Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days: Vol. 1 The 14th

Written by: Kanemaki Tomoco
Original Plan: Nomura Tetsuya and Nojima Kazushige
Illustration: Amano Shiro
Copyrighted by Disney, Square Enix and Touchstone Pictures
Translations: gold_panner

Notes: No profit is gained from these translations. Every effort is made to make them as accurate as possible, however, due to factors including the differences between the two languages, they are not word-for-word. Please do not repost translations without crediting HEARTSTATION.ORG.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Vol. 1: The 14^th

Contents

Chapter 1 Beginning of the End

Chapter 2 Seasalt Icecream

Chapter 3 Xion and Roxas

Chapter 4 Castle Oblivion

Chapter 5 Chain of Memories

Chapter 6 Reunion

Chapter 7 Friends

xxx

Because even if you can’t remember, it doesn’t mean that the memories have disappeared.

xxx

I remember.

I remember that, I haven’t forgotten.

I won’t forget.

xxx

Characters

Xion

A girl who appeared as the 14^th member, six days after Roxas joined the Organisation. In the beginning, she kept her hood up, and never showed her true face. By and by, she becomes important to Roxas.

Roxas

The protagonist of this story. Number XIII of the Organisation. He has no memories of the time before he became an Organisation member, and so as he performs missions every day, he has doubts and questions about everything around him. He is able to wield the keyblade.

Axel

A wielder of fire-imbued chakrams. Number VIII of the Organisation. While fulfilling the role of mentor to Roxas, the main character, he melts little by little. He acts for a common goal shared with certain members of the Organisation.

Riku=Replica

A ‘doll’ of Riku, created by number IV of the Organisation, Vexen, for the sake of certain research. After meeting this experimental body in Castle Oblivion, huge doubts begin to grow inside Axel.

Saïx

Number VII, who serves as the Organisation’s aide-de-camp. Because Roxas and the other members of the Organisation are always receiving missions via Saïx, there are many meetings in which they make contact with him, however, his detached objections give a cold and stern impression.

Xemnas

The leader of the Organisation, and Xehanort’s nobody. He is a figure of absolute power within the Organisation. It seems he knows something about Roxas’ past…

Xigbar

Number II of the Organisation, who wields gun arrows. With a carefree sort of personality, he calls Roxas ‘kiddo’ and Xion ‘Pou’, teasing them every day. However, he is very well informed about various things, and it is hard to guess what he’s really like inside.

Beast

A prince who was turned into a beast by a witch’s curse. Roxas and the others spot him while investigating Beast’s Castle.

Pete

A detestable fellow who does nothing but evil. This time, too, Roxas and the others see him toddling about behind the scenes, with the goal of increasing the number of heartless.

Genie

The genie of Agrabah’s lamp. He left to travel with a flying carpet, but he became worried about his best friend, Aladdin, and while he returns to check on him, he meets Roxas and the others.

xxx

Chapter 1: Beginning of the End

That place is always lit up by the same scarlet sunset.

I wonder where that place was. It must have been Twilight Town.

“Roxas…”

I wonder who it was that spoke to me.

I don’t remember the name of the person that stood in front of me, wearing a black coat.

But I must have been given a name there.

And then I met him.

Him—that guy with the red hair, and of course wearing a black coat.

And then, we ate ice cream.

I remember.

I remember that, I haven’t forgotten.

I won’t forget.

xxx

The preparations for his awakening are complete.

As a Heartless, he has already vanished, the Nobody remaining—and, it is he, returned to normal.

xxx

The sound of waves could be heard.

The tide was moving in and out, washing sand away from the beach.

The boy’s body sank slowly into the water.

Or, perhaps he was trying to be caught by the waves.

And then, the boy opened his eyes.

A stark white room. A stark white bed. Through the wide window, a pitch black sky and the neon of skyscrapers were visible.

Where is this place, again?

This is my room.

This is a place called ‘The World That Never Was’.

And, my name is Roxas.

That’s my name.

I’m number 13 of the Organisation.

I feel like I’ve been dreaming the whole time.

No, I also feel like I was awake the whole time.

Yesterday—yesterday, I was by a dark ocean. I met him there.

Our boss.

After that—I don’t really remember so well.

Maybe the stuff that happened yesterday didn’t really happen at all.

Maybe I’m still dreaming.

The boy—Roxas got out of bed, and left the room.

He continued along a corridor, white just like his room, and made of something inorganic. It was a little like stone, and a little like something artificial; Roxas didn’t know what it was. Only that there was a space that continued along there. Many doors, like the one to his own room, lined the corridor. The design of the rooms on the other side of the doors were probably also the same. And so, inside were probably people just like him.

Shortly, the space opened out, and he started descending a sloping hallway. At the end of it was The Garden of Weaving Light and Dark—the lobby, it was called. He had been told to come here upon waking.

By who?
He didn’t really remember.

The lobby was chilly, enclosed in transparent glass, outside of which there was nothing but pitch black darkness and white buildings.

“Huh? You finally up?”

Roxas turned. A blonde woman, wearing the same black coat as Roxas, was looking down at him. Roxas couldn’t answer at all, and she, Larxene, gossiped one-sidedly, resting her hip on the side of the sofa. Roxas had no idea what on earth the change in her expression meant. But, when he saw that look, he got just a little uneasy.

There were three people other than Larxene wearing that same black coat, spending the extra time they didn’t know what to do with inside the lobby.

Roxas approached someone who was looking at the pitch dark outside the window; a person with red hair.

Perhaps there was a reason he was chosen to pair up with Roxas, perhaps there wasn’t. Roxas didn’t know that, either.

But, when Roxas drew nearer to that person, he turned around, a smile showing on his face.

“Hey, Roxas.”

“…………”

Roxas cast his gaze downwards. He didn’t really know what he should say in reply.

“What’s up? You need something?”

I don’t really need anything, but I was thinking maybe it would be nice to talk to someone, that’s all.

The red-haired person—Axel looked at Roxas, who was still looking down.

That reminds me—that’s right, that day, it must have been the first day, the one who was with me was—

“Oh yeah, they said we have to meet at the Round Room today… What a pain in the ass…”

“Round Room…” Roxas murmured.

I remember the place they call the Round Room.

That was also on the first day—no, wasn’t it after that?

Roxas looked up at Axel.

“Apparently there’s something we have to hear. Let’s hurry up and go.”

Axel held up one hand, and darkness opened up before it.

Oh, I know. We people of the Organisation can manipulate that darkness at will.

That darkness must be a—

“You wanna hurry and use a dark corridor?”

“Dark corridor…”

That’s right, a dark corridor.

On the other side of the darkness, other worlds open up. Instead of using doors, so to speak.

“I hate it, always get a sore ass from sitting on those hard seats,” said Axel, laughing as he spoke.

He was interrupted by a person standing in the centre of the lobby.

“You two, hurry up.”

Axel and Roxas were the only ones left in the lobby, apart from a man with long blue hair and a large scar on his forehead – Saïx. Larxene had already left. The others had probably left to be present at the Round Room long since.

“Yeah yeah, let’s go Roxas. Open a dark corridor for yourself too,” said Axel, entering the darkness he had opened.

“…………”

The darkness closed up before Roxas’ eyes.

“Hurry up,” announced Saïx, and he also disappeared into a dark opening.

Roxas was the only one left in the lobby.

Roxas stared at his own hand.

How do I open the dark like that?

Roxas lifted a hand, like Axel had, and closed his eyes for a second.

He recalled that darkness.

I have to get to that place—the Round Room.

Beside Roxas, the darkness opened its gaping mouth.

Is the Round Room really at the end of that?

Roxas stepped inside.

xxx

The hall that they called the Round Room was enclosed by a circular wall. The walls were made of the same white material as the other rooms. In the middle of the room was a large circular table—a stage-like ‘round table’, and thirteen seats surrounded it. The chairs were tall, and each had a different height.

And, twelve other black-coated people had also taken their seats.

Roxas couldn’t remember all their names very clearly, and he stared vaguely at the ‘round table’ placed in the middle of the room. Painted there was a mark that was very similar to a cross; it was also painted on Roxas’ bed. Roxas knew what it meant.

That’s the seal of the Organisation—of the Nobodies.

But, I don’t know who told me that.

“Today is a day that deserves commemoration.”

The air quivered with the resounding voice.

Oh, I know. That voice belongs to—that guy, our boss, Xemnas.

And then, a lone person appeared in the Round Room.

“A new comrade has joined our ranks.”

I can’t tell what that person’s face looks like, what with it hidden so deep in their hood.

“The 14^th…”

Things were suddenly flitting across Roxas’ mind. It was only a few days ago—probably six days ago.

Axel dressed him in a black coat, and then brought him to this room.

The one chosen by the Keyblade—

Xemnas must have said that to me, that day.

The Keyblade?

I don’t even know what that is.

Roxas looked at the person standing in the middle of the Round Room.

The person lifted their face for just a moment, and Roxas stirred, getting the feeling that they were looking at him.

It looked like that person’s mouth, which should have been concealed and unseeable under the hood, was smiling.

I feel like I’ve seen that smile somewhere before.

But I can’t remember where.

Until now, these seven days past, I haven’t once been scared of the things I can’t remember.

But now, I’m somehow—scared.

Scared?

What does it mean, to be scared?

Roxas sensed something flicker and he looked up.

Xemnas had disappeared, wrapped in darkness. And then, one after the other, the members of the Organisation disappeared.

The 14^th was still looking at him.

And then, Roxas passed out.

xxx

What’ll happen to me…?

I’m… fading… into the dark…

xxx

Xemnas watched Roxas, who had been put down to sleep on his bed.

“Hurry up and awaken.”

There was no answer.

Xemnas’ figure vanished from Roxas’ room.

xxx

The air in the Round Room quivered.

As if the darkness was burning, many dark corridors opened into the seats, and the figures of the black-coated members appeared.

There were seven of them. The seven people between No. I and No. VII—in other words, Xemnas, Xigbar, Xaldin, Vexen, Lexeaus, Zexion, and Saïx.

“To allow the newcomer to attend.”

The biggest newcomer amongst the members in attendance—Saïx stared straight at the centre of the Round Room, without showing any particular reaction to Vexen’s words.

“Have we been able to extract the ‘key’?” Xigbar asked.

“Key? You must be talking about the fragments. If it’s only the fragments, we can take them out without the aid of the witch’s power,” Vexen answered.

“Are more fragments necessary?” asked Zexion.

“That depends on the movement of the hero,” Vexen said, without hesitation.

Lexeaus opened his mouth. “More importantly, are the movements of the heroes being properly monitored?”

“Marluxia has been ordered to act without any slipups,” answered Saïx, this time.

“The hero’s Nobody appearing was pretty irregular in itself, anyway,” said Xaldin, and all gazes concentrated on him. “Doesn’t the existence of the hero’s Nobody make continuing the plan meaningless?”

“Well, we need some kinda insurance, as they say,” said Xigbar.

“The plan has been set in motion,” Xemnas interrupted, and all six faces lifted. “In order to assure our new power, we will put our first plan into action,” he stated, in conclusion at last, and the other six each nodded.

xxx

He opened his eyes, and found himself on top of his bed.

What happened yesterday?

I can’t really remember, like always.

Roxas got out of bed, and went to look out the window.

The sky is as pitch dark as always, so I don’t really know, but it seems like the date has changed.

I have to go to the lobby once I’ve woken up. At the moment, that’s all I understand.

Roxas left his room and walked the hallways just like had had the day before, heading for the lobby.

He thought of the red haired guy, maybe he would see him again today too.

“Roxas,” came the call, the instant he stepped into his place of destination. It was Saïx. Roxas stared vaguely up at him.

Mission.

Somehow I get that it’s not okay for me to just be here.

I don’t really understand what I’m here for, though, like always.

“It’s closer to training than a mission. There are various things we’d like you to remember before going out on missions. Today you will be moving with Axel. Isn’t that nice, Axel.”

Roxas shifted his gaze to the side of Saïx, Axel was standing there and gave him a nod. Behind him, Roxas saw one more member was standing there.

That was the 14^th.

“What is this… am I supposed to be his mentor or something?” Axel answered, scratching his head.

“Yes. Teach Roxas mission basics.”

“Yeah yeah. Understood.”

Removed from Axel and Saïx’s conversation, Roxas watched the 14^th.

Like always, their face was hidden deep in a hood, and he couldn’t tell anything.

“We’re going, Roxas,” said Axel, peering into Roxas’ face. Following his gaze, he turned to the 14^th.

“What’s up? You interested in that one? That must be… come to think of it, I dunno either,” said Axel, scratching his head again.

Saïx opened his mouth. “It’s Number 14, Xion.”

“Xion, then…” Axel muttered.

“Xion…” Roxas voiced, quietly.

“Got it memorised? Roxas.”

He shrugged, and Axel looked deep into his face again, a slight glare in his eyes. “Yeah…” Roxas replied, voice lacking strength. Xion was still at the end of his gaze. But, it was also possible that Roxas wasn’t looking at Xion.

Roxas’ blue eyes reflect the view of his surroundings, but for some reason, it feels like he isn’t looking at anything.

Is this vagueness just what you expect of a newly-woken Nobody?

