The beginning of this chapter is Allen's mind, so it's not supposed to be overly-descriptive until after. It was really fun to write, actually. Finally, the Fourteenth comes in to play! Mind you, there's not a whole lot on the personality of the Fourteenth, so I tried to keep him in character as best as I could. Definitely not easy. I was kind of afraid to post this chapter – your reviews were so wonderful, and I wasn't sure if this chapter would live up to standards! XD Oh, and I said you'd hate Leverrier. Just wait – you will. Other then that, since I ended the last chapter on a cliffhanger, here's chapter twenty-six! Thank you to all who reviewed and the like, and leave a few words on your way out? Happy holidays!
26.
[fate's stronghold]
Confused. Balanced on the edge of sanity and insanity. A weapon of God.
i.
That really hurt.
He was alive – wasn't he? His mind was a screwed up thing. He wasn't entirely sure what had driven him to attack the level five with the same ferocity used against the first level four they had ever encountered; after all, the chance of landing a hit and successfully destroying the demon was slim, yet his body acted quicker then he could process, and despite the words he had spoken, he wasn't fully aware of what he had done – or more, what the demon had done to him. It had happened in a blur, and now his body was bruised and beaten worse then ever before. Hell, he wasn't even sure where he was – in his subconscious, perhaps, his body trying to heal itself by putting him in a coma.
But somehow, he doubted that was true.
He could still feel every inkling of pain, the gashes deep and thick on his back from the strength he had been thrown. Pieces of glass etched into his flesh. His head felt like Lavi had taken his hammer and smashed him in his skull a few times, just for good measure. He was covered in something sticky – blood, most likely, since he figured he had lost a good amount that should have ended his life already. Everything hurt; there wasn't one muscle or one piece of skin that wasn't on fire from the agony.
But that didn't bother him as much as it should have.
What bothered him more was that he truly had no idea where he was, or how he was even capable of thinking, as if his mind was still alert and he was back in the room of shattered mirrors with his comrades. He had seen their faces before his vision went dead; Lenalee one of dread and pure disbelief. Lavi's single emerald eye widening more then it ever had. Kanda still kneeling, almost as if his own body was frozen from the force of the attack. And Link… he could have sworn the Central worker looked guilty. Of what? He didn't know.
It's like a case of déjà vu. Except I don't know if I'm going to walk away from this one.
Because, in his broken mind with his thoughts twisted and wavered with pain, the force of that attack should have been enough to kill him. Did he honestly escape death a second time? It didn't help that his view – which he could barely make out – was black and white, something he hadn't seen in a long time, since before his eye had evolved.
"Go deeper into the world of gray."
Hadn't Mana said something along those lines? Then why wasn't he seeing the different tones of gray, like he usually did? Whenever he saw the souls –
The soul; it was a terrible and revolting sight, and he thought that because of the automated spirit, maybe he had lost a part of himself. He was supposed to save the tortured souls trapped by the akuma, but he assumed a level four was the worst it could deteriorate, that the broken soul bound by chains had already lost as much as it could – after all, there was a large jump from a level three to a level four when it came to the state of the spirit. But a level five… Level five's weren't supposed to exist; the war may have just taken a different turn, and not in favor for the Order. How was he supposed to fix it? His comrades… he hoped to whatever God there was that they'd be alright, despite the enemy they were facing.
"Didn't I tell you not to give up?"
Master? You said if I haven't given up yet.
"You should know by now that's my way of telling you not to give up. Walk your own path."
Where's my path going to take me though? This is the only road I know.
"Then follow it. Make it your path. Wake up."
Allen didn't know how.
ii.
"Come on now, wake up."
"I don't want too…"
"You have to, Allen."
Said boy groaned, rolling over in the makeshift bed and rubbing his eyes tenderly. He had barely gotten any sleep, and the air was biting through his green coat and thin pants. He could only imagine how messy his brown hair looked, but he didn't care, for all he wanted to do was sleep. Him and Mana had been walking for nearly five hours before they found a hotel – it was meek, the beds uncomfortable and barely able to fit Allen, who was small. The walls were weak, the winter weather easily breaking through the barrier and assaulting anyone who stayed in the rooms.
