Where the hell am I!?" Adrian shouted inside the room, his voice echoing multiple times before settling down while he stood up from the bed. He gazed around to spot anything that wasn't just different shades of white furniture. It looked kind of disorienting, like Adrian's eyes were playing tricks on him with how far or close some things were.

The weirdest part however was that he couldn't find a door leading outside of this place. It made him more curious and anxious at the same time while he kept asking himself the same question of, "Where am I?"

He asked that so many times, he stopped keeping count. Whenever he found something new inside the room, his confusion grew, until he spotted his ball on the ground. His eyes widened for a fraction of a second before quickly coming down to pick it up, happy to have the ball back.

His smile soon dropped however, "How did it get here? I had it in my pocket."

The question made him realize the fact that he was captured by that figure, making him clutch the ball tightly. He only remembered up to the point where he got thrown inside a dark… portal of sorts, and he passed out immediately after. He then woke up here with no company whatsoever that could tell him what he was doing here.

Once Adrian pocketed his ball, he walked towards one of the walls before leaning his hand on top. It felt unbelievably smooth, and once he started to glide his hand against the surface, he felt a strange sensation. He couldn't describe it, but it felt weirdly hollow. What was that supposed to mean was anyone's guess.

Instead of using his palm, he began slightly scratching the wall with his small fingernails. The wall didn't screech in protest, nor did it leave a trailing mark behind. He kept going before his hand suddenly stopped at the tiniest indent in the wall.

It was impossible to spot at first glance, but once Adrian looked carefully, he saw the line. After continuing and finding two more indents, he concluded that this must be the doors leading outside.

Giving himself a reassuring nod, he leaned on the doors before pushing with all of his might but the doors didn't budge at all. He huffed before backing away while looking back with a small frown.

He hopped in place, his hands loose while letting out large manual breaths before charging against the almost invisible doors with his side. He rammed with a small bang but instead of the doors opening, he bounced off of them as if they were made out of rubber.

He landed on the ground with a dull thud, groaning in pain while he clutched his right shoulder.

"That… was a horrible idea," He forced out while crawling his way back on the bed before hoisting himself up with his good arm and sprawling on the sheets.

"This place is just weird," Was all he said with a sigh, looking up at the ceiling and contemplating over why he was here in the first place.

"Maybe I'll just take a nap," Adrian thought before settling on top of the sheets and allowing himself to fall asleep.

Sadly, he wasn't going to get any respite anytime soon.

The doors suddenly opened, much to Adrian's surprise, as he switched his gaze back at the widening gap in the middle of the white wall. They fully opened with quite the slow fashion before Xaldin appeared behind them.

He went inside, his face passive even when he spotted Adrian's awakened form while the latter had their jaw dropped. There were a lot of things Adrian was prepared for, but seeing a cosplayer of that level of quality was not one of them.

He stared at Xaldin for a solid second before he breathed a sigh.

"Wow, I have to say you look just as intimidating as him, got the eyebrows and everything," Adrian said, pointing at his own set of facial hair while relief flooded his senses before walking towards Xaldin. He remained stoic like a statue, keeping a wary eye in the process.

"Even this room is well made. All white and all," Adrian continued, looking around his confinement, "But you don't have to keep the charade for me, I just want to go home."

Xaldin only raised one of his eyebrows, getting more confused by Adrian's banter. He on the other hand was completely oblivious to his situation until a small frown appeared on his face.

"Look, getting kidnapped was not a nice experience and I need to know where I am," Adrian demanded, trying to act high and mighty, but Xaldin was taller than him by a whole head. He decided to entertain Adrian anyway while crossing his arms.

"You are inside the Castle That Never Was in the World That Never Was," He said but Adrian's frown deepened.

"Great, and I'm a Keyblade wielder," He shot back sarcastically, much to Xaldin's surprise as his eyes widened slightly.

"I don't have time for your roleplay nonsense," Adrian said before walking past Xaldin, who let him go. Without Adrian noticing, Xaldin followed him anyway to make sure he wasn't escaping anywhere.

