EPILOGUE–UNCHAINED χ

RAIN WAS FALLING OVER THE WASTELAND.

Here, many Keyblade wielders had done battle, divided into friend and foe.

I’d learned their faces, some of them; with others, I’d even exchanged words. They had all worked their hardest to complete their mission.

How had this happened? Why had it come to this?

I walked the wasteland alone.

Some time ago, back when I never would have believed such a tragedy could come to pass, the Master of Masters bestowed another role upon me, in addition to forming the Dandelions.

“Union leaders?”

This task had been assigned to five people in this world, including myself.

“When all’s said and done, and only the Dandelions are left, they’ll need to lead the Unions.”

Five people, the same number as us. But—

“Is there a need to maintain the Unions?” The Dandelions were formed from Keybearers who shared a common goal, regardless of their original Unions; I couldn’t imagine why we’d want to divide them again. It would pull the members of differing Unions away from each other, potentially even leading to conflict. Wouldn’t we want to avoid this in the new world?

“Of course! Getting rid of them would be like pooh-poohing all your hard work!”

And yet, the Master seemed to believe they were necessary even in the world to come, and I was in no position to contradict him.

“Besides, other than the five new Union leaders, no one else is going to know that the world…well, you know.”

“What?”

I had yet to accept the idea that the world was going to end at all, but the Master spoke as if it was a given. Are the prophecies so absolute? I wondered. Is there no changing fate?

“There’s no point for anyone to carry around knowledge of such a catastrophic event. I want everyone to start over in a different world with a clean slate—well, to their knowledge, of course.”

“You can do that?”

A “catastrophic event”—the war that existed only in prophecies, but was destined to arrive very soon.

“Apparently so. Here, take a look at these five names.” The Master handed me a paper with the names of five Keyblade wielders. I knew a few of them. “They’re your new recruits. Make them all Dandelions, and when the time comes, teach them their roles.”

One of the names was specially marked.

“Why is this one circled in red?”

“Jackpot! That lucky wielder gets their own free copy of the Book of Prophecies!”

“The Book?”

“Yeah, it’s a great read, don’t you think? Oh, and it’s also needed to shape the world into what it’s supposed to be.”

The Book of Prophecies didn’t simply predict the future—it also allowed future worlds to manifest in this one.

“That sounds awfully risky,” I commented.

“Only if the other four get their hands on it. Ava, this book needs to be handed to its owner in secret. No one else can know.”

“All right.”

I had no choice but to nod and accept the tome, full of events yet to come.

As I returned from my reverie, I saw that boy right in front of me—Ephemer’s friend from Anguis.

“You’re…”

He was exceptional; I had crossed Keyblades with him, spoken with him several times, and even asked him to join the Dandelions. Yet he had chosen to remain in the battlefield.

He had plunged his Keyblade into the ground to steady himself.

“I looked everywhere for you. Why are you here, Master Ava? Did you come to stop the war, or…?”

He was wandering around out here in search of me?! Unfortunately, I had no answers for his questions.

“…Raise your weapon,” I said.

“What happened…?” he asked, and I couldn’t stop myself from shouting back.

“Raise your blade and fight!”

I remember talking to Ephemer, one of the Keyblade wielders selected to become a Union leader in the Dandelions.

We were on top of a hill outside of Daybreak Town with an excellent view of our home.

I told Ephemer what the Master had told me. “This secret must stay with the five of you. When all is said and done, you must come to the fated land. You’ll be joined by four others.”

I had already spoken to the others; Ephemer was the last.

My heart was still slightly unsteady as I explained. Was there truly no way to avoid this?

But no matter how I felt about it, I had to tell him. “We cannot avoid the end.” He raised his head, and I continued. “Not even the Masters, including myself, are likely to survive.”

“Me? A Master? A Union leader?” he protested, stunned. “That’s crazy. And what’s this nonsense about ‘the end’?” I would never dream of arguing with my own Master this way; that honesty was something I loved about Ephemer.

“There isn’t much time left. You are the ones who will remain. Someone needs to keep everything and everyone in order. Otherwise, light will expire,” I informed him, just I had been instructed.

“But…”

Of course, he was hesitant to accept this; anyone would be. It was too sudden. I had been the same.

“There will be four others from the Dandelions. The five of you will each lead a Union, as the five of us have. You won’t be alone in this. The five of you can work together.”

“The five of us…”

I handed Ephemer a notebook. “There are rules the five of you must obey when you become leaders of your own Unions.”

He accepted the book quizzically. “I’m listening, but this whole conversation about the end and leading Unions and all… I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.”

