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The Realm of Darkness was a funny place. One could walk and walk, never realizing how far they strayed from the light above. Aqua soon found out that the denizens here had no need of sleep, yet the place bordered so close to the land of dreams it was easy to slip into one without even knowing.
“I know you’re not there…” Aqua muttered to herself, seeing the flicker of brown hair and bright blue eyes in her peripheral vision. A smile that always cheered her up. “I am the reason you are not here.”
Aqua shut her eyes and kept walking- on and on- just focused on step by miserable step. You are alone. Completely alone. There is no one here.
A soft light touched her face, one so warm it couldn’t have been imaginary. Aqua cracked her eyes looking out over a town at the orange sun glowing on the horizon.
Perhaps you finally walked far enough, she dared hope.
“Well, you’re new.” The owner of the voice startled her. Aqua stumbled, now realizing she was on a clocktower- high above this strange place. He grabbed her, pulling her to him until she was steady.
“Maybe Larxene is right. I really did manifest a girlfriend in my dreams,” the man muttered, letting Aqua go. He was tall- almost a foot above her- but perhaps it was the hair adding to his height.
He helped her sit down, noting the disoriented look on her face. “C’mon, say something. No one’s ever this boring in my dreams.”
“A dream?” Aqua asked. Yes, that’s right. But, the Heartless. “That makes sense. I can’t… be here.”
I slipped into a dream. But I’ve never met him before…
There was nowhere to walk to, no way to escape. She was sure that she was lying somewhere else, somewhere where the Heartless could feed on her until she was empty like they were. I have to wake up.
Aqua stood, vaguely hearing the man speaking.
The thought of shadows and demon tides roared in her head.
She jumped.
“What the hell?!” Axel woke in his bed, arms outstretched. It was a dream, it had to be. It was funny, he didn’t think Nobodies could dream. Much less make up people.
Why couldn’t she be there? Who was she? Why did she look so… sad?
“Axel, the boy’s arrived.” Vexen said from the other side of his door.
No time for that, I guess. It’s showtime.
As she guessed, Aqua woke on a path. A path to nowhere, or maybe somewhere if she knew which way to go. It didn’t matter.
“A dream,” Aqua said, her voice ringing out and filling the hollow void. It was selfish, but she almost missed the fallen worlds from however long ago. They were restored by Sora, she knew that, but they were a lonely comfort- an escape from the endless abyss.
She stood and did all she could, she kept walking.
Axel had no intention of sleeping when he returned to his room.
That Sora kid is more wily than I thought. Axel leaned back, putting his hands behind his head. Larxene seemed eager to play with Sora, so he supposed the hero would be occupied for a while. I’m just gonna shut… my… eyes.
Soft light, warm. The call of birds and the taste of ice cream. Axel opened his eyes, focused on the outline of someone sitting at the clocktower; a bar of ice cream close to his chest and a tentative smile on his face.
“Roxas!” He called, at the same time someone else whispered for Ven.
Axel looked over, the same girl standing at the edge of the tower, frantically looking and calling, “Ven! Ven!”
He could be here! “Ven! Ven!” His sleeping heart must be reaching out for mine.
“That’s not who you think it is.” Axel sat down, grabbing the girl by her wrist and sitting her next to him. Even when she was settled he kept a firm grip on her. Her skin was cold and clammy, almost concerningly so.
She sighed, looking out at the sun. “No, I suppose it wouldn’t be. It’s about time I accept that.”
For some reason the name Ven rang a bell. But, that was Roxas he saw. He was sure of it. Axel pushed the thought aside, ignoring the uneasy feeling of forgetfulness. “I don’t know about that. But, I’m Axel.”
The girl looked him in the eye for the first time, blue eyes meeting green- her eyes are the only bright thing about her. “I’m… Aqua. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Aqua.” Axel smiled, liking the way it rolled off his tongue. “Pretty name.”
“You smell like nothing.” Aqua looked away, not paying attention to him anymore. She didn’t even seem to notice the contact on her wrist.
“Excuse me?” Axel smiled. “I guess I should be flattered.”
“All around is the scent of darkness, but you smell like nothing .” Aqua stood and freed her arm with a jerk. She jumped back, landing on her toes and summoning… a keyblade? “What are you?”
“Well that’s an easy question, teach.” Axel remained sitting, putting his hands behind his head and lying back in hopes of setting her at ease. “I’m a Nobody.”
“A… Nobody?” Her keyblade lowered a fraction. “What does that mean?”
“I’m a husk. Just a body, no heart.”
Aqua’s keyblade vanished, her eyes going wide. “And you’re awake?”
“Well, not right-”
“Wait!”
Aqua hadn’t left. She hadn’t made a single move to end the dream. Yet, here she was.. Back in the cold, empty dark. He has answers. An itch flooded her skin, making her muscles jump. He has answers, like Mickey had answers. Aqua broke into a run, trying to find her way back to that warm, comfortable place. When that proved impossible she kept running in hopes of relieving her itch to go.
Mickey spoke of the Heartless, tried to explain what was going on on the surface in the little time they had together. But, he never mentioned these so-called Nobodies. Creatures with no hearts, up and walking around. “Ven… you’ll be okay. I’ll get to you.”
Aqua stopped running, suddenly exhausted. She sat, letting the visions of times long passed and people long gone flood over her.
Larxene and Marluxia are in on it, that much I know for sure…
Axel leaned against the wall in some random corridor of Castle Oblivion. Somewhere below him, Sora was being entertained by Vexen and his copy of Riku he was oh-so proud of. It didn’t matter. For some reason his thoughts stayed on Aqua, who was she? Where was she? There was no way she was just a figment of his imagination, right?
He found himself missing Roxas. It wasn’t like the kid would know what to do, or even understand what was going on- fuck, not even Axel knew what was going on and he was the one having the dreams - but at least he’d have someone to talk to.
Axel vaguely kept in his mind Marluxia’s little ‘job’ for him. I know being the double agent means doing the dirty work, but man. Axel leaned his head against the wall, staring skyward. Just for a couple minutes,
Axel let his eyes shut.
It was dark this time.
Aqua sat cross legged in the middle of the darkness. Her skin was pale, so pale it was almost translucent. Axel knelt before her, putting a hand to her forehead. Her eyes flickered open, taking him in. “Axel.”
“That’s the name, I guess you got it memorized.” Axel sat across from her, watching her hollow eyes. They reminded him of Roxas. A hollow eyed boy, lost and confused. He hated it. His heart- or the place where a heart should be- panged. “What is this place?”
Aqua made eye contact, those hollow eyes flickering into something more alive. “The Realm of Darkness, can’t you tell?”
“What happened to Twilight Town?”
“The orange place?” Aqua shrugged. “That’s not for me to know. When you wake, why don’t you check?” Aqua sighed, a rueful smile on her face. “That’s where you go when you wake up, right? The Realm of Light?”
Axel nodded.
“A friend of mine told me ten years had passed since I first got trapped down here.” Axel felt like he’d been punched in the gut. Ten years trapped in this dark place? I don’t even have a heart, and I don’t think I would last that long down here. No wonder she looks so hopeless. “I’m not sure how long it’s been since then. Since the Door to Darkness was closed…”
“That was just a month ago,” Axel interjected, hoping that the information could be of some help to the girl.
Her face fell, a hand coming to her chest. “Oh.”
“What is it?”
“It felt longer, long enough that maybe…” they’d be back all on their own and looking for me. Aqua stood and began to walk, not waiting to see if Axel followed her. He did- of course he did- how could he leave her by herself? He wanted to see her smile, just once. A fire burned in his stomach. Just once before he left.
