Tainted Innocence

Chapter #9

"She's about to kill you, you know. Do you want her to kill you? You don't stand a chance against her. Let me fight her. I'll kill her before she kills you. Let me show her what you've got."

"No! This is just a spar! Don't kill her! I'm just here to polish my skills and do some extra training!"

"You are utterly boring. She's about to kill you and all you do is say that it's a spar? That it's training? Hahaha! You are naïve! Spars are just another way of killing a person under the guise of telling them it is a fake fight!"

"Why are you doing this?! Stop! Just stop!"

"Why? It's not like you'll listen to me anyway."

"Why are you always in my head? Why are you telling me to do these things? I don't want to! I don't want to do these catastrophic things to people!"

"Why? It's not like you haven't done something like that before—"

"Stop it!"

"Stop? Hahaha! I'd like to see you try!"

Sin abruptly sat up, panting heavily. She had just had a dream, one that was so real, but a repeat of what happened halfway during her sparring match with For.

She rubbed her eyes gently, feeling weary even after waking up. She felt refreshed, but also dead beat tired. The dream didn't help, either.

After I heard that voice in my head, everything went blank. I don't remember what happened then. What happened to For? She was hurt pretty badly…

Just thinking about the voice that kept talking to her was making her feel anxious. She didn't like that voice in her head—it was like someone was trying to pry into her life, and claim it as theirs.

Sin slid out of the infirmary bed and headed out the door, trying to find her way around. She had memorised most of the place after the tour.

It's been a while since I memorised something so complicated.

She stepped out the door after placing her feet in the provided slippers, walking to where For was resting. She wanted to see how the guardian was doing.

It was still the same day, but around 3.30pm or so. She had slept a while.

Sin was halfway there when she was approached by Bak, who had found her wandering the place.

"You're awake, Sin. How are you feeling?" Bak questioned. He could definitely see the demeanour was different from what he had seen before in the battle.

"I'm feeling very good, thank you. I'd like to thank you for the good care this Branch has provided me." Sin did a small courtesy and smiled warmly.

Bak blushed, before hives started to pop up all around his face. He let out a little scream and almost immediately, Won was by his side.

Sin smiled as she drank her tea beside Bak's futon. Won was taking care of him, replacing the cold cloth on top of his forehead with another. His hives were getting better.

…is this really necessary? Sin sat there with a vacant but happy looking face.

Bak observed the Chinese exorcist carefully. The expression the other Sin had shown was intimidating, but the original one wasn't.

That's a mystery we need to solve, Bak coughed once, causing Won concern.

"Sin, I'd like to perform an examination of you." Bak said.

"As in a physical examination?" Sin tilted her head slightly, then took another sip of her tea.

"Not just a physical one, but one where we'll also examine your Innocence and many other aspects to see your state." Bak explained. "Of course, for the physical examination I'll get one of the female scientists to do it."

"Alright. When should I go?" Sin asked. She didn't have anything to do currently except for eating food.

"After his hives clear up." Won nodded at Sin, "Why don't you eat your meal first, we'll be here."

"Oh, um, okay…thank you." Sin handed the tea cup back to Won and stood, bowing slightly before leaving for the cafeteria.

Komui was at his desk, thinking deeply. His brows were knitted together that it formed a crease between them. His coffee, made by Reever, was untouched. The continuous pile of paperwork was also untouched.

With all that was happening right now, he felt the pressure to continue persevering.

Lenalee and the others…are apparently fighting with Suman, and the huge barrage of akuma that came with it. Komui's eyes narrowed, knowing that Suman had betrayed the Order. A Fallen One…

Snapping his mind out of the thoughts about his sister's current predicament, he changed his attention to the situation with Sin.

Sin. Sin Diae, Komui repeated those words in his head. An exorcist with a spear sword Innocence, invocation rate 70 or so percent. Someone who is courteous and kind, a likely dancer, a person who is also another person.

Hevlaska's words repeated many times through his head, and the one word that stood out among the rest was—

"Seraphim." Komui whispered, intertwining his fingers. He rested his forehead against his thumbs and stared at the front of his desk.

Where have I heard that before? What was it?

The Chief felt like he had heard such a word a long time ago, but he couldn't remember any details about it.

Finding his brainstorming not enough, he left to the archives, where he searched around for 'Seraphim'. He couldn't find anything of the sort in the normal archives, not even in the locked archives that were hidden below the original.

