AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Hi everyone! Y'all are getting this chapter ahead of schedule because of crestoflight3, so if you enjoy today's update make sure to follow her profile because she has an awesome story dropping soon and you don't wanna miss it!

Before we get in to today's chapter, I just wanted to include a quick reminder that this story was outlined before Re:Mind and the most recent UX updates.

Thank you so much to crestoflight3, Crystal and YumeTakato for your reviews, and to everyone who has followed the story so far! I hope you all enjoy today's update.

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT | THE FINAL ROLE

Nobody moved.

Silence reigned as they stared at the box, still as stone, as though afraid that the slightest breath might break the illusion that they had created. Kairi's arm began to tremble, and she held her breath as she slowly lowered her arm. One by one the others did the same, and when the box remained closed they shared a collective sigh of relief.

Donald and Goofy barrelled in to Sora, whooping and hollering as they knocked him off his feet. Kairi caught the look of panic that flashed across his face as he fell, and she didn't try to stop the laugh that rose in her throat. Soon Naminé was giggling too, and together they infected Axel and Aqua and Riku, and then Kairi couldn't tell who was laughing and who wasn't. Naminé threw her arms around Kairi's neck with an elated sob.

"We did it!"

The words made Kairi's world spin, and as she clutched at Naminé she glanced over to Sora. They had done it - they had really done it - and for the first time they would be able to celebrate the victory together. Sora sat up a little, leaning heavily on his elbow and pushing Donald aside with a laugh. She caught his eye and his face lit up with a smile - the smile he saved just for her - and her heart sang, but the moment was over as quickly as it had begun when Roxas tackled Sora back in to the dirt.

"So, you're Ava, huh?" Axel's voice pulled Naminé away from Kairi, and together they turned to see him staring down his nose at Ava (who barely came up to his chest). He folded his arms and lifted his chin. "How do you know Kairi?"

"Axel," Kairi interjected. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye and she smiled sweetly. "This is my mother." It took a moment for the words to hit home, and when they did his eyes bulged as his mouth fell open. She stifled a giddy giggle, though her attempts were quickly thwarted when Naminé whipped out her phone with impressive speed to capture Axel's gobsmacked face. The flash (or perhaps Kairi's laugh) seemed to snap him back to reality and he whipped his head back and forth between Kairi and her mother.

"Your mother? But I thought-" He stopped suddenly, closing his mouth and letting out a heavy sigh. "Y'know what? You can tell me later. Over ice cream. I have a feeling this isn't going to be a simple story." Kairi laughed and turned to her mother. It was a surreal sight – not just because she looked like a Foreteller now, but because she was still partly see-through, and the realisation made Kairi's chest tighten. Her mother's eyes were fixed on the other Fortellers, her lips pressed tightly together as she watched Luxord approach, his expression grim.

"Master Gula," he said, tilting his head slightly. "You might not recognise me but I'm-"

"Brain," Gula breathed. "I thought you might be, after what the Master said. I suppose you intend to remind me of what happened the last time we saw each other." Luxord tilted his head a fraction.

"You remember? You told me that you would make yourself forget." Gula nodded slowly.

"And I did, but it seems the Master has undone my enchantments as well as his own." Gula's head fell and his shoulders slumped. "I cannot believe that I could have done such a thing…"

"An accident, I'm sure," said Luxord. Gula nodded, his fingers curling in to fists.

"I thought she was the traitor. I heard someone creeping around my rooms and then-"

"That was me." Gula gasped and his head shot up as Luxord grimaced and lowered his gaze. "I was there the night you spoke to Skuld and her friend, when you told them about the missing page. I returned the next night and found the Book of Prophecy you had spoken of. I intended only to look, but you returned sooner than I expected and I was forced to hide. She paid the price for my misgivings, and I took her place amongst the new leaders." Gula pressed his lips in to a thin line as his shoulders trembled. A thick silence fell between them until at last Gula spoke again.

"Will you find Lauriam?" he asked. "Will you explain it to him?"

"I will," Luxord answered.

As the two shared a final, sombre nod Invi peeled away from the group. She moved silently to stand before Kairi and Ava, glancing between them several times before knitting her fingers together.

"I didn't see it before," she murmured, "but now I understand. Kairi… for my part in all of your pain, I am sorry. We were so focused on following our Master's orders that it seems we forgot how to think for ourselves."

Kairi wished she had it in her heart to hold a grudge. She knew she would never forget the restless nights in the labyrinth, nor the months of relentless fighting, but she also knew how far she had come because of it. How much stronger she had grown. And whilst it certainly didn't excuse Invi or any of the Foretellers for their actions, Kairi certainly found it easier to understand now that she knew the reason why.

