I walked slowly towards Zero's HQ. Every step I took left a shoe print that burned a hole into the ground. I wanted to kill something. It didn't matter what just something. Something to stop the pounding of rage inside my skull. It wasn't Zero that had made me angry, but they were the ones I was going to take it out on.
Someone was sitting on the front gate looking at me with his head cocked to one side. I couldn't see a face under the white cloak, but I didn't care. I would move past this person if they fought me.
"And you are?" the man asked. His voice was low and had a strange accent that I couldn't quite describe.
"You first," I answered.
"Caex of Zero," the man answered throwing back his hood. Short red hair seemed to form out of the hood along with an elongated face. His eyes were a dark yellow eyeris encasing black pupils. "And you are?"
"Not interested," I answered. "Get me Xerebus."
Caex seemed to wince and he shook his right index finger at me.
"No can do," he smirked. "I have my orders to keep intruders out."
I glared and hot red flames began to eat at the surroundings.
"You think that scares me?" Caex taunted. "Notta chance."
I lashed out with my scythe in hand. Caex jumped straight off the gate and seemed to be caught by a breeze. I realized what he was. An air nobody. I didn't recognize him from the first attack that Zero had pulled so long ago which led me to infer that he was relatively new. Looks like Xerebus was getting as many new recurits as possible as well.
In mid air, Caex formed his weapon. It was a bow and arrow set. Caex pulled back on the bow and an arrow formed. As he realsed the arrow, I jumped straight up and sliced the arrow clear in half. With the arrow gone, Caex was left right open. I twisted my scythe around for my second atatck but was blown back by a gust of air.
"Didn't think you would get it that easy did ya?" Caex taunted.
I glared caustically at Caex. As he started to come down, I formed a fireball in my hand and beat it fowards with my scythe. Caex tried to dodge, but as he dodged, I drew in quickly and slashed straight at him. A direct hit.
Caex's shocked face was all that seemed to be left of him. I smirked and grabbed him by his white robe.
"Now then," I glared. "Before I send your caracas into the abyss....tell me where Xerebus is...."
Caex just smirked.
"No can do," he answered. "Besides.....you have another opponet...."
"Hayaaaaaaaaaaa" a voice rang through my ears. I twisted around and brought my foot straight into the side of an ax. A girl with extremely pink hair in two ponytails was glaright at me.
I leared and kicked off a fireball at the girl. She backed up quickly behind her massive ax and in a split second an icesicle had formed around the ax to absorb the attack.
"Ice," I spat. "Another newbie of Zero?"
"For your information!" the girl glared. "My name is Siluxsce! And I may be new to Zero but I am not new to fighting!"
As my attention was diverted, Caex had backed up and started to pull an arrow. As he realesed it, I felt a gush of wind propel it. I backed up and dodged the arrow, but it seeemd to be following me.
"I can control all the air around you," Caex laughed harshly. "That arrow will follow you till it pierces the place where your heart would be."
The arrow barely missed me again, as I had to real back to dodge it. I that instant I saw Siluxce try and bring down her ax on my mind-section. She managed to cut into my ribs but not deep. I doubled back hearing the rips of stitching. Blood started to water my shrit again and began to seap though my coat. I didn't mind. It didn't hurt.
"Will you frickin finish him off already woman!" Caex roared at Siluxce.
"STFU!" Siluxce answered back.
What great friends they are..... I smirked.
I brushed fowards quickly and slammed my scythe into Siluxce's ax. As fire met ice, it was clear who was stronger. I began to slam the blade agaisnt the ax again. I would break it.
My ears picked up on the sound of Caex pulling a string. He was knocking another arrow. I pointed one hand at him and snacted the chain of my scythe. I set red flames to eat at the chains and then spun the chanes at Caex. The chanes hit before he could launch the arrow.
"I will keep this up!" I roared. "Till all of you are dead!"
"ENOUGH," a voice roared.
Everything seemed to stop in a heart beat. One of my eyes moved to find the owner of the voice while the other continued to glare firey at Caex.
"Tanex!" Siluxce's voice said quickly. "What is the meaning of this?"
I felt my mucles tighten........that name........
"Enough you two. I will deal with this. Go inside Citadel," Tanex's voice answered. I recognzied it.....a fire sparked a bit at the end of my scythe and grew white hot.
"Tanex don't you dare think you can order me-" Caex started but seemed suddenly silenced. I turned my head just enough to capture the glimpse of Tanex. He was standing there perfectly adamant with a grin on his face.....but his eyes.....there was something about them that made me want to shiver....something....
