PRIORITIES
Expanding in size, Maka Albarn screwed her eyes shut. A spine chilling screech of metal colliding with metal forced her back to her senses. A pair of warm, blood sodden hands grasped Maka around her waist and dragged her out of the shadow of a God.
"N-No…S-Soul…"
Bracing against Havok's attack, Death the Kid saw his friends flee as his enemy's smoking Death Scythe began to slice through his resistance. Uniting all his strength, Kid propelled Havok backwards. As he tottered on the edge of the fiery chasm, Kid squatted and raised his twin Death Cannons.
"Death Needles fully charged!" Patty cheered.
"Firing in 4…"
"3…"
"2…"
"1…"
"Fire!" Liz sanctioned.
The combined roar of the Death Cannons couldn't be overpowered. Havok's eyes amplified his terror as the jet stream of light charged towards him. He had but a second to blink before plummeting into Hell. Incredulously, Kid stared as an ominous shadow formed from his melting Death Scythe and rose before him, shielding him, absorbing the blast. From within the black skull-shaped clouds, Kid heard a familiar cackle etched in a mournful cry. As the smoke cleared, the aftershock struck, blasting the shadow back against Havok, encasing him as they fell to their deaths. Veins of neon orange shot across its ashen flesh as a pair of glossy, black eyes smiled back at the young Shinigami, suddenly full of life.
Shaken to his soul, Kid released his suffocating grip as his Death Scythes returned to their portable pistols. Pivoting to face his friends, his victory was swallowed by the explosive bellow that vomited fire hundreds of feet into the air.
Casting a glare in the direction of the volcano, Kid signalled a full retreat. Black Star abandoned his newest nemesis, watching him race to the volcano's edge as if to dive into a cascading wave at the beach. No doubt the water was infested with sharks.
"Black Star, he'll die!" Tsubaki cried.
Gritting his teeth, Black Star sheathed his Katana and raced back. Re-evaluating the situation, Black Star watched with horror as Raphael plunged his hands into the fire, spreading and consuming the molten blood like there was no greater pleasure on Earth. The plum-coloured concrete cracked and began to melt. Neon orange veins surged across the boiling flesh of the Witch Realm.
"Forget it!" he defied, shaking his head. "I'm getting you out of here!"
Black Star…
"Speed Star!"
His voice echoed long after he launched himself across burning earth. He saw a glaring purple blaze in the distance, his ears picking up and decoding the shouts of encouragement and cries of fear. His eyes focused on a stumbling Soul and Maka.
"Tsubaki, when we reach the other side, help Maka. I'll get Soul."
"Got it!"
His concentration shifted with the quivering earth. Smouldering rocks crashed closer with every detonation. It was as if they were missiles, launched by an invisible enemy. Kid ignored his imagination, focusing on the mirror. Finally, the familiar violet pane of glass bled into view as the ground beneath his feet began to smoke.
"Black Star! Hurry!" he warned, ushering Patty and Liz through the mirror.
"Kid, what about you?"
"Protect your sister!"
"No, wait – Kid, we can help!" Liz defied, reaching for her Meister.
"Just go!" Kid ordered as Tsubaki reverted back to her human form, clutching and hoisting one of Maka's arms over her shoulders.
Nano-seconds later, Black Star copied, forcing Soul to his feet. Kid joined him, turning his back to the living Hell. The flames hissed and the ground spat as the volcano continued to spew its fiery venom. Releasing his hold, Kid led Black Star and Soul through the portal before returning for Maka and Tsubaki.
"W-Wait, Havok –"
Hastily, Kid silenced Maka, shoving her and Tsubaki through the portal. He gazed back long enough to catch sight of four silhouettes standings amongst the heart of the flames. A face comprised of coal ash materialised inside the endless geyser of fire. He clamped his hands over his ears at its agonising howl. Immediately, the ash shot at one of the four, their screams piercing, and soul shattering.
