#words than my feelings towards the original. hmph. anyways i remembered they exist and i need to kick something

[angeltism]

I don't think I should mention that over the years I've seen the male rivals video wayyy too many times and much too much fanart of them

[ginnyweasleywannabe]

Treasure Hunt Chapter 3

Final Word count 5272

Find on AO3 at "Inthemiddle2"

Marlene wouldn’t normally consider herself a light sleeper but she was on edge. Which is why she was groggily looking at the clock on her night stand to see it read 6am. She was hoping to get a little more sleep before what was bound to be a long day. She had just closed her eyes when she heard a clang in the kitchen. She shot up remembering what had originally woken her up was the sound of the front door jingling and then opening. She looked to her phone seeing if she had received any new messages. Last night, after packing, she sent Marc a text asking him to text her when he knew he would be coming home, he hadn’t responded which meant the rudding in the kitchen wasn’t him. She looked around her room for anything that she could use, the best she could find was an old coffee mug.

Marlene quickly and quietly moved down the stairs, she made her was down the hall. The kitchen was open to the living room, she was at the corner. OK it was time to buck up Marlene, she turned the corner eyes closed and tossed the mug at the intruder. It wasn’t her best plan but the mug smashed into the cabinet as the man ducked. Marlene didn’t see anything as her eyes were closed but she could hear the mug shatter.

“What the fuck, McKinnon?” Sirius Black was just looking back and forth between the shattered mug on the floor and the girl standing, in a very small tank and shorts set he noted, with her eyes closed and arms to her chest.

“Oh thank Merlin, it’s just you” She released a breath and lunged wrapping her arms around him.

“’Doing alright by myself’ my ass” he rolled his eyes.

Marlene stepped away from him and glared. She instantly missed the heat he was providing.

“What are you even doing here? You’re early.”

The truth was Sirius had always had issues sleeping. Something Marlene was unaware of because he slept relatively peacefully with her. Anyway he had been up early and he knew she had been missing Marc. Also yesterday was a big day for her and he felt bad her day was ruined. His plan was to sneak in and make her blueberry pancakes. He wanted to start their little adventure on a good start.

“Couldn’t sleep so I figured I’d use the spare and get here early. Might as well make pancakes.” He just shrugged, he wasn’t in the mood to go into all the under feelings for their situation.

“Oh” She blushed at his admission. Marlene wasn’t sure what she expected but him coming over to cook her pancakes was not it. That was unexpectedly sweet of him. “Well you still could have sent me a text so I wouldn’t have been scared shitless.” Her words didn’t have much bite to them. He was just looking back at her, god why was she blushing so much. “Well I’ll go get changed and you can get cookin’ good lookin’”

Marlene froze with what she just said---and why had she used finger guns. She just turned on her heal. Once she was out of sight she mouthed ‘oh my god’, Why did she just have to blurt out everything she thought.

Sirius on the other hand was holding in a smile. He could tell she was embarrassed, she practically ran out of the room. He got to work making the pancakes

Marlene came back down dress in cut offs and an old t-shirt of Marc’s. Sirius passed her a plate.

“Thanks for this, I haven’t eaten a proper meal since Marc’s been gone.” Marlene was digging into her pancakes.

Sirius just laughed, the girl could eat, especially something sweet. “Yeah I saw all the left overs in the fridge. You got me hooked on Foo Lin’s orange chicken.” They ate in silence for a few minutes before Sirius felt like he needed to tell her, “Congratulations on yesterday by the way. I know how hard you worked for it.”

He was looking at her so sincerely she was sure he could the red in her face.

Marlene needed to snap out it, “So are you ready to go? I’ve just packed a small weekend duffle.”

Sirius nodded and picked up her plate to rinse.

After gathering up the last of her belongs, they made their way to the front door. Marlene stepped outside and looked around for Sirius’ car. He took pride in owning nice things which is why she was confused as to why she didn’t see the latest black Jaguar he usually drove.

“Um, Black? Where’s the car?”

Sirius just smirked at her, “Oh James didn’t tell you?” This was going to be fun he thought, “I sold it and bought that.” He was pointing to the black BMW motorcycle.

Marlene’s eyebrows shot to the top of her hairline, “A motorcycle? You want me to ride five hours on a motorcycle? Why didn’t you say something last night?” Her voice was rising in pitch.

“Come on, McKinnon, it’ll be fun!” He was loving every moment of this.

“Where do we even put our bags? It’s just not practical. No. I mean nope, not gonna happen” She couldn’t believe he thought that this would work. She couldn’t believe she thought this whole trip and plan between the two of them would work.

Sirius took her duffle from her shoulder and lifted up the seat to the bike. Marlene peered over his shoulder, hmm it was surprisingly spacious in there. Sirius gave her an I told you so face and the sat down. Putting on his helmet then turning to hand her the spare. Marlene was still standing. Unfortunately she didn’t have many other options…

She begrudgingly took the helmet, “You bought this when?”

“March” Right after they broke up.

“Merlin, what midlife crisis were you going through in March.” Marlene huffed and wrapped her arms around him.

Sirius knew she was also making a jab at their breakup but he was choosing to ignore the remark, “Hold on tight, McKitten.”

She dug her fingernails into him with the teasing nickname.

Five and a half hours later the bike rolled into a small diner off the main square of Godric’s Hollow. Marlene hopped of the bike and ran inside telling Sirius to order her a fizzy. She HAD to pee. Sirius rolled his eyes, the bike was practically still moving. This was also after they stopped twice on the ride up because she had to pee.

Marlene emerged from the bathroom. She glanced around the cozy pub to land on a young waitress laughing at something Sirius had said, her hand resting on his shoulder. Hmph. Marlene slid into the booth across Sirius. Plastering on her sweetest smile she said, “Sorry Lover, you know how the baby pushes on me.” Rubbing her stomach, she turned to give the waitress her an it is what it is face. The waitress just grimaced and went to get their drinks.

Sirius raised an eyebrow, “Jealous McKinnon?”

Marlene just smiled sweetly, “Not a bit Black but her face was so worth it and anything I can do to make your life harder.”

They had placed their orders. Sirius was watching Marlene, despite having already ordered her food she held the menu up to her face. Her eyes were glancing around the room never quite settling.