"Nngh…" was the young boy's only response, but the constant shaking of his shoulders was beginning to grate his nerves, and he slowly opened his eyes, intending to slap his foster father's hand away. However, as soon as his eyes were opened to see the image in front of him, pain racked his entire body, his nerve endings exploding in a fit of fire and burns. He tried to scream out for Mana to do something, but his throat was thick, no words escaping his pained lips.
And then he realized he wasn't the six year old child that desperately wanted a family – he was the fifteen year old exorcist who had just been knocked unconscious.
"You're not the innocent little boy anymore, are you, Allen?"
I never was innocent.
"I always found that ironic."
I always found you weird.
The bed and hotel room from his distant memory was gone, being replaced by a dream. The snow was getting colder, his body not feeling like his body anymore. But even as the pain subsided and the world became clearer, all he could see was the large moon above his head, snow flakes falling into his eyes and freezing his face.
The snow felt nice, Allen thought.
It was as if the white flakes were closing the blistering wounds that littered his body in multiple places, so much blood surrounding him where he lay. He could faintly recall what had happened before the pain struck and his vision went dead, but it was still blurry, his head trying too hard to connect the pieces of the mess he found himself in. The wet snow was slowly soaking his back, seeping through his clothes and freezing him due to the harsh weather outside. He lifted up a bloodied hand, some of the red liquid dripping down his limb and trailing down his arm as he narrowed his heavy eyes to try and make out more of the scenery.
Why am I here again?
"Aren't you supposed to live for both demon and human alike?"
Mana…
"Come now, don't give up."
Did you ever… Was it always the Fourteenth you were speaking too?
"What do you think?"
I think… I think I'm tired.
Truly, in the depths of his mind, all he wanted to do was sleep. Pretend everything that had happened was one long, horrifying dream, and he'd wake up in the small hotel room with Mana beside him, begging his foster son to get up so they could practice for their next performance. That maybe, just maybe, the Fourteenth didn't exist, and Allen wasn't so confused on who both Mana and Cross had cared for. That he wasn't the host for a rogue Noah that had betrayed his own clan. He still had his friends to think about, though – his first meeting with Kanda, the samurai attempting to cut him open to see if he was a demon or not. Lenalee, showing Allen around the Order and letting him know where everything was, who everyone was. Lavi, who had saved him on more then one occasion when his left eye was out of commission. Link, who had baked Allen a pie despite his duty to be a constant shadow to the possible traitor.
And everyone else at the Order, who had become Allen's family; his home.
But he was exhausted, the war finally taking a toll on both his body and mind; was his whole life planned for him?
"Are you really going to give up so easily? I mean, I can't take over a dead body, now can I?"
Why is everyone assuming I'll give up? I'm just tired…
"You must be, if you're not surprised to hear me."
It was always you whispering my name. Always my reflection. Why?
There was silence. His hand drifted back down, lowering onto his injured chest and resting. His eyes were beginning to close, the navy sky and the lunar light fading from view slowly; he had become numb to the snow, any sense of feeling eradicated. Blearily, he realized he was talking to the very Noah that was within him, but in his current state of health, he wasn't sure if it was his subconscious, or if the Fourteenth had actually found a way to speak to him clearly – not just Allen's name. Finally, he could hear the voice once again, and he peeled his eyes open to find a looming shadow over him.
"You're a boy chosen by fate, and fate isn't going to let go. Fight, Allen."
What am I fighting now? A traitor… Or am I a traitor too?
The shadow said nothing, no smile on the figure's face; just two empty, white holes that seemed sad, a figure made of darkness with white thrown over the body. It wasn't the true form of the Fourteenth, Allen knew. But in a way, he felt like he was looking at himself.
An empty shell; a puppet on strings.
Have I finally snapped?
"No. Wake up, Allen. Destroy the demon."
I don't know how…
"Open your eyes."
iii.
"Damn it!"
Allen groaned, the familiar voice of his observer extremely loud in his ears. It took effort, but he was finally able to crack his eyelids open, Link the first thing entering his line of sight. The blonde haired man looked injured, his right arm cradled and a clean cut roaming over the left side of his face. He could hear loud shouts and crashes, but his mind was more focused on the pain that racked his body in endless waves. When he had been unconscious, though he had felt his injuries to a large extent, they hadn't been this extreme – and now that he was fully aware and awake, his body was anything but blissful. Something – or someone – was strewn over him, as if protecting him, and as he looked around, he realized he and Link were hidden behind a piece of broken wall.
