Axel--Seven Days pt. 3 LAST

[gold_panner]

Last part!
I feel like I should warn for something. Akuroku fangirls rejoice...? I totally did

'Kingdom Hearts 2: Short Stories Vol. 2 Axel--Seven Days'.
Written by: Kanemaki Tomoco (not me.)
Original Plan: Nomura Tetsuya and Nojima Kazushige (not me.)
Illustration: Amano Shiro (not me.)
Copyrighted by Disney, Square Enix and Touchstone Pictures (not me. Though I wouldn't mind credit for translating this.)
I have worked really hard to make this as true to the Japanese version as possible, though it isn't word for word where the phrasing seemed to jarr etc.

If you have any questions about the choices I made translating, any theories, or anything else at all, please contact me!

 

+The Sixth Day+

 

 

It's all in a commotion, and I can't pull myself together.

I couldn't really sleep.

From his bed, Axel stared blankly at the ceiling.

It wasn't necessary for nobodies to have a human-like lifestyle, but rest was necessary.

Other than being told today's mission, I didn't really do anything yesterday. Maybe in reality it'd even be okay to have called it a day off.

A holiday...

"Didn't get to go in the end," muttered Axel, and he got up.

Today I have to destroy Roxas.

I cannot betray the organisation.

From the little shelf at his bedside, Axel took a white envelope, and looked at it vaguely for a while. Putting it in his pocket, Axel got up off the bed and left the room.

A short while after Axel had entered the room, Saix still hadn't said a word. As he typed away at the keyboard, working, the pallid light radiating from the monior gleamed on the already pale Saix.

"Top of the morning to you, sir," said Axel, in a put-on tone, but Saix turned to Axel disagreeably.

"Have you finished preparations?"

"Of course," Axel shrugged, smiling.

"I sent dusks in before you in numbers. Think of failure as leading to immediate erasure."

"Certainly, sir," said Axel, and he bowed exaggeratedly.

"Was that supposed to be a joke, Axel?"

"About this far is ok, right?"

"...It's not at all funny." Saix resumed typing on the keyboard.

Maybe, this is the last time I'll see Saix, too.

Thinking, Axel looked at the seated Saix's back.

"We've known eachother for a pretty long time, haven't we?"

Ignoring Axel's words, Saix continued typing on the keyboard.

"Say something. Have you even thought that maybe I can't erase Roxas?" Axel said, in a playful tone, and Saix finally looked up. "It'll be all right. Cause I'm awesome." Axel puffed out his chest.

"How stupid," said Saix, and for a moment he smiled. "Let's hurry up and prepare. Time is limited. The hero will wake up soon, too. I'll send you in right in front of Roxas."

"Okay."

Axel stood in front of the sending device. Saix rested his finger on the button.

"I'm off the~n!"

Waving to Saix, Axel's figure disappeared.

The instant he was sent, the setting sun dazzled his eyes and he shut them for just a moment.

And then, Axel identified Roxas, who had whirled around to face him.

"Look here, I've been given these nasty orders. If you don't come back with me, I've gotta destroy you."

They were at what this Roxas would call the 'usual spot'. Roxas had been just leaving the little warehouse under the railway. He stared at Axel.

"We're... best friends, right?"

"Yeah, but, I don't wanna get turned into a dusk..." answered Axel, scratching his head, then he stopped moving.

What?

What did he say?

"You mean you remembered?!"

"Y...eah..." Roxas nodded, giving a vague smile.

"Really!"

If Roxas remembed the organisation--if he remembered me, maybe we could talk out a way where he doesn't have to be destroyed.

But Roxas was watching Axel, unmoving.

All of a sudden, doubt flickered, because he'd always been with Roxas. Because he remembered what Roxas' expression was like when he said something delicate.

Is Roxas lying?

"But, you know. Just to make sure. So, umm... what's our boss's name?"

The instant Axel asked, Roxas moved, picked up a fallen stick from the ground.

"...Roxas?"

