Chapter 4
So what is this great skill that every Finder must know? Chloe had a mild frown on her face as she though about Cross' sanity. Here she was a seventeen-year old who just so happened to be a Finder cooking. Yes cooking. After making tons of different dishes General Cross Marian still had room to devour everything. After many failed attempts at cooking, Chloe had managed to improve enough for her food to be edible. Only a month had passed but she had learnt basic combat, seals and well cooking. "I cannot believe that you can eat so much!!" Chloe stared in disbelief as she watched her master gobble down more food.
"Well I'm hungry." He replied simply as if it weren't obvious enough. "Trust me your cooking skills are a whole lot better." He shuddered as he remembered the first attempt at cooking. Chloe rolled her eyes and washed the empty plates. "Though I am very surprised, we still have not discovered your Innocence." He thoughtfully stated. Chloe paused and sighed. Clearly this was the ideal time to blurt out I told you so. Instead she continued washing and drying the dishes. "There is not much left to teach you about being a Finder. I think you should go on missions and see if anything can trigger your Innocence." This time he sounded doubtful now rethinking if he had mistaken his premonition.
"Oh now you are not so confident?" Chloe chuckled as she teased him. This was just as good as rubbing it in and saying I told you so. He twitched with annoyance and Chloe could feel the irritation radiating off him. Knowing that this would result with some type of consequence she threw the apron she had been wearing onto the counter. Since this hadn't been the first comment that had bothered him today he immediately went from irritated and suddenly to pleasant? Chloe shivered as she took notice of the sudden mood change. These swings were worse than aggravation because she could deal with annoyed Cross but not happy Cross. When he was happy it was because he discovered some way to get back at her. It was a constant battle between the two and competition was fierce.
"You know what I just remembered that I sent Supervisor Komui a letter about you. I forgot to mention that you are meeting him today." Cross had lightly tapped his fist onto the open palm of his hand as he made the motion as if it had just crossed his mind. Chloe once again stared in disbelief. Charlotte was out teaching new Finders, Everett was on another mission and Benjamin was goofing off and avoiding all work probably napping. How would she manage to contact and say farewell? "Visiting the Academy is an option." Cross raised his eyebrows slightly as he noticed her incredulity.
"Why should I go to Headquarters now?" Chloe knew that it was bound to happen but she didn't think that it would happen so soon. Somehow she felt that she finally become content with her new identity.
"Sorry kiddo but they need new Finders desperately." Cross mentioned bluntly. The truth seared into the silence. Chloe shrugged and decided she might as well go. Everyone was busy she should at least make the best of her spare time. "Well off you go. I need to leave before Central finds me. I will come find you when your Innocence appears." Cross said as he rapidly started moving about leaving Chloe in a cloud of confusion.
"Wait a minute!" Chloe screeched as the general attempted transport her. "What do you mean before Central finds you? Do I need to repeat that I do not and will not get Innocence?" Chloe spluttered out questions that were obviously not going to be answered. Now Cross didn't hesitate as he shoved her through hallways. Unfortunately due to the extreme difference in strength Cross had no trouble moving the petite Finder but Chloe was struggling to articulate proper sentences because she was so overwhelmed. With millions of questions that were clearly going to be left unanswered she was crafting the questions so that Cross may possibly answer. Her focus was unaware to the changing surroundings. No longer in bright airy hallways she had arrived in dark dingy cramped walkways. When Chloe had managed to take a good look around it had been too late. With one final shove Chloe ungracefully stumbled across the threshold of the Ark.
