Realm of Darkness

As much as the others may like to delude themselves into thinking he had no standards, that science and only science was all that matters, they were far from the truth. Science was to push boundaries, to explore countless doors and alleys of countless possibilities. But none of that matters if there was no one to do it. None of it matters if the reasons were so shallow and empty like the puddle before his feet. Honestly, what do those imbecile fools think he was? The gall...

Except it would seem there was one other that was playing their part a bit too well... Vexen raises a sharp eyebrow at the man before him. Specifically, Xemnas' right-hand man. And did it show. Oh, did it show. His right-hand man, most loyal subordinate, more like a mutt on a leash on good days, and a puppet with strings at worst. Some would say he was no different, they would be right for many years, but before this, and now, least he had honor and self respect, more then those two, he had rules that he promised to obide to, swore to, to the man he saw above himself, the man that saw things that even he didn't seen in himself, the man that showed him so much, made him the man he was, and so many others... Alongside Ienzo, this man was his foundation, the pinnacle of his morals. 'People face each day with hopeful smiles.' As counterproductive as it may seem to some. It made sense to him. The heart can be so fragile, like a withering flower, while it can also be as strong as a forest. These hearts, these smiles, these countless doors of possibilities and growth and boundless experiences what his Master saw, he began to truly see.

"Vexen, I want to talk to you," Saix calls out to him in a monotone voice. The blond sighs; of course he did. The nose of that man. "Yes?" Best to just play along; he has done it this long? What is a bit more time when salvation, true salvation, was on the line? Isn't that right, Master? "It is about Xemnes, and, perhaps a..." Saix pauses for a moment. How unusual. "Change of plans is in order..." This receives an ever-rising brow from Vexen. "What are you getting at? If you think there is a rat amongst us, and that rat is me. I do have quite a few words to say before I need to go back to my work." The younger man shakes his face. "Quite the opposite, in fact, if anything...if there is a rat among us, I do not risk catching it, much less harm it. Rather, I would like to give it a crumb of information and a possible... way of going about its locations more freely."

Golden eyes stare at the ever-growing moon, and though he knew what would come from it, he couldn't help but see it as some eerie emptiness to it, an emptiness he knew all too well... A price to pay, one he didn't mind all too much, just a temporary handicap.

And that emptiness was reflected in his own pale gold eyes.

People are such fascinating creatures, always have been, and always will be. The way they think and act, their emotions a walking contradiction they were, and yet... so blatantly obvious as well. And yet, just a tip of the scale can cause it all to either grow into something wonderful or crumble into nothing but ashes. While you look one way, say another thing, yet your hands were oddly contradicting it all. It was indeed fascinating; you can know everything, and nothing at the same time. That's how he likes it, how he wants it to be. It was the only way, at least for him.

Watching his Apprentices converse amongst themselves, he couldn't help but sadly smile. If only things were different, more simple, less grey and more black and white... If only he could stand before them, but... While he plays mentor and teacher to those before him. In the dark, in secret... it was a 4D chess. Ever moving, ever planning, ever scheming; sometimes he doesn't even look at the places, anything and everything, to make it so he cannot fully know the possibilities and what they hold. So the Darkness couldn't know. A continuous red herring.

If there was even a slight chance, no matter the cost... if he has to, in the end, do it on blind faith, to keep the Darkness at bay, so be it. He can play the part, any part, every part; he can, he will... for that one silver lining. So be it.