Tainted Innocence
Chapter #13
"Timcanpy…I haven't seen you since we split up in China! Since then I've…" Tears formed around Allen and Tim's eyes, "…been so busy I hardly had…TIME TO THINK, BUT I MISSED YOU! YOU'VE GROWN!" Allen brought out a ruler and measured the golden golem, both of them crying their eyes out.
"C'mon, you two, we're leaving!" Lavi called.
Sin laughed at the heart-warming scene, finding it adorable.
The aftermath of the fight with Noah was relaxing, and Sin had joined the other exorcists on a walk around the Ark.
Lavi eyed the woman, seeing one arm with lots of dry blood, and the other with a few scrapes and bruises.
If I recall correctly, this…other person that fought Tyki, wasn't Sin? Lavi was still confused at that specific point. He placed his arms behind his head and walked forward, good thing I've got that recorded, his eyes met hers when he glanced over again, seeing the blue irises stare at him innocently.
"S-Sin?" He was caught off guard a little.
"You kept looking over, so I thought I'd ask what was wrong." She tittered.
"Ah…it's nothing, really." Lavi smiled and looked ahead, feeling the tranquillity of the Ark. "It's so quiet. Did you really stop the Ark from self-destructing, Allen?"
"I think so, but I'm not exactly sure how." Allen looked up, seeing birds.
Lavi thought off to the side, I missed the best part!
Kanda scanned the area, "We've checked it out. There don't seem to be any Noah left."
Sin stared at Kanda for a long while, seeing that it was almost nostalgic to see his cranky face.
Did I miss that beautiful face of his or just that always irritable expression? Sin thought. Either one, it's kind of reassuring, actually.
Kanda frowned when he saw her watching him, "What?"
Sin smiled at him, "I kind of missed your angry face, actually."
He gave her a funny look, "Are you a masochist or—"
Allen interrupted, "Kanda! There's something that's been bothering me. That tattoo on your chest, has it always been there?" The white haired boy sweated slightly, hoping that Kanda's words didn't reach Sin.
Kanda clicked his tongue and looked away, "It's not important."
"Also, I'm not a masochist, Kanda! I can't believe you'd say that about me!" Sin karate chopped his head with her right hand, then instantly regretted it as she gasped out in pain, holding her hand as she felt it through her whole arm.
Kanda didn't even need to block, not feeling any bad intentions of the sort. "That was pathetic." He muttered. It didn't even hurt him. It was like a fly landing on his head.
"Sin! Hang in there!"
"Are you alright?"
Chaoji stood there with a conflicted look on his face. He didn't dare talk to Sin, because she was friends with the Noah. Except, she was still an exorcist. He didn't hate her as a person, but he hated how her personal relationships were, and how it would impact the war.
He thought back to his shipmates, and Anita. He remembered that before he left with the exorcists to safety, she had told him something that he was to remember, apart from remembering them, and doing his best for them.
"Chaoji, if you ever run into the little princess, please tell her that I'll be there to watch over her."
Those were Anita's words, but Chaoji didn't know who she meant.
But why think of this now? Chaoji thought with doubt. He sighed gently and watched as Kanda and Allen bickered afterwards, and Lavi asking Sin if she was alright.
Allen headed over to a door and opened it while talking, which lead to an empty room, with nothing but black space. He took a step into it, before realising that there was no floor.
Sin walked right into Kanda's back, hitting her nose. She rubbed it as she heard a shout from Lavi, before Kanda was dragged down, then Lavi, then Chaoji. Sin was accidently pushed by Lavi, falling.
She blinked as she headed straight down, not registering that she was falling in her mind. Allen caught her with his free hand, breathing a sigh of relief, "That was close…"
Sin just dangled there, wondering what the hell just happened. She realised that she was floating in nothing and listened to the complaining from the others. When it registered in her mind, she forced her lips into a tight smile, thinking about how to get out of this mess.
I can fly, right? She wished for her wings to work, and once she did, they sprouted from her back. She had given Cross's coat back, and just went around as is. It didn't bother her. With her wings there, she flew up to where Allen was, flying in front of him.
Once he noticed, he let go of her wrist, "I forgot you knew how to fly." He laughed lightly.
"Thanks for catching me, Allen!" Sin smiled at Allen before heading back up, landing on the ground near Chaoji.
