Lost

By Weaver Goddess

It was finally over. Aion was dead, and Eden lay in ruins, pieces occasionally breaking off and spinning into the air below, crashing down somewhere, preferably away from people. Near and far, those who knew of the silent war clapped and cheered, joyful to be ridden of the threat hanging over their lives. However, all this didn't matter to a small group of people lingering on the floating isle.

A mournful wind whipped through the wreckage, tugging at hair and clothing as it went. Not one of those present took any notice. There were six there that day, each gathered around a prone form showing their grief in their own way. That which had bound the lives of all of them was gone, and each one felt the loss. A tall habited woman sniffed into a handkerchief while a young girl sobbed bitterly at her side. Two solitary figures looked on gravely, forlorn and silent. Another young woman was cursing lowly at the ground.

The last merely stood to the side, eyes wide in shock and unaware of the tears streaming down his cheeks. His breath came in short quick gasps, and he seemed oblivious to what was going on around him. He simply stared at the one thing that mattered most in his life. It was a young girl, no older than fifteen or sixteen, wearing what seemed to be a nun's uniform. A clock lay next to her, its dark depths showing no sign of the life that had once filled it. Slowly, ever so slowly, he approached her, his face betraying what he felt. Suddenly, his restraint broke, and he fell to the ground, haphazardly slung across the body, weeping.

Those around him were startled out of their thoughts by his display, and quickly departed, not wishing to disturb their fellow comrade and friend. The tall woman however, carried the young white-haired girl off, as she was crying too hard to walk or stand. The boy took no notice as he sobbed broken-heartedly, his violet hair mixing with her golden ones, contrasting the colors, like their souls. Crimson eyes gazed down into closed eyes, begging, pleading, for them to open. It was of no use. Closed they stayed, and his heart descended further into despair.

Using a large part of his remaining strength, he changed himself into his true form and gently stooped down. He lifted her limp body, cradling it to his body tightly. Sitting himself softly on to the ground, he murmured her name over and over, while rocking slightly to and fro, weeping the whole time.

"What would you give to get her back?" a voice whispered, seeming to come from all directions.

Chrno barely looked up. His eyes were dead and hollow, and his voice was scratchy and raw. "Anything…" he sighed softly, barely hearing what he was saying. He glanced back down into his contractor's pale face, longingly.

"Even…yourself?" the voice queried, echoing from the ruins around him.

This time Chrno felt a slight pang of confusion. "Myself…?" he questioned.

The voice was silent for a moment, as if contemplating its next words carefully. "Your life…for hers" it finally answered hesitantly, as if he still would not understand.

Chrno paused for a moment, his eyes sweeping across the prone form of his precious burden, which only seemed to reinforce his decision. "Yes. Even that" he nodded slowly, still slightly tensed.

Silence followed, even longer this time, before the voice finally spoke, almost startling Chrno. Almost, but not quite. It spoke quietly, so that even with his impeccable demonic hearing he had to strain to catch the whispers. "Alright. If that is what you wish."

He nodded again, affirming the voice of his choice. Then, he gently placed Rosette on the ground, smoothing the honeyed locks out of her face. He then backed away, and relaxed, opening himself to whatever was to happen. He didn't have to wait long.

Pain rocketed through his entire body, making him double over in the agony. Flames raced through his veins and a choked gasp tore from his throat. His eyes snapped wide open, the crimson inside seeming to blaze. His mind began to darken as fatigue and pain dulled it, but he was vaguely aware of the voice's presence. His eyes began to droop shut, as he was overwhelmed.

"W-Who are you?" he thought to the voice, almost afraid of what he may have done. However, even thinking was becoming hard to do. Just then, he sensed even more presences closing in on him fast. He forced one eye open in time to see the others rounding the corner, weapons brandished.

Remington was the first to speak to him. "Chrno!" he called, still to far away for Chrno to see clearly. "We sensed an evil presence and thought…" he trailed off, staring at the demon. Chrno was on his knees now, clutching at his heart while sweat rolled down his brow. His wings were tense and stuck out tightly on either side of him, although if one looked closely they could see trembling, and his bony tail whipped and lashed across the ground.

He gasped again, his eyes now wide open again, but now they were unfocused and blurry. Spasm after spasm racked his body, leaving him panting for breath. Knowing his time left was short, he turned to Remington.

"P-Please!" he implored, beginning to sway heavily, even on the ground. "Tell Rosette… tell her… that I…I love…her." He was close to falling now.

Remington didn't understand. Rosette was dead! Gone! Out of all her energy!

"Please!" Chrno begged Remington, "It's very…important…to me." He grimaced suddenly, as another wave of pain shot through him. Remington, meanwhile, nodded slowly, still not quite understanding…

Wait! His head snapped up incredulously and his eyes narrowed as comprehension began to dawn. He opened his mouth to speak, but it was too late.

Chrno, overwhelmed by exhaustion and agony, raised his head and cried out to the sky as a red glow began to permeate the air surrounding him. His body then went limp and began to fall to the earth. Just before he hit, however, his body faded from view, enveloped in the crimson light. As he felt his mind begin to black-out, he heard a girl scream from far away, trying to reach him. After a moment, it faded away, and Chrno began to give himself to the welcoming darkness. It enfolded and cradled him, wiping all thoughts from his mind. As the last glimmers of light disappeared from view, he thought he heard a voice, the same as before, but infinatley cruler, whisper something to him. Before he could process it, he fell completely into the darkness, and knew no more.

"You may call me…master."

And on the isle, Rosette began to stir.

Whoo! First chapter over! Let me know if you want this continued or not!

Hmm… I have the feeling I'm going to get flamed for something…

I'm still looking desperately for a beta reader, but I do have a few worthy candidates in mind. Drop me a line!

And…drum roll please review!

It inspires me to write!

However, I won't be updating for a while, finals are coming up soon, and I need to concentrate on them. I'm sorry! I'll be back as soon as I can!

Thanks for all that reviewed my other stories! I love you all!

Weaver Goddess