Revised:
It was dark and gloomy in the room and it looked as if a bomb had gone off there. The curtains were in shreds, the walls were cracked, and the majority of the chairs in the room were broken in some way or form. About the only things that ware still intact was the table itself and a few remaining chairs. Zixan sat calmly in his chair, waiting patiently for the others to join. He had called the group for a meeting concerning the recent affairs of the Exiled, and because of the past infiltrations of the group, he had called them all off world to a secret location that only the three knew of. Suddenly, two Corridors of Darkness opened up around two of the chairs that sat opposite of Zixan. The first to arrive on the right side was Salix while to the left was another member of the Exiled Order named Charxai. The three were part of an incomplete council that led the Exiled Order, and commanded it like the brain did to the body. Zixan glanced at the two sitting opposite of him before taking a deep breath inward and then exhaling just as slowly.
"Has something happened?" Charxai spoke up.
"Indeed. As of late, I have sensed their irksome presence lurking in the nearby worlds that surround us." Salix said.
"That is why we three have gathered here today in a secure location. The keybladers have become more and more persistent in their efforts to abolish us." Zixan explained.
"What current action should we approve then? What power will neutralize their own?" Salix asked.
"Indeed as of late I have considered the same. My answer being clearly that we must reform and regroup into teams of three when we exit the safety of our own world," Zixan explained.
"Teams of three will such be enough to defend ourselves against the inevitable threats that relentlessly fling themselves at us." Charxai asked.
"It shall have to be for now." Zixan answered simply.
"What concerns me though is not their sudden appearance but rather their rapid growth. Do you believe that perhaps something may have influenced them to begin their onslaught against our kind?" Charxai asked.
"Numbers are their advantage not their superiority," Salix said.
"It is possible that something or someone is influencing their assaults against us, though in reality it is not likely. Consider it Charxai. For years they who wield the blade of keys have attacked us. Thus it is most likely that this is just a sudden increase in their numbers. Something that we must not let effect us." Zixan explained.
"The Exiled Order has only begun to regenerate from the wounds it so recently received. As such an assault against us would only be the logical thing to do. Especially now that we are licking the blood from our open sores," Salix explained. "You as an expert in the field of combat should be more than aware of such a cowardly yet intelligent tactic."
"You are right, I should have realized that such a tactic was being used, although it is hard for me to accept that the enemy is this organized." Charxai apologized, trying to avoid unnecessary conflict. Salix may be blind, but Charxai respected his talents and knew he would be hard pressed to defeat him if it ever came down to a fight.
"Apology accepted." Salix replied cooly. "I am glad that you are willing to learn from your mistakes."
"We cannot grow if we cannot move past our mistakes." Charxai replied in the same cool tone, eyeing Salix, gripping the handle of his sword, which had appeared unwillingly.
Salix then crossed his arms over his chest as he turned back to face Zixan. Charxai watched the man carefully. Truly he did not trust him, but he did respect him in some odd way. Slowly Charxai loosened his grip on his sword as it vanished, and he turned to face Zixan. Zixan sighed at the two. Obviously the old saying was true. Old habits did die-hard. Zixan was about to speak but stopped as he glanced to his left.
"…You noticed it as well," Salix asked.
"Indeed I’ll send one of our own to investigate the source," Zixan said.
"There’s no need. I’ve already sent someone to investigate it." Salix explained.
Charxai raised an eyebrow. When had he issued such a command? He hadn’t noticed him say such. But obviously he must have, though honestly it wasn’t that surprising that only Salix had noticed the intruder, after all Salix’s senses were all honed to a very large extreme. There were likely few to none whose natural senses could even compare to his. However beyond his natural senses both Charxai and Zixan also possessed a secondary way of enhanced senses that existed in both of their unique powers. Suddenly Charxai turned his attention away from the subject of senses as he saw a Corridor of Darkness open up next to Salix and then immediately close. Slowly Xishn turned to face the three as he gripped something tightly in his right hand before lifting it up and dropping it heavily onto the top of the table. The object landed with a loud crash as both Zixan and Charxai stared forward at it. The object was a young man not very old with a rather odd fashion sense and a Keyblade gripped loosely in his left hand. Salix smirked the young man was powerful and indeed he was one of the wielders of the blade of keys that were set on eliminating the Nobodies like he.
