"A Nobody has been born in Castle Oblivion. A young girl, similar in age to Roxas."

A chorus of gasps rang through the room. Xemnas paused after the announcement, resting lopsidedly in his tall throne and letting his eyes close in thought. Axel, with other matters on his mind, had spent most of the meeting impatiently glaring at Saïx and shifting in his seat with anticipation. Saïx, unfazed by the piercing gaze of his ravenous partner, had been staring at the ground, quietly absorbing their leader's words when the surprise momentarily broke his concentration. "Where did she come from?"

Xemnas' eyes fluttered open with a glance to his No. VII. "Her origins are a mystery, but she appears to have unique abilities. She is not conscious, and there is a small squadron of Dusks there keeping watch over her. They report that she is causing changes in the castle's structure and appearance."

"Even though she is unconscious?"

"Apparently so. We must collect her immediately."

Saïx pondered the Superior's request, considering the burden of a second newborn to care for. Roxas was rather high-maintenance, requiring far more attention than any of their previous assignments. He and Axel would be run ragged trying to raise a second child alongside him. Would this new discovery be just as helpless and needy as Roxas? Did Xemnas intend to include her among their ranks?

"There is more," Xemnas continued in a near-whisper, as if his next words were to be a secret among the small collection of comrades leaning eagerly in his direction. Eight heads rose to face him directly, curiosity gleaming in their eyes. "The Keyblade Hero is fast approaching the castle. We believe that she is drawing him in."

The gasps were louder this time, echoing off the blinding white borders of the round room. Xemnas allowed for yet another halt in the briefing, letting the perplexing report sink in. Saïx was speechless, unable to articulate his confusion. Axel perched on the edge of his throne, his eyes narrowed suspiciously at the Superior.

"What? The Keyblade Hero?"

Axel's outburst opened the floor to his more introverted comrades, and Zexion voiced the question everyone had on their minds. "But don't we have his Nobody here? How can he…?"

Finishing the question was unnecessary, and Zexion let it trail off. Xemnas offered a theory so airtight that it served as a plausible explanation for most everyone present. "It would appear that some time after Sora turned his keyblade on himself, his heart was revived from the darkness and assumed his previous human form. Meanwhile, Roxas has commandeered his body."

Every spine straightened at Xemnas' casual description of such harrowing events. Of the many feelings that each of them could remember from their pasts as humans, one of the most potent was the pain of a keyblade in one's chest, carving out their heart and discarding the empty shell that was left behind. They weren't all turned in this manner, but those that were shuddered at the thought of someone volunteering for such a torturous end to their existence.

"Did you say Sora turned his keyblade on himself?" Vexen gulped audibly, repulsed by the development. "Why would he do that?"

"I'm afraid we require further investigation before we can answer that question."

"So, in essence, Sora is coexisting alongside his Nobody?"

"It would seem so."

Although it was an exceedingly rare occurrence, this phenomenon was not entirely unheard of. The Organization's membership included the only other man who had achieved the same feat, and he was seated on the highest throne, looking down upon his subordinates. His booming voice hurried on with the briefing, finally acknowledging the time constraints of the situation. "That being said, we need to send people to Castle Oblivion immediately before the child awakens. Saïx, I am afraid this week's schedule will require some reworking."

Saïx nodded. "It's not a problem, sir."

The leader gestured to the three lowest-ranking members in the room. "Marluxia, Larxene, Axel, I have added the three of you to this mission to supervise the child while we study her. She could prove useful to us."

Marluxia and Larxene nodded, but Axel was stroking his chin, deep in thought. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but something about the news regarding the keybearer gave him a slightly sour sensation in his stomach. Sora was heading for Castle Oblivion, but Sora's Nobody was safely upstairs with Demyx. It didn't make sense, and for some reason it awoke in Axel a peculiar sense of foreboding. Something in his abdomen squirmed, as if his intestines had decided to tie themselves in a knot. He would have to confront this keyblade hero and see the miracle for himself, but to his own bewilderment, Axel positively loathed that idea.

His contemplation was interrupted by the sound of Marluxia's voice. "So, we have no idea whose Nobody she is?"

"Not as of yet," Xemnas replied clinically. "This is one of the puzzle pieces I'd like all of you to find. Whoever her Somebody was, they must have been a very powerful individual."

