What's up people! I'm having my chapter run! I'll be writting non stop this weekend just for you!

Big news: if you people want anything, requests regarding this story, I'll gladly hear them out and see what I can do. Variety helps to get off writers block sometimes.

Well here we go to the next chapter.


Chapter 28: Time to Heal


Fayth sat there inside the cabin while the boat swayed against the waves of the sea. They had left the Order sometime ago, the small group consisting of Komui, Johnny, Lenalee, Allen, Link, William, and herself, headed for the new location. Apparently, Lavi had been right. The location was near Londn. A forest nearby too plus other locations for training. Not far from the trajectory of the place was a small town beyond the forest.

"You ready to disembark?" William said coming in with a candy in his mouth. Nowadays only handmade sweets made him stable enough to remember who he was and what he was. The demensia was getting the better of him fast but thankfully they had Jerry who made the unforgettable sweets. His new unform was nicely fitted on him. It was basically a uniform version of his casual clothes. On his shoulder scarf, trimmed in red, was the silver emblem of the Rose Cross over his heart. Over all of it he wore a black coat with the same silver emblem of the Rose Cross. Johnny did say that the Elite would have unique versions because of their job.

"Yeah, I guess," she answered standing up. She felt the fitted uniform quiet warm. She wore red shorts with a black with red trimming shawl over her them. Her boots were black and red with the same steel soles that she loved. A fitted v neck, black shirt was untucked, her sleeves reaching her elbows halfway. Over her shirt was her jacket black and red trimmed with the silver emblem. The sleeves were short letting the shirt's sleeves show, and had a cut triangle for easy moevment. The jacket ended where the shawl started. Only the first two buttons were buttoned up with the aiguillette over to where the Rose Cross was to close the jacket. Over it all was the same black coat. She wore a pair of small blue continuous hoops on her earlobes, a pair that Lavi had given her. On her right ear above the hoops, she had the sapphire hooplet that Cross had given her. On her left above the hoops too, was a small, orange pumpkin shaped ear pin given to her as a gift by Johnny and the science division. The silver Elite clip-on earring was now in Lavi's possession. Both having exchanged a personal item to the other.

Walking outside into deck she noticed the happy trio plus Komui looking at the building. It was enormous. Entering a dark cave to go into the building gave her a tremendous overwhelming feeling.

At entering the facilities, Allen had left to open gates with Johnny. Fayth looked around and finally, after a few minutes of their arrival the Crows unit appeared.

"Thought my luck was getting better," Fayth said through gritted teeth pulling her hood over her head.

"Let's go Fayth," William called touching her shoulder and leading her away. "We need to prepare you for the ritual."

"Yes," she answered following him into a vacant room where some boxes had been brought in. The room was empty but there was a single bed and on top of it was a simple attire. A simple dress shirt flowy, sleeeveless of a pearly white and shorts of the same color plus a pair of slip on shoes of a black color. "Do I need to change?"

"It's necessary to have the mark in view at all times in case it spreads more," William said going towards the exit of the room. "Please get ready and meet me outside once you do." He closed the door behind him leaving her to dress. It was quite easy, now that she was in such comfortable clothes, to move around. Not only that but she removed all other jewelry in her person.

"Are you going to help us?"

She ignored them. She'd learn to ignore the voice from different places. The Order had a few but this new place had about ten times more of those sparkly butterflies. With time she was now able to hear them speak. Voices that had no age to them but sounded small. About six were flying around her repeating the same thing, are you going to help us.

She exited the room finding William outside, "This way." She followed him through countless hallways and soon found herself in front of double doors. William opening them, motioned her inside where Inspector Lvellie, Komui, Bookman, and Lavi were. Inspector Lvellie and Komui were not a surprise to see, Bookman and Lavi a little. Lavi's expression was a giveaway that he didn't know she would be there.

"You seem ready for your little act," the Inspector called with a grin.