Beneath his feet, the ground snapped and a second geyser forced Kid to fly backwards through the portal. Once again, the remnants of a cackle rang in Kid's ears. But it wasn't dying anymore, and the whisper that accompanied it was finally audible. It consumed his mind, the seemingly meaningless words infecting his soul with a sense of dread. It foretold Kid that his concern would never be misplaced.
Seated on the cushioned ledge below his elaborately large bedroom window, Death the Kid found that the cold glass felt soothing against his burning forehead. Absent mindedly, he gazed out into the thicket of clouds and rain that had hovered over Death City since before dawn. Secretly, Kid was glad the storm had woken him. His restless dreams had left him more exhausted than battle. Sitting calmly, quietly in the darkness, he began to understand the possible fascinations mortals may have shared with the shadows.
The Shadow Queen's resurrection displayed an insufferable, and insane, obsession with power within her subjects. Their mindless devotion perturbed Kid.
Just like Asura…consuming everything in his path. Can't they see they'll just get themselves killed?!
Kid continued to mill through his thoughts, reflecting back on his untimely return to Shibusen at the burning hand of a force alien to him. It wasn't fearful, but it wasn't enraged either. It hadn't damaged him, yet, Kid couldn't help but feel it hadn't coincidently saved him, either. Nothing made sense. Leaning against the wall, his legs bound by the arms he wrapped around his knees, Kid recalled disheartened voices amongst memorial moments he would cherish long after death, whether he wanted to or not.
His train of thought veered off track as the hypnotic, rippling song emanating from his mirror encompassed the room. Shifting to answer, Kid moved to sit on his bed and face his summon.
"Ah, Kiddo, sorry to wake you," Shinigami-sama apologised, his eye sockets drooping.
"I've been up for hours, father. It's fine."
"Well, I promise to let you get right back to sleep. I just need to run a few things with you first."
Kid stood at attention, suddenly bursting with energy. "What is it? Were you able to learn who the Queen's followers were? Have you been able to get through to the Witch Realm?"
"Yes and no," Shinigami-sama replied. "Havok has allied himself with Alistair and Xavier, a powerful Meister and Demon Weapon respectively." As he spoke, life-like images were displayed on the mirror's surface.
They're just kids! "I've never heard of them. Were they expelled from Shibusen before I arrived?"
"According to my knowledge, and the school records, they were never enrolled here. Sometimes, we miss a few," he shrugged, sighing. "Despite their power and compatibility, their souls haven't yet devolved into Kishin Eggs. It's highly likely that they haven't feasted upon human souls."
"There was another, Raphael, I think," Kid steered, standing poised and collected before his father, all trace of fear and restlessness gone.
Shinigami-sama nodded. "Raphael, an autonomous Demon Weapon in the guise of a flamethrower. I've found he's been in close contact with a Witch, Isabella, a spy set up in the Witch Realm. It's likely their admiration of fire brought them together, though it's still unclear how they all met and released the Shadow Queen."
"Did they escape?" Kid snapped earnestly. "I know the explosion didn't kill the Queen, but what about her followers? I think she…possessed one of them, like Medusa. You mentioned her possessive capabilities before. Is it possible?"
Again, Shinigami-sama's eyes drooped. "I don't have the answers, Kiddo. I know as much as you. After that explosion, I lost contact with the Witch Realm. I can't sense, or see it, as I was permitted by the High Witch Mabaa. There is something I need to discuss with you on that matter, though. You and your friends, that is." Kid remained stubbornly mute. "Uhm? Kiddo, is everything alright?"
"I was just thinking, father," Kid saved.
"About your friends…?"
"…Yes. I, er, reacted…unnecessarily when we returned."
"Kiddo, it's not your fault you were ill prepared. If I had known of the Queen's numbers, I would have sent reinforcements."
"You had to seal the portal, father. If you hadn't, the Queen could have gained direct access to Shibusen. I understood the risks when I accepted the mission." The young Shinigami inhaled deeply, gathering his thoughts. "I also understand why Maka didn't tell me about Havok."
"Er, Kiddo –" Shinigami-sama interrupted, tilting his head to the side.