“Okay what are you doing?”

“Hmm?” She didn’t even fully look at him

“You are looking around the room like two big men in black trench coats are going to walk through the door with gun to Marcs head.”

Marlene let out a sigh and set the menu down, “Well I don’t know. I just thought maybe we’d see something that would give a us clue on where to start.”

“Alright, Well we know that this is where Godric Gryffindor is from so why don’t we check the library to see if there’s anything in the towns history.”

Oh that was a smart plan. Why hadn’t Marlene thought of that, “Well no, not all of us knew that. How did you know that?”

“My family, they were nutty about the history of Hogwarts.” He just gave a shrug, his family was always a sour subject.

“Hmm, why didn’t you say anything last night when I brought it up?”

“It just slipped my mine really until we were riding up here.” The truth was last night he kept getting lost in thought about Marlene rather than what was coming out of her mouth. It had only been one night but he was really enjoying spending time with her again. She always made him laugh and kept him in line. He wanted to use this trip to make things right between them.

When the waitress came back with the check Sirius paid, stating Marlene could get the next one. He gave the waitress his dazzling smile, “Could you tell us where the library is?”

She smiled back to him, “Sure love, its just around the block. Across from the old graveyard. You probably passed it on your way in.” She then turned to Marlene, “You’ll love it! It has a big selection of ‘How to be a better mother’ books.”

Sirius held in a laugh, “Well that sounds perfect doesn’t it, Lene-y Babies” He stood up, gave the waitress a nod and proceeded to walk out. Marlene just shuffled out of the booth behind him with a scowl.

The two made their way into the library. It was beautiful, Marlene couldn’t believe something like this existed in a small little town like Godric’s Hollow. She was taking in the big atrium that stood in the center with two story halls branching off in all directions. Sirius was watching her. She loved to read, they would often have nights where he would play games and she would read. They loved to just sit there and enjoy each other’s presence.

“C’mom nerd, we’ve got work to do.” He place his hand on the small of her back and ushered her towards the sign that read ‘Town History’.

The two of them pulled a few books about Godric Gryffindor. Marlene was reading one about the town history and Sirius reading about Hogwarts.

They had been there for a few hours and Sirius was really starting to get bored. Well actually he was bored of reading about an hour after they started but he knew she wouldn’t leave that soon. Now he was also hungry, it was almost 6. The library was about to close anyway.

“Marls”

“Mars”

“Mars Bars”

“Marlene!” Finally he gave her a poke in her side. She let out a yelp. The librarian gave them a glare. She looked to be a hundred years old and sharp glasses that rested on the bridge of her nose.

“Huh, sorry! Merlin look at the time.”

Sirius stood up to stretch, “Whatda say to ordering some takeout and finding a place to crash for the night. We can go over the notes at the hotel.”

Marlene looked conflicted, Sirius knew she would stay here all night if they would let her.

“They’re about to close this place anyway Mars.” He offered her a hand up.

She took it but with more force than she was expecting so she was pulled into his chest.

“Sorry” She stepped away from him sheepishly. The two walked to the front desk to check out.

The old librarian had a permanent scowl on her face. Her name tag read ‘Pince’

Sirius turned on his best charming smile, “Madam Pince, I hope you have a lovely night,”

She just let out a humph eyeing the books they were holding “The town seems to be very popular these past few weeks. First that handsome gentleman,” She said it a whispy voice, “And now you two.” That part coming out very unimpressed. Sirius smile fell. But Marlene seemed interested in the comment. She quickly pulled out her phone and pulled up a picture of her and Marc from this past hols. She practically threw it in the old women’s face, “This man??”

Pince stared at the photo lips pursed but eventually stated that yes that was the handsome man she had been talking about, he was so kind. He had been into the library a few days ago. Marlene to turned to Sirius with the biggest smile, “He was here! He was here, Sirius!!” She thanked the librarian like she had just told her she was cancer free.

The two walked to Sirius’ bike, Marlene smiling like she had just won the lottery.

“Alright, chill Cheshire cat, she just told us what we already suspected. Marc had come to Godric’s Hollow” He lovingly rolled his eyes at her antics

“Yes but she saw him a few days ago! We’re not far behind him, he could still be here!” And then in smaller voice, “and he’s ok. He’s alive.”

Sirius knew she was trying not to think about the other possibilities, “Of course he’s fine McKinnon. Didn’t you know that Marc walks on water! He soooo handsome and sooo kind, no one could harm him”

His teasing voice had worked, Marlene let out a giggle.

The bike roared into a small dingy parking lot. As Sirius switched off the engine he looked over his shoulder to Marlene, “You’re sure this is the only place in town?” It was an old one story ruddy motel.

Marlene grimaced, “Maybe its not that bad on the inside.”

They walked into a little 2 by 2 meter room. It looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in years. Marlene gave the little bell a ding. An old man hobbled out of a door in the back corner.

“Hiya, I’m Tom! What can I do for ya?”

Marlene smiled at the old man, “Hi Tom, we were hoping we could get a room?”

“Oh sure! You guys are lucky! We’re all booked up except for one room!” He leaned forward and gave a sly smile, “The honeymoon suite”

“Oh, Well actually-“ Marlene started but Sirius cut her off

“That sounds perfect!” He grabbed the keys with a little heart keychain and steered her out of the office. He was smiling wide while they walked to their room. Marlene was just scowling at him.

“Relax, McKinnon its nothing we haven’t done before. Besides he said it was all he had left, it’ll probably be the nicest room here.”

He swung the door open, boy was he wrong. Marlene concluded the only thing that made this a honeymoon sweet was the extra flowery patterns all around the room. The bed and the wallpaper matched. Also there was hot pink shag carpet.

Marlene let out a bark of a laughed, between breaths she said, “Oh my… Merlin…” She finally caught her breath. She had caught sight of the single bed, she knew it was going to be, obviously but seeing it sobered her up. “Well pal, you’re going to pick up the pizza. I need to shower and read over the notes.”

“Or we could deliver and I could join you” He wiggled his eyebrows

“Pfft, dreaming Black” She gave him a shove out the door.

