Sora, Akira, Donald and Goofy panted heavily, their power completely spent. The golden heart on Akira's back had long since vanished, materializing itself as her trusty staff in her hand once more. Though, after the incredible ordeal they had just overcome, it would be near impossible to find the strength to continue fighting…
After the massive explosion following Ansem's demise, the Door to Darkness had made its appearance once more, looking just as it had before the momentous battle. Its brilliant sheen illuminated the empty realm of darkness, a beacon of light in the endless abyss. Ansem showed himself once more to his vanquishers, appearing between them and the door in a last-ditch attempt to claim an impossible victory. He was thoroughly defeated, speaking with bated breath as he struggled to merely keep himself afloat.
"It is futile," he winced through gritted teeth, clutching his chest as pain shot through every corner of his body, "The Keyblade alone cannot seal the door to darkness." Even as he toiled to simply keep his breath steady, Ansem turned to face the regal door he had worked so hard to acquire, hungrily reaching his arm towards it. He had sacrificed too much to allow it to end here; his goal was almost in his grasp. "Kingdom Hearts!" he beseeched, "Fill me with the power of darkness…"
They watched his final plea with widened eyes. Surely, a door of that size wouldn't open with a single request… Yet, whatever entity that resided within deemed his entreaty worthy. The door opened just a crack, barely wide enough to let a person through, but it had opened enough to grant Ansem his ultimate wish; tendrils of thick darkness seeped from the crack, shadowing the brilliant door with a hazy and ominous smoke.
No! You must stop him NOW!
Akira barely had a moment to process her staff's words. A searing pain suddenly burned her fingers as the metal staff in her grip grew incredibly hot. She let out a piercing shriek as the agony pulsed through her entire body. Blisters began to form on her hand as her red glove disintegrated in the heat. She let out a string of tortuous cries as she struggled to release her staff from her hand to no avail. Her weapon had stuck itself to her completely, threatening to burn her hand off as the temperature rose sharply.
The incredible darkness… it burns…
Concerned by her sudden change in demeanour, Sora, Donald, and Goofy rushed to her aid. Goofy lightly touched her staff in an attempt to remove it from her hand but quickly recoiled when the heat seared his fingers. Donald swiftly enveloped her hand with a healing spell in a desperate attempt to assuage the pain, but all it did was delay the inevitable.
"What's going on? Akira, what's happening!?" Sora asked anxiously.
She gritted her teeth, barely able to speak. The intense pain took over her mind, cutting off her ability to think clearly. She just wanted this to stop. It had to stop. This pain had to stop before it took her down with it…
Find the light… within… the darkness…
"Akira, hold on. We'll find a way to help you!" Sora's voice cracked as he placed both hands on her shoulders. He helplessly watched as she struggled under the weight of her own weapon, unable to pry it from her hands. Donald was doing everything in his power to keep the pain at bay, but even he was exhausted after their strenuous fight. Sora had to do something
"The light…" Akira blurted out with a strained breath, "… in the darkness."
"What?" Sora asked, quickly bending his head towards her to hear her words.
"Find the light… within the darkness…"
"The light within the darkness?" he repeated. What could that possibly mean? Unless… Sora's head shot up as he suddenly understood. Kairi's grandmother had a story that spoke of something very similar. A flicker of light within a sea of great darkness, a single glimmer of hope to guide him when all seemed lost…
"Supreme darkness!" Ansem cried, his voice echoing across the endless abyss with a horrific boom. His lips curved into a sinister grin as he watched the darkness pour from the door with delight. He spread his arms, ready to receive the blessing of darkness he so desperately craved.
Sora nodded to Akira, wordlessly communicating his understanding. He released his hands from her shoulders and turned to face Ansem, his brows furrowed and his eyes filled with an unshakable resolve. "You're wrong," he said firmly, "I know now, without a doubt. Kingdom Hearts… is light!"
The tendrils of darkness that slithered from the crack in the door suddenly burst into a brilliant light. It burned Ansem's eyes and skin as he recoiled from the luminous display, covering his eyes as the light surrounded him. "L-light?" he choked, "But… why?"
The incandescence seeped into his skin as the light spewing from his prize betrayed his desires. He slowly felt the last of his strength leave him as the light engulfed him completely, its warm embrace a strange and soothing feeling as he drew his last breath. And as he closed his eyes for the final time, he vanished in a flicker of light, leaving not so much as a trace behind.
Akira sharply exhaled as the metal in her hand grew cold once more. The sudden change in temperature stung her newly formed blisters, piercing some of them as she uncurled her fingers. Her staff withdrew in a flash of light, leaving nothing but the frayed cuff of her now singed glove behind. She delicately flicked her wrist and allowed the tattered cuff to fall, taking care to reduce the sting as much as possible.
"Show me your hand," Donald quacked. Without giving her a second to react, he took her hand in his and focused a new healing spell on her searing burns.
"Are you okay?" Sora asked her, nervously placing a hand on her shoulder.
She bit her lip and nodded quickly as the sting of Donald's healing spell soothed the burn. Although the spell cooled and pacified her injuries, the initial sting as it traversed through her skin hurt almost as much as the burning metal itself.
"But what happened there?" Goofy asked, scratching his chin.
"I think… my staff is sensitive to the darkness that was coming from that door," Akira explained. It was far from what she truly believed, but the pain in her hand made it difficult to think about anything else in that moment.
"But Sora figured out that there's a light that always shines in the darkness, didn't ya?" Goofy gave him cheerful smile, his heart swelling with pride for his friend.
"Yeah, and it defeated Ansem once and for all," Akira said, grinning at Sora as Donald finished patching up her hand.
Sora nervously scratched the back of his head, his cheeks flushing red. "It was really nothing, guys… besides, we're not done yet."
"We have to close that door," Donald quacked, releasing Akira's hand as he withdrew his staff, "To stop the Heartless and the darkness once and for all!"
