Disclaimer: Don't own D. Gray-Man, never will.
Special Thanks To
All who reviewed, All who faved, All who subscribed, All who voted and All who reads
As an author I apologise sincerely for not updating for 2 years. OTL I'm so sorry, nothing will atone for my sins. Ranting for later, hope you enjoy!
"It's a lie." Allen said.
Komui stayed silent at his desk.
"It's true that I know the song that can move the Ark, but anyone who knows the song can move the Ark…that's a lie Master had you tell me, right?"
The Supervisor lowered his head a little, "Why do you say that?"
Allen shook his head with an unhappy expression, "Master was always testing me. He rarely tells me the truth. I have a feeling that I am the only one able to move the Ark." He sighed, "Well, no matter what, as an exorcist I will use the powers of the 'Musician' for the Order when required…" Allen paused, regarding Komui with an indifferent expression. "That's what you want me to say, right? And that's why all of you lied."
Komui sweated a little. Busted…
"There's something I'd like you to relay to my Master."
"What is it?"
Allen stuck out his thumb from his fist and made a downwards motion with it.
The Chinese man laughed dryly, "And you want me to do that to him?"
The exorcist turned around to leave.
"So you're ok with using the Ark to move to the new Headquarters?"
The exorcist didn't reply as he opened the door. He stepped out and disappeared into the corridor. It was a few seconds later that Komui heard a quiet "Of course."
It takes two days to sail from France to England, where the new Headquarters will be. That will be two days Desdemona can live without Allen.
Which, she might add, brought her the utmost joy.
Without the noises at night, the extra space in the corridor and the overall peace his absence brought her, she felt a freedom that she hasn't had in a long time.
She fell down on her bed. Everything's packed and ready to go, she can now get two full days of rest. Her lower body was on the bed whilst her upper body hung over the edge, she stared at her door upside-down.
Ah, she thought she had always wanted a holiday…why is she so bored?
If only Allen was here she could abuse him.
No, she doesn't miss him. She missed abusing him.
She sighed and closed her eyes, the blood rushing to her head and made her ears pound as a headache gradually set in.
She raised her upper body onto the bed and hugged her pillow. Letting her mind stray, she fell asleep after a few minutes.
~x.X.x~
Chase lay on the bed, his face contorted in pain. A pain so excruciating that Mony, who sat right beside the bed, could feel it in her chest.
She removed the towel from his feverish forehead. Dunking it in a bucket of cool water, she wrung it out and wiped the sweat beading on his skin. She laid the cold towel on his forehead, where it will be heated to uselessness in a mere few minutes.
He coughed, she helped him up into a more upright position. Handing him a yellowed handkerchief, he covered his mouth with it as he hacked. The gurgling sound from his raw throat sent almost painful shivers down the little girl's back.
When he removed the handkerchief, the girl took it over. She did not look as she knew the sight of blood staining the handkerchief. She helped him lie down, though still somewhat upright because of the 4 pillows at his back. He said it was less painful like that.
"Mony…" He said in a whisper.
"I'm here." She took his hand in hers, it was feverishly hot.
"Get out. Don't stay here." He weakly shook off her hand from his. "It's contagious."
"I'm not leaving, Chase." The girl frowned and grasped his hand tightly.
"Idiot, you'll die too." Chase chocked, she could tell he was refraining from crying.
"What do you mean 'too'? You're not going to die and neither am I. We are going to survive, nothing can kill us. We are going to survive and leave this place, we're going to leave, Chase. After we leave we will find a place to work, when we have enough money, we'll have our own house to live in. We are never going to separate from each other, ok?" The girl said in one breath. She was trying to convince herself as much as she was trying to convince him.
He smiled weakly, not wanting to think about the impossibility of her foretold future. He wanted it to be like that. Him, protecting her until the end; him, taking care of her and shielding her from harm. But now…his body is in such a mess that he needed her to take care of him. He didn't mean it to be like this…
"Brats…"
Mony tensed and Chase looked warily over to the slit in the tent, serving as a door. The voice was unmistakable, with the drunken slur and the harsh tone: Cosmo was there.
The large man stumbled into the small, humid tent. The scent of alcohol overrode the smell of blood and sickness in the air. The ringleader hiccupped, his drunkenness obvious in every sense. The girl stood up, placing herself between Cosmo and Chase. "Ringleader…" She addressed the drunken man with politeness.
"Shut up, brats." Cosmo spat. He stumbled to the side and the beer bottle in his hand crashed into a cabinet. The majority of the glass shattered, spilling the low quality beer onto the dirt beneath. Cosmo raised his hand to stare at his broken glass, now only consisting of the neck of the bottle and the sharp bits of glass sticking out beneath it. "Argh!" He growled in anger.
The large man shot an angry stare at the little girl, and then looked at the boy in disgust. Chase frowned, he couldn't do anything.
"You damn brat! Die already! You will kill us all!" Cosmo stumbled forwards, raising the sharp glass in his hand, aiming to stab at Chase. Mony jumped upon instinct, placing herself in Cosmo's way.
