I think this is the first time I've logged in in over a year, and it was just to review this story proper. Actually, as long as I'm here, I may as well mention that I've been reading through your listings, starting with blazing through Show Me The Money, and then there was Through The Shadow, and I have to say, it hurts that this one has the least reviews, three chapters or not. XP Everything was fucking brilliant - I was sneaking in hours throughout every free moment of the past day and a half just to read it all. I have to say... I really, really respect the ending. It could have been so easy to cheap out, but no - you didn't shove them together, and Reno didn't have to lose out or get paired up with someone else. Roxas changed, for the better, but not in to some sobbing love - sick puppy. This Roxas... He isn't a nice guy, and somehow, it's a GOOD thing. The story wasn't looking for that kind of redemption. Axel's bittersweet happy ending seemed fitting - this is a dark story. Even if everything technically ended well, it's painful. It deserves to be. Incidentally, there was something... eloquent, about the way Marluxia went out. All of the ploys were played out, all of the conniving came to nothing - to the very last second, he was trying to worm his way out, and then it was just... over. It's nice to see a fucker like that reduced to nada. (Final thoughts: good luck, Reno. You bloody well earned it. Also, god, I feel pissy for saying it - but in the last section you said the clouds were TICK in the sky. It made me scream in my head. This story, it does not deserve to be marred so.)

Okay, right here, right now, I have to say it: OMCOMCOMC, I FREAKING LOVE YOU! The way you write just sends a movie through my head! You weave such a beautiful web of details and descriptions, and it all just flows together so magically. I loved all the small, insignificant details that just brought it all to life! Once I started reading, I just couldn't stop. There was no way that I could stop in the middle. The way you write draws in the reader, and then keeps them trapped with suspense and complex plots. Every time the story had some twist, I couldn't help but scream softly in anticipation. There was nothing to do but keep reading to the end.

I love the way you really built up the characters' personalities. There was some of how they actually are, and then some quirky things that are all your own, and yet it all flows together so seamlessly that I can't help but think, "That's totally the way they have to be! There's just no other way for them to act!" I love how they fit so well with the plot, like they're original characters who belong in this world, and they've always been there! It feels perfect, and natural.

I originally found Nijuuni's picture first, but as soon as I saw it I thought, "Someone on Fanfiction has had to have written a story for this. It's too amazing to not have one!" I expected it to be great, just beacuse the picture was so good, that it was just a given. But this-your interpretation of how it is- is just phenomenal. Above and beyond everything and anything that I expected out of this. I love how you worked the elements from the picture (such as Roxas' swords dripping blood) into the plot in a way that wasn't blunt and misplaced. It worked so well.

Though I am a hardcore AkuRoku shipper, I didn't expect anything to come of Axel and Roxas's relationship. Axle loved him so much, but there was just nothing there for Roxas. He was the assassin whose job was to kill Axel; he couldn't just say, "Oh, I love him now, I can't kill him!" It just wouldn't have been right. I think it's a good thing that Reno had the chance to tell Axel how he felt, and in my mind they ended up together. Axel called off the wedding now that his uncle was dead, and declared his love for Reno to everyone. I know that it probably wouldn't happen, but it suits my romantic side perfectly. ^_^

On another note, I'm ridiculously happy that Marluxia was killed. Poetic justice, and all that. I didn't like him from the start, and I'm glad he got it in the end. I was hoping from the moment I encountered him that he would met his death by the time this was through. THe fact that Roxas killed him only added to my happiness. He obtained his job from the man, and gave him his death.

Finally, I would just love to say thank you so much for writing this story. It gives me hope that someday I could writing something half as good as this. Your writing styling is truly magical, and I hope I can write something that would hold my readers as much as this did to me.

Thank you so much!
<3TerraLee

This story deserves more love! Prob one of faves out of all your fics. Id love to read a sequel if you ever plan on writing one, even if its just a oneshot.

I have to say this is one of the best stories I've read in a long time. It was excellent - a gripping tale with truly intriguing characterisation. You don't see as many sad/tradgic endings; it's refreshing to see. So, I look forward to looking at your other works. Great Work.

that was so sad poor Axel and Roxas

ONCE AGAIN, an extremely late review.

...is it wierd that I found it disapointing that Roxas didn't fall in love with Axel and they didn't have a happy ending? Haha, I guess I didn't completely expect one, since it was only three parts, but still.
I did like the way you ended this though. As a not at all an AkuNo fan, I liked the way you ended their part of the story, leaving it rather open ended.
And I wasn't really expecting Roxas to not kill Axel like...at all. I totally expected him to kill Marluxia since the box was empty, but I totally expected Axel and Reno to be dead too XD. But I'm really glad they aren't!
But yeah, overall I really did like the ending, despite Roxas not falling in love with Axel like Axel loves him.
And I really loved the last lines, and the reference to the title of the picture. That was really good.

Great job, of course!

Wow, at first I was thinking that this tale would drive me insane...well, actually that's not true. At first I was celebrating that Roxas was a bada** assassin. Then damn Marluxia had to go and ruin my fun by revealing his big plans...of having Roxas disgrace Axel. Killing Axel? I can live with that. Ruining him? Hell no. Not acceptable. I know that this is a very weird way to think but, alas, my brain is very weird.

