A/N: I spent 3 hours straight trying to finish this chapter because I finally have a burst of idea for this chapter's plot! It's not long but it is over 3,000 words (which I aim for every chapter!) Anyway, just a heads up, there's a torture scene but I don't think it's too graphic... and a few curse words but meh we hear them everyday from TV and live right? Enjoy Chapter 11~

IMPORTANT REMINDER! Be sure you've read my previous story "Birth of Scelus the Kishin" to know some of the OCs in this story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Soul Eater. It's the work of Okubo Atsushi. I may own them in my dreams though~ there' no law against that right? Oh and I only own the OC's and this story!

WARNING: Characters are OOC and the story is slightly AU from the original Soul Eater and Soul Eater NOT. So if you have complains about how I wrote the characters and other stuff just leave a review~

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Yes, there are so many characters here especially the OC but try to focus on the major ones. Okay? Good. Ganbatte!

Chapter Eleven: She's a Mad, Mad Witch

Kid stared at Belmont's pale face blankly as Azusa checked on him. His hands lay limply on his lap and his bare feet touching the cold tiled floor. Scelus was sitting beside him on his bed, staring at his hands. The man jumped when Kid patted his knee, 'Thank you.'

'H-Huh?! Oh… uhh… your welcome I guess. Truth is I don't know what I just did. It was kinda instinctual,' said Scelus as he frowned slightly, 'Something familiar.'

Kid turned his head to face the man, 'It's what you do. You are the Vessel of Sins…'

Scelus frowned, 'You keep saying that…'

'You may have lost your memories but your body remembers. It acts on its own right? So, rest assured you are now not considered a threat to us. It just proves you're the real Scelus… excluding the Madness,' said Kid.

Azusa sighed as she plopped down on her abandoned chair, 'Well, he's stable. That was really close. Without Damont nearby, Belmont's very much vulnerable to Madness.'

'Damont? Belmont? Wait, I thought their names are uhhh Seiji and Reiji?' asked Scelus.

Kid combed his hair back with his fingers then brought his fingers forward. He let out a sigh, 'Their real names are Belmont and Damont Beildschmidt. They used those names to avoid people who knew and held a grudge against them. And they're the names… my mother gave them…'

Scelus blinked, 'They seem like good guys, well... when they're not after my neck. Especially Damont, he's kinda scary when he's hostile. Why would anyone hold a grudge against them?'

'I don't have the details, they're always vague about their past. Only a few people knows… Stein says their history is strictly confidential. And I'm not one of the few privileged people who knows their past' said Azusa with a hint of irritation as she glanced at Kid.

'Don't look at me. I don't know much about their past either. My memory with them is pretty much vague as well. Let's get back to the topic we were discussing. About Shaula,' said Kid.

Scelus turned to him sharply, 'You guys now Shaula?'

Kid frowned, 'You know her?'

'Yeah. She and her aunt are the ones who took care of me.'

Azusa raised a hand, 'Hold it. Do you think this is her?'

Scelus reached for the paper that the woman took out from the folder she had. He stared at the drawn portrait of a little girl with braided hair. He pursed his lips, 'Yeah, this is her. I think she's the only person out there who has eyes like hers,' He was instantly on aware at the anger in Kid's eyes, 'Why? What about her? What's going on?'

Azusa stared at him gravely, 'We have information she is the one responsible for the attack and kidnapping.'

Scelus' eyes widened, 'A-are you sure?'

'Yes. We have a witness from Witch Society who had been tailing her out of suspicions. Other than that, someone has been sending us information anonymously. All the information sent to us is proven true.'

The man rubbed his neck, 'Well… that kinda makes sense. She's kinda creepy.'

'Will you tell us where she lives?'

'I don't think I can. Giriko usually blind folds me when bringing me in or out of Shaula's territory.'

Kid tensed, 'Did you say Giriko?'

'Yeah, she's Shaula's aunt. That's what she told me.'

Azusa raised a brow, 'She?'

