Lebrezie: HEY GUYS!! I am back, sorry for the wait…I have been EXTREMELY busy…I thought summer would be a time for me to catch up…and then there is this wonderful thing called a job…grrr.
Anyway, I had a little trouble deciding if what is going to happen in this chapter was the right time…but with the situation at hand…you know perfect timing and stuff.
PLEASE READ (important): Okay, so I posted this chapter about a week ago, mentioning that it would only be about 1/5th of it…it ended up being a whole bunch longer than expected, but oh well…anyway, so yeah, if you have already read this chapter, I suggest you go back and read it again…cause this one is the WHOLE THING!!
Thanks again for reading! And two those 4 who have already reviewed!
So yeah, I hope you enjoy, thanks for reading, BYE!
Ps: and oh yeah: this first part (look below) is in italics because Roxas is not fully awake for this part…kinda out of it still…poor guy, I told him to get off drugs -- JUST KIDDING (about the drugs part - Hoshizora no Hikari - haha) the rest is true.
That if for Final Hikari your welcome
Chapter 10
Gone: Never and Forever
xxxxxXxXxxxxx
"You know what this means right?"
"No."
"It means, that it is time."
"Time for what?"
"To take her away."
"Do you know what that will do to him?"
"Yes."
"It will break his heart."
"Exactly."
xxxxxXxXxxxxx
Roxas POV:
"Namine, I want to take you somewhere."
"Roxas, the guards…" She replied quickly in a hushed voice.
I took her hand in mine and bent my head, so she would be forced to look at me. I tried to smile, tried to make light of the moment, but she did not move. Her glazed eyes stayed glued to the white walls, the glass windows…she knew they were there; I wanted so much to tell her that she was free, that nothing was there always watching…waiting, but it was impossible for me to lie to her.
So I settled for the only thing I could do, make her smile, so she could be happy…and that is exactly what I was giving her happiness, but then things got harder…and her smile slowly started to disappear.
Her eyes were scared, she was biting her lip. I shook my head and lifted my other hand placing it on her cheek. She looked at me then, her eyes still wide, still suspicious.
"Namine, you know the guards are no match for me."
"They could kill you, they would," she whispered, there was pain in her voice, neither of us liked the think of the others death, but we knew we had to, that one day we would be forced to.
"I should be offended that you think that low of me," I replied, trying to keep the conversation light, something that was getting harder and harder to do…ever since he left; I can tell when Namine looks at Kairi, there is fear in her eyes that the same thing will happen to her, but I wont let that happen…I would never leave, ever.
She did not reply to my attemptive flirting, but then again, her silence was not all that unexpected, like I said, things used to be so much easier before, when it was just the four of us…young and in love.
I stroked my thumb gently across her cheek, "trust me," I whispered as I brought my face closer to hers.
"I do," she said instantly, her belief was reassuring, "but I am afraid…"
"I will never let anything happen to you," I had to close my eyes and calm my breathing, just the thought of anything happen to her, it nearly makes me loose control.
"It is not me I am worried about, I could care less about my own life…my own death," she said, and by the way she spoke, her voice strong, never once quivering I knew it was true; despite all my wishes that it wasn't. Her words cut through me, it was so easy for her to talk about her death…I knew it was inevitable, she was in love with me, and I was the greatest danger in her life.
"I would, I care," I pleaded, did she know how much pain she brought me, when she talked like that; just sitting here, with her, was a constant reminder that I would be the reason for her death, and the cause of all the undeserved danger in her otherwise innocent life.
"I know, that is why I love you," she breathed, letting a smile fall to her lips. I smiled back looking into her eyes; she was so close to me…I could feel her breath on my face, every word she spoke…
"I love you too," I stroked her cheek with my thumb, and gently brought her face towards mine…
"Namine," I gasped…she was slipping away.
"Roxas, Roxas?" There was a voice; I felt a hand on my back--pulling me up.
I opened my eyes, "Axel?" I croaked, my voice was nearly gone, I must have been screaming.
"Roxas, I am so sorry…" I could barely see his lips move, his head was bowed…did it really pain him that much just to look at my eyes?