And so she forgave Invi (much to Invi's surprise, judging by the way her lips parted wordlessly).

"What will you do now?" Axel asked, and Kairi didn't miss the way that he had stepped closer to them; close enough that she could feel the heat that was bleeding from his keyblade. Invi lowered her head a little.

"I… I don't know," she answered. "I don't think any of us have ever considered a life without our Master. It's… daunting, to say the least."

"It has its perks," Ava said with a fond smile, "but I think we all have one more role to fulfil."

"What role would that be?" Aced asked. Ava turned her attention towards the box and her smile became serious.

"We need to take care of our Master."

"What do you mean?" Gula asked. Ava turned towards him, and her lips curled in to a sad sort of smile.

"Our time in the Realm of Light is over. It is time for us to move on, and ensure that our Master will never threaten this world again." She gestured to the portal, still tethered to the Graveyard by Ephemer's pulsing heart. "This Realm will fade, and when it does it will take us with it."

The Foretellers exchanged a series of silent glances, their expressions thoughtful and sombre beneath their masks. It would be Luxu who would eventually break the silence, stepping forwards and placing his hands on his hips as his golden eye darted between Kairi and Ava.

"I guess there's only so much damage I can do here." His words were accompanied with a smile that was strained and unnatural, and Kairi didn't miss the tear tracks that had dried on his cheek. He turned and glanced over his shoulders to where the others were still huddled around Sora.

"We never should have answered your summons to return," Aced grumbled. "All of this could have been avoided if we had just-"

"If we had never followed our Master's orders," Ava interrupted firmly. Aced jumped and stared at her, open-mouthed.

"Ava! Y-you-"

"What's done is done, Aced," she continued. "We cannot undo it, we can only try to make amends for it."

"Then that is what we shall do," Ira intoned. "Aced, Gula, Luxu, help me with the box." Luxu rolled his good eye with a dramatic sigh.

"As if I haven't spent enough of my life lugging it around," he muttered. Gula laughed lightly and Luxu's expression softened as Ira turned sharply on his heel and led the way.

"So how come you're so happy to go now?" Axel asked Invi. "You didn't seem so keen on saying goodbye when the Master was telling you to do it." Invi paused for a moment before turning to him with a small smile, resting a hand over her heart.

"My heart tells me it's the right thing to do. I suppose it's because this time I get to choose for myself." Axel arched an eyebrow before nodding, and Kairi didn't miss how he glanced across to where Xion was laughing at Sora who was trying to drag an unwilling Vanitas in to a hug.

"Going out on your own terms," he murmured. A sad sort of smile pulled at his lips as he turned his gaze back to her. "I guess I can understand that." The Foretellers arrived then, with Luxu and Ira at the head of the box. They slowed as they passed, and Luxu brought them to a halt as he stopped before Kairi, an amused sort of smile tugging the corner of his lip.

"Looks like even after all this time, I still underestimated you, princess." The nickname sent a jolt racing down Kairi's spine and she arched an eyebrow.

"I have a name, y'know." To her surprise Luxu laughed.

"Yeah, I guess you do." He motioned for the others to set the box down and he turned towards her, his hands on his hips. "Listen, do me a favour? I know I'm not exactly gonna be around to enforce it or anything, but if you could keep Sora from breaking any more fundamental rules of the universe, that'd be great." She huffed a surprised laugh and let her lips curl in to a smile.

"I mean, I can try," she answered, "but you know how he gets sometimes." Luxu snickered and reached for the box again.

"See ya around, Kairi."

"You're leaving?" Sora had arrived with the others in tow, and as they gathered around the box Luxu straightened and turned to face them.

"Time for us to move on, kiddo," he answered. He folded his arms and chuckled. "Don't pretend like you're sad to see me go." Sora blanched slightly and Luxu laughed again. He pointed to Roxas and Xion. "Look out for those two; they're trouble."

"Hey!" Roxas grunted. Luxu turned away, picking up the box once more.

"As for this one," he said, jerking his head towards Axel who folded his arms. Luxu looked him up and down before shaking his head with a fond smile. "Make sure to bleed his ego every once in a while."

"That won't be a problem," Isa answered. Axel whirled on him with a frown.

"You're against me too now?" he whined. "Won't anyone back me up? Kairi?" She shrugged and smiled.

