"Stop!" Xowlin’s hushed voice commanded the group of cloaks around him.
"What is it?" Xana asked in a quiet, afraid tone.
"It seems that this little guy," Xowlin, displaying a drawn-to-life caterpillar for the group to see, explained, "has found something, or more specifically, someone." Xowlin discreetly pointed to a narrow alleyway, darkened by the clouds of the World That Never Was.
"Seems that creature has some use after all." Rextanse replied with a smirk. "But, do we know whom your little friend found?"
"Unfortunately, no." Xowlin grimaced. "So, we have two options. One: We call out and see if this person is friend or foe." Xowlin stopped, his face drawn out in deep thought. "Or. . . we could try to sneak around. This is probably more risky, because then we may be attacked by surprise."
"Hey! You over there! Hiding in that alley! We know you’re there! Come out and show yourself!" Rextanse yelled unexpectedly into the unknown.
"Dammit Rextanse, you’re such an idiot." Xowlin dismayed, throwing a hand over his face in disbelief.
As Rextanse stood adamantly waiting for an answer, a crouched black silhouette slowly emerged from the shadows.
"He’s in an Organization cloak!" Xana shrieked, grabbing Rextanse’s arm in an iron grip.
"Yeah, but then again, so are we." Xowlin pondered, looking up to view the stranger, "Also, he doesn’t look like anyone I’ve ever seen."
"Did Organization XIII send you?" The stranger suddenly asked.
"Who wants to know?" Rextanse shouted back.
"Rextanse, please." Xowlin hushed. "Please excuse my friend over there." Xowlin’s polite reply floated across the street to the newcomer. "And to answer your question, we happen to be running from that particular organization at this very moment."
"You haven’t been sent to bring me back then?" the stranger asked, hope filling his voice. As he straightened up, the dim light of The World That Never Was lit up his features, and the others we’re finally able to get a full view of him.
His dark brown hair fell down past his shoulders, and its’ tips seemed to be fading to a soft white color. Across his back rested a massive two-handed sword, shaped in a way that was different than any of the group had ever seen. This sword accented the stranger’s size, who stood taller than both Rextanse and Xowlin. These features, however, were completely overshadowed by the strangers eyes. These eyes were a piercing color of blue, and the fire that flickered within them seemed to burn into whatever they gazed upon.
"Your eyes portray your position stranger." Xowlin commented. "I see a light burning in them. A light that wants revenge for past wrongs. As we have done nothing to harm you, I can see that you are no enemy of ours." The stranger’s poise seemed to lighten at the mention of these words. "I’m Xowlin, by the way." Xowlin continued, "This is Rextanse, and the girl behind him is Xana." The stranger nodded his head in respect at the mention of each name. "What’s your name, and what wrong have you done Organization XIII?" Xowlin questioned, hoping to get answers.
"My name is Charxai. Or at least, that’s what I think it is. I’m not too sure anymore." He looked around, seemingly uncertain of what to say next. "They found me, after my last life, if that life ever existed. I was thrown the clothes I wear now and told to join."
As Charxai continued, his words gained strength and confidence. "These men, if they can be called that, talked of gaining hearts and using them for their own personal gain. Stealing hearts." His face grew twisted in disgust at the mention of the word ‘hearts.’
"I had never known such an atrocious act was possible. It’s safe enough to say that I didn’t want to follow these visions of grandeur. So, I took my sword and headed out. However," Charxai’s tone became much more harsh, "That dog Marluxia sent two of his lackeys after me, Laxeaus and Vexen. I was able to hold my own with Laxeaus for a while, but when Vexen showed up, it was hardly a fair fight. So, they beat me down and left me for dead. I survived, however, and somehow they realized their mistake."
Charxai stopped, sighing heavily. "That was a long while back, however. Searches seemed to have ended years ago, but I never stopped running. I have yet to deduce how to get out of this accursed place, and have no place to call my own." Charxai stopped then, exhausted from telling his tale. "Why are you out here? And why are you wearing the same cloak I am?"
After explaining their tale, Xowlin paused, and turned to talk to Rextanse and Xana. "Guys, I’ve been thinking. Organization XIII outnumbers about three to one right now, and we need some others if we’re going to survive fighting them full on. I think we should recruit this guy. He’s in the same position we are, and he’s been in it so long, he can’t even remember how many years he’s been running. But, I don’t want to do anything without your consent." Xowlin stopped, awaiting a reply from the two others.
"If he could hold out against Organization XIII this long, it seems like he’ll survive. It’s fine with me if he joins, but I want this to be unanimous. Xana, what do you think?"
Xana, still grasping Rextanse’s arm, nodded her head in silent agreement.
"You’re welcome to come with us, if you’d like." Xowlin declared, turning to face Charxai. "We have a larger group than this, some of our members are busy right now. We cannot promise you shelter just yet, but we can promise you our comradery." Xowlin extended his hand in an invitation.
Charxai looked off into the distance, his eyes glazing over. "I don’t know. I’ve been alone for so long, fighting my own battles. . ." He turned around, mumbling to himself, his voice to low for the others to hear.
Looking up and crossing the street, Charxai grasped Xowlin’s hand in a definitive shake. "I believe I’ll do that, Xowlin." He replied as his features softened. "I think that would work out just fine."
"We have to get going." Rextanse stated matter of factly. "We’ve lost enough time as it is."
And with that, the group of cloaks scurried off into the night, this time with one more added to their number.