Ch. VIII - Angel Rising

Silence melted into the flowing of a fountain, gently stirring Noelle's eyes open. Where was it coming from? How had this water not evaporated from the flames? And why was it so loud, or more importantly, cool to the touch?

Opening her eyes, the girl squinted at the bright light that met her, forcing a hand to come over and shield her gaze. What was this? Sunlight? Had dawn finally broke? But what about the smoke? Where was it, and the rest of Thilay for that matter? Where was she?

Noelle sat up, surprised to find all previous pain gone from her body, but not as much as the scenery around her. "How…?" she murmured, mouth agape at the sight of her hometown's catedral's courtyard.

It was impossible – a dream – and yet no matter how hard she tried waking up, the familiar scent and trickling water remained. The girl growled. She knew it wasn't real, but the fact that she had even theoretically returned brought a warm feeling to her heart that would inevitably become a lie upon waking up. Dream? No, this was much too cruel for a dream…

"Noelle?"

The voice made her heart skip a beat, tears instantly coming to the surface. Turning slowly as if the slightest blunder would scare them away, the named gazed into the indigo and green eyes of the last two people she ever expected to see again.

"Mother? Father?"

Both smiled, tears brimming their own eyes. Shakily, their daughter rose to her feet, taking small steps forwards like them that gradually morphed into a full on sprint ending in a collision of arms and tears as they reunited at last. Noelle pressed her head against them, holding them so tight they could barely breathe, using any small breaths she had to lavish in their scents.

Cruel? That may be so, but in this moment, it wasn't so bad after all…

"I've missed you so much," she whispered, closing her eyes to hold back the oncoming tsunami of waterworks.

"I know… I know," her mother murmured, rubbing her head lovingly before pulling away and cupping her cheeks, "But look how beautiful you've become. So strong, so confident, so perfect…"

"Mother…" Noelle trailed off, allowing her to wipe away the tears from her cheeks.

Her father's deep chuckle sounded extraordinarily in her ears. Like a long forgotten lullaby. "Don't forget smart and courageous. Our little bird has grown up marvelously."

He ruffled her hair, causing laughter to bubble to the surface as Noelle smiled and felt her spirits soar higher than ever before. However, a sudden sensation rippled through her body and they all blinked in shock as her wings unfolded in the light. Using that moment's confusion, they began to lift her up off her feet; away from her reclaimed paradise.

"Mother! Father!" she yelled, reaching out to them.

They each grabbed a hand, holding her in place above them. But instead of fear or rebellion against their daughter's departure she saw hope and happiness shine in their eyes, overcoming the small speck of sorrow as her father murmured, "It looks like you've come too soon. Although, I wouldn't expect anything less from the girl who'd wake up three hours early to eat breakfast with her family."

"What are you talking about?" his daughter questioned, tightening her grip, "What am I early for? Where is this?"

"I think you know the answer to that dear," her mother smiled, "Deep down, you do."

Noelle grimaced, she knew and the implications of her going away were clear as well. And yet… "No! I don't want to leave! I want to stay here with you!" she protested, new tears surfacing, "Please, not after we just got back together…"

Her sniffling was cut off as they both pulled her into a hug, hands cupping the back of her head as her mother murmured, "I'm so sorry. You must hate us for leaving you all alone to face the Millennium Earl and his akuma. To have so many questions left unanswered…"

"N-No," her daughter stammered, "It couldn't be helped! How were you supposed to see that carriage coming? Or the Earl for that matter?"

Silence greeted her, and Noelle felt something odd go through her. They didn't see it coming, right? They couldn't have known about the Millennium Earl or any of it. Right?

"You're going to face much more darkness before we meet again, Little Bird," her father explained, allowing her to slowly drift away again, "But never forget that we love you not matter what – forever and always."

"Forever and always," her mother echoed, releasing Noelle's hand in beat with her father.

"Wait! I still have more questions!" she protested, trying her best to stop floating away but failing tragically, "Mother! Father!"

The two simply smiled up at their daughter, endless love and pride radiating up and surrounding her until it was all she could see. Noelle bit her lip to keep a scream of pain from erupting. She always thought that seeing them would help her move on, but after actually doing so the longing only increased tenfold alongside the agony of not having them by her side.

Nevertheless, they were correct. It was still too soon to close her eyes.

Muffled sobs surrounded Allen, the noise barely managing to surface in the roar of destruction around them. Part of it was because of their reddening skin and scorching ground forming blisters on their legs, but most of it was due to the charcoal-colored body in his hands. A sharp rock stuck in his throat as he lowered his head, a few pieces of his bangs brushing against the girl's forehead. He wanted to join them despite only knowing Noelle a few days, but steeled himself. Now wasn't the time to mourn, not with the akuma and conflagration still about them.

