Ante Mortem

Chapter 8: Trusted

"Everybody goes through life with wishes that would never come true.

Stumbling through every second, clutching every grain of sand that represents their time, desperate, pleading, begging for more time to accomplish what they need.

Ignorant fools.

They do not realise that they have all the time in the world to realise these dreams...and that what they desire may stare back right at them.

Forgotten. Unwanted.

To save the life of someone most precious to you and losing yours in the process, O selfish being, do you not see what pain you would cause among those who love you? What makes your wish any different?"

"My wish is different. And he is not a friend, but my brother-by-bond."

"And if this brother sheds his life to protect yours?"

"He was the one who made life worth living. If he dies, I die and I will blacken his memory with the guilt of his selfishness."

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Teito:

Well, there's something you don't see everyday.

Actually, I amended, if you live at this particular Church, you do see this everyday. At Mass, anyway. I, on the other hand, am not used to seeing a mermaid play an organ on dry land.

"Lazette, maybe you should take a break now." I said, trying to talk some sense into the girl. This proved to be a mistake however; the mermaid who lay half-dead on the black and white keys of the practice organ, straightened up and spun around, waving her hands around and making complaining noises with renewed vigour.

"Ok, ok, alright already!" I raised my hands in surrender, "I know this Festival is really important to you, since you'll be playing in front of town and everything, but you won't be in any condition to play if you don't get some rest. You've been slaving away ever since that first day when we set up the organ and-"

She pointed to the book-stack a few feet away from where I sat on the bench and to the book which lay open in my hands, an eyebrow raised. "That's different." I protested, "I'm doing some research on Kor and other dark familiars. I don't slave away over it-"

I was interrupted again by a complaining sound, this time from my stomach. She beamed a triumphant grin in my direction and I grunted in response, "It's not like I need anything, especially with the hearty breakfast the Sisters made me eat. Plus, I had to see you play. I've never really...attended Mass."

Lazette laughed her wind-chime laugh and turned to face the keyboard again, fingers softly caressing the keys.

"Uh...wasn't the whole point of this talk to get you to stop playing?" I asked.

"Leave her be. She hasn't had this much fun since she first arrived at the Church."

I didn't even spin around. I didn't have to. "Castor-san. You seem well." I greeted. The bishop came and sat on the bench by my side. "So, Teito-kun. I was talking to the good Sister in charge of the library and she was commenting on the antics of a certain Church habitant. He used to come in at 4 in the morning, when the library was barely open and sit in there for hours. Then, at 8'o clock, without fail, three Sisters would drag him out of there, complaining that he hadn't eaten anything. He would go with them, then return back after 15 minutes, and sit there until lunch, where he escapes from there with a handful of books under his arm."

What timing the man has, I thought with a slight wince, as Lazette turned to look at the books again. I coughed self-consciously, "I don't escape from the library in any case."

"On the contrary," Castor's smile grew more pronounced, "Her exact words were 'At the stroke of one, the boy would stack the books back on the bookshelf, rip out a few more and dash away so fast that one would wonder whether a Kor would be after him, instead of three Sisters.'"

I sighed and kept the book I was reading back on the stack. He eyed the titles on the rib of each book and raised an eyebrow, "'10 things to learn about the Kor', 'Dangerous beasts and their must-know weaknesses: A fail-safe guide to protection', 'Snow in the Dark: Legends of familiars of good and evil'...

These are all books about Kor and Wars."

It wasn't a statement, but I answered anyway. "Yes. I...I wanted to learn more about what was outside the Church and...I wanted to start with Kor."

When I looked up, I was surprised to see Castor-san grin to himself. "Castor-san?"

"Oh, it's nothing, Teito-kun." He said, "Anyway, shouldn't you be going now? Lunch-hour is almost over and all the people have left."

"Mmm...maybe later. Right now, I want to read some more."

"Alright. Come on, Lazette."

"...Castor-san?" The doll-maker turned around, "Thank you."

He appeared to be surprised, "For what, Teito-kun?"

"For saving me...and putting up with my attitude over the past few days...and teaching me how to live in the world again. I've never been...I've never thanked you. So."

Castor laughed, "Teito-kun, you don't need to thank me. It's my duty to save souls. And, for the record, you weren't nearly as stubborn as some of the other Church orphans. In fact, you were something of an angel."

