"Here." Nea handed a small bag into the palm of a waiting hand. The man who owned the hand – a man most would probably call a grim old sea-bear – weighed the purse suspiciously in his hand. He then pulled the cord, took a look inside and shoved the coins back and forth with one finger.

"And the rest?" The older man asked in a voice that clearly had already seen too much tobacco.

There was a lot of activity on the dock where they stood. Ships of all sizes were anchored here. Wine and alcohol stored in barrels passed by them, rolled up the ramps onto the ships. Crates of all kinds of provisions and goods were dragged to and from the land. Men, who after many weeks at sea, finally felt solid ground under their feet greeted their sweetheart exuberantly and the seagulls circled and croaked happily over the bustle. Always anxious to dust off some food.

"You get the rest when we reach the island," Nea replied. "As agreed."

The man did not look happy, but nodded. He then turned and called a boy who was no older than Nea - or Allen. The words where incomprehensible beyond the noise. He nodded and ran up to one of the larger ships.

Here at the docks were mainly larger merchant ships. Most ships also took passengers for a not very small surcharge. Nea had to ask three captains before he found someone who would take him onboard for an affordable price. And smaller ships didn't go that far out. Why did the european headquarters of the Black Order have to be on an island in the middle of nowhere?

The cabin boy came back with a piece of paper. He held out to Nea. Instead of taking the paper offered to him, Nea looked at his business partner puzzled.

"We take several people with us," said the old captain. "So, we know who paid for the trip, we hand these tickets out. That's your ticket, so to speak. Without that you don't have to show up here tomorrow."

Although Nea didn't like being ordered around by humans, he accepted the paper. He actually had no choice in this.

With the Ark under his control, the journey would have been a stone's throw. But hijacking the Ark now would only lead to unpredictable consequences. And Nea will definitely not swim. So he had to get a ride. Hopefully, this would turn out better than the last one.

"As discussed, we then drop you off with a dinghy on the island. We're leaving tomorrow with the first rays of sunshine. See that you are here, or ... "

"... the ship leaves without me. Understood. I'll be there."

The old captain nodded and scratched his head. "However, it is incomprehensible to me why anyone wants to go to this accursed island."

The cabin boy looked at Nea in surprise. "Really? You want to go over that scary rock? You have guts, Mister." The boy crossed his arms and nodded in approval. "For no money in the world, I would set foot on this damned island."

Cursed? That doesn't sound so good. On the other hand, I deal almost daily with the demons of Mana's ego. But still…

The captain struck the boy on the back of his head. The boy making an outraged cry of pain. "Don't talk like that."

"Sorry." The boy rubbed the back of his head. "But I'm right. With all the stories you hear," he said meekly.

"That doesn't matter!"

"If I may ask," Nea intervened, "but what about those stories?" Captain and cabin boy looked at each other in disbelief. "You don't know?"

Nea shook his head, "I'm not from here." But with everything he knew about the Order, Nea had a premonition.

The boy cocked his head but then began to talk with a serious expression on his face. "Then listen carefully, stranger. The island is also referred to as a portal to hell because anyone who wanted to go there was never seen again. And ships passing by at night hear the laughter of a mad scientist and see shadows that can only come from huge demons – ouch!"

The captain had hit him again. "Enough. Back to work with you! "Grumbling and with his hands on his head, the boy escaped up onto the ship.

"Just ignore him and his babble. These are just rumors."

But Nea had an idea what these rumors could be about. "Really? Other sailors whom I have told about my destination looked rather frightened."

"The young people these days have such a thriving imagination." He sighed. "But there is always a little truth hidden." The captain stared out to the sea. There, where Nea assumed was the Black Order. "Here in the city, it's a story told to young children. If you aren't good, then the black Grim Reapers will come and take you to the place of no return."

The man turned back to Nea. "It started a few years ago. At that time countless children disappeared. Never to be seen again. On the island there is an old, large tower. Ships that passed by at the time told of bloodcurdling screams and a green light. And the shadow of a giant creature. Of course, no one dared to go near the island. At some point it just stopped."

