Chapter Eleven:

Symbol of the Red Tulips

~XOX~

Red Tulips…

And so it happened that after the passing of the eclipse, the world starts anew as though whatever occurred before was nothing more than the fleeting colors of black and blue, washed away by the drifting waves of the ocean. Reflected upon its glistening surface, was a small peeking light. That light began to blaze across the horizon with pigments of white, red, and sparkling gold.

Poking on top of a cliff is none other than Ansem the Wise who found that particular location a perfect front row seat to marvel at the miracle unfolding in front of him. From that perspective, he realize that the sky is like an over-sized canvas stretching far and wide to display this magnificent artwork watercolored by nature. It reminded him of the canvases posted around Naminè's room, of her drawings and sketches that illustrated how she perceived this world once upon a time. He's always known that Naminè had been interested in the field of arts, yet he ignored that in hope of modifying her focus to business management and science. But there were rare occasions when he would allow her to do it as a side-hobby. After all, she inherited her mother's creativeness and glancing at her work sometimes brings back that fading joy that once cradled his heart.

Ansem's gaze darted over to the crumpled paper he's been holding in his hand. He found it three years ago alongside many of his granddaughter's early pieces. The scene drawn upon its scalded surface had infuriated him. Naminè's artistic talent had been her gift which blossomed so early at that age; therefore it wasn't hard to identify who it was on the picture bathing under a beam of light. With that familiar spiky, gravity-defying hair and dark, cobalt eyes, that's when Ansem began to suspect that his granddaughter might be hiding something. He ignored the thought at first and ripped the drawing off the wall and shoved it in his pocket, hoping her oddly accurate portrayal of the vampire was merely a coincidence. But of course, it didn't take long before his doubts were confirmed when the incident occurred the following night; that night when Naminè allowed her blood to be sucked by 'him'. Oh, Ansem knew, alright. He's known it all along. The feelings that bloom among those that have reached that certain stage of youth. He thought it was impossible because he'd made sure they never associate with each other until she finally takes his place. Ansem should have known. He should have seen it coming. They were both adolescent, and he had left them lonely, isolated, until it grew so strong that one of them had eventually seek the other's company. It was one of those mistakes Ansem didn't notice…until it was too late.

"Master Ansem, do you know them?" Zack wretched through Ansem's cries and touched the elder's shoulder. Ansem could not form an answer right away. He was still shocked at the revelations crushing about him so he was surprised to hear himself responding in broken terms, "That…is my granddaughter, Naminè…"

The old man continues to stand there, unmoving amidst a field of grass. Several paces behind him are the border of the forest and a dark figure that finally emerges from the shadows. Tifa knew that time hasn't ticked long since she started watching her boss. Her eyes could not see his expression from behind his back, but she knew. She somehow knew exactly what's causing this silence; this torturous peace. She couldn't stand it any longer and thus pursued to walk near him.

Flashback

The figure has not yet realized their presences so Zack took the liberty to break the tense atmosphere. "Hey there!" he shouts, loud enough to catch the attention of the hooded figure who turns his head half way to look back at them. "Who are you? What the hell happened to her?" He gestures at the unconscious female in his arms.

The soldier had just recently graduated from training so dealing with this level of stipulation was still somewhat new for him. He stated the first things that ran in his mind, and he simply followed his instincts, drawing his sword and preparing for a prospective battle. Ansem didn't seem to care who that mysterious person is because he is too distracted at the lifeless body on the boy's arms. What would his teacher, Angeal, have done if he is here? With all of these hectic events going on right now, Zack could only assume that this guy is a suspect…or an important witness. They were both bloody—messed up—wounded as though they had just gotten out of a warzone. Whatever it was, Zack demands an explanation. His hand shook as he points his weapon, but the cloaked figure seems unfazed. The soldier couldn't see his eyes from under the black hood but he knew well enough that this person is staring back. However, it didn't look like it was directed at him but at the old man kneeling beside him.

