XV. video

[aslandish]

[ Aslan stands on the site where the baseball diamond once stood. The Darkness has already descended, and in the night, he appears to be a beacon, shining for a light a hope.

His expression is grave. ]

I will be returning to Narnia at dawn.

To those who wish to accompany me or require guidance through the In-Between Places of the World, I will assist you as I am able.

For those who remain- take heart in the days that lie ahead. Light will ever shine, even in the deepest darkness.

My thoughts shall not be far from your cause.

Comments

[madeinoblivion]

Oh.

[Joe sounds tired, a little emotionally worn thin, but now?]Good. [Relief floods his voice.] You haven't left yet.

...It feels like everybody's going.

[A hard swallow then, the worry he'd been afraid to consider all along-]

What if I'm dead, there?

[aslandish]

Until the last, I shall remain.

[ He's not one to just ditch in the middle of so many problems. Unfortunately, this world isn't the only place that needs him, and his true obligations lie elsewhere. ]

The power that has allowed you to live on here will carry on should you pass through the gateway.

[madeinoblivion]

Until the last....

But not everybody's going, Aslan, don't you get that? Or they're going, but...

I could go on a boat, see the rest of this world.

Or I could try to be with my friends, but never make it! Riku said he saw what happened to me.

I hope you're right, about that power. I'm not ready for everything, all the memories I've made, to be over.

[aslandish]

I know.

[ A gentle, yet somehow sad smile. ]

There are endings, and there are beginnings. Another stage of your existence has now passed.

The future is still yours to make.

[madeinoblivion]

Then, if Xion and Roxas still want to come stay in your Kingdom...?

[There's difficulty in leaving lots of things behind- his DJ Revolution, and...well, there's no way Xion and Roxas wouldn't stow away both cats in their hoods, but there are other things too tied to this island to take.]

...Dawn. If they'll come, I'll go with you.

[aslandish]

Their company would be welcome.

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[pullsheavendown]

It's really happening, then.

[He knew already, of course. But there's knowing, and then there's believing.]

I don't know if we should go or not.

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[aslandish]

What is it you do not wish to lose?

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[pullsheavendown]

Everything.

[How unsettled he is—it's more than obvious in his voice.]

All of my memories, my friends—I don't want to lose them. And me and Xion and Joe...we might not be us anymore.

I know I'm supposed to be part of Sora, but I don't feel like I am anymore, even if it should be my destiny. Or—or whatever. And Xion and Joe could be even worse off.

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[aslandish]

The world was never meant to be unchanging.

[ Gently, with warmth. It's a difficult thing, that they all are facing; however, he does have an answer. ]

Even endings can make way for new beginnings.

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[pullsheavendown]

[He's quiet for a moment, taking it in. Understanding, as much as he can.]

I guess we weren't meant to be unchanging, either.

Do you think there's a new beginning for us?

[He trusts Aslan to know.]

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[aslandish]

I do.

[ He means it from his heart. ]

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[pullsheavendown]

[Roxas closes his eyes, thinking, then opens them and looks directly at Aslan.]

Then I'll come, if Joe and Xion will.

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[magnetic_magpie]

[Magneto is dressed in his red and black uniform, bag thrown over his shoulder. There's a crate at his feet with his kittens - he's waiting for those he's taking home with him to meet him.]

It's been a honor to meet you.

[So time to say goodbye.]

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[aslandish]

[ Aslan peers at the other and nods once, solemnly.

The sentiment is returned even if he doesn't verbalize it. ]

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[magnetic_magpie]

I don't believe I every said thank you, although I don't believe words convey it.

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[paterelohim]

[There are tears in his eyes, and he's long since stopped trying to hide them. This is the kind of tragedy that should make God weep.]

We gotta find a way to visit.

[In his heart, he knows it's unlikely.]

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[aslandish]

All things are possible.

[ The words come out a rumble, rich and light as opposed to sorrowful. ]

In a day unexpected, we will see one another again.

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[paterelohim]

[He blinks back the stinging wetness, forcing himself to see clearly. To memorize the feeling that rich voice washes over him, even now when all things are Revealed. He may never feel that warmth tingle over his skin ever again.]