"And the laughter?"

"Has just come up recently. Instead of the screams, now and then a crazy laugh can be heard. But if you ask me, that's just the wind. Whenever laughter is reported, there are also strong gusts of winds."

"Is that so? Then it's good that I don't believe in ghosts or demons." Only in Akuma and a certain green stone that actually deserves this title in some manifestations.

If Nea only thought of the crazy eyes and the smile of this thing, he was getting sick. One close call with this being really sufficed him.

"It is better that way. As I said, only stories. Anyway, I have to get back to work. Be punctual if you don't wanna get left behind."

Nea waved after the man as he moved away.

No matter if it's thirty years, ten years or now, when the science department is involved, only scary stories can get around.

With the ticket in his hand Nea left the docks, stopped and looked over the harbor district. Then he crossed his arms over his chest and sighed. "And what shall I do until tomorrow morning?"

Act 2: The Opening Scene! Don't Let the Past Blind you!

Tim was asleep in one of Nea's coat pockets. Safe of predatory cats.

With his remaining money, Nea had bought some food at a small stall at the market and was now trudging through the city. Unlike other parasitic Innocence, Clown Crown was largely inactive from Nea's Dark Matter. So Nea didn't have to spend tons of money on food.

It was already late afternoon, and Nea was beginning to get tired of window shopping. He couldn't afford an inn. Even if he regretted only a few things, he nevertheless somehow missed the luxurious lifestyle of the past.

He walked past a darker side street. Suddenly a racket was heard from down there and a childlike voice began to roar loudly "Akuma!".

Nea stopped and looked a bit puzzled down the alley. He had a bad feeling about this and his feelings had often turned out to be true. Like with the last town with the overzealous policewoman.

He took a step back and turned around, only to be washed into the alley by a crowd of people, who then gathered in a circle around two people.

One was a big man. Probably a dock worker. He held a boy by the collar. The child wore an aviator's cap. On the cap sat a pair of glasses. He wore a dirty striped shirt and dark-colored shorts. Unusually were only the rollerblades on the outfit. It was rare that you saw any.

The still struggling boy's eyes fell on Nea's hand. Or rather on his gloves on which the symbol of the Order stood proudly. His eyes widened and he tried to move forward, but was drawn back.

The man smiled apologetically. "The boy just talks nonsense again and sees ghosts."

The same penetrating sadness and pain as with Mark. As with the other Akuma, too. The man holding the boy by the collar was clearly an Akuma.

The crowd looked questioningly at them, but after the first few saw the boy, there was a "That's just Jan" murmur followed by "Again?" from the people. Gradually, they turned away.

Nea also turned away, willing to follow the other passers-by out of the alley. No reason to interfere in things that don't concern him. The boy got himself in this mess alone. Let's see how he gets out of there alone. And if not ... well, that's what you call collateral damage.

"Mr. Exorcist!" Nea heard a moan and fast footsteps behind him, as something small ran into him and clawed at his coat. "Exorcist! Are you an exorcist? Help me!"

"Stay here, boy!"

A noise like tearing fabric filled the alley and a shadow settled over Nea and Jan. The Akuma lunged at them. But Nea had already summoned Clown Crown and cut the onrushing Akuma in two. Jan was flung aside by the following explosion.

Can't I have a day of piece for once?

Getting pulled into something again, which was none of his business, didn't fit into his travel plans.

"That was so cool! Is this an anti-Akuma weapon? "The boy came on his feet and stood in front of Nea excitedly.

"Why should I say that to a ten-year brat?" The Innocence regained its normal form. Nea stretched his fingers.

"I'm twelve!" Again, Jan spoke loudly.

"And if you were 25. I don't care."

"When I'm 25, I'll be the Vatican's best scientist, like my dad! I'll have invented a weapon that defeats Akuma in one shot."

"Sure, kid. That's what others have tried." One of them is still haunting me. Wait…!

"Your father?" Nea asked, looking right at the boy for the first time.

Jan rubbed his nose and grinned victoriously. "Now interested?"