"With all the undo respect Inspector," Fayth said with a loathfull tone. "I've come only to seal what's threatening to take over my body. But I'm sure you already knew that, didn't you Inspector?" He only grinned while she glared him down.

"I was told that Allen Walker would be interrogated first," William spoke to Komui. "Then we will perform her sealing ritual."

"I pressume nothing will go over the ordinary," Lvellie said speaking to William but staring at Fayth.

"Do not fret," William said shoving Fayth behind him, protectively. "We will do it with haste but with the perfection it requires."

"I'll say," Fayth said sitting down and crossing her legs impolitely. "I'm the one who's getting sealed. Like hell would I guarantee success." She grinned at the displeasure of the Inspector. A minute later Lavi left and some minutes afterward the conference began. Cross and Allen's voice's were heard at first.

"How long...?" Fayth whispered to William who had by then sat beside her on the arm rest.

"Not much," William said tapping his lips for her to be quiet. "Listen."

"You had the 14th's 'memories' implanted in you," Cross's voice. He must know about much more stuff than they first thought of. She started biting her thumb's nail. Could Cross really know about why she's Oblivion's host? Then when a slap came through Fayth only sighed. Violence never gets anyone anywhere. She was too involved in her own thoughts to hear the conversation until Cross spoke again. "The implanted 'memories' will eventually erode the host and change you into the 14th."

Her first thought at that sentence was, will that happen to her too? Will Oblivion eventually take control of her leaving the person known as 'Fayth' to disappear? William, noticing her tensed body, only place a reassuring hand on her shoulder. However, even this wasn't enough to calm her climbing anxiety. Not by a long shot. Then Cross's last words were the ones to snap her into reality, "What would you do if I told you you'll have to kill someone you love when you become the 14th...?"

She sighed but was overwhelmed by all of it. The sole question that Cross imposed was trying to eat her alive. Would she too have to make a choice like that? Would she be able to?

She stood up, "Let's go. I want to get this thing over with already."

"Why so feisty?" Lvellie asked acutally finding amusing her distress.

"Cause I've got a leaching bastard on my back," she snapped with a controlled voice yet angry as hell. That's when a couple of Crows entered the room.

"Well," William said standing up. "It seems our escorts have arrived. We'll make our leave then, Inspector, Supervisor."

"Later," Fayth mumbled as the Crows shackled her wrist before her in seals.

"Take care," Komui was the only one to speak as they left shutting the door behind them. On their way through the hallways they happened to cross paths with Allen who was more than surprised of seeing Fayth in such manner.

"Fay-" but a quick smile quieted him as they took him back to change.

They entered the grand room with Cross and Lavi still inside. Cross was the firsrt to speak, "Ready for this kid?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," she answered letting the Crows undo her restraints.

"Step up then," William said moving to the General's side. In front of her was a circle made of candles. These of a red color. Stepping into the center she glanced their way.

"Is this gonna hurt?"

"Most likely," Cross answered moving to one side of her.

"Most probably," William answered as well moving to the other.

"Great," she mumbled under her breath. "So, explain to me what is it you're gonna do exactly."

"First bind you," William began. "In case things don't go our way."

"Then we'll let the rest unfold," Cross said.

"Unfold...?" she thought while both started to conjure the bindings. "You mean you haven't planned this through!" The summoned chains suddenly caught her off guard binding her wrists together and her arms to her chest while another pain got her body to kneel before the two.

"Is any of what you're about to do safe?" Lavi had spoke out of margin.

"We can say that about twenty percent is," William answered with a smile.

"How am I not surprised?" Fayth said actually not hurt at all. She blew her bangs from her eyes and faced the two, "Now what?"

"Do you know why headquarters was told to move here?" Cross asked.

"Cause where we lived was a complete reck?"

"Beside that fact," William added. "This place is known for having a strong connection with the path from inbetween. a place where wondering souls travel with no place to return and no place to be. You know this world as-"

"The Silent realms," she mumbled.

"Was Babylonia's journal useful?" Cross asked.

