Hello there party people. I'm so sorry for letting this story sit so long! I have the attention span of an infant. Thanks for everyone who has followed, reviewed, and messaged me. It was all very much appreciated (and I'm in the process of replying and fixing some of the suggested edits).
This chapter is about an eighth of what it was going to be, but since I've kept you all waiting so long I've decided to toss this out here with the promise of more coming as soon as possible. Chapters from here on out may be shorter like this one, just so I stop getting distracted. We are a little over half way finished with the story, so hang in there folks.
One last thing- this chapter takes place right after Allen tries to save Suman from being a fallen one (just thought I'd make that clear in case anyone was confused).
Tyki had been watching the boy. Waiting. He had begun to think there would never be an opportunity to do his job without Lenalee being present, but his mind refused to run through that scenario. He was a patient man when it was in his best interest. He would wait as long as he could for the right moment to strike.
That's when he got lucky.
Allen Walker was foolish. Tyki had already known that. But foolish enough to attempt saving a fallen one? The boy was determined, Tyki had to admit. This time, determination wasn't going to get him anywhere.
Tyki stepped into the small clearing where Allen was sprawled across the ground. The fallen exorcist was dead, and the boy looked ready to follow suit. Blood trickled out of Allen's wounds. His chest would rise and fall with sharp heaves as he tried to feed his lungs. There would be no fight, and best of all no Lenalee.
"Hello, cheating boy." Tyki hated the darkness in his voice, but it was time for him to separate himself from any connection he had established with the exorcists. It was time to remember which side of this war he was on.
"T-Tyki..." Allen gave a weak, sad little smile in greeting. There was a brief look of hope in the boy's face. Their eyes met, and the smile faded. "Don't do this."
Tyki began to laugh. He cringed internally as he let the Noah half of him have a little more control. It wouldn't do to begin a sentimental conversation with the boy. It was time for a clean break. "You've disappointed me, Allen. I was expecting a fight when I came for your innocence."
"This will crush her." Allen's eyes pierced Tyki's.
Tyki stomped down on Allen's left arm, smiling as the boy cried out in pain. "I'm pretty sure it will crush you, too." He bent down to take hold of Allen's innocence. Such a powerful weapon, in such a fragile form. All he had to do was make a fist with his hand around it and it would be destroyed.
Allen's eyes silently pleaded for salvation, which only made it easier for Tyki to hate him. Didn't the boy know that he didn't have a choice?
"You said you wouldn't hurt her." Allen's voice came out harsh and angry, tears streaming out of the boy's eyes. Tyki tried to remember what pain like that must have felt like, but it was just a distant memory in that moment.
"I said I didn't want to hurt her," Tyki corrected. "But we always knew I would have to."
One twitch of his fingers was all it took for the deed to be done. Everything after that was easy.