Sirius walked to the office to ask Tom where the best place to get pizza was. He wandered into the small office to find it empty once again. Sirius gave the bell a little ding. Tom came hobbling out.

“Hiya, I’m Tom! What can I do for ya?”

“Hi Tom, I just checked into the honeymoon suite. I was hoping you could tell me where the best place to get pizza is from?”

“Oh yes, yes” Tom was a classic old man seeming to remember and forget every few minutes, “You and that pretty blonde” He kept giving Sirius this knowing smile and raising his eyebrows up and down.

“One and the same!”

Tom never seemed to stop smiling, “Well as for pizza the best place would be the leaky cauldron just off the square. The best restaurant in town!”

Sirius was pretty sure it was the only restaurant in town seeing as it was the same diner they had ate for lunch.

“Right, well I guess I’m off” Sirius made to leave but Tom stopped him.

“Wait! Why don’t we just order it here and I can call your room when its ready! You see not only do I own this fine establishment but I also own the cauldron!” Tom didn’t even really give Sirius a chance to answer. He was already on the phone ordering them a medium pepperoni.

“So what brought you and your bird to this little town?” Tom was definitely a chatter.

“She works for a university and his doing some research on the towns history.” Sirius figured this was close enough to the truth without giving too much away.

“Oh! Well if you’re doing town history you should talk to Bathlida Bagshot! She not only wrote all of the books,” Tom leaned in like he was about to share a secrete, “She’s as old as they come. Been around from most of the history that’s been written.”

Sirius thought this was an interesting secrete to be sharing seeing as how Tom also seemed old enough to be around when the towns history was happening.

“That’d be great! I’d love to get her information.”

Tom began digging around in different cabinets around the office, “So how long have you and your lady been together?”

Oh great now here come the personal questions. Sirius figured it was karma, he had been the one to imply that they were together.

“Since February” He was convincing himself that this was just the easiest answer. He figured it would be weird to say that they weren’t together after they had accepted the one bedded honeymoon suite. Also he wasn’t going to unload all of their relationship drama on an overly friendly man who asked a simple question. So yes, that’s why he said February. Not because that’s when they had officially started. Not because he hasn’t even truly given another girl the time of day since February.

“Oh well that’s sweet. I would’ve guess longer just by the looks of ya. You can see the love between you. I see the way you look at her, you’re in love.” Alright so Tom was officially a batty old man.

“Right.” Sirius wasn’t sure how to respond to the man. “So Bathilda?”

“Oh Right!” Tom snapped his fingers, and turned to the desk, suddenly finding the record book he had been looking for. Right by where he should have started Sirius noted.

“Well here you go, now you go back to your bird and I’ll give you a ring when the pizzas here”

Sirius took the little card Tom had scribbled the information on and made his way back to their room. He was NOT in love with Marlene. He liked her, yes. He may have even loved her at one point but in love? No definitely not. He would admit to himself (only himself) that yes he had loved her at one point. She was perfect, even in her flaws he saw her as perfect. Marlene was too good for him. We they were dating things were great. He was starting to get it when people said you person is just different. He felt that with her, she was so easy going. But Marlene had been abandoned once by her parents, Sirius felt this pressure that if they were together it meant they were going to stay together forever. He wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment. He had also been burned by his parents. They destroyed everything they touched. He broke up with her for selfish reason but now he was choosing not to give into his want for her sake.

Sirius opened the door to their room to find Marlene in nothing but a towel wrapped around her.

Marlene let out a shriek “Black!!! Get Out!!” She pulled the towel tighter.

Sirius was just grinning at her. The bastard was actually grinning at her. Not moving!!

He let out whistle, “Well this is quite the welcome, McKinnon”

“Get out!!”

Sirius placed his hands on his hips, “Now McKinnon this is my room too you know.” Marlene rolled her eyes, “At least turn around, Perv!”

Sirius held his hands up in surrender and slowly spun around while she changed. “Its nothing I haven’t seen before.”

She huffed and told him he could turn around.

He was just smiling at her, not saying anything.

“What?” Marlene asked with an annoyed huff

“Nothing… you’re hot” Still just smirking, hands on hip

“I know that.” Marlene was scowling on the outside but flushing on the inside as she bit out.

“Okay.”

“I get told that a lot”

“Okay.”

“By lots of people, boys and girls”

“Okay.” Why did he keep drawing out his okay like he was teasing her.

“Not that I need validation from strangers or you!”

“Never said you did, McKinnon”

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

The pair just stared at each other. Marlene was trying not act unaffected by his gaze, she felt like he was looking into her soul. Sirius was admittedly not looking into her soul but rather her wonderfully long legs in her short sweat shorts.

She couldn’t take it anymore and turned to get on the bed, “So what about the pizza you were gone for like 15 minutes?”

Sirius moved towards the bed where she was laying out papers and books, he let out a puff of air, “Yeah well apparently Tom owns this 5 star hotel and the 5 star diner we ate in earlier. Serving the best pizza in town. He was insistent that he would just have it delivered and call when it was here, so I could ‘get back to my super hot blonde bird’” The smile again.

Marlene shoved, “He did not”

Sirius shrugged, “Maybe not but that was the gist of it.” Wink. “Anyway he did give me the information of some old lady who he thinks we could talk to about town history.” He handed Marlene the card.

“Wait, I recognize this name! She wrote like five of these books!” Marlene stared digging around the bed.

Sirius reclined with his hands behind his head. He went to turn on the tv but Marlene snatched the remote from his hands,

“We have work to do.”

“Alright tell me what you got Sherlock”

Marlene turned to face him.

“Ok Well you were right this town is named after Godric Gryffindor, he was born like a million years ago. He and the other founders each gave some special item to be buried under the school. Almost like a time capsule, it was supposed to be opened this year.”

“Why this year?”

“Apparently this was the year was the 300 hundred year anniversary of the something called the Hallows, I’ll explain that in a minute. Anyway, this guy Dumbledore became head of the school but his assistance wanted to steal the items because of some old wives tail that they’re magical. So he hid them, BUT THEN one of the students named Tom Riddle stole it all which is why we’ve never heard anything about opening the capsule because it’s gone and since forgotten.”

