Chapter Twenty-Eight: A Fleeting Dream

When I came to, I was in a bed in the Radiant Garden's castle. I sat up, feeling refreshed but groggy. I looked around, seeing only one window and no other beds in the room and a large wooden door. I stepped out of the bed, picking up my sword (which was leaning against, tucking it in my belt.

I dragged the door open, staggering forward before I fully regained consciousness. I continued to go through the grand halls until I reached the antechamber, where Sora and Riku were waiting in plush velvet chairs.

"Roy! You're awake," Sora said as I approached.

"… yeah. I'm all right," I answered.

"Look. I got my Fragment of Light from the Keyhole here," Riku said, showing me his shining green crystal.

"Then tomorrow… we…" I began, trailing off. "Tomorrow we'll end this. How's Jason?"

"He'll be fine. That wound you gave him was pretty gruesome, though. Nobody's sure if he'll heal completely, even with Aerith's help," Riku informed me.

"That's…" I muttered. "I… need to be alone," I said, walking out. I wandered around for a little while, eventually settling on a bench in the borough. I sat there and pondered what had happened, what could happen. I closed my eyes and thought deeply.

"What's troubling you?" Sora asked. I opened my eyes to see him seated on the bench next to me.

"Nothing," I lied.

"Stop lying. You always pretend like nothing's wrong, even when something is wrong," Sora said. "Just tell me already; why don't you let people help you?"

"… my father… I never bothered to ask for his help for the longest time," I said.

"Why?" Sora asked.

"He was always busy. So was my mom. I could never ask for their help, even when I wanted it. I was pretty much left at the mercy of a babysitter, and by the time my dad made enough to support us without having to pinch pennies, I didn't need much help," I replied. "And all around, my dad doesn't like being bothered with my minor problems. He complains about everything."

"You never wanted help with anything?" Sora asked.

"No… I did… but everyone was too busy. I didn't want to bother them with my problems, and you have more important things to do. So don't worry about me," I said.

"But you're my friend. I'm going to worry about you," Sora told me. "That's what friends do."

"I… guess so. Even with that, I don't want to bother you with my problems," I said, getting up. "You've been through worse than I have."

"Sure about that?" Sora asked.

"…" I didn't reply as I walked off. I continued to wander around the town, eventually settling on a rooftop. I looked out at the twilit sky, taking in a deep breath to calm myself. Riku sat down next to me a few minutes later.

"So, what's your story?" he asked. I laughed a little to myself.

"My story? What do you mean?" I asked back.

"Why are you here? Why are you fighting?" Riku asked.

"Well, two years ago… my world was attacked by a bunch of madmen intent on purifying the world," I said. "Absolute light… which, of course, excluded me. I fought and killed them. All of them."

"That's good, right? You saved everybody," Riku commented.

"… I wish it were good. Apparently, I defied my fate in doing so. That's what's messed everything up," I told him. "And that's why everything that's happened has happened. It's worse…" I trailed off.

"What?" Riku asked.

"My hands were bloodied the day my journey began. After a year, they were stained with the blood of my enemies… and also my friends," I told him.

"You… killed your own friends?" Riku asked in horror.

"Only Jason and Serenity. Jason was accidental… and Serenity was already dead," I told him. "I brought them all back with a time rewind, though."

"… why are you telling me all this?" Riku asked.

"I wanted you to know… seeing as we're friends and all," I said. "But more importantly, I need to calm myself before tomorrow. I can't face Senka… and…" I muttered, trailing off.

"And?" Riku asked, intrigued.

"… forget it. It's my fight, and mine alone," I said, jumping off the rooftop. I meandered around for a bit longer, retreating to the castle at dusk. I stood on a balcony, overlooking the town. The now-starry sky seemed peaceful, despite the battle that was about to rage. A full moon was out.

"Roy… I figured I'd find you here," someone said. I turned around to see Jason walking up to the balcony, arm in a sling inside his coat.

"Jason… I…" I began.

"No… It's my fault. If I weren't so weak-willed, maybe things would have turned out differently," he apologized. "They say my arm'll get better after a year or two. Maybe even back to as good as it was."

"Jason… stay behind tomorrow," I told him.

"Yeah, I suppose that's for the best," he said. "Not only do I lack the strength to fight, but Senka's will would probably overcome me again. Fight for me, okay?"

"I'll do what I can," I said. "But I…"

"You'll save her. Don't worry," Jason said casually.

"It's just…" I began. "I can't save her."

"She can only save herself, yeah, I know. Still…" he said, "your influence affects people. Your presence alone affects their fates. I know this."

"But the major question is: will I affect her fate for better or for worse?" I pondered.

"I don't know. Only you will find out," Jason said, going back into the castle. I went back into my room and went to bed a little while later, still pondering what would happen tomorrow. I knew I couldn't doubt myself, or I'd be killed. Still…

I awoke emboldened to my fate. Finally, I understood what I had to do and was resolved to do it, no matter what the cost. I grabbed my musty old coat, the one Amy had made for me, and put it on over my outfit.

"Roy! What's with the coat?" Sora asked as I walked up to him in the borough.

"It's personal. So, how do we get to the Realm of Darkness this time?" I questioned.

"Let's try going off the Edge of Despair in the World that Never Was," Riku suggested. We then beamed up and headed over to the World that Never Was...