Chapter 34: The Church

Sebastian and the lady went inside a stable alone; the sun had set long ago. However, when noises started to come out of the house, you realized what was happening and turned around, embarrassed to look at the house. Ciel covered your ears, hoping to spare you from the noise.

   " Oh, stop, you'll make me impure! "

   " Whatever. . .do you. . .mean? "

Even though Ciel had covered your ears, you could still hear the woman's squeals inside the stable. 

   " I didn't know he used this approach. " Ciel said with an awkward expression on his face.

   " I'll put that wench on the To-Die list! " Grell shouted.

Out of all the people, Grell was the most upset by the situation. He pulled out a small notebook and started writing in it. You leaned against Ciel and uncovered his hands from your ears.

   " Oh, I can see the gates of heaven! "

   " I don't think covering my ears is going to do anything. "

As you leaned against Ciel, you could feel something poking your back. You lowered your head and looked at what was poking you, but it was hidden from your sight. Whatever was poking, you were hidden within Ciel's jacket pocket.

   " What's in your pocket? " You questioned.

   " Nothing to worry about right now. I think Sebastian is done. "

You looked toward the stable to see that the building had stopped shaking. The noises had stopped as well. Sebastian opened the door to the stable and stepped out, fixing his gloves.

   " I believe we will be getting the information we need. Please come inside. "

Sebastian didn't have a smile on his face and looked displeased. You followed Ciel inside, with Grell behind you. Grell held onto your shoulders as you entered the stable and glared at the woman inside. The woman had her clothes on except for her headdress and shoes. She brushed through her hair, getting straw out of her hair, and she smiled as if what she did was nothing. 

   " Now, please, enlighten us. " Sebastian said, still frowning.

   " The Doomsday Books of those who have lived a long time are impure. Our leader cleanses the unclean passages. And we're told not only the past, but the future is recorded there. "

Grell's body shook, and you knew that Grell would have lept at the girl if you weren't there. Grell squeezed your shoulders tightly, but you didn't mind.

   " The future, eh? "

   " Yes. But only the chosen of the heavenly choir can be told it. "

   " The heavenly choir? What, do they sing hymns? " Ciel questioned.

   " I believe 'sing' may not be the right word. . .But I hear beautiful voices from our leader's bedchamber. . ."

After hearing that, you left the stable with the others, going to discuss everything you learned. Unfortunately, it was dark out, and the only light showing you the way back to the building was the moonlight. You didn't have much time to talk about everything because the ceremony started when you returned to the church. You sat in the last pew in the back of the sanctuary. Grell sat beside Sebastian hugging his arm, while you sat beside Ciel on Sebastian's other side. The ceremony started, and a man with a white, red, and gold robe stood at a table with two single candles. His eyes were covered so that you couldn't see his face.

   " Here, tonight, the sinful unclean shall be made pure. "

Two people were escorted onto the stage in robes. Behind them were people that wore the same robe as the man at the podium. They stripped the two people from their robes, revealing their naked bodies. One was a man, and the other was a woman, but both had the same mark on their backs. It was the symbol from the stained glass Ciel was staring at earlier. Both people kneeled, keeping their arms together. A man with two books stepped up to the stage and handed the books to the man at the podium.

   " Are those Cinematic Records? " Sebastian asked.

   " Too far away to tell. " Grell replied, pulling Sebastian closer.

Sebastian didn't try to move his arm, but he did hold your hand with his free hand. Then, the man at the podium opened up the first book and started reading from the contents. 

   " I shall read the Doomsday Books of these impure, lost children. Jill Peasant. The second daughter of a farmer, she conceived a child at fifteen. Thomas Atkins. No especially evil deeds, but he has spent his life meaninglessly. That is a grave sin. "

Both naked bodies on stage had a black mist surrounding them, almost consuming their flesh. Their bodies shook, and above them, one of the stained glass windows lit up in gold color. Images started to play from the window. One was a woman taking care of her newborn child, and she looked happy. The second image was of the man, fishing and laughing at the river bank. 

   " This is. . ."