"What do you mean?" I asked, confused, I pulled my eyebrows together and shot him an anxious glare until he found the words to answer.
He looked up, directly into my eyes, and I felt the sudden urge to look away…there was something different -- he lightly put his hand on my shoulder, as if he was trying to comfort me; he was only making things worse.
"Roxas, she is gone…Namine's gone."
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I don't know what happened after that, what I did, where I went…I think I just let myself succumb to something else inside me, something powerful…something that felt so good—grand even, and natural yet scary.
I did not even try to remember what happened, how I blacked out, who took Namine, I even conveniently looked over the fact that Axel and the one thing that in the end kept me from Namine, by slamming a door in my face, were the same person.
But none of that mattered, or even registered in my mind, because at the moment when he said those words all that mattered, all I could think about were the unfortunate and painful facts;
I had blacked out, failed to fight, because I was weak…something I would change, let me tell you I will get stronger; I needed to for her…
That voice never stopped, never fell silent or drifted off into nothing like I hoped it would, it kept repeating the words that could single handily bring me to shame: that she was gone, and that it was all my fault.
That is what brought me back…I would find her, I needed to save her.
After I heard Axel's words…I wish I could forget the memory. I see myself staring, shaking my head, repeating no, no, no…all the while it was sinking in, when I spoke defiance of the truth in a pathetic attempt to keep control, my mind was really wrapping around the horrible fact that once again I had failed her, and everything collapsed…I was shaking uncontrollably, sputtering out incoherent thoughts…on the spot remedies to my latest and greatest mistake; but nothing helped.
Nothing I thought of seemed to fit; it was like I was incapable of thinking of something that could actually work, maybe it was because I was broken -- that I was so screwed up I could not do anything right.
Axel said that I ran away, I remember that part -- the adrenaline rush, the unnatural – yet familiar surge of power that pumped itself through my body, but I came back -- in due time. I must have realized that I could not accomplish anything alone; I would probably manage to actually make things worse.
"Roxas, how long are you going to sulk in that corner?" It was Kairi, she sounded so bitter…she didn't used to, or maybe she did but she just covered it up; like a mask…not like it mattered, she didn't bother with covering anything up anymore. I think she is getting tired, I couldn't imagine why, I thought she was wanted to help Namine just as much as the rest of us, but then again she could have some alterative motive, after all she is only human.
It's kind of ironic I guess, because we all want something, all of us, ready to give up everything for that one thing.
That one person….
….Namine, I needed her, more than I could ever imagine, and now that she was gone, really gone, the mystery was quickly becoming my dreaded, painful reality; I would do anything to save her…to bring her back to me.
Anything
I must have laughed because Kairi snapped her head in my direction and snarled at me, "Its not funny, you know," I chuckled again as I carelessly twirled my neck-- my dad's necklace in my hands, and replied with out even lifting me eyes, "of course it is funny, here I sit practically the definition of failure, and you are still trying to convince me otherwise, it is quite a foolish attempt I must say."
She turned around, it's good that she knows when to quit. I was about to zone out again but then what she said caught me off guard, "your not the only person who cares you know…" she looked at me to see if I was listening, I was, "…did you ever think that this mission wasn't always about just you and Namine,"
I didn't even move my head, but in truth I always thought it had, she was the most important thing to me, and it never occurred to me that the others did not feel that way about this journey…about her.
I think I heard her snort, but I was too dazed, too shocked…
"Well you are wrong, Roxas, we all want a little something different, so well I guess you are right, in a certain sense, we are all human…" she smirked at me, shit I forgot she can read minds, "…and we all want a little piece of what the universe is willing to give us, and a little something we are willing to get ourselves."
Her eyes nearly glazed as she finished her last sentence, as if she was falling into some fantasy, but she shook herself loose…I guess what she wants is more real to her than I imagined.
"So I guess you should probably get off your butt and start looking for those pieces, because even though we are here to help, you are the only one who should care enough to actually do anything about it."
With those words, Kairi pushed herself away from the table where her and the others were sitting silently, stood up, and walked out.
