This has got to be the fastest chapter I have put up yet. If the speed of the update has taken away from the quality of the chapter, I apologize (Do I apologize every chapter?). It felt important to get this chapter up as soon as possible - it has to do with Hevlaska and the Prophecy for Allen's Innocence (which is SLIGHTLY different - don't worry, when we get later in the story, everything will reveal itself in due time).
I feel this chapter is a little boring. Haha, I suppose that is normal for a quickly written chapter. It also happens to be the shortest chapter so far. I think that's hardly fair, but Writer's Block fell in front of me when I tried to go further. PLEASE tell me if you find anything confusing or incorrect - it is VERY common in speedily written chapters.
Disclaimer: I do not own D. Gray Man, Katsura Hoshino does.
Oh yes, to my readers - Do you feel like I'm lagging or hurrying the storyline too much? So far, I've taken 1 - 2 manga chapters for one chapter of this story. If that is too slow / fast, please let me know - I'll change the story later to reflect majority votes.
Other than that, please enjoy this chapter.
Canis Lupus
Chapter 4 – Hevlaska and Prophecy
"Welcome to the Black Order and your new home, Allen Walker."
Home, hm?
Glancing at the clipboard, Lenalee looked up at Kanda, who seemed ready to bolt at any moment. She sighed. "Kanda, mission success. You can go now-"
As soon as the word 'go' had left Lenalee's mouth, Kanda was off, striding down the hallway.
Lenalee watched him go, shaking her head, as if expecting it. "And I still had one more thing to tell him too…" She brightened instantly. "But-!" Lenalee turned to Allen, smiling. "I get to show you around. Nii-san has a few things to prepare before he briefs you on everything." She began to walk down the hallway, following the direction Kanda had disappeared into.
"The Order is quite large, so it is normal to get lost if you are new." Lenalee explained as the pair strolled around the Headquarters.
Allen nodded silently. Being a wolf in this case is an advantage then. I can smell the aroma of the cafeteria food from here.
Lenalee continued with the tour. "Right now, we're walking over the training level over there." She gestured over the railing on the walkway they were on. It was bare save for a few practice dummies which had obviously seen much use due to the wear. Stepping off the walkway, they moved into a room with several striped couches and low coffee tables. "This is the lounge." Lenalee walked into the stairwell and began climbing, her boots clacking against the granite. "There are other rooms too, such as the library and the science labs, but I'll show them to you later." Stopping at an exit in the stairwell, Lenalee moved in front of the open space, as if trying to prevent the wolf from going in. "This is the fourth floor. Komui's personal labs are located here. Don't come to this floor. Ever." Lenalee deadpanned with a bright smile. "Let's keep going." She abruptly continued walking upwards.
Uh… Allen glanced through the exit and saw a battered door of metal, covered with a red cross which was smeared on with…
Allen paled and quickly hurried after the Asian Exorcist.
"Oh yes, and under normal circumstances, Exorcists get their own rooms."
Own rooms? Allen repeated, unable to keep the excitement out of his voice. Wait… He frowned. Under normal circumstances?
"Yeah, about that…" Lenalee scratched her head, sheepish. "Since you are a special exception, my brother planned to have you roomed with another Exorcist. I hope you don't mind."
I have no problems, but… is the room big enough to accommodate both of us?
"Yes, we are having your roommate moved to a larger room for you two to share." Lenalee checked her clipboard. "I think we have to go find Nii-san now."
Wait, one last question, who-
"Allen! Lenalee!" Allen was interrupted from asking the vital question by Komui, who had appeared from nowhere. "We are going to the Biology section. They have everything prepared."
Biology? Allen asked, confused.
"Yes, Allen, since your body can't be treated and healed like any other Exorcist, I've requested the help of the biology section, who are well versed with human as well as animal anatomy."
Treated? Allen looked surprised. I'm fine.
"I had Kanda-kun report while you were knocked out. He said your body constantly receives rebounds from the Innocence since it is practically a part of you. This is just a precautionary measure to ensure your… capacity to fight."
I see. Allen bowed his head, glancing at the ground, a contemplative expression playing on his canine face.
"Astounding…" Reever Wenham, Science Department Head exclaimed. A full analysis of the Exorcist wolf's anatomy was splayed on the monitor in front of him. Reever was present to oversee and ensure the accuracy of the reports made by the biology department. "Supervisor, this here-" Reever tapped a pointer against the screen at an organ in the wolf's body. "Allen here is fully wolf, through and through- however, the only difference is that this organ exists. This organ produces and maintains Innocence in all the cells. Basically, he is Innocence in a canine form."
Hey! Allen exclaimed, insulted, while being scanned by the machines.
"Oh, sorry about that, Allen." Reever rubbed his head. He would never get used to this telepathic thing.
"Continue the report, Reever." Komui stared intently at the screen, curious.
"Right. Any previous wounds – or at least, evidence of wounds existing," Reever pointed at two different places on the screen, which were fading slowly, but noticeably. "-are disappearing at a much faster rate than normal."
