Whee! Thank you guys so much for all the lovely reviews! I'm glad you liked the last chapter and I'm sure we're all glad that Axel and Roxas are still alive. Speaking of Roxas, for the most part this chapter is about him but there is a nice bit of XigDem and DemZem. I like it and hope you do to! Enjoy!
Chapter 28
Stranger
"I love you Roxas."
Roxas smiled, quickly giving into sleep but awake enough to reply quietly, "I love you too Axel…See you when I wake up?"
"Ofcourse," Axel said, smiling at the question and taking Roxas' hand in his own, lacing their fingers together, "I'll always be with you."
He was dreaming…but…the dead didn't dream did they? He slowly became aware that he was lying down on a comfortable surface and there was something on top of him. His fingers twitched, barely moving to feel the blankets on and underneath him. He was warm…the dead weren't warm were they?
Roxas slowly opened his eyes, vision blurry at first but slowly a high ceiling came into focus. The room was well lit by artificial light that poured down from the ceiling where black lamps were hung. It was too bright and Roxas brought a hand up to shield his eyes, wondering what happened. He tried to remember but his mind was hazy and it was difficult because those memories felt so far away. Gradually he remembered the pirates and…his fight with Axel and…he ran off to the aviary where…Saix?...Yes it was Saix…Saix killed him but… "I'm alive?" he asked himself in utter disbelief, his other hand slipping underneath his shirt and grazing over his heart. It was beating but he could also feel the scar left behind by the knife which had been embedded there.
Suddenly his heart rate jumped alarmingly as a voice from the side of the bed rang loudly and shrilly, "Gooooood morning!" Panicking and in no condition for scares, Roxas backed away from the side of the bed quickly and surveyed the unfamiliar face. The man's feminine appearance was much more convincing than Vexen's though this man was clearly several years younger than his uncle, "Your name isn't Roxas by chance is it?" Roxas didn't answer right away, the stranger's smile just a little too happy for his comfort but eventually he nodded his head only to be sent into alarm again when the stranger squealed with delight and got to his feet, "Hooray!"
The stranger spun and jumped with glee for several moments before finally sitting down on the bed and pulling Roxas into a tight hug, "Oh I'm so glad it's you. Riku would be pissy if he came all this way and it turned out to be the wrong guy!"
He knew Riku? Who was this? As if the stranger realized how lost and confused Roxas was he smiled and let go, "Let's have some tea shall we? It would make this all much easier, don't you agree?" Before Roxas could agree or disagree the stranger leapt off the bed and literally skipped for the door.
"Who are you?" Roxas finally had to ask, making the stranger stop in mid-step.
He didn't answer right away, and Roxas wondered why he suddenly seemed so solemn as opposed to his flamboyancy only moments ago. He didn't have time to wonder long because while balanced on one foot the stranger spun around and flashed him a thumbs up, "Marluxia! The man who saved your life!"
Roxas followed cautiously behind him out of the room, uncomfortable with the fact he'd woken up in clothes that definitely weren't his but seemed fitting for this world. His slow pace allowed him to take in his surroundings which were unlike anything he'd ever seen before. Tall firm pillars supported ceiling that seemed far beyond unnecessary in height and detail, statues and elaborate tile patterns on the floor seemed to match flawlessly. This building was far superior to his palace. This place seemed very unwelcoming though and unlike Marluxia it was dark, gloomy, and ominous. The air was cold, a sharp contrast from the warm weather he'd been enjoying on Destiny Island, and he wished he'd grabbed a jacket or at least socks for his bare feet.
Normally he wouldn't dare follow someone he didn't know, but this person clearly knew at least one of the pirates and that reassured Roxas he could be trusted. Something he said though made Roxas anxious and he had to make sure, "Marluxia? Are…Are they coming?"
"Who?" Marluxia asked, turning down a hall and leading Roxas through the first door on the left.