I want to try and hear him answer me, thought Axel.

“So, what’s my name?”

“Axel…”

It seemed that Roxas hadn’t been able to forget it, somehow.

I wanna ask one more thing.

“What’s our boss’ name?”

“Xemnas…”

“Not like you’re gonna forget that, anyway. Okay, let’s go, shall we?” asked Axel, a smile playing on his lips, as he opened a dark corridor beside him.

xxx

At the end of the dark corridor was Twilight Town’s underground passageway.

“So… well, first I’ll explain the mission, and we’ll go from there…”

Axel turned to face Roxas, who was following behind him.

“Okay? Today’s mission is—ahh…”

Axel went to explain, scratched his head, and sighed.

Roxas’ eyes were as indifferent as always, like he wasn’t seeing a thing.

“Rather than explaining stuff, it’d be faster to just do it. Okay, first, come with me.”

Axel started running. He hadn’t seen Roxas ever move fast before, but to his surprise, Roxas followed him pretty quickly.

Climbing up a level, Axel stopped halfway, and turned to Roxas.

“During a mission, you shouldn’t run straight for the target. You gotta pay attention to your surroundings.”

“Pay… attention?”

Those words that came from Roxas just now are the most ‘with it’ I’ve seen him so far.

Maybe it’s because he’s moving his body.

Even though it’s not perfect, Roxas, who hasn’t been saying anything but the names of things and people until now, is joining words together.

“It means you gotta look hard at the things around you. You’ll overlook surprising things, otherwise. Got it memorised?”

“Yeah… I got it.” Roxas nodded obediently.

“Okay, let’s go practise,” said Axel brightly, able to think that those eyes were finally taking him in. “There’s a treasure chest somewhere in this area. Today’s mission is to find it.”

“So we should look for the… treasure chest, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Look carefully now,” said Axel, and Roxas looked around him.

From the beginning, Roxas was like a pure white canvas that had to be painted on. Some of his reactions are slow, but it feels like there’s some bigger reason why.

From the first day we met, he’s been different from the others, something about his youthful face stands out somehow.

xxx

Axel watched a vanishing dark corridor, scratching his head. On the other side of that corridor, he had faintly been able to see the Organisation’s boss—Xemnas.

“He told me all of a sudden to take him back, but…”

Axel gazed at the boy standing in front of him, remaining in the trails of vanishing darkness.

The boy in the white shirt was at least ten years younger than himself, Axel guessed. Though… Age wasn’t really something that existed for Nobodies.

I don’t even know the boy’s name.

He must be a Nobody that was just born today, in this town.

I know that this town, the one they call Twilight Town, is a special place.

It’s a town of twilight, standing in the rift between darkness and light.

The darkness of dusk blurs the figure, in the same way light does.

Here, those that belong to neither darkness nor light—even Nobodies are allowed to exist.

And so, Axel hung about in this town when he had free time.

Walking around idly like always, Xemnas had suddenly appeared in front of him.

He hadn’t been wagging missions or anything, but there’s nothing like bumping into one’s boss all of a sudden for awkward.

But, Xemnas had merely given Axel one order, without reproaching him.

“It’s a new member. Take him back to the castle, prepare him suitably, and bring him to me.”

“Huh?” Axel had asked, and a dark corridor opened up behind Xemnas. And then, he disappeared as if being swallowed.

Well then take him back yourself, I thought, but I’m not in the position to be able to say things like that.

And, the boy didn’t move at all.

A tiny sigh escaped Axel. “Follow me.”

He opened a dark corridor, but the boy didn’t react.

“…Hey!”

“………..”

Axel closed the portal, nothing for it, and stepped closer.

The boy finally moved, looking up as Axel.

“What’s your name?”

The boy blinked.

Dunno if that blink was actually a reaction.

“I’ll ask you again. What’s your name?”

“…Rox…as…” he said, in a husky voice.

I know that Xemnas gave him that name just before.

I got my name in the same way.

“I see, Roxas. My name is Axel. Got it memorised?”

The boy—Roxas did nothing but gaze straight up at Axel.

“Anyway, let’s go home.”

Well, I doubt whether that gloomy castle is any place for Roxas, who has just begun his existence, to go home to, but even so, there’s nothing else to do.

Just then, Roxas’ gaze shifted.

That’s the first time he’s showed a direct kind of reaction.

“Hm? What’s up?”

At the end of Roxas’ gaze were some of the town’s children.

I’ve seen them countless times.

A noisy group of three kids from around the town. They look like they’d be about Roxas’ age.

And, in their hands was sea salt ice cream.

A special flavour—a sweetly salty blue ice lolly.

Axel didn’t exactly hate it—actually, he liked it. Well, he remembered liking that ice cream.

“…We’ll go home after we eat some ice cream, alright?”

Axel started walking towards the shop in the middle of the town plaza.

“Follow me, Roxas! I’ll even show you around my special place!”

Roxas didn’t move.

“Geez, guess I got no choice.”

Axel went back, and clapped his hand on Roxas’ shoulder.

Roxas trembled, surprised, and looked up at Axel.

“Let’s go,” said Axel, and when he started walking, Roxas came along. Slightly relieved, he headed for the sweets stand in the middle of the plaza.

xxx

“Is this… a treasure chest?” Roxas’ worry made Axel turn around.

There was a treasure chest at Roxas’ feet.

“Good on you, you found it.”

Roxas stared at the treasure chest, unmoving.

“…What’s up?”

“Today’s mission was to find the treasure chest…”

Like I thought, Roxas seems a little… off, somehow.

“You know, Roxas. Even if you’ve found it, it doesn’t really mean much if you don’t take what’s in it, right?”

“Is it okay to take it?”

“Yeah, you can do what you like with whatever you find inside boxes during missions.”

And, a shining key appeared in Roxas’ hand.

Each member of the Organisation has their own weapon, but, could that be—a Keyblade?

Roxas touched the treasure chest with the key, and it opened with a burst of light.

It’s a Keyblade, no mistake.

That’s right, on that day, when I took Roxas back to the castle, to stand under Xemnas, he said so.

The one chosen by the Keyblade—

If so, is Roxas the Nobody of the Keyblade hero?

But of course—I haven’t heard anything about the hero becoming a Heartless.

From inside the treasure chest, Roxas collected a potion, and the key disappeared from his hand.

“Okay, good work. How was it? Do you kind of get how a mission works?” said Axel, making an effort to be composed.

“Yeah.”

“You really okay?”

Roxas lifted his face. “This kind of thing is…”

“Hm?”

“It’s nothing,” said Roxas, with a shy smile.

That reaction was completely different from anything else until now.

Axel also let a smile spread across his face, with a strange sensation he’d never felt before.

“You’re getting there, aren’t you? Okay, since you worked really hard today, you get a reward,” said Axel, and he started walking.

“We’re not going to return now?”

“Come with me. You remember the special place, don’t you?”

Axel knew Roxas was following behind, even without turning around.

xxx

The special place, the big clock tower on top of Twilight Town station.

You could look out over Twilight Town from there.

Axel sat down at the front of the tower, and looked up at Roxas, who was still standing.

“You sit down too,” he said, and Roxas sat down next to him.

“Here, a reward.”

And so, Axel gave Roxas a sea salt ice cream.

Roxas stared at the ice cream.

“Do you remember what this ice cream is called?”

“Umm…”

Roxas tilted his head to one side, looking like he was thinking back.

“Sea salt ice cream—I told you before, right? Memorise it properly,” said Axel, gnawing on his ice cream. Roxas gnawed on his own ice cream, copying Axel.

“Salty—but sweet,” murmured Roxas.

“Roxas, you said the same thing recently, you know.”

“Did I…? I don’t really remember all that well…”

Roxas turned his gaze vaguely at the sunset.

His hair was moving in the wind.

“Come to think of it, it’s been about a week since you joined the Organisation, hasn’t it?”

“Maybe…” said Roxas, eyes still on the sunset.

“Maybe…? You don’t remember that either?”

Roxas’ gaze dropped.

“Well, it means you finally get to go on missions like a real Organisation member.”

“Organisation member…”

Roxas was making a weird face for some reason.

“That makes today the beginning, or something, maybe.”

“The beginning.”

Roxas was looking at his ice cream again.

“If you don’t hurry up and eat it, it’ll melt on you.”

“Okay.” Roxas bit his ice cream.

The clock tower’s bell rang out, telling the time, and a train was running in the distance.

This was Twilight Town.

And this clock tower, it was still a special place only to Axel.

Chapter 2: Sea Salt Ice Cream

Missions were given one at a time daily from Saïx.

On the 9^th day, Roxas’ mission was with Marluxia. It was at Twilight Town, same as the day before. There wasn’t much sign of people, just the setting sun, shining over the town.

It seemed like missions – or rather, training – was to continue in that town for a while yet.

“You’re Roxas, aren’t you? Let’s re-introduce ourselves. My name is Marluxia. I’m Number XI,” said Marluxia, in a gentle tone, looking at Roxas.

It was the first time he’d brushed with a Keyblade wielder, even in his memories. He’d heard of them though.

As a Nobody, he couldn’t see anything special about the boy standing in front of him.

“What should I do today?” said Roxas, his gaze shifting slightly from Marluxia.

“Today, your mission is to collect hearts. Can you bring out your Keyblade?”

“Yeah,” Roxas nodded, and made the Keyblade appear in his hand.

The blade, shaped like a giant key, shone in Roxas’ hand.

It was the first time Marluxia had seen one.

“So you’re Number XIII, the one chosen by the Keyblade,” muttered Marluxia, without realising, but Roxas didn’t show any special reaction.

Just then, as if called by the Keyblade, a Heartless appeared.

The black-bodied thing was a Shadow, a low level Heartless.

“So the small fry have come out—Roxas, it’s sudden, but please show me the power of the Keyblade. Defeat that Heartless.”

Whether he’d been listening or not, Roxas ran at the Heartless, Keyblade in hand. There was no hesitation in his movements. Roxas swung the Keyblade down at the Shadow, which faded away with a few blows. Marluxia had been hoping for strength that would bring a Shadow down in one blow, but as a yet newly-awakened Nobody, this was to be expected.

“The thing you just defeated was a Heartless called a Shadow.”

“…Heartless,” muttered Roxas, still gripping the Keyblade.

“The Heartless are beings of darkness that roam about, searching for hearts. There are two kinds of Heartless. One is the Pureblood type, such as the one you just defeated. Hearts do not emerge from Pureblood Heartless, even once defeated.”

“So how are hearts collected?”

“Defeat Emblem Heartless. Those ones.”

Little Heartless had appeared in the air in front of them.

“Got it.”

Once more, Roxas ran into the throng of Heartless.

His agility wasn’t good, as expected. Just then, from a defeated Heartless, a heart floated up and vanished into the air.

It was the first time Marluxia had seen a ‘heart’ being collected before his very eyes.

If those hearts could be collected… but before that, there’s something that must be done.

Even so—the Keyblade has marvellous power.

If that power was in my hands…

Roxas defeated all of the Heartless. He turned back, breathing hard.

“Is that okay?”

The Keyblade disappeared from his hand.

“Yes, the things you defeated this time were Emblem Heartless. Unlike with those Shadows from before, after defeating them, somebody’s heart emerged, didn’t it? Today’s mission is to collect those hearts.

“How are those hearts collected?”

Marluxia was a little surprised at Roxas’ question.

How can a Keyblade wielder not know such a thing?

“If you defeat Heartless with your Keyblade, they get collected.”

“…What happens to the collected hearts?”

The continuous questions showed that Roxas didn’t know a thing.

Marluxia took a breath, and told him.

“They gather in the great Kingdom Hearts.”

“Kingdom Hearts?” Roxas tilted his head.

I haven’t seen the real thing, either. But the name, as the ‘outcome of research’, was let known to me.

“The goal of our Organisation is to complete Kingdom Hearts. In order to do so, we must gather hearts.”

“Gather hearts—so, everyone else in the Organisation is gathering hearts too, I guess.”

“Only the Keyblade can free hearts completely.”

“Huh?” Roxas’ voice rose, as if he was surprised.

“When we – in other words, except for you – of the Organisation defeat Heartless, the hearts aren’t collected. The released heart will, in due course, become a Heartless again. Heart collection is something special that cannot be performed with anything but the Keyblade you wield.”

“Something special…”

Roxas’ gaze dropped to the ground, as if he were thinking.

It appears that they really haven’t let Roxas know anything. Is he not being told? And, are these things that Roxas should be learning from now on? When Saïx put me in charge of this mission, I did not receive any special instructions. All he said was to teach him how to gather hearts.

“For the sake of our Organisation, defeat Heartless, and complete the great Kingdom Hearts—we’re counting on you, Roxas,” he said, and Roxas nodded.

xxx

He had just finished reporting to Saïx, in the lobby.

“It looks like you’re progressing fairly well.”

“…Yeah.”

“Are you resting properly?”

“Resting?” Roxas asked.

“Whether you’re sleeping properly or not. Keeping yourself clean also comes under resting. It’s a mission to make sure you can perform on missions.”

“Probably…”

Saïx wasn’t very satisfied with Roxas’ answer.

