I lied. This is not the last chapter!

Trinity Blood: Book 3: Vehemens Veritas
Chapter 45: Trinity, Part 2: Truth and Horror

"Asthe go with Seth."

Seth glanced at her brother. The three of them had stopped in a dark hall of the Ark. William and Leon had stopped the Orden with guards who'd been hiding aboard the ship. Seth was glad she'd told them to hide there just in case.

Right after arriving they'd been attacked by members of the Orden. Only Seith, Abel, and Asthe had managed to race passed the members into the Ark. This wasn't what Seth had wanted. She knew out of the two of them Asthe would choose Seth to protect over Abel. The fact remained her big brother was really the emperor now and Asthe should be protecting him and not Seth.

"Abel, Asthe should go with you, not me." Seth looked from Asthe to Abel and ended up glaring at her brother.

"Not where I'm going." Abel shook his head. "Isaak was in the battle, he's not with Cain. Right now Cain's alone. I can keep him busy long enough for the two of you to find 01's container."

"No!" Seth practically shouted. "I refuse to allow that. I don't – if you—"

"I promised Eliza I'd come back and this time I intend to keep that promise."

"Like you kept it to Aran?!" Seth demanded.

"Seth—"

"Don't! You're not going alone and that's that."

"And he won't be."

Seth jumped. From the shadows of the passage behind them Thomas appeared.

"DAD!" both Seth and Abel shouted at once.

"You should be with Eliza," Abel said, glaring at him.

"As far as Eliza knows I've gone to speak with the yeniçeri."

"That doesn't change the fact you should be with Eliza," Abel said. Despite the harshness of his voice Abel had a worried look which pulled at his lips and glinted in his eyes.

"There's a matter which I must take care of here," Thomas stated. The way he said this made it clear no matter how much they argued, Thomas had no intention of telling them. "Seth, I'll go with Abel. You and Asthe look for the container."

"Someone should be with Eliza," Seth protested.

Abel frowned. "Why are you really here? And don't say 'something' again."

"I'll tell you, just not here and not now." Thomas shifted, the long, black coat he wore seeming almost out of place. As did the plain, black clothes which adorned his form. The clothes looked almost like something a ninja had worn pre-Armageddon. The difference was mud was still on the clothes in stains which looked old. The shirt and coat were both fraying. Right then Thomas looked more like a street rat than a member of the Imperial family.

"That doesn't change the fact you should be with Eliza." Seth shot a glare at her older brother. Eliza was his daughter and he'd forgotten to ask about it!

"There's something I must do, Seth. I didn't leave Eliza alone. She's staying with Esther and Ion. She didn't seem to mind."

"Of course not, Edward's her best friend," Abel pointed out. "I'm going to go along with this, dad, but that's only because you're here now and getting you back out would take more time than we have."

Seth's jaw tightened. "I don't like it, but fine. Just make sure Abel stays safe and you as well." Seth turned on her heel and stormed off down the hall. The idea of her dad putting himself in danger bugged her to no end. She didn't want to lose him again.

"Majesty?" Asthe asked, breaking the silence after several long minutes walking. "Might I ask how Thomas is related to you and Abel?"

Seth stopped in her tracks and stared at Asthe. The question was one she'd not expected to hear. "He's not related by blood to us," Seth began, starting off again. "He's the one who raised Cain, Abel, Lilith, and myself pre-Armageddon. So in away he's our dad, just not in the manor most would see it."

"He adopted you then?"

"Nope, couldn't," Seth shook her head. "He worked as a scientist for the United Nations who were our… guardians. Since he was around us so much he sort of became a father figure to us, well, Lilith, Abel, and I. I don't think Cain ever saw him as such."

"I see."

Silence fell between them as they started to search through old rooms. Seth paused in several she thought Cain might have hidden the container in, but it wasn't there. After nearly an hour of looking, Seth was forced to stop and think. Cain had loved to spend time bugging her and Abel. Where would his favorite spot on the Ark be? She closed her eyes.

