Author's Note: I am still waiting on feedback on the plot. Um…here is your normal/angsty chapter. Next chapter: action. I am finally above schedule with chapter writing so I can keep up with updates every day. Yay!

The end for Twilight Emergence is in sight now. I hate to tell you guys that, but it's true. In a matter of perhaps three or four more chapters, this story will come to an end. But I'm not allowed to say goodbye yet, so let's enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 12

Hollow Bastion

3:31 A.M.

Kairi:

Axel tried to calm me down to no avail. Sora was gone, stolen from my grasp and link. I had never felt so vulnerable before. During this entire situation, he was always there to feed and protect me. Now he was gone.

"Kairi…it's okay. We'll find Sora soon, I promise," Axel whispered.

"Axel…I could have saved him from being taken. Just as I walked outside, he vanished with other people in coats…"

"Hush now…we need to rest up. Riku's searching the dark realm now for him and those people."

He was right and I knew it.

"Axel…thank you."

"You're welcome. Just stay here with me tonight. I'll protect you."

8:35 A.M.:

"Did you find him yet, Riku?" Axel.

"They barely left a trail behind them. All I know is that they are in the World that Never Was." Riku.

A sigh.

"Good. I didn't think we would be able to find him so quickly. When can we leave?"

"We can't."

A pause.

"What do you mean?"

"The Gummi routes are blocked and the dark realm is dangerous enough to travel through. We can't do anything now."

Axel scoffed.

"How do I know you're not just saying that because Kairi's all alone now?"

"Would you think that I am that cruel?"

"Riku, I know what jealousy does to people. I just want to make sure that your judgment isn't be clouded."

"My judgment is being clouded? Axel, you were supporting the person who had torn apart the Organization and kidnapped Kairi for his own gains!"

"Don't think that I've forgotten about Roxas' death, Riku! But I am not about to let Kairi down either!"

"I'm not letting Kairi down!"

"Liar! Ever since we've gotten here, you've been a bastard to Kairi and Sora!"

"Well, if you love her so much then help her without me!"

"Fine."

I was already awake by the time the argument started. Axel's words rang true in my head. So did Riku's. They were arguing over me passionately. Arguing over what was best to do for my sake. I wasn't sure if I could take this. Riku and Axel were the best of friends. Their unity meant everything to me.

The door opened and closed softly. I sat up. Axel sat down on the couch and buried his face in his hands.

"I'm sorry, Axel," I said softly.

"You have no need to be sorry."

"But this is my fault."

"Don't say that! Riku will come around sooner or later. In the meantime, we need to prepare."

I still had one question to ask.

"Why are you helping Sora?"

"Because there's some good left in him. I know because Roxas tells me so."

12:35 P.M.:

After much coaxing, Axel told me where Sora was. By then, I was already mentally prepared to go. I spent hours hunting with the Heartless and refining my new powers. But as much as I wanted to, I couldn't achieve full anti-form again. I had my own share of powers and the abilities drawn from Sora. Perhaps there was something wrong with me. Nevertheless, I had to summon the inner strength to allow myself to be engrossed in the darkness.

"Kairi, you aren't going by yourself," Axel said forcefully.

"I think I'm capable of doing things by myself, Axel."

"This is the dark realm we're talking about. I'm going with you."

"What about Riku?" I asked in a surprised tone.

"Like I said earlier, he will come around."

And with that, Axel opened a dark portal in front of us.

"Thank you, Axel."

"No problem. Just stay close to me when we're in the realm. I don't want to lose you."

I nodded. We both stepped into the portal and emerged into the darkness. Axel grabbed my hand and led me forward. I didn't bother to resist him. He obliviously has traveled through here a lot. My eyes were slowly adjusting to the lack of light. The 'walls' that made up the passageway were composed of swirling shadows. The air seemed lighter than it was the first time I traveled through. I suppose that was because my soul was darker.

"Axel, how does the realm feel to you?" I asked softly.

"Well, it pretty much feels the same as when I'm in a world. There's really no difference."

I nodded. A chorus of hisses and laughter shattered the momentary silence. I tensed up slightly. Axel squeezed my hand to reassure me.

"That's just the Heartless. They won't hurt you."

Ah, I was still connected to Sora, whom they respected.

After a few minutes, the noise faded away to heavy silence. A light loomed a few yards ahead of us. Axel growled softly.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nobodies. A lot of them. There's no Organization members around yet."

"Sora must be here then. I'm ready to go."

"Okay."

We walked through the portal. The streets of TWTNW (The World That Never Was) were illuminated by the normal shaped moon in the sky.

"Its appearance hadn't changed, but the aura sure has," Axel muttered under his breath.

In the distance, I could see white bodies emerge from the ground. Extremely lithe looking women walked into the area followed by three burly creatures with giant hammers.

"Dusks, Dancers and Berserkers. I hope you are ready to fight, Kairi," Axel said in a low voice.