Mulleb: *Sitting down at the table about to have hot chocolate when he notice the readers* Oh, hey there. No, you're not early this time I just lost track of time. *Grumbling* Still need to buy a new clock, because of two certain someones. One of them being my co-host is currently out due to exile. *Being a little more cheerful* But let just enjoy the chapter for now. *Take sip of drink. Eyes grow wide and turned a little green. Spitting it out* Yuck , not again. If you're curious what going on remember last chapter where Naruto prank Sistine. Apparently she didn't think his punishment wasn't enough, so she decide to prank him. How? Every drunk chewed up tobacco? Probably not, but I heard this one guy used to spit his chewed tobacco into used beer cans or something like that. One day he forgot he used one of the can and drunk it. Let just say to this day he haven't chew tobacco. Well, picture the same thing expect with ramen. *Sighing* And the rest is history. Those two been at it every since and more than once I got in the crossfire. *Pouring drink down the sink and than head for the stairs* If I get catch up in one more of there pranks I'm going to... *slip on a toy and fall down a stairs. After a painful fall and a little of swearing he came up shouting* That is it! Those two are dead meat! Enjoy the read people. I'm going hunting. *Storm out house*
Chapter 10
Limping down the hallway the prince senses were on high alert. Not because there was any danger, but because his recent discovery of his weapon partner shrinking and about to confront Medusa was causing him great anxiety. His hearing was quite acute at the moment so he could hear every little noise around him. The musky smell of the keep was stronger than it should be and the metallic taste of blood coming from his lips was strong. He was breathing heavily as sweat ran down his face stinging his eyes.
The further he progress the more he fall into a panic attack until he was force to come to a stop. Sitting down with his legs cross he pressed his back onto the wall. Wiping some of the sweat off with the back of his hand he sat there long enough to regain some control of his breathing. Standing back up using the wall as a support he said, "Can't let Lady Medusa see me like this."
"Oh you think," said Ragnarok from his meister's back. "You look like you're having a heart attack. Medusa would surely know something up if you show up as a mess." The demon could understand the prince reaction, but he will be damn that they get into hot water over it. "Hey, maybe she wants nothing more than our report."
"True." The statement did calm his frayed nerves a little. Of course all Medusa wanted to know was the success of his mission. All he was doing was the usually routine so there wasn't anything to worry about. "Keep out of sight," he said as he started down the halls. "Lady Medusa doesn't need to know about your little problem."
"Let see, have that bitch see me and take the risk that she would do painful experiments to figure out what wrong. Or stay inside your body so we can avoid the pain. What do you think I'll do dumb ass?"
Glad that his partner was on the same page he was able to at least masquerade a look of calm. He was still a nervous wreak, but no one needed to know that. Expect for the few people who saw him early, but that was not an issue at the moment. Having Medusa making his life more like a living hell was and he did not need it.
He wasn't at all afraid to feel a little pain. In fact he welcomed it at times to keep him in touch with reality. However, this was only physical pain he did not fear. Already scarred mentally, he trying his best to keep together what left of his scatter mind. Wasn't much but it was far better than being a soulless vassal.
As his mind go through the possible scenarios of his meeting with his mother most of them were pretty negative. The first one was what Ragnarok mention, just going to take his daily pill before getting on with his wretched life. Second scenario was a little less appalling and kept on getting worse until he put Maka into the mix. With her there his thoughts started to get the best of him again.
Feeling his heart pumping faster the demon shouted, "Stop with whatever you're thinking and breath. Replace that fucking thought with this one. I'm freaking out for no fucking reason and need to relax. Now repeat after me." Doing as told, censoring out fucking for good, Crona repeated the words back to the demon. "Now keep on repeating it until you're heart stop pumping like a dick in a vagina." That summoned up a blush and an image he didn't need, but strangely enough it did help a little.
Being repetitive to the point of annoyance he was able to push the fears away into a corner in the back of his mind. Then he shoved it into a box, chained and locked it, and tossed it into the deepest sea he could found. He knew what he did was pointless for it will resurface with vengeance trailing behind like a tail. However, it would take some time so hopefully it would stay down long enough that he could get through with his meeting without setting off alarms.
"Are they gone?"
"For now," he said placing a hand over his heart, "they'll be back, but after we are done with business." Taking in a deep breath for good measure he said as he exhaled, "Thanks."
"Don't thank me yet. We still need to keep Medusa out of the loop before we cleared the woods. We're here."
Standing in front of the throne room doors for some reason the gargoyles were least inviting than they should be. "Suppose to keep out evil," he stated to himself. "You guys are doing a horrible job at it." Gripping the handle he gave three hard knocks telling whoever inside he was here. For several minutes he stood there with the ring in hand hearing nothing from the other side.
Almost did one more knock to be heard when Medusa called out, "Wait a moment. I'm currently busy with something." She sounded frustrated at something. With what he didn't know, but he didn't indulged himself to think about. Too much of it of late had done more harm than good. "Come in," she said her voice now monotonic.
The doors open to reveled Medusa standing in front of a table with something in hand. Once he was closer he could see it was a fresh skull or a mutilated head. Large patches of bloody bone shine between the pale skins. White hair was sticking all about and one of it eyes was in Medusa's hand with the nerve cord still attach. It lower jaw was stripped of skin and flesh, but it upper still had its. In all it was a grueling sight.
The four guards were not accustomed to the horror sight for they never been to war nor had she done this while they were around. All of them were able to keep their breakfast, but it still nauseated them. Crona on the other hand wasn't moved at all. This was far from the worst he every seen. Though, he was a little unsettled for there were few people in the castle who had white hair in the first place. And for some reason he got the feeling that it used to be a he.
