One more chapter after this one, OMFG!
Answer: Well, you'll find out soon enough *wink*
Enjoy!
My cry, loud and clear, ensured the sudden silence on the whole battlefield.
Allen coughed, and blood splattered my face, but I really couldn't care less at the moment.
"Allen…" I repeated, dumbstruck.
He had stepped in. He fucking jumped in the middle of it, taking the deadly blow in my place.
He smiled down at me, as if he wasn't currently being stabbed by one of our friends.
"I'm... fine, Ary" he assured.
Then, he tilted his head towards Kanda, who was panting harshly, his whole body shaking violently.
"Please… take a close look… at Alma's face… why is he… making a face… like that? I can't… tell…"
His skin started turning some sort of brown and ashes as a faraway melody made itself heard.
The aura of the Millennium Earl spiked in utter joy, and I suddenly understood.
That was his plan.
From the very beginning, he wanted to turn us against each other, only to wake up the Noah in Allen.
"Fuck no!"
Grabbing Kanda's shoulders, I pushed him away along with his blood coated weapon, and the white-haired teen collapsed. I grabbed his shoulders, shaking him roughly.
"Stay awake, Kiddo!" I yelled angrily. "Don't let it overcome you!"
Behind, I could faintly hear Kanda and Alma facing once again as the first one slowly gained back his senses.
It was too late, though.
"Allen, snap out of it!"
Dark Matter crackled around him, burning my palms and forcing me away. Then, a sphere lifted around him, sending me crashing in the debris a few meters farther.
The piano melody became louder as a laugh joined in the dark symphony. From the corner of my eye, I saw Kanda's aura going back to normal, now agitated by worry and some sort of fear.
The Earl started jumping happily.
"Thank you, Kanda Yuu!" he exclaimed in glee. "He's awakened! Thanks to you severely injuring Allen Walker with your Innocence, the Fourteenth, who is concealed in him, has been fully awakened! Because a Noah never forgets the hatred towards God… towards Innocence! The more he gets hurt, the more it gushes out!"
"He won't let him!" I assured, getting up despite my shaking. "Allen won't let him take over!"
"This is the end of Allen Walker!" he replied. "Thanks to you!"
There was a sudden burst of energy coming our way and the barrier surrounding us disappeared.
Wait, barrier? Why wasn't I blocked out t-
Oh, right. Gabriel still had control when we came back.
Then, out of nowhere, the melody stopped playing, drawing my attention back to the white-haired teen. His cursed eye had activated, effectively waking him up. The sphere of Dark Matter disappeared, and he fell back on his two feet, a little confused but back to himself.
So of course, I reacted.
"YOU UTTER IDIOT!"
I hit his head.
Hard.
Again. And again. And again.
"A-Ary! Ouch! Ary, stop- Itai!- Ary, stop it!"
"You fucking stupid, moronic asstard!" I yelled angrily. "The hell do you think you were doing, jumping in like that!? It was reckless and idiotic and- and-"
The tears kept flowing out as I choked on my sobs and tried to wipe them away, in vain.
"It's my job" I protested weakly. "To protect all of you… it's my job…"
His confused face dropped in a soft smile, and he ruffled my hair.
"I warned you I was taking over, didn't I?"
"Shut up!"
He chuckled, before his left eye acted again, directing his attention at Alma karma, who was still in Kanda's arms.
He frowned, before his eyes widened.
"B-Beansprout?" Kanda was truly back to normal, then.
"No… Alma! Alma, you're-"
"SHUT UP!" the Akuma screeched.
Energy gathered suddenly, and my eyes widened.
"He's imploding! Watch out!"
Not exactly thinking, I spread all of Shield around the three of them. Then, as everything turned white, I remembered… I didn't have my armor anymore.
Well fuck.
Allen gasped as everything around him exploded. However, some sort of wall was protecting him from the debris. Gazing around, he realized that Kanda and Alma were more or less in the same position, even though it seemed less effective with the two of them.
