impression he'd rather forget about it. It took him a few weeks, but he got a lot happier with his life after that, jumpiness took a bit longer, but it's gone nowadays."

She snickered. "He also got competitive."

Namine smiled a little. "Well... I guess it's a good thing I'm the one apprentice for you three at the moment. I'm starting from basically nothing."

"Everyone starts somewhere, apprentice, and you start today," said Aqua, "So, let's get started then, shall we?"

Aqua unwrapped her arms around Namine and nudged her. She took the hint and scooted out of bed.

"Let's go get some food," said Aqua.

Namine hesitated a moment. "You don't start with a shower?"

"No point when we'll be exercising in an hour or so, waste of water," answered Aqua, going for the door.

Namine looked at the door for a long moment, stomach starting to tie itself in a knot. It all started today. She licked her lips, took in a shaky breath, let it out, and walked out. She takes in the place as she goes, noting what she missed when she was carried in tired. Rich gold and beige walls illuminated by chandeliers or lamps in wide hallways with smooth stone or marble floors. Every so often there are patterns or markings on the floors, symbols that she doesn't know what they mean. Its warm, welcome, homely...

Yet...

Something...

Something about this place is... familiar... tickles at her in an uncomfortable way.

She lingers briefly on a flower pattern on the wall. Something about that... is familiar. She stands in front of it, a small frown on her face. The flower makes her think of the color white, she's not quite sure why. She doesn't like dwelling on that color, if only because it reminders of the White Room, of Castle Oblivion...

Castle Oblivion...

She takes a sharp intake of breath. That's where she's seen this before. What does this place have to do with Castle Oblivion? Do Keybearers have something to do with that place maybe?

"Is something wrong Namine?" asks Aqua, eyes lingering on Namine's pale face, flickering to the flower symbol, puzzled.

Namine looks down, fidgeting, not wanting to lie, but... maybe avoid instead with a half-truth. "He liked flowers."

"He?"

"Marluxia," she whispers quietly, "It's like something he had where I was kept."

Aqua's face pinches. "Namine... I cannot and will not make light of what you went through, but letting someone destroy such a thing as flowers for you, or anything really, is a power they don't deserve over you."

Namine shrugs. "All things considered, not being able to stand flowers or the color white isn't that bad."

It had taken a while to get used to people touching her in a way that wasn't followed by pain or possessiveness. A comforting hand on the shoulder or hugs were nice.

"...white?"

"The rooms were all white," was all Namine answered before looking down the hall, "Where too?"

Aqua lets it drop for the time being and resumes leading her through her home. The dining hall is huge, with multiple tables, banners hanging down with that symbol that was on Aqua and her friend's clothes. She points. "Aqua, what does that mean?"

"It's the mark of the Keyblade Masters," Aqua explains, "Now, take a seat and I'll get us some food."

Namine sits down in the middle of the middlemost table, frowning and looking around. "Why is it so big for so few people?"

"That," comes Master Eraqus's voice, "Is because long ago, there used to be far, far more Keybearers."

She turns to see the man enter the room, not a strand of hair out of place. "Good morning, sir."

"Good morning, my grand-apprentice."

She flushes a bit at the small smile he has on his face as he said that.

He moves to sit across from her, his face becoming stern. "Now, before you begin on this path, there is something that you must be aware of, for a keybearer of your background."

She frowns a little. "L...like what?"

He levels an uncomfortably hard gaze at her. "Keybearers are meant to protect the worlds, to defend them from outside influence. That includes us ourselves. I am aware that you were hurt by detestable individuals, but a Keybearer cannot use their power for revenge. You will never be permitted to track them down to deliver your own brand of justice, is this clear?"

She blinks at him. "...if I could go my entire life without seeing them again, I'd be happy."

He hums. "No doubt, but in the case you do encounter them again..."

"I... I understand," said Namine quietly, "Turn around and walk the other way."

He sighs. "If only it were so simple. In a normal encounter, yes, but now I ask, if they are the ones being attacked by outside forces, what would you be expected to do?"

Namine grimaces, looking down at her hands clenched tightly in her laps. She feels sick at the mere thought of it. Of being forced to defend Marluxia or Larxene.

"That's a bit harsh for day one Master," comes Aqua's voice, walking out levitating four plates of eggs, maybe-ham, and maybe-bacon? Worlds have a lot of similar-but-not-the-same-name-food.

"It's best to eliminate such preconceived notions early," said Eraqus sagely, "Let she continue training under such assumptions only to find out later that she cannot. It would be most unfortunate if this were to have been a subject she refused to budge on. You do understand what that would mean, do you not?"

Aqua's jaw sets, she stiffly moves to set or levitate the plates down. "From what I've seen, Namine isn't that kind of person."

He gives her a patient look. "I am not saying she is, Aqua, but you do understand procedure, do you not?"

Aqua sighs and sits down next to Namine. "Yes, I do."

Aqua lays a gentle hand on Namine's shoulder. "As awful as it is, you would be expected to defend them from outside forces if it were to happen."

Namine swallows and says quietly, "Okay."

She picks at her food silently. It's not like either of them even exists at the moment. Most likely their somebodies are still alive, and who knows if they were anything like their nobodies would be. Either way, she'd rather never see them again... and now that she thinks about it, they wouldn't even know her anymore, but, for the sake of appearance, she asks, "Wouldn't... wouldn't them seeing me cause issues?"

"That is what Keyblade armor is for," said Aqua, smiling, "There are also spells that can be learned to disguise your appearance. There are also ways to seal memories, but... that's really advanced stuff, even I haven't really learned much besides the basics."

Namine blinks. There are other methods of memory manipulation than just what she was born with? "...really?"

"It's an ability of Keyblade Masters," advised Eraqus, "To lock away memories. But it is a very, very dangerous ability ripe for misuse or mistakes. You could so easily damage someone irreversibly instead of sealing a select memory. It is likely something that you will not learn until you yourself are an experienced Keyblade Master, if at all, some do not have the aptitude for it..."

Then the door bursts open and Ventus bumbles in, still in pajamas, "Yesssss! Real cooking!"

Aqua rolls her eyes and slides the spare plate to the spot next to Eraqus.

Namine wrinkles her nose as Ven digs in messily, Eraqus merely grins a little indulgently before glancing at Ven. "Well, if you had not wandered off, perhaps you would not have missed it so."

Ven makes a face. "I know I know, keep rubbing it in."

Eraqus hums before he begins eating. "Gladly."

Ven groaned but resumed stuffing his face.

Aside from the munching of food, it becomes a companionable silence for a while that helps Namine unwind from the previous topic. When they are all done, Eraqus sends Ven off to change and meet him outside while Aqua takes Namine to the kitchen.

"We swap off daily for chores," said Aqua as she sets the plates and silverware into a sink.

Namine nods and moves to help, even if it's just setting things in a drying rack.

"Alright, now, let's head outside," said Aqua, "I don't know about you, but I'm more than ready to start."

Namine smiles a little nervously, but gives a nod and follows her out of the kitchen, the dining hall, through hallways, outside, down the long set of stairs, through the courtyard, and out onto a grassy area on the mountainside with what looked like... wooden poles with rings hung from them? Eraqus was watching Ventus, arms crossed, eyes critical, as the boy went through maneuvers with his Keyblade.

Aqua paid them no mind and instead sat down a good distance away, patting the ground. "Now, there are a few basics we need to go over first. We won't be starting with anything Keyblade related aside from classwork for a while. We need to get your body up to par first, which means exercising."

Namine looks over Aqua's arms. "You're not really muscular."

Aqua hummed. "I'm not, but for Keybearers, and plenty of other beings, our strength doesn't usually develop in overly physical ways. Terra has because that is his general focus, and he puts the extra effort in. Believe me, I exercise a respectable amount, but rather than improve our bodies, it improves..."

She struggles for a moment to find wording. "In a sense, our growth is an improvement in our power, our spirit, our hearts. I might look flimsy, light knows Terra teases me about being a twig, but I can move with superhuman speed and strength. But I hit and maintain a certain level of fitness first."

Considering Sora was a gangley teenager that took down Ansem, and the Organization, yeah, Namine gets it.

"Now, its important to start with light activity to get yourself warmed up, a quick walk or a light run is always a safe bet, we'll do a few loops around the courtyard," instructs Aqua.

Namine had never really given working out a thought before outside of a random memory from Sora of it being a 'guy's thing'. "Why is it important?"

"If you start into a harder exercise or stretching before your muscles have a chance to warm up you can pull an unready muscle among other things," Aqua advises, walking briskly, Namine trailing a bit behind with her shorter legs, "Once your blood has started flowing, well I mean your blood is always flowing, but once you get a focused blood flow to the area, then your body is ready to go."

They go for five or so minutes before Aqua has them plop down on the ground, pushing her legs outward, leaning forward to touch her boot. "Next comes stretches."

"Why?" asked Namine, doing the same.

"It lets your muscles become more pliable," she explains, "And as a warning for something to be wrong. Stretching should cause some tension, but not pain. If you feel actual pain while stretching, you're either stretching to far, or have an injury in the area most likely. Which, honestly, if you're injured you should be resting and recovering rather than working out, but good luck telling Terra that."

Namine gives a small giggle, watching and mirroring Aqua. Not all the way, no, she doesn't stretch anywhere near that far yet. She's kind of a little awed, Aqua is incredibly flexible.

"Now, we're not going to be doing much more than working on cardio to begin with," explains Aqua after they're done, "We need to build your endurance first, and the simplest method? A good old fashion run, or well, jog for the first few weeks. We also have lakes near the base of the mountain we're on for swimming as well, which is also good exercise."

"I erm... I don't know how to swim," admits Namine.

Aqua simply nods. "Something I'll teach you, don't worry. For now, we're going to start jogging. The intention isn't to push us to our limits with an all out sprint, but to set a good pace and slowly increase the duration and speed day by day to train your body."

"Probably won't be able to go for very long," murmurs Namine.

"That's fine Namine, everyone starts somewhere, now, lets do a few laps around both the training around and the courtyard, we'll save heading up the mountain path for when you've started to improve your cardio..."

The shower after is nice, and she likes the blue robe plus purple shirt and shorts left for her along with underclothes. Aqua gives her a smile small when she walks out, "Come, lets hit the library for lessons."

When they arrive, there is already a small stack of books, pencils, and notebooks waiting. Aqua briefly looks over the books briefly, seeming a little indecisive on where to start. "Hrm..."

Namine sits and grabs a pencil with hesitation. She can draw, but... when she scratches her name into the top of the page as she vaguely recalls Kairi doing in schooling the few times she looked as part of 'note-taking'. Name and date at the top, though she has no idea what calendar system they use here so she doesn't write that. Her hand writing however does not in any way look like her drawing, she winces at her sloppy name. She gets a soft 'oh' from Aqua. She glances up and finds the woman giving her a considerate look. "Namine... what schooling have you had up to this point?"

Namine flushes with embarrassment and looks down. She's never been schooled in her life. Outside of peering into memories here and there she's never been taught much that she didn't learn herself or was forced to learn. There were a few things she was born knowing, like speech and stuff, but... "I've... never been to school."

"It's alright Namine," said Aqua softly, "Its a place to start. I'm going to start from the beginning with letters and numbers and penmanship and work our way up."

Namine pulls back an indignant reply. She can count just fine, and she knows words... but there's no guarantee she knows everything or isn't missing something. Even if it makes her feel like a small child, she ought to really start from the basics to make sure she has them right. So... the next few hours, while embarrassing to her, are also a little... warm she supposes. Aqua is so unbelievably patient with her, guiding her through one thing to another. Correcting her grip on her pencil. A quick compliment here and there when she gets something quickly or already has an understanding of it.

Its...

Its nice.

Its embarrassing but nice to have someone so personally invested in helping Namine learn.

She is still relieved when they break for lunch and she can scramble out of the library.

"So... what will we be learning this afternoon?" asked Namine as they walked into the dining hall.

Please no more letters and numbers...

"Well, we can...," begins Aqua.

"It is unfortunate, but I would like to commandeer your afternoons for the next week or so," said Eraqus to Aqua from his spot at the table, "We barely had time for me to even cover the emergency responsibilities of a Keyblade Master before you were sent out on your mission. There is still much left to advise you of."

Aqua blinks and nods, turning back to give Namine a smile. "You can have the afternoons off to relax, play, explore, or read in the library for the time being. Consider it a slower start before we kick things into speed."

"I can give you a tour later!" says Ven excitedly as he walks in holding a few plates of... something mushy? Potatoes and corn and meat maybe?

"Smelly boys should take a bath first," teases Aqua when she sits down across from him.

Ven makes a face but nods, "Yeah yeah yeah."

"So master," Aqua says between bites, "I only briefly mentioned it in yesterday's report and didn't think to ask you. Did you know Master Yen Sid took an apprentice?"

"Vaguely," answered Eraqus, "My old friend mentioned him in the call when he advised me on the Unversed issue, said it was to be a part time apprenticeship, as his apprentice I believe was a king somewhere and would have to split responsibilities. We usually prefer someone who can devote their lives to being a keybearer, but Yen Sid's line of Keybearers has always had a supportive role to our own rather than a focus."

Aqua nods. "Mickey Mouse, king of Disney Castle. I've only heard of his kind in passing, was my first time seeing a fully-sentient humanoid mouse."

Eraqus hums. "The worlds are a wonderful place, full of many, many different beings."

"He was kind of adorable," she says with a small chuckle, "But he was pretty good with a Keyblade for our one fight together against the Unversed. He was acrobatic enough to make me jealous, the way he could flip through the air was crazy. Had a good head on his shoulders as well from our brief conversation."

Eraqus nods thoughtfully. "That is good to hear. I'm glad my old friend appears to have chosen his apprentice well."

They conversations are light for the rest of lunch before Ventus leaves to shower, Aqua leaves to grab a notebook and meet Eraqus in the throne room. Namine hesitates a moment before she asks, "Could I... ask you something Master Eraqus?"

The man was on his way out of the room, but paused and returned to the table. "What is it Namine?"

She hesitated but decided she really wanted to know. "Do... do you know why Aqua doesn't remember her childhood?"

"It is not polite to pry into someone's past," said Eraqus in a soft tone.

It's not a nice soft tone.

Namine swallowed and bowed her head, shoulders tense.

Eraqus sighed. "It's not a threat, child, but a warning. While not a guarantee, Keybearers don't often come from a pleasant background, and might not take kindly into pressing for their history. While it is not a stringent requirement, it's... 'suggested' by the precepts that our position is offered to those in a dire moment, who are likely to soon perish."

"...why?" asks Namine quietly, uneasily.

"Because taking someone from their world disrupts the role they would have played had they stayed, or that their descendants might have played," answered Eraqus, "If they were highly likely to have soon died for one reason or another, then their vanishing will usually have a much lesser chance of causing major disruptions. Its not a kind thing, and I would never suggest it was."

"I... can take the hint, about it being an unhappy life," said Namine quietly, "But... it doesn't explain why she doesn't remember."

"Because her past disrupted her daily life to a crippling degree that first year," Eraqus answered firmly, "So when offered the choice to seal her memories with my Keyblade, she begged to forget."

Oh.

Oh.

That... suggested very unpleasant things about her early life.

Namine forces herself to nod and makes the conscious decision to not dig anymore. "Okay."

He studied her for a moment. "You wish to know more."

Namine shook her head. "No, I... I get that I shouldn't."

"Part of being a Keybearer is understanding yourself, and how you act in certain situations," rebutted Eraqus, "While out in the worlds, there is always a chance you will meet people even while trying to remain anonymous. You should try not to impact their lives, and in that regard, you must understand what would drive you to want to. So I ask you, Namine, why do you wish to know more?"

Namine looked down at the table, fists curling, her throat constricting. "I..."

She takes a long few minutes to figure it out, then to work up the will to say it, "Some... morbid part of me wants to know, to compare, to... to see both: who had it worse and... and how much we have in common."

"Ah," said Eraqus, "I see."

He is silent for a moment before speaking, "She lived most of her early youth on the run, and witnessed the very brutal deaths of at least one parent in a world that was not tolerant of those with magic, that had factions whose entire purpose were to hunt down and eradicate any who could wield that power with extreme prejudice."

Namine flinches violently. "I... oh..."

"Are you glad you know?" he asks pointedly.

"No," says Namine, swallowing, feeling a horrid ache for Aqua.

"Are you likely to wish to know such things about more people?" he asked, "Those out in the worlds? To know more of their burdens to weigh down upon yourself? To potentially force them to relive and remember horrid pasts that could impact them to do so?"

Namine shakes a little. "N...no..."

Eraqus rises to his feet, rounds the table, and kneels down next to her. "I do not give this lesson to be cruel but to impart wisdom learned the hard way from generations of our profession. The life of a keybearer is never easy, Namine. It is a life of hardship to preserve the sanctity of the worlds from outside forces that seek to disrupt their ways of life. It is also lonely, to not be able to be truly known by more than your fellow Keybearers, and sometimes, depending on the duration of your mission or patrol, you can go months without seeing a fellow Keybearer."

"I tell you this for a simple reason," he answers, "That we must be incredibly conscious of how we interact with the worlds we protect."

He pulls up a chair and sits next to her. "Now imagine: It's been a long mission, several months without a conversation that is more than a simple greeting or goodbye. You sit at a bar in a tavern, soon to retire for the night. A person next to you strikes up a conversation with you. You spend an hour talking with them, listening to their woes, perhaps talking them through it, then part ways. An innocent thing, would you say?"

There is a trap to that. "Normally..."

He gives her a nod. "Normally, yes. But now consider, that instead of the person they were meant to talk to and befriend and listen to, instead, they talked to someone that they're never likely to see again, you. Perhaps this person you talked to is someone important to their world, a hero, and the friendship they were destined to start that night with another would one day determine if they would have lived or died depending if they had that friend at their back. But even before then, what if the advice you give them causes this person to do something different than they would have if they had never met you?"

"Oh," said Namine quietly, uneasily, "That's..."

"You begin to understand the complexity of our duty," said Eraqus.

Sora would have been in so much trouble... but wait..., "How does that work if a world is being affected by outside forces?"

Eraqus grimaces. "Then, it gets complex, and left up to the judgment of the Keybearer on how to handle the situation, depending of-course on how badly the world is being affected. The less the impact of the outside influence, the less a Keybearer should intervene."

So then... with the Heartless invading worlds... Sora might technically have been okay in how he went about his journey? Donald had harped to him on the World Order pretty much the entire time after all...

"Your master will, of course, go over specific types of instances and how best to handle them," said Eraqus, "But gut instinct, and following your heart, will come into play. If the situation is bad enough, there might be little a Keybearer can do but get deeply involved, such situations are... messy things. They don't happen often, but when they do they tend to be... stressful."

He looks to the ceiling in thought. "Its been a long while for myself, back during my early years as the Steward of the Land of Departure. Some warlock or another, I can't remember his name, thought it wise to draw beings from the Realm of Darkness to serve as his minions and lost control of them. To see a star starting to blink out in the sky... it was a terrifying thing. But thankfully, my own master had not yet left for retirement, and my fellow apprentices had yet to truly depart our land for their own roles. It was the last mission we had together, and perhaps the most trying, but we managed to push back the darkness before it could swallow that world whole."

"Telling old stories master?" comes Aqua's voice from the doorway, walking in with a notebook under her arm.

"My apologies, Namine had a question," says Eraqus.

She waves it off. "Perfectly fine. Shall we?"

He nods. "Until later my Grand Apprentice."

Namine once more flushes at the phrase. "Goodbye G-grandmaster, master."

Aqua smiled in her direction. "I'll see you at dinner."

Ven nearly barrels them over running into the room as the pair tries to leave. "Oops, sorry Master, Aqua."

"Mind running in the halls, Ventus," said Eraqus sternly, "And remember in your tour that certain parts of this land are restricted to apprentices."

"No problem, Master," answered Ventus, walking over to Namine with a goofy smile so similar to Sora's it made her ache, "Shall we?"

The tour starts off simple enough. The dining hall they're in, along with the kitchen, the pantry. They leave next for the laundry room, an open room with a soft breeze blowing through it, clothes hung on a line or in a basket to be washed. "We take turns on chores, the Master keeps us on rotation and doesn't allow us to pick what we do or don't do. Says it 'builds character'."

She offers a small laugh at the tone change.

There are a few different storage rooms in a section down a level from the first floor. The shapes of these rooms... something about them seems almost familiar, but she can't place a finger on it. "Us apprentices only have access to the first few. I know there are a few rooms in the locked areas that dangerous things are kept."

"Did you ever go looking?"

Ventus snorted. "No. Not in those at least. Not when the Master warned me, and did a reminder warning to Terra and Aqua during my tour of the place, that he'd paddle our butts bloody if he ever caught us in there without him present. Some of the things he said could really hurt if not cripple or kill us if mishandled."

He leans in and whispered. "He also mentioned there's a dark artifact vault that he'd take us through when we were master's ourselves to teach us about containment protocol and techniques. But yeah, I'm not sticking my nose in there to get it bit off."

"Probably smart," she agrees.

He mentions a dungeon in the lower depths of the keep, but says, "Hasn't been used in generations. Its rare that there's ever a threat big enough that has to be contained here that wouldn't just, ya know, be dealt with. Most really bad enemies according to the history books don't really let themselves be taken alive. There also hasn't been..."

He leans towards her to whisper something as if its a terrible, terrible secret, "There hasn't been a recusant in ages either."

Namine frowns. "What's that?"

"A keybearer who turns bad, really bad," he whispers, giving a shudder, "They get branded with the Recusant's Sigil and have their power to call a keyblade sealed away. More could happen depending on how bad they mucked things up. I think the last person got their powers and memories sealed before they were dumped back on their homeworld to live out the rest of their days."

"I... I didn't think Keybearers could go bad," said Namine, a little startled.

Riku being possessed by Ansem hadn't really counted. Though now that she thinks on that whole thing, she's kind of curious about the Keyblade of Heart, but can't think of a way to ask about it without giving herself away, so its probably something that will have to be dropped until she can look into it privately, probably as a Master herself years from now.

"Its rare," agreed Ven, "You'll cover it in your history lessons whenever they start, but yeah, as the Master says, being a Keybearer is a big responsibility. For our duties, and over ourselves to make sure we don't abuse our power. Those who abuse our powers..."

He shakes his head. "That lesson is really eye opening, the kind of terrible things that can be done with the Keyblade... that lesson probably wont be for awhile since you're just starting out."

He doesn't offer anything more on the subject; she doesn't ask. She's not sure she wants to know. She's already... she's already abused her own power, even if it was forced by others... she doesn't ever want to consider doing so with a Keyblade.

They move onto the dormitories. He shows her where he, Terra, Aqua, and Eraqus are assigned if she ever needs to speak to them late in the day or early in the morning as they wind down or up for the day. "You'll have your own room set up by the end of the day. It'll be pretty bare bones to begin with, but you're more than allowed to spruce it up yourself."

She nods. Thinking of the drawings she had put up all around the white room in the manor. "Alright."

Then he shows her the actual dormitories. A barracks where troops had once been housed in ages long past, long covered in dust. The guest wing, which at least looks somewhat maintained. Then the most curious thing to her is the Princess Wing. "Why is it called that?"

"Well, if the Princess of Heart are in real danger, we have a space set aside for them to be gathered and protected," said Ven proudly, "Hasn't been used in generations, but its here just incase."

Well, that certainly would have kept them safe from Maleficent in her time if the Keybearers had survived. It makes her ache, the more she learns, that an entire way of life hadn't survived the next decade in the original way of things. All of this, just... gone. She tightens her fists and thinks to herself 'Not if I can help it.'

He doesn't seem that thrilled by the library, but does mention, "There's a section for Masters that we won't have access to, and a further restricted section that only the Steward of the Land of Departure can get into. If a door is locked or sealed, don't try to get into it, especially when you get a Keyblade."

He hesitates. "The... the Master... I probably shouldn't give you a heads up, but when the Master means you shouldn't go into restricted area's, he really means it. There are a few places that are restricted, but will have locks that any old Keyblade can unseal. These are tests, temptations as the Master calls them, that only lead to empty rooms. The Master will know if you've gotten into them and punish you for breaking the rules and misusing the Keyblade."

"Know from experience?"

He winces. "Yeah... the chores I got saddled with after that weren't fun, followed by the lessons that got dumped on me after for why even the smallest misuse can lead to bigger and badder ones. Or the dangers of careless use of the Keyblade, all that stuff."

She thinks on the discussion she had with the older man a little while ago, the test-trap in his words. "Does... Master Eraqus do that a lot? The testing kind of thing?"

Ven exhales. "Yeah. It can be kind of frustrating, but he means well, and its kind of his job."

She considers it for a little bit as they walk. The differences so far between Eraqus and Aqua. The stern but wise VS the gentle and caring. She likes how kind Aqua is, but she also likes how Eraqus so far doesn't hold back, or doesn't act so careful about her past like some (most) did back in Radiant Guardian. Literally all he said on the matter was that Marluxia/Larxene were detestible and interactions that would be allowed concerning them, nothing more nothing less. She... she knows she's not okay, but she doesn't really like being treated as if she's going to break apart with a single misplaced word. So..., "I think... I can appreciate his method. Its not quite kind, but its necessary."

"You say that," he says teasingly, "But you haven't seen him in one of those moods. When he's forced to really act as the Steward. Its scary how he can just seemingly shut away anything he feels. He..."

Ven faltered for a moment. "He really kind of made me feel like dirt under his boot. I know I did wrong, but... I dunno. I dunno."

They're quiet for a few minutes as they keep moving upward in the keep. There is an observatory near the top with an huge extendable telescope. "No one here is really trained on how to use this hunk of junk. To view the stars for hints and clues, to monitor them for danger. Apparently you can even view the stars to figure out if someone is alive or not, but no clue on how that works. We can use this to look around, but without the proper magic, its just a telescope for us. I think Master said that Master Yen Sid was the most recent Keybearer trained in Star Gazing, but he's way past the point where he needs this thing to do so. The Master sounded pretty proud when he said he doesn't think there's ever been a Keybearer as good as Star Gazing as Master Yen Sid is."

She nods thoughtfully. "That's interesting. I wonder if Master Yen Sid would be willing to come and give lessons on it?"

Ven shrugs. "Maybe, but if I remember right, it might be one of those abilities you need to be born with, or at least have an affinity for."

That's a shame if that is the case.

They wrap up and head back downstairs and then outside. He shows her around the courtyard, the training area... "What are the hanging rings for? Just batting around?"

"Mostly, but watch this!" he says, leaping for one, grabbing it, hefting himself up a bit, and then using only his arms, flings himself to one ring after another, all the while the rings are start to move with him. But he is completely confident in his movements, until finally he does a backflip off the ring when they are going so fast it makes her dizzy to watch.

He lands effortlessly, not looking outbalanced at all. "Wow."

He grins. "Bet ya can't wait till you can do that."

"Umm... I think I'd prefer both legs on the ground, thanks."

He laughs and starts up the mountain path. "C'mon, saved the best for last."

Its starting to get dark when they reach the summit, and she's more than a little tired from the walk up. Ventus moves to the center and flops down, arms spread. "Last time I was up here, Terra, Aqua and I watched a meteor shower. It was a great view. Doesn't happen often, but its cool when it does. The summit is a nice place to go if you need to be alone. Though dress warm if you're going to be up here for awhile."

Namine sits on one of the benches, looking out across the distance. "Its a great view."

She wouldn't mind drawing this. Or if she ever got to try painting, this would be amazing, to see the sunet over the mountains...

She smiles faintly, lost in what she sees, until Ventus hefts himself up. "Alright, probably ought to head back before its completely dark."

"Whats your favorite part of being an apprentice so far?" she asks after a bit.

He grins. "Sparring with a Keyblade can get pretty crazy when we cut loose. Its a blast."

Namine falters a bit. She's never really been drawn to fighting, she doesn't see the enjoyment of it. She'd felt Sora's memories of those wooden playfights for Riku, but... who knows. "I can hardly imagine myself ever moving like you, Aqua, and Terra did against that giant monster."

He scratches the back of his head bashfully. "Yeah its... it just comes out of nowhere really. At the start, you're not going to be fighting anything like we did there. It just slowly crawls up on you then BOOM, one day your back-flipping over Terra and speeding around him so fast he trips over himself trying to keep up."

That gets a laugh from up ahead as they're walking into the courtyard, Aqua walking down the steps towards them. "I remember that."

Ven grins. "Gonna hold that over Terra's head forever!"

"If you end up tall enough," Aqua muses as they meet up dead-center.

"Hey!" he exclaims, "I'm still growing!"

She ruffles his hair teasingly, earning a scowl from him as he bats at her head. "Sure you are Ven."

"Just you watch, I'll end up the tallest!"

She merely smirks. "I suppose we'll see."

She looks to Namine. "Enjoy the tour?"

"It was thorough and enlightening."

Aqua raises a skeptical eyebrow, glancing at Ventus. "Enlightening?"

"Hey! Rude!" he exclaims, "I'm an awesome tour-guide."

Again, the ache hits her. Ven and Sora are so similar sometimes...

"He mentioned a few things that were interesting," Namine says honestly, "Its nice that you... we... have a whole wing for the umm... Princesses? If they needed it."

She considers that she really shouldn't know about the Princesses of Heart yet from their point of view, at least nothing detailed, not that she honestly knows that much. She's not sure if the names she recalls for them are accurate a decade in the past. "I think I've heard you mention them before?"

Aqua nods. "The Princesses of Heart are one of our primary responsibilities, they are woman whose hearts are of pure light. They are a subject we will start on later in the week. Now, I was coming out to fetch you both for dinner, lets go eat."

Namine tiredly forces herself back up the steps and into the dining hall. They greet Eraqus, sit, and dig in.

"Master Eraqus," says Namine.

"Yes Namine?"

"I was wondering... Ventus showed me the observatory at the top of the keep and told me how Master Yen Sid was skilled with it. Do... do you think he would be willing to come give lessons?"

Eraqus leans back in his seat, smiling fondly. "Interested in Star Gazing are you?"

"A little," she says, blushing.

"I'll admit, I don't really know much about it aside from old sayings," said Aqua.

Eraqus hums. "I can ask him the next time we speak, but it will be dependent on his schedule."

She nods before hesitating. "Do you... I mean, Ventus said it might be something you have to be born with?"

"Somewhat," said Eraqus, nodding to Ven in acknowledgement, "To truly master it and delve into some of the more finer parts you need to have a strong affinity for it. But anyone can learn the basics, just don't set yourself up for failure expecting to get similar results to my old friend unless you are born with an aptitude for it. Things that would take us hours of meditation and gazing he can get with a simple glance."

"Okay," she acknowledges before refocusing on her food.

Afterwards, with Ventus left to the dishes this time, Aqua leads her to her room. Not a prison cell or a guided cage. Not borrowing Kairi's room. Namine's own room. It even has a little plaque on the outside magic'd in if she senses right. It might seem simple and barren for now, but... she gazes at the bed that she'd hopefully grow into, the empty bookshelf, a desk and chair, a cabinet, a small little fireplace, and while the room might be small she knows that its hers.

She chokes up a little. "Thank you."

Aqua gives a small, sad smile. "We have a few stores in the know about the world's and the Keyblade that we frequent for supplies. At some point we can get you some things to spruce up the room."

"I... could I get... something to draw with?" Namine asks quietly.

"You like to draw?"

"Its... its one of the few things from before that I liked and was allowed to do," she answers honestly, "I've only ever drawn though... never got a chance to try painting or anything else.

"Of course," agreed Aqua, "I think we have some basic supplies here, but nothing special. Next supply run for the keep though, some art supplies."

"I...," she gives Aqua a hug, "Thank you."

Aqua gently thumbs through Namine's hair. "Of course, apprentice. Now, do you like things as they are, or do you want anything moved around?"

Some people might not like having light on them when they're trying to sleep, but Namine likes an open window, loves moonlight shining down on her. It reminds her that she's not trapped in the bowls of Castle Oblivion, or the White Room with its one huge window covered with curtains she wasn't allowed to open or look out of without getting in trouble with DiZ. The bed is adjusted so its right under the window, the bookshelf moved to allow for that. Aqua magic's the room, floating things around for her until Namine is satisfied.

Aqua leaves Namine with one more hug before departing. Namine sits down on the bed with a soft sigh, staring out of the window. She's a little suprised when Aqua returns not to much later, with...

Namine smiles at the heft of paper and writing utensils the woman's carrying. "Thank you."

Aqua smiles one last time before she departs. "Good night Namine."

"Good night Aqua."

Namine moves to the desk, moving the paper underneath save for a single sheet, putting most of the utensils in a drawer save for a pencil. She stares at the paper for a few minutes, considering what she wants her first drawing in this room to before she smiles and begins to draw herself at the library, Aqua leaning over her shoulder, hand on her own guiding her in their lessons...

Chapter Text

The week passes in a tired blur of initial starts. Aqua mainly focuses Namine on starting to build her endurance, and basic educational lessons to make sure Namine has caught up. On occasion, Eraqus will dip in to watch at a distance, a faint smile as he watches his apprentice teach his grand apprentice. Sometimes he offers advice, most of which always seem to make being a Keybearer more imposing than Namine can imagine and she hasn't even started learning about the precepts yet. Ven helps to wind down post-lessons with goofing off whether its exploring, playing games, or showing off his skills with a Keyblade. Which really, his goofing off is impressive, she has such a long way to go...

Then at the end of the week, Namine walks into the dining hall to see Terra has returned, the others already up and sitting around him. Their plates are long since empty, though one is in a magic bubble seeming to have kept in warm and preserved for Namine. She wonders how early they all got up today.

"...and you are sure of this?" posed Eraqus.

"Yeah, I could have returned a few days ago, but I did a quick pass of a few other worlds to be safe, its like all of the Unversed just vanished, its bizarre," said Terra, "I mean, I'm glad they're gone and not terrorizing the worlds anymore, but... I don't know why they are gone."

Eraqus rubbed his chin in thought. "Peculiar. I'll have to contact Yen Sid at some point to see if perhaps they've moved onto worlds further out, or perhaps if they are in hiding. But regardless..."

He considers Terra for a moment. "You did well in this mission."

"But I... I mean... Maleficent..."

Eraqus huffed. "Terra, that dark fairy is a cunning and deceptive foe. You do have darkness in your heart, more than I'd like and we will work on that, but not enough for something so foul as this. You literally do not have the capability without far more darkness, nor have I yet taught you the knowledge of how to extract a heart for the purpose of mending or imprisonment, as this is a skill for experienced masters. It is likely she merely put you to sleep, took the heart herself, then put you into the proper position to make it seem as if you did."

Terra slumps back in his chair, well and truly relieved. "That's... that's good."

"Take heart, my apprentice, the forces of darkness will always strive to make you doubt and weaken yourself, if not try to corrupt you with their efforts, you must be ever vigilant" advised Eraqus sagely, "But to be clear for the record, Terra, even if what you thought had happened had indeed happened, being mind controlled or possessed does not count as if you have done so yourself. It does however reveal that you need training on resisting such attempts to subvert control of your body."

He frowns. "My only criticism of your time there is that you should have stayed in that world to assist until the heart had been recovered."

Terra winced. "Yes Master, you... you are right. I just... felt ashamed."

"Our duty before our feelings, Terra, always," instructed Eraqus firmly.

"Yes Master," echoes Terra, a little subdued.

Eraqus tilts his head back in thought before he notices Namine out of the corner of his eye and turns toward her. "Good morning Namine."

"Good morning Grandmaster," she says, standing hesitatingly at the door, "Should... I come back later?"

Probably shouldn't have been listening in now that she thinks on it...

He chuckles and waves her in. "No, its perfectly fine. If there are restricted conversations to be had, they will be held in private, not in the dining hall. Aqua was kind to put your meal in stasis since we were up early for Terra's return."

She gives Aqua a bright smile, earning one back along with a cluster of good mornings. Namine sits down next to the bubbled plate, and said bubble vanishes. "Welcome back mister Terra."

He huffs, smiling. "Just Terra is fine. So, how are you settling in?"

She gives a brief run-down of how she's being trained so far, and he nods when she's done. "A fair start."

Namine starts eating, eyes briefly flickering to watch Ven take everyone else's plate's to the kitchen, returning to nab her's when she's done, and then plopping down after. "Ugh, chores."

"You're fortunate that we're introducing Namine to the rotation as a basis as well so she knows of them," advised Eraqus, "Once she's familiarized enough, you will be reclaiming all of them for your punishment."

Ventus pouts. "Ah man..."

Aqua chuckles before turning to Namine. "So, we'll be starting as usual with exercise, but for lessons today, I would like to start splitting time between the basics, and introducing you to the beginning aspects of being a Keybearer, and our purpose."

Namine nods. "I... think you mentioned that our line is supposed to protect 'The Princesses'?"

"Indeed," says Eraqus, "The Princesses of Heart. Seven hearts of pure light, not a spec of darkness in them."

Namine considers it for a moment. "Why don't they have any?"

"The original Princesses of Heart were made manifest after a great darkness washed over the worlds and ripped them apart from one another. Whatever method they were purified in serves as beacons. It is their light that keeps the great darkness at bay, that keeps the Realm of Light strong and intact."

Namine's eyes go wide. "Oh... that's... important."

"To say the least," agrees Aqua, "We periodically check on the princesses. The frequency of course depends on the status of the worlds. If it is a time of peace, then it might be a few years between visits, or shorter if we feel the need to. If the Unversed threat had grown more dire as an example, we'd need to be seeking out the worlds they resided on to appraise of their status. If their worlds were relatively secure, we could leave them to their lives in peace, trusting those who live upon those worlds to keep them safe."

"If they weren't secure?" asked Namine.

"Then we make them secure," said Eraqus firmly, "We drive back the dark forces until the situation becomes manageable for the world's natural defenders, or if it is truly dire, we escort the princesses back to the Land of Departure. The purity of their hearts protects them from the Lanes Between, so they may board our gliders and transverse safely."

Namine nods. "So... how do you know where they live and who they are?"

"We keep a enchanted registry of such things," explained Eraqus, "It is always up-to-date save for when one of the Princess has passed on their power, but we are still alerted of that occurrence regardless. The registry was magically crafted long ago and attuned towards the power of the Princesses, it allows us to detect the generally direction of the new Princesses presence after the power has been passed on. Its often a task of young masters or senior apprentices to seek out and identify the new princesses, we are fortunate when the power is merely passed down to a child in the same world which makes it a simple matter of checking the world then updating our registry."

Namine nods in understanding. "Alright."

She thinks about it for a moment, then considers a safe question, and is kind of curious about it anyway. "So... who went to check on Kairi?"

It would be surprising, looking back, the absolute spiraling disaster that simple question would cause.

Aqua blinks, opens her mouth, and then closes it, looking startled, realization and mortification spreading. Eraqus frowns. "...Kairi? There is no current Princess of Heart named Kairi."

