Disclaimer: I own Chrono, yes I do! I'm a liar, how 'bout you!
Author's Note: See chapter one or chapter seven.
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Ticks of the Clock
Beginning
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The trundling car rolled to a slow stop on the summit of the grassy slope; the hill that perfectly separated the green of the trees from the blue of the late afternoon sky. Azmaria pressed a single hand to the cool, smooth window of the limo from the inside; staring out at the ancient Michigan forest with sadness in her pink pools. Grip tightening on the cold urn in her lap, she cast a sideways glance at the jewel witch sitting across from her.
Satella nodded. It was time.
The door closest to the beautiful rolling scenery was opened by a bowing chauffer, but neither woman was in the mood to thank him for his efforts. In fact, if she opened her mouth, Azmaria was sure she would start to wail. And no- she couldn't do that now. Not when-
"!" She stiffened in surprise when she felt one ginger hand fall upon her shoulder. Twisting her head, she blinked her wide eyes up at Satella. The sorceress smiled tenderly, giving the young apostle a gentle push forward. The apprentice exorcist stumbled a bit at the unforeseen prod, but soon regained her balance and stood, proud and tall, at the very edge of the mount.
For a moment in time the world felt like it was spinning; out of control and much too fast. Images of blood and horror tore at her consciousness, making her wince and choke-
Until a soft clack brought her back to reality.
The worn and infamous pocket watch, now cold and silent, shifted on her collar bone.
". . ."
A sense of serenity washed over her like an unexpectedly warm wave.
Her long lashes slowly fluttering shut, she took a deep breath- breathing in the life of the woods surrounding the finally awakened orphanage. A pair of birds sang in a cluster of waving aspens. The pines' spicy needles perfumed the air- dandelions and daisies dancing in the gusts as her long tresses twisted and waved. A glowing red sun began to dye the heavens magenta, the colored edges gradually leaking inward.
A small smile tugged the corners of her pink lips.
She swore she heard their laughter in the breeze:
None sing so wildly well as the angel Israfel. And the giddy stars (so legends tell), ceasing their hymns, attend the spell- of his voice, all mute. . .
Removing the lid of the glossy blue jar with as much care as she could, the young girl allowed her eyes to slide to a half-lidded state.
"Rosette. . ." she whispered, vision blurred by tears as her grin widened. "Chrono. . . Thank you. . . For everything."
And as a second breeze spun through- a breeze that made her black velvet dress swirl and her silvery hair twirl- she threw the ashes into the air.
Behind her, Azmaria heard Satella choke back a small sob- though a beam was decorating her pretty face.
There was only one thing left to do.
Lifting her arms high, the girl opened her mouth wide- and sang like she had never sung before.
"Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above."
Her sweet, sweet voice rose and fell like an angel's; the few remaining buds on the flowering trees blooming gaily at the mere sound. Strands of forgotten Astral reshaped at her will, opening a path to the sea of souls for her friends. The shining sunray's vibrant glow intensified, creating a warm, holy calm that surrounded the peak like a protective aura.
"Before our Father's throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares."
She watched with a throbbing heart as the last remains of her big brother- her big sister- flew off into the sunset, dusting the landscape of their youth. Memories that she never knew and stories that she'd never been told whirled through her mind, solid enough to see but not tangible enough to understand.
"We share each other's woes,
our mutual burdens bear;
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear."
They were leaving her. It had been her greatest fear since what felt like forever, and now it had finally come to pass. But despite the overwhelming sorrow she felt, she couldn't help but feel something else, too. . . Something unexpected.
"When we asunder part,
it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again."
Joy.
She didn't understand why, but an indescribable sensation of joy was coursing through her veins so quickly, so fiercely, that she thought she might burst with happiness.
Joy.
Why did she feel so thrilled? Perhaps because the people she loved the most were finally free? Free to love one another? Free to play with Joshua in the never-ending sunlight? Free to live like they had wanted to?
They had finally discovered the Astral Lines, as they dreamed. They had discovered them together. And someday, Azmaria swore, she'd write it all down in a book for them.
Yes. . . That might be why she felt so elated.
But that wasn't the only reason. . .
As a wide smile blossomed on her soft face and torrents of crystalline tears began cascading down her cherry cheeks, Azmaria pushed herself up to her tiptoes- voice echoing through the twilight with a clear, pure, magical ring; her wings forming with a burst of light.
She was also so joyful because she knew. . . She knew. . . That this wasn't the end.
"When we asunder part,
it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart. . ."
Waving a shy goodbye to the shadows of evening- the silhouettes of an Indian and his cowgirl- she laughed.
"And hope to meet again!"
Somehow- this was just the beginning.
(Note: Blame my brothers for this one. They were talking about being cremated. Anyway. . . The song that Azmaria sings is called 'Blest Be the Tie that Binds'. And yes, it was around in the 1920s. (Way before it, too, actually.) I added part of another song in here, too (during the laughter bit)- it was from manga two. Rosette sings it and Chrono mentions how they used to sing it with Joshua all the time. (I hope to do more with that song later. . .)
Also- again- I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE END OF CHRONO CRUSADE. This is probably no where close to the end of either the anime or manga. . . (sweat drop) Oh well. . . Hope you liked it anyway!)