Awakening

"As long as you're with me, I'll always find my way back. Always."

    Time was no longer of any relevance to her; she'd given up after the first time she'd run into Heartless and they had been detroyed by Ven and Terra's Keyblades. She measured it now in steps, in how worn her Wayfinder was becoming. It was hard to constantly keep her hopes up in a place like the Realm of Darkness, so the trinket had been pulled out many times to remind her why she was trying to get back. To give her something to grasp when the sticky, strong hands of despair wanted to pull her down, make this dreary place her final resting place.

After her talk with the cloaked figure on the sands of the Dark Meridian, she felt newly inspired to continue on after hearing what Sora had been doing. He'd been saving worlds, people, touching hearts and starting the healing process of the wounds inflicted by darkness. Sora. Maybe... Maybe he could help Terra? Her friend had been similar to Riku, at least what she saw during the visit to Destiny Island. Had Riku gone down the same path as Terra, only this time to be completely saved? She needed to get back, but... How?


    Somehow, she found herself in the edges of a forest. It was dark and foggy, but it only took a few moments before she realized where she was. Aqua's head shot up, and for a moment she felt relief. "Could it be?" A hot shock of dread seared into her heart as she took in the castle, once beautiful and shining, now covered in darkness. Why? Of all the things to come back to... How could things have gone so horribly? When she'd left, Cinderella had found happiness. The Prince had surely made sure of that. The words of the Fairy Godmother were still ringing in her ears as she left to find Terra.

Experience more things, and you'll find the answer. Just trust in your dreams...


She'd been taught to destroy darkness with light, but the Godmother had said otherwise. The older woman had thought sure of it, and Aqua had trusted her. Clearly, whatever the Fairy Godmother had believed in had left this place.


    She dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks. How could she let this happen? If this place hadn't survived, how could she be sure Ventus was safe? She had been told to believe in him, and her light would guide him to her when he woke. He wasn't here. Terra wasn't here. Mickey wasn't here. There was no one. She pulled out her Wayfinder again, her hand smashing it into the ground as sobs wracked her body. Her forehead touched the ground as she bent over, balling her hands into fists. "I need you guys, now more than ever! Please!" Aqua hit the ground hard with a fist, letting out a wail. Her other hand grabbed the Wayfinder, clutching it hard. "I'm the one that needs to be saved for once..." Came the strangled whisper as she curled in on herself, shoving the trinket against her heart. Images of her friends flashed through her mind, eventually mixing with those she had met on her ventures, Kairi, Sora, Riku....


    A bright light came from the Wayfinder, and Aqua squeezed her eyes shut to prevent herself from being blinded by being so close. A warmth enveloped her, one that was familiar, loving, almost like being hugged by a parent or a friend... A smile grew on her face and she sighed, the sensation a welcome one from the emptiness felt in the Ream of Darkness. It was a few minutes after the light withdrew that she allowed herself to open her eyes, not wanting to end the dream if it was one. Sleep had been so unnecessary for so long, and she'd had nothing but nightmares when she tried to get rest. She'd grown tired, worn; but now she felt... Refreshed?

Aqua looked around and saw trees, similar to the ones of Cinderella's world. She furrowed a brow and sat back on her feet slowly, taking in everything else. This was... It was Cinderella's world alright. Just... Not how it had been only minutes ago. What happened? Had her plea for help really been heard? She got up, brushing herself off. If this place was real, if it truly was Castle of Dreams, then... She was back. Where did she go from here?


"Terra and I will be back to wake you up before you know it!"


Ventus. That's where she would go. She didn't have Terra, but she promised Ventus she would wake him up. Together, they could find Terra. Two hearts would be better than one, right? Even if one was still sleeping...