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Literature Text
The good doctor breathed in the relaxing smoke of his cigarette that was held in his lips, before plunging his hands into the deep pockets of his stitched lab coat. The glare of the sun was bright today, but with only a small breeze the weather was nigh on perfect for the exam today. It was Stein's first time as teacher during this exam. However he himself had done this a few times before as a student. He remembered it fondly. It was just when Spirit had left him to go join his future wife. The professor was unsure what to do at the time, nor was he sure what to feel. He didn't feel abandoned. Maybe he should have done. But he did not. He watched Spirit go, as if the event was just an unforeseen result in a once predictable chain of events. Why should that affect him?
Stein had not picked out a new weapon to tinker with yet. And so he had no choice but to join in, however he had not regretted it. He had been thus randomly paired with quite a few weapons during his time as a loner, and each time he and the weapon had of course matched completely. Cutting a path of destruction through the students as no matter what weapon he used he was a master of said partner within the day.
He could have easily stuck with every single partner that was assigned to him. But it was a part of his own experiment, he vowed to never be weighed down again by pairing with just one weapon. It left a meister weak and vulnerable. It was at this time that he also taught himself how to use his body and soul as his own weapon, he didn't learn it from anyone. He decided to learn and so he did. The one who was the most versatile would be the victor. Why master one trade when you can master them all?
So yes he did indeed remember it fondly. A smile grew on his lips as his mind wondered, only half watching Raven and Soul prepare for their own match up.
Duels were interesting in their own unique way, however unfortunately nothing like being out there against the pre-kishins of the world. Duels were never dangerous. Not really. All meisters and weapons were taught to be offensive with their soul wavelengths, and during that same training were taught to also be moderate and defensive. To control the amount of force used. So that the students would not simply just kill each other during duels and training. Strikes and blows would never be lethal, of course certain areas and strikes were off limits. Such as the head and the neck. Even non lethal strikes to such an area could do a great deal of damage. However far more was perfectly legal then not.
The positive regarding these duels was that students could indeed get a taste of combat and practise techniques and thinking on their feet. However the negative was that as it was not a real fight. The fear was non-existent. The fact that you knew your opponent was not going to kill you altered how you viewed the fight. And so in an actual battle a student can end up fighting so differently in blind panic and fear of death. Still Stein watched with great enthusiasm. His interest was piqued to see how Soul would deal with this situation. Soul had a background in real combat…he wasn't sure about Raven. What experience did she have? Against their opponents, once more he knew little about them. That was good, he could at least view three of them without having prior knowledge. Just based on what he saw right now.
"And…go!" Sid started the duel.
"Rush him!" Soul yelled out to his partner. He decided she must be fast enough to beat that kid, the way the enemy carried his own weapon. There was ample time to get there before he managed to shoot off an arrow. There must be. Soul shouted out his command to get her to move. But she didn't move…Raven flinched and twitched as if she was about to move but faltered. Her eyes flicked to him and then to the other boys. Soul cursed inwardly. This was no time for indecision. He saw the bow begin to rise. The effort vividly showed on the other meister's face….
"Raven! Move!" He shouted at her now, turning his full attention to her. Raven looked right at him. The look of determination was gone, replaced by indecision and panic. No! Not now! Stupid girl! Soul grinded his teeth in the second that they stood there. Wasting precious time. Suddenly Raven swerved her head and vision over to their opponent. She saw the bow held high and right at them! He was drawing the bow string back, about to fire! Raven's eyes widened and suddenly she was off! Like a deer springing into action, fleeing from a predator, her body's acceleration at maximum as she bounded across the grass. Pulling Soul along with her. However…she was not heading toward the opponent…she was heading toward the trees!
Soul decided to let her instincts take them away from immediate danger. He looked back just in time to view an arrow of pure soul energy. Similar to Kid's bullets. The thin arrow missed her body and landed harmlessly into the grass. More arrows flew their way. A growing hail storm brewing. The thin strips barely missing her sprinting form. Raven's breath grew haggard as she struggled with her great exertion, the arrows began to pass them with less of a gap. One even pinged off his blade! Soul blinked his eyes shut in reflex. She was slowing…
"Faster!" Soul demanded of her. Raven didn't respond verbally, but her form did indeed push harder and faster as she dashed over the grass. Quickly she passed into the safety of the forest. Raven braked without warning and then slammed her back into the bark of the tree.
She was panting from her sprint and her hands were trembling something horrid. Soul could tell, his scythe was shaking in her hands. It made him feel a bit sick, a vague sense of motion sickness. This was not fun. But he held back a biting comment and instead examined his meister. Her eyes were panicked and her face was sheet white. He hoped she wasn't about to be sick. What was wrong with her? What had happened to all that determination from before? Soul knew they didn't have long. The archer could appear at any moment and spring another attack. Raven didn't look at him as she regained her breath. She leant her body around the tree as she looked back from where they came.
"Where is he?" Soul asked of her. Unable to see where he was.
"J-just…over…t-there…w-waiting…" She panted out, her speech becoming disjointed. Good, he had a second to try and get a hold of this situation. They could win this…if only he could get Raven to believe it too. But before Soul could try and get through to her she began to bash her own head against the wood. His jaw dropped in slight shock at her self harm.
"Shit…stupid…stupid…me. I'm sorry! I'm sorry! This is my fault!" She punished herself, most likely lowering her self esteem a little more. Soul wasn't feeling sorry for her…no he was getting more and more annoyed at her. He didn't understand what was wrong. Why were girls just so weird?
His eyebrow twitched in annoyance as he struggled back his own ire. But as much as he wanted to just drop all of this and leave, his pride forced him to stick to it. He wouldn't give up on this, or on her.
"Raven! Listen to me!" He snapped at her. She froze and ceased in her self abuse. Staring back at him, her face while shocked, still bore such a downcast, depressed look. "It's not over! I don't understand what's wrong. Tell me. Help me to understand!" He couldn't help her if he couldn't get through to her. He tried to keep his attention on her, but even he kept flicking his eyes around. Expecting the enemy or an arrow to come flying at them at any moment. Her eyes panned down, her face losing the shock as she grew forlorn.
"…sorry…I really wanted to do it. I thought if I wanted it enough, I could do it. But…I dunno….I panicked…" She shook her head, as redness flushed her cheeks, becoming embarrassed at her behaviour. Soul once more glanced around the forest, checking for attack.
"Ok, fine." he tried to support her, even as he must have sounded rushed and irritated. "We'll deal with that later. But you're acting as if it's all over. It's not! We can still win this!" He practically pleaded with her. He would never live down a loss like this, he could almost imagine Black Star's laughing face as he admitted such a loss. "C'mon, just like I said. If we rush him, he loses the long range advantage." Soul nudged her to get up and go back out there. He swore as soon as they got close enough, one good swing and it would all be over. It's what he and Maka would do. It would work here. He swears it would. But Raven's eyes scanned the floor…as if in thought. Then she shook her head.
"No…it won't work." Soul felt his anger starting to flare. Why was she being so pessimistic?!
"Why are you being like this! I told you! We can win this!" He was shouting at her now. Most likely giving away their position. But he no longer cared. She was just being stupid and stubborn. Raven's eyes didn't lock with his own, but her chin was lifted as she next spoke.
"No…I mean we should try something else. I won't make it to him in time. Not carrying you." Soul slammed his jaw shut and now it was his turn to look away.
