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"Dem?" Margaret called out to the Eurasian girl, who stood in a pure white room, with a dark figure before her.
Margaret couldn't tell what it was: it looked somewhat like a deformed woman, with a neck too thin, shoulders too wide, waist too narrow, and legs too long. It had, on its back, three pairs of large wings. A pitch black cloak was draped over its shoulders, and a red ribbon wrapped around its body.
An unsettling feeling made Margaret wary of the creature, and she began to walk towards the girl. However, no matter how much she walked, the girl remained the same distance away.
Slowly, the creature offered a hand to the girl. "Dem! Don't!" Margaret tried to warn her, but the younger girl couldn't hear.
Taking the creature's hand, its black cloak swiftly enveloped Desdemona, devouring her body in darkness. Immediately, shadows creeped up the walls of the white room, the ceiling and the floor, transforming it into an abyss of black.
"Dem!" Margaret called again.
There was no reply.
Allen sat up from his bed with a start. The pain in his left eye woke him. He placed a hand over it, it was swelling painfully.
How long was it since he last destroyed akumas? A week or so?
The curse constantly reminds him of his promises. His job was to destroy akumas and save their souls, and recently it seemed like he wasn't carrying out his duty.
"I will be fine. Please, just let me go by myself."
Allen blinked as he heard Desdemona's familiar voice outside the window. He glanced outside, but failed to see anything as it was still dark.
"You are going to meet him aren't you?" Margaret's voice?
"I'm just going up North like I told you before. His grave is up there…"
"I have a bad feeling about this. I did say I'll support your choice but…can you please not go alone?"
"I can go with you, we'll return by tonight won't we?" Franz's voice joined the conversation.
"Franz, Margaret, nothing bad will happen, I promise." The girl sighed.
"Dem, you need to believe in my intuition…at least try to console my anxiety here?" Margaret pleaded.
"If you do go alone, we'll spend the entire day worrying." Franz added.
"Franz, I can't protect you from akumas. Protecting people is Allen's job."
"Then what about Allen?" Margaret retaliated quickly. "Let him go with you."
The girl audibly growled, "No, Margaret. I don't want to see him."
Margaret suddenly became angry, "Young lady, you must not go alone. If you insist, then you might as well not go at all."
"But-"
"No buts!"
"We should probably offer to help." Link suddenly said in a deep voice, causing Allen to jump in shock.
"That scared me!" The boy complained, getting out of bed and putting on his coat. "I know we should, we have imposed on the Chapmans and this is the least we could do for them."
"But?" Link urged, feeling Allen's bias was not towards the option he described.
"But" The boy echoed the word purposefully, "Dem doesn't want us to go. I think she probably hates me now." He proceeded to tie a ribbon around his shirt collar, hiding his flushing face in the dark as he remembered his impulsive confession. "In any case, we should go and see what we can do."
"Margaret, you are over-reacting." Desdemona ran a hand through her hair in frustration.
"If you want to go, you have to obey my conditions." Margaret spoke with authority.
The young girl leaned against Tempest, behind her, and sulked. "I don't want to see Allen."
"You either go with him, or stay with him." Margaret's tone was final, with no space for negotiations.
"You haven't even asked him if he wants to go. What if he refuses?"
"Of course I can't force him. However, if he stays then you will also stay."
"Um, excuse me." Allen raised a hand as he poked his head out of the open window. Link stood behind the boy.
The female exorcist tensed at the unwelcome voice.
"I'm sorry but Link and I heard your conversation through the window." Allen scratched his head bashfully, "If there's anything we can help with, we will be happy to do it."
Desdemona scowled, why does he have to concern himself with everyone else's business?
"Oh, I'm so sorry that we woke you up…but thank you very much." Margaret glanced to the girl with raised eyebrows, "You heard that, Dem."
"When are we leaving?" Allen inquired.
"Now." Desdemona snapped violently.
"No." Margaret overpowered the girl, which was a rare sight for Allen. "You are leaving after Allen and Link has finished preparing."
"Hmph." Desdemona could only pout.
Margaret turned to her husband. "Franz, please go help Link and Allen."
"Ah yes." The older man turned to Allen and Link, "I'll head to the stables, come out here once you're ready." The two younger males nodded and left the open window.
Margaret followed their movements with her eyes. Once they were out of earshot, she turned tiredly to the girl.
"Don't worry, I won't run away." Desdemona sighed. Margaret is obviously staying to keep an eye on her. She does admit that she may be inclined to run away if she was left alone…but she still felt undeserving of Margaret's apparent distrust.
"I dreamed…" Margaret said in a quiet voice, "I dreamed that there was a black creature…"
"Huh?" The younger girl frowned.
Margaret shook her head, "I had a strange dream and it gave me a very bad feeling."
Desdemona frowned. Margaret won't let her go alone because of her dream? "Don't worry Margaret, it's just a dream."
Margaret sighed, "When can you stop working for the Church? It's too dangerous."
"I don't plan on doing this for long. The problem is I don't think the Order will let me quit."
