CHAPTER 15

A/N – Hello my dear readers! As usual, a big hug and a million kisses to all of you who have kindly left reviews, favorites and follows which have brightened my day every single time! Now where were we? Ah yes, I was about to say something about the new chapter. Well, it is time for our two heroes to meet again, but I'm sure you weren't expecting that at all… However, the circumstances are still to be discovered so… enjoy!

"Don't ask why Galiel would go to such lengths to bless this union," Dr. Stein pointed dryly. "I don't recall him doing that for me and her father, for example, but then again, that was a long time ago. He's grown old and more pious, for all I know. And seeking the Gods' favor is somewhat fashionable nowadays, albeit considerably expensive…"

Soul Eater rolled his eyes, snorting. "It's not a union, for fuck's sake. If Master has indeed referred to it that way, I can only see it as ominous!"

Maka knew not what the two familiar voices were bickering about as they drew closer to her cell, but that word did sound ominous. She had been practicing with Evans lately, based on a mutual agreement (however peculiar on the scythe boy's behalf) and which Master Galiel had apparently blessed, although she could not clearly understand why. Maybe he wanted to put something new on the table for the ever insatiable Citadel audience. Maybe the idea amused him, or stirred memories of her father and Stein bringing glory beyond measure to his House. Maybe… but union? That sounded a bit much…

The door finally opened, revealing Stein's light smile and her new scythe's utterly sour face.

"Dr. Stein? What's going on?" the blonde asked rather concerned, but anxious to know more about what she'd just heard. Better face whatever it was head on and without delay.

"Oh, not much," the grey-haired man replied in a relaxed tone, waving his hand dismissively. "Like I was telling your new weapon, Master Galiel has decided – it is rather fashionable nowadays when a pair of fighters is formed – that you and Evans are to be taken to the Temple of Nights and Days and given an official blessing of the Gods for your future matches. So there's nothing to worry about, for now. If anything, it will be just a nice stroll and you'll get the day off afterwards."

Maka let out an inconspicuous sigh of relief. "Well then… so, did he do the same for you and my father?"

"No, but it looks like you're the special one," Soul cut in before the doctor got the chance to answer. The blonde didn't like how that had sounded, a jolt of panic shooting through her stomach at the word 'special'. Again he was implying something, but what the hell was it that he suspected her of? He'd laughed in her face, clearly acknowledging that she was no favorite, so then what the hell was this about?

"What do you mean, troll eater?"

Evans rolled his eyes blatantly as they followed Franken Stein along the dark corridor of the dungeons, sighing in utter boredom. "I wouldn't know, tiny tits, so maybe ask your shinigami boyfriend?"

Maka choked, her eyes trained on the doctor's solid frame walking steadily in front of them. Had he heard anything? Most likely. And if yes… what could have possibly been his view on the facts? She knew that he'd been surprised, probably more than everyone else, by how her black blood wound had mysteriously healed overnight, yet he'd asked the least questions. But darn, she knew it was crucial to keep the innocent, unknowing act because no one was to find out what had really happened, Death the Kid had been very clear about it. And at any rate, Galiel's idea had nothing to do with it.

"What is your problem, really? Are you that pissed that the prince didn't have me killed that day?" she hissed, still not meeting the white-haired boy's gaze.

"Maybe my problem is that I don't know what kind of shit you are getting me involved in as we speak, for example!" Evans replied in the same tone.

"Oh really? But I thought you agreed to this. Now you're telling me that you don't know what you're doing?!" By the Gods, could this boy be any more exasperating? Seriously, he had such a twisted mind and his only fun seemed to be to keep everyone around him on the edge and drive them up the wall!

"I think the question is, Maka Albarn, do you?"

They left the Arena accompanied only by Stein and a couple of Galiel's lycan guards. Maka stared around curiously as they passed the crowded streets of the Citadel, hot under the ever bright sun which now almost blinded her. It seemed that a lifetime had passed since she'd been free, like all the people she now saw roaming about their daily business. It didn't look like home though - Maka and her parents (lately only her father) had lived in the outskirts of the enormous city, where the streets were unpaved, the houses small and made of mud bricks and straw and where unlike her parents and herself most people could not read and write. But she had left all that behind, along with her life as a free individual. The Arena was located in the central part of the Citadel, rather close to the Temple which lay in its very midst.

