Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The family feast was the best meal Ephemer has ever eaten in Cable. Maybe even the best meal he’s eaten in his entire life.

In contrast to the party in fountain plaza, the feast had been a cozy, intimate dinner—just the five of them eating and chatting into the wee hours of the night. Not used to having an abundance of food in front of him all at once, Ephemer let himself truly savour each dish—the rich, hearty flavours of Cablean cuisine melting in his mouth with every bite. These dishes made with love over the course of several hours had been much more delectable and satisfying than the kinds of quick-stop Moogle Shop foods or packaged market meals he and the other Keybearers chowed down on between quests without so much as a second thought. He ate with gusto he’s never had before, completely emptying his plate and thensome out of sheer joy and gratitude.

Similarly, Charis had just about decimated the pot of pesto pasta Ephemer cooked following a Daybreakian recipe, using Cablean ingredients, happy to consume anything not raw or offensive to his palate like most of the things the silver-haired boy was accustomed to eating. In fact, the pasta had tasted amazing, and he’d made sure to shower the chef with plenty of compliments.

Ephemer distinctly remembers Charis leaning back in his chair, feeling a bit woozy after eating so fast, but grinning ever so wide, so grateful and so at peace with everything. He’d found it hard to look away from this wonderful sight, smiling tenderly as the auburn-haired boy laughed merrily next to him.

He thoughtfully escorted Hestia home through the dark streets afterwards, as Fidel, Xenia and Charis tidied up. And they all went to bed with full hearts and stomachs. It felt so good to be together without worry, celebrating all that they’d accomplished in the past year, and taking the time to just relax and have fun for a night. It felt good to just be a family.

The days following the ceremony passed like a whirlwind, with inquiries about potential Keyblade apprenticeships coming in one after another. Galvin, Petra and Pallas had all been able to summon their own Keyblades, and it seemed like nothing short of a miracle to everyone who had witnessed it. There were even new people stepping up to volunteer, not as Keyblade apprentices, but as supporters, now seeing worth in the cause, and chances in the changes. Ephemer and Charis had their hands full with explaining how things would go, and the steps they’d need to take moving forward. But it was all looking good. Interest in a Keyblade academy is high, and while he was unsure previously, Ephemer feels a lot more confident that he’ll be able to get it off the ground officially soon, with help.

Everyone had agreed that Peak Alpha would be the perfect spot for it, with its vast amount of open space. Ephemer could easily use Master’s Defender to build the structure from start to finish, but he doesn’t like how much energy it takes out of him and the way it makes him feel disconnected from his body. He’s much more comfortable with saving its special ability for emergencies instead. Besides, a handful of Cableans already have their own creative suggestions for the academy’s design, along with ideas for other surrounding structures. Ephemer is more than happy to let these talented architects and artisans take the reins and have fun doing what they do best, as long as there’s enough space for his students to spar indoors without breaking anything.

Before he knew it, another month had passed. Autumn had made its way around again, with its harsh chill creeping in quicker than the year prior. But at least Ephemer now has a proper coat to keep him warm.

Having already taken the day off in advance, his students are out enjoying the unusually sunny day before the temperature plummets again. With a free schedule, he gets to have a slow morning before setting off on his own, to make preparations.

Nearing the end of the afternoon…he finds himself on the eastern beach, lying comfortably on the soft, black sand. At his side is a woven picnic basket, filled with particular items packed neatly inside.

Exactly one year ago today…he was on the other side of the horizon, caught in the middle of Daybreak Town’s collapse, having barely just made it out with his life.

The world had ended again. And unlike the war, there had been no escaping it for him. There had been no friend to search for across any desolate battlefield. No friend to rescue from the light of Kingdom Hearts swallowing them whole. And no friend whose hand he could hold until they both felt safe amidst the destruction around them.

And after all the dust had settled…there had been no more Lauriams bringing him tea and advising him to not be so serious. No more Brains cracking jokes and assuring him of his competence. No more Vens laughing with him and looking up to him with innocent eyes. No more Skulds walking the straight and narrow, always reminding him of what to strive for.

