Disclaimer: Well, last time I checked I didn't own Trigun. Just my OC's. SOB SOB you mean I have to keep putting this same stuff for the next 80 or so chapters?

Engel: Sacrifice

Chapter Fourteen

Night Watcher

"So Mister can you help me?

Or are you my gun?

Have the ghosts of justice

Brought you here to me to taste

The barrel of a loaded gun?

There's justice in the barrel

Of a loaded gun"

-Bon Jovi (Lyrics from Justice In The Barrel)

Mordeh could be seen in the far distance at mid-afternoon. BDN cheered wildly and Milly joined him. Everyone was happy to be in a populated residence once again.

"Actually, it's a miracle that the town burnings didn't reach Mordeh," Ingway mumbled. "Thank God for that."

At the town gates, Ingway stepped to the front of the group and called out to the gate guards.

"Excuse me, is Keahnu here? We must speak to him, immediately."

"Keahnu?" Celestia whispered to BDN. "Is that the name of the Head Priest?"

"Not quite," BDN replied. "But wherever Keahnu is, the Head Priest will be close behind."

"Who is Keahnu?" Celestia pried further.

"Just one of our closest friends."

"What business do you have here, Stranger?" A guard shouted from the other side of the gate. "Hasn't anyone told you that these gates are closed to travelers?"

"Tell Keahnu that Henai is here to see him," Meryl stepped to the front, brushing past Ingway.

"Henai?" The name was pondered for a short while before the guard spoke again. "Who else is with you?"

"My companions," Meryl answered. "As well as Ingway and Brilliant Dynamites Neon. Now please, let us through. It is very urgent."

The gate was unlatched and opened minimally. The guard poked his head through to have a closer look at the travelers. Then he nodded and pointed to Ingway. "I recognize him. If what you say is true, then I'll let you pass."

"Thank you, Sir." Meryl bowed her head.

They stepped through the gates, and marveled at the glorious city. It was like a new way of looking at life. The concrete paved streets shined with awe. The buildings themselves were even modeled with new perfection, looking much cleaner and sturdier than any of the other cities Demonte had passed through along his travels.

Although the city was still lacking plantation and natural flowing streams, the city was still a beautiful and voluminous sight indeed.

"This must be the new technology and architectural designs that I've heard so much about from Keahnu." BDN smiled. "Damn, he wasn't kidding when he said that this was a Holy City. Look at all of the hard work and the dedication they put into the exterior establishments as well as the interior. I can't even imagine what the church looks like."

"I've only been here twice before," Meryl jerked her thumb to the northern part of the city. "The church is that way. You can't miss it."

BDN chuckled. "Uh-oh, then maybe I was right after all. So how big is the church? One story? Two stories? How about ten?"

"Brilliant," Meryl narrowed her eyes. "The only reason that the city looks as prosperous as it does is because the civilians and the Head Priest have taken much pride and consideration into it. For crying out loud, it's the Holy City of God! Why should it look any less decent than the other cities on Gunsmoke?"

"I'm not complaining," BDN shrugged. "I just hate seeing unnecessarily needed money go into what could be used for putting a stop to the Dark Ages."

"I take it that you've never been here," Meryl noted as BDN shook his head. "Then you'll see what I mean in a few moments."

"You mean as to why the city looks as grand as it does?"

Meryl chose to ignore the older man as she made locating the church her main priority.

Vash stood, boggled, and turned himself in a circle as he absorbed the surroundings of the city.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" Demonte stepped up behind him. "I've never seen anything like it."

"I think maybe once before," Vash spoke, "I saw a building as tall as these. I can't remember, but being here brings back suppressed memories of my early childhood."

Demonte pondered, and clicked his tongue on the roof of his mouth. "Perhaps you're right. This smell, it's familiar to me somehow." He turned to Vash. "But I suppose that now is not the time to reminisce about things like these, eh?"

