Hello my sweethearts ^^
This is the final chapter and I hope you have liked this story and if something is bothering you or you think I should change something, just comment and I'll see what I can do.
Now please enjoy
Normal pov
Sora kept the guests occupied but Roxas and Axel had been had gone a longer time than what would be needed to go to the store.
"Sora, how's it going with the lack of prize?" Riku asked.
"Roxas took Axel and left, but they should be back by now." Sora replied slightly anxious.
"Maybe they were caught up." Demyx butted in waggling his eyebrows.
"Yeah, perhaps." Sora said absentmindedly.
"I'll go look for them." Riku said and took his coat and put on his shoes then rushed outside into the cold snowy weather.
He ran down the road towards the grocery store as fast as he could, about halfway he saw something lying in the middle of the footway. As he got closer he saw Axel's fiery red hair among the snow lightly covering him.
"Axel!" Riku yelled speeding up.
Axel twitched and slowly woke feeling disoriented. He slowly moved his arms as Riku came to a halt and crouched down beside him.
"Axel, where is Roxas?"
Axel's eyes widened and he looked around him. He took off across the road where he vaguely remembered seeing Roxas disappear. His head was aching and his vision still a bit unclear as he looked around. He spotted something fluttering in the wind up ahead, when he got closer he saw that it was Roxas' scarf, but Roxas was nowhere to be seen.
"Someone took him." He said and whirled around looking at Riku.
"Then we must get in contact with Rufus." Riku's face was grave and he grabbed Axel, who looked desperate, confused and anxious, and dragged him toward the Strife house, the sweets forgotten on the footway.
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Roxas' pov
My head was pounding, I felt stiff and really uncomfortable. I groaned and opened my eyes slowly. I tried moving my arms but something kept them stuck. Only then did I realise that I was tied to a chair, sitting in a cold, damp, and dark room. The dress kept me warm around my legs because of the layer of skirts, but my shoulders were exposed to the cold causing me to shiver. There was a cloth covering my mouth preventing me from speaking, the only thing one could hear was incomprehensible muffled sounds. I did not wear a blindfold, which I was thankful for. I tried to discern where I was but it was almost too dark to see anything and I did not recognise the smells either. So, obviously I had been kidnapped, and since my head hurt, someone must have hit me. Axel was not here so he was either in another room or he was left behind, hopefully alive. Otherwise I would really have to kill these people. I could here people talking but I could not hear what they said. There was a sound of steps approaching, almost as if they were walking down a staircase, which would mean that I was downstairs and that the house at least had two floors, and since there were not any windows, it should logically be a basement. So a two-floor house was not necessary. The sound of steps came closer, and then the sound of a key turning, and then a door opened to my left and an old man stepped inside. He was slightly hunched as he walked over to me. The light from the doorway lit up the room showing dust and spider webs. On the floor there was an old carpet and on the opposite wall of the door was a tapestry, as dusty as the rest of the room. On the opposite side of me I could distinguish a desk of some sort, old was it and I saw hints of drawers.
"So, Roxas Strife, the youngest brat of the Strife household. My name is Xehanort Darkness and you've probably already heard of me" Xehanort spoke with a slightly raspy voice. "To think that you are the key to unlock the secrets in the diary." His yellow eyes, so similar to Xemnas', but filled with something dark. "Oh, I was beginning to wonder why you weren't speaking, but with this I guess that you can't." He said smiling and removed the cloth from my mouth. "There, now you should find it easier to speak." It was a relief when I could move my mouth again but I would not speak to him if I could avoid it. "You see Roxas," he continued. "I knew your father, even before you were born. He was a brilliant young man, and his wife the same. This journal was found but no one could read it. No one even knew what it was, but I did. I had come across similar symbols in the search for χ, the ultimate power." He looked into my eyes and found something there that he apparently found was worthy a laugh. "You do not seem to fully comprehend what I am telling you. Of course, you are also very young so how would you understand." The way he spoke was as if he saw me as an inferior being, something that he would wish to be gone, and by the fires of Ifrit was it annoying. "Now, I had come across the symbols before but I could not read them, nothing was like them. I couldn't find a structure, a meaning, or anything else, but then your parents found this journal and something else, something that showed how to read the symbols. I was ecstatic, finally a key to unlock the mystery. However, your parents wouldn't let me read it until they were finished and then an accident happened and the key was destroyed. Your parents were the only ones who could read the symbols now, of course I didn't know of this until rather recently. After all, I fell down a cliff and was presumed dead. It was highly infuriating that after all the trouble I went through to get rid of your parents and not even finding the journal, but then also know that the last two people who could decipher the symbols were now dead. How fortunate wasn't I when I heard that they had taught their child how to read them. The same child that was with them in the car 'accident'." He smirked and his eyes took a more insane and dangerous glint. "All I need for you now is to translate the journal for me."
