Chapter Thirty-Six

Butler, Fluent. Bride, Beloved

Sebastian stood in a boat on the River Thames. Marianne had her arms wrapped around Ciel's shoulders, using her body to keep him warm. The boy leaned back against her, his eye remained on the river, which had turned dark brown thanks to the ashes in the sky.

"Ciel," said Sebastian. "Prepare yourself."

They pushed off the river embankment.

Ciel's eye was glazed over as the demon rowed them down the river. Blearily, he saw many bodies lying on the ground, victims of the smoke and flame.

"Look there." Marianne said, pointing to something floating in the water.

It was a single white feather.

"We must be heading in the right direction."

Ciel glanced at them out of the corner of his eye.

"Where exactly are we going?" he asked.

"There are several bridges referred to as Devil's Bridge, because supposedly, they were made by demons." Sebastian explained as he rowed them under a bridge. They then found themselves staring at the skeleton of a great structure. "And then, there's the Tower Bridge, which in all likelihood, the angel instructed Her Majesty to build."

They drew closer. Marianne felt death wrap around her like a thick shroud; the cries and screams of the burning victims came out in the stone bricks like grotesque masks attempting to escape their prisons.

"Human sacrifices?" Ciel gasped.

"That Angel of Massacre has always had a love of sacrificing human life for his greater good. Fifteen years ago, he did the same thing. He led his cult to sacrifice their young daughters, waiting for when his beloved Virgin Mary came away from his blade unscathed." Marianne explained.

The boy was startled by the coldness in her voice.

"He tried to do the same to you…?" he asked.

"He did," she answered. "And he succeeded."

"You healed before their eyes. A miracle in the eyes of the Father. The angel adored you for it." Sebastian said.

"And I despised them all for letting it happen."

Ciel shook his head.

"How can this be considered a Holy bridge?" he cried.

The demon shrugged.

"One can go too far. At which point, good becomes worse than evil."

Marianne sighed.

"And then you wonder, when will the line be drawn?"


Sebastian tied the boat to a nearby dock.

"Ciel, could you please wait here for us?" he asked.

"I'm coming with you!" he snapped.

Sighing, the butler straightened his tailcoat.

"If I may be clear, you'd hold me back."

"I see. So, you're saying you can't handle him if you're fettered down," the boy mocked, smirking widely.

Marianne pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Is now really the time for this?"

Sebastian bowed, smiling slightly.

"If you would prefer, you will have the best seat in the house, my dear child."

He took Ciel and carried him with one arm; he climbed up the ladder with Marianne following behind him. It was going to be a long climb.


Atop the Tower Bridge, Ash basked in the despair and destruction surrounding him.

"It's burning," he said. "The Queen's dream. The humans… At last, the great and notable day of our Father cometh. We have our signs. There is blood and fire and smoke."

Tears burned in his violet eyes and trailed down his cheeks.

"You can see it too. I know you can."

Sebastian and Marianne stood on the opposing side of the bridge; Ciel was safely tucked into the demon's arms.

"Why did you kill the Queen?" Ciel asked.

"Her eyes became clouded." Ash answered.

"Her eyes?"

"They should have been firmly fixed on the future, but held captive by the past. They dulled and rotted. So, I had no other choice. I had to purify her."

Marianne sneered.

"There is always a choice. No matter how difficult, there is always a choice."

Placing Ciel down, Sebastian smiled at him.

"This seat may be uncomfortable, but I believe it will offer you the best vantage," he said.

"Indeed."

The demon turned to Marianne.

"Watch over him, my darling."

She smiled.

"You know you don't need to ask."

Sebastian turned back to Ciel.

"Ciel, your orders?"

The boy removed his eye patch, and tossed off the bridge.

"My orders are kill the angel, now!"

Sebastian's eyes glowed demonically. He went down on his knee and bowed.

"As you wish, my child."


Ash stared out at the blazing horizon.

"This great bridge will soon be completed. And then, Eastern London will be safe from impurity," he said. "I am an angel with a solemn duty. No demon will ever be allowed to enter through this gate. I'll deal with you."

