[The sudden appearance of Roxas draws a startle noise out of him. He takes a half step back just for safety's sake. His hand goes out, the palm itching for the heavy weight of Ends, but it won't come to his call.
Strangely, he isn't as panicked as he would be otherwise. Something here feels... otherworldly, different. A... vision? A dream.
Terra looks back to the both of them, watching with nothing else to do to help. It isn't his battle, he guesses. Riku... It's his battle.]
[ The rain continues to pour as keyblades clash against each other. Movements are swift, every hit with the intent to win the upperhand. They both have something they're fighting for- a reason, a purpose, a strong desire to be the one to win.
And then they come to separate, Riku stumbling some as he holds at his arm which clutches tight to Way to the Dawn. He's frustrated, he's angry, his growl practically as loud as the very thunder which continues to crack and boom high above them and the skyscrapers. ]
I can't... I can't lose...
[ And it's as he mutters those words to himself that a ghostly figure appears alongside him, one with long silver hair and eyes so bright they're almost terrifying.
Ansem.
If you lose him, Sora will never wake again.
There's a soft tch that leaves Riku's lips as he catches his breath, fingers holding tight to his arm. ]
Sora...
[ But I can help. Just... give in, Riku. Let that darkness within your heart out.
Another crack of thunder, lightning streaks across the sky and Riku comes to drop his keyblade as he stands. ]
Guess I have no choice. Even if it... changes me forever.
[ And it's then that he removes his blindfold and he does just as Ansem had suggested, releasing the darkness within his heart in a display of swirling black and purple, consuming him among the scream until Riku himself... disappears within it. ]
[The battle isn't a good one. It's not a wholesome spar between friends, and it isn't exactly a battle of honor. It's desperate, angry, a battle fitting the gloom of the city around them.
Ansem isn't someone he's ever seen (ironic, considering), but even then... It's not hard to be confused by just how familiar Ansem is to him, in some strange way. The man... There's something he recognizes. Something Xehanort and himself he can't even begin to place, to put names to at all. He stares, entranced by the figure rumbling his core. Who...?
He reaches out, understanding the call, but not at Ansem, at Riku.] Don't... [His voice is too low, almost muffled. He can't get it to rise above a whisper.] Don't...! [He's too late? His voice can't call out loud enough before Riku disappears.]
[ It's within the swirls of black and purple that a familiarface appears and flies towards Terra...
...only to disappear.
As does the rain.
The thunder.
The skyscrapers that seemed to tower so high above them.
All of it is gone and there's nothing but white.
It's high within this white that Riku is seen gently falling. His blindfold remains, as does the black Organization cloak. But he gently and softly falls within the sky and there's a certain kind of warmth that can be felt as he continues to gently drift downwards. ]
No one needs me... Sora... Sora doesn't need me... I've done... such terrible things... it's better this way. Better that I... just... go...
[ It's up to Terra with whether or not he'll catch the falling Riku or just let him fall and melt away into the whiteness that surrounds them. ]
[No! Terra stumbles forward as the face comes toward him and white explodes around him. He's blinded momentarily by the lack of edges, by the lack of anything but the white--
--and then he notices the familiar black-wrapped Riku slowly tumbling downward. Confused, worried, he rushes forward until he thinks he's mostly beneath where Riku is going to land(?), or fall. It's so slow... Riku sounds... awful, he thinks. But it's also familiar, and he wonders if he sounds just as hopeless when he's thinking these things about himself.
When it feels like he's alone, doing nothing but hurting the ones he cares about most.
Slowly, he lifts his arms, turning his hands up, and he waits. He'll catch Riku without reluctance or hesitation, his face soft, not judging.] Riku... [He tucks the form up against him securely.] We still want you.
Even if you've made mistakes. We want to help you be happy again. Sora especially. I know you wouldn't want to leave Sora by himself. Or any of us. You don't have to do it alone.
