Tainted Eyes

Kingdom Hearts/Final Fantasy is owned by Square Enix.


Tainted Eyes: part XIX: Things Forgotten

~*~*~*After the Abyss*~*~*~


"Now listen to me, dear little Selphie," Livion said to the crying girl. "I will spare Riku, if you follow your two fallen friends."

"It's a lie!" Riku yelled immediately, struggling against the vines in vain. "Don't listen Selphie!"

Selphie backed up so her heels were at the edge of the door.

"NO! Selphie, look into my eyes, you have to trust me! I wouldn't lie to you, Selphie! Your mind is clouded because of all that's happened. Don't make any bad decisions! That's just what he wants!"

"Riku... they made... you cry...." Selphie said softly. "I don't want you to cry anymore!!!!"

Terror fell over Riku's face as Selphie blew him a gentle, innocent kiss before taking her last step through the door.

"SELPHIE!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Dark laughter erupted from Livion's throat, littered with Kairi's girlish giggling.

Riku shut his eyes, remembering the screams of his friends as they grew distant. So much bravery... and so much fear.

"That was most enjoyable, my dear, sai said to Kairi. "It will be a slow, lonely, painful death as their hearts are eaten away."

"NOOOO!!!!!" yelled Riku as he struggled under the thorns.

Suddenly his body erupted with light. Kairi and Livion shielded their eyes to block the pure golden light that streamed from his body. It looked as though some of the light was forming streams and ribbons of golden incantations and forgotten languages. Some of those streams flashed with many different, brilliant colors. Riku's sea-green eyes occasionally splashed over with a golden light, and his head was tilted to the sky just slightly. He hardly seemed conscious of what was happening to him. Streams of silver light burst from him again and like dragons they entered the doorway.

Selphie screamed and covered her eyes when she saw the light, thinking it was Livion trying to hurt them again. But the light wrapped around her slowly, and it was so warm and gentle. It shut out the biting cold of the abyss of darkness, but she still shivered, being afraid. Suddenly she felt a warm hand wiping her tears away.

"Don't be afraid," Riku's voice whispered softly. "Return to innocence, Selphie."

Selphie felt her body hit the ground less than gracefully. When she opened her eyes, two hands helped her up.

"Wild ride, huh?" Tidus asked softly, even though he was in no mood to joke around.

"We're back in the Secret Place," Wakka said, looking around. "We're back on our island, and the door here is shut again."

"So Riku and Sora and Kairi..." Selphie began. "You mean, they--"

"They didn't come," Tidus said sadly. "But I have a feeling it will all be okay."

"Yea," Wakka said. "Before we returned here I saw a light... and then I saw--"

"Riku," Selphie continued with a small smile. "Riku saved us all. So we'll wait for them, and I know they'll come back to us."

~*~*~*After the losses*~*~*~


Zack continued talking to keep Cloud alert. Suddenly Sephiroth clutched his heart and gasped sharply. He nearly fell forward onto Cloud, but Vincent caught him and pulled him to sit back and rest.

"I know what happened," Vincent whispered in Sephiroth's ear. "Cloud told me about you casting five spells at once. You haven't recovered yet. Cloud would never be at peace if you died here."

Sephiroth tried to sit up again, but Vincent easily held him in place. He sat behind the young swordsman and kept his arms around him, letting Sephiroth rest against him as he breathed heavily.

I will die, so that you can live, Sephiroth thought to himself. It's already been called. Soonthe the phoenix will come. Forgive me Cloud.... I don't know if I'll make it this time.

Suddenly fire erupted around them, burning them all to the bone. But it wasn't actually causing physical harm. The fire sank into them and flowed through them. It dove so deep into them that they sced ied in agony. Sephiroth closed his eyes as the Phoenix summon swept it's fire over them. It's fire burned the brightest in him, and he tried to stay alive while the spell took hold. If he died before the spell was completely cast, his eyes would never open again. He felt his power draining, and he felt his body growing cold. It took so much power to summon Phoenix, and he drained his life energy calling it here. Even if he lived through the spell, and even if Phoenix revived him, he would probably die again from the energy loss, which Phoenix couldn’t fully restore. His glowing green eyes looked up to see Livion standing in the trees, laughing.

He thinks I'm trying to kill myself and my friends to spare us from his torture, Sephiroth thought. It's better that way.... It's better if he never knows that my friends will rise again.

