Deep in the castle of The World That Never Was, there was a cage, suspended from the ceiling. Axel peered up at it and called to the girl who had to be inside. Beside him, Pluto wagged his tail wildly.

"Kairi?" he called, and at the same time, Pluto barked.

Her face appeared from behind the bars. "You…?"

He smiled up at her with a hint of a smirk. "Axel. Didn't you have it memorized?"

Kairi nodded.

"Um, well… I'm sorry about before. It's my fault you're locked up in here. Just wait. I'm gonna get you out." Axel opened a dark rift, and Pluto jumped into it a step ahead of him.

Then someone else spoke behind him. "I've been waiting for you, Axel."

"Yeah, I figured you'd show up." His smirk turned nastier as he turned to see Saïx. He didn't take his eyes off him as he spoke to the girl in the cage. "Listen, Kairi! Trust me. I'm going to get you out!" Behind him, the portal closed.

"What are you saying…? Vile traitor!" The great Claymore took shape at Saïx's back.

Axel didn't waste a second grabbing his chakrams. But his body was reluctant somehow. I don't want to disappear… But still, it wouldn't be so bad if I did. Not here.

Axel let out a deep breath and leaped into the air as flames erupted around them.

"…Pathetic!" The Claymore moved to block Axel's strike, while Saïx himself didn't even twitch.

Still, Axel refused to hesitate. He had to force this path open. He wanted…to find hope—the hope that Sora and Riku had.

Saïx gave him a cruel grin. "You will lose everything!"

And then the Claymore pierced Axel's chest.


Lea suddenly jolted up in bed. His heart was racing and he was covered in sweat. Tears were streaming down his cheeks. He put a hand up to his face, and realized how wet it was. He got up, walked to the small dresser at the side of his bed, and looked in the mirror. In the moonlight, he was able to see his reflection.

Saïx's words kept replaying in his mind, haunting him.

"I've been waiting for you, Axel."

I guess I really did have a heart back then. No wonder those words hurt so much.

Lea wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

Saïx. He knew exactly the right words to hurt me. He didn't have a heart. He never showed any emotion. But after I left, he was so angry. He wanted me dead. I'd never seen him like that before. Somewhere deep down...did he have a heart? Is that why Saïx was so angry? Was he able to feel the pain in Isa's heart when I left? Did...Isa think I abandoned him?

He felt tears welling up again. He looked in the mirror and placed his fingers where his upside-down tear marks used to be. It was the first time he'd cried since becoming human again.

"I guess I haven't outgrown them yet, after all. I'm still...the same crybaby I was before."


Isa was sitting on the ledge of the clock tower. Lea's always helping me. But I've done nothing but cause him trouble. If I stay by his side, it'll wind up killing him.

Lea ascended the clock tower with two ice creams in hand. "Here." He handed one of the ice creams to Isa. "Thought some ice cream might cheer you up."

"Thanks," Isa responded flatly, not looking Lea in the eye. He didn't eat the ice cream and it began melting in his hand.

The two boys sat in total silence for what felt like an eternity. Lea glanced at Isa occasionally, but Isa was looking down the whole time, never making eye contact with him. It filled Lea with unease, but he was too afraid to say anything. Finally, after a long while, Lea worked up the courage to break the silence. "Your ice cream's melting."

"Oh..." Isa slowly took a bite.

At length, the boys finally finished the last bits of ice cream they had left. Lea could barely force himself to choke it down before it completely melted in his hand.

Isa stared down at his bare stick, then looked into the distance. His eyes followed a faraway train as the lonely sound of its whistle broke through the silence. It was headed for the beach. The same one that the boys hoped to visit on the day of the fair.

Finally, Isa spoke up. "Lea, I...I just...I can't do this anymore...It's over. I can't stay with you anymore."

Lea had a visceral reaction upon hearing that. "Don't say stuff like that, okay?! Everything will be fine! We can run away somewhere. Once the train arrives, we'll hop on and just go as far as we can."

Isa shook his head and spoke weakly. "No. It won't work. They'll be able to find me."

I can't believe it. He's really serious, isn't he? "So, that's it? Your mind's made up?"

Isa nodded. "This...is for the best."

Lea didn't like that answer. "I can't believe you! This is crazy! There's no way I'll ever let you do this! There has to be something else we can do!"

