Chapter VII: I Walk Alone…

Yo! Key To Darkness here! Chapter 7 is coming at ya! This one will be a lot longer than most of the others, so hang in there.

You guys are going to see a lot more of Xathe's story in this Chapter and the next ones. If you read the Prologue, you'll see that Xathe had a past at Castle Oblivion and… oh, just read to find out!

Disclaimer: No, I don't own it. Got it memorized?
[Song Inspiration:
Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day]

Enjoy. -KtD


Day 238

Another day of searching: failed. This will make a full week that Xion has been gone. Xathe knew that something would delay his answers, and lo' and behold!

Now here we are… Xion has disappeared, Xathe is suffering from stress, Roxas is desperately worried, Axel is hiding something, and Xemnas is completely calm about the whole thing. Xathe is especially agitated with Xemnas' calm. How can Xemnas be so casual and uncaring about this whole situation? Xion practically quit the Organization!

But why should Xathe care? What does he have to stress about? It's just Xion. Just Xion…

It's just… Xion…

"What the hell is wrong with me…" Xathe exasperates, shoving his face into his pillow.

"I don't know… but I bet ice cream would help," a relaxed voice answers, chuckling.

"What is it with you and ice cream?" Xathe grumbles, slumped over his bed. Axel walks into the room, smirking.

"Well… you said you'd go with me, before this whole situation happened. Remember?" Axel asks, tapping his temple as a signal.

The temple-tapping thing reminded Xathe of the mysterious raven-haired boy who torments his dreams… in other words he hated it, "Yeah, I remember…"

"Well why don't we go?"

"I don't feel like it…"

"Oh, come on. You want to feel better, don't you? Ice cream and talking will cheer you right up!"

"Neither ever did anything for me."

"One of them, you never even tried," Axel states.

Xathe turns his face from the pillow of his bed to Axel, "Fine, you win. Let's go…"

"Cool."

Xathe really didn't want to go… but if it meant getting him out of his distress, then he'd try just about anything.

So he went.


...

Axel and Xathe sit on the edge of the station plaza building, talking a bit.

"Your ice cream is going to melt, bro," Axel warns.

"It melts?" asks Xathe.

"Yes. You haven't even looked at it since it entered your grip…"

"So?"

"So… try it," Axel sighs.

"Alright…" Xathe sighs as well, bringing the strange blue block on a stick to his lips.

He slowly licks the strange cold treat, wincing, in case it was poison. It wasn't poison… actually it tasted some-what good. It was unique, that was for certain.

"What is this? Sweet… but salty? It makes no sense," Xathe asks confused.

Axel starts laughing, making Xathe turn to him, "What?" Xathe asks defensively.

"You're over-thinking it. Don't ask why or how… just enjoy it. It's what makes life more enjoyable. Try that for once."

Xathe takes a bite from his ice cream bar, slowly. A slow, small smile of satisfaction slips over his lips as he lets the sweet and salty taste run over his taste buds before chewing and swallowing.

"It's okay."

"Pfft! Whatever, smart-ass!" Axel laughs. Xathe joins in his laughter as the sunset shines brightly over Twilight Town.

A few more minutes pass of silence as they finish their ice creams in peace. Xathe was fine with it, but Axel was beginning to feel awkward, so of course he spoke up.

"You miss Namine`?" Axel asks.

Xathe furrows his eyebrows at the very mention of her, "No… never…"

Axel is silent, listening to Xathe.

"… not after what she did."


(Flashback)

"Xathe! It's not like that!" Namine` shouts, defensively.

"You have the nerve to argue with me after doing something, like that?!" Xathe spits, his left hand balled into a fist and his other waving wildly.

"Xathe, you have to understand that it wasn't what I wanted! I wanted to get to know you, and become something more with you," Namine` explains.

"Yeah, and tearing my own memories out of my mind, as if they meant nothing, totally shows that!" counters Xathe.

"I didn't want to-"

"I've had more than enough of your lies, Namine`. How could you do that to me? What did I ever do to you… or anyone?!"

"Nothing, Xathe…"

Xathe turns away from her, closing his eyes in pain. His teeth show, fiercely, as a growl rushes out his throat, "Is that even my real name, Namine`?" he asks sincerely.

"Yes. Of course it is, Xay. I'd never lie to you about that, it's just for this particular thing-" Namine` stops when Xathe shakes his head several times. She knew that all lies were wrong, there was no excuse for it. No matter how many times she told herself she was helping, she knew she was doing more harm than good.