"The others are fighting, and I brought you out of the way. We thought…" Link didn't finish his sentence, but Allen got the gist of it, shutting his eyes tightly as he fought through the pain to right himself. His hand immediately met something wet and crimson, his blood soaking through his suit and gathering on the ground below him. Suddenly, he was being pulled upwards, and Allen realized it was Link that was gently setting the cursed exorcist up, his back resting against the broken wall. Allen tipped his head back, breathing a chore and his chest on fire.
"Your shoulder…"
Allen looked to the right, immediately looking away when he saw the mangled skin – his shoulder wasn't broken, but it wasn't a nice sight to look at. He could feel beads of sweat race to the surface of his skin, the room suffocating in his condition.
"Here," Link started, gently pulling the suit's jacket off of Allen's arms and away from his body; his white shirt was barely white anymore, instead, stained with red. Allen could faintly hear Link muttering something, but it wasn't directed outwards, so the young boy could only register a few words being spoken. Another loud crash sounded, and Allen winced, desperate to help his comrades – but afraid to see the damage as well. He must have showed the conflict on his face, for Link shook his head, not letting the fifteen year old turn around to view his friends.
"Link," Allen said quietly, his voice raspy and thick. "I need to help."
"There's nothing you can do – "
"I can fight – "
"You'll be lucky if you can stand up, Walker!"
Allen blinked, the inspector's voice sounding angry and disbelieving. The situation seemed hopeless, but Allen refused to give up – though the dream was hazy, he could clearly recall the shadowy voice of the Fourteenth; of Mana. It had set his mind on high alert. He didn't get a chance to dwell on it before the wall began to crumble, pieces of rubble and small dust falling around the two Order members. A loud laugh ensued, and frustration began to rise up in Allen. He ground his teeth together as he pulled some of the fabric off of his coat, tying it around his shoulder; he rotated the limb a few times, attempting to get a feel for a how painful it would be when he activated his Innocence and grabbed the sword with his injured arm. It was agonizing, but he'd gone through worse, so he bit his tongue and felt the cowl ensnare him.
"Walker – "
Allen shouted as his head burst into pain, the inside of his mind feeling as if it was being torn inside out. His Innocence deactivated, a shrill laugh coming from up above him.
"So, you are still alive, Allen Walker," the demon said, smashing the wall Allen was leaning on, causing the small exorcist to fall backwards. His eyes were shut tightly, his head still reeling in pain from the attack; however, as it began to subside and he caught a glimpse of his surroundings once again, he wished his eyes would have stayed closed. Link was crumpled on the ground, the demon having attacked him quickly without thought. Lenalee was breathing heavily on her knees as she tried to catch her breath, her arms injured and cuts littering her body. Lavi looked as if he was unconscious, his red hair covering his face and blending in with the blood that was dripping from his head.
Allen couldn't see Kanda.
The room itself was in shambles; not a single mirror remained, the ground decorated with shimmering pieces that remained of the reflective surfaces. Drops of blood coated the ground like a blanket, almost no part of the linoleum clean or untainted. The walls that had been previously covered were breaking, revealing nothing but darkness in the depths of the holes. Allen pushed himself off the ground, not sure of his intentions, but as soon as he was righted, he saw the oncoming attack from the demon. Expecting a blow to the head and a sickening crunch, he was surprised to find himself lifted off the ground and away from the demon.
What…?
"Fuck, stay here," Allen heard Kanda curse, and he was placed on the ground – not gently, by far – and a good distance away from the demon that was still laughing. Allen could see a blur heading back that way, and he realized it was Kanda, who was not in good shape. His hair had fallen out of his ponytail, and it was spread over his back as he continued to fight. His jacket had been discarded, and Allen could see the black tattoo peeking out from underneath the bloody shirt. Wounds covered his skin, and Allen realized his regeneration ability still hadn't kicked in.
He's the only one fighting, but he won't be able to for long. He's already suffering.