It was silent for a moment and the only sounds that registered were Kairi's retreating footsteps and the faint sound of my own beating heart…
Thump
...the one thing I had that Namine did not…
Thump
…and the one thing I wanted so much to give her…
Thump
I wanted to laugh, because my heart…well that just wasn't something I was usually intone with, honestly sometimes it feels so apart from me, like it really isn't mine at all…but that's stupid, or at least that is what I tell myself to keep sane.
I looked away from the floor and towards the table where only two now remained seated; as much as it pained me to say it Kairi was right. I would find a way to save her, I would fight.
I cleared my throat, and retied my fathers necklace around my neck as I shot a smirk in a certain red heads direction, "Hey, Axel, do you mind if I had a word with you?"
xxxxxXxXxxxx
"Is this fine?" I asked, turning slightly to catch Axel's response. He nodded once, his eyes still cautious.
We were in the middle of nowhere, so his hesitance was understandable, but I need to get away to talk alone, someplace where I was sure there were to be no eavesdroppers, or out of mind-reading-range at least.
"Sorry to pull you out here, but you know…" I said, shrugging my shoulders in his direction, he nodded as my words faded. In all truth I really did not even know myself.
"Right I get it, you wanted to talk?" He responded, his voice still cautious. It was making me angry, how odd he was acting; it was like he had seen something awful and now he could not bring himself to trust me again.
I sat there staring at the ground, what had happened to me? I can't even really remember. All my thoughts keep getting pushed to the back of my mind because Namine is the only thing I can think about.
It is like nothing makes sense without her, that until I find her, save her, she will be the only thing I can actually think about.
That was a haunting thought, because right now her memory hurt so much, and yet it was consuming my every piece…giving me a small speck of hope.
What I let happen to her was unforgivable…maybe if I save her, she could somehow find trust in me again.
I sighed, and put my head in my hands, what am I thinking, of course she won't. I will probably be lucky if she even looks at me again.
I am a fool for letting her go, for not thinking how much her absence could hurt me, how much it would hurt her.
I am a fool for letting the one thing that has the power to consume all my thoughts slip away.
I am a fool…that needs help, to save not only Namine, but myself.
"Yeah, I need your help…" I sighed still unable to lift my head from my hands. What a hopeless sight I must be, I couldn't even think straight…I really was hopeless, broken, destroyed.
"Why are you so serious all of the sudden?" Axel asked surprisingly calm, his voice stern, and like I mentioned earlier I could not help but feel like screaming.
It was that one thing that could just set me off, questions. I didn't have time for them…she already had no time; so wasting it was not an option.
I did not need anyone to question my motives, everything I did was because of her, and even an idiot should know that.
I was doing all this for her, I felt this way because she was gone.
But I didn't blame her, no, how could I…I would just have to explain to her; if I could make her smile again then she would understand.
When she is back and safe I will lighten up a bit, for now…well I might as well shoot the moon.
"Axel, do you really have to ask that question? Are you really that stupid?" I spat, did he not know that all the anger I was exhibiting was because of me, that I hated myself for allowing her to slip away so easily, what if she thought I didn't want to save her…what if she thought I didn't care?
That was probably my biggest fear, the thing that caused me the most pain -- that she would loose faith in me, and forget trust all together.
"You're doing it again--" As soon as I heard his words I knew he was talking about Kairi and her stupid reality speech…and I thought questions got me mad. That was it; I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white, and my nails dug into the palm of my hand.
"I'll tell you why, because maybe just maybe I feel like I have lost everything, failed--or wait, why don't you just go ask that stupid mind-reading freak who can best me at anything because she can hear my every damn thought." I spewed, unable to control what words I spoke.
"So Kairi is annoying you?" He quickly concluded, probably to keep me from exploding right then and there, but his comment, less idiotic and cowardly than expected actually made me stop and think.
"Yes, no, I dunno, I just feel…." I sputtered, there were no words to explain how I felt, unless I decided to just give up on the English language all together and scream, at the top of my lungs…
"…Like you have lost apart of yourself," He whispered, clumping together some sand into a pile with his feet as he did so.
"Yeah…wait how did you know --" I was at a loss of words, although my mind never seemed to stop running.
