Heart of the Melting Blood
The Moonlight Legend
Written by: Lone Wolf NEO
Conceived by: Lone Wolf NEO
Disclaimer: Lone Wolf NEO does not own any of TYPE MOON titles, Guilty Gear or any of the games, anime, movies, books and the like that are the property of other people. All original characters in this story are his creations and property. All insert characters are copyright or owned by their respective represented real-life entities. The author would appreciate it if the content of this story isn't plagiarized without his permission.
For new readers: the setting is in the timeline after the events of Shingetsusan Tsukihime, FATE/Stay Night and Melty Blood. This is the sequel to the earlier instalment of Heart of Melting Blood RELOADED, and runs roughly in parallel with Sheo Darren's The World Within and Without. Please refer to the two stories for background information.
Chapter 05
Whisper of Blood
She was there, sitting on the bench and gazing at the moon like what she did for the past few days. The paper cranes from days earlier were still there, albeit being put beside her.
"Can't sleep, Dizzy-chan?" She turned around and smiled at the sight of a young woman roughly around 18. "I saw you sitting outside, so I thought you might need someone to accompany you."
"Oh, Hotaru-chan. Please have a seat," she said and gave the young woman a seat next to her. She, then, glanced back at the moon as the firefly girl took a seat beside her. "Where's everybody?"
"Rock-chan already slept a long time, as well as Ky," Hotaru told her. "I can't sleep because their snores are killing me."
Dizzy giggled and pulled Hotaru into her embrace. "Don't tell me that's an excuse to be with me alone," she said and enclosed her arms around her.
"Dizzy-chan, you're making me embarrassed," Hotaru replied as a faint trace of rose red stained her very face. Dizzy giggled and cuddled her, as if she was comforting her younger sister and hummed a lullaby. "Ne, Dizzy-chan."
"Yes?" she replied and stared at her calm face.
"I've always seen you watching at the moon lately, and you always have the paper cranes with you," she said and rested in Gear woman's embrace. "Well, I don't mind if you're enjoying the night, but what's with the paper cranes?"
"The paper cranes are my reminder of someone," she told her and continued cuddling her. "I have forgotten who the person was, but I always remember him whenever I see the paper cranes."
"Was he an important person to you, Dizzy-chan?" she asked.
She breathed out and held her hand. "I don't know, Hotaru-chan. But my heart's telling me that he is."
"Ne, Dizzy-chan," Hotaru called her again, "can you sing me the lullaby again? I kind of like it already."
She giggled and cuddled her closer before sang the lullaby for the second time. The firefly girl listened attentively to the lullaby and sulked into the sisterly warmth of the embrace. She fell asleep, much to the Gear woman's awe. "Aw, asleep already? How cute of you," she pondered and softly kissed her cheek.
She gazed back at the moon. "I wonder how the person is doing right now…"
x-x-x-x-x
"Ohayou, Alex-san," Hisui greeted as she saw Alex walking down the stairs. "You woke up early. Do you have errands to do this morning?"
"Ohayou, Hisui. I'm going out to the town today," he said. "A freeloader can't stay here forever without having something to do. If there's any job worthy to do, I'm taking it."
"Then please have your breakfast, Alex-san," she said.
"Oh, sure." He headed to the dining room, whilst Hisui closely followed him from the behind. He looked around him, noticing that the mansion is awfully quiet. "Where has everyone gone to?"
"Shiki-sama and Akiha-sama are gone for some errands outside the city. Arcueid-sama and Sion-sama left this house earlier this morning," she informed.
"That means you and Kohaku are left to watch over this house, huh?" he uttered. She nodded as to answer the question. "Oh, well. Looks like I'm going to be alone here for today."
His sleeve was pulled. Alex looked down and could only smile. "Hello, Ren, and good morning," he greeted and patted the girl's head. The girl giggled and let her head be patted by him. He turned to Hisui while pointing at Ren's face. "Has her taken her breakfast yet, Hisui?"
"Not yet, if I can remember correctly," she answered.
He smiled and turned back to Ren. "Then, would you like to have breakfast with oniichan, Ren?" The girl smiled at the offer and nodded.
x-x
"Thank you for the meal," Alex spoke and clapped his hands in relief. Ren followed suit and smiled widely. "Wow, that's one fine breakfast I have. Thanks for the meal again, Hisui."
"Oh, my. I'm so flattered to hear that, Alex-san," Hisui replied and smiled. "I'll be glad if you want to have some more meals right now."
