Rare, Delectable Phantomhive Souls

Okay. Moving on.

xxx

Hoheo taralna, rondero tarel...Hoheo taralna, rondero tarel...Hoheo taralna, rondero tarel.

On and on he uttered those words. In a fit of rage, in the hysteria of grief, even as he lied in a pool of his own blood on the ballroom floor. Hoheo taralna, rondero tarel. As if those words would help him in the state he was in. A meaningless chant crafted by human fantasies and deliriums.

"Summon a Fairy," They said it would perform. A fairy that will grant one any wish they desire. So long as a pact was made. The latter and middle is true. Forge a pact and any wish you crave will come true. But...the part about us being fairies...elders must pacify children. We are not constructs of magical dust. Nor do were flitter about aimlessly. We do not bring peace, joy, happiness, or salvation. No. Only misery and depravity follow in our shadows. We are that which answers to the beckon call of a human's darkest desire. Drawn in by their despair. Their souls projected a tainted light that taunts our hunger. All they need do to make contact is call to us. For that soul, for those who call out to us, we submit ourselves into their service, and well heed their every word and command for the day were make a Hell of a Feast out of them.

I, unfortunately, will not be able to dine on My Late Master's soul. Not that I desire to as of this moment. Nor will I ever. What a crass soul My Late Master possessed. Professing love to a butler. A servant. A tool summoned to usher a vengeance he so gravely coveted. How utterly unappetizing he became. Nevertheless, I shall keep him within my breast pocket. Safe and tucked away until I may be at liberty to put him to use. Oh yes. Indeed. He will be of greater use to me as a mere soul. A very rare soul. The body, however, will feed the soil and worms. That is about all it is good for.

Sleep forever, My Young Master. Allow the Navy, Royal, and Midnight Blue to intertwine. For that, you see, will be what brings Ciel Phantomhive and Alliahnna Phantomhive to my employ.

xxx

Far, far within the woods surrounding the Trancy Manor, the uncollected body of Alois Trancy rotted beneath the night moistened soil. A terrible shame for the poor boy. To survive a deep wound by Ciel Phantomhive - a wound that would have been for more grievous had Ciel been in control of himself - only to be killed by his own butler in a fit of hysteria. Driven by whatever mania was leading him like a dog on a collar, the foolish boy ordered Hannah to take him to see Ciel and Alliahnna. A reason solely belonging to him. Not one Claude cared for. However, the boy's inquiry to Alliahnna's actions baffled him.

Flashback

Alois was lying in bed. Delirious from the wound nearly tearing out from his back. Bandages around his torso changed and freshly reapplied, he sat under his sheets for hours at a time. He was seething, close to opening his wound with his abrupt lurches forward and his needless desire to march about the manor. Humiliation at Ciel's victory over him boiled his blood. The surprising rescue by his sister brought on a twinge in his heart.

"Why...Alliahnna Phantomhive…" Why oh why, he incessantly asked why. "Why did you save me?" Her plights to her brother, how she would despair if he lost his humanity before his soul, were in his defense. She advocated for his death so vehemently. Yet there she was. Extending his life for another day.

Flashback End

An effort wasted.

Still, his inquiry held a certain merit. Twin bodies. Twin minds. Twin hearts. Twin bloods. Twin souls. Twin sides of coin, joined hand in hand. A human boy, and his demon sister. Both longed for by the same demon. The appeal once foreign. But now...it was starting to come together.

Before, Alois berated Ciel's poor job at stabbing him. A total miss of his vital organs. Leaving him weakened by an agonizing wound. The boy's lack of composure dulled his accuracy. He does not possess the swift and precise strikes of his sister. Even so, Claude recalls, the wound held a certain purity he was unreasonably drawn to. And his blood. The taste of his blood. So rich...and untainted. The tiniest lick of it was enough to send Claude into a fit of demonic madness. A boy driven by a cold hearted desire for revenge, removing and toppling all who stand in his way. Like the King of a chess board eliminating pawns from his game. There is blood on the boy's hands. His callous nature knows no bounds. And yet still...his soul...by the taste of his blood, it was pure through and through.

Then there is the twin, Alliahnna. The savior of the dead master. Curiosity overwhelmed him, and he could not resist tasting her blood in kind. Unexpectedly, the same rich purity as within her brother sent him into a stupor. He was stunned stone still. A young girl who shouldered the burden of revenge, writing her own legacy in the blood of those who would hinder her tale. Surrendering her humanity so she may continue to tell her story with the brother she lost, happily killing and engaging the enemy in his name. Such a sadistic lust for violence. Only matched by her desire to safeguard him. And, like her brother, the taste of her blood spoke volumes of her purity.

