Volume 4
Chapters
Chapter 16: Apart From His World
Story
Chapter 13: How it Feels
Rei and Riku return to Castle Oblivion, having temporarily parted ways from the King. With the elimination of the Organization members, the castle was abandoned. The both of them go and meet up with Naminé and DiZ.
Rei then goes to see Riku, who is watching over Sora. The process of restoring Sora has messed with his own memories to the point that he's having trouble remembering Sora's name. Coming to the pod room helps provide him with a constant reminder of what he needs to do. He then asks her how she's feeling. Rei explains that she's been able to maintain control. However, as much control as she has when she is awake, it only makes the nightmares stronger when she sleeps. Riku tells her that unfortunately suppressing the darkness does not mean you are in control of it.
He suggests to Rei that she follow the King's advice to seek help. Rei says she wants to learn how to deal with the darkness herself, determined that this is a problem only she can fix. Riku reassures her that if she ever does need anything, he and the King are ready to be there.
Rei decides to take it easy and stay with Naminé and DiZ to help them transfer Sora to Twilight Town. Before Riku leaves, he hands Rei a small package. It will be Kairi's birthday soon, but he can't deliver the present himself. Riku reminds her not to meddle and to tell Kairi nothing about the outside worlds or Sora. Rei agrees and promises to make a stop in Destiny Islands.
Chapter 14: Her Birthday Gift
On the mainland, she sees Kairi on the beach looking out towards the island, just as Riku said she would. Rei is nervous to speak with her, but is determined to fulfill Riku's request. Kairi notices her as she approaches, and Rei awkwardly hands her the package. Kairi takes the gift and begins to open it. Inside is a ship in a bottle with a gold nameplate that reads "Highwind". Kairi's confusion turns into realization, and she looks back to Rei. Rei gives her Riku's message and wishes her a happy birthday. Kairi begins to tear up, but smiles and thanks her. She assumes that there's a good reason why he couldn't give the gift himself, but she looks forward to when she can finally see him again. Before Rei leaves, Kairi stops and asks about the other boy. Knowing that she is referring to Sora, Rei assures her that he is safe. Kairi is relieved and doesn't ask anymore questions. She once again gives her thanks to Rei and Riku and wishes her safe travels.
Arriving at the Island, she admires the paopu tree, having heard the legends. She had heard Riku's stories about his childhood here as well. It was surreal to see it herself. As she writes notes down in her personal journal, she notices that there is someone else on the beach, and they're wearing an Organization XIII coat. Rei hesitates on revealing her position, but she also entertains the idea that it could be Roxas. She notices them drop a thalassa shell, and despite her better judgement, she calls out to them pointing out their lost item. The nobody is startled. Rei goes to pick up the seashell, and as she lifts up to hand it to them, she realizes the nobody is a young girl with black hair named Xion. Xion thanks her, and Rei comments on the shell's beauty, saying she'll have to pick one out for herself. Xion says she's collecting it for a sick friend, hoping it'll make him feel better. Rei extends her well wishes to Xion and her friend. Xion smiles, thanks her again, and takes her leave. Though aware of the growing threat that is Organization XIII, Rei can't bring herself to believe that all of their members are evil.
Rei returns to the abandoned mansion in Twilight Town and gives Naminé a seashell. Naminé says that DiZ is busy creating a program to help Sora's restoration. Rei takes this chance to go out to the town, telling Naminé she would like to see an old friend. Rei buys ice cream and waits at the clock tower, but no one comes.
Chapter 15: Restless Nights
Naminé gets out of bed for a cup of water, and she notices Rei sitting outside by herself. Everyone else is asleep as the midnight sun shines over Twilight Town. Rei is surprised when Naminé joins her but welcomes her company. She is clearly exhausted, unable to sleep. They talk about the strange sky, and how Twilight Town never truly experiences night.
