Trial 3.8: Running Towards Tomorrow

Sora stands over Fuwa, his blade trembling. It's not from fear, but from the weight of choice.

The fight is over.

Fuwa is on his knees, hurt not just physically, but emotionally. The white space around them flickers, shifting between all the places Sora has visited throughout this Dreamland: the classroom, the puppet theater, Wonderland.

The world around them shifts. Cloudy skies hang above. Warm sunlight breaks through, and rocky ground lies below.

Fuwa looks down. 

Fuwa: ...I lost. You’ve changed… You don’t need me anymore...

Sora lowers his blade. His voice is gentle but confident.

Sora: You're wrong. I do need you.

Fuwa looks up in confusion. 

Fuwa: ...W-Why? You’ve been letting go of your past, your pain... Why would you still need... A personality created by your hate?

Sora laughs softly.

Sora: You are always there... When I'm lost... When I'm falling apart... You are the part of me that kept me from disappearing...

You are not just my pain and hatred anymore... You are my memory. My fire... And my shadow. 

More tears streamed down his cheeks, but not because he was sad, but because Sora's words moved him.

Sora: You see... I have dreams now... A future that I want to build. And I want you to see it with me. 

Sora offers his hand to Fuwa. 

Sora: So let's stop fighting. Let's move forward together. 

Fuwa’s eyes widen. His body starts to glow, not with the light of fading, but with the light of integration. 

He slowly extended his hand, his voice barely a whisper.

Fuwa: You... You really mean that?

Sora nods. And Fuwa took his hand. 

Their hands meet-- and so do their hearts. Light and shadow spiral together, not to erase each other but to become one. Not a perfect soul, but a complete one.

Sora: Fuwa... Remember you talked about healing just now...?

Fuwa's voice echoed softly from within.

Fuwa: Yeah...?

Sora smiled gently.

Sora: To me, "Healing" is neither about passing the "Trials" nor running away from you. To me, "Healing" is... 

...not about destroying the broken parts. It’s about acknowledging them, understanding them, and letting them be part of the whole.

Sora could sense Fuwa’s surprise and chuckle softly in response.

Sora: I don't know myself, but... That's what I have in mind right now... About "Healing"...

Sora could feel his laughter.

Fuwa: I guess... You are right in a way...

Just then, Sora could hear footsteps coming from behind him. He turns around and sees a scrawny bald old man with a long beard, wearing something that looks like a robe. The old man looks like what a wise old man or teacher would wear in a magic fantasy story. 

???: Final "Trial"... Passed. 

Sora recognized that voice. 

It's the "Trial" master. 

But why is he appearing in his physical form this time instead of announcing the status of the "Trials" as usual? 

The "Trial" master pats Sora on the back gently.

"Trial" Master: You did not beat the darkness. You accepted it. That is much harder... and much stronger.

The "Trial" Master then pushes Sora's back gently. 

"Trial" Master: Now go, Sora. This is no longer just your dream… It’s your life.

The "Trial" Master spoke calmly and evenly, but his eyes seemed... almost sad.

"Trial" Master: So Sora... Are you ready for your wish?

Sora wanted to ask him many things, like why he knew his name, or why he was suddenly acting more... less cold than usual. 

But Sora decides not to ask. 

Sora nods and answers.

Sora: I wish... I can go back to my world. The world where my sister... Aoki is waiting for me.

The "Trial" Master snaps his fingers, and a huge, white door appears in front of Sora.

The door opens automatically, and there is a warm light flowing from the door.

"Trial" Master: Walk through this door... And it leads to your world. 

Sora bows at the "Trial" Master out of gratitude.

Sora: Thanks... I'm a bit in a hurry, so I'll go now. Thanks again for everything... And hope to see you again someday if possible.

Sora then walks through the door that leads to his world. 

As the door automatically closes, the "Trial" master whispers to himself.

"Trial" Master: At last... You are ready.

                                                                               ***

As Sora is walking the bright path that leads to his world, Fuwa reappeared beside him-- not in flesh, but like a light made solid, a projection from Sora’s heart.

Sora: Woah... That's kinda cool. 

Fuwa: ... This is better than talking inside your body, honestly.

Both of them laughed. 

Fuwa: By the way... Sora, when you mentioned that you have a dream... And a future that you wanted to build... What is it?

Sora proceeds to tell Fuwa his dreams for the future, which led Fuwa's eyes to widen in surprise. 

Fuwa: That... Sounds difficult to achieve, but... I don't hate it. Let's give it a shot, together with you and me. 

Sora: That's what I'm thinking as well. I wonder what Aoki will say after hearing this... And talking about Aoki--

Sora pauses his footsteps. 

Sora: First thing after we're back, before we head to the hospital to visit her... Let's head to the convenience store to buy some gummies. Wanna race to see who is faster?

Fuwa grinned. 

Fuwa: Sure... But prepare to lose.

Sora: Nah, I'm sure that I'm faster. Ready, set go--!

Sora starts running forward.

Fuwa: Hey, not fair...!

Fuwa ran after him, laughter ringing out in the bright surroundings.

And together, they ran-- toward the world waiting, toward Aoki, toward their shared tomorrow.