Getting Used to the Madness

Bryony lay on the bed of her new room. Though she wanted to sleep, considering she could only snatch a couple of hours, she thought about the past few hours.

A few hours earlier...

"That is so cool!" Manami exclaimed.

Bryony nodded in agreement. Allen was just explaining his Anti-Akuma weapon, his left arm. Apparently, it can change into three forms; Cross Alpha – the giant Claw and Cross Beta – which was the cannon Bryony had witnessed earlier, or it can be transformed into a sword. He described his 'Innocence' – whatever that was – as Parasitic. Bryony pondered this, and sifted through her knowledge. Since she had not had contact with Lavi and Bookman for about two years, Bryony had no idea about different 'types' of weapons, or this 'Innocence'. All she knew was that her two daggers were Anti-Akuma weapons, and pretty good ones at that.

Allen soon left, saying that the dining hall would soon close and he wanted a snack. Lenalee and the others bade him farewell, and she led them through the door labelled 'Science Department'. Inside was a man with wavy purple hair. A white beret rested on top of it, and glasses framed intelligent eyes. His coat bore a white Rose Cross, and was tailored similarly to the exorcists' uniforms. But an aura of madness burned intensely. Bryony grimaced – not another mad scientist.

"Hi there! My name is Komui Lee, and I'm the Black Order's Supervisor!" he greeted. Even though the clock read 1:46am, this guy sounded like he was at his peak.

"Hello!" Manami said brightly, bowing to the Supervisor. Bryony proceeded to shake his hand.

"So you were the person we were talking to through the bat," she said.

Komui nodded, and added, "It's not a bat, Bryony-chan! It's a golem, one of our surveillance equipment!"

"Mr. Lee, please refrain from using the 'chan' honorific with my name. We don't know each other that well," Bryony replied coolly, not missing the beat.

If the older man had actually heard that retort, he didn't show signs of it. He gestured the trio down stairs, apologizing about the mishap from before. All of a sudden, a roar of angry scientists was heard, shouting two different things:

"You can't blame us twice like that!"

"Clean your desk, Supervisor Komui!"

Bryony rolled her eyes. This man better know what he was doing.

Manami yawned as she walked. The beads of sleep crept through her eyes, making things blurry as she walked. Consequently, she tripped over a loose wire and banged her head on the stone wall when they came to the next door. The most sympathy Manami got for that was a smile from Lenalee-san, and a derogatory click of the tongue, paired with eye-rolling from Bryony-san. The red head seemed to be quite similar to Kanda-san.

"Please, could you demonstrate your Anti-Akuma weapons?" Komui-san asked when everyone entered the room. It was a small, white room which was filled with different equipment and medicine.

Manami whipped out her two swords, and whispered, "Hatsudou."

With the Japanese word for activation uttered, the swords glowed green. Even the intensive white ceiling lights dimmed to the sheer brightness. It attempted to escape, darting like lightning, but the force was restrained. After a few seconds, Manami deactivated. Komui-san and the other looked impressed. The Supervisor then indicated Bryony-san to invocate.

Bryony uttered no words when she activated her daggers, but the effect was similar. Manami noticed that unlike her swords' lightning like powers, Bryony-san's daggers seemed to blaze like a fire. The green flames licked the edges of the blade, pushing the boundaries of their freedom. She deactivated, and twirled the daggers back into their holsters. Lenalee-san gave another smile, and Komui-san grinned in approval.

"Wow, both of your Anti-Akuma weapons are quite amazing!" Komui-san said, "I see they are both Equipment type."

Bryony started to speak, "Say, Mr. Lee-"

"Just Komui is fine, Bryony-chan!"

"Don't call me – never mind. What I wanted to ask was; what are these types you talk about? I mean, Allen told us his is a Parasitic and you just said Equipment."

"Well, it is how the Innocence is utilised as a weapon. If it is Parasitic, then the Innocence is embedded into part of your body – like Allen-kun's arm. Equipment types are when a special weapon must be made to encase the Innocence, to control it – like Kanda-kun's Mugen."

At the name of that chokuto, Manami flinched. She had seen what he could do with that sword, and that was probably not all. Manami then asked her question, "What is Innocence?"