Instead…there are Hestias who help him appreciate the little wonders in everything he touches. There are Fidels who inspire him to work hard and keep his head up. There are Xenias who make sure he’s sleeping and eating enough. And there are Charises who listen to every word he says…even if there are a lot of them to parse through. He has trusted companions to pick him up each time he falls, and the utopia he helped build for all of them to live together in harmony.

It’s different…so very different from the life he once had and took for granted. But being different isn’t always a bad thing.

Once the darkness passed, the sun had risen again, with gentle breezes and clear skies stretching off into eternity, just like how he’d seen in the aftermath of the war. Ephemer remembers being amazed at the fact that beauty can still exist and prevail, even in the wake of something so awful. Just as hope never really dies…maybe the end isn’t ever really the end after all.

The end can also be a new beginning—a rebirth. A transfiguration out of pain and suffering, a rising from the ashes. It’s burning sand to make glass. It’s shattering materials to make a mosaic. It’s destroying a vase then fixing it to make it stronger. It’s leaving pieces of something behind so they can wash up on another shore as invaluable treasures, smoothed out and softened over the years.

He’s like that. Bruised and battered, lost in more ways than one, broken in almost every way…but stronger, wiser now. And still as beautiful as he was before all the tragedy. Just in a different way.

There are still times where he can’t overcome the heartache that lives inside him, no matter what he does. Days where he goes numb and doesn’t feel like he’s real, or worth anything. Nights where he gets those awful nightmares, haunted by his past failures and the unbearable weight of his homesickness. During those times, he habitually isolates himself to take his grief out of his chest—settling it in his palms as he tries to hold its jagged shape without reopening his wounds again.

It’s still difficult…sometimes near impossible to carry. Grief makes his hands sore. It makes his heart bleed a river. Sometimes, he cries so hard that the world turns blue. But he continues to sit with that hurt, and learn from it, knowing that it’s how he’ll get stronger, and grow more compassionate towards others, and towards himself. The hurt is what ties him to the people he cares about, and it’s how he’ll go on to form new connections as well. He acknowledges it as a part of him that’ll never fully go away…but he knows that one day, he’ll be able to look back and see with hindsight that it shrank and smoothened out under time’s gentle march. The past is what makes the future, after all.

And once Ephemer’s ready, safely back in his own senses and feeling more like the person he wants to be…he stows the grief back inside him, and returns into the arms of his loved ones. Despite all those lingering pains, it’s a lot easier to smile now, and be grateful for the present.

He has the best family in all of Cable—people who’ll never let him go hungry and will never let him hurt himself again. He even has apprentices, and more coming. He can see the light in these new Keybearers’ hearts shining like the daybreak, traveling farther than his eye can see. He basks in this brilliance whenever he remembers to, and its warmth lessens the deep crevice in his heart little by little with each passing day.

He wonders if this is what it truly means to heal…if this is what it means to start a lasting legacy—to leave the indents of his fingers in the beautiful bowl that is Cable Town.

…He hopes so.

The tide calmly pulls in and out, almost swallowing the heels of his boots. The sun steadily descends from the clouds, covering everything in a soft, golden hue…

Suddenly, Ephemer hears someone approaching, crunching dark sand beneath each footstep. He instinctively tenses up, on the verge of summoning his Keyblade before he even really knows what’s coming. For all he knows, it could be a threat to the new life he’s built…but he soon recognizes the easygoing pace, and relaxes, letting his curled fists go slack.

To his relief, it’s none other than Charis, looking radiant in the twilight as she leans over to look at him upside down. “Hey, Master. I knew I’d find you snoozing down here.”

“I wasn’t snoozing,” Ephemer corrects, “Just thinking.”

“Why am I not surprised?” She sees the basket next to him. “Need some help?”

