"Roxas, I've decided to pair you with Lexaeus for today's mission. Come see me when you're ready."
The Silent Hero flinched upon hearing those words. He hadn't planned for accompanying the newest member of the Organization at all. As far as he was concerned, the boy didn't need any special training; Axel, Marluxia, Zexion, Larxene and Vexen had already given him enough training in the field. With a glance towards the Luna Diviner, he frowned. Since when did he become Xemnas' lapdog?
As Saïx walked off, the young Nobody meekly glanced towards Lexaeus, who simply looked back at him with a look of indifference; as is usual for Nobodies. Rubbing the back of his neck, the smaller Keyblade wielder glanced away from the bigger Nobody. The fact that Lexaeus was easily the tallest of the thirteen- or, to be precise, fourteen- was more than enough to intimidate him.
Scoffing, Lexaeus glanced towards one of the sofas in the Grey Area, where, sure enough, Zexion was sitting with his nose in a book. As Roxas still seemed a bit uncomfortable with the bigger Nobody, Lexaeus approached the Cloaked Schemer. "…yes, what is it?" Zexion mused, without even glancing at Lexaeus. "Don't waste my time with idle chatter."
"…Zexion." Lexaeus began, as he glanced towards Roxas, who had gotten dragged into a small conversation with Marluxia. "…you've heard the rumors?"
"Regarding number XIII?" Zexion mused, as he regarded a simply glance at the Silent Hero from the corner of his eyes. "It seems that the Superior has his plans for him, along with number XIV…"
"…strange. He hasn't told me anything about it." Lexaeus hummed, as he folded his arms.
"Strange; I'd assume that he would indulge you, at least. Vexen seems to know more about the two than you and me." Zexion said with a shrug, returning his glance towards the book. "Though… Vexen tells me that Xemnas might just tell me more of them…"
"E-excuse me." Blinking, Lexaeus glanced behind him, seeing the young Nobody look up at him.
"…I trust you're ready?" Lexaeus presumed, as the young Nobody nodded. "…I se. Go and have Saïx prepare a gateway. I'll be with you soon enough." With one more nod, the Keyblade wielder approached the Luna Diviner.
"…Limit Breaks." Zexion said, without even regarding Lexaeus a glance. "That's what you'll teach him today, Lexaeus." As he spoke, he closed his eyes. "…don't break him."
"…I'll be gentle." Lexaeus nodded, as he regarded a nod to Zexion. "I'll see you later, then." Then, he turned, and walked towards Saïx, who had opened a gateway of darkness, which Roxas already had entered.
"Numbers XIII and XIV…" Hearing that, Lexaeus looked towards the pink-haired Nobody, who was standing on his own by a table, chuckling to himself. "…how utterly fascinating…"
Lexaeus frowned. Out of all the Organization members, there were a few that Lexaeus didn't exactly trust… and Marluxia could possibly be the main offender in that area. He had this traitorous spirit to him… he'd make sure to keep an eye out on the Graceful Assassin.
Twilight Town's Sandlot. Lexaeus didn't know how many times Roxas had to be dragged into this area for his training, but Lexaeus didn't seem to mind. As the portal closed behind the two, Lexaeus glanced around the area.
"…so… um…" Blinking, Lexaeus looked down at Roxas, who desperately wanted to come up with a topic of conversation. If Lexaeus had a heart, he'd probably feel the same awkwardness that the younger Nobody did.
"…do you know what a Limit Break is, Roxas?" Lexaeus immediately said; for him, waiting to get information out of the way was a huge no-go. He always went straight on with business.
"…n-no?" Roxas uttered, as he tilted his head.
Lexaeus merely sighed at this. "A Limit Break is the most powerful move at your disposal; one that only works when you're on your last legs." he explained, as he folded his arms. He swore, if there was a way he could get back at Saïx for throwing him into this without preparation time…
At that point, erupting from the ground, was a massive, imp-like creature made out of nothing but darkness; a regular Shadow Heartless, whose power had increased tenfold. "…a Heartless." Roxas uttered.
