I do not own D. Gray Man.
The Good, the Bad, and Her
Chapter Seven: Goodbye and Hello
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.
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"Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end.
It simply means I'll miss you,
Until we meet again."
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Run.
Small feet pounded against the ground, thundering along the wooden floors as they sprinted, chests heaving and hearts pounding.
"You've all been bad."
Run. Run. Run.
Her brother's hand slipped into hers, with a quick tug they went tumbling into an empty room, one of the many in this awful house.
"I promise I won't be too hard."
"Stay silent." Her brother's hands gently drifted over her eyes, clutching her to him as they pressed closer into the corner of the wall. "Okay?"
"If you guys would just come out..."
A sharp clang echoed throughout the hallway outside, followed by crashing and a sharp bang. The little girl felt tears beginning to prick in her eyes and her brother rested his chin on her head, gently wiping them away.
"Come out damn it!"
"I'll protect you." Her brother breathed quietly, his arms wrapping around her tighter, clutching her to him. "I promise."
"COME OUT!"
The young girl shut her eyes, her hands sliding over her brother's as they curled within each other, breathing silently, not a sound. Small hearts thundering in their chest as footsteps began to fade, but the fear never ceased.
"I'll always protect you."
"Damn it, why do we exorcists have to fight vampires?" Lavi whined, gazing about warily throughout the mansion.
Long doors were pushed open far enough for the three to have slipped in. Long shadows danced across arching walls, statues lining either side of the entrance, and the foyer but a dark mass in the corner. Rye fiddled with her fingers and watched as a tendril of blood curled around her hands, pooling together to form her sword.
"Why do you suppose the master came here in the first place?" Allen wondered, craning his head back and surveying the large mansion as they approached the stairs. "It's weird that he would leave that message just to send us on this wild goose chase."
"Who knows?" Rye idly kicked a statue, watching it for a moment before turning, satisfied with no hidden tricks. "Last I remember he was just some crazy drunk who did whatever he wanted."
"Cross sounds like one hell of a guy." Lavi muttered, chuckling slightly as they advanced up the stairs, their footsteps the only sounds echoing off the empty mansion.
"Is there even any relation between the master's visit and this vampire visit?" Allen looked thoughtful, and Rye felt herself grow tense as the air became a bit thicker.
"If not, then what the hell are we doing here?" Lavi frowned, and Rye scoffed, her hands running down her sword and watching it morph into a dagger instead.
This guy has some weird tastes... Rye twirled the dagger between her fingertips, feeling herself grow rather weary as she shook off the coming fatigue. Did I use too much blood?
A sickly sweet smell began to envelope her and Rye paused, brows furrowing as her vision grew blurry. What... Her eyes struggled to stay open and she jerked her head around when Lavi collapsed to the floor. Allen's head whipped around, his eyes widening. "This smell... Lavi—"
Allen's hand shot out, covering Rye's mouth and nose. The girl stiffened, instinctively wanting to jerk back, but when Allen's other hand covered his own mouth as he gazed around, she forced herself to still. Her hands went up and covered her mouth, nodding to Allen in thanks. Bloody eyes flickered dazedly to the side, and Rye stiffened at the sudden appearance of a large plant, resembling a budding flower far larger than she'd ever seen.
"What is that?" Tendrils of blood rose around her, wavering in the air from her fogged mind.
Allen stiffened, his eyes growing wide and the flower unfurled, revealing pointed teeth in the center of the flower as it bore its fangs. Several more appeared amidst the purple fog behind and Rye took a step back. "A flower?"
The large mass of flowers unfurled, releasing a unified cry that sent Timcampy fluttering off, Allen and a painfully confused Rye following behind. "What the hell is this place?"
"This is what you have to deal with?" Rye snapped, eyes wide in disbelief, and she whirled around, swinging the dagger in her hands as a flower lunged, mouth agape and prepared to devour her. "Man eating flowers?"
One managed to latch onto Allen's arm and Rye tensed, but the white haired boy swung and the flower exploded, bit of plants scattering into the air. "Activate!"
Tendrils of blood lashed out, destroying the flowers that continued to attack in a never ending onslaught. Allen spun around beside her, aiming for one behind. "It's a narcotic! That's what that gas was!"
Allen stiffened beside her and Rye paused, following his gaze. "Lavi!"
Useless. Rye swung her hands out, blood splattering on several of the flowers as Allen continued to shoot. The wild plants swung about madly before a hiss filled the air, and with loud bellows they crumpled to the floor, the crimson liquid slowly eroding away at them. Her eyes focused on the red head wrapped in vines and she felt the sword form in her hands as she swung up, impaling another flower.
Allen's shots rang out through the air, sending flower after flower tumbling down. "Wake up, Lavi! There's no end to them—wake up!"
Rye let out a growl of frustration as the red head fell to the floor, remaining unconscious. "Bookman!"
"Lavi! Lavi! Wake up, Lavi!"
"Wake up!"
"Lavi!"
"Bookman!"
"Hey! What are you doing?" A shrill voice rang out into the air and Rye paused, head turning and coming to meet with an angered gaze, a beautiful blonde woman glaring down at them. "Those are Lord Arystar's precious flowers!"
The red head at her feet stirred and Rye blinked, glancing down as Lavi's one eyes opened up wide, a dazzled look flickering across his face.
"Huh? What's wrong with that boy?" The woman frowned and Lavi shot up, a heart forming in his eye.
"Strike!"
The blonde woman blinked while Rye nearly stumbled to the floor, holding a hand to her head as she gazed in disbelief around her. Lavi swooned before the woman, a blush dusting his face as hearts fluttered about him, and Rye shut her eyes.
You've got to be kidding me. Her hands fisted into her hair and she found herself tempted with the idea to slam her head against the rubble. I don't get exorcists.
"L-Lavi..." Allen started, but Lavi continued to sway dreamily.
"Dude! She's just my type~"
Flowers rose up on either side of the red head and Rye tensed, while Allen shot up. "W-Wait! Lavi! Pay attention!"
The blonde woman smirked, bending down and cupping Lavi's chin. "What a cute boy you are. How'd you like to be my lover?"
