Kuroshitsuji © Yana Toboso
OCs © reaper-of-lost-souls
A/N: I figured I'd review another chapter to try to get out of a slump I'm in. Darn finals. I don't even know if I'll pass math. Plus I'm trying to catch up with this story before I write more, so I'll probably post at least one or two more chapters… maybe more if I feel that it's necessary. Anyways I hope you guys enjoy this next chapter. Ciao!
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"Hey father? Papa I have something," Alistair jumped up and down, holding a large and dusty old book in his hands.
"Can't you see we're busy –"
"I know!" He explained, "But I found something in this book I think you should see."
"What is it дети?" Rose asked as she picked up the book and set it down on a nearby table. "The Chronicles of the Divine by Renu Elektias? Where did you get this?"
"Oh Тетушка recommended him," Alistair smiled. "He actually has a lot of accurate information on supernatural beings even though his books are a thousand or more years old!"
"Well go on then," Alex ushered his son. "We can use all the help we can get."
"Okay," Alistair nodded as he climbed up into a chair and opened the book. "This is a combination of diaries than an actual book, but the information still holds true. Let's see… 3805… here!" he pointed to the lines and letting out a cough.
"…I was told about a time in an age out looking a woman's past when she was still young and chaste (see pg. 5023). She had set herself on a mission into the underworld to collect souls who had not been truly evaluated at the time of their deaths. She came across many beings that helped her along the way, including the help of Kharon and his boat. It had been the first time she met Kore, whom spoke to her wondering why she was there and how she was like her father.
"When she had emerged to the land of the living and sent the souls to the light of the afterlife, she held back to speak to two souls whom wanted to stay in the land of the living to assist her. While they spoke demons approached them, as they were called demons at the time, but they were only evil spirits that were trapped and unable to pass on to the afterlife. The soul of the girl defended her and the other soul, turning into a phoenix and setting the demons ablaze. Upon its flaming fury, white wings suddenly grew from her back to take over her body. That was when her powers became pure, obliterating the demons in her glow without lifting a finger against them. She could not stay awake, for she had not taken control of her new powers yet, but she lived on for many months later. She remembers being asleep for many days, staying in Death's hospitality till she was well, but when she returned to the land of the living only a few hours had passed. She asked me why this could come to pass and I explained that the afterlives have different timeframes. I suggested going to the being called Time (see pg. 5145) if she didn't understand my explanation, but she trusted my judgment on the perplexity of time. She told me that the Paradise and the Nightmare have two different timeframes. The time in Paradise goes by faster than in the land of the living, and the time in the Nightmare is slower than Paradise, but quicker than the Land of the Living. The Nightmare can either be long or short for the soul, depending on the reasons why you are sent below. I did not argue, for I have never been forced down below and up above as frequently as she, but never tried to come up with an explanation for –"
"How is this supposed to help?" Alex sighed.
"Doesn't this sound like what happened to Тетушка?" Alistair explained. "The wings ripping out from the body… get it? It's about a God of Death, a shinigami, so if she can survive then Тетушка will too."
"Is there anything on how to heal dear?" Rose asked him. "That is what we're looking for."
"Oh yes!" Alistair nodded. "I read it somewhere… a few pages from now," he explained as he flipped through the book. "Sorry," he chuckled, "but this author rants a lot –"
"My my~ a gathering," the Undertaker spoke from behind them and startling the family. "Sorry to startle you," he answered as he tipped his hat to Rose, "but you requested me to show up. Is Sophia back yet?"
"No," Alex explained, "but it has only been a few minutes. Marius said he'll bring her back when she's ready, but I don't understand what is going on –"
"Well if you'll let me finish~ I'll explain what he wrote!" Alister huffed. Alex chuckled nervously as the Undertaker leaned into the book curiously, reading over the boy's shoulder as he continued.
"… How a being can acquire wings varies from being to being. Some beings were born with wings, some grew wings over time, and others use their abilities to form wings. Her wings were different, or I should say, they were different for me.
