Saving 4 the Promise in the Secret Place
"Sora! You're okay!"
Sora walked into the school building, with his brother close to his side. The older twin's mood was somewhat foul, causing Sora to supply a soft, nervous laugh to Kairi as a reply.
"Of course, I'm okay. Why would I not be? You did give me a call yesterday." The brunet tried sidetracking; he didn't want to get into details.
"Sora, you don't look so good. You look worn out," Kairi said, voice thick with concern.
"Roxas yelled at me a lot yesterday. I wasn't able to sleep much." That said, Roxas threw him a glare.
Of course, Sora had given a ring to his mother about getting home late. But Kairi had called in and Roxas was the one who picked up that call. Roxas asked, and the girl had to answer. He was, initiatively a little angry about Sora coming home late, but what made him angrier was whom Sora had gone with.
A little brotherly fight had occurred as Sora claimed he was not a kid anymore; Roxas declared that there was something out there. When Sora talked back and asked Roxas to clarify, Roxas said no more.
Roxas's reactions to all of these had yet to be answered, and their quarrel ended that way.
With Kairi's support here and now, Roxas was able to squeeze some information out of Sora, about where he had been with Riku, and about Riku himself. Fortunately, it went well better than Sora had anticipated. Just because Sora failed to tell Roxas one thing.
Moreover, Sora had even plead which was rare. Everyone knew Sora used the method with his brother only. And while Roxas was immune to anyone else's plea, he was vulnerable to Sora's.
Roxas sighed, rolling his eyes in exasperation. 'Well, at least I've convinced him into giving up if anything goes wrong. Heck, would Sora ever give up anyway?' He thought sourly. If he couldn't dissuade Sora to stop seeing Riku now, the least he could do was to trust in Sora's trust in Riku. 'Not that I can't convince him, but I'm the one being convinced.'
As for Kairi, she knew she didn't own her friend's life. She could only warn him, nothing more than that.
After the commotion, Sora had to throw in the closing line.
"Honestly, Roxas. You're only seconds older than me, stop acting like you're so old,"
"I'm not acting old, but you act like five years old."
Sora let out an angry huff which made Roxas and Kairi laugh, lightening the atmosphere a bit.
Besides from the fact that Roxas tried to trust Sora's instinct, he had only let the subject slide when Sora hadn't mentioned about Riku being a Nobody.
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Sora was able to meet Riku when Roxas considered Riku a common vampire. Thus far, Sora still didn't understand the difference, but if telling Roxas that Riku was just a vampire, no 'Nobody' no nothing, he could still keep in contact with Riku, Sora would do so.
Between the cliffs that led to the tree house and the waterfall was a thicket that crawled onto each other in a huge circle, covering the entrance to the cave that Sora had always frequented some time ago. A sense of déjà vu washed over him as he looked into it. He forced the stubborn branches aside for a space enough to squeeze himself in.
After trudging a long, dimmed tunnel, Sora stepped into the wide space of the cave. Boulders, mushrooms and whatnot were bounded about. What stood out the most was the door. The colorful door that was contrasted to other dimmed surrounding always drew Sora's attention. He found himself in front of the door, hands reaching out.
"Don't open it, Sora" a voice interrupted. "You do not yet know what lies beyond the door."
When Sora swiveled his head back, he saw Riku stepping out of the shadow. Apparently he was hiding earlier and the brunet understood perfectly: being vampire and all.
"Oh yeah? It's not like it's going to open. I've tried it for years. Is this the door to the outside world or something?" Sora asked.
Riku came to his side. He looked at Sora, and to the door. "You know this place?"
"Yeah, I found it when I was seven or something. I did come here occasionally. It's been a while…"
Out of nowhere, something throbbed in their heads. While Sora managed to hold up, Riku swayed and clutched his head with one hand.
"Riku, you all right?" Frowning, Sora grabbed the other's arm lightly.
Riku removed his hand; his oceanic eyes cast over the surrounding and back to Sora. "There's something about this place and you together."
"So you feel it too, huh? It's kind of funny. I know this place, but it's starting to feel real familiar...especially now that you're here too," Sora proclaimed and turned thoughtful.
"'Remembering one thing leads to remembering another, and then another...Your memories are connected, like links in a chain.' That's what a friend had told me. When Sora's eyebrows furrowed, Riku frowned faintly. "It's nothing. Let's go out, it might do you good."
