"Reality is harsh and the truth causes pain… Fear lurks in every corner, as inescapable as one's own shadow." It is the raw and bitter validity of this statement that drives meisters into the arms of madness. The few that cling to the light find that their fear tears at their hearts, causing a pain almost unbearable. For the strong few, those who manage to face and accept fear, a world of strength and power waits.
Maka's quivering hands gripped Soul's scythe form, their grip tightening as Maka stared at her target. A Shinigami, in real flesh and blood, stood just a few feet away, his face twisted with a sadistic grin. Dark energy pumped into the twin pistols he held in his hands and flowed freely around his soul. "You can't kill me…" she whispered, her words burning chapped lips. The Shinigami remained silent for one agonizing minute, his golden eyes shining. "Oh, Maka… I don't want to kill you." He informed her gently. Madness dripped from his voice and invaded Maka's ears. "Don't you know by now? All I want is your soul~"
"The moon is red tonight…" Maka murmured, wrapping her scarf tighter around her neck. She sighed softly, reveling in the security of the old fabric. Her mother wore this same, wooly red scarf when she was a student of the DWMA. She'd given it to Maka just before she left. For Maka, it was a constant reminder that she had something to become. Diligence and hard work are what kept Maka's flame going.
A small frown crept onto Maka's lips. Unfortunately, a stunning academic record and a history of excellence wouldn't save her if she was found wandering the grounds after curfew.
And Black Star's reputation certainly wouldn't help her case either.
The shadow weapon meister strutted beside Maka, his head held high as if snow wasn't falling on his shoulders and head. Maka gave her an exasperated glance. It was because of the rule that lower class weapons and meisters were to move in pairs that Maka had been stuck with the prideful boy as her roommate. The DWMA was strange with its many rules and regulations. Meisters roomed with meisters. Weapons roomed with weapons. Lower class meisters mingled with lower class meisters. Lower class weapons mingled with lower class weapons. Death scythes and their meisters would never cast an eye upon the lower trash unless something like blood tied them. Shinigami ruled as the highest authority. To be on a Shinigami's bad side meant your life, pitiful as it already was, could become a living hell.
"Hey, Maka, you can't really be shivering, can you? How can you hope to become strong when you're slowed by some frozen water?" Black Star's blunt remark dragged Maka out of her thoughts. She sneered at her friend, narrowing her eyes. "Shut up, Black Star. If it weren't for your stupid short attention span, we wouldn't have to go back to the Dining Hall. Because of you, we don't have the key to our dorm!"
"You act like I did it on purpose." Black Star replied, rolling his eyes. "I told you, a star like me has more important things to worry about then a little piece of metal. I could've just kicked down the door."
"And let the cold air in!? Not to mention, you'd earn us a nice long trip to the disciplinary hallways!"
Black Star snorted, jabbing one thumb in his direction. "You just leave everything to me and not worry your little head, Maka. I'll get us in and out before anybody sees us… assassin style. Trust the Great Black Star!" Maka cringed as Black Star suddenly burst out into a booming, arrogant fit of laughter. Maka gritted her teeth, desperately clasping her scarf and pressing it against her ears. At this rate, she and Black Star wouldn't even make it to the Dining Hall before someone saw them and called the Academy. Oh, the punishment would be severe.
Maka felt a small flutter of hope as she and Black Star closed in on the Dining Hall a few minutes later. The large, carved mahogany doors loomed above the duo, as if beckoning to them. No… rather, it was taunting them. 'You know you shouldn't be here.' It seemed to scream. 'I'd like to see the punishment that awaits you.'
With a low growl, Maka kicked open the doors and went inside. She turned to Black Star. "Let's just hurry and go."
Black Star grinned and nodded with approval, following Maka's lead and entering the intimidating structure. In a cloud of determination and conflict, the two failed to notice the fact that the doors were unlocked long after hours…
Within the Dining Hall, the meisters' footsteps echoed, the sounds of their shoes on hard tile floors rebounding against the high ceilings. Black Star looked around the room, suddenly dashing forward and snatching a set of keys off one of the glossy wooden tables. "I found it!" he screamed, causing Maka to hurriedly move a finger to her lips. "Be quiet!" she whisper-screamed, eyebrows furrowing. Black Star marched across the room, leaning towards her face with a scowl.