"Fly?!" Kanda exclaimed.
Before Sin could reply, Choaji had pulled them out, throwing them high in the air before they hit the ground.
This presence…Sin could feel Innocence, which wasn't one of theirs. It was Choaji's, and was around his wrist, glowing green. There were two bracelets, one connected to the other that was around his wrist. Just like Mei said…
"Ow…" They groaned. Once they were up, they were lively again.
"Oh, yeah! You're an accommodator!" Lavi gave Choaji the thumbs up. "And strong!"
"What?!" Kanda rubbed his head.
"It came to him because the Ark stabilised." Allen stared at the new accommodator.
"Innocence…the power to defeat akuma…" Chaoji clenched his hand, "Anita and the others gave this to me. I'm sure of it."
Hate to break it to you buddy, but that's not it.
Kanda whipped around to look at Sin, a brooding expression on his face.
"K-Kanda…?" Sin held up both her hands, feeling slightly intimidated.
He pointed to the wings that were on her back. "Is that Innocence?"
"Uh…" Sin looked over her shoulder at her wings, retracting them back. She rubbed her neck, "Apparently so."
"So it's both a sword and wings?" Lavi questioned, curiosity perking.
"I think so," Sin raised a brow, "But I'm not too sure."
Lavi hummed a single tune, before slumping over on his knees, "Speaking of Innocence, mine got shattered. I wonder if it's okay." He took out a bag of his shattered Innocence, staring at it with a depressed look.
Kanda did the same, but his was angrier.
"Komui will fix it." Allen commented.
But for how much?! The Mugen and Hammer user could just imagine Komui laughing, asking them to pay up, since he did nothing for free.
Sin laughed lightly, knowing that it was almost completely true, especially towards the males. How much Komui was biased towards his sister and other girls is unknown.
"I'm more worried about Krory. He won't wake up. Lenalee and Cross are taking care of him together…" The instant those words left Allen's mouth, everyone's eyes save Sin's became bloodshot and wide.
Soon enough, they were in the room that Sin was in before, the one with the piano. Krory was resting on the sofa, with Cross and Lenalee in front of him, Cross's hand on Lenalee's cheek.
Sin's jaw dropped, as she knew Lenalee wasn't even 18 yet, and Allen had mentioned that he didn't know how old his Master was, and that he looked the same from since he first met him.
No wonder Allen was so defensive of me before! Sin thought with wonder.
"THAT'S A CRIME, MASTER!"
"No, Allen, he was just—" Lenalee tried.
The others spoke on top of her, berating the General for trying to hit on Lenalee.
I don't think that's the case here. Sin thought for a moment, seeing Lenalee's eyes glossy. When they had arrived, she remembered seeing Cross with a saddened look, but it was gone the instant they had come along.
Oh well.
Afterwards, Allen was able to cut the Ark and Edo's connection, opening a gate to wherever they needed to go. Sin joined Allen in going to the Asia branch.
"Hey! Everybody okay?" Lavi was the first to come out of the Ark, coming out in Edo. Miranda was a crying mess, and Bookman had even shed a few tears, commenting that it was bad for his heart.
"WALKER! SIN!" Bak screamed, sprinting towards the gate that had opened in the Asia branch.
Sin and Allen were greeted by Rikei and the others, who exclaimed in happiness that they were back.
"Bak! Got a phone? I'd like to call HQ. We can't just show up without warning." Allen noticed Bak and Won sprinting towards him.
"Thank goodness you're safe!" Roufa beamed at Allen, welcoming him back.
She likes him way too much, Sin realised. She laughed.
It was a warm feeling, to be welcomed back by everyone. They were all so kind and their happiness was infectious, but Sin herself didn't have any extremely close friendships with anybody, so she felt a little left out, even if she was considered one of them.
"Eh? Hm…this your woman, Allen?" Cross shoved his hand in Allen's face and pushed him out of his way as he got out of the Ark, getting a good look at Roufa.
"Hey! Where're you going, Master?! You're not running away again, are you!?"
"Stop, General!" Arms wrapped around Cross's waist, which belonged to Lenalee. "Don't disappear again!" She held him tight, not letting go. Cross just froze in his place, staring down at the cute exorcist.
I'm sick of looking for you! Lenalee hated the thought of having to find him again.
