Author's Note: Sorry about not updating yesterday. It broke the chain of daily updates that you've gotten used to. But I had to not update because I had nothing for Ch.15 and I didn't want to rush through it to make it on the site before midnight. Plus, I had gotten addicted to an online game. (I know online games suck away your life.)

Enjoy.

Chapter 15

TWTNW-The Castle that Never Was

Kairi:

"Kairi! Kairi!"

Who was that calling me? Why was this person calling me in the first place?

The darkness gave way to Axel's face which was now covered in tiny scratches and cuts. I stared at him in confusion.

"Did I black out?"

"Y-Yeah…about that…"

I blinked.

Why did he sound so nervous?

"What's wrong?"

"You devoured Vexen."

What?

I sat up and glanced all around me. I was surrounded by bones, blood and scattered pieces of gore. I was nauseated and satisfied at the same time.

"What happened to Larxene?" I asked, changing the subject.

Axel managed to smile.

"Well, nothing she won't kick my ass for if she decides to come back again."

I didn't feel like laughing, but I smiled anyway. I got back onto my feet and brushed myself off.

"Let us keep going," I suggested.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?"

"I'm fine. Please don't worry."

When I turned around, a black figure was standing on the stairs. I motioned for Axel to turn to look.

"Who are you?" He asked.

The figure folded its arms. I wasn't sure if it was Sora or not. There was the familiar feeling in the back of my mind…

"Sora…?" I asked.

The figure bowed and vanished. Axel grabbed my arm and started pulling me towards the front entrance. I fought against his grip. I wanted to see Sora…make sure that it was all right. Alas, Axel was still stronger than me physically at this point. We ended up outside in the now chilly air.

Wait…the air was chilly.

My senses felt as if they were on fire. I wasn't talking about my human senses. No, for this I was referring to my sharpened Heartless senses.

"You can't escape, so don't try."

I didn't want to turn around. That voice belonged to Sora…yet it was icy and laced with venom. I could feel his influence crash into my mind. I suddenly felt ill. More than ill. It was as if Sora's presence was ripping my consciousness away.

Normal (Third Person):

Axel could only watch helplessly as the Heartless appeared in a circle around them. Kairi appeared to be ill as Sora appeared in front of them. He looks like something you see in a nightmare, Axel thought dryly. Without warning, Kairi collapsed. Axel caught her before she hit the ground and lifted her up. This only seemed to provoke the summoned Heartless into a fit of hissing.

The Flurry of Dancing Flames was outnumbered. Even if he could dispatch the Heartless, there was the tiny issue of Sora.

"Yo, Axel!"

Axel turned around just in time to see Riku out through the line of Heartless behind him, followed by a wary Daisy.

"Riku…" was all he could say at the moment.

What he saw next would have dropped his jaw to the floor if it was possible. The "Key of Destiny" walked into view followed by the "Melodious Nocturne".

"We'll spare the witty banter later. Come on!"

Axel more than happy to oblige.

Memory's Skyscraper

Kairi:

I regained consciousness moments later. I was relieved to see that we were in a building. I couldn't sense Sora anymore. I wasn't sure if it was a good thing or not. How much did Mickey do to make him feel this way? And how come I wasn't feeling the after-effects? Well, I couldn't say that I wasn't feeling the effects. After all, I had devoured Vexen.

"Kairi, you're awake," said a gentle voice over to my right.

I turned my head and saw Riku. He was looking slightly battle weary. There were small scratches and cuts all over his ivory face. I was glad to see him, though.

"Riku, you're here. I thought you were going to help us."

"I was definitely being an asshole earlier. Besides, I could let you guys face this alone."

I nodded.

"Roxas, how did you survive?" Axel…?

I thought Roxas was dead? I turned my head just a little further and saw an unusually happy. Axel standing in front of a blonde-haired kid. That was Roxas all right. I recognized him from the pictures Axel kept in his room at home. I was so happy for him. He finally got his wish amongst turmoil. Another addition to the room was a man with light brown hair. He was dressed in the coat that all Nobodies wore.

In his lap rested a musical instrument…a sitar. His fingers were strumming lovingly across the string, producing a quiet, subdued melody. It was comforting. It was if he were encouraging us to relax for a while.

"Where are we, Riku?" I asked softly.

"We're in the Dark City. In Memory's Skyscraper."

"What about Sora?"

"That's where Demyx comes in. He is vital to the shield keeping Sora out."

That's why I couldn't feel him.

"How long can he keep this up?"

"Forever, if we wanted to hide," Roxas answered.

"You're kidding, right?"

"No, it's effortless. Half of Demyx's potential is in that sitar."

"Half?" Demyx asked.

He was giving Roxas a stare that meant death.

"Don't flatter yourself," Axel muttered.

"Anyways, all of us should get some rest. Especially you, Kairi. You're bound with Sora which means that you're probably feeling the effects of what Mickey did to him."

"We move in six hours," Axel announced.