The fall was much easier this time. It wasn't the sluggish, thick mess it had been the last time she had dove into the girl's heart. It was smooth, simple. Like coming home. It didn't make sense considering Irene's light should have been fighting her; keeping her out. But as she fell down, her descent slowing as her feet touched down onto the shining crimson platform; she understood. Maria hadn't made it into Irene's heart.
She had dove into her own. Irene had locked her out.
Maria looked around quickly, eyes gazing into the dark abyss about her. At the distant platforms; void of light and paths a black and crumbled mess. The hearts locked off from her for good. But she had been to Irene's heart before. Had felt it's light. So where is it? She thought as she rushed over to the edge, quickly finding a dull light off in the distance. A deep set growl escaped her.
"I didn't think you'd be back so soon." Came the soft call. Maria didn't even need to turn around to see who it was.
"I don't have time for your sass, stowaway."
A soft sound then, like a sigh, before the calm words rang out again, "You're here for something else then?"
Fingers ran through her hair, tugging slightly at the auburn strands as she tried to focus. It's been so long since Maria had to open her heart to another. It was so painful to try to open to pathways again. To reach out to another.
But Irene needed help. Needed her. And that almost hurt worse.
"Is it the other?"
"Yeah." Maria grit out, letting her hands fall down to her sides, fists clenched, "It's the kid."
"What are you going to do?"
"What am I going to do?" She repeated, more to herself than to Michael. "That's the fucking question isn't it? "What is Maria going to do?" The dark one. The terror. The weapon." She spat, glaring at the light in the distance- seething at everything that had happened. At all that would continue to happen just because of who - what - they are. She was getting so sick of it. So sick of the hurt, of the betrayal, of the sheer anger. So sick and tired of it all.
And as she saw the light in the distance flash bright before dissipating, she let out a loud unrelenting scream; her platform shaking from the very force of it. Black seeped up around her, lashing out at the air before the mosaic steps began to form. Reaching out from the edge of her platform and into the abyss. The steps only made it a few paces out- cracked and fragile. As if awaiting someone to step out onto them; to either strengthen them or shatter them completely.
All she had to do was take a step.
She's going to kill me.
Make a choice.
She wants to kill me.
To forget.
I don't want to die.
Or defend.
It's our choices that define us. Not others. It's our choices that give us purpose. That shape who we are and what we will become. We make our choices and hope that they're the right ones. We make our choices.
And we step out onto the glass.
With a heat hotter than fire, a fierceness stronger than any fury, and a rage deeper than any emotion she had yet to face; she ran. Heat and flame and black shining across the glass as she ran. The pathway stretching near endlessly as if testing her resolve to reach the Light. To defend it. The Darkness was the warrior, meant to defend the Light from all that ails it. Even if it meant themselves. She was to defend the light at all costs. That lesson was taught to her well.
And as she felt her fire rage in inky black waves, she let out a scream. Leaping off the mosaic just before it reached the emerald tinted plain, seeing the shadows roaming about its surface. Soaring through the air, fighting the pulsing light straining against her very being, she drew blades out of her very fire. Shining and molten gold in her hands as she lifted them above her head, focused and clear.
"Back off!"
Clear for the first time in what felt like years. She had purpose. And that purpose set her eyes amidst crimson fury, her blades being brought down across the back of the enemy. Destroying the low level heartless in a fierce swing as shadows erupted from it, fading into nothing as her feet touched the ground. She brought her swords round, stance set and ready for whatever would try to come next. Black swirling about her legs like armor as she snarled,
"Don't even think about it."
The Heartless that had been surrounding Irene were completely destroyed, wispy black tendrils fading away in the air as multiple hearts drifted upwards into nothingness. More and more powerful Heartless began to appear and form from the shadows that were coloring the colorful platform. What once was beautiful shades of white, light blue, and green were now being tainted with the black and purple of darkness. Maria lunged forward and slashed through the Heartless, determination burning deep inside her being, flames erupting from the blades in her hold and burning all that came into its clutches.