Fundamentally different. Yet remarkably similar. Their color. Their taste. Their souls. All of it bound by the same chain.

xxx

Navy blue.

Royal blue.

Midnight blue.

So different. Yet so similar. Can you not see it? Not so surprising. Only a select few can see the difference. By name alone you hear the difference. Naturally one would assume the contrasts are visible. When granted a blush, most are astounded. When set accordingly side by side, the differences are not so obvious. In fact, one can hardly see them. However, peer closer, go deeper beyond the surfaces, and the differences arise, but commonalities will present themselves in a greater volume. The pasts in which they were shaded. It is in those similar pasts, that My Late Master will prove how useful he will be to me.

xxx

A golden ring was held toward the brimming moon between an index and thumb. The flawless hand accessory. So small and delicate, completely free of imperfections. Were it the former owner of ring resembled it. Perhaps he would not have left his servants ravenous. The blue white luminescent rays glistened off the red jewel embedded in the center. A blue fire wafted across the jewel.

A similar gleam reflected off Claude's glasses. As he brought the ring to rest in his coat pocket, an ambition he must carefully plot glistened in his auburn eyes. That ring in his breast pocket was vital to that ambition. The midnight blue was now tucked away with its ring until it can be of use. With it, navy blue and royal blue will converge, and with them the crippling of the raven will unfold.

"Ciel Phantomhive." Claude uttered. Ciel's hard glare burned in his skull. His noble posture sitting to a throne. "Alliahnna Phantomhive." She stood beside Ciel's throne. Her sword displayed. "Twin souls carefully nurtured, and kept so pure they are like precious stones." Sapphire diamonds borne in the ruff. Claude's skin tingled thinking about them. The taste of their blood tortured him. How he would love to set his tongue upon at least one of them. To squeeze them both in his embrace, and feel them writhe to escape. Back to their demon. To have their souls melt down his throat, and plunge him into an eternal bliss. "Like my master - so rare in taste, but the same in ambition. Fighting in a cruel world, but maintaining their purity throughout their struggle!" He licked his lips. "Such a rare delicacy indeed."

Claude ran fingers over his rose in thought, being reminded of a pact he made with Sebastian. Alliahnna bore witness to the deal. "Ah yes. Our agreement…" He chuckled. He lovingly pet the rose, tracing the tips of the maroon petals. "Ciel Phantomhive will achieve his revenge. Thus Sebastian and I shall battle for his soul." What a shame. Claude ended the life of one of Ciel Phantomhive's targets. A violation of the pact he forged. He became a little thrown off by his confession, and lost a taste for such a rotted soul. "We shall battle over Ciel's soul, Sebastian. That much is certain. The boy will have his revenge, as promised." He smirked to himself. "But why let it be on terms you have set?"

In spite of Alois being dearly departed, the goal to acquire Ciel was very much in play. And to see Sebastian suffer an agony worse than death was the forefront of Claude's wants. Now a new desire blossomed. In order to cripple the Phantomhive butler, he will need to do more than just take his master. He will need to take that which holds his heart in captivity. "The appeal of your paramour eluded me fiercely, Sebastian. But now, that haze has cleared." The ferocity in which she dealt with Hannah. He steadfast resolve when intruding upon his duel with Sebastian. Her desperation when she clutched the sword meant to end Alois. "Your allure to her transcends the body…" He traced fingers up his figure, slowly pushing his glasses up his nose, "A soul that can feasibly claim lives and spare them, all the while maintaining its purity. Truly a remarkable soul indeed." He must have her in order to complete the set. But neither will willingly part from Sebastian. Nor will Sebastian allow them to be swept up. "Perhaps…"

A whisper on the wind captured Claude's ear. A presence - no, two presences - were close by. Claude snickered under his breath. "I was wondering when you both might arrive." Claude chortled to the shadows. "I am surprised it took you this long." Two figures emerged from within the wood's thicket, stopping several feet away from the spider butler. Zanosuke and Jasper Michaelis glared upon the pretentious butler, debating whether or not they would rend him to pieces. "I believe it is uncouth to eavesdrop on another's aloud thinking."

"No more uncouth than plotting to steal another's paramour!" Zanosuke barked.

"After agreeing to stay your hand from him!" Jasper growled. He furrowed his brow. "That agreement extends to the other!" Just imagining this creature laying his slimy fingers upon either Ciel or Alliahnna infuriated him. There is nothing Jasper was disgusted by more than a demon who goes after another's master. The irony in his standard is apparent to the point he is oblivious to it.