Maka had never seen the Temple of Nights and Days, with its deep blue pond of crystal clear water all around it, keeping away the scorching summer heat, just like she had never seen the richly decorated buildings surrounding the area, all built of pure white stone, with elegant terraces, ramparts and small towers profiling against the bright, cloudless sky. Somewhere in the distance - on a hill towering above the urban mess that was the Citadel – was the Royal Palace, built of beautiful red sandstone, lavishly decorated and surrounded by exotic gardens placed in suspended layers.

The blonde was still staring in wonder at all the new things and nearly hadn't noticed that Stein and the guards were leading them up the Temple stairs. Breath caught in Maka's throat as she suddenly realised where they were and her wary eyes fell on the two gruesome magic monsters posted on each side of the entrance. She stumbled backwards instinctively, bumping into Evans, while her hand blindly sought his to grip.

"The Clowns," Stein explained calmly. "They're here to protect the High Priest, but they won't harm us. Besides, we have an appointment…"

"W-we do?" the blonde stuttered, trying not to stare at the creatures' bloody smiles. But they ignored the small group completely.

"Yes, but pay attention, both of you," the doctor said, turning to face both her and the scythe boy. "Once we go inside there will be no bickering and no talk of shinigami boyfriends, or we'll never get out of here," he warned. "And Maka, keep your eyes down at all times, we wouldn't want to get in trouble with those who are not to be seen."

"Why are you here?"

Maka winced upon hearing the childish voice and barely lifted her gaze from the intricate black-and-white marble design of the floor to notice a pair of small, dainty bare feet, partially covered by the hem of silk black slacks. There was a rustle of paper as Stein handed whoever that was their letter of appointment without a word.

"I see…" said the voice at last, with a hint of boredom. "I am the one called Pure Truth, welcome to the Temple of Nights and Days, fellow believers. Come with me."

The blonde inwardly shuddered - by the sound of it, they couldn't have been any less welcome. They were then led down a corridor which opened from the main hall and Maka guessed the setting must have been lovely, however all she could see were the various patterns of yellow and green light cast on the marble floor by the large windows.

"So these are Lord Galiel's most praised champions," the voice commented as they walked. "However, who could possibly make sense of the filthy minds of slave merchants who rise to lordship overnight? The champions should all be strong men of the finest breed, yet one of yours is a woman. How utterly disgusting," its owner observed.

To Maka's surprise, both Stein and the two lycan guards remained silent at the remark, although their master had just been insulted. And who the hell was this anyway? A dwarf? She could only see a small shadow advancing briskly in front of them, carried by the tiny feet.

"By the Gods, this is the most obnoxious child I've ever seen!" she heard Evans mutter under his breath. "I don't fucking care that he's a pretty little shinigami, someone should stick a boot in his ass!"

"Did you say something, shark face?!" Pure Truth hissed venomously, stopping abruptly, in the same time as Stein wheeled around and his palm promptly hit the scythe boy over the head.

"He said nothing, Milord. Please, forgive us," Stein murmured.

"Rude plebeians, I know you too well," the little shinigami replied disdainfully. "All of you, go in there. And I expect you to pray in silence!" he ordered and Maka realised the others had just been ushered into a room and a door promptly closed in their wake. She winced, hoping that they hadn't been locked in there or anything. But why had they been separated?

"And you, whore, get in here! And remember to pray quietly, no one wants to hear your voice!"

Maka found herself blindly pushed into a different room than the rest of the group and the door was closed behind her as well. She shuddered, finally daring to look up and examine her surroundings, plagued by a feeling that something must have been very wrong. What the hell was up with that child anyway? Did the Temple's shinigamis treat everyone like this or it was the sight of her which had angered the small priest? Not that the blonde had any idea whether the obnoxious little man was even a priest or not.

The room was very simple, with black-and-white marble walls and bare floor of the same making, with large yellow stain glass windows bathing it in a golden glow. The back wall had a plain square niche where tiny bronze statues of the Gods were aligned, appearing expectant. And nothing else.

