Joshua passed the test (barely) and now on countless missions. But this mission will indeed make him face a mysterious stranger and a piece of his past.

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Chrono Crusade: Horns Of Time


Chapter Eight: Enter The Enemy


"In order to have an enemy, one must be somebody. One must be a force before he can be resisted by another force. A malicious enemy is better than a clumsy friend."

-Anne Sophie Swetchine


Having reached the rank of Militia, Joshua participated in various missions that were sent out each day by the head sister. Everyday he steady improved on his skills and techniques. However he did not use the special shooting technique during these missions. He didn't need to. With each passing moment in his career at the Order, Joshua became more and more popular with the officers themselves. He was gaining respects.

One morning, Joshua met up with the sisters and Wolf in front of Azmaria's office. They were called by her in order to discuss a new mission she was about to assign them.

"What could it be?" Ebony asked the group, "I hope it's not one of those boring missions."

"Whatever it is…we are here to complete it. Boring or not," Caitlyn said, folding her arms." Wolf was silent. Joshua turned around.

"What's wrong?" Joshua asked him.

"Hmmm?"

"You're quiet today."

"Oh…just some stuff in my mind."

"Oh," Joshua wondered, "Wolf doesn't think, he just does. What's so different about today?" The group went inside and lined up accordingly in front of Azmaria's desk.

"I'm so glad that all of you can make it," Azmaria said.

"So, what's the mission?" Abigail asked.

"Oh. That. I would like for all to pay attention to the following." She pushed a button and a projector came from the ceiling. It them projected a picture of a man with brown hair, a straight cut (having his hair stick out a little) a small brown beard and moustache who was wearing a monocle as well as being dressed in a rich business suit.

"Meet Slayer Viscount, a businessman from New York City and president of Viscount Industries. Just recently moved here and in two weeks time has been very successful."

"So, what does he do?" Ebony asked.

"He specializes in DNA testing and cloning procedures."

"He looks creepy," Caitlyn commented.

"That's only the half of it," Azmaria started to pace, "it seems that the recent demon attacks in the New York business district points to him by eyewitness seeing him walking away from every scene." She stopped pacing. "I want you to go to Viscount Headquarters which is located within the heart of the business district. Infiltrate it and found out what's Viscount's connection to the demons."

"Well do," Joshua said confidently, "come on, let's go." He then ran out of the office, in excitement. Everyone sweat dropped. As the sisters and Wolf started to leave, Azmaria stopped Wolf, "I would like to talk to you, Wolf."

Turning around, Caitlyn said, "We'll be at the front entrance, waiting for you."

"Okay," Wolf acknowledged this. After the sisters were gone, Wolf and Azmaria engaged in a conversation.

"I want you to keep an eye on him," Azmaria started.

"As always," Wolf said.

"There's something suspicious about this 'Viscount' character. The reports say that he appears and disappears without a trace. No forced entry, no gunfire, no nothing."

"I'll have to admit. I read the file and Viscount's activities are suspicious. However it is nothing for you to be worried about."

"Just be careful. I don't want anything to happen to him."

"…you have my word."

"Your word better be enough…captain."

"Hmmm…" Wolf walked out the door. Azmaria made her way to the window and stared at the sky.

At the entrance, Joshua was waiting patently for Wolf with the sisters. When he finally saw Wolf, he waved to come over to the car.

"Over here!" He shouted.

"Sorry I'm late," Wolf panted, "Sister Azmaria wanted to talk to me about something."

"Really," Caitlyn asked, "What did she talk about?"

"Oh, just some minor things," Wolf said while making his way to the car, "I call shotgun!"

"No way, you had it before," Ebony ran over. The two argue with the seat. Everyone sweat dropped accordingly. They arrived at Viscount Headquarters at 12:00 noon and had rented off a room inside a nearby hotel.

"So when do we go?" Joshua asked.

"We go when it's dark," Caitlyn explained, "That way, there's less visibility."

"What are we, thieves?"

"No, but Sister Azmaria wanted stealth so we're going to give her that. I already called her about it and she agrees with the idea."

"Okay, okay, sheesh."

By 10:30 pm, it was pitch black. The group then made their way near the entrance to the headquarters. It was that of a large, blue building. Two guards were patrolling the entrance.

"What now?" Ebony asked.

"Watch," Wolf replied. He then crept near the guards who had their sights straight. From the left side, Wolf through a pebble and the guards perked up.

"What was that?" One of the guards asked.

"I don't know and I don't like it," You keep guard. I'll see what's up.

The guard nodded in agreement and the other guard looked around. Wolf then shook a bush, leading him to his location.

"I got you now…" the guard thought. He went into the darkness but then was knocked unconscious by Wolf. He tied him up and the other guard looked around. He then walked a few steps forwards.

"Hey! What the-" Before he could finish his sentence, Joshua snuck up from behind and knock him at the back of the head with the butt of his gun. The group immerged.

"That was fun," Joshua commented.

"Whatever," Ebony said, looking at the guard, "let's just get this over with."

Inside the headquarters, the group converged in the main lobby, which was barren. Here the group made their plan.

"Okay," Caitlyn stood there, "Wolf, Ebony, you look at the top floor. Abigail and myself will search this floor. This will leave Joshua with the basement."

"Why am I alone?" Joshua asked.