"Zack," the said person was startled at the clear voice that called his name, defined with a new sense of authority. He draws his attention back to Ansem, but the elder kept his salmon-colored eyes locked on the dark figure as though both are communicating in silent waves that Zack could neither see nor understand. "Leave us and assist Angeal. I would like to deal with this by myself." Zack hesitated, glancing back at the suspect, but he knew he must always follow orders. He complies.

End of Flashback

Ansem breathe in and out, slowly, and then he paid close attention to the faint cries of the waves and if he had the superhuman power to see far into the distance—miles beyond the ocean is where Destiny Islands should be; that place his granddaughter adored so much. If only that place could have uphold its name, if only it had granted Naminè a more assuring destiny, then perhaps he would've appreciated the beauty in front of him and value this achingly beautiful world…

The world where she no longer exist.

-xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Olette stumbles out of a room, trying to balance three suitcases. The maiden gasp as she found herself about to plunge down a flight a stairs when a hand clutches her arm back into safety. Curious, she turns her head only to meet a rather muscular chest. Her face flushed and her eyes slowly ascended to meet Riku's aquamarine orbs. "That was close." He flashes a handsome smile before he lets her go.

The auburn maiden gulped. She sets her luggage down and mumbles a quick thank you.

"So—um…you're Naminè's maid, right?" he asks.

Olette responded with a blank stare. The sudden change of subject clogs her train of thoughts. "Yes…yes, I am." Naminè's name instantly renewed the grief that had been pouring down on her. It has been three days since the vampires invaded the Kingdom Hearts property and news of Naminè's condition was not revealed until on a later date. The next set of days were a blur, everyone was all concentrated on reconstructing the company. Apparently, there were relatively high casualties that resulted from the encounter so many of the Kingdom Heart residents have grown insecure, doubting the efficiency of the company. Most have even fled. The company's name was greatly scarred and chances of redeeming itself have dwindled into tiny digits. But, none of that matters for Riku and Olette. Everything is a mess: their home, their minds, and their hearts.

"Well, I mean—" Riku stumbles, not knowing how to carry on this sensitive conversation he started. A part of him didn't want to burden someone else with his own grief, but right now, he truly wanted to release the stress, "She's still so young and all."

Olette could only nod in agreement. "Yeah…" Silence instantly drowns the two. What else is there to say? "Naminè. She's a stubborn lady isn't she, always getting herself into trouble, making me clean up her mess every time." Olette couldn't help it. The tears behind her eyes has been nagging to be freed since the morning of the news. Crying in front of a person she hardly knew is embarrassing enough to propel her hand to cover her eyes, but it didn't suppress her sobs, "She's such a klutz."

"I know," Riku close his eyes, indulging in her soft whimpers. It's a good thing the halls are empty, that way, no one could bother them. "I've only known her for a short time. But I will never forget how we first met. She crashed into me with butt loads of guards chasing after her." He couldn't help but snicker at the memory, smiling when Olette giggled at it too. "She was a darling friend. Without her, I wouldn't have lasted one week in this place."

"Wait, hold on," Olette wipes her cheeks and looks at him, "I thought you like Naminè?"

The silver-haired male thugs an eyebrow and corrected her assumption, "I only saw her as a…close, little sister, if that's what you mean."

"But, what about that time you kissed her?"

"Wha—?! When? Oh…that. How did you know?"

"I saw it."

Riku rubbed his head feeling awkward. "Well, I admit I found her cute. But at that time, she just looked so exhausted. I heard that kissing is like a way to lend people some of your energy."

Olette looks at him again as if he has sprouted a third head and four arms.

Riku crossed his thick arms and slumps his head down. "I know. It was stupid."

"No. When I think about it...that's actually pretty cute," Olette giggled, earning another blush from the silver-haired teen.

The direction of the topic has gone from anguish to absurdity. Perhaps it's time to change the subject. The young man found this opportunity as his eyes travel at the three suitcases on the floor. "So, what's up with those?" he asks, pointing at the baggages.

Olette shifted on her feet. "My mother's retired. I mean, we've always planned to move out someday once she saved enough money to buy our own house. We'll be living independently from now on."