Irene struggled to push herself up onto her feet, legs tired and unwilling to move. Blood dripped onto the ground from her many wounds and her eyes struggled to stay open. Maria, seeing this, slid her foot along the ground in a practiced arc, a wall of flame building up and keeping back the grounded Heartless with ease. With them forced back the woman made her way over to the young girl, knowing she had to work quickly before the fire extinguished itself. Light did not take kindly to blackened flame after all.
"Heal!" A dim green light danced around Irene, weak compared to the strength of her flames. Only a few of the cuts stopped bleeding, too many for Maria to heal at once; and instead of vanishing they left thin white scars on her skin. Irene was still too tired to move, her form hunched over on the ground. Her weary brown eyes lifted to meet Maria's stern glare. "The hell were you thinking!? Listening to some ass you just met- I swear; this is the last time I'm saving you!"
"S...Sorry…" She breathed, crimson fingers tightening ever-so-slightly on the staff in her hands. Irene looked rather relieved at the sight of the woman, but also greatly concerned. "Wasn't… I-I didn't... Just happened…"
"Just happened or not, you need to learn to start thinking." Maria scolded, glaring around at the heartless-their golden eyes peering through her slowly fading flames. With a curse, the young woman flipped the blades in her hands to hold them both in reverse style, "I've never seen so many Heartless on a platform before. How are they even here when you're supposed to be Light?"
"I don't…" Irene started before seeing Maria brace herself. The fury's leg sweeped back in an arc as she crouched down, stilling for just a moment before shooting forward, bursting through the flames like a bullet.
What Maria had said didn't make sense. The question boggled around in Irene's head as she watched Maria take down Heartless after Heartless. Irene was supposed to be the Keeper of Light, right? So how were they here? The voice said Darkness dove into her heart. And before that, Demyx told her that the Heartless were forged when a person lost their heart.
He said… their appearance was determined by the strength of the darkness…
Or was it Marluxia who told her that? Irene doesn't really remember. Everything is a little jumbled right now. Headache worsening, the girl's thoughts halted in their tracks as she let her worried brown gaze fall upon the red-clad form in front of her. The puzzle pieces were lining up slowly as the fuller picture finally started to appear.
The Heartless came from Darkness… and wasn't Maria supposed to be Darkness itself?
"Like calls to Like."
Was Maria's heart allowing the shadows entry into Irene's heart?
It was as if someone was whispering the answers in her ear, giving her the information she needed and trying to confirm her suspicions. Irene pushed herself up onto one knee, staring at Maria with a wary expression, uncertain if she should allow herself to believe what her mind was telling her. Her fingers loosened on her staff, but the dangerous creatures surrounding the girl kept her nerves on edge and made that little bitof strength left in her body refuse to let go of it. Her words caught in her throat as she started, "Th-They were…"
No. Wait.
What if she was wrong?
Maria would get mad at her for suggesting something like that, wouldn't she? She had dove into her heart in order to save her… Irene didn't want to accuse her of bringing such dangerous creatures here. She was killing the monsters after all; why would Maria give them passage? It wasn't as if she would hurt…
The girl's thoughts came to a halt as the memories of the third day came rushing back to her.
Marluxia's coat dripping with his blood, the man collapsed on a knee as he bled from his wounds. Vexen, body limp and unmoving, flowers strewn across his unconscious form; Zexion hunched over and breathless, a slightly worn Lexaeus hovering protectively near him. And not to mention all those times Maria nearly started another fight with Marluxia and- later- Larxene…
Would it really be wrong of her to assume the Heartless were coming from the woman? Maria was dangerous.
But so was the Organization.
The Nobodies.
