Maxx scoffed at me and stood still. "Ungrateful kid. I created you after all, but it's to be expected after I've watched you this entire time. In fact, you act like more of a somebody than-"
That put me over the edge and I swung my kama at him, but he dodged it, holding a dagger to my throat (even though he's shorter than me and looks like a kid, he's way older than most nobodies, okay?). "Dogs should know when to heel when called by their masters," he said coldly.
"There's one difference though," I said, pulling the chain and tripping up Maxx too, "You aren't my master, nor am I a dog."
He laughed and kicked me up from behind. "Funny, because I see you as a dog," he laughed and kicked me again to the ground, causing me to cough up blood.
"A worthless dog that doesn't know when to obey," he said, stepping on my hand that was clenching my kama, "No wonder you joined a worthless organization. It could only fit your talents."
"Don't you ever talk down to me," I growled as his foot started to freeze.
He pulled his foot away and threw his dagger at my free hand, peircing it and causing me to shout in pain. "That's what you get for doing something out of turn, worthless dog," he pulled the dagger out of my hand and I clenched it, "Eliminating you is a part of our mission."
"What do you mean by "our"?" I growled.
He laughed. "Two organizations are too much for everyone, so our mission is to get rid of as many opposing organization members as possible."
I stood up and held my hand as I glared at him. "This is why it has to be this way," he said, "Don't take it personally."
Xait
Before I could fall alseep, though, I heard Deidrex shouting at everyone else for being mean to Akane. I tried to block out her words to get some rest, but they got me to thinking, especially about Pashinirix's offer. “Ah, yes. I am part of the Organization, a much more advanced and powerful one that this measly get-together your leaders call an ‘organization’," he had said, and I was beginning to think he was right.
We were constantly arguing and fighting each other, instead of the Heartless and lesser Nobodies. With all of the internal distress going on, there was no way our Organization could accomplish anything, let alone Triskix's goal of reviving the original XIII. And the Leader...what group could accomplish anything when its leader holds no respect for his subordinates? Especially when this Leader has an agenda all his own?
I curled up into a ball, let out a sigh, and, clearing my mind, went to sleep for a long time.
I woke up to the sound of someone pounding on my door. Stretching out my body with a yawn, I felt around my head and back to see that my Spirit had receded. I walked over to the door, opened it with a growl, and said, "What?"
It was RaXi at the door, and she smiled timidly at me. "Uh, hi. I'm RaXi. I've been sent to let you know that the Leader wants everyone to gather in the main hall for a meeting. Now."
"Hm," I said thoughtfully. So the Leader is finally showing some leadership, I mused. "How long has it been since I went to sleep?"
RaXi thought for a moment. "Five days, I think? Was it the same day that Triskix went to bed and Deidrex told everyone off?"
"Yeah," I answered absentmindedly. "Thanks for the message," I said, closing the door. Five days? That meant I had...two more days until Pashnirix came again! I slammed my palm to my forehead. "Stupid energy draining fight," I mumbled.
I hurriedly changed into my clothes and coat, and made my way down to the main hall. I got there just in time to hear Triskix's announcement.
“Now then…due to some research by the Leader, there appears to be an excess of Heartless and Nobodies running around that must be destroyed. Also, we need more information about this rival group. So we will split into teams and conduct work through the worlds. Both these goals will be met if we do this. Got it memorized?”
I raised an eyebrow. We were going on missions? "About time," said Ximh next to me. "What happened to you, Rex? You were out for five days."
"I hadn't slept for five days before that," I snipped back. "because of how nicely this Organization is 'organized.' I think I deserved some sleep."
"Oh," he said, turning back around. That left me to wonder: in the event that I was on a mission two days from now, how would I manage to sneak back to the castle to meet Pashnirix? Time to rely on that tiger cunning...
"Triskix," I called out, "if you don't mind, I'd like to be on a team responsible for obtaining information about this rival Organization. I think I would be of more use there."
Everyone turned and looked at me, including Triskix. I stood my ground, glaring at him fiercely. "And why do you think this, Rexikat?" he questioned.
"Because I know how to deal with people, unlike the others here," I said, "who can barely talk with someone without starting a fight. Also, the one who fought me expressed a distinct interest in myself. I sensed that he would be willing to talk to me, if I presented the right bargaining chips." I hoped that I had phrased everything right.
Triskix pondered my words, while everyone else waited. Akane and Deidrex, however, eyed me with angry eyes. Oh boy. I could tell this meant a fight later. Over what, I had no clue. Perhaps they sensed that my intentions went deeper than the surface of my words.
