My search has yielded something that I did not expect…
Searching in Twilight Town, I found what I believe to be the Heartless that was once Number Eighteen. It has an uncanny resemblance to her. As I noted when observing the boy, her heart was filled with too much light to corrupt, resulting in the Heartless's size and power being relatively small. And unlike Number Fifteen, hers is not a Pureblood. Meaning her heart was stolen from her. The rest I can only theorize.
Another interesting thing to note was that I visited the mansion while pondering about Number Eighteen. Given this was her home, she should have been born here. And yet, she was found in our world. How could someone who had no clear ties to darkness and no knowledge of the worlds make it here? The only clues I have to go on can be found by referencing the date of her birth with who may have been in Twilight Town. I will solve these mysteries in time.
Until then, I will ensure that Numbers Fifteen through Eighteen continue their work. They still have use to us, after all.
Morning had arrived in the Castle That Never Was and most of its members had already begun their days. Xaik, however, found herself oversleeping as she had been toiling through her thoughts and memories in the night. Her slumber would soon be disturbed as she then heard a knocking on the door. The knock was somewhat urgent, as it persisted, waking her abruptly.
As she opened her eyes and sat up, the knocking continued. She rubbed her eyes and yawned before speaking in a groggy tone.
"Come in."
The door opened as she saw that Xeros was standing there, looking somewhat pressed for time.
"Come on, get out of bed," He advised hastily. "We need to meet with Saïx in the Grey Area immediately."
Though Xeros was often very punctual, something about this seemed off. It was not like Xeros to seem frazzled, or whatever the closest thing someone like Xeros could seem to frazzled was. He didn't stick around as he went on his way. Xaik put her legs off the side of the bed, her feet touching the ground. I don't know what's going on, but this doesn't bode well. She proceeded to get ready as quickly as she could and made her way straight to the Grey Area.
When Xaik arrived, she noticed that Xeros and Scyrux were there, facing towards the window. Even Varijex was present as Saïx was standing facing them. He saw Xaik approaching. The others didn't even turn to look at her as she stood next to Scyrux. Scyrux gave her a little wave and a smile as he turned back to Saïx. Xaik turned her attention as well, as Saïx looked serious.
"At last," Saïx spoke with a slightly impatient tone. "Now that Number Eighteen has graced us with her presence, we can begin."
Saïx put his hands behind his back as Xeros stepped forward to speak.
"You told me earlier that today's mission was of the utmost importance," Xeros articulated. "What is it that we will be doing today?"
So that's what the fuss is about. Xaik thought as she continued to pay attention.
"Lord Xemnas is… impressed by your abilities and cooperative skill, and thus has chosen you four to go and help eliminate two high-level Heartless." Saïx let out, seemingly struggling to admit.
"Two?" Scyrux uttered. "What kind of Heartless are we talking about?"
"After detecting their presence in the Land of Dragons, we sent some lesser Nobodies to investigate," Saïx answered. "These twin Heartless, which we have dubbed 'Royal Grievance' and 'Wicked Emperor', have been lurking in the mountains."
"Say no more," Varijex chimed in, slamming his fist into his hand. "Those Heartless are as good as GONE."
"Not so fast," Saïx held a hand up. "You will not be the ones to destroy them. You are merely to provide support."
The four looked at Saïx confused, as Scyrux and Xaik turned to one another. Xaik then looked to Xeros, whose head tilted a bit, and Varijex reeled his head back.
"What do you MEAN provide support?" Varijex questioned.
"I am inclined to agree with Varijex," Xeros added. "Who will we be providing support to?"
"You will be accompanied by one of our keyblade wielders, Number Fourteen." Saïx claimed.
We're going on a mission… with a keyblade wielder? Xaik pondered what that meant. Is that one of the 'key members' I've heard about?
As Xaik thought about what she learned a while ago, she noticed that the others were very perplexed about all of this. Varijex seemed somewhat bothered, Scyrux was in shock and Xeros was definitely on edge now. But it was understandable; the four of them had been so isolated from the rest of the Organization, the idea of working with another member was so foreign. Let alone one of the most important members. This did give Xaik a realization about something.
Why were they so isolated from the others? Xaik only ever went on missions with them. When they would speak about missions, it was only between them four. Xaik had a few encounters with some of the other members, like Xigbar and Axel. But other than that, she never met the others. An argument could be made that she could make the effort, but that was the only way she would have ever interacted with others. The fact that none of them seemed to interact with the rest of the Organization seemed strange, to say the least.
"Hold on," Varijex burst out. "We're going on a mission with one of THEM?"
"Yes," Saïx replied, coldly. "Given your penchant for destroying strong Heartless, it should be no trouble for you to assist in the harvesting of the hearts."
Xeros gave a breathy "hm" as he then looked at Saïx.
"It will be done," Xeros affirmed. "Rest assured, we will do our part."
"For your sakes," Saïx sneered. "I would hope so. I will send for Number Fourteen. When she arrives, leave at once."
Xeros nodded as Saïx then walked past them all. Scyrux blew air out his lips as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"This is weird, huh?" He exclaimed.
"'Weird' is not enough to describe how WEIRD this is." Varijex added.
They're so perturbed. Xaik pondered to herself. Xeros took a deep breath as he stepped forward and turned to face the others. They looked at him as he had a very serious look on his face.
"It doesn't matter if we think it's strange," He proclaimed. "To be tasked on a mission like this, with one of the keyblade wielders, it means we have to put in our best effort."
"But…" Xaik chimed in. "Haven't we already… proven ourselves? Saïx just said that Xemnas is impressed with us-"
"I don't BUY that for a second!" Varijex interrupted.
Xaik looked at Varijex, confused. She had only just noticed now how much he seemed to be seething. If not for lacking a heart, she would believe that he truly was angry at this.