"Havok's her…well, he was her brother. I don't understand all the intricacies of family life, but I can understand that the information came as much of a blow to Maka as it did to me, to Black Star, to Tsubaki, to Soul – he didn't look surprised in the slightest, but that's beside the point! It doesn't mean I have to get so personally involved in her private family affairs."
If you only knew, Kiddo…
Kid had taken up on pacing back and forth across his bedroom, his hands gesturing continuously, expelling unspoken doubts and bottled up energy. "This goes for Maka's relationship with Soul as well. I can't force them to work together. If necessary, I could ask Spirit-Sempi to work with me and Soul. At least that way I'd have two Death Scythes." I couldn't handle just one…no, I'd need two.
"Liz and Patty would be safe, then. That last battle really took its toll. If I'd tried harder, I could have prevented Liz from getting…from getting…" Heaving a sigh, Kid sat back down on his four poster bed, yawning unwillingly.
"It was a close call, Kiddo. I know you did your best."
"Thanks, father. But, if Maka's willing to keep the team together – no, whether she wants me on the team or not – my priority should be preparing for the next battle. I can trust Soul and Maka to come up with a plan. They can do anything when they put their mind to it."
Elizabeth Thompson yawned as she lumbered down the mansion stairs to answer the door. She hadn't the energy to fuss over her lopsided eye mask. It had stomped her unruly bed hair into a knotted mess, leaving it to resemble a bird's nest.
The sooner I find out who's pulling a prank, the sooner I can go back to sleep!
With an impressive yawn, she unlocked and opened the door. Several pairs of eyes stared back at her. Suddenly, she became very self conscious. A pink powder dusted her cheeks as she gazed back.
"Sorry to wake you Liz, but, erm, may we come in?"
"Er, sure thing, Maka," she replied wearily, steeping aside, opening the door wider.
Stamping her wellington boots on the mat, Maka slid aside to let Soul, Black Star and Tsubaki follow her. Half confused and half embarrassed, Liz closed the door. For a moment, the gang stood in silence; unconsciously, Maka's eyes shifted to the neat stitches sewn across Elizabeth's cheek. She turned away, reminded of her failures and regrets. Liz dragged her matted hair over her rose dusted cheeks, instinctively responding to Maka's self-criticising glare.
"Hey, sis, where'd you go?" Patty called languidly as she shambled down the stairs and across the hall, surprising her dreary guests. "Huh? Is it time for school already?" she groaned, rubbing her eyes.
"No, Patty. You can go back to sleep," Liz replied, taking drenched raincoats to hang in the hall.
"OK," the childish blonde yawned. "But you've gotta tuck me back in," she grumbled.
"Alright, Patty," Liz agreed. "Could you guys just wait a sec? I'll be right back."
"Maybe we should come back," Tsubaki voiced. "If he's asleep…"
"Kiddo wouldn't waste his time sleeping!" Black Star argued. "He's got a lot of responsibilities as a God, you know. Just like me!"
"Black Star, please," the scentless flower insisted.
"It's alright," Liz assured. "He was awake when – when we went up," she added, pausing to yawn as she tried to flatten her hair down.
"Be careful, though," Patty warned. "Nobody's happy when Kiddo's grumpy."
Signalling the door on the end of the upstairs hall, Elizabeth strayed into another room to appease a surly Patricia. She grumbled about the time, the lack of sun, and how she was too tired to laugh at Black Star.
Despite their protests, Black Star seemed determined Kid kept secret weapon stashed in his house. Tsubaki inclined for Soul and Maka to continue with their mission, but once out of sight, Black Star simply sat on the closest couch and lay back, watching the world go by as he listened to the endless sheets of rain pound on the tiled roof.
Joining him, Tsubaki caught his eye. In their silence, they said more than anyone would never know. Smiling, she sat back against the soothing leather and closed her eyes, perfectly contented.
Thank you, Black Star.
Silently, he shared her smile, raising his arms behind his head as he gaze heavenward.
