Author's note: Sorry, this update was little late, but I had to write two papers for university, which kept me busy . Anyway, our fearless foursome takes on another level, filled with creepy dolls and a bratty child. And does Zexion know more than he lets on…?

As always, the parts in italics are Roxas' direct thoughts.

Thanks for the reviews everyone :D They're a good stimulant to keep writing. And since I can't reply to 'anonymous' reviews, I'll do it here: yeah, the idea is somewhat like Castle Oblivion, with its levels and stairs. And Namine tries to help out when things get really serious, but she's not always able to. She finds it easier to connect to Roxas, but she didn't 'choose' him per se.

And I changed the time-limit in chapter 3, five minutes was a bit too long. My thanks to Aindel S. Druida and the anonymous reviewer for answering my questions about it.

Abyss

Chapter 4 – Won't you play with me?

Roxas woke up to the feeling of someone caressing his hair. He leaned into the sensation, his eyes closed. Above him, he heard a soft chuckle, making him suddenly remember in whose bed he was laying. Quickly opening his big blue eyes, Roxas found himself face to face with a grinning Axel. A shirtless grinning Axel. "G-good morning," he managed to stutter out, face heating up.

The redhead's grin widened as he saw the blush creep up the blonde's face. The boy was looking everywhere but at Axel, desperately trying not to look at the half naked man before him. With tussled hair and the overgrown shirt shifted, exposing one pale shoulder, Roxas looked so touchable that Axel couldn't resist torturing him a little.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty. Are you getting a fever?" His hand was placed on Roxas' forehead. "You're looking all flushed." The hand shifted to the boy's cheek, caressing the smooth skin.

"I'm f-fine," Roxas stuttered out. Green eyes were burning into his own blue ones, making the blonde struggle to think straight.

The redhead's warm hand was travelling down Roxas' neck when suddenly Demyx's voice rang through the Rest Room, yelling that breakfast was starting. The spell broken, Axel sighed and grabbed the blonde's wrist, dragging the both of them out of bed to the kitchen.

Roxas wasn't sure whether he was relieved or disappointed by the interruption. That man is too attractive for his own good. His skin still burned from where the redhead had touched him.

When the pair reached the kitchen, Demyx and Zexion were already sitting there, engaged in conversation. Or more like; Demyx was talking animatedly and Zexion just nodded occasionally. The moment Demyx noticed Roxas walk into the room, he showered him with questions; "Are you feeling better? Does it still hurt? Should you be walking?"

"I'm fine, really," Roxas answered. The blonde was still feeling a bit sore, especially his throat felt like sandpaper, but the night's rest had done wonders to the most of the pain. And he hadn't had a single nightmare after crawling in the same bed as Axel. He felt his face heat up slightly at the memory. Curse my fair complexion.

"So who's our newest toy?"

A cold female voice cut through the room. When Roxas turned around, he saw a woman with blonde hair and an icy look in her eyes. Note to self: don't mess with her. Next to the woman, stood a man with long pink hair. Roxas blinked. Pink? The man also had a mean look in his eyes, but it wasn't as scary as the woman's. It looked more like he was scheming something.

"Larxene, how nice to see you again," Axel responded. The sarcasm was dripping off his voice. "His name is Roxas." The redhead looked at Roxas and then gestured to the two with his hands, "Roxas, meet Larxene and Marluxia. Our own little witch and magical fairy."

"Shut up, Axel. Or I'll turn you into a toad," Larxene sneered.

After this little introduction, Roxas wasn't very surprised when breakfast consisted of Larxene and Axel shooting sniping comments back and forth. It was actually quite amusing to watch, but he carefully kept on a neutral face. He didn't want the witch to turn her sights on him.

Having eaten and gotten dressed, six people were ready to go. The man, which Axel had called Xaldin, had already gone ahead to his tenth level.

"Welcome, subjects VI, VIII, IX, XI, XII and XIII. You will advance towards Level 6. There are three possibilities. Please decide with whom you will take on the level. Four persons per possibility is the maximum," the computer said. Three doors appeared before them.