"Then, let's get going," Sora said firmly. He confidently nudged Akira's shoulder before taking off towards the sandy trail leading to the gleaming door, soaring quickly through the air as the leftover smoke and haze whipped through the spikes in his hair. Donald, Goofy, and Akira followed suit, spreading their arms out as they flew towards their destination. The pain had numbed in Akira's hand thanks to Donald's efforts, but the cold breeze still found a way to sting her wound.
Akira, I apologize… you must know I did not mean to hurt you.
"I figured as much," she whispered, "Was it… Kingdom Hearts?"
No. The Realm of Darkness was expelling a darkness unlike any I had ever seen before. Thankfully, Sora's efforts helped put a stop to it, but he did not do it alone.
"Wait, what? What do you mean?"
I sense… light.
"Light?" she repeated, "How in the world is there light in the Realm of Darkness?"
I am just as perplexed as you are. Come, let us see for ourselves.
Akira blinked in confusion before nodding, accepting her staff's words. By the time she arrived onto the sandy white trail, her comrades had already landed and were scurrying towards the door as fast as they could. From afar, the door already looked large and imposing but, now that they found themselves just mere steps away, the door almost seemed to reach the sky. The tiny crack from which the terrible darkness seeped was more of a staggering opening, making the task of closing it seem dauntless and near impossible. Still, they had to try.
Donald and Goofy slammed their palms on one side of the double door's surface, pressing all of their weight against it. Sora and Akira planted themselves on the other door, with Sora mimicking Donald and Goofy's approach while Akira pushed with her shoulder so as not to irritate her wound. They focused all that remained of their strength into pushing the door, their feet sliding in the sandy ground from the force. Goofy stopped for a moment to catch his breath and peered through the doors. Shocked by what he saw, he gasped loudly and frightened the small duck at his side, whom jumped with surprise.
"Stop staring and keep pushing!" Donald barked at his comrade.
"Fellas, look at that!" Goofy called as he pointed to what lay beyond the opening, ignoring Donald's protests.
Intrigued by his sudden plea, the other three ceased their efforts and peered through the gap in the doors, though they almost wished they hadn't. Amidst the grotesque columns and pillars that jutted from the floor and walls in the Realm of Darkness, countless pairs of yellow eyes popped from pools of darkness in the ground, growing in number with each passing moment. Shadow Heartless began to flood the realm, gazing at the regal doors and the heroes behind it with an empty, lifeless gaze.
"The Heartless?" Donald quacked, eyes wide with shock.
"Hurry! We have to close it before they get to us!" Akira cried.
The four of them immediately resumed pushing the door, mustering their strength with even more vigour than before. Yet, no matter how hard they tried, no matter how hard they pushed, the enormous doors refused to move so much as an inch. Sora sighed dejectedly as despair began to consume him. "I just… can't…" he groaned.
"Don't give up!"
That voice… was too clear to simply be in their heads. Too kind to be a far-off memory. Too real to be a distant dream. And that gloved hand that had suddenly appeared from behind the double doors, pulling them shut with all its might, was one that they knew very, very well.
"Come on, you two!" Riku called from behind the double doors, "Together, we can do it!"
Sora and Akira could barely believe their eyes. The threat of Heartless had all but vanished from their minds. Riku, the real Riku, stood naught but a few inches away, exactly how they remembered him. They wanted nothing more than to plead with him to simply take a few steps forward and save himself, to grab at him and pull him to their side, to finally be one step closer to finding their friends and bringing them home, and yet… one simple look into his deep, aquamarine eyes dashed all their hopes. He had no intention of moving. He had no intention of allowing them to save him. His heart had decided his fate, and it was to put the regal and imposing Door to Darkness between them.
Let him follow his heart.
Akira knew this to be true, from the very depths of her own. And though it hurt to face, she had no choice but to accept it. With a small nod in his direction, she continued to push the door with all her might.
Sora reluctantly accepted and continued his efforts as well, though his own heart had trouble accepting this cruel twist of fate. Riku gritted his teeth and focused all his strength on pulling the door from the inside, though his fingers slipped on the door's smooth surface from time to time. With his help, the doors had finally begun to move, albeit at a snail's pace. As they continued their difficult task, the Heartless behind them multiplied at an exponential rate. Larger and more ferocious types of Heartless began to make their appearance, including the massive types with a hollowed-out shape of a heart at its chest. Sora had difficulty defeating just one on his own; even as a group of five, it would be impossible to take down the horde that had just surfaced from the great darkness beyond. Riku pushed himself harder when he peeked at the danger that manifested behind him, but his rising anxiety did nothing but make his fingers slip that much more.
"It's hopeless!" Donald cried as the massive Heartless began to make their advance.
Almost as if a superior deity heard the duck's desperate pleas, the colossal Heartless suddenly vanished in eruptions of wispy, ebony smoke. The smaller Heartless either suffered the same fate or retreated to the shadows, sensing the danger. A strange and unknown force tore through the remaining threats, clearing the area in one fell swoop. They each watched the display with bated breath and widened eyes, unable to believe this entity's sheer strength. Yet, as the brilliant warmth of incandescent light began to shine behind him and as his mouse-shaped silhouette came into view, it all became clear to Donald and Goofy.
"Your Majesty!" they exclaimed, pure ecstasy filling their voices. The one they had searched for far and wide was finally within their reach, and their hearts simply burst with joy.
The King wasted no time, raising his golden Keyblade into the air. It shared the same shape as Sora's, its gleaming gold a flattering contrast to Sora's sparkling silver. "Now, Sora!" he called, his voice a piping falsetto, "Let's close this door for good!"
"Close it. Quick!" Donald barked at the teen, following his king's words without question.
Sora furrowed his brows. He couldn't possibly close it now. Not only was Riku trapped behind it, but Donald and Goofy's king as well… The people they sacrificed so much to find were finally within reach, and he simply couldn't just throw this chance away. "But –"
"Sora…" the King began.
Sora pursed his lips and picked up his head, listening to the King with a pained expression.
The King turned his head, locking his gaze with Sora's. His smile was filled with a gentle kindness that reached his resolved eyes. "Don't worry," he said softly, "There will always be a door to the light."
"Sora, you can trust King Mickey," Goofy added with a warm smile of his own.
