It was darkness.

Just darkness.

Well, no, not even darkness.

If Aqua sank into the Realm of Darkness, then where had I been? Did I even exist? I’m sure I… Yeah, I know I existed. But I have no idea where I was. I was imprisoned behind Xehanort, but my consciousness—my heart—was sealed away. So, where was my heart?

It wasn’t in the darkness, so maybe it was just in a world of “nothingness”. A world without Darkness or Light. You can’t have light without darkness and you can’t have darkness without light. It was somewhere like that.

I wasn’t asleep like Ven was. It wasn’t the Realm of Sleep—I wasn’t dreaming, I was just in a world of nothingness. And that void became pain and sorrow and anger that rushed over me. All I could do is writhe in its grasp. Maybe that place was like the world where Unversed came from. A void that only takes in grief and suffering. A world where hope and joy could never exist.

The void was like the darkness, but also not. Nothing could spring forth from there. And all I could do in that world is wait. I can no longer remember what I thought, what I did, in that world; I just waited. No, that’s not quite right. I believed. In our promise.

Even now, I still think about it. About whether the power of darkness is really so detestable. I mean, right before my eyes is that boy I entrusted the Keyblade to, all grown up, and he controls the darkness while still being part of the light. So, why wasn’t I able to?

And then there was the heart that nestled close to mine. There, it continued to quietly encourage me. If he hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t be here now, standing in front of his grave.

Master, did you forgive me? Or maybe I haven’t been forgiven yet and I’m only still here so I can atone? I know there are no answers to my questions and no one has to forgive me for my sins. Even entertaining the thought of being forgiven is so presumptuous of me. A weakness.

“Terra, Ven! Let’s have tea.”

Aqua smiled brightly and Ven turned to look at me. Those two have probably forgiven me. But I still can’t forgive myself.

“Terra?”

Aqua peered up at me, looking slightly anxious. I was careful not to sigh, but exhaled softly, and then I smiled.

“...You know, I wouldn’t mind cake if it’s not too sweet.”

“It has been a while since I made a Galactic Caramel pound cake.”

“I want strawberry jam tarts!” Ven grinned up at Aqua.

“Those were the Master’s favourites—although Terra never liked them much.”

Aqua laughed softly, and then her face fell slightly.

From now on, we’ll always carry the burden of grieving for our master. But we’re not alone.

The three of us can look up at the night sky once more.

We can look for falling stars.

And from now on, we’ll always be together.