omg I thought I posted my review AGES ago, apparently not. Whoops. Okay, well, first off - I'm enjoying your story a lot! It's well-written and in-character, and I get a kick out of the little reports you do at the beginning and end of the chapters to give us some insight into how the other Organization members feel about Hex. I wonder if she'll author any of her own or if she'll be too concerned about other members (mainly snoopy-ass Xigbar) finding them.

I'm also liking Hex as a character and it's interesting to me that her eyes turned red and how she's kind of striking others as an unusual Nobody (even friggin Saix thinks she's unemotional for a Nobody!). It seems as though her more emotional reactions tend to instinctively negative - unrestrained anger when teased about something that's always been a sore point with her, anxiety about being tested and sure she's going to be eliminated for her failure. She's also had moments of positive emotional... reflections? I guess you could say? and I believe you implied that she's less expressive because of how the RoD affected her heart before she lost it, but I wonder if being in the RoD also caused her to be less connected to positive emotions and moreso with negative ones, so it's easier for her to emote for negative things? Since the change in eye color is also not revealed yet, it got me to thinking about the Unversed and how I'd read somewhere that Vanitas originally had red eyes when he was born. Maybe the change in her eye color is related, maybe not specifically to Vanitas or the Unversed, but because of her negative emotions somehow?

I'm also curious about how exactly she came into KH verse, but I'm drawing a blank for who the new seventh Princess of Heart could be that could've also brought Heather in Dx I can't think of any Disney characters off the top of my head who'd have powers that'd explain that, so... maybe not Disney, probably not Aqua, maybe a Final Fantasy character - Yuna? Aerith? And I get the vibe that Xemnas has specific plans or interest in Hex unrelated to her being No XIII... idk if he knows where she comes from, but the voice she heard before getting dragged into KH Verse made me think of him/Ansem/Xehanort, so maybe time-travel shenanigans are in play like in canon? maybe he knows somehow she's a key to getting at the seventh Princess or Kingdom Hearts? Hm.

I'm also enjoying Hex's gradual growth as a fighter - she's not so weak that it's hard to "watch", but she starts off realistically unskilled and she's toughening up enough that I'll be able to buy her as a badass, especially once Xigbar's through with her. ALSO kudos for the fight/training sessions you've done. Fight scenes are hard to pull off, so I can't help but admire how you're tackling them here as a necessary part of showing Hex getting stronger.

Okay, I'm gonna talk Xigbar a lot here because rn he's the one she's primarily interacting with. I like the developing master-apprentice relationship between them, it's kinda sweet honestly that Xigbar thinks of Hex as his apprentice especially because of how much he hated getting the job in the first place. It's also funny given how similar their elements seem on the surface AND it's a great parallel between him and his master - we know how much he and his fellow apprentices adored their master but unlike them we have reason to think that he was manipulating them. Fun to know both these characters are kinda fond of each other despite keeping secrets and how Xigbar will def start manipulating HIS apprentice soon.

It's fun to also think about it compared to Axel and Roxas's bond as a mentor-trainee team. Obv Axel and Roxas became best friends and genuinely cared about each other. Hex came in already having liked Xigbar as a character and now cares about how her performance would reflect on him, so I think despite his obnoxiousness, she does care about him - as far as she can right now, without a heart. Xigbar is interesting because it reminds me of COM-era Axel re: Roxas, both being shady-ass slick-ass manipulators. He SEEMS to care (his reaction to her injury and to her evaluation) and to even start enjoying her company somewhat when she shows her old personality, but he's just so untrustworthy and committed to his duty... HM, add to that, she's planning to ditch the Organization for Sora, how's Xigbar going to react to that?

I remember you mentioning that she'll grow close to the Sea-Salt Trio later, which will be lots of fun considering she knows what'll happen to all them but she wasn't around to see how III shook out for all them. She'll probably be growing back a heart by then so... woof, that's not gonna be fun for her. I'm curious how her relationship with them starts since she and Axel haven't interacted much and she's making a point not to pay too much attention to him. I'm imagining either it's because of Roxas showing up, or her getting reassigned to Axel instead of Xigbar? I imagine Xigbar wouldn't be thrilled if someone handed his apprentice off to the backstabby assassin - not only would it make him look bad, I headcanon him knowing about Axel and Saix's little scheme, and he probably wouldn't want his shiny little apprentice getting dragged into the traitors's scheme (unless he'd use her as a double-agent?).