“Do you know of a boy named Ven?” Aqua swallowed, her cheeks going red. “Or maybe a man named Terra. He would be… thirty now. If he’s okay, that is. Ven should look the same, I left him sleeping.”
“I’m sorry, no. I’ve never heard of them.” That annoying familiar feeling was back, but still he couldn’t place this Ven.
Axel grabbed Aqua’s shoulder as she started to speed up. “I’m sorry, I can’t go any further.” Sure enough, when he tried to follow her he was stopped by something. He moved his hand from her shoulder and tried to wipe the gentle tears that rolled down her face, but that too was blocked.
“How old are you, Aqua?”
Aqua grimaced, nose wrinkling as she thought. “Time doesn’t pass down here, so I guess I’m still eighteen. Ven and I… might not even recognize Terra anymore.”
“You will.” Axel was sure that he’d always remember Roxas, just like he knew Isa no matter what form he took. “I promise I’ll keep an eye out for Ven. For them both.”
Aqua smiled. “Thank you. Our time might be up, I should wake up.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
“You can’t know that.”
Axel grinned, putting a hand on his hip. “Nobodies aren’t even supposed to dream, we don’t even need sleep. Which means, we’re connected, you and I.” Axel looked at the girl, her limp hair, hollow eyes, and pale skin. “I’ll be back soon, I promise.”
Now, I have a job to do.
Listening to Larxene’s endless chatter about a plan he already knew of was incessant. Still, it was almost funny to see how convinced both she and Marluxia were that Xemnas knew absolutely nothing of their little plot- or their plans with Sora. As if Saïx hadn’t already sent countermeasures.
Axel scoffed as soon as they were out of ear shot.
“Sora,” Naminé whispered from her chair. “Even if you come for me, what then?”
In all the commotion with the Organization, and Sora, and Aqua- Axel had almost forgotten about the true victim here. He leaned down so he was at the girl’s eye level. She was thin and pale… and her eyes.
Her eyes were hollow, too.
“You’re all that he’s got left,” Axel said. I’m sorry, Naminé. I wish I could help you, but I can’t leave the Organization, not without Roxas. “So then, if you don’t stop this, no one will.”
“It’s too late.”
“You shouldn’t give up just yet.” Axel rose to his feet, starting towards the door. “Say, Naminé. Have you noticed Marluxia doesn’t seem to be around?”
“What are you saying?”
“That there’s no one here that would want to stop you. Just make it count.” A gasp, a beat of silence, followed by the sound of sandals slapping on the hollow floor. The door opened and she was gone, hunting through the halls of Castle Oblivion for her saviour- and her victim.
“Now, this should be interesting.” Axel looked to the ceiling. “Sora, make it easy for me.”
Aqua stumbled.
She fell down and skittered down to a lower path. Maybe she should have been scared, but did falling even further into the Realm of Darkness even change anything at all? It was still just as dark, just as quiet, just as… lonely.
The smell of smoke washed over her. Axel’s smell.
She whipped her head around, looking for those bright green eyes somewhere in the darkness. She met gold instead.
“Even now, all these years later you’re still so fun to play with,” Vanitas said, perching on the path she fell from, just out of reach.
He was a common visitor when she first fell down here. Vanitas and a mangled copy of Ven. Aqua had long since accepted that he was a hallucination, just a conniving trick of the darkness. A pretty effective one, she grudgingly admitted.
“You’re not real.”
Vanitas tsked, leaning his head on his hand. “Yeah, I guess you’re right about that. After all, I’m just half. But tell me, when that spineless child defeated me, where do you think my heart ended up? Where would darkness thrive?”
Vanitas chuckled as realization slowly painted Aqua’s face. “I won’t be staying long, though. I have plans after all.”
“Which are?”
“Come now, like I’d tell you.” Vanitas sighed. “I’ve been keeping tabs on you for someone. It was getting pretty boring, same old, same old. That is… until this mysterious stranger came along. You seem to have warmed up to him pretty quickly. And here I was hoping that disgusting, pathetic look on your face was gone for good.”
Vanitas smiled, showing teeth. “Guess your precious Terra’s been replaced.”
Aqua’s stomach turned. This can’t be real. Vanitas is gone. There’s no explanation for why he’d be back now all of a sudden . Vanitas wouldn’t have known how I felt about Terra, and I barely know Axel.
Aqua laughed, dry and humourless. “You try to get under people’s skin almost as well as he did.” She felt a small sense of satisfaction as Vanitas sneered. “Since you’re so insistent on bothering me, why don’t you tell me if you’ve seen your ‘brother’ walking around lately?”
“Ventus is-”
“You wouldn’t know, because I’m the only one who does.” Aqua turned and began to walk. “You’re useless to me. Now shut up and get out of my head.”
Sora thinks I’m gone. Now it’s just tying up loose ends.
That’s all this was. Axel watched as the Riku Replica destroyed Zexion.
Tying up loose ends.
Soon, Roxas. I’ll be home soon.
“I might not see you for a while,” Axel said, not beating around the bush. They were at the clocktower again, the light accentuating how much darker Aqua got. “My mission is complete so I’ll be doing a lot of moving around.”
Aqua watched the sky, her heart sinking in her chest. “Thank you for telling me, but I’ll be fine. I’ve made it this long on my own…” Terra’s replacement. Aqua shook her head. No. I’m just… lonely.
“I know.” Axel smiled. “ Buuut… we should duel some time.”
“What?”
Axel smiled, reaching his hand out and summoning… some kind of weapon. It was red, round, and pointy. He held it comfortably, like she would her keyblade. Obviously it was a weapon he’d had for a long time.
“I fought a keyblade wielder recently. Not Terra or Ven, before you ask.” Axel put his weapon away, rubbing the back of his head. “Kid was tougher than I thought. You keyblade wielders seem to be made of pretty stern stuff. If I could get some tips from you, I could help and protect my friend better.”
“Roxas?” Aqua asked. “He’s that friend, right?”
Axel cocked his head, meeting her gaze. “Did I mention him to you?”
“No, but,” Aqua paused, taking a deep breath. “That’s who you called for that day I thought I saw Ven up here. So, he must be close to you.”
“Yeah.” Axel turned towards the sky. “He’s the most important friend I have. Somewhere along the way, he became like a little brother.”
“Then, I shouldn’t keep you here.” Aqua smiled, rising to her feet. “You need to get back to him.”
“I-” I can stay with you a little longer. “You’re right.”
Axel reached out a hand. Aqua took it and he pulled her into a quick embrace.
“Thank you,” Aqua murmured into his chest. “You reminded me of what light feels like.”
She released him, smiling once more before fading into black. How long would she be alone? Even if it was only a few days for him, how long would it feel like for her? A storm of helplessness rushed over him, tearing at his chest where only an empty chasm should lie.
Axel pushed thoughts of Aqua aside. He still had a plan he needed to follow.
I’m coming, Roxas.
Finally, finally, Axel was finished his job and allowed to return to Twilight Town. Roxas awaited him there, atop the clocktower as if nothing had even changed. Well, one thing had. Another girl sat there. Her eyes were hollow, but that’s all Axel could make out beneath the hood.
Xion, Axel remembered her vaguely from before his stint in Castle Oblivion.
Weeks passed, and Axel settled into his new routine. Xion was soft, quiet. Just like Roxas was at first, too. Axel wanted to see her open up, he wanted to see her live. That’s what he wanted for them both. And as he spent more time with them both, watched them laugh, struggle, and cry together, he began to feel like his non-existent heart wanted that, too.
