Previously in Heart of the Melting Blood…
"According to the report issued by the United Nation, the contestants of the tournament included the Zeppian soldier Potemkin and the representative of the Yagami Clan, Yagami Iori. It was also believed that the ex-IPF officer, LieutenantKy Kiske was also involved in the tournament…"
The man's eyes widened in utter surprise. "Ky Kiske… the ex-leader of the Holy Orders?" The hands holding the newspaper were shivering, as if he had read revealing news about the owner of the name.
"Boss? You okay, boss?" the shopkeeper asked. The man was idle for a while, still shivering uncontrollably. It was only after several seconds later that he calmed down and put down the newspaper.
"Finally…" he murmured. "I've finally found you, Ky Kiske…"
.
The NEO Dagger he was carrying along was shivering uncontrollably, as if reacting to a new crisis upcoming. At that time, he realized that there was a terrible disaster bound to happen on the very earth.
"So… someone has decided to disturb the peace again…" he whispered and clenched his fist. "I can't allow that to happen."
x-x-x-x-x
Guilty Gear
Heart of the Melting Blood RELOADED
Conceived by: Lone Wolf NEO
Written by: Lone Wolf NEO
Lone Wolf NEO does not own any of all the games or anime or manga featured in this story, but he owns the copyright to all his original ideas in this fiction. Lone Wolf would really appreciate it if readers do not plagiaries everything inside this story without his knowledge.
Chapter 07
Sleeping Awake: A Story Foretold
Previously…
"I'm very impressed with the works you have done, gentlemen," said a mid-60's man who was standing beside the windows. "I was expecting the project to be complete due in two months, but I never knew that the prototype would self-commence without maintenance from any of you."
The researchers were taken in surprise by the comment. "Actually, Chief, Mark 2 decided to learn everything by himself by the time he was activated. We didn't have any idea of why he would say that."
The man's eyebrow arched upward. "Mark 2?"
"He suggested himself to be named that, we had nothing to do with it," the researcher explained.
The man turned around and stared at the researchers. "I see. The Three Robotic Laws must have been activated inside of him. I'll see whether this Mark 2 proves itself worthy to me. You three may leave."
"Thank you very much, Chief," the researchers spoke and immediately left the office. The man in casual outfit merely shrugged and approached his desk. Silent as he was, the man later went into a low-sounding cackle.
"Perhaps it's time to have its abilities tested," he spoke, "don't you think, Mark 2?" Standing at the corner of the room, the owner of the name did not say anything to respond. The man laughed once more and walked toward the door. "Anyway, I'm very sure that you've been given the task by your instructor. Now go, and show me what you've got."
A pair of golden eyes shone from the darkness. "YES, SIR." A monotonous voice replied.
.
Mark 2 nodded. "PERHAPS IT'S TIME TO HAVE ITS ABILITIES TESTED… BUT AS LONG AS I DON'T RECEIVE ORDERS FROM CHIEF, I WILL NOT DO ANYTHING THAT WILL HARM THE PEOPLE." He looked around and saw the man in black uniform walking alone down the street, ignoring several locals and polices who rushed to the crime scene. "BUT WHAT IF THE MAN I'M ASSIGNED TO COMMITS MURDER? WAIT. ONLY A HUMAN WILL KILL OTHER HUMAN AND BE CHARGED FOR CRIME. IF A MACHINE KILLS A MACHINE…" He displeasingly shook his head. "I MUST HAVE WATCHED TOO MUCH RIPPED OFF SCI-FI MOVIES FROM THE SERVER BACK AT THE BASE."
"Keep following the subject, Mark 2," the Chief told Mark 2 via intercom. "Remember, we're watching at everything you're doing. You better not mess things up like what your defected counterparts had done."
"YES, SIR."
"And one more thing," the Chief spoke. "If in any case the subject attacks you, you are granted to defend yourself, even if it means you have to kill him."
