A Sound Soul

30. Crashing the Party

Blood. All I could see around me was blood. Walking through my own home, the horrific sight it was.

"Why am I here?" I felt scared. I tried leaving my old home, but found myself right back to where I was. I couldn't escape. No matter what door I walked through, I was back in the middle of the crime that took place.

"You can't escape from this hell, Bel."

I turn around to find Gage standing behind me. Darkness covering his features. He didn't look like the Gage I had remembered. No, he was no longer that person I loved.

"Why did you do this?" I cried out. Why would he do this? What was the reason?
"Why did you leave me to die?" Gage cocks his head mockingly. He gives me a sinister grin, shaking up my spine.
"But I didn't! I-I didn't leave.." My voice gets quiet. "I didn't.."

I felt Gage's hand around my neck, cutting of my breathing.
"Stupid, weak weapon. No wonder things happened the way they did. It's all your fault. Your family's death. My family's death. All of it." His taunting continue while his grip got tighter.
"I-It's not.. my.. fault.." My sight was getting blurry. My hands that were trying to pry Gage's grip away were quickly weakening.

"Bel, wake up!" Gage said. Only it wasn't his voice. It was Soul's.
"Bel! Wake up, please!" I hear desperation in his voice, my strength returning back.
With the energy I had, I punch Gage in the face, his grip leaving my neck.

I wake up with a jolt. My blurry eyes scan the room around me seeing Soul holding my hand tightly and the others standing around the room. I see Stein standing behind them, a serious look on his face.

"What's happening?" My voice croaked. I felt Bandit on my lap.
"You need to get up. Nurse Medusa is a witch and she's attacking the school. She's trapped everyone in the ballroom, but Sid managed to have us escape." Maka informs me.
"THAT HAG. WAIT UNTIL SHE GETS A WHACKING FROM ME." Black Star yelled.
"Black Star.." Tsubaki looks stressed.

"How are you feeling? We don't have much time.." Soul softly says to me, his grip still tight on my hand.
"Soul's right, there isn't much time. There is a Kishin hidden beneath the school that Medusa is trying to revive." Kid adds. "We have to act now before it's too late. We only have one hour."

"What on earth did I miss?" I rub Bandit's head, glad he's by me right now.
"We need your help." Maka states. "Medusa is attacking and... Gage is with her."

Hearing his name makes me forget the grogginess in my head. I sit up straight, releasing my grip on Soul's hand.
"Say no more. Let's go." I get up from the bed, and Tsubaki holds her arm out to me.

"I brought some clothes for you to change into... though I couldn't seem to find your scarf... I'm sorry." Tsubaki says apologetically.
"Don't worry about it, I have nothing to hide now." I touch the scar on my neck. No longer ashamed of how it happened.

'It wasn't my fault.'

~

After being briefed on what happened while I was in the infirmary, we all were all heading underground to where the Kishin was.
To think that this whole time, there was a Kishin right beneath all of our noses and we had no clue.
We stop at an entrance. The trimming was red and on each side stood statues with what looked to be eyes staring at us.

"This is the entrance we need..." Stein states. "Our enemy is powerful."
A chill runs down my spine in excitement. Bandit perches up on my shoulder. I can tell he was just as excited as I am for whatever is coming up. It's been awhile since me and him have fought together. That last mission I was on, he wasn't even there.
I shook my head, trying not to think of that mission.

"If you aren't prepared for what lies ahead..." Stein's back is facing us. "then you may die. If you wanna turn around... better do it now." Stein lights a cigarette in his mouth.

I look around me at everyone, seeing their faces change with determination as they are putting on their fighting clothes. I'm happy to admit that these are my friends... even though I won't ever admit that out loud again. Once is probably enough.

"Are you ready to fight against fear itself?" Stein releases a puff of smoke and side glances behind him, talking to all of us. My fist clench, waiting in anticipation for what he's about to say next.
"Will you cross beyond that door...? Let your souls make the decision for you." Stein finally turns around towards us.

Everyone finishes getting their fighting clothes ready. Smirks on all of ours faces.
"We're coming." Maka exclaims. It was the first time I considered Maka being a leader. Her back was straight, fists clenched. Not a look of fear on her face.
We all nod in agreement with her.

Stein grins, proud of our decision. "Good."

'Lets do this.'