Recovery
"Hello, Rei, you look like you've been through hell," Asuka greeted her warmly. Rei nodded and kept her attention far away from the rest of the dark signer's ominous stares. She barely registered much around her, except that they were all gathered, even Fubuki. He held one of the golden children responsible for the whole affair. Yusei slept peacefully, and Rei sighed. The little one's aura shone brightly compared to Fubuki's dimming one. Rei strongly desired complete darkness. She didn't want anything to shine ever again. It would only remind her of what she lost. She braced herself for what she would deal with. Johan's death would be mourned, but there was still the fact that she let one of the signer's dragons go free.
"He's dead." She managed to disclose, dead panned. It felt wrong to say it. She noted mutely. Asuka looked solemnly down for a moment, before harboring a wicked grin.
"Oh, but you brought goodies." She noticed, jumping down from Momentum's reactor. Rei nodded again, fishing the three dragons from her pocket. She resisted the urge to crumple them. They took everything away from me. She decided icily. Asuka grabbed the silvery treasures and examined them. She tensed as she counted three and not four. Her eyes widened, and she glared at Rei.
"Now you are aware why I don't want these cards to make their way to the signers right?" She remarked, exasperated. Rei nodded compliantly. Still, what reason did she have to complain? Asuka still had a chance to be happy. Besides, what where the odds that one of the kids would listen to a card above a person? Rei slumped when she comprehended the situation, knowing quite well of a boy who did choose spirits over people. Asuka made herself relax as she realized which card was missing.
"Ancient Fairy Dragon has a habit of going missing doesn't it? It looks like we have a bit of time. Ruka's not born yet." Asuka observed keenly. She caught something else that Rei had prayed she wouldn't.
"What's this, Johan's deck? Rei, sweety, is there something you want to confess?" Asuka pressed good naturedly. Rei stiffened. If she said the truth, would she be cut down? She considered before commenting on something she really didn't want to talk about
"He gave it to me," she replied in a non committal fashion. Asuka pried the deck from her, and Rei immediately snatched it back. Asuka judged her reaction before smiling. Rei flinched. Asuka could be a predator when she wanted to be.
"Why?" She responded simply and waited attentively. Looking away, the others avoided getting sucked into the conversation. Rei turned to Jim wishing him to defy Asuka as he often did, distinguishing him by his uniquely swirling aura. Unfortunately, he hadn't quite recovered from the news. He shook his head, signaling he wasn't in the mood to fight.
I think they forget I'm blind. She mused, and Cusillu stated the obvious. You're not exactly unaware. Ryo made the motion to seal her lips. She blinked a few times to see if she had misread him. She didn't expect Ryo of all people to be concerned. He wasn't exactly wanting to cut in either. She sighed tiredly. She had seen enough. If they wouldn't defend her, she would lay it all down. She wasn't ashamed of it, no matter how it ended.
"He loved me," she concluded. What else could she say? It's what she wanted all those nights together to mean. Asuka shook her head before embracing her softly. She tensed from the unexpected gesture.
"Oh Rei, no one ever loved you. Every time you tried, you failed. Johan just took advantage of you didn't he?" She deduced viciously. Rei returned the embrace, chocking back sobs as she witnessed her doubts creep up on her.
"He was one of them," she admitted, barely audible. Aslla Piscu's vessel nodded in recognition, but did not scold her as Rei expected. Instead, Asuka stroked her back in an effort to calm down the wreck she'd created.
"It's okay, Rei. I can get rid of that deck if it's too painful?" She offered carefully. Rei froze identifying that Asuka simply disliked that she might be influenced by Johan's monsters. Rei took deep breaths and made it very clear no one would take the crystal beasts away.
"No, I want them. These spirits may have abandoned me, but I will make them all pay. I hope he feels it when I take them away from him," she answered darkly. Asuka watched as the sweetness wore away from her companion, and it added to her uneasiness. A vengeful aunt wasn't a stable aunt. However, what she did next gave her a tantalizing idea, Rei placed her new deck on her palm, and it glowed. Lines etched into the seven cards until it formed Cusillu's markings. Rei calmly shuffled the deck and easily drew the crystal beasts on her first hand.
"They're trapped in the deck now, but they're no different from any other card, can't see or speak to anyone. See how they like being alone." She explained in an eyrie tone. She stroked the outlines of the symbols with her finger. She glanced up at Asuka who appeared curious about the new trick she didn't know.
"I'll show you sometime. Could come in handy with Yubel, assuming Judai's still alive," Rei promised while spitefully referring to Asuka's own insecurities. Asuka acknowledged Rei's offer, but frowned, the last thing she wanted to think of was another possible problem while she dealt with her current dilemma.
