Our Story so Far: An injured girl, named Sarah Albarn, apparently a long-forgotten cousin of Maka, was found on the doorstep of their apartment. She turns out to have amnesia, and as her unstable memories are resurfacing, we learn of her twisted past: Both parents are dead, and her brothers were missing. Emphasis on were. Aside from being an orphan, apparently Sarah turns out to be a powerful Meister (albeit young), and has good control over her wavelength. However, where was she for the past five years? What happened to her brothers? And most importantly, why does she have two souls?
. . .
LD: Wassup? Wassup? Wassup? Heloooooo everyone! How's it going? How ya doin'?
Um...Hello, Lord Death.
Sa: Yeah, hi.
LD: What's wrong with you two?
Sa: My past is really depressing now that I'm starting to remember...
Yeah, and I for one am getting depressed writing about it...
So: Well if it makes you feel better, things are looking up.
Sa: How?
Yeah, how Soul?
LD: I also am curious as to how, please explain.
So: (smirks) We're gonna beat up this smug jerk who tried to kill you!
Sa:...
...yeah, um...
LD: Soul-kun, there's something you should know, since the readers should know from the last chapter what "Oniichan" means in Japanese.
So: What should I know Lord Death? Did I miss something when I came to save Sarah just in the nick of time?
Yes, you did...
LD: Even I saw what happened, through my mirror.
Sa: (nods somberly) Yeah, well that jerk who tried to kill me is...was...my brother, William, and Daniel is...
Wait! Sarah don't tell them yet! They'll find out soon! Anyway, where's Maka? We're waiting for her to start off!
Ma: (bursts through the door panting) Sorry I'm late! Soul forgot to tell me again that he was leaving early! (Shoots an "I'm going to fucking kill you" look at Soul, who whistles)
(I also glare at Soul, who inches away from me and Maka) Could you start us off?
Sa: Can I say it too? In Japanese?
Sure...
Sa: Kenzen naru "tamashii" wa, kenzen naru seishin to...(tries to remember) kenzen naru nikutai ni yadoru. (squeals "I did it from memory!" under her breath)
Ma: A sound soul, dwells within a sound mind, and a sound body.
. . .
Chapter 4: Medusa's Rat- Just another test subject?
-Seven Years Ago-
"Why didn't you watch them better?"
William bowed his head, dark brown eyes to the floor. He hated when mother yelled at him. He tried to sneak a glance at the little brat. Sarah sat scrunched in the corner, sobbing, hiding. She should be the one getting scolded, not him. It was all her fault, not his. Everything always went onto his shoulders, didn't it? Didn't it always?
"I-I just..." he barely managed to say. "I—," he sighed and continued to look down. He was shaking, from anger, fear... Why did they care so much for that stupid little girl? She was a useless little thing who acted so naïve it was pitiful. Always singing her stupid, crappy little happy songs. Always. He felt so much disdain for his little sister it hurt his chest.
"She could have been injured, or worse!"
Looking to his feet, William blocked out the never ending ranting of his mother. Ferra just kept on yelling. That's all she did lately, yell at him, yell at Dad. But never the two brats. It seemed it was always that way. She was probably on edge because Chad, his father, was out drinking yet again. Ever since their vacation to the US, their father was out drinking, night after night, all thanks to Uncle Spirit.
His brow furrowed. That man. Chad had just quit alcohol, and that man had started him up again.
"You're just lucky they returned her unharmed..." Ferra put a lock of long black hair behind her ear and sighed. "We're all lucky that they accepted the ransom."
He realized he was shaking with sobs, tears spilling over his eyes. His mother put two firm hands on his shoulders and said in an almost broken voice: "Look at me, Will."
Still crying, he refused, sniffing.
"William." Her voice suddenly became arctic, and he willed his head to tilt upwards quickly, knowing that when she used her 'voice' that it never meant anything good if you went against her. William quickly saw that she was crying too. "Do you understand, William? You're the oldest, and you've got to protect them."
"But..."
"No buts," she said, her voice cracking as she pulled him into a pained hug. "You have to."
You have to, echoed a voice in his head.
But what if I die trying? But what if I don't want that kind of life? What if I don't want to?
You don't have to, William, answered the voice.
It was then within that same day William found himself travelling down a different path. Not one a human should take, but not one of a Kishin either.
A twisting, confusing path full of Snakes and Arrows.
/
-Five Years Ago-
"How selfish Wes, how perverted."
