When I was in the darkness, I'd think back to those peaceful days of training, when we were protected by our Master. I was calm and content during the time spent training alone with Terra, but I feel Ven's arrival added a different kind of warmth.

Ven held his wooden sword in his left hand.

"Yes, that's the defense stance. There's no offense without a good defense."

The Master was giving Ven lessons as Terra and I faced off nearby, hearing without listening. The sound of clashing wooden swords, breaths getting ragged, pattering sweat, the Master's voice.

"Master! How about we take a break?" I directed this at everyone with a smile. That day I baked… oh yes, a preserved strawberry tart. The Master's favorite. "Ven, come help me get the tea ready."

Back then, it hadn't been long since Ven had woken up, and it seemed like he wasn't entirely there. He didn't reply when spoken to, and he never smiled. He could follow instructions, and it was obvious he had held a sword before.

He didn't wake up properly until a practice match with Terra.

"You're trying too hard to move your body. You need to learn to let your body move you. Right?"

Terra raised his wooden sword. Of all the imitation Keyblades he had made, this was the best by far. He even carved his name into it.

He stood up, and cleared his throat.

“In your hand, take this blade. And so long as you have the makings, then through this simple act of taking, it's wielder you shall one day be made."

He raised the Keyblade, mimicking the Rite of Succession.

"Being a Keyblade Master is all I've dreamed about."

"Well, you're not the only one," I corrected. It was our dream—our goal.

Terra knelt in front of Ven, holding out the wooden Keyblade.

"I know. You, me, and Ven all share the same dream. Here, Ven, this is for you."

Ven reached out silently and gripped the wooden Keyblade. It seemed as though he was smiling faintly, the first time I'd ever seen it.

"Huh? Then what are you going to use, Terra?"

"I'll take the one Ven was using for now. Then I'll make a new one."

Terra took the wooden sword Ven had been using, and ruffled his blond hair with the other hand.

"Isn't that nice, Ven?"

"...Thank you."

Those were Ven's first words.

"Ven!" Terra and I cried out in near unison.

"What's with you two?" Ven looked back and forth between us, puzzled. I pulled him into a hug automatically. Terra continued to ruffle his hair from beside us. "Stop it, Terra, Aqua. Come on already—I'm not a baby, okay!"

We looked at each other, and burst out laughing. It drew an embarrassed laugh out of Ven.

It was the first time the three of us had ever laughed together.

And then, after a long, long journey, we've returned home.

I understand now that this land—and Master Eraqus—protected us. The Master was always with us.

I wonder, can we ever return to those peaceful days? Yes, I'm sure we can, if we create them.

"Terra, Ven! Let's have some tea," I call out. Just like me, they’ve completed long journeys. We’ve come home together.

"Terra?"

A sliver of worry creeps in. Terra hasn't said anything. But, then he turns to me.

"...I'd like some cake," he says, "so long as it's not sweet."

That's right. I'd like to bake something. I haven't done that in a long time. "Galactic Caramel Pound Cake, then. I haven't made that in ages."

"I want a preserved strawberry tart," says Ven.

"The Master loved that one… and Terra didn't," I say with a smile.

We've lost our Master, but we aren't alone.

The three of us will go stargazing again.

We'll look for shooting stars.

We'll never be apart again.