Chapter 29: Reunion
(Morning)
Sora stretched his arm, yawning on the bed. It had been two whole days ever since he returned to the magic academy. He was relieved to finally be back to see his friends again, as he turned over to his side to see Louise next to him.
After what happened last time, she demanded that he would sleep next to her from now on so that those two wouldn't try to make a move like that again.
Sora looked at Louise's sleeping face and thought how relaxed she was. Considering he put her and everyone else through so much, it's only right that she would be more at peace.
His thinking was slightly interrupted when his eyes lowered at her breast, Louise moved slightly as her clothes showed a little bit of her upper body.
Sora turned away with a faint shade of red on his face, as he was not trying to look any further than he had to.
Sora turned back around and glanced at her face, and gently poked her cheek. This was enough to get her to wake up.
"Hey, good morning." Sora said as he was sitting on the bed.
"Sora…" She said in a groggy voice before waking up completely and wrapping her arms around him.
"What the-?"
"Oh good, it was just a dream." She said, letting go of the keyblade wielder.
"What are you talking about?" Asked Sora.
Louise explained that she was having a dream where Sora had gone off on his own again. She tried hard to catch up with him, but no matter how hard she pushed forward she couldn't keep up, she tripped as he went alone again.
Sora looked gently rubbed on her back, saying to her that he was sorry. But he promised that he isn't going anywhere again.
She looked at him, her eyes were a bit sad. as she looked at his left hand. Louise was thinking about everything they had been through together as both master and familiar. But now the contract between them is gone, so Sora was no longer a familiar, just a man…
"Well I think you should get dressed. You have class right?" Sora said as she began to scooch off the bed but was stopped by Louise holding onto his back.
"I'll get ready. But, can I have a few minutes." Louise asked.
Sora sigh "Okay. But just a few minutes." He said.
Louise thanked him before speaking "So stupid…I still can't believe you were alive this whole time. Henrietta had Agnès search for you, but by the time she got to the field…she told us how horrible it was…"
Sora remembered with blood and marks all over and the ground that battlefield turned into a graveyard real quick.
"I waited…and waited…trying to hope that you would come back…but you never did…" She said as tears almost flooded her face. "All I could do was dream…just dream that you would come back to us; to me…but everytime I woke up…I remember you weren't there…"
"It's not your fault, I'm the one that slipped that sleeping potion in your drink. It was my choice to fight." Sora said.
"It shouldn't have been your choice…I was selfish…arrogant…and stupid. If I had listened to you from the start, you wouldn't have to make such a sacrifice in the first place…"
Sora was starting to feel like the biggest jerk ever. Not only did he make his friends back home worry about him but his friends here as well. He looked at the tears Louise was shedding and immediately thought about Kairi, this was the second time he's made a girl cry because of him.
Sora couldn't argue back. And he knows that saying sorry isn't going to cut it with how much he's put everyone through. "You know, I can barely remember what happened to me after Albion…But I had this feeling just before I woke up something important happened to me." Louise looked at him.
"Something important?"
Sora nodded. "Yeah. I don't remember the details, and it's all foggy too. But I could feel the emotions of everyone. Not just here but everyone else. Kairi, Riku, Donald, Goofy, all my friends and the ones that are important to me. I just could give up, not until I kept my promise. To come back to all the people I treasure."
His words were slowly washing the pain in her chest. "Sora…"
"I know I probably can never make up for the pain I caused you guys. But I want you to know that I truly am sorry, but if it came down to risking my life for the people that I love, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again."
"But why? Why would you go to such lengths?"
"Because I value my friends and loved ones more than anything else. It doesn't matter the risk, I'll endure anything to protect everyone." Sora said.
Louise felt his words, and the strength that reflected in his eyes.
She started to calm down. "Sora thank you, you know it almost feels like a dream."
"Well it's not, I'm here and I'm not going anywhere."
"Well then prove it." Louise said.
"Prove it? How?" he asked.
Louise answered him by asking Sora if she could feel his heartbeat. She wants to know if this is really a dream or not. Sora accepted and she gently placed her hand over his chest. His heart was beating regularly, she could feel how strong it was going.
A smile was starting to form on her face. "It's real. I'm not dreaming at all."
"Nope." Sora replied
Louise then looked at his left hand "Sora…Tell me, we're not master and familiar anymore, but I was wondering, if our pact is broken, does that also mean our bond is too?"
"No way. We are connected to one another, this contract is just one form of a bond we share."
"Oh is that right…" She said as she pick up Sora's left hand and rubbed her hands together on his, his were rough and a bit bigger than hers. She then placed it over the left side of her breast.
"Whoa, hey!" Sora was startled.
Louise was calm but her face said otherwise as she was blushing, "You feel that, it's my heart…it's kinda fast, isn't it." She said.
"Yeah…" Sora said, blushing slightly.
"How does it feel?" Louise asked "I know I'm not as big as other girls are."
"C-Come on, how many times do I have to tell you, I'm not into that stuff!"
Louise gave a glare "Even though you have touched that cow's and the maid's before?"
"Not by choice!?" Sora answered as he took back his hand.
"Doesn't matter, you are still a man, and I know all men prefer large breasts." Louise said, looking a little angry.
That was when Sora looked away blushing from ear to ear, that was all the confirmation she needed.
[Oh don't worry.] Delf came out from the sheath [He was looking at yours too when you were asleep.]
Sora turned over to the wall "What!?. No! That's not-!" The keyblade wielder was trying to make up an excuse but just fumbled.
Louise was covering her chest "You were staring at mine too? Pervert."
"No listen…"
[Look at this with a positive outlook, my partner isn't just into legs. And at least doesn't discriminate between someone who's big or small.]
Sora lowered his head, this was sending all the wrong signals and he was painting himself in a not so positive light. He was glad that Kairi wasn't around, because there was no way he could handle her calling him a creep.
Louise looked at him, her angry look turned into a smile, she was having fun messing with him. But remember she had class. She got up from her bed and asked Sora to step out while she got changed.
Sora waited outside the room as Louise finished putting on her uniform. "See you later." Sora said to her.
Louise replied saying that she'll see him after class.
As Louise left him alone he started to think about something else that was on his mind, but it's not something he could talk about but maybe there was someone he could talk with.
Sora made his way to Cattleya's room. He stood in front of her door and knocked. "Coming." Her voice reached the door as she opened and greeted Sora "Sora, hello."
"Hi there." Sora returned the greeting
"Is something the matter?" The middle Vallière child asked.
"No, nothing is wrong." Sora said "Can I…Can I talk with you?"
Cattleya was surprised. "Sure." She agreed to let Sora into her room.
"Is there something important you wanted to say?" She asked.
Sora looked awkwardly at her before answering Cattleya "Well before I went off to stop the soldiers. Louise, she…she told me that she loved me." Sora said it.
"I know." Cattleya responded.
"You knew?"
The middle sister gave a laugh "It was pretty obvious that she holds feelings for you. You didn't know?"
"I'm sorry. I have a working pair of eyes and I couldn't see at all." Sora dropped his head.
"Is that what you wanted to talk about?" Asked Cattleya.