The drunken man's reflexes were slowed by the alcoholic toxin and brought his arm down upon the little girl. The sharp glass cut deep into her small shoulder in multiple places and the large man continued dragging the glass down her arm. The girl's right arm burned in pain, but she bit her lips, not letting a single mutter of pain escape her mouth.
The man stumbled backwards, scowling at his own lack of success. He couldn't care less who he injured, those two were worthless anyway. He threw the glass away, its sharp edges dripping with fresh, red blood. He looked back at the girl, to see a flash of gold, then her terrifying eyes.
Cosmo screamed and fell backwards, hitting his head against the same cabinet that broke the beer bottle. He sprawled across the beer-soaked dirt, struggling to stand and escape this tent. The girl took a step forwards, her eyes boring holes into the large man's back. Scrambling in disco-ordination, Cosmo fell out from the tent and crawled away in fear.
Chase hacked, trying to get up and tend to his sister. There was a large amount of blood on the sheets, on the floor. Her entire right arm was bloody and her left hand held her right shoulder. She was still, standing extremely still with her back towards him. He panicked, and he raged. Cosmo, Cosmo will not die in peace! Even if Chase turns into a ghost, he will be sure to haunt the cursed man until the ends of the times. Chase coughed, adding his own blood to the blood on his sheets.
He glanced up and saw the girl waver, her arm kept bleeding, seeping between her fingers. Suddenly, she fell onto the ground, her legs seemed to have lost their strength. Chase said her name between hacks. "Mo…mony…your arm…"
She sat still on the ground for a while, clutching her wound tightly. The pain travelled through her entire body and she did nothing to fight it. She allowed the pain to take over her, to consume her, to be so painful that it bore into her soul.
Because in her mind, all that pain turned into hatred, the more it hurts, the more she hates Cosmo. Let the pain fester, let it fester so much that it's carved into her bones, carved into her heart. Let her hatred for the man grow. The hatred shall consume her and one day, she will release this entire wrath upon that man.
"Mony!" Chase's worried voice reached her ears. She felt numb.
Shakily, she stood up to reach for the towel. Dipping it into the cold water, she cleaned her wound, letting the bloody water join the pool of blood collected at her feet and soaking into the dirt. She remained silent, as Chase watched her with weak but worried eyes. She grabbed the bandages and began wrapping them around her shoulder and her upper arm tightly. Before she even finished tying the bandages, they became soaked with blood. She wrapped the cloth around her arm a bit more and tied the ends.
"Chase…" She looked up at him. He frowned, her onyx eyes have grown cold. So cold that he thought he could physically feel it. Her once innocent and childish eyes were no more, they looked like endless voids. There was no emotion to be read in those voids, or maybe hidden too deep in a place no one dares to venture into. "You will be fine." She said simply before taking the cold water outside, routinely filling the bucket with more cold water as if nothing had happened.
Uncontrollably, tears rolled down Chase's face. He covered a weak arm across his eyes and cried. He could do nothing. He couldn't do anything to protect her. He placed her in harm's way and he is powerless to help her. In fact, he is a burden to her. The amount of guilt and helplessness in his heart overwhelmed him.
Maybe Cosmo was right, he should just die already.
Then he could stop being a burden to her.
The dark sky was obscured from view by the thick, opaque rain clouds, shielding from the world its only sources of light during the deep night. Not a sound was heard over the quiet but deafening drone of the falling rain, forming a peaceful, yet eerie atmosphere.
Somewhere in the far horizon, a majestic creation of architecture stood, its strongholds unshaken by the persistent rain. Complex, gothic style arcs and décor were mounted on the grand exterior, towering with absolute superiority.
Moreover, the traditional feature of inaccessibility was further emphasised by the new Headquarters than the last. Unforgiving waves crash against the sharp cliff, on top of which the Order's new home perched. Anyone wishing to access the structure from the outside must sail to the cliff, and if they haven't been smashed to pieces already, scale the rugged cliff.
I don't want to climb this one… Allen thought as he stood on the front deck of the ship, observing the new Headquarters. His hood was pulled over his head, acting as somewhat of a shelter to the rain.
"You'll catch a cold like this!"
Allen turned to see Lenalee and Jonny joining him, out to examine the new Headquarters for themselves.
Allen lowered his hood and smiled. "It's fine. The new uniforms are quite warm."
Lenalee and Johnny exchanged an amused glance, before Johnny spoke enthusiastically, "See? He's getting less polite with us."
Allen tilted his head in confusion.
"Yes, Johnny's right!" Lenalee nodded, "We've been fighting non-stop recently and I haven't noticed, but now that Johnny mentions it…it's true! Allen, you're less formal with us now."
Allen smiled and scratched his head, "Really? I didn't realise…"
"It's good!" Lenalee and Johnny both nodded firmly at him, "This is better!"
"Why is Allen so formal anyway?" Johnny pointed a finger to his chin.
"It's just a habit, I think." Allen smiled awkwardly, he's never been asked that before.
"It's to help him get further in life isn't it?" Lenalee answered in an informative manner.
Allen raised both his hands in defence, "Now now…" Am I that kind of person?