Shield.
That was Ary's shield!
But…
There was a flash of light blinding him for a few seconds and, when he reopened his eyes, the dust had settled down and the fuming remains of the American Branch were no more. Looking down, he saw Kanda falling to pieces. Having been at the heart of the explosion, even Ary's Shield hadn't been able to fully protect him.
"Kanda!"
Running down at him, he realized in horror that the skin looked like porcelain, all white and cracked. One of the arm had fallen apart, and a part of his face just wasn't there anymore.
Alma became an Akuma… to bury his true identity… And Kanda never knew, past the nine last years searching for that person, never knowing it was in vain…
"How can he deal with that!?" he angrily hit the ground.
Next to him, however, Alma was reforming. His heart had been preserved, allowing the Second Exorcist to regenerate.
"If he finds out I'm that person… he'll stop searching for me" he said. "But the promise we made… so long as Yuu is bound by that promise to that person, he'll always belong to that person… He'll always be…"
As his upper body was now fully present, yet cracked as much as Kanda's, he smiled.
"Where's… Yuu's body? Where is it?"
He started crawling, apparently unable to see.
"I want to be… by his side…" he pleaded. "Where is… Yuu? Yuu…"
Tears streamed down his face.
"I really didn't… want to loose him… no matter what!"
Allen was now crying too. Without a word, he picked the Akuma up and placed him down next to Kanda.
The cursed boy smiled.
"You're kind…"
Dark Matter started pouring from him.
"It's fine… let it be… thank… you…"
And he fully turned into an Akuma.
"ALMA!"
"Bean… sprout…"
He turned at Kanda's body, bewildered. He was alive! Kanda was alive! His arm was back in place and, already, his skin was taking back some color. That meant Ary's Shield had worked for him too, and it must have been the same that preserved Alma Karma's heart…
For a moment, he wondered where the hell was the red-haired girl, before focusing again on the current situation.
There was only one solution.
Using Clown Belt to grab the Millennium Earl, he used the momentum to boost himself at Alma's height, Kanda finally waking up in his arms.
"Do you remember the place where we were sent for our first mission together?" he asked.
"Hai"
"No one will find us there for a while" concluded the swordsman.
"Hai"
Not hesitating one more second, Allen let go of him, and both Second Exorcists started falling.
"Kanda!"
He tilted his head the boy's way, as if time was slowing down just for them.
"Renny said… that if someone could really save Alma, it was you" he informed with a smile. "And I agree with her"
A moment passed, before Kanda actually smiled back.
"Thank you, Allen Walker. I'm glad you're here"
As the white-haired teen's eyes widened, Kanda latched onto Alma's neck and hugged him as hard as he could.
"Alma…"
"Yuu?"
"Let's get out of here together… and go someplace where there is no Innocence, no Order… this time, for sure… together…"
The Akuma let go of his tears, and Allen landed not far from the Millennium Earl.
"Ark Gate!" he chanted.
The door opened under the two, who had started falling, and Allen smiled, knowing they'd finally find their peace.
"Bind!"
Suddenly, glowing papers flew and trapped the Second Exorcists in midair. Kanda's eyes widened in despair. They were so close, so very close to freedom…
"Link! What are you doing!?" exclaimed Allen, swirling at the Inspector.
The blond man simply gritted his teeth, keeping his hold onto the failed runaways.
"Silversword!"
All gazed in surprise as the magical papers flew in confetti, freeing the two friends, who started falling once again.
"Aka… hato?" Kanda blinked in surprise.
She smiled at him, but he could clearly see her tears.
"I'm sorry. Be safe"
They passed through the gate.
The door of the Ark exploded a moment after. I wiped my tears and spread my wings as wide as I could, ignoring the ringing pain reverberating through my whole body.
"W-what have you done!?" yelled angrily Leverrier down there.
"Kanda Yuu and Alma Karma have accomplished more than their share in this conflict!" I replied imperiously. "They are no longer part of this war!"
