Her
Dread churned on her stomach, not because they were trapped, well that too, but she sensed something terrible was about to happen. It plagued her mind like dark clouds would on the sky before a storm.
Peisinoe- no. The woman in front of them was not the one she met on the basement after waking up. Even though their souls felt similar, hers gave off a strange power and she was sure Peisinoe could only use glamour and not physically change her body.
The knife-sharp plumes surrounded them both followed by Soul's panicked emotion pricking on her skin. She gripped the child tighter. They survived the attacks somehow because of her instinct. Or was it muscle memory? Whichever it was, she doubt it could help them leave unscathed in the powerful spell. If she's alone, she could manage. However, that meant she had to leave Ivelle somewhere safe. An option she couldn't risk especially after she read their plan. She just had to find something else. Something to stop the madness-fueled witch.
Stop the madness.
Madness.
Realization dawned on her.
She faced her with renewed determination. It's vague but she could recall using an ability to repel, if not erase, madness. It was within her. A low, steady hum. Rippling through the water's surface surrounding her soul, waiting for release.
Sucking in a breath, she exhaled slowly as the feathers whistled through air. She dodged the first wave by leaping sideways, narrowly avoiding the feathers aimed at her heart and Ivelle's head. But the attacks didn't stopped. It chased them where they went. Some grazed her arms, cheek and legs.
Maka slid through the small crack on the walls of the garden they were adoring earlier. The attacks hit the concrete and she placed a boulder on the opening. They'd be safe there. For the meantime.
The girl in her arms sobbed. Ivelle wiped her face but her tears kept flowing. Her snow white hair and clothes had splotches of red in it. Her stomach plummeted to her feet. She placed the girl on the ground and checked for any injuries. "Are you hurt? Did it hit you?"
The girl shook her head and cried, her small hands pressed on her arm. "You're hurt because of me! And Zio Soul will be hurt too!"
She winced from the pressure. The child wasn't hurt, she was. It was her blood on her. Her lips curled up in what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. It's not your fault. We'll be fine."
Just as the words left her lips, the ground near them collapsed and a zombie emerged from the hole. She couldn't sense any animosity from him, only relief. His soul was familiar to her too. He might be one of their comrades. "Maka! I need you to come with me. Stein already told me about your situation. They're on their way to fight now."
Their friends already came as reinforcements yet, why couldn't she stop the growing dread within her?
"Soul…" Her perception heightened and her chest constricted. Insanity like the one in the witch covered Soul's soul in an alarming speed. No. She curled her trembling fingers into fists. His was denser and stronger.
"Lord Sid!" Ivelle pulled the zombie's hand. "Help us go to the doctor! Maka's hurt!"
"Sid, take the kid somewhere safe far away from here and don't let anyone near us at all cost until I say so. Please, I'm counting on you."
Before he could react, she kicked away the rock then slipped out of the wall. The witch grinned after she came out, unaware of the weapon who stood frozen a few meters behind her.
"Remex Amplify!" Feathers materialized around her. It was twice the number of her first attack and, based on the new shape, sharper.
She reached for the daggers strapped to her thighs, ready to fight her way to reach him when he moved. In a second, he was standing behind the witch. An arm-length blade protruded on his wrist. Black liquid trickled from the keys, into the ground. He had a crazed look in his eyes.
"No, Soul! Get a grip!" She shouted, running towards them but the spell reacted to her movements. It assailed her in every direction and followed her whenever she dodged. Her meager weapons could hardly block the onslaught. Some passed through her defense, piercing her back, calf and stomach. Just below her navel though the pain didn't registered right away as she continued to evade. All of a sudden, the attacks stopped and changed direction.
The witch screeched while trying and failing to pull back her bloodied wing from the albino's solid grip. She seized the opportunity to land an attack. It would take a one clean hit to increase their chance of restraining her. It didn't even have to be her lung or neck. Any part that could slow her down would do. If she could manage to make it, she could buy time to bring Soul back.
She ran to them and slashed at her. One of her dagger snapped in two when it hit her side but the other one cut her pectoral muscle. Not yet. Grunting, she ducked away from her punch and kicked her in the solar plexus with all her might before jumping away.
The raven doubled over, gasping in pain. Despite it though, she raised her hand in the air. A light shone above them. Wailing, she called back all the plumes. All of it. Even the ones lodged on her body.
Maka stumbled, gripping the nearby plants for support as blinding agony seared through her. Her heart pounded against her chest. She could barely breath. Dirt dug on her nails when she clawed at the ground in pain. The feathers pierced through her flesh. Tears welled up on her eyes and she could vaguely hear the witch's shrieks over her own.