Margaret's gaze turned downcast. There was nothing they could do…
Don't fight in this war…You're just a little girl…
~x.X.x~
When Allen and Link arrived outside, they saw that Desdemona was already on Tempest, trotting in circles, clearly impatient. Meanwhile Margaret sat on a bench.
"What took you so long?" Desdemona complained at Allen, but refused to look at him.
"Sorry…" Allen replied absent-mindedly.
Franz, who went to the stables, arrived a few seconds after Allen and Link did. He led a chestnut stallion behind him, a saddle was professionally fitted onto its back. "Ah we're all here."
"Franz, why did you bring just one horse?" Desdemona frowned. Allen and Link…that's two people, right?
"Because you will ride off with Tempest's speed and leave them behind." Franz narrowed his eyes in suspicion at the girl.
Margaret nodded, "Good call, Franz."
The Eurasian girl didn't understand, "How will having Allen and Link share a horse fix that?"
"No, you stupid." Margaret waved a finger, "Obviously Link is going ride on Clancy, while Allen will ride with you."
"What?" Allen stiffened at the news.
"What? No!" Desdemona objected strongly.
Franz passed the reins to Link, "Link is an experienced rider, and Clancy can just match Tempest's speed." He turned to Link, "I hope you don't mind."
Link shook his head, "Not at all, Mr. Chapman."
"So this is how much you trust me." Desdemona sulked.
"Dem." Margaret cut in. "It is decided."
Desdemona glanced over at Allen, but he was avoiding her gaze.
Allen's heart raced in nervousness. How was she going to react to him? How was he supposed to act? He didn't know how to interact with her anymore…
The girl rolled her eyes at Allen's inaction, "Get on, Beansprout." She offered him her hand.
"It's Allen…" Allen corrected quietly. Taking her hand, he was helped onto Tempest with minimal trouble. A comfortable saddle was installed on the horse, so Allen was able to find his balance better than the day before. "I'm taller than you, you know?" He adjusted himself and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Natural. Just act natural. It will be fine.
"Shut up." She flicked her hair into his face, and pulled on Tempest's rein, turning it around. "Margaret, I promise, I'll be back before sundown, okay?"
Margaret held Franz's hand, "You better be. Now get going." She waved the girl away.
"Bye." She squeezed her knees against Tempest's sides, and the beast swiftly took off onto the plain, accompanied by a gentle southern breeze of the early morning.
Link was close behind on Clancy.
Glancing back over her shoulder, Desdemona saw Margaret and Franz heading inside. Franz had an arm comfortingly around Margaret, and they disappeared into the cottage. The cottage grew distant as Tempest ran.
Along the horizon, behind hills and landscapes, a tint of orange diffused into the deep violet sky. The night was ending, and the sun was rising. The girl wondered about the trip ahead of her. What she was to discover, what she was to accomplish…
The idea that Chase might be alive plagued her. Previously, it was the nightmares of her past that haunted her slumber. However, now, it was the myriad of thoughts, reasoning and mental replays of that fiery night that kept her awake. She was anxious, she didn't know what to expect…
She glanced over at Link, riding to the side and slightly behind.
There was another problem now.
Her past was a mystery to the Order, and that's how she would like to keep it. She didn't know what the Order's knowledge of her past would imply, but the Order had wrapped its claws so tightly around her future that she couldn't let them monopolise her past as well.
Whatever she was going to do and whoever she was going to meet…she has to do them without Allen or Link knowing.
The details of her modus operandi would be configured on her trip there.
Meanwhile, Allen held onto the girl moderately tightly. The wind coming from ahead allowed him to indulge in her scent. He breathed in deeply. It was nice to have her so close.
The girl leaned forwards and pressed her knees into Tempest's sides slightly tighter. The horse neighed and accelerated.
Allen, who was not expecting acceleration, instinctively hugged the girl tighter.
Desdemona glanced at him with a puzzled expression. "You won't fall." She reassured him.
He loosed his arms around her quickly, "Sorry…"
She watched him from her peripheral vision.
He says so many cryptic and non-sensical things to her. What does he mean by "I don't want to lose you" or "I love you"? He always talks about not wanting to lose anyone around him, and since she was just a person he knows, it's natural for Allen right? His love for humanity would also include her right? She is human, so his 'love' for her is just part of his love for humanity, right?
Desdemona contemplated hard on it. Allen Walker…knowing Allen and his idealistic stupidity, she could imagine him saying those things to almost anyone: Lenalee, Komui, Miranda, even Lavi - maybe not Kanda - and it would be completely normal.
Yes, that's why she doesn't need to think too deeply about it.
The girl took in a deep breath.
For now, she should forget about Allen, and focus on the more imminent problem…
Is Chase really alive?
The young man stood before a small headstone. He knew there was no body nor ashes beneath the piece of carved granite, yet the words on the plaque still intrigued him…and slightly saddened him.
In memory of:
Chase
18xx-18xx
Rest in peace
How would one feel if one was standing before his own grave?
Even now, he wasn't sure if he can answer the question.
