Chapter 12

?'s POV

It was so dark everywhere I looked.

I was alone.

I don't know how I got here or how long I've been here.

It was so quiet.

…

Brother…where are you?

Where are you guys…

Someone…help me…

…Allen…I…

Please…don't leave me…

I'm so scared…

Anyone…? Is there anyone there…?

…so cold…

Nobody's POV

"So…cold…" Komui tucked the blanket higher until it reached under his sister's chin. He carefully arranged the other corners of the blanket around her to make her more comfortable. It had been like this for a week and still no signs of waking up. He was getting worried.

A week since the disaster that happened in the European Branch HQ, of their friend turning into something else. Inspector Lvellie had placed an order for the recapturing of Allen Walker, once known as a rogue Exorcist, now an escaped experiment subject. The inspector didn't give more details after that, only that the subject must be brought back, dead or alive, and with any means necessary.

Exorcist Chaozii had also been placed in the 'extensive care' side of the medical wing along with Lenalee as they were the ones injured the most during the crisis. Since headquarter was in such a state after what happened, the medical wing was overcrowded with patients of other injuries.

More importantly, things were not looking good for Allen Walker.

Adding the disappearance of the doctor in charge of the One-Eyed Project, many suspected that Allen Walker had something to do with it. Not so farfetched since everyone already knew about the incident with General Yuu Kanda not that long ago.

Strangely enough, both the Akuma and Noah activity had since lowered down. They weren't as active as they used to be after the incident in the North American branch. The Noahs weren't even attacking them right at that moment when they were at their most defenceless state. But the Branch Head of the European Branch wasn't going to look at a gift horse in the mouth, because everyone needed the break.

Komui stayed with his sister for as long as he could before he was forced to leave her for another gathering. He sighed tiredly and was dreading about what was going to be announcing for the unforeseeable future. After checking Lenalee for any mild discomfort that he could find for the umpteen time, he leaves the infirmary and heads for one of the only halls that was damaged the least and big enough to hold everyone in.

For his own sanity and the rest, he hopes to get through this gathering with more answers than questions.

Makeshift Gathering Hall

Nobody's POV

"The monster has escape again!"

"Why didn't the Great Generals do anything in this situation?! Are they abandoning us?"

"I heard that it was that Noah host, Allen Walker. Finally showing his true colours, I bet."

"The Crows couldn't even stop him! We are doomed!"

"The Earl is sure to come and finish from where he left off! We have to call reinforcements!"

"We need to think this through. We still have the new Exorcists from the American Branch and Asia Branch. I hope the ones from Moscow are being call in, we need the tough ones to get back at the bastard."

The hall was anything but an organised gathering. Everyone had their own opinion on the situation on hand. Some were heard to be dealing it better than others. There were those that wanted to resign and go back to their family while they can. Some felt that with Allen Walker going rogue again, they stand no chance against the Noah Clan and their Akuma.

It was total chaos, some tried to make their opinion matter while others tried to shout over them. Even with the new order from Inspector Malcolm wasn't enough to quell some of the people.

"I'm telling you, it's better that they drop the One-Eyed Project before they create more monsters like that Noah scum! It's been a week since we last heard of him but that's not to say that wherever it's at, the public is in peace. Innocent lives could be at risk wherever it's hiding right now!"

Before things could escalate even further, the CROWs started filling in the hall. Everyone became silent at the sight of them. And just as everyone predicted, Inspector Malcolm C. Lvellie makes his entrance. What surprised most, however was the presence of his most trusted subordinate, Howard Link. Alive and well, from the looks of it.

Murmurs began at the sight of the man, because most of them had seen while others heard of his passing. Another secret that the inspector had kept to himself and his CROWs.

"Now that all of us are here, let us get this underway." the inspector calls out once he reaches the podium. "As you all are aware, our experiment subject has escaped once again approximately 7 days ago while it was being confined deep underground, supposedly where it should be inescapable due to the thick concrete walls and binding talismans surrounding the containment."

Komui had to clench his fist under the table where none of the CROWs could see. The knowledge of the underground dungeon's existence was only known to a select few, mostly to those in the position of head branch or the Great Generals. Even now, they only reveal the existence of the maze when they couldn't keep it hidden from anyone after Allen had emerged from that place looking like a true monster.

"As the subject began its rampage, my CROWs had informed me that Hevlaska had sensed an unknown entity inside of Allen Walker during his awakening. Not long after that, reports came in that Hevlaska had cried out in pain during which Exorcist Chaozii Han's Innocence was consumed." The hall was filled with horrified gasps as most of the members of the European Branch felt dread and despair. Not only did Allen Walker became a half-ghoul, he now has a taste for Innocence fragment as well. "Luckily the exorcist survived the ordeal. However, he could no longer be an exorcist without his Innocence. He would be honourable discharge as soon as he recovers."

'Or force to forget everything that had ever happen here and then get kick out,' Komui thought. It was no secret among them on what happens to the members of the Black Order when they resign and never to be heard from again. It was another either that or get assassinated when you least expected.

Then Inspector Lvellie goes on with his report on how many were injured from the attack and that a number of Finders were killed in action, causing more tension among the people. Komui knew exactly what the man was trying to do and hated that it was working. He wasn't the only one who knew what was happening.

Standing by the wall on the far left were Bookman and his apprentice. They were silently observing everyone and no doubt recording the event. By the looks of their eyes, Komui could see that they knew it too. Kanda was a little harder to spot, Komui only managed to find him was because the general was walking right towards the inspector.

Other members of the Black Order became quiet in fear as they watch the famously known short-tempered General marching towards Lvellie with a purposeful stride. The CROWs merely watch him under their hoods, not moving to intercept him at all. It seems like the inspector knew that this would happen.

