Better the Devil

Chapter Three

So years had passed… had grown a bit. She had matured a bit although physically she looked like eternally fourteen years old girl. She had lost her childlike innocence when she had determined to help the Earl in his quest to ‘cleanse’ the world.

The Earl had assigned her on so many mission that required killing and destroying. did it without a second thought. She had managed to lock her emotion and continually inflicted pain on others. Though one wouldn’t say she was cruel since she kills the target without seeing the need to torture them mentally or physically unless they deserved it and she made sure that they won’t suffer; it would be quick and painless. always carried out the Earl’s order without question. Luckily, she hasn’t got a mission that would cause a conflict of interest with herself.

During all those years, had grown distant from Tyki. Tyki thought that hate or maybe despise him because of how he is (taking pleasure in everything he did especially inflicting pain and murders). wasn’t quite pleased with Tyki’s ‘hobby’ but she didn’t hate him or despise him. How could she when she was a killer herself? Although the difference in with Tyki and the others Noah was that never enjoyed killing or inflicting pain, despite what she represents.

busied pleasing the Earl by doing her work right and fast. Tyki himself is also busy with his own assignment and other things. still looked up at and as big brother and sister while treated Road, Jasdero and Debito as her younger brothers and sister.

Although she didn’t quite display it openly, she cared for each of the Noah. She loves her family and would not tolerate anyone who hurt them. didn’t get close enough to form a bond with Skin but they did have exchanged a few conversations about the world and human but it was enough for to care for him. Although Skin’s body was bigger than and he was actually older than her, he acted like a spoilt boy when it comes to sweet things and he really need anger management what with his unpredictable temper. Just because he has the “rage” of Noah doesn’t mean he can go around throwing a fit everywhere.

But the real problem lies in her relationship with Tyki. Supposedly she looked up at him as special kind of like older brother but the incident at the times freaked her out which explain the sudden distance in their relationship. And when she found the others were like Tyki, she had to learn to accept that and remembered that they will all pay for their sin which strangely comforted her. She was real big on guiltiness in her sinful action in the line of duty but she didn’t let it get in the way of her mission because more than anything she wanted to make their dream of new world realized at any cost.

wondered why she felt close to Tyki than the other. She felt he was special to her which kind of made her reluctant to think him completely in term of family, older brother. She thought shamefully that she might have feeling for him but wasn’t sure how to handle it which explained her reluctant to view him as sibling. She wanted him as lover and it pained her to feel like that, knowing it could never be done.

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One day, the Earl assigned to go to a region where she had to investigate the possibility of innocence that rumored to be there. had to go undercover and transformed into her ‘white’ form to get close to the human so that she could find the information regarding the innocence. It has been a long time since the last time she reverted into her ‘white’ form. felt vulnerable in that form because it made her feel emotion that she thought she got rid of. However in the same time, she welcomed that alien yet familiar feeling into her heart.

had gone from one town to another and then to one village to the next, however, she couldn’t find a proof that the innocence was there. Finally she came down upon the last village. She didn’t bother to bring akumas to help with her investigation since she felt like she couldn’t depend much on them, besides they could only causes trouble and destruction and didn’t want to cause havoc when it wasn’t necessary. She felt like it was a waste of time, that and the fact she really didn’t want to deal with extra “pain”.

had made a mistake of getting too close to the village people, more specifically the children. Actually the one who had approached and befriended her was a little boy by the name Will. The eight-years-old boy had a crush on from the moment he laid his eyes on the older girl.

Will had given her a flute and taught her a few songs; it was a melody the village people used to play when there was a festival. had been happy to receive that small gift from the boy and very greatly interested in learning.

And then, she finally discovered that the innocence was really in the village. The innocence was in the form of a beautifully decorated white cross artifact belong to a nun who worked in the church there. However it didn’t seem like the nun knew about the innocence or show any sign of innocence power. And the village people pray in front of the artifact for love, protection and peace.

found herself hesitate to take the innocence away from the village people who seemed to treasure the artifact so much because they claimed it gave them hope that one day heaven shall come upon the earth and the mind of people. felt a great pain in her heart. She chuckled when she realized that she was going through one of those conflict of interest things…

loves the village and the people there. She wished she had live there before she joined the Earl. The village is like a small piece of heaven on earth for her. That’s why she was having a hard time to make a decision of what to do. For some reason, the Earl seemed to sense it and sent Tyki to take a few akumas to ‘help’ fulfill the task.

was chatting with Will when Tyki appeared. was alarmed to see him there.