Xathe knew the truth, now. Namine`, his only and greatest friend in the whole universe, destroyed his memories before they even knew each other. And to top it off, she didn't put a second thought into it. Then she had the nerve to lie in Xathe's face about everything he ever knew, and for this long. Why?

"Why'd you do it?" Xathe deadpans, becoming fatally serious.

"I… I can't tell you. I'm so sorry," she whispers. Namine` bows her head down in shame, not bothering to push the fallen bangs out of her eyes.

"Then it's over. You'll never be my friend, again, ever. I pray we never have to meet again." Xathe spits, turning fully around and walking out of the all-white room inside of Castle Oblivion.


Xathe's face turns downwards, towards the pavement, far below them.

"Does it hurt?"

"Nothing hurts, Axel. Because I can't feel pain." Xathe sighs.

"That's not what I'm asking," Axel speaks with a serious tone.

"Why do you suddenly care so much? You were the one who wanted me to know the truth as to why I couldn't remember anything and why I was in a coma for three years," Xathe asks, almost harshly.

"Because, at the time, you were just a duty to me. I had to make sure everything went as planned, for the purpose you were needed for. It wasn't until recently, that I've realized the truth in your feelings, the reality of your life," Axel goes on.

"Feelings?" Xathe asks, confused.

"I guess… memories would be the proper word. I don't really know anymore, honestly."

"That's a nice little speech, Axel. But I won't be forgiving Namine` if that's what you're implying."

"Why not? You know she regrets it."

"Her pitiful apologies are not needed or wanted. She can't give me back, what was once mine… because she destroyed it. She can't fix what I am; so I can't fix our friendship," Xathe exclaims.

"You've got the wrong idea. I'm talking about getting rid of the chains that Namine` has placed on you. Forgive her, and those chains can disappear. You might even grow a some-what colorful personality!" Axel explains, showing sarcasm in the last part.

Xathe stares at nothing, quiet.

"Got it memorized?" Axel asks, tapping Xathe's head teasingly. This makes Xathe chuckle a bit.

"Sure."

"Well, good. Just think about it, ya know? Give it some time, if you need. But I can guarantee that you'll like the result."

"Sure thing, Axel," Xathe chuckles.

The two new friends then continued their conversation, watching the sun as it set over the sleepy town.


...

The next day, everyone received the day off and Xathe couldn't think of a thing to do. He tried exercising, reading, he even took the time to do a jigsaw puzzle! What was a simple Nobody to do on such a boring and lazy day. Axel was sleeping, Roxas went off doing God-knows-what, Demyx was too busy playing his damned sitar… believe me, Xathe tried to do something with all of them.

And then there was Xion, who was total M.I.A…

Xion!

Xathe knew what he was going to do on this boring day.

Xathe rushes over to the end table, where he set the note after he told everyone of her disappearance. He quickly picks it up and reads over it again, looking for something. Just… something.

"Come on, Xion! I know you left some sort of clue in this blasted letter!" Xathe growls, quietly.

He skims it over again and again, to no avail. Nothing really seemed irregular or hidden. But then Xathe noticed something strange about the last part of the letter:

'P.S. Sometimes things that are too shrouded in Darkness, can only be revealed in the 'light'.'

What did she mean? Sometimes things that are too shrouded in Darkness…

"The Organization? Heartless? Me? Or maybe a secret?" Xathe contemplates.

A light-bulb flashes on in Xathe's brain as the idea came, "A secret!"

can only be revealed in the 'light'.

"Wouldn't light be capitalized along with 'Darkness'? Maybe it was just a spelling error. Or perhaps she meant literal 'light'… like the sun?" Xathe asks.

Xathe scratches his head as he slowly turns towards the light attached to his ceiling, that hangs over his bed. He quickly jumps up on the bed and stretches out as far as he can along with his arms, to hold up the piece of paper to the bright light.

He waits as nothing happens yet, "Come on… show me something!"

Suddenly, new print starts to appear on the back of the note, in neat cursive hand-writing.

Xathe gasps with joy, "Bingo!"

He swiftly brings it down from the light so he can read the hidden writing. He reads the short note as this:

"Xathe,"

'If you figured it out and are reading this, meet me at The Old Mansion of Twilight Town as soon as possible. Please hurry! –Xion'

Xathe pulls the note from his face, a look of dead seriousness. "I'm coming, Xion."


...