"S-Seriously?" A look of excitement flashed across Lavi's face. "Yeah! Yeah!"
Allen's Innocence reached forward, snatching the red head and dragging him back. Lavi's head popped through the claws and he sent Allen a look of disbelief. "What are you doing?"
"Do you really think that's okay?" Allen's eyes narrowed and the white haired boy waved his free hand around in anger. "I'm under attack here!"
Lavi rolled his eyes, turning away from the other exorcist. "Heh. You're such a kid, Allen."
"A dog." Rye stated flatly, gazing dully at Lavi who blinked, turning around to face the girl. "Not a man. A dog."
"No, no, you mean rabbit, Rye." Allen corrected, but Lavi's eye had widened, and the red head struggled through Allen's fingers, a look of excitement on his face.
"No way! Red, don't tell me you're jealous—"
"I don't care." Rye's eye twitched, a look of disgust flittering across her face. "But the sooner I can go the better."
"You are jealous—"
"I'm not."
"Come on Red, you know I love you! I just can't help myself!"
"I really don't care."
"Here." Lavi wriggled his arms free, holding them out to the blank faced girl. "I'll prove it to you—come over!"
"Toss him." Rye muttered, a dark look flickering over her face and Allen laughed nervously, glancing to the side.
"T-Tempting, but R-Rye, that's not the way to go..."
The blonde woman's eyes flickered over their uniforms and Allen tensed, causing Rye to glance up as well as the woman blinked. "That crest... Are you exorcists?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly and she stood, placing a hand on her hip. "My name is Eliade, and I am Lord Arystar's servant. What are you two doing here?"
"We're vampire hunting." Lavi stated simply, and Allen stepped forward.
"We're looking for the villager that the baron abducted." Allen explained and Eliade's brows furrowed.
"Villager?" Her eyes flickered to the side and Rye tensed, spotting the wooden coffin beside her and the blonde woman blinked. "Oh, is that who this was?"
Bending down she hoisted the coffin upwards. "What do you think this is?"
Rye frowned, not quite sure where this woman was trying to go with this whole thing, and beside her Allen tilted his head. "A coffin?"
"Well, what's inside is the important part." Eliade explained, a small smile on her lips as she titled it forward. "If you want it, you can have it!"
With a shove the coffin came tumbling downwards. Lavi and Allen surged forward to catch it, but before they could even come close, the ground broke apart and a flower shot forward. Rye stiffened in disbelief as the flower lunged, attacking the coffin, several other flowers soon following suite.
Eliade huffed, turning her head and running off. The flowers that had devoured the carcass stiffened, and black pentagrams began to appear along the petals. Rye's brows furrowed in confusion as the flowers began to tremble, nearly mimicking the akuma poison process...
"This doesn't look good..." Lavi started, taking a step back.
Allen snatched Rye's hand and the girl blinked, finding herself tugged forward. "Run!"
Rye's gaze snapped first to the warm hand clasping hers, a strange feeling filling her as she paused, the ground trembling beneath her feet. Her eyes rose to the back of Allen's head and she felt her mouth open slightly.
"They'd take good care of you too."
As a light began to fill the room and a wave of heat descended upon them from the blast of the flowers exploding, Rye dug her heels into the ground, slashing her sword across her palms. A thick gash appeared on both hands, blood pouring from the wound and Rye clenched her teeth, manipulating the red liquid to surge upwards, hardening just as the blinding light engulfed them.
The force of the explosions sent Rye tumbling backwards, the girl letting out a hiss of pain when her head collided with the ground. A firm arm shot out and Rye blinked as she was pulled closer to a body, her eyes trying to peer through the falling rubble and make out who it was.
The ground groaned and trembled beneath them, explosions rocketing throughout the mansion as bits of rock and cement tumbled down; bouncing off the hardened shield Rye had risen.
A deafening silence swept over the mansion and Rye warily blinked her eyes open, shoving aside some rock and rubble from herself as she brought her arms up, raising herself up. "I think it's over..." Wisps of silver entered her vision and she glanced down, stiffening in surprise as Allen winced beside her.
Realization suddenly struck her as she gazed down at him with slightly widened eyes, and Allen rubbed his head. "We made it somehow..."
He'd shielded her the last minute. Confused, though warmed by the gesture, Rye was at a lost for words, finding nothing in her mind to say to the white haired teen. She wasn't... She didn't know exactly how to feel, she realized. Rye was silent, thoughtful. Yes, people could obviously play on kindness to try and make you warm up and do as they wished, but the genuine kindness that came from this boy before her had her lost.
"Holy crap, man," Lavi shot up beside her, panting on his hands and knees. "I thought we were dead meat back there!"
Rye slumped to the floor, breathing heavily as she leaned back on her palms as the smoke cleared aside. Allen sat up, wiping away at his coat. "Thank goodness for our flame resistant cloaks..."
"I'm gonna barf..." Lavi groaned.
The silver haired boy paused, turning to Rye as she idly brushed off rubble and ash. "And thank you, Rye. You shielded us that last minute."
Rye paused, unsure of what to say. Her palms continued to bleed until she silently willed the cuts to close, bringing her eyes upwards for a moment to meet Allen's. "You did the same."
A small smile touched his lips and he rubbed the back of his head. "It was the least I could do..."
"Thank you."
Allen's eyes widened in surprise, but Rye glanced to the side, idly fiddling with her cloak until she was tackled to the ground. Rye's face was deathly pale and a look of horror colored her expression as Lavi cooed, nuzzling the girl's head as he wrapped his arms around her. "Red, you're the cutest thing ever! Say thank you too me too! Come on, I know you can say it—"
"Die." Rye muttered, tendrils of blood sharp and at ready as they bore down on Lavi's head.
"Lavi, Rye, what's that?" The two paused, Rye managing to shove the red head off as she sat up, and Lavi followed suit, their gazes matching Allen's as it landed on several mounds of dug up dirt, rocks imbedded into each.
"They're..."
"Graves." Lavi finished grimly.