"This is treason of the greatest caliber, Exorcist Aryane!" retorted the Inspector.
"Fuck off!"
Unable to stay in air any longer, I landed more or less gently next to Allen, who grabbed my arm to stop me from falling from our perch. He smiled at me, before gazing at everyone at our feet and the Noahs gathering behind us.
"We won't let the Order or the Noahs interfere with them again" he warned.
"And for whoever who stands in our way, we'll crush them" I added towards Link, cracking my knuckles.
His jaw clenched, and I then remarked Tewaku under his arm.
I paled.
"Why have you brought her here!?" I practically screeched. "Get her away!"
"Too late" taunted the Earl.
The Inspector was forced to drop her as she started squirming and screaming again, the papers binding her going in flames as her transformation came back in force.
"W-what's happening to her?" asked Allen, Crown Clown activating.
"The Thirds had Alma cells in their bodies" I informed, gritting my teeth. "They're turning into Akumas. Kiredori and Gushi are dead. Madarao and Tokusa fully transformed by now. And Tewaku…"
"That's the problems you were talking about sooner… or rather Gabriel" he suddenly understood. "What can we do?"
"I've- Gabriel already done what he could" I answered, more coldly. "Just don't kill her"
He shot me an alarmed look, probably because I called the Angel by his name, but didn't press farther as the girl's eyes turned red.
She started sinking.
"Nii-san…" she called, her eyes watering. "Everyone… don't leave me alone…"
"Get back, Link!" I ordered.
"Tewaku!"
Completely ignoring me, he went to grab her, but was forced away by the Dark Matter surrounding her.
She turned her gaze at me.
"Ary… nee…"
And disappeared.
Closing my eyes as hard as I could to keep more tears from falling, I turned to glare at the Earl, who had started laughing.
"You came up with the Third Exorcists Plan" he said. "I can understand very well where you're coming from. That action is just natural, since you're trying to survive. However, we have rules, you know?"
His eternal grin turned darker.
"We have to fight to the death using our own Gods! And I absolutely will not allow you to stray from that path!"
Behind him, I saw the Noah with the sunglasses entering a portal, Madarao and Tokusa unconscious under his arms. Sheril followed with Road on his shoulder, and Wisely was next, sending a mocking wave.
"If you desire power, you should find the Heart" he added, sending me a glance. "As for us, we'll use the Third Exorcists as our pawns… following the rules"
Tyki walked away, Tewaku in his arms. I clenched my fists angrily, but knew I couldn't do anything right now. And with that, apparently happy with his little speech, the Earl made his move to walk away, before suddenly remembering something.
"Oh, that's right! You two over there, the ones flagrantly violating the rules over and over" he shot at Allen and I. "We'll come to get you soon"
He sank in the portal, which closed instantly after.
There was a moment of heavy silence, before my legs suddenly gave in. Deactivating Archangel, I gasped, pain blurring my vision as the adrenaline slowly edged away.
"Ary!"
Allen tried to crouch next to me, but found himself trapped in Link's magic papers. However, I couldn't bring myself to care at the moment.
I closed my eyes.
I gazed around the white mindscape. The beautiful forest had been completely destroyed when I forcefully took back control.
Walking around a little, I finally found Gabriel, lying under a tree with his eyes closed, his features expressing a painful slumber.
For a second, I felt bad, before remembering what he had done.
I nudged his side with my foot.
"Wake up"
He groaned, blinked a few times, before jumping out of his skin at my sight.
"A-Ary!"
"What happened back there?" I asked in a harsh voice.
His face dropped in shame, and he looked away.
"I'm sorry, Ary. I'm so, very sorry for this. I know we had a deal, and I know I shouldn't have done that, and-"
"Gabriel, you trapped me in my own fucking mind!" I snapped. "Do you know how it feel, being pushed away from your very conscious and watch all unfold while being unable to do a fucking thing!? I don't care about the deal, but I do care about how you just betrayed me! Words mean nothing compared to the trust I had in you, and yet- yet…"
I sank to my knees, shaking my head to clear away from the memories. He placed an hesitant hand on my shoulder.
