It's comically sad at this point that I can never keep Sister Claire, Anna, and Mary's name spellings straight nor their hair color! I try to keep them distinguished from the other, but still jumble them at times. *sigh* Well at least I am able to see it upon review and correct it. Sorry if you've ever noticed those errors. This is how I see them:

Sister Anna: Red head. Christmas pageant director= responsible, multi-tasker, leader.

Sister Claire: brunette. Helped Remington care for Joshua= caring, sensitive, trustworthy, reliable.

Sister Mary: blond. Seems to have a more mischievous smile, seems younger than the others.

Hope I can keep my head screwed on straight! :)

~Enjoy….

"And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'"

Luke 18:1-8

Chapter 21

It was pretty hectic at the New York's Magdalene Order grounds for a Saturday morning. Sisters poured over city information, in work to create a list of law firms within the city, while others prepared for the additional men who would be in need of rides from the train station in just thirty minutes time. Cars were being cleaned out, breakfast dishes were being washed, ammunition was being prepared and calls were being made to the local police departments in preparation for generic warrants they were sure to need when dealing with lawyers. Sister Kate was having to use her best negotiating skills to get the police and a judge (who had owed her a favor) to create the warrants needed on a weekend. All they were asking for was cooperation to see photos of all employees in efforts to identify who had attacked their blind comrades. This was all done so come early Monday morning, no time would be wasted in searching for their latest villain.

There was urgency in the air that all could feel. Yet, no one really understood what was to come.

Sister Anna waited at the curb of the train station with her arms crossed. Leaning up against her car, she waited for the first class militia members to arrive with little urgency. She had too much on her mind to fret like Sister Mary or worry like Sister Claire would. She couldn't get her mind off the demon swarm that had attacked in the woods. She had never seen anything like those foul little monsters and knew if it hadn't been for Rosette and Chrono, she wouldn't have survived the chance encounter.

Reverend Jack Guilliam, and his men from California, walked out into the sunshine with long strides to seek out their rides. The bright blue uniforms of the three sisters, staggered down the street by waiting cars, was easy enough to spot. Reverend Jack smiled as he walked right up to Sister Anna. He remembered her easily from their extremely memorable battle with demons as both friend and foe. He had a positive impression of her, but could see the red head was lost in thought; failing to notice his approach.

"Good morning!" he startled the nun.

"Oh! Yes, Good morning!" she smiled sheepishly. "Welcome to New York, Reverend Guilliam," she offered her hand.

He gave a firm handshake before gesturing to his other men to pick a car. He didn't want to linger about. "Thank you. It's good to be off the train to be certain." He opened the passenger door to get in as Anna moved around the car to the driver's side. Three other men climbed into the back.

The hustle and bustle of the streets was a bit distracting to the militia men from the west coast. San Francisco was a new city, but it was a far cry from the truly intense industrial empire downtown New York possessed. The sidewalks and streets had a lot more activity then they thought there'd be for a weekend. Their drivers never even noticed their awe filled looks as they pulled away from the curb and into the standard commotion of the city.

Sister Kate was pacing her office by the time she finally received a call from the front gate watchman of their guest's arrival up the drive. The moment she slammed down the receiver, she was out the door to greet them.

"Reverend Jack Guilliam!" she greeted the moment an older man with jet black hair stepped out from Anna's car.

"Sister Kate Valentine! It's good to see you again," he warmly greeted back. "You have a beautiful location here," he praised. It was nice to see that they were located away from the downtown madness.

"Yes, we are fortunate," she agreed. It was heartwarming to have others who were so self-sacrificing as to travel so far to help them. "If you would just follow me, I have-"

Suddenly, a tremor shook the ground with an unnerving force. It caused everyone to take an abrupt stabilizing step back, yet just as sudden as it hit, it was over.

"Earthquake?" Reverend Jack asked confused, his weathered face searching for possible danger. He didn't think the east coast had many earthquakes, although he just now noticed that a far wall was in the process of being rebuilt.

"Yes," Sister Kate answered with just as cautious a look around. She adjusted her glasses. The tremor could not be a good sign in the slightest. "The last time we had an earthquake was nearly five years ago, in 1925… the year Sister Rosette came to us," she revealed with a rising dread. "The year that devil Aion kidnapped her brother Joshua."

Everyone was looking around with bated breath, yet nothing happened. It remained a simple sunny morning. It all seemed unreal.