Nea gave in to the conversation. He had nothing better to do anyway.

"My dad is a scientist for the Vatican. He's rarely at home, but I know all about the Akuma through his research papers." So that's the problem. Sloppy work.

"My friend Leo and I are patrolling the city looking for Akuma." He smiled proudly. "Oh, what's this?"

Jan had discovered Nea's ticket and pointed at it. Nea just looked at Jean and raised an eyebrow.

"That's another thing, doesn't..."

"... concern you, right," Nea finished the sentence. "Besides, you should stop chasing after Akuma. It's dangerous and you're only causing trouble for the local people." And, most importantly, to me!

Jan looked down. Nea couldn't see his expression. "Understand," he mumbled.

"Then yes, g ..."

"Here!"

Jan threw something that resembled an onion at Nea. He couldn't react. The onion exploded and gas spread.

"What the ..." Nea couldn't say anything else. He started to cough and his eyes were watering like crazy.

A hand went to the bag with the ticket. "I'll take that."

The steps ran away. "I will defeat the Akuma without you!"

If he had just thrown the brat at the Akuma!

"Where the hell is he? That's worse than the situation with the cat! ", Nea cursed. Nea had already searched everywhere and now looked around the outskirts of the city.

He only had until dawn to get his ticket back and it was almost midnight. And Nea could not afford a new one. In town, a drunk recently told him that the brat was living in a suburban property. He couldn't miss it. The bell was admittedly also pretty scary. As you would expect from a member of the Order.

A fat housekeeper opened the door. Nea was already afraid that she would complain about the late hour and lose precious time. But she asked in a neutral voice why he was here.

"I'm looking for Jan." Nea showed his glove. The housekeeper understood immediately. The antics of the young homeowner probably made rounds in the whole city.

"The young sir just went away with his friend."

Nea cursed inwardly, and at the same time the uncomfortable feeling returned. "His friend?" He asked tensely.

"Oh yeah. The young Mr. Leo is so depressed since the death of his mother. He hardly speaks any more. Young Mr. Jan tries to cheer him up."

Jan told Nea that he and his friend were looking for Akuma. And now Nea learned that this friend had recently lost a loved one. That couldn't be a coincidence.

"Where are those two headed?"

"The young Mr. Leo pulled Jan in the direction of the cemetery."

"Thanks." As the housekeeper finished talking, Nea ran. Through his hours of searching, he knew where to find the cemetery. He had to hurry if he wanted to reach Jan before Mana. Why did Nea always have to meet people who wanted to mess with him.

If he loses the boy, then his ticket is also lost!

Nea was not too late.

Leo stood with his back to the cemetery gate and Jan strutted a little further to a tombstone. There was no sign of Mana yet, but that was only a matter of time. Also, it wouldn't be long before the Akuma made himself known.

"This isn't your friend."

Nea stood between Jan and Leo. He kept his eyes on the Akuma. No time! No time! Nea felt an almost black presence approaching them. And that was definitely not an Akuma.

"We have to get out of here. Immediately!"

"What are you talking about? This is my best friend Leo."

"This is an Akuma! Your friend is dead!" Now Nea turned his head slightly to Jan, who took the moment to run past Nea and protectively stand up before Leo.

"Leo is not an Akuma!", Jan shouted and if the situation were not so fierce, Nea might even admire this loyalty.

And then, what Nea had feared happened. With a tearing sound the Akuma left his human shell. Half of his gun barrels were directed at Jan, who looked anxiously behind him.

"L-Leo?"

And it got worse. Coming down from the sky, hanging from a pink umbrella, the Millennium Earl descended. Even if the costume wasn't new, the umbrella definitely was.

"Well, look who we have here. An exorcist and a little chatterbox. "The earl closed the umbrella and leaned it against his shoulder.

"Konbanwa."

Too late! Crap!

Nea got Clown Crown ready for activation. The power of the Innocence would cover up Nea's Dark Matter. That was no problem with Akuma. They weren't sensitive enough. But Noah played in a completely different league. Nea couldn't use Crown Clown's sword form either now.