   " Snuff out the unworthy. Snuff out the unnecessary. Snuff out the unfruitful. Snuff out the unclean! "

The image of gold shattered, and the two naked bodies on stage started to scream desperately. The gold glow had gone, and so did the images or glass. The original stained glass window was still whole, and there was no crack. The two people had stopped shaking on stage, and their screams were gone, leaving everything to be silent. 

   " Now, nothing unclean exists on this dais. They are our brother and sister, made pure as snow! "

The two people were escorted off stage, with their robes placed back around them. Everyone cheered, excited and happy for the two pure people. 

   " Something's off. Those books weren't Cinematic Records. "

After everyone had left the sanctuary and the lights were off, did you discuss everything that happened.

   " Then he doesn't have the power to see the past? " Ciel questioned Grell.

   " Ah, you're still here! "

Behind you was a group of women with candles lit, and they were looking toward Ciel.

   " The heavens have smiled upon you! "

The women dragged Ciel away, with Sebastian following a few seconds later. You were left with Grell, alone in the sanctuary.

   " You know, you're not half bad. "

   " What? "

You turned toward Grell, who was still sitting in the pew. His legs were crossed, and his arm was draped on the edge of the seat. But his eyes were looking in front of him, toward the moonlight through the stained glass window.

   " I like you. You're going to be a fun one to keep around, and of course, I'll take your Cinematic Records when you die. "

   " Why are you suddenly telling me this? "

Grell turned his face toward you, still smiling.

   " Because, you're the only one, besides Sebas~Chan that I find entertaining. "

Sebastian had finished washing his master inside the room and placed him in a robe, like the others. But as Sebastian was folding Ciel's clothes, a blue plush box fell out of Ciel's long jacket pocket. Sebastian picked up the dark blue box and held it in his hands. Ciel turned and noticed what Sebastian was holding, a small blush coming to his cheeks.

   " Master. . .Is this--"

   " Give that to me! "

Ciel took the blue box from his butler and hid it within his robes. Sebastian stared wide-eyed at Ciel, knowing what the box was. Sebastian's eyes slowly turned into a slight glare directed at his master. He didn't like what the box symbolized due to his personal reasons and hunger.

   " Do remember master, your soul is mine, at the end of the day. That is our contract. "

   " Yes, I know. "

   " Then, please listen to a butlers advise, and hide that ring. "

Later, Ciel walked back into the sanctuary, wearing the same robe as the man from before. You hid with Grell in the pews watching the story unfold. The man who was at the podium, reading the books, stood with his hands together, waiting. 

   " Leave us. "

The women bowed their heads and left, leaving Ciel alone with the strange man and a person standing behind them, in a dark robe.

   " You look divine, Ciel. Come this way. "

Ciel climbed the stairs and followed the man toward the podium, where a lone book sat.

   " I am honored that you have chosen me. "

   " I'll read you a book. "

   " Sir, what is a 'Doomsday Book'? "

   " I'll read to you. . .until you fall asleep. Tonight is a treat. "

The man raised his hand and placed it on Ciel's head, and you could see Ciel's body shake slightly.

   " Cleanse yourself. "

Ciel stepped back and knocked the older man's hand off his head. But it didn't seem to affect the man in the slightest. 

   " Cleanse yourself of the sins you have committed here and now. "

Then, the man grabbed Ciel's neck and started to choke him, but Ciel had enough time to call for his butler. At this point, you and Grell stood from your pews and ran toward the stage.

   " Sebastian, this is an order! Kill him! "

   " Yes, my lord. "

Sebastian burst through one of the glass windows, taking a shard in his hand. He landed on his feet and threw the fragment at the man, hitting him between the eyes. The body fell to the ground, and the person in darker robes ran toward Ciel, but Sebastian threw another shard at the person. The chip went through the man, and the robe turned into shreds, with no one inside. Feathers fell from the ceiling. 

You and Grell joined Ciel and Sebastian on stage, sticking close with the butler and master. 

   " I thought that was you, Angela. 

Above you, Angela was flying with angel wings, and she was smiling down at everyone.

   " H-Hey! What's an angel doing in this realm!? " Grell screamed.

Angela flew down and wrapped her arm around Ciel's neck, taking him into the air.

   " Young master! "

She pulled a book out from her arm, still smiling, and opened the book.