With one last sneer from the witch; "don't miss us too much, sweeties", Larxene and Marluxia walked through one of the doors.

Axel turned to the remaining three persons, "Let's all go on this one together, okay?"

Everyone nodded, and the foursome approached a different door. The scenery changed until they were inside the hall of an old mansion. A big chandelier hung from the high ceiling. The person who would've lived here, would've been very rich. If any of this had been real… Roxas looked at Axel for some explanation about this level, but the redhead shrugged his shoulders.

"Sorry, blondie. I've never been to this level possibility," Axel answered. "What about you two?" The redhead asked Demyx and Zexion. But they both shook their heads. "Guess, we'll have to figure out what this level's goal is then." With a toothy grin, he walked towards the door on his right and opened it.

The foursome entered what seemed to be a dining room. An endless table was in the middle of the room. It must've been able to seat at least thirty people.

But it weren't people sitting in the chairs.

Roxas stifled a groan. Everywhere in the room were life-sized porcelain dolls. The ones sitting in the chairs were all wearing purple evening gowns. Several other where spread towards the room with maid costumes on, as if to represent servants and guests. Dozens of lifeless glass eyes were staring into nothingness. It was downright creepy. Why waste the time putting all these dolls here?

"…Okay, let's go to another room," Demyx suggested. His pale face showed that he was also creeped out by the dozens of dolls.

Every room they entered, was crowded with dolls. They were all the same standard model, but with altered hair and clothing to show their purpose in the house. Big glass eyes everywhere. Roxas was glad those dead eyes weren't focused on him.

"How many rooms does this place have? We've been through dozens by now," Demyx complained. "And those dolls are going to give me nightmares!" He shivered.

Axel winked at him, "Ah, Zexion will protect you." The blue-haired man purposely ignored that comment.

"Like you'll protect Roxas?" Demyx winked back.

Roxas felt his face heat up yet again, as he was reminded of last night. Especially when Axel shot him a knowing look, before smirking at him. His blush died away, when he saw Zexion reach for a door they had already entered. "Ehm, Zexion we've already…"

"I know," Zexion answered. "I just want to check something."

The four of them were back in the dining room, but something felt off. Then they all looked at the empty seat near the table. The last time they had been in this room, all the seats had been filled. Which meant at least one of the dolls…

Had moved.

Axel, Demyx and Roxas quickly surveyed the room, but all the dolls were still. The trio was tense, but Zexion just turned back towards the room. "Just like I suspected." The blue-haired man calmly said. "It wouldn't have been much of a level if the dolls couldn't do anything. Now, let's go find the key."

Roxas could only blink at Zexion's unruffled attitude, "Eh, but..shouldn't…?" He stumbled on his words.

With a sigh, Axel weaved a hand through his hair and said, "Right, let's go." When Roxas just kept blinking, he grabbed the blonde's wrist and tugged him out of the room. "Don't expect to ever see anything faze Zexion. He's one calm guy." He smiled encouragingly, before ruffling the Roxas' hair. "Just go with it."

The mansion was huge, but with each new room, Roxas was starting to become more and more claustrophobic. He could feel them watching, dead eyes focused on his back. Yet every time he turned around those eyes were gazing into thin air. The others were getting increasingly nervous as well. One of Axel's hands had grasped Roxas' hand and the other was grasping a iron pipe that had been lying around in one of the rooms. Demyx had also gotten himself a weapon, and Zexion's eyes kept scanning every inch in the rooms.

Suddenly there was a loud thud.

Startled, the foursome turned towards the noise. A single candle was lying on the floor. There was doll standing near the table it must've fallen off, but had the candle been pushed or fallen on its own…? Another thud was heard, but this time it sounded more like a footstep.

Turning around, Roxas found himself face to face with a pair of glass eyes. Letting out a squeak, the blonde quickly took a step back. Then he could feel Axel wrap one of his arms around his waist, the redhead's other hand ready to strike. But the doll made no move.