Riku could only nod in understanding. "I see…"

The auburn teen bowed and was about to take her leave when she recalls another matter "Riku, right?" Her hand fumbles around her dress. "Um, can you do me a favor?"

"A favor already? That was fast," he jokes, "What is it?

Olette took out a folded piece of paper and gave it to him. Riku immediately brought it to his face. "You see, there's that letter on the food I left Naminè. I'm wondering if you know who it's addressed to and maybe you can deliver it. I wish I could do it myself, but there's just a lot of things I have to do here-"

"It's fine. I'll do it," Riku said, folding the paper into his pocket, "It's the least I can do for Naminè'."

-xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

The jaws of the sea chop against the rocks below the cliff but they quickly lick the wounds it inflicted as the waves retreat. The motions occurred repetitively, again and again, causing abrasions on the shore and then alleviating them right after. It made it difficult for Ansem to determine whether the ocean symbolize peace or destruction, or perhaps it is simply playing tricks in his mind by combing these two opposing forces that made everything about it beautiful yet intimidating at the same time. "I find it quite amusing, really," Ansem release a breath, "for my poor granddaughter to die on the same exact spot where her mother took her own life."

Tifa's eyes widened upon realization. "You mean this is—"

"Yes," the old man replied, knowingly, "this is the cliff where Aqua jumped off. It's as if the Gods themselves are mocking me; purposely stabbing me with the same memory every single day. It is relentless, merciless. All these years it never stop." Tifa bit her lip as she watches him unconsciously crumple the paper in his hand. "I could still hear my daughter's voice, screaming for me. Those wretched creatures devouring the one person I hold dear. And now…they have also taken…" The young woman didn't know how long she could take his silent grievances. She could only close her eyes and furrow her eyebrows at the sound of his voice cracking. It is the first time Tifa saw the once great and indestructible Ansem the Wise crumble like the fragile picture currently in his fist.

A long silence resulted in Ansem's vain attempt to maintain his notorious image. Tifa expected him to sputter a renewed sense of hatred and demand for vengeance, so she was surprise to hear his next words, "…I deserve it. This time, I have no one else to blame for the miserable fate that had befallen my granddaughter. This would not have happened if I hadn't neglected her, if I hadn't taken out my frustrations on her."

Ansem the Wise inspected the picture one last time before his eyes wander on the three tulips resting on a certain familiar spot on the cliff. Whoever left those flowers knew that exact spot as well.

Zack had just left and the dark clouds that once crowded the sky seemed to have retreated along with him. The two figures were left in solemn peace. Under the pitch-black silk called night, the full moon gazed upon them from above. At last, it shined even brighter as though its invisible eyes were widening with interest on this bizarre encounter. The knight has finally come face to face with the king.

"Naminè is a victim of my revenge…Oh, how my heart ached. I could only laugh to hide my shame." Ansem knelt towards the flowers, gently stroking the crimson petals with the pads of his fingers. "I thought everything I did was for her own good. When Aqua died, Naminè was all I have left. She was the last—the precious gift from my daughter, and it made me obsessed. I feared of losing her. I thought I was right, that everything I did was for the good of humanity; for her safety. I wanted to create a future where she will be free from all the dangers of this atrocious world. In doing so, I hid her away from the same awful world that could bring her happiness. I have become too absorbed with my own pathetic miseries that I've resorted to do countless of unforgivable things. I stole her precious little smile. I stole her grandfather. Tifa, it was I who drove her away. It was I who pushed her to her own demise. Tifa, what have I done!"

His voice was like a bullet that penetrated her very soul. Tifa's muscles tense and she starts to quiver but suppress it. It took her a minute to gain enough courage to look at him before responding in a surprisingly calm manner, "I'm glad you finally realized it, but it's a shame. I wonder if everything would've turned out differently if you had said those words before, when you had the chance."