They got out of the cave and Sora stretched first, welcoming the ray of sunlight. On the other hand, Riku kept himself away in the shadow of the trees. But when Sora turned back at him, he followed suit.
Sora's eyes found the wooden swords beside the shack. He glanced at Riku hopefully which, the other had learned that kind of look.
"How about a quick round?"
XxxxxxxxxxxxX
Sora collapsed back first to the yellow sand, the wooden sword still in his hand. His face flushed, and chest puffing constantly with each breath he took. Beside him, Riku seated himself, hand still holding the hilt of the wooden sword, swinging it absentmindedly.
"Tired?" Riku asked airily.
"That's 0 against 10," Sora announced, a bit bitter.
"What did you expect? I've been wielding real swords for years and years." Riku heard a disgruntled noise from Sora, he proclaimed. "Maybe you could beat me the 100th time we spar."
"That's too much!" Sora shot up so sudden that it granted him more pain across his body, he went limp and fell back. "I…will beat you someday."
"Good to hear that, I'll be waiting." Riku accepted with a smirk.
The brunet turned to the side, looking up at the sitting boy. Riku seemed perfectly fine, not even a hint of tiredness was shown. They had fallen in a serious spar for minutes earlier. Sora, now, was much more aware that his spar with Riku grew more serious every time, and the hunger to beat Riku at least once was getting stronger.
He knew that the other didn't even use his vampire's abilities or whatnot. Sometimes he even felt that Riku was holding back, which frustrated him.
But Sora did always have his fun whenever sparring with Riku. It was apparent in the other's countenance that he felt the same. Sometimes Sora wondered why Riku would undergo the equivalent enjoyment in this, when he couldn't match to Riku's level.
On the other hand, Riku never voiced out the thoughts that occurs to him lately.
He'd encountered people all over the many worlds. Sora was one of a very few who never gave up once. Every time he went down, he would bounce back up again. Riku found it entertaining.
"You never give up, do you?" He asked, knowing the answer.
He only met silence, when he glanced down, his lips quirked up in amusement.
The smaller boy was already fast asleep.
Riku's gaze traveled back to the ocean, the evening light created an orange glow which stung his eyes slightly. He too felt the urge to shut his eyes and just lay there.
XxxxxxxxxxxxX
X
Those same chains are what anchor us all together.
X
Riku came almost every other day with the reason he couldn't quite put his finger on. He found himself in the situation where he couldn't just depart like he always did before. Something was drawing him to the boy.
They grew close just by talking or lazing around the island. Most of their times together was spent sparring where Riku taught Sora how to use a sword. The funniest and hardest activity was helping Sora with his homework. The boy wasn't the brightest kid when it came to school lessons.
One late afternoon, Sora had excitedly showed up in the Tree House where Riku took accommodation, most of the time. He'd remained in the shadows when anyone stepped into the area, revealing himself only when it was Sora. Sometimes the boy also knew which shadow Riku was situated in. Sora took him by the arm and dragged him out of the shadow.
The taller one could only trail the smaller one's steps as he was pulled along.
"What is it, Sora?"
"Wait till you see!" The boy said cheerfully. "I found this place when I was playing with my friends, but they don't know about it! I'm going to show you first!"
They made it down from the tree house, to the pathway alongside of the waterfall and in front of the rounded-shape thicket. They felt the wind blows through the gap of each branches.
Riku arched his eyebrows. It was only a place where he had come out of, the cave where the door to other worlds was located.
"There's a huge monster in there, I tell you!" He bent closer to the thicket. "Listen! There! Can you hear it growling?" The boy tugged the taller man.
Riku knew better, but a little play along wouldn't hurt. He knelt to level with the boy. "All right. Suppose there really is a monster... Think we can beat it by ourselves, Sora?"
"No problem. Let's do it!" The boy persuaded boldly.
Impressed; Riku removed the thick bush easily and led Sora in, with him in pursuit. When they reached the insides, Sora was busying looking around anxiously, searching for something. He was caught off guard when Riku…"Boo!"
"Riku!"
Riku let out hearty chuckles. He pointed to the small holes around the cave that lies horizontally along the pathway that they came in. "See that? It was just the wind making that noise."
