Bound Dreams
Chapter One:
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"Mah-mah…"
Lavi smiled and playfully ruffled the dark hair on the small child's head with his hand. There was a blood red cross laceration decorated on his palm, equally matching the one on his left. Lavi's Innocence obtained crystallization two years ago prior during a Noah raid on the Order. The Noah's plot was to destroy every last fragment of Innocence in Hevaleska's possession. The end resulted in a huge loss to both sides, more drastic then the attack of the Level 4. Over half of the Innocence fragments had been shattered in the raid, leaving two Noah killed in the attempt to destroy the rest. Using the same scarred hand, Lavi pointed his index finger to the text laid out on the old oak table they currently occupied. The 4 year old boy was much too small to see over the table top and had to exchange from sitting on the red heads lap to standing on his knees to read the text. Lavi's arm was wrapped around the boy's chest, in case the child lost his balance and toppled to the floor.
The red-head smiled encouragingly. "You got the first part down, kiddo." He began. "Now, what do we get when we combine N and A? Sound it out."
The little boy stuck his small tongue out of his mouth as he tried to make sense of the black characters written on the white paper the red head was indicating to.
"Nnnn…" He started to mumble. "Ah…! Mah-Nah! Mana!"
The child tapped his hands onto the old oak table in excitement at his accomplishment and shined a bright smile at Lavi.
Lavi gave a big grin in response.
"Well, aren't you a smart guy? You did it, Mana!" He raised his palm up. "High five!
Mana giggled and clapped his small hand to the red-heads much larger one.
"I think that'll do it for today." Lavi reached into his pocket. "Here's your prize, buddy." He introduced a home-made strawberry flavoured sucker, curtesy of Jerry, to the child. Mana happily accepted the treat, the flavour instantly assaulting his taste buds as he placed it in his mouth.
"Mmm..!" The child cooed.
"Mana, where are you manners?"
A tall figure walked over to their table, stealing their attention. Silver eyes shyly peaked out from under dark bangs, meeting the much darker eyes of his Uncle. Komui sighed and gave the child a patient, but stern look.
"Uhm…" Mana mumbled around his tasty treat. The confused child realized his rude behaviour and shyly glanced at Lavi and bowed his head in apology. "Sorry… Thank you for the candy, Labbi." He said.
Komui nodded in satisfaction.
"That's better." He said.
Lavi repeated his earlier action and ruffled Mana's locks.
"No worries, you're just too cute anyway! Just remember for next time though, okay?"
"Kay!" The boy chirped.
"Mana, it's time to go, your father will be returning shortly. Let's go meet him at the gate." Komui spoke again.
Mana eyes widened at his Uncle's words. His sense of gravity then shifted as he felt hands gently take a hold of him and take him away from Lavi. His tiny fists curled into Komui's thick white coat as he was secured onto the man's hip. The child rested his head on his Uncle's shoulder, softly breathing in the scent of coffee emitting from his coat.
"Really? He come home?!" He choked, his throat heavy with emotion. "Really?"
"Yep, he's on his way!" Komui confirmed, smiling cheerfully at his nephew. "You coming too, Lavi?" he asked.
"Of course!" Was the red-head's instant reply. "Wouldn't miss it."
"Alright, let's get a move on then. Allen's group should arrive in about 5 minutes."
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The room was more than just gigantic, as it easily rivalled –or possible exceeded- the length of a football field. Around the walls of the room, one could make out the phenomenal white crystal like shaped gates. Each gate was unique, and like a snowflake, none of their patterns of light were equally the same. Different numbers were also located at the tip of each gate, identifying them. The gates light illuminated the entire room, giving it an unearthly, magical glow.
Komui and Lavi made their entrance into the Ark room. They weren't the first to arrive, as others were already present, consisting of some familiar faces of scientists and Exorcists. They noticed Krory, Miranda, Bookman, Chaoji, Tiedall along with Reever and Johnny, situated under gate numbered 17. They attended to their side.
Komui stole a quick glance at his watch. Mana curiously followed his gaze, silver eyes scanning over the small silver instrument, only to pout in frustration as he couldn't understand the watches hidden message. He had yet to be taught on how to read time.
"Two minutes left till the gate opens." His Uncle announced to the group.
The group quietly and anxiously waited for their comrades to return from their long term mission. The mission was roughly two months in length. The details of the task were to retrieve two Innocence fragments reported to be hidden in Spanish territory, Barcelona. It was extremely rare and unique to find two fragments so close together and the opportunity was just too valuable, but it also doubled the risk. Upon the discovery of the fragments, three Exorcists, one a General, were immediately dispatched to desperately retrieve the crystals of God to aid in their fight for humanity. The others left behind could only pray and hope for the tides of the war to be in their favour, to be able to say welcome back once again.
