Clocks slay time... time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by little wheels; only when the clock stops does time come to life. - William Faulkner
The entire house was quiet, too quiet for a small group of people who were supposed to be staying there. After the whirlwind of events that had rocked the group to the core, confusing many as to what happened, there wasn't much of an urge to continue on with their quest.
Matthew stayed by his brother's side, holding his hand gently. Alfred was still unconscious, a few weeks after the long mental battle with the Noah contained inside of him and there was no telling on when he would wake up…and who he would be. Ivan lingered near where the younger of the nations was waiting for his twin to wake up, a passive look on his face. He had openly declared his friendship with the boy, and wasn't it true?
After all, he did help the boy through his Civil war in relatively one piece. [1] Yet…he knew the reputation he had amongst the nations, of being unstable…and he could understand that. So why would Alfred be any different?
Arthur constantly brought more towels, more pillows, anything he could think of to make Alfred as comfortable as possible in his condition. It was clear in the British man's eyes just how much he wanted Alfred to recover despite having fought with him so many times during the trip.
Kanda was grumpy. He wanted to move, to finish this mission and head on his own for awhile. But no one was thinking about even moving. Well, Kanda could understand why, Alfred was still in danger of the Noah's influence…
The Japanese boy scowled, staring at the wall. Why didn't he just let Russia clobber Alfred across the head? That would have saved the trouble. Instead, he let the Noah and Alfred go berserk within the body and potentially let the Noah have full control. Kanda frowned, fingers tapping the hilt of his blade impatiently. Yep, he was going to go solo after this on missions.
Allen in the meanwhile watched over Alfred, half praying to whatever god was up there to help the nation before shaking his head and starting to hum softly to himself. A song…Allen winced a little, sitting up and leaning against the wall. The Musician's song…
Almost unconsciously, he began to sing the song he learned from…from Mana, from the 14th's lingering memories and the reason why he could operate the Ark.
"Then the boy falls asleep…" Allen sang softly to himself as Matthew and Ivan's head both lifted, listening to the exorcist. Ivan's eyes widened at the ethereal sound that no longer sounded like the young teenager boy in front of them. "The flame inside the breathing ashes, and one by one many dear profiles appear…"
Alfred stirred slightly, as if called by the strange song back to reality as Matthew's eyes widened slightly. Allen, not noticing this, continued on, his eyes flickered closed. "Thousands of dreams drop to the Earth…On the night when silver eyes flicker, the shining you is born…"
Arthur, who had brought in tea for the small group, slowly set his tea down, green eyes narrowed. There…was an odd magic in this room…from that song Allen was singing…
"Even though countless prayers are returned to the earth by the passing millions of years…I will continue to pray.
No matter what, shower this child with love and kiss on the connected hands."
Holding out his hand, Arthur narrowed his eyes a little, a fairy with blue gossamer wings fluttering around Alfred. "The song," she piped up after a moment of intently studying Alfred's face, "the song is helping him wake up!"
Arthur lowered his hand at that, rushing to Alfred's side as Allen's eyes fluttered open, looking around almost wildly. "Did I just...sing a song?" he asked as Arthur glanced at Allen for a moment then allowed a small smile, shaking his head.
"Yes lad…you helped wake up Alfred too…" Arthur said softly as the nation stirred, his eyes flickering open. Kanda, having heard the song along with everyone else, had his blade out and ready, angled toward Alfred in case the Noah prevailed. One couldn't be too careful…and Kanda would be damned if he let the Noah escape again.
Slowly, as the tension wrapped around the small group, Alfred's blue eyes looked around at the small crowd amassed around him before a tired smile spread on his face. Apparently too tired to say anything, he closed his eyes again then fell asleep again, breathing steady. Arthur sighed, hands pressed against his face, as the others glanced at each other, not sure on what to do next.
"It seems," Ivan spoke after a long moment, "that America is in control."
Lavi leaned a little closer, looking over the nation for a moment before scowling and stepping back. "Not before the Noah left him a present…" the Bookman Junior said with a frown as he reached out and gently pushed Alfred's hair back, revealing the similar stigma across his forehead, matching the Noah family's own mark.
Yao almost hissed at the sight before glancing at England. "What does this mean then? Does the Noah still live inside of Alfred?" he asked as Lenalee darted forward, dabbing away at the boy's forehead.