"Come," Sister Kate finally spoke. "We have work to do."

Whatever this new earthquake signified, they'd learn what it was for soon enough.

The activity of the day remained fast paced for those of the Catholic Church. Reports were given. Research continued. Battle preparations made for an unknown enemy. All this and more kept the saints bustling that weekend. All except for those in the infirmary.

Sister Martha was on duty this Sunday afternoon, as Rosette was sitting up, eating her lunch. She had awakened yesterday sore and stiff. She had shared what happened fully to all those who had gathered around her that morning. It was nice to see some old familiar faces from back west. She remained upbeat and cheerful for everyone. Reverend Jack Guilliam was in awe once more at just how resilient this young woman was, and felt a fatherly desire to protect her. He would willingly fight beside her, whatever may come.

So now here she sat, eating a simple meal. Chrono was still sleeping beside her. She hadn't seen him wake neither yesterday nor today. The nurses hadn't seen him wake up again either. Sister Sara had shared with Rosette what had happened that Friday night. He had healed her most gruesome injuries in his own weakened state. She would be angry with him, however after hearing just how bad she had been, she secretly was thankful. She didn't care to relive the pain she had felt that day again. It had all be a cruel, messed-up, cowardly attack.

Rosette practically growled at her chicken sandwich.

"Sister Rosette?" Martha stood from her desk to see what was wrong.

Rosette just took another big bite of her sandwich; chomping at it like a beast.

"Um… is everything okay," she nervously smiled.

Rosette swallowed. "Oh yes… everything is just wonderful!" She then worked to inhale the rest of her food till she couldn't feel a single crumb left on her plate.

"I'll take that plate from you," Martha quickly retrieved. She was on pins and needles from just the look Rosette was making.

"I swear, the moment I get out of here I'm going to hunt that jerk down and wipe that smug little smirk off his face!" she declared to the stillness of the room.

Even Joshua and Azumaria seem to stir in their sleep upon hearing Rosette's loud voice.

"Geez Rosette," Chrono mumbled. "Do you always have to be so loud?" he asked sleepily.

Rosette was all too familiar with this set up to be excited that her partner had finally awoken. "He thinks he can pull another stunt like that again, he's got another thing coming!" she continued her rant. Rosette didn't care if she had dozens of stitched wounds. She had been resting for too long. A day and a half was more than enough. It wasn't like she was coming back from the dead or anything, this time around.

Chrono watched from his warm bed as Rosette flung her bedding off. He yawned.

"Come on, Chrono!" Rosette barked. "Let's see what Sister Kate has planned," she decided.

"What day is it?" he mumbled unfazed as he stretched. Clearly Rosette's patience had only extended as far as it took for him to wake up from his recovery.

Sister Martha didn't know what to think or what she should do. "It's Sunday… almost 1 o'clock," she stuttered.

"Fabulous," Rosette muttered unenthused as she felt around the floor for her shoes. "Coming Chrono?"

As if that was a question.

Chrono tossed his sheet aside. "Right behind you," he answered. He was still in his tattered cloths it would seem, while Rosette appeared to be back in a nice clean uniform. 'She must have changed into it this morning,' Chrono thought absentmindedly. Perhaps the elder could get him something new to wear. Chrono moved to stand and found he had enough strength to manage on his own. He smirked. He was finally healing faster than before, despite still not being 100%.

Sister Martha helped Rosette to the door. She wasn't even about to try and stop Sister Rosette, and led the sore and slightly gimpy pair up to Valentine's office.

The door shut, leaving Azumaria with an unnoticed smile on her sleeping face.

The following day: Monday, 9th April 1928

42nd street law office

Sister Rosette was helped out of a car, having arrived at their fourth law office that morning. It had taken a lot of convincing, especially without Father Remington around to intercede on Rosette's behalf, to be allowed to accompany Sister Mary and the small assembly of first class militia members on their face-fact finding hunt that early Monday morning, however Rosette got her way in the end despite still being injured (She wouldn't allow Chrono to try and heal her other wounds). Now Rosette took a deep breath to prepare for yet another annoying receptionist and battle of wills, as it seemed no law firm in this city saw the need to be readily helpful.

The doorman opened the glass door for the dozen new faces to enter. The security guard inside eyed the Catholic's suspiciously, but made no move as the group continued passed him. The extravagant marble floors, solid oak wall embellishments and ornate brass light fixtures displayed the wealth and success of this law firm to any who entered. Reverend Jack looked at the wall directory. It would seem the lower levels were for staff secretaries, conference rooms, and records. The main successful lawyers' offices were on the top floor.

