CHAPTER 21

A/N – Hello everyone! As you may have guessed by now, this story is drawing towards the main event, which will decide the fate of our characters. So this character came out a bit longer. Hell, I'm so excited about finally getting here – actually I must confess I've been dreaming of this ever since starting to write this 'epic' tale ;) So I can only hope you'll all enjoy reading it as much I enjoyed writing it!

Maka barely fought the urge to hug herself, feeling chilled to the bone by the prince's words. Just what was he saying? No… it wasn't possible! How could he utter such words, how could he suggest such an abominable idea?!

"Your Highness, are you seeking to punish me in this way?" she murmured, eyes glued to the colorful pattern of the carpet, now dulled by the lack of light in the room. She had no right to ask (what had she been thinking, by the Gods?), but maybe the prince would answer nevertheless. The blue-haired boy still stood behind her, hands still resting lightly on her shoulders, even after he'd finished what he had to say and a heavy silence had fallen.

"Not at all. It's an opportunity, if you will," Black Star replied softly. "After all, we all know what will happen if you remain here, in Galiel's possession. The Clovan twins were among the most acclaimed champions once, but their career was brought to a rather brutal end - by you. One day it will be you in their place – this thing inevitably happens even to the greatest of champions, again and again and again. But if you do what I ask, you and your weapon boy will be free and your father's debt to Galiel paid." He stepped lightly in front of her and lifted her chin, gazing deeply into her fearful orbs. "Surely you must see, Maka Albarn, that nothing but death awaits you here."

The blonde's eyes slowly slipped past his frame as she took a shaky breath, coming to rest upon Kid. Damn that mask she could not read anything behind, but… wait. As a shinigami Kid must have served to protect the prince, but he belonged to the High Priest. And now the prince was asking her to murder the Ourouboros! Something was wrong, something didn't quite add up!

"Your Highness, I must ask…."

"Yes?"

Maka inhaled deeply. "How do you think I could possibly defeat the High Priest on my own, even if I did get past his shinigami guards somehow? He is a mage, is he not?!"

The prince smiled lightly, apparently having awaited the very question. "That is the point – the High Priest cannot be defeated by any man. It can only be a woman, that's why he was always careful to make sure that women are never given much importance. I have been looking for a warrior like you for quite some time… but of course, it would be most unfair to force you into doing it," Black Star said, sighing and averting his gaze a bit. "After all, how should I know where your loyalties lie?"

Loyalties? Surely he wasn't serious and besides, Maka was sort of too young (and in too much trouble as it was) to think anything of politics. But murder? Yet, she would not be striking a defenseless man, but a shrewd mage who'd brought nothing but pain onto the people… with the help of the ruling dynasty, the Stars. But then she would be free (if the prince was to keep his word, which was by no means a given, not when it involved a wretched slave girl) and then she and Kid could…

"What about your shinigami guard?" The words slipped past the blonde's lips before she could help herself, as her gaze sought Kid once more. But there he was, still unmoved, silent, a mere shadow of his master. What did he think of this? By the Gods, she had to know! But how?!

Black Star smirked mischievously at her, feigning a dramatic sigh. "Ah, my shinigami guard…"

He motioned lazily for Kid to come closer and the reaper finally peeled himself off the doorframe, walking forward. He stopped at a respectful distance from the two of them and his pale hand reached up, removing his mask and pushing back the hood of his cloak. His golden eyes had a strange gleam in the semi-obscurity, like mysterious opals, but Maka still could not read anything in them. His gaze was upon her though, her alone.

"Well, let's just say that my shinigami guard is willing to bend the rules for his prince a bit," the blue-haired boy whispered, secretively. "A bit more, actually."

"So that's the kind of shit you dragged me into, tiny tits… It surpasses my wildest expectations, to be honest," Evans said.

Maka glanced warily after Dr. Franken Stein, who had just walked away, leaving the two alone in the dungeons corridor, hoping he'd not heard the scythe boy. The man was her father's friend and he'd taken care of her, but the blonde knew she couldn't trust him with the truth – no one could be trusted with the truth, for that matter. At least he'd asked no question as to why they were both being acquired by the Star prince and neither had Galiel. That one hadn't been a surprise, as long as he got paid the amount he wanted, the merchant knew how and when to mind his own business and not stick his nose where it didn't belong. In fact, Maka didn't even know if this 'transaction' would have normally been considered suspicious or not – after all, warrior slaves were bought and sold between Houses all the time.

"Why did you say 'yes', then?" she murmured, starting in the direction of her cell, despite not knowing herself why she'd said 'yes'. Obviously, now her father's debt was fully paid – a thing she may not have managed to achieve otherwise – but that particular relief was heavily shadowed by the gravity of the task at hand.

"At least my ultimate price was Blair," Evans replied, in an unusually soft voice. "She's worth everything and more, but don't expect me to go into details about that. The question is – could you say the same about your shinigami boyfriend?"