"No." my mouth had moved on its own accord and the smirk on his face widened.
"I expected you to say that, so much like you mother and father. But if you don't agree I will have to force you, and that will be highly unpleasant. I'll give you some time to think." He said and left the room and I was once again shrouded in darkness.
I did not know what he would do to me if I refused again, but I also had a promise to keep. I could never tell anyone what I understood of the symbols. The fact that I could trick him and translate wrong, might work but if I messed up even one of the symbols Xehanort would probably notice and would he even let me go? I could only refuse again and hope that the others would find me. The sound of footsteps neared the room, had the time really gone by that fast? Xehanort walked inside the smirk in place.
"What is your answer?"
"Over my dead body." As soon as the words left my mouth he grabbed the back of my head in a painful grip.
"Now, now, don't be so eager. There will be others before you."
Xehanort walked over to the desk. He pulled out a drawer and I could see the light reflect in the many knives that lay there. He picked up a knife that had little edges almost like a saw.
"Do you know what's interesting with this knife?" He did not wait for me to answer before he continued. "You see, it doesn't do much damage when you put it in to a body, it's when you pull it out it does the real damage."
To empathize his point he stabbed me in the arm and the pulled it out. I wanted to scream because of the pain but I was too shocked by the fact that he had stabbed me to do so. The pain was unlike anything I have ever felt. My arm was burning but I clamped my mouth shut.
"I found this little beauty when I was 'dead', because you see it's much easier to get a person to talk if they are still alive. So I wont kill you, yet. But if you don't talk soon I might bring your boyfriend here. Because, love is such a liability and a weakness that I can't wait to exploit it."
He continued to talk as he carved symbols into my arm, the same symbols he wanted me to translate. The pain was overflowing and I could not do anything to stop it. Then he cleaned the knife and put it away.
"Now I will let these wounds heal, wouldn't want you to die from loss of blood." Xehanort smirked and grabbed my chin. "Have you changed your mind?" I glared and in a moment of stupidity I spat in his face. "Very well." He said and whipped his face. "I hope this will teach you a lesson." He released one of my arms and then twisted it until it broke. The scream that left my lips was tore through my throat and I tried to move only to be restrained. "Doesn't that feel pleasant?" Xehanort asked sounding amused. "Scream as loud as you want, there is no one here to help you." He left me alone in the dark. I was gasping for air and tears fell from my eyes.
"Please, Axel, hurry." The pain was too much and I fainted.
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Normal pov
The party had been cut short when Axel and Riku returned. They did not know exactly why it had ended but they knew that Roxas had gone missing. The ones who stayed were Seifer, Hayner, Demyx and Zexion. Reno was on the phone with Rufus who expanded the search for Xehanort's hideout and hopefully find Roxas there. Sephiroth had called old friends of his, who promised to help, as well as his cousins. Cloud had had to calm down Sora and then send him to his room with Riku to help him stay calm. Seifer, Hayner, Demyx, and Zexion had been updated on the situation. Demyx and Zexion decided to call Xemnas for help since he might know where Cloud had changed out of the dress into a pair of comfortable black trousers and a sleeveless black sweater. He was sitting in the living room, his head in his hands as he thought about Roxas and waited for more news. He knew it was useless to just search aimlessly and so opted to stay and wait for news and trust Sephiroth and Leon. He felt sorry for Axel who felt guilty over losing Roxas, "letting" him be kidnapped. But Cloud did not blame him for Roxas' disappearance; he blamed Xehanort for attacking his family. At the moment Axel and Leon were looking for traces to which direction the kidnappers might have gone. Cloud had not worried too much before regarding their parents' murder partly because he had put their parent's deaths behind him but also because he did not want it to be true. He had wanted everything to be over and for that reason he had not involved himself enough. Neither Sora nor Roxas had ever really been types for revenge, but Cloud was and now he wanted it. His parents he could ignore because he had another duty after their passing but his little brothers were out of the question, they were his to protect and no one would get away with it. However, it had been over an hour since he was taken and they were not moving forward. Sounds of engines came from outside and Sephiroth went to check. He returned with three men looking very similar to Sephiroth.