At the throne he gave a bow and said as calmly as possible, "Good m-morning Lady Medusa g-got a new s-specimen to p-play with?" Not answering him for she was more amuse by the eye at the moment he took a glance of what on the table. In the middle of it was the flesh and muscles used to belong to the head. Knifes and other sharps objects used for dissection were set to one side while a piece of cloth stain with blood was set on the other.
Picking up a small delicate knife she cut the cord severing the tie between the eye and head. "I recently decide to look into how the eye work and see if I can enhance vision. This man used to have trouble seeing and I want to know why. I plan to compare this eye to people who vision are fine or even better than average."
As she careful cut away at the muscle around the eyeball she said, "How was the mission? Didn't beat yourself to submission did you?" Recalling his slaughter of the cult and the fight with Death the Kid he told her to the best of his details how it went. "Death own son challenge you? Well, at least you're not weak while being incompetent. You should have killed him. A reaper soul would have increased your power greatly."
Saying, "Yes Lady Medusa." he watch with interest as a cleared liquid shot out of the eye. Landing right on her left sleeve she muttered to herself as wiped it off the best she can with the bloody clothe. "H-had you d-discovered anything y-yet?"
"No," she said never taking her eyes off the eye, "nothing major though I think I know one reason why this old man vision was so poor. Strangely, unlike most eyes I seen in the past this one is quiet smaller. Don't know what this mean but I'll keep it in mind."
Placing both the server eyeball and skull onto the table she sat down with her legs cross. "Crona, what are the unwritten rules of this house?"
With a nonchalant shrug, at least he hope it was, he said, "N-never bring an o-outsider in without p-permission and d-don't disobey a r-rule that you set."
With a thin smile and the whim to clap a little she said, "Bravo and do you know what happen to those who break them." No one in that room or the keep needed to be reminded what happen. Telling her anyway she replied to his answer, "Correct. Now this old gent was unfortunate for he dared to go against me." With a predatory smile she said pointing to the skull, "And the foolish librarian received the capitol punishment that is required by law."
Gags were heard as a guard tried not to puke. He failed and his stomach contain added a new color to the black carpet. Crona himself felt the same way but having nothing to puke up he kept an uncaring demeanor.
Right about now the demon would have cracked about how much more attached he was now. Instead he remained quiet because he didn't want the attention and he didn't have the heart to do it. He cared little for the man, but it didn't mean he didn't respect the idiot in his own way. To make things worst he was now trapped between a hard place and a rock. When Medusa killed someone who does the soul go to?
As if on cue the witch pulled out from under her robe a human soul. No one needed to guess who it was. "Wake up Ragnarok," she said her voice a little loud so the demon could hear her. "I got a soul for breakfast." Several minutes passed by with everyone in the room peering at the prince's back. "Come on demon sword, I know you can hear me." Several more minutes and Medusa was starting to get frustrated. "Crona, why isn't he responding?"
With a shrug he said out loud, "Ragnarok. Medusa wants you right now."
"I'm not hungry." The obvious lie made Crona want to bang his head against something. The demon could have said anything else and it would at least sound possible. Everyone knew about his unfathomable appetite. "I have been ill last night and don't feel up to eating. Just gave the soul to the wuss for safe keeping and I can have it for a snack later."
Nice save, thought the prince though he didn't know it would save them or not.
By the thoughtful expression on the witch's face it might had. "Sick?" she asked as she pulled her off her hood. Her yellow eyes stared right through Crona as if seeing the demon within him. "Why haven't you report it to the maids?"
How the hell did she know that? thought the demon as he quickly made up a reasonable explanation. "Why the hell would I want those maids in my business? It was probably nothing more than a cold." Well, a reasonable explanation that he believe.
Putting the soul down Medusa said her voice firm, "Let me see you. I'm sure I can diagnosis whatever is afflicting you." Short of disobeying her demon could do nothing more but to compile. With a mutter he forcefully came out of the prince's back hoping to make himself seem larger than he really was. The moment the black blood formed into the body Medusa eyes were set into a glare. "Had you lost some mass?" she asked her voice turning as hard as steel.
"Of course not," he replied as he waved a hand in nonchalant manner. "I look like my charming shelf as usual."
"Vector plate," she said as if saying the weather was nice. A large black arrow formed under the prince feet which send him fly backward. His eyes wide with shook he tried to scream, but his breath was taken from him when he slammed into a pillar of black arrows. He was bent over for a moment but a hand pushed him straight to looked into the eyes of a snake. "You had been a very naught boy my dear child."
She couldn't help but feel pleased at the pained expression on his face. He knew all to well by what she meant. As for Ragnarok he was being smart by going into hiding. Medusa couldn't care less as she mentally cursed her luck. It wasn't too hard for her to figure out what happen to the demon. There was only one way he could be losing power and that is by someone having the rare anti-demon wavelength.
Seeming that the only person that could have it was the one girl she had brought into her domain for the experiment only made things worst. Oh, she wasn't mad at the fact that her plan back fire. It was always possibility that she was ready for. No, what made her mad was the fact she was the one who caused the screw up in the first place. She was going to deal with her once and for all and the prince was going to pay as well.
"Guards," she shouted, "go fetch Maka so we can have a little chat." The guards looked at each other with sorrow, but caring more for their own will being they head toward the girl's room. "Did you really think that you can hide her from me?" she asked the prince.
With an uneasy giggle he replied with a shrug, "I-I d-didn't do anything w-wrong and n-neither had M-Maka."
"So, your friend is more important than your mother." With a shake of her finger she said, "That my dear child I can not allow." As the two of them stand there Crona fear had vanish leaving him strangely calm. They were not needed for his worst fear has just become reality.
