Abel was left on the airship with Baybars while Solomon went back to the palace in order to attend the coronation. No matter how much Esther seemed uneasy around Abel's oldest friend, he was still the lead for the peace meeting and the highest ranked noble out himself, Baybars, Asthe, and Ion. Thus, he needed to attend the coronation.

"We might want to separate the terran from the methuselah groups," Baybars voiced as the two of them descended into the lower level of the airship. There was just enough space here for the hundred or so from the other reality. Or there would have been if they moved the supplies to the side of the cargo hold. It wasn't the best of conditions, but it would see them to the empire at the very least.

"We could move the crates to make it into a few different spaces," Abel suggested as he eyed the stacks of crates. They didn't appear too heavy, especially if he was the one to move them.

"I'll call a few servants." Baybars started back towards the stairs.

Abel moved to the crates. He glanced around the space and nodded to himself. Yes, it would provide a little privacy for those from the other reality. He shifted the first stake. They weren't heavy, it would just mean being careful as moved the entire of stake so as not cause them to tumble to the ground.

He used one hand to brace the middle crate before pushing the stack towards the center. The task wasn't a bad one, if not a little mind numbing. It wasn't long before he had made a line splitting the bay in two.

Abel had started to shift the crates for form a few rooms so people could have a little more privacy when he heard the sound of heavy metal boots against the steps. He didn't pause in the work, only glanced towards the stairs as Baybars reappeared.

The head of the yeniçeri froze, eyes wide. It was a moment before he regained his voice. "Majesty, what are you doing?"

"Sectioning the corgo hold," Abel stated. He shifted the stack he had been moving so as to form a corner of a room.

Baybars cleared his throat. "Majesty," the head of the yeniçeri started, "this isn't a task you should have concerned yourself with." Baybars continued down the last few steps into the cargo hold.

A few others followed behind him. All of them were dressed in the clothing of servants to the imperial family. Abel eyed them. It was rather odd Asthe and Ion hadn't questioned the fact there were servants who served the imperial family traveling with them. Perhaps it was a matter they just didn't question because it had to do with the empress.

There was much about the empire Abel had no knowledge about. The nation was secretive, and he hadn't been apart of it for over eighty hundred years now.

He moved his attention back to the head of the yeniçeri. "It wasn't a difficult task," he replied in even tones. Still, by the look in in Baybars eyes, Abel knew he should stop. He stepped away from the crates. "All which is left is getting a few more sections in the two spaces," he informed the servants.

They looked at him before bowing and moving off to complete the task.

Abel moved towards the stairs. He wasn't the emperor anymore. He hadn't been an emperor in centuries, rather a slave. Such tasks were given to him not others. He bit back pointing this out to the taller man.

"Founder Solomon asked I give you these," Baybars started. He held out a few books. "All of them are over empire's structure and what has happened within the boundaries since your departure."

"Thank you." Abel took the books. He shifted through the pile. There were six in total. Most were history books but two of them covered the political structure of the empire. And all of them were written in the imperial language. Not that this was shocking.

A small smile twitched at his lips. To read in his native language once more when it wasn't in secret. The thought was almost thrilling. He had grown so used to reading everything in Latin, when he had returned to the empire as Esther's guard, he had found himself enjoying the quiet hours of the imperial night as he read the books in Asthe's library without knowledge of anyone. It had been a treat and wonderful to see how the language had changed over the centuries. This time it wouldn't be secret.

"Founder Solomon thought it for the best you learned what has become of your empire and the structure before returning."

"It's not 'my' empire, Baron." Abel looked up from the books. "It's Augusta's." Abel turned and started up the steps before Baybars could reply. He didn't want to argue over this matter right now. His sister was the ruler of the empire not him. She was the one who had kept the empire together for eight hundred years. He had abandoned them. And he no longer knew if it had been for Lilith's dream of peace or his own selfish desire to remain with his love.

Perhaps there could have been a chance at peace if he had remained in the empire. Perhaps…

There was no telling what could have been. The alternative reality had only shown what would happen if he had lost to 02 and Cain had remained sane.

Abel stopped at the top of the stairs.

His daughters and Lilith lived in that reality. Yet, Lilith had called humans "terran." She was cold where the woman he had loved had been warm and loving, open and willing to give everything for Earth and all of its people. Not just humans or Methuselah, but all of them. She had believed there was hope for a world where the humans and returners lived in peace. The other Lilith didn't seem to share in this belief.

It was too early to decided there. To even know if this difference stimmed from him or not. Though, it couldn't be because of their daughters. It had to be because of him.

Abel shoved his thoughts aside. He found a quiet place and settled himself down to read. He had made it through the first book and was starting on the second when he heard others entering the main lounge on the ship.

"Do we really have to leave?" Ion was asking as he entered. "We could discuss more on peace with Albion," the boy pressed. Though to tone pointed to something more. His mind wasn't on peace or so Abel assumed.

"The final negotiations are for the empress to decide upon," Solomon stated in smooth tones. "As are the ambassadors she picks to travel to each nation."

