Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters – they belong to Square and Disney.
Stare Into The Abyss – Chapter Nineteen
Ignoring the protests of Sora and his NEO, Axel glanced over at Number Two. He wasn't so sure that the fire wall he'd built up would keep him out of the way, but Number Two didn't appear to have any intention of interfering, instead choosing to stand and watch. Axel wondered if he wasn't joining in out of respect for his decision or because he was smart enough to know that this probably wasn't going to go Axel's way…
Yes, this probably wasn't one of your smartest ideas, was it? But how could you of said no? If there's even the slightest chance you could win and get that last little piece of information you need to get those memories back…
…Assuming of course, he'd tell you anyway, even if you do somehow manage to win.
Axel focused back on his task. Ansem was standing before him, Soul Eater in hand, smirking, as he waited for Axel to make the first move. As he took a swing with one of his Wheels, the Soul Eater was brought up to block it. The blade flashed, as it cut through the air in a low arc, aiming for his leg. Axel sidestepped out of the way, using his other weapon to absorb the blow from the Soul Eater as it slashed upwards.
Ansem continued to stab at him with persistence. Axel dodged as many of the attacks as he could, using his own weapons to connect with the blade when he was sure he wouldn't be able to move out of the way fast enough. He waited for an opening, but his former superior wasn't giving him the chance. Axel realized what he was doing; he was trying to wear him down. Axel knew he'd have to break away from him before that happened.
Ducking out of the way from the Soul Eater, Axel summoned a short burst of flames to help give him some room. Ansem stood still… and grinned as the fire parted around him, passing by without harm. He lunged forward, Axel barely reacting in time to avoid been impaled. The blade sliced at him again, this time skimming close enough for him to feel cold metal as it grazed his arm, drawing a thin trickle of blood. A scratch, but enough for him to loosen his grip on the weapon in that hand for a split second. Ansem took the opportunity to follow up with another attack, the blunt side of the Soul Eater slamming against Axel's arm, forcing him to drop the Wheel. Axel backed away, as Ansem placed his foot over it, his smirk widening.
Axel wasn't happy. He was only just managing to keep up with his attacks, but that wasn't good enough. It was only a matter of time before he made another slip up that would prove fatal. He needed something to give him an advantage.
Axel took a look around the surrounding area. The large building that had served as the Organization's residence lay to his right.
Nothing that will help much there.
To the left, was the train station, the vehicle that they had arrived on earlier still there, motionless, waiting to be boarded.
Nothing there, either…How are you supposed to get the upper hand here?
Axel shifted his gaze to his weapon that lay beneath Ansem's feet. First, he was going to need that back.
"If you want it Axel, come and get it."
Axel glared at him. He was been taunted, mocked. Toyed with. And he didn't like it. Curling his fingers around his other Wheel, he took a step forward, only to notice something blazing white, glowing in the palm of Ansem's hand. From his experience with glowing objects, he didn't think that was going to be anything good. He dived aside, just as whatever it was, impacted behind him. Ansem moved after him to deliver another blow, leaving the weapon exposed. From his position on the ground, Axel leaned forward to grab it. A foot was brought down onto his wrist instead.
Resisting the urge to cry out, Axel swung his other weapon at Ansem's leg, driving him away. As he backed off, Axel kicked at him, hard. He was pleased to see the smug expression on his face replaced by an annoyed scowl. Snatching his other Wheel back up, Axel climbed to his feet and attempted to deliver a series of fast blows to his opponent while he was off balance. He was rewarded by the sight of blood, as the edge of one of his weapons caught flesh on Ansem's shoulder. A small wound perhaps, but better than nothing.
Axel's minor victory didn't last long as Ansem came back at him with renewed vigor. The force of the attacks made the wrist he'd stamped on throb with each blow. From the way his face was glowering with hatred, Axel realized he was done playing games. If he had been having a hard time keeping up before, he was going to find things getting a whole lot more difficult now.
The onslaught of attacks suddenly eased up, as the Soul Eater came around in a wide circle. Axel twisted his head out of the way as the side of it brushed past.
He's trying to take your head off!
