Disclaimer: Don't own D. Gray-Man, never will.
Special Thanks To:
Xx. Envy Wrath .Xx (for the first review for this story)
EyesofTCN
Crimson .light .of .Death
Variation on Ink
And all of those who faved or subscribed :D
Follow me on Twitter! (Name: Kavilene, see my profile)
Allen, Kanda, Desdemona and Toma ran swiftly across the rocky plains. The ruins of the abandoned town became closer and closer. A sudden gust of bone-chilling wind whipped past them as the four stopped at the edge of a cliff over-looking the ancient town.
The three exorcists tensed. The ruins were old and tattered, but the clearly distinguishable marks of a recent battle caught their attentions. Several bodies with the finder's cream uniform lay on the ground.
"Damn, we are late." Kanda muttered to himself. "Hey you," Allen somehow knew the Japanese was talking to him, so he turned to show he was listening. "I'll tell you this beforehand. I don't care if you're dying, if I find you a bother I'll leave you behind. In war there are always sacrifices, so don't think we will come to recue you."
"I don't like your way of thinking," the white haired exorcist stated grimly.
"Few tips for you," the Eurasian exorcist said coldly, "Don't act on impulse, don't try to save anyone, stay alive. And, Allen Walker, don't get in my way. If you do, I will kill you myself."
Allen stared in disbelief. What's wrong with these people? How can they be so cold-hearted? Are they human?
A loud bang caught the exorcists' attention. At the centre of the town, an explosion lit the night sky orange. A Level 2 akuma stood with one foot on the head of a finder. Two other Level 1 akumas were repeatedly attacking a single target that was obscured from view by the smoke.
"Damn human!" the Level 2's scream could be heard over the resonating sound of the explosion.
The smoke cleared, a glowing cube floated in mid-air. Four barrier machines were each located at one corner of the base of the cube. Two figures sat huddled inside the cube, they had on similar attire, browned tattered shawls and a tall pointed hat. The larger figure's face was hidden from view, the smaller figure had bandages wrapped around her head, covering her left eye.
"We…We won't hand over the Innocence to you, akuma!" The finder managed to choke out. The level 2 akuma slammed its foot down on the finder's skull.
"STOP IT!" A flash of white hair and Allen appeared in front of the Level 2 akuma. His activated anti-akuma weapon slashed at the Level 2.
The Level 2 caught Allen's left arm and at the same time, immobilising it. It pulled his leg back and landed a powerful kick straight across Allen's stomach. The white haired exorcist was then sent flying into the building behind, the impact made a hole in the wall.
Kanda watched, "Idiot, rushing in before thinking it over. He's probably a Level 2. Plus his special abilities are still unknown to us." Desdemona mentally face-palmed. She did warn him before. Righteous people are stupid.
Timcampy fluttered around a pile of debris. Allen's left arm shot out from beneath the pile of bricks and lifted a large piece of the wall to free himself. "You are the one that killed the finders!" The white haired exorcist accused, his cursed eye reacted to his anger, turning his pupil red and the white part black. The Level 2 akuma smiled a sadistic smile and charged towards the exorcist.
"The barrier won't last much longer," Desdemona observed. A large crater has appeared beneath the cube as a result of the attacks from the two Level 1 akumas. "Leave the Level 2 to him; he should at least be able to distract it until we get them out."
The Japanese exorcist drew out his sword, "Psh." He held Mugen in front of him with his left hand then ran his index and middle finder along the side of the blade, "Innocence activate!". The katana started glowing brightly. "Let's go," Kanda said to Desdemona without even looking back.
The female exorcist wrapped her hand around the handle of her whip, "Thora, activate!" The small cross embedded into the handle of the whip glowed dimly green. She tugged on the handle and the leather whip was freed from her belt. It uncoiled and the entire whip started to glow the same green, brighter and brighter. Desdemona brought her arm down, a loud clash echoed as the leather slashed against the air, like the thunder during a storm.
The navy haired exorcist jumped from the roof, the crescent moon shone from behind and his coat flowed epically behind him. Desdemona never understood how he always manages appear as an artistic silhouette to every onlooker no matter where he is. She rolled her eyes, narcissist.
"Illusionary Technique," the swordsman said, "Herald of Woe. Beasts of the Underworld!" Kanda slashed his sword in mid air, leaving a long, glowing white trail, as if he sliced open the air and created an gateway. Ghostly insects with bright red eyes appeared from within the slash and charged at one of the Level 1 akumas.
The insects penetrated the body of the closer akuma, the machine exploded into dust. The surviving akuma turned at the sound of the explosion.
Desdemona jumped down from the rooftop, her weighted boots kept her in an upright position. She caught the whip in several sections and held it in a loose loop for convenience. Once she touched the ground, she ran towards the surviving Level 1.
The slow akuma was pointing several of its cannons and guns at Kanda, who was putting Mugen back into the sheath on his back. The small female lashed out. The long whip extended and wrapped itself around the large body of the unsuspecting akuma several times. Desdemona then yanked the whip back with all her strength, throwing the akuma into the building behind. Her heavy boots kept her feet in place. She tugged her whip free from the akuma's body as it shrank back to its original length.