"Hurry, Sora. They're coming!" Riku said urgently, sensing the skittering footsteps of the Heartless that no longer feared the light radiating from the King.
King Mickey turned to face his loyal subjects as they struggled to close the door. They had heeded his words without question and followed the path leading to him with strong wills and even stronger hearts. Words could never describe the gratitude he felt for them but, in that moment of urgency, they were all he had. "Donald, Goofy… thank you," he said sincerely.
They accepted his simple words with a small nod and threw themselves into their task. Each one pulled and pushed on the doors with renewed vigour, focusing every ounce of strength they had. With their combined efforts, the doors began to move to a close. The King dealt with any approaching Heartless that dared sully their efforts. And, with a final shove, the doors began to swing to a close. Donald and Goofy released their door while Sora and Akira gave theirs one final push. In a desperate attempt to see Riku one final time, Sora scurried towards the ever-closing gap between the doors, watching him with pained eyes as his heart searched for any way to convince him to stay…
Riku's gaze met his one final time. And, with a tender smile on his face, he imparted a final plea on his best friend. "Take care of her."
His penitent face was the last thing Sora saw before the doors creaked to a close.
Sora's heart ached; the way it had when his islands disappeared, when he looked into Kairi's lifeless eyes, and when Akira had been taken from them… and, no matter how much he wished for it, he knew there was nothing he could do other than lock the Door to Darkness once and for all. Holding his inner pain back, he drew his Keyblade into his hand and hoisted it into the air, mustering all his power into his weapon.
Though they couldn't see him, King Mickey did the same. With both their Keyblades perfectly in tune, a magical dust began to radiate from their weapons, glittering as the power within was called forth. The gleaming door reacted to the power of the Keyblades and began to glow in a warm and brilliant light. Beams of light shot from the ground, covering the door as its intricate details began to fade into the florescence. They watched the amazing display unfold before them, witnessing the power of both Keyblades with wonder. And with a final flash of light, the door faded from view, leaving nothing behind but the winding road ahead.
They stood in utter silence for a moment, allowing the gravity of the situation sink in. Ansem was defeated. The Door to Darkness was shut and locked. This was everything they had worked so hard to achieve, and yet all they could see was darkness… and a path leading into the unknown.
"They're… gone," Donald said softly, breaking the silence between them as he gazed to the road ahead. Goofy placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder but said nothing.
Akira had found herself at a loss for words as well and, judging by the quiet that filled her mind, her staff had no words to spare either. Donald had spoken the words that echoed in her heart, the words that did nothing to alleviate the situation or lift their spirits. They simply repeated in an endless loop, hoping to finally find a way to sink in.
They're gone.
The pain had long since left the scars forming on her hand, but she wondered if they had just slipped into her heart instead.
Sora sniffled, breaking her out of her trance. She softly turned her head and laid eyes on him, but the sight of his pain was another dagger in her heart. Maybe the weight of the situation had caught up with him already… "Sora," was all she could say.
"I know it's what he wanted," Sora's voice cracked, "But that doesn't make this… any easier."
Akira let a small sigh escape her lips as she watched the anguish rise from his frown to his eyes. The sight alone was enough to shatter her heart. Yet, she felt a strange reminiscence of the time Sora lost his weapon in Hollow Bastion. He had the same look on his face…
She had given him hope before. She can do it again. "Sora?" she asked quietly, pursing her lips into a muted smile, "Do you remember that time when you got your foot stuck in the dock on the mainland?"
Sora cleared his throat. "I do. Riku pulled me out while you and Kairi looked for first-aid supplies."
"And when Kairi fell out of the coconut tree during the fishing festival?"
"He was there to catch her. She didn't get hurt at all."
"And that annoying kid in third grade that wouldn't stop bullying me?"
Sora snorted, stifling a laugh. "I remember Riku threw an eraser at him. That kid was so scared of him, he never came near you again."
"Yeah, exactly."
Even though his lips formed a smile, his eyes couldn't hold back the tears that welled inside him as he recalled all his happiest memories with Riku. Memories of playing and racing on the beach, chatting on the paopu tree, gazing at the endless ocean that held so many hopes and dreams… Those days felt so far away now.
"He's gone," Sora choked before approaching her, pulling her into a hug before burying his face into her shoulder, hiding the tears that fell from his eyes.
Akira was taken aback for a moment before wrapping her arms around him as well, allowing him a moment to mourn. Even after taking this wild and crazy adventure with her, she was surprised at how much of an airhead he could still be… She let out a small giggle as her lips traced a smile. "No, Sora," she responded quietly, "Riku has gotten us out of so many problems and cleaned up so many of our messes. It's about time we helped him out, don't you think?"
She felt his strained breathing become normal as her words sank into his heart. She hadn't the slightest idea how they would even begin such an endeavour. But, she refused to believe he was completely lost to them. Not yet.
Sora pulled himself away from her, wiping what mist remained on his eyes with his hands. When he pulled his arms away, a bright and beaming smile awaited her. "You're right. He can't do anything without us," he said, the resolve clear in his voice.
Akira chuckled, crossing her arms. "No matter how much he denies it," she responded.
"What are you two prattling on about?" Donald quacked as he angrily stomped towards them with Goofy following closely at his side, "Riku is with His Majesty. He's completely fine."
"In case you missed it, Donald, they're physically stuck in the Realm of Darkness," Akira sneered, narrowing her eyes at the duck, whom did not take her little bout of sarcasm very well.
"Well, we just gotta bust them outta there, right?" Goofy suggested with a grin.
Sora snickered, shrugging his shoulders. "Easier said than done."
"Well, let me know when you guys figure it out! I have to show His Majesty everything I've written!"
The tiny voice that had just spoken squeaked from the top of Goofy's head. They blinked in confusion before Jiminy Cricket himself climbed out of the fold in Goofy's hat, carrying a slightly worn and very thick journal.
Akira laughed, her voice filled with joy and relief. "Jiminy!"
"You certainly choose the weirdest moments to show up, don't you?" Donald fumed as Goofy raised his palm to his head for the little cricket to climb on.