"I will have to explain at the beginning. When I first saw her (see pg. 5023) and her wings they were large and black, but as we became familiar she would show her true wings to me, white and pure. The black wings came from the other soul living within her. Whenever she uses that being's energy then she can grow wings that are black. They are made out of the dark aura from that soul, so those wings aren't truly hers. She can control this form better than the other, though we still do not understand why. The other wings are white. She described to me how she was able to hide them, for they are attached to her body and can only be hidden away by her own will. As I said earlier, she had acquired these wings when she was younger. She described to me that the white wings are more like angelic wings, as angels and daemons have wings that are physically attached to their bodies, unlike earth dwellers that use their own powers to acquire wings. We discussed how to take care of the wings, as she has to brush through her wings every morn and every night to make sure no dirt and grime will discolor her wings. They can change colors from how her soul is; turning from pure to tainted if there is sin in her heart. This is how it is with every being with wings as she, and if the sin of the soul outweighs the purity then the angel can fall down to earth and become fallen. Her own soul is very pure, but it is the other soul inside of her that is tainted. This soul will turn her wings charcoal black, but yet the sin doesn't cause her to fall for she still holds the purity in her heart. Thus, I learned that day that the large black wings she held in battle were actually large white wings whose feathers would turn black from the use of her other soul –"
"In other words she's an angel now?" Alex thought aloud.
"I suppose," Rose sighed, "but how did that happen?"
"Maybe it was that phoenix," Alistair suggested, "or because that she completed her mission? Like Тетушка I suppose. You told me that the soul that is trapped inside of her was set free, right Дядька?"
Undertaker chuckled and nodded, "Right my boy."
"Yeah," Alistair thought as he looked to the book, "so… if her mission was to go into Hell and collect those souls, then when she completed that mission her wings came out? Isn't that right papa? That Тетушка's mother has angel blood in her veins? The possibility of Тетушка acquiring wings isn't farfetched, seeing as her father is the Dark Centurion and her mother had angelic influence."
"Wow I… I never would have thought of that," Alex chuckled as he rustled up his son's hair. "Great job Al! You solved the mystery!"
Alistair pouted and combed his fingers through his hair, lifting the book and closing it. "Well if this is all done I'm going to find Sasha," Rose smiled. "She's with Тетушка Sutcliff I believe."
"Oh alright," Alex smiled back and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I'll clean up here."
Rose nodded and took off, Alex turning his attention back to his son as the Undertaker pressed his finger to the lettering and chuckled lightly to himself. "What's so funny Дядька?" Alistair decided to ask.
"Nothing~" Undertaker snickered, "Only thinking of the past." Alistair looked up at Alex and he only shrugged, looking over at the Undertaker and letting out a tired sigh.
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"My dear you're up!" Briana giggled as she held a stack of boxes and set it down on the dresser. "How are you feeling?"
"F-fine I suppose," Sophie stretched and yawned as she rubbed her eyes and stretched her wings. "How long have I been here?"
"Ten days," she explained, "but nothing to worry about. While you're up would you like some supper?"
"Oh uh," she chuckled nervously, "I-if it's alright with you I suppose –"
"Great! I'll give you the leftovers from the other night!" Briana giggled, poking Sophie's nose as she grabbed the boxes and left the room.
Sophie watched as the woman left before letting out another yawn and stretching. If she had been in bed for nine days then she better get moving before she starts getting lazy! Lifting the sheets she set her feet on the ground, gently lifting her body off of the bed and stumbling over to her clothes. She hadn't even noticed that she was nude till she looked in the mirror, but luckily there were some clothes left out for her to wear. A nice long gray robe that reached down to her ankles with two slits in the back for her wings. A smile came to her face as she looked in the mirror, grabbing the rope hanging from the side and tying it around her waist. My, how large her wings were! A little bit longer then herself, but not enough to cause any problems when walking. She grabbed a comb and combed out the tangles in her hair, knotting her hair in a little side braid as she slipped on the silver sandals that were laid out for her and she walked out of the room. As Sophie walked down the hallway she chuckled lightly at the images on the walls and the blandness of the place. Still, the shingiami buildings were blander than this place. Making her way to the end of the hallway she spotted Marius, who had his nose stuck deeply in a large book as he took notes and flipped through the pages. "Hey Marius," she lifted her hand, the man looking up startled before he smiled and flipped the page.
