Chapter 14
It was afternoon in San Francisco, where the waves moved calmly on the shore and a bald eagle was flying high up in the sky around a house. In the house, a young black haired woman dressed in maid clothing was making soup in the kitchen. After she tasted the soup from the ladle, she then heard a knock on the door. Curious as to who it was, she made her way out of the kitchen and went to open the front door. As soon as she opened the door, a seemingly white haired young man was standing in front of her. He was holding something long that was covered in his hand as well as a white bag. The person was Aion, who was the leader of the Sinners! He walked into the house with the lady closing the door. "Welcome back Lord Aion! How was your trip?" The lady greeted him as she bowed in front of him. "Somewhat disappointing, I was going to stay a little longer at Atlantic City, but the Apostle wasn't there, so I decided to come back here." Aion explained. "Here are the coffee beans that you have asked for. Speaking of which, don't make me shop for you again. Besides, I am not your servant!" The Sinner said sternly as he gave her the white bag filled with coffee beans. "Another thing Fiore, where's Joshua?" He asked. "He's still asleep." Fiore answered. "Very well then, wake him up!" Aion demanded and he went into the living room where he seated himself on a chair. After Fiore woke Joshua up, she went downstairs and walked into the living room towards Aion. She showed him a small spider that she carried in her hands. "I read the report. Too bad for Rizel." Aion disappointedly remarked as Fiore placed the spider on Aion's hand. "In any case, I guess I'll get the details from her." Aion said while he looked at the spider. "Now you've done it Chrono. However, it seems that you haven't become a complete coward! I'm glad, my brother!" Aion said with slight satisfaction on his face. "And as for Maria, that woman sure has some nerve to even think about escaping. Where could she be off to right now I wonder?" Aion asked himself out of curiosity as Maria was his favorite 'toy.'
Meanwhile, Rosette, Chrono and Maria were at the Chicago branch of the Magdalene Order in the Headmaster's office. Satella and Azmaria were at the road tunnel to search for the jewel that Satella had lost from the recent Pursuer attack. "I've heard about your report Sister Rosette. Well done!" Father Deckard looked at the report papers while he praised Rosette's good work. "Thank you, sir!" Rosette replied slowly. "Now then, I have been told that there is a lady with you here who had come to inform me about something very important. Isn't that right?" Father Deckard asked. "Yes sir, Father Remington said that Maria knew something about Aion's goals, even though we still don't know what they are as of yet." Rosette explained. "I see. In that case, won't you care to explain to us about the Sinners plans young lady?" Father Deckard asked. "No problem sir, I'll tell you everything in regards to the Sinners goals and why they need the Apostles!" Maria said as she stood herself up from the sofa and walked in front of his desk. "Alright then, explain it to us!" The headmaster said and Maria took a deep breath. "The reason why the Apostles are crucial to the Sinners plans is because of their powers that stems from the Astral Line. Since the Astral Line is the basis of all life, their powers range from either reviving dead people or healing other people's injuries." Maria began to explain. "I see, but how does this tie in with Aion's plans?" The headmaster asked curiously. "Well, the Apostles powers are needed in order to activate the head of Pandemonium so Aion can begin something of what he calls the Grand Apocalypse. There is also a Holy Woman who is the main key to this particular ritual." Maria continued explaining. "The Grand Apocalypse, you don't say?" Father Deckard commented worriedly. "Yes, and once all of the Apostles powers are gathered into the head of Pandemonium, it will then be able to take control of the Holy Woman's body so it can then begin to destroy not only Pandemonium, but eventually all of humanity as well!" Maria further revealed. "So that's the Sinners goal. To gather the Apostles along with the Holy Woman, and to take away the Apostles powers to then have the head of Pandemonium to gain control of the Holy Woman's body which will then allow the Grand Apocalypse to begin." The headmaster concluded while Rosette and Chrono had a horrified look on their faces. "That is correct sir." Maria confirmed. "In any case, who might the Holy Woman be if I may ask?" Father Deckard asked Maria. "Me, I am the Holy Woman, the successor of Mary Magdalene!" Maria revealed and she then slightly lifted her sleeves up and began to untie the white bandages around her