"Like what? What else can we do, Lea!?"

"I— I don't know," Lea responded, sounding defeated. I just want to protect you. But it's true. I have no idea how to do that. There's...nothing I can do, is there?

"This is the right choice. If I wait and do nothing, they'll just make me go back with them. And they'll target you to make me do what they want."

Lea had no idea how to respond. It was true.

"They only want me for some reason. I've...caused you enough trouble already. If I'm not around, they won't bother you anymore. You'll be...better off."

"That's a lie!" Lea angrily snapped. Better off!? How can he say something like that!?

Isa put his hand on Lea's back to comfort him. "Lea...I just want to protect you. We'll both be doomed if I stay with you. I've made up my mind. I won't let them hurt you."

"There's really...no other way?" Lea asked in the tiny shaky voice of a small child. This...was the last time we'll ever eat ice cream together, wasn't it?

Isa didn't look at Lea. "I'm so sorry," he said quietly. "But this is what I have to do."

Lea looked vacantly into the setting sun. It looked so beautiful. More beautiful than any sunset he'd ever seen before. He was convinced that there was never a more beautiful sunset on any other world. It was still beautiful even when the image became too blurry for him to see. The beautiful, sad sunset. It broke his heart.

There's no changing his mind. I don't have a choice. There's nothing to do now but respect his wishes. "I wish… I could have at least taken you to the beach." Lea didn't look at Isa. Instead, his eyes narrowed under the light of the setting sun. "All we wound up doing was eating ice cream. So much for making memories…" His voice was wavering and his shoulders were shaking.

"Don't say that, Lea. I already have special memories. It's...because of you. I'm really grateful that I got to meet you." Isa turned his gaze from Lea towards the sunset. He had a soft smile.

Lea looked at the profile of his face. It was glowing warm crimson under the light of the setting sun. Strangely, he almost looked happy. I wish I could stay just like this. Forever, Isa thought to himself. I just want to be with Lea forever.

I'm such an idiot. Why? Why did I ever step foot inside that castle? The whole reason I wanted to sneak inside in the first place was to create memories. I thought I needed to do something really exciting.

But...I was wrong.

Sitting and watching the sunset, eating ice cream with Isa. This ordinary peaceful existence. This is what true happiness feels like.

What I always wanted...it's been right here the whole time. Only now...I'm going to lose it. Lea felt a deep aching in the pit of his chest. It was unbearable.

"Please! Don't go!" Lea desperately pleaded.

"I have to, Lea. I can't stay here with you. I can't go home. But...I can go somewhere."

For a few moments, Lea was speechless. "But I don't want you to go! You belong here! Please! Don't do this!" Lea's voice began to get louder. "I just want us to stay together! I want us to be together every day!" I want things to stay like they are now. That's all I want. That's it. That's my wish. Nothing else. He looked up at Isa with the expression of a stray puppy. "I can't bear to lose you, Isa. I...need you..."

I don't know what to say. I love Lea. He...shines so brightly. But all I ever do is cause him darkness and pain. That's my biggest regret. It hurts more than anything that happens to me.Isa said was silent for a few moments. He looked down at the ice cream stick in his hand. He looked directly into Lea's eyes, then gently grabbed his hand and placed the stick in it.

Lea looked down at the stick Isa placed in his hand. It read "Winner".

"It'll be okay even if things change. What's important isn't that we hang out with each other every day." Isa tried his best to sound cheerful. "As long as you never forget me, we'll never be apart."

Isa was trying his hardest to be strong for Lea. But if Lea were being honest with himself, he'd have to admit it. He hated what Isa said. It didn't make him feel better at all. It reminded him of a conversation they had back when things were normal.

"I want everybody I meet to remember me. Inside people's memories, I can live forever."

"I know I won't forget you. Believe me, I try all the time."

"See? I'm immortal."

At the time, it comforted Lea to think that some day, when he was gone, he'd still exist in someone's memories. It made him feel immortal. By his own logic, Isa would never die. He'd be with him forever, in his memories. But now that Lea was actually confronted with the reality of that ideology...he felt disgusted with it. He felt like his heart had been smashed to pieces.

