Sora jumped over the bent tree and leaned against it. "Nothing's changed, has it?" Riku asked from his perch on the tree. "Nope. Nothing will," Sora stated. "What a small world," Riku said, as he and his best friend watched the sun set. "But part of one that's much bigger," Sora pointed out. "Yeah," Riku agreed. Sora looked up at his long-time friend.

"Hey, Riku. What do you think it was? The door to the light…"

Riku laughed a little as he slid to the ground. "This," he said simply, pointing to Sora's chest, or, rather, his heart. "This?" Sora asked, placing a hand over his heart. "Yeah, it's always closer than you think," Riku explained. Sora smiled.

"Sora!"

Sora turned at hearing Kairi's voice. "Riku!" Kairi yelled as she ran over the bridge carrying a clear glass bottle. After she got to the boys, she paused to pant slightly. "Hey, what's up?" Sora asked, concerned. Kairi lifted her head. "Look," she said, raising the bottle. Inside was a tightly wound scroll, bearing three black, interconnected circles that resembled the head of a certain king…

"From the King?" Sora asked, taking the bottle, removing the cork, and shaking out the letter. He unrolled the parchment and began to read. Riku and Kairi read over his shoulders in the fading light. "I guess a hero's work is never done," Riku said. "Yeah," Sora said, absentmindedly. "Come on, let's get ready for when the Gummi ship gets here," Kairi said.

"Right."

The three friends walked across the beach in the fading light, heading for their rowboats.