Kingdom hearts requiem of dawn 

Epilogue

It had been five long years since the sun had risen over the worlds, since Kairi and Sora had fought through the darkness to restore hope. And finally, after endless searching and countless trials, Sora had found a way. A way to bring back Riku and the others.

But the cost was steep.

They stood on Destiny Islands, their home, the place where their journey had begun so many years ago. The waves lapped gently against the shore, the sky above was clear and bright. It was a perfect day, yet there was a weight in the air.

Kairi looked at Sora, her heart full of love, though tinged with sadness. She had made peace with the decision. "Are you sure?" she asked quietly, her fingers brushing against his. "There's no going back after this."

Sora nodded, though the sorrow was clear in his eyes. "I'm sure. This is the only way to bring them all back. Riku, Aqua, everyone. But..." He trailed off, his gaze turning toward the horizon. "We'll have to go. Back to Quadratum."

Kairi squeezed his hand. She had come to terms with it. As much as she loved this world, her home, she was content with their decision. She would follow Sora wherever he went. "I'm ready," she whispered.

Together, they stood on the shore, watching as the worlds around them began to blur, the light of the spell Sora had cast shimmering in the air. Slowly, their bodies began to fade, their forms becoming less solid with each passing second.

Sora glanced down at the sand, where Riku's Keyblade lay, placed carefully near the shore where his best friend had once stood so many years ago. He couldn't help but smile, despite everything. "We'll see them again," he said softly, mostly to himself.

And with that, they faded completely, their forms disappearing into the wind, leaving nothing behind but the warmth of their memory and a single note in the sand.

Riku woke up, blinking against the bright sunlight. He lay there for a moment, staring up at the sky, confused. He didn't remember how he got here. The last thing he recalled was the fight—the darkness, the pain—and then...nothing. But now, here he was, alive, lying on the beach of Destiny Islands, his Keyblade half-buried in the sand beside him.

He sat up slowly, still trying to process everything, and noticed he wasn't alone. Aqua, Roxas, Axel, and Ventus were all there, each just as confused as he was. They looked around, unsure of what had happened, how they had been brought back.

Riku's eyes fell on something half-hidden in the sand nearby. A note, written in familiar handwriting. He picked it up and unfolded it, reading the words slowly.

I did it. You're all back, safe and sound. But we had to go. Back to Quadratum, where this all began. Don't worry about us—Kairi and I are together, and we're happy. One day, we'll find our way back to you. Until then, keep going. Keep fighting. I'll always believe in you.

—Sora

Riku lowered the note, a mix of emotions flooding through him. Sora had saved them, but at the cost of his own presence here. He couldn't help but feel the weight of the sacrifice, but at the same time, he knew his best friend had made the right choice.

He stood, brushing the sand from his clothes, his hand tightening around the hilt of his Keyblade. "Thank you, Sora," he whispered, looking out at the sea.

Another ten years passed.

Sora and Kairi were still in Quadratum, living a peaceful life together, far from the darkness that had once plagued their world. The battle was behind them now. They were free. And in that time, they had built a new life.

Kairi laughed softly as she chased after their daughter, a little girl with bright eyes and a smile that reminded Sora so much of her mother. She ran across the open field, giggling, while Sora watched from a distance, a content smile on his face. It was a peaceful life, one they had both earned after everything they had been through.

Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared on the horizon, walking toward them. Sora squinted against the sunlight, his eyes widening as the figure grew closer. He knew that walk anywhere.

"Riku?" Sora stood, calling out.

Riku approached, a grin on his face, his scar now a permanent part of his expression. He looked older, but still every bit the Riku Sora had always known. "Took me a while to find you," Riku said, his voice teasing but warm.

Sora couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head. "I didn't think you'd come looking for me again."

Riku shrugged. "You're hard to get rid of." Then, more seriously, he added, "I came to bring you home."

Sora blinked, surprised. "Home?"

Riku nodded. "It's time. The world is ready for you again. For both of you or should I say the three of you?"

Kairi, holding their daughter in her arms, came over to join them. She smiled at Riku, her heart full of gratitude. "You're really here to take us back?"

Riku smiled back. "Yeah. It's time."

Sora glanced at Kairi, then down at their daughter, who smiled up at him. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment, but also a sense of peace. After all these years, they were finally going home.

And together, they would face whatever came next.