Chapter Text
Nighttime had arrived in Daybreak Town. Streetlamps and window lights kept the town illuminated, as the Town Guard carried torches on the outer walls as they patrolled, keeping an eye out for any Heartless that dared to appear.
Skyler eagerly made her way up the Foreteller’s tower, her master having invited her within early that day to discuss an important matter. Her mind had raced all day as she completed her missions, and once she had finished everything and met her Lux quota, she immediately made her way to the clock tower.
Her mind went over what had to have been hundreds of different scenarios for what her master wanted to discuss with her. The theories ranged from “I’m naming you a Keyblade master” to “You’re done, leave your Keyblade and never return”. Although her Chirithy was adamant it would almost certainly not be the latter or anything within that range, Skyler couldn’t help but wonder if that would be possible.
These thoughts only continued as she made her way up the clock tower, until they finally relinquished when she reached her destination. The Foreteller’s Chamber, where all of the masters would gather. And here she was, being invited within.
Skyler took a deep breath. A year and a half ago, when she first got her Keyblade, she would have never imagined she would be at this point. Sure, getting to explore other worlds and make all sorts of new friends - that was something she could’ve expected. But being personally invited to speak with one of the masters in their meeting place? It was a dream come true for her.
…
She raised a hand, closed it into a fist, and lightly knocked on the door. Almost immediately after, a voice responded from within.
“Enter.”
She recognized the voice. Her master was inside. She had better not keep her waiting.
So, she pushed the door open and was immediately met by quite a large room. There was a large, circular table directly in the center of the room, with a unique heart-shaped pattern painted on its surface. Seven chairs were surrounding it. Odd, since Skyler was certain there were only five Foretellers. The cogs that made the clock tower operate were exposed and to her right, making up most of the wall. On the far side was a desk with an assortment of different trinkets and books, and that’s where she found her master.
Master Invi, leader of the Anguis Union. Skyler’s idol since she was a child and now mentor. She was facing away from her, reading some sort of book on the desk, a small lamp with an illuminated crystal hung inside the glass the only source of light in the room.
Skyler approached the master, stopping when she was a few feet away. She stood at attention, putting her right arm over her chest, hand placed over her heart, and bowed her head - the traditional salute used by all Keyblade wielders.
…
“Master Invi.” She spoke loudly and with authority. “It is an honor to make your acquaintance in the tower this evening. To what do I owe for you to request my presence?”
Master Invi smiled, shutting the book she was reading and stashing it away on the desk.
“I’m glad you could make it. Did everything go well on your assignments for the day?”
“Yes, Master. I reported my findings and turned in my Lux at the Gathering before arriving here.”
“That’s great to hear,” Invi said as she rose from her seat, still keeping her eyes away from Skyler, as they were still focused on the desk, at an item Skyler could not see. “You have shown exemplary service and conduct since you joined us, Skyler. It really is an honor to have you with us.”
Skyler nodded, “Thank you, Master. Serving you has been the highest honor of my life.”
However, in her head, things were going a mile a minute. ‘An honor to have you with us’? That screamed “she’s relieving you of your duty and taking your Keyblade away” to her. Was this really what she had called her for?
These thoughts continued to run through her head as Master Invi spoke again, “If you remember from your training, a true Keyblade wielder should strive to follow three core strengths. Can you name those three for me?”
“Strength in Heart, Strength in Body, Strength in Mind.”
“Correct. Strength in Heart: one who can keep the light in their heart burning and repel the darkness. Strength in Body: having the strength and courage to face tangible threats. Strength in Mind: the ability to not let your thoughts and feelings cloud your judgements. I’ve met many Keyblade wielders in my time, but of them all…”
Invi picked up the item she was focused on on her desk, “...I can think of none that exemplify those core strengths more than you, Skyler.”
…
Skyler’s eyes opened as Master Invi walked over to her. She summoned her Keyblade to her hand and spoke once again, “On one knee and bow your head, please.”
She did as she was told, as Invi raised her Keyblade right above her shoulder. “As Master of this Union and Master of the Keyblade, I, Invi, with the power vested in me, proclaim you, Skyler Kaze, as my First Lieutenant of the Anguis Union. You will be my right hand and top advisor, and all members of the Union will answer to you with the same regard as they answer to me. Do you accept this role?”
Now this? This was something Skyler had somehow not thought of. She knew, and had even met, some of the wielders that Master Invi kept in her close company. But now she was going to be one of them? AND that Skyler would be her right-hand man? It was a dream come true. A different dream, but still a dream.
“I accept…” Skyler said with barely a whisper, but it was enough for Invi. She lowered her blade over both of Skyler’s shoulders, then pulled it away before dismissing it entirely. She then commanded Skyler to rise, which she did, finding her master holding out some sort of cloth.
“This armband is for you, to signify your rank. Wear it with pride, and show the world what it truly means to wield the Keyblade.”
Invi handed the armband to Skyler, who immediately hooked her right arm through the hole and tightened the band around her bicep. The band itself was navy blue, but there was a logo on one side: the Anguis logo displayed for all to see, along with a silver bar, showing the rank she had just received.
…
Skyler stared at the armband in awe, taking everything in at once.
She was Master Invi’s First Lieutenant. Second only to her in the entire Union. It wasn’t Keyblade master, but this was pretty much the next best thing for her.
Invi took one of Skyler’s hands into her own. “You have made me proud since the day you first obtained your Keyblade. And I know that you will continue to do so forevermore.”
She released Skyler’s hand. “Now, return home. Show your family what you’ve accomplished.”
Skyler fumbled her words trying to respond, “I…I don’t…thank you. Thank you, Master.” She saluted Invi once more, “I will wear this with honor, and continue to serve you as your First Lieutenant should.”
She turned and headed for the door, leaving Invi in the chamber alone again. Just as she opened the door to leave, Invi called out to her.
“May the Blessing of the Light go with you, Skyler.”
Skyler turned back, nodded to her master, then closed the door, quickly making her way out of the clock tower. As she descended and made her way out into the nighttime streets of Daybreak Town, her Chirithy appeared, perching themself on her shoulder.
“So, where’s my lieutenant’s armband?”
“You’ll get yours when you start wielding a Keyblade yourself.”