Chapter 6: Memories

chaos:

"Yeshua, it's all right. You did great…"

Azaria's melodic voice drifted into my ear. My entire body was shaking…hurting from the demanding treatment Yuriev performed. I was almost sure I was traumatized from the transfer. I was too young…

"I-It was horrible, A-Azaria," I whispered.

"It's over now, Yeshua. You don't have to deal with the pain anymore, I promise."

I pulled away from her, wiping my eyes with my hand. It was nighttime and the moon was bright and full in the evening sky. I loved this time of day (night, rather) because it was the only time I didn't have to wear my protective clothing. I felt human at night. And human was good.

"Why does father have to deal with Yuriev?"

Azaria rolled her eyes.

"He's working at the Institute. He used his resources to make you and your brothers."

"Being in debt…is stupid if it causes suffering."

Azaria reached into her pocket and pulled something small out.

"I made this for you."

She sat a small bracelet in my palm. It had small charms shaped like stars and moons. It was very pretty…

"Azaria, thank you," I said gratefully.

She smiled, the edges of her small cheeks turning redder by the moment. She was blushing…

"I made it so that when I'm away, I can still talk to you. This bracelet will allow me to talk to you anytime I want. And you can do the same."

I held up the little charm that Azaria had made for me. It glimmered in the light, enchanted by her energy. I had lost contact with her when the Militian Conflict started. Vector made me participate in that conflict. I sighed softly. I loved Azaria. Everything about her was godlike. She was my guardian, my lifeline, when I wasn't at my best. I regretted losing her. I slid the bracelet back on and pulled the glove back on. She was still alive…somewhere.

'Yeshua!'

I nearly jumped out of my skin. That voice…

"Azaria…" I breathed.

'Yeshua! Help me!'

"How? Where are you?"

'Please…'

There was nothing more. I felt a tear running down my cheek.

"A-Azaria…"

Ormus Stronghold, Old Militian Space

Azaria:

"I'm not going to ask you again. Repent your sins, witch!"

I frowned, narrowing my eyes to slits. Orgulla, commander of the ship was standing in front of me with an impatient look on her face. She was trying to intimidate me with her presence. It didn't work. I wasn't afraid of her. Not now, not ever.

"Orgulla, give me a break. Why do you waste your time? I have nothing to stay to you," I snapped.

Orgulla stepped back and pulled out a small gun. She pointed it in my face with a dangerous smile on her face.

"I'm not sure how you remain so defiant, but you won't remain that way for long."

"You won't kill me. I'm too valuable to you. You need Yeshua."

I hated having to involve Yeshua in my plight. I knew he was alive, which was surprising because I thought he would have gone mad with guilt after he murdered his siblings and Anima a long time ago.

"You mean your stupid pet."

Stupid pet? I let a low growl escape from my throat.

"You'll do wise not to call him that again."

I was definitely going to carry out my threat. Orgulla placed the gun against my forehead. I didn't even flinch.

"Well, I'm wondering why you're worrying about him. If he is as powerful as his name says, why hasn't he come for you?"

Because he's a saint compared to your damned soul. I couldn't explain why Yeshua hadn't come to my rescue. But I know he was hearing my call. My bracelet had made sure of that.

"What do you care? You just want him so you can control the Zohar's power. And even then…"

"Azaria, we know that he won't function without you. He's your charge, is he not?"

Damnit.

"Yes, I am his guardian, born with the duty to buffer some of his power."

"The Patriarch knows that Yeshua's weak. They will eliminate him soon."

You can't kill a divine being.

"Do what you want? But you know it won't work."

Orgulla put her gun back in its holster and folded her arms.

"Take her away. Have her ready to face Manes."

Second Militia

12:57 P.M.

chaos:

I shivered. Something felt off to me. Was it Albedo's appearance? Or was it Wilhelm? I had a very unpleasant meeting with the CEO of Vector. He wasn't very happy now with the Y-Data gone. It threw off the Compass of Order, he said. The point was that I didn't do it on purpose. Nevertheless, I didn't have any new assignments for a while.

"Master chaos, you have a call from the Kukai Foundation."

Jr.? What possibly could he want right now?

"Patch it through."

"chaos, it's good to see you again."

"What is it, Little Master? I'm not really in the mood to go anywhere."

"What's wrong, friend?"

"It's nothing."

"chaos, you know you can tell me anything."

"I-I can hear her calling…"

"You mean Azaria?"

I glanced down at the bracelet on my wrist.

"She's alive, Jr. She's alive and she needs help."

"You don't think she's nearby, do you? The bracelet has been dormant for years."

For fourteen years, I know. But I never once thought that she died.

"Jr., I don't know what to believe."

"We've got orders from President Helmer. We are to go to Old Militia."

So…the transfer column is still intact. The Federation was really going to have a problem soon. I wonder if Margulis was going to brief me on Ormus's position in all that's going on.

"I really don't want to go back to that place."

"You haven't seen her in fourteen years. Who's to say that she isn't hiding out on Militia?"

Because Militia's dead, you idiot.

"Jr., who all are going to Militia?"

"Shion and KOS-MOS are with Vector now, so they can't go. I doubt Wilhelm will let them go."

"The others are coming though."