Is this why Lenalee was assigned to Cross's unit? Komui used her…Allen thought with a blank face.
"FIRST LENALEE'S HAIR AND NOW HER VIRTUE?!" Bak screamed in the distance.
Sin smiled, laughing along with the others that were laughing at Bak.
After going back to HQ via the Ark, Sin was treated for minor injuries at the infirmary. She was told to take time off from using her right hand, and was to be discharged earlier than the others, who were injured more so than she was.
Inside the infirmary, she helped to fill out the report that would be given in to Komui for the mission. It was going to be a very long report, but they managed to get through it, and submit it for the Chief to look through.
"Ah, he's not here." Sin was there to give in the report to him after adding the final touches before a meal, but found that he wasn't in sight.
Reever, who was clearing the Chief's desk, was the one who greeted Sin. "Yo, Sin. Komui's not here right now, so you can just leave it here."
"I see." Sin handed the documents to Reever, who placed it on top of a small pile at the centre of the desk. "Is Komui out procrastinating again?"
Reever shook his head, "No, this time, he's in a meeting with the guys from Central."
"The guys from Central?" Sin questioned with a tilt of the head.
"Yeah. They're holding a meeting to discuss what to do now."
Central…? Heh, those bastards again…
Mei?
Sin nodded slowly, before telling Reever she'll be taking leave. As she headed back to where the cafeteria was, she thought of Central, and why they were here. She knew that exorcists were under the Chief, and the Chief undertook orders from the top brass, such as Central Agency and the Holy Father.
What kind of orders would Central give Komui, though? Surely they must be here to discuss the future of their plans, like the plans of attack against the Earl, and the usage of the Ark now that it's in our possession.
I'd advise you to get out of the Order as quick as you can.
Hm? Mei? Why? Do you dislike Central that much?
Hmph. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Mei fell silent after that, not uttering another word. Sin had stopped in her steps and was in front of the cafeteria, waiting for Mei to answer. When she didn't, she just raised a brow and stepped in, wondering what Mei was thinking.
"Is everyone here?"
In the meeting room of the Order, the exorcist Generals had gathered, along with the branch heads. They sat around a round table, waiting for the one that had called them. Finally, they had made their appearance.
Two men, one positively older than the other, donned a moustache and sharp eyes. The other had blonde hair in a bowl cut fringe, cut higher than his double ended eyebrows, and braided blonde hair. He had two dots placed vertically on his forehead.
"Thank you for coming. I'm special inspector Malcolm C. Rouvelier from the Central Agency. I've read a detailed report of the recent events." He took a seat, "This…is a very special occasion." He looked across from him, seeing the elusive red haired General, "We have a prestigious guest with us today. I've been looking forward to speaking with you…General Cross Marian."
"Swell." Cross's feet were up on the table, not giving a care about what other's thought.
"General Cross Marian…4 years ago, immediately after you were assigned to destroy the akuma factory, you stopped communicating with HQ. You haven't reported in even once. During this latest crisis, your unit and Tiedoll's went to Edo, Japan and infiltrated the Ark." Link, Rouvelier's assistant and another that was part of Central Agency, spoke. "Then Lenalee, marked as the Heart by the enemy, five other exorcists, and a youth who later was found to be an accommodator, were taken inside the Ark, which had begun to disintegrate, and there did battle with the Noah. You found the akuma factory and helped the exorcists defeat the Noah. You ordered one of the exorcists, your pupil Allen Walker, to take control of the Ark, seizing the factory in the process. Then, without authorisation from the Order, you used the Ark to return to HQ." Link sat down after his long speech that summed up the events.
"It's been four years since you sat here. You accomplished a great deal, General." Rouvelier said, "However, you caused us considerable apprehension. We had no idea where you were. I don't like to criticise a colleague, but…"
"It was dangerous work. I was operating under the enemy's nose. I had to take unusual precautions. The Earl's minions were everywhere. It became quite dicey when they began targeting generals in their hunt for the Heart." Cross told them his turn of events, leaving out a huge chunk of it while trying to dramatize the vague parts that he spoke.
Rouvelier smiled, but his expression turned sharp and frightening, "Fortunately for you, your mission was a success. Or you would be facing severe penalties."