"Rather humble ones," Lavi said, clasping his hands together as he stood and offered a small bow to the headstones. "Think they're for a pet or something?"
Rye inclined her head to the burial ground, a small token of respect to the deceased who rested here. Allen looked thoughtful, Timcampy perched on his shoulder. "Maybe they're the abducted villagers..."
Rye paused, mulling over the idea while Lavi glanced to Allen in slight surprise. "Back there, that Eliade woman had Franz's body in a casket, right? Maybe she was going to bury him here... Also, there are eight of them. That's just how many the mayor said were taken."
"Why would they go through the effort?" Rye murmured, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Lavi seemed to take the idea into consideration, realizing how much it would explain. "But the villager said there were nine, weren't there?"
"But he said that the first was sucked so dry she turned to dust, right?" Lavi nodded, and Allen frowned, reaching over to touch the headstone. "Then maybe..."
With a simple tap, the headstone toppled over and onto the ground. Lavi gasped and Allen froze, a look of horror on his face while Rye blinked, wincing as the rock toppled over. "Allen!"
"I-I just barely touched it!"
"The poor person..." Rye said quietly, and Allen panicked, bending down to right the stone.
"I'm sorry—eh? Lavi, Rye, come look." The two followed Allen and glanced to the ground, eyes widening in slight surprise. "There are pentacles on the ground."
"The demon's blood virus..." Lavi murmured, and Rye's mind raced, trying to understand the situation before her.
"Then, could it be that there are demons in these graves?" Allen questioned. Rye moved to the next mound, Lavi darting over to another pile as well.
"Here." Rye said, narrowing her eyes thoughtfully.
"They're here too." Lavi echoed, and Allen frowned, glancing around.
"They're on all the graves." Allen concluded and Rye paused, realizing what it would have to mean if these were the villagers' bodies.
"Yeah, then those plants that ate the villager... Did you see them before? They were there as well..."
"Then they were all demons." Rye stated finally, speaking aloud what they'd all slowly begun to realize. "The plants had eaten a demon as well."
"We may just be making a huge mistake here..." Allen murmured, and a chill blew past, sending with it an eerie atmosphere that threatened to take them whole. Rye was silent, absently digging her nails into her palm, drawing bits of blood so that the tendrils began to lick outwards.
There was someone else at work here.
"Why go through all the trouble then and be hated by all the villagers?" Rye couldn't help but wonder as she idly shoved aside a pile of dirt, half covering up one of the akuma skulls left from the graves. "If what he's doing is actually right..."
"He may not even know what he's doing," Allen explained, rubbing the back of his head as the three slumped slightly, a moments rest from all the digging. "And then there's the question as to why Master's flowers are here as well."
"He's just a weird bastard," Rye said flatly, kicking a pile of dirt. "Always was."
"That's right," Lavi blinked, looking up thoughtfully. "You met with him before, didn't you?"
"Unfortunately."
"Then Allen," the red head turned to his fellow exorcist. "Shouldn't you have met Rye before?"
Allen froze, his shovel halfway through the ground as he looked thoughtful. "I guess so. But there's always the chance that it could have been on one of his many trips away." But then again... The white haired teen paused, inwardly thoughtful as he glanced to Rye from the corner of his eye. Something about you seems so familiar.
"I don't recall anything either," Rye offered, and she glanced down, a thin stream of blood trickling from her hands until she willed it to harden over. "But if we know then that these people were demons, what are we supposed to do now?"
"This isn't any ordinary vampire hunt anymore," Lavi stood, wiping dirt off his pants as he looked thoughtful.
"Yes, if Krory isn't a vampire then—" A chill ran through the air and Rye turned, eyes widening as Allen opened his mouth. "Lavi!"
Before the red head could move, sharpened nails swung out and sent the exorcist flying, bricks tumbling down as the wall collapsed around him from the impact. Rye stiffened, blood pooling around her as she tensed, eyes darting back to Lavi's unmoving figure to the appearance of the man in question before them.
Krory sneered, long fangs protruding from his mouth as he spoke. "You have angered me."
Without a moment to waste he was off, leaping towards Allen. The exorcist quickly leapt to the side, only to have Krory fast on his heels and beside him, reading to attack. Allen quickly shoved the vampire aside, landing several feet away along the wall ridges, and Rye brought her hands together, the blood rising beneath her feet and carrying her upwards until she was a little ways away. Krory glanced to her figure before he simply lunged once more, aiming fast for Allen as the exorcist barely managed to dodge, and landing to the side. He's fast.
Tendrils shot out and impaled the ground where he'd once been. Krory darting from side to side as Rye swung herself downwards, the blood around her pooling together and forming a long spear. She propelled herself forward, cursing when the tip met only earth, and Krory darted to the side, tense and ready to strike. Allen stood, raising his arm up in defense. "Arystar Krory, listen to me—"
Krory lunged forward, attack after attack coming Allen's way as he backed him to a wall. "You afraid to fight without your pal?"
Rye swung her arm and a wave of blood followed, nearly latching onto the vampire until he leapt upwards, soaring high before crashing down once more and bearing down on Allen. He ducked in for another swipe, only to pause when Allen's arm flared, and the Innocence deactivated. Rye froze, confused for a moment as tendrils hovered beside her, ready and waiting as Allen breathed heavily. "You can dissolve that weapon on your arm?"
Must be nice. Rye thought wistfully, the blood around her hands closing tightly and winding up her arms as the spear bore down on Krory. Allen was silent, meeting Krory's gaze evenly before he spoke. "Please, listen to me." Krory paused, and Allen swept on. "The corpses of those villagers in those graves were all demons. You've been attacking demons—did you know that?"
"Demons?" Krory echoed, disbelief ringing clear, and Rye shifted, the spearhead lowering slightly.
"Arystar Krory, are you truly a vampire?" Allen inquired, leaving Krory silent for a moment.
"A vampire?" Long fangs gleamed in the daring moonlight. "Let's see."
Within seconds he was behind Allen. Rye lunged forward but fangs had already sunken in. Allen quickly dislodged Krory and leapt to the side, clutching his neck as the vampire spat out a tuft of silver locks. "Your blood is disgusting."
