Chapter 7
Been a long time huh? A lot has gone on since the last time I updated... I had a job. And then was fired... But hey, now I have even more free time.
Now we can finally find out what Axel is up to.
Earlier the same day…
I pushed my soaked hair out of my face as I jumped into my car.
It started pouring just as I made it to the parking lot.
"Fuck! I'm such an idiot!"
I slammed my hands into the steering wheel.
Roxas doesn't feel the same about me... and there's no use in trying.
But that doesn't stop me from doing my job. I swore an oath. And I plan to keep it. No one will be put in danger while I'm around.
I picked up my phone and dialed home. My mom picked up a few moments later.
"Hey, mom is dad home?" I ask.
"No hon, he left for work already."
"Okay, thanks mom. I'll see you later." I reply.
I hung up my phone, and tossed it into the passenger seat.
I need to go somewhere...
I crank up my car and pull out of the parking lot.
I don't care about school anymore... they can kick me out. I've got a good enough job already where that doesn't matter.
I drive in silence without many thoughts to downtown.
I just need some time alone.
The big abandoned clocktower in town is a good place to think, so I park nearby, and get out.
Pulling my hood up over my head, I make sure no one is looking before I made my way into the locked building.
I've been here dozens of times, so why does it feel so different now?
I take my usual spot inside, at the top among the giant gears.
Lying on my back watching the still gears, I let all my thoughts empty out.
Why did I have to be put in charge of protecting Roxas? I never would have fallen for him if I wasn't.
I started to tear up a little.
Why am I even upset?
When we moved to Twilight Town, I wasn't sure why... but a six months after, my dad told me.
It was a covert mission he was sent on, to protect the families of former SOLDIER members.
Someone has been picking off former members one-by-one. And who ever it is, has moved onto the families.
I had been training with my dad ever since I could remember... but I just thought maybe it was a bonding thing since my real mom passed away when I was very young.
I don't really remember her that much, the woman who I call mom now, is my mom.
I didn't choose this life...
Yes. I love Roxas, but I never would have if not for my job.
Its the classic story of how the knight fell in love with the princess... but I guess my story doesn't have a happy ending.
The knight will die in vain protecting the princess, while she falls for king.
But... maybe I can play both roles. I will be the king and knight.
"So you sure we're safe up here?"
A voice interrupts my thoughts, and I jump up, silently creeping into the shadows so I won't be seen by the strangers.
"Sure we are, or my name isn't Vanitas Fair."
Vanitas. What's he doing here?
"Come on Vanitas. What's the catch? Why did you bring us to this musty old place?"
One of the intruders asks Vanitas.
I adjust my position to where I can see the strangers, and to my surprise, the visitors are Kadaj, Loz and Yazoo.
But why are they here?
"Here's the deal." Vanitas jumps on to a pile of wood scraps from a collapsed scaffolding.
"I'm willing to bust Terra out. If you guys are willing to help."
What?!
My footing slipped a little, and I accidentally kicked a splinter of wood to the platform below.
Oh fuck.
"Anyone hear that?" Loz asked.
"It was probably just a mouse." Vanitas added.
I slowed my breathing to almost nothing as a minute went by.
"See? Just vermin." Vanitas finally spoke up.
"So what is in this for us?" Yazoo questioned.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Vanitas snapped. "Terra is our friend, you shouldn't need any kind of persuasion to bust him out."
"He's right you know. I suppose we owe our friend anyway." Kadaj smirked.
"Well I won't be any part of this unless I get some reward out of it." Yazoo crossed his arms over his chest.
"I agree." Loz stated.
"Bastards." Vanitas sneered, "Is that any way to treat your friend?"
"Terra is the one who put us in this mess anyway." Loz adds.
"For fuck's sake guys. Come on." Vanitas pleaded.
I leaned in a little closer to listen better, because everyone had quieted to nearly a whisper.
I had watched them carefully, but couldn't keep up with all four. And then, I realized, Kadaj was nowhere to be found.
Had he moved and I missed it?
"Well, well. What do we have here?"
"Fuck!" I exclaim as I turned around so quickly I almost fell down.
"A spy for the Turks huh?" Kadaj had found my hiding spot.
There is no escape now.
"Alex is it?" Kadaj asks.
"Its Axel." I correct. "How do you know of me?" I eyed him suspiciously.
"Shouldn't I say the same for you?" he retorts.
"Its my job to memorize your names and faces so you don't become a threat to anyone. And protect those who need it." I state.
"Why would we be a threat?" Vanitas had walked over to us.
"That's classified info." I reply.
There was a moment of silence and everyone had moved near me.
Are they surrounding me?
"I-if you're looking for a fight you found the wrong guy." I weakly threatened.
"Oh. It won't be much of a fight." Yazoo grinned.
I glanced around at my surroundings...
Nothing to my left.
Looking ahead of everyone, I spot a broken off tree branch, possibly from one of the large trees outside. I can use that.
