Here we go, chapter two! Hopefully this will give you guys some knowledge about the world, you'll get to see the other members really soon. Some will get more face time because of their popularity, but the most will be one member I'm starting to really like. I think his personality is interesting and his way of words are excellent. He's also not that big on formalities. That should give you a little hint. ;P
Special thanks to: XIIIXV, Karma's Slave, and MonMonCandie for your wonderful reviews! And everyone else who favorite or alerted my story. Much appreciated. :D
Writer: Terra ForceXIII
~*~ Wearing Black ~*~
Chapter II: Fitting into Place
Roxas took a step forward, a chill running up his spine as his leather shoe echoed throughout the room. The floor was clear as ice, pale stone glistening with gray designs that stretched across the room. The chandelier was magnificent in appearance, the onyx metal branches bearing clear glass plates with diamonds shaped like candles. It was black and pure white, the lights around the room reflecting off its beautiful surface that made it glow extravagantly.
The walls were clear black as well, Roxas able to see his blurry reflection when he glanced to the side. He marveled the twin statues towering on opposite sides of the walls. They were like fallen angels, there large arms pressed against their chest as their hands connected into a prayer. Their empty eyes looked down at the other members sitting in the table, perhaps wishing salvation on their sinful souls.
The table which the other members sat at was long and stretched across the other side of the room. The metal table was as dark and clear as the chandelier, the middle part being glass. The other members sat in fancy black wooden chairs with unique designs that shaped them and the armrests. Two of each sat across each other in a synchronize fashion and it ended with one man sitting in the far end across from Roxas. He couldn't help but notice an empty chair to his left, wondering if this was his own.
The room was slightly cold; giving Roxas goose flesh that prickled the inside of his suit. He walked in a straight line with his steps echoing embarrassingly. If anyone didn't pay attention to his presence, his footsteps would tell them immediately.
He stopped at the end of the table, his azure blue eyes staring diligently at the man across the room. If he could guess who was in charge, this intimidating man would be it. The man seemed big in stature, even if he was sitting down. His skin was tan, complementing his long silver hair that reached to the back of his neck with bangs shadowing his eyes. He had a handsome face, but it was clouded in a serious frown and piercing eyes.
The man's suit was black and unbuttoned, parting to the sides under his arms and disappeared beyond where anyone could see behind his side of the table. His undershirt was a pale shade of lavender with a plum colored tie, his collars pulled back around the tie that looped around his large neck. He had three buttoned cuffs, the sleeves of his undershirt appearing out of the open slit of his cuffs. His shirt had one right pocket and was tucked under his black pants and belt. And finally, a silver ring with a sapphire jewel around his left ring finger.
A personal keepsake, Roxas thought.
The silver haired man was silent, like a predator examining its target for any weaknesses. Roxas took a quick glance around the other members, noticing how different each individual looked from the other. They all seem to have different personas, all wearing suits that mirrored their personalities. Some stared with unfriendly gazes while the others paid no attention to him, he can already tell that he was alone here.
The silver haired man leaned forward on the table with his hands interlocking under his chin, the reveal of his piercing ember eyes startling the youngest member. When he spoke, it was like a heavy blow into your soul and it reminded you of your fragile mortality instinctively.
"Mr. Edwards… I would like to welcome you into our hospitality," the superior spoke subtly. "I appreciate your acceptance to join our organization; I can assure that you won't regret it."
Roxas would rather not think about what would've happened if he said no, didn't even consider no as an option. It was either join a powerful company and live a dark life of business or simply get a shot in the back. His father always said to choose the ladder, not the dead end.
But Roxas wondered if he'll have to present his gifts to prove his worth, hoping that his powers weren't a dead fuse that lost its spark years ago. And there was no way out; twelve gifted people with years of experience versus one with little to no skill at all. It was like putting a puppy in a cage with fighting dogs.
Roxas refocused his attention back to his new boss, watching as he leaned back into his black chair. "As a member of the Black Wolf Corporation, you'll receive special privileges and commendations during your employment. While you're here, you'll be trained to master your gifts for the benefit of the company."
The man gestured to the table in front of the new member, Roxas glancing down to see a shimmering ring in front of him. He picked up the ring and marveled its craftsmanship, turning it slightly to see twin engraved wolves circling each other in eternity. The ring was thin and pure gold with a red gem in one wolf's eye while the other had a blue gem, like opposites coexisting.
"This ring is enchanted with old magic, a small remnant of the past," the superior continued. "It regulates the inner power within you and helps store it until you need it most. It's also the symbol of your loyalty to the company, so I would not recommend losing it."
