KINGDOM HEARTS: Edge Before End.
Epilogue χ3: Mittellicht Täuschung Ende.
With the Sanctum of Time falling all around both him and his fallen opponent...Xander slowly crouches over towards Myst. "U-Ugh...you...you really, REALLY got me good...me. Seriously...you were WINNING...that's...something I never expected to happen. Hey...get on out of his Body. You know...what happens next." says Xander, revealing that Darkness...or, rather at this juncture; χ-Super was still hiding within Myst...
A Dark shroud emerges from the epicentre of Mist's Body, casting itself away from him and standing directly in front of Xander. "...As expected...of the one whom failed to be my vessel." says χ-Super, still using the form of a Dark Myst to communicate with. "Cut the nonsense...this place is collapsing all around us. Why don't you use your Dark magic and get us out of here? I'm too weak to create any Dark corridors..." says Xander, unable to stand.
"...First, I shall present you...a warning." says χ-Super, surprising the weakened Xander. Without his approval, it places a hand upon Xander's forehead...before showing him all kinds of visions! "!? W-WHA!?" shouts Xander, seeing the visions before him...the first...is of both Sora and Kairi defeating Master Xehanort!
Following the elderly Keyblade Master's immediate defeat...a pink coloured shard manifests itself from out of Xehanort's Body and into Kairi's hand. "...This is...yes...no doubt about it. Sora! !?" says Kairi, as she looks around to see Sora; only to find that he is nowhere in sight. Instead, Kairi...has become Sora himself once more. But even this...was only temporary. "...Thank You...Sora." says Kairi, bidding farewell...to the one whom resided within her Heart for a time being...
Only to reaffirm her resolve...with the promise...that they shall meet again. A defeated Xehanort, appearing as though he had never fought a battle to begin with...sees Kairi's expression. He becomes solemn...feeling compelled to share what he knows...about Sora.
"...On the day that I sent you out from your World...do you remember what it is I said to you?" says Xehanort...his visage starting to flicker back and forth, surprising Kairi. "Those words...hold the answer you seek. I may cause you to suffer, but I am a product of your Heart. For that reason...I shall give you...your answer." says Master Xehanort...before suddenly changing forms!
Xander continues to watch the vision, stating "W-What IS this!? whom...are they!? the elder...looks...familiar." says Xander, not knowing...of what is transpiring elsewhere, across the universe. "Do not interrupt...continue to watch." says χ-Super, wanting Xander...to understand. Finally, Xehanort transforms into a much younger version of himself, wearing a lab coat...
"...Before...when my Heart and Body were still united as one. I told you about what would happen if we were to fail. "If you arrive in a World that's neither of Light nor Darkness but somewhere on the other side, your task...will be far...from easy." says the younger Xehanort...imparting words of great knowledge towards Kairi.
She remains silent...until hearing what Xehanort speaks next. "That...is the answer I have for you. Thus...the Melody of Memory...comes to an end-" before Xehanort could finish...Kairi interrupts him! saying...the following words. "Just stop it!" says Kairi, greatly shocking Xehanort...
(Music Cue-Kairi's Theme with Original Lyrics by Lizz Robinett from YouTube.)
"You think...you think...you actually THINK that makes up...for EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE!? TOWARDS AQUA, VENTUS AND TERRA!? TO RIKU!? TO ME!? AND...tch!" says Kairi, gripping a fist and clenching her teeth...trying to contain her outburst of emotions. "...! !? ...Sigh. You...are...correct. You are right...nothing...can atone my transgressions. I thought that by leaving you this vital piece of information...I could...forgive my Heart of evil. But alas...things are never QUITE that simple, are they? heh." says Xehanort, transforming from his younger form back into his elder appearance.
"...My real self has gone on to join with Kingdom Hearts...however. I left a piece of myself here with you...in order to seek consequence, for my actions." says Master Xehanort, shocking Kairi. "W-What?" says Kairi, maintaining a defensive stance. "...I had planned to end my existence...once I shepard the masses towards my new World order. But once more, alas...you and your fellow Guardians of Light defeated me. No...it would be more accurate to say that both you...and...that boy had defeated me. The youth...known as Sora, defeating my original being. And you, the Princess of Heart...known as Kairi, defeating my original's shadow. Together, you had thwarted...an old man's master plan that was a decade long in the making...for that. I congratulate you...young lass. Just the same...as my true self had already congratulated the young lad." says Xehanort, except...
"...Your empty praises mean nothing to me. Because of you...Sora...Sora is...! Sora...is GONE! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU WITH EVERY OUNCE OF MY HEART! YOU RUINED MY LIFE! AND THE COUNTLESS LIVES OF OTHERS! MY GRANDMOTHER! MY HOMES OF RADIANT GARDEN AND THE DESTINY ISLANDS! ALL THAT YOU COULD GET YOUR CLUTCHES UPON...YOU DESTROYED!" shouts out Kairi at the top of her lungs, quickly running out of breath; following battle's end.
"...A-And for what!? a...a...sigh. Huff...a so called χ-Blade!? whom in their right mind...huff...huff...would want such a thing!? it's...absolutely STUPID!" shouts Kairi, until placing her hands on her Heart; unable to speak any further. "...You are not wrong. It IS stupid...but, in the end...everyone still waged war over it's Light. That...is the false Light of the Realms. As long, as there are those that believe the χ-Blade can grant them desires and end their despair...Kingdom Hearts will always be under threat from Darkness. Whether...by the accord of Darkness itself or nil..." says Xehanort, turning his back away from Kairi...