He removed his sword from its sheath.

"I shall purge you. You will be pure. Pure as the driven snow."

They charged at one another. Ash's sword clashed against Sebastian's knives. Sparks flew as they grated against one another.

When they paused for a moment, Sebastian stopped. He looked down, and saw the shadows of the sacrificed souls latching onto his legs.

"Father!" Ciel cried out.

They consumed him. Marianne took out her dagger…


In the London streets, more souls continued to rise up. Grell groaned loudly as he used his scissors to cut through them.

"So much work to do!"

He heard a snort. Turning, the Reaper saw Undertaker sat behind him, his large curved Scythe out, and a dog biscuit between his teeth.

"Wasted effort is one of the precious priviledges of youth, isn't it?" Undetaker commented.

"What do you mean 'wasted'?!" Grell snapped indignantly.

"You see all the black matter?" Undertaker asked. "It's made up of the joy and agony belonging to the dead. You see, it's what humans call the heart. These hearts have been extracted from their souls. They can hardly be called souls now."

He smirked.

"I doubt very much that they can be stored in the Reapers Library anymore."

Grell knelt down over one of the bodies.

"But why?" he asked. "Why should something like a heart matter?"

He proceeded to attempt a retrieval of Cinematic Record. A gasp escaped him.

"I don't understand! The Records are blank!"


More and more tortured souls converged on Tower Bridge, latching onto Sebastian like vicious leeches.

"What is this?"

Ash smiled at him.

"Oh, it's so lovely… It feels… Oh yes… It feels…"

Shadows wrapped around him, and his voice changed to that of Angela's. They parted for a moment to reveal her face.

"Nicer than anything a human has touched before."

The demon scowled.

"An angel who revels in impurity," he said. "You've Fallen."

Ash's voice returned through the tortured souls.

"Impurity is not something I am personally able to enjoy. But…"

White feathers flew through the air like darts towards Sebastian. He only just managed to duck, despite his restraints.

"Never the less," intoned Angela's voice. "The despair it brings, and endowes me with a certain amount of power."


Ciel tried to look through the thick black mass. He saw the same mark as his brand begin to form in the sky, made up of the hearts of the fire's victims. Marianne kept her eyes on the shadows, and brought the boy into her arms when they started to converge upon them. She whipped out her dagger, and prepared to lash out at them…


"Ah yes," said Ash. "I'm growing stronger by the moment."

His wings were on full display.

"But what should I do next?" he asked. "What do you think? I still have…"

Angela then made her appearance.

"So many options. I haven't given up on you, you know."

Sebastian sneered.

"Sorry, but you aren't my type, you're much too enamoured with that dog. I am also very much spoken for, and would you really risk the wrath of a demon's mate? We are known to be incredibly possessive."

Angela cackled.

"What sort of creature would accept being the mate of a demon? What lure have you used to ensnare your prey?"

The demon smirked.

"There was no luring. Demons are in fact capable of love, despite your foolish notions. My mate and I simply fell in love. There was nothing to do but simply let it grow, like a white rose turning to burning red, before finally becoming as completely black as a demon's heart."


Angela turned back into Ash, and drew his sword.

"Then I shall take the role of the Son."

He licked the side of his blade, then shifted back to Angela.

"Do you see my light?" she asked. "It will penetrate you. It will pierce even the darkest depths of your heart. Perhaps we shall even see who could possibly love a demon."

Sebastian huffed.

"You have no tact, do you?"

A blinding light illuminated from Ash's sword. The shadows that tied Sebastian slowly melted away.

"The Final Judgement is approaching." Ash proclaimed. "Hear me, demon. Your chest shall be the sheath of my sword!"

The angel charged at Sebastian.


Marianne sliced through the shadows with her dagger. She saw Ash coming towards her beloved. Her feet carried her towards them, blade still in hand…


"And jam it in to the hilt!"

Ash sliced through Sebastian's left arm. Blood exploded from the demon's shoulder socket.

Ciel saw all of this through the gaps in the shadows.

"Father!" he cried out.

