So glad you guys are enjoying this story!
Thank you for all the support!
Now, typically I don't do music cues, but this first part, in italics, I recommend listening to "The Final World" OST during it.
Kingdom Hearts © to Disney and Square Enix!
Chapter 2: Culture Shock
You want to know about my home?
…
Alright then.
Long ago, warriors wielding key-shaped swords fought for control of a great light, but I'm sure you know this part of the story already. The war, the death, and the strong darkness shattered the land apart.
The light itself shattered too.
As darkness began to close in what remained of the light, the light, and those who still remained at its side, came together. The light formed a crystal(1), pure and bright. It drove the darkness back behind a door. I believe you've seen this door, or a version of it once before.
All darkness. Even death itself. All of it behind a single door. The crystal built itself above the door, keeping it shut.
The land that once stood, now shattered, gathered all that was left around the light of the crystal. One world huddled around the light like people around a campfire.
Gaillus(2).
This is what they called the land. My home.
And though the light kept the darkness mostly at bay, every three generations, those dark doors would open. Each time, a new kind of darkness would escape and try to destroy Gaillus.
Once, came a monster called Sin.
Then a creature of the void called Chaos.
Cultists calling themselves Paragons.(3)
And many, many more.
Most recently, a malicious AI named Anax came out of the door.
Uh… what's an AI?
An artificial intelligence, basically a fake mind in a computer that someone made. It took over our technology and created robots called Gigas.
So, how did you stop it? Or is it still running loose.
We were able to quell it, and it will eventually end completely.
People knew that the doors would open, but there was always a way to stop the darkness. The royal blood would bear a champion, and a noble family would bear a maiden. Born on the same day, at the very same time as the champion.
The maiden, raised from birth to push back the darkness would remain by the champion's side. When the door opened, he would defend her.
She would harness all the magic within her to seal the gate, preventing more darkness from escaping. Shutting the gate with the very essence of her being. But to seal the door, her physical form had to perish.
The champion…
Her dearest friend…
Would have to slay her. Then, her name… and most people's memory of her would vanish. They remembered she lived, but nothing more about her. Only the champion would recall their fondest moments together.
But, the door would close. And the darkness would stop.
But- but that's terrible! Why would anyone do anything like that? Why would they allow someone to just die like that!? And the champion, how could he kill his dear friend? It's not fair!
Perhaps… but it was our way of life.
But at least there will be peace for three more generations.
Did this… happen recently?
Yes.
I was the maiden…
My champion. My dearest friend. I believe you've met.
Yozora.
He was your champion…? He attacked me.
Sorry about that. He took what I asked him a little too far. But his intentions were good…
If you say so. You told me that they took your name, but please tell me that you remember it.
Oh yes… I did tell you that.
My name is…
Kairi felt cold wash over her, like falling into the sea. Slowly, she drifted down.
Light shone behind her as she fell, feet touching a solid surface.
Her eyes roamed the ground beneath her. A shimmering floor of stained glass, bearing an image of herself lay beneath her feet.
Sora's face lay in the glass, his hand up, holding a Paopu fruit. Kairi knelt down, laying her hand on the glass face.
"Sora." A tear splashed onto the image, glittering like the floor. "I'll find you."
"Of course you will." Poof. Chirithy appeared beside her.
"You're here."
The dream eater nodded. "We're partners in this. Now, we should get going. Sora's waiting."
"You're right."
Kairi stood, glancing once more at the stained glass. She saw Riku's face and Naminé's in the glass. And the face of an old woman… her grandmother. Oh, how little she remembered of her own family of her childhood.
"This way, Kairi! I need you to reach out to Riku's heart. I can connect your dreams to his. Remember, his dreams hold the path to Sora."
Riku's heart.
Kairi closed her eyes, reaching out with her heart. Reaching for her dear friend. Her friend, who had been through so much, made so many mistakes, but still went out of his way to make sure she and Sora were safe. No matter what happened to him. Her friend who'd grown so much since she'd met him all those years ago…
"Hi Kairi. I'm Riku. It's nice to meet you."
That boy with a sincere smile.
"You and Sora are so reckless. You could've died."
The big brother she'd never had.
"And you're just as lazy as he is."