"It was horrible…" I whispered. "Feeling control escape me like that… it was so cold, and lonely, and terrifying…"
At that, he hugged me. Unable to stop myself anymore, I hugged back, desperate for some reassurance.
"I'm sorry"
"I know" I choked. "But why, Gab? Why did you do it?"
"I… I made a promise. Once. When I was still an Exorcist"
I could see how painful it was too him, but I had to know.
"Does it has anything to do with Tyki's remark?" I proposed.
His breath hitched a little, sign I got a bull's eye.
Then, he sighed.
"I had been sent on a retrieval mission with all of the Exorcists. We had to get the Heart from it's hideout, because word that the Earl found it's location had spread. However, it was a trap. We led him to it, and all… all the other Exorcists, my friends… they covered my back as I ran away with the Heart. They died for our cause so that I could put it to safety"
"The nightmares…" I suddenly understood.
He nodded, his hold tightening.
"After hiding the Heart once again, I erased my own memories, not for protection or anything of the sort, but because I needed, wanted, to forget what tragedy it had led too. Of course, it doesn't work that way"
His tone was bitter now.
"When you became my Host, I remembered faces, voices. That's what cause your own nightmares. Then, when we met for the first time, I remembered my promise. I swore I'd protect the Heart. I swore to defeat the Earl and end this crusade for good. For them."
"You were afraid that if I messed up, you wouldn't be able to keep your promise" I concluded, somewhat dryly. "I trust you but you don't trust me. Go figures"
Apparently horrified at my words, he pushed me away and forced me to look at him in the eyes.
"I do! I do trust you, Ary! I trust you with everything I've got, never doubt that!"
"Then why?"
"I was afraid, not only for my promise, but that I'd loose you too. I couldn't stand the thought. And when it all turned to this, it made me recall the battle from that day and it all became so real… my fear took over, and I'm truly, deeply sorry for that"
I stayed silent. In a way, I could understand. He was scared. Hell, I was too.
"Fuck"
I couldn't stay mad at him.
At his curious glance, I rolled my eyes and hugged him again. He stilled, before answering to the embrace with relief.
"You're the one who protected me from the explosion, aren't you? You took over at the last moment and retracted some part of Shield on me"
"… I did"
"Thank you"
He didn't answer, but I could feel he was more at ease now. After a few minutes, though, I had to pull away.
"What's going on now?" I asked, sitting more comfortably. "In the end, we're going back to the Order, and Leverrier and Link knows about you, while Kanda just spout everything about the Heart. Apocryphos is more than likely to come, if not for me then for Allen"
"Tell everything, then. There is nothing to gain from hiding anymore, what with me taking control like that, he more than likely spotted my presence already"
"I won't involve the others, though" I frowned. "If I do, they will surely get in trouble"
"You're the one leading, Ary. You should probably wake up now, though, so that I can work on healing you. Your legs are in a worst shape than I thought"
"Take care of my wings first" I shook my head. "I'll need my Innocence in top shape for facing Apocryphos"
Got it.
Satisfied, I got back on my feet, waved, then left.
Taking a sharp intake of breath, I snapped my eyes open, startling those around.
"A-Ary!"
"Yo, Jumper" I greeted, my voice hoarse. "Cherub, Finder one and Finder two, doctor… hey, I'm tied up"
"Ary, what happened!?" exclaimed my girl friend, running to my side. "You were brought back chained and injured with Allen, and both of you have been claimed traitors! Kanda has disappeared, and Lavi and Bookman went missing, and-"
"What!?"
Trying to stand up again, I however had to come to an understanding: I wasn't getting out of there. Not only my Innocence was blocked, but I was tied to the bed and I couldn't even sense the auras.
"What do you mean that Lavi and Bookman went missing?" I asked shakily.
