A Second Chance

Birth By Sleep

Y'all are so sweet. I missed you all!!!

Short chapter, but honestly this is the one that gave me a lot of grief. It's such a big moment and nothing felt good enough for me. It's not perfect, but it's the best I could do <3

[♥]

"Aqua," you whisper, a hand resting over your heart. "It's..."

"Welcome home, [Name]," she tells you, reaching out to grab onto your free hand, a smile on both of your faces as you stare up at the place where it all started.

The Land of Departure.

"Home?" Sora repeats in shock.

"This is where we all met, and where Master Eraqus trained us. We left this place, to go on our separate journeys all those years ago," she explains to the confused brunet.

"It's beautiful here," he replies, glancing around with wide eyes. "So, Ven. That means you left him inside your home?"

He had wondered why Aqua would leave someone so important inside of such a creepy castle.

"And sealed it," Aqua continues as the three of you start to make your way up the stairs to the front door. "I sealed this place so that no one could reach Ven. No one, but me."

She didn't know that Vanitas was able to reach him, and had been visiting his brother for over a year. But he was safe. That's what mattered.

Sora reaches out to open the doors, which give way with a large creaking sound. Your heart swells with both joy and sorrow as you soak in the sight of the old foyer where you first met Terra and Aqua, the long staircases where you and Ven would race down on mattresses when all the losers went to bed early... The banister from upstairs, where Master Eraqus would stand and proudly watch his students as they laughed, and learned, and loved together.

"You guys ready?" Aqua asks, a look of sheer determination on her face as she glances over her shoulder at you and Sora.

"Born ready!" he replies, grinning widely at the thought of finally meeting the infamous Ven.

It felt like a dream, making your way down the long hallway towards the throne room. The last time you were there, Terra had failed his Mark of Mastery and Aqua had passed. This one simple event upended all of your lives, but it felt like a lifetime ago. What if Ven couldn't wake up? What if he couldn't remember you, or Aqua, or Terra?

You remember the words from the strange Master of Masters when you were down in the Realm yesterday. You already defied fate, allegedly, by freeing Aqua so soon. Would the same happen if you now save Ven? And if this does change destiny, would this change be good... or bad?

Would Ven hate you for what you've done during his slumber, and for taking so long to reach him?

You pause, your foot hovering over the first step of the staircase leading into the throne room. Sora and Aqua walk up briskly, without a second thought. But for you, this moment is so surreal, you almost wonder if it's a dream you're about to wake up from. All of the work, the suffering, the heartbreak... it all led to this moment.

"So this is the path you've chosen."

The deep voice behind you causes you to jump in shock, spinning around and spotting the literal last person you want to see walking towards you. His gloved hands are shoved in his pockets, his face hidden by that mask you hate so much.

"Oh, you're talking to me now? Last I saw, you were attacking me and Sora," you retort, not bitter at all about how he acted in Monstropolis.

"Oh, just wait and see what I do here," Vanitas tells you, coming to a stop right in front of you. "What the fuck do you think you and your crew of morons are doing."