“Arranging equipment and understanding your own skills is the same thing. And so, from today, you are to keep a journal.”

“Journal?”

“Yes, in order to understand yourself.”

Saïx handed Roxas a notebook.

“You don’t actually have to hand it in or anything. That is all. Go back to your room and rest,” was all Saïx said, and he went ahead and left the lobby.

In the lobby, members who had finished their missions were talking and relaxing. Roxas watched the members, sensing a strange sort of feeling in the air.

In the lobby was—Larxene, Demyx, and Luxord.

“What are you looking at,” Larxene sniped. Roxas looked away, flustered, and met Demyx’s eyes this time.

“You can’t play some kinda instrument, can you?” Demyx said.

“Instrument? What’s an instrument?”

“Like one of these.”

A strangely shaped weapon appeared in Demyx’s hands.

“What’s that?”

“It’s my sitar. Listen to this!”

Demyx touched the weapon, and a strange sound rang out.

“Shut up with that noisy thing!” yelled Larxene disagreeably, and Demyx shrugged his shoulders.

“Which one’s noisier, anyway…?” Demyx mumbled, looking away.

“Huuuh? Did you say something, cranky-pants?” Larxene stood up from the sofa.

“…In life, such pleasures are necessary, too.”

Luxord had slid in to stand in front of Larxene.

“Eh, whatever. I’ll be saying goodbye to that racket soon enough.”

“What do you mean?” asked Demyx, forgetting he had been yelled at.

“It’s got nothing to do with peons like you. Later.”

Larxene left the lobby.

Behind her, Demyx played his sitar once more.

“That woman is such a pain in the ass!”

“One of the finer points of the fairer sex, is it not?” said Luxord, stroking his beard.

“Don’t really get you there, man. Right, Roxas?”

“I… don’t really understand,” replied Roxas.

Women are a pain, I guess? I don’t really understand what a woman is, anyway.

“Ah, you’ll understand someday,” grinned Luxord.

xxx

The next day, Roxas was in Twilight Town again, with Zexion.

Zexion, who had been the youngest member of the Organisation until Roxas came, was watching Roxas’ movements, unwaveringly.

If the Keyblade did not exist, our plan would not succeed.

It’s contradictory, saying that we are searching to seek what we lost ourselves, Zexion thought, recalling their former research. I don’t think our choice to research the Heartless and their creation process was a mistake. But, as a consequence, we lost our own hearts.

“Was that okay?” asked Roxas, who had finished his mission.

“Very good job, I hope that you will want to complete your next mission in such a positive manner, too. Is there anything you’d like to ask?” Zexion asked, and Roxas stopped moving.

Zexion had meant for Roxas to persistently ask questions about the mission, but the words that came from Roxas’ mouth were unexpected.

“What is Kingdom Hearts?”

Zexion hesitated for a moment on how he should answer.

But Roxas continued, not noticing Zexion’s manner.

“Defeating Heartless and gathering hearts makes Kingdom Hearts, right? Are we going to do something, once we’ve made Kingdom Hearts?” Roxas asked in rapid succession, and Zexion was lost in thought for a while.

How should I answer…

Roxas’ gaze was fixed right on Zexion.

“…The goal of our Organisation is to fuse with the people’s hearts of kingdom hearts, and become complete. All the members of the Organisation are nobodies, missing hearts—that is to say, since the time we were born into this world, we’ve lacked hearts.

Of course, I wonder if he can understand that explanation.

And then, is it necessary to make Roxas understand?

“So, does that mean I don’t have a heart, either?” Roxas asked, looking strange.

Perhaps he still doesn’t understand what a ‘heart’ is yet.

Before, that me, who researched, and had a ‘heart’, thought he understood a little of what a ‘heart’ was.

The uplifting feelings from the time I had a ‘heart’, engraved in my memories, cannot be felt any more. Now I can only remember, and work hard to try and taste it once again.

“Yes, that’s right. We members of the Organisation do not have hearts. That is why we seek them. Complete Kingdom Hearts, an aggregation of people’s hearts, and merge—in order for that to happen, Heartless must be defeated with the Keyblade you wield, and hearts gathered. In order to achieve the Organisation’s goals, each member of the Organisation is given their own role. Your role is to defeat Heartless with the Keyblade and collect hearts.”

But—I’ve heard that Roxas has no memories.

If so, it means he doesn’t have memories from the time he had a heart either, like we do. Perhaps even feeling that he has no ‘heart’ is difficult.

Roxas listened to Zexion’s explanation, looking as if he was thinking about something to himself.

“Is there anything else you would like to ask?”

“…Ah, no.” Roxas shook his head.

I wonder if Roxas understood about the ‘heart’, Zexion thought suddenly, stepping into a corridor with Roxas.

xxx

Chapter 2: Sea Salt Ice Cream

Missions were given one at a time daily from Saïx.

On the 9^th day, Roxas’ mission was with Marluxia. It was at Twilight Town, same as the day before. There wasn’t much sign of people, just the setting sun, shining over the town.

It seemed like missions – or rather, training – was to continue in that town for a while yet.

“You’re Roxas, aren’t you? Let’s re-introduce ourselves. My name is Marluxia. I’m Number XI,” said Marluxia, in a gentle tone, looking at Roxas.

It was the first time he’d brushed with a Keyblade wielder, even in his memories. He’d heard of them though.

As a Nobody, he couldn’t see anything special about the boy standing in front of him.

“What should I do today?” said Roxas, his gaze shifting slightly from Marluxia.

“Today, your mission is to collect hearts. Can you bring out your Keyblade?”

“Yeah,” Roxas nodded, and made the Keyblade appear in his hand.

The blade, shaped like a giant key, shone in Roxas’ hand.

It was the first time Marluxia had seen one.

“So you’re Number XIII, the one chosen by the Keyblade,” muttered Marluxia, without realising, but Roxas didn’t show any special reaction.

Just then, as if called by the Keyblade, a Heartless appeared.

The black-bodied thing was a Shadow, a low level Heartless.

“So the small fry have come out—Roxas, it’s sudden, but please show me the power of the Keyblade. Defeat that Heartless.”

Whether he’d been listening or not, Roxas ran at the Heartless, Keyblade in hand. There was no hesitation in his movements. Roxas swung the Keyblade down at the Shadow, which faded away with a few blows. Marluxia had been hoping for strength that would bring a Shadow down in one blow, but as a yet newly-awakened Nobody, this was to be expected.

“The thing you just defeated was a Heartless called a Shadow.”

“…Heartless,” muttered Roxas, still gripping the Keyblade.

“The Heartless are beings of darkness that roam about, searching for hearts. There are two kinds of Heartless. One is the Pureblood type, such as the one you just defeated. Hearts do not emerge from Pureblood Heartless, even once defeated.”

“So how are hearts collected?”

“Defeat Emblem Heartless. Those ones.”

Little Heartless had appeared in the air in front of them.

“Got it.”

Once more, Roxas ran into the throng of Heartless.

His agility wasn’t good, as expected. Just then, from a defeated Heartless, a heart floated up and vanished into the air.

It was the first time Marluxia had seen a ‘heart’ being collected before his very eyes.

If those hearts could be collected… but before that, there’s something that must be done.

Even so—the Keyblade has marvellous power.

If that power was in my hands…

Roxas defeated all of the Heartless. He turned back, breathing hard.

“Is that okay?”

The Keyblade disappeared from his hand.

“Yes, the things you defeated this time were Emblem Heartless. Unlike with those Shadows from before, after defeating them, somebody’s heart emerged, didn’t it? Today’s mission is to collect those hearts.

“How are those hearts collected?”

Marluxia was a little surprised at Roxas’ question.

How can a Keyblade wielder not know such a thing?

“If you defeat Heartless with your Keyblade, they get collected.”

“…What happens to the collected hearts?”

The continuous questions showed that Roxas didn’t know a thing.

Marluxia took a breath, and told him.

“They gather in the great Kingdom Hearts.”

“Kingdom Hearts?” Roxas tilted his head.

I haven’t seen the real thing, either. But the name, as the ‘outcome of research’, was let known to me.

“The goal of our Organisation is to complete Kingdom Hearts. In order to do so, we must gather hearts.”

“Gather hearts—so, everyone else in the Organisation is gathering hearts too, I guess.”

“Only the Keyblade can free hearts completely.”

“Huh?” Roxas’ voice rose, as if he was surprised.

“When we – in other words, except for you – of the Organisation defeat Heartless, the hearts aren’t collected. The released heart will, in due course, become a Heartless again. Heart collection is something special that cannot be performed with anything but the Keyblade you wield.”

“Something special…”

Roxas’ gaze dropped to the ground, as if he were thinking.

It appears that they really haven’t let Roxas know anything. Is he not being told? And, are these things that Roxas should be learning from now on? When Saïx put me in charge of this mission, I did not receive any special instructions. All he said was to teach him how to gather hearts.

“For the sake of our Organisation, defeat Heartless, and complete the great Kingdom Hearts—we’re counting on you, Roxas,” he said, and Roxas nodded.

xxx

He had just finished reporting to Saïx, in the lobby.

“It looks like you’re progressing fairly well.”

“…Yeah.”

“Are you resting properly?”

“Resting?” Roxas asked.

“Whether you’re sleeping properly or not. Keeping yourself clean also comes under resting. It’s a mission to make sure you can perform on missions.”

“Probably…”

Saïx wasn’t very satisfied with Roxas’ answer.

“Arranging equipment and understanding your own skills is the same thing. And so, from today, you are to keep a journal.”

“Journal?”

“Yes, in order to understand yourself.”

Saïx handed Roxas a notebook.

“You don’t actually have to hand it in or anything. That is all. Go back to your room and rest,” was all Saïx said, and he went ahead and left the lobby.

In the lobby, members who had finished their missions were talking and relaxing. Roxas watched the members, sensing a strange sort of feeling in the air.

In the lobby was—Larxene, Demyx, and Luxord.

“What are you looking at,” Larxene sniped. Roxas looked away, flustered, and met Demyx’s eyes this time.

“You can’t play some kinda instrument, can you?” Demyx said.

“Instrument? What’s an instrument?”

“Like one of these.”

A strangely shaped weapon appeared in Demyx’s hands.

“What’s that?”

“It’s my sitar. Listen to this!”

Demyx touched the weapon, and a strange sound rang out.

“Shut up with that noisy thing!” yelled Larxene disagreeably, and Demyx shrugged his shoulders.

“Which one’s noisier, anyway…?” Demyx mumbled, looking away.

“Huuuh? Did you say something, cranky-pants?” Larxene stood up from the sofa.

“…In life, such pleasures are necessary, too.”

Luxord had slid in to stand in front of Larxene.

“Eh, whatever. I’ll be saying goodbye to that racket soon enough.”

“What do you mean?” asked Demyx, forgetting he had been yelled at.

“It’s got nothing to do with peons like you. Later.”

Larxene left the lobby.

Behind her, Demyx played his sitar once more.

“That woman is such a pain in the ass!”

“One of the finer points of the fairer sex, is it not?” said Luxord, stroking his beard.

“Don’t really get you there, man. Right, Roxas?”

“I… don’t really understand,” replied Roxas.

Women are a pain, I guess? I don’t really understand what a woman is, anyway.

“Ah, you’ll understand someday,” grinned Luxord.

xxx

The next day, Roxas was in Twilight Town again, with Zexion.

Zexion, who had been the youngest member of the Organisation until Roxas came, was watching Roxas’ movements, unwaveringly.

If the Keyblade did not exist, our plan would not succeed.

It’s contradictory, saying that we are searching to seek what we lost ourselves, Zexion thought, recalling their former research. I don’t think our choice to research the Heartless and their creation process was a mistake. But, as a consequence, we lost our own hearts.

“Was that okay?” asked Roxas, who had finished his mission.

“Very good job, I hope that you will want to complete your next mission in such a positive manner, too. Is there anything you’d like to ask?” Zexion asked, and Roxas stopped moving.

Zexion had meant for Roxas to persistently ask questions about the mission, but the words that came from Roxas’ mouth were unexpected.

“What is Kingdom Hearts?”

Zexion hesitated for a moment on how he should answer.

But Roxas continued, not noticing Zexion’s manner.

“Defeating Heartless and gathering hearts makes Kingdom Hearts, right? Are we going to do something, once we’ve made Kingdom Hearts?” Roxas asked in rapid succession, and Zexion was lost in thought for a while.

How should I answer…

Roxas’ gaze was fixed right on Zexion.

“…The goal of our Organisation is to fuse with the people’s hearts of kingdom hearts, and become complete. All the members of the Organisation are nobodies, missing hearts—that is to say, since the time we were born into this world, we’ve lacked hearts.

Of course, I wonder if he can understand that explanation.

And then, is it necessary to make Roxas understand?

“So, does that mean I don’t have a heart, either?” Roxas asked, looking strange.

Perhaps he still doesn’t understand what a ‘heart’ is yet.

Before, that me, who researched, and had a ‘heart’, thought he understood a little of what a ‘heart’ was.

The uplifting feelings from the time I had a ‘heart’, engraved in my memories, cannot be felt any more. Now I can only remember, and work hard to try and taste it once again.