“Look like you’re having fun, -chan…” Tyki said as he approached who sat on a rock at a hilltop where she could see the scenery of the village.

“Who is he, Onee-san? Is he your friend?” Will had asked innocently.

didn’t answer as she kept her eyes on Tyki cautiously.

Tyki turned his gaze on the small boy beside the girl. He smiled faintly. “Well, hello there, boy…”

Will looked up at Tyki curiously. “What was that mark on your forehead, mister? It looks like a multiple cross. Does it hurt?”

Tyki laughed. He bent down to the boy’s level. “What is your name, boy?”

“Will. Will Turner.”

“Well, I’m Tyki Mikk. It’s a pleasure meeting you.” Tyki said with a smile. “To answer your questions before…” He fingered the mark on his forehead lightly. “This mark is like a distinction mark that we are part of our special family and, no, it didn’t hurt at all.”

“ Onee-san didn’t have that mark on her so she can’t be part of your family. Are you her fiancé? Are you here to take her away?” Will had asked rather grudgingly.

Tyki smiled while blushed at the mention of ‘fiancé’.

Before Tyki could answer, quickly said, “No, he is not my fiancé. Will, could you do me a favor and let me talk to him for a few minutes? Why don’t you go play with the others on the hillside?”

Will looked like want to protest but offered him a reassuring smile. He nodded obediently and left the two with whatever business they had.

“Why are you here?”

“The Earl sent me. He said you’re taking too long to finish the mission this time. Did you find it here?”

didn’t answer. She looks down to her lap.

Tyki observed the younger girl. “It was just a simple question, why can’t you answer it?”

turned her gaze toward the older man and then said sorrowfully, “Yes…”

Tyki was actually caught off guard at the sorrow he detected in her tone. He remained calm and sighed. “Why didn’t you report it to the Earl? He was a little bit displeased with you and your late report. It isn’t like you…”

“I know…”

“Are you trying to protect them?”

flinched. “I don’t know… Perhaps I did… Yes…”

Tyki raised an eyebrow at her unsure answer. “Maybe you should back down and let me finish the mission myself.”

stood up and glared. “What? You think I can’t finish the mission myself?”

“Can you?”

“…”

“I thought so. That’s why the Earl sent me here to do what need to be done…”

Suddenly there were explosion and smoke followed by a scream of terror.

whipped her head toward the village and saw at least three akumas floating on the sky in the village, shooting at the village people. She turned her gaze at Tyki. She looks upset and angry. “You sent akumas to attack the village?”

Tyki didn’t answer. He remained calm as if he didn’t do anything wrong.

was angry at the older Noah for that particular action even though she knew he just did what the Earl told him to do. wished he would just take the innocence without needing to hurt the people in the village.

turned to leave but Tyki caught her wrist.

“What are you planning to do? Are you going to try to save them?” Tyki asked rather coldly.

glared at him. “The order is to retrieve the innocence, isn’t it? There is no need to cause destruction in this village!”

But what is the fun in doing just that? That would be what Tyki thought. He loves seeing people suffer; he took pleasure in their suffering after all he represents the “pleasure” of Noah which is why he enjoyed everything he did, good or bad.

“You are getting attachment on those human…” Tyki said as if he didn’t. “And here I thought you hate human…”

“These people are different!” defended as she struggled to break free from his grip. “Let me go!”

Tyki smirked at her attempt to break free. He pulled her toward him and then smashed her on the nearest tree. glared despite the sharp pain having her head hit the tree. Tyki found her glare cute. “Where is the innocence, ?” he asked.

“Let… Me… Go…” hissed.

Tyki smiled and gently stroke the younger girl’s hair. “I don’t think you understand your position now, … I’m in charge of this mission. I’m actually doing you a favor here, cleaning up your mess before the Earl found this little stunt of yours…”

’s face turned pale at the mention of the Earl. She had seen what happened when the Earl was angry and it was very unpleasant. She shivered in fear.

