I jolted awake. The foghorn blared for a split second, and now was gone. I quickly scanned my thoughts… Yes! I felt her presence… but… was that…? No! The feeling disappeared. She was feeling hatred too, and it was strong. I’d caused that, and now I’d detected her. A smile played along my lips… and then stop. Walked back again. And was replaced by a grimace. And then, my face contorted in anger. Castle Oblivion. I could manage that. Below Ground. That, too, was fine. But no-one entered my personal study. No-one.
No wonder she was able to hide herself. Reading my diaries, she’d have learned my techniques. Then, she knew about… Marluxia. No. This I could not allow. I clicked my fingers, disappearing once more into shadow, and reappeared in my study. I nearly tripped over a cloaked figure as I entered, and pulled back the hood. Luxord lay, his throat slit, terrified upon the floor. My papers had been strewn about. Files opened, cabinets laid bare. No-one did this. Never. She would NOT get away with this. I wasn’t going to wait any longer. Thinking she could remain undetected, she’d have headed out for Destiny Islands to stay with Riku without him knowing. Riku had no idea about me, and so would only consider my change of appearance odd, rather than disconcerting. With my acting, I could pull off concern… and when I had him fooled, I’d take him. Take his life, with Haru watching, invisible, not able to change a thing without giving the game away. Oh Haru. You think you’ve got the upper hand here… but you cannot stop me now.
The journey to Twilight Town was not long or strenuous, but I decided to stay the night in the inn again regardless. I could not attract any attention – being invisible – and I was certain Riku would be safe for one night. Then in the morning, I would set off across the short stretch of ocean for Destiny Islands. I could warn Riku and then, finally happy, I could leave this world as I had intended to when seeking out Zexion. I thought it through as I wandered the streets of Twilight Town with my hands in my pockets casually. But then a familiar flash of white caught my attention. I pulled my head back to reality, and focused my eyes on the crowd. There it was again! I sped up as I walked in the direction of the distraction, but when I was finally stood near enough, I stopped, unsure of what to say; how to act.
“…Namine?” My voice was quiet, and I was sure that she would not hear, but even so she stopped and looked around, confused. I concentrated for a second on getting rid of the invisibility, and smiled awkwardly at the look of pleased shock that spread across Naminé's face. “Haru!” she cried happily, hugging me tightly. “It’s been so long! How have you been?” I shrugged. “You know, not bad…and yourself?” She blushed, and called, “Sora!” before talking to me again. “Well, I’ve been pretty good actually.” Sora emerged from the blur of people and took Naminé's hand possessively. “Haru!” he echoed. I looked from one to the other questioningly until Namine nodded happily, and waggled her fingers at me. On the third finger, a silver band winked at me merrily. I grinned, but it was hollow. I couldn’t help but think of Riku.
“I think I should get on then, guys. I don’t wanna keep you from anything, and I have…someone to see,” I mumbled lamely, but Namine shook her head fiercely. “Nope! We’re sticking to you for a while; it’s been ages.” I looked up at her curiously, thinking hard. If Zexion was to come sniffing around…it couldn’t hurt to have them nearby…they had more than proved themselves in the past… “Could I ask a really big favour of you guys?” I asked. When Namine nodded, I continued. “Could you come with me to Destiny Islands to see Riku? He…he seems really down at the moment, I think seeing you two would really cheer him up.” It was a horrible lie to tell, but I supposed there was some truth in it. He had seemed down when I last saw him…not that it was his fault, obviously.
I stayed the night at Namine and Sora’s house, and we set off for Destiny Islands early in the morning. Seeing the two of them so happy together made me wish I could have shared a carefree life with Riku…we could have been amazing. If only life had been as kind to me as he had…Discreetly, I wiped my eyes. Namine and Sora never even noticed, they were so wrapped up in each other’s eyes; a familiar feeling.
Destiny Islands. I stepped slowly across the golden sands of the beach and lay against a palm tree. Focusing my energies, I returned my appearance to its previous, un-tattooed, blue-haired state and added a large gash on my leg. As the pain sank in, I gritted my teeth. “Aaah!” I fell to the floor and started crawling through the sand, purposely getting sand in my cut. As the hut shot into view, so did Riku’s worn figure. “R-Riku! Help!” Riku turned, and a mixture of happiness and concern spread across his face. “Zexion! Hang on!”
