Author's note: I do not claim to own any of the characters they are a creation that is best kept by it's author. I hope he might read this one day and get inspired to write a sequel to Chrno Crusade.
If you have not read the manga, do so!!! It's good. this fic is based roughly off the manga, interspersing some stuff inside of it, so if you're confused that's why.
and by now I'm so far off of the manga, I should just warn you that most of what happens, never happens in the manga XD. It stopped doing that around act 1's conclusion.
A Chrno Crusade fanfic by Nightelfcrawleryahoo.com
Chapter Nineteen: Dedicated HeartsShe slowly pushed the door open, breath held tightly inside of her lungs, as she swept her gaze into the small room beyond. Though it was late, in the middle of the night to be told true, the room was lit up nearly as bright as daylight, from the electrically humming equipment set up around it's focal point, who lay in bed as he had been for the day now.
Rosette smiled faintly, and slipped the door shut behind her, and quietly made her way across the small space, weaving between the machines, wires, and tables set up with more contraptions than she had ever seen compiled into one place. They had moved him into a smaller private room, for a number of reasons… one, having all this equipment in the medical suite was taking up too much room… two, having a demon in plain sight with the other injured was not a good idea, and three it allowed them to talk privately about matters without disturbing those who didn't need to be privy to such things.
Her eyes slid over the sleeping demon as she paused just outside where she felt he might sense her. He didn't look that much improved, she thought with some resigned disappointment. Of course, it had only been one day, one couldn't expect anyone to simply bounce back that quickly, even for one with advanced self-healing. Sheda had attached monitors to him, which kept a constant reading going on the screens around regarding anything he did… be it scratched his nose, or sneezed. Luckily, they were all in the clear at the moment, which reassured her.
She slipped closer, and sat down gently on the edge of his bed, slipping her hand into his right hand, once again studying the strange regeneration it was fighting to complete slowly. Some of the deep crevices separating the plate-like growths on his hand had shrunk, but aside from that, she could see no change. She squeezed it between both of her palms, a faint smile playing about her face. There was something pathetically cute about him when he was in such a state as this.
She glanced up at his face, which was still relaxed as his breath came and went slowly, as Chrno seemed to be too deep in a restful sleep to even sense her there yet. She knew he would wake if she stayed long enough, but until then, she just enjoyed watching the gentle rise and fall of his chest.
What would he do now? His injuries would heal eventually, and then what? Was it true his power had increased? What about the other aspect, she couldn't help wondering. By all counts he had survived through immeasurable odds, when he shouldn't have. Not that she was complaining…. She gently reached her hand forward, and ran an index finger over the smooth red gem-like indents in his forehead. What must it feel like…to be him?
A sudden pressure on her wrist caused her to jump, and she nearly poked him right in the eye as she started. "You're awake?" She whispered, as his eyes slowly opened. His right eye focused on her, but his left eye as it opened, she saw was simply a faintly glowing pool of luminescence, shot through with red veins as it continued to attempt it's healing process.
"Mm… I am now." He replied softly, smiling up at her. "What's wrong, Rosette… Can't sleep?"
She rolled her eyes faintly, and felt him chuckle lightly. "Very funny. As a matter of fact, yeah." She shot him a venomous glare, and flicked his ear lightly out of annoyance. "I keep worrying about you, idiot. Usually YOU'RE the one worrying about ME. I'm not used to this."
He closed his eyes and smiled rather bashfully. "Sorry."
"Sorry doesn't cut it." She growled rather sorely at him. "You'd better hurry up and heal yourself, lazy." She tapped his nose with her finger, making him go slightly cross-eyed. "Or I'm gonna tip YOU out the window this time."
"Hai hai!" He replied cheerfully, as she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow back at him. He slowly pushed himself up a bit more, and Rosette helped him by stuffing pillows behind his back as he sat straighter. She glanced at his wings, and saw that they seemed to have progressed a little farther to re-growing. At least they didn't look as tattered anymore. "Um… Rosette…?" His quiet voice made her turn back towards him, seeing the shy rather awkward look he gave her before lowering his gaze to his regenerating arm, which he clenched lightly and released, testing it's strength. "I should apologize to you."
She blinked. "What? Why?"
"Because…" He started slowly, still keeping his gaze down, as if he had a great deal to think about. His shoulders were slightly slumped, and being Sheda had removed his torn vest, he seemed more frail and vulnerable, bare-chested with the wires running across him, keeping watch on his vital signs. "…I've been very selfish lately, and it's made you suffer as a result."
"Selfish?" Rosette plopped back down on the edge of the bed and frowned at him. "You mean dealing with Ion and everything? I didn't really see that as being selfish. You were doing what you felt you had to do…and it did work out for the best as a result."
"Well, that's part of it… but I mean more recently. I've been so worried about what would happen, that I almost hesitated long enough to let you die."
"Bah." Rosette snorted, and leaned forward, smacking her forehead into his, and forcing his head up, so they were nose to nose. He drew back a little, but she followed him, not letting him escape. "Don't be an idiot. You've been going through more stuff than I could ever have thought possible. I mean, geeze. I thought Joshua had it rough when he had your horns…"
Chrno blinked, a bit disconcerted by the close contact she'd initiated. "He did…"
"Yeah, he did." Rosette said flatly. "But at least Joshua had someone to help him through it.. granted it wasn't me, but…" She sighed a bit and backed off finally, and tilted her head to the side. "I've been kinda… well.. cold to you ever since I found out what happened to you back then… I tried not to be jealous, but I just can't help it…" She sighed. "I am jealous, there… I finally said it." Her blue eyes met his firmly. "You had something with her that… well I tried to understand, but I really can't ever do that, since it was your bond, not mine. And now, every day, every time you use that power she gave you, it reminds me you two were closer than I'll ever be to you."
He looked slightly taken aback. "Rosette… I thought you understood that."
"No, I don't." She said flatly, leaning back a bit, and looking away off to the side. "We've been together all this time, been through lots of crap, yet we still don't share a lot of stuff with one another… and here she gets to share a soul with you. How can I compete with that!?"
His gaze softened, but Rosette wasn't looking in his direction. "You, who've lived god knows how long… you've seen stuff I can only imagine. You know more about the world, about people, and about everything than I do… and I feel so…insignificant when I see you fight…"
A gentle pressure at her cheek as he touched his hand to it, caused her to glance back at him, and she saw his gaze focused on her, smiling and for the first time, free of any sadness. "Rosette…" He sighed, closing his eyes and shaking his head with a smile. "You're almost as big of an idiot as I am…"
"Eh??"
