Nyx walked close to my side...but far enough so that we were ready for anything. She knew the exact amount of space I needed to call forth my weapon. It was odd...it'd been SO LONG since the two of us were on a mission together...and yet...we still worked in perfect rhythm. It was quiet between the two of us as we emerged on the other side of the corridor of darkness. Citadel Abyss loomed before us now. Yet I knew what Nyx was thinking...it was the same as me. We weren't dwelling on the Citadel at all, or even the resistance we would meet with...but with just WHO lie within. We still hadn't seen just HOW MANY of the Apprentices had been gathered together, and as far as we knew...they could ALL be there. Yet another rested in my mind as well...Verex. He could be my ally...but there was also the chance that he could be...My WORST enemy...
"No matter who it is Nyx...can you fight them?" I asked her lowly, my eyes fixated on the Tower. I contemplated whether I could face Verex with all my might...so far...I hadn't.
She hesitated to answer.
"I know we share a past...but I will NOT allow them to kill me. I have much to do still...I haven't the time for mercy anymore..." I explained, trying to convince myself as well...and hoping to give her the confidence to reciprocate my gesture.
She smiled at me. "That's why they target me...because you, Triskix and Lexian are exactly the same...willing to do anything to stay alive. Plus...you three would rather fight BEFORE negotiating..."
I smirked. When it came to the other apprentices and me, this was indeed the case. "Yes, that's true. After all, hesitation can be a great enemy on the battlefield. That's why I worry for you Nyx. You are too kind to those of the past...please just promise me to ease my mind...no matter who we run into...you MUST have the courage to face them on equal ground. No hesitation...understand?"
"I do." She answered...yet she couldn't look me in the eye. I truly worried for her...but there was nothing I could do to persuade her otherwise. Nyx was kind...that's just WHO she was. I didn't ask, or even WANT to change her. I would just have to protect that kindness...with my cruelty if need be. Even if...Verex himself should stand against me...
Before I stepped forward I suddenly felt something off. I couldn't SENSE anything...but my spine was tingling. And that in itself was a bad sign. I drew my sword and examined the area. Suddenly a shadow moved and took form. I knew this person, it was Xakiah... yet my sword remained.
"You're very wise RaXi." She commented with a slightly menacing grin. "Though, I could've killed the both of you 3 times before you sensed anything..." She paused. "If I wanted to, that is."
Sarcasm...It was true though...I was too deep in thought...and her skills of concealment were astounding. Even by MY standards...which were incredibly high. "What are you doing here?"
"I come and go as I please...I sensed the two of you making your way here and I couldn't help but wonder...'why'?" She explained walking casually around us.
"There will be an assault on Abyss, we are here to insure the defenses are down." I explained.
"Ah, Minx then." She quickly answered. "I see."
I had forgotten for a moment...until quite recently Xakiah had been in the company of Zero. Yet...I wondered what had swayed her loyalty. Had she even had any to begin with? Or was she like me...chained to NO ONE...Yet...she could be of great aid. The inside is a brutal maze, seeing it once before, I don't want to blindly charge in again. Perhaps she will help us? I withdrew my weapon and stood down. Yet, I still had the daggers in my coat sleeve prepped...just in case.
"Xakiah...you know the inside of Citadel Abyss...do you not?" I began.
"I do." She answered analyzing my facial expressions. I tried to make it obvious what I wanted...and she reciprocated it immediately. "Very well...I will aid you. After all...without me you won't find Minx in time." She stated walking forward. I could tell simply by her tone that she intended it to sound as though it were HER choice to aid us...that no favors were to be done...and that she really didn't care about us one way or another.
Yes, we are VERY alike...I found myself thinking.
She opened a portal. "Come quickly. With my portals we won't be discovered."
Deciding to put my trust in her, I looked at Nyx and nodded. We walked through quickly, immediately entering the inside of Abyss. Only now did I start to notice it but...Abyss was very similar to Oblivion. Things were crazy and mixed up but...they were very much alike....
"So you know exactly where Minx is..." Nyx asked in a whisper but was cut short by the sudden feeling we all took in. A shockwave...and in an instant we felt totally caged in.
"Such a strong barrier...surely that child is not capable of such power..." I stated feeling the pressure emanating off the very WALLS of the Castle.
"Why else do you think Xerebus keeps her around?" Xakiah conveyed coolly. "He knows she's capable of this...and he uses her to the fullest extent of that. But never-mind that now...we got in just in time...now nothing will come or go from this place." She paused to look at me. "To break the defense we need only subdue her and place her in an unconscious state...or kill her if you see fit."
At this last comment I swear Xakiah grinned again. Hoping I would agree to it. I remembered the Leader's words...'Preferably dead...' I smiled. "No, we shan't kill the girl. Besides...she is needed still." I thought about Triskix, he is the one who needed her. Yet, I also did this to openly defy the Leader.
"Whatever you say..." Xakiah grumbled.
Nyx was smiling at me. I knew she thought I was being kind but really...I just wanted to tick off the Leader... >:}
Waiting for Xakiah to make the first move...we began our insurgence into Citadel Abyss. We'd have to find Minx in this mess of a fortress...and pray we didn't run into too many distractions.
~RaXi
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Alright then! Xakiah or Nyx, feel free to continue if you wish! ^^