Komui examined the monitor with sad eyes. Just like Kanda-kun, huh… "Allen." He said loudly, bringing the wolf's attention to him.
Yes, Komui?
"Were you… born with this organ, or did you synchronize with Innocence sometime in your life?"
Allen remained silent for a moment. I… believe I was born with it. My mind was at the surface.
"What do you mean?" Komui's brows furrowed in confusion.
Humans believe that animals are just mindless creatures with no heart or thought except for our own. That's untrue. We… we have a mind, which is normally completely overwhelmed by our instincts. The Innocence born with me reversed that, allowing me the capability of telepathic speech in addition.
"Are you able to communicate with other animals?" Komui pressed on.
… I was abandoned at birth by my birth mother. The voice continued, not betraying any sadness or regret. Was there a hint of… bitterness? I was abandoned because I could interact with humans. I could not talk to my family because of the Innocence within me. But I learnt of you, the Black Order, and the Innocence within me from one of your own.
"Who?" Komui was stumped. Who could have discovered Allen with his Parasitic Innocence and never have reported it to the Order?
I do not know. All I remember is silver hair and a sea of gray.
"Well, since your wounds were almost fully healed anyway and I can't access the Innocence, I won't be able to operate." Komui nibbled on his finger sadly, mourning at the loss of the chance to operate.
Allen briefly recalled the large drill. He shuddered.
As the platform the two were on slowly descended into the darkness, Allen glanced around nervously. The light was beginning to lessen.
Uh… Komui, where are we going?
"Oh, didn't I tell you?" Komui looked at him, away from the controls he was operating. "We're going to see Hevlaska."
Hevlaska?
"You'll see." Was all Komui offered ominously.
Allen decided not to hear and found a sudden interest in the railing. Within 10 mere minutes of meeting the man, one message had been clearly sent to him: Komui was insane.
"You possess the Innocence of God…" A chorus of voices greeted Allen as the platform came to a stop. "Once again, we have grasped God…"
Allen stood up and stretched before spotting a light set on several people seated in a row.
"Don't worry." Komui reassured. "They are the Grand Generals, the people of our Boss." Komui looked to the darkness surrounding them. "Now, show your worth."
Excuse me? Allen began incredulously before several tentacle like vines wrapped around him, pulled him off the platform and into the darkness. Soon he found himself held up several meters up and away from the platform he was previously on, staring straight at a large luminescent creature which appeared to be female.
"Inno… Innocence…" The creature rasped out in a feminine voice. The tentacles wrapped around Allen began to painlessly probe through his veins and body.
What… Feeling an abrupt dizziness, Allen's mind passed out, unawares to Komui.
Strange… this is… familiar, somehow… Hevlaska mused as she probed the Innocence.
It has been a long time, Hevlaska. A boy with hair as white as pure snow appeared, adorning a black Exorcist coat. A jagged scar ran down the left side of his face, a reversed star cut neatly above his left eye.
Allen?
Welcome to my soul. The boy answered, standing in the midst of a gray void.
"Hevlaska? Hevlaska?" Komui was worried. Hevlaska had never lost focus like this.
The ethereal form twitched slightly. "…Komui?" The echoing voice asked.
"What happened?" Komui glanced at the bundle of fur that was Allen, still within Hevlaska's grasp. The wolf hastily shot up.
…huh? Allen's wolfish head whipped around. What just happened?
"I've finished probing your Innocence…" Hevlaska stated slowly. "Please do not be frightened… I merely wanted to… touch your Innocence and learn about it…" She lowered Allen to the platform, steadying him before releasing the tentacle-like arms.
The wolf bowed its head. I'm sorry for panicking.
"No worries, Allen-kun~!" Komui waltzed up next to the wolf, scratching his ears. "Hevlaska has that kind of impression on every – wan?" Komui managed to avoid getting bitten as Allen sunk his jaws into the clipboard he was holding.
…can I bite you? Just this once?
"Ahahahaha…" Komui backed off nervously. "You've had your try! Now, Hevlaska, what's your conclusion?"
"Synchronization rate… 93%..."
Synchronization rate?
"A numerical representation of your capability in activating and fighting with your Innocence." Komui explained quickly.
"The lower the number… the harder it is to invoke…" Hevlaska finished. "Allen Walker… your Innocence… will bring about the Conclusion… be it for better for worse, I do not know… but the fate you carry on your shoulders is greater than any other… you must remember yourself so as to not get crushed by this great burden… this is what I sense…"
"Interesting…" Komui murmured, thinking. He remained silent for a few moments before he seemed to remember something. "Oh yeah, Allen… do you know the story?"
What story?
"I'll take that as a no then. Every Exorcist has to know this story. Only the Priests, the Vatican, and the Millennium Earl know of it. It is rather long, so get comfortable." Komui leaned against the railing of the platform.
It all began a century ago. A cube was found.
"To our descendents…
We won against the darkness,
Yet some were lost in the process.
