Happy Summer! I'm finally on break and I can write now! Suuuuper happy with that. No moar stress till September! Whoo it's been long since I updated...let's do that now then shall we? And thank you for those who reviewed the last chapter! I felt really happy~
Anyway, on to the new chapter! And...sorry for posting so late.
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Chapter 32: Preparing to Fight
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Master's POV
"Targeting the exorcist we Shigai wanted gone was not the agreement we had in mind, scum." I growled as I glared at the Millennium Earl coldly, teeth bared. "The agreement was to-"
"Yes, I know what the agreement was about. You don't need to repeat it. I'm sorry that one of my own took out your target. They just seemed to have had a liking towards that exorcist and decided to take her out himself." The Millennium Earl replied calmly as he sat at one end of the long table.
"What gives him the right to decide that?" I bellowed as I let my anger out in waves, my gaze burning from the other side of the table.
"You're certainly correct, he shouldn't have done that. But, now you can do our part of the agreement. Dispose of Allen Walker." the Earl suggested with a raise of an eyebrow. A wide grin appeared on his face, the one that always pissed me off. I can't stand being near this vile creature any longer.
"You think you can order me around, you lowlife creature!?" I spat out as I stood up from my seat, slamming my hands down on the table hard enough to destroy my side into splinters. "I don't like it when people meddle with my plans. Including things like yourself."
The Millennium Earl narrowed his eyes at me, getting up from his seat as well and floating into the air. Immediately, two of those Noah's came to his side and met my gaze suspiciously. Things were getting too tense in here. We were all realizing that.
"If you continue to speak to me and my family in that tone, we'll have to destroy you."
"As if-" Before I could continue, Avon appeared beside me and slapped her hand over my mouth, cutting my words off.
"Master, I mean no disrespect, but please. You've done enough talking. We wouldn't want them to come after us just yet would we?" She suggested in a polite, quiet voice next to me. I tensed at her words and glared at her in anger for her actions. How dare she touch a king like myself. I was not even finished speaking to the vermin Noah and that Earl. Avon simply returned my gaze calmly, a serious look on her face.
"So, will you finish off our target in return for us taking care of yours?" The Millennium Earl inquired as he stared at me with that ridiculous grin of his. I seethed in anger as I ripped Avon's hand away from my mouth, glaring at the Earl with wide eyes. I'll crush him when I have the chance. Beings like him shouldn't exist in the world Shigai will inhabit. He's vile.
"I will do it for him. After we part ways today, will our agreement be terminated?" Avon asked as she glanced over at me with a raised eyebrow. I remained silent, only enveloped in my anger.
"Yes, I don't see any reason for us to be allies any longer. From the moment you and him leave this place, we will be enemies once more." the Earl replied as he met Avon's gaze with cold, yellow eyes.
"I see," Avon nodded as she turned to me silently. I stared at the Earl for a moment longer before clenching my fists at the surge of hatred that ran through my blood.
"I'll kill you, Millennium Earl. You're the one thing that will have the honor of being exterminated by my own hands." I quietly warned as I met his gaze evenly.
"And same to you, Master of the Shigai."
I glared at him as I slowly disappeared from the bottom up. Avon followed suit, appearing at our head of operations. As soon as I reached the base, I roared in anger at what had just happened, grabbed the stone chair that was made for me and chucked it into the stone wall with superhuman force. After, I slowly turned to Avon, seething at the left over rage that boiled throughout my body.
"Master-" I lashed out faster than any eye could see and grabbed her by the throat, raising her up into the air.
"How dare you stop me from speaking. I could tear your body apart if I wanted to. Not the one you've inhabited, but your true form. Do you want that?" I asked as I brought her close to my face, my eyes wide.
"N-no," She choked out from the air she had left. "I'm...forever loyal to you, Master. It...won't happen again..." She managed as tried to look me in the eye. Seeing her unwavering loyalty, I bared my teeth at her before letting her drop to the floor. I waited till she catched her breath before speaking.
"Do not even kill that Allen Walker. I refuse to be used by that, vermin. Let them do it themselves." I ordered as Avon got up to her feet steadily, nodding at my words.
"Understood, Master." She quietly replied as she bowed towards me. As I made my way towards the inner part of our base, I felt my mind slip for a second as a wave of pain passed over me.
"So I am able to slip through when your emotions are flying everywhere."
That voice. Sam.
"Tch, are you trying to escape, human?" I growled as I imagined him chained up to the wall, struggling and in pain.
"Yes, and I will when you'll least expect it. I promise you that. Someone will finish you off, whether it be myself or one of the exorcists."
I chuckled at his words, amused by his beliefs. "You're still relying on those good for nothing humans to help you? They won't last even five seconds in my presence when I've gained full power."
"Full power? This isn't at your maximum strength?"
I grinned widely.
"No, of course not. My capacity is beyond the limits of your Generals and those Noah."
