A/N: Hello, dear readers! I know it's been two months, but I've brought you another chapter!(: Thank you to Takei Daloui, bougainvillea blossom, Ennael, Kiomori, ShimmeringCrimson, XHikariSoraX, ultima-owner, 9foxgrl, RaNDoem, MayR9, OtakuDrag0n, xXIvoryElephantXx, KappasRule, Marisolanime fan, KhaalidaNyx, Sakura Hyuga, Latias426, and D. P. Master01 for your awesome reviews! It was great hearing from all of you!n_n
I hope you enjoy my newest chapter! And please read my note at the bottom; I'll be making some important announcements!(:
Disclaimer: Sheesh, what a bummer that I have to do this every chapter, but no! I do not (yet) own D. Gray-Man!:p
Chapter 12
Time Frame — Afternoon of December 21st, 1895
—3rd Person POV—
~Allen~
With a small wince, Allen whined, "Ouch! Don't be so harsh, Narein!" Sheesh, déjà vu much?
"Oh, don't be such a baby, Allen," Narein chuckled, as he continued to swathe Allen's wrist in bandages in order to keep it in place. "In any case, you shouldn't be so reckless."
"Yeah," Allen acknowledged sheepishly. "It could have been worse though. It's always to the extremes with Komui."
"Sometimes, it seems as if you like to mess with the Supervisor on purpose," Narein shook his head in exasperation, as he finished up. Allen simply gave him an innocent grin in response as he hopped down from the infirmary bed, trying to keep the movement of his wrist as minimal as possible. It really wasn't his fault though! Let's just say, Komui was in the process of what would be his first Komurin in the near future… Allen mentally shuddered at the thought. Frankly, the only good thing that had come out of this whole ordeal was the fact that he'd had the chance to catch up with Narein. Because of the fact that Narein was always working his hardest, and Allen was continuously being assigned on missions, it was difficult to form the friendship that Allen had once had with him. But he could see that Narein was happy, doing what he loved.
"I hear most of your friends are back from their missions; you should probably go see them while you have chance," Narein suggested, smiling slightly as he stored away the minor medical supplies he'd used.
"Would you like to join us?" Allen asked with a hopeful expression.
Much to his disappointment, the light-haired boy shook his head. "Sorry, Allen, Matron's got me doing inventory. But try not to get yourself too hurt, yeah?" Narein grinned before ambling off.
"Yeah…" Allen mumbled, a little bummed. Narein had been here for about half a year, but other than owing Allen for giving him the opportunity, he didn't seem interested in anything else other than his studies. Slouching off, Allen gradually perked up when he recalled what Narein had mentioned earlier; his friends were back! The Matron usually made it mandatory to give them a quick checkup every other mission or so, and Narein must have seen them. Quickening his pace, Allen eventually neared the library. Pausing, Allen figured Lavi might be there and decided to peek in real quick. To his surprise he found most of his friends there and then some.
Allen chuckled, taking notice of Alma taking a dramatic stance in the center, atop one of the tables, the others giving him an odd stare.
"Err, what's going on?" Allen felt the need to ask when the silence continued to extend, Alma not moving a single inch.
"Big Brother!" Alma cheered—much to Kanda's irritation—abruptly turning around and hopping down from the table in order to greet Allen. "I was just in the process of asking everyone a very important question!"
"You didn't even ask us, pipsqueak, all you did was announce your presence…" Daisya sweatdropped.
Plopping down onto one of the couches, next to Lenalee, Allen made himself comfortable. "So what is it that you wanted to know, Alma?"
"Hmm, that's a good question…" Alma mused in the universal position of a thinking pose, much to everyone's exasperation. Abruptly, he snapped his fingers. "Ah! That's right!" Alma nodded to himself, sitting up on the table, and turning to everyone with a big grin, he asked, "Heh, I was just wondering what you were all planning to do after this whole ordeal."
"Huh? What do you mean, Alma?" Lenalee tilted her head curiously, taking the time to glance up from her book.
Making wild gestures with his arms, Alma exclaimed, "When all this is over! You know, after we defeat the Earl and have our happily ever after! What're we going to do then?"
"Erm, where did you get this idea of a "happily ever after"?" Lavi put his book down with a small frown.
