Book 2 in the Knight's Title series
Chapter 1
Gathering
There is a place where time stops, where no one exists. Where everywhere you look is oblivion. It is a dark corner of the universe that few are brave enough to venture into. In this place is a city. This was a city that you would probably not find on the map. This city is illuminated with neon colored lights dancing in the streets and on the buildings. Buildings made of brick, iron, and steel. Empty. Uninviting. It is a carnival of lights, a dead-end Las Vegas. In this city is a skyscraper. A skyscraper so high, it has been legend to touch the very heavens. There is no visible top to this colossal building. The skyscraper is said to contain all the lost memories of the world. Good and bad. No wonder this place was located in a void. Below the skyscraper is a little town square. No one knows what it is called, but it has been known to be very silent in the area. So quiet, that it would drive any calm person into madness. Where is this city? No one knows. . .
In the town square, something was actually happening. A black portal was opening out of thin air in the town square around the skyscraper. For a moment, the portal just hung there in the air, something happening in the middle of the neon jungle of nothing. But then out of the portal walked a person shrouded in a black shrouded hood. Silver chains hung from its black garb.
"Where are you?" It was a man's voice. It sounded patient, but irritated at the same time. He seemed to be waiting for someone. Then two more black portals opened in the air and two more people in the same black hood and robes walked out into the neon lighted plaza. They too wore hoods, making their features unrecognizable.
"I'm here!" said a young girl's voice, waving her hand in the air. She sounded very excited. Noticing her exuberance wasn't welcome, however, she pulled herself back, biting her lip.
"Why did you want us here?" the first man said, his voice was sharp, and his arms were tightly crossed.
"Yeah, you interrupted my fun!" pouted the girl, leaning on the first man. The man turned his head towards the clingy girl and threw his head back in a laugh.
"Torturing another captive, huh Larxene?" The girl named Larxene giggled in agreement.
"But of course!"
"I never understood your cruel, masochistic behavior." The first man said to Larxene, shaking his head.
"They don't call me the Savage Nymph for nothing Axel." The man named Axel then jeered at her.
"I still think you're losing it," said Axel, staking a step towards Larxene, "I don't find pleasure in ripping off people's limbs, but I know you hunger for blood." The two stood face-to-face, trying to egg the other one on.
"Stop talking and smack me across the face like I'm your bitch,"
"Now why would I do something that you love?"
"Because if not I'll carve my initials into your abdomen"
"Big talk for such a little girl" he said, placing his hand on the top of her hooded head.
"That sounds like a challenge to me," she said, cracking her knuckles.
"Silence!" shouted the third man, "remember who's side you are on!"
"Yes Marluxia." Said the other two, composing themselves. They took a step away from each other and faced him, at attention.
"Now I brought you two here for a reason," said Marluxia with a grin, "I've come up with a plan to strengthen our organization. After toiling in this vast nothingness for what seems like forever, this plan can help us see the light, and maybe even boost us up the ranks. The task is simple, quick, and dirty. You two are absolutely perfect for the job. What with you Axel, and your fiery strength," Axel laughed at that remark.
"You got that right!"
"And you Larmalade, with your cruelty, and lack of empathy." Larxene giggled at that, but quickly
"Don't call me that!" Larxene spat at Marluxia, raising a fist as if about to pound him. Axel grabbed her hand and held her back.
"I wouldn't suggest that. You remember the last time you-"
"Shut up Axel! I wasn't going to kill him. Just put him in his place…" Larxene muttered, tugging her arm away from Axel's in a huff.
"And me," Marluxia continued, seeming to have willfully ignored the two, "with my, well, my special talents." Marluxia laughed. Larxene walked towards Marluxia, the lights from the buildings causing her shadow to engulf him.
"I'm sorry, why would we want to join you on this stupid escapade anyway?" Scoffed Larxene.
"Because," Began Marluxia, his voice booming, "don't you want the glory of ruling the world?! Of being human?!" Axel and Larxene thought about that for a minute. The two then bowed their heads in approval. Larxene rolled her eyes, unseen by the other two. Marluxia then pulled out a worn, wrinkled piece of parchment from the sleeve of his coat, and showed it to Larxene and Axel. The two read the paper over to themselves.
"That's it? You really take us for granted." Axel boasted.
"But I guess we will join your mission." Added Larxene.
"Good. Besides Axel, you can show them your full power."
"I would like that." Said Axel as he raised the palms of his hands. Two rings of fire circled around his hands. The twirling fire then turned into two spinning chakarams. The edges had sharp spikes jutting out of them. They were like two grisly saw blades, one in each of his hands. They glistened, ready to tear into flesh.
"And Larxene, you can do whatever you wish to the others. I know how much you like to play with your food before killing it." Said Marluxia.
"Sweet!" cooed Larxene as she held her hands to her chest. A dozen kunais appeared between her fingers. They were yellow, with serrated tips. Just one looked enough to shred through metal, let alone skin. She smiled, ready to use her beautiful knives.
"And I," Marluxia held his left hand out in the air. In a flash, a huge, faded pink scythe appeared in his hand. The handle was green, curved, and slightly taller than he was. The blade itself had the appearance of a large dagger, with a four-pointed, sharp shuriken holding the blade together, "I will KILL anyone in my way with no remorse what so ever!" Spat Marluxia. The three held their coveted, deadly weapons in their hands, itching to use them on their next victim.
"Well then, are we ready to go?" asked Marluxia. He looked to his partners, his subordinates, his allies for a sign of approval.
"Ready!" shouted Axel and Larxene in unison.
"Then we go!" yelled Marluxia, "TO KNIGHT'S TOWER!" And as soon as they arrived, they were gone, dissolved in the black auras of the night. The darkness swallowed them up as the portal disappeared. All that was left in the space of the city square was the humming neon of the skyscrapers. All else was silence.