“Sure. Thanks for coming. I was worried you weren’t gonna make it in time. The sun’s about to set,” says Ephemer, smiling as Charis unpacks the picnic basket, keeping her fingers light and delicate so as not to crease or bend what’s inside. It’s a task Ephemer could’ve easily done on his own. But some things are just better to leave in the hands of a friend.

“I like your skirt, by the way.”

“You do?” She blushes, holding the side of the long garment, plucked straight out of Xenia’s wardrobe. “Thanks. I’m trying something new, to go with all the other recent changes. I figured it was a good time.”

“It is,” Ephemer states, “…Change is scary.”

Charis settles next to him, lying in the sand as well. “Tell me about it.”

“Scary…but necessary.” Ephemer looks on at the gorgeous streaks of pinks, oranges and purples all around them. “Knowing that the sky changes all the time helps. It reminds you that change is just a part of nature, I guess…isn’t it beautiful?”

“It’s gorgeous. I’m glad we get to see this kind of thing so often…I love it so much that sometimes, I think we should just rename the town after this view.”

“Aw, but what about those cable cars you love so much?”

“I just think the ever-changing sky’s a little more grand than a vehicle on big ropes…even if it is super cool,” she elaborates, “But hey, you do get a great view of the sky from inside them.”

“Sky Town, here we come. I’m sure that’ll go over well with everyone.”

“You’re not even trying! I’m sure we could think of a much better name if we brainstormed.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

They both chuckle to themselves, gradually going silent as the clouds roll by. They’ve both been busy lately. A little tired as well, with everything progressing so quickly. But spending time at the beach together has become something of a pastime for Ephemer and Charis, harkening back to their early days, when harvesting limestone was but a dream and both of them were still guarded by layers of secrets and personal struggles. Things are different now. They’re different now, in ways only they can fully understand.

The auburn-haired girl is the first to speak again. “…I can’t believe it’s already been a year.”

“I know…” Ephemer sighs, sitting up to hunch over his knee, “It feels like just yesterday that I woke up in your house. Confused, scared…depressed.”

Charis also sits up, a calm expression painted across her face as a breeze billows through her long braid. “…How do you feel now?”

“Better. It feels like each new goal I achieve is a tribute to my friends and everything I care about. It keeps me going.”

Ephemer rests his hand on his chest. “…It still hurts…so much. But during my time here, I’ve come to realize that even if I never get over the pain…there are still a lot of things worth living for.”

Ever the one to keep things light, Charis quips, “Sure hope I’m one of those things.”

“You are.” Sincerity radiates off of him so strongly that Charis goes quiet, latching onto his every word.

Emphasizing his point, Ephemer lays his head on her shoulder. “…Mom, Gramps, and Hestia too…I’ve come to deeply love you all. I even love Cable Town. It’s not Daybreak Town. It’ll never be Daybreak Town…but it’s a place I can call home.”

The Cablean rests her cheek on his fluffy curls. “We’re all really glad you’re here, Ephemer.”

“So am I.” He closes his eyes, focusing on the sound of the waves. “…Charis, if I can see someone like Merguez again…do you think someday, I’ll be able to see my friends again too?”

“I hope so. I’d like to meet them, maybe even ask them to tell me some funny stories about you.”

“…Do you think they’d like all the stuff I’ve done here?”

Ephemer always asks questions. And Charis has known him long enough now to know that he always wants the most truthful answers he can get. “…I don’t really know your friends that well, but what’s not to like? You’ve done so much here in such a short amount of time, Ephemer…I think they’d be proud of you.”

“I should tell you more about them…there’s still a lot I haven’t told you about, actually.”

“Oh, I’m sure you have all sorts of lengthy anecdotes! You can tell me when you’re ready.”

”I will.” He looks earnest. “And hey, you’re lucky I haven’t asked Mom and Gramps to tell me any funny stories yet, because I also still wanna know more about you.”

Charis makes a face. “Believe me, I’m not nearly as interesting as you are.”

“That’s not true!” Ephemer argues, stealing a cheeky glance up at her, “You had a whole life before I came along! Full of mysteries! All sorts of juicy, Charis-y secrets! I wanna know everything.”