[ The embrace is warm yet strong and Riku allows himself to be held by Terra. He's no longer falling but everything remains white around them; good thing he has a blindfold at least. Terra's words... he hears them, despite his head knocked back and eyes slowly blinking behind the blindfold. ]
But how...
[ He starts, slowly drawing his head up then. ]
...how can I face everyone after what I've done?
[ Even as he speaks, he lifts a hand and looks to it before slowly curling it into a fist. ]
I'm just... the biggest nobody of them all.
[ The words slowly echo around them suddenly, growing louder, further, softer, stronger... the biggest nobody of them all. ]
[Gently, Terra frowns. It hurts to hear Riku talk this way. He can't fault Riku for thinking like this, even if Terra doesn't know the full extent of what Riku went through. This had been bad enough, accepting the darkness. To protect the things that mattered.
Terra would be a hypocrite if he called Riku stupid.]
No. You let yourself down. [At least, Terra thinks, now, he did that to himself. It hurts worst of all. Failing to reach the bar set for yourself.] That's okay. It seems like the end, but it isn't. I've got you.
Once you're down here, there isn't anywhere else to go but up.
It might take a while. I'm still not there yet either. But we can make the journey together. [The Riku he knows in Verens... Even if that Riku isn't at the top yet, he's close. Terra's frown turns into a small, wry smile.] I've seen you once you've done it.
Terra doesn't try to keep Riku when Riku wants to get down. Carefully, he helps Riku stands on two feet and lets go, giving Riku the freedom to do what Riku wants.] You're wrong. [It's not a scold. Terra says this softly, almost sadly.] I didn't choose you. The light chose you.
The light is what lead me to the island, to you. I could feel it... [He touches his chest over his heart.] ...here. That it was right. I still think that, even now. We were meant to meet there.
I thought... I wouldn't be able to control the darkness either. Aqua and Ven... The light helped me understand. About protecting the things that matter.
[Riku is hurting, he thinks. No, he knows. He hurt, too. He hurt when he failed the Mastery. He hurt when he thought they were keeping tabs on him. He hurt when he struck Eraqus. He hurt when Ven asked the two of them to end it. Is this what Riku meant by, "I wasn't very likable back then"?] I can't make you see... how much you mean to everyone. You have to see it on your own, with your own eyes. Like I did. [But.] I'll be there to watch over you. As long as it takes.
No matter how much darkness you go through to find your way back to the things most important to you.
[ For a moment, it seems as if he might be considering Terra's words. But, it's the way in which he shakes his head that shows... no... he's not really listening or... it doesn't make sense to him with what he's hearing. Sorry, Terra, this is just how your kouhai was back then. ]
You don't know. You can't.
[ And it's as he turns to have his back facing Terra that everything around them changes and, suddenly, they're on that very same beach where they first met years ago... at least it's years ago for Riku. The sky is very much the same, painted with reds and orange, a gentle wash of yellow added in as well. The sound of the water lapping against the shoreline while Riku stands there, looking out into the distance across the water. ]
I thought I made peace with this part of me...
[ He says this rather softly, almost as if to himself and he looks down to a rolling wave which touches the tip of his shoe. ]
...but maybe there was some part of me that was worried what you would think... if you saw how I really was back then.
[At the beach, Terra slowly steps up to stand beside Riku. He doesn't touch, he doesn't even talk at first, letting a soft silence settle between them. It's strange, this is like a dream, he's sure... but he can still feel the sun, smell the brine of the ocean.]
I think... [He pauses a moment to try to figure out what he wants to say exactly.] I think it's sad you had to believe that about yourself. I think... I feel guilty I couldn't try to help you not believe those things.
Like... Ven.
[That's right. Ven is--or was?--that way, too. He frowns down at the water rushing up to meet their feet.] But now I think I'm... proud you've come so far. I can only hope...
I can only hope I can do what you've done. Make peace with what's inside my heart.
