#tsofph ephemer

Knowledge 12.1 

Light and darkness in Kingdom Hearts Analysis:

Source Analysis: https://khstoryanalysis.tumblr.com/post/177312355059/chapter-9-the-ideology-of-light-and-darkness

In the yin and yang symbol, the yin is the dark swirl, and the yang is the light swirl, and each side has a dot of the opposite color. This shows that in the brightest light there is darkness, while in the deepest darkness there is light. The action of Keyblade wielders in taking more Lux they need is an act of selfishness, which is connected to darkness. On the other hand, the intention of Darklings sharing their darkness to turn excessive light into darkness is an act of selflessness, which is connected to light.

Gilgamesh: I trust Punch to the very end.

Ephemer: Why? Are you not afraid she may destroy herself?

Gilgamesh: If I cannot trust myself, how can I ask my people to trust one another?

Ephemer: .............

Gilgamesh: A leader who doubts himself has already failed to lead. Punch is my brother—part of my very soul. She knows what she is doing, and I will trust her.

Ephemer stood in silence, the weight of Gilgamesh’s words striking deeper than any doubt. At last, he lowered himself in a solemn bow, eyes shadowed with shame and newfound understanding.

Ephemer: ..Forgive my uncertainty, my king. Your faith is greater than my fear.

Punch’s mind snapped open to a memory he had tried desperately to bury.

Ephemer: King Gilgamesh is… perfect. Physically. His body repairs itself quickly. *He paused. And then, his expression hardened like stone. quiet, grim* But the damage isn’t to his body.

Punch felt cold. Even now, the memory made his fingertips shake. Ephemer placed his hand over Gilgamesh’s chest—right over the exact spot where the curse burrowed deepest.

Ephemer: His soul is fractured. Corrupted. Every time Kujaku drains him… it spreads deeper.

Punch remembered how he couldn’t breathe. How he stared at Gilgamesh’s still face and felt something inside him collapsing. Ephemer continued, voice low and heavy.

Ephemer: You may no longer be able to heal him like you used to. This time—yes. Because he wasn’t fully broken yet.

Punch’s breath had caught. His heartbeat turned violent.

Ephemer: In the future… there will come a point when even your power can’t reach him anymore. If I had to guess…when the last light in him fades…he will disappear. Forever.

Punch remembered the sound that left his throat—half gasp, half denial.

Punch: So… the freedom he said he sold to Kujaku…it wasn’t only the curse.

Ephemer: It’s this illness, too. His life, his sense of self…everything. All tied to Kujaku’s grip.

Punch had turned his head toward Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh lay there— peaceful, but wrong. Too quiet. Too still. Like someone fading in slow motion.

Punch’s hands had trembled as he brushed silver hair from Gilgamesh’s forehead.

Ephemer: Punch…If you want to save him—truly save him—You must defeat Kujaku. And soon.

Back in the present, Punch clenched his fists so tightly his nails dug into his palms.

Punch: I knew. I’ve known all this time. PUNCH is dying—piece by piece. And I’m running out of time to save him. As many times as it takes. So don’t you dare…don’t you dare give up on me.”

Gilgamesh’s hands in the flashback…had tightened around his.

Still clinging.

Still fighting.

Still waiting.

Gilgamesh: …Punch? Are you okay?

Punch didn’t answer.

He couldn’t.

His eyes were locked on Gilgamesh— on the way Gilgamesh’s chest rose too softly, on the faint tremors in his hands from the nightmare, on the way shadows clung to him like a curse trying to swallow him whole.

Gilgamesh: Why… why are you crying…? You look like… you’ve seen death…

Punch: I—I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.

But Punch finally grabbed Gilgamesh’s hand with both of his own— gripping tight, almost desperate. Gilgamesh blinked in surprise. His lips parted slightly—a fragile, confused expression.

Gilgamesh: Brother…..?

Punch: No. I'm not fine. You’re not fine. You’re breaking. I’m not letting that happen. I don’t care what it takes. I don’t care how many times I fall. I don’t care if it kills me. I’ll defeat Kujaku. I swear it—even if it costs me everything. Even if it destroys me. You waited millions of years for me. So let me fight for you now. Let me save your life, as we had made a promise.

Gilgamesh: I don’t… want to lose you…

Punch: You won’t. I will bring you home. No matter the cost.

Gilgamesh could barely breathe. Punch’s vow still hung in the air—heavy, unbreakable, terrifying. Gilgamesh stared at him, breath trembling, eyes wide with something raw and vulnerable— not the king, not the warrior…just PUNCH. Just a boy afraid of losing the one person he has left.

Gilgamesh: Punch…If you… die trying to save me…Then what’s the point? What’s the point of saving me… if I lose you? Brother…always promise me. Promise me you’ll stay exist too. I can’t—watch you die again because of me.

Punch swallowed hard. Gilgamesh was shaking—a full-body tremor he couldn’t hide. Punch wrapped both arms around him.

Punch: You think I want to leave you? You think I’d ever abandon you again?

