This chapter is very short, but very important.
Roxas?
He was floating, weightless in a sea of black. No sound, no motion, no breath. Everything was still. He couldn't tell if his eyes were open or not.
Roxas?
A voice. It rang jarringly throughout the omniscient silence.
Roxas?
"Yes?" It was nothing more than a breath, but it was loud. Louder than he had ever spoken before.
How do you feel?
"I—I don't know. How am I supposed to feel?"
Only you can decide that. Do you like how you feel now?
Roxas thought.
"Yes."
WRONG. It burst startlingly loud from nowhere, and then disappeared, giving way to the ever-present silence.
"I thought you said only I could decide…?"
You should not feel comfortable here. You do not belong here.
"Here? Where is here?"
Where do you think?
"Am I dead?"
Are you?
"What?"
Have you given up?
Roxas thought.
"Given up on what?"
Everything. Life? Love? Do they mean anything to you?
"I—"
Answer quickly.
He was about to say no, but something stopped him.
Ah yes, the red-head. He still means something to you, yes?
"…Yes, he does."
Open your eyes.
"They are open."
No, they are not. Open your eyes.
"I—I don't want to." It shocked Roxas how true that statement was.
Why not? The voice demanded.
"I'm tired. I feel…insubstantial."
That isn't good, Roxas. Think of the red-head.
"What red-head?" he muttered. He felt cold, detached. Who was the red-head? …Who was he?
Roxas! Don't. Don't let go.
He gave it an honest effort, he really did.
Open your eyes!
"…What?"
Open. Your. Eyes. I will not allow you to give up.
"Axel…" Wait. Axel? "Axel!" Pictures of the spiky haired man flashed through his mind. Laughing, singing, frowning, crying…
Crying. Would he be crying now?
Roxas. You're in danger. You need to open your eyes.
Axel. Axel. Axel.
Roxas. Open your eyes.
He bit his lip. He was so tired. He was cold. He was comfortable here…
NOW.
Roxas took a deep breath.
"Wait. Who are you?"
You're going to meet me quite soon. Get up!
Roxas's eyes opened.
There. Not so emo, now, is it?