"AHEM!" Allen jumped in shock as Komui suddenly appeared behind him. "We're on a mission. Prepare to disembark, we're almost there." He said seriously, almost too seriously.
"Brother, you're awake?" Lenalee inquired with a smile.
"How's the sea sickness, Supervisor?" Johnny added.
Komui's face instantly grew paler by 3 shades, "Don't…mention…that…." He squeezed out before doubling over the side of the ship, emptying the contents of his stomach into the ocean.
Allen laughed with Lenalee and Johnny, but then resumed to stare at the new Headquarters as the boat navigated into a secret cavern.
"So…this is our new home." He muttered. The others will arrive tomorrow…I can see them again.
I can see her again.
Desdemona jerked awake, her clothes and sheets soaked in her sweat. A searing pain burned through her right shoulder as she clutched it.
The dreams.
Her memories.
They won't stop coming.
They just won't stop.
She buried her face into her knees.
Chase…
She sat there, trying to breathe and calm herself for a few moments.
The desperate helplessness of watching her only family die has left her for years. Why, why now? Why are they coming back to haunt her again?
Is it her punishment?
Maybe, she had spent too long indulged in the fantasy of happiness. The false impression of a "home" given by the Order and the Chapmans had clouded her mind. These memories, this despair, it has come back to remind her that her happiness shattered long ago.
It came to remind her that she no longer deserves to seek happiness.
Her hand travelled to her necklace, where the only memoir of Bidelia would often bring her consolation.
The moon outside her window was invisible tonight, a new moon shrouded by the light clouds that glaze softly across the deadly calm night sky. Even the stars were hidden from sight.
She threw her blanket aside, feeling the chilling night air seep through to her bones. The wet clothes became icy, and she shivered.
Throwing on some more clothes absent-mindedly, she clambered to her door and left her room. Clutching her coat around her as the only shield to the merciless winter night, she paced the desolate remains of the Headquarters.
The dead are dead, and the living are leaving. This place…has become empty.
She shook her head. Attachments are unnecessary. Places are just places. People are just people. All places crumble, all people die.
Spotting the bright light from the Science floors beneath, she slowly made her way downstairs. The overworked men in their white coats buzzed around the Ark. She glanced at a nearby clock.
Ah, Allen would have arrived at the new Headquarters by now…He would be opening the gate there?
She poked her head into the room the Scientists were working in, spotting Bookman and Lavi heading into the Ark, following Rob, the scientist.
Gate 9, successfully activated.
She shook her head, rejecting the new piece of information injected into her brain.
Peace. She just wanted a little peace…
Without disrupting the Scientists, she made her way further down the staircases.
As she descended further, she could see the faint glow that is Hevlaska, resting at the bottom of this endless well. However, before the girl could approach closer, the slow but gentle voice of the century-old exorcist reached her ears.
"You're quite the unexpected guest here, Desdemona." Hevlaska pronounced the girl's name slowly, annunciating each syllable so clearly that the girl even suspected if that was indeed her name.
"Hey Hevlaska, did I disturb you?" The girl leaned over the railing. As Hevlaska straightened herself, her incredible size allowed the girl to be just looking at her face.
"Barely, the Headquarters for the past couple of nights were cold and lonely, I wasn't able to sleep anyway." Her huge lips pulled into a gentle smile, "What may I do for you?"
The girl sighed and scratched her head, "I'm the same…couldn't sleep right."
"Is something bothering you?" Hevlaska's voice held a genuine concern.
Desdemona shook her head, "No…nothing in particular really…" The girl looked down to the base of the Headquarters, and suddenly a thought occurred in her. "Hevlaska, remember when you first found out I was compatible? You said, you couldn't see my prophecy?"
The large exorcist nodded, "It was as though something was blocking me. I could not see your future."
She girl thought, "Is it still the same?"
Hevlaska was thoughtfully silent for a while, before she lifted her long, whispy tendrils to the girl's side. "May I try?"
Desdemona nodded.
In a familiar fashion, Hevlaska wrapped her tendrils about the girl, then slowly lifted Desdemona to her own face, where she lightly touched her forehead to the smaller girl's forehead.
The younger girl felt the sensation of being searched within, and after a few seconds, Hevlaska placed the girl back behind the railings. She shook her head, "Still nothing, I'm afraid."
"I see…" Desdemona's disappointment was evident in her downcast eyes. She was a person with no future, eh? She glanced up at Hevlaska again, "What about my synchronisation rate? Has it increased?"
Hevlaska stared at the small exorcist for a while, before answering, "You're currently at 42%. That translates to about 84% if you had a full innocence. It has definitely increased."
Desdemona nodded, remembering her necklace and how it was trying to shield itself from detection. She shook her head, she's being dragged into something weird, again. Only if the voice would stop…
Voice.
"Hevlaska?" The girl suddenly spoke, "Do you hear…voices?"
"Voices? What do you mean?"
Desdemona attempted, "Like, do you hear Innocence fragments talking to you?" She slapped herself in the head, what a strange question.
