Soul: The author isn't feeling well, so she is paying me in Trident Layers to say that Soul Eater doesn't belong to her.

Kid: I wish I could be paid in Trident Layers

Soul: *Grins* only cool guys get paid in Trident Layers.

Black Star: *Walks in waving a pack of Trident Layers* the author is paying me in Trident Layers to tell you guys to shut up because you're too loud!

Soul: . . . . Now she is just being cheap!

*And now, Chapter 9*

Saturday, 12:24 A.M

Stein's POV

Something wasn't adding up, no matter how many times I ran the scenario over in my head the pieces just didn't fit. Where in the world would the Kishin have gone to? It would make sense that he would go far away to revive himself, but wouldn't he want to be close by the DWMA so that he could start its destruction when he could defeat Death? I've read over and over that the strength after a Soul Sacrifice is amplified tenfold after the first hour or so. Would Asura overlook that fact?

No I don't think he would.

Where would be the best place in Death City to remain undetected and yet still be able to get to the DWMA quickly? To get to Lord Death quickly?

'You know Stein, he could be inside of the building itself.' A voice in my head purred

No that was impossible, there was no way that Asura could get inside of the building without being detected and remain there undetected. Though if he was and I over looked this possibility I wouldn't stop blaming myself for years.

"It's better safe than sorry." I muttered to myself

I opened the door to my lab and saw Soul Eater, his hand raised in the air as though he was just about to knock.

"Oh, Professor! I wanted to talk to you about-"He began

I raised my hand to cut him off; I already knew what he was going to say.

"I was just on my way to the academy; we can talk on the way there." I said

I saw him look up and at me and nod slightly, obviously confused as to why we were going to the school on a Saturday. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a cigarette and a lighter. As I lit the stick and shoved the lighter in my pocket, I stared up into the sky turning the screw in my head in deep thought.

The dungeon, that's the first place I would check.

Saturday, 2:14 A.M.

Asura's POV

Finally, after all the hard work the moment has come, the moment where I will get my body back. I grinned victoriously and stared down at my borrowed body. Soon this body, this person, would cease to exist and instead I would rise above the ashes and blaze this world in pain, suffering and madness! I mentally shook myself, willing an air of calm to wash about me. This was no time to celebrate, I still needed to prep the site and make sure that it is stable enough for me to start the sacrifice.

I picked up one of the burning hot coals in the fire next to me and removed my robe revealing bare skin. This was a major part in the ritual that I couldn't mess up and for that I needed to be careful. I dragged the burning coal up and down my body, wincing at the pain that was being caused. I stopped when my body was covered in burning and raised scars that formed the main chakra lines that held the body's life force. I looked over at the book on my table and read out loud:

"Once the Chakra lines are drawn in scars, light the room with sage to call the spirits. Lay the body down and remove the possession or blood bond. Chant the sacred witch verse and the process will begin. Note that if the process is interrupted that to begin the next sacrifice twice the necessary time will be required." After I read I curled my lip up in disgust.

Of course it would say something like that, it was so cliché that I often times wondered if they were expecting something to happen. Sorry, I had come prepared this time; nothing was going to stop my victory. I looked over at the witch, she was unconscious and the I.V. was dripping steadily. I took one last survey of the room with my eyes; this would be the last time that I glimpsed the world through Maka's eyes, in just a few minutes I would be looking through my own eyes.

I walked over to the table that I had prepped for the ceremony and laid Maka's body down. Slowly I strapped myself to the table, she would regain her body functions after I detached my soul from hers and no doubt she would regain her memories and try to ruin my ceremony. I closed my eyes and envisioned myself taking off the locks on Maka's body one by one and soon I could feel the weightless air of my soul levitating above the ground. I drifted towards Eruka's body and implanted my soul into her unconscious body, my soul swallowing hers.

I got up steadily and walked towards the table, all I needed to do was make sure I got out of the body in time so that I wouldn't be taken with my new host for the exchange. It was simple, a piece of cake for me. Soon I would taste the sweet taste of victory.

It was so close I could grasp it.

I looked down at the book and began to repeat the sacred phrase, beginning the sacrifice. The sage in the room suddenly burst into flames and the room was filled with thick smoke from the burning plants. I watched as the edge of the table where Maka's body lie was suddenly laced with fire. I saw a gate lined in chains manifest out of the smoke and the locks unlocking one by one down the line. The gate opened slightly and a strong wind pushed through the room, trying to force me into it. I cackled into the wind, relishing in the sudden burst of power I felt. This was it! It was finally happening! I was going to get my body back!

Then my eyes flew wide when the sound of the dungeon door slamming open ricocheted off of the walls.

"MAKA!" a voice yelled

~End of Chapter 9~

Reviews are better than having the soul sucked out of your body by a giant evil spiritual gate :D

Sorry that I didn't get to this chapter soon enough guys, I just started a new school and just got two months of homework that I had to finish in two weeks. No justice in that. . . .But at least I got it done in time!

Soul: Wow, your first major cliffhanger. I'm proud of you author.

Me: YYYAAAYYY! SOUL-KUN IS PROUD OF ME! .

Soul: Hey, hey! It was one compliment! Don't get too overboard now ok?

Me: *sniffle* Yes s-sir