Prologue:
We're all searching,
Searching for something,
A friend, a memory, a dream…
As we go forward we must not forget those left behind.
One day our paths will cross again,
Someday our searches will be over,
And at our journeys end …
I hope we still have each other…
The sound of the surf fills my ears. This world holds so much beauty it feels almost wrong for me to be here. A familiar ache fills my heart, an ache that refuses to go numb… I feel like I can almost see their eyes in the sea as it sparkles in the setting sun, adding an ethereal element to the scene. It isn't often that I get to simply enjoy sights like this, where I can almost feel the heart of the world resonating with mine. A gentle breeze caresses my face and stirs my charcoal-colored hair. Sights like this remind me that I will never be like them. I can't help but wonder, if we were to look on this same sight- would they even see it the same? I look up at the sky and wonder if we truly are seeing the same sky…
The soft rustling of the sand breaks my reverie. I sigh; it was nice while it lasted. The sound I recognize as footsteps stop a few feet behind me.
"You found me…" I say at last.
"I'm good at finding things." the voice behind me says.
I turn to face Zeke, reluctant to let him see the feelings I know are showing in my golden eyes. I'm not ready to be found, not ready to see anyone from my past again... I might never be ready to face them again...
"Thinking's a dangerous habit you know… I try to avoid it when I can." He tells me.
His hood is up, hiding the majority of his familiar shock of snowy hair. His icy blue eyes pierce into mine but I don't turn away. I stay silent, just holding his gaze.
"The question is… What will you do now that I've found you?" A breeze rolls inland, causing his cloak to flutter quietly. I turn away from him.
"What am I supposed to do?" I ask quietly, it's a loaded question, but I still want to hear his answer. What I really want is an answer from somebody, but so far it seems like no one has any answers to give.
"I'm not the one you should be asking. Right now I just want to talk…"
"I'm not going back." I say with finality, my resolution strikes a note with my heart. There was nothing for me back, I had to move forward.
"See, now we're at odds…"
"I don't want to fight you."
"It makes my job easier if you don't."
I know what will happen next, my eyes narrow, if I go back now I'll never find my answers. There's a flash behind me and I react instantly. Zeke lashes out with a chain of light but there is only an afterimage in my place. I stand behind him, not bothering to summon my keyblades.
"I can't go back, not until I find what I'm looking for," I say softly into his ear.
I lean back and allow myself to fall. I see him spin, slashing horizontally with his keyblade, but he's too late. I've already opened a dark portal beneath me and I begin to sink into the darkness. The last thing I see before darkness envelops me is the question on his face… A question I can read perfectly… Why?
Kingdom Hearts: World Memories