[ He listens to those words and allows them to gently penetrate his mind, his thoughts, maybe even his heart a little. Being like this, being blinded by himself as he's done... it's difficult to see through anything that isn't the darkness... that was sort of the point though. But, with hearing those words, he allows for his gaze to linger on those waves gently lapping at their shoes. ]
You've always been there though... haven't you?
[ is this a foreshadowing??? Riku offers Terra a bit of a smile then as he glances to him for only a moment. ]
[He doesn't yet get the implication of how close he's truly been other than that.
His eyes linger over Riku's face, what he can see of it with all the hair and the blindfold. It hovers over what Riku indicates, and then his brows furrow.]
I've done things... that I'm not proud of... and I continue to do things that I don't really want to.
[ For Sora, to restore his memories. ]
But I have to. If I don't, Sora will never wake up. I thought I was better at controlling the darkness within me but... it's still difficult, Ansem is still inside my heart.
[ With a pause, he looks over to Terra then. ]
So long as I'm like this, my eyes can't lie to me. I need to see with my heart.
Terra pauses, looking visibly surprised by the words which reach him in a way he hadn't expected. All this time, Riku had been holding out on him. "How did you do it?" "I just accepted the darkness as a part of me." But this.
Was this how Riku managed to reach the light at the end? Did he close his eyes and let his heart guide him, hoping the light would be the guide and the darkness would be the strength to push him forward from behind?]
[ For a moment, he's quiet as he considers Terra's question. It's simple, really, at least to him in this moment, in this mindset, this point in time he used to wallow in. So, with a gentle smile and not looking over to Terra, he offers, softly ]
As long as Sora's safe, it doesn't really matter what happens to me.
[Ow. Terra feels this and, yet, a part of him wants to protect Riku, too. Wants Riku to live, to be happy. It's hard hearing someone you love and believe in so much not think well of themselves, not value their own lives.
Gently, he reaches up and settles his hand on top of Riku's head.]
Sora is safe because of you. Because you're there to help him up when he falls down. Don't give up just yet. I thought you were stronger than that? [Teasing. Sorta.] I know you can do it. I believe in you. However long it takes.
It takes a big heart to keep going instead of giving up.
[ There's a glance up somewhat that he gives when the hand is placed atop his head and he stares to Terra for a long moment before he allows his blindfolded gaze to drift back out to the horizon over the water. ]
You would know best... right?
[ And, slowly, the image of Riku seems to distort some, almost as if this... dream is beginning to crumble and fall apart. ]
[He won't say he's good at it; he knows he's not. He won't say it's easy, and he won't say it's going to turn out perfectly, turn out okay. But he can admit he would know the struggle along the path.
It's both a relief to know he isn't alone and a disappointment he couldn't be there to help Riku not fall down. He'll... have to try harder, he thinks. He'll have to try harder for Riku. Here, back home.]
You can trust your heart. Don't forget that. It's how we met, remember? I trust my heart, and it lead me to you.
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Strangely, he isn't as panicked as he would be otherwise. Something here feels... otherworldly, different. A... vision? A dream.
Terra looks back to the both of them, watching with nothing else to do to help. It isn't his battle, he guesses. Riku... It's his battle.]
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And then they come to separate, Riku stumbling some as he holds at his arm which clutches tight to Way to the Dawn. He's frustrated, he's angry, his growl practically as loud as the very thunder which continues to crack and boom high above them and the skyscrapers. ]
I can't... I can't lose...
[ And it's as he mutters those words to himself that a ghostly figure appears alongside him, one with long silver hair and eyes so bright they're almost terrifying.
Ansem.
If you lose him, Sora will never wake again.
There's a soft tch that leaves Riku's lips as he catches his breath, fingers holding tight to his arm. ]
Sora...
[ But I can help. Just... give in, Riku. Let that darkness within your heart out.
Another crack of thunder, lightning streaks across the sky and Riku comes to drop his keyblade as he stands. ]
Guess I have no choice. Even if it... changes me forever.
