Organization XIII Proof of Existence by Walker of Nothing
Chapter 11: Remnants of Hope
Velvet POV
"Seeing as we have two new members to the team, I would like to take this opportunity to bestow Ranks and Titles to the both of you." Ordinarily, Xemnas would be taking on this task, but seeing as he wasn't here. We didn't have much choice at this time, besides, I was pretty sure that he would be satisfied regardless.
"Mash Kyrielight, your rank will be number IV in the Organization and you will be known as the Infallible Shield. Your role will consist of defensive strategies and will also be charged with defensive fortifications of our home." A worthy title for one as young as her, but I had faith that she could do it.
"Thank you, Senpai," A slight bow to go with her gratitude all I could do was offer a smile. If I had a heart, I could say I was proud without looking like a hypocrite.
"Albedo, your rank will be number V in the Organization and you will be known as the Angel of Death. Your role will consist of support of all kinds drain any and all who wish to become stronger." This delegating stuff was such a pain, but Luna insisted. Apparently, I needed more practice or something along those lines. Then again, with Xemnas out of commission, for the time being, I guess I should have expected this.
"I will serve you well, that I swear to you for all of eternity." Honestly, I was extremely relieved to see that we had someone like Albedo on our side. She was like a rose, except with more beauty and a lot more thorns. Shaking my head trying to clear those thoughts, I knew better than to be lured in. Though I really couldn't blame Albedo, she just naturally had some air about her like moths to a flame.
"Luna, as the first Vice Leader, I'm going to assume that you approve of my delegations?" Just because I led the meeting did not mean that she was going to get out of her duties as well.
"I think you did well Velvet, I approve all of your Delegations as acting Leader and Vice Leader." Good, now that all that was settled we could move on to more pressing matters.
"With that being said, everyone should get some rest for the time being. In the morning, I want everyone ready for tomorrow's training session. If we are going to rescue Xemnas, then we need to get as strong as we possibly can." Everyone simply nodded in agreement, good. As long as everyone was on the same page that's all that mattered. It had been a long day for all of us and tomorrow was going to be a big step towards rescuing the Boss.
"It was nice meeting you Albedo, I look forward to testing your skill in training tomorrow." Luna flashing a goofy grin towards Albedo as the darkness surrounded her taking her back to her room. Albedo simply offered a smile in return, I don't know what had gotten into Luna lately but she was sure acting strangely. Maybe it was her way of coping with everything that had happened here recently. All the more reason to find Xemnas and to get everything back to normal.
"Thank you again, Miss. Albedo," with her normal formal bow Mash took her leave as well. The darkness overtaking her leading her back to her own room. Leaving just Albedo and myself, but before she could leave I needed to make sure Albedo got a Black Coat as well. The less conspicuous we could be the better.
"Albedo, before I forget, we need to make sure you have the proper attire for traveling through the darkness. Not that I have any doubts about your strength, but it will also help to keep your identity hidden." She didn't seem to be bothered or insulted by my request, after all, it was for her benefit as well for the Organization.
"I know you mean no ill will Velvet, your strategy is sound and your leadership is impeccable." Offering a smile with her strange sudden act of kind words. I wouldn't consider myself a leader by any definition. I guess you could say that I just took charge naturally, I was always one to make my own fate and destiny. Until I lost everything that is, but now that I have another shot I wanted to make something of myself. Even if Xemnas is wrong, even if what we are fighting for does end up a lie. I'll still stand by him, Luna, Mash, and Albedo. I owe it to all of them, I'll crush our enemies and take back what belongs to us. That is my destiny and I accept whatever comes with it.
"Velvet?" Breaking out of my thoughts I hadn't realized that my mind had wandered off. Albedo was still here, she must be waiting for the wardrobe change.
"Sorry, it's been a long day, I'll show you to your room as well getting you in the proper attire." Albedo simply nodded as the two of us disappeared in a swarm of darkness appearing in one of the many rooms of the castle.