"Ahem," Jiminy cleared his throat, shooting Donald a glare, "As the Royal Chronicler, it wouldn't do for me to put myself headfirst into danger."
"So, it's better if we do?"
"Donald!" Sora snapped.
"This journal had better be worth it!" the duck grumbled, crossing his arms.
"I'm certain you'll find that it is," Jiminy explained with a proud grin, "I still have a few more things to write, but I must say, I'm quite proud of it! You're welcome to read it if you wish, though it seems to be getting pretty full…"
"I guess we'll have to find you a new journal, huh?" Akira asked.
"Well, we've got plenty of time for that," Donald quacked, gesturing to their surroundings, "We don't even know where we are, let alone how to get out of here."
"Gawrsh, I think following this road is our best bet," Goofy surmised, scratching his head as he gazed towards the winding road that lay ahead.
"I agree," Jiminy added, "Plus, it'll give me some time to add the finishing touches to my journal."
"Well, I'm all for it," Akira grinned, mimicking Sora's signature mannerism by placing both her hands behind her head.
Donald sighed. "I suppose we have no other choice… what do you think, Sora?"
Sora pursed his lips into a smile. "It's as good a place to start as any," he said cheerfully.
"Then it's settled," Goofy stated as he placed Jiminy on his hat once more, "We're off to find Riku and the King!"
"But first," Akira interrupted, dropping her hands to her side once more, "What's that sound?"
The group strained their ears, hoping to catch a snippet of whatever she was hearing. Akira creased her brows; she knew whatever she was hearing sounded familiar, but she just couldn't put her finger on it…
"Sound?" Donald asked curiously, "I don't hear anything…"
"Are you sure?" she prodded, "It sounds just like –"
She gasped. No. It couldn't be. I just couldn't. "The ocean," she whispered.
Sora's eyes widened as he caught on to her hints. "Wait, you don't mean –"
One look at her shocked expression was all the confirmation he needed. It was exactly as he thought; she heard the ocean of the Destiny Islands. And as the sound of the crashing waves grew louder, filling his mind with peace and nostalgia, he simply couldn't deny her suspicions.
"I don't understand," he said quickly, examining the ground beneath his feet, "Why are we hearing this? Why –"
"Sora, look!" Akira interrupted, pointing her finger urgently to the white stone pedestal in the distance.
Sora averted his gaze towards the spot where the winding road began. He was utterly confused. Nothing lay beyond the small pile of white pedestals they had landed on after their fight with Ansem; nothing but a vast and empty abyss of smoke and darkness. What could possibly be more important than the sound of rushing water filling the air, the sound of their ocean dancing on the wind? And as he lay eyes on the young woman standing on the edge of the road, nervously checking her surroundings and seemingly lost, the mere thought of the ocean on the Destiny Islands was all but a distant dream for him.
Kairi.
Sora couldn't even think. It was a miracle he remembered to breathe at all. He couldn't recall when his legs had started moving but, before he knew it, he had broken into a sprint, desperately closing the distance between himself and Kairi.
Akira wanted to do the same; she so badly wanted the same. Her feet gave her the few steps she craved. But, as soon as she had begun, she had slowed to a stop not more than a few steps away from Donald and Goofy. She watched with mixed emotions as Sora closed in on their old friend, but she simply couldn't will herself to move as well. "Kairi…" she breathed, "But how?"
Is it not obvious?
Of course it was. The sound of the ocean. Kairi's sudden appearance in a world on the brink of destruction. It was so, so, so obvious.
The threat of the Heartless has been halted. The Door to Darkness has been sealed. All the worlds that had fallen to the darkness will now return to the light. You've done it, Akira. You've restored your islands.
If this is what it meant to triumph, to be victorious, to finally attain the goal that she had worked so hard for… why did her heart ache?
Why does it hurt you so?
She did it. They did it. They made the impossible happen. They pulled her home from the depths of darkness and blanketed it in light once more. The townspeople were saved, as were the buildings, the trees, that hidden cove on the play island. Her father… her brilliant and sometimes aggravating father whom she never said goodbye to, he must be safe as well. And yet… and yet…
"I can't go back," she whispered, curling her hand into a loose fist and gently placing it on her heart.
Your journey hasn't ended yet.
She sniffed, attempting to clear the lump in her throat. How ironic and cruel the fickle and fragile heart can be. She was finally living her dream: to see the worlds far beyond her own, to learn of what lay beyond her tiny borders. And still she wished for nothing more than to lie in the sand by the rolling tide, just as she had always done before.
Do you regret it?
"No…" she whispered, her lips curving into a soft smile, "I would have regretted it more had I never left. But I have to say, I'm a little homesick…"
Wistful longings can plague even the strongest of wills.
She chuckled in response. She wondered if her staff was able to see the tender smile on her lips; she wondered if it knew she smiled for it from time to time… "I'm so sad. So, so, sad. I want to spend time chatting with Kairi again. I want Sora and I to sit on the beach and watch the ocean again. I actually want Riku to call me lazy again… can you believe it? But I've… never been so happy either. I never realized how miserable I was to simply watch my life pass before my eyes, living in this cage I built around my heart. I…ugh, I don't know how to put it into words…"
Emotions are often difficult to describe with eloquence. But I think I understand what you're trying to say. You've come a long way from being a simple islander basking in the sun, haven't you?
Akira nodded. "And you know what?" she giggled, "I wouldn't trade it for the world."
"Akira!"
She blinked at the sound of Donald and Goofy's voices calling her name as they scurried to her side, their expressions a mix of worry and concern. "Aren't you going to say goodbye to Kairi? This might be your last chance," Donald asked in an anxious tone.
Say goodbye to Kairi… she knew she'd have to face that dreadful thought eventually. Goodbyes were never easy, and the mere thought of saying such a thing to someone she loved so much was almost heart-shattering.
She picked up her head, gazing to the horizon. Sora had almost reached Kairi, and the sand beneath her feet had begun to take on the golden hue Akira remembered so vividly. The time had finally come and yet…
"No," she responded.
Goofy put a hand on her shoulder in concern. "Akira, are you sure?"