Gathering the little material goods she had Maka set them out nicely on the bed. She had already decided that she was going to need only a couple of the dresses she had. So she was going to take the clothes on her back on one other. Though, as she held the silk dress up to her body she let out a soft sigh. "Hate to see this go." However, the emeralds themselves could feed and cloth a family for months on end. Just temptation should be rid of and the money could be put to better use.
Putting it back on the bed she looked out the window to see how the weather was. It was a nice, sunny day with the lazy puffy clouds that tells one that it wouldn't rain today. Only thing that seem odd was the rainbow circling the sun. Ignoring the omen she went back to her bed and sat down. She was waiting for a maid to bring her a bag so she packed her things.
So when she heard someone at the door she was not hesitation to open it. "Got my bag... Hey!" One of the four guards grabbed her by the waist and heaved her over on his shoulder. "Put me down," she screamed at the top of her lungs as she hammered her fist into the man armor back. "You can't treat me like this. Help! Someone help me! I'm being abducted!"
Placing a meaty hand over her mouth, the man carrying her said, "Be quiet kid. You're coming with us if you like or not. Ow," he exclaimed for Maka shank her teeth into his hand. "Bloody bitch bite me." One of the other guards slapped her across the cheek which dislodged her teeth from his comrade's flesh.
"Put her down for a moment," said his comrade. With a nod he did and he held her in place as she trashed about. Cutting a strip of cloth from her dress he tied it around her mouth. Picking her back up the four was grateful that she now was muted. She tried to say something, but the cloth muffled her speech. Just to prove she wouldn't go without a struggle she kept on pounding her fists which the man easily ignored.
Upon entering the throne room they set here down at the door way. "My Lady we have brought the guest as you asked." Maka eyes grew large as she looked at the pillar of arrows. In her mind the word witch was loud enough that if it was vocal it would be deafening.
"Bring her forth," said the witch. Coming out from behind the pillar was the same robe figure she saw earlier expected her hood is down. Getting a good look at her Maka tried to say something, but the cloth prevented her to. "Why isn't she tied up?"
"We didn't have a rope when we got her," replied the guard who holding the girl.
"Than get one," she said harshly. "I don't want one of you slipping up and letting her get away." One of the guards left and quickly returned with rope. Tying her wrist and ankles together the guard holding her carried her forth until they were right in forth of the pillar. After forcing Maka on her knees the guard took his place with the others at the entrance.
With mild amusement she watched as the girl tried to say something. With a finger she hooked the cloth and pulled it down. "You have no right to do this to me," said Maka. "I'm Prince Crona honor guest and I demand to be let go this instance."
With an unsettling laugh the witch said, "The prince doesn't run the show around here." Glancing beside her she said, "Crona, come and greet your guest." Stepping out from behind the pillar he was staring at the ground not daring to look into Maka eyes.
"Hey," he said raising his bandage hand.
"Want happen to your hand?" asked Maka more worried for his well being than hers.
"I cut it up on glass."
"How touching," said the woman, "but it's time that you are dealt with. Crona, kill her."
"What," exclaimed Maka. "He wouldn't harm me." Looking less certain she asked Crona, "Would you?"
Placing a hand on his shoulder the woman said, "But my child would do anything for her dear mother, isn't that right Crona."
"Yes Lady Medusa," said he though he stood there as still as statue.
"Wait," said Maka as the name replayed itself in her head. "Lady Medusa." In a flash the memories of the night she fought Crona was clear as day. How she track him down, the disastrous fight, the blind flight, and lastly the voice of a witch. "You're the witch that took me and him prisoner," she said her voice fill to the brim with angry. Him is her weapon partner who name still allotted her. "You're the bitch who kept us locked up in a room until you needed us for your propose. You're the reason I'm here in the first place."
With a snake like smile she said, "Oops, look like part of the spell have been broken. Should have known that saying my name while casting it would bring back some of your memories. Is doesn't matter now for your usefulness have run out. Crona, kill and take her soul." The prince didn't move. Glancing at her child the smile faded as she said, "This is growing real old real quick. Listen and do as I say."
He didn't twitch a muscle even when the demon sword appeared in his hand. His mind was on full lock down as the action he was asked to do overwhelm him. If it was anyone else he would do it within a heartbeat, but this wasn't anyone else. This was Maka and he had no wish to kill her. Heck, the madness that was on trying to take control couldn't make him do it.
Not without a little persuasion that is. Years earlier Crona would at times go weeks without doing what Medusa wanted. However, she would eventually get him to do what she wants. She always gets what she wants. With a stern voice she said, "If you refuse to slay the girl than you will face the consequences." All he could manage was a nod of his head. "So be it. Guards take the prince to the iron maiden and take the girl to her room. Make sure neither of them are fed or watered for the next twenty-four hours."
The iron maiden was an old tool of torture that had been used throughout Europe for centuries. It was a simple device in itself, but needed some skills to make it useful for torture. The coffin, usually a big and well build piece of beauty that had the image of a maiden painted on it lid, would have iron spikes that was placed just right for someone to slowly bled to death, but never kill the person right out by hitting anything vital. To make sure the person who being tormented doesn't get out the lid is locked until the person died of lack of blood.
As one can imagine having blood that can harden on impact would make this a little hard to do. To make up for this Medusa design this particular maiden's spikes to be shorter than average. They were long enough so they can pierce and dig into the skin which at first would be nothing more than a mild annoyance. When hours past and one turn squeamish those spikes can became quite painful and deadly if he move just an inch.