What? "But... she feels like nothing but light," said Namine, turning towards Aqua, "You were there, didn't she feel like light?"

Aqua's face takes a complicated turn of emotions before it settles on wary. "The situation in Radiant Garden was... messy, along with a large part of my focus being on you. I wasn't aware you had any developed senses yet, but... now that you mention in... the girl did feel like what a Princess should feel like. Master are you sure about the registry entry?"

Eraqus's face matches Aqua's wary one. "Firmly. I did a check shortly before the Mark of Mastery Exam. While other Princesses of Heart may have their passed on power skip between worlds, the Radiant Garden Princess of Heart has been a bloodline held role since their progenitor. The last time the power was passed on was when fair lady Ame passed on her power during her daughter's teenage years."

Kairi's grandma had been a Princess of Heart?! "But... but Ame said she thought her daughter had been murdered. At least a year or so ago."

Eraqus makes a choking sound before standing up, slamming his hands on the table, and exploding. "WHAT!?"

Namine shrinks on herself at his fury, eyes flickering about. Ven looked horrified, Terra shocked, and Aqua a mixture of mortified and bewildered.

"L-lady A-ame s-said that t-the i-i-," stuttered Namine.

"Breath Namine," said Eraqus, wrestling down his fury, "I apologize for losing my temper, please, take a breath and give a concise clear report."

Namine swallowed thickly and took a few breaths. "Lady Ame said the investigation had said it was an accident, but her heart told her someone did it intentionally. I didn't ask anything more because I thought it would upset her."

Eraqus's lips are tightly pursed. His gaze is cold, ruthless, like he wants to kill something. Its honestly terrifying. "Terra, on the very slim offchance that my memory is failing me both on the alert and someone going to appraise the situation, check the registry for Radiant Garden's Princess of Heart. Aqua, retrieve a standard-armor piece for young Namine. I will enact temporary barriers around our home. We will be departing for Radiant Garden, and we will be getting to the bottom of this, immediately."

Aqua nods sharply. "Wait here Namine."

Namine watches as Aqua and Terra sprint out of the room while Eraqus marches out. She turns her wide eyes to Ventus. "Umm..."

"The registry hasn't sounded an alert once while I was here," said Ventus nervously, "I've never heard of the registry failing before. This sort of thing doesn't just happen. Which..."

He fidgets, licking his lips. "It would mean it was blocked. But... that would mean someone would have to know the registry even exists, and its not something we speak about to other people. If you're not a keybearer you're not supposed to know about it. I mean maybe it got disrupted somehow, but its not likely..."

Namine isn't really sure how she feels about the registry. It feels kind of... invasive, but she does recognize the princess are very important...

"I wonder if the boy in the mask had anything to do with it," murmurs Ventus.

Namine blinks. Boy in the mask? As in the one who looked like Sora, Vanitas? She's wondering if she should have said something about it...

"When did you meet this boy?" she asks.

"He was all the sudden in my room," said Ven, "Said some scary stuff about something happening to Terra. Its why I ran off..."

Then he starts looking a mixture between worried and sheepish. "Oh man I really wasn't thinking. That guy shouldn't have just been able to get into our home. That's... there are supposed to be protections to keep uninvited outsiders out, not to mention he walked through a dark portal thingy that shouldn't have worked in here."

"Ven... I really think you need to tell Eraqus," she said quietly.

Ventus flushes a bit. "I mean... I should, but... its embarrassing that I got goaded into running off... but... yeah, you're right. This is important."

When the others return, Terra shakes his head and speaks first, "Kairi isn't listed as the current Princess for Radiant Garden."

"I thought not," said Eraqus.

Ventus speaks up. "Um... Master, there's something important I need to tell you, it... it might related."

Eraqus narrowed his eyes. "Speak."

Ventus fidgets nervously, but tells of the Boy in the Mask who appeared in his room. "...he said that Terra would be a different person by the time I caught up. Said I'd never find the truth unless I went out and found it for myself. Then he disappeared through a dark portal."

Eraqus holds his silence for an uncomfortable minute. "Ventus."

"Y-yes?"

"An intruder broke into our home through our defenses without an alert, alluded to something dire happening to a fellow apprentice, used the darkness to leave, lured you off and away from the protection of our world, and you did not think to mention it until now?" he says in a forcibly calm tone.

Ventus swallows. "I... I'm sorry..."

"It would seem, my apprentice, you need a thorough remedial course on proper protocol, and an extension of chores back up to a full year," said Eraqus.

Ventus bows his head, shoulders slumping. "Yes Master..."

Namine notices Terra fidgeting out of the corner of his eye, looking like he wanted to say something before closing his mouth, thinking, then speaking, "To be fair Ventus did run after me, but I didn't give him a chance to speak before I activated my armor and left."

Namine has the sense that wasn't what Terra had wanted to say originally.

"You had been given a mission and knew not to dawdle, it was his responsibility to come to me," said Eraqus firmly, "I should have been made aware of this immediately, and had the chance to investigate how our home was breached and how to defend against future breaches. Instead we have been left vulnerable the entire time, with a brand new apprentice here who is incapable of defending herself if a lethal threat suddenly appears in her room with none of us around."

Namine wants to say something in Ventus's defense as the boy wilts under the rebuke, honestly looking like hes about to cry, but... her grandmaster isn't wrong...

"We will shelve the matter for now, for we have a duty to preform, but it is not forgotten," said Eraqus, "Come."

Namine has to struggle with herself as they walk. She really, really thinks she should mention her encounter with Vanitas. But... for one, she's afraid of getting berated like Ven did for not speaking earlier. For two, how could she explain surviving the encounter where she should have been dead without question without revealing her memory powers which could threaten revealing that she's from the future? For three... something is wrong with Vanitas; he was puking darkness, his chain of memories were corroded. The boy is hurt, and she doesn't think Eraqus will be offering Vanitas aid if they should meet.

So even if it makes her a shameful hypocrite, she keeps her silence.

Besides...

"I don't want this!"

She recalls his scream, and she doesn't think he's going to be much of a problem anymore. Though its very peculiar that the monsters disappear after Vanitas did...

When they reach the courtyard, Aqua fastens a strip of armor with a button to her shoulder and taps it. There is a brief flash of light, then Namine is garbed in a rather bland set of armor that doesn't look anywhere near as fancy as the others. She wonders how they customize it, or if maybe hers is just a temporary or starter armor, Eraqus had asked Aqua to get a 'standard' one after all. She pushes thoughts of her own eventual armor out of her mind as Aqua lifts her onto her glider and they take off, Eraqus taking point riding atop a metallic steed.

Namine quietly thinks to herself he has the coolest Keyblade glider, wondering what she'll have.

There is no goofing off while flying as there had been on Namine's first trip into the Lanes Between. They fly in an orderly line towards Radiant Garden. They land quickly and quietly in an alleyway, their armor flashing off with a quick slap of a button. Eraqus turns to Namine. "Please take us to Lady Ame."

Namine nods and walks out of the alleyway, the others walking behind her. The group draws some curious looks, and also a few friendly greetings towards Namine that she returns. It doesn't take long to run into one of the guardsmen. Aeleus looks rather surprised to see her. "Namine, its good to see you."

She gives him a faint smile. "Its good to see you too."

His eyes flicker to the group. "I was under the impression you would be in training for some time, what brings you back so soon?"

"Um... do you have any files or anything about what happened to Kairi's parents?"

Aeleus frowns. "That was a sorrowful, if but quick and closed case a few years back."

Eraqus cleared his throat. "It may not be such a clear matter anymore, and it is important that we look into it. We will be speaking with Lady Ame about what she knows, and would greatly appreciate any aid on the matter afterwards."

Aeleus nods slowly. "I will have to run it by Lord Ansem before giving outside access to our files, but I doubt he will hesitate to offer aid to Keybearers, I will meet you at Lady Ame's house in a bit."

Aeleus leaves at a quick pace heading for the castle. Namine returns to leading them through the city of light towards the family cottage. She smiles to find Kairi playing in the dirt, her grandmother in her rocker watching with a bemused look on her face. "You're getting a bath young one."

"Nu uh," sing-songed Kairi, getting up with a grin on her face, tensed to run, "You'll have to catch me first gamma!"

"Why would I have to catch you when I can ask our guard to do so for me, hmm?" teased Ame, "Squall dear?"

Namine notices a second later that Squall is leaning in the shadows of the porch, out of the way and aloof. "I would, but we have guests."

Kairi looks around, notices the Keybearers, notices Namine, and squeals with delight. "Nami!"

Namine has arms full with a dirty-little girl seconds later. "I missed you so much Nami!"

Namine smiles a little. "I missed you too, but, we need to talk to grandma. Its important."

Kairi does this adorable mixture between a scowl and a pout. "Fiiiineee."

Considering that Kairi really shouldn't be involved in the conversation. "How about you go take a quick bath and then you can come back and tell me all about your week."

"Kay!" says Kairi, eyes so bright, before skipping off into the house.

"She shouldn't be here for this," Namine mutters to Eraqus, who nods in agreement, "Indeed."

"Squall, please try not to let her flood the bathroom again," asked Ame.

Squall makes a face. "I really don't think I should be washing her anyway, I'm not family."

"You're around and help enough to be," mused Ame teasingly.

That resigned face he makes in response is adorable enough to get a giggle out of Namine before he sighs in defeat and heads inside.

The grandmother's amused look fades as she looks over the group. "While I would be more than happy if this was a simple visit where I'm being introduced to Namine's fellow Keybearers, I have a feeling in my heart its nothing so benign."

"Unfortunately no," says Eraqus, his voice toned with a great deal of respect, "My name is Master Eraqus, Keyblade Master and current Steward of the Land of Departure. These are my apprentices, Terra and Ventus, you've already met Master Aqua."

Ame tilts her head in greeting, but says nothing.

"To my knowledge, the Radiant Garden's line of Princesses of Heart are aware of their role, are they not?" posed Eraqus.

"I haven't begun Kairi's training and don't plan to for some time yet, but yes," agreed Ame.

"Your daughter was your successor, correct?"

Ame's face closed off, Namine shifts in discomfort at the sight of it. "She was until she died."

"You have my condolences," offers Eraqus, "It is unfortunate to dredge up such memories, but her death is why we are here. Namine has recently brought to our attention a great breach in our awareness and possibly our security, as we were not aware of your child's death nor the passing on of her powers when we have measures in place to make sure we were. This implies someone knew how to block our awareness of it.

Ame grips the arms of her rocker tightly. "So I'm right then, someone murdered my daughter and son in law."

"You are most likely correct," agreed Eraqus, "We need to know everything about the circumstances."

Ame exhales. "She and her husband died in a house fire."

Eraqus scoffs. "A house fire? A Princess of Heart with at least some training died in a house fire?"

"You see why I hold doubts on it being an accident then," said Ame dryly, "My daughter's training wasn't complete, no, but she could at least shield herself in light. I taught her that."

Terra hesitates. "Wouldn't smoke inhalation possibly have kept her asleep and unaware? Or been the cause of death rather than the fire itself?"

Namine wonders whats so dangerous about breathing in smoke. She'll ask later, but shes kind of baffled how it can kill someone.

"Not a Princess of Heart, no, and especially not one with any training," said Eraqus.

Eraqus closes his eyes, face grim. "I had hoped, as much as I knew it unlikely, that this was somehow a fluke in our system, and an accident here. But no, it is so very likely not."

Eraqus moves to sit down next to Ame, Ventus sits on the porch steps, Terra leans against the porch itself from the ground, Aqua stands a bit from the steps with Namine at her side, asking her in a soft tone, "Master Aqua, how could smoke kill someone?"

"I don't have all the technical terms," murmured Aqua, "But, fire consumes air, and produces smoke and gasses, fumes. This can quickly replace all the air in an enclosed area. So basically, the person breaths in these fumes and dies because of them."

"They wouldn't wake up to that?" asks Namine, baffled.

"No, one of the fumes that fire produces can push the body into unconsciousness, they might die unaware of anything being wrong in the first place. I imagine it would be a terrible thing, to stop a fire, only to find the person you wished to save dead in their bed untouched by the flames," said Aqua softly, "But... while it can be a bigger problem in worlds with less technological advancement, a world at this stage should have detectors or alarms for such things."

"Do we have them at the Land of Departure?"

Aqua nods. "Magical means rather than technological, but yes."

"That's... that's good."

Aqua crosses her arms. "Even if the Princess of Heart was originally asleep, they are not normal beings, they should have become aware of the danger very quickly. I fear the master is very right, this..."

Her jaw clenches. "Its murder, of one of our charges, and we were completely unaware of it."

"I don't... why would someone want to kill a Princess of Heart?" asked Namine, "The dangers of it..."

"Servants of Darkness would not care about the darkening of our worlds," said Aqua, "The power of a Princess can never fade, it will always pass on in the event of their death, but the time of a Princess passing on their power can weaken the light of the worlds until the new Princess comes into their own and manifests their power. But... most would not know nor understand what exactly the Princesses of Heart even are, what their purpose is, to know to target them."

Namine has a bad, bad feeling about this.

She remembers the darkness that washes over the worlds from the rise of Ansem, Seeker of Darkness.

Is it a coincidence that Kairi was forced to inherit her power so soon? What about Alice? She was rather young too. Even more... Namine doesn't have exact ages, but she's pretty sure almost none of the other Princess of Heart were adults except for Cinderella, especially right now almost a decade in the past. Does that just mean they inherit in their powers around that age... or is this something sinister? What happened to the Princesses they inherited their powers from? Are the Princesses she knows about the correct ones in this time period? If so... they'd all be so young... but then again, time doesn't always flow the same between different worlds. So there is no guarantee, but still...

She thinks of how easily the Heartless swarmed, how many worlds were consumed by the darkness; Namine's bad feeling intensifies. "Do you think this happened to the other Princesses of Heart?"

"Light, I hope not," muttered Aqua grimly, "It would be a terrible failing of our order, a potential dire time in need of action, and not a good time to be training a new apprentice, as my services would be needed out in the worlds, and I would not wish to bring you into such danger."

Namine shrugged and looked down. "If I had to stay back and just read the library, that would be okay..."

Aqua smiles sadly. "I'm proud that you are willing to put the greater good ahead of yourself, but you shouldn't have to have even considered it. This... this whole mess shouldn't have to have gotten to the point where a brand new apprentice ends up pointing out something we should have been aware of to begin with. We grew lax and careless. With our charges..."

Then she hesitates. "...and with ourselves. The Master hasn't said it yet, but, its been weighing on my mind. Simply because almost no-one would know it exists, it stands to reason that the only one who could tamper with or block the registry is another Keybearer, and its also possible that a Keybearer could have allowed the Masked Boy into our home."

She steels herself. "The list of Keybearers alive and active in our region is very, very small. My Master, myself, Terra, Ven, you, the retired Yen Sid, his apprentice Mickey, and Master Xehanort."

Xehanort.

What?

Namine swallows thickly. The feeling of unease is churning now. "Xehanort?"

"He's a old Keyblade Master, he was a fellow apprentice of Eraqus and Yen Sid back in their day," explained Aqua.

What did it mean, that the amnesiac Apprentice Xehanort had gone around calling himself the name of a old Keyblade Master? "You think he's involved?"

Aqua hesitates. "I... I cannot make assumptions. Accusing a Keyblade Master without hard proof is not something done lightly. For all we know, it could be a rogue Keybearer from another line of Keybearers having made their way here. If a Keybearer is truly involved at all. Perhaps there is something else going on that would explain everything as well that we just don't know about."

Namine nods, but doesn't say or ask anything else.

Xehanort.

Vanitas had said something about a Master...

Namine's terrible feeling is roaring in her gut, and yet she cannot give it voice. Not without risking revealing her travel back in time...

She wonders about that... would it truly be so terrible to reveal it? Maybe a test... "If you could go back in time and fix this before it started, would you?"

Aqua huffs, a small smile on her face. "Read plenty of fiction while you were here did you?"

"A little," Namine lies.

"Time travel, actual time travel, is not something that can be easily done, and has rules," explained Aqua, "I didn't give it much thought outside of the one lesson we had on it, but I do remember that you can only go back as far as you've lived, and you cannot change what is destined to happen. If you traveled back in time, its because you were meant to and already did. So no, I could change nothing."

Namine slow blinked.

What?

What did that mean for Namine then?

Because she most certainly knows she didn't exist this far into the past. There are far to many people she knows now that have said nothing of her existence later. DiZ didn't know her, Mickey didn't know her, Kairi certainly didn't know her the first time they met. All the Organization she ever met never knew her back in Castle Oblivion. She's only met Axel, met Lea, the one time here, but he's certainly aware she exists at the moment. She had a very brief 'introduction' to both him and Isa before Aeleus shooed the 'troublemakers' away. Either somehow every single memory everyone ever had of her before she was born in Castle Oblivion were wiped, or...

The rules didn't apply to the method of Time Travel she was sent back by.

Could something like Kingdom Hearts even be bound by rules?

Aqua's words do confirm something for her though. She really can't tell them. She doesn't think Aqua would keep it a secret from Eraqus if she told her. She wants to trust in her grandmaster, but considering his reactions with Ven's slips, she doesn't think he would react well to the rules of time travel being broken, no matter the reason or method. She's honestly a little frightened of just how badly he would react... and sad too... that she doesn't think she can trust him, and that she has to lie...

Aeleus arrives a few minutes later, pausing and sidestep as a wet Kairi steps out of the house tugging her shirt on. "Nami Nami Nami!"

Aqua gives a small smile. "Why don't you go talk to Kairi by the gate, Namine?"

She's a little put out to not be hearing everything, but does as asked. She keeps a loose eye on the group as Kairi starts rambling about her week. Apparently, where Aeleus was her favorite guard, 'grumpy Sqwaall' had become Kairi's, with her dragging him around everywhere. The nickname got an honest giggle from her. "I hope you don't give him too hard of a time, Kairi."

"Nooooo," said Kairi in false innocence, grinning.

Namine gives her a knowing look, but doesn't say further.

"So... how is being a key person?" asked Kairi.

"Tiring," said Namine, "I have to exercise every day, wears me out, but I gotta get stronger before I can really start learning how to use a Keyblade."

Though honestly, Sora had pretty much dived right in. Then again, his start had been rough, and he had been an active child, so he wasn't nearly as physically weak was Namine currently was. Namine would rather not have to have a start to her role as a Keybearer be like Sora's had been.

Kairi grins. "Big n strong like Mr Aeleus huh. Nami with muscles, rawr."

Namine laughs, but cuts off when she catches raised voices briefly. Eraqus is flipping through the report Aeleus gave, and appears to find it lacking if the scowl Aeleus has is anything to go by.

"Nami? What wrong?"

Namine hesitates. "We're here on a mission."

"Ooooh!" exclaims Kairi, "Waja doin, can I help?"

"Its grown up stuff," said Namine, "I'm not sure how much I'll even be allowed to help since I've only begun my training."

Kairi pouts. "S'not fair."

Eraqus flips to the last page and raises an eyebrow. "The house has been left demolished?"

"The family was cherished," explains Aeleus, "There is a small memorial outside of the lot, but otherwise it has been left alone."

"Good, it is a long shot, but I may yet be able to detect something, take us there," orders Eraqus.

"Squall dear, please look after Kairi for a bit, she shouldn't be involved in this," says Ame, rising off her rocker.

"Of course."

"But Gaaamaaaa!"

"No buts Kairi," chided her grandmother, "Be nice for Squall."

Kairi scowls. "Fiiineee. Will you be back later Nami?"

"It depends how this goes," said Namine, "I will visit another time if I can't."

Kairi pouts, but nods, giving Namine a hug then running off to Squall as the Keybeaerers, Aeleus, and Ame leave. Namine walks next to the elderly woman. "How have things been?"

"Quiet now that those monsters left," she answered, "But the kind of quiet remains to be seen."

Namine tilts her head. "Kind of quiet?"

"Is it a peaceful quiet I wonder? Or the quiet before a storm, where everything is still and waiting, hmm?" poses Ame, before she huffs, "All things considered, I feel its the latter."

Namine hesitates. "Is that just a feeling, or something from... from when you were a Princess?"

The elderly gives her a sly look so foreign and younger than her years. "Oh? Learned that did you?"

"Yes," Namine says, but hesitates to press.

Part of her wonders why she wasn't told. But really... she hadn't honestly been with the family that long to be trusted.

She must be easily read, because Ame sighs and says, "Its not something talked about outside of those who are Princesses or are already in the know. Its nothing against you, young one."

Namine nods. "Alright."

"As for your question, its just a feeling," said Ame, "The purity of light left me years ago, my heart is still brighter than most, but most of my abilities have faded with time. Doesn't mean there ain't still a few lingering traits, but..."

She shrugs. "My time holding the light is over."

"...do you miss it?"

Ame smiles sadly. "Sometimes, but then I remember the delight on my daughter's face when she inherited the power. I see, day by day, the happiness Kairi holds despite having that light far to soon. There's little point in bitterly holding on to something that's left you when you can cherish your children and grandchildren having it instead."

"Wise indeed," said Eraqus, "I do recall the nostalgic pride my own master had when he passed on the responsibility of steward myself. The passing of the torch should always be a cherished time."

"If only," agreed Ame.

There is quiet for a time, as they head up a hill towards the edge of the city limits. Its a beautiful view, looking out over the city on one side, and out past the walls on another. The pavement leads up to a small memorial plague, and beyond that is a large splotch of long-dead ground, oddly not a shred of grass where the house used to be. Nor is there any remnant of the house itself, just two grave markers dead center of the place.

Eraqus motions for them to stay back and strides upon the plot, standing a bit before the graves, and summons his Keyblade. He moves, almost in a slow dance, swinging a glowing Keyblade around in careful movements. A pulse of light ripples out of him that spreads out. At first, nothing appears around the plot itself, but further out colors and hues appear that Namine isn't sure what to make of. She looks back at Eraqus, and sees the dark scowl on his face.

"Well, isn't that curious," says Eraqus in a scathingly sarcastic tone.

"Master Aqua, what is that?" whispered Namine.

"Its an ability that illuminates the area with a light that hues itself depending on the type of people, magics, and objects that have been in the area," said Aqua slowly, baffled, "But... if a Princess of Heart lived here for any decent amount of time, shouldn't there be light? There is nothing there."

"Quite right Master Aqua," said Eraqus thinly, "The file said they lived here several years, correct?"

"Yes," agreed Aeleus, "What does it mean then if there is no... aura... around this place?"

"Do you have a guess, Terra?" posed Eraqus.

Terra walks up to stand next to Eraqus, looking around with a frown on his face. "If were thinking this was murder... then did they somehow cover it up? Erase it?"

"Very good," said Eraqus, "Yes, they smothered over the area and wiped out any trace of energy or affinity from it."

"We haven't touched on this kind of thing in training yet," said Terra slowly, "Is this a simple thing to do, or no?"

"No," said Eraqus darkly, "This requires not a great deal of power, but instead skill and knowledge. No ordinary feckless neophyte of darkness could do this so easily. This in itself reveals that our foe is skilled, but nothing else. This is calculated. Whether however this is a strike only at the fallen princess, or a strike at more, remains to be seen."

"Are Kairi and Lady Ame in danger from this?" rumbles Aeleus.

"I do not believe Kairi will be in any danger," said Eraqus, "Lady Ame however... it is entirely possible this is an attempt to break the line of succession for Radiant Garden's Princesses of Heart. If Lady Ame should perish before she passes on her lessons to Kairi, then so much knowledge and ability will be lost. Kairi might end up bringing out instinctual uses of her power, but is unlikely to do much else. The entire line would have to start from the ground up with learning how to use their power. Lady Ame... you may wish to start Kairi's lessons earlier in life."

Kairi's grandmother sets her jaw, scowling. "She should be free to enjoy her childhood, not be forced to start something best left for early adulthood."

"I generally agree, and ultimately it is your choice, I am merely pointing it out," said Eraqus, noncommittal.

Aeleus crossed his arms. "This happened a few years ago when the girl was but a toddler. Nothing further has happened... would Lady Ame not have been targeted before now?"

"Not necessarily," mused Eraqus, turning to look at the elder in question, "If the murderer was too focused on their target, they may not have realized the previous Princess of Heart was even still alive. It may also have not been deemed necessary, forgive me but you are old, and may not live long enough to truly see your grandchild trained."

Ame huffed. "I have quite a few years left in me still."

Eraqus smiled faintly. "...I may also be wrong on the target. If this isn't an attempt to break the line of succession, and isn't just a one-of specific murder, then it could have been done to weaken the worlds overall. The Light of the Princesses takes time to fully and properly manifest. While she is young, Kairi will not fully exhibit her power as a beacon of light. You being alive would not matter for this. If it is this, then this world and its Princess of Heart may not have been the only one hit."

He rubbed his face tiredly. "There is to much unknown with this still to make any proper guesses. I have suspicions, but little hard proof for any of them."

"What are your next steps then?" asked Aeleus.

He mulled it over, rubbing his chin. "Hmm... I need to confer with Master Yen Sid on where to go from here. Especially if my suspicions about who may have done this prove true. I pray I am wrong, but..."

He shakes his head. "We are returning to the Land of Departure. We need to confer and plan out our next steps."

The darkness of the Lanes Between is a lot less awing on the way back. Or maybe Namine is simply more morose. She had been so looking forward to being a Keybearer, about wanting to save these people who were gone. But she had forgotten: there was only roughly a decade between now and when Sora set out on his journey, and there was little to no hint of these people anymore. If they were going to fade, it would be soon. She's terrified she wont be able to make a difference when the time come because she wont have had enough time to get strong enough.

Sora got strong enough to beat Ansem pretty quick, but... he was in constant combat. Sink or swim, do or die, and she's not nor does she want to be.

So... she's worried.

When they arrive back and enter the keep, Eraqus leads them to the throne room and walks behind it, touching a crystal in the wall. He fiddles with and adjusts its slight before waiting until it resonates. "Yen Sid?"

A wise old voice sounds. "Master Eraqus, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I wish I could say it is for pleasure, but we may be entering a dire time," said Eraqus, sighing, before he details what has transpired so far.

Yen Sid is silent for a few minutes, thinking, before he speaks, "I do not want to make assumptions over the past, but do you suspect him?"

"I don't want to," admits Eraqus, "I truly don't want to, but I do."

Yen Sid sighs. "As do I, but we must be mindful either way, in-case he is innocent, and especially in-case he is guilty, he is not to be trifled with lightly."

Eraqus reaches up and touches the scar on his face. "No, he is not. I've considered how best to handle this, and I am going to cautious route an issuing official summons to Master Xehanort on the illusion of seeking out his aid, if you or your apprentice encounter him, inform him that he is to return to the Land of Departure immediately."

Terra stiffens. "Surely not. He's a Keyblade Master. He wouldn't."

Eraqus glances back. "Xehanort unfortunately has a history of struggling with his inner darkness and seeking out that which is forbidden. I do not want to assume he is involved with this, Terra, but I must be certain. He is one of the very few I am aware of who would have the skill and knowledge to tamper with or block the registry, along with scouring an area's energy. If he is not involved, then I will beg forgiveness and ask his aid in this matter. Is that not fair?"

Terra frowns, but nods. "I suppose... but, are we sure it wasn't this 'Boy in the Mask'?"

"That is the obvious thought, but that would be an alarmingly impressive skill-set and knowledge base for a teenager," said Eraqus skeptically.

Yen Sid speaks up, "Do you believe the potential is enough to warrant an alarm sent out?"

Eraqus scowls. "It is potentially an internal matter..."

"That does not disbar the rules, Eraqus," chides Yen Sid, "Other lines are not to be involved lightly, but if there is a possibility of treachery or line failure, the nearest must be made aware,"

Eraqus's jaw sets. "As much as I dislike the thought, you are correct."

"I will summon Mickey back to me to inform him what has transpired and to coordinate where to go from here, I will initiate contact with you again in... twenty minutes? Enough time to cast the summoning and enough time for you to contact them?"

"Indeed, until then," farewells Eraqus, touching the crystal and glowering at it for a minute before begining to adjust it.

"Other lines? As in other Keybearer Lines?" asked Namine quietly.

Aqua nods.

"Why is he angry about that?"

"Outside of very regulated and scheduled check ins, along with specific scenarios, Keybearer lines are not to interact with one another outside of their assigned world clusters," said Aqua quietly.

"Why?"

Aqua shakes her head. "You'll learn about the precepts and why they were put in place later. For now, consider it a safety precaution as to not risk the mistakes of the past, where Keybearer's were in great numbers and waged a terrible, terrible war."

Namine doesn't really understand, but merely nods.

They all flinch when a high pitched whining noise eminates from the crystal, startling Eraqus, "What in the...?"

He taps and fiddles with it again, earning another noise. And again. And again.

"Master, what is that?" asked Aqua.

Eraqus's face has darkened. "I'm not getting a signal through any of the relays. I tried the nearest lines through the north, south, east, and west relays. Nothing."

Aqua blinks. "Any of them? None of them are picking up?"

"You mistake my meaning," said Eraqus, "Its not that they aren't picking up, its that we are not getting through."

"What does that mean?" asked Namine, "Whats a relay?"

"Its a signal booster to push our communications across the great distance between world clusters," explained Aqua.

"Is... something wrong with them?" asked Ven.

"Its not unheard of for a relay to have issues and need repair," said Eraqus slowly, the dark look on his face still not gone, "But for all of them to break down? Such a coincidence that I fear it is not so."

He turns. "Terra! Aqua!"

Both stiffen and stand up perfectly straight arms to the side, echoing one another, "Yes Master."

"Do you recall when I showed you where they were a few years back?"

"Yes Master."

"Good, both of you are to fly to the edges of our cluster, as swiftly as you can, and inspect the relays. I know neither of you have proper training for their handling yet, but I simply wish for you to check for damage, or to see if they are even on, Terra take north and west, Aqua, south and east, go now."

Both turn and leave, rushing out.

Eraqus runs a hand down his face. "The Princesses of Heart potentially being targeted and our ability to contact outside lines to keep them appraised or ask for aid in the worst case scenario cut off. I have a very, very bad feeling about this. I fear that we have been caught completely flat footed."

Namine swallowed. "How long will it take them to check and return?"

"If they push their top speed and funnel energy into their gliders, no more than half a day, they should be back by dinner, thought it will leave them fatigued from the energy use and pressure of such speeds," said Eraqus tiredly, "Ventus, you have precepts you need to brush up on. Namine, I fear it may be boring for you, but until I can ascertain the saftey of the Land of Departure from outside infiltration, I want you always in my, Aqua, or Terra's presence. Ventus may be skilled enough to protect himself, but to do so and protect you at the same time is not a risk I will take. Please, have a seat."

Namine sits in the middle throne as Ventus leaves the room, idly kicking her legs. Yen Sid calls back not much later, he and Eraqus begin speaking in low tones. She stares down at her hands silently, wishing she could call her Keyblade to her. She holds a hand out, wishing and wishing...

But nothing.

Not a flash of light or any hint of it at all.

Her earlier fear manifests again. She is so worried she wont be able to help. She doesn't even know how to do magic yet. She has to hold back stressed tears and take quiet breaths to try and calm herself. She forces herself to consider what impact she has had already. She might have scared away Vanitas, and because of her, they are aware of something being wrong when they might not have been before. That has to count for something. They wont be as easily caught off-guard at least. Because this plotting they've unconvered certainly meant for them to be.

Eraqus said it would be boring, waiting for their return, but honestly, its stressful more than anything. Stuck sitting there with nothing but fears and worries in her head. Ventus eventually returns with several large books; he sits on the steps leading to the throne and props one open, slowly reading through it. She tries to imagine this is back home, the grandmother sitting in a rocker by the fireplace, Kairi on the floor playing with toys, Namine resting on the couch. The thought is calming, but doesn't quite stick.

The hours tick by with the slow turn of pages, and faint conversations behind the thrones. Eraqus eventually finishes his discussion with Yen Sid and paces the middle of the large throne room. Terra is the first to return, looking worn. He salutes briefly and opens his mouth to speak.

"I sense Aqua's presence returning, wait a moment," instructs Eraqus.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, Aqua rushes in.

"Master," exclaims Aqua, "At a distance, the relays looked fine, but when I got close, it revealed itself to be an illusion. They are offline, with several cords cut and pieces torn out."

Terra nodded. "Same with me. I was confused at what was wrong with it since it looked fine, it was startling for it to melt away when I got close.

Eraqus exhaled. "As I feared..."

He shakes his head. "You two have done well, come, we will eat and rest. Tomorrow, we begin trying to solve and deal with this madness."

Dinner is... quiet, morose, and tense. No one speaks, Eraqus's parting words being, "Namine will sleep in your room tonight Aqua, as a safety precaution. Tomorrow, I will set up an adjacent room to my own and enact protections around for when you and Terra depart."

"Of course Master."

Ventus takes the plates to wash up when they are done, and Eraqus leaves, Terra not long after. Aqua stares down at the table in quiet contemplation. Namine takes her leave, wondering what tomorrow will bring. She considers that she is going to be closely kept under thumb from here on in. Its not exactly safe for Namine to be dragged offworld into potentially dangerous situations, so its highly possible she's going to end up in Eraqus's presence here for quite awhile. She sighs, maybe she'll ask for some introductory books or something to read. For now though, she wants a breath of fresh air.

She steps outside the keep, moving to sit on the steps...

She doesn't get a chance to scream in startlement when a hand cover's her mouth and she is dragged backwards through a dark portal, ending up on top of the mountain. She's shoved forward, and falls to her knees, wincing.

"So," comes Vanitas's sarcastic voice, "All settled in then?"

She pushes herself back up and turns to frown at him. "If you wanted to talk, you could have just said something rather than grabbing me."

"Where would be the fun in that be?"

His keyblade flashes into existence in his hand before she can reply. "But you're right, you and I need to have a little talk."

She tenses and takes a step back.

"You used to be part of a whole, were separated, and then went back," said Vanitas, taking a step forward, flexing his grip on his keyblade, "Considering the hell you shoved into my head, I don't doubt that. I don't however think it was the same way I was, no, your heart... I don't sense a split. Your heart wasn't ripped in half."

Namine freezes. "W-what?! Ripped in half?"

How... who would do such a horrible thing?

"So how?" he demands, ignoring her statement.

"I... I was a Nobody."

He cocks his head. "Wow, and I thought I was self-depreciative."

She glares at him. "My original self lost her heart to the heartless, and had a powerful will. When that happens, a Nobody can be left behind out of their body. But a Nobody's existence is ephemeral, you have no emotions, no heart. Its... its a terrible, hollow life."

He considers that for a moment. "Huh. Kind of the opposite of me, I have too much emotion that I have to control, when I don't, well... it bleeds out, literally."

She's not sure what he means by that.

"So what, you found the heartless that had your original heart...?" he asks, "Merged with it and got stuck in the original you?"

"No," admits Namine, "My... my existence wasn't normal for Nobodies. A Nobody doesn't usually exist at the same time as their original self. But due to a... weird set of specific circumstances, mine did."

She's not going to mention that she came from a Princess of Heart. That would lead him into tracking them down, and while she believes he needs help, she doesn't think he can be trusted not to do something bad to try to get or force said help. "The moment we touched... I started to fade out of existence, and eventually returned to her. But... but it was a terrible existence."

"Yeah, I'm aware," he said flatly, "You always shove those memories into people you just met?"

"Do you always threaten to hurt people you just met?" she shot back.

"Actually, pretty much yeah."

She blinks at him, opens her mouth, then closes it. She gets the feeling he has a mocking look under his mask. "That's not a good attitude."

"I don't care," he seethed, taking a menacing step forward, "The worlds doesn't deserve anything good from me. Not after the crap I've gotten in life."

Namine falters, fear on her face, and takes a step back.

He taps his Keyblade on the ground. "So then... you went back to your original self, how'd you get out, and how'd you get your own complete heart? If I can't go back to being the original me, then I'll settle for only being me, but with a full heart."

"I..."

"Namine?" comes Aqua's voice, "Are you up here?"

Vanitas swears as Aqua comes into view and freezes, sizing up Vanitas, eyes flickering down at his Keyblade, then at Namine's fearful face, before she summons her own, a snarl on her face. "Get away from my apprentice!"

He panics as Aqua surges at him. He throws a hand out, and a dark portal appears behind Namine. He dives forward and shoves Namine backwards, but Aqua's keyblade digs into his side and throws him across the summit. The last thing Namine sees before she falls through the closing portal is Aqua's terrified eyes, hand trying and failing to reach out for her...

Chapter Text

Namine lands face first into snow.

She sputters, pushing herself up, hands growing cold rapidly. She wipes her face down on her sleeve and looks around. The Dark Corridor is already gone. She finds herself in a white wood. The entire area is nothing but trees and snow and buried shrubbery. A cold wind blows falling snow through the creaking branches, making her wrap her arms around herself. She swallows thickly, and knows she has to move. Her clothes aren't the best for the cold, and she can't cast fire magic. She stumbles through the area, wetness sinking through her shoes.

She's not sure what world this is. There was snow in the Land of Dragons, but... she doesn't feel like this is it. There is an oppressiveness in the air, a cold magic overwhelming everything. Even the snow has traces of magic in it, but she's not sure why it calls to her like this. She keeps on moving, pushing branches aside, ducking as one snaps back at her. She feels like there is something watching her, she doesn't like the way her skin crawls. There is the sudden cawing of birds, taking off on the air, large pale featherless ones, not heartless, but she doesn't know the species.

Her teeth chatter as she keeps on moving, trying to rub her arms up and down for warmth. Time ticks away, and the trees never break, they just keep going on and on... but then she finds a trail. She looks down, there's no tire marks, but maybe... sled marks, with tiny hoof-prints? She's not sure on what that might hint at. Cars aren't always useful in snow, so even if they use sleds it may or may not hint at what level of technology this world has. Its her best chance either way, the cold is seeping all through her. Her clothes are soaked with snow, and she really wishes she had a heavy jacket right now. She needs to find someone, anyone.

There is a growl all of the sudden. Namine freezes and slowly turns...

A wolf prowls out of a bush to her left, two more slowly making their way around it.

Namine swallows thickly. Is... is she going to die here?

Then...

Then the wolf speaks. "Well well well, a human, here in Narnia?"

Namine blinks. "W-what?"

"Are you deaf, two-legger?" snaps the wolf.

"I... no," she said, swallowing again.

The wolf grins maliciously. "Humans aren't supposed to be here in Narnia. Yer in trouble little cub."

"I... I was kidnapped and shoved through a portal, I didn't ask to be here," she said defensively.

The wolf cocks its head, sniffing, "You are afraid, but not lying. Still... ain't my call to make. Her majesty ordered any humans to be brought to her, will you come quietly, or do we have to bite in and drag you? I know what I'd prefer..."