The sound of teeth clicking made it clear Ion had been about to ask the unspoken question Solomon had answered. "But," the boy started to protest. He cut off.

Abel turned a page in the book, doing his best to ignore the others. A task made more difficult for he could feel Ion's gaze now locked on him.

Another settled across from Abel in the small sitting area. By the sound of the movement and the slightest glimpse of dark hair, it was Solomon. "Baybars informed me what happened earlier today," his old friend started. "You are no longer a slave, let alone a servant." There was gentleness to his tone. It was apparent only through the softened voice rather than any other means.

Abel closed the book he had been reading. He could still read it and hold a conversation, but it always came off as very rude. "I've not been a slave since Caterina burned the contract," Abel stated.

"But you still served her," pointed out the Duke of Tigris.

This was very true.

"Don't try to do the work of a servant," Solomon continued. The two of them had locked gazes, neither looking away. It was a reminder of the difference between the first generation and all others Abel had met. There was nothing of fear or unease when Solomon locked gazes, only the normal lack of emotion.

Silence. It was more than clear Solomon was waiting on a response, for Abel to cave and say he wouldn't try to act as a servant. But there was no keeping such a promise. Abel wasn't the emperor anymore. He had never, not even when he had been the emperor, tried to act higher than his people. He had worked on the farms, aided in the rebuilding the city, and more.

The silence was broken by the sound of Ion and Asthe moving. Then the softer sound of the engine as the airship prepared to take off. Still they remained seated, gazes locked. Neither willing to speak. Abel couldn't make the promise. He couldn't make another promise he would break.

"Seriously?" Ion asked as the ship started to take off. "How long are you two just going to stare at one another.

"Perhaps, if you are not willing to willingly make such a promise, a wager is in order," Solomon broke the silence between himself and Abel.

Abel felt his eyes narrow. "Go on?" He had a feeling this would end up with a chess game. It had been the way the two of them talked in the past. Abel had taken to training Solomon in strategy which hadn't been too necessary given Solomon had already been with the military. Yet, after the time they had spent together, Abel had seen improvement as Solomon had learned how to face off against Lilith's forces. In the same moment, those chess games had been a moment he could just speak with his brother-in-law. A man he had never feared losing if the conversation turned to their interests rather than politics and the war or even their family.

"A chess game," Solomon stated, "if I win you will stop trying to do servant tasks."

"And if I win, it will be idle distraction?" Abel managed the slightest of smile. "As I have a feeling asking you to drop the subject would be asking for a minor miracle."

Solomon's eyes narrowed at Abel's wording. He stood. "I will see to the guests. Once they are secure we will have our game." He started to move off. "Stay here."

Abel looked at his old brother-in-law. "I'm not going to run away," he stated.

The sound of Solomon leaving to room followed.

Abel returned to his book. The secure of the empire had grown very complex since he had left. The noble families had grown, many could claim relation with the trusted five families. Abel was learning the trusted five were his closest friends and his sons from before he had left the empire. Their direct line comprised of those the empress appeared to trust the most. However, there were also family names Abel remembered well from his time as leader of the colony. All of the names were those he had some degree of trust in back then. Though, he didn't know any of the decendents as he did Asthe and Ion. It also appeared, or so he was finding through this book about nobility, the Barvon line had ended with Radu.

The sound of the other two shifting came to Abel. He heard more than saw them take the couch Solomon had abandoned. Neither spoke. The only sound came from the engine and the soft rustle as Abel turned a page in the book covering the nobility of the empire. The more he read, the more he noticed a few names were missing. Not everyone he had been close had become nobility. It made sense, especially given he had known the entire colony.

The ship landed, and it was only noticeable by the sound of the engines stopping. They would be loading those from the other reality soon.

"How are you the emperor?" Ion's question broke the silence.

"The entire colony decided it was good idea to vote someone into power who wasn't on the ballet," Abel replied as he continued to read. "Then never voted for another take the position. After eight years Arthur had the brilliant idea I should be a ruler given I never left office. Thus, emperor."

"Not what I meant," growled Ion. "How are you of all people in the world, the first and only emperor?"

Abel turned another page in the book. He had answered Ion's question and figured the boy was more upset over how the empire now viewed Abel and having it turn out to be priest he had met. There was no way to answer this other than the answer Abel had previously given and what he suspected Solomon had told the boy.

"Put down the book and answer me!" Ion's voice crackled.

Abel looked over the book to see the boy was bristling. A small breath escaped Abel. He snapped the book closed. "I have given you the honest answer, Ion. If you want to know reasonings behind why I ended up the emperor, Solomon would be a better source of information. As for, my being a priest for a time, I assume Solomon has already informed you over this matter."

"He did," Asthe confirmed. She was frowning. "You're not acting the same."

"No," Abel gave bow of his head and reopened the book. "The previous pope had given me an order to act the fool. Caterina and I both agreed it did help humans to trust me and thus I kept up the act."

Ion bristled. "Can you set down the book?"

