The carriage left Asgard carrying their precious children. Both Thor and Freya stood at the gate and watched until it flew out of sight.
"Do you think their union will help fight it?" Freya questioned Thor, looking deep into his eyes.
"I don't know...I hope so...though a part of me fears this may actually act as the trigger...I pray that I'm wrong..." Thor spoke aloud...more to himself.
"As do I..." Freya expressed. "Modi is one thing...but what lies within Magni....is truly frightful....for while Modi's bane is in the open...Magni's lies in a deep slumber....waiting to...."
"Speak no more on it." Thor quickly silenced her raising his hand. "You only remind me the pain my lineage brings....what I have brought upon my sons unwillingly....how my heart aches..."
"Thor...."
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As much as I was dreading it...I started to wonder why. We had a good time laughing and reminiscing on the way down to Olympus. Domix was almost depressed when we had to part ways. Taking my forearm, and I his, we shook as the Romans did...looking each other in the eye firmly...a solemn vow between brothers to survive. And then he left.
"Modi really hasn't changed much." Hnoss commented as I stood there where he'd stood only moments before. "Except...he's more accepting now..."
"What?" My eyes narrowed as I turned to look at her.
"Well...he always seemed to be...I don't know, fighting to break free from a shadow. Your shadow Magni." She stated outright. "You had won the favor of many gods at a young age...and Modi...well...he had been left to carry the weight of your shadow. Everyone considered YOU Thor's heir...and Modi had to struggle desperately to prove himself an equal."
"I never considered him any less..."
"I didn't say that." Hnoss interrupted. "It just....happened. It's not your fault."
I sensed someone coming...and I really had no great want to speak with them. So, grabbing Hnoss quickly, I formed a portal and we appeared in the entrance hall of Oblivion. My first priority was to seek out the leader and inform him of the situation. My return, and more importantly, how Hnoss would be here for a few days. Yet before I even stepped forward I heard footfalls rushing down the stairs.
"This is where you live Magni? My...it's a magnificent structure indeed....seemingly...endless..." Hnoss stated glancing around. I found myself not listening...hearing for the footsteps.
"Is that you?! I have to talk with you...." Kyxsha's voice could be heard echoing down the stair well. Until she suddenly appeared at the bottom, "...Ximh....?!" She froze in place when she saw me.
I didn't want to say it....I didn't WANT to say the words to her I knew I HAD to say...what I KNEW I had to do. And yet...if I didn't, Kyxsha would never be able to embrace her happiness. No...I HAD to make her hate me...make her despise me...to drive her to HIM. I clenched my fists.
"Who is this Magni?" Hnoss suddenly addressed stepping out from behind me. "She addressed you just now...did she not? Ximh...that is your other name...Magni?"
"Kyxsha." I said aloud, trying to gain momentum. "She is the Nobody known as Kyxsha, she hails from the world of Agrabah and is a comrade of mine."
"Well met Kyxsha, my name is Hnoss." Hnoss announced with a large and kind smile.
"Ximh...WHO is this woman to you...a FRIEND of your sisters? She has the same...feel..." Kyxsha stated...a firm expression on her face.
"Yes, she is a Goddess from Asgard. However, she isn't a friend of my sisters...she is..."
"Don't say it!" Kyxsha suddenly shouted. I paused...had she somehow heard of my engagement?
"Hnoss...take this portal to my room. I need a moment...please." I instructed. Hnoss looked at me with a worried glance. She nodded slowly and stepped through. "Kyxsha!" I stated forcefully, MAKING her look at me. "Hnoss is my wife. I have regained my rank as a god through my marriage to her." I explained.
Kyxsha leaned against the wall heavily. "Why...I didn't want to know...you're just like her..." She mumbled.
"Though there's more." I continued, my fists clenched tightly. The image of her and Yamil on the bridge appeared before my eyes once more...renewing my resolve to continue. "I didn't just marry her for ranking...so don't misunderstand...Hnoss is the one who shall stand at my side Kyxsha...I'm sorry...there's no place for you there. I was a fool...a mortal could never be one with a God. It was a fool's dream...a Nobody's dream....much like us...filled with nothingness. False promises and lies. That's all."
Kyxsha's eyes widened. I could tell that I'd hurt her...and it hurt for me to say those words....how it burned....but it had to be done. I had to make her hate me...make her want to return and perhaps become whole once more. For I had learned long ago...one does not meddle in the affairs of love....else they be scorned in love themselves for an eternity.