Lavi's expertly trained bookman eye noticed a sudden ripple in the arks portal. He watched it closely, his keen green eye examining it as a golden ball darted through it. Timcanpy flapped his wings aimlessly in the air above them. No longer after the golem's arrival, four figures presented themselves out of the arks light.
They were a picture of a mess. Link was being steadied between Allen and Marie, it was easy to recognize that the blonde's leg was broken and there was a nasty gash presented on his temple. The two exorcists holding him were littered with bruises and still fresh cuts. Red stains coated white bandaged wounds that were previously taken cared by the medical ward in Spain before their trip home. General Kanda remained not surprising untouched, although his uniform displayed some blood stains from wounds that no longer existed.
"Damn," Lavi flinched at their pitiful appearance, reminiscing in his own past injuries. "You guys look like shit."
"But they're alive. That's what matters." Johnny sniffled. "Welcome home!"
"Welcome home!" The room chorused.
The medical team that was prepared by the gate took Link from Allen and Marie's tired arms. The team wheeled him away, taking him back to the ward for more advanced treatment.
"Feel better, Link!" Allen called after the man's retreating form.
"Yuu, Marie, my beautiful boys!" General Tiedall wailed with crocodile tears. "Come to Papa!" He sprang forwards, attempting to give the two young men a hug. Marie sighed, accepting the hug and rolled his sightless eyes. He easily towered over the old man as he returned the hug.
Kanda sneered and bitterly moved away from the man as if he were a contagious disease.
"I'm going to meditate. Don't bother me." He snapped before leaving the room.
"Good old Kanda." Allen laughed.
Mana wiggled in Komui's hold and reached out a tiny hand towards the white-haired figure. He started to whimper. Allen reacted and turned towards the small cry. His tired eyes and spirit immediately lifted, his lips breaking into a soft smile when he saw his child.
Komui gently lowered the boy to the ground and as soon as Mana felt his feet could touch land, he dashed forward as quickly as his little legs would allow.
Allen bent a knee to the ground as he readily opened his arms for the boy. Mana threw his small arms around his neck and Allen instantly closed his arms around him, clutching him tightly to his chest. The child whimpered into the crook of his neck as hot tears relentlessly trailed down his puffy red cheeks.
"Daddy! You back, you back! W-was fraid." The child hiccupped, looking up at him with trembling silver eyes. "F-fraid you leave... like Mommy…"
Allen's eyes hardened. He buried his nose into the boy's dark brown hair. He could feel tears of his own finally let loose at their reunion and in response to the child's words.
"I know, I know. Shh…" He whispered softly. Allen stood and brought a hand to the child's back, rubbing soothing circles to try and ease his child's trembling. "It's alright now… I'm here. I'm sorry for leaving you for so long." Mana hiccupped again. He hid his face back into his father's neck.
The group smiled at the small family. The reunion touched all of their hearts and they were genuinely happy for them. Some tears of their own were shed.
Marie withdrew his hand into a pouch on his belt, redrawing it seconds later with a glowing green object in his palm.
"We could only recover one of the Innocence… The other was destroyed by a Noah." The large man sighed dejectedly. He suddenly stopped his brooding when he felt his hand be stolen by much smaller and delicate fingers.
Miranda smiled softly to him, and brushed the hand she was holding with her thumb and although they both knew he couldn't see her, the gentle touch spoke loud enough for both of them. Marie was thankful for her comfort.
"It's alright," She spoke gently. "You did your best. It is a loss, but at least it wasn't the heart. We can still fight, we've still got a chance." The women then pushed up on her tippy toes to reach Marie's face to plant a soft peck on his cheek. The man's dark cheeks immediately flushed.
Miranda grew admirably bolder in the last 4 years. She stuttered less and slowly climbed out of her clumsy actions and occasionally walked in a ray of confidence. Encouraged and supported by Marie and her friends, the once timid women was able to crack her shell. Miranda wasn't completely rid of her old habits, but she did manage to come this far, and that was a worthy accomplishment. They were all proud of her and continued to cheer her on in her recovery.
By now, many of the occupants have cleared out, leaving just the small group of Exorcists and scientists in the room.
Mana's curious silver pools watched the couple from over Allen's shoulder. He giggled at the silly face Marie had made. His giggle was abruptly cut off with a gasp when his eyes landed on the green crystal still being held in the man's hand.
