Chronometal Panic Sub-Story
The Barasian War
Chapter 2: The Black Hands Control

Kneeling down in the throne room, a high ranking woman urges for a council with the king.

"Please, I need to talk to King Leon!" - "I am sorry lady Blossom, but King Leon is in a diplomatic meeting with the surrounding kingdoms." She rises and pleads with the steward. "Please... this cannot wait; the entire kingdom is in jeopardy!" The steward pauses. "I... can pass a message along-" - "No, this information is too sensitive- I need to speak to him directly!" - "But He is..."

Blossom removes her wristband and places it on the ground as a gesture to the kingdom. "As heiress to the divine throne of the Earth I demand an audience with King Leon!" The steward nods, unflinchingly obedient to the acts of the angels. "Of course, by enactment of holy code, I will hold his meeting for a later date." - "Thank you..."

Five men sit in a chamber addressing an articulate scrawling on the table.

"The holy kingdom of Megavisse will not be pushed around by the southern states, if you do not pull back your troops we will be forced into a battle the likes of which no-one wishes to see. The Day of Judgment nears and we cannot afford to waste our energy on pointless conflict!" The man in a dark red suit of armor states to the men of the Table.

"Your spreading of baseless dogma must stop... we have scientific evidence that this world existed far before the day of the Reckoning." The man being directly addressed by the red barks out. "I will not tolerate such heresy, ambassador. The holy kingdom of Megopolis will re-surface one day and wipe the non-believers from existence."

"Upon who's word, upon what proof do you stand and preach such certainties? If your 'religion' is correct, we are all doomed in the next ten years! But if we are not... and your hypocrisy costs the lives of hundreds of thousands of our people, we will never forgive you!" - "Noted, ambassador... but know this... if in ten years the Reckoning comes and your nation refuses to help us-" - "We are a country of science... if the evil one arises... I give you my word our nations will band together to stop it."

The man in red sits down seemingly pleased. "That will be all ambassador..." He bows not so graciously and sits at the table. One of the other men stands up on queue- "Ah, now for the words of the east... what have you, Ambassador?" Before he has a chance to speak, the chamber door flies open. Almost disgusted the man in red nearly throws his blade at the person.

"What is it, steward... these are delicate matters and I made specific requests to not be disturbed." - "It is... Blossom, sire... she enacted Holy Code and desires an exclusive audience with you."

The man in red pauses, almost all rage leaving his being, being replaced by other deeper emotions. "Men, we must hold this meeting for a later date, my church calls for me." The men rise from their chairs and leave to their respective rooms to prepare for departure to their capitals.

He walks to his throne and sits, overlooking the kneeling knight- Blossom. "Rise, child of the Two Angels... and address your king." She stands up and bows graciously, yet hastily. The king notes her speed and cuts formality. "What is it, Lady Blossom?" - "King Leon, the lake village of Petra has been destroyed."

The king raises an eyebrow. "Was it the south? Must we declare a pointless and arduous war so close to the day of Reckoning...?" Blossom shakes her head, which causes a wave of confusion to strike the King. "Then... what was it?"

She tries to make eye contact with him, but she constantly veers off, trying to find suitable words. "Out with-" - "Demons, my Lord..." He nearly fires off of his throne and stands atop the rise. "Demons... are you sure, Blossom?" She kneels toward the King, the gesture only too clear. "Yes my liege..."

He looks around the room, in light thought. "You have seen these... demons?" - "I've fought them myself." He looks to Blossom almost disappointed. "Lady Blossom, you mustn't put yourself in danger so close to the Reckoning, if we lost you the evil one would surely erase the world..." She says nothing.

"...That aside, what did these demons look like?" She shakes her head. "They looked... human, my King!" He sits back in the throne, taking it all in at a certain pace. "What do you suppose we should do about this threat, Child of the Two Angels?" - "We should prepare for battle... and I fear our walls will hold no resistance for them." - "What do you mean?" - "My liege... these beasts can fly!"

"Three, take a look at this." Thirty lets out. She hands her a charred book labeled: The Twin Angels. Judging by the thickness and quality, it seems like a religious textbook. "Have you read this?" - "Not yet, we thought you should have first look." Three nods and Thirty walks away. She looks around the second floor of the installation... there is very little light.

Book in hand she walks toward floor one, seeing androids still working on the Number 2 pod. "How is it coming along?" - "Poorly... we don't have enough resources at hand, there are supply rooms on some of the floors but they are locked way tighter than we thought. Until then, unless one of us dies... in which I am not hoping for by the way, we aren't fixing this at all." Three nods and leaves the lab.

