Chapter Thirty Three: Traces

Secret Report: Lexaeus III

The separation between Ansem and Xemnas has always been thin. Ever since our superiors heartless disappeared years ago the same question has remained in my mind. Why? Ansem had more sense than other nobodies. Why not use that intelligence to ally with the Organization as a way to gain more hearts?

The two answers in my mind are that his intelligence was a farce, that his hunger drove him to seek hearts above all. Yet the decade of silence since his disappearance casts doubt on this hypothesis. Which leaves the other. That there was another agenda he was following.

If so, I shudder to think that Xemnas was a part of it from the start. It would imply that we have been nothing but pawns in his inscrutable game for decades.

But with how Ansem has been ignoring the Princess of Heart and focusing on Roxas' group in Castle Oblivion, it is a possibility worth considering.

Zexion knew how Vexen could lose himself in his work. Either totally engrossed in silence as he took notes, or muttering as he tried to puzzle out what was happening.

"This is absolutely ridiculous!"

When he shouted like that however, it was a sign Vexen had hit a dead end. Especially when it was loud enough to be heard through the lab door. Sighing as he walked inside, Zexion asked, "I'm guessing the search for Ansem is troubling you?"

Rubbing his temples, Vexen groaned, "There is a list of things troubling me, Zexion." Lexeaus was quietly tuning the crystal as Vexen continued to rant, "To begin with, yes Ansem is still difficult to pin down. He seems to show up close to the keybearers, but just as soon as we get a lock he dives back into shadow."

Stepping away from the orb, Lexeaus admitted, "Frustrating strategy, but effective."

Walking over to one of the machines, Vexen turned it on to show an outline of Castle Oblivion. Not quite a full blueprint, the castle was too labyrinthine to map accurately. But the shadows shown on some of the floors were a clear enough picture. "The second, is that he is summoning more and more heartless to this castle and mixing them in with floor illusions."

Zexion furrowed his brow and crossed his arms. Troubling for sure, but he shook his head as he pointed out, "So far it's nothing that Roxas and Naminé can't handle."

Vexen raised an eyebrow for a moment before he shrugged and moved closer to the crystal. "They aren't much of a challenge for the keybearer or the princess either. Which brings me to my third point." With a gesture, it zoomed away from the castle…

And showed a slowly growing light. "A collection of hearts?"

Nodding at Zexion's guess, Lexaeus continued, "Similar to Xemnas plan for the organization's keybearer."

Zexion wasn't privy to the particulars of the ritual, but he knew the ultimate goal of the Organization. "He's making Kingdom Hearts?"

Waving his hand, Vexen clarified, "Not the Kingdom Hearts, but close to it. An amalgam of hearts all gathered together."

Zexion stepped away as he began to ponder, "But what would he do with it here?" A collection of hearts was useless for Heartless bar one purpose. Yet if they wanted to create another base as The End of The World was, would they not want a more remote location to hide?

Lexaeus gestured to the pile of books set aside. "I've been pouring over some of our notes, but given we're working remotely without access to our full library, it's very difficult."

Rubbing his chin, Vexen asked, "Ansem is consistently appearing in your group's vicinity, has he shown any particular interests?"

Of course. He was so consumed with the missions that the correlation had slipped Zexion's mind. At Vexen's prompt, the pieces started to come together. "He pursued Kairi in Agrabah. In Atlantica, he empowered Ursula."

"And in Traverse Town, he antagonized Roxas directly." Vexen finished as he turned to the crystal ball. "In all of his appearances, he has worked to interfere with your missions."

"With Roxas and Naminé's missions," Zexion corrected as the correlation became clearer. "He hasn't made another attempt to take Kairi, has he?" Vexen and Lexaeus' silence said enough as Zexion crossed his arms. "Then it's clear whatever he has in mind is focused on them."

Turning back to the crystal ball, Vexen muttered, "That he would ignore a princess of heart for your group does lend merit to your hypothesis."

Furrowing his brow, Zexion asked, "What of Roxas himself? I asked you to monitor him a few days ago." Given the turn the conversation had taken, any insight they could find could be the key to understanding Ansem's agenda.

Vexen closed his eyes and turned to the notebooks before taking one off the top. Flipping a few pages in, he put a finger to the page as he explained, "Something is growing inside of him, slowly but steadily." As Zexion stepped forward and opened his mouth, the academic held up his hand. "And before you ask, no. We're not sure what it is. Whether it's magic, power, light, darkness, or…"

Tapping his cheek, Zexion raised an eyebrow and echoed, "Or?" Vexen wasn't the type to leave the door open for idle conjecture.

