Destined Hearts

Chapter 26: Resting Heart

Vanitas, Takeo, and Sienna all kept running until they made it to a clearing as there were a few flower patches surrounding the area. However, it was...silent. Too silent for the trio.

"Why is it so...quiet?" Vanitas asked as he and the other two looked around.

"This could either be a trap, or a place the Heartless can't to." Takeo guessed. Sienna, however, looked at one of the flower patches, and noticed that the flowers were yellow. Sunflowers, Daffodils, Roses, Pansies, Begonias. They were everywhere. However, she noticed a a huge statue made of stone, and when she squinted her eyes, she gasped recognizing it.

"I recognize this place." She said as Takeo and Vanitas both looked at her. Before they could ask what was going on, she ran towards the statue.

"Sienna! Wait!" Takeo exclaimed as he and Vanitas both ran after her. By the time they got to where she was. She was standing in front of the statue, and they saw it was a statue of a woman.

The woman had a ponytail that was pulled onto the side as she wore a tank top with a short fuzzy sleevless jacket with a tank top on underneath as she wore Jeans and tennis shoes as she wore fingerless gloves, and she held a keyblade in her hands: Royal Radiance.

Takeo looked down at the epitaph in front of the statue, and he read the name and the quote.

Destiny Ashira

"No matter what could transpire, be with people who can allow you to bloom."

"So...This is Destiny.." Takeo muttered as he looked back up at the statue. However, he and Vanitas both heard soft sobs, from Sienna as she had her hands cupped together as she continued to let the tears fall. She then hugged Vanitas as he gasped in surprise a little as she softly cried on his shoulder. Vanitas wrapped his arm around her for comfort as Takeo bowed his head down as he closed his eyes.

"S-She...was like a m-mother...to all of u-us.." She said through her sobs. "H-Her favorite holiday was when she...d-died. She d-died on...V-Valentine's day.."

'Hm...So, that's why Emileigh and the others didn't want to talk about Destiny. She died on the one holiday to spend time with the people you love...and it was her favorite holiday too.' He thought as he opened his eyes and looked back up at the statue.

'I can't imagine something like that happening to Emileigh. Because of her phobia...she reacts differently than the others. So, if we're not careful enough...it will be the end of the line for one of us. The end of the line...for Emileigh.

No...I won't let that happen. I'm not going to lose Emileigh just like how I lost Tristam! I'll keep her safe...even if I have to risk my own life. I swear it on my heart.'

"Takeo?" He shook his head as he looked at Sienna and Vanitas. Despite the fact Sienna's eyes were a little red due to her crying, she looked like she felt a little better.

"Are you okay to keep moving?" Vanitas asked.

"Y-Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking." He excused.

"Well, isn't this heartbreaking?" The three all turned around and they saw Xelhmigei standing five feet in front of them as she had her arms crossed.

"You again!" Takeo glared as he brought out his keyblade. Xelhmigei only turned to her right, and swung her arm out towards them as yellow flower petals began to glide in the air as they all felt a slight breeze course through them as she looked up at the sky.

"It's such a shame a leader with a bright light died on the one holiday that's about love." She said. "It must affect the people who live here, and for the people who come to see this memorial of her."

"Like you care about that." Vanitas remarked.

"Just because I'm with the darkness, doesn't mean I don't have the heart to seeing what's broken these people's hearts." She said as she faced the three.

"I'm not who you think I am, and if you thought I was...then you're more credulous than they say." She smirked as she caught a petal between her fingers, and crushed it in her hands as she let the remains of it fly away.

"What?!" Sienna said, angered by her statement.

"But don't worry about a thing. This will all be over soon." She said as she turned her back towards them.

"And bye the way, Takeo..." She began as she glanced at him.

"Someone's taken your place as the comatose friend. A certain...cocky tomboy. I think you should go check on her at your little 'haven'. Who knows what's happening to her now." She said as she disappeared in darkness. Takeo gasped hearing what that meant.

"I knew it!" He exclaimed as he put his keyblade away as be started to run off.

"Takeo! Where are you going?!" Sienna asked as Takeo stopped and faced the duo.

"She did something to Emileigh!" He said. "I have to make sure she's okay!"

"Then go find her. We'll catch up to you." Vanitas said. Takeo nodded his head and he ran out of the area. Vanitas then sighed as he formed a Corridor of Darkness as Sienna looked at him.

"W-Where are you going?" She asked.

"I did what I had to do.." He said. "This will probably be the only time you'll see me like this."

"But what about Takeo and the others?" She said.

"As I said, I did what I had to do. If the others saw me...they would attack me without even having a second thought."

"But...what about...?" Vanitas put his hand on her shoulder.

"If it makes you feel better...I want you to help him and the others out for me."

"R-Really...?"

"Yeah, don't let either one of them get dragged into the dark. I know you can do it."

"..." Sienna stayed silent for a moment before giving Vanitas a hug.

"I won't let you down." Vanitas smiled as he hugged her back.

"I know you won't. Which is why I want you to hang onto this for me." He took his wayfinder off his neck as he placed it in her hand.

"This something really special to me. So, take care of it, and give it back to me when you find me." Sienna held the wayfinder to her chest and had a determined look on her face.

"I will. I promise." She said and Vanitas nodded his head.

"...Thanks for everything." He said as he walked into the Corridor of Darkness as it disappeared. Sienna put the wayfinder around her neck, and nodded her head to herself. She looked up at the statue.

"I'll do my best."