His hand curled around the back of her head, and she felt the tips of his claws tickle her scalp as he pulled her close suddenly, wrapping both his arms around her, and leaning his head against the top of hers, as he pressed her gently to his chest. "You're right." She heard his soothing voice echo reassuringly in her ears, and through his chest as he embraced her to him. "The love that I had for her is something that you can never have." Her heart clenched suddenly at those words, and she tensed, trying to pull away from him, but he didn't loosen his hold and simply continued speaking. "…However… that's not the kind of love you want anyway… That love was born from something completely different than what we have together."
She bit her lip, but stopped trying to pull away from him, and instead just listened as he spoke softly, his grip firm and encouraging on her back. "I never got the chance to actually know her, Rosette… it was a childish fetish, a crush that caused me make foolish decisions. I don't regret those decisions any longer, but that kind of love isn't what we have…"
She felt a sudden warm rush of emotion flood her face, as he gently loosened his grip and allowed her to gaze up at him. His face was glowing, a cheerful rosy glow created from emotions that spoke from the heart. "The kind of love we share is deeper…more meaningful. We know one another through years of being together, experiencing pain, sadness, joy and happiness together. You taught me to laugh, and I helped you find hope. Don't you think if I could, I would throw away what I am for you?"
Her eyes widened sharply at that, and she was struck by the intense meaning behind those words. Somehow, it just didn't seem right, but at the same time, it struck her painfully as she realized what it meant. "Chrno…"
His smile continued to warm her as he closed his eyes once more, smiling down at her. "If I could live out the rest of my life without ever having to use my powers again, I would be happy to do so. To just live life…without regard to what we are…that would be the most satisfying end to it all, wouldn't it?"
She smiled suddenly, and shook her head with a sudden wash of amusement. "Idiot…" She cupped her hand around the injured side of his face, as he opened his eyes to gaze down at her. "I like you just the way you are. Every bit of it, as weird as it is. Don't you ever feel ashamed of what you are. You've gotten us through more problems BECAUSE of what you are…"
"And into several as well." He commented dryly, but didn't pull away.
"Yeah that's beside the point." She snorted, and put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it lightly. "Look, Chrno… let's put all this regret and sorrow behind us. The past is over and done with, and only a memory now. Let's live for the future, and not look back, ok?"
His smile was warm and encouraging, as he embraced her tightly once more, and she closed her eyes, allowing herself to smile as she felt the warmth of his arms encircle her. "Ahh… sounds good to me."
----- ------ -------
"Rosette? Rosette….?" Kate sighed in frustration, as she pushed the door to the girl's room open, only to find the bed rumpled and empty. "That girl…" She sighed with frustration, as she noticed her clothing was still tossed over the chair. Well, she could only be in one place then…
The Mother Superior smiled faintly. Through all of this, she was constantly amazed that the Order had been as open minded as they had. When first she had been asked to take Chrno in by Remington, she had thought it would have been the downfall of everything. Harboring a demon.. had the word ever gotten out to the public, they would have been ruined. Yet, through all this, Chrno had been very well behaved, and proven far more useful than dangerous, until she had finally grudgingly admitted that she could no longer in good judgment think of him as evil.
It hadn't been until after Central Park that Remington had told her the whole truth involving the demon. She had heard bits and pieces up until then involving his relations with practically everyone they came in contact with, but the end result had surprised even her.
Yet now, as she gazed into the small room filled with humming equipment at the two figures sleeping warmly, Rosette laying atop Chrno's chest, as the demon embraced her loosely even in sleep….she couldn't help but wonder if there had been a divine reason to all of this….
She shook her head lightly, pushing the glasses up her nose, and strode into the room, turning the lamp on to illuminate the small space. The two stirred at the interruption, and Kate waited as Rosette's groggy head lifted to glare at her through heavy lids. "Rosette. Time to get up."
"Buuuut…." Rosette whined tiredly. "It's too early…. Can't we sleep in moooore?"
"Hpmh! You've already slept away half the day!" Kate protested, folding her arms severely as she peered down at them. "Chrno, if you feel well enough, we could use your assistance as well. We have little time to waste, and I'm afraid sleeping in is not an option."
"Fine fine…" Rosette whined, sliding off of the bed and stretching a bit.
Chrno made to rise, but Rosette whirled on him and shoved him back down. "Not yet you don't buster. Not before we get you fixed up." Kate hid a smile at the rather baffled look Chrno wore, as Rosette began rummaging on the table beside his bed. Rosette turned around and eyed him. "Ok…more accessible please."
"H…hai…" He answered, as brief lines of energy enwrapped themselves around his form, and he lost several feet of height and width, as he changed into his younger form.
Even in this form, his arm and face were obviously not human, though Rosette seemed to have known this would be the case, as she began to wrap his arm up in bandages, creating a sling for it, and then working on his head to cover the injured side of his face, and his forehead, which still retained it's studded gems, like it had once before when he had been low on healing energy after the fight in San Francisco. After she was satisfied there was nothing more she could do to hide the elongated tufted ear that stuck out from the side of his face, larger than his normal 'human' ears, but smaller than his normal self's once, she handed him a blanket. "Here." She flushed a bit at him, and wrapped it around his shoulders, pushing his long hair back out of the way. "Mou…where's a brush when you need it…" She glanced around as he smiled up at her. "Well it'll have to wait then."
She stood up and turned back to him offering an arm for him. He was much smaller than she now, however, and the moment he slid to his feet, she saw he wouldn't be able to reach up to have a good grip on her shoulders in order to walk. "Mou.. you're turning to be more of a pain than you're worth!" She protested.
"Ah, sorry!" He laughed at her, sliding back down on the bed.
"Sheesh, how pathetic. You beat the crap out of this big bad thing, and then can't even get around without my help!" She bent down and to his startled surprise, scooped him up onto her back, and stood up, carrying him across the room, with a grumbling expression on her face as he leaned forward, laughing softly.
Kate smiled as she watched the two, shaking her head as she followed them down the hallway. Really, those two… It warmed her heart to see them together once more… Chrno's supposed death had hit them all hard, but Rosette obviously had been the most affected. The laughter had left her face, and the joy vanished… it was good to see it return with a vengeance, with the simple glance of Chrno's own broad smile.
