Dark Empathy
A Kingdom Hearts Fan-Fiction

Average Read Time: 8 mins

Prologue

History:

Years ago, Sora and Riku lived on Destiny Islands as children, and grew up as best friends. Kairi had moved to the island soon after, and joined the boys. Yet there had also been one other member from that group of friends. Riku had had a younger brother, named Ryne. Before Kairi had even moved to the Island, it was always those three doing everything together.

But the day that Kairi had moved to the island, Ryne had discovered the door to the other worlds, in the cave on Destiny Islands. It had been unlocked at that time, and it was opened. Ryne had been pulled inside, by the darkness. And as soon as his body had been consumed, the door shut tight, and was sealed the next time anyone had seen the door. And those next people had been Riku and Sora when they were still children.

As the door to darkness had shut, the memories of Ryne had faded into the darkness as well. Any recollection of memory, or thoughts on the boy that anyone had ever had, was erased. It was as though the boy had never existed. And it stayed that way for a long while. Until the day Riku himself, had stepped out of the darkness, and came back to the light. That was 10 years later, when the day had come that Riku and Sora had defeated Xemnas together.

Ryne had been confined in The World That Never Was. The Organization knew of his presence there, but could never find him. They resorted in just ignoring him, and focusing their attentions on Roxas instead. Ryne himself had become a Nobody, when Riku had lost his heart. When he had become lost to darkness. For a long while, Ryne had been in pain, because of his brother's foolish decisions. But as soon as the darkness had been filled up with light, Ryne had become whole again. And that was when his calling had been heard, and freedom had reigned.

Now Ryne travels the worlds, trying to find his purpose. He doesn't dwell on the past, nor does he find it necessary to bring it back or search for it even. Yet to this day, he still wonders if the memories of him ever came back to those he had loved dearly.

Present Day:

Months had come and gone since the incident with Xemnas. Ryne had accepted the fact that he might travel the worlds alone forever. Just as he was beginning to get used to being beside himself, he had come across Destiny Islands once again. It was different though. Off in the distance, he could see a city. He blinked a bit, watching the city in the distance. It seemed that it was only a boat ride away. It had the same island like feel, from what he could see. But it seemed to be much more modern. It didn't matter though. What really mattered was that he had finally reached his home.

After walking through the crashing waves of the ocean, and up onto the sandy shore he stopped only to see someone in the distance. He had turned to look on the small island with the Papou Tree planted there. Lying on its branches was a familiar figure with white hair, and aquamarine eyes.

Ryne could only stare at the man, as he watched the other move off of the branch. He stood straight, and turned to look back at Ryne. The two caught each other's gazes, and stared at one another with the same blue orbs. The identical bodies both moved forwards until the young man was at the edge of the island, and Ryne was at the edge of the shore.

"Ryne…" The young man whispered at an undertone.

"Riku." Ryne had replied in a similar tone to the other.

The memories had come flooding back to Riku. It was like a slap to the face, and it was almost overwhelming. There were so many thoughts, and so many misplaced recollections that he had forgotten years ago. They were back now. And he knew that he'd finally found the missing piece to his heart.

(Go to Chapter One)

© Stravik, 2006