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Step 1: Sea One day to tell him. One day to make it right. But one day is never enough. Right?****In a crowded place, a flicker of light appeared. Shibuya Crossing was said to be a place of destined meetings. You never know who you might run into. Then again, one may only pass another here. Fate was but a game of chance in such a place. But because of one girl’s breath of a wish, a slip in the veil between worlds came to be. A possibility within a sea of possibilities. Kairi opened her eyes, gasping as if she had woken up from a long, dreamless sleep. Shakily, she shouldered past a wave of people, willing herself to push through to the other side of the street. The girl’s black and pink plaid dress kissed her calves as she walked to the other side of the street. Unnerved gazes focused on her, causing a strange chill to crawl up her neck. The girl pulled up the hood of her pink short-sleeved jacket. “Merlin said I’d be able to blend in…” She muttered. The girl’s bright red hair hung loosely over her shoulders, absently she tucked a strand behind her ear as she took in the scenery. The buildings were as tall as those within the World that Never Was. However, the number of people seemed to double the population on the Islands just in this area alone. With a sigh the girl touched her necklace, willing the light within to guide her to what she sought. It led her to him once before, it would again, right?As light glistened within the stone a strong pull willed her heart to look across the street. A pair of sky blue eyes locked with hers. He seemed a bit older now, but unmistakably, it was him. His hair was a bit different, less spikey, but unmistakably it was Sora. Her Sora. Just the mere thought of his name threatened to move her to tears. It was a hard-fought chance to see him. Hades said she would regret it. The girl smiled and waved.How could she ever regret seeing him again?*****“Kairi.” Namine’s concerned tone set Kairi free from her racing thoughts. With a flick of her hand, Destiny’s Embrace faded from reality, taking with it her desire to continue training. For the past few hours, she and Namine had been holed up inside Merlin’s realm fighting replicas of heartless. Aqua had gone off to help Ventus and Terra chase a lead about the realm of Unreality. Kairi turned to the former nobody, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips, if you could consider a fake expression a smile at all. “I’m ok Namine, really.” A lie, of course, she’d gotten good at that, even lying to herself was becoming easier. Namine narrowed her eyes as she linked arms with her. “Oh come on, you know that doesn’t work with me. What’s on your mind?” Kairi’s mouth rounded into a circle, air escaping without sound, the words stuck in her throat. She sharply turned her head, choosing to press on. With a wave of her hand a portal appeared, and with it the view of Merlin’s study in Radiant Garden. The crystal embedded in the star adorning Kairi’s bracelet shimmered as the two stepped through it. “Welcome back you two.” Aerith’s airy voice tickled her ears. Kairi nodded at the young woman, suddenly feeling parched as she noted two glasses of “lemonade” resting on the edge of Merlin’s cluttered table. Holding her nose she downed the glass in one shot, shivering at the brined tartness. “Thanks, Aerith,” Kairi gulped in air, trying not to be in awe as Namine downed her glass without trouble. “It was great timing, Leon said he found something. Well, more like Donald and Goofy, I guess,” Aerith tilted her head and began pacing about the room, her finger tapping her chin, “who then sent word to Merlin, and then he passed it onto Leon!” She clasped her hands together with a smile. “Ok,” Namine blinked twice, locking eyes with Kairi in a shared bewilderment. “Right, so what did they find?” Kairi asked. She couldn’t help but wish it was something about Sora, or Riku. After sending off her dawn-trodding friend in the Final World, not a peep was heard since, even the portal disappeared as if it were never there. