Let me say only that I regret what I did to him. Had I been aware of the chain of events that would come to pass, combined with what I know now about my previous life, I would have never stepped foot on that island. I must put into account my journey, however, for I fear that further concealment of it will drive me quite insane.
"Seven, come here." A demanding voice echoed in the empty hall.
I turned slowly, reluctant to meet his cold countenance. For the entirety of the six months I had been resident in the Castle, the Superior had spoken merely four sentences to me, all of which included greeting or farewell.
"Yes?" I asked cautiously, matching his quick pace when he passed. From what I had gathered from my other five counterparts, long strides meant that he was deep in thought.
He smirked but hid it well. "After long discussion, we have decided that it is time for you to prove your worth to the Organization."
We have decided…so I had been the topic of at least one of their meetings.
"Oh?" My pace slowed slightly. I allowed a wary tone to tint my voice, which the Superior noted silently. "And what would you have me do?"
He nodded approvingly. "Obedience…a well-received trait. Very good, Seven." We walked in silence for several minutes. I began to think that the halls had been built long for the purpose of these conversations. "There is an island, not far from this world," he began, sounding almost amused, "that contains a being. This being would create a splendid Nobody."
I bowed my head respectfully. "You would have me convert this being?"
"Precisely." Xemnas allowed himself a smile before replacing the mask of authority. His gaze wandered to me, studying my face. "Do you remember anything about your life, Seven?"
I blinked, taken aback by his intense eyes. "I do not, Superior. Why do you ask?"
His sudden interest in my memory peaked my curiosity. I had previously thought that a Nobody possessed absolutely no recollection of his or her past life. Xemnas's strange behavior had begun to make me believe otherwise.
He waved his hand idly, dismissing my comment. "You may leave for your mission whenever you see fit." Handing me a piece of thin white paper, he continued down the hall.
I scanned over the document. It contained details on the island's location and the human that I was to turn Heartless. He didn't look a day over eighteen. I wondered why Xemnas would take interest in someone so young and inexperienced.
"First mission?" A heavy, sarcastic voice sounded behind me. I jumped. "Humph. I don't know why the Superior chose you for such an important task."
I turned and slightly inclined my head, as was expected of my position, though in my mind the arrogant lancer was already dead. "I am honored that he trusts me with such a duty, Three."
Xaldin grabbed the paper from my hands, dark eyes flicking from the text to my face several times before his mouth twisted into a smirk. "Ah, I see. He is from your island." He shoved the document back into my hands. "Good luck, then."
I opened my mouth to retaliate, but he only shrugged, pivoted, and headed on his way. I ground my teeth together silently, forcing my anger down. To exhibit my powers in such a place would only tarnish my reputation among the other members of the Organization.
Clutching my mission in one hand, I created a darkness portal with the other. Keeping the location of the island clearly in my mind's eye, I stepped into the shadows.
"Are you sure it was wise to send him for Ela?" Vexen, Number Four, commented from his throne.
Xemnas turned his head but said nothing, instead glancing to Zexion, Number Six. "Has he arrived at the village?"
"He has only just found the island, Superior. I am afraid he is quite inept in dealing with portals." The small boy replied dryly. "And I must agree with Four. Why did you send Seven on this mission?"
The six Nobodies shifted on their white marble thrones. Only Xemnas knew the true reason for my departure.
"Do not question my decisions." He snapped, clenching his fists. "I assure you, there is good reason for Seven to gather Eight."
Zexion folded his hands in his lap. "If our theories are correct and Ela produces a Nobody, he will rule over fire. That has been determined." He frowned. "So, Superior, would it not have been easier to send Four?"
"I repeat, Six, do not question my decisions." Xemnas's eyes narrowed, moving slowly over the others' faces. "Do any of you remember when I found Seven?" Murmurs and looks of discontent spread like a wave over the Nobodies. "He was dying on that island, abandoned by his own people. It was easy to relieve him of his heart. Do you know what he was babbling about while he was losing his memories?" Silence graced the throne room. "'Ela. Don't take Ela away.'" He mocked my innocent wishes, laughing afterward. "It will make both of them stronger – Seven and Eight – to be in such close proximity, seeing as they were together in life."
The hush that had descended on the six remained in place for what seemed like an eternity.
"So, this is yet another example of your warped sense of humor." Xaldin commented caustically, his deep voice resounding eerily in the room.
Xemnas looked disdainfully upon Number Three, tapping his fingers irritably on the marble arm rest of his throne. He said nothing.
The humidity alone was stifling, not counting the unbearable heat and lack of wind. Suddenly, for the only time I can ever recall, I wished for Xaldin or Vexen's presence. My standard-issue black coat, damp from perspiration and air heavy with water, clung to me uncomfortably; the hem seemed intent on hindering my movement by snagging on every passing root or vine. At long length I discarded it, hanging it over one shoulder.
The village was nearly in view. Tendrils of smoke wafted through a thin line of trees, which I began to traverse slowly in order not to upset the natives on the other side.
I spotted my target instantly. His long, flame-red hair and unusual face markings distinguished him from a crowd of people gathered around a large fire. He stepped forward, fanning the blaze with an outsized leaf. The others watched him almost reverently, their eyes wide and admiring.
It was then that I noticed the difference between him and his counterparts. The vast majority of the village possessed hair of a light blue; a small number of them had hair of silver, but none red other than Ela. I had no time to think on this, however, for they began to take up a low cheer, a chant if you will, and the cloth that covered the doorway to one of the houses was moved to the side.
Many young men exited the dwelling and approached the bonfire with gigantic slabs of rock. Women began to layer raw meat on the rocks, and then the men lifted the slabs above the flames with long wooden poles. The poles were then lodged firmly into the ground. As barbaric as they appeared – barely clothed with no cultured sense of culinary arts – they seemed to function as a group better than we did at the Castle. For that, I quietly praised them.