He thought about this for a brief moment as the fire burned it‘s brightest. Friends... they all care... about me....

The summon spell was complete. The fire was gone. And when the others sat up, they saw Sephiroth lying there motionless. Squall checked his pulse, and found that he was dead. He lived long enough to complete his summon.

~*~*~*Before the last look at the door*~*~*~


"Kairi...."

"Huh? Who is it? Livion?"

"No. Look at me."

Kairi looked around in the thick, storming black haze that blanketed the inside of her mind. Someone walked over to her, glowing faintly. Whoever it was, he didn't have much energy left.

"Riku? Is that you?" she said, walking closer. "Finally, you're lost in the darkness." She smirked triumphantly.

"Kairi, why are you ? Yo? You were such a sweet girl."

"What do you know?!"

"I remember your laughter and your smile."

"Go to hell, Riku. You don't know anything."

"I know that Livion planted a small seed of hatred in you. He planted someone's feelings into you."

"Who would that be?"

"His name was Bastion. Livion thinks his heart is gone, but I think it's still trapped somewhere. What Livion left with you was Bastion's darkness and hatred. Bastion loves and hates Livion. He was betrayed by him. You're reflecting Bastion's feelings of betrayal onto your friends. And you're reflecting Bastion's desire for Livion to love him by doing anything for Livion."

"That's a load of shit."

"You've seen his face, haven't you? Bastion's face has haunted you."

Kairi stiffened for a moment. "So what if I have?"

"If all that's left of him is his hatred, then I know he must scare you, Kairi. He must hurt you in your dreams. He's jealous of you. He must act out his hatred and fear and lust… all on you. You can‘t rest, can you? You can‘t rest because he won‘t let you. Livion‘s touch must be soothing compared to what Bastion has done to you in your nightmares."

Tears started to roll down Kair fac face, and Riku held his hand out to her.

"Come with me," Riku said softly. "I can make him go away."

Kairi cried as she reached for Riku's hand. And soon she felt the warm light inside of her. It nearly burned, but it pushed back the dark ache that always craved to be fed. Bastion's face disappeared from her thoughts... for good.

Kairi’s eyes snapped open and she looked up at the ceiling of Livion's room. She found Riku sitting on the bed next to her, his back to her. She looked around her, feeling the weight of the darkness swept completely away from her body.

"Oh Riku!" she cried. "Thank you, Riku!"

Riku slowly turned around, and instead of his calm sea-green gaze, she saw pitch back darkness.

"Oh no..." Kairi gasped. "Riku... no...."

Livion smirked darkly at her, now that he had possessed Riku's body. Later that day, Livion pushed her and Sora through the door....

~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~

The gentle, flowing sound of the ocean slowly became apparent in the blonde's ears. He felt the warm sun on his skin, and the sand held his body comfortably. He was so tired... but something told him that now was not the time to rest.

"Mister?" called a small, girlish voice.

"Wha? Hnn?"

"Mister? Wake up!"

Cloud opened his tired blue eyes to see a girl with a sunny yellow dress and a bright smile. Her brown hair was flipped up and the ends, and she looked like a doll.

"You woke up!" she smiled.

"Mmm??"

"Are you okay?"

"Uh... hnnn...."

The girl giggled. "My name is Selphie."

"Selphie...."

"Uh huh!"

"Where am I?"

"Destiny Islands."

"Destiny... Islands...."

"Were you at Livion's castle?"

Cloud's eyes opened wide and he sat up. He felt his stomach and chest and quickly surveyed his surroundings. Selphie could see the worried look on his face as he jumped up and started to move this way and that, as if he were searching for something.

"Did Riku save you too?" the girl asked softly. "Are Riku and Sora and Kairi okay?"

Cloud looked down at her for a moment. "You..." he said, kneeling in front of her. "You're the girl who stepped through the door. You're one of the friends Riku and Sora told us about."

"Riku sent us home," she said with a gentle smile. "Did he send you here too?"

"I suppose he did.... But... I'm supposed to be dead right now." He felt his chest again, but found no wounds. Blood still stained his clothes, but none of his blood was flowing out of him anymore.

"Yea, when we found you, you were on fire. But it doesn't look like it burned you."