Namine shivered. "I... I'll come."

The wolf's lips peels back, revealing so many sharp teeth. "Shame about that, I was hoping you'd chose to be a fugitive. One of you lot, run ahead and announce us. Her majesty doesn't like unannounced arrivals. Best not to test her patience."

Namine watches one of the wolves take off down the path. The lead wolf motions with its head after him. "Move."

Namine starts moving, the other wolf trotting a ways behind her, the other a bit ahead of her, keeping her boxed in. "Who... who is her majesty?"

"Queen Jadis, the Queen of Narnia and Empress of the Lone Islands," said the wolf, before growing snide, "The foolish try to insult her by calling her the White Witch. She finds it amusing."

A witch.

This queen had powers then.

"Do... I mean... if I plead my case, do you think she'd help me go back home?"

The wolf howls with laughter. "Not likely. Not without offering something of value to her. Nothing in this land is free, everything comes with a price. If you want to live, pup, you best be willing to pay whatever she asks."

They walk for a time, but its cold, so cold..., "I-I-Is t-there a-any p-place t-to g-get w-warm?"

The wolf snorts. "You might prefer the numb and cold if she decides your execution, human."

Namine doesn't ask again.

The jingling of something sounds in the distance some time later. Namine barely registers it, at least until some kind of deer slows to a trot and nearly runs her over. She blinks and shakily raises her head, seeing several rows of them attached to a cart. On it is a little man, maybe a dwarf, and behind him...

Cold.

So cold.

Behind the dwarf sits a tall pale woman garbed in white fur robes. Ash blond hair hung down upon her shoulders, and upon her head a white pointed crown. Her coal black eyes watchful and cold. Nothing like Aqua's. The magic in the air, the snow, the cold... she can feel it, tied to this woman. Namine doesn't get much farther in her thoughts before she falls to her knees, curling, shivering nonstop...

Then something metallic touches her lips, and a melodic voice whispers, "You look so cold, drink, little one."

Namine does and...

Oh.

Warmness invades her body, surging through and melting away the cold. She gasps and reaches for the cup, tipping it back and drinking it all. She blinks rapidly, staring down at it. Then looking up to see the woman in white crouched at her side, fur coat extended to cover Namine. "That... that drink had magic in it?"

"Oh?" posed the woman, curious, "You can feel it? That is not quite so common for humans, and yet..."

The woman peers at her closely. "The wolf claimed you are human. My own senses say that is not quite true."

Namine blinks. What?

The woman takes back the cup and hands it to the dwarf before turning back, "The wolf said you were abducted? Are you... alone here?"

"Yes."

The woman tilts her head. "Are there brothers or sisters to come look for you?"

"N-no, just my Master."

"A master," mused the woman, "A training master, or a master of flesh?"

Namine's eyebrows furrow. "Training master, what did you mean by..."

The woman shushes her with a finger to her lips. "You are young yet, let us not defile your youth with such talk."

A hint of tension goes into the woman's shoulders. "Tell me... is your training master alone?"

Namine doesn't like these questions, but, the woman is queen here, and her presence has broken a rule, so she obeys, "No, she has her two fellows still in training and her own former master."

"All human?"

"Yes."

That gets a hum from the woman "Four. Tell me, what are their genders?"

Namine blinks a few times, baffled why she's poking about that. "My master is female, the others male."

The tension fades out, and the woman smiles. "Three Sons of Adams and one Daughter of Eve, not quite the even amount foretold. So not a concern."

Namine gives her a baffled look, but the woman doesn't acknowledge it. Namine's eyes flicker to appraise the wolves and the dwarfs regarding the conversation, still and at the ready. She thinks of what the wolves said. "Are you Queen Jadis?"

"I am."

"The wolves mentioned you," said Namine quietly, "I... they said humans aren't aloud here...," which begged the question what was Jadis then, "But I didn't come here willingly."

"You need not fear little one, as I said... you aren't quite as human as you look."

Namine falters. "I... I'm not?"

But... she had a heart now. Her own body... she couldn't still be...

The woman holds and open palm out in front of Namine, and it glows. Magic pulses over Namine, making her shiver at the frigid touch. "You are part human, to be sure. Yet... the other half... you have light strung through your body, stitching and holding it together, and the outlines of who you are..."

The woman seems puzzled. "If I had to describe it, it almost feels like... nothingness?"

Even with a human body, the inhumanness of what she was still lingers. She doesn't want to give away anything, so she asks, "What... what does that mean?"

"Oh child," muses the woman, smiling, "Your body is a creation of power, stitched together by light and magic and nothingness and flesh that I have not seen before."

The smile grows cold. "What a magnificent little abomination you are."

Namine full on flinches, shoulders hunching.

The woman tisks. "I did not say it was anything to be ashamed of. Yours is not a natural existence, thus an aberration, but an existence none the less. Tell me, little abomination, what is your name?"

How could she make such a foul term sound so fond and endearing? "My name is Namine."

"Namine," tastes the woman, "An interesting name. Which world do you hail from?"

Namine hesitates. "You... you know?"

The woman's smile grows patronizing. "I am the Queen, of course I know of other worlds, I personally came from another to this one so long ago."

"Oh," said Namine, "But... what about the world order?"

Jadis huffs. "Why should I care for such a trifle thing? It exists outside of my domain, let others bicker about how other worlds should function so long as they do so outside my realm. So tell me, which world do you hail from?"

She was from Kairi, so..., "Radiant Garden."

Jadis hums. "A world of light if I recall. I visited it once, so long ago, and decided I would settle on a... less populated place. I rule, uncontested, in Narnia. As such, so long as you reside here, you are my subject, and you will obey."

Her eyes are so cold. "Is that clear, my little abomination?"

Namine swallows. "Yes."

"Yes what?"

She blinks a few times. "Umm... yes... your majesty?"

"Good, now, come, lets retire to my castle, I'm sure I can find a... use... of you."

Namine wants to run.

She wants to run and not look back.

But she can't.

The woman grips her arm tightly and marches her to the sled. The wolves prowl at their heels, and dwarf eyes Namine with a mocking look, fiddling with a knife at its hip. Namine sits next to the queen, and is bundled up in her fur robes, an arm around her shoulders as if they are close. But its not comforting in the slightest. The sleigh is turned around, and they zoom off, the wolves not following behind them.

Jadis settles in comfortably into her seat. "Tell me, are you hungry, little abomination?"

Namine purses her lips. "I ate before I was shoved through the portal."

Jadis hums, only a hint of disappointment there. "Perhaps later then."

Silence reigns aside from the jingling and pounding of hooves from the deer pulling the sleigh. Some time later, they exit the woods, off in the distance is an tall imposing icy snow covered castle, a faint, turquoise light illuminating out of it. They pull up outside, and the Queen dismounts, holding out a hand to Namine. She takes it, and climbs down, but Jadis does not let go, keeping her firmly in her grasp. "Walk with, little abomination."

Namine grits her teeth. But she's not stupid enough to ask her to stop calling her that. If Jadis is anything like Larxene... the response would be taken out of Namine's flesh. The first thing she notes is how... frozen everything is in the castle, and there are sculptures and statues everywhere, but surprisingly no other beings she sees... except...

She stares at one of the statues, eyes furrowing. Jadis stops walking and watches her. "What do you feel, little abomination?"

A sinking feeling enters Namine's stomach. "Those aren't statues."

A soft chuckle escapes Jadis's lips. "No, they are not. My laws are to be obeyed without question, those who fail in this, well, they suffer the punishment, eternally. You wouldn't wish to end up as they are, do you?"

"No your majesty," whispers Namine.

"Very good, come," orders Jadis.

They climb up an unsafe set of frozen stairs, but Jadis's steps are all sure. The woman leads her to a frozen and dark throne room, and lets go of Namine's hand mid-way through, motioning for her to stay as she goes to sit on her throne. Jadis sits down, the regal queen, and stares contemplatively at Namine.

"Power sleeps within you," murmurs the woman, "Only barely touched, barely stirred. You've only just joined your training master, haven't you?"

Namine swallowed. "Y-yes. My master wanted me to work on endurance and basic knowledge first."

Jadis nods. "I see."

The woman snaps her fingers, and a long table suddenly appears, a chair coming into existence behind Namine, scooting forward and making her fall into with a yelp. A massive feast appears before them, and the moment Namine smells it, despite having eaten earlier, she suddenly hungers for it so much. "We shall discuss your stay here, but first, dig in."

Namine reaches forward...

Her finger stop inches from a leg of meat.

She feels it again.

Magic.

It doesn't feel like the warmth magic that the cup had.

Its wrong.

Namine stares at it for some time, wariness and unease warring with the craving...

The abnormal craving...

Why does she want to eat so much, so badly?

And why hasn't Jadis eaten yet?

With great effort, Namine's arm shaking, she pulls her hand back to her lap. "No thank you ma'am. I'm... I'm quite full from earlier."

Rather than be offended, the woman smiles. "Very good, little abomination, very good indeed. If you had so easily fallen for that trap, I would have been... disappointed."

The smile turns patronizing. "You don't wish to disappoint me, do you?"

"...no your majesty," answers Namine, swallowing thickly, "What... what kind of magic is in the food?"

"Addictive magic," answers Jadis cruelly, "The mere smell of it, so enticing. But if you had actually eaten it? Oh, you would have been enthralled to it, to me, willing to do nigh whatever I wished, so needy and desperate, if only for another bite."

Namine leans back in her chair as much as she can away from the table.

Jadis chuckles. "You would have been no more than another pathetic, useless, thrall. But no, you felt something wrong... you have potential, and I admit, I find myself... curious, to see where that potential leads, little abomination."

The woman snaps her fingers again. The food vanishes, and is replaced by a much lighter assortment of food. This, Jadis doesn't refrain from eating, levitating pieces of food to her plate from across the table with barely a flick of her finger. The ease of the magic has Namine wide eyed.

"Impressed, are you?" poses Jadis, after a quick bite.

"...you're very skilled with magic," said Namine quietly.

"I am," agreed Jadis, "While you are the mere hopeful, I am the realization. Now, eat, there is no test this time. I will not be so free with food from here on in, it must be earned. Do you understand?"

"Yes your majesty."

Namine watches the woman's careful, elegant but slow movements, and tries to mirror it as to not offend. There is a flicker of amusement from the woman, but she does not comment. After they are done, Jadis beckons her to follow, and they descend back down the original staircase, down lower... into what is most certainly a dungeon, if the bars and chains are anything to go by.

"Do you approve of your new home, little abomination?" poses Jadis, opening a cell door and motioning her in.

Namine hunches her shoulders and bows her head, walking inside. "...yes your majesty."

Jadis smiles thinly. "Its not much, but you have yet to earn better. Now... chain yourself, your leg."

Namine forces back her tears, sits down, and clicks the manacle to her ankle. It shortens in size until it is tight enough not to be able to slip out of.

"Your training master was careless to lose you," said Jadis softly, kneeling down in front of her and running a gentle hand through Namine's hair before gripping it tightly, earning a whimper from her, "I will not be so careless. Unless I release you from my service, you belong to me. Am I clear?"

"...yes your majest," chokes out Namine.

"Very good, I will return in the morning, until tomorrow, goodnight, little abomination," said Jadis, waiting for a moment, "It is rude to not return the farewell. You do not wish to be rude... do you?"

"No your majesty," whispers Namine, "Goodnight your majesty."

The woman leaves, and its only after, that Namine allows herself to cry in her new White Room.

The following morning, Jadis arrives in light blue silk clothes. With a flick of her wrist, the manacle falls away. "Rise, little abomination, we have much work to do today."

Namine shakily gets to her feet and walks beside the woman, who motions to a side door. "Relieve yourself, I will not be pleased if we have to stop later for such... mortal needs."

After she finishes and exits, she follows behind the woman to the throne room. Jadis sits on her throne, staring at Namine. "...are you hungry, little abomination?"

Namine hasn't forgotten what the woman said last night, figures this is another test, and as much as she hates to say it, "...I haven't earned any food yet."

Jadis smiles. "It is good that you remember, as I do hate to repeat myself. You wouldn't wish for me to repeat myself... would you?"

"No your majesty."

"Very good, now... what do you know of your own powers and abilities? Aside from your ability to detect of course, I already know of this."

The way the woman is looking at Namine, looking through her, makes her hesitant to lie. But she... she can't let the woman know about her potential to use the Keyblade. She's smart enough to know letting the woman get ahold of a potential Keybearer is a terrible idea. So... so... she goes for the useless ability. "I... I was once forced to alter the memories of people connected to a boy I was connected to. I've only ever been able to touch those connected to him though."

And Sora was so very far away not in Narnia, so useless to Jadis.

Rather than look disappointed or displeased, Jadis looks so very interested. It makes Namine's heart sink at the sight of it.

"Memory manipulation," exhales Jadis, looking so very greedy, "Fascinating."

The woman smiles slow and cruel. "Untrained as you are, you could most likely only affect this 'boy' because of the connection. I do, however, doubt that you are absolutely reliant on these connections. Rather, I think you simply do not yet know how to alter memories without them."

Namine stares at her, uneasy. "You... you think so?"

Oh she hopes not. She hopes not, because that might just be as bad as what she feared, if not worse...

"Oh yes," confirmed Jadis, "I'm certain of it. In fact, I sense a rather impressive overall affinity for magic from you. It was the only reason you had my interest, after all. I have very few servants who will have anywhere near your capacity for magic. You will not compare to me, no, you are far, far to young and inexperienced, but... as my eventual right hand... yes... I could see this happening."

Jadis smiles menacingly. "Would you like that, little abomination, to be my treasured tool, my prized weapon, my blessed right hand?"

Its not fair.

Its not fair.

Its just like Marluxia and Larxene, like DiZ...

"Why does this always happen," whispers Namine bitterly, tears in her eyes.

Jadis is there in moments, a thumb brushing away her tears. "Why does what always happen, my little abomination?"

"People only ever want to use me as a tool, or to hurt others," whispered Namine.

Jadis hums. "Because you are weak, others will always take advantage of you. But..."

Jadis cups her chin and tilts her head up. "Serve me well, learn at my feet, and you will become so strong that it will only ever be I who commands you. Would you like this, my little abomination?"

"Do I have a choice?" asked Namine bitterly.

Jadis smiles cruelly, gripping her chin tightly. "No, you do not, and should you so ever think to strike against me..."

The Queen of Narnia leans down to whisper in her ear, "Know that I am Immortal, so you would fail, and suffer eternal punishment as the price to pay."

Its not fair.

"Have I made myself clear, my little abomination?" asked Jadis.

"...yes your majesty," whispers Namine.

"Good, now," said Jandis, hand sliding down from her chin, to her arm, to placing her hand over Namine's and raising it up. "I am going to teach you the basics of magic. Learn them well and swiftly, and you will be rewarded. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and... a pillow and blanket for your room, will be the five boons I grant you. However..."

Jadis whispers coldly to her. "I am not a teacher with unreasonable goals. I can understand difficulty in learning... to a degree. I will allow a few slip ups, but for each time you truly disappoint me today, one of these five boons will be taken away, of your choice, until none remain. Am I not kind and merciful?"

"...yes your majesty."

She will need food, but... the chill from sleeping in that cell has left her jittery, which could impact her and cause failing. She needs at least one meal, and the blanket. She... she'll have to do her best not to fail badly...

"Now," said Jadis, "Listen closely, for I do not like to repeat myself..."

Chapter Text

Namine only gets the blanket the first day, as she has trouble even drawing out her magic. She only just manages to get a puff of energy to save herself from earning nothing. Her stomach growls at her the entire night, but she is at least warmer. The next day, there is a small fur mat in the center of the throne room that she is ordered to sit on.

"I have audiences to be had today," said Jadis, "I want you to focus on drawing out your magic. To get a feel for it. Between meetings, I want you to be able to call out your magic. Each break in meetings. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, a pillow... and one invigoration potion that you may use at your leisure, are what you may earn today, and do so remember, that I dislike failure."

Namine swallows thickly at the threat. "Invigoration potion?"

"What I gave you when we first met, the warmth and energy it fills you with is not to be treated lightly," advised Jadis, "It even throws off the pangs of hunger, for a time. A valuable thing, is it not?"

Namine considers it, but doesn't answer then. She does answer when she fails the first time, and chooses the potion to give up as the first thing.

Jadis raises a single eyebrow, an unasked explanation.

"The potion is a one time use, it wont offer me anything in the long run," said Namine quietly.

Real food matters more than a potion that smothers hunger and warms her up for a few hours.

Jadis considers it, but merely nods and has her dwarf usher in the next person...

Its a dark ox-man. Namine looks at the beast-man, wide eyed, before it snorts at her and walks past without a care. Namine settles in, sitting cross legged on the mat, trying so desperately to concentrate despite the voices. Especially when the topics are so... fear inducing. Jadis is cold and cruel when she talks about suppressing rebellion, hunting down traitors, keeping control of the populace, and the like. Namine has to force away the voices, breathing deep and focusing, focusing...

"Well, my little abomination?" poses Jadis.

Namine swallows, opens her eyes, finding the ox-man gone, and holds out her hand. A soft illumination of translucent energy appears around her hands.

"Very good," praised Jadis, considering, "I will give you a choice. Maintain my current orders, or... change the game. The new task would be to hold your power outside for as long as possible. I will forgive the earlier favor, and add another boon if you can maintain the energy between meetings. Does this interest you?"

Namine isn't stupid, she isn't arrogant. Its another trap, she's sure to fail trying to maintain her magic on the second day. "Your majesty... I do not think I am experienced enough yet to pass the latter task. I... I respectful stick to your original lesson."

Jadis smiles, amused. "Very well, my little abomination."

Namine manages to earn meals for the rest of the day, and a pillow for her cell.

By the end of the first week, Namine has managed to earn a mat to sleep on, a jacket, and actually warm fur boots. She wouldn't have minded having one of those potions as an emergency thing, but Jadis had mocked her for not taking it when there was the chance and as such it wouldn't be offered again. The woman is as cruel as she is spiteful. She is rare to offer anything that isn't a technical necessity for living in a winter kingdom or a basic right everyone should have. If the boon is temporary in nature, and isn't food, Namine has learnt to have to balance the weight of it VS what else is offered by the time the seven days comes to its close.

Not that Jadis apparently believes in weekend breaks, because Namine is back up in the throne room the following morning. Though actually... Namine isn't even sure of the date at the moment, for all she knows, she already went through the weekend in Narnia. If they even use or acknowledge weekends that way...

"I do believe, my little abomination, that you've progressed enough to begin training the skill I wish you to master," said Jadis upon her throne.

Namine blinks. "The skill?"

"Your ability to manipulate memories."

Namine frowns. "Wouldn't that be more advanced than regular magic?"

Seems like an overreaching place to start with after just learning to actually draw out her magic.

Jadis smiles a mocking smile. "Namine."

Namine tenses instantly. Jadis hasn't used her proper name since they met.

"I am a master of magic myself, why would I need you to learn anything that I can do?" asked Jadis.

"But... how can I defend myself?"

"You won't need to," said Jadis, not even hiding her mocking tone, "My precious little abomination, when we are out from the castle, you will never leave my side without permission, and thus you will always be under my protection. So what need do you have of combat magics?"

Namine swallows.

"Unless you wished to learn such magics for... other... means," posed Jadis, "You wouldn't be planning to betray me... would you?"

"No your majesty!"

"Wise," mocked Jadis, "Especially since according to the Deep Magic, all traitors belong to me to sacrifice at the Stone Table if I so wish. Do remember that, my little abomination, that no one can safeguard you should you betray me and flee, or Narnia will be drowned in fire and water."

Namine's eyes went wide, horrified... and despairing. Was she never going to be free? "I... I'm not..."

"I didn't say you were," said Jadis, smiling, "I was merely... snuffing out such pointless thoughts in advanced."

Jadis chuckled darkly. "Now... I've sent my wolves to secure a target for you to practice your powers over the mind on. Until they arrive, you are to think upon how you have used your memory magic in the past. Especially on how it felt to do so. Consider how I taught you to draw out your magic, and how you might adjust your use of memory magic to use on another besides those connected to you."

To Sora.

But Namine's never corrected that thought, and Jadis has never cared enough to ask.

She does as bid though. Considering the pleasant warmth when she reached out to Sora. Rather than the connection... she considered how she reached out to begin with. Through empty darkness, towards a light that beckoned her home. She was Kairi's Nobody, but she had been born from Sora, it was... complicated. She wonders absently if she could have returned to Sora instead of Kairi, she doesn't honestly know. She wonders if being stuck with Roxas in his prison would have been better than this if it were at all possible.

She wonders, in that darkness she was reaching through, if it was ever a matter of reaching for the only light she saw, or not reaching far enough for more. But... it was so empty, terrifying, to reach out with her mind and find nothing but that one bright light in the distance and everything connected to it. She nibbles on her lower lip in thought, considering it. She tentatively probes around, shivering when she touches nothing, and instinctively shies away from an even darker splotch in her mind...

Wait.

Something akin to dread hits her.

The darkness she reached through wasn't like actual dark Darkness, but empty darkness. Like being in a room with no light to illuminate it.

Then there was a heart of darkness, someone who radiated darkness. Which actually has a sense to it...

Is that dark splotch... Jadis?

It feels like Namine's world was just pulled out from under her. In Castle Oblivion, there had only ever Nobodies she was terrified of, Heartless who'd probably barely even have thoughts let alone memories, or Sora and those already linked to him. Roxas was like her, unique as a Nobody, and connected to Sora. With DiZ... yeah she had never wanted to be anywhere near his mind to begin with. It sinks in then. When had she ever truly had the chance to try her powers on anyone she wasn't terrified of, or already connected to? Outside of a few clumsy attempts when she didn't even have a grounding in magic yet?

She is suddenly, so very terrified of what Marluxia and Larxene could have done with her if Namine had a better grasp of her powers, or magic, back then...

Because she is having the horrible, horrible feeling that this isn't going to be as hard as she thinks.

"Put me down you bloody damn bastard!"

Namine blinks and opens her eyes, turning her head to see a wolf trotting into the room with a mouth full of swearing... beaver? Her stomach twists to see blood matting the Beaver's fur, those teeth sink in deep. The wolf tosses the Beaver out of its mouth in front of Jadis, where the Beaver scowls, wincing, but trying to stand.

"What is the meaning of this!" demands the Beaver before scowling, "...your majesty."

Oh that tone wasn't going to earn the beaver any favors...

Jadis smiles thinly. "Lets dispense with the pleasantries. I've long suspected your little family of being rebels, fools loyal to an absent lion rather than your proper, true queen."

"Right," scoffed the Beaver, "True queen."

Jadis's wand is brought out, its end inches from the beaver's face. "Do so mind yourself, a ferocious little thing you may be, but just a tap is enough."

The Beaver tenses, but goes silent. Jadis withdraws her wand.

"Of course, I've lacked the means to prove this, and since those who openly defy me stay on the move, its such a loathsome bother to bring Narnia's... foolish defiance to a close," continued Jadis.

Namine frowned. Defy her? But... if Jadis was the Queen of Narnia, wouldn't anyone who defied her be traitors? Was Jadis lying, or is Namine not understanding something right?

"Now though...," Jadis smiles mockingly, "I can find the proof I need."

Jadis's eyes flicker to Namine, and the Beaver turns its head towards her. Namine stands petrified, honestly terrified of where this is going. She hadn't considered what Jadis truly meant by 'retrieve a target to practice on'. This isn't someone giving their permission, or saying its okay, or anything like that. She's going to be forced to violate someone's mind.

Like Sora in Castle Oblivion all over again...

The Beaver scoffs. "This one? She looks like she's going to pass out in fright. Looks human, but doesn't smell quite like the stories say they would."

"Because she's not," agreed Jadis, "She is my little abomination, a new Witch of Narnia... a memory witch."

The Beaver doesn't pale, but she gets the feeling if it could it would.

"You've been brought here to help train her," explain Jadis, "Whether you want to or not. Now, my little abomination..."

The Beaver's eyes narrow at the way Namine twitches at the mocking referral.

"...we will start simple," said Jadis, "I want you to reach into his mind and find his name. Wolves, pounce if he tries anything."

Namine swallowed. A name... a name wasn't so bad to use her power to find...

Don't lie to yourself, its going to get worse.

Namine's arms shake, but she closes her eyes non the less and reaches out with her mind and magic. She feels through the empty expanse. It takes her a few minutes to figure out anything new. Jadis is still a large dark splotch in the empty distance between minds, that hasn't changed. She uses that as her base, and she's able to locate the wolves as very faint shades of dark-gray. So hard to see, but once she finds one, its easier to see other brief flickers in hue nearby. But the question is, why is it difficult to find the Beaver? He doesn't shine like Sora does, like those he's connected to, or especially not like Kairi...

She pauses the thought.

Maybe that's where she's going wrong.

There is something about Sora that is special, that shines so brightly, illuminating those he befriends even when they struggle with their darkness like Riku. Sora was special, most certainly not dull or average. The average person, the average being, weren't either light or dark. They were made of both. The average person wasn't going to shine anything like Sora does. The average person wont feel as terribly dark as Jadis does. She had her expectations to high, she wasn't even looking at the problem right.

She opens her eyes, stares at the Beaver contemplative, then her eyes flicker to the wolves, then to Jadis who is watching with calculated patience. Namine stares at the Beaver again, the one in the middle between her and everyone, closes her eyes, and she reaches out in that space between them all...

Oh.

Oh.

Its so stupidly easy.

Namine would be embarrassed if she wasn't terrified.

Nothing is ever going to be like before from here on in, because its easy once she's actually tried, and she knows it now.

She penetrates in, and its odd to grasp a chain of memories not connected to Sora. For the Beaver. Its like... the caress of a memory is like she's touching her fur boots...

"From that look on your face, dare I say success?" posed Jadis.

Namine refocuses...

"Erm... his name is Mr. Beaver," said Namine.

Jadis smirks. "Not very creative, are these simple creatures.

"Oi!" snapped Mr. Beaver.

Jadis ignores him, smiling with predatory focus at Namine. "Take it away from him. Take his very name away from him."

Oh her demands got bad real quick.

She hopes, she prays it isn't as easy with those unconnected with Sora...

But it is.

Just like Roxas and the word picture back in that fake Twilight Town, she plucks Mr. Beaver from a memory, feels all resonances to that name, and smothers them.

Namine opens her eyes, and she feels sick.

"Well, little creature, what is your name?" poses Jadis.

Mr. Beaver scoffed. "Really? You expect me to believe this hogwash? My name is... its... my name is..."

The Beaver opens his mouth, tries to say something, but comes up blank, he looks at Namine in horror, terrified of her. "W-what the heck did you do to me?! How can you take someone's name away?"

Namine takes a step back, shaking her head..., "I..."

Jadis laughs. "Good, good, now my little abomination, I want you to take not the name of his wife from him, but what she looks like. Then, I want to see if we can put someone else in her place."

Just like Namine did with herself and Kairi...

Namine rushes over to the side of the room, kneels down, and pukes in a corner.

Jadis sighs. "Such a weak constitution, we're going to need to work on that. We can't have you getting squeamish out in public, now can we? Resume your practice."

Namine shakes all over, shaking her head back and forth. She doesn't want this, she doesn't want this...

Jadis waits a moment, then a chill enters her tone. "Get up, get back over here, and continue."

"No!" cried out Namine, "Please, I don't... I don't want this..."

Jadis growls and rises to her feet, stalking over and yanking Namine to her feet with a painful grip. "This is the last warning I will give, or you will find yourself without food today."

Namine just keeps shaking her head and shivering.

"Yer a cruel, heartless witch, Jadis," grits out the Beaver.

Jadis ignores him, instead she stares coldly and dispassionately down at Namine. "Hmm. Perhaps I'm being to hasty. You've just begun after all. Perhaps I am expecting to much of you. Perhaps... you need a night without the distraction of food to think about it. Perhaps coming to terms over a cold night without any of the boons you earned will help, hmm?"

Jadis orders the wolves. "Bring the Beaver."

Jadis drags Namine all the way back to her cell and throws her in. With a flick of her wrist, Namine's boots come off, the jacket levitates off her, the blanket pillow and mat fly out as well. All of it is deposited in a separate cell before the chain drags and attaches itself to Namine's ankle. "Think on what it means to serve me, my little abomination, and whether you wish to continue to disappoint me. If that is not enough, then perhaps consider what you will be rewarded with if you serve properly. I had been considering raising your status, giving you a proper servants room rather than a cell. Wouldn't you like that, my little abomination?"

Namine pushes herself as far as the chain will allow into the corner furthest from Jadis.

The witch tsks. "I will return tomorrow morning, enjoy the rest of the cold day and night."

Mr. Beaver is tossed in his own cell, the manacle attached to his tail of all things. Namine takes a long time to force herself back together from her panic, the coldness of her feet being the first thing that draws her focus elsewhere. She finds her old shoes back where she had left them when she got the fur boots, and puts them back on, before she sits down and wraps her arms around her legs.

"I take it ye didn't particularly want to serve the witch?" poses Mr. Beaver cautiously.

"I didn't have a choice," whispered Namine, "I... I'm sorry."

The Beaver considers her for a moment. "As awful as it is, there is always a choice, though yer a bit young to make that kind of decision."

It takes Namine a moment to realize he means accepting her own death rather than serve Jadis. Namine looks away bitterly. She's hardly had the chance to even live, and already she's forced back to these kind of choices?

"Could I get my name back if you don't mind?"

Namine blinks and reaches out, so much easier the second time, and unsmothers the name.

"Mr. Beaver," says Mr. Beaver, repeating himself a few times for surety and comfort, "Ho boy, that's a terrifying power to put in the White Witch's hands. I can resist torture, but not someone slipping into my memories to find information, plant information, or changing things. This... this could... no, this will change everything. Will there even be anyone to help the Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve when they arrive?"

Namine can't help it at that despairing tone, she starts crying softly. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

Is she going to have to choose to die again to not let Jadis use her for such horrible things? Only this time, there will be no prison in Kairi to go to when she fades... this time she'll just be dead.

"None of that girl, none of that," chides the Beaver gently, "We don't have a lot of time, so you need to listen, alright? Dry those tears. Its cruel, but we don't have time for crying."

Namine sniffles, but obeys. "I don't... is there anything that can even be done? She's the Queen, bad things will happen if someone betrays her..."

Then the earlier thought hits. "But... how can anyone defy her then? Wouldn't that make them all traitors?"

The Beaver scoffs. "Ahh... I see how she got you, wasn't the usual addictive sweets she nabs those other poor sobs with. Just brute force, a lack of information, and options. Not understanding the Deep Magic probably doesn't help either."

Namine rises to her feet and walks over, gazing out of her cell towards Beaver's. "What do you mean?"

"The White Witch," spits the Beaver, "Is a self-proclaimed Queen of Narnia, she's not truthfully one. She was the first to rebel in Narnia, and she's the Emperor's Hangman for it, but she only has authority over traitors and those who willingly follow her. Those who serve others, like Aslan, aren't beholden to her. You know, outside of her just having us killed by her servants anyway."

Namine blinks a few times. "I... I don't... Emperor's Hangman? Whose Aslan?"

"The Emperor-Over-The-Sea is important, but not for right now," explained the Beaver, "As for Aslan, he's... well... he's a lion. Magnificent and wise, but a bit terrifying at times when he gets in a mood. Because he is wild, not tamed, never tamed. He is dangerous, exceptionally dangerous and powerful, but never doubt that he is good. I swear he's got eyes and ears everywhere he knows so much."

He considers her. "He's probably aware of your presence here, as he keeps an eye on the witch. If he knows of your power though... that I'm not sure."

"Finally, it is Aslan, not Jadis, who is the one true King of Narnia over all high kings and queens," explained Mr. Beaver.

Namine absorbed the information and thought it over before asking, "Why doesn't he do something about Jadis?"

"Common question that, of those who don't understand, of those who don't have faith in him," mused Beaver, "Aslan has a reason for most things he does or does not do. Not that we are privy to them unless he feels like telling us. He likes to see if we can do things without him needing to do them for us. Likes to give us the chance to prove who we are at heart, good or evil. That last one especially. While it may seem cruel, there's not better way to see the truth of someone's heart than in the face of adversity."

The Beaver add slyly. "Though in this case, there is a prophecy around the Witch and her fall that he might be waiting for."

He frowns. "But it ain't come to pass yet, the Sons and Daughters aren't here yet, and last I heard from Aslan's last appearance, it won't be for a least another few years yet. Its too early for things to be going to a head in that regard. So..."

Mr. Beaver considers her for a long minute. "So perhaps we'll have to take the future into our own hands. I can tell you don't want to serve her, perhaps that you never wanted to even..."

"I was never given a choice really," muttered Namine.

"Tell me," said the Beaver, gripping the bars in his tiny paws, "What happened?"

"I ended up in Narnia against my will, I wondered around, the wolves found and forced me to go to her or die, then she took me to the castle, alluded to me being turned into a statue if I didn't do what she wanted, tried to trick me into eating her tainted food but I felt it was wrong and refused, she gave me a little non-tainted food then threw me into this cell " said Namine bitterly, "She's been forcing me to learn how to use my magic for her own use."

The Beaver's eyes light up. "Oh ho! So not once, did you ever willingly agree to server her without threat or force behind your actions? Did you accept anything in exchange for your service?"

"I... no?" she thinks on it, thinks on the 'boons' she earned and whether those were really 'gifts' or not, whether she truly had a choice in them aside from suffer or die if she refused to play Jadis's cruel game. She never asked for anything, nor wanted to even be here. So she goes with what she feels, and has a hunch she'll learn one way or another if its right. "No. She's never really asked me to do something or given me something without a threat behind it or implied."

"That's going to come back and bite the witch," said Mr. Beaver, grinning.

"But how? How can I do anything being a 'traitor', except die?"

The Beaver smiles a wide toothy smile. "Tell me, she called you Namine that one time, right? Not that other awful name."

"Namine is my name," she agreed firmly.

"I, Mr. Beaver, faithful servant of Aslan and believer in a free Narnia, do so grant Namine, forgiveness for what she was ordered to do to me, and further grant permission to practice and develop her memory powers on me, with the Deep Magic as my witness," said Mr. Beaver.

Something heavy sets in the air, and all Namine can do is stare wide eye at the Beaver. Confused, and... as much as she hates the feeling, fragile. "...why?"

"Because I understand that sacrifices have to be made to stop that witch, even if that sacrifice is me; you're going to need to really know how your power works to fight her."

Namine stares at the Beaver, and she's humbled. "...how?"

"Tell me, Namine," says Mr. Beaver, chuckling briefly, "What is the difference between being a rebel, and being a traitor?"

Chapter Text

"...and where are they camped, my dear?" asked Jadis with mock affection.

"Well, most don't like to stick around in one spot, love," said Mr. Beaver, patting Jadis's knee in return affection, "Especially the centaur, roamers and all that."

Namine watches the interrogation, sickened to her core. Jadis had ordered her to replace Mrs. Beaver in his mind with Jadis, and the den he lived at with Jadis's castle. Intellectually, Namine knows Beaver gave her his secret permission and forgiveness, but watching it in action, violating his mind in such a way... it takes so much not to wretch, to cry, to... to just stand there watching it happen. But... but she knows she has to.

She and Beaver had talked and practiced long into the night. She knew she wasn't ready yet to risk facing Jadis. She didn't know if Jadis had any kind of defenses against this power, and if Namine failed, it was going to be the only chance she had because Jadis would kill her. Namine needed time to learn more, to become quick and precise. So while Jadis was interrogating the Beaver, Namine was practicing her power on the wolves watching Mr Beaver. She picked through their minds, practicing locking, sealing, unchaining, re-chaining, and fogging unimportant memories that wouldn't alert them to something happening at the moment. She was learning how different kinds of memories felt, and was becoming better on picking up on that difference between them faster.

Happy, sad, joyful, hateful, emotional memories were easier to locate. But the things Namine wanted to do and find, erasing the memory of how to perform an act, was harder. The wolves for example had so many memories from when they were pups to now that steadily taught them how to hunt. A lot of that had patience, and that didn't really jump out to her. She's very certain that if she were being hunted by a wolf right now, she wouldn't be able to break the chains of memories that taught them how to track her down. Not quickly enough anyway, not without brute force breaking them all.

"...but really, if I had to pick a place, Beruna is pretty frequent," said Mr Beaver, "And, ya know, the spot."

Jadis leaned forward. "...the spot?"

"Ahuh," agreed Mr. Beaver, "If Aslan calls for us to unite, the fields outside Beruna are where we are to gather."

Jadis smiles menacingly. "Thank you dear, you've been so very helpful."

The False Queen of Narnia looks up to Namine, "My little abomination, would it not be kind to fix his mind? It would be such a shame for him to keep thinking we are wed, and to not realize just what he has told me."

Cruel bitch.

Larxene might have hurt Namine (cut and healed her so many times), had been cruel, but honestly, Larxene hadn't ruined near the amount of lives Jadis had. All those statues downstairs were people frozen. All the memories she was witnessing in the wolves, of their orders to hurt, hunt, kill, capture, and the like. Loose things they were aware of. All the people Jadis enslaved. Namine personally feared and hated Larxene, but really, she had nothing on Jadis. Well, if Larxene got the drop on Jadis maybe she could kill her, but otherwise...

Namine shakes away the thought and does what the White Witch asks. The Beaver's face screws up for a moment as his mind processes the sudden change, he blinks a few times, then he grows furious and glares at Jadis. "You! You!"

"Me," mocks Jadis, "Take him away."

The wolves surround the Beaver, snapping, "Move, runt."

Mr. Beaver harrumphed. "Runt? I'd kick your sorry behind one on one."

The wolf nipped at him in warning. "Fine fine fine, I'm moving."

Jadis hummed as she leaned back in her chair. "Beruna. I wont likely be able to deal with all of them at once if they aren't gathered, but I will certainly be able to eliminate a great deal of my opposition, and properly cow the rest with a show of force."

She snaps her fingers, a pulse of magic emanating from it. After a few minutes, one of her servants, a minotaur, entered the throne room and knelt before the White Witch. "My Queen."

"General Otmin," she greeted, "I want the summons to go into effect. Within the week, I desire our forces marshaled, and scouts sent out to Beruna to asses the area."

Namine's stomach plummets.

A week?

A week?!

That's all the time she has?

She swallows thickly. She could let it go through, do nothing, keep growing better with her power, but...

Could she live with herself if so many people died because of her power and lack of action?

No.

A week, a week is her deadline. A terrifying deadline, but a deadline non-the less.

"Its time."

Namine startles and looks to Jadis. "What?"

The White Witch has perhaps the most cruel expression on her face that Namine has ever seen. "You are my trump card, my little abomination. A week is not a long time to perfect your use. How fortunate that we have an entire host of frozen guests downstairs to practice on."

"Practice what on?" asks Namine with a sinking feeling in her stomach.

