Destiny's Marked: Chosen (Book 1)

The Sky: The Day is Near

     The clash of metal-on-metal rang throughout the secluded plaza as the two figures fought. They power-struggled with their blades in hand before jumping back, the dramatically taller being thrusting out her hand quickly as she mentally cast a spell. An aura of blue glowed around her hand and a wave of water followed her hand's movement as she swung her arm to the side, releasing the torrent of water toward her smaller opponent. He simply jumped out of the way and placed a hand on the ground as he landed. The ground shook more and more as milliseconds passed and a pillar of rock shot out of the ground towards the female who was still in the air. She cast another spell, a tornado of transparent white orbiting her hand, and used it to propel herself out of the way of the incoming column. She swiftly planted her feet on the side as her spell of air disappeared and ran down quickly toward her opponent.

     He pushed his hand forward and yellow electricity sparked around his hand before similar lightning struck down on the female. She did not slow down and promptly dodged each strike. She swung her weapon at the small male with black mouse ears poking out of the top of his head. He narrowly dodged the attack, jumping back before sprinting forward with eyes glimmering in pride at the challenge his pupil had become. He swung his own weapon, a golden Kingdom Key, at her to which she bent over backward as she slid under his blade. With her own still in hand she swung it towards his back but was simply avoided with a backflip. A clash rang through the plaza again repeatedly as they attacked and blocked and counterattacked with their blades. A deadly silence settled between them as the attacks ceased. Both were breathing steadily at a quicker pace than normal as they stared each other down for any movement that would hint at the next move of the opponent. The Mouse King smiled and stood up from his battle stance as he complimented the girl, "Very well done, Aria! You have learned quickly."

     The blond relaxed her stance, dismissing her weapon in a spark of light, and returned the smile, bowing, "I learned from the best, Your Highness." The twelve-year-old appeared to look older as she was now thirteen and was given a temporary home in another part of the Land of Departure in which she and the King have trained. She was given a makeover by a certain trio of fairies to accommodate her growth and comfort in battle. Her hair was now shorter than before and tied up into a messy ponytail with her bangs gently framing her oval face and covered her forehead. A grey lined white hoodie was halfway zipped up her midsection and revealed a dark grey t-shirt with the red words Rapture Ruckus across the top. She wore thin jean shorts that ended at her knees and sported black hightop converse.

     The King sighed in exasperation, "I have told you to simply call me Mickey." She retorted, "Yet you are King. Therefore I will call you as such." Mickey sighed again at her stubbornness but did not push the subject any further. Instead he grew serious as he changed the topic, "It is nearly time, Aria." Any sign of her previous relaxed composure disappeared as she grew serious as well, "Has the final light arrived?" Mickey shook his head, "Not yet, but soon. It would be wise to begin to put pieces into play however." He then turned to the side, silent as a thought troubled him. Aria immediately picked this up and asked with a confused look, "What is it, Your Highness?" Mickey returned his gaze towards his pupil after a few moments of considering. He answered, "I must go. And you will never see this version of me again." Aria's eyes widened as she questioned, "Version?... Meaning I'm going to an alternate universe?"

     "Because I have knowledge of what is to happen and play a role in the events that will transpire, I will be unable to exist unless I intend to tear the worlds into obliteration. As soon as Ventus arrives here, I will be forced to fade from existence, as you were not here in my timeline, in order to prevent a paradox." Mickey spoke gravely. Aria's eyes were wide and hands shaky as she processed this new information. She then closed her eyes and took in a deep breath to clear her panicked thoughts. Aria opened her blue eyes calmly but did not give a verbal reply because she did not know what to say. Mickey gave a small nod in understanding at her silence and changed the subject, "Let's go one more time before dinner. Then you're going to bed early so you can get up in time to go to Master Eraqus in the morning. Do you remember the plan?" Aria nodded as she bent her knees into a battle stance, summoning her golden weapon- her personal keyblade Heaven's Wing. A ring of white clouds acted as a hand guard and circled her hand which gripped the white cloth-wrapped handle. The staff that extended to the end of the key was pure gold and a single white wing extended out of the side of it at the end, forming the "key" aspect of the blade.. A white ribbon ran up the golden staff, wrapped loosely, connecting the wing to the cloth wrapped around the handle. The chain hanging from the ring of clouds was gold and a singular gold ring hung from it. Mickey gave a confident smile and said, "Then let's begin."