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t worried, but she’d told herself long ago to believe in them—they would be alright. Still, it made it that much harder for Kairi to go meet them. So, Aerith’s words stirred up that unsettling feeling that kept rising and falling inside her like the tide. “Hades said he could send someone to Unreality, far-fetched I know, but Merlin seems to think it’s worth trying. Then again–it’s not the best option we have.” Aerith winced, a nervous grin falling off her lips. “Hades?” Namine balked at the idea. “From Sora’s memories, that guy is bad news. Whatever deal he’s offering is not free. And bargains with him are always in his favor.” “Unless we have something he wants.” Kairi’s heart raced, something about this felt right despite all the dangers. It wasn’t like they hadn’t tried everything to get the dream portal connected again. They were running out of options. “Exactly,” Leon threw open the door, a scrolls of blueprints and schematics spilling out from his arms as he shouldered through. He knocked back Aerith’s pitcher of lemonade with a sour look on his face as he made room at the table. “But he might have something we need despite the risks. We found something in Ansem’s old notes–he’d seemed to have forgotten about it but Ienzo seemed to think it was related to Unreality. Something like a porta machine.” “Wait, like the one in the basement in Twilight Town?” Namine rushed to pour over the blueprints, her eyes dancing with recognition. “This…isn’t too far off from that, but something’s different.” “Right, you are my girl!” Merlin appeared before them in a burst of smoke. “And what exactly is she right about?” Kairi chuckled at the little dance he did as his form settled. Magic, although she had gotten used to it, never quite stopped feeling mysterious. “Why, the key to sending more of Sora’s friends to greet him. Riku doesn’t have to be alone you know,” He added with a wink. A flush of pink tickled Kairi’s cheeks, it felt like Merlin was pointing out her own thoughts. “We have some of the stuff we need in the castle basement, but there’s something here about a formula,” Leon mumbled, his hand tracing a series of symbols. As Kairi came closer, the symbols popped out at her as if a memory was floating to the surface. “Scala, this is…from Scala Ad Caelum,” Kairi said. “It is,” Merlin said with a hint of pride, “And you, my dear know what it says, don’t you?” Kairi took a deep breath, she wasn’t sure how she knew, but somewhere in her heart, it made sense what the symbols meant. “It’s the underworld, it’s stating the answer is there.” “Woah,” Aerith put a hand over her mouth and looked at Namine. “But if any one of us tries to make a deal with him–” Namine began, only for Kairi to cut her off with a shake of her head. “Whatever the deal is, I’ll worry about the consequences. You know as well as I do that the longer we leave them there the harder it’ll be to help when they need it most.” Kairi bit her lip, that earlier anxiety licking at her heels. They would be alright, Kairi knew that, but what if they did need help? Just like that one time when everyone fell apart…“It’s clear that whatever Donald and Goofy got up to might be exactly what we need. They said Hades promised them a way to contact Sora. Could be a trap, but they did say they saw him.” “Really?!” Kairi slammed her hands on the table as she leaned forward. This was a chance, a moment to see Sora face to face and not just feel him in a dream. She couldn’t pass this up. No matter the cost. Namine shook her head disapprovingly, knowing all too well how impossible it was to hold the princess back when she wanted to do something. ****Kairi hated deep dark caves, especially ones reeking of the dead. An ever present chill tingled up her spine as she made her way to Hades chamber with Donald and Goofy in tow. The two were furious with her for coming on her own. Still, it wasn’t like she could drag Namine away from helping Roxas and Xion for too long. They had their own memories to shift through and their training had taken up enough time. “You really should have come with Aqua or Ven.” Donald spat, crossing his arms as he waddled beside her. “Oh come on Donald, she doesn’t need a bodyguard anymore,” Goofy said, twiddling with his thumbs. Kairi tipped her nose into the air. “Exactly! I can take care of myself perfectly fine, thank you!” “Hah, fat chance princess,” Hades’ voice echoed from the glistening stalactites overhead. Keyblade in hand, Kairi braced herself for a fight, only to see a faint gathering of will o’ wisps at her feet. “I don’t want a fight, I came to make a deal,” Kairi called out. “A deal? Oh, so you three have come to take up the bargain to see the twerp again?” He cackled, a puff of smoke billowing upon a throne. As the smoke cleared Hades appeared with a sudden snap, his flames crackling as he cradled a glass in his hand. “If you can actually grant what you promise.” Kairi scoffed, holding her keyblade at the ready. “Who’s to say? Whatever the results up to you princess, so, you wanna see him or not?” “This was a bad idea Donald,” Goofy whispered to the duck, who promptly smacked him on the head. “Oh shut up you big palooka.” Donald grumbled, then looked to Kairi. “We’ll take any bargain on for ya. On my pride as a magician!” Kairi felt a smile bloom in her chest. It was kind of them to risk themselves like that. You really have found wonderful friends, Sora. “Nuh uh uh, not