Axel was barely paying attention at this point. If Sora was heading for Castle Oblivion, then he would surely stumble onto the Organization's base of operations and interfere with their work. What would happen if he discovered the existence of Roxas? What if the two were to come in contact? How did the newborn girl fit into all of this? A shiver passed over his skin when he imagined the possibility of Roxas being lost. Maybe Sora knew that his body had been stolen by his Nobody and he'd come to reclaim it? Somehow, Axel couldn't bear the thought.

"Axel," the Superior startled him from his wandering thoughts. "Our keyblade wielder remains top priority. You may remain here for the week until Roxas has regained his independence, but should your immediate presence be required at Castle Oblivion, you could be called upon at a moment's notice." He raised his eyes to the rest of the group. "The rest of you, make your preparations and be on your way by tomorrow morning. You are instructed to make contact with the girl as soon as possible. Evaluate her and investigate her powers. Vexen, your project is underway?"

"Yes, sir. I'm prepared to relocate to the new facility on your orders."

"Then it is so ordered. Are there any questions?"

He glanced around at each of his underlings, awaiting a response for several seconds and receiving none. Satisfied, Xemnas offered a final nod to the group. "Dismissed."

While the rest of the team hastily vanished into their dark corridors, Axel found himself still frozen in his seat, staring blankly at the floor. Internally, he chided himself for getting worked up over the situation with Sora. Of course Roxas would be safe. He was nowhere near Castle Oblivion and would likely never be sent there. Sora could storm the castle and cut down everyone in his path and he still wouldn't find Roxas. And whoever this newborn girl was, Axel would make damn sure that she was no threat to their No. XIII. If anything, his duty at Castle Oblivion would be to ensure that Marluxia and Larxene kept her on a tight leash.

The soft sound of a throat being cleared jolted Axel back to the present. He blinked, not having realized that he wasn't alone. Saïx was still waiting patiently in his throne, staring at him with an eyebrow raised in curiosity.

"Are you going to tell me what's wrong?"

Axel bit his lip. Normally he could tell Saïx everything, yet in this moment he was compelled to hold back. He shrugged it off and assumed a casual demeanor. "I bet Castle Oblivion will have ridiculously uncomfortable beds," he lamented. "I was just thinking about how sore my back will be."

Saïx's face remained skeptical. Axel found he never really could lie to the man, and this moment was no exception. Saïx could see right through him, but surprisingly, he didn't pry. Instead, his mouth broke into a subtle grin. "If you find the sleeping quarters inadequate, why not just return here at night?"

Axel chuckled, remembering the silent promise they made only an hour ago. Saïx was giving him the look, and as soon as they made it out of the round room, he found the man leaning against the wall, waiting for Axel to advance on him again. He obliged, gripping his jaw and kissing him passionately.

Despite his partner's enthusiasm, Axel was distracted. His thoughts could run in circles through his head for hours if he let them. He could fixate on his concern for Roxas until the stress drove him mad. Try as he did to quiet the noise, he couldn't let that nagging feeling go. Where Saïx's fingers closed around him in a desperate grasp, Axel's dragged along his body in an apathetic caress. His movements were awkward and forced, and it didn't take long for Saïx to notice.

"Lea, what's the matter?" he asked impatiently. "An hour ago, you were insatiable. What's changed?"

"Sorry…" Axel didn't look at him when he spoke. "I'm a little distracted."

He felt Saïx's fingers cup his chin, gently nudging him until they could lock eyes. "Please. Talk to me."

Axel pulled away and headed down the hall, gesturing for his friend to join him. They walked in silence for a few moments before Axel was able to articulate his discomfort. "I've got a weird feeling about this Castle Oblivion mission."

"What sort of weird feeling?"

"I don't know, man…" he scratched his neck, struggling to arrange his thoughts into coherent sentences. "I get this jittery feeling in my stomach and my chest starts to hurt. I hate it."

Saïx cocked his head. "You're anxious. Something about the mission worries you? Why?"

"Man, we don't have the hearts to worry anyway," Axel shrugged. "I'm sure it's indigestion."

"It's Roxas, isn't it? You are concerned about his connection to the events at Castle Oblivion?"

When Axel pursed his lips and refused to answer, Saïx didn't press him, instead attempting to ease his mind by sharing his own apprehension. "I can admit some trepidation myself. I think it's hasty for us to just rush in there, knowing what the keyblade hero is capable of."

Axel became so lost in thought that he could no longer concentrate on walking. He stopped in his tracks, staring into the void with a noticeably troubled expression. "If he found Castle Oblivion, what's to stop him from finding us here? Finding Roxas?"

