Forgotten Memories Chapter Twenty-Two
Chrono Crusade
Date Started: December 31st 2005
Sora Kazuma
Yugo growled, amber eyes narrowing, though I turned to look at my little brother with wide eyes. "Repeat that… again?"
"I know…Aion and Rosette were seen among some of the townspeople this morning…I couldn't believe it myself. And then if that wasn't enough, Fiore busted out of the confinement room they had her and Joshua in, and the instant they found out, Miss Satella and Miss Hirelena took off. Chrono and Azmaria all apparently left as well, and Sieg was gone when I went to his room. The place is in a matter of chaos."
"We have to go after them." I told Yugo, looking up into his handsome face. "We have to make sure everyone's okay."
"If Aion gets to them first, that might not happen." Yugo was back to being infuriated. "I'm going to fly. Julius, you and Sora take the car-"
"I'm going with you." I told him, staring into those golden eyes.
"You're going with Julius." He pressed, a rumble in his throat telling me now was not the best time to be arguing with him.
Still I stepped away to glare up at him fully. I was not afraid of him. "I'm going with you. If something happens to the others, I'll never be able to forgive myself. I want to help."
"Sora…" Julius started, but Yugo just shook his head. I could tell he was weighing the decision.
"If something happens to you, I won't be able to forgive myself." He told me, hands on my shoulders. "But you don't leave me any choice. I'd rather you be with me, then know you're going to do something rash. Julius, will you be okay on your own?"
The boys smiled, as amused with the fact that Yugo had crumbled as I was triumphant. "I'll be fine. You find the others and make sure they're okay."
"Thank you Brother." I told him softly.
He ran his fingers through that long chocolate brown hair, face blushing in embarrassment. "Don't mention it. I'll see you all soon." And with that, he was gone from the doorway, the sound of his sword hilt clinking as he dashed down the hall echoing through the quiet.
Yugo turned away from me, and his body pulsed with that blue-green aura, transforming before my very eyes with a ferocious growl, raven wings wrapping themselves around his tall dark frame. "Anything you want to take with you, grab it now." His deep voice ordered and I was already tying the sheath of the blade Sieg had given me to my belt before giving a small nod. "I'm ready."
I was lifted effortlessly into his strong arms, holding me in one as he pushed open the large glass windows and stood with one leg on the sill. The cool breeze blew strands of his silky teal hair into my face, tickling against my jaw and neck. "Hold on tight…this is going to be a little difficult." He warned me, three seconds before vaulting.
I let out a startled cry, hands lost in the thin material of his clothing, eyes closed tightly as I felt gravity pull its weight on us and hurtle us towards the ground. Then there was the rustle of feathers and a soft flapping and the speed we were falling at slowed tremendously. Opening my eyes we were soaring above the roof of the villa, the mansion getting smaller and smaller by the second. Yugo chuckled, watching me in interest. "And you doubted me." He said as if I had insulted him.
"This is incredible!" I told him, watching as houses and trees streaking past below us. "This…This is nothing to you, is it? You can do this with ease."
"Flying came to me naturally. I never had to train my wings. But now is not the time nor place for this. We have to find the others." He gave a small whiff with his nose. "Tracking Julius's scent is easy…trying to find Joshua's or Hirelena's will be rather difficult."
"Do you think the others will find Miss Rosette okay?" I asked him, tilting my face more so into his chest to avoid the breeze whipping past us.
I could feel his concern mounting inside his mind, his thoughts racing from one thing to the next, not straying to long on one thing to avoid me from picking up on it. "We can only hope."
The city was rapidly coming into view, the towns and suburbs moving closer together, the ruined buildings and the rubble across the area spreading out, wider and wider.
Yugo lifted his head, golden eyes widening slightly, stopping in midair and causing my fingers to curl in the cloth of his outfit, of his silky teal hair. "Well now, what's going on there…?" He asked softly, and I too looked down to the ground below, where the crowds of people were moving like tiny multi-colored ants across the dark gray streets.
"A gathering of sorts…?" I asked softly. "Was there a meeting or a holiday today or something?"
"No…" I heard him growl, his hold on me tightening. "Only one person I know who could manipulate such a large body of people, and he's not all friendly." He sniffed, golden eyes widening. "That is…"
The ruffling sounds of feathers and a crimson blurr and for a second, I didn't even recognize the form as it flew past it, only realizing who it was a it turned sharply, backwinging to stare at us. The robes and the wings made of glass were incredibly beautiful, more so then I could have ever imagined for such a random character. Scarlet eyes stared at us for a moment before he smiled slightly. "Well, now there's a sight I never expected."
"Sieg…?" I gasped, startled. Like Yugo his transformation was very alike to his normal form, his appearance similar to that of his sealed form, though not the same at all.
"In the flesh." He bowed gallantly. "Helping out with today's helping of chaos?"
"Where's Joshua and Fiore? Have you found them?" Yugo was only about searching for the others.
"Satella, Chrono and Azmaria were looking for them, though I believe Chrono is more worried about finding Rosette at the moment. Still odd way for mortals to move eh?" Scarlet eyes danced as he watched the scene below. "Aion's definitely behind it, I can say that. He's about the only one….who could do something on this scale."
"Sieg, can you find Satella? Lead us to her…chances are, if we find her, we'll find everyone else." Yugo replied. "We'll be better off in numbers."
The handsome redhead only chuckled. "Attack like a pack of wolves? You truly are an animal, Yugo."
He snarled, though more out of being insulted then anything else.
The devil smirked. "Come on. Let's go. My mistress awaits."
With that, he spun around, massive wings of onyx and garnet vaulting him through the sky. 'Hold on tight.' That deep voice spoke up, and with nearly a half a second warning, we were speeding after the red head, keeping close to him.
The mass of people that was moving through the city and gathering together was more then I had initially imagined…I was thoroughly surprised with what was going on below. And the further inward we traveled, the more people had gathered. Yugo's feline ears pinned back and a threatening growl rumbled in his throat. "Sieg, that's Aion's-"
"I know." The playful tone was lost from his voice, seriousness taken hold of him again. "We're close." He suddenly dropped lower, diving inward toward the buildings. "Come on!" He called up to us. "We're nearly there."
