The Mystery of Xehanort and Ventus

Five minutes after they saw Eraqus's signal, both Roxas and Ven entered the throne room and were greeted by Master Eraqus.

"The both of you are made it just in time. I was about to seal the doors shut for the exam." He said, ushering the blonds inside.

Once they were inside Eraqus closed the doors and summoned his Keyblade. With a quick tap they were sealed, blending in perfectly with the surrounding wall. He then turned to face both of the blonde Keyblade wielders with a small smile on his face.

"Luckily the both of you made it in time, when I was a little younger then you Roxas me and Xehanort were-" Eraqus said before he was cut off by someone behind him.

"Regaling the youths with a tale of when we were apprentices. Hopefully you have not said anything shameful about me, old friend." A raspy, old yoice said full of mirth.

They turned their attention to the origin of the voice and Roxas could barely contain the shock he was experiencing.

'Calm down, although his presence reminds me of Xemnas, this isn't him.' The Nobody chided himself. He was trying his best to to show shock on his features. This was obviously the other Keyblade Master Ven was talking about.

But why did this man feel similar to his former superior?

While he was keeping his surprise in check, Xehanort failed to keep his shock in check.

Master Xehanort was an old man who looked to be a decade over Eraqus in age and literally a head of hair shorter then Terra with a crooked back. He was bald with the only hair being a pair of thin silver eyebrows and a small goatee, with pointed ears and a pair of golden eyes. He had on a white button up shirt with the bottom going down to his knees and the last three buttons open with two thin black belts worn over it, a black long coat with a red inning and an even darker trim, white gloves with a black band around the wrists, and calf high boot with a silver trim.

He seemed like a feeble old man, but that would be the last mistake anyone would make if they faced him.

Roxas could tell that by the way he handled himself, the older Keyblade Master held himself in the same regard as Eraqus. Only that his age hindered his physical skills to some degree. But his power surpassed Eraqus, but it fell short of The Master's. Still this man was more of a threat then the other Keyblade Master if he confronted Xehanort.

But what seriously unnerved him was his heart.

Unlike with Eraqus, Xehanort had a great amount of both light and darkness in his heart. But even then most of his light felt...false and sickly.

Like it was hiding something.

The fact that this man could radiate such a false light, something that basically was unheard of to the Nobody honestly frightened him.

He would be more careful around that old man.

"Of course not, Xehanort. I was talking about our first year training under our Master. You remember that we were told that we had ten minutes till Yen Sid's exam started. Remember that he closed the door on us five minutes in and that we missed the exam. We were so upset that day that we weren't allowed dinner that night." Eraqus said chuckling, unaware of his friend's current state. The older Keyblade Master regained his composure and let out a genuine chuckle.

"Ah, yes. I remember that day very well." He said fondly, before looking at the lookalike blondes. "Speaking of apprentices you never told me you took on another apprentice, especially one that looks exactly like Ventus." He questioned his old friend, fixing his gaze on them as if studying them.

"Actually Roxas is not my apprentice, but I have recently offered him a choice to become my latest apprentice last night." Eraqus said, frowning a little at the look Xehanort was giving the boys. "Although he probably would not be under my tutelage for long. He will most likely take the Mark of Mastery exam with Ventus, or maybe even before him."

"Interesting" Xehanort said, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. "You will have to tell me more about him. I believe that we have enough time for a truncated story about the boy, if it is alright with him." He said, before turning to the Nobody in question.

Roxas managed to steel himself under the Keyblade Master's gaze before answering the elderly Keyblade Master.

"I'm fine with whatever Eraqus says, as long he keeps somethings private." He said, causing Xehanort to frown at his response before sighing quietly so that only he could hear it.

"Very well then." The elderly Keyblade Master said before turning to his old friend. "I will be waiting by the thrones." He said before walking off. Unaware of the glares aimed directly at his back.

The first one belonged to Roxas, as the man's very presence unsettled him.

The second glare belonged to a figure hidden in the shadows.

As for the third glare.

'It seems that Xehanort has never recovered from diving into the abyss.' Eraqus thought as he unconsciously rubbed the scar on his cheek.

It had been well over a decade since had earned it and had lied to his apprentices on how he had earned it. He didn't wish for them to know what had happened to his old friend. After two years of not talking to each other, Xehanort had returned back to the Land of Departure. He had apologized to his old friend and said that he had come to realize the madness that had been inflected upon him and had turned back towards the light.

Of course Eraqus didn't trust his old friend fully, but after seeing that his heart has changed back from darkness to light over the course of a few years helped rekindle the bond that had been severed.

But now it seemed like it might have all been a lie.

He would have to find out what Xehanort was planning, while being as silent about it as possible.

His old friend was the type to plan things out and might have had something incase he ever found out anything.

But for now he would humor his old friend with the story he requested.