Still there was no sign of Aqua, none at all.
Months passed, still no Aqua. Just Isa, Xemnas, and some kind of plan involving his friends that even he couldn’t make heads or tails of.
Axel chewed his nail, lying on his bed in The World That Never Was. His eyes didn’t feel heavy, there was no sign of the heavy darkness that surrounded the light in her heart. Those blue, hollow eyes flickering occasionally with the life they once held. She was alone again, after so long in solitude it had been him who had left her alone again .
“You seem distracted,” Saïx said, leaning on Axel’s door frame. “This can’t all be about Roxas and Xion.”
Axel forced a smile, an uneasy feeling washing over him. “It is a little difficult for an old guy like me to keep up with those two youngsters. I’m not even sure what they’re up to these days.”
“Clearly not,” Saïx replied. “Perhaps you should be.”
Xion’s in Castle Oblivion.
“I knew things were going on with that kid, but…” Axel sighed, approaching the girl.
“Axel, what are you doing here?” Xion asked, clutching her head and looking up at him from her place on the ground.
“I’m just here on orders, that’s all. There’s nothing for you to see here.” Nothing that won’t hurt you, that won’t make you leave somewhere far away where Roxas and I can’t reach you anymore.
“Lies! This is the place I come from, I just know it!”
Time for a different tactic. “What about your mission? Don’t be selfish.” He started walking towards her, hoping he could convince her to just go home.
“Or else they’ll turn me into a dusk?”
“They’ll do worse than turn you into dusk.” I don’t need to lie about that. “They’ll just destroy you.”
“Is that because I’m useless?” Xion asked, denying the hand Axel held out to her and rising on her own.
“That’s not it.” Xion stormed past him, stopped only when he snagged her wrist. Just like… stop distracting yourself. “Xion, go home.”
She looked to the floor, arm hanging limp. “I’m remembering things. I have memories of back when I’m a human.”
“Well, stop remembering. Nothing good will come of it.” Please, stop remembering. I can’t lose you, too.
“I have dreams every night! And you’re in those dreams, Axel!”
“Then they sure aren’t memories, how could I be a part of your past?” Sora. I suppose this is my punishment for thinking I could just go back to my friends. That nothing would happen. “They’re just dreams.”
“You can’t fool me!” Xion yanked her arm free. “We’ve met before, Axel! Right here in this very castle!”
“No, we haven’t.” Not you and I. “Let’s go home, Xion. Don’t keep Roxas waiting.”
Her eyes turned bright and she locked him in a stare. “Please, Axel. You’ve got to help me. I need to know who I am.” Then she was running, faster than Axel knew how to react.
“Stop, stay out of there, Xion!”
He tried to follow her, how badly he wished he could.
But his eyes grew heavy.
Aqua felt the waves lap at her feet, watching the dark moon shine what little light it could on the land of night. It was comforting here, so quiet and untouched that the heartless felt far away. That wasn’t true, of course.
Aqua clutched her keyblade close, swinging it around when she heard the crunching of sand. “Aqua!”
She knew that voice. From a long time ago.
Suddenly, arms are around her. They were sturdy and warm. They felt like leather and smelled like… smoke. Aqua looked up, green eyes meeting her gaze.
“Axel.”
She’s even paler than before.
Aqua coughed, pale blue dusting her cheeks. “Do you mind letting go?”
Axel released her immediately. “Of course, sorry. It’s just… been a long time.”
Aqua shivered as he let go. He was solid. And she was solid to him. Proof that she was alive down here. Proof she wasn’t alone.
Axel sat down next to her, staring at the horizon. “I don’t know why I was able to see you. I left Castle Oblivion-”
“That’s where you are?!” Aqua smiled. “That’s good.” You’re still hidden there, Ven.
“I think it might be where you are, too.” Axel put his hands behind his head, lying back onto the sand. “It’s only here that I can talk to you.” Axel swung to his feet. “Yup, my mind’s made up. I have to go now, a friend of mine needs help. But I’m going to find you, and then we can figure out how to get you out of here, together.”
Aqua nodded, confused at just how quickly he came and now went.. “Okay. Good luck. May your heart be your guiding key.”
Axel woke after what felt like a long time. The door Xion went through was open, and the castle long abandoned. Xion needs my help, but my situation with the Organization is precarious right now. I don’t know if I’m ever going to get a chance to come back here, and if I don’t then Aqua’s lost to me.
The thought made his stomach clench. “That girl needs to get out of there quick. It’s amazing she’s lasted this long, but…”
She’s thin, I could feel that when I hugged her. I could feel her ribs.
Axel began his search. He knew Xemnas came to the west wing sometimes on business that no one knew the reason for. Perhaps that would be a lead in uncovering Axel’s strange connection with Aqua.
He walked as quickly as he could, twisting and turning until all the corridors looked the same. Eventually he stopped, feeling like he’d walked in circles often enough. “How do I find you, Aqua? You’re here. We’re connected in some way… I wish I had a heart. It would guide me, I know it.”
May your heart be your guiding key.
“If only I had one.” Axel chuckled. “May your heart be your guiding key.”
The wall he was leaning on rumbled before sliding open. Axel nearly tumbled inside the room, but he caught himself.
The room was the same as almost every other one in Castle Oblivion. White walls, white floors, and- oh, yes- an accent of white. The only thing that made this room different was the pieces of armour lying in the middle of it, sitting old and abandoned. A keyblade sat with it. Axel put his hand on it.
Every star up in the sky is a world. I made us good luck charms. I won’t let you take my friends. Vanitas, get away from him. Terra! I won’t let you fall! I lo-
Axel let go, feeling like he’d been shocked. Aqua. This was Aqua’s keyblade and armour. How long had it been sitting here? Did… Xemnas know something about her lost friends?
If so, I’ll save them from him, too. Like I’m going to save Roxas and Xion.
Axel grabbed a piece of the armour, one small enough that he could carry it with him.
He knew he’d be able to reach Aqua now.
How did I get here?
Axel clutched a popsicle stick so tight his knuckles turned white. This would be his last time here. They were gone. They? You mean he… Roxas is gone.
Sora. Sora was his last connection to Roxas. Sora was…
Now Axel had more people to look for. He leaned back against the clocktower, grabbing the piece in his pocket and closing his eyes.
When he opened them, his legs were still dangling in the air. Aqua was sitting on a rooftop, staring out at a fountain courtyard that he recognized. Axel looked to his left, taking in the small smile on her face. The light in her eyes. She’s beautiful here… the thought came up unexpectedly.
“I suppose I'm the one dreaming now,” Aqua said, remembering one of the last battles the three of them had together that hadn’t ended horribly. It had been right here in Radiant Garden. “I’m doing that more and more lately. I’m finding it harder and harder to…” care.
“I lost Roxas,” Axel said. “He’s somewhere I can’t reach.” Axel reached out for Aqua’s hand, needing to reassure himself that one of his friends was real, that she was here.
Aqua let him take it. He has calluses. Like mine and Terra’s. He’s a fighter, like us. His hands are warm and steady. And… he smells like smoke. Like fire.
“I’m sorry,” Aqua replied, not meeting his gaze. “I hope… you can find him again someday. Maybe… he and Ven can be friends.”
Axel chuckled, hoping the pain in his chest would fade. “Maybe. That’s not the point… Roxas is out of my reach, but you’re not. I… I’m closer to darkness than I am to light. A way into the Realm of Darkness, it can’t be impossible.”