What his brother planed for the further course of this night was easy to guess. And if it hadn't been for his ticket, Nea would've gone to another district. He carefully put a hand behind his back and began to paint strange glowing signs in the air.

"What have you done to Leo?" Jan was still held captive by the Akuma, but showed courage for his friend's fate.

"Me?" The earl pointed innocently at himself. "I did not do anything. I only reunited Leo with his mother."

"You killed him!"

"I fulfilled Leo's heart's desire. Just look at his pain. And then you come and tell everyone that I'm a liar. That really hurt me." The earl's innocent and amused-looking face darkened and disappeared covered with hatred. "That's why I cannot stand you. And everything that I cannot stand will be erased from the face of this world."

That was the command for the Akuma to fire and for Nea to ran forward. From a distance, Nea would never have reached Jan on time. But that was exactly what he had prepared for.

As the Akuma bullets bounced against the magical shield, a smoke screen was created. Mana wouldn't have noticed the sign, so Nea hoped. He had it as close as possible to Jan. He activated Clown Crown's claw and made short work of the Akuma. It exploded and whirled the fog away.

In a fluid motion, Nea grabbed Jan's arm and threw him into the bushes at the exit of the cemetery, attacking Mana with a quick beating heart in his chest. He managed to block Nea's attack with his umbrella. Their eyes met for a fraction of a second before they parted.

The earl tilted his head into a questioning position and took a deep laugh. "Impetuous and yet with a head. What an exorcist you are. You remind me of ... " The laughter died. For the first time that night, Mana looked closely at Nea. "Who are you again?"

"I am ... you are ..." Mana couldn't suspect him. But what should Nea say? Every time he imagined this situation, how he faced Mana. He had never doubted. He had sacrificed too much.

And now Nea was right here - on the other side of the field, his brother - and could not utter a single word. Instead, his heart was thumping. Nea became dizzy and he had to close his eyes. Only one question rattled in Nea's head: What are you to me?

"Do you hate me, Nea?"

Only once, had Nea felt this way. Back when he... He was so sure about the answer back then.

You are…

... your smile ... my brother ...

... your orders ... my boss ...

... your past ... my other half ...

... your goal ...

"... my enemy," Nea whispered. He opened his eyes. Blown away was the doubt and the hesitation. Allen once told him that the answers to the questions about one's self, actually already lurked around. "I am your enemy, Millennium Earl!"

The earl looked confused. As if someone had deviated from his script. "My…enemy ...?"

Nea went into fighting stance. Only from Mana's posture and pitch he couldn't foresee his next move like before. But turning his back on Mana now would be deadly.

"Well then, my young exorcist." Instead of attacking, the umbrella opened again. "I still have much to do, and the root of my anger isn't here anymore. It's time to say goodbye. "But don't worry. The curtain for the next act will open soon. Until then."

Mana disappeared into the sky. Presumably, there was an Ark gate up there. Nea deactivated Crown Clown again, relieved that Mana didn't notice anything. But also full of new determination.

Jan has managed to work his way out of the bushes. Man, I wanted to try my new weapons." Still, Jan looked pretty happy about being alive.

Nea had had enough of that. Menacingly, he builds up before Jan. "You better don't mean that." His gaze was on the paper that stood out of Jan's pocket. "And that's mine."

He pocketed the ticket and made his way to the gate. So much trouble for a snippet of paper.

"I'll fight, too! Do you hear me?" Jan yelled after Nea and fell out of the bush. "I'm going to fight against the earl as well! Just you wait until I catch up with you!"

Nea didn't look back, but stopped at the gate to the graveyard. The first rays of sunlight began to show. Just like the time.

"I will also help to bring down this count ... this ... this stage manager!"

Really. Why do I always have to meet such humans? Nevertheless, a smile formed on Nea's lips.

Nea would have liked to hug and kiss the ground like a long-forgotten love. But he was content to support himself with his arms on his knees trying not to fall over. How he hated cruising.