Gilgamesh responded instantly—arms tightening around Punch’s waist, clinging like someone drowning.

Punch closed his eyes. He couldn’t say yes— not honestly. He knew what fighting Kujaku meant. He knew what Ephemer warned. He knew the cost. But PUNCH was crying. PUNCH was scared for him. So Punch gently lifted Gilgamesh’s face, wiping away his tears with his thumb.

Punch: …I promise. I’ll come back alive. To you. And you…you stay alive too. Or I’ll drag you back myself.

Gilgamesh exhaled shakily—relief and grief mixing together— then collapsed into Punch’s chest, holding him as tightly as his weak body allowed. Gilgamesh let out a tiny, broken laugh at that—the kind that meant he was still scared but trying to be brave. He pressed his forehead to Punch’s chest—listening to the heartbeat that meant he wasn’t alone.

Punch: *arms crossed, tone flat* Why would I need to save a human?

Mulder: *blinks* Huh?

Punch: The one I wanted your help with was the river in the forest. It’s a rare, precious, pure thing. That it was turning red from the blood of a corpse was worrisome. The filth of a corpse is deadly poison to the cycle of nature.

Mulder: …Then the girl…

Punch: *stare* I don’t care about a human. After all, humans don’t help non-humans, so why should we have to help those mongrels anyway?

Mulder: …………………

There’s a long silence. The river flows gently, the light fading to gold and violet. Mulder looks at Punch with that quiet, searching gaze he’s famous for.

Mulder: You know… you might not see it often, but there are humans who care. Not because they gain anything. Because they can’t stand to see another creature suffer — human, animal, or otherwise.

Punch: Sympathy changes nothing. It’s just a word to make people feel noble.

Mulder: Maybe. But sometimes, that sympathy is the reason someone gets another day to live. Even a small act of kindness — saving a girl by accident, for instance — keeps the balance you care about.

Punch: *turns away, half-listening* You talk too much, agent.

Mulder: *gentle smile* Occupational hazard.

Punch: *mutters* Humph… why does Scully think this guy’s so good anyway?

Mulder: Huh?????

Punch: You sound like a priest trying to bless a demon. It’s weird.

Mulder: Then maybe I’m just hoping the demon’s got a heart somewhere under all that sarcasm.

Punch: …You’re annoyingly optimistic, you know that?

Mulder: Comes with the job.

Punch: Next time, don’t thank me for “saving” humans. Thank me for saving the river.

Mulder: Fair enough… but between you and me, I think you saved more than that.

Punch: *rolls eyes, walking away* Yeah, yeah. Keep your theories, Mr Agent Mulder.

Punch: Sounds familiar. People laugh at me too — just not for aliens.

Mulder: Then why?

Punch: Because I don’t follow the crowd. I don’t tell people what they want to hear. I tell them what they need to hear, even if it hurts.

Mulder: That’s the thing about truth. It makes you an outcast before it makes you a prophet.

Punch: Or a fool.

Mulder: Still… you don’t stop, do you?

Punch: No. Because what’s right doesn’t bend to popularity. It doesn’t wait for applause. It just is. Well… what is right is not always popular.

Mulder: You really believe that, don’t you? That what’s right isn’t always popular?

Punch: Think about people, Mulder. Most of them follow the crowd because it’s safe. Popularity gives them comfort, a sense of belonging. If everyone agrees, then no one has to think too hard or take responsibility.

Mulder: Safety in numbers.

Punch: Exactly. But “right”? Right is different. Doing the right thing often means standing against the crowd. It means choosing the hard road when the easy one gets cheers. It’s telling the truth when lies are more convenient. And humans… humans don’t like inconvenient truths. They punish the ones who speak them.

Mulder: You’re describing my career.

Punch: And my life. The irony is, history usually proves those “unpopular” voices were right all along. But by then, the crowd has already burned them, crucified them, or left them in the dark.

Mulder: So the price of being right is rejection.

Ephemer: Even if that’s true, there’s more to it than just being “freaks,” but still---wait, Peter!

Koryuu: Whoa, calm down, Peter?!

Peter: Hey! Stop calling them freaks! Both Gil and Punch aren’t just “freaks,” okay?! They have species! They have names! They’re real people — real individuals with hearts and souls — even if they’re not human! And you know what? I love them! I will love them with my life! You understand me?!

Koryuu: ...........Peter..you...

Peter: You can joke, you can call them freaks, but you don’t get it. You don’t understand the bond I have with them — the trust, the shared pain, the loyalty. Love isn’t about species, Koryuu! It’s about being there! And I will be there for them… always.

Koryuu: …Yeah…I understand now. I get it. I’m… sorry. I was just joking… trying to lighten things up…Even though they’re probably aliens?

Peter: Aliens, humans, even Ai… even robots! Love doesn’t care about labels, or bodies, or origins! Gil and Punch are real. They exist. And that is enough. Nothing — no joke, no insult — can take that away!

Koryuu: …Huh. Okay. I get it now. You’re serious. Really serious. And… I can see why. They mean a lot to you.