We're counting on you. Don't screw this up.
Reaching the door, receiving Soul's reassuring nod to continue down a path less travelled. Hesitantly, Maka knocked, but received no answer. Soul followed her lead, rapping his knuckles on the wood. The fresh bandages woven over their burns and blisters gained a darker and depressing tone of red.
"Er, Kiddo, are you in there?" Maka asked hoarsely. "It – It's me, Maka, and Soul. Can we come in?"
There was an inaudible voice that muffled somewhat of a reply. Elated, Maka grasped the polished door handle and entered. Over her shoulder, Soul witnessed the same sight: Kid, standing tall and proud with his back glaring at them from within the stormy gloom.
Shuddering, Maka ventured inward, trying to breathe and collect what courage she could muster to apologise. But before she could speak, Kid spoke first.
"I also understand why Maka didn't tell me about Havok."
Confused beyond words, Soul realigned his Meister gaze to focus on the sight beyond the Shinigami obscuring her vision. His mirror was alive. Alive and talking.
"Er, Kiddo –"
Blushing, Maka opened her mouth to apologise yet again, but she was silenced. Kid's monologue sent her tongue numb, warming her heart as it touched her soul. Out of the corner of her eye, Liz had slid into view, her eyes watering as a hand hovered over her scarred cheek. Maka even witnessed Soul sniff back the odd tear as he drew his arms around her, protecting his Meister, taking the Shinigami's praise to heart.
"I can trust Soul and Maka to come up with a plan. They can do anything when they put their mind to it," Kid declared, his words strengthened by the flame of hope Maka watched burn bright within his soul. He stretched and fell back onto his crumpled sheets. Only then did he truly understand the situation.
"Lizzy, Maka, Soul…" He rose, sitting up to face them. "What – Aagh!"
Regardless of his training and experience, Kid had no means of seeing or stopping Liz from throwing her arms around his shoulders.
"Thank you, Kid!"
Eyeing Soul and Maka's confident and elated smiles cast across their faces, Kid returned Liz's hug, grateful she hadn't sent him toppling off the bed or tossed him into the desert for interrupting her "beauty sleep". "Does this mean I'm forgiven?"
Liz prized herself from his grasp, sending him a look of disbelief. "Of course!" she exclaimed, all composure forgotten as she knelt on her Meister bed like Patty did when she cooed for a bedtime story.
"Well, on one condition," Maka interrupted timidly. Liz rounded on the Meister, her anger waning as Maka swayed, her cheeks reddening with guilt. "Please, forgive us, and, er, more importantly…me."
"You didn't do anything wrong," Kid denied as he stood.
"Nothing a little training won't hurt, right partner?" Soul winked.
Beaming like a child, Maka nodded, returning his wink. "Right…partner!"
"So beautiful!" Spirit chocked.
"I know! They grow up so fast, don't they?" Shinigami-sama sobbed.
"Father…." an exasperated Kid moaned.
"Papa?!" Maka cried.
"Oh, don't worry, Maka. I only came to drop off some information for Shinigami-sama about the next mission."
"Information?" Kid asked, reverting back to his tireless façade.
"Yes. The final communication transmission I received from the High Witch Mabaa had a coded message hidden within the text. Stein was able to decipher it."
"Cool," Soul celebrated, leaning against the bed post, his hands still stuffed inside his pockets.
"We can do it!" Maka encouraged. "We can defeat her!"
"I'm afraid not," Shinigami-sama denied.
"What are you talking about? We'll train. We'll prepare ourselves," Kid countered.
"It's just as I feared," he frowned, his eye sockets sinking further into his mask. They waited with baited breath. "The Shadow Queen is Soulless."
"Soulless…?" Liz cringed, a twinge of fear slinking across her face, turning her skin a disgusting pale green. Similarly, Soul's crooked smirk faded into a foreboding scowl.
"If she doesn't have a soul, how is she still alive?!" Maka yelled.
"More importantly," Kid summoned, "how do we kill her…if she's already dead?"