"This will be your room, not much to offer I'm afraid that it's our home so we take what we can get." I wasn't sure what kind of accommodations she was used to before she became a Nobody, but I hope that this was at least satisfiable.
"It's fine Velvet, not as luxurious as to what I'm used to, however, I don't have a heart anymore so it really doesn't matter." Offering a chuckle with those last words I couldn't help but laugh, here we were a bunch of Nobodies talking about how grand our lives used to be. I guess it couldn't be helped, we lived our lives and accomplished many things only to lose what we took for granted. Without a heart, all we could do was act on the emotions we knew were appropriate but still as hollow as ever. Unfeeling, uncaring and hollow people, that's all that we were.
"I don't think this world's design took into account luxury, I believe this world exists for the sole purpose of providing a sanctuary for those of us without hearts." At least that's what I believed anyway. "I can't promise that we'll ever find Xemnas, I can't even promise that Kingdom Hearts can ever be reclaimed. Without someone who wields a Keyblade, we can't even begin to collect hearts either." I wasn't even sure if we were could ever collect hearts or not. We could use Sora, but Xemnas said that it would be too difficult. I don't think Xemnas was ready to face Sora yet, that and I don't believe he would want to put us in any danger. Whether he cared about us or not what irrelevant, we pledged our loyalty to him for giving us a second chance and that was that.
"I joined knowing full well of what might happen, I'm aware of the odds against us. A missing leader, a force that may or may not exist. Enemies all around us, but it doesn't matter because we will not fail. That I can promise you, Velvet Crowe." I could feel a cold shiver go down my spine when she said my name. Though I couldn't tell if it was out of fear or maybe something else. She just smiled, that same smile as if she was imagining the endless possibilities of what she may or may not do to me. To say that I was uncomfortable was an understatement, I wasn't sure what to think, to be honest.
"Well, as long as your aware I guess it doesn't matter…" I didn't know what else to say. How do you respond to something like that? Hopefully, she was just teasing me, but I really couldn't tell. I always seemed to be the subject for everyone's amusement whether serious or not.
"Oh don't be that way Velvet, I would never dare do anything inappropriate to you without your permission. At least not physically for that matter, after all, we're both adults." I couldn't even react to that, whatever I said wasn't even going to matter to her.
"Sorry but I just don't roll that way, I had one love in my life and he was torn away from me slaughtered like an animal in the name of good. For the better of the world, ever since then love has been a pointless concept for me." It was true, though I tried to fill that void...if I could only see Laphi again. Even though he wasn't my real brother, he was the closest thing I had to my dead brother.
"Oh Velvet, I didn't know. I know what it's like to lose someone you love dearly. My dear beloved...I may never see him again and even if I do find him will he still accept me knowing that I can't offer him true love in return?" I guess we all had something in common, lost people we cared about, we have no heart and our future was uncertain. Though I wonder, has Xemnas lost someone he cares about? Is he fighting for someone that he cares or did care about?
"It's not a big deal, I threw my life away for something as petty as vengeance instead of living for something greater. However, I've been given a second chance so all I can do is live it the best I can. If serving Xemnas to meet my own ends is my destiny then so be it." That's all I could do, the best way to honor his memory and maybe just maybe I can face you again.
Albedo walked up to me wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace. Feeling slightly embarrassed I returned the embrace her slender arms holding me tight. I could feel tears well up and burst as I began to cry softly. Not understanding any of it, where was this sudden burst of melancholy coming from? I gazed into her eyes and I could see the same on her own that I did mine. We may have been Nobodies, but that didn't change the fact that we still held onto our memories no matter how painful they were.
"I understand your pain Velvet, we'll find a way to face the people we care about. Even if our fears and sadness overtake us." Albedo was right, or at least I had faith that she was. There wasn't much reason left to have faith in anything. Just scraps of hope that maybe one day, we could be whole again.
XxX
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