"But, it's too late…it's too late—Oh, Naminè!" If his dejected sobs impacted her enough to want to run away, the sight of Ansem's large body crumbling on the ground made Tifa all the more tempted to hurl herself off the cliff and drown in the ocean just to stop this intolerable pain he's causing her. Biting her lips, Tifa could only turn away half embarrassed. In the past, she had secretly wanted to break that thick pride he always wore but not this way. She could not bear to look at this pitiful creature. She's not used to it. For once in her life, the young woman wanted to bring back the Ansem who used to scold her for wearing improper attires and challenge her philosophy that made her doubt her own intelligence.

A long, dreadful silence followed the aftermath of Ansem's misery. Tifa finally found the energy to move and follow his sight on the three red tulips lying on the grass in front of him. Tifa has not exactly been cautious enough to notice the three random plants contrasting from its green surroundings. "I've always wondered…" she began, "you practically have all types of flowers in your garden, but there weren't any red tulips. What gives?"

All this time, Ansem has not once faced the woman. His back is the only thing she could see from her position although she managed to make out the outline of his cheek and jaws every time he moves. Finally, he said, "I fail to see any significance by knowing."

"I'm curious, that's all. Just answer me."

Sighing, Ansem stood up and face her. Tifa is slightly astonished to find that his expression no longer revels in sorrow. It is back to the usual calm, angular tone she's used to seeing, and she wants to keep it that way. "Tulips are exceptionally fragile," he replies elegantly, "They die at the end of every spring. Especially when Autumn sets in, the conditions become all the more unsuitable for the plant."

Tifa stretches her arms, trying to exhale all the stress. Then something glints in Tifa's ruby eyes. "Hm, I'm guessing you haven't been in the woods. I saw a bunch of tulips growing there."

"That's preposterous," he exclaimed. Ansem the Wise had just tasted defeat in his last round with Tifa. He's still wavering from accepting it; how she can disprove his conjectures despite being the wiser of the two. And now, she's doing it again. "I've witness them wither every year under my care. What makes you think they can survive in the wilderness?"

"Maybe because you lacked a pollinator, say, a white butterfly?" She look like she's joking around, yet her tone is tinged with sincerity that the wise old man could not help but take her seriously.

Ansem stares at her, wary and inquisitive. "Where are you getting at?"

Tifa shook her head. There really are times when she could outsmart her boss. "You see, it's not impossible for a flower to bloom where you least expect it. Take Naminè's case for example." His granddaughter's name alerted Ansem, making him more attentive, "It's hard to believe that a human and vampire could develop feelings for each other, but look at what happened." The young woman inspected Ansem's face, expecting some sort of reaction from him, but to her surprise, his expression remains unreadable. "Oh, come on. You know what I mean. You've seen it too. The story of Roxas and Naminè."

Flashback

Ansem has always addressed the Dhampir as "No. XIII". A title he conjured up the first time they met three years ago. But he also assigned him labels that stripped the vampire completely off of what little sense of humanity he may have had left: his identity, his free will. A "monster", a"nobody". After all, the last thing he wanted was for any one to develop emphaty towards the enemy. They should be nothing more than test subjects; tools for his ambitions. He thought he knew everything about what he was but never really bothered to know who he really was… until his own granddaughter called out the vampire's true name.

"Roxas…" the hooded figure flinched. It's the first time that man in the white suit called out his name. It took so long but the Great Ansem the Wise, with his stubborness and pride, to finally open his eyes and really look at him. To see him. This hybrid. This...boy. He was just a child. The both of them are still so young. But for them to end up like this... "Give her to me…"—Ansem gulped—"…please…"

The creature let out a low growl through gritted teeth. Sharp, white fangs glimmered against his bottom lip, but that did not stop the old man from reaching for his granddaughter. The vampire saw this and quickly shifted away from his extending touch. Roxas snarled at him once more as he pressed the girl against him, squeezing her, as if his life depended on it. But then again, she is his life. Her body is the only remaining thread that's holding Roxas from plunging completely into the darkness. That way, he can still, at the very least, feel that she is still with him, guiding him, and embracing him, and he refused to let them take her—his everything—away.