Adrian was surprised at first that he was met with a white hallway, but then picked a random direction and started his brisk stride. He realized that he was barefooted, his skin touching the cold ground while soft thuds echoed around him before he took a quick turn to the right.

It soon began to feel like Adrian was walking down an endless pathway, always looking the same no matter what. He spotted statues that looked like the lackeys of the Nobodies.

Slender, elastic-looking body, thin arms, and legs while its mouth was a zipper, plastered on its prism-shaped head with the Nobodies' insignia on top. A splintered upside-down heart with a cross embedded into the wound.

"Even the statues are detailed," Adrian remarked off-handedly, but bitterly.

He gave it a small glance however and continued his stride, but soon stopped once he heard barely audible footsteps. The empty place magnified their sound, and Adrian looked behind him out of sheer anxiety.

But nobody was there.

He didn't trust his eyes and kept looking for something other than the white walls surrounding him. It took him a few moments to convince himself that nothing was there, but once he picked up his stride, the same soft footsteps reached his ears.

"Alright, who—" Adrian's breath hitched when he snapped back and came face to face with Xaldin.

"While I do exercise patience, you are pushing my limits," He said, the irritation that was supposed to be in his words just wasn't there before he grabbed Adrian by his shirt.

"Let me go!" He protested, struggling as much as he could but Xaldin had an iron grip on him, or at least Adrian thought. To Xaldin, Adrian's flailing was equivalent to an annoying fly. Not strong enough to do you any harm, but was exceedingly annoying to deal with.

Adrian eventually got tired from all of the kicks and punches he had thrown Xaldin's way, eventually relenting and letting himself be pulled back into the room. With enough force to knock Adrian to the ground, Xaldin threw him inside the somewhat comfortable confinement.

"I grow tired of your charade, young man. You'll wait here until Xemnas demands your presence," He said before turning back to the doors, "And you better be on your best behavior when he does. He isn't as forgiving as I."

"I don't care about your game here! All I want is to g—" He didn't get to finish his demand before a spear was leveled at his throat.

Adrian's breath hitched and immediately stiffened when he gazed at the sharp edge. His eyes widened at how not only the spear appeared out of nowhere, but also it was afloat. Xaldin wasn't holding the weapon, only guiding it with an extended hand.

"Know your position, young man. I think you are smart enough to realize you are in no place to demand anything," He warned, making Adrina plop on the ground with a dull thud, fear evident on his face.

"You… you are..." Was all Adrian forced out while his state of mind was at disbelief and denial.

"Hmm?" Xaldin hummed, prompting Adrian to continue but he was a stuttering mess while he backed away, eventually hitting a wall and hugged it for dear life. He eventually stood up through his shaky legs before gulping down whatever spit he had left in his mouth.

"This must be a cruel joke," Adrian said but even he didn't trust his own words which Xaldin picked up on rather easily.

"You can't even convince yourself. It must be hard to differentiate reality from fiction," Xaldin pointed out, making Adrian snarl.

"Shut up!" He shouted.

"Don't make it harder for yourself than it needs to be," Xaldin said while calling his spear away, again to Adrian's astonishment, "Now, continue your thought. I saw that small spark of recognition in those green eyes of yours."

Adrian immediately sent Xaldin the best glare he could muster.

"As if I would tell you anything," He said definitely, making Xaldin cross his arms.

"I think I've already told you of your position. I hate it when I have to repeat myself," He said.

"As if you could hate something," Adrian muttered without Xaldin hearing him. He stared at the Nobody, trying to find some leverage that would help in any shape or form but his mind was blank.

"Well?" Xaldin pressed, and Adrian gritted his teeth while still finding that solution before a thought pierced his thoughts like a lightning bolt. He adorned a shaky smirk soon after.

"Even if I told you something, what good would it be to you, Xaldin?" Adrian said, taking the aforementioned Nobody back.

"Hmm, I don't remember sharing my name," He mused before a small but still wicked smile adorned his features, "I believe that it's a bit rude that I don't know the name of a person I am supposed to accommodate yet he knows mine."