Yugo tried to take the landing as cautious as possible, but I was still buried up close to his body and I could tell in someway he was pleased with the way I was clinging to him.
Sieg dropped down a good ten feet, landing squarely right behind the busty redheaded woman. "Good day to ya Miss, need any help?"
The young lady whipped around, the jewel within her glove glowing almost menacingly. "Goodness Sieg, you fool! Scare me to death why don't you!" Crimson eyes looked past him and I felt her watching my face with a very surprised look…another I should know and yet wasn't coming to mind. "Are the two of you insane? Why in God's name did you bring her? She'll be of no use to us here!" Her voice was heavily accented in anger, glaring at the devils as she glanced back and forth between them.
Before Yugo could reply, there was a short tug on the woman's dress and a small petite woman stepped out behind her, green eyes watching us brightly. I smiled. "Hirelena!"
She blinked and smiled back, leaving the other's shadow to come closer. Satella sighed. "I know, she shouldn't be out here either…but when she refused to stay behind, we had no choice. And somehow in this mess we lost Chrono and Azmaria…I'm afraid they might have gone after Rosette…when Chrono said he could suddenly sense her presence again, he nearly had a heartattack."
"The way these people are talking about the holy woman, I've no doubt it's Rosette…but with such a large crowd gathering, I'm rather worried of the danger that could happen should Aion use these people to the best of his ability." Yugo said, ears flicking back and forth to catch the bits and pieces of conversation passing by as people on the street ran past. He had effectively stayed back in the shadows to hide his ears and tail, his wings folded tightly against his back, Sieg had down the same, the large hood of his robes concealing most of the glassy feathers from view.
"Let's find the others and move, as quickly as possible. I will not rest until I've found my sister, but I'd alike to avoid a conflict with these people at all possible." Satella huffed, watching those running by.
"I'll try and get in touch with Chrono and find out where his current location is." Yugo nodded, voice sliding through tones as he transformed back, as it was easier to walk around in broad daylight in his sealed form.
Sieg nodded, following pursuit. "I agree. Let's find our missing family and get the hell out of here."
We headed along the path the crowd had taken through the city, keeping a good distance from anyone else to avoid any type of confrontation. Satella was almost dead sure that Fiore was going to try and return to Aion with Joshua, and so finding Aion and Rosette first were probably the better priorities. Yugo had managed a small quiet conversation with Chrono who was moving on the other side of the city with Azmaria towards the same goal, trying to find Rosette and Aion as well. I took the opportunity to give the other missing member of our team a word or two.
"Julius," I spoke softly, feeling the connection click in my head with only a slight momentary blurr to my vision. "Where are you?"
"On the outskirts of the city. What the heck is going on sis? Everyone's nearly panicking…it's crazy. I might just park the car somewhere safe and walk."
"Be careful, and keep your wits about you." Yugo broke into the conversation. "We're not going to lose you kid."
"You're being sweet Yugo, but I'll be alright." He was trying to keep from laughing and the devil snorted, a flush of pink staining his golden tan cheeks. "I'll be there soon, and be in contact if you need me." It was then he pulled away from the connection and the handsome demon huffed.
"That brat has become way to arrogant for my liking." He growled, crossing his arms over his muscular chest.
"He probably got it from you." I giggled, a hand over my mouth as he glared at me. "I just think you like my brother a lot more then you want to admit."
"Yugo's just a big softie when you get down to it." Sieg winked, grinning back at me.
"Keep out of this!" He snapped.
"Will you all just stop! We're supposed to be looking for Aion, not fooling around!" Satella spat, voice like that of dragon's breath.
Turning a corner, we passed through a short darkened alleyway and came out in the street crowded with people, all standing around in a massive group, talking and whispering among themselves. "Looks like we found everyone."
Yugo bristled, pulling me closer to him. "And Aion and Rosette." He gestured, the golden blonde hair of the young woman showing as she stood up on the raised platform, raven dress flowing over her curvy body. Standing nearby was a young man with long silver hair, wearing a coat of all white.
"And that's Aion?" I was surprised, how the leader of such a devious group of devils could be so beautiful. Then again, this awed feeling felt a bit familiar.
A hand curled into mind, and I looked, realizing Hirelena was practically cowering by my side, wide emerald eyes fixed on the couple, watching Aion almost in sheer terror before she turned her face away into my cotton dress. "Lena…" I pulled a little out of Yugo's grasp to run a hand through her curtain of wavy raven hair, trying to soothe her as best I could. I didn't know exactly what he had done to her, but the way her small body was trembling so badly.
"We've got company, and finally, it's of the good kind." Sieg was still frowning, but he had turned, waving to a couple down the street, who through the foggy haze became the purple-headed devil and the silver-haired girl who was close friends to my brother. "We were wondering about you, Chrono." He managed a small smile, despite the situation.
"Yugo…Sora…" Crimson eyes widened slightly, startled by the fact that we were there. "Thank you both, I appreciate it."
"You have bigger problems to deal with Chrono." Satella scoffed, lifting an almost dismissive hand towards the mass of people pooling down towards the end of the block, all crying out and cheering for the woman on the platform.
The second those bright scarlet eyes rested on the blonde-headed woman, I felt the air around me change, as if an artic breeze had suddenly swept by. The violet-headed demon looked dumbfounded, staring at the two. The telephone he was carrying with him started to ring a second later, but it was as if he couldn't hear it, as if he had blocked everything out.
He took a step away, as if he was just going to mildly make his way through the group to her side, as if suddenly, everything else around him had just vanished. "Chrono…" Azmaria pleaded softly, easily recognizing the despaired look on his face. We all had.
Satella was the one to move first, stepping out infront of him to block her from his view. "Enough of this. We will rescue Rosette. But you will do nothing to help her like this."
"We'll get her back." Sieg agreed firmly. "Aion will not stop us this time."
Yugo suddenly jerked his head up, amber eyes widening slightly. "Satella…" He called, his gaze shifting, searching through the crowd, the people passing by, to the alleyway straight across from where we were standing. A figure was moving in the dark, struggling through the poorly-lit corridor and once it stepped out into the light, it became aware that it was not just one person at all, but a young woman with short raven hair, trying to hold a young boy with bright gold hair to her side. Both of the two looked a little worse for wear, the boy only seeming to half register what was going on through dazed baby blue eyes before slowly shutting them once again.