Ephemer: Yes. They mean everything. King Gilgamesh, Punch… they’re my family. They’ve stood by me in ways no one else could. And even if the world calls them freaks… or strange… or anything else… we, all of us, will still love and protect them.

Koryuu: I guess…I won’t call them freaks anymore. At least…not in front of you.

Peter: Good. Because I don’t just protect them… I protect their honour too. And anyone who underestimates them… or calls them names… well… they better be ready for me.

Mulder: Did you write something?

Scully: Just jotting down some notes for an article.

Pit: An article? Are you a reporter?

Scully: Hey! I am not actually a reporter! I am an FBI Special Agent and a medical doctor!

Mulder: But even so, you can't just write a story to match a predetermined conclusion.

Scully: Hey, Oxford-educated FBI special agent who believes in the existence of extraterrestrials and a government conspiracy to hide the truth regarding them. You also shouldn't accept unsolicited advice from amateurs, Mr Fox.

Mulder: So, as a professional, are you hitting your deadline?

Scully: Oh Mulder, you can't just copy off my reports before sending to Skinner!

Mulder: Zip it, Dana! Why did you hate the free press so much?

Scully: I did not! Don't change the topic yet! You're the one talking about professional responsibilities here. And you couldn't do it!

Mulder: I am never drunk for just you knew!

Are you sure about that?

Punch: What's with this funny argument anyway?

Peter: Punch! Don't be so mean!

Pit: What's up with them? They're like--

Punch: A married couple.

Mulder & Scully: Married?!

Mulder: Hah! Whatever could you be talking about now?

Scully: Seriously now! Do we really look like that?!

Peter: Oof! Argh! Ah! Ahhhhh! *Knocked out but still conscious*

Pit: Wow.....they're strong.

Mulder: Oops.....we did it to the wrong person. Sorry about that.

Peter: No! You did it on purpose!

Scully: You two are also alike us!

Punch & Peter: We're nothing alike you two! You two have nothing in common!

Mulder: Hah...ha! So you and Punch used to date, right?

Peter: Pssssss!???!?!? Ephemer?! What with you all sudden???!!!!

Mulder: Punch's a scary person you know. How could you fall in love with "Punch" anyway? I mean Punch's non-human. On top of that, Punch is neither a boy nor a girl. I can tell you're a boy.

Peter: Very long time we were just friends or partners but...I don't know...after I met her once again in Neverland....we started to have feelings for each other.

Mulder: "Friends" huh? Then, there was nothing to you guys sharing an umbrella in the rain.

Peter: Then what about you and Scully sharing an umbrella in the rain huh? So you and Scally's Connection are just partners too?!

Mulder: H.....hey!! That's because she's only my partner that can be trusted!!

Peter: Hah...ha! "my partner"!!

Mulder: Ahem.....just because Punch's a loner but everyone is in interested in her.

Peter: Punch is not a scary person. She had a kind heart.

Mulder: But the fact that you didn't see Punch's scary in the past. That means you're crazy about her.

Peter: I already know that.

Mulder: What do you like about Punch then?

Peter: Punch does have a cute side. She's both cute and cool at the same time and her eyes are so beautiful. If I have to find someone to compare with her, Sonic is compared to her the most.

Mulder: Come to think about it! Sonic's also both cute and cool at the same time and his eyes are so beautiful and scary at the same time too!

Peter: That's why I'm falling in love with her. Non-human like Punch's cold and empty heart but inside their heart are so warm.

Mulder: So you said Sonic's cold heart too?

Peter: Yes. Sonic's just a container once in the past. Enkidu told me about it. When Sonic awoke for the first time, he had lived as a doll until he began to create his personality by himself and desired to live. No more than emptiness, the nothingness. Just like Punch and Gil used to be.

Mulder: ...............................!!

Peter: I couldn't take my eyes off from them. Their emptiness. I never thought that they're like dolls but......their hearts are gold inside behind their eyes. That makes them different from others.

Mulder: So because of you make them feel that they're alive. Feel had a place to return. That's why that King Gilgamesh can't let go of his love for you.

Rather, he is the kind of person who pours his love into empty things, seeing life where there is none and hoping it truly will come alive someday. This makes him an appealing target for certain supernatural beings, such as the entity lurking in the Fujou building. Shiki then walks over to look at his lifeless body, noting that between the two of them, he’s now the empty one. After Shiki’s walk home, we finally arrive at the completely quiet scene. Despite the lack of any dialogue or music, the scene is anything but empty. That whole time, Mikiya was the pillar she leaned on while she worked through her trauma. They had been high school sweethearts before the accident. He visited her every week for two years during her coma, and when she woke up in grief, he stayed right by her so she wouldn’t feel alone.

The love That Peter feels(Including Syaoran and Danny too) for Punch and Gilgamesh is the same love as Mikiya Kokutou for Shiki Ryougi. And this is why Peter never left Punch and Gilgamesh alone, he stayed right by her so "she "Punch" wouldn’t feel alone.