"Hmph…" Raven shifted from her position and looked back again. Using the wood and shrubs as cover.
"He's coming over now…"
Soul frowned.
"What do we do then?" He asked of her. He was out of ideas. How else could they get close? Not like they could attack from afar, even if as a scythe and meister they had any sort of long range….which they don't. Suddenly Raven snapped back to him, a grin lit up her face. Soul was instantly confused, what was she grinning for?
"Wait! I have an idea…"
Stein watched intently as the archer began to pace in the clearing. Next to him Sid and another teacher he didn't know by name talked and chatted in hushed voices, their tone was negative as they shook their heads and began to write something down on the sheet. Sid checked the stop watch again. Stein wasn't worried, they still had plenty of time left. Besides unlike them he didn't take this at face value. It may have looked like Raven had bottled it and fled. But the match as far from over. And until a winner was decided or the time had ran out, he would not count anybody out just yet. The game was still all to play for.
"Should we call it early?" The female teacher spoke to himself and Sid. Stein turned, the cigarette in his mouth swaying slightly and letting an off angle tiny plume of smoke rise. She better not call it now. But luckily he had no need to voice his opinion. Sid turned to the forest and back to the watch.
"I always gave the students every chance to do their all, that's the kinda man I was." He spoke proudly and folded his arms across his chest. Stein caught the female teacher's face deadpan. Stein nearly laughed right there. But instead he turned his attention back to the field of battle.
Now a couple of minutes had actually passed since Raven had sprinted into the forest. Stein had guessed the archer had lost his patience as he began to walk toward the trees. Stein hoped the battle wouldn't be played out in there, otherwise one of them might have to follow to supervise. As the boy continued to stride closer to the sea of trees across the clearing, Stein and the other staff members glanced at each other. However before they even needed to say a word a sudden yelp sounded out. The sound was sharp and piercing, unexpected. As a trio the teachers all swung their necks round in alarm. What was happening? His eyes quickly scanned the scene. Something had whipped out of the trees! Stein couldn't tell what it was, but the object was hurtling through the air! Stein leaned forward to try and spot the object, he caught the other two teachers do the same next to him.
Another shout followed the first as the object headed straight for the archer! Stein now recognised it as a metal object, it whistled through the air and straight for the archer! The meister was forced to dive to the side at the very last second to avoid the hit! The metal staff shot to the ground and dived into the grass underfoot. The blade a few inches into the soil. Stein relaxed though, he now recognised said object. He chuckled softly to himself. It was a scythe. And that only meant one thing…
He watched the archer scramble to his knees and heft his bow up toward the enemy weapon, stretching out the bow string on guard of another attack. Cleary his once confident face was now off balance and unsure. The weapon made no move however, Soul just sat there, plunged into the soft soil. Stein began to wonder if Raven had thrown him away in an argument and not in some grand plan… His grin dropped a fraction.
However Stein had thought too soon, as he had surmised, it was a ruse after all. As the girl suddenly appeared out of the greenery, her form leaping from the forest. The leaves and plants being bent and forced out of shape as they allowed the creature in their midst passage out of their zone. The prey had turned predator. Her once panicked face full of purpose. This was not unnoticed by the archer meister, he fumbled with his own weapon, but managing to bring it back up to bear. Stein narrowed his eyes, what were they doing? Raven was about to lose… but just as he started to pull back the string. A blade swiped through the air and right into him! The blade slashed down the archer's arm. Shredding the clothes and into skin. The damage not severe enough to cause concern, but enough for the archer to drop the bow and grunt out in a mix of shock and pain. He immediately switched his attention from Raven to Soul. Who was now in human form! Stein was shocked to see such a strategy! This was new. Stein felt the sudden urge to find a notebook, his grin grew larger on his face. Seeing a new strategy, something beyond the accepted norm. Made him excited. His hands shook slightly in his excitement.
Soul didn't let up his attack, instead of his human arm he bore his scythe blade. The sharp weapon threatened serious harm and demanded the full attention of the archer. He swung away at the other boy, the archer forced on the defensive. Losing more and more ground, being pushed away from the bow on the grass. But Stein saw what this was, his eyes panned to the ever incoming Raven. Sprinting across the grass, making her way ever closer. Soul may not be able to finish off the other meister in direct combat. But Raven could.
Soul continued his assault on the poor archer, leaving him wide open and unable to regain his bearings. Even the shouting of the now dropped bow could no longer help him. Stein watched as Raven was now so close, just a bit further… and…there! Soul suddenly shifted and leapt away, leaving the archer confused and off centre as he now had the ground back. Until Raven brought back her fist and punched him square in the back! Stein quickly wondered what would that do. The archer's form contorted around the blow, but the boy screeched out as if in terrible pain, Stein flinched at the sound. His teeth gritted as if on instinct. That scream was a little too pain filled. As if he had been stabbed through the back and his death was imminent, not just losing a match…
The sound soon ceased, the shriek was cut off as the boy crumpled to the floor. His form fell heavy like a brick. That was it. It was over. Raven and Soul were the winners as their opponent was out for the count in the grass. The teachers gave him a few seconds, just to make sure he was not about to get up. Soul at this point jogged around the unmoving body of the meister to stand by Raven's side. She examined the prone form, her face was unreadable. Only concentration as she read the scene, just the same as he did. Stein wasn't sure quite what had happened. But he would soon find out. Perhaps Raven was also able to use soul force in small bursts. That would explain some of what he had witnessed.
"Call it." Stein spoke, sounding uninterested as he took in another puff of his cigarette. Next to him the other two teachers jumped as if brought out of whatever stupor they were in.
"Oh…" Sid said. Looking at the stopwatch one last time and clicking the button to reset it. As a group they walked up to the four students, Stein's long white coat billowed out behind him. The trio quickly reached the group. By now things were starting to relax, but Soul seemed on edge, slightly confused. Raven appeared once more nervous, her face a mask of worry. Her eyes dashing between the fallen opponent and the others, her view shooting between them all. As if a suspect about to be found out for a crime. Perhaps she did know what had happened. But Stein paid no attention to them, as the trio were making their way over, the bow weapon had transformed back into a boy and had quickly made his way over. The tunic wearing weapon was knelt onto the grass, his hands resting on the back of the other boy as he tried to determine what was wrong. The fear plain to see on his features. Thankfully the female teacher pulled the tunic clad boy away from the body of the other. Though Stein admitted, the still form of the meister was a tad unsettling.
Stein leaned down to the prone form of the body, he wasn't moving. Stein hoped the worst hadn't happened, that would be terrible for the school. Yet as soon as he laid his hands on the boy, his fears were quickly alleviated. He was still breathing. That was good. But Stein continued to examine him, the boy was on his front. Stein gently rolled him over onto his back. Yet the boy's face shocked him. How had this happened? The immediate shock quickly vanished to be replaced with an excited interest. Though he managed to push it away before a smile lit up his face, that would be possibly not the best thing to do right now.
The boy's face was white as a sheet, so pale. The boy's eyes were sunken and his face appeared gaunt. As if he had been starved and left trapped somewhere against his will, just now escaping. But that didn't make any sense. He was fine barely a few minutes ago. There was no way he had suddenly become ill like this. No way. Stein glanced at the other boy, his weapon. His face was full of panic and fright. Fearing for the well being of the meister. But before he could hide the sick face of the meister the weapon saw it. Damn. Stein cursed as he stared at the female staff member, he said not a word but she understood what he wanted. She tried to talk to the weapon, to tell him it would be ok, but the boy began to struggle in her grip.
