Chapter 52: Millennium Earl

Posted: July 30th, 2018

AN: I'm sorry if the chapter sucks. :/ I'm trying to move through the ark as efficiently as possible, but it seems like we'll still be here for another chapter. Also, Sheril makes an appearance in this chapter. I realized I haven't given this guy enough limelight. He might be sadistic but he's downright hilarious too. XD

Enjoy! Thoughts and comments are always appreciated.


Allen jumped from platform to platform, his eyes frantically searching for any signs of Kagome. Currently there weren't any signs of the woman, and Allen was growing even more worried as the seconds passed on. In the distance, he could faintly hear the sounds of gunshots and and screams emanating from Tyki's mouth. Obviously, his Master was combating the Noah. Allen wholeheartedly knew that his Master would be able to defeat Tyki Mikk. He was a General, and unlike himself and his friends, his Master didn't sustain any injuries. He was in perfect health, unlike Tyki who sustained hefty damage from his previous fight with Allen.

He briefly ran his tongue across his bottom lip, detecting the faint taste of copper. A small trail of blood was slowly dripping down from his mouth. He used his left arm to hastily wipe it while he continued his search for Kagome.

"Kagome-chan!" he roared before coming to a quick halt. "Where are you?"

"…A-Allen-kun…"

Faintly, Allen could hear his name being called from further ahead. Without hesitation, he bound forward moving towards the voice. In less than ten seconds, Allen could see the faint outline of a woman sitting on a small patch of grass. Her knees were pulled up to her chest and her arms were encasing them. Her head laid atop her hands while her gaze was fixated on Allen. She was in her human form.

Allen couldn't contain his joy. Kagome was alive and safe.

"Kagome-chan!" He moved closer towards her, and now stood atop the small structure. There was barely any room for Allen to stand. The ground beneath them was literally shaking at his feet.

Allen pursed his lips together. Damn. The ark was in its final stage of downloading. There was essentially nothing left of the once vibrant white town. There only existed small platforms that were slowly crumbling. They needed to vacate the area immediately and return to the others.

"Kagome-chan, come on. We need to return to the others. Master is here. He'll ensure we leave this place alive." He bent down and quickly ushered the girl onto her feet. She stumbled forward, seeming to possess some trouble standing. Allen assumed it was because of the trembling ground beneath their feet.

"Kagome-chan, hold onto me to keep your balance." He offered her a small smile, awaiting the moment that she would look up and meet his gaze. Allen was having trouble hiding his joy. He was beyond thrilled to know that Kagome was safe and uninjured. It seemed like her brawl with Tyki hadn't caused her to sustain too many injuries.

Thank goodness. He thought to himself before reaching down to entwine her hands with his. Now that he had located her, Allen could return to the others. Allen would then leave Kagome in the care of his Master before venturing off to retrieve Kanda and Krory. And although he might detest the man, Allen knew that Cross cared for Kagome. He, too, wouldn't allow her to return to the Earl. She would return to the Order with everyone else where she would be safe and her injuries would be properly tended to.

"Kagome-chan, let's get going." The girl was now on her feet, but she hadn't uttered a single word beyond his name. Allen tried to suppress his sadness, albeit he knew there were greater things to worry about right now. First and foremost, they needed to return to the others.

Allen heaved a quick breath. He didn't know how quick Kagome would be on her feet. They needed to reach the others swiftly. Pondering over the situation for a moment, Allen decided that he would carry Kagome. It would be the quickest option, though it might tire him out a bit more.

"Kagome-chan, I'm going to carry you. I hope that's alright." He didn't bother waiting for a response that might never come. In one quick move, he scooped Kagome up into his arms, pressing her close towards him. One arm was firmly supporting her waist while the other was holding up her legs.

Allen felt Kagome wrap her arm around his neck before she buried her face into his right shoulder. With Kagome safely engulfed in his arms, Allen turned around and began to retrace his steps. With each step he took, he noticed the obvious lacking sound of gunfire; in fact there were barely any sounds emanating throughout the area, excluding the sounds of the ark slowly crumbling beneath their feet.

It seemed like forever to Allen until he was able to see his Master standing proudly beside Maria, his second anti-Akuma weapon. Timcanpy was safely perched atop his head and his left hand was tightly holding Judgement, his first weapon.

"Master!" he shouted, though his voice didn't reach Cross entirely.

Nevertheless, Cross briefly shot him a glance from the corner of his eye. "You found her, idiot apprentice?" He yelled, noticing the small bundle Allen safely held in his arms.