Putting a hand to Zexion's shoulder, Lexeaus answered, "As he said, we're not sure. It seems to increase more later in the evening."

Zexion was well aware of what was happening there. "Roxas usually spends time with Naminé around then."

Vexen raised an eyebrow and turned the page. "Interesting, because that same reading seems to be within her too."

Two of the most unusual nobodies, both echoing similar readings. Again, it was a hint of Ansem's designs if he was fixated on two unusual subjects. But without knowing what those readings were, any conjecture would be fruitless. And unfortunately, the field work had left Zexion too tired for conjecture. Turning to head back to his room, Zexion waved his hand as he left the lab. "Well, let me know if you find anything concrete. I must retire for the night."

As the door shut, Lexeaus furrowed his brow and crossed his arms. "You didn't tell him?"

Turning over his notes, Vexen sighed as he looked over the log of data for Roxas' group. "I could only find faint readings in him and Axel. Until I can confirm it I don't think it is safe to bring forth such findings."

Nodding, Lexeaus returned to the devices as he mused, "Given they could upend the foundation of the Organization it's understandable. But all the more pressing for us to confirm it."

In their harried state, neither of them noticed the watcher in the dark. It would not do for his puppets to realize the strings they danced on.

Any further investigation and Ansem might need to cut them.

Roxas couldn't remember waking up like this. Refreshed. Full of energy. Moving over to the chest where his belongings were, he began to pull out the robe for the day. But as he moved to gather some of the black undergarments, he paused. His old outfit was still there, the white jacket, black pants, and zip-up shirt folded in the corner.

Pulling it out, he held the jacket in front of him and pondered. Did he really have to get rid of it? Axel mentioned that the Organization uniform was all they were expected to wear. But this? It felt more personal. More like him. Given he woke up in it, it was the most personal thing he had besides the keyblade.

Maybe Naminé would like it?

Roxas put on the whole set, the outfit fit him just as it did weeks ago. Looking at the black Organization coat, he pulled it over just as he usually did. A quick glance down showed it fit just as usual. A quick tug on the zipper to hide any traces of white, and Roxas gave a satisfied nod.

Hurrying down the hall, he went to get Axel. Roxas soon was knocking at the door, asking "Hey, Axel, you up yet?"

"I'm up, I'm up,"groaned Axel through the door. A few seconds later Axel had walked out, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. But as Axel got a good look at Roxas, he asked, "You alright? You seem a little different?"

Chuckling for a moment, Roxas crossed his arms. "Well, if it's different, it's the best I've ever been." Maybe it was a good night's rest. Maybe it was taking the time to wear something that was really his. Maybe it was the memory of the promise he and Naminé shared and the charm that served as a symbol of it. The charm he kept in his pocket.

Whatever it was, Roxas didn't want it to go away.

Zexion was next, and though he gave Roxas an odd look when he opened the door to greet him, he simply shook his head with a smile. Whatever thoughts were in Zexion's head, Roxas figured he wouldn't press him on it. The three soon made their way over to Naminé's room and Roxas gave a gentle knock. With a turn of the handle, Naminé opened the door, and Roxas couldn't help but grin. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Roxas," Naminé answered with a smile as she walked outside to join the three of them. Once again, something in Roxas felt fluttery and warm. A tiny voice wanted to forget about missions for a day and just spend time with her. Her eyes lingered on his for a moment, and he sensed she had that same wish. Unfortunately, they couldn't let up in training, so she walked out and joined the group. "I think our next stop is Hallloween town?"

Nodding, Zexion confirmed Naminé's guess, "A strange locale, though our uniform disguises us well there."

With a giggle, Naminé gestured to her dress. "Good thing it's just a memory. I'd be the odd one out with what I've got now." Though as she saw Axel furrow his brow, Naminé paused and asked, "Something wrong?"

Axel glanced from Roxas to Naminé before shrugging. "Nah. Just a little groggy this morning. That's all."

Looking over the crystal ball with the four nobodies in view, Larxene looked to Marluxia with a grin and folded her arms behind her back. "So. When are we going to let Roxas and Naminé know?"

Marluxia crossed his arms as he saw the group hold up the world card before the set of double doors. "When it is merited. For now, they have a bit of time."

"But not very long," Larxene answered in a singsong voice. She tapped the crystal ball to bring Sora's group into view. "A few more days and Sora will be near the 13th floor."

"Then we'll give them a few more days," Marluxia answered as he held up an open hand. "Or sooner if circumstances force our hand." He closed his hand into a fist. Eager for the chance to enforce his will.