Destiny's Marked: Chosen (Book 1)

The Sky: "An Unbreakable Connection"

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       Faint orchestral music could be heard down the silent hall through a wooden door. Aria's blue eyes darted across the page of her book, turning a page every so often while listening to the calming music rise into a suspenseful, fast-paced piece. She rested on her bed with a pale blue color scheme in a corner in which a window revealed the starry sky. Her room was generally small but the right size for its purpose with a desk on the far wall across from the bed and a bookshelf stood tall next to her bed. Another bookshelf stood opposite of it and papers were taped on the exposed wall haphazardly, designs drawn messily on each with notes here and there.

     It had been years since the first time she had met the Wayfinder Trio and the day Ventus had arrived to the Land of Departure. He had settled in well, though he was a bit emotionless in the beginning as he had no memories to look back on. However, Aqua and Terra made sure that he felt welcome and their unbreakable connection had begun. Aria often secluded herself into becoming more of an observer than actually participating in their off time from training. She would eat with them and joke with them but would often be sitting back with a book as the trio would playfully spar. Although recently the three have not been taking no for an answer as they drug her into sparring with them and messing around in general.

     Ven ran down the hall with a grin of excitement as he neared her door and rolled his eyes at the slow music that was now playing in her room. He hastily knocked before opening the door quickly, making Aria jump slightly at his sudden presence. She raised a brow at his sparkling blue eyes, closing her book with her finger as a bookmark. None of them spoke for a second so Aria asked slowly and in a confused voice, "May I help you?" Ven simply cheekily grinned as he replied, "There's a meteor shower outside, Ari! Come on, let's go!" He began tugging on her arm, urging her to do as he requested like a child. Aria struggled to keep her finger in the book and blurted out, "Fine! Just don't make me lose my spot!" Ven cheered and stopped as he threw his arms into the air, while Aria just huffed with a smile of amusement and placed a paper bookmark into her book.

     As soon as she had done so, Ven dragged her off the bed and out the door. She yelped at suddenly being in motion and constantly protested at being always off-balance. Ven raced down the stairs with her in tow with a goofy grin. He only stopped as they neared an edge of the world in a grassy corner behind the castle. He gasped in delight as silver streaks raced across the sky, his eyes shining in childish awe. Aria chuckled at his look before staring up at the sky herself. The meteor shower was beautiful in itself, with the random beams of silver and white continuing to fall.

     Aria was suddenly pulled to the ground, causing her eyes to widen, by the mischievous Ven who was already sitting down. She gave him a playful glare as he smirked before returning his attention to the stars. He laid back with his hands behind his head to get a better view and Aria hugged her knees to her chest. Ven muttered to himself, "Why does this look so familiar?" After a few moments of the two staring up at the sky, Aria heard soft snoring to the left of her. She turned her head to the boy beside her to find his eyes closed and his mouth a little open. Aria smiled at his sleeping form and laid down next to him as she returned her gaze to the sky. She placed her hand underneath her head to cushion it and the other on her stomach. Her blue eyes became dazed as she began to doze and they drooped before closing, sleep overtaking her.

     Aria strolled down the hall, towards Master Eraqus's office. She was nervous on how this would turn out. Would she be successful in hiding her true reason for being here? What about Ryoko and them? Were they safe? Where are they now? She sighed as she neared the door and hesitated to go through the slightly open door. Master Eraqus sensed her presence and summoned her in, "You may come in." Aria nodded to herself and walked in calmly, which was the exact opposite of what she felt. Master Eraqus was sitting on a throne-like chair in the back of the room. Light streamed into the room through the column windows in the side walls. He beckoned her closer to which she complied silently.