"I've spent my ENTIRE career with the Organization dealing with that PAIN in my SIDE Saïx, telling me I'm 'NOT GOOD ENOUGH'," Varijex ranted. "Only to turn AROUND and ADMIT that Xemnas thinks we're CAPABLE as if he HADN'T before?"
"I mean," Scyrux shrugged. "Aren't you assuming a bit of Xemnas's opinion?"
Varijex stared daggers at Scyrux, who started to regret his decision.
"You can SPEAK for YOURSELF." Varijex barked at Scyrux. "YOU haven't BEEN here as LONG as I HAVE!"
Xeros then stepped in between the two, looking at Varijex with humble eyes.
"I understand, Varijex," Xeros spoke in a mindful tone. "Regardless, something has changed, and we should make sure that we all do our part."
Varijex growled as he turned away to look out the window to Kingdom Hearts. He stared up to it, his shoulders broadened. Xaik had not quite understood what Varijex had been through, but she knew how important it was to him that he commanded the respect he thought he deserved. From the sound of it even he, the most seasoned of the four, was not trusted on such a mission. So, what changed? Why did the Organization suddenly decide they could be tasked on this mission?
It was strange, but the four soon realized they wouldn't have time to ponder it for long. As they heard footsteps approaching behind them, they turned to see another member entering the Grey Area. Xaik noted that this member was the small girl who kept her hood up, the one she'd seen around with the blond boy. The girl approached and stood facing the four. At least they assumed so, given that her face was concealed.
"Hello," The girl spoke in a somewhat professional tone. Her voice was soft, but firm. "I was told we were all going on a mission today."
"Number Fourteen, I presume?" Xeros stepped forward to address the girl.
"You can call me Xion."
"Nice to meet you, Xion." Scyrux jumped in. "I'm Scyrux."
"He is Number Seventeen," Xeros added, looking at Scyrux with a sigh at his casual demeanor. "I am Xeros, Number Sixteen."
Xeros then turned and gestured to Xaik, as Xaik looked at Xion, shuffling a bit uncomfortably.
"This is Xaik, Number Eighteen." Xeros continued.
"Um… n-nice to meet you?" Xaik let out.
"And over by the window is-"
"DON'T talk about me as if I'm NOT here!" Varijex yelled out. He then walked over, posturing up to Xion, who was considerably smaller than he was. "Number FIFTEEN, VARIJEX."
"Nice to meet you all." Xion murmured from beneath her hood.
"YEAH, yeah, let's just get GOING." Varijex scoffed. "LEAD the way, FOURTEEN."
Xion gave Varijex a stare, but it was hard to tell what her expression was. Xeros put a hand on Varijex's shoulder as Varijex turned sharply at Xeros. Xeros gave Varijex a gaze, pleading silently for him to calm himself. Varijex shrugged his hand off, which Xeros understood. This situation was especially offensive to Varijex, but there was too much at stake to let his attitude get in the way. Luckily, sensing the tension in the room, Scyrux leaped into action on damage control.
"Don't mind Varijex, he's just-" Scyrux struggled to make an excuse, letting out a long 'uh' before continuing. "Yeah, just don't mind him, let's get going, huh?"
Scyrux let out a chuckle as he then turned and held out his hand, summoning a portal. He gestured for Xion to go through, as Xion gave a nod and went in. Scyrux then turned to the others as they all began to walk through. Xeros went in next, Xaik followed shortly behind. Scyrux looked to Varijex, who stopped in front of him before walking through. He glared at Scyrux with wide eyes, as Scyrux gave an expression of anticipating this exact reaction.
"You BETTER mind me!"
He bumped Scyrux's shoulder as he pushed past him and walked through. Scyrux let out a sigh and rolled his eyes as he then followed.
The five stepped from the portal one after another as they appeared in the Land of Dragons. They looked around as they inspected their surroundings. Xaik and Scyrux were somewhat familiar with this area, as they were close to where they encountered the army the last time they were on a mission. The mountains were less distant than before. Xeros looked in that direction, remembering the reports said that the Heartless had been lingering in the mountains.
"We should head for the mountains quickly." Xeros pointed out.
"You DON'T have to tell ME." Varijex blurted out as he began to storm towards the range in the distance.
Xeros followed shortly behind as Xaik, Scyrux and Xion all went along. Xeros was following Varijex closely behind. Scyrux and Xaik maintained distance with Xion in tow. It was extremely awkward, but it was to be expected. Dealing with Varijex was not new, but having someone else around to accompany them definitely didn't help.
"You're particularly worked up." Xeros let out quietly.
"You don't SAY." Varijex didn't care to be quiet.
"Don't you think it's best to maintain your reputation and act more-"
"ACT what?" Varijex cut Xeros off. "Professional? COURTEOUS, maybe? You expect ME to be NICE to the RUNT just because she's SPECIAL?"
"You and I have accomplished a lot in our time in the Organization," Xeros replied. "It's insulting, isn't it?"
Varijex turned and gave Xeros a glare, but scoffed and turned to continue forward.
"DON'T act like you KNOW what I've been through."
Xeros cocked an eyebrow as he sped up a bit to walk at the same pace as Varijex. Varijex gave him the side eye as he saw Xeros's chin was raised, looking down at Varijex.
"Didn't you put me through the same thing, Jexy?" Xeros retorted.
Varijex groaned as he then turned to look at Xeros. But Xeros's face quickly shifted from playful to serious, almost genuine looking concern. Varijex hated that look.
"Whatever Xemnas or Saïx think, we will show them just how capable we really are."
Varijex puffed a breath through his nose, visible due to the cold weather. He gave a grimace, but rolled his eyes and continued on the path up to the mountains.
"Besides," Xeros turned forward, pressing his pace. "Since when did you need to prove anything to anyone?"
As Xeros began to pass Varijex, he looked back to see his superior was giving him the stink-eye. Varijex stepped up his pace as they began to do somewhat of a race, while still keeping a decently slower speed to make sure they didn't lose the others.