"I grow tired of hearing all these spirits. When you're done here, I want you to accompany me to Duel Academia. There's something I need to pick up," Rei requested, and Asuka gathered what she wanted well enough. The demons at the academy definitely fell under her territory. Still, to blot out the entire spirit world, Asuka sensed something must have really snapped in Rei.
"Wow, you don't take rejection well," Asuka teased off handedly. There was no reason to intervene yet. Rei hadn't particularly done much in the way of conquering the spiritual realm for Cusillu. She saw no reason to stifle her sudden interest in the area now.
It's about time you lent more of a hand. I'd given up hope. Cusillu complained, glad that losing that boy had benefitted rather than hindered him. His vessel rolled her eyes used to the spirit's furious tantrums. She consoled herself with the fact that she wasn't doing exactly what he wanted. There wouldn't be anything left to rule and that suited her just fine.
It was freeing to not have any pressure on her for once. So much so that Rei laughed and stroked the hair of their newest blue-eyed member. We blew up an entire city for you, boy. Yeah, totally worth it. She muttered to herself. Knowing that she shouldn't really keep the babe from a well deserved rest, she brought her attention back to her friend.
"Look who's talking," Rei teased right back. Rei had good reason to suspect discouraging heart break in Asuka's future. Although her plans to teach had fallen to the way side, the girl in front of her was fixated on the moments before her death bed. Rei deduced that Judai would have been the last person she saw alive. She wouldn't put it past Judai to simply have forgotten whatever trivial thing occurred, whether snoring, breakfast, or some meandering tale of his. They weren't his last breaths. Besides, there would be a great deal to distract him once Asuka was allowed to summon him. Frankly, Rei still didn't quite believe Judai's powers stretched his life span all that much. Then again, Johan had survived on his monsters's favor and sheer will alone. She presented a cheery facade half heartedly.
Unaware of Rei's misgivings, Asuka returned a brief smile before her thoughts traveled to two missing toddlers from her entourage. Without warning, her temper lit, turning on Jim who, once again, came under fire for performing below her expectations.
"Where are the other two? I swear I will decapitate you if even one of them is dead." She shouted, dangerously close to strangling the terrain expert. He almost tripped from the unexpected attack. One minute, she and Rei were chatting amiably, and next, she's demanding her young. Jim grumbled to himself. He restrained her hands in an attempt to defend himself. Unfortunately, he ran into complications that where not as likely to be brushed aside.
"I'm afraid someone else found them first," he confessed, and she pulled her weight down on him so he fell backwards. He hit the ground hard, making him wince. As she neared him, Jim began to contemplate if his body could still scar. It hadn't taken much for her to decide to mar Johan's face. He misplaced two whole human beings. It was lucky that Edo chose to finally speak.
"Take a chill pill, we know where they are. A woman has been gathering kids from all over the place. I think she's opening up an orphanage. I hope things go well for her," Edo announced regretfully, and it must have brought back memories of when he funded an orphanage because he looked very sincere. Asuka let got of Jim at the news and debated whether it was worth mentioning before finally broaching the subject. Yes, she needed his full cooperation and that would mean hitting his sense of justice, hard.
"I'm sorry. It must hurt to be the murderer instead of the victim," she alleged, and he lunged at her accordingly. They tumbled in the abundance of dust, neither budging. She laughed throwing the pulverized powder at him. He sneezed momentarily, caught off guard. She punched him in the jaw, and she got a chance to continue making her point.
"You may not have done the act, but you're still one of us. Any good you did in your life has pretty much been undone," she stated, gesturing to the wreckage around them. Edo clutched his head painfully in response. The accusation bothered the very core of his soul, but he turned on her. He figured everything occurred because of her plan and potential reward. If he ever wished to rest again, she would have to die. Edo's rage gave him the advantage as he lunged and tore her clothes and skin. She hadn't expected the sudden jerk and fell to the ground. His hands closed around her neck. The others finally reacted, moving to help her. She shook her head, gasping horribly. This was her fight to win. They all need to know she was quite capable of thwarting any death threats. She closed her eyes tucking her legs to her torso so that she kicked forward and finally tossed him aside.
"But, you can make up for it if you help me." She panted from the ground. She rubbed her throat, shaking slightly from the rush of energy to her muscles. Edo twitched from the same sort of juice. Fubuki needlessly rocked the already sleeping boy, unable at the moment to help his sister, a thought that nagged at him horribly. Jim looked on, unsure whether helping either would give him what he really wanted, freedom. On the more reactive end of the spectrum, Rei lifted Asuka up while Ryo restrained Edo from lunging again. Edo easily pushed him aside. He dusted his beyond dirty robe and glared at her suspiciously.
"How?" Edo demanded promptly. Asuka cleared her throat and bit her lip. What she was about to propose would sound asinine.
