Chain of Memories

Re:Com | 1.5

Sora struggles to recover his memories, while Riku learns to live to take a new path.

Sora, Donald and Goofy search the Realm Between for Riku and Mickey. Their path eventually brings them to Castle Oblivion, where the floors are formed from the memories of those present. The rules of the castle require Sora to fight using special cards. As they move through floors that resemble worlds visited in Kingdom Hearts, they meet and fight multiple members of the enigmatic Organization XIII, an organization of Nobodies seeking to gain hearts.

As the group ascends higher into the castle, their memories begin to change. Eventually, Kairi is replaced in Sora’s memories by a girl named Naminé. Sora becomes convinced that he must save her. However, Riku appears in his dark form and attempts to stop Sora from reaching her.

It is revealed that Naminé is a witch with the ability to alter memories, and that she has been forced to change Sora’s by the lord of the castle, Marluxia. Marluxia seeks to use Sora’s power to take over the Organization and become its new leader.

Before Sora can reach Marluxia, he defeats Larxene, Vexen and the Riku who has been opposing him, who is revealed to be a puppet known as a Replica. Replicas are artificial vessels that can be given hearts or memories to become their own entities. Riku Replica, also known as Repliku, was modeled after the real Riku, who has arrived in the basement of the castle.

Sora also comes across Axel, who appears to have his own motivations and a particular interest in Sora.

In the end, Sora defeats Marluxia and frees Naminé. She promises to help restore his memories, but explains that this will take time and that he will lose his memories of the castle. Sora promises to thank her when he awakens. He, Donald and Goofy enter pods and begin a sleep that will last a year.

Reverse\Rebirth

Deep within the castle, Riku awakens and chooses to reject the Realm of Darkness. He ascends through the castle’s floors with the help of Mickey. Along the way, he confronts Lexaeus and Zexion, two members of the Organization who seek to use him against the traitorous Marluxia.

Throughout his journey, Riku faces two reminders of his past: Riku Replica and a remnant of Ansem lingering in his heart. Each reminds him of the path he once took and what he lost as a result. The worlds he visits are lonely and dark. Riku eventually defeats and destroys his Replica.

Riku also meets DiZ and Naminé, who explain that Sora’s memories are being restored. DiZ gives Riku a World Card that allows him to confront Ansem directly. After defeating Ansem, Riku and Mickey receive black coats to protect them from darkness and leave the castle, seeking a way to help Sora awaken and learn more about the Organization.

In the end, Riku chooses to follow a middle road—neither the road to light nor the road to darkness, but the road to dawn.

Releases

Related

• Realms
• Nobody
• Sora
• Riku
• Goofy
• Donald Duck
• King Mickey

Tagged in

• Naminé (Characters)