Disclaimer: i do not own kingdom hearts or its characters they belong to square enix
Axel awoke to the sound of soft rain hitting the surface of puddles and pavement. He opened his green eyes to complete darkness, nothing but black is set before him. Suddenly his sight began to adjust to the bright flickering light of neon signs. He could soon see the out lines of tall buildings, some completely illuminated on top.
He lifted his hand to shield his eyes from the neon lights, but only saw black mass mesh in with the surrounding shadows. He had not noticed that he himself blended in with the dark tone of the area, He and his black coat and gloves. His senses began to recuperate; for he could hear the sound of the rain hitting the surface of his hood, and the smell of cool fog.
Taking in full vision of his surroundings Axel knew he was in an ally. But where was he really? What town was he in and how did he get there? Axel looked to the sky and felt rain on his face. He could see a luminous glow from a moon, which showed no signs of a single cloud.
"What kind of place is this? Where am I?" He said into the muggy air.
-"In the world that never was."
Startled by the sudden answer, Axel jerked his head in the direction of the responsive voice. Straight ahead of him stood a figure enveloped in a black coat similar to his own. The voice was young and gentle as well as a hint of knowledge and sarcasm.
The voice was that of a teenage girl.
She reached out her hand, "Axel, you can trust me. I can help you if you let Me." said the girl, as a small dark cloth hung out from inside her hood.
Axel was unsure how to answer after being in complete shock from her sudden appearance.
"My name is Teyana. And -…"
A sudden movement of the head, a quick, yet silent jingle from the ties from her coat, and hurried foot steps told Axel he was no longer in her presence. She had disappeared faster than he noticed the second person in a black coat standing in the rain.
Axel placed his hands behind him; onto the wet ground he was sitting on and slowly lifted himself up, steadily to his feet. He tightly squeezed his hands into fists.
"Who are you!" Axel shouted at the dark figure.
The person stretched his arms out wide and backed away from the agitated voice, bowing his head and vanishing into a 10 foot portal of darkness. As the portal disappeared into the dark, shadows dispersed across the ground and harshly took form within seconds.
Black creatures with glowing yellow eyes and bug like movements slowly inched towards him, each one twitching its antenna and waving its claws, forming a circle around him. Then the glisten of a shinny object was spiraling out from the end of the short alleyway and caught Axel's attention. It was some sort of boomerang. It spun around decapitating the aggressive creatures turning them into a cloud of black dust.
"Axel defend yourself, concentrate!" an urgent voice shouted as the boomerang disappeared around a corner.
"Whos there?" Axel shouted back.
"That's not important. Those creatures are called the heartless. They'll be back in larger numbers if you don't…." the voice was cut off, Followed by the sound of slashing blades. "Axel hurry!"
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A burning fire began to grow with in him. "I'm sick of this! What the heck is going on around here?" with that he charged out of the ally way, his arms tense with anger. When he rounded the corner he saw a massive pile of heartless, a dog pile, on top of someone. An arm was flailing out of the living mob of darkness, trying to push away the heartless.
Axel faced the ground 11 feet away from the dark blob. His eyes flaring with burning rage. Suddenly he stretched out his arms on both sides of his body. A spiraling flame appeared at his shoulders and looped around his arms till it reached his wrists. Then two flaming rings formed with in his hands. Once Axel had a firm grip on the mysterious objects, he raised his head with fire in his green eyes.
With great force he threw the flaming rings at the increasingly large mound of heartless, transforming each creature into a puff of black dust. Soon there were only five heartless remaining on the person whose arm became limp from the pressure. It only moved a little hoping to find a way to completely escape from beneath the instinctive creatures.
Suddenly a firm yet careful grip formed around the hand and lifted it out of a thick black cloud. Axel gently lifted the victim to their feet, who was still in awe and confusion. He bent his knees and looked up into the person's hood. When his face inched closer he felt a silky fabric across his face. It was the girl from before.
clap, clap, clap
Axel quickly turned towards the sound.
"You!" He shouted.
Standing in front of another dark portal was the hooded man from earlier. Axel furiously threw his flaming rings at the man, only to have them shot to the ground by strange arrows. The man was holding an odd gun.
"Well, well Axel you've become a little eager. Maybe I should crush your spirit." The man said holding the gun straight ahead, aiming at Axel.
"Cool it Xigbar!" The girl said wisely. "That's no way to introduce your self."
"You're no fun Teyana." Xigbar said humorously.
"Well get used to it, that's how it's been and how it's going to be!" She said.