"Aw, man. I wish it was a monster!" Sora complained.
Oceanic eyes contained nothing but sheer amusement. All the time he'd been with the boy, Sora didn't talk of things beyond what he saw out of childish imagination. He talked as if he would really find them, discovering them someway and somehow.
The door to other realms lied beyond them a few feet away, hidden in the dark. Riku decided he should take Sora away before he spotted it.
"Hold on! What's that over there?" The boy pointed to the door.
Too late.
When Sora darted, attempting to get to the door, Riku grabbed him by the back of his shirt, almost violently but effectively. Sora was halted to the spot; his feet lifted from the ground by inches with Riku's capture and he, trying to move further. Riku pulled on Sora's shirt, lifting the boy off the ground, so Sora was left hanging in his shirt. Riku made the boy face him. "Don't, Sora. You do not yet know what lies beyond the door."
The boy looked back at him, eyes wide with curiosity. "Oh yeah? Is that a door from other worlds or something? So you came through that door?"
Riku went quiet.
Sora's blue eyes grew wider. "You came through that door!"
Riku shook his head; he dropped Sora to the ground gently. As expected, Sora swiveled his head back again to the door and Riku narrowed his eyes.
"Sora. Don't. Open. It." He articulated.
The boy looked up at him with confused stare. "Why not?"
Riku's face grew angry and the boy flinched.
"I'll just peek…a little, it'll be fine. I won't hurt myself, I won't cause trouble," the boy nudged.
The vampire's head fell into his gloved hand and glanced at the door through his fingers. It would take the world to convince Sora anyway. The door was heavy, maybe he could chance on that?
"Fine, you try-"
The boy bounced happily and was about to rush to the door.
"But slowly, okay? You don't know what's in there," He said as he positioned himself on the boy's side, one hand holding the boy close to him.
They advanced to the door.
Nothing happened.
The door was, in fact, too heavy for the small boy. Riku let go of the boy's hand and folded his arms over his chest, smiling with hidden relief. "It won't open."
Sora puffed out, wheezing. "Geez, is that really all that's in here?"
Riku shrugged. "What do you expect in a boring place like this?"
The boy seemed sorely disappointed, Riku noted. Sora reminded him so much of himself back then, with that undying curiosity.
Riku felt contented with Sora. He'd traveled many worlds and witnessed many who wanted to get away from their lives and be somewhere else, particularly because their lives sucked. They requested or in some cases, begged him to take them away. Riku never did, he didn't have to go over any considering of having anyone tagging along, because he never wanted anyone.
But Sora was different. The boy had a loving family although he occasionally talked about the loneliness with the absence of his twin. Still, he had many friends around his age, being open to new people and building easy friendship. The boy was evidently happy with his life and what he had.
Riku even wondered why Sora still sticks around with him when he was dull and gloomy. He refused to come out and meet with anyone, yet Sora still came to him, alone. That was what made him so pleased about it.
So Riku was surprised with himself when he came up with a sudden thought and let it slipped off of his tongue without considering it at all.
"Hey, Sora." The taller one knelt down, leveling himself with the smaller boy.
"Hmm?"
"When you grow up, let's get off this island. We'll go on real adventures, not this kid stuff!" Riku said, fisting a little to emphasize. It had been a while for him to be passionate about something.
Blue eyes lit up in eagerness and Sora nodded several times. "You mean, to the other worlds? Sure! We'll go together! When will that be? Today? Tomorrow? The day after tomorrow!"
The vampire chuckled. "No, you're too young." Then he put his hand under his chin, contemplating. "Let's see, I was sixteen when I went on my journeys. You would have to wait until then."
"Wah! That's so long!" The boy whined.
"It's not kid stuff out there, like I said. It won't be long, it will eventually come. We'll meet on this island and go. Sounds good enough?" Riku left no room for argument.
"Fine." Thinking he couldn't ask for more, Sora complied. He looked up. "Promise?"
"Promise." Riku smiled, then he realized that there was still one more important thing. "And Sora."
"Hmm?"
"Don't tell anyone about this place," Riku said. He couldn't let anyone come near this place; he wouldn't want to imagine the consequence of beings of the light stepping through the door to other realms.
Sora blinked a few times. "Yeah, sure, I can do that if you want. When I found this place I didn't think of telling anyone but you anyway. But why?"
