Warnings: Language and people being weirdos.
Disclaimer: What? You thought I owned Kingdom Hearts? That's either a complement, or you're just not the brightest crayon in the box…
Axel looked up at the approaching priests and raised an eyebrow, his hand gently stroking the bird hiding in his hair.
"Saïx, Xemnas? What is it?"
The silver haired man stopped beside him and crossed his arms, looking as serious and devoid of emotion as always.
"Still playing with that bird, my lord?" Xemnas' tone was almost sarcastic, causing the young emperor to roll his eyes.
"Yes, and his name is Roxas, by the way." Axel sighed and stood up, the golden bird on his shoulder squeaking in surprise at the movement, "Why are you both here? Has something happened?"
Unless he went to the temple, the redhead never saw the two men together. Saïx was usually busy on errands or tending to the temple itself, and only gods knew what Xemnas did with all his free time.
"Some prisoners have escaped. We came here to inform you, and get your help in recovering them."
The emperor's blood ran cold, and his eyes widened. "Escaped? What do you mean, how could they have? How many?"
Xemnas shook his head gravely, "Twenty three. An entire cell empty. As to how they had gotten out, I can only assume one had stolen a guard's dagger and broke themselves and the others free. They killed twenty guards and escaped to the jungles. We must send a search party out at once before the jungle's beasts get to them, or they get farther away. I do not think I have to explain to you how important each one is."
Axel shook his head and moved his hand up to gently grab the golden feathered bird, pulling him off and setting him down on the bench.
"I'm sorry little Roxas, I'll see you tomorrow. I have to work."
The red head smiled softly at the bird when it cocked its head and hopped closer to him. The emperor wanted to stay and listen to his bird sing for him, but he was needed elsewhere.
Axel started to walk away, and his Roxas squeaked after him, but didn't follow.
'Bye…' Sora thought sadly before tweeting softly and flying off into the forest.
"We need to hunt down Xigbar first. The freaking bastard could be anywhere though, and we don't have time to waste." The emperor was clearly more focused then he had been throughout the entire process that went into the ritual, and Xemnas was silently impressed, while Saïx glanced back at the retreating bird, watching it fly away before he refocused his attentions on the two men he was following.
"From where did the prisoners escape from?" Axel asked quickly as he strode into the palace.
"By the trail of blood that led out of the temple, I'd guess to the east." Xemnas growled slightly. "Those damn fools only thinking of themselves. Their blood belongs to the gods, and yet they willingly throw it onto the ground and waste it."
Axel shook his head as he walked through the hallways. "They will receive their punishments from the gods when they meet them."
Saïx grunted, "We should punish them, after all the trouble they have started."
"It is not our place to give punishments on this scale. Only the gods can create a punishment to fit this crime." The sliver haired man scolded his apprentice.
Axel grabbed a servant by the arm and jerked the surprised man closer.
"Do you know where the commander is?" The emperor growled at the dark skinned servant who was shaking a little in fear of the angry ruler.
"He-he's on the training grounds, my lord, last I heard, s-sir…"
The redhead pushed the man into the wall and, with a gruff "Thank you," he started to walk to the opposite side of the palace to where the training grounds were, Xemnas and Saïx following closely behind.
They made it too the training grounds in record time, the emperor striding ahead of the other two, his irritation radiating off his body as he walked across the fields.
The training ground was just a large field their warriors trained in. From spears to arrows, they trained every day to honor the gods and to help expand their empire.
Many of the warriors that had been training paused to look at the three men. To get any high rank in their culture, one must have been a great warrior as well as good at their position. To say that each man that passed the warriors had earned their position would have been an understatement, and each man dropped whatever he was doing, and fell to one knee as they were passed.
Axel passed the men with little thought and walked right to the large stone built building that sat at the edge of the fields, Xemnas and Saïx following close behind him.
The sound of fighting came from inside the building, as well as the sound of cheering and betting. The emperor shook his head and walked in.
"Xigbar!"
Everyone in the room froze and looked at the emperor and the priests standing in the door way.