Axel crouched, evading it again, as he slipped behind Ansem hoping to strike him in the back. But he was fast, and seeing what Axel was trying to do, he swung the blade towards him again, managing to connect the side of it with Axel's head.
Axel was grateful that it hadn't removed it completely, but pain exploded in the side of his skull, blurring his vision. He could feel the slight warmth of blood on the corner of his forehead. He brushed some of it away with the side of his hand before it could run into his eyes, as he began moving away.
Who's stupid idea was it to do this alone?
Ansem sprang at him again, Soul Eater extended. Axel held his ground, moving out of the way at the last possible chance and swinging one Wheel as he did. Ansem stumbled as it connected with his back. He turned around, straightening as he faced Axel again. The grin slowly re-appeared to assure Axel that whatever damage he may of done with that attack hadn't been enough.
Sighing, Axel shook his head trying to clear the fog of dizziness that was threatening to well up. Just how bad had that attack damaged his head? And how long could he keep this up for? He needed to end it…
…And fast.
Sora watched from behind the flames that contained him. This wasn't going well. While Axel had managed to land some blows, which was better than what Sora had expected him to pull off, he was losing. He was surprised Axel was still standing after the last attack had nearly cut his head off.
"He's an idiot. A suicidal idiot."
Sora turned to his side. Kaze was standing, arms folded, an irritated look on his face as he observed.
Sora smiled. "You know, you almost sound worried about him."
Kaze tilted his head towards him. "I might not like him, but that doesn't mean I'm going to enjoy watching him get himself killed. Besides," he frowned, "if he dies, what about us?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if we'll still be stuck behind these fire walls?"
Sora felt a chill. Easy pickings… His head snapped up. "Axel, c'mon! Let us out of here!"
There was a chuckle from alongside them. They both turned to the ring of fire beside their own. Sora had almost forgotten about Number Two. He had remained silent and motionless throughout the fight.
"I think that's the first time I've heard him laugh…" Kaze commented.
"Why aren't you helping him?" Sora asked. "You could get out of here if you wanted, right?"
"It was his choice. If he wants me to help, he only needs ask."
Kaze rolled his eyes. "I don't think dead people can ask for help."
"He isn't dead."
"But he will be soon."
There was no reply. Sora wasn't sure what Number Two was thinking. Did he want to see Axel die? No, that didn't seem right. While they weren't exactly, friends, he at least seemed to trust Axel. Did he truly believe that Axel still stood a chance? Sora imagined that he probably knew the other NEO better than he or Kaze did.
"Axel is going to have to pull off quite a big comeback here…" Kaze mused, his attention back on Sora.
Sora nodded but didn't offer a response. Axel was on his knees, apparently trying to catch his breath back… Or maybe he just couldn't stand anymore. Ansem was hovering over him, blade held to his throat.
It was over. And Axel had lost.
Axel blocked a few more attacks as Ansem continued to strike at him. He needed to do something, quickly. He couldn't keep fighting while his head was feeling like it was ready to split apart. He wasn't even sure how badly cut it was. What if he bled to death?
That would be a wonderful way to end this.
Ansem had agreed not to pull any tricks, and, so far, he'd stuck to it, but he hadn't agreed to that, had he? And he could really do with a trick right now.
Axel pulled away, backing up. He needed some space. Ansem watched him carefully, but didn't make a move to come after him with any further attacks.
Does he know what you're doing?
Noticing the cruel smirk, Axel had to keep himself from smiling.
No, he thinks you're finished.
Axel let himself drop to the floor. Loosening his grip on his weapons slightly, he held them at his sides. It was only now he was allowing himself to relax somewhat on the ground, he realized that this might not be such a great idea after all. What if he couldn't get back up again?
Axel closed his eyes, and grinned as he felt the steel tip of the Soul Eater pressed against his throat.
"Would you like to know who you were now, Axel?"
He didn't answer, instead jerking his head away from the edge of the blade and bringing both of his own weapons up, burying one in Ansem's upper leg and the second in his stomach.
Just like Araxiel…
But unlike her, it wasn't enough to kill him outright. Even as he pulled the bloodstained weapons out, Ansem still drew back the Soul Eater, ready to drive it through his throat.
Scrambling backwards and hoping that he wasn't already too weak to stand, Axel picked himself up and moved. Ansem was still standing, blood running down him. Red against red.