"Hakka Tourou," the cursed exorcist heard Kanda say quietly, and Allen watched as Kanda successively hit the demon eight times; the pattern strangely resembled a flower.
Although his own body was weak, Allen stood up, the Fourteenth's words flowing through his mind at an alarming rate. The demon seemed intent on reaching Allen, but Kanda was distracting it enough where the younger exorcist was free from harm for a few minutes. He tried to straighten himself out, desperate to be mobile so he could help Kanda – but the same question remained in his mind.
How are we going to beat this?
"Open your eyes."
Allen blinked, not expecting the sudden voice; he wasn't sure how to respond, however – his eyes were open, and in doing so, it gave him neither hints nor clues on how to set the demon's soul free.
"Let me in, Allen."
Suddenly, there was a loud crash behind him, and Allen turned around to see Kanda crumpled against the wall with a large gash on his forehead, his breathing labored. Allen quickly rotated back around to find the demon chuckling, walking towards Allen with determination in its stride.
"Let me."
"What the fuck are you doing, bean sprout?" Kanda asked, reverting back to using the English form of the word, his mind tired; Allen smiled sadly, closing his eyes and listening to the voice inside his head.
Maybe I have gone crazy.
Breathe in. Breathe out. It was agonizing, and his body felt like it would combust into flames from the force of his injuries; however, he kept his eyes closed, focusing on the Fourteenth. In a tiny part of his mind, he was glad Link was unconscious, so he couldn't witness what Allen was about to do. In all of his time as an exorcist, and the time he knew about the Fourteenth, he had never imagined or thought about himself giving into the will; he refused to give into the will of the Noah.
But the situation seemed helpless, and Allen realized he didn't have a choice.
" – the fuck!"
"What are you doing now, Allen Walker?"
It's my path. The demon…
"Bean sprout!" Someone was shaking him, but he was beginning to lose the feeling in his body like in the dream; it was terrifying and strange, but he was losing the will to fight it off. "Open the gate, then!"
Control the Ark.
"Don't make me fucking kill you."
How am I even able to move? Can you answer that?
"You're not dead. Your Innocence is powering you. But if you keep this up, you won't survive much longer."
Allen slowly opened his eyes, the lights flickering from the damage done to the room. Although his mind was barely able to process what was happening, he knew one thing – he had made a subtle connection to the Fourteenth, and that thought alone was enough to send his mind into overdrive, his actions finally realized. The shaking had ceased, and Allen watched as Kanda was picked up and thrown backwards, Allen the only one left to fight.
"Demon," Allen began, looking up into the face of the weapon of carnage. "Do you know what you've done?"
He wasn't entirely sure if the words were his own, or if they were the Fourteenth's.
"It's what I am going to do, Allen Walker," the demon said quickly, laughing and reaching a hand forward, a ball of energy already forming around the demon's hand.
"All those you've killed… Do you know what pain is?"
The demon paused, pulling the hand back subtly; Allen smiled a bit, activating Edge End and reaching up a claw, almost mimicking the time the level three had infiltrated the Asian Branch.
"Pain," Allen started, touching the demon's forehead. "Is not something that should be thrust on others. Pain is never ending, and yet humans are subject to it everyday."
"This is a waste of a conversation," the demon bellowed, intent on attacking Allen to finish him off. However, the cursed exorcist refused to quit, and he tapped a claw to the demon's forehead.
"Ah, but you're still having a conversation, demon. With a human, no less."
"I'm a weapon sent to destroy you – "
"And I'm a weapon as well."
The level five wasn't expecting this, and Allen could tell the words had confused it slightly; this just caused the sad smile on Allen's face to grow a bit wider. Allen lowered his Innocence, the black and silver claw dropping to his side. He could see, from the corner of his eye, that Link had regained consciousness, and he was watching Allen carefully. Even Lenalee, who was still kneeling over in pain, had turned to stare at the exchange between human and demon. The room was coated with blood and destruction – the demon wasn't smiling anymore.
"Why do you choose to live, Allen Walker?" the demon asked, unmoving and assessing as it watched the white haired boy.
"I live for you. I live for humans. I live, so maybe one day, others can too, without pain and suffering."
The demon just continued to stare impassively, but Allen was grateful that he had reached a demon in general – it wasn't attacking, and it seemed to seriously be considering Allen's words.