so fast.” Hades downed his glass and snapped up the worm writhing in the glass within his jagged teeth. The gnashing sound echoed in her bones, causing an involuntary swallow. “You go through, only you can pay the price, that’s it.” Hades snapped, drawing a line in the air as a final punch to the gut. “Alright, what do you want?” Kairi crossed her arms defiantly. She wasn’t intimidated by him, not one bit. After all, she’d faced death twice…no wait…three times? Right, three, probably. “I offer one day with your precious little boy toy in exchange for you returning a certain item back to my collection,” Hades drawled, a long hand curling into a fist as he continued, “You see, a boy took a special sword of mine with him to that unreally really place or whatever. And I want it back. It holds great sentimental value to me.” Hades unfurled his fist to reveal a large sword without a hilt, in its place were three bolts. Kairi had seen it before, but…where and when? A flicker of warmth fluttered in her chest. “That’s Cloud’s!” All three shouted in disbelief. Donald and Goofy looked at Kairi with surprise, all she could do was shrug. “Heh, right you were that heart within that boy. Fancy that, well yada yada you go find this for me in one day, you see the twerp, everything’s all bada bing bam! Wanna take the plunge and go now?” Hades rolled his eyes, his flames reddening with impatience. A breath hitched in her throat. She wanted to go. Finding Sora was all she ever thought about. But…“Two questions,” Kairi held up two fingers. “One, what happens if I don’t find it? And two, why one day?” Hades raised a brow, “Your keyblade is mine. I’d say soul but princess’ hearts don’t interest me anymore. Not useful. And one day is because that’s all your body can take before it splits into pieces. Unreality isn’t your home, so your soul isn’t tied to it.” He explained, holding up two fingers, he put them together then slowly pulled them apart. “If you stay there too long, all that will happen is your soul will try to snap right back–destroying your body in the process.” “Then why is Sora….” “Isn’t it obvious? He cast off this world as the prince for that power of his.” Hades broke into a fit of laughter, “Wow, what is with these lover boys and their ill-fated feats for damsels in distress?” A heaviness draped over her shoulders. Kairi couldn’t deny he was right. And somehow, despite how she knew it wasn’t her fault–the guilt remained, the longing and the frustration too–all of it just sunk her deeper into that all-encompassing anger. “Alright, you have a deal, Hades.” She stepped forward towards the throne. Hades snapped his fingers. Before her eyes a golden quill hovered in the air. Instinctively, she knew she had to take it. Kairi gnawed on her lip, “Before I sign, confirm and swear that sword is all you want.” “Ha, smart one,” Hades snickered, and with a wave of his hand words were scrawled into the air, refracting like prisms against the gloomy fog.
Princess of Heart, swears to obtain the god of the Underworld’s prized possession within twenty four hours, upon which she is granted access to Quadratum for that time. If she does not find the sword or the boy within those hours, the keyblade is forfeit, as is ride home.
“...You’re going to leave me there?” Kairi rolled her eyes. Of course he would, it must sound fun for him to imagine her existence breaking apart. “I’m busy, no time for rescuing princesses,” Hades shrugged. “Kairi, this is not a good idea!” Donald squealed. He and Goofy started running towards her, only to run into an invisible barrier. Their shouts and pounding of fists were muffled, yet their desperation and concern reached her. With all she could muster, Kairi shot them a smile and a wave. “I’ll be ok, I promise.” Kairi took the pen, and signed on the dotted line. Sora’s going to be mad at me. Kairi laughed dryly as she stared passed Hades. She could imagine it, how his face would look when he found out. “Good luck then twerpette,” Hades gave one final snap. Riku won’t forgive you. Kairi shivered as darkness gripped her very being. It had been so long since she felt it…that cold and familiar power.Light pounded in her chest, warming her just as the darkness pulled her away somewhere far. She smiled. I’ll see you soon, Sora.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Kairi had never quite gotten used to the sight of unfamiliar places. Still, this one took the cake. Looming spires and towering buildings of glass filled her vision. The sky too, was devoid of that comforting blue, casting a gray tint over the realm. Rows and rows of tiny houses and shops seemed to rest at the towering structure’s feet. It wasn’t too unlike that of the World that Never Was, save for it clearly being day rather than night.