Abel did so and met the younger man's gaze.

Ion stiffened the moment their eyes made contact. The boy's gaze flickered to a point on the ground close to Abel. The smallest of movements showed Ion had shivered.

"Why did you let the empire think you were dead?" Asthe asked.

Abel turned her gaze on her. "I would assume it was to stop Barack, Alexander, and Athy from continuing the war to get me out of Vatican territory." It felt odd referring to Alexander by his first time. Abel had only ever called him "Barvon." The one time he had called Alexander by name, the man had stated it was creepy and he had liked being called "Barvon" by Abel. Seth had laughed and whispered to Abel it made Alexander feel like he was special given the only other Abel had called by surname was Arthur.

Asthe frowned. "It does make sense, the empire would have continued the war to retrieve the emperor from Vatican territory."

Ion didn't look up. "But that is the emperor we knew in history. You can't be him!" The boy's voice cracked as he gestured at Abel. His fangs flashed in the artificial light of the airship. "The emperor lived to protect his people. He led us through the civil war and the terran-Methuselah war. He was noble, kind, and ever there for his people. The father of our nation. You're just an idiot priest!"

Abel looked at the boy. He had spoken of Abel's with reverence rather than horror. It sounded as if the wars were little more than notes on a page. Which, he had to remind himself, to Ion they were. He had never experienced a war. Never held a friend as they died or felt the warmth of a loved one's blood coating his hands and arms. The wars were nothing more than history to the boy. The battles, deaths, and deeds committed all merely writing on a page. Just as the wars Abel had read about in history books had been. He had never spoken with a survivor of the war which had brought the UN to power. But he wondered now if it would feel the same to that survivor as Ion's words felt to him now.

The words cut through Abel. What he had done during the wars and after, he had done for his people, his friends, and family. He had never once imagined another one day read about what he had done during the war or the actions he and others had taken. He had never once viewed himself as worthy to be placed into a history text. Or considered his life history another would be taught.

Silence had fallen over them.

Ion slowly seemed to calm down when he realized Abel hadn't broken the silence to reply. The boy glanced at Asthe then back at Abel.

The airship started to rise once more. It showed those from the other timeline would have boarded by now.

A heartbeat later Solomon returned to the room. If he registered the change in atmosphere to the room, Solomon made no sign of it. He moved over to where a chess board was already set up on a table and started to move the pieces back into the starting positions.

"Abel?" Solomon gestured for him to join him at the table. The ex-head of military affairs settled himself down so he was playing black.

Abel stood and moved to the other seat at the table. It had been centuries he had played white. Generally, he had given Caterina white, or she had requested to play the color. Abel opened by moving the pawn before his king. Solomon countered by doing the same.

Ion and Asthe moved over to watch them.

"I bet you lose in two moves," Ion spoke in a smug voice.

Abel ingored Ion and asked Solomon, "Care for a king's gambit?" He moved another pawn to form such a play.

Solomon raised his brow. "Very well."

The game picked up from there. There was no denying Solomon had improved since the last time Abel had faced him. Abel also admitted the only one he played chess against was Caterina or from time to time against himself. Caterina had been good as she improved over the years, but she wasn't Solomon.

Abel soon had control of the middle of the board. Solomon kept moving to counter or even attack, heading towards or even away from Abel's king.

"I shouldn't have gained control of the middle of the board with such ease." Abel eyed his old friend. Solomon was aware of the strategies which came with the king's gambit. He should have made to cover the middle of the board before Abel, knowing full well a strong defense could make for a strong offense.

"You play far more defensively than you used to," Solomon stated in reply. "Your strategies are closer to Lilith's."

A spark of warm ignited in Abel's heart at the complement Solomon had just given him.

The game soon turned so Abel had lost the favor of the field. He was forced into a retreat with his king as Solomon pressed the attack. But Abel been ready for this. He had set a trap which his king the lure.

"Check," Solomon stated.

Abel moved in then. He countered the check, taking Solomon's queen and moving to protect the king in the same instance.

The game continued.

"Checkmate," Abel's voice broke the silence.

Solomon bowed his head and tipped the king. "It's been far too long since we last played." Solomon lifted his fallen king. "I must admit I never imagined you adopting some of Lilith's methods.

Abel gave Solomon what he hoped wasn't a sad smile. "Your own method of play has changed as well."

"Yet, I still lost." Solomon leaned back. "I suppose this means you will still attempt to act like a servant and help out."

Abel opened his mouth, ready to reply this when a shout cut him off.

"What?! I lost in two moves to you. Were you going easy on him or something, honored founder?"

Solomon glanced at Abel before looking at Ion. "No, Abel is just a far better player than yourself."

Ion opened his mouth and closed it before repeating.

"Care for another game?" Solomon asked as he turned his attention to Abel.

"As long as there is no wager on this one."

Solomon gave a dull smile. "That I can promise."


(Author's Note: Sorry if any character is out of character. It has been a very long time since I have written Trinity Blood as I have been focusing on my own works as of late.)