Chapter Nineteen:

Sleep

“Kingdom Hearts! Fill me with the power of darkness!”

“You’re wrong! I know now, without a doubt. Kingdom Hearts, is light!”

.

Ansem cried out in defeat and pain, and faded out of existence. Sora, Donald, and Goofy saw the door to the dark realm and ran to close it as fast as they could. But there was the problem, the door was huge, and was difficult to close. The heartless surrounded the other side of the door and was ready to leave the dark realm.

.

“It’s too heavy! We’ll never be able to close it!” Donald exclaimed.

Just then, a hand appeared and started pulling the door closed. It was Riku.

“Sora! Hurry!” he exclaimed.

The four started pulling as hard as they could. They pulled, and pushed with all their might, seeing the heartless from within the realm scurrying towards them. Suddenly, the king himself appeared on the other side of the door. He summoned his keyblade.

“Now Sora, let’s close this door for good!” he cried.

Sora and Mickey summoned their keyblades. They rose them into the air, bright beams of light surging through them and then shot at the door. There was a locking sound. The door began closing on its own. Riku turned back to Sora.

“Take care of Kairi” Riku said.

Sora nodded. Soon, the door vanished from existence.

.

Riku sighed. Everything he had done was going to his head. What really stabbed him in the heart, was that he had helped Ansem slay his own sister. Riku collapsed to his knees as tears trickled down his cheek.

“Kiera…I’m so sorry!” he said, his voice breaking up.

“Riku! Look!” said the King.

Riku turned his head. There, in front of the king, was Kiera, unconscious on the ground.

“Kiera!?” exclaimed Riku as he rushed to her and picked her up.

“Kiera, wake up…please!” he said.

“Her heart is sleeping, Riku” said the king.

“What do you mean? Did she lost her heart like Kairi did?” Riku asked.

“She will wake up…She has to…”

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

“I’m sorry I couldn’t do more with you…”

“Don’t apologize,” Kiera hissed, pushing his hand away from her face, “and don’t beat yourself up over me. I’ll be there when you awaken, and then, we can truly be together.”

Ventus smiled.

“You were always so determined. Nothing can get in your way can it?” he said.

    “Not if they are blocking my path from getting to you” Kiera joked.

Then, Kiera’s body started to flicker in and out.

“Oh no! Ven, I’m…I’m waking up” she said, starting to cry again.

She raised her head.

“I’ll come back for you! I’ll find you! I promise!”

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

“If I say yes, will I sleep like him?” asked Riku.

The two watched Sora, sleeping peacefully inside the flower pod. They stood in a white room, completely comprised of quarts. It was so bright, it was almost blinding.

“Yes, you will.”

“Naminé,” Kiera asked, “Is it possible for you to take the memories of my past…and bring it to the forefront?”

The blonde haired, blue eyed girl stood and thought for a moment.

“Yes, I suppose it’s possible. I sense…you have memories connected to Sora, even back then, or even memories of those connected to him.”

She smiled. “I can try.”

“But…doesn’t that mean she’ll lose memories of this castle as well?” Riku inquired.

Naminé’s smile faded.

“Yes, I suppose you will. But not completely. You have deep rooted memories connected to this castle. You might lose your memories of this particular visit to Castle Oblivion, but not your other memories.”

“Wait, does that mean, I’ll forget Riku…? And the promise we made…?” Kiera inquired.

“Don’t worry, Kiera,” said Riku, smiling, “If you want to go through with this, I’ll wait for you.”

“But…I won’t remember! I’ll be mad at you again!” Kiera exclaimed.

Riku smiled. “Like I said, don’t worry. It will be worth it. I know how much Ventus means to you; and if you recall all your memories of him, then you’ll be one step closer to finding him.”

“Riku…”

Riku didn’t budge. His mind was set. It was all up to Kiera. Finally, she decided:

“Okay. I’ll do it.”

.

Kiera reached into her pocket and pulled out her red wayfinder.

“Here,” she said, handing it to Riku, “I want you to keep this.”

Riku was surprised. He slowly took it.

“Keep it safe for me until I wake up, okay?” She said.

Riku looked at her for a moment, then nodded with a smile. Tears ran down her face as she embraced her brother one last time. Riku closed his eyes and rested his head on hers and holding the back of her head.

“I swear Kiera, one day, I will put this right.”

.

Slowly, she stepped into a flower pod next to the three carrying Sora, Donald, and Goofy inside. She clutched her locket tightly in her hand. Then she looked up at Riku. It hurt her heart to see him watch her as the pod closed.

“I’ll find you…” Riku assured.

Kiera nodded. Then, the pod was sealed. Before she closed her eyes, Kiera put her nail between the crevice of the locket and opened it. Inside, was a picture of a blonde haired boy with blue eyes, and a radiant beam. Kiera smiled.

“I’m coming, Ven. I promise.”