The blonde scowled, quickening her step. "Why are you always bugging me with this?! And why would you think- no! First of all, I don't have a shinigami boyfriend and second, honestly, can't you see why I did it? Have you forgotten about my father's enormous debt?! I would have probably died before I could cover half of it!" she nearly shouted.

Her hand shot to rip the door open and she resisted the urge to simply storm inside and slam the door in the scythe-boy's face. But there was something… something she'd seen on his face, as if he'd unexpectedly softened up while talking about his loved one, who was worth everything and more. Maka could not tell him, but of course Death the Kid too was worth everything and more! And if she lived through this and the prince kept his word, then maybe… maybe they could finally think of being together for more than just 'this night' or 'this day' or 'this fleeting moment'. Her own expression lightened up a bit at the hope she barely dared for.

"Soul, do you think the prince will keep his word and set us free if we succeed?"

The scythe-boy snorted carelessly in reply. "Yeah, I think so. He's a Star after all. Stars are fierce and cruel, but they aren't liars. He'll keep his word for sure, that is… if he still lives at the end of this."

If he still lived? Maka realised she'd not even gone that far with the questions, but he was right – the 'assignment' could prove just as deadly for the prince as it was for them. If they failed – or if the High Priest was to catch wind of what was going on beforehand – he would fully suffer the consequences.

"The Stars are not liars, you say. Then the question is – are they fools?"

In reply Soul 'Eater' Evans only offered her a brief, awkward smile before shrugging and walking away.

Back at the Temple for the night, Kid had suddenly been faced with Gur Kylee's questioning as to why the young shinigami's servant had disappeared all the sudden, without a word – proof that the blasted Pure Truth had been true to his word of keeping a close eye on them. The reaper had been quick to make up a story that Chrona had to leave for a while to take care of urgent family matters and, while the explanation had momentarily gotten the fat priest off his back, he could tell that both he and the little absolute pain in the ass remained somewhat suspicious.

Now, lying in bed sleepless, he wondered if this put together with Black Star's equally sudden desire to see the High Priest in private would not alert the chief shinigami that something was being planned behind his back. That would have surely been their undoing – the key to this was for the Ourouboros to be alone when the time came, not surrounded by his shinigami elite. At least Black Star is right, on my own I probably would have crapped out in the end and done nothing… Perhaps I don't have the courage to play everything on a blind card… But then, he has a wife and a child on the way…

He sat up, running a hand through his hair. Now at least Liz, Patty and Chrona were safe, he reckoned. But Maka… she might not… what if she doesn't… what if she doesn't make it? What if the prophecy is indeed a lie and the Great Wizard Eibon is terribly wrong about all this?

The young shinigami's hands flew to his mouth and he squeezed his eyes shut while fighting a shudder. She only said 'yes' because she looked at me and… How? How did Eibon know that she would do it for me? 'She will do it for you, Death the Kid. Because you will make her love you, enough to kill, enough to risk everything for you'. What poisonous words. She will risk everything for a lie, because I don't… I don't… I…

No, he shouldn't think of that, he couldn't think of that! He couldn't think of Maka Emerald, because even if she lived… she was Eibon's blood. The mage would find some use for this beautiful, young girl, one that didn't include his mercenary Kid being around her, for sure. And in his line of work there was no room for anyone in his life anyway. No, he had better push these thoughts aside and focus on the details of the mission instead. At the end of the day, the reaper knew he'd better not fuck up.

The prince was supposed to sneak the two fighters in as part of his suite, but from there it was going to be his job to make sure things went smoothly. Right, as if they'd go smoothly… Being a member of the ruling dynasty, at least Black Star –unlike most of the worshipers - had been personally spared of the highly obnoxious presence of Pure Truth, who was to be occupied with the prince's courtiers instead.

The two of them wore some long, grey cloaks of ordinary cloth, but which covered them completely from head to toe. Black Star had imposed on himself as well as on all his accompanying courtiers to wear the same humble attires in respect for the Temple, such that the two intruders could go in unnoticed. And that thing went so well that the Kid even wondered fleetingly what purpose did the Clowns serve exactly, if just anyone could walk past them as long as they weren't openly hostile.

A first difficulty presented itself when the reaper had to snatch Maka and Evans right from Pure Truth's nose and quickly guide them away from the large hall in which the younger shinigami sought to herd the others, aside from the Prince, but he made it. Thankfully, he'd studied beforehand all points of access in the main halls which were used by worshipers, including the one in which his master was to meet the Ourouboros in private. Black Star knew the way on his own and went ahead alone – not to be seen otherwise if he were to meet anyone on the way, while Kid led Maka and her scythe – already in weapon form – on another path.

The blonde was absolutely mortified and for once Kid wasn't helping at all. He held her hand – how unthinkable was that, for a shinigami to hold a woman's hand, and in the Temple no less – but he was tense and silent, they'd not exchanged a single word yet. Obviously, Soul was there and he would have heard everything, but right now Maka didn't care. Maybe soon, very soon she would meet her end – drawing closer with each hurried step – and she needed to hear him say… well, just anything.