Black dots clouded her vision. Sweat and blood dripped to the ground. Still, she fought to stay conscious. Ripping her coat with the dagger, she fastened it around her wounds in a tight knot and dragged herself up. Soul was just a feet away from her. She had to reach him. She had to pull him out of the insanity. To snap him back before he hurt himself or others around him. With a grunt, she tackled him on the ground.
He struggled against her weight. In an attempt to push her away, his knees accidentally dug on her wounds. She cried out in pain, almost losing her grip on consciousness but forced herself to focus on her soul.
"I'm sorry." He rasped, voice almost inaudible.
There, floating in the nothingness was her doppelganger staring at her. White wings unfurled on her back and she emitted a familiar warm light.
"I'm here to take you back."
Her doppelganger faced her. "Are you sure? It'll speed up the rejection time and you won't accomplish your initial plan."
"It's alright. I already did much alone by stealing their book. We'll just come up with a better one."
"If that's what you want." It placed its hand on her chest. "I'm glad you came back to your senses."
Embarrassment colored her cheeks. "Yeah. Thanks to Soul."
Its dissipated into particles of light. Warmth spread to her entire being. Finally, it returned to her. Only two parts of soul left to recover later.
Now, she had to find him. It took a minute of searching before a familiar orb appeared in front of her. The insanity tainted his once beautiful soul.
She found herself drifting in a void after touching it.
He was below, sinking deeper and deeper. His hands stretched upwards despite his unseeing, downcast eyes. Anger, frustration, disgust and self-loathing radiated in his soul. She could feel it all like its her own and she wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around him for reassurance. "Soul!"
The dense insanity blocked her way but it flinched away from her wavelength so she wrapped herself with it and continued towards him.
He reacted to her voice and their eyes met. "Stop! You'll sink in the madness!"
She ignored his warning and struggled to get to him. Finally, they floated face to face. Mixed emotions rose but relief was the most prevalent. She flicked him on the forehead, a faint memory of him pulling her out of the madness flashed through her mind for a second. "We're even now, your prissiness."
Their fingers interlocked while they moved through the madness with surprising ease.
She snapped back to reality just in time to block the wing swinging down at them. Metal clashed against metal. The witch pushed her own limb to increase the force. Her arms shook from the weight. Blood gushed out of her torso caused by the effort. Something flashed in the corner of her eyes before a scythe landed between them. It transformed into human, revealing Soul. His foot turned into blade and he slashed her knees.
The raven fell backwards. Fury blazed on her eyes. "I will kill you!"
Maka's legs gave out. She sunk to the ground, coughing up blood. Her surroundings spun in a dizzying speed. Oh no… Not now. She gripped her weapon tight, willing herself to stay awake for another minute or so. Just until they defeated her. But it seemed she already pushed herself way pass the limit, judging from the blood staining her hands and clothes. Even breathing started to become difficult.
"Trap Star!" A new voice exclaimed followed by the faint rattling of chains. "Go! Don't worry about us! We're the team that surpassed god!"
Soul picked her up in his arms. Before he could take her somewhere far, she stopped them. "Wait! Soul, resonate with me."
"But-"
"Please! Just trust me. We don't have much time!"
He searched her face then laid her on the grass before transforming right to her outstretched hand.
"Soul Resonance." Their energy surrounded the area, crackling with power. His soul amplified her ability. The sound of piano brought her a familiar comfort.
Each key connected her to a soul like a web. She reached out her hand and touched the one where the witch's soul was, sending her madness erasing wavelength.
"-recover. Kim is dropping by everyday to heal her. You're lucky her healing abilities evolved enough to heal her punctured arteries and organs on the spot. As much as I want to dissect the two of you for being reckless, something I never expect from you, Soul, I have to let you recover."
After a few seconds of silence, another voice spoke. "Stein… About her wound… Did I cause it?"
"What makes you think so?"
"During the fight, I did what you forbade me to and unleashed the power of Black Blood. I was desperate to reach them before Peisinoe's spell did." They released a heavy sigh followed by the rustling of clothes. "While I was under it, I remembered someone tackling me to the ground before I heard her scream."
"How interesting."
"Stein!"
"I'm just kidding, Marie." He paused and exhaled. The scent of cigarettes filled the air. "No, it was smaller and thinner than your blade but the fact that one pierced a hole through her stomach, spoke about how equally dangerous it is. It was a wonder how she managed to fight and hold out with all the blood she lost."