Hevlaska thought about it, "No…I do not hear voices in that sense. My Innocence is able to recognise and store all the other Innocence fragments, as well as grant me other abilities. I would imagine that for me, "communicating" with the fragments will be a similar act to you using your Innocence…"
The smaller girl nodded, "I see…"
So Innocence fragments don't really talk, eh?
Desdemona sighed. She thanked Hevlaska and bid her a good night, before the girl returned to her room.
She sat on her bed, staring at the moonless and starless night sky. Unknowingly, her thoughts soon drifted to a certain idealistic Beansprout.
I wonder what he is doing…
You possess the Fourteenth's memories.
His Master's voice played over and over in Allen's head.
He will use you to return to this world.
The CROWs chanted something, and the heavy seal on his arms were finally lifted. He was passed his new uniform and exited the small room. Allen proceeded to change out of the white robe.
You will have to kill someone you care about.
Allen frowned. What does that mean? It bothers him to no end.
Who will the Fourteenth make him kill?
Did Mana love me?
The white haired exorcist placed his hand to his forehead and sighed.
Why? The more answers he was given, the more questions continued to appear and plague him.
After he completed changing, he opened the door and passed the agents outside the door the robe and the bandages they used to immobilise his arm. The agents saluted and allowed him to exit the corridor.
Allen glanced back to the closed door to where Cross was once more. That bastard of a Master…
The weather outside continued to storm. Allen understood now. His mission was not necessarily to open a gate, but to have this meeting with as less people around as possible. The Order suspects him, this was more of an interrogation than an informative meeting he had hoped it would be.
He lifted his eyes. It will not matter. He will not let the Fourteenth take over his consciousness, he will stop the Fourteenth himself.
He will never allow the Fourteenth to use him to harm anyone dear to him.
Never.
If I am a puppet, then be it. I'll be a puppet who lives out the script and makes the script its life.
The girl's words rang through his head.
No, what she said cannot be right. At least not for him. Not now. He cannot submit to being a puppet, he absolutely cannot. Even if he was, indeed, an existence for the sole purpose of the Fourteenth's revival, he will not bow down to it.
He has his own life, his own choices, his own loved ones, his own purpose for existing.
He will not allow someone to so easily take it all away from him.
Something caught his attention in the corner of his eye. Lenalee and Johnny sat sleeping on a couch just outside the corridor. Allen smiled. He has his friends, he has everyone at the Order, he has many many people he cares about.
So no matter what, he must protect them…
From himself.
Desdemona fixed the collar of her new uniform before stepping into the Ark. She was travelling light, a small suitcase in her hand carried everything she had.
"Remember! It's Gate 9!" The voice in her earring repeated again and again.
"I know Komui, I'm not stupid!" The girl replied in frustration.
Making her way through the familiar white town, she briefly noticed her usually cold pendant heating up, but paid it no heed, dismissing it as her autonomous Innocence doing its own thing.
A turn, a straight path, and another turn later, the girl stood before the closed door marked 9.
Having stayed up through the latter half of the night, she was quite happy to make an early journey through a space-warping contraption to the other side of Europe. She reached out to the handle, opened the door, and stepped through the frame.
Appearing on the other side, her feet landed on the concrete floor of the new Headquarters. She glanced around her, the scenery was of busy Scientists. Not too much different from the old Headquarters.
"Dem!" Komui appeared behind her with that typical smile and that typical bunny mug. "Welcome to the new Headquarters!"
"Ah yeah." The girl absent-mindedly replied.
"Here's a map of the new place and here's your room number and key." Komui passed the girl a sheet of flimsy paper and a single key.
"Key?" The girl raised her eyebrows. Since when did their rooms have keys.
"Well, considering the privacy each exorcist should deserve, the new Headquarters came with lock and keys for all dorm rooms, storage rooms and meeting rooms." Komui explained.
"I see…" Desdemona nodded and examined her room, circled in red on the map Komui gave her. "Well I'll just head to my room for now then." She turned to leave.
"Wait!" Komui stopped the girl. She turned with a questioning look. "Just for a few days, cut Allen some slack ok?"
"No." She rejected plainly. "Why do I have to? Plus, since he won't be living next to me anymore he won't annoy me. So rest assured I won't torture him too much." She waved at Komui briefly before heading out of the room.
"Well…about that…" Komui started, but the girl was already too far to hear. He shook his head and smiled. That girl, merciless as always.
~x.X.x~
Desdemona navigated her way through the bigger, and better equipped training arenas, the larger dining hall (Jerry would love that), the lack of stairs and finally her room. She inserted her key into the keyhole above the handle, and the lock disengaged with a satisfying click.
Pushing open the door, a slightly larger room greeted her. It was still simple though, wooden floor, a bed, a bedside table, a wardrobe and a single couch. She closed the door behind her and placed her suitcase on the bed, opening the lid and began to sort out the contents into the wardrobe.
Within a few minutes, her little bit of luggage was placed into their rightful positions, and she placed the suitcase away at the base of the wardrobe.
She nodded to herself, all set.
The girl knew she wasn't going to get any sleep, so proceeded to head to the dining hall where she previously saw jerry already preparing for the day's meals. Such a dedicated cook.