Why can't I find anything? Komui rubbed his temples, completely perplexed at that problem.

Seraphim; according to the Bible it is the name of the highest rank in angel hierarchy. A six winged figure that flies above God's throne, two wings covering their face, two wings covering their legs, and two wings to fly. They sing to praise God.

What is Hevlaska referring to? Komui pondered. He had a feeling she wasn't talking about the angel in the Bible.

In art, Seraphim is often depicted red, armed with a flaming sword…Komui pushed that thought out of his mind, finding it irrelevant.

"Ah!" Komui stopped short, a sudden thought in his mind.

Depicted red…Komui recalled the Cube glowing red and thrashing about like a child during a tantrum.

No…it can't be…

Komui remembered something a long time ago, a few years before he became the Chief of the European branch. It was a word of warning from a Cardinal that had come to give his congratulations – one that he had nearly forgotten.

"Since you are the next Chief of this branch, let me tell you something. If there is ever an exorcist that has an Innocence resembling that of an angel, send them to Central immediately."

At that time, Komui had no idea what that Cardinal was talking about. So, he asked him what he meant. The Cardinal's reply was—

"That Innocence is special. We call it 'Seraphim'. They will be under the special care of Central officers."

Back then, Komui had taken those words and treasured them in his mind, not knowing if he would ever come across such an Innocence. But now that he had grown older and experienced many more things, he had come to realise that those words from the Cardinal had a hidden meaning. That the true meaning of those words 'under the special care of Central officers' was not only a façade, but something that confused him.

But why dispose of an Innocence accommodator when fighting against the Earl? Komui took a seat on a nearby chair. He rested his cheek against his fist. That goes against what the Order needs.

If Seraphim is an Innocence that Central disposes of, why can't I find any records on them? That's odd, Komui stood up and paced back and forth between the archive shelves.

If Central wants Seraphim, only to dispose of them, that would mean that they do not want them. That would explain why there are no records. Not even in the locked archives. But why? Why would Central go to such lengths? Komui stopped abruptly.

What are they trying to hide? And what exactly is 'Seraphim'?

"Okay, we've just finished up here." Bak was typing quickly on the main computer in the multi-communications room, finalising the results from Sin's examination.

"That was faster than I thought," Sin commented, sliding her jacket back on. She got off the table that she was previously laying down on, walking over to where Bak was.

She stared at the screen, seeing him input the information from the clipboard that he used. His computer skills were very quick, and he got his work done well.

I don't think he's as lazy as Chief Komui, Sin thought with a smile, except I think Chief actually does his work when no one's around.

"Yeah," Bak pressed the 'enter' key and waited for it to get printed off. He clipped it under the clipboard and skimmed through it, then met Sin's eyes, "Your physical condition is fine. The only problem is probably the toll of your Innocence on you, and the toll of having a physically demanding job. Make sure to get enough rest and nutrition. Also, you and your Innocence's synchro rate have risen to around 85% or so, which is good, meaning you guys are getting along more, and you'll be able to wield it better."

He paused for a moment, "Oh, I also forgot to mention, you seem to have a good recovery rate. It's quite high."

"Good recovery rate?" Sin quizzed. She didn't think her body's healing abilities were adept. "They're just like any other normal person's."

"Was that the case before you became an exorcist?" asked Bak.

Sin nodded, "Scrapes, scratches and bruises all healed around the same time as everyone else." She placed a stray strand of hair behind her ear, "I'm not sure what's happening with the current recovery rate but I don't think it's sustainable."

Bak hummed in thought, placing the clipboard on his thigh. He tapped his index finger repeatedly with rhythm. After a moment, he spoke up. "Don't worry about it, then. That might have been a miscalculation on my part. I'll look into it."

Except it's not a mistake, Bak thought. That's confusing. Maybe it's just a temporary thing?

Sin smiled, "Alright. I'll be checking up on For, so you know where to find me." She bowed slightly at the Asia Branch Chief and left the room, heading to where the shorter guardian was.

I hope she's okay. Those injuries looked horrible, Sin thought with worry. She hurriedly made her way to where she remembered For's resting place to be. When she arrived, she took a glance around and went forward, then knocked lightly on the wall.

"For? Are you there?" She asked gently. She waited for a minute or so, wondering if For was sleeping.