"You know maybe that is why Kairi annoys you so much -- because she knows exactly what it feels like," He said, almost nonchalantly as he simultaneously shot a no-it-all glance in my direction.
"Axel what are you talking about?" I responded, a little harshly than I meant it to be…his smart ass remark and glance, for that matter, set me off…and to top it off he was not making any sense…
….or maybe he was making perfect sense, I just did not understand…
…Was I missing a whole piece to the puzzle that I thought I was putting together?
"She can relate to you more than you think, and not just because of her freaky mind tricks," He said, obliviously toying with words and playing with my mind. He seemed more relaxed than before, he must have figured if I had not physically retaliated yet that I wouldn't ever.
And the truth is he was right, I would never physically fight, well not now at least…not until he taught me…
I looked back up at him, trying to piece together his words.
"What…is Kairi looking for someone too?" I asked astonished, I know it was unnaturally cruel, but the first thing that came to mind was how could she possibly care about anything, let alone a person, other than herself.
"Yeah, well wasn't there something you wanted to talk to me about?" Axel said, again nonchalantly, but cleverly.
"Yes, wait, did you hear me…about Kairi?" I asked still confused, he was speaking so carelessly, as if he knew what he was talking about, it almost seemed like he was leading the conversation…
…If only I knew that he was planning ahead, that he was intentionally leading the conversation, drawing me in with each unknown word, and that he was ever so cleverly guiding me directly to my past…
"Yes, I did…now weren't you going to ask me to teach you how to fight right?" He responded quickly, catching me completely off guard. I would have taken a step back out of shock if I was standing, but unfortunately I was sitting so all my reaction looked like was a slight wobble possibly from one to many drinks.
I remember those moments, thinking I was imagining everything…but I wasn't, because the truth was he already knew what I was going to talk about long before I even suggested speaking to him.
Because the scary part is, everything was planned, predicted…my fate was already set, it might have been up to me…once, but I had already chose…and so it was set in inerasable stone.
If only I knew…
"How did you know that?" I questioned, speaking very slowly, hesitantly.
"Come on Roxas, I might be an idiot but I do have common sense." He replied, smirking, as he tapped his finger on his head. His reply made me want to trust him.
I nodded my head, not quite ready to respond yet.
"You want to save your little blond princess, it's completely understandable,"
There was silence as I once again locked my hands at my sides and glared at him, "Namine," I breathed, letting her name escape through my lips in a low painful hiss. He looked at me for a second, bewildered, and then continued as if nothing had happened.
That was inexcusable. He needed to want to save her as much as I did…everyone needed to, because she was that important.
I don't care what Kairi said, Namine is wonderful and she deserves to be cared about, even if I have to force people into it.
I stood up, and looked down at him, making sure my hands were still locked at my sides.
"Her name is Namine," I said as I did before, except this time the anger in my voice was plainly visible as it rolled off every word.
Axel stood up as well, and I took a step back to avoid contact. This time he took his turn to look down, and his patronizing gaze I fell under made me feel too small for comfort, but I held my ground, and slowly lifted my eyes to send a glare directly into his.
But to my surprise he was smirking, and his eyes were sparkling with pure delight. It was my turn to be confused but I tried to keep my thoughts from exposing themselves on my face.
"You have so much potential, Roxas," he breathed, he was happy, but his words sounded evil, it was like I was talking to Rinoa…the first time I talked to her she seemed happy, but at the same time angry, vengeful…Axel he looked pleased yet sinister
…I took another step back…
"It's alright Roxas, I am only here to help," he reassured…I think I gulped…
"Wasn't there something else?" He asked; I shook my head. He looked away off into the horizon and smirked at the setting sun. I followed his gaze with my eyes, and they settled on a huge ball of fire…my eyes shot to his hand, his fingers were moving slowly clasping and unclasping themselves around something, but there was nothing but air…
…and then I remembered, "Yeah there was something else." I said, my voice gaining its confidence again.
He turned his attention back to me and remained silent, "I wanted to know how to summon those…" I didn't exactly know the word, so my voice kind of faded towards the end.
