Chapter four!

This was hella fun to write, but at the same time challenging. Keeping everyone IC (Other than our main character, who is still far from what we know him as) is going to be interesting, as they are emotionless, but eccentric and unique in their own way. Everyone will be shone in a clearer light in the next few chapters.

Feedback? 3 I want to know how I'm doing.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to their respective owners (Disney and Square-Enix).


The darkness that surrounded Isa and the stranger leading him might have been overwhelming, but something about it was familiar, and that was comforting in some way. He could see himself and the other man perfectly well as they walked ahead, the portal disappearing behind him. There was no visible ground beneath them; the darkness only stretched for endless miles below their feet. It was as if they walked on invisible glass. Ahead of Isa, the dark-haired one walked without a word. From what the follower could see, the people here, wherever 'here' was, were not very friendly.

Several meters ahead, a circle of light formed and expanded just as the portal of darkness had earlier. The two walked through, feet resting on a more tangible, stark white floor. If Isa were to guess, it looked like highly polished marble. Behind them, a portal of dark swirled and stood in place. Still following his guide, Isa looked around at the massive circular room they had entered. The walls and high and distant ceiling were both as white as the floor. A bunch of towering thrones, each different in height, lined the continuous, rounded wall. In the middle of this circle was a squat, wide and round platform, on which was a strange silver symbol. Standing on this slightly raised section of the floor were three men, who were all watching the newcomers approach. Isa wanted to shrink down a little, but remained standing straight and tall.

They all wore the same outfit as Isa and the two he had already encountered, and held a distinct air of power. To the left was a large man with his black hair put into long dreadlocks, which were pulled back out of his face. He had large sideburns, like black knives jutting out across the sides of his face. His purple eyes bore straight into Isa, staring at him in an appraising and critical manner. The man to the far right was shorter than the other two, but was no less dangerous looking. An eye patch over one eye and a grisly scar stretching up his left cheek told of many hardships endured, and many battles fought. His hair was black as well, but with defined streaks of white running through it. It was pulled back in a tight ponytail, giving a clear view to his previously mentioned physical attributes.

In the middle of the two, there stood a dark-skinned male with long silver hair. His eyes were a strange shade of orange, and they too stared at Isa so intensely that it caused a cold weight to form in the young man's gut. The mere sight of him; his posture, his resolute expression, made it quite clear who the 'Superior' was. He gestured fluidly with one gloved hand for Isa to approach.

"Thank you, VI." The Superior's voice was not unlike velvet, but it thinly masked a fiercer, less reserved temperament. With those dismissive words, Isa's guide nodded his head and exited through the portal, which faded as he vanished from view. Isa watched him go, slight panic rising within him. Was he to be left alone with these people? The fact that the man had been referred to as a number only added to the poor young man's confusion. He felt briefly cemented in place as he returned his gaze to the three before him. Another gesture to approach got him to move his reluctant feet. To annoy him would not be in his best interests. He stepped onto the platform before them, but still felt towered by means of intimidation.

"Looks like you've had a bad accident." The Superior stated, moving a finger to trace the shape of Isa's newly stitched injury in the air. "A fitting scar." At this, the two at his sides exchanged amused, knowing looks. Uneasily, Isa looked them over before returning his eyes to the man in the middle. The silver haired man made another, less recognisable gesture, and an almost translucent blue letter 'X' appeared a couple feet from Isa's face. Despite the oddness of it all, the young man stood stock still. "Now," the Superior began. "What is your name?"

"Isa." Came the response, thick with forced confidence. Soon after he stated it, the appropriate letters formed above the X and hovered for a moment. The Superior seemed deep in thought, stroking his clean-shaven chin. Isa may not have known what was going on, but something told him that this was some sort of important ritual. Therefore, he opted to withhold questions for now. After some pondering, the man lifted his hand and seemed to guide the letters into place on the same level as the X, as if through telekinesis. They took different formations until reaching one that was satisfactory for him. They formed a new word, a new name.

"Saix." The Superior read aloud. The two at his sides nodded in approval, and the blue letters vanished in a scattering of light. "Number VII, Saix."

