Forgotten Memories Chapter Eighteen

Chrono Crusade

Date Started: July 17th 2005

Sora Kazuma

I stared at him, dumbfounded for a long moment as if he was talking crazy. "Joshua? Here?"

He snorted, rather offended to the comment. "You think my nose would lie to me?" He snapped, grabbing my hand. "Come on, there's something going on, and I don't think I like it."

We maneuvered through the crowds, heading out of the street and away from the festival, lining the boardwalk. Out closer to the fireworks everything became deafening, but I could tell at least Yugo was less worried. "The damn gunpowder and sea water is throwing me off…damnit, I was sure that I picked up his scent among the people though, there was no doubt about it."

"Aion wouldn't let Joshua go so easily…If he's here then so is that devil…"

"And probably Hirelena." Yugo said, blatantly taking the fear hiding in my mind and speaking it out loud. "This is not good. We need to find Chrono, Sieg and the others…being apart like this is dangerous."

"You don't have time to do anything like that."

Before I could reply or even turned my head, I was pulled backwards, out of Yugo's reach, a strong arm wrapped around my waist, the other around my neck. My back was up against a strong, rock hard body and I gasped as I recognized the voice. "A-"

"One move, and she dies." The voice cut me off, the order directed toward the wolf devil. "You move an inch and she becomes nothing more then a pretty stain on the ground, another insignificant corpse on the countless of those I've slaughtered."

Those golden eyes narrowed. "Your fight is with me, Aidan. Do not drag her into this."

He laughed. "She has been in this since the beginning Yugo. This fighting is about her."

"There would be no point if she were already dead." He replied with a hint of a growl.

"There would be plenty of problems that would be solved by her death. First and foremost, you would snap and it would be a furious bloodthirsty demon at my throat, ready for revenge. That thought alone is very tempting. Second, killing her means you no longer would be able to touch her, another very tempting decision. And last, with her death, I'd finally be free of this pain, this heartache, and able to go on with my semi-normal life." His claws stroked against my throat, talons digging in a little as if to tease both Yugo and me. For a moment I heard his breathing stop in my mind, the wolf devil at a loss.

Aidan's fingers dug in deeper…I bit into my bottom lip to keep from crying out. If he was going to kill me he should just do it already and get it over with…mercilessly torturing me was not something I ever had wanted to experience. "But here is the sick part…" He continued after a moment, his claws backing off. I caught a glimpse of his bloodstained hand as he pulled away and knew that that had come from me. I didn't even want to know what the wound looked like. "As much as I should kill her, and even with all my power…I can not bring myself to do it." I turned my head, trying to look back at him just as he leaned down and kissed the wound over my neck. I caught his crimson eyes as long dark lashes closed over them; raven hair tickling against my cheek. Yugo's bitter jealousy was alive in my head…he was screaming curses and snarls in revenge and envy. I, however, was touched by the gesture, my cheeks flushing with heat as he pulled away. I caught the slightest glance my way as he lifted his head, a flicker of his ruby gaze on me, and then suddenly I found myself shoved on the ground, my back hitting against the wooden rail nearly six feet from where I had been standing. Staggering to get my breath back, I heard his words as en echo. "But that does not mean that I cannot kill you instead!"

'Prepare yourself for battle love…this time we don't have a choice.'

Looking up as I felt the reassuring barrier in my head. I watched as Yugo and Aidan collided, true demon forms revealed. I was grateful for the secluded spot we had found, but still, as the fight started the people within the vicinity cleared out in a panic. My eyes watched the two go at each other, auras and fists flying. With a kick Aidan sent Yugo into the air, a move he countered by spreading his dark wings and taking the battle into the sky.

Staggering to my feet, I put a hand to my neck, trying to put pressure on the wound that was trickling blood down my body…so much for my new dress. I tried to get in contact with Chrono, but after one or two attempts, I gave up. If they had already found Joshua, chances are he was too preoccupied with what was going on to answer. "Julius." I called out to him. When I got no answer after a moment, my heart stopped beating for a second. "Julius, are you there?"

"Hmm?" His reply came casually, hitting me with relief so bad I leaned back against the railing. My eyes were watching the fight helplessly, doing all I could to not break down. Two minutes left. Two minutes and it would be all over for one of us.