“Yes, that’s right. We members of the Organisation do not have hearts. That is why we seek them. Complete Kingdom Hearts, an aggregation of people’s hearts, and merge—in order for that to happen, Heartless must be defeated with the Keyblade you wield, and hearts gathered. In order to achieve the Organisation’s goals, each member of the Organisation is given their own role. Your role is to defeat Heartless with the Keyblade and collect hearts.”

But I’ve heard that Roxas has no memories.

If so, it means he doesn’t have memories from the time he had a heart either, like we do. Perhaps even feeling that he has no ‘heart’ is difficult.

Roxas listened to Zexion’s explanation, looking as if he was thinking about something to himself.

“Is there anything else you would like to ask?”

“…Ah, no.” Roxas shook his head.

I wonder if Roxas understood about the ‘heart’, Zexion thought suddenly, stepping into a corridor with Roxas.

xxx

Having finished his mission, Marluxia called out to Axel.

“I heard that you’re coming to Castle Oblivion too.”

“News travels fast,” Axel stopped walking, and looked back at Marluxia.

“Well, you and I have different missions. You’re going on matters of the ‘Keyblade hero’, I see.”

“You’re well informed, aren’t you?”

“The members being made to go over there know that sort of thing,” he answered. Axel shrugged. “Aren’t you interested? In the Keyblade hero.”

“Not especially.”

That’s the truth. I’ve got no reason to have special interest.

“Were you not showing interest in Roxas?”

“Can’t help it, I’m sort of in charge of him,” Axel answered, and turning his back on Marluxia, started walking.

But, the next words made him stop.

“So you wouldn’t be interested, even if you heard that Roxas is the Nobody of that Keyblade hero?”

Turning around without realising, Axel looked at Marluxia, eyes narrowed. It didn’t look like he was lying.

Seeing Axel’s state, Marluxia laughed. “How honest. Just like a human.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Perhaps it is a compliment, for what it means to have reactions as if one had a heart,” Marluxia said, a bewitching smile still pasted on his mouth.

“So? Is that all the business you have with me?” Axel asked. Marluxia gazed fixedly at Axel.

xxx

A few days later, Roxas was in Twilight Town with Axel.

“This is the second mission I’ve been on with you, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Roxas nodded, and gripped the Keyblade.

Today’s mission was to gather hearts too. It boiled down to Heartless extermination.

“Shall we go?”

Roxas broke into a run at the sound of Axel’s voice.

I thought he’d have done heaps of missions by now, but I heard from Saïx that this is the first real one.

Roxas was moving with far more agility than the first day he’d gone on a mission, and behind him, Axel was acting as back-up, throwing his chakrams at Heartless.

We Organisation members, other than Roxas, can’t get hearts even if we defeat Heartless.

In other words, when I go out on a ‘heart gathering’ mission with Roxas, supporting him becomes my role.

But Roxas was running, swinging the Keyblade, without even looking back at Axel. His movements were pretty admirable. When he had gathered enough hearts, Roxas finally turned back to Axel.

“That’s it, isn’t it?”

“…Yeah.”

The Keyblade vanished from Roxas’ hand.

Beads of sweat stood out on Roxas’ forehead, as he steadied his heavy breathing.

“So what do we do now?” asked Axel, in a light tone.

“What do we do…? I planned on reporting to Saïx and then sleeping in my room, like always.”

Close, but no cigar.

Axel peered into Roxas’ face, scratching his head.

“You know, Roxas…”

Just then, the town’s children, the three from before, ran past Axel and Roxas.

“Hurry up, Pence!”

“Wait!”

“Loser treats the winner to ice cream, you know!”

Seems like Roxas and those kids are destined to run into each other or something.

“Just now…?

Roxas was watching the children’s backs strangely.

He didn’t seem to remember that he had seen them the first time he had been with Axel.

“That was the town’s children, just now.”

“Hmm…”

Roxas narrowed his eyes. Axel was surprised by his reaction.

“Do they all do that?”

“That…?”

Axel didn’t really understand what Roxas meant.

“Running around in a pack like that, and making noise…” Roxas asked, and Axel thought that his expression was a little different than it had been up until then.

Perhaps he’s remembering something from his past, when he spent time like that.

“That’s… something people with hearts do, I guess?”

“A heart, huh?”

Roxas hung his head, and looked at the ground. Axel scratched his head, sensing some kind of pain-in-the-ass atmosphere in the silence.

And then he said, “Will we have some ice cream, too?”

“Why?”

“Why…? Because…”

I don’t know what I should say.

I just want to eat ice cream and talk with Roxas in that place like we did the day we met, that’s all, but I’m getting the feeling that I’ve gotta dress it up in different words or something.

Roxas probably—wouldn’t understand, if I didn’t.

After taking a breath, Axel said, “Because we’re friends, see.”

Saying it is really freaking embarrassing. But, saying it out loud gives it significance.

And I couldn’t think of any other excuses.

“Friends…”

“Friends eat ice cream together, talk about stupid things and laugh, that sort of stuff. Like those guys from before, for example.”

Roxas looked up at Axel, a strange look on his face.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Axel started walking towards the sweets stand, as if he were fleeing from Roxas’ gaze.

xxx

Children were talking to each other in the open space in front of the clock tower.

Does that condition have deep meaning?

Roxas watched them as he ate his ice cream.

I can feel a greater sense of self from Roxas than he had the day we first met, or the day of his first mission.

But, it’s still hollow and cold somehow. That’s something all Nobodies have in common.

“Hey, Roxas.”

Roxas lifted his face.

What was I going to say, again?

“When we’ve finished a mission, let’s eat ice cream here again. It’s boring to just go back and forth between the castle and missions, right?”

Even I’m surprised at those lines.

Just like the things I said before, even I wasn’t expecting it. But, it just popped out of my mouth automatically. I can’t explain what it is about him, but something keeps pulling my attention.

Roxas looked at the children in the open space again with a strange look on his face.

“Yeah…Friends, right…”

It was probably just my imagination, but I thought I saw Roxas smile just a little.

“Well, I won’t be able to eat ice cream here for a little while, though.”

“Huh…?”

Roxas’ eyes went wide.

“It’s been decided that I’m going to Castle Oblivion for a while, starting tomorrow.”

“Castle Oblivion…”

“You still don’t know anything but Twilight Town, do you? But there are heaps of worlds out there, and the Organisation has a castle in another in-between world. That’s Castle Oblivion. Got it memorised?”

“…So there are places like that…” Roxas looked down. “When do you come home?”

“Hm… I wonder when. When I’m back, let’s eat ice cream here again.”

“…Okay.”

Roxas’ gaze followed a train, running in the distance.

“Well, I’ve gotta head back soon. Heaps of stupid things to get ready.”

“Oh, then I’ll also—”

“You relax and eat your ice cream. See ya.”

Axel stood up, opening darkness on the side of the clock tower, and his figure vanished.

Roxas was left alone.

“…It’s salty…” Roxas muttered, gnawing on his ice cream.

Just then, Roxas saw that something was written on the ice cream stick, and put the rest in his mouth in one go.

“What is this…?”

‘Winner’ was written on the finished ice cream stick.

Chapter 3: Xion and Roxas

I’ve gone to Castle Oblivion many times now.

There’s a special place in that castle. But there aren’t many Organisation members who know of it.

Axel arranged his clothes, and left his room.

I won’t see this room for a while.

As he walked through the hallway, a voice came from behind. “Axel, a message from Lord Xemnas.”

Saïx.

He turned in silence to find Saïx watching him, expressionlessly.

“There are traitors amongst the members going to Castle Oblivion. Find and dispose of them.”

Axel could hear something round-a-bout in the way Saïx was speaking.

There aren’t any other members around, so it’s not necessary for him to go to the trouble of saying something like that in that way. Axel’s eyes narrowed slightly. But then, Saïx does like to use that kind of indirect, noncommittal way of speaking.

“I wonder, is that message really from Lord Xemnas?” Axel said, words tumbling out.

Saïx only raised both eyebrows, and said, “It’s the same thing either way, isn’t it?”

“It’s pretty different, actually,” Axel pointed out, and Saïx sighed.

“It doesn’t matter. Go take care of the traitors.”

“Roger that,” said Axel, turning his back on Saïx and walking away.

There are six members going to Castle Oblivion, including myself. How many are traitors? And, what defines ‘traitor’?

I’m supposed to judge everything for myself, am I?

What the hell is going to happen at Castle Oblivion? This is getting interesting.

Unknowingly, Axel’s mouth was twisting into a grin.

xxx

Waking up, Roxas stuffed the ice cream stick he’d left next to his pillow into his pocket, and left his room.

He wanted to know the meaning of that ‘winner’ word he had found written on it yesterday.

Rushing into the lobby, Roxas looked around. He didn’t see Axel.

“Axel…”

“If you’re after Axel, he’s already gone,” said Saïx, passing by Roxas.

“Huh…” Roxas squeezed the ice cream stick in his pocket. It looks like I wasn’t in time to see him off.

“Did you need him for something?” asked Saïx, glancing at Roxas.

“Not really…” Roxas looked down, so as to keep his eyes away from Saïx.

“Whatever. You’re going on a mission with Xion today.”

“…With Xion?” Roxas lifted his face. Xion was in a corner of the lobby, hood up. “…Got it,” he nodded, but there was no reaction from Xion, whether listening or not. “Let’s go,” Roxas called, but Xion didn’t move an inch, of course. Nothing for it, he opened the darkness beside him, and stepped inside.

At the edge of his vision, he saw Xion move.

Looks like they’re actually following.

Inside the dark corridor, he turned back, to find Xion had followed him, hood still up.

Not feeling like there was anything special to say, Roxas continued walking.

Today’s mission is like always, in Twilight Town.

xxx

Roxas gripped the Keyblade. Running up Twilight Town’s slope, he routed some plant-type Heartless.

Xion is following me, but not doing a thing.

Not holding a weapon or using magic.

Just zoned out and rooted to the ground.

A plant-type Heartless spat out a seed which hit Xion, who fell to the ground, not even crying out. Roxas hesitated for a moment as to whether or not he should help, but then he swung the Keyblade down on the Heartless that was still spitting seeds.

As the Heartless disappeared, a heart floated up.

“That’s all, I think,” Roxas said.

Xion just stood up, not even reacting to Roxas’ words. Xion’s black coat was dirtied with dust, but Xion didn’t even move to brush it off.

That was pretty weird, but we still managed to finish the mission safely.

“I have to drop by somewhere first, so you can go ahead and return back…”

Without so much as a nod, Xion started walking, probably heading for the dark corridor.

Roxas turned his back on Xion, and headed for the sweets stand in the tram plaza.

I finished the mission and I want to eat ice cream.

It’s boring to just go back and forth between the castle and missions.

“…One sea salt ice cream,” Roxas said to the lady at the sweets stand.

“Okay, that’s 20 munny then.”

Roxas handed over two 10 munny coins, and received an ice cream wrapped in a clear sheet.

You know, this is the first time I’ve bought an ice cream at a shop.

Axel always buys it for me.

Roxas went to walk away, ice cream in hand, but then suddenly he stopped.

The stick from yesterday was in his pocket.

Roxas held it out in front of the lady. “What does this mean?”

“Oh, that’s a winner! Congratulations!”

“Congratulations…?”

He’d never been told that word before.

“I’ll give you one more ice cream.”

“What about the munny…?”

I don’t really understand what ‘give’ means.

You get things in exchange for a number of munny or hearts, I’ve definitely heard that.

“Don’t worry about it. You won! Have you got a friend to share it with?”

“…I do, but… He’s not here today,” said Roxas, thinking of Axel.

“Well then, you should use it when you can eat with your friend. You’ll get a stomach ache if you eat two ice creams on your own, dear.”

“With my friend… I get it.”

When Axel comes back, I’ll show him this stick and we’ll eat ice cream together.

Ice cream in hand, Roxas started walking towards the clock tower.

xxx

Castle Oblivion lay in the world between worlds.

The world between worlds referred to a world that belonged to neither the realm of light nor the realm of darkness, and sat between the two. A space left to beings that did not exist, not of light and not of dark, as it were. It was a dusky world wrapped in mist, with a road that stretched right through it. Members of the Organisation were able to set foot in formerly separated worlds by travelling the pathless track called the dark corridor from that world between worlds.

In a particular room in Castle Oblivion, Axel was sitting on a sofa. It was pretty much the same make as that of the one in the lobby in the Castle That Never Was, right down to the uncomfortableness.

Castle Oblivion was an unpleasant place.

Each floor of the castle, divided into upstairs and basement sections, was controlled by memory; shape changing in accordance to the memories of those who entered the rooms.

And, there was a memory-manipulating witch in the castle who wasn’t allowed to leave – Naminé.

The Organisation is going ahead with a plan to rewrite the Hero’s memories, using Naminé’s power.

In truth, Naminé is neither Heartless nor human. Maybe she isn’t even a Nobody.

A witch born by special means, that’s right, a girl born from a princess’s heart.

Axel watched the crystal ball across from him, one that Marluxia had left in the middle of the room.

The crystal ball showed the Keyblade Hero, Sora.

The power of a Keyblade wielder is necessary to the Organisation, seeking hearts.

But, we already have a Keyblade wielder, Roxas. I think the Organisation is trying to get another one.

