"Are you sure about this?" Aqua asked in concern as Kairi prepared to perform a complicated magic spell. She had come a long way in her studies during the past few months thanks to her intense dedication, but this held certain risks and not just in the spell itself.
"Yes, I've been studying and practicing for almost a month now. I can do this."
Aqua gave her student a concerned look, but she did not stop her, "I'll be right here if you need me."
"Thank you, Master Aqua," Kairi smiled before taking a deep breath to collect herself. She had trained for this. Her magic was now, she dared say, better than Sora's by a decent margin assuming he had not become some archmage during his time away or something. Her physical combat was coming along nicely as well especially as she worked to incorporate her magic into her strikes. It was a tricky system, but one both she and Aqua believed had merit.
Summoning her keyblade, Kairi held it in front of her. Sora had done this plenty of times. More than anybody they knew. Perhaps, they theorized, it was because of how easily he formed bonds or perhaps the others just never had the opportunity or desire. Either way, if bonds were the key, then Kairi just might be able to do it even across the void separating them. She might be able to reach him.
She thought of him as she channeled the power through her keyblade. It was a rare ability, but one she had been researching for almost a month. She had done it a few times. Mainly with Pluto, but it had worked as a proof of concept. She could summon. Question was, could she summon him from wherever he was?
Taking one last deep breath, she raised her keyblade even higher and yelled, "Sora!"
A flash of light engulfed the room they were using in the castle causing Aqua to cover her eyes, but Kairi seemed oddly unaffected. When the light faded, Kairi's eyes widened as they looked into familiar blue eyes as Sora was bringing his keyblade down in a battle cry.
"K-Kairi?" Sora panted after dispelling his weapon before it could do any harm. Kairi could feel her eyes welling up with tears. It was him. It was really him! She tackled him in a hug, but it was hard to ignore the state he was obviously in. His clothes, magical as they were, were tattered and had seen better days though he at least seemed to be keeping his healing. He also seemed utterly exhausted, and his eyes seemed to struggle to relax even after they parted from their hug.
"Kairi…am I…am I really back?" His voice sounded so desperate that it hurt. Just what had he been through?
"I'm sorry. I just summoned you. It's only temporary," Kairi's heart nearly broke having to tell him that, "Do you know where you are?"
"I…I'm not sure. I woke up here about four months ago. There are enemies everywhere and most people don't seem to have much to say. They all seem so robotic. I…I'm tired."
"We're trying to find you!" Kairi desperately replied, "What about Riku? Haven't you seen him? He went to find you months ago. You should be in the same world."
"Riku? No, I haven't seen him."
"You haven't?" Kairi felt her throat grow dry. The idea of Riku watching Sora's back had been the only thing keeping her remotely calm enough to stay back and get stronger so that she could help him herself if she had to. Now she not only had to worry about Sora being alone, but her other childhood friend was also now potentially in danger.
"No, but I'll keep fighting," Sora replied touching his forehead to hers, "I promise that I'll come back to you. Though now I guess I gotta find Riku now too."
"Heh," Kairi giggled but her heart was not in it, "Yeah, drag his butt home."
"Kicking and screaming if I have to," Sora chuckled as he started to shimmer, "Kairi, I–"
Kairi stopped him with a finger to his lips, "I know. You can tell me when you get back."
"I…okay, I will. It's a promise," He grinned as he started to fade.
"And you always keep your promises," She smiled even as tears fell down her cheeks and Sora disappeared from her touch once again.
Kairi nearly collapsed on the floor following the exertion from such a strenuous summons. She barely caught herself with her keyblade propping her up as she struggled to get to her feat. All the while hot tears were streaming down her face as she struggled to contain her sobs.
"Don't strain yourself," Aqua replied with sympathy in her eyes. Kairi was kind of sick of that though. The pity, the sympathy. At first, she appreciated it, but now it just felt like a constant reminder that he was gone because of what he did for her. That she had not been strong enough to avoid being captured. That she was not strong enough to go after Sora herself and had to rely on Riku to bring him home.
"I have to go after him," Kairi's voice was weak but full of determination, "He's out there alone. I have to help him! He'd do it for me! He would have left a long time ago."
"Kairi, you just went through a lot. Rest and think it through. You came to me because you wanted to get stronger so that you could help him. You've been making good progress, but do you really think you're ready for something like this?"
"I don't care if I'm ready or not! I'm going."
Aqua sighed. So stubborn. Raising her hand, she whispered, "Sleep," Kairi despite her magical resistances was too weak to resist and quickly crumpled to the floor fast asleep. "You are too tired emotionally and physically. Rest for now. Revisit this another day."