"Very predictable, General Kanda. Never the less, there is an urgent mission that you are assign to." Lvellie smiled arrogantly as if he had been right all along. "You are assign with a team of your choosing to hunt down Subject AWX and find Professor K. We have reasons to believe that the professor had ran off right before the incident happen. It may have been his plan from the beginning but until then it was only a speculation. You are given access to his office to search for any clues you might find useful. Dismissed."

Inspector Lvellie left General Kanda standing there, leaving with his CROWs trailing behind him. Howard Link was hesitant, but in the end he left with his superior. The other members of the order soon left as well. Only Kanda, Komui, Lavi and Bookman were the only ones left in the hall.

"You sure you can take Allen head on? We barely escape when he wasn't in his right mind. Whose to say what will happen if he's being serious." Lavi said when he went to check on how Kanda was doing. The other man wasn't silent and expressionless, only his clenched fists showed his irritation at the inspector's words. "Whatever it is, you know you can count on me to have your back."

Kanda's POV

That smug bastard thought he knew everything. Sucks for him then when he finds out what I really intend on doing. At least the stupid rabbit knows when to ask questions. Komui might be slower to keep up and harder to convince, but I know what I was doing.

All that was left was to find that self-sacrificing idiot. Knowing him, he would try to put as much distance between himself and us just like last time thinking he was doing everyone a favour. If only I had his golem, I could find him just like that. But that thing had been gone for a while and neither was it with Allen. At a time like this, where would that little thing be?

If that golem isn't with Allen or in the Order, could it be that someone had caught it?

No use thinking about it when obviously it was not around right now. I just had to follow some clues as to where the Ark Gate that Moyashi used had led to. The list of debts from his master could give me some clue. Or not, with his current condition. He could be trying to stay as far away from any human civilisation for as long as he could until hunger strikes.

Maybe it was time for me to look into those reports from the Finders. They must have seen something this past week but too dumb to connect the dots. I will leave the reading to the stupid Usagi, god knows how much he loves to read.

I might visit Lenalee too before I set out for my mission. I really do hope she wakes up soon.

London, England (Evening)

Nobody's POV

"Ladies and gentleman, we humbly welcome you to Garvey Circus!" A portly man in colourful striped suit shouted on a platform situated right at the entrance of the circus ground. "Where all the wonders in the world brought right to you! Including our newest attraction just waiting for you to feast your eyes on!"

Circus goers had lined up to the ticket booth impatiently waiting for their turn to buy tickets to enter the circus ground since early evening. Some of the patrons were couples having a lovely time together while others were families bringing their kids to have some quality family time. But most patrons were in for one thing and one thing only: 'The Demon of London.'

"I heard from my neighbour that it had killed and drank from drunken men under Tower Bridge before it had too many to drink and that is why it is in a slumber." One young lad told his group of friends as they enter the tent. His friend scoffed at the ridiculous notion.

"Well, I head from my cousin who lived near here saying that the demon must have escaped from some hunters so that's why it looked so beat up." The lad huffed while his friends tried to ask him more as his other friend tried to tell them more on what they heard about this 'demon'.

The number of patrons had increased tremendously since they opened up that new attraction in the freak show tent. It's not that they don't know if that thing was genuine or not, it's more likely that the people managing the ringleader just didn't care. As long as it was making more money, he's keeping it in the circus. And the rumours were just helping them make lots of dough for the circus.

Even the ringleader didn't believe that thing was human, not when it was asleep for a whole week without food or water. Just laying in its cage unmoving since it was thrown in there. The servant tasked with cleaning the cages had confirmed with the ringleader that the thing was still breathing so it was still alive.

"Hoho, looks like we have a lots of new faces here in Carvey Circus's Freak Show!" The same portly man announced to the audience. "Before we begin the show, let you tell you a little something to keep in mind." He exaggeratedly draws in the crowds, "The demon had been in slumber for a whole week, as you all have already know. I have decided to be generous to let our dear patrons to have the once in a lifetime opportunity: to touch the the demon with your very own bare hands." The crowd goes excited at the prospect of touching something so supernatural. "You heard that right folks! With just a few pound and you get to feel the mystic energy of the unknown!"

"I know, my friends. I know. I'm so excited as well. 7 days, a whole 7 days without food or water and it still lives, folks!" While the patrons were enthusiastically clapping, a hooded figure silently watches beside the benches. He had heard the rumours and the advertisement and was curious about this attraction this circus was boasting about.

A cage covered with a thick cloth and tied with chains was pulled out from the stage. The audience was quickly silent in anticipation. The portly man with coloured striped suit walked around the cage while swinging his cane around, occasionally tapping the bars with it. "Are you ready for the moment you all have been waiting for? Are you ready to see this wolf in sheep's clothing?"

The audience cheered loudly, chanting to the man who was obviously the ringleader to take the cloth off so that they could see what they paid good money for. The hooded figure watched closely for the reveal as well. The ringleader leisurely unlocks the chains that kept the cage covered with the cloth.

"You have seen the two-headed snake, a three-armed man, a man that eats fire, but you have never seen…THE DEMON OF LONDON!" Once the ringleader shouts out, he pulls the cloth off of the cage.

It revealed a pale young man covered with scars in tattered clothing. A familiar scar adored his left eye. A black scaled arm on his right. Hair as white as snow. Everyone in the audience watched in awe at the sight.

But the Finder watched in dread. He saw what he needed to see and took off into the emergency exit and right out of the tent. As he ran away from the circus ground, he called to headquarters with the phone from his backpack.

"I have visual contact of the escaped experiment subject! I repeat: I have visual contact of Subject AWX! I'm sending coordinates to you now!" The Finder was frantic as he relay his findings back to his superiors. He was hoping that HQ would send reinforcements as soon as they could, he didn't want a repeat of the nightmare to happen to the locals.

Ringleader's POV

It was a big hit since taking that thing in. No idea where Cosimov found it, but it's making us rich so it's not my concern. Although the thing does remind me of someone but I just can't put my finger to it. Anyway, with this new hit we're going to make more than what we did for the past month.