What is a Keyblade, anyway?

They say only special people can use them, but at least two Keyblade wielders – both Roxas and Sora, a Nobody and a human – have been confirmed to be able to.

Marluxia, who had been watching the crystal ball, turned to Axel. “Oh yes. How are the basement group getting along?”

Covering up a jolt, Axel stood up.

There seem to be tensions between the upstairs group, newcomers with Marluxia and Larxene as centre, and the basement group, Zexion, Vexen and Lexeaus, senior members of the Organisation and former apprentices of Ansem the Wise. As a newcomer I’ve been assigned to the upstairs group, and I’ve been keeping watch on the basement group according to Marluxia’s orders.

“Looks like the basement group has company as well. Riku… You heard that name before?”

I’ve heard that Riku has previously been controlled by Xehanort’s Heartless, formerly known as Ansem. In other words, Xehanort, someone extremely close to Xemnas.

“Ho… one who was consumed with darkness…”

“So you do know.”

The castle was suddenly thrown into a flurry since we received reports that Sora had invaded the upstairs, and Riku the basement.

“I wonder what they’re up to.”

“Weeell… you know about the research they’re doing down in the basement, right?”

Just because we’re assigned to the same castle, doesn’t mean every member knows all of the goals and missions in this place. When it comes down to it, the members of the Organisation act independently.

“You’re speaking of Vexen’s worthless research?”

“Well, I dunno if it’s worthless or not.”

“I can’t see how those dolls can be useful. Well then, I must be going. The Hero is present,” said Marluxia, and his figure vanished.

Even inside Castle Oblivion, members of the Organisation could move via the dark corridors.

Following Marluxia, Axel’s figure also disappeared.

xxx

The next morning, Roxas entered the lobby to find Demyx and Xigbar standing around Xion, talking about something in the middle of the lobby.

“Feels much better with those annoying guys gone, doesn’t it?” Demyx asked Xion, but Xion’s mouth didn’t open, hood up as always.

“Annoying guys…?” asked Roxas, walking up and Demyx shrugged.

“The guys who went to Castle Oblivion,” said Demyx, looking at Xigbar as if seeking agreement.

“You know, you and Poppet joined pretty much when those guys left for Castle Oblivion, didn’t you?”

Roxas tilted his head at the unfamiliar name. “Poppet?”

“I’m talking about Xion, kiddo,” said Xigbar, amused for some reason.

“Kiddo…?”

Does he mean me?

Just as he was thinking this, there was an interference.

“Roxas, mission.”

It was Saïx.

“Today you’re also going to Twilight Town with Xion for Heartless extermination.”

“…Got it,” Roxas replied, but of course Xion didn’t answer. Though, it didn’t seem like Saïx had any questions about Xion’s lack of a reply.

Roxas looked back at Xion, and opened a dark corridor.

If I go my own way, I guess Xion will follow as they please.

Turning back again, Xion was indeed following, just like yesterday.

xxx

The mission was to defeat the Heartless that appeared in Twilight Town’s vacant lot.

Without giving Xion any instructions, Roxas ran alone into the pack of Heartless, swinging his Keyblade.

However, it was a little different than how yesterday had been.

From the middle of the scuffle, Xion entered the field of vision, using a little magic.

Xion wasn’t just standing around idly like last time.

Upon finishing the last Heartless, Roxas realised Xion was looking his way.

“I’ve got somewhere I have to drop by today too, so would you go on and head back?” Roxas said as he started walking.

Then.

“Rox…as…”

“Huh?” He turned; it was the first time he’d heard that voice. “Xion…?”

It was a girl’s voice. Hood still up, Xion didn’t move at all.

Just when Roxas was thinking it must have been his imagination, Xion opened her mouth again.

“Roxas… can I call you that?”

What else is there to call me?

“Yeah,” he answered and Xion nodded, going off to enter the dark corridor.

“Roxas… right…” he muttered subconsciously, as if he were having second thoughts, and headed for the sweets stand.

xxx

The Keyblade Hero’s party – Sora, Donald and Goofy – faced the hooded Marluxia.

Readying the Keyblade like that, Sora really does look like Roxas, thought Axel, furtively studying the situation while concealing himself.

Castle Oblivion, first floor.

“…How was it? Did you enjoy meeting those visions from your memories?”

“I was happy that I could meet everyone. But why are you showing me these visions?” Sora asked. Marluxia folded his arms in thought. He wants to try and touch Sora, if he can, thought Axel.

It’s definitely not in Marluxia’s plan for me to show myself here.

But…

Axel appeared next to Marluxia.

“What do you want,” asked Marluxia, disagreeable as predicted.

“It’s boring, you keeping the hero all to yourself,” answered Axel, bending forwards and looking at Sora.

They really do look alike… Same blue eyes…

Sora was glaring at Axel and Marluxia with all his might.

“You test him, if you’re interested.”

Marluxia threw three cards to Axel.

“Oh hey, you don’t mind? I’ll be sharp,” replied Axel jokingly, and Marluxia disappeared without a word.

“Wait!” Sora ran forwards, as if to chase after the vanished Marluxia. However, Axel stood before him, blocking the way.

“So this is how it is, Keyblade Hero.”

“Who are you.” Sora readied his Keyblade once more.

“My name is Axel. Got it memorised?”

I said the same thing to Roxas, just a few days ago.

“Axel…”

Sora straightened his back, and looked at Axel.

“That’s great, you learn fast,” laughed Axel, making his chakrams appear.

Behind, Donald readied his staff, and Goofy lifted his shield.

“Well then, Sora. You’ve gone and memorised it and all, so… Don’t let yourself get done in too easily!” Axel declared and jumped at Goofy.

“Ahyuk?!”

He sent Goofy flying.

“Wak?!”

Following it up, he got the other one, Donald, flicking him back, staff and all, forcing him to retreat.

Sora was left.

After taking a moment, Axel lifted his arm, and flames shot out.

The flames bore down on Sora like a wall.

“You stay there like that and you’ll be toast!”

Instead, at Axel’s attack, Sora called back his two retreated friends, Donald and Goofy, took them by the hand, and ran into the flames. They passed through the fire, spinning.

“You’re doing good, aren’t you?”

Sora ran at the laughing Axel, and swung the Keyblade down. Axel parried the Keyblade with his chakrams, but he vanished, pretending to have taken the hit.

I don’t need to defeat Sora here. On the contrary, I must not defeat him.

Still concealed, Axel threw the cards he’d received from Marluxia at Sora.

“I’m supposed to use these, am I?”

“Correct,” answered Axel, re-appearing.

“Axel?!” Sora yelled. He seemed very surprised; he must have thought he’d defeated Axel.

“I’d be an idiot to go down right after an introduction like that, wouldn’t I?” said Axel, teasing Sora and the others.

“So you were only testing our power just now.” Sora readied the Keyblade.

“You pass, Sora. You have power. The power to walk through Castle Oblivion… Let the memories branded in your hearts, and the important, forgotten memories, guide you. Then you’ll meet someone very important to you. “

Goofy tilted his head. “Can we meet the King and Riku?”

“I wonder. You have to have a big think about who your most important person is. The really important memories are locked deep in the heart, unable to be recalled. You should have those kinds of memories too, Sora.”

“Me too?” Sora loosened his grip on the Keyblade.

While saying things to stir Sora up, Axel thought.

Nobodies are controlled by memories. And because they control us, we stop being able to remember.

Maybe that has happened to me.

And now, Sora has entered this castle and his memories are being complicated by Marluxia and the power of the witch Naminé.

In this castle, we must replace Sora’s memories.

Those words were part of the strategy.

“You’ve lost sight of the light in the darkness! you’re even forgetting that you’ve lost sight.”

“Light, in the darkness…” Sora murmured. It seemed like he’d realised something.

“I can tell you, if you want,” Axel invited, as a follow-up strike.

Goofy peered into Sora’s face, doubtfully. “Sora, what’ll we do?” he asked, but…

“I’ll find out for myself!” Sora declared, readying his Keyblade again.

“Good answer. That’s why you’re the Keyblade Hero, isn’t it? But, I’ll leave you with just this warning. When your sleeping memories awaken, you might not be you,” Axel said and vanished.

xxx

It’s been three days since Axel went away. How much longer must I wait to see him?

Xion was standing in the same old lobby, like yesterday.

No, it’s a little different, thought Roxas.

The moment Roxas had entered the lobby Xion had moved just slightly, she had looked over at him from under her hood… Or so it had felt.

Roxas approached Xion and spoke to her. “Morning, Xion.”

Xion stayed stock still.

It was probably my imagination that she reacted to me then.

Not knowing what he should do, Roxas was at a loss.

But… Xion was staring at him, definitely different than yesterday.

“Um… did you want something?” Those were the words that came out of his mouth, unthinking. I greeted her and everything, but even so, even I think asking something like that is weird. But I didn’t know what to do.

However…

“…Morning, Roxas.”

That was definitely a greeting.

He couldn’t believe this was the same Xion from yesterday.

“Ah, yeah…” said Roxas, replying automatically, at a loss for words. Just then, Saïx broke in.

“Today, you two will be completing a mission of great importance for us. You’ll be subjugating a huge Heartless.”

“A huge Heartless…”

I’ve been on missions to defeat Heartless before, but this will be the first time I’ll be subjugating a Heartless that could be called huge.

“Don’t let your guard down,” said Saïx. Roxas nodded.

“Let’s go, Xion.”

It looked like Xion nodded.

Xxx

Roxas and Xion stepped out of the dark corridor and into Twilight Town.

At the open space at the top of the stairs, the sunset was dazzling.

“Roxas.”

Roxas turned back upon hearing the call to find Xion staring at him.

As always, I can’t tell her expression under that hood, he was thinking, when…

Showing from inside the hood was a black haired girl.

It’s like… I’ve met her somewhere before or something.

But this is the first time I’ve seen Xion’s face.

“Let’s do our best today.”

Xion was smiling.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

I don’t know where this huge Heartless is meant to be.

But, there aren’t many places in which a huge Heartless could move around.

There’s in front of the station’s clock tower, for one.

Roxas started running.

Xxx

The station’s bell rang out just as they got there. As if the bell had been a signal, the air vibrated. And then, at the same time, something roared behind them.

Turning back reflexively, a pitch black, human-shaped Heartless, a Darkside, was appearing out of the ground.

“That’s the target Heartless… Let’s go!”

Roxas called the Keyblade to his hand. Fully appeared, the enemy was as big as the clock tower.

“Yeah,” Xion replied. Xion hasn’t got a weapon in her hand, but I guess she’ll support me with magic, like before.

Roxas ran at the Darkside.

Right on the Darkside’s chest a heart-shaped hollow, uncannily showing the scenery on the other side. Do Darksides start attacking, looking for that lost heart?

Roxas jumped, trying to shake off those useless thoughts, swinging the Keyblade up, aiming at the Darkside’s arm.

Swinging down, Roxas felt a definite response from the Darkside’s body, wrapped in dark mist.

At the same time from behind, Xion shot a fireball at the Darkside’s head. It let out an eerie scream, and beat the ground with its fists. Darkness spread out in the middle of the ground, widening with each impact.

“Ugh…”

Roxas, who had endured it somehow, ran at those beating fists, cutting down with the Keyblade. But, at about the same time, the Darkside’s arm sent Roxas and the Keyblade flying.

“Oh no!”

The deflected Keyblade skidded across the ground, stopping at Xion’s feet.

And then, in the next moment, the Keyblade was being gripped in Xion’s hand.

“Huh…?”

In front of Roxas, still collapsed, Xion ran at the Darkside with the Keyblade in her hand, and made a big jump. The Keyblade swung down, delivering a fatal blow to the Darkside.

Xion landed, and the Darkside turned into black mist.

“That surprised me…” muttered Roxas, standing up.

Xion being able to use my weapon is kinda...

Members of the Organisation each have their own special weapon, but I haven’t heard anything about them being able to be used by other members.

The Keyblade teleported from Xion’s hand to Roxas’.

“You can use the Keyblade too, can’t you Xion?”

“I was surprised too,” Xion smiled in a slightly troubled way.

It never even crossed my mind that someone other than me could use the Keyblade.

The Keyblade sparkled in the palm of Roxas’ hand, then vanished as usual.

Roxas felt weird.

He hadn’t thought that something like this could happen; finding out something, and ending the mission on a slightly fun note.

At a time like this… That’s right.

“Well then Xion, you need a reward.”

“Huh?” asked Xion with a surprised face. “A reward…?”

“Before that, I gotta get ready to go to the special place,” Roxas smiled at Xion. “Wait here, okay?”

“Wait a second, Roxas!”

Roxas ran off in the direction of the sweets stand.

xxx

Roxas bought two ice creams, went back to the open space in front of the station, and took Xion up the clock tower.

I almost though I’d use the ‘winner’, but I rethought it; of course I’m going to use it when Axel comes back.

“I didn’t know… there was a place like this,” voiced Xion.

“Sit down.”

“Okay.”

Xion sat down at the front of the clock tower. Her gaze seemed fixed in the distance, on the sunset.

“Okay, here you go,” Roxas gave Xion an ice cream.

