CH9: The Devils Symphony

XxX…Present Time..XxX..Black Carrier...XxX

Under the practiced mask of stoic façade, the mind was webbed, entangled with a million thoughts. Anger. Betrayal--.

"Ethereal is hardly visible in this mist." the women spoke scanning the thick fog.

Regret.

He should have never brought her. MiHawk's kept a steady gaze on the women's back. This is exactly what he would have wanted. The thought continued to torment the mind as Robin turned around, waiting for a reply. "Mi..Hawk?" the last word pulled him out of the daze.

"We can follow by the cry." he finally managed.

"Is this the island that you needed me for?" she asked squinting to make out the land ahead.

"No.. This is only the entrance." He turned away to avoid the questioning look that now displayed upon the women's face. Had he kept the eternal pose, they would have been able to sail and reach the target island without following Ethereal's earthly guide. There would have been no need to cross the entrance island. But that one eternal pose needed to be kept safe should things go sour. The Mugiwara's were most needed should he not return. They were the ultimate assurance, they will retrieve her. The women would return to the crew, where she belonged.

The fog began to thicken with unnatural speed. The great bird, its call was no longer audible as its shape also lost inside the thick air. MiHawk reached out taking Robin's arm, he pulled her to the center of the boat. "Brace yourself--" The warning was not a second too late. A strong wave crashed to the side of the boat, rocking the small vessel violently. There was a haunting melody enclosed within the howling crashes of the waves. An immediate counter of water struck from the opposite, drenching the boat and the content within. The melodic catastrophe continued within each strike of the ocean. There is an eerily abnormal factor to the attack of the waves. The rest of the ocean remained tranquil as ever while the waves only thrashed and targeted the black carrier.

An enormous wall of water began gathering behind the boat. The swordsmen quickly gripped Robin's waist, pulling the two overboard before the third tidal crushed the glider. As soon as her body hit the water, panic warped her mind. The earlier trauma of the first cyclone was still fresh in mind as she clawed desperately at the sea. MiHawk kept the arm securely around the panicked women. The warm strength around her waist provided the shelter, Robin quickly wrapped both arms around his shoulder and neck. The right hand grabbed his very head, knocking off the black hat, grasping onto the thick wet hair. She clutched tight to the last of her sanctuary. Robin choked and tried hard to hold back the tears as the ocean began sapping the strength from her body. The soft desperate sobs drove the swordsmen more strongly; the need to get to land, the need to comfort the frantic figure, the need to keep her safe.

Even as the water weighted boots grounded the sandy beach, Robin remained clutched to the swordsmen. Her body shook ever so slightly as he half carried her across the pearly shore. The eyes finally opened, slowly adjusting to the surrounding.

"Are you alright?" he asked. The faces were still pulled close. Robin quickly dropped the clinging arm from the wet shoulders; with more mortification, she hastily released her fingers from its grip on the swordsmen's hair.

"Ah.. Gomen." she apologized, embarrassed. The black hat had washed ashore to the left of the two. Robin gave a speedy walk in its direction. She frantically willed the red from her face as she drained and dusted the hat. She hadn't meant to seem so weak. MiHawk kept a short look upon the companion. The slow taunting melody. Only audible to the sharp senses of the swordsmen, had followed the two onto the beach. Despite the impossible mist covering the skies, the island remained dimly lit. Ethereal was nowhere in sight. This was not a big concern. The swordsmen knew he would meet the creature at the end of the island. Just getting to that point was the important part.

"I-I'm sorry. Umm, your hat-" she mustered, holding out the damp material. He gave a small nod, taking the item to hand.

"We have to keep moving." He spoke scanning the area. Robin nodded with determination. She needed to pass the island to earn the right to see her nakama's. She followed wordlessly behind the figure. When they finally reach the jungle, it was a mass of leaves and trees. The hand in front was hardly visible through the thick mesh of green. From behind the waist MiHawk drew a long, silver handled dagger, it was unlike any weapon she'd seen before. The silver handle shined and sparkled with unearthly element, the dark blue/almost black blade glowed brightly as it slew through the forest. The blue blade made excellent progress with the task at hand, but Robin knew well of the destructive power of the large weapon strapped to the swordsmen's back. Robin opened her mouth, about to question the restrained use of the Großes Messer.