"The pirates," Roxas said, not sure what else to refer to them as in a way that this man would understand who he meant. Marluxia nodded and Roxas felt his heart leap and a smile tug at his lips. He still wasn't sure entirely what happened or even where he was, all that mattered though was that he'd see them again soon. See Axel again soon. As they entered a large dining area Roxas couldn't help but be amazed at the overwhelming luxury of the room, huge glass windows covering half of the room and providing a view overlooking the city. As he went over to get a better look he saw the condition the large city was in. It was unwelcoming like the castle and held a foreboding appearance despite the clear life in the city.
"Rather depressing isn't it?"
Roxas looked back at Marluxia, whom had seated himself at one end of the table set for ten. He wanted to ask what happened to the city but he wanted to know what happened to himself first, so turning his back on the grim sight he joined him at the table but sat at the other end, "So, you're Roxas. Well if this isn't fate then I don't know what is!"
Marluxia laughed but Roxas was still lost, "What exactly happened?"
Calming his laughter Marluxia cleared his throat and rested his chin on his hands, "Well I'll try to put everything together, but mind you there are details that happened back on Destiny Island I'm not too well referenced on. So, three nights ago you died."
It was blunt and Marluxia's smile didn't falter, making Roxas slightly uneasy. This man spoke very freely about his death and it didn't seem right, "Saix killed me…But has it really been three days?"
Marluxia nodded, "Well I found you not too long after you were killed apparently but you've been unconscious since you came back. You barely moved in your sleep but you said a name quite a few times. Axel is the boyfriend I'm assuming?" Roxas was a bit shocked and embarrassed, wondering if his sexuality was that blatant. Rather than wait for the obvious answer Marluxia laughed, "I thought so. Bet he'll be glad to see you."
Roxas smiled to himself mentally but really didn't feel comfortable talking about his relationship with a complete stranger so he changed the subject, "Wait, you said you found me?"
"In the cemetery," Marluxia said, pausing when he heard a whistle from behind a door that led to the kitchen, "Oh! The tea is done!" he said but he didn't move to get up. A wave of his hand and only seconds later the door swung open and two tea cups, saucers, a bowl of sugar, and a teapot came floating in. Roxas just watched in awe as the table set itself and without touching anything the tea served itself.
"The look on your face says you've never seen magic before," Marluxia said before bringing the pot to the other end of the table to serve himself.
Roxas shook his head struggling for the right words, "I saw Zexion…well you don't know him, but I saw him revive another friend of ours with necromancy but it was nothing like this."
"Oh I agree with you entirely, reviving people is completely morbid and a rather unpleasant form of that dark art," Marluxia said as he filled his cup of tea with eight spoonfuls of sugar before sending the bowl down to Roxas, who put his hand over the cup to show he didn't want any. Once all of the utensils settled themselves on the table Marluxia continued where he'd left off, "As I was saying, I found you in the cemetery. From what Riku told me the man I saw trying to get rid of you here was the same one who killed you and then teleported away from your island through black magic."
"Saix…" Roxas mumbled, looking down into his tea as he replayed that horrible night. Every time he thought about it he could feel a tinge of pain in his chest where the knife had penetrated and unease in the bottom of his stomach.
Marluxia took a long sip of his tea before continuing, "Yes, he did mention that name. Anyways, I was wandering through the church and the cemetery as usual when all of a sudden I heard this horrible ruckus. Honestly this man didn't know the meaning of the word stealth. He dumped a body, yours, into one of the half dug graves and was starting to fill it up."
Roxas was grateful he'd been…well not grateful, but somewhat relieved he'd been dead for that because being buried alive was one of his greatest fears. Sora was to blame for that fear, him and his idea of sneaking into the R rated movies stored in the palace's movie theater.
"He wasn't a gravedigger that was for sure, so I scared him off pretty quick. You were clearly a murder victim just because of the way he was trying to hide you," Marluxia said as if it were simple logic, "And so I brought you back here, cleaned you up and revived you."
"Thank you for all of this but…how did you revive me?" Roxas had a hunch but he didn't want to ask about it because it might be an insult to someone who was already gifted with magic.
"Necromancy ofcourse, it's the only way," Marluxia said with a slight laugh, "It's the only real magic I have and it served you tea."