Allen instinctively pulled Kagome closer towards him and responded. "Yes, Master. She's safe. Where are the others?"

Cross didn't bother to reply although he did shoot Maria a quick glance. Allen immediately realized that his Master was using Maria's ability to conceal his friends from Tyki's line of vision. Then again, now that Allen thought of it, where was Tyki Mikk?

He swiftly surveyed the area and couldn't detect the Noah anywhere. It seemed like he had disappeared from sight. Was he planning another attack or did his Master already kill Tyki?

"…Millenie…" Before Allen could think anymore, he felt Kagome struggling to free herself from his arms.

"K-Kagome-chan, don't move too much! You're injured!" Allen chastised her while trying to keep a firm hold on her. He'd finally been reunited with Kagome. She was safe and secure in his arms, and Allen didn't intend to let her go anytime soon.

"Millenie!" she voiced again while her entire face was staring straight ahead, past his Master.

"Millenie?" mouthed Allen. Was that a short form for the Millennium Earl?

Shivers ran down his spine. If Kagome was uttering his name, then it must mean that the man was in close proximity to them.

He hissed and bit down on his tongue. Kagome continued to struggle and squirm in his arms while Allen tried his best to keep a tight hold on her. It was, however, proving to be rather difficult with his injuries and fatigue slowly creeping in.

"Kagome-chan, p-please settle down… Your movement are hurting me." It wasn't a lie either. Kagome's arms kept hitting his neck, her legs were attacking various cuts and gashes on the side of his legs and chest, and her head kept hitting his own.

"?"

Suddenly she stopped moving and tilted her head up towards him. Their eyes immediately locked. Deep pools of chocolate brown engulfed Allen's entire vision, making him lose sight of his Master.

The two merely stared at each other for a moment before numerous blasts broke apart their concentration. Allen whipped his head around to notice the sudden look of surprise that etched itself across his Master's face. The sight greatly unnerved Allen. His Master was generally the epitome of calmness. Throughout his years with Cross, Allen rarely saw the man become surprised by anything. He was always calm and collected, though it tended to be infused with too much cockiness and arrogance. Yet this time, his Master appeared to be genuinely surprised. Allen wondered what caused the emotion, but something told him he already knew the answer.

Rocks and debris were then quickly rising higher up into the sky. Allen took a few steps forward when feeling the ground beneath his feet violently tremble. Kagome surprisingly leaned further into Allen's body and tightened her hold around his neck.

"Millenie is here," she murmured into his neck, tickling him in the process.

"Hey, you haven't changed, you fat-ass!" Cross greeted the Earl with Judgement pointed directly towards him.

The Earl was slowly rising up atop a fallen structure. In his left hand he held his sword while his right arm appeared to be supporting something heavy. Allen squinted his eyes, trying to discern what it was. From where he stood, it looked as though the Earl had a bag slung over his right shoulder.

"…Tyki…" Kagome hissed, her gaze locked on the Earl.

"Tyki?" Allen muttered aloud. "I-Is that Tyki the Earl's holding?"

"M-Millenie!" screamed Kagome, startling Allen. Her voice rose by several octaves, making it easy for his Master and the Earl to hear them from their distance.

"Good evening," the Earl spoke, solely addressing Cross. "When did you arrive?" When the man made no move to respond, the Earl continued to speak. "I never saw you, but perhaps you have been in front of us for quite a while." He was now specifically referring to Maria. "That lady's annoying ability can block you from our sight. You're running away from the debt collectors like that too, no? Jasdevi has informed me of your ruses."

"Heh…" Cross merely lifted his gun up and unleashed a single bullet straight at the Earl.

"I don't feel like putting up with your drabble, fat ass." He spoke with a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. "If you're here to make fun, leave!"

"Leave?" the Earl hissed before landing safely atop another structure. The attack Cross inflicted upon him hadn't caused any damage. "Now, now, this is my ark!"

"You abandoned it." Cross snorted. "This is an ark that was deprived of its wings to fly from Edo; a duck ark… The Fourteenth… Since the day the Noah's betrayer had cursed this place…" He spat out his cigarette.

As the two enemies continued to converse, Kagome was attempting to disentangle herself from Allen's firm hold yet again. The Exorcist was having enough trouble managing to stand upright, so with great displeasure, he allowed the girl to stand. But the moment her feet touched the ground was the single second she needed to begin making her way away from Allen.