Kairi looked around, the eerie quiet swallowing her as she walked down the street where only a few passersby resided. Shops selling books, bread, and bobbles filled her senses for as far as her eyes could see–yet no one was speaking to one another, instead, she heard faint music wafting through the area like a beacon beckoning patrons inside.
Lost, hopelessly lost would be how she would end up if she didn’t focus. Kairi looked down at her necklace, a faint glow easing her worries. It had led her to her light once before, it would again, surely. With a steady breath, she put a hand on the gem, willing for her heart to call out to him.
Heavy steps lead her to the threshold of a quaint cafe, its clear glass windows glistening in the sunlight. The strong smell of coffee mixed with breads and sweet pastries enveloped her as the faint twill of a bell accompanied her entrance.
Behind the counter, a woman shouted, “Make yourself at home! I’ll be with you in a minute!”
Hearing someone’s voice in this strange place made Kairi’s once-thudding heart slow. A comfort that went beyond her understanding made it easy to sit down at the counter. As her eyes traced the various pictures and posters lining the walls, a large bulletin board caught her attention.
Re:Connect Project
? The words scrawled across the top made her curious, and before she knew it, Kair found herself reading the small pieces of parchment pinned to it. It was filled with letters, short notes, and notices all centered around the same thing; reunion.
I’ll be here, so come find me.
Just whistle, I’ll come running.
Only by having each other did we make it through those horrifying days. I won’t leave you to face it alone again.
Something about these notes resonated, the feelings wrapped inside them were akin to her own. The realization of it felt heavy, as if each and every one held their own story of loss and a desperate desire to return to those they loved. Why were these here?
“Hello, one caught your eye?” The woman’s voice from earlier startled her. She turned to meet the dark auburn eyes of a tall woman, sporty yet dressed in a fitted leather tank and matching skirt, a trail in the back making the style reminiscent of an apron. From the smile on her face the woman seemed very familiar with the letters. There was something about her that felt trustworthy and kind.
“It’s unusual to see something like this in a cafe, huh?” The woman looked up at the board and crossed her arms. With a light tilt of her chin she continued, “It’s for people who are lost and have someone to find. Cafes and bars are great places to put a word out. Oh gosh sorry, where’s my head—I’m Tifa, Tifa Lockhart and you are?” Tifa held out a gloved hand.
“Kairi,” Kairi took it gladly, giving a firm shake and a friendly smile. “So you help make connections? I’m actually looking for someone.”
“Well then! If they were here then you'd probably find a note. Go on and feel free to read through them, and leave your own. Names are in the bottom right corner, and we always take a letter down if someone has found who they’re looking for. Makes it easier.”
Hope surged in her chest as she scoured the letters. It reminded her of the countless voices back in the final world, words filled with longing and love. As she came to lie on one note, a warmth radiated from her necklace. Reflexively she gripped it tightly, feeling the faint light growing as she placed her hand on a familiar string of words, “Wherever I am, you’re always with me. I’ll come back to you, I promise.”
Tears spilled out, clouding her vision as she took the note in her hand. It was him, she didn’t even have to check the name—
“The boy who wrote this—do you know where he is? Where is Sora?” Kairi’s voice shook with elation as she met Tifa’s soft smile.
“Gosh, how did I not know? All Sora ever does is talk about that girl he likes. I should have known by your hair but your name too—of course you’re the one he’s been looking for!” Tifa laughed, giving Kairi a light pat on her shoulder. “He’s probably in Shibuya with Cloud or Strelitzia doing deliveries. I’ll call him, maybe he’ll pick up since Cloud won’t.”
Kairi shook her head, there wasn’t time to wait. “I have to go find him now—and Cloud too! Can you tell me where this Shibuya is? I can find him once I’m there!” There was no doubt in her mind—all she needed was a chance.
“Uh well, I think Zack might be able to take you—it’s a ways from here.” Tifa pinched her brow, a bit at a loss. “Hey! Zack! Gotta girl who needs a ride to Cloud!” She called.