"BUT SIR," Mark 2 said, "YOU SAID WE SHOULD KEEP HIM ALIVE IF WE'RE TO DETAIN HIM. WHY WOULD I COMMIT SUCH ACT?"
"Subject is extremely dangerous to the bureau due to his shady background as a Holy Knight, and he is also dangerous to the people around him. If he's to do something dangerous, do you think we'll be responsible for the death toll?" the Chief insisted. "Now proceed with the observation. Don't fail me."
"UNDERSTAND, SIR."
.
"Chief, are you sure you want to assign Mark 2 to this task?" a secretary asked the man, while he was standing next to the window. "I mean, he's just newly commissioned, I'm very sure he needs to have simulation training forehand."
"Don't ever look down at the fellow," the man spoke, grinning. "He's different from the rest of the Robo-Kys we have in our disposal. In fact, he's very different from the renegade unit."
"The #R unit, chief?" the secretary asked. The man merely nodded and gleamed at the secretary, causing her to step back in fear. "I… I'm very sure I didn't say anything wrong a while ago, aren't I?"
"No, no. You didn't say anything wrong," the man said. "Anyway, we should get the remaining units activated. Follow me to the hangar, I need you to write down everything I'm going to say while we're heading there."
"Yes, chief."
x-x-x-x-x
"Mou, minasan, yamete," Hibiki helplessly begged. Apparently she was getting tired to be called 'Hibiki-chan' and since the TYPE-MOON fellows of Lone Wolf's were addressing her with the suffix, she became irritated with it. Not only that, even Mriya started calling her with the suffix, only adding to her annoyance.
"Aw, come on, Hibiki-chan," Arcueid insisted, "it's not that to have suffix in your name. It really suits you very much."
"Demou…" Hibiki replied.
"Takane-san," Hisui called, "why do you not the suffix –chan that much?"
"Yeah, can you tell us why, Hibiki-oneechan?" Ren asked.
Hibiki stared at both of the young women. Something inside her head was telling her not to tell Hisui the truth. She was hesitant of whether to listen to it or not. "To tell you the truth," she spoke, deciding to go against it. "I'm not that type of people who would easily decide to address themselves with such addressing. It's very degrading."
Hisui's eyebrow arched upward; a sure sign of lurking curiosity. "How degrading is that, Takane-san? You sound like you don't mind being Hibiki-chan and such."
"Yeah, you sound like that, especially when Kiba-chan is around," Arcueid added. "Eh! Don't tell me you do want him to call you Hibiki-chan at all."
Her face started to burn furiously. "Ch-chigau!" Hibiki responded.
Arcueid giggled and playfully poked the swordswoman's flushing cheek. "Hora, you blush every time I mention his name. See? I've told you so."
"And why would you call him Kiba-chan, Arcueid-san?" Hibiki asked, brushing the vampire princess' hand off her face. Arcueid giggled again and took a seat beside her.
"I bet that Kiba-chan hasn't told you everything about us, Hibiki-chan," she spoke. Hibiki pouted and stared away from her, hiding her greatly-blushing cheeks. The woman sniggered and leant against the sofa, staring into the ceiling. "Speaking of which, did anyone see Kiba-chan around?"
"I was told that Lone Wolf has an errand to do," Shiki suddenly told them. The girls stared at him in disbelief. "Eh? Didn't he tell any of you?"
"Lone Wolf-san has an errand?" Hibiki asked.
.
Alone at the necropolis, Lone Wolf NEO was standing in front of the two tombstones. This was the errand; paying visit to the casualties of the Battle of Kiev a.k.a. The Battle of Truth and Denial. The lone wolf of author's universe decided not to revisit the spot at first, seeming there was nothing but painful memories remained. Here, he had witnessed the rise and fall of the neo command Gear and the decisive battle he and his opponent faced, the most dramatic humankind would forever remember. He laughed at himself; he was responsible for the unwanted battle, and he was also responsible for all events occurring in the Battle Revolution, along with the aftermath. He was looking forward of preventing any more tragedies and sorrows from happening, or all the people's hope would have been in peril.
