“So, you think you might let us go?” The redhead makes a teasing proposition, already knowing the intentions of the boy in the guise of a man opposite him. Going a step further, he clues in the girl between them to the fate in store for her. “I know you’re here to get rid of us, but...”
The reality of the situation impacts upon her. The man in the mask used her to reach his goal and with it accomplished, she is now devoid of use. In his eyes, a Nobody, even one wholly unique, is nothing but an aberration to be erased. Now, he’s dispatched the boy to do just that. As horrible as it might be, with Sora awakened, her former allies of the past year are now set to dispose of her.
There just happens to be one wrinkle in that plan.
The bubbling remains of two Dusks pop in the air. From the path to the hilltop, a third cloaked figure appears. A black sword is thrust forward, leveled at the other two.
“Don’t even think about it. Get away from her before I make you.” I glare harshly at the both of them, showing my full willingness to follow through with my threat.
She’s here. She’s alright. I wasn’t too late. A sigh relief leaves me, as my greatest worry is dispelled. My heart’s pounding in my ears as I stand across from them with my blades drawn. Getting out of the simulation was hard enough, but running across town trying to track them down and fighting off every Nobody that got in my way was just plain exhausting. Even so, I can’t afford to show my fatigue as long as she’s in danger.
Sora’s friend grimaces at me from beneath the darkness of his hood, clearly surprised at my arrival. Apparently DiZ wasn’t able to inform him of my escape. Beside him, Axel’s eyes widen and his mouth hangs open before his lips curl into a smile. He laughs to himself as he brings a hand to his face, finding a dark humor to the situation lost on the rest of us.
“Oh, man! You really did it, Roxas. I should’ve known you wouldn’t go down without a fight.” Seemingly satisfied with this sudden turn of events, he raises his palm as though to open a corridor. “Well then, I’ll take that as my cue-” As his fingers crackle with flame, his gambit becomes clear.
A chakram appears in his hand that he tosses at the shadowy figure across from him. The boy is barely able to leap back and summon his bat wing blade in time, parrying the flaming missile before it can strike him. His hood falls from the extremity of movement, revealing his altered features.
“What are you doing?! You stand nothing to gain from this! If you would have just listened, I-”
“You were going to hand the girl off to me, right?” Axel interrupts him as dangles a chakram on his finger. “Thanks, but I’ll pass. After the Castle, I should know she’s more trouble than she’s worth. Besides, it looks like someone here is a lot more eager to take her off your hands.”
Axel lunges forward with another attack as they enter into melee, pushing the both of them further away from the blonde girl still sitting at the bench. Seizing my opportunity, I rush to her side and stand in front of her, ready to shield her from any stray fire. Despite finally finding her, I can’t bring myself to meet her gaze. There’s a shame about myself I can’t seem to shake.
She said we’d meet again, that we could talk about everything when we did. Saying that as DiZ dragged her off, well, this encounter proves my fears were well founded. I couldn’t give up my own existence while I knew she was in danger. So I didn’t listen to her. I didn’t go back to Sora and become whole. Instead, I’ve cooked up this crazy rescue plan to run away from my responsibility to my other. The truth, as selfish as it is, is that I didn’t want to be just a part of Sora when we met again.
“...I’m sorry. I couldn’t go back to him. I had a promise to keep.” Banishing Oathkeeper, I extend my hand out to her. “We need to go now. Are you ready?”