"On fire?" Cloud asked curiously. Then he remembered the fire that had so painfully washed over them before Livion had stabbed him again. "It wasn't Livion's fire at all," Cloud said, the realization making his voice heavy in his throat. "It was Sephiroth's fire. He summoned Phoenix to bring us all back to life. I did die when Livion stabbed me.... But I'm alive thanks to--"

Selphie was shocked when Cloud suddenly grabbed her shoulders. He looked into her eyes, and she already knew his question.

"You were the only one we found," she said softly.

Cloud shook his head and sat back on the sand, staring at the ground. "The only one..." he repeated.

"Hey!" called a tall boy with bright red hair. "We got anotha one here!"

Selphie turned around to see Wakka walking out of the Secret Place, supporting a man with long black hair.

"He's so handsome!" Selphie gasped. "Do you know him?"

Cloud jumped up as Vincent approached. "Vincent!" he called out, running at him and practically tackling him into the sand.

"Do you always have this much energy after nearly being shown the horrors of death?" Vincent asked with a small smile. He turned to the red-headed boy. "Thank you. Wakka is your name, right?"

"Yea," Wakka smiled. "You sit here with them. I'm gonna go wait by the door again." Wakka ran back to the cave while Vincent sat down on the sand with Cloud.

"I know you are anxious," Vincent said to Cloud. "But we cannot pass through the door again. We would be lost to oblivion without someone to properly guide usa dea destination."

"So we just sit here?!" Cloud said, putting his face in his hands in frustration. "What if the others are in trouble?!"

"Riku will bring them here like he brought you here," Selphie piped in.

Vincent turned to her with a smile. "And who is this lovely young lady." He gently took her hand and kissed it.

"My name is Selphie," she said, blushing profusely now.

"And my name is Vincent," he said, his red eyes shining.

Selphie sat next to them both, glancing at Vincent from time to time and admiring his beautiful, but dark features.

"How are you so calm?" Cloud asked roughly.

"Because logically we should be dead right now, and we are not," Vincent replied.

Wakka appeared at the entrance of the cave again and held up two fingers.

"Two more!" Selphie said happily. "Two more people!"

A blonde boy arrived at a dock not far from where they were sitting. He tied his boat up and ran to them, pulling a bag out with him.

"That's Tidus," Selphie informed them.

Tidus grinned brightly as he approached, setting his bag down near Selphie.

"There's water and food and stuff in there," he said. "You guys should eat!"

Vincent smiled and thanked him, which made Cloud want to punch Vincent in the face for being so... cheerful. Well, as cheerful as Vincent could look.

"You know," Vincent said without looking at him. "When you want to hurt people, you get this obvious look on your face. It’s like a wild boar that’s been kicked in the face."

"You didn't even look at me," Cloud growled.

"No, but I can feel you looking at me."

They heard the bag next to them rustling and they turned to see Squall, eating a sandwich and downing some water. Cloud stared at him for a long moment, practically burning a hole through him with his blazing blue eyes. Squall quickly finished his sandwich, then stared back at Cloud. Vincent smiled gently at Selphie to assure her that everything was okay as the two young men stared at each other with their hardened, cold faces.

"What?" Squall asked finally.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'WHAT?'" Cloud exploded.

"I was hungry."

"That's not the point!"

"I think Cloud is upset that you didn't kiss him hello," Vincent said, grinning to himself as Selphie handed him a sandwich.

"Why ieryoeryone so damn calm?!"

"Squall is always calm," Vincent replied.

"I'm not calm," Squall said in his stoic voice. "I'm just hungry."

"Everyone should be worried and pissed off like me!" Cloud said, falling back on the sand with a loud sigh.

"I am," Squall said, with absolutely no change in expression.