Axel stood still, with a blank look on his face, while to pointless argument continued.
"Will someone tell me what's going on?" He shouted at last.
Teyana looked at him, bowed her head and stepped into the dark portal behind Xigbar. But before she passed him she whispered something into Xigbars ear, and then faded away into the darkness.
"Axel." Xigbar said. "If you wish to get some answers, I suggest you follow me."
Then he faded into the darkness as well, leaving Axel alone in the rain. However, the portal was still open, beckoning for him to come forth.
Axel stood silently as the rain began to fall harder, staring at the swirling portal left behind for him. "Do I take this chance?" he thought to himself. Suddenly the heartless began to rise again. But these were much bigger then the ones from earlier. "Stay and fight by myself or go into the portal. Well I can't let these heartless get into the portal, it was not left for them…I think I'll take a risk." And he jumped into the portal, which disintegrated as soon as he passed through it, leaving no way for the heartless to follow him.
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Axel was blinded when he stepped out of the portal. When he could finally see, he noticed how the scenery had drastically changed. He was in a bright white hallway filled with three doors widely spaced apart. Each door had a silvery blue tint and a pure white symbol with a reflective surface. The symbol looked like four arrows going north, south, east, and west. But the one going south merged with a heart like shape with semi-circular chunks missing from the sides.
He took a few paces forward, his foot steps echoing loudly. When he passed the first door he heard another echo ringing down the hall, at least several different voices. He recognized one and it was Xigbars. So he walked quickly down the hallway trying to pinpoint the echoes origin. Soon a large double door stands before him, both sides with the same reflective symbol he had seen before on the other doors.
He gently pushed one door open a crack, just enough to see seven people in black talking inside. One did not have their hood on; it was a man with white hair and golden eyes. Axel then heard Xigbar refer to the man as Xemnas and the Superior. They were all sitting in white chairs each one a different height. He scanned the room once again and saw more chairs. But, that symbol was at the top of every one. "What is that marking supposed to mean, is it so important that it has to be every where?" he thought while letting out a quiet frustrated sigh.
"What are you doing?" came a whisper from behind.
Axel jumped around to face a person in black. It was Teyana, he was sure of it. He could remember the cloth, which still hung out from inside her hood.
"Well this is not exactly the best place to sneak around in Axel." She said. "You don't want to get on the Superiors bad side before you even meet him."
Teyana placed her left hand on his right shoulder and opened the door widely with her other hand. All the people in the room looked towards them as she led Axel through the large doors. He could feel their eyes upon him even though he could not see most of them. Especially Xemnas, who, was watching him closely. When he waved his hand the other six people left with no hesitation. They just vanished after a sheet of darkness enveloped them and faded away into the light of the room.
When Axel turned to face Teyana, she had disappeared too. All he saw was the last bit of darkness fade away. It was just him and Xemnas now.
The room became quite, an eerie quite. So quite that you could here the wisps of eye lashes when someone blinked. Axel stood still waiting for Xemnas to make the first move. He was afraid to get in the way of someone called the Superior.
"Axel", Xemnas said at long last. "I believe there are some things you want me to tell you." He said with a sarcastic tone. "And you're not going to tell me are you!" Axel stated rudely. "Wise, Axel, very wise. But I will not tolerate such attitude towards me!" Xemans then summoned the living shadows Axel had seen in the alleyway. The twitching black creatures remained at attention until Xemnas snapped his fingers.
SNAP
The heartless pounced, lounged, and crawled towards Axel. Scratching and jumping all over their target. Soon the heartless overwhelmed him, tearing back his hood and bringing him to the floor.
"This is a waste of my time Axel. I will let the heartless decide your fate." Xemnas said, without concern, from his tall chair. But before Xemnas was about to leave, he sensed a strengthening power rise in the room. When he looked at the pile of heartless before him, he saw a fire begin to grow beneath dark mass. The flame became vicious and wild the more it grew. That is, until all the heartless were engulfed by a raging eruption of flames. Every last one was incinerated in the room. When the smoke cleared, Axel was upright, his red hair beaming, and weapons at the ready. He was prepared to face Xemnas with everything he had.
An approving smirk appeared on Xemnas face. "Maybe you're not a waste of time after all. Welcome to the organization Axel, the flurry of dancing flames." With that said, Xemnas pointed towards the door signaling to Axel that he was dismissed.
Axel walked proudly to the door and then paused, "I still want some answers Xemnas."