"Daddy…" He whimpered fearfully. Allen and the others close by instantly became concerned. They knew what was coming. In Allen's arm, Mana's silver eyes melted into molten gold, the pupil of his eyes narrowing into slits, acutely resembling a predator's eye. The 4 year old's skin lost its paleness and darkened to the colour of ash. A row of stigmata marks were the last to make themselves known on his forehead. Allen instantly acted. He took off his red and black jacket and covered the child with it, to shield him from any unwelcome prying eyes in the room.
"We'll be in my room." He briefly announced before quickly exiting the room.
During the ordeal, Lavi surveyed the room, wondering if any spectators had noticed the child's sudden transformation. From his observation, it seemed no one who hadn't already knew about the child's condition had been aware of the Noah. Himself and his small group of close comrades sagged with relief. The child was safe, Allen shielded him just in time to avoid drawing attention.
4 years ago, a baby boy was born to Lenalee Lee and Allen Walker. They named the little one Mana, after the insistence of Lenalee. Allen wasn't too crazy about the name at first, but didn't see a problem with it and decided to accept it. Mana was born a few weeks early, but was otherwise healthy. His facial features almost accurately resembled his father's, especially his stormy silver-grey eyes. His hair was a dark shade of brown, almost black, a trait received from his mother.
The higher ups were not amused when they caught whiff of the news of the newborn. Having a child outside of wed-lock was looked down upon by the Church, practically a sin. It was also not in their best interest to have two of their exorcists caring for a child because of their demanding need in the war. The Exorcist's priority was to the Innocence. They proposed to remove the child, but Allen and Lenalee quickly refused the idea, angering and frustrating the Vatican even further. After many attempts, Allen had finally been able to strike a compromise. He struck their interests when he reflected on the possibility of their child being born an Exorcist, as Allen himself was born with his Innocence and Lenalee was the first crystal type to have existed. The odds were likely, and they knew it. They relented, silently deciding to ignore the couple's crime for the time being. They needed all the exorcists they could get, and this 'crime' offered an opportunity. Whatever it took, they would win this war. If the child was not born an Exorcist, they would simply force the parents to abandon it.
Mana had not been born an Exorcist. It was ironic, ridiculous, and almost humorous. The what should have been pink skin was dark grey in contrast, eyes as gold as the sun instead of silver as the moon, and the undeniable stigmata was scarred on his forehead like a crown. A Noah. The Bookman himself was beyond astonished. A child being born an Apostle of Noah… It simply broke all the rules. From Record logs dating back to thousands of years, including his own personal experience alongside the Noah 35 years ago, it should have been impossible. The Noah's reincarnation cycle originally consisted of 13 members for 7000 years, the 14th Noah being a recent abnormal ripple in this cycle. A 15th child shouldn't even exist. Was it because Allen was the 14th Noah…?
Because of Lenalee's early labour, Mana's birth had been kept private and known only by close family and friends who were present in the infirmary. Only until a few days after did the Vatican finally hear the news, giving the parents just enough time to hide the infants extraordinary features, with the help of Cross' magic. They knew if the baby's Noah was discovered, he would immediately be executed by the Church. Lenalee begged Hevaleska to give her son a false prophecy, even though he wasn't an Exorcist, so the Vatican didn't force them to abandon the child immediately after his birth. Probably the best choice for them was to leave the order, but they also knew that they were vulnerable to The Earl outside the Order's walls. They had a better chance staying here, hiding him under the Vatican's nose. The risk was always great, but the parents were always alert, watching and guarding the child closely as he grew. With the help and support of their friends, they were able to get away with this precious secret for 4 years.
Komui cleared his throat. "Everyone, please leave the room and return to your duties."
Marie and Miranda evacuated to Hevaleska's chamber to hand over the retained Innocence fragment. The scientists regretfully dragged their feet back to their stations in the science department. Lavi returned with Bookman in tow to the library for bookmen business. Other's left for the cafeteria or for whatever other means.
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Hey, Ilee here. I hope I was able to appeal to your entertainment in this opening chapter.
Please review! Reviews help boost my confidence and motivate me to update more frequently.
This story is set 4 years after chapter 218. So yes, Kanda is a General. Later chapters will explain Allen's 'redemption' back into the Order and the Order's stand on the 14th Noah. And yes! Lavi's Innocence evolved! And yes yes! Cross is alive aswell! (I don't believe the troll to be dead anyway).
Current age of the big four:
Allen: 21
Lenalee: 22
Lavi: 24
Kanda:'24
I also have a character profile of Mana posted on my profile if anyone is interested in viewing.
Thanks for reading!
If you have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to ask!