"Salvē Sophia," Marius said to her, his nose still in the book as she sighed and flopped down beside him.
"What are you reading?" she pointed, Marius lifting the book so she can see the title. "… By Renu Elektias huh? My my~ must be an old book… but yet doesn't look old."
"Well Death has a collection of books that he has me feather dust every week," Marius explained, "and they're usually not opened."
"A waste then," Sophie shook her head, "if no one reads them –"
"Oh we do," Marius chuckled, "and if a soul wants to read something they come here. So there are beings reading the books… I've been making a list for you."
"List?" she raised an eyebrow, "For what?"
"There was another being that had the exact same problem as yourself," Marius explained, "and from the book she gained the wings because she completed an important mission –"
"So the hold our soul had in the netherworld was released because of the souls that I returned," Sophie thought, "and thus… I grew wings?"
"I think the reason was Hathor and perhaps even Oba," Marius continued. "Maybe Hathor held the contract and once the terms were met your powers were fully released… or your soul was fully released. It says here that the white wings were her actual soul and the black wings were the other being's soul. Perhaps the whiteness in your wings is telling us how pure your soul is, or it hadn't been tainted by anything I suppose."
"I see…" Sophie thought as she looked down at the book. Then she let out a tired sigh and leaned her head on Marius' shoulder, a light surprised yelp coming from him before he chuckled and ran a hand over her cheek. "You have wings too?"
"Yes," Marius explained, "because I was born with them –"
"But yet I can't see them?" Sophie raised her eyebrow. "Why?"
"I keep them hidden," Marius sighed. "I use my powers to keep them out of sight and thus it looks as if I don't have any wings. I can always feel them in my spine, but by putting a… shroud I suppose would be the term, by putting a shroud over my wings I can go about my business without being bothered. Like how your eyes change colors and you can reside your aura just by thinking about it. That's how powerful our souls really are."
"Huh," Sophie chuckled as she snuggled tighter into Marius' arm, "I'll figure it out later. You continue reading. Sorry for bothering you." Marius smiled and nodded, picking up the book and continuing the read the giant old book.
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Sophie skipped out the door and ran down the steps, dashing over to the large black horse neighing out in the fields. "Hey there!" she waved, the horse neighing happily as he dashed to her and let his nose be rubbed by the woman. "Oh I'm sorry for not taking you out for a while," she sighed as she closed her eyes and set her head on the horse's nose, "but I haven't needed a horse to ride. I hope it doesn't bother you." She giggled as she was licked on the cheek, the black horse neighing happily before slowly trotting away to the apples he had been munching on.
"S-sophie?" she heard from behind, looking over to find Oba and Hathor making their way to her. "Are you okay master?"
"Never better," she smiled at them and gave them a tight hug. "… So let me guess~. You're still curious to what will happen now?" When they both nodded she chuckled, plucking an apple off of the tree as she sat down and ushered them to sit by her. "I discussed the situation with Death and Marius and I've come to the conclusion to take the two of you back with me, but there are requirements first." Shifting her weight and spreading out her white wings she thought to herself before continuing. "… Oba you are allowed to come back to earth if you change your name and not speak of the heaven that you have seen. Hathor, you can come and accompany Oba, but you will return in the form of a plain large, dark brown golden eagle. From what Death has told me, you are the only phoenix that has been seen since the medieval period. If you wish to continue the destined cycle of a phoenix then you may, but if you would rather stay to protect Oba for the rest of his life I will not object. Actually it will be better that way, seeing as Oba will need all the help he can get," Sophie chuckled lightly. "I will give you time to come up with your terms, but for now let's just stay here for a while and rest."
The two souls giggled as Sophie spread out her wings and flopped over onto the ground, letting out a tired yawn as she stared up to the light coming from the sky with a smile on her face. "Is there anything to decide?" Oba asked.
"No," Hathor chuckled, "not at all… as long as I get to stay with you I'm happy."