"I was going to ask about that now that you've brought it up," she said to him. "That writing. It's like no other language I've ever read or heard about. Why could I read it?"

"Because it was a magic language of old," he answered. "She had lived far longer than any of us, knew a lot of things from the world. The magic arts were always her forte. In you are the many lives you've lived."

"I get it," she understood now the reason. She had read those writings before in a past life. That's why she understood them. "So what do I have to do with the Silent realms anyway?"

"In this land are the remains of an ancient tribe," William explained. "They took care of something they named it Door of Time because it reconnected with the dead, giving them the false impression of turning back in time. I have not asked you before but can you see these wondering souls that linger outside of their world?"

Without any hesitation noticable in her voice she spoke her answer, "Yes. Tiny black butterflies keep coming and flying around me. Are you going to help us? they ask. I've never answered them. Is something happening to the Silent realms? Is that why they're staying in reality instead?"

William nodded, "A rupture inbetween the three different dimensions opened not long ago. From this rupture Guardian of the Dark realms entered the Silent territories and captured all souls there. It seems something had caused the ones already in their possession to not react to any of their torture."

"Without souls to torture whatever's in its depths will die," Fayth said recalling parts of the book.

"The ones who survived made it out here into the real world," Cross finished. "We're gonna send you, the only one capable of crossing the bridges between those worlds, in order to close the rupture and destroy the Guardian there."

"Time out!" she shrieked. "How am I suppose to do that?"

"Simple." William was eating now more of those chocolate covered caramels. "Use your control over reality to fix the rupture. Once fixed the Guardian will not recieve anymore energy from the Dark realms and will disappear. Two birds with one stone."

"Okay, how am I gonna do that?"

"Focus on what you want to change. In there it should be easier done than said," William suggested.

"Alriht," she said sighing a little. "I guess it's worth a try. So how am I gonna get there?"

"Call the souls that lived in there to open a path to the Silent realm," Cross called sitting. "While you're there we'll take care of you on the surface. You're only concern in there will be to shut the rupture and return to the point of origin. Understood?"

"Alright," she said and took in a deep breath. Blocking all outside noises she focused on the small voices that although ignored were never quiet. "I'm here. I can hear you and I'm willing to help you. But you've got to show me how to get there."

The candles went out as a greenish white thread surrounded her. Petals of the same greenish white thread spread around the circle as the butterflies gathered in front of her. From the cluster a single small hand stretched out and touched the circle making it glow. Looking down Fayth saw a mirrow reflection of the room, all shrouded in that greenish white glow. The butterflies entered through it and pulled her down.

~oOoOoOo~

"Ah!" she fell on her bottom hard on solid ground.

"Good thing you made it in one piece," a little girl with short gold hair and piercing red eyes called surrounded by the same colored glow.

"Am I here?" she asked looking around. It was the same room she was before but there was no one and everything was covered with the greenish color white.

"This is the Silent Realm of the Mountains," the girl explained. Now that Fayth looked at her better she was about twelve to thirteen years old no older. "In here is were the Guardian Marian-san spoke of dwells."

"The General?" she gasped. "Where's everyone else?"

"Up there," she pointed above to the cielling and there Fayth saw herself unconscious still kneeling in a world full of color. "Your body stayed in the real world, your spirit was what traveled the bridges into this Silent Realm."

"So I'm not dead?" the girl shook her head. "Who are you anyways?"

"My name's Finaria but you can call me Finny," Finny must've died very young, was Fayth's first thought.

"Are you gonna take me to where the rupture is?"

Finny only nodded and placed a fingre to her lips, "But we must go with haste and silence. It has ears everywhere." Fayth only nodded and followed Finny quietly through the countless rooms that were from the castle. Soon they found themselves in the lowest level were a cellar was. Inside Finny gestured for her into a drawn circle of chalk.

"We got lucky the Guardians didn't attack us, huh?" Fayth whispered.

"Not lucky. You're body doesn't reek of light. Beings who live give off the smell of light, especially young ones. They must think that you're an time-traveling soul."

"What's that?"