Or I'll lose my life in the process, Roxas guessed. He heard stories when he was little about ancient objects that assisted the gifted centuries ago, when almost everyone was gifted in a way.
But they've been destroyed after the cataclysm of the war between gifted families that nearly shattered the world. The remaining groups helped heal the world and separated into factions known now as the seven corporations, businesses that hold the remnants of the old world. The calamity happened a thousand years ago, humanity has thrived and adapted to the new order of things. The corporations rule everything, like dynasties.
Roxas looked up at the shadowy man across the long table, giving him a determined frown before fitting the ring on his right middle finger. The ring felt slightly cold, but the heat from his aura slowly warmed it. He felt strange, like the pressure was lifted off his shoulders and he could think clearer. Was it the ring? He turned the golden ring around his finger and noticed a faint glow around it, figured it was sucking up his energy.
"You are now the thirteenth member of the Black Wolf Corporation, young Edwards. I look forward to seeing what you'll bring to the table in the near future," the superior announced, standing up with his hands firmly in his pockets.
Roxas was stunned to see the other eleven members standing before him in seconds after their boss, feeling quite small when he noticed everyone else looking down at him. They said nothing, only giving him the gesture of acknowledgment which was standing before him.
The silver haired leader looked at the man nearest to Roxas. "Axel, would you mind escorting him to his room?"
Roxas looked over at the red haired member beside his chair, noticing how different he looks from the others. He had a slick unprofessional appearance around him, with half lit emerald eyes and a frown. He was thin and tall, wearing an unbuttoned black suit that hung loosely around his skinny body. He wore a white button undershirt that wasn't tucked under his black pants, which added to his carefree persona. Two of the top buttons of his shirt were undone, showing his collarbones.
Axel looked back at Roxas with one raised eyebrow, giving a low huff before looking back at their leader. "Sure, no problem." he answered.
Axel left his seat and walked past Roxas, placing a hand on his shoulder. Roxas flinched from the red head's touch, feeling as if his scorching hand was burning through his suit. Do other gifted people give off strange heat? He wondered if his touch was the same, he remembered some people questioning his parents if their son was having a fever. He especially remembered one of his ex-girlfriends admiring his warm touch, but Roxas would rather not think of those memories right now.
"Come on, kid," Axel said. "Let's leave this gloomy place."
Roxas proceeded to follow him back to the elevator, glancing over his shoulder nervously to see the other members waiting in silence. They were probably waiting to discuss about him once he leaves, hopefully things not having to do with killing him in his sleep. Roxas entered the elevator with Axel and watched as his fellow employee pushed the eighth level button, the circular button flashing yellow before the metal door closed.
Roxas hoped he could get to his room in silence.
"So what's your name, kid?" Axel spoke immediately.
Apparently, that's not going to happen.
Roxas looked up at the man beside him, receiving a sly smirk from the red haired adult. "Huh- Roxas, sir… Roxas Al Edwards." He stuttered.
"Sir?" Axel let out a chuckle before answering. "No need to call me that, just Axel is fine with me. Got it memorized?"
Okay, just Axel then? Roxas returned his gaze back to the elevator door, hoping that this man get's the hint that he doesn't want to talk. But convenience wasn't on his side today.
"So what's your gift, huh?" Axel pursued, unnoticing the annoyed eye roll from the blonde.
"I- huh… can bend light," Roxas muttered. "I can form things out of light."
Axel whistled, either in amazement or sarcasm. The elevator stopped suddenly and opened, Roxas being the first one to walk out while Axel casually followed. They entered a long maze of hallways, with sand colored walls and dark colored carpets along the floor, orbed lights guiding them on the ceiling as they walked in silence.
A man wearing a dark plated armored suit walked by, quickly bringing his fist to his heart and bowed as Axel went by. These must be the personal guard, Roxas thought. They serve under the leader and the other members, practically Black Wolf's private army. Roxas wondered if they'll stop and bow to him when he walks by, but he guessed that they'll more than likely stab him in the back than to give him their full allegiance.
After a minute of walking, they stopped at a wooden door with a roman numeral thirteen written in golden letters. Roxas waited for Axel to unlock the door and open it for him, but the red haired man only stared at him with a blank expression. Did he expect him to have the key?
Roxas swallowed a lump in his throat before breaking the silence. "So… this is my room?"
Without warning, Axel flung him the key. Roxas gasp and caught the key with both palms, earning a playful chuckle from the red haired member.
"Don't be such a stiff, kid," he mentioned, his hands returning to his pockets. "You'll live longer."
Roxas sighed and turned towards the door, hearing the clicking sound as he turned the key in the hole. He looked back at Axel, giving him a questionable look. The red head got the message and raised his hands mercifully, casually walking by without a word.
