Trace of the Era [Aqua]

i.imgur.com/4L4MBK6.png

Sora may have lost the exam of mastery, but it turned out to be the most important journey he’d ever take. He learned a lot of things about Master Xehanort, the gist of his plan, and his own role in it. More importantly, Sora learned more about the people connected to his heart.

Something odd happened a while after he’d stumbled into Yen Sid’s keep one day. The brunette was hoping for his friends to be in there, but instead he found himself saluting the great wizard alone. At the news disclosed to him, Sora later found himself both dumbfounded and thrilled. (mostly dumbfounded). A keyblade wielder was "back".

It was the best news in a while, that was for sure. In the days leading up to now, Yen Sid seemed troubled about the rumors involving the return of the Nobodies, Heartless and Unversed - whatever those were. He said it meant anyone could come back - even the ones like Xemnas or Ansem. The reason behind these returns wasn’t obvious to anyone, but Yen Sid said something about time and space suddenly coming undone. Either way, whatever Yen Sid said, Sora always listened and if the great wizard was concerned, so was he.

“But… where would I find her?”

--

Radiant Garden looked on edge as always, even though it was in its late constructs and flowers bloomed all over the place. Upon arriving, Sora saw people motioning toward the outer skirts. A ceremony, he guessed at first, but no. Their shouts were anxious, not excited.

A quick word with Merlin confirmed that there was a massive infestation terrorizing the areas of residence.

“Be on your guard!” huffed the bearded wizard before Sora could hoof it, “and as for the friend you’re looking for, if she is a Keyblade wielder, then you may find her down there as well!”

The Heartless were on the houses and walkways like thick sludge. Even the air was heavy with their evil influences. Sora’s Keyblade made fodder out of each smokey body, even with the faulty defense mechanisms picking at him. But not once did he see anyone else around.

Maybe the coordinates were outdated and Aqua moved on to another world. Maybe he hadn't looked hard enough. But Aqua was bound to be out there, and he would find her. It wasn't the first some he'd gone looking for someone important.

    The Heartless were definitely... Different than the Unversed. Fighting them was a little harder, as they didn't seem to have a strategy when going into battle. If they even knew what battle was. They just kept coming, no pattern to their attacks, sometimes taking turns and others going two or three at a time. They weren't any harder to physically vanquish than the Unversed, but these creatures were so... Mindless. Bloodthirsty. Well, hearthirsty. Nothing seemed to deter them. Not her prowess (however out of shape it may be), not her magic, and especially not her Keyblade. In fact, they seemed to be drawn to it? 

    Aqua let out a sharp 'ha!' as she cartwheeled over to a group of three Shadows and slashed through them with the Master's Keyblade. Rainfell was much easier to wield, much more familiar and friendly. The Master's Keyblade was sharp, determined, almost unforgiving. It wasn't hard to wield this Keyblade, per se, but she knew dealing with these creatures would have been easier if Rainfell was in her hand. Even though finding her friends was a top priority, she needed to worry about herself as well. Without her armor and glider, Aqua was reduced to traveling and getting by through the kindness of strangers. Most worlds seemed to have plenty of friendly people, and she had a way of getting the most out of their generosity. But that could only go for so long.

    After performing one of her finishing moves, Aqua jumped back toward a wall on one of the houses. She wasn't entirely out of breath, but her lack of conditioning over the year was catching up to her fast. The Keyblade was dismissed in a flash of light, and she put her back on the wall. Not sensing any impending darkness, Aqua closed her eyes and let her composure and breathing return to normal before venturing further into the Borough. Even though Radiant Garden was but a mere shadow of what it once was, a lot of things seemed to remain similar. Maybe even Merlin was still here? He was no Yen Sid, but maybe he could give her more information. At this point, she'd take anything really.