"It sounds like good advice to me…" She glanced to Isa who chuckled in return as Axel threw back his head and raked his hands through his fingers with a loud moan. She turned to Luxu but he was gone; the four Foretellers were silhouetted by the light of the portal, and as Kairi watched they – and the box – disappeared in a shower of golden sparks. Invi hovered nearby, her gaze locked with Ava's.

"You go on ahead," Ava murmured. "I'll be right behind you." Invi nodded slowly and glanced over the gathered group one last time before following the others through the portal. As she faded from view Kairi's eye caught a flicker of movement – a brief shadow that landed in the centre of the light. Slowly it began to grow, forming in to two separate shadows that morphed in to people.

"Ephemer?!" Ven exclaimed. He squeezed his way between Terra and Aqua and meet them at the foot of the portal. "Skuld?! Is it… is it really you?"

"It's good to see you again, Ventus," Ephemer greeted warmly. "And you, Brain." Luxord stepped forward, greeting them both with a nod and a smile.

"I thought I'd never see you again!" Ven exploded. "Where have you been?"

"It's a long story," Skuld answered, and she glanced to Sora and then to Kairi with a smile before offering her hand to Ven, "but one we'll be happy to tell you."

Ven hesitated. He took half a step back and glanced over his shoulder. Terra and Aqua's faces had fallen, as had several others nearby. Sora was forcing a smile, but Kairi could see the tears pooling in the corners of his eyes. Ven turned back towards the portal, and Kairi watched the emotions war across his face.

"Do I… Do I have to?" he asked reluctantly. Skuld's hand fell a little, as did her smile.

"I… well, no," she answered at last, though her voice was tentative and unsure. She glanced to Ephemer who merely shrugged, before adding: "I guess not."

"It's not that I don't want to see you guys," Ven added hastily, "it's just… I have a new life here now."

"Ven," Aqua said softly. He glanced at her over his shoulder and she forced a smile. "If you want to go-"

"But I don't," he answered. "I'm glad I have my memories back, but I can't live in the past. I want to move forward. Besides, someone's gotta help you keep Vanitas in line." Vanitas scowled and folded his arms, but Kairi didn't miss the flicker of relief that flashed over his face. Ven turned back to Ephemer and Skuld with an apologetic smile. "You guys understand, right?"

"Of course," Ephemer said with a smile, before turning to Luxord. He shook his head solemnly.

"I made a promise to Master Gula," he said, "and I intend to carry it out. After that… who knows?"

"Why don't you guys stay here?" Ven asked. "We could introduce you to everyone, and then we can show you all the new stuff that's happened since…" He trailed off, his smile falling away as Ephemer and Skuld shared a silent glance.

"We can't, Ven," Ephemer answered. "We have no place in the Realm of Light anymore."

"But…" Ven's voice seemed to have abandoned him, and Skuld lifted a ghostly hand to brush the tears from his cheeks.

"At least you remember us now," she said. "We all should have faded long ago. Take this new life, Ven, and live it. For us." Ephemer turned away then, glancing behind him before looking down at the ground with a fond smile.

"Don't you want to say hello?"

A shadow shifted behind Skuld. Slowly it tottered forwards, stepping from the light and rubbing its paws together nervously as Ven's face lit up.

"Chirithy!" He reached down and swept Chirithy in to his arms, spinning wildly despite Chirithy's shrill protests. "Is this where you've been hiding?" Chirithy disappeared in a small poof of smoke, reappearing at Ven's feet and teetering from side to side.

"Sometimes here," it answered, "and sometimes in the Final World. It's been a full-time job trying to keep a handle on this one." Chirithy pointed towards Sora who let out a bashful chuckle, scratching the back of his neck with an apologetic grin. Ven crouched down, sitting on his heels and staring at Chirithy with nothing short of awe. Over his shoulder, Kairi didn't miss the longing expression on Vanitas' face, and her heart skipped a beat, though when he noticed her looking he quickly covered it with a scowl. She tilted her head towards Chirithy and he folded his arms and turned away (though not so far that he couldn't keep an eye on the portal).

"Say, Chirithy," Ephemer began, "you should stay here, with Ven."

"Wha~a~at?" Chirithy gasped, rocking backwards and spinning its arms wildly. It quickly regained its balance and glanced between Ephemer and Ven with wide eyes. "I couldn't do that! …Could I?" Skuld dropped low and reached out to poke Chirithy's tummy – its solid, not-see-through tummy.

"You still have your form," she said. "You can stay wherever you want." Sora took a half step forward with a reassuring smile.