If Irene really had died back then… whether it was from Axel and Xigbar, Larxene, or just her own sickness… no one would have cared. They probably only saved her out of necessity- no, they definitely only saved her out of necessity. The members said themselves that if a Keeper died a new one would instantly be born; the Organization could have just gone and located the next Light. Irene's specific existence wasn't needed.
She was just a pawn.
They were only protecting her until she outlived her use.
And "protecting" wasn't something all of them wanted to do, either.
But… some of them…
"Th-The Heartless…"
Some of them weren't going to just let her die. They were all dangerous yes, deadly even, but… that doesn't necessarily mean that every member was evil. The Organization just wanted their hearts back and to be able to properly feel again. If any one of the members truly meant no harm to Irene it would have to be Lexaeus; he just… never did anything to make her think otherwise. He was gigantic and terrifying in the sense that he could break her with just his pinky finger if they got in a fight, but he was calm and honest and…
A bit protective? Which made sense since he was technically guarding her. Perhaps generous was more the term she was looking for? Kind? She had no idea. There was just something about the Nobody that made her feel at ease. Sort of ironic considering she was awful with quiet people.
Irene was even worse with angry people who liked to yell, but… then there was Maria. She scared her in many ways, but intrigued her just as much. She wanted to get to know her, to learn about the woman. Because despite her harsh words and actions the womanwas still trying to protect her even now. That, to Irene, could only mean that if the Heartless did come from her… it would have to be unintentional.
And if that was the case, despite all her strength and powers, Maria… probably didn't even know about her ability to control the weaker Heartless. Irene blinked a few times at this realization, her eyebrows knitting together as she struggled to speak. "They… f-from the Darkness… you..."
"Kid, I can't understand what you're talking about if you can't form a sentence!" Maria called after striking down the last of the shadowy creatures. Facing Irene for the first time since she appeared on the platform Maria's red-on-black gaze was stern, however it didn't hold the same coldness it did before. Somehow, between when they had arrived at the castle to now, Maria didn't seem so angry towards her anymore.
Ruby red met chocolate brown for a brief moment, a hesitated moment - almost as though Maria had wanted to say something before her gaze turned hard again, slowly turning back around. It would have struck Irene as odd if she hadn't noticed the reason why. The swirling black shadows were forming up like a fog. Solidifying as a large, towering form slowly moving behind the crimson fighter; the two small girls barely larger than its hand as it stood at it's full towering height.
Maria's voice was little more than a irritated sneer as she spoke, "You've got to be kidding me." Blades flipping in her hands with practiced ease, she brought both blades into their forward position, getting into an offensive stance - a stance that happened to put her directly between the Heartless and Irene.
"M-Maria-?"
"Stay behind me." She ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument, "A Darkside is nothing to mess with. Especially in your state. You stay back and move when I tell you to. Understand?"
The smaller girl eyed the Heartless - the Darkside - watching as it tilted its head to one side, as if regarding them, before she nodded. "O-Okay… b-be careful!"
As if sensing the child's fear, the Darkside reared back before slamming it's hand down towards the ground. In a swift moment of pure instinct Maria cast Aero on Irene, trying to give the weakened child some form of protection as she surged forward, taking both blades and slashing them across the hand and wrist of the Heartless. Darkness began to pool about its enclosed fist, flowing about like an ink-black pool as smaller Shadows started to appear. With a grimace, she flipped both blades into one hand; stretching out her arm as she focused on the dark pool, trying to shrink it down and dissipate it before more Heartless could populate.
And that sent the Darkside into a Frenzy.
It lashed out, swiping at Maria - who rolled out of the way with a quick burst of flame - before it reared back again. Thrusting out its chest as it sent blasts of glowing violet orbs into the air, the glowing magic chased down the fire user as she surged about the platform, bursting with toxic energy against whatever they touched.