"I can read too, you know," Alma grinned, and asked with a determined expression, "So, come on, tell me. What would you like to do after no longer having to be a Soldier of God?"
"That certainly is an odd thought… I've been with the Order for as long as I can remember," Lenalee mused.
Lavi shrugged carelessly. "I'm a Bookman first, Exorcist second, so that's that for me."
"Who knows? Maybe travel around," Daisya chipped in with a thoughtful voice.
"Continue my search," Kanda muttered quietly. Nobody asked him to elaborate.
"Ugh! You guys are so boring!" Alma groaned, dramatically slouching back, hitting the table with a small thud. "Ouch…" Unexpectedly, he jumped up once again, declaring, "Well, you know what, everyone? I know exactly what I plan on doing, and you will all be a part of it!" When everyone gave him a dubious glance, he went on to announce, "I will put together, with all of you, a circus! And I will be the Ring Leader!"
When everyone could only continue to stare, Allen spoke up with a snicker, "I vote for Kanda to be the bearded lady."
Everyone lost it.
"Beansprout!" Kanda managed to growl above the raucous laughter, holding Allen at sword-point. To busy shaking with laughter, Allen hardly noticed.
"I-I second that!" Lavi could hardly speak past the laughter. "I-it's perfect because Yuu-chan a-already looks like a l-lady!"
"Damn it, Rabbit! I'm going to fucking skewer you and then skin you before you can die!" Kanda snarled, already running at the red-head. Fortunately for the idiotic rabbit, Alma got a hold of Kanda, right before the tip of the blade could pierce him. Lavi gulped.
With his cute grin, Alma appeased him. "It's okay Yuu, I had a way better idea. I was thinking you could maybe be the knife thrower and Lavi could be your target!"
"Alma! That's not fair! Why can't I be something cooler, like a fire-breather? That'd be way wicked! And, hey! Why does he get call you, Yuu?" Lavi ranted, indignantly crossing his arms.
"You know what, Rabbit? I think it sounds like the perfect idea," Kanda smirked devilishly. "In fact, I believe practice at our earliest convenience should be planned. Like say, now?" Stalking closer towards him, Kanda seemed ready to pounce as he expertly raised his katana.
"Um, Yuu? T-that's not a knife…" Lavi stuttered as he began to back out of the room.
"Don't. Call. Me. THAT!" Kanda roared, grinning wickedly as he set out after Lavi at full speed.
"H-HEEEEEEELP!" Lavi's cries echoed throughout the Order as sprinted, just out of reach of Kanda.
The rest chuckled in amusement, calming down from their earlier laughter. "Anyway," Alma regained their attention with a clap of his hands. "What should the rest of your roles be? I vote Lenalee as the Acrobat because she's the prettiest and most flexible."
"Thank you," Lenalee beamed, and playing along, asked, "What would my job entitle, Ring Master?"
"Hmm…" Alma thought about before replying, "I believe you would be like a tight rope walker, trapeze artist, and contortionist all in one!"
"I, for one, vote Allen as the clown. I mean, 'Crown Clown'? How much more do we need to know?" Daisya pointed out with a snicker.
"Says the guy with the little bell for a weapon," Allen snorted, albeit good-naturedly.
"Man, whatever. I vote myself as Lion Tamer," Daisya smirked.
"You know, Allen, you never did answer Alma's original question," Lenalee thoughtfully pointed out. "What would you do, if you had the chance to escape, even for a little bit?"
Allen took on a contemplative expression, as he wondered what he could possibly do outside of the Order. There certainly wasn't anyone waiting for him, and all of his goals revolved around ending this war; once that goal was complete… Then again, there was someone he'd never had the chance to visit again, and once the war heated up, he could possibly lose the chance to do so. Abruptly standing up, Allen began to head out of the library with a determined glint in his mercury eyes.
"Allen?! Is something the matter?" Lenalee immediately straightened up at Allen's odd behavior.
"Huh? Oh no, everything's fine," Allen replied absentmindedly. "I just have to go take care of something."
"Will you be back soon?" Alma questioned him eagerly, his constant grin never once faltering.
Glancing back, Allen inquired, "Why do you ask?"
"Don't tell me you forgot about Christmas!" Daisya made a horrified expression.
