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“What are you doing?!” Riku screamed, desperation casting his arm wide. “Take the vessel!”Repliku turned his head to stare at the vacant body, a longing scrunching his face.
It would be nice, but... The world already has you.
“Take care of her,” he whispered instead, his heart aching at the way Riku's expression twisted in agony at the memory of his own words.
His own words...
“We can just make another one!” Riku called urgently, distress rising. “You and Naminé can be together! You just have to accept this chance! Please!”Repliku took a deep, shuddering breath, turning his gaze to the unconscious spirit he carried over his shoulder. His words held an air of uncertainty now.“If I don't do this, he'll come back.”“No, he won't.” Riku's tone was softer now that he was getting through to him. His words were confident, reassuring. “You saw that pillar of darkness. He'll disappear, just like the rest of Xehanort's heart. Besides,” he smirked, proud and determined as a fist rose to his chest. “I know that he couldn't get past you.”Before he could stop himself, Repliku was laughing, quiet and disbelieving. “You know... I'm glad that I was modelled after you. You always know just what to say, and take responsibility for everything. I feel better, leaving things in your hands.” He turned away.“Are you still leaving?” The other sounded heartbroken.“No,” Repliku sighed, staring wistfully at the body once more. “But I do have to sort this out first. Make sure he really does fade.”“Alright.” Relief filled his voice. Then a smile. “I'll leave it in your capable hands. See you soon.”“Be seeing you.” With that, Repliku floated off, leaving Riku to deal with the aftermath.~ ~ ~Repliku had taken Xehanort by surprise, much to his satisfaction. For all that the old man liked to think he knew everything, he hadn't predicted his reappearance. It was almost too easy to rescue Kairi, teleporting to them and snatching her away before the final blow was struck. Everyone leaped in to ensure their escape, fighting Xehanort off each time he tried to reach them.They had won, and the war was over. It was all over.But there was still something he had left to do.He remained still with the wall at his back, anxiously watching Ienzo and the other scientists monitor the vessel. It was almost time now. Naminé would wake up, and everything would be fine.Ansem initiated the program, and after a few tense moments, her eyes opened. She blinked several times, slowly sitting up. She looked around at her surroundings, met the welcoming stares of each person in turn. Lastly, her gaze fell on him.Her voice was quiet, uncertain.“Repi?”“I'm here.” He pushed away from the wall, slowly walking to her side. Shyly, he reached out to her. “I'm here, Naminé. It's me.”Smiling warmly, she took his hand, her eyes never leaving his. “I knew you'd be back. You'll always come back for me. Just like you've always been there.”Repliku was the first to break eye contact, pursing his lips firmly. He knelt beside her chair, pressing his forehead to the back of her hand.“Naminé... I couldn't- I almost didn't! If it hadn't been for Riku, I would've...” Not wanting to finish the thought, he trailed off.His eyes widened as he felt her hand on his head, ruffling his hair soothingly.“Shhh... It's okay now, Repi. You made it back to me, and that's what matters.”She took the Paopu charm from his pocket with the hand he'd held, holding it between them as he lifted his head.“You made me a promise, remember? That we'd always be together.”“But that was-”“No less real than you are.” Her face was still kind, but her eyes were firm with her resolve. They softened when she stroked his hair again, and his eyelids clenched together. “We're real, Repi, and I know you know it too. You've been your own person for a long time now.”He nodded slowly, pondering his fate. Echoes of past conversations whispered to his mind.
Death doesn't frighten me.
Where will my heart go?
“Maybe to the same place as mine.”
How long have you known that I was with you?
“Well, you did save me.”
I was all ready to give up and let it happen, and then you showed up.
“You took that as a sign?”
I'd rather face my end with you than in darkness.
His thoughts ended where they had begun, at his readiness to die. But, as strange as the concept felt, he had to learn to accept living now. That included everything that came with it.Gently wrapping his fingers around Namine's hand, the charm cushioned between them, he smiled. He was calmer now, something he had learned from his time with Riku, as well as the ability to forgive and reflect on memories.The mixture of pain, frustration and emptiness he had first felt was odd to remember, after so many years.“I'm still just empty!”Grief, as he now knew, had torn from his throat in a sob after yelling that.
It's sorta funny. When I didn't believe I had a heart, I felt so much. I sounded so angry, and I couldn't breathe. Is that what Riku felt on the battlefield? And is that why I gave in to his pleading?
“We both made mistakes in the past,” Naminé murmured into his hair, gently squeezing his hand. “Things that might not be easy to live with. But we will. We have to.”“Yeah.” He returned the gesture, inhaling slowly. “We'll live. Because we have each other.”