She left her room and locked her door behind her, slowly pacing down the corridor.
As she neared the next door down, it suddenly opened and a figure stepped out from within. She froze.
"No." The girl stated, doom evident in her voice.
"Dem!" Allen replied with surprise. "You're sure here early!" Allen suddenly felt relieved by her presence. Yesterday afternoon and last night weren't pleasant to him, not at all.
"This cannot be true." Desdemona shook her head slowly, staring at Allen's face.
Allen scratched his head sheepishly, "What's with the expression?" He silently noted her new uniform, realising it was the first time he's seen her in it. Looks good…
"My room." She pointed to the door adjacent to Allen's, and it dawned on Allen that his previous neighbour will continue to be his neighbour in the new Headquarters. Allen remembered her intense need to rid herself of him, but felt sly that in the end she's still stuck with him.
"Just can't get rid of me eh?" He joked half-heartedly.
"I'm going to ask Komui to change my room." The girl muttered quietly before turning away to speed down the corridor.
Allen surprised himself as he reached out to grab hold of the girl's wrist. Desdemona stopped at the unexpected contact, and turned to glare at the white haired exorcist.
She froze as his face worn an unexpectedly tired and anguished look.
Cut Allen some slack, ok?
What happened to him?
She slowly took a step towards him. His eyes were downcast, staring at the floor with an unexplained distance. "What's wrong?" she asked quietly, though her tone still could not rid itself of a commanding nature.
Allen's eyes remained glued to the ground as he looked to the side. "Nothing…" He smiled weakly to the floor, "Remember that Link? Well, he is going to move in to the room next door on the other side…" he pointed to the next door down, "and it'd be nice if you were here to…you know, force Link to cut me some slack."
Allen's gaze was fixated on the patch of carpet. No…that's not it. I just want you to be by my side for even a little while. He dared not to look into her eyes. Those voids will too easily see through his lie, his façade. He becomes too vulnerable before her. However, he could predict the answers. She would probably say, "That's none of my business" or maybe "Go die" or something along those lines that ultimately leads to her stomping into Komui's office asking for a room change anyway.
"Fine." She said briskly.
Allen looked up into her eyes in shock. Her eyes were as piercing as ever, not even a fraction of their usual strength was lacking. She wasn't joking.
"However in exchange," she raised a warning finger in front of his face, "You must never even attempt to force feed me."
Allen laughed at the girl's response. She may be quite intimidating at first, but she does have a cute side to her.
Desdemona stared. His laughter, even his laughter sounds so tired…
She grabbed his hand and pulled him out of his room, stomping down quickly towards the main hallway.
"D-dem? Where are we going?" Allen got pulled along, missing his chance of shutting the door to his room properly.
"Dining hall." She replied simply.
"Oh I see." Allen jogged for a few steps to catch up to her, holding her hand back unconsciously. "An early breakfast with Dem, that sounds nice." He nodded to himself as he stared at her face, which was seriously looking straight forwards.
"Hmph." Came her answer.
The two of them entered the new Dining Hall, sparkling clean and empty. Allen spotted Jerry dancing in the kitchen at the back, admiring the man's dedication to his work.
Desdemona dragged Allen by the hand over to the counter, looking back at him only to see him stare at her. "What?"
"N-nothing." Allen turned his gaze away, occupying himself as he leant onto the counter, catching Jerry's attention. "Good morning, Jerry." Allen greeted with his usual politeness, briefly recalling Lenalee and Johnny's commentary about his speech style.
"Oh my my, what we have here?" Jerry pranced over, "Oh! How cute you two babies are~~" The tall man clasped his hands in a feminine manner, adoring the two teenager's little romance as he spotted their connected hands.
Noticing Jerry's gaze, Desdemona instantly ripped her hand away, "Let go of me, idiot!" She hissed as a slight red tint crawled onto her cheeks.
Allen blushed too, hiding his hand into his pocket. "Um Jerry, we're hungry. Is this a bad time?"
"Absolutely not a problem!" Jerry chimed with his usual enthusiasm, "What can I make for you two during your early morning date?"
"Jerry stop it." Desdemona said in exasperation.
"Yes yes Dem." Jerry's tone was that of an adult talking to a baby. "Let's take a guess shall we?" The large man nodded, "My gentleman Mr Walker here would like 5 dishes of various meat, for example steak, pork belly, chicken, duck and lamb, 4 servings of staple food consisting of noodles, fried rice, pasta and possibly white rice, most likely only one dish of vegetables, a steamed whole fish, then 6 different desserts, consisting of pudding, crème brûlée, chocolate mouse and finally mitarashi dangos?"
Allen nodded in satisfaction. "You know it, Jerry."
Desdemona shook her head. That monster and his monster apetite.
"Now my lady Miss Beast here would like a mug of black coffee paired with a piece of chocolate gateau?" Jerry pointed to the girl knowingly.
She sighed, "Of course, Jerry."