A lot of time passed since that last visit. Or maybe it just felt like a lot. Aqua laid on the beach, feeling the tide come in and lap all the way up to her knees. She was tired, all she wanted to do was shut her eyes and hope that Axel appeared next to her.
Roxas is gone. He spoke of him every once in a while and his words were always laced with… love. Like mine are for Ven.
“I can’t just lie here.” Her voice came out hoarse, probably because she last used it when Axel visited. “I need to stay strong. I promised myself I’d be a waypoint. I promised Ven I’d be there when he wakes up. And I need… I want to be there for Axel.”
Aqua lifted her keyblade, straining at even that motion. She started running through basic drills, ones Eraqus taught her when she was six or seven. Simple, easy, for children. She was sweating in a couple minutes.
“So much for Master Aqua,” she muttered through gritted teeth.
Fading.
Away.
Axel had got Sora into The World That Never was, and that was all that mattered. Well, not the only thing… Roxas was there. I felt him. He’s not gone for good… keep him safe, Sora.
When Axel shut his eyes one final time, he woke in Twilight Town. It was in black and white, the only colour being Aqua. She stood on the ledge, on the tips of her toes, leaning out to look at the world below. There was no ground beneath them, only fragments of darkness.
“Bad dream?” she asked, a flicker of light in her eyes. She looked better than last time. The flicker went out when she saw him. “Axel? What happened?”
She jumped down to his side, pulling his head into her lap. “What’s wrong?”
Aqua ran her finger down his cheek, the tips cool and soothing. Her fingers came away wet with tears. Axel never cried, at least not when he was with her. Aqua wasn't sure what to do.
“I felt him. Roxas is out there,” Axel managed to get out. “I… I saved him, but it took a lot out of me.”
Aqua grabbed his hand when he began to cough. “Don’t speak if it pains you.”
She’s so bright. Such a beautiful blue. Axel reached up and stroked her cheek, she leaned into the touch, tears of her own beginning to fall.
“I’m sorry I never got you out.” Axel sighed. “I never even got around to really looking. I’m sorry for that. I’ve been a bad friend.”
“No… No, you haven’t.” Aqua smiled. You kept me company for what feels like years. How could I call you a bad friend? “I’ll always remember you, Axel. I’ll remember how much these talks meant to me. I will get out of here, and when I do I’ll make sure I find Roxas, too. He’ll know how much you love him.”
“Love? How can someone without a heart love?” Axel looked right into her eyes, beginning to feel them close.
“You have one.” Aqua smiled, leaning down to kiss his cheek. “I know you do.”
“I hope you find someone better to keep you… company…”
“Someone better, huh?” Vanitas drummed his fingers against the jaw guard of his mask. “I don’t know if I’d say I was better, but I suppose I’ll have to be enough. How does it feel? Another one you love, gone for good.”
“I don’t love him,” Aqua replied, closing her heart off to any sadness, loneliness, the longing for him to return. The darkness could feed on her heart for probably another ten years and still not run out of emotions to draw out of her.
“Ouch. The dark’s made you cold, Master. ”
“What do you want, Vanitas?” Aqua asked, turning away from him and wading into the water. It was cool and it grounded her, reminding her to keep her head. “Or are you just here to be a pain in my ass?”
“Is it really so hard to believe I wanted to check on you?” Vanitas followed her. “You did just lose your last- what do you want me to call him? Friend?- after all.”
“I’m touched by your concern.” Aqua rolled her eyes. “Where were you for eight years?”
Vanitas hummed, removing his mask. “You wanted me gone.”
“How considerate.”
Vanitas sighed, holding his mask against him. “Have you ever considered that you’re my very last hope of escaping from this place? The only place I belong is with Ventus, but Ventus is gone- nowhere to be found. And not for a lack of trying, I tell you.”
“That’s more like it.” Blue eyes met gold. “Selfish Vanitas. Maybe you are the real one, after all.”
“Maybe.”
He vanished on a wisp of darkness.
For some reason, Aqua wished he would stay.
Drifting.
Axel cracked his eyes open for the first time in what felt like a while. Wherever he was it was dark and unfamiliar.
He set off exploring until he recognized Radiant Garden. Axel caught a glance of himself in the window and my tears are gone. He touched his face, felt his heart beat. Is it possible?
“Recompleted,” Zexion said from behind him. Not Zexion, Ienzo.
A second chance.
Axel rushed off, knowing exactly who he needed to see. King Mickey. He would know about Sora- who had Roxas. And maybe he would know about… Aqua.
He reached into his pocket, trying to find the piece of armour. It was there, but it felt different. Empty. Devoid of any trace of her at all. Don’t tell me…
I can’t focus on that right now, I need to find Mickey.
Aqua waited patiently, letting the demon tide think it had the upper hand before she went in for the killing blow. “Fire!”
Shadows flew every which way, no match for her. She twirled her keyblade before putting it away, retreating before another demon tide took its place. 4587 demon tides since Axel’s last visit. She wondered how many more it would be before he came back…
Maybe she should be counting until escape.
Aqua found herself back on the beach. Her companion, Ansem, was gone. Most likely further down shore. He never strayed far from the beach.
Aqua pulled out her wayfinder, putting a hand on her chest. Terra, Ven… I’ll find you. Vague images passed through her head. Colours, words from long ago. She could barely remember their voices.
“Lonely?” Vanitas looked up at her from where he sat on the beach. His face was bruised, all along his jaw.
“Did you lose a fight?”
“You could say that,” Vanitas replied, with no trace of amusement or malice. “Let’s just say this is the one place he won’t find me.”
“Who’s he?”
“You’ll know soon enough.” Vanitas jumped to his feet. “But let’s not focus on me. Do you feel him?”
Aqua cocked her head to one side, brow lifting. “What do you-”
Bright green eyes, leather, calluses, steady, warm… the smell of smoke.
It was there. Faint. So very, very faint. But it was there.
You’re alive.
“It must be in the flick of the wrist or something,” Axel said, just as surprised as everyone else as a keyblade- one that looked very close to his chakrams- appeared in his hand.
Cue everyone’s shock and surprise before something rekindled the serious mood. Axel wasn’t really paying attention, focusing on the keyblade in his hand. Until he heard her name.
“Aqua?!” Axel sprung from his chair, getting down to Mickey’s eye level. “You know how to get her out?”
“Well, gosh, not quite,” Mickey replied, eyes flicking down as he frowned.
“How do you know Aqua, Axel?” Riku asked, hands at his side. “If the Organization knew where she was- if Xehanort knows whe-”
“It’s not anything like that,” Axel interrupted, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the piece of her armour. “I started having dreams where we would talk to one another when I was in Castle Oblivion. That would’ve been about a year and a half ago now? The last time I spoke with her was right after I helped Sora into The World That Never Was.”
“Six months ago,” Sora breathed.
“Bingo.” Axel smiled, snapping his finger. “So, if you two are going after her, I’m coming with you.”
“No.” Yen Sid tugged on his beard, casting his weighty gaze on every person in the room. “The Realm of Darkness is filled with powerful Heartless and you just learned to summon your keyblade. You’d be a liability, even with your previous… endeavours in the Organization.” Yen Sid sighed. “Mickey will take Riku, he has the closest connection with Aqua who also…” Yen Sid cast a pointed glare at both Sora and Axel’s open mouths, “has the power of waking.”
“You will train with Kairi in Merlin’s forest. When you are strong enough, if Aqua still hasn’t been recovered, then you may go.”