“Geez, you’re so nosy!” She nudges him. “You should know not to pry into people’s pasts!”

”You should know that I’m curious by nature. Always have been, always will be.”

“Ugh, fine, I guess I can think up some stories to tell you.”

“Can’t wait.”

Entering another cordial silence, Ephemer counts the waves that crash onto the shore. One…two…seven, soon enough. More than enough time for him to steer the conversation towards something he’s been wanting to say for a long time.

“…I know I was in a really dark place for a while.” He admits, his voice tender. Charis doesn’t seem surprised to hear this come up again, on today of all days. “Everything just hurt so bad and…I wasn’t ready to open up or move forward yet. I did a lot of things I regret…”

“Haven’t we all…”

Not for the first time, he looks like he’s having trouble getting the words he wants to say next to leave his mouth. Charis just waits, sensing its gravitas.

“…Is it bad that…I still sometimes go back to that dark place?” Ephemer asks sombrely. “That sometimes…I’m still in the basement? Or on the spire, losing everything all over again? Or in the lifeboat, in all the debris…there are even times where I’m on the battlefield…”

“No. Of course not, Ephemer. It’s not like you want to be in those places again.” Charis explains, “People don’t go to bad places for no reason. They go ‘cause something in them is hurting. When bad stuff happens, you might respond to it in all sorts of weird ways, sure. But that doesn’t make you bad. Got it?”

He nods, trusting her words.

“I know it must be hard for you to know what’s real and what’s not each time it happens. But whenever you feel like you’re somewhere else…we’ll find you, wherever you go. I can promise you that.”

Ephemer swallows the lump in his throat. “…Charis…a year ago, you saw a side of me that I didn’t want anyone to ever see. But not once did you ever give up on me…why?”

The auburn-haired girl hums in thought. She half expects Ephemer to follow up with something else, but he remains still. Being so close to him, she can feel the weight of his guilt and sorrow. She understands that he has a hard time letting go of these things, even long after the harrowing experiences have passed.

…She supposes that now’s as good a time as any to tell a story. Even one that’s not so funny. There’s no one else she trusts more to listen to it than him.

“…When Dad passed away…it was the hardest time of my life,” Charis recounts, “I loved him so much, but…that didn’t save him. He got swarmed—cut down right in front of me…and I wasn’t able to do anything, because I wasn’t strong enough…I wasn’t even able to say goodbye…”

Ephemer feels her pain on more than just a personal level, thinking of how his own loved ones had been ripped away from him in different ways. It’s a terrible thing, to be unable to send someone off properly…to not have the chance to say everything that needed to be said. He gives the Cablean his unwavering attention.

“…You know I was already…different to begin with. I didn’t have a lot of friends. And then I lost the few I did have by pushing them away. I just didn’t feel like I could talk to any of them about what happened.”

The auburn-haired girl touches the edge of her headband. “Mom took it the hardest. She used to just…shut down a lot. Gramps got busy fixing everything the Heartless ruined. So I didn’t really talk to them either…instead, I just…went to a dark place, like you did.”

She sighs heavily, feeling the weight of her past for the first time in a while. “It’s not really that big of a deal anymore. Turns out being in the dark’s not really my thing, so eventually, I lined my pieces up, made something new, the whole shebang…and I did it on my own. But…I was just a kid, you know? I-I was sad, angry…and so alone, even though I could’ve reached out instead of just pretending to be okay. Truth be told, I saw a lot…I saw nothing but myself in you, Ephemer.”

It’s incredible, Ephemer thinks, how they could both see into each another’s souls even underneath the masks they wore. How their lives and their burdens mirrored one another’s so closely that it was almost soothing to know that they weren’t ever truly alone in their sufferings…but it had also been painful and unnerving to come face to face with someone so much like themselves. Like staring into their own reflections for too long and forgetting what they were looking for in the first place. It’s a wonder he and Charis didn’t end up hating each other, or hurting each other even more…a miracle that they’ve chosen to see one another in full instead—the good, the bad, and the ugly—despite the initial discomfort they’d caused each other to feel.