"Our enemy is Aslan," whispers Jadis hatefully, "We must be able to destroy him quickly, without hesitation. On this end, I want to see what happens if you destroy someone's memories completely, and for you to be swift about it."

Namine pales.

Jadis smiles.

The walk downstairs is terrifyingly slow, and it gives Namine time to make a choice. She could use this to practice the very thing Jadis wants, only to use it on Jadis when she is ready rather than Aslan. But to practice on the innocent, who never willingly chose to make the sacrifice Mr Beaver has? She's not sure she could ever forgive herself, or if she'd ever want to. She clenches her fists tightly, fingers scratching at her own skin anxiously. If its not about forgiveness, then could she live with herself if she did this? On the other hand, could she live with not doing it? Could she stop Jadis without truly knowing the ins and outs of destroying someone's memories? Who knows how many will suffer if she fails here.

Castle Oblivion weighs heavily on her mind, Roxas's murder by forcing him back to Sora weighs heavily on her mind. In the end...

In the end, she does not know if its weakness or strength that causes her to make the decision:

She will not let anyone force her to murder or destroy someone ever again.

So when Jadis orders Namine to obliterate the memories of those she unfreezes, Namine grabs all their memories and does one giant haphazard lock instead, reverting them to basically babies who can only babble and flail. Jadis laughs at their helplessness, gleeful as she pokes and prods them before refreezing them. Namine never knows if she will ever get the chance to undo this later, so she undoes the locks as they're frozen, giving them no chance to react while their minds are re-adjusting. She hopes that if they are ever unfrozen, they wont suffer side effects from such heavy changes in such a short amount of time along with their being unfrozen and re-frozen.

The chance to practice destroying memories does come however.

At the end of the day, the minotaur Otim returns, relays that the order to gather has been given. Jadis gives the beast-man a room to sleep in, but instructs him to take Namine to her own first. She picks through his memories, and her rage grows. Oh, she already had some idea from the wolves, and from Mr Beaver's memories. But first hand experience? Otim is Jadis's left hand, her general. He is responsible for atrocities and wholesale slaughter. She witnesses memories of murder, of bringing a battle-axe down and killing the innocent as if she had done so herself.

She's shaking by the time they reach her room. She can hardly breath, she has tears streaming down her face. How can such evil exist? How can anyone do that to so many other living beings? Enjoy in their suffering? Why why why why why?!

Otim takes one look at her face and gives her a look of disgust before shoving her into the room. "Weak. I don't know what our Queen sees in a pathetic, worthless, little abomination like you."

Something snaps inside of her. Like a tide, something cold and consuming washes over her. Its hate. All consuming. She hates her power. She hates her life. She hates Jadis. She hates Otim. She hates DiZ. She hates Larxene. She hates Marluxia. She hates the Organization. Part of her hates the original Kairi. Part of her hates the Keybearers for dying and not being there to stop everything that happened. She hates so much and so many more things, but most of all, she hates herself. She hates and hates and hates and hates...

Namine turns and looks at the beast, for that is all he truly is, and raises her hand. A dark, purplish glow surrounds her hand, spreading down to coat her body. "Let me show you."

He doesn't get the chance to scream.

She reaches in on terrifying instinct.

There is something dark in her that just knows.

She shatters the chain of memories without a shred of hesitation.

Otim drops with only the sound of impact as the result. Drool leaks down his mouth. His eyes are vacant.

She stares at him, stares at her hand... stares at the darkness coating her body...

She doesn't care.

All she feels is hatred.

All she feels is pain.

"We have all night together until we are needed," muses Namine, "I suppose I better see if I can stitch you back together again to not draw suspicion."

She smiles down at the beast.

Its not a kind smile.

"If I can't, I'll make an excuse, that you tried to hurt me and I defended myself," she continues, "If I can, well... we're going to keep practicing destroying you again and again and again..."

She giggles to herself.

Everything feels right.

Everything feels wrong.

Why does everything hurt so much?

She pushes it aside, and she reaches inside the beast again, considering the mess she made, and sees about forcing it back together.

*skitter skitter*

She pauses and looks up, seeing...

She narrows her eyes at the sight of one of those little irritating monsters that had attacked her and Kairi. Its standing on the other side side of her room's window's bars, staring at her. Irritation comes out of it like before, but something... else to, a feeling she can't parse at the moment, the mess that she is. She's not sure what it is, but she doesn't care. She aims a darkness coated hand at it and unmakes it...

She stitches the minotaur back together, repairing enough chains of memories to make it functional. She had some practice already from fixing Sora, and with this beast she doesn't care if she's gentle about the whole thing. She erases her destruction of the beast from its mind, and forces a kind of vague uncaring glaze over the damage that remains. It knows enough to command, to lead, to fight, that its loyal to Jandis, some basic information on how to eat and function day to date. But things like its wife? Its children? Its clan?

It doesn't deserve to remember them.

Twisted glee files her for a moment, for making this horrible monster suffer...

Even if she knows what she is doing is wrong.

Jadis of course doesn't particularly notice anything wrong with Otim, doesn't care about her underlings. Namine's growing apathy over her 'practicing' on the unfrozen victims is however noted, praised, and rewarded. So long as she doesn't leave the castle, she's allowed to wander about, allowed to eat whenever she wants. Apparently becoming an heartless wretch is all one needs to earn Jadis's favor. She hates it.

That she's rewarded for hurting others.

Its all she ever does.

As the week passes, it feels like that hatred is eating her alive, colder and colder. She's falling apart, and its... its hard to feel anything but hate anymore. She wonders, is this what its like to be consumed by darkness? Is she going to turn into a heartless she wonders, or just stop caring at all?

Jadis makes a passing comment on the last dinner before they are to depart the following morning, "Perhaps you should say 'goodbye' to your first test subject, hmm? Let him know that when we return, Aslan and his pathetic resistance will be no more."

Jadis leans back in her chair, smirking. "Perhaps it would be a kindness to destroy his memories too and let the cold take him, rather than let him live on beyond the death of the one he devotes himself to. Or not, I leave it to you, my little abomination."

"As you wish," said Namine quietly, getting up and leaving.

Mr Beaver takes one look at her when she walks into the cells and knows something is wrong. "Namine? Lass? What is it?"

Namine shrugs, not looking at him. "We're leaving for Beruna tomorrow and..."

"Namine," he said softly, "I don't care about that, what's wrong?"

The care in his voice brings tears to her eyes. "I..."

"C'mere dearie," he said patting the floor infront of his cell with a little paw reached through.

She obeys and slumps down, back against the bars. He paws gently through her hair. "What happened?"

"I... I went through her general's memories," she chokes out, "So many people, I watched him murder and hurt so many people... I can feel the blood on my hands, on my face, like I was there... I keep seeing it..."

"Oh Namine," said Mr Beaver with such sorrow, "Dearie, you shouldn't have done that. Shouldn't have forced yourself to see that. You're just a babe, you shouldn't..."

"I made him hurt," Namine interrupts, and the paws in her hair grow still, "I shattered and put him back together again and again and again..."

She's shivering. "I took memories of his family and clan away from him, and I... I enjoyed it."

Her shoulder's slump. "I only exist to hurt people..."

"Now you listen to me, Namine," said Mr Beaver, tone sharp, "I don't approve of what you did, and I don't think you do either. Even if that ol' bastard right deserves it, we aren't them, Namine. We can't become like them. You especially can't afford to become like them. Namine, I don't need to spell out what you'd become if you followed Jadis down the path that witch walked. Righteousness Namine, not revenge. I know this trial is cruel, I know its horrible for you, nothing a child should be forced to go through, especially so alone, but you've got to keep it together."

"I don't know if I can," she answers, starting to sob, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

"Breath Namine, breath," orders Mr Beaver, "One two three, breath with me dearie, breath. After this is over, after we're free of this, what are you looking forward to? Tell ol' Beaver."

Namine takes in gasping breaths, struggling with herself. "I... I want to go home."

"Yeah? Got family and friends you want to see?"

She thinks of Kairi, she thinks of Ame. The guards. Aqua. The other Keybearers, her duty...

She stares down at her hands, and briefly wills her hatred to life, seeing that dark miasma around her hands. All she feels is failure. "I don't deserve them..."

Mr Beaver hums to himself, resuming pawing through his hands. He doesn't argue with her, at least, not the way she thought he'd try. "Then what are you going to do to make sure you do deserve them?"

She clenches her fists tightly, closing her eyes. "I... I wanted the chance to help people, not hurt them."

Mr Beaver hums in agreement. "Then do so. Even if that bastard Otim doesn't deserve an ounce of compassion for what he's done, fix as much of his memories as you can on your way to Beruna. No one deserves their family stolen from them. As a repentance, maybe bring some focus on his family, good memories? When the Witch falls, those who served her faithfully are going to find their days numbered one way or another, so this'll likely be his last chance to think of them. Alright?"

"Okay...," she whispers, wondering how he can possibly find such kindness for so horrible a being.

"Use your power for righteousness, not revenge," continues Mr Beaver, "You want to help people? Help Narnia, like we planned. Defeat the Witch and the rest of them will fall apart. While I don't approve of their cowardice in not resisting her, many serve to not have the boot come down on their head. Don't destroy those you don't have to."

"Okay..."

"Its almost over Namine," soothes Mr Beaver, "Just hold yourself together for a little bit longer. Hold yourself together through tomorrow, through the travel time to Beruna, and then whatever happens there, and remember Namine, this is important, I know it only gives you a small window of opportunity, but you must declare your rebellion, in front of Aslan, the Witch, to the gathered Narnians, before you strike."

She opens her eyes, stares down at her hands... and tries her best to late go of the hate, watching the darkness slowly fade back into her. But its not truly gone, she can feel it lurking below her skin. Barely withheld. She truly doesn't know how much longer she can stand this before something gives again. She doesn't think it will be half as long as she did the first time, if she's even that lucky.

"I'll... I'll try," she says, "I don't know if I can, but I'll try."

He kisses the back of her head. "That's all I ask.

"I have a gift for you, my little abomination," said Jadis the following morning as they leave the castle.

Namine tilts her head. "I am gracious."

There is a chariot with big white bears waiting for them, a number of Jadis's troops ambling about, watching and waiting.

"I wasn't planning on this so soon, but you've impressed me greatly this last week," said Jadis, stopping at the cart and withdrawing her wand...

No.

That's not her wand.

That's a different one?

Where Jadis's wand had been long and white with a black handle, this one is shorter and translucent, the handle white.

"Take it," said Jadis, her voice rising, "They call me the White Witch, foolishly as an insult, but I dare say it is a strength. In my home-world, white was the color of death and mourning, so in calling me that, they herald me as the Death Witch. Its flattering, but I think the title is to be passed on now, to my apprentice, the newest White Witch."

Her voice has escalated for the last part, and those around them cheer her on, shouts of 'White Witch' 'White Witch' echoing through the cold castle. It makes Namine feel sick and wretched. She doesn't want it, she hates it, but she reaches for the wand all the same and takes it. She also considers just what Jadis has done by openly declaring her an apprentice, giving her a title. Mr Beaver had explained some of the Deep Magic and laws to her. There was a risk, and a gamble with what she was doing before, but now, having a real rank and position gives a grounding for what she is to do. Rebelling as a nameless entity within Jadis's forces, an unwilling servant, is one thing, something others might have trouble believing in and accepting. For intent and belief matters a great deal in Deep Magic.

Rebelling as Jadis's so called apprentice however, is something else entirely. It gives her legitimacy.

Even if she hates being called that.

Aqua is her Master.

Namine is her apprentice.

No one else.

How dare she...

The hate swells for a moment, and Namine struggles not to use the wand on Jadis right then and there. And use it she knows she could. She feels strength in the wand, she can feel a... a springiness to her power while she's holding it. It feels like it would be easier to direct and funnel her power. It calls to her magic, her power of memory, and to the darkness she feels underneath her skin. She does not want this wand and what it represents, but she finds it ironically poetic. Jadis intends for her to use it to cause great harm, to help her defeat Aslan and secure her false-rule over Narnia.

Namine is going to do quite the opposite.

The ride is long and trying.

Namine was right in what she felt, the wand is a magic amplifier. She doesn't even want to consciously do so, but she ends up accidentally inside others memories during the travel. Mr Beaver was somewhat right. There are plenty here, even with just a ghostly touch and perusal, that she sees don't truly wish to serve. Who are afraid and coerced into service. But there are plenty more still who serve willingly. Who either don't care one way or another, believe in Jadis, or delight in cruelty. She doesn't act on it, but she really has a hard time believing she'd care if most of them died.

Everything hurts.

Surrounded by so much evil, so much malice, and right next to Jadis, Namine feels herself slipping. She focuses everything she has on the promise to Mr Beaver. On her desire to help, not harm. Righteousness, not revenge. It feels so weak though. She feels so weak...

So she reaches out to General Otim, and forces herself to do what she promised, even if she hates this monster. She puts a glaze over his mind and starts stitching his memories back together. She restores his family, having him relive the last time he spent with his son, some of the earlier memories of holding the newborn years ago. Time with his wife. Gatherings around a campfire with his clan. She sets him on a loop of such memories and... and lets herself sink into them.

Its hard, to hold back a shudder. How can any good exist in this kind of evil? The beast-man loves his wife, cherishes his children, and is greatly prideful of his clan. Perhaps he is a good father, husband, and clanmember. Yet he readily causes so much harm to others. She doesn't... she doesn't understand. It doesn't mean however that she's not going to use these memories to try to keep herself steady.

They break for the night, and in the morning...

Is it her, or is the snow... melting?

"My lady!" comes a wolf, rushing in, "Scouts have reported that the traitors are responding to our marshaling of forces, they gather at Beruna!"

Jadis laughs. "Do they? Good, good, we won't have to waste time hunting so many of them down then."

The wolf hesitates. "There's... there are rumors spreading through the town there, that Aslan was sighted yesterday."

Jadis sneers haughtily. "Has he? Good, we've forced him out of hiding at long last."

From her position on the chariot, Namine see's Jadis's hidden hands tremble. She's afraid, actually afraid. Did she not really expect Aslan to be there? Is she just nervous? Namine doesn't know, but if it makes Jadis unbalanced, she doesn't particularly care what is going through the Witch's mind. Jadis garbs herself in battle gear, but doesn't spare anything for Namine except the following words:

"Destroy Aslan when he appears, then hide, I have no use for you in an actual battlefield. If you flee while I finish this foolish resistance, I will hunt you down and you will regret it"

By the time they reach the plains and hillside outside Beruna, the field's snow is partially melted, fully on one side, only somewhat on theirs. Off in the distance she sees a gathering of various Narnians, readying themselves for a fight. The march closer and closer, she sees the opposing force ready themselves, front-lines arranging, lances pointed outwards, archers on the hillside. They don't race out to meet them, a defensive formation then. Trumpets sound and Jadis's forces roar loudly, making Namine wince. They stop a ways away, and Jadis's chariot goes forth alone. Namine doesn't like the attention forced on her by proxy. So many hateful eyes...

"Where is the lion!" shouts Jadis mockingly, "Where is your great savior? Has he abandoned you in your most dire time? Kneel! Kneel and beg forgiveness and perhaps you may be spared..."

Jadis's forces howl and roar and yell, rattling their weapons in a show of force...

Then a tremendously load roar sounds in return, echoing across the plains and silencing everyone. Jadis goes rigid, and Namine follows her gaze to see a great lion standing upon the highest hill, looking down at them, sunlight shining behind him. It can only be Aslan. He bounds down, and those faithful to him part like a wave, letting him stride forth. Alone. Jadis considers it, then a sly smile spreads. She cracks her reigns, and the chariot stops. She dismounts and beckons Namine to follow.

"Be ready. He foolishly approaches in the manner of parley when neither of us has sent someone to announce or negotiate it. Aslan is not to return to his forces alive."

Namine swallows, but obeys. The leaders of both side approach one another, Jadis and Aslan, marching eachother down, until they stop a ways from one another. This close, and Namine feels him. Feels the pressure, the sheer power, that he gives off, and is honestly terrified. Aslan so badly outclasses the Witch. Namine isn't certain, that even IF she had wanted to strike at him, that she could have done anything.

"I'm surprised," mocked Jadis, "After abandoning your people for near a hundred years, you finally show your face. Its a wonder no one invoked..."

"Do not," growled Aslan, "Recite the Deep Magic to me, Witch, and what should or should not be done with it."

Jadis tenses. "I am the Queen of Narnia, I shall recite what I deem necessary."

"You are the Emperor's Hangmen, no more, no less, and even that is a role poorly done," countered Aslan.

Jadis bares her teeth.

He bares his own back.

His is far more impressive.

"Why have you come here, Jadis?" demanded Aslan, "You've seen fit to sit on your false throne for so long, and yet now you seek to march and destroy what is left of free Narnia?"

"Because now, I have your end in the palm of my hand," said Jadis, straightening her back and smiling menacingly at Aslan, "You should not have returned."

"I will always return when my people truly need me," said Aslan, "And you have grown arrogant indeed if you think to best me."

"Me? Oh no, I won't be the one to kill you," said Jadis, grabbing Namine's shoulder and shoving her forward, "My little abomination, dispose of him."

Namine staggers a bit and falls to her knees, wincing, hand clutching her wand tightly. She looks up at Aslan, and feels so... utterly... small.

"Truly Jadis?" growls Aslan with so much contempt in his voice Namine shivers, "You shove a child between you and I and demand that she fight in your stead? Is there no low you will not sink to?"

The lion doesn't even look at her.

Namine wonders briefly if he is just as arrogant as Jadis.

Or is rightly confident.

She doesn't care either way. He is not her enemy. But she doesn't want him to attack if she does a sudden move. So she cautiously, pressing her intent to -not harm-, and reaches for his mind, bringing up her memory of...

It feels like someone grabbed her tightly in a mighty burning grip and forces her attempt still, tightening.

If Namine could laugh through the pain, she would.

Jadis was doomed to failure no matter what.

Namine didn't have a prayer against Aslan.

She presses the memory of her pact with Mr Beaver forward against the grip, and there is a pause to the tightening, the feeling of eyes washing over her. Aslan's mighty presence grips the memory and takes it from her, sampling it...

The fierce pride and care Aslan feels for Mr Beaver takes her breath away. He returns the memory to her with a comment and order. 'Beaver has more than earned his place in my country. Do what you came here to do, child.'

Aslan sits down, resting his chin on his paws, huffing.

"You... YOU DARE MOCK ME?!" shrieks Jadis.

Namine pushes herself to her feet, turns, raises her voice as loud as she can, and shouts. "Jadis, the Emperor's Hangman, I declare you a false queen! A traitor to Narnia itself!"

Jadis startles. "What?"

Namine continues. "I declare you unfit for your role and purpose, unfit to lead, and with the Deep Magic as my witness, I declare rebellion against your tyranny!"

Jadis stares at her, stunned.

Namine raises her wand.

Jadis recovers, goes for her own, raising it.

Namine strikes first.

She strikes last.

Jadis falls to the ground, every single chain of memory she had, shattered into pieces.

There is a stunned silence all around.

"Cover your ears child," ordered Aslan, rising to her feet.

She does.

He ROARS.

Jadis's forces turn tall and flee. In their wake, the snow is melting rapidly, Jadis's hold over her magic gone.

Namine falls to her knees, shuddering, arms wrapped around herself. "Its... its over..."

Aslan walks over to Jadis, staring down at her contemplatively. "I suppose it is."

He turns and looks at her, gaze hardening. "I must go and rescue those the Witch had held prisoner. You will be taken into custody and will remain there until I return to decide your fate. Mr Beaver made a pact with you, but it was one he did made in ignorance. I can sense that you are not of this world, you had no right to be here and interfere in its destiny, a destiny you have potentially thrown into jeopardy by forcing this confrontation early. Four were to come and stand against the witch, proving themselves worthy of becoming the Kings and Queens of Narnia. You have taken this from them, and even I cannot foresee how this will change things, whether it be for better or for worse."

Namine swallows thickly, tears in her eyes. "I never wanted this. I never asked for this."

Aslan's hard gaze does not change. "If I did not believe that myself, I would not stay my hand for this moment."

A few centaurs come, and she is led away...

By midday the following day, Aslan returns leading a tide of unfrozen freed prisoners, Mr Beaver there walking at his side. Namine watches from the entrance of her tent that two centaur stand guard at. They stop a ways away, Mr Beaver arguing quietly but steadily with Aslan about something. Most likely her. The rest join with those currently there, happily reunited. Far to many however, give her a angry glare, or a terrified look. She... she never wanted people to look at her that way...

She returns to the innards of the tent and sits down, bringing her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them.

Aslan enters some time later. "Namine."

She swallows and looks up, voice dry. "Aslan."

He stares at her for a long moment. Slowly, he sits down, resting his chin on his paws. "In successfully rebelling against Jadis, you currently hold her position as the Emperor's Hangman. As such, you have two choices. You may take her place and bind yourself to this world, becoming an inhabitant of Narnia, or you will give up that role and be exiled from Narnia, never to return. For you interfered where you were not meant to, even if you were forced to against your own will. You committed terrible violations of the mind, even if they were at the behest of your tormentor, even if you undid them after, it does not change what you did."

"I never wanted this," she repeats from yesterday, voice filled with sorrow and regret, "I... I just want to go home."

"With the Deep Magic as your witness, you willingly give up the right to all traitors and all that would follow you?" he confirms.

"I do," she confirms.

He nods, a heaviness briefly filling the air before it dissipates. "It is done."

He sighs. "I am not needlessly cruel. I will not cast you out to a random world. What world is your home? I shall return you to it."

She swallows, considering. She could go back to Radiant Garden, spend time with her family, try to bury this... but... the Keybearers have to be worried. She has a duty to them to go back. "The Land of Departure."

Aslan goes still. "A Keybearer, you're a..."

He cuts himself off and stares at her, tilting his head. "So that is what I felt. The power within you has yet to awaken. Have you only just begun your journey?"

"I've had lessons for only a week before I was abducted."

Aslan sighs again. "Very well, I will return you to Master Eraqus."

Namine startles. "You... you know him?"

"I am aware of the Order of Keyblade Masters," explains Aslan, rising to his feet, "We have a loose agreement that I will watch over my dominion, and that they will not expend their efforts here. Come."

"Can... can I say goodbye to Mr Beaver?" she asks quietly.

"Quickly," he agrees as they exit the tent.

The hug is brief and crushing. "You take care of yourself Namine, you here? This trial hurt you, take the time you need to patch yourself together."

"I... I'll try," she promises, "And... and you take care of yourself to. I'm... I'm so sorry about what you had to go through, tell... tell Mrs Beaver that I'm sorry to her as well."

Mr Beaver huffed. "I'm going to refrain from telling her I thought that blasted Witch was her for a time. I'm not going to do that to her poor heart."

Namine nods. "I'm still sorry all the same."

"I know dearie, I know."

"Namine."

She turns around and sees Aslan pawing the wand Jadis gave to her, rolling it over to her. "I believe this is yours, White Witch."

Namine flinches. "I... I don't want either that or the title. I refuse to be what she tried to make me."

"Then don't be," agrees Aslan, "But that title is yours even if you are not the Emperor's Hangman."

"So what, I'm a death witch?" she asks bitterly.

"White meant death in her world's culture, in some it is a cold color, it can mean unhappiness and misfourtune," agreed Aslan, "But in others, it means innocence. Purity. Peace. Trust."

"I've never known that color to mean anything but pain," said Namine hoarsely, "And there is nothing innocent about this terrible power I have."

"Your power and role is what you make of it, Namine," said Aslan, "You can let it drag you down, or you can claim it and make it yours. Be the White Witch of your own making, in spite of Jadis and those like her. Use your power and that wand to do good, in opposite of everything they desired."

Namine swallows and answers honestly. "I don't know how."

How could her power over memory be used for good?

"You'll learn," Aslan answers.

Namine takes in a shaky breath, but picks up the wand.

"I will be going with you briefly to speak with Eraqus, but afterwards, your exile is in effect, and I never expect to see you in this world again," he said, voice warning and filled with promise. It goes without saying that her punishment wouldn't be exile a second time.

Aslan turns, and glows with light. Power emanating from him, earning a gasp from Namine. He gives a roar that makes her wince, and... and a Door of Light appears. She gapes at it, before recovers when his head tilts and he motions her through. She gives one last look at Mr Beaver, who offers her a soft, sad smile, before she leaves through the portal, Aslan walking at her side...

Chapter Text

Its a relief to see the Land of Departure's keep again.

Namine and Aslan leave the door of light and come out at the steps. She wants to rush up to her room, curl on her bed, and sleep her time in Narnia off like a terrible, terrible nightmare. She doesn't however believe she's going to anytime soon. She isn't... isn't confident how Master Eraqus is going to react. She didn't have a choice in this... not really... but... she did interfere with a world, which is directly against what a Keybearer is supposed to do. But...

She sighs quietly and pushes the thought away tiredly. Whatever happens, happens, and even if they boot her out back to the Radiant Garden... shes not sure how much she cares at the moment...

Aslan hums. "Its been many a generation since I was last here. It hasn't changed in the slightest."

His eyes flash, and a pulse of translucent energy pulses off him that makes the hair on the back of Namine's head stand straight up, but nothing else. She figures its a call to attention, and sure enough, the keep door opens not much later and Eraqus strides out. He focuses first on Aslan, a subtle frown on his face, then he notices Namine. His eyes light up with relief. Then his gaze flickers between her and Aslan in consideration. He strides down the steps until he is at the bottom, gazing at the great lion.

"A lion," he murmurs, "I do not believe you are of the Pride Lands, not one of Mufasa's, they would not know how to cross worlds."

He tilts his head. "Are you... Lord Aslan?"

Aslan tips his head. "Well met, Steward Eraqus, I am."

"Its been quite a long time since you last met with my Order," stated Eraqus, "I take it you found and rescued our wayward apprentice?"

"Rescued is not quite the word I would use," said Aslan, "We will talk in private."

"Stay on the steps, Namine, you are not leaving my sight again outside the keep," ordered Eraqus.

She nods and walks slowly past and sits down. She catches a brief concerned look from him before he strides to the other end of the courtyard, still in vision, and speaks in low tones with Aslan. Namine doesn't feel enough to want to watch. She wonders briefly if Aqua is here, but she doubts it. She'd probably be out looking for Namine, or investigating what was going on with the Princesses. There is a flash of light about fifteen minutes later, Aslan departing through a portal back to Narnia. Eraqus doesn't move, staring off in the distance, jaw clenched. Namine's shoulders hunch, she bows her head, and she waits.

A few minutes later, the patter of armored boots come her way, coming into her view. "Namine."

"Grandmaster," she answers quietly.

"Look at me."

She does, she feels so worn.

His gaze washes over her, lips tight, but he merely shakes his head. "Come. I don't want you to remain outside more than absolutely necessary even with a watcher. I have made sure to secure the keep so no unapproved entities can enter it, but the outside holds no such protection."

She trudges up the steps behind him in silence.

"Ventus is off doing chores," says Eraqus as he walks, "Terra and Aqua are off looking for you and investigating the situation with the Princesses of Heart. They are due to check in within the next few days."

She doesn't respond.

He glances back at her briefly, concern warring with frustration, before his face smooths over. He leads her into the keep, to a room labeled 'ARMORY'. "You are not to enter here without an escort, am I clear?"

"Yes grandmaster."

"Give me your wand."

She hands it over without comment.

He enters the room, and she hears faint shuffling around. To her surprise, rather than store it away, he returns with both the wand and three cloth bands that have mechanisms and springs embedded into and connecting them. "Roll up your sleeve of your dominate arm."

She rolls up her right arm, watching curiously as he sets her wand against the wall, and then proceeds to wrap it near her shoulder, elbow, and wrist. He hooks her wand into the top one near her shoulder. "You wouldn't be the first Keybearer to have used an alternate weapon before they manifested their Keyblade, some even keep using others after. Its not a tragic idea, as it allows you to engage in combat without revealing your Keyblade. This is a wand-holster, the smallest one we have fortunately, used to keep your wand on your person, secure and hidden. Merely desire with intent your wand in your hand and it will spring it down the connection and push it into your hand. Roll up your sleeve and try it."

She stares at him, very much confused. "...you're not taking it away?"

He gives her a patient look. "Namine, you suffered an attempted abduction that saw you cast out into the worlds. I am not leaving you defenseless when someone activly seeks to kidnap you."

"Oh."

She rolls down her sleeve, focuses and flicks her wrist, and feels the wand sprung down her arm and into her hand. She sets it back before commenting, "That's useful I guess... a little uncomfortable to wear though."

"It will take getting used to," he agrees, "You don't need it while you sleep, and can choose if you wish to keep it after you attain your Keyblade. Come, lets get you fed."

She walks behind him into the dining hall and sits down while he goes to prepare food. He returns a short time later, muttering a spell that heats up the apparent leftovers before he places it before her and then sits across from her. She stares at the plate, not feeling hungry in the slightest. "What is my punishment going to be?"

Eraqus sighed. "You wish to have this conversation now? Before a chance to eat and rest?"

She shrugs, and wonders aloud at the worst. "If I'm not going to be here much longer, might as well."

"Namine," he says sharply, "That is absurd, I am not going to throw you out for your first transgression, especially one you had little choice in. I am displeased, to be sure, but I am more upset that you did not inform us of your power over memory than I am about your forced interference. What that Witch forced you to do was detestable and vile, and that you were forced to break our creed of noninterference an undesired and unfortunate outcome, the lack of trust you show in us matters more to me in the long run."

"I... I didn't want to ever use it again," she answered, "People have only ever wanted me to use it to hurt people."

Eraqus exhaled. "You did mention such to Aqua, and we did never inquire how they used you nor what powers you may have displayed. Perhaps some of this is on us, but I do wish you had given us your trust. We would not seek to have you use this power carelessly. Such a gift is to be treasured for certain circumstances..."

She gives him an incredulous look. "Treasured?!"

"The power over memory is not a power to be used in a trifle manner," said Eraqus in an agreeing tone, "But if the secrecy of the worlds is broken, then your power is one that can be used to recover it. Perhaps even more importantly for our role, the gift of memory magic does also hint at other powers you may have potential in."

She frowns. "Like what?"

"It has been some time since my more studious years," said Eraqus, "But memory magic affects the chains of memories I believe it is called, within a person's mind and within their heart. Does that sound right from your experiences?"

She nods slowly. "Yes. But... even if you unlink or replace certain memories, they're not truly forgotten. The heart will always remember."

He hums in consideration. "Indeed, and the heart is what I speak of. It is very likely you will have affinity for abilities and spellcraft specifically related to the heart."

He seems rather pleased with that. "I can imagine, based on your disposition, the ability to mend hearts might be something you'd prefer to learn about?"

"I...," she thinks of that year working on fixing what she had done to Sora in Castle Oblivion, weaving memories back together through mind and heart, and through him, those linked to him. She had thought that was just something with her memory ability? Or was that in truth what Eraqus was talking about? Because that link to the others had been through Sora's heart. Maybe it had been both techniques? "It... doesn't sound bad."

"We have a few books on the subject," he informed her, "As that would likely be your primary source of information. Neither myself or my apprentices exactly have an affinity for such abilities outside of basic things that come with being a wielder of the Keyblade."

"What would be those basic things?" she asks.

"We can lock hearts, or remove them in dire circumstances," said Eraqus, "Sometimes, a injured heart needs to be removed from its body, and both heart and body put in a sort of... stasis sleep, in order to heal over time. We have a special chamber for such things, we call it the Chamber of Waking."

Namine goes so very still, her mind blanking. What?

What?

She remembers that name being mentioned once. That... that had been something the Organization had sought in Castle Oblivion. What in the world... maybe the Organization got the world location wrong for the room? But how would they even know a room that existed in the land of the Keybearer's even existed? It was something the Xemnas had been looking for... who was an amnesiac Terra. Maybe he had remembered something? But why would he care for it? Oh... maybe someone had been in it. Something happened to the Keybearer's, but maybe someone had been injured and survived, being put in there? Could Aqua maybe have been alive in her original time? Or any of the others?

"Namine?"

She blinks, refocusing and noting Eraqus giving her a studious look. "I..."

She licks her lips. "There's so much to learn, so much I don't know."

There are so many potential links between now and then, so many things she doesn't understand.

He nods in agreement. "You are young, a starting apprentice, you will learn."

She nibbled on her lip. "C... could I see it? That Chamber of Waking?"

"Unfortunately," said Eraqus, "Making the Chamber of Waking is not something done lightly. It requires enacting this world's special protections."

He tilted his head back. "There were some theories about trying to be able to make the chamber available without doing so from some of the past Stewards during the last great conflict of our area, but they never had a chance to figure it out, leaving only notes and theories behind. I've not given it much thought otherwise, there has simply been no need."

"Special protections?" she asked.

He gives a secretive smile. "A secret for Keyblade Masters. Lets just say any who tried the defenses would find themselves lost to Oblivion."

Oblivion.

Pure ice shoots up her spine.

Oblivion.

Her hands are shaking in her lap.

Oblivion.

"A-alright," she says, trying, trying not to think. Trying not to think about the implications.

Oblivion.

His eyes crinkle in concern. "You're rather pale, perhaps its time for a rest, Namine. According to Aslan, you've had an incredibly trying experience."

Oblivion.

"I'd... appreciate it," she answered shakily.

Oblivion.

"Come," said Eraqus, making for the door, "I worked to enact enchantments around your room while you were gone, consider it a... doubling of the normal enchantments around our home. It takes a great deal of power to protect this entire building, but a single room is much simpler to secure. You are capable of enacting a lockdown of the room that will prevent anyone, aside from the Steward and those you give special permission to, from entering. I will show you how when we get there It is my hope you never need to use it, but... just incase the forces of Darkness ever breach our home."

Oblivion.

The word echoes in her head again and again. Its a struggle to keep herself together. To not think. To keep putting one leg in front of the other. He leads her back to her room, and shows her a button shapes like a Keyhole, covered by a glass case as to not accidentally hit it. "Merely flip the case open, and press the button. It takes three seconds to take effect, powering up to full effect over that time. In the event you have for some reason hit it accidentally even with the glass case, if you stop holding down early, it will fade back to normal over a short time. When the room is activated, a hatch will appear in the center of the room to a enchanted storeroom, full of food and water kept in stasis. Enough for a year. To deactivate it, hold the button for thirty seconds and the power will disengage. I've also took the liberty of shifting a few rooms around in the castle, you have your own personal bathroom now as well."

Oblivion.

She blinks, glancing up and seeing a closed door that wasn't there next to her bed. "Oh... thank you... you can just do that? Move rooms?"

Oblivion.

"If I enact special powers granted to all stewards, yes," confirmed Eraqus, "It requires time, concentration, and a great deal of energy to do, but I've had time since your disappearance, and I wanted to make sure you would be safe, secure, and in comfort here."

Oblivion.

He puts a hand on her shoulder. "I am not happy you disobeyed and left the keep, it left you open to the very thing that happened, but expecting a teenager to listen to and understand every word and command was an endeavour in foolishness. It also our fault we did not keep a better eye on you when danger was afoot. Never doubt though, Namine, that we care for you and wish to keep you safe. Please, from now on, if we give an order, it is to be obeyed, its rare we give them out without reason."

Oblivion.

She nods her head and goes to sit on her bed, hands clasped together.

Oblivion.

"I will check back later for dinner and see if you wish to come down, otherwise, rest well, my grand apprentice.

Oblivion.

"Thank you, grandmaster," she says quietly.

Oblivion.

He leaves, and she manages for a minute after he closed the door before she breaks out in choking, gasping sobs. "Oblivion."

Lost to Oblvion. There are many things that could mean. But combined with her own experiences in her original life, it really doesn't take much of an imagination to connect the dots. The Chamber of Waking being one of the bigger clues as well as what Eraqus said. This place... the keep...

She curls into a ball on her bed, choking out, "I-i-t-s... its C-castle O-oblivion."

The Keep of the Land of Departure is Castle Oblivion. Tears stream her face, and she can hardly stand it. That this place of safety was the same place of torment she had been born into. Part of her wants to deny it and bury the thought. Another part can't, and wants to run out of here screaming her lungs off. A further, morbid part, wonders if her room is the same room she was kept in before, because horrific coincidences like that would be fitting for her, wouldn't they? How many rooms here had Larxene bled her in? How many rooms had Marluxia...

Her mind skitters away, the most she can do is shake and cry herself into exhaustion and sleep, if Eraqus returned later, he decided to let her sleep, because she was out for the rest of the day...

"Namine, you awake?"

Namine stirs, blinking blearily at Ventus's voice, the knocking on her door. "What?"

Why was Ven in the White Witch's castle...?

Then she looked around. Oh. Not there. But why...? She hadn't had that problem sleeping in the tent Aslan put her in... Oh. Hadn't bothered to draw up the blanket, the cold...

She shook her head and cleared her throat. "Yes?"

"Breakfast in a minute," he called in.

"I'll... I'll be down after I shower and change," she answered.

"K'ay," he said back, "And Namine? I'm really glad you're okay and back."

She wasn't okay, and she really wasn't happy to in truth be in Castle Oblivion. But it wouldn't be right to take that out on Ven. "Thank you."

She tears the clothes she'd been 'gifted' by Jadis off and dumps them in a corner to be burnt when she has the chance to ask Aqua to do so. She stood in a shower she set to uncomfortably warm near hot and just soaks in being on the other end of the temperature spectrum. Probably longer than strictly necessary, but unless she's told she shouldn't take long showers then this is going to become a part of every single morning for the foreseeable future. She drys and, checking her drawers, decided today was a all-purple kind of day.

She leaves her room and just stares down the empty hallways, trying to steel herself. How many times has she unknowingly walked these same halls? There were plenty of other colors, but some of the hallways were almost pure white, with gold bottoms. It... it grated now, set her breath hitching. She wished she could un-know...

She paused.

Why couldn't she?

She could tear the memories out. Unlike and bury them down deep and never have to consciously deal with them...

Except...

She'd know something was wrong. To many things in her life were linked to Castle Oblivion. She'd get confused about the blanks or thoughts that led to blanks, she'd get curious, wondering what was going on. She could imagine how horrific it would be to unlock those memories after purposefully forgetting them. Maybe she could leave herself some kind of message in her mind to warn herself off? But again... so many things were linked to the time there. If she'd suppressed her memories, would she have realized the importance of the Chamber of Waking? She might miss connections and implications that could help her prevent whatever happened to the Keybearers. Its... its depressive, but... she'd rather suffer through her memories than risk losing anyone...

She enters into the dinning hall, both Eraqus and Ventus are still there, eating slowly, a plate ready and waiting for her. She offers quiet good mornings, and sits, picking at her food without appetite. She gets a raised eyebrow from her grandmaster and a not so subtle look at her plate. She sighs quietly and forces herself to eat.