"Not yet. Well it isn't just Louise but a few others. I never had girls like me the way they do so I was surprised when they said that they were in love with me."
Sora thought about not only Louise's confession but also Kirche, and Siesta too. He even thought about Jessica when she kissed him goodbye.
"Do you not feel the same way about them?" Asked Cattleya.
"I can't say I'm confident in that area. But I can say that I see them more than just being friends. They were there for me when I was at my lowest and I truly am grateful for them…." Sora trailed off "But the thing is…I uh, well you see…"
Cattleya looked at his flustered face when she started to put the puzzle together. "I get it. There's another girl. One you like, isn't there."
Sora turned bright red when she said that. To him her Instincts were scary good. But really his face said it all. "Y-Yes." Sora confirmed as he explained some more "Since I was a kid, there was this girl on my Islands that I liked a lot. And I think she also likes me back. I really do want to be with her but I also don't want to hurt their feelings either."
"So do you have any advice on what I should do?"
Sora looked up to Cattleya. He hoped that might have an answer. Cattleya pondered this but was interrupted by another knock at the door. It was Elèanor "Come on Cattleya, we're leaving." Elèanor said as she and Sora's eyes met.
An awkward air filled the room. "You?" She said.
"Uh hi." Sora replied.
"Why are you here?" The eldest Vallière sister said.
Sora answered her questions "I just came because I needed some advice." But then he was surprised by what she just said "Wait what do you mean you're leaving."
Elèanor replied. "Since the war is over there is no need for us to stay here any longer." She then turned to her sister letting her know that the coach was ready for them.
Cattleya nodded as she picked up her luggage and followed her sister. Sora offered to take it for her, Cattleya agreed in his response, kindly taking him up on that offer.
They all made their way to the front gate, and a carriage was parked in front.
"Thank you for carrying that for me." Cattleya said. She then stepped forward towards Sora. "Don't worry too much about it. Just give yourself some time and I'm sure you'll have the answer you are looking for."
She answered his question from earlier, giving him a gentle pat on his head before entering the carriage. Elèanor stepped forward towards Sora.
"So…I guess this is bye for now. You and Cattleya take care of yourselfs." Sora said to Elèanor.
Elèanor huffed "Don't bother worrying about us!"
'...I forgot she still doesn't like me that much.'
Sora thought as Elèanor looked at him one more time. "But I suppose your kindness means something." Sora looked up to her "I never seen Louise so happy before. And it's all because of you, so I suppose a thank you is in order for taking care of my sister. Whether you are her familiar or not, you are someone she depends on deeply.
Sora smiled at her "You really do care about her don't you?"
Elèanor faced away from Sora with a small blush on her face "That girl is just a handful sometimes. Someone has to keep an eye on her."
Sora could see more of a resemblance between her and Louise. Elèanor maybe a bit strict and hard at times but she really does love Louise.
"Well you don't have to worry about anything, I promise. Louise is in safe hands with me." Sora said.
Elèanor crossed her arms before sending a chilling glare at Sora. "If you do anything and I mean anything that will hurt her…You better pray for mercy."
"R-Right…" Sora shuddered
"But still a noble and a commoner, the least she could do was make up a better excuse than just saying you were from another world."
Sora was startled "Wait she told you that!?"
"She did, why?" Elèanor was confused.
Sora facepalmed "Agh, Why Louise, why did you have to say that?!"
Elèanor looked at the panic state he was in before coming to a conclusion. "Wait…You mean to tell me that they were serious."
"They…" Sora looked at the blonde haired Vallière and asked who else told her. Elèanor responded saying that both Cattleya and Louise told her.
Sora looked at the carriage "You told her too?" the keybearer asked the middle child. Cattleya nodded while also apologizing for breaking her promise.
"Oh man." Sora was shocked and disappointed, he already had to explain this to Agnès and Henrietta and that was it no one else should know. But Elèanor, Sora could only scream, why?
She began to think until she reached the truth "So what Louise said is true. You're actually-."
"-From another world." Sora cut her off from finishing her sentence "Yes I am, long story. But I need you to promise that you won't tell anyone about it."
"Why not?"
"It's just important. Promise!" Sora asked her.
Elèanor saw his face as he was begging her to keep this a secret. "Okay, okay. I won't tell anyone." Elèanor promised.
Sora was relieved as she entered the carriage with her sister. The carriage began to take off with Cattleya and Elèanor looking back at Sora as he waved goodbye.
Meanwhile in the carriage the sisters were looking back at Sora waving at them. Cattleya looked at Sora and smiled, Louise was so lucky to have someone that would be there for her when she needed someone to protect her. And someone that she loved as well. This made her wonder if she'll ever find her own love interest someday too. "You know. I'm happy for Louise. She's found someone special."
"I'm still finding it hard to believe he comes from another world?" Elèanor said, still questioning it.
"Well, how many plebeians do you see being wielders of magic?" She said in a teasing manner as they rode off from the academy.
Sora looked at the gate as Elèanor and Cattleya were far from sight, and turned around back to the Institution. Thinking about what to do next. When all of a sudden a mysterious girl with long blue hair and teal colored eyes was standing right in front of him. Sora was surprised by the mysterious girl and wondered if she was a student. But she wasn't wearing an academy uniform but was wearing rags and she looked to be as tall as him.
The girl walked in front of Sora and was sniffing his body, the keybearer was weirded out by the mysterious girl. "Can I help you?" The blue haired female stopped smelling him and looked deeply into Sora's eyes. She was extremely close to his face.
She gave a massive smile.
Then out of nowhere she launched at him. She then bit him on the side of his neck "Gah!" Sora backed away from this girl that suddenly bit him. He held onto his neck.
"What was that for?!" He asked but this girl only smiled before running to the gate. However she stopped and faced him once more.
"See you again Sora!" She waved at him before making her exit.
Sora chased after her. But by the time he made it she was already long gone. The only one present was Sylphid, sleeping on the grass. Sora approached the dragon Sylphid caught wind of his scent.
"Hey Sylphid, you didn't happen to see a girl running by here, did you?" The dragon tilted her head, letting out a chirp "Guess not, huh."
Sora wore a confused expression on his face, just who was that girl, and how did she know his name? He turned around when he heard the sound of a rumbling stomach. It sounded like it came from Sylphid.
Just then his stomach growled "Guess you're not the only one. Come on, let's get something to eat." Sora said as the dragon spread her wings and followed Sora.
As Sora and Sylphid were on his way to the kitchen, he stumbled across Julio and Siesta who were engaging in a sword drill. After Sora returned he learned that Julio was teaching Siesta sword technique while he was away. He watched as Siesta was listening to his instruction and swinging the wooden sword at him at the same time.
After some time Sora made his way over to her and Julio as they were taking a break.
"Alright, you're starting to make some progress." Julio said, commenting on her slow yet steady development.
"Thank you." She thanked the priest. Julio soon noticed Sora watching.
The priest smiled. "Don't look now, but it seems that you have company."
"Huh?" She asked. Julio pointed his thumb over to the side. She turned her head to see Sora watching her.
