Author's note : Next few chapters are tricky. My settings on this particular fanfiction is almost maddening, it can take an hour or two to understand the whole details. From now on, any settings which are mentioned in the story will be discussed at the end of the chapter if any questions are asked to me. Still, you are welcome to ask any further questions on my settings.

Diclaimer- None of the characters or most of concepts are mine, they belong to Square Enix. Honestly, if they belonged to me.. ..It would have turned MA+ rated.

Warning - Yaoi, M rated for more than a few reasons (later chapters), abusive languages, crimes, etc. Yaoi pairings (AkuRoku, SephCloud, ZexionXDemyx, etc, more side pairing though not in this one. Side stories may be included after the main story gets over)

No. XIII - Organisation XIII

[Chapter 10. Roxas Safer]

[In the middle of darkness and light, the shadows of both lay.

The shadows, the midst of the extremes-

They lurk in the most unexpected places at the most unexpected times,

And they reign with the mystery and power,

The shadows call themselves-

Organisation XIII.]

X . i

The battles were brutal, their pace quickening faster and faster- But it was forced to stop aburptly when Vincent got a critical hit by one of the Roxas's shields.

As Vincent shuddered, his features changed- Black wings grew out of his back, thick and steady. He grew taller, larger, and muscular- Groaning with pain while growling, shuddering while slowly gaining his pose back.. It was terrifying. Even Avalanche, who knew about Chaos flinched at the sight.. But they all snapped their heads towards Sephiroth and Roxas when they spoke in disgust.

"...So that's Chaos.. It doesn't look good."

"You expected anything that mad scientist experimented on look good? You are crazier than I thought, brother. Vincent Valentine, shape-shifter and the carrier of the Protomateria.. Huh.. Well, nothing I need to care about. That's none of my business.. Seph? Hang up, I can't fight with that thing alone, you know- Lifestream is blocking my power. How it came to this, I have no idea, but this world is damn annoying.. How can multiple contradicting forces can exist together? And I can't even say that it's unscientific, it's happening everyday. At least your power can stand against Lifestream, Sephiroth."

"I am too weak to stand against whole of it, Roxas. I am just capable of blocking a small current of it. Still, I can shift the current of Lifestream enough to turn him back to his original shape.. Roxas, your power is not originated from the Lifestream as well.. Restrict his movements.. Fight seriously now, I don't want to face Omega."

"...Roger that, brother. Alright, alright- I am doing it properly now- Don't glare at me!"

Roxas grunted a bit, but still did as he was told. Five shields of light which were floating around him started to increase in number, until it became thirteen- Others watched Roxas in dismay, realising that Roxas was restraining his power all along. Holding a sword created out of the light, Roxas murmured in discomfort.

"...I want my sword back, damn it. I can't even use it now. Hey, I will distract that thing- will it be enough to subdue him?"

"We will success, or die trying. Both are good enough, isn't it?"

"Oh? If you want to die saving your biological father, please don't include me there, will you? He isn't my father, Seph."

"..I told you I am not sure."

"Better than Hojo."

"...*Sigh*"

Sephiroth shook his head, sighing. This Roxas was the Roxas he liked, but this one was really hard to control compared to the other one. Ignoring a lot of pair of eyes fixed on him, Sephiroth held his Masamune tight and spoke.

"Just take out the Oblivion, Roxas. I don't want to take the risk. Do I have to order you?"

"You.." Roxas's eyes flickered with rage for a second, but only Sephiroth, Cloud, Tseng and Squall was quick enough to see it. Next second, Roxas was speaking in his emotionless voice again, his face as empty as a black piece of paper. "You better not push your authorities too far, Seph.. We share each other's weaknesses and secrets. I haven't said anything important to you anyway- Even if this thing is your father, not Hojo- I know you don't give a damn about it, your biological parents means nothing to you, as well as my parents- your foster-parents."

"...Who's speaking now? You sound as if you care a lot about your relatives."

"Look, Sephiroth.. I don't care about them, you don't care about them. Why don't we finish this? That thing is thankfully standing and staring at us, doing nothing- but we both can sense that it's because Vincent Valentine is struggling against that thing, and he is losing now. ...Isn't it, Chaos?"

"...The wielder... The power of lock and unlock. What a pleasure.. As soon as I woke up from a long slumber, I see one of the Gifted Ones."