"Where are you? Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." He responded. "I was experimenting with barriers and such…Satella, Sieg and I went to go get something to drink. Are you alright?" I could feel he was catching on more and more to my fear.

"Aidan's here…he's fighting Yugo. Joshua is apparently here too. I think we have a problem on our hands, a serious problem."

"I'll get back to Azmaria and Steiner right away. We'll come find you."

I opened my mouth and then stopped as a stray shot of energy hit the ground nearby, igniting the area in a crimson glow for a second. Aidan had evidently missed. "No," I said, swallowing as I looked at the earth, now cratered with a four-foot hole from the blast. "Aidan almost killed me a few minutes ago. I don't want you anywhere near here…he would use you as bait in an instant to get to Yugo, or me. Get to the others and protect Azmaria…let me know what's happening on your end."

"Alright then. You two be careful." He said, worry still evident in his voice.

I nodded. "We will try." I wasn't making any promises, not with Aidan in this mood.

The fighting had gotten worse and worse as the moments had passed…I could see the dark-haired sinner was confused about why I wasn't feeling the effects of Yugo's transformation, but he had made no snide remark to me about it. Both devils were covered in scratches and probably as many bruises, and their wings looked worse. It was going to end soon…it had to…something had to give.

'Are you seriously going to kill him?'

'Does it look like I have much of a choice!'

'He's not all bad.'

'He's trying to kill me Sora! Which of us do you want alive! Me or him! There's no other way, nothing to stop him this time! You have a choice to make!'

Panic hit me. 'Maybe I can talk to him then, try to reason with him-'

'He tried to kill you too, or have you forgotten that! He is gone Sora, gone from your patience, and my tolerance, and soon, gone from this world.'

A wave of helplessness hit me again, so badly, I took a step toward them even though they were now out over the water. 'Maybe I can do something…If only he would see-'

'You cannot save everyone Sora, specially not those who don't want to be saved. You have a choice to make. Him or me.'

'Do not get all jealous on me Yugo…I'm having a hard enough time as it is.'

'It's a simple question…do you want him, or do you want me?'

"Will you stop being an annoyance and just die already!" Aidan screamed as Yugo dodged another one of his attacks, the crimson beam hitting the water and causing a wall of steam. I stared at them as they flew at each other and I closed my eyes.

'I don't think I could go on living if you were to die Yugo.'

I didn't see the attack, but I heard the bloodcurdling scream and saw the night light up for a second, and then it all went quiet again. 'It's done.' I heard Yugo's voice echo through my mind, though it sounded monotone itself. The barrier was slipping, fading and with it came a familiar burning sensation within my head. Finally opening my eyes I watched as Yugo descended from the sky, a lifeless body in his arms.

Seeing Aidan badly injured like that and Yugo no worse for wear made my feet take off toward them, tears falling down my face in spite of both of them.

Yugo laid the dark-haired demon down on the ground, blood quickly pooling underneath him, staining his raven hair from the massive wound in his chest. A crimson aura had built around it, trying to sustain him, but it too was slowly fading. Aidan was dying.

I collapsed by his side, staring at him. I was so afraid he was already dead, his eyes were closed, blood trickling from the corners of his mouth. "Aidan…" I called softly, a hand over my mouth to try and hide my sobs. "Aidan."

Those crimson eyes opened slightly, dazed over and hazy. "Hmmm…Sora. I didn't think…I'd see your face again."

"You're going to be alright." I reassured him, though even I knew how pathetic that sounded

He let out a small chuckle. "Holy women are not supposed to lie." He said softly. "I know…there are so many questions… I've left unanswered…I'd like to explain…why I still can…"

My mind was suddenly filled with the image of a sunny grove in the woods. The late afternoon sunlight filled the patch of forest and in the space was a small tombstone, and unmarked grave. I watched as Aidan shimmered into view, appearing out of thin air, just as handsome as he had always been, long raven hair swishing behind him while his crimson eyes stared down at the rock embedded in the ground. A whirl of sound and another person entered the grove, a beautiful redheaded woman with long crimson hair and mix matched eyes. She was wearing a sleek black dress and holding a Magdalene Ordered handgun. I was startled to be staring at myself, amazed at how I looked and not believing it was me.