Arthur let loose a heavy sigh, shaking his head. "I don't know," he admitted after a long moment. "I don't know how the Noah managed to harness onto Alfred instead of one of his citizens..."
Ludwig coughed after a moment, looking at Alfred. "We still have a mission to complete, ja?" he said as the others stirred, some, like Matthew, having completely forgotten about the mission before them. "I believe the Italy brothers will be able to answer your questions…"
Ivan glanced at Alfred for a moment before brushing his hair down and covering the stigma on his head. A strange emotion danced in the Russian's eyes before glancing at the others. "Then we should hurry, at once," he said rather gruffly as the other exorcists nodded. The nations were hesitant, but finally Arthur agreed, provided that Alfred would stay inside a carriage or something, to keep him out of view.
Kiku supported his friend into the carriage the next day, a sad frown on his face. Alfred had rescued him from a certain fate, and in return, accidentally awakened the beast within and now was the one on the edge. And he was so young…
Kiku, Ivan, Arthur and Alfred were inside the carriage, Matthew opting to stay and drive the carriage while Yao walked along with Lenalee and the other exorcists. Allen was still bewildered at what happened, at the song calling back Alfred from near death.
Inside the carriage, Ivan sat across from Alfred, eyes gazing outwards, towards the green fields of Germany and towards the blue skies. Alfred's head was in Arthur's lap as the boy slept on, sometimes mumbling nonsense under his breath.
"Take good care of the brat, ja?" Gilbert had said with a fierce look on his face. "I didn't help kick ass for his freedom just for some damn Noah to snatch it away from under him."
Arthur stared at Alfred for a long moment before looking outside the carriage. It would be a long ride to Italy…
Kanda glanced at Allen who was still mulling over the Musician's song before knocking the other on the head rather harshly.
"OW!" Allen yelped. "What the hell was that for Kanda?"
Kanda glared at Allen, not bothering to apologize. "Get your head out of your ass for a second Beansprout, we still have a mission to complete."
Allen glared right back then punched the other in the arm. "Well I can't believe it!" he retorted. "The Musician's song was meant for the Ark, not for reviving people."
Lavi blinked at this before nodding. "You said you played that song to disconnect the Ark from Edo, right?" he asked as Allen nodded the curious look on his face again.
"…Maybe the 14th…Nea helped his family…" He frowned a little more. "But…Nea killed off his family and tried to kill the Earl…" [2]
Lenalee furrowed her brow, trying to think. "Maybe the 14th doesn't want family to die again…So he'll try to save them by recalling them with a familiar song."
Allen sighed, shaking his head. "No, I don't think so Lenalee…but for whatever reason, the song brought Mr. Jones back…" Actually, if he were honest, Nea, the 14th, hadn't stirred in a long time, ever since the return from Edo. That meant the song had just recalled Mr. Jones back from death's grip, without Nea's influence.
Maybe the Noah had been called back only for Alfred to resurface as the dominant personality. After all, Nea was the pianist before he became a traitor to the family. All of the Noah's memories would have had some sort of memory of the Pianist right? Even if they were reborn, a lingering part of them would remember…
The British boy pouted a little then looked up towards the blue sky. Or maybe Master Cross hadn't told him everything about the score…And Mana either.
Mana…
Allen shook his head.
Whatever it was, it just added on another mystery on the growing pile of mysteries yet solved. Lavi was furiously scribbling away at his new book that he had bought in Germany, wanting to show the Bookman just what he had found out. He would probably be documenting this new mystery…
Allen tilted his head up and stared at the sky above him. What would await for them in Italy…?
Almost as if answering his question, his golem began to insistently hit at his face, wings pounding for attention. "Timcampi?" the exorcist sputtered as the others glanced at him. "What is it?"
Lenalee blinked as her own golem began to react. "It's a message," she noted as Lavi looked around for a phone of some sort to use. Luckily they were passing through a small town which had a very convenient phone right there. Clipping his golem to the phone line and making sure he had a secure line, he grinned, beginning to talk.
"Yo Komui!" At that, Lavi fell silent, listening to what Komui had to say. His face split into a grin, nodding. "It's gonna be crowded, but we could always use the company to Italy! So General Tiedoll and Reever are coming out to join us?"