I blinked, "I have no idea what I'm going to do when I learn enough about the outside, but one thing's for sure, I'm not going to make a good priest."

"Don't be so sure, Teito-kun." I raised an eyebrow at the man and was about to ask, but he disappeared down the steps, with mermaid in tow.

What did he mean? I thought for perhaps the hundredth time since I first woke up here. Honestly, everyone at this Church knew how to hide their expressions. Or at least, they were a master of double entendres.

I rubbed my eyes irritably and sat back down on the bench again. The wind was blowing gently towards the side and played with my hair, bringing with it the scent of fallen snow. A sure sign that winter was approaching.

This thought calmed me and I leaned back against the wall, enjoying the cool sensation of air against flesh.

So peaceful...

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Frau:

How many times had I wandered around this damn Church?

Answer: Plenty, and counting. Apparently, the brat didn't have any problem with roaming around after first light; he left before I returned back from one of my usual trips.

When I said as much to Castor, he just shrugged off the comment. "I'm sure Teito has his reasons for wandering around the Church. You can't forget the ordeal he's going through."

I know it's no picnic waking up to knowing you have absolutely no memory. But does the kid really need to wander around, especially as he's being targeted by all Kor from the Seventh-heck, maybe all the districts?

I kneaded my forehead with one gloved hand and sighed. Well, I sure as hell wasn't going to find him sitting here. I pulled myself off the floor and as I started walking around the Church, resigning myself for a long search, I almost walked into Castor and Lazette.

"Glasses, have you seen-?"

"Teito-kun? Not to worry, he's still up there, reading." I nodded and was just about to pass him by, when Castor muttered, "Interesting taste in books that boy has."

I didn't have time to ask what he meant; I rushed upstairs, two at a time. I closed my eyes against the spiralling steps, feeling each step with my feet to avoid being sick or getting dizzy.
I couldn't afford to waste any time. I'd had first-hand experience to the danger that seemed to be inexorably attached towards the kid.

Finally, I stumbled towards the door and kicked it open. "Oi, damned brat!" I called, "Where are...?" The question hung, incomplete, in the air as I saw him.

The kid looked like he had been sitting on the bench before, judging by the odd positions of the black-toned books as they hung off the ledge. Now, he was curled up in a foetal position against the marble slate, one arm wrapped around his torso, the other hanging off the bench, fingertips almost touching the floor.

His expression was so calm and peaceful; the fragile, tentative, lulling silence of a dreamer.

"Damn brat." I sighed, "You'll freeze up here." I carefully removed all the books from the bench and placed them on the floor, making it a point to get them later. Then, slowly, I shifted the kid into my arms, carefully without waking him.

"Here we go." I mumbled, stepping out of the doorway. I made my way down the steps, steadily making sure not to jostle him.

The kid looks exhausted. I noted, Has he been going to the library all this time? That would explain the number of books he had with him. But what could he want to search about so badly? And why now?

As I made my way halfway down the steps, the kid moaned and stirred. I looked down at him and saw that he had shifted his head to the side, so that his hair shielded his eyes against the sunlight pouring in through the windows.

"Hang on, kid. Almost there." I said.

"..."

"Kid?" Has he fallen back asleep?

"...Fr...Frau..."

"Hm?"

"...Zehel."

I stopped dead. Unconsciously, my grip on the kid tightened as I slowly looked down into his face. His eyes were still squeezed shut, and he was breathing softly. The stance of a sleeper.

Did I imagine things?

"...Zehel. Listen...to what I have to say." The kid mumbled in the rusty voice of a sleeper, but his words were cold and clear as frost, "Tonight...tonight...the back garden...the last gate...frozen desert...untamed evil..."

"Teito?" How was my voice still so calm? How did it sound so detached when the thing I wanted to do was shake him senseless and demand how he knew...? "Who is Zehel?"

"...Don't...toy with me. I know what you are." Teito's voice was anything but faint from that point. It resonated with a deep, powerful tone and his hands gripped my robes, "Your innocent ploy does not deceive me, 07-Ghost!" Without any warning, he gasped and slumped back against my arms, head flopping towards one side.

"Teito!" Shit, what happened to this kid? I ran towards the end of the staircase and burst out into the open lawn.