"What happened?! What's wrong with him?!" He yelled out to Stein. Stein didn't and couldn't answer him. Not just yet. He was pretty sure he would live, but he needed to get him to the infirmary. He laid a hand onto the forehead of the meister. He was ice cold to the touch. He scowled even as a familiar urge to examine and dissect these interesting creatures around him bubbled up within him. Now he could no longer stop a small smile from forming, but he hoped no one noticed. The bow weapon however continued to be distraught, fear for his partner evident in his manner and tone.
"You! Raven! What did you do!? What did you do!? Witch!" He shouted hysterically at the winning meister. Stein narrowed his eyes at the shouting weapon, this was getting out of hand. His eyes flicked to the female staff member, her hair and suit now out of place as she struggled with the weapon in her grip. But her face was also full of worry and suspicion. She did catch his gaze however.
"Take him away to calm down, I'll take care of this one." He ordered her. With that he looked back to the meister laying on the floor. He heard her start to move and practically began to drag him away. The shouting and curses beginning to move off, growing quieter.
"I'll handle the other students…" Sid spoke lowly, in an almost hushed tone. Stein didn't answer him. But he did flick his eyes over to the crowd of students, they had seen all of this. They stayed as they were in a group. But their eyes were wide as they chatted to each other, their voices quicker and higher. Stein ignored them for now, as he forced his arms under the boy below him, between the limp form and the ground. He lifted him. Carrying him in his arms. The boy gave no protest as he was held. He was lighter then Stein expected.
Just before he left for the infirmary he shifted his gaze to the winning team. Raven and Soul. Raven was a mess, her form was trembling. Her eyes were filled with worry and panic, even if this was not her fault, even if she had done nothing wrong. He knew Raven would blame herself. It would be the first place she would go to. He knew it. But he did not have time for her right now. Next to her Soul was speaking to her. But she wasn't listening, her eyes glazed over as she had a hand raised to her mouth, the back of the palm to her lips, she was in fact biting into her own skin in her panic. The blood trickling down her hand and dripping to the grass. Soul was starting to shout at her, but she was in her own festering pool of worry and guilt. He would not reach her right now.
He remembered talking to her before, she had seemed so pumped for this, a victory should have done her a world of good. Not engulf her completely in her worries. He had taken a peek at her soul as she had stood in the crowd with Soul. Her soul was small, full of worry and a bag of nerves. But that was only on the surface, one layer down was a different persona. Something different that used to thrive, but was slowly being suffocated by this blanket of worry. He didn't know what had caused it, he examined her soul now.
It was so much worse then before. That blanket was thicker and larger then before, covering her entire being, stronger. She was going to drown in her own fears and worry, but she was doing this to herself. And she needed to pull herself out of it… Stein was just about to look away…yet he noticed something. Her soul was larger then before. He was sure of it. As if she had gained more energy, more power from somewhere. He narrowed his eyes at her. This was new. An equation he saw from a distance, but he didn't have the question, didn't have all the variables. So the answer didn't mean anything. He wanted to investigate. To figure this out. Stein drew his eyes away from Raven. He looked to the form of the boy in his arms. The boy's soul was there, still there. Proof even more then the breathing that he was alive…but something was very off. The boy's soul was so much smaller then it should be. As if he was but a child, or very sick. Stein grew suspicious. That couldn't have been a coincidence. But for now he had to leave, without a word to Raven or Soul he left the clearing.
No sound existed in the room. The room was a vacuum, the scene appeared frozen. Dead. Nothing moved. But someone did indeed occupy the room. The small room. Set up as a bedroom. A mockery of a child's bedroom. Laughing at the perception of reality. The poison of the view dripping down the body of the one person who dwelled in the room. Maka was sat cross legged on the floor. She sat in the very centre of the room. Her back bent forward. Pulling herself inwards, trying to draw herself as small as possible. Her hands covered her face, her head was low. Maka's body was still. Only the very tiny back movements even showed she was breathing. She didn't move. Not an inch in that small room. She was trying to block everything out. She didn't know how long it had been. Didn't know what day it was. Didn't know where she was.
She was too weak and pathetic to be cared about. No one should care about her. What did she do to deserve such kindness? Nothing.
No, she shouldn't think like that. She needed to hold on. Look for another chance to escape. Had to get back to the academy. Had to see everyone again. To see her parents again. Had to take Crona out of his hell….his nightmare with his mother….that witch.
Hold on. Just hold on.
Oh but what was the point of holding on? What was the point? Did anyone even miss her? Maka felt her heart sink and bob in the emotional turmoil of her mind. She was trapped in a whirlpool and she couldn't swim. She couldn't find her way out. Her thoughts were eating her up alive. She couldn't take this. How did Crona take this? Oh how she missed him. The way he held himself, his actions. It all seemed so obvious to her now. She thought he was a weak person and needed help to get out of his madness….but she was wrong. Oh so very, very wrong. He was strong. Stronger then her. She was nothing compared to him. Such a weakling! He had lived his entire life under the harsh thumb of that detestable woman. But she…had only been here a few days? Was it only a few days? Or…was it a month? It felt like a month…but was it that long? Oh…she doesn't know.
Maka still sat there. She still didn't move. Even when her legs went to sleep and her back ached to move. She didn't move. The light from above engulfed her form. But she cared little. Whether drowning in darkness or in light, it didn't matter. She was still trapped. Still alone. Still rotting from the inside out. She didn't want to be alone anymore. She wanted someone….no. She needed him. The one who understood her. The only one who can now. Even if someone she knew suddenly appeared and plucked her from this hell. Oh how she wished that would happen. They could never comprehend this. Could never understand. But he would. Crona would. Crona would always understand. She missed him. She wanted him here. She had never wanted to see someone this much in her life. Not her farther, not her partner….hell not even her mother. But she needed him. Her heart began to yearn for him. He would make it better. Just him being here would make it better. He would drown out the voices…and the visions…
Maka dared to open up one eye and peek out from behind her hand. For the past few hours she had been plagued. Pestered and tugged at. Pulled down and clawed at mentally. She had tried to collect herself. Tried to bring herself back from the brink when she had tore that book. Said pieces still littered the floor. But she didn't care. Like hell she cared. But in her laughter…something began to join in. She watched her shadow grow on the wall. That twisted shape contorted and malformed. It didn't seem to make sense, as if it moved on its own. Was it real? No it couldn't be. But she watched it as it began to laugh with her. On and on it laughed. Until eventually she had to stop…but the shadow carried on. She wished it would stop. She needed it to stop. It was deafening….
She remembered as she stood there in the centre of the room. Her shadow moved around her, knocking the books to the floor….moving the bed across the floor. Moving the chest of drawers….how could a shadow do that? It didn't make sense. All the while the shadow giggled at its mirth, laughing at her and itself. But that wasn't the worst. The shadow quieted down eventually…as Maka sat down on the floor and hugged herself. Trying to imagine herself anywhere else…anywhere…anywhere but here… She peeked at her shadow. It was still there…still mocking her. It was now making shadow puppets on the wall… Almost funny…if she wasn't trapped here and losing her mind. She didn't look. Didn't want to look. But the shadow puppets carried on…each time becoming more and more elaborate…more complex…until such things as dogs and birds soon became weapons and devices of torture….then onward to people. Maka tried to look away. She couldn't take it. The familiar faces that popped up….being paraded around as a puppet. She needed it to stop. She couldn't take the remembered faces. It was too much…
That was when Maka stopped looking, forcing her hands to her face. Trying to block it all out, to become numb to it all. To stop existing. She couldn't take much more of this.