Knowing that it’s rare for her to dwell on such touchy subjects, Ephemer still doesn’t say a word, doesn’t dare interrupt, even though there are a million things he could say right now.

“There were times where I felt like I was slowly losing myself…I could tell you were going through the same thing, so I tried to do what I could to cheer you up,” Charis says, her voice breaking, “I-I know it wasn’t much, but…what I wanted back then, more than anything…was just to have someone who understood me. Someone who could agree with me that everything sucked…but could also reassure me that everything was gonna be okay. Even if things were gonna be different…I wanted to be told that there’d always be a new day coming, no matter what.”

She wipes a tear from her cheek before it can fall onto Ephemer’s head. “…That’s why I didn’t give up on you. Why I could never give up on you. Because if you were there back then…I know you’d do the same for me.”

Shuddering a bit, Ephemer gently takes her hand. It breaks his heart to know the full extent of what she’s gone through. But it makes him all the more appreciative of who she is now. Of what she’s become, in spite of everything.

“…Charis, you’re the strongest person I’ve ever met.”

She scoffs, laughing humourlessly. She’d said the same thing to him before he raised Cable to the skies. Her basic combat skills are a far cry from his astronomical prowess. “You know I’m not.”

“I’m serious.” Ephemer states. “I’m not talking about fighting. I’m talking about you. You…you were so hurt. So heartbroken, just like I was…but you never gave up. You never gave in to darkness…you filled your heart with light and kindness instead. And you shared that with me, even though you didn’t have to…”

He purposefully rubs his thumb across her knuckles. “…Listen, I don’t really know your dad, but…I think he’d be proud of you, Charis. I know I am.”

“…Ugh, Ephemer…” Charis hiccups, pressing her tear-stained face into her sleeve. “How do you always know exactly what to say…?”

He smiles. “My friends always say I’m a chatterbox.”

That gets a gentle laugh out of her…then a sob. She trembles as she weeps into her hands, letting Ephemer wrap his arm around her back.

“It must’ve been so hard for you to go through everything all by yourself…” he consoles her, “But you’re here now…”

“…And so am I. That’s what matters…” Charis croaks, finishing the phrase, “Ah, man…I didn’t mean to make this all about me. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m the one who said I wanted to know more about you. And now…I do.”

She sniffles. “Also didn’t plan on becoming such a mess today…”

It doesn’t seem like she has her handkerchief on her, so Ephemer lets her use one of the ends of his scarf to wipe her face. “You okay?”

“Yeah…yeah, I’m good. It’s nice to get that all off my chest...”

Ephemer nods. As she collects herself, he goes on, “…For the record, having you around was definitely what I wanted. I just wasn’t strong enough to say it…but now that I know what you’ve been through, I’m even more sorry for giving you such a hard time back then.”

“Hey,” she scolds, wiping another stray tear, “No sorrys.”

“You just said sorry!”

“I’m allowed to, ‘cause I don’t use it in every other sentence!”

“Okay, okay…” Ephemer concedes, pausing for a moment. “…How ‘bout a thank you, then?”

“Hm…?”

“…Thank you, for not giving up on me.”

He shifts a bit and the girl lifts her head to meet his misty eyes.

“Thank you…for helping me see the light of this world again…” Ephemer gives her a big smile as thick tears streak down his cheeks—salty, but sweet. “Charis, you saved me. I don’t know what I can do to ever repay you for that…but I will.”

“Ephemer, stop doing that,” Charis groans, playing it cool as she dabs at her eyes with his scarf again. “You’re welcome, no problem, I’d do it all over again if I had to! C’mon, haven’t I cried enough already? You don’t have to repay me for something I wanted to do for free!”

“But I…”

“Just take me to another world like you said you would, then we’ll call it even, alright?”

“Oh, oh!” Ephemer exclaims, wiping his tears on his sleeve, “I’ve been meaning to tell you! I was studying the lifeboat again the other day…and I think I have an idea for how we can get to other worlds safely!”