'Uh-huh. Doesn't act like a lady though, more like a man. She's brash and temperamental. Oh and she's a weapon! A chainsaw to be precise. I stumbled into her when she was letting off some steam.'

Kid and Azusa stared at each other. Kid pinched the bridge of his nose, 'So he's still alive…'

'Uhh… he?' asked Scelus.

Azusa launched a quick explanation about who Giriko is and Scelus rubbed his forehead and frowned, 'So I was living with a group of evil people all this time? Man, I was right to trust my gut instinct to ditch Giriko when she, I mean he, took me into town!'

'Anyone else working with Shaula?' asked Azusa, 'We need to know who are working with her.'

Scelus sighed, 'I don't know… The only ones I see around that mansion are Shaula, Giriko, that annoying living doll in the basement who calls himself Pino, a cat named Salem and half a dozen animated scarecrows who doesn't talk. Shaula never invited anyone to her mansion. It's either she go see them or send Giriko but I was never invited to tag along.'

Kid clenched his fists, 'So we don't have a choice but to wait until someone has new information…'

Azusa stood up, 'I'm going back to the Death Room. Perhaps Tezca found something.'

Kid nodded and the woman gave a bow then left the room. The room fell into a long silence. Kid lost in thought, worrying for Crona's wellbeing and what to do next. Scelus stared at Belmont, 'So… why did Belmont go… you know…'

'It seems he knows Shaula and it triggered a… traumatic memory I suppose. Damont had once told me his brother had suffered a traumatic event when they were children but he never elaborated. That event had cracked Belmont's mind and scarred his soul deeply that made him extremely vulnerable to Madness Wavelength. You see, Belmont's soul is… unique. He has this ability where he can amplify any kind of soul wavelengths. But he has little control over it so that's where Damont comes in and help him find balance. Damont in the other hand… he has a unique ability where he can nullify Madness Wavelength. It's almost similar to anti-demon wavelength but you can say his soul is in a different and higher level than that. He said he couldn't remember exactly when and how their souls had evolved, as he said… When the twins are apart they both become vulnerable, especially Belmont. And this is why they must be together and never apart at a long time. They are the Twin Demon Daggers: Zero and Infinity. They are each other's balance.'

'You say they're vulnerable when apart. So Belmont could go mad and uhh- Kishin Mode or something like that. Then, what happens to Damont? What's his weakness?'

Kid frowned. Worry began worming into his heart and he rubbed his forehead nervously, 'I don't know what will happen to Damont though, I've never seen him lost his self-control…'

Salem was sitting on his bed, contemplating about his next move, weighing the pros and cons. He sighed and scratched his head in frustration. His eyes caught on the letter lying on his desk. A letter from Blair telling him of her plans for them tomorrow. He smiled wistfully; he could hear her bubbly voice ringing in his head. Before Shaula asked him to use Blair to help her with her plans, he had met her when he was having a walk to clear his mind. He disguised himself as a human and walked into a club, planning to have a drink.

That's when they met. She was working as one of the waiters there. He instantly knew she wasn't human by her scent. He had never met another magical cat ever since he had agreed to stay by Shaula's side to observe her and maybe try swaying her from the path of madness. He was still a 'kitten' when he became a part of Shaula's family. But now he's an 'adult' and he's been feeling lonely lately. He craves for attention and affection from the opposite sex (a cat of course!). Shaula's childhood innocence was gone and her obsession was getting harder for him to ignore or stomach. He couldn't give her a genuine smile anymore... Shaula is drifting away from him. She couldn't give him the affection and love she gave him when she was younger, more innocent and less crazy. And there was no one else but the annoying whiny Pino, later Giriko who didn't give him a damn and Scelus who doesn't know how to entertain a cat.

Blair seemed to sense his loneliness and stayed to talk with him until he had to leave before Shaula noticed his absence. He felt lighter and less burdened after talking with her. He came to see her about once a month and she would be waiting for him with bright eyes and wide smiles. He wanted to ask her out but his life is so complicated. He doesn't want Shaula to find out and he doesn't want Blair to find out about his current… owner. His luck ran out when Shaula finally found out. It was even worse when Shaula found out Blair lives with Maka Albarn and a frequent guest at Shibusen. He was reluctant to use Blair but Shaula had threatened to kill her if he didn't follow her orders.