"All right," said Triskix finally. "You can be on a team that gathers information. Now, let me decide the rest of your assignments." I did a silent cheer to myself as I heard his answer, and began mentally preparing what I would say.
I wasn't sure whether I would keep Nyx's promise or not, but if it meant that I have good friends, I promised. 5 days later, I was singing a song that I found on YouTube, so I was singing about myself.
Akane:I'm Akane
Check out my hair
When my half dies
I'm always there...
I met a guy
Named Triskix
He told me things
I shouldn't asked
The memories
That I had
They tell me
That I was bad
Triskix the Leader
He claims to be
He says that I
Have the key
I'm number nine
In a group of 26 nobodies
Sometimes I get in trouble
And most of the members
aren't my buddies!
That Triskix guy
That I told you about
Well quite frankly
He freaks me out
But I'll still fight with
That Frosty guy
I bet that I
Could make Xait cry!
Then I was called for an Organization meeting. Triskix came up.
"So you're not dead?" I pouted. I got a no for an answer. When Trismix said something about missions, everyone murmered. Then we spilt into teams. Deidrex was to only one who joined me. I wasn't comfortable working with the other members. Deidrex...I can get along with her. Triskix told each group what to do. He went to my team.
"Akane and Deidrex, your mission is to track down two nobodies from the other Organiztion. Spy on them and report back." Triskix ordered bluntly. I sighed, saluting to the 2nd member. Deidrex and I went through a portal. We were in a pirate ship.
"Oh no. We're in the Pirates of the Carribean. Where would we find nobodies?" I complained. A black-haired guy came towards us.
"Ahoy, young lasses! Captain Jack Sparrow at your service." The man bowed.
"We're just girls who want to become pirates." Deidrex lied. I looked at her.
"You have the guts? Fine then. Actually, there were 2 mates that looked like you. Their name's Gamex and Hix." Jack said. I gasped. Those were the nobodies we have to spy. But why would they go on a pirate ship? Very interesting.
Please continue...
~Akane
I sat back looking out on the beach. I had never expected to stay here for as long as I had, but after Nim and I had found Triskix we could go anywhere we liked and yet we stayed on an island.
Nim was lying in the sand looking up at the passing birds. Finally she sat up and turned around to look at me.
“Brother why aren't you smiling? Brother?" Nim asked looked at me. Her brown eyes looked ready to shoot the question off as many times as it took to get me to answer.
"I am smiling....just in my own way...." I answered trying to smile even a little bit as to convince Nim I was. It wasn’t working. Nim gave me a wry look.
"Brother a frown is not a smile...." she finally said.
"Heh....I just can't smile right now I'm sorry.....so where do you want to go to first?" I asked trying to change the subject long enough to distract her.
"Brother.....I want you to smile....." Nim persisted. I sighed knowing it wasn’t going to work.
"I just can't...part of me won't let me...." I answered truthfully.
"Triskix? He won't let you?" Nim questioned looking straight at me.
"Kinda.....he just really wants to go home....and it's making me want to go home....but don't worry we can keep traveling forever..." I said trying to change the subject again.
"Brother we don't have a home...." Nim answered.
"Triskix did though...his home was Castle Oblivion...." I answered, “And in a way….that made me feel like Castle Oblivion was my home too…..Don’t worry though. We’ll find a permanent home together ok?”
"Ok……Ah......Brother?" Nim started up again.
"Yes?" I answered.
"Can you send him home then?" Nim asked.
"Wha-" I asked not sure of what to say. It wasn’t like this was sudden. I knew that Nim wanted me to smile, and she was willing to do anything but this was too far.
"He is a part of you....and he wants to go home....so at least for a little while....I want to make him...you...happy...let’s send him home...." Nim answered.
I tried to ignore the sudden excitement in me, but for some reason….no I knew the reason….Triskix was getting fired up….
"But you couldn't come...and a part of me would be a heartless...." I finally answered.
"No I would just give you your heart back as soon as he split away..." Nim laughed. She had done it before when Triskix had split the first time…..when I gave up my head to keep the heartless away….
"But....." I said trying to find the words to describe that this wasn’t going to work.
"And then we'll go to the Destiny Islands for a bit and when you feel the tug to go get him, you can and I'll wait on the Destiny Islands...." Nim continued as if she hadn’t heard me.
