Special thanks you go out to Gabby, Gamefreek321, ShawdowMaiden3, Woolfred, Sapphire_Rose_E and 27NiwaVension2009 (4 TIMES!)

Sorry for taking so long. I have been sucked into my other story and I feel like I'm loosing my muse on this one. I am fighting through it though and I hope to see it to the end. I hope you like this. Its one of my favorite chapters because of one sentence. (Hint: Think Chess.)

Dislaimer applies: Do not own TB

Chapter 21

Abel walked back towards Esther's apartment. He just couldn't believe is luck. It was absolutely ridiculous that one man should go through this much hell just have a tiny slice of heaven. He looked at his watched and sighed. He was running a tad bit late, but nothing to worry about. Esther was probably having trouble getting Gabriel ready. The boy probably had enough energy to run a light bulb for ten lifetimes. Though Abel probably wasn't that much different when he was that age, though Gabriel's temper covered by the love and compassion from his mother.

A loud blast jolted Abel back a few steps. Looking straight ahead he noticed the large plumes of smoke and fire coming from a near by building. Abel's eyes widen. It was Esther's apartment building. The priest quickly burst into a sprint. "God! What have I done to deserve this? What has she done to deserve this? Are we not allowed to have a happy life?"

People were rushing left and right, screaming help, while others helped the injured that lay still on the cobblestone street. Abel looked over the terrified faces looking for his family. Another blast came from the building; Abel jumped back expecting to be hit by falling debris. From above the building tops appeared an aircraft far too familiar for him to ever forget. The Rosen Kruez had finally appeared.

"Abel!" He heard someone scream his name. He looked over his shoulder to his Seth and the others sprinting towards him. His little sisters eyes were wide with fear. "Where's Esther?" Abel shook his head and pointed at the towering inferno. Caterina looked over to Leon and William.

"Search the grounds!" She ordered. The two priests nodded before running off.

"What about..." Abel paused a moment, waiting for the cardinal to inch closer. " Paula and Pedro."

"I'll deal with them. Just find Esther." He nodded before sprinting towards the flames.

"Esther!" He yelled out. "Esther!" Abel felt his heart bang loudly against his chest. He was nearly hyperventilating. "ESTHER!"

"ABEL!" He heard her yell back. "No!" Abel followed the sound of her voice. He bolted towards her apartment door. "ABEL!"

"I'm coming!" He shouted back.

"NO!" He heard her struggle to say. "Get out.....Trap!" The sound of a gunshot filled the air. Abel's heart pumped faster, praying that he wasn't too late. "Dear Lord....let me save her....I'll die."

As he came down her hallway, he noticed that her door was blown open. Someone stood in the doorway, wiping the blood clean from his lips. Cain looked up and smiled.

"Ah! Hello dear Abel. Please excuse the mess. I was just finishing an afternoon snack." He smiled, showing off his pearly whites.

"Crusnik nanomachines power output eighty percent active." Abel growled. Cain shook his head and sighed loudly.

"Tsk...tsk...dear brother. We don't want to frighten the little one."

"Where are they?" the monster spoke with a voice full of malice. Cain turned his head, undaunted by the crusnik that stood before him. From inside the apartment, he pulled Esther out. Abel practically went mad at the sight of her. Cain held her by her hair and neck. She had cuts up and down her body. Her face was battered and her nose looked broken. Her neck was bleeding profusely. Abel's hand gripped his scythe tightly. "You son of a bitch!" Esther clutched her left side tightly, her hand covered in her blood.

"Don't worry." Cain smiled. "The wounds won't kill her." He held up a small silver gun. "Just taking extra precautions. I do not need Reaper taking out anyone. She makes a mess."

"She doesn't know what she is." Abel growled. "Let her go and give me my son. Then perhaps I'll decide to let you live for another day."

"Your son? Well...are you actually going to take responsibility for young Gabriel? He looks just like you. So easy to mold."

"You will not touch a hair on his head."

"He'll take up where his father left off all those years ago. A new Contra Mundi, a more fierce enemy on the world."

"Never. I won't allow it."

"You...why dear Abel. I have other plans for you." Cain looked back into the apartment. Isaak walked out carrying Gabriel in his arms. The boy had tears fallen from his faces.

"Mommy...." He mumbled. Isaak held him tightly. Gabriel looked up and then noticed Abel. The young child's eyes were filled with fear. Abel felt as if his heart was breaking. "Mommy..." he mumbled again.

"I'll make you a deal." Cain spoke softly. "Surrender to me and I'll spare you love. I'll not harm her."

"And my son..."

"Will live with us of course."

"Us?"

"Yes us...you see...when you tried to kill me five years ago, you practically destroyed my body. Its beyond repair. I need a new body, yours to be exact. Think about it...I get to rule this pathetic planet and you'll get to see young Gabriel grow up."

"You'll turn him into a monster." Abel growled.

"Nonsense..." Cain scoffed. "You've already given him that. He's your heir after all. I've heard he has quite the temper."

"Yes, but his mother's compassion." Abel stated.

"Easily broken. I know what it takes to drive a Nightlord insane. Though I'll have to inject him with more nanomachines." Abel growled. "You have no choice in this matter, dear Abel. I have captured all you pawns and..." He tightened his grip on Esther's neck. "...I'm about to take your queen. I play to win this time. You can do nothing else but declare checkmate."

"Run....Abel..." Esther whizzed. Abel looked into her deep blue eyes. They were filled to the brim with tears. "Take Gabe and run...." Cain yanked on Esther's hair and she cried out in pain. She was loosing blood fast. He had to make a choice. Now. Either he forcibly take Gabriel and run, possibly hiding for the rest of his life, but if what Cain said was true. The Order had captured Seth, Catherina and the others. They would be killed and Esther would die. Or he could surrender now, saving everyone's life. Esther would be saved, but Abel would lose his life instead and Gabriel would become what Abel feared the most.

His mind swarmed with the pros and cons of each side. Cain was right. He was playing to win and Abel was in check. He let himself calm down and slowly his nanomachines de-activated. His winter blues gazed sadly at the love of his life. It would probably be the last time he ever saw her.

Good stuff! Leave me a review and tell me what you think!

Lil~Rahl (A divison of Crusniks~R~US)

Verse from ch. 22

"Gabriel..." Abel walked towards Esther and his son. "I'll take care of you. I won't let anything happen to you... I'm..."

"Sweetie..." Esther butted in. "We were going to tell you this afternoon that...."