"Heh." Lone Wolf weakly grinned. He approached the tombstones and put down the flower bouquets he bought earlier. "Sorry for not bringing anything better. At least, this is the best I can do for now." He knelt before the gravestones and read the engraved words on the stone pieces. "Zofeah Falken… and Yuu… it was my fault that both of you forcibly departed from this world. Yeah, I should've known this kind of consequences from the very start." He breathed out and glanced at the tombstone marked 'Yuu'. "Don't worry about your idiot one, Yuu-chan. Someday… just someday, he will…"
"Lone Wolf NEO."
He stood up as a response to the call. Not turning around, he corrected the trench coat he was wearing. "The Nightwalker, Slayer. How surprising to have you coming at this time."
"I've been looking forward to see you, the lone wolf of author's domain," Slayer spoke. "There are many things I'd like to discuss with you, especially the hardships you and your companions had to deal with."
"Go figure," Lone Wolf replied. "So, Slayer, I bet that you have something very important to tell me. Isn't that right?"
Slayer went into his 2000 years of vampiric laughter. "That wolf instinct you have never fails to impress me, Lone Wolf. Or perhaps I should call you with something else."
"Whatever," Lone Wolf uttered.
"Very well." Slayer coughed and walked toward Lone Wolf. "An event has bound to start, and it's not the type you would like to face."
Lone Wolf glanced at the vampire lord. "You're telling me that something bad is going to happen?"
"I bet that you'd known already," Slayer replied.
"Could you please emphasize that?"
Slayer patted the author's shoulder. "My point of telling you us," he spoke, a grin carved upon his face, "you should be aware of the black feather. Heh, even I doubt that you understand this, so may I suggest you to visit the city of Cairo to investigate?"
Lone Wolf shrugged. "Even if you're that noble, added with the fact that you're the ex-leader of the feared Assassin Guild, why would you do this? Why are you telling me this?"
"My answer cannot be shared, unfortunately," the Nightwalker said.
"Whatever. Then I have to go there and find it myself, is that what you want to tell me, huh?" the author asked.
"The choice is yours. Either you go there or you stay here."
"Che, this is why I don't like to deal with aristocrats. Always with their spinning-around quotes and such." Lone Wolf, then, walked away from Slayer and headed toward the gate. Later he halted. "Oh, by the way, send my regards to your beloved Sharon. I kind of wonder how she's doing now."
Slayer grinned. "Sharon and us fine, you shouldn't worry about us too much. Oh, it would be our pleasure if you could join us sometimes in our dinner."
The lone wolf breathed out and glanced at Slayer, smiling. "Perhaps the next time our path crosses, I'll consider your modest invitation." He walked out of the necropolis, leaving his guest in wonder. Slayer just watched at the author for a while before he grinned.
"A fascinating person, he is."
x-x-x-x-x
It was a silent sight inside Alexandria Public Library. It seemed that nobody was present at the facility, save for the keeper. It was as if no visitors visiting the library and took their opportunity of digging out invaluable knowledge, inside and outside.
Well, there is one visitor.
A girl, wearing purple beret, was standing next to a bookshelf, reading a 19th century chemistry almanac. She was so absorbed by the precious gold of the past that she did not notice the keeper's presence beside her.
"Well, young one," the woman in her late 50's uttered, "have you decided on which book to borrow?"
The girl gave out her rare-to-see smile. "Yes, I guess," she answered and closed the thick book. "Though I already have this book at home, I think I'll borrow this just in case the other one's damaged."
The old woman just laughed. "I know you for a very long time, young girl. You've always been our regular visitor since your childhood years, and nobody's more interested in chemistry than you are."
The girl sheepishly giggled. "I'm so flattered to hear that, ma'am." She, then, excused herself and bowed at the woman before leaving the library. The keeper watched at the visitor for a while before smiled and proceeded with her work.
.
"Tadaima."
