Chapter 29 The Thirteenth Floor
On the twelfth floor of Castle Oblivion the silence is so complete Axel feels like he should be holding his breath to keep from breaking it. He knows he is no longer alone to the castle; Marluxia, Zexion and the others should have started their own mission by now, but whatever they're up to is keeping them on the lower levels. He is alone on the second highest floor with one last blank, white level to check.
He scowls as he approaches the stairs. His mission is working out even worse than he'd thought. Not only has he not found whatever it is Xemnas is looking for, he has found absolutely nothing. Nada, zero, zilch. The white hallways are empty besides his echoing footsteps.
The thirteenth floor, the last floor, is his last chance. If he doesn't find the "something" he is after, he will be returning to Xemnas empty handed and Axel doubts that will make the Superior very eager to spill out the Yellow-Eyes' secrets.
"Man, I hate Nobodies," Axel says out loud and his echo keeps him company for a moment. Why does Xemnas have to be so damn cryptic about everything? For about the billionth time since getting to Castle Oblivion, Axel wonders if the leader of the Organization actually had some grand scheme set up or if he just likes making up random stuff and watching Axel's head spin.
Lost in thought, Axel barely notices as his pace slows down. Almost to the stairs up to the final floor, he comes to a stop with the hair on the back of his neck standing straight up. Tensing, he turns around. There is nothing there, he is still alone, but he can't shake the feeling that he shouldn't be here.
Summoning his chakrams, Axel takes a slow step forward and the feeling to get far away from where he is gets stronger. Another step and he is breathing hard. Another step and his eyes are darting around. He tries to take another step, but his body betrays him, stepping back.
Giving in, he retreats hastily back to the far side of the long room. Here the feeling is gone as suddenly as it had come and he frowns, confused. Had he imagined it?
He inches towards the stairs once more. Just over half way there he feels it again. It's impossible to think straight with the need to flee invading his mind. He instinctively creates a dark corridor and with a final darting look at the stairs to the thirteenth floor, he disappears into the portal.
…
Finding Zexion turns out to be easier than he'd thought. On the second floor Axel looks into one of the side rooms and sees his friend stretched out in a chair with his nose buried in a book.
A quick glance in from the doorway, Axel sees Vexen, Larxene, and Marluxia also in the room. They're seated around a white table that Larxene is singing patterns into its surface with lightning on her fingertips. There is slso girl he doesn't recognize, younger than Zexion, sitting slightly removed from the group at the table. A notepad is open in her lap and she is coloring carefully in it.
Hoping the others are too distracted by Larxene's vandalism, Axel tries to silently get Zexion's attention, but the idiot is too engrossed in his book to notice Axel waving from the doorway.
The girl notices though. She pauses in her coloring, head tilted in interest at Axel who freezes waiting for to say something. He contemplates walking away before she alerts Marluxia, but then she ducks her head once more and scribbles harder.
Zexion finally looks up and locks eyes with Axel. Closing his book with a snap, he stands and without a word walks out of the room. The other members barely even look up.
"What's going on?" Zexion asks in a quiet voice in the hallway.
Axel presses a finger to his lips, nodding towards the room where Marluxia and the others still sat. He summons a dark corridor and leads Zexion through.
They walk back out of the corridor and Zexion asks, "Where are we?"
"Twelfth floor," Axel replies. He points across the room to the stairs. "The thirteenth floor is up that way."
"Alright." Zexion looks around carefully. "Why are we here? Have you found what Xemnas is looking for?"
"Not exactly," Axel says starting to walk across the room. Zexion follows. "I've searched the whole castle and each floor is identical down to the floorboards as far as I can tell. Except here." Axel stops and so does Zexion, but the red head waves him on. "You'll see what I mean."
Giving Axel a funny look, Zexion continues towards the stairs. After a couple steps he pauses and from behind Axel can see his shoulders tense. After a moment, Zexion retreats back to Axel's side.
"You felt that too?" He asked.
"Yeah," Axel says. "Anytime you get anywhere near those stairs."
Zexion tugs on his long bangs. "So you haven't been able to explore the thirteenth floor then?" He asks and Axel shakes his head.
"I bet a thousand munny that what Xemnas is after is up there, but whatever is going on is keeping me from looking," Axel says, glaring at the stairs.
"Old magic," Zexion says quietly.
"What?"
Zexion raises his head slightly to look Axel in the eye. "Old magic," he repeats. "It's the only thing powerful enough to make a barrier like this. Anyone who approaches what it is guarding is repelled."
Axel strains his eyes, looking for this barrier. "Is there a way to turn it off?"
"Maybe the person who made it could end the spell," Zexion says frowning. "However a barrier like this is not usually designed to repel everyone. The one's I've read about allow a select few through."
"Looks like neither of us are special enough then," Axel says.
"Looks like it."