"You call this accommodation? Dragging me through this place by my shirt? I've seen better," Adrian said, trying to keep a cool head over his situation.

"Trust me when I say it won't get any better," Xaldin shot back before adorning a no-nonsense thin line with his lips, "But I asked you a question and want my answer."

Adrian took a deep breath before curtly replying, "It's Adrian."

"Adrian…" Xaldin parroted, trying out the sound and taste of the name. It left him somewhat satisfied. "I have to say you have piqued my interest, Adrian. Though it will be some time before Xemnas actually meets you."

He looked around the room one more time before turning his back on Adrian.

"This room, from what I have been told, holds everything you need to live here. Quite the place of luxury if you ask me," Xaldin said while opening the door outside.

"You aren't going to tell me why I'm here in the first place?" Adrian pointed out.

"That's for Xemnas to decide. He was the one he sought you out after all," Xaldin said before closing the doors behind him, only to meet face to face with Xigbar again. He breathed a sigh before putting one hand on one of the halves of the door, keeping it open.

All he got from Xigbar was a smirk before he went inside. Adrian was ready to take at least a small nap, but once he spotted Xaldin wasn't going to be the only visitor, he immediately tensed up again.

Xigbar didn't say anything at first, only looked around the place while either leaning in with a hand on his chin to inspect any furnishing or how the kitchen looked. Because this place had a kitchen of all things, much to Adrian's bewilderment.

Xigbar then switched his gaze at Adrian, a creepy smile plastered on his face.

"Man, I wish I had a room like this," He said, his voice didn't radiate jealousy, "Looks quite comfy."

"What do you want?" Adrian demanded, moving straight to the point.

"Come on, don't be like that," Xigbar whined, "I'm just here to see what's all the commotion with you. So far, I feel kind of robbed, and I'm usually the one who does the robbing part."

"What were you expecting then?" Adrian asked.

"That's something I'm trying to figure out myself. I was expecting you to be some all-powerful being, but all I see is a scrawny kid who was at the wrong place at the wrong time," Xigbar said with a shrug.

"Sorry to disappoint you then," Arian remarked dryly.

"Eh, kind of already used to that," The Nobody said while waving with his hand in front of his face, "I'm just trying to figure out what Xemnas sees in you. Care to give me a hint?"

"Find it yourself, I don't care. Not like you can't do much to me until Xemnas arrives," Adrian said unenthusiastically.

"Wow, and what makes you think that?" Xigbar asked. Even if he was genuinely asking out of sheer curiosity, Adrian wouldn't buy it.

"You're too loyal to Xemnas to do so," Adrian answered.

"Well, you aren't wrong, but the fact you know that with utmost certainty makes me even more curious," Xigbar mused out loud, much to Adrian's annoyance, "The name's Xigbar. Now, come here."

"What? No," Adrian refused, taken back, but Xigbar moved closer anyway.

"Don't be shy," He said before he started circling Adrian with a hand on his shaved chin. Adrian kept trying to keep an eye on Xigbar, but he was too fast for Adrian, almost like he was teleporting from one spot to another.

"Toned arms, posture always straight…" He mumbled, humming in the process before his smile grew lightly, "Man, you'd make a good Nobody, though I guess you would lack the will to become one."

"Do I look like I have an interest in becoming one? I wouldn't join an army of emotionless husks," Adrian sneered, and Xigbar backed off slightly with an arm on his chest.

"You do realize that you're talking to one of those husks, right?" He said, his words holding no hate, "Though I can't blame you. Being a Nobody was a little hard to get used to at first, but then you realize you don't need emotions most of the time anyway."

"Like I would take your word for it," Adrian rebuked, making Xigbar laugh.

"Hey, you would be dumb if you did, but we got all the time in the world to change your mind since you're not going anywhere," He said before looking back at Adrian's body, "So, I guess you did some archery?"

Adrian's eyes widened, but not from the sudden change of topic, "How did you…"

"It was just a wild guess, but I guess I hit the nail right in the head," Xigbar boasted, "Now, I'm going to give you a choice. We can go on some target practice, or you could wait who knows how long for Xemnas. The choice is yours."