Axel’s stomach clenched at the thought of seeing Kairi again. That would be awkward. He pushed the feeling aside.
He wouldn’t fail her.
“How many has it been now, Master ?” Vanitas asked, riding the shadows like he rode those keyblades all those years ago. Aqua shook her head, clearing thoughts of the past. She couldn’t let them distract her.
“I know you can count, Vanitas.” Aqua didn’t let her eyes wander from the tide he rode. She locked onto the weak point, taking a deep breath before firing a spell at it. The shadows fell apart, dissolving into easy to take care of clumps.
This was always where Vanitas jumped in, helping her dispose of them
“Won’t your master be missing you?” Aqua asked as they walked back towards the beach together. Her stomach grew heavier with every step, knowing that the closer they got the more likely it was that he would leave.
After all, now that Aqua decided she wanted his company, it would be quite cunning of the darkness to take him away
“No.”
“It’s been weeks.” At least his bruises finally healed, not like he’ll tell me what they’re from.
“Does that bother you?” Vanitas scoffed. “And you’re the one who wanted me to stay. I can tell, you know.”
“Yes, yes.” Aqua waved her hand. “You’ve only mentioned that a couple dozen times a day every day for the last however long it’s been.”
“Well, maybe I just never want you to forget that you chose darkness to keep you company. My my, this place has changed you.” Vanitas laughed, low and rough. “And, no. I actually can’t count. At least not more than ten.”
Aqua glanced at him. “Oh?”
“Shocking, I know. When you’re supposed to die so soon after being created, counting isn’t exactly very high on the list of things to learn to do.” Vanitas laughed again. “Just another thing to thank Xehanort for.”
“Can you read?”
Vanitas shot her a look. “I can read enough.”
So not really. “What can you do?”
“Fight,” Vanitas replied, all the bite coming out of his voice. “Exactly what I was made to do, and what I’m going to die doing.”
“Vanitas…”
“Please, like I want your pity.” Vanitas put his mask back on. “It’s been fun, Master. ”
He was gone.
Kairi sat on a log, looking out over the forest writing a letter to Sora. Axel sat next to her, wiping the sweat off his brow. “You’ve used every spare moment we’ve had today writing that letter,” Axel commented. “You know, I can send it for you.”
“No.” Kairi smiled, clutching the notebook close to her chest. “I just like talking to Sora, even if it’s just in my head.”
Axel’s hand found its way to the piece in his pocket. “Tell me about it.”
He missed her. A bone deep feeling that tore his heart to shreds. Not even the sadness he felt when he thought of Roxas could compare, at least he knew where he was. Images of her still flashed in his head, though. A bright blue, cold hands that soothed his warm skin. Her voice raspy from disuse, but always bright when she said…
“Axel!” Kairi snapped her fingers. “Where are you?”
The sun caught his eye, and the Kairi before him wasn’t Kairi at all. A new wave of sadness punched his gut, sending tears streaming down his cheeks. He didn’t even know why. And when he looked at her again, it was the same old Kairi- not a hair out of place. Who was that? I know her.
“Do me a favour, Kai?”
“What is it?”
“Call me ‘Lea’.”
When they come back. Aqua, Roxas, and this girl that feels so close to me. Then I’ll go by Axel again.
Kairi smiled, offering him her handkerchief. “Okay, Lea.”
Someone called Ansem.
Someone who knew the other Ansem sitting beside her. Aqua pushed away her questions and confusion. Drawing her keyblade and preparing for a fight. 5892 demon tides since Ax- it didn’t matter. She wouldn’t let this asshole put her down.
The guardian he bore was familiar. The feeling was oppressing, slowing her down and chipping away at the cracks in her heart. A soft voice, a smile that used to make her blush. This was Terra, or at least it once was.
That second of hesitation was all this Ansem needed to grab her by her leg and toss her into the water, pushing her further and further down into the land of night.
I’m lucky I did all that training or that plunge would’ve broken me right away. 5892. She plunged deeper. He’s not coming back. No one is. Not Axel, not Mickey, not Terra, not Ven. They’re gone. 5892. You’re alone.
That was all she knew before darkness consumed her.
“Axel!” Sora practically jumped off the gummi ship before it was fully landed, rushing towards him like a bullet. “His connection wasn’t strong enough.”
“What?”
“Aqua’s not herself. Riku’s hurt, I can feel it. We need to go. If you know her you’ll have an easier time bringing her back from the darkness.” Sora glanced past Axel, locking eyes with Kairi. “Like Kairi did for me.”
“I-” what if she’s lost to you, too?
“Now’s not the time to freeze up, Lea.” Kairi placed a hand on his elbow, the touch feather light and just enough to ground him. “You have people that need you. Don’t chicken out now.”
The words were simple. Just enough to get him moving. He ran towards Sora’s gummi ship, the boy on his heels.
Vanitas watched her resurface. Gold eyes, grey hair, both features familiar in waking and in nightmares. She wasn’t Aqua anymore, the annoying girl always getting in his way from ten years ago. Or the… companion he sought for the last year. Vanitas scoffed. You were only using her to find Ventus anyway.
Still, he was relieved when the smell of smoke hit his nose.
And, of course, that pesky brother of his followed.
Good. Help her.
Sora and Axel landed in the Realm of Darkness just in the knick of time it looked like. Axel summoned his keyblade, looking back at Riku and Mickey. “Don’t worry, the back up’s arrived.”
Then, he focused all of his attention on the woman before him. She stood on the water, in the same battle pose he had seen countless times before. But… she was different.
Aqua's light was shrouded in darkness. She no longer shone that brilliant blue. She was grey, stormy. Her eyes were that bright gold that he’d lost so many of his friends to.
“Aqua,” he whispered, making his way towards her. Maybe she’ll recogn-
The thought was cut off by the series of spells that were sent his way, each deadlier than the last. Riku and Sora rushed to his aid with blinding speed, each holding their keyblades more confidently than Axel ever would.
“We’ll fend off her attacks, you get through to her!” Riku shouted, moving to block another volley. That, of course, was easier said than done. Hard to get close to a person who was launching fireballs at your head.
One grazed his shoulder, burning away the leather and charring skin. Axel gritted his teeth, but kept moving, the smell of smoke and burnt flesh filling the air.
Aqua clenched her jaw, her weapon dropping a few inches- giving Axel enough time to get to her. He grabbed her wrist with one hand, slipping his other hand into hers.
She tried to pull away, screaming from the soul so piercingly loud it shattered Axel’s fragile heart into a million more pieces. “Let me go. I belong here! You left me here. You all abandoned me. ”
Axel wrapped his arms around her, her head leaning on his chest. “I know, Aqua. We were wrong. We were bad friends. But… we’re here now, we want to make up for it. So, please, stop fighting. Come with us.”
Aqua’s keyblade slipped from her fingers, vanishing completely. “I belong here.”
“No, you don’t, Aqua. You never did. You belong with us. With Terra and Ven. There are people waiting for you.” Axel pulled back to look in her eyes. They were gold, yes- but a ring of blue surrounded her iris.
“Now, let’s go see the sun together. The real one.”
Flashes of magic and keyblade against keyblade, something thick and heavy settling in her chest- holding fast and not letting her go. Then, the smell of smoke. Warm and familiar. Light.
It was warm, gentle even. The smell of smoke was still there, strong. It enveloped her and held her tight like it would never let go again.
She cracked an eye open, blinded by the sun. The sunshine. Axel’s head popped into view, green eyes bright and playful. “Morning, sleeping beauty.”
