So, I'm back with yet another chapter, and we are now in Barcelona! Yeah, death and suffering!
...
Anyway, thanks to Chimera-Dragon for your reviews, I really appreciate it!
Answer: Well, it would be a spoiler, so I won't tell. However, here are two hints:
- It's memories
- It's not her memories, per se.
Ah ah, I feel evil to leave it at that, but hell.
Enjoy!
When we finally reached the city, I left the group to contact Komui.
"Hey, Ary"
"Where's the Boss?" I asked Reever curiously.
"Doing his paperwork, for once. He told me to warn you that Barcelona is about to be attacked, and asks of you to defend the city as much as you can. Kanda, Marie and Daisya are on their way too and should be there soon, and Allen and Lenalee are trying to catch up too"
"Roger that" I nodded. "And I swear, if you ask me to be careful, I'm going to break something"
He laughed a little.
"Fine, fine, I won't say it. Don't get killed, though. It'd be a drag to find a new Exorcist right now"
"I feel your love" I drawled. "Anyway, I'll contact once everything is done here. Later!"
"Later"
Leaving the phone, I went toward what seemed like the main tent. As I approached, I could hear from the Finders around that they really needed help as soon as possible, because of the oncoming attack. I entered the tent, but no one saw me.
"Isn't there anyone who can get over here?" asked a man who was like, four times taller than me.
"Do I count?" I asked, raising my hand.
Surprised, he looked at me, before his eyes pinned on the crossed rose on my chest.
"Lady Exorcist!" he realized with palpable relief.
"I was asked to help out with the defense of the city" I informed. "Other Exorcists are heading our way to help out too, but I don't know if they'll make it in time so for now, you'll have to settle with me"
"We're grateful for any help we can get" he assured.
"As for the port, we can go there" proposed Devon, who was sitting farther away. "I am Devon, from the German contingent"
"Oh, you're the team that joined sooner, right? Well then, Mister Devon, you're in charge of the port"
"On it"
He walked outside and patted my head, before walking away to gather his men.
"What can I do to help?" I asked.
"We're currently preparing for the attack, and seeing as you'll act as solo offensive, I don't think you can help out with much, except maybe cheering our men up a little. Having an Exorcist on our side is always somewhat reassuring" he informed.
"Do you think I have time to take a tour in the city?" I asked, having an idea.
"A few hours, I'd say" he informed.
"I'll be back soon, then" I nodded and walked away.
I went deeper into the city as the gates were closing, spotting the best hiding spots around while I was at it. If the number of Akumas was as great as they said, I wouldn't be able to always stay in the open.
After a few minutes, I reached an apple stale where an old lady was packing her things.
"Hello, ma'am!" I greeted kindly. "How much for, let's say, all your apples?"
"All of them?" she repeated, more surprise by the unusual command than anything else.
"Yeah"
"Well, seeing as the city is currently under some sort of lockdown, I was closing shop" she said. "So let's say twenty for all of them?"
"Thirty and I accept"
Her eyes bulged out at that, and I laughed a little while getting my money.
"If I don't pay at least that much for so many apples, I'll feel bad, so it's more for me than for you" she chuckled at that and gratefully tossed the money in her pockets.
"I'll put everything in some baskets" she proposed.
"Thank you"
As I helped out, a presence made itself known next to me.
"These look delicious! I'll take one of those apples, please!"
I glanced at the man next to me while the poor woman stuttered our apologies.
"The lady here already paid for all of them, good sir, and I…"
"It's fine, he can take a few" I assured, handing some over to the gentleman.
"All of them?" he repeated, shooting me a curious look.
"It's for some friends" I shrugged, finishing to put everything in the baskets. "Cheering them up before tonight and all"
"Thank you anyway" he said, putting his apples in his hat. "I'm heading off on quite a long journey, so…"
"Journey? But where are you going to hide?" asked the old lady, worried.
"What do you mean?" he asked back, confused.
"The whole city is on lockdown right now" I informed. "There's about to be some… trouble, around these parts. I'd suggest you quickly find a hideout before everything blow out of proportions"
"You seem well informed for such a young lady" he casually remarked.
"I ain't a lady" I waved it off, balancing the baskets on my arms. "But if you really want to know, well… let's just say that I'll be stuck in the middle of it all, so I really need to be informed"
He nodded, and I lifted everything up at once. For a moment, I was about to loose my balance, but he caught me before I even begin to fall.
