Jason is afraid for the first time since arriving at the castle. Why? Let's find out....

Day 16: like a limp noodle. Zexion's room: Zexion, for once, wasn't reading, but writing. Zexion was writing his memoirs from his time in Castle Oblivion. Everyone had almost died at that castle, though it would have made Zexion smile if Larxene had croaked. The only reason Zexion lived was because of his powers over illusion. Zexion avenged himself later by disguising himself as Roxas and pushing Axel off the clock tower in Twilight Town. As Zexion wrote, Jason entered the room. Jason had told Zexion everything that had happened yesterday with Larxene, including the flash of respect on her face. What Jason's ultimate plan was, Zexion didn't know, but Jason seemed happy to have gained Larxene's respect. "what do you care," Zexion asked carefully, "what she thinks of you? I thought you hated her." "I don't HATE her, and gaining her respect is part of my plan." Zexion thought this over, and said, "Someone who doesn't hate Larxene? Your hormones must be running wild, Jason." Jason somehow blushed and looked smug at the same time. "hey, aren't you going to train with Xadlin today?" the smugness drained from Jason's face, and he ran as fast as his legs would carry him out of the room. Zexion went back to writing. If Jason's plan was what he thought it was, then Jason was suicidal. And possibly had a brain tumor.

The Hall of Empty Melodies: Jason strolled in the room, on time. While he'd been running, it occurred to him not to waste all his energy, so he slowed down and sped walked the rest of the way. Jason looked at the intimidating figures before him. Xadlin had a face filled with fierce contempt, standing almost as tall as his wind lances. Lexaeus had a fierce scowl on his face, a statue with a shock of orangish hair on his face. Jason gulped. He'd almost rather be with Larxene on her mission than here. Almost. Xadlin motioned to Lexaeus, and Jason walked over to him. "I have a set of exercises for you, Slaveboy," Lexeaus growled. If thunder had a voice, this is what it would be. The couple hours passed in a blur. Push-ups, sit ups, crunches, you name it, Jason had to do it. By the time Lexaeus growled the last command, Jason could barely move. The main training session hadn't started yet, so Jason breathed in slowly, restoring his energy as much as he could, and using some reserves. Xadlin spoke in a slow, thoughtful voice, " as we Lexaues builds up your muscles, I'll be teaching you a martial art form that is suited to your body type: Cos tapa, the quick foot. I'll also be training something else, but you figure out what it is on your own" Xadlin started by showing Jason some basic forms. As Jason started to position himself, though, Xadlin said, " you'll die soon enough," causing Jason to lose balance and fall. "What was that for?" Xadlin shrugged. Jason tried to get in form again, but Xadlin repeated what he said before, making Jason fall again. This happened about four more times. "and the point of this is?" Xadlin shrugged again. Jason started to get in form again, thinking, this is breaking my concentration, and it's a- Jason had an epiphany. "your doing that on purpose, aren't you?" "if you can't use your opponents words against them, you can't fight." Jason got in form again, this time, using Xadlin's words as fuel for his body… Jason staggered out three hours later, his whole body like a limp noodle. Nevertheless, he was satisfied. Even Xadlin had to admit that Jason was a natural at the Cos tapa. At this rate, it shouldn't take more than a month for the pieces of Jason's plan to fall into place…