“As long as you keep listening.”

That was all I could say for now, mainly because I didn’t want to accept this turn of events, either.

“…Okay.” Ephemer nodded stiffly.

“What I need you to do is to prepare for the other world. I’ll be sending all the Dandelions there soon. You’ll continue living your lives, but without the impending doom.”

This other world was a copy of this world as it was written in the Book of Prophecies, with only two differences: no Foretellers, and no future apocalypse. In place of Foretellers, it would have five new Union leaders.

“So it’s like an alternate reality?”

“Yes. But in order for it to work, the Dandelions will need to forget the strife, the war.”

Ephemer looked slightly taken aback. “So they won’t remember any of it?” He lowered his head, mulling over the implications. He didn’t quite get it.

“There’s no need for them to remember such a tragedy. It’ll simply be a burden. Only the five of you will know the truth. The Chirithy of each wielder will make it happen.”

“It might be a burden, but isn’t it better they remember the past? The past is what makes the future,” Ephemer said, looking up.

That was true. Normally that might be the best course of action. But…

“I thought you might say that. But I wonder if you would feel the same if you were there to witness the end.”

Back then, I still hoped that end would never arrive.

But it did, and here we were.

I remember wondering to myself: If everyone is fighting during the world’s final moments…what will I be doing?

I slashed my Keyblade downward, casting a spell that struck home.

The boy did his best to weather the impact. He was already on his last legs, and yet he kept his head high and came at me again. He swung his Keyblade at me, and I blocked the blow. The impact knocked us both backward.

He wasn’t giving up. He rushed at me yet again; I blocked and drove him back. Over and over, the cycle repeated.

“Why?” he gasped through labored breaths, ready to collapse at any moment.

“Some secrets aren’t meant to be known… Get away from here. Go with the Dandelions,” I answered. This boy was not meant to vanish. He had a heart of light that could prevail over darkness. I put away my Keyblade.

But then…where was I supposed to go?

Let the wind carry you far, far away…my Dandelions.

The war was over, a blue sky unfurled above.

The barren terrain was pierced by too many Keyblades to count. Each one was another wielder lost.

Ephemer stopped and looked up at the sky. It had been pouring on the day of the battle, but now the sky was clear. You’d think the weather right after an apocalypse would be dark and oppressive, but maybe it wasn’t. Maybe it was just this: gentle breezes and clear skies stretching off into eternity.

And the world hadn’t been destroyed.

Ephemer stood in a crossroads formed by the paths between fields of Keyblades—the place they had promised to meet.

“Am I the second to arrive?”

Ephemer knew that voice. He turned to face the one who had spoken. “Skuld? Well, this is a surprise!”

“Disappointed? I, on the other hand, had a feeling you might be here,” she replied with a grin.

“Of course not! We came here once right after the war, remember? I just never thought I’d see you here again,” he replied, and Skuld shrugged.

“This whole thing is a big secret. We weren’t supposed to tell anybody.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Ephemer nodded in response.

So Skuld had been able to keep the secret, just like Master Ava asked.

“I wonder who the others are,” she commented.

“I dunno,” Ephemer replied. “I wasn’t sure I believed Master Ava when she said others would come. But now that you’re here…” Just then, another figure arrived at the edge of the wastes.

“Look! Someone’s coming,” Skuld exclaimed before running to meet the newcomer. “Welcome! You’re number three. I’m Skuld. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, uh, thanks. You too.”

The one who answered was a boy with short, wavy golden hair and a tendency to look at the ground. He seemed so quiet that it was hard to imagine him fighting with a Keyblade.

Ephemer walked up to him. “So, Master Ava talked to you too, huh?”

“Yeah, she said I should come here when everything was over, and that I was one of the five.”

“I got the same speech. I’m Ephemer, by the way.” Ephemer extended a hand, and the boy responded in kind and gave it a firm shake.

“I’m Ventus. Call me Ven,” he said shyly. “You two know each other, huh?”

“We’ve seen each other around before, I guess,” Skuld replied and smiled at Ephemer.

“Must be nice; I’ve always been on my own.”

“I was pretty much on my own, too.” Skuld came closer. The time she spent with Ephemer hadn’t actually been that long at all.

“I wonder why I was chosen for this,” Ven said, uncertain of himself. “I’m not especially good at anything… And I’m never at the top of the rankings.”

He’s got a point… Why were any of us chosen?

Ephemer thought it over. Unlike other Keyblade wielders, he had always asked questions and tried to find the answers to them. Maybe that was why, and if so, perhaps Skuld was the same way.