"Goodbyes are just… too hard."
"You can't think like that," Donald quacked urgently, shaking his head, "What if you regret it later on?"
Akira sighed, turning around to face them. Doing her absolute best to keep the fragile smile on her lips from contorting into a painful frown, she responded. "Then I'll just have to promise myself I won't. I'm going to go home one day, once all of this is over. Why say goodbye if… it isn't really?"
"What?" Donald exclaimed, furrowing his brows, "You can't be serious!"
"You're right, Akira."
Donald immediately blinked at Goofy, completely taken aback by his sudden response. "What are you –"
"And I'll make sure you don't regret it!" Goofy continued, keeping his gaze on the young teen, "Once we find Riku and the King, I'll make sure you and Sora get home safely. That's a promise."
Akira placed her hand on her face, hiding her smile and quivering lip from them. "Goofy… thank you," she said sincerely. She scratched her cheek as she sniffed, her smile forming into a wide, toothy grin. "Besides, I have to find more stories to tell her once I do go back home."
"That sounds like something another adventure will fix right up," Goofy chuckled before averting his attention to the duck, "Whaddaya say, Donald?"
Donald pursed his lips to match his frown, placing a hand on Akira's arm. "I promise I'll bring you two home once this is over…"
At the sound of their simple words, Akira couldn't keep the tears from rising to her eyes. She knelt down, pulling them both into a loose hug as she allowed the tears to fall freely. "You two…" she choked over the immense gratitude she felt, "… are the best friends anyone could ask for."
Donald and Goofy returned her hug, watching her with tender gazes. "Are you sure you won't regret it?" Donald asked once more.
Akira shook her head. "No, I won't."
She wiped the mist that remained on her eyes as she rose to her feet once more. Goofy gave her a small pat on the shoulder before he spoke. "Alright, then let's get to following that road."
Akira tilted her head to the side. "But, what about –"
"Aw, Sora will catch up when he can," Donald quacked, waving his hand dismissively, "We'll just get a head start."
Akira and Goofy nodded. They each turned to face the unending road that wound before them, leading them into the unknown. For all they knew, they could find an onslaught of danger, hardships, or even nothing at all. Yet, no matter what awaited them in the distance, they were certain they would overcome it with ease. There was something strangely comforting about facing the worst the world had to offer with your friends by your side…
Akira took a deep breath before taking her first step. She couldn't turn around and glance at Kairi one last time; she hardly trusted her heart to hold up long enough for just a simple glimpse. Yet, no matter how far this road would take her, she knew Kairi would remain ever close in her heart. She made a promise to see her again; a promise to bring home stories beyond her wildest dreams, and a promise to show her all the amazing sights she had seen. Such a simple oath, but it carried all the courage she needed to face the journey ahead. And, as they marched down the path as the light began to engulf what remained of that broken and desolate world, Akira walked tall.
Meanwhile, Sora had reached Kairi without a moment to lose; the ground rumbled beneath his feet and he knew his time was about to run out. "Kairi!" he called desperately.
"Sora!" she responded as he skidded to a halt before her.
The ground beneath them separated with a harsh quake, causing Kairi to stumble. Sora swiftly grabbed her arm, keeping her upright as she regained her balance. While Sora remained firmly planted on the shimmering, white ground, Kairi began to feel the golden sand beneath her feet softly drift away. She held onto Sora's arm with all the strength she had, but the pull of the land began to loosen their grips on each other. Sora leaned forward in a desperate attempt to hold onto her as long as he possibly could. He knew his fate. He knew what would come to pass. All he wanted was a bit more time. Just a simple moment to speak the words of his heart.
"Kairi? Remember what you said before?" he called as his hand slipped into hers, "I'm always with you too. I'll come back to you, I promise!"
He had to come back. He had to. He had to bring Akira home. He had Kairi's charm as well, and she'd never forgive him if he failed to return it. As the sandy beach beneath her pulled her far enough away for only their fingertips to remain together, she also spoke directly from her heart. "I know you will!"
And as the beach pulled her away once more, their hands parted.
Sora kept his arm stretched out, calling Kairi's name repeatedly as his voice began to drown in the rising clamour surrounding them. Flecks of sand began to swirl around the edge of land that Kairi stood on, reforming the beach as it grew larger and larger. Kairi sighed in defeat, cupping her hands together as she looked to the ground. She understood what was happening; she felt it deep within her heart. And yet… why did such a happy occasion leave her with such sadness…
A small light drifted into her cupped hands, its soft glow illuminating her skin. Her eyes widened with curiosity as she lifted her head, gazing at the sky. Countless orbs of light coasted aimlessly around her, surrounding her in a shower of golden stardust. Sora retracted his hand, taken aback by the sudden beauty that swirled around them. Like millions of fragile stars, the light danced in a dreamlike waltz, illuminating the desolate darkness before fizzling to dust as they hit the ground. The lights that touched the ground behind Kairi suddenly burst into a shimmer of stars as palm trees and hills sprouted from the ground. Every sight etched in Kairi's memory took form around her as the Destiny Islands were restored, from the striking coconut trees and leafy vegetation to the wooden bridges and railings leading to every corner of the island. The dock formed once more as she watched the ocean tide roll in, the water filled with leftover shimmering dust as it sank into the sand.
She gazed out towards the ocean as whatever remained of that dark world slowly disappeared in a sea of light. She watched with a pained gaze as Sora began to fade from view, engulfed in the warm glow of the ocean. Yet, before he disappeared, she could swear she heard him call her name…
Shooting stars burst from the light that had taken him from her, sailing into the atmosphere as they took their rightful place as stars in the sky. How fitting that her last image of Sora would turn into the stars that dotted the sky. Then again, he was always the one to bring the light into their world.
