Jordan: Tea and crumpets?
No. VI
Book of Retribution
Zexion was, to say the least, stunned by the day's events. First, Vexen had fallen-and by Axel, no less. He thought it was appaling-that a member of the Organization would think to strike down one of his brothers in arms in cold blood…And now…
"Lexaeus is gone as well…" he muttered softly. He swiftly looked up to see Axel warp into the room, a smug look on his face.
"Vexen, Larxene, Lexaeus…I wonder who will be next in line?" He asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Zexion shrugged, saying, "I thought perhaps it might be you."
Axel scoffed and turned around, his back to Zexion. "Me? No way. I already took my pounding from Sora-he thinks I'm done for good." He glanced at Zexion, smirking. "Nope, I think it'll be Marluxia next." He crossed his arms, his tone suddenly becoming serious. "For defying the Organization, and targeting Sora…I hope he moves exactly as his heart commands him to." His tone became light. "So, what about you?" He turned to face Zexion. "I thought you guys had plans for Riku."
"Yes…" Zexion replied, "We were going to set him off against the traitors…but with Marluxia gone there is no need." He shrugged. "He is nothing but a nuisance now."
Axel nodded. "And he's dangerous as well. After all, he took down Lexaeus."
Zexion immediately knew what he was getting at. "You know that is not how I do things." A thought struck him. "Tell me, did you obtain the data on Riku's home?"
"This will not work." Zexion had no need to turn around to see who was speaking. "Why not, Kavma?"
"Don't you see for yourself? If Riku could defeat and eliminate Lexaeus, he will have no trouble seeing through your illusion and giving you the same treatment." Kavma's voice was dripping with sarcasm as he said, "What makes you think you're any different?"
"Because, Kavma," Zexion said, as he finally turned toward Kavma, "I fight differently. Lexaeus utilized sheer brute strength, and never thought out his moves. Larxene had potential, but wasted it on torturing her opponents, and didn't try to actually finish them off. Vexen, well, you saw it for yourself."
"Good point," Kavma admitted, "but you must realize that there is a chance-no matter how small it may be-of you failing." Zexion snorted. "I never believed you to be such a pessimist." "Oh, no, merely a realist."
Zexion sighed and turned his back on Kavma. "…I have doubts about Axel."
"Who doesn't?" Zexion ignored the sarcasm. "Simple deduction suggests Axel's outwardly inscrutable actions are the result of some directive from Saix. Why else eliminate Vexen? He simply wanted to do research. Did we not all stand to gain from the fruits of his Replica Program? What is Axel thinking?"
"…Do you really want to know? Or do you wish to confront him yourself about this?"
Zexion was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "No, not now at least. Perhaps after I have dealt with Riku first."
Kavma chuckled. "As the old man said, follow your grave." Zexion turned to face Kamva, only to find that he had vanished.