"These are my cousins," he gestured to the three silver haired men. "Loz," he pointed to the one with short silver hair. "Yazoo," the one with long silver hair and short fringe. "And Kadaj." The last one had shoulder length hair and a fringe covering almost half of his face.
They all introduced themselves and then Sephiroth took his cousins and went over a map and several possibilities on where Xehanort might have gone. Leon and Axel, whose head had been bandaged, returned but could only say that the kidnappers had taken the motorway but not in which direction.
"If there were any tracks, they are completely hidden by the snow. We will have to search both ways." Leon said and pointed out the road on the map.
"Okay. Loz, Kadaj, Yazoo, can you take a trip down the road." Sephiroth asked his cousins.
"Sure, Yazoo and I will go up the road since it splits into a smaller road, and Loz will go down. We will need your numbers so we can call if we find something. Also, does anyone have a bike?" Kadaj asked looking around and then stopped at Cloud who raised his hand in affirmative. "Good, prepare it and be on stand by when we call."
Kadaj, Yazoo and Loz wrote down the numbers and then grabbed their helmets and left. Cloud went to the garage and began checking his bike over. Sephiroth gave him the key to his house since it was closer to the motorway and he could leave faster. Leon and Rude went with him so they could communicate easier and keep an eye on Cloud if Xehanort's men would return. First he made sure that Sora was fine. He sat with Riku. Demyx and Zexion stayed in the same room keeping them company. Xemnas had said that he would look for places where Xehanort would go and aided Rufus. Axel wanted to follow but he was told to stay with Reno but he was allowed to follow when they had a direction. Mostly because Reno had trained Axel in self-defense, he was also good at street fighting, and if something else were to happen and Roxas would need support. After Reno had spoken to Rufus he checked in for information from other teams but came up with nothing. He was speaking lowly with Sephiroth when Xemnas called him.
"I have checked all his normal locations and estates, but he isn't there and I don't think he is foolish enough to stay in those places anyway."
"Have you got anything else then, yo?"
"Yes, he had a friend he often talked to and had a similar mind as him. Hojo, was his name and I have found an estate which his family owns but no one has lived in it. Rufus updated me on the route Xehanort's men might have taken and if you follow the motorway to northeast and then to the right there is a road through the forest, follow it and follow it and then there should be an opening and you will pass it. But if they are there, tread very carefully."
They finished the call and Reno went back to the map, he searched map and saw the road Xemnas had been talking about.
"It's the road Kadaj chose to take." Reno said and turned to Axel. "Yo, Axel, call Cloud and tell him to head to," He checked the name of the area. "Keyblade Graveyard, the same road Kadaj took, and tell them to be careful." Axel nodded and went into the living room to make the call.
"This place…" Sephiroth said lowly looking intently at the map. "This is very close to where they were killed."
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Roxas' pov
I opened my eyes to see a candelabrum on a small table by the tapestry. I had not seen the table there before, maybe they moved it in while I was unconscious or I just overlooked it. My arm was aching and stinging. I looked down and saw that they were bandaged, so they had to have come in while I "slept". Steps echoed from behind the door and I felt fear, I could not control how my body trembled and my wounds seemed to ache even more. My heart was pounding too hard, the sound of the steps intensified and the closer they got the more labored became my breathing. The doorknob turned and the door opened slowly, creaking, and revealed Xehanort.
"I see you have awakened. Good, good, then let's start again shall we?" He smiled and walked over to the desk. "Now, will you translate this for me?"
