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Tap.
The sharp sound of metal against glass came to Caterina. She tried to get back to sleep.
Tap, tap-tap, tap.
Caterina opened her eyes a slit. She was in time to Lilith's dark form move to the window. Just beyond, the sun was sliver in the sky. Caterina sat up. Normally she was up long before this. The events of the other night and day had drained her.
Lilith stood before the window. A familiar, metal bird was perched on her shoulder and she held two thick letters in her hand.
"Are those from Abel?" Caterina asked. She replaced her monocle.
"They are." Lilith frowned. "How did you know?"
"I recognized the bird," Caterina explained. She stood and moved over to the table which had been pushed out of the way so all of them had room to sleep. "It was used to communicate with Abel when he served as the pope's personal agent."
"I see." Lilith looked at the letters she held, her soft eyes almost pained. She straightened and joined Caterina at the table. "It seems this one is for you." She held out an extremely thick envelope. "William's and Thomas's theory Abel had his memory from the future was correct."
Caterina took the envelope. It was too heavy to hold just a letter. She opened it. A small device fell into the palm of her hand.
Lilith let out a heavy breath. "I told him to never send a radio here," she muttered.
Caterina turned the radio in her hand. It was very different from the one she wore as an earring. Larger and heavier for one. She set down the radio and pulled out the letter from Abel. The first sheet held instructions on how to program and use the radio. The other was the actual letter to her.
Caterina skimmed the letter. It seemed the radio's original settings had been wiped. The letter also clarified the future they could end up returning to would be a very different one from the one they'd left. Given not only his memory but his sister's had been transferred back through time.
"William." Caterina looked up from the letter.
William was already awake, reading in the far corner of the room. He stood and crossed over to her. "Hmm. Interesting." He looked over the instructions before he picked up the radio.
"Careful with that," Lilith told him. "You might—" She broke off and sighed. "Abel gave you the right settings?"
"Did you the read his letter?" Caterina asked.
In the letter to her, Abel had explained there was sure way to peace in this time. He had sent the method to Lilith and it was up to her to act upon the information. The letter had continued to explain the two traitors who had forced the war to start and were forcing it to continue forward. One within the Vatican and the other in the empire. By the time Caterina would be reading the letter, Abel's people would be moving to apprehend the traitor within the empire. Yet, this alone wouldn't do much. They needed the aid of someone within the Vatican for the traitor in the Vatican to come to light.
Lilith frowned. She lifted her letter and opened it. She pulled out another envelope and sighed. "Honestly?" A small breath came from the other women. Her annoyance was replaced with a frown. She set down the envelope and pulled more out including several documents and pictures. Then Lilith lifted out her own letter.
The envelope she set on the table held Gregory's name. Caterina knew it to be an invitation to start peace talks.
"It can't be," Lilith whispered. "Myles?"
Myles? Caterina frowned. She couldn't remember if she'd ever come across the name in history or not. It sounded familiar but perhaps it hadn't been from a history book at all.
Lilith touched her radio. "Nihilum?" she asked over it. There was a pause. "Brother Myles is still at the front, correct?"
Another pause.
"Search his chambers." Lilith stood and moved away from the table. "There should be letters in a draw of his desk from a member of the imperial family," she continued to speak in hushed tones. "The entire war has been manipulated into starting and to this length by two traitors," she growled. A hint of red could be seen in her eyes. A familiar red Caterina knew to associate with the activation of the crusnik. Lilith lowered her hand. "01," she whispered.
"Got it." William set down the radio and pressed a button on the side. A light flashed green. For a moment static came over the radio. "Hmm, is it working?" William settled himself in a third chair around the table.
There was a long pause. Then a familiar voice came over the radio. "It is, Professor." The voice sounded drained, almost exhausted. "I'm glad this got to you and Caterina quickly."
"Abel," Caterina breathed his name, relief filled her. Other than tired, he sounded fine. Still, should she be happy about this? He was the leader of the current enemy of the Vatican. Even if he wanted peace – no, this was no different than her going behind the backs of the other cardinals to set up peace talks with the Vatican in their own time.
Lilith returned to the table. Her nails tapped against the wood. "Abel, how did you learn Myles is a traitor or even where to find the letters?" she demanded, her voice a little sharp.
"Hello to you as well, Lilith," there was a hint of pain in Abel's voice. "I know because Gregory told me. Ah," he corrected, "will tell me? You know, just know he told me in the timeline my memory comes from."