"Perhaps because I'm human?" Allen proposed, standing strong as Krory turned.
"Human?" A mocking smile upturned his lips. "You're a monster."
Rye's head titled to the side, eyes narrowing coldly as the blood at her feet swirled wildly, Allen's expression hardening at the words. Krory simply smirked. "Demons and vampires have naught to do with me. All I wish is to live in this castle with Eliade! Forever, undisturbed!"
A mad laugh left his lips, the crescent moon above them illuminating his figure. "And so, I must kill all who seek to disturb my peace, like you—"
"Walker!" Rye flung her arm out, and Allen was lunging to the side as Krory charged forward, moving faster than she could expect. The white haired boy was caught of guard, and a firm and powerful strike send him tumbling through the wall and into the castle. Rye was frozen for a moment, stuck on whether or not to charge after him when Krory scoffed.
"Really, you'd expect more." Krory turned, and Rye was beginning to realize he seemed to be purposely overlooking her presence. "You'll have to do more than that to disturb the peace Eliade and I fight for."
"Is that all then?"
Krory came to a halt, turning slowly as Rye brought her hands before her, flexing out her fingers. "Pardon?"
"Is that all?" Rye's eyes rose, bloody red meeting amber gold as they narrowed. "I expected something more out of this. But if that's your reason, then it makes it all the more simpler to do this."
Sharp vines shot out, and Krory nimbly ducked to the side, eyes narrowing as Rye wove in and out, attack after attack coming his way as she continued to advance. "And I don't appreciate," her arm shot out and Krory barely managed to leapt to the side as several spears imbedded themselves into the ground, "you calling others monsters."
Her head titled, ebony locks pooling around slim shoulders as bloody irises glinted in the moonlight. "When there are things far worse then what you've ever seen."
"Rather impudent of you to say, miss," Krory raised his head, tensing his shoulders. "I am above fighting women, but I am not above fighting foolish children who assume they know everything."
"Then, Lord Arystar," Rye smirked, cocking her head back as the blood around her formed a dangerous wave behind her. "What category would you put me in?"
Rye dodged within seconds, Krory crashing through the floor and impaling the ground where she'd once been. He was fast, she couldn't deny that. Faster than she would have liked, but in situations like these, she'd have to make do. Rye hands landed flat against the ground, and bits of blood hardened in the air to form arrow-like projectiles that shot towards Krory.
A grunt of pain left her lips when she found herself slamming into a wall, not having expected such a quick retaliation, and Rye coughed, nails grabbing at long hands as Krory smirked, hoisting her up off the ground. Blood began to pool at her feet, and Rye glared over the hand clutching her throat, lips pulling back in a snarl. "Is that all then?"
A loud crash echoed through the air and Krory quickly released her, lunging to the side as a large hammer slammed down on the spot before her. Rye glanced up in faint surprise as Lavi grinned, perched atop his handle. "Don't cast me aside just yet, you old bean. I was just a little tired, that's all. I thought we could have a nice long chat after I kicked your ass."
"Interesting," Krory smirked, and Lavi grinned, eye narrowing slightly until Rye spoke up.
"Isn't that a little cocky considering you were just knocked out?"
"Aw, come on now, Red," Lavi glanced downwards, a pout on his lips. "Don't you have any faith in me?"
The blood around her hardened and Rye surged upwards, swiping at Krory. Lavi blinked, his lips turning upwards. "You'll warm up to me eventually."
The redhead surged upwards, swinging his hammer around with an ease no one could ever imagine with a weapon that size. The hammer slammed hard onto the ground, barely missing Krory by inches as he continued to duck and dive, on the defensive as Rye wove in and out of the attacks, trying to land a hit on the vampire.
As Lavi's hammer collided into the wall, Krory leapt backwards, offering Rye the advantage as she surged upwards behind him, twisting in midair and swinging the blood blade with her. Prepared to dodge, Krory let out a hiss of pain when the blade parted, closing in on either side and barely slicing a thin line across his cheek. Lavi gave the man no break as he lunged forward, swinging his hammer once more.
"I refused to be bested by blood," Krory snapped, annoyance lacing his voice as he bore his fangs. "Such a distasteful weapon..."
"Coming from the one who lives off of it," Rye watched as the blood around her regrouped, forming something of a cloak behind her as she twirled the sword in her hand. "But can't say I don't disagree."
"I think it's neat," Rye paused, Lavi standing shoulder to should with her as he brought his hammer over his shoulder, flashing her a bright smile. "This guy's pretty tough, so it only makes sense to work together on this, right?"
Rye was silent, not a word leaving her lips until she merely moved a step away from the redhead, blood hardening around her.
"Hey! I bet you would've said yes to Allen, what gives? I've had more time with you than he has—"
"Brats." Krory lunged, and Lavi tsked, swinging his hammer around and slamming it hard into the ground. His eye widened in slight surprise as Rye darted beside him, running along his handle and curving in midair, and swirl of blood following her as she slammed hard into the ground beside Krory.
"I see," Lavi grinned, his hammer extended and retracted. "You're just shy!"
"No." Rye landed on the edge of his handle, gazing eye to eye with the grinning red head. "You're just hopeless."
Bloody red met emerald green, Lavi's eye bright and searching. Rye offered him the lightest tilt of her head before she leapt backwards, following the extension of his hammer to slam into Krory. The man darted backwards, barely missing the tip of the hammer as Rye tensed, ready to strike, her shoulders rising and falling with each ragged breath she took. "That one was a surprise."
"You really might just be one of us." Lavi said, bringing the hammer to his side as he inhaled, catching his breath. Krory frowned, his brows creasing.
"What?"
"All the villagers whose blood you drank were demons. The only people who could survive drinking demons' blood are those immune to the virus, like Allen and Red here." Lavi raised his hand, pointing a finger towards Krory. "People with parasitic weapons. According to that line of thought, you must indeed be an exorcist."
"Me, an exorcist?"
