Renovamen

LET ME GO!

"Ienzo!"

It wasn't long before the silver-blue haired mage appeared through shimmering air to come to his king's side.

"Yes, Xehanort?" He asked. The first five of the top thirteen all knew the king personally, so they were allowed to address him on a first name basis in private.

"Tell me, where is my guard?"

Ienzo closed his eyes, and inhaled. Many scents filled his nose, from the dirt on the floor to the scent of burning flowers – Reno, better known as Axel or Lea, was probably destroying the garden Railamu, better known as Marluxia, made in the court yard – and even the scent of Mase's fur. But he also smelt something else. The stench of Darkness – he was quite used to this, as it cloaked both the king, and Advocatus, who had a scent that was strangely similar to the king's to the point of the two almost being indistinguishable – to the sweet smell light that cloaked Mase and Noi. This he was not used to, and it caused him to pull a face.

The scent of darkness that cloaked the king was strong, but it wasn't duplicated anywhere in the castle. Advocatus wasn't in the palace, or in the garden, or out the front.

"He's… not here." Ienzo told Xehanort, who looked down at him skeptically. But the mage's scent had never failed him. "Is it possible he did not return from his 'hunting' trip?"

"Not for someone as trained as he is. I want him brought back alive. I do not care who he is, or what he's done."

"If he kills me, I'll blame you." Ienzo muttered.

"LET ME GO!"

"Screaming will do you no good."

Advocatus squirmed, trying to break free from his invisible bonds. His hands were tied behind him, his arms pinned to his sides, and his ankles were bound, all by invisible magicks he couldn't recognize. He was lying on his back, screaming and squirming in an attempt to get free, attract attention, anything. His own blood, long dried up, covered the harsh concrete floor he was lying on. His right shoulder was sore, and his ribs screamed in agony with every movement. He was now positive that at least one was broken. Advocatus could still remember what had led to this scene.

Advocatus jumped through the bedroom window. The old woman wasn't in bed yet. Strange, he noticed, but he didn't think twice about it. He wandered out of the room silently, crouched down slightly as he slowly walked down the stairs, his katana in hand.

At the base of the stairs, he turned the corner to find the old woman staring at him, unblinking. He stared back. Suddenly, a stabbing pain struck his stomach, and a gash opened up, formed by an invisible knife. His katana fell to the floor with a clang as he clutched at his side. Then his leg was struck, and he buckled, bleeding onto the floor. Invisible chains held his arms and feet still as he screamed and squirmed in an attempt to free himself.

He found himself leaving the ground and squirmed more.

"Do you want me to drop you, Advocatus Diaboli?" The old woman demanded. Advocatus didn't respond – just continued to squirm in mid-air. Suddenly, he fell to the floor, landing on his injured leg, earning a howl from him. He felt himself floating again, and this time was thrown down a set of stairs, smacking into the wall and falling to the ground, both with sickening cracks.

"JUST LET ME GO!"

Advocatus had never actually been captured; he didn't need to know how to 'override' the panic instincts in a situation like this. Until now that is, and, well, he looked like he was just about having a panic attack.

A loud knock at the front door caught the old woman's attention, and she snapped her fingers. Advocatus felt an invisible gag wrap around his mouth, muffling him and preventing him from speaking. She walked upstairs, and closed the cellar door behind her.

Mase looked up at the king. He and Reno were told to accompany Xehanort to find Advocatus. Reno's hair was red and porcupine-spiked. It had been long and in a ponytail, but Braig thought it would be funny to cut the ponytail off. Braig was still recovering from losing an eye. Reno's eyes were green, and he had tear-drop tattoos under them. There had been red crescents, but he had gotten them removed and the tear-drops put on. Mase didn't even want to know how much that had to hurt.

"Remember, Mase," Reno began, "no talking." Mase nodded and flicked his tail. He knew he wasn't allowed to talk in public, but Reno insisted on making sure of that.

The old woman from the day before opened the door, and quickly bowed.

"Your majesty. Please, come in."

She wouldn't publicly insult the king.

The three strode into the room, and the old woman invited them to sit on the couch. Mase lay down at Reno's feet, and peered around. He could smell Advocatus. And he could smell blood. There was also a hint of bleach on the current floor, but, mixed in with flour and yeast, there was blood – human blood. Mase flicked his tail, and stood up, beginning to wander around like a curious puppy. Reno looked over, as if watching to make sure he wasn't going to get into anything. But Reno was really watching to see what he was going to get into.

"Can I offer you some tea?" The old woman offered.

"No thanks." The king answered, watching Mase out of the corner of his eyes. Mase went around the corner and the two look away. "Forgive the dog; we have a hard time separating him from Axel here."

"It's no worry." The old woman smiled. Suddenly, Mase howled. The king and Reno both got up and darted around the corner. The cellar door was open. They walked over and peered down. Advocatus stared up at them pleadingly. His hair and clothing were crusted with blood, his blood. Mase nudged him gently. Xehanort and Reno both darted down.

"He's bound by magic." The king remarked, and then flicked his wrist. Suddenly, the gag and chains were gone, and Advocatus's body went slack as he choked back a pained sob.

"Let's get him out of here."

"I'm afraid that won't be happening, Xehanort."

They all looked to the top of the stairs, where the old woman stood. She was surrounded by spirits, familiar spirits. Mase groaned, his eyes flicking between red, white and blue. He shook his head.

"Stop… it…" He whimpered. Reno picked him up and pulled him close. Advocatus hissed in pain, clenching his eyes shut.

"The door… has opened."

"I didn't want you to find me, not like this."

"Neither suits me. I'm taking the middle road."

"He is the Organization's last survivor."

"Seems like a boring place to take a nap, anyway."

"We've always been rivals…"

"This place is perfect for me."

