Downfall [Saïx, Axas]

[Axel]

Under a Glass Moon
[Timeline Note: July 16th]

Another dark world, another moon. It was almost inevitable that the Diviner would show.

All the better for Axel. Not having to scour the worlds for someone would be nice for a change. Zexion certainly made himself scarce enough. If Saïx turned out to be similarly difficult to track down, the Flame would have to start running his own plans. Teamwork was all well and good if team members could actually find each other.

The Gothic feel of the architecture created a rather depressing mood for anyone with a heart. Of course, being unaffected, Axel merely noted the layout of the courtyard for strategic reasons. He was not as familiar with this world as others. He recalled that Xaldin had been quite obsessive about this place, but Sora had eventually put an end to him. Now, it was empty and deathly quiet. The Beast was contently tucked away in some inner chamber of the castle.

He was beginning to get very good at waiting. Waiting patiently, however, was another matter entirely. For now, he was leaning against the courtyard wall, close to the corner that connected to the castle itself. Better to be discreet in waiting than to attract unwanted attention. Saïx would be able to find him if he appeared.

[Slash]

Intentionally Predictable

Saïx was, unsurprisingly, watching the moon. He had made himself easy to find, sticking to isolated worlds during nights. Since he had no real way to contact Axel from long distances, he simply made sure that Axel could always contact him directly should the need arise.

Nyxar and Marluxia's elusiveness was proving to be a problem. There had to be some way to lose suspicion without having to kill Number Eleven right away.

Sure enough, the Flame appeared. Saïx wasted no time- there were eyes everywhere, after all, and it was best to keep things short.

"Something important?"

[Axel]

Quick Words

No need to waste words here, so he cut right to the chase. The courtyard was far too open. Anyone could stumble upon them if they weren't careful.

"The shadow and I have hatched a plan to deflect attention away from me. Just wanted to let you know. Don't act surprised if you hear that I'm dead."

Who was he kidding? Saïx wouldn't act surprised if his life depended on it. But he might change tactics and leave the Flame out of the loop, and that just wouldn't do.

"The sun doesn't die that easily. But it might have reasons to disappear for a while."

[Angelus]

Things had been rather interesting as of late for the new Organization member. Well, at least momentarily. After the events at the Castle that Never Was, Axas had explored some of it slightly. Finding that boring he left the castle to go see if he could track down one member who was on particularly thin ice upon his return. That member was none other than Number VII. Axas appeared a good hundred feet away from the two conversating Nobodies, and quickly began to close the gap. Flail at the ready, he began spinning it.

"I do hope you're here to eliminate the traitor Saïx. Otherwise this doens't make things look good for you." Axas' gaze shifted toward Axel, and a slight smile appeared on his face.

"Then again, I've never been one for playing by the rules myself."

[Slash]

Larcenous Amnesiac

Saïx immediately noticed the newcomer and listened carefully.

It was the new member, Axas. Saïx hadn't spoken to him much, and apparently hadn't noticed how incredibly stupid the newcomer was. Axas was starting a fight. With him and Axel. Alone. Under a moon.

This was going to be quick. Saïx summoned his claymore.

"Axel. This is Axas, the Larcenous Amnesiac and the new Number Twelve. I believe he occupies your living quarters." He went into a battle stance.

"Fool. You'll be better off fading away."

[Axel]

Hello, Goodbye

If it wasn't Dusks, it was... a new Nobody? And he looked like he wanted a fight. Perfect.

Saïx beat him to the punch, though, summoning his claymore without so much as a "Well, let's try to talk things out." The Diviner filled him in on everything he needed to know. This was the new Number Twelve. And he had stolen Axel's old room. That was more than enough reason to burn him to a crisp. Not to mention the fact that this guy already struck him as one of those extremely annoying types. Fitting that he was taking Larxene's place. Axel just hoped this guy wasn't going to start shamelessly attempting to molest him.

"Xemmy is really lowering his standards lately, isn't he?" In a whirl of flames, Axel's chakrams spun into his hands. "Let's put him out of his misery--or lack thereof, I suppose. He has no idea whose shoes he's been asked to fill."