"No," Vash agreed. "I guess not. There will be more time later." His eyes met with an enormous water fountain built in the City Square. The water spurted high upwards and plummeted back into the fountain. The marble stone wall surrounding it gave it a nice finishing touch.

"What are you two doing?" Meryl's voice could be heard from a distance away. "Stop chattering and get over here!"

Demonte almost laughed. "Guess we'd better listen to her."

Vash mirrored the smile and nodded. "Maybe so."

The church was a force to be reckoned with. The city could not even compare to the stunning three-story obelisk. The church was constructed of pale pink marble, soft to the touch and the pillars were rounded at the top. A giant cross sculpted out of solid pewter was mounted high and proud upon the top of the church. Rays from the suns reflected off of the stain glass windows, and the church shimmered with outer beauty.

"Guess I was right," BDN said smugly. "The beauty of this city doesn't even stand a chance against the splendor of this church." He turned to Meryl. "So, do you know for a fact that the old geezers are in?"

"Keahnu just happens to be one of my most trustworthy allies. He is HARDLY an old geezer," Meryl brushed past BDN and continued towards the church. "You should know that."

"Stop flirting you two," Celestia giggled.

BDN obviously didn't find it as humorous as Celestia did.

He frowned and turned away. Milly joined in on the laughter and even Ingway had to restrain himself from cracking. Vash and Demonte hid in the back, and rarely paid any attention to the conversation.

Meryl rapped her fist against the church door several times as the choir's singing resounded in the room opposite of Meryl. The door slowly opened and she looked up. There before her stood the towering six foot two man, known as Algernon, the Head Priest of Mordeh.

"Your Holiness," Meryl gasped. "You startled me. I did not expect you to be out of your personal quarters at this time of day."

"Henai," The Head Priest took Meryl's wrist and kissed her knuckles lightly, in traditional form. "It is a pleasure to see you again." Algernon glanced up. "And I see that you've brought friends. It must be urgent news then. Come. Come inside."

Meryl pulled back slightly. "Is Keahnu here?"

Algernon paused and then slowly nodded his head. "He's upstairs."

Meryl motioned her allies into the church and began to follow Algernon into a large room, the pleasant songs from the choir relaxing her and allowing her to take in the interior of the cathedral.

"It's so beautiful," Meryl heard Milly gasp from behind her. "I've never seen anything like it! It's so very large."

"I've only heard rumors about such a place," Celestia told her. "This church is bigger than all the other churches I've ever seen."

"That's not the only splendor of it," Meryl said over her shoulder. "Later on when you are able to sightsee, make sure you go to the bluff at the edge of town. The city from a distance at night is the most spectacular thing that you will ever hope to see."

"The only other place that I heard was more marvelous than this is the city of Granus." Milly said. "They say that in Granus, the buildings are all made out of gold."

"That's just a false rumor you've heard," Meryl said quickly. "No building can be made out of gold. I mean not with the Dark Ages here. No one can afford it. Perhaps the city itself has such splendor, but I doubt that it is a city of gold."

They approached a long spiraling staircase, lined with red velvet carpet. Algernon led them up, slowly pacing himself up the steep steps. "That is correct. Granus is merely just a sister-city to us. But Mordeh is the city of peace. We hope to one day spread our peace to other cities in need of our assistance."

"Very good, your Holiness," Celestia smiled.

Algernon stopped and turned, bringing his fist up and tapped lightly on a wooden door. "Keahnu, we have visitors."

When no acknowledgement came, Algernon twisted the knob and stepped inside. A small figure, his back facing the group, sat in a chair soundly, as though he hadn't heard them walk in at all.

"Keahnu?" Algernon paused.

The small man turned his head slightly, his bald head reflecting softly against the light. "Algernon? Who has come to visit us?"

"Keahnu," Meryl brushed past Algernon. "It's Henai."

The name seemed to catch Keahnu's attention. He became more lively and stood up, his small body barely reaching three and a half feet in height. "Henai? You have come?"

Vash peered from behind the crowd. But he still could see the small elderly man's face.

And gasped.