She regained her composure slowly and walked up to me, slapping me hard across the face. I took it...almost enjoyed it. "How dare you Ximh...how dare you...." Was all she could say before she ran off.
I closed my eyes. "It had to be done...there was no avoiding it. Besides...you shouldn't have any part of this life...not if you have the chance to be whole again..." I mumbled.
I portaled up to my room.
"That girl was in love with you Magni. You can't deny that...my mother is the goddess of love..." Hnoss began instantly, a strangely serious expression on her face.
"SHE CAN'T LOVE ME!" I snapped. "You didn't see them Hnoss...her and that man..."
"Magni?"
"There is NOTHING there....there can't be....so just leave it. YOU are my wife...and I shall NEVER be unfaithful...I'm not like my father." I spoke honestly.
"I'm not worried about that Magni...I'm worried about you..." She conveyed earnestly approaching.
I smiled. "Why? I'm fine." I feigned. It would pass over time. Slowly as I realized it more and more...I felt the distance coming. "I need to report to my Leader. Will you wait here?"
"Can I come along? I would very much like to meet him."
"Very well, come then." I stepped to the side and opened a portal. We were off to report to the leader.
Ximh
I was conflicted. I was glad that it had been RaXi sent to find me, but unsure how to proceed with it. I didn't want to fight RaXi; if I fought with her, no doubt Pashnirix would get involved, and things could get very bad in a hurry. But I doubted that Pashnirix would be willing to simply let me go so easily.
I could feel the weight of both of their stares on me. Either I would submit to Pashnirix and defy the Organization, or submit to the Leader and...I couldn't even begin to imagine what Pashnirix would do.
"Tigress," I heard Pashnirix say.
Finally, I spoke. "Listen, RaXi. I wasn't lying earlier. I came here of my own free will. No, Pashnirix, be quiet." The Dragon has started to speak in protest, but I silenced him. "There's a lot more to this than you understand. I owe him this, as do you."
"Me?" RaXi was incredulous. "What could I possibly owe that...that dragon?" she spat angrily.
"The lives of your silly friends, perhaps?" said Pashnirix coolly.
"Pashnirix, be quiet," I hissed. Surprisingly, he did. I wondered how I was getting away with this, but continued anyway. "RaXi, if you truly want to make the right decision, and you are honest in saying you don't want to kill me, then you will hear the full story."
RaXi looked from me to Pashnirix. "Fine," she said, finally relaxing her stance and motioning for Setxune and Xyta to follow suit. "Fine. I'll hear the story. But don't expect me to change my mind. I'm here on a mission."
Pashnirix smirked. "Very well," he said, "then I suppose we'll cross that bridge when it comes."
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Back at the castle, we all convened in a study room, and Pashnirix brought out a plate of pastries and some tea.
"Danish?" He offered the plate to RaXi, but sent me a glance. "I'm rather partial to the lemon ones myself," he said with a half smile.
I growled loudly, and everyone in the room looked at me with a question in their eyes. I tried to refrain from braining the dragon with the expensive looking lamp on the table.
"Um, thank you," said RaXi, taking a pastry off the plate. "So...where does this all begin?"
I sighed. "That night when Organization Zero came to attack," I answered. "Pashnirix and I fought, and...he's the only other Nobody with my type of element I've ever met. I was curious."
"I suggested that we meet again some other time, a week, to be precise. Danish?" The dragon offered the plate to Setxune, who declined, and Xyta, who eagerly chose a couple of the pastries. He set the plate down on a table. "A week passed, and--"
"He kidnapped me to Destiny Islands," I cut in.
"It wasn't kidnapping," I heard him mutter, "you could have escaped at any time."
"ANYWAY," I continued loudly, "after he kidnapped me, we talked, and we agreed to arrange weekly meetings with each other, to better train with our elements."
RaXi's jaw dropped. "You...you arranged to have secret meetings with a member of the enemy organization? How could you?!" She rose quickly from her chair and moved her arm in preparation for an attack. I dropped my chains to the ground and brought them up around her before she could attack, wrapping her tightly. Setxune and Xyta moved to attack me, but Pashnirix held them both at sword point with copies of his blade.
"RaXi," I said quietly, moving closer to her. I could see the anger in her eyes. "You promised you would listen. In no way were either of us plotting against our respective organizations. We had an agreement. If I had gotten an order to kill him, I would have."
"And I the same," said Pashnirix, watching RaXi carefully. "We knew what we were doing, RaXi."