"Kid, don't let those things touch you!" She ordered, sending her own spells to connect with the orbs before they could hit anything - or anyone - else. Unfortunately, during that time, some of the smaller shadows managed to flatten themselves against the glass platform and began to make their way passed Maria, who was currently distracted by the toxic orbs chasing her around. A small shout caught Maria's attention and she leapt through the air, landing on the Dark Side's arm and turning her head in time to briefly catch sight of Irene. "Move!"
The girl, though tired, was now standing and stumbling sideways as she swung her staff through the air. A toxic orb landed just where she had been moments before, dissipating against the glass. A few of the shadows that had snuck around were quickly destroyed by the light spiraling about Irene's staff, evaporating into mist. Limping about the platform to escape the falling orbs and shadows that were chasing her, Irene's eyes shimmered silver-and-gold for just a second as panic temporarily colored her expression.
Considering her position, there was only so much area Irene could move about without distancing herself further from Maria. And as such the girl nearly fell off the edge of platform again, but thanks to her limp slowing her down Irene was able to catch herself from accidentally stepping off into the abyss faster than last time. Maria, seeing she was fine, refocused her attention on the Darkside and leapt in the air to avoid its incoming hand, the creature having moved to crush her on his arm. As Maria soared through the air down towards the ground, she let out a series of combos against the creature's arm-slashing it up and leaving several nasty wounds.
"You must step forward."
Irene nearly jumped and fell to her doom when the voice spoke in her head again, the girl having not expected it after so much silence.
"The Light shines brightest in the Dark,
but if you stand too close… your glow will be extinguished.
You must not be afraid of it."
She was even more lost now. Seeing a few shadows creeping towards her, the Darkside creating more from the pool of black surrounding the fist he had planted once more onto the glass, Irene sidestepped and sweeped her weapon through the air near the ground. What was the voice trying to tell her?
It was saying she shouldn't be afraid… of something that could kill her?
And yet… the voice's words reminded her a little bit of Lexaeus' warning when she asked about a few of the other members. She understood why she should be wary of people, that was a natural given, but she didn't understand why she shouldn't be afraid of something that could potentially end her life.
Unless… it was talking about something else. But what? Irene's head was spinning and throbbing all at once, making her vision blur slightly. Squinting, the girl reached out with her staff and poked at a Heartless that had flattened itself to the ground, taking a few cautious steps back. If there was just a way to get rid of all these creatures and the Darkside…
Wait. If the Heartless do in fact come from Maria… then once they defeat the Darkside Maria can leave Irene's heart. All that would be left would be the little shadows, right? She turned her head, snapping her gaze up to the woman struggling to close the pool of darkness the Darkside was expanding. If there was just a way to get it to stop creating, to distract it long enough for Maria to land a few more blows…
"Listen to your heart."
Memories of the fight with Holly flashed through Irene's mind. The staff seemed to pulse in her hands, the tendrils of light swirling around it increasing in brightness and intensity. Irene's eyes flickered around the platform, observing the shadows approaching and the details on the stained glass. The warmth she had felt back then…
"If you hear what it has to say…"
Irene stepped forward, staff raised high in the air. Images of a blond boy flashed through her mind, memories that were not her own seeming to guide her in her movements. Silver slivers danced in the brown of her eyes, the white shimmering with a brilliant rose gold. An energy flowed through Irene's body and transferred into her staff, a feeling unlike anything she had felt before the fall into her heart.
A Heartless moved closer, slowly raising itself out of the ground in front of her in preparation to attack. Heart racing in her chest, almost tingling from the energy surge, the young girl brought the staff down with a mighty swing.
"It will surely assist you."
The decorative heart cut through the blackened creature, the golden dangling rings hitting the glass platform with a loud and powerful clang. It seemed to echo around them, travelling through the ground and into the air. The tendrils of light were nearly blinding as they spread like tree branches across the platform, shaking the glass. The sudden earthquake knocked the Heartless running at Irene off balance, sending them flying through the air and crashing into the glass. It even went so far as to knock the Darkside's hand out of the black pool it had made, forcing the gargantuan creature to reel back and retract its arm in an attempt to regain its composure.