She greeted as Sora approached her and Julio. "Oh Sora, I didn't notice you were here."
"Didn't mean to stare." Sora said "But you have been putting in the work." The keyblade wielder commented on Siesta's progress.
"Thank you." She said. "But honestly you, and Mr.Chesaré are both so good. I don't even have half the skill that the two of you possess."
"Hey, you'll get there someday." Sora said with confidence.
"That means a lot." Siesta repiled.
"He's correct. You are starting to make some progress. I myself am also getting the hang of what you taught me." Julio said.
Sora looked at the priest as he slowly began to conjure a small ball of water in the palm of his hand.
Sora was taken back, since when can he use magic. Sora gasped thinking that he was secretly a noble but Julio laughed. Saying that he is no noble, but he asked Siesta in return for teaching her the art of swordsmanship he requested that she would teach him a bit of the magic that she learned from Sora.
Sora turned to Siesta. 'Well, I guess it's alright. Just as long as she didn't say anything about other worlds.'
"Sora?" Julio said.
"It's nothing." Sora replied. He looked back at Siesta. "I have to say, you were really putting in the effort."
"Thank you." The maid replied. "Although despite my lessons, I still have a long way to go." She said as she remembered how beaten up she was from their last session.
"If you want, you can spar with me."
Siesta shuddered "No thanks. Fighting the hero of Tristain is a foolish idea." She said, afraid of Sora's power. If she ever fought with him even if it was just for practice, she would not last long.
Sora slumped. "Geh…Oh come on, don't you start with that too."
"And what's wrong with it?" Julio asked.
After his return, almost everyone in the academy had been calling him a hero. Sure he protected the kingdom but he didn't do it for some title or anything, he just wanted to protect his friends and their home.
"Nothings wrong with it. But everyone has been calling me that all the time and it feels weird."
"You did save Tristain, that's a fact." The platinum blonde said to the brunette "People adore a good hero, it's just how it works."
"I guess you're right? Wonder if that explains why that girl was acting that way too?" The maid and the priest questioned him,
"What was this about a girl?"
Sora explained that as Cattleya and Elèanor were leaving the academy, a weird girl just showed up out of nowhere and was smelling him and the next thing he knew she suddenly hugged and bit him as well. Sora showed the teeth marks to prove it. Siesta asked if he knew this girl from before, but his answer was no. He had never seen her before and by the time he reached the main gate she was gone.
"This is interesting." Julio said "She could be one of your fans."
"A fan?" Sora repeated. "Well now that you mentioned it, she did know my name."
"But it's weird that she would just bite you. Can I see?" Siesta asked and Sora showed her the spot where the mysterious blue haired girl took a bite. "She must have sunk her teeth in deep." The black haired girl said, examining the bite mark.
"Are you sure you've never seen this girl before?"
"Positive."
Sora confirmed once more. As he noticed how close Siesta was to him. His face possessed a small shade of red that was unnoticed by her.
As Siesta looked at the bite she told him that there was no worry. She didn't bite too hard so there was nothing to worry about.
Sora nodded as he took Sylphid and Himself to Marteau.
As the keyblade wielder and the dragon were far enough away. Julio smirked.
"You know what it means when you receive a bite like that?" Siesta looked at him, "It means that you claim territory."
Siesta sigh in depression. 'Ahh…So another enemy has appeared…'
Meanwhile Louise and the rest of her classmates were going over lectures. Among the lessons that were being taught. A female student whispered into her ear asking Louise where Sora might be.
She asked why she would want to know? The girl just wanted to meet him. But Louise turned them down.
After Sora's return was announced throughout the school. The students all gathered and were amazed to see and hear that he arrived from the battlefield unharmed. But they also know about his great accomplishments.
But this also sparked a fan club for the keyblade wielder, all the girls especially joined in.
Class ended as they were preparing for their next lesson.
"Um, excuse me. Miss Louise." The pink haired girl stopped as she and her friends turned around.
Guiche was startled "Katie?" The male blonde said.
Yes this young first year was the very same one that the young male two timed. And she was carrying a basket with a Soufflé inside.
"Hello Mr.Gramont." She said with an unpleasant tone of voice. She had not forgotten nor forgiven him for his past anthics.
"I was wondering…but is Sora around somewhere?"
"We haven't seen him anywhere, why?" Asked Montmorency.
She looked shy. "Well I woke up early…and made some Soufflés. I happened to make some extras, so I was wondering if Sora would like it."
They could all see that flustered look on her face. It was written all over that she wants to give Sora a treat. But as Louise was about to say something Kirche stepped forward sayimg that he might be outside. Thr brown haired girl thanked the fire mage and immediately ran outside.
Louise looked at Kirche Why did you tell her?" Louise said agnger at her.
"Why wouldn't I?" Said Kirche "What are you scared of? That someone is going to take him away? You have got to work on that jealousy."
"I'm not scared. And I'm not jealous either. Besides, I told Sora how I feel." She boasted. "And we've kissed more than once."
"Hasn't he done that with most of you?" Guiche bluntly said. Louise flinches, thinking how right he is. "Plus you know that he isn't your familiar anymore so shouldn't he decide who he should be with?"
"Yeah Louise. I think you should let him have some freedom." Montmorency said.
Louise trailed off. "Maybe…But even if he does. There is one person I rather he didn't end up with…" Louise turned her gaze back to Kirche. "Don't think I've forgot you entering my room and trying to seduce Sora while I was asleep.
"I would have gotten farther if that maid didn't interrupt me. But that face he was making as he was prepared to surrender." Said the fire mage. "But if we were allowed to continue, just imagine all the fun we could have together. Just thinking about it gets me so hot." Kirche licked her lips.
Louise looked at the busty teen in disgust. "Doesn't that heat cycle of yours have an off switch?"
"She used to see two or three guys a day. So no, probably not." The female blonde said. But now she is solely focused on one person.
"And while we are on that topic. Why were you saying …well…how you…" Louise struggled to say what she was trying to get out.
"You mean from how she wanted to conceive." Guiche replied.
Making the two girls blush from ear to ear. Louise began to ask why Kirche would even suggest something as vulgar as that.
"Maybe because he's got it all." She started listing her reason: "He got good looks, talent with magic, skills with a sword. And that childlike sense of wonder of his makes him cute. He's a prime catch. And I want him all to myself."
"I don't want to hear that from a floozy like you."
"Floozy. I was just having a bit of fun." She said as she crossed her arms. amd was trying to play innocent.
"A bit of fun. That's what you call it. I mean do you have any idea how many girls had to break up with their boyfriends because of you and your libido."
"...Heh Heh."
Louise growled at Kirche who was sneering at her.
Just as they were talking Tabitha also said something. "I was wondering. Since Sora is no longer a familiar, doesn't that also mean he is free to search for a way to his home world?"
Everyone stopped and thought about it. Louise especially looked surprised. She was right. If he wanted to, he could look for a way back to his original world. Sometimes they forget that he isn't from Halkeginia to begin with.
"Right…He's not from our world." Louise said in a quiet voice. She knows that Sora would eventually look for a way back to his original world and now that his is not a familiar anymore he's free to do whatever he wants.