Zexion holds his hand out and in it appears a book. It's his Lexicon, Axel knows, and with the unassuming book, Zexion has taken down countless foes armed to the teeth.
Zexion opens the book to lie it flat on his palm and from its pages springs a second Zexion. It's a hint transparent and its eyes have no life, but it walks with a purpose towards the stairs. It gets farther than either Axel or Zexion have been able to. As it lifts its foot onto the first step, however, it pauses, and without warning the illusion implodes in a burst of light.
"What does that mean?" Axel asks, staring at the spot Zexion's clone had vanished.
Zexion closes his Lexicon. "It means we aren't going to find out what's up there," he says. "At least, not until the right person breaks the spell."
"Great." Axel crosses his arms. "What am I going to tell Xemnas then?"
Zexion takes a moment to think. "You didn't find anything here," he finally says. "Thirteen floors of nothingness."
Axel raises an eyebrow at Zexion. "He's not going to like that."
"I would highly doubt it," Zexion agrees.
"And you're okay with that?" Axel asks slowly. "I don't think he's going to let me into his yellow-eyed gang if I come back empty handed."
"No." Zexion crosses his arms and starts to pace. "But it might force his hand, make him desperate. There is something here he wants. He's after whatever that magic is guarding." He points towards the stairs to the thirteenth floor. "And I don't see him giving up because you couldn't get it for him. Besides," Zexion pauses and turns to Axel with a smile on his face. "What's going on downstairs has given me new ideas for taking down the Organization."
"Oh?" Axel says. "Going to share with the class?"
Zexion shrugs. "The details are still vague, but there is a boy, Sora, that the Organization is very interested in. I've seen him. He has a keyblade and he looks a lot like…Roxas."
"You don't think…" Axel says. He searches Zexion's face for any sign of joking, but he knows his friend to well to think he would kid about something like this. "His Somebody?" Axel says laughing. "C'mon, Zex. That's impossible."
Zexion shrugs again. "It wouldn't be impossible if Roxas wasn't a Nobody."
"Zex I swear if you start bringing this up again -"
"I'm not looking to start a fight, Axel," Zexion says, holding up a hand. "Just pointing out that there is a lot going on that we don't understand."
"You can say that again," Axel mutters.
"But the Organization is spread thin," Zexion continues. "If we poke a few holes, it might all unravel."
"Whatever," Axel says, summoning a dark corridor. He isn't in a hurry to report back to Xemnas, but he is in a hurry to get out of this creepy castle. "I'll leave all the criminal mastermind scheming up to you." He nods goodbye to Zexion and steps into the portal.
…
"What do you have to report Number VIII?"
Axel takes a deep breath and puts on his blankest face. "Nothing," he says looking up to meet Xemnas' eyes. "Searched all thirteen floors and came up empty handed." Axel searches Xemnas face for any hint of reaction, but his leader is as devoid of emotion as ever.
The other members, however, are not as good at hiding their distaste with Axel's answer. Rexick and Xigbar both turn to shoot looks at Xemnas that to Axel look like silent I-told-you-so's. Saix keeps his glare on Axel, but the furrow in his brow deepens.
Ignoring Saix, Axel steels himself. "You know," he says getting the Yellow-Eyes' attention once more. "You could tell me what you're looking for. I'll take another look and I'm sure I'll be able to-"
"No." Xemnas cuts off Axel. "You are dismissed Number VIII. You are reassigned to regular duties."
Axel opens his mouth to argue, but stops himself. He's looking like he cares too much. "Whatever," he says in a way he hopes sounds off handed. With a twitch of his finger he summons a dark corridor and let's it take him away from the Round Room.
With Axel gone there is silence for a moment before Xigbar throws his hands in the air. "Now what?"
He looks to Xemnas who closes his eyes a moment. "Axel is lying. Ventus is there," the gray haired Nobody says. "Rexick."
"Yes?" Rexick says sitting up straighter.
"See what you can find at Castle Oblivion," Xemnas says. "Do not return without him."
Rexick smirks. "Gladly." He disappears through a dark corridor and the group of Yellow-Eyes is down to three.
"Xigbar." Xemnas turns to the older man next. "Find out if Roxas is truly the one."
"Isn't the kid's face proof enough?" Xigbar asks. "I mean, Roxas could be little Ven's doppelganger with the way he looks."
Xemnas shakes his head slightly. "We need more proof," he says. "Roxas or Sora: it is still unclear who has the heart."
Xigbar slumps back in his chair. "So what do you want me to do, huh?"
"I'll leave it up to you to get...creative," Xemnas replies.
Xigbar let's out an annoyed huff and snaps his fingers to summon his own dark corridor. When the portal vanishes, Xemnas turns to his last underling in the room.
"Saix."
"Yes, Superior," Saix replies.
"Axel's loyalties are highly questionable at the moment." Xemnas' voice is deep and serious. "I do not need to concern myself with your loyalties as well, do I?"