Chaos answered casually, closing his wings. As Chaos show no intention of fighting, Sephiroth immediately withdraw Masamune. Roxas, on contrary, did not keep his sword which was formed out of light, but kept his shields with him and stepped closer.

"So you are aware of what I am. What do you want, the Lord of Mayhem? Your host is in no condition to be your vessel.. Not your full power."

"This human may be weak, but I saw a need to control of this pitifully weak body.. I, Lord of Mayhem, of all my existence, never expected to witness a Gifted One fighting alongside the Son of Calamity."

Chaos glanced at Sephiroth, clearly hinting who he was talking about. However, Roxas chuckled darkly and questioned Chaos.

"Know who you speaking to, oh the Lord of Mayhem? You named me Gifted One, you called me The wielder of power- and, you still know not, of who you speak to? Yes, I be a Gifted One, yet you see not the irony of my identity, my enigma.."

"...I do not see anything strange about you, the Gifted One."

"Then you are mistaken. I have enough reason to be with the Son of Calamity, the Terror of Heaven. I may be a Gifted One, but I am not a human. I am not alive, nor dead. What you see is just a piece of already dead being, what is remain of a strong heart."

Roxas smirked gleefully, knowing that none other than Sephiroth and Chaos can understand what he was speaking about. Well, maybe that Cetra, Arieth would- He noted the Ancient gasping with shock. On contrary, Chaos observed Roxas for a while and stepped back while speaking back to Roxas.

"...Knowing where your alliance lie, I take that it is time for me to make my leave. I have no intention of standing against a Gifted One and the Son of Calamity at once, even if-" Chaos's eyes flickered towards other people in the hall. "All of them stand agaist you alongside myself, which is highly unlikely anyway. Both of you are half-immortal already.. You can't age, you can't die of time.. We shall meet again."

"...My alliance with elder brother is temporary anyway. Well, let's see what happens when we meet again.. I know it won't be like this next time. I might be- Or, will it be we, brother?"

"..What do you want to talk about? That we might be aiming our swords at each other's neck after we got what we want from each other?"

Sephiroth quirked his eyebrow, crossing his arms. There was no danger anymore- Chaos had returned the control of the body to Vincent, who kneeled down and fainted. Now Team SeeD and Avalanche were more than just confused by this strange turn of events, but Roxas smiled at his remark.

"Oh, our goal isn't same, we are well aware of it- We both know that after a certain point we will try to kill each other. You would wish to burn down Shinra into the ash, which I have no problem with- I don't want to fight with you just to keep that useless and worthless agreement alive, if it is the choice of fighting against you and aided by Shinra or letting you burn down Shinra and stay safe. But after that, we will have to see, right? We want different things. It's too much risk to take, fight against you just to protect Shinra..

I was told that I do not necessarily keep the agreement between Shinra and us, but my mentor said that I should keep alliance with you alive as long as possible because you are very dangerous. He did consider about helping Shinra more than you can and get hold of your Mother, but then it was too risky for us to do such thing, and we would cross the line... It is as good as declaring a war."

"...He dared to condier that, Safer?" Sephiroth snarled, his rage clear in his eyes. Roxas, on the other hand, simply shrugged and continued.

"Well, I think it was a logical consideration, taking account of your affection towards your Mother- but I told you, it was too dangerous plan. He didn't want you trying to kill us for a revenge- when we already had an example of Shinra, why would we make the same mistake they have made? Besides, I am your brother, Sephiroth- I don't care much about the others, but we had been helping each other in that normal family to hide our odd stuff.. We eccentrics stay together, right?"

Roxas smiled, almost stunning all people at the present. How could he look so innocent with all things he said? However.. Sephiroth only answered quietly, seemingly used to Roxas's behaviour.

"You know what? I think I have to say similar thing you said to Chaos. I see no reason for you to stay awake, Safer."

"...Huh-uh, is that so? Okay- so you want him, not me- how mean. You just want someone who is easier to deal with, depending on the situations."

"As you said, I am just saying something very logical."

"..."

Roxas pouted, looking very annoyed. However, in a few seconds, the expression changed into calm, soft and shy face- He looked around once in shy manner, and murmured in an embarrassed voice.

"Seph... You didn't have to say that, you know.. He is-"

"I know you can calm him down, Roxas. At least he can't say things just to annoy me now. I don't want to get angry to both of you."