"Thank you" I beamed at him. "Have a good night ma'am, sir"
I started walking away, balancing the weights of all the full baskets on my arms.
"Wait! What is your name?"
"Uh?" I titled my head his way. "I'm Aryane, Aryane Darkelston. And you?"
"Tyki Mikk" he bowed, then straightened back with a smile. "Hope our paths cross again, Milady!"
I snorted at the title, but simply smiled at him before heading back to the base camp.
Distributing my apples all around, I was suddenly glad I bought the whole cart. We were way more than what I imagined, and felt bad when I ran out of fruits to give. The Finders simply laughed and said that me being here was more reassuring than eating apples.
Then, everyone was gathered in the middle of the place. The leader that I had talked too sooner received a note and sighed heavily, before turning to all of us.
"The Akuma's arrival is close at hand" he announced. "Unfortunately, we still can't find Tiedoll Marshall, but we must hold back the enemy for the sake of the city's population"
Everyone straightened at his words and, once again, I couldn't help but admire their courage.
"The Order is sending up Exorcists to meet up with the Marshall, and we already have one present! If we can just hold them off long enough for them to reach us, than we'll get through this!"
Wow, no pressure at all.
"All shield-bearers are to head for the southernmost gate. Other units stand by at your designated positions!"
"Hai!"
As they were about to scatter, I bit my lower lip, before gathering my courage.
"Wait!"
Surprised to hear me, they stopped in their tracks to look at me, and I gulped at the sudden attention. I was never good at speeches, but I had to do this.
"I… I may be an Exorcist, but I am no God" I announced, my voice wavering a little. "I can't promise to save everyone. I can't promise to protect each and any of you. Hell, I can't promise that I'll survive tonight either. However, I can promise that no matter what, if I have to give up my life to this battle, then I will gladly die by your sides! The sides of the bravest men who have ever walked this earth, the sides of friends and comrades, and the sides of those who have earn my utmost respect! So please, don't give up, no matter what happens!"
Silence befall upon us, before I found myself in an embrace. Surprised, I looked up to see Devon. Then, in a sudden need, I hugged him back tightly.
"Such a burden to place on such a young one's shoulders…" he muttered.
"There's no age for the worth" I retorted quietly. "Don't you dare die, Devon-san. I mean it"
"I'll do my best" he chuckled. "Same to you"
"Please, I won't go down that easily" I pulled away with a grin.
"I know you won't" he smiled back, patting my head.
Suddenly, anther hand fall on my shoulder, and I looked behind to see another Finder, who was smiling at me too. The rest were wearing the same expressions behind, all smiling as if no one was going to die, and my heart missed a beat.
I would save as much as I could, no matter the price to pay.
And if I had to die? Well, I'd go out with a bang.
On top of the wall, I gazed at the approaching forms.
"Here they come!" yelled the commander.
I took a deep breath and clenched my fists, waiting for the signal.
"Now!"
The shields went up, and I activated Angel, elevating myself between the wall and the weapons.
"May the Force be with me" I grunted. "Feathered Blades!"
It was going to be a long night.
Even though I destroyed as much as I could with the help of the Finders –trapping them in the shields-, I couldn't be everywhere at a time, and I was starting to tire. We already lost a lot of our men by a surprise attack when they passed under the walls to get inside, and I was flying in and out while trying to destroy as much as I could with one go. However, I've already been shot twice and if it hadn't been for my healing abilities, I'd already be dead. The problem is that even if the poison couldn't fully affect me, my Innocence didn't have the time to nullify it's effects completely while I fought, meaning my attacks were getting weaker and weaker each time.
Each faction was falling one after the other, no matter how many ennemy I destroyed though, and I was starting to despair that help wouldn't make it in time.
There was a scream, and I slashed through the Akuma that was about to kill the young man. Posing next to him, I cringed a little when some of my feathers fall on the ground in a 'CLANG', rotten by the poison.
"Lady Exorcist, you should fall back to gain back some strength" frowned the one I just saved.
"And let you all fight by yourself? Kill me now if I flee the battlefield like a coward" I scoffed. "I'd rather die here with everyone rather than survive with the shame of abandon. Now get to cover! Without your shield projector, you won't be much use"
"Hai!"
