Chapter 25 Castle Oblivion

A week later, Axel finds himself in his seat in the Round Room, trying not to show his nerves to the Yellow-Eyes minus Xemnas seated with him. He has forced his body into a feigned relaxed position, but no matter how hard he tries, he can't get his shoulders to lose their tension.

If he had a heart, it would be pounding now. This is it. His last shot to get on the Yellow-Eyes good side and figure out what secrets they are keeping.

At the woosh of a dark corridor, he looks up to see Xemnas has appeared in his seat, his face as devoid of emotion as ever. Axel sits up a bit straighter at his appearance. He doubts Xemnas will be telling him anything more about his mission to search Castle Oblivion, but he can always hope.

Xemnas' eyes sweep the room, taking note of all the Yellow-Eyes and Axel waiting silently for him. He lets the silence stretch on a moment longer then says to Axel, "It is time for you to begin your mission."

Axel inclines his head slightly and glances left, feeling eyes on him. It's Saix glaring at him, but the blue haired man drops his gaze to his shoes when Axel raises an eyebrow at him.

Axel returns his attention to Xemnas who says, "You will not be the only one in Castle Oblivion. Marluxia, Vexen, Larxene, and Zexion have a separate mission there. You are not to interfere with them."

Axel manages to keep his face blank as he nods his understanding, but his mind is racing. This is the first he has heard of this second mission. If Zexion had known he'd been assigned it, he would have told Axel already.

"Report in immediately once you find something," Xemnas says.

"Right. Something," Axel mutters under his breath. If Xemnas hears him, he ignores it.

"You may go now."

With one last glance at Saix who is back to staring at him, Axel summons a dark corridor and disappears into it. His first intention is to head straight to Castle Oblivion, but some instinct takes him in a different direction. There is someone he has to see first.

…

Roxas looks hesitantly up and down the empty white corridor before reaching out and knocking lightly on the door Axel had told him was Zexion's. In the past week he has been avoiding the slate haired teen. After all Zexion's talk of hearts and feelings, Roxas had been wrestling with the ideas Zexion had put in his mind, but he has worked up the courage to ask Zexion the questions still on his mind.

The door opens and Roxas is surprised to see Demyx in the doorway. "Oh," Roxas says. "I'm sorry. I thought this was Zexion's room."

Demyx, whose face had lit up in a smile as soon as he opened the door, grins wider. "This is Zexion's room. Zex!" He calls over his shoulder. "Roxas is here."

As he talks, Demyx opens the door wider and Roxas slowly walks in, spotting Zexion sitting in a armchair with a fat book open in his lap titled A Complete History of Kingdom Hearts, the X-blade, and It's Mysterious Wielders. Seeing him enter, Zexion neatly marks his page and turns to Roxas with a small smile. "Hello Roxas."

"Uh, hi," Roxas says, finding himself looking at his shoes. Now that he is here, he doesn't know what he is going to say.

Zexion and Demyx wait for him to say something, but when he doesn't, Zexion prompts him. "Did you have something you wanted to talk about?"

The bed creaks slightly as Demyx sits down and then sprawls out. He rolls on his side so he can see Roxas. Glancing from Demyx to Zexion, Roxas says hesitantly, "I wanted to ask you about the other night at Beast's Castle."

Zexion nods expectantly. "I expected you would have some questions. Ask away."

Roxas glances at Demyx. He knows talking about having emotions is taboo for Nobodies, but Zexion doesn't ask Demyx to leave so Roxas decides it must be okay to talk in front of him.

"I think you're right about feelings," Roxas says in a rush. "I know I don't remember who I was before being a Nobody and I don't know what it's like to have a heart, but I think I do feel things. Just…" He hesitates, but takes a deep breath and continues. "You said Nobodies can only feel strong emotions, but I...I think...I might…"

"You feel more than you should," Zexion says, shrewdly.

"Yeah," Roxas says, surprised. "How did you know?"

"After speaking with Belle, you reacted more strongly to her story than I had anticipated," Zexion says, a lost-in-thought look on his face. "Feeling emotions is one thing, but feeling empathy, especially for someone you just met, I would never have thought was possible without a heart."

A strange look crosses Zexion's face and Roxas asks him, "What is it?"

Zexion looks up as if studying the ceiling and in a slow voice says, "...Nothing." He blinks and turns his head to Roxas. "Nothing," he says again. He still has a bit of a strange look on his face. " I was just thinking, but…"

He trails off and Roxas glances at Demyx, wondering if this is normal, but Demyx is frowning. "Zex?" Demyx says, sitting up.