As time progresses,
The darkness will return.
And so, we leave you with this message…"
That cube carried inscribing from previous Apostles of God, far back in time. It gave instructions on how to use 'God's Crystal' – otherwise known as Innocence.
Anti-akuma weapons are forged from Innocence. However, only compatibles can use it. They are known as God's Apostles… or Exorcists.
The Cube, Innocence, was used by its creator to fight against the Millennium Earl. They won the war.
But ultimately, the world came to an end. This is recorded as "Noah's Great Flood". The Cube, however, dubs it the Three Days of Darkness, and predicts such an event will reoccur in the future.
Following the Prophecy, the Earl has returned, and with it, the revival of the Black Order and the Apostles. As a result of Noah's Flood, the Innocence has spread throughout the world. The Earl's army is moving…
"The Earl is seeking to destroy all Innocence so he can be victorious in this war. There are 109 pieces of Innocence in total. The Black Order's purpose is to gather an army of compatibles to counter the Earl's. Ultimately, it is a race against time to find Innocence. If we lose…"
The world will end. Allen nodded, understanding.
"Fight!" A cry rose from one of the seated figures. Allen turned to look at them, surprised.
"That is your duty, Apostle. You have been chosen by the Innocence. It is your duty. Fight!"
Allen quietly pawed at the ground. It is… a big responsibility.
"Yes. With you, we have 19 Exorcists in total now. They are currently scattered all over the world on missions. But did you know? Hevlaska's an Exorcist too!"
Is that true?
"I'm a different type… than all the other Exorcists… I'm the accommodator of the Cube… but… I have met many Exorcists… may God protect you, Allen… may He protect you… this time…"
This time?
Komui seemed not to have heard the last of Hevlaska's words. "Thank you very much, Hevlaska. We'll take our leave now."
Hevlaska sent him away with a curt nod before sinking back into the darkness. The platform began to rise.
This time? The weight that those words carried to him…
Lenalee was there to greet them when the platform returned to its docking station. "Nii-san." She greeted. Making it almost seem polite, Lenalee continued by passing a message. "Reever-san told you to stop idling and to get back to those papers."
Komui lunged at his sister, hugging her tightly. Comical tears escaped like fountains from his eyes. "B-but, but! There's so many of them!"
"Work it out." She said bluntly with a smile before handing him over to a livid Reever. She turned to Allen, who had been watching the entire interaction with amusement. "I'm going to take you to your room now. I think your roommate is in there."
Following Lenalee, the two walked down a flight of stairs and down a long hallway.
Allen glanced at the decorations covering the walls, which included various paintings and medieval-like statues.
"Here we are." Lenalee stopped in front of an ordinary wooden door.
Allen whipped his head around. They were near the end of the hallway.
I forgot to ask earlier, but who is my roommate-
Allen caught sight of a painting hung next to the door of his new room. It depicted an eerie clown figure bearing a coffin shaped object on his back, a cross engraved into the center of it. The impression was given that the clown was walking, a shackle attached to the wrist closer to the front – left – of the painting. Somehow, it was… nostalgic.
A red hand touched the painting.
"Hey, Mana…"
Fate won't decide for me. I will make my own choices.
"Keep walking forward… don't ever stop… I promise. I will keep walking forward until the day I die."
"Allen?"
Allen snapped out of his reverie. Sorry, what?
"You spaced out for a second there…" She eyed him concernedly. "But, time to meet your roommate." Lenalee raised her fist and knocked on the door.
After a few moments, footsteps were heard approaching. The door swung open with a creak. "… what." An all too familiar gruff voice grunted.
…Kanda?
"Moyashi?" The incredulous look was replaced with a scowling face. "What are you doing here?"
And that is it for the first chapter.
If my portrayal of Allen feels 'weak' to you (like he does in many other stories) by making him faint and pass out all the time (that's the impression I received), sorry, it is necessary to include all the flashbacks. I'm certain that most people know what is going on right now with Allen at the moment. The impact won't be that great though, until later in the story.
Also, if it feels like I'm holding a bias towards Kanda (by making him the first Exorcist to find Allen AND to also room with him), I apologize. He is my favorite character, I will admit, but if this story is starting to seem like a shounen-ai between the two by me pushing them together too much, I assure you, it is not (Coincidentally, to make you even more suspicious, Yullen is my favorite pairing). I have never attempted shounen-ai, but I might sometime in the future - JUST NOT IN THIS FIC, so shounen-ai haters can rest easy. In fact, this fic will be generally void of pairings unless the original storyline, which I'm following, calls for it.
If you spot any corrections, please let me know - I'll change it right away. If my writing style feels awkward and could use some improvement, please offer me criticism and guide me. I am always looking to improve as a writer to maximize my readers' enjoyment.
Pointless flames will be taken to bake cookies. I'm hungry right now.
I hope this chapter was to your enjoyment, I'll begin working on the fifth chapter soon.
-Mirai no Kibou