"Chakarams" I looked up my eyes filled with shock, not only had he finished my sentence, but because the word sounded familiar. As it echoed in my mind, I felt something pulling, and I wanted so badly to unlock it…but it was impossible I needed to find the key.
"I am not physic, Roxas, what else were you going to say, keyblades?" He chuckled at his joke, but I was not laughing. "No, no I can't summon those, Chakarams are the only things I can fight with…but I do know others who can summon the keyblade…"
He was not looking at me…just staring about ten feet out, as if the mention of fighting had taken him to a different world, one that seemed to grasp every bit of his attention.
I stood there silent, as did he, his words seemed to fade. I wanted to respond, ask him what he meant, but I never got the chance.
"Why the sudden urge to learn how to fight?" Axel lightly asked.
I took a deep breath, hoping to keep control this time.
"I want to get the pieces as soon as possible, I just want to save her…I need to save her," I breathed, sucking in a sharp breath as the memories flowed back as to why she needed saving in the first place, but I felt like Axel needed to know…like I needed to be completely honest with him.
"Roxas, are you saying you would kill to save Namine?" He asked, less astonished than I expected…and honestly his question took me off guard.
I know I should have thought about my answer, said no even, but I did neither, nor felt the need to do either of those things, "Yes, if it came down to that, I doubt I give it a second thought."
Just like my answer, I gave it no second thought.
He seemed to like my answer, because he smiled, "Well, that is good to know."
I sat there, just trying to understand what he could possibly mean, or be thinking about for that matter, but I kept coming up blank.
"Axel, what do you mea—" but he cut me short by turning on his heals and walking.
After a few steps he turned, still smiling, and outstretched a lanky hand in my direction.
"Come on, I want to show you something," he said, a wild smirk plaguing his lips, I wanted to grab him and pull him back but he quickly turned away.
I watched as he swept his hand out in front of him leaving a dark misty trail that instantly grew into something his size.
I nearly jumped, it looked purely evil…I took a hesitant step back, and he whipped his head around, smile instantly because he noticed my hesitance, "It's just a portal,"
His words were calm, how could I not trust him?
I nodded without understanding.
"Something we use to get around," He continued because of choice, the way he spoke he made his explanation sound unnecessary.
I absentmindedly nodded because my mind was still wrapped around one word, the mention of we, my instincts made me curious, but instead of digging deeper I quickly brushed it off and stepped into the portal.
xxxxXxXxxxx
I reached out for Axel as soon as I stepped in, but he was gone…I looked up but found nothing, just darkness, and confusion…I felt air whip furiously across my face, and even though it looked like I was standing still I could tell, feel, that I was moving forward.
I looked down, I was standing on…nothing, but I felt my feet firmly planted on the ground…I called Axel's name, cupping my hands around my mouth…but nothing came, my voice barely traveled past my lips.
"Help," I whispered, but I knew that no one would hear…I looked up, and I could not even tell if my eyes were open or closed it was so dark…
I reached up into nothing, and then I felt my feet give out from under me…or maybe it was the floor, and my mind fell with it…tumbling into the darkness.
xxxxXxXxxxx
"Ow," I managed to breathe, my cheek was cold and my head hurt…I reached my hand out, but found nothing but more cold. I slowly opened my eyes, and breathed in the unpleasant smell of dirt.
I could barely see past my nose, and I watched in horror when my hand disappeared completely into the darkness when I reached out in front of me. I carefully pulled it back, bringing back small pieces of rock with me.
I picked one small piece up and held in what seemed like extremely close proximity to my face so I could see, I still had to squint, and scowled when I realized…
…That I was on the floor…of a cave…
"Axel?" I asked, speaking as far as I knew, to nothing…but somehow I got an answer.
"Right here buddy!" He barked a hint of humor in his voice, "Huh?" I grunted without thinking, how could he possibly be humorous at a time like this? It took him no more than to seconds to register, but then he let out a short sigh and breathed, "oh yeah, you can't see…I forgot,"
I was ready to reply with a sharp remark, I mean come on, why was he all of the sudden calling me buddy? But suddenly there was a blinding light, and I jerked my eyes closed, suddenly forgetting all meaningless thoughts that were just previously on my mind.