Jerry pushed his glasses up with a glint in his eyes, "Not so fast, monsieur and madame." His French suddenly kicked in. "I would like to forcefully alter both your menus, for which the young man here will have 3 dishes of meat, 5 dishes of staple, 5 dishes of vegetables and 2 desserts. The young lady here will have English Breakfast tea, coupled with a healthy lettuce and ham sandwich." Jerry nodded to himself.
"BUT JERRY-" The two exorcists began to protest in synch, before Jerry stopped them.
"BUT! That is what I would do on a normal day." Jerry nodded, "Today is the first day I cook for everyone in the new Headquarters, so I might as well spoil you two. Count yourselves lucky."
Allen and Desdemona visibly relaxed. "Don't mess with us Jerry." The girl pouted as she dragged Allen to a table by his uniform. Allen wondered why she likes to drag him around that much.
Jerry giggled as he turned to cook. I wouldn't want to mess up these cuties' date either.
The professional cook prepared the enormous meal quickly, as always, and the two hungry exorcists delve in to their breakfast. Well, mostly Allen and his bestial method of devouring food.
Desdemona stirred her coffee and ignored Allen, being used to the male after so long. Taking a small bite from her cake, her mood was instantly lifted as the soft velvety chocolate icing melted in her mouth.
"How's your unpacking going?" Allen spoke in a blurred manner in between his food.
"Done. There wasn't much to unpack anyway." She sighed, "Can't you talk after you finish eating?"
"That'll take too long." Allen replied, whilst gulfing down a whole chicken.
The girl shook her head and continued to slowly savour her little piece of delight. "Where's Tim?"
She saw Allen suddenly stop wolfing down food for a brisk moment, before he continued on as if nothing happened. "Tim's with Komui."
She decided to not ask too much.
The rest of breakfast was spent in relative silence. She picked up on his unwillingness to talk.
What exactly happened to him in these two days?
It is 7:30 am and Link has gathered the exorcists inside a large hall, where Komui, Allen (with Timcampy) and Rouvelier stood waiting. Lavi, Bookman and Desdemona were pulled out from their rooms whereas the rest were freshly intercepted as they just stepped through the Ark.
Desdemona glanced around, she did not see Cross anywhere.
She glanced over at Allen, looking down blankly at the floor again. His expression was, for the first time, unreadable. Something was occupying his mind, his thoughts were now more distant than ever. She remembered that only a few hours ago he was taken by Link from his large breakfast to see Rouvelier. Obviously the contents of the meeting were not to his benefit.
"So we have gathered all exorcists here today to discuss an important matter. As you all know, Allen Walker was able to operate an Ark that was said to be only operable by a certain Noah, and here I aim to explain this as briefly as possible." Rouvelier's moustache moved erratically as he spoke, which entertained the girl greatly. Although, at the mention of the Ark and its operation, she perked up.
"We know now that Allen Walker is the host of the memories of a Noah named the 'Fourteenth'." Rouvelier continued, his expression serious and quite professional. "And there is a chance that the Noah will be revived through him."
The younger exorcists' shock were visible in their expressions, to varying degrees.
"However, officially, he will retain his position within the Order and continue to serve as an exorcist. You are forbidden to speak of this, and only Central, the Order's seniors and you exorcists are to know. Right now, the Order is in need of his abilities as the 'Pianist', and we are critically short on people as it is, not to mention the small number of exorcists. So we have decided to allow Allen Walker to continue his work for the time being."
Chaoji and Crowley were the first to express their disbelief. Whilst Lenalee turned to Komui, "Brother, is this all true?"
Desdemona glanced over at Allen staring at the floor. The Order is just using Allen for its own convenience isn't it? The girl wondered if Allen was truly fine with this kind of treatment. But then again, she reminded herself of Allen's insufferable sense of righteousness.
"Chief Komui?" Rouvelier prompted Komui, after a few seconds of the older Scientist failing to answer his sister's question.
"I-I have an announcement to make." Desdemona noticed Komui's agonised expression the first time today, "This is a standing order. If…if it is determined that the Fourteenth has awoken in Allen Walker, and poses a threat to the Order, then…" Komui trailed off, as if the words on his tongue were unable to be said.
The exorcists waited for Komui's continuation, Lenalee's worried and fearful expression growing more prominent as each silent second ticks past. Komui's inner battle consumed him. He is more than unwilling to vocalise the orders from Central, and yet he understands that issuing such an order was the only way to keep Allen alive.
"Then you are to kill me." Allen suddenly spoke, with a determination in his voice that showed no sign hesitation. Komui stared at the boy with worry. "However that will not happen." He continued, "If the Fourteenth wants to harm the Order, I will stop him myself."
Another few seconds of shocked silence echoed through the large hall, as the exorcists attempted to absorb the current situation, which seemed to have gotten much more serious than first anticipated. Desdemona suddenly noticed Allen's fist clenching at his side. Maybe he wasn't as certain of himself as he made it seem…
"That will be it." Rouvelier announced as he began to leave the hall, "No more of this matter will be mentioned or discussed. You are dismissed."
Rouvelier's departure was followed by the three generals. General Tiedoll lightly placed a hand on Allen's shoulder before he left, and Desdemona caught Klaud glancing at her necklace before she turned to leave.