Maka was staring warily at the closed door, not knowing what to do with herself. She'd never prayed in such a setting and honestly couldn't feel any less like it now. Suddenly a faint noise, like a rustle a fabric alerted her and her whole body whipped around with such speed that the blonde nearly lost her balance and landed down on her knees, keeping her head down as low as she could. The sound of light steps drew closer and closer as she fixed the floor pattern shaking. Eventually she became aware that someone was now standing in front of her.

"I believe you have made a fortunate acquaintance with Pure Truth," a familiar voice said, with a not-so-subtle hint of amusement.

Kid! Maka gasped, holding her breath for a moment. Could it be true? Was he really here? But most importantly, why? "I have, Milord. He's a lovely child," she replied half-choking while maintaining her humble pose.

A light snort. "The loveliest, for sure. And his lips drip the kindest, sweetest words, do they not?"

The blonde looked up just as the young shinigami lowered himself on one knee at her level and their eyes met, once again dangerously close. The sunlight reflected in Kid's golden orbs made them look like melted honey surrounding a more caramel core around the pupil. By the Gods, he was breathtaking! And this was suddenly beyond cruel.

"Do you think I'm a whore, Death the Kid?" she murmured almost inaudibly, lowering her gaze again. "Is that why you wanted to meet me?"

Kid cringed at the word, barely suppressing a painful grimace, as his hand reached to cup the blonde's cheek. He could hardly have been any more annoyed with the shinigami child and his bullshit.

"Of course not. I'm afraid that is the Temple policy," he explained while his thumb rubbed the smooth, plump cheek gently. "If believers are so harshly insulted by someone prophetically called Pure Truth, they will be more humble before the Gods and will feel inclined to donate more money, so that their flaws be forgiven. That's how it works."

Maka looked up again, somewhat disbelieving, but she was a smart girl and the shinigami's words made sense. Very clever trick, he could have fooled me!

"B-but… why are you telling me this?" the blonde stuttered, as her eyes slipped from the reaper's face to the rest of his body. His torso was bare, covered in an intricate pattern of black ink, the sinuous lines alluring and sensually emphasizing every muscle. By the Gods, even the large, black skull with hollow eye sockets which resembled his mask, was flattering. Maka could feel her cheeks burning and it wasn't from the heat.

"Why not?" There was a playful smirk on Kid's lips as he said this. The young shinigami stood up slowly and walked to one of the windows, moving with feline grace. "Maka, do you know why we don't like women?" he asked, stealing a quick glance in her direction before gazing thoughtfully somewhere past the yellow glass.

"N-no…"

"It's because they are not special. I don't know, maybe that's because they're not allowed to be, but either way the end result is the same – there is nothing special about them. However… have you ever heard of Maximilian and Gala?"

The blonde frowned as she thought, unlike other girls she'd never been much into romance stories. And for nothing in the world could she now figure why Kid mentioned that particular tale. "That's just a legend, isn't it?" Cautiously, she drew closer, trying to read his face and wondering where this was going.

"They are rather… the stuff of legend. But they were as real as you and me."

Maka took another step, even closer, making the shinigami face her. "And Gala was special?"

"Yes, she was unlike any other," Kid confirmed, a slender finger tracing the blonde's jaw line teasingly." She was nothing short of extraordinary."

"And why are you telling me this?"

Kid took in Maka's tiny frame and flushed face as she stood there, in wondrous yet frightened anticipation. She wasn't a classic beauty like Liz was, but rather very pretty in a childish way, with small, upwards tipped nose and her face, with large, bright green eyes was absolutely endearing. His heart sank, knowing that what he was about to do would seal both their fates.

"I am telling you that you could have what no woman had in a thousand years. But you have to prove to me that you are worth it, that you are exceptional, that there is no one like you. You could have this," he said softly, pressing his lips against hers and letting them move ever so slightly over her plump mouth.

The blonde was left staring, blinking slowly, as if having strayed into a dream. "I… will prove it to you…"

But instead of the encouraging smile she had expected in return, the young shinigami pulled away, chewing his lower lip, again looking thoughtful and unreadable.

"Kid, I-"

"I want you to consider this very carefully, Maka Albarn. People often want what they cannot have, only because they cannot have it. You may want the moon from the sky, but if you had it in the palm of your hand, would that be of any use to you?"

And with that he turned on his heels and disappeared behind a curtain without another word.

To be continued