She now peeked out from her fingers, hoping her shadow was gone. Oh please let it be gone. It had been quiet for awhile. She stared out from her space on the floor. The walls were empty. No shadow. It was gone. Maka dared to drop her hands from her face. Maybe it was over? Had she lasted? Her heart beat in her chest as she hoped so. Maybe she could start focusing on a way out of here. Rather then being plagued by her own shadow.
"Finally you moved." Maka froze in place. Who said that?! She whipped around to the speaker. There…on the bed was a boy. Her jaw dropped in utter shock. It was Soul. How? It didn't make sense. Soul shrugged at her. "For a minute there I thought you were dead." Maka tried to speak…she tried to force a sound out. But her throat and mouth were like sand paper. She swallowed as she stood up from the floor. Her face lit up in pure surprise, a tint of wonderment beginning to peak at her lips. Was this Soul? Had he come to rescue her? She dared to hope. Dared to believe.
"S-Soul?" She whispered out. Her voice sounding odd to her own ears. Soul grinned at her.
"The one and only." Maka's couldn't stop her smile. This was unbelievable. She could escape! She could flee with Crona at her side! This was amazing…this was… "You look like hell Maka." Maka glanced down at herself, but she didn't care. Nothing could ruin this moment for her. Her smile stayed on her face. "Not like you look any better usually." …or could it? Maka's smile faltered. He laughed at her. "Ah Maka you are so stupid. You really are so weak. I don't know why I even bothered with you…" What?…what?! "…I only put up with you because you were so pathetic. I felt sorry for you! How stupid is that!" Soul continued to laugh at her. No…Maka couldn't take this. Couldn't believe it!
"No…no…" Maka mumbled out to herself. Was this real? Was this Soul? Please no… She began to reach out to him. He flinched back.
"…urgh…don't touch me. I don't want you to infect me anymore. I have a new meister. One far better then you. I'll show you her. Next time you see me I'll be with her. She is so much better then you. Besides she actually has a chest. Unlike you. Hell maybe I'll date her….she won't be frigid…I bet I can even bed her!" Soul began to chuckle and laugh, as if it was all a big joke. Maka felt herself pale. No…this wasn't Soul…it couldn't be! No! Maka felt tears fall from her eyes. This hurt…it hurt too much.
"Maka…?" Another voice. Another one…this was different. Maka heard it from behind her this time… she turned. But there was no one there! Even as her poor head thundered in her misery and confusion. She turned back to Soul…but he had vanished! Her eyes shook in her distress…was that not real? Was he just a hallucination? No! He was here! He had to be! Maka leapt onto the bed, it had been pulled from the wall by her shadow. Or was that imagined too? No! She saw it! Maka pulled at the sheets and pillow as if trying to find any trace of him.
"Maka?" Once again the voice spoke. It was the same voice as last time. Softer and more timid…no…she yearned for it to be real. But she couldn't take that again. She dared not look this time.
"Go away!" Maka shouted at the other voice. Covering her ears with her hands and squeezing her eyes shut. Shutting out the world, kneeling on the bed.
"Maka…please…look at me." She couldn't resist…what is he was real? What if it really was him? She can't shut him out. Could never shut him out. Oh please let it be real… Slowly Maka turned. To see who she expected…Crona.
His nervous form was stood close to her, just off the bed. He smiled timidly to her. Maka's heart leapt into her throat. Oh please let this be real! She pleaded with Lord death…with whatever god would listen to her wretched soul.
"C-Crona!" She shouted out to him. His smile grew on his face as he closed his eyes and slightly cocked his head. That was cute…wait…what? Maka shook her head. She couldn't believe he was here! It was so good to not be alone! Finally not be alone!
"Hi Maka…" Crona managed out to her. Maka's stomach lurched, that was how much relief and joy she felt. She wanted to run over and hug him…only just about managing to stop herself. She didn't want to scare him. As she would tighten her grip and never let go again.
"Oh…Crona…" Maka's lip wobbled as fresh tears dripped down her skin. She now stood off the bed and closer to him.
"You a-aren't handling t-this… so well… a-are you?" Maka faltered…this didn't sound like him. Her hands dropped as worry bubbled once more in her gut. Oh no… "I t-thought you were strong…I-I thought you could p-protect me…b-but you can't…can you?" Crona said. His words cut her like a knife…no…did he think that? But…she tried…she tried to help…she did! She was! Still is!
"No…Crona…please…" Maka whispered out. Trying to reach him. This hurt more…even more then Soul. She needed Crona…for him to turn his back on her. No!
"You are weak…M-maka…weaker then m-me… I d-don't know why L-lady Medusa gives you so much attention!" He was yelling at her now. Maka shook her head.
"No! Crona please! Please listen to me! I…I…" She screamed at him. She needed to get him to listen! She had to reach him! She reached out to him, she didn't care if he might not like it now. She just had to get through to him!
"Ragnarok…" Maka froze once more. What?! She stared down at his hand. There in his hand was his blade….that disgusting sword. The black sword said not a word. Even when Maka flinched and recoiled back, back and away from him. Further from the bed, further from him. Fear all over her face. Her voice was lost, she had no more words to say…
His eyes swirled into his own madness as he raised his blade…
"Goodbye Maka…" He spoke to her. Maka shrieked and fell to the floor, her knees buckling under her. She raised her arms as if to form a meagre defence. She knew it wouldn't work, she knew it somewhere. But she reacted on pure instinct and fear. Her arms raised above her head as she shut her eyes right. She didn't want to see the madness in his eyes. It pained her even now. She couldn't take it!
However…the death strike never came. Maka let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She was shaking as she snapped her neck up to Crona…but he was gone! Was that…just another hallucination?! Maka pulled her arms away from her now. Her heart thundered in her chest, close to bursting. This was horrific! Maka swung around the room, trying to find him….trying to find what was wrong….what was wrong with her! Maka gulped as her mind continued to spin in panic. Her whole form wired and tense, she didn't want to be out here anymore….she needed a small space…where she could hide…be safe…Maka felt tears run down her face. But she ignored them. She didn't care anymore. Maka's vision panned to the bed…under the bed…yes. Maka shuffled as she came closer to the small enclosed space…that might be safe…better then out here. She wanted, needed somewhere to crawl into and cry. Maka leant onto her hands and knees as she squeezed into the tiny space. She curled up like a dog and lay there. Her eyes snapping around the room…but it was all quiet. Nothing but the ever present light as company.
The room now filled with soft sobs.
They had been walking all night. He wished there was a quicker way back…he used to prefer the long walk. It meant he could be away from Lady Medusa for longer. Away from her glares and demeaning stares…but now. He wanted to get back to Maka. Crona smiled to himself as he walked just behind Free. The pair of them made their way through the swamp. The jagged mocking trees all around them. They both knew the path they had to take. And there…in the distance was Medusa's hidden structure. He could just make it out through the fog.