Meanwhile, behind them, Xaik and Scyrux were just watching the exchange, mostly only hearing Varijex's side, as he was louder.
"They seem a bit tense." Xion commented from behind as Xaik and Scyrux turned to her.
"Yeaaahhh," Scyrux said through a chuckle. "More like in-tense, honestly. But they're good guys. Well, Xeros anyway."
Xion looked at Xaik, who she noticed was making an unusual face.
"Is it strange?" Xion asked Xaik, who was perplexed by the question.
"…is what strange?" Xaik answered the question with her own.
"You seem less intense than them," Xion explained. "Do you like working with them?"
Varijex, not so much. "…I don't know… should I?"
Xion puzzled for a bit, then looked at Xaik.
"I mean, I don't work with many people."
She… doesn't? She's like us? Xaik pondered as she looked at Xion. Xion, a key bearer, one of the supposed most vital members, and yet she didn't work with more members? It was unusual for Xaik to think that this would be the case. But maybe that was just how it worked in the Organization.
"But the people I do," Xion spoke in a lighter tone, a slight smile creeping on her lips. "Roxas and Axel. I guess you could say I like them. They're my friends."
Friends…? Xaik began to consider Xion's words. She assumed she had seen Xion with the boy, who she referred to as Roxas. And her encounter with Axel was more pleasant than some of her other interactions, so that made sense. But Xaik had to stop and consider that about herself with the others.
Varijex was abrasive and clearly did not want to get along with her. Scyrux had always been friendly, even referred to her as a "friend", but it was all an act. And Xeros was professional, focused mostly on the job and did not get close to others easily. Xaik herself was too awkward to socialize in a meaningful manner, not even considering her lack of emotions. A strange sensation washed over her, making her particularly uncomfortable about these thoughts. It lingered in a way, driving her mad, like an itch that wanted to be scratched.
As she was lost in her thoughts, Scyrux and Xion both noticed, giving her looks of confusion and concern. Xaik returned to reality, as she noticed them staring at her. She became rather uncomfortable, as she turned away.
"Well, um-"
"-men! The general expects this camp to be moved as soon as-"
Suddenly, Xaik heard a voice in the distance. She turned in the direction, as she then realized they were fast approaching the mountains. Varijex and Xeros were still doing their speed-walking competition as she then ran to catch up. She ran next to Xeros, who turned his attention to Xaik, much to Varijex's vexation.
"Xeros, there's people up ahead." Xaik exclaimed.
Xeros turned forward as he began to move perpendicular to the path they were walking. He turned back, gesturing to the others to follow him as they circled around, looking for any signs of people. Xeros thought it might be better if he got an aerial view, so he took to the skies. Falling up, he looked around as he saw what looked like a camp not too far from where they were.
He took note of the camp, as it was rather large. Many tents were lined up as men in armor walked about, putting things in order. He watched as they moved supplies, took down tents, and loaded large carriages, hearing the faint shouts and orders from below. There was one figure in particular he noted, a man who was wearing finer armor, with a cape and a helmet adorned with feathers. Given the rest of the soldiers were not as decorated, Xeros assumed that was the man in charge.
After making sure he had not been spotted, Xeros floated down gently. He landed back on the ground, as he looked to the others.
"Xaik was correct," Xeros stated. "There's a camp of soldiers ahead."
"The army we encountered last time we were here." Xaik commented.
"Yeah, I'm kind of surprised they're still here." Scyrux added.
"They seemed to be preparing to move out. We need to tread cautiously, as not to-"
"Monsters!"
"We're under attack!"
The yells from the distance were accompanied by the sounds of struggle as the Nobodies turned towards the camp. Varijex turned to Xeros, giving him a sarcastic smile.
"What was that about being CAUTIOUS?" Varijex chided before running into the distance.
Xeros exhaled sharply through his nose, as he also ran towards the commotion. The others followed as they made their way to the camp. What met them when they came close was quite the sight, as the soldiers were fending off a horde of Heartless. These Heartless were strange. They appeared to be Pureblood since they didn't have the crests, but they weren't like anything any of them had ever seen. They looked like black and red paper dolls, folded and shaped in different ways, but retaining the same beady yellow eyes.
Varijex and Xeros summoned their weapons as Xeros looked back to the others.
"They appear to be Purebloods, no hearts to harvest." He called out. "Defeat them quickly so we can find our real target!"
Xeros moved in, as Varijex had already rushed in. Xaik looked at Scyrux as they summoned their weapons. Xaik looked as Xion summoned her keyblade and Xaik took note of the strange weapon. So, that's the fabled key blade? As it was named, it appeared to be a sword but shaped like a giant key: silver blade and teeth with a brilliant gold guard and black hilt. At the end, there was a keychain with a strange symbol attached. After a moment of looking, Xaik rushed forward to fight, Scyrux and Xion running in as well.
As soon as the Nobodies entered the fray, they engaged the Heartless with extreme prejudice. The paper doll Heartless were many, some shaped like people, others slightly bigger and shaped like cranes, as well as frogs that were much bigger. The paper cranes flew in the air, so Xeros targeted them. Varijex chased the paper frogs as they hopped about, yelling as he swung his sword. Xaik and Scyrux looked to see the paper men were coming towards them. Their strange movements were off-putting to say the least.
Scyrux began to strike them with his whip, as they seemed to unfold in the places he would hit. Xaik ran in to smash the dolls Scyrux hit as she saw another one jump at her. She moved out of the way, narrowly avoiding the attack, the paper thin limb slicing a lock of her hair off. That was close! Now realizing the threat of papercuts, Xaik backed away as she heard a vocalization behind her. She looked up and back as Xion was in the air, coming down with her keyblade up.
Xion slashed downward, destroying the Heartless in front of Xaik.
"Thank you!" Xaik called out as Xion turned to her.
"Look out!" Xion cried out as Xaik turned to see a frog doll coming at her.
