Frankenstein stared blankly ahead, not really seeing the straight and narrow path he was walking on. His boots kicked up the loose gravel, the stones scattering before him. The small village he was within was teaming with life as shops closed down and people moved about to seek shelter from the oncoming storm. But he barely noticed the dark storm gathering up ahead.

The bitter chill of the wind tugged on his black coat, yet he did not bother to button it up. The cold was a nice feeling. He was feeling something else other than the longing and loss.

His heart clenched at those very grim thoughts. A stabbing pain of heartache threatened to burst forth once more, but he struggled to keep his tormenting emotions at bay. He could not afford to break down now, not when he was so vulnerable. Instead he focused his thoughts on his current situation, the situation he and his Master were trapped in.

The mansion was quiet once more. Raizel rarely left the window, if ever. He would only stare outside, his expression one of longing. Yet through the bond, Frankenstein could catch whispers of his agony, the pain that he went through as he relived what he had lost.

Frankenstein clenched his fists at the thought, breathing in deeply. He shuddered, his body trembling with many emotions. He hadn't even realized that he had stopped walking in that very moment.

Breath in and out. In, out, in, out.

He let out a breath, his fists unclenching. He was shaking right now, trembling even. He swallowed past the lump in his throat, eyes squeezing shut once more.

The nights were worse, when he had to relive the horrible memories once more. In the dark loneliness, he would chase the sleep away with his restlessness. It was better to stay awake rather than watch through his nightmares what had led him up to this moment, over and over again.

His Master was affected more than he was. Frankenstein knew Raizel, he knew the Noblesse better than Frankenstein even knew himself. His Master was silently blaming himself, blaming himself for the sacrifices that were made for them.

"Take care of yourselves."

Frankenstein grimaced as that memory filtered through to his head. Even now, he could see those grey eyes layered with pain and desperation. But those words had remained strong and clear, a last wish. A plea, if anything.

"I was supposed to take care of you," Frankenstein thought silently.

But he had failed. He had failed his kids. He had failed everyone.

Now, he was stuck almost nine-hundred years into the past, reliving his life once more.

His Master shared the same fate. Together, they had to walk this road again, one that was layered with memories and guilt.

Frankenstein growled, shaking his head. Why had those humans been so foolish? How could they have just thrown their lives away so carelessly in an effort to save him? How could Tao, Takeo and M21 go through with such a sacrifice?

Of course, he could not think that way without thinking of Raizel, of his Master. In saving him, his children had also saved Raizel.

He could still remember how Raizel's bloodied and beaten body had felt in his arms, how the Noblesse's life force was slowly slipping away. Even as he knocked on death's doorstep, Raizel had shown no fear for himself. The only fear he had felt was the fear for his companions, for his family.

It was the sacrifice of his family that saved him, saved them all.

Frankenstein forced himself to move, rushing towards the remaining stalls that were open. He needed to gather up on a few of the precious supplies that they lacked in the mansion. He was almost out of Master's favorite tea.

As he counted the coins in his gloved hands and prepared himself to pay for the items, he was also going over the events that had transpired so far. There were still thirteen Nobles reining with the Lord. Muzaka had not battled with his Master yet, and they were in no immediate danger of being betrayed...yet. But, this past was slightly different because now both Frankenstein and Raizel remembered everything that had led up to their future so clearly. And they had the power to change it.

But did they want to change it? It was that very future that led them to meeting their humans, their children. M21, Tao and Takeo.

Without them, they wouldn't have had this chance to change everything. Without their sacrifices, Frankenstein wouldn't have this chance to spare his Master from the brutal betrayal.

But without them, Master would never get to experience the life he wanted. Even as Frankenstein left the village, he wondered if his Master would want to let things be the way they are, to let history repeat itself.

The mansion was within sight, and Frankenstein quickened his steps as the first crash of thunder rumbled from up above. He did not want to be caught on the rain, soaking wet.

He just made it into the mansion as the first wave of raindrops hit the building. With a sigh, Frankenstein shrugged off his cloak and set about putting the new supplies in their ordered spaces. It had taken him a while to adjust to this old, yet suddenly new way of life. There were accommodations that Frankenstein had to adjust to, such as the lack of a dishwasher, and an upgraded kitchen. But he would manage, he would have to.

Striding up the stairs, Frankenstein carried the tray of tea. He could detect his Master in the usual room, as always. The Noblesse still had not left his spot. It was much like the same time when Frankenstein had first met the Noblesse.