He continued, "The recent battle in Edo has drastically altered the strategic situation. By seizing the factory, we have temporarily cut off the enemy's supply of akuma. The Earl will be forced to postpone the return of the three days of darkness and his apocalyptic plan. No doubt the Earl will find a way to recover from this setback, but we certainly will have more time to prepare for the final battle than we did. And we must use it to gather Innocences and apostles and build our military might. The stolen Ark's transportation ability will be extremely useful in large scale actions against the Noah and akuma."
"We're going to use the Ark?!" One of the branch heads exclaimed.
"I'd like Chief Komui to begin preparations." Rouvelier eyed the Chief.
"You want exorcists to use the Ark?" Klaud Nine questioned.
"That's fine by me, if it gets us to the battlefield faster." Socalo didn't care.
"The enemy's been using that Ark for 7000 years! We should study it carefully before we use it!" Bak pressed his hand on the Australia branch head's face, pushing him away.
"But you already went inside, Director Bak!" He complained.
"Shut up, runt!" Bak retorted to him.
"That's not necessary. That is the opinion of the Great Generals and the Holy Father." Rouvelier spoke.
"But you could endanger the exorcists." Bak asserted.
"Who asked your opinion? This organisation doesn't exist to coddle exorcists. It exists to win this war." Rouvelier's stance outraged Bak, who froze from his words.
He ground his teeth together, cursing Rouvelier and Central Agency in his mind.
"Sit down, Director Bak." Komui piped up.
"Komui…"
"Sit down."
We carry out the will of the Holy Father. Defeating the Earl is all that matters to Rouvelier and his ilk. They're fanatical defenders of the faith, who see exorcists as sacrificial lambs. We must obey the Holy Father, or be slain as heretics, Komui didn't like when Central intervened.
But I have a job too. I have to look out for the exorcists. I'll use any means within my power…to protect them from those jerks, Komui's eyes widened slightly when he realised that the report that Rouvelier read might have contained information about Sin. He dreaded that, as he knew what would happen should Central know.
"There's something more dangerous than the Ark that you should be investigating." Rouvelier lifted two fingers, "Allen Walker…and Sin Diae."
Komui's blood ran cold when he heard that name. Bak was about to protest, but didn't know why Sin would be more dangerous than the Ark.
Those jerks…! Komui clenched his teeth together.
"First, Allen Walker." Rouvelier paused, "The Ark is the Earl's creation. We know nothing about it. So how was Allen Walker able to operate it, General Cross?"
"He's asleep." Tiedoll pointed to the red haired General, who was snoring away on his chair.
"WAKE UP!"
"It was a last resort. Faced with death, people can do amazing things." Cross waved it off like it was nothing.
"I see…you think I'm a fool." Rouvelier's expression darkened.
"General," Link spoke, "You took Allen Walker as your pupil right after receiving orders to destroy the factory, didn't you?"
Cross eyes them, knowing something was up.
"Did you know who he was when you sent him to the Order? Was it the will of the 14th? Is Allen Walker the 14th authorized pianist?"
Cross's eye went wide.
"What's he talking about?" Bak questioned. The others had no idea as well.
"Do you think we assigned you to destroy the akuma factory without knowing anything?" Rouvelier asked.
They knew the factory was in the Ark, Cross thought.
"You sent me there on purpose." He remarked.
"Then you admit your involvement with the 14th? Answer me, General."
"How do you know about the 14th?"
"I'm asking the questions here. I need to know which side Allen Walker is working for."
"What are you talking about?! He's an exorcist!" Bak interrupted.
"Yes, but he may well be a dangerous heretic. Have you forgotten Suman Dark? We are the army of God. We shun all wickedness." Rouvelier stated.
Yet he wants to use the Ark…hypocrite! Bak thought angrily.
"Allen Walker must face the inquisition." Rouvelier spoke. When those words left his mouth, the others looked at him in alarm.
Trial by torture! That's basically giving him a death sentence! Bak opposed, "Hold on! You can't be ser—"
"Inspector Rouvelier!" Komui spoke up, "We received no intelligence pertaining to the 14th or a pianist! I'd like you to explain yourself!"
"I apologize. Allow me to clarify…"
"No. I request that the investigation be suspended. Submit your explanation in writing." Komui spoke hard words, earning a look from Rouvelier.
"Investigate all you want, Rouvelier." A slight smirk curled Cross's lips. "And please do whatever you want with Allen."