"They were kidnapped by the Noahs" she informed sadly. "I'm sorry, Ary"
I took a deep breath and blinked back the tears.
Ary…
I'm fine. We knew very well that it… wouldn't last. As you said, our paths have now diverged. I just… I just hope he's fine.
I'm sure he is.
Just as I was about to ask the whereabouts of Allen, two CROWs entered the room. The bindings lifted and glued themselves to my back, effectively blocking my Innocence.
"Follow us" the first one ordered.
"I can't" I shook my head. "My legs have suffered severe nerve damage. I can't use them at the moment"
They exchanged a glance, probably wondering about what to do.
"I'll take her there" Marie stepped in with a smile. "Hope on, Ary"
"Yay! Piggyback ride!"
Seeing as they didn't oppose to the proposition, I climbed on the man's back, and we walked away as I waved at Lenalee, who was staring with worry.
Then, I leaned on Marie's back.
"I'm going to tell them everything" I said.
It was barely a breath, but I knew he heard me, and he slightly tilted his head, his step never faltering once.
We entered a room where Komui, Leverrier, Bak, Link, Renny, the old geezer and many mores were apparently waiting for my arrival.
"She couldn't walk due to the severity of the damage inflicted to her legs" informed the second CROW.
They nodded, and Marie placed me down in a seat, before bowing and leaving.
The one who apparently was the leader of it all stared down at me, and I stared back without any hesitation.
You're really looking for trouble, aren't you?
They're asking for honesty, so I'm giving it to them. All cards on the table now.
"Exorcist Aryane?" he asked first, wanting to confirm.
"That's me"
"You joined the Order seven years ago from your free will, correct?"
"Hai"
"Please explain the reason"
"My father was a Finder, and was killed in action. My mother learned of the incident and made the deal with the Earl. That's when my Innocence activated for the first time" I recalled calmly. "I joined the Order because I wanted to be able to protect the innocents from the Akumas, and all my precious people, which is still the case"
"Months ago, after the Summan Dark Incident, you were badly injured and almost died under the watch of the Asian Branch" pursued the man. "However, when the Level Three attacked, you had a sudden revival and activated Archangel for the first time"
"Yep" I popped the 'P'.
"How is that possible?"
And that was where it was getting complicated.
Cards on the table, right?
"Back there, I discovered that I was the Host of an Angel named Gabriel. Our goals became one and our beings, even though different, merged and allowed me to become stronger" I resumed quite simply.
I swear Komui was having a heart attack as all the eyes widened slightly at my announcement.
Poor guy.
You tell me.
"Gabriel and I have a very specific mission: to protect" I pursued. "Not only the Exorcists, the Innocence or the civilians, but also the Heart. Technically speaking, I have the abilities needed to find it. However, I still need to train a lot. Also, the Noahs aren't the only threat to our organization. A higher being, or rather another Angel, has infiltrated our ranks and has been stealing Innocence fragments for the last decades. You might have heard of him as Apocryphos. The stronger he becomes, the more dangerous he is, for even if his goal is to kill the Earl, he doesn't care if he destroys the world along with him"
The man's eye was twitching.
He's old. And he smells.
Hime… I think he's the Pope…
He still smells.
"A-and you expect us to believe this!?" spluttered the big boss.
"I don't expect anything from you" I shrugged, making myself more comfortable. "My time in the Order has come to an end, and Apocryphos is coming, would it be for me or one of your Exorcists. He is more than probably already in the Headquarters, searching for his next victim"
"So you are a traitor" sneered Leverrier.
"See it however you want, I don't care" I replied. "I'm leaving because I have no other choice in the matter, not because I want too. If I could, I'd stay here to protect my friends. However, in a way, you might be right on one point. If said friends weren't there, I wouldn't be either"
I could now feel the auras in the room, shifting from uncomfortable to downright angry, a few still confused.