His dates with Blair were often interesting. She never fails to entertain him and made him feel loved something he missed since Mabaa handed him to Shaula and since Shaula grew up. He treasured the moments he spent with her and now because of her… he's making this important decision. Salem held the paper in his hand and watched it burst into flames. He dropped the burning paper then turned to the door, 'I've made my choice.'

Damont was brought out of the blissful darkness by a sharp pain that travelled through his body and left tingling sensations in every nerve. His body arched off the cold metal table and the leather straps dug into his wrists and ankles. He fell heavily on his back when the electric-like shock disappeared, leaving him dazed and confused. He opened his eyes and realized his mouth was gagged with a cloth when he tried to suck in air through his mouth. He cringed at the lingering tingling sensations all over his body and the disgusting cloth gagging him. There was a rusted-looking old oil lamp hanging above him. His eyes shot toward Shaula who came into his line of sight. He wracked his brain trying to remember who she is but came up empty. She grinned at him and he flinched when she cupped his face gently with a hand, 'You look so alike but you're so different. I know my Belmont very well…'

Damont glared at her and instantly knew she is Shaula. Memories of pain, despair and anger flashed before his eyes. This is her… the Witch who hurt his beloved brother! The one who took his Belmont's carefree smiles and planted the seeds of fear and madness in him! He growled at her as he jerked his face away from her hand. He was startled when someone grabbed his hair roughly. He looked up and saw Ragnarok sneering at him, 'Don't be rude to mother!'

The elder Beildschmidt blinked his eyes confused, mother? His attention shifted when Shaula grabbed his face in a tight grip, digging her nails into his skin, 'You know? I'm very curious. What makes you so different from my darling Belmont? Why does your soul has the ability to… nullify Madness Wavelength?'

She released her grip on him and chuckled at his glare, 'Your soul is so unique! It's not like those who have 'anti-demon souls'. I've been keeping tabs on you boys. You think changing your names will help you blend in with the crowd? You should know everyone has a soul distinctive to themselves! But no one is as unique as you twins! That's why I love you! You're interesting! A mystery I couldn't fathom!'

Shaula turned her back to him, 'As for you my dear… niece.'

Damont turned his head to the side and he saw Crona hanging against a wall with her wrists shackled above her head. She was gagged as well and her eyes were glassy and unfocussed. Did they drug her? He wondered. Shaula approached the younger Witch and Damont's eyes widened when he saw her nails grew long and pointy. He shifted but he stilled when Ragnarok tugged at his hair causing him to wince. He saw Crona raised her eyes and there was confusion then fear when she saw Shaula approaching her with a malicious smile. Damont let out a muffled cry when Shaula impaled Crona's upper right arm with her nails. He struggled against his bonds when he heard Crona let out a muffled scream, Ragnarok pulled his head back but he fought harder, shouting muffled words.

Shaula twisted her hand as she slowly let her nails sink in deeper, 'Crona darling, I don't understand you. Medusa gave you a gift to harness Madness to make you powerful… a chance to be a God. But you succumb to your trivial human emotion to belong, to be loved. It's so disgustingly sweet! Pathetic really!'

Crona glared at her weakly and bit into the cloth gagging her. Her eyes shifted to Damont who was looking at her, wanting to help her but couldn't. Then her eyes moved to Ragnarok who stared at her stoically. She gasped when Shaula suddenly pulled out her nails, ripping at muscles and skin with a sickening squelch.

'You're so pathetic I would love to kill you off but then I realized you could be of use. You see, I'd like to know more about the Black Blood. Specimens with Black Blood are very rare and few as you already know. And every other creation I made just die too soon. I need to understand why the Black Blood only works on certain people… Medusa-sama was able to identify the reason, something that I have yet to uncover. I also want to test a few things as well… You're the only Witch with Black Blood. And Damont? I want to find out what's his Madness!'

