Chapter IV
Approach ( part I )
Screaming…excruciating pain-filled screaming…then silence.
Its sleek black wings carried it through the air, the deceitfully fragile figure of the crow soaring above the thick layer of mist and fog, disregarding any other movement or sound, except the soothing whisper of its master's calling. The crow's sharp beak pointed northwards, far from the imprisoning landscape of civilization, away from the ignorant glances of mere mortals, leaving the trembling young earl far behind it. It had seen what it was ordered to see and had made its presence known to the boy, fulfilling the mission its beloved master had entrusted upon it. Now it was time to return and to merge once more with the flesh it so feverishly adored.
Passing the grey fields of the autumn drenched England, the bird figure made its way above death stricken forests and shadowy valleys until it finally breached the barrier of barren mountain lands. Swooping down, the crow then gave a shrill cry before closing in on a cave entrance, the bird relishing the heat that had begun to consume its small frame before it burst into a haze of pitch black feathers. The feathers glided within the darkness of the cave, enveloping the still figure that was resting against the cold cave walls, the silhouette in question absorbing the last remains of its loyal servant like sweet nectar.
Sebastian's crimson eyes gained a faint glow as he analyzed the perceptions he had received from the crow. He remained silent, his features failing to betray any emotion, as his gaze then traveled to his right hand, his pale skin glowing in the dark.
'Master." A chilling voice spoke from within the shadow. Sebastian kept his sight lowered, never bothering to look at the source of the sudden disruption.
"Master!" it echoed once more, drawing Sebastian's attention to the ground next to him, the soil's cool smooth surface starting to fluctuate, turning into fluid clay as a pair of bright yellowish eyes emerged from within the depths of the earth, their image slightly blurry as if seen through an instable mirror.
"What have you found out?" Sebastian asked calmly, his eyes now lazily resting on the glass-like surface.
"It is as you feared, master. A barrier has been set up against you." The unearthly voice hissed.
"What kind of barrier?"
"A rather old one usually used for outcasts."
Sebastian couldn't help give a harsh laugh. "An outcast, you say? I must say, that sounds rather interesting." Resting his left hand against the wall, the demon rose to his feet, his gaze now giving out a cold glare towards the shimmering eyes.
"Have you found out why?" He then uttered darkly.
"There are only rumors, master. No one knows for sure why you were imprisoned. But some say that it has to do with your battle against the fallen angel."
"Oh?" Sebastian grunted, "Since when are a demon's actions so intently discussed?"
"Master, I…"
"Tell me" his tone giving out slight impatience "how much time till I am fully affected by it."
"In human time that would be two weeks. If you haven't broken the barrier in that time, your powers will die out completely. Master, if that should happen you will…"
"I am fully aware of what might happen." Sebastian snapped, a faint sign of irritation forming on his features. Pacing slowly towards the cave entrance, he narrowed his eyes as if noticing an intrusion in the distance.
"There is a way for you to prolong your time, master." The voice then spoke, drawing the demon's attention upon the smooth surface once more.
"Continue!" Sebastian uttered calmly, suppressing his impatience.
"A human soul, master! For some reason, a human soul was pulled out of hell at about the same time as your escape. If it accepts you, that soul has enough power to detain the effects of the barrier for up to two years."
"Indeed it does." Sebastian suddenly smirked, his gaze slightly softening. "Have you found a way of breaking the barrier?" he then demanded
"My apologies master. They mentioned of a contract, but I was unable to find out of what sort."
"A contract…" Sebastian's voice trailed off… "I see."
………………..
A heavy weight lay on his shoulders as he traced seemingly timeless steps through his once majestic mansion. The image of its former glory kept intruding before his eyes as he let his gaze roam painfully through the shattered remnants of his imposing dwelling.
His body was tired and weak, even though he had managed to regain some control over his legs. Yet it didn't matter that his movements were similar to those of a toddler, as long as he could move, even if it was just to behold the ruins that had shaped his mighty existence in the past. One heavy step after another, the creaking of rotten wood echoed through the forsaken mansion as if to prove to Ciel that his former home was never meant to harbor life again.
He had arrived at the grand staircase leading down to the entrance hall. A flash of warm light filling the now empty space, with his servants animating the mansion with their infinite and senseless babble blinded the young earl, forcing him to blink harshly in order to see the true emptiness from within the manor walls. His hand brushed the frail railing, carefully placing his steps down the broken down staircase until he reached the floor. Ciel's empty stare trailed the walls of the entrance up to the fissured ceiling, a sickly grey light penetrating the dark chamber through its many cracks.
Is this what he had come back to? Is this what was left of his mighty company, of his mighty dwelling … of his mighty name?
Ciel recalled the feeling of utter disregard of the world surrounding him at that time, as he had released himself of any will to live and had embraced the overwhelming oblivion.
Yes, he had been careless. It was impossible for him to foretell that such a disastrous event as him coming back to life would ever occur.
Everything that he had built up, all that he had strived for were now nothing but ash and ruins. All the meaningless of his actions in the outer world were reflected in this faltering, rotting décor that had brought him a sense of comfort once, even if it had been the faintest of all reassurances he had ever received.
His eyes fell to the ground, resting on the chipped floor and puddles covering the once stainless marble covering. Lazily stepping over decaying wood-chunks he unwillingly stepped in one of the countless puddles, only to stare wide-eyed at his reflection in the wavering water.
He felt his breath freeze in his lungs as he slowly knelt down glaring bewildered at the image of a thin pale boy with deep blue eyes. Ciel's lips parted only to let a strangled sound escape his now trembling body. He hadn't realized up till then that he had been missing something from the moment he had woken up. He had felt it, indubitably sensed it but hadn't thought about it. But he was forced to acknowledge it now. The contract, the mark of the demon, was gone.
A/N:
I know this is a short one, but chapter four is up. As mentioned in the chapter title..it's only the first part. I'll probably be up-dating the second part quicker than usual because I've finished my exams and have a full week of so called vacation...But we all know how that can turn out. Anyways....I hope you like this chapter....I'm sorry for its shortness and I'll try to make amends with a very long second part...so please review...thank you for the alerts and favorits :) I know it sounds corny but it really makes my day when I see that someone liked my story and added it to alerts or reviewed it. Well...see ya next time.