Zexion however is deep in thought again. Demyx starts to get up, mouth opening to say something, but before he can, the door opens and Axel enters without asking, shutting the door behind him with a slam.

"Good, you're all here," Axel says glancing around the room. His gaze rests briefly on Roxas before he turns to Zexion. "My mission is starting."

That seems to jar Zexion out of his thoughts as his eyes alight with excitement. "Your mission with the Yellow-Eyes?" He asks.

Axel nods and feeling a bit lost, Roxas asks, "What mission?"

"You know the Yellow-Eyes? Xemnas, Xigbar, Rexick, Marluxia, and Saix," Axel says, counting them off on his fingers as he sits down on the edge of the bed. "They want me to be part of the gang so I'm playing along and taking a mission to Castle Oblivion to get on their good side."

"Oh," Roxas says, unsure. The politics of the Organization still confuse him. "What are you doing at Castle…?"

"Oblivion," Axel repeats. "Don't know really. They're still hiding a lot, but if I can get on their inside, I might be able to dig up their dirty secrets."

"How long did they give you?" Demyx asks.

"As long as it takes, I guess," Axel says with a shrug. "They didn't say when they wanted me to report back, but I should go. I'm supposed to be there now." He starts to get up, but Zexion stops him.

"Before you depart, I need to talk to you, Axel," Zexion says. Without waiting for a reply he walks out the door, leaving it open for Axel to follow.

Axel glances at Roxas and Demyx who both shrug then gets to his feet. He finds Zexion in the hallway outside of the room, waiting with his arms crossed and tugging on the end of his hair hanging over his eye. Axel holds back a groan. Zexion always tugs on his hair like that when he has a new idea he is dying to talk someone's ear off about.

"Axel," Zexion says, his voice slow and calculated. "I need you to suspend your disbelief for a moment and look at the facts."

Axel knows Zexion doesn't mean to be condescending, but he can't help but scowl at his words. "And what disbelief is that?"

"Hearts," Zexion says and Axel's scowl deepens.

"If this is another attempt by you to convert me to your dumb theory, I'm gonna tell you for the last time, it's full of hot air," he says in a low, angry voice. He only gets more annoyed when Zexion simply raises an eyebrow at him.

Axel goes to push past Zexion and go back into the room with Demyx and Roxas, but Zexion catches his arm. "It's about Roxas," Zexion says in a quiet voice that Axel almost misses.

"What?" he asks, turning back and pulling his arm from Zexion's grip.

Zexion glances up and down the hallway, making sure its empty. "Roxas doesn't act like other Nobodies."

"He's new," Axel says. "He's still learning how to be one of us."

Zexion shakes his head, tugging on his hair again. "No," he says. "He doesn't act like us because he isn't one of us."

Knowing Zexion can't be going somewhere good with this, Axel asks in a slow voice, "What is that supposed to mean?"

Zexion hesitates. "Have you ever considered that Roxas might not be a Nobody at all? That he has a heart and is, therefore, a Somebody?"

Axel's mouth drops open and he can't stop it. "No," he says automatically. Roxas is in the Organization. He has a past as a Somebody, even if he is struggling to remember it. He is a Nobody because how could he be anything else?

"No," Axel repeats, stronger this time, and angrier. "He's a Nobody. He would know if he had a heart. I mean, how could he not know?"

"Axel, the facts show -"

"Enough of your facts, Zexion," Axel shouts and quickly lowers his voice as Demyx and Roxas glance up inside the room. "We're all stuck this sham of a life and you need to stop acting like there is a way out of it. Roxas is a Nobody. I'm a Nobody. And you're a Nobody. None of us have hearts or emotions or any fucking feelings. When will you stop pretending otherwise?"

Axel's chest is heaving and his hands are balled into fists, but Zexion doesn't even flinch. His gaze remains even and Axel glares back, the two of them falling into a staring contest.

The sound of a dark corridor opening makes them both start and turn to see Saix walk out of the portal. He eyes them both as they stiffen at his appearance. "Number VI," Saix says, turning to Zexion. "I am here to inform you that you have been assigned a mission in Castle Oblivion."

"The same mission as Axel's?" Zexion asks, exchanging a glance with the red-head.

"No," Saix says with a shake of his head. "You will be working under Marluxia's authority with Larxene and Vexen."

"What is the mission?" Zexion asks.

"The nature of your mission will be explained upon your arrival to Castle Oblivion," Saix replies.

Zexion exchanges another glance with Axel. "Understood," Zexion says and he and Axel start to move back to the door of Zexion's room only to be stopped by Saix calling,

"Axel."

Axel looks back to see Saix has made no move to leave. He sighs and nods Zexion on.