"Nah, I'm stuffed right now," he told her and patted his tummy. "Besides, I have to go to the town for job seeking, or I'll forever be labelled as freeloader."
"Have you thought of what kind of job you're going to take, Alex-san?" Kohaku asked.
Alex stood up and walked toward the door. "I don't know, because I haven't thought of what job I'll take. Maybe I'll ask around for vacant jobs." He was about to step out when Ren rushed toward him and seized his arm. "What is it, Ren?"
"Oh, my. It seems that our Ren-chan is attached to Alex-san already," Kohaku commented and foxily laughed. "Shiki-san doesn't want to see this if he were here."
Alex turned back and forth between the twin housemaid and the blue ribbon-wearing girl. The latter was staring deeply at him, expecting him to say something to her. "Hmm… you're trying to say that you want to come along with me?" Ren nodded and smiled at him. He just shrugged and patted her head. "Very well. I might buy something for you if I were to come home later, but I guess it's better to have you choosing whatever you want to. Right?"
"Aw, look at that. Alex-san adores children so much," Kohaku spoke and giggled. Hisui just smiled at the comment and watched at the twos.
x-x-x-x-x
"This is not good," Alex uttered as he walked down the street with Ren. "There aren't any job vacancies at all places I went. Man, what am I going to do now?" He turned to his left, noticing that Ren was staring at him in worry. "Aw, what's wrong Ren? Are you worried that I might not be able to find a job in the end of the day?"
The girl shook her head, answering 'no' to the question. Alex laughed at the respond and patted her head. "Heh, just tell me that you are." The girl giggled and let her head be patted.
He turned around and looked at the shop lots. "Well, I guess we better keep looking. Are you with me, Ren?" The girl nodded and took his hand, as they walked to the lots.
"Oh, my. If it isn't Alexander-san." He watched at his back and was in surprise to see who was greeting him. "What a surprise to see you here."
"Oh. Good day, Amasawa-san," he greeted the woman. "And good day to you too, Akiko."
"Konnichiwa, oniichan," the little girl replied and bowed. "What are you doing here, and who is she?"
"Oh, you mean Ren?" Alex said and pushed Ren a bit forward. "She's my friend's little sister. She doesn't talk much, but she's pretty much friendly. Ren, this is Akiko."
Ren smiled at her and took a bow.
Akiko laughed. "Imotou? Aw, Alex-oniichan has become so daring lately. The last time I met you, you were with Sion-oneechan and both of you were so close that time," she said between her laughs. Alex cringed at the comment and tried miserably to laugh.
The woman just smiled and patted Akiko's head. "Please forgive Akiko. She likes to tease everyone; it's passed down to her from her father."
"No, no, it's fine with me," he replied. "I'm just surprised by how friendly Akiko toward everyone is." Akiko laughed at the comment and seized Ren's hand, taking her for a dance.
"So, what is our ice cream oniichan doing out here with Ren-chan?" she asked.
"First thing to be done: find a job, get a proper life, or I'll end up a freeloader for good," he told her.
"You're looking for a job, Alexander-san? Then you're in luck," the woman told him and smiled. "I think I know where you can find a place to work. In fact, this job is perfect for someone like you."
He stared at her in intrigue. The two girls stopped dancing and stared at her as well.
x-x
"You own this kindergarten?" Alex asked, as he walked into the area. "But to know that you actually work and own this place at the same time…"
"This place has been our family's heritage for years," Yuriko said as they walked toward the entrance door. "I'm supposed to inherit this kindergarten from my late grandfather, but I have been notified by the administrative office that this place is to be taken over by construction company. Unless I can prove them that this place is still operating, it will be closed in 3 days."
He didn't say anything. This place must be precious to her, he pondered and looked around him.
"Alexander-san, I'll prepare the paperwork for you," she said as she entered the office, "please, take your time and walk around this place. Is that alright with you?"
"I-I'm fine. Besides, I'll have to check this place anyway," he said.
"Well then," she spoke and closed the door.
He just breathed out and took a self-tour around the kindergarten. He never thought that such a humble place would exist beneath the busiest of town. He shrugged at the thought and walked down the corridor.
He walked past a classroom when he overheard a cry. Curious, he approached the door and saw a girl crying while being comforted by a boy. "Oh, my." He walked in and knelt beside them. "What's wrong, little one?"
"Ayu-chan doesn't want to go home until she's finished with her work," the young boy told him and kept patting her. "But she can't do it properly, that's why she's crying."
