Wings of Punishment
Chapter 6: Krad
The white light hit him faster than he could react. It blinded his senses and burned white hot against his skin. But as suddenly as it began... it ended. The light simply ceased to exist and he found himself lying on the ground in front of a church.
Leaves blew around him and the bell gonged out the time, resonating out and startling him. He sat up suddenly and his golden orbs glanced around at his surroundings. Laid out before him was the domain of God on High, complete with the ever-protecting golems of stone.
He stood, the air of the ever-approaching night breathing slowly across his body. He looked down at himself. His hair had grown to an impossible length and his armor had disappeared. Sudden realization shot through him, 'Kyo! Where could he have gone!'
His gaze flew around, trying to find any evidence of his presence.
He looked back around and as if like a shadow, a girl was suddenly standing there. He estimated her at twelve or thirteen, just at those beginning stages of becoming a woman but still a girl. She walked closer, her footsteps echoing like earth-shattering quakes over and over again. The air seemed to be gone as reality was seemingly siphoned away.
She walked closer and held out her hand to him. His fingers instinctively creeped out to meet them... only to phase straight through.
He stopped, his hand going into a place physically impossible. He retracted, horrified and confused as she kept reaching out to him ever still.
He stepped closer and closer until their fingers met again and she smiled.
...Then it happened.
Reality sweeped back into his vision as he felt spirit and body and DNA fuse together in a chaotic dance into oblivion. He felt her mind work its way into his and he saw her memories. Memories of pain and loneliness and then peace... in this place. In a way unknown to him he knew she saw his memories as well. His whole life unfolded before her. He hated it... hate like that he had never felt before. A hate that burned like acid and made him grind and gnash his teeth. The melding between them soon became painful, their innermost fears and humiliation coming to the surface. The disgusting goo that lived in the pit of their souls meshed together and grew into something new... Something unnatural.
It ended and he stood there in awe. The colors seemed brighter, the sun warmer, even the stone of the church looked like it was of perfect quality.
A nun came out from the steps and asked him, "Excuse me, young man. Have you seen a little girl named Evelyn? She was just out there a minute ago..."
He shook his head and then ventured, "I'm sorry, miss. Um... I've just arrived here. Would you be so kind as to tell me where I am?"
She smiled at him, "You are in the Londonshire Abbey. Would you like to come inside?"
He was taken aback by this sudden kindness but nevertheless went up the stairs. He followed her inside to the very ornate chapel. "I am Sister Anna. Might I ask who you are?"
"Um... I'm... Alistair," he guessed, wondering what "Sister" meant.
"Alistair... A fitting name for such a nice man. Now then... could you help me find Evelyn? She's an orphan here and it would be a shame to see her lost..." she solicited.
A voice suddenly came from his mouth, a girl's voice, "Here I am, Sister."
Sister Anna looked confused, then glancing around the chapel, calling, "Evelyn? Are you in here?"
The voice came again, feminine on his male vocal chords, "I'm right here." After having it happen again Kenichi clamped his hand over his mouth to stifle the voice.
She spun around, looking at the stranger inquisitively. "Did you hear that?" she questioned.
He coughed, "Me? No. I didn't hear a thing."
She turned back around, searching once again.
He was desperate for an excuse now so he began to yawn, "Um... Sister? I need some rest... Are there any quarters I can stay in for the time being?"
She nodded, resolving to search again later and led him into the convent. She opened a door to an extremely small room with only a cot, "Rest as long as you need."
He walked in as she bowed and closed the door behind her. He fell backwards onto the cot, his thoughts straying to Kyo. 'Little brother... you prat.' Suddenly, a burning pain flew through him and he jumped up and gazed at his reflection in the mirror.
His features slowly shifted and disappeared, replaced by the girl's.
She tilted her head, confused, and walked back outside into the convent.
Sister Anna spotted her and ran over, "Evelyn! Where did you run off to!
She looked at her with uncertainty, "I went somewhere, Sister Anna? I was right here with you the whole time..."
"Child... you were gone and a strange young man was outside while I was looking for you and he went into that room..." he started, "Evelyn... where is he?"
They both went in and looked around, turning over everything, even the silliest of items, but of course, finding nothing.
Sister Anna sighed and wiped off her forehead, "Come along, Evelyn... We musn't be late for afternoon mass..."
She nodded and they left the room, Evelyn pausing a second as Sister Anna walked out.
The nun didn't notice and kept walking, oblivious to the sudden change in the "little girl".
He flipped a long lock of white hair from his eyes and pulled a spare cloak from the closet and wrapped himself in it, making his way out. He let his footsteps right out into the cathedral, opening the doors into the sanctuary soundlessly and walking down the aisle. He glimpsed a purple flash in the last pew but overlooked it, heading straight for the outer doors.
He opened them, scaring the birds into flying away. He stomped down the stairs and disappeared into the London fog.
-DONE :whew: Yeah... sorry about that, you guys. I've been putting most of my time into my Love Hina story, Keitaro Levels Up! So, if any of yous guys are into Love Hina, go ahead and review it for me, okay? And make sure to answer my polls! Well... no idea when the next one's comin' out!