((Collab between me and Double.))

[b]Three Days Earlier[/b]

Zarxe's arrival at his destination was sudden. Such was the nature of the Corridors of Darkness. Renovation's architecture was noticeably different from what he was used to. It was also more lively, being lived in by actual people. Zarxe, though, wasn't particularly interested in any of that. He was here for a purpose, and for now he was going to focus on that purpose. Speaking of that purpose, Zarxe's entrance was in the very throne room itself. There was very few places the Corridors of Darkness did not allow someone entry to. The only real trick was simply knowing how to navigate the Corridors themselves. The Organization's members were all very adept at such navigation, and while Zarxe's own experience with the Corridors was still limited, it was enough for the purposes of this mission.

"Emperor Michael, I presume?" the hooded Zarxe asked of the figure sitting on the throne, "I am Zarxe, Number XIII of Organization XIII. My Superior sends his regards, as well as an offer." Organization XIII was not extremely well known, but there were exceptional individuals with connections to the Moogles who did know of them, or at the very least had heard rumors. Emperor was just such an individual, "But first, a test..." and Zarxe wasted no more words before he was dashing full speed at the figure on the throne. As he made a leap, his Crimson Blueblade summoned itself to his hand and he made to strike at the Emperor with the [i]red[/i] blade and all it's fiery strength.

A blur of black speed as Tocsax suddenly appeared before the throne, purple-and-black Keyblade in hand as he parried the strike from Zarxe. A smirk was on the eighteen-year-old-looking boy's face as he tried to throw the Knight back with a gust of Areo.

"Hello, my name is Tocsax. Glad to finally meet one like me." And with that, he would attempt a quick flurry of strikes, some using Darkness and some using Light. As Zarxe presumably parried them all in front of shocked guards, Tocsax would continue, "Dual elements; an amazing technique."

He would then jump back once he had forced Zarxe farther from the Emperor, and say, "Your Organization is known to us; to [i]me[/i] as well. I was part of a similar group of Nobodies once, you know?"

Zarxe elected to remain silent for the time being. Carrying on a conversation in the middle of battle had a tendency to be distracting, and Zarxe preferred to stay focused on the opponent before him. His initial strike was parried easily enough, that much was not unexpected. It was plainly obvious that Zarxe was not here as an assassin, or he would not have given his greetings to the Emperor before starting a battle.

His opponent introduced themselves as Tocsax, and the name alone was enough to tip Zarxe off as to what he was. This was also not unexpected. The Organization had discovered the existence of a Nobody among Michael's ranks when their spies first gathered information on Renovation. The surprising part was this Nobody's apparent command over Light and Darkness. Was this simply his own natural ability, or was it due to his Keyblade instead? The only real way to find out was to continue the duel.

Zarxe decided to use one of his stronger techniques. If his opponent could successfully defend against it and survive, then the test would be over and the Keyblade's power proven. Rather than igniting just one of his weapon's blades, [i]both[/i] suddenly ignited with fire and ice simultaneously. With a sudden burst of speed and agility not previously shown, Zarxe went on the attack, six strikes in rapid succession that alternated between ice and flame. The Fiery Cold Flurry, other members of the Organization had come to call the technique.

Tocsax parried three ice strikes with darkness covering his Keyblade, two fire strikes with light, but then parried the last one with just his Keyblade alone, which proved indesctructable through normal means. He would then conjure up an unusual-looking Cannon that was barely recognizable as such - an Ultima Cannon*. Pointing it at Zarxe, the young man said, "So, shall we continue, or have I passed your test?"

*https://www.khwiki.com/Ultima_Cannon

Zarxe straightened his posture and allowed his weapon to vanish in a fiery-cold flash, "That will be all. I've seen enough. Now onto business." despite stopping the fight, Zarxe didn't relax himself, he still kept his business tone and maintained it even as he once again addressed the Emperor.

"It seems your goals aren't entirely different from the Organization's. My Superior has ordered me offer my strength to your mission. In exchange, the Organization will ensure no interference from any of the lesser Nobodies, and will even offer their numbers to your ranks if ever needed. Are these terms acceptable?"