The only thing he knew now was pain.
It was the closest thing a Nobody could get to grief, rage, hatred. Xemnas was destroyed. Saïx was dead. Xaldin and Xigbar were gone, fled into the in-between. Lexaeus had been murdered. Marluxia had declared himself Superior, with Naminé safely in his grip, holding Sora's leash. Larxene sat at his right hand, Axel at his left—all smiles and arrogance and mocking words. Roxas had been elevated to Four, Luxord to Fix, a fearful Demyx to Six. Vexen, unwilling yet bound to this new Organization by unknown ties, had been shunted to Seven.
As for Zexion, Marluxia apparently thought him too dangerous to sit in the Organization proper, yet for some reason he was kept alive, bound by vines in one of the cells, his frightening power kept in check by the powerful drugs he'd been administered.
"Have you decided to be obedient?"
He could only make an angry noise, too weak to move much. The floor was smooth against his cheek, and he wished he were sitting up. Marluxia's boots appeared in his line of vision and he scowled.
"I suppose not," Marluxia said, the smugness in his voice grating on Zexion's already shattered nerves. "It's a pity. If only I could be sure of your faithfulness, secure your undying loyalty to my Organization… to me," he purred, kneeling beside Zexion and gently turning his head so the smaller Nobody was forced to look up at him, "you could be such a valuable asset. I could even make you Number Five, if you like…"
Zexion summoned what remained of his strength and wrenched himself away, his head striking the floor hard enough to make him dizzy. At once, the vines which bound him brought him gently back, closer to Marluxia. The Assassin stroked his face with abnormally soft fingers.
"Did you hurt yourself?" he cooed. "I would hate for you to be… damaged."
"Don't touch me," Zexion forced out. The scent clinging to Marluxia was combining with the drugs and his recent association with the floor to make his head spin. He reached for his power, but this proved impossible. Marluxia only smiled.
"My dearest Zexion," he murmured, so close that his breath tickled Zexion's ear. "I am your Superior. I have every right to touch you."
The Schemer struggled, but he was weakened and bound. His efforts made Marluxia laugh.
"I shall return tomorrow," the Assassin told him. "I trust you'll have a more satisfactory answer for me. Won't you, my pet?"
His fingers brushed Zexion's cheek once more before he vanished.
16. Zexion/Master-Slave