A/N: Here's an update. :)

Thanks for reading/reviews/etc.

Disclaimer: I don't own KH or Square Enix, unfortunately. :(

Chapter 27: Playing With Fire

(Sora's POV)

Location: 13th floor

Axel wore a devious smile upon his face as the flames engulfed the room. He pulled out his chakrams and gave them a spin in my direction. They flew towards me at an astonishing speed and nearly hit me. I dodged them on cue and reciprocated his attack with a swing of my blade. He fell back and caught his weapons as they returned to him. Smoke billowed up from the ground and created a foggy haze, making it hard to see. Axel leapt into the fire and disappeared from my view. Moments later, he lunged toward me in a sneak attack. I jumped out of the way and he retalliated by moving in closer. He struck me in the chest and the force of the impact sent me tumbling across the tiled floor.

I watched in awe as the inferno swirled out of control. I regained balance and healed myself with seconds to spare. Axel directed his fire at me and I rushed out of the way, a little too late. I winced as the flames licked my arm. I momentarily ignored the pain to initiate a combo attack on my rival. He stumbled and fell backwards into the wall. His disoriented body slumped over and slid to the floor with a thud.

I used ice against him and his anger flared like a wildfire. The red-haired assassin jumped to his feet quickly and unleashed a series of powerful attacks. He covered himself with a fiery shield and rushed towards me, knocking me over a couple of times. He moved in synch with the blazes and threw his weapons with scary accuracy. However, his improved fighting techniques weren't enough to stop me. I fought valiantly and it paid off in the end. He fell sharply to his knees and glanced coolly at me with his piercing emerald eyes. I gazed with astonishment as the flames slowly devoured him. Soon, he vanished completely and the room returned to a state of normalcy.

Marluxia had escaped during the battle, with Namine as his prisoner. I stand alone in the middle of the silent hallway. A million questions float through my mind. What do I do now? What if Marluxia hurt Namine while I was fighting Axel? Is Marluxia waiting beyond this door? Or is it a trap? Axel said that I was a pawn. What if he's right? What if this is one of their tricks and I'm merely a player in Marluxia's game?

A noise distracts me from my thoughts. A second later, Axel is standing before me like a phoenix reborn from the ashes. He says with a smirk, "you're better than I thought."

"Yeah, and I thought I defeated you."

He blatantly ignores me and rambles on about things that confuse me even more.

"Saving you wasn't such a bad decision, after all."

"You didn't save me," I mutter, "what are you talking about?"

"I would tell you," he laughs, "but then I'd have to kill you."

"Just tell me, I don't have time for your riddles."

"I'd hate to kill the suspense for you."

"Axel, tell me now."

"I don't think so," he chimes, "maybe some other time."

He summons a portal and exits the room quicker than I can call him back.

I stand alone once again. Suddenly, I have an epiphany of sorts. I realize that I'm wasting my time. I can't wait around or contemplate anymore. The rest of my journey awaits and it looks like the only option is to proceed. Namine needs me and I said that I would always be there to defend her. If this is a trap, I'll face my demise with honor. So, I approach the door and brace myself for what lies ahead.

It's time to finish this.