“Seriously?!” The elation in her voice is always contagious. “So you really will take me to another world then?”

“Any world you want!” he states, “When we’ve got time to ourselves, we’ll go on adventures to all sorts of places, just the two of us. Sounds good?”

“Sounds perfect! You’re the best, Ephemer!” Charis can’t contain her excitement, bursting with joy as she imagines the kinds of tales and treasures she’ll be able to bring home. “I can’t wait to see what’s out there! I’ve got to tell Mom about this!”

“Hey, hold on, I said it was just an idea!”

“Coming from you, an idea’s practically a promise already!”

“Well…you’re not wrong.”

“Better get used to saying that.” Charis hugs him tight, her tone tender on his ear. “…I just know you’ll make it happen somehow. You always find a way.”

Ephemer hugs her back, rolling his eyes lovingly. “Fine, you’re right. Okay? You’re absolutely right. But don’t go around telling everyone just yet.”

“I won’t. Just Mom.”

“And Gramps, and Hestia. But that’s it.”

“That’s it. Cross my heart.”

They hold each other until the tip of the sun dips beneath the horizon, dyeing the land balmy shades of pink and lavender.

Charis takes that as her cue, and takes Ephemer’s hand. Her thumb gently brushes his knuckles the same way his did for hers moments ago. “…You gonna be alright?”

“Yeah. You go ahead, I’ll catch up with you. I’m just gonna talk to my friends for a bit.”

“Got it. Say hi to them for me, okay?”

“I will.”

“…Oh, and…” She takes on an expression he’s never seen on her face before. “I have something for you.”

Interest piqued, Ephemer watches as she pulls something from her pocket with her free hand. To his surprise, it’s her handkerchief. Just as he begins to wonder why she hasn’t been using it this whole time, he notices that it’s rolled up, with something mysteriously wrapped inside.

“Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I should give this to you today, since I know it’s a sad occasion for you. But I hope in some way…it can help you find a bright side to it all.”

Ephemer thinks for a moment as all sorts of feelings wash over him. He doesn’t take his gaze off of her.

“…You’re right, Charis. It is a sad occasion…but I think it’s a happy one too.”

He gives her hand a tender squeeze. “Because even after I lost everything…you found me. We found each other.”

The big smile that spreads across Charis’ face fills his heart with fondness. Her emerald eyes glisten brilliantly…like the first blades of grass sprouting after the earth has endured its harshest winter.

“Well, you’ll probably like this then…tell me once you’ve figured it out, alright?”

She delicately places her handkerchief in his palm.

“Sad and happy anniversary, Ephemer…see you soon!”

She doesn’t wait for him to ask any questions, getting up and heading back to town. Ephemer watches his companion go—her long auburn hair and skirt flowing majestically in the wind behind her. Once she’s out of sight, he curiously opens the handkerchief…

…And inside is a single white dandelion, with its seeds still intact, despite autumn’s deathly chill. Just the sight of it gets him all choked up again.

As Charis’ melodious laugh echoes in his ears, his eyes catch an unusual splash of colour. He fully unwraps her handkerchief in his other hand, intrigued to see that it’s not the same it was before.

The handkerchief, once blank save for a small C in the corner, is now covered in beautiful embroidery work—an array of vibrant threads intricately woven into its simple fabric. Its edges are lined with green stars, little red swirls, and golden ash tree leaves, the symbol that represents the Committee founding family—their family. At the centre of these colourful patterns are a few words stitched in periwinkle blue:

Ephemer fixates on the lines, reading them again and again. Understanding them, but having difficulty figuring out the true intent behind the words. They’re so personal and profound…something Charis obviously put a lot of thought into.

It’s a riddle, a poem, a question—with an answer that has to be important if she took the time and effort to embroider it just for him, onto one of her own belongings. Ephemer believes there must be truths hidden in every stitch made by her careful hand. But what would she be trying to tell him that she couldn’t have just said to him in person the entire time they’ve been sitting in the sand together?