From the back of the cafe at a table out of view, Kairi could see black hair spiking up in all directions. It bounced upwards as the man shot up, as if he’d been sleeping. “What? Huh?” Zack rubbed his neck as he walked over, yawning before he seemed to snap to attention upon linking eyes with Kairi. “Woah, hey cutie pie! You need anything I’m definitely there-ouch!”
“I’m telling Aerith when we get back if you don’t quit that. Hell, I should tell her anyway, let her rip into you.” Tifa clicked her tongue as Zack rubbed his arm where she hit him. From the pain splattered across his face, it was obvious she packed a real punch.
“It comes naturally. I can't help it. You know she’s my girl.” Zack mumbled, “Sorry, Shibuya right? Come on, I’ll fly you there.”
“Fly?” Kairi blinked twice.
“Yeah, nifty perk of gaining your wings.” Zack grinned.
*****
“Sorry, didn’t know you could get motion sickness.” Zack laughed nervously, gently patting Kairi’s back as she slowly got used to landing again.
Flying in Quadratum was vastly different from how it felt in her realm. There was something heavy and sluggish keeping her from using her magic to fly with Zack. How he was able to keep the two of the afloat with only one wing was a wonder.
The look of it reminded Kairi of her own wing when she and Sora united their hearts. There was something familiar and hauntingly nostalgic about it. Still, she swallowed back a wave of nausea, which didn't mean her pilot was as good with turbulence as Sora was.
“It’s ok, it’s amazing you were able to get us here so fast. And with so many people around—“
“They can’t see us.” Zack sheepishly waved a hand in front of a passerby. “Well, maybe they can see you. Sora too. But for me and Strelitzia we have to focus or everyone looks right past us.”
Strange. It was similar to how Sora felt before he faded away. Before she realized how little time they had, Kairi would find Sora looking down at his hand often, his brow pinched. When she asked him about it, he’d just smile, though it looked like he was hiding a sadness underneath it.
Her chest tightened. It had been a year for her. A year sleeping and dreaming about him. But for Sora, how long had it been? How long had he been alone?
“Zack, how well do you know Sora?”
The older man regarded her with thoughtfulness. He crossed his arms, keeping her pace as they walked down the street.
“Well, not too long. But it seems like I’ve always known him! He’s a good kid, hard-working, but a bit lonely. But aren’t we all? Everyone in Quadratum wants to go home and have someone they miss.” Zack bent down a little to meet in her eye line. “You aren’t like the rest of us. I can tell you’re able to be seen by everyone like him. Maybe there’s hope for him to return yet.”
“What do you mean?” Kairi began, pausing as she felt a familiar pull. A connection once lost forming and linking her, as if a key fit into a lock and opened a door.
Tears came to her eyes, as that warmth she’d always felt got stronger, making her heart race. Her attention snapped to the street a few blocks away. A huge crossing came into view as she raced to the corner, people crossed the busy intersection from four alternating directions.
Her heart did a flip as Sora’s heart tugged at hers. Eyes the color of the sea met with sky touched eyes. A smile bloomed on her face, brighter than the sun, finally, she felt at home.
Kairi quickened her pace, glancing two and fro as she shouldered through the crowd. She could see Sora zagging through, his eyes lit with an elated glisten, his smile reaching from ear to ear. As they reached the center of the crossing, a stillness came, as if the world was slowing to a stop for just the two of them. People rushed past them without a glance, but all Kairi could do was hold back tears as she laughed, relief tearing at her heart, he was here.
“Sora!” Kairi ran to him with a jump in her step.
“Kairi!” Sora rushed to her, pulling her into a firm embrace. It reminded her of the last time—when she had rushed at him in the same way. At the time, she’d felt it was just a dream. It wasn’t until his form was tightly in her arms that it was truly, fully,
real.
Her heart had been just as full of warmth then as it felt now. The heat from his fingertips, and the slight thrum of his heart set her at ease.
“Sora, it’s really you.” Kairi’s voice was a whisper against her lips, a desperate plea for a dream to become real. She returned his fierce grip, nuzzling his shoulder to drink in his scent, memorizing everything she could about him.
Neither would want to ever let go. But time was not on her side. Oh how she wanted to savor this, take Sora home. A part of her knew that this wasn’t her role, that the possibility was not yet hers to capture. Still, the dream was there, far from reach.