With one last glance at Saix, Zexion goes back into his room where Roxas and Demyx are both sitting on the bed, craning their necks to see out the door. He starts to close the door, but Axel says, "Leave the door open, Zexion. This won't take long."

Saix looks like he might protest, but Axel's jaw is set and with an impatient movement Saix waves Zexion off who gladly leaves the two of them and tension of the hallway. In his room, Demyx and Roxas are talking, but Zexion ignores them, picking up his book and dropping once more into his favorite reading chair.

From his perch on the corner of Zexion's bed, Roxas can see Saix and Axel outside the door. The tightness in both their shoulders shows they aren't having a friendly chat. "Why do Axel and Saix hate each other so much?" Roxas asks.

"They didn't always," Demyx replies, watching the two speak in lowered voices as well. "They used to be good friends."

Roxas finds that hard to believe with the frown on Axel's face. "So what changed?"

"Saix started working for the man that's what," Demyx says, moving around on the bed so he is lying on his stomach with a pillow under him.

"The man?" Roxas asks.

"You know, the man," Demyx says drawing a finger through the air like he is underlining the word. "The king of the mountain, top of the heap. Big Brother. Always watching us, day and night. Scrutinizing our every move so he can screw us over whenever we make a mistake."

Roxas wracks his brain, trying and failing to understand what Demyx is getting at. "Santa Claus?" he guesses, now totally confused

"No!" Demyx says, waving his arms. "Were you even listening to me?"

"You're just bad at explaining things, Dem," Zexion says, giving up on his book to join the conversation. "He's talking about the Superior. Saix betrayed Axel when he started working for Xemnas."

"Don't we all work for Xemnas?" Roxas asks.

"Well there's working for Xemnas and then there's working for Xemnas," Demyx says, unhelpfully.

Roxas looks to Zexion for an explanation. Zexion sighs and turns in his chair to face them. "Saix is loyal to Xemnas now. He doesn't want anything to do with our plans of taking down the Organization."

"But why Saix in particular?" Roxas asks. "Aren't there others like him in the Organization?"

"Yes, but for Axel, it's personal with Saix," Zexion says.

"He and Saix were best friends growing up," Demyx adds. "Xemnas turned us into Nobodies against our will and when the three of us decided to do everything we could to undermine the Organization's plans we assumed Saix would be on our side, but he wasn't."

"He choose Xemnas' promises of power over his friendship with Axel," Zexion says softly. "Now he is part of the Yellow-Eyes, the very group Axel wants to destroy."

"And that's why he is taking this mission," Roxas says, finally starting to understand. "He's trying to be part of the Yellow-Eyes because he wants revenge."

"We all do," Zexion says, a steely light in his eyes. On Roxas' other side, Demyx looks away, but Zexion doesn't notice. "And Axel is our best shot," he says. "As long as he doesn't get caught."

…

"I know what you're up to, Axel," Saix says his voice low. "You're not as convincing as you think."

Axel crosses his arms, keeping his face blank. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"I'm talking about what you're really trying to do," Saix says, narrowing his eyes. "And I came to tell you you are in over your head. You don't know what you're getting into."

Axel blinks. "Thanks for your concern," he says, his sarcasm masking his confusion. "But I'm not looking for advice from you."

Saix scowls. "I'm not giving advice - I'm giving a warning. Back down from this mission."

"Yeah, that's not going to happen," Axel replies, glancing in the doorway to see Roxas sitting on the bed watching Demyx with a confused expression as the older blond gestures wildly with his hands. His attention is jerked back to Saix as the blue-haired man says,

"This mission wasn't yours to begin with."

Surprised, Axel asks, "Whose was it?"

"Rexick's," Saix replies, his mouth twisting on the name. "I do not know what possessed the Superior to change his mind and send you of all people to look for -"

Saix shuts his mouth tight and looks away, but Axel takes a step forward, asking, "For? For what?"

"Xemnas doesn't think it wise to tell you," Saix says, still not looking at him.

"It's a dumb missions to send me after something when I don't know what to look for," Axel says, his voice taking on a harsh tone. "Tell me what it is."

Glaring, Saix leans forward. Yellow eyes level with bright green. "Not everyone can afford to be a traitor, Axel."

Drawing back, Saix turns away from Axel as a dark corridor appears beside him. Before Axel can find the words to call him back, Saix disappears into the darkness and Axel is left standing alone in the hallway.

Running a hand through his hair, Axel grabs the spikes on the back of his head and tugs. Why did everyone have to confuse him so much? Saix's warning and fuzzy motivations leave him all turned around and Zexion's words had given him a headache. Rubbing one hand hard against his temple, Axel goes back into Zexion's room where Zexion, Demyx, and Roxas all fall silent.