"If you get seasick so easily, you shouldn't have taken a boat." Behind him, the boy who had told him about the rumors sat in a dinghy, ready to return to the ship. He had driven him the last few meters to his destination, because the big ship couldn't get so close to land.

"I had no choice!"

Nea straightened up again. His stomach calmed down and the world stopped spinning. Tim had left early on at the start of the short drive to the island. Nea was sure that his little friend was safe.

"I think you're still crazy about wanting to go here."

"That's none of your business," Nea grumbled.

The boy just shrugged his shoulders and set off. Nea stretched, then turned and looked up. A few hundred meters above him he saw the top of the organization building. The cliff looked pretty steep.

"Let's go! Let's climb up! I'm so excited! "Little Allen shouted to his left.

"I would be the only one who has to climb here! No way!", Nea said.

"You know, there's a staircase on the other side," remarked the tall Allen from behind them.

Little Allen looked at his older version questioningly. "And how do you know that, four-eyes?"

Nea didn't know why, but the ghosts of the two Allens seemed to be completely separate. No one had the other's memories and yet they shared the same soul. It must have something to do with the fact that Allen was a child when Nea woke up. He still didn't have the faintest idea why that was. And neither the little nor the big Allen remembered anything. Although his friend always hinted at a theory he didn't want to share.

His old friend bent down to the smaller one. "You know that you've just insulted yourself?" With that a tirade of abuse began.

Nea had gotten used to them after the years. He ignores them and looks for a way around the cliff. The others followed him. The one cursing, the other amused.

"But to answer your question," the big Allen interrupted the curses, "I know the way, because this place has not even remotely changed." For the first time in a long while, his view wasn't here in this time period.

Mini-Allen snorted contemptuously. "Then cry about your great past. Look if I care." He vanished in to thin air.

By now they had arrived at a hidden dock and were standing in front of a very long staircase. From here they could also see the headquarters of the Black Order. No wonder that gruesome rumors arise at this sight. Less inconspicuous didn't do, right.

Nea and Allen made their way upstairs. Allen looked around again and muttered something to himself.

"You know he's right, right?" Nea asked. "You should let the past be the past. No one you once knew is still here."

Allen shrugged. "Who knows. Many of them were pretty tough. A fact you should know, Nea. Besides, I'm not the only one here who still clings to the past. After all, I didn't get resurrected from the grave ... well, at least not from a technical standpoint."

Nea grinned at his old friend. "That's because the game isn't over yet."

"Which game?" Allen asked condescendingly. "In chess, a five-year-old defeats you and you suck at poker."

Nea sensed the return of the tick to his eye. "If you're the five-year-old, that's no wonder. Besides, this game is about more than a few coins." They had almost reached the bottom of the stairs. "After all, fate is the game we're playing."

"How cheesy."

They stopped in front of a big gate. The gate had a bleak face.

A golem?

There were some odd doors and rooms in the ark, but Nea had never met a door golem yet. Not really knowing what to do, he slowly raised his hand. "Um ... hello?"

"He is responsible for ensuring that no Akuma comes in here," came a surprisingly helpful comment from the side.

The golem's eyes began to move toward him. They brightened until they finally threw a ray of light on Nea. The light didn't hurt. The golem started whispering to himself. "Cannot be ... a mistake ... this aura ..."

This went on for a few minutes and gradually Nea became impatient. "What's that all about, Al...len?" Nea looked around to all sides, but Allen was gone. Instead, the golem looked at him frightened now.

"What are you doing there? Who are you talking to? Your aura! You certainly receive orders from him! Orders to destroy me! "The eyes of the golem mirrored red " x ".

"What?" Cross did not warn me about a paranoid door.

And then it screamed. "He is a mistake! This dark aura! He is a helper of the earl! An Akuma! Help!"

Nea raised his hands defensively. "No. I definitely am not one of his helpers or an Aku ..."

"Akuma! Help me! The enemy is here!"

"I am the pupil of General Cross. He sent a letter to a certain Komui. I am ..." Nea tried to explain.

"Help! He will kill me! He will ..."