Hirelena had started forward, all fear gone as if Aion had never been near, oblivious to anything else, just like Chrono had seconds before. Bright, vivid green eyes were staring at the two in wonder, one hand slowly coming up across her mouth, to cover a sound that would no longer work. Her lips moved, silently calling out his name, though her vocal cords had long since been dead. 'Joshua.'
"Lorietta!" Satella barked, cutting through the chatter of the people heading through the area to get closer to the crowd. "Don't even think about moving."
Chocolate brown eyes narrowed at us, watching us as if trying to size us up, determining exactly how big of a threat we were to her. Right now, we were just standing in the way of her goal, and so close to it now…she was not about to give up.
"Give Joshua back." Chrono's voice was undoubtedly calm, cold even, but the words were spoken in a tone that meant there would be no room for disobedience. Just again the air flickered, its temperature changing for the briefest of moments, surely a threat for the woman holding the injured boy in her arms.
There wasn't the slightest change in her determined gaze; if anything her eyes had only sparked more from the challenge of the devil's words. "No, I refuse. Lord Aion will be the only one who can save Lord Joshua."
"Aion will just kill you both!" Chrono snapped back, temper rising in his voice.
"Do you honestly think Aion gives a damn about what happens to the kid?" Yugo added. "His plans are finished. You were both tossed away like garbage. Give it up. Aion won't save you, not when he's already forsaken you."
Her dark gaze passed over me as if I wasn't even there, staring impassively at the wolf demon. "Lord Aion needs me. He will not kill me." She said, as if her direct word was law.
"Don't you realize how delusional you are?" Sieg said softly, scarlet eyes watching her sympathetically. "Aion has never needed anyone. He has never cared for anyone. The only times he has ever wanted anyone is when he could use them affectively as his pawn. That is all, and nothing more."
"I will not fall like the rest of you. I refuse to be a failure, to Lord Aion and Lord Joshua both." The woman replied in that same tone, as if everything she said had to be correct.
Chrono growled, fed up with getting nowhere with simple talk, but it was Satella who put a hand in front of him, stepping back. "No Chrono, I'll take care of my sister. You and the others go after Aion, and get Rosette back at all costs. You need her."
"Satella-" Sieg had started forward as well, scarlet eyes watching her, a wary look crossing his handsome features. "What are you planning-"
"Laden!" She turned away from him them, the jewel set within her gloves giving a massive shine as she conjured up the power from within it. Her language switched completely to German, chanting in a tongue I knew nothing of.
"Satella!" Sieg growled, miffed at being ignored, more worried about her now then anything else.
The spell lashed out and constrained the woman, who within being pulled into the spell had no choice but to drop the boy. The girl by my side was gone in an instant the second she saw the boy falling, dashing across the street to pull him into her arms. The young woman with raven hair struggled with her restraints, malt brown eyes wide as she saw the young woman. "Lady Hirelena, you're still-" Her words were cut off as she was pulled into a purple mist, disappearing from view.
"Satella!" Sieg grabbed her arm as the purple mist began to evaporate the jewel summoner's body, scarlet eyes wide. "Not this barrier spell! What are you thinking!"
"Go help the others, Sieg." She smiled, a very secretive, small smile that somehow made my stomach turn. "This is an order, from your contractor." And with that she was gone, sucked into the violet fog, which soon dissipated as if nothing had ever been and the women were merely momentary illusions.
With the others out of the way, I stepped out onto the street, dashing to Lena's side and where she was holding the boy, his head cradled in her lap. He was merely still in night clothing, and the dishelved way his hair was tousled, suggested that before he was taken away, he had probably been asleep in a bed. The young woman was running her fingers through the baby fine strands of blonde hair lovingly, her emerald eyes positively glowing as she held him close.
I collapsed down next to her, watching her face. "Is he alright? Does he need medical attention?" I asked her, hoping that the boy was merely just asleep and not something else. I didn't know exactly all the details of what had happened to him.
She shook her head, before pointing to her mouth and very slowly and distinctly moving her lips to say. 'He'll be okay.'
The way she had moved had caused him to shift and the youth stirred, eyes squinting and a hand lifting to cover over his face slowly. "Owh…mmm…big sister…?"
Those emerald eyes widened, her fingers immediately touching his, locking with them as she breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Those pale blue eyes blinked slightly, struggling to focus on her face. "W…Who…? Oh…"
For a minute I was afraid maybe his memory was gone, like mine was, but then those cerulean eyes sparked in recognition and he gave a small weary smile. "L-Lena…Miss Sora…where are we?"
The young woman's bright eyes were overflowing with tears and she pulled him up into her lap, holding him closer. Startled, those bright blue eyes widened and he batted his eyelashes, trying to figure out what exactly had happened. "Lena…what's going on? Did… something happen?"
The comforting feeling of Yugo's presence got ever closer and I could tell he was both concerned and satisfied at the same time. "I told the others that we'd watch after Joshua and make sure he got back to the Order okay. Sieg, Chrono and Rosette are going to go after Aion and Rosette, and they'll contact me if anything happens, or they need help." He paused. 'I think if there's anyone who's going to get through to Rosette, it's Chrono, considering their strong feelings for one another. I want you to stay close to me. If I have to fight, I'll be forced to protect you as well.'
'I think I'll do okay Yugo.' I looked up at him, my hand patting the sheath tied to my hip. 'I have this after all.'
He huffed, but didn't further the subject…I think he was trying to avoid an argument at this point and time. "Lena…do you think Joshua could make it to stand, or should I carry him?"
She only shook her head, as she wiped the tears from her eyes, and it was evident the boy was passing out again, only half there in response. The wolf demon wasted no time in lifting the teen into his arms, and I could tell, that he too was upset with the way things had turned out for the kid. I could barely remember the boy, nothing more then a fleeting flicker of memory and the knowledge that he at one time had known me as well, but I felt bad for the state he was in now. I watched as Hirelena stared at the blonde, her eyes not leaving his body, and I wondered what she was going through right now at feeling so completely helpless. It was probably similar to the way Yugo had felt right after I had lost my memories.