Charis knows better than anyone that he likes to delve a bit too deeply into everything. The way his mind works, one question often leads to hundreds more, branching off into endless possibilities. He is indeed a seeker—someone who’s always trying to grasp onto something, always trying to explain why things are the way they are, always trying to reach some form of closure. Sometimes, even though he means well, his overthinking drives her mad…

Since that’s the case, maybe she didn’t put an answer in the handkerchief itself after all. Maybe it’s a conclusion he has to come up with himself, not by thinking, but by feeling...

…Maybe the answer is endless and possible.

Now understanding, Ephemer can’t help but laugh as a new kind of warmth spreads through him, making his heart flutter.

If his instincts are right—if all Charis wants is a simple, honest answer straight from his heart…then he knows exactly what he needs to say to her…his dearly beloved finder.

A wave crashes harder than usual on the shoreline, splashing against some low limestones. Suddenly remembering what he came to the beach to do, Ephemer carefully folds the dandelion back into Charis’ handkerchief for now, gently setting it aside. He has all the time in the world to talk to her later…but the end of this sad and happy day is fast approaching.

On the sand next to him and the basket are six paper lanterns he made himself, all identical, save for the sea glass charms attached to them. Each one is made up of several small sea glass pieces formed into the shape of a star using silver wires to cluster them.

There’s a story he read about once, in Daybreak Town long ago…about a far-off world where destiny is more than just a myth. A haven where star-shaped fruits grow by the sea, granting the promise of an unbreakable connection, if shared.

As someone who’s felt the burden of loneliness like no other, and knows nothing of where his friends may have ended up…it hadn’t taken long for Ephemer to grow attached to this simple, heartfelt idea, whether there was any truth to it or not. And with Hestia’s guidance, he was able to make something resembling those star-shaped fruits for each of his friends, as a gesture of hope that they’ll all be able to find their way home someday.

Taking a deep breath to ground himself, Ephemer finds himself smiling without even trying. “Hey, everyone! It’s been exactly a year since I arrived here in Cable Town, so I thought it’d be good to check in with all of you. So much has changed in such a short amount of time...”

The sea replies with a deluge of waves, rushing up to meet the tips of his boots.

“Charis says hi, by the way. She’s gotten so powerful with her Keyblade! You’d be amazed at how much she’s picked up! On the other hand, I haven’t gotten much better at dancing yet…she’s a good teacher, I just can’t get my feet to move properly! I really don’t get it! She says we’ll figure something out eventually though.”

He slows down, lingering on the conversation he and the Cablean just had. “…Charis and I have been through a lot. But we’ve been taking care of each other. I wish you could meet her. I think you’d all really love her…she gives me hope.”

He plays with his scarf’s tassels, wrapping them around his fingers as he collects his thoughts.

“…It’s been hard…really hard without you all, but…this is home now. Between helping the Committee, teaching, starting the academy, and doing all sorts of other stuff, I have my hands full. Guess old habits die hard, huh?” Ephemer shakes his head, remembering how busy he’d been as a union leader. “But I’ll always make time for you guys. Pretending that you can hear me reminds me what this is all for…what keeps me going every day.”

He sits on his knees, lifting one of the lanterns off the ground. Its pink sea glass charm sways slightly with the breeze until he sets it atop the water.

“Lauriam, thank you for all your help. I hope you’re able to find answers about your sister. I hope you never get lost on your quest to find her, and keep your light shining strong…I think that’s what she would’ve wanted.”

He grabs another lantern with a teal charm attached to it, sending it off not long after Lauriam’s. “Elrena, we didn’t get to know each other, but since you’re Lauriam’s friend, I consider you my friend too. I hope you’re doing alright, wherever you are. Hopefully you’re together, so you can keep each other safe.”

Before setting them into the waves, he lights each lantern with a small Fire spell. Each one shines brilliantly in the oncoming darkness of the night, but the one that belongs to Ven shines exceptionally bright.

