Chapter 4: I can feel?

Axel:

A few years ago, before the Organization came into being…before the Heartless stole what was important to us…we lived. The World that Never Was was a thriving city that had buildings that literally touched the heavens. It was beautiful. I was a young man back then…maybe 19 years old. I was working in the same building as the elite dancing academy. I met Xel for the first time—She was the dance instructor there. She was a little older than me, with long black hair that she kept in a long braided ponytail and ocean blue eyes. I was fascinated with her.

Everything about her was perfect. However, the day I decided to ask her out was the same day the Heartless robbed us of our hearts. Somehow…Xel was more than a Nobody; she became more than that. She was unbelievable in my dreams and now…she was larger than life. Xel could still express emotions…much like Roxas and I could. Roxas...was in Sora now. I had lost my best friend. I didn't want to lose Xel to Xemnas. I just didn't. I was going to help her no matter what…


The Land of Dragons

Xel:

My thoughts were still jumbled up as a result of the conversation with Axel. Axel…I can't feel emotions. I lack them. Yet, you say I'm special. I'm different from a normal Nobody. I received power the moment my heart was stolen by the Heartless. Damn you, Xemnas.

"Hey you, in the black cloak! Stop right there!"

That was a female's voice. Not only that, but she mentioned someone in black. I stood up from my spot next to a pond and started back towards the path through the bamboo. A woman dressed in brown rushed past me, sword in hand. I glanced in the direction where she was heading and saw the familiar black cloak of the Organization. Hmm…maybe I shouldn't follow after them. My body hadn't healed yet, meaning that combat wasn't a good idea.

But…the Organization's presence here was very unusual. It wouldn't hurt to check it out. I took off after her, making sure to stay out of sight. I followed her up to the slopes of a mountain, only to see Sora, Donald, and Goofy. I knelt down in the snow in order to conceal myself and to listen.

"I was following this man in black, but I lost sight of him up here." The woman's voice.

"That's funny. We were looking for the same guy." Sora.

"Let's check the summit."

"Ok."

Ok, so it is an Organization member. Why else would Sora be here? I got up and followed them up onto the summit. The moment I got up there, I threw a cloaking spell over me and pressed myself against the rock walls.

"There's nothing here. Come on," The woman said softly.

Donald, Goofy and the woman started back down the slope, leaving Sora by himself. Sora glanced around slowly, almost warily. A rumbling sound drew his and my attention up to the top of the summit where hundreds of tiny, flying Heartless waited.

"You were looking for me?"

Sora turned around only to face a new addition to the play field—An Organization member. But who was it? I didn't recognize the voice. The Heartless now swarmed over the summit, hovering feet above our heads. Sora would need support during this battle. The field has probably already been sealed off against intrusion. So much for trying to avoid combat. I threw off my cloaking spell and stepped forward.

"Sora! You'll need my help on this!" I shouted.

I started off into a run…

…flipped…

…and jumped straight into the air. I quickly pierced the line of Heartless without trying. I extended my hand towards the group under me and released energy. The air exploded with electric energy, blowing a large hole in the sea of Heartless. I landed gently in the snow seconds later, just in time to see the battle between Sora and the mystery member kick off. Instead of moving in closer to the battle, I held my ground where I landed.

I had never seen Sora in action before. Seeing as he would fall at my hands eventually, it would be good to know what he was capable of. In the meantime, the Heartless could feel my wrath. I threw energy back into the air and allowed it to explode with a mere thought. Sora was parrying attacks from the Organization member without so much as an effort. It was simply amazing! They clashed as I sent another way of energy up to thin out the crowd above.

All of a sudden, Sora slipped backwards into the snow. The mystery member knocked the keyblade out of his hands with a wide swing. I could either save Sora or allow him to die…

I don't have to do anything. I don't have to do anything…

The Keyblade Master extended his hands up into a protective position. Fire exploded out of them onto the mystery member. He knows how to use magic? I didn't expect that. The Organization member flexed his left hand, extinguishing the fire and sending Sora across the summit against the rock wall in a standing up position. Once again, my mind screamed at me to leave and let him die. The only thing was I couldn't leave him. He needed my help and I came to his call.

The mystery member lifted his sword up and began to charge. Ok…move Xel. Get in there. It doesn't matter what you do! Don't let him get hurt! I took off towards Sora with all of the speed I could muster in snow. I got in front of him just before the Organization member could impale him. I wasn't surprised when I felt a searing pain in my chest.

"Xel!" Sora shouted.

"So the little traitor falls at my hands. Won't Xemnas be proud?"

I scowled at the member in front of me.

"Let's be real. I won't die by any of the Organization's hands," I managed to say.

"We'll see."

He yanked the sword out of my chest and laughed. My knees turned to jelly and I found it hard to stay on my feet. I coughed and blood came freely into my mouth and down my chin. I wasn't going to last long. Unless something along the lines of a miracle happened, I was going to…fade away.

"Why would you sacrifice yourself for me?" Sora asked, bewildered.

"Everyone has…their own reasons for doing things."

My knees gave out and I crashed into the snow. Sora screamed and charged toward the Organization member, keyblade in hand. I watched him with half-lidded eyes.

I will not fade away.

I…fade…

A flash of light engulfed my vision, blinding me. So this is what it looks like when we fade away…

"Xel! I swear you are always getting into trouble!"

Axel? His pale face filled my sight as my head was turned upward. Something cool ran down my throat and down into my stomach. A potion, maybe? The searing pain of my chest wound vanished immediately, leaving me in an semi euphoric mood. But hey, I'm still alive, right? I sat up and shook my head gently.

"Axel…" I breathed, turning my head upward so that I could see him.

All of a sudden, he embraced me…

"You are such a stupid Nobody! You are such a stupid girl, Xel!"

"Wait a sec—"

Before I could say anything else, he kissed me fully on the lips. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. What do I do? I feel confused…

Axel pulled away, watching me intently.

"Axel…why…?" I asked, breathing heavily.

"Xel, I just don't say this to anyone. I just don't kiss anyone. I care a lot for you. I love you, ok?"

I couldn't think. Love...?

"Axel…"

The world went black.


Author's Note: I didn't like this chapter as much…especially with that grueling scene with Sora and that Organization member. I can't remember who he was…so I just kept his identity secret to avoid being wrong. I hope you enjoyed it. Leave a review cookie…please?