RaXi snarled and fought against her restraints. "I'm not letting you go until you calm down and listen, RaXi," I said.
She looked to the ceiling. "Very well," she said quietly. I waited a few more moments, and then released her, drawing my chains back to myself. Pashnirix let the other two go and resumed his position against the wall.
"So, after that, our first meeting would have been here, but the moment Pashnirix kidnapped me here, I was called back for a meeting. At that point, the Leader let me know that he knew about my secret, and wasn't exactly...pleased," I said sourly.
"I think that's around the time you were kidnapped, and the Leader wouldn't let me go to help rescue you," I said. "I didn't think that sending Xemmsur was the brightest idea, so I did what I had to. I went to Pashnirix for help."
"And that's how we've come to this lovely situation," interjected Pashnirix. "You see, she asked me to observe the battle between your friends and Marlex, and should they have lost, she asked me to overpower Marlex and keep you myself."
RaXi looked angry once more. "You asked him to take me?" she said.
I rolled my eyes. "Not permanently," I answered. "I figured I had a better chance of getting you away from him than the Leader of Organization Zero. If I fought Pashnirix and won, then you'd be safe. But if I lost, chance were that he'd have been so happy to fight me he would have given you to me anyway."
"Your friend speaks true," Pashnirix agreed. "A rather risky assumption, but accurate nonetheless. I would have given you back no matter what."
RaXi shook her head. "I still don't understand why I owe him anything, Rex," she said. "Nyx and Xemmsur won. They got me back safely."
I shook my head. "Xemmsur threw Marlex into a portal. He would have come right back and finished them off, had Pashnirix not prevented him."
"It was to my benefit," said Pashnirix, "as well as yours. That girl was sloppy, and I very well prevented their deaths."
RaXi fell silent, so I continued. "And in return for his help, I promised to come here for an amount of time. Unfortunately, he tricked me into wearing these armlets which keep me here for as long as he wishes," I explained. "So really, if you want to take me back, you'll have to go through him."
"And I," said the Dragon, "do not let go of my treasures so easily."
"And herein lies the dilemma," I muttered. "I can't leave--"
"But you're not a traitor," cut in RaXi, looking at me. "I understand now, I think."
After a pause, Xyta spoke up and asked, "So, what do we do?"
Yes, that was the question on all of our minds.
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Continue, RaXi! ^_^
The Leader seemed to fade into the surroundings. I felt his immense irritation at the entire situation running up and down my spine. He was upset from before about the pacts with the children, and Kyxsha's complete deftness towards the entire situation had made him a pot of steam.
I felt my own muscles tense, and they were ready to take the brunt of it.
Triskix I am too tired to be angry. The Leader started. Because Zero wasn't destroyed, there leaves millions of worlds that we must keep from being conqured by them. We must seal more of them. Is that understood?
Yes.
And also....I noticed two nobodies heading for Oblivion which is why I have vanished before you all. Go say hello and find if they must be destroyed or not.
"Triskix," Nyx asked "What is going on?"
I silently looked at Nyx and sighed.
"Two are coming to the castle," I started.
"Friend or Foe?" Lexian asked.
"Neither, two rogues," I answered. "Let's meet them."
As I opened a portal to the front gate, I saw two other portals opening. Two men walked out each from his own respective portal. They looked at each other and then at the castle finally bringing their eyes down to my level. I glared at them both.
"And you are?" I asked sharply.
"I am Narexurk," the first answered. "What'z up?"
"I am Zavix," the second one said looking at the first somewhat darkly.
"State your business here," I started. "Do you come together or separate and why have you entered this area?"
They looked at one another and then back at me. Anamx was trembling behind me, and I finally released him into Lexian's hand. I stared at these intruders ready for anything.
We made our way out of the portal and onto the castle grounds. Totally forgetting about the person in the portal, I tried talking to Kyxsha but it was like she was dead. No matter what Xemmsur and I tried, even Aidex tried helping us but it was no use.
"Welcome back," I heard Triskix say. Looking over to him I shook my head in disappointment, as Kyxsha made no sound and walked by.
"She's been like that for a while...." I answered Triskix's silent question. "Anything I say just ends up going from one ear and out the other, missing the center."
"So she did come back. That leaves Ximh and Rexikat still in question. Now then let's get inside," Triskix stated walking away holding Anamx's hand.
It made me smile how Anamx had become more relaxed with the guys. Triskix's brisk walk made the child walk twice as fast then he normally had to, and watching the seen made it hard to hold back laughing openly.
