Author's Notes: Greetings!... sorry the last chapter was a bit short... but to make up for that, I've written this chapter with more meat in it... Furthermore, I've also added some nice twists to keep yuz interested... Please Enjoy! and don't forget to leave a comment... ^_^
Soul Eater Chronicles Episode 4: Dirge of Death
"What is the meaning of this, honourable father?" Kid entered the Death Room, almost immediately he pointed out the odd mix of horror and holly that embellished the drab image of Death City. Never before had either festivals took place and for good reason. Xmas, the jolly season of giving, was never celebrated for the idea of an old man who could sail across the midnight sky on his flying sled was disturbing. Although many people would disagree with this notion, closer inspection would prove otherwise as was written by Juno in "Laments of Akura on the Modern-day Xmas":
"'Santa Clause' is supposedly a creatureof ancient existence. It is said that his garments were adorned with white fur from poor animals and dyed red from the blood of countless victims.
They say he would travel under the guise of darkness and force himself into the happy homes of the weary and innocent. Then, he would prey upon their rations of milk and cookies! Woe are those pastries, borne from the blood, sweat, and tears of many a parent, who've endured countless hours slaving over the unforgiving heat of the stove for the sole purpose of preparing a meagre, morning's meal for their precious children. Eaten they are! Devoured without remorse! Consumed without consent! Only the vilest of creatures would commit such an atrocity against humanity!
Yet this grim tale doth not end there. For after unleashing his gluttonous nature upon those unsuspecting milk and cookies, he would then turn his baleful gaze on the conspicuous subject of flora that would be present. As with every home he ravishes, he would leave his terrible mark under the decorated structure of pine or plastic.
Although some may outright state that it was his wonderful token of appreciation and would label them as 'gifts and presents', right? Of course not! Ordinary people that have filled their bellies with food would often find themselves in need of a long visit to the lavatory. Thus with such a thought considered, only those ill of mind would describe his 'tokens of appreciation' as wonderful.
After defiling the sanctity of their homes, the creature known as 'Santa Claus' would whisk away into the midnight skies on his magical flying sled.
With his departure and the story coming to a close, one would think to rejoice for it would be another full year before his reign of carnage returns. Thou shall not! Lest you forget the humble creatures that were forced into his service: the mighty reindeer and the noble elf. How would thou compare thine night of terror to the whole year of their suffering? Weep not for those doomed to eternal servitude. Rejoice and make merry, but never forget those who suffer for thine happiness..."
Moving on, with such a name as Death City, one would easily picture the celebration of the dead, Halloween, as a common occurrence. This is not the case here. For the grand festivities of eating candy and honouring the dead would also require the tradition of costume and tricks.
With the city's major population composing of either weapon or meister, having them dress up as their own enemies would drastically lower morale. Similarly to a deer hunter who's forced into the form of deer, it would be quite humiliating and degrading. In conclusion, Xmas and Halloween were never celebrated until now.
"Is everyone here?" asked the Shinigami, ignoring his son's question.
"Not everyone, Shinigami-sama. We've been unable to contact Tsubaki," reported Azusa in her no-nonsense attitude as she arrived with Maka. Following them were Soul, Chrona, Joe and Justin who respectfully announced their attendance.
"MAKAAA!!!" Spirit immediately leaped to her daughter. "I've missed you soooo much!!!" he sobbed, hugging her tightly. It was a touching father-daughter reunion. Well that was before a fearsome Maka-chop destroyed the moment.
Still conscious and teary-eyed, Spirit sobbed even more as he asked the reason for such an attack. Well even Black Star, if he were there, would've been repulsed by the oozes of green slime that dripped down the man's nose.
"D-Don't...forget...us..." a faint whisper came from the very haggard-looking Marie. She was shouldered into the room by Sid and Nygus. At first, everyone thought she'd been attacked by the witches. But a brief explanation by Sid cleared up the misunderstanding. They found her collapsed at the school's entrance and were about to bring her into the infirmary when she insisted to be brought to the Death Room instead.
"W-wait...I'm not a week late?" Marie was confused.