Roxas forced a laugh but he felt uneasy knowing someone like him was capable of such an art, "I've only seen it once but the others, I mean the pirates, have all been killed and brought back through it." He didn't want to think about the lives Marluxia had taken to recover his; but, since there wasn't much time from when he was killed to when he was revived he was relieved that the cost wasn't nearly as much as Demyx's life had been.
"I know," Marluxia said, catching the surprised look on Roxas' face before he could hide it, "What? I know a bit about them."
"How?" Roxas was curious and never once had he heard of a man named Marluxia before from any of them.
Marluxia merely smiled though and finished his tea, "Hmmm, should I tell you now or just wait for him to…" he was more or less talking to himself and Roxas wondered who 'him' referred to. Marluxia was enjoying this though and laughed a little in his throat, "I know your friend Zexion, who do you think brought him back to life?" Roxas' eyes widened with shock, realizing who he was having tea with: the necromancer who brought Zexion back to life and the vampire who killed Riku.
Axel stared out the rain soaked window at the storm still raging outside. How much longer? How much longer until the weather would be in his favor and allow them to set out to sea? It had been three days since he tried to kill himself and three days since he discovered his reason for living was still alive. His throat had healed and his voice had returned but that didn't change the fact it had still been three agonizing days. Roxas was alive and he couldn't be with him or even see for himself that he was okay! He trusted Riku but he needed to have Roxas back in his arms before feeling any better.
"Do you think he can even hear us?" Demyx wondered out loud, watching Axel sitting on the windowsill and stared blankly out at the weather.
Zexion had been reading and didn't reply, not realizing Demyx was even talking to him until he noticed the three of them were the only ones in the sitting room. He quickly shut his book and paid attention when he caught on, hoping his obliviousness wasn't obvious, "I doubt so. He's off in his own little world it looks like."
Demyx was curious though and Zexion just watched as he wandered closer to Axel and said in a clearly audible tone, "You're fat," before running and diving behind the couch to hide. When an immediate reaction didn't occur though he realized he really was off in his own little world, "He's out of it for sure." Zexion merely smiled and reopened his book, jumping a bit when Demyx climbed over the back of the couch and sat down beside him, "What are you reading?"
"Oh nothing," Zexion said, shutting the book and putting it facedown in his lap, covering it with his hands. The look Demyx gave him made his plans clear and he tried to pry his hands away but Zexion held tight and wiggled away and further down the couch.
Demyx grinned, wondering what secret he was trying to keep and he lunged for the book again, "What is it? Tell me!"
"D-Demyx stop," Zexion insisted, getting to his feet and starting to walk away with the book held tight to his chest. He thought this would provide an easy escape from the blonde but boy was he wrong.
"Banzai!"
Zexion's eyes grew wide as he heard the battle cry, not even having time to turn around before Demyx jumped off the arm of the couch and tackled him. Now with Zexion's size it was an easy task to accomplish and he his the ground with a thud, still clinging to the book as Demyx struggled on top of him to get it. Despite their injuries and Zexion's size they both had some fight in them and the two rolled, crawled, and tumbled around the room before finally crashing into a display cabinet housing several glass pots. Zexion, who had been on the bottom during their impact was the only one who saw the china bowl teeter off balance, "Demyx look out!"
Demyx looked over his shoulder just in time for the bowl to fall off the edge and come crashing down on his head. The bowl was much thicker than Demyx's head it seemed though because other that a very loud clang the china took no damage. Demyx was another story though and he quickly clasped his hands over his throbbing head with a pitiful whine. Zexion sat up and tried to see if he was okay but as soon as his hands were off the book Demyx instantly was well again and swooped down to grab it. Zexion wasn't fast enough and Demyx brought it to eye-level and read, "How to Please Your Lover."
Zexion quickly snatched the book back and struggled out from underneath him, "Shut up please," he grumbled, looking around to make sure nobody heard him announce the embarrassing title.
"Wow, so who's the lucky one Zexion?" Demyx asked curiously, not understanding why Zexion looked at him like he was ready to slap him. Before he was able to get another question in, Zexion turned and hurried out of the room, nearly crashing into Xigbar which only made him feel worse.