'About a hundred years before you were even conceived I started having this series of dreams.' It was Aidan's voice, whispering to me in soft, seductive tones. 'I have always been able to see glimpses of the past and future, though they come to me in my dreams and as nothing but random distortions. I was surprised when I saw this one so clear and even more when it became reoccurring. Soon others followed…and things became evident these weren't just meaningless visions.'

The sunny scene in the forest melted away to late at night and I instantly recognized the room…my bedroom at the Order back in New York and how it looked on a moonlit night. From within one of the beds I saw Aidan's form resting against the backboard, and me curled up next to him, my head lying against his bare chest. I felt Yugo's surprise immediately and double-checked the scene in shock. 'But how…how can that be…!'

'I do not know myself. I know now that it will never be true…but that is besides the point. These dreams have been leading me on for years, and I believed them to be true. It was highly known that all my premonitions about the Sinner's rise to power and our ways for the centuries have never been false and it was something I was prided in. I knew the moment you were born, the moment you came into this world, and I spent the first eight years of your life trying to find you.' He let out a soft sigh. 'Like Yugo, I have been looking for someone to attach myself to, but there has only been comrades and enemies, and madness between the two. When you get to be as old as I am, everything seems to be drained from life and insanity seems to become closer and closer, closer still if you have power. There had always been women, but there was no one close to me, no one who bothered to care. When I found you and your sister, I was hopeful, relieved to know someone who didn't know my every move, or wasn't trying to kill me... You were the cutest child I had ever seen, and well-knowing what you'd grow up to look like I got close to you, and Fallon both, hoping to take you for my own, but more then willing to wait until you had become an adult.'

The pictures flashing by were years of my life, days I had spent with both Aidan and Fallon until the memories finally stopped on the day of my sister's murder. 'Fallon…however…started suspecting me of things…she figured out my feelings for you, and although she didn't know exactly what I was, she had a feeling I was not mortal. And when she threatened to kill you, I did what I had to protect you. Well…knowing how much…it would hurt you…and knowing I couldn't take care of a child myself…I left you on the doorstep of the nearest church…who would have thought…things would turn out like this…'

The images faded and I was back on the ground, next to Aidan's lifeless body. His skin was growing paler, eyes darker but there was a touch of a smile on his lips. "I hated Yugo and his contract for you…I hoped that it… wouldn't bring what I thought it would. I was so convinced by my dreams… that they were right and fueled by the over-protectiveness and emotions I had…I would have killed to be right…I almost did…" He sighed, his eyes closing.

"Aidan…" I swallowed, feeling him drifting further away, further away from us all.

"You don't have… time to feel bad for me, my dear. Aion…is planning to use all of… the apostles to perform the ritual of atonement."

"What!" Yugo blinked, his amber eyes widening. "Are you speaking the truth!"

"You…obviously remember enough to…realize what that is for…" Aidan said, arrogance lining his voice. "I was… supposed to act as the decoy for you and Sieg, hoping the two of you would be together and draw you away from the ritual grounds…but when I saw you and Sora together, my emotions conflicted with my bloodlust nature and I acted off rage again…it would be that that is my downfall."

The red aura around the gaping wound in his chest finally dissipating, crimson sparks dying in the night. "I am out of time." He whispered softly as the shards of light gave out. There was a moment of silence and then a sound almost like shifting sand, and I realized his body was beginning to dissolve from the inside out, spreading from the wound like a viral disease, flesh giving way to blackened ash.

I gasped, watching as it happened, as it consumed his body. The sinner made not a sound, just turned his head lightly, mustering the strength to look up at me one last time. When I saw his gaze, that beautiful demonic crimson gaze the dam broke again and I was silently sobbing, tears hitting the ground, mixing with the pooled blood I was sitting in. The black ring hit his neck, spreading up his chin and over his handsome face. For a moment I could see those eyes flicker even as his skull gave way and then it to collapsed into ash on the ground.

"Aidan…" I said, down-casting my head, my body shaking as I could no longer contain it. "Damnit, why!" I muttered. My memories might have been long dead, but my heart still ached. "Why did…it have to be this way!"