“Okay yeah I read a little bit about the items in,” He rooted around and found the book he was looking for pulling it into his lap and opening it to the pages. “Here. See it says that that Godric Gryffindor gave a sword. The sword could supposedly slice through anything and it was unbreakable. It was supposed to have belonged to Lancelot. Rowena Ravenclaw gave a Diadem?” He quirked an eyebrow

“It’s like a crown”

Sirius looked up from the book and found that Marlene was closer than he had expected.

“Right. Um Well, the Diadem had once belonged to the Queen royals and apparently the queen who wore it could live and rule forever. The Helga Hufflepuff gave a golden chalice, yes that chalice, the Holy Grail. If you drank from the cup it would heal you of any wounds. And finally, Salazar Slytherin gave a locket. The locket gave you the power to hear the voices in others heads. The wearer could use it to exploit others darkest thoughts and fears.”

Marlene let out a whistle. “Do you think its real? The magic?” Sirius wanted to know.

Marlene turned her whole body towards him, “Yeah I think I do. I mean I feel like I have to otherwise what was all of this for? I know it sounds crazy but my mom told me a story once… before she left.”

“Marlene…” Sirius whispered and move to grab her hand but before he even got close she sat up straight.

“She told me that she was working in Peru one winter and studying these writings on a cave. They spoke of this great love, that the people bonded together under the stars and in the cave would be together forever, they wouldn’t have love for anyone else. Anyway that’s where she met my dad and they got married there. Sometimes I think it has to be true and that’s why they leave to go around the world with each other. There isn’t love for anyone else, just each other. Its dumb I know but it was the best excuse I could come up with as kid for why they didn’t stay. And its nice to think that they’ll always have that powerful love for each other.”

“So yeah it has to be real, otherwise Marc is missing for nothing and my whole career becomes really boring”

They both let out a small laugh at the end of that statement.

“I hate to tell you McKinnon but your career is boring and you’re still a major nerd no matter what”

Marlene shoved him down, “Anyway….Tom Riddle. He was this Nazi sympathizer during the war. He believed all their propaganda about the science branch. He thought if he could find the founders items then he could live forever and help Germany win.”

“Aka he was barmy”

“Exactly. But I guess he briefly got a job at the university to get access to ideas as to where it was. Dumbledor trusted him and Riddle stole it all and any gold he could find in the university. He disappeared, most guessed to Germany but it was never confirmed. So that’s really where the story ends but Marc found his diary and in it Riddle said he went to Germany but the fall of the axis powers happened almost as soon as he got there. He came back with Nazi treasure and the founders items. I don’t know much after that besides Godric’s Hollow. I’m not sure where to go from here but maybe Bagshot will have answers.

Marlene shrugged. She felt exhausted. Sirius could see it, she looked like she had just told someone their dog had died.

He moved his hand to her thigh, “We’ll figure it out Marlene. Marc with be okay.” He squeezed her thigh, “I promise.”

They had somehow moved close, their faces only inches apart. Marlene’s eyes flickered from his eyes down to his mouth then back up to those piercing gray eyes. Sirius was searching for something in her eyes, something telling him to stop but maybe it was just because he didn’t want to see something that screamed stopped so he started to lean in. Their eyes closed, his lips about to brush hers…when the phone rang.

Sirius let out a sigh.

“You should get that” Marlene’s voice came out small, she was worried if she spoke any louder he would hear the shake.

He rolled over and picked up the hot pink (roto dial? Where were they?) phone.

As he turned his back to her to talk, she released the breath she had been holding in. She could feel the red on her face. What was that?? God he says some sweet thing and she turns into this stupid melt at gray eyes girl. She would pull it together.

Sirius stood up and turned to her, “That was Tom. The pizza’s here.”

Silence

“Okay so I’ll go grab it.” He spun on his heal and was out the door.

Closing the door behind him, he leaned his head against the wall outside. What was that?? He wanted to kiss her so bad in that moment. He wanted to reassure her everything would work out. That he would make sure of it. He needed to pull it together. He was here to prove something to her. He didn’t want to throw it away on some silly kiss, first she needed to understand what he meant when he kissed her.

Sirius gave his head a shake and pushed off the wall. He opened the door to the office and once again found it empty. Where did this man go? He gave the bell a ring and out came Tom.

“Hiya, I’m Tom! What can I do for ya?” Yep. Batty old man.

“Hey Tom, uhh Sirius” He pointed to himself hoping to jog the old mans memory. He had just called him about the pizza.

“Oh yeah! I got your pizza right here!!” He pulled a box out from behind the counter and opened to show Sirius a heart shaped peperoni pizza. “For you and your lady’s special getaway, on me!”

Sirius thanked the man and took the pizza, he hoped Marlene would get a laugh out of it and not blame him.

He wouldn’t have to worry though because he opened the door to a sleeping Marlene. He just took in the sight. All of the lights were still on, papers and books spread out over the bed. She had one on her chest, clearly falling asleep while reading it. He could tell she wasn’t faking by the way her mouth hung open. Marlene was mortified that she was a mouth breather when she slept, she wouldn’t fake that. Also he could just tell, he knew her too well.

Sirius sighed and set the pizza down on the dresser, he took a slice for himself quickly eating it. He went over and gave her a small nudge. She didn’t even open her eyes.

“mHmm”

“I know you’re tired Love but you should eat” It was the softest whisper

Eyes still closed and more than half asleep, she just rolled away from him, “no too tired, come to bed baby.” Burying her head into the pillow. She was already snoring again by the time processed what she had said in her sleep state. He tried not to think too much on it. She was sleeping but still there was this warm feeling in his chest as he moved around the room picking book and papers off the bed.

Sirius stripped down to just his boxers flicked off the lights and climbed in the bed. As soon as he was settled in the darkness a sleeping Marlene rolled to him. Her head going to his chest and swinging a leg over his.

Sirius knew he should try to roll away but she just looked so peaceful snuggled up to him. He couldn’t turn away not when he knew she had been losing sleep the past couple weeks. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. Sirius pressed a kiss to the top of her head and closed his eyes. He would deal with the rest in the morning.