Soon she realized that they were going to be late for their next lesson.
"Excuse me." They all turned around and Agnès appeared behind them.
"Agnès, what are you doing here?" Asked Louise.
"I came here on orders from her highness. Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière. Her
Majesty Henrietta wishes to speak with you." Agnès said in an authoritative tone of voice.
"The queen?" Louise said. "But what about class?"
"Well let the teachers know." The water mages said.
"You should also go get you-know-who. I'm sure there is a lot he needs to talk about." The earth mage said as they all went to class.
Agnès looked confused as she didn't know who they were referring to. Louise looked at Agnès and knew this might be a bit of a shock for her.
After getting something to eat Sora returned to the room to pick up Delf as he and the sword went back outside. Sylphid let out a small purr as Sora reached his hand underneath her jaw and was giving her a nice scratch.
Suddenly, the dragon pulled her head away from Sora and snatched up the back of his jacket with her jaws.
"Hey! What are you doing?"
The dragon ignored him before walking around in a circle. It then lay down in a ball and sat Sora right in the center. The keyblade wielder wondered what got into her.
Sora sat there like a stone as he felt the dragon's rhythmic breathing against his back as she fell asleep. Despite the nice gesture Sora wasn't tired still he was comfortable in this position though.
"Don't worry too much about it. Just give yourself some time and I'm sure you'll have the answer you are looking for."
Sora thought about Cattleya's words. 'Well. I guess I should tell everyone else about Kairi before I can give an answer.' He really wasn't trying to hurt their feelings, but he had to say something.
"Umm… excuse me." A girl's voice suddenly made the spiky brunette open his eyes and jerk forward slightly. Turning to the source of the voice, Sora noticed a first year female student from the brown cape she wore, she was carrying a food basket.
"Huh?"
Sora's eyes widened slightly upon recognizing the familiar figure in front of him. She was the same girl whom Guiche had two-timed which earned him a good slap on his cheek from both girls. "Wait… you are…" He trailed off, trying to remember her name but the girl answered him first.
"Katie."
"Katie. Right." Sora remembered the girl's name. He said with a grin causing the girl to blush. She was happy that he remembered her "What brings you here, Katie? And uh, aren't you supposed to be in class now? What if the teacher finds you here?"
"I am, but I wanted to give this to you."
The girl then handed him the food basket filled with soufflés which Sora accepted despite not having any idea as to why she wanted to give him that.
Katie then spoke again. "I made these soufflés myself. I wanted to say thank you, you saved us so many times so this is the least I can do." She bowed to him after the last part.
For a moment, Sora eyed the contents of the basket which made Katie feel nervous again, worried that he wouldn't like her gift of thanks until the Keybearer looked at her and asked, "You really made this yourself? For me?"
"Y-yes." She answered with a stutter.
"Thanks a lot, Katie. That was very nice of you." Sora thanked her with a smile, surprising the first year student slightly by his answer as he looked at the soufflés in the basket again, "They sure look delicious."
At this, Katie clasped her hands happily. "R-really? I'm so glad you like it."
Suddenly, the blue dragon woke up. Sylphid looked at the brown haired girl and started hissing angrily at Katie. The girl was getting scared until Sora stepped in protecting the first year and tried to calm Sylphid down.
"Whoa, whoa!" Sora said with his arms up. "Sylphid, chill out!" He began patting her head. The dragon was starting to calm down; he even gave her a soufflé. She started to relax more.
Sora and Katie took a sigh of relief "Bad girl. Don't do that."
The dragon chirped "I'm so sorry. She's never acted like this before."
"It's fine." Katie said, still a little shaken. "I suppose I should return to class. I'm glad that you like the soufflés. Next time I'll make cone cakes that will go well with some tea."
"Sure thing I look forward to it." Sora accepted.
And with that, the brown haired girl then turned around and went back to class with a happy smile still plastered on her face. After Katie was out of sigh, Sora took a bite of the other soufflé. He really likes the taste. "Wow this is good."
Sora looked back to Sylphid. He was wondering what was up with her attitude from earlier.
"...I don't believe my eyes…" Sora heard a familiar voice.
The keyblade wielder turned around. Seeing not only Louise but Agnès as well. "Agnès?" Sora was surprised to see her.
When out of the blue she grabbed Sora by his collar and hit him across the jaw, knocking him down. "What was that for?"
"That was for fooling us all." She said,
"Louise told me that you were alive… but I didn't believe it…if you were alive this whole damn time…where have you been?!" She said feeling a mix of anger and frustration.
Sora looked up and while he could see she was angry she was also a bit sad. "I'm sorry." That was all he could say.
Agnès reached out her hand and Sora took it. "Still. I'm glad to see you're okay." Agnès replied, her expression turning into a smile.
Sora nodded and asked Agnès why she was here. She said that she was here to take Louise to the castle Henrietta wishes to see her.
Sora asked if he could come along. The knight captain said yes. Because he was alive he should explain to her how he is alive and where he has been.
(Tristain)
Meanwhile Riku and Kairi were wandering the streets. They had been asking around the city to check if anyone here knew Sora. But no one seemed to know, The keyblade wielders started to wonder if Sora was even in this town or maybe the Power of Awaking sent them to the wrong world.
They were when Kairi bumped into a young girl causing them both to fall down. Her phone fell out of her pocket. Kairi apologized to the girl and the young girl wasn't bothered. She got a look at the strange device on the ground as she was surprised to see a photo of Sora.
Kairi gasped as well as Riku. They asked where she had seen him as she told them that he saved her and her uncle two days ago. He talked about seeing a friend here in Tristain.
Riku asked where this person lives, she did know but she did remember him mentioning a place called the charming fairy inn.
After talking with a bunch of people on the streets. Riku and Kairi finally found someone that pointed in the direction of this tavern that Sora mentioned. From the outside it looked like any regular building.
"I guess this is the place." Riku said. Kairi was first to head inside looking for Sora. Riku followed her.
Upon entering they were greeted by a waitress. "Welcome to the fairy inn. How may I~" The girl trailed off her speech as she looked at Riku.
'Oh wow…' She thought as she got a look at his features. Tall, silver hair, with cyan colored eyes. She soon began laughing like crazy trying to make a sentence. That's when the other girls noticed him and they all started swooning over him and trying to flirt with him.
Riku was starting to be annoyed. "Looks like you're still popular matter where you go." Kairi said.
"Hey!" Another female voice called out to the rest of the girls. "What are you all doing, get back to work!" She said in a more strict tone.
"Yes Jessica!" The waitresses scattered and got back to work.
"Sorry about that. Can I help you?" Jessica said to the two people.
"If you can? We're looking for a friend of ours." The keyblade master pulled his gummiphone and showed a picture of Sora.
"Wait." Jessica immediately recognized the photo. "Sora?"
Kairi was the first to step up and speak. "You know Sora?" She said.
"Yeah." The dark haired girl responded. "He's helped me and my papa out a few times."
"Finally!" The red haired girl said. As she began bombarding the dark haired girl with questions. Riku stopped her but couldn't contain herself. She and him were searching for two days in this city trying to find some sorta clue that would lead them to Sora. While Riku understood where she was coming from he told her to calm down.