With a bounce, Alma nodded in agreement. "Yeah! It's the one holiday the Church allows us to celebrate, so we get to put up a Christmas tree and Jerry's even allowing us to decorate the whole cafeteria! Isn't it exciting, Allen?" Alma beamed.
"It sure sounds like it, Alma," Allen smiled, slowly backing out of the room.
With a small smile, Lenalee asked, "So will you be back in time?"
"I'm sure decorating will be great," Allen evaded the question before ducking out of the library. Komui still owed him for the earlier incident, and he now knew exactly what he wanted.
Time Frame — Morning of December 25th, 1895
With a small grunt, Allen hauled the slightly large bag into the room he'd gotten at the inn, carefully dumping it beside his bed. After a night of gambling, he'd earned enough money to buy each of his friends a present; hopefully this would make up for missing out on Christmas with them. Though a small bit of guilt churned in his gut, Allen knew this might possibly the last birthday in which he could spend it with the one he cherished the most. With that thought in mind, Allen made sure he looked presentable before heading out, eventually reaching the outskirts of the small town. With a sharp, groaning creak, Allen pushed the wrought iron, rusted gates to the snow-encased cemetery. Carefully making his way through, the now fourteen-year-old eventually came upon a small hill jutting above the rest of the graves surrounding him. The brilliant, snowy morning gradually began to merge with the dark, blood-red sunset evening from once, long ago, until it was difficult to distinguish then from now.
"MANAAAA!"
"Al… len… How dare you… TURN ME INTO AN AKUMA?!"
"Allen?! How could you do this?!"
"I curse you! I CURSE YOU, ALLEN WALKER!"
"Mana…?! Leave Mana alone!"
"Run… RUN, FATHER!"
"Allen… I… love you…"
"Please destroy me."
Allen gasped, stumbling forward slightly, as the onslaught of memories knocked him like a battering ram. Taking in a deep, shuddering breath, Allen attempted to keep himself together as he slowly trekked the path up to Mana's grave, gratefully stumbling to his knees, his head leaning against the tombstone. Gripping the top of the stone in a vice grip, the snowy-haired boy felt as if it were the only thing keeping him grounded. Mana had always been a constant in his life; his words; his love; and at one point, Mana himself. After a couple more breaths, Allen finally took notice of the wet cold slowing seeping through the knees of his trousers. Wrapping his sturdy, lose Exorcist coat more tightly around him, Allen shifted onto his rear and leaned against Mana's tombstone with a small, distressed sigh. He certainly hadn't expected his reaction to the sight.
"I miss you terribly, Mana… But I'm sorry for what I did; I had no right," Allen whispered to himself, leaning his head back and shutting his eyes against the sunlight reflecting radiantly off of the luminescent snow piles.
Crimson splattered snow.
Shattered, metal bones scattered upon his hand.
And a deathly silence.
Allen forcefully dragged himself back to reality with a rough shake of his head. Mana's raging, metal skeleton hadn't even been the worse part; it had been the form above it after he'd slit his left eye open. Mana's soul… Mana himself, held down and imprisoned in chains; Mana crying.
"Please destroy me."
Allen then wondered what it was that he was trying to accomplish by coming here. He'd seen so many others in his position, but despite their clear sadness, they simply seemed content to speak to their deceased loved ones as if they were right there; actions he'd already done on his own, but never here, where he'd last seen his father. Closing his eyes once again, Allen imagined for a moment that Mana was sitting right next to him, like he had when he'd still been around.
A small smile tugging at his lips, Allen softly began to speak, "Hello, Mana. It's been so long, hasn't it? I think I'm closer to accomplishing my goal, though. Ever since this whole mishap, I feel stronger, more prepared; I just hope to make you proud. Ever since you gave me this eye, it's shown me that humans aren't the only ones suffering underneath the Earl's rein, but I guess you had to find that out the hard way, huh?"
After a small, bitter silence, Allen continued, "But I… I really never even contemplated the thought of… making friends; having a family." With a slight chuckle, Allen said, "First, let me tell you about Lavi…"
With a small, content smile, Allen continued to speak to Mana about his new life, deeply hoping, that wherever his father was, he could hear him.