He saluted, and ran into an alley. Sighing, I glanced back up at the sky that was buzzing with invaders.
"Here we go again" I muttered, before flying back into battle.
As I flew above the port in search of survivors from the defeated units, my eyes landed on a gathering of Akumas on the decks. My eyes narrowed when I realized it was Devon with another Finder.
"Spin Rocket!"
Piercing through one enemy after the other, I managed to destroy more than half of them, before landing between them and the two man.
"A-Aryane!" recognized Devon.
"You two alright?" I asked, searching a way out of the mess I had just gotten into.
Because of course, another group had decided to join the one I just decimated. Understanding and dread settled at the same time in my guts, but now was far from the time to hesitate. An idea however popped in my head. I turned to the two Finders.
"Gentlemen, I'm not sure if I'm getting out of this one, but you better survive to tell my tales" I beamed at them.
Then, I spread my wings despite their protests and closed them around us to protect them from the shots.
There were lots of explosions as I gritted my teeth, waiting for the blow, but nothing even scratched my wings.
"Hey, Ary! Fancy seeing you here!"
My heart missed a beat as relief washed over me.
I had been ready to die but, in way, I really couldn't bare the thought.
"Daisy-chan!" I flew to him as he caught his ball.
"Stop calling me that!" he whined.
"Never" I grinned viciously. "About time you joined to fun, though. I was starting to be bored, all alone up there"
"Right, not like you were about to be blasted away or anything" he drawled. "But no matter. I bet I can get more than you, Ary-chan"
"Think you can keep up with my awesomeness?" I scoffed. "Plus, I already have a head start"
"I'll still beat you" he smirked.
"You're on. I'll escort these two back to the meeting point on my way, though" I pointed at the two Finders. "Warn if you find other survivors"
"Will do. Oh, and by the way, Marie and Kanda are here too" he said, jabbing his thumb at an oncoming boat.
I grunted in annoyance when Ba-Kanda made his flashy entrance with Beasts of the Underworld, and I landed next to him, crossing my arms.
"You're late, Jerkface" I said.
"What, too much to handle for you, Akahato?" he retorted with a sneer. "Figures"
"Go to hell" I grunted. "And do your damn job while you're at it. Feathered Blades!"
Destroying those still around, I didn't wait for others to arrive and went back to Devon and the Finder.
"Come on, let's get a move on" I ordered.
They nodded, seeming calmer now that help arrived, and I easily escorted them back to meet up with the rest of the survivors.
"Three other Exorcists are here" I announced to the group.
Instantly, their tired faces cheered up.
"Help us if you can, but don't run ahead of danger" I pursued. "We don't need unnecessary losses, got it?"
"Hai!"
I grinned, before flying into battle once again. I was damn tired, my wings were slowly falling to pieces because of the poison spreading, but I knew that with the help of the other three, we didn't have to fear a failure anymore.
Steeling my resolve along with my feathers, I passed at the offensive once again, keeping my bet with Daisya in mind.
"Spin Rocket!"
"They're all split up!"
"There are even more here than I expected"
"Indeed"
"There were more before you guys showed up, and do you see me complaining?" I grunted, now in an hiding spot.
"But we're here, right?"
"Late" I pointed out. "But I can accept whatever help we can get. Seriously, I wasn't even supposed to be here at all"
"Shut up, Akahato"
"You shut up, Jerkface!"
"Ary, Kanda, stop it"
"Aw… man… hung"
"Daisy-chan, did you say something?" I frowned.
"Daisya, you're breaking up"
"Where are you guys right now?"
"About three kilometers east of the funky building"
"I'm about five west of it"
"I'd say I'm around three too, at the north" I said.
"And I'm at the south"
"Man, looks like… s'll be… ong ni… t"
"I can hear the demons all around us. We're right in the middle of a crowd of them"
"Let's meet up. We can find each other using our Golems if we're less than ten kilometers apart"
"Well then, how about we meet up at Marie or Ary-chan?"
"Ary, what do you think?"
"I won't be able to fight for much longer" I admitted. "The Akuma poison is rotting my blades, and I'm tiring with each attack. I don't think I'll be able to meet up with anyone while keeping up that pace"
"For how long can you fight?"