He is alive, but he is not indifferent to the fact that he was dead to someone he loves. He felt the guild and shame for leaving his sister behind, unable to fulfil his promise to Bidelia.
The grave reminded him of all the things he should've done for her. Cared for her, raised her, protected her…all of which he didn't do.
He glanced to the side. Next to his own grave, was the grave of their mother. An identical slab of granite was erected, with the same style of text.
In memory of:
Bidelia
18xx-18xx
Rest in peace
He ran his gloved hand over the top of the headstone, cleaning off a thick layer of dust. He closed his eyes.
He has returned now. His body is complete, stronger than ever, and will no longer fail him. He has returned to fulfil his duty to his sister, to take her far away and protect her.
He is thankful to the Earl. The Earl not only gave him back his life through years of care, but was also considerate and compassionate enough to allow him to leave as he willed.
He was far too indebted to the Earl.
Although, there was a condition he had to fulfil in order to leave. However, that condition was nothing compared to the significance of this reunion. He will obey the Earl's orders as many times as needed.
Chase looked down at his own and Bidelia's grave stones.
Mony, I am here, waiting for you.
"Let's take a break." Desdemona announced as she slowed Tempest down near a creek. Within a few seconds, Link caught up and Clancy came to a rest.
Allen quickly released the girl and jumped off Tempest as soon as he was able to, which earned a puzzled glance from her.
Scanning the area around him, Allen admired the lush canopy overhead, the clear water in the creak, the vibrant green grass underfoot, and the dainty yet boldly coloured flowers that grow alongside the creak. The English countryside is, indeed, very beautiful.
He remembered when he used to travel with Mana: he loved the journey between towns more than anything else… He was also strangely fond of plains with tall grass and wheat fields. Allen often wondered about that.
Behind him, Desdemona and Link dismounted, and the girl led both horses to the running water.
"Mr. Walker."
The reminiscing boy was brought back to reality. He turned to see Link.
"Would you like a drink?" Link politely passed Allen a small bottle of water.
"Ah, thank you." Allen received the bottle gratefully.
Desdemona had her back to the two males as she rubbed Tempest's neck absent-mindedly. "Tempest, this is a good chance to lose them." She muttered under her breath.
Tempest bobbed his head slightly, appearing to nod.
"I need to make an excuse to leave though." She contemplated. "What kind of excuse can I use?"
Tempest swished its tail, which was not helpful to the girl at all.
"I'll just say something so quickly that they won't understand until we have ran away far enough." She paused as she tried to think of a more plausible plan, but failed miserably. Nodding to reassure herself, she muttered, "It will work."
Once Tempest seemed to have rehydrated himself properly, she returned onto its back after tying Clancy's reigns onto a nearly branch. Trotting over to Link and Allen, she announced quickly in an arrogant manner, "I need to go look for something briefly; I'll be back very soon."
Without waiting for their reaction, she turned Tempest around and rode away epically.
Allen and Link glanced at each other.
"What did she say?" Allen frowned.
"She needed to go look for something and will be back very soon." Link recalled.
"…" Allen stared after the girl. "Link, don't you think that sounds a little suspicious?"
Link nodded, "It does seem very suspicious."
Realisation hit Allen, "She's trying to run away from us?"
Link nodded again, "Yes, I believe so."
"WE NEED TO CHASE AFTER HER!" Allen grabbed his hair in stress.
"Okay, please get on."
The exorcist turned to see Link on Clancy. When did he-? "No, Link. We can't catch her like that. I'll go ahead."
With a flash of white, Allen activated Crown Clown and zapped through the dense forest, chasing after the girl on her speedy mount.
Having reached the open plains once again at their top speed, Desdemona and Tempest soldiered on in the direction of their destination. Her heart raced due to her daring escape, but now that she had succeeded, she felt relieved.
They can't catch up to her with Clancy.
Letting her guard down a little, she glanced over her shoulder just to make sure that no one was following. However, a sudden blur of white prevented her from seeing anything.
In a split second, she identified the white cowl, the mask, and the boy cloaked in his Innocence. The very next second, Desdemona felt someone crash into her, and she became airborne, torn away from Tempest.
The familiar warmth of embrace surrounded her and the white cowl encased her into his chest. Gravity inverted, and soon after, she landed on top of Allen with a thud onto the grass beneath, skidding for a few metres before coming to a stop.
In the distance, Tempest neighed and stopped. Its rider had disappeared off its back?!
Having successfully tackled the girl off her escape transportation, Allen made sure to not hurt her, and hence cushioned her fall. Despite Crown Clown absorbing most of the impact, Allen's back still felt slightly bruised.
He glanced down at the struggling lump inside Crown Clown, and unwrapped his arms from around her. "Dem, are you alright?"
Desdemona pushed angrily on his chest. "WHAT WAS THAT FOR, YOU STUPID MORON?!"
"S-sorry." Allen deactivated his Innocence and scratched his head. "Did I scare you?" He blinked: she tried to escape, why was he the one apologising?