"Doc!?" Vash pushed himself to the front. "Doc, you're 'Keahnu'!?"

Keahnu was surprised with this sudden outburst and looked up at the tall blonde stranger. Vash could sense the hint of unfamiliarity in his eyes and he pointed to himself. "It's me Doc…Vash."

It took a moment for the Doctor to regain his senses as the name resounded in his eardrums. He frowned. "Is this some kind of a sick joke, young man? Vash the Stampede has been dead for almost four years!"

"No, no," Meryl stepped in. "Keahnu," She giggled. "Although I should've prepared you for such a shock, it's true. This is the one and only Humanoid Typhoon…Vash the Stampede."

"Impossible!" The Doctor shook his head. "This man…this man…" He squinted further and Vash laughed. "…It can't be…"

"Vash the Stampede?" Algernon gasped. "The one…that…"

"He's completely harmless," Meryl reassured. "As long as he is under our care, he will cause no problems. I promise."

"Vash the Stampede," The Doc rolled the name over and over again in his mind before nodding. "I don't understand."

"I suppose that we have a lot of catching up to do, huh?" Vash's eyes softened. "I'm sorry."

"Vash, for as long as I have known you, the first question in my mind would be 'what happened'? But because I HAVE known you for so long, I suppose that it will be a waste of time asking." The Doc took Vash's hand into his own and patted it. "It has indeed been a long time. You worried us all, Vash."

"I'm very, very sorry," Vash apologized. "I'll be happy to explain—"

"Not now," The Doc interrupted. "Right now, we are in the middle of a major crisis that I think that you yourself need to look at."

Vash became serious. "Doc?"

"Follow me into the other room, Vash. It is very important."

BDN nudged Meryl and whispered, "Vash knows Keahnu?"

She shrugged. "I guess so. Vash has lived for more than 130 years, you know."

BDN's jaw dropped. "WHAT!?" He shrieked.

"Yes," She nodded and hissed back. "I've told you this before…"

"Well…" He scratched his chin.

"Vash," Doc pointed a steady finger to the bed in the next room. "Have a look."

Vash hesitated, looking at the Doc for a mere second. Then he took a step forward, followed by another one, and another, until he was finally at the foot of the bed.

A figure was held occupied in the bed, although Vash could not tell who it was from the distance that he was at. He reached forward, and pulled the blanket from the figure's face.

And almost screamed.

"Jessica!?" Vash's eyes had widened. "Doc! Jessica, is Jessica—" Vash could not pry his eyes away from Jessica's lifeless face. Her limp body refused to move; so unlike the ecstatic girl Vash had once knew.

"Vash, Jessica is not dead, but she is in a coma."

"What?" He turned, and clenched a fist, demanding to know. "What are you talking about?"

The Doc paused. "Take a seat," He glanced at the rest of the group. "All of you. Please, take a seat."

They did so, obediently.

"About three months ago, a shadow began to vanish in and out of Mordeh. No one knew who it was or what it wanted. All we knew was that its hostile approach was not of a good sign."

Vash's face hardened as his eyes trailed back to Jessica's still form. "Then is he the bastard that did this to Jessica?"

The Doc did not answer. Instead, he merely lowered his head and began to chew on his bottom lip.

"Jessica was last seen wandering outside at night. She told me that she had heard a crash from outside and went to investigate. She did not return." The Doc sighed, exasperated. "We found her, a little time later, laying outside in the street. We hadn't even heard her scream."

"And since then…" Algernon stepped up. "…she's been in a coma."

"That was about three months ago," The Doc glanced back and forth between Vash and Algernon. "I have done some investigating on this matter and found the possible cure to wake Jessica from this horrible curse upon her."

"Keahnu," Meryl said forcefully, "Why didn't you inform us of this? We would've come—"

"And then what?" Doc interrupted. "I didn't even discover the cure until just recently."

Meryl left her mouth agape, and then pointed to Vash, bringing up a new matter that had also caught her attention. "Mr. Vash, you know Keahnu and Jessica?"

