His
It became a habit for him. Every night before he slept and every morning as soon as he woke up, Soul played her song in the Black Room over and over again. He didn't know why. Maybe he kept on hoping that she would reach out just like she always did. Like the day before their connection snapped like a taut rubber. So, it left him dumbfounded when she did came to the Black Room. At first, he thought the demon played tricks on him but when she spoke, embarrassment visible in both her expression and voice, he knew she was real.
As ecstatic as he was to see her, something bothered him. As they stood in the Black Room, another presence hovered outside the door, uncertain. Nothing could enter the room in his soul except for him, and Maka during Soul Resonance. Even if they resonate as a group, the others can't even see the entrance to the room. So, it would be impossible for a stranger to get into his soul without any connection with him. He would've brushed it off as mere paranoia except, he felt the strange presence bound to Maka.
He forced it out of the Black Room. But the moment he did, Maka's appearance flickered and her soul got sucked out of the room too. Like the other soul got stitched to Maka and they couldn't go anywhere without each other. However, it wouldn't be possible unless someone like Professor Stein performed a surgery on her. Whatever the case, he needed to see Kidd to report.
Not even a second after he dialed, the bathroom mirror's surface rippled and Kidd's tired face greeted him. "What's the matter?"
"Hey, Kidd. Sorry to call you this late but I need to tell you something." Soul ran a hand through his hair. "Maka came in the Black Room. She… she can't remember me or even herself. You were right."
All traces of exhaustion disappeared from the Shinigami. His golden orbs flashed dangerously under the dim light of his bathroom. "I was hoping that I was wrong. But when her Soul Trace vanished… I knew that she didn't died. She must been forced to drink that death forsaken water. Peisinoe… I can't believe she would actually kidnap a Shibusen student. Not to mention, a friend of mine. She will pay for this. Don't worry, Soul. The Coven and I will hunt her down. I just hope, Maka won't end up like the others."
"You saw the other victims?"
"Yes, Soul. They're so pitiful. All of their memories were wiped out. It's like they turned back to being a newborn. The Researchers along with Stein are doing their best to find a way to reverse the effects of the water."
He sucked in a sharp breath. It would take a long time before it happen. "Maka seems the same, her attitude and the way she speak but her identity and everyone she knew was wiped out from her memory."
"It must be her anti-demon wavelength." Kidd replied with certainty and slight relief. "I could recall her muttering that the water was a concentrated madness. If that's the case, then we could use her to testify against the Witch so that the Coven could decide her punishment-"
"That might be a problem, Kidd." He interrupted. "She probably won't cooperate with us. They made her believe that Peisinoe is her mother. She got angry when I mentioned that I will kill the Witch."
"Peisinoe was a Siren. A Temptress of Desire. She must have brainwashed her after making her drink the water. It would be a great opportunity to her because if one lost something, the desire to have it back is great. She took advantage of Maka's vulnerable situation and gave her the memories that she desired. Look, Soul. I really want to continue our talk but Professor Stein is calling me. Don't get me wrong, Maka is one of the most important friend that's why, I need to answer him now. I sent an order to him and Deathscythe Marie to travel to Italy as soon as possible."
Soul nodded his head in understanding, "Oh, and one last question, Kidd."
"What is it?"
"Do you think, it's possible to… like… stitch two souls together or something?"
Kidd raised a skeptical eyebrow. "You mean like, Crona and Ragnarok?"
"No. They have their souls inside their own bodies. Ragnarok is in weapon form when he was melted and placed inside Crona's body. So, his soul and Crona's wasn't fused. What I meant was, is it possible to have two souls inside a body without any weapon involved?"
"I suppose that makes sense. While it is uncommon, it is not unheard of. The Witches have that result after few some experiments. Although, it is forbidden now." The Shinigami gave her a measuring look. "Why did you ask?"
Soul slipped on a mask of indifference, careful not to give away anything. "Nothing in particular. I just thought it would be useful since Peisinoe knew how to experiment with souls and bodies. Just like Medusa. But instead of using her own child, she kidnaps others."
"That's a possibility. I'll research about it. Also, don't forget to report whenever you find something. I'll be expecting you."
"Got it." He replied as the mirror rippled back to normal. It's almost five in the morning. There's no point going back to sleep.
'Well, since I'm already inside the bathroom, might as well clean up and get ready for the day.'
Soul opened his door only to be surprised by Ivelle. She stood there, her skin took an ashen shade with lips trembling. He frowned then immediately dropped on his knees and stared at her red-rimmed eyes. "What's the matter, Ivelle?"