"Did you see that boy in the mask again after he pushed you through that portal?" asked Ven.

Namine shook her head.

"Its best to wait for further questions until the others return," placated Eraqus, "I know enough from Lord Aslan to be satisfied for now without an in-depth debrief."

Namine wants the world to swallow her whole. It would be kinder to put her out of her misery that re-live what Jadis put her through...

"Namine!"

She startles at Aqua's voice, surprised to see her Master rushing through the doorway so soon, she briefly catches two figures behind the blue-haired Keybearer before she's picked up out of her seat and hugged tightly. "Light, I'm so glad you're okay."

Namine swallowed and merely buried her face in Aqua's shoulder.

"Where... where did you end up? What happened?"

"That will have to wait," said Eraqus in an odd tone, "As I see you have returned our wayward Keyblade Master to us."

Namine blinked. What?

Aqua set Namine down. "Right, we encountered Master Xehanort not long ago in our search, gave him your orders to return, and came back with him when he offered to accompany us."

Namine turned to look back at the entrance to the dining hall. Terra stood in the doorway, smiling in relief at Namine. Next to him stood an elderly man. Bald. Oddly pointed ears. An expressionless face. Cold yellow eyes. A short white beard. Hunched over a little bit, hands clasped behind his back. He bore an open white and black coat with a red inner lining, worn over a buttoned white shirt and black pants. Black boots up to his knees. He gave a curt bow, a single white-gloved hand sweep in front of him before returning.

His voice is crisp and dry. "I returned per your standing order. Though Eraqus my friend, I'm hardly a youngling in need of a scolding for wandering off. I am a seeker, it is my duty to wander the worlds in search of what upsets the balance."

"Be that as it may," said Eraqus a slow, paced tone, rising to his feet and motioning to the table, "There is... a perilous threat at large, and oddities I need to... confirm with you about."

Xehanort tilted his head. "About Vanitas I assume?"

Eraqus frowned. "Who?"

"The boy in the Mask," said Aqua, "Xehanort filled us in a little bit, it... makes sense. But... Ven... really shouldn't be here for this conversation."

"Hey!" exclaimed Ventus, "That's not fair!"

"Ventus, you have chores to go and do, do not linger and eavesdrop," said Eraqus in a warning tone.

Ventus scowled and stalked off. The Steward still regards Xehanort with suspicion, but there is a flicker of hope in his eyes. Namine recalled that he thought Xehanort was the primary suspect, but hoped he wouldn't be. If Aqua thought he might not be... then maybe it would be okay?

"Explain about this 'Vanitas'," ordered Eraqus.

"You recall when I left Ventus in your care, after I failed in my duties as his master?" posed Xehanort with a tint of regret and grief, moving to sit at the table.

"I do."

"It... ended up being more dire than I thought," admitted Xehanort, "I had extracted the darkness overwhelming the boy and cast it out, assuming it would dissipate. I then brought him to your care, but when I had returned to clean up the area... I discovered an oddity, a Boy in a Mask was wandering around the area that Ventus had his... episode. I was wary, and confused, as I sensed darkness from him. I attempted to speak with the boy, hoping to lead him off that path. He was at first monotone, didn't reply to most things save for yes and no in an emotionless voice. But that soon changed. He started to react in a hostile manner, he did not attack me, but his words were cruel and without care. Then, he started claiming he was Ventus, and summoned his keyblade as supposed proof, though he was confused why it wasn't the same as before."

Eraqus blinks. "He what?"

"I was, to be frank, baffled myself," agreed Xehanort, "And argued with him about this... mistaken identity, I called him Vanitas as to have something to refer to him as. I figured that perhaps he was Yen Sid's, as I had heard our old friend had taken an apprentice. I considered that perhaps Ventus's darkness lingering in the area had affected him. At least... until I figured it just how badly I had failed young Ventus. Because the boy knew things about my training with Ventus, screamed and ranted at me about it perhaps rightly being my fault he existed in the way he did."

"Xehanort, stop beating around the bush," snapped Eraqus.

"The boy was made out of Ventus's darkness," said Xehanort, sighing, "I believe I bungled the darkness extraction, badly."

Made out of Ventus? What Vanitas had said... he was half of Ventus's heart? The dark half? How could a Keyblade Master mess up so badly he ripped out half of someone's heart?

Eraqus ran a hand down his face. "...badly. Badly you say. Xehanort, that is an understatement of the wildest degree. Darkness is meant to be kept counterbalanced by the light within a heart. I can understand panicking, but darkness extraction was beyond a poor decision, you should have simply knocked him out and brought him here for more careful guidance. Ventus's amnesia makes far more sense now."

He gives Xehanort a hard look. "Frankly Xehaort, I ought to revoke your privileges to be a seeker, let alone your credentials to teach, after such a catastrophic blunder."

Xehanort gave a small, sad smile. "I'm aware, my friend. I have not taken another apprentice of my own accord for similar thoughts."

Eraqus exhaled. "Did you not think to mention Vanitas last time you were here, or at all from when you left Ventus with us to now?"

"I thought the creature was dead," admitted Xehanort, "Perhaps it was foolish of me, but I tried to give it a chance, to see if it could be more than it was. But it used my lessons against me, attacked people we were to protect. I struck it down, and it vanished into a pool of darkness. I had thought it was dealt with until after the Mark of Mastery Exam. After I left, the very next world I went to, I found those odd creatures, the Unversed. I followed them, and discovered to my horror, that not only was Vanitas alive, but he was the one creating these monsters."

Eraqus sat back down and drummed his fingers on the table. "What specifically does Vanitas know?"

"I suspect everything that I ever taught young Ventus," said Xehanort, "Our role as Keybearers in safeguarding the Princesses of Heart. Various precepts and regulations regarding use or misuse of the Keyblade, how other Keyblade Lines are to be interacted or not interacted with and protocol on how to contact them in dire times. The location of our home here in the Land of Departure. The duties of a Seeker VS a steward based Keybearer, miscellaneous things about our home that I would have mentioned on and off over the years. Various spells and abilities I taught Ventus, especially ones more oriented towards our role as seekers and keeping our presence minimal. You get the idea."

Namine mentally ticked off everything she remembered from the initial investigation into Radiant Garden, and his words did pretty much hit or hint at everything... but...

Vanitas's words from the first time they met, are still lethal and still very clear in her mind: "The Master says killing the fresh meat should cause a lot of chaos and trouble that he can take advantage of, but personally, I don't care about that. What I care about is how a weakling like you gets chosen out of blue for failing to protect a little girl and getting clobbered, while I..."

That implies he was ordered to do so... but... he could have been lying. Or could mean someone else. She thought he was maybe in a situation a lot like Riku was in back at the start of everything, she wondered who his Maleficent was, or if she's even right about it. Either way, she has no actual proof aside from an encounter she hadn't even mentioned to the other Keybearers, and its still only her word VS a Keyblade Master. She'd watch him carefully though...

Eraqus sighed heavily, but the suspicion in his eyes was gone, only leaving tiredness behind. "Then it is a dire situation indeed. A creature of darkness made manifest, that has access to and far too much knowledge about the Keyblade. I need you to stay for a time, as you need to be brought up-to-date on just what the creature has wrought. But first..."

He gave a warning look to all present. "Ventus is not to be made aware of the particulars. This is not his fault, and I fear he would take it that way, along with feeling that he should personally resolve the issue. I want Ventus nowhere near this Vanitas. Is this clear?"

That gets an agreement from those present. Eraqus settled in and gave Xehanort a run down of everything they had discovered thus far. The man's face slowly turned into a narrow-eyed scowl by the time Eraqus finishes. "I had not dared dread how badly things could have spiraled out of control from that single lapse."

He sighed and rubbed his forehead. "You would not be unwarranted in demanding the worst punishment for such a transgression."

Eraqus looked revolted. "I'm not going to brand you with the sigil for an accident, Xehanort, even with what came of it."

"I don't particularly want it either," said Xehanort, contrite, "But a princess was killed, potentially more, using my teachings."

"Then finish aiding us in resolving this crisis and destroying Vanitas, and it will be considered a painful lesson for our line," said Eraqus, "You may be a seeker, Xehanort, but you are not alone. You have us, Xehanort, if you are in over your head then seek us out, do not try to handle things alone. You are my friend, my brother, do not ever doubt that I would help you if asked."

Xehanort faltered for a moment, something almost like guilt in his eyes, but it was gone just as quick as it appeared. "Of course Eraqus... its... been a long time since we last stood side by side in arms against the darkness, I am used to striving alone."

"Not anymore," said Eraqus, "I want you working close with us on this."

"Of course," agreed Xehanort, before frowning and glancing over at Namine, "One thing I am curious about. You said Vanitas tried to abduct the young apprentice here? That is a strange and risky act for so elusive and violent a creature. I would assume, and thankfully he didn't, but that he would have tried to simply kill her."

Aqua grips Namine's shoulder. "We're not really sure ourselves."

She glanced down at her. "Namine? Did this 'Vanitas' say anything to you?"

"He...," she faltered for a moment, licking her lips and bowing her head, "He was jealous, and... hurt, I think. He insulted me, called me a 'a weak, pathetic, little brat', he was angry that I was 'whole, chosen and cherished' while he said that he was 'incomplete, fighting to be whole'. Maybe he needs help?"

Aqua exhaled in anger and frustration. "If the boy wanted to be whole, wanted help, then he has long since passed the point where it would be given considering the crimes he's committed."

"If the boy wishes to be 'whole', and believes himself Ventus rather than a dark abomination spawned of him," said Eraqus slowly, warily, "Then perhaps he was going to use Namine as a hostage, an attempt to trade her for Ventus?"

"What could he have even done with Ven?" spoke up Terra.

Eraqus's lips purse tightly. "There are... possibilities. Its sad to say possession might be a better outcome than some of the worse ones."

Terra grimaced, personally revolted. "What could be worse than someone controlling his body?"

Eraqus shakes his head. "I will not speak of it, such things are barred by the precepts. This Vanitas needs to be tracked down, and dealt with as soon as possible."

He looks at Namine. "You are kind to think of help, but for such a monstrous creature, born of darkness, there is no help to be given save for release. Even IF Vanitas had committed no crime and come for help, I do not honestly believe there is a solution that would have worked in the long run. Pity the creature if you must, but his fate was sealed the moment he was born."

Namine looks down, saying nothing, but she clenches her fists tightly. That was a lot like saying Nobodies should be pitied and destroyed for being born. She likes Eraqus, but sometimes, his words and actions truly upset her. The back of her neck prickles, and she looks up briefly, seeing Xehanort watching her with consideration, cold; it reminds her of how Jadis would look at her.

"Well, it is fortunate, regardless of his desires, that Vanitas did not get his hands on young Namine," said Xehanort, "I believe Eraqus mentioned you fighting him, Master Aqua?"

"It was brief," said Aqua crisply, "I landed a good initial hit when he tried to take Namine and run, throwing him away from the portal. We clashed for less than a minute, he was more interested in escaping than fighting. He was injured, and losing, before he dove off the the cliff and formed a portal of darkness below him, disappearing."

"Clever creature," murmured Xehanort, frowning, "Predicting him will not be easy, and its likely he will strike again before we have a chance to track him down and stop him."

There is a silence for a few minutes as everyone mulls over what has been said. Aqua is the one to break it, "Namine, where did you end up? How did you get back?"

Namine's shoulders hunch. "I... I don't want to talk about it."

Aqua moves to kneel in front of her seat, looking at her in concern. "Namine...?"

"I can speak of what I know," said Eraqus, "She was returned to us by another, and he gave me a run down of what happened."

Aqua frowns, eyes not leaving Namine's face. "Alright."

"May... may I be excused while you talk?" asked Namine quietly.

Eraqus sighed. "You may for now, and while I know it hurts young one, you will have to talk about it eventually."

She swallowed and bowed her head, getting up and brushing past Aqua without further word. She retreated to her room. What does he expect her to do? Detail every way she was forced to violate someone's mind? Go over every time Jadis called her 'little abomination' with mock fondness? How the witch tried to 'reward' her every time she did something awful? How she lived freezing in a cell up until she violated Mr Beaver's mind and got a room out of it? How...

She cuts the thoughts off and goes to stand by her window, gazing out aimlessly, wondering what happens next. She... she wants something to do to take her mind of things. She wishes her training could resume and throw herself into it without worry or concern. But with everything going on right now... she's afraid she's going to be back to where she was before, sitting around under Eraqus's watch with nothing to do, stuck in her thoughts. She doubts a book would pull her away from her own mind...

Her door opens sometime later, a soft patter of feet entering the room and stopping. Namine turns her head, and sights Aqua standing there, grief and regret on her face. "Oh Namine."

Namine swallowed back a sob herself. She liked, loved, that care directed towards her, but at the same time she just didn't...

Aqua's arms are wrapped around her, pulling her into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry my apprentice. I'm your Master, I'm supposed to watch out for you, protect you. You were taken right under my nose, cast out into the worlds, and put into the same horrific kind of situation you've already suffered before. I'm so sorry..."

She rests her head on Aqua's chest and says nothing, letting the woman run a hand through her hair.

"I talked to the Master," said Aqua quietly, "He's not going to force you to talk about it out-loud to everyone. But, when your ready, I'll be willing to listen, just the two of us. Alright?"

"...okay."

Aqua moved them to the bed, looking over Namine with pursed lips. "A little thinner than I remember."

Namine shrugged and looked away. "...if I disappointed the witch I'd lose a 'boon' or a 'privilege', meals were one of them. Losing them was better than losing warm clothing or blankets."

Aqua takes in a sharp, angry breath, but doesn't comment further than, "You will not be missing meals here, that's for certain."

The tension and anger in every vibration from Aqua is discomforting as it is pleasing, that someone is furious on her behalf, but honestly... Namine is more worried about how long she'll have Aqua before she's gone. "...how... how soon are you leaving to head back out?"

Aqua frowns, reaching a hand out to brush Namine's cheek. "With hunting Vanitas?"

Hunting. She squirms in discomfort. "...yes."

Aqua stares at her for an uncomfortably long minute. "Do you want me to?"

"No," said Namine quietly.

"Then I wont," said Aqua, "We have Master Xehanort here to assist in a coordinated effort, and my apprentice needs me. I will talk with Master Eraqus, but I will plan on not heading out again for awhile."

Namine closes her eyes. Relief is a poor choice of words, it doesn't mean enough to say what she feels. "Thank you."

"Of course, Namine," said Aqua, "Is there anything specific you want during the next few weeks? Foods you like? I never had a chance to go and get crafts for you, I could do that. We could go visit Lady Ame and Kairi and your friends in the guard so long as you stick close to me..."

"I want you to teach me how to wield magic," Namine said, voice returning to a normal level, growing firm and angry, "I'm... I'm so sick of being weak, of these people taking advantage of me and not being able to do anything about it. I never want it to happen again."

"You're not weak Namine," said Aqua, "It takes great strength to suffer through such challenge and come out the other side intact. But..."

She nods, a fire in her eyes. "Yes, we can focus on magic for the time being. We'll still do endurance training in the morning, but until I'm satisfied with your magical advance, we'll cut the other lessons. We're in a time of active conflict, making sure you are able to defend yourself and others is more important than schooling for the time being."

Finally.

Finally she'd be strong enough to protect herself. To protect those she'd care about. To keep the Keybearers from fading away. "Thank you."

"Oh, don't thank me quite yet," said Aqua teasingly, "You're going to be rather exhausted with that kind of schedule."

Good.

The more exhausted the better. "I look forward to it."

Chapter Text

Watching the clothes Jadis gave her burn in the courtyard outside the keep is satisfying.

Watching them burn from a fire Namine herself magically created is twice the satisfaction.

She lowers her hand, willing the heat engulfing it away, leaving nothing but a warm tingle down her arm that fades away. Learning the basic magics hadn't been difficult, not after Jadis had hammered in how to draw out her magic for her active use. It was merely a matter of will and focus, desire and shape. Pushing out her magic with a thought of and imagining fire wasn't difficult, nor was blizzard, thunder, or cure. According to Aqua...

"You have a natural affinity for magic," said Aqua thoughtfully, "Much like myself, you take to them quickly. Terra and Ven can use magic without question, especially types they share an affinity to, but not as good as my own overall one. I suppose its not that surprising. I know you don't particularly want to talk about it, but back when you were held under duress, did you really have that much difficulty using your memory magic?"

Namine squirms a little bit, not liking to think about her time with Larxene and Marluxia. "Not really, at least... not for their target. I..."

She thinks on how to refer to Sora. She was born of Kairi, but she came from Sora's body. "I had thought, back then, my power was only limited to people I was connected to, my... my family."

She does not ever have the right to claim Sora as family. But she knows he wouldn't care, would probably give her that big cheeky grin of his and give her a crushing hug. It doubles as letting her cover herself, so... she'll do it.

"I assume you're not talking about Kairi and Ame," said Aqua slowly, a frown on her face, "They said you appeared in Radiant Garden in a flash of light. Do you... I mean... is there anyone waiting for you?"

Namine looks off aimlessly. "There's no one to go back to, not anymore."

It... hurts to admit, but maybe she needs to do so. Even if she could go back to her original time, she wouldn't want to. She fixed what she did to Sora and paid her penance for what she had done, ceasing to exist on her own. This... this is her new start, her new life.

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Aqua softly.

Namine shrugged. "I didn't deserve them anyway, not... not after what I did."

"...did they forgive you? Was it one of them who freed you and sent you to safety?"

"Does it matter?"

"Sometimes Namine," said Aqua, walking over and ruffling her hair gently, "Forgiveness isn't just about accepting it from others, but accepting it from yourself. We can be our own worst enemy, our own worst critic. Its good to be cautious and mindful of what you can do, but self-doubt can be a terrible, crippling thing."

Namine turns and asks, "You have experience with that?"

"Well, not much of it," admits Aqua, "But I have my own doubts and insecurities, same as everyone else. There were generations of Keybearers before us, and they left behind records of their lives, their struggles, turned into lessons for us to learn from. Its sad to say, but, you're not the first Keybearer that was used as a weapon by awful people, and you wont likely be the last."

"Oh."

Aqua hums, considering her, and thankfully changes the subject. "Going to the next tier of spells will require you to increase your power, so we will set a schedule and stick to it, much like the endurance training. You'll practice your spellwork on the training wheel-posts for a time every day. I'll steadily start introducing new spells for you to try as time goes on. What I want you to really learn today is this-"

Aqua thrusts out a hand and a shimmering barrier of transparent magic appears around her. "A solid protection of magic from all angles."

"How long can you maintain that?" asked Namine.

"I can hold it for so long as I have the mana to do so, but its better to do it in short bursts," advised Aqua, "The longer you hold it, the worse the drain gets."

"Alright, so... how would I shape that spell?"

"Eventually it will come as second nature, an instant desire," said Aqua, "But first, I remember using the feeling of safety as the base for it."

"I... I'm not sure I really know what that feels like," admitted Namine.

"...is there no place at all that you've ever felt safe in?" asked Aqua quietly, "Not here? Not at Lady Ame's house?"

She'd hardly had a chance to really start to consider this place home before she'd been cast off to Narnia, and now... knowing that it was Castle Oblivion... she never would. As for the second suggestion... "I... I'm not sure..."

There had been painful conversations in that house, and sometimes, she'd forget not to be afraid of Kairi. Of being taken back inside of her, imprisoned again...

"What about a person?" asked Aqua, just a hint of being unsettled in her tone, "Someone you felt would always protect you and never hurt you?"

She has a hunch what Aqua wants to hear, but..., "You do a little, but Master, as much as I want to be your apprentice, to be closer to you, I barely know you."

Aqua winced. "I... yes, that's correct. Perhaps I'm getting a little ahead of myself there, but... anyone else?"

"Lady Ame cared," said Namine quietly, "But... she's old, I never considered her protecting me, never would have wanted her to risk herself for me. The guards..."

They hadn't cared before, when they were Nobodies. She wasn't sure Leon had even known she'd existed in her original time. "...had other duties."

The grief in her tone makes Namine hunch a little. "Has anyone ever made you feel safe?"

She's never been unaware of Riku's darker tendencies, even though she considered him a good person at heart, but... he chose DiZ most of the time, and helped to do a terrible thing to Roxas to bring Sora back. As much as she knows Kairi is good, she will probably never truly be comfortable around her with what was done to her and unintentionally by her. Mickey... went along with what DiZ said, and had his own clear opinions of Nobodies, most people did. As for the one she should trust the most...

"There's one person," admits Namine, thinking of Sora, "But... while I might feel safe around him... he's not safe around me. He... I did awful things with my power to him... because they wanted me to..."

She gives a short bitter laugh. "He wanted to be friends for real, not because I made him think I had been his childhood friend in place of another, but because he was just... so kind and good. I... I don't deserve anything from him."

"Like I said earlier," said Aqua softly, "Forgiving yourself."

Namine didn't answer.

Aqua sighed before crossing her arms and looking up to the sky. "Hmm..."

"Perhaps, young one," came an old rattling voice, "You should consider the desire to protect yourself, hmm? Rather than seek it of others."

They turn to see Xehanort and Terra walking down the steps from the keep, Eraqus a bit behind them, and Ven behind him.

"Trust and companionship are not to be slighted, as Eraqus reminded me yesterday," continued Xehanort, "But one's inner strength, their heart, their will, their intent, cannot be thought so little of either. Eraqus informed me of what Lord Aslan told him upon your return, and of your trials in life thus far. Think of the same strength you used to strike down that foul witch, but instead of your memory magic, focus it on the desire to never be so taken advantage of again. Form that intent into reality."

Namine considered him for a moment, before looking down at her hand. She drew out her power, a soft glow outlining her. She thought of the Witch's cold cruelty. She thought of Laxene's knives, Marluxia's touch, Diz's words... she never wanted to be hurt like she was ever again. Never wanted to be forced to hurt another against her will again. She raised her hand, pushing out with her magic, shaping it with that thought and desire...

There was a brief shine, and a solid white wall appeared in front of her.

Xehanort chuckled. "Good, good, an excellent start. Your apprentice has great potential Master Aqua."

"She does," agreed Aqua, "We'll work on shaping its form and getting it more translucent so you can see out of it, but he's right, a very good first try Namine."

She flushed, unused to the praise. "T-thank you."

Aqua turned back to the others. "Heading out then?"

"Yep," said Terra, "Master Xehanort and I are going to work on tracking down Vanitas and ending this conflict."

"Mmm," hummed Xehanort, "Before anything else, he needs to be located and dealt with. A rogue element like him... unpredictable, uncontrollable. He could ruin so much more than he already has. Its an unfortunate fate, but he must be brought to an end."

"Watch out for eachother out there," warned Eraqus, "This Vanitas may not be at the level of a Keyblade Master, but he is not to be underestimated. Being caught offguard, or a simple momentary lapse, will spell disaster."

"We'll be on guard," agreed Terra, nodding sharply, before turning, "Shall we, Master Xehanort?"

The man grunted, reaching into his robes and pulling out a small armor band, wrapping it around his wrist and tapping it. In a flash of light he was surrounded in...

That looks a lot like Xemnas's armor... no... that IS Xemnas's armor!

Namine stares at the armor of the elderly Keyblade Master, startled. The man pays her no further head, tossing his Keyblade into the air where it transformed... into a four winged jetpack? That was... odd. She watched the elderly man strap it on before shooting off into the sky, Terra taking off after activating his armor and transforming his glider.

It leaves Namine baffled. Xemnas was the Nobody of an amnesiac Terra, why would he have Xehanort's Keyblade Armor? The fact that he still took up Xehanort's name as well... it all leaves her uneasy... just... why?

"He casts an opposing figure with that armor and Keyblade, doesn't he?" muses Aqua.

"Yeah," said Namine quietly.

"Master?" posed Aqua, "Wasn't his Keyblade...?"

"One of the legendary? Yes," said Eraqus, "Xehanort was the strongest of my generation for many reasons, that Keyblade is one of them."

"...legendary?" asked Namine.

"Keyblades come in many forms," explained Aqua, "They can be shaped and molded by the heart of the one who wields them. Some Keyblades however, represent... more, and are the same no matter who wields them. For example, my Keyblade, Rainfell, is a water based Keyblade, but it is not The Keyblade of Water."

Namine tilts her head thoughtfully "...are there Keyblades for all the elements?"

"There are," confirmed Eraqus, "Early Keybearers were, unfortunately, not necessarily good. They crafted their Keyblades to steal the light and impose darkness, but others crafted them to oppose such dark desires. Back in those ancients times, the world was one piece, with different rules, ancient magics, and many entities of unfathomable power. Some Keyblades were empowered beyond others by various means, whether blessed by the divine or enchanted in rituals and the like. In addition to the elements, certain affinities or concepts have Keyblades, such as life, death, time, you get the idea."

"Are there Keyblade's that represent light and darkness?" asked Namine.

Eraqus frowned. "They haven't been seen in many a generation, but the closest I know of that represent them individually, I suppose, would be the Kingdom Keys, crafted after the world was separated into many parts. They were to be wielded by those chosen to defend the realms in times of strife. One of light, one of dark, together they have the power to open or close the doorway between the Realms of Light and Dark."

Namine slow blinked. Sora had a... okay. Sora did a good job in all, but... why would the Realm of Light choose a fourteen year old teenager to wield such a Keyblade? Or well... Riku first then it went to Sora after? Namine is kind of confused about that, considering the Inheritance Ceremony is a thing. She's also curious what he meant by represent them individually, was there one that represented them both?

"So... having these Keyblades isn't common, is it?" asked Namine.

"Thank the light no," confirmed Eraqus with a brief laugh, "You have to gain their attention, have the will and power to wield them, represent their purpose to a heavy degree, and have shown you would not use them in a manor they would not like. They also tend to be... pickier... about who they choose as well. Its not unheard of for their bearers to lose their favor and the ability to use them during their lifetime either."

Pickier huh? Well... the Kingdom Key left Riku twice when he didn't apparently meet its standards, so she gets that she supposes.

"Come Ventus, we'll do today's training and then you can start your duties for the day," said Eraqus, sweeping past them.

Ven sulked a bit, but followed without actual complaint.

Namine watched them go before asking, "...do you think my wand would help with casting?"

"It would certainly make the end result stronger, and may make it easier to channel your power," said Aqua, "But its best to learn how to do so without first, incase you don't have your wand or its taken from you."

"Alright."

"Now," said Aqua, "We're going to be hammering on getting that shield right before moving on..."

Her master grinned cheekily. "I hope you're ready for repetitive casting, because this is likely to be an all day thing, pausing only when needed for food and breaks..."

The shield ended up taking her till midday the following day to get down enough for Master Aqua's satisfaction. It was a bit... milky in coloring and transparency compared to Aqua's, and was one sheen rather than being made of hexagons, but she said it was good enough to start with. It surrounded her fully in a protective bubble and that... that was comforting.

"Now," said Aqua, summoning her Keyblade, "I want to show you something I was working on out in the world while fighting the Unversed. Lets head to the training rings."

They left the courtyard and walked over the small bridge, stopping a ways from the first one.

"I don't quite yet have the 'omph' myself for this, but," said Aqua, narrowing her eyes and pointing her Keyblade, "When I hit the -ga tier of magic, this will be a lot more impressive."

Triple balls of fire shot out of her Keyblade and smashed into the wings, carrying them around in a circle.

Namine tilted her head. "You cast three times really fast?"

Aqua gave a small sheepish laugh. "Not... not quite. Its a Triple Fire, eventually a Triple Firaga. Its a three part magic linked together into one cast for almost the same energy as one normal spell."

Oh. "That's good?"

"More power without an big increase in the mana you need to spend? Absolutely," agreed Aqua, "I've always been good with spell-creation and melding, but not much chance to experiment with the practical part of it against live opponents. Terra and Ven... don't generally like to be test dummies."

Namine giggled. "I'd imagine not."

"Anyway, I want to cheat a bit and start you off on stuff like this," said Aqua, "Learning spell complexity from the get go will help with magic flexibility."

"Flexibility?"

"If you stick to only one type of magic, you'll master it, the spells become comfortable and flow so easily, you could probably do remarkable things with that magic," explained Aqua, "At the expense of everything else. Its best to have a vast repertoire of magic. I'm not saying don't focus on what you're good at, but shore up your weaknesses or lesser used abilities too."

"Alright," said Namine, shrugging, "I don't think I'll have a problem with that. I'll use whatever is necessary."

Aqua nods. "I'm not expecting it on the first try, or even fluidly on the first day, but, I'm going to coach you through it. Now, cast a fire spell. Feel the intent and will in your mind as you do."

Namine aims a hand a ring and releases a small ball of fire. She tries not to let it bother her that it barely makes the ring move.

"Now, again, but three times in a row."

Simple enough, she does.

"The next part is tricky," advised Aqua, "The idea of chain casting is to cast without pause, without hesitating to think. Just knowing, feeling what you need to do and..."

"So... I practice fire until I can push them out together as fast as possible without thinking?" interrupted Namine, "And it'll be triple?"

"...not quite," corrected Aqua, "Chain casting and linking spells together aren't actually the same thing. Chain casting is the ability to flow from one spell to another with little to no pause. Like going from Fira to Blizzra to Thundara with hardly thinking about it. Its good for taking advantage of situations, like casting a water spell and then you just instantly know to hit them with thunder for incredible damage or blizzard to add a deep chill to the water coating them. Linking spells together is to cast both spells with one cast, or mix them, or something to that effect. A linked spell can be powerful, but also very taxing."

"Is a triple fire a linked spell or a chain spell?" asked Namine.

"Its kind of a mixture?" said Aqua with a little hesitation, "I've never tried to explain this to someone before, I just kind of... know? I just feel it and do."

Like Namine and her use of memory powers, but Aqua is just... overall magic. Namine will never be her equal in pure magic, but she'll settle for being good. "Alright. Maybe with a week or two of practice I could get it?"

Aqua hummed in response and motioned to the training-wheels. "Only one way to find out..."

Steadily, Namine recovers from the Witch's 'tender care', her thinness returns to normal, though Aqua still seems intent on putting more meat on her bones. Her morning endurance training goes back to usual. Her schedule tends to be endurance training into breakfast into magic training into a new training. Ventus had fished out a wooden training sword and gave it to her for use. She was given motions to practice to build muscle memory, common blocks and attacks that could be adapted to an assortment of weapons, but most certainly a keyblade. After that Aqua and her took a break for a bit, simply sitting around and talking. Lunch isn't much later, then its another rotation of trainings before dinner then she's released for the day.

Those last hours before bed... and laying in bed trying to sleep, are the worst. Her thoughts betray her with self-doubt, worries about the fate of the Keybearers and if she can save them. She is no stranger to nightmares at this point, and wonders if she'll ever have normal dreams in her life. She can tell Aqua notices, as does Eraqus, concern in their eyes, but neither have commented yet. She's unsure if she wants them to do so. She's not honestly sure they can really do anything about it. She doesn't believe that casting Sleep on herself would really counteract dreaming, or if it did, if it would be as effective as natural sleep.

She gets quicker, day by day, at spellcraft. Aqua will occasionally shift from triple-spell practice to drilling her...

"Fire, water, thunder, water, blizzard, aero!"

Namine tries to quickly cycle through the spells, finally making the training-wheels spin around at the combined effort. It brings a small smile to her face, to finally have built up enough oomph to do so. She's not quite sure if its actual muscle starting, or her arms filling out a bit to be less twigs, but the wooden sword isn't difficult to swing around anymore. The morning jogs are easier too. Its... nice... to feel and see progress.

Of course, whenever she sees Aqua, Ventus, and very occasional Eraqus spar, its a reminder of how far she has yet to go. They are so, so much farther than her. She might be ahead of where Sora started magically when he left the islands, but she's pretty sure she's still a bit behind physically. Curiously though, when she watches Eraqus testing Ventus, a flash of light sending the boy staggering...

"Master," asks Namine, the both of them sitting a ways away on the grass watching, "How does one... use the light? That's not something we've covered yet."

Aqua pauses, and the brief uncertainty on her face makes something in Namine's stomach twist. "I... wasn't forgetting it, but, after discussing it with Master Eraqus, I decided it was... something I was planning on later in your apprenticeship."

Namine's eyes trail the sudden stress lines on her Master's face. The topic made her uncomfortable. "Why?"

Aqua licks her lips and lowers her voice. "I don't say this to be mean, or cruel, or anything of the like. But, life hasn't been kind to you Namine, has left marks on you that would make drawing out Light to use difficult. You struggle with self-doubt, with darker emotions, sometimes I've seen you just stare vacantly off into the distance. Sometimes you seem afraid in our home for no reason, and I... am not unaware of your difficulty sleeping either."

Namines bows her head. "...oh."

"Light requires faith, belief, focus, determination, and in general, positive emotions," explained Aqua, "But, its not a rush, not a race. You need more time to help you recover from what you went through. Trying now may do nothing more than frustrate you, or lead to the opposite results."

Opposite..., "Darkness."

"Yes, and I'd like to avoid you accidentally using it," said Aqua.

Namine thinks of her worst moments under Jadis's thumb. Thinks of what she did to the Witch's General... has she already failed then? If she told them, would they throw her out? Could she continue knowing she was lying and deceiving them by hiding what she did? "...I...what if I..."

"Yes?"

"What if I have used it?" asked Namine quietly, afraid, looking down at the ground, "During my w-worst moments there under her control..."

Aqua sighs. "I was afraid of that."

Namine's shoulders hunch.

"Shh, its alright Namine," said Aqua, reaching an arm around and pulling her to her side, "What you went through was awful, and you hadn't received proper training yet to stand against it. Delving into it is... regrettable, and to be worked through, but it hasn't stuck, you haven't succumbed to it, and that is what matters."

"...how could you tell if I had?" whispered Namine, sniffling.

"Its not something I'm personally familiar with, but... out of concern to how to help you, I read up on this kind of thing. Darkness tends to leak into one's magic in a rather visible manner," said Aqua, "Not always, but usually. There have also been no outbursts of dark energy from you, and while you struggle, your emotions haven't become volatile in a way unexpected to your circumstances. You succumbing to your struggles is something I was worried about originally, but I'm proud to see you fighting through it. Don't ever doubt that, alright?"

"...okay."

"Just... don't mention it to Master Eraqus," murmured Aqua.

"It... are we hiding it?" said Namine uncertainly, "...should I be punished for it?"

"No," said Aqua sharply before her voice evened out, "Eraqus is... very, very strict in such matters, which I don't believe you need right now. His methods are... more heavy handed than other previous master's I've read about. I believe its why Terra was failed out of his Mark of Mastery Exam for only so brief a flicker of darkness that I wouldn't have failed him for had it been my choice. We actually discussed it with Master Xehanort, he mentioned that his own struggles with it earlier in life might have been part of the reason. Apparently they came to blows once, its where Eraqus got his scar from. Xehanort... regrets what happened, said it was one of the reasons he'd been away for so long, out of shame."

"Oh," said Namine, "Alright."

Curious, that Terra apparently had only a little flicker of it, yet a heartless as powerful as Ansem was born from an amnesiac version of him. Perhaps something happened that drove him to darkness? Eraqus, Aqua, and Ven were gone in her time, if they died... that would have probably been more than enough to push Terra over the edge. Its another reminder in her resolve that she needs to get strong enough to help them. Though... she is curious what happened to Xehanort, and why the amnesiac Terra was going by his name... if he is still going out on missions, then she doesn't think old age does him in.

She pushes the thoughts aside and snuggles up against Aqua, watching Eraqus and Ventus spar...

Watching Aqua shape magic is... breathtaking at times.

Usually around the later parts of the day after training is done, her Master will either be in the library reading, or out in the training yards practicing. Namine has seen her kneeling down in the dirt, drawing patterns and scratching them out, working through something before she stands and tries out a spell. Namine has witnessed the successful creation of little explosive mines that can be set and triggered, launching a ball of lightning that detonates in a shocking circle upon impact, and Aqua has upgraded her triple fire into a triple fira along with doing a triple for blizzard. Its also inspiring when she fails, because she never ceases laughing at herself and getting up to try again.

Namine isn't quite sure what Aqua is trying to do with teleporting midair and then slamming down with her keyblade. There is a brief burst of energy each time, but she can tell by the flickers of frustration that it isn't quite what the woman is aiming for. Her Master is aiming for some kind of physical-magical teleport attack, but isn't quite there yet with whatever it is. She's seen her chain it a few times in a row, but each further attempt after the first few either weakens or fails. When she's finished making it though, Namine imagines it will give quite the impact.

She can't say her master isn't playful . She's seen her adding magic to just cartwheeling around, an amused smile on her face, testing it out just because she could. Fire or ice or thunder coating her feet. Though she imagines getting kicked by that would hurt, so maybe not quite being playful. Aqua was really happy when she managed to link her barrier spell and cure together, absorbing the energy of an attack and funneling healing energy back into herself from it. Incredibly potent, but way out of Namine's ability to learn quite yet, though Aqua insists that Namine will have it down within the year.

Its honestly crazy just how powerful Keybearers can become, that kind of ability alone makes defeating a Keybearer out of reach for most people.

"You ever think I'd be able to link memory magic and other magic together?" asked Namine one day.

Aqua looks over at her in consideration. "I've thought about it, considered it for future lesson plans, but its not something to be done lightly."

Namine frowns a little. "Why?"

"Memory magic is a delicate thing," said Aqua, "From what I've read. You yourself have experienced how others have forced you to use it in ill ways. Just the slightest wrong move could cause damage to someone's mind you didn't intend. Using it offensively in combat... its risky. Some of the things I've thought about are... distinctly unethical."

Namine hesitates, not sure if she should ask. "...like what?"

"You could impose on someone the memory, the idea, that they are on fire, burning alive," said Aqua quietly, making Namine recoil, "You could make them think they are suffering from an ailment, maybe slide into their mind that they've suffered an injury they never actually took. Make them think you did one thing but you actually did the other. Try to erase the knowledge of how to use a certain ability. But like I said, that can't be easy to do in the middle of a fight, you focusing on that rather than the battle could get you hurt or killed, and a slip up could, as I said, do damage you never intended. If you are in the unfortunate position where you have to strike down your opponent, then perhaps it is a moot point, but... there are certain lines that shouldn't be crossed."

"Oh," said Namine, stomach squeamish, "But... defensively or healing? I think Eraqus mentioned that memory powers usually hint at powers related to the heart?"

"He mentioned that to me too," said Aqua, nodding, "But... that is something I unfortunately can't teach outside of basic uses of the Keyblade once you get yours. Its a frustration, but, none of us here can actually help you learn to use your ability outside of being soundboards and directing you to books in the library. Experimenting with your memory magic and related abilities is something I would prefer for the later parts of your apprenticeship. Once you are more experienced with magic, and have your Keyblade."

Namine nods, accepting it, but..., "How long does it take?"

