Day 357

Sitting atop the clock tower in Twilight Town I feel like a runaway, which I pretty much am. I put away my diary as I hear someone approach and sit down next to me. It’s Xion. She has her hood up but I can tell it’s her from her build. A sudden burst of energy shoots through me.

“Xion!” She produces two ice creams from her cloak and hands one to me. I smile. “Thank you.”

We eat our ice cream in silence when Xion suddenly speaks up. “Roxas, we’re out of time.”

I turn my head to look at her as she stands up. She removes her hood and instead of seeing Xion’s beautiful face it’s replaced with that motherfucker. The man from my visions.

“Even if I’m not ready. I have to make this choice.” She sounds the same but she looks like him. “You have poured so many memories into me, given me so much, that I feel like I’m about to overflow. Do you see, Roxas? This is him. It’s Sora.”

I’m absolutely dumbfounded. I try asking Xion what she meant or why this is happening but the words keep getting caught in my throat. She walks off the edge of the clock tower but instead of falling she’s able to float there. Turning back to face me she pulls her hood back up and speaks again.

“You’re next, Roxas. I have to make you a part of me too. This is why I was created.”

She summons her Keyblade and comes at me. I barely have time to react as I summon mine and block the attack. Finding my voice I begin pleading.

“Xion, why are you doing this? I don’t want to fight you! We shouldn’t have to!” She ignores me, attacking again. I’m able to block again but she unleashes a fire spell. Blowing both of us from the clock tower.

The impact with the ground below knocks me into a daze for what feels like an eternity. When my vision clears I see Xion shuffling towards me, her weapon drawn. I can’t see her face, or her new one, but I can still see the tremendous pain she’s in. I try getting up, every pain receptor in my body telling me I need to rest but I can’t. I materialize my Keyblade again as Xion lunges at me for one final attack. I’m able to parry it which leaves her open. My fight or flight instinct kicks in and I make a horrible decision. I lift my blade and bring it down on her, dealing a mortal blow.

A new pain in my mind begins to surface as the woman in front of me starts to fall. I quickly grab her set her down, supporting her back with my arm. Her hood falls down revealing her feminine face and dark hair.

She looks familiar. “I...know you from somewhere, right? I don’t know what it is but, I feel like I’m forgetting something important.”

“You’ll be better off now, Roxas.” Her voice sounds rough and quiet, obviously straining to speak.

“I didn’t do this to you, did I?” I scan the area, looking for anyone else.

“No. It was my choice, to die here. Better that, then do nothing. And let Xemnas have his way. I belong with Sora. Now, I’m going back to him.” She reaches up to grab my hand. “Roxas, please, do me a favor. All the hearts I’ve captured for Kingdom Hearts. Set them free.”

“Kingdom Hearts? Free them?” I look down confused and notice her body start to crystallize.

“It’s too late for me to undo my mistakes. But you can’t let Xemnas have Kingdom Hearts.” This is so much information, I don’t know where to start. “Goodbye, Roxas. See you again. I’m glad, I got to spend my time with you. Oh, and Axel too, of course. I love you both.” She removes her hand from mine and brings it to my face. “Never forget, that’s the truth.”

Suddenly the memories come flooding back to me. Every moment I’d spent with Axel and Xion these past three hundred and fifty days. Her hand falls but I reach out to grab it.

“No! Xion, I…!”

The crystallization process finishes and Xion disappears in a blinding white light, leaving behind a single seashell. It takes me a second to process what just happened. As I pick up the seashell tears begin to fill my eyes.

“...I love you.”

My vision is blurry as I take out my diary and write the final entry, tears staining the page.

Day 357

I’m going to set Kingdom Hearts free and find Sora. I’m going to get Xion back. The three of us will be together again. I know it.