Chapter Five

Chapter V

"I guess I'm going to have to prove that I'm not so bad."

      I stare at the members surrounding me as I make my way to the center of the room, Saix and Axel close behind me.

      "Let us welcome a newcomer who has been chosen to wear the coat. Number XIV." a member booms. I take a good look at him. Long silver hair. Strong build. I can see his hazel eyes glinting from where he is, even though he's at least fifteen feet up in the air. There's a dominant aura about him. Leader?

     Everyone else is silent, studying me with hungry eyes. I pull down my hood, and it falls to my shoulders with a soft brushing sound. The members take in my appearance, which isn't much. I have petite stature. A heart-shaped face. Pale, soft porcelain skin. Cobalt blue hair that falls to my shoulders. Deep green eyes, with just a hint of hazel. If I went up against one of the larger members, I would most likely get crushed. It's a wonder why I was chosen in the first place to join the Organization.

      "Say something," Axel nudges my shoulder.

       I look at him and smile sheepishly. Then I divert my attention to the rest of the Organization.What should I say? What am I supposed to say? What am I going to do? I summon all of my courage, and manage to say, "It is quite an honor to be involved in the Organization. Thank you for considering me." 

       "Good job," Axel whispers.

       "Thanks," I breathe. 

       "Dismissed." the man who I suspected to be the Organization's leader says. Soon the room is nearly empty. It's just me, Axel, and a guy with silver hair that covers half of his face. He's walking towards us with a book in hand. 

       "Hello," he mumbles. He brushes shoulders with me as he passes by Axel and I. He's soon gone.

       I blink, curious, and ask, "Who was that?" I look up at Axel expectantly. 

       Axel huffs with distaste. "Zexion. Number VI. He's always got his face in his Lexicon. In case you're wondering what a Lexicon is, it's that book. His weapon."

        My eyes widen at the thought of a book being used as a weapon. "Knowledge is power, I guess." I laugh lightly.

       Axel laughs with me. "Nice," he says. After a moment, he adds, "Just stay away from Zexion unless you have to go on a mission with him, okay?"

      I tilt my head. "Why? What's wrong with him?" 

     "One word," Axel says, "lazy."

     "And you're not?" someone laughs. 

    I turn to the voice's source. It's Roxas. He's walking towards us with a Keyblade in hand.

    He's one of them. A Keyblade wielder. How could I have not seen this coming?

    "Why is your Keyblade out? Are you going on a mission?" Axel asks. 

     "Actually, Saix wanted me to spar with number XIV and figure out what she can do."

     "I have a name now," I huff, "Xaroval."

     Roxas rolls his eyes. He still doesn't like me. Is it because I took.. who was it? Xion. Does he hate me because of her? Because I took her place in the Organization?  "Just summon your weapon,Xaroval, and we'll get started." he spits.

     Axel rests a gloved hand on Roxas's shoulder. "Roxas," he says gently, "she's not so bad once you get to know her." His green gaze meets Roxas's blue glare. 

     "Fine," Roxas sighs. "Summon it. Hurry up."

     I frown and shuffle my feet awkwardly. "I don't know how. And I also don't know what my weapon is."

    Roxas groans with annoyance. "Just try."

     I look with uncertainty at Axel and he shrugs. Here goes. I focus and hold out my hand. A cloud of darkness surrounds me, and when it's gone, there's a staff in my hand. It's about four-and-a-half feet in length and is covered in a darkly-colored design and some kind of armor. "Nice," I say. I grin, proud of myself.

     "Darkness? Magic? Nice combo." Axel grins. "I'll be the referee. First one to beat the lights out of the other is the crowned victor," he hops back and gets a good distance from Roxas and I.

     "Fight!"

      And then Roxas is upon me.