Another different to the design was that there weren't any spikes near his eyes. There was one time where the witch consider removing his vision for it was probably the only place where the black blood is at it weakest. All it would take a stray arrow or a lucky bullet to go through his eye and kill him. If not immediately than the infection that it could bring would.
She thought that he could hunt down his targets by sound, but after some time she decided it was best he didn't. What were the odds that he would be hit in the eyes? Slim at best and it would be much easier to train and turn into a kishin if he can see. So she removed the spikes from that region so his sight was preserve.
An added bonus, for the witch, was that the darkness and closeness had a psychological affect. Hours on end in being in just a dark, tight place would take a toll on anyone mind. It sure did affected the demon for he couldn't come out and take out his frustration on Crona. There wasn't enough room for the both of them and he was too busy making sure his meister doesn't bleed to death.
So there he stood the prince stuck in the intolerable place hungry and thirsty after spending twenty-four hours in the thing. From the outside a voice said, "Alright, time to come out my lord." At first all he could see was a blinding light that burned. Placing his torn up arms in front of his face the prince came out of the coffin his muscles stiff and numb making his movement a little jerky.
A hand on his shoulder led him a chair where he involuntary took a seat. "Stay there and I'll get you something to drink." He nodded at the voice though the last thing he wanted to do was sit. As his eyes adjust to the lighting he could see the room he was in. Medusa called it the reevaluating room while everyone else call it the snake's play pin. Spread out across a long, narrow room, light up by dozens of candles and a fireplace, was an assortment of tool used to cause pain. From burning skin with hot iron rods to stretching a person out until their joint popped out of their socket. The witch had it all.
Coming back through a door at the end of the room was a guard holding a cup of wine. "Here," he said handing it to the prince, "drink slowly." Crona wanted to down the drink to moisten his dry mouth, but past experience had him take small sips. "After you done you'll go to the throne room." He gave the guard a nod to tell him he heard him. Without a word he finished the drink and stiffly walked to the throne room.
On his way there the demon came out and pounded away at his meister head. "Didn't I tell you that girl would be trouble?" shouted Ragnarok. "We should have killed her the day she showed up, but no. You wanted to be a hero the good guy. Haven't you figured out yet that we're going to Hell no matter what we do?" The prince just kept his head down letting the demon vent out his angry. The demon didn't let up his pounding until they reach their destination.
As usually Medusa was sitting on the throne who also had Maka bonded and gagged at her feet. The state Crona was in caused her eyes to open wide from shock. Her hatred for the witch was deepening by the second. When he was only a few centimeters from the girl Medusa said, "Kill her."
Ragnarok turned into his weapon form and was ready to take another soul. Yet he stayed in the prince handed unmoved. Like yesterday Crona wouldn't do as he was told. Seeing that he won't do it Medusa said, "Take him back."
On this went for five days which Crona came back standing in front of the girl not moving a muscle. His stomach protested the starvation, his mouth became as dry as a desert, and his mind wish he would give in. But he silently refused looking as if he would commit suicide by self-starvation. Yet as each day go by the madness would gain a little more ground. If he wouldn't do it by choice than his weak mind would let the madness do it. However, someone else had other plans.
It was the sixth day of being in the iron maiden and the prince had left his body to go to his mindscape. Sitting on the sand of the waterless beach he stared at the blurred circle around him. The sun was either half asleep or half awake for it was drooling, eyes half open. Shells were scatter around some were broken while other were not. He was a child in this world and right now the child was having a hard time keeping himself in control. There wasn't any water, but there was the black tar out in the distance wanting to do nothing more than to consume him. It took every ounce of will power he had to hold it back.
"Crona," said a familiar voice. Looking up he saw a mirage of himself standing across from him. "Why are you sitting here doing nothing?"
A frown crossed his face as he said, "Don't you see the tar? If I don't keep it away it will take control of me and if it does..." Looking down, he bite his lips as tears tried to fall. Taking a seat right beside him it looked off in the distance.
"You know, you don't have to listen to Medusa." A raise eyebrow asked it how that could be. "She isn't the only person whom you can turn to now and the girl actually cares for you. If you were to, I don't know, kill Medusa than the problem is solve right."
"What?" exclaimed Crona for the idea was foreign to him.
"Think about it. No one would shed a tear if she dies. Hell, everyone in the castle would celebrate as if it was Christmas Day." Turning it head to stare into the prince's eyes it said, "Make a choice. Either Medusa goes or Maka does." Getting to its feet it step outside the circle looking at it with contempt. "She is already half way in. Why not bring her all the way."
"Time to go my lord," said a voice shaking him out of his mindscape. Regaining focus in his eyes he took a step outside the coffin his resolve strong within him.
When the guard tried to give him some wine he said, "No, I'll go at once." The guard stared at the prince unsure of the look in his eyes. If he didn't know any better it seemed to be determination, but how could that be? Getting behind the prince he kept watched for any signs the prince would fall over from thirst, hungry, or exhaustion.
It was unnecessary for he walked forward with a spring in his step. When the demon came out to give him a beating Crona rebuked him. "Not right now Ragnarok. Maybe later, but right now I need to do something." Thinking that he had given up the demon went back to his place to wait for the inevitable.
As he near his destination his courage started to quickly flee him. Seconds thoughts reared their ugly heads eroding his determination until the voice of the image shouted, "Either Maka die or Medusa does and you rather have Medusa dead than the girl." If he was in a better state of mind the image knew that the prince wouldn't think about killing the witch. That is why he waited until starvation and pain weaken his mind so he was susceptible to any command given to him. With a nod he managed to keep his resolve though it took continuous perspiring from the voice to with hold it.