The female exorcist ran towards the akuma lying in the debris and jumped above the akuma. When she was straight above the machine, she lashed out her whip, Thora. The leather dug deep into the flesh of the akuma and it also exploded into dust.
Kanda located a finder who was still alive and knelt down beside to him. "Hey, what's the deactivation code for the barrier?"
"Y…You came, exorcist," the finder managed to choke out.
"If you don't want you and your comrades to die in vain then hurry up and answer me," Kanda urged.
"Have Hope…Have Hope…" the finder said with his last breath and went limp against the stone wall behind him.
Kanda stood up and walked towards the barrier, but Desdemona got there first. She had been close enough to hear the finder's last words and managed to deactivate the barrier.
The two figures looked up at Desdemona, a glint of recognition lit up the smaller one's visible eye. "You are…"
Kanda came up behind Desdemona. The small figure's eye trailed over to the taller man.
"Quick, come with us. We've got to get out you out of here," Desdemona urged.
Kanda threw the larger figure over his shoulder and Desdemona had the smaller one on her back.
"I'LL KILL YOU!" The Level 2 screamed at the two dark haired exorcists. Desdemona ignored it and ran towards the denser cluster of constructions where she may be able to find some hiding place. Kanda looked back to check on Allen, who seemed to be slightly wounded. "I won't help you defeat him. It was your fault that you acted on your emotions in the first place!" Kanda said when Allen met his eyes.
"All right, go ahead," Allen replied, "I'll destroy this akuma and then get going."
Kanda spared one last look at the younger exorcist before going after Desdemona.
"An underground path?" Kanda asked.
"Yes, the citizens built an underground area to protect themselves. It's like a maze. There's an exit that leads us through the cliffs and out to the sea. The "Akuma" can fly, so I think it's better if we use the underground path." the girl on Desdemona's back explained.
Kanda evaluated the offer.
"That might be the only way." Desdemona said.
A buzzing sound came from Kanda's coat and his black golem popped out from his collar. Kanda lowered the man down and leaned him against the wall. Desdemona did the same with the girl. She then sat down next to the two on the floor. Even though she was used to the extra weight on her legs, it still decreased her stamina.
The small girl reattached herself to the man and stared at the female exorcist. Desdemona turned when she felt the stare. She put a finger to her closed lips and smiled.
"How are things there?" Kanda talked into the golem.
Toma's voice replied, "There seemed to be a heavy battle going on, then I heard a loud blast, and now Sir Walker's whereabouts are unknown," he paused, sadistic laughter was heard in the background, "Oh, it seems that only the akuma has come out, it's trying to catch the golem."
Kanda thought for a while, "All right. I'll send my golem as a guide, bring Timcampy. We need Tim's ability right now."
"Ok," Toma's said in the foreground. While in the background, the sadistic laughter of the akuma continued. "Heheheh! I'll kill you too! Eiya! Hyahahahah!"
Kanda stopped the transmission. The small bat-like mechanism fluttered away and out of the alley, it soon disappeared over the edge of a building.
The older exorcist turned back to the three on the floor. The man and the girl seemed inseparable. Desdemona sat there hugging her legs. "All right, we're going underground," he announced, "Do you know the path?" He asked the two.
Forcibly, and a bit too eagerly, the large figure spoke, "I do."
Desdemona's head snapped up, she looked at the large figure with confusion in her eyes. "Guzol…" the smaller figure breathed. Kanda saw the subtle expressions of confusion but dismissed it as unworthy detail.
The large figure raised an arm to his hat and removed it, "I've been living here for 500 years, there's no path I don't know." Kanda stared at the exposed face of the doll named Guzol. Warts covered his entire face; a large ugly birth mark sat at the top right side of his forehead. His left cheek was swollen to the point where he cannot open his left eye and his dry, ancient skin stretched over his bones.
Kanda was mildly shocked.
"Hehe, ugly, huh?" Guzol said. He lifted his arm to put his hat back on.
"You are the doll? It's amazing you can talk," Kanda raised an eyebrow.
Desdemona was getting more and more puzzled by the second.
Guzol looked back to the male exorcist, "You guys came here to take my heart, right?"
Suddenly, it all made sense. Desdemona finally understood Guzol's intentions. She lowered her eyes and looked at the ground, evaluating her options.
"If it's possible, I want it now," Kanda demanded, "We don't need the trouble of carrying a big doll with us."
The blond girl detached herself from Guzol and stood in front of the doll protectively, "Gu…Guzol's the only one that knows the underground path! Without him, we'll just get lost!"
Kanda looked at the girl skeptically, "And who are you?"
"I'm-"
"She was just an adopted kid!" Guzol interrupted.
Desdemona stood up and looked down at the two huddled figures, "Keep it for now, your heart. We will need to take it when it ends." Kanda's initial reaction was to object, but after further thought, he decided to go along.
"Sir Kanda," a voice, Toma's voice, came from behind a building. Kanda turned to see the finder walking towards them.
Desdemona walked in front of the two that still sat on the floor, she knelt down to face them. "Sorry for dragging you into this," she whispered.
"You are…" the blond girl began. Desdemona smiled.
"This is Timcampy," the finder's voice came from behind Desdemona; she turned her head to see Kanda and Toma gathering around something that Toma held in his hands. Desdemona stood up and joined the two.