Now outside, she flies upward, noticing other androids are coming and going quickly, as if the lab was a hive.

She opens the textbook in the broad daylight and begins to dissect whatever information it has to go off of.

-Upon the dawn of destruction, shortly after the eve of creation... the Two Angels, the Eldest and Youngest look upon the beast of no name.-

-With their greatest of strength, the Two Angels force the beast into the Earth for a thousand years.-

-The Eldest of angels follows the beast into the world's heart to keep it from emerging, while the Youngest remains upon the flat land to watch over her flock.-

-The holy color, Red: permeates the evil and ignites it for all to see so that there would be no mistaking the darkness at hand. The angels of Gold and Red born of the Earth, protect it forevermore.-

"Angels of Gold and Red? The holy color is red... like Blossom..." Three pauses, almost not believing what she is about to say. "Her hair also turned gold... is it... possible...?!" She shakes her head and continues reading.

-The beast, though bested five times is destined to return a sixth time, once again doing battle with the Angel of Red, guided by the Angel of Gold. The battle will rupture the world as it has five other times, but fear not for the Angels of the Earth will guide us to a better tomorrow...-

"Rupture the world as it has... five other times?" Three pauses. "Is it... possible that the world was destroyed, and our original creator thought that humanity would never recover? If so... that would explain it..." She nods, putting the pieces together.

She flips through the pages and notices there are countless other stories within it, but satisfied with the information at hand she returns to the lab to address the other androids.

Three descends to the earth to enter the lab, but something catches her eye off the side of the entrance. It's another android, but she's doing something Three can't quite make out.

"What's going on over there?" She asks, approaching- causing the android to recoil and cover up the mound of dirt behind her. Three relents, noticing a pained expression on the android's face. She catches her number on her shoulder, 150.

"Fine, I won't pry." She says as she begins to walk away- "W-Wait..." One Fifty lets out. Three turns around to see her standing above the mound of dirt. At the head of the dirt looks like a stone with carvings of it.

"Wait...! Is that... a grave...?" One Fifty nods somberly. "Did... did we lose someone?" She pauses... before shaking her head no. "Then... who...?" She shakes her head almost embarrassed. "It was... the..." She gulps before stopping.

Three almost doesn't want to continue the conversation, but being the leader she feels obligated to hear her out. "What is it One Fifty... I promise I will not judge you." She gulps again before finally saying: "It was the old man in the village..."

Three looks perplexed and cocks her head to the side. She walks up the gravestone and looks at the etchings. "Emil? His name was Emil?" - "I used things on his person to find his name out... such as that." She points to a shiny object at the tip of the grave.

It's a ring...

"Why...? They are our enemies." One Fifty looks away and almost looks like she is in tears, further confusing Three. "I... don't know. I just... don't feel the way you guys do about this... it hurts me to kill them." Three recoils, startled before feeling a sinking feeling in her stomach.

It is more than possible that One Fifty doesn't have any innate hatred for the humans, and in fact may have love or pity for them...

"I... I'm sorry, I didn't know..." Three lets out, causing One Fifty to look over. "You're... not mad?" - "No, why would I be? If anything you should be mad at us for making you do this..." They both turn their eyes to the grave before One Fifty speaks again.

"I found a book somewhere on burial rights. To be flat in the dirt... facing the core of the Earth so that their spirit would join the gold angel in her crusade against the darkness..." Three looks up, almost amazed at One Fifty. "I... didn't know our people could show such compassion..." - "Compassion..." One Fifty spits out.

"What's wrong?" - "I have to pick a side, and I will not leave you guys... I cannot show compassion to them... but..." She begins to pull her hair as a tear hits the dirt. "I don't know! I am so confused!" She yells out! Seething, eyes shut and huffing she feels something unexpected.

She opens her eyes to see Three hugging her, which causes an unstoppable blush. "W-Wha?" - "I won't make you do this..." One Fifty pries Three off of her, much to Three's surprise. "I won't turn my back on you guys, you are all family..." She says, causing Three to gaze at One Fifty.

"Then what will you do, continue killing them?" Three lets out, almost cold. "I..." - "Will bury them according to their beliefs." She looks up almost stunned. "Huh?" Three looks away, toward the grave. "Are we monsters? Maybe... but you care for them in a way I could never. It's in our nature to hate them... and it is in yours to show mercy and compassion, it is what makes you... you."