"Did you not hear me you two?" Tanex asked. "I said 'Go inside Citadel I will deal with this'"
In an instant Siluxce and Caex were gone. I was left standing still at the gates of Zero, my cloak beginning to stain red with my own blood, and looking at Xemnas's student. There was a deathly silence in the air for a moment.
"Tanex," I started coldly.
"Is that any way to say hello?" Tanex almost scolded. "It's been a while.....little flame boy....." And with that....his mood seeemed to change. "We shouldn't be standing here anyways. Come on let's get you somewhere where we can clean that up..." Tanex said pointing a finger at just below my ribs.
Tanex opened a portal and stepped through calmly. I followed just as calmly. As I entered, I felt my face grow red. It was as if I had been thurst straight back in time.....It was Castle Oblivion....the way it had been....the way it should be.....I breathed in.
"I take that as approval?" Tanex smirked.
I didn't answer. I couldn't answer. What was this place????
Leader
I stood quietly in the center of my tower. Deathly Silent. I hated him. Hated Triskix. I hated him for trying to kill me by killing himself. How dare he make a mockery of my power. And I had made him suffer for it. Yes....I had made him suffer for it.
When I located him, he was already weakened from using whatever technique he had used. It was then that I proceeded to make him pay. To shove him close enough to death without actually dying. I ripped apart his scars drenching his flesh in his ow red blood. I tore at his arteries and veins without discrimination.
And when he had reached a point....I had stopped. Any more and he would have escaped me into death. And I wouldn't allow for that. No. I wouldn't allow for that.
I appeared before him. Triskix. Drenched and drowning in his own blood. I stood in front of him glaring into what I could not see and yet knew in existence what was there. I smiled down a bit. I was. Master of his death if I chose to be. Or giver of his life if I chose to be. And he just stared back at me waiting for it. Waiting for Death's loving embrace. But no. I wouldn't allow for that. No. I was not that kind. No. I would keep him in the world to watch as he suffered.
“You’re lucky,” I smiled down at him. Although I couldn't see him....I knew what face he was making....that rebellious face that had come to pass. “That you didn’t fade in your own blood…….You lost more than half your blood.”
Triskix tried to bring life into himself, and I had to hold back a laugh as he failed.
“I’m surprised I didn’t finish you,” I continued. “But. I am not so merciful that I would do that. No. You must hold you end of the pact until the Cypher is done.
I could hear more blood pooling in the ground. There would be a blossoming of blood-grass on this level before long.
“You couldn’t,” Triskix started laughing. “As part of the pact…..if I die before it’s done…..you will too….”
I felt my face lighten up in pure delight.
“On the contrary Triskix,” I answered. “I have made twenty five new pacts. Twenty-five pacts that will ensure my life. Even if I decide to kill you now, I won’t die.”
Air hit Triskix's lungs like a sack of rocks hitting an iron floor.
“If you ever try to end me again,” I spat. “I will end you first. Now….”
I opened a portal just under Triskix. It would take him to the nearest cluster of nobodies and no doubt they would get him to the infirmary.
Before I had turned to go back to my tower....I had to stop. Ever so carefully....and kneel down. My fingers ran through the thick pool of blood. It was warm and lovely. The Living's sentiment to Death. Blood. I shoved my hand further into the puddle and finally pulled it out. Even the smell of blood was lovely. I took in the smell and smiled.
I stood again and opened a portal while my hand dripped of Triskix's blood like water running off my fingers. As I entered the central tower again. I was released into silence again..
And here I stood now. Here I stood completely content. Filled with a new hope. Of some sort.....of something that I wanted to happen. As I stood there, I felt him come through a portal.
"Hello Xerebus,"I smiled.
Xerebus stepped through silently.
"Xraktos," Xerebus started.
I turned around sharply reading his voice.
"You're doing something aren't you?"I glared blindly. A few of the lesser nobodies in the room allowed me to see Xerebus clearly.
"The plan must be changed," Xerebus said quietly. "There are things at work, and I need at least a week and a half before I can hand over my Organization....."
Ifelt a new rage run through me like a wild-fire. But in a minute I drenched the fire. There was a explanation. I knew there was. Xerebus wanted to bring Martel back as much as I did. Maybe not for the same reasons.....but still.
"You realize you're violating your promise," I said coldly. "The one you promised oh what now.....450 years ago? Somewhere in there? You promised to bring Martel back as soon as possible. You promised her. Why the sudden freeze of time? Is something truly more?"