Yet when he made to stand the children stopped him, holding tight to their dear healer while protesting, "No! You can't take Noelle-sama away! She belongs here with us!"

The exorcist faltered, not knowing what to do to help them realize that there was nothing they could do. He already had so much to worry about without this added weight. Allen bit his lip and rested on a knee once more. Her body would fall apart at any moment, and although he didn't want them to see it, he knew it may be the only thing that would get them moving again.

Seconds turned into minutes, and still her body remained intact. Why was this? Surely the virus had destroyed every part of her, so how could it possibly stay together? He narrowed his eyes painfully. Was this some cruel taunt – a way to prolong the suffering of those left behind? Allen scowled. If it was, it proved very effective in rising his torment and anger. And to make some poor, trapped soul do this…

"Huh?" Benoit murmured, rising from his crumbled position atop Noelle.

Lois followed in suit, his face all ruddy as he questioned, "W-What is it?"

Agnes merely opened her hazel eyes, unable to muster as much strength. Instead she simply glanced downwards at the space between Noelle's back and Allen's arm; the small lines beginning to glow with a pure, greenish light. As if pushing away their present sorrow, the luminescence shone brighter and sparked awe in them. For his part, the exorcist felt a familiar sense rush over.

Silver eyes widened, "Noelle?"

All watched in surprise and wonder as the black hue of her skin began retracting behind the girl, seemingly energizing the light until they had to shield their eyes to avoid becoming blind. Barely, Allen managed to sneak a look into the white. What he saw within both made no and complete sense altogether, and when the light died down the children shared his mixed emotions.

Noelle's body had been restored to its previous state, still bloody and beaten, but the same. Except for one thing that is… The four stared in amazement, heat and danger around them gone at the new sight. Wings. Noelle had wings. Two off-white feathered appendages springing from her back and wrapping almost protectively around them. Had he not felt their soft touch for himself, Allen wouldn't have believed what he was seeing. It would seem that the rumors weren't so exaggerated after all.

Just when their surprise was beginning to ebb, Noelle stirred, opening her eyes to meet their ashen faces and hopeful gazes as Agnes said, "Noelle-sama!"

"Agnes…" the healer murmured, consciousness still fuzzy but not enough to miss the familiar sensation of her wings. Noelle tensed. Her wings – why were they out?! She hadn't summoned them, so how?

Feeling the healer's new-found appendages bristle in stress, Allen quickly went to calm her, "Don't worry, you're alright. Your Innocence cured the virus within you."

"Innocence…" Noelle echoed. So her previous suspicions were accurate after all… Nevertheless, despite Allen's reassuring tone, she pulled them in closer, feeling very insecure and wary of what the children might say or do. What their parents would say…

"You never told us you had wings!" Benoit's awed yet slightly scolding voice cut through her retreating state, making the healer blink in surprise as Lois added, "Man, I wish we knew about this sooner. It'd be so awesome to fly around and see what clouds feel like."

A slight blush crept up the girl's cheeks at their wholehearted acceptance of her odd trait. Not even a speck of hesitation could be seen in their eyes, while their voices were full of wonder and excitement despite the horrid surroundings. Noelle simply couldn't believe it, yet felt a twinge of guilt amid her shock. She should have trusted them earlier. Maybe then this whole catastrophe could have been avoided.

"We need to get you all out of here. It's not safe to stay here any longer. Not with the akuma, let alone the fire," Allen spoke up, tearing the residents from their thoughts as he attempted to get up but staggered, nearly dropping the girl. However, she quickly placed her feet on the ground and supported him so that his weight rested on her only to shake slightly as well. In the end, both managed to stay upright through the other's support like two cards in a pyramid.

Once able to gather enough strength to stand on her own, Noelle shifted a bit away from him as worry glistened in her eyes. Was he injured? Noelle let her gaze travel over his body before landing on his blistering feet bare on the scalding cobblestone road below. Agnes and the other two also sported similar burns on their calves and shins, likely from kneeling beside the boy when she was unconscious. The healer narrowed her eyes in shame, they looked to be in pain – small forms visibly shaking and biting their tongues to keep from crying in front of their beloved mentor.

"Hold on," she instructed, flaring her wings so that her feathers touched each one of them. At contact, their bodies began to glow with a teal light that consumed their burns and other injuries. Allen stared in surprise as the pain in his soles gave way to the sensation of a cool stream passing over them. When the light faded, each looked as good as new – not counting their smoke plastered skin and clothes of course.

"There, that should help until we get out and I can give you all proper treatment," Noelle gave a small smile, allowing Allen to stand on his own.