Vincent laughed softly, then turned as he saw more people stepping out of the dark cave and into the light.

~~~~~~~~

Livion stood nude in front of a mirror, admiring his new body. Riku's body was perfect, and he ran his hands over the strong muscles and through the silver hair. For a moment he regretted possessing the silver-haired teen, because he had enjoyed torturing him. He hadn't lusted for anyone that much in a long time. There was Sephiroth... but he was far too dangerous and needed to be drugged at all times. Even then the men in the castle were afraid to even go near him. But not Riku. Riku was the one they all wanted. His features were hard and soft at the same time. He was calm and passionate. He was innocent and knowing.

Livion drank up the image in the mirror, just as he did every time he took a new shell. But this time, he felt more love for his new body than he ever had before. He touched himself slowly, remembering all of thing he did to the teen before taking his body for his own. He remembered chaining Riku to his bed and passing his consciousness out of Kairi's body and into Riku's. When Kairi awoke, she seemed different to Livion... but he didn't care. He had no more use for her and so he shoved her through the door.

Livion approached his bed and smiled at the broken chains and the blood that stained it. So many victims.

He decided that he had no desire to rest, and he looked out of his window in the direction of the black rose garden. For some reason, he had a deep urge to go there. He assumed that he was just bored without anyone to torture or play with, so he quietly dressed, slipped out of the castle, and approached the garden. In moments he was standing in front of the large crystal door.

Where shall I go? he thought to himself. I have the keyblade now, so I can go anywhere and take anyone. I can open or close any door. I have more power than I ever did before.

He looked to his castle and shook his head, remembering his three companions.

It isn't as fun without you three to hunt and torture others with me. Perhaps I should find others who are not as dense as those who serve me. He winced, thinking about the men who served him. The mindless fools would be nothing without him there. Without his dark power they might even find the light once more. And then, they would be helpless fools, wouldn't they?

Livion opened the door without bringing the keyblade out of his heart, and he admired how strong the bond was between Riku's body and the keyblade. He smirked darkly, thinking about the new victims he would collect, and he leapt through the door and into the darkness. He knew it was dangerous to travel from world to world this way, but he also thought himself a good foe for the dark ones. He considered himself far above them, and much too strong to be devoured by their darkness. He looked around in the dark place, Riku's eyes allowing him to see keyhole after keyhole and door after door. Before, when there were traces of Bastion's power left inside of him, he could only see a few options at a time. But now, there seemed to be thousands of choices. He chose one quickly and approached it.

Suddenly, all of the lights and keyholes disappeared. He looked around, expecting to see at least a few choices, as he always had before, but there was nothing. He waited, and finally just started walking. But nothing appeared to him... nothing at all.

"Beware the darkness in your heart..." a voice whispered to him.

He whirled around angrily, hating the fact that he had been startled.

"There is light in every heart... no matter how dark..." the voice whispered again.

Livion turned again and again. "Who is it? Show yourself!"

"You have lost sight of the light...."

"There was never light in me. Light is weak. It has no power."

"There is light... in every heart..." the voice trailed off.

"Show yourself!" Livion yelled again. "You've hidden the doors from me somehow...."

"I brought you something..." the voice said again. But this time the voice was loud, and Livion recognized it.

"Riku..." the name escaped Livion's lips slowly. "But... but I took you...." His hands slowly felt the body that he had possessed. He thought that Riku's heart would have been devoured by his darkness by now.

"I brought you the gift of light..." Riku's voice sounded in his head.

Suddenly Livion found himself blinded. He looked around to see that the dark abyss was now filled with light, and nothing but. He suddenly found himself trying to escape.

"You can't escape," Riku's voice sounded and echoed around him. "The keyholes and doors didn't disappear. You just can't see them anymore, Livion. Just as Bastion and Zack were once trapped in your heart, you are now trapped in mine. My body is once again my own. We just switched places, and now you are inside of me."

Livion tried to yell and curse, but he found that he had nothing to yell or curse with. He no longer had a body to control. All that was left of him was his heart and consciousness. But the light still burned him and made him ache. He felt as though he were on fire. Riku's light was too pure and bright for him to handle. Suddenly he felt something pull away from him... out of him. For some reason, though he had no body, he could "see," and he saw Bastion's figure emerging in front of him, basking in the light of Riku's heart.

"Beautiful..." Bastion murmured. "So beautiful...."

And Livion watched as he faded away, his heart finally free. And it was then that Livion felt deep despair, much to his own surprise. He watched as Bastion faded away, and it was as if a piece of him slipped away forever. He didn't understand why he felt this way. Perhaps it was because Bastion had always been there. Bastion was the first to be willing. The first who actually loved him in all his life.

Riku's light grew bright and hot, and Livion finally realized that his own demise was his own doing. Riku's body and heart were practically created to bring light to others. When Livion possessed him, it was an invitation for Riku to end his life. If only he had realized it sooner. But it was too late now....

Riku stood there in the black abyss behind the door, his eyes closed as he felt Livion's consciousness and dark heart melting away inside of him. He felt the presence of the dark ones without hearts coming closer, but he had more important things to do now. He only stood there, his heart purifying the evil and darkness within him. Finally, he heard Livion cry out in his mind. It was a final, sad cry of anguish... filled with all of the feelings of loss and guilt that came with reflecting your dark side after seeing so much light. Then it was silent....

When Riku opened his eyes, they were sea-green once more. The shadows fell away from him, disappearing and making way for the glowing aura that surrounded his body. And now, he could see all of the keyholes and doors in this dark abyss. They twinkled and sparkled here and there. It was beautiful, like a night sky filled with stars. He smiled to himself, and slowly walked to the door that warmed his heart the most. He wanted to go home....

It was then that he felt a dark claw fall upon him. He knew the dark ones were here, and he could now see their glowing eyes. He burst into a run, heading straight for the door that he knew led home. But there were so many of them, and they fell upon him, trying to tear away at him. He cried out as they ripped at his clothes and tore at his skin. He thought about fighting them with the keyblade, but he didn't know enough about it yet. He only knew that he couldn't bring it out in the open for any dark beings to get their hands on it. Finally, they dove at him in great numbers... jbefobefore he made it to the door. He cried out again in pain as they tore at him... until something warm grabbed his hand. He blinked as he looked up and saw Sora in the doorway, pulling him to safety.

"Sora! They'll kill you!" Riku cried out.

But Sora only winced as they clawed at him as well. He pulled harder, and suddenly a few more hands shot out from the doorway.

"Pull!" Tidus yelled as he grabbed Riku's other hand.

Wakka and Selphie grabbed his wrists, and all four teens pulled him through the door. When he felt the ground beneath his feet he jumped up. Light burst from his body and swirled around him, the glowing ribbons of incantations flowing fast. The other teens heard what sounded like multiple locks... like thousands of doors locking and closing. And finally, the one in front of them closed as well. Riku fell back, and was caught by Sora.

"You did it Riku!" Sora cried happily.

Even here in the dim Secret Place, Riku could see Sora's bright, innocent gaze staring down at him.

"Riku, you saved us all...."

"No," Riku whispered. "First you all saved me...."

And then he passed into sleep. And for once, after many months, he slept peacefully.