That's right, Cross told Master of his suspicions on my necklace… The girl recalled. She wondered if Cross will return to ask for her necklace, although in her heart she hoped that he would not break the sorcerer's seal on it. She was convinced the secret the seal was guarding was her Innocence.
However, she was still curious on what Cross found during the short time he had the necklace, maybe her Master would know. Desdemona pivoted on her feet as she chased after Klaud, at the same time Kanda, Bookman and Lavi began to leave behind her.
"Dem, wait." Komui suddenly called out, his voice boomed like thunder in the deafening silence. She stopped in her tracks, at which point Klaud already turned into the corridor and no longer in the girl's line of sight.
"All of you, as you know we're short on exorcists, so the workload will increase from this point on. I will brief you on your missions now, and please depart for them as soon as possible. We have a busy month ahead of us."
Lenalee seemed to finally snap, "Brother how can you be so heartless?! Don't you know-"
"Lenalee!"
The exorcists were taken back. They have rarely heard Komui talk like that, let alone towards his precious Lenalee.
Komui rubbed his temples, aware of Link's presence in the shadows behind Allen. "As I said before I'll assign your next missions. Once I am done with you, please leave immediately, we're short on time."
Lenalee, Crowley and Miranda were assigned to investigate potential Innocence fragments. Lenalee's rage at her brother and her disbelief in the situation made her storm out before Komui even finished talking, and Miranda and Crowley chased after her worriedly.
Kanda and Marie were given the mission of accompanying General Tiedoll on his mission to exterminate Akumas in South-East Asia, where a large number of Akumas terrorize and raid villages daily. Chaoji was to follow General Tiedoll and become his apprentice.
"And as for Allen," Komui began when the other exorcists have left, leaving on Link and Desdemona within earshot, "You will need to travel all across Europe and Asia to set up gates at Churches, and other institutions associated with the Order. They will be contact points for exorcists and finders on their missions, as well as their way to travel the continents instantly."
Allen nodded.
"Dem will go with you. And, of course, Link too."
Desdemona sighed. Of course she's stuck here.
"These are the locations of all the places we need you to set up gates in." Komui passed both exorcists and Link a long list containing various addresses in various countries. "These are all places that are allies with the Church, the people there should aid you along the way. There shouldn't be too many dangers so we're only dispatching two exorcists for this."
"Komui, this will take so long." The girl complained, spotting a familiar place within the list that lifted her mood.
"You guys can take the Ark to Asia branch first, then work your way back to Europe." Komui pointed out.
"Is there a deadline?"
"It'd be great if you two could be back within two weeks, however if it ends up taking longer, don't mind it too much." Komui glanced at Link, "I mean, three of you."
"Better get going then." She shook her head at the tight schedule. "Allen." She said as she turned to start towards the door. However, when she detected no movement from either the white haired exorcist nor his shadow, Link, she stopped and tried to wake him from his trance again. "Allen." She said again, firmer this time.
Allen was still apparently preoccupied with the floor and did not hear her. However, Tim flew from Allen's shoulder onto his head, almost also trying to catch his attention.
Growing impatient, she stomped over, taking his hand habitually, and began to drag him.
The contact on his skin woke Allen from his thoughts, as he was quickly pulled to the door and Link followed.
Komui followed them with his eyes as they left, and silently wondered since when did those two get closer. He removed his glasses to rub his temples again.
This kind of situation, it's the worst.
However, he could always trust Dem not to ask the questions that should not be asked, whereas Lenalee would definitely be too worried to keep her distance.
Stay safe, everyone.
~x.X.x~
"The two of you need to wear these at all times, okay?" Reever passed the two exorcists their new communicators, "They look the same but we tweaked them to get better reception from within the Ark, also now they can connect to golems, so you don't have to look for a phone for long distance communications." The Australian smiled at Timcampy on Allen's shoulder, "Although Tim here is different, it only applies to the Order's black golems."
"How do we connect?" Desdemona asked as she pushed the earring into her ear lobe, whilst her black golem fluttered beside her.
"It's automatic. We've also updated your golem whilst you were in the Infirmary. Once you accept an incoming call the communicator will automatically take over." The scientist explained, "We want to make it as simple for you exorcists as possible, that's the least we could do." He smiled.
"Thanks Reever." Allen said as he, too, placed the communicator on his ear.
"We should get going now, Allen." Desdemona threw on her new overcoat: it was heavy, black and long, although not the least restrictive of her movements. "Bye Reever, hopefully we can be back as soon as possible." The girl swiftly stepped through the Ark.
"We're going then, good bye." Allen waved before heading into the Ark.
"Take care!" Reever called after the two young exorcists. He, too, has noticed the tormented expression Allen wore, and can't help getting worried.
Link bowed to Reever, before following Allen into the Ark.
Within the Ark, Allen's longer strides allowed him to quickly catch up to the girl, who was occupied in examining the long list of locations. "We have 53 locations to get to in total, once we reach China we should head south and work our way up, go through the Middle East, up to Russia through to Eastern Europe, then head West until we're back in England."
Allen smiled, her serious working mode is quite admirable. "Of course, anything you want."