It was dark and a thirteen-year-old Wes Evans was tied to a stiff metal chair, ropes looped uncomfortably tight around both hands, feet bound as well. He held his head down, relaxed his muscles, conserving his energy. Earlier he had struggled against the restraints with little luck. "In love with a little girl?" The smooth, almost creeping voice, was deriding him, mocking him.
Wes didn't like it one bit. "Shut up," he said.
Something cold and blunt smacked him on the cheek, sending his head jerking sharply to the right. A throbbing ache was building in his neck; he had heard a loud crack, and he hoped it wasn't something important. He sneered at the darkness, his red eyes almost glowing with hatred at his abductor.
"No. You shut up," spat the fiend. "Why don't you be a good boy now, and listen to your mother?" Wes had a vague, cold feeling that the kidnapper just smiled. "Why don't you tell little Sarah what she said? You know she's right." There was a faint click, and suddenly there was soft light glowing from a dim light bulb that hovered above his line of sight.
Wes now saw before him a woman. Her golden eyes were sly, slanted, and snake-like, and her blond hair fell over her shoulders slightly, two long bangs twisted around each other like those snakes in the caduceus symbol. Both arms were covered in rows of dots that wrapped around her arms and ended in two dark tattoos shaped like snake-heads. It was none other than the Witch, Lady Medusa. She smiled gently, and Wes felt fury within him bursting to get out.
"Because she just lost her parents!" He yelled at the Witch, wanting to rip her apart like she was a piece of wet tissue paper. "Why the hell depress her even more?"
Medusa only smiled and moved closer to him. "You will listen, boy." She gently stroked the side of his face and giggled.
Wes flinched away in revulsion, his face burning with shame. "Don't touch me."
"Why not?" She pursed her supple lips playfully. Wouldn't you rather want a woman instead of a little girl? Or are you just a pedophile, Wes?" He ignored the comment.
"Why am I here, and how do you know my name?"
"Tsk, tsk. I'm not telling you a thing. My lips are zipped like a padlock." With a sinister grin she attacked his lips with her own. A single small snake slithered out, and Medusa quickly drew away before Wes got violent.
Poor Wes coughed as it wriggled down his throat. "What the hell?"
Medusa smiled again. "Now Wes...you are going to tell her."
-Present Day-
Sarah's feet didn't shift an inch from her stance. Standing her ground she brought Soul's blade upwards to protect her face, blocking the attack. Another clank resounded, Daniel clashing against Soul once more. Both Meisters were locked in a battle of strength, as William pressed blade against blade, with Sarah fighting against it. He was planning to drain her energy by heaping on the stress and then go in for the death-slash.
"I can't do it, Soul," she said quietly. All Sarah could do was block the incoming hits, over and over. No real attacks were coming from her; all it seemed like was that she was running. Like she didn't even want to fight him. William gritted his teeth in annoyance. Again and again he swung his arm back and forth, each blow striking her Weapon, Soul was surprised that he actually was wincing at the blows, they were far from ordinary by far. A warm, angry teardrop fell onto Soul, running down the silver shaft she gripped with both hands.
"Sarah, are you okay?" Soul asked. "Why're you crying?"
Sarah looked to the scythe being used against her.
"Danny, don't do this, please," begged Sarah. Her trembling knee finally buckled, and she yelped under the stress. A pale face appeared in the grey blade, baby blue eyes pleading.
"William is my Meister," replied the younger boy. "I have to obey him."
A loud, bitter cackle from William made Sarah's blood boil. "He's no longer your little otōto-chan. He's my Weapon, and we're going to kill you."
"Why not?" asked Soul quickly to his temporary Meister. "I saw, he tried to kill you."
"But—,"she spat, struggling against the pressure William was putting into the attack. "Little brother..."
William's eyes simply blazed turquoise. "SHUT UP AND DIE, YOU BITCH!"
"Onich—,"
"Don't call me that! Don't call me that! I'm no longer your precious big brother!"
"Sarah," said Soul, "You don't mean to tell me..."
In an explosion of anger and sorrow, more tears flowed.
"Yes, it's true!" she yelled. "He's my older brother!"
"WAS!" shrieked William insanely. "WAS!" William stopped his attack to laugh cruelly. "I was her brother, stupid little scythe."
"Grr...Sarah..."
"HAHA HA!" laughed the boy, "It was that night my beloved Medusa left this place!"
"..." Sarah's eyes flickered purple, and suddenly she slipped under, through his legs and emerged on the other side, behind him.