"What did Saix want?" Demyx asks.

"Nothing," Axel says, not wanting to alarm them with the fact that Saix seemed to know he is not looking to join the Yellow-Eyes because of his loyalty to the Organization. The two of them might not be friends anymore, but Axel is pretty sure Saix isn't about to rat on them. "He just told me to get moving on my mission."

"So you're leaving now?" Roxas asks, standing.

"Yeah, I should," Axel replies. He glances at Demyx. From the smile on the blond's face, he guesses Zexion hasn't told him he is leaving as well. "C'mon, Roxas. I'll walk you to your room," Axel says and Zexion gives him a small nod of thanks.

"Oh, okay," Roxas says letting Axel lead him to the door.

As soon as the door shuts behind Roxas, Zexion finds himself crushed by the sudden weight of Demyx jumping into his lap. The air is stolen from his lungs in a sudden kiss and when Demyx pulls back he sighs.

"I thought they'd never leave," Demyx says, peppering Zexion's neck and jaw with light kisses.

Zexion tilts his head, enjoying the feeling, but knowing they need to talk he cups his hands on either side of Demyx face and pulls away. "Hold on, Dem," he says, stroking a thumb along Demyx's cheekbone. "There's something I have to tell you."

"What is it?" Demyx asks, playing with the zipper of Zexion's jacket.

"I'm also going to Castle Oblivion on a mission."

Demyx's hand on his chest freezes. "For how long?" He asks in a small voice.

"I don't know," Zexion admits, taking Demyx's hand in his. "I don't know what I'm going to be doing there yet either."

Demyx ducks his head, fingers interlocking with Zexion's. "Do you have to leave now?"

"Maybe," Zexion says. "But I think it can wait until morning."

There is a small smile on Demyx's lips when he raises his head and Zexion claims it with a kiss. In that moment, he knows he is right about emotions because he loves Demyx too much for it to be anything other than a real feeling.

...

"Here we are," Axel says as he and Roxas stop in front of Roxas' door. Scratching the back of his head, he looks down at Roxas. "I guess this is goodbye for now."

"Yeah," Roxas says, biting his lip, but Axel can still see he is frowning.

The saddened look on Roxas' face and the knowledge that he won't be seeing Roxas tomorrow is more than Axel can handle. Without thinking, he is pulls Roxas into a tight hug. His cheek presses against Roxas' soft hair and his arms easily envelop the smaller boy.

Roxas' hands however remain at his sides and with a confused expression Roxas pulls away. "What are you doing?"

"I...uh…its called a hug Rox. It's something people do when someone leaves," Axel says, feeling his face heat up and his arms fall awkwardly away. Roxas tilts his head in confusion and Axel sighs. Zexion is wrong. That wasn't the reaction of someone with a heart.

"See you later, Roxas," Axel says unable to meet Roxas eyes as he turns away. He's half way down the hallway when the call of his name makes him stop.

"Axel."

He turns just as Roxas collides with him, short arms wrapping tightly around him. Roxas' face is buried in his chest and in a muffled voice he says, "I wish you didn't have to go."

"Hey," Axel says softly, brushing a hand through Roxas' hair while the other rubs small circles on Roxas back. "It'll be okay. Castle Oblivion can't be that big. I'll be back in two days, three days tops."

More than anything he hopes that is true. In a couple days he'll be back and he and Roxas can have ice cream at the Clock Tower again, but for now he has to go.

He gently pulls from Roxas' grip and summons a dark corridor. "Goodbye, Rox."

"Goodbye, Axel."

Forcing himself to look away, Axel steps through the corridor and lets the darkness take him away. When it fades, he is standing alone in front of castle that is dark gold in color. Spires shoot out at odd angles and the few windows it has are vacant.

Axel waits no time admiring the exterior of the castle, heading straight for the entrance. Castle Oblivion is bigger than he had expected, but he isn't going to let that delay him. Two days, three days tops. That is what he promised Roxas and that is a promise he is going to keep.

Greetings from the collegiate world.

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth just been dragged into the craziness that is orientation. That's over and classes start tomorrow so yeah, freaking out about that. I want to keep semi frequent updates so chapters might start getting shorter. Idk. College is new and strange.

LightzMusic22: Totally understand! I know you're my biggest fan :D

CatLoverx33: Thanks! :)

Is Zexion's idea about Roxas right? Will Axel ever believe him?

Neither of these questions will be answered next chapter, but all will be revealed in good time :)

However, next chapter does have a big ol' first kiss. Whose, you ask? It wouldn't be any fun if I told you! You gotta wait till next chapter so until then REVIEW!