Now entering the Asian Branch! However, I won't linger really long on that part. You'll see what I mean when you read this.
Answer: Not telling! ;-)
Enjoy!
I'm… alive!
Allen opened his eyes, shocked, to say the least. Slowly sitting up, he looked down at his right hand, the other one not exactly in place anymore.
Why… am I still alive? That Noah should have killed me… It felt as though I was dying, a feeling I couldn't get away from… no matter how much I wanted too… That… that was definitely death!
Feeling sick, he started shaking.
Dying.
He almost died.
Tears ran down his face.
Why am I crying? Is being alive a good thing? A bad thing? My shivering just won't stop… Mana…
Suddenly, he remembered something else, and he stiffened.
Ary! She was there too… the Noah had trapped her, but I don't remember what he told her… is she okay?
He got out of bed despite the pain and discomfort.
I have to find her… and move forward… never stop moving, keep going onward… She was screaming, did he kill her too? I can't remember… I have to keep walking… go onward… don't stop… Ary, are you okay? Mana, I promised… I won't stop… Ary… No matter what happened, I would keep going… I would move forward… but… where to?
He kept walking, his feet dragging him onward. Not really realizing it, he soon reached a gigantic room with an equally gigantic door. He climbed the tree steps, reaching it, but the door wouldn't move. He couldn't stop, though. He had to keep walking…
"That door won't open when you push it"
Surprised, the white-haired Exorcist turned his head to the source of the voice, only to find a blond man sitting against one of the pillars.
"Interested in something here?" the man asked.
"W… e… p…"
What?
"Wa… up…"
I can't hear you, talk louder… Or don't, I'm fine where I am right now. It's warm... and com-
"WAKE UP!"
I snapped my eyes opened, taking in a sharp intake of breath.
"Ary!"
I turned my head to the side so fast I swear something cracked. Wincing a little, I let myself fall back on the bed.
Wait, bed?
"K-Kiddo?" my voice was hoarse, as if it hadn't been used for some time now. "Where are we…"
"You are at the Asian Branch"
I turned, more slowly this time, to the other presence, and I smiled a little.
"Hey, Stalker-chan" I greeted the blond man. "How's life going?"
"You haven't change" he shook his head. "And I told you to stop calling me that!"
"How are you feeling?" asked Allen, ignoring our banter.
"No idea" I admitted honestly.
Bak helped me in a sitting position, and I cringed when my eyes caught the missing limb of my white haired friend. But then, I remembered that we were in the same boat and, almost afraid to look, I gazed at my wing.
Instantly, I looked away, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth. It was as if the remaining of my Innocence had rotten on my back. The feathers were darkening, falling in crumbles, and I couldn't move it without a sharp pain shaking my whole body.
After a few seconds, I took back control over my emotions.
"What's going to happen, now?" I simply asked to Bak. "We both can't use our Innocence. What can we do?"
"Actually, my Innocence is still there" Allen shook his head. "It's kind of complicated, but I've been working to get it back in shape for some time now"
"Some time?" I repeated. "How long was I out for?"
"Two weeks, more or less" answered the Head of the Asian Branch. "Walker, you should head for your training session with For. I have some things to discuss with Ary"
"Right. I'll come and see you later, okay?" the teen placed his hand on my head and smile.
"Just go, you moron" I rolled my eyes.
He chuckled at little, and walked out. As soon as the door closed, my smile dropped and I turned to Bak.
"I want a straight answer" I said seriously. "Will I be able to fight again?"
"Your right wing was ripped apart, and your left one is disaggregating itself at an alarming pace" he frowned, checking his notes. "Angel is trying to regenerate, but something seems to block the process. If we don't find a solution, and fast, there's a good chance your Innocence won't be usable anymore"
"Geez, so much for a straight answer" I grunted. "What can I do?"
"Rest" he retorted, getting up. "You can't do much to help. Eat, sleep, take a walk around if you really want to, but don't overexert yourself. With your Innocence trying to heal and the strange virus, even the littlest exercises will exhaust you"
"Oh, fun" I drawled, letting myself fall back on the bed.
He sighed, and put away his clipboard.
"We have our best scientists on this" he assured. "But with Allen's condition, they don't have much time. I'm afraid you'll be here for while"
At that, I looked away.
"… right. Thanks, Stalker-chan"
"… I'll come later" he shook his head, before heading out.