In the room he calmly walked up the carpet and hold a steady stared on Medusa. Though, when he realized the act he about to commit the training that been beaten into him tried to take control. As the sword formed in his hands and Medusa said the words everything just become surreal. This was the best way he could descriptive the madness. Things just become like a dream while some values of real life stayed in place.
"No!" exclaimed the image as Crona raises the blade. "Aim for Lady Medusa! Aim for the witch!"
The past week for Maka was mild compared to Crona treatment, but she was still starved and given little to drink. She also was bonded at all time so by now the flesh on her wrists and ankles were being rubbed raw. She guessed it was a small blessing that she was kept in her room where she can lay on the bed. Though it hard to count her blessings when her life is in the hands of a boy who is insane.
So far he plain out refuse to do anything, but he also won't stop his mother from punishing him. It was only a matter of time before he caved in. She knew he did when he walked into the room that day. Deciding to leave the world with a smile she put on a sickly sweet one and turned her head to say to Medusa, "See you in hell."
Ignoring the comment the witch said to Crona as he came forward, "She will die this day. If you have any mercy for her than it should be by your hands rather than mine." He didn't reply as the demon sword formed in his hand. It didn't surprise her for he had that glaze looked whenever the madness first make it appearance. With a tight small, smile she said, "Finish her." With a smile the girl faced down death as the sword raise in the air.
The next thing that happened caught everyone off guard. The demon swordsman missed the girl by a mile and swipe the blade at the witch's neck aiming to beheaded her in one move. Being quicker than the boy Medusa leaped backward landing on top of the marble throne. It took her only a second to register that her neck was wet with something. Placing a hand over the shallow cut she said in slight disbelief, "You wounded me."
"Even though I convince you lost your fucking mind," said the demon as his meister went after the witch. "Kill the witch," he said with a bloodthirsty smile.
Giving her little time to recover he push on forcing her off the throne and around the room. As the two played the game of cat and mouse the guards cheered for the prince on. As much they feared him they knew if the witch goes than their lives would improve. "Send her to hell my lord," shouted one of the guards as he ran over to Maka. Taking out his sword he cut the ropes and help her to her feet. "Let move out of the way," he said as he pulled her out of the way of the evasive witch.
As they watch Medusa go this way and that they didn't realize she wasn't even trying. The madness had made the prince murderous, but he couldn't kill what he can't hit. If she wanted to she could easily bring her child down with a snap of her finger. However, seeing that he seem so eager to be a disobedience brat she was going to put both him and the girl back in their place.
Landing on top of the blade she stared down into the prince's eyes feeling smug at how he lost control of himself. Leaping upward she forced the blade into the floor while she grabbed onto one the room window edge. Pulling herself up, she stood there with her arms crossed her mouth in a smug smile as she said, "So this is how you repay your own mother. Before I was going to be merciful, but now because of this act of defiance all must pay for your crime."
The warning would have been more threatening if she didn't duck as a vase soared over her head. "Next time you're here you'll be greeted by a cold steel," shouted the guard who threw it. Grumbling about that man being first to go she jumped out and landed on her broomstick. After she had flown away they finally took into note the state of Crona's mind.
They had seen him in madness before and there was only one thing they could do when he like this. As he pulled the blade out of the floor the guards literally pick up and throw Maka out of the room. Who face planted in the wall. Before she can rage at the idiots, one of them scream, "Run." They dashed out the door and scatter as if the kishin himself were after them. All the while shouting, "The demon is on the loose!"
Shaking off the daze she got to her knees and turned to face Crona. Her mouth open to form words, but they vanish when she saw his eyes. They weren't focused on anything, but she knew he was staring at her. "Crona," she choked out.
He was now facing the doors one arm gripping the other in a death grip. A giggle escaped the crooked smile painted on his face. "What wrong with the girl?" he asked the air. "She seemed scared of something." He slowly walked toward her, but his long stride already covered half the distance. Coming to a sudden halt he called out, "Are you afraid of me?"
"Yes," she replied her voice steady. "I'm afraid to die and afraid of taking you on weaponless, but I will not back down."
Frowning, the prince looked down at his sword to asked, "Tough words from a girl. What should we do with her?"
Ragnarok couldn't help but laugh as he said, "Finally! About time we eat the cow's soul!"
Smiling again he said, "Oh, I can do." His head snapped back as he said, "Scream resonance." The demon let out his haunting shriek causing Maka to cover her ears, but she hold her ground. "Scream alpha." She rolled out of the purple nightmare way which destroyed the wall behind her. Hey, she brave, not suicidal.
Taking a peek through the massive hole she heard the demon exclaimed, "Better keep moving mouse or the cat will get yea." Jumping through the wall to dodge the laughing blade she did what she should had done earlier. Run!
She wasn't the only one who was scrambling for cover. Everyone had heard the warning and was relaying the message to the next person without stopping. Several times she almost ran into someone who was looking behind his or her shoulder. Yet, not one who crossed her path needed to worry for the prince was homed onto the girl.
Say girl was trying to shake off her pursuer with little luck. "Crona," she shouted as she skidded to a stop to make a corner. "Snap out of it. This isn't you."
"Don't listen to her," said the demon as the prince for a split second hesitated. "She is trying to get in your head. Play with your thoughts like all girls do." He didn't know if what he said had any effect on his meister, but he was doing what he wanted.
The two run down the many corridors until, if he was sane, the prince didn't know where they were. As they entered deeper into the unknown their footsteps left imprints in the dust and disturb rodent droppings. Both the prey and predator was growing tried from the chase. So did Ragnarok who at first enjoyed the game of cat and mouse though his short attention span had long ago made this into an hustle. "Hurry up and finish her!"