"Great!" Oba chuckled. "Now my name… how about Set –"
"Let's make it modern Oba," Sophie sighed, "and modern to the place you want to work at –"
"I want to stay with you," Oba smiled, "so I'll come up with an English name… how about Giles Walter – No sounds weird," Oba huffed to himself. "Ummmm… oh! How about Gilbert Hadwin Helling or Gilbert H. Helling for short?"
"Hey I like that," Hathor giggled, "and you can just call me something like Heather. Simple right?"
"Right," Sophie chuckled at them as she kept her eyes closed and let out another yawn.
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"Gratias," Sophie smiled happily as she shook Death's hand, "for letting me stay in your household."
"The pleasure is all mine young one," he nodded. "You are always welcome here if you need anything."
Sophie chuckled and let go of his hand, looking over the side and letting out a sigh. "I have to jump?"
"Yes you do," Marius explained, leaning over the side with Sophie and looking down on the earth below. "If you can't fly then it shows how weak you are –"
"Hey I've flown dozens of times!" Sophie pouted. "I just don't know how these wings will be…"
"… I don't think I can do this," Oba gulped.
"Don't worry about it," Marius chuckled, "Sophie will catch you before you hit the ground –"
"Or he should hope for that," Sophie smirked, letting out a deep breath before exhaling weary. "Okay, let's go. Come on Gilbert and Heather. Our time awaits!"
"W-what I – aaaaAAAAAGGGGHHHHHH!" Oba yelled, Sophie pushing him off of the side and pulling Heather with her.
"W-wwwwwoh!" Hathor laughed, wrapping her arms around Oba as they fell. "Look at this! Isn't flying glorious!"
"No it's terrifying!" Oba yelped as they continued to fall.
Hathor looked up to find Sophie flying straight down as they were, but she was having trouble flapping her wings. "Come on Sophie!" she called to her as she flipped around in the air, "You can do it!" Sophie yelped as she lifted up her wings and she began to spin, unable to control the expansion of her wings as she sped past them. "Oh no," Hathor frowned, letting go of Oba as her wings came from her back and she transformed into a golden eagle. She sped to Sophie, trying to show her how to use her wings and flap them.
"I can't!" Sophie gulped. "My wings aren't responding –" Hathor had to lift herself up away from her in order to avoid slamming into the ground, flying up to Oba who was getting hysterical above them. "Agh!" she yelped, holding her hands in front of her eyes as she awaited impact. Slowly opening her eyes she gasped, noticing her wings were flapping behind her as she skimmed the waters of the ocean. "Oh… oh WOOT! I DID IT!" she laughed, flapping her massive white wings above her and lifting herself up from the water. Sophie flapped up into the sky and circled around them, laughing happily as she did.
"Yeah that's great," Oba huffed, "but now could you help me?" He yelled as he almost fell into the water.
He let out a yelp, being stopped by Sophie's hand as she gripped the back of his shirt. "Sorry Gilbert~" she smirked slyly, "but you're supposed to go this way!"
She threw him in the opposite direction into the air and he screamed, Hathor chasing after him as he flew high up into the air and fell into the trees. He yelped as he covered his face with his hands and Hathor tried to pull him up, but was only able to slow his decent as he fell into the open fields. Sophie laughed hysterically as Oba groaned, standing up and pulling the leaves from his hair. "It's not funny!" he huffed, Sophie covering her mouth in an attempt to stop the laughing.
"Sorry Gilbert," she snorted, "but it's funny!" He shook his head and rolled his eyes, letting out a huff as Hathor landed on his shoulder and cuddled up against his cheek. Oba smiled as he rubbed the bird's head, Sophie's giggles slowly turning silent until she let out a sigh. She looked up to see the shinigami buildings, showing that they were back on the edge of the shinigami realm. "Well let's try this out," she huffed, looking behind at her wings and closing them behind her back. She closed her eyes and concentrated, following the ideas Marius told her as she thought about her wings disappearing.
Oba gasped in wonder as her wings disappeared behind her, fading away into the light of the sky above. "W-wow…" he gasped again.