So what about the other leaders?

Ephemer had never seen this boy Ven. Many Keyblade wielders he would at least recognize by face, and you usually heard stories about the really exceptional ones, but Ven belonged to neither category.

“I’m sure Master Ava has her reasons,” Skuld said, offering the only answer she had.

“You think so?” asked Ven. “I don’t know her all that much. I’ve barely spoken with her.”

“She’s easy to talk to, that’s for sure,” Ephemer said wistfully. He had no idea what she was up to now. Had everyone else truly been lost?

“You say that about everyone,” Skuld laughed.

“Not true!” Ephemer shot back.

“I sure wish I had friends,” Ven muttered as he watched them banter, and Ephemer and Skuld glanced at each other.

“You do!” Ephemer reassured him. “Right here.”

“Yeah!” A smile appeared on Ven’s face.

“Friends. Cool,” murmured an unfamiliar voice, and the three of them turned to see who it was.

There stood a boy with fairly long black hair in a hat of nearly the same color. His clothes were all black, too, creating a strong impression for a strong personality. The boy flashed a set of white teeth in a pleasant, albeit somewhat mischievous smile.

“You must be number four,” Skuld said.

The boy nodded and introduced himself. “The name’s Brain. Pleasure.” He gave another toothy grin. “Thought I’d be the last to arrive. Guess I’m not so lazy after all,” he commented with a hint of surprise.

“I guess not,” Ephemer said with a laugh.

Brain abruptly turned to him. “So, you the leader?” he asked.

Startled, Ephemer took a sharp breath, but he ultimately kept his smile in place. “No, we haven’t decided any of that yet. I think we should wait until we’re all here.”

“You got it,” Brain replied, although he had more questions. “Hey, about the rules. Think they’re set in stone? Or more like a guideline?”

Skuld had the answer to that one. “They’re the rules. Of course they’re set in stone.”

“I get it. You’re the serious one. Like Master Ava.” He shrugged.

Skuld shrugged back. “You’re not the first person to say that,” she remarked, but her eyes turned a little distant as she spoke.

“I thought you seemed familiar,” Ven chimed in.

The other members were starting to wonder about Ven—he hadn’t interacted much with Master Ava, so why had he been chosen…?

But Ephemer chose that moment to start teasing Skuld. “But Master Ava’s so amazing!”

“What does that mean?”

Everyone giggled at Skuld’s angry response, and their doubts about Ven fell to the wayside. After everyone had a good laugh, Brain slowly spoke up again. “But seriously, how do we know we can trust her? She’s forcing us to lie to everyone, since we’re the only ones who’re supposed to know the truth.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure how I feel about it either,” Ven agreed.

“But…,” Ephemer started and then stopped, struggling to find the words.

Skuld looked over to him as he crossed his arms and closed his eyes.

“I thought you might say that. But I wonder if you would feel the same if you were there to witness the end.”

Those final moments, when everyone vanished.

“Rules are rules. I don’t want anyone else to have to carry the burden of the past,” Ephemer opened his eyes and said, making sure to meet the eyes of the other three leaders.

“Got it. I trust you’ll guide us down the right path.” Brain grinned.

Ven was the next to speak up: “Same here!”

Skuld smiled with relief.

“Just one more,” Ephemer declared, then looked out across the barren landscape.

[Playback]

I have a secret. This is my favorite spot that nobody knows about.

It belongs to me, Strelitzia.

I was on top of a roof that looked down over the Fountain Square. I always watched the goings-on in the town from here, holding my Chirithy close.

I kept my bangs in place with a few clips, but my two red pigtails were free to blow in the wind. The hem of my dress and the black ribbon at my chest fluttered, too.

These past two years, I fought darkness to protect the light. I made friends, but I also had to say good-bye. I saw new party members come and go. Only a few of my friends from the beginning are still around.

A lot has changed over time, but there has always been one constant in my life—you. I first saw you at Fountain Square. You were waiting for someone, but they never came. When I returned from my mission that day, you were still there—waiting.

You looked so disappointed. I saw your eyes well up as you hugged Chirithy.

Since that day, I began to see you everywhere. It was strange because we must’ve crossed paths so many times before… But I didn’t really notice you until that day.

I wanted to say hi…but I could never muster up the courage.

While everyone was going about their days without question, you began to doubt your mission, your purpose. You saw there was something more, something we weren’t being told. You don’t know me, but I feel like I know you.

I hope that one day we can be friends. There’s so much I’d like to tell you.

It was just another day, and I was walking through town when someone called out to me.

“Strelitzia.”