Letting loose another of the purple nightmares the insane prince thought he got her. Maka heard the think coming her way and truthfully just wanted to give up. Her legs are screaming in pain, she was short of breathe, and the surprising amount of fluid she had was running out. Which in turned was giving her a throbbing headache and had her dress sticking to every inch of skin. I can't stop now. Just need to make it around the corner. And than what? She doesn't know, but she can figure that out later.
She cut it real close. The thing was right on her tail end when she barely made the corner. When it made contact to the wall it exploded. Dust went flying accumulated in the air until it become impossible to see anything. Putting her hand over her mouth to silence her coughing she placed the other hand on the wall. Hoping it would lead her away from the danger she didn't get two feet before she felt nothing under it. Looking into the empty space she was surprise to found a stairway heading downward.
A soft pain emitted from her cheek as the demon blade glaze it. "Found her," shouted Ragnarok in triumph.
"Where?" said the prince as he swings at the now empty space which instead of flesh the blade sunk into hard rock. "Here?"
"No, you idiot! She just ran down the stairs."
"Stairs?" he asked as he pulled the blade out. "Wasn't there a wall here?"
"Just follow the girl before she get away," said Ragnarok as his meister descended down the stairs.
Farther down the staircase Maka was taking three steps at a time as she went. Her mind took small notice of the strange bulbs of light, but the echoing of footsteps behind her was more urgent at the moment. Base on the sound he wasn't moving that fast. Somehow that made her more nervous than if he just ran her down. When she came upon the iron door she nearly panic as she said, "Please be open."
She said a quick thank you to whatever god reign in heaven and dash into the room. Slamming it shut she locked it and for good measures pushed one of the heavy tables in front of it. Thinking she was safe she sat down to catch her breath. Being a smart aleck she yelled out, "Try and get me now." A strong blow shook the door sending vibrations into the table.
Jumping to her feet the word "Shit" defiled her lips as she saw the dent in the door. Soon enough more formed as the prince hammered away at the door. Not so confident on how long it could hold Maka search the place for an exit. The lab gave nothing up except something she was sure was black blood in syringes that she might use as a last resort. One room was the sleeping quarter where she took too strips of black cloth from hooded robes while another was a bathroom. The last one she didn't dare to enter for hundreds of uninviting hisses came from it when she grab the door knob.
Coming back to a table she picked up one of the syringe having second doubts what she about to do. Hearing a loud bang behind her she turned around to found that Crona had managed to partly open the door. The gap he created wasn't big enough for a head to fit through. Though, an eye could peer through to see his prey. "There no where to run," he said guessing from that she was still in there. "Why not surrender your soul now and I'll promise to make it quick and painless."
Turing her attention back to the syringe she said to herself, "Either get my soul eaten by a kishin or use the black blood and risk possibility of going insane. There isn't much of a choice is there." Pulling up her sleeves she aimed the needle for the vein in the joint between her arms. In one swift moment she jab it home and pushed down. As soon as it was empty she quickly tied a strip of black cloth around the puncture wound and proceed to do the same thing to her other arm.
It didn't take long for after the second shot of blood for it to travel through her body. Her heart was already accelerated from all the running she done. With it pumping faster than usually the invasive blood filled every vein and artery which in turned accelerated the process with madness was taking hold of her.
At first it was dull like a headache, but quickly become a migraine as madness over took her. Covering her face with her hand as a scream clawed it way out of her throat. She fall to her knees as a new sensation came to mind. It felt as if reality had been squash like a bug and been replace by something better. Something that made what part of her fall into the insanity felt invincible. That nothing was impossible to her.
The screaming died out into unreasonable giggles. Taking her hand from her face her eyes were wide as dish plates and a creepy grin took up half her face. Getting to her feet she turned around in time to see the door and table fly in different direction. Each took out dozens of breakers and test tubes littering the ground with broken shards as it contents bathed it surroundings. One of the shards cut Maka's side, but the black blood quickly harden and the pain was barely noticeable.
Staring down the prince she let out a giggle and said, "What took you so long?"
"Um... is it just me or does she seem different," asked Crona.
"Who cares?" asked the demon.
Nodding in agreement the prince walked onto the broken glass his torn up boots having a hard time protecting his feet. "Want me," she said extended out her arm into the airs. "I gave you one free chance to hit me."
"Okay," said Ragnarok who was a weird out. "Bye cow."
Aiming for the ribs between the ribs the prince brought the sword to it mark for it to be stop died in it tracks. His eyes wide from shock as he saw the black liquid that ooze onto the sword he said, "That's black blood."
"Yap," said the girl as she reached for a pan over head. "And this is a pan in your face." In one smooth motion, she grabbed the handle and brought it squarely on his forehead. Stumbling back, one of his hands went to the goose's egg size bump forming when she took a second swing across his cheek. He blocked the blow with his free arm but he was still knocked onto the floor. On all four he tried to get up only to have Maka jump onto his back. "Yahoo," she holler, "get alone little doggy." Than she paddled the prince on the hind end with the pan.
"Stop it," yelled Crona, "that hurt."
"Than move your skinny ass," she said as she waved the pan in the air.
A white glove hand belonging to the demon grabbed the crazy girl by the throat and hoisted her up as he formed. Maka had here hands around the demon wrist due to instinct, but the smile told a different story. "What the hell is wrong with you?" asked the demon. She replied by biting his hand. It didn't hurt him, but it did get his temper arose. "Damn you bitch," he shouted as he threw her across the room.