~~~~~~~~~~

Long hair fell over the soft sheets, and it cascaded down the sides of the bed like a silver pool that ran into many waterfalls. The sun came through the window and warmed his body with it's soft glow, and a slight breeze from the window flowed through his hair, causing it to gently brush over his skin. He slowly opened his glowing green eyes and looked at the ceiling. A crystal mobile shot rainbows all over the ceiling and the walls, and the beautiful colors danced as the breeze danced with the crystals. He slowly sat up and looked around. The room was decorated in pastels and many flowers. A bluebird landed on the windowsill and began to sing him a pretty melody.


Sephiroth slowly slid out of the soft bed and stretched. He headed for the door, because regardless of how beautiful and comfortable the room, he had to know where he was. He passed the mirror on the dresser and found that he was completely clean. There was no more blood or sweat or ash or filth of any kind. He was dressed in comfortable gray sweatpants and a white T-shirt, and they felt so comfortable against his skin. He opened the door and stepped into the hallway. Hearing voices, he made his way to what he guessed would be the living room.

An old man blinked when he saw Sephiroth coming down the hall, and jumped up to meet him.

"Well," said the man. "Looks like he decided to wake up!"

Sephiroth stared at the man for a moment, thinking that he looked strangely familiar.

"The name is Ramuh, my boy," the old man said as he gently patted Sephiroth on the shoulder. "Come now, come and eat!"

Sephiroth didn't have time to say a word before he was pulled to the table and made to sit down. He recognized Ramuh's name. It was the name of a summon creature... the god of lightning.

"Yes, yes. I am Ramuh," said the man. "It's simple really. You didn't expect all summons to just sit around sleeping did you?"

Ramuh set a mountain of food down in front of Sephiroth. The young swordsman quickly started to eat, since he felt the man's eyes staring at him.

"Good!" Ramuh laughed. "Very good! You've been asleep for five days! You need the food. So eat up!"

"Five days?" Sephiroth asked, surprised.