Saïx clasped his sleeve, tugging him out of his sudden bout of panic and back to reality. "He cannot access this place. The corridors of darkness are the only way."

Axel's motionless body seemed to shudder lightly, much to Saïx's bafflement. He'd never seen the man so distressed over anything before. Not since they'd lost their hearts. It was rather odd, but Saïx found that he really did not enjoy seeing Axel so disturbed. Unsure of what else he could add, he restated with an insistent but reassuring tone. "Roxas is perfectly safe here. Nothing is going to happen to him."

The worries weren't gone, but the panic had dissipated slightly. Axel's posture relaxed some and they began walking again with their fingers loosely linked together. It wasn't often that Saïx agreed to be so affectionate in public. He had always insisted that he was out, not open — that nobody else need know their business but the two of them. But, Axel could appreciate the gesture now, small as it was. Saïx was trying to make him feel better, and he warmed slightly with gratitude for his friend.

"What do you make of the girl?"

Axel only shrugged in response. "I don't know."

"She is a mystery. I wonder if Xemnas plans to bring her here," Saïx pondered aloud. "We already have thirteen, but he seemed rather enthusiastic about the child."

Axel had assumed that with the addition of a keyblade wielder in the thirteenth spot, there would be no need to add any more Nobodies to their rank. Even he could admit some curiosity over what this child's powers might entail to capture the eye of the Superior of the In-Between, but his stomach churned at the idea of her joining the Organization.

"You think he'd add a fourteenth member?"

"It seems silly. But I wouldn't put it past him."

Xemnas was usually quite secretive about his agenda, only sharing what information was necessary to have his orders carried out properly. Axel tried to remember if anything revealing had been said that might have stood out among the rest of the briefing, but of course their leader was too careful to let anything slip that he didn't intend to say. "How the heck are we gonna take care of two babies at once? Roxas is enough of a handful as it is!"

Saïx shrugged. "We may not have to. If Marluxia and Larxene are the first to make contact, then the child will bond with them."

Axel wasn't sure he supported such a plan. Marluxia and Larxene were the last to join the Organization before Roxas, having been found by Xigbar. Axel and Saïx were tasked with raising them as usual, but they adjusted quickly and required very little caretaking in their first week. For the most part, they stuck together in the same way that Axel and Saïx did, figuring things out on their own and largely keeping to themselves.

"But have they ever done this before? Xemnas said she has strange powers. She's unconscious now, but who knows what she's capable of when she wakes up? She could be dangerous."

"I suppose that may be why Xemnas wants to send you," Saïx was contemplatively tugging at the fingers of his gloves as they approached his door. "But Roxas is very attached to you. I don't see how he will tolerate you taking an extended stay at Castle Oblivion."

Axel leaned in, grinning. "I guess that means you'll have to bond with him."

Saïx snorted. "That'll be a first."

At long last, they had reached Saïx's room. He rested against the wall, his arms crossed and wearing a smug expression. "Well, I've kept you waiting. Let me make it up to you. You'll feel better."

In truth, Axel already felt better. To know that Saïx genuinely wanted to cheer up his old friend put his mind at ease. Perhaps their relationship was a complicated one without hearts. Maybe the emotions weren't what they used to be. But Axel took comfort in knowing that this part hadn't changed. He could still melt beneath Saïx's amorous gaze. He could still quiver with anticipation at his touch. It eased his mind to know that this flavor of euphoria was not beyond their grasp.

"Now who's insatiable?"

"Hmph," Saïx smirked. "I'm not entirely sure you deserve this."

Axel closed in, leering at him from only inches away. "I'm not entirely sure you care."

Saïx pulled off his gloves. "You have fifteen minutes, not one moment more."

"I can fit at least three in fifteen minutes, without messing up your hair."

"I know," Saïx opened the door and politely invited Axel inside with a welcoming bow of his head. "Don't leave any marks this time."

Xemnas figured he should have gone to sleep hours ago. The words in the reports were beginning to blur together. The Dusks were so clinical in their descriptions. There was no nuance to their observations. No instinct, no theories, no intuition. There were only cold, hard facts, and unfortunately, it wasn't enough this time. Supposing he had expected too much from creatures that barely passed as sentient beings, Xemnas conceded that he would simply have to be patient and await the reports of the Castle Oblivion team. His eyes were sore from staring at the screen, scrolling through dozens of pages of technical jargon and outdated research. Some of the documents were cryptic and vague. Others were missing large fragments of information. Still others were elaborately descriptive, yet only filled with useless fluff. The Superior pried his eyes from the blinding text, gently massaging away the dull ache in his forehead. The door to his office suddenly opened and Xigbar entered, uninvited and unannounced.