The bright cascade of light shocked Maria for a brief moment - closing her eyes against its brightness - before the quake sent the Darkside and herself off balance. The swirling pool dissipated now that the Darkside was no longer able to keep it open. She could sense it even without seeing it. Irene had found her magic.
Good job, kid. Maria thought as she leapt from the ground, her heart reaching out - feeling for the darkness she knew was before her. She felt herself flip in the air before she dove straight and true, bringing both blades together in a gleaming arc of molten bronze set in flame. The action was swift; filled with years of rage, resent, regret, but also something else. Something foreign and new to her but still as hot and burning as her swords: Pride.
In a single sharp swing, and a scream befitting the loudest of warcries, she brought her blades down across the head of the Darkside. Her swing was so hard and fast it sent her cutting through it straight down it's torso; slicing through flesh and shadow alike before her swords struck home on the mosaic glass of the platform. The metallic clang ringing like a struck bell. It was only then, after the ringing has sounded in her ears that she open her eyes. Standing up to her full height to watch as the Darkside slowly split in two, shadows trying to hold it together but to no avail.
Irene stumbled towards Maria, barely keeping herself upright after the large earthquake she had somehow created. It was now or never, and if she didn't speak up for once there was a huge chance she wouldn't have a life left. "M-Maria! Maria, the…" The small girl cringed, not wanting to say it, before blurting out the words haunting her mind. "The Heartless- they… they come from darkness, right? A-And… your heart is pure darkness, isn't it?!"
The woman's sharp gaze turned to her, darkening and almost sending Irene into a cowering state, but the child forced herself to keep talking.
"Your heart… is darkness itself, right? The only way for the Heartless to get here… would have to be through darkness. A-And the stronger the darkness the stronger the Heart...less?" Irene questioned, now looking past Maria to where the Darkside was slowly fading. She looked terrified and concerned as she flickered her gaze between Maria and what remained of the Darkside.
Crimson eyes turned to look back, seeing that the large defeated form of the Darkside had shrunk down to a smaller shape, seething with inky black darkness and violet fumes. She turned towards it completely, eyes widening ever so slightly as she saw the mass take a familiar form; the creature standing up to its full height to stare with haunting black and gold eyes back at her.
It was then that Maria knew Irene was right; the Heartless had made it into Irene's heart because of her.
She drew them into the girl's heart like a moth comes to flame.
Maria made the bridge.
She knew this truer than anything; and she knew this because it was her face she saw staring back at her. Standing before Maria was Maria herself, formed of shadow and darkness to gaze deep into her soul. For the first time in her life Maria finally understood what it was the Mouse and Wizard always saw when they looked at her.
When they looked at her - even as a child - they always saw the blackened monster which stood across from her.
And she hated that.
Slowly, almost as though in a haze, Maria brought up her sword, stepping forward slowly as she eased the blade into the chest of her counterpart. Stepping closer still until the hilt of her blade pressed against the others chest; ruby and gold peering into the other in a quiet understanding. As the other slowly vanished, Maria could have sworn she saw it smile just before it vanished. A silent thought forming between them before she finally let her swords vanish with what was left of the other.
Despite everything that had been said to her, done to her, Maria would not be the monster they sought. She would be more than that, more than them.
I am more than what they would make me.
"M-Maria…?" Came the quiet squeak of Irene's timid voice, jarring Maria from her thoughts. She turned back to the child, seeing her cling to the staff as though it was the only thing keeping her grounded. Or at least keeping her from falling again.
"Yeah, kid?" She asked, her exhaustion finally showing on her eyes and face.
"A-a-are you okay?"
"Yeah." She started, looking over to where the remaining few Shadows were, as if waiting for her command now that the Darkside and her other were gone. "Yeah, I'm good."
Irene nodded hesitantly, clenching and unclenching her small fists from her staff, "I think-"
"I should go." Maria interjected, startling Irene for a moment.
