School, for Roxas, was passing as slow as it usually did. The clock ticked slowly, and it didn't help that he gave his class a horrible atmosphere. If he wasn't being glared at, or any of the other students weren't badmouthing him, he was completely ignored. The students soon began to understand that if you didn't bother him he didn't mess with you.
When the final bell rung, Roxas quickly grabbed all his books and his notes. He watched everybody shuffle out of the door, cursing them for their conformity. Each of them were their own person, but together they all tried to be the same. What purpose did that give them? All Roxas ever did was be himself and be different, and he was only exiled for it.
But that was not the time to worry about it and he walked out the door like the rest of them.
"Um..." A quiet voice spoke out beside him. Roxas shifted his blue eyes to a form of a brown haired girl. It was the same girl who had been in the corner earlier, only her clothes had been changed from her ripped ones. What was her name?...
She had moderately long brain hair that reached her shoulders, and she was wearing a blue shirt to replace her torn one. She wore a black skirt that reached barely above her knees, and her eyes were fixed on the ground nervously.
"What?" Roxas asked in his usual arrogant and vicious way. "You have something to say?" The girl seemed to whimper lightly before finally bringing up her gaze. She was cute, but Roxas wasn't really into the whole dating thing. He guessed that her innocent looks was what caused the event to happen in the first place.
"I would...just like to say thank you...for saving me back there..." Her gaze dropped to the floor and she cleared her throat lightly. Roxas gave out a sigh and glared hard at her.
"Look, they were just causing a scene and were in my way. Like you are now. So beat it or I'll do the same thing to you." The girl looked up with scared eyes and eventually turned, pacing away slowly while glancing back every now and then. Roxas sighed as he trudged down the rest of the hallway.
After visiting his locker and packing away his things he headed to the exit. The students kept their distance as usual, with Roxas breaking through the crowd. When he felt the sunshine on his face, he also heard a voice he very much did not want to hear.
"Why greetings, Sir Roxas." The old elf smiled, coming up to him from the side, "We've been waiting. We wish to drive you in our vehicle to your humble home so that we can hurry back to our homeland." Roxas groaned lightly, shaking his head. Was this guy not going to give up?
"I'll just walk back. Quit bothering me." Roxas spun around, his bag on his back as he started to make his way down the walkway.
"Walking does sound relieving right now. Let us travel with you!" Roxas growled and turned his head to the see the elf man grinning from ear to ear once again. He didn't notice her before, but the elf man's daughter was at his side. Her eyes were in a very angry glare at him, and he wasn't surprised why.
"Dammit! Can't you just leave me alone? I'm busy!" Roxas yelled out, turning and walking much faster down the paved walk. Namine turned to her father, looking back at the form of the blonde boy.
"Father...I agree with that slime. Let us just leave him here. He appears to have no desire to leave anyway." Ansem chuckled lightly, rubbing the head of his young daughter.
"Ah, Namine. This boy is no such creature. On the outside, an oyster may be hideous and crude, but on the inside it may hold a beautiful pearl." Namine scoffed at another one of her father's ridiculous sayings, "Then will we go after him, father?" The old elf thought for a second and rubbed his beard, "Well...while we sat here chatting, the boy left our sight. Let us head into the vehicle and be on our way to his house. He can't keep us away for too long."
~KH~
After a very relieving walk, Roxas stumbled upon the door to his small house in the suburbs. Just like the other houses around it, it had white walls and two stories. It's lawn was mowed and beautiful with a white picket fence that surrounded its property. In the back there was a tall oak tree with a tire swing hanging from its branches. His home looked ordinary, safe, and respectable. He hated it.
He also hated the fact that a golden limo was parked in his driveway. Knowing that opening the door would definitely bring upon him impeding doom, he had to think for a second. His step-mother was most likely home...and that only made him more upset. With a big sigh, he twisted the door knob and walked into the house.
The firs thing he heard was loud laughter coming from the kitchen. He gritted his teeth taking off his shoes at the doorway before moving through his house. On the walls there were pictures of him and another boy along with family pictures and the occasional paintings. Clenching his hand into a fist, he entered the kitchen.
Seated at the dining table was Ansem, his daughter, and Roxas' step-mother. They had appeared to be in a good conversation about something.
"I didn't know any elves were living such a life in a human city like this." Ansem smiled, looking at his step-mother, "Your husband is very lucky." His step-mother smiled, putting her hair behind her long elvish ears, "Well thank you. It took some time getting used to, but I'm managing very well." All the heads turned when they saw Roxas.
"Ah, Roxas. Welcome home." His step-mother smiled, standing up, "Would you like something to-
"No." Roxas growled, "What the hell are you thinking letting those two in?" His step-mother looked back at the other two elves, "Well, they are taking you to the renowned Twilight High. It would be horrible if I didn't treat them like royal guests, don't you think?" Roxas cursed, dropping his bag onto the floor, "Quit being stupid. I'll pack my things and get that over with." He rolled his eyes and spun around, heading to the stairs. His step-mother sighed sadly and plopped down in her chair, "I'm sorry about that."