"What are you saying, Cross?!" Komui slammed his hands down on the table, standing up.
"Very well, General. I will do so." Rouvelier pointed to the red head, "For the time being you are not to leave HQ. I will assign you attendants from Central Agency. And, you will not speak with Allen Walker. I'll assign a guard to watch over him as well." He turned to Link, "Inspector Howard Link, will you see to that?"
"Yes, sir! To your satisfaction, Inspector Rouvelier." Link saluted.
"Now…" Rouvelier paused, before starting up again. "The exorcist known as Sin Diae."
Link spoke up, "She was one of the exorcists that infiltrated the Ark along with Allen Walker. It is understood that she has some form of connection to the Noah and that her Innocence is the spear sword that is a hairpin."
"Have you heard, of the Innocence 'Seraphim'?" Rouvelier spoke right after Link.
Cross's eyes narrowed. Bak and Komui clenched their hands into fists, knowing that nothing good would come out of his mouth.
"Allow me to explain. Seraphim is an Innocence that is hated by God. It is an Innocence that only heretics use."
"But she's an exorcist! She's working for the Order!" Bak protested. It was like a repeat of the same thing with Allen, but at a harsher level.
"Sit down, Director Bak." Rouvelier warned. Bak grunted before sitting back down. "In those reports, it is said that she sprouted wings, and proceeded to fight with the Noah, and fought on par with them. Those wings are Innocence, which can only be achieved with 90% or above synchronisation. However, the Innocence itself is a blasphemy against God."
"What? Why? She hadn't done anything to warrant her to become a Fallen One!" Bak was the only one who had outbursts. "She isn't someone who would succumb that easily!"
"All those who have possessed such an Innocence before Sin Diae have fought against the Order, fighting against God's will. She will be no exception." Rouvelier's words were harsh. "Not only that, she is on friendly terms with a Noah. We cannot be sure that she will not go against the Order! That is why, she will be sentenced to death."
Gasps were audible in the room as he spoke those words, shock on everyone's faces.
"Why would you execute an exorcist just based on their Innocence?!" Bak slammed his hands on the table, wanting to throw a punch at the Inspector's face. A few of the other branch head's held him back.
Komui clenched his hands into fists, "Inspector Rouvelier! If it is her Innocence that is the problem, would it not be better to just take her Innocence away?!" He was on edge now. Not only was Rouvelier doing what he wanted with the exorcists under him, he was also being unreasonable, especially with Sin's case. "Explain!"
"If we did not kill the host of the Innocence, would the Innocence not come back to that same person?"
Komui's eyes widened at his words. His words were not wrong, but they were not right either.
Dammit! Rouvelier…!
Bak growled at Rouvelier, hating that he was making such a huge decision by himself.
Heartless jerk! Bak cursed him mentally, absolutely hating him.
"Central Agency will take hold of her until her execution, a week from now." Rouvelier declared.
"Inspector—" Komui started.
"Be quiet, Chief Komui." Rouvelier's words shut Komui up, who glared at him.
Cross stated, "Central is scared of such an exorcist?" He laughed, throwing his head back, "That's funny!"
Rouvelier shot the General a look.
Cross scoffed, "Don't give me such a scary look."
"Before you take her away, I need to inform her of something." Komui said it through half clenched teeth.
Rouvelier eyed the man, "Hmph. Do what you will."
When the meeting ended and the Inspectors left, Komui sighed angrily, rubbing his temples.
Bak shouted out in annoyance and pure disbelief, hitting the table with his hands, cursing and complaining about the moustached male.
The other branch heads were out of the loop with what was happening, but got the gist of it from Bak's simple explanation.
"Let me talk to Sin." Cross stood up, scratching his head. "I've got something I need to say to her."
"Cross…?"
"What—" Several guards surrounded Sin at the cafeteria table.
She was eating with the others, even Kanda, who had come down for a meal. He just so happened to be on the emptiest table, thus everyone sitting there.
"Sin Diae?" The guards asked.
Everyone at the table stopped eating and stared at them, wondering what they wanted.
"Yes, that's me." Sin spoke slowly, seeing them eye her up and down.
"You are to be sent to Central to await your execution 7 days from now." The guard spoke.
Sin's blue eyes widened as she stared at them in shock. She heard her friends dropping their food, and in a moment, they started to complain and shout at them, asking them what their purpose was and why.