wrists and feet. Once the bandages on her wrists and feet were removed, she then showed the headmaster her Stigmata. When Father Deckard looked at it, he became overwhelmed with surprise and shock as he didn't think that a young woman like her would be subjected to the wounds of Jesus Christ. "Oh my, so you really do possess the power of God! Just like Mary Magdalene!" The headmaster commented with amazement. "What is it sir, is something wrong?" Chrono asked. Father Deckard stood up from his desk and walked towards Maria. "This young lady possesses the wounds that came from Jesus Christ's crucifixion known as Stigmata. In other words, she is the Holy Woman and her Stigmata marks are proof of that." The headmaster said. "So if Maria is the Holy Woman, does this mean she has any kind of powers?" Rosette asked out of curiosity while Chrono looked at the marks curiously with deep thought. "Yes Rosette! In fact, the type of powers that I possess are healing powers just like the Apostles. However, unlike the Apostles, I cannot lose my healing powers after using them a certain number of times." Maria explained. "Wow, I never would have guessed that you are a Holy Woman, let alone one that possesses healing powers." Rosette said out of amazement. "Now that I think of it, it's no wonder that Aion and the Sinners need you for their ritual. Like you said, you're pretty much the most important key to their goals." Rosette stated. "Now, about your journey to San Francisco, we have decided to arrange special transportation for you. Sister Kate also helped me to arrange it. I will notify you when it's time for you to leave. Until then, you shall stay at the Magdalene Order under our branch. You are now dismissed." Father Deckard explained and dismissed the three from his office. "So, I guess we now know what we are dealing with. And it's all thanks to Maria informing the Headmaster about it!" Rosette commented optimistically while they were walking across the lobby. "Speaking of which, there is something that has now been occupying my mind ever since we left his office." Chrono said. "Really, and what could that be?" Rosette asked curiously as they stopped walking. "The Stigmata that are carved on Maria's body. They remind me of someone whom I knew before I ended up in the tomb. Like Maria, that person also had Stigmata which signified her holy status." Chrono explained stoically. "Would that person be Mary Magdalene if I may ask?" Rosette asked. "Don't worry yourself too much about it Rosette. For now, let's worry about the mission at hand, shall we?" Chrono advised as he clearly tried to change the subject. "Hey look, they're back!" Chrono said as he saw Azmaria and Satella entering the Order. Azmaria and Satella walked into the lobby towards them all dirty from their jewel search with Satella looking as if she was going to strangle someone any minute. "Oh my God, what happened to you two?" Maria asked them in a surprised tone. "Well, I'll tell you everything!" Satella said in a mildly cross tone of voice and began to explain their search for the jewel. While the two were at the road tunnel, it took them about an hour to find Satella's missing jewel as they searched the whole area just to find it. "I found it!" Azmaria exclaimed as soon as she saw it on the ground and picked it up. "Yes, well done liebekind!" Satella said in a congratulating tone. However, when Azmaria stood up from the ground, she accidentally tripped and fell on her face. The jewel bounced out of her hand and into the nearby sewer, much to their horror. "Then, the rest of the day we were searching for meine juwel in the sewer. Thank goodness we were able to find it eventually!" Satella finished explaining in a stern tone. "Ewww, you two searched in the sewer of all places? No wonder you're all so dirty." Rosette pointed out in disgust as Chrono and Maria had the exact same thought as her. "I'm so sorry that I was so clumsy Miss Satella." Azmaria apologized. "That's all right liebekind. It's pointless for you to apologize. You have to be more careful around your surroundings before you really do something that screws things up!" Satella told Azmaria sternly. "Satella, can't you say it a little nicer?" Rosette said in an irritated tone as she pulled her sleeves up and began to charge towards Satella. Before Rosette could do that, Chrono stepped in to prevent a potential fight from taking place. "There, there. It's bad for you two to stay in those clothes for so long. Why don't you all go and clean up?" Chrono nervously advised. "Rosette, Maria, take care of Azmaria!" Chrono ordered. "Fine!" Rosette said and she along with Maria took Azmaria with them to the showers room. "I'll clean up later!" Satella yelled out at them while Chrono was leading Satella in the opposite