Xemnas said nothing but, "Ask Teyana" and then vanished.
Axel walked through many hallways and corridors. He counted fifteen doors and assumed that one of the doors could be Teyanas. When he came to the end of a hall he walked through an open doorway out onto an outdoor stone staircase. Axel could see the world below. So dark and yet bright he thought. But what puzzled him the most was that there were no crowds and no streets full of people. He shook his head and the thought was replaced. As he continued he saw someone, at the top of the last flight of stairs, starring at the moon.
The man had blue hair and an x-shaped scar between his glowing yellow eyes. Axel crept up the stairs silently, while trying to breathe softly. When he reached the top step, the man shot him a swift glace freezing Axel in his tracks. "My name is Saix." He said suspiciously, His eyes wide and shifting with every movement from Axels red hair. "This guy is crazy!" Axel thought and then murmured quietly, "I think I'll be going now." Saix's gaze drifted back to the oddly shaped yellow moon. While Axel began to descend the stairs backwards, watching him carefully.
Saix ran his hand though his blue hair and grabbed a single strand, pulling it out making Axel wince. He let the hair dance in the wind, holding at the end so it would not escape.
"Like this strand I cannot feel pain. Like it, I have no heart." He said in a smooth interest alluring tone. Then, Axel's curiosity was hooked. "What do you mean by, you have no heart?" Axel said with inquisitiveness. Saix said calmly, "I don't have a heart. Just an empty cavern within, where the heart would have dwelled. The same goes for you as well."
Axel yelled, "That's not true, I have a heart!" Saix released the strand letting the wind have its way and turned to face him, positioning himself for the kill. "You don't have a heart! You only remember what it felt like to have one! Your heart is gone, what the heart feels is only in your memory! What you think your feeling is just your memory! You're a Nobody, and Nobodies lack hearts. You have yet to feel the emptiness within you; soon you'll crave the heart. Just like us all."
The short and crushing speech shocked Axel, chilling the burning fire deep inside. Then he saw a pink glow float up to the moon, a heart. The sight made him want to prove Saix wrong. He disliked him and even being in his presence. So, he looked the crazy man in the eyes to show him that his words meant nothing. When he saw the open doorway from the corner of his eyes, Axel then turned his back on Saix and walked through the door, leaving the Luna diviner behind. However, in his mind there was a doubt. "What if he is right?" Axel tried to forget the thought, but it would not leave his memory. It was like he had no choice but to give in to Saix message. "I will not let him win, even if I've got it memorized!" He thought loudly while clenching his fists, despising the man he had just met.
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Now on a new level of the castle, Axel sees a change of color. The hall is off white with steel like sheen. Also, there are five more doors all marked with the ever common symbol. Two of the doors lead into the same room. But, the other three had labels reading: research room 1, 2, and 3 over the symbol. The research rooms 1 and 2 were red in color, but research room 3 was a shinny light blue. This caught Axel's attention, drawing him to the door.
While standing outside research room 3, the squeak of an opening door shrieks through the hall. Startled by the sudden noise Axel jumps and spins around. A young looking boy, with unruly bluish silver hair over his face, appears in front of the double doors. He looked directly at Axel as if he knew of his arrival, a long time ago.
"You smell of twilight fire, we will fix that soon enough" he said prudently. Axel was puzzled by the boy. "What's your name, boy?" He asked, completely forgetting about the we will fix that soon enough comment. "They call me Zexion, and I just look younger than I really Am." the mysterious person replied. "I'm looking for Teyana. Have you seen her, Zexion?" Axel said while walking up to him.
Zexion's blue violet eyes drifted to the door behind him. "She also has a twilight scent; I believe she still is inside, for I can smell her." He said. Suspicious, Axel placed his hand on the door, gently pushing it open a slither. He pitched his head in Zexions direction and asked, "Where do these doors lead to?" Zexion, with a blank face, closed his eyes and leaned against the metallic wall. He spoke softly, "It leads to the Sparing Chamber."
"The Sparing Chamber," Axel repeated in his head, "Why would she be there?" He pressed onward though the door, abandoning Zexion in the hall. When Axel successfully cleared the entrance, the door flapped back and forth till its energy was spent. He gazed with astonishment at the size of the place. Its appearance gave off the impression of an arena. The floor was designed with ten different terrains: dirt, grass, ice, stone, tile, snow, sand, shallow water, and burning rocks. The last one was in a separate room made out of some kind of glass wall. It resembled a forest. There were trees and bushes every where, also roots and leaves scattered across the whole area. Its size was equal to that of the other nine terrains combined. Each individual floor section was marked with bright neon green boundaries.