Roxas gripped the stick and glared at Axel.

"So it's not that..."

From Roxas' expression, he felt open hostility.

If he'd remembered me--no, maybe he'd turn hostile even if he remembered.

"--Axel" Roxas called out. Axel shrugged, and summoned the chakrams.

That instant--the world warped, and when he noticed, Roxas wasn't there.

It's the same as that time. When I first saw Roxas in this world.

"The Roxas I know isn't there anymore... I understand..." Axel muttered, as if to confirm it, glaring at the sun ahead.

Is Roxas really gone?

What should I do to meet that Roxas again?

Theis Roxas who's lost his memories--I can't be friends with him again, I guess.

If it was only going to take the same amount of time, maybe we could become friends again.

But now, when I know Sora's waking up, there isn't enought time left.

Roxas didn't disappear; I guess he went somewhere while time was stopped.

Following Roxas, Axel broke into a run.

Dusks were hanging around in the forest around the haunted mansion.

A huge number of dusks have been sent into this world; I can feel it.

"It's gotten serious at last--no, maybe they just don't have faith in me," muttered Axel as he ran, grinning.

Emerging from between the dusks, he sensed a battle ahead of him.

In front of the gates at the haunted mansion, a man wearing an organisation coat was destroying dusk after dusk.

"He looks tough..."

Axel stopped, and between him and the man, a dark portal opened.

And then appeared--Namine.

"Don't hurt Roxas more than this--please." The man stopped moving at Namine's words. "We're nobodies, things that aren't allowed to exist. But--this is too awful."

At Namine's words, the man lowered the sword he held, and picked her up.

Maybe, Namine's not my enemy right now.

No--Namine's never been my enemy.

Because she's nobody.

Axel turned to Namine. "Is Roxas inside that mansion?"

With a surprised face, Namine froze. "...Axel..."

But the man turned, lifting his sword at Axel. "Who are you?"

I'm not obligated to explain myself to some bogus organisation member.

Axel silently raised his chakrams in the direction of the man.

"He's Axel... Roxas' best friend. A nobody. A member of the organisation... but..."

Axel laughed, interrupting Namine's explanation.

"Namine, you and I have the same goal."

"It's the same, but--not the same. But, now there's no time for explanations. I'm sorry, Axel."

The instant Namine said that, a dark portal opened behind her and the man. And then, they were swallowed up and their figures vanished.

"Hey!"

Axel ran up, but the way to the closed gate was blocked.

Some kind of special barrier-like thing has been put up; looks like I can't just go in.

Roxas is inside this mansion, no mistake.

Axel turned back to the dusks, and lifted a hand. "Will you guys work for me?"

One by one, the dusks went over the gate and the walls surrounding the mansion. A great number of them were wounded and faded away on the barrier.

No matter when I see the dusks--to see those guys, nobodies like me--destroyed, it doesn't feel good.

Makes me think about how someday I'll be erased in the same way.

One dusk found a seam in the barrier.

Axel threw a chakram in there, and entered the mansion's garden.

The system didn't look all that strict inside the mansion. The dusks had even gotten inside. They had probably been sent directly by Saix, from the computer in the world that never was.

The dim and dusty atmosphere reminded Axel just a little of the world he was usually in.

And then, there was a sign--a scent.

It was just like Roxas' boyish presence.

Axel climbed the stairs, following the sign of Roxas, and turned to a room on the left. He opened the door, and there was a little library.

"Cheap piece of crap device," Axel muttered, and kicked a desk left in the room with all his might.

Stairs leading to a basement appeared with a light. The basement was enclosed in inorganic metal; clearly different to the atmosphere of the rest of the town. A place made by a different person. At the bottom of the stairs was a door, and beyond that was a room where a gigantic computer was planted. It looked a lot like the computer that was in the world that never was.

On the big monitor in the centre of the room, which showed an image of a boy--Sora, it seemed.

"...Sora," Axel muttered, and moved his feet forwards. He found himself in an oversized room with nothing in it.