"For your Keyblade to appear?"

"Yeah."

Aqua hummed. "It differs for everyone. Sometimes weeks. Sometimes months. Sometimes years. Especially if you receive the ceremony very young."

"...oh."

Aqua gives her a lopsided smile. "You felt it when it happened, Namine. The Inheritance Ceremony worked, you will bear a Keyblade one day, I promise you."

Namine's first foray into the Land of Departure's library on her own is... daunting. Rows and rows of so many different topics. Perhaps she should just wait, listen to Master Aqua's desire for waiting until the later parts of her apprenticeship to delve deeper into her powers, but... she doesn't think she has the time to wait. So as evening turns towards night, she skips a night of watching her master practice and runs fingertips over titles of so many different titles. She burns a good half an hour, eyes starting to glaze over, until she stumbles into what she's looking for on accident.

In a side room is an assortment of books piled up, one opened, a notepad on it with bullet points. Its Aqua's handwriting. Probably jotting down future lesson plans. Namine appreciates Aqua devoting so much effort into her education, it brings a smile to her face and warmth to her stomach. So she doesn't pry into the notepad, merely looking over titles of the books, one in particular draws her eyes...

Memoria

The title sends a shiver down Namine's spine. The mere act of registering the word in her mind causes a brief fluctuation in her magic before it settles back into her. She hesitates, wondering why a mere word caused such a strong reaction in her. "Memoria..."

She takes the book out of the pile, its a good sized blue leather bound book with a crystal-shape etched into its cover. She opens its cover and looks over its table of contents:

1) Introduction to Memory

2) A History of the Study of Memory

3) The trinity of Body, Heart, and Soul

4) Memory and the Body

5) Memory and the Heart

6) Memory and the Soul

7) Memory and the Keyblade

8) Memory Ethics

9) Dangers of Interfering with Memory

10) Notable Magic Practitioners, Scholars, and Scientists of Memory

11) Memory Theory & Unanswered Questions

12) Memory Lore

13) The Keyblade of Memory

14) The Realm of Memory

15) Closing Reminders

There was a Realm of Memory? Its her first thought, and rightly so, she wasn't even aware of it. Never heard it mentioned before. She looks towards the page number, so very curious, but out of the corner of her eye, she sees there is a slip of some sort on the back of the cover page. She glances at it, then registers it said: 'Restricted Section Checkout Sheet'.

"Oh."

Oh dear.

She really wasn't supposed to be reading this yet. She doesn't think Aqua should have left it out, then again, she shouldn't be digging through her master's stuff either. Aqua is the Keyblade Master, Namine isn't. But... while she didn't find what she was looking for exactly in ways to use her power to help, to defend. Yet she is so very curious about what she just stumbled upon...

"I was wondering where you were."

Namine winces and turns around, caught red handed. Aqua stands in the doorway, a single eyebrow raised. Namine blushes and murmurs, "I... I only..."

Aqua shook her head. "Its fine. If I was truly unwanting of others nosing around I would have locked the door."

Namine hesitates, slowly setting the book down anyway.

"I'm not angry, but," said Aqua, head tilted to look at the book she took, "Why dig into the subject despite my advising to wait?"

"I... w-well..."

"I'm not angry Namine, I just wish to know."

Namine swallows. "What if I'm needed? What if we don't have years to wait? Something terrible has been happening, and I'm not strong enough yet to help."

She'd struggle with a stronger heartless, be lucky to even survive a Darkside. A group of Neoshadows would be likely to rip her apart...

Aqua sighs and closes the distance, laying a hand on Namine's shoulder. "Apprentice, a Keybearer you may be, but you are a child still. Its not your duty nor responsibility yet to take up arms."

"You're not that much older than me," muttered Namine. Well, not actual age, but physical.

Aqua smiled in amusement, considering her. "Perhaps not. Less than a decade separates us, likely five at most depending on just how old you are."

"I...," how old was the Kairi she was born from? "F...fifteen maybe? Fourteen?"

"You're not sure?" asked Aqua.

Namine looked away. "Time bled away while... while I was a captive."

Aqua's lips purse tightly, a gentle hand coming up to brush away at Namine's hair, thankfully she doesn't comment on it. "Less than three or four years between us might not seem much to you Namine, and Keybearers can grow remarkably fast, but I also have years of training that you have not. I am a Keyblade Master, and by most world's standards, an adult, while you are not yet a senior apprentice. Ven isn't even a senior apprentice yet, he shouldn't have ran off on his own after Terra, he's not expected to nor should he get involved. Unless things are truly dire, a younger apprentice should not be involved in a dangerous situation. Before you say it, yes, you and Ven came along to Radiant Garden, but you were not alone when you did so, you were escorted by a steward, a master, and a senior apprentice who might as well be a master. If there had been a fight or a confrontation there, you two would have been ordered to find safety while the three of us handled it."

Namine doesn't think Ventus would take that kind of order well, or even listen to it. When she voices that, Aqua gives an exasperated sigh. "No, probably not. He does at least have training, is very skilled, and is probably going to be a senior apprentice soon enough anyway, or well, would have. He technically could be one now, but... maturity is a requirement to advance, not just skill, power, or training. He did good out in the worlds, but considering that he shouldn't have been out there to begin with, and his slip up in not mentioning the breach to our home... its likely been pushed back at least a year."

"He didn't mean to put anyone at risk," said Namine quietly.

"No, he didn't, but intentions don't always have the expected results," said Aqua, "And as much as he is my friend, like a little brother to me, I am not blind to his tendency to act first and think later."

Namine nods and goes quiet.

Aqua steps around her and lays a hand on the Memoria book. "I'd rather not yet split your focus with extracurricular studies and lessons. I want your magic and fitness up to par first, and your educational lessons when they resume up to at least where it should be for your age. At that point, even if you're not a senior apprentice, I'll agree to you starting in on this. Alright?"

There was little to do but nod her head and say, "Okay..."

"Now c'mon, I think I have one of the spells I was working on down, and well," Aqua grinned at her, "I do like having an apprentice to show off to."

Namine laughed, smiled, and followed her out of the library...

Chapter Text

Namine is falling.

Sinking.

Yet she cant find it in her to care.

She sinks through a sea towards a mural far below, eyes lidded, thoughts slow.

She sees a herself painted on it asleep, resting on the edge of the mural as if it were a wall to lay against, one hand laying at her side, the other crossed over her lap resting a hand on her wrist. She is still garbed in that terrible, terrible, raggedy white dress, and she wonders if she will ever escape it. Laying on her lap is a blank sketchpad and a pencil. Shadowed behind her is Castle Oblivion in all its horrible glory, and yet... the sky above it isn't dark and dreary as Namine remembers, but dreamy, cloudy, like an actual painted mural, the castle itself is blurry around the edges, its sharpness dulled away. She notes that the painting of her lays on is on a pathway that leads back to the castle, but scattered along the pathway are circles with faces in them, of those who matter to her.

She also sees the divide.

On one side are those who were important or relevant to her in her previous life. Sora, Kairi, Roxas, Riku. On the other are more numerous circles, Aqua, little Kairi, Ame, the so many guards of Radiant Garden who had started imprinting on her life, Eraquas and Ventus. She was slightly disappointed to not see Terra, but she supposes she hasn't really interacted with him yet despite her desire to help him. Each circle is illuminated, lighting the pathway they enclose. But...

On either side are shadowed circles, imprints she doesn't want to identify, but are still there because of the dark scars they had left on her life. Diz, Marluxia, Larxene are barely visible stains that tint the ground on outer parts of the ground leading up to Castle Oblivion dark. On the other side, Jadis is her first true horror of this life, and Namine hopes, prays she is the last that can imprint herself here.

Namine instinctually corrects herself, flipping upright as she touches down. Her mind clears, though there is still a surreal blurriness to the edge of her vision. It takes her a moment after looking around to identify this kind of place. She'd seen something similar, in Sora's memory, and where Roxas had ended up once in the fake Twilight Town. There is significance to this place... but she's not sure what. She takes a cautious step forward, wondering where the staff, the shield, and the sword were that appeared both times before to the boys. She waits, but nothing appears, so she takes another step forward, then another, until she is dead center, standing on the door to Castle Oblivion...

There is a flash of light, and then she is in a White Room. She instantly knows its Castle Oblivion than the Mansion, the white was slightly different, no pictures on the wall either. The table and chair with her sketchpad and a pencil resting in the center, no one and nothing else. Her skin scrawls to be back here, even if in dream. She walks forward and spins her sketchpad around to face her, its empty.

"A blank canvass," she murmurs.

She sits down, a slight frown on her face. She wonders...

She sketches out what she vaguely recalls from Sora, a faded impression of the platform, a sword and a shield and a staff with Sora stepping forward, a hand raised.

The drawing fades when she finishes.

Then a new drawing draws itself on the page, tears itself off, and another page draws itself, rinsing and repeating until its done.

There is a shadowy landscape, heartless crawling over it, the sky purple and black and red and writhing. Another shows the vast expanse she had traveled through with Aqua, the lanes between and many worlds scattered through it. A third is similar to the last, but she recognizes the Land of Departure, Twilight Town, Traverse Town, and there are several more she doesn't recognize. The fourth is strange, its a lot like the ocean she had fallen through at the start of this place, only there are worlds at the bottom in the distance of the image, almost dreamlike. A fifth sends a shiver down her spine, its the place Sora and Riku fought Xemnas. The sixth is a world that is nothing but boundless sky, little faded stars flowing around, odd cube-almost-crystal-like structures in the distance. The seventh is a river of sand, clocks and hourglasses floating around, little streams breaking off now and then and becoming their own rivers. The final place pulls at her attention, something about it calls to her.. In the picture is a place kind of similar to the Land of Departure, a vast castle on a landscape hanging above dreamlike swirling clouds, a levitating stone path leading from the clouds to the looming castle. Towards the top of the castle is a bight light with... she squints... crystals? She's not sure, it is very tiny to try to make out.

She considers the images for a moment.

Its not that hard to figure out.

"The Realm of Darkness," she murmurs, a finger tracing over a little shadow, "The Realm of Light, the Realm Between."

Shes not sure on the fourth image, but the fifth she figures is, "...the Realm of Nothingness?"

She's never heard it given a name, honestly, she'd never heard or seen of the place Xemnas had taken the boys to outside that one instance, but it feels right. The sixth she doesn't know, the seventh... the symbiology suggests... "Time? A Realm of Time?"

The final one though... it pulls at her much like that book had...

"Memoria," she says quietly, laying gentle fingertips on the image, and takes the hint, "A... the Realm of... Memory."

Her sketchpad flutters, and for a moment, there are other places, but they fade back into it, and it returns to being blank. Was there other Realms? If so, why weren't they pulled out like these were? Or... was it perhaps that these Realms had significance to her? If so... what are the ones she didn't identify? She feels its important. So she considers them...

The fourth one in the ocean with worlds at the bottom, she stares at it for a long while. Considers its relation to the place she is in now, how both seem to be found at the bottom of this ocean, that she knows she is in a dream... "The Realm of Dreams? No... the Realm of... Sleep?"

That feels right.

Its the last one that truly stumps her, she has no honest idea what it is.

"Very few people can truly conceive of death, of the end," comes a soft, sad voice, making her freeze, "An end, the Final World, one could say the Realm of Death, of Endings, of Peace, of Passage. It could go by many names, but this is all those who aren't yet truly dead can perceive."

She looks up slowly, finding a hooded figure in the black Organization Cloak across the table from her. The voice was male, but not anyone she recognized. "There are no choices to be made here because you have already made it. This is merely the realization of that choice coming to fruition."

He raises a hand, and a pulse of energy rips out. She gives a scream as she is cast backwards, out the door, into darkness, and then she is falling and falling and falling...

"Your journey did not begin at dawn, nor midday nor dusk nor the dead of night," echoes the man's voice, "It began out of nothing. There was never a start to you, growing within a mother, or an egg, or cloned from someone, or anything else. You simply were."

Namine gets a feeling of dark amusement from the voice. "Some would say not supposing to exist is a short step from immunity to fate. I've seen it merely gives destiny an excuse to be cruel. You are not an original existence, not of the main strand of time, you are never guaranteed your happy ending. Your friend Sora was chosen by light in the original time, you were chosen by memory in this one. Never mistake this choice as kind."

Namine barely gets the chance to parse the words before she falls back to her station, landing with a hard thump. She winces, rising to her feet...

Shadows pool at the edge of the platform, and heartless start to crawl over the edges, shambling towards her. Namine swallows thickly and flicks her wrist, thankfully her wand exists in dream as it swiftly springs down the wand holster into her hand. She swings it, lightning surging out and blowing a cluster away. Then the warping of Nobodies is there, she forms a barrier in time, screeching scrapes sliding off her shield. She turns and casts fire as fast as she can at a cluster of dusks. Then new beings appear, bizarre and strange in appearance, animals in odd dreamlike colorings. She hesitates for a moment, but they charge at her the same as the rest. She swings her wand, a wave of frost springs up up that throws them back. Another new kind of monster appears, almost like a dusk, but shorter, golden and black in coloring, sand swirling around them, a broken hourglass symbol instead of the others, jagged sharp glass like shards for hands, dripping golden goop from them.

Too many, there are too many types of enemies here. She starts casting spells, trying to clear them out as more and more appear in different shapes and sizes and symbols, her heart thumping and thumping. She screams as she is taken to the ground, bodies of monsters crawling over her clawing and biting, she tries to raise her wand one last time...

Her wand explodes in light.

When the light fades, the creatures are gone, her injuries vanished, and in her hand is a Keyblade. Translucent, transparent, and changing in color, it looks more like its made of crystal then metal. She stares at the Keyblade, and swears she sees memories playing out, small and hard to see, within its crystal-like blade. Its Keychain is a tree with reaching roots and a large top. She stares down at it, a conflict of emotions surging through her, and surprisingly, the memories shifting through the blade respond and change with what she feels, a reflection of her. The Keyblade is... strange. She's seen weird looking Keyblades before, if Sora's variety of Keychains is any indications they come in a horde of forms, but this one is still... odd.

She rises to her feet and flexes her grip on the Keyblade. She knows its name as readily as she knew the naming of its Realm, for they are called the same. "Memoria."

It resonates in her hand, a pulse of translucent energy shimmering around her. The station around her melts away, and she finds herself at the entrance of the Twilight Town Mansion. She closes her eyes in frustration, if she could have gone her entire life without returning here, even in dream, she would have. She pushes open the door and steps inside, Memoria held out infront of her defensively, but the foyer is empty. There are no side rooms in this dream, just the stairs upward, she dreads knowing where she has to go. She walks up the stairs and makes her way to the 2nd White Room of her life. She takes it in, and walks over to the table, eying drawings left unfinished, then turns her gaze to drawings scattered along the wall, so many more than she actually ever did.

She walks over to the first near the door, of a younger Namine first waking up, completely alone. She touches it, and it resonates, dissolving into energy that flows down into Memoria. The memory of that moment sharpens in her mind, crystal clear as if she just barely lived it. She purses her lips tightly, having an idea of what she's supposed to do, but not wanting it. She does not want these memories refreshed in her mind. She turns away... but the door is gone.

She looks down at Memoria. "Do I have to?"

It pulses, and a sense of curiosity and yearning to know alien to herself fills her. Its... the Keyblade itself? Strange... none of Sora's memories she can recall led her to believe that Keyblades had that kind of capability. She knew they had some kind of sentience in choosing their wielder, but... this one can, and it wants to know her. She closes off her emotions as best as she can and goes through her miserable excuse of a life. Her awful time in Castle Oblivion under Larxene's knives, Marluxia's words and touch. What she did to Sora, and being saved by him. Trying to patch him back together, then Roxas and... and...

Something is wrong.

Holding her Keyblade in hand, she feels that something is off with her memory of this time...

Memoria pulses red.

Namine falls to her knees and screams.

There is a awful burst of pain, then...

Xion.

She lurches forward and heaves with nothing coming up. She clenches her fists tightly, crying softly. Another person she ruined. She listened to DiZ and killed not just Roxas, but Xion too. Its not fair. Its not fair. "I hate this. I hate my power."

Warmth rushes up her arm from Memoria, and Namine swallows, taking in shaky breaths. She takes a few minutes there, on her hands and knees, to properly parse the memories of Xion, make sure everything that was unlocked is properly linked back together, so the girl is properly remembered even if Namine isn't capable of telling those who needed to know that the girl had once existed. "I'm... I'm so sorry Xion. I wish... I wish it could have been different..."

If only there had been more time to unchain and rechain everything. It would have taken years to do it, yes, but all three of them could have lived if only she had more time... if only DiZ hadn't pressured her so much... if only the Organization hadn't been drawing so close... if only DiZ hadn't been so hell bent on revenge and had gone to Mickey for help and protection. Inside of Disney Castle she could have had all the time in the world to set things right. If they had Sora, Roxas, and Xion all sleeping in there, with Mickey keeping watch and the Cornerstone protecting the world, the Organization's Kingdom Hearts would have come to a standstill without Keybearers to feed it more Heartless. Then, all of them together...

She shakes her head bitterly and pushes off the floor. "Pointless. I can't fix what's been done."

Anger licks her heels as she goes for the rest of the pictures, forcing herself through sharing her memories. Memoria is quiet as she does so. She asks bitterly when she finishes. "Satisfied?"

Memoria resonates, like a hymn, then the room ripples and fades away.

She finds herself at the start of the pathway leading into the Realm of Memory. There is the echo of a harp playing in the distance, soft and lulling, soothing her anger away. She takes a single step forward, and dust kicks up. She glances down, considering it. "No one has walked this place in a very long time, have they?"

Her Keyblade doesn't answer.

But someone else does.

"Yes... it has been a very long time," comes a soft female voice.

She glances up to see a girl made seemingly of pure light floating towards her. "Who are you?"

The being stops floating a little away from Namine. "I am Mio."

"Its... nice to meet you Mio, I'm Namine," she replies.

Mio floats around her, inspecting and humming as she does. "Its been so long since anyone has come. Not since the shattering."

"The... shattering?" asked Namine.

Mio sighed quietly. "When the world was ripped apart from one whole into many was the last time Memoria was wielded or accessed."

Namine frowns, looking down at the Keyblade. "You make it sound as if the Keyblade and this place are one in the same."

Mio giggled. "Aren't they?"

The being turns and zooms away up the path. "H-hey! Wait up!"

Namine starts after her. "Have you been here all alone this entire time?"

Mio paused, and looks back at Namine, her voice quiet, "No."

Namine feels... uneasy, but keeps walking as Mio resumes floating ahead. "What... what do you do here?"

"I nibble on memories," answered Mio, "The heart is not an infinite expanse, memories exist within it as chains, but even that has limits. As you age, as memories lose their importance and you begin to forget, I tug on the unimportant ones, and help to draw them here."

"Oh," said Namine, considering, "So... you eventually bring all memories here then?"

"No."

"But... what happens to memories when someone dies then? When their hearts return to Kingdom Hearts?" asked Namine, "Are they just... lost?"

Will everything she went through just vanish one day? Part of her longs for it... but part of her burns at the notion.

"All memories are drawn out of a heart, cleansing it of its experiences as part of the path to rebirth, but... that is not under my purview," answered Mio.

"Whose then?"

"Oh... you'll meet him eventually," mused Mio, "Him and the others."

Namine doesn't particularly appreciate the vagueness, but doesn't get a chance to pester as they come to a closed gate. Mio turns to her. "Well Keybearer?"

Namine takes the hint, grips Memoria two-handed, and raises it into the air. It glows brightly with a spectrum of colors before a beam of energy pulses into the air, slowly the gate begins to crack open...

Mio giggles. "The Realm stirs, but you are not yet ready to enter. Not through dream, and not until you are at peace with your own memories, until you master them."

"Wh...," begins Namine.

Dark wind bursts through the gate and slams into Namine, making her cry out as she is gusted off the stone pathway, down down down through the clouds. She is sinking again, into an ocean below them, and lands on her mural again. Except there is darkness, so much of it covering the mural. Out of the dark rises shadowy versions of Marluxia, of Larxene, of DiZ and Jadis. Namine takes the imitative and lunges right for the Marluxia in a sudden red-hazed rage, stabbing Memoria into it. She drives it in deep, but the dark memory merely raises a single hand and brushes her cheek with a touch that sends shivers down her spine, leaning down to whisper...

"No!" she cries out, flinging herself backwards, withdrawing Memoria as she does, then swinging it in a wide arc, releasing a burst of fire in all directions. Again and again she fires, not caring if its fired blind. She just wants them gone. Doesn't want to ever see them again. She wants them gone-gone-gone-gone-gone-GONE. When she finally stops, her trembling hands lowering her Keyblade, the fire clears, the figures are gone, replaced by a shadowy version of herself and General Otim, the beastman at her feet begging and pleading as its memories are torn apart...

Namine flinches back and glances down at the darkness coating the mural. "Its... its my darkness."

The Otim fades, but the dark Namine doesn't, instead, it grows and shifts until a Darkside Heartless stands in her place. Namine takes in a shaky breath, tightens her grip on Memoria, and casts barrier as the Heartless takes its first massive swing, her barrier flashing with stress but holding. She springs back as the Darkside draws back its hand, not trusting herself to be ready for a physical confrontation yet, she sticks to magic and oh.

She hadn't noticed in her earlier panic, but magic flows so much easier and with greater power through her Keyblade. She cycles through fire, blizzard and thunder repetitiously, pausing only to shield herself when it takes a swing at her... then to scramble out of the way as it raises a giant glowing hand into the sky. She is not sure her barrier would take that, so she dives. It slams down, creating a large zone of darkness that shadow heartless start crawling out of. Namine goes with a chain of thunder-thunder-thunder-thunder to clear them out as they come.

The Darkside withdraws its fists, sinks to its knees, and its core begins to glow purple. Namine hesitates, trying to recall Sora's fights against this Heartless, what was it doing?

The answer came in the forms of missiles of purple darkness shooting out of its core and homing in on her. Namine steeled herself, casting barrier again and against as each missile came, sliding in a fire to launch at the Heartless between blasts. It sinks its arm deep into the mural, and Namine peppers it with spells before it slowly pulls out with an orb of black and oranges energy, rises to its feet, levitates the orb into the air, and detonates it, showering the area with slow moving exploding spheres which... explode against her shield harmlessly.

Slowly, her pounding heart returns to normal as she realizes how utterly in control she is of how the fight turns. So long as she puts up her barrier when needed it can't touch her. The shadows that it calls out of the darkness are more threatening if only because she either has to maintain the barrier longer to block them and burn more energy, or drop it to clear them out. Overall though... she likes this fighting style. She likes how in control it makes her feel. So when her final spell put a large chunk of ice into the Darkside's head, she was satisfied...

At least until it pitched forward and collapses right ontop...

She raises her hands in a desperate barrier...

It smashes down, shatters her barrier, and crushes her down into the swirling dark...

"Never again Riku, do you understand?"

Namine finds herself sitting on that one tree on Destiny Islands, the perfect sitting one she has so many memories of the trio sitting on. She's not alone. The man in the Black Coat is there, gazing out into the distance.

"Kairi... I..."

Namine looks behind her, seeing Sora, Riku, and Kairi, of her time, sitting on the beach a near the bridge. All three miserable.

"I know you wanted to help Sora, but it made you complicit in a truly horrible thing. She never deserved how DiZ treated her, no one does."

They were talking about her.

"...I know."

She really hadn't considered what would happen back there, it was the past, behind her...

"Promise me, promise us, Riku. Don't ever let anyone use you like that again, no matter the cause. Don't ever stand aside and let it happen again."

She watched Riku, wondering...

"I won't, not ever again, I swear."

She swallows and looks away.

"Does it bring you comfort? To hear regret? Guilt? Remorse?" posed the Man in the Coat.

"...I don't know," she admits, "I never really blamed him. Waking up Sora was more important than me."

The Man in the Coat chuckled. "Sora would disagree, but you wouldn't be surprised by that, would you?"

"...not really," she agrees quietly.

"Alright, I just wanted that clear before we go see whatever King Mickey wants, and no Sora and Riku, I'm not staying behind this time. Whatever is coming, I'm helping."

Namine frowns.

"You didn't think their struggles were over just because the Organization fell, did you?" mused the Man in the Coat, "What happened in sending you to your new time will have consequences, both big and small. Both personal to those whose life you impacted, and larger by your lack of influence in what events are to come."

"...oh."

There is a ruffling of clothing, feet moving along sand. She turns her head to see Sora and Riku walking off to the boats, ready to head to the mainland. Kairi stands on the shoreline, staring off into the ocean.

"Namine... wherever you are, I hope you've gotten your chance to be happy."

She swallows thickly and looks away. "Why bring me here?"

"Is kindness wrong?"

"After you blew me out of a door?"

He laughed, tilting his head back, and she caught sight briefly of the bottom half of his face, youthful. "I did do that then, didn't I?"

"It just happened."

He shakes his head, hood swaying. "Our reality is not quite... consistent, in matters of time, without even considering the notion of alternate timelines. Time varies between worlds, and the notions of rules that it follows have exceptions, you yourself having been made into one."

"And you?"

He chuckled, long and sad. "Exceptions are not always favoritism, sometimes, it is Penance."

She frowns, and calls Memoria to her, looking down at it. "You said being chosen by memory wasn't a kindness."

"Was Sora being chosen by the Keyblade, a kindness?" he asked.

She thinks long on that. Thinks of all the good Sora did with the Keyblade. The friends he made, the people he helped, saving the worlds... but... she also thinks of his struggles and hardships, of how he pushed on with a smile in spite of that. "...no, but it was needed."

"It was needed," he agreed.

"...am I needed?" she asks quietly.

"That is for you to decide," he answered, raising a hand and snapping his fingers...

Namine wakes with a sharp breath, staring up at the ceiling, blinking rapidly.

She does not sleep again that night.

Chapter Text

Namine walks down into breakfast, tired, but full of questions. It had occurred to her, that it might not be a coincidence that three people who could use the Keyblade, herself Sora and Roxas, each had something like that dream. She wonders if all Keybearers get them, so she heads right for Master Aqua, walking past Eraqus quizzing Ventus about rules over their own plates. Her Master pops a bite of egg and looks over Namine with a bit of concern.

"Did you get any sleep last night?" Aqua asks bluntly.

"I had a weird dream," answers Namine, sitting down next to her in front of an already laid out plate that brings a small smile to her face. "It started with me falling down towards a mural..."

She is surprised when a gentle finger presses against her lips. Aqua gives her a smile, lowers her finger, but says, "The dreams a Keybearer has before they awaken their Keyblade, is for that keybearer, and that keybearer alone."

Namine gives her a perplexed look. "Why?"

"They are sacred things," answered Eraqus for her, "A dive into the depths of one's heart. A communion between you and your Keyblade. It can reveal deeply personal things about yourself, test you on them. They are meant to be introspective, it defeats the purpose if you cannot find answers yourself, and not instantly either, you may one day look back, years later, to only then understand something about it."

And just like that, the conversation is over, and the others go back to eating. Namine sits there, a fire in her gut, jaw clenched. She looks down for a few seconds, not sure what to do with that anger, before she settles for chewing harder on her food when she starts to eat, nor starting a conversation with anyone. She eats quickly, takes her plate to the kitchen, then leaves for her morning exercises, starting without Aqua. She does not greet her when Aqua joins her later. They run in silence save for the impact of feet, rustling of clothes, and drawing up breath.

"You're upset with me," said Aqua quietly after they finish the run.

"I... yes," admitted Namine.

Her run had done little to actually deal with her anger.

"About the Dive?"

"Yes," said Namine.

"I can answer general questions about a Dive to Heart," offers Aqua, "But nothing specific."

"But why?" stressed Namine, "I have so many questions, I'm confused by a lot of what I saw..."

There were things she wouldn't mind be reassured about either.

Aqua nods. "As was I when I had mine years ago, but it is the way things are, tradition, and the Master is right, it is a test of self."

Namine scowls and looks away, biting out, "What can you tell me then?"

She catches a shift in discomfort from Aqua, an unhappy look crossing her face out of the corner of her eye, before its masked. "Its usually a signifier of a Keybearer either soon to awaken their Keyblade, or having gone through life altering or perspective changing events. Though, not always on the later."

Could be either with her, but...

She holds out her hand and tries to will Memoria to appear, like Sora and Roxas had done so many times, but... nothing. "Odd... I had it in the dream, but not now?"

There is a tone of surprise in Aqua's voice. "Its not common for a Keyblade to actually appear in them from what I know, not unheard of, but not common. Usually its other weaponry. Unless you already had access to it before of course."

"Now that the Dive happened, how... how long will it take? Before my Keyblade actually comes to me?" muttered Namine sourly, turning to look at Aqua.

Aqua makes a so-so motion with her hand. "Varies. The quickest are within the same day, but usually not. I think... a week to a month is the general timeframe? Can go longer."

"What's the longest someone waited?" asked Namine, sighing after. Knowing her luck it would either be at the far end of the spectrum in waiting forever, or the other in that she's going to desperately need it quickly for something.

"Well... I haven't read much on it for a long while," admits Aqua, "I think... a year-ish maybe? Barring of course death or having your power to call sealed away for a crime."

A day to a year...

"Alright," said Namine, before she frowned and shrugged, disappointed and figuring she wouldn't get much more out of her Master, "Well... lets get to magic practice I guess..."

Aqua hesitates, looking like she wants to say something, but ultimately doesn't. There is an awkward, uncomfortable air to the training, and they don't linger to spend time with one another after both magic and practice with the wooden Keyblade are done. Namine goes inside to take a shower, re-dress, and then lingers in her room for a bit, sitting down on her bed with a sigh. Her stomach eventually voices its hunger for not eating enough at breakfast. She takes the hint and heads down, pausing at a turn towards the dining hall when she hear the voices of her Master and Grandmaster.

"You are upset?" comes Eraqus's voice, wry and amused "Over such a minor thing?"

"I... I don't like upsetting or disappointing her," admits Aqua, "She's been through so much and I'd rather she spend more time happy."

"If you treat someone like glass, Aqua, they have the tendency to become as such," said Eraqus sagely.

Aqua sighed, a hint of embarrassment to her voice. "I suppose. I guess it wasn't really much, just a bit upset, nothing like some of our arguments. She let it drop pretty quick."

Eraqus huffed with amusement. "I don't think she is one to throw a tantrum. A difference of opinions, an argument, or a simple disagreement aren't the end of the world, Aqua, she'll likely be over it by tomorrow morning."

"I know... I just... did you ever feel like that? With us?" she asked, "Sometimes I don't feel like enough, or second guess myself a lot."

Eraqus hummed. "I had the tendency to simply hand out chores or meditations if the tone was disrespectful or simple whining. As for questioning one's own teachings and methods, that's natural Aqua."

"Our arguments never seemed like it phased you."

"I was also much older than you are when I took you as my apprentice," he answered, "I had years between when I became a full fledged Keybearer and when I found you. Years of learning better discipline and control, of my own Master's advice, and of having seen or encountered argumentative youth out in the worlds. Not to mention introspection over my own younger years."

He sighs softly. "There are challenges coming upon your own apprentice so quickly, years of coming into your own that you haven't had. Yet... it may make the experience all the richer for you. Difficulties, discoveries, or observations I've had with you and Terra I've only had a short time to ponder or change for young Ventus. You will have a great deal of experience with Namine that you can in turn use for your future apprentices that I won't."

"I suppose that's true," admits Aqua before her tone takes a teasing quality, "And you could take at least one more apprentice, you're not that old, Master."

"No," he agreed, "But... I do feel that Ventus will be my last apprentice. I shall not rob future potential apprentice from you, Terra, or Ventus."

"I wouldn't really call it robbing," mused Aqua, "Ven is not that many years behind Terra and I, and I wouldn't mind a younger sibling apprentice to tease once he's become a master."

Eraqus huffed. "As if you'd let Ventus becoming a master stop your teasing."

That gets a laugh out of Aqua, and the pair start walking. "You think Terra will be ready for his mastership soon?"

"He has done well so far since the Mark of Mastery Exam," praised Eraqus, "And Master Xehanort did offer to keep an eye out for me and observe his progress in closing down this threat. If all goes well, I'm hoping Terra will be ready to re-take his exam within the next few months."

"That's good, so..."

The voices go to far after that to hear. Namine frowns to herself, looking down at her shoes. Not sure about what she feels...

"Eavsedroppin huh?" comes a teasing voice behind her.

Namine squeaks and jumps, spinning to see Ventus grinning a little bit behind her, wagging a finger and laughing. "Tsk."

She flushes a little bit. "You were too then!"

"Only a little at the end," he said, and in a move that is so Sora it throws her, he clasps his hands behind his head and grins, leaning back a little on his feet, "Can't wait to see Terra pass his next exam."

He brings his hand back down and frowns a little before shrugging. "Not sure what to think about being the Master's last apprentice. Suppose its his choice. Anyway, lets go eat."

He walks around her and heads off. She doesn't immediately follow. She hadn't really meant to upset Aqua, she'd just been frustrated. Heck, she hadn't even really argued...

She shrugged her shoulders and walked after Ven to go eat...

Namine sits outside later, sketchpad at her feet, idly watching Aqua practice and experiment with her magic. She'd let her irritation go and decided to just think on her Dive for awhile. She knows its important, and knows that one day she will stand at Memoria's gates again, but its not today. She's curious about who the Boy in the Cloak was, as he doesn't tickle any memories for her whatsoever, but puts that aside as a mystery unlikely to be solved unless they meet again. There are things about that dream though that upset her.

She hates...

HATES.

...that Castle Oblivion is so deeply entrenched within her that it featured heavily in her Dive. That within her heart, its road led back there. The Land of Departure was Castle Oblivion, she had figured that out, but at the same time it wasn't. She'd have been happier if the feature castle had been the Keep instead. She deeply, deeply, hopes that whatever turned this land to Oblivion never happens again. Not if she has anything to say about it.

She thinks on the other Realms that appeared on the drawings...

Her thoughts pause when a bush nearby rustles. She glances over, wondering if this land had any animals. Chipmunks or squirrels maybe...?

Instead, one of those monsters from Radiant Garden, an Unversed, peeks out at her. She freezes, before raising a hand at it, ready to cast...

It steps out from the bush, holding a bottle in its little claws out towards her.

She pauses and stares at it. Was that an elixir? It was giving her an elixir? Why?

It sets it on the ground, glancing briefly towards Aqua who is focused on her own efforts, before it nudges the bottle. Then Namine notices a note rolled up and taped to the elixir. Its a message then? The Unversed retreats to the bush, its beady eyes peering at her, waiting. Namine gets up, walks over, and carefully picks the elixir up, taking the note off and pocketing the elixir. She unrolls the note, and takes in the messy handwriting:

'You weren't supposed to be separated from me, but your Master knocked me away from the portal, otherwise you wouldn't have ended up with that crazy witch. Since walking up myself isn't likely to work I'm asking through my Unversed if you can help me fix my heart. -Vanitas.'

Namine stares down at it for a moment, incredulous. Was the elixir supposed to be an apology? A bribe? Was he blaming Aqua? He was the one who tried to abduct her! If not for him she wouldn't have ended up in Narnia at all! Not to mention, while she was sympathetic to him for what was done to him, if he really had murdered Princesses of Heart then helping him was out of the question. She's not going to say no however to the free elixir and pockets it. She considers then that the monsters are tied to Vanitas if he is using them to send messages which confirms what Master Xehanort had said, that Vanitas had been watching her while she was the witch's captive rather than doing anything, and which also meant...

Which also meant his monsters had tried to kill her and little Kairi.

She takes a pencil and writes on the other side. 'I wont help someone who murders Princesses of Heart'.

She drops the note into the bush. The Unversed scrambled up the leaves and grabbed it before vanishing in a slight puff of negative energy. She feels all kinds of satisfaction in telling him off. It does get her thinking a little of Kairi and Ame, so rather than returning to thinking about the Dive, she decides to sketch out a drawing of them, grabbing her notebook and sitting back down. What to choose though, what to choose... it doesn't have to be something exceptional or special... she's rather particular to a casual setting: The living room, herself on the couch, Ame in a rocking chair, Kairi on the floor playing with toys. She smiles softly and sets her pencil to the page.

She'll have years to think about the dive after all.

"Triple fire, dodge, triple blizzard," comes Aqua's order.

Namine releases the puffs of fire from her hand at the training ring, throws herself back as if to avoid an attack, then three blasts of ice are shot from her other hand.

"Good, you've definitely got the basics of it down," praised Aqua, "I'd say your magic is coming along smoothly."

"I dunno," said Namine, eying the training ring, "It doesn't move anywhere near as much as it does when you hit it."

"I've had a lot longer to build my magical power," said Aqua, "Your control is developing faster than your power, but that's a good thing, believe me. Less... accidents, that way."

"Stories there?" prodded Namine teasingly.

"Maybe another time, I've got more lessons with the Master soon," said Aqua wearily.

"Is it that bad?"

"Its not really bad, just mentally exhausting," said Aqua, "I am his eldest apprentice and most likely to follow in his footsteps and become the next Steward of the Land of Departure. There are an incredible amount of things I have to learn and commit to memory. Protocols for so many different situations. Plus more advanced techniques and magics he can instruct me on now that I am a full fledged Keybearer, and some things that can only be taught to someone being trained as a Steward. He is also teaching me a bit of electronic repair, as he plans to have us go and repair the relays and update nearby Keybearer Lines of the issue after its handled."

"Oh, well, good luck?" offers Namine.

Aqua huffs. "Thanks."

Namine considers something then. A wonder of when/if Master Yen Sid of her time had discovered the tampering with the communications relays? If he ever did, why did he not repair them and ask for help? Did he know how?

"Would Master Yen Sid be able to help?" she asked.

Aqua shook her head. "Handling the relays is a responsibility for our line. I've said before that contact between different Keybearer lines is strictly regulated, a supportive Keybearer Line like his wouldn't know how to use or repair them."

...and Eraqus was gone in her time, and with him, so much knowledge. "Isn't that dangerous though?"

Aqua tilts her head. "How so?"

"What if something happens to Grandmaster Eraqus? So much would be lost..."

So much had been lost. Sora had basically started over from nothing. Yen Sid had hardly given him advice before sending him off and into danger with Organization XII, let alone actual official training.

"There is a reason that Master Eraqus stayed here when the Unversed were terrorizing the worlds, and we were sent out, he must be careful in how he uses himself," said Aqua quietly, "It hasn't happened often, but stewards have died in the line of duty before. The first time it happened was very early on in after the Keyblade War. His apprentices were left behind to try and decipher his journals to attempt to undo the damage. Even though they did, it still set our line back. Its also humbling to know that only a single line in those journals had held a direct hint on how to salvage the mess, a hint on how to use the Master's Defender to..."

She paused. "Well, if you end up being my successor, you'll be told eventually how to use that Keyblade."

