Bound Dreams

Chapter three:

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A soft whimper entered her ears and compelled her dark violet irises to unlock. The soft cries emitted from the weave made basket resting on the other side of her bed. Luscious dark emerald hair fell off of her pillow as she rose to attend to the crying infant. The young mother tiredly smiled as she gently transferred the little soul from the basket to her arms.

"Shh, baby, I'm right here…" Silver eyes trembled and continued to release tears.

She moved her arms to an invisible rhythm, silently wishing she was allowed permission to share a room with Allen, but Central was very adamant on the subject. They claimed it interfered with Link's work and in the end, it was to their benefit to keep the baby away from the inspector. Some sacrifices had to be made, and it was for the best. Her brother offered his help, but she turned down his offer, as on most nights he barely got any more sleep than she did.

The 1 month old didn't calm to his mother's attempts.

"What's wrong, baby?" She didn't expect an answer. "I gave you some milk a few hours ago, what's the matter?" Using her index finger she featherly traced across her son's forehead and around his soft rosy cheeks. A faint breeze circled in the air around them, caused by the slightly opened window. It grabbed her attention.

The young mother snatched the blanket that lied in the basket and wrapped it snuggly around the infant like a cocoon. She then activated her Innocence, a reddish light illuminating in the room for a brief second, and walked to the window. Opening it all the way, she stepped off through it and into the sky.

The night air was moist and warm; a bit chilly to a degree, but nothing too bothersome for her or the baby clutched tightly to her chest. Her Dark boots manipulated the gravity, defying its law as she started to slowly dance in the air. She twirled and swayed on her fictional dance floor. The cries that was produced from the life in her arms minimized as silver eyes showed wonder at the sudden change in his surroundings. Petite hands lovingly wiped away the remainder of the tears off his face.

She, Lenalee, continued to smile as her son eyes steadily closed in result to her gentle movements. She twirled and swayed for a little longer under the moons ray till the silver eyes finally succumbed to a deep sleep. She kissed the crown of her son's head and wished him sweet dreams.

/

Silver eyes were shocked awake, tearing up rapidly as their owner's chest heaved for air that refused to fill the lungs. Mana shook like a leaf and curled into a ball, coughing into his knees as he tried to gain control of his breathing.

"Mommy…!" He choked.

His father frantically rushed to his side at the first sign of his distress. In his alarm, he had effectively knocked over the chair he had been using. He had been attending to paperwork while the child took his afternoon nap.

Allen didn't say anything as he threw his arms around the child, pulling him to his chest as he rubbed pointless circles on his back. Mana's tiny fists held his shirt in a death grip as his salty tears easily soaked his shoulder.

"I know, Mana, I know." Allen whispered. "I miss her too." He felt little lips move against his shoulder.

"R-roof?" The small child murmured.

"Sure, we'll go to the roof." Allen replied. He hoisted the sniffling child up and carried him out of the room and down the hall leading towards the stairs. They attracted some curious looks from passer byers because of the child's crying - a concerned one from Johnny Gill. Allen wordlessly told him he'd talk to him about it later.

They arrived to the roof not long after, the tallest point of the order. Allen laid down the blanket he had carried along with them and laid down with his back to the floor and with Mana snuggled into his side.

The roof always offered comfort to the small family. It became their safe haven over the years. Watching the stars and clouds pushed away their stress and relaxed their minds. It also brought them fond memories of her.

Mana remembered those times his mother would take him out to fly around the order. It always calmed and soothed him whenever anything troubled him. The feeling of being free in the sky was an amazing feeling and he greedily held onto that warm sensation in his heart. He wished he could share those moments with her again. Thinking of his mother made him want to cry again, but his tears were already dried up from his earlier outburst. He put on a brave front and brushed the depressing thoughts aside and tried to focus on other things that occupied his mind.

The 15th Noah drew in a breath and released it in a long exhale.

"Daddy…" he whispered.

"Hm?" his father hummed. His eyes were closed, as if he were sleeping. A breeze played with his short white hair.

"How come they can't know?"

Allen didn't quite understand what the small child was asking. "Know what, Mana?"

"Bout' my Noah…" Allen opened his eyes and turned his head so he was staring into Mana's identical silver eyes.

"Remember what I told you? They'll seriously hurt you, Mana… Possibly even kill you." His tone was hard, trying to convey to the young child on how serious the matter really was. "If they ever find out, we'll leave the Order immediately. I'll never let them touch you. "

Mana nodded silently, the words were vaguely familiar to him. Everyone in their small group of family constantly reminded him not to tell anyone about his Noah; about how dangerous it was if he were revealed. And he understood their concerns. But he was confused about why it was that way for him and not his father.

"But… they know bout' yours?" His father nodded, confirming that fact.

"They knew about the 14th before I even knew myself…" Allen admitted. "Our situation is very different. I have Innocence while you do not… I also hold valuable knowledge about the Earl and the Noah that they desperately need to win this war.

Before you were even born Mana, the Order locked me away because they thought I was a traitor and too dangerous to be walking around. I was an Exorcist before any of this, but they didn't trust me with the14th inside me. Somehow, I escaped with the help from some of the other Noah's… I knew if the Order were to ever capture me again, I would surely be experimented on or executed…"

The four year old barely comprehended some of the larger words his father used, but he sensed that they meant bad things.

Allen continued with his story. "I am not the first 14th Noah like you are the first 15th Noah. The original 14th Noah was your great uncle, Neah Campbell Walker.I was just his host. That means he was just going to use my body to be born again, killing me in the process.

Neah and I never got along at first. We didn't know each other, and I made the mistake of thinking he was just like any other heartless Noah; that he'd just regard me as a pawn. He wasn't like any of my shallow assumptions of him. He… he actually reminded me a lot of my father, Mana." Allen smiled, stringing his fingers through his son's dark locks. "When the time came for me to be finally be erased by the Noah… he sacrificed himself, switching places with me so that he'd be consumed by the Noah genes instead of me…"

Allen felt bitter tears prickle at the corner of his eyes. "I am now the 14th Noah… Before his passing, Neah informed me of everything he knew about the war and his plans for the Earl. I will honor his memory and destroy the Earl, for both of us. But I can't do it alone.

The Order only allowed me to return because I offered them valuable knowledge… They could've just killed me after I told them everything, but they realized they needed my power as the 14th to defeat the Earl aswell. They still hate me though… That's why Link always followed me around." The white haired Exorcist smiled an empty smile. "I was lucky they didn't kill me. I don't know if you'll carry my luck, and that's why they can't know about you, Mana. I won't gamble with your life just for the sake of them knowing."

A small silence.

"I know this is a lot to digest." Allen said. "And I'm sorry for putting a lot of pressure on you with this."

"S'ok" Mana yawned. He stretched his arms over his head and accidently knocked his little fist into his father's jaw. Allen blinked in surprise at the contact and playfully stuck his tongue out at him. Mana giggled briefly before breaking out into another yawn.

"Go to sleep if you want, your nap was cut short after all." Allen said. Mana agreed with the idea and cuddled deeper into his father's side. Allen rested a protective arm over him.

"Mmm… love joo." Mana mumbled, eyes surrendering to sleep.

/

Ilee here! How're you guys?

Sorry if this chapter seems a bit short, it just felt right to end it here.

Thank you to all who reviewed last chapter and shared your ideas with me. I appreciate the help and I'm happy to say I've finally decided on a path for Mana! Can't wait to share it with you all in future chapters ;)!

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Please leave a review as it does motivate me to update faster. If you have any questions or concerns don't be hesitant to ask!