On the ground two men had frozen in an awkward position, a man with black and white hair, and a young looking recruit with dark brown hair. The younger warrior was caught in between the other man's legs, his arm being pulled back in a more-than-likely painful way.
"What?" Xigbar asked, raising an eyebrow as he sat on top of the youth.
Xigbar, the commander of the army, and was someone Axel spent a lot of time with, was a tall man with greying black hair, streaks of white mixing with the black. His face held one large scar that started from his nostril and ended below his chin, and he was missing on eye, the scar hidden behind a piece of cloth tied around his head.
"Stop whatever it is you're doing and come here. Lexaeus, you too." Axel snapped to Xigbar and a large man with reddish brown hair leaning alone against a wall.
The two men looked at each other and both shrugged. Lexaeus shrugged off the wall and Xigbar released the youth he'd been wrestling.
Axel took a few steps back as the large second-in-command walked out of the building and was quickly followed by the commander.
"Alright Red, what do we have going on that's so damn important, I wasn't allowed to snap that squirts arm?" Xigbar grumbled, crossing his arms, Lexaeus crossing his arms, silently asking what was wrong in his way.
"Prisoners have escaped. Prisoners meant for the ritual." Xemnas growled to Xigbar, glaring down at him condescendingly.
The man's one good eye widened. "Are you serious? How many? Did they get shot?"
"Twenty three. And, no. They didn't get shot. They killed all the guards before that could have happened." The silverette rolled his eyes.
"This will not stand! I'll have those little bastards gutted and skinned!" The commander yelled angrily. "Teach 'em what happens when you mess with my warriors!"
"My lord! Emperor Axel!" Everyone turned their head and watched as a slave came running up to them, his skin dark from working in the sun, and his hair was cut short. When he made it too the group, he dropped his hands to his knees and tried to catch his breath. After a moment, he finally had enough air to speak.
"My lord! Some… Some odd things have arrived at the palace, and the merchant bringing the strange things says they've been ordered from the palace…Is he telling the truth?"
The slave looked up at him, frowning slightly.
Nothing was said for a moment as all eyes rested on Axel. A small grin broke out onto the red head's face.
"Yes. Yes he's telling the truth."
I'm so sorry for all the drama this chapter has caused! I blame school! Let's blow it up! KIDDING. Anyways, the updating schedule will return to normal for now... And I'm a little sad... It's been a month that I've been writing this story, and it'll becoming to an end soon... We'll see how long this baby wants to drag out, but at least it's been a fun ride :D
Reviewer Response:
Akio F:
Hi Ana! :D I love you! :3
Raven:
You...I love you. You sarcastic little weirdo, I love you. Thank you for reviewing. :)
Formidable Rain:
I'm sorry it's confusing, I promise if you just stick through a little longer all the confusion will be worth it! Thank you for reviewing! And I'm sorry I brought your hopes up before...
P5hng-Me-A'Wy:
I FREAKING LOVE YOU :'D Thank you for being understanding and for being awesome and drawing for this story. It really is you awesome people that keep me going. Thank you so much!
dutchess . farfie:
Thank you for reviewing! I'm so happy you liked this story! Thank you so much!
Russiada:
You? Annoying? Please, I love when my phone beeps at me and I look and it's a review. It always makes my day, and it's even better when it's a review from someone who's been reviewing since the begining. I'm so happy that you still like this story! Thank you so much for your dedication! I love you! :)
Lani Carmine:
Thank you for reviewing! :D And you'll just have to wait and see, Muahahahhaha...
Dolly-D-Mushroom:
I loved your fanart! It literally blew my mind, and the minds of my friends! And, are you sure? Is Saix your final pick? Muahahah... You'll just have to wait and see who this crazy mad man is... Of course, I already know. And thank you for being so understanding. You're just awesome :)
randomscreamfest:
No tears, beta. All is well again. :D
Review. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. DO IT. Or else...Or else you'll get the curse of the crazy antagonistic stalker! You don't want this curse! CLICK THE BUTTON.