He held up the journal, a simple book filled with knowledge. Knowledge that could only be revealed by someone who understands, someone who has that knowledge, and that knowledge is what took me here. That journal is the reason everything happened. I have never despised anything as I did that book.
"You can stuff it up your arse because I will tell you nothing." An unexplained fury rose in me, hate took over my senses and if I were free I would surely attack him.
"That darkness in your eyes is marvelous, but perhaps you have a bit too much spirit in you still. Usually beating the fight out of you would be quicker and more common, but I find it a barbaric method, vulgar and primitive. Why blemish the skin with bruises when the blood, that beautiful red liquid, will trickle down the skin. It is such a spectacular sight." He smirked and brought forth a new, different knife, with no teeth. He also brought the small table with the candelabra closer. "Now, I will avoid cutting through you… much. I wonder how you will react to heat?"
Xehanort held the knife over one of the lit candles then brought it to my skin and pressed it close. The pain was not too difficult to handle but that might be because of the numbness in my arms.
"It seems you need a reminder of pain." He said suddenly and then pressed at my broken arm and embedded the knife in my thigh.
The scream tore through my throat before I could stop it. I thrashed in the chair and toppled over bumping into the table. Xehanort sighed, took out the knife and then stepped hard on the wound. I knew that he was saying something but the pain was ringing in my ears and in my eyes there were tears almost overflowing. Xehanort grabbed the chair and pulled me up, then put his fingers around my neck, squeezing.
"Now, how is your answer?"
"I'm… g'na kill you." I bit out through the pain. The smirk on Xehanort's face disappeared and he glowered. "Maybe I should be more forceful, one bruise will never hurt." He slammed his fist into my belly and I gasped for breath. "If you do not agree next time, I will fetch your brothers and maybe they will help me convince you." He walked out the door and slammed it shut. The lack of air in my lungs made me feel lightheaded and I tried to move again only to fall over hitting my head on the table and accidently causing the candelabrum to fall to the floor, still burning and the carpet began to smoke.
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Normal pov
Cloud stood with Kadaj and Yazoo at the edge of the forest, looking at the house. They were waiting for the others to arrive before they would move closer. They had seen several guards walking the grounds, and there would probably be more inside. Yazoo had walked around the grounds and memorised the surroundings and where the guards walked. While waiting for Reno and Sephiroth they made a few guesses on where Roxas would be in the house. Reno and Sephiroth, along with Axel, Rude, Leon, and two new people. Sephiroth introduced them as Genesis Rhapsodos and Angeal Hewley. Xemnas had sent Luxord, Xaldin and Lexaeus to stay with Sora, Riku, Zexion and Demyx, Hayner and Seifer so nothing would happen to them while the others were gone, though Seifer would be able to handle himself. Kadaj informed them on the situation and Yazoo went over the surroundings and how many guards he had seen. He also reported that he had seen Xehanort walk in and out of a door, seemingly leading downstairs, possibly a basement but he was not sure. They were all prepared with their own weapons Sephiroth, Angeal, and Genesis all had swords of different kinds, as well as Cloud. Sephiroth had a very long katana, Angeal a great buster sword, and Genesis a rapier. Cloud had brought his own broadsword. Rude had a gun but preferred to use his fists while Reno had a rod. Leon and Yazoo had different types of gunblades and Loz had a sort of gauntlet and a handgun while Kadaj had a katana with two parallel blades. Axel had brought his chakrams but he would only use them if he had to.
"Now, Kadaj, you will clear the way into the house for Cloud and Axel. Axel you'll be careful, stay out of the way, don't fight unnecessarily. Kadaj and Cloud will handle the enemies, you should just focus on Roxas. Make it to the basement, it's highly likely that Roxas will be there." Sephiroth said looking at Axel who nodded in understanding. "Good. Leon will stay here and keep watch. Reno and Rude, you will stay close for backup and eliminate any stray targets around the grounds. Yazoo, Loz, you will climb and enter the attic and cover the areas from top to bottom. Angeal, Genesis and I will take out the guards and clear the way to the house, we'll use the backdoor." Sephiroth finished.