"The black sword will attract more attention then necessary." the swordsmen answered the silent question.

Robin stared and kept focus on the busy figure as she treaded the path made before her. From the moment she gained consciousness, he had never been too sociable or friendly. The only thing she knew for certain was the gentlemen like behavior during meals and Liza's stories regaling of the swordsmen's pass days. From all the collected information, it was determined that the man was of no evil; lacked emotion, but compassionate enough to care for others; powerful beyond all measures, but not reckless.

Given all the analysis Robin couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy at the distracted state he showed now. He was constantly on guard, the head turned, checking with a glance every time she made even the slightest different pace of breath. The two treaded the jungle for continuous hours. Robin took care to squeeze the water out of the thick coat during the travel thought the forest. Yet, with each step the weather seemed to chill more and more. The damp coat only worsened the situation as the sun deserted the island. The darkening overhead signaled the complete set of the sun. "Nico Robin. You must follow close." the guide turned around. "Do not lose sight of me." he spoke seriously. She fought to keep the teeth chattering in front of the swordsmen. She answered with quick nods of the head.

The boots marched ahead as the dagger hacked the leaves. He started saying something-- The mist floated thickly.

Thin. Sweet. Melody.

Robin shook her head roughly, fighting to focus on the black boots moving ahead. The growing cold was unbearable. The mist floated thickly.

Thin. Sweet. Melody.

Robin clutched around her shoulder as the cold continuously nipped the flesh. The stiff frozen feet tripped over a raised root. "Ah!" a short cry escaped her lips as she caught her own mid-fall. When she looked up, the mist had floated into an impossible amount. The man in front was lost, the footsteps, inaudible. Robin treaded five steps in every direction before allowing herself to call out, "MiHawk? MiHawk??" she shouted nervously.

No answer.

Thin. Sweet. Melody.

"MiHaw--!"

"Nico Robin." she reeled around to face the familiar voice. A relieved smile began to form. "I told you to remain close." snapped the tone. The eager smile dropped quickly with guilt. The cold had not stopped its increase. She rubbed desperately around her shoulders.

"I…I'm sor-sorry." the frost stiffened her throat. "I-I was only--" the swordsmen approached her.

Did it grow colder when he neared?

"It's okay." The large hand took her chilled fingers into grasp. "There's nothing to worry about." the identical voice soothed as the other arm wrapped around her waist.

It was cold… So cold. It was unusual. The way the hands traveled up and over the curves of her waist. The mind, dull and dumb from cold, fought to reason the situation as the touch continued to travel about her body.

She willed her body to pull away. The cold immobilized the functions. The light breath brushed against her shoulder with whisper, "For a human. You are quite the beautiful creature." It smiled against the neck.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.

"Do not lose sight of me." MiHawk instructed. She nodded swiftly at the words. Turning away he took more steps, dismembering the green mass of obstacles as he advanced. "Nico Robin, for the time. Just take my hand--"

No response.

MiHawk quickly turned. The women was no where in sight. Instead, the ominous fog had swallowed and engulfed around the swordsmen. Only the mystic melody swirled. The swordsmen closed his eyes; vision would only deceive and alter against such enemy. The steps followed the sound as the eyes kept its restrain.

The melody morphed to a gradual humming; it diminish and vanished completely as the steps finished. When the eyes opened, Robin stood in a distance, secured firmly in the hold of a another. The mirror image of the swordsmen himself.

"For a human, you are quite the beautiful creature." the double whispered into her neck. The identical figure stared back with dark eyes.

"N-No…" the teeth chattered. The copy stared down at the helpless women. "You…your not him… your not MiHawk." she shivered against the touch. Her eyes were glazed over. Close to death, trance. Both.

"Release her!" the angry voice thundered as he unsheathed the dark sword.