But...I don't want to be left with just memories of you...That's not the same... Lea's eyes welled up with tears as he stared down at the 'Winner' ice cream stick in his hand. He wanted to be strong, like Isa was. He didn't want to break down and cry. But he couldn't hold back. He broke down and sobbed harder than he ever had before in his entire life. Just like a small child. All the pain and anguish he'd been bottling up for so long now burst, like a dam. He was despondent.

Isa didn't know how to console Lea. He hesitated a moment before placing his hand on Lea's face, wiping away some of his tears. He said in a gentle voice, "Please don't cry, Lea."

But it didn't help. Lea was still completely inconsolable. He only cried harder and sobbed louder.

Seeing the ever-cheerful Lea reduced to such a state broke Isa's heart. He couldn't bear to see his best friend cry. With his eyes cast downward, Isa spoke in a soft voice. His hand was still gently touching Lea's face. "We'll meet again…in the next life."

Lea raised his head to look at Isa. His shoulders were trembling and his bottom lip was quivering. But for just a moment, he had quieted down.

Isa looked directly into Lea's eyes. "And then we can be together forever." That's right…We don't disappear. We just...go somewhere else. I hope that once I leave this world, I can see Lea. And that...we can be together again. That's all I want. Just that. I'd give anything for that.

"...Do...you...promise me?" It became difficult for Lea to speak through his sobs.

"Yeah. I promise. I'll be waiting for you. In that place in the sky." He gently stroked Lea's face and wiped away a few more tears. "Now no more crying, okay?"

You'll be waiting for me. You promised me that. I won't forget this promise for as long as I live. Lea stared at Isa, then wiped his eyes with his arm. Then he took Isa by the hand, and they quickly interlocked their fingers. A long time passed as they sat holding hands and watching the sunset, without saying a word.

The silence made Lea increasingly nervous with each passing second, but he couldn't muster the courage to say anything. His legs dangled over the ledge and he swung his feet anxiously.

Then, at last, Isa finally let go of Lea's hand.

Lea watched as he slowly stood up, his gaze fixated far into the distance. He looked calm, unlike Lea who was still a mess, his eyes red and puffy. The sun was now making its way below the horizon. The bells on the clock tower chimed the hour.

To Lea, the sound was unbearable, like a requiem. With great reluctance, he got to his feet as well. His body had never felt so heavy before. They stood still for a few more moments, basking in the scenery. They stood side by side. Lea could still feel the warmth of his best friends hand.

Isa finally looked into Lea's eyes as tears streamed down each cheek. There was sadness in his eyes, though he was still smiling. "I'll...see you later, Lea." He spoke so softly and gently, it almost sounded like a whisper. I'll be happy as long as I can see you again someday.

Lea's shoulders trembled and he could barely breathe due to the choking sensation in his throat. He marveled at Isa's inner strength. "See you, Isa." His voice was as soft and gentle as Isa's. Tears fell down his face, all the way down the clock tower to the ground.

Isa leaned backward and his body began to descend. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. He was falling and in just a few seconds, he would leave this world forever.

Without even thinking, Lea instinctively reached out and grabbed his hand. He caught him as he dangled from the ledge.

Isa looked up at Lea, startled.

Lea pulled his friend back safely onto the ledge. His whole body was trembling.

Isa was dizzy and just stared at Lea in shock, unable to formulate a sentence.

"Cmon. Let's go." Lea was still holding Isa by the hand. He led him back downstairs and outside, in front of the station. "Once the train gets here, we'll leave."

Isa meekly followed Lea. But then, he suddenly let go of Lea's hand. "Lea…no...I can't." I want to go with you. I want to. But I know I can't.

"That's enough."

"Lea—"

"I said that's enough!" Lea was yelling now. This was the first time Lea had yelled at him before. "We're leaving. Now."

"But—"

"Will you just shut up already!?" Lea shouted as he grabbed Isa by the arm. "We're gonna get on the train and go! We'll find somewhere to go!"

"Lea, they're gonna find us again! You know that!" Isa pleaded.

"Just give me some time! I'll figure something out!" Lea shut Isa down with the emphatic refusal of a child throwing a temper tantrum.

"There is no time! I don't want to join those guys! They're just gonna make me hurt people! I don't want to anyone to get hurt because of me! Especially you! This is what's best for everyone!"

