What is Home II (Open with Invite)

What was a Keyblade? The question was an difficult one, more so because Roxas had learned what little he knew almost purely through trial and error, albeit with enigmatic hints from his superiors. For a while the Keyblade had just been a symbol of how he was different, a subtle deviance in nature that made him both chosen and expendable. After that, when Roxas yearned to stay immersed in the comforting facsimile of Twilight Town, the Keyblade was the first sign that paradise was just a program, a fleeting dream of impossible normalcy. In time he’d even come to bear two blades, a bitter inheritance from a beloved friend whose face he remembered less of every day…

…even her name it just…slipped through his thoughts like sand.

Yet, that probably wasn’t the direction of Alexius’ query, Roxas mentally amended as they stode through empty streets. In truth, this gloaming maze was more empty aspiration then a true dwelling place, a great plan constructed just up the point of execution and then abruptly abandoned to rot silently in the dark. Towers of steel, glass, and neon lights loomed as the pair clambered through streets clogged by abandoned cars and freight. Benches, shopping malls, parking garages, boutiques, and urban distractions of every conceivable kind were absolutely bereft of patrons. The theaters played hours long clips of static, the radios just white noise, and the electronic billboards overhead displayed just repetitive undulations of light and darkness not quite coalescing into discernible shapes to actually advertise products. Eagerness and bitter despair commingled here, the need for fulfillment left forever fallow.

“While back we talked ‘bout Light and Darkness making up the Worlds,” Roxas reminded patiently, flickering streets lights above striating the contours of his face as they passed. “They’re always struggling against each other, creating, destroying, undermining, waxing, and waning..” Dips of the hand pantomimed the theosophic tidal forces of the universe as the boy’s soft tenor seemed thunderous in the sepulchral silence. “Over and over,” just a hint of spiritual weariness entered the Key of Destiny’s tone at the cyclical summary. “Also true for our Hearts,” Roxas advised as they turned a corner, skirting an overturned cargo-tracer. “A Keyblade is that struggle made into somethin’ physical.”

The boy paused as their path took them into a painfully familiar square, a rare broad thoroughfare in the choking crush of the tenebrous metropolis. Lamp-lined stairs lead up to a an illumined patio at the foot of a colonnade comprised of lambent glow sheathing cold steel. Windows climbed the side facing the boys, curious patterns forming in the negative space between lit rooms. No sign noted what industry or company this towering edifice represented. The emblem of an azure star beneath a sunburst would never leave Roxas’ memory however. The Organization had called it Memory’s Skyscraper, though he'd never though to inquire why.  

Something prickled the back of Roxas’ neck, a chill that washed down the skin of his back like ice-cold water. Frowning, Roxas turned, thoughts dimly going through half-notions of rain before blue eyes went wide in recognition, face paling in bloodless foreboding.

@alexius @xemnas

Xemnas let his arm rest to his side when the former member of the Organization that stood before him declined Xemnas’s command in favor of leading his new comrade through Xemnas’s home. Xemnas is known as the Superior of all Nobodies, so it came as a surprise when Roxas did not take Xemnas’s command seriously enough to obey immediately. Xemnas cocked his head to the side, wondering why Roxas had refused him. Did Xemnas say something that confused Roxas? Perhaps, the being before wasn’t really Roxas and so that was why he declined in favor for his friend. Was he wrong in this young man’s disposition and form of being? Xemnas was confounded by this. Xemnas narrowed his eyes at the two young men before him. Xemnas focused on the man that looked to be Roxas and Xemnas was right in his assumption. The young blond man before him was indeed Roxas. How could he insult his Superior and disobey his command? How could he insult what all Nobodies truly desired and wanted: the need to be led by Xemnas? How this fool could openly defy his Superior almost made Xemnas gasp in annoyance and irritation, but he held his composure. Xemnas looked the two young men before him, staring down into the essence of their being. He had never seen a Nobody with so free of will, other than Axel. Axel’s personality was a bit fiery, no pun intended but the intent was still the same. It had called Xemnas’s aura and presence into question and it was something that irked Xemnas.

The second being before him appeared to be human, in light of Xemnas’s silent reexamination of the two young beings before him. It was clear that he was not from this particular universe. His home world lied outside of the universe, although Xemnas couldn’t pinpoint it. He was a shabby looking young man. He was definitely armed, as Xemnas eyed the first sign of aggression from these two men in the form of this human holding his sword at the ready. It was clear to Xemnas that this boy had no mind for tact. Xemnas laughed to himself but he wouldn’t let it show. Xemnas enjoyed manipulation so he figured he would let this play itself out. Xemnas wanted to see what the two young men would do and how they would react to what Xemnas did next.

