"You're late." Xemnas stated, his voice held no emotion, as usual.
"I'm sorry, I lost track of time." Exsor said, panting slightly from the run she had just taken.
"No excuses." Xemnas held out his hand. "Put this on."
Exsor took the black cloth from Xemnas' hand and looked at it closely. "What is it?" She asked.
"A blindfold, now put it on."
Exsor did as she was told, tying it tightly under her long hair.
"Learn to see without your eyes, you'll come to find things are a lot clearer that way." Xemnas held up his hand in front of Exsor's face. "How many fingers am I holding up?"
Exsor frowned. "How am I supposed to know sir? I can't see."
"Sense the space around you, let your mind do the seeing."
Her brow furrowed in concentration Exsor let her mind blank out, then focused it on Xemnas' hand, which she was sure was just in front of her.
"Two…?"
"Three." Xemnas changed the number from three to five. "Try again. Clear your mind, then say the first number that pops up into your head."
"…five…"
"There, now again."
It wasn't long before Exsor had the drill down packed. It came surprisingly easily once she got the hang of it.
"Now, what kind of weapon am I holding behind my back?" Xemnas stood with his hands behind his back, waiting.
"Your two red blades." Exsor stated confidently.
"Wrong. Your dagger."
Exsor's hands went to the sheath inside her Organization coat, her dagger wasn't there. "How did you do that?" She asked.
"You'll learn in time." Xemnas tossed the dagger back towards Exsor.
Without really thinking Exsor caught the dagger deftly, slipping it back into her coat.
"Good. Now I want you to take that blade back out and practice the basic stances."
It went on like that for three hours, Exsor's arms starting to sting from the unaccustomed exercise. Finally Xemnas said that was good enough and she were allowed to take the blindfold off, her eyes squinting against the brightness of the walls.
"I'll be sending your friend Axel on a mission in two days." Xemnas said, watching Exsor's response.
"Where to?"
Xemnas shrugged. "To wherever the key bearer is. Probably to Twilight Town."
Exsor didn't say anything, there was nothing to say. She would be alone in two days, her one remaining friend going off on some exciting mission. She would be stuck here, training with Xemnas, the monotony of the days driving her to the brink of insanity.
"I was contemplating sending you along with him."
Exsor's thoughts broke apart. "R-really? Why?"
Xemnas turned his back to her, walking toward the doors. "You need the experience."
Exsor watched as Xemnas left, she was actually being trusted with a mission. But the rational part of her mind reminded her that she was going along side Axel, it wasn't like she was going on a mission alone. Exsor sighed; well it was a step forward at least. Drawing up a dark portal Exsor exited the training arena and headed through the darkness toward Axel's room. Once she stepped out of the dark portal Exsor was face to face with Xaldin.
He seemed just as surprised to see her as she was to see him. He stood still, looking down at her, a slight frown on his face. It seemed he was thinking of what to do. Exsor took a step back when he walked forward. But he ignored her, brushing roughly past her to enter the dark portal he had just brought up. When he had left Exsor turned to look at Axel.
"What was he doing here? I thought he was on a mission at Beast's Castle." Exsor looked questionably at Axel.
Axel was standing by his bed, his deep green eyes staring at the place Xaldin had just disappeared from. There was a frown on his face, and he didn't act like he had heard Exsor.
"Axel?" Exsor took a step toward Axel, holding out a hand to touch his shoulder.
Moving away from her touch Axel turned his eyes from the wall. "He just had to tell me something." Axel muttered, turning his back to Exsor.
Exsor frowned but didn't push the subject; it was Axel's business, not hers. "Guess what man!"
"What?" Axel asked, his voice was quiet, as if he wasn't really listening to Exsor.
"Xemnas said you'd be going on a mission to Twilight Town!" Exsor was trying to cheer him up, but it didn't seem to be working.
"Great." Axel muttered, flopping down on the edge of his bed.
Exsor blinked and crossed her arms over her chest. "Axel, what's wrong?" Her voice was full of concern, Axel was always out going and full of himself, she had never seen him act like this before.
"Nothing's wrong Exsor, just leave me alone, ok?" Axel sounded frustrated with her.
"Fine, talk to me when you're in a better mood!" Exsor exited the room, slamming the door behind her.
She stalked down the hall toward her room, she had been so excited about a mission, and now she didn't want to go on it. Not with Axel acting like that. What did Xaldin say to upset Axel so much? Exsor shook her head, she'd probably never know.
Two days passed uneventfully. Xemnas said nothing more of the mission, but he stepped up Exsor's training, teaching her fighting techniques with blades and with only her element. She hadn't seen Axel since that day with Xaldin, but she wasn't too upset over it, she was actually having fun with her training. She hadn't ever thought there were so many ways to use the little bit of power she had. Xemnas was pleased with her; at least she liked to think so. The last of their training sessions ended with Exsor doing rather well in a sparing battle with Xemnas. It was on the night of the second day that Xemnas called for Axel and Exsor in his private study.
"Roxas is currently on his way to Twilight Town, I want you two to meet him there."
Exsor cast a glance out of the corner of her eye at Axel. His face was set in an unemotional mask; he hadn't gotten over his bad mood.
"All I want you two to do is pester him a bit, follow him, and report to me what he's up to." Xemnas linked his fingers over his desk. "Am I understood?"
"Yes sir." Exsor said, Axel only nodded.
"I want a report every fourth night. I don't care from which of you. Now go!"
Axel opened a dark portal and disappeared. Just as Exsor was about to do the same Xemnas stopped her.
"Don't forget the mission Exsor, this isn't a picnic. I expect you to be 100 percent dedicated to it."
Exsor bowed. "I will be sir." When Xemnas didn't say any more Exsor walked through her portal and headed toward Twilight Town.
