Alexus's Point of View

I tried on my new clothes. They were nothing like what I was used to, but I found them highly functional. I had a black shirt, boots, pants, gloves, and coat. I wasn't sure what to do after that. I decided to wander around, so I left my room. "Well, look at you," Mr. Xigbar said from beside my door. I turned to him. I hadn't noticed that he had been there until he spoke. "Wearing the outfit and everything. Practically ready for your own mission." Mr. Xigbar laughed as though he had said something funny.

"Mission?" I asked.

"I'm just messing with you, Midget. Anyways, did you need something?" Mr. Xigbar wondered.

"No. I was just going to look around," I replied.

"Oh, yeah? I heard you fell asleep in the Grey Area last time you did that, and Vexen got super mad. Don't know the details, though," Mr. Xigbar mentioned.

I started to get the realization that Mr. Xigbar liked to talk. I wondered if I could get any information about this place and my father out of him. I knew that I had to ease my way in that direction, so I tried to ask simple questions before asking the bigger ones. "What's that room used for?" I wondered.

"The Grey Area? It's where we usually leave and come back for missions," Mr. Xigbar explained.

"Missions? What do you mean, missions?" I inquired.

"Wouldn't you like to know? Guess you'll just have to figure it out," Mr. Xigbar chuckled. I hadn't expected him to say that. His answer took me by surprise. "What are you just standing there for? Are you going to look around or what?"

"Yes. This Grey Area, could you show me where it is?" I requested.

"Yeah, fine. It's this way," Mr. Xigbar sighed before he led me to the Grey Area. I paid very close attention to where I was going so I could find my way back without assistance. Mr. Xemnas was standing there, looking out the window. "Well, here it is. Need anything else? No? Good. I'll see you around." Mr. Xigbar left me with Mr. Xemnas in the Grey Area.

I cautiously approached Mr. Xemnas. At that point, I knew that if I wanted any straight answers, I would have to go to him, but I was still very intimidated. "What are you looking at?" I questioned.

"The stars," Mr. Xemnas answered.

I looked up at the stars. "Mama used to show me constellations. Everything looks different here," I commented. My gaze shifted down below, where a city with tall buildings stood. "What's down there?"

"Nothing. It is abandoned," Mr. Xemnas replied.

"All of that? Why did people abandon it?" I wondered.

"The Heartless. They are the monsters that I want to protect you from. There are many Heartless in the city below," Mr. Xemnas explained.

"Oh. The monsters won't come here, will they?" I checked.

"No. This castle is under my protection. No creature can enter this place unless I allow it, or they are called by an intelligent being of darkness," Mr. Xemnas assured me.

My stomach churned as I pondered his choice of words. "Intelligent being of darkness? What's that?" I asked.

"When a person gives their heart to darkness, they can summon and control Heartless, but for a great price," Mr. Xemnas stated.

"That sounds frightening," I mentioned.

"I suppose it would sound frightening to you," Mr. Xemnas mused. He turned away from the window and looked at me for the first time since I entered the Grey Area. "Ah, you're wearing your new clothes. Do they fit alright?"

"Yes, sir," I answered. A dark corridor opened up a few inches away, and Zexion and Vexen stepped out. I looked at them and waved at Zexion, who waved back.

I looked back at Mr. Xemnas. "Why don't you go play with Zexion," Mr. Xemnas suggested.

I was relieved and disappointed at the same time. I was finally getting some answers, but it wasn't enough. I knew there would be more time to discuss things with Mr. Xemnas later, so I went to Zexion's side. "Welcome back," I smiled.

"Hi, Alexus. What's up?" Zexion greeted.

"I'm just bored. Can you do something with me?" I requested.

"Sure. We can find something to do," Zexion agreed.

Thank you, Tara Mccann, for your review.