As they made their way downstairs, everyone who saw them pass laughed, waved, and greeted them cheerfully. It was amazing what Chrno's presence meant to all the other Sisters…even those who had been afraid of him at first, ran up to say hello, wishing him a speedy recovery. By the time they made it to the dining room where everyone was gathering, Rosette was grumbling as she held bunches of flowers in her hands that supported Chrno behind her, and even a bunch in her teeth.
"Mo mmair…mai member mop mis min' om remompf mem mai mash mick…" She muttered from around the bouquet before Chrno removed it from her mouth, and she spat a petal out.
"You shouldn't speak with your mouth full, Rosette." He teased lightly with a grin.
Her eyebrow twitched, and she deposited him roughly down on the bench in front of her with a 'hmph'. "That's gratitude for ya."
Everyone around them laughed heartily, as she stalked off, head held high and skirt flaring around her.
Ion chuckled, and slid into the seat across from his companion. "You seem to be in better spirits." He remarked mildly, eyeing Chrno's appearance with obvious curiosity. "How are you doing?"
"Ah, I'm fine!" Chrno waved his un-injured hand quickly to disperse any worry.
"Maa, you don't LOOK fine." Sheda teased, sliding into the seat next to him, and tugging lightly on his elongated ear. "Ma! Look, he matches me." She purred lightly, grinning with a couple fangs poking out mischievously.
"Stop…" He laughed slapping her hand away with a flush of his cheeks. "Until you replace the receptor, you know I can't risk healing the rest of the way."
Sheda giggled. "I think you rather like the attention like this, Chrno you sly devil." At his further blush, everyone laughed louder.
Rosette re-appeared, sliding a couple plates of food in front of him, and slamming one twice as big in front of her, as she shoved Sheda aside. "Hands off, kitty. He's mine."
Sheda sprang back with an agile twist. "Hoi! As you say, Rosette!" She winked. "But then I shouldn't give you the intimate details between he and I…" She yelped and jumped back as a plate came flying towards her head. "JOKING!"
--- ---- -----
"Now then…" Remington spread out the charts on the table once everyone had their fill of breakfast, and they began their meeting. "Chrno, you explained somewhat last night, but perhaps we'd better double check what our plans are before we re-enter Pandemonium."
"Right." Chrno leaned forward, tapping his hand on the spot circled on the chart. "This is where the gate comes out. The Destroyers have pretty much eliminated all matter in Pandemonium. They will be gathering at one of the gates soon…so it's best to give them incentive to gather near ours, to make the job easier."
His eyes lifted, and glanced around at the many faces focused on him, waiting to hear the rest. "Now…Elder is working on the portable barriers… once they're finished, we can move into Pandemonium. What we have to do is this…" He spread his uninjured hand on the table as he leaned forward, and drew his other out, pointing a talon down and drawing a light circle around the gate.
"Whatever perimeter you want to set up, we should keep it localized around the gate so that we're the last line of defense before they enter into this world. The second unit back-up should be positioned out here…" He tapped the other chart which indicated the Order grounds. "…ready in case the first rank fails. Elder is going to build a stronger barrier to erect around the grounds, so hopefully if all else fails, we can slow them down some more and keep them away from the city."
His gaze lifted to Remington's, as the priest was in charge of the battle tactics and defense units. They had asked Chrno to plan the offensive… and though the demon had no experience with battle tactics, he seemed to be doing a good job of thinking it through. "They key issue will be the four attackers… Together with Order Militia, you guys…" His eyes shifted over to Jenai, Vid, Sheda, and Rizel. "…will have to carry them close enough after the Testament cannons do enough damage… With all luck, they'll stall them so you can get a clear shot inside…"
"Then it's time to rock'n roll!" Jenai grinned widely, slamming his fist down on the table. "Damn, I'm looking forward to this!"
"Good for you." Rizel stated dryly. She hated flying, since her body was awkward in the air since she had re-grown the part Pandemonia had cut off 50 years back.
Vid just nodded, and Sheda scratched her head. "Maa… this should be interesting."
"How's it coming, by the way?" Ion asked smoothly smiling down at the cat-demon. "You've been down experimenting all morning, surely you've come up with a working solution?"
"Maa… well… yes and no… I haven't tested them…" She made a face. "I've never had to make propulsive wings before, they could just make me fall straight to the ground. Are you SURE I have to do this?"
Chrno smiled warmly at her. "You have to… sorry. You four have the best chance of not being effected by the portable barrier while inside of it, because you lack horns. Ion and I have to distract them…we're fast enough to be able to escape them before they attack us… Otherwise I'd…"
"You would NOT!" Rosette growled at his side. "Don't even THINK about going back inside one of those things. It's bad enough you insist on going down there again after what happened."
Chrno spread his hands helplessly. "We don't have a choice, Rosette! There's only a few of us left to help, we need all the help we can get." He put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "I promise I won't go near one again, ok? Trust me, I don't want to go through that again either…"
Rosette looked faintly sulky. "I still don't like it…"
"I know." He said soothingly, before turning back to the others once more. "In case they're needed…" His smile turned towards Azmaria and Joshua. "…you two should be on hand to provide medical support…" They both nodded quickly.
He took a breath, and looked up. "Any questions?"
"Yeah, I got one…" Rosette said with a frown. "What if this doesn't work? You nearly were killed going in there… what will happen to the others? What if we fail? What then?"
"Then…" Chrno said slowly, putting both hands flat on the table. "If all else fails, we retreat…and are forced to fight the battle here instead…" His gaze lifted. "But considering we don't have any other options, let's hope it doesn't come to that…because I don't know what we'll do otherwise."
Everyone nodded solemnly, and got up to go their separate ways, to take care of the business that was at hand. Rosette sighed and leaned forward over the table, clasping her hands and glancing over at Chrno as he sank back down to his seat, sweating a bit. "You ok? You look pretty pale."
"Ah.. I'm fine. Just tired…"
Rosette squinted at him. "Uh huh…?"
Chrno smiled faintly. "Ok, fine, I'm not quite all right." He rubbed his arm absently, and put a hand to his head, rubbing his temples. "I feel… about ready to explode."
"How so…?" Rosette asked quietly with concern in her voice. "Is it because of what happened?"