Xaik rolled out of the way as the frog doll landed on the ground. It smashed the ground beneath its feet, cracking it. Xaik vibrated as she sent a sonic wave at the frog doll, striking it with a loud BOOM and turning its paper body into confetti before it disappeared. Xaik turned to see Scyrux was dealing with more of the paper men, so she ran in to assist.
Xeros was in the air, dodging the various swoop attacks of the crane dolls. Each one flew towards him to slash with their paper wings. This would prove futile, as Xeros's adept movement kept him away from their attacks. He would orbit each one, making sure their attacks missed and countering with his own attack. He sliced through many of them easily, making quick work of some. Varijex tore through the frog dolls and paper men with his sword, cackling to himself.
"Paper BEATS rock?! How about STEEL?!" Varijex taunted, making ribbons of his foes.
They all were fighting valiantly, seemingly triumphant as soon the horde began to thin. Until Xeros noticed from above that another wave was coming from the mountains. He looked to the others as they wrapped up the Heartless they were dealing with.
"There are more coming! We need to stop these dolls!"
As he tried to rally the others towards the mountains, he fell towards the new incoming troop of Heartless. Varijex scoffed and laughed as he turned towards the direction Xeros went.
"Keep them COMING! I'm not EVEN warmed up YET!" Varijex boasted, running after Xeros.
Xaik, Scyrux and Xion all vanquished the remaining enemies in the camp, making haste to catch up to the other two. Xeros and Varijex engaged the Heartless, destroying a hefty amount on their own. Once the others joined the battle, fighting this wave was no challenge. The horde was smaller this time around, Xaik noticed, as they were not taking as long to wipe out this group.
There aren't as many? She puzzled as she continued to fight. Why is this group smaller than the last? She looked off toward the mountain range, noticing that there were some other Heartless trickling in from the distance. Unless… As Xaik pieced together what was happening, she called out to Xeros.
"Something is making these Heartless!" Xaik yelled. "We need to cut off the source!"
Xeros turned to Xaik, before turning to see what Xaik was talking about. He noticed that fewer and fewer Heartless were coming from the mountains, suggesting that something could have been making them and was sending them out. He decided on a new course of action and sought to eliminate the one creating the paper dolls.
"I'm going ahead to stop the flow," Xeros asserted. "Then we can all move forward unimpeded!"
As Xeros rushed forward, falling at high speed toward the mountain, Varijex groaned after slaying another doll.
"OH no, you DON'T!" Varijex said as he dropped his sword. "YOU'RE not stealing MY action!"
The sword began to float as Varijex used his Magnet magic to make the sword fly, stepping on and heading right behind Xeros.
Even now they have to do this? Xaik complained to herself as she dealt with the Heartless around her. Scyrux and Xion eliminated their opponents and all three ran after the others. Unfortunately for them, Xeros and Varijex were too fast to keep up with. They ran as fast as they could as they rushed up the mountain, Xeros and Varijex disappearing around a corner of the mountain. The others' steps began to crunch, as the mountain was covered in bright, white snow.
As they approached, they heard a yell as Xeros flew backwards from beyond the corner, falling into the snow. He groaned as Xaik looked in terror.
"Xeros!" She called out, rushing to his side.
As Xaik knelt at his side, he rubbed his head, letting out a breath through his teeth. He opened his eyes as he looked forward, rising with his magic. Xaik turned to see what he was looking at as she was stunned by the sight.
In front of them were two large Heartless floating in the air, both very similar. They were wearing fancy robes and hats adorned with the Heartless emblem, and paper slips that hung in front of the left eye for one, the right for the other. The one on the left was wearing bright red and purple sleeves and hat, with with gold and dark blue on the body, while the other's colors were reversed. The red robed one had strange hands - tubes that were checkered - and held in one of them appeared to be Varijex, trapped from the waist up.
"LET GO OF ME!" A muffled screaming came from inside the tube - definitely Varijex.
As his feet kicked around, Xaik saw that he had dropped his sword below. Xeros looked at the others, focused and intense.
"I'm going to free Varijex!" Xeros announced. "Remember, Xion needs to destroy these Heartless. Mind your attacks!"
Xeros rushed forward, intent on freeing Varijex, as the dark blue robed Heartless pulled a few sheets of black and red paper from its sleeves, folding them into the three shapes they encountered earlier. It then breathed a dark cloud on them, giving them life. Suddenly, they boasted yellow eyes and charged to attack. Xeros began to fight through the dolls as the large Heartless continued to pull more paper, fold and bring forth more enemies.
Scyrux rushed toward the one that held Varijex, casting his whip out around Varijex's leg.
"HEY!" Varijex blurted out from inside the tube.
Scyrux pulled, trying to pry Varijex from the Heartless's grip. But it seemed like no matter how hard he pulled, it only got tighter. Xaik ran in, joining Scyrux in trying to pull Varijex out, but to no avail. Varijex yelled from inside as he groaned in pain.
"STOP, YOU IDIOTS," Varijex yelled between pained groans. "YOU'RE ONLY MAKING IT SQUEEZE ME HARDER!"
As Scyrux and Xaik stopped pulling, the Heartless looked to Scyrux and yanked its arm, pulling Scyrux to him. As Scyrux yelled in the air, it held out its other tube arm, catching and trapping him as well. Scyrux yelled as the Heartless loomed over Xaik. A third tube appendage came from beneath its robes as it tried to grab her. She rolled out of the way, only to trip over the snow.
As she looked up, she watched as the tube came down, clamping down on her. She felt herself getting lifted up off the ground, arms and torso pinned. She shook herself, trying to get free. I can't be caught like this! Xaik focused her magic, creating vibrations in her body. The shaking seemed to loosen her a bit but that wasn't enough. She let the magic well up inside, as she built it up to a point where the vibrations were so intense that the others could feel it coursing through the Heartless.