"We're going to meet up with Julius and start heading back towards the cathedral. Even if Chrono and Sieg need my help, I'll feel better knowing that at least he's with you." Yugo was trying to be as tactical as possible about this, cover all parts of the plane so that we didn't have any more causalities, but I knew he wanted to fight just as much as everyone else, get his own piece revenge on Aion for all the things he had done to us. That desire was like a raw instinctual hunger in the back of his mind, trying to claw its way into his thoughts, but he refused to let it. Our safety came first.
Calling out for my younger brother through our mental link, we slowly made our way up the streets back toward the cathedral. Lena had wedged herself in between me and Yugo, one hand holding onto mine as if she was nothing more then a child, her vivid emerald gaze still hovering over the boy in Yugo's arms ever now and then.
"Do you think Miss Satella is going to be okay?" I asked Yugo, as worried for her safety as I was the others who had gone after Aion.
Those blue-green brows furrowed in thought. "I honestly don't know. She was going to fight her own sister…that's obvious going to take a toll on the battle. We'll just have to wait and see."
"I hate the fact that we can't help the others. I feel useless." I muttered, downcasting my head, long strands of scarlet framing my face. It seemed as of late, that's all I could do…sit back and watch as everything else interfered and twisted the lives of my friends and family into an inevitable hell. "I try not to get in everyone's way, but I feel like I all I do is cause trouble."
Hirelena squeezed my hand, shaking her head furiously. Looking up at me, she smiled and leaned against my arm. Though she couldn't say anything, I felt that was all the reassurance I needed.
Yugo let out a small, irritated huff but he spoke softly. 'The fact that you have not given up on yourself is inspiring. That you have not given up on your friends despite your condition is perhaps a miracle. And that you have not given up on me despite all I have done to you makes me happier then you can imagine. Do not think so much Sora…you are stronger then you give yourself credit for.'
I blushed, stammering to think of something to say when footsteps echoing down a nearby alleyway caught our attention. "Sora, Yugo!" It was Julius, finally caught up after being separated. "There's been some really big commotion. Aion's done something…I don't know…but it doesn't look good. A bunch of people are heading toward the shelter set up by the Magdalene Order."
"I wouldn't be surprised if Aion's gained support of the public. If he's turned them against us, then we're going to have a very big problem." Those golden eyes were flickering. "We need to get to headquarters and as soon as possible. Have you seen Sieg or Chrono?"
"No. I think they left as soon as things starting getting really bad. I left the car back near the water. Do you think I should go get it?" He asked between heavy breaths.
The handsome devil shook his head. "No…it's to much of a risk, and we're close. We need to move and hope we don't get caught. I can't risk transformation either…we're going to need to be quick."
Sneaking through the alleyways and avoiding the main roads as much as possible, we made our way toward the Order cathedral, but people were getting closer and closer…the sound of a large mass of people was not too off and there were stragglers in the street, waiting for others to arrive.
We could see the massive building up ahead and the high fence around it, the massive barred doors closed…apparently they knew what was coming. Yugo went around the corner first and then motioned for us to follow. Hirelena went and I was about to when I heard quickened footsteps behind us. "Magdalene Order dog!" It was two young men charging Julius and me, bitter anger flashing on their face.
"Sora, go." Julius ordered, withdrawing the sword at his waist, the silver sword glinting in the dim light.
"You can't take both of them on by yourself!" I exclaimed, my heart pounding louder and louder in my chest. Yugo was close by, watching, ready to put Joshua on the ground and help the boy in an instant. The people standing close were watching too, encircling us like a pack of wild dogs, getting closer and closer.
Julius just flashed that cute little smile of his. "Watch me." He replied before rushing them, shifting the handle of the blade in his hand as he tore through the first and sliced the second through the stomach, dropping stance. Both men were instantly on the ground, but there was no sign of a serious injury…he had been using the back of the sword.
The others around us made their move, and the youth looked back at us, long strands of dark brown in his face as he stared at us. "Go now! I'll take care of them!" He was practically giving a command…not normal for Julius.
I gave a small shake of my head, but Yugo grabbed my shoulder and pulled me backwards, getting me to move, and once I was running towards the Order building, my feet were on automatic and I was not looking back, though I had wished to be there with him. There were a good fifteen people there with more still coming…would he be able to take out that many?
'Julius's skills are no laughing matter. He's fantastic at what he does. As soon as we reach safety, I'll go back for him. Believe he can do this Sora.' There was a little tinge of amusement in his voice. At least he wasn't very worried. 'You still tend to baby him, as always. But I promise you, we will not lose him like we did Jin.'
'I will trust your judgement then Yugo…' I whispered, tears stinging my ears. 'Please, don't let anything happen to my brother.'
Hirelena stopped right infront of me, pointing upward and I watched as a white and crimson blur flew overhead, but I recognized those wings anywhere. "Sieg." The wolf demon nodded vaguely. "Something must have happened to cause him to transform like that."
The area nearest the headquarters was deserted, so noone was around to see Yugo transform and leap us over the twelve feet tall wall with ease, before transforming back. Setting Joshua down by the way he stood on the outside of the wall, looking at me through the cast iron gate. His hand reached through, found mind, fingertips caressing over the back lightly. "Find Sieg, and get Joshua inside. I'll be back." He whispered and then was gone, running down the street, that long cyan ponytail swishing behind him.
I watched, hoping and praying he could get to Julius in time. That they would both be alright and that they would make it back to me.
"Sora! Hirelena!" We turned, seeing Mia and Ewan dashing down the front steps and across the desolate lawn, both of them stopping feet from us. Hirelena pounced the blonde-headed woman with a hug, which was greatly returned.
"We made it back safe. Yugo will be back with Julius soon." I explained to them, grateful that the two of them were okay as well. "I'm going to go find Sieg. Do you know where they are?"
"He…just got here moments ago, but hasn't come in the building. He went around to the garden on the side." Mia explained.
I nodded and took off to where she had been pointing. Something just wasn't right, and the pit in the bottom of my stomach was only getting larger. Was he injured, or was it Miss Satella who had been hurt?
