Makoto adjusted the strap of his bag nervously as he stood in Komui's cluttered office. The head of the Black Order leaned back in his chair, balancing a steaming cup of coffee in one hand while flipping through a stack of mission reports with the other.
"Alright," Komui said, his usually cheerful tone uncharacteristically serious. "We've received word of a potential Innocence located in Mater, a remote town in southern Italy. The Finders stationed there reported unusual activity—singing, of all things—and increased Akuma presence. It's your job to retrieve the Innocence and ensure its safety."
Makoto nodded, though his hands were clammy with nerves. He glanced at Kanda, who leaned casually against the wall, his sword resting against his shoulder.
"Why does it have to be me and him?" Kanda asked, his voice sharp.
"Because you're the only senior Exorcist available," Komui replied with a smile. "And Makoto needs to get used to missions like this."
Kanda scowled but said nothing.
Makoto hesitated. "I-I'll do my best."
"You'd better," Kanda muttered, already heading toward the door. "Try not to die."
Makoto sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Guess we're off to a great start."
The train ride to Mater was quiet, save for the rhythmic clatter of wheels against the tracks. Kanda sat by the window, staring at the passing countryside with a far-off look. Makoto, seated across from him, fidgeted with his scarf.
Timcampy flitted between them, its golden body catching the light as it chirped softly.
"You're making me nervous," Kanda said without looking at Makoto.
"Sorry!" Makoto replied quickly, straightening in his seat.
Kanda sighed, his sharp eyes finally meeting Makoto's. "This isn't a game. Don't let your guard down, or you'll get yourself—and me—killed."
Makoto swallowed hard. "I'll do everything I can. I promise."
"You'd better," Kanda muttered, turning back to the window.
As the train approached Mater, the rolling hills gave way to rocky cliffs and crumbling stone buildings. The once-prosperous town was now a shadow of its former self, its streets eerily quiet under the setting sun.
The pair stepped off the train and into a silence so heavy it felt like a weight pressing down on their chests. Makoto shivered as a cold wind swept through the deserted station.
"This place feels... wrong," he murmured.
"Good observation," Kanda said dryly, unsheathing Mugen. "Stay close."
They walked through the empty streets, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the ancient stone buildings. Makoto's cursed eye tingled faintly, its subtle burn signaling the presence of Akuma nearby.
"Kanda, I think—"
"I know," Kanda interrupted, his eyes scanning their surroundings.
They turned a corner and came face-to-face with a group of Finders huddled near a crumbling fountain. The men and women looked worn and frightened, their faces pale in the fading light.
"Exorcists," one of the Finders said, his voice trembling with relief. "You made it."
"What's the situation?" Kanda asked curtly.
The Finder nodded toward a large, decrepit mansion at the edge of town. "The singing comes from there. It started weeks ago, and since then, people have gone missing. We've seen Akuma near the mansion, but we don't know how many."
Makoto's cursed eye flared, revealing faint traces of corrupted souls in the distance. He winced at the sight. "There's definitely Akuma here. A lot of them."
Kanda's grip on Mugen tightened. "Then let's not waste time."
The mansion loomed like a specter against the darkening sky, its windows shattered and its once-grand facade covered in ivy. As they approached, a soft, melancholic melody drifted through the air, sending chills down Makoto's spine.
"Do you hear that?" he whispered.
Kanda nodded. "It's coming from inside."
They stepped through the creaking front doors, their weapons drawn. The interior was in ruins—furniture overturned, walls cracked, and a thick layer of dust covering everything. But the song continued, its eerie beauty filling the space.
Makoto's cursed eye flared again, and he froze as he saw faint traces of Innocence radiating from deeper within the mansion. "It's the Innocence," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kanda gestured for him to follow, his movements precise and silent. They made their way through the dark halls, the melody growing louder with each step.
At last, they entered a large, dimly lit room. In the center stood a young woman with pale skin and long, silver hair. She cradled a porcelain doll in her arms, her eyes closed as she sang softly.
Makoto gasped. "Who is she?"
The woman opened her eyes, and they glimmered with sorrow. "I am Lala," she said, her voice as soft as her song.
To Be Continued...