And it shows since there were more people waiting in line than it did during the last show. I'll be swimming in dough soon enough that I can finally sell the circus and retire. I can finally leave all these problems to the next guy while I live like a king.

The performance had just ended and the customers are impatiently waiting for the last entertainment. I am brimming was excitement at the numbers steadily going up, I can't wait to get back to my quarters and count today's profit.

Nobody's POV

People flocked towards the cage in the middle of the stage immediately after the performance ended. Each paid a considerable amount for a ticket to have a closer look at the dubbed 'Demon of London'. Not everyone was brave enough to put their hands between the bars and touch the slumbering thing. There were those few children that wanted to have a go but their parents forbid them.

It was closer to midnight when those with families were going home that one person was willing to touch the 'demon'. The young man had just lost a bet with one of his friends and had to go through with it or risk being the laughing stock to the entire school.

His friends sat by the benches nearby as they watch him paid his ticket, watching in glee as the young man waits for his turn to get close to the cage. His friends joked that he would chicken out once he got close enough to touch.

When it was his turn, both of his palms were covered in sweat from all the nerves. All he had to do was pluck a few strand of hair from the thing and show it to his friends and his bet would be done. Sounds quite easy in his head; it was entirely different once he was standing right in front of the demon's cage.

The demon looked sound asleep and from what he heard, it had been that way for the whole week so it doesn't look like it would wake up anytime soon. That brought a little relief to his hammering heart.

Or so that was what he kept telling himself, even he couldn't quite believe it. There was just this something inside of him that kept warning him not to do it, maybe it was the wrongness he felt around the cage or the feelings he got from from looking at the thing in the cage with human skin.

"Jared, are you going to do it or not? We don't have all night!" One of his friends sneered. "If you can't do it, just say so, man…"

That did it for him. Ignoring what his instinct was telling him, he reached in and plucked a few long strand of pure white hair. It was soft to the touch and he was surprised at the softness. He was so mesmerised by the feeling that he didn't notice the eyes that were staring at him.

He didn't noticed the cold and slitted golden eyes staring at him and the few strand that were clasped in the his hand until the person beside him shouted out in shock. He looked up and saw the demon staring straight into his eyes with a strange expression while slowing getting up from its laying position. The people around were chatting excitedly at the demon waking up, then horror when its right eye changed colour.

The demon snarled at the people before it push the top of the cage, it came off rather easily. The people around them ran when they saw this, pushing and shoving as they try to get away. The young man was pushed to the ground as everyone ran, accidentally twisting his ankle.

Jared stared at the demon with horror in his eyes, too scared out of his mind to think of getting up and limp away. How could he when the demon was crawling towards him with that intense look in its eyes. The young man shuts his eyes tightly when the demon was so close, hearing it breathing down on his face with a starved predator. He didn't know how long he stayed that way, but in the next moment he couldn't hear the demon anymore.

He opened his eyes to see that the demon was looking towards the ringleader, not paying him any attention any longer. One of his friends saw this opportunity and sneaked closer to him and helped him to slowly limped away. The strand of white hair still tightly clasped in his hand.

Jared hoped that if he comes out of this alive, he needs new friends.

Cosimov's POV

"Come on ladies, one at a time. The night is still young and all of us, and I do mean all of us, are going to enjoy it." All the new girls giggled while holding onto my arms while we drank in my newly furnished tent. Who knew the thing I brought back could get me this lucky. We should have done this years ago with that monster, who cares what it thinks then. Too bad when that crazy clown left he also took off with it.

All these ladies with me came to have a good time in the circus, they just so happened to have heard how I brought the so-called 'demon' back single-handedly. I retell the story and they were impressed, kept praising me as a brave and strong man. Especially strong. I like the sound of that.

I was about to conclude my heroic deed to society for capturing such unruly beast when someone came tumbling into my tent. I was annoyed with their interruption as I was about to shout at them to get out, but what they said stopped me.

"THE DEMON HAS ESCAPED! IT IS MAULING THE RINGLEADER! WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE!"

That man turned out to be the animal handler, he was trying to warn us before he himself ran out. The ladies I had with me were muttering on what was going on. I reassured them that it was just a prank they were trying to pull on me to make me look bad.

As the ladies were calming down, we heard people screaming before the sound of a huge crowd running. We were getting a little more anxious with the fear the crowd was making.

"It is true…? Is the demon really loose?" One of the ladies asked her friends.

"The man that came in, he did try to warn us…"The one besides me shuttered out.

Then they were packing their things and were trying to leave. They were leaving before we could have our fun! I had to make them stay, but I had to proof that it was just all a prank by the other jealous members of the troupe. Yes, that was it. They were just ruining my night with these fine young woman for making me the favourite of the ringleader.

"Now now, ladies. I assure you that it was just a hugely elaborated prank caused by those envious colleagues of mine. Tell you what, I'll go check it myself while you beauties wait here where it's safe." That does seem to calm them enough to stay while I go strangle whoever thought that this was funny.

"Be careful, darling!" I like the sound of that. If these young ladies weren't put out by the situation, I might just turn around and forget that someone was trying to ruin my night.

"Don't you worry, dolls. I'll be rig-" Something grabbed my ankle and pulled. The girls screamed while I was dragged further away from my tent. I fearfully tried to grab hold of anything to stopped whatever was pulling me away from safety. When nothing I grabbed worked, I tried digging my fingers into the dirt to stop it. It only broke my nails and it hurts as they started to bleed onto the path.

"HELP ME!" I screamed as I watched some of the troupe members ran past me, all looked horrified when they saw how I was dragged. The thing pulling me only stopped when it reached just the edge of the circus grounds, where the leafless trees were standing.