A small pile of golden coloured debris lay in the finder's hands. As Desdemona approached, the pieces started to float and began reconstructing itself. It soon became Timcampy.
"Tim, show me the information on the akuma," Kanda said. Timcampy flew away from Toma's hands. It opened its mouth, and a small projection appeared before them. Several different images of the akuma were projected. Desdemona squeezed herself between Kanda and Toma to see the projections more clearly.
"It's like a mirror…" Kanda muttered.
"What?" Toma asked.
"It's backwards," Desdemona observed. "This fake had no insides, it was only a 3D doll,"
"Damn bean sprout, letting the akuma copy his arm!" Kanda exclaimed.
The blond girl came up behind Desdemona and tugged at her uniform. Desdemona turned and as soon as she did, Kanda and Toma gathered closer to the golem and successfully re-occupied the space where Desdemona stood before.
Th female exorcist saw the child leading the doll by its hand and pointed towards her right. Desdemona followed her finger and saw a flight of stairs down into an underground cellar.
"We should have searched for Sir Walker," Toma suggested to Kanda, they were both too busy studying the images projected by Timcampy to notice the movements behind, "We can't even tell if Sir Walker is real, even if he is alive."
Desdemona understood the girl. She didn't like owing people. She looked back to Kanda, who was scowling at thin air, probably annoyed at the newbie's incompetence, and nodded to the young girl. A large smile spread across the girl's face and they started quietly down the stairs.
"No. We can tell, because the akuma would be the opposite of him." Kanda replied. He turned to check on the two 'captives'. His eyes widened when he didn't see any of them. He looked around everywhere but still couldn't spot the two. What was even more mystifying was that Desdemona was also nowhere to be seen.
Realization hit him, "They…THEY RAN AWAY!" Kanda's lips curled into another scowl. "Damn! Where could they be…and where the hell is Dem? Did they run away and Dem went after them? Yeah, that's probably it. So it's ok…Dem is with them…Wait, no, I can't trust her..." he muttered.
"Sir Kanda, behind you…" Toma suddenly whispered with a very cautious tone.
Kanda turned around.
Standing there, in front of them, was Allen Walker.
An Allen Walker with the scar on his right eye.
Desdemona lashed out her whip, it wrapped around a pillar protruding out from the wall, breaking her fall.
They had walked into the entrance to the underground cavity, only the floor was too old and gave out, creating a not-so-nice shortcut for the three.
The blond girl extended her slim right arm and grabbed Guzol, her left hand clawed at the wall. The friction slowed their drop, but crushing her hand.
Activating her innocence, the whip extended and lowered Desdemona onto the ground.
The other two landed less gently. Guzol landed first, his fragile body weakened by the heavy impact. The girl fell next to the old doll, who was coughing violently. The tall hat had fallen from the girl's head, her long silky hair flowed around her small body. She cradled her left arm. A wooden 'helmet' was on her head, different sized antenna-like bits stuck out from the top.
"Are you all right, Guzol?" she asked gently.
The doll nodded, "Lala! Your hand!"
Lala shook her head, "It's fine. As long as Guzol is safe..."
The old man tried to sit up, but when he did, he started coughing again. His hand flew up to cover his mouth but the trickles of blood still leaked out from between his fingers.
"He…doesn't have much time left, does he?" Desdemona asked gently.
Lala wrapped her arms around the dying man. "There isn't." she said quietly.
"He lied to keep you safe, you ran away to keep him safe, then why did you bring me? What if I was to take your heart now? I'm with the Order for this mission," Desdemona said. "And you too," she said to the old man, "You knew perfectly well that I know you're not the doll, yet you lie in front of me to Kanda. Why?"
"Why? You ask…" Lala replied, "Is there any other option?" she gave a sad smile.
Desdemona sighed. She sat down on the floor next to the two. After a few silent moments, she laughed lightly, "Gramps and Lala haven't changed at all."
"No, I have become old." Guzol managed to say between coughs.
"You've grown a lot," Lala observed.
"Hm…" Desdemona answered absent-mindedly.
Guzol opened his mouth and tried to speak, more rounds of violent coughing prevented him from doing so. Lala stroked his back with one hand. The coughs soon turned into violent hacks. The sound of liquid gurgled at his throat. Guzol leant forward as a gush of blood came from his throat, it spilled onto the cold marble floor.
Finally, the coughing stopped. Guzol was left gasping for air. Lala embraced the man tightly. She had been watching him suffer like this for a long time and it pains her just as much.
Desdemona sighed lightly. The Order knew most of her past, it was inevitable. They do it to make sure there are no spies amongst the Order. Luckily, the Order only knew this much. Even this information was only obtained when the finders tried to investigate this place. She had obviously been assigned this mission on purpose. As soon as she saw the brief, she knew that Komui's 'You-Can-Be-Replaced' speech was just to provoke her. There was no turning back now, because this mission concerned these two. And these two saved her life. Given the situation, she can do nothing for them other than granting them their last wish. But as long as the Innocence is not extracted, they will always be in danger.
"Guzol, what can I do for you?" Lala asked the dying man.
"Sing…sing for me," Guzol forced a smile. Lala nodded, she pressed her hands to her chest and lifted up her head. Lala opened her mouth and her beautiful voice echoed through the large open space. The doll's lullaby flowed out note by note, word by word.