[dsoe-masteroftheheavenlyyard]

Chapter 2–Hunt for the Deadly Sins; Scene 3

master of the heavenly yard pages 18-28

It was currently nighttime, and there were no artificial lights anywhere in the desolate field they could rely on.

Even so, as there were no buildings to block the light of the moon it actually wasn’t all that hard to see.

--Just as Allen had been when he first came here, Nemesis seemed unable to believe the scenery before her.

“How…could this be? The Millennium Tree Forest was destroyed along with the rest of the world—no, it was burned down even earlier than that. So how…”

The trees were flourishing in abundance.

As though they had never been destroyed at all.

It was undoubtedly strange, considering everything they had seen up to arriving here was wasteland.

“There’s no cause for finding it so unusual, Nemesis. To put it in layman’s terms…These exist here under the same principles as that clinic did.”

Nemesis seemed to immediately understand when she heard Allen’s explanation

“The specialty clinic in the illusory Moscow that Levia Barisol created…I see. Thoughts can materialize in the Hellish Yard…In other words this too is an illusion created by souls—"

“You catch on quick. Not that I’d expect any less from the original ‘Master of the Hellish Yard’.”

“My…so you know that much, do you?”

Allen pointed up to the moon in the sky.

“I studied everything about this world inside the ‘Blackbox’ up there. So I understand most of what’s going on.”

“You studied ‘everything’ but you only understand ‘most’ of it?”

“I’m not as smart as you. That, and there are some things I couldn’t study with the black box.”

“Such as?”

“The gods call this world the ‘Third Period’. The black box taught me about events that occurred there. But…I wasn’t able to get much information on the world before, the ‘Second Period’ where the gods lived.”

“Assuming it was Sickle who created that ‘Blackbox’…That information was probably left out on purpose. Well, it sounds like something she’d do, anyway.”

“…?” Allen made a curious expression. “Is Sickle—a girl?”

“By my reconning at least.”

“I see…I always thought he was male. Well, at any rate, you would know more about the ‘Second Period’ than me.”

“And that’s why you brought me along on your journey.”

“There is that, and I also was wanting to borrow the connections you’ve built up over your long life. There’s a lot of souls on the ground world now that lived in the past. Naturally, a lot of them are people I’ve never met.” Allen looked back to the forest before them. “For example, the spirits that live in this forest. I didn’t even know they existed back when I was alive. However…That’s not the case with you.”

“The spirits—are still residing here in the forest?”

“Yeah. This forest itself was something they conjured up.”

Nemesis reached out to put a hand on a nearby tree branch.

Despite it being an illusion, she was able to touch it. It felt peculiarly rough…It certainly “existed”, but it gave across a somewhat strange sensation that felt unstable to her.

She noticed something moving at the edges of her vision, and turned toward it. A single fox was gazing at her, but the moment Nemesis saw it, it quickly hid itself in the shadow of the tree.

Phaser…

Nemesis remembered that fox’s name. She was certain it was one of the spirits that lived in the forest—or would it be more accurate to say “people”?

Whichever it was, she knew this one to have an affable personality. That they refused to come near in spite of that must be because she was in this form, Nemesis thought to herself.

I am…the one responsible for destroying the forest, after all.

Nemesis turned back to Allen.

“Is Michaela coming back here?”

Allen shook his head.

“If she’d intended to do so, she would have come along with us.”

“That’s true. So this forest is currently—”

“Being managed not by Michaela, but a proxy.”

In that next moment, they could hear someone’s voice from above their heads.

“Don’t you think it’s a bit harsh to treat me as a mere ‘proxy’, Allen?”

A single blue bird flew above them. It was the bird that had spoken just then.

“That voice, and that manner of speaking…Professor Held!?”

Nemesis’ eyes widened.

“If you’re calling me ‘Professor’, then…Your memory has come back.”

“Yeah, it’s all returned, thank you…Why do you look like that?”

“Various reasons. By all rights I was unable to materialize on the ground world due to my restrictions. As a result of tirelessly endeavoring to slip through a loophole in those rules, I wound up as this bluebird.” Held selected a branch on one of the trees and landed there. “By the way…What is it I ought to call you?”

“Nemesis is fine.”

“I see. Then, dictator Nemesis—you’re guilty of quite the horrendous deed, aren’t you? The reckless act of firing the weapon of mass destruction ‘Punishment’ at the world and bringing it to an end.”

Nemesis felt no fear at Held’s grave words.

“I don’t feel like apologizing for it. As you well know, that was my goal from the very start. You and Hazuki laid all sorts of groundwork to avoid it, but it looks like it that was all in vain.”

“You wished not for ‘management’ but ‘destruction’…So, as we feared, your mind was already infected with ‘malice’.”

“So what if it was? If you want to kill me you’re welcome to do so.”

“I have no intention of holding you responsible for that now. That wouldn’t bring the world back. …And besides, I’ve come to be increasingly less certain as I’ve watched you, Seth, and that girl Irina—all of you who have been reduced to ‘HER’s.”

“Less certain of what?”

“—Just what in the world ‘evil’ is.”

Nemesis was wordless for a moment at such an abstract question.

Allen silently listened to the two of them speak from the side. He wasn’t boorish enough to cut into an exchange between “gods”.

“…Evil is—” Finally Nemesis opened her mouth. “—Those who won’t obey the established ‘rules’. Those who disrupt order. That’s the basics of it, right?”

“Then what about Gallerian and Riliane’s case? They were the ones who created the ‘rules’, after all.”

“I said ‘rules’ to be brief, but there’s many applications of that. Rules of countries, rules of the court, personal rules, or…the rules of gods. Occasionally those contradict each other. In that case—the rules of the one who wins out in the end are taken as just.”

“So you’re saying that you aren’t ‘evil’.”

“Correct. I’m the winner.”

“…Is that really so? It’s true that you’re the sole living thing in the world. But…It’s still possible for the dead to kill the living.” Held looked up at the night sky. “If you wish to become the true ‘winner’…I would advise you do something about that.”

At that moment, Nemesis finally noticed it.

On the other end of Held’s gaze, floating high in the air, was a peculiar object illuminated by the light of the moon.

“That’s…it can’t be! What’s that doing here?!”

It was an enormous “black box”.

