Epilogue
The sun was shining brightly high in the sky, radiating its warm glow over the world. The wind was blowing gently, delicately caressing the skin and whispering harmonious melodies. The leaves of the trees danced to the rhythm of the breeze, creating a natural spectacle full of grace and serenity. The small flowers swayed in perfect synchrony, spreading their sweet fragrance through the air. It was one of those days that make the heart beat with joy, a beautiful and pleasurable day.
In the midst of this oasis of flowers and fragrances, a woman stood, gazing nostalgically at each petal in front of her. That woman was Aqua, a young teacher whose eyes reflected both the beauty of her garden and the melancholy of impending memories. It was as if she wanted to engrave every detail in her mind before departing, before venturing into an uncertain future. One last time? Yes, one last time before embarking on a journey whose duration only destiny would know. Her life had been filled with significant events that had led her to this point, and now, after fully embracing the intimate and special love she shared with Sora, the time had come for a new chapter in her story.
Days had passed, then weeks and months, and everything had been wonderful up to now. Hangouts with friends, romantic dates, fun experiences; Aqua had slowly been rebuilding that spark within her. She no longer felt as exhausted as before, nor as overwhelmed by the problems that had plagued her in the past. The nightmares, while not completely gone, weren't as intense as they used to be. Although she still woke up startled at times, those moments were becoming rarer. It was a significant progress, even if it might seem insignificant at first glance.
One day, Sora surprised her with a date in a lush oasis. He had taken Aqua to that special place to show her everything that had changed and perhaps evoke beautiful memories from their previous visit. Skipping the trivial details of that date, there came a moment when they were both admiring the cityscape. It was at that instant that Sora proposed an exciting idea to Aqua: a journey. Yes, a long and extensive journey that would take them to explore multiple worlds, some new and some already known. It wasn't a secret that Sora loved to travel, and this idea had come about so Aqua could disconnect a bit from her worries and immerse herself in new experiences. Sora had an endless list of worlds to show Aqua, a kaleidoscope of possibilities and adventures.
Aqua didn't hesitate for a moment to accept the proposal of that young hero. The excitement she felt about the prospect of traveling to different places, discovering diverse cultures, and living thrilling experiences was immense. She had experienced a small taste of it in the Kingdom of Corona, where she had momentarily forgotten the burdens of her past and immersed herself in the pleasure of exploring new horizons. Therefore, her response was a resounding yes. She definitely wanted to embark on this journey with Sora, ready to explore every corner of the worlds he would show her, and maybe even uncover some new ones he didn't know about.
With enthusiasm, Sora asked her to wait a few days while he prepared everything for the journey. He made necessary arrangements for their gummy ship, taking it to Chip and Dale's workshop for some upgrades. It was merely a precaution, as unexpected events could arise in the interconnected realms at any moment, and Sora wanted to safeguard their safety. He didn't want their first stop to be inside a giant whale or something equally extravagant. It might sound wild, but in those marvelous worlds, anything was possible.
Furthermore, Sora dedicated himself to meticulously planning the travel itinerary. There were so many tempting options. They could start their odyssey by visiting Olympus, where they could try their luck in grand battles and marvel at the gods' majesty. Or perhaps they would choose the eerie charm of Halloween Town to immerse themselves in terrifying experiences and unique festivities. There was also San Fransokyo, a futuristic city that would offer them a modern and exciting perspective. The possibilities seemed endless, and Sora was determined to show Aqua every corner and richness of the known worlds, and even venture into those he hadn't explored yet.
"It's time to go," whispered a soft, masculine voice from behind Aqua as she felt his arms delicately wrap around her waist.
"I understand," Aqua murmured with a slight smile, recognizing Sora's proximity as he stood behind her.
"Admiring the garden before we leave?" Sora asked, directing his gaze towards the beautiful landscape stretching before them.
"Yes, it'll be a long time before I can see it again," Aqua admitted, her eyes still fixed on the captivating garden.