“What’s this…?” Xion stared at the ice cream, a weird expression on her face.

“Sea salt ice cream. Try it.”

“Okay…” Xion took a small bite of the ice cream. “It’s sweet, and… salty,” she murmured.

“But tasty, right? Axel and I eat ice cream here after missions,” explained Roxas, taking a bite of his ice cream too.

A salty and sweet, special ice cream.

“Beause Axel… likes this ice cream.”

He spoke of his friend, who had gone far away on a mission. And then, Xion looked at him smiling.

“You like it too, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” Roxas nodded, and ate more ice cream. “When I first joined the Organisation, I ate ice cream here with Axel. And then, after my first mission, he gave me ice cream, calling it a reward.”

“…Like you did, just now?”

“Yeah.”

I don’t really know what ‘reward’ actually means, but I think it’s definitely a special thing, like ‘winner’. And so, when Axel comes back, I’ll give him the ‘winner’ as a ‘reward’.

Xion ate her ice cream beside him, swinging her feet.

“You two are really close, aren’t you,” she said.

Roxas didn’t know what to say for a second, but he found the answer right away.

“Because Axel’s my friend.”

“…Do you think I could become your friend too?” said Xion, looking at Roxas and tilting her head to one side.

“When Axel comes back, let’s eat ice cream together, the three of us,” replied Roxas, gnawing on his ice cream.

Axel will definitely come back soon. And then, the three of us should eat ice cream together.

I don’t know if Xion can become my friend, but… But, it feels like it would be okay.

Chapter 4: Castle Oblivion

Castle Oblivion, tenth floor.

“So you’re Riku.” Vexen had been lying in wait for Riku, who had just arrived on the floor.

If we did things according to my research, it is theoretically possible to transfer memories and abilities to a doll without the power of the witch.

Yes?according to my replica project.

“Who are you, a friend of Ansem’s?”

“A friend of Ansem’s… That’s half right, I suppose. But I’ll tell you this; he’s different to the Ansem you know. He’s Ansem, but then he’s not… That is to say, he’s ‘nobody’.” Vexen closed in on Riku.

I can sense a mighty dark power in Riku. Perhaps that power can exceed even that of the Keyblade Hero.

“He’s nobody? Huh. I’m in a really bad mood right now. Be clearer.”

“A being that walks the twilight, belonging to neither darkness nor light? Heh heh heh… Have you noticed? That’s right, just like the one in this realm between darkness and light; you. I’m the same. In other words, we are fellow similar beings.”
“Maybe,” Riku casually levelled the Soul Eater. “So what. You’re going to say ‘join me’, or something? Like you said, there’s dark power left in me. But the darkness is my enemy! And reeking of darkness, so are you.”

“Hey. You have a mind to do it, don’t you? But I have hope! Let’s be partners!”

A battle is a way to obtain Riku’s powers. I was originally a researcher, and the odds are against me, but… There’s no other way.

If I can only draw out his maximum power while he’s right in front of me, that will do.

If I could mass produce replicas, the Organisation would acquire even more power than present.

For they are not a breed of Emblem Heartless.

Riku swung the Soul Eater down, which Vexen deflected with his ice shield.

“Show me your rage! The power of the darkness within you!”

With every swing of his blade, his power and memories are being accumulated as data.

“I’m—I’m…!”

“You still cannot stop yourself from using your dark powers! Let’s go!”

Facing Riku, Vexen moved in to a suitable distance, and brought his shield down.

Riku handled the attack with ease. “Excellent!” yelled Vexen, unconsciously.

“…So this is part of your plan,” said Riku, looking displeased, still holding out the Soul Eater.

“Thanks to your hot headedness, I was able to take useful data for my research. Many thanks, Riku,” said Vexen, and disappeared, leaving a loud laugh behind him.

Now all I have to do is plant these memories into that doll, for a start…

xxx

“It looks like Sora’s memories have started to take root, right on target,” giggled Larxene, watching Sora in the crystal ball.

Axel also looked up, looking at Larxene with a slight smile. “The plan continues, then. Let’s see how far he goes.”

The fake memories have started to take root inside Sora. In order for Sora to move the way the Organisation wants him to, his memories are being repainted little by little, the real ones being lost.

Fragments of memory are awfully vague things. They waver at the slightest chance.

Being able to make them waver, and weave new ones, is Naminé’s power.

But, that too is something planned under the power of the Organisation.

“Better go cut the next deal.”

“Wait, you had your fun on the first floor, didn’t you? That makes it my turn now,” Larxene asserted, with a bewitching smile.

“…Don’t break him,” were the words that slipped unconsciously out of Axel’s mouth.

“Huuuuh, what a soft thing to say.”

“He’s half one of us,” said Axel, but for a second he wondered what that actually meant.

Was I talking about Sora, who we’re about to use? Or half of him, Sora’s Nobody, Roxas?

“You don’t trust me, do you? I’m not so stupid as to play with the toy until it breaks,” Larxene shrugged.

That reminds me, I’m still not sure who the traitors are.

“Just making sure, you know. That kid’s a brat, you know. One we need in order to take control of the Organisation,” Axel laughed, setting a trap.

We… I definitely wasn’t talking about Larxene and I. But Larxene might interpret it as ‘us’. Not lying.

And then, Larxene answered.

“Aren’t you saying too much? Keep the real target a secret until the final moment, you know.”

Saying only that, Larxene disappeared. She had headed off to where Sora was.

“You’re the one who says too much, Larxene,” murmured Axel, alone in the room. It had been that easy to find evidence on a traitor.

xxx

Alone in a dim research room, Vexen’s unwavering gaze was fixed on a crystal ball.

Basement eighth floor. In the crystal ball, two boys with the same face were facing each other.

Riku and the Riku Replica, the fruit of Vexen’s research, a doll.

There were many in-progress dolls. Many were also being prepared by data input methods in order to copy shape and movement. It was still in experimental stage, however, looking at the Riku Replica in the crystal ball, it seemed to have reached completion.

In the crystal ball, the Replica was thrown back by Riku.

“Hey, fake. Didn’t you say ‘you can’t beat me’?”

Riku walked casually up to the Replica, pressing the Soul Eater into its throat.

“Huh. I was only just born. I’ll only get stronger from here. I’ll even top you, soon. The next time we fight will be your last,” bragged the Replica.

That’s right, the replicas grow. Experience is necessary for growth.

It is necessary to make it fight with an even stronger being.

Staring at the crystal ball, Vexen smiled thinly.

xxx

Larxene lost to Sora. She says she’d intended to lose from the beginning, but it was a clear retreat.

However, because of Larxene’s actions, Sora’s memories of Princess Kairi and Naminé the witch were mixed up, and he’s started thinking that Naminé, who he’s never even met, is very important to him.

Watching the hero move, I think of Roxas. Of Roxas’ movements…

Axel thought anew about the connection between the Nobody and the true form.

Also, Vexen and his doll, the replica, are here now.

Vexen’s doll looked completely different to the shape he had seen when he’d investigated the basement, now taking the shape of a silver haired boy, probably Riku.

I’ve definitely heard that replicas gain powers depending on memories.

But I’ll bet no one but Vexen would have been able to tell that such an elaborate thing was a replica.

“How shameful, to have been driven back by such a lowly person. A disgrace to the Organisation.”

Larxene ignored him.

“What do you want, Vexen. Your post is the basement, isn’t it?”

Originally, Axel would have wondered why Vexen, who should be in charge of the basement, would come upstairs, suspicious that perhaps he wanted to test the replica’s performance. However, Axel himself also felt like seeing the replica perform.

“I came to lend a hand. That hero you think so highly of, I personally can’t imagine he’s of any use. Is he really of value…? Experimentation is necessary.”

“Pfft, that’s so like you. To cut it short, you won’t be satisfied until you’ve done your experiments, am I right?”

“That is the instinct of a scientist.”

To the side of Larxene and Vexen’s exchange, the Replica was watching the crystal ball.

Sora and his gang were being shown in it.

“I don’t really mind, but you know. While you test Sora, you want to test out your own servant, don’t you?” said Axel, glancing at the Replica.

“He’s not a servant. Let’s call him a product of research.”

“You mean a toy, right?” said Larxene, cutting across Vexen.

“Humph, such impudence from one who cannot comprehend.”

“Whatever, it’s fine. You came all this way for us. I’d like you to have a little fun, too. A present to my senior. Use these, and the show gets even more interesting. Use this card.” Axel threw a card to Vexen.

“Witty, aren’t you. Well then, I shall put this to use…. Come.”

Vexen beckoned the Replica to the centre of the room, and went to cross it.

“That’s just a card, isn’t it? What can you do with that?” said the Replica, mingled cynicism in his tone.

“Memories of the place where Sora and Riku were born are hidden in that card,” Axel explained, looking closely at the Replica’s face.

“Using that card and Naminé’s power, you could have the real Riku’s same memories for yourself. You could even get to forget that you were a fake. In other words, we’ll do you a favour and remake your heart, so you’re the same as the real Riku,” Larxene said, happily.

“Wait a minute! Remake my heart? Riku’s a weakling, afraid of his own darkness. I don’t want that guy’s heart!” the Replica yelled.

A portion of Riku’s memories must already be copied to the Replica. If those limits are pushed even higher, he’ll probably get even more powerful.

“So it’s fine then? Vexen, didn’t you come to use Riku to test Sora’s true power?”

Vexen folded his arms and thought for a bit. Then he said, “It must be done.”

“What?! So you’ll betray me, Vexen!” pressed the Replica.

“I thought I said it. That you’d be useful to me,” declared Vexen coldly.

“It’s okay. It probably won’t hurt that much.”

“Don’t make fun of me!”

The Replica slashed at Larxene, but she sent him flying instead.

“Silly! There’s no way a fake could ever beat me. But don’t worry. Naminé will erase the memory of me crushing you. And what’s more, she’ll plant lovely memories into your heart. Even though they’re lies!”

“Stop!”

The Replica went to stand up, and Larxene charged, landing another blow.

The Replica hit the wall, and fainted.

“Well then, now it’s your turn Naminé,” Axel called out to the girl sitting quietly in the corner.

“Okay…”

“Though, it’s possible to transfer memories without witches and the like,” said Vexen, taking the Replica up in his arms.

“Uh, no. She doesn’t just transfer memories, she rewrites them. I don’t reckon anyone but a witch could rewrite memories. Isn’t that right, Naminé?”

Naminé nodded slightly at Larxene’s words.

“If you rewrite the memories of Sora and this doll, they’ll come to love you. Aren’t you happy?”

Naminé didn’t answer.

xxx

The Replica’s memories were being rewritten, just like Sora’s.

“That’s a pretty awesome power you got there, Naminé,” Axel murmured to the girl standing next to him, as he watched the Replica sleep in a pod that looked like a flower bud.

“But… All I can do is rearrange fragments of memories. I can’t rearrange things that aren’t already there.”

“You mean, as long as the data’s there, you can make anything you like from it?” asked Axel.

I’m sure the Organisation already has the technology to turn memories into data.

“What’s more, I need a container.”

“A container, huh…”

So in this case, container = Replica.

“And on top of that, just like the things you Nobodies do are controlled by your memories, maybe the same thing will go and happen to the Replica.”

“What do you mean?”

“His heart…”

Just when Naminé seemed about to say something, Vexen entered the room.

“Haven’t you finished rewriting the Replica’s memories yet?” Vexen said pressingly. Naminé turned to him.

She cast her eyes down. “I’m still not finished. If the spiral of memories collapses halfway through, perhaps the Replica will also collapse…”

“But, Larxene says that Sora has arrived on the floor, unfortunately,” Vexen tapped on the keyboard in front of the pod. The pod door opened slowly, and the Replica awakened.

xxx

Naminé watched the Replica fight Sora, right until the end.

“The heart goes out to him, doesn’t it?” said Axel, from behind her.

Naminé lifted her face and looked at Axel. A light that made him sense her own will was beginning to form in her eyes.

What is she planning to do…?

Axel stared right back at her. “Stop that. We Nobodies can never be somebody,” he warned.

Naminé looked down. She was gripping a sketchbook in her hands.

Marluxia, who is planning to manipulate the hero, is doing it right. And the basement crew, who have brought out this Replica in order to compete, aren’t doing it wrong either.

If that’s right, then which one should I, who doesn’t belong to either, make the best use of? The Replica or the Hero, in particular? On top of that, if I don’t make use of Naminé, more than anyone else, control of this castle will be impossible.

I’m pretty interested in what Naminé was saying in front of the Replica just before.

“Hey Naminé. There isn’t anything else you can do, is there?”

Naminé turned her face up to Axel, looking frightened.

xxx

“Hey Fake… No, Riku.”

Axel appeared in front of the Replica, who had lost to Sora once again.

He doesn’t have any memories of being a replica any more. He’s so sure that he’s Riku.

“What do you want?”

Sweat ran down his forehead.

He even sweats, though he’s just a doll.

“The Hero was strong, wasn’t he?” smirked Axel, putting a hand on the Replica’s shoulder. “Naminé says she likes the strong type.”

The Replica looked down, biting his lip.

Just like a human boy with a heart.

“What do you think, Riku? Do you want to try getting even stronger?”