"Lie! Yui-kun promised to teach me how to make paper crane," the girl sobbed, "but Yui-kun doesn't know either! Yui-kun lied to me!"
Alex looked at the table and could only chuckle. "A paper crane isn't that hard to make," he said and took a piece of paper. "Ayu-chan, this is how a paper crane is made. Watch carefully." The girl stopped crying and watched at the work in interest. "It doesn't matter whether you can make or not; if you put all your efforts in it, altogether with your heart, everything is possible," he said and gave the finished product to her. "Here you go, Ayu-chan."
The girl's eyes sparkled. Excitedly she took the paper crane and deeply stared at it. The boy smiled as well and patted the girl, and asked him to make another paper crane. "I can make a lot of paper cranes if you want to."
"Honto? Then can you teach me how to make origami?" the girl asked, as a wide smile carved upon her face.
x-x
"The paperwork is complete," Yuriko said and handed over an envelope to him. "Read it thoroughly, and if you're satisfied with it, come over here tomorrow. You can start working right away after that."
"Thanks, I'll think of that," he said and took the envelope.
"Is oniichan going to leave now?" Ayu asked and frowned. "I thought for sure you'll stay here for a bit longer. I want to learn more about origami from you, oniichan."
Alex just smiled and patted her head. "I'll come here again tomorrow. Then we can make a lot of paper cranes and other origami."
She stared at him. "Yakusoku?" Promise?
He nodded and hooked her index finger with his. "This is what people over here call yubikiri, right? Then I'll make one as well," he said. The girl smiled at him. Akiko laughed at the twos and teased Alex for being too nice toward kids.
He stood up and took Ren's hand. "Well, I'm going. I'll see you tomorrow, Amasawa-san."
"Alexander-san!" Yuriko called from faraway. He turned around and saw the woman waving at him, altogether with her daughter and the two children. "Thank you for teaching these kids how to make origami! I'm so grateful to meet a kind person like you."
He nodded and gave away a thumb up.
x-x-x-x-x
"This is a tiring day. I think I'm worn out right now," Alex sighed as he leaned against the bench. He glanced at Ren who was busy eating ice cream. "Oh well. Tomorrow, I'll start working at the kindergarten. I wonder what everyone will say about this."
Ren stopped eating the ice cream and looked to her left. "What is it, Ren?" he asked and glanced to the direction. He saw nothing at the area and shrugged. It was only a few seconds he felt an unusual flow in the air stream.
"CRAP!"
He seized Ren's body and jumped, as an axe smashed the bench and disrupted the surrounding air. He was brought rolling on the pavement and was hit by debris, yet he managed to keep Ren unharmed. The turbulence subsided after several seconds, leaving the park with debris and dust. He stood back, coughed and tried to fend off the flying debris when he saw the sight of an axe-carrying man walking toward him. He couldn't see the man's face and cursed the dust for blocking his sight.
"Heh, I thought for sure you'd fight back like what you were supposed to do, Lone Wolf."
He gasped. He knew the voice very well. Slowly he tried to open his eyes and gazed at the figure. "It's you!"
The muscular and well-built man frowned upon him and grinned. "Hmm? You know me? Have we met before, Lone Wolf? Or am I hearing something wrong right now?"
"Damn it! Logan, it's me, Alex!" he cried aloud.
"Logan? Who is Logan?" the man demanded and put down the axe. "If you're talking about me, then I'm the wrong person. The name is Rage, one of the Six Great Judges, and I'm entrusted to put down the holy punishment against you."
He cringed. "For God's sake, I'm your comrade in the Holy Orders! Didn't you remember me at all, Logan!" he screamed and patted his chest.
The man shook his head in amusement. "I should've told you who the Six Judges are, but the mistress prohibits me from doing me so. I'm only ordered to carry out the punishment, and the person it's YOU."
"What have I done wrong! I never remember anything about this kind of punishment! Logan, please tell me what's going on!" he demanded.
"Never call me with that name!" Rage shouted back and smashed the axe on the ground. Alex was knocked off by a turbulence created from the impact and crashed on the statue. Ren quickly ran toward him and shook his body, trying to wake him up. "The Logan you know had long died in the Holy Wars, and the one standing in front of you is now Rage, the strongest of the Six Judges. Prepare for your judgment day, Lone Wolf!" He lifted the axe and spun it in his hands, creating wind vortex that affected the area. Ren cried in dismay and clung onto his arm.
