Kingdom Hearts; The Heartless Keeper

Chapter XIII; Gone

Yuki descended the stairs onto the first floor. She had gone through all the other floors without a problem. Apparently living in the castle took away the need for the cards. Each floor looked identical. Pure white hallways with no way out except forward or behind. The halls looked endless like it would take years to transpire. But it only took hours for Yuki to reach the bottom. What had taken the intruders days was a simple task for the young Heartless.

Today Yuki had been assigned to search the lower floors for the Nobodies Zexion and Axel. With Marluxia being lost only days before, Zexion and Axel were the only Nobodies left. Axel had managed to escape the key-bearer and fled to the lower floors while Zexion had always been keeping watch over the lower twelve floors. For some reason though, both had remained silent if they were still alive. They showed very much distrust to the Heartless. Yuki couldn't help but wonder if it had anything to do with the rebellion Marluxia had spoken of. Were Axel and Zexion in on it and afraid of what the Heartless would do to them if they found out? Or were they afraid no one would believe them if they said they didn't have anything to do with it?

Yuki shook her head as she reached the middle of the first floor. It wasn't her concern what the Nobodies were doing. All she had to do was find Zexion and Axel and avoid contact with the intruders that remained. Nothing more.

The sound of voices caused Yuki to freeze. She looked back and forth for a place to hide. The barren hall gave no help besides the pillars that stuck out from the wall. Seeing no other option Yuki ran to hide behind the nearest pillar. She pressed herself up against the wall flipping her hood up to hide her dark hair. If she was lucky they wouldn't be paying attention and just think she was part of the wall. The sound of voices drew nearer slowly. Footsteps soon accompanied the voices.

"I think it is best we remove our hero from this castle. It is far more dangerous than it seems here." One of the voices said. It was obviously male but carried a thick accent. Easy to remember but hard to describe.

"Of course." A girls voice replied. Yuki could recognize her voice as the girl Marluxia had trapped with him. Naminé.

"There are others here beside the Nobodies aren't there?" A boys voice asked. His tone was harsh and demanding.

"That is unlikely. I would have sensed their presence by now." The man replied.

"Then explain the redhead." The boy challenged. Yuki narrowed her eyes looking at the ground. The redhead? Did he mean Axel? Or one of the red-haired Heartless?

"What redhead?" The man asked. The r in red rolled more than it should have when he spoke.

"Some red haired girl came and spoke to me. She claimed to be a Heartless." The boy replied. There was a short pause in the conversation.

"Naminé, are you aware of any other beings in this castle?" The man asked.

"Well, the Heartless were never supposed to come in contact with any of you. But they are here." Naminé said nervously.

"Heartless?" The man asked surprised. There was another pause.

"Yeah, you know, beast formed from darkness in hearts." Yuki straightened up a little out of shock. That was Aryum's voice. What was she doing here? Yuki heard the sound of a weapon being drawn and a slight bit of movement.

"You again." The boy said through clenched teeth.

"Yes me again," Aryum confirmed jovially. "Don't worry I'm not here to cause trouble. Just stopping by to say hello."

"What is your true purpose here creature of darkness?" The man asked. Aryum laughed.

"Just a bit of advice," Aryum explained sounding almost concerned. She sounded only halfway interested if the three before her survived or not. "If you want to keep your hero I suggest you leave quickly."