Xigbar watched Zexion flee down the hall and wondered what happened to make the usually calm necromancer so flustered. Just as he looked back into the sitting room Demyx nearly tackled him with a flying embrace, "Xiggy!"
The delighted squeal was enough to make dogs cry in the next county but Xigbar caught and held onto him anyway, "What did you do?"
Clinging to him much like a koala would with all fours Demyx shrugged, "I don't know. I just asked him about the book he was reading and then who the lucky person was."
"Lucky person?" None of what Demyx said made sense but the fact he knew Xigbar was talking about Zexion proved that he'd in fact said something to him.
"Yeah. He was reading How to Please Your Lover," Demyx explained. When the look on Xigbar's face fell he knew he was upset, "What?"
"You've got to stop that you know," Xigbar said with a sigh, the blank look on Demyx's face making his confusion clear, "You can't be that naïve." But it was plain to see that Demyx was indeed that naïve to what was painted so clearly right before his eyes. Xigbar wondered how he'd survived so long being so clueless but he wouldn't tell him the obvious. As long as Demyx remained happy in his ignorance then there was no need to tell him what he didn't need to know.
"The rain stopped!" Axel yelled, alarming the couple at how quickly the mute button on him went away.
Xigbar could hear something Axel tuned out though and corrected him and his false hope, "The airship passing above us is acting as an umbrella." Sure enough when he looked up Axel saw the large cargo carrier passing over the wing and after it was gone the rain returned along with Axel's depression.
Zexion flung the book across his room and sat down on the floor, slouching against the door and sighing heavily. He was so horribly embarrassed there was no way he could face either one of them again. It was a simple misunderstanding but he didn't have the nerve to tell them, especially since Demyx probably hadn't even caught onto the assumed reason he read the book.
"I…I was only reading it because it was the last thing left in the library," he muttered the truth to reassure himself. Sure enough since they'd been there Zexion had accomplished the unheard and unthinkable task of reading every single book in the palace's library, both public and private. He'd deliberately skipped over this book since he had no purpose for it and had been avoiding that particular section of the library after the embarrassing encounter with Demyx.
"Oooh, Xigbar is going to be upset," Zexion whined, fumbling with his hands and knowing exactly what the marksman must be thinking. Sure he still had feelings for his friend but he would never acknowledge them because he didn't want to risk ruining the happiness the two of them had, let alone his friendship with either one of them, "…I might've just done both things I didn't want to." He'd talk to Xigbar later about the misunderstanding; hopefully he would believe him and laugh at it all.
After several moments of just sitting in silence Zexion looked around the room to make sure nobody was there, though why would there be anyone in his room? When sure he was alone he crawled back over to the book he'd thrown. Regardless of it's contents it was the last book left and he sort of felt like he had to finish it.
"Yo."
Zexion threw the book over his head barely moments after reopening it, looking up in sheer panic when he heard Xigbar, "Hi!" he quickly replied, hoping for all his worth that the thrown book landed with the cover down. Apparently it hadn't because he saw the look of mild shock on Xigbar's face when he spotted it, "I can explain…really." Xigbar listened to his quick and uneasy explanation as to why he had the book but never really seemed amused or annoyed by the story.
"…He's naïve, you're lucky," Xigbar said after he finished. Hearing this came as a bit of a surprise for Zexion, who had honestly been expecting a reply more along the lines of 'stay the hell away from him.' Xigbar didn't seem bothered though and instead picked up the book, "Look, I'm not as blind as he is, even with one eye. Don't let him catch on though or it'll hurt him more than you'll ever know."
"Xigbar?" Zexion didn't know what to think. Was he saying he was okay with what he felt and ignored?
"Demyx is sensitive and doesn't like hurting people," Xigbar reminded him of the obvious but his tone didn't change, "If he found out you cared about him he'd feel like if he wasn't hurting one of us he'd be hurting the other. For his sake let's both pretend like this conversation happened."
Zexion nodded, knowing Xigbar set his boundaries but feeling like he'd gotten off easy, "Are you saying…you're not upset?"
