Destiny's Marked: Chosen (Book 1)

The Sky: The Adventure Begins

     Aria strolled down the stone path as the sun was nearly fully risen. Even though she knew exactly where to go, she had only seen the way there on a map, so everything captivated her. She stared in awe at the stone palace-looking building with gold chains connecting the towers to the main building. Her boots clinked on the stone circle with an intricate design that led up to a set of stairs that led up to the building. As she neared the tall light-colored wooden door, she heard a yell of pain. Her eyes widened and she rushed to open the doors.

     She was met with a female, Aqua, with short ocean blue hair, her blue eyes wide with concern at the bent over blonde male tween at her feet. Another male, Terra, was kneeling in front of the in-pain blonde his blue eyes reflecting his panic and confusion. Aria rushed to the blonde, whom she subconsciously identified as Ventus from the prequel game Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, and pulled him out of the brunette's arms. Aria lifted his head out of his hands, causing his cerulean blue to look into hers. His yells of pain subsided as she cast a spell. The spell silenced his yells and he fell forward, eyes closed and breathing evenly, signalling that he was asleep. Aria caught him and laid him on his back with his head on her lap.

     Doors across the room slammed open as two older men quickly walked out towards them. The one with black hair, Master Eraqus,asked in slight urgency, "What happened?" Aria continued to stare at Ven, analyzing his condition as Terra reported hesitantly, "We don't know. We were just asking questions--" The master had interrupted him, "That's because he can't answer." The group turned to the boy in Aria's lap as she blankly stared the dark-skinned master, Xehanort, next to Master Eraqus. "He doesn't remember anything."

     Terra and Aqua's eyes widened in surprise at the newfound information. After a pause, Aria stood up, carefully placing Ven on her back and asked, "Where is he staying?" Eraqus questioned, guarded but welcoming, "And who are you, child?" Aria grunted as she had to reposition the slightly heavy boy on her back, "Right now he needs his rest." In reality, she had no clue how she was supposed to answer that. Eraqus nodded and instructed, "Terra, Aqua, show them to a spare room." The two trainees nodded in respect. Terra motioned Aria to hand over Ven to him as she was obviously struggling holding the twelve-year-old boy on her back. She gave him an appreciative glance and placed the sleeping Ven in his arms.

     Silence ensued as the three walked up the stairs. When they finally were in a new hallway, Aqua asked curiously, "My name is Aqua, What is yours?" Aria smiled politely, "My name is... Aria. Nice to meet you." In person. Terra grinned as he introduced himself, "Nice to meet you too, my name is Terra." After a slight pause, he continued, "So. Do you know who this is?" He pointed to the softly snoring Ven on his back with his head. Aria hesitated to respond, and shook her head, "No." Aqua furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "Then how did you know what to do?" Aria shrugged as she listed, "Books. An idea that popped into my head." Aqua nodded and silence returned to the group. They turned to the left around a corner and then turned right towards a door. Aria, being closer to the door, twisted the doorknob and pushed door open.

     The room was neat as anyone very rarely used it. A bed sat underneath a half-circle window, revealing the blue sky. A bookshelf was behind the bed, an about two feet space between the headboard and the shelves, and a small desk was next to the bookshelf. A single shelf hung on the wall on the far side bare. Terra sat down on the bed and gently laid Ven on his new bed. Aria muttered, "I'll just cast the spell again so it doesn't wear off sooner." Aqua and Terra nodded as they began their way out of the room. Aria approached the bedside and closed her eyes as she re-cast the spell. She slowly opened her eyes as she completed the process and stared at him in thought. I'm here. It finally has begun. She blinked as her mouth was set into a fine line, Funny, I feel so unprepared, but there's nothing else I can do to prepare more. Terra had regathered her attention as he asked from out in the hall, "Is he ok, Aria?" Aria nodded before answering as he could not see her, "Yeah. Sorry, I'm just a little tired from waking up early this morning." She walked out as Terra nodded understandingly.

     Aqua spoke knowingly, "I know that when Master Xehanort leaves, Master Eraqus will want to speak to you. Not meaning to be rude, but why are you here?" Aria smiled at her curiosity as they began walking back down the hall, "I'm here to train under Master Eraqus. I was training under one of Master Yen Sid's apprentices but my Master received an important mission that he could not ignore. I also have some friends that I'm looking for." Her smile turned sad as she glanced at the ground, flashes of Ryoko, Kai, and Luxus consuming her mind. Terra replied, "...I see. Well, maybe we can help you find them. We can train together and once we are masters we'll be able to travel the worlds!" Aqua grinned, "Yeah! Don't worry Aria, I'm sure that your friends will be found. Especially with all of us working together." Aria chuckled shortly at Terra's ambitious look and Aqua's optimistic thoughts as she nodded, "Thanks, guys." Terra ruffled her hair with a cheeky grin, "No problem, Ari." Aria pouted childishly at him messing up her hair. It soon grew into a grin with a hint of sadness at the nickname she hadn't heard in awhile.