"She is an amazing creature--" The copy lowered its head kissing the neck, it's eyes never left the swordsmen as it toughed along the delicate throat line. The melodic echo continued to warp the space around them. "--an amazing creature." it repeated, the melody changed to a different tone as the true form revealed. The brilliantly colored hair shook magnificently over the idle prey. The strands danced in the prism of all the rainbows as the creature smile beneath the thick wave of hair.

"Siren." MiHawk gritted as the hands clutched around the sword.

"Hunter." the mass of hair parted, revealing an unearthly face of a beautiful boy. The creature bowed low in deep respect. "It honors me to be regarded by one of the three; a student of Seraph-sama." Under the thick hair the lips grinned like a wolf. "It honors me that you recognize the Divine Creature." the young man gently laid the women aside. "You know of me only from the teachings of your mentor. Because I do believe that this is our first time in meeting." The boy pounced with supernatural speed. MiHawk blocked the claws with a swipe of the sword. The blade slashed the flesh between the outreached talons. Blue blood dripped from the wound. "…The rules are already punishing me for the violation." the voice muttered under breath. "But do not mistake this battle as yours." smiled the face. "Under the given condition I may not have my full strength to destroy you… But the female." he nodded towards the immobile figure on floor. "She is but a moth before flame." The lips did not move but the steady symphony flowed continuously from the throat.

Robin doesn't feel it.

Blood had begun trailing from her ears.

The swordsmen didn't need to be told twice of the condition.

"N--no… Don't listen to---" Robin seemed to have read his mind. She begs the swordsmen from compiling to the threat. MiHawk knew he couldn't satisfy the women's wish. He released the heavy sword, the sharp blade cut half way into the dirt as it dropped. Tears trail from her eyes as the blade hit the earth.

"If you are indeed one of the four Divine Creature…keep your word." he spoke through clenched teeth. Upon the swordsmen's words, the deathly melody stopped. Instead a powerful blow was delivered to the stomach. The force slid him back, the heel of the boots dug into sand as the strike ebbed. MiHawk ignored the shearing pain in the abdomen, the only comfort rested at the fact the attack had seized from the women. The vibrant array of colors jumped onto the chest, forcing the figure down. The decorative hair brushed softly against his face as the creature above spoke.

"The others, they said it was only the master who could destroy the Hunter." the claws raise. "They are fools." it slams down with inhuman strength. Nails. Talons. Sharper than the most readied sword cut deep into the flesh, digging the chest.

"NO! Please!! Stop!" Robin screamed. She tried to crawl towards the two; he wanted to tie her down, she mustn't near the dangerous creature. Luckily, the being was too ecstatic in the ecstasy of inflicting damage upon the swordsmen.

"You..! You may have the same aura as the master. But you are nothing like him." the claws slashed and dug repeatedly into the flesh. MiHawk didn't even let out a sound as the talons did their work. "Scream!" commanded the voice. "Scream your agony!!" the figure grew hysterical at the stoic reaction to the torture. "Filthy human!" The head lowered to the face the grounded swordsmen. "How dare you try and rise against Ea---"

It was finally in range, the moment he waited for. It all happened too fast. From the back of the belt, the arm slashed across the thin silver handled dagger across the neck. From under the mass of hair, the face kept the same insane expression, it still did not know of the deathly cut already delivered and done. The boy jumped back. Too late. The blade had already done the deed, thick blue blood flowed continuously from the gash of wound. The eyes still laughed as he stumbled about. The boy staggered before falling back. The swordsmen stood over the choking creature, blue liquid spurted and gurgled from the open throat.

'It was foreseen you know…' the message spoke to the mind. Telepathy.

'You…broke the rules. You left the scared island, came here, to the location of your disadvantage… For what? To die?' the fading life flickered painfully at the swordsmen's words. It quickly recovered with a look of pride.

'The women.. The master wanted to met her… if only for a moment-' the head nodded towards Robin. MiHawk's eyes flashed dangerously at the message. 'The Key… she is finally here. You have already played into the part…as have I…' liquid gurgled and choked the boy, 'I have no regrets. May everything occur in the wishes of Eagle sama.' the light dulled from the eyes. MiHawk stepped away as a eerie glow emitted from the body. The still boy deteriorated into bright particles as the body misted into air.

x.x.x.x…7 minutes ago...x.x.x.x.