It took a moment to finally noticed that I couldn't see the thing anymore and that caused me to panic. I looked around for it frantically, trying to find where the danger was. All I found was a small mound right at the base of one of those trees. It was old, that much I could tell. And there was a colourful ball perched on top of it. It looked familiar.

Then I felt something was behind me and I was too afraid to turn and face it. Its breath stank of blood, it could mean that it was injured and I may have a chance to escape. That hope was dashed when the thing took a bite on my shoulder! I screamed for it to let go but it won't, if anything it tightens until I heard I pop and my entire arm was brutally pulled off!

"AAAAHHHHHHH!" There was nothing that came close to compare to the pain I felt at the moment. Beyond the tears and my scream, I could see the thing that was torturing me when it roughly pushed me onto my back. Pale face speckled with blood was the first thing I saw, until the scar and the white hair only then I finally remembered that it was the thing I brought back from that alley.

"…Cosimov…" It spoke out. The pain was temporarily forgotten as shock replaced it. That voice, it was slightly different but I recognised it. Fear started to flood within me as I stare at the thing that had ate my arm. "Red Arm…?"

That scrawny brat that used to work for the circus before disappearing with that crazy clown. He's all grown up. He was really a demon child after all. My mind was working overtime to try and come up with something so he wouldn't kill me. It kept circling back to how I used to beat him up when I was in a foul mood.

"Please don't…don't kill me…" I begged because I remembered how everyone treated the brat then and I was sure as hell he wasn't going to forget all of that now that he was here. "Can't we all start over…? Or at least go after the ringleader that bought you here? You know it was all because of him that your life was so miserable! If anything, he should be the one supposed to pay for all of this!"

'Red Arm' stared at me before he spat something out of his mouth. It landed right beside my head and for a terrified moment, I thought it was a finger, but I was shocked speechless for I recognised that it was a ring with a finger still attached. And not just any ring either.

It was the ringleader's favourite emerald ring. He said it was gifted to him by some royal in the east during his younger years of his career. He swears that it could be worth a fortune and that he would never sold it off no matter how good the price was.

That was why the ringleader would never take it off, always fearing that someone might steal it from him if he left it in his office. Not even when he showers.

"He already did."

Nobody's POV

By the time the nearest Exorcists were deployed to the location, the circus was already abandoned for quite some time. They proceed with utmost caution. What they reported back to their branch was a gruesome depictions of carnage.

All the bodies found around the circus ground were the senior members of the troupe, members that have been working there for over a decade. Most of them died from blood loss while others died from being stabbed through their lungs or neck and died a slowly. What the observers found that all the bodies had in common were that they did not have a clean death.

The animals were left unharmed inside their cages but all of them were tensed and nervous when the Exorcists arrived to investigate their holding area. The old animal tamer was found with his chest cavity opened and his heart missing and that his face was slashed deep into the skull with his left eye missing from its socket.

They found the ringleader's body in the main tent. It was the only one found so far with the head detached and smashed along with his guts exposed for the flies to feed, while none of his organs were eaten. The frightening part discovered after closer examination was that the head seemed to have been pulled off from the body not by hand, but by teeth based on the bite marks around the neck. The way his body was left to rot suggested that it was personal.

The Exorcists were scouting the outer premises when they stumbled another body. It was unexpectedly more gruesome than the ringleader's, of which they considered was gory enough. One of the Exorcists couldn't hold it in and vomits right by the trees. The victim's body was so disfigured that they couldn't even identify the victim's identity other than it was a male. The corpse was left in a much worse condition that the Exorcists on site suspected that whoever did this had a strong grudge against the man.

They already knew who the killer was, yet they couldn't believe that he was capable of such savagery. Whatever they thought didn't matter, what did matter was to find any clues that could tell them where the rogue experiment subject could have gone. Their search yielded no such clues other than more carnage around the circus grounds.

The Exorcists were briefed about the subject's past so they knew he used to worked at a circus. The rogue experiment subject must have endured so much hatred for Garvey Circus from his time working for them to purge the older members so brutally. The Finder who reported his observation also stated how they had caged him and put him on display all while he was in a coma-liked state. It was a wonder how the circus was still in business before the carnage.

When they have gather all the evidence they could find, they paid off the remaining members of the circus for their silence on the matter and that they do not breath a single word of what happened to the general public. Otherwise the Order will send the CROWs to tie up those loose ends.

After all that was done, the Exorcists and Finders left what remained of Garvey Circus to report back at the nearest church. All the while not knowing someone was watching their every move, also left when it was noted that they have yet to connect the dots other than the destruction left behind by the rogue experiment subject.

The Order needs better eyes if they were to uncover the bigger picture. Or else, they may be too late to stop what was coming.

Black Ark

Tyki's POV

"For the last time, I am not going to attend some fancy ball just so you could introduce some girls to me." Sheril pouted when he heard my answer, "besides, I already have plans for the next week, you can't make me change them at such a short notice." His face then grimaced, knowing full well of who I am going to spend my week with.

"I would prefer you attend this ball than going out working in some dirty mines with those subhumans of yours. We are the superior race and all you can think about is this false life, when are you going to accept that I'm just trying to get you to see the truth here." and yet here you are trying to get me to spend some time with those humans you called 'political figure'.

I tuned out when he began lecturing me about the importance of being present in such a ball. My mind thought back on the news we just received that morning about the disturbance somewhere in London. The Akuma that reported regretfully informed us that they weren't there when it happened, only the fresh aftermath. There were no widowers crying for their loved ones nor any children who lost their parents for the Earl to make more Akumas, however, the carnage was the one thing that had all of our attention. Road especially, she was the most attentive one about that last detail.

As usual, I asked her about it. And as usual, she only gave me a cryptic smiled. Wisely tried to read her mind and was swiftly threatened with a very pointed candle for his trouble. After the meeting, Road made her escape before any of us could even leave our seats, taking away the chance for any of us to question her about what she knew.