Knocking on the door to signal his presence, though there was no need to as Raizel could feel Frankenstein through the bond, he entered the room. "Master, I brought you some tea," he said. He kept his voice low, not wanting to disturb the silence too much.

Raizel, with his back turned away from Frankenstein, merely dipped his head to signal that he had acknowledged his presence.

Frankenstein set the tea tray down on the table before setting up the cup and pouring in the tea. He made some small noise, such as clunking the glass against the porcelain saucer, and scuffing his foot against the floor. Anything to get the Noblesse to speak.

But Raizel still said nothing.

"The weather seems nasty today," Frankenstein commented. "But the rain will be good for the garden." He glanced up at the Noblesse. "Maybe in the next few days, it will be nice to go for a walk when the weather clears up."

Raizel did not respond.

Frankenstein cleared his throat. "I was wondering if you would like to try a new herbal blend of tea. Something new might be good for the both of us."

He felt like he was being ignored, even as Raizel said nothing. But he knew Raizel was listening to every word he said. But it still wasn't enough. The silence threatened to choke Frankenstein, to drown him in his memories and taunt him with what he had lost.

M21, Tao, Takeo.

Frankenstein straightened up, staring at Raizel. "Master, please," he whispered brokenly. "Please, look at me."

The pitter-patter of the rain was the only sound that could be heard for the next minute. Frankenstein held his breath, agony tearing up his heart. At any moment, he felt like he might break. At any moment, the sorrow would crash down on him.

Warmth flooded him, and instantly, he was comforted. Raizel slowly turned to look at him with equally sorrowful eyes. They were both tearing up inside from what they had lost. But through all those emotions, Frankenstein could detect fear in Raizel's heart. The true fear of the Noblesse was losing what he still had left. All that was left was Frankenstein.

"Don't leave me."

"I'm not going anywhere, Master," Frankenstein promised firmly. "I'm not leaving."

Raizel closed his eyes, shuddering. Frankenstein didn't hesitate to rush forward. Gripping Raizel's arms, he helped support the Noblesse up.

"I'm alright, Frankenstein," Raizel said. But he leaned into Frankenstein's touch, comforted. "I will...be alright."

But in their hearts, they both knew that some wounds would take a lifetime to heal. And some things could never be replaced.

The children. M21, Tao, Takeo.

With barely a sound, Raizel moved away and refocused his attention on the window.

Frankenstein stared sadly at his Master. The Noblesse did not even move from the window. Even as the lightning flashed and illuminated the room, Raizel did not flinch.

His dreams were tormenting him.

Dark Spear had nothing to do with the dreams. Mercifully, Dark Spear seemed to be holding back. But Frankenstein would hardly call it a mercy, as his dreams were suddenly haunted with memories of them.

He would hear them calling out for him. He would hear their screams, their pleas. He could detect M21's desperation, and Takeo's hope. Tao's voice was the loudest, and Frankenstein could just make out what Tao was screaming, no, crying out to him.

They were crying. They were crying out for him, and for his Master.

"Boss!"

"Frankenstein!"

"Get up!"

Frankenstein awoke with a gasp, his shirt damp with sweat. He groped about in the darkness, trying to make sense of his surroundings. His room stretched out before him, the shadows forming and performing a dark dance.

Frankenstein ran a hand through his long hair, breathing in deeply. He swallowed uncomfortably; his throat dry. He glanced towards his windows; his curtains drawn. But even with the heavy fabric, he could see the dim rays of the morning sun.

Well, there was no point in trying to go back to sleep now.

With a tired sigh, Frankenstein crawled out of his bed and prepared for his day. It was the normal routine for him. He never complained about the same routine. In fact, he used to enjoy it; serving his Master.

But now, he missed Tao's chatter and Takeo's conversations. He had grown used to M21's constant, loyal presence.

And now they were gone.

Preparing for his day should have been the same for him, aside from that uncomfortable feeling building up within him. Grimacing as he buttoned up his shirt, he tried to tamper down on Dark Spear's negative energy. The dark presence subsided somewhat, but it still lingered, never releasing its hold on him.

Frankenstein huffed, blowing a stray strand of blonde hair out of his face. He hoped that the Dark Spear wouldn't continue to act so obnoxious. He had enough to deal with as it was, and he didn't need a crazy bloodthirsty weapon added to his list.

But, despite his wishes, the Dark Spear was still acting up, but he didn't know why. By mid-morning, Frankenstein was annoyed with the nagging presence of his weapon. He tried to hide his discomfort as best as he could from his Master, but he knew that Raizel would detect something amiss soon enough. But that would only happen if Frankenstein didn't deal with the issue first.