The group wordlessly made their way to the two elevators. Rosette and Chrono followed the first group into the contraption. "Top floor," Reverend Jack informed the elevator attendant, and up they went.

As the first elevator made its way up with 6 of them all packed in against the elevator attendant, Rosette's hand sought Chrono's. He made no comment as their fingers threaded together. Those pressed in around them wouldn't understand the emotions his Rosette was feeling being in such a place. With each passing floor more demons came into their view. As they reached the highest floor, and the brass grate diverter slid aside, they exited into a hall where the air was like thick miasma, nearly suffocating Rosette. Their companions were on edge as they filed out towards the main reception desk, but they couldn't actually see the evil that surrounded them like Rosette and Chrono could.

Carefully, the blind pair followed the white souls in front of them. They could see the rest of their company rising up below them in the second elevator. There were no other white souls in the building. Amidst so many gray souls who worked there, there were countless demons crawling all over the place. The previous 3 law firms looked nothing like this one did. For Rosette, she felt like she was walking into one of Hell's strongholds.

Chrono held her hand as his only way to reassure her. She could trust in his presence, however he too felt this wasn't a place for those of the Magdalene Order to be. This place was dangerous and he once again hated the fact that he was still blind to everything but the spirit.

"Yes, how can I help you?" a woman comically asked from behind the counter. Seeing a bunch of nuns and brothers of the church enter into their law firm building was just too funny to her.

"My name is Reverend Guilliam. We are here to look for a lawyer who may work here," he spoke commandingly.

"A Minister?" a smooth voice drifted from the hallway to their right.

The group of saints turned to see a tall man approach them with a sure smile and an evil glint in his eyes.

"Now what could the Catholic Church possibly want with a lawyer here?" he asked in amusement, as he moved to rest his elbow onto the receptionist's countertop. Clearly he was taking control of the situation. "Has someone been sinful?" he mocked.

Sister Mary didn't speak up, which was enough to tell the group this man wasn't who they were looking for. However, Rosette and Chrono had a completely different reaction to seeing this guy. For the first time that morning, Sister Rosette pushed her way passed Reverend Guilliam and the others, pulling Chrono along with her, to take the lead.

Rosette ignored the question. "You! Are you posing as a lawyer around here or what? I'm going to want some answers," Rosette spoke up.

He openly laughed at the girl. "My name is Markus Smith," he nonchalantly informed. "And I AM one of the best lawyers here at this firm. Now, as to helping the likes of you… I see no need or benefit from it. What's stopping me from throwing you all out?"

Rosette was not shaken in the least. "Oh, I hadn't realized they were letting demon's practice law here in New York," Rosette countered with her hands now resting on hips. None of the other various demons in the building had made a move to talk to their group. Clearly this guy was different.

Markus's eyes widened and took a step back from the saints. Did he just get accused of being a demon openly?

Chrono smirked at how easily that comment had unnerved the devil. Rosette couldn't be fooled right now with her spirit vision. She had learned what to look for and could easily distinguish between devils versus the possessed.

"What, no comment? No snide remark?" she asked, fully intending on being a nuisance to everyone in that building until she got the answers she wanted.

Instantly everyone in their group were all the more on guard. None of them had thought this finely dressed man in front of them was an agent of darkness.

"What do you want?" he asked again darkly. If they knew what he was, he had nothing readily on hand that could keep himself safe from so many at once. He glanced at Chrono and wondered who he was to be standing with the likes of the saved.

Rosette still kept her wits about her. She didn't know if this guy was involved or not. "Look, we don't care about any lies, bribery, mafia allegiances or murders. We aren't here today about policemen and government officials you have in your pockets or any other underhanded thing your office has been involved with. What we are here for is for something far more important, an unless you are involved in something at the same disaster level as what the devil Aion was trying to do 7 months ago, then I want your complete cooperation immediately or you just might end up helping destroy this cushy little job you've made for yourself, along with all of New York… and the world!" Rosette emphasized.

Marcus stood wide eyed. Every demon new of the sinner Aion and all he tried to overthrow into unbalance. He wanted no part in that sort of disaster.

"You better listen to her," Chrono added with arms crossed. He had a feeling this demon was clueless.

"And you are?" Markus asked cautiously.

