Trust But Verify [Lexaeus, Zexion]

[Fate]

Immaculate Illusion
[July 18, 2010]

A Corridor sounded in Zexion's room, signalling his hasty arrival. Almost immediately after stepping out of it and closing it, he wanted to collapse. The combination of fire and rocks was not something he could just easily recover from, but he had to. Every burn, bruise, and damage from that battle had to disappear. Lexaeus was coming to see him quickly and he had to make it seem as if he was here the entire time, not actually watching the fight and making sure Axel didn't actually get killed. Breaking Lexaeus's trust was not something he wanted to do, but he had to for the sake of the Organization.

He sat down his desk and opened his Lexicon in front of him, a writing utensil now in his hand. Part of his report was already written, which would look fine. He continued to write a little more, his power of illusion making it seem as if he had never been present in the Enchanted Dominion. Now all he had to do was wait for Lexaeus to arrive with the report that Axel was killed, take a bit of delight in it, and also tell him the news about what he and Vexen found.

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[Prythian]

The Corridor opened up in Zexion's room. "He is faded." Lexaeus said brusquely. "Something did not seem right about this, Zexion. Axel would know better than to return to the Castle. He also would have sought to escape rather than fight to the death. He had the opportunity and did not take it." Unusually wordy, but he'd managed to express his concerns to Zexion.

Even with Axel gone, and the Organization, if not returned to its full potential but at least doing well, his concerns would not be dismissed so easily in his mind.

[Fate]

What's Really Important

Zexion looked up the minute Lexaeus entered his room. Oddly enough, he did not simply say that Axel was faded, adding more to that. The Schemer gave him a curious look, not at all pretending to be intrigued. It was odd that Axel decided to come directly to the castle instead of not just trying to seriously injure Vexen while he was in Traverse Town. Although, there was something in there that did make sense. Vexen would not want to stick around in Traverse Town if he knew Axel was going to kill him and would go straight back to the castle, the one place that Axel wouldn't go. To prove him wrong, Axel followed.

"It surprised me as well," Zexion said, agreeing, "I cannot say I understand fully myself. Though, something tells me that he met with Vexen when Number Four went for his reconnaissance mission in Traverse Town. The two despise each other and it would give Axel somewhat of a reason to follow Vexen back here. Although, I still do not know why he continued to fight. It is a rather foolish and impulsive move, especially when he knows that the Organization would attempt to destroy him instantaneously."

Part of that was not a lie, for Zexion truly did not have any clue why he followed Vexen and continued to fight except for the Schemer telling him to make himself an actual threat. He could not tell Lexaeus that, however, which he did not feel entirely comfortable with. He was breaking the trust of the one member he fully trusted. Hopefully, there would be a way to get it back.

"The important thing is that he has been eliminated and will no longer pose a threat to the Organization, which I thank you for immensely," he continued, "There are other things that need our attention. Something Vexen and I found when we went on reconnaissance a few days ago."

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[Prythian]

Lexaeus was instantly alert despite his own injuries. They would heal, given time; important news normally shouldn't wait. "What have you discovered, Zexion?" He had his suspicions. Something that required attention could only be two things... something that concerned the Keybladers that were so important to their goal, or something that concerned the mysterious tool of darkness.

[Fate]

Grave News

He went into his thinking pose briefly, pondering exactly how to word this. "There is a world named the Keyblade Graveyard. Many ancient keys are strewn there after a massive event called the Keyblade War, one that Vexen spoke to me about. Perhaps you know more about it than I do. However, while we were there, the Champion arrived." He paused. The memory of that overwhelming scent did not leave easily. "We found that he has been adding to the Keyblade Graveyard with his own collection. There are over fifty so far and he brings the Keyblade there seven days after he has killed the Master."

Zexion disliked delivering this news even more than what he last said to Lexaeus. This news was grave for the Organization. If the Champion was killing Keyblade Masters, that meant that their goal was going to be compromised and they needed to do something. But what? That was what he couldn't think of. "Vexen and I are unsure of what to do with this information. It clearly threatens the Organization's goal of gaining our hearts. But what can we do against one such as the Champion?"

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[Prythian]

Lexaeus crossed his arms and closed his eyes in concentration, thinking. He took it as he took most news... stoicly. Yet, in the instant before he'd started thinking, the blank face had revealed, momentarily, shock and surprise. After a moment, he spoke. "The more powerful Keyblade Masters still live. Our goal is not yet hopeless. We cannot stand alone against the Champion, however." He went silent for another brief moment before continuing.