"I hate it out here…" Free said. Not to him, just out loud. Crona didn't answer. But he agreed. He couldn't wait to get back there. To see Maka.
Yay! Sorry to leave it there. But at least Crona's return is coming up! I know a lot of you are waiting for that. Well nearly there now
.
Once again thank you for all the reviews and love I am receiving for this story, thank you so much! *hugs*
Stein had not picked out a new weapon to tinker with yet. And so he had no choice but to join in, however he had not regretted it. He had been thus randomly paired with quite a few weapons during his time as a loner, and each time he and the weapon had of course matched completely. Cutting a path of destruction through the students as no matter what weapon he used he was a master of said partner within the day.
He could have easily stuck with every single partner that was assigned to him. But it was a part of his own experiment, he vowed to never be weighed down again by pairing with just one weapon. It left a meister weak and vulnerable. It was at this time that he also taught himself how to use his body and soul as his own weapon, he didn't learn it from anyone. He decided to learn and so he did. The one who was the most versatile would be the victor. Why master one trade when you can master them all?
So yes he did indeed remember it fondly. A smile grew on his lips as his mind wondered, only half watching Raven and Soul prepare for their own match up.
Duels were interesting in their own unique way, however unfortunately nothing like being out there against the pre-kishins of the world. Duels were never dangerous. Not really. All meisters and weapons were taught to be offensive with their soul wavelengths, and during that same training were taught to also be moderate and defensive. To control the amount of force used. So that the students would not simply just kill each other during duels and training. Strikes and blows would never be lethal, of course certain areas and strikes were off limits. Such as the head and the neck. Even non lethal strikes to such an area could do a great deal of damage. However far more was perfectly legal then not.
The positive regarding these duels was that students could indeed get a taste of combat and practise techniques and thinking on their feet. However the negative was that as it was not a real fight. The fear was non-existent. The fact that you knew your opponent was not going to kill you altered how you viewed the fight. And so in an actual battle a student can end up fighting so differently in blind panic and fear of death. Still Stein watched with great enthusiasm. His interest was piqued to see how Soul would deal with this situation. Soul had a background in real combat…he wasn't sure about Raven. What experience did she have? Against their opponents, once more he knew little about them. That was good, he could at least view three of them without having prior knowledge. Just based on what he saw right now.
"And…go!" Sid started the duel.
"Rush him!" Soul yelled out to his partner. He decided she must be fast enough to beat that kid, the way the enemy carried his own weapon. There was ample time to get there before he managed to shoot off an arrow. There must be. Soul shouted out his command to get her to move. But she didn't move…Raven flinched and twitched as if she was about to move but faltered. Her eyes flicked to him and then to the other boys. Soul cursed inwardly. This was no time for indecision. He saw the bow begin to rise. The effort vividly showed on the other meister's face….
"Raven! Move!" He shouted at her now, turning his full attention to her. Raven looked right at him. The look of determination was gone, replaced by indecision and panic. No! Not now! Stupid girl! Soul grinded his teeth in the second that they stood there. Wasting precious time. Suddenly Raven swerved her head and vision over to their opponent. She saw the bow held high and right at them! He was drawing the bow string back, about to fire! Raven's eyes widened and suddenly she was off! Like a deer springing into action, fleeing from a predator, her body's acceleration at maximum as she bounded across the grass. Pulling Soul along with her. However…she was not heading toward the opponent…she was heading toward the trees!
Soul decided to let her instincts take them away from immediate danger. He looked back just in time to view an arrow of pure soul energy. Similar to Kid's bullets. The thin arrow missed her body and landed harmlessly into the grass. More arrows flew their way. A growing hail storm brewing. The thin strips barely missing her sprinting form. Raven's breath grew haggard as she struggled with her great exertion, the arrows began to pass them with less of a gap. One even pinged off his blade! Soul blinked his eyes shut in reflex. She was slowing…
"Faster!" Soul demanded of her. Raven didn't respond verbally, but her form did indeed push harder and faster as she dashed over the grass. Quickly she passed into the safety of the forest. Raven braked without warning and then slammed her back into the bark of the tree.
She was panting from her sprint and her hands were trembling something horrid. Soul could tell, his scythe was shaking in her hands. It made him feel a bit sick, a vague sense of motion sickness. This was not fun. But he held back a biting comment and instead examined his meister. Her eyes were panicked and her face was sheet white. He hoped she wasn't about to be sick. What was wrong with her? What had happened to all that determination from before? Soul knew they didn't have long. The archer could appear at any moment and spring another attack. Raven didn't look at him as she regained her breath. She leant her body around the tree as she looked back from where they came.
"Where is he?" Soul asked of her. Unable to see where he was.
"J-just…over…t-there…w-waiting…" She panted out, her speech becoming disjointed. Good, he had a second to try and get a hold of this situation. They could win this…if only he could get Raven to believe it too. But before Soul could try and get through to her she began to bash her own head against the wood. His jaw dropped in slight shock at her self harm.
"Shit…stupid…stupid…me. I'm sorry! I'm sorry! This is my fault!" She punished herself, most likely lowering her self esteem a little more. Soul wasn't feeling sorry for her…no he was getting more and more annoyed at her. He didn't understand what was wrong. Why were girls just so weird?
His eyebrow twitched in annoyance as he struggled back his own ire. But as much as he wanted to just drop all of this and leave, his pride forced him to stick to it. He wouldn't give up on this, or on her.
"Raven! Listen to me!" He snapped at her. She froze and ceased in her self abuse. Staring back at him, her face while shocked, still bore such a downcast, depressed look. "It's not over! I don't understand what's wrong. Tell me. Help me to understand!" He couldn't help her if he couldn't get through to her. He tried to keep his attention on her, but even he kept flicking his eyes around. Expecting the enemy or an arrow to come flying at them at any moment. Her eyes panned down, her face losing the shock as she grew forlorn.
"…sorry…I really wanted to do it. I thought if I wanted it enough, I could do it. But…I dunno….I panicked…" She shook her head, as redness flushed her cheeks, becoming embarrassed at her behaviour. Soul once more glanced around the forest, checking for attack.
"Ok, fine." he tried to support her, even as he must have sounded rushed and irritated. "We'll deal with that later. But you're acting as if it's all over. It's not! We can still win this!" He practically pleaded with her. He would never live down a loss like this, he could almost imagine Black Star's laughing face as he admitted such a loss. "C'mon, just like I said. If we rush him, he loses the long range advantage." Soul nudged her to get up and go back out there. He swore as soon as they got close enough, one good swing and it would all be over. It's what he and Maka would do. It would work here. He swears it would. But Raven's eyes scanned the floor…as if in thought. Then she shook her head.
"No…it won't work." Soul felt his anger starting to flare. Why was she being so pessimistic?!
"Why are you being like this! I told you! We can win this!" He was shouting at her now. Most likely giving away their position. But he no longer cared. She was just being stupid and stubborn. Raven's eyes didn't lock with his own, but her chin was lifted as she next spoke.
"No…I mean we should try something else. I won't make it to him in time. Not carrying you." Soul slammed his jaw shut and now it was his turn to look away.
"Hmph…" Raven shifted from her position and looked back again. Using the wood and shrubs as cover.
"He's coming over now…"
Soul frowned.
"What do we do then?" He asked of her. He was out of ideas. How else could they get close? Not like they could attack from afar, even if as a scythe and meister they had any sort of long range….which they don't. Suddenly Raven snapped back to him, a grin lit up her face. Soul was instantly confused, what was she grinning for?
