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You don't recall the precise moment you first wake up, but that's nothing new. What is new is that when you open your eyes, there is no endless ocean waiting for you, no yawning abyss lurking below the surface of the water. There are no massive pillars of stained glass rising from the depths. You find that you're not even falling. Instead, you find yourself floating freely, in a sea of clouds, glowing a rosy pink from the light of the sun.
This is not a dream.
You struggle to remember where you were before this. But it's all too hazy, too vague to get a solid grasp. All you recall is standing in an expanse of sea and sky, reaching out forever. You had to save… someone, no matter the cost.
Kairi. For one, horrifying moment, you couldn't remember her name. You had to save Kairi, no matter what. You had asked… um… Chirithy! Good, your memories were slowly coming back. Anyways, you had asked Chirithy about it, and they'd said that you would pay a steep price for rescuing her. You told them, in no uncertain terms, that you didn't care. If it meant Kairi was safe, it would be worth everything.
…So, then. If you'd saved Kairi, where did you end up?
A glimmer of light peeks out from behind the clouds, making you start in surprise. What time is it that the sun would rise so early, and so quickly?
The clouds begin to part, letting more of the light shine through. You wait, unsure if you should cover your eyes. But as another cloud dissipates, your stomach bottoms out as a wing makes itself visible.
You've seen many sunrises during your days on the island, but this particular sunrise—if you can call it that—makes your skin crawl.
The last of the clouds disperse, revealing a colossal ball of light you are fairly sure is not the sun. Four massive wings surround and open around its core like a flower, reflecting all the colors of the rainbow from the light it gives off. The hum from the energy surrounding you rings in your ears.
Then it turns its core towards you, and you suddenly feel very, very cold.
Who are you?
"Um…" You swallow hard. "I'm Sora." The air is calm, but you do not feel at ease in the slightest. "Who… who are you?"
Sora. The light regards you for what feels like forever. You're about to ask for its name again when its core twinkles, directly into your eyes, and you blink and cover your face with a hand.
Your heart, you notice, is beating much quicker than normal, even in the heat of the many battles you've fought.
Sora, it repeats again. The boy chosen by the Keyblade. Bane of the Heartless. Savior of Worlds. Hero of Light.
Light.
Light…
The word comes in a soft hiss, not at all comforting. The light creeps towards you, its core shining even brighter. Your throat goes dry in an instant. "How do you know who I am?"
I can read minds, and search through someone's history in an instant, it replies. Yours is a particularly intriguing read. Yes… You may be just what I need.
"Wh… what?"
The being backs away a little (thank goodness). I am Galeem. Lord of Light. Ruler of this realm. And your Keyblade… will be the cornerstone of my objective.
Unconsciously, the Keyblade appears in your hand, but you don't feel comfortable showing it to him. "What do you mean?" you ask.
A wing stretches toward you, and you withdraw, slightly. There is no need to be afraid, Galeem whispers, almost purrs. Join me, Sora. Become my acolyte, and together, we shall purge this realm of darkness forever.
You don't know what to say at first. Your thoughts are muddled, swirling and twisting in your head, your emotions mixing in with them. This Galeem… he said he needed you? To purge the land of darkness?
Darkness?
Darkness…
A rush of memories flood into your brain at once, and you wince and curl inward on yourself. A boy with clipped white hair, gazing longingly out to the sea, time and time again expressing his boredom with the island. The same boy, surrounded by darkness, declaring he's not afraid, a hand outstretched in invitation. The boy, critically injured, and being hoisted to his feet. The boy, sitting on the beach beside you, just like old times, and admitting there's one thing he had that you could never imitate: having you as a friend.
Your friend… your friend named—
"Riku."
Galeem does not move. Hmm?
You look up at him. "Where's Riku?"
Riku?
"My friend," you say. "And Kairi, and everyone else." Even now, you don't quite remember who exactly they are (and that terrifies you for some reason), but you know that they're there. "Where are my friends?" you ask, a bit louder.
Your friends. Galeem is silent for a while. Then he says, They are… not worthy.