[ And it's then that he removes his blindfold and he does just as Ansem had suggested, releasing the darkness within his heart in a display of swirling black and purple, consuming him among the scream until Riku himself... disappears within it. ]
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Ansem isn't someone he's ever seen (ironic, considering), but even then... It's not hard to be confused by just how familiar Ansem is to him, in some strange way. The man... There's something he recognizes. Something Xehanort and himself he can't even begin to place, to put names to at all. He stares, entranced by the figure rumbling his core. Who...?
He reaches out, understanding the call, but not at Ansem, at Riku.] Don't... [His voice is too low, almost muffled. He can't get it to rise above a whisper.] Don't...! [He's too late? His voice can't call out loud enough before Riku disappears.]
Ri--!!
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familiarface appears and flies towards Terra......only to disappear.
As does the rain.
The thunder.
The skyscrapers that seemed to tower so high above them.
All of it is gone and there's nothing but white.
It's high within this white that Riku is seen gently falling. His blindfold remains, as does the black Organization cloak. But he gently and softly falls within the sky and there's a certain kind of warmth that can be felt as he continues to gently drift downwards. ]
No one needs me... Sora... Sora doesn't need me... I've done... such terrible things... it's better this way. Better that I... just... go...
[ It's up to Terra with whether or not he'll catch the falling Riku or just let him fall and melt away into the whiteness that surrounds them. ]
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--and then he notices the familiar black-wrapped Riku slowly tumbling downward. Confused, worried, he rushes forward until he thinks he's mostly beneath where Riku is going to land(?), or fall. It's so slow... Riku sounds... awful, he thinks. But it's also familiar, and he wonders if he sounds just as hopeless when he's thinking these things about himself.
When it feels like he's alone, doing nothing but hurting the ones he cares about most.
Slowly, he lifts his arms, turning his hands up, and he waits. He'll catch Riku without reluctance or hesitation, his face soft, not judging.] Riku... [He tucks the form up against him securely.] We still want you.
Even if you've made mistakes. We want to help you be happy again. Sora especially. I know you wouldn't want to leave Sora by himself. Or any of us. You don't have to do it alone.
I didn't either.
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But how...
[ He starts, slowly drawing his head up then. ]
...how can I face everyone after what I've done?
[ Even as he speaks, he lifts a hand and looks to it before slowly curling it into a fist. ]
I'm just... the biggest nobody of them all.
[ The words slowly echo around them suddenly, growing louder, further, softer, stronger... the biggest nobody of them all. ]
I let you down... I let everyone down.
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Terra would be a hypocrite if he called Riku stupid.]
No. You let yourself down. [At least, Terra thinks, now, he did that to himself. It hurts worst of all. Failing to reach the bar set for yourself.] That's okay. It seems like the end, but it isn't. I've got you.
Once you're down here, there isn't anywhere else to go but up.
It might take a while. I'm still not there yet either. But we can make the journey together. [The Riku he knows in Verens... Even if that Riku isn't at the top yet, he's close. Terra's frown turns into a small, wry smile.] I've seen you once you've done it.
You're one of the strongest people I know.
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[ And there's not even any anger laced within those words. It's more... disappointment. ]
The darkness... I can feel it inside me... feel it deep inside my heart.
[ Deep inside his heart where he keeps it locked up- locked away from him. ]
I thought that I could... that I could walk the road to dawn but I still can't control it... I can't control what's inside me.
[ It's at that, he pushes away from Terra, wanting to be let down and seeming frustrated as he does so. ]
I plunged our world into darkness... because I was jealous of Sora... of the keyblade choosing him and not me.
[ He turns then, facing Terra. ]
You chose the wrong person. I'm not anything special. I'm nobody.
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Terra doesn't try to keep Riku when Riku wants to get down. Carefully, he helps Riku stands on two feet and lets go, giving Riku the freedom to do what Riku wants.] You're wrong. [It's not a scold. Terra says this softly, almost sadly.] I didn't choose you. The light chose you.