The angel made to deliver another strike. Marianne leapt between him and Sebastian. Her dagger grew longer. The hilt became broader and more ornate. Black thorns twisted around the grip. The cross-guards became black wings. The rain guard was adorned with a glowing bloodstone. Her small blade had become a Demon Sword.

Ash stared at the interloper. His eyes widened at the sight. Staring back at him was Marianne. Her left eye was demonic magenta, and her right was flickering back and forth between the two colours.

"Don't. Touch. My. Mate!"


Grell and Undertaker were speaking to one another when William approached them.

"So, someone's plundering souls," he said.

"Will!" Grell said.

"While the taking of souls is necessary, it is the province of Reapers. On just this one occasion, I willing to take unpaid overtime."

Spears and his subordinates adjusted their glasses. He pulled out the chainsaw Scythe belonging to his red-haired collegue.

"Here, Grell Sutcliff."

He tossed the Scythe to Grell. Grell laughed gleefully, and embraced his long-separated companion.

"Tonight will be deadly!" he cackled.

William turned to his subordinates.

"You are all expected to take out a goodly number," he explained. "The after party will be a business expense."

He used his pruning shears to fix his glasses.


Blood dripped from Sebastian's shoulder. He clutched his wound while smirking. Marianne stood between him and Ash. She placed her hand over the gaping hole, while his remaining arm went down to the small of her back.

"It's true you've given me pain, angel, but when you have a mate such as mine, you consider every bit of it worth it, so long as you are alive to see their face for the rest of your days," he explained. "For some cases, pain is pleasure, and you cannot experience one without experiencing the other."

Untucking the back of Marianne's shirt, he revealed her mark.

"Marked from the moment of their birth, they are tied to a single demon, and they will be protected for all eternity by their mate. And the mate will do the same for their demon."

Marianne turned Sebastian's head towards her, and gave him a brutal kiss. A clash of teeth and tongues, they didn't separate until the girl needed to come up for air. She looked at Ash over her shoulder, a drop of Sebastian's blood trickled down from the corner of her mouth.

"I am already his, you foul creature. You will never have me."

She handed Sebastian the Demon Sword and stepped away. She had been away from her child long enough. Ash snarled and lashed out at Sebastian. The demon evaded his strikes with great skill. He caught sight of Marianne with Ciel gathered into her arms.

Ciel… Sebastian considered Ash for a moment. Well, the enemy has only lost his queen. The game isn't over yet. Now, not until I hear the final call.

"You allow yourself to be distracted during our fight?!" Ash bellowed. "Who do you think you are?"

He stared at Sebastian through the shadows. His eyes widened. The souls were disappearing, vanishing in flashes until the black mass dissipated bit by bit.


Down in the streets, the Reapers were slicing through the shadows. Grell and Undertaker were going through them with great relish. William and the other Reapers remained methodical. But the black streams continued to become fewer and fewer.


Ash looked up to the black seal in the sky as it disappeared.

"Blasted Reapers!" he cried. "How dare they presume to interfere with our sacred ceremony?!"

Sebastian sneered as he twirled the Sword in his hand.

"Yes, what a pity. I guess we're all going to miss out on that purity of yours. So, now then, shall we continue our fight?"

The angel smirked.

"Hah, I hoped to spend longer with you. So much for that!"

He gave a high-pitched whistle.


The streets of London were empty. Nelson's Column was no longer the watchtower for Pluto. The servant trio lay on the ground. Pluto was beside them, blood foaming around his mouth. His collar glowed, but he didn't respond. He never would.


Ash gasped.

"Where is that cursed Demon Hound?!" he snapped.

Sebastian smirked.

"You did it. Well done."

The angel snarled.

"It's useless! Everyone is useless! Useless! Useless!"

He slowly floated up into the air.

"I must purify them all! I must PURIFY!"

Sebastian, upon realising what Ash was doing, leapt towards Ciel and Marianne.

"Ciel! Marianne!"

Ash/Angela's face kept switching back and forth.

"Taste the flames of Hell!"