For a moment, Ansem was petrified at the dark, malicious aura that the Dhampir is emanating. He peered upon two golden orbs that flickered on the shadows where his eyes should be and Ansem froze because deep within those orbs, he saw the epitome of a beast. But with this creature sprawled on the ground, cradling the one person he needed the most in the world, Ansem saw a reflection of himself. It brought into his mind the question, which one of them was truly the heartless one?

Ansem's eyes drew over Naminè's back and the strong arms that wrap around her waist and shoulder. Her red-tainted chest presses against his. The dark creature showed no sign of letting go. Doesn't he know that she is dead? Maybe he did, but he refused to accept it just as much as Ansem did. He continues to pretend that she is here, that as long as he has her in his arms, she won't be able to go anywhere.

But, he must let her go, Ansem knew that, so with little strength, he manage to unearth some bits of courage and proceeds, "She must be buried properly. That's the only way she can rest in peace." His voice broke half way, almost pleading. Roxas sensed that. His eyes pierced at the elder, but Ansem persisted, and both of them look at each other. Through that thick wall of hatred that has built up between them for many years, Roxas saw it collapse in one second. The old man stared at his granddaughter longingly for he too wanted to share his final moments with Naminè.

After awhile, Roxas finally broke their eye contact. He slowly brought Naminè's head down from his shoulder and glued all of his attention on the beauty in front of him. Her eyelashes sparkle with tears before they roll down the side of her face. The edge of his lips curled ever so slightly at the sight, remembering how her single tear descended in the same exact way as when she held his cold hand against her warm cheek during that time in the forest. He wipes the fresh liquid with his thumb, marveling at the softness of her satin skin, before tracing it over her small nose and the outline of her lips. Her eyes are close the same way as when he examined her slumber in the abandoned shack not too long ago. It was as if she's still sound asleep. But, suddenly, it struck him. She will remain asleep. Forever.

And then he cried. He cried, screaming muddled words towards the heavens, the vampires, the humans, and everything in this damned world. He cried so hard, so deafeningly, it stuck Ansem in such degree that not even a zap of lightning bolt can match it.

And that's when the wise man knew that this so-called heartless boy loves the girl so much; So much that his agony even reached him. It was unimaginable. The tears around his face puncture like acid rain because no matter how hard he cried, no matter how many times he stoked her arms, her neck and cheek, she wouldn't budge. She stayed unmoving, like a porcelain doll. She would never hear him beg desperately for her to come back.

The vampire lifted her face with one hand behind her head, then he close the gap between them. Roxas move his lips against her soft; white ones, kissing her tenderly, lovingly, and strongly. It was a kiss Ansem the Wise will always remember. The kiss of goodbye.

End of Flashback

"You're a wise old man. You've lived life longer than anyone else I know. As far as we're concerned, Naminè disobeyed you, and she even yelled at me, can you believe that? Naminè was willing to give her life…for him. Now why would she do that I wonder?" Smiling at her own sarcasm, Tifa observes her companion. This time, his countenance has relaxed and his thoughts became more transparent for the naked eye. After witnessing that particular moment three days ago, Ansem somehow knew that No. XIII also harbored the same feelings towards his granddaughter. Only his pride and the knowledge that Nobodies can never feel emotions have blinded him from that fact.

"Hn…" Ansem turns his attention back to the horizon, and the budding light beyond. "Now it's my turn to ask you…" Tifa didn't have to move or say anything for him to know that she is listening. He continues, "When you hear the word 'twilight', what immediately comes to mind?"

Tifa suppressed the urge to laugh at his random ideas but answered nonetheless, "A soft light in the horizon that shines in the morning and evening; it's basically dawn or dusk."

Ansem nodded then elaborated further, "More specifically, it is the period between day and night."

Tifa snap her eyes back to him. Now she knows where the topic is heading, "Ah, the old legend…about two very different empires that once separated the world. But, how is that related to 'twilight'?"