Sitting up on his legs, she pouted in frustration. "Why did you have to follow? And not only that, you used your Innocence?!"Now I can't get away…
Allen sat up too, unable to move his legs due to her weight on his thighs. "Margaret and Franz told me to follow you and bring you back safely!" He stared into her eyes to show her his determination, "I won't let you escape."
She returned his stare with her glare, "Why do you always have to concern yourself in other people's business?!"
"You are not 'other people'!"
He felt her freeze, and her cheeks, which were flushed from anger, grew slightly redder.
"Y-you don't make any sense." She averted her eyes. Why does he always say such strange things?
"…" Allen sighed. He did it again. He should really think before he speaks. Although…he wondered if he had revealed his feelings clear enough despite being so straightforward…she didn't seem to have any significant reaction nor does she have any response for him…
Neigh!
The exorcists turned to see Link arriving on Clancy, and at about the same time, Tempest returned and nudged on the girl's cheek.
"I'm glad you caught up, Mr. Walker." Link observed.
"Don't worry Tempest, I'm ok." The girl patted Tempest's head reassuringly. She got off the ground and jumped onto Tempest's back. She glanced down at Allen, but soon averted her eyes…almost as if she was hiding a blush. "I won't run away." She said with evident discontent, "Will that make you happy?" She grumbled.
He found it slightly cute. "Yes, that would make me very happy." He lifted his hand to her, "May I?"
Looking down at him, she narrowed her eyes. Upon impulse, she turned away from him with an arrogant flick of her ponytail and started to ride away. Tempest cooperated by whipping Allen's face with its tail, and paced slowly ahead. "You can go by foot. Don't you have Crown Clown? I'm sure you'll be faster than any of us."
Allen smiled with a frown in dismay. She's mad at him. He walked by Tempest's side, following her. "Dem, I'll tackle you again if I have to." He threatened gently, with a smile.
Desdemona appeared to hesitate and Tempest slowed its pace accordingly. Still unable to put down her pride, she taunted him. "Aren't you so great, Mr. Walker? Get on by yourself."
"Are you sure?"
"I am sure."
"Then don't mind if I do."
Grabbing her wrist with one hand and her hip with another, Allen pushed his foot into the stirrup closest to himself.
Tempest and the girl stopped moving. "Wha-"
Lifting his other leg over the horse, Allen pulled himself up onto the saddle at the expense of the girl's seemingly unshakeable balance on horseback.
He successfully landed in the saddle, however, she seemed to be slipping sideways.
"Ah!" She yelped slightly, as she felt herself falling, but soon enough his arm found its way to her waist and pulled her back into an upright position.
She grabbed the reigns so tightly her knuckles turned white. Turning her head towards Allen violently, she glared at him with murderous intent, "Are you messing with me?"
Allen smiled politely, "I am not. You told me to get on by myself."
"…" She glared at him intently. I will not let you get away with this…
Pushing her knees brashly into Tempest, the beast launched forwards, accelerating to its top speed within a couple of seconds.
Allen, who was not holding onto the girl, was under the effect of inertia and his balance shifted backwards. By instinct, Allen threw his arms around the girl's waist and clung onto her for dear life. "DEM! TOO FAST!"
"Hmph." She ignored him, slightly smug at his desperation. Yes, plead for her forgiveness, beg on your knees.
After a while, the girl glanced to her side, not expecting to see Link riding with a placid expression while keeping up. She contemplated on the incongruence of the image as a whole: Link, being formal and unresponsive, on a horse running at 45km/hr.
Link, on the other hand, observed the exorcists' consistent attacks on each other's pride. He truly wondered about the nature of their conflict, or more unbelievingly, the nature of their friendship, or even more impossibly, the nature of their romantic relationship.
He shook his head.
He will never understand.
A couple of hours passed, and the trip was mainly silence aside from the rhythmic thump of the horses' hooves. Desdemona hasn't uttered a single word since they resumed their journey.
However, being so close to her and holding onto her, Allen was granted the privilege of reading more than just her apparent silence.
He noticed the tightness with which she was holding onto the reigns, her agitated shifting that occurred increasingly frequently, and her subtle frown that grew deeper as time went on. With his arms around her, he could feel her breathe. Her breaths were growing shorter and shallower, coming out of synch with Tempest's movements, which was unusual.
Something was distressing her.
Allen recalled the past few days, specifically all of her unusual behaviour. Nightmares, tiredness, crying, irritation...He suddenly realised that he hadn't been as considerate and attentive as he should have been. She was not her usual self, plagued by an invisible demon of her own.
He sighed. He was too focused on his own problems and was quite unreasonable upon reflection. He took her subtle care for granted, and blamed her when her attitude turned hostile.
Do I have the right to care for her?
He wanted to ask her about her troubles…Yet he is fearful of incurring her wrath by prying.
He sighed again. She is difficult to approach.
"Tsk." The Eurasian girl suddenly clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Would you stop sighing?"
"S-sorry." Allen apologised immediately.
She exhaled in exasperation. "It's such a bother…"
"Sorry…"
"'Sorry' is the only thing you can say?" She rolled her eyes.