Rosette smirked. "This is my partner, Chrono. You may have heard of him?"

"Chrono!" he yelled, taking another two steps back.

The woman behind the desk now slumped lower behind the countertop in hopes to be invisible to whatever was going on.

Markus didn't know what to say. In the world of demons, if Chrono was at the level of kings, he would barely be at the level of nobility. He was no match for him. "Yes, I've heard of him," he trembled.

"Good," Rosette nodded triumphantly.

Sister Mary wasn't sure what to think in seeing that look on Rosette's face again.

"Now look, we have a warrant to see a picture of every lawyer you have on staff in efforts to identify who had the nerve to attack me and Chrono a few days ago. Now, unless you are planning on assisting whoever is trying to end this world… again… then I want every demon in this building gone for the rest of the day. Every last one, so we can do our job and leave without hindrance, deceit, and trouble influencing everyone we talk to!" Rosette demanded easily.

Markus couldn't believe the things he was hearing right now. It was unheard of for someone to talk like that.

"Well?" Reverend Guilliam spoke up with a sure smile. Clearly Sister Rosette still had guts. This so called Mr. Smith was obviously unnerved. "Are you helping anyone try and destroy the world?"

Markus felt frozen under the stare down from 12 faces. "No, I'm not involved," he finally found his voice. "Mrs. Davis, I'll be leaving for the remainder of the day," he informed the receptionist. Her confused face popped up from behind the counter.

Markus wasn't happy, but he wasn't about to deal with their mess. Taking a deep breath, he whistled long and low. Every demon, of all ranks, stopped what they were doing in the building and gave Markus their attention. He then yelled, with a voice no human could hear, for all the demons to clear out until tomorrow. He then cautiously moved around the fully armed group to reach the elevator. He would not risk turning his back towards the likes of them. He didn't feel like he could breathe again until the elevator attendants hand finally shifted the elevators leaver to send them down to ground level. Whatever new darkness was rising in New York… he had no part in it.

Everyone else seemed to breathe a bit easier as well after a few minutes. The air seemed fresher and the room seemed just a bit brighter. Mrs. Davis wasted no time in wrangling up a few interns to help the church quickly find what they needed. Their firm had no formal photographic list, so like the other firms, they had to go into each office to find a portrait.

Chrono and Rosette stood side by side in the center of the building as their friends fanned out into the north and south wings. Reverend Jack stayed by Sister Mary's side as they went into each office to inspect the photos found for them. Various other people who worked there continued about their day and simply ignored what they were doing.

Rosette hated waiting.

For Chrono, his mind was on this building. It had been so infested with demons of all calibers he couldn't help but think this would be the perfect place for their possessed man to operate in without notice or trouble. Rosette's thoughts were mirroring his.

As Sister Mary reached the last office in the north wing on the right, she immediately recognized the man in the photo the young intern held out to her. "I found him!" Sister Mary called out.

Reverend Jack studied the photo. He had never seen the man before.

All the saints on the top floor instantly regrouped to Mary.

Rosette took a deep breath. It was really happening. They had actually found their attacker. Rosette looked up to meet Chrono's gaze. Chrono waited for Rosette to take the first step. She had such a serious expression that he could only wonder where she pulled her strength from.

Brother James called down the hall from the office doorway. "Sister Rosette. Are you coming?" he asked politely. In their blindness, did they need help?

None of their friends could possibly know what this all felt like for Rosette. Could they not imagine it? The feelings of fear, anger and resentment were always there within her; clawing to get out. She wasn't perfect. She was just barely keeping it together. She was blind, had been nearly torn apart and killed by beasts she couldn't see, and now was just a few yards away from her attackers office… and they were waiting for her to enter into it.

"Coming," she called as she took a step forward. Her legs felt like lead, but she just somehow continued on despite all the hardships. She chose courage over fear, a smile over a frown, and love over hate. Every time.

Chrono kept pace right next to her. They were in this together, however as Rosette dragged a hand along the hallway and their steps echoed across the marble, a different fear began to prickle on the back of Chrono's neck. The closer he came to the room the more his heart quickened. He could sense it. He could feel something old; something familiar. It was setting off every alarm within him, yet he couldn't place it. A dread so deep settled against his chest making it hard to breathe. Chrono's steps began to falter as Rosette continued passed him and into the room. Where was the danger? He frantically looked around them. What was causing this anxiety that desperately clawed at him?