Namine shrugged, the secret wasn't hers to know. "That's fine."

She considers it though. "So... that's what Grandmaster's Keyblade is called? Its not his actual Keyblade?"

"Its a legacy, a responsibility passed down through our line," said Aqua, "Every Steward since the first has wielded that Keyblade once they officially became the Steward. Though the Master told me he was a bit of an exception, the Master's Defender took a liking to him earlier in life, and his Master allowed him to use it for much of his training. I don't actually know what his original Keyblade looks like, I imagine he'll take it back up when he is succeeded. I can't imagine him retiring until he absolutely has to, so I imagine he'll stay on for awhile after."

She crossed her arms. "The Master was teaching me about this recently actually, he brought it up because of the risk Vanitas represents. Most of the time in times of conflict, a Steward will rely on his fellow Masters if there are any, our supportive Keybearer line, or their own apprentices. They will only intervene if the situation calls for it, otherwise such conflicts can be used to test their apprentices and give them real life experience beyond training."

"The Princesses are something that calls for a stewards intervention then?" Namine asked.

"If its a credible threat, then they may get involved," said Aqua, "But you have to understand, Namine, what happened with Vanitas is an incredible rarity. Renegade Keybearers aren't something that just happens. Usually I'm told there are signs if someone in our line is heading down that path, and it can be headed off one way or the other. Renegade Keybearers are all of our responsibility, but especially a Steward's because they usually require a highly skilled Keybearer to defeat, but thankfully Xehanort can handle him. If Vanitas were an ordinary renegade, he might have gotten branded with the Recusant's Sigil and his ability to wield sealed away, but considering what he is and the damage he has caused..."

She shakes his head. "Its not our concern anymore, Terra and Master Xehanort will bring this conflict to a close."

Aqua sighed. "I'll close the impromptu lesson by saying that part of a steward's duty is to officially register a successor. If something were to happen to the Master, I would by default become the Steward of the Land of Departure and have access to all of the information securely stored and limited to that position. Our line has learned from early failures and mistakes."

Namine hesitates for a moment, wondering something, and asks, "Do you actually want to be the next Steward?"

Aqua pauses, blinking a few times, looking honestly bewildered by the question. "I... I mean I've never really thought about wanting to be one or not? Its just expected, I'm the elder apprentice, and while I don't wish to speak ill or rudely of Terra or Ven, I'm more patient and controlled. I have a firm understanding and knowledge of the rules and precepts we are meant to follow. I exhibit the more required traits as a steward. If something happened to me, then yes I believe one of them could rise to the occasion and adapt, but..."

Aqua frowns. "I could see myself happy, content as a Steward. Ven I think would go stir crazy being based here with rarely leaving, but honestly he is still growing so who knows. Terra... he has a desire to prove himself that a Keybearer doesn't need. Failing the mark of mastery shouldn't have hit him as hard as it did, its a blow to be sure, one Ven and I were more than willing to comfort and help him through rather than be brushed off. Though I can understand wanting to be alone for a bit, but regardless, becoming a Keyblade Master isn't a race nor a competition. Whether he got it then, got it next year, or even five years down the road, it doesn't matter. He doesn't need to prove anything to us, he is our friend, our brother in arms, we are here to support him and help him get where he needs to be. He also has issues with emotions in the heat of the moment, which yes, like his issues with darkness he can work on, but..."

She shakes her head. "A Steward isn't made in a day, the lessons that need to be taught, need to be learned, take time. Years to approach even an baseline point if something happened to Master Eraqus and I was forced to learn from notes left behind, well over a decade if not double to truly stand on my own. The Master isn't getting any younger, while he might still have time to train a new successor from scratch if something happened to all of us, he doesn't have that much wiggle room, especially if his potential successor is found as a young child. Even with Terra and Ven, waiting a few years to a decade to see if they change to fit the bill when I'm here ready and willing is... inefficient, and call me selfish, but I'd rather he still be around for awhile after I take over to get advice from."

"That's fair," agreed Namine.

Aqua gives a nod, looking rather pleased with herself of having voiced the reasoning aloud, and then considers Namine. "Would you be opposed to being my successor?"

Aqua had mentioned that at the start of this, hadn't she? "I'm only a few years younger than you Master, wouldn't it be be more likely that you'd want to choose someone that I or the others eventually took on as an apprentice? Maybe even another generation down?"

Not that Namine would want to take on an apprentice anywhere near as young as Aqua did. Namine is honestly terrified of the thought of taking responsibility for someone anytime soon.

"Most likely, yes," agreed Aqua, "But someone still needs to be on record who would take over if something happened to me."

Namine shifts uncomfortably. "...if I have to be."

Aqua studies her for a moment. "...but you don't want to be."

Namine shrugs, looking away. She couldn't imagine being stuck in what was essentially Castle Oblivion for the rest of her life, besides, she had come back to help people, and while being a Steward was important, being a Seeker and going out and helping the worlds called to her more.

Aqua sighs and ruffles her hair. "Its alright Namine, its better to recognize it now and adjust accordingly. There are things that would and would not be focused on depending on your intended roll. Stewards and seekers have different things they need to learn after all as an example."

"Are there different roles aside from those two?" asked Namine.

"I mean, being a Keybearer is a role, a title, a profession, a way of life," said Aqua, "If you're not the sole Steward, or not a seeker who spends months to years out in the worlds, then you're generally just a Keyblade Master. Other Masters usually station themselves in the bastion and assist the Steward in day to day duties and upkeep, patrol around nearby worlds or check in on the Princesses of Heart, train themselves and apprentices, go on supply runs, you get the idea. Some are stationed in outposts like, Master Yen Sid, that allow them to keep an eye on important locations and respond quicker."

"So really, the only reason that a Seeker and a Steward are differentiated is because they are different than normal Keybearers," confirmed Namine.

"Correct," said Aqua.

"I mean... how many should there be?" asked Namine, "Obviously only one steward and one person in training to take over for them after, but..."

Aqua hummed. "A good question. Our numbers are not suppose to go high as per the precepts, but even then were at a fairly low point right now. Master Eraqus, Yen Sid, Xehanort, and myself as the sole Keyblade Masters. Terra, Ven, Mickey, and yourself as the sole apprentices. That's only eight Keybearers in our quadrant, and aside from myself the other masters are either mostly retired like Yen Side, or will be retiring within the next few decades if not sooner. So once the elder three retire, we'll be down to five, and that is in all honesty a bit dangerously low."

Aqua had no idea how true that was.

"Twelve to fifteen in various stages of training is a good strong number for Keybearers to be stationed throughout the quadrant," said Aqua, "One steward, a few other masters, several apprentices, and then two to three seekers. That is a strong population."

"...under twenty people is good?"

Aqua gives a bemused smile. "You'd think no, but there are reasons we keep ourselves to a select few. Vanitas is an example of the wrongness a Keybearer misusing their power can commit. Fewer Keybearers carefully selected as apprentices are fewer chances for one of us to go astray. In the Age of Fairy Tales in ages past, there were hundreds, thousands of Keybearers across the one sole world. But, they waged a terrible, terrible war that ripped the world apart into the scattered mess we are today."

Namine frowns. "You... mentioned that once before, a war? How could a war literally rip one giant world into many pieces?"

She has seen incredible things done with Keyblades yes, but that? Maybe legendary Keyblades had more power and could do greater things, but...

Aqua gives a shrug. "The Keyblade War is the official title to the great conflict, and it is a topic shrouded in the unknown. There were very, very few survivors of the war both in normal population and in Keybearers. So much knowledge was lost. Even as a Keyblade Master with access to more restricted information, there isn't that many details that survived. Some important battles, figures, and events, but... the war got worse as it went on is something I've pieced together in what Master Eraqus has taught me. Keybearers were less interested in recordkeeping and detailing what happened, and more interested in fighting. Whatever the final event was that caused the worlds to be drowned in darkness is unknown, but that the Princesses held back the darkness from devouring those that remained is the only reason any survived."

"...and their power works everywhere?" asked Namine with a touch of confusion, "How would they reach out to other quadrants that take literal years to travel to if they are all gathered in ours?"

Aqua hesitates briefly. "Its... less of a reach and more of a location thing. There is a reason that all of the Princesses are located here in this quadrant rather than elsewhere, its... important."

Namine gets the feeling Aqua is skirting around something, but its probably something an apprentice isn't supposed to know about yet. "Alright."

"Alright then, I'm off to my own lessons with the Master then."

"Bye Master."

With that Aqua heads off, and Namine makes to go inside before a nearby bush rustles. She glances at it and sees another Unversed peeking out offering yet another elixir. Where was he getting those? Weren't they supposed to be incredibly rare? She contemplates just leaving, but she sees another note taped to it, she sighs, walks over, and snatches it away.

"Namine?" comes Aqua's curious voice.

The Unversed ducks back into the bush and Namine quietly takes and pockets the note before turning and holding out the elixir. "Did you or someone else drop this?"

Aqua walks back over and takes the elixir, eyebrow raised. "I don't think I dropped anything, but Ven can be a little... forgetful of where he puts things, so it might be his. Possibly Terra's if he were in a rush. Ill see it gets back to them, or goes into general storage. Good eye for spotting it."

"Thanks."

Its only later in the secure confines of her bedroom that she reads what it said.

'I killed no one. Hurt some yeah but not killed. You can use your memory power to check if you don't believe me. -Vanitas'

Well, if that's true, its not for a lack of trying. The statement could also technically be true if only his Unversed killed people and not him, yet...

Then she notices something scribbled on the bottom. 'But I know who did kill at least one Princess of Heart.'

Namine's jaw clenches. She is so very, very tempted to immediately go to her Master with this, but she is not sure Vanitas will show up if Aqua is involved. This could also be a trap, to get her alone again. Though this time she isn't defenseless, and she has her wand.

She writes one single line as a reply 'Who did then?'

She'll drop it off in a bush tomorrow.

Vanitas doesn't reply for a few days, which is fine with Namine, she wants to squeeze in more training before she eventually has to meet him to confirm what he said. His one word reply though fills her with apprehension.

'Xehanort.'

Its become a finger pointing thing, with both suspects accusing the other. All things considered, she should want Vanitas to be wrong, to be lying, because Xehanort being the actual guilty one... it is a so much worse possibility, yet in a terrible way... it would make sense if it was Xehanort. Vanitas said he had been going to kill her on his 'Master's orders' up until she shoved her memories down his throat of what becoming 'whole' was like, and the idea that Vanitas could handle all the other keybearers on his own is... not quite believable...

"Before anything else, he needs to be located and dealt with. A rogue element like him... unpredictable, uncontrollable. He could ruin so much more than he already has."

Xehanort's words echo in her ears, and she has the terrible feeling that what he had been alluding to having been ruined wasn't what they had thought it was. Vanitas had gone rogue because of her interfering with Time, where before he likely hadn't. In the original way of things, had it been Xehanort and Vanitas fighting Eraqus, his apprentices, Yen Sid and Mickey? There is so much still unknown, and because of it, she knows she has to meet Vanitas again. She has to know, has to make sure that Aqua and the others survive this time.

Facing Vanitas would be nothing like facing a fully trained Keyblade Master. So, that evening at diner, she digs.

"Grandmaster, what was Master Xehanort like as an apprentice?" asked Namine, deciding to start at the beginning.

Eraqus blinks, briefly surprised by the topic, then considers her question. "Inquisitive, terribly so. He always had to know the how and why and what of things. Like a compulsion he couldn't stand not knowing. His favorite place was, of course, the library, or anywhere with a chess set I suppose."

He sounded exasperated and fond. "He played far to much, and grew far to skilled, even to the point where our Master was reluctant to be trounced."

"He was competitive?"

Eraqus contemplated it. "I wouldn't say competitive, no. He certainly strove to master what he focused on and took pride in himself and his accomplishments, but didn't flaunt it. He set out as a Seeker well respected by our master, myself, Yen Sid, and the older generation of apprentices."

"Older?"

"Xehanort, myself, and Yen Sid were the youngest of our Master's apprentices, the others had been masters for awhile after we passed our Mark of Mastery," said Eraqus.

"Oh," then Namine wondered, "Are they retired now?"

There was a flicker of old sadness in his eyes. "They've all passed."

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Namine quietly.

"It was some time ago," is all he says in response and returns to eating.

She is hesitant to ask more having accidently poking a old wound.

Eraqus does end up continuing after a few more bites to eat, but rather than continue on Xehanort..., "Yen Sid was the quietest of the three of us. Extremely studious and no no-nonsense..."

"Just like you hmm?" teases Aqua.

Eraqus huffed. "I was much more carefree in my younger years, but Stewardship is a responsibility I shan't shirk. I can appreciate and agree with his outlook now, but I can admit Xehanort and I did perhaps tease and prank him a bit to much in our youth."

"You? Pranking?" said Ven in disbelief.

Eraqus smiled, good natured. "I was a teenager at one point Ventus, as hard as it is for you to believe. Complete with my own set of chores as punishment for mistakes and misdeeds."

Ventus grinned. "What chore did ya hate the most?"

Eraqus tilts his head back to think. "Hmm, its been some time since my youth. I think cleaning up the library was the worst, if only because both Xehanort and Yen Sid would like to correct me on what book went where. Xehanort I recall especially liked to sit back on his chair legs and commentate my efforts."

That gets a laugh out of those present.

Eraqus hummed, not taking offense. "They were younger and better days. All three of us drifted apart after our Mark of Mastery Exams. Yen Sid left to take over the supportive branch, Xehanort left to be a Seeker, and I began training as a Steward. I could call and contact Yen Sid, but Xehanort only checked in every few years if that."

Eraqus sighed quietly. "I wish he had come back more frequently. Being a Seeker of Darkness can be a harsh role, full of difficulty, isolation, and temptations. Do not refrain from seeking out home if either you or Namine decide to become one, the Land of Departure will always be here for you to come back to."

Namine smiled at the warmth that put through her, even if she had misgivings about it being Castle Oblivion. It would always be here, she would make sure of it. She wanted a few more days to actually practice using her wand, then she would leave a reply in the bush asking for a meeting time with Vanitas...

Chapter Text

Namine sits on a bench out in the training yards, her wand resting on her lap.

Until she can drawn out her Keyblade, she is dependent on this and her magic to defend herself and others. To this point, she's only used it in combat twice, once briefly against Jadis, and once in dream. She's not sure how reliable a thing that dream encounter was. She had passively had it amplify her power when Jadis was having them march towards Aslan, but... otherwise she has no experience with it yet, Master Aqua having wanted her to develop her magic without it first. She's had a good while learning magic under her Master, but if she is going to risk meet Vanitas, and potentially going against Xehanort if he is indeed guilty, she needs to start learning to use her wand.

Its just...

Jadis gave her the damn thing.

That fact sits in Namine's stomach like a weight. She might have struck Jadis down with it, its amplification having made her ability to shatter chains of memory so terrifyingly easy, but it still had been created by the witch. Intended for foul purposes. She can't lie to herself and say she isn't loath to use it. She is also pretty sure that is kind of a problem. A lot of her initial cruel and barbed instructions from Jadis on drawing out and using her magic had the basis of gathering your will, intent, and focus. Aqua had expanded a bit on that over time. She had also done some reading, and had the following conclusion:

Trying to use something she has conflicting feelings about as a source to amplify and focus her power could have bad results. Ranging from weaker spells, to accidently overpowering spells, to failed spellcasting, and other potential mishaps. Or it could be as simple as costing her extra energy to push a spell through, but in a long fight that could be a problem...

'The Realm stirs, but you are not yet ready to enter. Not through dream, and not until you are at peace with your own memories, until you master them.'

Words from the dream, the dive, echo in her head, and she wonders if this could be part of that.

She sighs, shakes her head, and heads for the training rings. She rolls the wand between her finger tips, and decides to, at first, just focus on low end castings. Get herself used to the feel of the wand. She points it and casts, "Fire."

The wand thrums in her hand, suddenly active and awake and so very eager. The translucent part of the want flickered orange and released a fireball, rocketing out and, to her ire, causing the wheels to spin faster than she'd normally do. Obviously its an amplifier, but it still irks her that a serious round of spellcasting was outdone by a low effort Fire. She wonders why that is specifically...

"You're looking at that wand like it personally offended you," came Aqua's teasing voice.

Well, so much for getting in early practice with it before they started for the day. "Why is it so much better to use an amplifier than casting yourself? Does it truly make magic that much stronger?"

"Its not fully about strength, Namine, but efficiency," explained Aqua, summoning her Keyblade and pointing at the ring, "Watch me, not the rings."

Aqua casts a fire out of Keyblade. She then lowers it, and casts a fire out of her hand. "See the difference?"

Namine's cheeks tint pink, her voice squeaking, "...no?"

Aqua smiles a little. "That's alright, watch again, specifically my hand. Tell me what you feel."

Nothing immediately stands out, which Aqua figures, and does it a few more times before Namine finally catches something. "Right before the fire forms and casts, there's... something. It happens so fast though..."

"It does," agrees Aqua, "What is happening right there is a multi-step process that happens almost instinctually for magic users. My magic needs to be pulled from my body, converted into fire, and the last two parts are important, my magic needs to protect me from hurting myself with my own power, and it needs to actually push my magic out in the form of a spell."

Namine frowns a little. "...hurting yourself?"

"I'm casting fire from my own hand Namine," Aqua answered, examining it, holding it up to the sky in inspection before lowering and holding her hand out to Namine, "Yet there are no burns. My hand barely feels above normal temperature.

Namine slowly takes her hand, pressing a thumb into her palm. "Oh. Oh."

That... makes a lot of sense. She lets down Aqua's hand and glances down at her wand. "...and a magic amplifier..."

"Something like a wand or a Keyblade or a staff and the like does so much of the process for you," said Aqua, "They help pull out your power, help you both convert it and cast it, and on top of it all, most magic amplifiers are built to withstand magical damage. They're built to funnel magic. That is one step fully skipped, one step full of energy that can be instead put into the spell itself, along with the cuts you make from the other steps as well. They of course usually help by giving their own power boost as well."

"Magical efficiency is an incredibly important thing for those who specialize in magic," said Aqua, dismissing her Keyblade and bending down slightly to put their heads level, "Its why I wanted you to learn first without a wand, because like all weapons and tools, they can be taken from you. While a Keyblade can be summoned back to you fairly quickly, a single moment where you are vulnerable after being disarmed could be fatal if you cant react in time, or if they devise some way to keep you separated from your Keyblade."

"...could we learn to cast as good without them?" asked Namine.

Aqua huffed and straightened up. "Just as good? That specifically, Namine, is a lifetime of effort and training. I'd likely have to be as old as Master Xehanort, and devoted a considerable amount of my time and energy into both mastering magic and maintaining that mastery at the expense of other things. Efficiency is in more than just casting, but in time and effort. Reaching a desired baseline with our magic and maintaining it along with steady improvement is the goal. We will both be excellent magic users when we reach our pinnacle, but becoming that kind of Master of Magic you refer to comes at the expense of other things."

"Alright," said Namine, biting her lower lip briefly, "Could we... practice with my wand today?"

Aqua hummed, considering her. "Training has been going well, we could take off a session for a bit of a specialized focus."

Her Master resummons her Keyblade. "I suppose to start, the first thing is to get used to how it feels to cast with it. I was certainly surprised with the amount of power my casts had coming out of my Keyblade. Best to not be standing surprised in the middle of a battle. Right?"

"Right," Namine agrees, frowning down at her wand once more, rolling it between her fingers before sighing and raising it at the rings...

"Is something wrong with it?" posed Aqua, "You seem..."

Namine hesitates for a moment before deciding to confide in Aqua about her conflicting thoughts about the wand. She listens in silence, eyebrows furrowed, and takes a few minutes to think on Namine's words before she dismisses her Keyblade and holds out her hand. "May I see it?"

Namine hands the wand over.

Aqua considers the wand, closing her eyes briefly, a shimmer of energy pooling around her hand before it fades. "Curious."

"What is?"

"The Witch Jadis, did she ever use the Darkness, or did she just use her power for foul purposes?"

"The second."

Aqua nods. "Certain magical objects can be imbued with powers and affinities based on their creator, whether its intentionally, or just a byproduct. Sometimes, they even leave an imprint in their creations, though that usually fades away over time if someone else is using it. I can certainly feel a lingering about it, but its not tainted by the Darkness. I don't particularly like the presence about it, but it will be your wand before long instead of her creation. What's more..."

She smiles a little and hands it back. "There is a second lingering, a very powerful, if but wild, kind of light, that I feel did something to the wand, a... scouring perhaps? The presences overlap, perhaps the second undid something Jadis had done to it."

Namine blinks. "Who...?

Wait. Wild? Didn't Mr. Beaver say...

"Aslan," said Namine quietly, looking down at the wand.

'You can let it drag you down, or you can claim it and make it yours. Be the White Witch of your own making, in spite of Jadis and those like her. Use your power and that wand to do good, in opposite of everything they desired.'

The Lion's words echo in her ear, followed by something Mr. Beaver told her.

'Aslan has a reason for most things he does or does not do. Not that we are privy to them unless he feels like telling us. He likes to see if we can do things without him needing to do them for us. Likes to give us the chance to prove who we are at heart, good or evil. That last one especially. While it may seem cruel, there's not better way to see the truth of someone's heart than in the face of adversity.'

"Giving me the chance to show who I am," Namine murmurs quietly before gripping her wand firmly, and aiming it at the training wheel...

Its easy, Namine finds out very quickly, to burn herself out casting with her wand. Its so simple, her magic flows so smoothly and quickly, that she casts back to back without considering when she should stop, watching the wheels spin faster and faster. Its not until she gets a sudden headache and her arms are shaking that she stops, legs a bit wobbly.

"I think," said Aqua quietly, "That's enough for now. Have a seat on a bench, ill be back with some water and ether shortly."

Namine does as instructed wearily. That is... the first time she's really felt this. Jadis certainly pushed her, but she never felt this sore...

Aqua returns not much later with a canteen of water, dropping a... little tablet into it? "What's that?"

"Certain worlds have developed very useful medicine," said Aqua, smiling, "Headache relief is a life saver let me tell you. We generally pick up a few bottles worth on our supply runs."

She hands it over, and Namine guzzles it down, taking an offered ether after.

"So, what you experienced was a lesson Master Eraqus let me find out when I first summoned my Keyblade," explained Aqua, her smile turning wistful in memory, "I was more than excited to test myself with it, and pushed myself to my limits very quickly. I had a brutal headache for the rest of that day, but it certainly taught me about knowing my limits and the consequences of breaching them."

"He didn't give you anything for it?"

Aqua chuckled. "No, the Master likes to let the impact of his lessons linger, but you're not nearly the reckless youth Terra, Ven, and I were and are, I don't think you need it hammered in."

Her tone turns teasing. "Or maybe I'm just nice like that."

Namine smiles a little before frowning, rubbing her head again. "Its just... it felt so easy."

"Because it is," said Aqua, sitting down on the bench next to her, "Learning restraint with such tools is important, especially when they make it so easy to pull out your power. You like how easy your power flows out of it, how if feels to not struggle. You think you're invincible, unstoppable, and then you're shaking when you find out all it ended up doing was help you burn yourself out quicker. You'll need to learn to pace yourself, when to switch between casting or going into melee or stalling to catch your breath. I'll typically switch back and forth between casting magic and fighting directly with my keyblade. Sometimes I will mix it together, but generally ill give myself little breaks. Even just a few moments to pause and give your magic rest, or yourself a few breathers, can help with a second wind, with sustaining a fight."

She wags a finger. "Fighting all out from the get go can end a fight quickly, but its exhausting, and if your opponent outlasts you and isn't in too bad a condition, can win them the fight instead of you."

Namine sighs. "I already knew I was lucky in defeating Jadis, but if she knew all of this, then I was really fortunate it ended the way it did."

Well, that it got to that point anyway. She'd like to think Aslan would have intervened if she'd failed, but she doesn't know. She hadn't been supposed to be there after all.

Aqua doesn't immediately respond, and when she does, her voice is soft. "...do you want to talk about what happened?"

Namine looks down at her hands, at the wand she used to destroy Jadis. She had said she would talk about it with Aqua eventually. Its just...

It takes her a few minutes to work up the energy to say what she does. "She called me her little abomination..."

Aqua's lips purse. "Never by your name?"

"Less than five times," said Namine, shivering, "Each time... was followed by a threat of some kind, a terrifying warning, or she had me... had me use my power in an awful way."

She shakes her head. "Is it sad, if I say I'd rather she not have used my real name?"

"You do what you have to do to survive in such terrible situations," said Aqua quietly, "Even if its just keeping your head down."

Haltingly, Namine tells her teacher bits and pieces of life under Jadis's thumb for that short but awful period of time. Not in any particular order or severity, just... little cruelties, when looking back, that made Namine question why? What was the point of such petty cruelties?

"...she would always ask me something ridiculous like 'you wouldn't want to disappoint me', the add 'would you?' at the end of it as if anything I did was a choice," said Namine bitterly.

Aqua sighs quietly. "Its was for control, Namine. To both exert it, to remind your that you had none, and then to see you scramble to placate her."

"...just why?" asks Namine, staring down at her hands.

"I cant answer why some people choose evil," answered Aqua, "Sometimes, all you can do is withstand them and pick up the pieces when they fall. I'm..."

Aqua faltered. "I'll say once again that I'm so sorry you went through that."

Namine shrugged, looking down and not answering.

Aqua sighed. "Alright, that's enough of that for the time being. Lets go eat, then when we come back, I have a lesson to build on what I mentioned earlier with restraint."

Namine perked up a little. "What's that?"

Aqua grins. "Power regulation, to draw on and give nothing more than you actually need for a spell cast."

Namine watches from her seat on the ground as Master Aqua holds up a hand. "Observe."

One by one, five times in total, Aqua casts Fire, each time the fireball it conjures is at a different power and intensity. "For an untrained spellcaster, there are a lot of things that can effect the strength of their spell. Their own raw power, their emotions, their intent."

Aqua turns to regard Namine in consideration. "Being afraid, panicked, or desperate can cause you to accidently draw out more power than you intend, draining your energy faster. Unironically, states such as happiness or determination could drive you to put more power and energy into a spell as well. Sometimes you do need that boost for desperate moments, but, exercising control, practicing efficiency, is important for longer fights."

Namine nods in understanding. "...how often does that happen? Longer fights?"

"It depends on who or what you're fighting," admits Aqua, "Most fights against the Unversed for example were brief. Individual unversed, unless they were the larger monstrosities, were quick things that didn't last long. It gets trickery when they come out in overwhelming and continual force, in which pacing yourself is important."

She tilts her head, thinking. "Longer fights generally happen against defensive opponents, or skilled ones. Though not always on the latter. Sometimes fights where both opponents are very skilled can end very quickly despite this. I've had spars against Terra for example end after ten minutes or ten seconds. If your opponent makes a mistake and you capitalize on it, a fight can be over in seconds."

...or Namine uses her memory power. Jadis hadn't even fought, hadn't even had the chance to. "How... how do you decide? To take that capitalization? I... when I beat Jadis, it was over in seconds, but it... it wasn't something I could just undo or take back."

Aqua nods, voice quiet. "Your magic, your wand, your Keyblade, are all deadly tools, deadly weapons. You don't bring them to bear unless you mean to use them. Taking a life, or taking their memories so completely as in your case, is a terrible choice to have to make. But sometimes, you don't have the opportunity to offer mercy. If your enemy is a threat to you, or to those you would protect, and they refuse to back down, you don't have much of a choice. This is double as true for a Keybearer, as taking a life on another world can potentially drastically alter the fate of that world."

She closes her eyes. "Monsters like the Unversed are easy choices. Sentient life on the other hand... my Master once told me its terribly easy to take a life, but also terribly hard to live with. A single swing of a keyblade, a single cast of a spell, you offbalance your opponent and they fall, smashing their head in on the environment. All of that and more, a life over in an instant. The fact that you took a life stays with you, and others who may have known them, for the rest of your life and theirs for good or ill."

She opened her eyes and looked to the sky. "I'm fortunate that the closest I've had to come was against the witch Maleficent. One could argue about her minions, but I couldn't honestly tell whether or not if they were constructs of magic considering they vanished in green flame whenever I struck them down, or how sentient they honestly were otherwise. Either way, they all willingly and knowingly choose to do and serve evil, there wasn't much of a choice."

"You're awfully wise," said Namine before asking quietly, "Should I feel guilty? About Jadis?"

"Only you can decide that," said Aqua, "I certainly have my own opinion on it, but that's me. As for wisdom, I'm good at remembering things and repeating lessons the Master and the precepts taught me, but with you is honestly the first time I can put a lot of what I learned into action, or pass on in words. I am barely an adult after all no mater how wise I might sound."

She laughs. "I also may have spent a great deal of time since I took you on getting my own Master's advice on teaching."

"I'm certainly learning a lot, so, I think you're doing a good job."

The smile she gets in return is heartwarming, but... also puts a twang in her stomach. Her Master is putting so much into training her, and here Namine is passing notes with Vanitas, who may or may not be the actual one who killed a Princess of Heart... its just... she doesn't trust their reactions...

Something must have shown on her face, and her Master's voice is so soft and caring. "Is something wrong Namine?"

Maybe its mostly Eraqus's reaction she doesn't trust.

Namine's eyes search Aqua's for a long moment. "...could we talk in my room? I... I need to show and tell you something."

She hid the notes Vanitas gave her under her mattress.

"Of course Namine."

Aqua is tense as she reads through Vanitas's notes, as Namine tells her of the ones she sent back. Aqua's first response is... well, should have been expected. "Namine, you should have told us the moment a single one of his monsters showed up here. The Master secured the keep, and tried to raise some outer defenses without locking away our world, but the fact that Vanitas and his Unversed can still get in this land is a threat to everyone's safety. We could have been attacked while training or even just out for a walk. I would have hoped you wouldn't have repeated Ven's mistake unwittingly putting others in danger."

"I... I'm sorry."

"I know you are Namine," said Aqua in a tired tone, looking down again at the notes, face grim, "I can also see that he preyed upon your desire to help others. I am glad you trusted me to bring this to my attention rather than walk into his trap."

"Are you sure it is a trap though?" asked Namine, "What if he is right? What if it was Xehanort? It was awfully convenient how everything he said covered everything we were suspicious about."

The more she thinks on it, the more she is sure Vanitas is being truthful. Vanitas on his own was not enough to take down the Keybearers. Even with his Unversed she doubts it. Especially if Xehanort had been an ally rather than an enemy last time around. But if it was Xehanort who was the enemy, a trained Keyblade Master...

"There is no proof of his accusations Namine, and all things considered, he is a creature of darkness with no credibility whatsoever who tried to kidnap you," asserted Aqua, "Master Xehanort may have faltered in the past, but we have no reason to be suspicious of him here and now."

"I could get proof, one way or the other," said Namine, "To use my power on Vanitas."

Aqua didn't try to hide her displeasure, "That would require putting you in harms way Namine. Even if myself and Eraqus were watching and waiting there is still a risk."

"Can we afford not to?" asked Namine, "If Vanitas is the real threat, then he is making himself vulnerable by coming here to try to get at me, allowing us to capture and end this. But if Xehanort is the real threat, then we have to start preparing, because facing a bad Keyblade Master would be far worse than facing Vanitas..."

She hesitated. "And we'd need to go and get Terra away from him. He is currently out there all alone with a Keyblade Master stronger and more experienced than him."

Aqua breaths in, lets out it, and speaks. "I will bring this to Master Eraqus's attention and voice your concerns."

"Its just..." began Namine halting, "I don't trust him to treat my concern seriously."

"Why?"

"A monstrous creature, a dark abomination, doomed the moment Vanitas was born," muttered Namine, "I've had such things said to me before."

She looks Aqua in the eye. "A Nobody, a witch, an abomination doomed to fade away. How can I trust someone whose said things so similar to what hurt me before? How can I trust him to give Vanitas a chance to explain his side of the story?"

Aqua closed her eyes, a pained look on her face. "I will bring your concerns to Master Eraqus, and I will make sure he takes them seriously, Namine."

"You do understand however, that even IF he is innocent of killing a Princess of Heart, he has still caused damage, hurt people, disrupted the natural order of the worlds..."

"So did I," said Namine quietly, "I was forced to, but potentially so was he."

Aqua sighed, heading for the door. "For the time being, you are confined to the Keep and not to go outside. If there is to be punishment for withholding this information I will inform you later."

"Alright," answered Namine with resignation.

Aqua paused and glanced towards the wand Namine had placed on her desk. "...Vanitas is why you wanted to practice with your wand, isn't he?"

"I wasn't going to meet him without at least knowing how to use it."

"Namine," said Aqua sharply, "You have almost no live combat experience. Some training in how to use your magic, and how to use your wand, isn't going to make up for that. If it comes to a fight with Vanitas or Xehanort, you will not be involved."

Sora had even less experience than Namine did and he turned out fine!

She bites back a response and merely stays silent, jaw clenched.

Aqua exhales in frustration. "Just... stay here. I'll come get you for dinner either way."

She leaves, and Namine sits on her bed, brooding and frustrated. She has more training than Sora did. But forget about not being strong enough to help, its likely she wont be allowed to help...

She sighs and scrubs at her face, trying to push away her emotions. She knows why Aqua wouldn't want her in a confrontation, and using Sora as a counterpoint doesn't actually negate that. Because based on things she had heard and observed here, Sora shouldn't have had to get involved. Did he rise to the occasion? Yes, but, he was a fourteen year teenager. He should have never had to fight the Heartless at his age and lack of experience. He never should have been in that position to begin with. Did he have much of a choice in the matter? Not really, not at first anyway when Destiny Island fell to the Heartless. Afterwards... who else was there? Mickey was missing up until after Ansem was defeated, and Yen Sid is old and retired. Perhaps he still could have been doing something, or at least trained Sora, but she isn't sure when Yen Sid even learned Sora existed.

There had been almost no one else left who could perform the duties of a Keybearer when Sora stepped up.

Here and now, there was.

But it still hadn't been enough before.

It makes her wonder if telling Aqua had been a mistake. Kingdom Hearts sent her here for a reason, they failed before without her...

How can she change that if they wont let her help?

Chapter Text

Namine sits at the bottom step of the stairs leading into the Land of Departure's Keep, waiting. She's not quite sure what Master Aqua said to convince Eraqus to allow it to happen, but here they were. A note had been delivered for Vanitas's Unversed to pick up, with a caveat for their meeting. That Master Aqua would be present for it considering he tried to kidnap her last time. Of course, Master Aqua might have happened to cast an invisibility spell on Master Eraqus and had him standing up at the top of the stairs by the door just incase.

Better safe then sorry.

Namine jolts a bit when a dark corridor appears, and out pops... a little Unversed, peeking out, eying her and Aqua, then going back through. Likely scouting out to make sure it they weren't trying to spring a trap.

Aqua hisses lightly under her breath, muttering to herself, "Not even on the outskirts, he can form them right up to the steps of the keep. How do you block those portals from connecting to this world?"

Vanitas steps through a moment later. His helmet tilts in Aqua's direction, then focuses on Namine. "So, you can do your stupid memory thing without breaking someone, right?"

Namine gives him a flat look. "Yes, but that's really something you should have asked in your letters first."

"Yeah yeah yeah, just get it over with," he bit out.

"Not so fast," said Aqua, voice firm, "Before anything happens, I have questions that you will answer first. Are we clear, Renegade?"

"As you say, Spare," he spits back mockingly.

Spare? Spare what?

Aqua's eyes narrow. "You, in front of an Keyblade Master of the Order of Keyblade Masters, declare yourself innocent of murdering or assisting in the murder of any Princess of Heart?"

He scoffed. "Xehanort wouldn't let me do mostly anything but watch back then. So yeah, innocent, I did nothing but stand by the door looking menacing."

"You claim to have been there during a murder of a Princess?" demanded Aqua coldly.

"Yeah?"

"And you did nothing to stop it?"

"Do I look like I can take the old coot?" scoffed Vanitas, "I wasn't going to throw my shitty life away for someone I didn't even know."

"Some could say standing by and intimidating the victims was assisting," stated Aqua flatly.

"Oh piss off."

"Would you have helped him had he demanded it?"

"Duh," he said, making Namine wince at the admission, "He's shown me multiple times what happens to me if I don't follow his words to the letter."

There is a hatred in his voice so deep it sends chills down Namine's spine. Yet... there is also fear.

Aqua purses her lips, regarding Vanitas for a long minute. "Check his memories."

Namine takes a deep breath, lets it out, and closes her eyes. She reaches for that connection to the young Sora in this time, through him to to Vanitas and those corroded chains of memories. Its as awful to feel now as it was the first time, and now she knows its because his heart was ripped in half. He was half of Ventus. How was such a thing fixable? Ventus was fine, he didn't feel like this, so why did Vanitas? It had been suggested to her that she could mend hearts, but how would she even begin with this?

She pushes the desire off, she has to confirm he is innocent of the direct murder before anything else. Being there and being willing to have helped in it doesn't speak well of him, even if he would have been forced into it. But if he didn't actively do anything... they can work with that. She can work with that. Especially if it confirms without a doubt that its Xehanort who is the main threat. The reason that none of the Keybearers would be around in a decade...

The house is dimly lit. Garbed in a nightgown is a woman with long flowing red hair, with blue eyes so familiar, sitting on a couch in front of a fireplace, tired and worn. "What is it, Keybearer, that has brought you two to my home so late?"

"Questions," comes Xehanort's voice as the man moves into view, moving to sit in a chair opposite of the woman, "And hopefully, answers."

"About?"

"Your line is bloodline based, is it not? Citing all the way to your origin, in the aftermath of the Keyblade War," he posed, "All the way down to your young daughter."

"It is," she answers slowly, "This is not a secret to your Order I had thought. At least mother hadn't implied it was."

"Oh, I merely thought to confirm," said Xehanort, "And how is the former Princess of Heart?"

"Enjoying having her granddaughter for a few days so my husband and I can actually sleep," said the woman, a fond if but frustrated smile on her face.

"Mmm, motherhood is a trial I imagine," Xehanort answers, chuckling.

The woman smiled faintly, but regarded Xehanort with an tired air, not willing to continue pleasantries in the face of wanting sleep. "What questions do you seek to ask, Keybearer?"

"What do you know of the Keyblade War? Of the great darkness that nearly washed away the worlds?" he posed, "What stories have been passed down?"

Her smile fades into a frown. "I'd have thought you'd already know."

"Humor me."

"Its the same story every princess is told," The woman says, sighing, "Long ago, people lived in peace, bathed in the warmth of light. Everyone loved the light. Then people began to fight over it. They wanted to keep it for themselves. And darkness was born in their hearts. The darkness spread, swallowing the light and many people's hearts. It covered everything, and the world disappeared. But small fragments of light survived... in the hearts of children. With these fragments of light, children rebuilt the lost world. It's the world we live in now. But the true light sleeps deep within the darkness. That's why the worlds are still scattered, divided from each other. But someday, a door to the innermost darkness will open. And the true light will return. So listen, child. Even in the deepest darkness, there will always be a light to guide you. Believe in the light, and the darkness will never defeat you. Your heart will shine with its power and push the darkness away."