There was an iron fence, the border of the small grounds around the side of the house. Clinking open the small gate I let myself in, easily spotting those crimson and raven wings and that messy scarlet hair. Sieg…was holding Lady Satella in his arms, his head downcasted, those glossy, oddly transparent wings folded up around them as he sat on the ground with her cradled in her lap. One hand was wrapped around her waist, the other, glowing bright with dim light around a nasty wound in her chest. His eyes were wide, wavering with emotions, his voice on edge as he spoke. "It's no good…somehow my powers aren't enough…"
One of her hands lifted, coming up to lock fingers with his, his powers stopping immediately. He flinched from the touch, but she just smiled softly, her own garnet eyes closing tiredly. "It's alright Sieg. I…used my powers to stop my sister…it's no surprise that this is beyond your capability…" Her voice was heavily accented, probably because of the state that she was in, his name slurred along with the rest.
"Like hell! I'm not going to let you sit here and die!" His voice cracking as he raised a tone higher as he struggled with his words. He looked like he was going to break down in tears in any minute.
She managed a soft laugh. "Stubborn as always…that was one thing I hated about you. You were just…like me. Exactly like me. You lost everyone close to you, and it tore you apart inside. I'm sorry…that I was so cruel to you…"
"Stop apologizing! Satella, you can't just give up!" He frantically pleaded with her. "We'll get you help. If my magic doesn't help then surely someone-"
His words were cut off by her finding the strength to lean up and firmly lock her lips with his. Those scarlet eyes blinked wide and even I was a little stunned. Then slowly they shut, though not before a tear escaped down his cheek.
She pulled away, not able to lean up into his taller frame for much longer, her head falling against his chest. "I never told you…how much I cared. You were always there for me…and I was just so ungrateful. Not…all demons are bad. There are those who can be kind and compassionate, like you Chrono, and the others…"
"Miss Satella…" I bit at my bottom lip restlessly. She was dying, and here she was apologizing for seeming so mean. She really was a good person just like Julius had thought.
"Sora? What's going on?"
It was Chrono's voice behind me that made me jump and I whipped around to see him and Azmaria standing there, out of breath. Those bright scarlet eyes were trying to hide raw pain and failing miserably. Evidently their attempt to get Rosette back had been a complete failure.
I found it difficult to talk…my mouth had gone bone dry. I just pointed out and managed a soft. "Look."
The moment Azmaria got a glimpse, she was running past me crying out for the redhead woman. Sieg flinched, jerking his head up and letting a sharp growl rumble in his throat, but Satella slowly just shook her head, silently asking the child to come closer. It was only after that that Chrono moved closer, while I stayed dumbfoundedly to the spot I was in as if my feet were cemented in place.
"Miss Satella, no…" Azmaria whimpered, trying to keep from breaking down in tears.
"It's alright child. Don't cry." She smiled affectionately at the child. It was evident that the girl was another person that she cared about a great deal. "Everything is…over for me now."
"Satella…" Sieg started to jump in again but was cut off by her soft voice quickly picking up.
"Will you sing me something pretty?" She asked softly, her last request.
The girl couldn't refuse, giving a small nod of her head. Those big bright eyes of hers slowly closed and she began an enchanting melody in that gorgeous soprano voice. As always, the halo of light that seemed to surround her whenever she began to sing flooded down between a small crack in the dense clouds, flooding the garden area in sun.
Satella's smile was bright, though it slowly began to fall apart. It was getting harder and harder for that light to stay in her garnet eyes. The color was starting to dull, eyelids getting heavier and heavier until those dainty lashes finally fell shut across her cheeks. The choker that she always wore with the crystal on it suddenly unclasped itself from around her neck, hitting the stone ground and shattering into a million pieces just as the song came to an end.
Sieg flinched the moment it happened, those dark garnet eyes widening as he looked down on her. "Satella...! Satella, wake up." It was an order that he knew she couldn't fulfill. His voice was hollow, empty and his eyes filled with such grief that just meeting his gaze was painful. "Satella, no. You can't leave me alone..." His body started trembling, wings fluttering and he picked her body up, cradling it against him, face buried against her neck. Those crystalline wings folded around his body, shielding him from view as he cried.
Azmaria had turned, and spotting someone, ran towards them, collapsing in their arms. As she brushed past me, I felt the breeze sting something cold on my face and lifted a hand, realizing I was crying to, the tears running straight down my face and off my chin. We had lost another one.
A pair of arms wrapped around me from behind then, one securely around my waist the other around my shoulders. Just by the scent I knew it to be Yugo…he was the only one who's mere presence could make me weak in the knees. 'Satella's gone to be with her family little one…there's no need for tears. For her, she's finally reunited with those she's lost.'
'I-I know that…but look at Sieg…' I managed watching as the red-haired devil broke down at this. He wasn't even aware of the others around anymore. To him, his entire world had just died, and he was forced to continue to exist.
There was an audible sigh in my head that I knew all to well. 'I can't even begin to comprehend the pain he's going through right now. I knew what it was like when you lost your memories. I cant begin to imagine the sorrow that's befallen him.' There was a momentary pause and then a optimistic change of subject. He was upset about it too and I could tell, and that was the reason he was dismissing it so quickly. 'Julius is back, safe and sound for the most part. He's a little beaten up, but the kid did just fine.'
That made my insides nearly cave in in relief. I turned in that embrace till my head was resting against Yugo's chest, so I could hear his strong heartbeat underneath.
The sound of the front gate being rattled and beat against was what caught all of ears. Even Sieg lifted his head at that. Our company had arrived, and they were not happy. "I think it's safe to say we need to get inside." Chrono started after a moment, crimson eyes staring back at the building's perimeter.
Sieg stood, lifting his love into his arms and holding her close to him. His wings disappeared into a thousand glowing feathers and as he stepped down from the bench he was seated on, his transformation back, began. "I want to be alone for a while." He told us, a order rather then a statement and just disappeared inside the building. It wasn't until we were sure he had gained distance between us that Chrono head inside through the doors in the garden. Yugo waited until Julius, who was carrying a very distraught Azmaria in his arms passed by us and then we made our way inside.