Alex managed to open his eyes when he saw the attack's pattern. "Shoot! That's the area-affect attack!" He seized Ren's body and jumped away before Rage smashed the axe on the ground, avoiding the created turbulence that completely destroyed the statue.
"Che, you managed to evade my attack," Rage commented and holstered the axe on his shoulder. "As expected from the illusive lone wolf of holy orders, who was respected by a few and envied by many. But I doubt that you're going to win this battle if it's the Six Judges you're dealing with."
"Logan, stop doing this!" he screamed.
"Do not call me Logan!" Rage screamed and smashed the ground next to Alex. He jumped away from the attack and landed far from Rage, yet he was hit by a slipstream, causing him to lose balance and crash instead. Rage laughed and turned around to face him. "What's the matter, Lone Wolf? Are you afraid to fight me because I'm the Judge, or is it because your skill has begun to rust?"
"Logan, don't do this…!" he demanded and put his hand on his injured arm. "I don't know what grudge I have against you, but don't do this!"
"Hah! Do I really have to listen to a wolf weakened by his past?" Rage replied and pointed to his face. "Let me tell you something, Lone Wolf. Your existence in the Holy Order is nothing but-"
His words were cut off when a couple of blades landed before him. Both of them looked up and saw a figure silhouetted by the moon floating in the air and landed next to Alex. "Miss… Ciel?"
"Let me handle this, Alex-kun," Ciel told him and opened her stance. "Run from this place as far as you can with Ren-chan. You're in no position to fight anyone right now."
"But Miss Ciel, you…"
"Just go!" she screamed. Alex tried to object before he gave up and fled from the scene with Ren.
"Heh, when I thought I could personally fight with Lone Wolf," Rage spoke and opened a stance. "But whatever. An opponent like you must be worthy enough to face. May I first ask who you are, and what relation you have with Lone Wolf?"
Ciel took a deep breath and transformed into her Seven Heaven uniform. "Ciel, one of the agents from the Vatican Organization. I'm a friend of the Author and I'm entrusted to watch over Alex-kun."
"A Vatican agent, eh?" Rage uttered and grinned. "Let's see whether I can outwit you in no time."
She smiled at the comment and withdrew several Key Blades. "I'll be glad to."
x-x
He stopped running. "I think we're safe now," he uttered and cursed under his breath. "But why him of all people…? And who are these Six Great Judges he told me? What do they have against me…?"
Ren stepped closer to him, as if she was frightened by something. He looked at her and turned around, as a group of ninjas appeared from nowhere and surrounded him. "Damn, we're surrounded." He remained still, while letting Ren to cling onto him. "What are you guys up to with me this time?" he demanded.
"Under Mistress' direct order, we are hereby granted with permission to kill," the ninjas answered and withdrew their weapons. "Our target is you, so prepare for your execution."
Before he could react, one of the ninjas seized Ren and jumped away. He tried to chase the ninja when several of the newcomers stood on his way. "Let her go!" he screamed and jumped over the ninjas. "She has nothing to do with this! Let her go!"
One of the ninjas appeared behind him and delivered a hard slash on his back. Alex screamed in pain and fell to his knees, trying to endure the pain he received from the blow. The ninjas aimed their weapons and pounced at him, ignoring Ren's terrified cry.
"Pathetic."
He disappeared from sight and reappeared above them. The ninjas watched above him and immediately jumped toward him. The lone wolf grinned and pounced at one of the ninjas, overpowering him and taking his katana. He tossed the subdued ninja at his fellows, landed on the pavement and opened a stance.
"Get him!" The ninjas acknowledged the order and pounced at Alex for the second time. He gave out a low-sounding chuckle and disappeared from the ninjas' vision. They halted, trying to look for the former soldier when a sudden gust enveloped them, temporarily paralyzing them.
"Are you…"
The ninjas managed to glance at Alex.
"…awake in your sleep?"
No voice was presence. No breath was audible. Only a dead, frightening silence that lurked the area, as the lone wolf landed on the ground and lowered the katana. As frightening as one could imagine, the ninjas' chest imploded, and one by one, they dropped to the pavement dead. No blood, no scream, no pain. Just a long period of silence silhouetting the earth as if a certain angel of death had stepped upon it.
Alex slowly walked out of the scene, dropped the stainless katana and halted. The ninja who was holding Ren hostage were terrified and fled, leaving the twos in the middle of confusion. Ren approached him and reached for his hand when he suddenly dropped to his knees and shivered.
"What… what have I done?"