"It's a-" Riku thought fast, "…secret"
"Secret?"
The vampire nodded and bent in a little to whisper, although there was no one there to hear them. But…didn't everyone like secrets? Especially the shared ones. "Yeah, this is our secret place, just between the two of us."
The undying excitement bored in Sora's eyes as he happily nodded. "Something like a secret base? Our secret base?"
Riku nodded, smiling.
Then everything faded.
X
XxxxxxxxxxxxX
Oceanic green eyes fluttered open, blinking a few times at the sky that was painted with a hue of purple, implying that night was approaching.
'…a dream? It's getting clearer…'
He pushed himself up and felt the one beside him stir, too. It took only a moment to remove his hand from Sora. It should have been a coincidence that they fell asleep hand in hand. He turned to the boy, giving him the strangest look, and received the mirrored expression in return. Riku broken the eye contact first, and Sora as well turned to look where Riku's gaze fell, the ocean.
"…What a dream…" Sora trailed off sleepily as he rubbed the back of his head, his hair unruly even more from sleep.
"What?" Riku realized.
Sora's eyes traveled back to Riku, then his gazed dropped to the yellow sand. "I've been having these weird thoughts lately…like is any of this…for real…or not?"
"Thoughts? I thought you said dreams." Riku asked, wanting the explanation.
"Yeah…er, well. I don't know. I thought it was just my imagination. But…" Sora's hand remained at the back of his head, feeling awkward. "You'll think I'm crazy."
"Don't worry, I already thought that, sometimes. So speak up." Riku pressed.
The smaller boy threw him a glare momentarily but followed Riku's request.
"Well, spending time with you makes me feel this kind of feelings." He paused for a while. "Feelings like…we'd been here together, before we met on that day."
Riku went quiet. Sure, he knew there was something about this place, or to be certain, about this boy. Why did he come to Destiny Island of all places? If he was to burn himself under the sun, why not anywhere? Why here? He'd felt it from the beginning that something had drawn him here. Or could it possibly be…someone?
"These continuous dreams make me feel like I have this sense of familiarity about you." Sora's eyes searched Riku and he asked, "Have we even met before?"
And Riku searched for the answer in his head. It turned out that the pain presented itself instead of answers. His hands immediately clutched at his head while his lips let out a pained moan.
"Riku!" The boy grabbed him by the shoulder.
"I…I can't remember. But…" Riku's voice shook.
"If you can't, then don't force it!" Sora raised his voice. "Just forget it okay?"
Trying to do as he was told, Riku's headache died down. He let his hands go and his eyes lingered at the boy's concerning feature. Riku knew one thing now.
There was the possibility that something had sealed his memory away. After all, he'd only remembered his life as a Nobody-vampire when he was sixteen. Before that, he had no recollection of what so ever.
He couldn't remember where Sora fit into any period of his life. Before Sora came into the picture, there was always the void inside his heart. He didn't give a thought about it then, but he wished he'd know it now.
Something was missing.
"Have we met before?"
"I just asked you that. I see you have no answer to my question and neither do I to you." Sora's expression turned from worry to confusion.
"What did you dream about just now?"
"I can barely recall it now," the brunet drawled as he curled into a ball. He buried his head in his arms that folded around his knees. "Gah! Why must I forget this one while I remember other ones so clear!"
"Mine is…unfortunately I can't recall it as well. Strange, I remember every single thing that happened to me since I started this life." He cast his glance to Sora, who had questions all over his face, making Riku cracked a smile. "If you have questions, ask away. I told you that I'll answer, hadn't I? Maybe we could remember something, if there is anything at all, that is."
"Hmm," Sora's tone turned a little worry. "I'd like to hear your history in brief if that's okay. Maybe I could recall something."
"That's a tough one. Like I said, I only remembered things from when I was sixteen, waking up in Hollow Bastion. I don't know where I originated, but I didn't care. Then I started my journeys from world to world until I couldn't find anything new." Here Riku paused, looking unsure to go on, but Sora nudged him. "So I settled in the Realm of Darkness."
"Realm of Darkness?" Sora interjected.