"Labrador!"

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Hakuren:

"Are you serious?" I barked.

The question hung in the silent air, as I was then aware of the eyes turned towards us. "Hakuren-kun?" The Sister in charge of the study session asked cautiously, "Is everything well?"

"Y-yes, ma'am. I'm sorry." I sat back down in my seat and waited until she resumed reading, before looking towards Ouida.

"Sorry about that." I muttered, "Are you sure they're coming?"

"Yes. As you know, all the bishops have to attend the Festival." Ouida replied grimly, "The bishops from the First District had been invited to stay by the Oak family...and in return, they had asked the family to accompany them to the Church for the baptism ceremony-"

I couldn't bear to look anymore, so I turned straight ahead towards the windows.

The sheer, blue sky seemed to taunt me with the freedom I'd so longed for. The freedom I'd gained. And the freedom that was to be snatched away from me and broken forever.

How could they? How could they...why would they?

Do they hate me so much? Are they embarrassed that a child of the Oak family chose to rebel against their ways.

"Hakuren?" Ouida asked uncertainly. He didn't like what he saw in my face. As I looked into his, that uncertain fear hit me and I snapped. I stood up.

"Hakuren-kun?"

"I apologize. But I would like to continue my studies outside for the time-being." And I walked away from the library, not knowing where I was going and not caring. I just wanted to be away, alone, where I can think peacefully.[1]

I stared straight ahead, making random turns here and there, feeling the air cool my heated cheeks.

I couldn't take it anymore. After all this time, after each and every fight I've wasted my energy on, after all the efforts I've taken to severe connections with him...he's still managed to back me into a corner.

Was it all really worth it, when in the end, I'm pulled back into his hands like his loyal dog?

I looked out into the sun, feeling its heat sear through my mind. In this ridiculous pantomime called life, I'm the offspring of a bird whose wings were cut off, the very minute I was born. Tell me, what role does a flightless bird have to play?

...Someone...

Someone told me

There were a 100 ways to die

And only one way to live...

...And even when

I crash and burn...

I looked up as the words reached my ears. They resonated off the marble pillars, and seemed to be coming from down the hallway. It was only then I realised where I was.

Isn't this the first Hallway? I walked onwards as I looked around for the source of the music. As I approached closer, I was able to discern more of the words.

Isn't that...guitar music? But Lazette doesn't play with the guitar...and that's a male voice.

When I fall down crying

I won't close my eyes

'Cause I'm sure that

You're still counting on me...

I stopped dead. The music was coming from the door in front of me...the door with the silver knocker. I knew what was behind it, of course. It was four weeks since then, but I still remembered the roaring voice above with clarity.

No other person of the Church would set foot in this door; they had heard and whispered of the fierce dragon mother. Save for two inhabitants, no-one actually saw her.

No other fool would ever set foot in the room again.

Does Klein have a death-wish or something? He was a far cry from an image of optimism but...I took in a deep breath and looked inside the room. When my vision cleared, I jumped back a little.

Teito was there alright, leaning against the pillar and completely at ease. His fingers plucked at the strings of the guitar in his hands, almost caressing the smooth metal. His eyes were closed, with an expression of peace. Almost of their own accord, his lips mouthed the words slowly, carried by the soulful tune.

Sitting not three feet from him was the mother dragon, as she surveyed the boy closely. Even her dragon hatchling, Kururu was there, peeking out under the dragon's half-folded wing.

"Hmm." Teito mumbled, finally opening his eyes, "I think I got the tune...but...will I get it in time for the festival...?"

I wouldn't know, answered the Fyulong mother, However, in all my travels, I have never met such a dedicated musician, nor have I ever heard any of the life in anyone's songs as you put. You are quite gifted, child.

He'll do.Was all Kururu said, though she still looked at him curiously. Teito scratched his head, "Well, I wouldn't know. I...just found out about my ability when I came here. So, you could say I'm a novice."

Experience has nothing to do with the quality of art, child. The dragon mother suddenly whipped her head around towards me, Just ask young Oak over here.

Teito frowned and looked in my direction. He did a double take, "H-Hakuren? What...isn't the study period going on at the library?"