Zexion broke the silence, "If they're starting to get bolder, that must mean we're getting closer to the key."

The blue-haired opened yet another door and the others followed. Axel did not release the blonde out of his hold though. Not that Roxas minded, his heart was racing from the doll's last 'attack'.

Finally they reached a door which was different from the others. It had a little heart-shaped notice hanging on it saying 'Miya's room'. They could hear little giggles coming from the other side.

Zexion calmly knocked on the door, before asking whether they could come in. A high pitched girly voice answered him, saying that they could. Without further ado, the man opened the door, revealing a children's room. It was very different from the classic style of the rest of the manor. The room was filled with pink and there were toys everywhere. In the midst of the countless pieces of furniture sat a little girl. She must've been roughly five years. Her hair was held up in two pigtails and had all kinds of ornaments in them. The dress she was wearing was filled with frills and was a in candy pink colour.

The little girl's lips twisted into a smile when she saw the foursome. "Won't you play with me?" she asked.

Roxas decided he didn't like the girl one bit. Her smile looked more like a greedy grimace and her annoyingly high voice hurt his ears. He had the feeling that if she didn't get what she wanted, the little girl would use that voice to screech at the top of her longs. I thought Larxene looked like a witch, but this 'Miya' seems way worse…

When the girl looked at them expectantly, Demyx gave her a small smile. "Sure, we'll play with you."

Roxas gave him an incredulous look, but the musician nodded his head towards the right. Looking in that direction, Roxas saw that a key was hanging from one of the countless ribbons stacked throughout the room. Right, he wants to distract her so we can get the key.

Axel made a move towards the key, but the girl suddenly looked at the redhead with a greedy glint in her eyes. "You play too," she whined in her pitched voice. The redhead just shook his shoulders and sat down with her.

Zexion and Roxas exchanged a look and the former nodded for Roxas to grab the key.

Waiting until the girl was engrossed in some kind of game with the other two, the blonde quickly grabbed the key and dropped it in his pocket. He cleared his throat as a signal and Demyx and Axel stood up.

"Alright, sweetie. Do you know where we could find a key lock?" Axel asked.

The girl gave him another sickingly sweet smile as she answered, "In the front door."

Axel laughed sheepishly at the deadpan look on Zexion's face which clearly said that the redhead was an idiot for not figuring that one out. "Well, that would work, eh guys?" Axel scratched the back of his head with his hand. That had really been kind of obvious.

"Thanks for the help, sweetie. Now we'll need to get going," Axel said. He sounded quite relieved.

The girl glared at him though. "No," she almost screamed. "You play with me!"

Demyx let out a sigh and looked at the girl. With an even tone, he told her they couldn't stay. But the girl only started whining more. "Play with me! Play with me!" She get repeating those words as some kind of mantra.

Unable –or unwilling– to shush her, the foursome started walking back towards the door. Just before they walked out of the room, the girl stopped her tantrum to point one finger at them. "You will pay for this," she hissed with a lowered voice, suddenly sounding a lot more mature. "They will make you pay."

None of them needed to guess who she meant with 'they'.

"Please tell me you remembered the way towards the main door, Zexy," Demyx whispered after they had exited the girl's room. Zexion nodded at him, and the musician let out a relieved sigh. He tensed again when the blue-haired man said they had to cross ten rooms to reach the main hall though.

Strangely they managed to pass all those ten rooms without meeting a single doll. They seemed to have vanished into thin air. Unless they had all…

Gathered in the main hall.

Roxas let out a gasp at the sight before him. About a hundred life-sized glaring dolls had gathered in the hall, blocking of the door which would complete their level. The blonde didn't know how those eyes could look so dead yet still hold so much hatred. The air in the hall seemed to have thickened by the tension, making it hard to breathe.

"Great, now what are we going to do?" Demyx asked, "We can't take on that many." He couldn't keep the panic from leaking into his voice.