Nostalgically, Allen watched as the sun began its descent. The sky was ablaze with sweltering colors of molten lava, only severed by long, thin trails of clouds, but for all its radiant flames, the air remained frigid with a hint of more snow to come. The deafening silence was then abruptly shattered by the crunching of snow from multiple pairs of feet.
"Allen?" a tentative, female voice called.
Glancing down from his position atop the hill, Allen noticed, much to his shock, his group of Exorcist friends.
"Allen!" they all suddenly shouted once he made eye contact with them. They were then crowding about his curled up form beside the gravestone. Absentmindedly, Allen took note of the fact that he was slightly shivering.
Kneeling down beside him, Lavi muttered, "Sheesh, buddy, what do you think you're doing, spending Christmas day in a graveyard?" With a relieved sigh at the sudden warmth, Allen realized that Lavi had thrown his coat about him, practically drowning his smallish form.
"And on your birthday of all days," Daisya frowned with worry, his expression matching most of his comrades.
"Allen, why did you leave?" Alma gazed sadly at him, crouching right in front of the other boy.
"I…" Allen trailed off, his guilt mounting as he stared at their hurt expressions. "I thought Komui would have told you…"
Kanda scoffed. "Idiot supervisor wouldn't say. Had to beat it out of him."
Smiling sweetly, Allen replied, "Never knew you cared, Kanda." Said Exorcist scowled. When no one seemed keen on further interrogating him, Allen hesitantly spoke up, "Ah, I'm really sorry I didn't tell you all. I should have, but I wanted to do this alone. I just had a gut feeling that this would be my last chance to visit Mana's resting place for the second and last time…"
"Allen…" Lenalee whispered. "All you had to do was say so. We were worried and I… Are you alright?"
Slightly uncertain, Allen stated as he stared into the distant sunset, "This is where I turned him into an Akuma."
Gently taking his arm, Lavi assisted him in standing on his stiff legs. "Come on, buddy, we should get going before you catch something."
Smiling in return, Allen slipped off Lavi's coat and handed it to him. "It's alright Lavi, I'll be fine."
"Aww, well isn't that sweet~?" a voice cooed from above them. Simultaneous glancing up, they were shocked to see Road floating above them, sitting precariously on a pink umbrella, face cupped between her hands as she offered them a sickeningly saccharine smile.
"Road?" Allen narrowed his eyes suspiciously at her sudden appearance.
"Allen! I'm so sorry that I couldn't keep my promise, but I'm sure you understand; orders are orders, after all," Road giggled.
"Orders?" Kanda growled, hand swiftly making a grab for Mugen.
Making a show of loudly clearing her throat, Road began to sing.
~Lord Millenium, is in search of you
Looking for the Heart now
Have you heard the news?
Maybe you stole it from him
I'll see if it's true.
Who is it that has his Heart?
I will find you soon.~
Allen felt the dread beginning to consume him, as he realized that the timeline was way out sync. How was this happening so soon? Events were speeding up, and Allen was beginning to wonder if he hadn't only made things worse.
"Well, those technically aren't my orders for you. Millenie just thinks it is time to reveal our part in his elaborate play," Road grinned sadistically, her skin steadily darkening into a dark, corpse-like gray. Slowly, stigmata formed across her forehead, right above her now molten, gold eyes. "Allen, why don't you allow me to formally introduce myself to your little Exorcist friends?" Turning her gaze to the rest, she said, "I am Road Kamelot, the 9th Apostle of the Noah Clan. A pleasure."
"You sure have a weird taste in girls, squirt," Daisya muttered as he activated his Innocence along with the rest of them.
"Uh uh, that won't do," Road grinned, and quite abruptly, their world fell apart.
With a small gasp, Allen stumbled as he attempted to orientate himself. The world that enfolded him was an endless, deep abyss, eerie fogs of color dissipating constantly throughout the make-believe atmosphere. Long, ghostly shadows were cast by floating, jagged candles, the piles of porcelain dolls creating a chilling mood as they seemed to follow his every move.