"Roxas, buddy are you ok…I knew it had been a while, but I did not think you would have that bad of a reaction to it…" He asked obviously concerned, and to my surprise it was sincere…he made it sound like there was actually something severely wrong with me.
I murmured under my breath about how he was crazy, because I had never been through something like that…he obliviously disagreed. "And how did you make that fire appear?" I asked harshly, still angry as I heaved myself off the ground.
"I mean it has probably only been a hundred and fifty years or so…" he murmured, his hand lightly resting on his chin…did it really help him think, or did he do that just for the soul purpose of annoying me.
"Axel, last time I checked I was sixteen," I sighed brushing off the unwanted dust from my shoulders and pants, "so don't go telling me that I have lived for more than that, and I mean a hundred years? No one lives that long." I concluded, nearly exasperated…maybe I was not the only one who felt a little foggy after that pleasant ride.
"Hundred and fifty," he corrected, I looked up at him sharply fully prepared to send a glare that would hopefully make him shut up, but he was not even looking at me…instead he was staring intently at the darkness around us.
And suddenly I did not feel so safe, even within the little bubble of light Axel had so easily created…speaking of that I lowered my gaze where the light was not only radiating but most prominent.
And I took a cautious step back, "um…Axel, your finger is on fire…" I said my voice disbelieving.
He brushed off my comment, by shrugging and muttering a mere yes before he turned my back on me so that he was fully facing the darkness.
The area I was standing in quickly became dark due to my companions most recent action, and I hesitantly took a step closer, I really prefer not to be blind, even if it did put me within yards of a pyromaniac.
"um, Axel…should I be concerned, you know about your finger…you wont like combust into flames or anything right?" I questioned, honestly, I needed to be prepared…if well…
He turned around, holding back a chuckle, er well I lied, he was buckled over laughing. I not so patiently waited, because thoughts like 'what if this proved that he really was insane' kept plaguing my mind. It took some time but he eventually composed himself, and then he answered.
"No, of course not, I can control it…how do you think I set my Chakarams on fire if I didn't?" He retorted, and some how he made me sound like the insane idiotic one.
I wanted to respond, but how could I? I don't think he even meant for his response to be a question.
Instead I just blurted without thinking, "Um…Axel you don't set your Chakarams on fire…"
This kind of took him by surprise, I was beginning to think nothing could, but he quickly composed himself and then replied causally, "Well, I can."
I crossed my arms, suddenly smug, "Then prove it."
He chuckled, shaking his head back and forth, "I will, but first follow me."
I stood in place, my arms still crossed, he muttered something along the lines of 'just as stubborn as always' and then swiftly turned around to face me.
"Well, Mr. emoblond, were you just planning on standing there, in the dark I might add," he concluded turning the corners of his lips up and then pointing to his lit finger, "or were you going to follow me."
Shit. I groaned and then pushed past him, I wish he would just teach me and then be done with it. No caves, or freaky magic tricks. I needed to learn how to fight so I could save Namine as simple as that.
I would probably be in a better mood if Axel just complied with my plans instead of bringing me half way around the world just so he could confuse me more.
But sadly that was not the case, I was stuck, in the dark, resting my life on a guy that used way too much hair gel and had a magical glowing finger.
"Oh yeah, and pay attention," He said once he caught up with me, I tried to quicken my pace, but he easily kept my stride.
I sighed, "And why would I need to do that?"
"Cause I might need your help," He replied like it was obvious, "For someone who is supposed to be smart, you really are kind of slow." He said, low enough that he probably thought I could not hear, but I did and it took a long relaxing breath not to spit a harsh reply.
"How could I possibly help?" I asked, in the nicest or well calmest way I could conger up, it probably sounded more like I was straining myself than anything remotely sincere.
"Well we both know that you know these caves better than I do," he said like it was the most obvious thing in the world, he seemed to be doing that a lot tonight, and it was making me royally pissed off.
"Well this might surprise you, but I have absolutely no idea where we are, or where we are going for that matter,"
"Oh you do, trust me, you just don't remember,"
That would be it, but I need to find my way out of here, so I reluctantly held my fist at my sides. I took a deep breath hoping that that conversation would end, but the silence did not last and Axel quickly remarked, "oh no response? I thought you were the king of clever insults?"