"Kagome-chan!" Allen tried to reach for her but the girl continued to walk away. Allen noticed how her gaze never wavered from the Earl. It would seem like she intended to make her way towards him. Allen bit the inside of his cheek. If Kagome managed to return to the Earl, then it meant that she would officially become the enemy. Kagome would no longer be an Exorcist or member of the Black Order; instead she would become the enemy.

Allen felt his world beginning to grow and turn hazy. The thought of Kagome leaving, the thought of having to fight - and possibly kill her - caused sheer agitation to bubble and brew inside his stomach.

I won't let that happen! He thought. I won't let Kagome-chan become the enemy! She's not returning to the Earl's side!

Rapidly, he activated Crown Clown and summoned his Sword of Exorcism. The moment his left hand held his sword, Allen knew what needed to occur. The Earl must die.


Kagome continued to advance towards the Earl. Her vision never swayed from his massive frame. Her feet propelled her body forward without conscious thought. Little else was currently being processed in her mind. Right now all she could think about was reuniting with the Earl. Nothing else mattered, except for standing by his side and returning to the family. Nothing else mattered. Nothing else.

The download of the ark didn't phase her. The concept of her Exorcist family perishing here no longer concerned her. The entrance of Cross Marian didn't surprise her. Allen's cries and pleads for her to return to his side weren't even registering in her mind. She had finally met her breaking point. She was done, point blank and shoot. Ever since she stepped onto the ark, she was thrown into one predicament after another.

The Earl and Tyki had forced her to reveal her true selves to her Exorcist comrades.

All of them, excluding Allen, had made several threats and attempts at her life.

She felt Skin die at the hands of Kanda, and Kanda perished alongside the ark's download.

The twins and Krory were gone, too.

Tyki was rendered useless from his fight with Allen while Road perished at her own game with Lavi.

One by one, her family was knocked down and killed before her own eyes. Meanwhile, her other family wanted her dead and rotting in the underworld.

Then there was that voice! That unknown voice who taunted her and somehow managed to take control of her body.

Kagome didn't know who that person was or where she disappeared to. Some time had passed in which she had absolute silence in her mind. For once, she was able to think to herself without someone else questioning her thoughts and actions. She now possessed full control of her body again too. It was rather serene, but it felt a puzzling feeling inside of her. A part of her longed to know who that woman was and how she managed to acquire full control of her body. Furthermore, why did that woman loathe Tyki, or rather his Noah gene, Pleasure?

There were so much that Kagome didn't know. She possessed far too many questions about it all. It left her feeling too uncertain and too frightened. Everything she once knew and loved had suddenly collapsed right before her very feet. She needed some time to stop and actually process it. She needed some time to herself to collect her thoughts. If only the world could temporarily stop. If Kagome could even have several minutes to contemplate everything that was happening around her, then perhaps she wouldn't feel as lost and distraught right now as she did.

Parts of her family might be gone forever now, but it didn't mean that they couldn't return. Eventually they would be reincarnated. It wouldn't be the same, but eventually she would someday be reunited with Dreams, Bond, Pleasure and Wrath. It was that one realization, along with her being able to physically see the Earl, that allowed Kagome to keep walking forward. So long as she would be reunited with her family - one of her families! - then all hope wasn't lost.

"...Millenie," she whispered, now standing mere feet from him.

"Kagome," the Earl's tone partially softened. "It's good to see that you're in one piece." He briefly surveyed the young Noah, taking in her disheveled appearance and banged up body. His beloved Noah of Purity managed to sustain several painful injuries, which made the Earl frown. The man could only begin to imagine the roars and cries of displeasure that Sheril would unleash the moment he saw his daughter. It would be a painful event for everyone; especially once you included Tyki's current state into the mix too. Sheril was quite the drama queen.

"Millenie… I want to go home," Kagome whispered, fresh tears lining her eyes. She was drained, physically but more so emotionally and psychologically.

"Home?" the Earl whispered, noticing how Lero was suddenly approaching them. "What home are you referring to, Kagome?" His eyes partially darkened.

Without hesitation, she answered, "My Noah family. I-I've learned my lesson." She held her head low, unable to meet the elder's gaze anymore. "I've learned the error of my ways…" She whispered, hiccupping. "I-I'm sorry for the t-trouble I've caused."

Her cracking voice, teary gaze and apology were enough for the Earl. It would seem like this little expedition was the reality check his little Purity needed. She was finally prepared to return home and return to her rank among her true family.

"Very good," the Earl chuckled. "You've come to terms with everything, Kagome… I'm happy to know that." And with that, his conversation with the Noah had terminated. With Kagome and Lero now safely standing beside him, the Earl cast one final glance towards the Exorcists.