The last shooting star burst into a brilliant light as the sun returned to the Destiny Islands, fully completing it. Seagulls cawed from the treetops as the setting sun bathed the sky in hues of crimson and gold. Kairi always adored watching the sun set into the ocean from the islet; how fortunate that the sun would show her such a magnificent view just as she returned. It was just as she remembered. It almost felt as if she never left. Yet, to witness this beautiful sight alone felt like such a sin…
She cupped her hands to her chest and breathed in deeply. The ocean tide rolled onto the beach with vigour, the sound of travelling waves and splashing salt water filling the air. It almost reminded her of Riku; tempestuous and strong yet calm and collected. She raised her eyes and took in the brilliant light of the sunset, gazing at the sky. How she missed the warmth of the sun on a clear day, bathing the island in a gentle embrace. She almost wanted to laugh; it reminded her so much of Akira. Rays of sunlight were quiet and unassuming, yet tender and warm with a fiery power hidden within. Kairi wondered if she would take a moment to find Sora in her surroundings, but he had already shown himself to her in the stars.
The sun still had quite some time left before it fully set, yet the night stars had already begun to dot the sky, almost as if they knew she was watching. Though her friends were far away, they still somehow found a way to stay by her side; for if they would not watch the beautiful scene with her, the least they could do was paint it for her. And as a solitary tear began to roll down her cheek, Kairi smiled.
The sun still bathed the islands in a crimson glow by the time Kairi pulled into the docks of the main island. She had found her boat exactly where she left it on the night of the storm just beside Riku's, though it was surrounded by planks of broken, resin-coated wood. She recognized the third boat at the dock to be Sora's, but she quickly banished the rest of that thought from her mind as she climbed into hers. She didn't want to imagine what happened to Akira for her boat to be in such a state of disrepair…
The ocean had remained calm throughout her journey back with nothing but the soft splash of her oar paddling through the water to keep her occupied. Such a stark contrast from the last time she found herself in that very boat. She almost wished the ocean had given her a bit of a challenge; perhaps then her mind wouldn't have allowed itself to run rampant with grim thoughts. What will she do when she finally makes it back home? What does she tell her parents? What does she tell Sora, Riku, and Akira's parents when she shows up without them? She swallowed hard as she tied her boat to the dock, tugging the rope into a tight knot. It was so easy to make promises to each other when the final battle was upon them; it was so easy to keep the hope alive in her heart until they fulfill their promise and return to her. But now… how does she even begin her life anew without them?
"Hindsight and whatnot," she thought to herself as she followed the road towards the town, keeping her gaze to the ground.
"Kairi?"
She suddenly froze. She recognized that voice and, goodness, she wished she hadn't heard it. She simply wasn't prepared to face this just yet. She exhaled deeply as she raised her eyes to meet his, hoping some of her anxieties would somehow leave her as well.
Akira's father watched her with a pained yet hopeful gaze through his black-rimmed glasses, his dark hair disheveled and his eyes bloodshot. He looked exhausted, as if he had aged several years in one night. Kairi surmised he must have worried himself sick when he found that Akira wasn't in her room but… did they know what had transpired? Did they know of the storm, the Heartless, and of the time they spent drowning in the darkness? Had time even passed for them at all? Kairi didn't want to start asking herself these questions. It was bad enough she had to begin adjusting to life without the friends she always knew. Not to mention she hadn't the slightest idea how to tell Akira's father what happened to his daughter…
"Kairi, you're safe. Thank goodness," he sighed with relief as his lips curved into a hesitant smile, though he failed to hide the cracks in his voice, "Everyone has been so flustered by that terrible storm we had. Some have even gone missing, but they're starting to turn up again. It's a relief to see you're safe."
"Y-yes, sir," she managed to say. She could hardly begin to imagine how to respond to him. He offered her such a gentle smile and yet, she couldn't ignore the sight of his trembling hand. He was struggling – and miserably failing – to keep his worry for Akira at bay, and that did nothing but make her feel worse.
He lightly chuckled at her response. "How many times have I asked you not to call me that? Just Ken is perfectly fine." He had always smiled so kindly whenever he asked her to call him by his name, but Kairi wondered if doing so would just make what she had to say to him that much harder. "Tell me," he continued, "Was Akira with you? I've searched the house top to bottom, but she isn't here."
And there it was. She could see the waning hope in his eyes as clear as day. He knew something wasn't right if his daughter was nowhere to be found, and yet he desperately clung to whatever sliver of hope he could find. And Kairi had to be the one to dash it forever. What does she say… what could she possibly say?
She soon found she didn't need words. The crease in his brow and the quiver of his lip said it all. Her silence said everything she couldn't say. "I see…" he said softly, his voice barely a whisper as he eyed the ground, sorting through every awful feeling that began to consume his heart.
"She's alright!"
Kairi wasn't certain if it was the look of misery on his face that made her do it or the sense of longing that clawed at her heart, but she blurted the words out without even thinking. Besides, what difference did it make? She couldn't bear to make a father believe his only daughter had met a tragic end. And they had come from another world when she was a child, had they not? Surely, he must know of other worlds. Surely, he must remember his life before he came to the islands. The idea of his daughter travelling from one world to the next couldn't come as a shock to him of all people…
His pensive eyes quickly snapped to meet hers following her shout. "H-how…" he began, overcome by the tiny glimmer of hope that showed itself before him.
Kairi laced her fingers together and took a deep breath before responding. "I… I don't know where they are right now, where they're going, or how long they'll be away. I just know that we have to believe in them." She slowly placed a hand on her heart as she pursed her lips into a smile. "I did what I could to protect them and my path led me back here. They just have a few small things left to take care of." She snickered through her teeth at the thought. She wasn't certain she'd call finding, saving and bringing Riku home a small thing. "But I know they'll come home as soon as they can. So, please… don't worry about Akira. I know she wouldn't want that."
Ken's glasses slid ever so slightly down the bridge of his nose, but he failed to notice. His eyes widened with every word he took in, solving her cryptic puzzle with sudden ease. "Come home?" he breathed, "You don't mean to say… you have seen the worlds beyond?"
She gave him a soft nod in response. He placed his hand on his head in disbelief, reeling from the sudden turn their conversation had taken. It had been so many years since he allowed himself to think of the worlds beyond the borders of their islands, and now to think that Akira could be anywhere among the stars… His face suddenly fell. The thought of the outside worlds and the wonders they held would always pale in comparison with the hole that tore through his heart now that his only daughter was so far away from him.