Meanwhile, Xion sits against a tree in front of the Old Mansion. She looks down, deep in her thoughts. She's only known Xathe for so long now, but she gets the strangest feeling like she can trust him. She doesn't want to take the chance of Roxas over-reacting to everything, and Axel always puts his duty first… so she sees Xathe as the only person she can rely on to respond to her situation calmly and understandably.

But what should she tell him? How… will she tell him? Maybe she should try to get Xathe to come with her. Perhaps he could help her in some way?

Her thoughts were put to a halt at the sound of a slightly deep but concerned voice, "Xion…"

Xion looks up to see who it is, and is happy to see that it's just Xathe and nobody else.

"Xathe…" she whispers.

"You rang?"

"Yeah. I'm glad you figured out the secret between the lines," Xion smiles.

"You should know, by now, that I'm far more clever than I look," he chuckles.

"Right…" Xion sighs.

"So you finally going to tell me what's been bugging you?" Xathe asks, crossing his arms.

"Sort of…"

"I didn't quite catch that," says Xathe, sarcastically.

"Alright… yes, I am going to tell you," she sighs.

Xathe gets silent as he waits for her to start talking.

"I… I heard some things that… that made me sad…"

Xathe listens intently.

"I lied to you… I did see Riku again. It was shortly after you fell asleep for 12 days. He beat me and told me terrible things of me being a sham and a fake. I didn't understand why he called me that. It hurt me and it made me question my existence," Xion explains.

For some reason this angers Xathe, "Skip that part. Just get to the part that was bugging you," Xathe demands.

"Well… I just had to get away from it all, okay? All these thoughts were pulling me down and I had to be alone. I still do."

"But… you need to come back. The Organization needs you. And I need…" he stops.

"What?" Xion asks, interested.

"Nothing. I said the Organization needs you. Your purpose is there, so just come back."

"Why are you so desperate all of a sudden to get me back? Nobody else came for me, but you did," asks Xion.

"I'm not desperate! I'm trying to help the situation! Stop getting the wrong idea," Xathe shouts, angrily.

"Jeez, no need to get defensive. I was only asking," Xion grumbles.

"So are you coming back?" asks Xathe.

"No. I can't. There's no point in doing so," Xion looks down, sadly.

She suddenly looks up as a flash from Xathe's hand appears, summoning his Keyblade. She looks to his face, her eyes filled with betrayal.

"Xathe… why?"

"I can't take the chance of losing you. I've found you and now I have to take you back. You've stressed me out too much, for this to continue."

Xion stands straight, appalled, "Xathe, you wouldn't truly do this would you?" she makes sure to look him right in the eye. This time Xathe loses the staring contest, looking to the ground with pain in his features. Xion knew that he wouldn't hurt her, not when he was this stressed.

"Xion, why are you doing this to me?! Why can't you just come back for me? Or do you even care?" he growls.

"Of course I care about you!"

"Stop lying to me! I'm sick of it! It doesn't even matter anymore. I'm taking you back. Easy way or the hard way."

"Xathe... I'm being honest."

His eyes glimmer with hatred, "I know."

"Please... just give me time. That's all I want..."

Xathe looks to the ground a moment before standing straight again, "Fine... I guess I have no choice-"

"Xion?" a gasp comes from behind Xathe.

"Damn it…" Xathe curses under his breath. He turns his head over his shoulder to see Roxas staring at Xion with a look of shock.

"Roxas, I-" Xion starts but is quickly interrupted.

"Xion, what's going on?!" Roxas asks, hastily.

"Roxas, listen to me." Xion pleads, but Roxas ignores her, turning his head to Xathe who still holds his Keyblade in his hand.

Roxas thinks for a second but then glares harshly, "You were going to hurt Xion! Well, you won't get far!" He shouts, drawing out his Kingdom Key.

"Don't do this, Roxas. You're making a mistake," Xathe deadpans.

"Don't bother! I know the truth! You were jealous of Xion so you found her and cornered her, then you were going to kill her!" Roxas spits, venomously.

His accusations make Xathe shake his head in disappointment.

Xion prepares to protest but Xathe speaks up before her, "Well, well. Looks as if somebody has caught on to my little scheme after all! About time, Roxas."

Xion raises an eyebrow to Xathe. What was he doing? He couldn't be serious could he?

Xion's thoughts are answered by Xathe smirking to her and winking. He was trying to distract Roxas so Xion could escape…

'Wow, he is clever! Not bad…' Xion thinks, smiling to Xathe.