"!? W-What do you...sigh." says Kairi, still catching her breath. "...I was only ONE of the Dark seekers that sought the Heart of all Worlds...in order to fulfil an old fool's gambit. However...even I...was tricked. Manipulated...by...an even bigger fool..." says Xehanort, recalling...a man with both a ponytail and an eyepatch, viciously smirking.
"...Your coming days will be full of hardships and woes. Never to end without burdens weighing heavily down upon your Heart...nevertheless. Are you prepared...to cross the edge before the end...in order to meet your goals?" says Xehanort, turning back around and facing Kairi again...only to see a determined expression emerge from her brow. "...What did you mean, earlier; about...taking your own life?" says Kairi, as she poses a question of her own...shocking Xehanort...
In order to answer her question, Xehanort transforms back into the younger version of himself; wearing the lab coat. "...No one has the right to take away a young one's future, regardless of their goals within their minds. Because I separated you from your family and home...the act had been deeply affecting my Heart. Even when I saw you again, 10 years later...during Sora's rescue attempt to save you. I...felt somewhat guilty somewhere in my Heart. However...I used the excuse that the child of pure Light was able to find her way anew, starting a life on the islands...where she would meet the two fated youths. Her Heart and theirs...becoming Connected in the way they have done so, up towards this point. That...was my reasoning...to continue my seeking of Darkness." says Xehanort...sharing the truth with Kairi...
"...Because of you, I never...I never got to say goodbye to my grandmother! she's gone...all because...all because of YOU! I will never, EVER forgive you." says Kairi, her feelings of hate for Xehanort remaining unclouded. "...I understand completely. However...I will not ask for your forgiveness, for there is one thing you cannot deny. If you did, you would be forsaking the bonds of your loved ones...would you naught?" says Xehanort, greatly shocking Kairi.
Kairi then starts to think...about her life on Destiny Islands. Embracing her new family in the forms of the islands' town mayor and his wife, including...her friends. Tidus, Wakka and Selphie. As well as most especially...both Riku...and...him. "...I apologise...but again, I do not plead forgiveness. I apologise for taking you away from your home and then leading it towards destruction...becoming Hollow Bastion. But...despite all of the evil...despite all of the tragedy that my actions had committed. It was through the Darkness of my Heart...that gave both you and your friends the road ahead. Hearts full of Light...ultimately vanquishing Darkness throughout constant trials and errors. My real self should have realised it sooner...the World he sought to create...was already been realised by the hands and Hearts of others. A World...without Darkness..." says Xehanort, transforming back into his elderly self somewhere along the lines of him speaking...
"...You think that forgives anything? it doesn't. All it does is sound like you are trying to justify what you had done. Even though I met everyone along the way...and I am truly grateful for the chances. I...will never accept the circumstances that led towards them. Even if that means...I would have ended up...not meeting Sora at all. Because I know, deep in my Heart; if Sora were here...he would feel exactly the same." says Kairi, demonstrating the strength of her Character.
"...It doesn't justify anything, you are quite right. But...it is still an undeniable fact, all the same. The reason why I speak of such a thing...is because it relates to the balance of Light and Darkness. There will be other cases, in which matters of Light shall be pressed against with Darkness...as such. What are you, the Guardians of Light prepared to do when you reach that point? will you safeguard the false Light mentioned earlier? or...would you create a new one altogether?" says Xehanort, wanting to hear Kairi's answer...of how she intends to move forwards.
"...I...can't say anything about that. Not yet, anyways...because I'm not a Keyblade Master...I don't have the right to make a claim. But...that's all going to change...within the coming days. I'll surpass Sora...and become an even greater master then Riku is! which is why. If you want to continue standing in my way...I'll defeat you, as many times as it takes!" says Kairi, summoning her Destiny's Embrace Keyblade; taking up a fighting posture once more...except.
Xehanort can recognise an empty bluff when he sees one...next, replying "...Ha. Ha ha...HA HA! you...are quite an amusing lass, aren't you? same...as the lad whom defeated me. Very well...if you can't find the answer right away...I expect that you will find one somewhere down the road. Not the road of Darkness...but the road...of Light." says Xehanort, remembering his meeting with χ-Super during his teenage years...
"...Cross the edge. Reach the end...and find...the other side. That...is the final answer. It is also...the final riddle. The final Key...to the final puzzle. May your Heart...be your Guiding Key. Both yours...AND his..." says former Keyblade Master Xehanort...before making one last smirk...and then...disappearing.
His form disappears...but not his voice. He says the following words "...She is most assuredly your granddaughter...Vor. Rest with ease...that girl...will find her path. In fact, she may have already done so...sharing it...with another's path. And so begins...Another Side, Another Story." says Xehanort, his voice echoing throughout the Final World...though Kairi is unable to hear it.
Most likely because she does not share a bond with Master Xehanort for obvious reasons...lastly. Kairi thinks upon Xehanort's final words...saying to herself "...Cross the edge...and reach the end. The edge before end...what...what does that mean, exactly?" says Kairi, at last; her journey throughout the Melody of Memory...has reached it's conclusion.