“What do you mean?” The Replica looked at Axel with suspicious eyes. Axel threw a card to the Replica. It hit him in the chest, and fluttered to the ground.

That doesn’t have anything to do with memories; it’s the key to a room in Castle Oblivion.

If a card is held up to a door, a new world opens up. It’s only connected to the room Sora is in.

From now on, I’ll guide the Replica, in order to make it a piece under my control, rather than have Vexen pulling the strings.

“If you use this card, you can get even stronger.”

“Why are you helping me?” asked the Replica, staring at the card on the floor.

“Cause I wanna see the Hero defeated too, ya’ know.”

Even a replica could probably see through a lie like that. But I don’t care. A replica planted with fake Riku memories should want power, no matter what. After all, that’s what gives this replica’s existence meaning.

“Well, let’s go Riku.”

Seeming to have made up his mind, the Replica picked up the card.

xxx

A room in Castle Oblivion’s upper levels.

The state of affairs was opposite to how it had been after Larxene’s fight with Sora. This time, Larxene was scolding Vexen.

Even as he payed attention to the situation, Axel was watching Naminé, sitting frightened in the corner.

I wonder how much Naminé understands about that Replica.

“What you gonna do, Vexen? You said Riku would listen to you, but where has he gone now? What’s he doing?”

The Replica went missing after his fight with Sora. Well, in reality, he had fought Sora, lost, and then disappeared after Axel’s sweet-talking. There was no way Vexen or Larxene knew.

“He’s hidden on purpose in order to lure Sora. Larxene, you should know this!” said Axel.

Larxene clapped her hands together joyfully. “Ohhh? Of course! I didn’t realise~. Excuuuuse me. I just can never work out whether Vexen’s research is any use or not, you know!” Larxene jeered.

“Shut it!” Vexen was nearly trembling with rage.

“Huh… You’re just cranky because it’s true. It’s so simple to everyone else!”

Vexen’s shield appeared in his hand. “If I may say a word…”

Just then Marluxia, who had disappeared off somewhere for a short while, appeared before them, breaking them up.

“Stop,” Larxene and Vexen stopped moving. “Vexen, the fact is your strategy failed. It’s over. Do not disappoint us again,” stated Marluxia, looking down at Vexen.

At least, after seeing the resulting Replica, I think Vexen’s strategy, or rather, his project, was completed, but I guess they don’t need a doll that won’t do what the Organisation wants.

“Disappoint you… It’s gone to your head! In this Organisation, you are Number 11. I, Number 4, won’t stand for being dictated to by the likes of you!” Vexen clutched his shield.

“However, I am the one who has been entrusted this Castle and Naminé. To oppose me in this place will be considered treason against the Organisation.” Marluxia glared at Vexen.

“And traitors are destroyed. Those are the rules!” said Larxene happily, standing beside him.

That’s right; the Organisation does not leave those that turn against us alive.

Those are the rules.

“I speak in the name of the Organisation. Your strategy failed. Let us inform the Superior of this blunder.”

“Wha-wait! For only that! Surely you can forgive such a small thing!” Vexen begged, with enough force that he seemed about to fall to his knees. Seeing that, Larxene’s mouth twisted into a smirk. Vexen, head down, wouldn’t have been able to see that smile.

“There is one condition.”

Vexen looked up. “A condition?”

“Destroy Sora by your own hand.”

“What?!” Vexen half-shouted and stopped moving.

Vexen probably couldn’t have imagined an order like that.

Larxene looks a little surprised herself.

“Are you complaining?” Marluxia pressed, an elegant smile rising on his face.

“No, but… Why… You really don’t mind?”

“No more arguments from you,” said Marluxia, cutting down Vexen’s uneasy question. Silence stretched out in the tense atmosphere.

“You serious about this?” asked Larxene, breaking the silence. However, Marluxia didn’t answer. Perhaps taking Larxene’s reminder as an opportunity, Vexen disappeared.

“If you threaten him like that, he’s gonna seriously destroy Sora, you know.”

Marluxia probably issued the command in order to get rid of Vexen, rather than Sora, guessed Axel.

Marluxia isn’t that stupid.

“And that is an outcome no one desires,” said Marluxia, walking to a corner of the room.

Naminé looked up in surprise, her shoulders shaking.

“So, what will you do? Your hero will be destroyed if nothing happens. But I believe he made a certain promise to you. Didn’t he, Naminé?”

“…Yes,” answered Naminé, in a small, thin voice.

xxx

Vexen took a blow from Sora, and fell to his knees.

“We did it!” Sora pumped his fist.

“Not that well,” muttered Vexen, getting slowly to his feet. “I cannot, of course, be disposed of that easily,” Vexen stated breezily, even though his face was twisted in pain.

“You can actually keep going?” shouted Donald, from behind Sora.

“I wonder? Haven’t you noticed? That I was searching through your memories while we fought. And so… I found it! A card, made from memories found in the sealed other side of your heart. If you want to fight me for real, step into the world born from this card!” Vexen threw a card to Sora.

Larxene, watching the events in the crystal ball, looked up at Marluxia. “What’s he mean?”

“That’s… Twilight Town,” Marluxia muttered; the name written on the card thrown to Sora.

Axel raised an eyebrow deliberately.

“What is that guy trying to do?” wondered Larxene.

“Maybe he thinks fighting in a world he knows well will pay off?” Axel answered, folding his arms.

“Uh oh, has too much blood rushed to Vexen’s head? What you gonna do, Axel? It’d be terrible if Sora knew about his ‘other side’, wouldn’t it?”

I wonder which side is really the ‘other’ one.

Is it the other side of Roxas, the Nobody, or the other side of Sora; which is the true ‘other side’?

And, I wonder what Vexen intends to do.

Does this have something to do with his experiment?

What is he trying to do by interfering with Sora’s memories?

Why is Twilight Town in Sora’s memories?

“If he only passes through, he can be deceived somehow,” said Axel, hiding his unrest. “However…”

“Let’s make a deal with Naminé. Axel, you go too. You know what to do.”

There’s no longer room for doubt as to what Marluxia is saying.

“I don’t get you. I want to hear it from your lips,” grinned Axel, looking at Marluxia.

“Dispose of the traitors,” stated Marluxia like it was nothing, and gave a put-on laugh.

“No taking that back, you know,” Axel confirmed one-sidedly, turned his back on Marluxia, and walked out of the room without using a dark corridor.

xxx

He headed down the hallway, towards the floor on which Sora was.

“Dispose of the traitors, hmm.”

The traitors to the Organisation have just been made crystal clear.

Marluxia and Larxene are going to betray the Organisation. Vexen’s position is only respected because of his stupid research, and I don’t think research has any meaning in the power games within the Organisation. There’s still the basement crew, but it’s still too soon to judge.

Now’s not the time to think about whether it’s right or wrong to take care of Vexen.

But, in order not to get into a disadvantageous position with Marluxia and Larxene, all I can do is take care of Vexen. If I think of it as self defence, it’s just something that can’t be helped. Even so, I wonder why Vexen would go to the trouble of making Twilight Town appear.

Because of him, even the Replica has turned to Twilight Town.

If worst comes to wors, and Sora finds out about Roxas, I wonder what’ll happen.

What would a human do, if they found out about their own Nobody?

If Sora is destroyed, Roxas will probably also be destroyed.

Only that cannot be avoided.

And so, Axel stepped onto the floor. Floor eleven of Castle Oblivion, Twilight Town, where Sora was waiting.

xxx

This was Twilight Town, or rather, the town in Sora’s memories. However, it was absolutely no different from the town Axel knew. From the rows of shops and houses to tiny things such as the shade of the flagstones in the road, everything was the same.

“It’s… incredible, this castle.”

Admiring anew the power of the white rooms to change form according to memory, Axel walked through the forest leading to the haunted mansion.

I can’t see the Replica, but he’s probably somewhere in this town.

I’m sure Sora and the others are there.

Vexen’s voice could be heard coming from the edge of the forest. Axel concealed himself in the shade of a tree, furtively studying the situation between Vexen and Sora. It would probably be easier to dispose of Vexen after he’s fought Sora, whether he wins or loses.

“Sora, I’ll ask but one question. That ‘familiarity’, or your memories of Naminé… Which one is real to you?”

“Naminé, of course! It feels familiar, but… This is an illusion you set up, of course!”

I wonder what that means. Sora feeling that this world is familiar, I mean.

What the hell is with Roxas and Sora’s memories, what’s happening with this connection?

Were the two always connected?

“Heh heh heh… Memories are cruel things. They don’t only fade and get forgotten; they warp and bind people’s hearts,” Vexen still had leeway, standing before Sora, who gripped his Keyblade.

“I’m sure I said it, that this world was made of your other memories. Memories of this place exist on the other side of your heart. Your heart knows this place.”

Vexen must know something… About memories, and Sora, and Roxas… And how this relates to the heart.

“Liar! Those memories don’t exist!” Sora waved his Keyblade.

“Bound by the chains known as memories and not believing your own heart, is the same as throwing your heart away. If so, Sora, you’re no longer a Hero, just a doll, manipulated by memories. Yes… Just like my Riku. No value in you existing in this world.”

In other words, Riku, that Replica, is just a doll being manipulated by memories.

“Your Riku…? No value…?” A displeased wrinkle formed between his brows. “Don’t mess around! You mean you’re saying you changed Riku!”

“Oho, changed?” Vexen’s loud laughter echoed.

“What’s so funny?!”

“That’s right. Perhaps it could also be phrased that way, that I changed him. But… The familiar feeling you get from this world is real. Are you not able to believe your own feelings of familiarity?” intoned Vexen dispassionately, contrasting with Sora’s angry voice.

He’s saying too many extra little things, thought Axel, holding his breath for the right timing.

“Everything you say is a lie!” Sora lifted the Keyblade up over his head, and attacked with force. But, Vexen sent him flying with his shield.

“You are no longer a hero. You’re just a doll who has thrown away your hero heart.”

“I haven’t thrown away my heart! I’ll defeat you, and help Riku and Naminé! That’s… my heart!”

What on earth is a heart?

“You fool, get lost!” Vexen shot lumps of ice.

“Fira!”

However, the ice was melted by Donald’s magic.

“You’ll be in trouble if you forget about us!” Donald shouted.

If you think of it as three against one, Vexen’s at a disadvantage. If he is defeated by Sora, my own troubles will decrease.

At that moment, a shadow jumped out just in front of Axel.

It was the Replica.

Sora and Vexen still hadn’t noticed that the Replica was there.

And, it didn’t seem like the Replica noticed Axel, in the shade of a tree.

“What, have you come here too Riku?” called Axel, and the Replica turned.

“What the hell is happening?” he asked back. “Besides, you said I’d get stronger if I came here…”

“Did I say that?” smiled Axel meaningfully, and he folded his arms.

“Did you trick me?”

“No, let’s watch and see, Riku.” Axel pointed at Sora, who was fighting. While speaking with the Replica, Sora had dealt Vexen sound damage.

“Strong isn’t he, that one.”

Not reacting to Axel’s words of admiration, the Replica watched Sora silently.

Sora’s Keyblade sliced through the air, beating down on Vexen.

“Ugh, for you to have this much power, even though you are bound by memories… You’re definitely dangerous!” panted Vexen, curling in on himself.

“Whatever! Put Riku back the way he was!” Sora jabbed the Keyblade into Vexen’s throat.

“The way he was? Fool… You don’t understand a thing. There’s nothing for that Riku but to fall into the nothingness of darkness. Same for you, Sora! If you go on being charmed by Naminé, you will be bound by memories, lose your heart, and finally become Marluxia’s tool!”

“Marluxia?! Do they have something to do with Naminé?!”

To let the Replica hear that plan, and to let Sora hear that plan…

“Haha, didn’t count on that,” Axel laughed, and put his hand on the Replica’s shoulder.

“What do you mean?” asked the Replica, and Axel grinned, yanking on his shoulder. The Replica, pulled backwards so hard that he almost fell on his ass, was instead pulled into a dark corridor leading to Castle Oblivion.

The Replica was in the way. If within the castle, space can be made to move by those other than myself.

And so, Axel appeared in front of Sora. He threw a chakram at Vexen right then. It wasn’t that powerful, but it could kill in one hit if it got a vital point.

“Gah?!”

Vexen fell to the ground.

“Hey, Sora. Did I come at a bad time? My bad.” Axel turned his back on Sora, looked down at Vexen, and stabbed him in the back with the chakrams again.

“Guuuh… Axel… What are you…?”

“You prattle on for ages, so I’ll finish it for you. Your existence, that is.”

Vexen grovelled on the ground, looking up at Axel.

“Hey… Wait, please…”

“We are ‘Nobodies’, who barely exist. But here, your memories and existence ends. Aren’t you happy?” Flames lit up in Axel’s hand.

It’s after his fight with Sora. Vexen has barely any strength remaining.

Destroying him is easy.

“S… Stop… I don’t want to vanish…”

“Later, senior.”

Vexen’s body was wrapped in the flames Axel had fired.

“Gwaaaaaah!”

Vexen burned for a moment, then disappeared.

So when a Nobody is destroyed, nothing remains…

“What’s with you… What are you?!” Sora yelled.

