Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep Novel

STORY 1: LAND OF DEPARTURE ( Part 2 )

Written by: Kanemaki Tomoco
Original Plan: Nomura Tetsuya and Oka Masaru
Illustration: Amano Shiro
Translations: Goldpanner
Copyrighted by Disney Enterprises, Inc and Square Enix. No profits are gained from these unofficial fan translations.

✫✫✫

Sparks flew.

The shock of impact rattled right to his fingertips.

It's been a long time since I've felt Aqua go all out, thought Terra. The thought that maybe he really was no match for her power flitted across his mind. What am I lacking? Is it power? Or is it lots of things?

Terra drew back for a second, catching his breath. Aqua immediately closed the gap. Their Keyblades clashed again, and sparks flew.

I don't want to lose. I can't let myself lose.

He struck Aqua's Keyblade with all his might. Distance opened between them again.

More power... I want power.

Terra clenched his fist. In his hand, power welled up–What is this power? A strange, unknown power rolled through Terra. It feels... threatening, somehow....?

Feeling uneasy, Terra opened the palm of his hand, trying to push the power down. Just then, Master Eraqus' voice echoed around.

"That's it."

Aqua was looking straight at Terra. Terra nodded in return, putting his Keyblade away, and returned to where he had stood originally.

I... no, I should be okay. I fought as hard as I could. I used up all of my strength.

Master Eraqus took one step forward. Behind him was Master Xehanort.

"I will announce the results of the exam. Terra, Aqua, you were both excellent, however—on this occasion, Aqua is the one who has shown the Mark."

Terra's throat closed up. There's no way. That's just.

"I have judged that Terra does not have sufficient power to control the darkness in his heart."

I guess that means that was the power of darkness. That power...? There's darkness in my heart...?

"I'm counting on you to apply yourself to further training—that is all. Aqua, there is special knowledge that you must hear as a Keyblade Master, so please wait here."

Master Eraqus is gone. I can't really remember the last thing he said, though. Ventus is running over. Master Xehanort just left the hall. Aqua is looking at me. The hall is horribly quiet, and my chest sort of hurts.

"Terra...," Aqua said.

"I, Terra, you know you're also...," Ven began. But Terra couldn't speak to anyone right then.

"...Sorry, I need to be alone...," he told the two of them, and walked off alone.

✫✫✫

As if waiting for Master Xehanort to leave the hall, somebody was standing inside the castle.

"Huh..."

The person snorted, as if they—Vanitas—had also been watching the Mark of Mastery Exam.

However, not pausing at Vanitas' behaviour, Master Xehanort asked, "How is it, Vanitas?"

"Still nothing. I'll have to drill him into shape," Vanitas said with a laugh.