"Because you have your abilities and ways of doing things. Here," Caitlyn handed over Joshua a communicator as with the rest of them. "Keep in touch. This goes for the rest for you."

"Ummm…" Wolf said with hesitation.

"What is it, Wolf?" Caitlyn asked.

"Is it safe to leave Joshua by himself?"

"Wolf!" Joshua shouted, "Don't worry about me. I can handle myself."

"Well…."

"Okay? Okay!" Joshua said while heading towards the elevator. Wolf grunted with frustration.

They dispersed to their designated areas. Ebony and Abigail headed to a nearby corridor while Wolf and Caitlyn headed towards a different elevator. As Joshua headed towards the elevator, the elevator creaked as it closed. As the elevator headed towards the basement, Joshua stood there…thinking.

"This mission isn't like the others. I don't feel that excitement…anything. I feel scared. Why do I feel this way?" The elevator doors opened and right in front of him, two guards stood in front of him.

"Who the hell are you!" One of the guards asked.

"Shit." Joshua thought. The guards tried to grab him but then he jumped right over them. He ran into the deep corridors. He heard one of the guards shout, "Security breach!"

The alarm was sounded. Each group member looked around and got to their communicators.

"What happen!" Ebony shouted.

"I don't know! I think someone got spotted!"

"Well it isn't us, we didn't see anyone!"

"Wasn't us either…it must be…"

"We better hurry. Find everything you can then meet up at the lobby. Caitlyn out!"

Wolf thought, "Dammit…Joshua…"

Guards were running about and Joshua was running away from all of them. He came to two huge doors. He barged into the two doors and locked them up. Thinking that it was now safe, Joshua started to explore. Inside there were huge test tubes and electronic equipment. As he explored, the dark room started to illuminate and suddenly he saw before him a huge laboratory.

"Quite the explorer, aren't you…" He turned around and saw the man who was on the projector before. He stood on a beam. "Who are you?"

"Give me your name and I shall give you mine," Joshua said confidently.

"Hahahahaha…I like how you think kid," he jumped off from where he was and then landed right before him.

"How did he do that?" Joshua wondered.

"But I don't have to introduce myself to a miserable little creature like you."

Joshua smiled, "Well, what a coincidence! Because I don't feel the need to introduce myself to a person who doesn't realize how pathetic he is!"

The man laughed again, "Hahahahaha! No fear. No anguish…all that will end very soon, I assure you. I am Slayer Viscount… and you?"

"Like I said. I don't have to introduce myself to the likes of you! However it would be rude, seeing that you introduced yourself to me. My name is Joshua…"

"So," Viscount sounded intrigued, "you're Joshua, eh? Yes…I can see the resemblance…"

"What is he talking about? What do you mean by that?"

"What? They didn't tell you anything? About your past?" He walked towards him, "about the truth?"

"The truth? What do you know about me?" Joshua pulled out his gun.

"Stay your weapon, boy. I don't feel the need to fight you. Put away the gun…or else…"

"Oh yeah? You and what army?"

Suddenly, from the raptors, watchers came out of nowhere and were screaming.

"Shouldn't have asked," Joshua thought. He started to fire however the scareds were ineffective.

"Hahaha! You pose no challenge, Joshua."

"You talk to much."

"Insolent fool!"

Joshua kept on blasting with his gun. He soon ran out of bullets and was left with two gospels.

"Here we go again," Joshua thought. He loaded up the two bullets. Soon the sharp pain returned again leaving him in pain.

"Hmmm…this kid. If he is what I think he is…"

Joshua lifted his gun and fired two orbs of light, one on the right and one on the left. The wave of watchers were destroyed and the rest of them retreated.

"Impressive," Viscount smiled, "Most impressive."

"You didn't answer my question, Viscount," Joshua huffed at him, "What do you know about me?"

"Oh, I know a lot of things about you. But it would be funnier if I let you find out on your own. Here." He tossed to Joshua some sort of watch. It had latches and it looked like a stopwatch. However it was scratched and broken.

"What the hell is this?" Joshua yelled at him.

"That watch is the key to your past. If you want to learn more…inquire about the Seventh Bell Incident."

"The Seventh Bell Incident? There?" Joshua wondered. Suddenly, a back door swung open.

"Let's make this a game, Joshua. Let's see if you can find out the truth." He left, only leaving a faint laughing echo. Joshua looked at the watch Viscount gave to him.

Joshua wondered as he ran out of the building, "What does this thing have to do with anything?"

He ran out to the entrance with the group waiting for him.

"Where were you?" Caitlyn asked, "I…uh…we were worried sick!"

"Sorry," Joshua said in a apologizing tone. "I got held back."

"We did found out that Viscount was at places that were infested with demons. We have some files on his organization but nothing on him."

"Good…good…" Joshua got in the car. "Come on, it's getting late. We don't want to keep Sister Azmaria waiting."

The group arrived at the Order pretty late. They were to report to Azmaria first thing in the morning. Joshua went over to the church and prayed silently. After his prayers he looked at the watch Viscount had given him.

"This watch…and the Seventh Bell Incident. The place where I was raised. But…what incident transpired there? What's going on?"

From the shadows, stood Wolf.

"He has the Watch. Sooner or later he's going to ask questions. Azmaria…what are you going to do about this…what?"


What is the mystery behind Viscount and the Seventh Bell Incident? What next? Please R&R