"Give my regards to Allen." Cross's voice faded away as Chloe collapsed onto the ground. She shouted after his disappearing silhouette but her voice was cast aside in the resounding silence of the Ark. Adjusting to the brightness Chloe's gaze was met with white washed buildings matched with little flower boxes perched beneath windows that were adorned with vibrantly coloured shutters. Searching for the entrance that she had entered through but failing to find the non-existent opening she wandered across cobbled streets when she realized she had absolutely no idea what direction the Headquarters was. Then as if by coincidence a sign shaped like an arrow was labeled in many languages. It said, "Headquarters this way." in English at the top. Chloe felt a bit foolish for not noticing the bright neon yellow sign immediately but came across three others. Finally it led up to a wooden door which was quite simple even the sign that was taped upon it had nothing on it but the word, "Headquarters.". Chloe cautiously contemplated on what she should do. Unsure she hesitantly knocked lightly against the thick door. Waiting impatiently she tapped her feet and drummed her fingers quietly against her leg. With no response Chloe went ahead and pushed the door open. Darkness welcomed the teen as her feet landed on a metal staircase that led to the floor. Clutching onto the railing lighting was limited to the screens of a couple of computers scattered around on tables placed obscurely around the room.
"I have got her!!!" A voice pierced the soundless room and instantly the figure had knocked her down the stairs. Both the ambusher and Chloe lay crumpled on the floor. Soon bright floodlights washed the room in stark brightness. Surrounding the pair cloaked Finders stood ready to apprehend the intruder. Under the watchful eyes of Finders they each noticed her small stature and clothing. Chloe was wearing the experimental Exorcist clothing. Although she did not have the Rose Cross emblazoned onto a coat the Science Department's work was just as obvious. The Finder who had jumped her retreated immediately. Unfortunately everyone still circled around her. Rubbing her sore head Chloe's silver eyes noted the amount of Finders.
"What is going on?" The question was calm and eased the tension filling the cavernous room. Rushed voices and explanations flew through the air and none were heard among the chaos. The voice remained quiet but the source walked over to Chloe. Silver hair with matching eyes bent down to offer a hand to Chloe. An intricate marking adorned his left eye. "I am Allen Walker. Who are you?" His question was gentle and polite. As the name registered in Chloe's memory bank her attention snapped into place.
"I am Chloe Philips. General Cross says hello to you by the way." Her nonchalant statement caught everyone off guard. The previous pandemonium had halted at the mere mention of Cross' name. Allen froze in shock as he comprehended the simple sentence. "Have I got the wrong Allen?" Chloe's face showed a tiny portion of her panic. Really she wasn't even sure if she had arrived at the right place.
"No I am Cross' pupil. Though how do you know him?" Allen's enormous shock faded slightly as he tried to be polite when interrogating. Chloe thought about how she should answer the question in a condensed format.
"Well," Chloe paused as she dragged out her answer, "I met him purely by chance and was forced by the Academy to be taught by him. They all swear that I have Innocence but I believe that it is just wishful thinking on their part. Now he has run out of things to teach me so he sent me here in hopes that I discover my Innocence. Though knowing him he has probably escaped the Academy through the Ark into some other dimension." Chloe spoke all in one breath shrugging her shoulders. Although she hadn't known Cross for very long she had discovered his nature to avoid certain things. Allen rolled his eyes as he heard about the sudden disappearance and dumping another apprentice at Headquarters. "So…" Chloe's voice trailed off at the awkward situation before her.
"She's harmless. All of you do not have to stay." Allen declared to the others with a pleasant smile. Slowly the crowds of people were filing out of the room. Untrusting Finders lurked in tight circles whispering words of doubt. Just when Allen was going to speak another interruption occurred.
"I cannot find Lenalee!!!!" A man dressed in a white uniform with the Rose Cross burst into the room apprehensive and frantic. His glasses hanging off the tip of his nose and his frizzy black hair was captured by a crumpled beret. Everyone stared at the Supervisor accustomed to his unusual behavior. Chloe sat gaping at the eccentric and frenzied man. "She has disappeared!!!" Running around in small circles the Chinese man ran blindly. Suddenly he halted with a screech. "Who is this?" He curiously asked peering at the tiny blonde next to Allen.
"This is Chloe Philips." Allen introduced her while she was still in shock at the man's sudden arrival. "Chloe this is Supervisor Komui." Allen spoke not expecting any reaction from the blonde.
"So you are the one who changed the academy and the Headquarters to look alike!!!" Chloe exclaimed with her index finger pointing accusingly at Komui. The remaining Finders knew about the academy but Allen was at a loss of such knowledge. "You taught at the academy for a little bit didn't you?" Chloe asked quietly. "Charlotte spoke well of you." Chloe added in politely remembering it was rude to point at people.
