Ones born of the heart and darkness, devoid of hearts, ravage all worlds and bring desolation.

Seize all hearts and consummate the great heart.

I found that poem at the center of the darkness that swallowed the worlds, on a computer in the World Terminus. I had no idea what it meant, though. All I get from the writings Ansem left behind—the Ansem Reports included—is that they are not saying anything good. Not that I can be sure this was even written by Ansem. We did find out later on that some of the stuff we thought he wrote was actually by someone else—I'm a little fuzzy on all the details. Basically, Ansem was actually Xehanort's Heartless! And that Xehanort was hijacking Terra's body! In any case, I didn’t have a single clue about any of this at the time.

After that, we continued on into the heart of darkness, and we opened the last door. Spread out on the other side was the ocean of Destiny Islands.

“This world has been connected,” came the sound of Ansem's voice, and the islands vanished. Our breaths caught. “Tied to the darkness... Soon to be completely eclipsed. There is so very much to learn. You understand so little. A meaningless effort. One who knows nothing can understand nothing.”

That's when I remembered: just before leaving the islands, I met a man who had said those exact words. So he was Ansem!

“I’m gonna get out and learn what’s out there!” I fired back.

Yeah. There's a lot I don't understand, but there are many things I do know.

Right before my eyes the sands crumbled away, and things melted away into the darkness. And there was Riku, standing with his back to me. Riku, with Ansem commandeering his body. He turned, and as he did, he transformed into Ansem.

“You see," he said, "darkness is the heart’s true essence.”

“That’s not true!” I replied. It was something I had learned on that very journey. “The heart may be weak. And sometimes it may even give in. But I’ve learned that deep down, there’s a light that never goes out!”

I challenged Ansem, Keyblade in hand.

But, the island vanished, and pitch black clouds concealed the sky.

“Behold the endless abyss! Within it lies the heart of all worlds: Kingdom Hearts!” Ansem's voice was resounding in the darkness. “Look as hard as you are able. You’ll not find even the smallest glimmer of light. From those dark depths are all hearts born. Even yours. Darkness conquers all worlds!”

In the darkness, when I had no idea what to do, I heard Riku's voice.

Giving up already? Come on, Sora. I thought you were stronger than that.

Then I fought Ansem, who had transformed into a monster, and won.

“It is futile. The Keyblade alone cannot seal the door to darkness. Kingdom Hearts! Fill me with the power of darkness…”

A huge door floated up behind Ansem.

“You’re wrong. I know now, without a doubt, Kingdom Hearts... is light!” I shouted, facing the door. Light flowed out from inside it, swallowing Ansem.

“Light… But... Why…”

I watched his body fade away, engulfed in the light.

That's a memory from my very first journey. I can never shake what I learned then.

In the deepest darkness, there is a light. Kingdom Hearts is a heart—a light—that can extinguish any darkness.