"Why would I ever agree to go?" Adrian said, eyeing Xigbar warily.

"You seriously want to just sit here and do nothing?" Xigbar pointed out.

"Don't you have anything better to do?" Adrian answered with another question, and Xigbar rolled his eyes before taking Adrian by his shirt.

"You ask too many questions," He said while dragging Adrian against his will just like Xaldin did.

"Let me go! I'm not getting dragged by someone again," Adrian shouted while trying his best to remove himself from Xigbar's grip, but to no avail.

"Just let me see how well you shot and I'll let you go," Xigbar said with finality. With a groan, Adrian eventually wriggled his way out of his grip but still compiled and followed Xigbar anyway.

After navigating through the castle, Adrian found himself in an open balcony with no railing. He gasped at the sky, or lack thereof. Instead of the classic blue hue he knew, Adrian was met with a dark unrecognizable emptiness, glistening with small stars while purple smoke tried to represent the usual white clouds.

Adrian was speechless. There was still that smallest sliver of hope that it could have been just some prank, but the sight in front of him cemented the fact that he was in The Castle That Never Was.

His legs gave out, landing on his knees with a dull thud and Xigbar raised an eyebrow at Adrian.

"What? Haven't seen the outside yet?" He asked.

"No…" He forced out.

"You'll get used to it eventually. Now time to…" Xigbar started, but once he turned to Adrian, he wasn't slumped on the ground. He switched his gaze back at the entrance they went through and spotted Adrian running for his life.

Xigbar sighed, "Dammit kid, this isn't a place you should wander in alone."

Adrian kept running as fast as he could. He didn't care his bare feet would be calloused or scraped, he wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. The soft thuds of his feet sounded like banging rocks, echoing in the halls.

He ran past the same statues again and didn't even look at them, but still gave the slightest of glances. Adrian thought he saw one of the puppets move one of its arms, making him gasp again while fully snapping his attention to the statues.

They weren't moving, which made Adrian pick up the pace again, but in a blink of an eye, the statues moved again, and his mind wasn't playing tricks on him.

The latex soldiers came to life, teleporting right in front of Adrian to block his path. He backed away quickly, making him lose his footing and fell on his rear. The Nobodies moved with the surprising grace of a puppet on strings, closing the distance with long footsteps, their feet stretching out of proportions.

One soldier leaned forward, looking at Adrian with no eyes while its mouth slowly unzipped. It didn't let out a single sound while curiosity surged through the puppet before jumping in the air, sticking to the ceiling above.

Its arm twisted into a long and narrow lance before launching itself Adrian's way. He barely dodged out of the way, his shirt was sliced through with relative ease while the spear only gazed at his chest.

The Nobody didn't stop its assault, however.

It readied for another stab and Adrian brought his arm to block the blow, fear evident in his eyes before he closed them, hoping it would be enough to stop it.

A static shot from a crossbow filled his ears before he felt an arrow sail right on top of his head, messing his hair up even more. The soldier fell over from the arrow, as it pierced its body with a loud thunk before it slowly disappeared into a cloud of gray smoke.

Xigbar, with a purple and gray metallic crossbow in hand, lowered his weapon before switching his gaze at the other soldier, scowling at it.

"You better leave before you end up the same as your buddy," Xigbar warned and the Nobody backed away while shirking its entire body. It eventually disappeared in a puff of jagged white tendrils.

Xibar dismissed his weapon with a flick of his hand before turning back to a passed-out Adrian.

"Well, I guess we will leave archery for another time. We're gonna have to work on your self-defense." Xigbar remarked while picking up Adrian, aiming for his quarters while gazing at the rugged state of Adrian's clothing, "And new clothes as well."

AN: Yeah, not much really happened in this chapter, but it was kind of necessary in my opinion. Hope you liked it at least.

Anyway, if you want to join a discord server full of fanfiction writers and readers, feel free to use the link below.

Link: gg/9XG3U7a

God's speed.