He nodded. "It's immeasurably hard holding everything back and not let my body heal itself…" He said quietly. "But I know I have to." His gaze lifted tiredly to hers. "The sooner Sheda fixes the receptor, the better, I'd feel better knowing that I wouldn't be killing myself by healing… I'm not sure how much longer I can keep like this…" He glanced at his hand, flexing it again, and Rosette heard slight crackling as it closed in a fist. "It's like holding your breath…you can on go so long before you need it."
Rosette rose an eyebrow. "Why are you holding it back? I mean…you handled it before right? And you're supposed to be stronger now, right? Surely it wouldn't be THAT harmful for you…"
He lowered his gaze, and she saw a troubled look cross his face. "Because… I felt something change last time…" He lifted his eyes. "…when I healed you."
"Something change?" Rosette felt alarm creep through her. "Something bad?"
"I don't know." He admitted with an embarrassed smile. "But I don't think it was something that we should rejoice about…"
"I noticed that too…" Sheda's voice startled them both as the feline came up behind them, fiddling with something in her hands. "Your readings were worrying me…I want to do some more tests when we fit the receptor back on you, if you're ready that is."
The two exchanged glances, but accompanied her to the temporary lab in the Elder's cottage, and Chrno sat patiently in a chair, shifting back to his genuine form, as Sheda began tinkering around, muttering to herself.
"The thing that bothers me most, is the fact your power has increased…so you should be stronger… but for some reason, you're still recovering." Sheda turned around and held a device before him, watching as the readings flickered back and forth wildly. She gave a low whistle. "Now that's interesting…"
"What is?" Rosette peered forward, staring at the spiking graph with two different lines, one red, one blue…both of them lined very close to one another.
"Well…this is what it was before…" Sheda flipped a switch, and the stored memory came up, showing a clear separation between the blue and red, peaks at different frequencies. "It was clearly separated, since they were opposing forces that had to operate in one vessel." She switched screens again. "It's not possible for the two energies to actually converge… but they can come close to working together…which is what you're seeing now." She lifted her gaze to stare at Chrno. "You knew you shouldn't use your powers together, since it affected you every time you did so. But you still pushed the envelope and did it anyway…" She blew her hair out of her eyes. "The Elder warned you earlier what could happen if you did that…stupid."
Rosette glanced nervously at Chrno, who just exchanged an uncertain glance with her. "So what does that mean for him?"
"It means…" Sheda said with a quirk of her eyebrow. "That you kicked yourself in the ass, Chrno. You forced the holy powers to take their full grip on you, then doubled your own powers over them…" She rubbed her head. "I don't know what it'll do to you. I'm not even sure if I can separate them anymore. But I'll try. But one thing's for certain. If you continue to use any bit of the holy powers residing within you on yourself, or others, you're going to be doing more than simply burning yourself…you might be shortening your life. Honestly, we can't tell since this kind of thing has never happened before. "
She held the receptor up, and began to attach it to his chest, as Rosette watched and chewed on her lip lightly. Chrno just sat calmly, not seeming to be disturbed by the news, and waited as Sheda worked. After a little more tinkering, Sheda stepped back, chewing on her screwdriver and looking hopeful. "Well.. that's about all I can do. I tightened the specifications…I also had to loosen the amount that feeds back into Rosette, since it's a bit more concentrated close to your own power now. Which means there's still going to be a little bit of feedback, Chrno. But I think you can handle it. I tried not to channel it through your body, it should just expend itself around you."
With that, Chrno nodded, and stood back to his feet. The two girls took a step back, and he formed his hands in a grasping position in front of his chest, and a brilliant light flared up beginning between his claws, then surrounded him lighting up the entire cottage with it's brilliance, as flashes of red, gold and blue swirled around him, clashing, mixing, and combining. The two girls watched, as almost instantly, the wounds on his body nearly vanished in a blink, healing at incredible speed, as if they had been dying to finish their job.
Rosette watched, as the clock sprang into life on the table beside them. Sheda had warned her not to wear it for this, since it was still experimental…they didn't want an accident happening. So instead, the watch simply spun out of control hanging from one of Sheda's creations for astral consumption, as it absorbed the energy instead.
Then, it was over abruptly, and Chrno was gasping a bit for breath, the receptor glowing cheerfully at his chest, and the clock stopping it's frantic charging, and settling into it's normal stasis mode.
"Well, that seemed to go well." Sheda said clapping her hands together. "How do you feel?" She grabbed his arm, and inspected it, nodding with satisfaction as she saw it was completely returned to normal.
Chrno opened his eyes, gazing down briefly, before standing up straighter, and smiling over at Rosette. But Rosette was too busy staring at him intently to return the smile. Had she been the only one who had caught it…? It had only been for a moment, but she had seen a brief flicker…
"Rosette:" His voice made her blink and glance up at him, with a quick smile. "Hey, not bad. Looks like things are back to normal, right?"
He smiled encouragingly, and put a hand on her shoulder. "As much as they ever are." He stuck his tongue out at her, and Sheda began cracking up off to the side, as Rosette punched him playfully in the gut.
"Showoff!"
He laughed in return, and reached over, handing the pocket watch to her while rubbing his abdomen. "Here."
She took it, and slipped it back in place, patting it lightly, and took his arm. "Right. Enough horsing around. We have work to do."
"Right!"
"Hold on a minute… Chrno c'mere." Sheda beckoned, and the demon paused, then walked over her way. "There's something I want to warn you about… Ah, Rosette catch!" She tossed something at the young woman, who caught it barely before it hit her on the head. She opened her hand, and blinked. "Thought you might want that back." It was a shining Testament gun… the very one she'd dropped in the middle of the battle… She smiled and gripped the metal in her hand tightly, feeling slightly nostalgic.
"Thanks, Sheda."
"No problem!" the feline grinned, and gave Chrno a rough shove back towards Rosette. "Now, get goin'."
---- ----- -----
Rosette opened his door to see him strapping something to his upper arm with a firm yank of a leather buckle. "Chrno?" He turned around, blinking at her, and then nodding as he pulled another identical object up, and began strapping it to his other arm. She peered forward, curious. "What're those?"
"Insurance." He said with a faint smile, turning back towards her, his face more somber than it had been earlier. "In case we do have to go into battle."
She peered at the two sheaths, but though she could see they were swords of some type whose hilts were fastened just by his elbow, and the blades extended up slightly past his shoulders, laying flat to his arm contained in the hard wrapped leather swaths. "I don't think those will do much good against demons without bodies."