Kairi did what he told her and took a deep breath. And apologized.
Kairi and Riku then sat near a table as they were given glasses of water. "Thank you." Kairi said.
"It's alright. Now how about we try this again, starting with names." She replied. "I'm Jessica and it's nice to meet you."
"It is a pleasure to meet you Jessica. My name is Kairi." The red head introduced herself.
"I'm Riku. Nice to meet you too."
Jessica took notice of the bizarre names "Kairi and Riku. You guys sure do have weird names."
Riku and Kairi didn't know how to react as they looked at each other before looking back at Jessica. "I don't think it's weird. My name means sea."
"And mine means land."
This reminded her of the time she also asked Sora for his name. "I know it sounds weird but it's not, it means 'sky' where I'm from."
"Well anyway, how are you guys affiliated with Sora anyway?" Jessica asked
"He's our best friend." Riku began to explain "We've been looking for him for a long time."
"You two are his friends?" Jessica asked as she got a better look at the two of them before she had a revelation " If you guys are Sora's friend then…Nevermind."
Riku noticed she had something to say but weird that she would dismiss it. "So you guys are looking for Sora."
"Yes."
"Well, I hate to tell you this but Sora's not here. He left already."
"When?"
"Two days ago."
Kairi leans towards Riku. "So around the time we entered this world."
"Looks like it. That means we just missed him." Riku followed up. "Did he say anything about where he was going?"
"Yeah. The Tristain academy of magic." Jessica answered.
"Academy of magic?" They both said at the same time.
Jessica explained "It's an institution where nobles go to study and develop their magic."
"Nobles? As in like royals?"
"Yes."
Riku pondered on this, 'So this world has a class system on who uses magic and people that don't.' The keyblade thought some more on this topic, and since he is a bit of a magic user himself he might get mistaken for being a noble, which he is not, nor is Kairi, but she is a princess of heart so they mistake her for bwing a real princess.
But getting to the subject Riku asked where this magic academy was? Jessica told them that if they exit town and past a forest they will be straight there.
"Past the forest. Got it." Said Riku standing up.
Kairi stood up and shook hands with Jessica "Thank you so much." She thanked the dark haired girl.
"No sweat." Jessica replied. The girl let go of her hand and waved goodbye as they were now on their way to find their lost friend.
Meanwhile, speaking of Sora, He and Louise were riding in a carriage with Agnès taking them to the castle. On the whole way there there was a long silence between them. Sora thought that now might be the best time to mention his feelings before he could say anything else.
The brown haired teen turned to Louise. "Hey Louise…
"Why is it you keep making promises you can't keep." She said harshly towards him.
"What?"
Louise continued "You're a free man aren't you. Do what you want. It's not like you care about having a master like me."
"Where is this coming from?" Sora asked
"I mean you come from a completely different world. So what's the point saying that I'm not leaving. I don't understand why you keep lying to everyone."
"I'm not lying! You think it's easy for me to go back, I still don't have any way off this world and until then I still don't have a clue. I came back to you and everyone else like I said I would and you still wanted to doubt me. Are all aristocrats so two-faced?"
Louise took that slander personally. "I'm not two-faced. You don't get me either. I care about you and want what's best for you…" Louise slipped up on that comment as she covered her mouth preventing herself from saying anything more.
She looked out the window of the carriage no longer facing Sora.
A short time after that they made a stop near a pond. "Let's take a break here." Agnès said.
Louise was first to get out of the carriage as Sora called out and followed her. "Don't go off too far."
"Louise, wait!" Sora called out to her.
"What is it you want?" She asked.
Sora placed his hands in his pocket "Well nothing. I just…"
"Then leave me alone." She said walking into the woods. Sora moved back to the carriage and leaned backwards towards it. He let out a sigh.
[You good?]
"Yeah. I just don't understand what's her problem. Maybe I should leave her alone for a bit…" Sora thought.
[It's not you she's worried about, it's the contract.] Delf said.
"Does it really matter?"
[You blockhead.] Delf called Sora a blockhead.
"I agree. You don't understand what she is getting at?" Agnès agreed with the sword.
Sora looked confused.
Louise walked deeper in the woods. And was sitting on a large rock picking the leaves off a flower.
Until she got tired and dropped the flower. 'I know it's not something to care about…But the runes laid the foundation of our bond. Even if you're not worried about it…'
To Louise those runes meant more than just serving as a mark for their contract. It was also a symbol of the connection that was forged between them. She wouldn't admit it but she would like to have Sora as her familiar again. But it was impossible to try, as per the rule of the summoning ritual, the same familiar cannot be resummon.
"Oh wow." Louise got off the rock and started to check her surroundings. "Just how pathetic can you be. If you truly believe your connection is weakened, then maybe there was nothing there at all." She somehow managed to avoid a fireball that was casted straight at her. She pick herself up and held out her wand.
"Who goes there?" She asked.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Vallière." This time the voice was different. It sounded like a female voice. "To think a girl is capable of using void magic."
"Who are you? Stop playing games and come out!" Louise demanded answers.
Next thing she knew two blades were being aimed at her next one obviously was a keyblade, but the other was a double headed battle ax with the blades being made of stone and the edges having steel. She turned her head slightly to see one of Sora's enemies "You!?"
"I don't think we have been introduced properly. I am Vanitas." The dark keyblade wielder said.
"And who are…" To answer that question the individual pulled back their hood. "Aren't you…" Louise couldn't believe it. This other black robe wearer was that knight who disappeared from the academy. Michelle.
"Flattered that you still remember me." She said.
"What happened to you?"
"They did what they promised me. They're giving me a chance to fix this broken world of ours."
"Don't even bother trying to cast a spell. You should know just what we're capable of. Trying to fight us two on one is a dumb idea." Vanitas responded clearly knowing what Louise was thinking.
"Don't underestimate me! I am the daughter of duke Vallière, I'm not going to listen to a bunch of thugs!" Louise broke away from them and quickly used her magic.
'Come on, Sora, to have to notice!' Louise let out an explosion. Smoke began to rise as Sora and Agnès quickly took note and ran into the direction of the explosion.
"What's going on?" Agnès wondered.
"I don't know, but that has to be Louise!" Sora said as he and Agnès entered the woods.
Louise took a few breaths and saw that they were gone. She felt a feeling of relief until she felt her entire body suddenly being weighed down, like she had no control over it. This feeling caused her to fall down.
"What…What's going on…" She wondered as she heard a small cackle. She slowly creaked her neck and saw another mysterious figure standing behind her.
While she couldn't see her face, Louise noticed a glowing ring on her finger. She looked at it and felt a sense of familiarity when she saw it.
"Who are you…" She said, struggling to get up as Michelle and Vanitas stood beside her.
"It's an honor to finally meet you. miss Vallière." The woman said, now looking at Louise face to face.
"Who do you know my name? What do you want from me?" The explosion mage asked these questions.
She pulled back her hood. "My name is Sheffield. And I'm here to bring you to my master. Now be a dear and come with us." Sheffield said.
