Chapter 1
It all began in the height of the Roaring Twenties in the year 1924, where jazz was the king of music, bootleg liquor was the norm and where gangs ruled the streets. It was also a time of economic prosperity, luxury, as well as a time of new inventions. Despite the seemingly prosperous times there were demons that started causing trouble among humans all over America. The demons were violent and hostile towards humans to the point that many people ended up being killed by the large number of demonic attacks. In order to protect citizens from this demonic threat, the Order of Magdalene was established as an organization dedicated to eliminating demons. It was operated by Catholic Bishops but other denominations were also included. They were five branches across the nation. The Magdalene Order headquarters was in Chicago and the other branches were located in Boston, San Francisco, Seattle and last but not least, New York City. The New York branch of the Order was headed by Sister Kate Valentine and assisted by Father Ewan Remington. This is where this story begins. The demons were targeting this city almost daily and the Order was forced to send out one of their best exorcists to confront them. Her name was Sister Rosette Christopher, very daring, temperamental yet good hearted and selfless young lady, who had sworn to put an end to this agony. She had an unusual partner and sidekick named Chrono, who was very committed to her and her cause. So, what is so unusual about him? Well, guess what, he is none other than a DEMON! But not to worry, he is harmless. Mostly, that is.
One night after an exhausting mission at 2:30 A.M., Rosette and Chrono had fallen asleep in a car that was parked by the Brooklyn Bridge. The phone suddenly rang and woke Chrono up. He looked at Rosette who was still asleep as if she didn't hear anything. He suspiciously grabbed the phone but was hesitant to answer it as he assumed that it was Sister Kate calling, so he tried to wake Rosette. "Wake up Rosette! The phone is ringing!" Rosette, still half asleep said "Why am I always the one who has to answer the damn phone? Why don't you answer it yourself?" "It's Sister Kate. You know how suspicious she is of me. I'm not really her favorite person." Rosette grabbed the phone from his hand and answered the phone. "Hello, Rosette speaking!" "Rosette, this is an emergency, head to the East Side immediately!" Sister Kate told her in an urgent, almost panicked voice. "Does that mean now?" Rosette sighed. "Just drive already!" Sister Kate impatiently replied. Having no other choice, Rosette stepped on a gas pedal and they started driving across the bridge. "So, what's the situation on the East Side?" Rosette asked while speed driving. "They have taken the restaurant patrons as hostages. Some reports say it might have been a failed summoning." Sister Kate explained. "What restaurant are you talking about?" Rosette asked. "The East bridge Barrel." Sister Kate said. "What about the other Sisters and the Militia?" Rosette asked. "They are currently assigned to other cases. You are the one closest to this location." Sister Kate explained. "But I just finished a mission. I can't do two missions in one night." Rosette protested. "Our order exists to protect the people from the demonic attacks. Therefore we have no time to fall asleep and neglect our duties as exorcists." Sister Kate sternly reminded Rosette and hung up. "Chrono, why is Sister Kate such a pill?" Rosette asked gruntingly. "Maybe because you always do things that make her angry?" Chrono answered nervously. Rosette ignored his answer and started speeding up even more which caused Chrono's face to get slammed onto the car window. When she realized that they have arrived, she slammed the brakes so aggressively that the car began turning and crashed into the front of the restaurant building. "Great, now Sister Kate is going to kill us for wrecking this car!" Chrono said while shaking from fear. "That's just perfect, why is it that whenever I'm driving, I always manage to wreck the car?" Rosette loudly complained. "What's with this door? It won't open." Rosette said while trying to open the jammed car door. With all of her might, she kicked the door and realized that a group of men by the restaurant were observing them. Rosette looked embarrassed as she realized that people were staring at them. "Oh, hello gentlemen. Is there something I can do for you?" Rosette asked with an excited voice. "Who are you two?" An old man asked as Rosette and Chrono were getting out of the wrecked car. "Sister Rosette, from the Magdalene Order at your service! Along with my assistant Chrono!" Rosette introduced herself and Chrono as she was showing the old man a piece of paper. "This is a warrant from a federal judge. We