"The lab!" Seth shouted, eyes snapping open.

Beside Seth, Asthe jumped. Seth raced off down the hall. Asthe was hard on her heels. Before too long Seth skidded to a stop before the lab. The door slid open as if sensing her approach. Moving into the old room, the light flickered on.

"Welcome, Seth," the voice was Cain's, it sent a chill straight through Seth.

Turning, Seth soon ascertained Cain wasn't in the room at all. It much have been a recording.

"I should've known you'd be the one to come looking for the container," a hologram of Cain appeared. There was something different about his voice. It wasn't cheery. It was the voice of her older brother, of the Cain she'd known and loved back before he became fused with the crusnik. Not only that but it was in a long since death language.

Asthe jumped back, pulling out the Sword of Gea Bolg. "Majesty, look out," she snarled.

"It's a hologram, Asthe. The real Cain isn't here."

"I managed to gain control over 01 long enough to make this and to hid the container. In my wildest dreams I never thought 01 would want to harm you and Abel. If I'd known what'd happen I would've never made that deal. All I wanted was to keep the two of you safe and happy. If I'd known 01 wanted to kill Lilith – if I'd known they'd want Abel or to kill you, I'd never have agreed to their deal. Take the container, end this torment. The torment I've placed on you, Abel, and this world. I'm begging you, sister, end it."

Seth looked into her brother's pleading gaze.

"Keep Abel with you even if he doesn't want it. Even if I couldn't keep my promise to you, if I couldn't keep us together, keep him with you. Use the nano-machines to revive Lilith. The UN dictated everything for us, even our deaths. They created us to serve a people who hated us and called us freaks of nature. The UN forced life on us and wished to destroy the four of us. My wish is this, continue on: live free, my precious sister. After today, you and Abel will no longer fear. You will be free." Cain spread his arms as if to embrace her.

"I promise to you, brother," Seth straightened, looking her brother, the real one, in the eye for the first time in centuries. "I will right the wrong I commented centuries ago. You will be free again."

The hologram shimmered and for the briefest second Seth was staring at her brother before he vanished. The next moment a hidden compartment hissed open to reveal 01's container. Taking the container, Seth felt almost empty inside. In the end she knew she couldn't take his life anymore than she could've watched him die centuries ago. No, not now she knew the real Cain was still in there, trapped by 01. Now she knew he was completely alone in utter darkness.

Seth's grip tightened on the container. She'd make damn sure he'd live and be free as well. Enough was enough. 01 wouldn't stay in control. Seth would make sure of this.

xxx

"You honestly shouldn't come with me," Abel said for the sixth time since leaving Seth and Asthe behind. Even if having Thomas with him was safer it wasn't for Thomas. If someone came with Abel he wasn't certain – No, he knew said person wouldn't come out of it alive.

"I've my reasons for coming. The most important one is you're as a son to me," stated Thomas.

Abel sighed and stopped in the hall. Turning, he looked his father in the eye. Over the years it'd been strange that Thomas had never once acted younger than Abel. Even if Thomas had been born before Abel, the fact remained he should've acted as a forty year old not as someone who'd seen centuries. For the first two years Thomas had been the same as Abel remembered, but never once had he acted in a manor which made him appear young.

Shifting his thoughts back on topic, Abel said, "You still shouldn't come with me. I know whoever comes with me will die. I don't want you to die." If Abel had been in Thomas' position he had to admit he'd go as well. Even still, Abel could only justify his death, not Thomas' or another's.

The understanding smile on Thomas' face only sent a chill through Abel. "If you were in my position you'd do the same for Eliza or one of your sons if they still lived. I'm not turning back for you and a reason I'd rather keep to myself."

"Is there no way I can convince you to stay here?"

"None." Thomas looked at him with an even gaze. There was a short pause before Thomas began to speak again, "There's more than just the world at stake here. Another matter must be dealt with one which has haunted this world since before you were even born."