Road had always been strange with her ways, but it became impossibly stranger since she came back with a new body. I knew that none of us were getting an answer from her so we just dropped it. I was rather curious to know if the disturbance had anything to do with Cheater Boy A. Last I heard of him was from a week ago by one of Fiedla's parasites. Boy, was he lucky that pain couldn't be transmitted through his connection with his parasites.

Knowing the Order, that crippled Exorcist had became useless in their eyes and soon to be discarded. It would do all of us some good to have that man gone before he was found to be carrying sensitive information to the enemy unknowingly. Although, I would be lying to say I wasn't curious to know how the Order deals with traitors.

Anyway, Sheril was still droning on about etiquette and whatnot, still hadn't noticed that I wasn't listening to a single word he was sprouting. Reckon it was the perfect opportunity to escape while he was distracted. Who knows when I'll be able to get more chances like this.

"-and let us not forget that the daughter from one of those prestigious nobles is going to-"

Sheril was still talking when I silently slipped out of the room, my brain would have rot if I ever listen to another word he's saying. Sure it made the Earl's job easier on making more Akuma while creating more misery for the subhumans, but it was a boring way.

Anyway, I was thinking about visiting London again just to see if I could get a feel of the atmosphere. And also to avoid my brother for as long as I could. He will find me but the hours he is going to spend looking for me might just be worth it. If I were to accidentally bump into a certain someone, that would make my day.

As I was walking towards one of the doors marked for 'London', I sensed someone following me. I looked back and found Wisely casually leaning on a wall, already dressed warmly for the cold city streets of London. I raised my eyebrow in question, he just huffs at me as he joins me by my side.

"I'm getting away from Sheril before he even thinks about dragging me to attend that ball." Well, that answers one of my question. "I'm bored, and you just so happen to be looking for the same answers as me." And that just answered my second most pressing question. If Wisely wasn't so annoying I would have found his company enjoyable. "That's just plain rude, Tyki." Never mind, he's an annoying little brat.

The walk was silent as we reached the door, I went through it without waiting to see if Wisely was following close behind. The door led to a clothing store, manage by one of the Level 2 Akuma. They greeted us as we left the store and into the busy street of London.

Winter was fast approaching and the streets were already cold enough for the people to bundle themselves up in their expensive winter coats. We donned ours to trick these subhumans into thinking we were like them when in reality we are so much more.

I didn't have a destination in mind so we spend some time just sightseeing the place. To be honest, it was nice, to just walk around with nothing to do. Peaceful as we could be with these Memories inside of us, whispering their hatred for these subhumans and the need to destroy them all.

I caught a flyers just before it could slammed into my face, and chuckled after reading the article. Something about the Earth being hollow was just too ridicules that I couldn't imagine whoever came up the the concept was so desperate for attention. I threw it in the trash where it belongs, feeling so light after reading something as hilarious as that. As if the earth we stood on was hollow, who would in their right mind believe that.

It was sunset when I finally took noticed of our surroundings. And also Wisely's murderous glance at me for wondering so long in the freezing weather. The crowd had already thinned out and soon no one would be around. I was just thinking about heading back, hopefully after Sheril had left somewhere in search of us, when we heard some kind of commotion from somewhere nearby, and it was progressing louder.

"Probably some drunkards, relatively early to be out drinking." I guessed when we were about to pass a bakery that was closed for the night. We stopped just short of walking directly in front of the alley beside the bakery when a figure dashed right before us. The subhuman stank of alcohol, the cheap kind.

"MONSTER! HELP! THERE IS A-hurk!" The burly man was grabbed by a white clawed tendril before he was dragged back into the alley. A cutoff scream was heard before it was silence again. There were footsteps coming towards us in a cautious pace.

"I see that you have been busy, care to enlighten us on what you're looking for?" Wisely leisurely asked when the person that us the Noah Clan were thinking about that morning, walked out covered in dried blood. Allen Walker looked very different since the last time we faced each other.

"Long time no see, Boy." I smiled when he glanced at me. Such cold expression. And with those storm-coloured eyes with a hint of gold no less. "Did the bloodlust of our Memories have already affected you this much, or was it something else?"

"What…are you guys doing here…" If we did not have enhanced hearing, we would not have heard his question. He shook his heard as if to clear something before looking back at us with an almost glazed look in his eyes without losing that wariness. He was clenching something tightly in his left fist that I could make out was a white cloth.

"Something to do with who you're looking for?" I nodded at the torn cloth and he flinched slightly. "Relax, we aren't going to stop you if you're going on a killing spree. In fact, We welcome it." The boy looked unnerved when he caught sight of our satisfied grins.

Allen only clench tighter around the torn piece of fabric. I could only guess that it holds the scent of the lovely doctor that turned him into this ghoul hybrid. And I could also guess that he was reluctant to use his new found ability to track the doctor down this way, but he does it anyway as there was no other solution to find the runaway doctor.

"You know, with our connection we could find this Doctor K within an hour. With the speed you're going, the man might have already fled the country and you would have to search for him all over again." I told him while Wisely raised a brow at me. "All you have to do is just come back with us, the Earl would be so happy to have you-"

"No." Well, that was expected, he wouldn't be Allen Walker otherwise. "I'll find the doctor myself. This is between me and him." His form was tense as if he was expecting us to drag him back if he refuse.

I could feel Wisely judgmental stare as I felt amused with the boy's reaction. Allen would be more surprised with what I had to say to him next. Technically none of us were ordered to take him back to the clan so I think we were in the clear.

"Alright." And that was true. Allen looked surprised with the easy way we were accepting his refusal. "Did you really think us so badly that we wouldn't take 'no' for an answer? Boy, we know you'll come around eventually. Be it months or years, you will come back to us." The grim look he had was enough to tell me what he thought of that.