Seeing this Mega-Shadow, Lexaeus hummed. "…time for some practical application." he hummed, before summoning his prized Axe Sword, Skysplitter.
Blinking, Roxas looked back up at Lexaeus. "…are you gonna-"
Before the younger Nobody could even react, Lexaeus mercilessly slammed the axe sword against Roxas back, sending him tumbling face-first to the ground. ...that should do it. the Silent Hero thought, weighing Centurion on his shoulder.
Breathing heavily, Roxas weakly got back on his feet, rubbing his back in pain, as he glared at Lexaeus. "…mutt muzz zat for?" he yelled; however, the massive impact had managed to rupture the boy's lips, tampering with his speech.
"…aren't you on your last legs?" Lexaeus mused, as he aimed Skysplitter at the large Heartless, who had become intrigued by Lexaeus' unorthodox tactic. "Now, I want you to use your Limit Break to destroy that Heartless."
"…eezy for u to suy!" Roxas grumbled, as he wiped blood off his lips, as he summoned his Keyblade; the moment he did, however, he stumbled forward, his legs trembling from Lexaeus' attack. Noticing the weakness in Roxas, the large Heartless immediately lunged for him, forcing Roxas to try and roll out of the way; he only barely made it away from the Shadow, however, causing it to rip a gash in his cloak.
Watching the fight, Lexaeus placed Skysplitter on the ground, before he folded his arms. …he's weakened… did I overdo it? he thought, as he saw that Roxas got up on his feet again, glaring at the Shadow.
Gritting his teeth, Roxas began focusing light around the Keyblade, which seemed t agitate the Heartless even more. "…Event… Horizon!" As he said this, Roxas leapt towards the massive Heartless, before rapidly slashing the enhanced Keyblade at the shadowy monster. In no less than ten seconds, the monster evaporated into dust.
As the Shadow vanished, Lexaeus clapped his hands together. "Well fought." he said with a nod.
Still breathing heavily, Roxas glanced at Lexaeus. "…yeah?" he uttered, before collapsing to his knees.
"…Organization members are often asked to conduct solo missions." Lexaeus began, as he approached Roxas, before handing him a small, green bottle with some form of liquid in it. "The only person you can count on out here is yourself."
Nodding, Roxas took the bottle, before gulping down its contents, the ruptured lip magically healing itself. "…so I've noticed." Roxas muttered, as he rubbed his neck. "…nngh…"
"…you and that Keyblade are invaluable to the Organization." Lexaeus said, as he helped Roxas get back on his feet, brushing dust off his cloak. "With your job, however, comes risk. Each mission will pit you against more and more Heartless."
"And I have to face them if we're gonna complete Kingdom Hearts, right?" Roxas said, as he looked up at the Silent Hero.
Lexaeus, at first, didn't answer, as he merely closed his eyes. "…correct." he eventually nodded.
Nodding, Roxas soon tilted his head. "…so… what happens when Kingdom Hearts is finished?" he inquired. "What good does that do us?"
"…we… will unite with it." Lexaeus muttered, as Roxas seemed to notice a small smirk cross the Nobody's lips. "You and I… will gain hearts of our own."
Roxas could only blink at this, as he folded his arms. "I don't understand…"
"When the time comes, you will." Lexaeus soon replied, placing a hand on Roxas' shoulder. "In the meantime, there are deeds to be done… and only you can do them."
"…so you need me." Roxas presumed.
Lexaeus blinked, before chuckling. …this boy… he's a sharp one. "…yes." he muttered with a nod.
"…these deeds…" Roxas began, as he looked away from Lexaeus. "…are they good deeds?"
Lexaeus hummed. Whether or not the Organization collected hearts for the purpose of being whole, there was no telling what they would need to do to obtain this goal… "…good for the Organization." he eventually said, before turning away, opening a gateway of darkness. "…we should return."
"…right." Nodding, Roxas walked into the dark portal, leaving Lexaeus behind.
With a small sigh, Lexaeus folded his arms. "…good deeds…" he hummed, before chuckling. "…I might have been wrong about the Key of Destiny… I'll need to see how he develops. It could be interesting…" With a nod, Lexaeus walked through the portal as well.