"Even so, they'll finish you! And I will regain my body back!"
Feeling my mind strength again, I sealed off the room where Sam is chained and chuckled as I headed towards the large chamber of the base. This was where I would charge up to be at my fullest power. In the middle of the chamber sat a huge machine, and two large tubes to draw the energy in. I will harvest all of the hate that this world feels to become the strongest Shigai of them all. Then I will purge the world of these foul creatures and let it be the home of the Shigai!
No one will stop me.
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Nova's POV
"Well, it's only Level 2's so I'm sure you'll be fine." Cross reassured as he leaned against the wall of an alleyway.
"Should I test it out yet?" I asked as I pulled up the hood of my black cloak and activated my Innocence. It's been a few weeks into the third month of travelling and I've already managed a third form of my scythe. Probably the last of its forms. I've only done it once but it was by accident while I was battling an akuma.
"You can if you want to but if you die out there, I'm not coming to save you." I frowned slightly, knowing that he wouldn't come to save me, but that he would watch me struggle to survive instead.
"Meaning, that if I fail the third form, I should finish the battle quickly?"
"Sure, if that's what you think you should do." He replied as he lit up a cigarette. I nodded as I slipped on my eyepatch.
"When I face the Earl...should I keep this on?" I asked as I glanced over at the General, raising an eyebrow. Cross observed me for a bit before shrugging.
"Why not? Now hurry and finish this so we can move on." I frowned at his sudden change of topic. Tch, he doesn't want to talk about it yet huh? Fine. Not even sparing a glance back at my mentor, I walked out of the alleyway and into the middle of the street, joining the bustling crowd of the local town. An attack in the middle of daylight? Who would be dumb enough to-
I moved to the side just as a gun was aimed at the spot where I was before. The familiar sound of guns cocking filled the air as they were all pointed at me in a circle. As I glanced at the some of the akuma, I noticed that they were all grinning evilly. I managed a little smirk before disappearing just as they fired. With the crowd scattering in a frantic frenzy, I used this to my advantage and appeared at the edge of a nearby forest.
"Oi! Over here!" I called out as their heads turned in my direction, their true forms beginning to rise up out of their human bodies. "That's right," I whispered with a smile as I headed into the forest, using the shadows of the trees as my weapon.
"C'mon, let's get her! Master will surely be pleased when we've collected her Innocence!"
Ever since I activated that final form for my scythe, I've been able to melt into the shadows. It's a strange trait for such a special move. Cross and I haven't been able to analyze what it means yet but it sure must be something. Watching the akuma rush into the forest from the shadows, I waited till they were all herded together before stepping into the shade of the trees. Summoning my scythe, I instantly leaped for the first one, immediately slicing it into two. As it exploded, I whirled around and jumped for the one that look like a snake merged with the body of a woman.
Activating my second form, purple sparks ran across the blade of the scythe, pulsing with a steadily growing energy. From what Cross had told me when he saw me activate my second form, he said that black marks woven up my neck, reaching my cheek before stopping. He said that there was something strange about my scythe and that we had to examine together as soon as possible. These black marks that appeared once more could either mean the death of me. Something gone wrong with the Innocence fused inside me or something like that.
Slicing through the woman looking snake easily, I turned as a few more level 2 akuma lined up in front of me, hissing in rage. I raised my scythe in preparation to leap and attack when my right eye suddenly pulsed in pain. Wincing at the sudden reaction, I glanced up to some of the akuma heading for me. Gritting my teeth, I shoved the pain aside and attacked, leaping off of the ground. Sinking my blade into the gut of those that were attacking me, I pulled it all the way through and stumbled forward. Panting heavily, I ripped the eyepatch off of my other eye and pressed a hand against the one that was flaring in pain. It felt like cold fire was making its way inside me through my eye and I could do nothing to stop it.
Damn, why is this happening? It never did before! I was thrown off of my feet when something smacked me straight in the back. Falling on my face, I picked myself up and turned around as I tried to catch my breath. Cross, what would you do in this situation? Breathing suddenly became harder as I tried to get more oxygen flowing in my blood. Assuming that my scythe was the problem, I sent it away and brought out my double katanas. I was wrong however. The burning pain was still there, ever growing stronger as I stood in place, trying to make sense of all this. What's happening?! Is my Innocence rejecting me?! Feeling dizzy from the pain, my legs gave out from beneath me, letting me land on my hands and knees. I clutched my chest as my breathing shortened.
"Cross..."
Damn it...
I glared at the lone akuma that stood there grinning, preparing to attack. No, move! Move! I can't die! Not yet! Not yet! Cross!
"I thought I said I wasn't going to come save you, kid." The back of his black and yellow coat was all I could see.
"This is under...different circumstances...Cross," I breathed out as my arms gave way and I collapsed on to the ground. Hearing him go on to dispose of the last Level 2 akuma, I managed a little chuckle. "In the end...he did have to come and save my ass...hah," I had only shut my eyes for a moment when Cross' shadow cast over me.