This angered Lea even more. "I don't give a damn what's best for everyone! Not if it means you have to die! You got that memorized?!"

"They're trying to turn me into a monster! I don't want to let myself be used as a weapon by those guys! Please!" Isa looked at the ground. "This is for the best," he said sadly.

Lea looked away. The "best" thing? How is letting Isa die the best thing to do? Best for who? For me? That's not what I want. If that's the right thing to do, then I don't really wanna be right. I don't wanna be a good person. I'd rather be a bad person. "How do you know that?" he said bitterly.

"Lea! I almost killed you the other day! Don't you see!?"

"What the hell is your problem!? You are really pissing me off!" He stomped his foot.

"Lea, I want the same thing you do! You think I don't want us to stay together!? Of course I do! That's all I've ever wanted! But it's just not possible! Not anymore!"

"I don't care if it's impossible! I've decided! That's what I want!" he yelled, choking through his sobs.

"Please, Lea! Listen to yourself! You're acting like a child!"

"So then, what? I should just 'grow up' and let you die!? Is that it!? In that case, screw being an adult! No matter what you say, I'll never accept that! All I want is for us to stay together! That's it! That's all I want! To hell with..."

He looked at the "Winner" stick in his hand and gave it a vicious glare.

"...Memories!" he bellowed at the top of his lungs as he launched the stick off over the brick ledge as far as he could. It flew over the rooftops and was soon out of sight.

"Please. I have to do this."

"No!"

"Why won't you just respect my wishes?!"

"You know what!? You're right! I don't listen to you! In fact, I never have! And I'm not about to start now! If I can't talk some sense into you, I'll just have to take you back by force! You're coming with me even if I have to drag you!"

"No! If you attack me, I might go berserk again!"

"I've made up my mind. There's nothing you can do to stop me!" Lea was still crying as he spoke, but his voice was firm and resolute.

"I might kill you, Lea! Don't you understand!? I'm trying to protect you!"

"I don't want your protection!"

"There's something wrong with me! I don't how much longer I'll still be myself!"

"It doesn't matter if you lose control of yourself again!"

"How can you say that!?"

"Because! Even if you go berserk, I'll just bring you back again! No matter where you go, or how many times you leave, I'll bring you back! No matter where those guys take you, I'll always be there to bring you back! Even if you go into the next life, I'll still bring you back! Always! I swear it!" It was a plea, a cry, a bitter lament, and most importantly, a vow. I'll bring you back no matter how many times it takes. No matter where you go. No matter how many times. For your sake. And for mine.

Isa was thoroughly exhausted. What am I supposed to do? I wish I could just run away from all of this, but I can't. I have nowhere to run. This was my last resort. I don't want to fight Lea.

I'm taking you with me whether you like it or not. Lea took out his frisbees and shortened the distance between him and Isa in one swift move. Then he brought down a harsh blow.

Isa shielded himself with his arms and blocked his strike. As soon as he did, he fell to the ground. He felt himself losing control of himself again. He looked at Lea with a pitiable expression. "Lea...Please don't hold back."

So, now he's asking me to finish him off!? Lea was furious. Fine! You asked for it!

Lea cut at Isa with a swing. Just like that, he was sent flying to the side. When he got back to his feet, he became like a beast once again.

Isa came at him with a savage blow, and sent Lea sprawling on the ground. But Lea got right back up. They clashed again and again. Each time, Lea was viciously thrown about. But he got right back up again.

All I wanted was for us to be together. Pretending to be the mature adult, you decided that wasn't possible. Well, that's not good enough for me. I won't accept it. I'll put an end to all this—I'll stop you.

Attacking his best friend was the most difficult thing he'd ever had to do. But if it meant saving his life, he was prepared to do it. Maybe they were evenly matched after all.

I can handle whatever he throws at me. I'm strong enough. I won't lose here.

Isa rushed at Lea again.

When he came to close the distance, Lea swiftly darted behind him and struck him hard with a powerful blow to the neck, instantly knocking him unconscious. "See...I...told you...your...defense...could use some...work."

Isa fell forward as he fainted.

I'm...sorry, Isa. Lea used up every last bit of his strength. Immediately afterward, he collapsed as well, and fell to the ground right beside his best friend.