have no time to waste." Rosette explained as the man was reading the document. "Alright Chrono, are you ready?" "Yes Rosette!" Chrono said and the weapon backpack that he carried opened automatically. "Alright, starting now, we are in charge of this operation. Just leave everything to us!" Rosette declared. "I see, so you two must be exorcists from the Magdalene Order?" The old man asked. "That's right! Come on Chrono, we've got a demon to kill!" Rosette said with fierce determination. Rosette and Chrono entered the restaurant, walking like soldiers on a battle field. The restaurant had broken glass all over the floors and the atmosphere itself had a very creepy, ghost like feel to it. "Are you picking up any strange vibes about this place Chrono?" Rosette asked. "I feel as if there is a great amount of energy that has been consumed. The hostages must be somewhere close by." Chrono answered quietly. They continued walking carefully across the room when Rosette stumbled upon a mummified corpse lying on the floor, and screamed out of fright. "This man's spirit has unfortunately been consumed. All of its life has been sucked out of it. He has been mummified." Chrono explained to a shocked Rosette. Rosette turned around and saw that the stairs were stained with blood. They both had a hunch that a demon was nearby somewhere so they both quietly climbed up the stairs to find out. While Rosette pointed her gun out, they noticed some strange red light behind a door at the very end of the hallway. They walked across the hallway towards a door and once they opened the door, they found that the room contained ritualistic objects that had to do with Satanism. There were Satanic ritual cards all over the ceiling, candles placed around a huge pentacle symbol on the floor which encircled a bed, and a pentacle symbol carved on a small altar. "A Satanist?" Chrono asked himself. "A pathetic hobby for the bored rich. Something tells me that some failed demon summoning has taken place." Rosette commented as she walked closer to the bed. She realized that something was under the bed covers and lifted them out of curiosity. It was then that she saw a mummified Satanist lying on the bed, much to her shock. "Rosette, watch out!" Chrono warned her as some demon abruptly jumped down from the ceiling. The demon had sharp teeth, long black hair and wore a business suit and a hat. Rosette quickly dodged the demon and started shooting at him with the Sacred, a gun which bullets were filled with Holy water. However, the demon was too fast for Rosette to shoot it and he began charging straight at her. Chrono rushed and managed to spray some Holy water at the demon, whose body started to burn. Suddenly, the demon's body quickly recovered and he rushed again towards Rosette. She pulled out her gun and just as the demon was about to attack her, Rosette aimed her gun and successfully shot the demon in its mouth, causing its upper head to be severed. As soon as the demons body hit the floor, it began to transform itself into an ugly, winged monster whose blood was spurting out. "Rosette, get the crucifix barrier ready!" Chrono shouted. "Right!" Rosette agreed, took out her barrier crucifixes and placed them all around the demon. When the crucifixes were placed, a bright light in the shape of a cross appeared on the floor. As the crucifixes were weakening the demon, he screamed in pain and its body began to grow bigger to the point that it was about to blow up any minute. "Rosette, it's time we make a run for it while we still have the chance!" Chrono nervously warned Rosette. They ran down the stairs as if a pack of wolves were after them while the demon's enlarging, decaying body went after them. They managed to narrowly escape the restaurant and just as they got out, the demon's body exploded. Since they didn't close the door, Rosette, Chrono and the other witnesses outside the restaurant were all covered in the soot of the demon's remains. To make things even worse, the restaurant building collapsed to the ground from the explosion. "Oh no, you did it again Rosette! Sister Kate is sure going to be mad at us!" Chrono said in panic. "Ahhhhhh, why does this always happen to me?!" Rosette shouted in frustration.