Her head was on his lap. This felt like any one of those dreams. “You’re okay,” she whispered, shutting her eyes against the bright sun. “I thought you were gone.” 5892.
His hand was on her cheek, fingers feather light tracing over her eyes and nose and jaw before running over her lips. Aqua shivered.
“This isn’t a dream,” she asked, eyes opening again to take in the bright sun, the blue sky that stretched as far as the eye could see.
“No, it’s not.” Sora smiled at her, reaching out a hand. “Welcome home, Aqua.”
“I’m okay, trust me. Anyways, this is more important than rest,” Aqua insisted, leading a weary Sora towards his gummi ship.
“You heard the woman,” Axel replied,making Aqua smile when he threw a wink in Sora’s direction. His shoulder was completely healed, Aqua’s attempt to make up for hurting him in the first place. Axel laughed.“She can handle herself, and if she can’t then we’re here.”
Aqua glanced at him. Please, fledglings. You’re gonna watch and learn.
Just as Axel suspected, Aqua led them to Castle Oblivion. But, it wasn’t the usual castle by the time she was done with it. It was bright and high, filled with greens and yellows and light. Yes, this was a place that suited Aqua and her armour.
“Ven’s here,” Aqua said, carrying herself through the halls like she had walked through the Realm of Darkness; weary, watching each step and hoping they didn’t stir up ghosts.
Aqua stopped before a door. She took a breath, shuddering and shallow. I wonder if I’ll be like this when I see Roxas or when I know Roxas is nearby. Axel stepped forward, putting a hand on her shoulder.
Aqua reached for it, grabbing the hand on her shoulder. The door that would change everything was plain in all but its size. Aqua’s hand rested on the doorknob, knuckles white. She took one more breath.
I hope he’s here, but… if he’s not, Axel thought as he made eye contact with Sora who nodded- firm and sure. We’ll make sure she’s okay, just like I know they will if Roxas…
I’m afraid, Aqua thought, reaching to the hand that grounded her. Ten years of saying I’d get back to him and… what if he’s not here.
“Only one way to find out,” Axel whispered into her ear. “Let’s do it together.”
His hand closed over top of hers and they pushed the door open. Aqua laughed, the sound coming out more like a sob. There he was exactly where she left him, exactly the same. He’s still sleeping peacefully.
Aqua broke out into a run, reaching a hand out to him. Ven, Ven, Ven. It’s been so long, it’s been so hard. But I’m here now.
She touched his face, almost withdrawing her hand when she made contact with real, solid skin. “Ven. I’m sorry it took so long. But I’m here now so wake up!” No response and Aqua’s heart clenched. “What? Your heart never found its way home?”
“I should have guessed he’d be here,” a familiar voice said, striding in with his keyblade on his shoulder and a mask on his head. “You are stupid sentimental like that.”
“Vanitas!” Sora said, turning to face him with his keyblade drawn.
“Guessed it in one.” Vanitas chuckled. “Now you’ll be returning Ventus to me.”
Aqua didn’t think, the barrier was just around them. “You’re crazy if you think I will.” She turned to Sora and Axel who were both trying to get in. “Thank you for coming to get me. Now, it’s my time to shine.”
His fighting style hasn’t changed much since back then, and it’s the same as the fake in the Realm of Darkness.
She had the upper hand. They both knew it. Vanitas turned towards Ven, throwing a dark firaga directly at him. The barrier blocked it, crackling with energy before shattering into a million pieces.
A second fireball followed.
“Ven!” Aqua threw herself into the path of the fireball. Lift your keyblade, reflect it, do something. But all she could do was watch as it knocked into her chest.
All that training… Light flooded around her, staining her black vision a muted brown. A clang of metal on metal and… a voice she recognized.
Vanitas scoffed. “Four guardians is more than I care to face, even if one’s just a trainee.” Vanitas cast a glare at Axel who met his gaze with the same intensity. “Your precious Ven and Terra’s replacement. I hope you’ll be happy now, Master. ”
Terra’s replacement… Aqua laughed. “You were real that whole time.”
Ventus helped Aqua up, pulling her into a hug. “I knew you’d come back for me, no matter how far you were or how bad things got. But… What does he mean by Terra’s replacement?”
“Nothing. Just Vanitas being Vanitas.”
“Aqua, are you all right?” Sora asked, approaching the two and ending any further discussion. Aqua looked around for Axel, but he was gone, too.
“I’m fine, Sora.”
Ven’s eyes went wide, his fist clenching at his side. “You’re Sora?!”
He sees Vanitas, Aqua noted, it’s hard not to.
Sora didn’t seem to notice- or just didn’t comment on- Ven’s hesitation, instead sticking a hand out with a big smile on his face. “Yup! Hi, Ventus.”
Ven just stared at the hand, his mouth open slightly. “I get it now,” he whispered after a moment. “You were my second chance.”
“Huh?”
Aqua smiled, ruffling Ven’s hair. “Let’s get you somewhere safe now, okay?”
Ven smiled back. “Okay.”
I knew I knew him…
After everyone had met up and returned to Yen Sid’s Tower it had been a flurry of introductions and hellos and wow-I-never-thought-I’d-see-you-agains. Ventus looked exactly like Roxas, Axel knew that- remembered that- a long time ago.
It's a good day for getting friends back. Hopefully tomorrow is just as smooth. Axel blinked a few times, staring up at the crescent moon. Terra’s replacement, huh? What does that even mean?
“I thought I’d find you out here,” Aqua said, sitting down on the step just below him. He couldn’t see her face like this, but her shoulders were relaxed, at ease.
“I thought you and Ven would be joined at the hip,” Axel replied. “Between you two and Sora’s gang I didn’t really want to infringe on anyone’s last day.”
“Ven’s asleep. Funny how tired he is already.” Aqua laughed. “You’re a guardian, too. No one would be bothered by your company.”
“Sure.” They wouldn’t be bothered, but no one there’s looking at me the way Sora, Riku, and Kairi are looking at each other.
“Thank you.” Aqua turned to face him. “I know I said it already, but thank you for keeping me company for so long.”
“Who was Terra to you?” Great segue, Axel. Keep it up.
“Oh. So, you heard Vanitas.”
“Yes, but that’s not the only thing.” Guess I’m just gonna say it straight. “You always talked about Ven, but Terra… you got quiet. So who was he to you?”
And something happened that Axel never thought would happen. Aqua blushed. Her whole face just completely red.
“Someone I loved very much,” Aqua replied. “In a different way from Ven.”
“Oh.” Oh.
Aqua waved her hands in front of her face. “It’s not like that anymore, though! It’s been a long time, and neither of us are the same anymore… if Terra’s anywhere at all.” Aqua scratched the side of her head. “And you and I… we’re not like that either, Vanitas just likes to…” bring my feelings up in the worst, most inconvenient way that makes me realize there’s truth to what he’s saying.
“I get it, don’t worry.” Axel smiled. “We’re friends. And… you should be getting to sleep soon, too. You’re gonna need all the energy you can get.”
“You’re right.” Aqua stood, looking out at the stars. “Will you make me a promise?”
“Anything.”
Aqua turned. “No matter what happens tomorrow, we’re going to see each other again. No more goodbyes.”
Ah, so all those times I left… they hurt you, too. But… “You have better company now.”
“No. I have more options, but….” Aqua started towards the door. “I still choose you.”
Axel chuckled. “I promise.”