"As I said sooner, I'm protecting" I repeated more firmly. "Because it's my job, and because I want to. No one is going to stop me"
"You helped Kanda Yuu and Alma Karma escape" Leverrier insisted, hitting his fists on the table. "Before informing us that you are a vessel much like Allen Walker, then saying that you can actually find the Heart, an artifact both us and the Millennium Earl have been seeking for centuries, and you still think you can leave!?"
I leveled his glare with my own.
"First of all, I did protect Kanda and Alma" I retorted, colder. "From all of you. You might think you're the good guys, but the truth is that we can't fight monsters by becoming monsters. It doesn't work that way. Being humans is both our strength and our weakness, just like being Noahs are theirs. We have to work with it and do our best, nothing more, nothing less. Second, Allen's case is more peculiar, I admit, but he is no bad guy. He's fighting against the Fourteenth day and night, not only for him, but for us too. Give him some credit, damn it! And in third, I'm not a fucking Heart GPS. As I said before, I need more training before being able to locate it. And no, I don't think I will leave. I believe that I will go accomplish my mission or die in the next days, if not sooner"
An heavy silence followed my announcement.
"Who knew?" finally asked the first man.
"Bookman and his apprentice" I answered. "Seeing as they are a special case, they weren't obliged to inform you. And, before you ask, I never said a thing because I was afraid Apocryphos might hear of it and come before I was ready to face him"
Another silence, and I turned my eyes to Link, who seemed to be struggling with his own thoughts.
"Shoot, Inspector Link" I drawled. "Your tongue is burning"
"You stabbed Third Exorcist Tewaku" he finally said, clenching his jaw.
"Gabriel did, but yes" I nodded.
There were a few horrified gasps around, making me roll my eyes.
"Take a chill pill" I huffed. "I placed a fragment of my Shield in her body and in Tokusa and Madarao's too. Right now, their Alma cells are little by little destroyed from the inside. It'll take a while, but it'll allow me to save them from the Earl's control when the time comes"
Needless to say, it didn't turn out as well as I hoped it would, but it didn't turned out as bad as I feared it would.
"Take her to a confined cell, she is clearly delirious"
Are they stupid or just blind?
Both, I'd say. But hey, I never lied, did I?
Except for the 'more training' part. Oh, and about who knew.
Well, I didn't want to expand the thing on the memories. Plus, I don't want to cause the others more trouble.
A CROW lifted me up, I blew a raspberry at Leverrier, cackling madly as he turned to a deep purple.
You're seriously not helping your case, though. They all think you're insane now.
I'll take whatever they give, that just means they won't dissect me or whatever.
True, true.
I was thrown in the cell not far from Allen's –I could feel the auras on a twenty meter range now- and seeing as we were the only ones present with Timcanpy, it was easy to converse.
"Were you charged as a traitor too?" he asked, somewhat bitterly.
"Nope"
I could feel his confusion without having to use my abilities.
"Then what-"
"They charged me as insane and instable"
There was a moment of silence, before he snorted.
"Go figures"
"What's that supposed to mean?" I huffed. "Anyway, I told them about Gabriel, Apocryphos, the Heart and all that crap, and they just went 'well, she's clearly delirious get her out of here' and here I am"
"For telling them like that… you're leaving soon, aren't you?" his good mood had suddenly evaporated.
I shifted in place.
"Yeah, I am. Michael is coming, if he isn't already here. I'm not strong enough to face him right now, though. Hell, I can't even walk!" I grunted, hitting my numbed legs in annoyance. "I'll have to go, probably tonight or something like that. Of course, I ain't leaving you here either, don't worry"
"What do you mean?" he asked, clearly not understanding the situation.
"Kiddo, you can't stay anymore" I frowned. "The Order is turning against you, despite our friend's efforts. You're also an easy prey for Michael and the Noahs. You're leaving with me, and then we'll see what happens"
His aura turned a little warmer at that, and I could tell he was smiling.
"Thank you, Ary"
"Any time, Kiddo"
"Stop calling me that"
"Dream on"
The door slammed open, letting enter CROWs, soon followed by the quick steps of Link, who passed by my cell without a second glance.