"Wait! I have an idea…"
Stein watched intently as the archer began to pace in the clearing. Next to him Sid and another teacher he didn't know by name talked and chatted in hushed voices, their tone was negative as they shook their heads and began to write something down on the sheet. Sid checked the stop watch again. Stein wasn't worried, they still had plenty of time left. Besides unlike them he didn't take this at face value. It may have looked like Raven had bottled it and fled. But the match as far from over. And until a winner was decided or the time had ran out, he would not count anybody out just yet. The game was still all to play for.
"Should we call it early?" The female teacher spoke to himself and Sid. Stein turned, the cigarette in his mouth swaying slightly and letting an off angle tiny plume of smoke rise. She better not call it now. But luckily he had no need to voice his opinion. Sid turned to the forest and back to the watch.
"I always gave the students every chance to do their all, that's the kinda man I was." He spoke proudly and folded his arms across his chest. Stein caught the female teacher's face deadpan. Stein nearly laughed right there. But instead he turned his attention back to the field of battle.
Now a couple of minutes had actually passed since Raven had sprinted into the forest. Stein had guessed the archer had lost his patience as he began to walk toward the trees. Stein hoped the battle wouldn't be played out in there, otherwise one of them might have to follow to supervise. As the boy continued to stride closer to the sea of trees across the clearing, Stein and the other staff members glanced at each other. However before they even needed to say a word a sudden yelp sounded out. The sound was sharp and piercing, unexpected. As a trio the teachers all swung their necks round in alarm. What was happening? His eyes quickly scanned the scene. Something had whipped out of the trees! Stein couldn't tell what it was, but the object was hurtling through the air! Stein leaned forward to try and spot the object, he caught the other two teachers do the same next to him.
Another shout followed the first as the object headed straight for the archer! Stein now recognised it as a metal object, it whistled through the air and straight for the archer! The meister was forced to dive to the side at the very last second to avoid the hit! The metal staff shot to the ground and dived into the grass underfoot. The blade a few inches into the soil. Stein relaxed though, he now recognised said object. He chuckled softly to himself. It was a scythe. And that only meant one thing…
He watched the archer scramble to his knees and heft his bow up toward the enemy weapon, stretching out the bow string on guard of another attack. Cleary his once confident face was now off balance and unsure. The weapon made no move however, Soul just sat there, plunged into the soft soil. Stein began to wonder if Raven had thrown him away in an argument and not in some grand plan… His grin dropped a fraction.
However Stein had thought too soon, as he had surmised, it was a ruse after all. As the girl suddenly appeared out of the greenery, her form leaping from the forest. The leaves and plants being bent and forced out of shape as they allowed the creature in their midst passage out of their zone. The prey had turned predator. Her once panicked face full of purpose. This was not unnoticed by the archer meister, he fumbled with his own weapon, but managing to bring it back up to bear. Stein narrowed his eyes, what were they doing? Raven was about to lose… but just as he started to pull back the string. A blade swiped through the air and right into him! The blade slashed down the archer's arm. Shredding the clothes and into skin. The damage not severe enough to cause concern, but enough for the archer to drop the bow and grunt out in a mix of shock and pain. He immediately switched his attention from Raven to Soul. Who was now in human form! Stein was shocked to see such a strategy! This was new. Stein felt the sudden urge to find a notebook, his grin grew larger on his face. Seeing a new strategy, something beyond the accepted norm. Made him excited. His hands shook slightly in his excitement.
Soul didn't let up his attack, instead of his human arm he bore his scythe blade. The sharp weapon threatened serious harm and demanded the full attention of the archer. He swung away at the other boy, the archer forced on the defensive. Losing more and more ground, being pushed away from the bow on the grass. But Stein saw what this was, his eyes panned to the ever incoming Raven. Sprinting across the grass, making her way ever closer. Soul may not be able to finish off the other meister in direct combat. But Raven could.
Soul continued his assault on the poor archer, leaving him wide open and unable to regain his bearings. Even the shouting of the now dropped bow could no longer help him. Stein watched as Raven was now so close, just a bit further… and…there! Soul suddenly shifted and leapt away, leaving the archer confused and off centre as he now had the ground back. Until Raven brought back her fist and punched him square in the back! Stein quickly wondered what would that do. The archer's form contorted around the blow, but the boy screeched out as if in terrible pain, Stein flinched at the sound. His teeth gritted as if on instinct. That scream was a little too pain filled. As if he had been stabbed through the back and his death was imminent, not just losing a match…
The sound soon ceased, the shriek was cut off as the boy crumpled to the floor. His form fell heavy like a brick. That was it. It was over. Raven and Soul were the winners as their opponent was out for the count in the grass. The teachers gave him a few seconds, just to make sure he was not about to get up. Soul at this point jogged around the unmoving body of the meister to stand by Raven's side. She examined the prone form, her face was unreadable. Only concentration as she read the scene, just the same as he did. Stein wasn't sure quite what had happened. But he would soon find out. Perhaps Raven was also able to use soul force in small bursts. That would explain some of what he had witnessed.
"Call it." Stein spoke, sounding uninterested as he took in another puff of his cigarette. Next to him the other two teachers jumped as if brought out of whatever stupor they were in.
"Oh…" Sid said. Looking at the stopwatch one last time and clicking the button to reset it. As a group they walked up to the four students, Stein's long white coat billowed out behind him. The trio quickly reached the group. By now things were starting to relax, but Soul seemed on edge, slightly confused. Raven appeared once more nervous, her face a mask of worry. Her eyes dashing between the fallen opponent and the others, her view shooting between them all. As if a suspect about to be found out for a crime. Perhaps she did know what had happened. But Stein paid no attention to them, as the trio were making their way over, the bow weapon had transformed back into a boy and had quickly made his way over. The tunic wearing weapon was knelt onto the grass, his hands resting on the back of the other boy as he tried to determine what was wrong. The fear plain to see on his features. Thankfully the female teacher pulled the tunic clad boy away from the body of the other. Though Stein admitted, the still form of the meister was a tad unsettling.
Stein leaned down to the prone form of the body, he wasn't moving. Stein hoped the worst hadn't happened, that would be terrible for the school. Yet as soon as he laid his hands on the boy, his fears were quickly alleviated. He was still breathing. That was good. But Stein continued to examine him, the boy was on his front. Stein gently rolled him over onto his back. Yet the boy's face shocked him. How had this happened? The immediate shock quickly vanished to be replaced with an excited interest. Though he managed to push it away before a smile lit up his face, that would be possibly not the best thing to do right now.
The boy's face was white as a sheet, so pale. The boy's eyes were sunken and his face appeared gaunt. As if he had been starved and left trapped somewhere against his will, just now escaping. But that didn't make any sense. He was fine barely a few minutes ago. There was no way he had suddenly become ill like this. No way. Stein glanced at the other boy, his weapon. His face was full of panic and fright. Fearing for the well being of the meister. But before he could hide the sick face of the meister the weapon saw it. Damn. Stein cursed as he stared at the female staff member, he said not a word but she understood what he wanted. She tried to talk to the weapon, to tell him it would be ok, but the boy began to struggle in her grip.