But another one tossed into this war. Rye gingerly rubbed her arm, steadying herself as a slight dizziness came on. Just a little longer. Lavi's observant gaze landed on her for a moment before returning to Krory. "You've been subconsciously going after the demons. You see, the Innocence itself wishes to seek the demons out. You just happened to have the same goal."
Lavi grinned, offering him a one shoulder shrug, holding his hand out sheepishly. "If you like biting demons so much, you should join us, and bite all you want."
Rye eyed Krory curiously, waiting for his answer as the man smirked. "Not interested."
Lavi's lip curled upwards. "That's too bad."
"It's your choice," Rye spoke up, and Krory glanced to her in slight surprise, bloody irises hard and earnest. "The choice of becoming one is a choice you can't go back on."
"You have nothing to worry then," Krory titled his head back. "I have no intention of becoming an exorcist. Besides, I thought we were going to talk only after you kicked my ass."
Lavi sighed. "Well, that's true, but you're a good deal stronger than I expected, so I thought I'd try talking to you first." Rye blinked when Lavi grasped her hand, pulling her behind him as he swung his hammer upwards, a gust of air swirling around them. "I'm gonna have to go all out on you now. I'll expect your answer when you wake up, Little Krory."
"You're quite the impudent little brat," Krory sneered, and Rye gazed up at Lavi thoughtfully, wondering why he would pull her aside. "Stow your tongue!"
"Let's see here..." Lavi raised his hammer upwards. "Innocence, activate level two!" Several symbols began to turn around the hammer and Lavi swung downwards, slamming hard on the symbol for fire. A scorch of heat instantly surged forward, threatening to engulf them whole as Rye's eyes widened slightly.
The flame-lie serpent erupted from the earth, charging upwards and engulfing the area in flames. Rye's eyes darted back and forth until a black figure lunged outwards, darting from the fray and off to the side. The flames dispersed and Lavi lunged, swinging his hammer around.
Rye's ears pricked and the girl paused, tilting her head and waiting as her blood trembled slightly. Allen? I feel as if he's alright but...
Her fingers curled slightly, and the blood around her shifted, wavering.
She wanted to go help him.
An explosion sounded beside her, debris flying in all directions as a shield of blood instantly rose to block off the harming pieces. Rye paused, turning her head and narrowing her eyes.
She'd have to finish this first.
"Get your ass down there!" Lavi exclaimed, striking down with his hammer as Krory hit the floor. Rye swung her arm around, a curve of blood following her movements as Lavi went in for another swing, intent on taking Krory from his blind side.
A shiver ran up her spine and Rye stared, eyes wide as disgust and horror slowly filled her. Krory's teeth imbedded in her makeshift blade as he gripped Lavi's hammer. The redhead cursed and Rye grimaced, feeling herself go flying as Krory swung his head around.
Lavi hit the floor and Rye follow suit, her body crashing atop his with a jarring impact. The two groaned, Rye attempting to prop herself upwards and detangle her legs from Lavi's, but a rush of air caused both of them to glance upwards, eyes widening as Krory charged. "Shit!"
Rye's hand swung around, a wall of blood rising to meet the attack when Krory came to an abrupt halt, fangs bared and mouth agape inches before them.
...
...
...
"Eh?"
Krory rose suddenly, gripping his chest as an agonized cry left his lips. Lavi and Rye blinked, confusion flickering across their faces as he moved his hands to his head, shaking it violently as he cried out in pain. "What, now?"
Rye scrambled to get off of Lavi, the redhead not uttering a single word of complaint as he righted himself as well. "Is he...alright?"
"Hey, what's the matter?" Lavi called out, gripping his hammer in one hand as Krory slammed into the tree. A hand came to grip his face and Krory turned sharply, slamming his head repeatedly back into the tree over and over again, and the crazed chant of 'Eliade' leaving his lips.
"He doesn't seem quite right in the head there..." Lavi murmured and Rye blinked, the blood around her slowly retracting back into her palms.
"Exorcists are weird."
Lavi grinned suddenly, looking unaffected. "Well, whatever. I don't know what's going on there, but this is a good chance."
Rye glanced to Lavi curiously and the redhead flashed her a mischievous smirk, the lone green iris glittering devilishly. Realization hit her and she let out a long breath, stepping aside and standing back to back as Lavi raised his hammer. "Forgive me!"
The symbol began to swirl wildly around the hammer, Lavi spinning the top until it came to a stop, slamming into the symbol for fire once more. "Hammer of Flames!"
The area around them ignited into fire, heat threatening to scorch them as Lavi grinned, his eyes narrowing. "Hell Fire Cyclone!"
The flames erupted upwards, and Rye tensed, willing herself to calm down. This isn't the same. Her fingers began to tremble and she shifted, suddenly glad that Lavi's figure towered over hers, if only by so much. It somehow acted as a makeshift shield between the licking flames and her.
Fire. She inhaled and exhaled, willing herself to calm. This isn't the same as back then. This isn't the same... You'll be alright.
The flames shot out, the serpentine figure engulfing Krory whole this time as it launched him upwards, arching above their heads and slamming hard into the castle, bringing Krory along with it. Rye tensed slightly, Lavi smirking as he stood. "Relax, he got off easy."
We got off rather easy. Rye winced, setting a hand to her head for a moment as she inhaled softly, calming the dizziness that threatened to well up around her. I don't think I've used it this long before...
"Looks like we've got to get going," Rye paused, looking up in surprise until she froze, Lavi's arm slipping around her waist. "Innocence—"
Lavi's grin turned cat-like as Rye pushed at his arms. "I can get there myself—"
"Grow!"
Her lips clamped shut to keep the cry of surprise held back as Lavi cheered, the two of them rising upwards to where the flame snake had disappeared into the castle. Rye pressed closer, struggling to grip the slick black pole before her as blood pooled around, attempting to keep up with their speed. "See? Not so bad is it—"
"Walker." Lavi glanced up, following her gaze to the fast approaching black clad figure, and he blinked in surprise.
"Well, perfect timing." Rye swung her arm out and Lavi leaned over the girl, his hand snatching Allen's a second to spare as her blood hovered beneath them, prepared to catch him in case he fell. "Gotcha!"