Allen was about to brush pass us when Wisely stops him with his next words. He was inspecting the 4 unconscious man all laying on the ground, all of them reek of alcohol. Wisely got that look in his eyes like when he's about to start blowing up heads.

"Words have been circling around for your recapture. There's even a reward for anyone with any tips about a white-haired and scarred young man. Best leave no witnesses behind, wouldn't you say?" Wisely smiled all-knowingly at the boy as he toed the nearest unresponsive and vulnerable body. All Allen did was stare at Demon Eye Wisely coldly until the 5th Disciple indulgently step away from the humans. "It was just a friendly advice, you don't have to take it to the heart."

"To show that we meant what we said earlier, we'll be leaving you right at this moment so you can think about it." I said as I was pulling Wisely away, we had to return back to the Black Ark before Sheril starts sending the Akumas to locate us. "Don't take too long though, the Earl's final Act might start sooner than you expect." And we walked away without so much as a glance back. I could practically feel Allen burning holes behind our heads.

We left Allen and returned back to the clothing store we first came out of. Sheril was waiting for us on the other side of the gate with a dark frown on his face. He began to lecture the both of us while marching us off to prepare for another ball taking place next month despite our protest.

"The Earl had already agreed that the two of you should attend that ball. It is going to be a charity ball, but we still have to show up to show our support as the Kamelot Family. And this ball is going to be a special one." Sheril smiled at the last part. He spread his arms like he was welcoming praise. "Members of the Black Order from the European Branch will come to show their support as well, and we have reasons to believe that all the Exorcists from that branch will attend as well."

Well, that just makes things more interesting. Maybe attending the charity ball won't be such a hassle now that we know the Exorcists are coming. And since the Earl had wanted all of us to go, who are we to go against his orders.

I wonder if Allen would like to know about this, he wanted to avoid any more confrontation with his former allies. We could use this to persuade him that the subhumans were never his family, and only we, the Noah Clan, are the only family he ever needs. Do you want the honours of telling him?

"Wisely, please stop speaking into my head." Reprimanding him won't work but his words do have a point. We could turn this towards our favour and the Earl would be so please with the end results if we were to succeed. "Now, what will you do, Boy? If your so-called 'friends' were to find you again." I would like to know how Allen Walker, now a ghoul hybrid, a rogue Exorcist and a host of the Fourteenth, faces the Black Order, his former home. I really can't wait to find out.

Cambridgeshire, England (Early Morning)

Nobody's POV

After the two Noah left liked they said they would, Allen began his journey to Cambridgeshire. It took him a couple of hours but he made it just as the sun peaks out from the horizon. He didn't dare to stop for a rest, still wary from the promise made by the Noahs. He had his own promise to fulfil, he owns Caleb at least that much for all the help the ghoul gave.

He only had a name to find Caleb's sister, Cornelia. He just had to make sure that she was safe and well care for, just like what Caleb would have wanted for her. Allen didn't have anything of Caleb's to give to Cornelia if he found her to remind her of her brother, except a chain necklace that he had somehow snagged right before he left Caleb's body behind. The only regret he felt in his muddled brain then was that he couldn't give Caleb's body the proper burial.

Allen had reached the small rural town by midmorning, it was surprisingly deserted. The stores and stalls were all closed and there weren't any animals out and about either. He felt unease as he strolls around the town square. The windows around him quickly shut tight as he was passing by and when he got a glimpse of the town folks, they were all terrified.

'What had made all these people so afraid of outsiders? Akuma? But my eye didn't detect any of them.'

The hybrid was still thinking about it when he smelt blood, freshly spilled. The scent was familiar enough that he could not have mistaken it for anything else. He followed it to the outskirt of town and that was when he heard people talking. He slowed his steps and silently crouch down as he approaches the chatter. When he was close enough, he saw men in black coats holding weapons, they have nothing on them to help him identify them except for all the unusually colours their weapons adopted.

They were all crowding around two bodies laying on the ground. It was a teen and a little girl. He couldn't tell if the girl was alive but he could see the teen's chest rising and falling laboriously. One of the black coated man saw this and took out his sword, it was coloured in deep purple that Allen did not recognise the material it could be made from until he saw the sword twitch for a moment.

Wasting no time, Allen dashed forward and block the stab that was meant to pierce the teen's chest. Others around him snapped to attention and took out their various coloured weapons as well. Allen bodily pushed the first attacker away before he blocked another from his side. The hybrid saw that his small effort only managed to chip the blade, confirming his suspicion on what they were made of.

"I thought there are only small fries in this dump! That's why they sent us to deal with them! Intel never told us about this guy!" One of them shouted out as Allen crushed his sword with his Koukaku, followed up by a spin attack to push away another from his back and snapped the blue scythe in half that was aimed on his blind spot.

When the black coat man got a look at his eyes, they began to panic. "HE'S GOT ONLY ONE KAKUGAN!" They retreated after that. From the scents alone, Allen could tell that they were all human. But the weapons they carried, they carried the scents of ghouls.

When those humans were gone from sight, Allen rush towards the two on the ground. He had noticed that they were ghouls from the sluggish way the teen's body was trying to heal the gaping hole in his torso. He checked for any pulse on the girl and was saddened to find out that she was gone, while the teen was barely clenching on.

"Cor…Cornelia…is she…okay…?" Allen looked towards him, already noticed that his eyes were unfocused. "I-I have to…keep her safe…till-till Caleb comes back…" Allen was hit with remorse that he couldn't protect the little girl he had been looking for. He had failed Caleb again. But the least he could do then was to lessen the teen's suffering in his final moment.

"Yeah, she's alright. She's just resting. You have protected her from those humans. Caleb is going to be very happy when he comes back." Allen lied to the teen as he watch the light slowly leaving from those Kakugans. "You're a strong ghoul. I got to tell Caleb when I see him that you helped him protecting his sister. What is your name?"