They released an onslaught of feathers, shooting them like bullets. They wrought destruction on Tower Bridge.


The demon gathered Ciel and Marianne into his arm and evaded the feathers. The three of them were eventually pinned to the floor. The dust cleared.

"Father, what happened?" Ciel asked.

He lifted his hand, and saw the crimson blood staining it. Marianne looked up and saw several white feathers sticking out of Sebastian's back.

"Oh, darling…" she whispered.

Sebastian smiled down at them.

"Ciel, if I may, I'd ask a favour," he said. He leant down and whispered into the boy's ear. "Please, close your eyes."

Ciel looked at him in confusion.

"But why?" he asked.

Marianne saw a slight smile on the demon's lips.

"I am your father and your butler. It is not acceptable to damage my child's impression of me." Darkness fell over his eyes. "Until I give the word, please, close them."

The boy blinked, and then nodded his head.

"Yes, I'll do it."

He closed his eyes.

Marianne gathered Ciel into her arms, stroked his hair with motherly fingers; she gazed up at Sebastian, her hair plastered to her cheeks. Sebastian knelt down and pressed his lips to her forehead.

"You won't be affected, my dear. You are my mate, after all."

She could only nod her head as she watched him get to his feet and turn back towards the angel.


Sebastian stepped forward, his eyes glowing demonically.

"Now then," he said. "At last, you'll see my true form."


Black feathers surrounded him. His body became completely encased in darkness.


"It's unsightly. Disgusting. Repulsive."

He continued to walk. His shoes were replaced with black stiletto spikes, clicking harshly on the metal beneath his feet.


"But, it is my true form."

Black leather molded to his skin like liquid. His eyes were two bright red pinpoints in a mass of black ink. His fangs grew longer and protruded over his lower lip…


Ash backed away from him.

"A demon…!" he cried.


Marianne pressed Ciel closer to her. She looked down at her hands, and a line of black at the base of her nails. She heard the angel's strangled cries, and turned her head to watch the destruction. Her eyes focused on the black wings trailing to the floor from her beloved's shoulder blades. The bridge quaked beneath them. She grabbed hold of the Demon Sword and embedded it into the metal. Marianne held on tightly as the force would have sent them flying off the structure. Ciel clung to her, his face buried into her chest.

"Marianne, Ciel." Sebastian called. "Can you both hold on long enough for me to count down from ten?"

"Yes!" they cried out in unison.

The demon smirked, his eyes had become outlined with black streaks, reminiscent of raven feathers. His hair was longer than before.

"Then here we go."

His pupils turned into slits as his irises glowed more brightly.

"Ten."

Blood exploded from the sea of black and white feathers.

"Nine."

"Revolting!" Ash wailed.

"Eight."

"Unclean! Bad!"

Sebastian's heels clicked against the metal.

"Seven."

"Useless! Evil!"

The bridge continued to shake violently.

"Six."

Blood continued to erupt as the demon tore into his opponent.

"Filthy! Defiled!" Ash screamed.

London continued to burn.

"Five."

His hand ripped through the angel's chest. Blood flew around him like rose petals.

"Four."

"Filthy! Filthy!"

They were swept up in the sea of feathers.

"Three."

"Filthy! Filthy! Filthy! Filthy!"

Sebastian's eyes widened gleefully.

"Two."

Ash's eyes rolled back into his skull as he continued to chant the words. Blood was splattered all over his face. He let out a violent scream.

"One."


A brilliant blue pulse swept out from the bridge, followed by a blinding explosion of light. The souls trapped in the bridge stopped wailing. The light slowly began to dim. Marianne felt the breeze sweeping over her as she clung to Ciel. She heard Sebastian's clicking heels coming towards them. She looked up and stared at him in all his demonic glory. His eyes were still glowing as he stared back at her. She slowly brought her and Ciel to their feet and smiled at her mate. He grinned back, fangs on full display for her to see.

"Sebastian…" she sighed.

He pressed a hand to her cheek; his nails were like talons, they were so sharp. She nuzzled into his touch.

"My Marianne. My mate. Mine."

