Charxai watched as the last wisps of darkness writhed away. He had been in this castle for only a short while, and this was only one of many groups of heartless he had dispatched. The sheer amount of heartless was astonishing, and Charxai was skeptical of the Exiled’s chance if a full scale invasion of Cypher Nihilis was launched.
Although he had only been sent to scout out the castle, and estimate the size of the enemy’s forces, it had been impossible to avoid conflict. Even though he had avoided most of the heartless he encountered, he had still been forced to fight his way through a few hallways.
Walking farther into the castle, Charxai ran his hand along one of the damp, stone walls. The ceiling loomed over him, although in the dim lighting, Charxai could not see it. Darkness seemed to seep from every nook and cranny of the castle, and he could its ever present force around him. A screech sounded above him, and looking up, Charxai saw a black-feathered raven soaring through the hallway. A green flash filled the room, followed by eerie laughter.
Spinning around and unsheathing his blade in one fluid motion, Charxai found himself face to face with Maleficent, the root of all of his problems.
"I see you have found our intruder, my pet." The witch cooed, petting the raven that had landed on the tip of her staff. "I don’t remember handing out invitations to my castle, so then why did you feel inclined to come here?" The witch questioned, smiling a cruel, dark smile.
"I don’t know why I would tell you anything, Maleficent." Charxai retorted, wondering why the witch had bothered to converse so long with him without calling up heartless.
"So impolite. I would think as a guest, you would treat your host with more honor." She laughed at this, a cruel, cold laugh that sent shivers down Charxai’s spine.
"Don’t talk to me about honor, witch." Charxai replied, hard steel in his voice.
Laughing again, Maleficent replied, "I thought you were just a nobody, but it seems I have found myself a gentleman. I never expected such a compliment from one such as yourself. Guards!" Maleficent snapped her fingers, summoning up small, demon-like creatures. "Keep him alive! I want to lock this one in the dungeons." As the creatures surged forward, Charxai sheathed his sword, and allowed himself a small smile. Raising his arm, palm facing towards the wave of enemies, Charxai waited until they were almost upon him.
Moving his arm in a sweeping motion, Charxai released a wall of black flame just as the crowd of demons was about to reach him. Having no time to react, the creatures ran straight into the wall of frozen fire. As the fire dissipated around Maleficent, all that remained were frozen statues of her former minions.
"What a waste." As her laughter faded, Maleficent’s face hardened, all traces of her previous joy gone. "You have a heart," he continued, "as dark as it may be. You still feel emotions, real emotions, not these false imitations myself and other nobodies feel." Slamming his fist into a wall, Charxai turned his face downward, glaring at the ground. "And yet you waste it!" Now shouting, Charxai glared at Maleficent. "You waste this heart in a search for power, and you care nothing about who you damage along the way!"
"You understand so little." Maleficent laughed again, sending more chills down Charxai’s spine. "One day I will become the ruler of all worlds, and none will stand before me!"
"Nothing is worth the chaos you have created Maleficent! Nothing!" Charxai’s accusations range throughout the hall, their angry echoes fading into the darkness. Gripping his sword, Charxai readied to fight Maleficent.
"You think you can defeat me? Me, the Mistress of Evil!" Maleficent shouted out her challenge, green flames rising up around her. Charxai swung his sword by his side, preparing to rush Maleficent.
"Stop!" A voice rang out across the hallway, causing Charxai to balk before his attack. A small figure somersaulted out of the darkness, landing between Charxai and his foe.
"Mickey." Maleficent hissed at the figure, obviously annoyed by its appearance.
"King Mickey?" Charxai questioned in wonder. It had been years since he had seen the king, one of the few to offer him hospitality during his flight from Organization XIII. Turning around, the King answered Charxai’s question without speaking. The two round ears and small round face were unmistakeable.
"You should go now, Charxai." Mickey commanded, his high-pitched voice leaving no room for argument.
How much does he know about me? Charxai thought, opening a portal of darkness behind him. "Mickey, are you sure you’ll be okay?"
"I can hold my own, Charxai. I know you must have a lot of questions, but all will be explained in time. Now go!" Mickey insisted, summoning his keyblade, turning to face Maleficent. As Charxai was enveloped by his portal, he wondered if Mickey would be alright..
Charxai was confused as he appeared in his room in the Exiled castled. Opening his door, he went straight to the meeting room to report what he had witnessed.