Kingdom Hearts: World Keeper [Re:Joined]

My Master

Story after story.
Action after action.
She couldn't say anything. Didn't know what. They told her about all the awful misdeeds he committed. How many lives he ruined. That conversation took hours.

The story with his first student, Ventus. A boy she didn't know yet. About Terra. The Organisation. The war. Kingdom Hearts. Everything.

To believe that he was the same exact man who trained her. The man who brushed her hair. The man who understood her. The same man she called her master. And she cried. He only looked at her. He didn't dare to comfort. While Even and Ansem explained, Terra had been mostly quiet as well. Both him and... Xehanort were only nodding. Each and every nod hurt. As if she was being squished together. And Sora is gone.

The real Sora. He vanished. She knew the boy she started to see as a little brother was a Replica, but this... No, she never would've guessed.

And then, there was Eraqus.
"Xehanort, wouldn't you like to tell her what you did to your friend?", Ansem glared at him. He took a deep breath. Xehanort looked at him, then at Terra and then at her. Terra. She felt it from where she sat. His anger.

"I... I killed him."
"No-", Viola shook her head.

"He killed his own brother. My father.", Terra stood up, with Even holding him back. She understands how much he wanted to attack Xehanort. Clenching her fists on her lap.

She trusted this man. The man who murdered his own brother. Kairi too. He was a monster. She had to think about every time they hugged each other. Her goosebumps gave away how disgusted she was. Many feelings for this mess. Except for one. Hate. Viola couldn't bring herself to hate him.
Why? She is angry, disappointed and sad but... Why does hatred towards him seem so awful?

Now, she feels Ansem's warm hand on her shoulder: "I suppose that was all for now."
She only looks at him. He presses his lips together. A gesture she very well recognises from her father. He always presses his lips together too whenever he sees her or Davis cry.

Aqua is standing in the doorway, approaches and starts to hug Viola: "Now, what of your training?", she asks. But Viola doesn't know. She really doesn't know. What is she supposed to say? Seemingly stressed, Terra suggests: "We could take you in for sword and shield training. Master Aqua definitely wouldn't have issues adapting. But your power..."
Everyone agreed that Xehanort was the best choice for training her in that. What now? Does she truly want to continue?

"Decide yourself.", he speaks up, with his raspy voice. The voice Viola liked to listen to whenever he felt like sharing something from his past. Of course he only cherry picked the good parts. "I will wait outside.", he makes his way to the door, Viola feeling how another tear rolls down her face. Aqua's warm hug isn't as helpful as they hoped.

With blurry sight however, Viola notices Even stopping him: "One more subject for you, Xehanort."
He comes to a stand. His ember eyes fixate on the scientist. Even hesitantly grabs her arm. Mumbling something... "How did this happen?"

Viola feels how Aqua's heart begins to beat faster and how she clings onto her. Harsh breathes keep the young Master to say anything hurtful. Xehanort kept staring at Viola. He became pale. Frantically shaking his head: "We were attacked and fell down a pit... there were thorned vines-"
"Liar.", Aqua mumbles. It makes him stumble as he takes a moment to gulp.

Xehanort focuses on his pupil: "Viola, could you explain what happened-"
As much as it hurts to look at him she shakes her head as she admits she can't. His eyes grow big. "You can't remember-?"
Her vision becomes blurry again: "I'm so sorry. I only remember that man being there and my arm hurting."

With Aqua still clinging onto Viola... like she's trying to shield her from him. He's holding his head. Maybe the realization of how the situation paints him. "I did not lay one hand on her, I swear."
"You better go on.", Terra blankly demands.
Xehanort... he also looks distressed still.
"When I came to myself we were surrounded by thorned vines. One of them was wrapped around your arm, Viola.", he hints at the bruises: "I wanted to help you. If I knew they retract after being cut I would've done something else."