"Perhaps." He said with a slight inclination of his head. He was dressed in something unlike she had seen him wear before…at least outside his memories, and much more frightening to behold. Complete battle armor, black lined with gold trim that glittered faintly in the light. The way he held himself even, radiated deadly intent with each swift motion. His hair hung freely behind him, and seemed to be the only splash of color on his sleek form. He turned to face her, and she smiled faintly seeing the cross around his neck sparkle as he turned. He placed both hands on her shoulders, and then leaned forward kissing her lightly on the forehead. "Are you ready?"
She gazed up at him, and hesitated as she gazed into his eyes, her own widening slightly in faint surprise at what she saw.
After the first time he had accidentally used his holy power, his eyes had been faintly shot through with blue veins, that had lit up when he had accessed the holy power within him. But now… the red was deep and vibrant again free of the veins on the eye that had been un-injured on the right, but on the left side of his face, his eye was completely a bright vibrant blue. At first, she wasn't sure she liked it…all it was, was a simple color change. It was still slit and had the same fierce gleam of determination in it, but it represented what he'd mentioned before…a small change to reflect the balancing of his soul.
"Rosette?"
She grinned widely and slapped his shoulder. "Ready, pal. Let's go do this."
----- ------ ------
"Ready squadron one! Forward on my mark… Mark."
Rosette stood to the side, as the first wave of the defense vanished into the gate. "So…this is it, eh?" she said quietly, turning her head to the side to regard her companions.
Chrno stood tall next to her, his long hair rippling in the breeze over his spread wings as he stared out at the gate, watching with a focused look on his features. "Ah…"
Joshua stood beside her, wearing a long dark coat marked with the order insignia, and beside him, Azmaria held his arm tightly, dressed in a similar outfit, her long silver hair pulled back into a bun, and out of the way for the upcoming battle. Both Apostles looked somber, and serious, but both had the same look of determination on their faces that was evident on all those present. Remington and Kate stood side by side, watching solemnly as well, the former holding his familiar cross sword tightly in hand, deactivated at the moment.
On Chrno's side, the Sinners stood tall, each dressed in their battle armor, with mixed expressions on their face. Rosette honestly couldn't blame them, this was their home they were about to storm, granted not much was left, and they had been away from it for so long they had no emotional attachment to it…still, it had been their home.
Jenai was tossing a blade up and down eagerly catching it between two fingers, twirling it, then tossing it again. Vid stood stoic and silent, and Rizel was filing one of her long nails with a bored expression. Sheda was perhaps the most animated of the bunch, busy strapping on a pair of newly fashioned metal wings she had crafted, complete with propulsion systems for her. She didn't look too happy, and Rosette had to remember that Sheda happened to, ironically, hate flying. She had discovered that one day, when she'd startled the demon girl who'd been relaxing by the edge of Eden's platform, only to have gone sprawling over the edge at her cheerful greeting, before Jenai had spotted her dangling there, zipped down caught her as she fell, and deposited her shaking, hackled form as she shook violently, hugging the ground for comfort….
Of course last but not least, Ion stood tall, watching with a neutral expression, his own stature as straight and deadly as it could be. Rosette was reminded strongly just how dangerous those whom they sided with were… even if you discounted everything Ion had already done to the world.
Rosette stood firm, and felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She glanced up at Chrno, and nodded to him once, not feeling quite in the mood to smile at the moment…but neither was he it seemed, as he stepped forward. "Let's go."
They stepped through the gateway before the 2nd battalion rank, and passed through.
The world on the other side was just as they had left it.. except for one thing. Looming on the distant horizon, a black boiling mass of darkness, that sent shivers down her spine, as she pulled the goggles down over her eyes, and straightened her shoulders.
All around the gate, things were being set up swiftly. The cross barriers were being positioned, and the cannons moved into place. Some of the preparations had begun earlier, subtly as not to draw attention. But now that the full set-up was going on, they were obviously drawing the Destroyers' eye.
"Well… on the plus side, it doesn't look like it'll rain." Rosette almost laughed at the sets of rather exasperated looks sent her way. "Hey, lighten up. If we spend the whole day moping about it, we won't have fun doing this."
"Fun…right." Rizel muttered dryly. "Isn't this just absolutely marvelous…."
"Enough." Ion spoke up quietly, as Remington and the other Order spokesmen began filing through. "It's time to prepare." He turned towards Chrno and Rosette. "We need to head over there…" His violet eyes turned towards the horizon looking deeply thoughtful. "We'll need a signal though to know when to start leading them here."
"No sweat." Rosette said, with a thumbs up. "Chrno, you know what to do."
"Right!"
She felt her heart tighten as the two demons' wings snapped out in unison. "Ne… Chrno." She said softly, but he still heard her, and turned around. She favored him with a wide smile. "Don't stay out too late, k?"
Both Chrno and Ion laughed at that, and Ion gave her a small salute, then vaulted himself into the air, and Chrno gave her a quiet smile, and a small wave, before following suit.
She watched their forms spiral upwards, then shoot towards the horizon, and she couldn't help but feel a tense worry, but she shook her head quickly. They'd be fine. She had faith in them. While her role in this battle wasn't key, she still had to remain firm, dedicated, and positive to help the motivation of the Militia around them.
She turned her attention back towards the preparations, and watched as the cannons were all loaded, positioned, and the barrier prepared. She felt a calm sensation wash through her as a faint voice in her head suddenly popped in there.
Still with me?"That should be my line." She murmured low, receiving a few odd looks from the other Militia as she appeared to talk to herself. "How are you holding up?"
Fine. We're almost in sight. Rosette…there's something I need to tell you before any of this happens…just in case.
"Don't go saying 'just in case'." She snorted in irritation. "You'll jinx this."
I didn't get to say it last time. I don't intend to miss this opportunity again.
She sighed, rubbing her head a bit. "Chrno this isn't the time…"
I need to say it now, Rosette.
"Fine. What is it?"
I love you.
She blushed bright red, and glanced quickly around, but of course no one else could hear him. He was projecting to her alone, and the only reason she probably could talk with him at this distance was due to their shared bond. "Mou… you're so melodramatic…" She muttered, but felt more warmth flood through her. "I…." She felt her heart beat quicken, as she stood there, watching the distant specks on the horizon, one of which she knew had to be him. "I love you too."
"Rosette." A sudden voice at her elbow caused her to yelp in alarm.
