The haunting melody echoed through the decrepit mansion, filling the air with a mixture of sorrow and beauty. Makoto stepped cautiously into the dimly lit room, his cursed eye glowing faintly as it scanned the surroundings. Beside him, Kanda's hand remained on the hilt of Mugen, his eyes sharp and focused.
In the center of the room stood a silver-haired woman cradling a porcelain doll. Her gentle song faltered as she noticed the intruders, and she clutched the doll closer to her chest.
"Who are you?" Kanda demanded, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.
The woman's luminous eyes shimmered with sadness. "I am Lala," she said softly. "And this is Guzol."
Makoto stepped forward carefully, his Innocence still active but lowered. "We're Exorcists," he said. "We're here to protect the Innocence."
At the mention of the word "Innocence," Lala's grip on the doll tightened. "Protect it? But... it has already chosen us. Guzol and I have guarded it for centuries."
Makoto's cursed eye flared, and he winced as he saw the faint glow of Innocence radiating from the doll. "She's right," he murmured. "The Innocence is bonded to the doll."
Kanda's eyes narrowed. "That doesn't matter. The Millennium Earl won't stop until he gets it. If you stay here, you'll die."
Lala's expression didn't change, but her voice grew firmer. "This is our home. Guzol has protected me all this time, and I will not abandon him."
Makoto's heart ached at her words. "We're not asking you to abandon anything," he said gently. "But if we work together, we can keep you both safe. Please... trust us."
After some hesitation, Lala nodded, motioning for them to sit. She began to tell their story, her voice heavy with memory.
"We have lived here for centuries," Lala said, stroking the doll's porcelain face. "When the Innocence bonded with Guzol, it gave me life. We've been inseparable ever since."
"Why stay here?" Makoto asked. "Couldn't you hide somewhere safer?"
"This is the only home we've ever known," Lala replied. "And the Innocence... it sings for the souls lost to the Earl. Its melody has protected us, but it also draws the Akuma closer."
Kanda leaned against the wall, his expression hard. "You can't keep this up forever. If the Akuma find you, they'll destroy everything."
Lala's gaze fell. "I know. But Guzol and I have faced them before. We will not abandon each other."
Makoto clenched his fists. "There has to be another way. We can help you. We—"
A deafening crash interrupted him, and the room shook violently. The melody faltered as a chilling laugh echoed from the shadows.
"Looks like they found us," Kanda muttered, unsheathing Mugen.
Makoto summoned his Innocence, the wheel spinning to life in his hands. "Lala, stay behind us. We'll handle this."
From the broken walls emerged a swarm of Level 1 Akuma, their grotesque forms glowing faintly in the dim light. They screeched as they lunged forward, their claws slicing through the air.
Kanda moved with precision, his blade cutting through the first wave effortlessly. Cherry blossom petals drifted through the room with each strike, a stark contrast to the chaos around him.
Makoto, meanwhile, struggled to keep up. His cursed eye burned as he tracked the Akuma's movements, but his attacks were clumsy, and his wheel narrowly missed its targets.
"Focus, idiot!" Kanda barked, cutting down another Akuma.
"I'm trying!" Makoto shouted back, sending his wheel spinning toward an Akuma closing in on Lala. The blade struck true, shattering the creature's core.
"Nice one, Makoto!" Lala said, her voice filled with hope despite the chaos.
Timcampy darted around the room, distracting the Akuma and giving Makoto and Kanda openings to attack. Despite the overwhelming odds, the tide began to turn in their favor.
Just as the last of the Level 1 Akuma were destroyed, the air grew colder, and a heavy presence filled the room. From the shadows emerged a grotesque, insect-like Level 2 Akuma, its body covered in chitinous armor and its eyes gleaming with malice.
"Well, well," it hissed, its voice dripping with mockery. "So many Exorcists... and a little doll. How quaint."
Makoto's cursed eye burned brighter than ever, and he staggered under the weight of the Akuma's presence. "Kanda... this one's different."
"No kidding," Kanda replied, his grip on Mugen tightening. "Stay back and protect them."
The Level 2 lunged at Kanda with blinding speed, its claws clashing against Mugen in a burst of sparks. Kanda met its attacks with equal ferocity, but the Akuma's agility and strength made it a formidable opponent.
Makoto moved to shield Lala and Guzol, his wheel spinning defensively in front of him. "We can't stay here," he said, his voice strained.
Guzol stepped forward, his hands trembling as he placed himself between Lala and the Akuma. "Go," he said, his voice filled with resolve. "I'll protect her."
"Guzol, no!" Lala cried, clutching the doll.
The Akuma turned its attention to Guzol, its cruel laughter echoing through the room. "How noble," it sneered. "A sacrifice for love."
Before anyone could react, the Akuma's claws struck Guzol, piercing his chest. Blood splattered across the floor as he crumpled to his knees, his face twisted in pain.
"Guzol!" Lala screamed, tears streaming down her face.
Makoto's heart pounded as he watched the scene unfold. His cursed eye burned fiercely, and his Innocence pulsed with energy. "No... this can't be happening."
To Be Continued...