"The humans and vampires are the 'separate empires'. Back then, our world was split into the realm of light, where the humans live, and the realm of darkness where the vampires resided. If the legend is true, then this very land we are standing upon was once the border between the two realms. That was most likely the reason why our family's anti Vampire Corporation was specifically built here because it is closer to the home of our adversaries. Our years of protection allowed civilization to floursih beyond the human realm and mingle near the darkness without having to fear for their lives. For the first time, light and darkness meet and this town symbolize that. Perhaps it was inevitable that Roxas and Naminè would also meet."

The two figures protruded on top of the cliff which gave them the leverage to witness the full phenomena in front of them, that magical light that slowly pulls the world into a brand new day, and later, into night.

"Now you know why this town is called 'Twilight Town'."

-xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Tifa marched off unto the field where the first touch of morning blistered the concrete streets into a brighter grey. The leaves of the trees glitter from the previous rainfall. The long-haired female closed her eyes and sniffed the air, tasting a mixture of salt and damp soil, and then, the sound of her phone broke through her reverie. She grudgingly flips her phone and held it to her ear. "I heard the news…" she instantly recognized the deep and somewhat lazy tone in the voice and her face softened. Tifa didn't say anything, so Cloud continues to talk, "'She was right all along, huh."

"Just as the Seeress foretold," Tifa agreed, "Fortunately, Angeal and his SOLDIER came just in time to drive the vampires away. What about you? How's your training?'

"Still working on it." She heard a brief shuffle of clothes on the other line, and then, "So, should I pick you up?"

"Yeah, my job here is … over…" Tifa held her hand over her eyes and squint at the sky as she remembered Ansem's words:

"It's too late."

The young woman can only shake her head and sighed once again. "No," she thought, "It's not too late."

She turns around to have one final look at the outstanding edifice that stood higher than all the architectures in the town. Her black locks flew in angelic waves but she quickly wipes them behind her ears. Her crimson eyes trace over the broken graphite on the entrance, the taints and cracks against its once flawless structure. Tifa can only assume that the Kingdom Hearts Science Corporation; the once almighty pride of Twilight Town, the indestructible shield of human kind, is now in the brink of dissolution.

"Their story is over, but the wheels of fate continue to turn…"

for undying love.


IMPORTANT Author's Note: Yeah…suckish ending. BECAUSE I AM EVIL HWUAHAHAHA! *got thrown with a bunch of stuff* Okay okay I'm sorry, just let—*a shoe flew and hits face* …me explain…*deep breath* If you ask me, I am personally tired of seeing Naminè die all the time in almost every Angst Roxmine fanfiction I've read (Check out my top-most favorite stories), so I apologize if I drove away slightly from my goal of uniqueness. Yes, Maxeyn, as much as I hate to admit this but I am one of those asshole writers, however, there is a very significant reason why I had to end it this way. Everything that happened thus far wasn't just a mere "oh-this-looks-dramatic-I'll-add-it-instead". Every single event has all been planned out/known ever since I started writing this crap on a piece of paper 6 years ago. Has anybody actually ever stop and wondered why the heck Tifa's words kept popping out in later chapters and why she was so against Naminè escaping? (I bet you're all distracted with the ROMANCE that you didn't really have time to read between the lines, LOL.) Well, that's because she somehow already knew her future. Tifa has grown to care enough for Naminè that she actually tried to change that impending fate but failed to do so because it was technically Naminè who chose to go to that direction. Plus, I've informed you all before, for those who takes their time reading the author's note, that every character in this story will have an important role to play that will help drive the plot, like Olette, and later on, Xehanort and Riku. That's why I had spent time establishing a bit of their background stories even though they may have looked like useless fillers, when, the truth is, they will all be connected to this final events.

HOLD YOUR HORSES! Before you start throwing shoes, popcorns, and tomatoes at me again, there is still one more Epilogue that I've decided to write about, and it will go over Roxas' experiences this time! By the way, if any of you didn't notice, the picture that Ansem was holding in the beginning of this chapter was the same picture Naminè drew in the Prologue.

Thank you fluffernutter594, The Lavender NightshadeRose13, Maxeyn, Pikachulover25, misora, MoonKissedDreamerEureka, Ultima13, Rosekun25, TheWitchNamine, zelinkfan123, xXphoenixflameXx, Guest