"If these last few years have taught me anything," Sora said, "it's how important it is to share moments with friends." Chirithy hopped back, its blue eyes wide as it glanced from Sora to Ven. After a moment it scrunched up its eyes with a whimper, burying its face in its paws and shaking its head from side to side before barrelling forwards, leaping in to Ven's arms and knocking him off his feet. He landed on his rear with a tearful laugh, holding Chirithy close and burying his face in Chirithy's soft fur. After a moment he looked up to Ephemer and Skuld, and his face split in to a smile.

"Thank you."

"You're the last of your kind, Chirithy," Ephemer said fondly. "Take care of yourself." Chirithy wiped the tears from its eyes and turned back towards the portal.

"I'll miss you guys," Chirithy whimpered.

"We'll miss you too," said Skuld, "but you belong with Ven."

"Yeah," Ven agreed with a firm nod of his head. "We'll take care of you, Chirithy. I promise." Ephemer and Skuld smiled before turning their attention towards Ava.

"We should go," Ephemer said softly. "I can't hold the connection for much longer." Kairi felt her heart skip a painful beat and her smile fell as her mother nodded slowly.

"I know," Ava murmured. "But… just a moment more?" Ephemer smiled and nodded, and he stepped closer to his heart while Skuld bid them all a gentle goodbye and disappeared in to the light. Ava turned to Kairi, a gentle smile on her lips. She reached beneath her hood and pulled away the mask, and as it fell she began to change, glowing softly until she was Jiniya once more. Her cerulean eyes sparkled as she lifted a hand to Kairi's cheek. Kairi held it fervently, her fingers clutching at the magic that gave her mother form.

"Are you sure you can't stay here?" Kairi asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Her mother smiled as a glistening tear ran down her cheek.

"I belong with the others," she answered. "We allowed our Master to put all of existence in danger; it is only right that we spend the rest of our existence making sure it never happens again." Kairi's breath hitched as a sob forced its way up her throat.

"I can't say goodbye to you again," she whimpered.

"Then don't say goodbye," her mother answered. "Here, close your eyes." Kairi shook her head and her mother stroked her cheek before leaning in close, pressing their foreheads together. "Trust me, Kairi."

And she did. Slowly she closed her eyes, clutching tightly at her mother's hand.

"I'll sing you a song," her mother sang, "of flowers in spring. Of the young sprouting buds and the birds on the wing." Kairi sucked in a shivering breath, feeling her mother's fingers fall away.

"I'll sing you a song," she sang back, joining her voice with her mother's, "about summer's full bloom. Of f-flowers that only c-come out for the m-moon…"

She felt the light fade away, and felt the cool breeze kiss the spot where her mother's forehead had been. A warm, calloused hand found hers, and she clutched to it like a lifeline, knowing that when she opened her eyes her mother would be gone. Sora gave her a moment to compose herself before he murmured her name, and she slowly opened her eyes. The portal was gone, as was her mother, and she sucked a deep breath in through her nose as Sora squeezed her hand. His heart reached out to hers, filling the emptiness of her mother's absence with a flood of love and hope and pride that filled her heart until it was ready to burst.

"Hey Naminé," Sora called suddenly. Naminé started, glancing up from her phone and wiping a tear from her cheek as she stared at him with wide eyes. He grinned. "I never got a chance to thank you."

"Th-thank me?" she squeaked. "For what?" He laughed and scratched his neck again.

"Honestly, I'm still not entirely sure," he answered, "but I've been trying to do it for a while now. I have a feeling it's for putting my memories back together, and for lookin' out for us at Castle Oblivion."

"That's right!" Goofy proclaimed. "When we woke up, there was a note in Jiminy's journal that said 'thank Naminé'."

"Oh yeah!" Donald squawked. Naminé flushed and slipped her phone back in to her pocket before wringing her fingers together.

"You already thanked me-"

"That one didn't count," Sora argued. "I needed to do it for real."

"I… well… you're welcome," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear and shifting her weight awkwardly. Kairi smiled and gave Sora's hand a grateful squeeze.

"Thank you," she whispered. He turned to her, his face the perfect picture of mischievous innocence.

"What?" he asked. "It feels good to finally get that off my to-do list." She smiled and he smiled back before turning his attention back to the others.

"Ready to go home, Sora?" Riku asked. Sora nodded.

"Yeah," he answered. "But first… could we get something to eat? I'm starving."

You guys…

Guys… GUYS! It's done! My first complete start-to-finish story! Well, almost. I couldn't resist the idea of a little epilogue at the end…

Stay tuned! See you next time.