Xaik let out a mighty cry as she blasted the tube from the inside out in a blast of purple sonic energy. She felt down, as the Heartless floated away, hurt from Xaik's attack. As she landed, the snow cushioned her fall and she looked to see the Heartless floating above. She was able to escape using her magic, but she couldn't use it without risking the others' safety. I can't risk hurting them! But I need to get them free! Xaik turned to see Xeros dealing with the dolls, Xion providing support.
"Xion!" Xaik called out as Xion turned to her. "We need you!"
"Go, I'll keep these ones back!" Xeros hollered.
Xion slashed through a paper doll before rushing over, then joined Xaik.
"We need to free the others!" Xaik pleaded.
"Can you get me up there?" Xion asked.
"I'll give you a boost!" Xaik exclaimed.
Xaik called to her hammer once more, as she held it up over her head. She got down on a knee as she perched herself with her hammer facing up. Xion jumped up onto the head of the hammer, as Xaik pushed up with all her might. Xion flew up at high speeds, keyblade ready to strike.
Xion slashed at the Heartless, slicing through its arm. The tube fell, loosening as Varijex was set free. He yelled as he fell down, but he looked up to the Heartless with a furious gaze. He reached out and called to his sword as a magnet orb appeared on the hilt. He threw his arm forward as the sword came up out of the ground and flew up at the Heartless, spinning. The sword swirled through the air, curving as it reached its target.
The Heartless thought the sword was going to strike it directly, but at the last second, Varijex flicked his arm and made the sword change course. It slashed through its other arm, freeing Scyrux.
"Made you LOOK!" Varijex bragged as he landed in the snow, tumbling onto his feet.
Scyrux was falling, now able to face the threat once more. He looked down to see that Xion was poised and ready to attack, so he figured he'd give her an opening. As he fell, he summoned his whip back to his hand, cracking it and wrapping it around the Heartless's head. He yanked it down with him as he fell, going towards Xion.
"Coming in hot!" Scyrux gave a playful chuckle.
Xion ran towards them, jumping up as Scyrux landed, giving a final tug to bring the Heartless down to the ground on top of Xion. As she leaped into the air, Xion slashed up through the Heartless as it began to dissipate into black smoke. But this time, Xaik, Scyrux, and Varijex noticed something different. Rather than just disappearing and the heart being left behind and vanishing into the air, there was a flash of light. The heart burst from the darkness and flew up and into a small Corridor of Darkness.
As the body of one Heartless faded away, Xion landed on the ground, turning her attention back towards the other. Left with only the single Heartless, the others jumped to support Xeros. While managing on his own, Xeros alone was not enough to keep the Heartless from creating more paper dolls to fight. It had managed to create a large group by the time the others came into the fight. But from there, it was a cakewalk. All the Nobodies were destroying the paper dolls with ease, leaving the Heartless somewhat desperate.
The Heartless took several sheets of paper and folded them in a new way, creating two sizable paper swords. It breathed onto them, giving them a dark aura.
"You think a PAPER sword is going to STAND a chance against a REAL one?" Varijex taunted.
Varijex ran in for an attack, thinking his sword could easily overpower the paper ones the Heartless was wielding. But much to his surprise, when they clashed, the paper swords did not get cut. Varijex was stunned as the Heartless swung with the other sword. He put up his guard but was thrown down. As he fell, Xeros ran up, grabbed Varijex's arm, and began to spin him around.
Xeros launched Varijex at the Heartless once more, causing the Heartless to block the attack with both swords. Varijex pushed down, causing the left sword to become hooked onto the serration of his sword and be pulled away from the Heartless's chest. Then the Heartless noticed a tugging on the other sword, as it saw Scyrux and Xaik pulling on it with his whip. Then from beneath, Xeros focused his gravity magic and created a field that pulled the Heartless down.
Effectively restrained, the Heartless could only watch as Xion ran in for the final blow. She yelled out as she ran in with her keyblade up, jumping toward the Heartless. She sliced downward, right down the middle of the Heartless. It began to convulse and then fell over, before the bright flash erupted from its chest and the heart was released. Its physical form vanished as the Nobodies all gathered, having defeated their enemy.
As they all made their weapons disappear, Scyrux cheered. Xaik smiled as she looked to Xeros and Varijex, who stood next to one another and gave each other a look of affirmation. She then turned to Xion, who seemed to be smiling from under her hood.
"Awesome! Mission accomplished!" Scyrux exclaimed with almost genuine joy.
"Yes," Xeros came over, brushing his hand through Scyrux's hair. "We all performed admirably."
We did… didn't we? Xaik thought to herself, thinking about what Xion had asked her earlier. But unlike earlier, the sensation within Xaik wasn't uncomfortable or bad. All she could think was that regardless of how they all acted around one another, when together, they were better. Stronger and capable of great feats. They had managed to defeat these two powerful and formidable Heartless, just as they had with the likes of Shipbreaker.
Xion gave a nod as she looked in Xaik's direction, noticing Xaik being somewhat lost in thought.
"Thank you for helping me." Xion expressed as she looked to the rest. "You are all very good at what you do."
"DON'T you FORGET it." Varijex blared from a little ways away.
"It's about time we RTC'd." Xeros commented as he held out his hand.
He summoned the portal back to the castle, about to step in when Varijex pushed past him, giving him an intense grin as he walked through. Xeros shook his head as he followed behind, and Scyrux gave Xaik a pat on the back before heading in himself. Xaik looked to Xion before stepping through, as Xion made her way to the portal.
"Xion," Xaik let out, making Xion turn towards her. "Your friends…"
"What about them?" Xion asked as she tilted her head in her hood.
Xaik took a minute to think over her thoughts, before speaking again.
"…what do you do with them, usually?"
Meanwhile, inside the Castle That Never Was, Varijex and Xeros had stepped through into the Grey Area. They were bickering a bit, as they were prone to do. Scyrux came out, letting out a chuckle and taking a relieved breath. After a few moments, Xaik and Xion came through, just behind the others.