Axel was impressed, especially with the fact that it all fit in the castle. Taking another look around, he saw cushioned benches out side of the flashy boundaries. He approached the bench in front of the stone arena and sat down. Axel was entirely oblivious to what was really happening around him. "The cloaked schemer directed you here, correct?"
Axel snapped his head to the left. A man holding a large blue shield sat next to him. "You mean Zexion, right?" he replied hesitantly. "Yes." The man answered while he pulled his long blond hair out of his hood.
"Vexen!" came a shout, over from the grass arena "Can I get some ice over here." Vexen let out a sigh and rose from his seat. Axel watched him as he walked over to a large muscular man with short spiky brown hair. The man held a large red and black sword on his shoulder while talking to him. "That thing must weigh a hundred pounds," Axel thought while Vexen gave the man his ice.
Suddenly a movement snatched Axels focus. That's when he saw two more people over in the tile arena. One was weaving back and forth on the defensive. The other was lashing out with six spears violently on the offensive. Their movements were fast and skillful. It was a miracle how they could stay on their feet or at least one of them, the person with the spears seemed to hover above the tile. The second person, dodging the vicious blows, was still wearing their hood, but the other one did not. He had black sideburns or markings on his face, also his black dreadlocks were tied up in the back while flaring in a mysterious wind. Swiftly the one on the ground lounged forward, hood flying back exposing the face. The person had blackish brown hair which became blond and then golden at the ends. It was long and straight, and fell below the shoulders. Also a single braid dangled from behind the left ear. Before Axel could see the face a black figure jumped in front of his vision. "Hi Axel, are ready for me to crush your spirit". That voice was familiar; Axel looked directly at the man and felt a nagging in the back of his head, "Xigbar!"
"I know you, your Xigbar!" Axel shouted, curtly, pointing his finger. "Yes, yes it is I the awesome Xigbar." he said derisively, raising his hands to his shoulders, palms wide open "But, you see, you need a sparing partner." "Why do you have one?" Axel grunted impudently. "Why, yes I do and his name is Lexaeus. You know that big man over there with the tomahawk, the one talking to Vexen." Xigbar said thrusting his finger in Lexaeus' direction.
The sound of boots impacting hard on tile, clapped through the room. Then a devious chuckle followed. Vexens stare fell upon the tile arena, with a concerned yet, here we go again, kind of look on his face. He jogged over to the area where the sound came from and paused outside the boundaries. "Xaldin, will you stop trying to kill every sparing partner you're paired with." Declared, a disappointed, Vexen. "I can't help it; I just like to stab things." Xaldin confirmed.
"Hey Xigbar, get over here! I'm ready start again." called Lexaeus. "I don't know how the Superior could give you the title of SILENT hero." Xigbar said back, while walking to the grass arena. Now that Xigbar was out of the way, Axel could see the commotion over at the tile arena. Vexen was kneeling on the ground while the man with the spears stood next to him. Not sure what happened, Axel dashed towards the two. Just before reaching them he saw Vexen turn his head to the left, "Xaldin you're done for the day."
Axel stopped behind Vexen as Xaldin walked off. "Ok he's Xaldin, so who is this?" he thought while beginning to peer over Vexens shoulder. The chilly academic snapped his head to the right causing his coat ties to jingle. Axel hesitated as if caught under a search light. Vexen leaned forward and stood up. He then extended his hand to help the person up. While doing so he said, "Next time try attacking close range and don't give him any slack." Axel stood motionless watching Vexen as turned around and went on his way. He felt chills roll up and down his back as his green eyes followed Vexen all the way to the grass arena, where Xigbar and Lexaeus were fighting.
"Axel?" a surprised and gentle voice whispered. Axel turned to the familiar sound, and looked at a young face whose eyes were covered with a black blindfold. "Teyana?" he said. "Yes" the girl answered. "What are you doing here Axel?" she said. Axel said, "Xemnas told me that you could answer my questions." Teyanas head dipped down for a moment while the braid fell out from behind her ear. "Well I'm not sure. But, I can probably answer some of your questions." She said, "Meet me in front of Research Room 3. Ok." Axel nodded "I've got it memorized." He then walked to the exit as Teyana disappeared into darkness.
Axel was back in the hallway. Zexion was gone, but Teyana stood out side Research Room 3. When he approached her, she placed her hand on the door and traced over the strange symbol with her thumb. Then a glowing yellow circle appeared around her hand as she pushed the door open. Teyana took Axels hand and led him inside as a bright light shown proudly.