"Yep. Five days. Even the others who drained their spirit energy woke up afteo dao days! Oh, you came in and out of it. We got a few responses from you here and there. You drank water and such. But now you're conscious and-- Don't stop eating, boy! Eat up!"

Sephiroth obeyed and continued to eat.

"Thata boy! Now, you're on Destiny Islands. The home of the keyblade master himself. I've been here for a long while, watching over the boy. They come to me when the need help, and they needed somewhere to put you. I've been to your world. There isn't a soul who doesn't know who the great young general Sephiroth is. And Carbuncle tells me you're mighty nice to your summons. Cute little fella, ain't he?"

Sephiroth smiled at the way Ramuh picked up the dialect of a rambling old man. It was amusing and comforting all at once. It had to fool everyone, because even though Sephiroth could feel the power from the man, he also forgot who it was.

"Why are you here?" Sephiroth asked.

"Why are we anywhere?" Ramuh responded. "We could have just as easily ended up somewhere else... anywhere else. But sometimes we just are we are, and sometimes we just end up where we're needed."

Sephiroth didn't question him anymore. It was just a comfort to be there. The house was nice, and he could hear the ocean waves through the windows. The sunlight streamed in, and everything smelled like fragrant spices. A yawn from the couch made Sephiroth turn around, and he realized that Ramuh had been talking to someone when he walked in.

Vincent sat up, yawning again as his dark hair fell around his shoulders and back. He turned around to see Sephiroth, and he smiled gently at him.

"Hello young one," Vincent said. "Did you rest well?"

"Too well," Sephiroth smiled.

Vincent stood and walked to the door. "Come outside," he said before walking.

Sephiroth looked to Ramuh, who nodded to him with a bright smile. He slowly got up and walked outside, immediately feeling the sand between his toes. He caught a glimpse of Vincent as he walked to the beach, and he followed close behind him. He saw a fire building on the beach, and he recognized many of the faces there.

Vincent sat by the fire and stared off in the direction of the setting sun. Sephiroth found it funny that he was wearing all white cotton now. It was as if a dirty past were pushed behinm. Bm. Beside him, Aeris was giggling profusely. She was watching two teenagers who sat in front of Zack, staring at him with wide eyes. He guessed immediately that these were the friends that Riku and Sora had told him about in detail.

"You don't look much like Livion, even if it was your body he used," Wakka said.

"You've got pretty eyes!" Selphie exclaimed.

"And your smile ain't creepy," Wakka added.

Zack smiled and chatted away with them about the ocean and sailing and other random things.

Sephiroth smiled and looked out over the ocean with Vincent. Suddenly two heads popped out of the water. Squall stood there, soaked and trying hard to catch his breath. Tidus stood next to him laughing.

"Not bad for a beginner!" Tidus exclaimed. "It takes a while."

"How long can you hold your breath?" Squall asked, after coughing up some water.

"Nearly five minutes!"

"I won't ever be able to beat that!"

"I know!" Tidus laughed.

Suddenly a hand rested on Sephiroth's shoulder. He looked up, and caught a pair of glowing blue eyes. Cloud stared down at him, not saying anything. They didn't need to say anything. Sephiroth's green eyes looked over Cloud's chest and stomach, making sure he was okay before he met Cloud's gaze again. The blonde sat beside him, and together they sat for a long time. At one point Cloud’s hand rose to brush Sephiroth’s hair away from the side of his face, and the young swordsman could feel Cloud’s gaze before the hair fell back into place again.

“Don’t forget,” Cloud leaned closer to whisper in his ear. “You have to deal with me when we get back home.” His breath hit Sephiroth’s ear and nearly made him shiver. “We’ll see how long I can be gentle.” And then he leaned back a bit, and they stared at the sunset again.

Three figures approached, and everyone waved as they came. Tidus and Squall made their way out of the water, and everyone sat around the fire in a circle as the stars began to twinkle into view. Kairi, Sora, and Riku sat down, all of them staring either into the fire or up at the sky.

"Now that we're all here," Kairi said softly, after a long while. "I want to apologize. I know I could never apologize enough for what I've done. I still remember... I remember it all. It tortures me every night to remember what I've done." Tears started to stream down her cheeks. "I hate myself for it, and I'm so sorry. But--" She broke down into tears. Riku rested a hand on her back gently, and when she looked at him he wore a genuine smile on his face. She sobbed and waved a hand for someone else to speak.