"...If you say so, Seph. Okay.. So what do you need me to do? I am not as good as him in combat. Well, we are both Roxas, but.. You know our differences. He is superior to me in everything, except that I am naturally calm and emotional.."

"Which is the main reason why you are controlling the body at the most of the time. How long did he take the control of the body, Roxas?"

"...Three days? Don't worry, he didn't do anything bad."

Roxas answered shyly, looking up Sephiroth. Sighing again, Sephiroth embraced Roxas in his arms and spoke towards the Team SeeD.

"..Let me introduce him again, I think it will be more proper, because they are different person. The Roxas Safer you have seen tonight till a moment ago- He is Roxas Safer, but we generally call him Safer. This is also Roxas Safer as you see- but we, I mean Safer and I, generally call him Roxas. Roxas?"

"Um.. I don't know what to say, really.. Not many people know that I have multiple personality disorder.. But still, I am Roxas, as Seph introduced. I have access to most of Safer's abilities, but I can't use them properly. I can say that I am a personality 'Roxas Safer' have created in order to be mixed with other normal people.. At least not to look insane or something. In case of Safer, he is very rational and logical, almost emotionless. He is a personality shaped through years of training and combat experiences, an ideal personality for things like this. And real personality, who you can call the real Roxas Safer- he is currently resting, always awake and keep an eye on us. He is the best, but he doesn't like stepping out much. Last time he actually controlled his body was almost 7 years ago.. ...He is now telling me to just be quiet, actually."

Roxas blushed, lowering his head as if someone was scolding him. Well, someone was scolding him, alright- he could hear his own voice almost engraved inside his head. 'They do not need to know.' Avalanche took this chance to exit, but everyone was concentrating on Roxas, hence missing the chance to get them. Well, it was the whole point for Roxas to speak about himself, actually.. Sephiroth didn't want them to get arrested. Well.. Sighing once, Roxas turned to Sephiroth and spoke.

"And.. Um, brother? ...He is quite angry at you.."

"For dragging him into this mess." It wasn't a question.

"...Yeah.. You already know it.. He hates being manipulated or getting a lot of attention, and now this happened.."

"I will deal with it, anyway you will return to Twilight Town tomorrow night, right?"

"Okay.. Now he is complaining about your materia.. Do you have a summon now? I can't feel it, but.. Can I directly forward his words?"

"...Go on?"

Sephiroth crossed his arms. When real Roxas Safer wanted to speak, it was rarely a good sign. And indeed.. Roxas directly snarled at Sephiroth.

"Did you have to make me go through that? Only if you gave me back my summons, I wouldn't even have to got caught! These useless materias which are not even mastered- And I am not used to these things! Where the hell are you keeping my gears? I. Want. Them. Now."

"...My apologies. Your gears are at a safe valut. I didn't expect this kind of events.. But where will you keep them when you get them back? ...Sora doesn't know anything about you, as well as that brat- what was his name again? Anyway, that annoying kid."

"Riku, you mean. It doesn't matter, I have my own means to keep things away from other's sight. Or I can just get another place, away from them- I was getting tired of playing with them anyway. It's not like I don't have money to buy a house or two. Give my stuff back NOW. I don't want to risk another encounter with Chaos without any preparations."

"..."

Sephiroth narrowed his eyes, clearly annoyed. However, it wasn't his stuff at the first place, and it was Roxas who asked him to keep those things until he needs them again- So he didn't have any excuse to keep those with him, no matter how much he wanted to keep those away from Roxas. Slowly nodding, Sephiroth answered.

"Those are yours, and I have no reason to keep them with me if you want them back. However, Roxas- keep in mind that those gears will reveal who you are. I know you are aware of it, but I do not want to risk the consequences with you."

"I don't care about that. My mentor's introductions were clear- kill any who become aware of my true nature and existence, unless it was intended to be known."

"...*Chuckle*.. They say I am cold, but I don't think I am as emotionless as you are, Roxas. You are willing to kill your twin brother for your responsibilities? Well, but I think that's quite unique.. You are worse than me."

"No one asked for your judgement, thank you so much." Roxas winced once, his cold face turning into uncomfortable face, "...I know Sora doesn't mean much to him, but that was.. ..Well, I can't do anything about it.. Anyway, this feeling of closeness I have is just a illusion he 'programmed' me to have, nothing more. After all, I am just a shadow.. I can be erased any moment when he decides that I am of no use."