Chrono took a deep breath as he reached the open door in attempts to clear his head, however the aroma swirling around him now, slammed him back into the deep recesses of his memories. Terror filled Chrono faster than any level of panic ever had done before.

Everyone around him was focused on the photo. Rosette boisterously asked questions to the poor cornered intern as one of them removed the picture from its frame. All of their chatter circled Chrono, but none of it reached his ears as his breathing was erratic with fists beyond white. His claws like steal digging into his palms.

"Chrono?" Rosette suddenly asked concerned, as she felt the air shift around her. She turned to face her partner just as his emotions exploded to the surface.

Chrono let go a dark scream as everyone jumped back from him, guns drawn. The dark power flashing off from him shattered the windows and blasted back all the paper and books throughout the room.

Rosette raised a hand to her face to shield herself from the impact as all others ducked for cover.

"CHRONO!" she yelled. "CHRONO, WHAT'S WRONG?" Rosette took a firm step closer to him despite seeing his fangs grow amidst such a dark and angered face. He snarled, unable to hear her.

This sent! This smell that was so unique… oh so familiar… Chrono knew just who was responsible for their newest world crisis. He knew why they had been resurrected. In that one moment all of his ability to reason had fled him. This office reeked of him. 'How dare he? After everything!' Hate poured out of him. The leather armrest chair, which had toppled over next to him, cracked and splintered into rubble as another wave of energy pulsated from him.

Rosette's boots slid back from the force. "CHRONO!" she called out desperately again. He couldn't hear her. Rosette in that moment dove hard at him. The moment her arms encircled him, Chrono's mind was finally able to surge through his blinding emotions into the present, but his anger remained.

Rosette held him tighter as she felt his arms slowly lower to his sides. She pressed her head against his chest as all other sounds were drowned out by the intensity of his heartbeat and ragged breath. The raw power emanating from him began to subside as her hands lowered to his; fingers gently covering his fists.

Everyone in the large office was frozen. None of them made a single move as they remained barricaded behind broken book cases, desks and chairs for cover. Few here had ever seen a glimpse of Chrono's true power before.

"Chrono," Rosette spoke gently.

Chrono took a few more horrible breaths as he finally managed to tilt his face down and look into his dear Rosette's face. No fear was there in her gaze, simply concern and mild understanding. The rage he showed was what a mirrored imagine of what she sometimes felt within herself.

"Chrono, what is it?" she asked again.

Running a shaking hand across his face, he answered her. "AION."

Rosette's lips parted as her breath was stolen from her. That name. The only name she wished to never hear again, nor speak of it… yet it kept on resurfacing. Rosette took a step back from Chrono. "What?"

"It's Aion," Chrono spoke through clenched teeth. "I can smell him."

Reverend Jack finally moved from behind the desk hoping the worst was over for the moment, yet felt the need to keep his gun in hand.

"How… how can that be?" Rosette whispered. She felt sick to her stomach and dizzy all at once.

It was all starting to make sense for Chrono. But to be able to explain himself then... right there... he just couldn't do it. He was seething inside.

"We'll discuss this once we get back," Reverend Jack decided. "Sister Mary, escort these two back to the car for now while we sort this out. Chrono will you be all right?" he asked uncertainly. He received a nod in response which was good as any response he was going to get.

It took a moment, but everyone eventually found their feet and began to move. The damage to the office was extensive. The receptionist had thought a bomb had gone off. Security guards were on their way up the stairs and the police had been called. Luckily down on the street sidewalks no one had been hit by falling glass. It took an hour to sort what had happened all out. The order simply stated a demon had attacked the office and put out warrants for the arrest of Mr. Herbert McCain, the lawyer they had sought, for selling his soul out to a devil.

Rosette and Chrono sat side by side in the parked car as Reverend Jack took the lead to deal with the mess on scene before they could depart. Rosette looked ashen white to Sister Mary, who sat quietly in the driver's seat.

Chrono was too consumed with his thoughts to speak. He felt if he tried at the moment, he'd inadvertently destroy something else. His emotions were filled with too much hatred to be sure he'd act reasonably. Aion, that bastard. He may be dead, but he had left a piece of himself behind. A remnant, to possess this fool to do his final bidding. One last ditch effort to screw with God's creation.

Rosette just sat in stunned silence... listening to Chrono's attempts to gain control over himself; his breathing all the more erratic with suppressed fury.

And so it begins!

Happy New Year!

Thanks for reading & please Review!

TBC…