"Lavi! Rye!" Rye blinked at the gear-like structures surrounding Allen's left eye, and the white haired exorcist paused, offering her a small smile. "I'll tell you about it later."
The hammer brought them safely inside the mansion, lowering them to the ground. Rye paused, glad to have both feet planted firmly before her, but her eyes rose and she waited, brows furrowing slightly as the woman from before, Eliade, leaned over, gently cradling Krory to her.
But... Rye froze then, her eyes widening as she stood still, unable to wrap her mind around the image before her. Isn't that...
Agony, pure despair, waves and waves of sadness and anger rolled off the chained soul hovering above Eliade's body. The curled up figure moaned, agonizing and longing, not at all reflected on the soft features of the woman before them. Some part of Rye steeled, while the other curled up, her legs beginning to tremble as memories came flooding back—soft smiles, gentle caresses replaced with long fingers, sharpened nails, and bloody grins.
It was a demon's soul.
But how could she see it? Rye unwillingly took one step back, quickly cursing herself for showing such weakness. It doesn't matter, it's not...
"Hey, something's weird here..." Lavi's voice sounded distant, and Rye realized the redhead must be seeing what she saw as well. "Allen, is that woman a demon? I...I can see the soul floating by her side!"
"But how... you can see it too?" Allen inquired, his eyes wide with confusion. "Then—"
"I can as well," Rye felt black locks tumble into her face, but she was too stunned to push them aside. "A demon's soul..."
"So that's what a demon's soul looks like," Lavi sounded halfhearted, trying to sound amazed, but coming out fearfully in awe. "Whoa."
"Eliade...?" Eliade leaned forward, gathering the man closer to her.
"Lord Arystar!"
"...Eliade..." Krory's eyes went wide, and Rye blinked, realizing that if they could all see it, then it was only inevitable. "What is that?"
"Eh?"
The soul's mouth struggled to open amongst binds, and Krory trembled, gazing beyond the woman before him to the creature beside her. "That thing coming from your back... What is that?"
"The demon's soul, called back to power the demon's body... Allen, that's amazing..." Lavi glanced to the side, fear and awe mixing within his bright green iris. "Is this thank to that left eye of yours?"
This is what Allen always sees. Rye came to a quiet halt. Things like this don't even faze him anymore... He's so used to it now.
What kind of a life had he been living in comparison to her own?
"Krory! Can you see that thing coming out of your girlfriend?" Lavi called, and Allen stepped forward.
"It's a demon soul, she's a demon!" Krory's eyes went wide, searching Eliade's face. "She's our enemy!"
"...Is that true, Eliade? Do you know anything about this?" Eliade froze, her face flickering as she opened her mouth.
"I...I..."
"This blood..." Krory paused, raising his hand to gaze at the drop that had landed on his hand. "Eliade..."
Something seemed to snap and Eliade stood then, letting out an aggravated sigh. "I'll just kill you now then." Krory's head shot up, and the true demon form swung outwards, tail lashing and knocking Krory into a wall. The three of them flinched, tensing and getting ready as she moved forward. "I had planned to use you for my own evil purposes, but I've had enough. I can't let you become an exorcist—I'll kill you now!"
"Ah! The old crow was all up on me, trying to bite me!" Lavi cried, and Rye paused, looking to him in confusion as Allen blinked.
"Who's the old crow?"
"W-We've gotta save him!" Lavi exclaimed frantically. But before a single move could be made, the walls around them shattered, long tendrils and shrieking roars entering the room as the flowers from before filled the area.
"The flowers! The flowers are attacking!" Allen cried, and Rye lunged, slicing through one of them.
"I thought they were gone!"
"We didn't get all of these damned flowers?" Lavi wailed, a tendril wrapping around his body as he struggled to free himself. "What's wrong with you? Go help your master!"
Rye let out a cry of surprise as a vine wrapped around her ankle, yanking her upwards and dangling her upside down. Her vision grew blurry for a moment before she began to struggle, shaking her head and wriggling around to try and slice through. "Damn it!"
She would not be taken down by flowers.
"Grow, gro—eh? Hey!" Lavi's hammer went flying past her head as a vine retracted it backwards, the redhead flailing in midair until a flower lunged, swallowing him whole.
Rye's eyes went wide and the girl paled, struggling in the flower's grip. "B-Bookman? Bookman!"
"Help! I'm being eaten—I'm being eaten!" Lavi exclaimed, fists and feet protruding from different ends of the flower, and Rye swung her hands around, slicing through several, but finding it near useless at the rate these flowers kept coming. "Help!"
"Lavi, calm down and do exactly as I say!" Allen struggled in his bindings, glancing over to where the black haired girl struggled to keep her shirt flat down on her stomach. "Rye, you too!"
"Are you some kind of idiot? If I calm down, I'll be ripped to shreds!" Lavi cried, and Rye inhaled sharply, one hand holding her shirt down while the other kept the flowers at bay. Her head titled slightly, acknowledging Allen's voice as the exorcist continued.
"I told you before; I've taken care of flowers just like these, when I was with my master." Allen ducked to the side, avoiding a narrow blow.
"Really? Then you can stop these things?"
"Just," Rye resorted to simple physical attacks, slamming her fist into another flower as she struggled to get her blood flow going once more. "Kill them all!"
"The flowers don't attack those who are kind to them. Try and think kind, happy thoughts about it." Allen implored, and Rye blinked, gazing at him in disbelief.
"Kind and happy things?" Lavi said incredulously, and Allen nodded.
"Tell them you love them! Rye, you too!"
"Like..." Rye swung backwards, wobbling as a flower nearly clamped down on her arm. "Hell!"
"Fine!" Lavi cried, and Allen struggled in his grip, the two raising their voices.
"I—"
"Love—"
"You!"
Rye gaped in disbelief, the vines around Allen slackening as the white haired boy continued the chant, Lavi joining in as well.
"I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you!" The flower opened its jaws, and Lavi tumbled forward, breathing a sigh of relief until it began to clamp down again. "I love you! I love you!"