"Deactivate your Innocence. We need to examine it. Immediately." He instructed as he bent down on he knees, meeting my pain filled gaze. Following his orders, the pain lessened slightly as I tried to pick myself up.
"My...eye...and those marks..." I gasped as I slowly managed to get on to my knees. "Is my...Innocence rejecting me?"
"No, I don't think that's the case. It's something different. C'mon." He grabbed my arm and pulled me to my feet. "Can you walk?"
"Y-yeah," As I tested out a first step, pain burst everywhere on my body. Falling into Cross' steady arm because that was the only thing keeping me from the ground, I cursed under my breath. "This third form has something to do with this, huh?" I asked as the General helped me walk.
"It has to be or something else is causing this."
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Komui's POV
"You've noticed haven't you? While you're out on your missions to dispose of the akuma?" I inquired as I spoke to the exorcists in my office. I had a reason to call them all here privetely.
"Yes, it keeps happening and we don't know who is doing it." Allen replied for the group, looking anxious and slightly worried.
"Someone has been disposing of the akuma themselves without the Order's permission and interfering with our missions. Do you have any idea who that might be? It must be someone who's able to wield Innocence." I hinted as I raised an eyebrow. "So far, with the Generals and I, it's only speculation, but it could be."
It took only a moment for the group to realize what I was talking about, the look in their eyes brightening immediately. Yes. That's the look that I haven't seen in months. I smiled as they understood, leaning against my desk.
"Nova! You think it could be her doing all of this?" Lavi exclaimed in realization as a bright smile appeared on his face. Lenalee grinned at the possibility of seeing her friend again. As did Allen. I caught Kanda smirking slightly at the news.
"It's only a guess so far, but it's a possibility. My guess is that she's trying to send a message that she's alive." The group of exorcists smiled at the news.
"What about...General Cross? Do you think he's with her?" Allen inquired after the silence that ensued. I narrowed my eyes at the boy, admiring his sharp mind.
"That's...also a possibility. But it's a very high one so I'm pretty sure that he's with her."
"Why though? Why would someone like General Cross be with someone such as Nova?" Lavi questioned, turning heads in the room.
"Hm, very interesting question Lavi," I commented as he nodded in return.
"What, so are we going to look for her?" I paused at the question, looking down at the floor for a moment before replying.
"No, I don't think that's what she wants at the moment. Allen and her are both in a prophecy that will be carried out in this generation. Allen, the Destroyer of Time, and Nova, the one who will join the Destroyer of Time from outside the Order. I believe that the time you wiil see each other again is when we all face the Millennium Earl for the final battle." I suggested as I saw the wheels in each exorcist's head turn.
"So when are we gonna face the bastard then?" Kanda grunted as he glanced up at me, an eyebrow raised in curiosity. My eye twitched at his question as I let out a nervous laugh.
"W-we actually don't know yet. I was thinking of creating a program to help us train and get stronger before going into the fight. I'm sure that those Noah of his are just simply waiting for us to arrive. How we'll reach them? We'll have to see when the time comes."
"A training program? Do you think Nova's training as well?" Lenalee inquired as she raised a finger in wonder. I shrugged at her statement, probably wondering the same thing.
"Probably. Which means you all should too. You don't want her to get ahead of you guys do you?" I smirked as I raised an eyebrow at the question. The group of exorcists grinned at my statement, ready to take on the challenge.
"Well, if this means beating that Earl as well as being able to meet Nova again, then let's take this training program!" Lavi shouted as he raised his arms into the air. Allen gave him a weirded out look but sighed nonetheless.
"Wait, what about the Shigai?" Lenalee brought up, bringing an abrupt stop to the cheers of Lavi. I glanced down at my feet before meeting their gazes again.
"That's another thing. We don't know their whereabouts yet and it's troubling us. They could attack at any moment and we don't even know where they are." Another silence inserted itself into the room. "That's why, we need to take this training program seriously! If we can get you guys stronger than before, we'll be able to fight off those Shigai and anyone else who gets in the way!"
"Hm, a training program huh?" Allen pondered as he put a hand to his chin.
"Why don't we give it a shot?" Lenalee suggested as she glanced at the others. "It could mean more techniques and moves that we can discover."
I watched as the exorcists in front of me pondered the situation, casting glances and shrugs to each other. Soon, after an exchange of small smiles, their gazes met my own as they nodded one by one.
"So, what do you say?"
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Ahhhhh, a new update~ Was that as bad as I think it was? A training program, really? Is that really all you could think of, FallenWing21? Is probably what you're all thinking...don't worry, it's what I'm thinking of right now anyway. So yeah, this chapter was all about preparing. Does it feel like the story's moving along nicely? Does it feel like a battle is coming up? Like a really BIG one? Because it certainly does feel like that to me. Lemme know what you think in a review!
Till a new chapter,
FallenWing21