Chapter 8

Mieko POV

"A-Allen! Wake up!" What is this voice? Did I fall asleep again? This is getting worse… What happened? Ah, I fell into a pit together with Lavi. My body feels heavy, my muscles are contracting, I could feel gravels inside my arm… it hurts. It hurts so much that I couldn't even move them.

I open my eyes, only to find Lenalee and Chao Ji beside me. Too bad, both, no, three of them, together with Lavi are cradling Allen. Their backs were facing me; the whole place was a mess. Pillars now crumbled while a door was left broken and shattered like glass. So was it all a dream?

Most likely.

I couldn't move my body so my eyes were the only one that technically functions well right now. In my field of vision, a monstrous figure sleds pass me and headed towards the three. It had gray ash skin, a monstrous mask, and tentacles seemingly like a centipede. What the hell is this creature?

'Joido.' A voice whispered within the depths of my mind. My head started to throb as if someone strong enough was squeezing it until he or she hears a crack.

'Joido,' it repeated itself, 'my love.' First was the immense pain in my head and now, my chest tightened. What is this feeling? Why do I feel like my will on living was becoming stronger and stronger, despite them not caring for me?

Kill. They hurt him. Kill.

My insides twisted and turned out of anger, but my heart, pounded faster out of something else. It's as if I was happy that I get to see them suffering under these creatures hands and yet, there's the feeling of acid flowing in my bloodstream.

"A mix of disgust and fascination?" Someone whispered.

"Not now." I narrowed my eyes as I continue to observe helplessly.

Allen and Lavi were fighting the monster, both of them are having a hard time matching the attacks with their defenses. I can't bear to watch such a scene without doing anything... Please. Please activate! I need to help them, so please...

My eyes blurred and salty tears had dripped down from my eyes. It traveled along the fresh scars that was evident on my face, making them sting and hurt. The pain didn't bother me. In fact, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the feeling of it trying to stitch its way back. Did I say stitch? Yes, it was fixing itself, bringing back the ripped skin.

I looked to my right only to find a sharp broken shard from the plates. Maybe if I wound myself, my innocence would activate. It won't hurt to try, won't it?

End of POV

Mieko tried her very best to reach out to the piece, and she did reach it. Gripping the sharp thing tight, it buried itself into her hands, morphing together with the flesh. Blood seeped out; the metallic bile no longer had a bright crimson color but, a much deeper shade. Green electric currents flashed around it.

Mieko felt the broken bones in her other arm, forming itself once more. Just like a puzzle piece, each part found its way to its right place. She also noticed the active current crackling. The injured girl raised her hand high while clinging onto the shard and with one swift movement; she pierced it into her arm. A scream of pain arose from her attracting the attention of the people around her.

"Mieko! What the hell are you doing?" Allen shouted, rushing towards her.

"Mi- Mieko..." Lenalee stared at her as she struggled with a new formed Tyki.

"Exorcist-san..." Chao Ji stared at her with awe and fear, as if she was a madman trying to do something stupid.

Lavi half losing his consciousness, got back up and saw the horrifying sight. His eyes widened as Mieko slid down the shard creating an open flesh and deep wounds. Blood was gushing out of her and though she was already weak, Mieko transferred the glass in her other hand, doing the same thing.

The redhead wanted to puke, thinking about how twisted the sight was. He stood up and pointed his hammer towards her, extending it. Too bad, it got rejected, sending him flying at a great height. Lavi was shocked with what happened, but he landed with ease. Green electric currents surrounded her bloodied arms, attracted towards the bitter liquid.

Her blood hardened as soon as it came on contact with it. It formed a crescent shape, slowly polishing and smoothening the rigid edges. Mieko knelt with one knee, she was still crying, but this time, out of satisfaction and success.

"Innocence activate!" With that, two blades formed once more. Her shadow no longer present, was enwrapped in it as an intricate design of a cross.

Everyone watched in awe. They looked at her faces stretched with shock; she even managed to get the attention of Tyki. He threw the limp girl away and went closer to a struggling Mieko.

"Allen! Let's do this!" Lavi called out, rushing towards the distracted Noah.

"Y- Yea!"

Mieko POV

It hurt like hell! What was I thinking?! Did I look cool? I think I didn't. My innocence was now activated but, what now? I can't even stand! Wrong choice... Wrong choice.

End of POV

The sounds of a hammer and sword clashing on the floor had annoyed Mieko. It just proves that she couldn't do anything. The whole place was crumbling, everyone was afraid. The Noah managed to throw Allen off course.

"Allen!" Mieko screamed. Finally she was able to lift her arms up and stand properly. "Please! Please innocence! Save Allen!" The blades liquefied and seeped through the ground. "Wha– No! Don't fail me now!"

The ground began to crack, forming a clean line leading towards Tyki. The Noah noticed it and dodged it without any effort. But just like water, it has different channels.

Three.

Two.

One.

Various sharp spikes came out from the ground, each aiming for Tyki.

"Ah..." Mieko was speechless.

"Watch out!" Lavi sped pass through the monster and grabbed Mieko, leading her to the rest.

"You Bookman, take her to me." A deep and rough voice called out to the redhead. "No buts." Seems like the newly arrived General Cross throwing Allen away, was interested.

"Alright!" He agreed, looking back at the poor girl. Fear was evident on her face, was she thinking that he was giving her away to an enemy? Absolutely yes. "Mieko," he stopped and looked at her in the eye, "he's on our side. You'll be safer with him rather than us. Aren't you happy?" He grinned foolishly. Well, he wasn't lying. It was an obvious thing.

"But–"

"No buts right? Go!" He smiled warmly and extended her to the General.

As soon as she reached him, Allen fell near him and Lenalee. His expression was worried for the new companion. Allen wanted to rush to her but he knows that he'll only get a beating from Cross of he does that.

The spikes hadn't settled. It crawled back into the open wound of her arm. Mieko winced at the sudden action, looking back at the man who was smoking.

"Who are you?" She asked as he inhaled.

"I am just someone who happens to pass by." Not bothering to look at her, he blew a puff of smoke. "I am Cross Marian."

"You better remember that name kid."