I'll knock once more, then. Sin repeated her actions and waited, but the guardian didn't appear.

She took a couple of steps back from the wall, going back down the stairs that led up to it.

"I guess she's not here…" Sin concluded with a small frown. She shook her head and brightened up, heading off to the cafeteria. The examination had gone on a little longer than she had thought, and she was getting hungry.

Sin's mind was troubled as she made her way there, dessert before dinner, or dinner before dessert…

Back at the communications room, Bak stared at the sheets of paper on the clipboard, deep in thought. Apart from the things that he had already said to Sin, he left out once crucial part—about her Innocence.

Why were there traces of Innocence on her body?

That stumped Bak. Normally, there would be Innocence traces inside the body, but here, it was different—it was on her body. Meaning it was external.

Did a part of her Innocence shave off or something when she fought with For? Seems a little farfetched but it's a possibility.

"Bak Chan-chan," Komui's face popped up on the projected screen, singing Bak's name in jest.

The half German Chinese snapped out of his thoughts with a jump, startled at Komui's random appearance. "Komui?!"

"Long time no see, Bak-chan!" Komui used an annoying high pitched voice on purpose, trying to lighten up the atmosphere.

Bak sighed, ignoring the addition to his name. "We saw each other yesterday. What do you want?"

Komui cleared his throat, "I'll get straight to business – I take it you've finished your examination of Sin?"

The blonde nodded, "We just finished. Do you want the results?"

Komui nodded, and Bak told him what he needed to know, including what he didn't tell the girl.

"I see. So 85%," Komui paused, "What do you mean traces of Innocence on her body?"

"Just that. There were traces. It was around her back, but only externally. We can't do tests for internal Innocence traces like Hevlaska, so you might need to bring Sin to Hevlaska." Bak crossed his arms and legs, placing the clipboard elsewhere.

"I see." The Chief seemed hesitant to say something, but then decided for it. "Bak, have you ever heard of 'Seraphim'?"

"Seraphim?" Bak raised a brow, "You mean the angel from the Bible?"

Komui shook his head, "No, not that one. I mean the Innocence, Seraphim."

"Innocence?" Bak thought for a bit, staring at the keyboard. He racked his mind for anything related to it, until finally, he remembered something, "Ah!"

"You've heard of it before?" Komui was eager to know.

"I heard my mother and father talking about it a long time ago." Bak placed his thumb on his chin, "I don't remember too much, but I do recall them saying that 'Seraphim has died'."

Komui didn't expect that type of information. He looked at Bak with confusion. "What?"

"I'm not sure if it was an Innocence or not, but they had mentioned that 'Seraphim has died' and 'Where did the Innocence go?' in relation to that." Bak elaborated. He realised, "That would mean it's an Innocence, right?"

Komui's eyes widened and he leaned forward slightly in the video, "Do you know anything else?"

Bak leaned back slightly, wondering what Komui was up to. He shook his head, "N-no, I don't know anything more…I think."

Komui sighed and leaned back.

"What's all this about 'Seraphim'?" Bak questioned.

Komui confided, "Hevlaska mentioned something about Seraphim starting again."

"Starting again? Is Seraphim such an important matter?" Bak raised a brow.

"Yes," The Chief held the look of frustration, but not at the current situation, but by what he already knew regarding Central and Seraphim. He had cast his gaze off to another angle, but then went back to Bak, "Do you know anyone who would know about such an Innocence?"

The blonde thought for a brief moment, "My grandfather, and For, might know…" Bak trailed off, "I think that's it."

"Are they there now?"

"Grandfather's here, but I think For's resting from the match earlier today." Bak glanced at the golem cameras on another screen projection, which showed Sin walking away from For's wall.

Komui fell silent, thinking over his options. He wanted to speak to both of them, but there was a chance that they didn't know anything either. Initially, one of his options was asking Central directly, but that most likely wasn't going to work, as Central was the one that got rid of all the documents in the first place, meaning they wanted to erase all traces of it.

Both For and Zu are nearly the century old mark. Hevlaska, too. I could ask Hevlaska, but will she really tell me? Komui sighed through his nose.

"Am I able to talk to your grandfather?" He asked.

"Do you want me to call him over?" Bak questioned.

"I'd like to meet him face to face some time to discuss some things," Komui added, "That can wait a little longer, but I'll contact you when I need to talk to Zu."