Mercury eyes darted about, frantic to find a sign that his friends were near. When endless piles of ominous, children's toys only continued to surround him, Allen desperately made his way in a random direction, Crown Clown wrapped protectively around his shoulders. A muffled shriek abruptly echoed in his ears. With an anxious frown, Allen instantaneously followed the sound, and kicking aside a pile of vividly-wrapped gift boxes, he took the situation in, in less than a second. In one corner, Lavi, Daisya, Kanda, and Alma were cataleptic, wrists and ankles bleeding profusely from the jagged wrapping that encased them. Across them, Lenalee, who'd been the one to shriek earlier, was coming to her senses. She'd been placed on an elaborate, mahogany chair, her bleeding wrists tied down with the same wrappings as the others. Humming nonchalantly, Road stood beside the female Exorcist as she gently brushed her loosened locks.
"Road," Allen called wearily, garnering both of their attention. Swiftly glancing over to Lenalee, he gave her a pointed look and subtly shook his head before she recklessly activated her Innocence. He needed to stall while the rest slowly awoke, otherwise they wouldn't stand a chance against Road. Fortunately, she seemed to understand because she refrained from further struggle.
"Allen!" Road glanced with up with an enthusiastic grin. "You sure found us quickly!"
"Yeah… So why the sudden intrusion, Road? Is the whole Clan awakened and ready for war?" Allen stalled, whilst wondering how far it was that everything had advanced.
Nearing him with a skip, Road smirked, as if contemplating whether to reply or not. "Well, we are almost there… But clearly, not all have awakened." At this, she gave him a pointed look, as if reminding him that he also had a role in it.
Ignoring her critical look, Allen asked, "But why us? If it is the Heart you're looking for, why attack a couple of meager Exorcists, as opposed to a General?"
Growing uncomfortably close, Road snatched his shirt and pulled him down to her level, whispering with a giggle, "Why, to deliver a present, of course." Before he had a chance to react, Road abruptly threw her other hand forward, the razor-sharp candle in her grip piercing Allen's left eye. With a crazed laugh, Road maliciously twisted the candle, mutilating it further as the ruptured eyeball splattering blood on both their faces, before sharply wrenching the candle away.
"AHHHHHHH!" Allen shrieked, tears seeping out of his right eye as the thunderous pain on his optical nerves engulfed him. Slowly sinking to his knees, Allen painfully gasped, his gloved hand stained crimson as he held it over his wrecked eye.
"A-Allen?!" The rest of his comrades appeared to come to their senses, Allen's cries of agony triggering their sense of awareness. Shakily, Allen pulled his trembling hand away, a single strand from his snowy cloak swathing his eye as a make-shift bandage. Allen narrowed his single eye in determination; his comrades were still in a vulnerable position, and Road was clearly not holding back. Unsteadily rising to his feet, much to Road's amusement, Allen gripped his left hand as it reconstructed into a hilt, rapidly hauling the enormous Sword of Exorcism into existence.
"Are you sure you're ready, Allen?" Road giggled as she flew back, landing on Lero's awaiting form. Rather than calling on an army of Akuma like Allen had expected, the checkered flooring suddenly began to rise up into a multitude of indistinguishable gooey shapes. She was creating her own monsters.
"What are you playing at, Road?" Allen frowned, as the forms began to take on a human outline.
Smirking, Road simply said, "Just having a little fun is all."
Allen gasped, when he abruptly realized he was facing his comrades. No. Not his comrades; carbon copies of them. Instinctively, Allen glanced behind them in order to check on his real friends, but wait—they were gone! Only the endless expanse continued to surround them. Allen backed away slightly, hesitant, and abruptly shook his head. It was fine! These weren't his real comrades, just fabricated dolls made by Road. But dear goodness, their expressions of hatred directed at him were greatly unsettling, their likeness to his actual friends uncanny.
Unwillingly, Allen gripped his sword tightly as they neared him, heaving it up, ready for combat.
"Y-you thought you could get away with it, didn't you?!" Lenalee accused him with wide, tearful eyes, her brokenhearted expression pulling at Allen's heartstrings.
"W-what do you mean?" Allen stuttered, before roughly shaking his head. He shouldn't! He'd only be playing along with Road's game.
"Really Allen?!" Daisya barked out with a humorless laugh. "You're a fucking Noah! What else did you expect?!"
"You filthy Noah," Kanda snarled. "Playing us like a fucking violin."
"W-was everything else a lie as well?" Alma choked out.