Xathe mouths out the words, "I've got this," and turns around towards Roxas, "So let's go! I wanna see what you're made of!" Xathe exclaims, fake laughing.

Roxas growls and yells, "Fine, you'll get what's coming to you!"

"I don't know… I think Xion and Axel have made you a softie!" Xathe chuckles.

"Get real!" Roxas spits, rushing at Xathe.

Their Keyblades collide in a clash, but Xathe shoves Roxas back and leaps into the air, bringing his Keyblade down onto Roxas.

Roxas blocks it and counters, throwing Xathe back in his original spot. They quickly come at each other again, countering one another again and again in flashes of sparks and magic energy. Xathe is struck, sending him into the ground a few yards back. Roxas continues on, running at his downed form.

Xathe smiles deviously, showing his newest technique: Teleportation.

He disappears, appearing behind Roxas and hacking him to the dirt. Roxas grunts from the fast strike but quickly scrambles back up, launching an Aero spell at Xathe. The spell sucks him in, spinning Xathe around and around until it throws him high into the air. Xathe lets himself soar for a moment but then spreads his arms out, the bottom of his cloak floating upwards and stopping himself in mid-flight.

Xathe glides down in a swift maneuver towards Roxas. Xathe lands to the ground where Roxas leaps from and then dashes forward, slashing at Roxas. Roxas quickly jumps into the air, the low-strike missing his feet and he brings down his blade onto Xathe, before he teleports away again. The Keyblade strikes the damp grass, launching mud in several directions.

Roxas looks around, confused, for Xathe but can't find him. Then a corridor of darkness opens beside Xion, distracting Roxas as she prepares to enter into it. "Xion! Wait, no!" Roxas shouts, preparing to chase after her.

Xion pulls her hood over her head, disappearing in the darkness of the portal.

"Xion!" Roxas bellows again, running forward before being abruptly stopped by a jab in the back of his neck, against his spinal cord.

The jab knocks him to the ground, spinning him around so he lands on his back against the cold grass. "Xion…" he whispers.

Finally Roxas gives in and falls unconscious.

"I'm sorry, Roxas." Xathe sighs, slowly leaning down to check his pulse. He was luckily still healthy and alive. That proved two things:

One: Xathe was much more powerful but could control his strength.

Two: Roxas was much more advanced as well.

Xathe picks Roxas up and carries him bridal style. He winces at the air, making a dark corridor form before them. Xathe then looked to Roxas one more time before carrying him into the portal of nothingness. Let's just hope that Roxas forgot about the whole scene. Mostly the fight, though.

The portal disappears.


Xathe carries Roxas into his room, lying him down on his bed. Sure it was Xathe's room but he didn't mind very much. It was just Roxas.

Though, 'just Roxas', was most likely going to be extremely angry with Xathe when he woke up. Xathe still prayed his memory of the scene would be erased anyways. God, what he wouldn't give for Namine`'s abilities right then…

Namine`…

Just her name made Xathe feel betrayal. It made his non-existent blood boil and his No-heart pound vigorously.

Why did she take his memories in the first place? Why did she lie to him about everything, from his past to who he was? Why would she just let Xathe walk out on their friendship without as much as a single protest?

Did anyone truly care about Xathe's feelings?! It was as if Xathe was a toy that always happened to be at the right place, at the right time. He was, practically, "waiting" to be used by another person. This time it seemed like it was Xion.

But then again… Xathe felt like she was telling the truth the whole time. Perhaps… she truly did care, but just didn't know Xathe well enough to trust him like she did with Roxas and Axel.

It ate at Xathe's sanity, but he knew he'd have to deal with the new situations he was being forced into. He didn't like them. He didn't love them. He didn't hate them, either. All he wanted, was to get through it.

To get through another day… alone. Everybody tried but nobody was successful in trying to help Xathe. Xathe was truly by himself.

Loneliness isn't a friend to Xathe, but he's very familiar with it.

'I always walk alone, anyways.' Xathe sighs inwardly.

But one question still bugged him, something that he was starting to really wonder about…

Why did he get the feeling the Organization was hiding something big from him?


Chapter 7 ends here. Thanks to the few of you that actually review! I'm really enjoying the story, myself, actually! :)

XIIIXV: What's up?! Ha ha, I just saw you the other day and you're reviewing. Glad you're enjoying it! But ideas are more needed than appreciation. Thanks a bunch, though! XD

Godskeybladewarrior: Thank you for your support! Much appreciated! :)

Anyways, seeya next Chapter, guys and gals! –The Key To Darkness