Lenalee piped up at that, and said to Komui, "Wait, that means you're going to Hevlaska's now, right? Shouldn't you check that they are human?"

Komui shook his head and said, "Don't worry. Only humans can be blessed by God this way."

"Blessed?" Manami asked, tilting her head in curiosity.

"It will all make sense when we visit Hevlaska."

"Alaska, Alaska, we're going to Alaska!" Manami chanted.

Bryony rubbed her temple with her index and middle finger, trying to rid herself of that idiotic tune Manami kept repeating. It was driving her up the wall. What Bryony wanted the most was rest. Though she wasn't a Bookman, Gramps had taught her to tune her mind to every last detail. It wasn't hard for her, until the headaches started. Watching so many different colours of aura pass by every minute was like watching bright fireworks all day. Bryony pinched the bridge of her nose – without some rest, she really wouldn't absorb (or really wouldn't be bothered to absorb) the upcoming information about Innocence.

A hand in front of her told Bryony to stop. She consented, and allowed Komui to take Manami onto the elevator. Bryony waited with Lenalee, who kept checking her clipboard every two minutes. A soft sigh escaped the Chinese girl's lips, and she proceeded to smile at Bryony. Her fingers were playing with the long sleeve of her uniform, and a nervous aura danced.

"It seems that you two are really special," Lenalee started, "Already having Innocence weapons and having those special eyes is amazing. Are you sure you haven't had any contact with the Black Order before?"

Bryony shook her head and said, "No, not really. I've only been to the outside of this building, to see Bookman and Lavi off. I didn't meet anyone, and I kept no contacts with the two when I was travelling. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no reason!" Lenalee said frantically, the aura strengthening, "It's just that…you look…you look like you've been-"

"Bryony-chan!" the older Lee's voice interjected, ascending on the lift, "You may come in now!"

Lenalee's face was red for some reason. Bryony put it to what she was trying to say. She silently passed Manami as she stepped onto the elevator. It took her down to a huge room, with a panel of hooded figures seated. They explained to Bryony that Innocence was 'The Crystal of God'. 109 pieces of Innocence were scattered around the world, and only exorcists had the power to wield them. It was also exorcists' job to collect Innocence as well as exterminate Akuma. Bryony touched her daggers. Were they that special? Did they truly contain a Crystal of God?

Bryony then noticed the huge white being. She was so amazed, that no words sprung to mind to describe it.

"Bryony-chan, meet Hevlaska," Komui introduced, "She is an exorcist, albeit a very special one."

Bryony peered up at Hevlaska, and was confused. She could not be human, as she had no aura. What was she then? All the questions dropped out of her head, however, when milky arms lifted her off the ground. They hauled her up to Hevlaska's eye level, and started to wrap around Bryony's daggers.

"Hey! What- stop! Komui, what is the meaning of this?" Bryony yelled.

Hevlaska touched Bryony's forehead. All of a sudden, she felt a searching sensation. It was running through her body like an electric shock, gaining velocity as time went by. The feeling was uncomfortable to say the least, and she kept squirming. Hevlaska paid no attention and continued her search. What was she looking for?

"10%...28%...37%...49%...53%...62%...74%..."Hevlaska counted, "Your Synchronization Rate is 74%. That is the maximum power that your Innocence can achieve."

Bryony felt too weak to register this information. The process drained her energy, but somehow she understood what she was being told. If she pushes her synchronization too far, she would risk her own life. Hevlaska brushed Bryony's bangs aside, uncovering her right eye. Her scar was revealed, and she put a finger to it. Bryony felt a surge go through her head, like a lightning strike. She squeezed her eyes shut and struggled harder, trying to rid herself to that feeling. It stopped after a few seconds and Bryony opened her eyes. A glowing green cube floated in front of her. It spun around her neck a couple of times and then shot into her hand.

The effect was instantaneous. The cube became molten, and started to reshape. Bryony squinted from the burning light, unable to see the form. Finally, the light died down enough to see. Hevlaska set her down gently on the elevator, with Bryony still holding the twisting shape. The Innocence had transformed into a bow. It was as black as night, with swirling silver patterns running down it. The bowstring was barely visible, and Bryony didn't believe it was there until she ran her finger down it. A green cross was embedded in the centre of the bow.

Bryony looked at Hevlaska and asked, "Why? Why do I have another one?"