Roxas waited until he turned the corner before opening the door, making sure the wooden door was locked before heading any further. His mouth went agape when he witnessed another door in his path, a large metal door that looked like a safe. Roxas was in a small white corridor with only him and the two doors on opposite sides.
What now? He wondered if he'll need another key or something. He'll be a laughingstock if he crawls back to the other members and asks what to do.
The spiky haired blonde slowly moved forward until he faced the massive safe door, trying to figure out what to do next. There weren't any handles, buttons, or even a keyhole. He placed a hand on the cold surface and felt a tremor under his feet, hearing gears working inside the safe door and the walls around him. He pulled his hand away in fear, like something would snap it off if he didn't. Seconds later and the metal door opened, welcoming its owner to his new home.
Roxas stood in amazement with his lips parted, taking his first step onto the slick hardwood floor. He knew he didn't deserve this, almost believing that this was just a dream. He placed a hand on the cold metal door and closed it shut, hearing some gears locking it tightly. He looked back into his room and walked in the middle of it to fully grasp everything around him.
The living room was large, with clean hardwood floors that he could skate on. Roxas was half tempted too, but tried to occupy his thoughts with more mature topics. There was a kitchen to the left, with a built in black table in the middle while the refrigerator and other kitchen machines surrounded it. Cabinets, dishwasher, and twin metal sinks. The living room was one step down from the kitchen to the right, a large black couch facing the fireplace with a smaller couch to its left. Over the fireplace, a large flat screen television was built into the wall. Roxas would love to have fun with that.
There was a glass door leading to the balcony, a small half square area with a table and some chairs, a folded umbrella for the table in case of rain. Roxas felt empty in the head, lazily removing his suit jacket and placing it over one of the seats in the kitchen. He pulled his checkered tie off and set it aside, feeling quite relieved as he walked around the kitchen in his white undershirt.
"This can't be real," he muttered, sliding his hand over the smooth kitchen table. It was dark with patches of clouded gray and white, a table completely made out of jade or garnet.
Instincts told him to check the fridge, and he found more than he bargained for. Not only were there food and drinks of high class expectations, but the blonde's eyes were drawn towards the large bottle of red liquid in the interior of the fridge door.
"Wine?" he gasped.
There was no way he could drink this, not back home with strict parents watching his every move. He wasn't even old enough to drink legally. Did every room in Black Wolf have customary alcohol? Probably, but they didn't expect to be housing an under aged employee into their hospitality.
Roxas knew this was wrong, that his parents would be haunting his dreams if they ever found out. But they weren't around, were they?
"Well, I guess I should at least try it," he said, trying to convince himself that it was strictly professional. "No harm in taking a sip."
He grabbed the large bottle by the top and closed the fridge, taking a minute to look for the wine opener. He punctured the top and twisted it off, immediately smelling the berry aroma that tickled his nose. He pored a bit into a glass and sipped it; almost waiting to hear his parent's voices lecturing him.
His face scrunched up and his teeth clenched together, tasting the sour that burned his tongue, the bitterness left on his lips, and the chill he got when it slithered down his throat. Not what I expected, he thought. Well at least he satisfied that hint of curiosity.
He put the wine back in the fridge and explored the hallway further down past the living room, taking a quick glance into the bathroom and then into his bedroom.
When he entered his bedroom, he couldn't hold the smile that spread across his cheeks. His bedroom was extravagant as well, with a large black bed with white sheets, another flat screen on the opposite side of his bed, a glass wall with a sliding door leading to a small personal balcony, and other standard bedroom requirements.
Roxas removed his leather shoes, releasing a sigh after confiscating such weight from his body. He felt weightless, collapsing onto the soft bed and smelling the cleanliness of everything. His eyelids were heavy and his muscles felt like jelly in his skin, feeling the pressure of these recent events washing off him. He can explore a bit more tomorrow, right now he needs some sleep.
But he found that hard to achieve this night, when the mental image of his parents kept appearing when he closed his eyes.
This chapter was Fuuuun… XD The last bit of this chapter was completely fueled by my own desires for a dream home. Roxas is one lucky dude, but I guess he wouldn't see it like that in future chapters. LOL Thanks for reading, hope you'll review too.
Oh and by the way, I don't condone underage drinking. This was simply for humor, a moment of a regular teenage kid going through curiosity. So don't drink until your twenty one, kids! You can wait! X)
I'm thinking about making the next chapter about Xemnas and his secret dinner with a certain bluenette. And then some... Hehehe! :3
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or Final Fantasy, the original characters and story belong to their original owners…