"N-NO!" Allen yelled desperately. They couldn't know—why was this happening—but wait, it wasn't happening! They weren't real, damn it! With frustrated shout, Allen recklessly swung his broadsword across, passing through them and causing his comrades to slowly melt down back into the checkered floors.
"Traitor," Lavi accused, right before dissolving into nothing.
Allen took in a couple harsh breaths, heavily leaning against his massive broadsword, before taking notice of the dark figure standing afar. Warily, Allen straightened up, wondering what Road had in store him this time. As the figure grew closer, their features suddenly became distinguishable.
"M-Mana?" Allen gasped, the image of his father immobilizing him on the spot. How long had it been since he last…? So long… As if in a trance, Allen abandoned his weapon with a sharp clang, stumbling towards Mana and reaching for him, uncertain as to whether touching him would only cause him to vanish sooner. "Mana?" Allen called once again.
"Why did you do this to me Allen? How could you?! Did you not love me…?" Mana cried, grief-stricken, his face contorted with immense agony and misery.
"I-I do!" Allen protested vehemently, if only to stop his father's flowing tears.
"Then why…" Mana's face abruptly distorted into menacingly enraged expression, as it suddenly began to morph into something inhuman. "DID YOU DO THIS TO ME?!" Mana's whole body suddenly transformed into the form of an Akuma. And though it was a simple Level 1, it was the most terrifying sight Allen had ever encountered.
"MANA!"
~Lavi~
Lavi cursed, as he immediately blocked an onslaught of Blood Bullets headed right for Allen. Lavi had no idea what Road had done to him. After she'd mercilessly stabbed his eye out, and he'd attempted to retaliate by pulling out his sword, Allen had unexpectedly collapsed to the ground, his single eye glazed over and unseeing. Road had simply burst into psychotic laughter when they'd demanded answers, raining down upon them swarms of Akuma. Lavi had been tasked with protecting Allen at all costs, as the rest battled the demons in an attempt to eradicate them all.
"Oh," Road suddenly murmured, though it rang loud and clear throughout her world. The Akuma paused along with her, as an odd expression flickered over her features. "Hm."
Daisya and Kanda swiftly took advantage, eliminating hordes of Akuma in their forced pause. Lenalee and Alma looked onto Road, fiercely hoping that she'd somehow decided to have mercy upon Allen. Suddenly, Road pouted and released a dramatic sigh, "Such terrible timing. And I was having so much fun too." Glancing at all the Exorcists with an irritated frown, as if this were somehow their fault, Road declared with a chilling smirk, "Bye-bye for now, Exorcists!"
Road then grabbed onto her umbrella's handle, holding onto it as she jumped, a door appearing and opening beneath her and swallowing up the female Noah before vanishing once again. It was then that the world around them began to literally fall apart. Before Lavi could call for one of the others, the darkness had already consumed him.
~Allen~
"A-Allen?" a shaky voice called for him. With pained groan, Allen blinked his single eye open, the blurred face of Lenalee slowly coming to view.
"L-Lenalee?" Allen whispered in a pain-filled croak.
As Lenalee engulfed in a hug, soon followed by Alma, Allen kept quiet, unsure of what he could possibly say. Once they released him, Allen sat up from where he'd previously been, beside Mana's grave. At the thought of his name, Allen cringed, wracked with guilt, before trying to shove it down and searching for the rest of his comrades. Though it was dark, Allen could make out Kanda harshly sharpening his katana, seating beneath the jagged, skeletal tree about a yard away. Daisya was lying down a ways away, while Lavi sat near him, a small frown marring his features.
"Are you all alright?" Allen finally broke the thick silence. They all abruptly glanced in his direction, seeming to be relieved.
Lavi frowned, "Just fine compared to you, shortstack… Did you know about Road being a Noah?"
The question he'd been dreading. Allen paused, before fibbing, "My Master told me of the Clan of Noah. I'd suspected, but I never thought…"
Lavi simply nodded in response, though Allen doubted this was a satisfying answer for the Bookman-in-training. Suddenly realizing that his Innocence was no longer activated, Allen ducked his head, hoping to hide the hideous deformity behind his white, bloodied locks.
A small hand was placed on his shoulder. "Allen, I'm sorry," Lenalee whispered.
Offering her a small, reassuring smile, Allen replied, "It'll be fine Lenalee."