“Ven! Wherever you are, don’t be scared, okay?” He calls out, picturing the innocent face of the boy he always saw as a younger brother, “You were so brave when we faced Darkness. I’ll never forget that, so make sure you don’t either! Don’t doubt yourself. You’ve got big things ahead of you, I’m sure of it.”

As Ven’s lantern and green charm float away, Ephemer’s mirth begins to fade a bit.

“…Brain…” The more he opens his heart, the harder it gets to speak. “You have no idea how much I wish you were here to guide this town with Charis and I…I just know you’d already have so many ideas up your sleeve. Cable Town could really use someone like you…but I have a feeling that wherever you are, you’ll do a lot of great things for the people around you. That’s just how you are. I’ll take care of things, and keep our Keyblade safe in the meantime.”

Ephemer’s voice falters. When Brain’s grey charm glints in the light, he has to hold himself together and remind himself that he isn’t letting go of his friends…only letting go of the pain caused by their sudden departures.

He picks up the last two lanterns, one with a blue charm, the other with a yellow charm, cradling both with utmost care.

“Skuld…I miss you so much. I-I don’t know if you made it out of Daybreak Town, or if you got stuck too. Every time I walk on this beach, a part of me still hopes that I’ll find you on the shore, somehow. But if you’re safe, living a new life somewhere else like I am, with people who love you…that’s enough for me.”

He wipes his face. “I’ll never stop searching for you. ‘Til then…I’ll be fine on my own…so don’t worry about me, okay?”

Letting Skuld’s lantern drift out to sea, he shudders out a heavy sigh. The remaining lantern and yellow charm rustle in the wind a bit, as if vying for his attention.

“…Viri.”

He closes his eyes, recalling their face at the center of his heart, forever immortalized there.

“…I hope I see you again. I want to see you again. Even if it takes a lifetime, or two, even three…I’ll be the one to wait for you this time.”

He almost sends the lantern away…but before it can touch the water, his grip on it instinctively tightens. A sob escapes him as more tears cascade down his face, melding into the seafoam, before being pulled back by the tide.

In his blurry vision, he sees the yellow charm stir again, twinkling in the twilight. For just a moment…he can see Viribus—the real one—smiling in front of him. He can feel their hand in his. He can hear their voice, soft and light on his ear. He can feel their heart touching his own…changing him for the better.

They’re the sharpest shard of hurt lodged deep into his chest…but they’re also the streaks of gold that holds him together. The strength that fills his broken heart.

“…Even when we’re apart, our hearts are always connected. I won’t go anywhere until we can be together again, Viri…I promise.”

At last…he lets go. Viribus’ lantern drifts out into the ocean, joining the others and leaving him behind.

Someday, somehow…he knows deep in his heart that he’ll see his dear friend again. They never said goodbye to each other before…so Ephemer doesn’t see any reason to start now. Instead, he chooses to say something stronger.

“May your hearts be your guiding key…”

He holds Charis’ handkerchief and the dandelion inside of it, making a wish with every ounce of his being…to Kingdom Hearts and back.

“…And may they bring you back to me.”

He steps into the water and blows the dandelion with a single breath, watching as each of the seeds fly far, far away into the wind…scattering into the horizon like shooting stars.

The silver-haired boy lingers a few moments longer, relishing in the quietude of another day gone by…even as darkness falls upon him, he feels lighter than ever.

At the core of all things…in times good and bad, it’s love that holds onto the shattered pieces of a broken heart. It’s love that waits for you, that perseveres until you’re ready to make something new. To Ephemer, that realization is like stumbling upon a lost miracle he’s been looking for—one that he was always meant to find again.

He wonders what other kinds of little miracles tomorrow might bring…he can’t wait to find out.

Basket in hand, and his beloved’s handkerchief in the other, Ephemer turns on his heel to face the skyline of the beautiful town before him with a proud smile.

The sun finally descends to rest, giving way for millions of stars in the night sky to shine down on the young Keyblade Master.

And with his path graciously illuminated by their light…Ephemer goes home.