Claude chuckled at them both. "What is the matter?" He complacently adjusted his glasses. "Are you envious I tasted The Phantomhive's before you?" Jasper and Zanosuke grunted in revulsion. Partly in shame. Ciel and Alliahnna...their souls are intoxicating. The amount of willpower they administered exhausted them. Claude lapped his tongue to lips, humming perversely. "They certainly were delightful to the taste." He licked his fingers. A knife whisked past his cheek, piercing a tree. Claude touched the thin graze in his cheek, humored by the outburst.

Zanosuke retracted his arm, unsheathing three more knives between his fingers. The sharp gleam in his eye was enough to sunder the earth. "You were granted a taste of them both! A superficial taste, but a taste nonetheless." And it disgusted him. He shifted into his stance, bearing his fangs and demonic pinks eyes. "A taste is all you will be permitted so long as they are within Sebastian's employ!"

"So defensive." Claude feigned hurt. He storked his cheek, sealing the wound with ease. "Do I sense envy in your words, Zanosuke Michaelis?"

Zanosuke growled malevolently, inching forward. Jasper extended a halting hand. "We cannot blame this heathen for his his straying hunger." Jasper grudgingly announced. He restrained his hands in his pockets so he does not strangle the younger demon. "After all, he assassinated the master he was meant to feast upon!" Claude showed no shame in his actions. "Do you not expect Sebastian or Alliahnna to become aware of your transgressions?"

"I know they will. But it does not matter." Claude dismissed his warnings. "So long as I do not break the vow of our pact." He tapped his rose. That pact is glorified words without paper or signature. Loopholes are not beyond demons. No doubt, with the death of his master, Claude has devised a means of traipsing around his pact with Alliahnna and Sebastian. "Tell me - Zanosuke, Jasper - to which are you loyal?"

"What?" Zanosuke grunted. Jasper lifted a perplexed brow.

"It is a simple question. To whom of the Phantomhive Household do you vest your fealty?" He crooned, holding his hands up like a scale. "Ciel? Sebastian? Or is it lovely Alliahnna?" Jasper and Zanosuke believed they were steadfast in their reactions. Claude's spider sense caught the slightest twitch in their brows. "Ahh. I see. I must admit, I find her alluring as well. Her and her brother." He added slyly. Jasper and Zanosuke hissed through gritted teeth. "Both have a taste that suggests purity. Ruthless, relentless, and callous though they prove their methods to be…" He saw the Phantomhive twins standing back to back in each other's shadows. Their sapphire eyes beaming with determination. "Deep within they are pure, compassionate beings. Alliahnna voices that compassion with not a single note of shame or rancor." 'You've sacrificed your soul! I won't let you sacrifice your humanity!' The passion in those words forever sends chills shooting up his spine. "To find someone like that who is already a demon...such a rarity indeed." He hugged himself.

"SILENCE!" Zanosuke boomed. "Do not speak of her with such perverse lips!" He forewarned, trembling to keep hold of his knives. "Neither she nor Ciel will belong to you!"

"Indeed, you are both correct." Claude is willing to accept this fact. "Neither Alliahnna nor Ciel shall belong to any other demon." A devious smile slithered to his lips. "At the very least, not while Sebastian has such a strong hold on them." He purred slyly.

Jasper's brow furrowed. "You mean to weaken his contract." He theorized. Claude's never wavering smile confirmed his suspicions. To weaken a contract between a master and butler is no small feat. To pry Ciel from Sebastian, which will undoubtedly force Alliahnna to follow, will be nothing short of a miracle. "Alliahnna will not allow that to happen."

"Oh?" Claude was baffled by the response. "You mean neither of you will interven?." Zanosuke and Jasper exchanged stares, then returned their attention back to Claude. "Stopping me would be a feat of personified simplicity for you both."

"Indeed it would." Jasper admitted with a malicious smile. "Both of us - or just one - could kill you now and end this madness."

"Then why don't you? Why don't you stop me now?"

"Why indeed?" Zanosuke folded his arms. Why don't they end the Trancy Threat once and for all.

"Because it has to be Ciel." Jasper answered firmly. Claude arched a confused brow.

"With the aid of Sebastian and Alliahnna, Ciel Phantomhive's soul must be restored so it may be devoured." Zanosuke elucidated. "Our interferences in the past aided in nearly costing Sebastian Alliahnna's. We will not risk the same mistake."

"So you will watch. Like spectators of a grand game." Claude sneered mockingly.

"We will. Unless asked to help, we will watch." Jasper declared. Though he disliked watching. There is no fun in it.

"And we will await the day Ciel, Alliahnna, and Sebastian put an end to you all." Zanosuke snarled.

Claude found the idea amusing. Two children and their butler defeating him. Who knew such elder demons possessed such a great sense of humor. Jasper smirked, turning on his heels on his exit. Zanosuke glared upon the spider demon for another moment longer. For a while the two just stared without a single word exchanged. Someone like this...doesn't stand a chance against Sebastian. Or Alliahnna. Zanosuke turned after his father, marching despondently into the night.

