-oOo-

- Entombed Labyrinth -

- oOo- [ Stage One : Inception ] -oOo-

- His Abhorrent Destiny -

-oOo-

Disbelief and horror contorted Allen's small round face, fists clenched tightly. Mercury met maroon, neither containing heat or hate, rather, panic and unsettlement, and for the maroon wielder, dullness. Whatever Cross felt, if he felt anything about this at all, and he'd like to think Cross cared about him, if only that affectionate feeling was miniscule and brief, was well masked into monotonous features. He holds this glimmer of hope for such simple friendly affections because no matter how terrible, vile, and diabolical Cross Marian is, he had done deeds none other could.

After Mana, Allen adoptive father, died in an accident, Allen broke into shambles. Became absolutely hopeless and lifeless, momentarily died, too, you see, what with turning his father into an Akuma and destroying him with Innocence in the same minute. Then Cross came, explained everything about the Millenium Earl's evil plans and the Sacred War in which an organization called the Black Order fights him. Cross explained Innocence, Akuma, and Exorcists, a vital role, dangerous and likely mostly unfavorable for someone to be for certain people, which is what he was. Cross explained everything, including what happened that night and his arm's scary transformation.

Furthermore, Allen had been traumatized, scarred, and cursed. His appearance as well as his life took a dramatic and unexpected turn, however, before Allen agreed - which Allen doubted he had much of a choice in the matter anyways - to travel with Cross as his new mentor for something peculiar, frightening, and... unthinkable, Allen sat in bed, crying, motionless. He couldn't eat by himself, he never moved out of bed, became incapable of thinking about living, and Cross, Cross was there for him. Cross nurtured him. The details of this isn't important right now, though. No, not at all.

Something new and even more petrifying has arisen. Eight months later, Allen and Cross were traveling God knows where next. His mentor took this peaceful, calm opportunity, as they were both having a somewhat relaxing day, as there was less havoc than usual, and he chose this moment to tell Allen something that will drastically change his life forever, especially now that he knew, but didn't want to believe it. Cross think it prudent to warn the boy now, if for when something happens to Cross soon and he will be left all alone with no one to help him through in the future. He might as well know.

"What... What did you say?" Allen stammered, stiff and wide-eyed, close to tears. He was still a little sensitive these days, even as a strong independent little warrior, but this was unnatural and... absolutely horrible.

Cross inhaled deeply. "You will become a Noah." His eyes never left Allen's, and in those maroon orbs lay only seriousness and lack of any other emotion. He wasn't pulling Allen's leg. "Some day soon," he continued. "I don't know exactly when, but likely it will be before you age twenty. And when this happens, once the memory awakens, the Fourteenth will surface, and you'll die, Allen."

"Please, Master, tell me you're joking," Allen pleaded, actually grasping Cross' arm, jumping in his lap, in panic. "Please! Tell me it's a lie!"

"I wish I could."

The youth trembled, squeezing his eyes shut. Shocking and enigmatic as it was, he wouldn't let the frightening truth pinch tears out of him. No, he wasn't that weak and refused to be so weak in front of his mentor. No longer, not again, he vowed, not in front of Cross, at least. Never.

"What exactly did you say Noah were again?" Allen asked, praying what he thought was wrong, knowing it was futile.

"The Noah Clan work under the Millenium Earl's commands," Cross explained briefly. "One day you'll meet them, and then you'll understand. I cannot precisely tell you today or tomorrow." Cross gazed out the window at the dark sky, completely black without a trace of stars or a moon; matches the topic. "This is something you'll have to learn from experience."

Allen never did get the whole truth from Cross. Additional information rarely came, though Allen yearned to know, yet also to forget, he never let it hinder him in his goals. Except maybe Cross' warning about being extremely careful when and if he ever met a Noah and he isn't around, no, even with Cross around. They're sadistic and powerful, he repeated. Allen planned to be an exceptional Exorcist until he couldn't anymore. He will protect humans and he will resist the Earl's, the Fourteenth's, control for as long as he could, and he planned to kill himself at the last minute or until he knew he cannot continue.

But that action will break his promise to Mana. Even so, there wasn't much else he could do. He realized that when he concluded suicide at the last minute, before the Fourteenth can surface. It shook his to the bones knowing all this. Over time, he never received any possible ways to prevent this other than death. If there was a way, he wished for it to be made apparent. Eventually, though, Allen lost faith in this. Once a friend of his named Narain had a sister who died in an accident, mourned over her death till his death. He made Mena an Akuma and Allen destroyed it, realizing the torment the Akuma's souls went through all the time. He took pride in saving them, bringing salvation to their forsaken souls. But after Narain and Mena... Allen planned to never form a close bond with anyone from then on. No one.

His objective in life... Protecting lives of others and salvaging souls. He was an Exorcist. He wanted to be one. It was all he left to do in life, his only purpose. Till death takes him. Allen would make the best of it, yet he stayed true to himself. He never became bitter or harsh. Just distant, unknowingly to others. Though he think it wise, to save him and others pain, whilst Cross called it deceiving. Perhaps-no, Cross was wrong. And it wasn't that he was distant or introverted, but he just kept control of his emotions and thoughts to keep himself from bonding with anyone. It didn't necessarily mean no one managed to form a supposed bond with him on their part, a bond Allen wouldn't accept, no matter the temptation... Did that make him cold-hearted?

[A/N]: I'm rather confident about this story idea and I hope you all enjoy this one. I would definitely appreciate any advice or criticism, or if you see a mistake, please let me know. Any questions? Let me know and I'll answer as quickly and explicit as possible. Just for an early warning though, my updates will vary between hours to (maybe) weeks, as it has happened before for several reasons. However, I will try with my utmost absolution to complete this fanfic. I won't work on another till then, just to make sure of it. But anyway, please review. Thanks!

PS: I Do Not Own D. Gray-Man.

Happy New Years!