Damn it! How is he not dead from that?
The Soul Eater clashed against his weapons once more. Axel felt a fresh stab of pain shoot through his head from the impact.
What else could he possibly do? Especially when he was barely still going himself?
"Axel, let us help! We can finish him!"
Sora…
He turned towards the others, still held behind the flames. Yes, they probably could…
"Let them help Axel, and I won't tell you anything. What are the chances of you finding out what you need to do on your own? You'll never get the memories of who you were back without my help."
… But you'd throwing away your one chance to find out what you have to do.
He shut his eyes, considering.
If he did try and end this by himself, even if he won, what if he ended up dying anyway? What a waste…
Letting the flames around the others drop, he sank back to his knees, allowing the wave of dizziness he'd been holding back to hit him. Ansem had already spun away to deal with them, forgetting about Axel. His attention was completely fixed on them…
…One last try?
Axel struggled back to his feet, plunging both of his weapons into Ansem's back and twisting them. Pulling one out, he stabbed it back in with as much force as he could manage.
Leaving both weapons buried in him, he dropped back to the floor.
If that hadn't worked, it was Sora's problem now.
As the flames faded from around them Kaze reacted immediately, both keyblades in hand, he hurried after Sora.
He was certain that the wall was removed because Axel was dead. He must of got rid of them to give the rest of them a chance, knowing that he was going to die…
As they drew nearer, Kaze was surprised to see Ansem staggering away from Axel, seemingly in pain, but he was even more surprised to see Ansem disappear, leaving behind a very much alive Axel on the ground behind him.
Slowing to a halt, Kaze glanced around. "Where did he go?"
Number Two brushed past, heading in the direction of the large building nearby. "He's still alive, but he will be close."
"Someone should stay with him." Sora suggested, looking at Axel pointedly.
"I will." Kaze volunteered. He would of preferred to join them, but he trusted Sora would be able to handle things.
Number Two continued to walk away. Sora gave a brief nod before he started after him. Once they were out of sight, Kaze wandered over towards Axel and crouched beside him. "Axel?"
Nothing. His eyes remained closed and he gave no sign of acknowledgement.
"…Axel?"
This time, there was a slight cringe in response. "Stop talking so loud."
"Sorry. Are you alright?"
"Fine." One eye opened and fixed on him. "Why are there two of you?"
Kaze gave a small smile. "Maybe you'd be better keeping your eyes shut."
"I guess I lost, didn't I?"
"You're still here, aren't you?" Realizing that probably wasn't what Axel was worrying about right now, he quickly added, "Don't worry, I'm sure Sora will make sure he tells them what you wanted to know."
Not getting any further reply, Kaze settled into a more comfortable position on the ground. He'd let Axel take a break for a little while, and if Sora weren't back by then, he'd go after them. They'd be alright, wouldn't they? How much more of a problem could Ansem prove to be? Kaze was confident he'd retreated because he knew it was nearly over, but a part of him wondered if he was still planning on something. As long as Sora is careful, everything should be fine...
As much as he may of disliked Axel, he hoped they'd bring back the information he needed. He'd earned it, hadn't he?
Sitting back up, Kaze faced Axel again. Somehow, it didn't feel right when he was been quiet. "You're pretty stupid for doing that, you know…"
"I know. Don't ever let me do something like that again."
Author's Note: I was hoping to make that a little longer, but my brain died while trying to add to it, so hopefully it's alright as it is. Abuse! Abuse! I think it's Sora's turn next. … Only kidding. Ahem! Anyway…
Ginger Finder: Oooh, new reviewer! Thank you.
AloneInDespair: I've been good this time and not kept you waiting too long! ;)
Saddened Soul: Still quite a few things needing to be tied up, aren't there? I need to get to work!
Ginger Ninja: After so much waiting, it's finally near! I might die from excitement before it arrives though! Hehe, I always did like the Turks in the game, but AC won me over with Reno's adorable facial expressions. XD
sorastalker08: Yay! Glad I didn't manage to confuse you with the last one. Oh, after checking your profile, I'll make a mental note to add you to MSN when I'm next on. Looks like we have some similar tastes! ;)