Tyki raised her chin so he could see her face. “Who has the innocence, ?” he asked, this time gently.

turned her gaze away from the older man. “It’s in the church…”

Tyki released her. “Good…” He turned toward the village down the hill. “I will finish this as soon as possible…”

“Wait!” stopped him. “Let me finish it. After all it was originally my task.” She said.

Tyki observed her face. He sighed. “Fine.”

Many of the village people had died of the akumas’ blood bullets. The houses there were also destroyed in fire or demolished. The church remained unharmed. Most of the survivor had hid inside the church. For some reason, the akumas couldn’t destroy the church and figured it was because of the innocence.

walked toward the church. The nun, Sister Agnes, saw her and hurried her to get inside, saying demons has come to destroy them then she saw the akumas which floating behind but didn’t harm her at all. Realization was down to her face then she shook her head in disbelief and hurt. “No…”

looked sad, almost feeling guilty. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to drag them here. I should have taken the innocence and left…but I love this village and the people here…” she said softly.

“Innocence?” Sister Agnes look confused. “What are you talking about?”

closed her eyes as she reverted into her ‘black’ form.

Sister Agnes and the other survivors stared at her between terrified and hurt.

“W-what are you?”

“Traitor! She worked for evil!”

stared at them and sighed. She walked inside the church. The survivors, except Sister Agnes, were cowered in fear at her approach. She walked past Sister Agnes and raised her hand toward the artifact there. The white cross exploded into pieces and a green light of innocence stone-like fell on the floor near .

Sister Agnes and the survivors gasped when they saw before their very eyes how their symbol of hope was crushed just like that.

picked the innocence up and observed it.

“Good job…” Tyki suddenly appeared on the church’s door way. He walked toward with a satisfied smile on his face. Tyki smirked as he looked at the survivors. He could sense fear emanating from them. He looked at the frozen fear in Sister Agnes’s face and smirked.

“How can evil entered the church?” Sister Agnes muttered.

“Let’s just say us being here is God’s will…” Tyki answered with a shrug.

walked toward Tyki and gave him the innocence. “Leave them be. Order your akumas to back down.”

Tyki chuckled. He raised his hands up as if giving up. “Ok, ok, as you wish…” He turned to look at the survivors. “Although wouldn’t it be better if we finish them off? After all we did destroy their symbol of hope…”

didn’t say anything or even turn to look at the rest of the people in the eyes. She walked outside the church and surprised to see Will. The boy was standing on the end of the stairs. He looked at , eyes filled with tears. His eyes filled with pain and anger.

was caught off guard by that stare because it was filled with so much pain, a pain that very familiar with her, the one she had experienced herself in the past.

“It’s a lie…” Will whispered. “Onee-san…”

’s lips quivered when she saw the boy’s fallen tears.

“I…we trusted you! How could you betray us like this?” Will brushed his tears away as he glared angrily at . His body was trembling though. “Why? Why?”

Tyki was at ’s side. He looks bored. “, let’s just go home…”

closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before nodded and followed Tyki. She walked past Will, trying not to flinching at the angry glare he kept sending at her.

“Demon!” Will suddenly yelled at ’s back. “You’re a demon!”

froze in her steps but she didn’t turn her back from the boy. Her mind had a flash of people called her ‘demon child’.

Tyki stopped walking when did. He stared at her then at the boy.

“You’re a trickster! You’re the worst! We trusted you, welcomed you at our village!” Will yelled enraged and hurt at ’s betrayal.

still didn’t respond. She remembered herself, how many times were she betrayed and hurt by the people she love and the people who claimed to care for her? And now, it seemed she did the same thing to the people she cared to. She chuckled softly, bitterly. A demon, indeed, she is, worst than human, perhaps...

Sister Agnes ran outside the church, tried to get Will to shut up.

“You will go to hell and suffer!!” Will cursed her.

closed her eyes. She turned toward Will. She smiled sadly. “Hell? I’ve been there all the way…” she said and turned to leave.

Tyki waved his hand and a door appeared. “Come, …” He offered a hand toward .

walked toward Tyki and took his hand.

The two disappeared inside the door, the door closed and faded away into nothingness.

Will, Sister Agnes and the other survivors watched as the akumas floating away from the village as well.

Will cried out. “I won’t forgive her! Never!” he yelled.