"Yaaah!" She whirled around, hearing an echoing yelp in her head as somewhere far off her demonic friend was grasping his head as it echoed loudly from her shout. "Remington! Warn me next time!"
The priest smiled faintly. "Sorry. We're ready. Are they?" His gaze lifted to the horizon, and Rosette turned, unable to see the two demons amidst the churning sky.
"Yeah, they're ready. Should I give the signal?" Remington's head inclined once, and he turned around as Rosette nodded likewise, and he began to shout instructions loudly. Rosette closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, then opened them and drew both guns from her holsters quickly. "Chrno, we're ready. Bring it on." She spoke out loud, but mentally projected it as well. She heard the answering call from him, and there was a bright flash of light on the horizon, as the two demons began rocketing towards the dark masses, like golden streaks of light.
"Front line offense, step forward outside the barrier." Remington barked.
At his command, the four Sinners moved forward, each being shadowed by one of the Militia. Rosette watched as each of them gathered their wards, and the Militia activated the portable barriers, which shone around the four of them brilliantly, like a shield. The moment they were outside the cross ward, the blue holy light shot up and began to surround the main force in a comforting cocoon of light. Rosette could feel the aura radiating from the barrier, as it throbbed with each pulse of a second that passed. A double reinforced holy barrier. Perhaps the most advanced piece of creation that had come out of the Order for years… if this didn't keep them safe, she didn't know what would.
"Launch!"
The four Sinners leapt into the air, most with finesse and grace, Sheda with a little squeak and whimper. They began to hover behind the barrier's edge, out of the direction of the cannons, but prepared to launch the moment they were ordered.
All they had to do now was wait.
Waiting was an excruciating thing. Not only did it take the Destroyers a very long time to finally realize they had prey within easy catching range, but each moment that dragged on as they watched the streaking lights in the distance dodge and twist to escape capture, just made the wait all that more unbearable.
That is… until finally, they could clearly see the actions in the sky, as they drew closer, and closer…the rolling blackness filling the whole land with it's dark oppression and overwhelming scent of fear….
Rosette saw them darting to and fro wildly before anyone else did, and her heart leapt as she watched Chrno throw himself to the side, avoiding a tendril that lanced out towards him. Ion looked in worse shape than his companion, a few gashes staining his armor, but he didn't' appear to be greatly hampered by them.
Rosette's breath held as she watched. The plan was for them to pass over the barrier, and allow the Militia a free shot…however, as she watched tensely, she realized that wasn't going to happen.
Ion gave a cry of pain, and Rosette gasped as Chrno shouted his name, and barreled forward into him, just as another tendril missed them, but this shot their trajectory straight down for the barrier that loomed only feet away. Rosette's breath caught, and she realized that while Chrno might be fine passing through it, Ion would be in very bad shape…
She felt a sharp 'click' at her chest, and glanced down once to see the clock seal itself, before she was watching as Chrno plowed into the barrier with a bright flash of light. For a moment, their eyes were dazzled into blindness as the two energies collided, but then with a warping ripple, the barrier gave way enough to allow the two demons to barrel through, before it closed once more as they hit the ground hard enough to knock several Militia from their feet.
"FIRE!!!!"
Rosette slammed her hands over her ears, as she scrambled in the direction the two had hit the earth, but she was forced to stop since unfortunately the two demons were laying pressed flat to the ground between two of the cannons in the middle of the set of nearly twenty of them, which were exploding all around as Remington gave the word, the sky lighting up in brilliant white and blue colors. "Chrno!" She called out, shielding her eyes, trying desperately to see between the explosions, but to no avail as the brilliant cross-bound holy explosions pummeled into the darkness above them relentlessly.
It was a good thing that the explosions from the cannons were so deafening, for the wailing bellow of rage and agony that emanated from the sky above them, sent fear wafting into all who didn't have the grace of the voluminous metal guns exploding around them.
Then suddenly, it was silent…all the cannons had finished their firing, and Rosette's ears were ringing loudly, as she dashed forward, hear heart pounding, as she heard the second command.
"GO!"
She skidded to a stop, nearly sliding right into the Militia who were gathering around the two forms flattened on the ground. "Chrno!"
His head lifted, and to her relieve, she saw he was fine, if a little dazed. "Rosette…" He pulled himself up, and rubbed his ears, obviously having the same ringing as she did.
"You ok?" She knelt down next to him. "You were REALLY close to those cannons…"
"I'm fine. I shielded us with the same type of power, which kept us… mostly safe." He nodded, and turned towards Ion, who was looking a bit gray in the face, but his wounds were healing quickly. "Ion?"
"Chrno…next time you decide to dive through a holy barrier…do me a favor and knock me out first." Ion put a hand to his head, and did indeed look very ill. Though Chrno had shielded them from the barrier by using the complimenting power that would be able to pass through, being that close to so much holy energy had been pretty hard on Ion, who was vulnerable to it unlike his companion.
"Sorry." Chrno apologized, standing up quickly, and lifting his head to the sky quickly, aware they were still in the middle of a battle. "How are….?
"BRACE FOR IMPACT! REINFORCE THE BARRIER!" Remington's voice bellowed loudly around them, just as the whole sky lit up brighter than day, making them all avert their vision instantly to the ground, as everyone's eyes exploded in pain from the brilliance.
Rosette felt Chrno's arm wrap around her shoulders, as she buried her face in his chest in an attempt to block the intense light from her. "Crap…turn off the damn fireworks…."
The explosion shook the ground around them, making it nearly impossible to stay standing upright, and Rosette felt Chrno's knees buckle as her own did, and they fell to the ground, still clutching tightly to one another.
"BARRIER DOWN TO FIFTEEN PERCENT!"
Rosette jerked her head up, horror flooding through her. "… if the barrier fails…" They could all feel the heat from the explosions above them bearing down hard on the barrier…had it not been for the shield erected above them, she knew that they would have been in serious trouble. The backlash from whatever was happening far above them was so intense, even their double re-enforced barrier was about ready to crumble beneath it.
Ion squinted up with the rest of them, watching as the light bore down around them, and the top of the barrier fluctuated, and began to buckle. "Is anyone going to do something about that…or are we all going to just die nice and quietly right now?"
Rosette shot him a glare, but felt a resigned sigh at her side, and glanced at Chrno as he turned directly towards the wall of the barrier. "Whoa…where are you going?"