The soft tap of stone against stone sounded from the other end of the radio. "Check," a calm, almost smooth voice stated.
Another stone struck stone. "More to the point, Lilith, are you going to check for the letters Myles received from Cain?"
"Nihilum is on it," Lilith seemed to be fighting annoyance. "And don't tell me you're currently playing chess with Solomon?"
"Evening, Lilith," the smooth voice stated. "There was time to spare while we waited on the bird to deliver his majesty's letters."
"Shouldn't he be focusing on work?"
"Lilith, it's the imperial evening."
Caterina sighed.
"Was it Nihilum who found Caterina and the others or you, Lilith?" Abel asked, tone even. The sound of the game continuing on could just be heard.
"Thomas."
"I see." There was a short pause. "Caterina, I am not going to ask if anyone was injured. As the leader of an enemy nation, I know you will never trust me with such information. All I am asking, is if everyone who was present when the device activated made it through?"
Caterina hesitated. "They did," she confirmed.
"Tres," Abel continued.
The killing doll looked towards the radio.
"I know you will protect Caterina. Make certain nothing happens to her."
"Affirmative, Father Nightroad." Tres stepped towards the table. "Please submit a damage report."
A small breath came from Abel followed by what sounded like him moving a piece on the chess board. "I'm fine and rather sick of people asking me if I am."
"Barack?" Lilith asked.
"Barack," Abel confirmed.
"Hey, is that Four-eye's voice I hear!" Leon was sitting up. He seemed to have been woken by the sound of their conversation. "Damn it, Four-eyes, explain to me how an airheaded idiot like you is an emperor."
"Language, Dandelion," Abel scolded in even tones.
"Check," Solomon stated. "You're normally far better at multitasking, majesty. I shouldn't have been able place your king in check this easily."
"That's hardly important, Solomon."
"Is that the Machine Admiral?" Leon smirked.
Something cracked on the end of the radio.
"Dandelion, please, tone it down a little," Abel stated. "I'm trying to avoid having the guard rush in here."
"Ha." Leon gained a wolfish grin. "So that emotionless voice with you is him, the Machine Admiral."
Glass shattered close to the radio.
"Solomon, calm down," Abel spoke hurriedly. "Lilith," he changed the subject, "did you get my letter to his Holiness, Pope Gregory?"
There was troubled look in Lilith's eyes as she looked at Leon. "I did, but I can't give it to him until we have the letters from Cain. The letter you sent as well as photos of the other letters will help. However, we still need more physical proof."
"I have reports from Athy that Brother Myles is at the front. Alexander confirmed them only a few minutes ago," Abel stated. "Given this, am I correct in assuming you asked Thomas to search Brother Myles's quarters given he's not the room?"
Caterina frowned. How did Abel know Thomas wasn't in the room? She looked at Lilith, but Lilith's eyes were on the radio.
"He is."
"Good."
"Who the hell—"
"Language, Dandelion," Abel interrupted.
"—is Athy?" Leon finished.
"Athina," Lilith explained.
"Oh." Leon huffed.
Caterina gave Leon a stern look which made the large, lion of a man shrink back a little. "You had two of your commanders confirm this?" she asked.
"Athy is heading the front which Myles currently commands." The sound of a chess piece followed. "Barvon reported it through a chaining of his men."
"Abel, why are you telling us who is at which front?" Lilith demanded.
"Because you should already have that information, Lilith. As I know Barvon is facing the Albion army under Eliza right now."
A small breath escaped Lilith. "What are you going to do about Cain?"
"I've dispatched men loyal to his majesty to bring in Cain," Solomon replied. His tone was almost close to Tres's. Yet, it was clear there was a hint of emotion there despite how calm he sounded.
"Solomon, why are you even in Abel's office?" Lilith asked.
"He is my emperor and I am the head of the military as well as his brother-in-law. Should there be another reason, Saint Sahl?" Solomon asked.
"Just, please tell me Barack isn't in the room."
"He's not," Abel told them. "I ordered him to take the day off."
"And he obeyed?"
"He had no choice," Solomon replied in Abel's place.
"I see why they call you a machine, you sound like Tres," Leon jabbed.
"I'm not a machine, weed."
"Well, I'm not a damned weed!" Leon snapped.
"Leon, enough," Caterina called Leon to order. They didn't need to have a man like Solomon working against them.
"Abel, why did you send a radio when I told you not to," Lilith changed the subject.