direction. "Can you please behave yourself a little Satella? We are at a Christian Order you know." Chrono told her stoically. "Well, I'm honored to be followed by a demon!" Satella said ignoring his advice, as she put her finger on Chrono's chin which made him a little uncomfortable. "Lucky me!" Chrono remarked unimpressed while Satella continued to look at him affectionately and then removed her finger from his chin. "You know, there are times when I feel like putting meine juwels away. But I will never throw them away." Satella said as she walked ahead of Chrono. "I must be getting irritated because she reminds me of someone." Satella concluded while she looked behind herself. "Of who? Azmaria?" Chrono asked as Satella smiled and winked at him. Just then, Satella suddenly stopped smiling as soon as she saw Chrono having a puzzled look on his face. "What's with that face?" Satella asked him crossly as he was head scratching and still having a perplexed look on his face. "Besides, it's not someone you know!" Satella said as she claimed to be referring to someone else. Satella thought back to a time when she tried to train herself to become a Jewel Summoner just like her older sister while her family was still alive. "Satella, you are nothing like her. Nothing like your older sister." Satella's mother said to her when she saw her younger daughter crying on the floor. The young Satella failed to have summoned any of the jewels she tried to activate while her mother put her down because of that. "It's important to point out the child's weak spot. Or else, she can't go any further." Satella said as she remembered her first failed jewel summoning attempt. After explaining her thoughts to Chrono, Satella continued walking her way towards the entrance. Chrono looked at her and understood the point she was trying to make.
Meanwhile, the three girls were in the shower room. Rosette helped Azmaria clean her body in one shower stall while Maria showered herself in the shower stall located beside them. "My, even your toenails are black. You better wash yourself really good." Rosette told Azmaria while she was washing her body. Azmaria then turned around and looked at Rosette as if she was going to pass out any second. "What is it Azmaria? Are you feeling okay?" Rosette asked as she could see that Azmaria looked a little tired. Just then, Azmaria fell onto Rosette's cleavage, much to her surprise as she didn't expect that such an awkward situation like this would happen. "Hey, Azmaria!" Rosette said in an awkward tone and accidentally stepped onto a bar of soap that was on the floor and slipped. As she slipped, she hit the door behind her which broke off from its attached handles. "Aaaaahhh!" Rosette yelled as she was falling onto the floor. "Oh no, I'm so sorry? Are you okay Rosette?" Azmaria asked worried. "Alright, what's with all the noise?" Maria asked while walking out of the shower and saw Rosette lying on the floor. "Oh my, how did this happen?" Maria asked deeply concerned as she walked towards Rosette's body. "I'm afraid it's my fault again Maria." Azmaria said apologetically. "Don't say that. Whatever happened, it must have been an accident." Maria told her as she knew Azmaria wouldn't cause the situation on purpose. "Yeah, it definitely was an accident alright! And if it weren't for that damn bar of soap lying on the floor, then maybe the door would still be left intact!" Rosette shouted angrily as she sat on the floor. Both Azmaria and Maria began to laugh at Rosette's explosive reaction. They were sure that she wasn't badly injured. "So, is there something that's bothering you Azmaria?" Rosette asked while she was touching her sore head. "Well, I want to grow up!" Azmaria said and Rosette along with Maria began to laugh out of amusement. "Huh, what's so funny? Was it something that I said?" Azmaria asked as she didn't know what they were laughing about. "Don't kid yourself Azmaria, you can't change that quickly!" Maria explained with an amused tone. "She's right. I used to always get told that I was a bit underdeveloped and immature for my age!" Rosette stated while her pink towel fell down from her nude body. "Well, I might be more well built now, but I'm still the same old impulsive self I was four years ago!" Rosette concluded embarrassingly as she placed the towel around her body again. "However, you're much more positive than when we first met!" Rosette remarked while Azmaria looked at her with a confused look on her face. "What I'm saying is, take your time! Okay?" Rosette advised her. "Take my time?" Azmaria asked still confused. "That's right!" Rosette affirmed optimistically. "Oh, since we are staying in this Order for a brief while, I'd like to ask you something Maria!" Rosette said. "What would that be