Chrono Crusade Fan Fiction ❯ Hell Hath No Fury ❯ Chpt 4: The Bargain ( Chapter 5 )

“Who are you, and how do you know me?” Rosette asked the stranger. The question had more of the weight of a command than a request.

 

“I would prefer we talk somewhere more private, if you don't mind. The information I have for you is somewhat... sensitive.” The handsome stranger took a drag off his cigarette.

 

“That completely depends on what we're talking about.” Chrono took a small, quick step forward. Rosette wasn't going anywhere with this man by herself.

 

The man laughed and flicked the ash off his cigarette into the grass below. “Ah Chrono, you've changed a bit since I last saw you.”

 

Chrono's eyes widened slightly. A demon then. “Can't say I recognize you at all.” Chrono had a brilliant memory when it came to recalling people who knew him. And with the way this man addressed him, chances are the two of them had met, personally, rather than just through reputation.

 

A sly grin spread on the charming face. “No one ever does. But all that will be told to you in good time. I have some things to discuss-”

 

“Rosette isn't going anywhere just because you asked her to.” Chrono was surprised that Rosette let him speak for her for so long. Normally by now she would have hit him, called him a pig, or done something equally as unpleasant. However, fortunately for Chrono, Rosette seemed to have picked up on the fact that this wasn't an every day stranger.

 

“Chrono, Chrono, your temper. Remember where you are, please, and your manners. If you would have let me finish my sentence you would have discovered that while my business mainly deals with Rosette, I have a few items to discuss with you as well.” He flicked his cigarette but into the dirt and slipped his hands back in his pockets. “Shall we get going, then?”

 

“Where?” Rosette asked. Chrono looked up at her, startled. This was a bit reckless. Who knew what this man really was. But Chrono had to admit, he was curious as well, and the fire in her eyes warmed his heart. Rosette really was coming back to herself. She was determined again. He decided not to question her.

 

The Stranger grinned and slipped her a crumpled peace of paper. “There. As soon as you can make it.”

 

Chrono and Rosette looked at the piece of paper. It was an address. The street name was familiar and Rosette was fairly certain she could find it. “Alright.” She said, “But will you at least do us the courtesy of telling us your -” Rosette looked up and the stranger was gone.

 

“Chrono...?” she asked, hoping he would have some clue. But he was too busy staring at the cigarette butt, still smoldering in its own ashes.

 

 

A few moments later, their car was rumbling down a road not far from the lake. Outside the city, but not too remote, they found themselves staring up at a large warehouse that matched the address given to them earlier.

 

“Why is it they always have to choose warehouses?” Rosette asked as she stared at the door. “Once, just once, could interesting strangers not want to meet somewhere clean?” She sighed and pushed out of the car. Checking her ammunition supply, she straightened her damn skirt. Chrono reached into the backseat and brought out the pack with the rest of the firearms in it. He had no idea what was going to be in that warehouse, but he wanted to be as prepared for it as he could.

 

They walked up to the warehouse door, and Rosette asked Chrono, “Do we knock?”

 

“If this is who I think it is, it won't be necessary.”

 

Even as the words left his mouth, the door they were standing in front of opened slowly, and out of the darkness came a small, sweet voice.

 

“Please come in.”

 

The two stepped inside, as the door was shut behind them by a small, beautiful young girl. Six or seven years old, at the most, she was dressed lavishly and was delicately featured. The room was lit by sunlight that streamed in through dusty windows, high above their heads.

 

“Follow me.” The little girl turned and began walking towards one of the more dingy corners of the warehouse. As they rounded a particularly tall stack of boxes, the child disappeared. Chrono didn't seem to be startled by this. They saw that a small table and round of chairs had been set up. Sitting in one of these chairs, feet propped on the table, with his hat pulled low over his eyes sat -

 

“Merari.” Chrono stared at the demon. There was nothing in his face to tell Rosette whether he approved or disapproved of him.

 

“Chrono, old friend. I'm so touched you haven't forgotten. It's been a long time since you've seen me. I was worried that your astral-depleted state would leave you delusional as well. I'm glad to see I'm mistaken.” He chuckled to himself. And gestured to the chairs around him.

 

“We didn't come here to be teased, Merari. What's this about?” Chrono stood stock still.

 

“Manners, dear boy, and I'll tell you. But first, my business with Rosette. I hate the way a meeting feels rushed when you stand. If you would please sit down...” he motioned again towards the chairs. Rosette took a few steps forward and seated herself. If there had been a danger, she would've known it, and felt it, both from Merari himself and from Chrono. But as it was, Chrono just seemed surprised and curious, and perhaps to a substantial degree protective. But as it was, she was not afraid.

 

“What do you want with me?” Rosette asked Merari in an even, level tone.

 

“Want with you, child? What a harsh phrase. No, more that I'm here to ask something of you. But I'll get to that. First, I give you information free of obligation.”

 

“He wants something, Rosette. Nothing is ever free with these people.” Chrono said to her, never taking his eyes off Merari.

 

“Chrono, I'm hurt. Do you not remember the days we were once friends?” Merari took his feet off the table as Chrono sat down. “I always had the highest respect for you.”