Sophie looked behind and chuckled, still feeling the bones attached in her skin as she turned and tried to see her back. "You're right… wow…" She took out her watch and looked at the time, seeing that it was almost two in the afternoon. "Well let's get you registered," Sophie said as she walked past Oba and rustled up his hair, Oba letting out a mumble of discontent as he followed behind her up the hill to the white buildings.
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"Thank you for everything Miss Serbus," Oba smiled happily, "I-I really appreciate that you're giving us another chance."
"Hey no problem Gilbert H. Helling~" she chuckled lightly before sighing yet again. "I-it was nothing. I'm just glad the two of you are content."
"Yes!" he giggled, watching as she turned away from them as she began to walk down the hall. "W-wait master…" he said quietly, grabbing her hand and causing Sophie to turn around with an exhausted expression on her face. "Ummm… take this," he said as he pulled off a ring from his right thumb and set it into the palm of her hand.
"W-what's this –"
"It's my family ring," Oba explained, "indicating that I'm the royal prince. I think you should have it –"
"No I can't take this!" Sophie huffed. "This is yours –"
"Take it," Oba instructed with a smile. "I have no use for it here and you can use it to keep an eye on us… well I'll see you. I have to still get my room number," he said as he turned around and gave her a wave. Sophie smiled and waved back, looking down at the amethyst gemmed ring in her hand.
She slipped it on her right index finger, a smile upon her face as she ran a finger over the green gemmed ring around her neck while she turned around and walked down the hallway. Sophie still had a letter to deliver to the council, but she didn't know whom to give the scroll to. Looking up the winding stairs she lifted her body and levitated into the air, using her black haze to make her way to the top levels where Fiona's office was. She walked down the hallway with her black hood over her face, the shinigamis looking over at her confused as a glimmer of blue and green shone from under the hood. Knocking on the door she let herself in, Fiona looking up slightly startled. "Is that you Maurus –"
"No," Sophie chuckled as she lifted her hood up from her head and casually walked towards her desk. "Everyone seems to be associating me with my father lately," she smiled. "I was given this letter and was instructed to give it to the shinigami council, but not to Henry Lorelei. Do you know where I can hand it off to?"
"Oh yes!" Fiona nodded, "You can give it to me if you wish, but please sit! Tell me what happened."
Sophie took out the scroll and handed it to Fiona, letting out a huff as she plopped down in a chair. "Not much," she shrugged, "just went down into hell and sent 7,700,000 to their rightful afterlives. Oh and did you hear? I have wings now and they're white."
"Wait what did you say?" Fiona set the scroll aside and looked at her confused.
"… I should just start at the beginning huh?" Sophie smiled before staring at the wall. "There was a soul of a phoenix among them and when I completed the mission white wings sprouted out from my back. Marius brought me to Death's household and I was there for a several days – Oh I forgot to ask, what day is this?"
"March 30, 1888," Fiona answered.
"What?" Sophie gasped. "I was only gone for a few hours?... Heh. Well whatever. I have wings now like Marius," she shrugged, "but he said that mine are bigger. I didn't notice that. I was in too much pain to notice something like that."
"So that's what Mr. Agon's report was about," Fiona nodded. "… Well I'll keep this hush," she shrugged, "and seeing as you must be exhausted I'll let you go about your way."
"Thanks," Sophie chuckled as she stood up and gave her a wave. "Wait. Why did you think I was Maurus?"
"You have the same aura," Fiona shrugged, "and you're wearing the same outfit he wore after he had gone from the land of the living to the land of the dead. Only assumed he was back."
"Oh… I see…" Sophie sighed as she walked to the office door and closed it behind her. Fiona smiled to herself before running a hand through her hair, cutting the ribbon off and opening the scroll. As she read the contents she let out a gasp and quickly stood up, but decided against her idea and slumped back down into her chair.
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A/N: And now another moment ends for Sophie… well sort of. It never truly ends for her does it XD I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Tell me what you think! Especially those who I have OCs for. I don't know if I'm writing your characters in correctly ^^'
salvē! – Latin – welcome! (to greet someone)
Gilbert – English – pledge
Hadwin – English – friend of war
Heather – Middle English – flower name: evergreen flowering plant that thrives on peaty barren lands, as in Scotland