The light is what lead me to the island, to you. I could feel it... [He touches his chest over his heart.] ...here. That it was right. I still think that, even now. We were meant to meet there.
I thought... I wouldn't be able to control the darkness either. Aqua and Ven... The light helped me understand. About protecting the things that matter.
[Riku is hurting, he thinks. No, he knows. He hurt, too. He hurt when he failed the Mastery. He hurt when he thought they were keeping tabs on him. He hurt when he struck Eraqus. He hurt when Ven asked the two of them to end it. Is this what Riku meant by, "I wasn't very likable back then"?] I can't make you see... how much you mean to everyone. You have to see it on your own, with your own eyes. Like I did. [But.] I'll be there to watch over you. As long as it takes.
No matter how much darkness you go through to find your way back to the things most important to you.
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You don't know. You can't.
[ And it's as he turns to have his back facing Terra that everything around them changes and, suddenly, they're on that very same beach where they first met years ago... at least it's years ago for Riku. The sky is very much the same, painted with reds and orange, a gentle wash of yellow added in as well. The sound of the water lapping against the shoreline while Riku stands there, looking out into the distance across the water. ]
I thought I made peace with this part of me...
[ He says this rather softly, almost as if to himself and he looks down to a rolling wave which touches the tip of his shoe. ]
...but maybe there was some part of me that was worried what you would think... if you saw how I really was back then.
[ Maybe that's why he's dreaming of this. ]
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I think... [He pauses a moment to try to figure out what he wants to say exactly.] I think it's sad you had to believe that about yourself. I think... I feel guilty I couldn't try to help you not believe those things.
Like... Ven.
[That's right. Ven is--or was?--that way, too. He frowns down at the water rushing up to meet their feet.] But now I think I'm... proud you've come so far. I can only hope...
I can only hope I can do what you've done. Make peace with what's inside my heart.
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You've always been there though... haven't you?
[
is this a foreshadowing???Riku offers Terra a bit of a smile then as he glances to him for only a moment. ]Do you know why I wear this?
[ The blindfold, he means. ]
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[He doesn't yet get the implication of how close he's truly been other than that.
His eyes linger over Riku's face, what he can see of it with all the hair and the blindfold. It hovers over what Riku indicates, and then his brows furrow.]
Why...?
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[ For Sora, to restore his memories. ]
But I have to. If I don't, Sora will never wake up. I thought I was better at controlling the darkness within me but... it's still difficult, Ansem is still inside my heart.
[ With a pause, he looks over to Terra then. ]
So long as I'm like this, my eyes can't lie to me. I need to see with my heart.
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Terra pauses, looking visibly surprised by the words which reach him in a way he hadn't expected. All this time, Riku had been holding out on him. "How did you do it?" "I just accepted the darkness as a part of me." But this.
Was this how Riku managed to reach the light at the end? Did he close his eyes and let his heart guide him, hoping the light would be the guide and the darkness would be the strength to push him forward from behind?]
What happens... if you get lost?
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As long as Sora's safe, it doesn't really matter what happens to me.
[ He was hella emo back then, Terra. ]
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Gently, he reaches up and settles his hand on top of Riku's head.]
Sora is safe because of you. Because you're there to help him up when he falls down. Don't give up just yet. I thought you were stronger than that? [Teasing. Sorta.] I know you can do it. I believe in you. However long it takes.
It takes a big heart to keep going instead of giving up.
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You would know best... right?
[ And, slowly, the image of Riku seems to distort some, almost as if this... dream is beginning to crumble and fall apart. ]
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[He won't say he's good at it; he knows he's not. He won't say it's easy, and he won't say it's going to turn out perfectly, turn out okay. But he can admit he would know the struggle along the path.
It's both a relief to know he isn't alone and a disappointment he couldn't be there to help Riku not fall down. He'll... have to try harder, he thinks. He'll have to try harder for Riku. Here, back home.]
You can trust your heart. Don't forget that. It's how we met, remember? I trust my heart, and it lead me to you.