Teasing her always.
"You're strong, Kairi. You always have been. If anyone can find Sora, you can; and when you're together, there's nothing you can't do."
But he believed in her still.
Just like brothers do.
A door appeared. Out of the darkness, a doorway. The wood, a soft palm wood, felt smooth as Kairi's hand touched it. "Is this it?"
"Yes."
The princess pushed, both doors creaking open. This was it, Kairi felt Riku. She felt him and all the hope he held. All the support he had for her.
That he'd always had for her and for Sora.
"Riku, where are we going?"
"You'll see."
Sora, Riku, and Kairi stepped out of the small cave into a cove. A cove full of flowers. Kairi gasped,
Wind pulled through the flowers, scattering the flowers, sending the petals into the sky.
"I heard you liked flowers, Kairi. Sora and I thought you would like it. So… happy birthday, Kairi."
Kairi stepped through the door, falling inside the darkness within. Flower petals rushed past her, enveloping her in their warmth; she closed her eyes as she slipped deeper into the dream.
Slipping away until all feeling vanished.
Kairi…
Kairi…
Kai…ri…
"Sora?" Kairi sat up, gasping for breath.
"Are you alright, Miss?"
The girl blinked, looking up at a woman who stood beside her. The woman stared at her with kind eyes. She wore clothes similar to pictures Kairi had seen of nuns or priests; a white cloth draped around her head. Her dress a soft violet with accents of yellow, red, and pink.
Kairi glanced around the room. The stone room with tapestries seemed warm and inviting with a burning fire at the end.
"Where am I?"
"The temple of Asura(4)." The woman reached down, helping Kairi sit up against the back of the bed. "Someone brought you here after they found you passed out in an alley. You've been asleep for two days. We were worried when our healing spells didn't wake you up."
Kairi looked down at her hands. Was she still dreaming or had she come to the other worldline?
"I fell through a door…"
"You fell, poor thing." She smiled. "My name is Fay; I'm a cleric of Asura. I've been watching over you for these last two days. You haven't been sick nor injured, which is strange considering you said you fell. But we were concerned when you wouldn't awaken. What is your name, young lady?"
"Kairi."
Fay picked up a glass of water, handing it to the girl. "Well, Kairi, I'm glad you're awake. Here, drink this. I'll get you some breakfast." She moved out of the room, her skirts billowing around her.
As soon as the door closed, Kairi downed the glass of water. "Chirithy? Are you here?"
Poof.
"Yeah, I'm here." He hopped across the bed and into Kairi's lap. "Sorry about hiding like that. This world doesn't seem to be one I can just walk around in. They don't have things like me."
"So, we made it to the other worldline? We're not still dreaming?"
"We made it!"
"Good. So, sounds like you've been scoping things out."
"Of course! And, I hate to say it, but this is really not going to be easy. This world is huge!"
Kairi let out a long sigh. "Of course, nothing is simple. But if we can find that door from Riku's dream, it should lead us to Sora."
"And the door is in a crystal tower."
The door jiggled, the handle turning. Chirithy popped out of sight just as Fay walked back in carrying a steaming bowl and a spoon. "Here you go. I have some oatmeal with raisins for you. I hope that's to your liking."
"That's just fine. By the way, how long do you want for me to stay here?" Kairi took the bowl and began shoveling the oatmeal into her mouth.
Fay walked around the room, straightening up things around the room as she spoke. "Whenever you wish to go, you may."
"Thank you."
Kairi quickly finished off her food. "Well, I'm actually looking for someone, so I think I'll leave soon, but thank you for your hospitality."
"You are most welcome, Kairi."
Kairi pushed back the blanket and swung her legs off the bed. Her bare feet hit the soft rug beneath her feet. Her socks lay neatly folded beside her boots. She slipped them on before moving toward the door.
"Thank you again for your hospitality, Miss Fay."
"You are welcome, young lady. Remember, should you need somewhere to go and have nowhere else to go, any Astral temple will take care of you." She bowed as Kairi left.
A long hallway lined with bookshelves stretched down to a large room filled with other people dressed like Fay. Two doors, made of heavy oak wood, lay open, to a street.