At this point, Namine was fuming with anger. She stood up abruptly, looking at Roxas' step-mother in the eyes, "How could you let him treat you in such a low way! He needs to treat you with the upmost respect! You are not akin to those who are less intelligent and less graceful!" Ansem said nothing and sipped his tea, watching his daughter.
The Step-mother smiled sadly, looking out a nearby window at the oak tree, "It's...not his fault that he's like that you know. I'm guessing that you have read about his past...and the accident that took his mother and sister away from him." Namine cooled down a bit and sat down but was obviously still very upset.
"It involved a group of elves...and because of that Roxas blames them. Blames us. And since it happened when he was a small child he also moved the blame onto the other races. Humans alike." The elf took a sip of her warm tea, "That boy...I never knew him before the accident, but he has always tried to be strong."
"I...see..." Namine said, her eyes moving to the table. She herself forgot about that incident...perhaps she shouldn't give him as much resentment as she did. But still, he shouldn't have treated her that way.
"It gives him no excuse to treat you like such a lower being, however." Namine said quietly to herself. Ansem laughed lightly, patting her shoulder, "My little Namine...always the one for justice." The step-mother smiled lightly, her face brightening up, "Roxas himself isn't as bad as he seems. Even though he acts this way towards me, there are times when he treats me like his family. And I'm sure that he will treat you like family someday as well." Namine nodded, and then blinked over at her father.
"Treat us like family?..." Namine asked, "What does she mean?..."
Ansem chuckled, "Didn't you hear? He's going to stay with us for a while. The empty male dorms unexpectedly burned down, so our home will be his home."
"WHAT?" Namine and Roxas yelled, with the latter just coming into the kitchen.
"Father! I can't stand a single moment being next to such a being!" Namine pointed straight at the boy, "This is absurd!"
"Gee, thanks." Roxas grumbled, "I don't like listening to a whiny little princess." Ansem and Roxas' step-mother laughed as the two began a long argument.
~KH~
"It's unfortunate that your father and I couldn't meet." Ansem said, relaxing in the car seat, "I would have desired to meet such a man who created a child like you are." Roxas didn't really know how to take that and stared out the window, sitting in the limo seat across from the elves.
"Hey elf girl. Quit glaring at me." Roxas grumbled, not even looking back at her.
"What? I wasn't doing such an action!" Namine shot back, "Besides, how would you even know?"
"I could feel your eyes burning into the back of my head..." Roxas scoffed, "Your big old elf dad could probably vouch for me anyway."
"You were staring rather intently my dear." Ansem chuckled, making his daughter grow red and silent.
They all were silent as the limo passed the Sun Bridge. The Sun Bridge was a massive construct that stretched over many miles. It had ten lanes, and was what connected the human land to the land of the elves. Below was the Forn Forest, which was notorious for its mysterious dark magic and the evil creatures that lurked within it. The elves and the humans had worked many years to build the bridge many decades ago and it become a great wonder for the planet.
"Ever crossed this bridge, Roxas?" Ansem smiled, "It's a magnificent creation, is it not?" Roxas stayed silent as though something important was going through his mind.
"The dark energies of that forest make me quiver..." Namine said, "I detest crossing this bridge!"
After about half an hour they began to approach a large golden wall that started when the forest ended. When crossed the bridge into the walls, even Roxas had to hold his breathe in awe. The elven city was beautiful. Gold and white structures were created beautifully, and in the middle of the city stood the largest tree on the entire planet. It's leaves reached from one end to the city to another, and sunlight shone brightly through the gaps in its leaves.
"Beautiful..." Ansem smiled, "Such a breathtaking sight. An old man like me feels much younger when he lays his eyes upon such a wonder." Namine was the same way as she took in the city with the others.
Roxas noted that there weren't many roads. Elves tended to walk wherever they went, and they also traveled on horseback which had their own special little lane alongside the sidewalks.
"Our home is alongside the Old Tree." Ansem smiled, "That tree is said to have created the heavens themselves and that elves were formed from its leaves. It's such a wonderful thought."
"Sure." Roxas replied back, not making much of a conversation.
The limo pulled in front of a large building with shimmer white walls. Runes and strange decorations went alongside its walls, and beautiful vines gently rested against them. The home was tall and wide, obviously the home of a noble family.
"Welcome to the wonderful elven city of Raydel!" Ansem declared proudly, the door to the limo opening for them.
"Great..." Roxas sighed, grabbing his bags, "Now everyone is going to talk funny..."
A group of elven servants attempted to grab his bags for him and he immediately pulled away, "No thanks. I don't want my clothes to somehow get enchanted by your weird elven magic" he hissed, following distantly after Ansem and Namine.