Xehanort waits, but the woman says nothing else.

Finally, he speaks in a plain, unassuming tone, "And nothing else was passed down? No other knowledge? No other information then a simple child's tale? I find that difficult to believe."

The tiredness is gone in moments, lips purse, and the Princess of Heart slowly sits up, regarding Xehanort warily. "I'm still in training, still learning, one would think you'd have asked my mother instead."

"Oh, I would not wish to bother the old woman, she's earned her retirement."

"As opposed to asking me, who you assume would not know better than to answer?" she answered tersely.

Xehanort smiles.

Its a cold thing.

"Why do you seek this knowledge, Keybearer?" she posed, "Your Order should have its own knowledge of such things."

"Oh, I seek any knowledge of it that I can find," he answers, "I've found out far more outside of my Order than within, and yet there is so much more to know, that I must learn."

"The worlds were nearly destroyed, Keybearer, let it lay," she warns.

"So you do know something," said Xehanort, "Tell me."

Her eyes flicker warily to Vanitas by the door, then back to Xehanort. "No."

He tsks. "Disappointing, but perhaps you would be willing to assist me with something else then. I wonder, do the numbers seven and thirteen mean anything to you?"

The woman stiffens. "Leave. You have overstayed your welcome, Keybearer."

"What do you know of the Kye-blade, Princess?"

She gives him a mocking smile. "That even if you managed to re-create it, you would never be worthy to wield it."

It happens so fast, a blast of darkness erupts from Xehanort's hand, sending the woman flying off the couch and smashing into a wall. She crumples down, cringing in pain and clutching the back of her head. Xehanort walks over and reaches down, picking her up by her throat with inhuman strength, then slamming her into the wall. "Last chance to tell me what you know. To agree to assist me, a willing Princess of Heart could make my goals so much simpler to achieve."

"N-never," she gasps out, "Y-ou are a t-traitor to a-all the oaths y-you swore."

"Perhaps," he muses, "While unfortunate, your reaction is not unexpected. I suppose I'll have to go for darkening the worlds then."

He tightens his grip on her throat. She flails, smacking and clawing at him, to no avail. Slowly, her struggling fails. Her arms fall, her head lolls to the side, she breaths no more. He toss her aside, in front of the fire place, without a care, heading upstairs. He drags a man down with him a few minutes later, tossing him ontop of the woman before he flicks a wrist, causing the fireplace to ignite and spread out of control. He clasps his hands behind his back and heads for the door, eyes so cold that don't even bother glancing at Vanitas.

The boy takes one last look at the flames begining to devour the bodies before he follows his master out...

Namine makes a choking noise and rips herself out of memory. She takes deep, ragged breaths, blinking rapidly and trying not to cry.

"Namine?" Aqua asks softly, a touch on her shoulder.

"S-she... she looked so much like Kairi," whispered Namine.

She looked so much like the teenager Namine had known.

"X... Xehanort killed Kairi's mom, the previous Princess of Heart," choked out Namine, "He demanded answers about a Keyblade War and some 'Kye Blade', and when she refused to answer, refused to work with him he... he blasted her with darkness then... then he strangled her. He killed her husband, then made the fireplace burn out of control to hide it."

Aqua hisses under her breath. "You are absolutely sure, Namine? The memory isn't fake or tampered with or anything like that?"

Namine shakes her head. "I've... I've made false memories before, or altered them, I know what that feels like. This... this was real."

Aqua exhales. "I... I had truly hoped he was lying."

Vanitas scoffs.

Aqua lets go of Namine's shoulder and regards him with a frown. "I know a little about the Keyblade War, but I can't say I've been told about this 'Kye-Blade'. What is it? Why does Xehanort want it?"

"He says it can summon Kingdom Hearts," Vanitas answered, shrugging, "That it will open a door to all worlds and bring Keybearers from all over to fight a new Keyblade War for it. He's obsessed with it."

"And you're not?"

"Not anymore, I had only wanted it before because he said it would fix me."

"What do you mean?"

"Xehanort said if Ventus and I were strong enough and clashed, a heart of light and a heart of darkness, it would re-create the X-Blade and force us back into one person," he answers.

Instantly, light bursts from the top of the staircase, chains of light surging forth so fast to entrap Vanitas. He gives a cry of suprise and topples over. Master Eraqus ripples into veiw, walking down the stairs, a grim look on his face. "That, will never be allowed to happen."

"I don't want that anymore," Vanitas snapped at him, struggling in the chains, "Not after the girly here shoved what it would feel like to be whole into my head."

Eraqus stopped walk. "What do you mean?"

"Oh? Did the little girl keep a secret?" mocked Vanitas, "Did she not tell you she was a Nobody?"

Namine purses her lips. Irritated, frustrated... and afraid. She should have known this would come out...

"You are in no place to be insulting the one person who has been sticking up for you," snapped Aqua.

"Capital N lady," mocked Vanitas, "Wasn't an insult."

Eraqus glances at Namine, eyes narrowed. "What is he talking about?"

"I... I had met him, in Radient Garden, before I left with Aqua," admitted Namine, "He implied he had been sent to kill me, was angry about being incomplete, wanting to be whole, so I showed him what it felt like when it happened to me..."

"Namine!" exclaims Aqua, shocked.

Eraqus exhales. "Aqua, as her master I ask you refrain from the questioning I must now ask."

Aqua swallows and steps back. "As you say, master."

Eraqus stares at Namine. "One would think, that you would speak of such things rather than hide them, especially after Vantus's similar failing."

"I..."

I was afraid to. I was afraid of what you would say. What you would do. I was afraid of you.

Eraqus shakes his head. "What did he mean by his words?"

Namine swallows thickly. She was afraid then, she is still afraid now. "When someone of a strong will loses their heart, the body left behind..."

"I know that," interrupts Eraqus, surprising her, "They become a person without a heart. A being both of and weilding nothingness, you call this state being a... Nobody?"

"...yes?"

Was that not what they were? Did Keybearer's call them something else? Had Eraqus ever met one before?

Eraqus stared at her for a long moment. "You were one."

"I... yes."

He closes his eyes and exhales. "I think, Namine, that at some point you need to tell us everything that happened in your past. For how long were you without a heart?"

"Less than two years."

Ish? She is not exactly sure how long she existed to be honest.

He startles. "That is an impressively short time to have grown a new heart. I had thought the process took longer, especially with the circumstances you come from."

Namine's brain short circuits for a moment.

What?

What?

"W-what do you mean, grown a new heart?" she whispers.

He stills, eyes narrowing. "One who has lost their heart but had the will to leave their empty shell behind can cultivate and develop a new one through interactions with others. With the help of those who cared, or were willing to help them, they could recover from such a grievous wound. They will steadily gain in emotional capability as years pass. Assuming of course that in their state they do not cause enough harm with their lack of empathy to be stuck down."

She stares at him, pale and shocked. Was... was this true? She searches his face, but sees no lies. She doesn't understand. The Organization existed for years. How could they not have discovered this? How could they not have realized? How could they not have noticed the things she thinks back on? So many times she had wondered about Roxas and his strong reactions, about Xion, about herself, and even Axel. Sometimes the others would seem so emotional it had made her wonder if it was real.

She doesn't understand.

"If this did not happen to you," said Eraqus slowly, "How did you now have a heart? Were both parts struck down?"

She looks at him, bewildered. What does he mean? "A Princess of Heart helped me."

And maybe Kingdom Hearts too?

He startles, a look of brief wonder on his face. "A Princess can heal such a wound? Can restore you to your original self?"

"That's not what she said to me," snapped Vanitas, "She said she existed at the same time as her original self for some reason."

Eraqus jerks. "What? That's not possible."

"Its what she said, that she got absorbed by them or something when they touched."

Eraqus stares at Vanitas, and then at Namine, bewildered. "...and rather than join with your original self, you still existed in them? A Princess of Heart was then involved with extracting and healing you?"

"I..."

Eraqus is upon her in moments, hands gripping her shoulders tightly. "A Princess of Heart was involved in whatever dangers involved your life and you did not think to inform us of this? The Princesses are our sacred duty! What else are you hiding, Namine!"

His grip tightens harshly, and she lets out a whimper of pain.

"Master!" barks out Aqua, "Enough! You are hurting and scaring her! Step away and calm down. Now."

Eraqus grits his teeth and lets go. "We don't have time for this. But mark my words, we will be having a conversation when this is all over and I expect nothing but the full truth, your position here will depend on it."

Namine wilts, stumbling away from him, taking rapid panicked breaths.

He turns away from her without a second glance, glaring coldly at Vanitas. "For now, there is this dark and deceitful creature to deal with."

"Deceitful?" said Vanitas, the sneer evident in his voice, "Incase you're not able to think, old man, how would I have even known about either the Keyblade War or the X-Blade unless Xehanort told me?"

"I do believe you," said Eraqus in a heavy, bitter tone, "That Xehanort has made his unforgivable choice, that he betrayed everything he stood for by murdering a Princess of Heart, by trying to create a new Keyblade War. He will be dealt with, but, it is my duty to make sure the X-Blade cannot be formed."

"Just get the girl to help me fix my heart then," snapped Vanitas, "Problem solved, wont even be able to make it then."

"Namine is years, if not decades, away from being able to mend the kind of damage you have, if it even can be healed, and at this point I don't believe I trust her to be involved," answered Eraqus bluntly, "Even if I pity you for what lot in life you were given, you are a nigh unrepentant creature of darkness, if I have to chose between you and Ventus I will readily chose to preserve my apprentice's life over yours to stop the X-Blade from being formed."

Namine stares at Eraqus, horrified. Is he seriously implying that he was going to kill Vanitas? He's exceptionally rude and has done awful things, yes, but no one to their knowledge is dead directly because of it. He came to them for help, he told them the truth about Xehanort, and is bound and unable to defend himself! This isn't right...

Aqua shifts uncomfortably. "Master? I don't like this either, but couldn't we just keep him imprisoned in the Keep for the time being?"

"And risk his escape? Or risk him clashing with Ventus who would be so very near?" denied Eraqus, "No. I will not risk the Keyblade War starting again anew, I will not risk the worlds. You have my condolences, Vanitas, but you must exist no more."

Bile threatens to surge from Namine's throat as a realization hits her. She is being used to hurt someone again. Did Eraqus ever intend to help Vanitas? To let him live if he wasn't guilty? She had been used to get Vanitas here, she had even agreed to it, but once he had been proven innocent of the worst crime, he was still going to be killed? Murdered because of a possibility, over something he had no intention of doing?

No.

Not again.

She swore she wouldn't be used like this again.

Never again.

Not even by the Keybearers.

Namine forces through her fear and surges forward, wand springing into her hand as Eraqus swings his Keyblade, releasing a burst of light at Vanitas who is yelling profanities at him. Namine casts barrier, cringing at the impact, but holding it. There is a heavy moment of silence when the light fades.

"Namine," Eraqus's voice is cold, hard, and commanding, "Lower the barrier, now, and step aside."

Namine meets his gaze, fear and anger waring with grief. Because she doesn't see her grandmaster right now, she sees DiZ, he would have killed Vanitas just as readily as DiZ would have killed her. "No."

"You will not heed your steward? Heed your grandmaster?" he posed coldly, face becoming as if chiseled by stone.

She sees Aqua frozen, eyes wide in shock at the steps, unmoving. Namine swallows thickly and says, despite her fear, "No, I will not, not for murder."

"He is a creature of darkness, he has hurt who knows how many people..."

"I was a creature of nothingness, I was used, just like he was, to hurt people," she bit back, "Am I to be struck down and murdered too?"

"You are allowing your past to dictate your present," he countered harshly, "Despite either your lies or misleading on your past, you do clearly feel remorse for what you have done, he very clearly does not."

"Has he ever been given the chance to? Is he even capable of doing so before his heart is fixed?" she asked.

He grits his teeth, swinging his Keyblade violently to the side and pointing at himself with his other hand. "I do not know, and I cannot risk it either way. I am the Steward of the Land of Departure, the Lord of this Castle and leader of the Order of Keyblade Masters. It is MY DUTY, child, to never allow this kind of threat to exist. You allow your heart to lead you astray for the plight of one creature when the entirety of the Realm of Light, nay, all of creation, is on the line. One Keyblade War was enough to shatter the worlds into pieces and nearly drown them in darkness, another could destroy them completely."

Her arms shake, but her voice is frim. "I came here, I joined the Keybearers because I wanted to have had the chance to help people, not be forced to hurt them. I've already betrayed myself too many times in my life because others demanded it of me. Not again."

She steels herself. "Never again, not when there is another way that you are refusing."

He is eerily quiet for a long minute. "Then you share his fate."

Her breath hitched...

He raised his keyblade, light and lightning surging around him before he swings...

There is a warping sound, then Aqua is there infront of her, hand held out, a much stronger barrier than Namine's springing up and taking a hit so strong it actually cracks.

Namine takes a few steps back, shaking, tears sliding down her face. He would have done it. He really would have gone through with it. He would have killed her to kill Vanitas...

Her grandmaster would have killed her.

Aqua lowers the barrier and roars. "Master! Have you lost your mind?!"

"You know the precepts, Aqua," he snapped at her, "You know our duty."

"And going through my apprentice to do so is the best way to preform them?" she snaps at him, incredulous.

"If I must."

"She cant fight you, she isn't anywhere close to being able to stand up to you. All you had to do was drag her out of the way or ask me to do so," snapped Aqua, "Instead you go right for murder? You're not thinking straight master!"

"I am! I know my duty! I will stop the Keyblade War from happening again at any cost! I will end the threat of the Kye-Blade, and then I will stop... I will stop Xehanort."

Aqua takes in a breath. "Master... I know he was your brother in all but blood once upon a time. I know his betrayal, his numerous crimes, have hurt you, badly. I know you are determined and terrified and desperate about a potential threat that I can't yet measure, but this is not the way."

"Stand aside Aqua," he grits out, "As your Master, I order you to stand aside."

"Master you need to calm..." begins Aqua, raising her hands in placation.

Namine yelps when she is suddenly grabbed from behind, an arm locking around her throat. "You know what? I tried to do it your way, I even let you know about Xehanort. Yet despite not actually killing anyone, your crazy leader tried to kill me for it. I'm going to take what you promised me and you're going to help fix me."

Aqua jerks her head and half turns. "Wha-."

Namine doesn't get a chance do anything more than yelp before Vanitas drags her back through a dark corridor, leaving Aqua and Eraqus behind...

Chapter Text

Namine sits in some abandoned warehouse on an unknown world. She had been kidnapped. Again. She should be upset about this... but...

"Then you share his fate."

Eraqus's words keep echoing in her head. That he decided to throw her away and murder her with less than a minute's deliberation. She feels sick to her stomach, and can't bring herself to unwrap some kind of food bar Vanitas scrounged up and tossed at her. He hadn't really done or said anything after taking her here. Had taken one long look at her and let her just wearily sit down on a crate.

Considering that... that her... her grandmaster had been trying to kill her at the time for saying no to murder, she is not actually sure being kidnapped is a bad thing. Though leaving Master Aqua alone with Eraqus made her deeply uncomfortable. But... her master was strong. If she couldn't talk Eraqus down, she could defend herself. It was Ven she was really worried about.

"If... if he can't stop the risk of the Kye-Blade being forged by murdering you," she finally asks, "Do... do you think he'd go for Ven?"

Vanitas glances over at her. "Duh."

She doesn't know why she expected anything but a blunt answer from him.

"Doubt your Master would let that happen though, goody two-shoes that she is," said Vanitas, tone making it clear he wasn't saying that as a compliment, "Dunno if she could take him in a fight, but even he's gotta know throwing away all of his apprentices is fucking stupid. That dumb brick Terra wouldn't take his friends and you getting offed well. Would probably make him actually join Xehanort, no need to trick Mr. Gullible into using his darkness like Xehanort intended."

"...tricked?" asked Namine, frowning, "Xehanort wants Terra to join him?"

"No."

Namine blinked. "But you said..."

"I said Xehanort wants Terra dark, not that he wants him to join him," said Vanitas flatly, "Can't body-jack the dumbass if he isn't dark enough."

Namine froze.

Body-jack?

"As in... steal his body?"

"Yep," said Vanitas, popping the p and apparently not seeing anything wrong with it.

Apprentice Xehanort, Ansem, Xemnas...

Their hair had been silver.

Xehanort might have been bald, but his beard was silver. His hair would be silver.

Apprentice Xehanort was Terra with his body stolen.

Namine covers her mouth, horrified. So that was it then. Xehanort killed everyone else and stole Terra's body. Considering Vanitas wasn't in her time either, and Xehanort had amnesia, something had gone wrong with his plans. The Keybearers wouldn't have gone down without a fight. Or perhaps...

Perhaps they had gone down fighting eachother.

Its not hard to imagine Eraqus trying to kill Ven if he found out about the Kye-Blade forge plan. Especially if Vanitas had still been allied with Xehanort. The old treacherous Keyblade Master wouldn't have needed to defeat all the Keybearers himself if they fractured apart and destroyed themselves. Bitterness fills her. Had her grandmaster ruined everything before? Betraying and murdering his own apprentice? Had Aqua and Terra fought their own master? Had to kill him? Or did they stop him and Xehanort killed them?

She doesn't know.

She supposes it doesn't matter anymore.

She has the gist of it, she knows what she has to do.

"I have to stop Xehanort," she whispers.

Vanitas snorts. "Yeah, good luck with that. You can go commit suicide if you want via the old coot after you help me fix my heart."

Right.

Because she was trapped on an unknown world without a way off without him. "I'm not sure how."

He twitches. "How the hell did a Princess of Heart fix you? Just bring me to the one who did it and get them to do their light bullshit, easy."

"She doesn't exist anymore," Namine stated.

Its technically true, her original Kairi doesn't exist here.

Vanitas seethes. "Shit. That damn old coot actually went through with offing the rest of them? I knew he wanted to, just hadn't realized... bah, its not like he told me what the hell he does when he's not kicking me around."

So, its likely Xehanort had gone after the other Princess in her time then after all. Why most of the Princesses are so youthful...

Why most...

Oh, wait.

Namine bites her lip. Thinking. There were a few adult or almost adult Princess in her time. Cinderella, Aurora, Bella, she thinks were the closest to being of age, or had reached it. She just wasn't sure how old they actually were then, and now. She considers what little she knows of their history, and snips Bella off the list, very likely a child now. Cinderella and Aurora were actual royalty in her time if she recalls right. She wonders if that means they were passed down lines like Kairi was. Would they have had any training? Could they help Vanitas if they didn't?

If not...

Could she risk bringing Vanitas anywhere near Kairi? Would Lady Ame have any idea how to help him? Lady Ame, being a former trained Princess of Heart, would likely be the best bet if it was possible to help Vanitas at all...

"I... I might have an idea," she says with hesitation, and then steels herself, glaring at him, "But I'm going to warn you once, and only once Vanitas. Your little creatures already hurt people I cared about once. If you hurt them, I will shatter your memories."

Vanitas tenses, going so very still. "The only reason I sicked the Unversed on people at all to begin with was because the old coot wanted me to. I didn't honestly care about them, so, as long as we're working to get my heart fixed, I don't have a reason to hurt them, or even the other keybearers. I loath Ventus, but if I can be my own person, then forget the idiot. I'll readily go the rest of my life having to see that weakling again."

Callous.

But acceptable.

She'd find it odd that he hates his other half so much, but... in her worst moments she had felt badly towards her original self too.

"Heck, if you get my heart fixed, the Unversed wont even be a problem anymore," he states, clenching and unclenching a fist, "As useful as they can be, I'd rather not have to go through with making them again and again."

She looks at him, puzzled. "I'd think having an army of creatures to use would be something you'd prefer. Why would you not..."

"Because it fucking hurts," he snapped at her.

She startles. "...oh. Making them hurts?"

He laughs and then clenches his fists tightly. A dark aura surrounds him, and she watches, wide eyed, a little cluster of the small blue ones seep out infront of him. "No. Killing them does."

He summons and swings his keyblade, cleaving through them in one go. They burst into energy that flows back into him all at once, making him flinch briefly, a hiss escaping his helmet. Her eyebrows furrow, feeling uneasy. It looked like it hurt a little, but...

She reaches out with her powers, feeling for the recent memory of...

She lurches back with a small shriek at the sudden onslaught of pain the memory brings, toppling backwards off her crate. She lays there, shocked. There is a pattering of feet, the boy peering over the crate down at her. "The heck was that?"

She stares at him, horrified. That was agony, an intense burst of physical pain. He barely flinched at it. "...how... how does that not affect you more? The memory of it..."

Vanitas clenches his fists tightly. "I've had plenty of experience with it. Master Xehanort made certain of that."

He stalks off without offering a hand to help her up. She lays there for a bit, numb with the thought of Xehanort, in essence, torturing his own student, and yet... if she felt right...

Vanitas hates the pain.

He also longs for it for some reason.

Something is seriously wrong with him. She gets the feeling she is missing a lot of things about him. She cautiously reaches again, making sure to try to disconnect the feelings from it...

She wishes she hadn't almost instantly.

She sees him training on some desolate world, fighting and killing his own Unversed over and over and over again. Causing himself so much pain. Sometimes at Xehanort's behest. Sometimes of his own free will.

Why?

She swallows thickly and decides to stop digging. She doesn't want to see more of this. She pushes herself up, grabs the food he'd thrown at her earlier, and forces herself to eat. When she finishes she looks at him, warring with herself one last time.

"We need to go back to Radiant Garden."

He snaps his fingers, a dark corridor forming. "Finally. Lets get this done so I can be done with all of this."

"Going to leave after?" she asks cautiously.

"Duh, like hell am I sticking around to get killed by either old coot."

She thinks for a long moment. With the Keybearers currently fragmented and possibly at each other's throats, Xehanort will have an advantage until they can band together and mend what's been broken, if they even can (a simple apology can't undo what Eraqus had done, she's not sure what could). Their only current advantage is Xehanort doesn't know he's been found out yet, and Terra likely isn't dark enough yet to posses, but that is on a timer. She isn't anywhere near ready to face a Keyblade Master. But...

Her eyes flicker to Vanitas, the boy making his way to the dark corridor.

To the boy trained by the traitor Keyblade Master.

The boy who would know the current Xehanort better than anyone else.

"...not even for the chance of revenge on Xehanort?" she asks pointedly.

Vanitas pauses. "...lets just go."

She can feel it down the chain of memories.

The anger.

The hate.

It feels bottomless.

Contested only by his fear of Xehanort.

He wants Xehanort dead, but is terrified of actually fighting him.

Hmm...

She wonders...

Perhaps all he needs to make that final push is a bit of bravery, a bit of... light.

A fixed heart.

Would he stay and fight then?

"Lets go."

Its night when they step out of the portal, streets dimly lit.

Namine rubs her chest with discomfort, a chill rolling through her heart. She has to remember to be careful of how many of these dark corridors she goes through without protection in a short period of time. She looks around, hesitating briefly. "Lets... avoid the guards."

"Right, simple enough," he clenches his fists, a few Unversed spawning out of him, "Scout, don't engage."

They slink along the streets of Radiant Garden. Part of her yearns to reach out when she sees members of the guard on patrol, but... while strong, none of them had a ghost of a chance against a Keyblade Master. Even as powerful Nobodies, none of them had faired well against Sora or Riku, both who hadn't even had proper training. Getting them involved will only get them killed.

There is also no guarantee they'd believe her over a Keyblade Master. She can only hope Ame does. "I don't want anyone who doesn't need to know, to know we're here. It might end up getting back to Eraqus if he checks here, or worse, Xehanort."

"No shit."

She huffs at his crudeness, but doesn't rise to his prodding. Leon is on watch at Ame's house, pacing around the front of the porch. Vanitas motions for his Unversed to go, and they cause a distraction, tipping over a trash can on the street and skittering out into view. Leon snarls, draws his blade, and lunges out. They sneak past while he's drawn off, quietly entering the house.

They find Ame sitting in her rocker, a tired Kairi snoozing on her lap. The elderly lady raises a brow when they enter. "Back again Namine? Its rather late for you and your... friend to be here."

"His name's Vanitas, he's... why we're here."

Ame nods slowly, eyes flickering. "Where are your masters?"

Namine falters at that.

"Not here," says Vanitas, "Good thing that, considering the elder tried to murder your little Namine here."

Did he seriously have to start with that?

Ame stops rocking, going so very still, her eyes fixed on Vanitas for a long, long moment, then her head turning slowly to stare at Namine. Her tone is tight. "Explain."

Kairi stirs, blinking. "Hrn...? Nami?"

"Hush Kairi," murmurs Ame, hand on the back of her head cradling her to her chest.

Kairi squirms and turns to face forward, frowning at Vanitas. "He... he feels scawry."

Vanitas gives out a bored. "Boo."

Kairi scowls and sticks her tongue out at him.

"I...," begins Namine, "I... I don't think Kairi should be here for this..."

"If the Keybearers who are sworn to protect us have gone rogue, I think, young as she is, she needs to know who might hurt her," Ame counters unhappily.

"I... its...," Namine closes her eyes, pained, "Its complicated, we... have you... have you ever heard of the name Xehanort?"

Ame raises a brow. "He's one of the Keyblade Masters from Master Eraqus's generation. Last I knew, elderly, off on his own for years now."

"He... turned traitor, he's the one who...," she swallows, staring at Kairi, "The one who ki—hurt your daughter."

Ame's eyes tighten.

"Mum?" posed Kairi, looking up at Ame, "Gamma? Xehanawt why mum n' da had to go away?"

"Yes Kairi," Ame answers, voice pained, "It would seem so. How does this play into Eraqus trying to hurt you?"

Namine moves to sit on the couch, hands wringing together. Vanitas paces near the room's entrance.

"From the beginning dear."

So Namine tells the story. Starting from her brief encounter with Vanitas before leaving that first time with Aqua, which certainly doesn't make the Princess of Heart, current and former, happy with him. A brief training overview, their discovery of the registry issue, into the first kidnapping, a brief and unhappy overview of Narnia and her powers, coming back, more training, the note passing via Unversed, the meeting, her seeing the memory, and then...

"Eraqus... he used me," Namine whispered, wrapping her arms around herself, "He used me to try to kill Vanitas, even after he was proven innocent of the crime. When I refused to stand aside, he would have killed me to if Aqua hadn't gotten in the way. Vanitas took me awhile while they were arguing, wanting his side of the bargain in exchange for having told us the truth, and... and here we are."

Kairi's eyes are wobbling, sniffling. "Nami shoulda stayed with us Gamma, its all bad with key people."

Ame exhales, frustration, anger, and fear all mixed together in her eyes. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. I don't think we would have been spared this mess for long either way."

Ame slowly stands, turning to set Kairi down on the chair, before approaching Namine. "Show me the memory. Show me... show me my daughter's final moments."

"Are... are you sure?"

"I have never been surer."

Namine hesitates, but reaches out, gently pushing the memory of her daughter's death to her. The elderly woman's eyes glaze over for a few moments, until she starts spilling quiet tears down her face, blinking rapidly. "So brave... and so true to herself, even in the face of death."

She looks away, wiping at her eyes. Kairi toddles off the chair and over, gripping Ame's hands tightly. Ame runs a hand through Kairi's hair, lips pursing. "I don't approve of you, Vanitas, of what you've done, what you've stood aside and let happen," he scoffs, Ame ignores the interruption, "However, I'm not blind to the fact that Xehanort is the root cause of all of this. You and Ventus should have never been separated from one another, especially not in such a horrific manner. I can perhaps see if something can be done for you, on one condition."

"And what's that?" he poses, body tense.

"Protect Namine," she answers, "Stay with her and keep her safe."

"You're kidding me! She wants to go after the old coot! That's suicide!"

"Not stopping him is suicide," Ame answers back flatly, "If he finds a way to gain the Kye-Blade, to open Kingdom Hearts, then nowhere in all the worlds, in all the realms, would be safe."

That brings Vanitas up short. "That's—gnnrrrrr!"

He turns and punches the wall, rattling it a bit. "Fuck!"

"Gamma, was fahk mean?" asks Kairi.

Ame glares at Vanitas. "Its a bad word and I don't want to hear you say it again."

"Sowwry..."

"First," says Ame, shaking her head then staring Vanitas down, "I have a theory I wish to test. Please, summon an Unversed."

"Why?"

"I need to examine the process. That this is possible at all means something is very wrong, creating such things isn't natural," Ame answers, "Please come closer first. Namine take Kairi."

Vanitas approaches before tensing as she lays a wrinkled hand on his chest. "Proceed."

He clenches his fists, a single small one popping out of him.

Kairi hides behind Namine. "Bad kitty."

"They're not cats," Vanitas answers flatly.

Ame has an heavy frown on her face. "Can you recall it?"

He points a single finger and unleashes a small bolt of black lightning, killing the little unversed. Ame hisses and flinches back. "You... that pain, its like this every time?"

"Yes."

"I...," Namine hesitates, "I saw in his memories how he trained, Xehanort had him keep killing them over and over again."

"That man is a vile beast," snarls Ame, her disgust and rage a surprising thing to see, making both girls take a step back, "No wonder your heart doesn't show any signs of healing. You keep reinjuring it every time you do this cycle of creation and destruction."

Vanitas jerks back. "What?!"

"They come from you, your emotions, your... negativity if I sense right," she answers, "But most importantly? They come from your damaged heart. You rip away tiny bits to create them, then they are returned to you in a brutal fashion. You are in essence ripping open a wound again and again."

"So what, if I never summoned them I'd heal on my own?" he spits out.

"Possibly over quite a few years, but unrealistic considering what you are, and the impossibility of never feeling enough to not create them," she answers, "But there is a difference between accidentally creating a few, and purposefully summoning them as you and Xehanort had you do. I hold little doubt it was intentional on his part, so cause a festering. I wonder..."

She peers at him. "A being of pure darkness or not, how different were you when you were first born, compared to now?"

He doesn't answer, fists clenching.

She shakes her head. "That wound must be sealed, I'm honestly surprised your heart hasn't fully collapsed on its own from all of this."

Vanitas scoffs. "Ventus was the weak one, it was his half of the heart, his light, that was weak enough to collapse. How he survived at all is beyond me."

Ame frowns. "Ventus was the younger boy, right?"

"Yes," answers Namine.

"The one with an echo in him."

Vanitas cocks his head. "An... echo? What does that mean?"

"An echo, a piece of someone else's heart absorbed into him."

"WHAT!?" exclaims Vanitas, fists clenched, "He has WHAT in him? How?!"

"I'd have thought this is how he was mended by the Keybearers?"

"No! They literally just dumped him in a bed and hoped he'd get better after the old coot dropped him off," Vanitas answers, "If he has another heart in him... it wasn't them... but wait..."

Vanitas reaches up and takes off his helmet, frowning. "I didn't have a face at first, not until Ventus started healing. Is this connected?"

Namine's eyes go wide. That's why he looks like Sora! Sora's heart was the one who healed Ventus. But Sora would have had to have been so young... how could he possibly have done so?

"Its possible you may have taken on traits from them," Ame agreed.

Vanitas darkens. "...so the plan was done for from the get go. If Ventus had a piece of someone else in him, I was never going to fit back in properly."

His face twists. "Wouldn't bet against Xehanort having known that and strung me along."

"Xehanort is a vile, twisted man, but he isn't all knowing," rebukes Ame.

"He's smarter and trickier than anyone I've ever seen or met," Vanitas answers back.

"He is also arrogant," says Ame, head tilted up, a sly smile on her face, "His original plan to form the Kye-Blade using you and Ventus was never going to properly work."

Vanitas startles, bewildered. "Why not?"

"Because you can't make a twenty piece blade with only two," she answers simply, "It was always doomed to fail."

Vanitas goes eerily silent. In the back of her mind, she can feel his rage blackening, and underneath that, bitterness at so much time and effort wasted, all barely contained.

Ame closes her eyes and exhales. "The simplest and most likely way to fix your heart is to replicate what was done with Ventus. Find someone willing to give a piece of their heart to close the wound. It needs to be dark enough to connect with your own darkness, but have a light that can grow properly into your own light part of your heart."

Vanitas scoffs. "Someone willing? I doubt anyone would willingly do it. Can't just take it?"

Ame gives an unimpressed look. "No."

Namine bites her lip, thinking. "...would I work?"

Vanitas and Ame turn to look at her.

"I... I know I'm not exactly okay," Namine says quietly, "My... my life hasn't been much kinder to me than his was to him, and... I have struggled with darkness before, on Narnia. But... I have light, I am, in part, light," Jadis had outright told her this during her probing, "Dark but light, That should work, right?"

"You... you would just give me a piece?" he whispers.

She meets his gaze, her voice is quiet, but firm. "I only ever wanted to help people, Vanitas, and yes, that includes you."

He goes quiet, staring at her like she makes no sense.

Ame hums. "Theoretically, yes, you should work then. But... this isn't going to be a painless process. Namine, this will hurt, especially since we don't have an actual trained Keyblade Master here to do this, only him. You will gift, but he will have to cut, and there is a lot of ways this could go wrong, even with Kairi and I here to help."

Kairi tilts her head. "I can hewp?"

Ame nods, her voice sad. "You'll have to. I can help guide you, Kairi, but we will need the light you have to help guide the piece to him, to mend and tie it to his heart, and to help mend Namine after."

Kairi gives a determined nod. "Kay'!"

Ame takes in a breath and exhales. "Namine, Vanitas, you both need to understand this will change you. It will temporarily weaken both of you while you recover. It will forge a connection between you, much like I imagine Ventus and his mystery doner have. You, Vanitas, will lose your ability to create the Unversed, you will likely lose some abilities and traits unique to being pure darkness, and your overall darkness will weaken. Your wound will close, but your heart, even after recovering from the wound being sealed, will still need a great deal of time to grow into a proper heart. Short term weakness, but in the long run though... you will be healthier, and whole."

Namine would probably need to take a closer look at his corroded Chain of Memories and see if she could help with that too.

Ame's eyes flicker briefly to Namine. "I suspect you'll find strength in unexpected ways."

He grunts. "Whatever."

"Namine... I can't predict exactly how being connected to him like this will affect you," Ame warns.

She can't imagine it will be too different from being connected to Sora. "We'll find out."

"I suppose we will, lets lay you on the couch, dear."

Namine obeys and shifts her position.

"Come Kairi, lets sit," Ame orders, moving to plop herself on the floor right down next to Namine, Kairi following suit.

Ame holds one of Kairi's hands in her own, and places both her and Kairi's other hand on Namine's stomach. "I suppose I should have asked first, do you have any idea how to interface with a heart using your Keyblade, Vanitas?"

"Loosely," he answers, "I gotta stab her."

"E-excuse me?!" stammers Namine.

"Its not really a physical stab, even if it looks like it," he answers, "I've seen the old coot do it once or twice. The Keyblade is a key, in way more ways than one."

She frowns, swallowing thickly, eyes flickering to Ame for reassurance. "Even if he fails, we will prevent the worse case scenario of outright losing your heart and becoming a heartless."

That's... only slightly reassuring...

She gives a shaky nod, trying to calm herself with even breaths.

Vanitas moves to stand between Ame and Kairi, stepping over their joined hands. He summons his Keyblade and positions it over Namine's chest.

"Carefully," murmurs Ame.

"I know," he snaps back, "I want this to work more than anyone else."

His yellow eyes are critical, flickering to the tip of the Keyblade, then down at her. "How... how do I know how much to cut away?"

"You'll know."

His eyes narrow, his jaw sets, and he slowly presses down.

Namine's breath hitches, her eyes going wide at a sudden sharp pressure...

A brief purple and white light shines from where it presses in...

Ame's hands tighten on Kairi's, a soft glow illuminating them both...

Then...

Namine goes rigged, gripping the couch with her hands, and shrieks, making Kairi jolt and whimper.

It feels like someone dug a knife and a spoon into her chest. One to cut, the other to scoop and scrape.

Vanitas withdraws his keyblade, a small shimmer stuck to the end of it.

Namine makes a choking sound, staring at it as she starts shaking. Something in her wants to reach and take it back...

But...

Through the pain surging down her body, and in her heart, she sees the sheer reverence Vanitas has for it. It reminds her of why she's doing this, she's helping. She spasms briefly, face rapidly turning pale and shaky, sweat starting to form all across her body.

"Kairi, take it, quickly now," orders Ame.

Kairi stares in distress at Namine.

"Kairi now!"

The girl jolts, swallows, teary eyed, but lifts her hand off Namine, the pain increasing when she does, and plucks the little spark off the Keyblade.

"Vanitas, step back and sit next to us, now, it can't stay outside a body for long."

He obeys, stepping back over them, nudging the table out of the way, and sits.

Namine watches, deep ragged breaths escaping her, as Ame lets go of her too, the pain in her body spiking higher once they're both not helping. She swallows back a whimper, and grits her teeth. Ame grasps ahold of Kairi's hand, and guides it close to Vanitas's chest.

"You betta be grapeful hat Nami's doin this for you," Kairi snaps angrily.

"Whatever kid, just...," he stares down at the spark, hands twitching like he wants to grab it and shove it in himself, "Put it in."

Kairi scowls, but follows Ame's direction as the old woman presses their hands against Vanitas's chest. There is a brief shine, and Vanitas gives off a choked gasp. For a moment, nothing happens aside from his eyes glazing over. Then he keels over, clutching at his chest and nearly knocking the two over. Kairi yelps, but Ame steadies them both, keeping their glowing hands against his chest.

"Easy now Vanitas, easy, don't fight it."

"It fucking burns!" he seethes.

"Of course it does, you haven't had your own light in years now," Ame tuts, "And stop swearing around my granddaughter!"

The glow spreads from their hands and covers his body. He gives a strangled wheeze...

He topples, knocking Kairi over. "Oww!"

Kairi squeezes out from under him, grumbling. "Are we done Gamma?"

Ame exhales, wiping a bit of sweat off her forehead. "With him, yes, he's going to need to sleep that off. Now, lets help Namine."

They both place a joined hand on her chest, a soft glow emanating that helps soothe the sharp ragged pain in her chest. It continues for a little bit, each second reducing the pain bit by bit until they stop, but she really wishes they could have continued, its not that much better. "That's all we can realistically do, you'll need to give your heart time to heal now."

Namine gives a weary nod.

"Come, lets get you to bed. We'll tug him onto the couch after."

Namine weakly gets off the couch, legs shaking. Ame moves to support her, Kairi clutching at one of her hands, as they guide her to Kairi's bedroom and tuck her in to sleep...