We'll have a really long time to work on it. I mean, there's somewhere I'd need to break in first- but after that, I think I'll have someone to introduce you to.

And we'll see each other again.

[And somehow it's that one moment, that fleeting little second in all this chaos when he finally feels like a God and not just a man, when some confidence creeps into his voice that tells him not only that he can do this, but that he is a King and he can do anything. He almost starts to remember that He has power, that He is not just skin and bones, that once He was tall and strong and he can be again.

It's something about looking at those eyes. It makes him remember the best of himself. He smiles a rare smile filled with pure love, uncomplicated by anger, guilt, or even grief. A smile that has not been seen in many thousands of years.]

We'll have drinks with Elaine and Elisha.

[edge_of_nothing]

You have done what you could in this city.

[In his tone of voice, these words aren't comforting.]

[aslandish]

Even endings can make way for new beginnings.

[edge_of_nothing]

Nothing truer can be spoken. Enough time has been spent here. It is time to move on.

[inthejunk]

Where's Narnia?

[Okay, so you're a talking lion and he doesn't even know you. But he's sad and scared like everyone else, and maybe some stories from someone so calm will help.]

[aslandish]

It is a world like many others.

[ It's hard to say 'where' since that's getting into more complicated, multiverse-related things. ]

There, the trees and beasts can speak with the tongues of Men.

[inthejunk]

Wait, literal tongues or the metaphorical kind?

['Cause ew.]

[aslandish]

They speak as you or I.

[inthejunk]

[Says the talking lion. Absurdly, Yosuke laughs. Though he stops himself. It's probably not a great idea to laugh at the king of the jungle...or is it dessert? The great big kitty, anyway. His head probably fits in this guy's mouth.]

That sounds kind of crazy. But no weirder than here, I guess. Uh. Before, I mean.

[hikari_no_kundou]

My Lord.

[ In spite of fatigue in the face of yet more darkness monsters, Eraqus makes time to reply to the strongest Light. Aslan is by no means the only presence attempting to guard against the darkness invasion of the ruins of the baseball diamond, but the Lion's is perhaps the most welcome. ]

It has been an honour.

[aslandish]

[ Aslan eyes the other solemnly. ]

Do you wish to return?

[ To the Land of Departure, to those places long since abandoned. ]

[hikari_no_kundou]

[ Silence. Then helmed head inclines slightly to the left.

More than anything, he would wish for that. To go back to how things once had been. More innocent times, such as they were, for those sworn to the Keyblade and to uphold the precepts in order to guard the Realm of Light. To have his family back.

Eraqus shakes his head. ]


There are still things I must do.


[ People he has to find. ]

..It is not yet my time.

[aslandish]

[ He's quiet a moment before he answers. ]

The journey will be long.

[ And difficult. But Eraqus knows that. ]

Should you find your way to the shores of my homeland, you are welcome there at any time.

[hikari_no_kundou]

Were it easy, it would not be as worth doing.

[He knows. And more grateful than he can say of the Lion's understanding.]

That will be one world I will do my best to find, when the time comes.

Thank you.

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[therightchoice]

I want to see you before I go.

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[aslandish]

[ A gentle smile. ]

I am here.

[ Jesse can come to him, or he can meet the other elsewhere. ]

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[therightchoice]

[ It takes a while for Jesse to meet Aslan, as he walked on foot with all of the belongings he can carry, along with the hamster and the dog Aslan gave him long ago.

The monsters do not bother Jesse as he walks toward the Lion. ]

Hi, Aslan.

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[gavesugar]

I shall miss thee greatly, brave sir.

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[aslandish]

[ A soft rumble. ]

And I, you.

[ Though he doesn't truly believe in goodbyes being forever. ]

Will you return?

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[gavesugar]

To my home?

[She nods.]

I hope to be reunited with my family. With Ashley, as well.

[madvaporskillz]

I shouldn't like to imagine light that didn't.

[aslandish]

There are many who would not.

[madvaporskillz]

But some who would?

[aslandish]

The World is not lacking in diversity.

[madvaporskillz]

If you choose to look at it the right way.