If Nemesis’ eyes weren’t deceiving her, that was without a doubt a “Blackbox”—a piece of technology from the Second Period.

“Is that an illusion someone conjured up too?”

“It can’t be. Who could think one up, given it didn’t exist in the Third Period?”

Upon hearing those words, Nemesis immediately turned to Allen.

“Nope, it wasn’t me.” Allen denied firmly, shaking his head and waving his hands. “And that ‘Blackbox’ looks a bit different in construction from the one I’m familiar with.”

There were several types of “Blackbox” that Nemesis knew about.

The one floating in the air just then was—

It’s unlike the Type E, as well as the Type L that I made. The closest I can think of is…the Type S!

The second edition device created by the physicist Seth Twiright.

That was the “Type S”.

But the Type S wasn’t loaded onto the spaceship “Climb One” that we’d been riding on. It shouldn’t be in this world—

And there Nemesis recalled an event in her past.

A battle between sorceresses that had occurred in Merrigod Plateau…That phrase that had been spoken by the Red Cat Sorceress.

…She had called the device that was installed in her chest cavity a “Blackbox Type S”. If that was a “Blackbox” that Seth made in this world—

If that “black box” up there was no illusion, but the real deal.

There was a chance that Seth had created it in secret.

Though I’d no inkling of him making such a thing while he was with me—or rather, Nemesis—at the very least. Perhaps when he was in the Hellish Yard before…But then, I can’t imagine Gumillia would have allowed it.

It might have been fastest for her to just ask Seth, but given that he wasn’t around at the moment she couldn’t do that either.

“How about we try getting close to it for now?”

Allen nodded at Nemesis’ suggestion. “That might be best.”

“We’ll just head to ‘Evils Theater’ later…”

“—It looks like we might not have to.”

Allen pointed above the “black box” in the air.

It would be more clearly visible if this were during the day, but…it appeared that something else was floating there.

Nemesis strained her eyes, trying to confirm what she was seeing.

And once she understood his response, she was shocked once again.

“…I don’t get any of this. How is a theater floating above the ‘Blackbox’?”

“I guess that looks bizarre to you too, huh?”

“I could say the same for the ‘Blackbox’, but…A heavy building like that floating in the air should be completely impossible under Third Period technology, at the very least. Even if it’s an illusion, it’s just completely uncalled for to deliberately have it floating in space. It’s like a child made it up.”

“…Surprisingly enough, that might be accurate.”

“…?”

“I mean that theater might be an illusion brought about by a child, or else someone with a child-like personality. In any case, we should probably go see it first.”

“Quite right.” Nemesis approached the blue bird that was sitting blasé on the tree branch. “With that, we’ll be leaving soon.”

“Hmph…You alright leaving without saying anything to your friends?”

“—They aren’t the ‘Climb One’ crewmembers anymore. They’ve lost their memories, and live in this world as spirits.”

“True…But there are exceptions. Those who have regained their former memories.”

Nemesis didn’t need to ask him who those “exceptions” were. She had a pretty good idea of who that applied to, and also knew that none of them were in this forest right then.

Rather, she had something else that she needed to ask him.

“One last thing…Professor Held. Why did you become the ‘Great Land God Held’?”

“…? What do you mean?”

“You were against us managing the new world. That was the reason why we wound up fighting each other. And yet despite that—”

“You can’t understand it. You’re wondering then what in the world were we fighting over.”

“—Yeah.”

“…It was the ‘Moon Goddess’s idea. I—no, none of us, could go against her. …Now then, I think you best be off.”

And at that, Held finally stopped talking completely.

It was as though he had turned into a mere bird, that would not reply no matter what Nemesis said.

“…Farewell, Professor Held.”

“…”

Nemesis reluctantly said goodbye to Held, and went to move on ahead with Allen.

<<prev------directory------next>>

[kyouxa]

Diabolik lovers Chaos Lineage: Kino (Story 15)

@otomehonyaku​ and I decided to join forces to translate Kino’s CL route together! ☆*:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:*☆ She’ll be translating the main route (which I’ll be linking to in my masterpost), and I’ll translate the endings. Please no reposting onto other sites, ask both of us before translating this into another language too!

Monologue

Led by Kino-kun, we were finally able to reach the church.

With momentum we hurried inside and shut the door while we all tried to catch our breath again.

Place: Church — Inside

Shu: Of all places, why did you choose to come here?

Kino: They probably won’t think we came to the church Eve was originally sleeping in.

Yet I don’t know how much time we can earn with that though.

Yui: (Since the day I first woke up here, this is my second visit to the church)

(From here on, everything started. My encounter with Kino-kun etc…)

Subaru: It’s a good idea to hide, but it doesn’t make sense if there is no way to escape from here afterwards.

They might end up finding us here someday.

Yui: You’re right. We have to figure something out about this…

???: You have finally arrived here, Eve.

Yui: Eh!?

Kanato: Say, that voice just now…

Yui: Karlheinz-sama… !

Reiji: Father… why…

Kino: Karlheinz… that’s… my father…

Ayato: So all the shit that happened to us here was our father’s work after all!

Karlheinz: It was indeed me who created this miniature garden. There is no point in wondering about this matter any longer.

Apparently the outcoming of the current situation was rather an interesting one.

I wanted to be here directly, so I did not hesitate to come here instantly.

Subaru: You call that interesting… ? Don’t screw around saying bullshit!

Yui: (I was already thinking of that. The identity of the mastermind behind all of this, the fact that he appeared here now一)

(Is Karlheinz-sama seriously the one who was confining all of us in this weird place?)

*Kino gets closer*

Kino: ...Father.

Yui: Ngh! Kino-kun!?

Subaru: Hey, don’t get that close. Who knows what he might do next!?

Karlheinz: ...You are…

Kino: I’m… Kino, father. I’m the zeroth son you have.

Do you remember? In the demon world’s hinterland… you abandoned me back then in Rotigenberg.

Laito: The demon world’s hinterland… ?

Ayato: You fucking old geezer, you left your own kid behind in such a place!?

Karlheinz: …..

Kino: Father! I’ve come this far already, I’m more worthy to own the throne than my brothers or the other guys!

Magical powers and wisdom, they are inferior. These guys would get your power even if they only behaved like spoiled children.