She walks away on that note, into the lab, leaving One Fifty to herself. She floats up and looks to the mountains, and smiles...

There are countless shallow graves there... at that point the clouds turn dark and it begins to rain.

The town, in an uproar, causes people to flee into their houses, leaving only the braves and people of law enforcement on the streets. Blossom walks down the road to a nearby Inn, which seems to have a few more guards than others. The rain clinking against their armor as they stand resolute at the building.

She walks in, catches eye with the Innkeeper, and follows her to the basement. Once there, the Keeper bows and leaves the basement to Blossom.

"Luca, where are you?" - "Over here Lady Blossom!" They see each other and Blossom eyes the infant at her breast. "I see you are still safe... that is good, has anyone seen the child?" - "Only people who think it's mine, or those who KNOW it's yours." Blossom nods.

The baby turns its attention to Blossom and begins to smile and squeal. Luca hands her the baby, which she cradles in her arms. Buttoning up her shirt, Luca begins to speak. "How much longer are you going to keep her a secret, Blossom?"

Holding the baby who begins to fall into a contented sleep, Blossom begins to speak softly. "As long as it takes..." - "But-" - "We have had this conversation hundreds of times, and I will continue to tell you, she does not deserve to die... that is my destiny, not hers..." Luca continues to eye Blossom.

"Well, what about those monsters? What are we going to do about them?" Blossom, rocking the child to sleep speaks softly once more. "Whatever we can, Leon is arming the walls with sentries, and the entire town is on high alert. If they reach here I will do whatever I can to stop them." Luca nods...

"I... have to go..." Blossom says sadly, returning the now sleeping baby to Luca's arms. Seeing Blossom halfway up the stairs, Luca lets out one final remark. "Don't die, Blossom... let her have a mother..."

With the speech over, Three turns to Eight, who seems to be tossing a large bone into each of her hands, back and forth. "What's that you got there?" She asks curiously. "Oh this? It's a leg-bone from our latest conquest. I wanted the skull but someone wanted it more than me." - "Who?" - "This is an odd conversation... I think it was a higher number... One Hundred... something. Twenty? Thirty? Whatever, the thing is she wanted the entire body, and even fought me for it... bloodthirsty bitch, huh? I still managed to snag a leg." She says playfully as she juggles it.

"What are your thoughts on the speech?" - "Not many, I will tell the truth. At least we have a lead as to why they might still be here, but that doesn't mean we aren't going to kill them, does it?" - "Of course not... all I wanted was answers, and I got them" Eight breaks into a toothy smile.

"Good answer... so when do we attack again?" - "I sent Four on a scouting mission with five others, if they find any human encampments, they will return here and tell us."

As soon as she says that, six androids walk through the entrance with excited looks on their faces.

"We found a castle just CRAWLING with people! And I think we even found Blossom again!"

Floating above a medieval looking city, they are hidden by the rain and fog...

"Third building from the southeastern watch tower, the Inn. She is in there..." Four lets out. "So what's the plan? Just drop down there and kill everyone?" Eight eagerly asks.

Still in the rain, protected by the fog of war; Three ponders. "I have something far more fun in mind..."

*Meanwhile, in a nearby bar...*

"Are you alright? You have had five pints already..." - "Yeah... I'm fine... just leave the bottle and leave me alone..." She spits coldly. "Alright, but just remember... it's only on the house cause' we all need ya..." She snickers a little bit, taking the bottle and a swig, as he walks away.

Slamming it on the table, she works through deep problems in her head... but she can never come to a real answer. "I can't let her die... I have to be the one, it's my destiny..."

The door opens as two new customers come in, catching the eye of a few of the men in the bar, but blending in none the less. She eyes the two people, identifying that they are female but not much else. She takes another swig and diverts her eyes.

The two girls reach the bar and talk to the bartender, who eventually points to Blossom. It catches her eye and Blossom focuses on the girls, curious.

They are wearing brown cloaks, like those from the church of her religion, but she cannot make out anything about the women, other than their long black hair spilling out of the cowls.

They approach her as one sits at the table, and the other oversees. Blossom still cannot make their faces out.

"Can I help you?" She asks inquisitively, not sure why members of her church needed to ask a bartender where she was.

"Hello, Blossom... we are here to ask only a few questions..." Blossom sighs, being all too aware of boring pilgrims asking her about her divine lineage.

