Slowly her eyes began to open. It happened in small amounts. Nothing more than a slip here and there until after several moments she forced a harsh blink, her blue-green eyes opening wide at the white ceiling above. She found herself confused, but not frightened. She maintained a calm composure as she looked around.
"Am I... Dead?" The girl asked.
"Not exactly," Zexion answered, "I'm certainly glad to see you are awake though."
She looked to him with eyes still as calm as could be.
"Where am I then?" She asked.
"It's a little difficult to explain," Zexion started, "You're in a place known as The World That Never Was. Specifically you're in the medical office in the laboratory wing of the castle that overlooks this world."
The girl sat up and shook her head, placing it in her hand for a moment.
"First off," She started, "That makes no sense. How can a world be if it never was? Second," She turned dangling her legs off the table, "How did I end up in some apparent 'other world' that I've never even heard of? I swear I was just..." Her voice trailed off as she looked down at her hands, suddenly feeling panic well up in her chest, "Wait, what was I just doing?"
"It's okay," Zexion said calmly, "It's hard to understand how or why you ended up here, but you're by no means the only one. There's a lot of us here and most of us were once in the same boat. You'll understand soon. Just take things as they are for now and in time your questions will be answered, okay?"
"I-" The girl grabbed her own arm with her other as she sit perched on the bed, "Okay."
Zexion smiled softly, "You're about to meet a man named Vexen. He's the one who fixed up your wounds. He's probably going to ask some questions about who you are and maybe a brief medical history. Just answer as honestly as you can with everything you can remember, but don't stress if you can't remember something. Often times your memory won't be great after first coming here, but eventually you'll remember."
The girl nodded silently.
Zexion left the room, entering Vexen's office.
"She's awake." He said with a sound of relief pricking into his voice.
"Oh, splendid!" Vexen smiled and grabbed a clipboard on his way out of the office. The two entered the small exam room where Vexen pulled up a stool beside the counter and Zexion sat in a chair opposite from the examination table.
"Hello dear, my name is Vexen. Do you know what your name is?" The older man asked in a polite manner.
"My name? It's-" She breathed in sharply. The girl who had kept her gaze in a downcast until now suddenly looked up to the older man, "I can't remember my name." Suddenly, she began looking around, tears welling up in her eyes as she began to fear what else she may suddenly be finding herself forgetting.
"It's okay," Zexion piped in, "You'll remember eventually. Give it time."
The girl looked at him and for the first time Zexion was able to fully see her eyes. For some reason the vibrant blue eyes suddenly made him aware of the world around him. Everyday his life had been the same thing. Eventually he had forgotten the number of days he spent inside this castle of Nothing. Eventually he lost track of his mission count. The number of books he'd read, the number of Nobodies that had come and gone through their ranks, all of it had disappeared in his day-in, day-out lifestyle without him even noticing until now.
He wasn't the only one who felt this feeling. When their eyes locked in that moment, the young girl suddenly stopped her sobbing. She caught her own breath and felt a sudden ease in her muscles. Maybe it had been the drugs in her IV or maybe it was the way that he breathed, but a sudden clarity passed through her body and she was met with a gentle yet cool composure. Suddenly, the girl breathed a relieved sigh and looked back to Vexen.
When she spoke next she was composed and polite. "I remember now," She smiled. "My name is Alice."
"Alice you say?" Vexen asked.
Alice nodded in return.
"Well," Vexen smiled "I think with that we can assign you your new name. Zexio-"
"New name?" Alice interrupted, "What new name? Why do I need a new name?"
"Upon entering our ranks," Vexen began, "You will be given a new name. We've all been given one. It will be an anagram of your original name with an X mixed in. This is because when you-" Vexen sighed, realizing he needed to explain deeper. "Actually, you're not aware of what has happened to you, are you?"
Alice shook her head.
"You've become a Nobody. Do you know what that is?" The blond asked.
"I've never heard of it," The young girl responded.
"A Nobody is a being who has lost their heart to the darkness, but also was strong enough to hold on and stay alive without it. You didn't completely succumb to the darkness, whatever drew it to you, but you also are no longer a person from the light." Vexen sighed, "It's an unfortunate thing that's become more and more rampant as of the last few years, but it's also something that cannot currently be helped more than it already is. But as for your new name you have met with the fate of being a Nobody of higher sentience, which means you will be joined with us in the ranks of the Organization. Everyone receives a new name upon entering our ranks. Think of it like a code name of sorts. It's what you'll be known as by the others here and those you interact with." The older gentleman smiled warmly.
