Okay, so I'm trying to move the story forward. I'm sorry if this doesn't meet expectations, but hey, it is an interlude. :)
Also, there's a poll in my profile that I would appreciate if the watchers of this story would take. It's for the ending of the story, and I will love you forever if you help me. You don't have to, of course, but it's something that would be nice to have.
Thank you!
(oh, and people, please review? I didn't receive any reviews for the last chapter and while I understand that it's moving slowly, I would like it if you could help me out)
"A host, you say?"
Bond nods quietly. "Yes."
He lifts himself off of the ground and rubs his shoulder. In the darkness, he and Bond are the only ones visible and conscious. Still, he can hear the rustling of spirits in the background, the quiet crying that always reaches his ears. Someone is always crying here. "Are you sure?"
The Noah shrugs. "It's risky, but it's also worth a try. The human you attempt to possess could die if they are too weak to contain your spirit."
He frowns. "I was cursed to remain here until he died, Bond. The person might reject me any way."
Bond smiles. "If you truly want to protect him and if you truly don't want him to forget you, you have to try to find out."
He says nothing.
Bond raises an eyebrow. "You don't sound that pleased."
"Well, I would have appreciated it if you had told me this two years ago."
"You weren't strong enough then."
"Oh, so I'm strong now?" He laughs. "I think not."
"I don't think so either." The Noah looks at him through thick black lashes. "But the time is approaching. You have to make your move."
He sighs. "I know.
"So will you try?"
He pauses.
And then he smiles. "All right, then."
---
"So that's how it is, huh?" The boy looks right at him with empty, cold eyes. "I can't say that I like it."
He doesn't smile, folding his legs casually and wrapping his arms around his knees. This is the fifth one he has tried since Bond told him of the host tactic. He is seriously beginning to doubt if the Noah has a brain at all. "If you will cooperate with me, just say so. I don't have that much time."
The boy is silent, picking at his torn, ashy clothing. Inside the dream, he watches a woman's arm being struck by an Akuma's bullet. She screams in pain, the stars spreading through her body as she crumbles to dust.
"My mother," the boy says quietly.
"Hm?"
"That was my mother."
"Ah."
They sit in silence for a bit.
Then, the boy speaks again.
"Will you die for him?"
He looks up from where he had been watching the chaos. "Yes."
"Even if it means that he will die too?"
He closes his eyes. "Yes."
"Why?"
He reopens his eyes and looks straight at the boy. The boy's hair is long and pale, melting in with his pale skin. His fingers are cupping his face, long, elegant things that are smeared in ash.
He is not beautiful.
But he might as well be.
Just like him.
"Because we are one," he says quietly, "and it is our fate to die for each other."
The boy looks down at the shifting, wobbling ground. He is going to wake up soon. He doesn't have much time.
"Well?"
"…I don't like you, or your tactics. But I don't like them either." The boy gestures to the floating Akuma in the background. "So I'll go with you."
He smiles and holds his hand out. "Good."
The boy takes his hand.
---
"Levi!" a man calls from above him. "Levi, get up! We have to get moving if we want to get the Order and beat those Camelots down." The man waits before reaching down and shaking him. "Do you want to avenge your mother or not, kid?"
He opens his eyes and stares up at the scruffy face above him. He reaches up and pats the man's face. "You're real," he whispers in a voice that is not his own.
The man raises an eyebrow. "You feeling all right? Better not be sick, kid. We don't have time to take care of you now."
He sits up slowly, squints at the bright light shining down on the people surrounding him and moving. "The sun."
"Levi? Hey, we have to get moving."
"It's so bright."
"Yeah, no shit. Come on, don't be stupid. Get the hell up!" The man grabs his arm and pulls him to his feet. Wobbling for a few moments, he dusts off his clothes and looks at the man calmly.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome," the man grumbles before stalking ahead. "God damn kids…"
He stands still for a few moments before looking down at his new body. "It worked," he mumbles in awe. "It really worked."
"Come on, kid!" the man calls from up ahead. "We don't got all day!"
There is a pause.
And then Jasdero looks up with eyes made of silver steel.
"I'm coming."
He begins to move.