"It was the surest and securest means to speak with you quickly," Abel replied. "The radio is encrypted. There are only three people who can hack it and none of them will do so."
"Hmm, why is that?" William asked with a hint of interest.
Lilith sighed. "Because you're speak with two of them," she told William. "And the third is Seth."
"Caterina, keep the radio with you," Abel continued.
So that was why he had sent it to her and not to Lilith. Caterina felt herself smile a little at this. "If I'm found with an imperial radio, I'm less likely to hurt the chances at peace than if it were found with Lilith," she stated.
"Correct," Abel replied in a soft voice. "Sorry for you using you like this, Caterina."
"It's fine, Abel." After all, Caterina would have done the same thing.
The sound of a door opening came from the radio.
"Father! Father! You promised Aran and I a story before bed!" a young boy's voice sounded. "Aran's half asleep already. Come on!"
"One moment, Azul," Abel's voice had softened. He spoke into the radio. "I'll speak with you later." The radio went silent.
"Who was the brat?" Leon asked.
Lilith laughed. "One of Abel's adopted sons. It sounded like that was the older of the two, Azul."
Caterina looked at the radio. There had only been the normal sorrow and pain in Abel's voice after he had first heard Lilith speak. While he had his memory from the future, he also was far happier than she had ever known him to be.
The sound of Lilith standing made Caterina look at the woman. "I'm going to get all of you something to eat," the woman told Caterina. "I will return shortly."
"Thank you." Caterina bowed her head to the older woman. To Abel's one love.
x – Lilith – x
Protect Caterina? Lilith thought on Abel's words to Tres as she walked down the hall. He had asked Tres to protect a human. Her heart flickered with warmth at the sudden change in Abel. He had hated humans first for what they had tone to the four of them as children; then for betraying the people he had come to love and care deeply for.
The first-time Abel had trusted people outside of his family was on Mars. Tabitha, Solomon, Barack, Alexander, and especially Arthur had gained his trust. He had come to care for the people of the colony as if they were his family.
Yet – Lilith paused in the hall – this felt different somehow. As if something had forced open his eyes all humans no matter if they lived in the empire or another nation were the same. Her hand wrapped around the chain of her cross. The girl, Esther, had called it Abel's cross. Caterina had confirmed in the timeline they came from Lilith had been killed. She had no doubt in her mind 01 had been the one to kill her.
Her death did this to Abel. Her death would shatter the man she loved. Would it make him more vulnerable to 02's control?
"That's another timeline now," 04 pointed out. "We know he's strong enough to be pulled back from 02 even if he's lost control a few times."
"I know, but," Lilith let the thought hang. Her heart ached at the path which this Abel would have fallen down. To him, it was Cain who would have killed her, not 01. For him, Cain had betrayed the empire not 01. To her, she knew it was 01's doing and not Cain's. "Is there away to save Cain?" she half asked 04 half thought to herself.
"We've told you, removing some of 01 from their host will help him regain control."
"Twenty percent."
"Yes," 04 confirmed though it hadn't been a question. "With the war over, we know we can get 03's host's help in finding the container. 02's host might not believe you but 03's just might."
Lilith didn't know. This was a different Abel. He might be more open to believing 01 had control over Cain's body than before. Also, Seth loved both her brothers dearly. How could Lilith ever tell them and get them both to believe her?
She started off down the hall once more. It was a matter to worry about another day. Even if they did get Cain back in control, it wouldn't be the Cain they remembered.
"Lilith."
Lilith turned to see Pope Gregory moving towards her.
"I suspected you would at breakfast and when you weren't there, I wondered what had pulled you away."
"Sorry, Holiness." Lilith bowed to the pope.
"I need to speak with you over the war." The pope gestured for her to continue down the hall.
Lilith fell in beside him. "Of course, Holiness." Lilith tapped her radio in a flash message to Thomas she couldn't get those from the future their food.
Gregory led her into a side room where they wouldn't be overheard. "Information came in last night of a group loyal to the emperor moving in on his brother," Gregory started. "Either it's a power play on Abel's part," – Gregory let out a low breath, showing his didn't believe this – "or something else has happened within the empire." The pope looked at her. "Either way, I need you ready to move out if matters on the third front require your touch."
"I understand, your Holiness." Lilith bowed her head.
A sharp knock came from the door.
One of the pope's guards moved to get the door. "Nihilum," the guard stated and moved to one side.