Biting her bottom lip, Rye struggled, wrestling with the flowers as Lavi and Allen managed to hit the floor. The two glanced upwards, and Allen called out. "Rye! You have to be nice to them! Say 'I love you'!"
"No." Rye ground out, nearly crying out in surprise when she found herself swinging around. "I don't—of all the things I have to say—"
"Three words! Come on, Rye!" Allen cried. "I love you!"
The black haired girl paled at the idea, a large flower opening up its gaping jaws to clamp down on her. "Come on!"
"I love you!" Lavi repeated. "You can do it, Red! I love you!"
"I love you!"
"I love you!"
Rye bit down hard, drawing blood from her bottom lip when her cheeks flushed. The young woman beat her fist down in anger, opening her mouth as she shut her eyes. "F-Fine! I-I-I love you!"
"Louder, Red! You have to mean it!"
She thought of everything she could ever actually love—food, she remembered the children from the towns before, the families who offered her homes for the night, a bed to sleep on, books... Faces flashed in her mind and Rye opened her mouth, cheeks a bright red as she exclaimed. "I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you!"
The vines around her began to slacken, and Rye inhaled, feeling herself slip through. "I love you!"
A single tendril kept her suspended in air, and Rye cursed the high heavens and whatever God truly existed out there. "I love you!"
With that, the flowers released her from their grasp and she was falling through the air. Rye swung her hand out, prepared to catch herself when firm arms suddenly closed around her, saving her from her fall. A lone green eye beamed down at her as she blinked, panting slightly as Lavi grinned. "There, that wasn't so hard was it?"
Wanting nothing more than to erase every word that'd left her lips, Rye slumped, cheeks a dull tint now as Lavi set her down. The redhead watched as she dusted herself off and offered her a sly smile. "Maybe you can say it to me next time instead of a plant, eh?"
Rye spat on the ground, not even bothering to reply as she shuddered. Lavi opened his mouth to reply when a flower before them collapsed, withering away and crumpling to the ground. Several more began to follow suit, and Rye glanced upwards, eyeing the floating bubbles around them warily. "What are—"
"Run!" Allen grabbed the two, launching forward as the bubbles began to slam against the floor around them. "Don't let them touch you!"
"Shit! How can we help Krory now?" Lavi exclaimed, and Rye swung walls of blood upwards when bubbles strayed to close. But the collision left her blood falling to the floor in clouds of dust, making her curse as she realized they absorbed whatever water they could find.
Eliade and Krory battled it out before them, Krory seeming to actually stand a chance until several bubbles began to latch onto his form. Rye's eyes widened as he continued to surge forward, intent on reaching the demon before him until the bubbles grouped together, completely taking him whole.
"Rye, come on!" Allen's hand gripped hers firmly, and the three continued to run, shouting out an obscene 'I love you' over and over to keep the flowers at bay as they also shielded them from the bubbles floating about.
"I love you!" The three skidded to a halt, eyes widening at the sight before them amidst the bed of flowers.
Eliade's body began to crumple, the dried away form of Krory slowly beginning to shape up once more as he continued to devour her blood. Rye's eyes took in the scene before she simply stood, understanding what it was that was going on before them. A surprisingly warm smile graced Eliade's face as Krory's arms supported her, tears streaming down his face as she beamed. "You know, I always wanted...to love you."
Krory stiffened, holding back a sob as she reached out for the man before her, eyes filled with a longing and love that made Rye pause. A demon loving would seem unfathomable, scorned, and yet it was here before her, untouched, untainted, raw and powerful.
"And I always wanted..." Eliade smiled then, wistful. "You to love me too."
"Eliade." Krory held the woman tightly in his arms, and Eliade shut her eyes, her body crumpling and turning to ask with a silent breath. "Eliade!"
The soul hovering before her body crumpled, letting out one final, agonized moan until it disappeared. The soft, golden locks of a woman, smiling softly down at them shone through for a moment before she disappeared, gone, just like that. The bubbles hovering in the air burst, and slowly, a few drops first, until a mad torrent of rain washed down on them.
"Rain? Aren't we indoors though?" Rye was silent, raising a hand and watching as the blood trickling from her palm mingled with the water, pooling over in a ruby red color before it hit the ground.
"It's fitting."
A choked sob echoed in the room, and the three glanced over to where Krory kneeled down on his knees, clutching the tattered remains to him. "I want to die."
"Mr. Krory..." Allen began, only to stop as Krory let the clothes slip from his fingers.
"I killed the one I loved. I held her in my arms as she died... I took her life to sustain my own." Krory began to laugh, bitter tears now streaming down his face. "I'm a monster. I don't... I don't deserve to live!"
The rain continued to fall and Rye's fist slowly began to curl, growing tighter as she cocked her head to the side, holding her tongue. "I want to die!"
Silver flashed from the corner of her eye and she turned, watching Allen as he stalked forward, snatching Krory by the collar and jerking him forward. "If you have nothing to live for, than join the exorcists!"
Krory's eyes widened around his tears, and Rye was silent, watching with slightly rounded eyes. "Our job is to destroy the demons. Today, you destroyed the demon that called itself Eliade. If you continue to destroy them, it will become your new calling in life."
A purpose. Rye could not stop the slow trickle of awe that began to color her face, rain soaking through her clothes and making her hair stick to her cheeks, but nothing to deter the pounding that began in her chest. The blood running through her veins seemed to echo with Allen's words, as if the Innocence within her were agreeing wholeheartedly.
"You're a host to an Innocence fragment, just as we are." Allen let Krory go, gazing down at him. "If you need a reason to live, then you'll have one."
A reason to live. Rye's mouth opened slightly, before she let it slide shut, glancing upwards to the ceiling above them as the rain continued to fall. A reason to live... Rye's eyes softened.
Did she even have one?
Lavi was silent, ever watchful, gazing thoughtfully at the girl beside him, thoughts running through his head as he couldn't help but wonder. People were easy to figure out, years and time after time of learning to read people came like breathing to him.
But what did she want?