"'Infinite in mystery is the gift of the goddess we seek it thus, and take to the sky. Ripples form on the water's surface the wandering soul knows no rest.'" Genesis cited (to the confusion of the others but those who knew him understood his ritual) before moving along with the others.
They all moved to their positions and swiftly made their way to the house. Sephiroth, Genesis and Angeal worked quietly and efficiently. They did not kill the guards unless they were trying to raise alarm or tried to kill them. Yazoo and Loz climbed fast up the wall to the window in the attic and pried it open. When the path was free to the window at the back Cloud and Axel made their way inside with Kadaj covering their backs. Then the alarm went and gunshots were heard. From then on everything passed in a blur. Kadaj and Cloud fought of the oncoming threats and Loz and Yazoo could be heard moving around from upstairs. Axel was the one who noticed that the air became dry. He sniffed the air and smelt smoke. Something was burning.
"Where is the basement?" Axel asked Kadaj who was closer.
"I'll take you to it."
Kadaj grabbed Axel's arm and forced his way where Yazoo had said he had seen the door. Then a sudden shot was heard and Kadaj gripped his shoulder, searching for the shooter. To their right by a door, where smoke was coming from, stood Xehanort.
"So you've come this close, bravo." He smirked.
Cloud fixed his eyes on him and then charged. Xehanort brought forth a weird looking blade and met him head on. Kadaj and Axel sprinted to the door and wrenched it open. A billow of smoke and fire erupted from the opening; Axel did not hesitate and ran through it down the stairs. Kadaj was kept occupied to keep people from entering and make sure no one interrupted Cloud in his fight.
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Roxas' pov
It was too warm, too hard to breathe and I was too tired to move. I was out of reach to the fire that had spread from the candle to the carpet, and from the carpet to the tapestry and the table and the desk. I heard sounds from upstairs, different sounds, not the sounds that were usually present. I tried not to breathe in the smoke but it was difficult, luckily I was on the floor and the smoke was not as heavy there. However, I still could not move. My arm was searing with pain and my belly was pounding. I felt faint and I was afraid. I wanted to go home. I wanted to see everyone again. The fire was climbing to the ceiling and began eating at the wood. I could only stare at the beautiful colours and mesmerising movements. Suddenly the door opened and I stared at two figures at the entrance. The sudden gush of air fed the fire and the smoke sought its way to the opening. One of the figures entered and soon I saw two poisonous green gems looking back at me. Axel.
"Roxas!" I heard him say and I tried to smile but I could feel it was faint.
He moved quickly over to where I was and began untying me, mindful of my bandaged arms. He took a look at the blood stained skirt where Xehanort had stabbed me and his eyes narrowed. When I was free I tried to stand but my leg hurt too much and I was just too tired. Axel tried to lift me but the skirt was too big so he tore of the excessive fabric and then carried me up the steps. The fire was spreading much more quickly now as it had more oxygen. He moved fast despite carrying me but with all of Xehanort's people and those I could recognize as Sephiroth's cousins and Cloud. Cloud was exchanging blows with Xehanort and a guy with shoulder length silver hair was keeping those coming at him occupied.
"Kadaj, Cloud! The house is on fire!" Axel shouted at the two.
Kadaj, Sephiroth's cousin, tried to make a way for us to go but he was suddenly thrown into the opposite wall. We came face to face with a guy who had a similar haircut like Sora but his colour was darker and another with a white coat.
"You will pay for that!"
Another guy with silver, but short, hair came running down and attacked the older insane-looking Sora copy. The one with longer silver hair went to Kadaj who was kneeling on the ground clutching his shoulder. I turned my gaze back to the man in lab-coat who pointed a gun at Axel.
"I cannot let you leave. You see, I need him to read the journal since I need the clues from it in order to find χ."
"Why do you want it anyway?" Axel asked while looking around for an escape.
"Once a scientist, always a scientist, I must say. What other purpose is there? Of course, I cannot let that Hollander steal my glory." The man smirked, his glasses glinting in the light of the spreading fire.
"Now…" suddenly a shot rang out and the man fell to the ground.
"You should have learned not to speak too much Hojo." A tall man with dark hair, held up by a red bandana, wearing a red cloak over black clothing, stepped up from behind us. "I will take you out of here."