The woman trailed her nails down to her shoulder and applied pressure, enough to cause pain but not enough to break skin, yet. Crona breathed harshly through her nose, the wound on her arm throbbing and she could feel the blood rapidly trailing down to soak her right side. She kept her eyes on Shaula as the woman continued talking.

'You look so much like her… Medusa-sama was a brilliant woman! She was my role model! She was amazing and beautiful! But that man! Noah! He ruined everything! He made her doubtful! He made her sway! Then he had the nerve to break her heart! Abandoned her! And then… you were born!' Crona screamed when Shaula's nails went deep into her shoulder.

'You made her soft and weak! If it weren't for the both of you, Medusa and I would be a perfect pair! We'd be able to create the perfect Kishin! We'll make everyone fear us at the mention of our names! We could've made Arachne-sama so proud of us! And the three of us would be able to create our dream world!'

This bitch is fuckin' crazy! Thought Damont as he thrashed madly. He had tried to transform his arm to a blade but nothing happened. Ragnarok had clocked him hard on the head but it doesn't deter his determination to get Shaula's attention on him and not on Crona. Ragnarok growled with irritation and was ready to hit him again to knock him out but stopped when Shaula spoke, 'No my child. Let him watch. I want him to remember that despair he felt when I took Belmont from him.'

Ragnarok reluctantly let his hand fall to his side. He released his grip on Damont's hair and pressed his palm down hard against the man's cheek so he stayed facing Shaula and Crona. Damont breathed harshly and glared daggers at Shaula's back.

Shaula leaned forward, her lips beside Crona's left ear. Her right hand cupping the trembling girl's face, 'You have her face… but these eyes. They're his.'

Crona's breath hitched and she tried to move her head away. She shut her eyes tightly when she felt Shaula's fingers over her left eye. She tensed when Shaula pulled her eyelid up, 'Hush… don't move. I might accidentally… poke your eye.'

Crona felt unadulterated fear when she saw Shaula's thumb come closer to her eye. Shaula chuckled, 'It's like seeing the fear through his eyes!'

Shaula paused when there was a loud bang, 'MOTHER!'

The Witch sighed and let her hand drop to her side and turned to the door, 'What is it Akane?'

Akane seemed to hesitate for a moment, 'I-it's the other prisoner… She's gone!'

If she was scary before, the expression on her face now is much worse, 'What do you mean she's gone?'

'She's… she's not in her cellar.'

Shaula pulled her nails out of Crona's shoulder by letting her nails shrunk back to their normal length. She flicked her hand and let the blood splatter on the floor. She gave Crona a quick glance, 'I gotta go Crona darling. We'll continue again later.'

Ragnarok quickly follow her leave the room, Akane had run ahead. The door swung shut with a screech and a bang that grate against Damont's now throbbing skull. He grimaced and shut his eyes tight, willing the headache away. He realized the cloth tied around his head was loose and he shifted his head side to side until he could feel the knot unwind and then spat out the cloth. He made a face, 'Ughh gross!'

He turned his head to face Crona, 'Crona… can you hear me?'

He watched her opened her eyes; the pain was visible in her glassy eyes as she nodded stiffly. Her fingers flexed above her and her feet stretching on her tip-toes to try alleviate the pressure on her wrists. She gave him a confused and helpless look and he understood, she couldn't use magic. He cussed under his breath, 'What the hell did they do? How's your arm and shoulder?'

Again she shook her head, so she couldn't use her Black Blood to seal her wounds either. Shaula must've used some sort of magic on us to prevent us from transforming, use magic and manipulate our Black Blood… Wait, from what she's been spouting, she doesn't know much about Black Blood. Maybe… some sort off drug? But I don't feel anything in my system… he focused his eyes on Crona and he saw it. It looks like a bunch of black vines surrounding her soul, as if restricting it, the hell is that?

There was a scratching sound from the door and Damont tensed. He couldn't see the door from where he was lying. He watched Crona as she stared at whoever or whatever was at the door with confusion, so it's not Shaula… or anyone she knows. He waited for the whatever it is to say something or move but there was only silence. Suddenly there was a light pressure on his chest and he was actually surprised to gaze into gold-green eyes on a black furred face, 'What the-'

'Stay quiet,' the cat whispered.