Thomas strode into the room, now wearing his mask. He held a small locked box in his hands. "Holiness, Saint Sahl, forgive the interruption, but I found something of interest." He held out the box. The lock hadn't been broken yet, showing Thomas most likely had learned what it held without actually opening it.
"That box belongs to Brother Myles," one of the guards stated. "Why did you break into his quarters?"
"Nihilum never does anything without reason." Gregory looked at Thomas and nodded. "Open it," Gregory ordered Thomas.
Thomas drew his dagger and broke the lock. He stepped back to give Gregory space.
The pope pulled out a few of the letters within. A frown appeared on his face as he turned one of the letters over in his hands. He opened it. The letter was two sided, the side facing Lilith was from Cain and ended there. When the pope turned the letter, she noticed the other side was from Myles. It seemed Cain had written the reply to this letter on the back of it. Something which would have made Myles livid.
"Brother Myles was," Gregory trailed off, his expression pained. He turned to Lilith. "Has the emperor told anything?"
Pope Gregory had been aware of Lilith's contacting Abel for some time now. Gregory had told her to try and persuade Abel to see reason and end the war peacefully. She supposed his desire was coming true now. This time the Cardinals would have no choice but to follow given the fact the main backer of the war was a traitor to the Vatican.
A small breath escaped Lilith. She pulled out what Abel had sent her, excluding only the letter for her. She passed him the letter Myles had written to Cain, the images of a few of the other letters, and the letter Abel had written for Gregory.
Gregory looked over the letter from Myles to Cain; then, the images of the other letters. "So, Emperor Nightlord found out Cain was a traitor before we discovered Brother Myles was one. I take it he was the one to tip you to this." Gregory had turned his gaze on Thomas as he spoke.
Thomas bowed his head. "Forgive my not telling you sooner, your Holiness. I believed the best course was to prove the emperor wasn't lying before inspecting Brother Myles's rooms."
"I understand." Gregory turned to those from the Inquisition in the room. "You know what to do," he started, "apprehend Brother Myles and bring him back to Rome."
They bowed. Both left the room.
With them gone, the pope turned his attention to the letter from Abel. He settled himself in one of the few chairs in the room before he broke the seal. There was a long pause while he read through the letters. The smallest of frowns creased his lips.
"Interesting." Gregory lowered the letter. "Emperor Nightlord would like to meet in a natural zone with both myself and the queen of Albion to start peace talks. He stated he was pulling back his forces by the end of our day today to prove he wants peace." The pope rubbed his eyes. "It's up to me to decide if I want to push the advantage this will create or not." He looked at Lilith. "This is the surest means to peace. I would still like your thoughts on the matter."
"You've been wanting this for a long time, your Holiness. Perhaps not in the way this has been presented with a traitor in both nations. However, this is still the best way to achieve peace. It will be arduous, but worthwhile if it means the war closes." Lilith's heart flickered. Peace. Abel had really found the best way to forge it between the Vatican and the empire. All which remained was to finish convincing his Holiness peace was the best option and Albion.
Gregory nodded. "Then we're agreed." Gregory stood. "I write up a response after meeting with the Cardinals." A scowl appeared on his features. "Though, from what little I read of these," – he gestured to the letters – "we have another traitor among the cardinals as well." He took a deep, troubled breath.
"Are there none to replace him?" Lilith asked, even knowing the answer was "no." The Vatican had suffered heavy losses through the war, including most of those who the pope would trust replace the traitor among the cardinals.
Amusement sparked in Gregory's eyes. "Dear Saint Sahl, you of all people should know the answer to that question."
Lilith smiled. "I was merely being polite."
The pope gave a soft, almost strained chuckle.
"If I may, there is an answer to this dilima." Thomas stepped forward. "It might take a while to explain and seem unbelievable, but it is the truth and would mean you gain a far more capable and well informed Cardinal."
"After all of this," – the pope gestured at the box still holding the letters – "unbelievable tales are the least of my concerns. If this person is as good as you're making them sound, I will gladly persuade the Cardinals into electing them."
Lilith and Thomas explained what had happened a few days ago. The pope listened in silence, his eyes narrowed in thought. When Lilith finished with a few of the events today, leaving out the fact Caterina had a radio from Abel, the pope was frowning, brow furled in deep thought.