"Why is the darkness open in this place?"

In a corner of the room, the mouth to a dark portal was open. But, it seemed like right now invaders couldn't come in through there. It seemed like something made by some special method.

Suddenly, the sound of something being smashed resounded from the next room. Axel turned.

The one making that sound is--probably Roxas.

He probably found out somehow how that big computer had shut him up in this world.

No, maybe he remembered.

About Sora--about the organisation, about me.

So what happens now?

What should I do?

Axel stood in front of the door, which upon opening would reveal Roxas, and let out a big breath.

Is there really no way left?

Is there no way but to destroy Roxas?

Can I destroy Roxas?

Still with his thoughts uncollected, Axel opened the door.

"Axel," Roxas called.

"So this time, you've really remembered?" Axel asked Roxas. Roxas nodded slightly.

But--it's too late.

"How happy!" Axel summoned the chakrams. "But, it's too late!" Axel yelled, and radiated one big gush of power. Axel's power was that of fire.

Encircle myself with Roxas, inside the flames.

Am I able to destroy Roxas?

Probably not.

I knew I couldn't.

I reckon Xemnas, and Saix, knew it too.

But--

Maybe we can disappear together from here, and go somewhere.

Just then, a change came over the keyblade-wielding Roxas.

"Two?!"

Roxas gripped a keyblade in each hand.

I think I've seen one of those keyblades somewhere before. But, I can't remember.

He seemed to be remembering something--but, as if shaking that off, Axel flashed a grin.

"Let's go then, Roxas." And then Axel jumped. Roxas' keyblade blocked Axel's blow.

To the time they'd fought recently, the power was incomparable.

That's close to the old Roxas--no, maybe he's stronger than the old Roxas.

"Axel..." Roxas called.

"What, Roxas."

"I--"

And then, Roxas' body trembled, and he swayed.

"...Roxas?!"

Roxas fell against Axel, and Axel caught him in his arms instinctively. Shaking himself free from Axel's hands, Roxas glared at Axel again. And then swung the keyblade.

Thrown back by the force, Axel fell to his knees.

That one blow was almost fatal.

Silently, Roxas stepped closer.

"Axel..." The hostility had vanished from Roxas' eyes.

I can't find the spirit to fight that Roxas anymore.

Here--there's nothing but to fade away.

"Let's meet again in the next life."

At those words spoken with just a hint of a smile, Roxas nodded quietly.

"Yeah. I'll be waiting."

There was something funny about Roxas' serious answer, and Axel laughed.

"Silly... you'd have a next life, but..." Axel said to Roxas--and his figure disappeared in the darkness of a portal he'd opened behind him.

 

+The Seventh Day+

 

 

This is Twilight Town.

There is the usual spot, the usual town. On the edge of that town.

In the dazzle of the setting sun, Axel slowly came to.

Don't know how long I've been asleep.

He had arrived here wounded, and then passed out.

The only thing I do know is that I failed my duty.

And that probably--Roxas returned to Sora.

Just that.

Axel got up, and screwed up his face at the pain that ran through his chest.

I don't know what happens now... or what I should do.

I was told I'd be destroyed if I disobeyed this command, and I failed it.

Failing is considered the same as disobeying orders, isn't it.

But.

Axel thrust his hand into his pocket, and took out the white envelope.

The memories of me and Roxas haven't faded away.

For now, just that's fine.

"...Really feel like some ice cream," Axel muttered, watching the sunset absently.

We were always together with the sunset.

We talked about all kinds of things in that place.

I think it'd be good if we could talk and eat ice cream there again someday.

Now, there's nothing but that.

I only hope for that.

The setting sun was shining on Axel.

 

And that's the end of chapter six! Thankyou for sticking with me until the end, and thankyou for all the kind comments and encouragement. I got high off them!! It really helped me to get this done faster than I thought! (Just hope I didn't fail any of my exams cause I used this to procrastinate D: )
I plan to do chapter 5, called 'Countdown to Castle Oblivion' next. I have seen a translation of this on the net, but I didn't like it (though they probably wouldn't like mine! Translating can be a personal thing, sometimes).
After that... I'll have to see! I'd love to do some of the other game novels, but I'd have to find a way to get them first.