It seemed the dolls had been waiting for one of them to speak, because suddenly the dolls started moving. There movements were jerky and stiff, but they were steadily approaching the foursome.

Axel and Demyx positioned themselves in a fighting stand. Roxas quickly looked around, and grabbed the nearest thing that could function as a weapon. When he looked to his right, he saw that Zexion had done the same thing.

Then the fight began.

Luckily, the doll's movements weren't fluent so they could easily be outmanoeuvred, but the foursome was still hopelessly outnumbered. The sound of crushing porcelain rang through the room as countless bodies were broken. None of the dolls seemed to care if they trampled their defeated allies' limbs.

Roxas could feel his arms getting tired. Every time he'd defeated a doll, another one would come and take its place. It was very discouraging.

Suddenly, he heard Axel shout Demyx's name.

Turning towards the sound, Roxas could see that the musician had cut himself on one of the broken porcelain shards. The cut was bleeding quite badly and Axel was trying to hold back the dolls who approached the now weakened Demyx. We need to get out of here fast! But how?

Then out of the corner of his eye, Roxas saw something white. He looked at the huge mirror which hung on one of the walls. Big blue eyes met blue. It's that girl! In the mirror was an image of the girl which had saved him in the lake. She was wearing the same white dress and her blonde hair was flung over one shoulder.

The girl pointed her finger up towards the ceiling. Roxas looked at it but didn't see anything which could be of help. He looked at her questioningly for more information. The blue eyed girl then grabbed her sketchbook and wrote something down. When she showed it again, the word 'chandelier' was scrabbled onto it. Then she gave him a sad smile and disappeared again.

Chandelier? Why would that help!? The blonde looked at the ceiling again. Hanging from it were four huge chandeliers. Then suddenly he realized he hadn't been paying attention to the dolls. Turning back to reality, he saw that Zexion had been blocking the dolls from attacking him.

"Well?" Zexion asked. "What did you find out?"

Moving to fight again, Roxas decided he would wonder about how Zexion had known later and simply answered, "Chandelier."

The blue-haired man laughed quietly under his breath. "Of course," he said. "Why didn't I think of that?"

Roxas could only blink at that reply, before the man started making his way over to the other side of the room. "Cover me, Roxas," Zexion said. Then he turned to shout at Axel and Demyx to step back towards a side of the room.

Axel looked like he wanted to ask why, but did as Zexion had ordered. Manoeuvring himself and Demyx to stand near one of the walls. Keeping several dolls at bay whilst doing so.

Meanwhile Zexion and Roxas had made their way over to a bunch of ropes. The blonde didn't get what the blue-haired man was going to do at first, but when he saw that the ropes were connected to the four enormous chandeliers it finally clicked. He going to drop the chandeliers on top of the dolls. To crush them. Roxas quickly yelled at Axel and Demyx to cover their eyes, before doing so himself.

The next thing that could be heard, was a loud crash. The sound of broken porcelain and glass pierced their ears.

When Roxas opened his eyes, he saw the fallen chandeliers had crushed most of the dolls. Only a dozen or so were still standing, looking dazed at the sudden destruction.

"Roxas, the key!" Axel said, waking the blonde out of his staring.

The foursome moved towards the door and Roxas quickly opened it. Allowing the four to leave the level.

"Congratulations, subjects VI, VIII, IX and XIII. You have passed Level 6. You may now choose to rest or continue levelling," the computer voice said.

Axel curtly answered, "Rest." He was worried about the cut in Demyx's arm. It was still bleeding badly, soaking the man's shirt in crimson blood.

"Alright. You may now enter the Rest Room."

The room changed back towards the rest room when the computer finished its message. Axel quickly dragged Demyx over to the bathroom to clean the wound. A medicine box with bandages was placed on one of the planks of the bathroom to dress the wound.

Alone in the room with Zexion, Roxas decided to ask him about the girl from the lake and the mirror. "Do you know who she is?"