"Why do you want me?"
"That power." The dark-haired woman said "My master is currently seeking void mages. You are one of four. Like my master." Runes appeared on her forehead.
"Those runes."
"I'm known as Mjöðvitnir; otherwise called the mind of God. I can control any magic item in my possession. The Andvari ring is one such item."
Vanitas stepped up "Did you think that you and Sora were the only special ones here. No, there are others like you."
Louise couldn't believe what she was hearing…There are other void mages…
"Now then, it's time we be one our way." She said as Gargoyle started showing up.
"I'm not going anywhere. Just wait, Sora will-"
"You familiar." Sheffield cut her off "Were you just getting into a fight with him? What makes you think that he will come?"
"Like I said, you're just pathetic." Vanitas said to Louise. "Even though he's a free man, he is still tied to you and you him, but now that the foundation of your connection is gone, you think that he is going to abandon you. If you really feel like that, then maybe everything you've felt was just a lie."
"Shut up it's not a lie! He is coming, I know it!"
"For what…A short fuse brat like you. I bet Sora never told you this, but while you love him, he's actually in love with someone else." Louise looked shocked.
"What…?"
"Enough talk." Sheffield said "Now then be a good girl and come with us." She snapped her fingers as a Gargoyle reached out to grab her. Louise was horrified as to what these people were going to do to her.
'Please! Sora!' Suddenly, the Gargoyle was encased in ice and shattered into a million pieces.
What happened next was a fireball being hurled towards Sheffield. She moved out of the way as her concentration broke. Freeing Louise from her clutches. A Gargoyle flew towards her but was stopped by Sora. Who deflected its claws and cut down the monster.
"Sora!" Louise said in relief.
But now was not the time to feel joy "Focus on a spell. I'll buy you time!" Sora said.
"But what about…"
"Our pact? Who cares." Sora turned to Louise and flicked her forehead. "I promise that I will protect you, and that's what I plan to do!"
Louise held her forehead, and she felt her confidence return. As he stared down Sheffield "I don't understand. He isn't a familiar anymore so why protect her?" She said.
"That's enough Sheffield." Sheffield had someone talking to her telepathically.
"Master Joseph?" She said "Why? I'm sure we can-"
"Not all the pieces are in place. You will have more chances but this game of ours needs a full set. Let them handle this. I trust you to make the right choice."
The dark haired woman agreed. "Your wish is my command. Can I trust you two to handle this?"
"Whatever." Vanitas responded as he opened a dark corridor and she stepped inside.
"Wait!" Sora tried to stop her but a Unverse stopped him from entering; he immediately cut them down as a Gargoyle flew straight at him.
However the Gargoyle was immediately shot. "Let me help you!" Agnès said as she ran to his side. She looked at her hand and quickly summoned Valkyrie's Rage.
"Agnès. Should you be using that?" Sora worried about her.
"It's not like I have much of a choice." The two stood side by side and out of nowhere stone projectiles flew towards them. Agnès rolled to avoid while Sor did a roundhouse kick breaking one Vanitas jumped in front of Sora and the two began there duel, Agnès and Michelle also were engaging in combat.
"Michelle. What has become of you?" Agnès asked her previous vice captain.
"They did what they had to. I see you also possess the same type of power, I don't see why you don't embrace it fully." Agnès grit as Michelle pushed her back and slammed the edge of the ax into the ground. Stalagmites rose from the ground and nearly impaling her if she didn't move out of the way.
Sora and Vanitas struck keyblade to keyblade. as sparks flew off their weapons. Putting these two in a deadlock. The two keyblade wielders pushed off each other and fired off magic Vanitas a dark firaga and Sora a firaga. The fireballs cancel each other out as smoke rises from the clash of magic.
Vanitas was looking at Agnès who was holding her own with Michelle. Until he got a mysterious feeling in the air. He felt a presence but not Sora, Agnès or Louise. Nor this was different and he recognized it 'Well well. I didn't think you guys would show up this early.'
Sora came out of the smoke with his kingdom key keyblade in his hand. But Vanitas jumped out of the way.
"Hey Michelle!" He called out to the blue-haired woman. "It's time to go!"
She looked back. "What!? But we're just getting started."
"We're going to be outnumbered if we stay." He said only adding to her confusion.
"What are you talking about?" She asked.
"Forget it, fall back for now."
By the time she faced Agnès again she also jumped back. Just as Louise finished casting the spell. They immediately dove into a dark corridor getting away from the blast. A huge light shined from the middle of the forest. Riku and Kairi who were on their way to the academy saw this and thought about what just happened.
"What was that!?" Kairi said.
"I don't know. But we better find out." Riku said as they went full speed towards the explosion.
Louise took a deep breath and nearly fell to her knees if Sora hadn't caught her. "You good?" He asked.
Louise nodded. "Yes." She said now standing up. "Um, thank you."
"Don't sweat it." Sora said, leading Louise back to the carriage with Agnès telling Sora to be on guard as they reached where the carriage was parked. Sora asked Louise to stay in place while he and Agnès went to the carriage.
Everything looks clear after her explosion so things should be fine. Sora opened the door and noticed something weird: a strange purple colored vase was just resting inside the carriage. He picked it up and examined it.
"What is this doing here?" Sora said as Agnès also got a look. But when Sora turned it around and noticed that this vase wasn't a vase but an emblem heartless, it was already too late.
A purple smoke expelled from the top covering their field of vision "Sora! Agnès!" Louise ran towards them as the smoke began to clear. Sora tossed it up and used his thunder magic to destroy it. Sora and Agnès fell to the ground coughing violently and holding their chest.
"What…*cough cough*...I…I can't breathe…"
"...*Cough… Must be poison… *cough*..." Agnès said.
Louise panicked; she didn't have anything to counteract the poison that they inhaled. As Louise was trying to come up with a salutation, something was moving in the woods, something fast. Agnès got a look listening to the leaves as she saw a pair of glowing eyes looking at them. The shadowy creature charged out of the forest and towards them. Agnès pushed Louise out of the way but she and Sora took the full brunt of the attack, causing them to land into a tree.
Louise called out to them. Agnès fell unconscious while Sora was about to lose his As he tried to reach out to Louise. "Louise…" That was all Sora said as everyone went black.
The void mage crawled backwards as the monster grew closer and closer to her. The dark clouded creature jumped in the air ready to pounce. Louise's fear grew as she closed her eyes waiting for it to happen.
When suddenly a barrier was shielding her she opened her eyes and saw a boy with silver hair and a girl with red hair. They seemed to be holding the creature back. With a wave of their hands they push the heartless away. As it retreated into the woods.
"Who-Who are you two?" She asked.
"Nevermind us! Just stay close." The silver haired boy said as he and the girl next to him dropped the barrier. The two of them summoned keyblades to their hands. Louise was caught by surprise. The monster came out of the woods.
The black mist around its body vanished as its true body was exposed. It was a Dark Hide.
Riku was first to charge in front of the heartless. And Kairi followed after him. The both jumped up when avoiding the claws as they performed a downward slash together on top of the heartless.