"So, this Cardinal Sforza is from a timeline where we learned years from now Brother Myles is a traitor," Gregory started and shuddered. "God have mercy on us those years didn't see too many more dying." He sent a prayer to God. Then, he nodded to himself. "No matter how they came to be in this time, it was God's will in the end. This can be turned to our advantage. But, first, I would like to speak with this Caterina Sforza."
"If you don't mind, Holiness," Thomas started, "they have yet to eat today. I would like to get that group breakfast."
Gregory blinked then laughed. "You're free to do so, Nihilum." Gregory wrote a quick note and passed it to Thomas. "Give this to kitchens."
"Thank you, your Holiness." Thomas bowed before he left the room.
"Led the way, Saint Sahl." Gregory gestured for Lilith to head out of the room first.
It wasn't a long trip back to her room. When Lilith entered, it was to see Leon had returned to sleep, while Esther was now awake and looking out the window. Kaya was at the table, deep in conversation with Caterina and William. They broke off their discussion upon seeing Gregory entering the room.
"Good morning," the pope greeted them with a tired, but friendly smile.
Kaya leapt to her feet and offered her chair to the pope.
"Thank you." Gregory nodded to the nun. "I've recently been made aware of your arrival in our time by Saint Sahl and Agent Nihilum," Gregory started as he took the seat across from Caterina.
Caterina looked out of the corner of her eye at Lilith. Lilith just smiled in return as she settled herself to one side of the room. This was for Gregory and Caterina to discuss, not Lilith. The only reason she stayed was for the Pope's safety while among those from the future.
"Given recent developments, one cardinal will be dismissed as a traitor to the Vatican," Gregory started without fear. "I was told you are or will be, rather, the Cardinal of Foreign Affairs within your own time. This is the position which will be freed up and, thus, I would like to know if you're willing to take that position."
Caterina's expression remained even as she regarded the pope. "Surely there is another among the Archbishops you trust to take the position, your Holiness."
"That was if we had elected more to those positions. With the war, we've lost many higher ups within the Vatican proper. While you're not from this time period, you know enough about the position to make you invaluable. With a slight of hand, I can place you into the position required to get in as a cardinal within this time.
"Lilith also informed me you were working towards peace with the empire within your own time. Given these events didn't take place in that timeline," – Gregory blinked and gave a nervous laugh as if he didn't quite believe what he'd just said – "it would make sense you would like to be a part of the peace process in this time."
Caterina regarded Gregory for a long moment. She gave the slightest bow of her head. "I understand where you're coming from, your Holiness. Given the timeline has already changed, the likelihood of returning to our own time and timeline is next to none." The smallest of smiles appeared on Caterina's features. "I will accept your offer."
A smile appeared on Gregory's face. The relief was almost papal in the air. "God bless you," he sighed. "I will see the arrangements and speak with you this evening." He stood. "Saint Sahl, I'll have a reply ready for Emperor Nightlord by this evening as well. It will take longer to convince the queen, but I am certain she will see reason and agree to this meeting as well."
"Thank you, Holiness." Lilith felt herself smile as warmth filled her. The start of peace was already unfolding before her. There was still a lot of work to be done, but she was certain the three nations would be able to find common ground once more.
(Author's Note: So, I am trying to keep this story being told only from Caterina, Abel, Seth, and Lilith with no OCs telling it all. I honestly don't know if you guys even like it when Solomon, Aran, or Thomas tell a chapter.
While writing this chapter, I've come to realize something, even in Divergent Path Pope Gregory had very little face time. He just appeared in a few scenes as he was needed. This story is going to be interesting simply because he is a major player in the events unfolding throughout the story.
Also, on why Solomon is so over powered (as one can say), I wanted him to be a jack of all trades. As well as a resource that even if he had been discovered as to having hacked his way onto the Red Mars Project (as would have happened) would still stay on because he was invaluable.
Another note, just so I attempt (it might not happen) to write every story I have going between school and other projects, updates are now on Tuesday for all my stories. Not all of them will be updated every Tuesday, but I am aiming to update one Trinity Blood story and one Dragon Age story each week.)
Jezegreg: First, thank you so much for reviewing the story. Abel and Lilith are my favorite pairing (if you couldn't tell from DP). I'm glad you like Aran and Azul, they, along with Thomas and Solomon, are my favorite OCs to write. Thank you so much for saying everything you said.
Foxiz: Thank you for taking the time to review. Yes, my writing has improved, like any piece of art, practice makes a huge difference. As for updating, I am aiming to update either this story or another TB story every Tuesday if I can. It gives me more time to write and edit the stories before posting them.