They couldn't afford to give Axas any chance to escape, so Axel did what he did best, strike fast and hard. Holding onto his weapons, he leaped forward, aiming a slash straight at the Nobody's neck.

[Slash]

Fleeting Distractions

Despite conditions being right for it, Saïx did not choose to go berserk. If needed, he would later- but right now it was simply a waste of energy. The Larcenous Amnesiac did not strike him as a powerful opponent, and would be further weakened by the inclusion of Axel in the battle.

Besides, there was the off-chance that Axel would accidentally get in his way and be subsequently maimed, which had a chance of making their alliance slightly more strained. Saïx was not fond of the idea of Axel siding with Zexion.

When Axel struck, Saïx moved in as well. While he lacked Axel's speed in his normal state, he made up for that in the power of his strikes. While Axas was distracted, Saïx moved behind him and aimed a powerful blow at the Nobody's back. With luck, the momentum from that attack would propel the Nobody into Axel's attack and completely decapitate him- either way, it was going to hurt badly.

[Angelus]

Axel had made the first move to attack, which Axas had been expecting. Granted it hadn't been a move he'd seen coming this soon, considering he just said he wasn't one to play by the rules himself. As his two assailants drew closer he jumped out of the way, and turned his dive into a roll. Having dodged the first of what was sure to be many attacks, Axas frowned.

"Did you two not hear me say I don't exactly like to play by the rules myself?" He wasn't sure why he was asking, it didn't matter now. They had attacked him, and now if he managed to escape, he was going to make sure that the other members of the Organization knew of Saïx's traitorous decisions. Flail spinning he swung it, hoping to catch at least one of the two older Nobodies off guard. It was just too bad that neither of them had used a power he could learn, because if he didn't learn one here soon...

He doubted his existence would last much longer.

[Axel]

Not Playing Around

What unfortunate luck. This Axas guy was nimble, but so far, it looked like all he was good for was running away. They just didn't make Organization Nobodies like they used to.

"I think we all know what you're going to do if you can get out of here with your life. Of course, leaving here alive is not looking like an option for you."

He gave Saïx a bored look before deflecting the flail attack with a chakram. "No creativity whatsoever."

Fire suddenly engulfed Eternal Flames. "This might hurt just a little bit." The weapons lit up the usually dark courtyard as they hurtled toward Axas and back to the Flame four consecutive times. Closing the distance between them, Axel juggled his chakrams twice more against the annoyance, then leaped backward. In the space of about two seconds, he swung his chakrams toward the ground, summoning two large pillars of fire that would, if all went well, just be the icing on the burning cake.

[Summary:
Axel used Solar Flare.
Posts until next use: 5
Uses remaining: 3]

[Slash]

The Moon's Power

[/size]

Saïx had decided not to use his berserker abilities until it became necessary- which it just had. Axel's use of his fire abilities changed everything.

There had been a time when very little could go on in the Organization without Saïx knowing about it- while that wasn't exactly true anymore, he still knew about the newer members and their abilities. The new Number Twelve was able to copy the abilities of others. While Saïx didn't know the limit of his copying, it was a good idea to assume the worst. If Axas could survive and copy Axel's ability, he could certainly gain enough time to escape and report to Xemnas.

That was unacceptable. Completely unacceptable. The best way to prevent that possibility would be to eliminate Axas immediately, and Saïx knew how to do just that.

"My turn," he said coldly. "Stay back." His claymore turned towards the sky of its own accord, and Saïx began to float in the sir with the claymore positioned behind him.

In the last seconds of his existence, Axas was going to learn why it was a terrible idea to challenge Saïx under the light of the moon.

"Moon, shine down," he said.

Saïx felt the split second of quiet calm as the moon took its effect on him, just enough time to notice that this was the first time since his resurrection that he had truly used it's power.