Once he was away, I sighed heavily and grabbed my neckl-
Wait. Where the hell was my necklace?
Looking down, I realized that it wasn't around my neck anymore. I gazed around the room, but soon gave up. I knew Bak would have left it with me if I still had it. I clenched my fist, and took a deep breath. It was just a stupid lucky charm, nothing more.
Then, my eyes wandered on my wing again, and I rubbed my temples.
What the hell was happening to me?
Walking around with crutches, I explored the Asian Headquarters without much interest. I never had been here before, and only met Bak and Won when they came to the European Headquarters to meet with Komui. And, more precisely, when he was stalking Lenalee.
It was kind of creepy, seeing as he was way older than her, but it's not like he was making a move or anything, and he was a really nice guy.
A creeper, yes, but a nice guy nowadays.
A strange sound caught my attention. Curious, I made my way towards the source. As I approached, I could make out the distinct noise of slicing blades and fighting. After another minute, I finally arrived to what seemed like a training field, where Allen was fighting with a weird-looking woman…
"Holy shit, are her arms blades?" I muttered, narrowing my eyes to get a better view.
She suddenly passed above his head and kicked him so hard it sent him flying on the few meters. I winced, but didn't say a word. The woman scoffed, and I realized she was the one who had rescued us in the forest.
"Here I come!"
She ran at him once again, and I spotted a girl with a scientist coat spying behind one of the pillars. Two other boys with the same uniform were crouching next to her. Curious, bored, I had no idea, but I went to her, hoping she would answer some of my questions.
"Err… hello" I waved despite the crutches.
They jumped out of their skin, and turned to me with a frightened air. Then, the one with the brown hair seemed to recognize me, because his eyes lightened in understanding.
"Lady Exorcist" he greeted. "You shouldn't walk around just yet"
"Meh, I'm fine" I shrugged it off. "Falling to pieces, can't walk without the crutches, an horrible headache and one one my wing who-knows-where, but I'm okay, promise"
The three of them sweatdropped heavily at that, making me snicker a little.
"Anyway, I'm Aryane, but just call me Ary" I presented my hand.
The Asian one shook it with a small smile.
"Shifu" he answered. "And these are Rikei and Rohfa. We're scientists of the Asian Branch"
"We're also the ones assigned to your and Allen Walker's case" added the girl, readjusting her glasses.
"If you don't mind me asking, why is he fighting?" I asked, watching the duel unfold.
"Well, to put things simple, his Innocence wasn't destroyed, but rather reduced to a particle-like state" answered Rikei. "When he fights, he's able to reform his arm because of the adrenaline and sense of danger. We're trying to get it back to it's basic form, though"
"And there hasn't been much progress either" Rohfa shook her head sadly.
"What the hell are you doing!? Put your spirit into it, your spirit!" yelled the woman, attacking even harder.
"I'd take a guess and say she's the one named 'For'" I said.
"You'd be correct" nodded Shifu. "She was the one assigned to train Walker-san, seeing as she's the only capable fighter we got"
"Oh, right" I blinked. "I forgot you didn't have Exorcists here. Scientific Headquarters, right?"
There was a scream that brought my attention back to the fight, and I stiffened when I saw the woman falling on him, blades high and ready to strike the fatal blow. There was a flash of blinding light and, suddenly, Allen's arm was there, effectively blocking the attack.
"Yes!" cheered For. "That's the spirit!"
However, at her second attack, the arm disappeared.
"It turned to mist again?" she gritted her teeth.
"I'm not done yet! Please" said Allen, standing up.
"Well said!"
They were about to jump at each other's throat again when Bak's voice echoed through a Golem I hadn't remarked until now.
"Stop right there"
There was a moment of silence as the both of them froze midway, and all turned to the Golem.
"You've been training for twenty's hours. Today's session is complete"
"But I can still keep going!" protested Allen. "I want to keep going!"
"You need to rest, Walker. Got it?"
For's arms went back to normal –if arms without actual hands and fingers can be considered normal- and Allen looked down.
"… hai"
"Good. And Ary kind ran off on her own, you should probably find her before she faints or something"
"God, Stalker-chan, I ain't about to die" I called, walking out of my hiding spot.
There was an annoyed grunt on the other side.