"Whatcha workin' on there, big guy?"

Barely concealing his annoyance, Xemnas returned his eyes to his work, flipping through the reports on his desk. "You will address me as 'Lord Xemnas.'"

Xigbar snorted. "Lighten up, man. It's only me."

"Precisely."

Shaking his head with a sigh, Xigbar crossed his arms, almost appearing to have taken offense to the Superior's remark. "What's eatin' you?"

"In this moment, you are. I wish to be left alone."

"Is this about the Castle Oblivion stuff?"

Xemnas ignored him, hoping that perhaps he'd lose interest and go away. Unfortunately, his silence only seemed to intrigue Xigbar further. He could sense the man's lips curling into a sly smile, could hear the satisfaction in his voice.

"Uh huh… Looks like it's really wearing you down," Xigbar lowered his voice, feigning a hint of sympathy for his troubled comrade. "You want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Come on, Xemnas, it'll make you feel better."

His words were distracting. The sound of his voice was grating. His repugnant display of concern was wearing on his nerves. Exasperated, Xemnas finally lifted his head to meet his eye. "What is it that I must do to be rid of your irksome presence?"

"Well, you could throw me out of here any time, but you haven't. There must be a reason for that."

Xigbar might have been right about that — Xemnas was younger, larger, and stronger than he was and could easily have tossed him out with his own bare hands. The man was trying his patience and he knew it, but Xigbar was keenly aware of his slight advantage, being one of two men that Xemnas could not turn into a Dusk. The Superior asserted his dominance, rising from his chair and turning his back to file away the reports. His finely-honed composure never faltered for an instant. He would not be intimidated by this man. He would not be backed into a corner. He would speak when he chose to do so. He took his time slipping papers into drawers, disregarding the eerie chill of Xigbar's watchful eye on him. If the man was to demand a place inside his head, if he truly wanted to hear his thoughts, he would wait until he was invited.

Unable to stall any longer, Xemnas turned to find that Xigbar hadn't budged from his spot. He leaned against the door frame, casual in his stance, perfectly comfortable with his status as someone that Xemnas couldn't control. Irritated by his smug grin, the Superior heaved a long sigh. "When I heard that a hero of the keyblade was interfering with our plans, I expected a formidable man — well-trained, highly skilled, brimming with wisdom, and with a pure heart of blinding light."

There was a pause while Xigbar put it together in his mind. "What— Oh. Oh. You were expecting him."

"I sensed him."

"You think he's back?"

"No," Xemnas replied sounding almost disappointed. "Despite my intuition, the keyblade hero is nothing more than a callow child. A child restored the worlds we'd banished to darkness. A child has slain Ansem. And that child is heading straight for us."

Xigbar whistled with surprise, sauntering lazily toward the desk. "Man, he's gotta be a powerful kid to do all that."

"Indeed," Xemnas whispered, stroking his chin. "But, I believe there is more to this than we can see."

"What do you mean?"

He replayed the events in his mind. They'd been watching the supposed keyblade hero for some time already, and when the reports came in that he'd turned his weapon on himself and released his heart to the darkness, Xemnas figured that was the end of him and considered closing the investigation. He put it aside and left to greet the Organization's newest recruit, barely able to contain his disbelief at the boy's appearance. He had no sooner returned to the castle than he learned that, to his shock and bewilderment, his own Heartless had been cut down by the very same hero of the keyblade, inexplicably restored to his human shape.

"When he sacrificed himself and unwittingly gifted Roxas to us, I was certain that we had gained the upper hand. Only one keyblade wielder left in all the worlds, and he belonged to us? It was too perfect."

In that moment, he decided he had to see it for himself. Xemnas returned to Hollow Bastion to test Sora's power. He had to know just how he could come back and if he still possessed his power in whatever half-formed shape his bare heart might have taken. He recalled quietly observing from the shadows as an unfamiliar young boy, too small for the keyblade he carried so proudly, stepped into the empty room where the Superior had prepared his ambush. Finally, he had him alone. Much to his surprise and dismay, Sora hadn't weakened in the slightest. Further, he bore no resemblance to the hollow shell he cast off into the arms of Organization XIII. The mystery was irresistible. Just who was this child, and how is it that the keyblade had chosen him?

"Then, when I first had a look at him… When I saw that the boy was identical to him…"

"I gotta say, that freaked me out, too."

