Crowne: Weeelll, here it is! Please kindly leave a review once you finished reading, 'kay?

Binding Ties

-Sequel to 'Into Deep Mist'. "It felt like someone important was taken from me." Along with the sealing of Neah, the Duke took the chance and also sealed some of Allen's memories. Now, Sheryl is torn between his new adopted son and the Noahs. He knew what the Duke did was wrong but will he stand up against the Duke?


Don't you go forgetting me, Allen... Father would be sad if you did...', it was a sad, vague voice. Allen had always hear the same words in his dreams. It was always the same for the past nights. Allen found himself in a snow-covered forest with a large moon hanging on the sky. In front of him was a frozen lake. He crouched at the edge of the lake and felt its coldness.

'... You'll never forget me, right?...'

Allen stood up and turned around. He walked away from the lake and towards the deeper part of the forest. At the center of it was a single high chair. It was surrounded by several heavy chains. There was also a guy tied into the chair... He seemed unconscious.

'A-allen...'

That voice. He knew it was from the guy at the chair. He don't know how he knew it, he just do. Allen started towards it but was stopped when something wrapped around him. It was dark and cold. He tried to free himself even if he knew he'll fail. It started to wrapped around him till he was having trouble breathing.

Allen woke up with a start. The dream. It was always the same. He can't get close to that person. He was always stopped. He glanced around his room. It was already bright inside.

"Allen-chaaaan!", a playful voice called.

The door of Allen's room opened up and a young teen peeked inside. She had a spiky blue hair and was wearing a purple frilly dress with long sleeves."Allen... Time to wake up, sleepy head!", Road giggled as she happily entered the room.

"I'm awake...", Allen said, rubbing his eyes a bit. He let out a yawn.

"Ne, it's almost noon, Allen...", Road laughed.

"E-eh?"

Road's smile grew wider."You missed breakfast!"

"W-what?", he exclaimed. That got Allen started. He quickly kicked off the bed covers and ran out of his room then into the hall. He didn't get that far when he felt himself bumped against someone. He slowly looked up and saw Tricia Camelot smiling at her.

"Good morning, Allen... I see Road already woke you up...", Tricia greeted."Breakfast's already prepared..."

Allen blinked twice."I... I didn't missed breakfast?", he asked, looking up at her.

"Of course not... Why?", Tricia asked, puzzled. At that time, Allen heard Road's giggle behind him.

"R-road!", Allen pouted.

"What?", Road asked innocently then smiled at their mother."I woke him up!"

Tricia smiled."Well, let's head over to the dinner hall now, shall we? Your father's already waiting...", she said as they headed there. The minister was already there.

"Good morning, Allen... You're early now, huh?", the minister greeted. Allen just glanced at Road with a pout and went to his seat. Sheryl glanced at Tricia with a slight smile, he already guessed what Road did to wake him up. Road just giggled. Tricia and Road both sat down. The maids piled in and placed the food. They soon all began to eat. After several minutes, Sheryl thought it was a good time to announce something.

"The Duke asked if we can pay him a visit today...", Sheryl began,"Hm... What do you say?"

"I can't come with you, I have an appointment with my doctor today...", Tricia smiled sadly."I hope the Duke would understand..."

"I'm sure he will... And I've noticed you've gotten more paler these days. Perhaps you should rest more often...", Sheryl suggested to his wife, who nodded. He turned to Road and Allen who was almost finished eating.

"I'll come!", Road said quickly before Sheryl could even speak. She finished her food and leaped from her seat, running out of the dinner hall.

"W-wait up!", Allen exclaimed as he ran after Road. Their family dog, Lourd, came up and chased the young boy happily, thinking there was a game. Sheryl laughed a bit, mostly because of amusement.

"They always seem to be excited when it comes to visiting the Duke...", the minister remarked. Tricia nodded in agreement and smiled."... And Allen seemed to be more at home now. He used to be quiet and shy but now he's happy."

"Yeah...", Sheryl said even though he's not sure if the boy was really happy. The memory of certain night came up on his mind...

-"It's time to take a long rest, my dear Musician", the Duke said in a melodic tone. Dark matter flowed out of the first disciple's hand and entered Allen's body. Allen let out a piercing scream as the foreign dark matter entered his body. Sheryl looked away. He suddenly wondered if Tricia will hear it but then he noticed bits of dark matter around the room. Maybe it's preventing any sound from escaping the room.

Allen's scream soon died down. He fell unconscious as the Duke released him. The dark matter flowed out of Allen's body and formed a small circular cross. The Duke took it and placed it inside his pocket. He turned to the door, gathering the dark matter around the room.

The Duke turned to Sheryl."I've altered some of his memories, Sheryl", the Duke said, smiling."So, don't be surprise to his sudden changes... I'd love to stay but I have some things to do."

The minister watched as the Duke left then approached Allen. The boy stirred and opened his eyes."Allen?...", Sheryl helped him sit up. Allen looked around the certain as if uncertain about something."What's wrong?"

"I... don't know...", Allen said in a small voice."It's just that it... It felt like someone close... to me was taken away... but I'm not sure who..."

"Sheryl? Are you alright?", Tricia asked worriedly.

"I'm fine...", the minister answered, standing up."I guess we should go now."


~~Binding Ties~~~

A man leaned against a tree, a bit annoyed. He lit up a cigarette and smoked in an attempt to calm himself. He'd been looking for a certain clown and a boy for weeks. He'd gotten distracted for a month and he'd lost track of them.

"Where the hell are they?", Cross Marian muttered and dropped the cigarette, grumbling.