You wouldn't dare. Aslla Piscu raged when he read what she planned to do. She didn't waver. In a hundred years, the beast hadn't given her a reason to fear him.
I want them to be safe. She reasoned. The humming bird pressed heatedly in her mind with annoyance. She groaned and fell to the ground. She heaved rapidly, and visions of her death weighed heavily on her.
I gave you life, and I can take it away. Do not surrender the signers. If you let them go, they will kill you. The immortal warned, frustrated by her sudden disobedience. He wasn't used to it. She tried her best not to feel flustered by her sudden lack of control. She hadn't felt so vulnerable since her death.
Her companions backed away from the struggle. The orange flare of Asuka's arm warned them not to approach the struggle of servant and god. Her skin cracked in warning that she listen and repent. The ravaging destruction of the terror hindered her ability to protest. For several agonizing seconds, it seemed she would crack completely like a broken vase. Fortunately, her immortal had taught her well how to manage intense pain. She concentrated and addressed the god who dropped all previous pleasantries, it beat its wings furiously, a sensation not welcomed in her skull.
In two years, give me two years. I need time to get everyone in agreement. I will not let my children die because of in fighting. I wish to build a castle here, complete, with a worshiping altar. Please, I still want them, but they need a home. She added sincerely. Aslla Piscu considered the proposal and relented. A year or two wouldn't completely undermine their plans. The winged god still found the idea weak minded but with the proper handling, it could extend his influence nicely.
You're scared, and the rest will realize that as soon as you say it. The creature remarked. She nodded, slightly frazzled. She pictured her brain singed and charred beyond repair. She felt the familiar cool sensation associated with healing. When enough of the goo restored her senses, she retaliated.
You forget that I know them. I guarantee you that they will see it as a punishment. She decided, remembering their expeditions to the mall. She was sure that those smiling faces weren't a simple deception. The humming birds wing beats slowed in response, and it chortled.
Prove it. The god challenged confidently. She smiled and stood. As you wish, she replied curtly. The beating she received reminded her dearly of that deal.
"Take me to them," She ordered Edo. He nodded, unsure if she truly knew of a way to make his hands feel less bloody.
I laughed when I pictured their dying faces. Edo thought, suddenly disgusted with himself. Ccapac Apu cackled like a hyena. Edo visibly saddened from the brute's presence as he led everyone past the identical sand dunes.
You're always like this when you're sober. The god murmured displeased by his hosts current doom and gloom attitude. Edo growled involuntarily at the god.
I was doing fine until you decided to rewire my brain all those years ago. I've been nothing but your play thing for over a damn century. He shouted at the massive behemoth that resided within him or at least partly. The creature ignored his vessels' complaints and corrected him.
You were bleeding to death when I found you, so no, you were not doing just fine, and I've kept my end. You haven't had a dull day since I picked you. You don't really have a problem with our arrangement, or you would never lose control. Deep down, you don't want the guilt and responsibility that's plagued your life. Ccapac Apu insisted, and Edo quieted knowing the entity had a point. He didn't like where the being choose to lead the discussion, however.
It's Aslla Picu's servant isn't it? She always gets on your nerves. Don't worry, once the world descends into darkness, you'll barely notice she's there. He promised in an attempt to console his playmate. Edo groaned in vexation. He hated when his god put too fine a point on his arguments with the blonde.
It's no big deal. She only picked on me because she wants something. Edo alleged because he understood her motives, but the idea that he helped make orphans out of so many kids really killed him on the inside. He felt the familiar tug of the immortal's touch. He didn't fight it. Despite dodging any sort of accusations, the god took note of his boy's displeasure, and Edo noticed that he distinctly remembered what troubled him, but it didn't particularly bother him anymore.
"Here we are," Edo announced to his tour group. The place was larger than Asuka had expected. The building stood mostly unscathed with a few cracks and dents on its surface. She could hear children playing comfortably inside. She also heard, who she assumed to be, Martha telling the children to settle down. The surrounding area was severely damaged in comparison to the orphanage, and Martha no doubt wished to keep thugs unaware of the area for now. Asuka asked her brother for Yusei, and he didn't appear too happy, connecting that they weren't here for a pick up but a drop off. The multitude of protests would begin soon, and she was aware that she would have to explain her reasoning as well as the potential division in ranks it could cause.
"You're leaving him here?" Rei questioned, confused by the sudden change of heart. As far as she knew, the children were almost the only thing Asuka thought about. Asuka nodded, looking down at the boy. She hadn't exactly gotten a good look at him in her rush to escape. The group was dead silent waiting for further elaboration, everyone except Manjoume, who opened her eyes to the deception among them. He was baffled by the route her worries had taken, but he accepted it. Asuka did not do things on a whim. Everything she did was always planned.