Damont stared eyes wide at the cat as it leaped of him and then a few seconds later there was a dark haired man standing to his right. The man raised his fingers to his lips as a sign and he nodded slowly. Salem quickly unlatched the leather straps holding Damont down. Once he was freed Damont sat up rubbing his wrists and swung his legs off the side of the table. Salem shoved something small into his hands, 'Drink this. It'll help you regain your strength.'

'Thanks, who are you?'

Salem rushed to Crona, 'I am Salem… a friend of Mabaa-sama. I've been keeping a close eye on Shaula on her request over the years but I cannot do much that wouldn't raise suspicions. But right now, things are getting worse quickly so it leave me with no choice but to act quickly,' He cursed when he couldn't free Crona.

Damont rushed to Crona's side and looked at Salem as he pulled his hands down, 'What's wrong?'

'She sealed the manacles with magic!' hissed Salem. He turned to Damont, pupils wide in the dim room, 'Can you transform yet? The potion should work immediately.'

Damont stared at his hand and there was a brief flash of light, he was glad he could transform his hand to a blade. He jammed the tip of the blade in between the chain then twisted, breaking the chains. Salem caught Crona as she fell against him limply. He took out another small bottle, 'Drink this.'

Salem suddenly stiffened and before Damont could ask he had narrowly dodged a black spike from the floor. He turned to where the attack came from and saw in time as Akane walked out the shadows, 'I knew it. You were trouble after all!'

Salem growled as he pushed Crona into Damont's arms. He raised his right hand in a sweep; an orange magic circle appeared in front of him. Half a dozen Jack O' Lanterns flew out of the circle and flew at Akane who was quick to slice them to pieces. He rushed forward and grabbed Salem who smirked, 'Trick or Treat?'

Akane's eyes widened as there was a poof of smoke and Salem was replaced by a scarecrow with a Jack O' Lantern's head that grinned mischievously. The scarecrow cackled and grabbed him and pushed him back and the pieces of sliced pumpkins on the floor glowed bright then exploded.

Damont stumbled forward and he realized he wasn't in the 'torture room' anymore but in a long hallway with many doors. Salem motioned him to follow him and Damont quickly hefted Crona up bridal style and ran after the human-cat. He felt Crona clutched his shirt tightly as she moaned in pain. They stopped when a child-like wooden doll walked out of a room. It wore a typical white sailor costume and Damont couldn't help but shudder at how realistically human-like it looked. The doll turned to them and pointed a finger at them, 'Kitty! Where are you taking mommy's guests?'

Salem didn't reply and snapped his fingers. The flames on the candles lining the wall flew forward at the doll who quickly dodged the flames. The doll leaped up to his feet, 'Meanie! Pino will tell mommy kitty is being mean! But first, kitty must be punished!'

'Watch out!' warned Salem as he ran forward to engage Pino.

Damont dodged in time when metal spikes shot out of the doll's fingers as it twisted. Salem deflected the spikes using the metal plate on his forearms he kept hidden under his long sleeves. His nails grew sharp and he managed to scratch Pino's face. The doll let out an angry shriek, 'No! Mommy won't love me if I'm damaged!'

'She never love you! Youre nothing but a tool to her!' said Salem as he grabbed the dolls flailing arms and swung him against the wall hard. Pino opened his mouth and Salem dodged the needles flying out of the doll's mouth, a few grazed his right cheek. He felt Pino rather than see Pino moved and he quickly twisted his hands so the doll's hands were facing away from his chest as short blades came out of the doll's palms. He was surprised by Damont who suddenly appeared and impaled the doll' chest with a blade arm, he released the doll and Damont threw it toward the way they came from, 'We don't have time!'

Salem snapped his fingers again, sending flames flying toward the doll. The doll leaped back to dodge the flames and then suddenly it was facing a big Jack O' Lantern grinning at it, 'Oh-'

Damont and Salem flew forward and landed on the floor heavily from the explosion's shockwave. Salem was up first then he pulled Damont up to his feet, 'C'mon!'