Rosette?" Maria asked. "From the time when we were escaping from the Pursuers, I saw you shooting one of the Pursuers with a gun. I was just wondering. Where did you get that gun from and how were you able to use it properly?" Rosette curiously asked as prior to the Pursuer's attack, she never saw Maria with a gun before. Maria looked at Rosette with a puzzled look on her face and after briefly hesitating, she decided to tell her. "Ewan was the one who gave me the gun. He was also the one who taught me how to fire a gun properly." Maria began explaining. "Wow, you mean you were trained by the minister to use a gun?" Rosette intriguingly asked. "Yes, that's right. He wanted me to be able to use a pistol so I could defend myself if I ever needed to." Maria explained further. "So that's why he gave you that gun?" Rosette asked. "Yes! In fact, this was originally his gun that he gave it to me." Maria finished explaining. "I see. Speaking of which, I have noticed some change in you as well Maria." Rosette pointed out. "What is it about me that makes you believe that I have changed?" Maria curiously asked. "Well, for starters, you're slowly starting to open yourself to us more. And I can also see that your hostility towards Chrono had somewhat diminished!" Rosette gladly remarked. "Don't jump to conclusions. Even though I'm no longer hostile towards Chrono, I however still don't entirely trust him. He is a demon after all, as you clearly know." Maria said in a dead serious tone which surprised Rosette. "If that's the case, then how come you came with us?" Rosette asked perplexed. "Because I am one of your biggest chances in helping you find your brother Joshua. I did say that I know the place where he is currently residing in, didn't I?" Maria asked. "Yes, you did." Rosette admitted. "Umm, if you don't mind me asking, are we going to be in the shower room any longer?" Azmaria asked. "Well, I guess you do have a point." Rosette admitted. "Alright then, may I help you two girls up?" Maria asked as she stood up from the floor. She pulled Rosette from the floor and did the same with Azmaria. "I have another question for you Maria." Rosette said. "What would that be?" Maria asked. "Speaking of you opening yourself to us more, I have also noticed another change." Rosette stated. "What do you mean?" Maria asked in wonder. "Your relationship with Minister Remington. For the past one and a half month you were with us in the Order back at New York, I could tell that there is something going on between the two of you." Rosette remarked. "Are you implying that I am romantically involved with Ewan?" Maria asked and began to blush. "Well, it is obvious, isn't it? The fact that you now refer to the minister by his first name is more than enough proof of that! Wouldn't you say?" Rosette tried to conclude. "You must be getting the wrong impression. Just because I am the minister's assistant and now call him by his first name, doesn't mean that I have any romantic affiliation with him whatsoever." Maria denied in protest while Rosette and Azmaria looked at her. "But I must admit one thing. Despite my indifference with romance, I am slowly beginning to fall for him. And I also enjoy his company and good hearted character!" Maria said softly. "But please, don't tell him that I said that. Okay?" Maria pleaded with Rosette while having an embarrassed look on her face and she began to blush again. "Sure Maria, whatever you say!" Rosette respectfully agreed. Later on, after the three girls were done washing themselves, Azmaria was in the church where she was looking at the choir singing behind the altar. "Take my time? I wonder what Rosette meant by that." Azmaria asked herself curiously. As Azmaria kept on watching the choir singing, she began to remember the days when she lived with the choir. "Come on, don't be so hasty Azmaria. When you put too much pressure on yourself, it ends up worse. But when you are uptight like that, then you should close your eyes and listen to your own breath." One girl told her after choir practice back then. Remembering what the girl told her, Azmaria stood up, took a deep breath and began to sing. "Do not lose your faith, and share it with everyone. The evening glow fades and the star begins to glitter. Receive its glow and show your happiness to our fatherly God." Azmaria sang with a beautiful voice which not only caught the choir's attention, but also everyone present in the room. "This voice!" Satella commented surprised as she never heard such a singing voice before. "You haven't heard it yet, have you Satella?" Chrono asked. "No, I haven't." Satella admitted. "This is Azmaria's voice! It's beautiful, isn't it?" Chrono remarked with praise as they were observing Azmaria and the choir children singing together. "Those who have