Her
Her breath was loud in her ears. She managed to hit Azusa in the head with enough force to render her unconscious for an hour or two. It never occurred to her that the plan she formed had flaws. Well, it was perfect until the Deathscythe woke up and decided to check on the vehicles that they would use. Heck, who even wake up at two in the morning to make sure everything was in perfect condition? Cool air blew on her damp skin, making her shiver while her hair flew around in wild tangles. Her hair was down for the mission which would be the first since she always tie it to keep it away from her face when wielding Soul. It didn't bother her now though. If anything, it added to the rush she felt in the moment. Like she was a different person. One that could handle anything without depending too much on her partner. The plane landed five minutes earlier and she took her time calming her racing heart before riding off. Green eyes glowed as she search for the exact location of the witch.
She donned the hood of her cape, brows furrowing in worry. As expected, the woman's base was at the orphanage with an abandoned lab just beside it. Since there would be a slight to none chance about anyone visiting the poor, abandoned children. It could be a perfect cover-up for any suspicious activity. Only Death knew what perdition they have gone through. Especially since the witch was a relative of the Gorgon sisters, as told by her informant. They would not be put in harm now though. Nothing will happened while she's still around to fight for them.
Her boots clacked on the wet pavement as she ran to the base. The church where she and Crona fought loomed in her sight. It was ironic. The place where she vowed to change was the same one she ended up after pursuing her desire to become stronger. After a few minutes, her target came into view. She stopped to catch her breath and calm her nerves. Being collected in a situation helped her think of a foolproof plan, she realized it after being with Soul.
If she were to enter as a Shibusen student, it would raise questions. The same with having an excuse to visit a child for she have no contact whatsoever. There was no option left but to enter with stealth. It was already four in the morning. Her flight took an hour and a half despite being on full speed. For once, she was grateful for learning how to fly a plane from one of the random courses she took before. Shaking her head, she focused on the task at hand. Soon the sun will rise and her cover will be blown by the light. She had to act fast. Her assessment proved to be correct. In front of the orphanage, rusty gates with spiky edges protected it from outside forces while burnt and run-down establishments stood at its sides. One of its wall crumbled slightly due to the fire and weather. She took advantage of it and, using the nearby fence as leverage, jumped inside.
The building itself was worn, she feared that it might collapse anytime. Paint chipping and vines growing on the holes. Overall, it came out straight from a horror movie. A stack of boxes beside the porch caught her eye. It was well hidden from sight because of the darkness. With one fluid motion, she leaped behind the containers. Pulling out her hand mirror, she breathed on it then wrote the Shinigami's number. It rang for a minute before she was assaulted by furious yells from none other than Kim and Black Star. She placed a finger on her lips to shush them.
"You better have a good explanation at worrying us like that." Kim huffed while crossing her arms. Jackie was at her side doing her best to calm the girl.
She flashed them an apologetic smile, "Sorry for causing you so much trouble. But I need to speak to all of you without any interruptions. I'm here inside the orphanage where the witch currently reside."
Maka paused to make sure she had their attention. Despite their indignant faces, their attention was undivided. "It has an abandoned laboratory of some sort at the back where, I suppose, she executes her research. Also, someone informed me that she was the cousin of the infamous Gorgon sisters which means trouble especially with their history with children and experiments. I'm going to infiltrate the building to investigate. Only then I'll send back my reports on you."
"No. Stay where you are right now. Don't you dare move even an inch. Soul is coming to help you. He's travelling as we speak." Kidd stared at her with an intensity that would make her shook in fear if she didn't knew him better. "What were you thinking charging headfirst in the enemy's domain? Even though we haven't cleared the topic that Soul would be your weapon and escort for the mission, what you did is pure recklessness. I've been expecting much from you. I know there is a great potential within you. Why would you do this? Not only you sent us in panic but you hurt one of the Deathscythes as well. What's the matter with you, Maka? You're not like this before. As one of your friends, I'm hurt that you didn't trust me enough to follow the plan. You hurt us all. Especially Soul."
Her head hung in her shoulders, ashamed. All his chastisement slapped her back to reality. She was acting selfishly not even considering about what the rest would feel. All that she focused on was getting stronger and catching up to her allies. But she forgotten that her true strength lies within her friends. That her sole reason for being strong was to protect them. "I'm sorry, Kidd. I'm really, really sorry. I've been selfish and stupid."
"That, I agree." He muttered but cannot stop his lips from curving upward.