"Keahnu?" Vash became puzzled.

"That's enough, Meryl," The Doc silenced her with a wave of his hand. "Just call me 'Doc'." Hastily he added, "There is no need to be so formal around old acquaintances, is there?"

Meryl snapped her mouth shut, defeated. But her gaze on Vash did not soften. "You know them?" She repeated.

"Well," Vash nodded. "I guess you could say that they're old friends of mine."

"Doc," Meryl turned her head. "You know this broom-head!?"

"He already confirmed that, didn't he?" Doc shrugged.

"But anyway," Vash changed the subject. "You said that you found a way to save Jessica, right? Tell me, please."

Meryl's face darkened.

"Certainly," Doc rubbed his eyes and turned his attention towards the entire group. "This spell isn't rare, but only uncommon. Only Necromancers know the spell, which is why it leaves me curious. I still am unsure of who did this. But that doesn't mean that I can't cure Jessica. It only means that I am going to need some proper ingredients to do the trick."

"I'll do it, Doc!" Vash volunteered.

"You don't even know what you're volunteering for, you moron." Meryl growled. Soft chuckling could be heard from the other side of the room. "Wait until he's explained everything before you just raise your hand in the air, will you?"

"Yes well," Even the Doc had to stifle a few hiccups. "As I was saying, I need some ingredients to cure Jessica of this sleeping spell. Fortunately, there is a mountain nearby, untouched by humans until a few years ago when we found it. It's been under our protection ever since, although we ourselves choose not to venture there. Therefore, Geo plants have been able to grow freely atop the mountain. I need a certain variety of Geo plants in order to perform the experiment I wish to try."

"I'll still go, Doc!" Vash stood up from his chair and pounded a fist on his chest. "Just give me the list of ingredients and I'll be back faster than a thomas that's been stung by a speeding bullet."

"Vash…" BDN looked at him oddly. "That's the worst cliché I have ever heard in my life. Please, spare us the grief."

Vash flushed but smiled anyway. "Still, maybe I could use a helping hand, Brilliant. Would you care to join me?"

"And miss out on Mordeh's famous sightseeing? Not a chance."

"I'll go!" Celestia raised her hand high into the air. "I'll go with you, Mr. Vash!"

Vash burst out into laughter at her enthusiasm. "Certainly, Celestia. I would enjoy your company."

"As will I," Meryl volunteered immediately afterwards. "Just to keep you out of trouble."

Demonte paused, unsure of what to do. He sighed, knowing that as long as the girl remained in a coma, THEY would remain in Mordeh. "I'll go too," He said, rising from his chair.

"Excellent!" Doc seemed pleased. "You four will venture to the mountain then," The Doc stood up as well. "I will prepare the list that I need and you can set off as soon as possible." Doc turned towards Ingway, BDN, and Milly. "As for you three, I have some other business for you to take care of."

"All right! Leave it to us!" Milly smiled.

Demonte was waiting outside of the church when Meryl approached him from behind.

"It really is a beautiful city," She remarked. "One of my good friends used to be friends with his Holiness before Mordeh was even constructed."

"You mean, Algernon?" Demonte glanced down at the concrete steps.

"Yes. Him and Algernon were very good friends. I don't suppose that you know that this church was built in his honor."

"You make it seem like your friend is dead," Demonte commented.

Meryl stiffened. "Well…he is."

Demonte remained emotionless.

Meryl hesitated, but continued. "His name was Nicholas. He was a priest just like Algernon. I suppose that that was why he and Algernon got along so well. Algernon used to tell us tales about a mysterious priest who traveled to make money for his orphanage. When I asked who it was, he replied that it was a man named Nicholas."

"How was he killed?"

"He was…" Meryl paused. "…murdered."

Demonte tilted his head towards her. "I'm sorry. That must've been very tragic for you."

Meryl sighed. "It was more tragic for Milly. They both seemed so close…"

"She seems to be okay now."