'Do not worry love.' There was his voice in my head for a second, startling me to look up, to look over at what was left of his remains. The ash had since destroyed itself and the blood around me had caked and dried into the ground, but still looking at it made it realize it had actually happened. Just when I thought my mind was playing tricks on me I felt a warm breeze touch my forehead, a soft caress in the gentlest of kisses. 'Do not worry. I am with you always.' And with that, his voice faded and I knew for certain that he was gone. His aura had faded and there was a connection in my mind that just felt empty. I bit into my bottom lip, afraid to break out into tears again.

"Sora?"

A pair of arms wrapped around me, pulling me close. I looked up at Yugo's face…a few minor scratches had manage to stay through his transformation back, but other then that he looked in good condition, though his eyes were worry themselves. I buried my face against his chest, relieved he was alright and just happy to have his strong arms holding me to him.

"So, the Sinner Aidan is no more. Somehow or another I think there will be a large death total tonight."

I looked up at hearing the voice, just as the wolf demon stepped onto the ground.

"Jin…what did you find out?" Yugo asked, looking up at his younger brother.

"Chrono and Rosette have met Joshua over by the fountain on the opposite side of the fair grounds. Joshua has a small black-haired woman with him…I've never seen them before. Aion was there, but merely watching at the moment. I've also sensed Genai and Shadar's presence close by. The fair ground is a mess…between you and Aidan's fight reaching mortal ears and the events about to unfold within Aion's grasp…the public is going to have a field day with this one."

"This is not good." Yugo said after a moment, his voice grave.

"Aidan said this ritual…needed all the apostles, right? Does that mean…" I swallowed. "He has Azmaria?"

Yugo looked down on me, amber eyes flashing at that. I knew what he meant before he even said anything.

"Julius…Julius, can you hear me?"

"Sora, you're back!" His voice sounded relieved and upset at the same time. "They've got her! Aion's got Azmaria!"

I blinked. "What!"

"While we were gone, Genai came and took her! Sieg went after him to try and get her back, but he has already taken off by the time we got here. Miss Satella's with Mr. Steiner now…he's really badly injured, and without Azmaria, there's no way help could get here in time to save him."

I gritted my teeth. "Stay with Satella, Jul, and see what you can do to help them."

"I want to help you and Yugo out." He replied immediately and it threw me off guard. Julius was never that demanding.

"You're safer where you are."

"I care about Azmaria too. I want to get her back!"

I sighed. "Wait and see what Satella does and move if she does."

He seemed content with that answer and I looked at Yugo who had been listening in and relaying the message to his brother. "So, what do we do now?" I asked them, glancing between the two of them.

"We go to the meeting ground and hope to God we are not to late to stop this ritual." Jin said flatly, and Yugo agreed with a quick nod of the head.

"Jin," the sinner called, standing up and pulling me with him. "Carry her. I will fly."

"Brother you don't have the energy to fly and she doesn't have the mental tolerance. You're exhausted." Jin told him plainly, blinking his amber eyes.

"I have enough to create a barrier long enough to get there. By flight it should be no more then five minutes anyways. Just keep up with me." Yugo said, activating the barrier and transforming, what was left of his injuries healing as he did so. I could feel the strain in my mind, how hard he was fighting to keep up the mental wall. As he took to the air I felt Jin pull me close to him.

"Little sister, you're injured." He said, removing the ivory headband he wore, the very same one I had given to him as a Christmas present. His clawed hand gently wrapped it around my neck, tying it firmly but not enough to choke me over the wound. "That should help a little bit. You will need all the strength you can get…because even with it you may not survive the evening." His words were serious, but he said no more on the matter, scooping me into his arms and we were off at blinding speed.

I couldn't even keep track of the scenery as it whizzed by me. My first thought was that I was saddened to leave behind Aidan's dying place…I felt so far from him now it was alarming as was how much my heart ached from the ordeal. The town lights and the festival flew by and I could hear the sound of Jin's heartbeat against his chest, calm and reassuring, just like Jin's constant manner. Before I knew it the lights dimmed and then we hit the hard concrete ground, joining Yugo by Chrono's side. The barrier broke as he transformed back, though did not lower his guard in the least.