Then, just like that, the change occured. His reason was wiped away by the power coursing through him, a power that manifested itself in the form of something not unlike extreme anger. The physical changes were just as noticeable as the mental ones- his eyes glowed with horrible, feral malice and when he roared a furious challenge at Axas, bared fangs were quite visible.

He landed, hair as wild as his temperament, and charged at Axas. There was no plan in this state, no tactics or teamwork. He was going to beat whatever was in front of him into a quivering pulp, and anything that got in his way was going to meet the same fate.

When he got near Axas, which took almost no time, he unleashed a horrible flurry of blows. His strength and speed were increased in this state, which resulted in a series of attacks that were both quite fast and horribly powerful. He struck this way and that, not focusing on weak spots and not noticing when areas he hit were being guarded.

"Die!" he screamed, his voice filled with hate.

He kept attacking at the same frenzied speed, then jumped in the air and slammed his claymore down, accompanying the blow with a fury-crazed cry.

He didn't know if Axas was dying or dead, and didn't care. As long as he was clinging to existence, Saïx would keep fighting.

[Axel]

Oh. I Can Feel It.

The flames from his attack hadn't even died yet when Axel heard Saïx's cold voice cut through the roar of fire. The command to stay back could only mean one thing. His battle partner was about to relinquish every shred of control he had. And that meant Axel needed to be as out of the way as possible.

Was it just him, or did the moon seem to get brighter?

Axel could remember the first time he had seen Saïx enter his berserk state, back when they had been Nobodies for only a short while. Witnessing the transformation had been jarring, yes, but without a heart, any true terror or tension was muted. The Diviner didn't--couldn't--distinguish between friend and foe in this state. Axel hadn't known that at the time and had almost died then. He wasn't about to make the same mistake again.

The second after Saïx floated into the air, the Flame was dashing off to the side. He didn't want to go too far away, however. Distance diminished the imagined pleasure of watching Axas get his head smashed in.

He shouted derisively at the new Number Twelve. "Good luck! You'll need it!"

Saïx was much faster now. The claymore moved like it was just a stick in the Diviner's hands. Axel wouldn't relax until all the chaotic movement had stopped. Then, Saïx would be weak.

Then, Axel would make sure there was nothing left of Axas.

[Angelus]

Out of the frying pan...

Things were not looking good for the new number twelve in the slightest. He'd avoided taking damage from the duo's first set attacks only for them to begin to use their powers. He smiled and began to spin his flail once more.

"Looks like someone made a big mistake." Axas laughed slightly, and began to use Axel's power of igniting his weapons. But it failed. All he managed to get was a single spark, which quickly vanished. A look of shock appeared on his face, and he turned to his attackers.

"This does not bode well." It was just then that Axel let loose his onslaught. Axas took most every blow, only being able to block the first few attacks. By the end of it, Axas had managed to put a bit of distance between the three of them, and clutching his side, he kneeled.

"Looks like I might not make it out alive." He shook his head, and looked up at the moon. Saïx began his descent into his berserker fury, and Axas now knew the extent of the power these two possessed. He'd been a fool following the Luna Diviner out here.

"Quite a fool indeed." He stood up, and as Saïx drew in closer, Axas gave his flail one last swing, hoping that he could at least injure the blue haired beast to indicate something had gone amiss. It was a longshot, but it was his only hope of weeding out the traitor. He took the beating that the Organization's number seven had thrown his way, and as he began to fade into the darkness, he smiled.

"You guys just lost yourselves a potential trick up your sleeves. I did say I was never really one for playing by the rules." He looked up toward the moon, and he thought about what "dying" here was costing him. He looked at the two again, and shrugged.

"Who knows, maybe this is just the beginning." And with those final words, he faded into oblivion.

[Axel]

Trouble

Axel was as satisfied as he could be. The annoyance was getting the hell beat out of him by a berserk Diviner, while he watched from a safe enough distance. It was almost cute the way little Axas had apparently tried to copy the Flame's ability, but it had been to no avail. There could only be one Flurry of Dancing Flames, after all, and Axas most certainly did not live up to that name.