"I decided it was best that I stay silent," I replied, and then coupled it with a ferocious glare that I hoped would keep him quiet, but my luck just seemed to be up because he was not at all satisfied with my response and was opening his mouth again.
So I quickly cut him off, "There would be no point listening to an insane person anyway."
"Right," he said, overly exaggerating the word.
I scowled, "Can you not let me have the last word, is it really that hard?" I spat.
"Yep," he concluded, popping the p as he did.
I felt a shuddered wander through my body, that was it, I don't care if he is insane and therefore insured by the state, I needed to find a way to shut him up and fast.
"Oh and by the way, we are here," He said, without giving me so much as a glace. I stopped, and he continued walking. I completely forgot about how annoying he was, and all the ways I was going to hurt him because a wave of astonishment washed through me. We were here all right, I could tell…but the question was, where is here?
xxxxXxXxxxx
I gazed in amazement, the walls were marble and so were the floors. They were so clear, so clean, when I lifted my head to look across the room I saw two identical blue orbs staring straight back.
I jumped then realized it was my reflection. I turned around, almost in disbelief; the tunnel was made of wet stone, slate at best. My eyes wandered to the outskirts of the tunnel, where the dark, dirty stone became the clean, white marble, it was the biggest contrast I had ever seen.
All this was mind blowing, a piece of art in my opinion, but what confused me the most was the light. The entire room was lit, dimly but clearly, and oddly enough the light seemed natural even though there were no openings other than the passage I had just escaped.
"Are you done Roxas?" Axel said, chuckling as he did. I shook my head, and blinked my eyes, he was standing directly across from me, blocking out my reflection like the moon would the sun in an eclipse.
"What are we doing here?" I asked, too bewildered to actually acknowledge Axel's mocking comment.
"You did say you wanted to learn how to fight." I nodded my head, and spoke my exact thoughts, "So…why did you bring me here, how can I learn in a cave?"
Axel just smirked, "Not learn, refresh."
I gave him a confused look, still unable to get angry, and he replied with a simple answer, "Take a look up there." I looked into his eyes, desperately trying to read them, he broke our stare by looking up, and I hesitantly followed his gaze.
My eyes fell on a weapon floating in mind air in the middle of the room just above my head.
I wanted to question it, I knew that science had no logical explanation for it…physics, nothing, because the only explanation that seemed to fit was magic, and what scared me was that I was completely open to it.
And that feeling came back, from that horrible nightmare, only this time it was not just a small tickle, no, it was much stronger than that. I winced and clenched my hand into a fist as an electric shock traveled up my arm and down my spine.
I screamed in pain and fell to the floor clutching my arm. It burned, horribly and I shot my head up just as I let out an ear rupturing scream.
After that the pain began to slowly subside. My breathing was still ragged, and my voice was hoarse, but the pain had dropped enough for me to concentrate, and I opened my eyes.
I looked up at Axel from across the room, he was smirking at me.
What a sick bastard.
I shouted at him, "What did you do?!" He did not respond with words, he only shook his head and chuckled.
I winced as I felt the pain spark again, sweat was pouring down my face, I could taste it, "What did you do!?" I screamed again, this time louder, almost to the point where it used up all my energy.
He looked up this time, still smiling, and responded, "It's not me…it's you!"
I screamed again, unable to respond, the pain was numbing my body.
"It's the blades Roxas, you are bonded and they are calling you,"
I buckled over in pain, throwing my hands in front of me to prevent my face from colliding with the marble floor.
"How do I make it stop?" I pleaded, discarding all thoughts of the impossible, I need to pain to stop, they were torturing me.
"Stand up Roxas," Axel commanded. I did so, pulling myself up one leg at a time, still struggling from the pain that was surging itself through my body.
"Now take them in your hands,"
"Are you crazy!?" I screamed, still struggling to keep my balance, as I wobbled back and forth.
"It's too late to run away Roxas, you're too close," He screamed, now a hint of panic in his voice.