"Oh," he continued. "I know I know...'I was missing for five friggin' years! What are you talking about, Oni-tan?'" He scoffed and shook his head when he saw her blank expression. "Figures. Of course you wouldn't know, Sarah. Medusa made sure of it." An image of chains and coldness flickered in her brain. She winced as a mini-headache ripped through her brain, but then quickly receded. Soul narrowed his eyes at the mention of the witch.
He tried to refocus his Meister on battling the enemy rather than his confusing words. "Hey, Sarah, why don't we try it?"
"Try what?" she shouted, staking the shaft into the ground. She swung around and kicked William in the face. He staggered back and rushed again. Again and again Sarah dodged the attacks, but she was quickly tiring, blocking wasn't doing much good, and William seemed inexhaustible.
"Resonating our souls; it's worth a try."
Sarah shook her head in doubt. "I've never tried it before. You and Maka may be able, but are we even compatible?"
"You can at least hold me, can't you? Hey, this is us. Other than Maka, I've never really liked someone so much on our first meeting." Soul heaved a sigh, hoping he'd never have to say this speech again in the future. "You're cool, Sarah, and in my book that just beats all." He appeared in the blade and stared her down. "Whatddya say?" asked Soul evenly. The pep-talk lifted her heart a little.
"What do I say?" said Sarah, leaping into the air with a devious smile. "I say: Ikou ze!" Soul smirked, and she saw his jagged teeth spread into an equally shifty grin. She twirled the scythe round multiple times, and brought the blade roughly in front of her. Sarah fixed her eyes on her brother, a hatred she never thought she could possess, boiling.
"Let's GO!" they yelled, "SOUL RESONANCE!" Multiple sparks flew back and forth between the pulsing melodies of their souls. The energy built more and more until Sarah's soul expanded once again, the incandescent blue almost blinding. William's eyes momentarily shifted to brown as his sanity kicked in for a second.
Her soul, it's...no... Will shook his head. "'C'mon! That's never going to hurt me!" She breathed in and out to the beat of their resonating souls, the sound shockingly beautiful to her ears. When Sarah finally opened her eyes, they were definitely glowing violet. Within the Black Room, Soul thought he heard a small giggle. "Sarah?" he asked, looking around uncertainly within the room. The little ogre stared at him, his beady eyes looking off into the darkness that stood beyond the albino.
"You sense them too?" he questioned Soul, making the weapon raise an eyebrow in confusion.
"The legendary super-skill of the Scythe-Meister," she said, Soul's blade shifting into a moon-shaped, glowing form.
Majogari!
"WITCH-HUNTER!" she shrieked as she swung the blade, making it barrel towards William.
A flash of pain. Blood. Splatter.
An anguished yell.
William's left arm plummeted to the ground with an ugly, squishy thud. For a moment his mind went into shock as he gripped where the limb once was. Immediately he released his Weapon, and Daniel fell, striking the ground with a metallic rattle. "Medusa," he whispered, gritting his teeth. "You're lucky you escaped, from her~ she would punish you if she knew you did this to me." With his boot, William kicked Daniel. "You useless little blade, I don't need you..." And with that, he dashed down the street, blood dripping from his stubby limb. Sarah was about to chase after him, but Soul stopped her.
"What about the boy?"
She looked to where William had dropped his weapon. Daniel had changed back into his human form, shivering, a few shallow slashes on his arms. He was sobbing quietly.
Sarah knelt next to her adopted brother. "Hey, Soul, help me." Gently, she stroked his sweaty forehead with the back of her hand. When William had tried to block Witch-hunter with Daniel, it seemed that Daniel had gotten injured as well. "Danny? Otōto-chan? It's okay, it's me Sarah." He looked up with fearful eyes towards Sarah and Soul. Wailing he hugged her neck, apologizing, eyes pouring tears. Sarah giggled softly, tears welling up as well. "My otōto-chan, I knew you didn't want to hurt me..."
She picked up the small eleven-year old and smiled to Soul. "I'm not afraid anymore," she said. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I know." He grinned back.
" I remember you, Danny. It's alright now, I remember."
And the three went back to face the music.
. . .
Maka knocked on the door before she burst into the room. Her eyes widened in worry. "OHMIGOD! SARAH! SOUL! WHAT HAPPENED?"
Sarah guiltily looked away. "Betsuni...nothing."
Soul rolled his eyes. "Nothing, she says. Well..." Maka waited patiently until he was finished with describing the fight and its outcome.
"So," said Maka with a resigned sigh. " It seems that William has come back to the academy."
Abruptly Soul was panicked."You knew the psycho?" he nearly shrieked in surprise.
Maka sighed at her weapon's reaction."He used to go here, Soul. Though I had no idea he was my cousin, after all. In fact, he was the one of the best upperclassmen Meisters at the DWMA..."
