NO reviews at allll?? -faints-
Disclaimer : I do not own Kingdom Hearts nor any of its characters.
Ordo Tredecim: Chapter 1
Roxas ended up in the library after school, reviewing the notes Tifa had given him. He doubted the school library had any books that had information. He decided he would have to go to the public library, or maybe dig through the National Archive or something. Still, it couldn't hurt to try his luck in the school library...
Dumping his bag on one of the tables, he made sure his phone was turned to silent mode before leaving to find a book that may aid him, hopefully. The first person to ask would be the librarian...
"Excuse me?"
"Yes?" said the librarian, frowning down at him.
"Do you have any books regarding the Organization XIII?"
"Hold on, let me check the database."
Roxas tapped his foot impatiently, silently wondering why he was alone on this nice day, possibly the first person to start research on the History paper. Sora and Riku had grabbed the rest for a game of blitzball - which he'd politely declined.
Sometimes, Roxas just felt like being alone.
It wasn't something Sora could understand, despite being twins.
"Well, we only have one book so far... here. Section J-12, the name of the book is A Study of the Organization..."
"Thanks," said Roxas, and trudged off in search of the book.
The book, it turned out, was old and not very thick. Its pages were yellowing and Roxas wondered vaguely if the librarian knew this. Mentally measuring the thickness of the book, Roxas sighed. Maybe he'd have to search through the National Archive after all. Flipping the pages randomly, he paused at the middle of the book, where a large photograph was stretched out on the two pages.
Statues of the Organization –
Roxas blinked. They actually had statues of them made?
Deciding that any information would be better than nothing, he took out his library card. The next thing to do was to find out if the National Museum had any records on this...
"Mmmmmmmm," breathed Sora, inhaling deeply. He began to gravitate from the couch towards the kitchen in a drunken manner, passing by Roxas who had just finished showering and was holding a book in his hands.
"Sora! Don't touch that!"
A yelp was heard. Roxas smirked and settled himself comfortably on the couch.
"I'm hungry, mom!"
"Can't you just wait? I'm not done cooking yet!"
Sora was then unceremoniously booted from the kitchen, rubbing his aching head. He gravitated back towards the living room, seeking comfort from his brother.
"Mom doesn't love me, Roxas."
"Sure she does."
"No, she doesn't!"
"Sora. Shut up. Mom loves you."
"She doesn't!" wailed Sora pitifully, jumping onto his twin in anguish. Roxas growled and tried to push him off.
"Get off me!"
"NEVAAA!"
"Boys," said their father, looking up from his newspaper. "Keep it down."
"Dad, tell Sora that mom loves him," said Roxas, stuffing his hand into Sora's face, effectively stopping the younger boy from getting anywhere further into his personal space. "Or at least tell him to shut up and let me get on with reading my book."
"Sora. What he said," said their father boredly, flipping through the newspaper idly.
"Dad, you're so mean... and Roxas, you're such a nerd... you've already started researching? Pshh," said Sora, poking the library book in Roxas's hands.
"Research?"
"Yeah. We just got this project today, on History. I'm doing the Olympus Coliseum with Riku!"
"I see. What about you, Roxas?"
Roxas held up the book for his father to see.
"Ah, the Organization, eh? Interesting topic."
"Really? But I think it's difficult. There's so little stuff written about them," said Roxas, frowning. "I went to the library today and all they have is this book."
"You should've picked a topic faster than the rest of us, then," said Sora, smirking.
"Says the brother who teamed up with his best friend without even thinking of his own twin," Roxas shot back, annoyed.
"Sorry," said Sora, cringing. He still felt guilty about it, because it was true. Both of them, though twins, were different in personality and interests. Roxas wasn't really angry with him; given the choice, he would rather partner with Hayner or Pence than with his own brother.
For one thing, Sora was one very lazy human and only Riku and Kairi could put up with him.
"Dinner, boys!"
"Coming!"
"Mom, did I ever tell you that I love you?"
"Oh, shush. You only love me because I cook dinner, what an ungrateful son – "
They continued bickering all through out dinner, and Roxas only got them to shut up when he brought up the topic of the Organization again.
"So, Dad, why don't you tell me what you know about the Organization?"
"Hmm, well... I know that despite it being called Organization Thirteen," said his father, chewing his food thoughtfully, "there are only twelve known members."
"Really? They even have names?"
"No, not names. Actually, they're numbered."
"Numbered?" echoed Sora.
"Yeah. Number 1, Number 2, and all that. They probably do have names, but we don't know that."
"So, they're missing a member?"
"Yeah, the thirteenth one. Unlucky number, isn't it?"
"I see," said Roxas, filing away this information in his head. It was a start. Hopefully he'll get far with the book tonight if Sora didn't disturb him too much.
"Thanks for dinner, mom," said Sora, sighing contentedly.
"Well, since you love me so much, Sora, you should go do the dishes. Go on, now!"
Roxas quickly retreated to his room.
After settling down on his bed, snuggled comfortably under the covers, Roxas opened the book, flipped past the Introduction and started reading.
Named after its thirteen members, the true purpose of the Organization was never known. There are many theories as to why; each more ludicrous than the rest. Disregarding all talks of magic, however, the Organization was definitely part of a war that ended five hundred years ago. There are always two sides to a war, yet in this war, the Organization seemed to be the third party. With the thirteen members as useful agents and spies; they were thought to have infiltrated the base of the remaining two parties, Maleficent and the Regnum Vesica.
It is said that during this time of war (approx. 1503 - 1507), Maleficent, who grew more absorbed in power, wished to gain control of the lands of the world. A faction of people from all over united together to stop her, naming themselves Regnum Vesica. No leader was named, and there have been no records of one either. The Organization, in secrecy, did not make themselves known to the war until 1506, a year before the war ended, where one of them betrayed their existence to the public.
This, ultimately, was what ensured their downfall, despite nearly winning the war. The events preceding the end of the war are very much unknown; there have been no written records of it.
What makes the Organization so crucial to the war is that despite trying their hardest to achieve their purpose, had they not been betrayed by their own member, they would have succeeded in their plan.
The mystery surrounding them is this: who are these people? And why is it that despite extensive research and exploration; not even one event of the war can be recounted? The Organization must be behind this secrecy, this worldwide agreement to forever keep the events of the war unknown.
This is boring, Roxas decided, turning the pages. Maybe the magic one would be much more fun. Too bad the author didn't believe those theories. Also, the author didn't seem like he knew much at all. And he'd manage to get this published?
Pursing his lips, Roxas flipped to the full out photograph that had caught his eye earlier on that day.
Statues of the Organization: (clockwise) Number XI, Number IX, Number VII, Number V, Number III, Number I, (believed to be the leader), Number II, Number IV, Number VI ...
As a covert organization, these members no doubt had names of their own, yet they are not known. There is definite proof, however, that they were numbered and were referred to by their numbers. This is shown by the tattoos on each member's body, and that is how they are able to be identified by their number to this day.
Roxas peered closer at the photograph. The stone statues didn't show much; but that was probably because it was too small to look for any tattoos.
Photograph taken at The National Museum, 2007.
Closing the book, he decided he'd read it another day and left it on his table.
TBC
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