Her friend, Azusa, greeted her with the sharp flash of her glasses, "No. I called you a week earlier because I knew that this would happen. Although, I'm quite surprised you made it right on time considering your past records."
Upon those words, Marie collapsed. "Thanks for the vote of confidence..."
"Good, good. Now that we're all here, Azusa-kun will explain the rest," the Shinigami sat down to allow his subordinate some space to manoeuvre. After doing so, Azusa directed their attention to the monitors.
"As you're all aware, several powerful witches have made their way into Death City," she explained as the screen showed them a live view of these people as they went about their business.
"Wait, aren't we going to do anything!?" both Soul and Maka reacted. Chrona, who stood beside the boy, could only mutter, "I told you so."
"No, we're not," answered Azusa, "Engaging them in direct combat would only end in insurmountable casualties. We are to wait for the opportune moment to strike."
"And when exactly will that be?"
"Christmas Eve, of course," Blair the Witch appeared at last. Dragging along a shopping cart filled with a butt-load of stuff.
"Why Xmas Eve?" asked Maka in a surprisingly polite tone. Obviously, she was just trying to be friendly. Blair was suspicious, albeit pleased with this development.
"Okay then...Do you know that there's a very special time that only happens once or twice in every few centuries where a witch's powers are increased two – no, four or even ten-fold?"
Upon revealing this, Blair expected an uproar filled with mindless accusations, a few insults and maybe even a violent reaction; but she got silence instead. Everyone was looking at her attentively. They were shocked, yes, but it looked like they wanted to hear more of what she had to say.
"It's called The Witching Hour. It only occurs under a lunar eclipse during the peak of the Winter Solstice, which would be around midnight on Christmas Eve," she grinned, menacingly.
That's when Blair got what she wanted, chaos. The Death Scythes looked towards the Shinigami for answers, whilst the students were too shocked to move.
"It is true," a sad reply from the Shinigami to their dismay, "the last one happened about 800 years ago shortly before the birth of Demon Weapons." With a heavy sigh, the Shinigami stood up and produced a large tome from his body. The worn-out cover and drooping, mouldy pages hinted its origins to a distant period of antiquity. "This is the Book of Eibon..." he said on a grim note.
The surprises kept on coming. Meanwhile, Kid looked upon the object with intent. His unquenchable hunger for knowledge screamed at him to act. For once in his possession, he'd be able to find out the truth about the Shinigami, about Asura, and about himself. Yet, he held himself back, remembering well the words of Azusa concerning the opportune moment to strike.
Oh great...here comes a history lesson...
"800 years ago, Demon Weapons were born from the union of a witch's soul and that of a human. It was through the hands of the witch, Arachne that this came to be. However, she was hunted for it, by her own kind and by me. At that time, the witches would've turned a blind eye had she not taken the soul of your...their Witch Queen..." the Shinigami went quiet. But before he turned away, the expression seen on his mask was that of great sorrow.
Suddenly, Kid felt a sharp pain in his heart. His body grew numb and he struggled to breathe. The pain was too strong. It was overwhelming, as if his heart was desperately calling out to him. Something was telling him –no, begging him to run away, far away from that place. It wasn't Asura. But he knew he might die if he didn't follow.
"I-Is... that why..." the pain grew too great and it forced him down to a knee. Patty and the cat rushed to see if he was alright. He could not hear what they were saying for all his senses were screaming at him to leave. Even Asura, who had no idea of what was happening, was frantically shouting at him to get away. But he could not. He would not for underneath all that was a tiny flicker of hope. It was hope for someone he never knew.
"I-Is... that why...you hunted her, as well!?" he screamed, tears were flowing down his eyes.
"K-Kid, what's wrong?" everyone was surprised by this, except the Shinigami.
"In order to create the first and most powerful Demon Weapon, Arachne... she took the life of someone very dear to me..." the Death god looked back at him and said, "...someone very dear to you also, my son..."
Author's Notes: Oh... right... about leaving a question... I know I begged you guys for that... I'll answer any question that's related to the current chapter... like if you guys need something cleared up or if you need something explained... but I won't give out any spoilers... ^_^... it'll ruin the awesome surprise at the finale... Anyways, thanks for reading!