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Blaise hated seeing Rosette like this. She was worring about her end. But it was too soon, she couldn't leave untill she'd lived a full life. Blaise didn't want her to leave her. There had to be something she could do, some way to help. Fighting death was a hard task.

"Of course not, you won't be going anywhere at all if I can help it." Blaise said, trying to keep her voice strong, but couldn't stop it from cracking as she held back tears.

----

Annalise leaned into Fiore and rested her head on her shoulder. "Alright . . . I would like you to stay."

But even with how excited her mind had been before she found it easy to sleep when she wanted to and had dozed off within minutes.

Asmudius paused as the other came in and sized up the matter for a moment and then calmly leaned back onto the railing, looking down at the city below. While Bane was busy with the other, the white haired man sized up the layout, looking around and around, taking in it all.

“Look at it all.” Smirked Asmudius “All these lives, all this pitiful beings living out their days not even aware of what is to come.” Asmudius sniffed the air and then spat in disgust, his tongue rolling around in his mouth. “Disgusting, simply disgusting.”

Asmudius turned around once Bane began signaling the other to leave.
“So, then, your plans are on schedule I take it?”

---

Tobias had been walking through the palace and had arrived at the main gate; his feet only inches from the ledge that led down the great flight of the stairs. Tobias looked out at the city and smiled. It was beautiful. Tobias stood there for a moment and then Gefton shimmered out of the shadows to stand by his side. Tobias sighed and let his head hang.

“So I’m guessing by my brother’s mood that he foresters are still alive?”

“Yes. Including the Messiah.” Gefton said this slowly.

“My brother’s mood made that pretty obvious.” Sniffed Tobias .”that fact will make it almost impossible for my brother to take the throne. The Council and the Emperor’s children will be a problem. Even with the church and the militaries backing, my brother has hardly a prayer if word ever reaches any ears. Hell, he would have trouble if he had killed those damn rebels.”

“Yes it would have been.” Gefton spoke slowly. “Tobias, just how many days before us did Bane arrive?” Tobias looked at the old man, puzzlement in the youth’s eye.

“Bane?” Tobias thought for a moment. “Not really sure. I spend most of my time in the churches but there was no parade. He just kinda was there I guess. Why?” Gefton scowled at Tobias’ words and then looked back into the palace. Something was wrong and Gefton could feel it. Feel it deep within his bones. Bane was acting odd.

“Tobias, listen to me and listen closely.” Gefton said calmly. “I want you to bring five or six of your most trusted Templars up hear and a priest. Can you arrange this?” Tobias was taken aback and had to think before speaking.

“I’m only a sergeant in my order. “Stammered Tobias. “I might be able to get four and maybe a priest here but it will take some order or something for that to clear with the hierarchy. Why?”

“I won’t say why but I want your brother protected okay? There are many enemies inside that palace right now. The Council, the Scoins of the Emperor..”

“Then why not get your Dragon Slayers here?” Interupted Tobias.

“Yeah, military units inside the Palace? Oh Algren’s opponents would have a field day with him for that! Listen there have been far too many late night happenings. I have ears and eyes in places most would envy and things are occurring that trouble me. I will say no more, just see to your brother’s protection. The order will be waiting for you when you arrive. I fear Algren will need your sword before this business is done.” Tobias was speechless and looked away. When he looked back, the old man was gone.

"Quite well. I'll be gathering the last pieces of what I need in a day or so. I'll be pleased to see how the Messiah fairs. She's grown quite well. I'm pleased with it. I'd like to test her a bit more before I inact the next phase of my plans. I already know the hands of fate draw closer to her than most other... normal people. Have you been aware of who she keeps closer than any other? An old friend of mine that I'm sure even you have heard of. He goes by many names. To those unfamiliar with him personally call him things like the Ignoble One, and The Broken Horn. This makes things all the more entertaining."

Bane yawned loudly, acting as if they were chatting about the weather.

"Therto must be having quite a time, has he not, but I think it would be best if her came closer into our plans to help push his own onward. He'll need someone of great influence here. Algren and his brother still prove far too valuable to use... but that fool Gefton, I believe, is becoming far too suspicious of the both of us. I think Therto would enjoy inhabiting him immensely..."

----

Rosette couldn't ignore Loque's words. Like many others who had seen the true demon she loved, her feared Chrono. Rosette slowed her pace to walk beside him.