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The light receded, revealing the interior of Research Room 3. Inside there was two shelves filled with notebooks, files, and possibly a few novels. They were all tilted or fallen over with some loose papers hanging out. The shelves were placed in the corner directly across from the room's entrance. To the right, there was the back of a white couch with a glass table in the front of the couch. The table was covered with hand written notes and photographs. Also, the room had a small bed in the back, a large computer resting on a tan desk, and a large widow overlooking the city below. With white rug flooring and blue walls the room felt fairly calm despite the mess.
Teyana released Axels hand and proceeded to the computer. As she switched it on, Axel began to wander around the room. He walked over to the couch and sat down in the middle, overhearing the rapid tapping of computer keys. Carelessly, he reached over to pick up one of scattered pictures. Before his fingers reached to glossy coating of the photo, Teyana whirled around in here chair and said, "Don't touch any thing!" Axels hand quickly retreated to his lap. "Teyana", he asked "I want some answers."
Teyana stood up and tucked the braid back behind her ear. "Well, I'll try to answer your questions the best I can" she said as she walked to the couch. When she sat next to Axel he could not help but wonder, "How can she know where she is or what she's doing, with that blindfold on?" He rubbed the back of his head, while choosing one of the many questions he had.
"Ok then. What is this place?" he asked facing Teyana. She had a serious look on her face. "Right now you are in the world that never was. This is the world where Nobodies dwell." She paused "However I don't know why we end up here." It was not the answer he expected but it would do. Suddenly Saix popped into his mind. "Do I have a heart?" he said. Teyana turned to the window, as if she knew why he asked the question.
"Saix said you had no heart, I'm sorry but he's right. As he probably told you Nobodies don't have hearts. What we have is the desire to become whole." she said calmly. By now Axel could care less about what he was, for deep down he already knew as soon as Teyana faced the window. "That symbol I've been seeing every where, what is it? He asked after remembering what he saw on the door. "It is our logo in a way. It represents Nobodies and the Organization." She said.
Axel noticed that he had lost interest in most of his previous questions. What he wanted to know was about Teyana. "I think I understand now" he whispered looking at his gloved hands, "But what about these abilities you and the others seem to have?" Teyana let out a sigh and said, "I can't help you with that question. Only Xaldin can." Axel was surprised; he remembered him, and his violent actions in the Sparing Chamber with her.
"Axel, you do not need to ask me any more questions. Hopefully, everything you want to know will be answered at the next meeting." Teyana said as if she was frustrated and wanted to be alone. "The next meeting will be very soon. I'll check to see if your room has been prepared." She said, "But, once you leave this room you will not be able to get back in. That is unless Vexen, Zexion, or I unlock it for you." Teyana pointed to the door signaling it was time to leave. Yet, Axel did not want to go; he still desired to get to know her. Sadly, he could tell he had no choice.
He lifted himself from the soft couch and Teyanas side, making his way to the door. While doing so he looked over his shoulder and noticed her, beginning to untie the bandana covering her eyes. When he placed his foot a step closer to her, he was suddenly sucked out the door by some unseen force.
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Teyana sat alone in the room, grasping the black bandana in her hands. Her eyes fluttered open ready to face to light of the room. They withheld the color of both young and adult wolf eyes; blue blended with gold and gold blended with blue creating the mind piercing stare of a dangerous creature. Many could only glimpse and turn away quickly, while others faced it trying to resist the shunning urge. Either way the mind could still be entered. Teyana knew that none could look her straight in the eyes without an internal or mental struggle.
She rapidly placed her hands on both sides of her forehead, harshly squeezing her eyes shut, and dropping the bandana to the floor. A pain was shuffling through her mind, electrocuting her memories trying to bring light back upon her forgotten past. She let out a pain ridden gasp, gripping her head tighter as the shock progressed. Every time she met Axel face to face, the pain of forgotten memories roamed in her mind until she had to be alone long enough for it to subside. "Why him?" she panted softly while the anguish receded. Teyana removed her hands from her head. Her hair was ruffled in the front and clearly visible, red marks covered the sides of her face. Her hands shook a little as she reached for the bandana. Retying the black cloth over her eyes, she thought, "Maybe I should stop resisting it. Maybe it can reveal something important, something important to my past and possibly my future."