"Of course you'd be here. Go back to your room and rest, Ary"
"But you told me I could take a look around" I replied. "And I can't just stay in bed!"
"I'll take care of her" assured For, placing her… err, hand, on my shoulder. "Walker, go rest some and we'll train later"
"… okay"
As he walked by, I stopped him and forced him to look me in the eyes.
"If you die from exhaustion now, we won't be able to get to the others later, and I ain't going back without you" I warned. "Explaining why to the others would be a real drag"
He managed a smile at my words, and nodded, seeming more convinced now.
"Got it. See you later, Ary"
"Later!"
I waved with my right crutch as he walked away, and the three scientists discreetly disappeared, leaving me with the woman, who was eying me strangely.
I bowed despite the sharp pain in my back.
"I thank you for the assistance your provided" I ceremoniously stated.
"… right"
At that, I stood up.
"Hey, I'm trying to act all high and mighty here, give me some credit!" I whined.
She chuckled at little, and I finally sat on the ground, hiding my shaking legs from her view.
"Seriously, though, thanks" I sighed. "I don't think we'd have made it if it hadn't been for you"
"No problem, kid" she answered. "I wanted to tell you something, though"
"What is it?"
"When I came back there, your other wing wasn't there anymore" she bit her lower lip.
But at that, I smiled.
"It's okay, I wouldn't have been able to reattach it anyway" I replied. "Lavi must have found it and burned it… I asked him to do so if it ever came to it. Have you warned our friends about our situation?"
"Won did" she confirmed. "Why do you have crutches? I don't remember your legs being injured…"
"Oh, they weren't" I assured. "It's just that, with only my left wing, I don't have much balance, so…"
"Why don't you deactivate your Innocence, then?" she frowned.
"I can't" I shook my head. "If I do… I don't think I'd be able to activate it again and, for all we know, it could accelerate the virus's progression"
She hummed in understanding, and helped me up.
"You're already exhausted" she grunted, pointing at my still shaking legs. "Come on, I'll walk you back to your room. Don't want you fainting here, do we?"
"I don't faint, I black out. There's a difference" I insisted, huffing a little. "Fainting is for the feeble hearted and the ladies, and I ain't any of those"
She snorted at that, making me grin.
On the rest of the way, we exchanged stories about our dear Stalker-chan –she was dying from laughter when I explained the nickname- and honestly, this woman was just killing me.
Wheezing from laughter, I had trouble to stay on my feet.
"You're… you're just awesome" I choked.
"Glad to see you're bonding and all, but you're supposed to rest in your room, Ary" drawled Bak's voice above our heads.
"Sorry, Stalker-chan, we were just talking about how Lenalee admires you" I smirked evilly to the Golem.
There was a weird noise on the other side, then a 'BANG', a loud 'THUD' and finally Won screaming his name in the background.
"Bet his hives are hitting" I snickered.
"You know what, kid? I think we're going to get along pretty well" For laughed along. "But he's right, it'd just be stupid if you died in the hallway because you were to stubborn for your own good"
I rolled my eyes at the drama, faintly remembering my words to Allen from sooner, and we finally got to my room.
"We'll talk some more later then?" I asked.
"Sure" she shrugged walking.
"Wait!"
She turned to me, curious.
"When you went back for my wing… did you found a necklace lying around? It's really simple, just a button on a chain" I asked hopefully.
"Nothing of the sort, sorry" she shook her head.
I offered a slightly forced smile. If she noticed, she didn't pointed it out.
"Oh, it's okay. Thanks for everything, Nasturtium!"
I didn't stayed still for long, of course. Staying in my room would mean doing nothing, and doing nothing would lead me to think.
Thinking wasn't exactly something I wanted to do right now.
So, fleeing my own mind, I wandered the base once again, not exactly knowing where to go but keeping myself occupied. After a few minutes, I reached a room where a familiar voice echoed. There were hitting noises too, so it was easy to guess it was a training room. Pushing the door opened, I cringed a little when Allen hit too hard and broke one of the training dummies.
"You know, the dummies aren't going to take over the world, no need to be so harsh on them" I taunted, entering the room.
"A-Ary!" he turned to me, surprise. "Weren't you supposed to rest?"
"I could say the same to you" I retorted. "I-"
"I can't take it"
Surprised at the new voice, we both turned our heads to the closed doors.