Desdemona listened to the familiar tune. She had heard it many times before.
Six years ago, Desdemona left the place she had once called home. The inexperienced girl travelled by herself and mistakenly wondered into Martel. She travelled for days in the rocky plains around the town where there was no food or water. From far away, the silhouette of a town seemed promising, but as she came closer and closer, it became more and more hopeless. She wandered through the alleyways of the abandoned town, in search of water and food, but her body gave out.
Lala and Guzol were the ones who found her and saved her. Desdemona stayed with them for a month. The two were unwelcoming and unfriendly at first, they weren't used to having other people around. Eventually, they started to familiarize. Lala sang all day, every day. It was her purpose for living, she said. She sang the same tune every time, Guzol would always listen to her whole-heartedly.
Even though Desdemona wouldn't mind living with them forever, but in the back of her head, something willed her on, as if telling her to fullfill a purpose. She had thought it was revenge she was seeking, that was one of the reasons she went back to London. Her existence alone at the time, and now, was solely based on a groundless belief that they loved her. They loved her and therefore would want her to live on. Only for that reason, just that reason. Maybe, it was just a cowardly excuse to greedily continue living.
Even in this situation, she can't do anything other than waiting patiently for Guzol to die.
What sort of payback is that?
Phrase after phrase, the tune repeated itself many times. Whenever the song ends Lala would just start all over again. The terribly beautiful melody, mixed with Lala's own sadness.
The tune was so captivating that Desdemona's hearing - which tried to pick up any sounds that indicated danger - was tuning out. She tried hard to hear something, anything. She feared she would miss something. But the melody was so beautiful, Lala's voice was so beautiful, and everything about the way she sang it made the exorcist want to curl up somewhere warm and safe, be oblivious to everything.
Step
Step
Step
Footsteps. Desdemona became alarmed. She heard footsteps, uneven footsteps. And…metal scraping against the floor.
Akuma? Desdemona stood up, Lala stopped singing. Once the melody stopped the footsteps were much more audible. From the sound, it might possibly be boots, boots of the Order, but none can ever be sure. The exorcist gripped the handle of her whip.
The footsteps grew louder, and louder, and still louder as it came closer and closer.
Desdemona's grip tightened. Lala stood in front of Guzol protectively.
A silver silhouette appeared in the dark pathway leading to the large hall. It was a small figure, carrying two larger ones. Desdemona soon realized who they were.
Allen stepped into the light. He had been following the song. He was never good with directions. When it stopped, he lost his way. Then, he saw the light at the end of the hallway and walked towards it. It was hard enough walking around with Kanda on his shoulder and Toma leaning against his other, but his own injuries made it even more difficult.
Desdemona relaxed, she released the grip on her whip. Kanda seemed to have outdone himself this time. The new kid was pretty impressive, and such a persistent person too.
Allen's first saw the female exorcist but then his eyes strayed to the small blond girl. Her unnatural wooden features implied that she was the doll. She sang too. It was certain that she was the 'Ghost of Martel'.
Desdemona noticed Lala's stiff posture, "It's okay, he's wi-"
Without warning, the doll dug her fingers into a fallen stone pillar beside her, yanking it free with all her might. She lifted it with both arms above her head and threw it at a shocked Allen. Allen dodged just in time while putting Toma and Kanda down in a safe corner. "Wait a minute! Calm down, let's talk!"
Lala yanked free another pillar. Desdemona stood there, first shocked but then, she put her face into her palm in exasperation. Lala won't listen, she won't listen at all.
Allen realized that the doll wasn't in a 'let us talk' mood. He had to stop her from throwing pillars at him. Allen removed his left glove with his teeth and activated his Innocence. His red arm transformed into the silver parasitic anti-akuma weapon. Lala pushed on the stone pillar, it left her hands to sail towards Allen.
Allen ducked as the pillar sailed over his head. His left arm flew up behind him and his hooked nails grabbed onto the end of the flying pillar. Desdemona was impressed. He's not bad for a rookie. General Cross was rumored to be very harsh when training his apprentice.
Desdemona's admiration was soon replaced by horror as she watched the newbie throwing the pillar back at Lala. The doll cringed as the pillar came for her, but the pillar spun right past, above Lala's head, it travelled in an arc, destroying all the remaining pillars, shattering them to pieces. Desdemona and Lala watched in awe as every single one of the pillars fell and shattered.
There were no pillars left, meaning nothing left for Lala to throw.
Desdemona was really impressed this time, maybe General Cross wasn't as bad as Master had said he was: drunkard, huge debtor, stupid and a womanizer. An apprentice should be like his master. According her observations of Allen Walker, she concluded that General Cross should be at least respectable, if not likeable.
Lala collapsed onto the floor and looked up at the white-haired boy. Allen was holding the pillar that he threw – which miraculously spun back to him – with ease. He scratched the back of his head, "Please tell me what is going on. I don't want to fight such a cute girl," Allen smiled gently.
"That was impressive," Desdemona commented.
"Um…thank you?" Allen replied uncertainly.
"Can I just ask…" Desdemona began, she knelt down to examine the ruins of the pillars. "If you destroy the pillars, wouldn't the roof fall down?" Allen digested the girl's words and froze. Desdemona watched the boy's reaction and sighed. He's not respectable…he's stupid.