"You have the aura like…"
"A Noah?"
"Except it is different, Allen Walker."
Allen nodded, grabbing his wrist and feeling the Sword of Exorcism beneath his blistered skin. He could see Kanda attempting to stand up, but even the speed healing exorcist was injured a large amount; Lenalee had finally found the strength to right herself, swaying on the spot and leaning against the broken wall for support. Lavi had come to some of his senses, sitting up with difficulty and trying to make sense of what was happening.
Destruction.
Allen figured they all just wanted to go home.
"Open your eyes."
Looking up above the demon, he spotted the soul, the cries for help and the desperation to be set free. He wasn't sure if his attack would be successful – it was hard enough to drive his Innocence through a level four – but it was worth a try, if only to see the soul break from the chains and find some kind of peace in the afterlife. He had promised himself he'd do that – for Mana's sake, at least.
"Do you know what it's like to rest?"
The demon said nothing, and Allen took that as a 'no.' He wasn't expecting any other answer; instead, he lowered his head and closed his eyes, breathing deeply.
"Good luck, Allen."
Allen smiled, a light sense of relief filling him in a strange and foreign way; but after reveling in it for a few seconds, he shook himself awake, trying his damndest to ignore the burning pain that assaulted every inch of his body, and the blood that was slowly pooling around him. Any sense of numbness he had before evaporated, and he was left to deal with his injuries full on. He was relieved to see Kanda stand up completely and dash forward silently, Mugen covered with blue energy and two blades, itching to slice the demon up. Allen nodded, the demon still looking confused.
"It's nice," Allen whispered, his words finally feeling like his own; the demon was still. "I think you'll like it."
Two blades cut through the demon's outer shell, and Allen drove his own Innocence through the demon's stomach, directly overtop of Kanda's. Time moved slowly as the demon processed what had happened – but by the time it had, it was too late, and as the two exorcists removed their swords from the demon, the level five fell backwards, falling amongst the glass shards and blood. It was on the verge of being destroyed; Kanda lifted up Mugen, but Allen shook his head, placing his human hand on Kanda's raised arm to lower it.
"What – "
"No."
The cursed exorcist bent down, quickly reverting his sword back to his Edge End.
"Who… are you, Allen Walker?"
Confused. Balanced on the edge of sanity and insanity. A weapon of God.
"An exorcist."
The demon laughed, and Allen smiled as he ran his claw down from the top of the demon's head, before swiftly going across, creating a white cross that would effectively finish off the akuma. The level five just continued to laugh – a combination between disbelieving and suppressed anxiousness.
"Perhaps… you will be the one… to break the cycle, Allen Walker."
"Maybe," Allen replied, backing up as the demon burst into pieces, the first level five eradicated from the vicinity. The room was eerily quiet after the explosion subsided, save for heavy breathing coming from the heavily injured exorcists. The broken space began to twist violently, and Allen watched as the walls faded from view, the dead trees and white covered ground replacing the shattered mirrors. It proved his suspicion that it was Road's doing – the illusion that was inescapable until Road deactivated it. Allen briefly wondered if the any of the Noah still remained in the area, or if the Earl was near. Instead of dwelling on it, he decided to give into the fatigue that was coupled with his injuries, and he felt himself falling backwards, expecting the inevitable crunch of snow that he would feel once body met ground. Kanda sat down as well, obviously worn out; he had weakened the demon before Allen had woken up, and if it wasn't for the reflexes the demon possessed, Kanda may have been able to destroy the level five. Lenalee helped Lavi to his feet and they managed to make it over by the other two, plopping down onto the wet snow from exhaustion. Allen's observer was able to shake himself out of the stupor he had been in as he stood up, swaying slightly; but before Link joined them, he grabbed Timcanpy, who was hiding behind a tree – there was a dent in it's golden wing, but it mended itself.
"Now what?" Lenalee asked, breaking through the quiet lull Allen had obtained. Another voice chimed in, and Allen smiled as he recognized Krory.
"Are you all alright?" the worried voice asked, and Allen found himself entering serenity at the realization that they were all alive.
That doesn't mean it's over.