The word spread quickly about Lady Satella…several of the girls were broken up, and the council decided to have an evening wake for her. Sieg didn't want to give up the body for anything, and it took quite a lot of convincing from Chrono and Yugo before he finally conceded. The entire day seemed to have gone to hell. Several of the girls fussed over Julius's wounds; he had taken a blow to the face, which would erupt in a black eye within the next day or so. He had bruises all over his torso, a busted lip and a rather nasty looking scrap against one arm, but he was still alive and feeling well enough to blush and stammer out quick replies to the women who were concerned over his features. Needless to say it was one of the only times that day that Yugo even laughed.
The entire building was sort of dreading that evening…it was like icing on the cake. Despite the thousands of people who had practically mauled the building all afternoon, the situation with Aion couldn't have gotten any worse, and we lost another comrade. It was Rosette and Chrono who mostly talked about Satella all night while Sieg stood in the shadows next to the back door of the sanctuary, watching silently. He was cold again…the very ice, calm, collected, almost scarily perceptive side of him back again. Yugo said, probably for good. Sieg had been talking of suicide all afternoon as his only escape.
It was too dangerous to try and go home and so we were given small rooms to stay the night in. Julius objected having his own and instead stayed with Yugo and me…as tough as he appeared, he was still skittish as far as the night.
"Your hair's getting long again. It's slipping passed your shoulder blades." I told him, brushing it back away from his face to tie in a lose ponytail. With as beat up as his face was, he didn't need the long chocolate strands to only further irritate it. "You're going to have to cut it again."
"I know." He said, shoulders falling as he relaxed back against me. "Hey…Sora…" He started after a moment. "Do you think there was anything we could have done to save Miss Satella? I'm starting to worry. First, Aion gets away with Miss Rosette as if Chrono couldn't have saved her. And now Miss Satella's gone even with Sieg standing by to protect her."
"Satella killed herself." Yugo cut in sharply, coming in and closing the bedroom door. "She was so despaired about losing her sister that she sacrificed her self to make sure no one would ever be able to manipulate her again, not caring in the least that she was leaving someone behind who's entire world was to be by her side. There was nothing Sieg could have done. She resolved herself to die."
"B-But still…! There must have been another way! Why she felt like she had to die just to…" The boy hung his head, amber eyes closing.
Yugo watched him before averting his gaze and letting out a soft sigh. "Its not really our problem anymore. I just got finished talking to Remington. The Magdalene Order has decided that it's to dangerous to have this many untrained civilians under our care with the way things have been going. We've all been order to return to headquarters in New York."
"What!" Julius looked up while I just looked away. I had a feeling when Ewan had requested to talk to Yugo and Chrono that it was something along those lines. "Why!"
"Because we're losing to many people." He replied softly. "There wont be any one left to fight Aion at this point. They're considering San Francisco a lost cause at this moment and time. Father Gilliam and Father Sera have been given complete authority and the Order is leaving adequate personnel here, but all of us personally involved are to leave immediately." He leaned back against the wall near the door. "Technically our mission is finished. We recovered Hirelena and Joshua, which is the only reason we were sent with the others in the first place."
"But what about Miss Rosette! She and Chrono have been our friends for so long now…we can't just forget about her and leave her behind!" Julius was more pleading with Yugo then arguing, those big golden eyes close to tears, the one almost completely closed from bruising.
"Kid, we don't even know where Rosette and Aion are! They up and disappeared again after they started that riot earlier. Trust me…I was against the order at first…Sora and I tried to fight it. But now there's nothing we can do. We're all being sent back, and Remington and Sister Kate are pushing more and more towards Sora's discharge. The train departs the day after tomorrow. We don't have a choice."
I collapsed back onto the bed. "So…it's all over?" I huffed. "I'm disappointed. Maybe its because I only have scattered memories, but it seems like its only just begun."
"The sinners are all gone besides Sieg, Chrono and myself. All that's left is Aion and he's the biggest threat." Yugo shrugged. "It just…doesn't seem right. All along we've done as we've been told and it seems we got nothing out of it. In any case…tomorrow will be merely tying up loose ends and then it's the end of this little journey."
It was much later, lying there between the boys with nothing but the dim lights out front to cast eerie shadows on the room, Yugo's voice stirred inside my face though he was laying on his side back to me. 'Little One…I think I'm glad that it's all over. I really was scared for your safety despite your own will to do what you wanted. Julius is worried too…which is why he went to the extremes he did today. He's really to soft to be carrying a sword, but he has been all this time because of you. Really…I think you're to soft to be fighting either.'
'I just don't think you like the thought of it.'
'I don't, no.' He paused and the entire room got quiet again. 'Once…the two of us were planning to go back to New York and get married. I lost all hope of that when you lost your memories but-'
His words were silenced at I wrapped an arm around him, burying my face against his back to hide the blush. His feelings came flooding into my mind, shock and startled, and even a little of embarrassment. 'Sora..?'
'It sounds good.' I told him, my face hot against the thin cloth of his t-shirt. 'There's something about you Yugo that I just can't escape. No matter how I try to pull away from you I always get swept up. Your emotions completely overpower mine…'
'I'll never let you get away from me.' He growled, and before I knew it I was pinned to the mattress with his form looming over me. Golden eyes glowing in the darkness peered down at me intensely, watching me as if I was going to be eaten alive by a wild animal. I could feel my face flushing hotly but it was soon hidden as his amber eyes closed and he leaned down, stealing my lips away in a kiss.
Things started to blur over again, my body assaulted with fire. His fingers began pushing up the side of my nightgown, the very pads of his fingertips dancing over my bare stomach. 'Yu-Yugo…' I tried to call out to him mentally while everything was dazing. Something had brushed against me, stirring right next to me, but the handsome devil's brakes were appearing to work that well. His lips were traveling down the side of my neck when I felt a tug on the covers wrapped around my legs. 'Yugo!'
The weight shifted on the mattress and there was a small groan. Opening my eyes I saw Julius lift his head, ponytail sliding over one shoulder as he turned to sleepily look at us. It took a moment before he realized what was going on, and those amber eyes blinked wide. "W-WOAH!" He tried to back up, putting some space between him and us and without paying attention, crashed back off the bed onto the hardwood floor.