"But if we split....and I go searching for him....he could run away and I would never be whole again....and I would be searching endlessly like before...." I answered.
"Brother...Triskix is a part of you...he won't run away...he just wants to go home...and if he does run then you'll just have to chase after him!" Nim laughed.
"If I chase after him.....I won't come back to the Islands for a long time...." I answered. It was the truth and I wanted to make sure Nim knew.
"That is saying if he runs....Brother I want to make him...you...happy...." Nim smiled.
“Nim….” I answered, but she just smiled and reached at my shirt. I felt my heart suddenly rip away and the process began.
I split away from Kristian again and stared at the both of them. They looked at me and I at them. I stood up and turned away.
“Thanks Nim,” I said calmly, “But I’m not coming back.”
“Triskix!” Kristian yelled.
“Triskix!” Nim mimicked, but I was gone.
I opened a portal and walked in. Home again…..I looked up to see the ravaged castle and nearly wanted to cry. It was in ruins…..abandoned and in shambles…parts of it were already crumbling away forever.
“The castle….” I said finally.
“So you do remember it,” a voice said from behind me. I turned around sharply to look at a hooded figure. He was a tad shorter than me, but he was a lot more muscular looking. I looked at him with my head cocked to one side.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“A nobody,” was the response I got.
“Your name?” I asked.
“Why should I tell?” was the response.
“What are you doing in castle oblivion?” I asked glaring. It was not under the best circumstances ad he was making things worse.
“The castle….she is what Organization 13 has become….a crumbled symbol of nothingness….and yet…I am debating whether or not to restore it to its former glory,” he answered.
“No one can fix that,” I answered, "The order is gone forever....."
“What if I told you I could? And what if I told you I could restore the Organization as well…Triskix of Castle Oblivion…..” the man asked.
I stared straight at him.
“Who are you?” I growled summoning my scythe. Sparks of fire exploded and shimmered out of the scythe. I had almost forgotten the feeling to want to kill….it was the only feeling I had as a nobody….and it was back…..
“I am a nobody who can restore everything you want,” he answered not fazed by my weapon.
I remained on guard but his words had made something in me that I couldn’t explain…
“And the cost would be?” I asked glaring at him.
“I could even bring back your friends who had ran off to other worlds after the Fall….you know Lexian, RaXi, and Nyx? I could bring them back to the castle if you want…..” he said.
“They aren’t friend…nobodies can’t have friends,” I answered, “We don’t have feeling….”
“Fine then…your acquaintances…happy? Oh and I could even bring back the Original 13….how does that sound? You could have so much fun again…fighting Lexian on the beach….watching as Axel cooks....Locking nobodies in Marluxia's closet….wouldn’t that be fun?”
“You are a dammed if you think that I would believe you can bring any of that back,” I answered.
“Ah but I can…..” he answered.
I turned and looked at his hood.
“What is the price?” I asked knowing it would be something that I couldn’t give…..
“Why the price is you, Triskix,” he answered.
“What do you mean?” I asked caustically.
“You, your memories, you being, that deadly scythe of yours….I want you….and in return I would give you everything I just said and more….”
“Me…..in exchange for the castle….and everything….” I said looking at him.
“All I would need is your servitude and I can grant you anything your little nothingness of a being can ask for…I want to start the castle up again, but I need someone like you to run it…so now it is up to you….what do you want Triskix? Or should I saw Kristian?”
“Don’t ever say that name again,” I growled, “Or I will burn you at the stake and throw your ashes into the nothingness of this abyss. Got that memorize you jerk?”
“Oh oh o….Spitefulness, I’m going to have to break you of that, but I knew I chose the right man for the job. Now then do we have a deal or not?”
“What it the contract?”
Somewhere in my dreaming the pounding in my head subsided and I opened my eyes. I looked up to see I was in my room….in the castle….the wall of fire was gone, but it looked like no one had entered.
“Had a nice nap?” the Leader’s voice asked. He was standing in the corner his head down.
“I needed it if that was what you were asking,” I answered stretching.
“You’ve been asleep for five days….quite interesting to see what the other thought happened to you…” the Leader chuckled, “There was a rumor going around that I had secretly killed you and that I sealed off your room to keep it a secret. Another rumor said that you had burnt yourself to ash while asleep…..and the last one believed that you were going to pull a Rip Van Winkle and sleep for a hundred years……they do have quite the imagination this crew of nobodies….”
“Meh……” was my answer. I was still groggy.
