Larxene struggled to fight the sudden wave of nausea that flew to her the instant she saw Saix standing in the 3rd District's wide plaza. She swallowed when she realized that Zexion nor Demyx were to be seen. Axel led the way, a fiery glare directed at the Luna Diviner. Marluxia brought up the rear, leaving Larxene in the middle; the Nymph breifly wondered whether the formation was on purpose: to keep her safe.
"Axel," Saix addressed, deadpan, the noteable sneer revealing features twisted in malicious moonlight. "I see Marluxia's delivered his message, as told?"
Axel did not answer, only began circling Saix in the familiar ritual. Saix gave a low chuckle. Without a word, the berserker began circling Axel as well, the first stage to the brawl complete.
Axel stole a glance at Larxene, that one look telling her so much; words could not express his love for her. But there was a forlorn look in them...
"Axel," Larxene whimpered. Shaking her head, she turned to Marluxia, becoming practical...for everyone's sake. "We need to find Zexion and Demyx while Saix is distracted. Now may be our only chance."
Marluxia nodded. He stumbled every now and then as he made his way up a ladder leading to the highest rooftop, Larxene following behind him. Marluxia panted as he clutched his chest upon reaching the top; Larxene put a slim hand over his coat in worry. "I'm fine," he reassured. "Come on, we have to find those two."
"They could be anywhere!" Larxene fretted suddenly. "We have no proof that they're even here in Traverse Town!" So much for the practicality bravado...
"Strange," a young male voice said, causing to two to whip around, "because I look like I'm in Traverse Town, all right."
"Demyx!" Marluxia breathed. "Where's Zexion?"
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Zexion retorted, crawling out of a dark window to an abandoned room. "I take it you delivered Saix's message, Marluxia?"
Marluxia nodded grimly. "Nevermind that, though. Where was Saix holding you?"
"In this building right here." Demyx motioned with his thumb to the building Zexion had just gotten out of. "Had us pretty tied up, too. Wouldn't have gotten out if not for this kid here."
"Kid?" Larxene repeated, somhow knowing who the "kid" was. Sure enough, the girl climbed out and shyly stood between Zexion and Demyx, the Nocturne putting a protective arm around her shoulders. "Meytha," Larxene breathed in recognition.
Saix lunged with a beastial roar, fingers extended like claws. Axel charged at that same instant, locking hands with the berserker. Axel twisted his body, manuevering to the side of the Luna Diviner to duck, then propel into Saix's chest. Saix aimed a clout to Axel's head, knocking him sideways; the pyro quickly recovered and punched Saix's jaw. A roar erupted from Saix's throat before he called forth his massive claymore. Axel complied by summoning from the oblivion his chakrams, the spikes blazing with flames.
Saix let loose a deathly howl, the moon bathing him in dark silver, twisted and tarnished by the weak artificial lights surrounding the plaza. Axel stomped on the ground, and instantly a blazing mass of fire arced into Saix. There was a sickening snarl before Saix leaped through the flames and swung his claymore at Axel. Axel gasped raggedly, flecks of blood flying from his mouth as he heard something crack inside him. Retailating, Axel swiftly sliced at the berserker's arm with a deadly cut dealt by his chakram.
Saix's golden-yellow eyes glittered with animosity as he flashed his canine teeth at the pyro. Axel charged forward and swung his chakrams once more; this time Saix leaped cleanly to the side. Axel didn't miss a beat: he swerved around to face Saix and flung his chakrams at the Luna Diviner. Instantly Saix swung at one of the weapons with his claymore, but not taking account of the second one, it hit him square in his stomach. Growling, Saix pulled the weapon from his flesh and tossed it to the side; he wanted to permanently swipe the smirk from Axel's face as the pyro grinned and called back the chakram.
"What's the problem?" Axel called, cocky for the briefest moment. Axel stalked toward the Diviner, flames leaping eagerly about the pyro. He leapt at Saix, his fists impacting with the berserker's chest, aggravating the fresh wound there. Saix cried out in pain as he wrenched Axel up by his hair; he flung Axel to the side with brutal force. Axel collided with the wall, falling to the ground with a heavy thump.