"I know you all are not exactly honest with me, what happened to Johan attests to that." Asuka glanced at Rei who rubbed her shoulders and avoided her gaze. She didn't press the matter further, and continued to what really made her fret.
" Most of you, at some point, have thought of killing this baby," she stated plainly and no one answered but she noted both Edo and Ryo stepped back involuntarily. She sighed because they certainly weren't the only guilty ones. The rest were horrified by the accusation, but she noted underneath that they wondered if she knew their specific plans on the matter. Manjoume shook his head in denial. No, they weren't his plans at all. She ignored his silent plea. No, some of her companions were simply not as cold blooded, but it didn't mean they could be trusted, even her brother. He still refused to join them fully. She had no doubt that if things got bad in their circle that he would run off with the children and do exactly what she was about to.
"So, I'm leaving him here with his brothers until we straighten things out at home. By the way, home is now Momentum's core. We're building a castle there. Any questions?" she asked, eyeing them cautiously. They were her friends sure, but they were also her enemies at the moment who were packing immortal strength. Rei raised her hand causing Asuka to roll her eyes but ultimately play along.
"Yes Rei," she addressed her with slight irritation. Rei smoothed her robes and opened her mouth wide before replying. The girl was an expert at annoying Asuka. In the last couple of decades, Rei had caused as much vexation as any of Edo's pompous barbs at her. Rei's specialty, sadly, dealt in pretending to be respectful when indeed she was patronizing the teacher.
"How do we know that these kids will still be the signers? Mr Fudo and Johan weren't originally." She pointed out, and Asuka stopped the lashing reply she planned and considered the question. It was certainly valid, but Asuka had a hunch concerning their enemy's instincts.
"Like our gods, the dragon has a collective memory. It remembered that Rudger would be a bad choice and made a roster change. Johan, on the other hand, suited its purpose. He knew us. In fact, he knew some of us a little too well," Asuka added brusquely. Rei lowered her eyes in response, but Asuka moved on with her little lecture.
"The Crimson Dragon places its mark on those it deems worthy. The dragon doesn't pass over potential because it's inconvenient. This batch has served the entity well. There shouldn't be a problem," She affirmed dismissively. Rei didn't comment, and Asuka assumed that she'd shamed her into a quiet period. The habit of raising their hands continued as Manjoume lifted his next. She waved her hands in recognition.
"Why a castle in the middle of nowhere?" He wondered as it seemed a bit frivolous compared to her usual tastes. Asuka smiled as she had planned its construction long ago.
"We'll be under a giant power source that we can use as we like. Not to mention once I choose to trust any of you, the isolation will keep my charges from too much outside influence," She explained although she didn't think toddlers would be hard to influence. They murmured in agreement that living in a castle didn't sound horrible. Both Manjoume and Edo sighed and silently grieved for their pocket books that would be drained considerably from the construction. Then, the conversations trickled. All eyes zeroed in onto the peaceful babe. Jim decided to voice what everyone was thinking.
"So, this is because of all of us?" Jim concluded and the others waited curiously for her response. His question remained unanswered. Asuka noticed the dimming sky and began to walk. She needed Yusei found before everyone retired to bed, having him stranded for a night wouldn't do. Her entourage stayed behind taking her silence to mean that they had indeed possibly signed their death warrant. Loose signers were enemies. It didn't help that they had expected the newcomers to provide much needed excitement. The tikes had become a much discussed joint property. The sudden lack of reward on top of a ran sacked city led to dire disappointment among them.
Asuka spotted two young boys in the courtyard. She identified them from Piscu's descriptions. They were playing tag and the taller blonde one was growing frustrated by the speedy red head. She chuckled at the innocent play. She almost hated to go through with it, but she just had to remember Ryo in combination with bath time to forget backing out. She hid behind a convenient piece of rubble and conjured a basket originally tucked away in their old far off hide out. She placed the boy in the enclosure causing him to shift slightly. Slowly, she placed him in front of her hiding place. A small carving of his name glittered in the moonlight inside the basket.
No way that I'm getting used to another name for you now. She thought, glad for some magical leeway on the plaques creation. She ducked when they got too close. She had no plans of revealing herself to them yet. She would need some way to get the boys attention without sticking around. She glanced at the sleeping boy before patting his head. Sorry buddy, she apologized silently. She shook the basket which disturbed the baby. He began wailing as he had done many times before, and she transported near enough that her charge was easily visible.
Jack stopped his chase of the younger boy and followed the sound. Jack navigated away from several piles of rubber heaps and junk laden turns until he found the loud creature. Jack analyzed the grubby face and wriggling wormy hands and didn't like what he saw. He stood there for a few seconds thinking that Martha would probably want the thing. She was taking care of anything that moved, provided that it was shorter than her. Crow realized that he no longer had his older brother's attention and hovered to see what the fuss was about. He spotted the alien creature and did the thing that made Jack find his follower incredibly hard to be around.