Marianne stepped towards him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

"My Sebastian. My demon." She whispered against his lips.

They turned to Ciel.

"It's over now, my child."

Ciel opened his eyes slowly, and looked up at his father and mother. They were smattered with dirt and blood, but they were smiling. The breeze rustled through their hair and fluttered against the torn edges of Sebastian's tailcoat. He smiled at them, and Marianne gathered him into her arms.


The bridge jolted loudly. Ciel and Marianne clung together as they lost their balance, and toppled over the edge. Sebastian yelled their names, but it only seemed to come out as white noise. Soon, they were falling. A bright light flooded out of Ciel's chest, and his Cinematic Records spilled out. The girl pressed him to her, as though she thought to use her own body as a barricade.

"Will we… be alright, Mother?" he asked.

She glared at the water rapidly coming towards them.

"We will," she said. "Now, hold your breath, and brace for impact."

They plunged into the depths of the Thames.


Sinking beneath the surface, Marianne held onto Ciel and attempted to bring them back up for air. Despite her improved strength, she was no match for the elements that wanted to drag them down into their frozen graves.

Ciel. Marianne. You lied. You promised you'd live until I counted down.

The demon swam towards them. Marianne smiled.

Technically, we kept our promise. It was the bridge that sent us over the edge. And we're not dead yet, thank you.

Sebastian gathered them into his arms and swam up to the surface.

I won't let you die yet.

Ciel's lip twitched, as though he was trying to smile.

Right, and you don't ever lie.

He paused for a moment.

Father, can I ask you something?

Yes, Ciel?

Who are you now?

Sebastian chuckled.

Don't you know? Before my master, no matter the occasion, I am one Hell of a butler.


The three of them came to the surface. The sun had risen and the sky was bright. Marianne looked up at the bridge, and saw what joined it together in the centre.

"He got what he deserved," she said.

Sebastian smiled.

"My, my. The angel has completed it. Now, the bridge truly is Holy."

They all stared up at the twisted shape of the angel; a creature set in stone and mortar.


Sebastian commandeered a boat, Ciel fell asleep inside it, and Marianne stroked the boy's hair as the demon navigated the boat with one arm.

"I think you should get back to the mansion, Marianne." Sebastian told her.

She looked at him.

"Why?" she asked.

"No doubt you will need to oversee the start of repairs. Pluto most likely destroyed it during his rampage."

She hmmed at his words.

"And what about you and Ciel?"

"The final steps need to be taken. The contract is complete, and his transition needs to take place."

Marianne sighed.

"Alright, drop me off at the next dock."


Marianne walked through the streets of London not long after that; her Demon Sword had taken the form of a dagger once more, and was back home in its holster. She watched many people forming lines and taking whatever food and water they could. Ms Lurida was giving out canteens of water. The girl spotted Soma and Agni handing out curry buns.

"Here," said Soma. "Everyone gets two."

"What is it?" a boy asked.

"Those are Curry Buns. It's convenient because you can eat them while walking. And it is quite good for the soul." Agni told him.

"Eat it all!" the prince smiled. "You will feel better in no time!"

"Thanks Mister!"

The boy happily ran off with his food. Marianne waved at them with a slight smile before continuing on her way.


She found herself back in front of Nelson's Column, where a black veiled woman was giving a speech.

"Perhaps, we must believe that this trial was God's way of testing the spirits of our people."

The woman lifted her veil, and revealed the aged face of Queen Victoria.

"We stood firm in the face of this." Victoria continued. "And our sorrows will not last forever. We greet a new century, and with it, a new British Empire, destined to be greater than ever."

Marianne shook her head and walked to the shade of a nearby building. In the shadows, she saw Randall and Aberline watching the proceedings.

"A false Queen exalting the essence of our great city." Randall said.

"I'm sorry, Sir?" Aberline asked.

"If enough people believe, there is no difference between that which is fake and real." Randall sighed heavily around the cigar smouldering in his mouth. "I guess some people don't understand that."

Aberline looked up and caught sight of Marianne. He smiled and tipped his hat to her, and she smiled back and nodded her head.