Kanda let loose a loud groan, not missed by Kiku who hid an inappropriate laugh in his sleeve.
"And Miranda's in Italy already? Are you just sending the entire Order after us?" Lavi asked with a laugh as Allen and Lenalee exchanged excited looks at one of their friends joining them.
Lavi's expression fell as he motioned the exorcists closer to listen. "Central knows about who we're traveling with?" he asked quietly as Komui on the other end of the line nodded slowly.
"I don't know what exactly that entails for your traveling companions Lavi, but what I do know is that means every one of them is in potential danger," the Chinese man spoke firmly, having hidden himself away from his secretary from Central. "I want people from the Black Order around them at all times…We may be fighting the Earl in the end, but Central's methods are dangerous…You and I know that."
Kanda's scowl deepened as Komui let loose a sigh. "The rest of the exorcists, generals including, are all off on their own missions. I can't send too many people your way, but I want to make sure the four of you and the others are safe."
Lavi chuckled briefly at that and nodded. "So essentially, this is now top priority for the Black Order?" he asked, eye narrowed as Komui laughed as well.
"Basically, yes. I didn't realize how important this was until I caught word that Central was tracking your moves ever since you left America," he replied as the others glanced at each other. Allen mouthed Renee as Kanda's scowl deepened at the mention of her.
"I just wanted to let you four know what was going on…" Komui said as Lavi passed the phone to Lenalee who smiled brightly, taking it.
"It'll be alright Brother," she said soothingly. "Thank you for worrying about us."
Komui nearly cried with relief, babbling something about how much he missed Lenalee and how she had to come home soon safe. Lenalee soon struck up a conversation with her older brother briefly before hanging up, glancing at the nations who were curiously glancing their way. Allen sighed then took a step up to Arthur, gray eyes matching green.
"Central knows," he said with a shake of his head. "It's like how Miss Im was talking about before, how they wanted to get rid of Mr. Honda by killing the nation itself."
Arthur's eyes widened as he stared at Alfred sleeping in his lap. "Then our mission to Italy is much more important than before. We need to talk with the Vargas brothers, to see what they know…"
Allen nodded, staring at Alfred who stirred slightly. "They wouldn't hesitate taking Alfred prisoner," he said softly as Ivan growled threateningly, a malice filled grin on his face.
"They will have to get through me first…" he growled as Arthur glanced at him, frowning.
"Since when are you so concerned about Alfred's welfare?" the Briton asked as Ivan shook his head.
"…We are friends. I would hope so at least, da? Even if he is a brat at times, I will not let humans tamper with our kind," he replied firmly, purple eyes narrowed.
Lenalee waved her hands to alleviate the tension. "Let's continue on…there are our friends waiting for us. I'm sure everything will be alright!"
The rest of the nations glanced at each other before Matthew replied with a small smile and a nod. "You're right Lenalee…we can't just give up yet, oui?" he responded softly as he glanced at Alfred, who stirred again, but this time, his eyes opened, much to the surprise of everyone around him.
It was as if...As if he just knew when to wake up, when to make his heroic entrance back into the story. Blue eyes searching the crowd of people around him, Alfred closed his eyes for a moment, as he was about to fall asleep before opening them again.
He smiled softly.
"…M' back…jus' like a hero…right on time."
IT'S BEEN A YEAR. HI GUYS. I REALLY SUCK.
No seriously, I take a year off and I have no idea what the hell I'm doing ahahah. It's like my writing just sucks even more so then before.
Confusing plot twists galore! At least I explain what happened to Alfred in the meanwhile. But yes, everything will be explained! Thank you for sticking with me through this confusing journey. I swear, the next update won't be next year. =_=
[1]: Russia actually had ships helping the Union during the Civil War, both at the San Francisco Bay and New York. This deterred Britain and France from helping the South, this is because the South is a huge exporter of Europe's cotton, and helped America win the Civil War.
[2]: It's stated in the later chapters of DGM that the Fourteenth wanted control as the Adam of the Noah family. Because of this, he killed all of the Noah family besides Road and the Earl. Most of the Noah don't remember this, but I took a little liberty in saying that they still at least remember the piano piece, since in the Edo Arc, the Earl was seen playing a piano.