"I see you've all returned."
They all heard a voice behind them as they turned to see Saïx, seemingly waiting for them. He was faced away from them, looking out at the moon, before turning slowly towards them.
"What have you to report?" Saïx demanded.
"The mission was a success." Xeros spoke with a slight tone of pride. "We assisted in the destruction of the Heartless, and Xion released the hearts."
Saïx gave a sneer as he then looked to Xion, who stared blankly at him. Saïx then looked to the others, as he gave a nod.
"Good," Saïx said as he turned back around. "Then you are dismissed. You have nothing more to do here."
Everyone else turned to leave as Xeros stayed for a second. Xeros found Saïx's tone to be strange. Something a bit unusual compared to what he was used to. But it would not keep his attention for long, as he then noticed Xaik come closer to him. He looked down at her as she looked up at him, expectantly. He wasn't sure why she was giving him this strange gaze, but it was definitely a bit uncomfortable for him.
"Yes, Xaik?" Xeros asked.
"Can… we talk?" Xaik spoke with a strangely confident tone.
"I… I suppose so, what about?"
"Not here," Xaik said, turning towards Varijex and Scyrux, who were leaving. "And you guys."
Varijex and Scyrux turned, Varijex giving an exaggerated raised eyebrow and Scyrux pursed his lips in confusion.
"I want you all to come with me." Xaik requested.
"Uh, yeah," Scyrux replied. "Sure, I'll come along."
They then heard a raspberry being blown as they turned to see Varijex rolling his eyes.
"AS if I'll go ANYWHERE with-"
"Please." Xaik begged.
This put Varijex off, and only drove him to further confusion. This also left Xeros and Scyrux puzzled, as they knew Xaik didn't have the best relationship with Varijex. For her to plead with him to come along to whatever she wanted was definitely strange, to say the least. Varijex turned as if to walk away, then stopped and let his head droop for a bit. He let out a groan, as he turned to Xaik with disgruntled eyes.
"You're probably going to BOTHER me if I don't," Varijex then pointed at Xeros with an aggressive thumb. "And even if I ignore you, I'm sure THAT nuisance is going to make sure I get NO peace until I do."
Varijex then gestured exaggeratedly to the door as Xaik walked forward, leading the others out. As they left the room, Saïx gave a side eye to the four.
Xaik brought them all to Memory's Skyscraper, much to their confusion. No words were exchanged on the way there, so Xeros, Scyrux and Varijex were all left wondering what Xaik wanted from them. As they found themselves at the foot of the skyscraper, Xaik turned to everyone.
"Would you mind if we went up there?" Xaik asked.
"You want to go all the way up there?" Scyrux said as he held his hand over his eyes like a visor and looked straight up. "That's quite the jump."
"It would be no trouble for me, at least." Xeros stated, matter-of-factly.
Varijex scoffed at Xeros's remark, summoning his sword to him and letting it fall and hover.
"If YOU can do it, I can do it BETTER." Varijex boasted, climbing onto his sword.
Varijex then began to fly up, going to the top of the skyscraper. Scyrux shrugged and summoned his whip, as he wound it up and cast it up to one of the screens, wrapping it around. He tugged to make sure it was secure. He turned to the other two, giving a smirk.
"See you guys at the top!" Scyrux exclaimed as he pulled himself up.
Xeros turned to Xaik as she watched Scyrux make his way up. She then turned to Xeros as he held out a hand. Xaik looked to his hand then back to him as he tilted his head at her. She was lost in his eyes for a bit, something that hadn't happened in a bit. She noticed her cheeks flush, which perplexed Xeros to see. She reluctantly took his hand as he began to glow that red-black aura.
Xaik felt herself get lighter, as they began to fly up. But they weren't flying, or even floating. It felt as if they were falling up, very slowly. This is what it's like… Xaik noted as they rose to the top of the tower. When they reached the peak, she noticed the pull change from going straight up to forward and down onto the building, where Varijex and Scyrux waited - Varijex with his arms crossed and facing away towards the castle, and Scyrux leaning against the spire at the top.
Xeros let Xaik down first gently before landing himself. Xaik turned and went to sit down with her legs over the ledge. They dangled, not quite reaching the top screen of the tower. Xeros stood next to her, waiting for her to say something. She had brought them all out there, it was only natural he would want answers.
"What did you want to talk to us about?" Xeros broke the silence.
"The mission today…" Xaik began. "It was strange, wasn't it?"
"Uh, YEAH," Varijex blurted, giving a side glance. "But it doesn't matter, we CRUSHED it."
"That's the thing…" Xaik replied. "It does matter."
The other three looked at her as she continued to talk, but continued to face towards the Dark City. This place, so different from her home. She looked over the bleak horizon, filled with nothing but abandoned buildings and empty streets. Dark skies looming over them, the only light from the neon lights and signs and the moon that illuminated them from behind.
"I've been thinking a lot lately…" Xaik continued. "…about everything that I've been through in the time I've been here. It seems like it's been a long time… and at the same time, not long at all."
Xaik let her feet dangle back and forth a bit as she put her hands behind her and leaned back on them.
"You guys have been here much longer than me. And done so much more."
"OBVIOUSLY." Varijex interjected.
"Jexy, stop interrupting." Xeros chided.
Varijex wanted to retort, but Xaik beat him to it.
"It's fine, Xeros," Xaik claimed, much to Xeros's surprise. "We have our differences, Varijex. I know that."
"You're RIGHT about that much." Varijex scoffed.
"Regardless of that, I've come to understand you a bit better than when I first came here."
Varijex was shocked at Xaik's words and wanted to shut down her thinking, but before he could say a word, she turned to him. The look in her eyes stunned Varijex in a way he did not expect. The look she gave him was calm - not fearful as she had once been, but not as harsh as their last interaction. It puzzled Varijex at the least, and bothered him at the most.