"Martha! Jack had a baby! Jack had a babyཀ Jack had a baby!" Crow belted furiously and repeatedly. Martha immediately came out of the building at the odd phrasing. She panicked slightly that they had left the nearby vicinity and listened for Crow's chanting. A few rips on her skirt and some unwelcome dirt later, she noticed the two peeked down at a basket on the floor. Martha blinked as she connected the pitiful howling and the abandoned basket. She marched her way over, careful to avoid sharp corners. In that time, Jack picked up the contraption and did what any annoyed kid would do to a screaming infant.
"Shut up!" Jack demanded and the infant quieted. No one ever had that response before. Martha reached her two most active charges and usurped control of the small bewildered bundle. She muttered a quick reprimand to Jack that would be furthered emphasized inside and worked instead on tiding up Crow's vocabulary.
"Crow, I think you meant Jack found a baby. There is a very big difference between the two that we will discuss when you're older, for now, just try to remember to use the right term." Martha explained, and Crow nodded furiously. The slow and steady procession began with Jack easily keeping up with Martha while Crow struggled. So much so that he skipped along and bobbed up and down as he tried to get a closer look at the new arrival. Martha sighed, sensing an onslaught of questions coming. She'd known the boy barely a few hours, but he had already proven to be a chatter box.
"Does he have a name yet?" Crow piped up excitedly. Martha delicately stepped over, what looked like the remains of a pitiful toaster.
"I suppose not," She muttered distractedly, narrowly missing a barbed wire on the hem of her long skirt. She'd have to shorten it if she planned to run after her small brood all the time. This left Crow the opportunity to voice his suggestion on the matter.
"Let's call him Raven," The red head proposed, picking up a stray card on the path. The toddler had discovered people tended to leave good stuff lying around. He'd gotten into the habit of scavenging. As far as he gathered, the explosion didn't leave many people to scold him. Martha considered the idea. Well, she had let him name himself. He'd been so proud of associating himself with his black wings that she'd let it go. He also obviously wanted to establish himself as a big brother to the infant. In their new dangerous local, she could use another set of eyes on him when he started to crawl. She might as well pair up the duo early. She surmised, but Jack had other ideas.
"You can't do that," Jack insisted passively. Martha raised an eyebrow. The blond refused much contact with her small pool of rescues. She considered the fact he spoke up at all a small miracle although Crow's company appeared to be the exception to his otherwise aloof nature.
"Why?" She asked him directly. She learned quickly that reasoning with Jack proved neigh impossible without proper preparation.
"He already has a name." He declared. Crow sulked slightly but soon had to focus on not being left behind. Jack pointed to the glimmering object in the corner that had evaded her vision. Luckily, the treacherous, if short, walk ended, Crow dashed inside, and Jack held the door for her. She set down the babe on her makeshift table, safe in his small shelter. She pulled out the curious object and read the description.
"Yusei," Martha said in surprise. She recognized the name and the silver material on the star-shaped name plate. This little one once had a prominent family and future, son of Mr Fudo, creator of Momentum. She gathered from her slim knowledge of the subject, mostly constructed from brief newscasts. Sleeping without a care, Yusei knew nothing of the opportunity and love gone from his life. She set the small keep sake down with determination. Well, she would make sure all of them still had a chance of a good life, regardless of what path no longer existed for them. She would start by selling the valuable precious metal to get food. She expected a tough road ahead of her, but this would keep them all afloat for a while.
Jack made his way purposefully to her. He stood in front of her, making himself as tall as possible. Then, he cleared his throat before speaking his mind.
"I found him. So where is my reward, my queen?" Jack demanded looking at her expectantly. Martha laughed at the declaration. Oh here, she was worrying about food and educating them, and to him, she was the richest lady in the neighborhood simply because she had a place to live. She figured out a nice compromise anyway.
"You get to be his big brother," She announced, gesturing to the basket. Jack looked horrified.
"That's a reward?" Jack mumbled suspiciously. He remembered from his adventure books that queens tended to give out gold. Martha let a small sign of worry escape her. She didn't have a crib for the child, but he wouldn't fit in the basket forever. She'd have Crow accompany her in the morning to fish for crib parts. The kid had hawk eyes, useful in their new environment. She figured it wouldn't be any harder to construct than her slightly crooked table.
"Yup, didn't you know? Kings are all about taking care of people," Martha explained to him, and he beamed from the insinuation. She noted the pitch black atmosphere outside and the dimming candle. The time had come for the long difficult trial of bed time.
