---Chapter 06: Missing Bird---
I can't feel my senses, I just feel the cold.
All colors seem to fade away.
I can't reach my soul.
I would stop running if I knew there was a chance.
It tears me apart to sacrifice it all, but I'm forced to let go.
When lies turn into truth, I sacrifice for you.
You say that I am frozen, but what can I do?
(From Frozen – Within Temptation)
---
He called out for him.
He cursed him for being such an idiot – such an idiot.
He wanted to shout that he was damn right – that he couldn't trust him at all.
He tried to grab him and pull him back so that he could punch him hard on the face-
But he couldn't.
Allen Walker couldn't do anything. He couldn't come after him, like he had come after Lenalee when she was abducted by the Earl. This time, he just stood there, reaching towards something in mid-air, and watched as Link collapsed like a paper doll, folding on himself. He could only stand there, watching, as the Akuma rolled Link's still body over with a kick before picking him up and flew away, disappearing into the falling veils of night. The Inspector's eyes were wide open, but Allen couldn't tell if Link could see him or not.
"What happened?"
He turned to the Third Exorcists, his hand clenching his sword's hilt painfully. He stared at the red dots on their foreheads, feeling so much rage and hatred building up inside of him, urging him to direct the twisted emotions into his fists, to punch these Crow members with all his might. Hell, if he could, he would have already done so – anything to beat those expressionless masks of their faces.
But then again, he needed their explanations.
He needed to know what that blazing white light emitted from Link's body was. He needed to know what the seal that had been stuck on his uniform was. He wanted to know what those bloody runes meant, and why they had been fading away with each passing minute. Why he couldn't touch Link with his human hand. Why his sword just flowed through the Akuma's body without doing it any harm. Why-
"Deactivate your Innocence, Allen," Froi Tiedoll commanded softly. The General too had been eyeing the crimson-cloaked Central agents through his cracked glasses. "Let us all sit down and listen to what they have to say."
Allen stood there fuming for another minute, still half-tempted to slice Madarao with his exorcising blade. But then Lenalee put a hand on his shoulder, and when he looked at her, she shook her head. Her pleading eyes banished his rage, and he deactivated Crown Clown, then sat down in front of the Third Exorcists.
"Well?"
The Crows exchanged a look, and then Madarao started speaking. "The incantation that Inspector Link released prevents the Akuma from discovering us." He looked at the pieces of paper stuck on Allen, Kanda, Lavi, and Lenalee's uniforms. "These four seals formed a barrier in which we are safe from them. They can't see us, smell us, sense your Innocence, or detect us in any other way. However, the effect of the incantation only last until the characters on the seals fade away-"
"I see." Allen interrupted him. "And what happened to Link?"
It was Tevak who answered. "The protection of the spell is perfect; however, it does require payment. The caster is totally separated from the people he protects. He won't be able to move until the effect of the spell fade; he can't see you nor hear you; he can't be touched by you… He can't be saved."
"… In other words," said Lavi, who had thankfully regained his consciousness, "he has to die?"
"Eventually."
"Why didn't you tell us earlier?" shouted Allen. "Why didn't you stop him?"
"Howard Link was aware of his actions. I believe he did what he thought is best-"
"Bullshit- I can't understand you guys anymore! Can this possibly be real?"
"Quit shouting, Moyashi," said Kanda. "If you think you can change the attitude of people from Central with words alone, you are wrong."
"Well, at least I try!"
"Allen, please, you're being unreasonable." Lenalee cut him off with a slight expression of impatience, her injured hand making a stiff movement. "I completely understand how you're feeling right now, but throwing a tantrum isn't going to do any good." She knew her words had considerable effect, so she continued. "What we have to do now is to figure out how to get us out of this… situation."
"And to rescue the Inspector, of course," added Lavi hastily. "Now, let's see… Basically, we're inside two barriers – The enemy's, and Link's. Maybe Moleface didn't realize it, but the protection he had granted us only gives us a chance to recover, not to retreat. Yuu checked – we still can't get out of this area. We can't contact with the Order either, which is weird, because the communication between us is still perfect." He tapped Kanda's golem, causing a buzz to emit from Allen's earring. "Even if the Order decides to find us, they won't be able to get in here unless they remove the enemy's barrier first…"
"Which is impossible," said Tevak, "because this time, the enemies had the source of their sorcery hidden inside the barrier itself."
Marie shook his head. "In other words, we are all by ourselves?"
"But…" said Chaoji, after a long moment of hesitation, "… The Akuma… I wonder why they didn't kill the Inspector… They usually don't take prisoners, right? Why do you think they took him?"