It soon became apparent to the young man that he had just been through some strange baptism; a naming ceremony that perverted the only thing about him that had remained untattered until this point. This angered him, and with his anger came a burst of foolish courage.

"Isa." He stated plainly. "My name is Isa." It was the only thing he was still sure of, and would not let it slip away quietly. The three looked at him, mild surprise in their expressions. The one donning the eye patch chuckled a little and shook his head.

"Sorry big guy," he spoke up, strong voice carrying a strange accent. "It's Saix, now."

"Isa." Was the only growled response. The Superior gained a serious look that made the stubborn man suddenly feel cold, and took a step towards him.

"Isa is no more." He told the newly named one, eyes like daggers into the soul. "There is no Isa. You are half of him; the empty shell left behind. And that shell is named Saix." The new tone in his voice even made the two dark-haired ones look slightly uneasy. "Are we going to make this difficult, VII?"

With a looming knowledge that there was no winning this strange argument, the young man decided that he would rather lose his name than his life. While the anger faded from his eyes, Saix bowed his head. "No."

"That's better." The Superior said, his tone back to its original smoothness. Saix kept his eyes downcast, instilled with a new, healthy fear of the man. It was the first time he could ever remember being put in his place so easily, yet through the shame it produced grew a strange feeling of respect for the Superior. Silence hung in the massive room, which added to the young man's uneasiness. After a moment, he lifted his head to look at the dark-skinned man, who was staring right back at him. Curiosity burned away at him, and brought a torturous question to his lips.

"If I am not Is-" he stopped himself, opting to chose his wording carefully. "-what I was before, what does that make me now?" His voice was quiet, and lined with subtle desperation. He could have doubted all that they were telling him, but an emptiness inside of him that grew by the minute made him believe it. As if the truth would fill the new void. The Superior was blunt with his response.

"A Nobody." A pause was then given, perhaps to observe Saix's bewilderment and slight hurt. However, the wound on the young man's face prevented too much expression. Soon after, he continued. "You are what is left. A body and a soul - no heart."

"Impossible!" Saix exclaimed, putting one hand to his chest. "How can I not have a heart?" Yet, as he spoke, it became clearer to him what that emptiness within him was; why his chest had felt such a blindingly painful sensation when he was overpowered. The Superior seemed willing to let the outburst slide, and simply shook his head with a small smile. That expression too lacked something.

"Those emotions you feel now are illusions, fabricated by your mind. Realise the difference, Saix." Then, he gave a curt laugh. "Consider those expression-hindering wounds as an advantage in the battle to realise your true nature. You show no emotion, for you feel none."

But Saix did feel something. He could feel a deep, stinging pain deep within that gave him an urge to scream. Never would he howl from the core of his heart. As he stared ahead blankly and choked on air, harshly spoken words attempted to shake him from it.

"It is your mind playing tricks, Saix. Don't fall victim to your own facade." It was the dark-haired man to the left, who up until then had remained silent. Saix kept a hand on his own chest, digging his fingernails into the fabric and gripping it tightly.

"How did this happen?" he asked, looking to the Superior. "Will I never feel again?" He needed an answer; he needed to know how to get it back. The other man's words sunk in, and the emotional pain faded completely. It was true after all. He was just fooling himself now.

The silver-haired man seemed pleased by this desperation. Saix would make a great asset with early signs of such determination to recover his heart. "It shall be explained to you, VII. Have patience." When Saix gave a short nod, the Superior continued. "We are all Nobodies trying to retrieve our hearts. Like you, we want to be whole again. We have brought you into our home, into our Organization, for you have proven your strength of will and bravery in battle. Will you aid us in our efforts?" As he spoke, he watched Saix intently. There was no hesitation in VII's response, and he straightened up and lowered his hand to rest at his side.

"Yes, Superior."

Of course, this earned an approving smile from the one before him, who then turned to the scarred one to his side.

"Xigbar, educate VII one what he needs to know. He has much to learn." Yes, this new recruit would make a great addition to the Organization. His newfound loyalty offered optimism for the Superior. At the order, the man with the eye patch smirked and gave an informal salute with two fingers. He then lifted a hand and created another dark portal.

"C'mon, newbie."