"Jack, why don't you inform the others that it's time for bed." Martha suggested, and he immediately set off to do as he was told. She wasn't sure how long he'd stay obedient, but she appreciated it nonetheless. She picked up Yusei and proceeded to quiet the rebellion which was surely starting.
Meanwhile, Asuka had not left her post, watching the proceedings quietly. She flinched a little at the name suggestion. It had taken her a few years to accept Crow's namesake. The possibility of two bird brains made her fidget on her perch, hypocritical as it was considering her patron. She deduced that Jack had a careful eye. He'd noticed the small token easily. Seeing them get ready for the night did her good. They were safe in that lackluster building. If she planned to leave them here for a while, the least she could do was help spruce the place up. Still, she needed to wait for her accomplice to arrive.
"You still haven't told me a thing," Edo complained from behind her. He'd grown fond of suddenly appearing from behind all of them, especially since Asuka hadn't particularly taken the sudden fancy well. She would become spooked and attempt to beat the living tar out of him for a few seconds before realizing whom it was. Over the decades, she'd grown used to it. She only smiled at the accusation.
In fact, she'd grown used to a lot of things that normal people reacted to. Rei often called her a living statue, but she wasn't so immobile. Her perspective tended to slow and scale. Days mattered, little compared to years and decades were more significant than that, and finally a century still was huge to her. She'd only gone through one after all. This would change some now though. She just knew that the next two years would be agony. After all, two years was still so much to them. How much would she miss? Would they come with her when the time came? She wondered, but business had to come first.
"I know. I wanted to wait until everyone else left," She revealed, but did not elaborate if only to vex the impatient man further. He used to be so sure of himself. She remembered smugly. Now he doesn't even know what to do with his endless amount of free time. She observed, and sure enough, Edo swallowed his pride and asked again.
"What can I do to make up for all this?" He opened his arms, motioning to the junk and barren wasteland surrounding them. Much to his chagrin, her attention had left him as she noted the final kid travel to dream land. Edo scowled at her arrogant behavior. She'd heard him though and made her proposition accordingly.
"You still have funds?" She suggested casually. He looked over the modest building. He hadn't considered that option. Then again, they were stretches of time that he couldn't remember well. Edo wasn't as primp and polished as he used to be. Obvious things slipped by him sometimes.
"Take care of them. It won't make up for everything but it's a start," She declared and patted him on the shoulders. He didn't hate the idea, what kept him from completely buying the charity angle was Asuka's tendency to skew things.
"What's the point if we're just going to destroy this place again?" He retorted and began walking away. High winds assaulted their nighttime chat, and her robe fluttered and flapped, ruining her stoic countenance. She spit her hair out of her mouth and yelled to the retreating figure.
"We'll give the place protection from Armageddon," She promised, and he stopped momentarily. Their gods were fairly flexible, despite their bratty natures. He swore he felt a pin prick, but his god didn't grace him with its obnoxious presence. He supposed that was enough of a promise for now.
"Okay, but we're not gonna find anything open right now," Edo argued and eyed the pathetic scrap heap wearily. His mental stability maybe a mess, but he still didn't like seeing one. She gave up on staying cordial and let the wind swirl and beat her.
"Today, we're moving everything we bought for them to the orphanage. Unless you don't want to be a beast of burden for orphans?" She stated and stuck her tongue out at him. His brow crinkled. He shouldn't have started that. She tended to start the fights now, hey, at least she did something for a change when they did spar. He grabbed the cuff of her ensemble and led her back to the hide out.
"Come on Goldy Locks, let's cheer up some orphans," he ordered while she skipped along to keep up with his pace.
"Yay," Asuka proclaimed, happily. One ally gained, five more to go. She thought to herself.
I don't think your taking their immortals into account. Aslla Piscu cautioned, and she duly noted the warning. Right now, her baby needed a crib.
Edo took care to set up the variety of supplies they had accumulated over the years in the variety of rooms the place had. Edo found it surprisingly homey and spacious. He began in the living area which lay vacant while Asuka already set her sights on retrieving, what was quickly being called among them, her favorite. He rolled his eyes and caught her sleeve before she strayed too far.
"We need to do this quietly. Don't do anything stupid, loud, or both," He emphasized before adjusting the fancy shelf of books that she had insisted on dropping off.
Tch, like any of them are going to be hot shot scientists or anything. He grumbled and picked up a stray book.
"Don't worry. I'll be setting up Yusei's room," She said, sensing him close by. He dropped the box of toys that he planned to scatter across the room. The light thud noise didn't disturb the mass of children in the area.
"I'm not sure there are exactly enough rooms for that around here." Edo tried to let her down gently. Safer or not, it was still an orphanage. If they weren't filled now, they would be full soon.