"Amazing…" Benoit turned to glance at the disappeared marks on himself while Agnes asked, "What about you Noelle-sama? Why are you still hurt?"

"It doesn't work that way, I'm afraid. I can heal all of you without a problem, but it seems that healing myself is past my abilities," the healer explained, glancing over at Allen, "Your Innocence as well seems beyond my current abilities. Forgive me."

"No, no," he chagrined, "You've been a great help, believe me. I'm just surprised that you're actually an accommodator."

"Yeah…" she murmured, rubbing down some of her feathers, "When you arrived and told me about who you are and what Innocence is, I thought that I may in fact be someone you were looking for. And yet I remained silent in fear that you'd take me away. I thought I could protect the village; that I could live on without trouble, but it would seem that I was very wrong."

"That's not true! Noelle-sama has saved the village multiple times!" Agnes argued while the boys agreed heartily; Allen with a more controlled nod, "Indeed, your ability to heal others is a wonderful talent."

"I suppose, but that's pretty much extent of my Innocence's capabilities," Noelle averted her eyes shamefully.

"Don't worry," Allen reassured confidently, "I will take care of the akuma, I promise."

"Allen…" Noelle murmured, concern glowing in her eyes at his remaining injury. How would he be able to fight with it? The akuma was completely different from any she'd ever seen, much more powerful than the round ones she was accustomed to. And yet the white-haired exorcist remained confident.

"I will defeat it," he repeated, transforming his arm, "You four just stay close. With any luck, this should all be over soon."

They nodded, Lois cheering as the exorcist ran off into the smoke, "Go Allen!" He was echoed by the other two children, each calling out encouraging and hopeful words to the boy. Their elder folded her wings protectively around them, praying for his safety and swift return while fighting back a nervous lump in her throat. Would he be alright?

A few meters away the exorcist stopped, eye telling of the akuma's presence nearby. Indeed, it was quickly proven right as an attack narrowly missed him, echoed by a cackle of glee from the bat as it disappeared into the smoke above. Grimacing, Allen pursued it to the best of his abilities, even firing off a few random shots but getting nowhere. In the end, he was left staring up into the murky orange-brown sky having only a vague idea of where his foe hid.

Allen scowled. How was he supposed to fight the level two when it kept disappearing into the smoke where he couldn't reach let alone see it? Sure, he could always keep shooting and hope for the best, but the exorcist didn't have time's luxury. In order to ascertain the others' safety, he had to end this quickly. The only question was how-

A rush of air cut the boy's thoughts short as he stiffened, feeling the rooftop below him suddenly vanish. Letting loose a startled yelp, Allen instinctively squirmed about, only stopping at a familiar voice, "Stop moving so much or I'm going to drop you!"

"Eh?" the exorcist blinked, immediately obeying out of surprise as he turned his head and saw Noelle, a strained look on her face as she desperately tried to steady them.

Once completed she sighed, "Jeez Allen, it's hard enough to carry you and fly at the same time. I thought based on you appearance you'd be light, but you're actually a bit heavy…"

"Noelle? What are you doing?" he asked, finally growing accustomed enough to speak without moving about. Being in the air felt odd, like he lost some control of his body.

"What does it look like?" she frowned, "You can't defeat the akuma on the ground, so I'm here to even the playing field."

"But it's dangerous! You've only just activated you Innocence, and have no experience fighting akuma," he objected.

"If I stay grounded, wouldn't that only put everyone else in even more danger?" she asked, stifling his side of the argument, "It's okay Allen. I trust you to defeat the akuma, so trust me too. Besides, I've activated my Innocence many times before, and it also isn't the first time I've fought an akuma," Noelle explained, making the boy's eyes widen slightly, as she finished, "I'll tell you about it later, as for now we've got work to do."

"Right," Allen nodded, accepting that no matter what he said she'd continue with him until the akuma was defeated. Looking upwards, he concluded, "Let's go."


Whew, that only took forever considering I finished this chapter, what, a week ago?
Sorry for the super long wait and if I scared any of you into believing I dropped the story! Between exams, moving out, moving in, family stuff, friend stuff, moving out, moving in, school, new job (working at Universaaaaalllll Yeeeeaaaahhhh!) and figuring out how to get the internet to work, busy is an understatement to the past few weeks in the life of Em. Nevertheless, here's the next chapter a bit early, since I will return to the regular Friday/really-early-Saturday updates.

Anyway, back to working on school quizzes (trying to finish them all in the first week before procrastination slaps me). Looking forwards to perhaps updating in a few days if internet doesn't decide to hate me.

Love you all, God bless
Em