The creature roar as it shook them off it's back Riku and Kairi were sent flying. Kairi flew on top of Louise. As for Riku he regained his balance and skid on the grass as he pointed his keyblade at the dark hide
"Dark Firaga?" A barrier of darkness infused fireballs were shot at the heartless. The heartless charged at the keyblade wielder full force.
Kairi groaned, shaking off the attack "Ahh~" Her groan turned into a yelp as she felt something on her bottom, she quickly got up as she was sitting on top of the pink haired girl's face.
Louise sent a blank stare at Kairi. "Sorry about that." The red haired girl
Louise rubbed her nose. "Jeez, can your butt be any bigger?"
Kairi's whole face was dyed in a rose color. Until Riku called out to her "I could use a hand here!" Kairi snapped out of her trance and focused on helping Riku. Louise watched the two of them fight.
Some time passed as the heartless grew weaker. Their last attack sent the monster across the field.
"Now Kairi!"
"Let's do it, Riku!" They stood on opposite sides of the Dark Hide heartless.
Riku stabbed his Braveheart while Kairi stabbed Destiny Embrace into the ground. Two magic circles, one of light and one of darkness formed underneath their feet lines forward on the sides of each other, connecting to each other creating a large magic circle underneath the dark hide. Pillars of darkness and light raised upward as Kairi and Riku dashed towards the heartless with a single slash and the final move involved them jumping into the air.
"See how you like this!"
"Here we go!"
"Meteor Fall!" Kairi and Riku unleashed as Shockwave of energy that became entangled with one another. The mix of energies was like a meteor falling to earth. The blast reached the Dark Hide as it took the full force of the attack.
The beast roared before collapsing on the ground. As the heartless vanished into black smoke.
The two keyblade wielders landed on the ground. Turning back to Louise.
"Hey are you alright?" Kairi asked as she offered a hand.
"Uh, y-yes. Thank you." Louise took the red haired girl's hand.
"Don't mention it. When we saw that huge light just now we didn't know what was going on, glad we got here in time." Riku said to Louise.
"If you don't mind me asking who are you two." asked Louise.
"My name's Kairi. And this is Riku."
"My name is Louise." Louise returned the introduction as she soon remembered those names. "Wait. Riku and Kairi. You're Sora's friends aren't you?"
That shocked them. "You know Sora?" Riku said.
"Yes he-." She remembered something important about him and Agnès. She ran past the two keyblade wielders who began to follow her. As they caught up with her Riku and Kairi immediately found Sora lying on the ground but he wasn't moving.
"Sora!" Kairi and Riku called out to their friend. Kairi was first to pick him up as Riku noticed a woman next to him who was also not moving. Riku attended to her.
"Sora! Sora, wake up! Sora!" She panics desperately trying to get him to open his eyes.
"Don't move him, he and Agnès were poisoned."
"Poison? Kairi back away from him." Riku said as he raised his hands over Agnès and Sora. "Esuna." A light orange aura covered their. bodies.
"What are you doing?" Louise asked.
"I'm removing the poison." He said as the light vanished from their bodies. Riku then pulled out two potions he gave one to Kairi as she knew what to do next. Riku held Agnès and Kairi held Sora.
They both opened the bottle and poured the potions down their throats. As they finished having them drink the potions. They laid them back down
After a second their bodies had a green light covering them which soon stopped the two of them gasping for air.
They soon began coughing "Oh man." Sora groaned. "What happened?" He said as he and Agnès were coming too.
"Sora…" He looked up and noticed something he could not believe.
"Who are you two?" Agnès asked but Sora already answered.
"Huh…Kairi…Riku…" Sora said, his eyes shaking with disbelief.
"Sora!" Kairi immediately threw herself towards Sora and began crying tears of joy. Riku also approached him and placed his hand on his back.
"Good to see you." He said as Sora also was on the verge of tears. This wasn't a dream. His friends were here. It made him so happy to see them again.
The sun was beginning to set as Louise entered the castle with Agnès. In a different place within the palace Henrietta waited for her guest. She was in a empty room.
"I've returned, your majesty."
"Enter." She replied as She and Louise walked in. Louise looked around, all she saw was just a used desk and an old bookshelf.
"Louise…It's good to see you." Said the queen.
"Where's all your belongings?" She asked.
"Not only did the war empty our treasury, I sold off all the furniture I had to help, even just a little. Surprise?"
"I can't believe you made a sacrifice like that."
Henrietta took Louise's hand and shook her head. "No, don't. If anything, losing you would be more unbearable. No words could ever make amends for what happened. I was useless and sinful, not only did I exploit your powers, I nearly sent you to your death."
Agnès corrected the queen "Parks was the one that did it. And he got what he deserved. Besides I was the one who brought her into the fray."
"No…The responsibility is mine. I was the one who chose to go to war. And the result of that ended up costing so many lives including Sora. I am so sorry…If I could take it back I would…"
Henrietta started to cry. She blamed herself for all of this.
"...You did what you had to do…" She stopped crying. As Sora, Kair, and Riku entered the chambers. "Plus it was my choice to stay behind. And if it came down to it I would do it again."
Henrietta couldn't believe her eyes. As she let go of Louise and slowly walked to Sora. She must have been hallucinating or maybe she was seeing a ghost. Either way she wrapped her arms around him and placed her ear right where his heart is.
Ba-Dump…Ba-Dump…Ba-Dump* Henrietta was on the verge of tears again. She cried.
"Sora…I-I…I don't…You're alive…" She said in between her sobs. "How…?" She let go of Sora.
"It's kinda a long story." Sora said. "But I want to introduce you to some friends. This is Riku and this one is Kairi."
Kairi did a slight curtsy and Riku merely nodded. "How do you do, your highness." Riku said.
"Friends? I didn't know they were here?"
"Well I'm glad there were, we almost lost our lives if it weren't for them." Agnès said. As she explained to Henrietta that they were attacked.
"By who?" Aside from the heartless, a mysterious woman appeared along with her fellow subordinate and that dark haired boy from the theater.
Henrietta asked who this person was. Louise answered, "The woman who attacked us called herself Sheffield."
"That's not a name I am familiar with. What did she want?" Daid Henrietta.
"She said how she was after my powers as a void mage, and was also trying to take me to her master. She had this ring on her finger that kept me from moving. And apparently she is also a void mage's familiar."
"A ring?"
"Yes. And I remember where I saw it. That was the same ring Cromwell used on me back in Albion."
"So that was the ring of Andvari? But I thought the water spirit said that he had it?" Sora said.
"I'm positive. That's the same ring."
"It's possible that Sheffield woman and Cromwell were working together. And it's possible she has something to do with his disappearance."
"Still how could someone know about the void?" Henrietta asked.
"Apparently. She said that her master was also a void mage."
Henrietta gasped. There was another void mage? How? "What are you saying, there exists another void mage."
"I don't know? Maybe there exist more but I can just speculate."
As they were going over Sora had a thought. He understands that void magic is a special form of magic that was just not ordinary. And in that moment he remembered something.
"When they found me. I started to hum the melody from the box and with the wand my father gave me. I casted the spell."
"What kind of spell was it?"