Jin set me down, but did not unwrap his arm from around me, protectively watching both Aion who was in front of us and Genai who was standing behind us slightly to our left, a unconscious Azmaria in his arms.

Aion had not changed in the least since the last time I had seen him…still handsome enough to rival Yugo with his dark skin, pale hair and beautiful amethyst eyes. If I had thought he looked arrogant beforehand I was mistaken…today his level of overconfidence could have killed a mortal if it got close to him.

I recognized the cute blonde man standing in front of him in the black trench coat, but not the pretty black-haired woman at his side. I was disappointed and panicked when I saw her, knowing well enough that she wasn't Lena and she could have been the woman Jin was talking about. Joshua moved his head slightly, shifting downwards to his side. That's when I realized that there was a girl standing with her hand clutching his dark coat. She only came up to about his chest and as she turned her head, layers of wavy raven hair shifted around her, bright emerald eyes looking over at us. My heart stopped as I stared at her, watching her as she stepped away from him and exposing the elegant black and white lacy dress she was wearing, a small henna lace choker adorning her neck. This was my best friend, the one I had lost and had been looking for. Hirelena Sakamoto.

Her eyes blinked wide as she stared at us in shock. "Yugo…Sora…" She started to step out toward us and Joshua intervened, grabbing her arm and pulling her back to his side.

"It's been a while." The blonde-haired boy said with a hint of a smile. "Are you siding with them Sora, or with me? If you side with them, I'm afraid I'd have to kill you…and that would upset Lena." His voice was calm, but he looked rather pained…I'd have bet it would have had to be resonating from the horns protruding from his pale golden hair.

"My…Sieg, and Yugo too. The party's all here again. Have you come to witness it too? It was our dream after all." Aion said, looking at them with a handsome smirk. He raised his hand and I realized he was carrying an impressive black steel sword. That could not be good.

'If the ritual of atonement takes place, I can not tell in words how chaotic this night will end up.' It was Jin's voice in my head, speaking to me in a soft whisper. 'I'm going to do my best to try and get your friend away from Genai…without all the apostles they can not start the ritual. You will have to stand out on your own…can you make it to Yugo from here?'

I swallowed. 'I think I can. Be careful Jin.'

He didn't move, but I could hear him move as if he had nodded his head. His hand on my waist dropped and then he was gone from my side. 'Go! Now!'

It all happened so fast I wasn't aware of it till it was to late. Jin disappeared, reappearing just behind Genai. The Sinner turned, elbowing the wolf demon in the face. I had taken off toward Yugo who was probably standing all of ten feet in front of me But I wasn't keeping track on looking back behind me. By the time I saw the shadow and had time to move, the blade on Genai's hand was already slashing down towards me. I managed to just barely avoid the hit as the blade cut through my long crimson hair, the bandana around my neck and crossing over the wound from earlier in a nasty scrape and then down to my collarbone. If I hadn't been aware of it I probably would have lost my whole left side, but at the time I didn't register that. The steel blade came through the loop of my heavy necklace, severing the thick chain from around my next. From blindingly fast everything went to slow motion and I watched as the article fell to the ground, the already cracked gem shattering as it hit the stone.

For a moment there was a calm as everything stilled around me, and then there was the agonizing pain in my head, blurring over my sight, over my connections…over everything around me. I heard someone cry out…maybe it was me…I do not know. One moment I was on my feet, the next I was on the ground. Someone was there beside me and there was a mocking tone echoing through the air around me, stirring the pulsing waves that were coursing through my head.

"Tonight is just full of surprises…that would be the end of that."

Ai-…who was that? I couldn't even tell where I was anymore. Darkness fell over me and soon even the excruciating pain was numb as I succumbed to the void that had been drifting around me.

Author's Notes- Short, but with a hell of a lot of storyline. Sorry to leave you all on such another cliffhanger! Aidan's dead…that made me cry. I liked the guy, I really did...he was so good at being romantically depressing.I personally did not like the whole ritual of atonement episodes, mostly because of all the hurt Chrono went through at that time. Things are going to pick up now, and everything is going to hit the fan. I'm not going to give you a preview of the next chapter, just be assured that there will be one. Until I write again!

Sora Tokumi Kazuma