"Shut up!" Nea grabbed the golem by the jaw and pulled it down with all his might, so even the gates gave way slightly. At some point all patience came to an end.

From behind!

Nea could just bend over in time. A sword blade pierced the golem's nose just millimeters above his head. Everyone present was too surprised to respond.

Then the golem started wailing and crying.

His attacker had long blue hair tied to a high ponytail. He wore the black uniform of an exorcist. He could hardly be older than Nea. The boy took a few steps back and looked challengingly at him.

Nea could only blink. Then he took a deep breath. "Say, are you insane! You really wanted to cut me in half! If you want to kill someone maliciously then you should at least have the courtesy to introduce yourself!"

"Tz." Ponytail raised his sword and assumed a fighting stance. "You're worse than the wailing door." He was already running towards Nea, ready to cut him to pieces. Just before the sword could make Nea a head shorter, he activated Clown Crown. A white cloak enveloped him. Nea gripped the blade with the black claw of the Innocence and grabbed it tight without hurting himself.

Surprised, the sword was pulled back, but Nea didn't let go. Instead, he tightened his grip, releasing more and more power through Crown Clown. Nea looked at the sword as if possessed.

Innocence! This is Innocence! ... Destroy it! ... No!

The decision was taken from Nea, as something fell down on them from above and both fighters were hurled apart. In a small crater stood a green-haired girl with high pigtails. She also wore the exorcist's uniform. Her Innocence were the unmissable boots.

"That's enough! Both of you!" She shouted at them. "He's telling the truth, Kanda. This is General Cross student." But Kanda only had eyes for his weapon.

The Innocene sword had gotten fine cracks. The Asian stared at him shocked, then furious. Blame yourself. If the guy doesn't hold back, then also Nea didn't have to. And if the Innocence breaks apart... what can you do. Accidents happen.

Kanda took a step toward Nea.

"Kanda."

"He damaged Mugen."

"Kanda!"

The exorcist looked barely controlled. He gave Nea another venomous look before he went to the gates. What a bad loser.

The gates opened. Nea saw a flash of gold in the darkness. The girl with the pigtails turned to him and gave Nea a friendly smile. "By the way, my name is Lenalee Lee. Welcome to the European Headquarters of the Black Order."

A sickly and modest wife, a white dog, a beautiful garden and a lovely sweet daughter. Like this, Sheryl has described his perfect life about four hundred and eighty-five times to Mana. And no matter how many times the head of the Noah family told Sheryl how fleeting people are, how often Tyki has turned a blind eye to his brother's speeches, how often Road has broken a quarrel over homework, or how often the twins made fun of the minister. The fourth apostle will probably continue to do so for eternity.

That was probably the reason why a pale, blond-haired woman was sitting opposite a dark-haired man of about the same age, with a monocle and a big hat, on a wide terrace that belonged to a splendid estate on this sunny Saturday morning. Between them a white wooden table on which stood a noble decanter and two cups full of tea.

"... and then Earl Elgin - Earl Ramsay was absolutely jealous - said ..." Coughing interrupted the soft voice. The woman raised a hand over her mouth and turned away from her interlocutor.

Mana held out a cloth, which she gratefully accepted and wiped her hands and mouth. "Do not strain yourself, Tricia."

"It's alright, my Lord." Tricia made a deviant gesture. "Sitting outside, drinking tea and talking to me after all this time in my bed is good."

Mana stared down at his tea. Then he reached for the sugar cubes and took two with the help of the pliers. He waved the cup slightly back and forth. Out of the corner of his eye he looked at Tricia.

Sheryl's picture-book wife was sick and modest, as he described. He didn't know exactly what she had, but it would take her to an early grave. Mana had decided to treat her every now and then before she would later be a much greater benefit. Which doesn't mean that he didn't find their conversations entertaining.

"This tea is really excellent. A fruity aroma."

"Certainly. It is imported from the colonies in Africa."

"Is that so." Three more sugar cubes fell into the tea.

Another coughing spell shook Tricia. It only took a few seconds for it to stop, but the mistress of the house looked even paler afterwards than before.