"Such misplaced faith in the young and foolish." Zanosuke stopped. "Sebastian is a worthy adversary. I will grant you that." He adjusted his glasses, projecting his doubt. "But for you to vest faith in children…" He shook his head with incredulity. "Can you honestly look me in the eye and say with absolute certainty that newborn will be able fend against me?"

"That same ignorance clouded our judgement as well once upon a time." Zanosuke snorted derisively at himself. Because of her age and the immaturity of her power, Alliahnna was seen as nothing more than a bump in he road to be trampled on. Zanosuke and Jasper toyed with her, convincing themselves they were testing her. In truth, they just needed something to do. "And then we hear our little Lady defeated a full blooded angel. Our minds were blown to the clouds." Zanosuke hummed. Claude was taken aback by the news. "Do not be so foolish as to underestimate her tenacity." With that Zanosuke left Claude, disappearing into the night.

"Tenacity…?" Claude scoffed at the word. "Tenacity is no match for true might!"

xxx

"Hmm?" Sebastian halted his late night stroll. He turned to the large window pane, gazing entranced to the full moon. A strange feeling came over him. A dark foreboding sense that trouble was lurking.

"Is something wrong, Sebastian?"

Sebastian train of thought derailed spying Alliahnna sauntering towards him. Concern highlighted her face. "I would ask the same of you. Should you not be asleep?" Not that he was complaining. He welcomed her company. Just that they would be leaving for England in the morning.

"Yeah…" She joined him at the window, gazing to the stars. "I just got this weird feeling is all."

"It would appear you and I both share a conjoined sixth sense in this matter." And that sense would grow stronger once they cross the ocean back to England. Coming to Paris did not eliminate the threat awaiting their return. "There is a storm brewing, and it's just on the horizon."

"Alois and Claude." She growled. Those two have no doubt been plotting during their respite from her, Ciel, and Sebastian. Once they return to England, the madness will commence again. The original plan will be restarted. "Help Ciel attain his revenge, fight for his soul, and then permit the winner to consume it." She sheepishly stroked hairs behind her ear. "A deal that determines the future of two lives."

"Indeed." Sebastian brushed the backs of his fingers to her cheek. "Are you still afraid?"

"Not...not really." She folded her hands behind her back.

"Oh? And why is that?" This was a surprise. She said before that she was scared of losing Ciel. What brought about this change, he wondered.

Alliahnna puffed her blushing cheeks, pinching a piece of Sebastian's uniform. "Because I know you'll be the one devouring Ciel." She sputtered.

"Oh I will?" He crooned teasingly, turning and resting his palms on the window sill. He tilted his head adoringly to the side. "Claude is quite the capable butler. And with the demon sword in his employ, he will definitely prove to be a handful."

"So?" She huffed gruffly, angry he would doubt himself with such a light heart. "Y-you're the better butler! There's no way-" She paused when she noticed Sebastian's amused look. He was lavishing in her praises. She growled in the back of her throat. "Smug, arrogant bastard!"

"Oh how I have missed your high marks of me!" Sebastian fawned cupping his cheeks. His body wiggled and fidgeted uncontrollably, "Your words caress me like soft feathers. Teasing my every sensitive spot!"

"WILL YOU STOP IT?!" Sebastian fended her rampage with a hand to her forehead. He continued to croon over his thoughts of her lashing him with her tongue. Her arms flailed wildly. "CEASE WHATEVER PERVERTED THOUGHTS ARE IN THAT HEAD OF YOUR, RIGHT NOW!"

"You are asking a great deal."

"No I'm not! Distract yourself with something! Anything!"

Anything, you say? There was a glint in Sebastian's eye. Alliahnna felt her foot either fall into a grave or stuff into her mouth. Which one is worse? "As you will, My Lady." Sebastian picked her up, tossing her over his shoulder. "Come along! You and I have much distracting to catch up on." He sauntered off.

Alliahnna cringed at what he had in mind. "PUT ME DOWN!" He pushed on him, failing against his iron grip. "I DON'T WANT YOU TO BE DISTRACTED!" She pummeled him with her fists and knees, "GO BACK TO YOUR DIRTY THOUGHTS!"

"I am afraid it is too late for that." Sebastian chuckled. He flipped her around, carrying her like the bride he sees her to be. He rosy cheeks and anxiety tormented his sadistic side. "And I cannot think of a better way to consummate our reunification." Her blushed deepened. She twisted away from him. That lecherous stare made her skin crawl. In a good way. "I take your silence as your consent. But do not fret." He brought his lips to her ear, "I'll be gentle."

To be continued.