Destiny's Marked: Chosen (Book 1)

The Sky: An Imbalance

     Terra held his head in his hands, sitting on a set of stairs that led to the castle in which he had become close to his heart. Aria sat a little ways away, out of view -unless you looked on purpose- with a focused look that made her look more mature than her age. The words Terra thought echoed in her mind as she had heard them many times before, 'There's darkness within me... So what does that matter? I know I'm strong enough to hold it back.' Her head tilted as her gaze turned sad and full of pity. It hardened when Xehanort stepped out of the large building and stood next to the troubled teen. His voice floated on the wind, "Yes... You are indeed strong." Terra stood up shocked at Xehanort's presence and then at his words, "Master Xehanort..." Master Xehanort strained, "And yet... how frustrating that Eraqus refutes its power. Why, you could train with him forever and still..." His tone tempting, "You'd never be a Master in his eyes."

     Terra's eyes were fearful at the possibility, "But why? Help me understand, Master Xehanort. What is it that have I failed to learn?"

      "You are fine as you are. Darkness cannot be destroyed." Aria narrowed her eyes at his next words that twisted the truth. His golden eyes glinted, "It can only be channeled."

     Terra pondered this for a minute before nodding in agreement, "Yes. Thank you, Master." The two teens stiffened as the large warning bells rang throughout the world. Terra immediately ran up the stairs to help his friends and Aria jumped down from her place, watching as the old Master opened a portal of darkness and disappeared inside it.

~~~~~~~~

     Terra met up with Aqua who was standing in the examination room with a worried look, "What happened?"

     "I don't know." Aqua's hand hovered over where a certain charm was stored, "Why aren't Ven and Aria here?" Aria panted as she entered the room, "I'm here! Wait, Where's Ven?" Aria acted like she didn't know, a look mixed with confusion and worry. Aqua held a more calm look, "We don't know. I was hoping he was with you." Aria's eyes widened and then turned back around and rushed out, yelling behind her, "I'll find him!" Terra yelled back but it did not stop her, "Wait, Aria!--"

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     Aria ran as fast as she could across the castle, huffing as she hoped that she would make it on time. She slid to a stop in front of Ven's door and heard the mysterious person scoff, "Like right now? He's leaving you behind. And by the time you catch up... He'll be a different person." Pure anger could be heard in Ven's voice, "Look-- whoever you are--you don't know the first thing about Terra. Me and him will always be a team. You tryin' to pick a fight or what?" The darker of the two simply brushed off the challenge, "Oh grow up. Is that what you call friendship?" Aria sensed the mysterious figure walk across the room calmly, "You'll never know the truth unless you go out and look for it yourself." He tempted as he turned to the blonde, "Come on, what can you possibly know when you are stuck here? Looking at nothing but what's in your tiny world?" A portal of darkness was summoned before him and he walked in as Aria took this time to slam the door open as if she had just arrived.

     Aria put on the act of fear and worry as she panted as if she had been running and had her eyes wide, "Ven! There you are!" Ven had jumped at her sudden entrance and suddenly remembered the warning bells that had rung before his conversation with the darkly-dressed teen. Ven raced past her, making sure to grab her wrist along the way, and yelled, "Where's Terra?!" Aria yelped at suddenly being in movement, but gave him a small sad gaze before replying, "Aqua and Terra are in the exam room!"

~~

     "So here we are." Master Eraqus assigned to Aqua and Terra before him in the room that they took the exam in, "I need you two to get this situation under control. Eliminate the Unversed, and find Master Xehanort. I have unlocked the Lanes Between. You may use these forbidden pathways to travel between this world and countless others." The master warned, "The darkness looms closer than usual within these space, but your armor will protect you. Lastly, remember that order must be kept. You cannot tell anyone there are other worlds. Now go, and fulfill your duty."

     Terra and Aqua say in unison with grim tones, "Yes, Master."

     Terra turns to leave but the Master's voice stopped him, "Terra. Consider this an opportunity. A second chance to change my mind."

     "What?" Terra questioned his words.

     He explained in a soft voice, "You should know, I care for you like my own son. If I could have my way, I would name you Master in a second." As the elder approached the younger, he continued with a pained look in his eyes, "But how can I when you are so obsessed with power? Terra, you mustn't be afraid of losing. For fear leads to obsession with power, and obsession beckons the darkness." Placing a hand on his pupil's shoulder, he warned, "You must never forget."

     Accepting the warning, Terra slightly bowed to Master Eraqus as the Master let go of his shoulder, replying confidently, "Thank you, Master. I swear... I won't fail you again." He turned and left to the front pavillion on these words, eyes narrowed in dedication.