The small group fell silent for a while, and then General Tiedoll began to speak, slowly, considering every single word. "… Maybe they don't want to kill him yet. Inspector Link was able to detect their barrier and break it. Naturally, since they got a chance, they captured him in order to find out how much we know about their sorcery…"
"The enemies' sorcery… Their spell casters… Don't you mean…" Allen's eyes widened. "… Skulls?"
No one said a word. They all, of course, remembered what had happened to their comrades who had fallen into the hands of the Skulls. Most of them had been killed savagely, others had been turned into heartless creatures that weren't aware of themselves and knew no other objective than to serve the Earl. Lenalee recalled Tapp Dopp's face, though it wasn't really his face, drenched in tears as the man whispered in a voice that wasn't his, If I could live again, I wouldn't mind doing overdue paperwork… Her heart jolted painfully and she had to press a hand on her chest to suppress the feelings that wanted to overcome her. She knew that she mustn't give in to her weakness, for she needed to be brave.
Allen too had recalled that painful sight, but then another gruesome idea came to his mind. He remembered the Skulls' criteria, We're looking for men with good brains… Link, of course, would fall under that category. It would save him from the fate of getting his head crushed like some kind of insect… but then again, if they turned him into that thing-
"We can't wait any longer." Allen finally managed to choke out. "The effect of the spell is wearing off with each passing minute. We have to save him now."
He heard a rustle: Madarao had just stood up.
"Master Disciple, I have to object. Howard Link has fallen into the hands of the enemies. If he knows what's good for him, he must have already killed himself–"
"We can't have you risking your life to save a common inspector-"
Allen unfolded himself from his sitting position. He jerked up, just like a spring being released after having been compressed for too long. Standing as straight as he could, the boy looked at the Crow in the eye.
"I really don't know how to make you guys understand. He's not just any inspector. He's Inspector Howard Link, and I'm currently under his responsibility. This is so absurd – He is– He's supposed to be keeping an eye on me!" Allen choked on the few last words and quieted down, but he managed to begin again. "I'll come for him. He has to know that I'll come for him, even if he's that determined to sacrifice himself. Maybe that will open his eyes." The boy then glared at the Third Exorcists; his cursed left eye suddenly twirling viciously as if looking for its prey. "Of course I'm going to need your help, and you're going to help me."
"What if we refuse?" said Madarao, glaring down at the boy.
"Oh, don't be like that. Okay… What if I try this… Pretty please?" He asked sweetly, his warmest smile blooming on his face. Before Madarao could even question this sudden change of attitude, he had felt something cold and sharp pressing against his neck – Allen's claws. He heard a rustle behind him – Tevak just stood up in alarm. She too didn't notice that Allen had had his Innocence activated, and she was just as surprised by Allen's unbelievably quick movement.
"Master Disciple, I suggest that you reverse your activation."
"Not until you say you'll help me."
"This is ridiculous. Are you trying to threaten me? You're just going to get yourself in trouble."
"Since my position sucks anyway… I don't care."
"Do as he says." Froi Tiedoll finally declared. "You have the orders of a General."
---
"Hakka Tourou!"
The Akuma blinked and blinked again, then its body suddenly divided into eight equal pieces before exploding. With a smirk, Kanda Yuu leapt backwards to avoid its poisonous blood and quickly placed the seal back on his shoulder. The piece of paper immediately grew its roots again, wrapping the Exorcist in its protective embrace. Kanda's golem fluttered cheerfully towards him; a voice rang out from it:
"How are things over there?"
"Done," said the Japanese with a "che" that could be heard clearly even through the communication devices. "I hate to work with you guys, you're so fucking slow-"
"Is there something you don't hate, Kanda?" huffed Allen.
Before Kanda could react, Lavi interrupted in an soothing manner. "Nooow… But it has to be like this, Yuu-chan. We have to deactivate and re-activate the four seals at the same moment, or else the spell will be broken."
"Speaking of spells," growled Kanda, "it's fading much faster now. How many Akuma left?"
"Two or three Level 3s, one Level 4," affirmed Lenalee. "It won't take too long. Then it will just be about Madarao and Tevak - I hope they'll find the Skulls' location soon."
"They're working on it." Marie's voice was soft and even. "The barrier to ward off other Akuma has already been set. Once we're done with our job, this area will stay clear of Akuma for a while."
"Let's hurry, then."
A/N: Dear readers, I'm delighted to present you another chapter *headkeyboard* There had been some crazy exams for me *goes hysterical at the sound of the word "exam" * and my beloved beta-reader was also really busy (In fact, I think she's still busy…)
The writing of this story had already been complete even before I began posting. However, my beta is still working on each chapter, and I can never neglect her suggestions. They are so damn accurate; after changing, the fiction always looks better! This meticulous editing is the reason why releases are so slow. Please be patient and keep supporting us so that we can give you our best!
Lots of thanks to those who cared enough to drop a comment, I appreciate every single one of them.