Instead of answering, she threw her small arms around his shoulders then cried. "N-Nana… hit her head… I just want to-to reach the cookie jar on the c-counter so I dragged the chair. B-bu-but it fell. It was supposed to be me. But Nana… she saw it and covered me. I'm sorry! I-I'm sorry!" Ivelle stuttered between sobs.
"It's not your fault," he rubbed her back, assuring her. "Where is she? Can you tell me where Nana is so that we could help her?"
"She's… in t-the kitchen. There was blood and she won't wake up... Uncle Soul, she won't follow my parents to the heaven, will she?" Her question crushed his heart.
"No, of course not." He lifted her in his arms then half-walked, half-ran, to the kitchen. Sid and Nygus was already there, thankfully. The woman was performing first aid while Sid lifted the chair off of Rose's body.
"Sid, Nygus! Thank Death, you're here. How is she?"
They glanced at the child then to him, understanding passing between the three of them. Sid replied, "She's fine. Just sleeping. I think, she haven't got enough sleep last night."
"We'll take her to the hospital so that the doctors could give her medication to help her sleep soundly." Nygus told them while cleaning the blood.
Ivelle relaxed in his arms. "Nana is alright?"
"Yes, in fact. She will wake up after a few minutes." The blue-skinned man smiled at her. "You don't mind if we take her to the hospital, right?"
She shook her head in reply. "Can we go too?"
"I'm sorry, sweetie. But if you go with us, who'll accompany Soul here?" The woman shot him a look. "Just let us handle your Nana, okay?"
"But-" She stared at Soul with pleading eyes. "Can we go with them?"
"I'm sorry, Ivelle. We have to stay here." He told her then seeing the tears forming in her eyes again, added. "What if we just visit your Nana later? We'll bring her the foods she liked so that she'll be happy when she woke up."
When the couple went with the ambulance, they were left staring at the vehicle on the porch. Soul knew Rose's situation would be worse because of her age but he hoped she could get through it. If the former Spartoi arrived for the mission, he'd ask Kim to heal her in exchange for some cash.
"Shall we go to the Market, Uncle Soul? I got here Nana's favorites." Ivelle tugged at his shirt, a small crumpled paper in hand. "I was saving some money to buy something she liked for her birthday next week but I want her to be happy when she wake up."
"Don't worry. She will love anything you give her." He smiled then ruffled her hair. "Let's get some jackets and we'll go, okay?"
"Okay!"
Moments later, they stopped at the Market. He parked to the nearest lot and turned off his motorcycle. The place bustled with eager crowds. Kiosks took up almost all of the area. Vendors chatted animatedly to passing people, convincing them to buy their products. Friends laughed at something they said while picking out fresh fruits.
He fought the urge to go back to the apartment. They're here for a reason and he wouldn't back down on his word just because of his social anxiety. It would be so uncool.
"Okay, Ivelle. Can you show me what your Nana want?" Soul hoisted her to his arms.
"It's too many and too expensive. I can't buy it all!" She stared at her list then at the stalls.
He chuckled at his exclamation. "Don't worry. I could. Just tell me what she wanted."
"Um… I saw her admiring the hairpins in one of the shop so I wrote, hair accessories. There's also a time when she was looking at the rich lady's dress with a sad smile on her face. I thought she wanted to wear one so I added it. And necklace, bracelets, a staff for support?"
"Whoa… Slow down. Let's just look at the stalls and see if they have something your Nana like, okay?"
They browse about twenty stalls without any luck. Most of the items had fake glitters all over it, gaudy designs and fake jewels that wouldn't fit Rose's character. As they searched for which booth to go, one shop caught his attention. It sold a collection of vintage things.
He asked the seller for a pin and necklace and he came back with a set. Unlike the previous ones, it had real stones embedded in the accessories. Ivelle pointed a particular pin with an awed expression. It had rubies arranged in the shape of rose with emeralds underneath it that served as leaves. A necklace with the same design laid beside it. Its gold chain glinted in the afternoon sun.
"We'll take these." He gave it to the seller along with another necklace and two rings. The lady smiled then packed their items as he handed her assistant the money. "Thanks. Keep the change."
They went back to his motorcycle, satisfied by what they bought, judging from the way Ivelle hummed under her breath. She helped him hid the items under the leather seat but just as they closed it, someone stumbled at the vehicle in front of them. Their cloak hid their face from view. They stretched out their arms as if reaching for them before they slumped forward.
Soul managed to catch them without letting go of Ivelle. Their face fell in the crook of his neck while the rest of their body was supported by his weight. He laid the girl in the motorcycle with care then turned to the stranger to inspect what was wrong. His breath left his lungs when he removed the hood. Dirty blonde hair and pale complexion flushed from the heat. Her eyes fluttered open and stared up at him.
"Hide us from Mother, Soul."
