Advance of the Fool

by ButterflyMiko

On his way to the Order, Allen Walker comes across a young priestess who reminds him painfully of himself. He cajoles the young woman to join him in his journey, but can she keep walking when her body will not hold her upright?

8. Earl

Too late.

"Good evening," Earl picked Kuri up and held her aloft. "Lovely little exorcist, aren't you?"

"Get your hands off her!" Allen growled, from his spot against a tombstone that Kuri had zapped him into. "I won't let you touch her!"

Earl held Kuri by the throat. "Why, Allen Walker? Do you want to save the priestess?" He tucked a strand of Kuri's hair behind her ear. "After all, you turned your own fa—"

Suddenly, Kuri's body glowed white, and burned the Earl's hand. Stung, he dropped her. "You shouldn't talk." Kuri examined her arm as the reaction to the Dark Matter the Earl was made of caused stars to leap up her skin and turn it grey, only to be vanished by silvery blue light. "It makes you sound stupid!" Kuri fearlessly put her hands around the Earl's head, echoing the akuma's anguish into him, making him hurt. She fell to the ground, energy spent, exhausted.

Allen ran up to her, looking worried, but astounded at her actions. "Kuri!"

"Allen! Get away!" Kuri backed into the Earl. She was more afraid of Allen then the Earl? What was going on?

Hurt, Allen pulled away.

"You see, Allen Walker," Earl smiled. He was always smiling. "The priestess knows you are more of a monster than the akuma!

"No! He's wrong! I'm the m—" Kuri stretched out her hand to help him, but the Earl firmly held her shoulders.

"Let's teach you a lesson, wench!" Earl held her still, making her watch as Allen was blown away by the akuma behind him, face still frozen in a look of horror and hurt.