   " Look! That's a real Cinematic Record! " Grell shouted.

Angela held the book upward, and out of the book came the Cinematic Records, and they entangled Sebastian. The records entrapped your wrists and ankles, keeping you in place.

   " Grell, your death scythe! " Sebastian shouted.

   " Give me some time! I'm working on it! " Grell shouted.

Grell had small baby scissors in his hands, cutting away at the records. It was a slow process and didn't seem to get any faster.

   " What are those? "

   " I can't help it! Will took my last set of scythes away, too! "

Angela flew higher into the sky, and a ball of light appeared behind her. Grell finally cut all the records holding you away and freed you with Sebastian. Angela disappeared in the light with Ciel. Sebastian grabbed onto your waist and ran toward the light, with Grell following. He jumped upward, going into the light, with you in tow while Grell was beside you. After the light dimmed, you saw that you were transported into a new area. Everything was elegant and beautiful. The place almost looked like it was high in the sky.

   " Where is the young master? " Sebastian questioned, not seeing Ciel around anywhere.

   " Where are we? " You questioned, looking around.

   " This is the Grim Reaper Library! That's where the Cinematic Records are kept. " Grell said.

   ' So, everyone's records are up there. . .'

Sebastian started to walk quickly, to the library, with you and Grell jogging behind him. He walked fast, and you had to jog to keep up, but so did Grell, which made you feel better. Upon reaching the front door to the library, Sebastian opened it, but the tip of a pruner shot through the door toward Sebastian's face. Sebastian dodged while you moved to the side, avoiding the pruner from sniping at you.

   " Ah, it is you. . .I knew I smelled something unpleasant. "

Will was in the room, standing in front of a statue of a grim reaper with a scythe. The long hair and face of the grim reaper on the statue reminded you of someone, but you didn't pay too much attention to the figure.

   " Will! " Grell shouted, entering the library.

   " To think a demon would have the nerve to set foot in our territory--"

   " Will, wait! I'm looking for the Doomsday Books on your orders! "

   " Honestly. . .A grim reaper, willingly inviting such vermin here? Grell Sutcliff, you appear to want a further demotion. "

Grell flinched and looked at the tiny scissors in his hands, opening and closing them with a sad look on his face.

   " Wh-What will it be this time? "

   " Exterminating vermin is all well and good, but are you sure you ought to let your lice infestation go unchecked? " Sebastian intervened. 

   " An angel? "

   " Yes. "

   " It seems I'll be late getting home tonight. "

Will turned and walked through a set of doors, with you, Sebastian, and Grell following behind. Will was moving so quickly; you had trouble keeping up. However, Sebastian was unusually calm, while Grell was slightly happy not to be in trouble.

   " What could Angela want with Ciel and his Cinematic Record? " You asked.

   " Angels have the ability to tamper with Cinematic Records. " Will responded without turning his head.

   " So, she can change his past if she wanted to? "

   " I doubt even God could do that. They merely give you a false peace. Those who have had negative enough experiences to break their souls wish for that past to be wiped out. However, it haunts them forever. Y/n, you were a different case. "

   " I was? "

   " Yes. We have records of everything that's happened in your life until this point in time. However, your experience with the Harvey's was smudged in your book. Because you were an adolescent, your mind pushed those memories to the back of your mind, suppressing them so you could forget; it was not an Angel's doing. Once you figured out your past, your pages were restored. Your soul was broken, and it haunts you even now. Doesn't it? "

   " Yeah. "

   " Your experience was negative enough to break your soul, but over time it repaired itself. After discovering your past, your soul was fixed entirely. Phatomhive has had a broken soul for years that cannot be so easily fixed. Angel's powers leave the past unchanged instead of manipulating your impression of it to make you think it wasn't so negative after all. You did that yourself, repressing your memories, but they were still there in your mind. "

After climbing many stairs, there was a door in front of you that would allow you onto the next floor. Sebastian walked quickly and threw the doors open.

   " Master! "

In front of you, Angela was sitting on a loveseat couch, with Ciel's head resting in her lap and the rest of his body still. Flying out of his chest was his Cinematic Records. Angela smiled down at Ciel before raising her lead, smiling toward your group.

