A Deeper Connection

Terra and Kiera reunited with Aqua a couple minutes later.

“Hey Kiera, you’ve been having fun?” Aqua teases.

Kiera grinned.

“Oh yes! The worlds are so beautiful! I can’t believe they’ve been right under our noses the whole time!” She exclaimed, “And I’ve made some wonderful new friends!” 

Aqua nodded with a smile. “I’m glad.” 

Then, Aqua frowned again.

“I wish I could’ve had better news for you” She declared.

“Why? What happened?” Terra asked.

“Ven…He ran away from home.”

Kiera’s heart stopped a couple beats.

“What?” Terra gasped.

“I think he left to go find you two,” Aqua replied, “Do you have any idea why?”

“I…I told him we’d be coming back!” Kiera cried, “I told him that I would be coming back.” She bowed her head, “But I guess…I should’ve said more.”

“It’s not your fault Kiera,” Terra said calmly, “Just before I left, he tried to tell me something. I should have listened to what he had to say.”

“Do you have any idea where he is?” Kiera asked. 

Aqua shook her head. “No, there’s evidence he’s been in the same worlds as I have, but I’ve been missing him, just barely.”

.

“Did you manage to locate Master Xehanort?”

“No, but it seems he’s looking for pure hearts filled with light.”

“Pure Hearts…Filled with light?” 

“All I can tell you is that his search hasn’t taken him here…”

“All right. I’ll stay and see if I can find more clues.”

“Okay. The prince is in the ballroom ahead. He might have some answers.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

Kiera wasn’t listening. Her mind was filled with worry, worry about Ventus. Where was he? Was he alright? Was he afraid? Lonely? What if he came across an Unversed he couldn’t handle, and Kiera wasn’t there? She pulled out her wayfinder and held it close to her heart. Terra noticed.

As Aqua started to leave, Terra asked:

“Aqua, you still have the same dream?”

“What?” Aqua asked.

“That we would all become Keyblade Masters? You, me, Ventus, and Kiera?” 

Aqua nodded. 

“Of course! But I guess…since I became a Keyblade Master, I’ve fulfilled part of that dream.” She added with a grin, “Now, I just need you, Kiera, and Ventus to join me!” 

Terra and Aqua chuckled.

“Right,” said Terra, “Well, see you around.”

When they exited the castle, Kiera suddenly blurted out:

“Terra, I need to go find Ven.”

Terra halted. He could see that Kiera was extremely worried. 

“I’m sure Ventus is fine. He’s been training as hard as any of us. He can handle himself.”

Kiera stared at Terra in disbelief. 

“We don’t know that! Training’s good and all, but sometimes all the preparation in the world isn’t enough!” 

Terra looked at her for a long moment, observing her pale white face. 

“I know that the master instructed you to watch over me but…” Kiera shifted her weight. “I feel very strongly…in my heart…that I need to find him.”

.

Finally, Terra sighed. 

“I see. Alright, if your heart is telling you to go, then I’ll let you go.” 

Kiera looked up.

“Are you mad?” She asked.

“What? Why would I be mad?” said Terra, “You’re right. Ventus is strong, but I understand you wanting to find him. After all, he is you’re best friend.”

He smiled.

“I get the feeling that your hearts have a deeper connection than any of us.”

Kiera wasn’t sure to be relieved or guilty. She nodded. 

“Thank you Terra.”

.

Terra started to leave, but then, Kiera grabbed his arm.

“Can you promise me something, Terra?”

Terra turned around.

“What is it?”

Kiera was silent for a moment.

“Can you promise me you’ll be careful? You’re stronger than any of us but…You’re still my friend, and I worry about you. I want you to be safe.” 

Terra sighed, and chuckled. He knelt down to meet Kiera’s eyes. 

“I promise.”

Kiera smiled, and gave him a hug. Terra wasn’t much of a hugger compared to Aqua and Ventus. He displayed his kindness in other ways, and Kiera would consciously work to express her affection in his way. However, Kiera was a very affectionate person, and sometimes couldn’t help it. Terra wrapped her arms around her and rested his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes. 

“Good luck Terra.”

Terra chuckled again.

“You too, Kiera.”