Passing by the first few houses sighted in quite a while, the girl recognised that her destination was near.
Behind them, Clancy's stamina seemed to fall short as Link's distance to the two exorcists grew larger gradually.
"Are we close to our destination?" Link called forwards, hoping to be heard by the girl.
"Yes, our destination is in this town." The girl replied. Allen wondered why her lack of patience is practiced exclusively on himself.
The girl slowed down once Tempest stepped onto the main road, and Link was relieved to be able to catch up.
Allen noted the rundown atmosphere of the place. While the population can't be considered small, it falls short when one considers the large area the town occupied. The people of this town seemed tired and wary: their movements sluggish, yet their eyes were alarmed. They regarded the three strangers on horseback with suspicion.
"This place is familiar." Allen told the girl. The town triggered fragmented memories, yet Allen couldn't pinpoint its exact significance.
"You've been here before?" She raised her eyebrows.
"I don't remember clearly…maybe Mana brought me here once."
The girl contemplated, "That would be at least six years ago right?"
"Should be longer…" Allen nodded. His memories from a year or two before Mana died were fresher in his mind.
"The huge circus at the back of town," Desdemona informed, "That burned down eight years ago."
"Circus?" Allen frowned. Something ran a bell.
The girl nodded, "A circus."
Allen contemplated on a strange feeling, a mixture of nostalgia and confusion. He observed the town a little more. Details here and there seemed familiar, the old post office, an ancient apothecary…
Soon, Desdemona stopped next to a florist's store and dismounted after commanding Allen to let go of her. Without glancing back, she entered the store.
Link approached from behind, waiting next to Allen and Tempest.
She emerged soon with a small bouquet of flowers in her arm. She expertly mounted Tempest with one hand, and then rode on.
The girl navigated the narrow alleyways on her relatively large mount. Even after so many years, the path back to a distant 'home' was still embedded in her instincts. However, circumstances are different now. Her destination at the end of this path had long ceased to be home: the people who mattered were no longer there, the place itself was now ashes.
She wondered what would find there today. Whether it will be empty like usual, or certain imposters are waiting to ambush her…or, unlikely as it may be, a person from her past may reunite with her.
"Wait…I recognise this place, I definitely do." Allen suddenly said, reviving the conversation from moments ago.
"You already said that." She rolled her eyes.
"No, Dem. I know this place." Allen sounded serious.
"Ok." Her tone was final, hoping he would stop bothering her with nonsense.
Soon enough, squeezing between two houses, the party emerged onto a sandy, dirt road.
Ahead of them, a blackened fence encased what appeared to be an area of burnt down infrastructure. Rusting steel beams lay unorderly on the ground, some had snapped into two, others barely managed to keep their integrity as the skeleton of a large tent. The materials of the tent covering hung burnt and melted on its frame, fusing with the steel in parts.
Whatever was left of a circus was mainly covered in vegetation and overgrowth. Tall weeds and grass covered most of what should have been an open courtyard. Wooden debris on the ground were moist and covered with fungi. Nature was slowly, but surely, devouring the remnants.
Desdemona walked Tempest to a nearby tree. Its branches were white and bare despite it being the middle of spring. "Get off." She said to Allen, who seemed to be fixated on the ruins.
He clambered off the horse, and she dismounted. She signalled to Link, who dismounted and tied Clancy's reigns to the tree trunk.
Allen slowly made his way over to the ruins. Link tried to follow when he was suddenly stopped by Desdemona.
"Your job is to supervise Allen, right?" She glanced up at the Central agent warily.
Link nodded.
"Then you are not obligated to report things if it doesn't concern Allen, right?"
"…That will depend on the significance of the event."
"I'd like to ask you not to mention this journey to the Order, at all." She sighed, "It is a…personal matter."
Link thought about it, there was probably no harm in agreeing. He had the feeling that if he didn't comply, she would insist for him to stay, whereas Allen would be too concerned to leave her alone, resulting in a situation where it will be difficult for Link to carry out his basic task of watching Allen.
Link nodded, "I will not mention it unless I am explicitly asked."
"Dem." Allen called to the girl as he stood under a large metal archway, loaded by vines twisting on its structure. "Why are we here?"
She turned and walked over to Allen in frustration. "I don't have to tell you." Link followed.
"Dem, I know this place. This circus." He frowned, unpleasant memories were reignited in the recesses of his mind.
"You have repeated the same thing over and over again. I get it." Desdemona shook her head in exasperation as she walked past him, making her around the fence, her bouquet of flowers in hand.
"Dem, I used to work here." He followed behind her.
"That's impossible." She dismissed him easily. She would know if he did.
"I remember…there used to be a courtyard there…" Allen pointed to a dense patch of weed. "Here was the storage tent…there is the performers' living quarters, the dining tent is there…" he continued to identify separate piles of debris.
Desdemona glanced back at Allen with suspicious eyes. He does remember a lot of detail…but it can't be.