Crashing into one of the lab tables, glass slashed her back as she came down. Some weak acid eat away at the dress leaving holes to show the irritated skin. However, she felt none of it as she jumped back onto her feet. Grabbing another pan she sauntered over to the prince who was also back on his feet and armed with the sword. "Come on now," she taunted. "I thought you wanted my soul." Getting in stance, the prince grinned at the girl before going at her. "That more like it," she said as she reengage.
In the dark, murky sea of madness Maka was floating about as she figure out her whereabouts. She was conscience to what her body was doing and couldn't tell if she was more amazed or embarrassed of what it was doing. Well, at least I can say I know what madness is like. Wait a minute. To here right she could see a blue soul shining like a beacon among the darkness. Swimming, it more like floating, over to it she warped her fingers around and was surprise by what she found. This is my soul.
That little thought lead to another. If my soul is here doesn't that mean Crona's soul is also here? Putting it back where she found it she kicked her feet to propel herself off toward what she thought is the way to the prince's soul. After only god know how long she come upon a pink soul shining dimly barely noticeable where it was. Wonder what would happen if I...
Grabbing it there was flash of light and when it settled she was in his mind. Hovering high over the sands she gazed about looking for where he could be. "It like a dry beach," she said to herself.
Off in the distance Crona was running around in his circle fanatically as his image tried its best to calm him down. "Get control of yourself," it said reaching to grab his shoulder. "You're not making things any better by acting like a headless chicken."
"But what else can I do," he exclaimed his words speeding out as fast as lighting. He wasn't slowing down either. "I lost control of my body, Ragnarok encouraging it to kill Maka, Maka inject black blood into herself, and now she a nutcase like me." Coming to a stop he sat down placing his head between his knees saying, "It's my fault. All I every do is hurt other people."
"Crona, that isn't..."
"Shut up," he yelled into his legs. "This is as much of your fault as it is my. Go away. I don't every want to see you again."
"But," it started when a new voice to this world interrupt.
"Crona," said a girl voice. "Crona where are you?"
"Got to go," it said as it dissolve into sand.
Ignoring the world around him Crona sat there letting the girl have to stumble over a sandy hill before founding him. She was young around the age of four. She was wearing a red dress with white diamonds along the end of her skirt. When she saw the boy she called out, "There you are."
She got to the circle when he said, "Stay back. This is my personal space. No one is allowed in it but me."
"Not even a friend?" she asked with a frown.
"What are you talking about? The only friend I have is..." Looking up to say he was flabbergasted to found Maka there was a bit of an understatement. "Maka, how did you get here?"
"I'm not sure," she answered truthfully. "Though, what I want to know why you need this circle."
"It my own space," he said all of a sudden feeling bashful as he looked away from her. "No one is allowed in it."
"Doesn't it get lonely?"
He gave a slight nod. Coming into the circle Maka's hand reach out to Crona who shook his head. "It doesn't work any more now that your here."
Glancing over to the circle she said, "But it only a line. Watch." Before he could tell her to stop she kicked at the line removing the only coping mechanism he had. When she was finish she dusted off her dress and said, "See, all gone." All Crona could do was stared as something click within in him.
Back in the real world insane Crona and crazy Maka were still at it. The lab looked as if a tornado blow right through it. Glass of every size and color were all over, chemicals were oozing some of them leaving scorns marks, tables destroy, and cooking utilities, mostly pots cut in two, followed the two combatants. One of the several stoves had caved in and somehow Maka had ignited another with some chemicals. Which she used to light the pot she current had on fire.
The fighters weren't in better shape. Crona had endured many painful attacks which usually involve something bashing into him or he being bash into something else. He also had teethmarks here and there and one, when both are sane, would rather forget. There were also some burns and cuts, but Maka got the worst out of those. They decorative her body and even though most were minor haven't been for the black blood she would have been out cold long ago.
Maka had a pot in each hand one of them is in a flame. She took a wild swing with the flaming one which was block by the sword. There was an opening to his left flank where she swung the other pot. It caught him on his shoulder causing him to falter slightly, but he hold. Before she assaulted him again he sliced the flaming pot in two and forced her to fall back.
Dodging the blade with ease Maka took a side step while slamming the remaining pot on top of the sword point. She stared right into Crona's eyes her green mocking his gray. Than there was a change came over his gray. The blue was fighting hard to take back it stronghold while the gray pushed back with the same aggressiveness. Taking a step back she watched as his eyes glazed over as he looked up at the ceiling.
"What the heck?" asked the demons sword. "Why did you stop all of the sudden? We were getting the best of her." Than her felt it as he said, "I don't feel so good just now." Not willingly, Ragnarok zoom right back into his meister's body. For several moments the prince stood there his mouth ajar, his sword hand still close as if holding something, and his body rigid.
"Hey, we're not done yet," said Maka as she spread her arms and leg out. "Hit me. You know you want to." With a piercing scream Crona fall to his knees and spikes came shooting out of him. "Ah," she yelled as she jumped back to avoid being impaled. "Cool, how is your skin so eclectic and how you doing that?"
Blood rejection. It happens when Crona and Ragnarok souls are out of sync. The black blood spaz out causing spikes of blood to push away from the body. Since there nowhere to go it usually a painful experience for the prince until the blood claimed down.
In the madness Maka was aware of what happening and knew she needed get back into control as soon as possible. Only problem is how was she going to do that? Come on think of something.
"Need me to bale you out as usually," asked a familiar male voice. "Typical. Here grab my hand." A hand appeared in front of her and she took hold of it. With one swift tug she was pulled free from the sticky, black fluid. Before she came to she looked about to see who help her but there wasn't anyone there.
"Who are you?"
"Man, you still don't remember me," replied the voice acting offended. "Oh well, let just say I'm the memory of a good partner. Now go take care of the prince charming."
