Allen snickered, it soon grew into a laugh. "You help me escape?" He said incredulously. Tyki glared at him as he continued to speak, "You just said trying to kill me was an option. How do I know you're not going to double-cross me and kill me once I let my guard down?"
It was Tyki's turn to laugh. "Shounen your guard was down numerous of times. In fact I came close right before you entered the piano room, but the Earl intervened. I'm offering you my help because I want you out my hair. Take it or leave it."
What should he do? Half of him told him to accept Tyki's help; Tyki seemed genuine enough to the part where Allen could believe he really wanted him gone-hopefully not the dead kind. He was tempted to call upon Nea and ask for his advice…but Allen had to learn not to go to him every time he was in a crisis.
Tyki sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I take your silence as a no? When the time comes don't say I didn't-"
"Wait." He cut him off. "I'll accept."
Tyki raised his brows, his lips curving upwards into a smirk. "You do now?"
Allen nodded. There was no going back. "What do I have to do?"
"It'll take a while to prepare. Sheril has a meeting-don't ask any questions-" Tyki commented seeing the sudden curiosity in the Shounen's eyes, "In a week, everyone will be gone, even the Earl. I doubt you'll be welcome even as a guest, the meeting is something only people of diplomatic titles can attend." The Noah chose his words carefully. "We'll talk more later."
As he began to leave Allen scoffed. That was all he was going to tell him? "Hey! What about the plan?!"
Tyki's feet planted themselves in the ground. He glared daggers at the Shounen and said in a low tone, "You ever heard of the saying walls have ears? I'll said we'll talk more later, until then keep your trap shut."
The white-haired boy gulped, slightly intimidated by Tyki's words. On his head Allen felt Tim shift like he was preparing to take off. He thought nothing of it-although Tim probably wanted to go attack Tyki, he didn't seem to like him that much. Seconds later he'd entered his room.
"Do you think this'll work?" He asked Tim as he sat on his bed. Tim gave him a small smile then flew up to his pillow where he circled around it before landing. Allen sighed loudly, "I hope it does."
He was running in a field, hands outstretched to let his fingertips brush against the tall stalks of barley that grew around him. His surroundings were kissed by the sunset's fading rays giving it a golden glow.
"Nea!" He turned at the sound of his name. A boy stood in the distance waving frantically a broad grin spread across his face. He laughed and returned the greeting. He began to head in his brother's direction, he would probably be upset that he headed out before him.
He ran towards Mana, it started off as a jog but grew into a sprint as the adrenaline caught up with him. In no time at all he reached Mana's side. Mana waited for him to catch his breath before he spoke. But he would never get the chance to know what it was as he was ripped from the dream world and jolted awake.
Allen snapped up in bed. He breathed in deeply as he attempted to fill his lungs with the much needed air. A hand clutched his chest and he could feel the thump of his rapid heartbeat. He'd seen another of Nea's memories. It was the second time since he'd come to the Ark; each time he'd wake covered in sweat and a feeling of panic flooding him.
He clenched a shaky fist and laid back down. Nothing would happen. When he woke up again he would wake as Allen. He repeated that once more to reassure himself, then he fell back asleep.
The morning was quiet. Road hadn't barged in yet so he was enjoying the few minutes of peace and quiet before she did. It'd been a few days, while he had time Allen decided it was time to talk with Nea.
Hey Nea. I know you've been quiet-well I asked you to be but but I didn't think you'd actually-Anyways! Point being if I seemed harsh I only said what I said because I thought you were in the wrong. I'm not mad anymore.
There was a silence as his Nea remained unresponsive inside his thoughts. Allen was about to try again when,
It's alright Allen. I apologize for what I did, but I did it in your best interests. If you had gone with the Exorcists back to the Black Order who knows what could've happened. There's a lot of tension in the air.
Allen let out a sigh of relief. A part of him was somehow happy to know that Nea was still there.
I know. But I could've stopped the rumors going around that I'm in league with the Earl. Next time ask me if you're making these kind of decisions.
I'll try and remember to.
Allen stretched, his muscles satisfyingly popping as he brought his arms above his head and shifted his shoulder blades. There was no point in staying in the room any longer, maybe he'd pick up in what he was doing yesterday.
"Tim! Let's go!" The golem perked up at his call and flew over to rest on his shoulder. As he headed to the door he passed by the mirror which hung on the wall. Unconsciously he glanced in it, expecting to see his reflection, but what he saw instead stopped him in his tracks.
His mirror image had been replaced with Nea. Not the usual shadowy figure which never could conjure a solid form much less a face. No, it was the Nea he'd seen in the dream. The one in front of him had molten golden eyes, unruly coal-black hair, his bangs were swept in front of the stigmata and including those and the ashen skin he was definitely who he thought he was.
Allen swallowed the lump in his throat as he asked, "N...Nea?"
Nea gave him an apologetic smile, "Yes. It seems my Noah presence is growing stronger inside you. I assume you saw more memories?"
Allen winced as he flashed back to his dreams. "What does it mean?"
Nea didn't saying anything few a few seconds, he was trying to find the right words to say. "I like you Allen," He began, "And because of that I'm sorry for what's happening. The awakening is...inevitable. The more memories you receive the faster it'll come."
He felt like a heavy weight had been set on his chest. Allen clenched his jaw and turned away from the mirror upon hearing the news. Did his previous words not reach anyone's ears?
-"Listen up Earl, and 'The 14th' too...I'm Allen, an Exorcist! And I'd die before becoming anything else!"
He said those words so confidently back then. Now he doubted he could repeat them with the same brazenness.
"How long?" He asked.
"It depends. But you'll know when it's near." Nea spoke. Allen slowly nodded as he processed the information. Tim gently nudged him as if he sensed something was wrong. Allen blinked rapidly snapping back to reality.
"Sorry Tim, I'm feeling a bit nauseous. Going out will have to wait." He told the golem before heading back over to his bed and laying down.
Allen? If you need to talk, I'm here.
His features grew tight and he pulled the covers over his face as if that'd hide him. Feeling he needed to offer a response he thought,
I'm good. I'm going to take a nap.
Alright, sleep well.
The feeling of despair began to grow in his stomach. Things were starting to look good once Tyki offered his help no matter his sketchy it was. Then this. It was a pitiful situation he was in.
-Keep walking.
Allen blinked, his dull eyes clearing up as he remembered Mana's words. That's right, he just had to last a week then he'd escape, the other things can be dealt with later. He'd keep walking, he wouldn't let things pull him down and back into the state he'd just been in. He'd keep walking like Mana would want him to.
A/n Hey guys! Does it seem like too much going on with the last chapter and now this at the end? Just realized this is the 14th chapter of "The 14th Noah", heh. Thanks for reading!