Chapter 20 The Truth [Pt 2]

"…And I know you understood that. So why did you endanger yourself like that?" The Truth stared down at Noir as he pressured.

For a moment, neither said a word. However, Noir could not resist the passive ability of his opponent. Before long, his quivering lips opened.

"She… asked for my help." His tone was pathetic, much to the gentleman's disgust.

The Truth stared at him for a while, donning an expression of disbelief. But, his confused silence only lasted a moment.

"Hahahaha!" He burst into uncontrollable laughter, losing his calm composure for a moment.

"Seriously? That was all it took for you to take that risk? After so many years on the run? For someone so cold and calculating, you're quite simple, aren't you?" Chuckles leaked out of his lips as he quieted down.

"Who else knows… about my whereabouts?" Noir croaked, ignoring the obvious shades thrown at him.

The Truth looked at his powerless opponent's worried and downcast expression, smiling condescendingly.

"Don't you worry. As of now, I'm the only one who knows about you…at least for now. But it's only a matter of time before the others catch on. Especially the Doctor and #01."

Noir's face scrunched up as he heard those names, but he tried his hardest to keep his emotions under wraps.

"So, what are you going to do now? Take me back? Kill me? Let's just end this charade." Noir's shaky voice echoed dreadfully.

"Oh, but what's the fun in that?" The Truth replied with a smile.

"No, I'm going to do neither of those. Instead, I'll just watch as you lose everything you built so much to achieve… just like 15 years ago."

A sadistic smile played on The Truth's face as his blue eyes glowed even fiercer than before.

"Don't tell me… back then, you were the one who—?" Noir's eyes widened with shock.

There was no response from the gentleman.

"ANSWER ME!!!" Uncontrollable rage followed as Noir's dark eyes burned with a distant pain that seemed too deep to fathom.

"Ooooh, scary!" The Truth teased, not even the least bit fazed by the powerless barks Noir gave.

"It wasn't me, though…"

"What will you gain out of this?" Noir's voice returned to its calm state.

He sounded deflated as the flickering flames in his eyes died out. Something else began sparking, though.

"If it is discovered that we had contact, and you didn't report back… you'll be in trouble."

"What's this now? Are you actually worried about me?" The Truth smiled, spluttering even more laughter.

"Well, I just don't want my brother to get hurt… we're family, after all." Noir weakly responded to The Truth's sarcasm with his own.

What a costly mistake that was!

Suddenly, the white-haired gentleman's expression clouded over, and then a grave frown appeared on his face for the first time.

>WHOOOOSSSHHH!!!<

He kicked Noir, sending him dozens of meters from his location.

>BOOOOOOOMMMM!!!<

The shockwaves echoed through the night, and the ground split apart—leaving dentures and shattered surfaces splattered about.

"Gahhh!" Noir felt the pain within himself.

A few ribs had been cracked, and his entire body was sore. He coughed blood as he groaned in pain. The Truth steadily approached Noir—closing the distance in a jiffy. He bent down and looked at Noir with disgust.

"I no longer consider you my brother." A smile reappeared on his face once this statement was made.

"Even with your original powers, you were considered the weakest among us. You're unable to use any magic, except your Bloodline Magic. Then there's the issue of that small pool of Mana you possess. Compared to ours, wouldn't you call yours lacking?" The Truth sighed, resuming his upright stance.

"Despite all that, one irrefutable fact covered your weaknesses. Your Bloodline Magic—one which even I was envious of countless times. [Null], that ability to interfere with any and all magic." The Truth said in a tone of nostalgia.

A chuckle escaped Noir's lips as he spat out more blood. He groaned in pain as he weakly stared at his brother.

"A-aren't you overestimating me too much? I can't even do anything to Bloodline Magic…"

"That's true. Your Magic doesn't work on Bloodline Magic…" The Truth narrowed his gaze, emitting even more seriousness than before.

"… But, in a battle with any other, you were invincible."

Noir sighed and shook his head, still coughing.

"To be honest, most of them looked down on you, but not me. I never for once underestimated you. Because I know for a fact Noir… that you are strong." The Truth's voice echoed into the night.

His statement was blunt and unfiltered. Never once did he mince words. Such was his nature… his design.

Noir was silent despite the praise.

The wind howled, and there was a sense of emptiness in the tense atmosphere.

"That's why I know for a fact that I don't need to drag you back with me. In due time, you'll return by yourself… I know it. I think the Doctor also understands this. That's why he never seriously participated in the efforts of your retrieval." The Truth added.

Something stirred within Noir. It somewhat agreed with the statement of his brother.

"When you're done with your rebellious phase, and you've grown sick of throwing tantrums… you'll return home."

"Y-you're… you're wrong." Noir struggled to say—not knowing if he was speaking to himself… or his adversary.

"You can't change who you are, Noir. After all, you were The Empire's most formidable assassin. Number 00: Zero." The Truth cackled in response.

"T-that's not me anymore."

"And you think this is you? Pretending to be a traveling merchant or some sort of mysterious dark knight? Even guarding an entitled girl like that? No… we both know what you were made for." The Truth's words were harsh and heavy.

The worst part was… they rang true!

Noir fell silent again, now with a defeated look on his face.

>Bzzzzttzzz<

Suddenly, he heard a voice in his head. The Truth was speaking to him telepathically.

~I'd be careful If I were you. Be wary of the one they call Netherlore. He is connected to Ciara's capture. He knows more than he is letting on as well.~

Noir's eyes instantly bulged. He was filled with more thoughts and questions—now more than ever.

"W-why are you telling me this…?" He weakly whispered.

~Who knows? Maybe I don't want anyone to take my prize from me. In the end, Noir… remember, I am the one who will end you.~ The Truth responded with a tone of finality before cutting off the communication.

He turned from Noir and began walking away. The fallen one could not turn his head to see him walk away, but could only hear his footsteps getting fainter and fainter.

"H-How is he, by the way… The Doctor…?" Noir's voice was hoarse, but he still croaked the words.

"Youthful as ever." The Truth laughed in response.

He kept walking, though.

"The others will be coming for you soon. And they won't be as nice as I am." The sounds of his footsteps were almost nonexistent at this point.

Noir inhaled heavily, shivering slightly as the image of the other Homunculi flashed in his head.

It had been a long night, and things were about to get worse. He had suffered a lot, but he had also learned a lot during his ordeal. Noir was, at least, thankful for that as he felt himself drifting away into unconsciousness.

"Crap! I'm losing my grip." He slurred, his vision blurring.

>SHUUUUUUUU….<

As everything went dark, a mysterious tone warbled and deep blue energy started enveloping Noir's consciousness.

An unknown voice started to ring in his head as he saw letters floating around in his subconscious

~[REBOUND]~

~ACTIVATING [REBOUND] NOW~

~[REBOUND] <STAGE 3> SELECTED~

~COMMENCING PROTOCOL~

'H-haaaaa…!!!'

Suddenly, Noir felt a surge of power well up within him. It was familiar, yet odd.

And so… as he fell into a deep sleep, something else took over.

Something 'darker'.