I'm curious to see what Hex's relationship with the Sea-Salt Trio will look like once they all get properly acquainted, and how it might impact her relationship with the Xigster. Especially now that Xigbar suspects that she might be acquainted somehow with Terra AND Ven - I imagine he'd pay a lot of attention to her reaction to Roxas in particular, which may get her in deeper. Urgh...

I really liked the description for Castle Oblivion's exterior comparing it to a jigsaw puzzle last chapter, and I also enjoyed what you did with Castle Oblivion's interior in this chapter - very nice job with the descriptions here! I also liked Hex defrosting a bit with her old friend here to show off more of her old personality (I can imagine Xigbar spying and getting a big kick out of what was being said, lol) and that odd, melancholy vibe that came up between them as her friend's memory seemed to get way more self-aware - I felt really bad for both of them.

I look forward to seeing how this goes, and in the meantime I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well!

I was browsing through the Young Justice section of fanfiction, and saw your red x story. When I checked your profile, I saw you had made stories for most of the fandoms I like, which made me very excited for all of the new stories. Now I know people have asked you this, but are you possibly going to update any of your older stories after the completion of this one? In the meantime, this story seems like an interesting KIngdom Hearts story, so I'll have to check it out.

Stay Safe!

You got me hanging off the wall by my nails, pal. Like, what is happening here? Is Xigbar planning something? Well, he probably is, but wlhell knows if we ever know what. Man's got as many secrets as he probably does gossip.

Amazing chapter as always! Thank you!

Sorry Xigbar, no great reveals for you today XD Hex better be careful with what she tells next to cover herself. It may come off as something that pulls her more to an unwanted spotlight.

Playing at a sixth sense huh? Wonder how long Hex will be able to fake it. ‘Cuz playing an angle like that could go south real fast if she slips up.

This was a great chapter! This was well done! I especially enjoyed the many references you made. Most in particular on how Xigbar emulated his Master back when he learned of his role and about the truth of the Book of Prophecies! Most excellent! Keep this up!

oh damn

hexy is the smallest org member

she the org smol

just found this and the last game I played was metro last light so I'd die in first 5 minutes

You know what I really like about this fic? The fact that it has even the most minuscules details, making it really fun to read. You are an amazing author, don't let anyone think otherwise

I hope you and your family are doing better, you have my condolences.
I went and re-read the whole story because I really liked it the first time, and realized you added new things to the previous chapters. Now it's even better, thanks!
Castle Oblivion eh? Let's see how that turns out!

Numb mindset starting to wear off. Good.
Also, nice to see that this story can still fit even after the “big twist” Kh3 had.

Hoorah! A new update! Loved it! I enjoyed it immensely! I can only wonder what you’ve planned next for Xigbar’s and Hexerath’s little "maintenance trip" to Castle Oblivion/Land of Departure? Either way, I look forward to it.

:::ALERT ALERT ((SPOILER TERRITORY)) ALERT ALERT::

Also, I’ve a question: If Hexerath ever DOES find out about Xigbar’s secrets... what would she think of him then? Will she even be a part of the 2nd Keyblade War? Or should I say the (possible) 3rd according to the Master of Masters in KH Unchained Union X?

I am deeply sorry for your loss, losing a loved one is always awful and really sad. I can only say I hope you and your family are doing better. Don't worry about late updates, personal life is more important, we, your readers, will wait all the time you need to be fully back.
PS: This chapter was really sweet. Although in his own twisted way, Xigbar cares about Hex, and even Lexaeus does (which honestly, was a little surprising). The part where he said they were going to Castle Oblivion got me gaping like a fish and my favorite phrase was 'It takes one liar to know one', considering that not only Xigbar is keeping secrets, but also is his student.
All in all, I'll be waiting for the next update and again, take all the time you need. Majopi

What even is colorless brown hair?

Dude this story is awesome! Where have you been all my life?!