Back on topic. After finding out what Roxas was setting out to do, I was on my toes and briefly considered turning back before it was too late. Thank goodness I didn't, because this story was amazing. Since I'd resolved to not hate Roxas, I was able to his enjoy his coldness, his skills, and his cunning. To be so manipulative requires a great deal of intelligence. And although I love Roxas the most out of all the characters(most of the time), he was more brilliant than normal and was therefore more of a pleasure to read.

But even when I wasn't enjoying incrediblycoldandmanipulative!Roxas, I still enjoyed reading. I was on the proverbial edge of my seat the whole time, never knowing what was coming around the next turn. I felt for poor Axel as he was being toyed with, even as I applauded Roxas for being able to toy with people so well. And Reno…well, let’s just say that it really sucked to be Reno.

So yes, amazing as usual. I thouroughly enjoyed it. XD

can i just say i loved this story way too fucking much? i usually hate stories that end like this one did, but i adored this fic (even the end)the style and plot was flawless. something i never see in fan fiction anymore is near perfection, but you totally got it. <3 i can't help but hope for some sort of follow up or prequel to this, but with or with out one- i enjoyed your writing to an impossible degree

*breathes* Wow. /Wow/. This story nearly leaves me at a loss for words. Every emotion put into this - the love, distrust, anger, pain - came through so clear and crisp it was breathtaking. I could list out each and every amazing part in this but that includes /everything/ and I can't get over how moving this is. Instead of gushing on I will thank you for this amazing piece of work and cross my fingers (and toes) to hope for more from you.

Thank you, thank you, /thank you/ for this. Truly and deeply.

~Tekko

FINALLY i get to leave a review on this lovely piece of yours, i actually read the majority of chapter 3 on my iphone in florida cause i couldnt wait that long to read it, but I wasn't able to leave a reply 'till i got home, so i had to rescan the chapter to remember everything i wanted to say xD

this story... ahg it was so good. it had me on my toes to the very end, i had no idea where you were going with it, i can never tell what direction your stories are gonna take, but this one was especially hard to predict. i am floored again at how you can create and paint a world so effortlessly and vividly, and how the small, off-handed details you throw in there are so unnecesary, but add SO MUCH to the depth of everyone and everything. from the sound of the music to the style of armor on Reno, all your details are amazing, and help paint the most vivid movie-pictures in my head, GAH YOU ARE AMAZING. SRSLY.
i did find the scenes with axel and roxas hard to read tho, just because i dont like anything where roxas doesnt love axel back, and unrequited akuroku (especially when it's Axel) hurts my heart casue im a loser, so that was lame, on my part. but i did find it a lot easier to believe when i switched the characters around in my head. like, making Roxas the prince, and Axel the guard and Reno the assassin, i know you based everything off of nij's picture, and it totally did work, this story IS amazing and gorgeous and beautiful and intense, i just personally prefer the roles switched. With Axel pining after Roxas, but Roxas is seduced by the sexy Reno, who only pretends to love him back but is actually using him...
jafldjalfdkjalfdkjas but whatever. that's my problem, I LOVE YOUR VERSION TOO, YOU WRITE ALL THREE BOYS SO BRILLIANTLY, I DONT KNOW HOW YOU DO IT. BAHG I FELT SO BAD FOR RENO, POOR THING... THE WAY YOU WROTE HIM ACUTALLY MADE ME SYMPATHIZE WITH HIM. WHICH NEVER HAPPENS WITH RENO. YOU ARE JUST THAT TALENTED <3

oh, i was also very happy that Marly died in the end. OH YEAH, THAT'S WHAT ELSE I WAS GONNA SAY: THE ENDING TO THIS STORY WAS MAGNIFICENT, AND PERFECT, AND TOTALLY UNEXPECTED. LIKE, HOSHIT i thought Roxas might have a turn of character or something, but i didnt think he was actually gonna stab Reno and kill Marly, that was really unexpected. and very appropriate, OH AND RENO TOTALLY LIVES IN MY VERSION. AXEL STILL MARRIES KAIRI 'CAUSE HE'S GOTTA, BUT HIM AND RENO HAVE SECRET RENDEZVOUS' ALL THE TIME AND DO THE DIRTY IN ABANDONED CELLARS AND STUFF. IT'S SEXY AS HELL OF COURSE.
baw i've missed your writing salem! IM SO EXCITED TO READ EVERYTHING ELSE OF YOURS THAT IM BEHIND ON, WHO THIS IS GONNA BE THE BEST WEEK EVER! XD

ILU! -sexglompglomprape-

OMFG! :O Such an epic, twisted story! And Roxas was perfect! I think you really captured him in a certain sort of light. The ending was great; total unxespected turn around and leaves you with just enough to THINK. Loves it. :)

-DeathStar

This was an amazing story. I expected that it would end badly but in fact, it's not that worse for the three of them, even if it's sad.
Please, forgive my bad english (the main reason why I don't review english story the most of the time...)

Such a sad and well written story.

omg that was epic !: D
all the emotions in this it was amazing !
holy crap
this is probobly the best written thing I've ever read!

WHOA.
that was crazy!
roxy's SUCH a badass XDD
that was so cool haha
lol two blades *coughkeyblades?cough*
<3