Rei asks Naminé what it's like being a nobody. She is aware of DiZ's bias against them, but would like to understand them best she can. They have their own autonomy and can make their own decisions. They have their own motivations and dreams. How could you treat someone like they're nothing? Naminé says that she should be happy to be reunited with her other self, that she should be happy to be whole. She explains that ultimately all nobodies wish to fill the emptiness inside of them. Rei asks what she really feels, sensing her anxiety. Naminé explains that she doesn't truly know what lies beyond, what it means to feel complete as a nobody. If she becomes whole, she could forget herself, lose all sense of self and cease to exist. Even if she lives on through her other self, does it really matter if her sense of identity is lost? She has no attachment to the person she use to be because she didn't retain her memories like the nobodies of Organization XIII. The Organization may have the same fears, and maybe that's why they are seeking a way to restore their whole selves without having to destroy themselves.
Though Naminé appreciates Rei's sentiment towards nobodies, she warns her not to treat them so lightly, for they will do everything in their power to control the keyblade and destroy everything in their path. Rei agrees, saying that she will not make the same mistake she made with the heartless. Naminé asks about Rei's own nobody, if she considers her a person or a monster. Rei is unsure. Her heart feels like a war zone. Her nobody may be a corrupted version of herself, but she is still part of her. The darkness is reaction to her nobody, not an emission. She wants to learn how to overcome the darkness as Riku did. Naminé invites her inside, encouraging her to get some rest. Rei agrees, and thanks Naminé for her company.
Chapter 16: Apart from His World
Rei unloads a few groceries and gifts Namine some new art supplies and notebooks after a day around town. Rei comments that she sighted a few nobody scouts roaming around town, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Rei goes back to check in with DiZ, who is working on the simulated Twilight Town. She compliments his handiwork and how it uses the world's energy to make an accurate representation. DiZ tells her unlike the world cards from Castle Oblivion, he is collecting live data from the people of Twilight Town so the digital versions aren't limited to just his memories. Combined with Naminé's powers, he can link fake memories to these data versions without harming the original people. He invites Rei to enter the program so she can learn more about it. There he explains how he can stop and start up the flow of time and change how the world interacting with them. It is at this point Hayner runs into Rei. Olette scolds him and apologizes for her friend's behavior. The go on their way with their friend Pence following behind and pass right through DiZ. DiZ pulls up an interface and freezes them, and then makes everyone at the Tram Common disappear. He explains the importance of making this world as precise as possible and how it must be able to react accordingly to any outside forces. There are guaranteed holes in the system that can only truly be revealed when they are discovered by the enemy, an inevitable consequence once they retrieve Sora's nobody.
At the end of the day, Rei once again goes to buy ice cream and makes her way towards the clock tower, hoping that Roxas would be up there. When she arrives at the Station Plaza she sees him, but he is also with two other people, laughing and smiling. She begins to run away, frustrated.
"What's wrong with me? How could I be so arrogant?
Of course he has friends! They know him better than I ever could.
All I'm doing is placing myself somewhere I don't belong.
Like I'd be someone special. I doubt he even remembers me.
I'm such an idiot."
When Rei returns to the mansion, she tells Naminé that she is going to leave for a while. She admits that the King had wanted her to meet up with his old master, Yen Sid, but she had been too afraid to see him. Now, however, she doesn't think she can continue to hold her nobody back on her own.
Rei arrives with the Mysterious Tower looming over her. As she approaches, the door is opened for her by Cobra Bubbles. They give each other a knowing look, and he motions her inside. Yen Sid is waiting for her in his study and says he's glad to finally meet her.
References
Original Characters
Rei
Kingdom Hearts Characters
Riku • Naminé • DiZ • Sora • Kairi • Xion • Hayner • Pence • Olette • Roxas
Disney Characters
Mickey Mouse • Donald Duck • Goofy • Yen Sid • Cobra Bubbles • Yen Sid
Locations
Castle Oblivion • Twilight Town • Simulated Twilight Town • Mysterious Tower