The girl entered the house and approached a nearby desk, putting down the book she borrowed from the library on it. Letting out a yawn and outstretching her tired body, she walked upstairs toward her room and entered it. Several minutes later, she was out, wearing nothing but lavender-coloured towel enveloping her "nicely rendered" figure. Her purple hair, previously knit in a ponytail, now freely spread out and reached the edge of her waist. Slowly she walked toward the bathroom for self-hygiene procedure.
-Far away, a group of cameramen led by a director resurrected from burnt ashes and stood victoriously. "We shall not give up! Our battle has yet to begin!" the Filipino men gloriously shouted. "We are the champions, my friends! We'll keep on fighting to the end!"
A gigantic fireball the size of an oversized blue whale appeared from nowhere and landed on the mercenaries, instantly incinerating them upon contact.
-At faraway, Sol was standing in his pissed-off stance, his Fireseal enveloped with fire. "Nobody messes with Queen," he grumbled.
-At another place, Yuuki Darren could only slap her forehead. "Those bunches of idiotic perverts…!"
The girl walked out of the bathroom, soaked and all wet but refreshed. "Mmm… a quick bath after a day-long of walking around the city…" she whispered and breathed out in pleasure. She entered her bedroom and walked out again in nightgowns, and walked down the stairs, headed toward the living room. At first glance, the interior design of the house was entirely classical, resembling the designs of the Victorian era colonists' house. One could swear that for the most of the time, it reflected the glorious days very much if they stepped inside such house.
The girl approached an answering machine-
Okay, that was not exactly classical, but what the heck?
-and rewind the tape inside it. Waiting for the tape fully rewind, she swayed her purple hair, letting candlelight to shine its silky smoothness, enhancing her beauty to another level.
"It's done." The girl pressed the 'PLAY' button. A series of messages the device recorded from incoming and missed calls were played and replayed several times. She mumbled and pressed 'FAST FORWARD' to get to the last message.
"This is Atlasia Residence. Please leave your message after hearing this tone. Hey, Sion. It's me, Lone Wolf. Listen, I'm sorry for calling out of sudden, but can you do me a favour and investigate a case? You see, an acquaintance of mine had asked me to go to Cairo for investigation, but- hey! Arc-chan! Don't disturb me! I'm making a long distance call, can't you see?"
Lone Wolf? Arc-chan?
"Uhh, sorry for the interruption. Now where am I? Oh. I was asked to do some investigation thingies at the city but since I'm currently occupied… cough, cough… can you do that for me? It's something that has got to do with black feather- Arc-chan! Stop it! Stop it! Give me that!"
"Yoo-hoo, Sion! Are you there? Hello? Hello? Moshi-moshi? Aw, she's not answering."
"Give me that!"
"Aw, Kiba-chan is mean at us. Boo-hoo-hoo."
"I told you she's not at her home! Sheesh, you should take attention of everything around, please?"
"PIIDAH!"
"Ahem. Anyway, I'd like to tell you what you're going to investigate, but my credit's running out. I'll call you later, okay Sion? Lone Wolf roger and out."
The answering machine stopped. The girl was staring at the device in disbelief and surprise. "That's strange. I thought I heard Arcueid shouting in the message… and why would Lone Wolf call me at such time?" She breathed out and walked toward the desk and took the almanac. It was not long in the middle of her readings, when something self-triggered inside her head.
"Black feather?"
The window abruptly opened, resulting from a sudden gust coming from the desert. The girl was shocked and covered herself from the oncoming wind, trying not to let the nightgown slip off her body. The gust lasted only for a while before it subsided, leaving the girl in confusion. "What was that?" she whispered and sensed another gust coming in, only it was not as sudden as the previous one. She watched in surprise, as a black feather flew into the living room and landed on the floor. She approached the item and picked it up, examining its intricate shape very carefully. "I've never seen this kind of feather before…" she whispered and looked outside the window. "Is this the reason Lone Wolf wants me to look into?"