Author: This story is written for all of my awesome friends. (Motcn and Nimblnypmh, as well as Sempai) This is just the prologue and chapter one is almost done. Spoilers if you haven't seen the end of the series I suppose.

Tempus Edax Rerum: Prologue
Title means: Time, Devourer of all things


You said, "I will always be with you, no matter where you are." But now I know... that you're not here any more.

Red eyes snapped onpen quickly as Chrono jerked awake. His dream hadn't been horrible in the least, but he would still call it a nightmare. He hadn't heard her voice since he'd saved Rosette. His love for Rosette had, in the end, encompassed her part of his heart.

So, why was he dreaming of her now? He was so close to having his happy ending with Rosette. Chrono deserved this little glimpse of happiness, didn't he? Had he been wrong for turning against Aion? Was it wrong that he'd carried Rosette away from the others?

All he wanted was their chance at happiness. Rosette couldn't have that if they faced the absolute truth. The truth that Joshua didn't remember them, and that Satella and Stiener were gone. Their whole world had been falling apart around them. Now, along with the dreams, Chrono had to face the fact that Rosette's time was limited, and in the end, so was his.

A sigh escaped him as he turned to look at Rosette, who was sleeping peacefully beside him. A soft smile graced his features for a second before he turned away from her. Rosette looked so much like Mary Magdalene. They both accepted him, even though they knew how it would eventually end.

Why? Why does it have to be both of them? he thought to himself. His love seemed to be a curse. Just like the contract that Rosette wore around her neck and Mary Magdalene had held in her hands. Did he bear such terrible sins? Was he so damned that no even those chosen by God could save him?

Another sigh exited Chrono as he turned away. He shouldn't be contemplating any of this in the first place. After all, he was a sinner. He may have been lacking the horns of a demon, but that did not change the blood that ran through his veins. Was he really condemned to a life full of mistakes and a death that was only half deserved?

Chrono honestly didn't know. What he did know was that he didn't have the answers to any of his questions. In fact, he didn't think that anyone did. During these moments in time, his thoughts would turn upon Father Remington and he wondered how he was doing or if Joshua had regained any of his memories. The latter would most likely never happen, since the accident had been so terrible.

"What am I doing?" he whispered softly to himself. He had absolutely no idea about what to do. For now, the dream was forgotten in the rush of new information that he had to accept. Everything in his life now depended on the small clock that rested around Rosette's neck.