"Allen Walker's situation. It's useless to try and restore Innocence. We should just kick him out of the Asian Branch"
"Come on, knock it off" replied another. "The director already refused. It can't be helped. And if you think about it, the most problematic one is Head Bak. Despite the lack of results, he's still covering for Walker"
"And with the other one too, what do they think we are, miracle workers? A-A… Aryane Dark-something, right? She lost half of her Innocence, and the other one is rotting like some bad fruit! I've never seen anything like this before, they're both lost causes!"
Annoyed, I opened the doors, revealing myself. Their eyes widened as they sweated heavily.
"L-Lady Exorcist!"
"As… enlightening, as this conversation is, I do believe our 'lost causes' are also those of us, Exorcists, and that without us, you wouldn't be here to begin with" I remarked with a bitter smile. "So, instead of bashing absurdities into some kid's skull, how about you actually do your damn job so we can go back to ours, ne?"
"R-right! Our apologies, Lady Exorcist!" they bowed, apparently frightened.
"Shoo"
They ran with their tails between their legs, and I sighed heavily, before going back inside. Taking a seat, I looked at Allen, who's face had gotten incredibly darker in a matter of seconds.
"Come here"
He obliged and sat next to me. Crossing my legs, I faced him, and hit him with one of my crutches.
"Itai!" he rubbed the sore spot. "What was that for!?"
"What they're saying is stupid" I assured. "If you keep working hard and believe in yourself, then results will come. If you let go now, then you abandon our friends, still after the damn womanizer. You can't let the slow progress bring you down"
"But that's the problem!" he exclaimed, annoyed. "There is no progress to begin with!"
"Kiddo, you're saying that to the one who most probably won't ever go back on the field again" I retorted.
"W-what?"
His anger died down somewhat, and he eyed my wing carefully.
"What do you mean?"
"I can't regenerate anymore" I shook my head. "And at the rate it's going, I'll be dead before next month"
"Don't say that!" he protested, horrified. "You won't-"
"You know how parasitic-type of Innocence takes it's Host's life energy" I cut, more coldly. "I already lost a lot to begin with when I became an Exorcist, and with Angel trying to stop the virus while it's half is literally missing, it's costing me even more. I don't exactly have much hope in all of this, to be honest. Stalker-chan is trying to hide it, but I know he came to the same results"
The teen stood up and loomed over me, fists shaking.
"You can't just give up like that!" he exclaimed. "Sooner, you said that we were going back together, and I ain't going to explain to the others how you died because you were to dumb to even fight back!"
"And what the hell am I supposed to do!?" I finally snapped. "You think I'm happy right now? You think I'm about to do a little dance of victory: 'hey, I'm about to die, hip, hip, hurray!' ? I can't do a damn thing, Allen! I'm fated to sit back and watch my own life deplete itself day by day until nothing's left, and that's that! So suck it up, and get back your damn Innocence so you can go help everyone and kick some Noah ass for me, got it!?"
The silence that ensued was more than heavy: it was choking me. So, huffing a little, I got back on my feet with my crutches and headed for the door.
"You still have a chance, Kiddo" I added, walking out. "Don't waste it. Idiot"
I made a move to grab my pendant, but then remembered I didn't have it anymore. So, letting my hand fall back on the crutch, the door closed behind me.
The night was filled with nightmares. It had been a while since it happened but, seeing how tired I was and how I didn't have Bookman sleeping pills, it was bound to happen.
God, I hate sleeping.
Now roaming through the base once more, I couldn't find the strength in myself to push away my thoughts anymore.
I was going to die.
Simple as that.
Gritting my teeth, I closed my eyes harshly when I felt a prickling sensation. I wasn't about to cry now, of any time. That would be utterly stupid and humiliating.
"Dying, uh?" I muttered.
Some would say I gave up too soon. But what could I do? I didn't know what the hell was wrong with me, and I couldn't save anyone to begin with, so saving myself?
What a joke.
Pain flared in my back, but I ignored it, concentrating on each step, unable to stop my train of thoughts now that I let it flow.
I couldn't save my parents.
Pain.
I couldn't save the Finders.
Pain.
I couldn't save Yeegar-sensei, or Devon.
Pain.
I couldn't save Daisya, even if he was only two kilometers away, maybe less.