That’s why, I一 I want to be the successor of your powers…

Yui: (Kino-kun…)

Karlheinz: ...You, who are you?

Yui: Eh… ?

Kino: Ngh…

Karlheinz: I only have six sons. I do not remember having a son like you.

Yui: ...Nn!

(T-That’s… is he saying this because Kino-kun was always just thinking of getting Karlheinz-sama’s powers一)

(No. I want Karlheinz-sama to acknowledge him regardless, we came this far together after all… but…)

Kino: What… right now, are you confused or something?

You were the one who abandoned me! We went to the hinterland of the demon world together, and you just left me there on my own!

And now you can’t just casually appear at such a place without any meaning behind it!!

Karlheinz: I see. Then you might have seen this in a vision.

Kino: Seriously… you’re denying all of it? ...My entire existence… ?

Subaru: Hey, no matter what that old man says, we have to…!

Reiji: Do not leave, stay here.

Subaru: Hah!? Why would I!?

Laito: Because of his magic… don’t you think we could get in trouble?

Yui: Nn, Kino-kun!?

(There is power gathering all around Kino-kun. I have never witnessed something like this before… !)

Kino: Don’t screw with me… everybody always looked down on me… they despised me…

And they’ll continue, unless you finally recognize me!!

*Kino uses his power*

Yui: Kyaa!!

(He actually has such mighty magical powers!? He must have directly hit Karlheinz-sama with this… !)

Kanato: Father… !?

Shu: Don’t get closer… it’s not like this old man would give up so easily in the first place.

Karlheinz: You certainly have a good lineage. However, this level of magic can be easily dissipated.

Kino: Kch…

Karlheinz: Your power, it should be used like this.

*Karlheinz uses his power*

Kino: Ngh… !

Yui: (He dodged it… !)

Karlheinz: Your timing of going in defense is unexpectedly good. Normally, others would not be able to dodge this amount.

*Karlheinz attacks again*

Kino: Agh!?

Yui: Kino-kun!

(..... ! The ceiling is collapsing… and the roof tiles are...!)

Subaru: Look out!

*Subaru pulls Yui*

Yui: Kyaa… !

Subaru: Hey, are you okay?

Yui: Ah, I’m okay… but…

(The church starts to crumble everywhere now because of the amount of magic he used. If this continues, the entire building…)

(And Kino-kun… !)

Kino: Haa… Haa…

Karlheinz: It seems as if your breath starts to rise. Will the life force which kept you going until now, run out of you here?

*Karlheinz attacks again*

Kino: Aghhhhhh!

Yui: Nn, Kino-kun!!

Kino: Kch… you seriously want to end it… in such a place… ?

Karlheinz: It is… truly impressive that you are still able to stand while being hit with magic like this.

Kino: Of course… I’m still the one who’s going to inherit your powers at the end…

After all of this, I can’t die anymore…

Karlheinz: I see… Hmph, Fufufu.

Yui: Karlheinz-sama… ?

Karlheinz: It is truly unexpected that you bear such strength within you. If so, I might talk about it.

I certainly have paid a visit to Rotigenberg.

Yui: Eh!

Kino: ….. ! T-Then…

Karlheinz: But you are undoubtedly not an heir to my power.

Kino: ...Huh.... ?

Karlheinz: If you certainly do have a reason to be in this place, then it is…

That you are the foundation for a new king to be born.

Kino: The foundation for the king… ?

Karlheinz: One of my dear six sons, one of them may eventually become the new king.

I stimulate a good development for its growth in you, that is the meaning of your entire existence.

Yui: Huh… ?

Kino: Wait… I was supposed to just be a stepladder…?

I was born and abandoned for that reason…? I’ve come so far for this… ?

Karlheinz: Yes, that is correct.

Kino: What’s all of this… I’ve always lived for such a useless reason… ?

The reason I was alive until now… was to be used by someone else… ?

Yui: That’s terrible… to say such a thing… that’s just horrible!

If you really abandoned Kino-kun for exactly that reason一

Do you even have the slightest idea of how Kino-kun felt and lived his life until now!?

Karlheinz: I do not need to know.

Yui: (..... ! He’s activating his powers… !)

Shu: That old man is probably going to hit Kino with all the magic he has. It might be too powerful for him to handle…

Yui: Nn, such… !!

Choices

1) Shout at Kino (black)

2) Help him (white) ♡ ♡ ♡

— Shout at Kino

Yui: Kino-kun, run away!

Kino: I… until now, for what reason…

Yui: (It doesn’t help… he’s totally losing himself because of this!)

Please, Kino-kun… !

— Help him ♡

Kino: I was… always just a stepladder for these guys…

Yui: (As things are now, Kino-kun… !)

Shu: Hey, you! Where do you think you’re going!?

Yui: I’m going to help Kino-kun!

Shu: Stop that, it wouldn’t make any sense for you to get involved in this.

Yui: Nn…

(I know. I know that, but… !)

Kino-kun… please! Run away from this!

Please… I beg you… !

Karlheinz: Give it up. You have already lost the energy to move anyway. A mere foundation stone should at least fullify its function.

— Your Status (white)

Place: Church — Inside

Yui: You’re wrong! Kino-kun is not a cornerstone for anything!

Kino: ...Nn

Yui: Kino-kun never wanted anything else than you to acknowledge him.

He just wanted to be recognized by someone that he truly exists...

And at the end you just trample on him!?

Karlheinz: I was simply stating the truth about this matter.

Yui: No… you’re wrong. That’s not true at all. For me, Kino-kun’s一

He’s the most important person to me!!

Kino: ...Ah…

Subaru: You…

Yui: He’s not a foundation stone. Kino-kun is allowed to live his own life like he desires to!

I want to cuddle together with him. I want to be with him forever, and I won’t deny my feelings for him anymore!

If you continue hurting the one I love, even if it’s you一 I won’t forgive you.

Karlheinz: ...These wonderful eyes, I always wanted to see them.

You are truly stunning 一 Eve

Yui: Eh… ?

Monologue

With a gentle smile on his face, Karlheinz-sama turned his magical hand on me.

A mighty magical power now merciless came toward me.