Comments

[aloafabread.livejournal.com]

I DID TOO

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TRANSLATING!

I'll definitely be looking forward to everything else you're planning to work on :DDDD

Now I'm gonna go re-read the whole thing again ~~ :'D

[gold-panner.livejournal.com]

Thankyou for reading! ^____^

[sylpherius.livejournal.com]

Awww...the fangirl in me squealed~

I'm actually interested in why Roxas faltered during battle. It was sweet of Axel to catch him, but it just seemed so sudden and out of nowhere. XD Not that I should be complaining since I went "aww" anyway. (Then came Roxas' cheap blow afterwards)

It seems that Roxas' Oathkeeper and Oblivion only appear a few times, since Axel only remembers seeing them maybe once or twice before. I can't wait for Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. Need more answers. XD Hopefully it all matches up with the novels...

Thanks again for the translations! I enjoyed reading them very much!

[gold-panner.livejournal.com]

Apparently, Roxas falters because he had a flashback...

My inner fangirl squealed too lol. Then my inner translator started freaking out about how to word it so anti-akuroku people wouldn't get mad at me ;_;
It's tough. I could have made it supergay if I wanted to. Words, words, words...

I was surprised by the keyblade thing too. In the manga, Roxas used them all the time. (But then again, in the manga, they Axel had nothing to do with seasalt ice cream and the clock tower).

Thankyou very much for reading! And even more so for commenting! Makes me feel loved <3

[sylpherius.livejournal.com]

I wonder what flashback Roxas had this time. Too bad he hurt Axel after getting caught...Axel's too nice. lol

I'd love to read your "inner translator's" thoughts some time. XD I'm sure we'd get a long very well.

Anyway, I'm sure Axel is still a significant part of Roxas' 'life' since Saix claimed that Axel was the one closest to his memories...I remember you translating that part a while back.

I really enjoyed reading these translations. More people should be commenting or at least thanking you for taking the time to do this. <3 Lots of lurv to you!~

[greatwhitewolf.livejournal.com]

*squeals* Awesome!! I can't wait to read more translations!

[gold-panner.livejournal.com]

Thanks for reading! I expect I'll get some more done over the Easter holidays...

[greatwhitewolf.livejournal.com]

Yay! I can't wait for more!

[hikaru-88.livejournal.com]

Thank you!!! Translations for the novels are so hard to find, and ones that ive found are usually just small snippets. That bit when Axel caught Roxas made me squeal too, oh if I owned kh those two would have been an official couple :p but alas I dont so I have only my thoughts.

[gold-panner.livejournal.com]

Poor Axel and his unrequited unfeelable pedophilliac homosexual love... at least canon gives us plenty of room to work with.

[chibi15.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!! It's so hard to find these novels even if I know Japanese!! Such beautiful friendship!! It's so sad that they both kinda "disappeared" and somehow Roxas ended up with Namine at the end ... -_- but their friendship is brilliant!!

Meming this! <3 Thank you for your hard work!!

[hcb-chibi.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't really call it ending up with Namine(I personally consider them to be twins), I think it's more of a "I'm not alone! Yay!" kind of deal. Roxas and Axel just have a hardcore bond that shines brighter than the sun (it's late and I'm feeling poetic :p). \o/

[hcb-chibi.livejournal.com]

I have an extra copy of the first game novel. Do you want it? You could do whatever you wanted with it (take it apart, scan it, whatever). :)

[gold-panner.livejournal.com]

omg are you serious?? *___*
KHII or I? <3
I have a confession to make... I am Australian...