"To help." He said flatly, pushing past the Militia and leaving the others behind.
"Wait…!" Rosette rushed forward, but felt Ion's firm grip on her arm hold her back. "Let me go!"
"Don't be foolish. You can't do anything to help right now, just stay back and let us handle it." He stumbled to his feet, and coughed out some blood harshly to the side, spitting it out and stalking forward, following Chrno towards the barrier's edge.
Rosette blinked, but lifted her eyes, and did just that, clutching the ground for support as everything continued to shake violently around them. How the two demons managed to keep their balance, even with their wings spread wide for support, was beyond her.
Chrno reached the edge of the barrier, which was beginning to show bright cracks running up and down it's extent, extending all up along the sides, ceiling, and spreading rapidly. If nothing was done immediately, the barrier would buckle, and allow the explosion outside that seemed to be a hundred fold more powerful than even one atomic bomb could produce.
His hands rose up swiftly, and he glanced over his shoulder at Ion, who simply said something that neither could hear, and smirked. Ion's hands came up, and a bright green glow began to emanate from them, and suddenly, the earth around them buckled and rippled once, and then erupted from all sides like a volcano spitting it's contents out into the earth.
Rosette had often wondered what Ion's principle power base was… Chrno manipulated time, but she had never seen Ion fully go all out. Now, she began to understand… Ion had the ability to summon, or create things to do his will.. what he was doing at the moment, was forcing the earth of the ground, the dust, and the debris of once-living creatures, to rise up, and line the inside of the barrier. It was somewhat confusing, and creepy to watch, but with all that was going on, it didn't outshine anything else.
The light around them began to appear hazy as the dust slowly obscured the brilliant light above them somewhat, then there was a sudden violent pulse of power, which brought Rosette's eyes back down upon Chrno, as a golden ripple briefly surrounded him, before pouring into the dust that was rising around them, a familiar sound and mix of fog-like substance spreading higher along the barrier's edge, as he activated his specialty…the Freeze Barrier. He was using Ion's particles to freeze them in place, giving the holy barrier some more support…. But Rosette wondered if that would have much of an effect…
Absolute silence absorbed them all as the barrier finished it's progress, locking them all in a pitch black containment field, as the light was completely blocked out. The earth continued to shake around them, and someone was thoughtful enough to flip on an emergency lamp, which lit the area enough for everyone to see one another.
Rosette carefully made her way through the shaking ground, up to Chrno, who looked worried as his gaze remained skyward. It was soon obvious why… though the two demons had worked diligently together, it just wasn't enough. The Freeze Barrier was cracking towards the top of the dome, and Rosette dug her fingers into the flesh of his arm between his armguards as she realized they had only bought themselves mere seconds.
She felt a twist at her hand, and glanced up at her companion, as he lowered his mismatched gaze to hers. Her heart clenched. "Be careful… Like Sheda said… we don't know what it'll do to you… I don't want to lose you again."
He smiled tightly and squeezed her hand, then with a swift rush of wind, he launched into the air, and sped towards the top of the dome, before coming to a halt hovering only a few feet from it's apex.
All eyes were upon him, as he hovered there, their breaths all held as they watched his hands cross over his chest as if he was about to clutch his body, but his hands grasped the two hilts attached to each of his arms, and ripped the twin swords out. The flash of steel reflected brightly for a moment, before he lifted his head, and slammed their blades directly into the barrier on either side of him. A brilliant blue focus of energy began to converge around him, focusing into the two blades, then with a violent concussion, light shot out in every direction from him, hitting the barrier above, and causing everything around them to flare brilliantly.
The light began to creep down the walls of the barrier around them, filling the cracks, and reinforcing the existing barrier, and Chrno's form became more and more brilliant, the more the barrier increased. Rosette felt her breath tighten the longer she watched. She couldn't read his face from this far away, but she was sure that he wasn't feeling too good at the moment, as she saw his wings dip a bit, then lift as he refocused his concentration. They just had to hold it up a few seconds….
Then, slowly, she felt the shaking ground around them began to lessen it's tumultuous trembling, until finally, it stopped quivering, and everyone began making their way to their feet, exchanging worried glances. Rosette tilted her head back and shouted up to Chrno. "I think it's over! You can stop now!"
His arms dropped, and instantly the blue light around them vanished like falling water, and they were able to look around for the first time…
The barrier the Order had erected was completely gone now, as was the 2nd barrier Chrno and Ion had erected. All around them, was a deep crater that dug down a good hundred feet in every direction, before sloping up far off in the distance. They all stood upon an island that had been created by the result of the barriers.
Rosette cringed as something warm and bright hit her face, and she looked up suddenly, tilting her goggles back on her head now that everything had settled, to stare upwards with amazement. Sunlight… it was sunlight. The sunlight that filtered down the clouds above that were slowly parting was very different from the sunlight topside, as it shone in faint shades of orange and red, but considering that all around them had been nothing but gray bleak landscape, even the splash of color made a great difference, and helped lighten all of their souls.
All around, there was a quiet reverent silence… The landscape was completely muted around them, and devoid of any sign of the Destroyers whatsoever.
Rosette let out a large breath, as a strange calm feeling washed over her… Finally. It was over.
"Easy there, don't overdo it." Came a familiar deep voice off to the side, and she turned quickly remembering she had a duty to attend to. Remington was supporting Chrno as he slowly got to his feet, looking incredibly shaky and pale, blood dripping down from the corner of his mouth, and stress lines creeping over his cheeks and temples from where his horns attached, but otherwise appearing whole. He still held the two bladed weapons in his hands, but she could see it was pointless trying to repair them, as the metal had been warped and bent, then shattered into pieces, rendering them useless.
She rushed forward. "Chrno!" His eyes lifted, and she saw a warm, tired, relieved smile cross his face. "Damn…" She took over for Remington, pulling Chrno's arm over her shoulder, allowing him to lean heavily on her. "You ok? That was… that was something all right…"
He nodded tiredly, and coughed lightly, spitting some blood out and clearing his throat. "I'll manage…" He dropped the two blades to the earth, and released a slow sigh of relief.
Rosette helped him sit down and knelt down beside him, pulling a handkerchief out and dabbing the blood away from his face. "Mou… You're hopeless. At least you didn't pass out this time."
He just smiled wanly at her, and lifted his gaze to scan the horizon beyond, as Remington and Ion were doing. "Did they make it out…?"