Back at the Order of Magdalene, the next morning, Sister Kate was furious at Rosette for her carelessness of her latest mission. "I can't believe you. You did it again? We have hoped that the destruction would have been kept to a minimum. I don't know how you do it but you always surpass our expectations!" Sister Kate said with utter frustration. "Well, I'm honored to accept your praise ma'am!" Rosette responded clueless. "I wasn't praising you! Thanks to you, the head of the New York police department are filing complaints about us. Seriously Sister Rosette, can't you do better?" Sister Kate snapped as her writing pen tip broke. "I'm sorry Sister Kate. It's not my fault that the demon had a mind of its own. But I promise I'll do better in the future. I will write a written apology of six pages long to the police department." Rosette said apologetically. "That sounds like a great idea Sister Rosette!" Sister Kate said. "By the way, since you are covering all the expenses, is it possible for you to add a new car on the list? You see, our car was broken, so I think it's a perfect time to buy a new one!" Rosette explained enthusiastically. Sister Kate slowly became agitated with Rosette's recklessness. "For God sakes already, how can you be so reckless?" Sister Kate snapped at Rosette again. "Okay, I'll just go and do the written apology then." Rosette said nervously and made her way to the door. When Rosette was about to leave, Father Ewan Remington came in. "Good morning Sister Rosette!" The minister greeted her while smiling at her. "Father Remington!" Rosette acknowledged him in a surprised tone. "When did you get back from Mexico?" She asked while blushing. "I came back just a few minutes ago. Is it another written apology you are doing?" The minister asked. "Yeah, unfortunately." Rosette said while still blushing. "Minister, don't you think you are being a little too soft towards Rosette? She just wrecked down a building again last night and yet you are coddling her with soft words!" Sister Kate stated while raising her voice. "It's no big deal Sister Kate. As clumsy as I may be I do deserve some praise, right?" Rosette asked. "Yes, I suppose so." Sister Kate sighed. "Besides, from the report I've read her work results are getting better, so give her some credit!" The minister said while defending Rosette. "Alright, now if you will excuse me I have a written apology to write." Rosette said and left the office. "You are the only one who she is really honest with." Sister Kate sighed. "So I see! She really does look up to me, doesn't she?" Father Remington agreed. Sister Kate then stood up from her chair and looked outside the window. "However, I am still worried about something." She said while looking at Chrono who was sitting by the fountain. "Worried about what?" Father Remington asked. "About Chrono. He might look innocent but he is still a demon." Sister Kate explained in a worried tone. "Your concern is understandable. After all, Chrono is an irregular among us. However, Rosette seems to have total faith in him, so I wouldn't worry too much about it if I were you!" Father Remington assured Sister Kate. "Yes, I hope you're right!" Sister Kate agreed. In the meantime, Chrono was waiting outside for Rosette. He wondered when Rosette will show up for she did not tell him about her six page written apology she assigned herself to. Just then, three exorcist nuns of approximately Rosette's age showed up abruptly. "Hi Chrono." They all said to him. Chrono was startled by their sudden greeting approach. "So Chrono, is Rosette writing more apologies? I guess that's what happens when a servant of God like her destroys an entire building!" Sister Anna commented deviously. "A building you say? I heard it was a whole block that got destroyed." Sister Mary said while Sister Anna coiled in surprise. "Actually I heard it was an entire island that got destroyed." Sister Claire said while Sister Anna coiled in even greater shock. "It must be so hard having to deal with such a hotheaded nun like her, isn't it Chrono?" Sister Claire asked. "Well, she can be quite a handful." Chrono remarked sheepishly. "A handful, am I?" Rosette shouted, deeply startling Chrono and the three nuns. "Oh, Rosette." The three nuns said nervously. "A whole block, you say? An island? Blowing people's mistakes out of proportion is so much fun, isn't it? But were you three actually there to witness it?" Rosette shouted extremely aggravated. Rosette turned her head only to see the three girls running away. "Hey, get your asses back here you bitches!" Rosette yelled angrily at them but they still decided to make a run for it. "I can't believe those girls, making fun of me like that!" Rosette fumed. "But it's true. Whatever mission we go on you always end up causing some kind of damage." Chrono carefully stated. "If you insist on saying the same things then I shall smack you in the head, got it Chrono?" Rosette crossly warned Chrono while showing him her fist. "Well then, shall we pay the Elder a little visit?" Rosette asked cheerfully as if nothing had happened. "What for?" Chrono asked. "Just to see what are his latest inventions!" Rosette explained excitedly. They made their way inside the building and headed towards the weapon construction lab. This was where Elder Edward Hamilton makes the Order's weapons