Massive doors opened up, revealing the huge space inside. Directly in front of the entrance was a massive staircase that went into the second floor. The flooring was a beautiful soft wood, and the carpets were decorated nicely.
"Sure is over the top..." Roxas grumbled to himself, "They probably hired some gay elf interior designers or something."
"Welcome to our humble abode!" Ansem chuckled, the servants bowing as they disappeared into the large estate, "This is where you shall eat, sleep, and spend your days when you are not at school. We hope that everything is to your liking, young Roxas!"
"Yeah Yeah..." Roxas groaned, "Just show me my room. Bright colors and gay decorations make me tired."
Ansem laughed, "Very well. Namine, show him to one of the guest rooms. Preferably one that has a beautiful view of the city." His daughter blinked and sighed, "Yes, father. I shall show our guest to his-
"Let's just go, sugar cube." Roxas said, adjusting the grip on his bags, "I just want to get out of this choking atmosphere."
"Sugar cube?" Namine blinked, spinning around, "What have you addressed me as?"
"You're right...much too sour." He chuckled as he made his way to the staircase, "Just get me to the room.." Namine clenched his hand into a fist as she stumbled up after him, leaving Ansem laughing on the first floor.
Namine took the lead when they were on the second floor, and Roxas noticed that the walls seemed to constantly give off a strange light.
"These walls were made from the wood of the Old Tree." Namine said, "The Old Tree only gives gifts such as its own wood to those who have compassion, elegance, and a bright spirit. Unlike one such as yourself."
"Ouch." Roxas grinned, "Well, you can't have light if there isn't a little darkness." Namine ignored him and opened up a door, "Here you are. And do not go around snooping in the house. I find it rude and troubling if you do. The room has its own washroom, and the bed is made from the finest silks and-
"Alright." Roxas said, moving in with his bags and lightly brushing her aside, "Thanks." With that, he slammed the door shut almost right in her face.
"Crude worm!" She yelled at the door before turning aside, stomping her way down the hallway, "I hope you do not lost a second at Twilight High!"
~KH~
Ansem the Wise sat casually in his office drinking his special elven herbal tea. It had been a few hours since they had arrived back home, and he was already in his relaxed state. With a newspaper sprawled across his desk and a wooden pipe in his hand, he almost couldn't happier. At that moment he was just glancing through the articles before there was a stiff knock on his door.
"Come in." Ansem said, pleased and yet unpleased to see who it was. The man who walked in had long white hair, tan skin, and a very handsome face. He had a folder filled with papers and set them down softly upon Ansem's desk.
"Ah, Xehanort." Ansem greeted, "It's been a while. Have you been entranced in your research like usual?"
"Just a bit." Xehanort smiled, sitting down in a chair, "How was the trip to the human city? I hope it was safe and quiet as usual." Xehanort was always strange to Ansem. Ansem was sure he was an elf, but he didn't give off a reading like other elves did. Xehanort also had a different personality them most, and was more into archaeology and science then even the humans. He worried Ansem.
"Well, not as quiet as one would think." Ansem replied, taking a puff from his pipe, "That Roxas boy is very colorful and different then the other students who have attended Twilight High. I hope for the best for him."
"I heard some arguing between him and your daughter." Xehanort laughed lightly, "I've never seen her so heated up."
"Indeed!" Ansem laughed, "Now what is it that you have come to see me for?" Xehanort suddenly glanced around cautiously as though he was worried someone might listen in.
"We've kept this a big secret till now to not cause panic among the public. This occurred while you were gone. Remember the male dorms being burned down?" Ansem nodded, "I heard it was from a lightning strike."
"Right..." Xehanort nodded, "But it puzzled me and I looked into it. Lightning strikes don't usually occur within the elvish city since the Old Tree protects us."
"Every now and then it occurs, Xehanort. Don't think too much of this."
"Listen, Ansem..." Xehanort cried out, "What was kept secret...was this." He set a small sheet of paper on top of Ansem's desk. It was a picture of one of the many trees that made the city beautiful, and Ansem recognized that it was one of the trees near the boys dorm. But something was very odd about it.
Carved into the tree was a roman numeral. XIII.
"What is this?" Ansem asked, blinking at the strange number, "And why is it a little red..."
"Blood." Xehanort said, his eyes looking grave, "That same day a family in the old district of the city went missing. Their home looked like they just got up and left. There was still food on the table and their beds were messy. No trace of them whatsoever." Ansem looked worriedly at the picture and stroked his beard.
"The city has never had a problem like this before..." Ansem whispered, "Xehanort, I want you to personally look into this. Whatever had happened to the family must be found. And what happened to this tree?..."
"Druids healed it for us. And it is kept secret among the upmost important."
"Good." Ansem took another breathe from his pipe, "Whatever this is, it cannot be justice."
"I agree." Xehanort nodded as he stood up, "I left more information in the file on your desk. I'm going to look into this mysterious circumstance right away." With that, the white haired man left the office. What Ansem couldn't see...was a devilish grin on his face.