"What could Master have been thinking when he came here?" Allen wondered aloud, looking thoughtful as they gazed back at the mansion before them, the night beginning to lighten up into day. "But there were no clues or anything else... Why did we even bother coming here?"
"Long story short, it was a waste." Rye adjusted the newly dried coat over her shoulders, the feel of the now worn but tough texture somehow comforting to the touch. "As most missions are."
"Aw, don't think like that, Red!" Lavi slung an arm around the girl's shoulders, causing her to throw him a low glare. "We got Krory to join up with us, so it wasn't a total waste."
"Yeah..." Allen agreed solemnly, and the two glanced over to the silver haired exorcist, watching him carefully.
"I think what you said..." Rye spoke up suddenly, and Allen blinked, glancing to her as she gazed ahead, meeting his gaze for only a moment before it returned forward. "Was cool."
"E-Eh?" Allen came to a halt, looking at Rye in surprise. "R-Rye, what did you say—"
"Stop acting like you robbed a bank or something," Lavi grinned. "He might not be in very good shape right now, but Krory needs a reason to keep living, like you said. He'll get over it soon enough."
"Wise words." The trio came to a halt, glancing up at the familiar voice, and Rye paused, glancing to her side only to find the old man standing there.
...
...
...
"B-Bookman!"
"When'd you get here, old fart?" Lavi exclaimed, and Rye simply blinked in surprise.
"Just now." Bookman turned to face Lavi, who simply grinned, raising his eyebrows.
"Not to worry, you didn't need to come all this way." The redhead proudly placed his hands on his hips. "We took care of everything."
There was a cry of pain as Lavi slammed into a tree, Bookman landed with ease against the ground. The redhead quickly shot up, annoyance in his eyes. "What the hell was that for, you old fart?"
"You're like a bull in a china shop!" Bookman exclaimed, and Rye and Allen stood a little ways off, watching silently as they continued to argue. "Why'd you have to blow a hole in the damn castle?"
"It was a matter of life and death! At least hear me out before getting all violent, panda-man!"
Allen smiled exasperatedly, somewhat amused by the whole thing. Rye simply remained silent, observing the interactions between the two thoughtfully when the ground began to rumble. The group paused, eyes straying towards the mansion when a loud explosion shot through the air. Rye's eyes widened, first in surprise than in fear as hot red flames licked upwards from the castle to the sky, engulfing it whole.
"The castle..." Lavi began, and Rye stiffened, searching desperately through the flames for any sign of life.
He couldn't be that foolish. Rye shook her head slightly, not wanting to believe such an ideal. There's no way... Allen and Lavi surged forward, and Rye moved to aid them, but the towering castle groaned, flames licking outwards. Rye froze, eyes wide and caught standstill as the fire around her burned wildly, engulfing the whole castle in flames.
"I'm afraid."
"Krory!" Allen cried, and she felt fear course through her, wanting to be there before them to help if they needed to go in. But she couldn't move. Rye tried to keep calm, only able to keep herself from running headfirst back into the forest and as far, far away as she possibly could. Smoke invaded her senses and her legs began to tremble, the world around her threatening to erupt into bright flames.
"I'm afraid."
"Why the long faces?" Relief flooded through her as Krory's figure emerged, a small smile on his lips as he stepped out from the flames and towards them. "Did you think I was dead?"
Rye managed to take a small step forward, and Krory smiled at them. "I'm fine. I will be an exorcist from now on."
Allen and Lavi smiled. Krory looked ready to topple over and break down, but he seemed to cast aside all doubt, prepared to take on what was to come to him. A breeze fluttered past, taking locks of black and tousling it before it went on its way, carrying with it the scent of smoke and ash.
She'd seen enough fire today.
Shoving behind the lingering fears and tremors, oblivious to the observant eye watching her reaction, Rye stepped forward. Krory glanced upwards, hesitating for a moment, as if unsure how to approach the person he'd just been battling before all of this.
Bloody irises softened slightly, and Rye inclined her head towards him. "Welcome to hell."
"R-Rye!"
"Red—"
"I think you'll do just fine," the corners of her lip turned upwards slightly, and Krory blushed, nodding his head in thanks as Rye turned on her heel, facing forward and ready to leave this place behind.
The dim outline of a shadow cast out before her, and Rye turned, gazing upwards as the first streams of dawn began to break through the clouds above, signaling the start of a new day.
A new journey.
But the wind brought with it the scent of ash once more, and Rye turned. And that can only mean more troubles to face until I can leave this place...
A hand came down on her shoulder, nearly shoving her to the side. Rye blinked, turning around in confusion as Allen beamed back at her, eyes bright and smile wide—warm, happy. "Congratulations on finishing your first mission, Rye!"
A flutter, barely much, but enough to gather her attention sounded in her chest, warm and light as Allen smiled brightly. "That wasn't so bad now, was it?"
"Um, you're a bit off there, Allen," Allen blinked, turning to Lavi in confusion as the redhead grinned slightly. "This is Red's second mission."
"But the first with me," Allen quickly corrected, turning back to Rye with a breathtakingly warm smile. "And that's something to celebrate!"
Rye was silent, gazing at the white haired boy before her. Allen's smile turned sheepish, and he reached up to rub the back of his head. "Well, I mean—"
"Thank you."
Allen and Lavi blinked, looking up in surprise, and catching for the briefest moment as soft look on Rye's face before she turned, looking upwards thoughtfully.
"I'm hungry."
She supposed it was a little more bearable this time, even if only a little.
Firstly, I'd like to thank you all for the kind reviews and PMs, and all of you who take your time out to favorite or follow this story. Every little thing really does matter, and it makes me beyond happy when I see the little notifications for any of them.
THANK YOU.
And I really do want to apologize for my crazy long absence. With school, I've become extremely busy, more than I'd like to admit, but it has caught up with me, and finding time to work on my stories became harder and harder, and it killed me to watch it sit there unfinished.
BUT I'M BACK.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I'm glad to finally dive into a little more of the plotline, and it kills me to keep so much from you guys too, hahaha, but bear with me! All with be revealed in due time. :D
THANK YOU GUYS!
Marshmellow-
-OUT!
