Chapter 16: Farewell to a Friend

Hollow Bastion.

The day after Jaron had died.

Everyone was assembled outside the gigantic castle.

Everyone except Sora and Adam.

Both of them didn’t know if they had the strength to go ahead with his. They just sat in one of the many bedrooms of Hollow Bastion, unable to move. After several minutes of just sitting in silence, Cloud entered the room.

"You two", said Cloud, "It’s time."

Sora and Adam slowly got up and sadly walked out of the room following Cloud. The Keybearer and the Saviour’s brother walked past the grand hall. Sora looked at where the keyhole had once been. A few hours after Sharak had retreated from Hollow Bastion, Sora had sealed the keyhole but to the Keybearer, it seemed like a complete waste of time considering everything that had happened yesterday. However, as long as the keyhole was still open, darkness would consume Hollow Bastion, so it was still a good idea to seal it.

Sora kept his feelings to himself, as he didn’t want anyone else to know. He hated this place. He’d lost two of his closest friends and the girl he loved here and had experienced major turning points in his life, as well as encountering two of the most evil beings he had ever met, who only cared about themselves. Some of the worst moments of his life had happened here and to him, Hollow Bastion was nothing but a bitter and continuous reminder of his pain.

Sora, Adam and Cloud made it outside where everyone was assembled. Jaron’s body had been laid in a boat that was to be set adrift in a lake. The boat had been florally decorated and many more flowers were laid in the boat by Jaron’s body. Everyone had said their goodbyes to the Saviour and told him how much they loved and appreciated him.

"It’s your turn, guys", said Donald. Adam went over to his brother and placed his hand on Jaron’s head.

"Jaron, I...I..."

Tears fell from Adam’s eyes immediately and he fell to his knees. No words were needed to express just exactly how much Adam loved his brother. Yuffie went up to Adam and put her arm around him, helping him back up and escorting him away.

"It’s okay, Adam", said Yuffie sympathetically, "It’s okay."

Sora then went up to Jaron. Tears came from his eyes also but he managed to say something.

"You may have given into darkness", began the Keybearer, "But you overcame it and came through for us when we needed you the most. That makes you the strongest among us without question or doubt."

Sora turned around.

"Goodbye, Jaron", cried the Keyblade master as he walked away, "I’ll miss you...friend."

Everyone gathered round the boat and held a moment of silence for their dear friend. Those with weapons held them high in the air over the funeral boat to salute Jaron. The others then proceeded to cast the boat away. The boat with Jaron’s body drifted across the lake and towards the giant waterfalls. Everyone wept and/or looked on in sadness and silence as they saw the boat slowly make its way to the edge. A few minutes later, Jaron’s body drifted over the waterfalls and was gone. Everyone then turned and sadly walked back to the castle. Sora noticed Adam still staring at the falls.

"We’ll be along in a minute", said Sora to Donald and Goofy. The king’s followers nodded and followed the others. The Keybearer walked up to the Saviour’s brother.

"I’m so sorry, Adam. I know what it’s like to lose a loved one."

"I didn’t lose him, Sora. Sharak stole him from me. Just like he stole everything else that I hold dear. He’s going to pay big time for what he’s done. But I’m not going to let rage and vengeance consume me. I’ll never give into the darkness. Never."

Adam turned around to face Sora.

"I’m so sorry about what happened to Kairi."

"I know", replied the Keybearer, "But I’ll save her. There’s still hope. Our friends will help us. Those we love are always with us. We’ll never really lose them. They’ll forever live on in our hearts."

"I know", said the Saviour’s brother, "You and the others are the only family I’ve got left, Sora. Thanks for that."

"My pleasure."

The two friends hugged each other. Then they turned around to make their way back to the castle.

The next morning, everyone made all the necessary preparations to finish their quest. Everyone stocked up on Elixirs and Mega-Elixirs, Leon, Cloud and Yuffie gave their goodbyes to Cid and Aerith and everyone boarded the cruiser. The recruitment was over. Sora, Donald and Goofy had gone to all the worlds they could and gathered all the friends that they could to stop the Council of Darkness. Those that couldn’t help would always be with Sora. Their hearts were one. Nothing would ever change that. The forever-enduring power of friendship would be enough to stop Sharak once and for all. They all knew this.

The cruiser took off into the sky and left Hollow Bastion. The course was set. Everyone knew where they were heading.

Castle Sharak.