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Axel stood silently in the hall, discouraged about her sudden actions. The annoying squeak of the Sparing Chamber door rang in his ears. He saw Lexaeus and Vexen move down the hall to the staircase he had gone up earlier. Also another came out but with their hood on, only he made his way towards Axel. When in front of him, he pulled back his hood. He had a scar on his right cheek and an eye patch on his left eye, his right eye was yellow and fully in tact. "Hey, Axel" Xigbar said, "It's time for the meeting. Wipe that look off your face and let's go!" It was obvious he was in a hurry and did not care how nice he was acting. Axel shrugged his shoulders and walked next to him. Xigbar stretched out his arm and opened a dark portal as they proceeded. "When will I learn to do that?" Axel thought as he faded into the dissipating portal.
With Xigbar at his side, He walked out into a familiar room. Looking at the intimidating white chairs, he saw six recognizable faces he had commited to his memory, including Xigbar who had just propped himself in to a chair. In the second highest seat sat Saix, next to him was Zexion, whose chair seemed to be three feet shorter. The next three, Vexen, Xaldin, and Lexaeus were seated in a row. The last one was Xigbar who had Lexaeus to his right and an empty chair to his left. In the highest chair to the right of Saix, a dark portal opened and then closed revealing Xemnas upon his tall throne.
He counted seven, they were all there. Axel scanned the room once more, feeling as if something was missing from view. As he cocked his head towards the large white doors, he realized that Teyana was not present. Suddenly, Xemnas boldly announced "Axel, reveal your weapons." He whipped his head around causing a sharp pain to form in his neck. Xemnas said again, "Reveal your weapons before I send heartless to make you show them!" Taking a deep breath, he lifted his head high. Axel knew he could not call the weapons forth he had tried when Xemnas mentioned heartless. "Hey Xemnas, I think I need a little persuasion." he said mockingly. Xemnas yellow eyes grew shallow and dark. While he out stretched his hand, Xaldin threw down a spear from his high perch.
The spear flew so fast and accurate, that it took a sliver of red hair with it. Feet paralyzed arms dormant, and eyes slowly and shakily drifting towards the whirl wind lancer. Xaldin had a grin on his face. Not a joking grin or an authority smirk, but a devious destruction lust smile. The knife obsessed tornado levitated over his seat and then glided down to the floor, hovering just above the tile, with in but a few feet of his target. He veered his head toward Xemans looking for an approval. Just seeing the beginning of a nod, Xaldin began to call upon his six deadly lances. By the time Axel saw the completion of Xemnas nod he was struck beneath the eyes by two spears, which rapidly fired down from above.
Two thin streams of blood trickled down from the deep flesh wounds on his face. Tiny embers started to appear, drifting off the ends of his spiky red hair, flashing bright orange, red, and yellow. Zexion could smell the fresh odor from the crimson rivers; it was pungent and distasteful to his senses. Saix on the other hand was fascinated by the dancing sparks emanating from Axel. It was all happening within seconds of Xaldins first blow.
"Common you flaming Carrot top!" Xaldin taunted from afar, "your just another worthless Nobody, you can't even fight back!" As he spoke, the tiny embers grew into fiery leaflets. Axels head faced down, while dogging Xaldins swiftly jabbing and lounging deadly sharp spears. His foot steps became quick and precise, feathery, hardly touching the ground. He jumps back and corners himself between the white doors and Xaldin. Suddenly a wall of fire forms between the widely spread leaflets, encircling Xaldin. Every time he tried to blow it out, the fire just kept burning strong. On the outside Axel still faced the ground gathering the power of fire within. The pure raw energy began to form at shoulders. The flame became visible as it traveled down to his wrists. However no one could see past the burning wall.
Lexaeus leaned forward in his chair. Looking for a hint of Xaldin or Axel, nothing could be made out from the ever changing appearance of the flames. Zexion could still smell the blood from Axels face and Vexen was ready to extinguish the flames with Xemnas command. Everyone sat eagerly waiting for the battle to finish, but it had just begun.
The two spike covered rings formed in his hands. They fit perfectly in his hands as if made just for him and only for him. His arms were positioned behind him as he jumped through the fire wall with a great leap. His accuracy was flawless for he hit Xaldin from behind, knocking the gale man to the ground. By the time Xaldin was back on his feet Axel had already disappeared through the fire again, but this time Xemnas could see him. The superior tapped his fingers on the arms of his chair waiting for Axel to do something. The flurry of dancing flames finally lived up to his title for the tile floor took on a lava like appearance and the rings sprouted spurts of fire. Burning hot within the ring of fire Xaldin began to use his power of wind to keep himself cool. But it did not help because Axel jumped him yet again causing the spears to go flying through the fire landing in the wall and chairs. Three of the spears nicked Xigbar and Siax in the shoulder and lower legs.
