Redemption Frägment

Chapter Eighteen: The Crossroads

Terra tossed the pillow aside and stared at the smoldering ashes in the fireplace. They had been here – he had been here – and they had been here recently. There had been no mistaking the call from the Princess. They were here, with Kikazune. Terra fought down the shudder and turned to look at Ven. The fact the Princess had used the name ‘Kikazune’ gave Terra some semblance of doubt, but they had fled before the Knights had arrived at the townhouse.

What did it mean then?

“Terra.” Aqua called from the foyer. “They’ve gone to the Crossroads.”

The brunette snapped around, his gaze locking with the woman’s. “You’re positive?”

She nodded. “They were spotted heading that way. The children were unharmed, but we’re going to assume the worst. Right?”

Terra frowned and looked away from Aqua, toward Ven. He didn’t know what he was looking for in Ven’s face, but he didn’t find it. He looked back at Aqua. “Yeah. Assume they’re under a spell.”

“Are we going to the Crossroads too?” Ven asked, moving closer to Terra.

The Leader of the Knights gave a slight nod.

They were going to the Crossroads, and there, they would end it once and for all. Terra pulled on his helmet and signaled to his friends. There would be no mercy this time, no hesitation because of family ties. Terra would end Kikazune’s – the Apprentice’s – life once and for all.


Sora let out a breath as they made it out of Kikazune’s Corridor and out into glaring sunlight. Riku and Kairi almost echoed his breath, but they held it in at the last moment as Kikazune emerged to close the tunnel. Sora frowned at the sight of their new destination and wondered where he had seen it before.

Four paths broke off a central square, each one leading off into the far distance. This place felt familiar to Sora and from the way Riku’s eyes had widened, this place was familiar to him, too.

“This is the Crossroads.” Kikazune explained. “Each path has significance and leads to a different place. Darkness, Light, Dawn, and Twilight.”

“Just like the Knights.” Kairi whispered.

“I’ve been here before!” Sora blurted. “It took me somewhere, but I don’t remember where.”

“I’ve been here too. I chose to go toward the Twilight.” Riku said. He looked at Kikazune. “Why are we here?”

“This is where it ends.” Kikazune replied, moving down to the center of the roads. Sora, Riku, and Kairi followed him, and at the center, Kikazune froze. Slowly, he turned toward Sora, Riku, and Kairi, his yellow eyes glinting strangely.

Sora put his arm out to stop Kairi. “Kikazune?”

“Do you know why this place is called the Crossroads?”

“What?”

Kikazune smiled, but it looked painful. “It’s called the Crossroads because those who have come here must choose. Darkness or Light? Dawn or Twilight?” Kikazune gestured at each. “Down each path lies a key. Only a princess can use those keys.”

“To do what?” Kairi ventured, tensing when Kikazune’s eyes focused on her.

“Only a Princess can free the chained hearts.” An old, querulous voice spoke from behind Kikazune. A bent old man shuffled into view and grinned at the teenagers. “And you’re going to get those keys for me, boys. Well done, Apprentice.”

Kikazune’s head tilted in acknowledgement, his eyes still focused on Kairi.

“Kikazune!” Sora protested. “You were working for that jerk the entire time? I thought you were our friend!”

“Just do it Sora.” Kairi said in a commanding voice. The Keyblade Master stared at the Princess. Riku stared at Kairi. She smiled at them and stepped forward, allowing Kikazune to take hold of her. “Trust me, Sora. Just get the keys.”

Sora opened his mouth to protest but stopped. His burning sapphire eyes focused on Kikazune. “She had better be kept safe.” He said forcefully.

Kikazune inclined his head but it was Ansem who spoke. “Don’t worry about the Princess. Just get those keys.”

A portal opened behind Kikazune and Kairi. Kairi gave Sora a nod and moved with Kikazune into the darkness. When the portal closed, the boys were alone. Sora looked at Riku. “Let’s get those keys.”

“To free the chained heart, huh?” Riku replied, though his tone was grim.

“Yeah.” Sora said softly. “God, I hope Kairi knows what she’s doing.”

Sora and Riku bolted down the Dawn path, hurrying to collect the keys.


Kairi kept close to Kikazune as they walked in the void. He kept a gentle hold on her upper arm, escorting and guiding more so than dragging. Her eyes bored into Master Ansem’s back as the withered man led them to a room within the void. A laboratory. Kairi shivered as she saw what the laboratory contained, trying not to speak out against Ansem. She had to help Kikazune keep up his act, and if she got herself in trouble, Kikazune would do whatever he could to save her. So she had to be a good little captive, even if she wanted to scream at Ansem.

Instead, Kairi focused on the mirrors of Kikazune, each one only a part of a whole and reflecting that in their malformed bodies.

“Memories given shape.” Ansem said with perverse glee. “And now that the heart as returned to me, I can make my apprentice whole again.”

That’s what you think. Kairi thought heatedly. She stiffened when the old man approached her. “And once your little friends get me those keys, you’ll bind Kikazune for me.”

“Why do you want your apprentice so bad?” Kairi asked.

The Master heaved a sigh. “It’s only obvious. With my apprentice, those Knights won’t stand a chance. Especially now that I have you, my dear Princess.”

Kikazune relaxed his grip until it was feather-light. “When I tell you to,” he whispered, “run and don’t stop until you’re with Sora and Riku.”

Kairi looked up at Kikazune. She looked about to protest but nodded slowly. The Master Ansem’s attention finally rested on the girl. “I’ve never heard of a Princess having guardianship over two worlds. I would very much like to study you.”

“Of course.” Kairi muttered. She tensed to run as she felt Kikazune’s fingers leave her arm. She waited, listening for the verbal command. The moment Ansem turned his back, Kairi bolted. She heard Ansem’s cry, heard Kikazune give a half-hearted chase. Kairi closed her eyes for a brief moment to dispel the tears and poured on the speed, giving a yell as she crashed through the portal’s opening and dropped into Riku’s waiting arms.

They still landed in a heap.

Kairi rolled off Riku and grabbed for the key Sora held, staring at the round glass globe that sparkled with the colours of Dark, Light, Dawn and Twilight. She lifted it above her head and brought it down so hard it smashed into a thousand pieces.

From somewhere within the growing darkness around them, there was a howl of pain. Then Kairi closed her eyes, clasped her hands and prayed as a fierce laugh of victory, celebration, and joy swept around them.

Kikazune was free.