"Heh, he already told me what you guys did," when Xigbar said that Zexion could literally feel every ounce of color fade from his face. Xigbar still didn't seem upset though, "In fact he bragged about it. But if that didn't make me upset then something like this shouldn't either." Zexion couldn't speak, still mortified that Demyx told him what they'd done. God who else knew about their little fun in the hospital bed? "Look…I think I love that kid, so if you try to hurt him or take that from me I can't exactly say what I'll do to you," Xigbar was sincere in his threat and for some reason it made Zexion smile. He loved Demyx?
"That kid is my best friend, so if you try to hurt him I can't exactly say what I'll do to you," Zexion replied. For the first time he actually believed himself when he said he didn't mind that they were together. They were happy and he just wanted Demyx to be happy. Xigbar was serious and he too just wanted Demyx to be happy, something Zexion hadn't been sure of for months, "So take care of him or else."
Xigbar laughed and nodded, "No need to worry about that."
Roxas had been silent for several minutes now and after finishing his tea Marluxia had to ask, "What's wrong?"
Roxas didn't know what to say. He was still stunned by Marluxia's identity and relation to the pirates, "…You're…you're not what I expected."
"Oh I'm sure Riku makes me sound like a real monster," Marluxia laughed, seeming delighted by the thought, "Do you think I am?" Roxas didn't answer right away and his pause made Marluxia sigh, taking his silence as his answer, "I see…"
"No, it's not that," Roxas quickly said, hopping to take back his offense. He literally owed his life to the man so he didn't want to be rude, "I just didn't think I'd ever meet you so I didn't really know what to think. I'm sure you're-"
"A wonderful and charming person!" Marluxia exclaimed with a pleased smile.
'Narcissistic too,' Roxas smiled but didn't voice his thoughts, instead asking something else to prove he wasn't bothered by him, "So what is this place?"
"Hollow Bastion, or at least what's left of it," Marluxia said, deliberately making it clear there was a story and to make things more interesting he added, "Riku and your lover grew up here."
He knew Axel too? Roxas wanted to know more and almost immediately asked, "What happened?"
"Oh? They never told you?" Marluxia knew that he didn't know, he knew they wouldn't tell him or any of the others, but he played naïve while wearing a sinister grin, "Maybe I shouldn't then." Roxas wondered whether he should push the issue or not. Axel told him only a little about life before he became a pirate, and even less about life before the circus; would he want him to know? Before Roxas could finish arguing with himself Marluxia's grin vanished and for the first time he looked very solemn as he got to his feet. Without giving an explanation he came down to the other end of the table and grabbed Roxas' arm, jerking him to his feet and quickly leading him for the door to the kitchen.
"M-Marluxia?" Roxas had no idea what was going on. The kitchen was large enough to house a family of elephants but Marluxia dragged him straight to the island of cabinets in the center and opened one of the doors. "Don't say a word," was all he said before shoving him in and shutting him away.
Cramped and bent uncomfortably Roxas tried to get straightened out but just as he was about to open the door he heard the kitchen doors open again and he knew it wasn't Marluxia.
"Where is he?"
Roxas knew that voice.
Marluxia turned and saw Xaldin, looking mad and sloppy as ever, "Well that's a fine hello," he said with a welcoming smile.
"Cut the bull crap," Xaldin was mad, a not very nice change from his usual blank expression but Marluxia was phased at all, "Saix just reported that three nights ago he attempted to bury a body on this island but failed."
"Oh that's horrible, did something scare him?" Marluxia deliberately made it clear he knew what happened, not even bothering to be careful and instead he turned and held out a cup, "Where are my manners, would you like tea?" Immediately the cup was knocked from his hand and flew across the room, shattering on the floor and making quite a mess, "Well at least one of us has manners."
The next thing Xaldin struck wasn't a cup, it was Marluxia's face, "How dare you? If that boy is alive-"
"What exactly are you accusing me of?" Marluxia interrupted, straightening himself out and ignoring the sting on his cheek, "If Saix lost the body beat him up for a while, not me. Besides if he lost it in the cemetery someone's probably stolen all the organs already."