along with many other of his inventions. Rosette opened the door and as they walked in they found the room to be dark and empty. "That's strange. It doesn't look like he is here." Chrono said. "I doubt that's the case, it must be another one of his dirty tricks!" Rosette said in a mischievous tone while loading her gun. An old man suddenly lifts Rosettes nun gown up much to her embarrassment. "Oh my, you're not wearing anything sexy, but then again that's because you're a sister." The old scientist said in a mischievous tone. Rosette looked down, only to find an old man smiling at her while he was lying on a flat, wheeled board. "Ahhhh, Elder you goddamn pervert!" Rosette shouted angrily at the Elder. "Aren't you here for something like this?" The Elder asked Rosette, changing the tone, while showing her a new bullet he had just made. "What's that?" Rosette asked out of curiosity. "That's what I call The Gospel." Elder explained. "The Gospel?" Rosette asked. "Yes, The Gospel is a magic bullet which is a blend of alchemized silver and a Holy inscription that has been carved into it. It is much stronger than a Sacred which contains holy water inside of it. As a result, there's a greater risk to it and it is hard to control because of its powerful reactions, which in turn makes it hard to use with only one hand." The Elder explained. "Wow! That sounds so fascinating! Is there any way for me to try it?" Rosette asked excitedly. "Well, this bullet hasn't been tested yet and I am required to test it so that the Magdalene Order can approve it. I however was thinking of letting you test it out but since you are constantly reckless with my inventions and accusing me of being a pervert I guess that's out of the question!" The Elder stated, looking at the ceiling while teasing her. "Oh come on Elder, you know how much it would mean for me to be the first to test something like this!" Rosette begged The Elder. "Well if you let me fondle your luscious breasts, then I might reconsider it!" The Elder said taunting Rosette. "You pervert, why the hell would I let you or anyone fondle my breasts? It's already bad enough that you frequently lift our gowns up and trying to touch everything that moves!" Rosette yelled angrily and began hitting him hardly. Just then something had caught Rosette's attention. It appeared to be some new bullets that the Elder had also made. "What's this?" Rosette asked. "Hey don't touch that. That's still an experiment." The Elder warned Rosette and picked one of the bullets from the bullet pack. "I was thinking of making something even more powerful than The Gospel which would be called The Spirit. However, it is not stable enough to be used as of yet. Just like The Sacred, I have replaced the explosive with something else." The Elder explained while holding the mysterious new bullet. "So, what's in the bullet?" Rosette asked curiously. "A demon!" Elder said and handed the bullet to Rosette. "Once this bullet hits an object, it will unleash the demon inside of it which will release an enormous explosion. However, since it is so powerful and non containable, it is still too dangerous to let someone use it. Especially to someone that is as careless as you." The Elder pointed out. "I'll have it tested after more observation of it is done! Understood?" The Elder turned around to confirm that she heard him, but there was no sight of Rosette or Chrono. "My, you are either really childish or just very simple minded and reckless. But I guess testing it now will no longer be necessary!" The Elder said grinning, both relieved and worried when he realized that she took the new bullet. Rosette and Chrono went to the bullet testing room to test if the new bullet was really stronger than what The Gospel was claimed to be. "Rosette, don't do it! What if we get in trouble for this?" Chrono begged her in a worried tone. "Calm down Chrono, let's try one and see if it works or not. If it does work, I guess there's no harm done, right?" Rosette said while trying to calm Chrono down. "Besides, it would be a shame to not try it when it looks so fun!" Rosette said mischievously. "I knew it! You were thinking of something reckless again, weren't you?" Chrono asked in a shocked manner. "Stronger than a Gospel or a Sacred? Let's see how much of that is true!" Rosette said to herself seemingly not paying attention to what Chrono was saying. Rosette fired the bullet. A moment later, a huge explosion filled the room with smoke. "What's going on?" Sister Kate asked as soon as she and the minister heard the explosion. They looked through the window and suddenly saw an unusual demon coming through the smoke. The demon had a monotone drama mask like face with a caterpillar like body along with multiple amphibian type arms and hands that looked like