"At least the waves still sound the same."

"Sora!"

Advocatus groaned, and moved to rub his forehead. He quickly regretted it as a sharp pain shot through his arm.

"You're awake."

Advocatus glanced over at the platinum blond girl with sapphire blue eyes. She was the best white mage in the castle, usually serving the top thirteen.

"Namine."

"Hello, Advocatus." She smiled. "How are you feeling?"

"I've been a lot better." He answered.

"I'm sure. You're healing quickly, though, thanks to the Curaga spell." She told him. "You'll be back up in no time."

"Good."

"You have a strong sense of honor." She commented, tilting her head slightly. Advocatus didn't answer.

"Namine."

Both she and Advocatus looked up as the king strode into the room.

"I need him healed before tomorrow. I am in need of a new servant."

"Of course, your majesty." Namine bowed deeply. "I'll see to it personally."

"Good."

True to Namine's word, Advocatus was up and walking around the next morning, although he had limited movement of his injured arm – his sword arm.

Advocatus walked through the hallways, Mase padding along at his side. Reno was close behind them.

"Yo, Advocatus, you got captured by an old lady?" Reno asked teasingly for what seemed like the hundred millionth time. And for what seemed like the hundred millionth time, Advocatus didn't respond. "Aw come on!" Advocatus remained silent. He ducked into the hallway, and Mase walked a head of him. Reno stayed behind.

Advocatus stepped into the throne room. The king was standing in the middle of the room with his black cloak on, the cloak he wore when he left the palace. Ienzo was at his side, and Mase had followed Advocatus out of the hallway. Advocatus had seen something similar to this before when they had gone to get a new servant from the slave drivers, but never had Ienzo come along. It had only been him and Mase. But it was not Advocatus's job to question the king, so he gave it no thought.

Without a word the king strode out through the throne room and the main hall to enter the town surrounding the palace. Advocatus followed behind him silently with an emotionless expression like a shadow. Ienzo and Mase were on either side of Xehanort. Peasants bowed their head and rushed along as the group passed.

They found themselves at a small gathering. A platform, barely big enough for two people on it was set up. A line of people, most dressed in rags – if they were lucky – or worse. Men, women and children were lined up with their hands and feet chained. A mother clutched her four year old son in her arms. The boy was ripped away from her and pushed up onto a platform. A moment after a richly dressed man in a red suit stepped up onto the other side of the platform and began auctioning the child off. Advocatus watched emotionlessly as more slaves were sold off.

Then a boy, a year younger than Advocatus himself, was dragged onto the platform. He stumbled as he was dragged. It was obvious that he had been underfed. And he was shaking. If his skin was any paler, he would've looked dead.

"Just a bit of food and this boy'll be one of your best servants available. That is, unless of course you're the king back there."

The boy looked out through sapphire blue eyes, which, despite his weakened appearance, sparkled brightly. His brown hair was uneven and plastered to his head. Advocatus couldn't tell what his clothing had once been. The shirt was ripped up, and a grey color. The shorts were in no better condition, torn and covered in mud. He wore no shoes whatsoever. He stared pleadingly out at the crowd, making eye contact with Advocatus.

"We'll start the bidding at, say… 1000?"

Neither Advocatus nor the boy broke eye contact. Bets began and ended up at 4500 before there was a pause.

"Do I hear 5000?"

"No, you hear 6000!" Ienzo called out. The king looked at the boy, and seemed to be remembering something. Everything went silent as everyone looked over at the group. No one dared bid 6500 for fear that either the strange dog or Advocatus Diaboli would be set on them.

The boy was dragged off the platform, nearly falling down again. He was dragged over to Xehanort and dropped as his feet.

"Advocatus, unlock the chains."

Advocatus crouched in front of the brunette and gripped the chains. The locks clicked, and the shackles fell off his wrists and ankles.

"Can you speak?" Xehanort demanded. The boy nodded.

"Yes." He barely managed out.

"What is your name?"

The boy shook his head. "I don't have one."

Just like me. Advocatus thought. The king seemed to approve of the boy's response.

"Let's go." He said, and turned, beginning to walk away. Advocatus followed, as did Mase and Ienzo, but the boy could barely walk on his own. Advocatus looked at Xehanort. "Help him." Advocatus walked to the brunette's side and pulled the boy's arm around his shoulders. They returned to the palace quickly.

"Advocatus, the boy will share a room with you." The king ordered. Advocatus hesitated. Sure, the other servants had to share rooms with each other… but he was the elite who had his own room… he nodded, however.

"Yes, your majesty." Advocatus bowed his head. He then turned and, still assisting the brunette boy, walked up to his room. He found that a second bed had already been put up for the kid. He gently sat him down on the edge of the newly placed piece of furniture.

"The beds are so comfortable." The boy muttered. Advocatus laughed once. The sound seemed so foreign. Protecting the king did not call for laughter.

"I wouldn't say that."

"I'm scared."

"You'd be a fool if you weren't. Don't get in the king's bad books and you'll be just fine." Advocatus paused. "What can I call you? I can't go around calling you 'kid'."

"I… don't know… Everyone just calls me servant…"

Advocatus thought for a moment. The kid seemed so innocent… so frightened. "How about… Lumen?"

"What does it mean?"

"Light."

The boy nodded. "Sure, why not?" He smiled.

"Okay, then, Lumen, I guess we're sharing a room…"

"Why were you so emotionless before?" Lumen asked him suddenly.

"I have to be. In private around the top thirteen I can act however the hell I want, but around the king and out in public I have to act like that."

"That must suck."

"It's all I know."

"Oh."

Advocatus didn't want to just abandon this kid. He wasn't sure why but he felt connected with Lumen… Almost like they had been friends since they were young…