Author's Note: I still need a name for my new villain who is prominent in this chapter. I hope you enjoy this chapter and the many more to come. A special thank you goes out to those who reviewed. I always appreciate the praise and comments. And with that much said…

Enjoy.

Chapter 8

chaos:

I woke up gasping for air much like a goldfish that had been taken out of its fish tank. I sat up, clutching at my throat and wheezing loudly. I was having an attack…right after sex? How ironic. I stood up and started towards my dresser for my medicine. I didn't get that far before the pain in my chest became acute. I tumbled to the floor immediately.

"Shion…Shion!" I managed to shout out.

Shion sat up and looked ate me with a questioning look on her face. Once she saw that I was literally dying on my own plush carpet, she got out of bed…completely naked. I pointed to the dresser where I had left my medicine the last time I took it, all the while taking in wonderful eyefuls of her body. Seconds later, the medicine was in my arm, sending sweet relief through my body.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"I didn't know you were sick, chaos."

I pulled myself up into a sitting position and sighed.

"It's one of the secrets I keep for necessity."

Shion frowned.

"Keeping secrets just makes it hard to relate to people."

"You mean it makes it hard to relate to you. You have secrets you would want to hide as well."

"You're obliviously very sick. You need to at least disclose your illness to a doctor."

I snorted.

"And be treated like a science experiment?"

"I'm sorry, chaos."

The anger that had threatened to boil over at the mention of revealing my illness had faded away instantly.

"It's ok. Besides I've survived with this illness since birth. I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

I stood up and embraced Shion.

"When haven't I been sure?" I asked playfully.

She laughed.

"You're such a tease." (A/N: Ending OOC moment.)

Outside of the Durandal

7:15 A.M.

chaos:

The level of activity in the Durandal sky-rocketed as soon as it slipped gracefully into port. Shion and I joined Jr. in the Dammërung's dock area shortly afterward.

"Mama's still in bad shape. We repaired the Logic Drives on the way here, but we still can't engage them," Jr. informed.

As an engineer, I knew exactly what the problem was. The question was whether or not I would be the one fixing it.

"Maybe Mama needs to be reconfigured after coming in contact with the original Zohar."

After coming in contact with the Zohar, I'm still not right in the head. The Durandal was so lucky.

"I don't think we need your help for that, chaos," Jr. muttered.

"I wasn't volunteering, Little Master. How long until the job is finished?"

I noted that I had sounded much like Wilhelm with that statement, but I couldn't care less. We had several other issues to worry about: Abel's Ark, the emulators, and the Foundation's people.

"An hour, at least."

"Ok. Try to figure out where we can house our people temporarily. Try to keep them out of harm's way as well. I have a feeling that the gnosis will keep an eye on the Durandal."

Jr. gave me a strange look.

"Another one of your feelings?"

"I'm not sure," I admitted.

A light ring took my attention from Jr. to Shion. Shion sighed and pulled out her communicator. The CEO of Vector Industries appeared on the screen, much to my displeasure. For a second, our eyes met in a hostile glare.

"Shion Uzuki, I need you and chaos to report to my office immediately."

Not surprising.

"Yes, sir," Shion said weakly.

As the connection winked off, I thought of a dozen curses in many different languages to describe Wilhelm. My favorite was obliviously…bastard.

"I wonder what he wants so bad," I muttered.

"Who knows."

7:59 A.M.:

The Dammërung was a rather large ship, so it did take a rather long time to get to the CEO's office. Wilhelm must be laughing right now. I sighed as I rode up in the elevator. Shion squeezed my shoulder gently.

"Are you sure you are feeling ok?"

Not really. It wouldn't be professional for me to tell you about how much I hate your boss.

"I'm fine."

The elevator stopped and the doors opened, revealing the large wooden desk that Wilhelm normally sat at. I stepped out into the claustrophobic office of my most hated enemy with Shion on my heels. Wilhelm turned around in his chair and regarded us coldly.

"I have an assignment for you, Miss Uzuki."

I narrowed my eyes darkly.

"What is it, sir?"