Kairi jogged outside onto the sidewalk. Enormous buildings towered overhead, blocking the morning sun. People pushed and shoved across the sidewalks, moving to their jobs or to school.
The girl paused, mouth agape as she took in such a sight.
"Hey, move it." Someone pushed past her.
Kairi stumbled back, bumping into someone else. "Watch it!"
No matter where she went…
"Get out of the way!"
"Watch where you're going!"
"You're in the way!"
Kairi ducked into an alley, taking a long breath to calm her racing heart. Why was everyone so ru-
Her eyes looked up to see two people making out… seriously making out in front of her in the alley.
She'd rather risk the street.
Jumping into the sea of pedestrians, she followed the flow of people into a large open area. Above her towered a white building with the numbers 104(5) on the top.
Less people seemed to be entering the building, so she ducked inside.
"A mall?"
She'd been to the mall on the main island many times… but this. This was huge! 5 floors of stores!? Well… at least she could look around. Maybe she could find a picture or a book about the crystal tower she needed to find.
Honestly, she just didn't want to be out in the streets right now.
She wouldn't be able to find Sora if she was totally frazzled and unable to think straight due to the shock of her new surroundings. So, why not just stay in the mall for a while? (And no, the cute clothes and non-stop-shopping totally didn't influence this decision of hers.)
And it worked like she'd hoped. Walking around, window shopping; it all calmed her down. There was a normalcy about it… something she'd do with Selphie, or even Sora and Riku sometimes. It made her feel calm.
For a little bit.
The hours ticked by, and her stomach began to complain. Of course, she was happy to sate it's cries… but-
"What's gil?" Kairi counted the munny in her hand as she stood near a small fried octopus stand. People were buying food, but with something other than munny. No this, this was different. Metal coins called gil.
Which Kairi did not have.
At all.
How was she to get food then!?
Not only that, but nature called… and while she found the bathroom, she had to PAY for toilet paper.
And not to mention the toilet… it was a hole in the floor(6).
Kairi leaned against the back wall, letting out a choking breath.
"Kairi, calm down." Chirithy poofed into existence, landing in Kairi's arms.
"I am calm, just overwhelmed. I've never been in a place like this. Its so strange… no one is nice on the street. I can't buy food or anything, including toilet paper. And how do I even use the bathroom with this thing(7)? This is not what I thought would happen."
The dream eater patted the girl's hand. "Maybe go find one of those Astral temples Fay told you about. They seem quieter than… well anywhere else."
"Yeah, maybe that would be best. Just hope I can make it there without a nervous breakdown or two."
"You can do it. Just take a deep breath. All of this will pass, and you'll get used to this place over time."
"Yeah…" Kairi let out a long breath. She could do this. She could do this.
Chirithy vanished as Kairi stepped out of the bathroom stall and walked out. Down the stairs. Three floors down. The security guard by the door looked up as the princess stopped beside him. "Yes, ma'am?"
"Um, where is the nearest Astral temple?"
"The Divine Decem. It's two blocks that way." He pointed to the west. "Stone building in the conglomerate of modern buildings."
"Thanks."
"You ok, ma'am?"
"Yeah, just had a rough day." She put on her most convincing smile and kept walking. Two blocks to the west. Across the annoying crowded square. Down one block. And then to the second.
There it was. A stone building in the midst of tall modern ones.
"There."
Kairi pushed open the oak door.
The large room before her, looked like something out of a castle, but with electric lights. The back wall of the room was semi-circled with small inset places. Shrines sat in each inlet(8).
"Hello! Welcome!"
A girl, probably only a year or two older than Riku, strode over. She wore an outfit similar to Fey, but this dress was brown with red, yellow, and orange accents.
"Hello. Is this a Astral temple?"
"Indeed it is. I am Zoraida, cleric of Brynhildr. And your name?"
"Kairi."
Zoraida smiled warmly. "Well, Kairi. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. How may I help you?"
"I have no money and nowhere to stay. I was told I could find help here."
"And you can." The girl took Kairi's hand, leading her further into the temple. "Warm meals, and a bed for the night."
Kairi gave a relieved smile. Such a long day… and it wasn't completely over. But at least she had a place of peace for now. Zoraida led her into a small bedroom with a chest and bed.