"No." Saix doesn't hesitate in his response. He decided a long time ago to cut ties with Axel and the mistakes he was making. Xemnas promised them power and Saix will do anything to make damn sure he gets his share.
"Good. You are dismissed," Xemnas says and they both depart through dark corridors.
…
Roxas swings his legs over the ledge of the clocktower with a sigh. It's the third time he has been up here alone and this time he hadn't bothered to get ice cream. It isn't the same without Axel.
He watches the sun sink closer to the horizon and throw its red rays over Twilight Town. There is nothing for him to do sitting there, but he doesn't want to RTC just yet. From his pocket he pulls out the keychain he'd found on the shore during the weird meeting he'd had with Xemnas. Some sand is still caught in the crevices and Roxas brushes a thumb over it to clean it off. In the light of the setting sun, the silver charm shines brightly. Roxas can't place the symbol, but it's familiar to him.
In his other hand, he summons his Oblivion keyblade. He'd never thought of taking the black keychain hanging from the handle off before, but he is curious to see what happens. It takes a moment for him to figure out how it comes off and then, setting the black one aside, he puts the new silver one on.
Instantaneously his keyblade flashes a bright white light that makes him look away. He looks back tp see the black, wicked looking keyblade has been replaced by a sleek and elegant one.
'Wow," Roxas whispers to himself as he holds the new keyblade up to examine it. The handle is a sturdy metal square and the blade is a simple dark gray shaft with teeth on the end that are thin, but strong looking.
Distracted by his new weapon, he nearly jumps out of his skin when a voice says, "Hey kid."
Roxas head whips around and his eyes fall on a tall redhead looking down at him with a wide grin. "Axel!"
Roxas jumps from his seat and throws himself at Axel before he knows what he is doing. Axel staggers back a step at the collision and his arms wrap around Roxas instinctively.
"You're back," Roxas murmurs into Axel's chest. "I miss-"
Roxas pulls back and Axel lets him, dropping his arms to his sides. "H-how was Castle Oblivion," Roxas says, turning away from Axel and returning to his seat on the ledge.
Axel lets out a long sigh and drops lazily onto the ledge. "More pointless than the singing missions in Atlantis," he replies, grinning at Roxas who smiles back. "What about around here?"
"Same as ever," Roxas says looking at his hands. "Been quiet with so many at the Castle."
"Hmm." Axel turns to Roxas. "No ice cream today?"
"Oh...I...no." Roxas glances up to see Axel looking and him and drops his eyes back to his hands. "It isn't the same without you here," he says quietly.
Axel doesn't know what to say and for a minute silence falls on the two of them. Watching the sun sink lower on the horizon, Axel shifts closer to Roxas. "Hey, Roxas," he says. "Bet you don't know why the sun sets red."
"What?" Roxas asks turning to him.
"The sunset," Axel says, pointing to the sky. "You see, light is made up of lots of colors. And out of all those colors, red is the one that travels the farthest."
As he speaks he leans closer and Roxas smiles nervously at him. "Know-it-all," Roxas says with a laugh, punching Axel's arm playfully.
They sit in amicable silence together, watching the sky, and when the sun finally dips below the horizon Axel stands, stretching. "Ready to go?"
Roxas doesn't react right away and Axel pauses. "Rox?"
With a sigh, Roxas clambers to his feet. "Let's RTC."
He says it with such bitterness that Axel catches his arm as he goes to summon a dark corridor. "Let's not quite yet," Axel says. He let's go of Roxas' arm and summons a corridor of his own.
"Then where are we going?" Roxas asks.
"I don't know, but not Xemnas' castle that's for sure," Axel says and disappears into the corridor leaving Roxas to follow.
CatLoverx33: Yep. Amiddon and Eraqus dated for a bit when they were teenagers, but they didn't part on the best of terms.
Storytime guys. Physics class. Junior year. Come in one day to find a bunch of questions about color written on the board. One of the questions: why does the sun set red? So don't mind me in the back row having a minor fangirling episode about this. Then my teacher gets up blah blah blah physics stuff. Come to sunsets and explains about red light travelling farther and all that stuff and I was like haha cool Kingdom Hearts taught me physics. Then, I kid you not, my teacher starts going on and on about how if we are ever with our significant others and want to be romantic we should watch a sunset and tell them why the sun sets red and hOLY SHIT MY TEACHER WAS PROVING AKUROKU IS CANON TO MY CLASS AND I JUST SAT THERE LIKE :0
so yeah that's my story of pretending to be normal on the outside and fangirling so hard on the inside I thought my nose was going to start bleeding.
Anyway...
It's finals week. *cries* Procrastinating studying = writing this chapter.
Since I do have to actually buckle down and get some work done I probably won't get another chapter out for like two weeks. So it'll be my Christmas present to you all.
Until then, spread some holiday cheer and leave all your favorite authors some reviews :D
Happy Holidays!