Elizabeth sat on a riverbank. Paula came rushing towards her.

"My Lady!" she called out.

Lizzie got to her feet.

"Paula!" she greeted.

"They say the fires of London have gone out, which means we can go back home now, My Lady." Paula smiled.

The girl tilted her head, questions burning in her eyes.

"Is there any word from the man I sent to check on Ciel?" she asked.

Paula shook her head.

"I'm so sorry, My Lady. There's nothing."

"Oh."

The woman glanced around.

"Well, these flowers are beautiful."

Elizabeth looked down at the forget-me-nots in her hand.

"Oh yes, I came here because their lovely blue colour reminded me of Ciel's ring," she explained.

Paula pondered her words for a moment.

"The Earl's ring…" she said. She then reached towards Lizzie. "If you'll allow me, Miss, may I have one of your flowers?"

She took one carefully. Twisting the stem, Paula crafted the flower into a small ring.

"Here."

Elizabeth smiled brightly, but a gust of wind blew the flower ring into the river. Paula laughed.

"Don't worry, we can just make another one. How does that sound?"

"Can we?" Lizzie asked.

"Of course, My Lady, many more. Look around! We are surrounded by so many beautiful flowers!" Paula nodded towards one of the flowers. "We can make as many rings as we need."

Elizabeth looked to the ground.

"So many…"


Meanwhile, Sebastian steered a boat through a sea of white mist. He wore a new uniform with a fully-repaired tailcoat, where the empty sleeve fluttered in the cool breeze. Ciel lay on the floor of the boat, dressed completely in black, except for a white shirt and a white rose in his breast pocket. He opened his eye and stared up at the demon.

"Ciel, I see you have awoken," said Sebastian.

Ciel brought himself upright.

"Where is this? Where are we?" he asked.

"You wish to know?"

"Why else did I ask?" The boy shook his head. "No, now that I think about it, maybe not."

He touched his eye patch.

"I feel as if I've been asleep for such a long time."

In the water, Ciel found his whole life staring back at him, in a drifting sea of Cinematic Records.

"What's this?" he asked in astonishment.

"Your Cinematic Record. Apparently, it came to meet you." Sebastian answered.

Ciel sighed.

"I see. So, this is my life? This is how I lived…" he said. "But, this is the end of my human life. It's over now."

The demon shook his head.

"Not yet. Though transitioning into a demon will come soon enough, my dear child. But, I shall be with you throughout it all. It is my duty as your butler, and my responsibility as your father."


Ciel glanced out at the Records and saw Elizabeth's face.

"I know Elizabeth, she will be quite unhappy."

Sebastian nodded his head.

"Yes, Lady Elizabeth's love for you runs very deep."

The boy snorted.

"Oh yes, she was a sobbing mess when Madame Red died too."

"Yes, she cried your tears and hers. You didn't have enough."


Ciel then saw the servant trio and their old antics.

"The servants, are they dead?" he asked.

Sebastian tapped his chin.

"Well, they were breathing the last time I saw them."

Ciel laughed.

"I must admit, they are uncommonly stubborn." He then thought of the Demon Hound. "And Pluto?"

"I will collect his bones later." Sebastian told him.

"His bones?" Ciel asked. "No. What real meaning do bones have? Everything?"

"Everything." Sebastian agreed.

"No, never mind. Everything isn't important. It's still too soon to matter."


They continued to drift on the water.

"What are all these lights?" Ciel asked.

Sebastian smiled, watching the twinkling blue lights floating around them.

"The thoughts of the many people who have passed through your life," he answered. "The warm regard they held you in."

The boy felt a particularly bright one brush across his cheek.

"Other people's feelings?" he said. "Well, they're nice."

"Nice?"

"Yes. I can leave them without them feeling loneliness or sadness. But… well, it's still nice."


Sebastian stepped forward and passed Ciel a bound blue book.

"What's this?" the boy asked.

The demon smiled.

"Oh, it's just a little something I brought along. To keep you occupied," he explained. "A diary Tanaka left behind before departing."