"And who's gonna hear me?" he questioned. Cupping his hands around his mouth, he stood up straight. He took a deep breath. Maka moved to stop him, ready to strangle Black Star as he began to shout. "Does anyone want to mess with me, the Great Black Star!? Try it! I dare you!" he yelled. Maka jumped on him, covering his mouth with her hands. The two of them struggled to fight each other's grip, too busy quarreling to notice the figure that stood at the entrance to the Dining Hall. The dim glow of candle light illuminated his face, adding a shine to two eyes of vibrant gold. The figure remained silent, watching the duo with an expression slowly changing from one of disdain to pure disgust.
"Black Star, quit it!" Maka hissed, pushing one hand forcefully against Black Star's face and he pulled her pigtails. "You quit it!" he growled, yanking her pigtails. Maka snarled under her breath, grabbing a handful of Black Star's hair. She was about to pull when a shadow caught her eye. She froze, her gaze following its length until her eyes landed on the shadow's owner. His gaze coldly locked onto hers.
Maka's mouth hung open. She released Black Star, pushing him off her and rising to a stand. Black Star squinted at her for a moment before turning to face the direction Maka stared in. He frowned. "Who the hell is he?"
The suited figure placed his hands behind his back. "Who… the hell…?" he repeated, sounding completely offended.
Maka stepped forward, waving her hands drastically. "Ugh… hey there! You won't tell anyone about this right? Don't mind Black Star, he's an idiot."
"Hey-!"
"Shut it, Black Star." Maka hissed through her teeth. Black Star glared at her but said nothing. Maka looked back to the stranger who had now begun walking towards her. He stopped with only a foot between them. "You have no business being here at this time of night." He said bluntly. "Take your trash and return to your dorms."
Maka and Black Star exchanged a hostile look. Who was this boy, to think he could insult them? Black Star balled his hands into fists, glaring at the stranger with murderous intent. "What was that? Care to repeat?" he asked, though it sounded like more of a demand. 'Repeat it.' His eyes seemed to scream. 'I'll make you eat those words.'
Maka glowered at the boy. "Like you have reason to be here. Why don't you take yourself back to your dorm!? At least Black Star has some sense of honor… what do you have?" she spat, cracking her knuckles. This guy was looking for a fight. She wouldn't back down, she'd strike him if he struck her.
The young man did something unexpected. His lips curled into a smile and lifted one ringed finger and tapped it against his cheek. The skull shaped ring glistened in the light. Maka's eyes went wide and she almost choked on the feeling of nausea that rose to her throat. The young man saw this and extended the same, ringed hand to shake hers. "Death the Kid." He stated, bowing his head. Maka lifted one quivering hand to his, almost jumping back in fear when he leaned down and kissed it.
"I was simply here using the restricted library… you know… the one for those of Death Scythe class and up." He continued as if retelling a fond memory. He looked at Maka. "You don't look so well… maybe my father will have some tea for you. He's a very important man, you know."
Black Star watched the scenario, confusion etched across his face. "Hey, Maka…" he said, grabbing his friend's shoulder and shaking her a bit. "I didn't rough you up that badly, did I? What's this idiot talking about?"
Maka attempted to remove her hand from Kid's grip, but he kept a gentle, but firm grip. Twitching, Maka looked at her roommate. "A small group of people have the honor of wearing that ring, Black Star…" she whispered, voice so light it shocked Black Star a bit. "Lord Death… the Death Scythes… their meisters…. And…" Maka gulped, turning to look at Kid, whose gaze had quickly become eerie, almost haunting. "And Lord Death's son… I think this is him…"
(A/N: Hey. This is pretty much the re-write of 'An Order of Madness'. The way I started the story previously wasn't working for me... I wasn't into it. I like this beginning much more and I hope you enjoy it :) The plot may work a bit (or very) differently. I have yet to decide. Thanks for reading 3 I hope you'll continue to read my work ;3)