First Symphony: Of Meetings and Partings

Warnings: Off-screen character death, mentions of suicide, and uhm… Lero torture? Is that a legitimate warning?


The Fourteenth Noah, the Musician, rumored to be the single most destructive Noah in existence. The one who sings the song of both Light and Dark, God's Chosen Child.

Unlike the rest of the Noah Clan, however, the genes and memories of the Fourteenth runs solely within the blood of the Walker family line, though they weren't always known by that name. The Fourteenth never completely awakens, waiting for the True Apostle of the Fourteenth to claim the mantle. Whenever its host is in danger, the Fourteenth stirs within its slumber deep in their soul, allowing for a partial awakening to use a minute fraction of the Fourteenth's true power. Only when the True Apostle of the Fourteenth is born, then the Fourteenth Noah will fully awaken and perform the task God has given to him.

When the Fourteenth Noah awakens, then it is only a matter of time until the Great Flood returns to purge the Earth, and not even the Heart of Innocence can stop it.

That is the will of Destiny.

SYMPHONY OF REBIRTH

The night was dark and overcast, the sky covered with storm clouds. Snow covered the ground like a white blanket, reflecting the light from the full moon in the heavens. Footsteps echoed through the abandoned ghost town as a frail, petite six year old ran as fast as she could. She huffed and puffed as her stout little legs carried her tired body dutifully, even though she was fatigued.

Weary and clumsy, it was only a matter of time that the girl tripped over a chunk of rock and fell face-first to the ground. Her hair splayed around her like a pool of molten quicksilver. She let out a small whimper and, for the first time during the turmoils she faced in the last day, she cried.

"D-daddy… daddy…" the little girl whimpered. She was hurt… and she felt so, so tired. She had been running for hours without any food at all. Again she made a whimper and curled up, trying to ignore the pain that came from her left hand. She stared at the deformed limb distastefully before looking away in disgust. She hated her arm, hated the pitiful, pathetic mockery of what it should be. But her father had said that it was beautiful, that it was a precious thing. And she trusted her father.

'Run, my daughter, run! Run, and don't look back!'

'Daddy!'

Small fists clenched, grasping the snow that was slowly falling once more. The little girl hesitantly got up from her position and shakily stood on her looked down, surprised to see the red blood staining the snow. She had skinned her knee quite badly and it was bleeding. Something in her throat hitched and she hastily looked away.

Blood… there was so much blood, everywhere.

Why wasn't her mama waking up? Why was she ignoring her?

The building was on fire. She screamed and struggled in her father's hug. Why wouldn't he let her go? Mama was still inside! Save her… she had to save her!

'Hush, hush, little one, don't cry. We'll see her again, someday. This was inevitable.'

'After all, she was just… human.'

Why? Why? So many questions and yet, so few answers.

She shook her head to clear her mind and instantly regretted it. Dizziness took over and when it wore off she found herself on her knees. She almost gave up, then. Her head hurt, her entire body hurt, and she hardly had any energy left to crawl, much less walk.

But she could not, she would not surrender. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever. She got up slowly, somehow summoning enough strength to do so, and walked forward.

"Walk forward. Walk to your future. Don't stop. Never look back. When you fall down, get back up. That is the path of a Walker, our strength and our honor code."

Yes… she, Ellen Walker, would continue to walk forward no matter what it took.

-At the same time, hundreds of miles away-

'I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, everyone. Please, forgive me for doing this. But I have no other choice.'

Neah Allen Walker, the Fourteenth Noah, raised his hands to deliver his attack. Dark Matter pulsed and gathered around him, forming an ebony violin in his hands. The other Noahs could only stare in horror as Neah begin his ultimate, and final attack.

"Prelude… to Ruin."


There were many ways that one viewed fate and causality. Some chose to believe in Free Will, the belief that people had the right and the ability to choose their own path, and not some cosmic entity or a philosophical concept called 'Destiny'. Others had a more pessimistic view, that humans were nothing more than string-controlled puppets in a cosmic version of a puppet show. They believed that one had no choice but to follow the path that had been set for them since birth.

Mana Walker didn't believe in the existence of Destiny. No, Mana knew that destiny existed, and that some people were bound (cursed) to follow its path forevermore. He knew that he was one of those 'puppets' and he would never find a way to cut the strings because then he would fall, a broken and inert puppet. He knew what happened to broken puppets. They were destroyed. Disposed of, like a child throwing away a broken toy.

So Mana Walker had no choice but follow whatever path had been set for him and walk on. That was what he and Neah promised their parents, the creed of the Walker clan: Keep on walking no matter what, don't ever look back, and strive for the future. No matter how difficult and fraught with perils his path was… Mana would continue walking.

He never hated Fate more than when he found a little girl, lying face down on his doorstep. His old heart clenched with worry and Mana hurriedly brought her inside, stripping away her damp and cold clothing to replace it with warmer, more season-appropriate ones. Once he had placed her on the bed, covered with several blankets and a hot water bottle, he brushed away her silver hair to look at her face.

Ellen. His niece. In all honesty he should have recognized her at first sight. Very few people had her shade of white hair at such a young age, afterall. As he stared at her face he was reminded of Neah. Ellen did greatly resemble her father, after all. He stroked her hair absent-mindedly, reminiscing of the old times before their heritage was made known. Before The Cycle had begun its course. Before Neah became the Fourteenth Noah. He also remembered his talk with Neah so long ago, when the world began to fall apart around them.

"Mana, my dear brother. I have a favor to ask of you." His brother was impeccably dressed, as always. In his arms he held his newborn daughter.

"What is it, Neah?"

"In the near future… when I can no longer be with Ellen, please… take care of her. Become her father and treat her like you would your own daughter. Please, elder brother…"

" 'When', Neah? Not 'if'?"

"Some things are unavoidable, Mana. You know that as well as I do. But when the time comes, please… I beg of you, do everything you can, to protect her. Anything, everything in your power. She is important, for me and for the future of our world." Neah all but groveled. His face bore a pleading expression, hugging on to his firstborn tightly.

"Of course Neah. Don't be stupid. What kind of brother would I be if I refused to do something like that for you?" Mana paused, before adding quietly, "I guess… this means, that the Cycle has began?"

Neah smiled at Mana sadly. "The Cycle has always existed, Mana, since the birth of Humanity. But yes, it is nearing the completion. Soon, we will come full circle."

"Such a big burden, for one so young…" Mana's fingers gently caressed Ellen's silver hair. "How could you put such a burden on your own daughter, Neah? Stupid little brother. You could have asked for help, you could have prevented this tragedy. But you didn't. All because of fate."

Mana was about to get up and brew himself a hot, strong cup of coffee when Ellen began to stir. Shivers ran through her small body like someone was electrocuting her without mercy. Mana went still, watching without being able to help. He'd seen Neah going through a similar process. Just like that time, Mana wasn't able to do anything to sooth her pain. He watched as Ellen coughed harshly several times and opened her silver eyes. But now there was a sliver of gold in her irises. Almost invisible, but if you knew what you were looking for it was there.

"U-uncle Ma-na?" she whispered softly. "Uncle Mana…" Her eyes were brimming with unshed tears. Mana felt his heart wrench with grief at the utterly broken look in her eyes.

"Hush, everything's alright, child," Mana cooed. "Don't worry. Everything will turn out fine," he lied to her, sweetening the harsh truth.

"N-no. No." Ellen wasn't fooled. "Not fine. Not fine." She began to tear up and cry. "Everything's not fine."

"Why do you say so, Ellen?" Mana sat down beside Ellen and held her hand. Much to his dismay, her wrist was thin and stick-like, and her skin was incredibly cold. "Can you tell me what happened, Ellen?" Inwardly he wondered how long Ellen had spent her time on the streets. It had been months since his last conversation with Neah and there wasn't any news from him since.

"I don't- I don't-" Ellen stuttered, shaking her head vigorously. Mana found himself wrapping his arms around her and cooing soft words of reassurance.

"Hush, child, it's alright, you don't have to tell me if you're not ready to." Crystal tears flowed from Ellen's eyes as Mana awkwardly hugged her thin figure and she cried herself to sleep. Mana himself spent almost an hour gently rocking Ellen until she finally stopped crying altogether.

Ellen didn't wake up until noon the next day. She opened her eyes to the faint smell of spices and the sound of sizzling. Mana was in the kitchen, making fried chicken for their lunch. Ellen sat up and swung her legs to the side of the bed. As she placed her feet on the floor, something wet and cold brushed against her calves. She let out a yelp and tumbled out of bed.

"Gyaah!" she squeaked. Her eyes searched around in a frenzy, looking for the culprit. A low whine was heard from under the bed. Ellen peeked down to see a small, grey furred puppy looking innocently at her. She blinked. Then,

"KAWAII!" Ellen squealed. The dog yelped and scurried away from her, trembling at the farmost corner under the bed. Ellen pouted in disappointment. A chuckle was heard from behind her.

"I see, so you've met Allen," Mana said. Ellen let out yet another squeak and turned around, her eyes wide as coins.

"U-uncle Mana!" she stuttered. Her face was a mix of nervousness, happiness, and sadness.

"Don't worry. Allen's just really shy around new people. He'll warm up to you soon enough." Mana smiled at Ellen. "Allen! Here, boy!"

The six year old frowned. "…You named a dog after Daddy?" she asked incredulously.

"Heh, yes. His fur reminds me of your father's grey eyes," Mana said with a smile. He turned towards Ellen, looking into her bluish silver eyes. "You, on the other hand… your eyes have your mother's blue in them."

Ellen flinched, looking away. Tears brimmed in her eyes. "M- mama…" she said mournfully.

Great, Mana. Just great. You just had to bring up that, didn't you? Neah always said that you're no good with people, especially children.

He really wanted to cheer her up, but he didn't know what to say. Awkwardly, he patted the top of her head, fingering her long silvery white hair. Ellen's shoulders shook violently as she tried to hold back her tears and carelessly batted away Mana's hand.

"Don't touch me!" she screamed angrily. "I'm a monster, can't you see? Because of me… because of me, Mama… I…" she panted, her face flushed from emotions. "It's all my fault. Mine. Mine." Ellen curled up into a fetal position. For once, Mana was thankful that his parents prefered quiet and isolation, and bought a cottage far from civilization. No one was there to hear Ellen's screaming. Eventually, Ellen managed to calm herself down, though she was still gasping for breath. Mana once again found himself at a lost so as to what he was supposed to do.

'Damn, this is exactly why I never wanted any children… well, that and the fact that I'm no good with women anyway. Or people in general.' Mana sighed. "It's alright. It's alright. Please, don't cry… Everything's going to be fine… hopefully." She wasn't crying anymore, so that was a good thing, right? Mana wasn't exactly the world's expert on relationships, especially with children. Especially not recently orphaned, superpowered children. "Umm, err, there, there?" Gah, he hated dealing with little girls. Give him a clown suit and makeup any day. Though he would gladly do everything for his niece, he just wasn't father-material. Or guardian-material, for that matter.

"I'm sorry," little Ellen hiccuped, wiping away her tears. "I'm sorry, Ma-na… I won't do that again. E-everything's gonna be alright, right? You won't leave me, right?" she begged.

"Of course I won't," Mana said, and despite himself he felt rather happy. Maybe their relationship wouldn't be a complete mess, after all. And maybe, just maybe, he could make this work.


Mana stared at the sleeping form of his niece, her face still covered with tears. Her clothes and her hair wa stained red with blood. Her left hand lied at her side, its form a grotesque red color. There was no sign that it had previously changed into a monstrous, Akuma-destroying claw.

"I'm so sorry, Ellen. But this is for the best."

Only the stars were witnesses as Mana Walker did something he would never be able to forgive himself for. Ellen's features changed to become rougher and more masculine, her hair turning into a shade of brown so different from her original platinum.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Forgive me, Ellen, Neah."


Contrary to popular belief, the night after Mana's death was not Ellen's first meeting with the Millennium Earl, nor would it be the last.

The first time Ellen met the Millennium Earl was during a chilly winter night, not long before her seventh birthday. Not long before her parents passed away. Come to think of it, it probably wasn't a coincidence. The Millennium Earl was just that much of a manipulative bastard. Her family was visiting a friend of theirs and she had gotten bored of their conversations. So, wearing the thick woolen sweater her mother had knitted for her, she snuck outside.

It was snowing lightly outside, covering the land like a blanket. White, just like her hair. Despite this, there was almost no one outside. So she sat on the ground and started to play around with the snow. She gathered it in her hands and began making shapes and sculptures from it. Ellen was quite content, even though she had no other children to play with.

"My, my~ Aren't you a talented artist? *heart*"

Ellen jerked around to see a… rotund man, standing not far behind her. His skin was a dull grey color, like that of ash, and his ears were sharp and pointed. He also held a strange umbrella in his hand. It had a small pumpkin head on its tip. How odd.

"Little girls shouldn't be playing outside in the night! *heart* What's your name, little girl, and where are your parents? *heart*"

Ellen stared at the man for a while. "I'm sorry, mister, but Mummy and Daddy told me not to talk to strangers," she said.

"Ah, but of course! *heart* Where are my manners? I am usually called 'The Millennium Earl', but you, my dear little musician, can call me Adam. *heart*" he said, smiling jovially. Ellen simply stared blankly at the man.

"…Weirdo," she said. An almost imperceptible twitch appeared in Adam's left eye, but otherwise he did not respond to Ellen's provocation. Sadly, he couldn't say the same for his golem. Imagine Ellen's surprise when the umbrella in Adam's hand jumped and spoke to her.

"Lero! Don't say things like that about the Earl, lero! You should show him some respect, you stupid human, lero!"

And things went as one would expect…

"Who are you calling stupid, you… uh… you… little umbrella… thing."

"Golem?" Adam suggested. Lero sputtered, turning to his master.

"Yes! Who are you calling stupid, you ugly little umbrella golem?"

"Why you- LERO!"

… Or maybe not.

"Well, that was unexpected…" Adam said as he watched Ellen grab Lero by the handle and whack him around. "As entertaining as this was," he pointedly ignored Lero's sputters and cries of betrayal, "I must insist that you stop manhandling my golem. I need him, you see, and I still have matters to do."

Sulking slightly, Ellen handled the now battered and bruised umbrella golem to its owner.

"Ellen!" a masculine voice shouted from behind her. She turned around to see her father standing in the doorway. "Ellen, you shouldn't be- what are you doing here?" The last part of his sentence was directed towards the Millennium Earl.

"Fourteenth…" Adam practically purred. "I was just having a conversation with your lovely daughter."

Neah snarled. "Ellen, get back here!"

"But Daddy I-"

"NOW!"

"…Yes." Ellen sulked and walked towards her father, who pushed her inside.

"And stay in!" he warned. Her mother pulled into an embrace and fussed over her like all mothers did.

"Ellen Walker! What did I tell you about going outside without permission?"

"Aww, but Mummy, I was bored! I wore my sweater and I didn't even leave the yard! I was just playing in the snow, Mummy, honest!"

"Yes I know but you really should ha-" her words were cut off by the string of curses that came from outside. From her father's mouth, it seemed. "Neah! Oh that's it, I'm going to wash his mouth with soap!" Her mother hastily clamped her hands over Ellen's ears, but sadly it wasn't fast enough to stop her from hearing a few words. The innocent almost-seven year old turned towards her mother.

"Mummy? What's a pedophile and why is Daddy calling the nice man that?"


The second meeting between the Earl and Ellen Walker was the night after Mana's death. She sat in front of his grave, staring blankly at the plain old tombstone. In her hand she held a bouquet of wilted lilies. She curled up, trying to alleviate the pain that had been building in both her head and her chest since Mana's death.

"It hurts… it hurts so much. Mana… Mana, why? Why? Why did you do that? Was I… was I not good enough for you?"

From afar, the Millennium Earl watched.

"So she's the new Fourteenth? She's so cute! I've always wanted a new little sister!"

"My, my. What's this? A sealing spell? Mana Walker, you sly bastard. I never knew you had it in you. My bad. I forgot how ruthless you used to be, and how strong your sorcery is."

"What are we going to do, Earl-sama~lero?"

"Yeah, Milenni! We can't leave her like this! She's family!"

"For now? Just follow my lead," the Earl said before teleporting to the graveyard.

"Good evening! *heart*"

"…"

"Ah, why is such a pretty young lady doing outside, in a graveyard, at this time of the day? Did you loose someone dear to you? Was Mana Walker, perhaps, someone you knew? Some one you loved?"

"…Yes. Yes, he was," the brown-haired girl said in a cracked voice.

"Ah~ Would you like it if I resurrect him for you, then?"

Ellen turned around so fast that it would probably give her whiplash. "You can do it? Really?" her voice was filled with hope. "You can bring Mana back to life?"

"Of course~ *heart* See this skeleton here? All you need is to call for his name, and his soul will reenter this body. Isn't that easy? *heart*"

It was easy. Almost too easy, but Ellen wasn't about to let the chance get away. She opened her mouth to call for Mana's name and-

No, don't! Stop!

That voice again! It had been with her, for as long as she could remember. Which wasn't that much to begin with. She had woke up one morning with her name as her only memory. But Mana had been there for her, explaining that he was her adoptive father, and that she'd gotten into an accident and hit her head badly. He was kind and supportive, helping her as she vainly tried to get back her lost memories. But Mana had been perpetually sad after she lost her memory, gradually getting more and more reclusive until- until…

Fool! Do not be fooled by his appearance. Whoever he is, he's probably up to no good.

'He seems so nice, though.'

Most bad people are.

It wasn't easy to argue with that. Not when she had experience with con-men and thieves. And she trusted Voice. Voice never steered her wrong. Ever. She trusted Voice more than she trusted this strange gentleman.

"No."

"No?" the man seemed genuinely puzzled. "Why not? Wouldn't you like to have Mana back?"

"Because- because he- I…" Ellen's breath hitched as she remembered the worst day in her life. "Because I hate him!"

He left us. He lied to us. He's a coward. Why would you ever want him back?

'That's not true! Mana loves me! He does!'

Yet he chose the easy way out. Despicable. Coward. Traitor.

'Don't say things like that about Mana!'

It's true though. He told us to keep walking. And look at what he did. He killed himself. He broke his own code.

"You… hate him?" the man asked, truly confused. "But I thought that you loved him?"

"Mana… he was the only one who cared for me. But in the end, he left me alone just like everyone else. Maybe one day I can forgive him. But not now. Maybe never."

"Ah~ I see. *heart* But are you sure you don't want him back? Don't you want to ask him why he left you, or just to punch him in the face?"

I'd love to do just that. He deserves a punch, and maybe a kick in the-

'Voice!'

Oh, so that's the name you're calling me by huh? Voice? For shame! I expected a better nickname from you, Ellen!

'…'

You should answer the fatso's question, you know. I don't think he appreciates being ignored.

'!'

"No. I don't feel like dealing with him right now. But thanks for your offer. I'm leaving now," she said and stood up. But the Millennium Earl got in her way. Dread seeped into Ellen's heart at the Earl's positively maniacal expression.

"Ah~ I'm sorry, but unfortunately I can't allow you to leave."

"Huh?"

"I'm so sorry… it's nothing personal, but I can't let you live after seeing me. Not after you've refused my offer~"

I told you he was up to no good.

'Shut up!'

"I take badly to refusal, you see. So you have to die. *heart*"

"You wouldn't dare!" Ellen exclaimed in fear, looking around. "There are witnesses around!" One right behind him, in fact. The gravedigger who had dug Mana's grave.

"Oh, them? You don't need to worry about them, little girl. In fact, you should be more worried about yourself~ *heart*" he said as the various humans around them shed their external skin and morphed into grotesque-looking beings. "They are the ones who are going to be your executioner." The fat- sorry, rotund man said jovially before disappearing in a shower of darkness. The monsters around her began moving towards her.

Things were not looking good for Ellen Walker right now.

RUN!

'Thank you so much for telling me to do the obvious, but the real question is where to? We're surrounded by those things!'

"Uhh, guys?" Ellen asked nervously at the monsters. "Umm, would you mind backing off just a little bit? I'm getting rather claustrophobic…" One of the monsters fired a… something at her. She barely dodged the thing.

'I guess that's a 'no' then.'

What, you really expected them to do as you said?

'No… not really. I was just trying to confuse them, to buy some ti-'

DUCK!

She did, barely avoiding yet another bullet.

'Actually, that one looks more like a swan, really,' Ellen pointed at the animalistic monster that fired the bullet.

THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO JOKE AROUND!

'Point taken.'

And so the next few minutes was spent dodging the blasts and trying to find a way out. Ellen was grateful for whatever training she had went through before her amnesia. Muscle memory wasn't easily forgotten, it seemed.

Ellen, watch out!

"Gyurk!" Ellen felt something slam into her stomach. The force sent her flying back until her back hit a tree.

'My ribs!'

Stunned and blinded by the pain, Ellen was unable to do anything but watch as the monsters descended upon her. One of them raised its limb, preparing to fire at her. Ellen closed her eyes…

'No! I will not die like this!'

E-ellen? Voice sounded almost afraid. But that wasn't right. Voice was never afraid. Voice was the brave one, the one who never showed any fear.

'I refuse to die! I don't want to die! I'm stronger than this! I won't be defeated by these pathetic creatures!'

Something in Ellen Walker snapped into place and after a long period of dormancy, it awoke. Somewhere in a mysterious tower, a gigantic woman jerked as she sensed the awakening. The Millennium Earl merely smiled and steepled his fingers together. All was going according to his plan.

"CROWNED CLOWN!"


I know, I know. I'm a bad person for writing yet another story. I'm still working on the third chapter of The List, which, just so you know, will be extra-long. So, how do you like my third DGM fic? This is a Fem!Noah!Allen fic, just so you know. The pairing is… uhh, actually I haven't decided yet. It's either Yullen, Alma/Ellen or… an Ellen/Bondomu threesome. Uh, yeah. I really do have a thing for strange pairings. Don't bother telling me something I already know. But, uh, never mind. I still need to expand the plot before even thinking about pairings. And no, I'm not going to have a poll on which pairing I should choose. I'm the one who has control over the story, not the readers.

Important points:

-Ellen is Neah's daughter and the future Fourteenth. After her Innocence woke up, Mana sealed away her Noah half and her memories. The guilt eventually drove him to commit suicide. Ellen has a voice in her head, which may or may not be the soul of the Fourteenth or some weird kind of split personality. She didn't take the Earl's offer to bring Mana back to life, so Mana didn't turn into an akuma.