"Shut your mouth!" Xerebus yelled. "I remember what I promised and I understand that! But I need more time!"
"Time," I answered. "...........Fine. Time. Time. Time. Time. Time. Time. I will give you time. But in that time. I hope you know what Martel is going through in that hell."
"SHUT UP KRATOS!" Xerebus yelled.
I silenced. All that was in the room was the sound of breathing.
"One week and a half," I said to the silence of the room. "And if not. I will pull the plug on you even getting withing twenty five miles of Martel."
Xerebus remained silent. I remained silent. And in the silence, Xerebus left. I was left with range. And the sound of my breathing.
_____________________________________________________________
hahaha everything has been pushed back XD needed more time hahaahah.
Will post Triskix's part maybe tomorrow or something.
I leaned over to one side and clutched my stomach to try and keep myself from throwing up. It didn’t help. It tasted like acid, but what was worse was the fact that my stomach had been all but out of use over the past three weeks, and there was almost literally nothing for me to get out. I was left with the metallic taste of blood in my mouth.
I felt myself get ready to heave again, but I just held my moth and waited till the moment past. Then I felt it. What I had expected. Every inch of my being began to split apart. Every little scar on my skin split at once. Blood splashed onto the ground. Red sickening blood. And it continued…..spattering. Blood splashed like water…..I heard it. And then the pain ran through. I tried not to scream……..
-*-
I woke up with the Leader standing over me. I couldn’t move….so I didn’t.
“You’re lucky,” the Leader said coldly. “That you didn’t fade in your own blood…….You lost more than half your blood.”
I tried to breathe in, but the pain stopped me.
“I’m surprised I didn’t finish you,” the Leader said turning away. “But. I am not so merciful that I would do that. No. You must hold you end of the pact until the Cypher is done. “
I tried another breath in. “You couldn’t,” I laughed a bit. A new stream of blood was running down the side of my mouth. “As part of the pact…..if I die before it’s done…..you will too….”
“On the contrary Triskix,” the Leader answered. “I have made twenty five new pacts. Twenty-five pacts that will ensure my life. Even if I decide to kill you now, I won’t die.”
I breathed in again. The caustic shock in my lungs was the least of my worries.
“If you ever try to end me again,” the Leader said harshly. “I will end you first. Now….”
I felt a portal open under me. It slowly sucked me down inside. I closed my eyes.
When I opened my eyes again….I was in the infirmary. Xemmsur was looking at me terrified.
“What happened???” she asked. “
“Hu……….” I managed to get out.
“Triskix!” Xemmsur said again. “What happened???”
I closed my eyes again and let my mind wander…….
I was waiting for Xakiah and Minx to finish their conversation when suddenly the Leader was standing behind me. He was extremely tight and felt on the verge of going on a killing spree.
“Provided that there is a next time to look forward to.” He smirked.
Triskix MOVE. The Leader ordered. I am not in the mood to deal with you.
“I’ve told you before that this is my job. Back off from my order.” I answered a loud.
Suddenly it felt like twenty scars split at once. I winced but made no show of pain.
“It may be your order, but this is my Organization. Besides, you’re taking your sweet time in giving them the specifics of what I want them to do.” the Lader answered. He moved me aside and started his own speech. His voice was rigorous and coarse. “So, now that I have everyone’s undivided attention, I’m going to make this announcement as quick and straight to the point as possible so listen up:
“As you’ve just heard, your task is to capture the members of Organization Zero for the purpose of harvesting their power for the sake of our castle. You are to do this to the letter and without hesitation; failure to do so will result in immediate and extreme punishment.”
He stopped and I found myself listening in on a sudden thought that had crossed him.
“We will formally attack Citadel Abyss in two days; no sooner, no later. I demand that all of you be ready and reporting for duty by then. That is all.”
And just as he came, the Leader left. I was left with a group of extremely unnerved people.....and a few expressing a bit of delight. I sighed for a moment.
"You heard him," I answered. "Two days. No more no less. This meeting is done. Do what you want for the remainder of the time but remember....TWO days.
Everyone gave a swift nod, and most of them opened their own portals away from the meeting hall. By ten minutes, only Xakiah, Tamex, and Minx remained standing in the hall.
He was so much stronger from before..... I found myself thinking. If it comes to a point where he doesn't even need my pact....I won't be able to fight him. I took a breath in.
"Tamex, Minx, Xakiah," I started. "I need you to keep an eye on the castle. I'm going off for a day or a day and a half. I will be back."