I turned around to see Master Ava.

“I need to ask a favor. It’s something only you—a Dandelion—can help me with.”

“Me? A-are you sure?”

Master Ava held out a notebook.

That night I was back in my room flipping through the notebook.

“Me, a Union leader…,” I murmured.

“What a great honor!” Chirithy said.

I still couldn’t believe what Master Ava had told me. “Yes. But it’s also a great responsibility.” My chest was filled with worries.

“I have faith in Master Ava,” Chirithy said encouragingly.

“Me too. But what she said about the world… Could that be true?” That was the hardest part of this to believe.

“It’s a scary thought, isn’t it?”

Chirithy seemed troubled, too. He must have had the same concerns as I did.

I had been asked to join the Dandelions just a short time earlier. The Dandelions were a special Union, different from the other five, which meant—

“Only the Dandelions will survive. That means everyone else will disappear.”

I hoped that my prediction wouldn’t come true.

“I suppose you’re right. But your friends are all Dandelions. Why are you so worried?”

Because I had friends from before I was a Dandelion, too. “They are, but what about everyone else?” I just couldn’t accept the idea that so many of us would be lost.

“I know you care. But what do you think would happen if you told everyone the truth? The world is nearing its end, and the Foretellers will disappear. No one would believe you.”

“No, they wouldn’t…” I didn’t even believe it myself—or maybe I just didn’t want to. But Master Ava herself had told me about it, so it had to be true.

…What about him?

I jumped to my feet.

“Whoa! Wh-what is it?” Chirithy cried out in surprise.

“He’s not a Dandelion!” I exclaimed.

“Wha—? Who?” Chirithy was flustered, but after taking a moment to collect his thoughts, he knew. “Oh, that Keyblade wielder you’re always watching.”

He realized I meant you—the one always on my mind.

“I have to tell him!” I made for the door of my room, but then I came to a halt. How was I going to find you? It was night, after all.

Okay, I’ll just wait until tomorrow. I dashed back into bed.

“What? I thought—”

Chirithy looked at me curiously.

“I’m going to wake up early and wait for him at the Fountain Square,” I told him. My mind was made up.

“But Master Ava told you not to say a word to anyone.”

“I’m gonna recruit him to the Dandelions. I won’t say a word about anything else. Good night!” I said quickly, then closed my eyes.

I have to see you tomorrow!

I was waiting in the Fountain Square when Chirithy came running over from a ways away.

“Good news!” he called. “I saw him over there.”

“Thanks!” I dashed off. As I looked around where Chirithy had shown me, I came across a small house along a canal. If you weren’t outside, then maybe…

I stepped into the house, but it was empty.

“Maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me,” Chirithy said, worried.

“Hello! Is anyone here?” I called out. There was no response.

“Hello?” Chirithy did the same. Nothing. “I guess I was wrong.”

I stopped and turned around. “Well, it was worth a shot. I’ll head back to the Fountain Square.”

“Okay. I’ll keep searching.” Then Chirithy saw something behind me. “Hmm?”

I noticed his reaction and turned around.

“What?”

That was when I lost consciousness.

When I came to, I couldn’t move. I knew I was probably injured, but I didn’t feel any pain. I didn’t even know where the wound might be—it all happened so fast.

I saw a hand pick up the notebook I received from Master Ava, but even that was getting hazy.

“Strelitzia…,” I heard Chirithy say my name.

My body wouldn’t quite move how I wanted it to, but I managed to sit up and pull him closer. I was sure he was hurting, too.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, hugging him tight. “This is all my fault…”

“Don’t apologize. It’s okay,” he said in a small voice.

I’m sorry, Chirithy. I know that when I disappear, you will, too.

I wish…I’d had the courage.

The final member never seemed to arrive.

“How much longer are they gonna be?” Brain grumbled.

Ven had sat down on the ground beside him, tired of waiting. “Not much longer, I hope.”

Ephemer uncrossed his arms and rolled his shoulders. “I’m gonna take a look around,” he said, getting ready to walk into the wilderness. In this vast wasteland, it wasn’t hard to imagine the fifth leader was nearby and had simply lost their way.

“I’ll join you… Oh!” Skuld exclaimed as she was about to go with him. “Someone’s coming.”

In the distance, a silhouette was slowly approaching. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting,” he called.

“Well, you did. How do you plan on making it up to us, Number Five?” Brain replied with a grin as he walked up to meet the new arrival.

Number Five had reddish, relatively long hair that was reminiscent of a flower. His outfit was simple—a white shirt with a black vest—that just made his hair all the more eye-catching. He carried himself gracefully, and looked to be a tad older than Skuld and the rest.