"E…execution…?" Sin's mouth opened in speechlessness and astonishment when she heard them. "Me?" She pointed to herself.
"Yes. It is under orders by Central."
Central…? Is that what they were discussing?! My execution?! Sin clenched her hand around the glass of water she was drinking, looking away.
I told you so. You should've listened to me.
She stared at the food, feeling her appetite weaken. She placed the glass down onto the table, then moved one hand in front of the others so that they would stop talking over each other and shouting at the guards.
All the people in the full cafeteria were staring at them, silent.
"On what basis does Central order for my execution?" Sin's eyes narrowed as she stood up. She was feeling a whole range of emotions, but mainly from the anger that had started to rise. It had been a very long time since she had gotten really angry.
"Your Innocence, Seraphim, is considered an act against God and the Holy Father! That was the reason we were told!" One of the guards saluted, but was slapped by another to tell him to stop.
"My Innocence? An act against God?" Sin clenched her hand into a fist, glaring at them. She ground her molars, "What kind of basis is that?! How is having an Innocence an act against God? Innocence is God's will to destroy akuma! I am an exorcist that fights against akuma! If Central's screwed up logic is to kill anyone that possesses Innocence, then there shouldn't be a Black Order in the first place!" She glowered.
The guards looked unsure, wavering slightly, before shaking their heads. "Before you are to depart to Central, Chief Komui and General Cross wish to speak to you. We are here to lead you there."
"Komui and Cross?" Sin questioned, brows furrowing together.
Ah. That's right. Komui promised he'd explain everything to me once I got out of the Ark. But what does Cross want?
"W-Wait!" Lenalee shouted, "Why is Sin going to get executed?! She didn't do anything wrong!" She cried.
Lenalee held a look of fright, scared for Sin.
"That's right!" Allen and Lavi spoke up. "That's uncalled for! Stop joking around!"
Link, who was assigned to Allen, sat there, wondering if he should intervene. He sighed, speaking up. "It is under the Holy Father's orders that she be executed."
"But why?!" Allen exclaimed.
Link met everyone's eyes, seeing that he couldn't get out of it. So he told them, "All those who bore her Innocence previously have gone against the Order. To prevent such a thing from happening again, the Holy Father has condemned her."
"That's stupid." Kanda clicked his tongue, placing his chopsticks on top of the bowl. His face had the most irritated expression, ready to kill something within his reach. "You're ruining my meal." He glared at Link.
He hated to say it, but he didn't fully hate the girl he trained. If anything, he found her tolerable.
"Inspector Howard Link." Sin spoke his full name, capturing his attention. She exhaled, "So Central wishes to kill one of its exorcists that can help destroy akuma? That it was under the Holy Father's orders?" The anger she felt did not subside, rather, it seemed to accelerate. "The Holy Father is the one that holds the will of God, right? Does that mean, by condemning me, it is also God's wish? Does condemning me solve any of His problems?" She scoffed, "I may not be one to say this, but…how is it that one man, the Holy Father, able to order such a thing? Is it not human life that he treasures? Oh." She paused, before chuckling darkly, "That's right. He's just saying this to save his own skin."
"Sin Diae, watch what you say!" Link spoke sharply. From his reports on her, he did not expect to see her confront him like this. There was nothing in those reports that reported her behaviour like what he was experiencing.
"Inspector." Sin slammed her hand down on the table, making him eye her with narrow eyes, "I wondered why the previous users of this Innocence all turned against the Order. If they were treated the exact same way I am now, without any actual grounds to reason your actions, it would have been easy for them to become something that went against the Order." She paused, moving away from the table. She had calmed down a considerable lot. "You lot, not just Central, but also the Vatican and Holy Father, are afraid of something. I don't know what it is, but by killing all those involved with this Innocence of mine, means that there's something that must have happened for it to turn out this way. What it is, I don't know."
"Sin Diae…!" Link looked incredibly angry, seeing as though she insulted the Holy Father and Central.
Sin ignored him and took the glass of water she was previously drinking, chugging the whole thing down before placing it back onto the table. "If you'll excuse me." She turned on her heel, telling the guards to take her to where Komui and Cross were.