"Marian, either way, you were too late. The heart of the ark is gone to the new ark. Without the heart, controlling the ark is impossible. You can't do anything, even if you were the Player. You're a fool. You're all fools. You can never get out of here." His laughter then began to fill the area.

Kagome took a step forward, reaching out for Tyki's form. She noticed how, although his form was frozen, he was still breathing. It meant that he was still alive. But what part of Tyki was alive? Was it this new form of Tyki? Did the old Tyki - the one that Kagome knew and loved - perish and be replaced with this heartless monster?

The Earl seemed to sense Kagome's distress given that he spoke in a soft tone, "Have no fear, Purity. Tyki-pon is fine. He'll be alive and killing Exorcists again very soon."

Kagome opened her mouth, wanting to acquire further information, but a harsh glare from the Earl stopped her. It would seem like now wasn't the time to be asking questions. He told her Tyki - her Tyki! - would live, and for now that would be sufficient information.

"Now it's time to return home, Kagome. We'll be returning to the others shortly."

Kagome felt her eyes widening. Finally, they would be leaving the ark. Finally this nightmare would be over!

With a snap of his fat fingers, a door was suddenly appearing not too far behind them. Kagome joyfully clasped her hands together, unable to contain herself. The blasted night was almost over. The moment she walked through that door alongside the Earl, was the moment this part of her life would end. It would be horrid for the Exorcists, left to die here on the nearly destroyed ark, but that wasn't her top priority right now. Excluding Allen, they all made their thoughts painstakingly clear about her.

None of them were concerned about her anymore. They didn't care whether or not she lived or died. If that's how they felt about her, then perhaps it was time that she returned the favour, and possessed similar sentiments.

She shook her head, trying to dispel the thought. She wouldn't allow her mind to become clouded with these thoughts right now. She would allow these thoughts to consume her the moment she was gone from the ark forever.

Forever… Forever gone from Allen…

Allen-kun.

Kagome felt her heart ache when thinking about the boy. Her white haired companion from Kenya; the boy she had grown up alongside with in the Order; the boy who took her first kiss. Allen Walker would forever hold a valuable place inside Kagome's heart. He was her first crush, her first love, and nothing would change those feelings. Not even that they served opposing sides in this war.

"Allen-kun…" She needed to see him one last time before she vacated this place for good. One last glance before she departed with the Earl for good.

Turning around she expected to see the white haired Exorcist standing in the same place as before; however he was no longer there. Instead, he was charging straight for the Earl.

Her screams escaped from her lips before she even realized it.


"Earl!"

Their twin blades clashed against each other causing a violent surge of wind to form around them. Debris and rocks flew in various directions causing Cross to partially turn around. The other Exorcists watched on from high above as Allen and the Earl fought.

"Allen-kun!" screamed Lenalee while Chaoji and Lavi tried their best to hold her back.

"My sword?" the Earl blinked, witnessing Allen's new weapon for the first time.

"Millenie!" hollered Kagome, though her voice was lost among the sounds of their clashing swords.

Blood dripped down from Allen's skull falling directly onto the Earl. When the Earl caught sight of Allen's cold blooded stare, he laughed. Those piercing irises of Walker's were full of such hatred and destruction. Allen Walker appeared to have finally reached his limit and was now out for blood. It was downright beautiful, the Earl thought to himself.

"Hatred? Marvellous eyes, Allen Walker?" the Earl complimented him before he easily pushed him back several feet. Allen faltered for a mere second but that was sufficient time for the Earl to dash towards the ornate checker-styled door.

Kagome was swiftly following behind her Master when she felt something tight winding itself around both of her wrists. It caused her to cease moving and glance down towards it. When seeing that all too familiar white ribbon, Kagome knew it belonged to Allen's Crown Clown.

She hissed with dislike. Summoning a small sphere of Dark Matter, Kagome intended to burn the ribbons away but she quickly found herself being pulled backwards. The intensity of the pull combined with the trembling ground made it extremely difficult for Kagome to stay upright.

"L-Let go!" She roared, hissing venomously at Allen.

"Never!" he cried, pulling her closer towards him. "You're not returning to the Earl, Kagome-chan!"

"Filthy Exorcist!" She snapped causing her irises to revert to their startling amber. "You ought to stay here and rot!" With quick reflexes, she fired a quick blast straight for him causing Allen to raise his blade to deflect them. In those split seconds, she felt his hold on her wrists partially loosen. It was enough to allow her to dash forward, enclosing the distance between the Earl and herself.