"Now that we're all up," Daisya suddenly sat up with a slight wince, "We need to figure what the heck we're doing with the damned thing."
"Huh?" Allen blinked. In response, they all looked down to the base of the hill, where a large, brightly wrapped gift was placed. The massive present stood about Allen's height and had a subtle, eerie glow that reminded Allen of Tyki's bright, butterfly golems. "Road…" Allen whispered, recalling what she'd said earlier.
Kanda abruptly stood up, and headed right for it. "I say we just fuck it," he grunted, readying his katana. In response, everyone hurried as quickly as they could with their injuries, but fortunately, Kanda had the decency to wait for them. Once they'd gathered around, cautiously taking a couple steps back from the ominous gift, Kanda lifted Mugen to one side, slashing across the top of the whole box in one quick motion before shoving it aside with the tip of his katana. Slightly hesitant, the group of Exorcists approached it, their eyes widening in horror at the sight they found.
The mangled body of General Kevin Yeegar lied curled and bloodied at the bottom. It was difficult to tell whether it was just a corpse by this point, but the sudden, ragged breath the damaged body took in told otherwise. The General's body was covered in deep lacerations and twisted wounds, his mutilated body almost unrecognizable if not for the tattered, gold-lined Exorcist coat that hung off of his too-thin body.
"G-General?" Lenalee gasped with a cry, burying her face to hide from the sight, though Allen thought it might've been too late. He could already feel the image searing into his brain.
Unexpectedly, the wheezing voice of the just-alive General managed to croak out a song, barely above a whisper.
~The Lord Millenium is in search of you
Looking for the Heart now
Have you heard the news?
I was not the one he sought
Maybe it is you.~
"Damn," Lavi murmured, "This is worst than we thought."
"Lavi?" Alma spoke up in a small whisper. "What's this "Heart" they're looking for?"
"I don't really know all of the details behind it. I think it'd be better if we asked Komui once we get back," Lavi sighed tiredly.
"What it does mean though," Allen frowned fiercely, "Is that the Noah are announcing their entrance into the war. Things are certainly going to get more difficult."
"What is the Noah Clan?" Lenalee finally glanced up.
"In few words, it's those who follow the Earl," Allen replied.
Daisya scoffed, "Should've known."
"Yeah…" Allen whispered, furious with himself. Was everything inevitable? Would General Yeegar have died no matter what he'd done? Allen couldn't believe that this was true. They had to make it out alive. Glancing up at their forlorn expressions, Allen spoke up, "We're going to have to be more careful, have larger groups when going on missions. Road was telling me…"
"What did she say?" Lavi glanced up abruptly.
"They have lists. Each one of them. A list of Exorcists they need to eliminate. We need to gather every Exorcist at Headquarters as soon as possible."
With a determined nod, they all agreed, the hope of taking action against a mostly unknown enemy, urging them on. Gazing at his comrades for a moment longer, Allen let a tiny smile slip. "Let's survive through this together, yeah?"
Because Allen wasn't sure, if he could handle losing anyone else.
A/N: I have a couple announcements to make, so please listen up readers!(: First on the agenda: I have taken the last poll (the one about who should be the accommodater for the Heart of Innocence) temporarily down. It'll be back up once I publish the next chapter. The reason for this is that I've put up another poll, in which you should definitely vote, because it'll allow me to decide what's going to happen in the next chapter. Unfortunately, it'll spoil a little bit of it (but not all of it!), but I'd like to get your input on it! So after this, please go and vote.(:
Second of all, I have another ongoing story called The Ravings of a Mad Puppet, so I'd appreciate it if you went and supported it by following and reviewing!^-^ It's one of those stories in which Allen starts out by joining the Noah Clan rather than the Order. I've also just published a one-shot called Paradox so you should review that as well (and it includes Allen together with Mana and Neah~! I know you want to read!). Haha, please and thank you everyone!
And lastly, if anyone is into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (I definitely am, and no, it has nothing to do with Michael Bay's atrocity), my awesome friend Silvermoontwentyseven just published her first ever FanFiction on here!:D It's a really great story on how everything goes wrong when Donnie and Leo make the mistake of trying to be human. She's an amazing writer! It's also got a lot of bromance!n_n Please go and support her!
And review before you go please!(: