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Into Deep Mist:

Allen and Mana were separated at one point. An unexpected help comes from a certain minister. After Mana's death, that minister offers something that Allen needs... A family. Will Sheryl choose to keep Allen from the holy war? Or...

"Mana! Mana!", Allen yelled."Mana..."

Allen sat on the snow covered bench with a sniff. He was alone and worse, he didn't know where he was. He began to break into sobs. He always hated being left alone. He wasn't sure if he could find Mana.

"Mana...", he whispered with a sob."w-where are you...?"

"What's the matter, boy?"

Allen looked up with tear-welled eyes. The man looked like a politician or something. He was wearing a fancy suit. His black long hair was tied at the back. The man looked at him with concern in his eyes. As Sheryl looked at the boy, it felt like he looked familiar to him.

"Are you lost?", he asked.

Allen meekly nodded, still sobbing. Sheryl considered the situation. He can't just leave the boy alone. It's already too dark. And if something happened to this boy, he knew that his conscience wouldn't be able to take it.

'Conscience, huh', Sheryl thought. How ironic, coming from a noah.

"What's your name..?"

"...Allen", the boy answered.

"Allen, I could help you find your way back home but we'll have to search tomorrow. It's already too dark..."

"Y-you're going to help me find Mana?"

Sheryl nodded."Well, let's go."

Allen got off the bench. As soon as he did that, he began to hesitate. What if the man's intention is really to hurt him? Sheryl noticed the boy's hesitation. He crouched in front of the boy. He ruffled Allen's hair and gave him a warm smile.

"Don't worry. I won't do anything that would hurt you. After all, I'm going to help you, right?"

Allen nodded. He's almost like Mana. Sheryl stood up and held Allen's arm. They reached his house after a few minutes. Not that it can be called that. It was more like a mansion. Luckily, no one was there at the time when they entered the house. The minister was secretly glad. If any of the other noahs were there, he knew that he'll have a hard time explaining.

"You're probably tired. You should rest early if were going to look for...Mana", Sheryl said.

"Sir, do you live here alone?"

"Just Sheryl."

"I don't think it would be appropriate, sir", Allen replied.

Sheryl had to smile at that. A little gentleman, eh. It looked cute seeing a small child acting like a gentleman. It reminds him of someone but he couldn't quite place it. Sheryl noticed that Allen was rubbing his eyes. He was attempting to keep himself awake.

"You should sleep now...", Sheryl said. Allen just nodded a response, he was too sleepy to answer.

They entered one of the spare rooms in his house. Sheryl settled the sleepy boy on the boy. He smiled as the boy mumbled words. He's probably too tired.

"T.. hank.. you", the boy mumbled."You're... a... nice... person."

Allen trailed off and drifted to sleep. Sheryl gazed at the sleeping boy. He had called him 'nice'. That doesn't exactly fits as a description for a noah. He left the room to leave Allen to rest properly.

Allen rubbed his eyes and yawned. The sun was already out. He had slept too long. He quickly got off the bed and ran downstairs.

"Hmmm, so you're already awake", Sheryl greeted."Care to join me for breakfast?"

Allen looked up at Sheryl with a surprised look."Sir, I don't think..."

"Nonsense!", Sheryl exclaimed." And didn't I tell you just to call me Sheryl?"

"Uhh..Si-", Allen began but trailed off after glancing at the minister. It didn't feel right to Allen. Adults are supposed to be respected, right?." Would Sir Sheryl be alright?", he asked.

"I don't think formalities are necessary", Sheryl said. It confused Allen a little. He had seen some adults who hurt those who didn't show them respect. Sheryl saw Allen's expression and smiled." So, care to join me?"

Allen nodded a little. He sat on one of the chairs beside the minister and began to eat quietly.

"Where were you before you were separated from Mana?", Sheryl asked. He have to know where they needed to look first.

Allen thought about it for a second." At the circus..."

"Then that would be the first place we'll stop by to search", Sheryl said.

"Why there?"

"It's because Mana would probably be looking for you there...", Sheryl answered. Allen finished his food and stood up. Sheryl iped his mouth and stood up too. He offered his hand to Allen.

"...Now let's go find Mana."

They arrived at the circus around 8 am. They were greeted by the large circus tents and trailers. There were only a few people there. Probably because it's still early and the circus won't open till night.

"I told you he'll appear", a voice said. It came from behind Sheryl and Allen. They both turned around and saw three men. Allen quickly hid behind Sheryl.

"Hey, you're that freak with Mana, right?", one of them said.

"If you're looking for him, he's already gone", the other one added."I bet he intended to leave you here."

"Mana won't do that!", Allen yelled from behind Sheryl.

"You should just come with us...", one of the men said and tried to grab Allen but Allen ran away from reach.

"I suggest that you leave the boy alone", Sheryl said.

"W-what? This is none of your business!"

"It would be mine since you're doing it in front of me. And I can't just let you hurt the boy", Sheryl answered with a silky voice.

"Why you!", the man growled. He raised his fist at Sheryl. The minister didn't move as the man swung his fist at him. Before it was able to reach Sheryl's face, it stopped.

Sheryl stepped forward, leaning close to him. He knew that he wouldn't be able to move. After all he had restricted him from any movements.

"If you keep bothering the boy", Sheryl said in a low voice enough for the man to hear but not Allen."I'll personally see your death. And I'll be the one who'll do it."

The man was now terrified. He wasn't sure if it was the threat the scared him more or the way the minister was smilinh as he make the threat. Sheryl released the man. He fell on the ground and scampered away in fear. The remaining two followed him in confusion.

"Well, that was necessary", Sheryl said.

Sheryl saw a small smile forming on Allen's face.'The first one since I've met him', he thought. The boy must be feeling better for him to smile.

"Allen!"

Allen's eyes lit up. He recognize the voice."Mana!"

Sheryl just watched as Allen ran up to meet a distinguished man with brown hair. So maybe that's why the boy looks familiar. Sheryl approached Mana with a smile.

"I suppose you should take care of that child more properly", he said as a greeting . He turned to Allen."I'll be taking my leave now. I hope we'll see each other again.

"Bye, Sir Sheryl!"

"Just Sheryl."

Sheryl gazed up at the moon that night. He was wondering himself on why he hadn't reported his encounter with the fourteenth's brother, Mana, to the Millenium Earl. Maybe it's because it didn't fee; right to him.'How foolish', he thought but smiled to himself. At least he knows that he's still partly human.

The minister laughed as a memory passed through his mind. So that's why the way the boy acting as a gentleman reminded him of someone.

The boy reminded him of himself and his brother, Tyki when they were young.

"That boy is really amusing..."

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