She was now standing right in front of the door. She watched the Earl and Lero walk inside, quickly disappearing from sight. "Come now, Kagome. Don't dally. We've got plenty of work to do."

"Right." Kagome chimed, taking a step forward. Her right toe had barely touched the door's opening before she found herself thrust backwards again. The attack was so sudden it left her winded. Her back collided with something harsh and warm. Immediately, she felt the all too familiar sensation of Crown Clown wrapping itself around her frame.

Akin to the first time she tried to leave the Exorcists with Tyki, Allen had once again managed to pull her back. Dejected, she could only watch from the tight confines of Crown Clown as the door to her precious family and freedom closed behind her, disappearing from sight.


Meanwhile, in another part of the world, Sheril Kamelot, the Noah of Desires, watched as a door magically appeared before him. Currently situated in his private study, he ceased his paperwork and got up to properly greet the Earl. He knew it was the Earl because his beloved Road wouldn't be visiting him right now. She was still too busy assisting in the preparations of the ark's download. It couldn't be anyone else either, for no other Noah, excluding Road, could create dimensional travelling doors. It meant that the person visiting him could only be his Master, the Millennium Earl.

Just as expected, the Earl stepped through the doors with Lero trailing behind him. Sheril loathed the golem, although he never voiced his thoughts aloud. The little golem shrieked and complained too much for his preferences. The only reason Sheril tolerated the golem was because his beloved daughter Road loved to play with it.

Speaking of his daughter, Sheril stopped to think about his other daughter, Kagome. It had been some time since he last saw her. Sheril barely got to spend any time with her when she was visiting because he was too busy with his newfound political career. He was currently running for office to become the next Prime Minister of Portugal. It was tedious work on his part, but he knew this position would benefit the Earl in creating more Akuma. And that was very important to Sheril. He lived to serve and assist the Millennium Earl. He was the Earl's Noah of Desires, after all.

Although, even though he was a Noah, it didn't mean that Sheril couldn't have his own fun too. He took great joy in living his "human" life. He loved having a lavish house, a young submissive wife, a fluffy white dog and two beautiful daughters. But he barely got to see his second daughter, Kagome. He never obtained enough hugs and kisses from her either. The minute she returned home for good, Sheril intended to hug and kiss the girl until she passed out. He needed his Kagome cuddles to survive, like he needed his perfect Road's presence to live peacefully. Without his two darlings, life wasn't complete in his eyes.

However, moving onto other topics...

"Duke, it's wonderful to see you." He greeted his Master happily. "What brings you here so suddenly?"

"Sheril, I must return to the new ark soon. Please take care of Tyki-pon for me," the Earl instructed as he passed the unconscious Noah onto his brother.

Sheril gasped when seeing the sight of Tyki. His body was bloody and torn up everywhere. Furthermore, Tyki sported an outfit that Sheril had never seen before. It wasn't familiar to him, but his Noah self seemed to catch on immediately.

"Tyki's finally awakened, hasn't he?" He questioned aloud while he mentally summoned the Akumas in the home to come rushing to his office.

The Earl merely nodded. "The child always tended to suppress his Noah unintentionally. However, thanks to his fight against those Exorcist vermin, he's finally awakened."

When hearing the word 'Exorcist,' a flicker of disgust illuminated Sheril's eyes. He forever hated the fact that his Kagome was working with those vermin!

And speaking of Kagome...

"And where's my beloved Kagome?" He glanced around the Earl, hoping to spot his daughter. Was she hiding behind the Earl? It wasn't uncommon for Kagome to hide from her father, after all. "Road told me that Kagome would be returning with you, Duke."

"..."

The room grew eerily silent.

Sheril tried again. "Duke… where is my Kagome?"

The Earl slowly cleared his throat. "She was right behind me, but those blasted Exorcists pulled her back."

"WHAT?!"

The Earl swiftly covered his ears with his hands.

"YOU LEFT MY KAGOME WITH THOSE MONSTERS?!" Sheril roared his voice bouncing off the office walls.

The Earl merely nodded.

Sheril nearly lost hold of Tyki's body. "MY KAGOME IS STUCK ON THAT ARK WITH THOSE BLOODY EXORCISTS?!"

Again, the Earl only nodded. "That boy… that Allen Walker... managed to pull her back before she could fully enter through the door."

"AND YOU DIDN'T THINK TO STOP HIM?!"

"..."

The Earl offered no response and neither did Lero. The two could only watch as Sheril continued to scream and shout. "KAGOME! KAGOME AND THAT EXORCIST?! MY KAGOME AND THAT FIEND! MY KAGOME!"