The thud was enough to alert Yugo even in the state he was in and he jerked his head up, golden eyes blinking and eyebrows furrowing. "Julius?" It was as if he had even forgotten the boy had been there with us.
The door to the bedroom burst open and Ewan was there, carrying a lantern in one hand and his scripted sword in the other, nothing but an unbuttoned pair of pants on. Mia was right behind him in a nightgown, wondering what in the world was happening.
Course I was still pinned underneath a very startled Yugo, who had managed to push my nightgown all the way up to my breasts and was staring at everyone as if to ask what the hell they were doing there.
It took two seconds but Mia burst out laughing and Ewan let out a soft sigh, shaking his head a little. "Forgive our intrusion…" He apologized and just shut the door again.
Once it was just the three of us I freed one of my hands, hiding my face three shades of red by this point. "Yugo…w-what the heck…I mean…not while I'm sleeping in the same bed with you two!" Julius was probably just as red as I was if not worse, stammering to find the right words to scold the devil since I was beyond even any speech. He picked himself up off the floor, averting gaze shyly.
Yugo sighed and gave a conceding growl, letting me go and sitting back, though it was more obvious now then before what kind of state he was in. "Sorry…" He ran a hand through his long teal hair. Those golden eyes were averting gaze with both of us…he was a little ashamed of what he had done I could feel that within his mind.
"Don't feel so bad…" I started, looking at him, quickly fixing my gown so that Julius would stop staring off into space with that bright red face. "Can we trust you to go to bed now and keep your hands to yourself?"
"Hey!" He growled, glaring at me, though it was just in playfulness.
Julius sensed it too and picked up the covers, lying back down and pulling the covers up to his shoulders. "Goodnight." The tone in his voice clearly showed he didn't want to be woken up again to a situation like this.
The next morning was as dark and dismal as the one before it…even towards noon it was still clouded over and threatening to rain. Yugo and Julius were up well ahead of me, so when I awoke to an empty room, it took me a few long moments before I had tracked them down and found the daily agenda.
'We really need to return to the Villa before we leave, but there's still an angry mob camped out front. The best way to return would be to fly there.' From the second I was getting dressed, it was all tactical in my head…Yugo was referring messages to me from Julius and I just listened with a stiff nod to my head. It seemed like everyday there was just so much that seemed to go against. I wonder how and when exactly everything had gotten turned around.
Leaving the bedroom, I turned the corner and almost collided with the little black-haired girl carrying a stack of towels at least her height. A startled gasp and I grabbed her arms, steadying her small body before she fell and took the laundry with her. "Oh, I'm sorry!"
There was a soft giggle and I realized it was a pair of big emerald eyes that were gazing up at me from overtop the laundry. "Oh…Hirelena." I should have recognized her immediately, especially when I got no such reply.
She smiled and nodded, her pigtails bouncing against the side of her neck. Quickly she separated the pile, gave me a couple of the towels to carry and then gestured for me to follow. A little puzzled, but at least able to help out, I complied with her request, delivering the cloths to a group of maids who had set up a washing clothes in a secluded courtyard on the inside of the building. Then I was escorted by hand back upstairs to a particular room.
I was going to ask where in particular we were going, but once the door opened and I glimpse the small bedroom I know. "Joshua…"
She nodded, letting me go to dance over to the bedside, checking on the boy who was lying contently asleep underneath the covers. She smiled, lifting tiny fingers to brush aside those long blonde bangs, before blinking back at me and quickly gesturing for me to come in. She grabbed a chair and had me sit down near the bedside to watch him. The way she flitted around the room, drawing back the curtains, taking out the flowers in the vase to replace with new ones already lying in wait on a small white cloth, she seemed just like a little bird hopping around a set of stone steps.
Joshua looked a lot better then the day before…he was lying on his side, hands loosely grabbing the sheets as he slept…he looked like that of a small child instead of a teenager, a very naïve face for a boy his age. It too made me want to smile. At least we had him back.
"Lena…will you be glad to go home?" I asked, not thinking as I spoke that she had no way to answer me. I knew that Yugo and Julius were upset about the series of events, but I wanted to know how everyone else felt about the situation. It was not just us who could judge it… everyone had a right to.
She turned, batting long dark lashes before she just beamed and nodded. She left where she was staring out the window and came and took her own seat by the head of the bed, small nimble fingers wrapping around the boy's much larger hand. She couldn't say a word, but I could read her answer as clear as day: as long as she had Joshua, anywhere was perfect.
'Where did you get off to little one?' Yugo's voice came echoing through my head and I was startled by it, breaking out of thoughts.
'I'm with Lena and Joshua.'
I could tell he was a little puzzled but I heard a hint of a smile as he spoke. 'Alright. We need to go soon, you and I. Julius is planning on staying behind to tend to Azmaria…she's really broken up about Satella.'
'I understand. I'll be right there.'
Standing up, I smiled at the little girl and gave a small nod of my head. "Sorry, but I have to go. Yugo and I have some matters to attend to before we leave tomorrow."
She nodded back and smiled, her silent goodbye. I left the room, closing the door behind me to give them some alone time. Seeing the way she was around the young blonde…how her eyes lit up when she was in her presence made me feel a little bit better. Yugo was right…he had accomplished our goal of getting them back safe and sound. If they wanted us to retire after that, I would be content.
Yugo was waiting from one of the lobbies, where he had pushed open a window and the breeze was stirring the curtains and rustling the papers not completely pinned down to the wall. He had transformed, black wings, ears, tail and all, and those golden eyes were watching me with the same ever-knowing heated gaze that could somehow make me turn three shades of red with little effort. Those same amber eyes that I loved.
"There you are. I was beginning to wonder." He huffed, that deep voice echoing across the distance between us, and sending shivers down my back just the same.
"S-Sorry. I kinda got lost." I managed to explain with a very small smile, which made him sigh in return.
"What am I ever going to do with you?" He snapped softly, taloned hands reaching out and firmly wrapping around me, pressing my smaller body firmly up against him. The heat of his hard flesh against mine made my face only grow hotter and I ducked my head a little into his shoulder in embarrassment. He chuckled, the sound rumbling from deep within his throat to roll across my ears where I had hidden my face. "I can think of a few things." He said lightly. There was a swift kiss to the side of my neck, exposed through my curtain of hair, and then he let go a little bit, pausing only to sweep me off my feet into his arms.