"Oh, alright then," She said, a twinge of discomfort but understanding in her voice.
Vexen smiled and looked to the younger male who was sitting behind him. "Zexion," Would you like to do the honors of naming our new friend? After all you are the one who found her."
Zexion looked up in surprise at the older man.
"Are you sure?" He asked with a deep confusion, "You have a higher ranking than me and I don't have any superiority. Is it really my place?"
Vexen smiled.
"I don't think anyone will mind," Vexen laughed, "Xemnas sees it as a chore to begin with I'm sure he'd be fine with just about anyone but him doing it."
Zexion nodded and stood up. He looked at the young girl still sitting on the examination table. Slowly he raised his hand and slid it through the air gently. Between him and Alice appeared the letters spelling out her name. Zexion then moved his hand in a way that commanded the letters to begin moving. Alice watched in amazement as the letters began spinning around her until they reappeared in front of her in a new order.
"Celixa," Zexion smiled, "This is your new name."
The new Nobody looked up.
"It's pretty," She said with a smile. A moment later she realized she was no longer wearing her own clothes and looked to the men. "Where are my clothes?" She asked.
"I'm having them cleaned," Vexen said, "They were fairly coated in blood when Zexion brought you here. You probably won't find yourself wearing them very often anymore though," He looked to the counter, "I had Zexion grab you the standard issue uniform we all wear. When you're back into peak shape you'll be going on missions for us, and you'll have to take on the coat just as we all have."
"Oh, I see," Celixa said softly. She stared at the pile of clothes sitting on the counter for a moment before she looked back up. "Thank you, both of you. It has been a long time since strangers expressed this much kindness to me."
"It's no problem really," Vexen said, "Finding new recruits is part of our jobs after all. Right, Zexion?"
Zexion nodded.
"Well I'm grateful nonetheless," Celixa bowed her head to the older males, "Could I get this thing taken out of my arm and get up now? My legs are feeling kinda stiff" She asked with a laugh, nudging towards her IV drip.
"Are you feeling alright?" Vexen asked.
"The wounds still hurt a little, but I don't feel ill or faint by any means," She responded.
"Alright," Vexen said, grabbing a pair of gloves from the wall and unhooking the younger girl from the drip. "I still have some questions regarding your history, but they can wait until after you've had the chance to get dressed and walk around a bit."
Celixa nodded and bent, then unbent her arm a few times after being free from the tubing that had been attached to it. Vexen unhooked the other monitors from her, allowing the girl to slip off the bed and stretch out. She stood for a moment looking at the pile of clothes lying on the counter. Slowly, Celixa took a deep breath and exhaled.
'So this is who I am now,' she thought silently, closing her eyes for a brief moment before reopening them. 'Let's see how this life treats me.'
While Celixa was beginning to take in her surroundings Vexen began speaking.
"While you get dressed, we'll step into my office and get your room assignment. You'll be glad to know that due to our relatively small numbers you won't have any roommates. You'll have a room all to your own," Vexen smiled.
Celixa turned towards the voice with a warm smile.
"Well," She said, "That'll be nice."
"I'm glad," Vexen said, "Go ahead and get dressed. We'll be in the next room over when you're ready."
With that Vexen and Zexion left the room.
Celixa slid the medical gown off of her slender pale body, a small frown taking place on her face as she stared naked at the ground for a moment.
Celixa emerged from the exam room to find Zexion and Vexen already waiting for her. She was wearing the uniform she had been given upon her waking. The leather coat hugged her in her curves, but was still somehow loose enough to maneuver around in. It felt very different from the clothes she was used to wearing, but she liked the way it felt. Something about it just felt calming to her naturally anxious and analytical mind.
"How does it fit?" Vexen asked with a concern in his voice.
Celixa looked down and around her in body, doing a small twirl before looking at the blond with a smile.
"I like it," She said, allowing a relief to cross Vexen's face in the form of a warm smile.
"I'm glad," Vexen said, "It was a bit difficult measuring you while you were unconscious, so I was worried it wouldn't fit. What about the boots?"
"Those fit too. They're exactly my size in fact," Celixa stomped her right foot twice.
"Perfect," Vexen began jotting a few things down on a clipboard before looking back to Celixa and realizing something. "Crap," He said, "I forgot to have Zexion grab you some gloves."
