A SEA'S CALMING ECHO.

▶ ( @valorxdrive )

                        EXHAUSTION MAKES FOR HER SILENCE TO TAKE HOLD, no one had mentioned anything the Master missed. Vague telling about what’s been happening these past years was given to her though it makes her worry. Worried for her friend’s safety, worried for taking this breather while everyone else is training. She rather be venturing off in search of awakening VEN from his slumber …     her body disagrees. Barely having any energy to rise within this room’s bed, Aqua grows acquainted with these familiar sights noticing the changes. Through magic and light things have a fun way of shifting don’t they, she thinks lightly. Cerulean irises settled over the shadows being reflected by the sun’s rays and a blue horizon. These eyes had grown adjusted to witnessing an endless blackened sea, listened to her own despair as she swam ———— there’s only humiliation for succumbing to those moments of darkness. Hands tightened themselves through those quivering fists without saying anything until someone’s familiar voice enters.

                        FAMILIAR FEATURES DRAW A POLITE NOD TO GREET HIM as she positions herself back into the bed. They’ve been thoughtful to grant the Keywielder some chance at recovering but ‘  strict  ’ at making sure she didn’t wander off. That trait wasn’t unfortunately accustomed to it though her slight yearning to see him again came in a flash. Seeing this boy, the one who saved her — wishing to condemn him into misery before — was coming here with a warming smile and treat? Cerulean irises blink briefly as the Master gazes the package within his hands.     ❛     Sora, you …     you really didn’t have to do this for me.     ❜     She softly replies, the replenish of stamina working its way to a full recovery in time. Strength for obtaining nutrients, healthy and sweet, weren’t a problem for Aqua. Head tilts curiously as to what universe is responsible for creating this traces of delightful aroma. There might be temptations to travel there someday to feast upon a true meal when this battle has come to an end.

                        NOTHING ILL-HEARTED WOULD BE SAID THAT MAKES HER rather eager to say something more. Her smile brightens up anyone who believes things won’t go right. The enthusiastic tone made Aqua chuckle over one compliment about the woman’s spirit. It burns like a flame that soothes a cold evening underneath the stars, lightly beating her chest with joy. She couldn’t contain the silence for long but wonders about another heart flaring up ------------ caution to divert away from the Master’s sight. Cerulean irises have their faint moment of lowering a dim glow, worried about this golden brawler’s fate. Should their spirits be entwining similar to her friend, maybe darkness may end up engulfing her dragon’s spirit. The concerns subsided through a smile directed the Keywielder’s way giving a nod.

    ♤♕𝒵𝒶𝒸𝓀;;– ‘ There you go. Sounds a lot better that way, huh? ‘ He smiled, hand removing itself from her face when she did the rest, falling to his side. Ever since the Coliseum, Zack nearly felt that same mentality, even if he said that he would press on despite everything. It didn’t mean he didn’t feel the same sort of pains– It didn’t mean he didn’t share the feeling of wanting to give up.

    He may not have had the same experiences she did… And certainly wasn’t trapped where she was for so long, but it didn’t mean he didn’t get it. That he didn’t share the same pains.

    ‘ As long as you never give up and give in– ‘ He stopped, smile wavering some before he looked to her again. ‘ Lemme impart on you some advice that my mentor… My friend gave me before he left. You’re right, absolutely, you do gotta keep a balance, and never waver. But you also gotta walk with your head held high, embrace your dreams, and move forward with the experiences you have. Because those are your learning curves as you push on. ‘

                        A SELFISH THOUGHT COMES TO MIND AS SHE NODS without hesitating to wonder about everything. Her mishaps and cherished journeys have brought the Master into a heavy burden, something she couldn’t escape. Now that things have settled down it nearly made Aqua empty inside. Unknowing what else lies behind saving others, wielding this responsibility between tightened fingers. They grasped a weapon instead of pleasant items she should be enjoying. Hands are gazed intently through cerulean irises, later withdraws from behind the Wayfinder that connects their hearts. She smiles while holding the important item against the keywielder’s chest closely. Memories of nostalgia, bittersweet as they are, flash into her mind understanding through that smile she wouldn’t want to forget them. Being right at pressing forward, faint chuckle escapes before responding to him.     ❛     Embrace my dreams and move forward with the experiences I have ...     it sounds strange to admit this but I’ve never had any other expectations in my life. I figured protecting the people I care for would be enough to make me happy. It’d be nice to have new experiences with other people as well, Zack.     ❜

                        THE ITEM IS TUCKED AWAY, MAKING SURE SHE WON’T forget anything he’s told the Master to keep her head held high. Cerulean irises caught another glimpse before remembering those same features from the Coliseum ------------ didn’t he once ask me on a date? That might have been his former self saying that but she appreciated his help more than anything. Aqua’s hands take hold of his for an odd request but was curious of what he might say. She’ll try to assure there won’t be any giving up and use those ‘  learning curves  ’ to push on.

The King had a feeling, that if he stayed here too long. That he would get accustomed to the darkness that this place held. Being the way that he was. But her words towards him made him raise a brow right towards her. “Well, thank you for that. I will save you.” He simply stated in response to her words and looks towards her seriously. “Then your wish is my command.” He picked the woman up into his arms, for the safety of teleporting. Then he teleported them to his world and put her down. “There you go, you are free now.”

The King gave the woman time to process his words for the current time being. Showing no signs of fatigue or being all that bothered from the journey that he took in order to get to her as of right now. “I’m not exactly human. But that’s a long story for another time all together. When we’re not where we are right now.” There was pause as he saw how she reacted to his introduction for the current time being. “I don’t care for formality. Noct or Noctis will do just fine. There’s no need to bow. Don’t worry about it. Shall we get out of here now?”

    ♤♕𝒵𝒶𝒸𝓀;;– The one thing anyone who was extremely close to Zack knew, was that he wasn’t about to let his friends just sit there in a bad position– Especially now. He listened to her, watched her as she tried to fight back the tears. Honestly, he couldn’t imagine what it must have felt like to her… Feeling like she let people down. She must have really felt scared, hopeless or even helpless. He brought a hand up slowly to wipe whatever of her tears decided to escape regardless.

    ‘ It… It happens. ‘ His voice was kept low and hushed as he spoke. ‘ But this is one of those times, I think, you need to dust yourself off, and keep going the way you are. You still can save them… And I’m sure you’ve gotten a lot stronger in body, heart, and mind than you’re giving yourself credit for. But giving up isn’t an option even if it seems lost. ‘

                        THOSE REASSURING WORDS WERE HELPFUL AND picked her up from every decision that tormented her on the inside. A hand that wipes away Aqua’s tears was comforting enough to cease the flow. Cerulean irises lightly reveal themselves to fixate an intent stare, giving him the proper attention. Something about every word falling into her ears was nearly identical to an optimistic tone ...     one filled with light. He had grown into the hero he long proclaimed he would become someday ------------ it brought a faint smile to the Master’s face. Her hands position against her chest, taking deep breaths to calm down. Crying won’t solve any of her troubles but it felt like a weight of burden was lifted.     ❛     You’re probably right, Zack.     ❜

                        TROUBLING ANOTHER ABOUT THOSE TEARS STREAMING down her cheeks was a shameful appearance to give. Teeth practically grip her lower lip to pull back those rivers, the droplets that Aqua shed. It’s embarrassing to be a Master who shows this kind of weakness before someone who once looked up to her. Hopefully she wouldn’t shed any more when reuniting with her friends. Cerulean irises gaze downward though notices her cheeks grow cold from each tear. They dried up despite her eyes refusing to halt the flow ------------ she needed someone to speak out. Speak everything that hurts her on the inside.