“Number Five? Then I must be the last one,” the newcomer said, although his late arrival didn’t seem to bother her.

Ephemer stepped forward and greeted him. “Don’t worry about it. I’m Ephemer!”

Everyone else took that opportunity to introduce themselves as well.

The fifth arrival placed a respectful hand against his own chest and bowed. “I apologize for making you wait. I was searching for something, and time got away from me. My name is Lauriam. It’s nice to meet you all.”

With that, the five Union leaders were assembled.

You were dreaming again.

“Ephemer… Skuld…,” you moaned, tossing and turning.

I lay atop your chest, having the same dream as you.

Right now, you were taking a nap in a forest. Around you, birds were singing, and fluffy dandelion seeds floated through the air…

Eventually, your eyes cracked open, and you gave me a pat on the head to wake me up.

“That same dream again?”

“A dream…”

You slowly pushed yourself up and shook your head.

“Ever since that day, you’ve seen it so many times. Are you all right?”

“What day?” you asked dubiously.

That day.

“Master Ava asked you to join the Dandelions, and you talked about it with Skuld in the Fountain Square. But you ultimately said no, and you’ve been having weird dreams off and on ever since.”

You didn’t seem convinced.

“Well, you’ve had a rough time of it lately; you’re probably just worn out. It’s a new world, so you should feel free. Why not take it easy once in a while?”

My suggestion didn’t seem to sit well with you, though. I started to walk off on my own; we had to hurry through the forest, and it would be for the best if you forgot about that dream.

You followed after me.

Once we made our way out of the woods, we found large briar patch with an enormous castle visible beyond it.

This world was called the Enchanted Dominion.

“Guess we won’t be going this way. How about we call it a day for now and come back when we’ve found another way through?”

You agreed with my idea.

Above, a single raven flew overhead.

“If only we had wings, too. Anyway, let’s head home.”

With that, we returned to Daybreak Town.

—Right around then, in front of the castle surrounded by thorny vines, the raven landed on the shoulder of a black-robed woman clutching a staff.

“Excellent,” she murmured, and the bird gave a little quork in response. The woman—Maleficent—surveyed the area. “Still, I wonder where he’s gone this time.”

With a swirl of her robe, Maleficent began to walk toward the castle.

“No matter. Sora and the rest of those fools are powerless here. They cannot hinder us now.”

She cackled as she always did—as she had in another time—and vanished.

Back Daybreak Town, on the hill overlooking its streets, I was speaking to Ephemer and Skuld.

“I see, so he is having dreams…,” Skuld said sadly.

“Uh-huh. It’s hard seeing him like that, and I hate lying… But I know it’s for the best.”

My gaze drifted toward my feet. You were better off without those memories, I was sure of it. Skuld patted me on the head. “It is. And it might be hard, but you’re doing a great job.”

“Of course! We’re best friends.”

“I can tell,” she smiled.

“Chirithy, don’t forget about your task,” said Ephemer.

“I won’t! Union Cross, right?” They had told me about this earlier.

“That’s right. New adventures with friends is a great way to bury sad memories deep within one’s heart,” Skuld said earnestly, as if saying the words aloud could make them come true.

Then, Ephemer said something surprising. “The darkness in this world is not the same as what we faced in the other one.”

A different darkness? But this world was still so new.

“It feels more…complex, like there’s more to it than meets the eye. Almost like it has its own will.”

Ephemer was sensitive to these things, so hearing this from him made me nervous.

What did he mean by “its own will”?

“Don’t worry, we’ll look into it. In the meantime, you know what your job is. Fill him in on everything, okay?” Skuld stated gently.

I nodded. “Will do!”

Then, I started making my way back to you.

Once they were alone, Ephemer and Skuld continued the conversation.

“What was that about? There’s no need to worry anyone until we know for sure what it is.”

Skuld thought it was careless of Ephemer to mention this mysterious “will.” It was too heavy a burden for Chirithy to bear now.

“I know. I’m sorry, but this concerns everyone. I get a really bad feeling every time something happens in this world that didn’t happen in the other one. This Union Cross business also feels…off. Something’s not right.”

They would have to do battle with those tainted by evil and darkness once more if they were going to take back the light.

“But we were told to make it happen. It’s in the rules, remember?”

Leading the Unions and the world that had been placed under their care, there were rules that had to be followed. Going against them was not an option.

Ephemer crossed his arms. “I know, but… ‘May your heart be your guiding key.’”

May your heart be your guiding key—