Wayward

VI

Glancing toward Roxas, you saw him looking around with the same amount of curiosity as you held. "Have you.. seen this before?" You decided to ask him, Roxas understood this world a hella lot better then you would ever be able to. Sure you managed to play the games, right now? It felt like there was more to this world then what you were allowed to see.

Roxas shook his head, looking down at you with a confused look. "I.. the last thing I remember was Sora. Him and Riku going after Xemnas and then.."

You crossed your arms, fiddling with the string of your Wayfinder. "Well, either Sora or Riku didn't finish him off that well." You tugged on the edge of Roxas' jacket to get his attention. You were going to need to see Eraqus about this. Most definitely he was going to have questions and hopefully answers.

His blue eyes blinked cluelessly as the two of you began to walk. Careful on where you started to step. Rivers began to pop up that ran to the edges of the land, totally different from before. "What's that supposed to mean? I mean, I saw Xemnas be destroyed."

Shaking your head, you glanced up at Roxas. "Either Xemnas survived or ... well, he, resurrected Xemnas. Because that's who threw me into a Corridor." You shuddered at the idea that he was revived. From what you understood it was probably possible. After all the steps were completed in the right order.

That's what you wanted to believe anyway.

Closer to the mansion, or what now appeared to be a miniature castle now.  Eraqus was standing outside with surprise on his face, you could see him much better now in the new sunlight. His scars stood out, sadness crept around your heart seeing them. You wondered how did he get them.

"Eraqus! Master Eraqus!" You began to wave with both arms towards the Master Keyblader, his dark brown eyes found you and eventually they landed on Roxas.

"Ven? Ventus!"

The sadness became a rock in your stomach, you glanced at Roxas who was confused as the older gentleman came closer. The two of you met Eraqus halfway, there was hope on his face but quickly it disappeared. Realizing that this wasn't exactly Ventus.

"Master.." You whispered softly, looking up to see heartbreak on his face as his eyes swam with ready to fall tears. You never thought that a fictional character could be so upset, ready to cry if the wrong word was said. "T-This.. this is Roxas."

Roxas stared at Eraqus with uncertainty. Never had he heard of the word Ven, or Ventus if they were the same person. He shifted his weight back and forth, glancing down at you with the hope that you would help. He saw the same distant look on your face as well, did you know who Ventus was?

He was just as confused, you knew him as Roxas. Never did you utter the word Ven, Ventus.

"Sir?" Roxas could hear his voice crack slightly, he wasn't scared but he sure as hell was a tad bit nervous.

Eraqus closed his eyes before opening them again. His dark brown eyes were gentle and thinking of better memories. He didn't know exactly what was going on, how Roxas could look exactly like Ven. He looked at you, your eyes filled with unanswered questions.

Something told him that you would be able to bring Ven home. Eventually. But first, you would need his help.

Smiling warmly, Eraqus held out his hand. "Welcome Roxas, I'm Master Eraqus."

Glancing down at his hand, Roxas looked at you to see a smile back on your face. Looking back to Eraqus, Roxas grinned and shook the Master's hand. "It's nice to meet you. We were wondering if you could help us. It's obvious there's... a lot of unanswered questions."

The Master nodded his head before his brows knitted together, looking at you directly now with his arms crossed. "[Name].. where did you go?"

Jumping slightly, you chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of your neck. "W-Well.. you see! Um, uh.."

His eyes narrowed before they widened. "You... went back into the Darkness?"

Sighing you relaxed your shoulders. "I had to Eraqus! I-I think there are other people stuck out there." You shot your hand out behind you, to where you and Roxas came from. "There are stations out there! I - I don't know who else is out there but-"

"[Name], it is dangerous out there." Eraqus laid his hands on your shoulders, pulling your attention to look at him without wavering looks. "The darkness now knows you, it might try to.."

Shaking out of your hold, you stood there. "I'm not any of them Eraqus! I'm not Terra, I'm not Riku, I'm not.." His name tasted terrible on your tongue and you didn't even need to when you looked at Eraqus. No one said a word, eventually, Eraqus sighed and pinched the area between his brows.

"If what you're saying is true, that there are stations out in the darkness." His hand found his way to his chin, resting underneath it. His eyes glanced to Roxas who just looked confused. Realization hit Eraqus like a breath of wind.

"It's.. possible that the Darkness is gathering pure hearts, even if they're restored to original bodies to expand." Master Eraqus turned on his heels, a quick 'come' made both you and the blond run after Eraqus.

Back inside of the castle, the throne room changed. Instead of one seat, there was two other throne seat on each side.

Eraqus snapped his fingers and the orb of light hovered in the center, the three of you gathered around it as it lit up in white light. A map just the same as your phone and minimap were enlarged. Eraqus pointed to roughly the area where Roxas' station was.

"This is where you were, my boy?" Roxas only nodded his head, amazed by the map. Eraqus hummed and looked in the distant and where other stations were. "You see, the Land of Departure was larger. Back when I was just a boy being trained as well. One day there was a terrible storm. We- I awoke to find the entire land nearly gone except for our small parcel of land." Eraqus closed his eyes just a tad bit, the map gone.

"Pure hearts are the strongest thing, they protect the worlds. If the Darkness is trapping those in stations, it can cover more land. With Roxas waking it's possible that the darkness can be pushed back."

You grinned, Roxas visibly relaxed and placed his hands on his knees as a breath was released. "You two need to find others to help you."

You raised a brow and placed a hand on your hip. "Others? You mean, Sora and Riku?" You shared a look with Roxas who crossed his arms.

Eraqus nodded. "I'm not sure who they are. If I don't know them, then Yen Sid will."

Squealing a little bit, you looked at Roxas even with his clueless look.

"Dude! We're going to Twilight Town!"