Chapter 2 - Chrono's Horns

And God knows, I'm not dying but I bleed now
And God knows, it's the only way to heal now
With all the blood I lost with you
It drowns the love I thought I knew

Ellie Goulding - My Blood.

Rosette didn't bother to visit Chrono for the rest of the day, despite her desire to do the exact opposite. Instead, she met up with Sister Mary, Anne and Claire so they knew she was okay. Then Azmaria found her out in the gardens and persuaded her to visit Chrono.

"You should really talk to him...Y-you two never fight. And..you won't resolve anything b-by not speaking to him" Azmaria said hesitantly. The little Apostle had a point, she was learning more and more each day to speak her mind. She'd talk to him tonight and then they'd resolve everything.

Rosette sighed. "We both want to save each other. He feels his life is less important than mine..but I need him in my life, Azmaria. We've come so far." And they had, Rosette wasn't willing to let it all go.

"Then fight for it." Azmaria said with confidence.

Rosette knocked on Chrono's bedroom door. "Who is it?" Was his reply.

"It's me."

"You can't come it. Please I-" It was too late for Chrono to protest. Rosette kicked open the door regardless. There he sat up on the edge of the bed, Father Remington and The Elder standing up next to him as if he was examining him.

Examining where his horns used to be. The three men looked at her in silence. Rosette moved her eyes away from Chrono, spotting the two yellow clamps that were usually on both sides of his head, now lay on the bed. His horns in The Elder's hands. "Someone want to tell me what's going on?"

Chrono looked up at her softly. "I found a way for both of us to live. The only way." The low orange glow from the bedside lamp casting over his angled features. Chrono looked up at The Elder as if to ask him to explain.

The Elder spoke. "Ah Sister Rosette! Chrono here has suggested a way to save your life. He'll no longer have to rely on the watch any longer. Not while we have these bad boys back." The Elder took hold of the long ivory horns. "Of course.. it will be.. painful to insert them back in considering how long Chrono has been without his horns and the wounds healing up over time but-"

Chrono sharply cut him off. "But It'll work. Without a doubt." He said, but the looks on Father Remington's and The Elders face said otherwise. Chrono was not willing to tell the risks to her, considering she'd only protest and do everything in her power to stop this from happening.

Rosette stayed silent for a few moments, lost for words. "So Chrono will have his horns back? Is it all that simply?" She questioned.

Chrono spoke up again in an instant before the others had a chance to reply. "Yes. It'll be..a long healing process, but I promise you it'll be worth it."

Something didn't seem right. Nothing in their lives where ever this simple.

"When are we doing this?" She asked.

"Tonight." Was his reply.

"T-t-tonight?!" Rosette gasped as she walked towards her companion. "Wait." She looked into them beautiful golden eyes as she spoke. "You need to heal your wounds before you do this. Your body can only take so much." Her voice had softened but her tone was firm and determined to postpone this.

"Rosette. This needs to be done now. Time is already running out for us." They were always living on borrowed time.

"But-...Fine. Let's do this." She still wasn't happy about it.

Remington shook his head. "Not here. Down below."

Rosette frowned. "Eh?"

"He'll wake everyone up if we did it here." Was his only reply.

Despite living here for almost 5 years Rosette never knew the order had an underground cellar which consisted of 4 cells, two on each side and a large metal door at the end of the room that leaded into some kind of of soundproof cell. Which was were they were headed. The Elder opened the metallic door with a key and entered it. Before Chrono entered, he turned to look at Rosette. "Please. Stay here" He muttered quietly. Rosette narrowed her eyes away for a moment. "But..-" She didn't understand why he wanted her to stay but she decided to respect his request and nodded. As Chrono was about to turn away, Rosette took hold of his hand. Her head lowered to the ground as her blonde bangs hid her eyes. "You'll be alright, won't you?"

Chrono gently lifted up her chin, their eyes meeting. "I will."

"You promise?" She said. Maybe she was overreacting but she still didn't think this was a good idea.

"I promise." Chrono replied, turning away and closing the metal door behind him. Without much to do, Rosette slid down against the wall and pulled up her knees. She could not live without him, and vise versa. She'd do whatever it took to help him through this healing process. How long would it even take for him to fully heal? Months? Years? She didn't even know this was possible. Surely the wounds from his horns had to be completely healed up after 54 years? And that was what scared her.

Bright blue-ish white light erupted around and underneath the metallic door. The light was so bright that Rosette covered her eyes and turn away. Muffled sounds echoed from the room, but of course the room was soundproof.

Then the pocket watch began to spark.

Rosette looked down startled as the sparks increased causing Rosette to panic as she quickly took it over her head throwing it to the ground to avoid being hit by the sparks much longer. Forgetting the watch, she closed her eyes and stood up, slamming her fists against the door. "Chrono?!" She slammed her fists down again. The blinding light was too much to handle, so Rosette had no choice but to step away and turn her back. Gritting her teeth in panic.

Only seconds later, the light and the muffled sounds disappeared. Rosette turned back round and picked up the picket watch. The front of it had shattered. The end of their contract. Her soul was free.

"Let me in!" Rosette huffed out in desperate frustration. The door unlocked from the inside. She pushed the large door open and tumbled inside, trying to catch her breath. But her heart beat only increased when she saw the bloody sight in front of her. A gasp broke out from her mouth

There he lay, held down by thick leather straps on a metallic surgical table. His face coated in blood to the point where Rosette could't even recognise him. His hair was practically red now. Drops of blood fell from the metallic table forming a dark red puddle on the floor. His horns finally set in place. Remington and Ewan stood in silence, splatters of blood on their faces and clothes

Rosette's knees trembled as she fell to the floor. She could no longer stay conscious anymore.

Surely he was dead.

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