An Oath to Return

"An Oath to Return" is the secret ending of Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind. Unlike previous secret endings in the series, there are two possible endings, with one being the "true ending", while the other is a "bad ending". The condition to unlock either ending depends on if Sora defeats Yozora or not in the Secret Episode of Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind.

Synopsis

Story

One year after the ending of Kingdom Hearts III, Riku goes to Radiant Garden to visit Leon, Cid, Aerith and Yuffie to try and uncover any clues to Sora's whereabouts. Cid recreates Sora's data in a simulated version of the Garden of Assemblage, along with stronger data copies of Real Organization XIII in the hopes of yielding some answers.

After all thirteen copies are defeated, the data analysis shows up as an inconclusive error, forcing Riku and Leon's gang back to square one. The Fairy Godmother then appears at Merlin and Yen Sid's request to aid them, and Riku recounts the strange dream he's been having: He finds himself in an unfamiliar city surrounded by tall buildings, while a mysterious figure observes him from atop a skyscraper.

Sora wakes up in a nighttime version of The Final World, and desperately calls out to whoever he can. A young man answers back and appears before him. Sora recognizes him as Yozora, from both the popular video game series and of what he's learned of him from a girl he met before - surprised to discover that Yozora is actually a real person. Yozora appears to know exactly who Sora is and claims that he is tasked to "save" him, but suddenly questions whether that is truly Sora at all. To Sora's shock, he summons his crossbow and sword and transports them to the 104 building where a fearsome battle ensues.

True Ending

If Sora defeats Yozora, Yozora stumbles backwards and begins to fade away into light. He muses that his powers aren't needed yet, but when Sora is confused, Yozora simply tells him not to mind before fading away. A light then shines, engulfing all of Shibuya and sending Sora back into the Final World.

Yozora wakes up in a car to his driver, who calls him "commander". The driver asks him if it is impressive, to which Yozora reflects silently. Sora's first line in the Kingdom Hearts series is repeated, with Sora, then Yozora, and finally both saying the line in unison. Sora then says that none of this is making any sense to him. Yozora's voice actor is credited, before the secret ending finishes with:

An Oath to Return

KINGDOM HEARTS

Bad Ending

If Yozora defeats Sora, Sora stumbles backwards in shock. Yozora apologizes before telling Sora that he doesn't lose. Sora begins to crystalize, with Yozora vowing "I will save you". A bright line engulfs Shibuya and transports Yozora into the Final World.

Yozora wakes up in a car and muses wistfully. Sora's first line in the Kingdom Hearts series is repeated, with Yozora, then Sora, and finally both saying the line in unison. Yozora then says that none of this is making any sense to him.

Characters in order of appearance

• 

  Sora

• 

  Yozora

• Yozora's driver can be heard waking him up in the "True Ending".

Unlock criteria

The conditions to unlock the video "An Oath to Return", the player must finish the Limit Cut Episode of Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind before being able to access the Secret Episode, where the player will be able to fight Yozora.

Trivia

• When Yozora wakes up in the "True Ending", it is a scene-by-scene recreation of the opening to the Final Fantasy Versus XIII 2011 trailer. Kingdom Hearts series creator Tetsuya Nomura was originally the head director for Final Fantasy Versus XIII.
• After Sora is defeated in the "Bad Ending", he crystallizes then promptly blooms into crystal shards before vanishing. The effect is evocative of the "Crystal Stasis" phenomenon from the Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy compilation, of which Final Fantasy Versus XIII was initially set to be a part of.

Video

"True Ending"	"Bad Ending"