"Don't worry, guys. I'll make it up to-" A sharp pain in her head caused her to drop the mirror and crumpled on the ground. It shattered into pieces, some of which have landed near her hand, reflecting her semiconscious state. Blood trickled from her head to her forehead. The inquisitive voice of a child was the last thing she heard before everything went black.
Cold. It was the first thing she registered after waking up. Her head throbbed with pain and she could the bile rising on her throat. A faint rustle echoed followed by clanging and an object shoved into her lap. Someone whispered in her ear that she may throw up in the bucket. Grateful yet confused, she managed to utter a feeble "Thank you," before her stomach emptied in the container. After she finished a firm hand landed on her shoulder while they wiped her mouth with a soft cloth. It didn't made sense. Why are they taking care of her?
'What happened to me? Where am I?' She swallowed the urge to groan in pain.
A delighted gasp reached her ears followed by a tinkling laughter and small footsteps. "She's awake? Great! Anissa, can you leave us for a minute? I just want to make sure she is your sister. Linda, escort her out."
"I hope that she is. I missed her so much." A small voice responded with sorrow while they walked away. Maka's heart ached for the child. She didn't had any sibling yet her chest constricted with sympathy.
She sensed someone approached her and the energy their soul was giving off sent a chill down her spine. A witch with insanity. The pain in her head receded slightly and she became more aware of her surroundings. Low murmurs filled the dead atmosphere.
"All of you may leave now." Series of footfalls echoed then slowly silence settled once again into the room.
Tidal wave of memories slammed into her mind. Everything came back to her. The mission, water of Lethe, mirror shattering and Soul. The scythe meister forced her eyes to open and face the witch. Blood dripped from her temple to her left eye, obscuring her vision.
"You must be wondering who am I. Well, let me introduce myself. I am the Witch Peisinoe Siren, distant cousin of the late Gorgon sisters and, as what my name suggest, a Temptress of Desires. Though, I suppose you already know." She met her look with a gentle smile on her lips. Her hair was only a shade darker than hers and the color of her eyes were forest green. If not for the giant wings on her back and the feathers that decorated her arms, they could easily be mistaken as a mother and child. It left her in shock. "Maka Albarn, maker of the famous Last Deathscythe. I've heard about you. I was about to visit your apartment in the Death City but luckily, you found me first. Truly remarkable and wise, I admit."
Maka glared at her. "What do you want?"
Peisinoe's smile widened at her defiance. "Ah, you also have a fire in your eyes. You really are like my darling Atarah. Say, would you like to be my daughter? We would rule the world, my little girl."
"I would rather be a castaway than become your child. But it's not like I have a choice anyway seeing that you would force me using the water from the River of Lethe." Her eyes were fixed on the small pouch hanging on the woman's hip. There was no mistaking it, madness was seeping from the small bag. "You're going to make me drink that."
It wasn't a question. They both knew what was going to happened. It's the memories that shaped a soul to whatever they are now. And without it, she would be like a soulless puppet until her entire being have been rewritten or rediscovered. Regret and sadness washed over her. She never got the chance to apologize to everyone.
"Yes. And I know that you will survive seeing that you have a strong soul. Soon enough, you will become my darling Atarah."
She reached out her soul in both desperation and hope. It was an act of foolishness she didn't know where he was but they connected anyway. The familiar warmth enveloped her gave comfort to the meister. He came for her. He came even if she left him selfishly. Soul fulfilled his promise that he will follow her everywhere. And somehow, she was happy despite the danger. Maka stared at Peisinoe's eyes calmly and returned the smile, hers however was mocking.
"No matter what you do. Even if you have fooled me to follow your command. I will never be your daughter. I am Maka Albarn and you can't change that fact with the water. You can make me forget who I am but you can't erase me from my friends. I am engraved in their hearts and soul. And they will do anything to make me remember. I have faith in them."
It struck a nerve in her. The witch screamed, forced her mouth to open and with a manic laughter, spilled all of the water in her throat. At least, Kidd would never worry about an army being raised anymore since all was used on her.
'Soul, Kidd, Liz, Patty, Black Star, Tsubaki, Papa, Mama, Professor Stein, Professor Marie, Blair, Kilik, Kim, Jacqueline, Ox, Harvard...' She kept on repeating the names of her loved one like a lifeline. 'Soul, Kidd, Liz, Patty, Black Star, Tsubaki, Papa… Soul, Kidd, Liz, Patty, Soul, Kidd.'
"Soul…" She spoke his name before it faded out like the rest of her memory. He'd save her. She believe in him.