"I want to apologize also," Zack said. "I hear you guys tell me again and again that it wasn't my fault, but I have to apologize anyway. And... I want to thank you all. I'm surprised that I'm still alive after all of that. Before he took me, I remember thinking that I'd have to die... and that I'd probably burn in hell. But... now I'm here. And I still have love and support from the people I thought had forgotten about me."

"If people are apologizing, then I guess I'm next..." Sora murmured. "I gave in to the darkness, and it seemed like the only way at the time. But now I know I hurt people who cared about me."

"None of you should be apologizing..." Riku said softly. "I could go on and on about how much we all needed each other. Squall protected us, Cloud pushed us to keep going, Aeris healed us, Vincent gave his wisdom. Wakka, Selphie, and Tidus gave their lives for their friends. Zack came back to the light and held in his pain to save us all. Sephiroth was willing to die to set us all free. Kairi saw the light again. And Sora..." Riku’s sea-green eyes gazed at Sora for a moment. "Sora... you were always there."

"Riku," Kairi asked softly. "What happened to Livion?"

Riku looked at the fire for a moment. "He's gone. He won't bother anyone ever again. And... And I've made a decision." He paused for a moment. "I still feel the strength and the light inside of me. But I'm willing to let it lie in my heart without my knowledge again, even if it allowed me to do so much." He sighed deeply and looked to them all. "I will purify it all. I will take it all away. I want to forget. And whoever does not want to forget with me, should speak now."

They all looked to him, and then each other. There was a lot of weight in this decision. There was so much pain, but there were also so many realizations made and so many things exposed. Could they bring themselves to forget all of that?

"You're saying you can erase our memories of the dark things that happened to us?" Vincent asked.

"Yes," Riku nodded.

"Count me out," Vincent said, staring up at the stars. "I do not want to forget the triumphs and the strength we all had during our time there. It was torture, and it was hell, but I remember how much we all cared for each other. If I must, I will remember for all of us."

It was silent for a moment before Squall spoke. "I'm out also. Someone has to know what evils exist out there, or no one will be protected. I want to make sure I'm there to protect anyone this might happen to again."

Everyone looked to Cloud and Sephiroth, who were visibly struggling with the decision. Sephiroth bowed his head in thought, and Cloud shifted nervously.

"I have to send you home now..." Riku said softly, tears coming to his calm, sea-green eyes. "I'll miss you all, but if I do this, you all must go home. Once I forget I have the keyblade, I can’t send you back again."

They all nodded.

"I'll never forget you, keyblade master," Vincent said with a serene smile. "Thank you for the light you brought."

"I don't want to forget what you did for me Riku, but..." Zack trailed off. "Those years were too much for me.... I need to go home and just… forget. I need to forget the torture, or it will haunt me forever. I need to go home and drink a beer…."

"This isn't fair!" Aeris sobbed. "Why do we have to forget each other in order to erase the darkness?!"

"He wants to save our hearts from drowning in the darkness of sorrow or guilt or anger," Vincent said softly.

They all sat there for a long while. They talked and remembered friendship and triumphs. They laughed and cried together. And then... they felt Riku's light overtake them. It was pure, warm, and sweet... and Vincent, Aeris, Squall, Cloud, Zack, and Sephiroth look one last look at those clean, determined, forever untainted sea-green eyes....

Riku felt the light erasing his pain and his memories. Bittersweet tears ran down his face, and in his mind he could hear the words that Sephiroth had sang to them all as he slipped into a peaceful sleep on the sand.

Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au'
My heart shall weep until it sees thee again….


~*~*~*END*~*~*~


~*~*~*Aftermaths*~*~*~

~Vincent~

Vincent returned home with his memories intact. He now lives in a large house, away from prying eyes. He is still dark and mysterious... but he has gained a certain light in him after knowing what true evil could be. He slowly starts to put his past behind him.


~Squall~

Squall returned to his military home of Balamb Garden. He runs various missions, anill ill protects those he cares about with fierce determination. He is still as stoic as ever, but those who know him know his heart is full of goodness. Later, when Ansem comes to wage war on all the worlds, he watches as Hollow Bastion (a mysteriously named kingdom) falls to darkness while he is stationed there. Hating the fact that he watched the darkness take over again, he changes his name to Leon to escape the past and begin again (Leon coming from his last name, Leonhart). He would become an instrumental figure in restoring Kingdom Hearts.