"A soul that reincarnates. The more Noah you become, the more your soul will turn into a time-traveler," Finny's explanation made little sense but Fayth ignored the obliviousness and stood there and looked up.

"Is that it?" it was like seeing a torn seam.

"That's it. The rupture that the Dark realm opened to get us from our wondering state," Finny shivered a bit.

"Okay then let's give it a try," she focused on the seam-like rupture and slowly but surely the thing began repairing itself. She looked about and saw something familiar. Writings on the wall that seemed vaguely familiar to her mind. "What are those?"

"A song written by elders to put at peace the spirits of the dead. Making the heart's desire unnecessary for their trip to the other world. They will be in complete peace."

~oOoOoOo~

"How long will it take to appear?" Cross asked William.

"Not much," William said.

"Right you are," Fayth called raising her head to see them. They could see a different aura coming from her. Calm, nive, and so not like Fayth. All from the atmosphere she gave to her voice were different. Something had taken over the soulless body of hers.

"Are you Oblivion?" William asked her.

"Yes and no," she answered giving him a warm smile. "I am who Oblivion was before going mad but I am not who lies beyond Demise's door."

"You are Arlena then," Cross said. "The 14th referred to you by name when he promised me he would come back. Said that Arlena would surely help if it concerned even if some justice for her family."

"He was right," she answered. "I owe him that much for giving me a chance to redeem myself from the mistakes I made before."

"Then tell us about Fayth Blackthorn," William asked. "Who is she?"

"She is...nobody," she answered thinking the response. "She was never supposed to be born yet she was because of what I turned to be."

"Is she even human?" Cross asked boldly.

"Who knows," Arlena answered them. "She was born in a very odd way. When I was with my family and the betrayal occurred something in me changed. A dark being was born inside me and became who controlled my body. Arlena died the moment the 14th did. She took over me, and when she was sent to guard the door I was given slight control back. I knew that Oblivion was a dark being born from the hatred, pain, and sorrow of humanity. So I used what little power I had left to create a vessel. One that would embody the total opposite of what Oblivion had turned into. I created a being that embodied the love, goodness, and felicity of humanity."

"In other words, you created a daughter," William finished.

"She did not come from my blood and flesh but she came from a part of my soul. The goodness of it to be more specific," Arlena explained.

"She's the goodness of your soul," Cross understood. "And what guards the door, Oblivion, is the evil part per se."

"That is correct," she jerked. "My time here seems to be up, she'll be here soon. Tell me, are Joyd and my sister alright?"

"I believe they are alive," Cross answered.

"I'm glad," she said and her head hung. She blinked a bit and stared into the others. "Hey guys."

"Mission accomplished?" William asked letting the restraints go.

She stood up, "Nope. I still need to lead them back to there home. Right Finny?" A small silhouette appeared before Fayth with butterflies floating around her.

"What're you gonna do to send them back?"

"A little something," she said slowly. She could recall the lyrics of the hymn in her head but what surprised her just a little was that in her head a tune began to play and as she sang it, the lyrics melted in with the slow and sad tune.

Day to night, dark to light,
Fall the sands of time
Let the years like the gears
Of a clock unwind

In your mind walk through time
Back to better days
Memories, like a dream,
Wash tears away

Like a star in the sky,
Darkness can't reach you
Light the night, joy is light
Till the new dawn

Cast away your old face
Let go your spite
With this mask I'll ask
To borrow your light

The butterflies gathered around Finny as many of thank yous came in different languages to her. Once gathered they shone a little and something wooden and hollow dropped to the floor. Fayth bend down to pick up the fine wood mask shaped into a grinning white and black face. She place it over her face and said, "My condolences." She lowered it and smiled sweetly at all three. "Now I'm done."


I know it's long but I didn't want to split this in two. Here you have it. Her first trip to the Silent realm was a bit short but that was the point.

The song is The Song of Healing from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. The lyrics are from ColdFlameZero. So all things from the song are their owners.

Please review and tell how I did!