Minx gave me a warry look. "What...." she started.
"I'll be back," I answered. Minx gave me a fierce nod.
"You'd better not make this little Lady Minx cry flame-guy," Tamex answered. "Because if you do, I'll drown you in the deepest sea."
I found myself smirking. More to myself than to them. Tamex will protect Minx always. Even when I can't.....Always. I nodded my head and opened a portal to the basement. The underground spring had refilled in the time that I had left it with drainage water.
I closed my eyes. Then I started forming my scythe. It came easily, and I encased it withing a blanket of red flames. I smirked to myself. I started adding more energy to the flames. The fire began to start encasing my arm. It burned but I had become used to burns. I will not lose. I thought to myself, and I slowly began to force the flames into order. They moved up my arm and then to my shoulder.
I began forming a flame inside......the undying flame that Axel had instilled in me. I began forcing it to grow. Fire began to move even through my veins. I moved it along towards my arm and the flames increased and began to take on a white tint.
I slashed my scythe fowards and unleashed a white fireball. It slammed into the water, but instead of just making steam, the fire destroyed all the water and continued to burn even then. The white fire crackled without anything to burn in the crevis of the former pond.
I smirked and started walking towards the white fire. As I stepped inside it, my first reaction was to flinch away from it. It was hot. Even hotter than normal fire. This was true white fire. True soul's flame. I stepped fully inside it and the white fire consumed me.
I sat within the white fire and started to absorb it once again back inside. The fire began to die as I took it back. Back into my veins. Back into my core. And then I heard it.
Are you suicidal kid? a voice asked.
No I answered. No I'm not.....Axel.
Hahah so you still recognize me, Axel's voice laughed. But still. Invoking soul's fire isn't something to do lightly. You know what it did to me.
I know. I answered.
Not bad kid. Not bad. Axel answered.
And in that second, Axel was gone again. I was sitting on the bottom of the pond I had drained. It didn't feel like more than thirty minutes but I knew it had been at lest two hours.
I took a breath in.
"I will keep order," I said to the quiet of the room. "And I will protect them.....all those that reside in this castle.....from him."
From You.
Leader
My doppelgangers were standing in my tower. I was slowly returning them back to their lesser nobody state when I felt my entire being go numb. All my muscles, veins.....everything....was on fire....EVERYTHING. I couldn't move and fell straight fowards. One of the doppelgangers had to catch me before I hit the floor. He did with perfect timing and slowly put me to the ground.
I felt blood running down the side of my lips. Was I dying???? Right here??? NO! NO NO NO NO NO! I will not die! Triskix! I roared in my head.
He wouldn't answer. I yelled his name again in my thoughts, but there seemed to be no consciousness in contact with mine at all. I was yelling into the abyss.
Did he just......... I breathed in feeling my body go into shock. NO TRISKIX! YOU WILL NOT TAKE ME! NO!
I felt fire begin to encase my entire being. He was going to kill me right here!
And in an instant, it was gone. I let out a breath and it was gone. I took a breath in and it was still gone. I was left laying on the floor. Every inch of me was tight and ready to to contract completely and break my spinal chord.
I sat up.
"Dam him.....Dam him dam him dam him....." I repeated over and over again. He had threatened it.....but I had never perceived that Triskix would actually kill himself....and because we still shared the pact.....until I use the machine....and fulfill the pact......and because I haven't.......I...I could.......die.....DAM HIM DAM HIM DAM HIM!
In the silence, I heard it. Or rather.....I felt it. The Leader's thoughts had slowly moved into my mind again. He wasn't' talking to me, but I could feel what he was feeling. He was angry and he was going to kill.
"Xemmsur," I said quickly opening a portal. "He's going to kill."
Xemmsur looked startled for a moment, but then her eyes changed and she became serious. "Someone in the caste?" she asked.
"Someone," I answered.
I walked through the portal and straight down the hall. I could feel the mixture between anger and pleasure in the Leader's mind. As my eyes focused in on what he was doing, I saw Tamex on the ground.
Dam him! Why did he come? I yelled in my head. Minx screamed, and my blood curdled. He had been a fool enough to bring Minx as well????
"Enough!" I roared. The Leader turned sharply around. Fire was sparking up through the floor. I glared at him. Suddenly one of my scars ripped open, but I ignored the initial pain.
Xemmsur quickly summoned a few nobodies and ran over towards Tamex and Minx. I stared harshly at the Leader. Not Minx. I said sharply in my mind.