He entered Allen's without much ceremonies, earning a startled squeak from the boy.
I snickered.
"This is porridge. Head Chef Jeryy made is especially for you"
"Eh?"
"You're very cautious as not to take truth serum, so I asked him to make it so you'd know it's authentic. Central wasn't involved in it's cooking at all. So eat!"
"He's not lying!" I called over at the white-haired teen.
I could feel Link's annoyance climbing a notch at my voice.
I heard Allen lifting the lid over his porridge bowl.
"'Leverrier is shit'" he read.
"That he is!" I cheered.
"Thanks, Ary" he drawled. "Link, I'm surprised you allowed that"
The older man didn't answer, but I knew he was listening.
His annoyance grew even more.
"You're finally talking… to say that!?"
He wasn't angry per se, but he wasn't a happy camper either.
"You didn't tell" I remarked, drawing his attention. "Why?"
"I don't know what you're talking about"
"Gabriel talked to you" I insisted. "You realized it wasn't me and he explained somewhat, but you merely asked about Tewaku"
Hesitation joined his annoyance. Then, he let out an heavy sigh.
"They were like family to me. As we often went begging at churches after loosing our parents, we started doing things as a group. Tewaku and Kiredori were still small, so we naturally decided to protect them. In order to live, we were taken in by the Church's dark side, and became their puppets. You saved them. I'm in debt to you, Aryane Darkelston"
I bit my lower lip at that.
"I wasn't in time to save Gushi and Kiredori" I admitted, more quietly. "I'm sorry I couldn't do more"
"No"
At his refusal, I blinked in surprise.
"I should be the one to atone to the Thirds. I'm the one… who gave the Dark Matter to the Inspector"
"I know" I nodded, smiling a little when a surprised gasp escaped him. "I felt it when Tewaku left. But you know, they didn't regret it. All of them… they were truly glad to have a chance, despite how it turned out"
"I feel dumb" remarked Allen. "Had I learned about the Thirds like this, I could've gotten along with them better. Willingly becoming half-Akumas was enough on it's own for me to feel some sort of hatred towards them. Learning about them like this might have changed some things… how do you do it, Ary?"
"Do what?" I frowned in confusion.
"Accepting others… so easily" he precised. "Accepting their flaws, their pasts, their choices, as if none of it ever mattered…"
"I don't know" I shrugged. "To be honest, I think I'm just too lazy to actually care about it. I don't accept everything, though, I just know when to give a second chance, and sometimes a third or a fourth one. It's just… me, being me"
He chuckled, and I could sense Link's amusement to my statement.
"I don't know anything for sure" I added. "I just take it in stride, hope for the best and sometimes forget to prepare for the worst. You know, I might not show it, but I'm downright terrified half of the time. Right now, the only thing keeping my legs from shaking is the fucking nerve damage. Not knowing… it's scary. But… sometimes… you've got to take the jump anyway"
I could tell my words had him thinking, if not the both of them.
The peace was soon forgotten, though, and the melody of the Fourteenth echoed in the back of my mind, and a new presence made itself known just in front of Allen's cell, making my blood freeze.
... He's here.
Trickster? I'm scared.
I know. But don't worry. You're not alone, okay? I'm with you, just like all of your friends. You're not facing him alone, and you never will.
Thank you.
It was him.
Michael joined the party, at last.
APOCRYPHOS IS HERE! TAN TAN TAN! Also, just for the sake of the story, there weren't any guards or CROWs in the dungeons to keep watch over Ary and Allen. They're stupid enough to believe they won't be able to escape, chained down as they are.
Oh, and I honestly believe they would react that way to Ary's story too. I mean, for someone to hear all of that out of the blue, with no proof whatsoever to help out, it'd be hard to understand. And, since Link kept his mouth shut about Gabriel, the higher-ups couldn't know she was telling the truth.
Question: Do you think Ary and Allen are leaving together? Yes? No? Why?
Reviews!