Abel frowned. "For once, I'm completely lost. The only people born before are you and the rest of the former UN."

"It's not of them I speak. You've meet him several times. He serves Cain."

Abel's frown deepened. In all honesty he didn't have a clue who Thomas was speaking about. Out of all the Orden there were none older than Cain.

"Let's just keep moving." Thomas started off once more.

After a moments pause, Abel turned and raced after Thomas. He took the lead. In the end there were no words Abel could think of to convince Thomas. It didn't change the fact Abel didn't like the idea.

"Is this room?" Thomas asked, stopping before a door.

Abel glanced at the door and nodded. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself for a fight, the last fight he'd ever have against his brother. One way or another Abel would make certain this war would end for good. There would be peace even if Abel wasn't there to see it. He inhaled through his noise and slowly exhaled through his mouth. He was ready.

Touching the panel, heart racing, Abel felt this couldn't be over soon enough. The doors slid aside. At the far end of the room a high backed chair had been placed. The chair's back was them.

Abel stepped into the room, the step sending a chill through him. The last time he'd been here Lilith had lain dead. Swallowing what felt to be his courage, Abel tried to calm himself.

"Cain!" Abel called, his voice somehow strong and unwavering.

At the word the doors hissed closed. Abel didn't need to turn to know the doors had locked.

"Mein Herr isn't here at the moment, Father."

Ice washed over Abel at the sound of cool voice.

A figure rose from the chair, his form darker than Cain's. He moved around the chair and stopped behind it. Placing his hand over his heart, the unmistakable figure of Isaak Fernand von Kämpfer smiled at them. He bowed at the waist, long strands of black hair falling around him.

"It's a pleasure to see you again Doctor Hall. I was certain our last meeting would be our last."

"Where's Cain?" Abel growled, his hands balling into fists. After all of this it was turning out to be just another of Cain's traps.

"Are you really so eager to become one with Mein Herr?" Isaak straightened, a cold glint in his eye.

"Tell me, Isaak, if it was your plan to destroy the world this time?" Thomas took a step forward.

"Mine?" Isaak seemed shocked at this as much so as Abel was. "What Mein Herr wishes I wish. If it is his wish to see this world recreated in his image than it's mine."

"Cut the act, Isaak." Thomas pulled something from under his robe. "You tried the same thing before Armageddon with the enhanced humans as you're trying now with the crusniks. The only difference now is you've seem to fully bought into your lies."

Abel looked at what his father held. It was a mask. A plain, gray mask.

"Nihilum?" Isaak asked, his eyebrows lifting. Isaak burst out laughing then. When his laughing died, he began to lift his hands. "I summon the, of thy own free will."

Abel stiffened. There was no place to run. The crusnik began to activate. His fangs grew over his lips and hair swirled around his head. Faster, the crusnik had to activate faster!

"Come forth, Arrow of Belial!" Blinding light filled the room.

Abel stiffened, eyes shut against the light. His body ready for the unbelievable pain to course through it. It never came. Opening one eye, an unbelievable sight greeted him: a shield withstanding the might of the Arrow of Belial.

Thomas stood before Abel, one hand lifted, the back towards Isaak in the same gesture Isaak had used countless times. The same shield Abel had thought only Isaak capable of using was before Thomas.

Several demons appeared even before the Arrow of Belial dispersed. A shriek filled the room. The demons launched towards Abel. Power built in Abel. The energy released from him in a great wave, slamming into the demons.

Thomas stepped back. The shield vanished as he was forced to leap away from several thin, sharp fibers. Spinning, Thomas drew his daggers and attached them in one smooth movement.

More demons leapt at Abel, pinning him down near the door. He couldn't leave this position!

Staff in hand, Thomas charged straight for Isaak. Isaak leapt out of the way. A blade came within inches of face. Several black strands floated the floor even as the blade sliced through chair.

Liquid gushed from splits in Abel's wrists. His scythe formed. Twisting it, the sharp, heavy blade sliced through several of the demons. Each he destroyed were replaced by two more.