Ciel opened the book cautiously.

"It's from Tanaka?"

Slowly, he began to read.


There is a truth I cannot tell you, Young Master.


"It can't be!" Tanaka cried out, wide eyes staring at the back of Vincent Phantomhive.

His master stood in front of the window as they spoke in his study.

"Her Majesty will obliterate the Earl Phantomhive, in other words, me." Vincent said.

"I don't understand…" said Tanaka.

"Yet, I can bear no grudge against her. These are such troubled times." Vincent turned to his butler. "But, I'd appreciate it if you could keep it from Ciel. It is possible that I will be killed. He should still remain loyal."

"But, My Lord…" Tanaka protested.

"What have you ever known hatred to accomplish?"


Ciel closed the book with a snap.

"So, that angel actually did know something after all. She really wasn't just making it all up," he sighed.

"What now, Ciel?" Sebastian asked.

"There's nothing to do. My targets are all gone. Besides which, it's time to move into the next part of our lives. My humanity will be gone."


The boy reached over the side of the boat, and fished a blue flower out of the water.

"It's a ring," he said.

Sebastian knelt down beside him.

"How familiar it looks. Please, allow me."

He took it, and attempted to slip it onto Ciel's thumb.

"That must be difficult for you." Ciel said as he put it on himself.

There was a sadness in Sebastian's eyes.

"I wanted nothing more than to be a superb butler. But, I failed."

There was a quirk to the boy's lip.

"You became something much more instead. This flower does not define us." Ciel retorted.

"I think it suits us, my child." Sebastian smiled.

Ciel lifted his hand, and let it be silhouetted by the moon.

"This is me," he said. "Ciel Phantomhive. I am nothing more than I could have ever been."


Through the mist emerged a dark isle. They moored at the shore, and Sebastian carried Ciel across the sand and into the looming trees. The moon peeked through the branches and rained a silver glow over them. Soon, the father and son came to a set of ruins. Sebastian walked through the archway, and looked down at Ciel.

"We're here, my child," he said, placing Ciel down on a bench.

"So, this is where it ends?" Ciel asked.

"Yes."

A raven watched them from the crumbling wall behind them. A spider scuttled along its beak.

"What about that bird?" Ciel asked.

"I will see to it." Sebastian responded.

"Just make sure it gets fed."

"As kind as ever."

The boy reached up and touched his eye patch.

"Will it hurt?" he asked.

Sebastian smiled softly.

"It will a bit. I'm sorry. I will endeavour to be gentle though."

"No!" Ciel snapped. "Be as brutal as you want."

His voice grew softer.

"Etch the pain into me. It's proof I had a life worth living before I take these last steps."

The demon gasped quietly, before a gentle smile touched his lips. He knelt down on one knee and bowed.

"Indeed, my dear Lord."


Ciel leant back on the bench. Sebastian removed the glove on his remaining hand with his teeth. He let it drop to the floor before he approached the boy. Touching a black nailed hand to Ciel's cheek and stroking his hair, Sebastian removed the eye patch, and let it fall onto the stone. Ciel's sapphire eye stared back at him with flickering resolve. Sebastian's glowed demonically as he drew closer…

And now, my child…


Marianne stood in the remains of the mansion. Ash surrounded her with only a few pieces of the structure still standing. She walked to where she knew her room would be. There were still bits of the bed, wardrobe, charred remains of clothing. Not much left. Marianne picked up something from the rubble. A black rose, with edges as red as freshly spilled blood. She closed her eyes, pressed her lips to the petals, and smiled.

"And now, my love…"


I would like to start with apologising. I went on holiday last weekend so I was unable to update. The holiday was booked after my last update so it wasn't announced during the previous chapter.

On a happier note, we have reached the end of season one! I am staring at the number of pages in my word document, and I am just staggered at the total amount, and all of you have stayed with me this long.

I won't be going into season two straight away, but I am happy to say that the moment you have all been waiting for shall soon be upon us. The bonding ceremony!

That is all I will say on the matter until the next chapter.

Should you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Please read and review!