"Guzol," Desdemona nodded towards the old man, "and Lala," she gestured to the doll. Allen lowered the pillar and nodded.
"Guzol is going to die soon!" Lala distressed, "Until then, please don't separate me from him! I will give you my heart!" she pleaded.
Before Allen could answer, Desdemonawent to Lala and gently pulled on her undamaged arm. "Get up, Lala. We won't separate you two." Reassured, Lala slowly stood up. Guzol started coughing again so she rushed to his side. Desdemona met Allen's eyes, they showed a mixture of disbelief, confusion and worry.
Desdemona knew that Kanda would be the first to object, but in his condition, she needn't worry. If by any chance he should wake up and interfere with her decision she could just easily strangle him back into unconsciousness. She's got to be careful not to kill him though. Actually no, it wouldn't be a problem even if she did kill him. He doesn't die even if he's killed, tight she doesn't really understand how that works.
Desdemona smiled evilly as she thought over all the ways to torture Kanda. Allen saw the smile and suddenly felt very cold, he shivered. Suddenly, Desdemona stopped smiling as if she just remembered she had something to do. She went over to Toma and Kanda lying in the corner and helped them into more comfortable positions.
The girl looked over their wounds. The cut across Kanda's chest doesn't look good, but he'll live. Toma had less serious injuries. As much as she wanted to kill Kanda, she still had to stop his bleeding. She removed the tattered uniform draped over his shoulders and ripped it into strips. He had bandages on his chest but they were cut into pieces.
Allen came to help, he took off his own uniform and folded it into a small square. He lifted Kanda's head and placed the uniform below him. At the same time, Desdemona finished wrapping the bandages and looked up to see Allen lowering Mugen next to Kanda. Since Allen took off his uniform, the bloodstains on his white shirt were clearly visible. He lifted his head and caught Desdemona staring at his chest. She met his gaze and gestured to his bloodstains. He simply waved his right hand dismissively with a small smile.
As the two exorcists finished tending the injured, they went to sit opposite of Lala and Guzol.
"So please, tell me what's going on?" Allen asked.
Lala curled herself up against Guzol and started her touching tale. Right from when she met Guzol, they had been together for 80 years. He was the first and only one to accept her as a doll.
To Desdemona's relief, Lala didn't mention anything about Desdemona's own experience in this town. However, Desdemona's constant eye contact may have something to do with the omission of that part of the story.
"Guzol," Lala's young 500 year voice continued, "will stop moving soon. Let me be with him until the end. I promise I will give you my heart!" she sat up from against Guzol's chest, her large blue eyes pleading Allen.
Allen considered, but before he could reach an answer, a voice sharply turned down the request.
"No!" Kanda sat up slowly. Desdemona's heart dropped, she knew what was coming. "Wait until this old man dies? We can't grant this wish!"
He always had to be so harsh. But then again, if Desdemona hadn't owed the two her life, she would've made the same choice. In fact, she was pretty sure that anyone unrelated would have made that decision, Allen included. Desdemona debated in her head whether or not she should start strangling Kanda already; maybe knock Allen out on the way…
Allen stood up and faced Kanda.
"Take that doll's heart NOW!" Kanda demanded.
She observed Allen, he seemed to hesitate.
"What did we come here for?" Kanda questioned.
Desdemona waited for Allen's answer.
"I…I can't do it," Allen stated quietly, "Sorry, I just can't do it."
Desdemona raised her eyebrows in surprise.
Kanda stared at Allen in disbelief and frustration. Kanda looked down and saw Allen's uniform folded neatly on the floor. He grabbed the cloak and threw it at Allen in fury. "This coat isn't a pillow for the wounded! It's the uniform of an exorcist!" Scowling, Kanda threw what was left of his own uniform over his shoulder.
"Ungrateful bastard…" Desdemona muttered under her breath.
"What did you just say?" Kanda threathened.
Desdemona glared at Kanda. After a while, she rolled her eyes and looked away. Kanda gritted his teeth and a vein popped out at his temple. He retrieved Mugen and stood up unsteadily. He walked past the two other exorcists and advanced towards Lala and Guzol.
Lala watched in horror as the tall man pointed his sword at her. His glare was terrifying.
A hand reached out and pushed on the back of the blade of the sword. It slowly guided the tip of the weapon away from the doll and the old man. Kanda stared down at the girl, "Dem," he said threateningly.
The girl just simply shrugged.
"There are sacrifices that must be made!"
"Then I will be the one!" Allen's voice came from behind Kanda. The boy put his coat back on and positioned himself between Mugen and Lala. Kanda glared at Allen. Allen continued, "Will it be enough if I am the sacrifice for these two? Until then, I cannot remove the Innocence from this doll! If I destroy the akuma, then it wouldn't a problem, would it? Making sacrifices all the time in order to win the war, it's futile!" he exclaimed.
Kanda's right hand balled into a tight fist, his accumulating anger reached its limits. His right arm struck out, punching the unsuspecting Allen straight in the face. Allen stumbled backwards and fell onto the marble floor.
Kanda fell to the floor on his knee. He was weakened by his wound. After steadying himself, he lifted his head and glared at Allen, "How incredibly naïve…selling yourself out for some pitiful strangers?" Kanda panted, both the pain and his anger were making him breathless. "ISN'T ANYTHING IMPORTANT TO YOU?"