He did not get back up.
"NO!" Larxene screamed as she turned to witness Saix toss Axel like a rag doll just as the berserker had done to her once; that time had seemed like so long ago now... She did not think as she jumped from the highest rooftop, landing loudly and stumbling to the ground. "SON OF A BITCH!" she caterwauled to Saix, the Luna Diviner turning to her now, his eyes gleaming in triumph. Larxene rose clumsily as Marluxia, Demyx, Zexion, and Meytha all arrived from a portal.
"Larxene!" Marluxia held her by her arms, trying to restrain her.
"Let me go, Marluxia!" Larxene demanded, trying to wrench free of his iron grip. Her blood sang and pounded in her ears like drums; her whole body was on fire inside, her veins pumping and crying for vengeance.
"Think, Larxene!" Marluxia pleaded. "He'll kill you, too!"
"I don't care!" she spat. "So long as I take him with me!"
Meytha stared as she clutched Demyx's hand for comfort; the Nocturne gave a reassuring squeeze for the girl. He stared at the limp form of Axel, biting his lip and hoping with all his being that Axel was still--
His thoughts were interrupted when Marluxia cried out in pain as a pop of electricity shocked him. Larxene was charging at Saix as the berserker rose his claymore in a cold, calculating manner. Zexion's nose quivered as he stared at Axel's body, then walked over the pyro. Demyx quickly led Meytha over to the Cloaked Schemer, looking back long enough to see Larxene and Saix locked in a tangle of limbs, weapons, and blood.
Larxene bit into the nape of Saix's throat, tearing into flesh as Saix beat at her sides with his balled fists. He flexed his hands then, and ripped at her coat until they clawed at skin. Larxene yelled at the piercing claws until she ripped free of his grip and slashed across his chest with her kunai knives Their blood mingled together in perfect harmony while their hosts writhed together in discord. Larxene growled savagely as she swiped across Saix's face, the berserker retaliating by grabbing a fistful of Larxene's hair and slamming her to the ground.
Larxene coughed up blood when Saix loomed over her, his foot poised above her throat. Before his foot could have a chance to take her life, Marluxia charged into Saix's side. Larxene rolled to her left and rose in time to see Saix swing his claymore at Marluxia's chest, the Graceful Assassin being hit a few feet away from the berserker, landing heavily and not getting back up. Saix snarled and turned back to his quarry; Larxene stood her ground and glared defiantly at him. When Saix began approaching Larxene lightning danced around her, eager to please its mistress.
Saix's features began to contort into something beastly, his body happily giving up to the change. Saix's eyes seemed to glow with an unnerving golden-yellow light, while his ears grew pointed and his fingernails ripped through his gloves with their claws. His fangs were a sight to behold: ivory spears sprouting from his gums, which bled from the teeth extensions. He gave a loud, gutteral roar as he bounded at breakneck speed toward Larxene, swinging his claymore to her stomach.
Larxene gave a howl of pain as she toppled over from the impact. Saix was once again standing over her, never freezing his movements. Out of the corner of Larxene's eyes she saw a figure scuttle to her direction, yet she had no time to register who it was.
Saix swung down--
--Larxene felt blood splash to her face--
--it wasn't hers, nor did it belong to Saix--
--she saw the person crouched over her, protecting her by putting themself on the line--
--it was all a flash...so fast...
"Meytha," Larxene breathed as she stared into the young girl's cloudy dark green eyes, her purplish-black bangs clinging to her forehead from sweat. Blood leaked from her lips and dripped onto Larxene's chest as the girl fell forward, the claymore slipping out of her back with a grotesque slide.
A/N: Loved writing this for some reason... Er, anyway, as I've already told Zaz9-zaa0, there will be ONE to die. As to who it is... you'll just have to stay tuned. Thanks for the reviews and thanks for sticking with this story so far! Oh, and sorry if there are any grammar mistakes in this chapter: the damn spell check wasn't working...