[roterhimmel.livejournal.com]

I have damn tears in my eyes, tears, from this bit, and /KEYBOARD-SMASH/ OH GOD AXEL. Axel is a cold-hearted bastard sometimes (see COM) but... I mean... THIS HERE IS SO DAMN SAD DD:

Thank you so much for translating this — it really gives me a whole new vision of Axel, canon-Axel and fanon-Axel too in some ways and. I can't wait for 358-2 days. And I so want to see more of Roxas' feelings towards Axel, since it's always Axel about Roxas, and the other way around, well, you don't see THAT much of it in KH2...

TL;DR, sorry.

Just. Thank you.

[gold-panner.livejournal.com]

I love long comments, no apologising!!

This chapter/day thingy did actually make me cry. Cause Axel is so badass and... he talks like a gangster and he... has spiky red hair... and then he goes and BES SO FRAGILE AND SAD AND BREAKS MY FRIGGIN HEART.

I just wish I was a better writer so I could make this story sound good. D:

[ruthyuki999.livejournal.com]

Aww~ :3 That was so sad and cute, I don't know whether to cry or not. Your translations are simply wonderful! Do you mind if I ask - how long have you been learning?


And... um, are you still looking for a way to get the novels? I have a possible idea. I buy from Amazon Japan... however their shipping fees are horrendous >.>

However, at the end of the this month (June) I will be making a joint purchase with my step-mother to cut postage costs! So if you want to pay 1/4 normal postage (plus obviously the book costs and postage from Victoria to where you are) I might be able to get you in on the deal XD

Let me know if your interested and I'll talk to my step-mother~

[gold-panner.livejournal.com]

I know, it's heartbreaking! Especially since 358/2 Days revealed what was in that envelope. I cried when I found that out ;____;

Oh wow, I'm interested!! But I had a look on Amazon Japan's site, and I couldn't find any of the novels... (maybe I just suck, though DX)

You're from Victoria? You won't give me swine flu will you?? XDDD JOKING

[gold-panner.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, I forgot to say XD

I've been learning Japanese in school since grade five, so that's seven-and-a-bit years of school-based Japanese, plus one year of living in Japan (that was last year; I'm back at school now DX)

[hcb-chibi.livejournal.com]

Hey~ We know what's in the envelope now~ >3

[gold-panner.livejournal.com]

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD: do you know that I CRIED when I found out. I CRIED.

[hellomortals.livejournal.com]

(Y halo thar, I be another anonymous stalker :D)
Thank you. So very much.
As I, unlike some other epic people here, can't send you books, have another symbolic internet.

Many fangirls squees were had this chappie XD I feel so bad for Axel, especially after playing Days. Heck, I feel bad for them all :/

And (rambling post is rambling) you're very lucky to have been learning Japanese at school. I only take German and French; do you have any hints for how best to learn Japanese? Memorizing Kanji, grammar, etc? Sorry to bug you :S

Thanks again :)

[gold-panner.livejournal.com]

*jumps on stalker* ♥

hcb_chibi is epic, isn't she ♥♥♥♥♥

I love Axel so much. So, so much. And despite the way they portrayed him in Days, I still love Roxas to bits. It's such a sad story...

ONLY German and French?? That's still two languages! Whoa. Hm.... as for Japanese... if you can't take classes, the next best thing is to do it online, I would say. Or get a computer game thing; I have one like that. I know that the BEST way to learn is to use it and immerse yourself in it. So, listen to a lot of Japanese music, watch DVDs and stuff in Japanese... as for kanji, writing them over and over helps, but you need to learn the correct stroke order first or you'll memorise it wrong D; um... I know that I've learned lots of kanji just from using a dictionary as I read. You get sick of looking up the same words over and over :P other than that... keep a little notebook in which you write all new words and stuff in? Using like a phone number diary is good cause they have like an alphabetised index!

Does that help? :D

Axel

[ienzo628.livejournal.com]

I really loved reading this. Poor Axel. I feel bad that he didn't get his wish of seeing Roxas again until that one cutscene in FM. *sigh*

Re: Axel

[gold-panner.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Makes me feel a little more motivated, ahaha. I know... I hope he gets more closure in later games... ;A;/