Rosette turned her own gaze towards the surrounding lands and felt her heart clench. The Sinners and their Militia wards were part of their odd family, of sorts. While it was clear they had succeeded in their mission, and destroyed the Destroyers, what had become of their heroic actions?
"Ah! Minister! Over there!" A voice called out, and Rosette had to force Chrno to remain seated as he attempted to surge to his feet to see what was being pointed out.
Sure enough… off to the side several yards, were a group of people, and demons, making their way slowly back across the decimated wasteland, and Rosette couldn't stop from grinning, as she saw every single one of their familiar faces making their way towards them. Sheda was skipping with a wide grin, though she was missing an ear, her tail seemed to have been singed badly, and her right arm was deeply cut. Rizel was hobbling, as she had lost one of her spindly spider-like legs, but still managed to have a smug look plastered to her face. Vid was carrying his ward, and was covered in cuts, but for the first time since Rosette had seen him, he too wore a smile. And Jenai… well, the cocky demon was grinning the widest of them all, as he carried his ward seated high on one shoulder, singing a bar tune at the top of his lungs, though his wings appeared heavily damaged.
They had taken a severe beating, but the holy barriers had done their job, and saved the lives of the eight people who had gone bravely forward to destroy their enemies…
Rosette burst out laughing, as cheers exploded all around them from the Militia, as they realized they had pulled off the impossible. She felt warm arms around her, as Chrno pulled her close, and she couldn't even resist the excitement and relief that bubbled up inside of her, as she leaned into him, and they embraced tightly, sharing a joyous moment in a kiss, as the sun continued to spill down around the Militia and demons who had just secured the safety of the worlds they had fought so hard for.
--- ---- ----
"Owowowowowo!"
"Geeze, hold still, you big baby…" Azmaria protested as she fought to tie off the bandage from her struggling patient. "If you hold… still… it won't…. hurt so… eek!" The Apostle landed flat on her rear as she slipped out of the chair, onto the floor with a squeak.
"Dang it girl, whaddareya tryin' ter do ta me!? Cut my limb off?!" Jenai howled as he rubbed the bandage on his arm with a furious look on his face. "Ain't nobody need ta help me out!"
"Jenai. "
"What!?"
"Shut up and take it."
Jenai glowered over at Rizel as she fixed him with a piercing stare, remaining completely calm as her own injuries were tended to. "Easy for you to say… Che…" He plopped back down, but didn't protest as Azmaria continued to work, giggling a bit at his over-reacting methods.
Rosette shook her head, as she placed a tray of food down next to the bed where Chrno sat upright upon, his legs dangling as he kicked them back and forth, holding his side as he fought to stay upright as laughter shook him. "Sheesh… for a bunch of demons, they sure are noisy." Rosette snorted, sitting down on the bed next to him, and shoving a sandwich his way. "Eat up."
The small demon took the offered food, still holding his side as he wiped some tears from his eyes, still snickering. "You have no idea until you try and live with them for fifty years." He bit into the sandwich hungrily, and met her eyes, laughter still twinkling in them brightly.
It had been quite a scene, when everyone had returned victorious through the gate. The laughter, song, and cheering seemed to never have an end, and even though they were heavily injured, the Sinners were perhaps in the best spirited mood of all.
After all, it wasn't every day you blew up a big life-stealing amorphous monster of darkness.
They hadn't suffered any casualties, just numerous injuries, thankfully, and the Order had their hands full treating minor burns, broken limbs, and of course the Sinner's injuries to boot. None of them were serious that couldn't be healed, of course, and so spirits were light.
Chrno had reverted to his youngest form in order to save energy, since he was run nearly dry, and not feeling too well to boot. But like Rosette had said, he showed an improvement in handling the holy power since he had not lost consciousness or been wracked by grievous burns. But he had quietly told her he didn't think he'd be 'in action' again for a good long time…possibly months.
Not that she minded.
The plus side of the situation, aside from saving the two worlds of course, was that they had discovered some benefits the hornless Sinners had received when they absorbed the Destroyers' power… it seemed each and every one of their horns were regenerating, and Jenai had been overcome with ecstasy when he swore he'd been able to see a glimpse of light when someone flashed a photograph after the battle.
Overall, things couldn't really be better…finally, things were going right for once, and there was no chance they could go wrong anytime soon.
Ion strode into the medical ward with his familiar long suave step, and the room practically exploded in greetings being shouted at him from all sides. He smiled widely, and waved casually to everyone, making his way over to Rosette and Chrno with a saucy smile. "Well…imagine this, now… And I never imagined our dream might come close to fruition after my ignoble defeat."
Chrno smiled and simply took another bite of the sandwich, as Rosette snorted. "Well, you don't get much closer to demons and humans co-operating than here… I mean, sheesh, look at them all… getting along, laughing, joking, without a care as to what the other is." She grinned brighter and elbowed her smaller companion with a sly grin. "And to think, it's all YOUR fault."
Chrno just smiled wider, and let out a small 'urp', as he swallowed his bite.
Ion chuckled and shook his head. "Indeed… indeed."
"So… what will you do now?" Rosette turned her head to the side peering up at him. "The whole worlds' at your feet now. Gonna try to blow it up again?"
"After just risking my neck to save all the sorry souls that inhibit this realm?" Ion's slim eyebrow rose. "I think not. No… I believe I have an entirely different realm that is mine for the taking."
Rosette blew a lock of hair out of her eyes. "So you're gonna claim Pandemonium as your own, eh? Think the other demons will stand for that?"
"Most likely not." Ion's smile widened. "But the five of us will manage between our different skills and technological knowledge. Besides, the others don't have much of a chance, if they don't want us to start pulling strings here with you accommodating folks."
Rosette snorted, trying to hold in a laugh. It was kind of sad he was serious… there was something incredibly funny about the whole situation.
"What about you two?" Ion's smile turned more teasing. "There's no more conflict, surely you will become bored living here at the Order."
"Yeah, I thought of that." Rosette grinned. "And I have an idea what I wanna do, and I don't think Chrno will mind, ne?"
Chrno blinked at her with wide crimson eyes, looking a bit confused. "Eh?"
"I thought not!" She grinned, and yanked him closer, pulling him into a tight noogie-able position.
"Argh!"
"That's what I like to hear!!"
The room just erupted in multiple sweatdrops….
Some things, would never change…not even at the end of time.