"There is but one option. The Organization must stand as a whole with the warriors of light. His full strength is still unknown, but it will be a powerful force that can be brought against him."

[Fate]

Quite the Mess On Our Hands

Zexion nodded his head to acknowledge this. The Hero spoke wisely, as he always seemed to. This was perhaps their only option as the Organization, though it would take them out of their neutral position. Would the entire Organization stand with them as well? Those of the light had previously been their enemies, especially Sora and his friends. Though, perhaps they found a common enemy and could now stand together. It would be very interesting to see, though not something Zexion could see Xemnas willing to do. He would never want to stand with those of the light.

"If we stand together with those of light, yes," he said, "The Champion would have difficulty taking on so many opponents at once, especially considering the power the Organization possesses alone. With the strong Keyblade Masters, we could do it. However..." He grew a serious face when he said this, looking straight to Lexaeus. "The Superior will not be too fond of standing with the warriors of light. That is one of the reasons I have not yet told him of this finding. Though, with this being our only way to keep the Keyblade Masters alive, he would perhaps consider it."

In truth, Zexion did not want the Superior to know about this. For one thing, the Nobody had been incapacitated too long to be kept up-to-date with current events. Secondly, the coup would be happening shortly and Xemnas trying to make plans concerning the Champion and then dying would be quite messy. The Schemer didn't want to clean up that mess either.

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[Prythian]

"And the warriors of light will not be too fond standing with us, let alone the Superior." Lexaeus looked away. "I do not see that we have a choice in the matter. The Superior is the one that can command the entire Organization, now that there are no traitors left amongst us. He is also significantly powerful, or used to be." He did not mention his own weakening since his fading. "He will be a great asset to this venture."

He turned around. "It is urgent, but not immediate. We have time to prepare."

[Fate]

Wait and See

Lexaeus was right. Those of light would not want to stand with them either, especially the Superior. However, they had no other choice really at this point in dealing with the Champion. It was either that or stand back and let him continue to slaughter Keyblade Masters one by one until there were none left. The worlds would be thrown into chaos and the Organization would be without a way to achieve their goal. Zexion could not simply stand back and let that happen. Though, telling the Superior was questionable still. The Schemer would rather not have to go through him to get something done.

"We should take the time that we do have to prepare," he said, "Filling the Organization's ranks would certainly aid us. We also must prepare for anything that will happen." His hand went to his chin again, thinking. "I will keep constant surveillance of the stronger Keyblade Masters to make sure that the Champion's actions do not affect them."

That translated to that he needed to meet with Mickey as soon as possible and get the word around. If there was anyone that needed to know, it would be the King himself. He was one of the strongest Keyblade Masters there were and he was the one that Zexion had an alliance with. Once the warning was given to him, he could spread it onto Sora and others Zexion may not know about. Then, perhaps when things became less chaotic, those of light and the Organization could stand together and face the Champion.

For now, they had to wait.

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[Prythian]

Lexaeus paused, nodding. "Contact me if you should need me for something else, Zexion." He turned away, unease still in his mind. Something had seemed off about Axel's actions. He also did not think Zexion would be one to suggest keeping information away from the Superior. If it was not definitive information, he would have understood, but this...

Something seemed off about Zexion as well. Had the fading changed something in the Organization members beyond simple strength? If it had, how would he know if he had changed? These thoughts could not be answered, and thus Lexaeus ignored them, moving on and out through a Corridor.

[Fate]

I Told Another Lie Today
And I got through this day
(Courage by Superchick)

Just like that, their meeting was over and Lexaeus left. After he did, Zexion bowed his head. The next time the two would speak, the dynamics of everything would have changed. The Superior would be gone and Zexion would have been part of the cause of that. The Schemer couldn't know what Lexaeus would make of that or what he would do. The one thing he did know was that the trust that he had worked hard to attain would vanish.

"There is a reason behind all of my actions, Lexaeus. Hopefully, I will be able to regain your trust when this is done. If I am going to run this Organization, I will need it." Would that be how it went? It was still a toss-up of who would get power. However, if Zexion was going to, he needed the trust of Number Five for the Organization to function optimally; Lexaeus was an incredibly intelligent advisor, which the Organization would need after all of this. The Superior had functioned alone, made his own decisions, and let the Organization crumble beneath him.

That was all that was to be said though. There was no need to go around in more circles. Zexion sat himself on his bed with the Lexicon, continuing to write and add entries.

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