"The ringleader was called Cosmos, he used to beat the errand boys and everyone that was better than him. He was a very jealous man, a huge drinker, he was rarely sober." Allen continued, recalling the myriad of times the man's assault was aimed at him. "The performers were terribly selfish and demanding, they always had so many unreasonable tasks."
She frowned, "How do you know all this?"
Allen flashed her a tired smile. "Remember I told you, I used to work at a circus where I met Mana?"
The girl shook her head, "You mean…"
Allen nodded, "Yes, this was the place." He glanced over at the courtyard again, the place where Mana had buried Allen, his pet dog.
"You really worked here?" Desdemona stopped walking and turned to look him in the eyes. "Who are you?" She paused, "Who were you?"
Allen blinked at the girl's strange reaction, "That reminds me Dem, what are you doing here?"
She ignored his question. If he worked here, she should remember him. Why didn't she recognise him at all? She searched in her memories: the performers, cleaners, workers, chefs…
Allen lifted his left hand to scratch his head, "Did I say something wrong?"
Desdemona's eye instantly shifted to Allen's left hand, which was lean, scaly and black due to its new evolved form.
Left hand…
What was the colour of his Innocence before?
Red…
Red left hand…
She suddenly grabbed his wrist and pulled on his left arm violently.
Allen jumped in shock, "D-Dem?"
She glared sharply into Allen's confused eyes and spoke quietly. "Red."
"S-sorry?" Allen didn't quite understand.
"You were Red."
He finally realised that she was recalling his old name. His name before Mana gave him the name of "Allen".
"Dem, how do you…" Allen searched her eyes for answers. He wanted to ask her the same question: who was she?
Eurasian.
People of Eurasian descent were rare, and he could only remember encountering three during his time at the circus: the beast tamer, her son and daughter…
"You were the Beast Tamer's daughter." Allen gasped in shock. "Of course…Desdemona…Mony…"
They stared at each other in silence for several seconds, before Desdemona sighed and let go of his wrist. "This is a joke."
"Doesn't that mean…you are Cosmo's d-"
"I am not!" She cut him off violently. "I am not." She repeated, slowly this time. Unconsciously, she grabbed her upper arm, where the scar was.
"What…happened?" Allen observed her pained expression, with a strong mix of hatred. The girl in his memories was nothing like the Desdemona he knows now. What happened to her between the day he left the circus, and the day he arrived at the Order?
She pivoted on her toe, briskly walking away. "That's none of your business."
Allen rushed after her, he wondered if the missing pages of her past contributed to her recent episodes of abnormality. "Dem, what happened to your mother and brother?"
"Dead." She stated as a matter of fact.
Allen followed in silence. These revelations made him feel extremely anxious: something felt wrong and he couldn't quite place a finger on it.
Following her behind the circus, Allen spotted two small stone slabs embedded into the soil beneath a large oak tree. The girl headed straight for them without hesitation.
Stopping before it, Allen identified the stones as headstones for two graves. Engraved in plain font, the name 'Chase' and 'Bidelia' was accompanied by their year of birth and year of death. He recognised the names.
"Are their bodies…"
"No." She replied impatiently. When will he stop prying?
Kneeling down, she gently placed the bouquet in front of the headstones. It was then that she noticed something quite peculiar. She ran a finger over the top of Bidelia's grave: not a single speck of dust was there.
She turned to Chase's granite stone, where visibly, a thick layer of dust accumulated on its surface.
She felt alarmed. Someone had been here, cleaned her mother's gravestone but not her brother's. This was truly strange…
Wiping a hand over Chase's gravestone, she pushed off most of the dust, and dusted her hands as she stood up.
Turning around, she scanned the ruins of the circus beyond Allen's concerned frown. There didn't seem to be anyone else here other than Link, lurking in a corner, inspecting the burnt steel supports.
She felt slightly disappointed…
Of course there would be no one else there. Chase was dead, and the person who spoke to Margaret was an imposter.
"Let's go back." She announced as she side-stepped Allen, who followed her closely. Remembering something, she turned to glare at him sharply. "Don't mention anything to Komui, or anyone at the Order."
He nodded quickly, knowing it was the only right thing to do.
She still felt insecure. Allen knew her, and her secret was at his mercy. She didn't like it at all…
All of a sudden, Allen felt a chill down his spine. Milliseconds after, his left eye sprung into activation. Instinctively, he tried to grab the girl's wrist to pull her towards him, so that he could protect her.
However, when he reached out to her, she drew her arm away from him with a frown. "Don't touch me."
"There's akumas nearby-"
"I can tell by your eye." She stated coldly, regarding her surrounding with caution. "I don't need you to protect me."
Allen pursed his lips. Why does she always manage to make him feel so utterly useless? How exactly did he grow affectionate towards her? He didn't understand himself.
Crunch.
The distinct sound of crumbling foliage beneath someone's foot reached the sensitive ears of the exorcists. Locating Link in the corner of their eye, they recognised the footsteps to be foreign.