"W-what?"
"You said it yourself, I'm the cause of the Heartless being in your heart. And that," she said as she glanced briefly away, eyes taking on a distance look, "that was proof enough of that…"
"Maria, that wasn't...it's not...Whatever that was, it's not you. Okay? It… It's just not."
"Do you think you can take care of them without me here?" She asked, deflecting the statement, "I know you found your magic. I could feel it, and I can still feel it now." A small smile crossed her face, cocking her head to the side a bit, "It's weak, but it's there. The giant's gonna be pleased."
Irene blinked for a moment at that, thinking, "Giant...oh! You mean Lexaeus!" Wait, why would he be proud of her? The girl only become more confused.
Maria laughed- like, truly laughed. A sound so foreign and unimaginable Irene wondered if she was inside a dream after all. Irene decided she liked the sound. This happy Maria was much better than the angry one. "Who else would I mean?"
"Well, everyone is the Organization is, like, really tall, so…" They fell into a sort of awkward silence at that. Just standing before each other, both unsure of how to proceed. It was when one of the Shadows made to leap at them and Maria held out a quick hand and a shout that the tension lifted. The Shadow had abruptly stopped, halting in front of them and gazing up at her as if awaiting instruction. Expectant. Maria blinked, startled by its obedience.
"Guess you're right after all…"
"Y-yeah..."
Hazel eyes finally turned back to look at brown, the crimson and black having faded at last, "Well, I'm leaving these to you. Don't get yourself killed." She said as she backed up to the edge of the platform.
"Wait!" Irene's voice took on a frantic edge, one hand reaching out blindly in the air for a brief moment before pulling back to her chest shakily. Her eyes darting to the ground the moment Maria made eye contact again, one brown arched over clear hazel eyes. Taking a deep breathe, Irene glanced back up at the fury, unsure, "What's going to happen now?"
"Now? I'm going to leave your heart. And you are going to finish off the shadows and come back."
"Not that. I-I meant…" she gestured awkwardly between them, gaze darting about, "us."
"Us." Maria repeated, letting the word settle on her tongue. As if not sure what the word really meant. She let silence settle between them for a moment, keen eyes watching the minute fidgeting the smaller girl did under her gaze. "We'll tell the others what happened." She started, crossing her arms, "and then we'll have Xaldin make us some tea."
Blinking, almost confused by the statement, she stared, "T-tea?"
"Tea." Maria confirmed with a nod, "You have magic now. That means we start your training so you can properly defend yourself; and," she added the last part, emphasizing the word to make sure Irene was paying attention, "so you can make a proper decision on what it is you want to do. Now that you know that we weren't lying about Keepers and magic."
"O-okay. I just...I still don't really understand all of this."
"It takes time. You can make that. Eventually." gazing off in the distance, Maria eyed her platform, watching as the middle of the mosaic bridge dissolved into nothing as she braced her foot against the edge of Irene's platform. "You have questions; I get that. But we'll get to that another day. For now, just take care of the Shadows and wake up. Think you can do that?"
"Yeah, b-but how are you going to leave? You just appeared and-"
"The easiest part is the fall. Try not to die, kid." And with that, Maria tilted back, falling backwards off the edge of the platform and out of Irene's line of sight.
Irene's eyes widened as Maria sudden fell. Reaching out blindly, knowing she was too far away, "Maria!" Rushing to the edge, she collapsed to her hands and knees. Staff still firmly held in one hand as she gazed down frantically into the dark, seeing nothing but inky black surrounding the tower of her platform. But then, she saw it; red and gold sparks floating in the darkness before slowly disappearing. It confused her, how Maria could appear and yet suddenly disappear into nothing.
How she hated her but defended her all the same. It didn't make any sense, and yet, it seemed to be wholly Maria. And Irene couldn't imagine her being any other way.