It was the only thing he said before walking away. Axel followed him quickly and finally I could breathe again. Axel and the mystery man lead the way toward the forest. I could faintly see Leon, Rufus, and his two guards coming to meet us, but I was too tired, I just wanted to sleep and when they put me on the ground I could not stay awake.
OoooOoooOoooOoooOoooOoooO
I opened my eyes staring at a white ceiling and I knew I was in a hospital… again. I felt sort of numb and when I tried to move it was very slow. A face surrounded by red appeared in front of my face and I almost wanted to hit him.
"You're awake Roxy, welcome back." Axel said, smiling brightly.
"Yes, and you're too close." I smiled tiredly.
"It's just great to see you. How do you feel?"
"Like I've been punched, stabbed and stripped out of my skirt." Axel chuckled at the last part.
"And I really enjoyed doing it, such a pity the setting wasn't right."
"Hello, Roxas. Good to see you awake." Came a voice from the doorway.
Rufus, Reno, Cloud, Leon and Sephiroth entered, looking good apart from a few bruises and cuts.
"Hello." I waved. "Is everything sorted now?"
"Xehanort is dead and his accomplices have been apprehended. We were lucky that Vincent came and helped you out safely." Rufus answered as Cloud sat down by the bed and began fixing my hair.
"The cool mystery guy in red?"
"Yes, he's an old friend of Cloud's apparently. Anyway, the journal has been recovered and it has been moved to a safe location, you can have it if you want." Rufus offered but I shook my head.
"I would rather not have it, maybe someday in the future, but not now."
"As you wish. I'm glad you are alright, but I have a few convictions to attend to, I will see you another day." He said and left, his bodyguards from outside following.
"Yes, and you should focus on getting better now so you can come home to Sora's 'welcome home' party. It's only the closest." Cloud reassured when he saw my panicked face. "Now, Leon and I will get the nurse to check up on you and see when you can get home." Cloud kissed me on the forehead then took Leon's hand and left.
"You know, I'm thinking of getting a leash and collar." Axel said looking at the door.
"Oh, you're getting a dog?" I was quite curious but also suspicious.
"No, for you so you won't wander of to who knows where." He exclaimed. "I'm going to get white hair before I'm even thirty because of you." I couldn't help but snicker at him.
"I'm sorry I won't do it again."
"You better not." He pouted.
"You know, you haven't given me a good morning kiss yet." Axel smirked and moved closer.
"I haven't have I, well it's not morning but I guess I can make an exception."
"No sex in the hospital." Came Cloud's voice from the doorway.
"Naw, you ruined our fun." Axel said with a teasing tilt in his voice as I groaned at the interruption.
"I'm not having sex until I'm married unlike you." Cloud spluttered and turned red.
"Be quiet you fiend." Was his lame retort.
"Sure, sure."
"I guess I have to get a few jobs now." Axel sighed.
"What, why?"
"Well, if I'm going to marry you I will need an appropriate ring."
"You would wait that long… wait, you would marry me?" I was dumbstruck and Axel did not even look like he was joking.
"Of course, though it will be in a few years, at least two-three years."
"Really?"
"Really, really, and I can't wait to see you in your wedding dress." Axel smirked lecherously.
"You, you stupid wanker!" Axel laughed but then smiled gently.
"I wasn't kidding about marrying you. I will love you for a nine-hundred-and-ninety-nine years, eleven months, thirty days, fifty-nine minutes, fifty-nine seconds so if you'll love me for even one more second, we'll love for a thousand years"
My eyes were not moistening because of tears; it was because I got something in my eye and anyone who said otherwise would get to know my foot on their toes.
"You really are ridiculous."
"We will love for longer than forever and you better commit it to memory, Roxy." Axel smiled and tapped his head.
"Yeah, I got it memorized." I smiled. "But I want a gold ring with a huge diamond and emeralds." I said teasingly.
Axel groaned but with a smile on his face. My life was finally moving forward and I did not want to stop.
The End
So, this is the end of this story, however, if there is an additional part that you want to see in this story just tell me ^^
Farewell for now :)
またね!