'Nico Robin. It is a pleasure to finally meet you.' a voice spoke inside.

She brushed away the distraction and tried to concentrate on the fight ahead. The colorful hair nods tauntingly in her direction. She knows what the boy wants the swordsmen to do. Robin fought to speak the protest.

'You know he'll still do it.' it narrated. MiHawk dropped the black sword. Soon the boy is atop the disarmed swordsmen slashing across the chest. She gripped the dirt, crawling desperately towards the two. Robin didn't know what she thought could be achieve in approaching the two but she couldn't just lie down and watch. She screamed for the attacks to stop.

'It's not for you. He's not doing any of this for you.' taunted the voice. 'Just as I am using Siren, he is using you. You are the precious Key after all.'

'Who are you?!' she finally shot back, she continued moving towards the two as the mind screamed at the other voice.

'It will also be inconvenient for me if you were hurt.' it ignored the question. 'I apologize for the rash action of that idiot creature.' she almost felt the ghost like touch wipe the liquid trail from her ear.

'What do you want from me?!' her inner voice screamed.

'For now…? Nothing. I just wanted to meet- I mean, mark.. you for right now. It'll… help us find each other later.' thin chuckle echoed behind the spoken words. 'I believe our conversation will have to continue at another time.' Up front the sharp blade slashed the boys thin neck. 'Until then..' the voice severed as the blue liquid gushed from the cut throat of the boy in front.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.

As the creature disbursed into air she felt a huge pressure leave her body. Up ahead MiHawk retrieved the black sword, the swordsmen approached quickly while strapping the weapon to its rightful place. "Nico Robin, can you stand?" he asked gently. She struggled to move the sluggish body, "That thing, Siren. It attacks using sound waves. Its effect on your body should wear off in a bit." he slowly helped her up.

"I-I'm fine..!" she managed, fighting a stumble, "Your wounds. We need to treat them now." The thick gashes over the chest soaked the white of the ragged shirt into a crimson red. MiHawk mentally disagreed as he scanned the beginning night; the winter of the island had already begun, he noted the frosty breaths and shivers of the women in front. A fire was in order first.

"We'll have time for that after-" MiHawk stopped at the stern look in her eyes. With a sigh, he hastily removed the wet coat and pulled off the ragged shirt. Robin quickly extracted a bottle of rubbing alcohol and rolls of clean bandages from the pack. Her hand shook from cold as it soaked the cloth with the potent medical liquid. She held the ready wipe but hesitated just inches from the flesh wound.

"It's fine. Just hurry, we must get a fire started before-" the cloth pressed against the wound. The swordsmen didn't let out as much as a grunt as the disinfectant washed (burned) over the open cut, but he also left the sentence unfinished. Robin discarded the used wipes and began wrapping the bandages around the cleaned wound. She looked away, trying to keep down the blush during the moments when both her arms had to reach around the swordsmen to pass the scroll of bandage.

"Done." the fingers tied a secure knot to the side. MiHawk rose almost immediately,

"We have to find shelter. Now." the breath came out in frost. A thin drizzle had begun.

XxX… Present Time ..XxX.. Island of Divine Wings ...XxX

"Acheloide! Oi, Acheloide!" the rough call swept through the trees. "Siren!" it shouted impatiently.

"Siren… is no longer with us…" a lazy reply sounded behind.

"What do you mean 'no longer with us'?!" the figure reeled quickly, a hand shot out gripping the shirt, long strands of red hair also caught between the fingers as it rapt the figure dangerously.

"Acheloide… went to greet our guests on a different island…" spoke the idyllic tone.

"What?! The Divine Creatures are tied by ancient laws to the Sacred Islands! The law bind our powers and deteriorates us as soon as we set out of our island!" the orange eyes burned with heat as it elevated the creature at hand. "You mean to tell me, Siren broke the sacred rules just to die futilely in the Hunters hand?!!"