Coming back into control of her body the first thing that crossed her mind was the intense pain. Ignoring it she walked forward her arms like noodles at her side and her hands empty. Seeing Maka coming his way he said, "Stay away." Yet, she doggedly kept her path the spikes missing each time they went out. A little louder this time, "Stay away!" One of the spikes glazed her neck, but it didn't stop her.
Once she was near him she fall on top of him and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. "It's okay," she whispered her voice gentle and kind. "I'm here now. You don't have to be alone anymore." A light blue light emitted from both of them. It cleansed her of the black blood, while bringing Crona out of the madness.
"How can you forgive me for what I put you through?" he asked as tears started to form.
"Because I know you did your best to protect me even when you didn't have to. If given a choice none of this would happen. And more importantly you're my friend. That what we do, forgive one another when we do something wrong."
The black blood within him had settled down and he now had his head on the girl shoulder crying into it. "I don't deserve your kindness much less your friendship."
"Don't say that," she said sternly, but kept her motherly tone. "Now why don't we get out of here and treat those wounds." All he could do was nod his head so with each other arm around the other shoulder they climb up the stairs. They found a maid who was hiding to help them to their rooms before she went to tell the rest of the keep that the crisis had pass.
At least they thought the real crisis was over. Ten miles away from the city a small village with about a dozen buildings was carrying on with their daily lives. Most of the peasants were out harvesting the crops hoping to beat the first snowfall of the year. The few who weren't doing their fair share was in a large barn which the community used to store their supplies.
They were cluster around a table looking over maps of the city of Caen, the three forts, and the prince's citadel. It was marked with X's and O's which represent the position of rebels force's when the come time.
The leader of both the group and rebellion was a tall, slender man. His greasy, black hair was cut short though most of it was under the green triangular hat. Had a narrow face with a long, strong nose that with his black eyes made him look like a hawk. A green shirt covered his top while short, green tights got his bottom. Brown pointy shoes were on his feet worn down from many hunts. His weapon of choice was a longbow swung over his shoulder while his quiver was full with barb broad heads.
"If the info we got is correct," he said his voice deep as a well. "We should be able to storm the forts with little resistance if we catch them by surprise. I know the garrison had been greatly reduce, but those are train and experience soldiers. If we don't take them quickly they will be able to organize a defense. Due to superior numbers in time we could take them, but if they manage to slip out a warning to the city militia. Things could get messy."
Pointing a finger to a map he said, "During the cover of night we should be able to sneak small number of men across the field. However, they're going need a place to stay out of sight until the time come. We already got several positioned in mind, but does anyone have any suggestion where to put the remaining men?"
"Why not take some uniforms from the garrison troops," asked a feminine voice from out of nowhere. "On break they usually go to the tavern in town to get a drink. A few coins and a split throat would weaken their forces by one more while putting your man in the inside."
Turning to face the voice he said, "Well, that a good idea, but war planning should be left to..." When he saw the robed woman he quickly went into a bow saying, "Lady Medusa, forgive me of my insult. I did not know it was you." The others in the room bow at the name as she came forward. "May I have the pleasure to know why you're here?"
"A situation at my home had made it difficult to stay," she said making it clear that she won't discuss the subject any further. "How are the plans going?" Shoving past him she looked over the maps her eyes made a quick evaluation of it. "Not bad, Robin, for a half wit."
The now proclaimed Robin said as he straightened his back, "It a bit hard to make something good with nothing more than hunters. They can easily trace and kill a beast, but they're not tacticians."
With a shrug of her shoulders she replied, "Than they shouldn't have a problem killing man for they are hardly deadlier. How are the preparations going?"
"Well," he said unsure what to say, "in about a couple of weeks all the siege equipment should be built and than a few more days to get everything in place."
"Than I recommend you help move things along. I'll take over the planning from now on."
"Yes Lady Medusa," he said as he herded the small group out of the room.
"Oh and before you go I want you to relay a message to the other leaders."
Coming to a stop he turned his head a little too big of a smile on his face. "I'll do anything for you my Lady."
Glancing over her shoulder the man got a quick glance of the woman true nature in her eyes. With a hiss she said, "Tell them that when everything is into play. Not one man, woman, or child is to survive to see the next dawn."
With a lick of his lips at all the souls there will be he said with another bow, "Yes Lady Medusa. Not a single soul will." With that said the witch was left to do her planning. Left to do the thing she loved to do more than experimenting, cause pain and suffering.
Mulleb: *Kicking open a door he dragged in Naruto and Sistine both trashing about though Sistine also had sparks flying off of her. All three of them were covered in paint front head to toe* I don't gave a damn! And the village is grateful for dragging you two out. Your pranks might not be deadly Sistine, but they can be really painful at times. *Dropping them* I want this prank war to end right now.
Sistine: *Putting on a big, childish grin and closing her eyes* But we were just starting to have fun. *Looking to Naruto* That last one was great. How you manage to figure out where I be?
Naruto: *Scratching back of head* Wasn't that hard. You seem to pick some universe more than others. Got lucky I guess.
Sistine: Lucky my ass knucklehead.
Naruto: *Laughing* Well, your last one...
Mulleb: You guys can talk about your good times while you clean up the village. *Shook head* I can only guess how Naruto manage to start a paint gun war in the village. Worst part is I'm going to have to pay for any damages.
Sistine and Naruto: Well, we better get going. *Dash out the door before Mulleb could asked them for money*
Mulleb: *Sigh* At least she found a friend. Hope you like the read and please forgave me if anything didn't make sense. During the holidays I was a bit lazy, but I do think it readable. As always please review. Flames, good criticism, and any passing comment is welcome.