AN: Bit of a filler chapter to get us ready for the big fight. Lots of POV switches as we go through everyone's thoughts about what's coming.
Demyx waited nervously. He had never been much of a fighter, but he didn't want to let his friends down. He watched as Zexion wove his spell, admiring the way his voice flowed so easily through the words.
I should get him to sing for me when this is over.
We can sing together.
He chuckled to himself glancing over the rest of the group. He had no doubts that they would win and that he would spend the rest of his life with the blue haired magician.
We'll make a party of it.
He replied to S'phir, and she laughed with him.
Xaldin stood quietly, arms folded across his chest. He appeared perfectly calm, but it hid the turmoil he felt inside. He feared for Luxord's fate at the tyrants hands, and silently prayed that his love still lived.
We will make Saix pay if he was harmed.
He blinked and felt a feral grin spread across his face.
Oh yes we will.
He answered the dragon, glad that L'Aar was with him. The dragon chuckled and he could hear the large toothy grin in it.
Xigbar was pacing, waiting impatiently for his turn. His eyes moved flicking over his companions, and coming to rest on the pink haired man talking quietly with Lexaeus.
Something you like there, Cyclops.
He snorted at Ar'Kbon's voice in his head and ran a hand over his face.
Just admiring the goods, Sparky.
They laughed together, exchanging a few more good natured insults.
Axel stood quietly to one side, his hand still firmly gripping the blonde's beside him. He eyed the rest of their group. Lex and Marly were talking quietly, seemingly unaware of the way Xigbar was hungrily eyeing the pink haired man.
{Looks like Patches found something he likes.}
Demyx was smiling sappily at Zexion, with big doey eyes.
{Still can't believe he fell for that snobby midget.}
Xaldin was standing off by himself, the feral looking grin sending a shiver up the red-heads spine.
{Probably imagining the ways he's gonna maim Saix.}
He felt a swat on his arm and turned to look at Roxas.
"What?"
Roxas glared at him, and he blinked in confusion until the smaller man tapped his temple.
{I can hear you.}
He grinned sheepishly and shrugged.
"Would you rather I was fretting about all the ways this could go wrong? And how we're all gonna die?"
He laughed at the look on the blonde's face and gave him a quick kiss on the forehead.
"Don't worry so much, it'll be fine. We still have plenty of nights like last night ahead of us."
Roxas snorted and gave him a playful shove. Axel hugged him close resting his chin on the others spiky head. He didn't want the blonde to know how scared he truly felt, how much he feared never being able to hold him like this again.
I would speak with you, privately.
He blinked at the dragon's voice and nuzzled into the blonde hair, before stepping away.
"I'll be right back."
Roxas gave him a nod and he walked away. Since everyone was gathered outside he stepped inside, finding an empty room and locking the door. He took one of his sharper lock picks from his hair and pricked his finger, smearing the blood over the mark on his arm.
Fire poured from the mark, swirling in front of him and forming into a dragon with orange red scales, dark red fur running down its spine to its tail and two long furry whiskers from its face, of the same dark red as the fur. He grinned and gave the dragon a nod.
"Glad you taught us that trick. So what did you suddenly need to talk about?"
P'rexen snorted and returned the red-heads grin with his own very toothy one. The fur rippled and the dragon walked slowly around Axel.
"It is time the eighth was destroyed for good. There is only one way, and it is not easy."
Axel listened patiently as the dragon explained.
Roxas was starting to worry. Axel had been gone for quite awhile and Zexion had already transported the third group. Their group was next and the red-head only had about two minutes to get back. He glared as Xigbar made a comment about 'cold feet'. Axel returned with less than a minute to go and quietly took Roxas' hand. He wanted to ask what was going on, but there was no time as Zexion's spell engulfed them and they were standing by the edge of the lake.
He led the way with Axel, around the lake to where water poured from the side of the castle. No one spoke and all faces were deadly serious. Marluxia grew a ladder of vines up to the opening and they all began to climb. Once inside, Demyx moved the water out of the way to make travel easier and they swiftly made their way up to the dungeons.
Roxas gave Xaldin a sympathetic look as he caught the man checking the cells they passed. All of them empty. The group moved silently through the castle, headed toward the throne room. The sounds of battle from outside, echoing dimly through the halls. The place was eerily quiet for a castle under siege, and they gathered outside the doors of the throne room. Exchanging quick nods and steeling themselves for the fight ahead, they pushed open the doors.
A/N 2: Life has not been kind, until recently. I finally got a job, an awesome one too, and everything is looking up. This means I have the energy to write again and my inspiration is flowing. Enjoy this chapter, I know it's a little short, and see you soon for the big fight scene.