Roxas shrugged it off and looked around, smiling. It was easy to know that all Avalanche members made their escape.. He just shook his head and spoke up merrily.

"Oops, now he is more annoyed- the Avalanche got away. Seph, is this my fault?"

"...No. I should have thought that Chaos would make an appearance if it notices what you are capable of. It was my misjudgement.. ..You asked me if you should fight against him.. You knew, didn't you?"

"Well, not me- he knew, Seph. But he told me to not to tell you, saying that he has no reason to point out your mistakes unless you asked my opinion or feedback."

"...A good one. I shall remember that from now on. Can you turn yourself off, now? I think I want a quiet moment or two."

"*Chuckle*.."

Roxas nodded, chuckling lightly. But Genesis and Angeal made a face at their actions, and Genesis swiftly positioned himself beside Roxas, who just fainted. After a split of a second, Roxas was conscious again, looking rather confused.

"..Huh? Gen? Ang? ...Did I do something again? ...What am I doing here..? And Avalanche.. they were here.."

"Don't worry, it's just another shift in mood again, Roxas. You didn't do anything this time."

"..That's good to hear.. ..It's becoming quite often now, I don't remember what I did for a while or why I am standing at the place I awoke.. ...I thought it stopped.. But.."

"It's okay, Roxas. Genesis, Angeal, can you calm him down for a while?"

Sephiroth turned to the Team SeeD and the Turks as Genesis and Angeal took Roxas with them. It was surprising, how normal Roxas looked now- And Reno murmured.

"...Sephiroth? That's Roxas Safer, right? The one who normally controls that body in the normal time, like in universities and all- I saw him in the public before. That's Roxas Safer in front of the public. I just thought he was a good actor, but.."

"Yes, that's the personality normal people interact when they talk to Roxas. But it depends. I think- when he was dealing with you, you met Safer, right?"

"Damn hot guy, right? Cool and hot, leather jacket, motorcycle, and he works in a bar- that guy knows how to mix."

Reno shook his head, still not sure of what he had just witnessed. It was really confusing. But.. Reno now could make out different 'Roxas's, at least three of them.

"I met Roxas as Safer, at the bar. He is a cool guy, and man, he is damn good in poker. Now, that Roxas Safer, who seemed to be oblivious of the past events- he is the innocent Roxas Safer I saw in his university when I happened to be there. Another Roxas, the one who talked to us just now, the shy one- I met him too, when he was talking to.. Who was it? Loz, I think. His friend."

"..So you have met all of them, except the real one.. Or so that's what I am aware of. It changes from time to time- Roxas has a rare gift, he can control himself almost perfectly. That makes him very dangerous, as well as very resourceful.. If he sees that another personality would fit the best at the situation, he can create one immediately. Discarding a part of him which become unnecessary is as quick as that, too. Instant creation and destruction.. He says it's pretty much like a computer."

"But surely he is a human being, a living organism. You can't say that he is like a machine."

Squall stepped in, looking quite offended. He didn't like the situation at all, it seemed that they were missing very important background information to judge anything about this incident. However, Sephiroth shook his head and spoke up.

"It's not like how you sees things, Professor Leon-, excuse me.. Prosecutor Squall. Roxas, due to his abilities, is a different being from humans, or any other races, and hence feels isolated from any others who do not share his abilities. When he found a place he could be normal among the others, he was very happy.. Or rather, he felt complete. His ability of controlling light, for one, is going against the rules of Lifestream or yours.

As many are aware now, our universe shares three sets of unique rules and laws. I, for example, am under the influence of the Lifestream, being a SOLDIER and having Mako in my system. I feel most comfortable with the materia system and other laws under influence of it. All SOLDIERs and the Turks are under influence of the same laws with me.

But you don't, Prosecutor Squall. You can use materia, but it will be very hard for you. It's because you are belonged to the rules of your world, your land. All Team SeeD members except me are belonged to the same set of rules. Those differences form groups in people- conscious or unconscious, they are attracted to their kinds, others who belong to the same set of rules.