"Idiots, wasting their own energy." Desdemona sighed. These two are helpless. She was surprised. What Allen was doing for Guzol and Lala is far more than what she herself had planned to do. He is fulfilling their wish for them rather than allowing them to fulfill their wish. Allen Walker, who was complete strangers with Guzol and Lala, was able and willing to do much more for them than herself, who owed the two her life. He is something, if not just simply stupid.
"There was once something important…" Allen began, answering Kanda's question. "I lost it long ago. It's pitiful, I don't have a noble reason. I just don't want to see something like this happen. That's all. Because I am a small man, my heart is moved by what is in front of my eyes, not by what the world needs. I can't just abandon what is there in front of me. I want to protect everything I can!"
Shing-
Rip
Crack
A quick sharp gust of air whipped pasted Desdemona. Followed by the sound of ripped clothing and broken wood. Something shimmered at the corner of her eye. A silver hooked nail. She quickly turned around, only to see the akuma's copied right arm piercing through Guzol and Lala.
Kanda and Allen stopped their argument; they turned to the direction of the sound. They watched in horror and dismay as the dying man and the doll were snatched away from them. Allen leaped forwards, extending his right arm, wanting to grab onto the two and drag them back. He was too slow.
Guzol's hat flew away as the akuma pulled them into a pile of sand that appeared from nowhere.
Kanda looked around, the sand seemed to be increasing in quantity. It surrounded the exorcists from all sides. There was so much sand that the original marble floor wasn't visible anymore.
Behind the exorcists, some sand shifted and lifted up off the ground. It rose to a particular height and started to take on shape. The movement alarmed the exorcists and they all spun around.
The sand slowly took on the shape of the akuma. Two dark figures were spat out. A lifeless Lala hung from the akuma's grip, her limp limbs flailed around wildly. Guzol was in the akuma's right hand, the metal nail copied from Allen pierced the old man's chest. Hooked onto the tip of the center nail, was a small container that was glowing green.
"I got the INNOCENCE!" the Level 2 laughed, it threw its head back and shook uncontrollably.
As the sight registered itself in Desdemona's mind, she finally made the connection. The akuma had the Innocence, the Innocence that was in Lala. It ripped out Lala's heart. Her right hand balled into a fist around Thora's handle.
The Level 2 akuma released its grip on the two limp figures and disposed them onto the rough sand. The weakened Guzol reach out his hand towards the lifeless doll, "Lala…Lala…"
Desdemona tightened her jaw and yanked at the handle, Thora came free and cracked in the air. This time, it didn't glow green, instead it glowed electric blue. Small electricity sparks crackled along the leather. She braced herself, leaned forward and was about to charge at the akuma when-
Stop.
Desdemona stopped, frozen in her tracks. A bone-chilling gust of air rushed past her, it carried a fearsome aura of murderous rage. She slowly looked back to Allen. Her eyes widened in surprise and disbelief.
Allen had also activated his Innocence, but his arm did not take on its usual shape. Instead, his red flesh shifted and twisted, it was taking on another form. Several spikes sprouted out at his shoulder, where the influence of the Innocence on his body ends. His cursed eye activated, tinting the white part of his eye black and the pupil red. "Return it, return the Innocence," his voice, his tone. Even though he said it rather calmly, everything about it screamed rage and anger.
The arm gradually changed and formed itself. However, before the weapon could take on its shape, Allen leaped and charged at the akuma. Everyone, including the akuma, stared shocked as Allen's arm transformed into a cannon, aimed at the akuma. A blinding light shone from within the cannon and solid beams of light shot out. The beams buried themselves deep into the body of the akuma. As Allen continued to shoot, the beams piled up on one another, creating a tower. Allen landed on it as he fell down.
A trail of moving sand shifted around with high speed. "You can't hit me when I shift into sand!" the akuma exclaimed proudly.
Allen aimed his weapon at the moving sand, his face was devoid of any expression, which made it even more fearsome.
A trident shot out from within the sand and charged at Allen. He dodged, but another lot of sand launched at him. This time, it was in the shape of the akuma's head. The sand enveloped Allen as it separated with the rest. It took on the full shape of the akuma with a very large belly.
"Hmm…how many times do I have to stab you before you die?" the akuma wondered out loud. It lifted up its right arm and stabbed at its stomach.
Once
Twice
"Sir Walker!" Toma's voice woke Desdemona from her trance. "He's fine." Kanda said.
Indeed, the fearsome aura was still there. But who knows for how long. Desdemona watched as the akuma continuously stabbed at its belly. That right arm looked pretty solid...
Desdemona thrust out her whip, it extended and wrapped itself on the akuma's right wrist. The leather tensed as she pulled on the handle, temporarily restraining the akuma from stabbing its oversized belly. If Allen wasn't in there, she would've thrown the akuma into the wall.
Just then, its belly seemed to increase in size. Double. Triple. It grew larger and larger very quickly. The sand belly bursted as it stretched to its limits. Light shone from within the sand and soon the solid beams of light was exposed, along with the white haired exorcist.
So Allen fired from within.