"We have a dire situation down in Second Militia. Abel's Ark is apparently orbiting it. There are multiple confirmed reports of gnosis attacks. You must retrieve KOS-MOS."

A retrieval mission. I'd better be going with her.

"Ok. I will, sir."

Wilhelm turned his gaze towards me.

"You are required to go with her."

"I understand," I replied.

"Good."

Shion entered the elevator again and motioned for me to follow her.

"Go ahead, Shion. I'll catch up."

She nodded and pressed the down button. Once she was gone, I turned my dark gaze on Wilhelm.

"You do owe me an explanation," I said darkly.

"Do I really owe you anything?"

"I don't understand you, Wilhelm. You're not happy unless I'm suffering."

"Are you suffering?"

"Cut to the chase. Brief me on the situation."

"The gnosis apparently are mobilizing against us."

"And you're sending one of your best employees down in that?"

"I believe that's why I'm sending you."

"And if I don't go?"

Wilhelm laughed.

"That doesn't sound like you, Yeshua."

I wasn't amused.

"Maybe I've changed."

"Trust me, you haven't. You still can't tolerate it when people or things die around you. It is a matter of sanity, isn't it?"

I couldn't really say much to counter that statement. It was entirely too true. My nature made it hard to banish gnosis or to kill things. I nearly went insane years ago fighting alongside my friends. It took all of my strength to declare my participation in the war. Wilhelm and I had been witty rivals ever since.

"I'll accompany Shion to Second Militia on my own terms."

I turned and walked into the elevator that had arrived moments ago.

"I'd hate for you to have an attraction to Miss Uzuki, Yeshua."

"Stay the hell out of my business."

Second Militia

9:03 A.M.

Shion:

I had to admit that I was slightly nervous as the shuttle touched down in the space port area. I knew KOS-MOS was probably protecting the Vector R & D Divisions with all of her strength. chaos seemed to be detached from it all with a surprisingly vacant look in his eyes. I wanted to know what possibly was going through his mind so that I could soothe it. The doors to the shuttle opened with a quiet hiss. The shrill ring of an alarm drifted through them…

"Are you ready, Shion?" chaos asked loudly.

I nodded slowly.

"Y-Yeah."

We walked out of the shuttle carefully. chaos immediately took a protective stance in front of me, adjusting his gloves every now and then. He was being protective of me. Not that I minded though…

"KOS-MOS would be protecting the Vector buildings right?" He asked as we crossed the port to the double doors that would take us out into the city.

"I believe so. I think I can contact her through my communicator."

We walked through the double doors into the filtered blinding light of the planet. Widespread destruction greeted us as soon as our eyes adjusted to the light. Screams echoed through the air.

"We must hurry. I will cover you while we move."

I nodded and pulled my communicator out. I punched in the numbers to the network KOS-MOS projected in times of emergency.

"Please guide these souls to safety. I can't save them all…Forgive me…" chaos whispered.

I felt sorry for him, truly I did. He always took other people into consideration. KOS-MOS's face appeared on the screen seconds later.

"Shion, I cannot talk long. I must continue defending the R & D Divisions. It is not wise to come back to Second Militia at this time."

"KOS-MOS, Wilhelm has issued a direct order for me to retrieve you and the other R & D employees."

"There is a 15.7 percent chance you won't make it down here alive."

"I'm not alone. Listen, KOS-MOS, get the others and make sure they are ready to go."

"Affirmative."

The connection winked off. chaos started off ahead of me into the debris laden streets. I followed after him, conjuring up my M.W.S. for protection. As we rounded the street corner, a gnosis shrieked in the distance.

"It is good that you've come, Yeshua."

chaos stiffened up.

"You've got a lot of nerve saying my name out loud. Who are you?"

We stopped in the middle of the street. It was quiet here…too quiet. I glanced around, lifting my M.W.S. up into the air. A woman jumped down in front of us with a sword in her hand. Wait…a sword? She's definitely got to be crazy. She had a silver hair that pooled over her face, hiding it from view. She had pale skin, almost like the shade of ivory with pale red lips. The woman was wearing a black form fitting suit that accentuated all of her curves. The main thing that caught my eye was the blood that lined the blade.

"You don't need to know who I am."