Between getting blasted in the face by flame-wreathed chakrams and now getting smashed to pieces by a claymore, Axas finally released his precarious hold on his existence. It was very melodramatic, and Axel wasn't paying too much attention to it. He would never have agreed to be allies with the now-dying Number Twelve. If Axas thought he was dangling something worthwhile in front of Saïx and Axel's faces and now snatching it away, he was wrong and wasting his time.

I've got a bigger problem on my hands, it seems...

Even though every trace of Axas had faded into darkness, Saïx was still in the thralls of the moon's power. Axel knew from experience that this wasn't something the Diviner could snap out of at will. But without Axas around, there was only one target available upon which Saïx could unleash his bestial fury.

Axel's fingers tightened on Eternal Flames.

He knew it was futile, but he tried it anyway. At most, this would just attract the Diviner's attention. "Hey, Saix? It's over. You can go back to being a Brick Wall now."

Maybe? Possibly? Please?

[Slash]

Sorry, Not Happening

Saïx stood over where Axas had died. That was all? He twitched madly, unable to stay still. He had to kill something. Anything.

Suddenly, he heard something making noise, and snapped his head towards the sound. Someone talking. He didn't make out the words and didn't want to. All he knew was that someone was there, that someone was making a lot of noise, and he wanted to rip that someone into twitching pieces.

While he didn't exactly have coherent thoughts in this state, the tide of half-formed pictures and sensory input could be easily interpreted into Kill him. Destroy him. Tear him apart.[/color]

Saïx let loose an incoherent scream and charged.

Kill him. Kill him.[/color]

Even close up, he didn't recognize the face of his former friend. He couldn't. Not while the moon had its hold over him.

He struck out with the claymore. Once again, it was not so much a singular attack as a frenzied whirl of random strikes. Left, right, from above- the weight of the claymore did not hinder him in the least.

Kill him.[/color]

[Axel]

If I Survive This... Well, Let's Just Survive This First

Well... hell.

Saïx's eyes locked onto him, and Axel tensed for a fight. All traces of amusement were gone. It wasn't nearly as funny when he was the one staring down a moon-crazed Diviner. Even if Saïx had possessed a heart he could appeal to, the Saïx he knew had checked out for the time being. Nothing Axel could do about that except try to stay alive long enough for the moon's effect to wear off.

When this had happened before, there had been other targets present for Saïx to attack. Axel had just gotten in the way. This time, the stage was empty of anything else breathing to attract all that rage.

Saïx moved and Axel jumped backward to avoid the initial charge. Then, the rain of blows came, much faster than he was used to from his former friend. It had been such a long time since they had sparred. Once the meaning of being of Nobody had finally sunk in with Saïx, he had abandoned the occasional training match with Axel, calling the practice "useless" and "distracting."

This. This was nothing like those sparring matches. This was Saïx out for the Flame's head.

He knew it would be foolish to let go of his only means of blocking the claymore's blows, so he chose to hold onto Eternal Flames. He was lucky one of his strengths was in his speed. The attacks came so quickly that it took all of his concentration to keep the claymore from smashing into him.

One frenzied swing crashed into a blocking chakram with enough force to tear it completely out of Axel's fingers. The second he spared to look toward his sailing weapon proved to be a mistake.

Pain exploded all over his body, originating from his chest where the claymore had landed, and he went flying a good ten feet backward.

Curse being so skinny...

He tumbled over the ground for a moment, part of him reluctant to get back up. But he'd take a beating either way. Might as well do it standing.

"...Dammit." He tried pushing himself up and was rewarded with fire along every single one of his nerves. "Damn... moon."

He didn't have much time. so he summoned his missing chakram back to him, stood as best he could while shunting aside the pain, and put every ounce of his available strength into hurling both weapons toward Saïx. It might have been a foolish move, leaving himself open like this, but he was hoping the Diviner would latch onto the nearest moving thing for a short while. Maybe in that space of time, Saïx would shake the moon's influence.

If he didn't, well, there would be no need for Axel to fake his death.