"It was not in vain... He had a mission of marking the Key. It was completed before his body became useless. The mission was a success...' spoke the unfazed figure. The orange eyes flashed dangerously at the dry words. The hand revealed sharp talons as it prepared to strike the idle neck.

"Is there a problem Kylix?" asked the smooth voice ahead. Light steps echoed, gentle winds parted the mass of trees as the young silver haired swordsmen emerged from the jungle. The deathly claws drew away from the captives pale flesh as the third approached. "It was I who asked him of the task. Acheloide's death was not in vain. Will you disgrace the valiant sacrifice of your brother with more blood of our comrade?" asked the sympathetic voice, the tone, laced with cruelty and manipulation.

"No, master.. Of course not. As you wish." the burning eyes kept its sight firm on ground as he released the figure at hand. Long red hair flowed gently as it hovered down.

"Excellent." smiled the pleasant boy. "The Hunter and Key will soon cross into the Shion's island. The Shion's will no doubt aid their travel. It is only a matter of time before the Key comes to us." he turned smoothly, walking out to the moonlit cliff. "Until then, please try to relax yourselves." clicked the steps as it parted from the two. Between the swish of the long silver strands, the large white sword gleamed from the swordsmen's back.

"Do not be lost in rage, little brother..." the pale fingers pulled aside its own crimson hair as it faced the devastation in the orange eyes. "Do not forget our purpose… We were freed once more to reopen the Aquarian gates… Acheloide's death was not in vain…" assured the kiss as it fell gently over the forehead.

XxX… 10 minutes later ..XxX.. Location: MiHawk and Robin...XxX

Robin sat alone in the shallow cave, feeding the fire. Actually, it wasn't a cave. It was a large cut made into the side of the stone mountain, compliments of the swordsmen MiHawk. The earlier drizzle transformed to light snow as the cold increased.

"The trees around here are not made to last long in fire. I'm going to find some that'll give better fuel. Stay put." he had said dropping the logs on the floor.

'This wood really doesn't give off much heat.' she thought, throwing the last piece into the small fire. 'How does he know these things?' Robin cupped the stiff hands to mouth and tried warming them with breath. From the corner, she spied the large Großes Messer resting against the wall of the cave. Robin slowly walked towards the blade. She reached out and fingered over the jeweled piece, the skinny fingers gripped over thick handle. She tried to move it off the wall, it felt as if she was pulling against a rooted tree. Robin's eyes grew wide as she applied both hands to retrieve the sword. It did not budge the first two tries, on the third jerk the blade lost balance and began to tip. She quickly let go and stepped back as the large sword fell. Hands quickly shot up to cover the ears, the crash was deafening. Stone, that served as the floor had broken and crumbled under the weight of the sword. With hands still on ears, Robin stood shocked as she recalled the earlier swim. She did not know how the swordsmen, with thrashing women in arm and this monstrosity strapped to back, made the move to shore through the bombardment of waves. A large clatter sounded from behind, Robin jumped at the noise. The swordsmen didn't look up as he threw in the newly acquired logs into the dying fire. Robin guiltily stepped away from the floored blade.

Dinner of wild boar and pre-packed bread was soon finished. Robin couldn't stop shivering. She couldn't efficiently perform the simplest task with her hands, twice, she dropped the dry bread during dinner. The new logs gave better heat but the growing cold began dominating the fire inside the small cave.

"Remove the coat." spoke MiHawk, his back was towards Robin as he bent to set up the grounded sword. "The frost will set onto the wet material over night and freeze." he explained as he leaned the blade against the wall once more. She nodded numbly as the fingers stumbled to remove the layer. The swordsmen took seat against the wall, ready for slumber. Clad only in the damp halter dress, Robin laid as close as she could to the unavailing fire. She willed herself to sleep as shivers continuously racked the body. Soon she even lost the movement to rub her stiff shoulders. Her eyes slowly lost focus and slid shut, darkness consumed as peaceful warmth washed over her mind and body.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.

"-co.. obin.." a voice called through the darkness. "NI.. OBIN-" the sound became louder. "Robin!" the third call pulled the mind out of the warm bliss and back to freezing reality. She blinked up wearily into the worried orange-gold gaze. "It..it was warm there… It's to- too cold here." she stuttered. The blazing fire aside did nothing for the hypothermic women.