Those in the cafeteria were all silent, never having seen Sin like that. Normally she was a kind, friendly person who cared for others well and was mannered, but seeing her like this was almost scary. Her logic was sound, and her tone was frightening.
Whispers started to sound around the room, and for all of them, Sin was the centre of talk, previously replacing those who gossiped about Allen.
Allen, Lavi, Lenalee and Kanda were honestly incredibly surprised by her reaction.
"…that was a new side to her that I haven't seen before." Lavi commented, trying to break the ice. It was stiffly silent.
Lenalee grabbed Lavi's shoulders, shaking them, "Now's not the time! She's going to get executed!" She cried, tears forming around her eyes. "Sin didn't do anything wrong…! This isn't fair…!"
Allen turned to Link, giving him a dirty look, before proceeding to eat angrily.
"She still has 7 days." Kanda leaned his fist on his face. He didn't care for what the Order did because he hated it to the ends of the earth and beyond, but this particular case was peculiar.
"Komui and Cross wanted to talk to her, right?" Allen swallowed some food before talking, stabbing his fork into a piece of meat. "Do you think we could listen to what they tell her? I overheard them wanting to discuss something after the mission on the Ark."
"Good idea, Allen!" Lavi and Lenalee exclaimed, getting up.
"I will not allow—" Link interjected, but he himself got interrupted.
"LINK, YOU FINK! We have a right to know!"
Kanda clicked his tongue. "Shut it, Rouvelier's Dog." He almost spat his words. He stood up, following after the guards.
"Who knew Kanda was worried about her…" Lavi stared at the Mugen user with a surprised expression.
"Shut up! I'm not worried!" Kanda barked at the red head.
Lenalee pressed her hands together, hoping that it was all a dream. It was all too sudden. She stood up and followed Kanda.
First Allen got a watchdog, Link, to watch over him because of his supposed connection to the 14th Noah, and now Sin was going to get executed because of her Innocence.
Lenalee's Innocence had been taken away and was being kept with Hevlaska as well, so she couldn't fight even if she wanted to.
Before the news broke out that Sin was going to the death row, everyone was gossiping about Allen being in league with the Noah, as well as General Cross.
Things are just getting worse! Lenalee pressed her hands together at her chest, twaddling her thumbs in nervousness.
Lavi thought, strange. The Holy Father himself was the one who ordered this? It's not like killing her will end a war. But…
Lavi saw Sin's back as she disappeared into Komui's office, leaving the guards outside.
Seraphim must hold a secret that threatens even the Order. Hm…why don't I know anything about this? Lavi thought with annoyance. He was the apprentice of a Bookman, but he hadn't heard a peep about this Innocence, they must have either kept it under locks or it was a taboo topic.
"Stop right there! You're not allowed in!" The guards held up their spears, blocking the way.
"Guards." Link stepped forward, "Allow them in." He had given his okay for the others to do in, since if he did not, they would surely kick up a fuss that would land him in hot water.
"B-But—" One of the guards stuttered. Once he saw Link's focused gaze, he succumbed, moving to the side and removing the weapons in the way.
They went in, closing the door behind them.
"Everyone…!" Komui's eyes widened when he saw everyone there. "Why are you here?"
"We're here to listen to what you have to say to Sin." Lenalee went forward, "I want to know why Sin is getting treated this way!"
Komui stared at his sister with wide eyes before looking at the others. Sin, who stood in the middle of the room, didn't care whether or not they stayed. They were probably curious, too, so it would be beneficial for them to understand better.
"It's fine, Komui. Just let them. They'll be able to know more, too." Sin took a few steps forward.
"Alright." Komui told the others to come closer so that they could hear him. He faced Sin, since he was primarily talking to her. "Sin, you know your Innocence is called 'Seraphim', right?"
"Yes."
"I'm sure Inspector Link told you already, but it is an Innocence that is hated by God."
"Hated by God?"
Lenalee held in a gasp. Sin was unfazed, wanting to know why.
"Yes. Hevlaska told me about it, but even she didn't know everything." A pause, "I'm not too sure why, since her memories only go back from when the Order was first formed. At that time, she had heard from the Rouvelier family that Seraphim is the bane of God's existence, apart from the existence of the Noah family, and that upon discovering the accommodator, they must be killed."
"I heard about that from Inspector Link, too. But why? He said that they betrayed the Order."