"She only pretends. Secretly inside, I know that she's hurting…" Meryl closed her eyes. "More than anyone could ever know…"

Demonte mimicked the sigh, and stood up from his seat on the church steps. Turning to Meryl, he held out a hand to her. "For now, we have to focus on moving ahead. Let's just go to the mountain and get the Geo plants."

Meryl took his hand and stood, coming up two heads shorter than him. "I know. But I know Jessica. I can't abandon her. I'm willing to risk my life for my companions…that's my job."

"You shouldn't hope for it to come to your life."

Meryl looked at him awkwardly, and shook her head. "No, no, you're most certainly right." Then she laughed. "Most certainly."

The cathedral doors opened and Vash and Celestia emerged with Doc shuffling slowly behind.

"I finished the list," Doc said, handing it to Meryl. "You're in charge Meryl, so don't lose the list."

"I know," Meryl replied. "I won't."

"Where's the mountain at, Doc?" Vash glanced down at the small man.

"About five iles to the west from here. It's quite a large mountain and the mountain path hasn't been cleared for quite a few years, so do be careful."

"Gotcha, Doc," Vash nodded and turned back to Demonte and Celestia. "You guys sure that you want to go? It's not exactly your problem."

"I can't just leave a person in need!" Celestia put her tiny hands upon her hips. "Besides, what if something happened to you guys and I wasn't there to help?"

"Of course," Vash grinned. "And you, Demonte?"

Demonte shrugged. "The faster we get the ingredients, the faster we can get back and head to Roklen. You haven't forgotten about the bandits from the ruins, have you?"

"Bandits?" Doc's eyes widened. "Vash, what's this that you're not telling me?"

"Don't worry, Doc," Vash reassured, "Just as you said before, we'll have plenty of time to recollect later."

"All right," The Doc agreed, defeated. "But remember to explain yourself when we get back, you understand?"

"Yeah, yeah," Vash waved him off. "I won't forget."

"Pardon my intrusion," Demonte interrupted, stepping in between the two. "But shouldn't we get going?"

"He's right," Meryl said, a hint of vexation residing in her voice. "We need to hurry and go."

Doc nodded. "Remember, five iles to the west. We're counting on you."

The four nodded in unison, and turned, setting forth towards the mountain.

Demonte held himself in the back, slowing his steps along the road.

'I have never seen anyone so determined before,' Demonte thought to himself. 'Perhaps, humans aren't so self-indulged after all…' He glanced at Meryl. 'She seems so strong and her will is implausible. How can one risk their life to help others?' He turned to Vash. 'And this man…his image is strikingly similar to hers. Perhaps there's a connection…?' He held his breath. 'Was Rohgsworn wrong after all? No matter how much I try to tear them apart, their spirits seem to stay intact. Why is that?'

Sighing, he lowered his head. 'I'll never understand human concept.' He shuffled his feet along the concrete, awaiting their next destination.

Bwahahaha! The next chapter will be fun! Only cause the group gets separated and…Oops. Don't want to spoil it all for you. ^_^ Questions? Comments? Confused? Etc…? Feel free to e-mail me!

Oh…darn. We have new characters. Welps. Guess I'm adding onto the character list. Check down below:

Doc: First appeared in Chapter 14. He appeared in Trigun in Episode 20: Flying Ship and Episode 21: Out Of Time as the person who knows who Vash really is and all about his mission to battle Knives. He also gave Vash his gun arm when Knives shot Vash's arm off.

Jessica: First appeared in Chapter 14. She appeared in Episode 20: Flying Ship and Episode 21: Hang Fire as the little girl who is hopelessly in love with Vash. She's known Vash since she was very small and has always looked up to him. Unfortunately Vash doesn't help any with Brad's chances to getting Jessica to go out with him.

Algernon: First appeared in Chapter 14. Algernon is an OC who is an important figure in Mordeh. He is the Head Priest and supposedly, he knew Wolfwood.

There we go. ^_^ Confused no more! At least, character wise I hope you're not. But if you are, feel free to let me know.

BLD