I heard a small chuckle come out of Xemmsur looking over at her and seeing her laughing, made it even more difficult to hold it in. I saw Aidex look up at us confused on what is so funny. Looking down at her I shook my head and followed Triskix when he motioned for us.
Once we entered the central tower I felt something grab on to my pant leg, looking down I saw a scared Aidex. Putting my hand on her shoulder for comfort, I smiled reassuringly to her. Then in a haze of black the leader appeared, Aidex stood up a little straighter but I could tell that she was still afraid.
"Now then," the Leader started. "Kyxsha...."
"I have returned to say that I am no traitor. I will now be in my room if I an needed," Kyxsha said with a face that held no emotion.
"You are no traitor then," the Leader said calmly. "Good. For you would be dead if you were. Now then as for Rexikat and Ximh. I sense that Ximh is coming back soon on his own."
I started putting the pieces together on the way back to the castle. Up until now I was not positive of what I thought, but at the mention of Ximh's return and Kyxsha quick reply to a statement, not a question. I had my answer. That there was something between them, but how far does it go I wonder?
The leader glared out at her and I could feel his power spike, as if it had a mind of its own and wished to lash out to make us submit. Quickly I retorted trying to direct his attention to me.
"She's just tired and...."
"She'll probably be fine," Xemmsur finished making the leader look a both of us.
"I hope she will be," Aidex said in a small voice next to me.
"What? fine then let her go..." the Leader answered.
Kxysha made a portal and left, probably to her room. Triskix slightly turned to look over at us I smiled but then in a black wavy cloud the leader seemed to disintegrate into the air around us.
A cold chill ran across my body and I willed myself not to shiver, but I felt goosebumps appear. Aidex squeaked and went farther behind me, going closer to Anamx who ducked back a little behind Triskix. Xemmsur stepped closer and Lexian's eyes where scanning the area in case of a attack.
I was waiting for some kind of attack, after everything that happened before I was sure that he was going to do something. All I knew was that I wouldn't leave Triskix alone. Triskix is stronger then me, I know that, but I wouldn't let him get hurt because 'I' talked back. I would send Aidex and Anamx with Xemmsur if anything happens to get them out of here, but I wouldn't leave a friend behind.
"Triskix," I asked him in a whisper unsure if the leader was leaving or planning a attack. "What is going on?"
----------------
In a castle dark or a fortress strong
With chains upon my feet
You know that ghost is me
And I will never be set free
As long as Im a ghost that you cant see
~Nyx
Lexian and I spent most of our remaining time before everyone returned talking about pranks and what not. It was a light conversation both of us needed. Suddenly Nyx, Xemmsur, and Aidex arrived....with Kyxsha. I took Anamx by the hand,and Lexian and I portaled to the front gate and waited.
"Welcome back," I started, but Kyxsha walked on blindly. Nyx gave me and Lexian a worried look.
"She's been like that for a while...." she answered. "Anything I say just ends up going from one ear to the other and missing the center."
"So she did come back. That leaves Ximh and Rexikat still in question. Now then let's get inside," I answered.
As we walked back into the castle, I saw that the Leader was waiting. He seemed to have a freshness about him as if he had just awakened from a long nap. He gave me a glance and went through a few bits of my mind.
You've made peace with Lexian and Kyxsha has returned. Not bad for a day's work. Now then to my quarters. We have a bit to discuss.
I nodded, and the Leader turned and walked off towards the central tower. I turned back to everyone and nodded them to follow. As we entered into the central tower, I found the trace smell of newness again. It was strange, and as I looked around, I saw nothing had changed.
"Now then," the Leader started. "Kyxsha...."
"I have returned to say that i am no traitor. I will now be in my room if I an needed," Kyxsha said blindly. It seemed like she had prepared the message before-hand.
"You are not a traitor then," the Leader said calmly. "Good for you would be dead if you were. Now then as for Rexikat and Ximh. I sense that Ximh is coming back soon on his own."
"I want to....see Ximh," Kyxsha muttered.
The Leader gave Kyxsha a wry look.
"She's just tired and...." Nyx started.
"She'll probably be fine," Xemmsur finished.
"I hope she will be," Aidex's small voice registered in my ears.
"What? fine then let her..go..." the Leader answered.
Kyxsha aparently hearing this opener her own portal and left towards her room. I sighed and looked at Xemmsur, Nyx, Aidex, and Lexian. The Leader seemed to melt into the walls around us.