Xemnas began to pace the floor, his face frowning in concentration. "The keyblade hero's power is borrowed. These events cannot be mere coincidence. Sora has a connection to Ventus, and I intend to follow it all the way to its source."

Xigbar tugged at the collar of his coat with an audible gulp. "But like you said, he's hungry for blood and headed right for Castle Oblivion."

"The team I have sent there were chosen quite carefully. They will neutralize the threat."

"I sure hope so, or we might all end up like Ansem."

His last words pierced into the uncomfortable silence, followed by a lingering, heavy pause. Xemnas had abruptly halted his trek. Cringing, Xigbar fidgeted in place, dropping his gaze to the floor. "Uh… sorry. Too soon?"

Xemnas tilted his head, pondering the question. Did Nobodies possess the same instinct for self-preservation that humans did? His first thought would have been 'yes,' but he could not explain how such a phenomenon could persist without an emotional context. Nobodies do not experience fear or grief. They can neither be afraid of death, nor fathom the sense of loss after their departure. Nobodies do not exist, and in their absence, there is only emptiness. What could they really lose by 'dying,' and therefore, what was there to preserve?

"I admit that it was disconcerting to learn that the child had defeated a being so powerful as Ansem."

"You gonna miss the guy?"

"I have no attachment to him," he remarked coldly. "He was a fool, possessing that petulant boy and trying to turn him into a vessel. He earned his fate."

In the Superior's eyes, Ansem was just another pawn in their Somebody's little game of chess, and as far as he was concerned, the man was reckless and imprudent. Xemnas' other half had possessed all the fervent discipline of the overzealous researcher who had birthed the two of them, but none of the calculating patience that his Nobody could boast. Perhaps the great Seeker of Darkness was more trouble than he was worth.

"Hm," Xigbar leaned into the desk, eager to press him for more gossip. "So what about that girl out there? How is she gonna fit into all of this?"

The Superior had returned to his chair, fiddling with papers and pretending to work. "We must first see what her powers entail."

His unwelcome visitor broke into a mischievous smile. "Sounds like things are gonna get interesting. It's too bad I can't go!"

Xemnas rolled his eyes in response. "There is much to be done. Leave me to my work."

"Oh alright, fine. But hey," Xigbar turned, lowering his voice. "Remember, we have a mission. Don't lose sight of our ultimate goal."

To anyone else, that last reminder would be interpreted as a friendly bit of encouragement. A confidence boost. A supportive, inspirational slap on the back from one comrade to another. But Xemnas knew better. Xemnas — and only Xemnas — knew the sinister meaning behind those words. That final phrase was not a rallying cry between teammates. It was not designed to improve morale or lift the spirits. However harmless they may have seemed, Xigbar's last words to the Superior were a warning. But, Xemnas would not waver under the likes of him, and he made no outward reaction to the haunting threat other than to simply acknowledge him with his usual poise.

"I have not forgotten why we organized."

With another grin, Xigbar finally exited the room, leaving Xemnas alone to reflect. He was given one task to complete. One purpose. He was to build this Organization and fill it with the most worthy Nobodies he could find, and when the time was right, he would initiate the second phase of the plan. Ansem had failed, and now it was up to him to finish the job.

Still, a minuscule fragment of him hated this plan. There was no guarantee that it would work. The first few experiments had been a success, but who could say whether or not the remaining ten would withstand the procedure? Suppose this keyblade hero stepped in and put a stop to it all?

Ah, yes… Sora…

Perhaps they'd be better off. As flat and guiltless as he was, Xemnas wondered whether he could justify collecting thirteen people and walking them all to their deaths. Thirteen worthy vessels. Thirteen sacrifices. Perhaps some interference from Sora would free them from such a deplorable contract. After all, they were Nobodies. They would leave nothing behind but thin air. Their fates were sealed either way and there was no saving them, but perhaps they could at least meet their ends with purpose and on their own terms, rather than being slaughtered on a proverbial altar for a cause they didn't believe in.

But he would look on that as a last resort. There was no need to be hasty. Xemnas turned to look out the window, anticipating the appearance of his magnificent Kingdom Hearts. The real one had rejected them, but this model of his own design would be the key to releasing them from this loathsome half-existence to which they'd been hopelessly damned. To regain their own hearts would ensure that they couldn't be forced to host another. They would reclaim their humanity and live according to their own desires. This was the purpose Xemnas chose. This was his plan. This project, his magnum opus, would be the long-awaited answer to their prayers.