If Xehanort showed any hint of even being related to this Xemnas or show any aspirations for the X-blade again...well it would be tragic, but entirely possible for him to suffer a heart attack at his age during the exam when none of his apprentices or Roxas noticing.

If it would mean killing his old friend to preserve the balance, then so be it.

But as for his apprentices, especially Ventus. He prayed to Kingdom Hearts that it wouldn't come to pass.

Eraqus then turned his attention towards the blond lookalikes.

Ventus was looking a bit confused on why Xehanort was looking at him like that.

As for Roxas, he was still glaring at the old Keyblade Master's back. He promptly shut it down the moment Xehanort sat down in the thrown on the right.

'That boy has some good instincts.' Eraqus complimented in his head upon noticing his reaction to Xehanort. He had apparently sensed something from his old friend. But he would have to inquire the boy about what sensed later.

For now he would usher the boys to their viewing area and then begin the exam. It was almost time for Terra and Aqua to enter after all,

"The exam will began in two minutes and 45 seconds." He said, getting both of the blonds attention before gesturing to a place on the right wall. "That is where you two will watch the exam. So I suggest that you two just hang out over there until it begins."

"Yes Master Eraqus./Eraqus." The two blonds nodded as they replied back.

As they began to walk the spot, Roxas felt the Keyblade Master grab his sleeve and pulled him back a bit.

"I noticed that you had sensed something wrong with Xehanort." Eraqus whispered into his ear, causing the Nobody to freeze in shock. Taking that as a yes, he continued."After the exam there is something that I must discuss with Terra and Aqua, depending on if they pass together or if one of them fails. When I'm done meet me in the back here, the mark I placed on your sleeve will light up at that time. Just make sure no one, especially my old friend follows you. So until then enjoy the exam and if you can, help me keep an eye on him."

With that the Keyblade Master began to walk back over to the thrones. Roxas then took notice of a yellow Mark of Mastery sigil that faded immediately after he noticed it.

'Looks like Eraqus also suspects something.' The Nobody thought as he went to join Ven at the viewing spot. He would adhere to the Keyblade Master's advice while checking to make sure that Xehanort wouldn't notice him.

Maybe he can get some information about the man from Ven, as he had trained under Eraqus for years, so he must know something about him.

Speaking of which.

"Hey Roxas, what was Master talking about with you?" The blond apprentice questioned from right next to him.

"He was just seeing if I had made a decision yet. But I haven't come up with one yet." Roxas said, causing the slightly older Keyblade wielder to let out a sigh.

'I don't want to lie to him.' The Nobody thought when he saw his new friend's reaction. 'But it is probably for the best if he learn about Eraqus's and mine suspicions in case Xehanort over hears is. Maybe I should tell him after Xehanort leaves.'

Ven noticed the thoughtful look and came to a conclusion.

"So have you decided to become an apprentice with us?" He asked hopefully.

"Actually I've decided to take up Eraqus's offer after the exam." Roxas replied back honestly.

He wanted to know more about what it meant to be a Keyblade wielder and their culture. He could learn about it from Ava, but she was indisposed of until a later time. So until then he would have to learn about it from Eraqus, the apprentices, and any more dreams that he may have in the future. It was something that he actually seemed to like and enjoy.

That and he wanted to stay close by the apprentices. He already considered them friends, but he didn't know what happened to them. So staying by them will help clarify what happened and maybe even prevent it if possible.

Suddenly he found himself being hugged by Ven.

"Thank you Roxas! I was hoping that you would say that!" Ven said excitedly, causing Roxas to chuckle at his reaction.

"I figured that you would react like that." The Nobody said with a smile. The other blond was so excited that you could feel the positivity roll off him in waves. "But can you please let go of me, I'm starting to lose feeling in my arms." He continued truthfully.

His arms really were about to fall sleep.

Ven let go of him and proceeded to look sheepish about it.

"Sorry about that, Roxas." He said while facing away from Roxas.

The Nobody in question checked his arms to make sure that all feeling in them had returned. Once he made sure they did, he faced Ven.

"It's alright Ven." Roxas said, causing Ven to let out a sigh of relief.

"Terra and Aqua will be ecstatic when they here that you have accepted Master's offer." The blond apprentice said excitedly before gaining a forlorn expression on his face. "It would be a lot better then how I became an apprentice here." He said softly.

Roxas could sense the discomfort on his new friend's face and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"If you don't want to talk about it, then it's alright Ven." He said smiling a little.

While Roxas was truly curious about how Ven became an apprentice, if he didn't want to talk about it then it was alright with him.

The boy in question just smiled and brushed Roxas's hand away.

"Thanks Roxas, but I think it is something that if I didn't tell you now then you would probably here about it later from either Master, Terra, or Aqua." Ven said before letting out a sigh and continuing.

"I was brought to the Land of Departure four years ago by Master Xehanort. Like you Roxas, I had lost my memories shortly before I arrived here."