Snarling, Abel slashed through more. He had to help Thomas to stay pinned down in some corner.

Thomas spun around Isaaks next attack. Isaak leaned back, only just dodging the blades. His foot snagged the piece of the fallen chair. It was launched towards Thomas. The blade slashed through it seconds before it would Thomas.

From behind the two, a figure moved from the portal Isaak was somehow forming right then.

Thomas slashed away another of Isaak's attack and a demon. Spinning, his blade thrust towards Isaak. Several fibers shot towards Thomas

Cain stepped fully from the portal.

The blade sank into Isaak's chest. The fibers lanced through Thomas' heart. Blood splattered against the floor.

Isaak stumbled back. One was dagger still in his chest and eyes wide at the blood coating his body. "Forgive me, Mein Herr," Isaak breathed as he collapsed, "I failed you." He fell to the floor, blood pooling around his still form.

"Dad!" Abel shriek.

Leaping across the space, arms outstretched, Abel watched in horror as Thomas collapsed to one knee. One hand clutched the wound, but there was no look of horror on his face like there was on Isaak's. There was a soft, almost triumphant smile pulling at his lips.

Abel caught Thomas. He placed a hand over the wound, trying in vain to stop the bleeding. "Stay with me," he pleaded. "Come on, dad, stay with me."

Handing shaking with effort, Thomas lifted it towards Abel. "Take this," he gasped. "All the answers y-you may s-seek will be on it. The-the full truth be-behind why the four of y-you were created."

Abel closed one hand around Thomas'. A datacube fell into his hand. "Just stay."

Thomas reached up, his hand touching Abel's face. The scent of his blood was thick in the air. It was a wonder he could move at all. "I'm proud to have c-called you my son." Thomas forced a smile. His eyes rolled, the smile melting from his face. The next moment he was still. Not even the sound of a beating heart could be heard.

"Dad?" Abel couldn't register what'd just happened. He placed his fingers on Thomas' neck trying to fell for a pulse. There was none. Hot tears welled in Abel's eyes. No! Thomas couldn't be dead. He couldn't be! "NO!" a shriek tore from his lips. Horror and sorrow overwhelmed him as he doubled over, taking his father into one final embrace. "NO!"

Wings burst from Abel's back, black feathers floated to floor as his skin blackened. Greif clawed at him, sweeping aside all other emotions. Thomas couldn't be gone. There was no way he could be gone!


(Author's Note: Nihilum means nothing in Latin.

A note I wanted to get out here was that in the rewrite of this series I'm going to go deeper into Cain and 01's relationship. I'm not certain at this point if there is going to be just one more chapter added or two. This is why there is a cliffhanger at the end of this chapter. It depends on how long the next chapter ends up being.

There is another matter. Another book I've planned, the prequel is going to go into why Thomas appeared in this chapter aboard the Ark. The rewrite will make this way more personal for Thomas. There is a lot about Thomas' back story I've changed around. So I know this chapter doesn't flow well with what's been seen in previous chapters, but it's been about a half year since I wrote the earliest chapters of this book. Think of this book as a rough outline of it might one day be. Once this book is done I'll start writing and posting the prequel. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with Future Seen that's why it's not been updated.

Last note on the chapter: in some of the notes I've read there's no clear message on Isaak's age. The fact remains he's remained unchanged over the years he's knows Cain. At first I assumed it was because he could be a Methuselah, but then reading the series made me realize he wasn't one. He's very much human. In the anime they make it seem he's a vampire and it sort of does at first look in the manga and books. So I hint at my conclusion in this chapter. It's also based off of some other people's theories about Isaak. There will be more on this in the rewrite and (hint) the prequel.

Updates will start coming every day again come Monday when school starts up. There's nothing to do there but write and do homework while waiting for my classes and I've some pretty lengthy breaks between them.

Man, I'm sorry about the long not here!

A request: if you read this, please review. Reviews are the highlight of my day.)