Zexion didn't seem surprised by the sudden vague question and focused his one visible eye on the blonde. "What did she look like?" he asked.

"She has blonde hair, big sad blue eyes and wears a white dress," Roxas answered. "Oh, and she carries around a sketchbook."

The blue-haired man turned his gaze away from the blonde. "I don't know who she is." He closed his eyes. "But I know she has some control over this game."

Roxas bit his lip in thought, "Yeah, I mean she just drew a crack and then it appeared."

"What?" Zexion had opened his eyes in surprise. "Explain."

Surprised by the other man's sudden urgency, Roxas quickly answered, "When I was trapped under the ice of the lake, she showed me a drawing of the lake." He shivered slightly at the memory of his almost drowning. "Then she drew a crack on the lake and it appeared." The blonde looked at the bathroom. "Axel and Demyx think they cracked it themselves."

"Hmm, she seems to be gaining more control," Zexion commented. "Appearing two days in a row."

"Do you know anything else about her?" Roxas asked. He had a feeling the other man knew more than he let on. The computer called him VI. That means he's been here for four years.

"She has a hand in the creation of new levels," Zexion answered. The blonde's eyes widened. "No, not like that. She didn't create this sick game." He put his chin in his hands. "Like you said yourself, the girl looks sad. I'd say she is as trapped in here as we are."

"Then do you know who created this ga–" Roxas was cut off, when Axel and Demyx entered the room.

Zexion used their arrival to avoid the subject, asking, "How are you feeling, Demyx?" He was purposely not looking at Roxas, to which the blonde narrowed his eyes.

Demyx smiled brightly at the question. "Are you worried, Zexy? Don't try to hide it," The musician happily babbled on against the blue-haired man, moving to sit next to the silent man as they approached one of the couches.

Still slightly peeved at the interruption, Roxas was startled when Axel suddenly poked him in his cheek.

"You'll get wrinkles if you keep frowning, Roxie," the redhead mocked. He chuckled when Roxas started pouting instead. "Do you have any cuts?"

Roxas shook his head.

"Pity. I was looking forward to being your nurse, blondie," Axel smirked suggestively at Roxas. "Wouldn't you like to play doctor?"

Blushing brightly, Roxas quickly changed the conversation to a save subject, "How's Demyx's arm doing?"

"He'll be fine. The bleeding made it look worse than it was," Axel answered. "Besides" He raised his voice a bit for the other two to hear. "He has Zexion to kiss it better." The trademark smirk appeared again on his face, when he saw Zexion glower at him for that remark. Demyx just gave a little giggle.

"Let's relax and watch some television before dinner," Axel said. He turned on the little television and sat on an other couch with Roxas.

The redhead zapped between different networks, before settling on the news. It wasn't very interesting until the news-announcer started talking about a disappearance in the Twilight Town amusement park.

"The nineteen years old Roxas Kigane has been missing for three days now. He was last seen in the Twilight Town amusement park," the announcer said. In a corner of the screen, a picture of the blonde was shown. "If anyone has seen him, please notify the police." The screen then changed to show not only Roxas' photograph but also six others.

Roxas could recognize Axel, Demyx, Marluxia and Larxene in the pictures.

"The other two are Luxord and Saïx," Axel told the blonde.

"The last six 'subjects'?" Roxas asked. The redhead nodded.

Then the announcer continued, "These seven persons have gone missing over the last two years. They were all last sighted at the Twilight theme park. Please notify the police if you have any information concerning this case."

"So," Roxas began. "The last six –seven if you count me too– have been captured during the last two years." The blonde turned to look at Zexion, "But the first six have been here for four years? All of them?"

"Yeah," Axel answered. "I've talked to all the members, the first six have all been here for four years." The redhead frowned. "What are you getting at, Roxie?"

"Well, the last seven were just picked randomly over time, right? Just by passing level zero." Axel and Demyx nodded. "Then why were the first six all chosen at the same time? And why was there a two years pause in between?"