"Robin, you have to sleep against me, your body is losing too much heat-" Robin's half closed eyes looked dully at the swordsmen, after a brief pause it began aimlessly searching around the cave, "Robin! Stay focused! Do you understand?" he shook the frail figure, her glaze returned to meet the orange gold eyes, for a moment it brought back her attention, she nodded stiffly. She laid with her front facing the fire and the back against the swordsmen's chest. Her dull mind wondered how her fingers, just inches from flame were still colder than her back pressed against the others chest. Without thought, the cold hand reached around for the swordsmen's arm. Upon finding it she brought it and the shoulder over to the front. The back warmed against the figure behind, the shoulder blanketed her own, the right hand wrapped around the muscular forearm as the left nestled inside the large palm.

The violent shivers lessened as the body warmed from the shared heat. Her mind swam in tired trance as the lips moved unknowingly. "It..never said who he was… He..he said you were just…using me." she murmured drowsily, "Just like he was using that…boy." Robin was too weary to notice the flinch from the borrowed hand. In the state of her glazed mind and the convenient angle, Robin didn't know of the pained, sorrowful look that rested upon the swordsmen's face. "I have an idea… of what powerful men want of me." continued the drowsy voice, "Through all my life they hunted me… seeking out the one who could read the Rio… Poneglyph. To have the weapon of destruction." the thin voice breathed, "The powerful…they always want more… power…" the body shifted as it turned towards the swordsmen. The slender figure pressed close to the other, seeking warmth from the idle body. MiHawk looked down, her eyes were closed in sleep, the women nudged her head into the nook between the chin and the shoulder. "If that… earns me the right to be with my nakama's… I'll do it…" MiHawk laid silent listening to the words.

The Rio Poneglyph wasn't the reason he needed her, the decryption of the ancient script was of no problem to the swordsmen. But he asked anyways, "Once acquired, what if it was used against the world?" The head slowly shook within the nook of the shoulder.

"No…not with you." the sleeping lips smiled against the warm skin. "You…you're… a good man…" the voice trailed and faded. MiHawk shut his eyes and shifted away from the fragrant hair.

It was enough to break the swordsmen. Her innocence, her trust, the childish way how she so blindly followed him. It reminded him of a certain girl, years ago, who so trustingly followed his guide through the dark streets one faithful chaotic night.

It killed him, the thought of what he had brought her into. Of what harm may be done to her. The cast arm tightened around the small body, he held the chilled figure close as the mind repeated the vow.

Nothing will harm her.

Nothing will part her from her nakama's.

Nothing will distort her happiness.

Even in the cost of his life, these things will not be taken from her. The swordsmen quietly bestowed the promise over the sleeping women. He sealed the silent oath with a kiss on the soft hair. As the lips left her person, the shivers ebbed. The body had begun to reached its natural warmth, but the frail figure never left the nook as the she slept within the others warm embrace.

Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx.Xx

CHARACTER PROFILE 1: Acheloide X. Siren

Class/Family: Sacred Creature of Divine Wings

Age: N/A (Looks about 16)

Height: 5'9"

Body Type: Thin. Lean.

Complexion: Pale.

Eyes: Pitch Black

Hair: Prism of colors. Length: Lower-back .

Ability: Manipulation of sound waves. Uses shrill, sonic waves to directly effect the brain into a state of trance or illusion.

Personality: Loud. Rash. Playful. Childish. Devoted.

CH9: The Devils Symphony.

No new Romaji. (I think…)

Rio Poneglyph: An ancient language only readable by select few (Only Robin in the OP world), contains the information of true history lost during the blank/empty years.

A/N: Hello everyone, the chapter would have been here sooner but I've been living on cough syrup and throat drops for the past week. Summer… cold… sucks…

Anyways! A LARGE, HUMONGOUS thanks to all those continuously fueling me with feedbacks. Those who are holding out, please throw out a line! It helps me SO very much. I'd like to hear what you guys think of the story. Thanks so much!