"How are we going to get back to the hotel like this?" Lavi asked; his voice was raspy, the bookman in training injured more then Allen had first assumed. A sudden thought occurred – he'd probably get in an extreme amount of trouble for doing what he did next, but considering the events that had transpired in the last couple days, he couldn't bring himself to care. The more important task was getting home; sleep was sounding better by the second, an eager escape from the pain that racked his body.
"We're not," Allen began, lifting up his hand and placing two fingers on his forehead, barely coherent enough to be able to call the Ark. He was surprised when Link made no move to stop him or remind him of Central's rules. "We're going home."
And as the gate opened, Allen's eyes closed.
iv.
"He used it without permission – "
"They almost died!"
"It was still a direct violation of rules."
Komui stared in disbelief, his chair far too uncomfortable; Bak, who had a bandaged hand due to the akuma virus – after Fou had rushed him to the medical ward in the Asian Branch, the nurse had managed to use a needle to remove the slow spreading virus – was the only other Branch Head present, along with Leverrier and Link. The generals were sitting the room as well; it felt like the time they had been called to a meeting after the Ark had appeared the first time – except there would be no Cross this time around. It had come as a shock when the Ark suddenly appeared, and the beaten up exorcists had walked through. Reever and Johnny had called for Komui, and the Chinese man had instantly appeared, spouting something about his work being almost finished – until he spotted the Ark. Chaoji was trying his hardest to support Lavi, whose head was covered in an insane amount of blood. Kanda and Link had walked through with Allen's arm strung across both shoulders – the cursed exorcist was in worse shape then Komui could ever recall. His stomach and chest was bloody, pieces of glass etched into the skin; his head was bleeding profusely, and his arms and legs didn't look like they had escaped injury, either. Kanda was injured, but the second he stepped through the Ark, he had begun regenerating, much to Komui's relief. He wasn't sure how Kanda had ended up supporting Allen, but he chose not to comment. Link had walked through with his right arm badly wounded, and a few cuts scraped his face, but it didn't look as if he was terribly hindered, seeing as how he was helping Kanda support Allen. Krory had walked through, and Komui could have sworn his heart stopped beating – Lenalee was cradled in his arms gently, her head a bloody mess and her thinly covered body decorated with angry looking gashes. The North American Branch Head had barely rasped out an important question.
"What happened?"
Link left Allen with Kanda, and immediately the head nurse had rushed in with her team to treat the wounded exorcists. The blonde haired man had instantly refused medical care until he could report what had happened, the information crucial and important. Leverrier had then appeared, insisting Link accompany the nurse so he could have his injuries treated, then a meeting would be held to discuss the current events.
And thus, Komui found himself staring dumbly at Leverrier, the first words leaving the man's mouth about the Ark – never mind what had happened to cause Allen to use such drastic measures.
"If I may," Link interjected, a few band-aids covering the wounds on his face; his arm was sitting comfortably in a sling. He looked unhappy and anxious – which was new, since the inspector usually had a stoic expression on his face, no matter the event. "The situation was dire. Although use of the Ark is prohibited, I do believe we have more important matters to attend to."
"As in?" Bak asked, his face pale; his eyes looked unhealthily dark. Komui had been informed of the golems, and although Bak had gotten lucky, he still looked as if he was sick.
"The appearance of a level five."
There was collective freezing, no one daring to breathe or move, until Bak quickly stood up, his chair scraping against the floor and echoing in the silence.
"Is that why Walker's currently fighting for his life?"
Link nodded, obviously not against the use of the Ark either; he refused to admit it, though. He had been brought up with Central, he had been brought up to follow all rules no matter the situation, but something inside of his mind was telling him Allen's use of the Ark was necessary – they may not have survived without it. The young boy was being treated in the infirmary, but Link had gotten word that the bleeding wouldn't stop, and he had already lost a lethal amount. If they had trekked back to the hotel, there was a chance they would have run into one or more of the Noah – or worse, the Earl himself. In their condition, they wouldn't have stood a chance.
"A level five is unheard of…" Tiedoll muttered, his eyes widening behind his glasses and snapping Link out of his thoughts.