"What happened?! What's wrong with him?!" He yelled out to Stein. Stein didn't and couldn't answer him. Not just yet. He was pretty sure he would live, but he needed to get him to the infirmary. He laid a hand onto the forehead of the meister. He was ice cold to the touch. He scowled even as a familiar urge to examine and dissect these interesting creatures around him bubbled up within him. Now he could no longer stop a small smile from forming, but he hoped no one noticed. The bow weapon however continued to be distraught, fear for his partner evident in his manner and tone.
"You! Raven! What did you do!? What did you do!? Witch!" He shouted hysterically at the winning meister. Stein narrowed his eyes at the shouting weapon, this was getting out of hand. His eyes flicked to the female staff member, her hair and suit now out of place as she struggled with the weapon in her grip. But her face was also full of worry and suspicion. She did catch his gaze however.
"Take him away to calm down, I'll take care of this one." He ordered her. With that he looked back to the meister laying on the floor. He heard her start to move and practically began to drag him away. The shouting and curses beginning to move off, growing quieter.
"I'll handle the other students…" Sid spoke lowly, in an almost hushed tone. Stein didn't answer him. But he did flick his eyes over to the crowd of students, they had seen all of this. They stayed as they were in a group. But their eyes were wide as they chatted to each other, their voices quicker and higher. Stein ignored them for now, as he forced his arms under the boy below him, between the limp form and the ground. He lifted him. Carrying him in his arms. The boy gave no protest as he was held. He was lighter then Stein expected.
Just before he left for the infirmary he shifted his gaze to the winning team. Raven and Soul. Raven was a mess, her form was trembling. Her eyes were filled with worry and panic, even if this was not her fault, even if she had done nothing wrong. He knew Raven would blame herself. It would be the first place she would go to. He knew it. But he did not have time for her right now. Next to her Soul was speaking to her. But she wasn't listening, her eyes glazed over as she had a hand raised to her mouth, the back of the palm to her lips, she was in fact biting into her own skin in her panic. The blood trickling down her hand and dripping to the grass. Soul was starting to shout at her, but she was in her own festering pool of worry and guilt. He would not reach her right now.
He remembered talking to her before, she had seemed so pumped for this, a victory should have done her a world of good. Not engulf her completely in her worries. He had taken a peek at her soul as she had stood in the crowd with Soul. Her soul was small, full of worry and a bag of nerves. But that was only on the surface, one layer down was a different persona. Something different that used to thrive, but was slowly being suffocated by this blanket of worry. He didn't know what had caused it, he examined her soul now.
It was so much worse then before. That blanket was thicker and larger then before, covering her entire being, stronger. She was going to drown in her own fears and worry, but she was doing this to herself. And she needed to pull herself out of it… Stein was just about to look away…yet he noticed something. Her soul was larger then before. He was sure of it. As if she had gained more energy, more power from somewhere. He narrowed his eyes at her. This was new. An equation he saw from a distance, but he didn't have the question, didn't have all the variables. So the answer didn't mean anything. He wanted to investigate. To figure this out. Stein drew his eyes away from Raven. He looked to the form of the boy in his arms. The boy's soul was there, still there. Proof even more then the breathing that he was alive…but something was very off. The boy's soul was so much smaller then it should be. As if he was but a child, or very sick. Stein grew suspicious. That couldn't have been a coincidence. But for now he had to leave, without a word to Raven or Soul he left the clearing.
No sound existed in the room. The room was a vacuum, the scene appeared frozen. Dead. Nothing moved. But someone did indeed occupy the room. The small room. Set up as a bedroom. A mockery of a child's bedroom. Laughing at the perception of reality. The poison of the view dripping down the body of the one person who dwelled in the room. Maka was sat cross legged on the floor. She sat in the very centre of the room. Her back bent forward. Pulling herself inwards, trying to draw herself as small as possible. Her hands covered her face, her head was low. Maka's body was still. Only the very tiny back movements even showed she was breathing. She didn't move. Not an inch in that small room. She was trying to block everything out. She didn't know how long it had been. Didn't know what day it was. Didn't know where she was.
She was too weak and pathetic to be cared about. No one should care about her. What did she do to deserve such kindness? Nothing.
No, she shouldn't think like that. She needed to hold on. Look for another chance to escape. Had to get back to the academy. Had to see everyone again. To see her parents again. Had to take Crona out of his hell….his nightmare with his mother….that witch.
Hold on. Just hold on.
Oh but what was the point of holding on? What was the point? Did anyone even miss her? Maka felt her heart sink and bob in the emotional turmoil of her mind. She was trapped in a whirlpool and she couldn't swim. She couldn't find her way out. Her thoughts were eating her up alive. She couldn't take this. How did Crona take this? Oh how she missed him. The way he held himself, his actions. It all seemed so obvious to her now. She thought he was a weak person and needed help to get out of his madness….but she was wrong. Oh so very, very wrong. He was strong. Stronger then her. She was nothing compared to him. Such a weakling! He had lived his entire life under the harsh thumb of that detestable woman. But she…had only been here a few days? Was it only a few days? Or…was it a month? It felt like a month…but was it that long? Oh…she doesn't know.
Maka still sat there. She still didn't move. Even when her legs went to sleep and her back ached to move. She didn't move. The light from above engulfed her form. But she cared little. Whether drowning in darkness or in light, it didn't matter. She was still trapped. Still alone. Still rotting from the inside out. She didn't want to be alone anymore. She wanted someone….no. She needed him. The one who understood her. The only one who can now. Even if someone she knew suddenly appeared and plucked her from this hell. Oh how she wished that would happen. They could never comprehend this. Could never understand. But he would. Crona would. Crona would always understand. She missed him. She wanted him here. She had never wanted to see someone this much in her life. Not her farther, not her partner….hell not even her mother. But she needed him. Her heart began to yearn for him. He would make it better. Just him being here would make it better. He would drown out the voices…and the visions…
Maka dared to open up one eye and peek out from behind her hand. For the past few hours she had been plagued. Pestered and tugged at. Pulled down and clawed at mentally. She had tried to collect herself. Tried to bring herself back from the brink when she had tore that book. Said pieces still littered the floor. But she didn't care. Like hell she cared. But in her laughter…something began to join in. She watched her shadow grow on the wall. That twisted shape contorted and malformed. It didn't seem to make sense, as if it moved on its own. Was it real? No it couldn't be. But she watched it as it began to laugh with her. On and on it laughed. Until eventually she had to stop…but the shadow carried on. She wished it would stop. She needed it to stop. It was deafening….
She remembered as she stood there in the centre of the room. Her shadow moved around her, knocking the books to the floor….moving the bed across the floor. Moving the chest of drawers….how could a shadow do that? It didn't make sense. All the while the shadow giggled at its mirth, laughing at her and itself. But that wasn't the worst. The shadow quieted down eventually…as Maka sat down on the floor and hugged herself. Trying to imagine herself anywhere else…anywhere…anywhere but here… She peeked at her shadow. It was still there…still mocking her. It was now making shadow puppets on the wall… Almost funny…if she wasn't trapped here and losing her mind. She didn't look. Didn't want to look. But the shadow puppets carried on…each time becoming more and more elaborate…more complex…until such things as dogs and birds soon became weapons and devices of torture….then onward to people. Maka tried to look away. She couldn't take it. The familiar faces that popped up….being paraded around as a puppet. She needed it to stop. She couldn't take the remembered faces. It was too much…
That was when Maka stopped looking, forcing her hands to her face. Trying to block it all out, to become numb to it all. To stop existing. She couldn't take much more of this.