"How did you know he lost him in the cemetery?" Marluxia didn't answer but he didn't drop his smile either. For the next several minutes Xaldin proceeded to tear the kitchen apart, raiding cabinets, flipping furniture, and ripping curtains. Marluxia just stood there and made himself another cup of tea amidst the chaos, not worrying one bit when Xaldin returned madder than before, "Looking for something?" Marluxia's smile didn't last and he abruptly dropped his cup and as it shattered into pieces on the ground he slumped over and held onto the counter.
"Do you think this is a game?" Xaldin watched him collapse to the floor, making no attempt to find out what was wrong, "He could ruin everything. With your health you won't last much longer, interfering will only make me kill you before your time."
Marluxia was light headed and coughed violently into his hand as he pushed himself up, leaning against the cabinet island behind him. When he took his hand away there was blood in his palm but he wasn't bothered by it, "I have no idea what you're talking about." Xaldin wasn't convinced and he continued to tear apart the kitchen as Marluxia struggled calmly to his feet, coughing more blood into his hand as he watched, "Come now Xaldin you should know better. It's been just over six years since I've done any revivals. Why would I waste my time or energy on someone I don't know?"
"If I find out that boy is alive, you'll both die," Xaldin's threat was no joke and Marluxia knew he was serious. He watched Xaldin leave but as the cabinet door to his left began to open Marluxia put his foot in front of it to keep Roxas inside. He didn't want to chance him returning. Several minutes passed and Marluxia had recomposed himself and cleaned his hand, "You can come out now."
Roxas didn't come out though, he didn't even open the door, "You're working with him?"
"If I was why would I have bothered hiding you?" Marluxia pointed out while surveying the horrible mess his kitchen had become, "Such a mess. It'll take hours to clean this up."
"Don't change the subject!" Roxas' yell surprised both of them but he still refused to come out, "You know Xaldin and know exactly what he was talking about. What are you trying to do? If this is a trap for the others it won't work! I won't let you hurt them!"
"Calm down Roxas and use some sense," Marluxia said with a smile though, opening the cabinet door with one hand and waving his other hand to conjure up magic so everything in the kitchen began to repair itself, "If you want the truth it's just that not too long ago Xemnas came to ask for a favor. I was a client of his many many years ago and he seems to think I still owe him something. He wanted my aid in the attack on an island but I declined. Since then he's seemed to think I'm on your team's side."
"Whose side are you on?" Roxas had to ask, looking up at him from the sanctuary of the cabinet. It was clear to him that even though Marluxia wasn't on Xemnas' side he wasn't on theirs either.
"I prefer to watch from the sidelines and step in when and where I see fit," Marluxia answered confidently, "Now come, I'll give you a tour of the place." Roxas didn't move. He couldn't trust Marluxia but at the same time he had no reason not to trust him. He seemed friendly enough and had indeed declined Xemnas' offer to join up for the attack on Destiny Island but there was no proof he was a good guy. Until the others showed up, until he was safe and with Axel again, he'd be extremely cautious.
So there you have it. We've seen the aftermath from both sides and don't think it's over yet. There are still quite a few things I plan for them to accomplish in Hollow Bastion and I think you'll like it. But here's the problem: I am going to have literally no time to write between now and February 3rd. The semester is ending this coming week and I've got a major issue with my grade in AP Calculus as well as four finals on Thursday. Plus there are regional acting competitions coming up on the 2nd and like last year I'm in three categories that are keeping my hands full and between now and then it's going to be polishing time. Also rehearsals for my current show 'Actor's Nightmare' start next week and the following week there are auditions for the spring musical 'Fiddler on the Roof' (a show I dislike but will do anyway to absorb time and energy). So yeah, I'm going to have my hands full but when I get the chance I'll write. Who knows, maybe I'll get major inspired on the bus ride to regional.
Thank you all so much for reading and please review! Cake for reviewers (because cookies are overrated) and hugs for all! Wishing you all the best in all the world!
Your loving bohemian, Mad-TopHat-Ter