“Well now. I don’t really know myself,” replied Axel, and disappeared.

xxx

I can’t go back now…

“Good job, Axel. It’s a great load off my mind, having that annoying guy destroyed.”

Axel had returned to the room and met Larxene. Ignoring her, Axel walked towards Marluxia.

“Marluxia… Did you throw Vexen at Sora to test his power?”

Marluxia remained silent.

“Not just Sora, but you too,” said Larxene cheekily, snuggling against Axel. “We were testing whether you were prepared to dispose of your fellow Organisation comrades. Well, you passed. You can join us. With the three of us together, taking over the Organisation will be a breeze.”

Jeez—they’re underestimating the Organisation and me.

Axel shrugged. “And for that, Sora…”

“Yep. He wants to meet Naminé, so let’s let him meet her.”

At Larxene’s words, Marluxia finally smirked, and walked slowly over to a corner of the room. Naminé, who had been listening to the three speak, gripping her sketchbook, looked up.

“Be happy, Naminé. The time when you will meet the Hero you’ve waited for is near.”

“I’m… happy,” Naminé answered, in a faint voice.

“I’ll say it now, don’t do anything cruel like disappoint Sora’s feelings, you know,” said Larxene happily, finally separating from Axel.

“…I understand.”

“You may bring up the thought from layered memories,” Marluxia told Naminé, glancing at Larxene.

And then, Marluxia and Larxene disappeared.

“Naminé…” Axel called, in a quiet voice, but Naminé didn’t move.

Chapter 5: Chain of Memories

It’s been 26 days since I joined the Organisation.

Roxas woke up, like always, and headed for the lobby, like always.

But, unlike always, the atmosphere in the lobby was different.

“So you don’t understand the situation?” Xaldin folded his arms, his normally stern expression now even more severe.

“I only just heard too. What the heck is happening? It’d suck if it was true,” Demyx’s expression also looked darker than usual.

I’m getting a really bad feeling about this.

“Did something happen?” Roxas asked Xigbar, who was standing next to Saïx.

“Hm? Yeah. One of the members who went to Castle Oblivion got annihilated, as they say.”

“Annihilated…?”

It was an unfamiliar word.

I know the meaning of the word. To disappear and go away.

But, what does that mean?

I’m sure Axel went to Castle Oblivion.

Axel, annihilated…?

“Roxas, you have a mission. You’re going with Xigbar to a new world, Agrabah.”

At the sudden order, Roxas looked up in surprise. The mission had been issued by Saïx, of course.

Saïx’s atmosphere was no different than always.

“…They were saying something happened at Castle Oblivion, but…” Roxas asked, head down.

“It’s got nothing to do with you,” stated Saïx coldly.

“…What about Axel?” Roxas pressed, plucking up the courage, but all Saïx did was narrow his eyes a little. However, Roxas didn’t notice.

“…Well… Maybe he was annihilated.”

“…Uh…”

His words dried up.

That’s…

“From today, you will also be using the shop. You can purchase goods from that moogle over there with the munny you get during missions.”

“…”

“Are you listening to me?”

“Uh… yeah…”

Looking in the direction Saïx was pointing, a creature wearing the same coat as the Organisation, a moogle, was floating with a ‘flap –flap’.

“Once you’ve arranged your equipment from the shop, hurry and leave.”

“…Understood.”

Roxas went to speak to the moogle. “Thanks for coming, kupo. What do they call you, kupo?”

“Roxas… and you?” he answered, looking at the moogle. A big red nose in a white face. Is this moogle a Nobody, too?

Upon hearing Roxas’ question the moogle paused for a moment, and then answered, “That thing doesn’t mean a thing, kupo.”

“Huh…?”

“You here to shop, kupo? Take your time, kupo.”

“Ah, yeah…”

At the moogle’s shop, there were various things that until now could only have been obtained by defeating Heartless or from treasure chests.

Purchasing a few items, Roxas arranged them.

“Haven’t forgotten anything, kupo?”

“Um……”

Even so, annihilation is…

“Let’s go, Roxas,” called Xigbar, who had been waiting the whole time for Roxas to finish his exchange with the moogle. “Hurry up.”

“Yeah…”

Roxas stepped into a dark corridor, as if being pushed in the back by Xigbar.

xxx

On the other side of the darkness was a town bathed in strong sunlight, and surrounded by desert, Agrabah.

Today’s mission is to investigate this new world.

“This world is sweltering.”Xigbar surveyed the area, then turned back to Roxas, coming after him. “Let’s finish investigating quick and head back.”

Even when pressed, Roxas was kind of zoned out.

“What’s up? Is this new world really that much of a novelty?”

“They said that someone who went to Castle Oblivion was annihilated…” mumbled Roxas, shaking his head.

“Haha! So that’s the thing that’s got you like this?”

Looking down, Roxas scuffed his foot. The dry earth skittered. “Thing…?”

“Let’s get going.”

“…Was everyone annihilated?” said Roxas, head still down, and Xigbar shrugged exaggeratedly.

“Weeeell…. We’ll know the details when we get back, as they say. Let’s go, kiddo.”

At those words, Roxas finally got moving, and began the investigation.

xxx

The city of Agrabah seemed to have been disturbed by a sandstorm, and the town was right in the middle of repair work, under their ruler.

When the investigation had come to a conclusion, and Roxas looked up at Xigbar. “…What do we do now? Do we check out the inside of the palace, too?”

“Nah, we’ve done enough for today. We managed to identify the ruler, so,” Xigbar answered, casting a glance at Roxas. He still looked depressed, as always.

“Well then, can we go back to the castle now?”

“Heh heh heh… You just wanna hurry up and go home, don’t you? That’s fine, let’s head back.” Xigbar started walking, and Roxas followed after him.

A Heartless sprang at Xigbar’s back. But, Xigbar spun around, and fired his weapons, the Arrowguns. In one hit, the Heartless faded away into the air.

“All right. Now let’s return for real, kiddo.”

However, Roxas was staring at the place where the Heartless has disappeared.

Xigbar shrugged, as if to say, ‘well?’ “Didn’t you wanna hurry up and go back?”

“…Hey, what happens to Heartless after they disappear?”

“They leave a heart. And it is gathered into the great Kingdom Hearts, as they say,” answered Xigbar, looking right at Roxas.

“Well, what about Nobodies, then? We don’t have hearts…”

“Nothing is left behind. It’s because we don’t really exist in the first place, you know.”

“And the member who got annihilated at Castle Oblivion?”

“Nothing’s left.”

Roxas looked down.

“If they disappear, does that mean we won’t see them again?”

“Yep.”

Roxas clenched his fists.

Maybe I can’t see Axel again…

“Let’s go back.”

“Huh? Yeah…”

And just as he went to go with Xigbar…

The world is swaying.

I can’t hear a thing.

The ground is rushing up.

His consciousness was engulfed by darkness.

xxx

Who are you?

xxx

He could hear a girl’s voice coming from somewhere.

Are you…. Xion…? Or….

Roxas blacked out.

xxx

In a corner of a room with a crystal ball, Naminé sat in a chair, looking down. In her hands was a large sketchbook, a blue ocean and a little island had been drawn on the uppermost page.

She was favourably rewriting Sora’s memories.

The memories relating to Kairi had vanished, and the fragments of memories were starting to scatter. And so, memories of Naminé were planted in order to fill the space where Kairi had disappeared.

“Naminé,” Axel called. Axel and Naminé were the only ones in the room.

“You’re all he has, now.”

Naminé didn’t stir.

The crystal ball in the centre of the room was showing Sora, alone on that island.

“You’re the only one who can save him.”

Naminé looked up.

“Shall I say it one more time? You’re the only one who can save him.”

“But… it’s too late.” Naminé hung her head once more.

But Axel didn’t think so. Here and now, it’s necessary in order to liberate Naminé from under Marluxia’s control. And then Marluxia will lose his power over the castle in one go. It isn’t necessary for ‘traitors’ to have any extra power.

“It’s too early to decide that. Hey, Naminé. Did you notice? Marluxia isn’t here right now.”

“What do you…?”

“I mean, there’s no one here to stop you.”

Naminé got to her feet at last.

“Don’t screw it up.”

Naminé gave a slight nod, and rushed out of the room.

Naminé’s probably heading for Sora. That island, Destiny Islands.

All alone in the room, Axel smiled.

“It’s finally got interesting. She’s fighting against her own nature.”

Axel stepped up to the crystal ball, and looked at Sora, displayed there.

Maybe if Sora is killed, Roxas will also be annihilated. I wanted to avoid that, if I could. I wasn’t ordered to destroy Sora in the first place. There’s no way of knowing what the other members of the Organisation are saying, though. And if I lost Roxas… Well…

“Well then… Sora, Naminé, Riku, Marluxia, Larxene! This clash better be one hell of a show; I wanna enjoy this, okay?”
No one was there to hear him.

xxx

On top of his bed, Roxas was breathing peacefully as he slept. Two shadows entered the empty room. One was Xemnas and the other was Saïx.

“It definitely appears to be Naminé’s influence,” Saïx reported, staring at Roxas’ sleeping face. Xemnas was doing the same thing beside him.

What on earth is happening in Castle Oblivion, apart from that concerning the annihilation, no contact has been made. It’s possible that the information is being cut off deliberately. There’s nothing but to trust in Axel’s actions.

“Can he awaken?”

“I have received information that if all the Hero’s memories are peeled away, Roxas will come back to us,” Saïx answered.

“So everything depends on Castle Oblivion,” Xemnas said as if to himself, and looked at Roxas again.

“Xion has become able to use the Keyblade as planned, and so for now, we can make Xion perform heart collection,” Saïx informed, in a detached manner.

If Xion can use the Keyblade, it doesn’t matter if Roxas sleeps.

Silence flowed between them.

When, by and by, Saïx began to leave the room, Xemnas opened his mouth again.

“And, how fares the search for the room?”

That very thing is an important question relating to the existence of Castle Oblivion. However, as always, we haven’t been able to find the room.

“Apparently, it isn’t progressing how we thought it would over there,” answered Saïx, and walked at a leisurely pace out of Roxas’ room.

And so, Xemnas was the only one left there.

He gazed at Roxas’ sleeping face.

“So you’re still asleep…”

There was no one there to hear Xemnas’ murmured words but the sleeping Roxas.

xxx

I’ve slipped inside Sora’s memories, into Destiny Islands. This created world should have a ‘me’ made from memories in it somewhere.

Naminé ran along the stormy beach.

She could see Sora, fighting a huge Heartless.

Naminé hurried towards a small island.

“Naminé…” called Sora, who had defeated the Heartless, and the illusion Naminé turned around.

An illusion, a fake Naminé being shown by the real one.

“Sora… You came for me.”

The storm raging around the island died down.

“I finally… Finally get to meet you…” said Sora, unbearably happy. But the illusion shook her head slightly. “I, I wanted to meet you, I fought my way here.”

“Yeah… Me too…”

I wanted to meet you too.

Naminé smiled sadly.

Naminé’s power moved.

“But I, I made a mistake. I wanted to meet you, but it was a mistake like this.” Naminé turned her back on Sora, and looked out at the ocean.

The ocean, which had been storming until just now, was hideously quiet, and not even the sound of waves could be heard.

Nothing could be heard.

xxx

Waking up was just like always.

On top of my bed, in my own room.

But I feel even hazier than I usually do.

Xion got out of bed, and looked in the mirror in the middle of the room.

It’s the same me as always in there.

Getting ready, she went to the lobby, to find Saïx and Xigbar standing there.

I don’t see Roxas.

“…Where’s Roxas?” she asked Saïx.

“It’s got nothing to do with you.”

I thought he’d say that.

Saïx never answers my questions.

Then, Xigbar poked his face in.

“As cold to Poppet as always, aren’t you Saïx?” Saïx ignored him.

Xigbar is always coming to talk to me. He talks to me a lot more than Saïx, so I like him.

“Roxas fainted and now he’s sleeping it off, as they say.”

“Huh?”

Surprised, her words wouldn’t come out.

Roxas fainted…?

“You worried?” Xion nodded at Xigbar. “Heh heh, you’re so cute, Poppet. I can take you to see him after.”

“Okay…”

Xigbar patted Xion on the head.

Even so, I wonder why Xigbar calls me Poppet.

“You can’t just do as you… Well, I don’t mind if you go see him, but complete your mission first.”

Saïx didn’t stop me, which is rare.

“What should we do today?”

“The same as yesterday, investigation. But, in a different world,” answered Saïx, and told them the place.

“…Got it,” Xion nodded, and stepped into the darkness that opened up beside her.

xxx

The sea and sky were both jet black.

The world, Destiny Islands, was covered by darkness.

This darkness was straight out of Sora’s memory of the last time he had seen the island.

“Look, weren’t you the one who gave this to me!” Sora yelled at Naminé, pulling out the keepsake made of paopu fruit.

That’s a fake keepsake made for the sake of fake memories.

“That’s right. I gave that to you.”

Naminé smiled gently, while looking out at the ocean.

But the one who said it was the illusion Naminé.

“No, Sora! Don’t believe me!”

One more Naminé, this time the real one, appeared at last beside Sora.

Yes, this is a vague world from inside his memories. It