When she was gone, he found himself staring at that piece of armour still in his pocket, wishing she would come back.
Aqua tried to sleep- really, she did- but after several hours of tossing and turning in the horrible, horrible darkness, she gave up.
She padded down the stairs in bare feet. Relentless until she finally made it outside. No one was there this time, not Ven or Axel, but the moon was and that was all the company she needed.
“What? Can't sleep?” Vanitas asked, appearing from out of nowhere.
“You were real.” Aqua turned to him. “For how long?”
Vanitas sighed, plopping himself down at the edge of the world. “The whole time. I’m just not sure when I was the Vanitas you knew, and when I turned into the Vanitas I am now. I’m not sure when exactly they plucked me from the past. Must’ve been pretty close to when I was destroyed, though, because I remember that last battle with Ventus.”
“Why did you come to see me?”
Vanitas glared back at her, his mask noticeably absent. He patted the ground next to him. “Sit.”
Aqua walked closer until she noticed just how far down the edge of the world was. Vanitas scoffed, “I’m not going to hurt you. Either way this ends for me tomorrow.”
“It’s not too late,” Aqua whispered, sitting next to him. Surprisingly, she trusted him. Vanitas twisted his words around in just the way to hurt someone, but he had never been dishonest . At least not to me.
“I’m not like you guys.” Vanitas’ face relaxed, so different from normal. “I know my role. It was chosen for me, and now I choose it. For what it’s worth, I did enjoy our time together, Master.”
“I-” did, too.
“Nope! Don’t say anything back.” Vanitas stood, stretching his arms over his head. “Don’t make it hard. I just came to say goodbye.”
“Vanitas.”
“Just one thing. As much as I hate that disgusting look on your face when you look at him, it’s even more annoying to see you two dance around each other. You’re one of the bravest people I know so… make a move why don’t you?” Vanitas turned and smiled at her. A real smile. And without even giving her time to say anything back, he faded. “Goodbye, Aqua.”
“Goodbye, Vanitas,” she said to the stars.
Shadows and demon tides were all around her. Aqua’s chest tightened, trying to keep the panic at bay as she reassured herself that she was out of the Realm of Darkness.
Still, she waded through the hours fighting like she was in a dream, barely registering anything at all.
Terra who wasn’t Terra, Axel getting thrown back and a feeling of anguish filling her chest at the thought of him hurt… and then a different kind of darkness pressing down on her, one that felt final.
Aqua’s chest relaxed, even as her brain registered failure. You can relax now.
Then she was back, some odd sense of deja vu flooding her as she tried to make sense of events she barely understood.
All she knew, as the stone labyrinth swallows them up, separating them, was that the fighting had begun once again.
This was a poor pair up, Axel thought as he and Kairi tried to hold their own against Saïx, and the hooded girl.
“Heal!” Kairi’s curaga washed over them, giving them both enough energy for another round on the defensive.
“Careful, Kai,” he called to her when she made a particularly bold move that left her back wide open.
“That’s why we need to-”
“Kairi!” Sora ran for them, keyblade drawn. But even with his help, Saïx was able to throw both Kairi and Sora to the ground once he went berserk.
“Stop it, Isa!” Axel threw up his keyblade to block the blow, but it was heavy and forced him on his knees. Saïx held the position, his blade ready to come down on his head.
A wave of darkness appeared. “Xemnas.”
“There was a time I trusted you to deal with traitors.” Xemnas approached him, looking down at him like he was an insect. “And now your betrayal outstrips them all. What final words do you have for your superior?”
Axel scoffed. “Like you were ever my superior.”
“Ah, ever the rogue pawn. Knocked from the board early in the game. Utterly useless and forgotten.”
“Are you kidding me? I got loads of people rooting for me.” I made a promise that I intend to keep. “Sorry, boss. Nobody axes Axel. Got it memorized?”
With the last of his strength, he lifted his keyblade over his head and swung it at Xemnas… who caught it with ease. Well, that’s disappointing.
“You call this a keyblade?” And probably not good. Xemnas shattered the thing. Then he summoned those lasers that Axel always hated.
Sorry, Aqua. Roxas. Xi-
“Our plans have been dashed by you more times than I can count.” Xemnas walked towards him, blade in hand. “Now it ends. I will purge that light in you with darkness .”
Axel waited for the impact. But, it never came. He looked up, catching the hooded girl clinging to Xemnas’ blade . “Changing sides again?”
“We need him alive.” That voice. “You know that.”
“We only need his heart in order to forge the key, we do not need his soul” Xemnas corrected, like he was explaining something to a child for the hundredth time. “Oh, but that’s right. You were ‘friends’. Then you take his life.”
Friends? Who is he talking about? That’s not Roxas. Axel looked up and tried to look where her eyes should be under that hood. “Who are you?” Kingdom Key is in my face. He knew her, he knew he did.
Sora grabbed the keyblade. “Don’t do this.”
That seemed to anger the girl because she attacked, striking at Sora again and again with more and more strength. Sora blocked them, holding fast as he cried, “Wait! It’s all right! You can stop now! It’s all right. Xion.”
Xion. Xion!
Before Axel could react, Xemnas was in front of her knocking both her and Sora down. “Useless puppet.”
I have to protect her this time! Axel grabbed Xemnas’ foot, stopping him from getting any closer to her.
“Your keyblade is no more. And still you think you can play at being a guardian of light?” Xemnas brought his boot down on Axel’s hand. “You can wait your turn, also-ran. ”
I’m useless. I can’t help her…
A cloud of dirt shot up, temporarily blinding him. When Axel could see again, his heart stopped.he rubbed his eyes, thinking he was hallucinating.
“Hands off my friends.” That’s his voice. Like Ven’s, but not. That’s Roxas.
“Roxas!”
And he turned and smiled. Roxas, real Roxas. “My turn.”
“This is impossible,” Xemnas sneered. “Where did you find a vessel?”
“Same as you. It seems you aren’t as good at winning over people’s hearts as you think.”
“I don’t need hearts. I will scatter them all to the wind.” Xemnas vanished, disappearing behind them and grabbing Kairi by the arm.
Whatever relief Axel had been feeling quickly turned to dread. “Kai!” He called, voice drowned out by Sora’s.
“What difference does one little light make? You have others. Just as we have more darknesses to replenish our ranks.”
And the two were gone, Saïx blocking Sora’s path.
Axel sprang forward, stopped only by Xion’s hand. “Rest, Axel. Roxas will fight in your place, and I’ll fight for Kairi.”
Axel smiled. “Yeah. When it comes to keyblades, you’re the old hands.”
Xion smiled and took her place beside Sora and Roxas.
Please, Axel thought as he slid down the stone wall, let everyone be okay.
Vanitas was the first to fall, his mask shattering. Aqua watched as Sora’s own face contorted into shock. “Your face!”
That’s right. I guess you never saw him.
“I’m the piece of Ventus that was taken away, and you’re the piece that made him whole again. Why shouldn’t you and I look exactly the same? You define me Sora, in the same way that Ventus does. We are brothers, who together make a greater whole.”
“Then why won’t you stand by our side? Instead of with darkness?”
Vanitas’ eyes flickered to Aqua, almost sad. “Because I am darkness. And I do stand by your side. I am the shadow that you cast. How much closer could I be?”
“But I didn-”
“But I didn’t ask for this.” Ventus threw out a hand. “To be sifted apart nice and neat. We should be free to choose.”
Vanitas smiled. “But, Ventus, I did decide who I am.
“And what you are is darkness?!”
“What I am is darkness.”