"I'm not sure what you would call it. But it's a spell that erases memories."
'A spell that erases memories. How is that possible?' Sora thought to himself. He thought that Naminé was the only one with the power to alter memories. Could it be magic or something else…
"To summarize. I managed to escape thanks to this spell."
"Oh…" Sora came to a horrible realization.
"What is it?" Agnès asked.
"I could be wrong…but if I'm not, I think I might know someone who could be another void mage." That had all three of the girls look at Sora with a surprise face.
"You know of another void mage!?"
Sora nodded. "She was the one that rescued me in Albion. Her name is Tiffania."
"Tiffania?" Henrietta said not recognizing the name at all. "I have never heard of a name like that. But if you say she is a void mage…Agnès can you go and seek out this Tiffania."
"Yes, Ma'am! Sora if you could accompany me."
"Got it."
"Excuse us." Riku got everyone's attention. "Void magic, Water spirit?" Riku was confused at what they were talking about, even Kairi didn't understand anything?
"Oh right. I'll fill you guys in later." Sora said to his childhood friends. "All you need to know is that we're going on a trip!" Sora said excitedly as he put his hands behind his head.
Rip*
Sora said that the undersleeves of his outfit tore. "Darn it!"
"Your clothes are falling apart." Louise said.
"Yeah I noticed." Sora said. He asked if Riku brought any spare clothes but he shook his head.
"You can't fight in those anymore." Agnès said.
As Sora spoke "But what am I supposed to do?"
"I can offer some assistance." Henrietta said "I know of a tailor that is skilled in her craft, she could make you some new clothes."
"You don't have to do that."
Henrietta shook her head and humble herself "No it's something I should do. You saved the nation, if not for you we would be in ruins."
"Thank you, Henrietta." Sora thanked the queen who began to blush. She was now looking all bashful playing with her hair.
Agnès, who was watching the expression she was making, realized that she was right. Her Majesty was in love with Sora.
(Night)
The castle was quiet. Sora was standing alone on the balcony looking up at the sky. After they explained the events that happened today Sora also began to fill in the details with Henrietta and Agnès as well as Kairi and Riku
"So this is where you were, you lazy bum." As he was watching the sky, he heard someone. He knew who would call him a lazy bum.
He turned around and saw Kairi and Riku standing side by side. "Hey guys." Sora greeted his friends. They each smiled happily to be reunited at long last. "And who are you calling a lazy bum?"
"Sorry. I meant to say "Hero of Tristain." Kairi said with giggles.
"You too?"
"I mean you fought and saved this kingdom all by yourself. That was pretty amazing." Riku added
"I'm starting to think that maybe that was what my premonition was about." Kairi said
"I didn't mean to scare you guys." Sora said to his friends.
They didn't seem to mind. "It's okay. After everything that's happened of course they deserve to know but did you really have to tell them everything?"
"You mean how all of us are from another world. I know I shouldn't have said anything but they and everyone else got deeply involved, I couldn't keep it a secret anymore." Sora said.
"What do you mean 'everyone'." Riku asked. Before coming to a conclusion "Oh."
"But they aren't going to tell anyone else, I promise." Sora reassured the keyblade master.
"...You know Donald is going to let you have it when we get back."
"I'm not worried. I'm used to him yelling at me." Sora said with a confident grin.
"That's…not the point." Riku said in a dull tone.
As Kairi began to laugh. Soon Sora and Riku also began to laugh. It's been so long since they were able to enjoy themselves. "It's good for us to be together again."
"Yes it is." Sora agreed as he looked apologetic towards Kairi and Kairi could see Sora had something important to say. Riku who could see and deci to let himself leave. As he went down the flight of stairs a single tear escaped from his eyes. He wiped it off his face as he was so relieved to finally see his best friend again.
With Riku gone it was just Sora and Kairi. An awkward air of silence filled the atmosphere As neither one knew what to say.
"Hey-" Both said at the same time.
"Oh sorry. Ladies first." Sora said to Kairi as she was first.
"Sora. I…I want to say I'm sorry." She said.
"Don't apologize, you don't have to be sorry for anything." Sora responded.
Kairi was on the verge of tears. "Yes I do…I messed up and got captured…again…and you had to sacrifice yourself…again." Kairi recalled the moment in her life where she had to keep being saved by Sora. All shebwanted was to pay him back for his kindness and to show that she deserved to stand by his side. But it always seems to backfire on her.
"What I did was my choice. I don't regret it at all. If anything, I would do it again." He said.
"That's not the point!" She argued "I wanted to protect you, but instead I was one getting saved. I don't understand why you keep protecting me, I'm so useless!" Kairi said
Sora grabbed Kairi by her shoulders. "You are not useless! What happened wasn't your fault, I should've moved quicker when Xemnas had you…And I should have been faster when Xehanort struck you down. I still live with that guilt, I thought I lost you; for good. I couldn't accept it, I couldn't live my life without you in it."
"Sora…"
"I don't regret my choice to save you, you are so important to me I could never imagine what my life would be like if you were never in it. I don't care how many times you get captured. I will fight with everything on the line to save you. Because you're that special to me…" Sora said to Kairi as she continued doubting herself.
"But…I…" The next thing she knew was Sora cupping her cheek. And kissed her right on her lips. Kairi's eyes widened as Sora pulled away blushing.
"I'm serious…I love you, Kairi. Even now these feelings haven't changed at all. I'll always protect you." Sora said as Kairi was standing still like a statue.
Sora realized what he did and quickly scurried away. He blushed heavily, thinking his time in Halkeginia might be the cause of this.
Kairi continued to stand in place not moving an inch as she was trying to process what happened. She raised her right hand and started to pinch her cheeks, 'Ow…' She came back to reality holding her face as the pain was real.
She screamed silently. Not only did Sora say that she loved her but also kissed her, this couldn't be real.
Meanwhile on the staircase Louise was secretly watching the whole thing. As she remembered what Vanitas said to her.
"I bet Sora never told you this but while you love him, he's actually in love with someone else."
It was like a dagger was jammed into her heart. As she quietly went upstairs.
(Morning)
Agnès sat on top of a carriage that was parked in front of the castle as Louise, Riku, and Kairi all were ready to go to Albion and search for this Tiffania girl. But there was one thing missing…Sora.
"What's taking him so long?" Riku said.
"I don't know." Kairi replied as she looked to Louise who looked away from her. She didn't know why she acted like this.
"Hey!" They all heard Sora's voice as he approached everyone. But he was no longer wearing his adventure outfit.
Instead of his usual clothes he had on a black short sleeve overshirt with a long sleeve undershirt. Black pants and brown boots as well.
"Nice threads." Riku said
"Not nearly as nice as my old outfit. That tailor Henrietta mentioned said that she should have something by the time we get back. She was really enthusiastic about my clothes. Saying how she never saw anything like it."
"And you're okay with just leaving them with her?" The silver haired keyblade master said.
"I'm sure it's fine. Anyway, I'm not late am I?" Sora asked.
"Just a bit." Agnès asked. "It doesn't matter you are here now, let us depart." Agnès said as everyone got into the carriage and rode to Albion.
End.