"Y-yeah." I managed, "But I felt unwell, so I skipped today. And when I walked down the hallway, I heard your playing..." I coughed, "It...it was beautiful."

Teito blinked, before shifting his feet and muttering something under his breath.

A thundering roar filled the chamber, startling the both of us and we whirled around to see the dragon mother shaking violently. It was a few seconds before we realised it was laughter.

There you go, Teito. She said, still chortling, The opinion is universal. And I have confidence that I shall listen to your music before night falls tomorrow. I must have had an odd look on my face, because Kururu added, The Fyulong tribe has long had a connection with legends of old. The Legend of the Angel's Eye is no different. You should know that we are part of the fire-starters.

"I think I've read that somewhere..." Teito said, looking thoughtful, "...When the apprentice moved to Raefail[2], in search of the circle of light, he encountered the mother of his Fyulong pack again, who'd helped him across the icy ledge. As a token of gratitude, he'd given her his most cherished possession: his amulet. Since then, the Fyulongs migrate to the Church every year to commemorate the passing of the apprentice and light the Holy Torch, the sign of righteousness."

Correct. The mother said. Then, she looked at me, Hakuren, will you please escort the child to his room? He should have slept earlier on, but he insisted on practicing for the Festival.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not a kid. I don't need to rest." Teito muttered, as he pushed against the pillar. The minute he was upright, though, he swayed precariously until he fell. I ran towards him, just managing to catch the boy.

"Teito!" I yelled, as the boy shivered, clutching the guitar to his chest. "D-damn it...I still...!" He whispered, "...I'm fine. Hakuren, please let me go."

Kururu snorted, You are in no shape to stand, human. Were it not for your friend, you would have injured yourself on the head badly. As someone who has just recovered, you should be more careful.

"Tch." Teito muttered as I hefted the guitar on my shoulder and carried him past the two dragons. As I was just about to leave, he suddenly spoke up again, "Umm...Fyulong Mother. You said that your hatchling's name was Kururu...but you never mentioned what your name was."

Kururu was named by a young Church orphan, Teito. It is not necessary to give dragon children a name. Unlike humans, we never identify others, but merely recognize them as kin or other.

Teito remained silent for sometime. I was starting to worry whether he had passed out, when he replied, "Then...I'll call you Tsukiyomi."

I raised an eyebrow. Tsukiyomi? I thought, Dark Moon?

"It suits you." Teito said, as if by way of explanation, "Most people dread the new moon, but there's a hidden sort of beauty and ferociousness behind the shadow. At least, that's what I think."

The mother laughed again, You are truly unique, son of man. Well, then. From now onwards, I am Tsukiyomi.

Teito was quiet as I helped him out. And now that I was free from the mother dragon...Tsukiyomi's sharp gaze, I looked at the boy closely. He was extremely pale and had dark circles; a startling contrast to his pale skin. And now that I thought about it, I had heard the Sisters worry about him often, seeming to think that he suffered from poor health.

Is that why he was brought to the Church? Maybe. That would explain why the healer, Labrador visits him often.

"You look more tired than me." I started as I realised the face I'd been staring so intently into was peering back into mine. "Far from it. I've never felt better."

Teito rolled his eyes, "I may be a horrible liar, but I know a lie when I see one. And you aren't making much effort to cover up the fib, either." I bristled, "Why should it matter to you if I don't look so good?"

"It matters. Because you're my friend." Teito answered, straightaway. I blinked a little, and ducked my head before answering, "Some relatives of mine are coming to visit."

Teito frowned, but nodded impatiently to let me continue, "And they aren't so enthusiastic that I've taken the path of being a devotee of God. I left my home, so I could pursue my dream, but..."

"You're afraid they backed you to a corner?" I looked at him in surprise, and saw his grave expression. Then, his eyes clouded over and he mumbled so softly that I had to lean in to catch his words, "I don't really get it, but...I'll tell you something. You still have a choice: Keep running away forever...or stay and reason it out. If the time comes, fight. After all...it's your dream."

His head flopped on my arm, with the sounds of soft breathing. I stared at his face, his perfectly calm features in amazement.

"You fell asleep?" I said, "And in only three seconds? That's too quick!" Without warning, I burst into laughter, surprising even myself. "I have to agree with Tsukiyomi-san. You really are one-of-a-kind. Acting all optimistic like that..." My mood sobered as I thought. Just stay and reason it out, hm?