"Are you sure it was a level five?" Klaud asked urgently, her hands folded on the table and her blonde bangs covering her burn. The generals had been out on various assignments, and it was rare to find them at Headquarters; thankfully, all three had been, coincidently, at Headquarters when the exorcists had returned.
"Positive," Link said quietly. "Walker had seen the soul, and it was not that of a level four. It had also claimed to be a level five."
Komui tensed at Link's words.
Allen had seen the soul…
"Well that's just great," Sokalo replied, his voice bordering on annoyance and anticipation. "Another akuma level to add to the list – "
"You've seen the power of a level four, Sokalo," Klaud interrupted sharply, the memory of being engulfed in the fire from the attack still fresh in her mind. Her voice took on a more gentle tone as she continued. "A level five… You can't be serious…"
"I wish I was not," Link replied solemnly. Leverrier had remained silent, and Komui prayed to God that the man was considering dropping any charges against Allen's use of the Ark.
"In any case," Leverrier stated loudly, silencing the other members of the Order. "Central's rules stand as follows. The use of the Ark is prohibited. There could have been another alternative – "
"They all would have died!" Bak said loudly, his fists banging the table in frustration. Komui placed a hand on the man's shoulder, shaking his head and signaling for the Asian man to sit down. Bak complied, though his expression was still one of loathing and disbelief. Komui could hear him muttering they would have died… under his breath, and he tightened his hand, understanding sending through his actions.
"As I was saying," Leverrier continued heatedly, his calm façade beginning to break from frustration. Komui had a sense of dread fill him as the older man continued, any hope for Allen disappearing quickly.
God no, please don't say it.
"Allen Walker is here by sentenced to the Inquisition, and we will decide from there whether or not he is to be executed."
There was a round of disagreeing shouts and chairs scraping, no one in the room content with that statement. Although it had been a prominent threat only a few months prior, the idea of Allen basically being tortured for an unjust reason did not sit will with anyone. Komui had had enough, quickly standing up and silencing everyone's noise.
"You have no right to be able to sentence him to the Inquisition. He has done nothing, other then use the Ark, to deserve that treatment!"
"He disobeyed a direct order – he will be tried for heresy."
"How does using the Ark to save the lives of the exorcists count as heresy? It's not right!"
"Calm yourself, Chief," Sokalo said quietly; he was wearing his mask, but Komui could tell that the ex-convict was also unnerved by the sudden events.
"Inspector Howard Link," Leverrier said loudly, causing the blonde to jerk in surprise – he had been lost in his own thoughts, and Komui's growing suspicion was confirmed.
Link was hiding something.
"The Vatican will be discussing the recent events. We can not afford to have a traitor in our midst. The final judgement for whether Allen Walker will be tried for heresy will be determined within a week."
Didn't he say Allen was going under the Inquisition anyways? Komui thought, the blood draining from his face.
"If it is decided that he will be sentenced to the Inquisition, whether or not he will be executed will be determined after… the circumstances."
After being tortured, damn it!
"If that is all, you are all dismissed. Inspector Howard Link, you will continue to observe Allen Walker."
The blonde nodded, and although Leverrier had left, the others had remained behind, all looking at Komui, who was still staring at the door that the older male had disappeared through.
"This… this can't be happening," Komui stammered, his voice low. Although the threat of Allen suffering the Inquisition was a threat everyday the younger boy lived, it was still hard to process that someone so young would be put through something that had broken men before him. It was unbelievable, and any faith Komui had in the Vatican was being strained to the point where there was no faith left at all. He was a fellow exorcist – Bookman had even said that Allen could possibly be the one to destroy the Millennium Earl, and yet the very Order that was designed to do just that was now condemning the kid? It wasn't right, Komui knew – but he also knew that he didn't have a say, and the Chief was at a loss for what to do as he removed his white hat and placed it on the table. Bak seemed to be in denial as well, shaking his head over and over again, not really seeing the others in the room as he tried to process what was happening.
"A fifteen year old boy," Tiedoll started, his voice uncertain. He barely knew the cursed exorcist, but he had grown to know him somewhat when Allen's team was looking for Cross – any kid that could handle the womanizer with terrible money management was strong in his books, but the Inquisition was something completely different. "How can the Vatican stand by this?"
"Somehow…" Komui began, rubbing his eyes and sighing. "I don't think they are."