"I hope you didn’t want him conscious," Xishn said as he smirked obviously joking.
"I assume you left him with enough life for us to interrogate him," Charxai asked.
"Possibly, though honestly I don’t really care. The whole goal in finding them is to eliminate them right? Why not just make and leave it at that," Xishn asked.
"You think too simply Xishn. Your thoughts and intelligence are not as well honed as ours are. Isn’t that right Zixan," Salix asked.
"What ever are you implying Salix," Zixan said smiling only slightly enough so that he knew it was there and not Salix, Xishn or Charxai.
"I know of your plans. You intend to use them and I intend to take them off your hands. That is, for a price." Salix replied as if he were bargaining with Zixan.
"You intend to haggle with me?" Zixan asked with a resigned sigh. Salix always wanted to swing the deal in his favor, and this time would be no different.
"Precisely, you need my help in order to make your freaks. If that is so you will give into my demands. Or perhaps you had predicted such and thus prepared yourself for my assault," Salix asked.
Zixan smiled as he stared forward at Salix. Indeed the man was clever and Zixan liked that about him in a way. That was what made him so useful and malleable. Charxai turned to glance at Zixan with a face that asked if this was acceptable. Zixan merely nodded in reply. He had as Salix had predicted and prepared for such an event. Slowly Zixan inhaled deeply as he closed his eyes, and then exhaled before reopening his eyes; staring straight forward at his ally again.
"…Claim your reward," Zixan said softly.
"I shall ask of you a single discounted price. I want my brother reassigned to me for as long as I shall need him for. Should you deny me that I could possibly assign you more hefty prices, but I figured such a small price to pay would be acceptable for a man of your stature," Salix explained.
Zixan stared forward at Salix. It was such a small price to pay. But obviously this price had a deeper meaning. Otherwise Salix would never have asked for it. But Zixan didn’t have time to ponder the meaning if it now. Besides he already had his answer. Xishn turned an eye towards Salix. He knew the old man had a soft spot for his little brother but had he gone senile? Not only was he exposing such a large weakness but he was also generating a rather controversial demand in front of and to those of whom he had not so long ago betrayed. Surely such arrogance would be considered an act of betrayal if it were any other man in Salix’s place. But luckily wasn’t just "any other man" he was one of superior intelligence and deep down he knew that the old man was up to something but he just didn’t know what it was.
"Why would you want your brother?" Charxai questioned Salix, obviously understanding that there was more to the request than just wanting family.
"Is it so wrong to request a family member? Aconex is one I know I can trust, and I know he will not be mislead by the attempts of others," Salix smiled, "that may intend to use him against me."
"I am not convinced, Salix. I know you have more reasons than that." Charxai replied, but knew he would not get any more answers out of the other nobody. Salix was a witty one, and Charxai knew he would not give away information that freely.
Zixan sighed as he listened and watched the two go at it again. Obviously it was going to take a little bit of work before Salix would be properly reintegrated into the Exiled Order again. However right now wasn’t the time for arguments but rather the time for discussion as to the man who lay on the table before them.
"Enough, from the both of you, stop arguing and accept your current predicament for what it is. We have jobs to do now," Zixan said in a booming tone.
"Understood," Charxai hesitantly said though clearly he still did not trust Salix completely.
"Your offer is bold but minimal and I see no harm in accepting to the terms. Aconex shall be entrusted to you in return for your cooperation," Zixan said. "I assume we have made ourselves clear."
"Clear as crystal," Xishn said as he smirked.
Slowly Xishn walked forward as he picked up the man with the Keyblade before vanishing into a Corridor of Darkness leaving behind Salix, Zixan and Charxai.
"Keep in mind Zixan that once they have been made they cannot be unmade except through destruction. It’d be such a pity to see such a beautiful rose just wilt away and die," Salix said calmly.
Charxai felt as if for once, him and Salix were standing eye-to-eye. Charxai did not agree with Salix on many things, but he did agree that creating these nobodies just to be destroyed was wrong.
"I am merely offering a warning. For I hold no warrantees after the prize has been opened. All clean up shall be yours and yours alone to deal with." Salix explained. "Well gentlemen, I shall return to you once I have desirable results. Until then I wish not to be disturbed. After all the process of extraction and reincarnation is a very complex and intricate one."