Now, as I said, there are three different set of rules existing in this land.. Others who belongs to the same rules with me are generally living at Midgar, where Shinra's headquarter is located. If I am knowing correctly, your laws belong to that Academy, Balamb Garden. The third laws are belonged to Twilight Town and this city, Hollow Bastion. Any problem till now, Prosecutor? Because next is related to Roxas."

"...No, I am used to that concept as well. Go on."

Sephiroth casually changed his expression, now serious. After a short pause, he nodded and continued.

"Alright.. Now, Roxas is special, because he doesn't belong any of those three. I do not know how- it is said that those sets of laws are in genetics, from parents to children.. But Roxas doesn't belong there. His twin brother and his blood-relatives are all belonged to the rules of Twilight Town.. And yet, he isn't. I didn't know about it until he explained to me as well. The rules he belonged.. His kinds have special abilities. They share some of the attributes with each other, while some of them are unique. His control over light is unique to him. Because they are very rare, they always seek others who are not aware where they actually belong."

"...How can that be possible? Those laws are very hard to ignore, it always shows."

"That's where this problem comes in, Prosecutor Squall.. One of their shared ability makes them adaptable in all laws. For example, Roxas can use materia without any problems. This is a very troublesome aspect, because they generally do not realise it. And another fact remains that the set of laws Roxas is belonged.. If one of them can not prove their worthy, they are killed, or discarded, according to them.. You've heard Chaos. He called me and Roxas half-immortal. I am, from the laws of Lifestream.. But in case of Roxas.. All who belongs to those laws are immortal. They can be killed, but they can't die because of age or normal diseases.. That makes them impossible to be emotional. That's why they don't let themselves free."

Which is partly true, Sephiroth thought. He didn't have to tell them that those beings under the same laws with Roxas called themselves Nobodies, or any details. No need of details, like they can't feel any emotions or they were actually not even alive, or that they do not have a major part of their souls, or rather, they were the pieces of the souls, which were lost when the actual person died or turned into Heartless. But it was quite strange how Roxas was formed, because his twin, or his actual being, Sora was alive and well.

Anyway, it didn't matter much now. Sephiroth himself didn't know everything about it as well- Why would he tell about it, then? Crossing his arms, Sephiroth continued.

"I do not know in details as well, Real Roxas is very difficult to deal with. Anyway, they- those who belong to those laws- had an agreement with Shinra, so they can live among others easily. Their abilities are superior to that of normal humans, so they could do stuff which even the Turks couldn't, or help in their knowledge of past- or anything. But a few years ago, there was a disagreement between them, leading to a few of them betraying all others.

That day, Roxas couldn't go out because of a family trouble- He was lucky. If he was there, he wouldn't be with his two arms and legs now.. He is very strong even in their standards, so when his existence was first known to them, their leader took him as his successor, to be next leader. Of course.. Many of them didn't like it, but they couldn't argue, because Roxas was capable of killing them on one on one.

On that day.. According to Roxas, there was a meeting which required everyone's presence. Roxas was actually late, not absent, but.. When he got there, he said he only saw the evidences of battle. He couldn't see anyone or any corpse because when they die, they just vanish- but he later somehow found out that three of his comrades were as good as dead, others all missing. He still doesn't know who were the traitors.. He just told me that his mentor suspected for sometime that a few members within their ranks did not like the structure of their community. He already knows who was the actual person behind the betrayal.. Rank 11. He won't tell me that person's name, but what I know, Roxas never liked that person. He would complain now and then, about how this person refuses to follow their rules and keep their abilities in secret.."

Sephiroth paused, slightly annoyed. Yes, he knew Marluxia enough, because Axel was his partner in International Laws. Well, now it seems that role had been passed to Roxas, but he didn't like their company much. Well, he did enjoy it a bit, knowing that those are not straight people- They thought Sephiroth just didn't care, but in fact, Sephiroth was more attracted to the males.. Anyway, he shook it off and continued.

"...I don't know a lot, really. Roxas knows almost all techniques his kinds know, and that's a big deal. Some abilities are very draining and can push him to the limits, but he still can do them. Unique abilities are of course off-limits, but his position forced him to be aware of every one of their features and limits. That's why he had to be protected. If any of his kinds gets stupid idea such as killing people for fun or anything, he can stop them easily. Even a new one wakes up, realises his or her potential and doesn't know what to do, ending up causing troubles- he is the one who I or Shinra can rely on to train or at least control that newbie."