"Let's get this done as quickly as possible, if we can finish this earlier than two weeks, we can rest up in the last location before heading back to the Headquarters." She nodded.
He glanced over at the list in her hands, "Where's the last location?"
"Chapman's Horse Rentals." She raised her eyebrows. He's really strange, strangely cooperative.
Link trailed at about 1m behind Allen, "Um, would you mind lending me the list?"
"Ah here." Desdemona slowed to hand Link her list, before resuming her usual pace.
"Most of them are Churches across the continents, but there are also unexpected locations such as brothels, restaurants, hotels, mechanics and horse rentals." Link observed.
"Not every ally of the Order has to be from a Church." Allen pointed out, suddenly remembering Anita.
Link nodded.
Turning left, Desdemona arrived before the door that leads to the Asia Branch.
Allen blinked, "Dem, you're unexpectedly familiar with the Ark."
"Me?" She reached out to open the door, "There's nothing hard to it, they're all numbered and in order."
Opening the door, the girl stepped through, followed by Allen and Link.
"Welcome to Asia Branch, Mister Walker, Miss Beast and Mister Link!" The familiar voices of Lou Fa, Shifu and Wong greeted them with warmth.
"ALLEN! DEM!" Bak ran over comically, leaving a stream of tears in his wake. "HOW HAS LENALEE BEEN. EVER SINCE THAT STINGY KOMUI TOOK MY SECRET PHOTO STASH, I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HER!"
"She's fine." Desdemona answered simply, "She's on a mission to investigate 6 different cases of potential Innocence fragments."
"Damn that Komui, does he want to overwork Lenalee?!" Bak shook his fist at the air. Noticing Link in the corner, Bak held out a hand, "You must be Link, nice to meet you, I am the Head of the Asia Branch, Bak Chang."
"Nice to meet you too." Link took Bak's hand and shook his hand firmly.
"We have prepared boats which are docked at the harbour, Shifu will take you guys there. Have a safe trip ok?" Wong patted Allen and Desdemona's back in an encouraging way.
"Yes, follow me~" Shifu led the way enthusiastically, and Desdemona followed closely. Allen noticed that she was keen to finish this assignment ahead of schedule for some reason.
"Um, Mister Walker." Lou Fa's timid voice was heard, and Allen stopped. "I-I made you some extra bentos since you might get hungry on the ocean…" She looked away nervously, "I asked Wong to help load them into the ship so…I hope you like them." After she finished, she quickly hid her red face and ran away. "I heard Wong put them into the lower storage deck! I made 120 people's portion so I hope it's enough!"
"Thank you!" Allen called after her, but she was already gone. 120? Wow she's amazing, that would last even Allen at least a week.
"Why are you dawdling, Beansprout?" Desdemona yelled impatiently.
"IT'S ALLEN!" The response came as instinct. Allen ran and caught up with Link, Dem and Shifu. "I'm already taller than you too." The white haired exorcist pointed out, gesturing his height with his hand.
"What was that before?" She chose to ignore him and change the subject.
"Ah, Lou Fa was kind enough to make me bentos for the ocean trip, she made 120 of them. Isn't she amazing?" Allen recounted.
"The ship will sink all because of you." She was merciless as always.
He laughed and poked her cheek. "Are you jealous?"
"No!" She swatted his hand away.
"If you're jealous you can always make me food." Allen suggested with a sly smile.
"In your dreams." The girl crossed her arms and flicked her hair arrogantly, whipping Allen's face with it in the process.
Allen smiled. It's incredible that she can still make him laugh, after all that has happened. She really doesn't need to be jealous, she is important to him, after all.
Shifu and Link walked in front, yet their attention was on the exorcists' quarrel. They turned around to stare at the teenagers with narrowed, suspicious eyes.
Do those two have that kind of relationship?
-Long Author's Note-
IT IS FINALLY DONE! AFTER TWO YEARS IT IS FINALLY DONE. THIS IS THE CHAPTER THAT TOOK ME THE LONGEST TO WRITE ARGH.
That aside I'll digress about the direction of the plot. I have planned to do some deviation from the manga from this point, as it's the only bit of "free" time before all the heavy stuff happens again. Here I plan to accelerate their relationship through an "arc" of my own regarding Dem, her past and propel her character development.
So that means more lovey dovey episodes hee /no/. No not really, Kavi is sadistic to her characters to it'll be somewhat intensely tormenting for baby Dem lol.
Recently I re-read DGM and through the maturity I gained in the past two years (cough) I began to appreciate more the huge amount of suffering these exorcists go through, which is why I seriously believe it's Dem's turn now /killed/
Enough ranting for now! I'm excited to be back after so long! I update 100 Themes Challenge more frequently, so if you can't wait for the next main chapter go there! (Find it on my profile).
I promise I'll get chapter 25 out as soon as possible! Also, I have lost contact with my beta so I might as well do it myself to save another person from my irregular update schedule, I'm sorry OTL.
But if you reviewed it'd be so much faster /killed for shameless review-begging/ I really like reviews /shameless/
NOW REVIEW!
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