If only it were so easy, Teito. But he had a point. I was going to face them eventually. Why not now?

I had nothing to lose. I braved the Desert of Seven to reach here, I can sure as hell face my old man.

I think.

I looked towards the boy's sleeping face and smiled. I can count on you as my ally...and perhaps my friend. Thank you, the one person I can...truly trust.

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Frau:

They have to be around here. Somewhere.

Normally, even in this huge Church, after a few weeks, anyone could easily manoeuvre the place...well, except a certain brown-haired teen. I'd been here for...almost 14 years, so it shouldn't have been a problem to find what I was looking for.

Only, it was. Because 14 years ago, the whole place was not shrouded in icy, white mist. I squinted through the sheer clouds, looking for brown mud on the emerald grass.

"The one time I actually need nicotine, Glasses gets wind of my stashes." I muttered, as I searched harder, resisting the urge to sift through the mist. I was feeling my way around the branches of a shrub when I heard it.

The slight rustle of the leaves in the wind. The continuous cracks of sole against twigs.

The hiss of a death-rattle.

I whirled around as a figure leaped out at me, screaming inane threats. "Die, son of man!" It yelled. I recoiled and barely managed to avoid its overlong claws.

"A Wars?" I sputtered as the figure turned around to glare at me with cold, dark eyes. Impossible! My mind screeched at me, How could it enter the Church with a purification barrier on the area? An illusion?

I wouldn't know. Said the sardonic voice in my head. Apparently, death-defying situations doesn't shake the sarcasm from its tone, But those claws felt pretty real enough, don't you agree?

The Wars leered at me, and I frowned as I saw the disgusting liquid darkness drip from its teeth. This isn't good. That Wars is in an advanced state; it's only a matter of time before the soul is lost forever.

"Alright." I pulled back my sleeve, and groped cold metal blade, grunting as I brought out the scythe. The head of the scythe leered towards the person, drool dripping down the fangs.

"Return to nothing." I closed my eyes as the scythe did its work, feeling a shudder of disgust as a lead taste filled my tongue and a cold ripple travelled down the spine. And when I opened them the Wars was gone.

"Well, what are you still doing out here?" I asked the scythe. It grumbled and protested, but I pushed it back inside the tattoo. Once the job once done, I flicked my arm experimentally, stretching my fingers. "

How did a Wars manage to get in here in the first place? I thought as I looked at my gloved hands, It should be next to impossible...

Unless someone planted the Wars there.

The thought slipped into my mind, as I automatically spun around to see the gate I came through. The sign was faded, but the curved, calligraphic letters were still clear.

"Barsburg Church...Last Gate...You are now leaving the back garden."

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Normal POV:

The mist was thicker than Frau had realized.

"Finally. I thought he would never arrive in time. And I was certain we would have to fight the creature."

"Who told you to place your faith on such an unreliable source?"

"Not like I had a choice. The bishop was the only person who kept 24-hour surveillance on Klein."

"If it were me, I would've done a better job..."

"Now is not the time to decide who is the most superior. You of all people should know that."

A silver knife was flicked towards the bushes, as the person chuckled, "That's ironic. Coming from someone with an agenda against Teito."

"Come on. This is not going to be the last attempt on Klein's life. We should go start preparing."

"You don't need to tell me. Crazy things happen during festivals. And even though the Angel's Eye is an important holy event in the history of the Church, it's still a festival."

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All Done!

I'm quite amazed I finished this chappie so fast, I've been on fire recently. Nothing makes me more thrilled than the fact that I've been delivering stories to you wonderful readers!
To those people who've added me to your favourites/story alert, you all rock! Thank you,
thank you, for giving this story a chance!

Here are today's Author's Notes!

[1] Hakuren's free study: Usually, the library is open on all hours, but since the Bishop's Exams are approaching, they have a special private study

for two hours. They could also bring their friends along for a group study.

[2] Raefail: A place I'd made up. It's quite close to the Fyulong Dragon's nest, so dragon tribe sightings are common in that area.

Please, please, please, if you have any ideas or opinions about Teito's song lyrics, can you review and tell me? Look out for the next Chapter!

May God be with you!

-Justanothersinger