"There is right now. This place is really big, and the kids don't like to sleep alone in the dark." She repeated her earlier observations to him. She wanted to set up the nursery. He wouldn't be alone for long, but that was more of a comfort than anything. She walked into Martha's abode as sparse as the others. She zeroed in on the tiny frame next to her. Slowly, she made her way inside until she crouched next to the child.
"Hello," She whispered to the little star. His blue eyes traveled to her at the greeting. He gurgled oddly in response. Wide awake after sleeping all day. She picked him up, and he cooed happily. She shushed him, but it seemed Martha was a hard sleeper.
"You get so happy to get any attention at all. You'd think you were raised in a lab," She marveled, and soon, she realized he was.
"Oh well, let's get you a real crib," She murmured, glad to see that his mood seemed to improve by leaps and bounds since he was last awake. He continued to chatter nonsensically. She hoped no one around was a light sleeper. Asuka easily grabbed the crib, and a couple of other contraptions that the salesman at least told her would be useful. Yusei didn't particularly mind being rolled along the crib as long he could see her. He whined when she began setting up the surrounding space, so much so that she rolled him along as she worked. Edo face palmed as he witnessed her proceed and had only one thing to say.
"You're going to spoil them," Edo stated matter a factly. She stuck out her tongue and reached for the curtains.
"And if I left you in charge, you'd leave them somewhere in Nevada," she accused, and he shrugged off the comment. He wasn't that out of sorts, at least not right at the moment. She humphed and carried on. Eventually, everything was nice and tidy in his room. Without having to carry around the small banshee, Edo managed the rest perfectly. He resisted the urge to rub it in and informed her their current mission was complete. He had even left money for food on the counter.
"I'll see you at home." She informed him curtly. Edo pushed her roughly to express his displeasure.
She wants to get caught. He imagined, considering her careless attitude through the whole ordeal. Debating with himself for a bit, he guessed that if the cart marathon hadn't woken anyone that anything else she did in the next few minutes wouldn't matter.
"See ya," He replied and slid out the window before phasing out of existence. She shook her head and checked on the fussy squirming lump. She placed him in her arms, and he let out a high pitch squeak. She couldn't help but smile.
A helpless thing full of unconditional love, She concluded warmly.
Boy, I finally get what my brother had in mind when he had me hold a puppy. She mused as she rocked him.
He wanted me to want a child someday, with someone. She sighed, not that a someone was possible anymore. She'd always been a practical girl, and she'd fallen for an impractical boy who split across the universe. Of course, she would have rejected the idea of settling down immediately when she breathed and lusted for battle. However, that lust had ebbed into a calling, she had wanted to share the joy she felt when dueling with her students, and maybe, slip in some literature and science into the mix. That was gone now too, in its place was a different sort of nurturing, she would teach them everything.
Oh, how the gods change your perspective. She judged and frowned, because it was time to say good bye, sort of. She knew that she'd turn into a bit of a stalker, especially when he started to crawl.
"I'll see you later, Yusei," she promised, despite whatever life threatening thing stood in their way. Sensing that she planned to put him down, he began to wail. Normally, she would only be concerned that an unwanted trespasser would rush in, but painful incisors of heat burned into her. She nearly dropped him from the shock. She blinked profusely, not expecting the vermilion to blaze on his petite arm so soon. Her own insignia flared almost imitating the colors of the rising sun. At its presence, his screams reached a fever pitch. She desperately tried to console him. She didn't want to get caught, but she didn't want to leave him so distressed. So, she talked from the bottom of her heart.
"Okay, I probably deserve that for taking everything from you," She admitted as she circled impatiently and eyed the door. This admittance did nothing to deter him from his grievances. As painful as the dragon's bite was, she realized after a few seconds that the mark would do no worse.
He's too young to do much else. She noted while she shook silently from the powerful gnashes. Allsa Piscu's symbol shined as its energy quadrupled. She cursed profusely thinking perhaps that the humming bird had become fed up by his insolence. Thankfully, Yusei seemed to quiet and watch the orange rays with interest. She tensed when his tiny hand touched her mark and the dragon head's brilliance faded.
He likes me. Aslla Piscu remarked in surprise. She barely believed that. Yusei instinctively cried harder when the humming bird's lines first counteracted the crimson pattern. Yet, there he was examining the beast's form before giggling happily at its radiance. He tapped her markings lightly seeing if it would glow brighter. She sank down together with Yusei on the rocking chair in relief. No one had disturbed them although at any other time she would be indignant at the lack of alarm his cries induced.
He doesn't know better. She relayed to the immortal. She wasn't upset by his response. Far from it, the results were encouraging. The bird inhabited her mortal coil so the little one's approval made her brighten like a newly lit match. The bird hummed a haunting sort of tune before addressing his host.