Bak nodded slowly, this Seraphim thing must be a huge deal.

"Take care of Sin, Bak." Komui's tone had shifted to seriousness. He had a stern expression on his face, one that he normally did when he was in formal situations with Central or high ranking figures.

Bak noticed the immediate change, "O-okay."

Normally Komui didn't ask him for favours or anything of the sort unless it was absolutely necessary. It may have seemed like something trivial, but it was something that Komui wanted to do at all costs.

Komui smiled small with a nod, before the video cut off.

Bak stared at the blank screen for a while, letting Komui's words settle in.

Seraphim? Innocence? Bak stroked his imaginary beard and looked off to the side, thinking deeply. But what's this got to do with Sin?

Then, it dawned on Bak.

Oh, shit, he cursed mentally. It can't be…wait, no, it's too early. It's too early for us to know anything.

Dammit! We barely know anything about Seraphim, anyway!

Bak searched the computer for the records of Sin's examination that was saved not too long ago. It popped up on the screen, allowing for Bak to look through the data.

Since this is data straight from the machine that did the examination, I might be able to get something from examining the Innocence up close, he clicked the outlined shape of her Innocence, watching it show up with data on the screen.

His eyes scanned through it quickly, but there was nothing the machine could tell him, apart from the synchro rate, how it affects her body, and the weapon's measurements.

This doesn't help at all! The Branch head sighed and closed the data.

Won went to his side, offering him a cup of tea he thoughtfully prepared.

"Chief Komui is going to be gathering more information from his side, so you should do some on this side." Won suggested, handing him the cup.

Bak took a whiff of the fragrance of tea, finding that Won had prepared jasmine. He hummed gently, "Yeah, I should."

"Oi, Idiot Bak!" For's voice sounded through the intercom of a specific golem flying around Won. It was loud and piercing.

"For?!" Bak nearly dropped his cup of tea but managed, nearly jumping out of his skin at the sudden shout near his ear.

"Take care of this idiot for me!" For's face popped up as a video, and she seemed to have someone on her back, which she threw onto something.

"Take care of what?"

"This exorcist!" For pushed the golem so that it showed the body of a white haired exorcist, one that Bak recognised from the list of current active exorcists.

"Isn't that Allen Walker?!" He exclaimed.

"Hurry up and get your ass over here! I dragged him back from the forest! I'm tired!" For complained.

"O-Okay!" Bak quickly placed the tea cup to the side, and with Won, the two headed to where For currently was, with Won guiding the way.

"…what?" Sin stared at Bak as if he was crazy. "Why would Allen be here?"

"He was injured in a fight with a Noah." Bak explained.

Judging by the serious tone in the Branch Head's voice, Sin deduced that he wasn't joking around.

"Where is he? How is he faring? Are they serious injuries?" Sin bombarded Bak with questions, "Can I go see him?!"

Bak shook his head, "No, not yet. He still needs to recover."

Sin opened her mouth to complain, but then decided against it as it was probably true. She sighed dejectedly, worrying for her friend, "When Allen is good again, please tell me."

"Alright." Bak placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a small but reassuring smile. "He'll be alright soon, don't worry too much." Sin just nodded. He added, "Also, For is alright after yesterday's spar. You can go talk to her now. When you went to see her last she was actually out."

"Okay…"

"Alright, I have a few things to do. Well then." He waved and left.

Sin just stood there, forgetting what she was going to do. It was the early afternoon when Bak had come to tell her the news.

That would mean that Allen was brought here by For last night. Is Allen okay? I hope he's resting well. I hope nothing happened to him when he fought the Noah.

But it's odd that Allen's here. Why didn't I hear anything from Komui or Bak about this? Wasn't I supposed to go meet with them when they were going to go to Anita? What about the others? Where did they go? Are they alright?

It was then that Sin realised that she didn't know what was happening to her companions, and that she was told nothing by those who did. But why? It wasn't as if she was an ignorant person, or that she wasn't a part of them, was she? It puzzled her.

Did Bak and Komui forget? Or was there no time to tell me? Sin thought up various reasons, but although many did hold water, it still wasn't a plausible excuse to just not tell her. After all, they were going to fight the Earl and the family of Noah, as well as akuma.