"Tha…that is good. Then the debt has been paid…" the teen's healing had stopped altogether. "Tell him that…I-I'm…I'm…" Allen never gets to hear it as the teen ghoul's heart stopped beating. Allen sat there for a moment to mourn for both the ghouls' untimely death. Even if he has never met them, he knew that they wouldn't have hunted humans indiscriminately. From their gaunt bodies and sunken eyes, they had been starving.

There wasn't much he could do for them but he could at least give them a proper burial so that those hunters won't come back to desecrate them or for any other ghouls to eat their flesh. Allen dug as deep as he could with his Koukaku and planted crosses when he finished covering them. He sent a small prayer for them to be reunited with their loved ones.

'There wasn't anything I could do for them,' Allen tried to reason himself. 'I wasn't even sure what I would find when I was looking for Caleb's sister. Definitely not this.' He kept telling himself that it wasn't his fault. He did all he could. But it still does't take the pain away knowing that if he had arrive sooner, maybe both of the ghouls would have still be alive.

"Sad scene you're making here, pal. It's like you don't know that this is the way how most of our kind end." A very gruff voice called out behind Allen. The winds shifted and he could smell 2 more other ghouls flanking the first one. "Now you went and making the meat covered in dirt. Washing them is always a pain if our alpha wanted to eat those fresh kills."

The sight that greeted Allen as he turn to face the speaker were those cannibal ghouls with blazing Kakugans. All 3 of them were large and looked well fed, they radiated confidences as if they could take him head-on. Allen could already see that they had a rather lacklustre stance, thinking that he was no match for the 3 of them.

It was their mistake then, since they have never met anything like Allen before.

That was how another of their own came upon them. All 3 large ghouls beaten into a pulp while 1 small looking ghoul was completely unscratched compared to them.

"I leave you guys for a minute and already you can't even do 1 simple job." The newcomer said. He was larger then the those 3 and much more cocky when he talks. Allen instantly dislike this ghoul. "You can't even take this guy out. My father would be disappointed when he demotes you but he'll get over it once I told him that you pussy can't even take out 1 weakling."Allen definitely dislike this ghoul. He could already feel the eyebrow twitching at the insult.

"Maybe you should test me yourself before going around thinking you mean shit." Allen was already not in any mood to deal with people like these but he can't the smirk growing on his face when his words hit a sore spot for that ghoul. "Or are you too incompetent that you need these thugs to do your job."

It certainly didn't take much for the ghoul to take offence to his ego, already his Kakugans were blazing in anger when he charged at Allen intending to kill him for his insolence. And Allen for his part, stood his ground waiting for his opponent to come within reach. When he was close enough, Allen just grab his neck and slam him down onto his back. The shockwave was enough to wake the previous 3 ghouls as they were sweating from fear after seeing Allen's display of strength. Allen's opponent was completely out cold.

"What? You guys want another go?" The 3 ghouls shook their heads so fast Allen thought that they might fall off. "Then get out of my sight." They did not need to be told twice as they gather the unconscious ghoul and limped away from him in apparent fear.

It was quiet for the while, for Allen stood there contemplating on what he should do next. The most obvious plan was to find Doctor K, stop any plans he might have had and demand to know why he wants to create more like him, but he had no leads on the whereabouts of the elusive man. His scent alone won't be able to help Allen find out where the man had been going or staying. He needs to gather more information regarding the man. But where?

He then left the 2 graves alone, firmly sure that the ghouls won't come back to desecrate them. On the grave of Cornelia, a chain necklace was left on the makeshift cross.

He left the silent town following a worn dirt path. It was already noon and the sun shone pleasantly on him as if to comfort him. The breeze were gentle as if caressing his face. It was peaceful, Allen was almost glad for it.

Almost.

'After everything I've been through, you think you can hide from me?'

Not too far away a presence concealed themselves from his view. They did a really good job at keeping themselves unnoticed, the wind was blowing the other way so that Allen couldn't catch their scent. But the presence could not hide themselves from Allen's greatly enhanced instinct. He kept walking.

Another felt closer to him but also kept their distance. And another felt even closer. And then another and another. The feeling kept nagging under Allen's skin, making him even more agitated with their arrival. He had a sinking feeling that it might relate to the ghouls he beat up earlier.

In the end, Allen was right. They had systematically corralled him to the woods far from town. He could break free but even as his instincts were screaming at him to tear these insolent ghouls apart, he kept himself in check and wanted to find out what they wanted from him because if they were really trying to kill him as revenge, they would have done so while they were still in the open.

They led him in deep until Allen could just make out the voices echoing through the woods. The deeper he went, the louder it became until he stumbled upon a large campsite. There were so many people busy with their own task that they at first didn't notice him until one of the presences he felt earlier came out and stared hard at him. The campsite was plummeted into tense silence.

When the wind picked up again, Allen finally caught their scents. Every person that he saw were ghouls. Young or old, all of them and not a single human among them. The only human scent were of the flesh they were eating on.

"Keep moving." The one who first came out commanded, "Father wants to meet you."

Allen indulged him and kept going. The ghouls all parted a way for him when he came close. Most of them were fearful of the large ghouls flanking him, however, there were some younger ones that were staring at Allen rather curiously.

Allen was led to a large tent at the middle of the campsite. There were many girls outside dressed rather revealing waiting. They did not pay any attention to the arriving ghouls, only parted a path for them. When Allen was ushered in, he saw the interior lavishly furnished. More female attendees were minding their own chores while some were entertaining 1 rather muscled man on the bed. He only had his pants on with his hands getting a little handsy with the girl on his lap. He only stopped when the ghoul that led Allen here whispered something to him.