"Here you go, Kairi. So, please tell me, what's troubling you?"
"Huh?"
"It's part of my job. I'm here to listen to your troubles too, and honestly you look like you need to talk to someone."
Kairi blushed slightly. Gosh, seriously, was it that obvious? "I just came from out of town… I-I've never been to a city this big. I guess I have a few things to get used to."
"Culture shock. It happens." Zoraida blinked suddenly cocking her head to the side. "So, what brought you to Tokyo?"
What to say? What to tell her?
"I'm looking for a tower made of crystal."
Zoraida's eyes lit up. "Of course, I'm heading that direction tomorrow. I have to go train the prince, and I go that way."
"Train the… prince?"
"Oh yeah." The cleric laughed. "I am not only a cleric here, but I work for the military as well. I train the prince and those who work with him in magic. I'm a mage, a powerful one too."
"That's cool."
"Yeah, it is." Zoraida jumped to her feet. "Now, I'll let you rest. Dinner will be in the hall upstairs at five. There are some books in the chest. Just get some rest."
"Thank you."
The cleric sauntered off, humming happily. As soon as the door closed, Kairi flopped onto the bed, not even moving as Chirithy appeared. "Hi."
"Well, you found a place to stay for the night. And hey, if you can't find any other place to stay, you can always stay at other places like these."
The princess of heart rolled over on the bed, smushing her face into a pillow. "I want to eat, but I want to sleep."
"Stress will do that."
Kairi closed her eyes, sighing. "Wake me when it's dinner time."
"Sure."
Kairi drifted away into sleep…
Riku sat on the Paopu tree, staring off into the sunset. He'd come back here after Kairi left… not really knowing where else to go.
He felt so tired.
Sadly, he kept getting flashbacks of that time when Sora was sleeping. Not the best time… when he was annoyingly edgy. Gosh, not the stuff he wanted to really remember.
"Mickey was right."
He blinked as Naminé stepped toward him.
"What are you doing here Naminé?"
"I offered. Mickey and the others were going to come, but they are very far away. So, I thought I would come keep you company until they arrived."
Riku sighed, smiling slightly. "I appreciate it, Naminé."
"You can call me Nami. Olette started calling me that and it's caught on."
"I like it." He said quietly. "A new name for new times."
The two of them waited quietly for a few minutes, staring quietly into the sunset. "Are you reminded of that time in Twilight Town so long ago, Riku?"
"Sadly, yes. And those are times I would much rather forget."
"You sound like you did back then. Sad." The blonde sat on the ground, dangling her feet off the edge of the island. "Not at all like when you came to get me from Radiant Garden. Then, you were smiling, really smiling. I haven't seen that smile since that day. And I know Kairi will want to see that smile when she gets back."
"When did you get so pushy?"
Naminé giggled. "I guess staying with Axel and the others rubbed off on me. They're all pretty pushy but not in a mean way. It was nice. They got me to do things I would have never have done before. Maybe you need a push too."
"Maybe I do."
"Well maybe the others and I can give you that push to make sure you're smiling when Kairi comes back with Sora."
"Thank's Nami…"
Ah, the lore building I got to add! And then the platonic RiKai, and the tiny bit of RikuNami.
Footnotes:
(1) This is in reference to the whole thing about crystals in the Final Fantasy series.
(2) This is a combination of the Greek word "gaia" and the latin world "illustris".
(3) These are all enemies from the Final Fantasy series.
(4) Asura is an eidolon from the Final Fantasy series. I'm going with the Final Fantasy XV idea of the eidolons being worshiped as gods, but I created my own pantheon using the eidolons from the entire series.
(5) The real-life building has the numbers 109 on it, but in KH3, the building has 104 on it.
(6) I live in Asia and I have had the paying for TP thing and those toilets, squat pots as we call them, are just how it is there.
(7) This is kinda how I felt after I moved from the USA to Asia.
(8) This is based on the Temple of the Divines from Skyrim.
VAs:
Cleric Fay- Elisa Gabrielli (Maven Black-Briar, Detective Sonia Alcana, Obsidiana)
Zoraida- Myrna Velasco (Green Lantern/Jessica Cruz, Torra Doza, Carla, CJ)