Chapter LVIII: Till The Morrow
The three stood facing each other, weapons at the ready. Naminé watched on as Ushio and Riku stared at Iwa.
"Feel free to offer me any 'last chance' or whatever." Iwa stated. "However, I know my path." Suddenly, he leapt forward as he rushed the pair. "And that's away from all of you!"
Ushio was up as his blade collided with her Keyblade. The two locked in a stalemate. As the pair clashed, Riku swung his Keyblade. Seeing the blur, Iwa sidestepped, ducking out of the lock.
Using his speed to his advantage, Iwa raced around the pair as he summoned balls of dark energy. Once encircled, he launched them. Forced back to back, Ushio and Riku deflected ball after ball. With their focus turned to them, Iwa rushed Riku. Riku, not expected the sudden increase of force, was slow to guard. One strike send him and by extension Ushio sprawling back.
"Your fighting style is always the same, Father." Iwa said. "And despite your best attempts, Ushio, you're still too weak."
"That may be what you think." Ushio perked up. "But you're wrong."
Ushio charged the white haired boy, their weapons meeting once more. Despite the block, the move proved to be a feint as Riku appeared beside his son. Using once solid movement, he struck, sending Iwa a bit away.
"That stung." Iwa said, getting up on his feet.
"Look Iwa, don't you see. Your father is holding back for you. Please, just come back."
"Why? What's in it for you? What could you possibly remember?"
"Admittedly it's not much." Ushio spoke. "It's still mostly hazy. But I remember some of the days we spent together on the island."
"Then you should remember how I always wanted away from all this."
"That's not true." Riku said, approaching him. "I remember all those years your mother and I raised you. When you vanished, we looked for you. Even as we found that everyone had forgotten you, we persisted."
"Heh, you think this is some child running away from home tantrum? No, it's me trying to be who I really am. To get away from all that holds me back. And if what holds me back chases after me, I'll just have to destroy it."
Iwa raised his dark blade. Darkness swirled as more magic gathered at its end.
Ushio gazed to her side. She watched as Riku took a deep breath. His grip tightened as he steeled himself.
"Iwa…" Ushio muttered. While her memory had disappeared, her heart still connected. Knowing what had to happen, she followed Riku's suit.
The pair raised their Keyblades. In counterpoint to Iwa, light gathered. As the two magical attacks reached their peak, they shot off.
The twin orbs of light and dark collided. A brilliant display of lights shone as each struggled for dominance. At last, the winner revealed itself as the orb of light engulfed its opponent. With its opposing force gone, the light continued forth, taking Iwa within it.
Fading, the light dispersed to reveal Iwa kneeling in defeat. Naminé joined in as the three approached him.
"You…" Iwa stared at them.
"You talked before about last chances, but we'd never do that." Naminé outstretched her hand. "No matter when, you'll always be welcomed back."
"Heh." Iwa smiled.
Yet, instead of reaching out, darkness swirled beneath him as a corridor began appearing.
"That's the problem. We'll meet again, Mother, Father. When we do, it won't turn out like this." Iwa said as he sank into the corridor. "Ushio, know this. You may be fine living in your parents' shadows, but I'm not. I know you'll eventually realized what I did and seek out your own path. Let go of all that's come before and carve your own destiny."
The portal closed as Iwa vanished completely. As the three were left by themselves, Riku placed his arm around Naminé.
"Ushio, you go on ahead and find the other. We'll meet up with you later."
Understanding the situation, Ushio nodded. She knew that her path with Iwa was far from done. Yet, she pushed on as the ending came closer.
—
"Long ago, a man once sought knowledge. He was a wise man who knew much. Though he possessed great power and wisdom, he always wanted to know more. As he went out to seek this knowledge, he vanished. Time passed and this was lost to time. Yet, it is said that he is still out there, seeking the object of his quest."
The familiar word filled the darkness as a hooded figure sat in the flower filled field, speaking to himself.
"I suppose more of the story should be told now. See, for when this man went out into the worlds to seek this knowledge, he found those on journeys like his. These individuals sought many things close to their own hearts. Knowing this, he gathered them under one banner. When the time was right, they revealed themselves to the world. As they sought the source of their desires, a great conflict erupted. Many more were swept up in this search one man started. Yet, the one who sought what their hearts called for found an ending. Some found their desires while others fell short of their goal. Still, the wise man who had originally set out seeking knowledge stood above it all. Thus the story is so far written. The ending is yet to come. Go forth guardians of light! Reveal what will lie beyond!"