He glanced at the Noblesse who continued staring out the window. No, Frankenstein could not burden him any more than he already was. He would deal with this himself.

With that thought in mind, Frankenstein slowly and ever so carefully withdrew from his Master's connection. He still maintained ahold of the link so as not to alarm Raizel with his sudden absence, but at least the Noblesse would not be able to sense his actions. With that done, Frankenstein closed his eyes and stretched out with his senses. He could feel the dark presence swirling within him. That was nothing new, but it was not just the Dark Spear that was nagging him, but something else entirely. There was a mental link, a mental connection that was forming.

He frowned, opening his eyes. He stared at nothing as he pondered. What link, other than the link between him and his Master, did he have? He could feel Dark Spear's connection with two different beings that were not him. But that didn't make sense to Frankenstein. Aside from Crombel, who else wielded Dark Spear's power? But Crombel did not yet exist, so it could not be him. So, who was left?

His eyes widened, and his heart lurched. Two other beings that possessed Dark Spear's corruptive power: He only knew of two, stubborn humans who were brave, or foolish enough, to attempt to wield its power.

With a tight frown, Frankenstein set his teacup down. He dared not get his hopes up. But at the very least, he should conduct an investigation into this strange energy.

"Master," he said. "May I go out for a while?"

Raizel finally glanced at him, and Frankenstein felt a twinge of guilt at the thought of leaving his Master. For the past three days, he had felt the Noblesse maintain a hold on the bond. It was as if he relied on the bond just as much as Frankenstein did. It reminded them both that they were still here for each other, and that they had yet to leave each other.

But here he was, leaving his Master alone in the large mansion.

"I will be back," he promised sincerely. He poured in every ounce of his inner feelings through the bond, hiding nothing from his Master.

Raizel merely stared at him, his red eyes never leaving Frankenstein. Frankenstein's guilt grew as he felt the small hint of fear and desperation course through Raizel's side of the bond, though the Noblesse did his best to hide it. He was afraid of being alone, of losing everything once more. As far as Raizel was concerned, Frankenstein was all that he had left.

"Go."

That simple word caused Frankenstein to blink. He looked up, but his Master merely went back to gazing out the window.

"Frankenstein, I trust you," Raizel said. With that, Frankenstein felt Raizel pull back, giving his servant the freedom to move.

Now Frankenstein wondered if he even wanted to leave. How could he when his Master was in such a fragile state?

But that connection...that connection with Dark Spear...he had to look into it.

He bowed once more. "I'll be back," he promised.

Frankenstein stared up at the building before him. Why, of all places, was he receiving Dark Spear's energy signature here?

The orphanage was dark, but at least it seemed well maintained. The building was intact and large, so obviously somebody in this orphanage cared about maintenance. Aside from that, there was no garden, and everything looked so desolate and miserable.

Doubt filled Frankenstein, and he took a step back. Maybe he was still struggling with coping with the loss of M21, Tao and Takeo, and the Dark Spear was just trying to take advantage of his weakness.

But, there was another pull, a connection of some sorts. It was still there, and it remained strong.

He sighed, turning back to the orphanage and striding forward. While he was here, he might as well investigate the matter. If there was another threat, it would be best for him to deal with it swiftly and efficiently.

He was unprepared for the noise as he entered the building. He cringed as the sound of screaming children reached his ears. Nuns were walking by, and Frankenstein stood there for a moment, at a loss of what to do. No one bothered to stop and ask him what he was doing here, or even order him to leave. But a few nuns passing by did give him odd looks. He ignored them all and instead focused on where Dark Spear was leading him. The very thought of his weapon leading him anywhere caused him some discomfort, but he was also curious.

Taking in deep breath, he walked up the stairs. He had no real destination in mind, nor did he know where he was going. He was just following the thread that pulled at him, the thread that linked him to Dark Spear, and something else entirely. At the top of the steps, the screaming of the many children only increased in volume. The wails and cries tugged at his heart, but he didn't know why he was here in the first place. He just stood at the top of the steps, uneasy. Frankenstein could detect no real reason as to why he was here in the first place, but he did know that he saw no point in sticking around.

Something slammed into his legs, causing Frankenstein to stumble back with a surprised gasp. He glared down at the child that had nearly sent him falling back down the stairs, only to stop and stare with wide eyes.

He caught a glimpse of grey eyes before the child buried his head in Frankenstein's long cloak. A messy mop of grey, almost silver hair sprouted from the child's head. But Frankenstein would recognize this energy signature anywhere, and it sent hope and disbelief surging through him.

"M21?"