Kairi picked up on his sudden mood shift, feeling the need to offer a small bow in apology. "I'm sorry I can't tell you more…"
She felt him softly place a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She raised her eyes to meet his, finding a gaze sick with worry and grief yet holding on to the small glimmer of hope she had given him. "Please don't apologize," he said with an encouraging smile, "I can't describe how grateful I am for all that you've told me. I know it must have been very difficult for you."
She pursed her lips into a smile and nodded.
He removed his hand from her shoulder and adjusted his glasses. "And what of Sora and Riku?"
"They're not here either."
"I see. Have you thought of what to tell their parents?"
Kairi had no response for him. Unlike Ken, the mere thought of any world existing outside their islands may seem preposterous to their parents. They were fairly content with the thought of Akira and herself having come from 'somewhere far away' and she hadn't the slightest idea how to tread on that topic, let alone inform them that their sons were not coming home…
"Well then," he said reassuringly after a brief silence, "When you feel the time is right – if you decide to do so, of course – please don't hesitate to seek me out if you need help. I'll support you."
"Thank you. I will," she nodded.
"As for me," he chuckled, "I will… do my best. To believe in them."
"I promise to do my best too," Kairi answered with a rallying smile.
He nodded his approval, overcome with pride at her display of resolve. "Well, you should be off to see your family. I'm certain they're sick with worry."
"Yes, I will," she responded.
"Good-bye, Kairi. And… thank you. For telling me about Akira."
Kairi gave him a small bow. "You're welcome. See you soon."
With a smile on her lips, Kairi bid farewell to Akira's father and began to stroll down the old familiar road towards the town. The sights and sounds around her had barely changed, yet she had changed in so many ways since the last time she lay eyes on them. And as she took in the nostalgic blend of colours and echoes that had been so familiar to her with a confident smile on her face, she knew she had to keep changing. Keep learning, keep growing, and keep the light of hope burning in her heart. Besides, who knew what threats and dangers awaited them past their bright new dawn? She had to steel herself and be ready to conquer them. Her friends could need help at any moment, and she would have to swoop in and save them at a moment's notice.
After all, those three goofballs couldn't do anything without her.
Akira's father watched Kairi for a brief moment as she walked into town before averting his gaze towards the beach. How fortunate they were to find a home on the edge of town so close to the ocean… and how terribly it had come back to bite him. Akira must have been out of the house and into her boat in a matter of minutes during the storm; the rope he had found dangling from her window and the disappearance of her boat was all the proof he needed. He could hardly imagine the amount of courage it took for her to even attempt such an act.
"You definitely get that from your mother, don't you?" he chuckled to himself as he dug his hands in his pocket.
He could hardly believe it had come to this. He never imagined a simple storm could take the one family he had left away from him. He sighed, scratching the back of his head as the calm waves rolled onto the beach with a steady swish. Of course he had prepared for something like this; a parent should always know the day would come when their children would set off into the world and spread their wings. But he never imagined it would come so soon, nor did he think she would travel so far out of reach…
Hundreds of questions flooded his mind, questions he knew would never be answered. Where did she go? What did she see? How in the heavens did she even manage to leave this world, let alone jump from one to the next? From what he remembered, it was no easy feat. Kairi may be able to answer the bulk of them, but the poor girl already mustered so much courage just to set his mind at ease. He couldn't possibly ask such a thing of her, especially since she too must have seen her fair share of hardships.
He rubbed his cheek as he watched the ocean, blinking away the mist that had formed at the corner of his eyes. It was so easy to say he'd believe in Akira, that he'd await her return with a smile on his face. But the new silence that had settled itself in his home carried a cold loneliness he wasn't certain he'd ever get used to. Had he guided her well? Was there anything more he could have done for her? To think, they argued bitterly the last time they had seen each other… that was a regret he would have a hard time forgiving himself for.
"Forgive your foolish father, Akira," he sighed as he raised his eyes to the sunset-kissed sky, "There is still so much I wish I could have given you. I may not always have it together but… I am always proud of you. I know you're working hard; I promise to do my best too."
He figured he'd try his best to keep her room clean, although it would be difficult to even enter it at first. He could almost imagine Akira's disapproving sigh and the roll of her eyes as she called him 'hopeless'. Perhaps he was a hopeless old fool. But her eventual smile and reassuring pat on the back was always enough to fill his heart with joy. She was similar to her mother in so many ways…
And if Akira was anything like her mother, he knew she would be alright, no matter where the stars would take her. All he could do was hope she'd come home soon, and pray she knew she would always have her father's pride no matter where her fate would carry her.
"Well, now what do we do?" Donald quacked.
With nowhere else to go, Sora, Donald, Akira, and Goofy had walked side by side down the white sandy path for what seemed to be hours. They hadn't the slightest idea where the path would lead them but, with nothing but an endless dark abyss waiting behind them, they had no other choice but to trust the winding road. However, luck seemed to be on their side. The suffocating darkness that filled the silence around them soon melted away into vast plains of hedges, trees, and lush greenery. The white sandy path metamorphosed into a brown dirt road and white clouds dotted the clear, blue sky. Yet, even with this new cheerful scenery, the winding road still seemed to be without end, and they found themselves just as lost as they had been before.
"We've gotta find Riku and King Mickey," Sora stated nonchalantly as he placed his hands behind his head.
"Easier said than done. We don't even know where we are," Akira quipped, digging her hands into her pockets.
"How about we start by lookin' for that there door to the light?" Goofy suggested.
"Great idea, Goofy," Donald said through narrowed eyes, "How do you propose we do that?"
They slowly came to a halt as the realization began to sink in. It was so easy to say they simply needed to save their friends and find the door to light. But finding themselves completely lost and following a road without end definitely wasn't stacking the odds in their favour. With a heavy sigh, they defeatedly slumped to the ground in dramatic fashion, their hopes dashed.