"You better get some rest, Tricia."

Tricia nodded and tried to smile. "Excuse me, Lord Campbell. It would be better if I retire until Sheryl comes home later from the meeting." She stood up and bowed slightly. Please make yourself at home."

"Try to relax a bit." Mana waved goodbye. When she retreated to the house, Mana sank down against the back of his chair. The appearance of a middle-aged nobleman first flickered and then disappeared completely. Now there was a young man just in his early twenties with dark long hair tied in a loose ponytail.

In fact, Mana was three people, which didn't mean he had a split personality. But for his plans, the roles he played were crucial.

There was his true form. Mana D. Campbell, seemingly frozen in time at the age of twenty. The patriarch of the Noah family. A powerful magician.

Furthermore, his goblin-like costume, with which he appears as the Millennium Earl. Feared by the Black Order. The creator of the Akuma and what the least knew, the Skull.

Then there would be his appearance as Lord Campell. The exterior was just an illusion, but everything else was real. Rich, powerful and influential. The name alone gave Mana access to so many exquisite circles. It was only right that he took the name. After all, he was the older of the two brothers. True, that was tecknical not true, but Mana had always considered himself an older brother and took his role very seriously.

He dropped two more sugar cubes into the tea and stirred it. Then he looked at the chair to his right. It was empty. This is where his little brother was supposed to sit, make fun of the inferior humans and make plans with Mana. That's how it was then and that's how it was supposed to be now.

The cup got a crack under Mana's firm grip. Before it could shatter completely, Mana loosened his fingers. Then he finished the tea.

"Wow," came a voice to his left. "You really drank that."

Road leaned over the arm of his chair and looked at him amused. She was also dressed for the location with a hair band, which tamed her otherwise wild hair and a dress made of the finest fabrics.

"Road," Mana acknowledged the presence of the currently second oldest member of the Noah family. Road, Noah's dream. Despite her childlike appearance, she was one of the most frightening Noah.

"How was school?"

"Totally boring." Road sighed and sank dramatically to the floor next to his chair where she leaned against. If Sheryl were here, he would have a lot to say about manners. "I have to do a lot of homework by tomorrow." She grinned up at him.

Mana smiled. Roads homework kept all members at a table for a longer time than a meal could ever have. Even if she was old enough to know all the answers herself. Mana enjoyed the time with his family. "Then we'll have to put up a night shift again."

"Do you think Tyki helps?"

"Certainly."

Both were silent for a while and enjoyed the view over the large garden. But Road had long since realized that something unsaid was in the air. Nevertheless, she remained silent and remained seated.

"I felt him, Road. Stronger than before."

Road's eyes widened slightly and she looked up at Mana. "For sure?"

Mana nodded, but didn't look at her. "Certainly. Before that, I was not sure if I was imagining or if it was just wishful thinking, but now I know it for sure."

"After all the years of waiting and searching," Road whispered in shock.

After all the years that Mana has been searching as Lord Campbell. After all the years he was searching for as a wandering clown, when he realized that Nea would probably not come back to his family willingly. All this was over now.

Barely ten years have passed since Mana first felt Nea's presence since the tragedy. And then ran out into the world to look for his brother. He had met many interesting people - one of them a boy with a loose mouth, who reminded him of someone - but he had never found his brother. So the years passed, without knowing whether Nea was really back or not. But now…

Road looked sadly to the ground, recalling times long past. "Nea has always been good at hiding." She smiled nostalgically. "He even made it an art to avoid you."

"It does not matter where Nea is or how he thinks he can hide. There is no place in this world where I will not find him."

"The family sticks together," whispered Road. Mana nodded in agreement.

But Nea just had to rebel against the family - against his own brother, his other half. Mana still didn't know why Nea had done it. But that didn't matter. There is nothing more important than the family and their mission. Brothers forgave each other. And if one got off road, the other was there to lead him back on the right path.

And now that Mana could feel his presence again. Now that Mana knew that Nea was walking on this world again ...

"We'll see each other very soon, little brother."