Salix slowly stood in front of the table as he pushed his chair back and vanished into the Corridor of Darkness, leaving behind his allies Zixan and Charxai. Charxai glanced at Zixan as soon as he was sure that Salix had left.
"…Is it so wise to entrust an ally to those who would betray our cause for their own personal gain?" Charxai asked.
"I see no need to worry Charxai. Salix may have betrayed the Exiled Order, but it was only out of weakness for the thing he desired most. As a result he is paying for his crimes he has made against us. I very doubt that he would betray us a second time," Zixan explained calmly.
"I just can’t look at him and not remember the fact that he once swindled us." Charxai replied.
"It is good to hold your caution closely just don’t let it consume you in your entirety," Zixan said warning him. "In the meantime we should be making preparations for the expedition ahead."
"I understand. I’ll let you know when I’m done with the tasks entrusted to me." Charxai said as he engulfed himself inside a large Corridor of Darkness. "And Zixan," Charxai started as darkness began to engulf him, "Thank you for standing by me. I do not know what would have become of today’s meeting had you not been there to settle me down."
Zixan sat alone now in the room as he had done before the others had arrived. Soon his plans would be sent into action and thus the goals of the Exiled Order would be completed and all would return to as they once had been. However the council was incomplete an imbalance was obviously current and thus someone new would be needed to make the machine that was the Exiled Order function to its fullest. But to whom would he extend such an immense invitation? Who was worthy to join the higher cause? Zixan sat silently for a few moments as he reviewed each member in his head and then he came to a conclusion. It was time for the resurrection of a fourth to the council. Slowly Zixan took a deep breath as he engulfed himself in a Corridor of Darkness and vanished leaving the room alone with no one remaining.
Original:
It was dark and gloomy in the room and it looked as if a bomb had gone off there. The curtains were in shreds, the walls were cracked and the majority of the chairs in the room were broken in some way or form. About the only thing that wasn’t broken were the table itself and a few remaining chairs. Zixan sat calmly in his chair as he waited patiently for the others to join. He had called them for a meeting concerning the recent affairs of the Exiled because of the past infiltrations of the group he had called them all off world to a secret location that only they three knew of. Suddenly two Corridors of Darkness opened up around two chairs that sat opposite of Zixan. The first to arrive on the right side was Salix while to the left was another member of the Exiled Order named Charxai. The three were part of an incomplete council that led the Exiled Order and commanded it like the brain did to the body. Zixan glanced at the two who sat opposite of him before taking a deep breath inward and then exhaling just as slowly.
“Has something happened,” Charxai spoke up.
“Indeed as of late I have sensed their irksome presence lurking in the nearby worlds that surround us,” Salix said.
“That is why we three have gathered here today in a secure location. They have become more and more persistent in their efforts to abolish us,” Zixan explained.
“What current action should we approve then? What power will neutralize their own,” Salix asked.
“Indeed as of late I have considered the same. My answer being clearly that we must reform and regroup into teams of three when we exit the safety of our own world,” Zixan explained.
“Teams of three will such be enough to defend ourselves against the inevitable threats that fling themselves at us,” Charxai asked.
“It shall have to be for now,” Zixan answered simply.
“What concerns me though is not their sudden appearance but rather their rapid growth. Do you believe that perhaps something may have influenced them to begin their onslaught against our kind,” Charxai asked.
“Numbers are their advantage not their superiority,” Salix said.
“It is possible that something or someone is influencing their assaults against us, though in reality it is not likely. Consider it Charxai. For years they who wield the blade of keys have attacked us. Thus it is most likely just a sudden increase in their numbers. Something that we must not let effect us,” Zixan explained.
“The Exiled Order has only begun to regenerate from the wounds it so recently received. As such an assault against us would only be the logical thing to do. Especially now that we are licking the blood from our open sores,” Salix explained. “You as an expert in the field of combat should be more than aware of such a cowardly yet intelligent tactic.”
“Are you insinuating something traitor,” Charxai said as he growled angrily.
“I have cleared my name of all uncertainties perhaps you can do me the favor of clearing yours of idiocy,” Salix suggested clearly trying to irritate his ally now.