"In the 100 years that Hevlaska has been alive, there were 3 times that Seraphim had been located. One when the Order was formed, the other, around 60 years after that, so about 40 years ago, and now, you. You're the third one."
"How did you know it was Seraphim? It's not like each Innocence is specifically named."
"This specific Innocence has variation of weapons, but the wings are nearly the same. That is what distinguishes it from other Innocences. That is why it has the same name."
"I see."
"That was the main reason I didn't want to send you to the battlefield. Hevlaska also thought so, and was the one who specifically requested that you do not. She requested that you stay hidden away so that you would not unlock it; but it seems you have after the mission on the Ark."
Sin pressed her lips into a thin line, finding that the information that Komui had was a little off. She didn't address it, though.
"But wouldn't it have happened anyway?" Sin questioned. "Being able to invoke wings – does that call for the end point of the accommodator's career as an exorcist?"
Komui paused for a moment, "According to Hevlaska, the more you are away from situations that cause you some form of grief, it will not manifest to be what it is to be. That being said, Seraphim is a dangerous Innocence, especially to the accommodator."
Is this what Mei meant?
Sin's eyes narrowed slightly, "How so? I understand that Innocence already has a burden on the body of its accommodators, but from what you are saying, Seraphim doesn't seem to do just that."
"Sin…this may be alarming to you, but do you know the reason why your Innocence's accommodators always turn against the Order?"
"…no, I don't." She had a bad feeling about this, seeing Komui's expression twisted to one that had difficult readability.
"Seraphim is an Innocence that eats away at the mind. It will take over your body the more you use it, and destroy whatever consciousness you have left, leaving only the will of the Innocence."
"What…?" Sin breathed. The others in the room save Link, had shocked looks on their faces, for nearly the hundredth time that day. "What do you mean? Leave only the will of the Innocence?"
Are they talking about that voice in my head? Is that the will of the Innocence? Sin thought, remembering the events of the Ark, and how that other voice in her head took over her body.
"Yes. Those two accommodators that came before you, the first one was imprisoned by the Order and studied, whilst the second one had betrayed the Order and went to the Noah family for assistance."
Sin's eyes widened, her mouth going dry. She ignored those behind her, "Komui…are you saying that the Order did human experimentations on those Seraphim accommodators?!" She exclaimed.
Komui nodded. "They did. That system has long abolished after the second accommodator escaped."
"So does that mean that the second accommodator had been an exorcist, and was placed on death row, too?"
"They were."
"Then they went to the Noah family…" She gulped, knowing where this was leading. She inhaled, "…so you mean to say that I am getting killed because I am acquainted with someone from the Noah family?"
Komui nodded, a pained look on his face. He didn't like it one bit. "That is one of the reasons."
"It is precisely because of that, as well as your Innocence's previous connections, that allowed for this decision to concur." Link spoke up. Sin turned to look at him. "I am sure that you are aware the words that the Earl has spoken to you, do you not?"
"The Earl?" Lenalee and Allen's eyes widened, remembering the words of the Millennium Earl before he left with Joyd, back on the Ark.
Lavi narrowed his eyes, what? What did the Earl say?
"…how do you know about that?" Sin had no idea how Link came to know.
"Answer my question, Sin Diae." Link pushed past the other exorcists that he stood behind, coming up to Sin. "Did you or did you not hear 'If you wish to destroy the Order again, I will help you', from the Millennium Earl?"
What?! Lavi's eyes widened, instantly recording such a thing down in his mind. The Earl wants to help her? But why? They themselves have no connection to each other…except…the second accommodator! That one went to the Noah family for assistance. Lavi realised, the Old Panda might know something!
Komui's hands clenched into fists on his desk.
"Did you, or did you not?" Link repeated.
"…yes, I did." Sin gritted her teeth together, not liking where this was going. "However, I do not have any connections to the Earl of Millennium."
"You may not, but does that mean the same for your Innocence?" Link asked.
"What do you mean?" She shot him a puzzled look.
"That Innocence seems to remember what it hates, incredibly well." Link spoke. "Listen, Sin Diae. There is another reason that we must dispose of you."
Sin's eyes narrowed when she heard the word 'dispose', wanting to tell him that exorcists were not toys for them to use. Except, she kept her mouth shut.
"Seraphim is an Innocence that cannot become a Fallen One."