"I don't expect us to see eye to eye," Xaik took a deep breath. "But I value your place in the Organization."
Xeros was flabbergasted at Xaik's words, and Scyrux almost couldn't fathom the idea of Xaik complimenting Varijex.
"As Xeros once said to me, you're driven. You have the will and strength to accomplish what you want. That is vital in getting what we want."
If Xeros could be embarrassed, he surely would've been. It wasn't as if he didn't acknowledge Varijex's abilities, but context was somewhat important. Having Xaik speak those words of his made him somewhat vulnerable. Varijex gave Xaik a wide-eyed stare, mouth slightly agape with the desire to speak, but lacking the ability to.
Xaik then turned to Scyrux, who was slack-jawed but then regained his composure.
"You know, Scyrux, I know how you keep doing that thing with your face." Xaik remarked.
"The 'thing with my face'?" Scyrux let out a laugh. "What, having my jaw hit the floor?"
"No, that," Xaik gave him a smile. "The way you emote, even though we all know you can't feel."
Scyrux's face shifted a bit, still trying to smile and be playful, but the mask began to slip a bit.
"I know that it's awful, and would be painful if you could feel the things you think about and try so hard to fight." Xaik sighed. "But regardless of how empty we all are, regardless of how much it might not make sense…"
Xaik looked Scyrux directly into his eyes. And for a moment, Scyrux wondered which one of them could sense the other.
"…you still try. And I think I like that about you."
Scyrux looked at Xaik's almost genuine face as she gave him a smile. If Scyrux had a heart, it would surely be warmed as a tear crept out from one of his eyes. It was unusual - his body responded to the words as if he still had feelings, but he wasn't really doing it himself. The thing he normally did of creating the sensations in his body physically wasn't happening. The magic within him seemed to just respond to Xaik's words on their own, and for once, he remembered what it was like to 'feel' good. He wiped it quickly, giving a weak chuckle.
"I guess I'm glad you do." Scyrux responded.
"That is very… thoughtful of you to say, Xaik." Xeros added.
Xaik then turned to Xeros, giving him a wistful, yet slightly stern look.
"You are thoughtful too, Xeros." Xaik argued.
"Xeros? THOUGHTFUL? HA." Varijex managed to say, after being silent for a while.
"As much as Varijex means to insult me," Xeros said, giving Varijex a snarky side-eye before turning back to Xaik. "I'm inclined to agree. I would not say I'm thoughtful. It's true that I'm often thinking, but-"
"Is there a difference?" Xaik maintained.
"Quite the difference," Xeros countered. "Nobodies don't have the capacity to be thoughtful."
"How do you know?"
"It's our nature," Xeros explained. "I know that you think these things… but you are caught up in the various facets of things beyond our comprehension, when at the end of the day, until we complete Kingdom Hearts by continuing to do the work we did today, that will not change."
Xeros ended up being a bit more verbose than he was used to. Varijex and Scyrux were stunned as it seemed like Xeros couldn't control himself, because he normally was so to the point and minimalistic. He didn't speak unnecessarily, and whatever he said was carefully thought out - the most important thing that needed to be said in the moment. But Xaik flustered him with her confusing opinions.
But even this, seeing her mentor so off balance, did not seem to shake Xaik's resolve.
"No," Xaik looked Xeros into his eyes, giving him a taste of his own medicine. "It's not about our nature. It's about choice."
Xeros could only stare, trying his hardest to understand what Xaik was saying. All the while, something was creeping in the back of his mind, clawing at the edges to come out.
"You believe that this is the only way. That this is what we must do…" Xaik asserted. "But I don't believe that. I believe… we choose to do this, because it is what we want for ourselves."
Xaik turned her body towards Xeros, her legs no longer hanging over the edge. She faced him, noticing that he was looking a bit disturbed, but she couldn't let that stop her.
"You have the ability to choose. You chose to join the Organization. You chose to work for your heart back. And you work… so hard. Because even without a heart, even without memories… you refuse to give up… That can't just be because there's nothing else, right? "
Scyrux looked at Xeros, noticing something was changing in him. There was something Scyrux had always seen when he looked into Xeros, a tangled mess of life; twisted and wrong. Xaik had first arrived with a similar tangle within herself, which changed over time. But something strange was happening. The tangle was fighting to become unfurled.
"No, it wasn't for nothing…" Xeros said slowly. "My reason…? It's… I wanted-"
Suddenly, something within Xeros snapped. He let out a yell as he held his head. Xaik was startled. Varijex turned his attention, confused by what was happening.
"What are you YELLING about?"
Xeros didn't respond as Scyrux took another look and saw that the tangle within Xeros was violently unraveling, viciously returning itself into the paths it should take within his body and mind. Unlike Xaik, whose twisted energy smoothly and slowly repaired itself, Xeros's change was sudden and unwelcome. Before Scyrux could think to do anything for this situation, the energy that was briefly back in the right order quickly twisted itself again.
Xeros got quiet and froze in place. Still gripping his head, he got very still and his eyes went completely blank, pupils faded. Xaik stood, walking over to Xeros as Varijex stood cautiously prepared for anything. Scyrux also crept up, keeping an eye on what was going on inside to see how his condition would develop.
"…X-Xeros?" Xaik reached out, hesitantly.
Xeros looked up at Xaik, as he looked at her with his empty eyes. Xaik was shocked to see that his expression was completely blank, devoid of seemingly all life. But not only that, it was as if he wasn't aware of his surroundings at all.
"Wh… where am… I?" Xeros murmured.
"Xeros?" Scyrux asked, as Xeros didn't respond to his call.
Xeros slowly removed his hands from his head and looked at them. He then flexed his fingers, opening and closing his fists repeatedly.
"Xeros?" Xaik tried to get his attention.
