Chapter 1: Rise and Fall

'Father, why have You forsaken me? In Your eyes forsaken me? In Your thoughts forsaken me? In Your heart forsaken me?'

- "Chopsuey" by System of a Down

Rosette and Chrono were slowly dying, both lying on the floor. Second after second of their life force was draining away.

Chrono held her hand as if to assure her that they will be together, while tears streamed down Rosette's face.

"We are finally free, Rosette" Chrono said weakly.

"I know" Rosette replied cupping his face.

With one final breath, they died and there souls left their bodies. It then transcended above the clouds and landed just a few inches away from the gates of heaven where St. Peter resides. There they saw St. Peter holding a scroll and pen.

"Ah, the new arrivals! But alas, one shall rise and the other shall fall" St. Peter said as he pointed their names with his pen.

Both Rosette and Chrono were shocked at the news, trying to understand what those words mean.

Chrono stepped forward in anger.

"I'm the one that shall fall, right? Why do I deserve this?! Have I not done enough service for the Lord?"

"Chrono, don't say that!" Rosette burst into tears.

St. Peter lowered his head in sadness.

"Truly, Chrono, I must apologize, but I hereby condemn you to Hell. Take him away, Izual"

"Yes, Lord Cephas" The voice was heard from under them.

Then the angel swiftly took Chrono by the foot and a hole materialized and the angel dropped him there.

Things were just happening too fast that Chrono could not react.

"No!!" Chrono screamed as he fell to the hole.

Rosette just cried even louder. "Why, St. Peter, why?"

"I'm so sorry Rosette, it is the will of the Lord" St. Peter said with a tear in his eyes. "You may enter now Miss Christopher, but be advised; the angels and the Lord will weep for his loss."

In Hell…

As Chrono fell into hole and into the furnace, his clothes were burned until such time his flesh burned so much that some parts of his body revealed his bones. The demons laughed and ridiculed him saying, "Hey look, poor Chrono's getting his ass on fire!"

Then another said "Yeah, and I think you should call the fire department! Oh wait, not even they can save you! Hahahaha!"

Chrono wailed in anguish and humiliation. "Why have you forsaken me, Lord! Why?"

And he screamed in total anger, "WHY?!"

Then an angelic voice replied to him, "I send you back into the burn, for brotherhood you must earn".

He screamed again for he did not understand the words.

Somewhere in the deeper part of Hell…

Satan sat down in his dark throne, finishing his meal of a human soul

"Asmodeus, report"

A demon materialized in front of Satan

"It seems that the Sinner, Chrono has returned."

"Hmm… I just need three more to complete my elite" Satan said eating another soul.

"But we'll have to wait for another eighty years, right?"

"Just think of it as days, Asmodeus"

"Yes, my lord, yes"