"What happened to him?" Sarah looked to Daniel, who lay on the infirmary cot, asleep. Measuring Sarah's steady even stare that mirrored her own from another time, Maka sighed and shook her head: an indication of insufficient knowledge.
"After the Kishin was revived...it seems that he mysteriously disappeared."
-Five Years Ago-
So many somber stares, pitying. Sarah hates them all, she doesn't want their pity. She doesn't need it. In the middle of the wretched ceremony Sarah runs out of the funeral bawling, wailing, howling, her hands covering her face to hide the tears that won't stop no matter how hard she tries. A raspy cough breaks the silence after her violent departure, and a slight, whispering argument can be heard at the back of the church. A second later a teenage boy follows her.
Wes found Sarah kneeling over the pool of water, cherry-blossoms floating just below her fingertips. He sighs when he sees her dressed in her pitch-black, yet beautiful real silk kimono that shines in the sunlight.
"Hey."
Sarah turns, ashamed at someone finding her still grieving.
"Oh, Sempai, it's you."
He walks over to the pool and sits next to her. She sighs and allows two more tears slip out, her lower lip still trembles, wanting to cry, but at the same time not wanting to.
"I feel so mixed up," she admits. Her eyes gain the slight features of a grin, while her mouth stays in that solid, shaking line. Wes feels almost sick inside, as his gut twists in sympathy. He knows he loves her, he doesn't want to hurt her, but something is moving up his throat. It feels as if he's going to puke if he doesn't say the words.
"I'm sorry for your loss," he manages, swallowing the venom in his belly, before the words can go and wound her even more. He takes her hand and she looks up. His Sarah, the delicate angel who loved music as much as he. His Sarah, the one who's caramel face looks crafted out of porcelain, her lips like a doll's, her brown eyes a light milk chocolate that sparkles in the sun. Her curly hair soft, like puppy-fur.
"You know I love you Wes?"
He is shocked for a moment, but then shakes his head in the negative. No, he didn't know she felt the same. Maybe he should have known, when she wrote that song for him in G# ("A flat!" She insisted), called Meditation of Souls. She had repeatedly claimed (while blushing violently he might add) it wasn't for him, but he should have known, since he often told her how much he loved and admired his younger brother Soul. Sarah claimed it was based on the principles of Phasmology, but he should have known. Wes nervously takes her soft, yet scarred hand.
"I—," he struggles to return the love, to reciprocate the feelings, but his voice has other plans. Within him the snake writhes and twists, the evil magic making his thoughts warped. "I l—don't think we should see each other anymore."
Her face falls even more, if possible. "W-why?" she chokes out, not wanting more tears to flow.
"My parents," Wes, explained, "have been wanting me to tell you to stop playing piano. They think you're a—a—," he doesn't want to say it. "A disgrace to musicians." No, he doesn't want to cut her down like this. NO. She's even more talented than him even, on the violin.
"W—what?"
"I'm afraid...they said that."
"Then I'll just stop playing the pi—,"
"They said to tell you to stop playing. Period. I'm sorry." The words rush out of his mouth like some ugly curse, and she lets go of his kind hand to run, crying again. She runs and runs and runs and runs, shrieking like a crazed harpy. Never stopping once to realize what that presence she sensed following her, was not Wes. Sarah ran some more, until her legs began to fail her and her lungs were starving for air. Only to be caught by a smiling snake with blond hair.
. . .
"Is it done?" From the sidelines that familiar slithering voice echoed in the mostly empty operating room.
Dutifully, robotically, the woman standing over their 'patient' noded.
"Yes, Lady Medusa," responded the woman.
"The scars are gone?" asked Medusa, looking down at the unconscious form below them. Medusa had made sure she was restrained heavily, with chains and leather straps around both her arms and feet. Sooner or later the magical sedative the girl had been given would wear off, and the usual response from this subject was often hostility.
"Yes," said the other witch, "and the soul is in place and intact." It had been a success, of course. And thanks to her healing magic, the girl would make a more than optimal recovery. However, during such surgery, the woman noticed
In one of her rare moments of genuine emotion, Medusa praised her.
"Good work, Amaya."
Hesitant, Amaya looked to her with a desperate look.
"Lady Medusa, will I—,"
"Yes," interrupted Medusa, grinning. "You'll be able to see your Kim again, very soon."
"Thank you." Her green eyes overflowed with her tears as she brushed away a long strand of dark pink hair.
Of course, Medusa had no such plans of letting the Raccoon Witch go.