“On to business,” the Leader started, “Missions need to be starting up as we have discussed. I have already had RaXi gather everyone in the main hall. Get dressed and go.”
“You always do stuff like that to me,” I said, “Have me run around like your dog….”
“And what has brought such disrespect from the dog?” the Leader asked. I felt one of my scars split, and I grabbed it.
“I hate dogs,” I answered, “I’m more of a cat person…..”
“Has sleeping so long fired your memories?” the Leader asked.
“No,” I answered, “I will go….”
I stood up and watched the Leader vanish. I slipped on my coat and looked in a mirror. It had grown a bit. I took scissors to it immediately. Finally I appeared on the platform in the main hall. It was true…all the nobodies were there…..
“So you didn’t die,” Akane pouted.
“Too bad,” I answered, “I can’t, remember?”
I rolled my eyes and looked down the hall. Nothing looked disturbed which made my job easier….
“Now then…due to some research by the Leader there appears to be an excess of heartless and nobodies running around that must be destroyed. Also we need more information about this rival group. So we will split into teams and conduct work through the worlds. Both these goals will be met if we do this. Got it memorized?” I said calmly.
A murmur went through the group…..
It had been five days since Triskix had locked himself away in his room for rest. During this time, I think things had finally began to settle down. The arguments had died out, and everyone was finally able to settle in their rooms and relax in peace. I had ample time to regain all of my strength, as well as become familiar with the layout of the castle once again. As I walked through the halls, I felt someone appear behind me.
"You there...girl." The voice spoke. I knew all too well who it was. A man I was growing to despise more and more by the day. Our fair leader.... "Look at me when I address you."
I turned around trying to keep from getting angry. "Then perhaps, you would do well to "address me" by my given name." I gritted my teeth.
He was smirking...I just knew it....from behind that annoying hood. "Well then....RaXi....I suppose that is fair enough." He stated arrogantly.
I clenched my fist. He knew my name all along!!!! I knew he was just trying to get under my skin...but I wasn't going to fall for it. "What can I do for you?" To think...I'd actually woken up in a good mood this morning...my day was screwed.
"Gather all the members together in the main hall." He ordered without hesitation. "There is much to discuss...and assignments to be given out."
"But Triskix has yet to emerge from his chambers." I quarried. "Shouldn't we wait for him to...."
"Triskix will show up when all are gathered." He interjected. "Do you question my orders?"
"No. Not at all." I spoke quickly. I hated him...wanted no part of him as Leader...yet I had promised the slightest respect...only for Triskix's sake. Not to impose on his 'order'. "May I ask one thing?"
"If you must..." He stated in an almost annoyed tone.
"Why me? I am fairly new in returning here...why didn't you ask Lexian or Nyx even?"
"That's simple." He stated flatly. "Because I know how much YOU reject authority. So I thought I'd come and teach you your place here."
Did he actually just say that to MY FACE! I knew it! He was trying to bend me into subordination. I tried to keep my insides from boiling. Taking a deep breath, I calmed down. And I could feel it again...him staring at me and....SMIRKING!
"Your honesty astounds me..." I began...still cooling down. "Well then, if you'll excuse me SIR, I believe I have a task to complete now." I started to walk away...not wanting a confrontation or a battle of any sort.
"Well done RaXi." He called out after me. "Make sure you don't dawdle now!"
Feeling my blood boil I kept walking...then portaled to the other side of the castle. Out into the small forest. "RAAWR!!!!!" I screamed tearing down a huge tree with a single swing of my blade. "I swear I'll KILL him one day...." I heaved. "Now then...off to gather the others...."
I portaled to several rooms. Anywhere I felt a presence. I didn't give them time to ask questions. I merely told them to meet in the Main Hall by order of the Leader. I'd gone to Lexian and Nyx first. That way, I'd enlisted their aid. We had EVERYONE in the entire castle gathered together in no time. I decided to introduce myself while we waited for Triskix to arrive.
"Fellow Nobodies of the Newly returned Organization XIII..." I began. "Forgive my lateness in the introduction...but I am RaXi. I resided here back when the Original XIII dwelled within these walls and have only recently returned to this place...Triskix will arrive soon with the details as to why you've all been called together...so please be patient." I stepped off to the side and took my place beside Lexian and Nyx. We tended to stick together nowadays even more...or perhaps even more of my past was shrouded in the mist that had overwhelmed Marlex...perhaps only time would answer that.
As for now...we waited for Triskix to declare the orders of the Leader...to see just what was so important to DISCUSS.
~RaXi