I frowned a little and look at the sky. There, nearly imperceptible, the sun was very, very slowly getting up.
"Dawn" I finally said. "Maybe a little longer, but not much"
"We'll meet up then"
"Think you'll be okay, Ary-chan?"
"Hey, I still have a bet to win" I scoffed. "Just get on with it"
"Tche"
"Got it!"
"Very well"
"See you at dawn" I concluded.
The connection cut, and Akumas surrounded me once again.
"Bring it on, you assholes!" I yelled, clenching my fists.
"Has either of you managed to contact Daisya?"
"No, not yet. I believe he said his Golem was acting up"
"Me neither" I coughed. "Damn, I could do with a nap right now"
Wheezing a little, I spat some blood on the side. I was now hiding under a bridge, panting like a wild dog. I had great stamina, don't confuse me. However, I wasn't a demi-god either. I had my limits too, damn it!
"Are you alright, Ary?"
"Yeah, I'm fine" I assured, slowly regaining my breath. "I just think I left a lung behind but, other than that, I'm fine"
"What!?"
"Joking, joking" I waved my hand as if chasing a fly.
"Now's really not the time, Akahato"
"Sorry, Jerkface" I sighed. "But anyway, he's bound to show up around here before morning, right?"
"Right"
"Ary, we're headed your way right now. What's your position?"
"Five kilometers north-west" I answered. "See you then"
And here we go again.
A scream suddenly echoed through the Golem, making me jump in fright.
"I'll… ki… scr… fu…"
"Did you say something?"
"Daisya!?"
"The hell's happening?" I asked, running to another hiding point. "Daisy-chan? Oi, answer us, damn it!"
He never did.
The sun finally rose above the city, and with no more Akuma in sight, I let go of my Innocence in relief. Right now, all I wanted was to take a nap, then eat something.
Oh, and check on Daisy-chan too.
"Ary!"
Spinning around, I grinned and waved at Marie. Behind him was a less cheerful being, who scowled at my disheveled state.
"Hey, Cherub!" I greeted. "Still alive, Jerkface?"
"At least I'm in one piece, Akahato" he scoffed. "I'm pretty sure your Innocence is utterly destroyed"
"No it's not!" I protested vehemently.
At their looks, I rolled my eyes.
"Okay, okay, maybe a little, but I'll be fine in a week at most" I assured. "But anyway, has any of you got news about Daisy-chan? 'Cause I got a bet to win"
"I'll try to find his Golem" said Marie, concentrating.
We waited in silence for a moment, before he started leading us in the empty streets. Careful as to not look at any of the pile of dusts and clothes along the way, I finally saw his figure ahead.
"At last!" I exclaimed, running it's way. "Daisy-chan!"
"Wait, Ary!" exclaimed Marie behind me, suddenly alert.
Ignoring him, I ran to the dark looming figure, then frowned, each step slower than the precedent.
"D-Daisya?" I called, suddenly wary as my guts twisted sickly.
He didn't answer.
He never would either.
Feeling sick, I looked away, fists clenched as Kanda and Marie finally joined my sides, each of them apparently well aware of the fate or our friend.
"Hey, Ary-chan, let's bet on our lives!"
"What do you mean, Daisy-chan?"
"Stop calling me that! And what I mean is that we bet on who will die first! I bet that I'll die before you!"
"That's stupid. You can't bet that way"
"Sure I can, I just did!"
"Fine, fine. What do you want if you win?"
He grinned wickedly at that.
"Punch my killer in the face really hard. He'll have to be hell of a strong guy, though, so you might not be able to pull it off…"
"I'll do it!" I huffed, annoyed that he doubted my skills. "But if I die first, then I want you to take my necklace and bring it back to Lenalee"
"That's boring!" he whined.
"Well it's my bet, so I decide" I retorted.
"Fine, fine"
Then, we sealed the deal with a rough shake of the hands.
"Guess you won the bet, eh, Daisy-chan?" I muttered, my hand clenched around my necklace.
If the other two heard me, they didn't say a thing.
So, a little depressing chapter for now... poor, poor Daisy-chan! And Ary who just has no idea about this mysterious Tyki Mikk *wink, wink*. Anyway, hope you enjoyed that one too!
Question: Will Ary be able to punch Tyki in the face?
Reviews!