~Zack~

Zack returned home and left the military. His memories of the incident at Livion's castle did not remain intact. It took Vincent a good deal of work to convince him he had been in a coma these past years. Zack even decided to live with Vincent, and he went back to school to expand his knowledge of the world. He still jokes about becoming a mercenary.


~Aeris~

Aeris and Zack still remain together. Aeris' memories of Livion's castle are no longer intact. She spreads flowers and joy to everyone around her. She stays with her stepmother now as they try to find more secrets about the Cetra ancients.


~Sephiroth~

Sephiroth found the Masamune mysteriously waiting for him in his room on the military base, glowing with its own will once more. Some of Sephiroth's memories surface about his time at Livion's castle, but only in his dreams, which he forgets soon after waking. However, he did recall his urge to quit the military. Days before his resignation, a piece of Jenova was found, and it tried to enslave his mind once more. Sephiroth left to keep from hurting anyone, and no one has seen him since.


~Cloud~

Cloud disappeared along with Sephiroth. He often returns to stay with Vincent, but gives little information about what he does when he's away. Cloud's memories at Livion's castle were not wiped completely clean. His nightmares contain images of Sephiroth dying, more than once, to save him and others... but who the others were remains foggy. He pursues Sephiroth now, never giving up hope that they can live together in peace... as normal people. Rumors surfaced that he was successful... but rumors happen... don’t they?


~Selphie, Wakka, & Tidus~

These three remain friends, with no memory of Livion. They have noticed, however, that their bond is stronger. They also feel more friendship and love towards Riku and Sora... though they can't explain why. (And in case you were wondering, Tidus can now sleep underwater for short periods of time, and Riku finally lost a staring contest to Sora.)


~Others~

More laughter can be heard at the Destiny Islands Elementary school. New students have joined. The most cheerful one is young Bastion, and he loves to play with his three friends... one with red hair, one with white, and one with brown.


~Kairi~

Kairi doesn't remember Livion at all. When Riku purified her, he gave up so much of his light to her that she became a Princess of Heart. She would now carry this purifying power inside of her, and it would later be used to save Sora in the battle with Ansem and Kingdom Hearts.


~Sora~

Sora has no memory of Livion or his time in the darkness. He does, however, have a deep feeling and a deep knowledge that Riku would do anything for him... and that he would do the same for Riku. Unfortunately, he decides that his romantic feelings for Riku are probably just misplaced feelings for Kairi.... Later, during the battle with Ansem, he would not remember that it was Riku who allowed him to gain the strength and purity of heart to wield the same keyblade that was originally locked inside of Riku.


~Riku~

Riku's memories of Livion's castle were lost. But he sacrificed more of himself than he realized when he saved everyone else. When he made the decision to save Bastion, he was forced to take Bastion's pain of betrayal into his heart. This would later overtake him when Sora joined with Donald and Goofy in their quest to look for the king. Furthermore, when he made the decision to purify Livion, he took inside of him a small seed of darkness that manifests itself in Riku's pride. He still remained self-sacrificing, however, and he would later surrender to the darkness in order to save Kairi... just as Sora did to save him. After his surrender, the keyblade went to Sora, who was forced to fight Riku. But Riku brought himself out of the darkness... only to sacrifice himself again in order to help Sora and the king lock Kingdom Hearts away from evil. Not even Riku remembers why Sora's heart is so pure, or why Kairi is now a Princess of Heart. Before his final sacrifice, he left Sora a transforming keychain that would give the keyblade amazing power. As he disappeared into the darkness he heard a name in the back of his mind... and he named the keychain "Oblivion."

A couple years later, people started to hear that the king and Riku escaped Kingdom Hearts. But that is another story….

~*~*~*The End*~*~*~


(I'm going to write one more page, even though the story is over. It's going to contain facts about the story, secrets, answers to questions (like ‘why wasn‘t Kairi slaughtered?’), and things you might have missed. So if you were only interested in the story... it's over now! =( I'm a little sad about that. But in case you hadn't noticed... I left room for a ton of sequels, which I will soon be working on. More about this in the next page... coming soon! Thank you all for reading and pushing me further on my very first fanfic!)