Aqua doesn't really know why she came here.

There is no comfort to be had in visiting a place that reminded her so much of the Realm of Darkness but somehow had even less light filtering into it. Pieces of fallen universes and realms, weapons and destruction laid scattered among the dark, rocky caves. It was familiarly haunting and sent a chill down her spine. She had told herself she was just going to see what these gods could do, the carnage that they wanted to bring forth among these factions and then report back to the other Heralds from before with what she found, but now she found that she felt lost here, her heart thundering in her chest.

All too often did she think she saw yellow eyes gleaming at her from the shadows, sometimes a pair of red, and a voice that was similar to Terra's but distinctly wasn't taunting her from beyond the darkness. It swirled and muddied her mind and heart to the point she could no longer think or act. She held her keyblade in her hand, but for what reason? There was nothing to attack her down here, not that she had seen. The only thing she ever had to be afraid of here was her own mind, her own actions.

She walks back closer to the direction of the entrance. At least time there is escape from hell. Anxiety tenses up in her chest at the thought of not having found Terra or Ven yet. Did this mean that Terra was still struggling with Xehanort? Was Ventus still asleep? She thought of the Heralds, of Kairi, and the other keybearer she had met, Gula. No one knew where or who her friends were and it only tightened the icy grip on her lungs. She couldn't fail them, she had to find them and make things right again. Apologize to them for never listening, never seeming to care, and when she did it was far, far too late.

Aqua hears something and tenses, her grip on Master's Defender tighter as she sees the familiar arc of light that could only come from a drawn keyblade. Instead of fighting it attached to a friend or to Xehanort it is held by a boy she doesn't know and yet, does at the same time. It takes her a moment to realize that this is the other boy with the blade that the King had spoken of, one of the two boys she had seen on Destiny Islands long ago. There was no mistaking his hair and the warm light he exuded.

Aqua dismisses her keyblade and smiles gently, her gaze weary and tired, but now hopeful. She looks at him, unsure of what to say, because he was far too young when they met to remember her. She goes for something comforting and reassuring, but still reminiscent of the past nonetheless. "It has been a long time, Sora." Aqua says, her voice soft and scratchy from years of disuse. "I didn't think we would meet again here though. You were so young when we last met."

notes: AAAAH I'M SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG
tag: Sora ; topaz