Allen shifted his gaze towards the source of the sound and squinted into a dense patch of foliage, the shadow made it difficult to see clearly. However, there was the vague outline of a man. He was moderately tall and lean, and was slowly walking towards them.
Allen's left eye throbbed. There was no doubt: an akuma.
"I knew you would come." The young man stepped out of the shadows. He was neatly dressed in black, and Allen immediately noticed the strong resemblance between him and Desdemona. However, what was more peculiar was the soul, visible to Allen, floating above the young man.
Having recently fought a Level 4 akuma, Allen quickly identified the grossly contorted soul to be that of a Level 4. Being the second sighting, it did nothing to ease his nausea. What was strange, though, was the fact that the soul was identical to the man.
It was almost as if…it was his own soul.
Allen frowned. That is impossible, that's not how akumas work.
Allen activated his Innocence, ready to engage the akuma in battle. However, a hand on his chest prevented him from charging forwards. The boy glanced at Link, who stopped him, but Link shifted his eyes to the Eurasian exorcist.
Allen followed Link's gaze, and saw the strange expression on Desdemona's face. Her eyes were wide with recognition, fear and doubt at the same time. Her face was pale, and she seemed to stop breathing. "Dem?" he tried, but she didn't answer.
"Chase…" She whispered quietly, Allen could only comprehend by reading her lips. Chase was her brother's name, wasn't it?
"It's been such a long time, Mony," The man spoke gently and smiled at the girl.
"Impossible…" She breathed and shook her head.
Chase smiled sadly, "It's really me. I'm Chase." He opened his arms invitingly.
She knew from the moment she saw him that he was indeed her brother. The strong resemblance aside, her instincts would not lie: she knows. However, the recognition alone didn't ease her doubt. She was convinced that he was gone…if he was alive for all these years, why didn't he contact her? Why didn't he try to find her? Where was he for all these years?
Additionally, the memories of that night were fresh in her mind, all thanks to her recent nightmares. The men in black, the fire, the explosion, his tuberculosis…it doesn't add up.
The girl was silence for a long while, and Chase sighed. It was understandable…she must be shocked. "Mony…"
"You can't be alive." She shook her head. "I saw-"
"You didn't see me after you returned from the apothecary, did you?" Chase pointed out.
She inhaled. No, she didn't. She couldn't even find his burnt body afterwards…she just assumed he turned into ash. Desdemona closed her eyes tightly and reopened them. And surely, there Chase stood still. This is real. "What happened…on that day?"
"Come, I'll tell you." He nodded reassuringly and opened his arms wider.
Biting her lips, she took a step towards his open arms. The hope that she had lost all those years ago was reignited. In her mind, a scene began to surface: Chase and her, Margaret and Franz, living together peacefully, without any war, any fighting… She welcomed the prospect of that kind of life. There was a sense of relief, yet an unsettling feeling still plagued her.
Allen panicked as he saw her walk towards the akuma. He quickly grabbed the girl's wrist. "Dem, no! He's an akuma!"
Her first reaction was to pull her hand out of Allen's grasp, however, the sight in her peripheral vision her freeze.
There, indeed, was the undeniable presence of a human soul, chained in terrible suffering, floating above Chase. Allen's touch had enabled her to see it. Although she had seen akuma souls before, this one was tormented in a more grotesque manner than usual, it made her feel nauseous.
Her eyes shifted to Chase's ebony ones, not unlike her own. "Chase…what is this?"
The man's smile faded. He placed his hands back into his pockets and sighed. "Fate is cruel isn't it? Why did you have to become an exorcist?"
"Why is that your own soul?" She recognised it easily and felt her throat tightening. It didn't help with the nausea, she couldn't breathe.
Allen comprehended the situation. He quickly let go of her wrist, so that he wouldn't be forcing such a horrid sight onto her…especially because the man might be her brother. The pain of watching a loved one's soul being tortured was one he knew well…he didn't want her to see it too.
However, before Allen could retreat his hand fully, the girl grabbed his hand by herself.
Allen looked at her worriedly, but her eyes were fixed on the soul. Shifting his hand to hold hers firmly, he tightened his jaws. He was in no position to patronise her, if it was her choice to see it, then he will support her.
"You can see it?" Sighing, Chase ran a gloved hand through his hair. "It's too much to explain now, but Mony, I'm not an akuma."
"You did die." Desdemona tried to make sense of it. Akumas use the soul of the dead.
"No, Mony. The Earl saved me." Chase grew impatient. "I'll explain eventually. Come with me Mony, we'll leave all this behind. I promised you that I'd protect you."
"No, you need to explain to me right now." She insisted. She wondered why she just couldn't let go of her wariness: he was her brother, he wouldn't lie or hurt her.
"…So that's why the Earl gave me that condition." The man held his chin in contemplation. "He knew you wouldn't accept this." He glanced coldly over at Allen and Link, and Allen felt the familiar intimidation and hostility of the glare: it was identical to Dem's. "Mony, it's because of what the Order had told you, isn't it? The Earl is the enemy, he will destroy humanity."
