What You Don't Want to Know

The scent was unquestionably blood.

It hung in the air like an unwanted fog, clouding the senses with a metallic tang that Xemnas did not seem to notice. The red of the setting sun dyed shadows of the castle greeting hall in crass shades of crimson, a subtle insult to the beauty of the stone fixtures of the nigh ancient surroundings. The crisp footsteps of his slow, lazy pacing echoed, seemingly meaningless and yet all those present knew much better. None were fool enough to assume that this conversation had no point, particularly after such a painstakingly won altercation. Xemnas' golden eyes all but glowed, surrounded as it was by the vibrance of the sun, bathing his unreadable expression as something far more threatening than his usual deadpan.

Xaldin could not even begin to try to assess why the Superior's eyes were locked on to Lexaeus with a viscousness he could not pinpoint. There had been nothing to warrant it, nothing logical to justify, and no swaying emotions of the heart to excuse it. Before words were even uttered, the Lancer knew something was horribly awry. Even Saix seemed confused by the way he looked to his leader and then to the giant man in question.

They had been brought in immediately for questioning after they had dragged themselves out of the portal to Never Was from RTC. Nothing about it seemed normal as an exceedingly grim looking Saix had ushered them into a second portal of darkness, directly into the castle where they currently found themselves barely standing. Both needed medical attention, or rather, perhaps it was just the lancer at this point for Lexaeus seemed to stare evenly, if not a bit challengingly back at the leader.

"You survived." It sounded like an accusation to him. Perhaps he had imagined it, but there was a slight note of disbelief as those narrowed gold eyes stared up at him, searching his underling with a deft precision. The goliath did not even blink, despite the blood oozing down his harsh features. He did not seem to notice, and apparently cared even less. Somehow, Xaldin found that he could believe the Superior's incredulous reaction. He was surprised that they were even still alive, given the power of their opponents, and the insane expectations of the mission itself.

If it had not been for the Silent Hero's resilience and skill in combat, they would have both been torn asunder, with naught left but the memory of their intent, and the organization which they had so staunchly fought for. It stood true that both men had their hard won strengths in battle, and that even during the training of their youth, Aeleus could never muster up the crafty cunning nature which Dilan so easily boasted in overpowering his opponents, but not once could someone match his brute strength and ultimate willingness to memorize his opponent's weakness. This had always served to amaze Dilan. Now that they had lost their hearts to the darkness, everything had adjusted, shifted and so horribly changed.

Xaldin had never seen his former friend mercilessly bludgeon a man to death before this. He never wanted to see it again.

Lexaeus inclined his head in the slightest tilt of acknowledgement at their superior. His eyes were glazed with the adrenaline which was roaring through his system, blinding him to the pain, to the wounds, to the knowledge of who's blood was plastered all over his hands and dripping from his leather robes. The adrenaline unfortunately did not prevent the images from Xaldin's memory from assaulting him once again, he grimaced, shaking his braided head slowly. There was no trying to forget now, after all.

"What loyalty do you hold to me?" The question seemed a bit redundant, in retrospect, seeing as how they were both standing before him, nearly bathed in the blood of their enemies. Xaldin had no reason for dissent, given the power that he had been allotted by the darkness which had devoured their core, which is why the answer seemed to surprise him all the more when Lexaeus actually chose to spoke.

"None." The answer was immediate, as though it were a knee jerk reaction to something repulsive. Lexaeus, if possible, looked angrier, through his stoic silence. There was hatred in the way his hand slowly clenched, the uncomfortable squelch of blood between gloved fingertips.

"His life is on the line. You know the consequences." The pacing continued, as though it were a casual afterthought. Xemnas seemed unperturbed by the giant, and yet his eyes never left him. Overly careful, Xaldin noted. Apparently, Saix was doing the same, for he seemed to tense up least there be an attack. None of it was making sense.

"Your will was done. The mission was a success." Clipped, low, angry. Lexaeus' voice was barely contained in a soft rumble. It was almost as though the prospect of speaking to Xemnas disgusted him to the point of choosing silence in it's stead.

"Then they are dead?"

"All of them." The bodies flashed in Xaldin's memory. He had not known that he would have it within him to accomplish it. Yet they did; the both of them did…particularly Lexaeus.

"If you are to fail, or rebel, I will destroy him." Something about the Superior's tone was a reminder, the other half was an even threat. He was unblinking, those steady gold hue piercing through vulgar crimson like a spear.

"I understand." Again, an immediate answer without feeling, aside from the bitter loathing in his royal blue eyes and the creak of a clenched fist and the bloodied leather glove which it wore.

"I could destroy you." Oddly enough, this was not a threat. Xemnas was more filled with a lazy curiosity. "He cares so little for your devotion."

"It matters little. You have never encountered true loyalty. I don't suppose you ever will." It was the longest statement he had uttered since they entered, and it seemed to be the decided end to his contributions in their unconventional debriefing. Arguably, the Superior seemed to be rapidly losing interest with the proceedings nonetheless. He turned from the bloodied men as one might flick away a particularly dull insect. Lexaeus did not flinch, he did not move.

"Would you kill me if you could?" Xemnas' deep voice rang out in the hall, pensive if not a touch regretful. The question had not been expected, but as with all of the other answers from the goliath had provided, it was without hesitation.

"I would crush you." Barely contained rage was a tint in the air, more potent than blood, more threatening than the vivid red, more concrete than the entire enigma of the proceedings. Xaldin was certain that he would see his former friend die tonight, or perhaps even his Superior.

But, to his surprise, Xemnas waved them both away with an uncaring hand, his glance cast unreadably at the soaring stained glass window before them. Xaldin could not believe his eyes. Apparently, Saix shared his sentiments, for he did not dare move for a solid few seconds following the command. With an uncertain step forward, he cast Lexaeus an exceedingly wary glance and opened a portal for them both. The giant ignored him and in a frozen moment, Xaldin was absolutely sure that he would attack. Everything from the tense muscles of his neck to the dead set determination on his face seemed to promise one final battle.

But he seemed to think better of it. He swallowed his pride rather bitterly and turned to enter the alleyways of darkness before him, his movements stiff and carefully kept in check. With a small sigh, Xaldin shook his braided head slowly, utterly frustrated. It made sense and yet it didn't in the slightest.

On some level, truth be told, Xaldin didn't even really want to know.