Kellia-Nightsbane

Zexion, wanting to take his time, took the ornate elevators up to Xemnas's suite. As he stepped off onto the floor, he noted absently to himself that the massive skyscraper seemed more than anything to be a large hotel, like he'd seen in some more populated worlds. Some of the less mature members had begun to make the place less a temporary headquarters and more of a home; he'd caught Xigbar and Luxord betting on who could slide down the banisters fastest, himself or Demyx. Some small part of him had wanted to join in, but he'd pushed that thought quickly out of his mind- if he wanted to be treated like an adult, he had to act like one.    

The five subordinate members of the Apprentices gathered in Vexen's makeshift lab; a blocked off part of the massive kitchens that took up half of one of the sublevels.     Vexen had just finished explaining to them what had happened to Saïx, and three of the other four sat in shock, while the fourth was studiously examining the wall, pretending to be indignant.     "How could he do that?! Vexen, I was under the impression we'd agreed that the parasite was too dangerous, and we weren't to do further tests on it!"     Vexen sighed heavily and leaned back against a table. "I don't know, Zexion. I don't think I even know him anymore s

For the first time, the steps to the balcony seemed to go on forever. But finally, he was out on the thin ledge, and what he saw stopped him dead.     Saïx was crumpled on the ledge, one of his hands still clutching his head. The other had clawed at his chest until the coat had actually torn open, and through the rips, Axel could see pulsating veins of Darkness running across his chest. Those veins were giving off thick black smoke, and it was that black smoke that was manifesting the lupine Heartless.     "SAIX!"     Axel ran to him, and knelt down as best he could next to the other man's head.     "Saïx, what's happening?!

Axel sat on the edge of the clock tower, looking out at the sunset. His insides were in turmoil, and although he knew without a doubt that he had no heart, there was no other way to describe what was going on inside of him other than 'felt'.    He felt.    He didn't know the names of the emotions he was feeling anymore, but they were painful. Like knives to the very core of his nonexistent being. He kept flashing back to the events of an hour before, and wished fervently he could just erase the memories out of his head, pretend it had never happened.      Axel drew his legs up closer to his chest, and rested his chin on his knees.