Chapter 2: The darkness
3 years went by since Ventus last visited. Terra and Aqua continued sparring and training each day.
“Take that!†Aqua yelled as she rushed at Terra and swung. The first clash of Keyblades made Terra wince and fall back as Aqua began chaining one blow after the other. Terra parried lightly, trying not to take the full impact of her blows down his blade. He fell back with each blow, letting Aqua push him.
Terra dodged to the side and clenched his fists tightly, a brief tint of dark energy surrounding them before it faded. Aqua paused, staring at his hands for a moment uneasily before resuming the fight, sending a fire spell at him. Terra released a blizzard spell at it, making it explode before it could touch him. Terra burst through the explosion and rushed at her, his Keyblade singing through the air. Aqua panicked and fell back, staggering as she blocked.
WHAM!
Terra’s Keyblade smashed into her side and sent her screaming through the air. She landed in a heap, dropping her Keyblade, curling up into a ball.
"Aqua!" cried out Terra.
He rushed over to her and knelt down. "Are you okay? I'm sorry, I didn’t…" he helped her get up.
“It’s fine.†Aqua said as she got up on her knees.
“Terra… what was that darkness that surrounded you again? It keeps happening and I’m starting to worry.â€
Terra gasped and looked at his hands.
“There was darkness?!†he cried out, looking around if Master Eraqus was there.
“Yes.. and you know what the master tells us each day. Darkness isn’t good.â€
“I don’t know why it keeps happening.. it just does. And I never really notice it. Are you going to tell the master?†he looked at her.
“Of course not, how could you say that? Why would I do that?â€
Both went quiet and looked at each other.
“I don’t know.†Terra said silently as he looked at the ground. He was ashamed of himself. He didn’t feel like he was good enough to be a Keyblade Master anymore. Aqua went towards him and held his hands.
“Do you remember what you promised me when I got here? You said you’d always be there for me. Terra, I’m always here for you. Nothing can ever separate us, and you know that just as well as I do.â€
When they both went back to report, Eraqus held his daily speech again. Hearing the same thing over and over and over again was surely making Terra go nuts, but Aqua was always very interested in what the Master told them. She’d always ask new questions, she’d have new ideas.. but Terra was simply annoyed.
“And that, my children, is why light-â€
“Master… can we do something else today? You always tell us this thing and the story behind the light and everything.â€
“I keep telling you each day so you both memorize it. After I am done, you’re free to do whatever you want, Terra, but you must listen to what I’m telling you. I don’t want any of you to accidentally give in to the darkness or so.â€
Terra sighed, looking down. Maybe the master was right? He never quite understood why the darkness was frowned upon by everybody.
“Master, why do you despise darkness?â€
Eraqus gasped and looked at Terra with concern immediately.
“Why.. Terra, why do you ask?â€
“Master, can I answer the question?†Aqua smiled and stood up. Having read many books about darkness and light, she was sure she knows what she’s talking about.
“Sure.â€
“Darkness isn’t inherently bad, Terra. See, the darkness is a part of your heart. As long as you can control your own heart or have some sort of resolve to never lose control of your heart, you'll be fine! Darkness only is a danger when you let it control you.
In one of the books I read, it was written that darkness is like fire. It was something like…
“Kids playing with matches don't know what they're doing and burn themselves.
Rational users who do constructive things with it
Rational users who use it for immoral and potentially destructive ends
Users who think they know what they're doing, and do, but only to a point.
What defines the role of an elemental force is the choices of the people who use it.â€
Same thing with the darkness. If you don’t know how to use it, you will burn yourself. But if you can keep it in check, there’s nothing to worry about!†she smiled and looked at her Master, who had a look of disgust on his face.
“Aqua… you?!â€
She looked at him, raising an eyebrow.
“Darkness lurks in every heart. Darkness is our foe. You must destroy it. Push the darkness down, give it no quarter in your heart.â€
Aqua played with her fingers. What was he talking about?
“Aqua. Until you realize what you have done, I want you to stay in your room. And I never want to hear anybody talking about… darkness again. That is all.â€
“I should’ve just shut my mouth.†Aqua talked to herself as she played with a plush in her room. It was a plush that Terra gave her on her birthday. She was sure the Master was disappointed in her. “But.. I just told them what I read in the books. Was all of that wrong? Why.. I don’t understand. Maybe darkness IS bad.â€
She sighed and let herself fall on her bed. She didn’t like the thought of having disappointed Master Eraqus, but she was sure she’d not become a master if she was talking about darkness the same way again.
In his own room, Eraqus looked at a letter he received 2 years ago but never responded to. He then took a quill and started writing a letter to Xehanort.
"Xehanort. I didn’t believe what you wrote in your letter first. My own pupil, Terra… using the power of darkness. My son. It was impossible. However, today I realized it must be true. I saw him and my other pupil, Aqua, sparring outside, and I could sense darkness emitting from him. I agree with you, I, too, now don’t want to name my son a Keyblade master without taking precautions. I wanted them to train for what comes after the ceremony, however, it seems like they will have to take the Mark of Mastery - as you suggested.
We can discuss details once you come visit us again.
And yes, Yen Sid has told me about the Unversed. They’re certainly a matter that needs to be discussed.
Thank you for opening my eyes, old friend. Take care. I eagerly await our reunion. By the way, I have already prepared Ventus’ room, as we discussed when you last visited."