"We'll stop and grab some on our way up to her room," Zexion said.
"Thank you, Zexion." Vexen smiled and jotted down some more information on the clipboard. "Now, Celixa, Zexion is going to take you to the Moogle counter in the dorm wing and then to your room for tonight. In the morning you will receive a wake-up call from either him, one of the superiors, or me. You'll have the opportunity to get some breakfast, and then you'll be brought to the library to begin the actual entry process for the Organization."
"Entry process?" Celixa asked with a concern in her voice.
"What Vexen means is that in order to be in our ranks we need to have a baseline reading regarding your combat and magic skills, physical and mental health, and your knowledge of varying subjects," Zexion clarified. "Think of it as a more in-depth doctor's visit followed by a test that doesn't effect your grade."
"Precisely," Vexen said, "How good or bad you do doesn't exactly matter, we just want to know where you stand and if there's any aspects you could use back up in."
"Oh," Celixa said, "That doesn't sound too bad."
Vexen nodded.
"Then I'll see you first thing in the morning?"
Celixa nodded.
As the two younger individuals turned to leave the room Vexen's voice suddenly rang back to them.
"Oh, hold on a moment," He said.
Zexion and Celixa turned in unison.
"You arrived here with some wounds. They didn't look terrible, so you should be okay to remove the bandaging come morning or if you need to take a shower, but if you notice them seeming painful or bleeding again please come back to me at once so I can rebandage them," He said urgingly, "In general if you get hurt please report to me so we can keep you in top shape."
"I will," Celixa said, "Thank you."
The two Nobodies exited the room and entered a white hallway.
"You'll be able to start finding your way around over the next few days and I'll try to give you a better tour sometime this week," Zexion said, "but I suggest you try to memorize the places we visit tonight. This castle is really large, and you'll need to know your way around soon."
Celixa nodded once more.
The taller Nobody began leading her down the hall and around the corner which lead to a room with many stairs. The room was surrounded in glass that showed the night sky beautifully. As Zexion lead Celixa down a short flight of stairs that lead to a landing she stopped suddenly.
"Hey, Zexion?" She asked shyly.
"Hm?" Zexion turned around, "What's wrong?"
"You're the one who found me and brought me here right?" Celixa looked him in the eyes.
"Yes, why?" The older boy asked.
"Thank you," Celixa said with urgency, "I'm grateful you found me."
Zexion felt a bright red burst into his cheeks.
"Oh- uh-," Zexion stumbled for words for a moment, "It's nothing really," He said, "It's part of our job, actually. You're supposed to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and should you find a suspected Nobody you're supposed to bring them here or alert superiors to take care of it."
"So it's our job to rescue other Nobodies?" Celixa asked.
"Well, yeah it's at least a part of the job," Zexion said, "Most of our job is just doing recon and killing Heartless, though."
"Heartless?" Celixa asked.
"You don't know what Heartless are?" Zexion asked in response. "What world are you even from?"
Celixa had a sadness wrapped in confusion glide over her face.
"I don't remember," she said, a sudden coldness in her voice.
Zexion swallowed hard, feeling a sudden awkwardness for asking.
"I'm sure you'll remember soon," The words came from his mouth without much thought as he looked down at the newest Nobody.
Celixa looked up to Zexion, with tears in her eyes.
"Do you really think so?" She asked with a painful hope in her voice.
Zexion nodded, "I mean most of us remember our pasts eventually. Being in this place gives you plenty of time to think."
"Thank you," Celixa said, "It means a lot."
Zexion nodded.
"We should uh, probably continue shouldn't we?" Celixa said, forcing a smile to come to her.
Zexion continued leading Celixa up the stairs in front of them. At the top, they took a turn into a large sitting room. Off to one side was a hole in the wall with a small furry creature wearing a black coat just like Zexion and Celixa sitting on the otherside. Zexion lead Celixa to the window and began explaining.
"This is a Moogle. You'll find them in the castle along with lower Nobodies handling chores and tasks, as well as maintaining uniforms and the store. They don't talk, or at least not in a language you can understand," He said, "You might also find them while you're out in the field. Treat them well and they'll take care of you."
Celixa bowed to the Moogle flapping his wings gently in the window.
"It's nice to meet you," She said with a nervous and surprised tone.
The moogle made a type of 'bloop' sound towards her and looked to Zexion.