What was once a small, modest garden had now transformed into a vast meadow of multicolored flowers. Every corner was adorned with tiny, delicate blooms in various shades and hues. Aqua had never expected something like this to happen; in fact, she still didn't quite understand how it had occurred. Over the days, the flowers had multiplied and spread, emerging in every corner of the garden. Aqua shifted her gaze to her beloved blue rose, still the only one of its kind in the garden and the oldest of all. It was a treasure to Aqua, and its presence brought her immense happiness. If that blue rose had withered when Aqua stopped tending to her garden three years ago, she didn't know what she would have done. Surely, it would have devastated her.
"I assure you, you'll have a great time on this journey," Sora stated, and Aqua let out a sweet chuckle in response, charmed by the comment.
"I know, you've prepared everything so meticulously, and I'm sure everything will go well," Aqua affirmed, placing complete trust in Sora. For weeks, he had dedicated himself to planning every detail to ensure the journey would be perfect and enjoyable for both of them.
Aqua yearned for Sora to take her far beyond, to visit new worlds. Though it pained her to admit it, her current home remained a place of sorrow and suffering. She hoped Sora would transport her to a different reality, to a dream from which she wouldn't want to wake. She knew that with him, she could finally forget that pain had been her constant companion. She longed to distance herself from the painful memories and focus her mind on new experiences for an extended period of time. Visiting other worlds and meeting new people would be her salvation. She was certain that on this journey, she could reclaim her former self and leave behind all her misery once and for all. Only time would tell if her hopes would come true.
"Our friends are waiting for us, Aqua," Sora whispered, and she nodded in silence. Riku, Kairi, Ven, and Terra were eager to wish them well and see them off before their departure for an indefinite time. Though they knew they would be physically separated, they committed to keeping in touch during the days they'd be apart. Goodbyes were bittersweet, but everyone understood that this journey was necessary for Aqua's personal growth.
"I understand," Aqua said, not adding more words, feeling Sora's arms release her and him stepping back a few paces before stopping and waiting for her.
"Sora," Aqua called to him, turning her gaze away from the garden and turning her body to face him.
"What's the matter?" Sora asked as Aqua walked towards him, taking his hand and intertwining it with hers.
"I love you," Aqua said simply, a huge smile on her face. Sora responded with a gentle smile, a light blush gracing his cheeks.
"I love you too, beautiful," Sora said, and Aqua nodded, still smiling.
It was in those small moments, in those sincere expressions of love, where Aqua found the strength and certainty to face any challenge that stood in her way. The love between them was a beacon guiding them through the darkness, a burning flame that gave them hope even in the toughest times. That declaration of love, simple yet profound, resonated in the air like a soft and comforting melody.
Aqua was happy, very happy. Sora had been like a ray of hope that had entered her life unexpectedly. He had come without fear, stepping into her dark and desperate world, regardless of the consequences that might arise. He had crossed the threshold of the darkness and despair she was in, taking her hand to lead her out. He didn't care what might happen to him; he just wanted to make sure she was okay, that she was happy. Aqua loved that about Sora, his dedication and his willingness to face any obstacle for her. They had promised to be together forever and perhaps, in a distant future, to start a family, but that was still far ahead. They were young and had much to discover, dreams and goals to fulfill. First, they needed to enjoy the path ahead and build a future together.
Thus, little by little, Sora and Aqua began to move away from the field of flowers that watched them depart, knowing they wouldn't return for a long time. In the silence of the flowers, a soft, delicate laughter resonated in the place as they watched the couple walk away.
"It seems like it's time to say goodbye, but it's better to do it with a smile," pronounced a soft, sweet, joyful, and feminine voice that seemed to resonate in every corner of the floral field, creating a unique harmony.
"Forget the past, protect the future, Aqua," whispered that mysterious voice, bidding farewell to the young teacher as she slowly vanished into the horizon, moving away for a long, long time. Meanwhile, the beautiful blue rose stopped swaying in the gentle breeze and began to fade slowly, releasing small magical sparkles that illuminated the garden. Those magical sparks got carried away by the wind, ascending towards the sky. This time, they were headed to a true sky full of hope.
THE END.
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Thank you all very much for reading this story. Remember to show support to the original creator, NAEM-59 on Wattpad, if you wish. Thanks to her, we all got to read this beautiful story that made me fall in love with the relationship between Sora and Aqua. I'd love to see more of them together, so I encourage you to create your own fanfics about Sora and Aqua if you'd like. Anyway, thank you very much, and goodbye. Long live Sora x Aqua!