I knew I couldn’t avoid this outcome.

Place: Church — Inside

Yui: (A tremendous power is approaching me. But I can’t move… I can’t do anything any longer)

(I’m so sorry, Kino-kun. I wanted to help you so bad, yet I couldn’t do anything to save you)

(...I’m so sorry…)

Kino: Stop!!

*Kino protects them*

Yui: (Eh…?)

Kino: Haa… Haa…

Yui: ….. ! Kino-kun!?

Shu: You… protected us….

Karlheinz: Hmph... and here I thought I already broke your will and you fell into despair…

I would have never expected you to protect my sons and Eve.

This is the true work of someone no better than a foundation.

Yui: Nn, and you’re still saying this… !

Kino: ...All I ever wanted, speaking of that….

Yui: Kino-kun… ?

Kino: I’m the one who has literally lived the meaning of being born… I’ve searched for a reason to exist for so long.

Even if you say that I’m just a stepping stone for others, I’ll find my very own significance on my own!

I want to let others know that I’m glad for my existence… I’ll also proof this to my stupid brothers!

Kino: I want to prove myself to my princess, who has been so stupidly friendly with me all the time!

It doesn’t matter to me if I’m mortal…

Because I can do whatever I want to with my existence!!

*Kino attacks him*

Karlheinz: ….. !

Yui: (Did he hit Karlheinz-sama… !?)

Karlheinz: I understand. Those words you said…

Kino: ... Haa… Haa… Kch

*Kino falls down*

Yui: Kino-kun!

Hang in there, Kino-kun!

(He is… completely tattered already…)

...Karlheinz-sama. I won’t forgive you if you do any more harm to Kino-kun than you already did…

Karlheinz: ...This is truly beautiful. I feel the swell of emotions escaping your lips.

What pushed you so far to show your emotions, is it him?

Yui: That’s right, it’s Kino-kun. Without him, I would’ve never experienced these feelings…

(Exactly. I’m talking about Kino-kun here…)

(I’ve always unexpectedly loved him一)

Karlheinz: After all, the intervention was correct. I saw a lot of good things.

Eve. This is a sincere congratulation to what you have sprouted一

Yui: (...He disappeared…)

Kino: Ngh… Kch…

Yui: ….. ! Kino-kun!

Please, hang in there!

(He’s terribly sweating… and the bleeding doesn’t stop. He won’t open his eyes anymore either… Nn)

Uhh… Uhhh… Kino-kun… please… don’t die on me…

Don’t leave me alone… Kino-kun.

Kino: What are you crying for… Yui?

Yui: (Nn… Kino-kun… right now… he said my name…)

Kino: I won’t just die… in this state...

Yui: Tell me, why did you protect us… ?

Kino: Why, you ask… my body, it just moved on its own without my notice… even I… don’t understand why.

Ahh… that’s right… a certain someone, was just too noisy…

Brothers, my brothers…

I just wanted everyone to acknowledge me, to affirm my existence…

For that reason… I wanted his power…

I only wanted to show… my cheeky brothers what really I’m capable of.

The soft touch of such a noisy woman like you… to think that this would satisfy me right now.

Yui: Kino-kun…

Thank you for protecting us…

Kino-kun, I… I love you… I really do love you…

Kino: Overall… that means… in the end, I did achieve something…

With this… I’m fully satisfied… with the… outcome…

*Kino dies*

Yui: Kino-kun?

Hey… you’re joking, right? Please open your eyes…

(After I finally realized my feelings. I still had a lot more to say to you…)

Kino-kun...

Kino… kun...

Monologue

At the end I couldn’t get another word out of his mouth.

Still, I wanted to convey it, and gently pressed my own on Kino-kun’s lips who was fully covered in blood.

I waited for his body temperature to rise, as I started to feel something transmitting.

一 But it wasn’t Kino-kun who responded to my touch, it was a violent vibration and a  dazzling light which shook the area.

Place: Church — Inside

Yui: ...Is the church shining?

Uwahhhh!

↳ Euphoria END

— Your Status (black)

Place: Church — Inside

Yui: Why do you want to take someone’s life like that? You can’t just do things as you desire!

Please, stop it already, Karlheinz-sama!!

Karlheinz: ...You wish for me to stop? How utterly pathetic.

If I do as you say, I will never reach the world I want to create.

Yui: Eh… ?

Karlheinz: Unfortunately this outcome seems like a total failure. I have to end up erasing everything here.

Monologue

Karlheinz-sama’s hand, which had accumulated magical power, was suddenly turned toward us.

A mighty magical power was now mercilessly coming toward us.

In such an unexpected situation, we could not do much other than be surprised.

Place: Church — Inside

Yui: (Karlheinz-sama is walking towards us… and he’s reaching for Ayato-kun…)

(Can’t I somehow stop this entire progress!?)

Karlheinz: Eve, and my dear sons. This is part of your true life.

Shu: Tch… !

Yui: (If this continues, everyone… that’s horrible… such一)

Stop it!!

*Yui protects them*

Yui: Ahh… Ughh…

Kino: Ngh… what...

Yui: (Huh, what happened?)

Ayato: Are you dumb!? Why would you jump right in front of this man!?

Subaru: Hey, hang in there!!

Yui: Ayato-kun… everyone…

(I was able to… protect them. That’s good… I could prevent them from getting hit by his magical power all on my own…)

Kino: What are you doing!? Why did you go and protect them!?

*Yui’s eyes close*

Yui: Kino… kun…

(At the end, this is all I could do for you. I’m glad I was able… to protect everyone)

Monologue

Karlheinz-sama probably had to make adjustments based on this unexpected experience. But my body has served its purpose, I could finally protect those I love.

I’m more than grateful that I was able to do this now.

I can now slowly feel the blood flowing out of my fallen body.

The feeling in my limbs is completely lost, my vision becomes darker and my consciousness is at its end.

For my very end, I wanted to see Kino-kun one last time一

But I wasn’t able to see anything anymore.

Place: Church — Inside

Kino: You’re kidding, right? … Why…

Why, why did you do that!? Yui!

Yui: …..

Kino: I won’t… accept this… I won’t… allow this…

Aghhhhhhhhh

↳ Labyrinth END