A Deal with the Devil

Chapter One: Cause and Effect

It is two years after the Great War. Lucrezia Noin is suffering from a rare, deadly disease and has only days to live. An anguished Milliardo Peacecraft kneels at her bedside, raises his hands to the heavens, and makes a proposition to whoever will listen; "Spare her life and I will do anything!"

"Anything?" A hooded figure is suddenly standing by Milliardo.

"Anything!"

"Even if it means selling your soul to Satan himself?"

"If that is what is necessary." Milliardo's voice is firm.

The figure laughs and moves to Noin's side. "Amazing that a woman could bring so much feeling to a man. And this little one will be important. Now listen," His voice is suddenly sharp as he addresses Milliardo. " Do you pledge your life-and death- to me?"

"If you can help her…"

"That's not what I asked."

"I do."

"Are you prepared to live in darkness for the rest of eternity?"

"I am."

"And to live only on the blood of innocents?"

"Yes."

"My word is law and the law must always be heeded."

"I understand."

"Excellent." The figure smiles. "Than we have a deal."

Milliardo nods wordlessly and the figure moves his hand to hover over Noin's bosom. A light glows in his outstretched hand and reaches out its tendrils to her heart. She breathes in, a deep strong breath unlike the struggling gasps she was fighting for minutes earlier. The light encases her and caresses her, drawing the killing poison from her body and then, all is silent. The figure closes his hand.

Milliardo gathers Noin up in his arms. She is breathing steadily and a tear falls silently onto her hair. He is allowed to hold her for a while and then the figure turns to Milliardo.

"Say goodbye now," He instructs mockingly. Milliardo slowly lowers Noin to rest on her pillows, kisses her forehead, then her lips. Her dark lashes rest against her ivory cheeks and a chaste innocence glows on her face. Milliardo traces a finger down her cheek.

"Goodbye Lucrezia," He whispers. "I will always love you."

His dark cobalt eyes then rise to the stranger's and he is not afraid. The stranger regards him with something akin to hunger.

"Now my beautiful one," He says. "It's your turn."

*

A/N- Ooh, what happened to Milliardo (Duh! People if you don't get this, I will hunt you down and kick your ass somewhere up around your ears. I couldn't have possibly made it more obvious!)? And what did the stranger mean when he said Noin would be important? I'll just leave it at that. I'm so evil *chuckle*.

~ Rebel Storm