She now peeked out from her fingers, hoping her shadow was gone. Oh please let it be gone. It had been quiet for awhile. She stared out from her space on the floor. The walls were empty. No shadow. It was gone. Maka dared to drop her hands from her face. Maybe it was over? Had she lasted? Her heart beat in her chest as she hoped so. Maybe she could start focusing on a way out of here. Rather then being plagued by her own shadow.
"Finally you moved." Maka froze in place. Who said that?! She whipped around to the speaker. There…on the bed was a boy. Her jaw dropped in utter shock. It was Soul. How? It didn't make sense. Soul shrugged at her. "For a minute there I thought you were dead." Maka tried to speak…she tried to force a sound out. But her throat and mouth were like sand paper. She swallowed as she stood up from the floor. Her face lit up in pure surprise, a tint of wonderment beginning to peak at her lips. Was this Soul? Had he come to rescue her? She dared to hope. Dared to believe.
"S-Soul?" She whispered out. Her voice sounding odd to her own ears. Soul grinned at her.
"The one and only." Maka's couldn't stop her smile. This was unbelievable. She could escape! She could flee with Crona at her side! This was amazing…this was… "You look like hell Maka." Maka glanced down at herself, but she didn't care. Nothing could ruin this moment for her. Her smile stayed on her face. "Not like you look any better usually." …or could it? Maka's smile faltered. He laughed at her. "Ah Maka you are so stupid. You really are so weak. I don't know why I even bothered with you…" What?…what?! "…I only put up with you because you were so pathetic. I felt sorry for you! How stupid is that!" Soul continued to laugh at her. No…Maka couldn't take this. Couldn't believe it!
"No…no…" Maka mumbled out to herself. Was this real? Was this Soul? Please no… She began to reach out to him. He flinched back.
"…urgh…don't touch me. I don't want you to infect me anymore. I have a new meister. One far better then you. I'll show you her. Next time you see me I'll be with her. She is so much better then you. Besides she actually has a chest. Unlike you. Hell maybe I'll date her….she won't be frigid…I bet I can even bed her!" Soul began to chuckle and laugh, as if it was all a big joke. Maka felt herself pale. No…this wasn't Soul…it couldn't be! No! Maka felt tears fall from her eyes. This hurt…it hurt too much.
"Maka…?" Another voice. Another one…this was different. Maka heard it from behind her this time… she turned. But there was no one there! Even as her poor head thundered in her misery and confusion. She turned back to Soul…but he had vanished! Her eyes shook in her distress…was that not real? Was he just a hallucination? No! He was here! He had to be! Maka leapt onto the bed, it had been pulled from the wall by her shadow. Or was that imagined too? No! She saw it! Maka pulled at the sheets and pillow as if trying to find any trace of him.
"Maka?" Once again the voice spoke. It was the same voice as last time. Softer and more timid…no…she yearned for it to be real. But she couldn't take that again. She dared not look this time.
"Go away!" Maka shouted at the other voice. Covering her ears with her hands and squeezing her eyes shut. Shutting out the world, kneeling on the bed.
"Maka…please…look at me." She couldn't resist…what is he was real? What if it really was him? She can't shut him out. Could never shut him out. Oh please let it be real… Slowly Maka turned. To see who she expected…Crona.
His nervous form was stood close to her, just off the bed. He smiled timidly to her. Maka's heart leapt into her throat. Oh please let this be real! She pleaded with Lord death…with whatever god would listen to her wretched soul.
"C-Crona!" She shouted out to him. His smile grew on his face as he closed his eyes and slightly cocked his head. That was cute…wait…what? Maka shook her head. She couldn't believe he was here! It was so good to not be alone! Finally not be alone!
"Hi Maka…" Crona managed out to her. Maka's stomach lurched, that was how much relief and joy she felt. She wanted to run over and hug him…only just about managing to stop herself. She didn't want to scare him. As she would tighten her grip and never let go again.
"Oh…Crona…" Maka's lip wobbled as fresh tears dripped down her skin. She now stood off the bed and closer to him.
"You a-aren't handling t-this… so well… a-are you?" Maka faltered…this didn't sound like him. Her hands dropped as worry bubbled once more in her gut. Oh no… "I t-thought you were strong…I-I thought you could p-protect me…b-but you can't…can you?" Crona said. His words cut her like a knife…no…did he think that? But…she tried…she tried to help…she did! She was! Still is!
"No…Crona…please…" Maka whispered out. Trying to reach him. This hurt more…even more then Soul. She needed Crona…for him to turn his back on her. No!
"You are weak…M-maka…weaker then m-me… I d-don't know why L-lady Medusa gives you so much attention!" He was yelling at her now. Maka shook her head.
"No! Crona please! Please listen to me! I…I…" She screamed at him. She needed to get him to listen! She had to reach him! She reached out to him, she didn't care if he might not like it now. She just had to get through to him!
"Ragnarok…" Maka froze once more. What?! She stared down at his hand. There in his hand was his blade….that disgusting sword. The black sword said not a word. Even when Maka flinched and recoiled back, back and away from him. Further from the bed, further from him. Fear all over her face. Her voice was lost, she had no more words to say…
His eyes swirled into his own madness as he raised his blade…
"Goodbye Maka…" He spoke to her. Maka shrieked and fell to the floor, her knees buckling under her. She raised her arms as if to form a meagre defence. She knew it wouldn't work, she knew it somewhere. But she reacted on pure instinct and fear. Her arms raised above her head as she shut her eyes right. She didn't want to see the madness in his eyes. It pained her even now. She couldn't take it!
However…the death strike never came. Maka let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She was shaking as she snapped her neck up to Crona…but he was gone! Was that…just another hallucination?! Maka pulled her arms away from her now. Her heart thundered in her chest, close to bursting. This was horrific! Maka swung around the room, trying to find him….trying to find what was wrong….what was wrong with her! Maka gulped as her mind continued to spin in panic. Her whole form wired and tense, she didn't want to be out here anymore….she needed a small space…where she could hide…be safe…Maka felt tears run down her face. But she ignored them. She didn't care anymore. Maka's vision panned to the bed…under the bed…yes. Maka shuffled as she came closer to the small enclosed space…that might be safe…better then out here. She wanted, needed somewhere to crawl into and cry. Maka leant onto her hands and knees as she squeezed into the tiny space. She curled up like a dog and lay there. Her eyes snapping around the room…but it was all quiet. Nothing but the ever present light as company.
The room now filled with soft sobs.
They had been walking all night. He wished there was a quicker way back…he used to prefer the long walk. It meant he could be away from Lady Medusa for longer. Away from her glares and demeaning stares…but now. He wanted to get back to Maka. Crona smiled to himself as he walked just behind Free. The pair of them made their way through the swamp. The jagged mocking trees all around them. They both knew the path they had to take. And there…in the distance was Medusa's hidden structure. He could just make it out through the fog.
"I hate it out here…" Free said. Not to him, just out loud. Crona didn't answer. But he agreed. He couldn't wait to get back there. To see Maka.
Yay! Sorry to leave it there. But at least Crona's return is coming up! I know a lot of you are waiting for that. Well nearly there now
.Once again thank you for all the reviews and love I am receiving for this story, thank you so much! *hugs*
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