"Okay, fine... make it quick." - "Do you know where your child is right now?" Blossom nearly fires out of her chair to draw her sword at the mere words they speak, but she stays seated... defensively. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"That's strange... I guess Luca lied to us then..." - "L... Luca? She told you? Why?" - "It wasn't hard; I assure you... she was easily persuaded."

Blossom pauses at the situation at hand. "Persuaded? What? What's going on, what are you two talking about?!" The one sitting at the table lets down her cowl as Blossom gasps!

Black hair.

Black eyes.

It is the once known demons!

She rises from her chair to draw her weapon as the other one raises her palm as a gesture of pause. "You don't want to do that... if you want Luca or your daughter to live you will do as we say..." Blossom growls as other people in the bar start paying attention to them.

"You might want to be subtle... if we get found out; you don't want to know what we will do to them..." Blossom gulps and casually walks to and then out of the door.

The rain seems to be letting up somewhat, and the people in the town still seem to be in an uproar. Now flanked by the two androids, one of them speaks. "So afraid of something they don't even know about... things that look like them... things that are already here...!" One of the women leads Blossom to the gate, which open upon the guards seeing her.

They continue walking for a few minutes before reaching what looks like a burned down shack. One of the androids rips the door from its hinges to reveal the beings within.

Five other androids, as well as Luca and the baby Blossom! "Why... why are you all doing this...?!" Luca yells out, terrified, her hair being held by one of the girls. The two following Blossom tear their cloaks off and push Blossom into the shack.

Seven androids surround them in almost battle ready stances, not taking any chances. "We are the Barasian, androids created over five thousand years ago... roughly around the same time as the birth of your religion." Blossom rises and draws her sword, but the androids pay no heed, as one of them encircles Luca's neck.

"Sit the fuck down and shut the hell up until we tell you to speak... or all three of you die horribly." Three barks coarsely. Blossom growls and sheathes her weapon. "Good girl." Three says as she pushes Blossom to her knees, causing the weak wood to snap under the force and puncture her legs.

On her knees, Blossom eyes one of the androids in the corner, who seems to be playing with the baby. "S-Stop it! Let her go!" She yells out as Three punches her in the back of the head so hard it nearly causes her to black out, regardless of how much stronger than the average human she is. "I said shut up bitch!"

Still defying them, she speaks up again- "Why are you doing this?! WHY?! What have we done to you?!" Grasping her very skull, Three holds Blossom up to a charred mirror, causing Blossom to get a view of both herself and her assailant. "Your pretentious race continues to exist even when the heavens and hells deny you. Your disgusting people cling to barbaric traditions as you intend to fight divine powers using devices you don't even comprehend. Your very lives are why we do this!"

Three throws her back into the center of the shack, together with Luca. Stumbling to get right side up, she is pinned to the ground by another android as Three speaks. "At first, I wanted to kill you all because I simply didn't like you, but as I read your religious textbooks, learned of your histories... discovered your HOLY lineage, I realized you are all living on top of the sacrifices of people you don't even remember. The world is about to come to another end from the fiery depths below and you... Blossom; intend to fight it- am I wrong?"

"N-No, you are not... I will fight the darkness and... Save the w-world..." She says with almost no breath. "That's funny, because according to your religion, SHE is supposed to fight it!" Three yells holding the crying infant in the air by the cranium.

"STOP IT!" Luca yells out as another android approaches her. She does nothing but look at Three, who nods. She breaks into a toothy smile as she gently caresses Luca's cheek with malice in her eyes...

"Please... no..."

*CRACK!*

Her limp corpse falls next to Blossom, who goes speechless.

"Ah, now you obey... that's good, your death will be quick, and we will rid this entire world of your pestilence once and for all... you will thank us later..." Three says as she opens up her arm into an array of weapons.

The other androids also open up their arms and prepare to fire as Blossom's wrist device begins to shine.

"What the...?" Three yells as she backs away. She notices that Blossom's hair is not going gold, and she is in fact, unconscious. "What is this?!" One of the others lets out.

Blossom's entire being begins to shine as what looks like a large explosion fires all of the androids back several meters in a cloud of debris!

Standing in the dust of whatever the explosion was is a being none of them recognize, a silver being with a metallic face and a large grotesque wing. In one of it's arms, is the baby, still crying, but completely safe from the explosion only a few moments ago.

"I cannot let you do this any longer... It is time I interfere!"

Author's Note: The future is a scary place, no small part due to the past. But, you know. These things kind of happen. (Smallest Author's Note ever)