"Yes I did teach at the academy. Charlotte was such a sweetheart. She is almost as cute as Lenalee!~" Just as Komui finished the sentence he abruptly remembered about Lenalee. "LENALEE!!!" Komui's sudden shouting caused everyone surrounding him to wince.
"Brother! Stop carelessly causing scenes!" Lenalee scolded Komui as he clenched onto her with an iron grip. Everyone sighed whether from relief that he found her or fatigue as the outcome. Chloe felt alone in such a different environment. She may as well have been from another planet. Even Cross' annoying smug smirk would have cheered her amongst so many strangers. Adapting in another society was unfortunately not one of her strong abilities. Allen observed the new girl and noticed her hesitance and wondered how she had arrived directly into the Headquarters.
"I did not climb the ridiculous cliff we are standing on." Chloe spoke reading the wonder within his eyes. Shock became more prominent at her unexpected accuracy. "I did study the configuration of Headquarters. Cross made me come through the Ark." Chloe seemed well acquainted with the Ark and did not feel any exceptional feelings towards the name anymore. Although the actual transportation still amazed her. Most of the distrustful Finders had returned to previous duties before the interruption. Komui who had calmed down after finding Lenalee and a cup of coffee returned to the quiet Finder.
"Come quickly Chloe. If Cross has sent you, then you must have great potential." Komui stated in a somewhat business tone. Unintentionally the blonde rolled her eyes and both Lenalee and Allen had caught the look. "Hevlaska must assess your abilities and if possible determine bits of your future." Komui increased his speed and directed her to an elevator that appeared like an upside-down pyramid. Leaning against the railing the three teens waited as the elevator descended. Soon Chloe's silver eyes gazed at the looming serpent-like creature. Faintly glowing with a soft shimmer, wispy arms reached for Chloe. Gently the Finder was cocooned in the glowing mist. As Hevlaska searched within the body for any signs of Innocence she was struggling. Hevlaska could sense a strong dormant power but it was foreign. Unwelcoming towards Hevlaska Chloe's power was resisting.
"Chloe Philips. You do not have Innocence." Hevlaska's voice echoed in the vastness. Everyone was rather surprised including Chloe who had begun to believe in General Cross. "But a dormant power lies within you. It must develop before it can become great. Your future is obscured more so than others, but a faint path has showed to me that you are a key point in the prophecy. Whichever side you choose will affect and alter everything that will occur beyond that point. The Destroyer of Time and the Thousand Year Duke lay awaiting your arrival to the centre stage." Hevlaska's voice dimmed to almost nothing. Confusion muddled Chloe's thoughts and her future did not appear clearer to her. Unknown to the group two shadowy figures many floors above had heard Hevlaska's prediction and they had fully comprehended her future. Everyone else had a greater understanding of the prophecy than Chloe because she lacked knowledge.
"Thank you Hevlaska." Chloe politely thanked the Exorcist as she placed Chloe onto the elevator. "Now I can officially say to General Cross I do not have Innocence." Chloe was almost relieved to discover the lack of Innocence but anguish for what the future withheld from her.
"Although I said that you do not have Innocence the foreign power you possess is very different and too weak for me to determine." Hevlaska warned Chloe because that dormant power was as dissimilar as it was alike to Innocence.
"For now Chloe I will register you as a Finder. I assume that you have retrieved sufficient education from the academy." Komui wrote sentences across his clipboard in Chinese. Somehow Chloe had a sneaking suspicion that Komui was just fooling around by writing things about Lenalee. She confirmed that they were legal papers as she read bits and pieces of English fitted in the Chinese sentences. "Now that you are a Finder of the order you can have Lenalee and Allen both show you around. Remember to pick up your Finder's coat in the 4th section of the Science Department." Komui waved casually as he operated the elevator. As the steady movement upwards was relaxing Chloe's frazzled mind it lurched randomly. Clutching the railing everyone swore as the elevator violently swung off course. Chloe hung tightly dangling off the swinging elevator. "Hooray for disasters." She thought.
To Be Continued…