Hevlaska answered in her smooth voice, "You have been blessed by God with the power of Aura-Reading. That eye can perceive more than the regular mortals. It has reinforced your body to withstand two Innocence fragments."

"What is so special about my Innocence?" Bryony asked.

"It will play a mighty part in the life of the Destroyer of Time. Both Aura Readers will face challenges that will force you to bond with your Innocence to create a fearsome weapon. When that time comes, you will be faced with a decision, Bryony," Hevlaska prophesied.

Silence rang through the room. After a while, Komui started clapping his hands like a little child.

He started speaking eagerly, "Oh wonderful! You and Manami-chan were given the same prophecy! Hevlaska has never been wrong, you know! Wow, it sounds so mysteri-ugh!"

He narrowly dodged the fist to his head. Bryony seethed with annoyance. Why was he so excited? That didn't sound wonderful at all! She ran a hand through her hair and straightened her coat. Her mind was analyzing the information like a machine. A bond? She didn't think Gramps would be too pleased about that.

"Pray tell," Bryony said, fighting to keep anger out of her voice, "Who is this Destroyer of Time?"

Komui instantly became serious. He pushed his glasses up and began, "That was the part I was most afraid of. The Destroyer of Time is Allen Walker. Hevlaska had prophesied that he will forge a great weapon in the world's darkest hour. Now, how you and Manami fit into this, I have no idea."

Bryony forgot all her anger, and asked, "Hevlaska said I will create a fearsome weapon. When will I know this?"

At that moment, the bow in her hand shrunk down. It became a black necklace with a pendant of a silver angel wing hanging from it. Bryony looked in wonder. What else can this Innocence do?

Komui smiled sympathetically. "To answer your question; we have to let time run its course."

Manami paced up and down, waiting for Bryony-san to come back up. She tried talking to Lenalee-san, but she kept stopping mid-sentence. Obviously she was trying to say something, but it was not going well for her. Eventually, the elevator came back up.

"Bryony-san!" Manami exclaimed. "Well? Did you get another one?"

Bryony-san nodded and pointed to her necklace. Manami grinned and shook the bangles on her wrists. They activated, covering her white gloves with red. They wrapped around her forearm like ribbons and wisps of energy fluttered like sails. She deactivated and waited for Bryony-san to activate.

Not now. I'm tired. And stop calling me Bryony-san. Plain Bryony is just fine.

Manami rolled her eyes.

Okay, fine. Hey, have you noticed that we can't see each other's aura?

I have, actually. Maybe our powers cancel each other out?

Maybe…

Lenalee-san looked from one girl to the other. Manami smiled apologetically, knowing that her mind conversation had gone on for too long. She parted way with the other Aura-Reader and allowed Lenalee-san to guide her to her room. The doors all looked the same. Manami felt uncomfortable. With her track record of getting lost, there was no doubt she would end up in someone else's room. Once Manami was handed the key, the Chinese girl bade her farewell.

Immediately, she dumped her suitcase on the floor and jumped onto the bed. She pried her bandanna off, undid her corset and played with a knot in her brown hair. The room was quite barren, save for a window on the far side. A soft knock caught Manami's wandering attention. She was loosening her blue ribbon when she saw Allen-san at the door.

"Oh, Allen-san! I didn't know you were still awake!" Manami said, surprised.

"No, I just woke up because I could hear Lenalee's voice up the corridor," he said.

Allen's clothes proved evidence. He was wearing a white loose shirt and pants, which were crumpled from sleep.

"Well, welcome to the Black Order, neighbour. It is quite alright to just call me Allen, seen as you won't let me call you Miss," he said warmly.

"Arigato gozaimasu, Allen! I feel welcome!" Manami said with a grin.

"Be warned," Allen said, caution coating his British accent, "It will take time to get used to the madness."

-oOo -

Okay, that is as much as I am posting until I'm fairly certain that this story will be a success. By the way, this one will focus on Bryony more than Manami. If this becomes really successful, I'll do a sequel. First, I need to know whether this is a good plot or a waste of time! So reviews - nice ones, con crit ones, flames - absolutely anything; it will determine the future of this story!

Hatsudou – 'Activate'
Arigato gozaimasu – 'Thank you very much'