"We need a pair of gloves. I forgot to grab her a pair when I got the rest of her uniform.
The moogle made a different sound this time. It was a type of 'whoo' sound before it disappeared behind a shelf for a moment. When it reappeared, the Moogle was holding a pair of gloves out to Celixa.
She took them and bowed.
"Thank you."
The Moogle bowed in return silently.
Zexion turned and walked towards a hallway with the younger Nobody following close behind as she put on her new gloves. Towards the end of the hall Zexion stopped in front of a room and pulled a card from his pocket, holding it up to a module on the wall. The module lit up green and the door slid up into the cieling, opening up to a moderately sized room. Everything was varying levels of white and light grey. The room consisted of a bed just barely larger than a twin size, a nightstand, a desk and chair, and a dresser.
Zexion stepped inside, Celixa following closely behind him. To the right wall from the door Celixa noticed a door.
"What's that?" She asked.
"Your bathroom," Zexion said, "Soap, shampoo, and conditioner are included and can be replaced on request of the Moogles. If you happen to experience allergies or other issues related to them you can ask for a different kind."
"Oh, cool." Celixa said.
"Oh, there's a laundry chute in there too. Your laundry will be done and delivered back to your room about once a week. There should be sets of shirts and pants in your size in the dresser. Vexen didn't invade your privacy enough to get your undergarments measured, so make sure tomorrow you let the Moogles know your sizes and they'll get you some" Zexion said dryly.
Celixa nodded, "Okay."
"Well, I think that's about it. Do you have any questions?" Zexion asked.
"Tons." Celixa said absent-mindedly.
Zexion chuckled a little, "I'm sure most of your questions will be answered tomorrow or in due time, but are there any you want to ask right now?"
Celixa sighed, "You didn't answer about the Heartless earlier."
"Oh, right." Zexion said, "In short they're beings of darkness that seek to steal people's light. They infest other worlds and have the ability to suck them into darkness. You'll learn more about them as time goes on and you start going on missions, but that's the basic gist. Anything else?"
Celixa stared at the floor with thoughts racing through her mind. She had a million questions she wanted to ask, but she wasn't sure she was ready. 'Maybe,' she thought silently, 'Maybe I should wait. Maybe I should see what happens next.'
"Celixa?" Zexion's voice startled Celixa from her thoughts.
"Oh, right, uh," Celixa scrambled to gather her thoughts before answering, "I think I'm good for now. It's not like I can't ask questions after my training if I have any, right?" She forced a strong smile.
Zexion nodded.
"In that case," he stepped towards the door and it opened, allowing him to step out and turn towards the teal haired girl, "Have a good night."
As soon as the words came from his mouth the door slid back into place leaving Celixa alone to her white world.
Zexion, now alone in his room, reached into his pocket and fished out the blade he had found on the ground beside Celixa. The young man looked at the blade, running a gloved finger along its steel edge. It was small but clearly effective in the right hands. Intricate desings were embossed along the short handle, but it felt natural to hold.
Just as Zexion was closely examining the weapon there was a knock on his door.
"Zexion, may I come in?" Vexen's voice called from the other side.
Zexion quickly stuffed the knife into his white nightstand drawer before answering, "Yeah, come in."
The door slid open and Vexen entered the room, the door closing behind him.
"I talked to Xemnas about Celixa. He's given both of us permission to use the next week for her testing and training, so your work load should be lighter than it has been," He said happily, "That being said would you mind waking her up in the morning? I'll need to get prepped for the base knowledge test and I think she would be more comfortable with someone closer to her age."
"Yeah," Zexion said, "That's no problem if I'm not going on missions and stuff. She seemed a little calmer around just me anyways."
"Excellent," The blond said, "I'll be in the library by about 9:30, but let her know she can take her time getting ready. I'm sure she'll still be overwhelmed come morning and maybe want a shower and something to eat."
Zexion nodded.
"Well, I think that's everything for now. I'll see you in the morning," Vexen said, excusing himself from the room.
Zexion nodded once more in his direction, breathing a sigh of relief and looking to the drawer that held Celixa's knife. He wasn't sure why he felt the need to hide it, but something inside him told him not to let anyone else know about it. He sighed and laid down in his bed, and arm across his forehead and his legs lightly bent as he stared at the ceiling. There was a strange feeling in his chest, but Zexion brushed it off as just the stress of suddenly finding a new Nobody. He closed his eyes and eventually drifted off to sleep.