Ice-cold seizes your lungs, and spreads through the rest of your body, like a poison. "What?"
They are not worthy of this new world, it clarifies. They are not… compatible with my vision. I was unable to find a place for them in my scheme. This Riku of whom you speak proved especially unruly, as it were. So I had them… subdued.
Before you can understand what he means by that, Galeem spreads his wings wide, and shows you, first hand.
More memories (at least you think they are) assault you at once, and this time, you can't help the cry of pain that escapes your lips. A young man, calm and collected, but with a conviction in his eyes, unshakeable and steady as the earth. A young woman, dead-set in her convictions, eyes calm and profound as the sea. A boy, about your age, with bright blue eyes, curious and carefree like the wind. Another boy, resembling the previous one, but with a more melancholy look in his eyes, who for some reason, reminds you of yourself.
All these people, looking at you in a canyon, ready to fend off something just outside your field of vision.
All these people, seeing a massive ball of light collapse into a black hole, completely helpless to stop the beams of light consuming their bodies, and the world around them.
All of your friends, their faces drained, their forms transparent, unmoving in Galeem's wings.
Your hands begin to shake, and your Keyblade disappears. Whatever questions you had die on your tongue. You feel dizzy. You feel like you're going to suffocate. Despite the fact that you're floating in midair, you feel like you're falling out of the sky.
Through this, you fail to hear Galeem's explanation on what precisely he did. You don't think you want to hear. Their names return to your memory, like someone struck you on the back of the head and shook something loose. Riku. Kairi. Terra. Aqua. Ventus. Roxas. And two others, that you know the names of, you always did, a powerful magician and the captain of the royal guard, your closest friends, two faces that are not among the rest.
You feel nauseous. They're all gone. Again. And you couldn't save them this time. You clutch at your chest, suddenly noticing the hollow empty feeling inside.
And now, Galeem… He took— He thought you would—
Now then, Galeem was saying. You snap your head up. With you by my side, Sora, this world can achieve perfection. Join me, my champion of light, and we shall—
You summon your Keyblade again. Heat licks across your skin, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the light, all of a sudden feeling too blinding, surrounding you.
"Get away from me."
Galeem stops, retracting a wing a couple of inches. What?
"Get away from me," you spit.
The Lord of Light stops, his wings curling in. I don't understand.
Your breath is coming out in hot puffs as you grip the Keyblade even tighter. "You took my friends," you grit out.
Of course I did, says Galeem. Were you not paying attention? They are unworthy, unfit for this new era of—
"You took my friends," you interrupt, "everyone I've ever cared about…" Your hands are trembling, but not out of fear. "And you think I would ever— even dream of—"
You find yourself unable to finish. You feel like you're going to burst right out of your skin. Magic sparks dangerously at the Keyblade's teeth.
Galeem freezes. I thought, he says, being a kindred spirit of light, you would be more than eager to assist me. Regardless, my offer still stands. Take your rightful place as my vassal, Sora, and you shall be granted new life in my world of light.
You don't answer. You don't think Galeem deserves an answer. Instead, you let your Keyblade do the talking, letting your rage propel you towards him to strike at his core.
His wings curl inward at the last second, deflecting your attack at the last second. You fly backwards from the impact, but it's okay. You're still standing—floating. You can still fight.
Galeem stretches his wings out again, and regards you. His light has gone a cold white. You reject my offer, then? You would spurn the light for those that dwell in the dark?
You nod, your knuckles white.
You wish to see your friends again? he sneers.
"You read my mind, right?" You can't stop the grin from creeping up your face. "You know I'd do anything for them."
Galeem spreads his wings wide, his light shining brighter than ever before.
So be it.
As you rush at him, Keyblade spinning, you think back to what Riku said on that dark beach so long ago. If the world is made of light and darkness…
"…I'll be the darkness."
You can still see them, even as you bring the Keyblade down on Galeem's core. And you know deep down, they're all with you in spirit.
"Everyone… I'll see you again. I promise."