Xemnas loved examining other beings. He enjoyed investigating them; finding their likes and their dislikes, finding out what they wanted in life and why, finding out what drives them into a rage and what brings them total despair. Xemnas was not close to Roxas. Roxas was a means to an end like the other members of the Organization but Xemnas did have close relationships to some of the members that worked for him and his goal. Roxas was simply the key to his grand plan, and Xemnas had a feeling that he would be again, along with this new warrior that he had in tow. Whether they would put up a fight would be up to them; whether they were willing to go willingly would be up to them as well. One thing for sure, though, was that Xemnas was not going to let them go so easily for a couple of reasons. One, he didn’t ask; he commanded. Two, he wanted to see how exactly they would react to Xemnas’ authoritarian and rigid aura as well. Xemnas kept his eyes narrowed on the two before him, he raised an eyebrow and let his deep voice carry his words toward the two young men.

“It would appear that you are mistaken, Roxas. Perhaps, you have forgotten who I am. Perhaps, you have forgotten the position that I hold. However, I will grant clemency for this mistake. You see, I do not ask that you come to the castle, I command. This is not an invitation; this is an order. You are in no position as of right now to ask such things from your Lord Superior. Now, you both must make your way to the castle…now…”

Life is alot like pushing freight up Station Hill sometimes. You can sweat and strain for hours, and the freakin’ wheels seem to barely move and inch. Whether its trust, plans, or a paycheck, the ‘building phase’ always takes a while.

…but the everything going to hell, not bracing properly and sending a wide-load of steel junk careening down the hill towards crowds of people in the Tram Commons? That just takes two seconds, and similarly, that was all the time Roxas had before a tense encounter devolved into a literal thunderstorm.

Being commanded into the Castle was definately nerve-wracking but wasn’t the end, they’d manage. Roxas knew more then a few ways out of his former home after-all. It was just take humoring Xemnas for a while and trying to not be turned into soul-shard shells or getting degraded into a Dusk. Roxas didn’t relish the thought of going in there, but the alternative had even worse odds. The simple fact was, when Roxas rushed things the people he cared about died. Alexius may be just an acquaintance, but that pile didn’t need any more bodies. Thus Roxas swallowed his vitriol, and prepared to try what Axel might’ve. Yet, before Roxas could even put together words of acquiesce in his brain, the situation shifted in a blink.

Alexius decided there would be no ‘managing’ today, and proceeded to speak his mind. Audacity and electrostatic built in tandem until Roxas’ couldn't tell if his goosebumps and raised hair were from the rampant fulgurkinesis or the conflict looming into grim inevitability. When Alexius had described how he’d gotten this building power Roxas’d assumed the talk of converting monsters into energy and memories to be just another World’s version of taking Hearts from Heartless. But looking up at the nearly thirty feet of pale green creature, evincing something between a mawless serpent and striped flying fish, the boy realized he was quite thoroughly out of his depth here.

The problem was, they both were.

“C’mon Alexius we gotta…” Roxas’ plea was cut off as his grappling lunge towards Alexius’ met an intangible resistance. Momentarily caught in the agonizing paralysis of gripping a live electric fence, Roxas was flung away from Alexius with the acrid scent of burning ozone. A low hissing exhalation of frustration escaped through the young man’s clenched teeth as he jumped up from the asphalt. No moving Alexius then, who seemed in the throes of magical-lightning-monder-bird-thing spell.

Just like that, everything was gathering speed down the hill. The choices here were simple, stark, and brutal, with just a second for the choosing. Roxas had promised to end Xemnas and his work once and for all, avenge the lies and lives crushed beneath the weight of remorseless monolithic purpose. He’d wanted to do it right this time, have an actual plan, more power, and careful preparation before storming the Castle for a second time. Running might give a chance to get those in place, have a better shot at fulfilling his promise. Yet,…

Roxas looked at the sudden weight in his palms. Oathkeeper’s filigreed mithril gleamed with refractions of the leaping lightning scarring the sky. Oblivion was like a piece of that stygian night above wrought iron, black, cold, and hungry. Guess the Heart had already chosen.