"Do you doubt me? Do you think I would be the one to slit your throat in the middle of the night? If you doubt Chrono, you doubt me. He saved all our lives, and that should be enough for you. If you don't like it, go home, both of you."

Loque was a bit taken aback by what Rosette had said. It wasn't what he meant at all. He didn't want to anger Rosette he just wanted a better understanding of the circumstance.

"I do not doubt you any more than I doubt those greater than I." Loque said, keeping an even temper, "And all of you are greater than I. Do not take my lack of knowledge and want for understanding as mistrusting demeanor. I may be younger than many of the wise but this does not mean I don't have wit. Also do not assume this is the first time I've seen a demon."

"Not all are taught to be openminded." Loque told her, "And sometimes it's not easy. But there's a feeling . . . I just have a feeling about you all. That feeling is stronger than any doubt I could ever have. Instinct is what heeps us alive and has done so for me this far. It won't be letting me down this time."

Blaise skipped ahead a bit to get to Booker. He had his eyes on the ground with a frown on his face.

"Holding up?" she asked. He seemed a bit startled by her and took a few moments to regain his composure.

"Sure." he said with a weak smile.

"Listen," Blaise said softly, "Things might be a little hard to accept right now. All I request of you is that you let things run their course. Be patient and you'll understand a few things. You with me?"

"Yes . . . I am."

"Good. Try not to look like your going to throw up, kay?"

Booker chuckled a little and nodded slightly.

"And in this world you can expect nothing, I know." Loque replied, "Things aren't always what they seem. Well aside from Chrono, Blaise is an example. I would have never expected her to be so young. When Eitan told us we'd be helping the Lieutenant of the Foresters I could never have imagined it to be a fifteen-year-old."

Blaise had given Booker a short pat on the arm then continued to walk to the two at the head of the group. She briefly caught their conversation and couldn't help but cut in.

"Well, not scared really." She said, "Just a little . . . unnerved maybe? It's a bit of a surprise, no one's fault but mine for not explaining things in full. Sorry if they act a bit odd around you Chrono, again my fault. Loque is pretty accepting, but Booker's a little behind in the easygoing factor."

" Agreed." Bane replied in accordance to Gefton's fate, "Fiore will keep a close eye on him. He is none the wiser as to who or what she is other than a servamt who frequents this part of the castle. As for Algren and his brother, I propose other terms. "

"Once I get my hands on my most favored tool, I believe you know the one, people will be falling in line to follow you. They'll need a proper backing, if Algren himself aproves of you as some kind of worlly god, the people will follow him. He is invaluable because of how the people trust him. They were willing to throw their lives away to stop the Foresters, who were in fact the real "saviors" of this time. For you, dear Melecus, you need a more active was to demonstrate your power to the people to get what you want. Earning their trust can prove far more valuable and far less time consuming than killing and enslaving them. If you could only show me a bit more of your patience, I will have all that you need..."

Bane's plans would be a bit stretched if Melecus somehow got Algren or his brother killed. He needed them alive for now, And Melecus was proving to be quite a pain in the a**. Even if Gefton suddenly grew angelic wings, Bane planned to have them clipped. Fiore would see to that.

-------------

"Yeah, she is a bit of a surprise, ain't she? I mean, hell, look at what I am and then look at who I am!" Rosette joked

"I don't blame him for being a bit unnerved by me."Chrono admitted,"But Rosette and I did what we had to, or all of us could have died. I just hope that Satella will wake up soon. She leaving everyone worried."

"Not when she trades sides." Bane replied with a sinister smile," She will repent, see the error of her ways, and join us. When she is able to openly display her skills, she will be the one to be called a miracle, a blessing of God. And we shall be the ones pulling the strings of this apparently willing servant."

"While you wish to destroy the humans that have tainted your image of the world, I intend to bring them into it. They will not be able to deny her power when they all see it with their very own eyes. I will turn that which they have prayed for in their undoing." Bane was undoubtedly satisfied with himself,"Even if more of our kind seek to destroy her, they will not be able to overcome her power."

"What happened at that battle was the first demonstration of her power. Even if the church itself doubts her, their are still untold hundreds of soldiers still alive here, and they too will speak on her behalf. The people will be torn between believing the soliers who protected them and the church, and when they see her power, all will believe in her as their Messiah. What is even better is that those same soldiers will remember my old friend for what he did on the battle field. He will undoubtedly try harder than the others to get her back. He will be lucky to even get into the city's boundries when the people have laid total loyalty on her.