"Yes. Realm of Darkness is where all the creatures of pure darkness originated from. Any creatures you can imagine. All things there are tied to darkness...to be completely eclipsed. Anyway, I grew tired and bored of everything at Realm of Darkness too. So I went to Realm of Nothingness, the only place where all things are pilfered existence. By that, I wouldn't have to feel anything anymore, like I don't exist.
It was okay for ten years; then again, I got tired of the place. Although my existence was banished, I still felt myself…there, only hollow and empty. So I figured it would be better just to end it all…here."
Riku was aware that Sora must have felt the emptiness in his answer. Riku's reason of suicidal act relied solely on the boredom of life, was that even believable to himself? If Sora had a doubt, he hadn't shown it.
"Well?" Riku ventured.
"So you don't remember coming here?" Sora pointed.
Riku shook his head, and smiled crookedly. "I remember everything else, except here. About the possibility of us meeting before, I really don't know. I've been in the Realm of Nothingness for ten years. My memories are vague there, since I didn't really exist."
"Let's not care about it," Sora declared with a smile. "All I care now is you, here, me. Even if we never met before, who cares? We can start from here."
Regarding Sora, Riku commented, "Optimistic."
Sora responded with a toothy grin. "It's good for your health!"
They lazed around for quite a while. When the sun began to slip down the horizon, Sora decided he should take his leave, to prevent a fight with his brother.
Along the path to the dock, Riku felt unsure. Up until now, he didn't know what position he stood for Sora. They had just met, and although they shared the same nostalgic feelings, it was still unclear. There could be anything…or nothing at all.
When Sora got into the rocking small boat, Riku suddenly asked, "Sora. Can I come visit you sometimes? Even when I…don't have any reasons."
Sora laughed, a lot, and a little too long.
Weird sensations burned Riku's face. What was it? Embarrassment? He used to be sure he didn't have that kind of emotion. Smoothing his face into a frown, he snapped, "What's so funny?"
The other boy still had one hand clutched at his stomach and another one pointing at Riku. "God, Riku. Do you still have to ask? Like I'm gonna say, no? Come on, man! I didn't come here today to discuss politics with you."
'Friends?'
Riku gave the last smile to the boy who rowed away from the island. When the boat was out of sight, his smile turned sour. 'Isn't being friends means no secrets? Especially the important ones.' He whispered into thin air, "Would you still consider me as a friend if I told you what I'd done in the past?"
XxxxxxxxxxxxX
They paid each other visits from day to day until Roxas and Sora's friends had a clear idea where Sora had disappeared to. Not that it was obvious anyway; Sora had always gone to the island alone, if not with his friends. And Riku was just there, Sora had made it like he didn't always go to the island for Riku on purpose. Anyways, Roxas was beginning to sit well with it, seeing his brother coming back home, happy, and no harm done.
Until one day, Sora reached the main island's beach after his visit to Riku, he heard a voice.
"Excuse me, are you with the Nobody-vampire?"
Sora turned, but saw nothing at first. Then he lowered his gaze, and found three small…something, hovering in the air.
"Fairies?" He blurted in surprise.
"Not quite," one of them said. She was a girl who looked older than the other two. She had crimson eyes and raven-hair, her features clad in black of gothic fashion, accompanied with black little wings.
"Hey there, I'm Sora," Sora greeted them amiably. As he gaped at them, the one in the center, a brunette cladded in blue dress, whose eyes were with the color of green on the left and blue on the right, were eyeing him expectantly. Only then did Sora realize she was the one with a question and he hadn't yet answered it. "Oh, um, Nobody-vampire? You mean Riku?"
"Rikku? That's me." The blond girl with green eyes, in orange outfit and with long scarf, looked up attentively. "By the way, that's-" Her line was cut short when the black fairy clamped her mouth shut. Sora assumed the blond attempted to make some introductions for her companions, but they disagreed.
" Rikku, not Riku, is it?" the brunet spoke up.
Sora nodded and added, "Riku is my friend…Err, you knew him being a Nobody-vampire?"
"Friend of yours? That explains why you smell like one." The fairy in black eyed him precariously.
The brunette raised her hand in front of her companion and said to Sora, "Where is this Riku?"
Reading their gestures, Sora predicted that whatever they want Riku for, it wasn't going to be pretty. "Why are you looking for him?"
"We're Nobody-vampire hunters."
One simple reason that explained it all.