"Shion, retrieve KOS-MOS. I will deal with her."

chaos sounded angry and concerned at the same time. I didn't want to put myself in danger by not obeying, but I also didn't want him to face potential danger alone.

chaos:

Why wasn't Shion moving? I didn't need her to be here with this woman from my dream.

"Shion, please go," I said, trying to keep my voice above a throaty snarl.

I saw the hesitation in my love's face clearly this time. Reluctantly, Shion turned away and ran for the building.

"How noble of you to send her away," The woman commented.

"You were in my dreams. Why?"

"I'm here to destroy your world."

I could have guessed that myself. I would be far from surprised if Wilhelm sent her.

"That would be difficult with me around."

"No, fool. I'm here to destroy your existence."

"You're joking, right?"

I knew she wasn't, but I wanted to keep myself as calm as possible. Shion was probably fighting the gnosis all by herself on the way to the battle android. I needed to be with her in case something bad happened.

"Gnosis! Attack!" The woman screamed.

I really wasn't surprised when a large group of troll, unicorn and larva faces appeared around me. The odds were suddenly in their favor. Trolls and larva faces could be taken down easily, but unicorns could revive fallen allies. If they overwhelmed me, I would surely not survive. However, winning wasn't impossible. Time to start. I lunged forward, pushing power through my arms and out towards the targets in front of me in an 'X' shape. Heaven's Wrath…ok.

I whipped around as the death rattles of the gnosis began. The others started for me immediately and suddenly I found myself facing dozens of horns flying through the air. Before I could think of a solution, one tore through my left flank. I screamed and staggered backward. Several horns swooped in, cutting at my shoulders, legs and flanks. I struggled to keep my mind clear so that I could either retaliate or heal, but it was far too difficult. Instead, I released energy outward in an attempt to get some kind of breathing room. It worked.

"Come now, Yeshua. I expected you to be stronger than this."

I was stronger than this…but I kept that side locked up for a reason. I couldn't deny the fact that the insanity from killing was building up. Things were getting out of control quickly. I straightened up my form and pushed the pain back into a corner of my mind. The gnosis closed in again. The larva dolls were practically gone and so were the unicorns. Trolls were in abundance due to their thick hides.

I extended my arm and prepared for another round of attacks. A yellow filmy circle, much like a seal, formed in front of my hand. I released three short, but powerful energy blasts from my hand. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a troll lumber up behind me. I turned around, hoping to intercept it before it could strike me. I was far too slow. The gnosis hit me on the side of my face, sending me straight to the ground. Blood collected in my mouth instantly. The blow had left me completely stunned. Bloodlust was practically knocking at my mental defenses now. I did not want to become 'him' again. Another heavy blow hit my back, drawing from me another agonized scream…

Shion:

KOS-MOS was doing a fantastic job of holding the gnosis back, even as we led everyone to the emergency shuttles underneath the Vector R & D building. I was truly proud of my creation. After the last shuttle launched, we went back up to street level again. I became worried when I didn't see chaos waiting for us.

"Something must have happened to him."

An agonized scream tore through the air. Was that chaos? I rushed off in the direction that we started from. Please let someone else be screaming. Please don't let it be chaos. I rounded the corner and saw someone lying within a circle of the troll type gnosis. That someone was none other than chaos. I started to scream his name, but thought the better of it. KOS-MOS and I would get easily overwhelmed here.

"Pathetic. Just pathetic. I was created just to eliminate you and mankind by a very special person. You were supposed to be a threat."

That strange woman was speaking again.

"I am a threat."

chaos' voice was icy and deep, way different from his normal voice. His body lifted up the ground and settled into a standing position. His face was hidden from view by his long silver hair again. He opened his mouth and revealed a set of white, sharp fangs. Fangs? I had never noticed those before.

"Prove it then."

"I will."

Dark energy began to pour out of chaos and up onto a whirlwind. He extended his arms, expanding it outward until it swallowed up the gnosis around him. A large flash of light occurred and then it was all over.

chaos erupted in a peal of deranged laughter that chilled my bones. As abruptly as it started, it stopped.

And then, my angel collapsed to the ground.