He's going to like the color orange. The bird voiced for no particular reason. He sounded a bit smug to Asuka. She gathered having your bitter enemy's vessel like you added a particularly sick sweetness to the vengeance against them. The aerial earthbound wasn't done producing mischief.
You worry that he won't love you. Piscu surmised from her line of thought recently. She rocked the chair faster. Her god's examination of her consciousness made her feel ashamed, because he found weakness and petty human emotions. Tonight, this did not induce rage from the creature but amusement.
I can make him love you. The winged beast offered as the rampant energy focused on the child. The words sent chills down her spine from her crackling nerves. The boy showed no signs of immortal control, only a brief moment of clarity on whom this person was. The Nazca spirit had told him so.
"Mama," He greeted her, guided by his current mythical playmate. Asuka frowned at the introduction. The babe shouldn't have the mental capacity for speech yet. Her partner turned oddly stubborn about helping her at times. She slowed the chair a bit before reacting. She couldn't let the action slide, even if her brain mushed at the phrase. She corrected her winged companion.
"Don't tell him things that aren't true yet," She said aloud in a slightly reprimanding tone. The spirit ignored her attempt at any sort of authority, but withdrew its power from her arm. The little star complained slightly at the loss. She stood, ready to head out of the place. She prepared to ease him into the idea of her leaving. His cries would make any sort of sneak attempt to check on him difficult if she didn't correct the behavior early. She hummed the stray tune she heard once curtsey of Jaden's harmonica. Yusei's eyes drooped as she covered him in his blankets and continued the impromptu lullaby. Asleep, she easily sneaked past him. Closing the window, she dropped down on the dirt like a rag doll as the tension left her. She rubbed the mark on her arm as she thought of the scolding that Edo would certainly give.
Technically, I wasn't loud. The baby was. She rehearsed, not that she thought she would fool anyone. The speech was simply a maneuver to distract from the burns on her arms. The dark signers as a group were fragmented enough without the thought of the kids themselves attacking them.
She wandered away from the sparsely populated area to the simply lifeless center where only bits of sand accompanied her. Too drained to pull off any more teleporting, she managed to return to Momentum's center eventually and was not surprised to see her crew had retired to more civilized quarters. All except one, Asuka glanced up at Rei who stared down at the swirling mass with an unhealthy sort of longing. She knew better than to assume Rei meant to end her own life.
The rainbow touch of the potent energy must remind her of Johan. Asuka discerned, climbing up to join her. Rei turned and nodded to acknowledge her presence before maintaining her quiet vigil. The current dark signer leader wrapped her arm around the girl who accepted the contact without reacting. Then, Asuka proceeded to give the dumbest pep talk she'd ever have to give.
"You're still sad, aren't you?" Asuka deliberately inquired. She knew the answer, but Rei tended to discard her negative emotions quickly, if Rei planned to get any closure out of the ordeal, now was the best time. Rei bothered to react and swiped at her weakly.
"Yeah," Rei replied, not taking her eyes of the vortex below. Asuka continued despite general lack of enthusiasm.
"You miss him," Asuka responded dryly. Rei lit up a little at Asuka's dull comment. Rei squeezed Asuka's hand and stole a glance at her before answering.
"Yeah," She said, astonished by the truth. She was tormented by the utter complexity of their relationship, but the whole thing boiled down to lamenting his passing. He was gone, and she was not. She found the idea difficult to swallow. Asuka rubbed Rei's palm soothingly whilst getting to her big idea.
"You want to remember him?" Aslla Picu's keeper questioned, and Rei embraced her and nodded into her shirt. Asuka encircled the young dark signer and offered her a gift.
"Then, you will. In your chambers you shall have a shrine to honor him, and at our altar, there will be a special place dedicated to both Johan and the crystal beasts." Asuka promised as Rei tightened the hug. She sniffed and rubbed her eyes.
"Thank you," Rei told her gratefully. She patted her back accordingly.
Anything to get you past this. Asuka thought whole heartedly. A weight lifted from Rei's shoulders, she released Asuka and stepped back from the reactor. She bore her gaze at Asuka and countered her question.
"Do you think everything will work out for us?" Rei asked uncertainly. The path they led almost seemed impossible. The way it started, how happiness was wretched from them so easily, and the fact Asuka seemed so eager to invite the grim reaper to the party, not that she had anything against Judai personally. Asuka twirled around the top of the machine for a few minutes before sitting down which Rei gladly imitated. Asuka kept her attention on the stars before reassuring her fearful friend.
"Yes, we have a bright future," Asuka foretold with a far away mind, rubbing the burns on her arms.
Thank you for tolerating the long wait. I'd like to thank everyone for their interest in this story and for taking the time to review. I appreciate it.