Roxas widened his eyes at that. Whatever he had been expecting, this wasn't it.

'Ven was brought here by Xehanort, meaning that there was some kind of connection between the two of them.' The Nobody concluded as he processed the little information that Ven has provided so far.

Maybe Ven was once his apprentice before he came under Eraqus's tutelage?

If that is the case, then why did he give him to Eraqus?

Did Xehanort have anything to do anything to do with Ven's memory loss?

These were currently the top questions that were on his mind. All of them were only increasing his suspicions of the elderly Keyblade Master. But there were still too many variables missing to truly know what happened to Ven. So any additional information that he would gain from his new friend would help.

"Was Xehanort with you before had lost your memory?" Roxas asked, getting a nod from Ven.

"Yes he was. In fact he was there when I had the accident that caused me to lose my memories. He seemed ecstatic when I woke up after it had occurred, because according to him I was knocked out for a few days and on the verge of dying before I recovered and woke up a day later." Ven answered, causing The Nobody to ruminate over the new details.

'Xehanort must have had something to do with Ven's accident. But was it intentional or was it just an accident? He did mention that Xehanort was delighted when he woke up, but it could have been for a variety of reasons. Including that Ven survived either out of concern for him or out of necessity for some plan? There are still too many unknown variables with him, I'll just have to wait til I gain some more information before I begin any sort of action against him.' Roxas thought.

While he was highly suspicious of the old Keyblade Master, but he was smart enough to make sure that he wouldn't act out on them until he had enough information.

"I guess that the accident must have happened during training, because from the sounds of it your were an apprentice under Xehanort. If so then how come you are currently training under Eraqus?" Roxas asked.

Ven let out a sigh as he the memories of his arrival flashed through his mind before answering.

"You are correct, I was once Master Xehanort's apprentice. The only details that I know my past before I became his apprentice is what he told Master Eraqus right after he found me. According to him I was an orphan on my home world before Master Xehanort found me. When he first saw me, Master Xehanort saw the potential within me to become a Keyblade Master and took me as his apprentice. A year later my accident happened and the day after I woke up he gave me over to Master, but I never knew why." Ven said looking a little downcast.

"Are you alright?" The Nobody asked, concerned as he saw the somber look on his friend's face.

"I'm fine Roxas, but thank you for asking." Ven said with a sigh. "It's just sometimes I wonder what my life was like before I lost my memories."

The younger blond could understand that. During his days with the Organization sometimes he wondered what it would be liked if he wasn't found by Xemnas. Who would his life be like without them.

It would probably be a lot better considering most of his issues stem from Xemnas, Xibar, and Saïx using him to create Kingdom Hearts. By the time he left the only ones that cared for about him were Axel, Luxord, and X-.

'I really need to figure out why this keeps happening.' Roxas thought as he felt a small migraine coming on from something that he could only describe as missing.

Maybe it was a some memories that never came back to him from when they were erased by Ansem, or maybe they were memories that Xemnas tried to erase yet were coming back to him. It seemed like something his former boss would do. Either way sooner or later, he was going to figure out what he was missing,

Anyway, if he were to change anything about the way his life was so far up to this point, he wouldn't change anything at all.

Sure his life so far was mainly melancholiac and miserable with only a few things that were honestly worth existing. But it was these exact same experiences that made him who he was today.

"But I could care less about that now." Ven said, breaking Roxas from his musings. "Although a part of me wishes to reclaim the past that I lost, but it doesn't really matter that much to me anymore. In the past maybe, but now I have four years worth of memories living with Master, Terra, and Aqua. And I wouldn't give them up for anything." He finished before sending Roxas a questioning look. "Though have you wondered what you were like before you lost your memories?"

The Nobody already knew his answer.

"I don't. I have a year full of memories both good and bad that have shaped me to who I am." He said simply.

Ven seemed awed at his response, before he began to chuckle.

"Why are you chuckling?" Roxas asked puzzled. He didn't expect that reaction at all.

The other blond calmed down a bit before responding.

"It's simple. Your response was almost the exact same as mine, but yours is more blunt. I mean seriously, the similarities between the two of us are both a little scary and humorous at the same time. We might as well be twins!" Ven said before he started to chuckle again. Roxas could only smile at that and started to join him in chuckling.

After a few seconds, the chuckling was cut short at the sound of a loud hiss at the end of the hall.

At the entrance at the other end of the room, the door unsealed and was about to open.

The Mark of Mastery was about to begin.

Both blonds stopped chuckling and turned to face each other.

"You ready Roxas?" Ven questioned.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Roxas replied back.

They turned their focus to the door, which was now wide opened.

After a few seconds Terra and Aqua stepped into the hall. The door slammed shut behind them and sealed itself shut.

The Mark of Mastery had officially begun.

(Chapter 16 end)