Ventus sighed, hands dropping to his side. “Okay.”
“How is that okay?!” Sora reached out to him. “Vanitas?”
But that didn’t stop Vanitas from fading away, a smile on his face.
He didn’t spare Aqua another word. After all, he had said his goodbye. But… who will keep you company?
The question went unanswered.
“Now that just leaves you,” Aqua said, turning towards Terranort who smiled as he drew his keyblade.
“Aw, and I was enjoying that touching goodbye.”
He ran at them.
I will get my friend back! The three of them made quick work of him, numbers alone being enough to break through his brute strength.
When he was defeated, Terranort didn’t stay standing like Vanitas had, instead collapsing onto the floor.
“Terra!” They ran towards him, both Aqua and Ven kneeling down and helping him to his knees.
“Aqua… Ven…” It’s his voice.
“Terra, please! Fight him off!”
Terra grabbed his head, eyes unfocused as he fought some battle that they couldn’t see. Aqua felt something off, but before she could get Ven away dark chains burst from the ground, tying them both up. When Aqua looked to her side, she caught a glimpse of Sora who was in the same situation.
“You’ll never be able to break these chains.” Terra stood, his voice gone and his smile twisted. “They’re our bonds. You have no power over me.”
Aqua shut her eyes as she began to swing, waiting for the thud of the ground any second.
“Stop, Terra!” Sora called. “Please!”
The swinging stopped and Aqua began to rise, her ears ringing. This was enough. I saw Ven again. I met Axel. I… I got out.
She steeled herself for the fall.
“Terra. I kept my promise.” Was all she heard before it came. Instead of hitting the rocky floor, they were caught by something.
Sweat and grass. The vague scent of darkness. I know this smell. Aqua's eyes widened, trying to get a look at the thing that held them. Terra!
The creature- Terra!- snapped the chains, returning Sora to the ground before laying her and Ven down on the floor so gently.
“How?!” Terranort called. “You fell to the darkn-”
He was cut off by Terra grabbing his face. The guardian rips the tape off its mouth. “One day… I will… set this… right.” Terra held out the fake. “One day I will return set this right. I will return to this land and protect… my friends!”
“Terra, now!” Sora shot a beam of light from his keyblade, giving Terra the opportunity to enter his body.
“Aqua! Ven!” He ran towards them, grabbing Ven and holding him in his arms.
Is it really… “Terra? Is it you?” Aqua crawled towards him.
“Yeah.” Terra smiled at her. “You never stopped… lighting my way back.” Aqua felt the tears. Terra, Ven. We’re together again.
“Terra, you’re here.” Ven opened his eyes.
“I heard you too, Ven.” Terra was crying, too. “You found me, just like you promised.”
Terra pulled them both into a hug. “Thank you.”
Finally, we’re together again. I hope… I hope you’re okay too, Axel.
“Aqua and Ventus need rest,” Sora said. “Terra, look after them.” Sora ran off, further into the stone maze.
Aqua was the first to rise to her feet, helping her boys once she was up. “C’mon, let’s meet up with the others.”
The first thing Aqua saw was Axel, slumped over against a wall with two people looking after him. She broke out into a run. “Axel! Is he okay?” Please be okay. I… never want to be apart from you.
“Yeah, he’ll be fine.” The boy who answered looked exactly like Ven. It floored her.
“You must be Roxas,” Aqua said. “Axel’s been looking for you for a long time.”
“Aqua! Don’t just run off!” Terra and Ven caught up with her, both stopping when they saw Roxas.
“You…” Ven cocked his head to one side. “You look like me.”
Roxas clutched his head. “This is starting to get really old. So, Xion and Naminé look like Kairi. Sora looks like that other guy, apparently. And now you’re here?”
Xion smiled. “Don’t worry, Roxas. You two look different enough.”
“How so?”
“Your hair is a little darker.”
Ven smiled and blinked next to Terra who did the same. “Well. I’m Ven. And I don’t think this is the best place to be explaining all this because… it’s complicated, I assume?”
“Something, something, heartless and nobodies,” Axel muttered, seeming to regain some semblance of consciousness at the sounds of all the voices.
“What’s a heartless?” Ven asked.
“ Oh! I know this one!” Terra smiled. “Let me weave you a tale, Ven.” And somehow Terra managed to walk off with all three kids like it was nothing. Aqua laughed before turning her attention to Axel.
“Are you okay?” She sat down next to him, surveying the charred battlefield.
“We did it, Aqua. They’re back.” Axel turned to her, green eyes bright. “We did it!”
Aqua smiled. “It’s not over yet.” She helped him to his feet. “Let’s see this thing through to the end, together.”
Axel smiled back. “Yes, together.” You’re one of the people I never want to be apart from.
Aqua’s heart sang.
“Where are we going?” Aqua asked, taking Axel’s hand and following him onto the gummi ship he arrived in. Things had finally settled down after the final battle with Xehanort. It had been a blur, to be honest. But it was over now. Everyone was back on their home worlds and starting to rebuild their lives in the wake of the destruction.
“It’s a surprise.” was all Aqua got.
“You know, it’s odd seeing you in actual clothes,” Aqua said, taking in his black pants and plaid shirt. “Suits you.”
“Can I record you saying that for Isa?”
“Sure.”
The rest of the trip they were quiet. It was a comfortable silence, not unlike the one’s she shared with Vanitas on the beach in the Realm of Darkness.
I’m sorry, Vanitas. I know you wouldn’t want my pity, but I wish you were here with us.
That was all she could do for him.
When they landed, the first thing she saw was orange. A dazzling, beautiful orange that stretched as far as the eyes could see. This place was familiar, but one she hadn't seen in a long time.
Axel led her to the top of the clocktower (not before purchasing ice cream, of course), and there they sat as they had in his dreams all those months ago.
“What do we do now?” Aqua asked, taking a bite of her ice cream.
“What do you mean?”
“We spent all these years looking for people.” She thought of Ven and Terra back at the Land of Departure, spending the days walking the grounds with different emotions on their faces. One day maybe I’ll hear their full stories, all the things that keep them up late at night…
“We found them now, Axel. So… now what?”
“Well, I know Sora’s planning a big party.” Axel looked at her face and sobered up. “I want to revise our promise because I realized something back then.” Axel swallowed, wishing that he had no heart right now to save him from these pesky emotions. “I never want to be apart from you.”
Aqua blushed, looking away. “I… realized the same thing.”
“I spent so much time looking for Roxas and Xion because I love them, and I… love you, too. Just not in the same way.” Axel rubbed the back of his head, taking a bite of his ice cream. I really should have practiced this more. Could’ve practiced on Isa or something.
‘You’re one of the bravest people I know… so make a move already.’ “I love you.”
“Oh…” Axel paused, looking out at he sun. “Well, now that you’ve said that…” Axel reached into his pocket and pulled a familiar object out. “This is a piece of keyblade armour I found in Castle Oblivion, it was my way of staying connected to you even after I left there. I’m returning it to you because…” How deep do I want to dig myself into this whole? “Now I have you, and I’m never going to let you go again.”
When Axel turned to look at Aqua she had tears in her eyes, slowly spilling over onto her cheeks. “Oh, no. I’m sorry I didn’t want to make you-”
He stopped when Aqua kissed him, soft and feather light. He chuckled, feeling his own face heat up. She started to pull away, but before she could he kissed her again.
Aqua smiled against his lips.
Leather and calluses. The longing to find his friends, like you long to find yours. Warm and steady. The smell of smoke.
The smell of home.