I made a break for the opposite side of the large scaffolding.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Loz grabbed me by the collar before I made my escape.
"Let me go asshole." I stated, squirming out of my outer shirt.
I raced towards my weapon of choice, leaving Loz my shirt. "Keep it, its a gift." I teased, turning to face him.
"Oof!" I should have looked where I was running.
I bumped into Yazoo.
"Heh, nice to meet you up close Yazoo." I smiled sheepishly.
Yazoo went for a quick kick to my side, but I countered, throwing my arms up just in time.
"Now we're having fun"
"Oh really? Lets make this even more fun." I could hear Loz from behind me.
I've got to time it just right, 1...2...3...
Just as Loz tried to attack, I dropped to the floor. Leaving the brothers to clash into to each other.
"And I thought you guys would be a lot smarter than this." I joked dashing away to my goal.
I quickly grabbed my makeshift weapon, and spun around to face Vanitas who had joined the party.
"What's that supposed to be?!" He laughed.
"Oh you'll be laughing when I beat your ass with this." I replied.
"We'll see." He smiled.
This won't even be a fair fight.
With stick in hand, I wield it as a double-handed sword.
"Is that supposed to be a joke?" He mocked.
I smirked as I rushed an attack at him.
But he dodged clumsily, barely escaping a hit.
"Haha. That's the best you got?" He laughed nervously.
Oh? He knew he was out matched.
"You're kidding right?" I stop to give Vanitas a chance to keep up with me.
"Nope." Vanitas gave a faint smile.
He moved quickly, and barely clipped my shoulder with his fist as he punched.
"I actually felt that one." I mocked.
"Hey Vani, you need some help?" I hear Loz ask.
I couldn't tell from which direction he came from though.
But it was too late, he charged from the near left too quickly for me to dodge, and I took a direct hit in the chest.
"I-I really felt that one." I coughed a little, trying to catch my breath.
"That's going to leave a bruise." I continued.
"I guess its time I stopped goofing off if you guys are going to gang up on me."
Vanitas had stepped back a little, and Yazoo took his place.
Great. I've gotten myself into a real jam.
I eyed both opponents carefully, while keeping watch on Vanitas as well.
But Kadaj was nowhere to be seen yet again.
We stood still in a stand off for what seemed like an eternity. Until Yazoo was the first to make a move.
He moved so quickly I could barely see him.
He attacked with flurries of kicks and quick jabs. Giving me no time to think.
It was hopeless for me to block...
"Heh" I chuckled among the chaos. "You think you can out fight me?"
I countered, sweeping his legs out from under him.
Stunned momentarily, this gave Vanitas a chance to fight again.
"You come back to get your ass handed to you?"
I didn't give him a chance this time. I can't take any risks.
I brought my arm up, and punched full-force, and barely caught Vanitas as he was pulled away by Loz.
"Damn. And here I thought I had the weasel."
I heard a slight shuffle behind me, and moved away just in time for Yazoo to breeze by me.
I spun around for a roundhouse kick, nailing Yazoo square in the spine.
"Direct hit." I smiled.
He fell unconscious to the floor with a thud.
"I-I uhh." Vanitas stuttered.
"Don't worry. I didn't kill him." I grinned.
Vanitas turned away and ran. "What a coward." I muttered under my breath.
"You won't see me running from a fight!"
Loz was a lot closer than I thought.
A little too close for comfort. I wasn't quick enough to dodge his punch. I staggered backwards a little from the impact.
Shit, I can't take a punch like I used to.
"Heh. How'd that taste?" Loz asked.
"Alright. You asked for it." I wiped the blood from my nose, and sidestepped to his left.
"What are you doing, dancing?" He laughed.
"Its a funny thing called 'misdirection' and she's my best friend."
I gave a swift kick to his side, but it wasn't quick enough. Loz had caught my leg.
"What a whimp." He replied.
"Oh?" I smiled. "You think you've caught me?"
I flipped all my weight to my free leg, and roundhouse kicked his shoulder, causing him to release me.
"Told ya so." I chuckled.
"So you think you're good, huh." He smiled. "We ain't even trying."
"And here I thought you were..." I retorted.
"Stop right there." Kadaj threatened.
I glanced up at the scaffolding in his direction. He seemed to be holding some sort of explosive trigger.
"Kadaj! You don't know what you're doing!"
"Of course I do." He interrupted. "I'm going to blow this whole place sky high." He smiled. "We don't need any witnesses, now do we?"
He pressed down on the trigger, allowing just enough time for him and his siblings to escape.
The explosion caused the floor to creak and start collapsing underneath me.
"Dammit, this might be the end." I mutter.
Oh look a cliffhanger… I think my stories are starting to be an influence on each other. Latest update! I'll have another chapter up soon enough.
Hopefully by the end of this week. Also, I'm working on "Love's Influence on the Heart" this very moment. So stay tuned for an update.
Musical Influence of the day: The Phoenix - Fall Out Boy