I nodded and before I knew it I was standing in front of them, the pain was subsiding, quicker than before. I could move my fingers without pain now, and I did.
And that scared me, because when I moved them I longed to grasp them around the stem of the blade, now floating only a foot above me.
I didn't have to wait for Axel's instruction, and I reached my hand in the arm and grabbed the blade's handle, and with a small tug brought it down level to my face.
I examined the blade; it was un-ironically in the shape of a large key, the stem and blade silver, and the handle gold.
I recognized this blade…it was the same blade the brunette held. It was familiar, but it did not feel right, and horridly I knew exactly how to make them fit.
I shot Axel a quick glace, and a smirk in his direction; he looked utterly amazed, speechless.
Then I lowered my gaze to the blade, placed my other hand on it handle and then slowly pulled them apart.
From one came two, from two came power.
I opened my eyes and looked down, my left hand held an all black blade that twisted in and out of itself; in my right hand held a colorful more simple…peaceful blade.
Both just as powerful, just as deadly, just as wonderful
That word echoed through my head, wonderful, I smiled, but my joy did not last long.
Because there was a sound, the smallest noise, one that could only catch my attention because it broke the eerie silence the hovered thickly in the room. I turned my head slightly to the right and scowled intently at the ground as I listened silently.
Through my right ear I heard the skid of rubber, most likely the sole of a shoe, against the hard marble floor.
I thought nothing of it, probably just Axel, I nearly turned my head back to face forward, but then I caught a blur in the corner of my eye and whipped my head around; a second later I heard the clacking of metal, and a powerful force thrust against my arms and down my body.
I was frightened at first, unaware of what was going on, but then Axel spoke, his voice sounding closer than I expected, "Do you remember how to fight now Roxas?"
His voice caught me off guard, and I stood there frozen for a few seconds before I even blinked. I shook my head slightly, clearing my vision…I thought I saw fire…
I shifted my gaze by lifting my head to see the pryo towering over me just as he did before, but this time I did not feel cowardly, I felt excited and challenged.
I locked onto his eyes, sending him a forceful, questioning, glare.
He held the gaze instead of looking away, and he nearly made me want to cringe because his eyes were not scowling but smiling and his lips turned upward into a small smirk.
He jerked his head about an inch to the side and shifted his eyes. I followed his gaze slowly, moving my eyes with caution; and they fell on his hand and then flickered to mine; out of pure shock my mouth fell open.
Two Chackarams, Axel's Chackarams were not only on fire but resting, forcefully, on mykeyblades.
I slowly shifted my gaze, from the blades, to my hands, down my arms and then back to Axel's eyes.
He smiled at me, and shifted his weight off of me.
No, no, no, "No," I whispered, unable to grasp my surroundings, denying the obvious.
I bowed my head, and shook it slowly, it's not possible.
I had, just seconds ago, instinctively defended myself, without even thinking I had stopped Axel's attack.
The sudden fighting skill…Axel had said refresh, but this?
Impossible
And this feeling, I felt…complete, it's like I belong. This sensation, this feeling, it felt so right, and yet it felt so wrong.
I need to think of Namine….
…My eyes widened, I had to remind myself to think of her.
Would my memory of her fade…is that why I also feel so empty.
No. I am doing this for her, I would never forget...I can use these, this tool and I can save her…
…Emptiness and Completeness leads to confusion and confusion leads to chaos…
I smiled and lowered my arms, naturally the two blades following and blankly spoke, "Yes Axel I remember how to fight, I don't think I ever really forgot."
xxxxxXxXxxxxx
Lebrezie: Okay guys, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I really enjoyed writing it!
Oh, oh and just some fun facts for you, this chapter was:
18 pages
7,389 words
WOW! That is LONG!! Tehe…sorry for the long-ness, but you know how I do…
Anyway, Review Wise:
I know that some of your (4 to be specific) review for the chapter before it was complete…I really do hope that you also review for the full, complete, chapter as well…it would be nice to give your feedback on the whole thing.
Just write an anonymous review I guess, with your name of course, and I will PM you if you would like a response.
So I hoped you enjoyed! I Update SOON! (I hope) Thanks Again! BYE!