The young exorcist fired again, the force drove him out of the sand. Now that Allen was out, Desdemona yanked on the whip and the akuma smashed into the wall. The cracks caused by the impact crawled in all directions. Small pieces of debris flew out. She frowned. This cavity must be very weak right now, thanks to someone who destroyed all the supporting pillars. They have to finish this quick. She looked over to Allen to check if he was still alive.
Allen held up his left arm. A single beam of light slowly came out from the cannon and the opening of the cannon twisted and narrowed around it, forming a sword. He jumped and slashed at the akuma. The akuma split in half. Its outer skin peeled off, revealing his true form underneath.
"So this is your true form," said Allen as his arm transformed back into cannon form, "I'm not giving you a chance to change your appearance again."
The akuma panicked. He tried to move his right arm and use it against its true owner, but found it still restrained by a whip. The akuma followed the whip with its eyes and a young female exorcist came into vision.
Desdemona gritted her teeth as the akuma looked at her. She had been using all her strength to keep the arm immobilized. The akuma was very strong. If it ever decides to get rid of her by yanking its arm, even her weighed boots wouldn't be able to keep her on the ground.
And she was right.
The akuma thrusted its right arm with all its might, the force yanked the whip which in turn threw Desdemona into the opposite wall, the concrete shattered under the impact and fell down around the girl. Thora unwrapped from the akuma's wrist and shrank down to its original length.
"Che." "Desdemona!" said the two males in unison. The girl stood up quickly but shakily from the shattered cement, she tugged on the handle and the rest of the whip returned to her.
After seeing the girl was fine, Allen looked back at the akuma and aimed the cannon at it, bright light gathered inside his arm, "This is for you."
The akuma held his right arm forward, believing that the exorcist's own arm would be enough to block his attack. Allen fired, the copied right arm of the akuma blocked the attacks from hitting his true body, but only temporarily. The hard silver started to deteriorate, if it goes on any longer, the akuma is doomed to loose.
"Why…even though I used his hand…WHY DO I LOSE…!" The akuma screamed.
Desdemona watched the battle from the other side of the room. Stamina was her greatest weakness. This battle had been going on for a bit too long. Just a while longer, it looked like if Allen could keep it up for a little while longer it would be finished.
Allen continued to fire. Suddenly, liquid came rushing up from his throat. He coughed up a large amount of blood. The anti-akuma weapon rebounded, transforming back to the red left arm. Allen collapsed onto the floor, a sharp pain shot up from his arm. Seems like, his body couldn't keep up with the new weapon.
"Gotcha!" the akuma, relieved from the pressure of the exorcist's cannon, lunged out with its half-deteriorated right arm, aiming for Allen.
Desdemona tried to thrust out Thora again but was stopped by the sharp pain that shot up from her right shoulder. Dislocated a shoulder…
Ping! The silver arm came in contact with a sword. Kanda held out Mugen with one hand, blocking the akuma's right arm.
"Kanda!" Allen said in disbelief. If anyone was to block an attack for him, Kanda would be the last person in mind.
"Che." Kanda gritted his teeth as blood started to soak through the bandages at his chest, he re-opened his wound. 'YOU USELESS IDIOT! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING, RUNNING OUT OF POWER AT THE LAST MINUTE! YOU WERE THE BASTARD THAT BABBLED ON ABOUT PROTECTING THOSE TWO!' Kanda yelled at the top of his lungs. "I hate the way naïve people like you think…and even more so, I HATE people who don't keep their promises!"
Allen laughed weakly at Kanda's words, "Which ever it is…you still hate me. It's not that I've run out of power. I'm just taking a little break." Allen wiped the blood away from the corner of his mouth with the back of his left hand and stood up shakily.
"Che. Everything you do is irritating." Kanda focused back on the akuma.
Desdemona walked up from behind the akuma. Right is my dominant side, but I can live with using left for a while... "You two talk too much," she commented. The akuma turned its head around to spot the girl behind him. Kanda "che"-ed and Allen smiled.
Kanda twisted Mugen, it sliced through the akuma's right wrist, amputating the hand. The akuma snapped his head back in surprise. Desdemona lashed out Thora with her left hand, the whip extended and caught onto the akuma's neck. The akuma tried to struggle out of it but failed.
Allen stood up, his left arm held above his head as it transformed into the cannon. Desdemona thrust the whip upwards, throwing the akuma into mid-air, forcing it to do some sumersaults, keeping it occupied. Allen aimed his cannon and Kanda braced his sword.
"Innocence, Activate!" the two male exorcists striked, Allen shot from his arm and Kanda slashed with Mugen. Desdemona fully retracted Thora from around the akuma's neck just in time so that the attacks don't damage the leather. The thousands of light beams together with the red-eyed insects penetrated the akuma over and over again. The akuma screeched as it turned to dust.
The combined attack caused a large explosion. A sphere of light expanded and destroyed everything it touched. The power seemed unstoppable.
Finally, the light faded, leaving a large hole on the side of the hill Martel was built on.
A small glowing container fell from the sky. The Innocence fell into the gaping hole, down underground, into the chamber. Down, landing on the yellow sand. Landing in between three collapsed exorcists.
Shakily, Desdemona stood up, holding her left hand to her right shoulder. It was the second time she got thrown across the room. She briefly noted to avenge herself on the two male exorcists. She looked up to the night sky through the huge hole caused by the explosion. There were stars tonight.