Damont gathered Crona in his arms, 'Sorry. Sorry Crona.'

He tensed when a door swung opened and a scarecrow leaped out. It began doing some weird happy dance. Salem nodded at it and he quickly gestured Damont to enter the room, 'Stand in the center!'

Damont did as told. He saw the scarecrow outside the room ran off and moments later it flew back. Salem cursed, 'Hang on!'

There was a swirl of wind and a green light lit up the room from the floor. Damont looked down to see a familiar teleportation circle. His head snapped up when he heard Shaula's voice, 'Salem?!'

There was hurt and disbelief in her eyes, Damont assumed she trusted Salem never to betray her. He saw a flash of guilt in Salem's eyes, '…Shaula.'

Shaula's face twisted to anger and she swung an arm. Salem stepped in front of Damont and Damont heard him let out a strangled cry before falling on his knees, 'Salem!'

Before his vision blurred, Damont saw shock on Shaula's face. When his vision cleared and the wild wind died down he found them on a mossy rock slab, surrounded by tall trees and wild bushes. He lay Crona down and pulled Salem to face him. He had to quickly catch Salem before he fell on his back at the sudden movement. Damont's eyes widened when he saw five black prongs sticking out of the man's chest. There was a trail of blood running down the man's chin and he coughed, 'S'not that bad…'

'Are you kidding me?! This is bad!'

Salem gripped his arm, 'We need to move… we're still too c-close to her place.'

'Can you even move?'

Salem's eyes drooped, 'Just leave me…'

'No way in Hell! I don't even know where the fuck we are!'

'We're on the… Western side of Lake Tahoe…'

Damont blinked, 'W-what? You mean…'

'We're in Nevada…or maybe California… not that far from Death City…' Salem's breath became short and frantic and Damont noticed this. The human-cat opened his eyes and gave a weak smile at the man's concerned eyes, 'P-poison… Shaula's specialty…'

'Don't you have an antidote?' asked Damont.

Salem patted his chest pocket, 'L-last one… give this… to her…'

Damont turned to Crona and he gasped Crona's extremely pale complexion and the beads of cold sweat. He also noticed she was breathing too quickly. He looked down at Salem when he felt him gently pushed the vial in his hand, 'Give… her…'

'H-how come you're deteriorating so fast?!'

Salem gasped for air, 'She was aiming to kill… not…. n-not torture…'

Damont hesitated when he took the vial. Salem gave him a glare, demanding him to move. Damont cussed and popped open the vial and gently raised Crona's head and carefully poured the antidote into her slightly parted lips. He heard Salem coughed and shifted, 'Everything…'

Damont made sure not to waste a drop before tossing the empty vial aside. He gathered Crona in his arms and looked at Salem over his shoulder, 'I'm… T-thank you… Salem.'

Salem gave a weak smile, 'Go south… about 15 miles… t-there's another c-circle… in a cave... scarecrow will guide you... Crona should be able… to open… passageway.'

Damont nodded as he stood up. He gave Salem a sad regretful look before running off. Salem stared at him until he disappeared among the trees. He sighed and shut his eyes, 'Mabaa-sama… S-Shaula… Blair… I'm s-sorry…'

Salem lost consciousness with his last thought of how he won't be meeting Blair tomorrow for their 'movie date'. He was actually glad to have met her. It feels good to be a little selfish and do something he wants with someone he likes… even if it was short-lived. His only regret was his inability to lead Shaula from the path of madness and keeping his last promise with Blair. Minutes later, there were the sound of crunching leaves and sticks but he didn't hear this because he was lost in oblivion. The person clicked his tongue, 'You're damn lucky...'

Oh~ I haven't decide to kill Salem off or not. We'll see in the future chapter ay? I don't know much about America but Lake Tahoe pops up in my head! Maybe because I've watched a documentary o it in the past? Anyways if you feel like it do leave a review! I'll start plotting for next chapter!