He needed to keep Xemnas busy while Alexius did whatever the heck that was. “Xemnas,” Roxas said, voice strengthening as he just let ire and adrenaline finally have their way. “Yes, I remember who you are,” he affirmed, crossing both keyblades across his chest at an angle, “what your’re position is, you giving me purpose when I felt Nothing...” A subtle staggering of foot-placement accompanied the hazy muting of nearby illumination. Photons streamed into Roxas’s body until he became just an errant flare of light in the corner of the eye.

In a breath’s span Roxas crashed towards Xemnas on a lambent tide, “But I also remember my true name!” Roxas snarled, finally his Master’s questions at the Dark Margin. Oathkeeper and Oblivion crested up in viscious auric arcs before reversing into crossing cuts towards Xeman's abdomen. 

1) Roxas attempts to force Alexius to retreat, but is repulsed by his Guardian Force protection
2) Roxas uses Comet Charge in an attempt to deal heavy Holy/Physical damage and knock-back Xemnas
3) Roxas attempts two basic attacks on Xemnas (dual-wielding passive) 

0/2 Comet Charge
@alexius @xemnas

As this battle just began and was going through its first minutes, Xemnas realized that he might actually have to try in order to subdue the nuisances before him. Xemnas could tell that these young men have spent quite a while with each other. They complimented each other quite well on the field of battle. Either that, or they were simply trying to do their best to overwhelm Xemnas. Summoning creatures, throwing their strongest attacks; Xemnas couldn’t help but feel that they wanted to either end this battle quickly or burden the Superior with so much that they would be able to make an escape. Destroying Xemnas was out of the questions; they didn’t necessarily have the firepower for such an endeavor, as far as he could tell. The creature that was summoned was a pressing matter, however, Xemnas would have to get rid of this monster somehow, while keeping the overzealous warriors at bay. For the time being, Xemnas would have to play defense and play it safe for right now. It had been a while since he had taken on two warriors. However, the last two he took on were more skilled…and far stronger than these two. Xemnas, however, refused to underestimate them. They took advantage of their numbers and every attack overlapped the one before it, keeping up an endless barrage of action, a wave of momentum threatening to crush Xemnas.

It was then that Xemnas realized that if he wanted to make things easier on himself, he would have to separate the two young men. He knew Roxas well; Xemnas decided that he might work on him first and keep a weather eye on the boy that initiated this bout. He held inherent strength, that much was certain. Xemnas didn’t want to destroy them, however, he wasn’t keen on doing that to his foes these days. He needed beings that would serve him and his Kingdom Hearts but every time he put the offer on the table, it did not bode well for Xemnas in the slightest. Xemnas usually has no intention to fight, be it whether he meets with friend or foe. He was wasting energy that he could be using to revive his Kingdom Hearts and obtain ultimate power. Xemnas was more than a capable fighter, but fighting was not ever his first choice in any chance meeting he happened to find himself in, no matter what the circumstances.

It was time to manipulate Roxas and separate this team of micreants. There was some distance between Roxas and Xemnas so Roxas tried to use a Strike Raid attack. Xemnas knew it well from when Sora used it in their bouts. Xemnas blocked it using his Ethereal Blades, summoning the red beams from his palms and using his left and right blades to block and knock back the Strike Raid to Roxas, with Roxas catching his weapons in turn. Xemnas expected nothing less, but what he didn’t expect the sharp wind attack. That blew Xemnas back a little bit. Xemnas winced lightly, and in turn, rededicating his self-made promise to keep his eyes on both Roxas and the newcomer. Roxas had charged into for an attack, uttering words, but Xemnas simply sneered and fell into a Corridor of Darkness before Roxas could reach him. He heard something else, while briefly traveling though the tunnelways of darkness. It sounded like a thunderstrike, but Xemnas chalked it up to the weather that his beloved world was constantly in. Xemnas let himself reappear atop Memory’s Skyscraper. Xemnas smiled as he kept his eyes on the two young warriors. He then let his deep, dark voice carry throughout the area that they were in…

“Young Roxas, the objective was simple: To rebuild Kingdom Hearts. As for your “hearts”, you received them when the mission was complete. You gave yourselves to the task and in turn, once it had been completed, you should have received your “heart”. It was in your nature to serve, it was instinctive for you to serve my purpose…otherwise you wouldn’t have been able to. You see, emotions or things that we happen to do in our nature are things that you cannot escape, even as a Nobody. Seeking something for yourself is dictated by your heart and what you feel, not your mind and what you happen to be thinking at the time. If you had no heart and only your mind, which can be very objective; our minds could always find a reason why we can do without what we seek. One could say that you had your “heart” all along, when my Kingdom Hearts was completed. Your “heart” was put into an objective, when that objective was completed, you gained your “heart”, your purpose, your core of being if you will. Although, it would appear that you are missing your heart again, especially if the Key of Destiny, the single nobody that has been blessed to be able to use the Keyblade, needs assistance in taking down someone such as me. Stop this foolishness and come to the castle, let us find your “heart” once more so that you may be complete…”, Xemnas said, knowing his empty words served nothing than to mess with the mind of Roxas.