A light shifting sound against the glass caught her attention, causing her to glance back and see the remaining Shadows lurking about. Without their Mistress's presence, they were free to do as they pleased.
"...Freaking fraggle monkeys…" Irene breathed, watching the large swarm of shadows starting to make their way towards her. Shaking her head and ignore the dizziness, the girl got into a lousy stance and readied herself to start running again.
...
The members of the castle stared at the unmoving forms of the two girls. Demyx shifting from foot to foot as both light and dark grew and faded in interchanging rhythms around the women, as though fighting one another yet in a seemingly perfect balance. After a particularly bright burst came from Irene, the two were engulfed in a swirl of red and gold; making it difficult to see them through the glow.
With a hiss of irritation, Axel drew back, fists clenched, "To hell with this. I'm through with waiting."
"W-what are you going to do?" Demyx squeaked as he watched Axel move to the back of the room.
"I'm waking them up." He said as he outstretched his arms. Fire swirling around his hands before he clenched his fists, his chakrams appearing in hand.
Vexen scoffed at the fire user's recklessness, "You will not break through her field. Her defensive magic is stronger than your ego, you simpleton."
"I don't see you coming up with a better idea!" He snapped, glaring daggers at the scientist. The temperature rising by several degrees on his half of the lab. Vexen quickly retaliated with his own icy stare, the temperature on his side of the room dropping by several degrees.
Xaldin stepped between them, voice stern and eyes hard, "That is enough. You know as well as I that you will not break through the barrier. Any interference with them now would prove more dangerous than beneficial."
"The guard's right, hothead. You fuck up and the Superior won't waste any time dusk'in ya." Xigbar cut in, arms waving about to emphasize his point as a manic smile spread across his face, "And you know know as well as I do that he ain't the forgivin' sort."
His shoulders tensed for a split second at that before emerald eyes turned to the floor, his shoulders sagging slightly, "I can't just sit here and wait." He turned to Xaldin at that, knowing he would be the only one to understand, "We have to try something."
Violet looked over sharp features before softening ever so slightly. To anyone else but Lexaeus or Axel, it almost wouldn't be noticable. But Axel knew- he'd received that look time and time again as Lea. Unfortunately, it also meant he knew what was coming next, "It is not our place."
"Fuck off." Axel spat, hands clenching tight on his chakrams again as he braced himself to rush him before Demyx's shrill pitch cut through the oncoming fight.
"Guys, something's happening!"
All eyes turned to the girls, seeing the red and gold bleed together to form a bright sphere, hardening into solid form. As quickly as it had solidified, cracks had started to form over it an black and white lines. Those cracks slowly formed over Maria's barrier like shattered glass. Seeing this, Zexion stepped forward and hovered a hand over the barrier wall ever-so-slightly.
"One of them is waking." Came the soft observation, before one visible slate-blue eye narrowed in warning as he stepped away quickly, "Get back."
"Not a chance." Axel grit under his breath before launching forward, weapons poised for attack.
All too late, Xaldin reached out to stop him, hand falling on empty air as he then tried to slow the flurry with a hard gust, "Axel!"
"Get down!" Zexion shouted as a loud pitch rang through the air, the only warning they received before the barrier shattered moments prior of Axel connecting with it. A pulse of energy so vast it thrust them all back, beakers and glass shattering and equipment falling over from the sheer force of it. Having used his wind to brace himself, Xaldin was able to remain upright long enough to catch Axel - as the redhead had been closest and took the brunt of the blast - and brace his fall as they collided with the floor.
Xaldin let out a harsh grunt from the impact, firm arms wrapped tightly around the redhead to keep him from moving and hurting either of them further. Hissing, Axel let his head tilt back to land on Xaldin's shoulder, "Hell…"
"You-" The lancer began as he glanced around the room, seeing that Lexaeus had managed to cover both Zexion and Vexen from a majority of the damage while Xigbar was laying against the ceiling. Luxord appeared with Marluxia from a glowing card as though nothing had happened. "-are a damned fool, Axel."