"Yeah. Mary and Shelley are taking the Durandal. But I told them to leave after we do."

"I expect you want me to report to the Elsa soon."

"Yeah, but about Azaria…I hope we find her soon."

"Thanks, Jr."

"Anytime, friend. Hurry up, ok?"

"Don't rush me."

Ormus Stronghold

2:17 P.M.

Azaria:

I was dumped unceremoniously onto the carpeted floor of my prison cell. The impact jarred my sore and suffering body, sending sharp pain up my spine. It was a rather nasty battle between me and the Manes form of Orgulla, but that was normal. I was used to fighting the woman…that's why I kept my arrogant attitude up. Naturally, I was a very arrogant woman. Hey, with the powers came the confidence. Simple, right? I got up onto my feet, ignoring the sensation my aching muscles caused.

"Medica…" I whispered, beginning the healing process.

I had been in this accursed stronghold for six years as a very special prisoner. You see, Ormus wanted Yeshua so that they could awaken U-DO. I could have lead them right to Yeshua, if I contacted him in the presence of Orgulla. For six long years, I held out against Orgulla's brutal charms. In a way, I was slowly killing myself. I glanced at myself in the large mirror across the room. Dull purple eyes peered out from behind dulling silver hair set in a very pale visage.

If I continued to stay here, I would run out of energy. I think Orgulla knew that. She was pushing me very hard, trying to weaken me enough to cry for help. I was almost there. My mind held up to the abuse, but my body wasn't doing too well. Ormus was on the move again, this time, to Old Militia. I feared Militia. U-DO and Zohar was in there. U-DO is what I feared. I wasn't a U.R.T.V., so I couldn't negate the call of that thing.

But what I feared the most was Yeshua going to Old Militia. Anima told me that bad things would happen. I sat down on the bed in the center and closed my weary eyes. I focused my mind on the brilliant visage of my charge.

"Yeshua…I need you. Hurry up…"

Elsa: Open Space

chaos:

Despite my shortcomings with Yuriev and his experiment, I continued to live a rather peaceful life. Azaria was allowed to come in and actually stay with me on certain days. Seeing her kept me very controlled…very contained. For the first time in my young life, I was very happy.

"Good Morning, Yeshua." A wide smile spread across my lips.

"Good Morning, Azaria."

Azaria flashed me a shy smile as she settled down in a seat next to the fountain placed in the shaded courtyard I was in.

"I trust you slept well?"

"Yeah!"

"Good. Master Anima sent me to train you this morning."

"But that's no fun," I protested.

"I'll make it fun, I promise. Now, take off of your gloves and show me something."

I pulled the glove off of my right hand and flexed it. What could I do to impress Azaria? I focused my hand on the water flowing in the fountain and drew upon it. A line of water flowed up from it, sparkling slight from the filtered sunlight. I slowly balled my hands into a fist, causing the water to form into a small round sphere. Azaria watched it in wonder, eyes lit up with excitement. I pulled my left glove off and made a small motion with that hand. I watched in delight as a butterfly made out of water flew out of the sphere.

"I know it's what Anima's against…but I really like creating beautiful things with my powers," I said softly.

"Yeshua…"

Azaria's face was flushed now.

"I…really like having you around, Azaria. I want to make it so that you don't feel like this is a chore."

"You definitely didn't inherit your kindness from Anima. I don't think of this as a chore."

I smiled and let the water go, watching it drop back into the fountain.

"Thanks, I really needed to hear that."

"Yeshua, the Institute is getting ready to move into outer space. We have to go with Yuriev."

Moving into outer space?

"Why?" I asked.

"Earth's atmosphere has become unstable. It's getting dangerous to stay here."

I glanced up at the sky.

"Dangerous?"

"The Zohar is causing a disturbance in the planet's magnetic field. It's going to be transferred to Militia. A bit too late, I'd say."

"So, I get to see the world?"

"Yeah…you get to see the world."

"Then I'm ok with that…"

'Yeshua…I need you. Hurry up…'

Azaria's melodic voice roused me from my stress-induced nap. I ran my hands through my hair and sighed. I was going crazy. Why would hear her voice after fourteen years? She had to be alive. She just had to be. I glanced at the bracelet around my wrist. The moon and star charms were glowing a faint lavender color…almost like Azaria's eyes.

Did I love her? She was my guardian, even though she was a mere two years older than me. There was always an aura of mysteriousness that hovered around her. Rumor was that she was as powerful as me…but she never showed her powers until one fateful night. The night I killed my siblings and my father. I shook my head and stood up. Time to shake off these bad memories. I got up and headed through the double doors of the men's cabin. I strolled into the bridge moments later, settling into my favorite position: the Engineer's chair.

"Ah…there you are, chaos. How are you feeling?" Captain Matthews.

"Just a little tired, but I will be ok."

"Good. We're just thirty minutes or so from the transfer column leading to Old Militia."

Right into the gates of hell. Fantastic.

Author's Note: I know this wasn't long, but it was intended to be a filler chapter to explain what Azaria's upcoming role is in the story. Don't be afraid, I'm still sticking to the plot, just altering it in ways to make sense. Besides, I didn't want Yeshie to be lonely. Next stop: Ormus Stronghold.