---

Actions Taken:

1. Xemnas summons his Ethereal Blades and knocks back the Dual Strike raid.

2. Xemnas sinks quickly into the ground to avoid Roxas’s attack run as well as Alexius’ Thundaga, unbeknownst to Xemnas himself using Corridor of Darkness, appearing atop of Memory’s Skyscraper.


Moves used:
Ethereal Blades - Interdiction: This weapon happens to be Xemnas’s signature weapon. These Ethereal Blades are red laser beams that have been forged from the power of Nothingness. Xemnas is capable of holding one in each hand without a handle or hilt. This weapons primary function is to basically act like laser swords, however they are incapable of cutting; they act primarily as clubs which can cause huge pain to one that touches it other than Xemnas himself. He is capable of dismissing these weapons and he is capable of summoning them at will in both his Normal form and his Final Form. Xemnas is even capable of using the blades as projectiles and he can even suspend them in midair around someone, and by voice of command, fire them at his target and he won’t even have to be there when it happens. This weapon and the many functions that it has serve as one of Xemnas’s primary advantages. (Passive)

Corridor of Darkness - 3 Post Cooldown; can be used normally as well as in his Armored and Final Forms
Xemnas is capable of summoning portals that allow them to travel to different worlds and in the case of combat, different areas on the battlefield. These pathways are formed through using the power of Darkness so it is naturally unsafe for a normal person to use them. In battle, Xemnas can use to escape an attack and reappear somewhere else or he could use it to get to a good vantage point and strike his opponent which means that he is only able to open two portals to the Corridors at one time.

Thunder Guard – 1 post left; can be used normally as well as in his Armored and Final Forms
Xemnas, by the quick wave of either of his hands, can erect a huge barrier screen in front of him, blocking any and all physical attacks and magical attacks. It can cause Thunder-elemental damage to any that touch it, causing light damage. Only Limit Breaks and Ultimate Attacks can break through this barrier screen and hurt Xemnas.

Thunder Cage - 2 Posts left; can be used normally as well as in his Armored and Final Forms
Xemnas, by the quick wave of either of his hands, can erect four barrier screens around his opponent or opponents to make like a square to cage, trap and hold his opponents. It can blocking any and all physical attacks and magical attacks and it can cause Thunder-elemental damage to any that touch it besides Xemnas, causing light damage. Only Limit Breaks and Ultimate Attacks can break through this barrier cage, however.

Final Form - 3 posts left; 6 Post Cooldown
Like Sora, Xemnas is also capable of achieving a “Final Form”. He is the only other being that is capable of doing so. Xemnas utilizes the power of light and darkness as well as his own power over nothingness when he transforms into this form. Xemnas clench his right fist and electrical discharges will surround it and a white aura will surround Xemnas. Xemnas will then bring his right fist up to his eye level and he will outstretch both of his arms and he will then release a shining, bright, light. When the light fades, Xemnas’s Organization XIII would have changed from plain black to having white and black exotic accents on it. Xemnas will reach a great deal of power once he activates this form. He is capable of using the powers that he was capable of using in his Normal Form as well as using more innovative, devastating ones as well. This form was so strong that it took both Sora and Riku giving all they had in order to beat it.

Xemnas Clone – Ready to use; can only be used in Final Form
Xemnas is capable of summoning a clone to do his bidding. This clone can assist in an attack, thereby doubling the damage. This clone is capable of protecting Xemnas by taking attacks just as well. However, after one action, being whether it’s protecting Xemnas or assisting him in an attack, the clone is dismissed right after.

Levitation and Flight - Passive; can be used normally as well as in his Final Form
Xemnas is capable of levitating his body off of the ground and he is even capable of flight. Xemnas, in his power, is able to fly to great heights and over long distances. He can levitate in mid-air; he can float in mid air as close to the ground as he wants and he can float high into the air at his leisure as well. Xemnas is capable of using his flying abilities in combat as well as at his leisure as well.