Where is she? Who are they? What are they talking about?
Machines beeped on the background. Her throat felt dry and her eyes were glued shut. Wait, weren't they fighting? What happened? She tried to sit up but her body wouldn't budge. Even her fingers refused to move.
No. It couldn't be. Her thoughts raced as she attempted to recall her memories but the images she suppressed for weeks resurface. She could almost feel the coldness of steel in her memory. Scenes of her strapped to a table with nothing but a long fabric draped to her body and Peisinoe hovering over her clutching a surgical knife with bloodied hands kept appearing on her mind no matter how much she pushed it away. The witch's maniacal laughter played on her head on repeat.
The machines beeped faster and faster like the voice of the people in the orphanage surrounding her. They chanted in a language she couldn't understand. Below her, a symbol glowed red.
Her eyes snapped open. Silhouettes moved in the darkness. No! They're going after her. They'll kill her.
A series of screams tore at her throat. They grabbed her arms and legs. There was shouting and utter chaos. She wanted to get away from there. From them. From the ones who wanted to steal her soul.
All of a sudden, they let go of her. Loud footsteps resounded and the voices disappeared. Somebody cradled her in their arms. Her shaking hands gripped their clothes, breath bursting in and out of her throbbing chest. Their hands ran through her hair and they're whispering something to her. She realized a little late that it was Soul.
"It's alright, Maka. I'm here. I won't let anything hurt you again." His soothing voice helped in calming her racing thoughts.
They stayed in that position for a few minutes. Or was it hours? She had no idea. But staying in his arms, listening to his steady heartbeat made her safe and grounded.
"What happened?" Her voice was hoarse from screaming.
"You fainted from blood loss after neutralizing Peisinoe's power. Kim rushed to heal you and Stein stitched up your wounds. Since then, you fell in a coma and slept for almost three days."
"Three days? I was out for that long?" Her mind was a mess but she remembered leaving the crying child in the zombie's care. "Where's Ivelle? Was she safe? She's not blaming herself is she-"
He buried his face to her hair and tightened his hold on her. "I'm sorry, I couldn't protect you."
It took her by surprise. She swallowed hard, wrapping her arms around him. "You don't have to. I'm not your meister anymore, Soul. Besides, I'm tougher than I look. I'll be alright."
"I know how strong you are, darned it! But I want to protect you! Not because you are a woman. Death knows there are tons of woman out there that could beat the heck out of me in a second, including you." His long, weary breath tickled her ears. "It's not even about being your weapon anymore. Although, you're the only one who could wield me. I just want to protect you, stupid. Is it too much to ask?"
Before she could reply, someone knocked. He let go of her and opened the door. A girl about their age with long ebony hair entered.
"I'll be waiting outside. Do you want me to get you anything?"
"Water and my book, please. Thank you."
Once he left, the girl sat on the chair beside her. "How are you feeling?"
"Better. I couldn't feel most of the pain." To be honest, she was mentally and emotionally drained from suppressing her memories of torture but they don't need to know that.
Few beats passed in silence. The struggle for words was visible on her face. "You did great in immobilizing Peisinoe."
"I didn't do anything, Tsu. It was Soul's doing. He was the one who cut off one of her wing while I just evaded most of her attacks."
"It was both of her wings."
"What?" She looked up in confusion.
"Halfway through the fight, you collapsed after resonating. Soul caught you before you hit the ground." Tsubaki glanced at the door. "I'm ashamed to admit, we didn't noticed how grave your injuries were during the fight. Kim did her best to heal you but Soul… He kept staring at your blood in his hands and before we knew it, he snapped."
Maka couldn't believe what she heard. After she pulled him back, he lost control again? How? Did she made a mistake?
"He was terrifying. One second, he was staring at you and the next, he charged straight into Black Star's trap." The girl continued with a faraway look. "He got Peisinoe on a chokehold and tore off her remaining wing like paper. We had no choice. He was bent on killing her. We fought him but even Black Star's punch wasn't enough to wake him up. It became a full-blown battle between us."
"I don't understand. He's fine now, right?"
"I don't know if you remembered it or not, but you staggered towards him and gave him a Maka-chop before fainting again." Tsubaki smiled. "But as terrifying as he is, he's still Soul. Our friend."
She stared at the window. Soul was messing around with Black Star and Kilik as usual. His expression a cross between a laugh and exasperation. Her lips curled up in a soft smile. "Yeah. Soul is Soul."