The wall of fire began to die down. Axel stood over Xaldin, panting, still holding his weapons. Xaldin wobbled to his hands and knees his dreadlocks overshadowing his face. He looked at Axel through the corner of his eye and out stretched his hand summoning a spear which dislodged itself from the wall. It came pummeling towards Axel when suddenly Xemnas jumped down from his chair and deflected it with his glowing red blades "Xaldin, do not disgrace your self even further, return to your seat, this squabble is over."
"Axel" Xemnas said, "You can now open portals. For, you have proven your self worthy to hold those Chakram, flurry of dancing flames." Every one watched as Xaldin crawled to his seat. He gave them a menacing look, "It was harder than it appeared. I could not change the course of those chakram no mater how powerful the wind." After that he sat silently cooping with his defeat.
Axel twiddled the chakram between his fingers, rocking it back and forth. With confidence, he looked at Xemnas, ready for anything else he could throw at him. The superior remained calm seeing Axel as a minor threat as he turned his back to him. While he returned to his seat he said, "None of us can really remember who or what we once were before we became Nobodies. We start with a blank slate in our memories, ready to be filled once again but with new information. You will find most of the answers you seek without asking, as time progresses. When you can put the pieces together you will understand what you want to know." When he reached the base of his throne, he turned to face Axel and announced, "This meeting is over. You may return to your personal plans. But I need Siax and Lexaeus to stay here, I require your talents."
Zexion covered his nose with the black sleeve of his coat, as he disappeared in to a portal. Vexen, and the humiliated Xaldin also engulfed themselves in darkness and left the room.
Xigbar jumped down from his chair and walked towards Axel. "I'm impressed" he said as he placed a hand on Axels shoulder, "Xemnas must have been convinced enough to end the meeting that quickly." The pair of chakram faded from his hands as Xigbar led him through the scorched doors. As they proceeded Xigbar stopped a few paces behind Axel. "Now then, let's see you open a portal" Axel looked at him blankly, "that's right Xemnas said I could open portals now." He said realizing what had just happened. Xigbar tilted his head with a smirk which motioned him to go ahead.
Axel stretched out his arm and closed his green eyes, trying to concentrate. It took a moment but when he opened one eye he saw a shadow form and burst upward, wisps of darkness fanning outward. A small bead of sweat slid down his cheek, falling alongside a blood droplet. The portal was large and swirling as Xigbar passed ahead of him saying, "Not bad for your first time" Axel trailed behind him as he vanished into the darkness.
They came out in front of the Sparing Room. Xigbar progressed further towards the research rooms. Axel called out, "Hey Xigbar can I ask you about Teyana." The one eyed man turned his head whipping his black, gray, and white striped hair to his opposite shoulder, "Yes." He replied stopping in front of Research Room one. "Well why wasn't she at the meeting?" Axel questioned. Xigbar let out a sigh knowing that he would have to explain it anyway, "It's because she is not organization member like we are." he said, "You see Axel; she is but a spy for the organization, not to mention our master of interrogation. So she gathers most of the information for us." Satisfied with the surprising information, he questioned further, "Then why is she not a member like the rest of us?" Xigbar raised his hands to his shoulders and said, "Only Xemnas knows why that is so." He paused, "Maybe Teyana can fill you in." Xigbar then waved his hand at Axel as he ventured down the hall, leaving Axel in front of Research Room three. "By the way!" he shouted, "You're rooming with Teyana!" Axel gazed at the blue tinted door. "Well, if I am rooming with her, how am I supposed to get in?"
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Rain pattered against the large window in the back of Research Room three. The drops smeared down the glass as they continued on their way to the city below. The lights were blurry from the pouring rain and fog, for only the slight changes of the neon colors could be made out from the castles height. Yet the mysterious sky remained clear around the moon. A bolt of lightning struck in the middle of the city followed by a large crash, which caused some books to fall off the shelves.
