Yes, I know this is a short chapter. But it is also a quick update! The next one will be less depressing, I promise.

I'm so mean to Demyx!

This chapter is dedicated to NightRaven13 for the Spanish translation. Thank you so much!

Roxas couldn't believe it. He watched numbly as Demyx cried. Axel was shaking, he realized belatedly. He wrapped an arm around Axel's waist.

By now, the spirits had disappeared. Koen's eyes had lost all anger and now bore a look of intense pain. If ghosts could cry, he would have. There was a rustle in the brush of to Roxas's right as the other exorcists dashed out of the woods.

"We got here as fast as we could," Saix said. "We started off as soon as we realized something was wrong." Xemnas was silent.

"What's going on?" Larxene asked. She saw Demyx hunched over a ways off. "What happened? Hey," she looked around, "where's Zexion?"

Demyx let out a heart-wrenching sob.

Xemnas walked quietly over as all of the exorcists straightened up, watching curiously. He laid a hand on Demyx's shoulder.

"Demyx," he said softly. "Demyx, you're bleeding."

"I don't care," the blonde answered shortly. He held his boyfriend's body tighter. "Zexion, please. This isn't funny anymore."

Xemnas's hand involuntarily clenched.

"What's going on?" Larxene asked again, softer. Crouching down to close Zexion's eyes and giving Demyx's shoulder one last squeeze, Xemnas turned to face his exorcists.

"Zexion performed a Possessio quod Discidium, and—" He stopped. Scrubbing a hand over his eyes, he took and deep breath. "And he—" He couldn't say it.

The rest of them knew, anyway.

"No…" Larxene breathed.

"Nein!" Marluxia squeezed his eyes shut, unashamed of the tears. One by one, the exorcists broke down. They had lost people before, yes, but never one so…close.

"Zexion…" Demyx whispered. "Get up. Please."

But Zexion didn't move.

"All right, everyone," Xemnas began. "Victor is gone. And while we have lost one of our own," he paused for a steadying breath, "he did it so that everyone else would be safe. We should honor him for that." There were murmurs of agreement.

"Xigbar, Xaldin," Saix said, "get Zexion."

"No," Demyx said definitively. "I've got him." And Demyx gently slung Zexion over his shoulder. He started toward the school.

Xemnas didn't stop him.

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The residents of Twilight Town were sympathetic to the loss of Zexion. But they were also exhausted. Out of form, Xemnas offered—rather, commanded—that they board at the school. He offered them no explanation of Zexion's death, just said that the school was safe. He left with that.

"Well," Cid started, "I guess we have no choice. We've been ordered to stay the night."

"Good," Naminé sighed. "I want to participate in the Ceremony of Souls." Naminé was referring to the right of the dead the exorcists performed. And while Zexion was not technically dead, they would be performing it for him tonight.

Naminé wanted to be there to support Demyx.

Cid nodded, and the atmosphere grew sad. To break the tension, Seifer spoke.

"Well, I think it's time we turned in. Come on, brat." He tugged Hayner along after him as he disappeared into the darkened doorway.

One by one, the group disappeared until only Naminé remained out on the lawn. She stared up at the stars for a long while. Breathing in deep, she closed her eyes.

"Zexion, you are gone. Why do I still feel you?"

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The line was grim and silent. They stood in order of joining, Xemnas at the head. Next to him stood Xigbar, Xaldin, Vexen, Lexeaus, Saix, Axel, Demyx, Luxord, Marluxia, Larxene, and finally, Roxas. They left a space where Zexion would have stood. On the other side on the table Zexion was laid out on stood Naminé. The room was lit by only one candle at the head of the table.

Everything was silent.

Then Demyx stepped out of his place next to Axel and walked to the table. He removed two roses from his cloak: one black and one red. He began to speak in his native tongue, the Spanish flowing smoothly, but sadly.

"Una rosa roja para mi amor que el destino me arrebato. Una rosa negra por su muerte y el dolor en este dia. Que su espiritu viaje con seguridad adonde descansara en paz por ultima vez. Esten en paz con lo que se lo llevo y pasen el ultimo examen. Aunque el ya no esta conmigo, mi amor por el sigue. Yo lo siguere pronto para estar adonde nosotros pertenecemos.1"

Naminé gasped and her head shot up. She knew full well what Demyx meant.

"Demyx. Por favor, no. El no quisiera esto.2"

Demyx sighed and laid his hand on Zexion's chest. He felt his love's heart beat softly and slowly on. His shoulders tensed as he bit back a sob. He turned and went back to the line.

One after another, the remaining exorcists approached the table. Each one laid a black rose on Zexion's unmoving body and whispered something in their own native tongue. This was to insure that the spirit would find peace no matter where he ended up.

"Forever in our hearts," Xemnas muttered.

"Je suis désolé.3" Xigbar whispered.

"Be at peace," Xaldin said.

"You'll be fine, kid," Vexen assured.

"You really know how to leave with a bang," Lexeaus sighed.

"You will be thought of," Saix said.

"Ja ne, Zexion-kun.4" Axel patted Zexion's hand sadly.

"до свидания.5" Luxord closed his eyes.

"Wir verfehlen Sie.6" Marluxia bowed his head.

"Il est difficile de croire que tu es parti,7" Larxene breathed.

Roxas approached the table last. For a long time, he just stood there. Finally, he spoke.

"out était de ma faute. Je suis désolé. Je te prie de me pardonner.8" He bowed low and rejoined the line. The ceremony went late into the night, each exorcist sharing stories about time spent with Zexion. Demyx remained quiet, just listening. It wasn't long before he retired to bed.

1 "A red rose for my love that fate has torn away. A black rose for his death and pain upon this day. May his spirit travel safely to where it at last will rest. Be at peace with that that took him and pass the final test. While he is no longer with me, my love for him goes on. I will follow quickly to where we both belong."

2 "Demyx. Please, no. He wouldn't want that."

3 "I'm sorry."

4 "See you, Zexion."

5 "Goodbye."

6 "We miss you."

7 "It's hard to believe that you're gone."

8 It was all my fault. I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

Oh dear. How sad. The next one gets better, I promise! Also, a big, BIG thank you to Pocket Rainbow, not only for the lovely comment, but the translation fix as well. Thanks so much!!!!!

Please review!