Defensive of that little witch? the Leader growled back. Defensive of that traitor and that witch? They should have remained where they were. They could have lived.....
Enough. Do not kill them. I glared back.
Why are they so special to you Triskix? Are you......were you.....hiding something? the Leader smirked and began tearing through my mind. He was merciless. Every memory. Every thought was subjugated to his rage. After what seemed like forever....he found it. The Leader found what I had tried to hide.
"So," he started smirking evilly at me. "My my Triskix. Such a big secret. Who knew you had a sister alive. Yes you hid it so very well......"
Suddenly he darted his hand towards Minx. She screamed again and fire exploded through the walls.
"ENOUGH!" I yelled. The fire formed a ring and slowly moved inwards. "Leave them alone!"
I want to protect them. That is my job. I want to protect all of them. And I will. I will Leader. I will Xraktos....even if I have to kill myself to do it. If you don't leave them alone, I will burn myself here and now. You only have one pact at the moment, and I know if I died, you would too.
The Leader recoiled.
You have been in my thoughts.... The Leader growled. Probably across the pact bridge yes? One scar opened across my lads. I didn't flinch.
The pact called that I am able to receive orders through direct thoughts, I answered. But I have adapted. Over these months, I have slowly been able to do more than that. I can hear your thoughts just as you can mine...at all times.
The Leader glared at me harshly. You would never kill yourself. he asserted. Because then you would never be able to complete your dream of bringing back the XII.
For the people alive...I would give up anything..... I answered.
The Leader stopped. His muscles seemed to relax.
Fine then, he answered. These two are not worth my time anyway. Deal with them as you wish Triskix.
The Leader turned and left through a portal. I took a breath out and walked over towards Xemmsur, Tamex, and Minx. Xemmsur had moved Tamex up against the side wall, and he seemed to be recovering. Minx was shaking drastically on the floor. I picked her up and moved her back onto the wall sitting her up.
"Kristian," Minx shook. "He was going to kill me......Kristian I do want to die...Kristian....."
I remained silent.
"Triskix," Tamex said tiredly. "We have stuff to talk about sooner or later...."
I sighed and nodded.
"There is still that meeting you called," Xemmsur reminded me.
The thought hit me, and I stood up.
"Yes," I answered.
Leader
I was tense. Too tense. Triskix had defied me, and there was nothing I could do about it. He had threatened to end both of our lives.....and by his thoughts I knew he meant it.
Martel...... I thought to myself standing there in my tower. Martel...I will not die....I will not...... I smirked to myself.
"Time to activate some old promises......" I smirked to myself. I opened a portal and appeared in Olympus. A shock went through all of them. I didn't flinch as many of them backed up tentatively.
"Hello Anyone know where I can find an old friend?" I asked smirking. "His name is Hades."
A few younger gods pointed a general direction. I thanked them and walked on. I walked for what seemed like hours, but I knew better. Soon enough I came to the end of Mt. Olympus and appeared in Hades's realm.
Hades was busy yelling at two very annoying creatures when I appeared.
"Hello Hades," I smirked.
Hades stopped his yelling and turned around sharply.
"Well well...." he smiled. "Well if it isn't the pactkeeper Kratos......or rather....his nobody Xraktos....."
"Enough," I answered. "Hades. You made a pact with me years ago."
"Yes yes I remember it," Hades sighed. "And, let me guess, you want to enact the pact now."
"Yes," I answered. "The pact."
"Fine then," Hades answered. "I, Hades of the Under World, hereby awaken the pact made with Kratos on the terms established years ago.."
I felt a surge of energy run through my body. Everything felt alive and dead at once. I smiled. It was good to be back in business. I held out my hand and fire appeared. It wasn't Triskix's.....no this was a God's fire. I closed my had around it and killed the flame. Hades did say any more, but turned and went back to yelling at the two stooges.
"Thank you Hades," I smirked.
"As long as you adhere to the pact," Hades answered.
"As always," I answered.
The energy was wonderous. I felt as though I could do so much more. So much more. I would awaken the other pacts. And I would become truly strong again. I would dominate. And Martel would come back. And then and only then would I be happy.
I opened a portal and stepped through it. I continued my expedition. More pacts to be awakened. More strength to take. More to gain............MORE.
What I've done
What I've become
It was all for you
___________________________________________________________
Xraktos: *continues his evil laugh* muahahahahhhahahahahhahahaha
Triskix: give it a rest T~T
Soji: .__.;;;;;;;;;