“You speak but all that pours out from the gaping hole in your face is guilt,” Charxai replied.
“Silence yourself or shall I do such for you by removing your tongue and voice box,” Salix said angrily.
“Enough of this, I shall settle this the way you cannot,” Charxai said.
Immediately Charxai shot up like a bullet as he held his left hand out in front of him and summoned his large sword to it. Salix turned his head slightly to face him and smiled.
“I’ll carve that traitorous smirk right off your face,” Charxai asked clearly enraged.
“I can see that you disapprove of my reentering into the Exiled Order never mind being allowed to enter the council,” Salix said calmly. “But nonetheless you should guard your mid-region more carefully.”
Charxai glanced down as he saw Salix’s left arm with his steel claw wrapped around it pointing directly as his gut. Placed where it was Charxai knew that he’d be dead long before he could even knick Salix with his blade. He had to give him props for being able to do such even though he was blind. But in a real fight Charxai doubted that he could defeat him and he’d be right if that only included physical talent.
“Also consider the possibility. Perhaps I was merely making a statement rather than accusing you of something. Besides if I thought you a coward I would not stand in the same room as you, never mind converse with you,” Salix explained.
Slowly he lowered his arm as the steel claw vanished from sight again. Salix then crossed his arms over his chest as he turned back to face Zixan. Charxai watched the man carefully. Truly he did not trust him but he did respect him in some odd way. Slowly Charxai loosened his grip on his sword as it vanished and he turned before sitting down in his chair and facing Zixan as well. Zixan sighed at the two. Obviously the old saying was true. Old habits did die-hard. Zixan was about to speak but stopped as he glanced to his left.
“…You noticed it as well,” Salix asked.
“Indeed I’ll send one of our own to investigate the source,” Zixan said.
“There’s no need. I’ve already sent someone to investigate it,” Salix explained.
Charxai raised an eyebrow. When had he issued such a command? He hadn’t noticed him say such. But obviously he must have, though honestly it wasn’t that surprising that only Salix had noticed the intruder, after all Salix’s senses were all honed to a very large extreme. There were likely few to none whose natural senses could even compare to his. However beyond his natural senses both Charxai and Zixan also possessed a secondary way of enhanced senses that existed in both of their unique powers. Suddenly Charxai turned his attention away from the subject of senses as he saw a Corridor of Darkness open up next to Salix and then immediately close. Slowly Xishn turned to face the three as he gripped something tightly in his right hand before lifting it up and dropping it heavily onto the top of the table. The object landed with a loud crash as both Zixan and Charxai stared forward at it. The object was a young man not very old with a rather odd fashion sense and a Keyblade gripped loosely in his left hand. Salix smirked the young man was powerful and indeed he was one of the wielders of the blade of keys that were set on eliminating the Nobodies like he.
“I hope you didn’t want him conscious,” Xishn said as he smirked obviously joking.
“I assume you left him with enough life for us to interrogate him,” Charxai asked.
“Possibly, though honestly I don’t really care. The whole goal in finding them is to eliminate them right? Why not just make and leave it at that,” Xishn asked.
“You think too simply Xishn. Your thoughts and intelligence are not as well honed as ours are. Isn’t that right Zixan,” Salix asked.
“What ever are you implying Salix,” Zixan said smiling only slightly enough so that he knew it was there and not Salix, Xishn or Charxai.
“I know of your plans. You intend to use them and I intend to take them off your hands. That is for a price,” Salix replied as if he were bargaining with Zixan.
“You intend to haggle with me,” Zixan asked though obviously he already knew that Salix had intended to do such.
“Precisely, you need my help in order to make your freaks. If that is so you will give into my demands. Or perhaps you had predicted such and thus prepared yourself for my assault,” Salix asked.
Zixan smiled as he stared forward at Salix. Indeed the man was clever and Zixan liked that about him in a way. That was what made him so useful and malleable. Charxai turned to glance at Zixan with a face that asked if this was acceptable. Zixan merely nodded in reply. He had as Salix had predicted prepared for such an event. Slowly Zixan inhaled deeply as he closed his eyes and then exhaled before reopening his eyes and staring straight forward at his ally again.
“…Claim your reward,” Zixan said softly.