"You're hunting him! In that case, I can't—I won't tell you. Why are you hunting him anyway? He doesn't hurt anyone," Sora declared. He doubted if such small fairies would be able to hunt vampires at all. Then again, Riku looked slow and apathetic enough to fall flat at any moment when in fact, he was unearthly fast and deft. Judging anything by their outer shells wasn't something Sora had grown accustomed to.
The three exchanged glances. Then the brunette flew closer to the boy, saying, "Sora, right? Sure he doesn't, but that doesn't mean he didn't and he wouldn't. You knew he's a Nobody-vampires."
"Yeah, a Nobody-vampire, so what?" Sora spread his hands to the side. "He doesn't need blood, he wouldn't hurt anyone."
"Is that all you know about Nobody-vampire?" the black one asked in icy tone as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Sora felt taken aback. "Er, yeah. Why?"
"He can't stay here," the brunette stated, her eyes grew serious. "He doesn't belong here." She leveled her eyes to Sora and requested, "Please tell us, this is for your own good, and for this world as well."
The lack of proper answer was nagging Sora. He forced a dry laugh. "Hey, you're not answering my question. Is there anything I don't know about Nobody-vampire? And what do you mean by he can't stay here?"
"We meant what we said," the black fairy pressed. "Just tell us where he is, we'll set things right."
Sora didn't answer, he wouldn't.
"He's on the island, isn't he?" Yuna said as she pointed to the island where Sora just rowed from. "We can feel the darkness emanating from there."
Sora was caught off guard. He was right about these three hunters' skills despite their outer appearances.
The air suddenly tensed.
The blond fairy quickly raised a hand up. "Don't worry! We'll just see him and talk with him!" Then she turned to her companions. "You know not all Nobody-vampires are bad! Some of them become friends with human for real!"
Sora regarded Rikku, feeling she was the only one on his side. And her sympathy seemed to be working on her two companions as the brunette nodded to her and addressed to Sora, "Really sorry about this. I'm Yuna, and that's Paine." She pointed to the black fairy which seemed disappointed at her name being given. "You already know Rikku."
The boy waved his hands. "You don't have to apologize!" Then he smiled, "Nice to meet you then." His smile faded into apologetic one. "I was too ahead of myself too. It's just that I'm afraid for him, that's all." 'Yeah, having Roxas and Kairi constantly accused Riku had him adopted a defensive streak for Riku.' "But I really don't know anything about him…that much."
"I see." Yuna nodded. "Still, we're not supposed to let Nobody-vampires be anywhere else except where they rightfully belong."
"So we're gonna go to him whether you like it or not," Paine cut in.
"No, wait!" Sora vocalized. Once the hunters all turned to him, he bit his lip. He couldn't stop them anyways, and for what it was worth, he felt that these fairies did really come in peace. "Don't go to him. I think I'll better to bring him to you." At least, Sora could ask Riku first and see if he was okay with that.
Yuna began, "That will not do, this Riku is dangerous. He could pose a threat-"
"He won't," Sora said with a firm voice and steadied eyes. "Riku won't hurt me, I'm his friend. Trust me; I'll bring him to you. You girls just wait here."
"You sure you really trust him?" Yuna asked.
"With all my heart." The boy poked a thumb at his chest, looking proud.
"So wait we shall." Yuna clasped her hands together. "Somehow I feel that we can trust you too."
"Thanks. Just wait around…there." Sora pointed to one of the shady area of the palm trees. "Some people would find fairies too much of an interest. Don't know what they might do. You girls should be careful."
"Oh, don't worry about us. We don't break as easily as we look," Yuna noted.
The boy nodded and watched the three made their ways to the nearby hidden area. Then he jumped in the boat once again. He watched the sky darkened by minutes and started rowing. "Roxas's going to kill me for sure."
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Along the way, I almost forgot that I'd wanted to put YRP into this. First off, I wanted to have them as main characters, but I couldn't really think of the major plot for them. It happened that the plot about Roxas and Axel popped into my head instead, so I had to push YRP aside.
About Riku and Sora meeting earlier and made a promise, I figured that would help strengthen something. Well, original KH always used the point of them being friends since they were young. On my second thought, I was weighting if I should make them best friend when they were both young (it's uncommon to have best friends in distance age, right?) But that would collapse my timeline. And I don't think I could write something about reincarnation. So here it was…