My steps faltered when my wing felt like it was on fire. What the hell was happening now? Was it time? After failing everyone, was it finally my turn?
"Gah!"
My legs gave in and I collapsed on the floor, curling myself and trying to shield away from the horrible agony invading my whole body.
Summan… was that how you felt back there? When I failed you too? When I couldn't-
"D-damn it…"
This time, no mistake. My feathers were falling one after the other, black and full of holes like some bad teeth. I bite back a scream, and the taste of blood tainted my mouth.
This agony… don't I deserve it? For the lives I failed, for those I would have failed if I stayed any longer… everyone…
I'm sorry…
"ARGH!"
"Aryane!"
For's worried eyes were the last thing I saw.
I'm sorry.
"Uh? What did you say?"
Tyki Mikk was a gentleman, a Noah. He was also a koi fish thief, which is why he was currently sitting at a pond eating some of the animal. However, his peace of mind was of short duration, seeing as Cell Roron informed him of a… rather annoying fact.
"Allen Walker's name isn't disappearing" wailed the little man. "I scrub and I scrub, but it won't go away!"
"No, no, no, that's not possible!" protested Tyki. "You need to scrub harder! Don't make up lies just to get out of the cage!"
He hit the little card with one of the fish, but the prisoner wasn't lying.
"He's alive" he sobbed.
"Oi, oi! A guy as cool as you shouldn't be stealing koi from a pond!"
At the voice, the Noah turned and saw two of his peers walking his way. He sighed internally.
"I heard you've got a special mission, Tyki" pursued the black-haired one.
"Yo, twins" greeted the man.
"It's Devit" corrected the first one.
"I'm Jasdero!" added the blond one.
"And together we're Jasdevi!"
"… you're looking pale as usual"
"This is makeup, you bum!"
"Sorry, but can you come back later? I'm thinking right now"
"Hey, you. I heard you were killing everyone involved with that" insisted Devit. "That's why you came to Japan, right?"
"Right?" repeated Jasdero.
"Yeah" admitted Tyki. "Some guy named Cross"
But at that, the twins turned quite angry.
"The Exorcist Marshall is our prey! Lay an hand on him and we'll beat the hell out of you!" snapped Devit.
"Kill you! Kill you!" added Jasdero.
"Uh?
"So, the guy you were assigned to kill is Cross Marshall?" asked Tyki. "Well then, hurry up and kill him. How long are you planning to take?"
Devit and him were now sitting in a cart pulled by Jasdero.
"Shut up! That guy's unusually strong!" protested Devit.
"We've tried and failed to kill him three times!" confirmed his brother.
"Aren't you in the same boat? Seems like you failed to kill one of your targets too" taunted the black haired one. I heard about it! Allen something, right?"
"Shut up. Don't you have another target you failed to kill anyway?" shot back the older man.
At that, Devit's face darkened.
"It's not exactly our fault if we can't even find a trace to lead us to her" he snapped.
Tyki blinked, a little confused.
"But you've met her, right?" he ran an hand through his hair.
"If we did, do you think we'd chase around for Cross so mindlessly? We don't have a fucking clue about her, so we're stuck with the Marshall!" grunted his cadet. "We don't even know what she looks like!"
"Aryane Darkelston, right? Quite the spitfire, if you really want to know" Tyki lightened a cigarette.
"You've met her!?"
"Yes, and you did too. She seemed to remember you two" insisted Mikk. "You know, blood red hair, kind of short, very sarcastic and entertaining too…"
At that, the cart came to a brutal halt as both boys turned to him with some sort of wonder and bloodlust at the same time.
"You mean that girl was the Exorcist!?"
"Well, she did have a coat" drawled Tyki.
"She told us she stole it" retorted Jasdero.
At that, the man sweatdropped.
"I get why she called you morons now" he mumbled.
"Tyki, if you killed her…"
"I didn't" he rolled his eyes. "Knowing she was your target, I simply… had some fun. She won't be able to use her Innocence for quite some time, now"
But at that, the twin's anger grew even more. Tyki gulped a little, wondering how he'd get out of that one.
Ah ah, sorry, I couldn't help myself for that last part. Also, the next chapter will be filled with flashbacks of how she met more or less everyone, plus a little something else. Hope you liked that one, even though she didn't pass that much time awake...
Question: What does For's nickname means?
Reviews, pretty please with a cherry on top?