sinned, come to us. Our Lord will not abandon you. When the light approaches, God will guide us with the wishing star. Show your happiness to God. Send that love to our God that guides us." Azmaria and the choir singers continued singing. After they finished singing, all of the choir members gathered around Azmaria with obvious enthusiasm. "Incredible! You must be the girl from New York City headquarters!" One choir girl said with excitement. "Are you going to sign up for the choir here?" One choir boy asked. "Yeah, I never heard such a beautiful voice before!" Another girl remarked. Azmaria became overwhelmed and nervous with all of the attention that she was suddenly receiving. When Azmaria saw her four friends watching her on the altar, she decided to sing again. However, when she started to sing again, she right away accidentally hit a sour note and then looked at Satella looking at her with tears of joy. "What's wrong? I was so touched by your singing! When I noticed it, I was already attached to your song." Satella lashed out in an irritated tone. "I'm sorry." Azmaria nervously apologized. "Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault!" Satella said obviously annoyed. "Oh mein Got, just because you made one mistake, it doesn't mean everything about you is bad. You should have more confidence in yourself. And quite frankly, I was touched right now!" Satella advised Azmaria. "Oh yes, that's right!" Azmaria said and began to laugh. "Unhelpful, but at least she can sing." Satella pointed out to Chrono. "Actually, she has been a great help to us." Chrono told Satella. "There are times when you've been saved just by someone smiling beside you." Chrono said. "That's true." Satella sighed and then thought back to the time when her older sister was comforting her after her failed jewel summoning attempt. "Don't cry Satella. Mother says that, but I believe strong emotions can easily beat talent. So please, I want you to love the Juwels. Even more than I love them! And also love your Juwels more than me!" Her sister told her when she was trying to comfort her younger sister, who was still crying from the harsh words that their mother told her. "You were always smiling beside me, sister." Satella thought to herself as she remembered her sister's sweet, nurturing smile. "Sister Rosette, sorry to interrupt you but there is some important news that we need to tell you." Reverend Gilliam said as he and his second in command abruptly entered the church. "What would that be Reverend?" Rosette asked curiously. "A message from the chief, we are ready now! We can fly anytime!" Reverend Gilliam said. "We're leaving for San Francisco right now, so hurry." The Reverend commanded. "What, right now?" Rosette asked. "Yes, now!" Reverend Gilliam confirmed. "Well, I guess it's time for us to go. Speaking of which, I have a feeling that you'll meet with your brother again really soon Rosette!" Maria predicted optimistically. "You really think so Maria?" Rosette asked. "Yes, I do! After all, that is what you have been attaining for, isn't it?" Maria remarked with confidence. "Yeah, I guess you're right. The sole reason why I am even here is so I can find Joshua." Rosette stated. "That's right, and as long as were your friends, we'll find your brother together!" Maria promised. "Yeah, and we'll also try to defeat the Sinners while we're at it!" Azmaria remarked. "You have our word Rosette!" Chrono said and all of them had then stretched their hands out and placed them on top of each other's hands as a sign of agreement.
Back at the beach house in San Francisco, Aion was observing the train incident through a black flashback motion portal in a room. "I see, so that's what happened." Aion said to himself. "Hahahahaha, this is splendid. This must be some kind of special gift." Aion laughed as he was amused with what he just saw in the motion flashback. "I can't believe that all of them had gathered together! You really outdid yourself this time Chrono!" Aion concluded and the flashback motion portal then began to shrink. Once it disappeared, Aion picked the spider up and looked at with a satisfying grin. "So have you found something?" Fiore asked as soon as she entered the room while holding a cup of coffee. "Yes, it's a wonderful gift. Rizel gave us an important clue even though she didn't notice it herself!" Aion revealed while he placed the spider back onto the desk and took the coffee mug. "Joshua will be happy with this!" Aion said and started sipping his coffee. "Fiore, go and call Genai and the others for me. Tell them that the next phase of our plan is about to begin!" Aion ordered Fiore. "We have found the soprano in an odd place. The Apostle will soon be within our grasp!" Aion said with confidence as he lifted his glasses up.