"No. It has nothing to do with them." She replied sternly, which shocked Chase. Her eyes that were weakened by shock recovered their strength. She returned her brother with an equally intimidating glare of her own. "What excuse do you have of disappearing for eight years? What right do you have to show up all of a sudden, telling me to leave everything behind and follow you?"
She had lived through all these years by herself, and she was shaped and reshaped by the reality she went through. She was no longer that dependent girl. She cannot simply return to that time just because he told her to…even if he is Chase.
Her brother frowned, "I know you may be angry at me-"
"I am not." She cut him off. "You need to give me an explanation."
"If that's the case I might as well show you." Chase shrugged. "It's the Earl's condition anyway."
"Huh?" Desdemona frowned. Show her? Condition? "What are you talking about?"
Without answering her, Chase opened one side of his coat with one hand, while his other hand reached into his inner chest pocket. Swiftly, he produced a small glass vial of dark liquid. Flicking off the cork stopper with his thumb, he lifted it to his lips and emptied its contents into his mouth.
"Dem…" Allen felt uneasy about this, so he held her hand tighter.
In the blink of an eye, Chase no longer stood where he was. The girl could barely react before she felt a hand on her jaw and an arm around her shoulder. She was immediately immobilised when she realised that Chase had appeared next to her, holding her in place.
Not comprehending the following series of events nor having the time to react, the girl stood in shock as her brother pressed his lips against her slightly parted ones, and felt a certain liquid being forced down her throat. At the same time, a stinging pain was felt at her neck: something sharp was inserted into her flesh.
Allen watched in horror as the man pushed a syringe-full of blood into her neck, while appearing to force feed her something. He didn't know what was happening but he knew it couldn't be good for her.
Allen activated Clown Crown, unsheathed his broad sword, and took a swing at the young Eurasian man. All the while, he pulled on the girl's hand, removing her from her brother's grasp.
Glancing at Allen momentarily, Chase pulled the empty syringe out of Desdemona's neck and released her quickly.
In a flash of black, Allen's target disappeared from beside the girl. Without anything to stop its path, his sword travelled towards the girl's abdomen, but passed through without resistance. It landed with a heavy thud into the dirt ground beneath. Allen sighed in relief: it was fortunate his sword harms only Dark Matter.
In the corner of his eye, Allen saw Chase reappear a few metres away.
A scorching pain burned her throat, down into her chest, and her stomach, Desdemona's strength left her and she began to fall backwards. Allen's close proximity allowed him to catch her. The burning sensation quickly spread through her entire body, increasing in intensity as each second passed.
The pain left her unable to move or speak. As she stared at the soul above Chase's head, she could see that his soul was screaming. There was no sound.
"What did you do to her?!" Allen held the immobilised girl in his arms, glaring at the man with anger.
Chase ignored Allen, his eyes were focused on the girl. "You will understand once you become like me. It won't hurt too much or take too long, my blood will make the process easier." He discarded the empty syringe into nearby foliage.
A shadow appeared beside Chase's own silhouette on the ground, yet he heard no sound nor detected any movement. Jumping out of the way quickly, Chase glanced back to see a blonde man striking the air with a sharp knife, produced from his sleeve.
"Link!" Allen called, trying to warn the agent of the Eurasian male's advantageous position at Link's blind spot. He moves too fast, Allen could barely keep his eyes on him.
Link quickly raised his blade to block a possible attack; however, the blow didn't come.
Chase had retreated a few more metres away. His eyes never left the girl. "Come find me when you are ready. I will be waiting right here for you." He smiled gently, "You will come, won't you?"
Knowing that Desdemona will not be able to answer in her current state, Chase lingered his eyes on her a little longer, before disappearing without a trace.
Allen narrowed his eyes in alert. Soon, his left eye deactivated on its own accord. He is gone…
"Alle…" A weak, strained voice whispered.
The exorcist glanced down to the girl in his arms instantly. A trail of fresh blood creeped down the side of her cheek from the corner of her mouth. She was breathing heavily and erratically, and beads of sweat formed on her skin. She was in a lot of pain.
"Dem…" he frowned anxiously, what is happening to her? What did Chase do to her?
Shifting her into a better position, Allen suddenly felt moisture dripping from between his fingers. He glanced down, and a small pool of blood was gathering on the soil. "DEM!" Allen inspected her, and was horrified to find that blood was gushing out from the place his sword had passed through her.
This doesn't make sense, his blow didn't hurt her…so why?
Desdemona's vision blurred, her hearing rang and all her senses were numbed by the immense pain, as if her every cell was on fire. She could make out Allen's panicked face, trying to talk to her, but she couldn't understand what he was saying.
Slowly, her vision darkened. Link knelt down beside her, and Allen looked so afraid…
Then, darkness engulfed her.
Why does Chase have his own soul as an akuma soul? What did he feed Dem? What exactly is he? What will become of Dem?
Want to know?
Easy, you just have to review. If you review I'll write the next chapter faster and you can know sooner. (lol) (Any theories tho? I love to hear theories from readers!)
Please review! It's an author's fuel!
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