I might as well go ask, Sin followed the way which Bak went, trying to find her way to him. She didn't know exactly where he was so she just went to For's wall, hoping that she would know.

Heading straight there, the female exorcist heard voices talking when she neared the place.

Is that For and Bak talking? She questioned. It wouldn't be good to interrupt them…

However, she managed to figure out that Bak wasn't talking to For, but rather another male. Someone she knew well.

Allen?! I thought he was resting! Sin took a few light steps towards the spacious room, able to eavesdrop on the main points of their conversation.

She stopped and listened.

The flow of the conversation was mainly Allen wanting to become stronger and continue on his path so that he could protect his friends, destroy akuma, and keep his promise to his father.

Sin felt herself tense when she heard Allen's worries, accompanied by the slamming of something against the wall on the male exorcist's side.

I never knew Allen had such worries, Sin wanted to laugh bitterly. And I thought I wasn't an ignorant person. There's a lot I don't know about anyone at the Order.

Bak had continued to talk to Allen, revealing that Allen's Innocence had been destroyed by the Noah, but wasn't dead yet, and the reason why he asked him all those questions, as well as telling him that they would work on restoring his left arm.

Sin didn't have much to say. She just stood outside, staring at the ground with an unreadable expression.

His Innocence was destroyed…by the Noah. Allen's strong. Does that mean the Noah are stronger? Sin rocked on her heels, then pushed herself forward from the momentum, the wall being her aid.

"Ah, Sin, so that's where you were!" For's voice brought Sin out of her mind. The guardian deity was pulling Won around, who seemed to be…crying? And wailing about Allen.

"For…" Sin spoke softly.

For ignored her completely and went inside the room she resided, almost sprinting in. She let out a battle cry, "FOUND YOU, YOU JERK! HOW DARE YOU SLIP OUT OF YOUR HOSPITAL ROOM!"

Won and Sin heard a loud thump against something, which made them jump.

Did For just kick someone?! Sin and Won thought simultaneously with alarm, rushing inside the room.

Sin stayed near the door so that she could just look in, but Won went inside, restraining Bak and For from fighting it out physically.

So it was Bak that For kicked…Sin sweat dropped. Do they always do this?

For and Won introduced themselves, and Allen gave them his sincere gratitude for saving him.

It was when Allen had moved a little to the side did Sin get a better look at him – he had bandages on his chest and a Band-Aid on his face, was missing his left arm, as mentioned by Bak before due to his Innocence being destroyed by Noah, and his right arm with bandaged into a huge lump of bandage.

Why is there so much bandage on his hand? Sin questioned. Did he fracture it?

"Ah!" For whipped her head around to the door, seeing Sin's head peeking through. She pointed to her, "Oi, you! What are you doing, just standing there?!"

Sin laughed nervously, feeling everyone's eyes go onto her. She waved once awkwardly, "Good afternoon…?"

"Sin…?" Allen's eyes went wide. He looked a little shocked, but it was covered by a smile, "I'm glad you're well."

Sin smiled and walked over to where they all were, seeing the blood on the wall, before hitting Walker on the head with a closed fist, though gently.

"What are you doing, getting out of bed and using that injured arm of yours to hit a wall? You were dragged from a fight against the Noah, for God's sake!" Sin reprimanded, placing her hands on her hips. She frowned at Allen as he stood there with an astonished expression, the bloodied bandaged hand on his head.

"Uh…sorry?"

"I'm glad you're alive and all but you should take care of yourself more!"

"I-I'm fine, though…"

Sin let out a long sigh, "Just don't worry me like that, alright?"

Allen's gaze went downwards, before a gentle smile appeared on his lips.

"Sorry."

"Hevlaska." Komui had approached Hevlaska yet again. He needed to find out and confirm his theories about what Seraphim really was, and why Central acted a certain way towards it.

"Komui…" Hevlaska leaned down slightly. "What is the matter?"

"What you mentioned before, about Seraphim," He took a short pause, "What exactly is it? What did you mean by 'it is starting'?"

The gentle giant fell silent for a long moment, then leaned forward so that she was closer to Komui. "Do you really wish to know?"

The Chief nodded. "Yes."

Hevlaska was hesitant, but she couldn't say no to such sincere eyes. She pulled back, "I only know so much."

"That's fine. That will do."

"Seraphim, is an Innocence," Hevlaska started, "that is hated by God."