 

“I have a history of making poor choices in friends, Merari.”

 

The man laughed and looked at Rosette. “On the contrary, little friend, I'd say your choice of companion is superb.” His eyes lingered over the pocket watch dangling from Rosette's neck. “And it is to your charming friend that I wish to speak. Child, I knew your brother.”

 

Rosette gasped and Chrono cut in “You bastard! You weren't... how could you! Even after -”

 

Merari held up his hand “Calm down Chrono, and let me speak. Yes, I was doing work for Aion. My particular... 'talents' made me very useful. Aion rewards people well, as I'm sure you remember. And breaking rules has always been a habit of mine.” Merari looked over at Chrono, who was seething in his chair, half expecting Aion to break up the meeting at any time. “I left him a year ago, Chrono. Be at your ease. He does not know where I am, and I'm sure does not care to try and find me. It was because of your brother, Miss, that I left. It wasn't difficult as I was never truly a part of his grand cause. And when I left, I had plans to take your brother with me.

 

“Your brother did not belong with Aion. He was only being used, and I saw his condition deteriorate day after day. I could not leave him there like that. Aion struggled to ease his pain, but the only remedy that would be had was you, and you were nowhere to be found.” Rosette turned her head away and clenched her jaw. “I decided I would take him away, and bring him to you, if you could not be brought to him. I harbored no love for Aion, or his grand, corrupt, and farcical dream. And the corruption he was subjecting your brother to was against the very nature of how we two kinds are created.”

 

“If he was alive when you took him, then what happened?” Rosette asked softly, but calmly. There were no tears in her eyes, and none were threatening to spill.

 

“I had to take him while he was unconscious after another one of his devastating fits. The devotion Aion had inspired in him was so strong that had he realized what it was I was doing, he would have tried to stop me, kill me, warn Aion, any of the above.”

 

Merari paused long enough to light another cigarette, and mention offhandedly how much he enjoyed that particular brand. He began again.

 

“It was obviously not long before Aion realized what had happened, and tried to reclaim Joshua. In the battle that ensued, Joshua awoke. Confused, and angry, he didn't know what was going on. Caught in the crossfire, neither Aion or I could save him.”

 

“Why tell me this?” Rosette, glass-eyed and stone faced, asked him.

 

“Because I need you. I know where Aion is. Aion was set back in his loss of Joshua, but he's not stopping. Honestly, I don't know what he can do now that Joshua is gone, but he's got something in mind, and I don't want to see it.”

 

“The Order wouldn't like us joining forces with a Devil. Odd enough as it is for me to say that,” Chrono interjected. “The most we could offer is the promise that we would discuss it with them.”

 

“I'm not asking the order. I'm asking Rosette.” Merari never took his eyes off her. “The Order has fine intentions, I'm sure. But they are useless against Aion. They do not know what they are dealing with. They can't afford, nor do they want to sacrifice their numbers. And their very size would be a hindrance. Aion expects them. We need to deal him something he won't expect.”

 

“What's in this for you, Merari? If I know you at all, even your 'kind hearted benevolence' has its limits.” Chrono was wary about his motives. He noticed that the demon hadn't really explained that part in his well delivered speech.

 

Merari threw Chrono a pointed look, “Because he took something from me.”

 

“Someone you loved.” Rosette stated. It wasn't a question. “I can tell by your eyes.”

 

Merari snubbed his cigarette with his own fingers, skin healing over using astral power from his hidden horns. And looked down at the table. “She's perceptive. No wonder you like her, Chrono.”

 

“Then Trista...” Chrono began, haltingly.

 

“She's gone.”

 

Chrono closed his eyes and looked away. “I'm sorry.” Trista had been Merari's partner, back when Chrono knew them all those years ago. The two of them had each other, and Chrono supposed that was the reason that they had gotten the reputation of being some of the most lax demons living. Merari could always be a little bit tough to take, but Trista was one of the first people Chrono could remember being able to relate the word “kind” with. He really was sorry.

 

Merari leaned forward on the table. “You and me both, friend. But grief only gets you so far. It is time to take action on Aion, now. And I need your help.”

 

“You have it.” Rosette stood to shake Merari's hand.

 

Chrono looked flabbergasted, “Rosette, you can't give word for The Order like that. Without even speaking to Sister Kate? What are you - ”

 

“I'm giving him my help. Not the Order's. They have helped me as much as they will be able to, and it's time to move on.”

 

“Rosette, please don't let hearing about Joshua do this to -”

 

“I'm going Chrono.” She interrupted him gently. “This is my chance and I'm taking it. For Joshua's sake,” she turned a pair of resolute eyes on him, “I have to.”

 

“Then you know I have to as well, don't you.” Chrono said, eyes steady on hers. If she was going to do this, he would be right there with her every step of the way. But he wanted to make sure that she knew just what she was getting into.

 

“Don't look so torn, Chrono. I haven't yet discussed the business I have with you.” Merari broke into their tense moment. “When Aion killed Joshua,” Rosette flinched, “the boy left something fairly important behind. I figured it was only right to return them to you.”

 

Merari reached into his coat pocket and, with a clatter, threw down in front of Chrono the very things that had incited the madness so long ago.

 

His horns.