"Urg! Wait with the other girls, I'm gonna deal with this." He roughly push the person on his lap off, and she went off without so much a whimper. Maybe it was normal for them here. "I heard you beat the crap out of my hunters and one of my sons. Pretty unbelievable looking at your size. But! There is just something in your scent that's bothering me…" He came close and smell Allen, unbothered when the hybrid stepped back from the close proximity. "I think I could smell my other son from you. I ain't saying he did you in, all I'm saying he don't bend that way. But he's been missing for some time and I chucked it up to him forming his new pack." That muscled ghoul had no filter like he was discussing about the weather.

"I never met your son. Just the doctor that might have something to do with his disappearance." Allen tries to clarify to that ghoul. "Look, I don't want any trouble. Your hunters were the ones that were harassing me and I was just defending myself. I just want to leave and continue on my search." He was being stared at for a while until the ghoul moves away. Allen thought that the conversation was over and that he could leave.

Suddenly the muscled ghoul moved impossibly fast for his size and snatched the cloth from Allen's person. He took a whiff of it and scrunched his nose. Allen was too stunned to utter a word when the cloth was handed back to him. "Didn't think I saw you keeping this safe, did cha?" He said that with a smug.

"I smelt this scent before. During one of our hunting trips near a large town last week. I remembered because it was strange for a human to have that much blood on him." The ghoul mused. "Tell ya what: Be part of my pack and I'll see to it that you get the man you're looking for while I find out where my missing son went." Initially, it sounded like a good plan for Allen. But there was just something that the ghoul wasn't telling him. He felt that he should be wary of that fact before going into more details about this arrangement.

"What does it really mean to join your pack?"

The ghoul chuckled for a moment before his Kakugans reveal themselves.

"Be part of my mid-rankers and work your way up to being a beta. With your skills no doubt that's easy as breathing for ya. I could use more ghouls like yourself. Half or otherwise. Who knows, maybe you could even start a new bloodline beside mine here."

"And if I refuse?"

"Good luck finding that town on your own. The scent could have gone cold by the time you track it. That man woulda gotten away long before you could ever hope to find him again." That leaves Allen with not many options. He has to find the man responsible as soon as possible, but he can't with how the man seems to be able to evade even the church's connection.

Maybe it was a more effective for Allen if he were to join the pack for the time being. He could always leave if it was leading him nowhere. It wasn't like the ghouls here could stop him.

"Fine. I accept joining your pack." The ghoul was grinning toothily with Allen's answer.

"Then I formally welcome you to my pack. From now on, I am Great Alpha Dean to you."

Temporary Campsite (night)

Allen's POV

"Father has assigned me to be your observer until you earn your place among us. You will be placed in my tent for the foreseeable future. After Father has deem you situated, you will be given a sleeping quarter of your own." The same ghoul that had brought me to meet the leader of this pack, Cain, informed me of the arrangement. He was a serious ghoul, blunt and always straight to the point. He and Kanda would have become great friends.

"We eat when Father said we could. We hunt when Father orders us to. We leave once Father says so. Any other questions?" He explained that much, which wasn't all that difficult to follow. I took another look around, noticed that it was only slightly bigger than the other tents we walked by.

Cain's tent was modest, big enough for four with a few things put together in a neat stack. Maybe pack life for a ghoul is better then being on my own. But the way things were going for this pack seems to rely too much on that ghoul, Great Alpha Dean. Was it a ghoul society thing? Best not mention how strange it was to Cain, he seems to respect his father a lot.

"What happens to the ghouls that disobey the rules?" Cain suddenly looked very intense that I started to feel a little uncomfortable. A minute passed as I thought that he was just going to stare at me until I drop the question that he finally answer.

"No one disobeys Father." Simple as that, Cain walks out doing who knows what. Leaving me alone in the tent. Probably to make me feel more at ease after the whole thing.

From a glance, it was a very modest tent, enough to fit three occupants. Cain didn't have much so it was rather spacious. He had his cot placed in the middle, so I had placed mine by the edge, facing the opening. Call it old habits but I feel more at ease if I could see whoever is coming in. There was a scent in the tent, I looked around and found a small incense burning at a corner. It had a nice scent to it, the kind that makes you relax for the time being.

I didn't have anything except for the cloths on my back so settling in was quick. After that I just sat in my cot and the exhaustion of the entire day finally caught up. I slumped down, covering my eyes with arm, just laying there for a long time. Just this morning I had thought that I could at least fulfil Caleb's last wish. Fate was never kind to me. Nor to anyone I know.

At the very least, my friends would be safe from a monster like me. They don't have to worry about being eaten, or suspected by the Vatican for collaborating with the likes of me.

This was the right choice.

…this was the only choice.

…for a destroyer like me…

Unknown Location

Nobody's POV

"He's been sleeping for months now, as I am no sorcerer I can only say that his magic is the only thing keeping him alive at this point. However, his conditions improved exponentially last night. I have no idea why but this could be a sign."

"We can't just wait for him anymore, time is running out! I don't care if Neah's host isn't human anymore, there won't be anyone left to save if the Millennium Earl is left to continue deteriorating like that."

"Do we know where the host is? Our last sighting was somewhere in London. After that we lost sighting, but 2 from the clan of Noah were seen around the area. We don't have confirmation whether the host had join them but if he did then this war is as good as over."

"You spoken as if we have already lost! May I remind you that none of this would have happen if that traitor were to be dealt with then but you forbid me of doing my job! Your hands will be stain with the blood of millions when, and not if, The Three Days of Darkness descend upon this world."

A golden blur flew them by but none of the humans paid any mind to the little thing. There was no where else it would rather be.

It landed by the bedside table, right beside a black fedora hat and a white half-mask. It stared hard at the twitching man laying on the bed. After a moment, the man let out a loud groan that emphasises the tiredness he had been feeling for a long time.

The man finally sat up, hissed in pain when his hand touched his forehead which was still sore from the faint impression. At last the man saw the golden creature waiting patiently while staring at the man with that eyeless cross it had for a face.

"Argh… what time is it…Timcanpy…and how's my idiot apprentice doing…"