DISCLAIMER: I don't own Trinity Blood, or its characters. (If I did, do you think I'd be sitting here writing fanfictions? XD)
It had been several long years since he'd seen the Vatican, since he'd set out to destroy his own brother, the man he knew to be the scourge of the world. His destruction meant the safety of Terran and Methuselah alike, meant that he, Abel Nightroad, could finally be at peace with the world and himself and finally take his place with Seth in the Methuselah capital of Byzantium. He was beginning to think such a wish was far too much to ask of God and that he and the boy Ion Fortuna would spend the rest of their lives searching for him.
Kain was a slippery being, to say the least. Every time Abel and Ion managed to get a lead on him, knew where to go, they would spot him, and he would vanish into the shadows as quickly as he had come. He was by no means weak, so there was no reason for him to hide, and yet... Perhaps it was a ploy. A means to purposefully keep the priest searching for his prize. He was beginning to tire already.
Tonight, they found themselves staying at Buckingham Palace, visiting Esther, who had been restored her place on the throne by her grandfather's wish. The entire city of Londinium was coated in a light blanket of snow, the air cool, but not terribly so. Abel had combed his long, silver hair and tied it back with a crimson ribbon, looking worn and tired as ever as he pushed round glasses up his slender nose, even after his bath. He could hardly remember the last time he'd worn something other than his priestly garb, the white cloth of his new outfit reminding him greatly of past times, when he, his mother, sister, and brother had lived in peace. Back before Kain developed a lust for bloodshed and when Abel himself was the one hating the Terran.
He snapped the silver clasps on the left side of his chest, fastening a belt around his slender waist and adjusting the robe so it fit properly. "Well, there's no better time than now..." he said softly to his tired reflection, slipping his feet into his shoes and stepping out of the door to his room to find the pale-haired Methuselah standing before him. Ion's eyes brightened when they set upon the Krusnik, his smile reflective of his excitement to finally be able to see Esther again. He was dressed in lavish crimson silk that matched the color of his wide, sparkling eyes, the clothing embroidered with silver and form-fitting.
"Father Nightroad! The cooks are preparing dinner. Esther wants us to come down now."
"So I've heard," he beamed, "Shall we go? I'm sure she wouldn't enjoy waiting any longer to see us." They found the Great Hall with ease, a spacious room with an enormous table in the center, where the guests and the King and Queen were to sit. Esther was already there, but she had not seen them; she was reading the day's newspaper. When she did notice them, however, she leaped from her seat with the widest smile Abel had ever seen on a person before,
"Father Nightroad! Ion!" and clasped them both in a tight hug, pulling away with a soft giggle, "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me. Please, have a seat!" Ion had colored slightly, smiling back at her, and was the first to sit, followed by Abel, who slumped with a sigh. Esther frowned, "Is there something wrong, Father?" her hand settled on his with concern.
"Oh, no, thank you. Just tired. A little rest and some food and I'll be fine." Still, she seemed unsatisfied, but did not pester him further. She had definitely changed since the last time they had seen her. She was older, yes; Abel had nearly forgotten how the Terran age, having spent so much time in the presence of a Methuselah, who, like himself, did not age as quickly. She was also dressed in a purple gown, long and flowing, her red hair the only thing unchanged about her. What a sight she was... Ion was still blushing slightly, no doubt having noticed her increased beauty as well.
End of Part 1. Please, give me a review! This is the first Trinity Blood fanfiction I've ever done, so I'd love to hear what you think. More later!