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The Earl was sitting in his chamber when and Tyki appeared before him. He smiled. “Earl Tyki Mikk, , welcome home. Why don’t you two tell me and your others siblings of your ‘journey’?”

bit her lips. She knew she would have to explain why she let witnesses alive. Her mind raced for an excuse but she figured she wouldn’t be able to hide it since Tyki was there with her. She sighed as she braced herself for punishment.

Tyki smiled as he closed his eyes. He ran a hand over his hair. He opened his eyes. “We have found the innocence, Millennium Earl. did well in finishing her task. There is nothing to be worry about…”

was surprised that Tyki hadn’t ‘rat’ her out to the Earl.

“I see…” The Earl seemed content with Tyki’s answer. “So where is the innocence?”

Tyki took the innocence out of his pocket and gave them to the Earl.

The Earl stared at the innocence in his hand and then destroyed it into pieces within his grip.

“It wasn’t ‘it’, huh?” Road asked with a pout. “Then again if it was so easy to find, it wouldn’t be fun…” She giggled.

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Tyki was sitting in his favorite chair near the fireplace while drinking red blood wine as he contemplated what happened today. He was worried about and her attachment with human. He just hopes she didn’t make the same mistake again because he couldn’t protect her forever.

Someone knocked the door to his room. Tyki lazily get up and open the door. He was a bit surprised to see was there. The girl is standing in front of him with such sad eyes. She look vulnerable which make him feel protective but a part of him, the not-so-nice one, wanted to hurt and break her.

“…” Tyki smiled as he leaned against the doorframe. “What bring you here in the middle of the night? Can’t sleep?” he teased her. He remembered she used to come to him whenever she can’t sleep or sad but she didn’t anymore ever since the incident.

didn’t answer. She clutched her chest and looked up toward the taller man. “I… I want to thank you… For what you did today…”

Tyki shrugged. “It’s not a problem… Come in.”

came inside the room. She saw the glass wine on the table.

Tyki closed the door and turned to observe the obviously uncomfortable girl.

turned around slowly and for awhile she didn’t say anything. “Why did you do it?” asked quietly. “Why did you lie for me?”

Tyki observed the girl. “Would you rather face punishment from the Earl?”

still look disturbed. “But if the Earl found out, you would…”

“He won’t know… Just make sure you would be careful next time…” Tyki cut her as he walked pass her and sat down in his chair, taking in the glass wine and drink it. “Would you like a drink?”

shook her head. “I…” She didn’t know what to say. “Thank you for looking after me…” she said finally. She was taken aback when her gaze locked with Tyki’s golden eyes. For a split second, she thought she saw lust in his eyes. She took in his appearance. He looks so handsome and very… Tempting… What with his loose white shirt which allowed her to see his… Asset. She blushed at her own thought. “I owe you for this… Someday I will… Return the favor…” She look down to hide the blush, refusing to make another eyes contact or look at him.

Tyki watched her, amused. He grinned as he stood up and walked toward her. He reached out to caress her cheek gently.

was a bit alerted by the gesture and took a step back as she look at him questioningly.

Tyki leaned down and whisper in her ear. “I could tell you how to return the favor…” He sounded so seductive. He watched the girl’s face covered with a pretty blush as she realized what the older man was implying. He caught her chin and leaned down to kiss her but just when their lips almost touching, she pushed him away.

look dazed but she fought to remain calm. “I… I will leave you now… We will speak later… When you… Are… Not… Drunk…” she said as she slowly steps back and then turned around to open the door and exited the room. Her heart was pounding like crazy.

Tyki watched her leave, torn between amusement and disappointment. He chuckled and then seated himself, resumed drinking. He shook the glass wine a bit, playfully. “It’s not nice to peek and eavesdrop on people, you know…”

A giggle. Suddenly appeared near the fireplace. She had covered herself with invisibility before. “Sorry, couldn’t resist…”

Tyki put down the glass wine. “What bring you here, ?”

“The usual…” said. “I was surprised to see her here. For a minute there, I thought she was going to let you ‘do’ her…”

Tyki shrugged. “Unlike you, she is still pure in that sense…”

“Well, her loss is my gain…” said. She moved toward Tyki and then boldly crawled on his lap. Hands wrapped around Tyki’s neck. She leaned down to kiss him fully in the mouth and the man didn’t resist.

Tyki smirked as started to unfastened the rest of the button in his shirt.

 

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Cassiel Lorna

Edited by Butterfly - May 28, 2008