"Kid, why don't you talk to me?" she whispered, nearly choking, while taking in the small carved wooden door which had appeared in front of them. Her hand clenched around the scythe's handle, feeling cold sweat now coating the metal.

The young shinigami stopped dead in his tracks, his own pale, rather delicate hand slipping away from hers. His other hand appeared to have frozen onto the doorknob as he stood there, with his back turned on the blonde, suddenly having taken a horrible decision. But I must, I can't let her do this... I... I can't let her die.

"Maka Albarn," Kid said sternly, his eyes cold and his expression as blunt as he could make it while inside he was literally collapsing. "I don't love you. I never did, everything was a lie. All I wanted was for you to do this, to bring you here, to this point."

"W-what?" she blinked slowly, as if fallen into a trance all the sudden. No, it wasn't a trance, it was a nightmare.

Kid sniffed curtly, struggling to go on. "I only took interest in you because you are a bastard of the Emerald mage family and your uncle Eibon wants you to kill the Ourouboros. It was all his plan and I was just doing what I was told to do. He said you'd do it for me and… hah, here you are. Stupid girl… but I think you should not go on with this. You should leave while you still can."

Bright green orbs widened gradually, filling with tears as the words pierced the blonde's heart like a thousand knives.

"No… you're lying." Maka shook her head, quickly wiping her eyes with her free hand. "Look, I know it's dangerous but… Kid, I want to do this-" she replied shaking, but her words were cut short when the shinigami was suddenly in her face, his hand gripping her braids at the back of her neck, rather brutally, tilting her head backwards.

"What reason have you not to hear what I say now? Look at you – a slave girl of impure blood and shameful origin. I am a Death God, how could you ever think that I would love you?" he whispered poisonously, his golden eyes suddenly filled with a sinister gleam.

The blonde struggled to breathe through the pain, squeezing her eyes shut and still shaking her head, even after Kid pushed her away forcefully, causing her to stumble. "Then why… are you holding back now, just when you are so close to reaching your goal? Why would you tell me the truth?"

"Because I don't think you've got what it takes for this task, after all." He wasn't looking at her as he spoke, words muttered through gritted teeth. "You are weak, worthless!" By Death, what am I doing, what?!

Maka fell backwards, her back meeting the hard, cold marble wall and then, suddenly, a weird sort of numbness took over her. Slowly, she straightened up, tightening her grip on the scythe as she advanced, pushing past Kid and reaching for the door. Before he could say anything else, she pressed the knob and opened it almost forcefully.

Inside, Black Star, who was waiting by one of the large marble statues of the nine Gods pulled his hood back and shot them an alarmed look, frowning. "What took you so long? He'll be here soon! Is there anything wrong?"

"No, Milord."

"This had better work or we're all as good as dead!" the prince muttered, walking quickly past them on his way out through the same small door they'd gotten in.

The tall, apparently lanky black shadow glided soundlessly across the marble floor. The High Priest too wore a white skull mask, but it was significantly more elaborate than the ones shinigamis wore and unlike their empty eye sockets which just appeared hollow, in his she could see something like red flames burning, just barely licking at the bone and appearing ready to leap out.

Behind the large, black marble statue, Maka nearly held her breath as the mage drew closer. Kid was waiting by another statue, leaning casually against it, with an expression which could have appeared half-amused. He'd dropped his own mask and his cloak on the floor in completion of his defiant stance. The Ourouboros stopped with an inquisitive air, looking around, those red flames which were his eyes seeking the Star prince before resting upon his guard.

"Where is His Highness the Prince? And what have you to say, for you stand there so shamelessly?" a hollow, low murmur came from behind the mask.

Kid smiled this time, his lips stretched into a wide grin while his eyes remained cold and mocking. "A woman has touched me," he said slowly, tilting his head to the side and letting each word sink in. "So… what will you do about it?"

The mage stood frozen for a long moment which seemed nothing short of an eternity.

"What will I do?" The voice behind the mask was a dreadful shriek, without anything remotely human about it. "WHAT WILL I DO?!"

"Now it's time for you to put your money where your mouth is, Emerald brat," the young shinigami added, his hand reaching out and his fingers curling into an inviting motion in Maka's direction, just before the mage's arm shot forward abruptly, aiming for his throat. He dodged it quickly though, the black fingers striking the marble and causing it to crumble where they'd hit it.

"EMERALD?! WHO IS AN EMERALD?!"

"I am."

The black figure wheeled around sharply towards the blonde who had now come into view, red flames in its eyes now almost reaching the edge of its hood. Its arms reached forward, a black-blooded blade springing at the tip of each finger as it lunged forward for the kill. Maka, still plagued by the same accursed trance from before, simply closed her eyes and swung the enormous scythe with full force.

Kid involuntarily averted his gaze from the scene and nearly flinched as the High Priest's mask tumbled at his feet with a dull clatter. He lifted his gaze to the Emerald girl, her blade, clothing and even her face now splattered in the Ourouboros' black blood.

"What will stop me from striking you too now, Death the Kid?"

He only managed a bitter smile.

"Nothing will stop you, Maka Emerald."

To be continued