   " His past is being rewritten. He's being purified, made clean and white as snow. "

   " Purified? " You asked.

   " No one wants to harbor hatred. That holds true for him as well. "

   " Master! "

Sebastian was going to run and grab Ciel, but Will stopped him.

   " If you forcibly stop her now, the child's past won't be properly contained in him, and he will become less than human. "

   " Yes, he will become white as snow. "

   " Purified. . .my master. . . "

No one tried to step close to the pair, afraid of causing damage. Instead, you contemplated stepping forward and talking with Angela. You knew Angela liked you somehow, that you could distract her or maybe stop her from hurting Ciel. Slowly, you stepped forward, but your arm was grabbed.

   " My lady, what are you doing? " Sebastian asked.

   " Angela. . .likes me I think. Maybe I can distract her, or maybe--"

   " Stay here. There is nothing anyone can do, at this moment, until my master, fixes the problem, or until his Cinematic Records are put away. "

Sebastian's grip on your arm was tight, and you nodded, stepping back. Sebastian's hand never left your arm, and you looked toward Ciel, watching him. His body was ultimately still until it started to rise in the air, and the Cinematic Records started to rewind into his body.

   " He's rewinding the Cinematic Record by himself!? "

Once the records were put back in Ciel's body, he fell from the sky. Sebastian ran forward and caught the man's body, lowering him to the ground.

   " What a breakneck thing to do. . ."

   " Sebastian. . ." Ciel opened his eyes and looked toward his butler.

Ciel's body looked like it was shaking slightly, and he had sweat falling from his hair.

   " You always exceed my expectations. You are truly worthy of being my soul. . .no, my master. "

Angela stood up from the sofa and looked at Ciel, her hand gripping itself. The smile was no longer on her face.

   " The horror of such an unclean heart! Deprived, stagnant, without light. . .I should never have shown you mercy, like your friend. I shall purify you here and now. "

   " Then, let's do this. " 

Sebastian stood up, leaving Ciel to sit on the floor. A pulled knives out from his coat pocket and smiled at Angela.

   " Disturbances in the library fall under grim reaper jurisdiction. We'll join them, Grell Sutcliff. " Will said, holding his pruner in both hands.

   " Oh, yeah! Oh, we're a trinity! The door opens on a passionate battle! "

   " Yes yes yes, coming through. "

Funny enough, Undertaker walked by with a cart full of books. His appearance made you smile, and you wanted to chuckle a bit from his sudden appearance.

   " Undertaker! " You shouted.

   " Hello, Dearie! "

   " Hey! What are you doing here--" 

   " Mind your tongue! This is the virtuoso who passed judgment on the famous Robin Hood and sent Marie Antoinette to hell. He is a legendary grim reaper who makes the staunchest of souls give up the ghost. " Will said, interrupting.

   " Wait a minute! He doesn't look anything like the fellow carved on that statue out front! "

Grell walked over to Undertaker and turned him around.

   " How could this dreary old man be a legendary grim reap--"

But after lifting Undertaker's bangs, Grell fell against Undertaker, holding him.

   " Make love to me. "

   " You're not my type. I already have someone. "

Behind you, Angela had already disappeared to return to the church and purify everyone inside the sanctuary. And the doors were locked, trapping everyone in the library. It wasn't until Undertaker pulled out a book and walked toward everyone.

   " Now, it seems all we can use is the Death Bookmark. A pink placeholder. It halts the story, and we can take a red pen to it. "

Undertaker took out a large quill and started to write in the book, and soon Sebastian disappeared and reappeared in the church. After Sebastian, Undertaker wrote about Grell and Will appearing in the church.

   " That's a useful tool. " Ciel said, standing up.

   " Yes, but it is limited. "

You stood beside Ciel, watching Undertaker continue to write in red in the woman's book. Soon enough, Ciel disappeared, and you were left alone with Undertaker. Undertaker took the bookmark out of the book and closed the woman's book, letting her story continue.

   " I can only write so much in her book before there is damage. We will return to my shop, and wait for everyone there. "

You nodded and walked beside Undertaker to leave the library. Undertaker kept his hands on your shoulders as you walked to guide you through the library.

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