severely wrinkled fingers. To make things weirder, the demon's tree sized body had numerous drama mask faces all over its body, showing varying kinds of emotions. "My goodness, what on earth is that?" Sister Kate asked herself in shock. It was then when they both realized that the demon was running after Rosette and Chrono. "Oh that Rosette, how can she be so reckless?!" Sister Kate yelled out of anger for seeing the disastrous mess Rosette had caused. "Shall we go after them?" Father Remington asked with an unusually calm tone while Sister Kate was fuming. In the meantime Rosette and Chrono were still running away from the demon. "What the hell is that thing?" Rosette asked. "It's the demon that was inside the bullet. However, it is a low class demon with no intelligence!" Chrono explained. "This is not helping! What do we have Chrono?" She asked alarmed. "All we have are seven bullets of The Sacred and your gun! But it should be enough to destroy it!" Chrono stated. "Alright, let's get to it then!" Rosette loaded the gun and began shooting The Sacred bullets at the demon several times. The demon started to stumble as if it was losing its power. "Great, it's working!" Rosette said excitedly. Just as she was sure that she would be able to finish the demon off, she discovered something unfortunate, the last bullet was jammed. One of the demon's hands knocked Rosette out unconscious and she fell to the ground. Chrono looked back and saw Rosette's body lying on the grass, much to his horror. He was extremely saddened at what he thought had happened to Rosette. "Rosette!" Chrono yelled her name out of devastation. Since he was emotionally crushed at the thought of Rosette being dead he unconsciously started unleashing a tremendously harsh wind. Meanwhile, the Militia armed themselves and began to take action under the orders of Sister Kate. "Shoot your Sacred all at once!" Sister Kate ordered. "Chrono is nearby. There is a huge possibility that we might hit him." One of the Militia exorcists stated. Sister Kate then saw the strong wind vortex around Chrono and couldn't believe what she was seeing. "Now you've really pissed me off! You pathetic low rank nameless scum! How dare you harm my contractor! Because of you, she isn't able to move, and for that your life is worthless to me!" Chrono said with an angry, hate filled voice. The wind around him grew even stronger to the point that everything around him was being sucked in. "Oh my, he's trying to unleash the seal watch forcefully. At this rate, he will become uncontrollably dangerous!" Sister Kate said nervously as she feared for the worst to happen. "There is no time! I am going to have to allow you to use the Gospel!" Sister Kate ordered the Militia exorcist. "But those two will be hit as well." The exorcist protested. "That's better than him unleashing his powers!" Sister Kate explained. "Wait! Let's wait until Chrono gets away!" Father Remington advised. "That's impossible, look at him. He has lost his consciousness! He isn't listening to anyone anymore. He is too dangerous! Although he has contracted with Rosette and his powers are sealed, that doesn't erase the fact that he still is a dangerous demon!" Sister Kate said while raising her voice. "In that case, should the situation turn for the worst, we will have to target Chrono as well! However, if they can't pass through this, then it means that they are only capable of that much." Father Remington explained. Chrono's violent anger was becoming more and more unstable and the seal watch was almost on the verge of being forcefully sealed. "No, stop this at once! I'm alright so please come back to your senses!" Rosette yelled at Chrono as she abruptly got herself back up and pushed herself towards him. Suddenly, Chrono's power started dying down and she managed to push him out of the way. Now that they were both out of the way, the Militia fired the Gospel towards the demon all at once which caused the demon's flesh to disintegrate. "Geez, check next time to see if I'm okay or not. God, you can be so reckless sometimes." Rosette told Chrono sternly. "Thank goodness that you are alright Rosette!" Chrono cried happily. "I am sorry that I made you worry so much." Rosette said while Chrono was still crying out of joy. "I can't believe it." Sister Kate said to herself confused about what she was witnessing. "Don't worry about it. Their friendship is much deeper than what we can ever imagine!" The Elder confidently assured Sister Kate. "Maybe you are right Elder. As long as she is alive, and could influence as well as control Chrono, he will not be a threat to us!" Sister Kate concluded. "For now, we shall wait and see. I wonder how strong the relations between humans and demons can be." Father Remington asked himself curiously.