She heard something move. Desdemona turned to see Allen struggling to reach the Innocence that was Lala's heart. As he finally came close enough, he laid a hand upon the glowing glass container.
"Once more, to Lala…one more time…" he whispered.
Desdemona, Toma and Kanda went to a nearby hospital, Allen was left to guard the Innocence. Desdemona got her shoulder fixed, even though it only took a few seconds, Desdemona swear it was the most painful seconds of her life. The doctors said that Kanda's wounds would take at least 5 months to heal. Toma stayed at the hospital while Desdemona headed back to Martel.
Allen had moved Guzol and Lala from the underground chamber to a church standing at the top of the hill, overlooking the entire city. He had already restored Lala's heart when Desdemona came back. She found Allen with head buried in his arms, sitting at the top of the flight. She heard Lala sing but wondered why was Allen like that. He looked like he didn't want talk so Desdemona went in to see for herself. That was when she realized Lala wasn't Lala anymore. Its eyes are blank, showing no emotion, no memory. Just a moving, singing, wooden contraption. Its lullaby echoed in the church, even her voice, her song, had lost its emotions.
Desdemona came out and sat on the stone steps. Timcampy, who was resting on Allen's shoulder, fluttered to Desdemona and landed on her shoulder. It drooped its wings sadly and pointed. The girl followed Timcampy's finger and saw Allen, he hadn't moved…
"Hey, don't cry." Desdemona said blankly.
"I'm not crying." came Allen's steady voice.
"You should stop it," Desdemona suggested.
"…" Timcampy fluttered back to its Master.
The girl sighed. Letting this continue, what's the point of it?
The doll sang, day and night. Allen hardly moved, he never left that top step. Desdemona visited the nearby town to get food. Allen devoured most of them.
It was already the third afternoon. There was a small, gentle breeze today and it seemed to carry Lala's notes on and away.
Kanda came with Toma tailing behind. Allen had his head buried in his arms. Desdemona was gnawing on a bar of chocolate. "Bean Sprout! Don't sleep! Stay on guard! Dem, stop eating!" Kanda commanded. Desdemona chose to ignore the obnoxious man, which earned her a glare.
"What is someone who needed 5 months to heal doing here?" Allen muttered.
"I'm healed." Kanda sat down on the steps too.
"Impossible…" Allen said.
"Shut up." Kanda frowned. "I got a message from Komui. I'm going ahead with my next mission. You two deliver the Innocence back to Headquarters."
"Understood," Allen replied, cheerlessly.
'Hm." Desdemona said.
Kanda sighed. He turned back slightly to look at Allen, who still hid his face from view. "If it's so hard to bear, then stop the doll. It isn't Lala anymore."
"…"
Desdemona turned slightly to look at Allen, waiting for his answer.
"It's their promise," Allen justified, "the only one who can break Lala is Guzol."
"Naïve," Kanda stated, the word seemed to be overused by the Japanese ever since Allen's arrival. "We are destroyers, not saviors."
Allen lifted his head up and smiled sadly, "I know that. But I-"
A strong harsh gust of wind cut Allen off his sentence. It disrupted the calm rhythm of the rustling leaves. Timcampy was blown off Allen's head. The wind turned cold. But all these little details went unnoticed to the three exorcists.
Lala stopped singing.
The song stopped so abruptly without finishing.
Allen stiffened; he stood up and rushed into the church. Kanda followed with Toma close behind. The white haired exorcist stepped into the grim church. The only lightsource was a beam of setting sunlight coming in from the hole in the roof. Under the light, sat Guzol and Lala. The dead man's head rested on the doll's wooden lap. Silky golden hair flowed around the doll's small form. Her head was tilted heavenwards and her mouth opened, as if she was still singing.
Allen stepped closer and knelt down beside the doll.
Thank you…
Allen stared wide eyed at the doll's face. Under the light, it looked like she was smiling.
For letting me sing until I break. The promise has been fulfilled.
The doll lost its support and tilted to the side, Allen caught it in his arms. He looked down at the lifeless doll, two streaks of blood ran down its cheeks, Guzol's blood. They looked like tears.
Allen's own tears trickled down his face and dripped from his chin. He lifted his right arm and wiped his ears with his sleeve.
I already said, don't cry. Desdemona didn't bother entering. She knew what was there. What's the point of standing there and look at two decaying corpses? It would be much better if her last memories of the two were a beautiful doll with silky synthetic hair and an old man with a bad sense of humor. Until the end, she wasn't able to pay her debt. Their last wish was fulfilled by Allen. She didn't even need to come. Allen was capable of doing much more than her. She tried to hold back the moisture welling up in her eyes but a small drop escaped and rolled down her cheek. Stupid, I said don't cry…
The harsh wind passed, the gentle breeze returned. The breeze carried Lala's song, sounded like she was still singing.
"Kanda," Allen said weakly, he continued to wipe the falling tears with the sleeve of his uniform. "I want to become a destroyer who can save."
Follow me on Twitter! (Name: Kavilene, see my profile)
When I went over and edited this. I put like three chapters into one. So it's a bit long…
Edit: this chapter is redone like 4 times, it's a bit different now.
REVIEW!
\/