Teyana moved from her computer work and comfortable chair to the scattered paper mess below the bookshelves. Suddenly an outside breeze roamed across her forehead. She turned to see Axel in the door way. Teyana stood up quickly and shouted "What are you doing here!" He placed his hand behind his head and said "well I guess were rooming but you don't need to be so harsh about it." Teyana looked at him with a struggling look on her face, "Its not that its….." she shuddered grabbing her head, letting out a painful gasp as her knees gave way bringing her to the floor. Axel was stunned he could not move. Teyana thrashed her head gritting her teeth until at last her head fell to one side. As her body began to fall to the floor Axel dived across the white carpeting and caught her by the shoulder. A few drops of blood fell from his face staining the floor after impact, but that was not important.
Teyana was out cold. Axel leaned her head up against his chest as he slowly and carefully, maneuvered his arm beneath her knees. He then wrapped his other arm around her back, just across the shoulder blade, gently lifting her up while her head fell to rest on her chest. Axel carried her to the small bed next to the window, and laid her on her side. When he removed his arms she rolled to her back and remained there motionless.
He waited five minuets, but there was still so response. Axel looked at her lying still in her black coat. His eyes drifted to the black blindfold over her eyes. He wanted to see her entire face, the desire was overwhelming. He knelt at the side of the bed and located the ties which hung over the edge. Axel then followed the dark fabric to the knot, while gently lifting her head. He managed to untie it without pulling out any of her hair. As he laid her head back down, he pulled the cloth out from under her head. The bandana slipped across Teyanas face until Axel held it in his hands.
Axel gazed at her face; he saw no scars or markings, not anything worth hiding. He walked to the couch and sat down on the cushions. He wondered of the reasons that could leave her to cover her eyes, but nothing came to him. When he looked down at the photos on the glass table, he noticed that some were hand drawn. Axel marveled at the images until an hour passed, then he nodded off into the couch. However, the blood from his wounds still trickled down his face. Suddenly, he heard movement and sat up quickly.
Teyana rested her hand on her forehead, her eyes barley open. She felt the skin on her face, which should have been covered by the bandana. She groaned quietly, "where is my bandana?" Her eyes were wide open as she sat upright. She turned her head and caught Axel in her sight. His eyes grew large and startled, to her, the beginning of a familiar out come. Swiftly she turned her head toward the window and said, "I'm sorry you had to see it. You see everyone is paranoid about it, that's why I wear the bandana. I'm sorry but there's no way for me to control its affect. I'm sorry" she was cut off, "Don't be sorry, just let me see you eyes." Axel said calmly. Teyana froze with astonishment; he did not go silent and walk away like the others. "You can look me straight in the eyes?" she said. Axel responded, "Of course I can. Why am I not supposed to?" Teyana turned to face him, her eyes glowing brightly. She looked into his green eyes as he looked in hers. She saw no struggle and no panic, just person looking back at her.
Axel rose from the couch and moved towards her. When he stopped in front of the bed he put out his hand. She never took her eyes off of his, as she took the offer and was brought to her feet. Teyana noticed that she felt no pain in her mind, sure there was something nagging to be known about, but it was no longer painful. A smile formed on her face as the thought of someone actually being able to look at her eyes roamed in her new memories. Axel called her name softly, and the smile faded away.
She felt something wet drop on to her face. She wiped it off and saw it was blood. When Teyana looked up at Axel she saw the two red rivers drifting down his cheeks. At first glace she thought he was crying scarlet tears. However, she noticed the openings just below his eyes. She moved over to her desk and took out a brown cloth from a small draw. She then motioned for Axel to come over, as another flash of lightning burst into the city
Teyana placed her hand atop of his right shoulder, and gently dabbed the wounds clean. Axel winced as the dirt colored rag dug deep into the cuts. When she finished she said, "Axel, these wounds are too deep so there not going to completely heal. But you now have your first battle scars." She gazed at the now dark purple, triangular scars on his face and gave a quick yet short lived smile, "I want you to go and find Vexen and tell him that you need some ice. Those cuts will continue to bleed unless you put some thing cold on them." She said as the thunder shook the glass window, bringing a slight rattle to the silence of the room.
Axel looked down at her face. She was at least six inches shorter than him. But for some reason he could tell that there was more to Teyana than meets the eyes. He held out her bandana which was too dark to see any thing through. She took the cloth from his hands and said, "You can actually see out this bandana. For it has a special magic upon it which allows you to see things as you would in a dream, see things though the darkness." Axel face became blank, "I don't understand?" Teyana closed her eyes and smoothly answered, "I'll explain it differently another time. But you have to go get some ice." And with that Axel left the room in search of Vexen. But he now learned how to get back in the room, just trace the symbol.
Claimer: I do own Teyana
Next chapter includes the arrival of Demyx