A gentle bark suddenly echoed through the plains. Sora swiftly raised his head as he snapped back to reality, curiously gazing at the road ahead. With a wag of his tail and a pep in his step, Pluto the dog trotted onto the dirt road ahead, carrying a most curious item in his mouth. Donald, Goofy, and Akira stared at the dog with mouths agape, struggling to figure out how they never noticed the dog's disappearance in the first place, let alone how he had even come to find them there.
"Pluto?" Donald quacked in utter disbelief.
"Where have you been, boy?" Goofy asked as the dog turned to face them, proudly showing the item in his mouth.
"What's he carrying?" Akira murmured, squinting her eyes to get a better look.
"I think it's a note," Sora surmised as he and his comrades stood up once more, "Or a letter."
Donald suddenly gasped. "Hey, is that –"
"That's the King's seal!" Goofy exclaimed.
Sure enough, the letter in Pluto's mouth was shut with a tiny, green seal in the shape of King Mickey's signature mouse ears. Sora cautiously addressed Pluto as the others reeled in their excitement, afraid to spook the dog away. "Hey," he gently called, "Have you seen King Mickey?"
With a wag of his tail, Pluto broke into a sprint, running off down the road. Goofy, Donald, and Akira exchanged confused glances, hardly able to believe the sudden turn their luck had taken. But, if the King had gone so far as to pen them a letter and send his most loyal companion to deliver it, then it could only mean one thing: he and Riku were safe and were likely close by.
And they would be fools not to follow such an obvious clue.
Their looks of shock broke into excited grins as Sora stepped in front of them, turning around to face them with a beaming smile of his own. "Guys… let's go!" he proclaimed, beckoning to the road ahead.
They didn't waste another second. Each scampered down the path with zeal, chasing the sprightly dog that dashed on ahead. Donald held onto his hat to keep it from falling off as Sora led the way, each one of them laughing heartily as they ran as fast as their legs could carry them. They hadn't the slightest idea where Pluto intended to take them, but they accepted the prospect with the utmost enthusiasm.
But before Akira could truly embrace the excitement of a new adventure manifesting before her, she had to take one last moment. A final look at where she'd been and a final goodbye to the person she used to be. She slowed to a halt as the others forged ahead, turning around to watch the sight they left behind them.
Trees, grass, shrubs, and a winding dirt road. The scenery she observed when she turned to look behind her was no different than what lay before them, but it held every laugh, every tear, and every hope that paved the path they followed.
Have you changed your mind?
"About my regrets?" she whispered.
Yes.
She chuckled under her breath. "You know me better than that by now, don't you?"
I figured I'd ask anyways.
The wind whistled through the trees, rustling through the leaves as it blew a few strands of hair onto her face. "You're a strange one," she quipped.
That shouldn't come as a surprise to you at this point.
"Alright, you got me," she answered, covering her mouth as she stifled her laughter, "You know, I'm glad you're here with me. You remind me of…"
Of?
She quietly inhaled as she let her hand drop to her side. A friend she could count on in her darkest times, whom she could laugh with at her happiest, whom doubled her joy and shared her pain… This voice reminded her of them. The friends she held so dearly in her heart. "Home," she responded.
Home is never as far away as you think.
"Huh?" she blinked.
Turn around, Akira.
She followed its command, slowly turning towards the winding path that extended before her. And as the wind picked up once more, carrying the leaves and petals from the flowery plains that stretched as far as the eye could see, she was met with the familiar tousle of brown, spiky hair that rustled in the wind, blue eyes as wide as the ocean, and a gleaming smile that would brighten even the worst of days.
Sora. Her home away from home. The one that had been by her side every step of the way.
"Hey, Akira," he laughed.
She could swear his voice danced on the wind as he spoke. His demeanor alone was enough to outshine the sun. There was so much she wished she could say to him, words of gratitude, joy, and admiration… but no words came to her. His name alone was enough to bring a smile to her face; and that is exactly what she settled on. "Sora!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands with a grin.
"Haha, that's me," he chortled, placing both hands behind his head, "So, why did you stop? Is everything okay?"
She placed a finger on her cheek, her smile never leaving her face. "Yes, but… I just realized something: we really have no idea where we're going or what we're doing, do we?"
"I guess we don't. Is that bad?" he responded with a nervous laugh.
"No… that's the best part."
He let out another hearty laugh before beckoning towards Donald and Goofy, whose rambunctious laughs filled the air as they chased Pluto down the winding road. "Well, at least we have one clue. So, what do you say? Ready for another adventure?"
He reached his hand out to her, his lips curved into his most brilliant smile yet, and Akira felt nothing but delight. Everything would be alright as long as she took his hand, and she could never ask for a better companion as she went through this wild adventure.
She took his hand in hers, offering him her most enthusiastic grin. "You know it!"
With a tug on her arm, Sora broke into a sprint. Akira ran as fast as her legs would carry her, keeping up with Sora's speed as they darted towards their friends hand in hand, the air filled with the sound of their spirited laughter. They had no idea where they were going but, as long as they were together, nothing was impossible.
And as they dashed down the winding road leading into the unknown, Akira heard the gentle voice of her staff speak to her one final time.
Friendship is one of life's greatest gifts. You will illuminate the paths of those you keep in your heart, just as their light has carried you through your own trials. Do not forget, Akira: in times of joy, cherish the ones you hold dear. In times of darkness, look to them to guide you. And if you find yourself weary, lost, or alone, simply remember…
May your heart be your guiding key.
A/N: It's a strange feeling to look back and see how far we've come. This story is so different now compared to its original upload. Even after completing it, I still worry about it, to be honest; that I forgot some details, that some scenes were too long, some were too short, some made no sense, some weren't cohesive... and honestly, I think I'll be worrying about it long after its end, haha.
However, I can't even begin to express my gratitude to you for reading this story and sticking with it to its end. If my words put a smile on your face, if this story brought you joy, then... that is the greatest thing I could ask for.
The sequel to this story is called Forgotten, and it's posted on my profile. I'm incredibly excited to continue on this wild ride and see where it takes us!
Once again, thank you so much for coming on this journey with me. I hope to see you in Forgotten!
-Lunar Abyss