Laughing weakly, emerald eyes turned to glance at the man currently glaring daggers at him, "So you've told me." He gestured weakly at the arms still bracing him, "Thanks… mind letting me up now?"
Xaldin quickly released the smaller man, letting him stand up before moving to his full height as well. He distantly heard Vexen mutter something about how his lab was destroyed - again - as he looked around the new debris and dust covered room. He tried to see through the blur in around them, the dust slowly settling as he was able to make out Irene's still sleeping form before -
"Where's Maria?" Axel questioned, moving forward hesitantly past where the barrier wall had been moments before. He looked about from where Irene was to where Maria had been moments before, the sudden and apparently lack of a fiery woman startling most of the users in the room. Green eyes scanned about the slowly settling dust, fists clenching in agitation and something Axel was slowly recognizing as... worry...?'
Where the hell did she go? The kid couldn't have offed her.
"Xaldin, I don't-?"
"Ease up there, hotshot." Xigbar cut in from his vantage point on the ceiling. His single gold gaze moving from him to somewhere towards the back of the room. All eyes turned, watching as a form slowly became visible. Ink black and violet dissipating as a now all too familiar shape emerged. Red and black eyes bleeding into hazel as they fluttered open to gaze at them all.
"So the black queen lives. Lady Luck pulls through." Luxord chimed with a smile, his accent lilting easily in the quiet of the room.
Stepping forward, Axel raised his hands defensively, as if trying not to startle her as he called, "Maria?"
A shuddering breath wracked her body for a swift moment, hands trembling briefly before she shook the tremors away and focused her gaze. Seeing all eyes on her Maria shifted slightly, trying to speak before coughing away the sudden dryness of her throat. She faintly noticed Axel tensing at her movement and how Xaldin subtly shifted closer while still being poised to stop her should she run or try something reckless.
Breathing in a deep - yet painful - breath, Maria leaned back against the lab table still standing behind her. A weak yet resigned smile spreading across pale lips, "If it's all the same to you, I'd like to wait a minute before you all start bombarding me with questions."
Silence filled the room briefly before Xigbar let out a long laugh, flipping down to land both feet on the floor as he looked her over, "You're ballsy, I'll give ya that." He stepped up towards her, hands shoved in his pockets as he did so, "You look like hell, kid."
"You're not much better." She retorted, earning yet another laugh from the free shooter.
"Like I said, ballsy."
"Xigbar does not often care for the state of his appearance." Marluxia conceded as he stepped forward, moving a delicate hand through his hair. He looked her over, his keen eyes noticing the slight tremors in her hands or the slightly thinner look to her now as compared to when they had originally entered Vexen's lab. He made sure to note that it was not always grand side effects when the two girls' hearts intermingled. It is - after all - the smaller details that can lead to one's end. "As for you…" He hesitated, feeling all of the eyes boring into his back as he towered over the now weakened Keeper, knowing fully well that now was not the time to act on revenge, "you need sit. And explain."
"For once, princess...I think you're probably right."
Axel stepped up, finding a turned over chair and setting it by the table for Maria to ease into. The rest of the group either standing around her and Irene's still resting form, or sitting on the floor or tables as they waited. Expectant and curious.
"So, are you going to give us answers or are you going to find new inventive ways to destroy my lab?" Vexen sneered, clearly not keen on the idea of waiting even longer.
Maria scoffed, crossing her arms as she leaned back in the chair. She was still tense from everything that had happened - everything that will happen - but also, there was a sense of calmness now that hadn't been there before. A sense of alignment. Of what, she wasn't sure, but she was certain that she would find out soon.
"Let's get to it then- who's first?"
This one came out rather quickly :D
Thanks for sticking with us :3 We appreciate it, lovelies.
Welp, read and review~! And Happy Holidays!