A few hours later, I was laid on Haru’s old bed (“She won’t mind, she’s gone on a trip for a day or two.”). My leg bandaged, I gazed at the ceiling. “Thanks, Riku. I needed that.” He walked over to the window, opening it and letting in a cool breeze. I sat up, and propped a pillow behind my back. “When did you say Haru would be back again?” He shrugged. “She didn’t say exactly, just that it was important, and she’d be back as soon as she could.” I nodded. “She knows what she’s doing. Just let her do what she needs to do. She loves you, you know.” He smiled, sadly. “In any case, I can’t wait till she gets back,” I began, “Us three have so much to catch up on!”
When we got to Destiny Islands, I shook Namine and Sora off quickly while they were tying the raft securely to the docks. “I’ll get him over here; he’ll be so pleased to see you!” I shouted back as I ran for the wooden hut. I hoped he would be there; I needed to see him, to know that he was safe. My heart was thundering against my ribs as I pushed the door open slowly, fading to invisible as I did so. A strange sense of foreboding greeted me along with the comforting smell of home, and I couldn’t help but shiver. My footsteps were light and yet slow as I scaled the stairs, but when I got to the top my breath caught in my throat. Riku was busying himself, tidying the hut and making the other bed, but laying on my bed…the sight of Zexion (restored to his former appearance) made me want to retch. He was smiling broadly and laughing slightly, and Riku was nodding, his back to me.
I don’t know how long I stood in the doorway watching, but when Riku turned round I had to pull back a gasp. His vivid green eyes were as bright as I remembered, and I was certain that they had pierced my enchantment; I was positive that he could see me. Forgetting the circumstances, I strode over to him, trapped in his warm eyes. His name was on my lips, his arm was millimetres away from my outstretched fingers…But then Zexion sat up. I flinched, and Riku turned to him quickly, concern drawing itself over his features. “You shouldn’t move yet; that leg looked pretty nasty.” At the sound of Riku’s calming voice, the ice around my heart finally melted.
Haru’s promptness surprised me, as did her choice not to stay in Illusion. I assumed she’d figured my plan out… it wasn’t that difficult. Nevertheless, I retained my façade. “Haru! So good to see you again! Everyone in Lindblum misses you so much!” Haru stood, stunned, as Riku turned back to look at her. He didn’t know. “Really, they do! Don’t look so surprised!” I laughed, calm and hearty, and continued talking. “I was just telling Riku, we have so much to catch up on!” Haru seemed to regain her normality. “Really? Well, I met up with Sora and Naminé, guess what? They’re married! And I brought them here to see Riku, but by the looks of things, we’ve got a good reunion coming!” We laughed. This acting was painfully easy.
Sora and Naminé came up, and we all began talking about what had happened to us. Sora (who was less childish and more secure with himself) explained how he and Namine developed an affection for one another, and decided to marry one another. She loved Roxas, and he loved Kairi, but they were so similar, and almost like one single person. It was easy for them to fall in love with each other. Easy for me to fall in love, too. Haru explained with joy about her adventures, with sorrow at Gildas’ passing (at which point I conveniently made a few tears appear in my eyes) and vented her frustration at the regency. Then it came to me. “Well, with Gildas gone, I really didn’t have much purpose… Haru and Riku still wanted me, so I stayed, and when they left not too long ago, I took over. I really hope I’m doing a good job, the people seem to be missing Gildas still…”
The group seemed to grow sober and I coughed. “But that doesn’t matter. What’s past is past. I say we focus on the future!” Both couples looked at one another and blushed. They probably had families in mind. Ugh, kids. How sickening. Haru looked at me, trying to gauge whether or not I was truly my old self again, and I decided now was the time to make my move. “There’s something I need to tell you guys. Haru already knows this, but…” The group looked at me, a mix of emotions. “I… I did something terrible.” Naminé smiled gently. “I’m sure you didn’t mean to. You could never do something bad.” I smiled. “Oh, but I did. I let Haru escape me.” More confusion. “But I won’t let that happen again.” I let loose my energy. Reverting back to my dark self, I cast a dark sphere around us as Naminé screamed. Riku and Sora jumped to their feet, brandishing their swords, as Haru jumped back from me. The game is over.
I clicked my fingers, and the four of them froze, unable to move or speak. Their eyes looked around frantically, and I laughed. “Here we are again, Haru. Only this time, Riku’s here. How shall I do this? Fast? Slow? It’s your call.” Riku glared at me as Naminé’s eyes welled with tears. I cast Sora from the room, and bolstered the door. Naminé would soon realize how her powers could stop me, so I’d have to kill her. Shame, really. Old friends and all. I turned back to Haru. “Ahh. Even better! Who will die first, Haru? Your old friend… or your husband? Pick.”