I was so startled I let out a soft cry, looking up at him with a glare but he seemed to ignore it only to smile back. "Hang on tight now. We don't have all day to play around."
The takeoff was the most difficult part. Closing my eyes tightly, I kept from wanting to cry out as he leapt from the window, jarring my body tightly against his But, seconds after I could feel the rush of cold air on my face and the sound of his wings flapping behind me.
"You're safe little one. What, did you think I was going to drop you?" He asked with the most stunned tone to his voice.
I opened my eyes, looking up at him very guiltily. "No, I…I don't like takeoffs…the ground rushes at you for a moment and its terrifying. But I trust you Yugo." I told him quickly so he wouldn't be mad, but he just leaned in to kiss my head softly, not speaking a word further on the matter.
It took a little less then twenty minutes to get to the villa with Yugo's speed, and landing down on the front lawn, I felt sad looking up at the impressive building. It was now without an owner. There was no one left to come home to it.
Yugo hardly wasted any time, transforming back the second our feet were firmly on the grass and stalking towards the front door. "Sora, come on." His tone was an order he expected me to follow. And I did so, running up to grab his hand in mind like a lonely little kid who didn't want to be left alone.
The front door was half open, which alarmed our attention and put my companion on immediate guard. Entering the front lobby, you could see things were terribly wrong here, though they hadn't been nearly twenty-four hours before. Not a single room in the house was lit, the chandelier in the front foyer was lying on the floor, the crystal broken into a million pieces while the wires from it still sizzled and cracked in the ceiling above. Pictures were torn to shreds, furniture was overturned, and a very eerie aura clung to the air as if the very molecules were watching us. A soft laughter echoed through the darkness, very dry unplaced chuckle and I was gripping Yugo's arm. 'What's going on…?' I asked, knowing that from the second he had blocked me out of his mind he knew more about what was going on then I did.
'It's Sieg.'
A pair of glowing scarlet eyes illuminated the darkness from the back of the room and grew steadily closer, never blinking for a second, staying completely on us. This couldn't be the demon I had come to know…he didn't have the ability to make me tremble like this, did he?
I could smell the stench of alcohol before he came into view, the way the breeze blew past us and brought it back. When he appeared in the dim light his long crimson hair was left down for once, falling in shaggy layers down his neck and back and those eyes were shining with such intensity they couldn't possibly be human. The look about him was wild…dangerous and Yugo wrapped an arm around me protectively.
"What could the two of you possibly want?" His voice was soft, wavering with the effect of his drunken state.
"We came to get our things." The wolf devil stated in a sharp tone. "And nothing more."
Sieg growled in his throat, then turned around with his back to us. "Get out of here."
"We will as soon as we get our things." Yugo persisted.
"Fine. Mine as well before I burn the whole thing down."
"You're WHAT!" The demon's gold eyes narrowed. "You're going to destroy the only home you have left! Satella-"
"Satella is DEAD." He snapped, in a tone that meant that was his final comment on the matter. "Get your things and get out. Quickly. Before you go up in flames with the place." The shadows recaptured his form and on silent feet he melted back into the darkness.
It was only after that that Yugo swept me up into his arms and headed into the building himself. "I can't see…" I told him, reaching out and grabbing his coat only to secure myself to him.
"I can. We have to be fast little one. The entire place reeks of kerosene." He spoke back gruffly and his throat was hoarse, the intense smell affecting his sensitive nose.
He stopped only for a second to put me down and throw his weight against the door, the momentum throwing it back on its hinges and slamming it into the wall. "Come on." He said, rushing into the bedroom which was filtering in light from the slits in the heavy curtains. By the time my eyes had adjusted to the lights Yugo had thrown two heavy luggage bags up onto the bed and was pulling things out of the drawers in the room to stuff in them. "You finish getting everything out of the closet and such. I'm going to go to Julius's room." He told me, grabbing the other bag and dashing back down the hallway.
Not everything was going to fit in this one bag. There was a small leather case in the closet and I pulled that out as well, stuffing very clothing articles in it as well. My book was still sitting on the table and that joined the other things in the bags as well as the remaining jewelry pieces that were lying around. The real task was trying to zip up the bags up once they were overstuffed.
'Sora, be ready…there's smoke in the halls.' Yugo's voice was as serious as possible, but even so, my hearts kipped a beat at those words.
'He's really gonna burn down the place, isn't he? Why? Why would he do such a thing?'
'Because he has nothing left. Satella was the last thing holding Sieg to this world, and he lost it all when he lost her.' There was a slight pause. 'It would be the same if I lost you, Sora.'
The wafting haze of fire was coming through the open doorway when Yugo stalked through it, one bag strapped across his back. "We have to go, now…" He said, the urgency in his voice telling me the building was starting to get bad.
Taking to the air, we watched as black smoke funneled out of the wing of the house where the fire was surrounding…the part of the house that was Sieg's home. "Yugo, you don't think Sieg is gonna let himself die in there, do you?" I asked, looking up at him, at that beautiful face that was half hidden behind long shaggy hair. His black ears were pressed down against his skull and I knew he was thinking it too.
"I don't know…that's Sieg's decision to make. To die and be with Satella or to go on living without her until something kills him…that's a decision that only Sieg can make."
The flames seemed to spout out a warning. That everything was ending, everything was gone. How many friends had we lost along the way? How many people had been hurt? Was there a final end to all this pain, to this suffering?
"Yugo…" I turned my face into his chest to avoid tears. "I hope Sieg gets to see Satella again someday. For now…I just want to go home."
I wanted an end to it. To all this sadness. An end to a journey I only partially knew.
----
Author's Notes: So after almost 6 months, FM22 is completed. I hit an area of depression for a while and with having to kill off Satella I was not inspired to finish this chapter. It may not be the best, but here it is nonetheless.
There's only one chapter left, which should be a piece of cake after this one. And I'm not giving any spoilers as to what happens, it will be posted on June 24, 2006! Until I write again!
Sora Tokumi Kazuma