Zexion sighed, "If you think I know who caused this, then don't." He looked at the blonde. "The creator of the game probably grew bored of having the same subjects for a long time. So he 'invited' new ones."

"Did you all knew each other?" Roxas asked. "You six?" He was sure he saw Zexion tense at that question.

But Demyx seemed to have had enough. "Stop it, Roxas. You're making it seem like it's his fault." He sounded offended.

"That's not what I meant," Roxas sighed. "I…I just want to understand what the hell is going on." His voice cracked a bit. "Sorry…" I don't want to be stuck here for years.

The look in Demyx's eyes softened at Roxas' words. "It's okay. Right, Zexy?" The addressed man nodded. "You've just gotten here, it's a lot to take in." Demyx stood up and ruffled Roxas' hair. "Now stop acting emo."

Axel smiled, "Yeah, that's Zexion's job." He ducked a pillow aimed at his head by the 'emo'.

"Haha, I'm going to make dinner. Zexy, come help me!" Demyx ordered, and the other man actually listened to him. Both trailing off to the kitchen.

Suddenly Roxas found himself alone with Axel.

"Don't look so scared, blondie," the redhead grinned.

"It would help if you didn't look at me like a cat looks at a mouse before deciding to eat it," Roxas retorted. Seriously, those green cat eyes were shining with such an intensity that Roxas found it hard to resist staring into them.

Axel licked his lips mischievously, "But you look so delicious, Roxie." He laughed out loud when the blonde blushed at the remark.

Roxas was saved from more flirtatious comments by Larxene. "I always knew you were a cannibal, Axel," the icy woman said. Marluxia trailed behind her and they both sat down on the couch, which previously had been occupied by Demyx and Zexion.

Soon it was time for dinner and the six of them exchanged details about their levels. Demyx tried to get Zexion to feed him, saying his 'severe' injuries prevented him from eating normally. But the blue-haired man reasonably replied that if Demyx could cook an entire meal, then he could manage feeding himself as well.

"Man, I'm dead tired," Axel said, when he and Roxas entered their room, ready to go to sleep. "What about you?" He asked as they both changed in their 'pyjama's'; in Roxas' case an overgrown shirt and for Axel just a pair of baggy pants.

The blonde just nodded. He felt like if his eyes were going to close any second. Until he suddenly remembered last night. Are we going to sleep separate this time or…?

Seeing the insecure look in Roxas' eyes as the blonde was looking alternatively between the two beds, Axel smiled softly. "We can share again if you'd like to, blondie." He saw a relieved look pass Roxas' face, before the boy quickly squashed it. "No need to act tough, Roxie. I've heard you squeak like a little girl about four times now, so it's no use."

Roxas glared at that last remark, but was willing to let it slide. He really didn't want to sleep alone tonight. The recipe for nightmares was increasing with each level; clowns, drowning, murderous dolls etc.

The duo climbed into Axel's bed and settled down for sleep. Waiting for the next disturbing day to come.

Day 1464.

Subjects VI, VIII, IX, XI, XII and XIII have passed Level 6.

Subject IV has failed at Level 14. IV has been relocated to Level 10.
Subject V has failed at Level 19. V has been relocated to Level 15.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Level 6 seemed to have suffered a small glitch.

Current Level of subjects:
I – 17
II – 16
III – 10
IV – 10
V – 15
VI – 6
VII – 17
VIII – 6
IX – 6
X – 18
XI – 6
XII – 6
XIII - 6

Author's note: This chapter feels a bit too rushed, especially the level-part (probably because it was .). I'll might edit it a bit later. Next chapter will be up somewhere this week, probably in the weekend. As long as I won't fail my papers and will have to rewrite them…*crosses fingers*

Next chapter Larxene and Marluxia join Axel and Roxas for level 7. In which the stress finally catches up to our poor blonde, but he has Axel to kiss it better ;D

Please review if you liked it (or if you didn't ;D)