Xeros looked up at Xaik, still looking at her as if he was seeing a complete stranger. He then turned around, looking at Scyrux giving him a concerned stare.
"Xeros…?" He began to speak a bit clearer. "Are you… Xeros?"
"No," Scyrux uttered, confused. "I'm Scyrux. You're Xeros."
Xeros began to look confused himself as he rubbed his forehead and closed his eyes.
"I'm… Xeros?" He asked himself.
"Don't you… remember?" Xaik trembled, horrified at what Xeros was seeming to imply.
"I-" Xeros paused. "I don't remember."
Xaik and Scyrux were stunned, as Xeros suddenly forgot where and who he was. This was beyond belief to them, but soon they would learn that this wasn't just sitting wrong with them. Varijex stormed over to Xeros and grabbed him by the collar, pulling him close. Xeros was somewhat wobbly as Varijex shook him with his fist.
"Oh, GREAT." Varijex barked. "Broken AGAIN, I see."
"Varijex, what are you-?" Xaik started, before Varijex turned and glared at Xaik.
"You SHUT IT," He commanded. "I don't know WHAT you did, but now this NUMBSKULL has gone COMPLETELY stupid on me."
"Varijex, take it easy!" Scyrux tried to reason. "We don't know what's going on with him!"
"PLEASE," Varijex groaned. "He's just acting the same way as when I found his PATHETIC hide. And I'm NOT about to LET him freak out and FORGET what I made him over some DUMB, OVERLY-sentimental words from the Squirt!"
Varijex then shook Xeros, trying to get him to look at his face.
"HEY, look here you ANNOYING bone head," Varijex began. "HOW many times do I have to KEEP you in LINE?"
"I-"
"You DO not speak until your SUPERIOR says so." Varijex boomed.
"My… superior-"
Varijex groaned as he pushed Xeros against the spire, slamming his back into it.
"You NEVER listen, do you? ME. I'M your superior. In EVERY way." Varijex leaned in. "What's MY name?"
Xeros was silent, seemingly processing Varijex's words. Varijex, however, was impatient, as he slammed Xeros into the spire again. Xeros groaned in pain as Varijex clenched his fist.
"What's MY NAME?!"
"V… Varijex." Xeros uttered, much to Xaik and Scyrux's surprised.
"My NUMBER?"
"Number… Fifteen." Xeros said, speaking even clearer than before.
"My TITLE?"
"The Magnet-" Xeros's head swayed side to side, as if he was trying hard to remember. "-of Madness."
"GOOD, you didn't forget THAT at least." Varijex rolled his eyes as he pressed his hand harder onto Xeros's chest. "And what's YOUR ridiculous title?"
"The Stoic… of the Void."
"What's your INFERIOR number?" Varijex pressed his interrogation.
"Number Sixteen."
Xeros's tone of voice began to return to normal, as Xaik and Scyrux were completely in awe at this sight.
"And tell me, what is your STUPID name?"
With those words, Xeros's eyes returned to their normal gaze as he gave Varijex a sassy raise of his brow.
"I don't think Xeros is that stupid of a name, Jexy."
Xaik and Scyrux were relieved that Xeros had come out of his amnesia trance. Varijex, though he didn't show it, was also glad that his former pupil came to his senses. He would never admit that, of course.
"You can let go now." Xeros patted Varijex's hand. "I heard you."
"WHATEVER, you train wreck of a Nobody." Varijex said as he forcefully released Xeros. "What EVEN was that?"
"I… am not sure." Xeros pondered as Xaik approached him cautiously.
She looked up at him with terrified eyes, which Xeros didn't quite understand.
"I-I… I'm s-so sorry, Xeros," Xaik pleaded. "I didn't m-mean…"
"You don't need to apologize, Xaik."
Xaik was taken aback by Xeros's words. He sighed as he placed a hand onto her shoulder, looking at her with the eyes she was used to seeing. It was a relief to see his eyes like that - what once was uncomfortable became calming, having seen a far worse alternative.
"I was… confused for a minute. But I'm glad you said those things." Xeros spoke in a tone that tried to be comforting. "All of them, to all of us. As you said, our choices do seem to matter. You have chosen to believe that we can be more than we are. And as for me…"
Xeros stopped for a moment to look at Xaik. This girl, he thought to himself, as strange as she is… Xeros couldn't help but sense what would be pride in his mind, at how much she had grown in her short time with the Organization. With them. Her determination, her awareness. She was wise in ways that he did not know, but admired. As she had once said to him, that she had hoped he would think himself differently; he now wanted to try that himself, to hope.
"I will choose to believe in you."
With Xeros's words, Xaik noticed a strange sensation that rapidly came over her. She jumped out and wrapped her arms around Xeros, hugging him. Xeros was startled and unsure of how to react. But after a moment of settling into it, he placed a hand on Xaik's back, gently patting it. Xaik squeezed Xeros hard as she noticed a wet feeling running down her cheek. Tears had formed, though Xaik didn't know why. Whatever the sensation was in her, it compelled her eyes to water.
She pulled away a bit, as she looked to Scyrux, wiping her eyes. Scyrux gave a smile as he came in to hug as well. Xeros was slightly uncomfortable, but he appreciated the gesture nonetheless. He put his other arm around Scyrux as they all hugged together.
Varijex maintained his distance, looking away as he quietly sighed to himself. After a moment, he turned back and made a gagging noise.
"Alright, ENOUGH with the touchy-not-feely," Varijex complained. "It's like you think you're FRIENDS or something."
Xaik pulled away from the hug, looking at Varijex, then looked to Scyrux and Xeros. She thought about it for a moment, before turning to Varijex with a smile on her face.
"You're right," Xaik claimed. "We are friends."
Everyone was astonished by Xaik's claim. Though they all had mixed thoughts, Xaik knew in that moment that her words were true. The sensation she had in that moment came close to something she recalled from long ago. Something that in her memories seemed so distant, until now. And that something… was joy.