“I shall ask of you a single discounted price. I want my brother reassigned to me for as long as I shall need him for. Should you deny me that I could possibly assign you more hefty prices, but I figured such a small price to pay would be acceptable for a man of your stature,” Salix explained.
Zixan stared forward at Salix. It was such a small price to pay. But obviously this price had a deeper meaning. Otherwise Salix would never have asked for it. But Zixan didn’t have time to ponder the meaning if it now. Besides he already had his answer. Xishn turned an eye towards Salix. He knew the old man had a soft spot for his little brother but had he gone senile? Not only was he exposing such a large weakness but he was also generating a rather controversial demand in front of and to those of whom he had not so long ago betrayed. Surely such arrogance would be considered an act of betrayal if it were any other man in Salix’s place. But luckily wasn’t just “any other man” he was one of superior intelligence and deep down he knew that the old man was up to something but he just didn’t know what it was.
“You would demand something from us? The very people you betrayed not so long ago? Your arrogance is nothing less than what I expected from a traitor like you! Kneel and beg and offer this up as a favor to we who are the true members of the Exiled Order,” Charxai said with an overpowering tone in his voice as he turned to face Salix again.
“You stand high and mighty but your pedestal lacks the proper stamina to hold up your ego. I shall very much enjoy watching you tumble to your doom,” Salix replied calmly with an emotionless look on his face.
Zixan sighed as he listened and watched the two go at it again. Obviously it was going to take a little bit of work before Salix would be properly reintegrated into the Exiled Order again. However right now wasn’t the time for arguments but rather the time for discussion as to the man who lay on the table before them.
“Enough, from the both of you, lay down your swords and accept your current predicament for what it is. We have jobs to do now,” Zixan said in a booming tone.
“Understood,” Charxai hesitantly said though clearly he still did not trust Salix completely.
“Your offer is bold but minimal and I see no harm in accepting to the terms. Aconex shall be entrusted to you in return for your cooperation,” Zixan said. “I assume we have made ourselves clear.”
“Clear as crystal,” Xishn said as he smirked.
Slowly Xishn walked forward as he picked up the man with the Keyblade before vanishing into a Corridor of Darkness leaving behind Salix, Zixan and Charxai.
“Keep in mind Zixan that once they have been made they cannot be unmade except through destruction. It’d be such a pity to see such a beautiful rose just wilt away and die,” Salix said calmly.
“I’d be careful what I’d say if I were you,” Charxai said as his cold eyes stared deeply at Salix.
“I merely offered a warning. For I hold no warrantees after the prize has been opened. All clean up shall be yours and yours alone to deal with,” Salix explained. “Well gentlemen, I shall return to you once I have desirable results. Until then I wish not to be disturbed. After all the process of extraction and reincarnation is a very complex and intricate one.”
Salix slowly stood in front of the table as he pushed his chair back and vanished into the Corridor of Darkness leaving behind his allies Zixan and Charxai. Charxai glanced at Zixan as soon as he was sure that Salix had left.
“…Is it so wise to entrust an ally to those who would betray our cause at the slightest hint of trouble,” Charxai asked.
“I see no need to worry Charxai. Salix may have betrayed the Exiled Order but it was only out of weakness for the thing he desired most. As a result he is paying for his crimes he has made against us. I very doubt that he would betray us a second time,” Zixan explained calmly.
“I just can’t look at him and not remember the fact that he once swindled us,” Charxai replied.
“It is good to hold your caution closely just don’t let it consume you in your entirety,” Zixan said warning him. “In the meantime we should be making preparations for the expedition ahead.”
“I understand. I shall go complete my objectives,” Charxai said as he engulfed himself inside a large Corridor of Darkness.
Zixan sat alone now in the room as he had done before the others had arrived. Soon his plans would be sent into action and thus the goals of the Exiled Order would be completed and all would return to as they once had been. However the council was incomplete an imbalance was obviously current and thus someone new would be needed to make the machine that was the Exiled Order function to its fullest. But to whom would he extend such an immense invitation? Who was worthy to join the higher cause? Zixan sat silently for a few moments as he reviewed each member in his head and then he came to a conclusion. It was time for the resurrection of a fourth to the council. Slowly Zixan took a deep breath as he engulfed himself in a Corridor of Darkness and vanished leaving the room alone with no one remaining.