The Cardinal was not having a good morning. Forcing three new friars to tell where they had been last night did not make it any better. Then Van Helsing walked into the confession stand.

"Gabriel! What are you doing here? What have you done this time?" the Cardinal said. "The last thing I need is you killing anyone, or shattering any windows."

"I have done nothing, Father." he said, taking his hat off and sitting down. "This is the only place where I can talk to you in private."

"What? The great Van Helsing actually wanting to talk to me?" the Cardinal chuckled. "Well, you're improving. I thought you'd never fit in here in the abbey."

"Father, what do you know about the Left Hand of God?"

"Well, that he is the greatest messenger of our Heavenly Father, thats about it. The Book of Prophecies may have something. But theres only one copy, and its in the possession of the Pope." he paused. "Why? You share his name, yes, but you have no interest in these things."

Van Helsing sighed. "Because….I am the Left Hand of God. Apparently.

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The Cardinal made the sign of a cross. "May God have mercy on you if you are lying. But please, continue."

So Van Helsing told him the whole story. "That night in Transylvania, when we were looking for the door, Carl said there was some vague description to the Left Hand of God murdering Dracula the first time, about four hundred years ago. Then, before I killed him the second time, he said to me:

'Did I mention that it was you who murdered me? It must be such a burden. Such a curse…to be the Left Hand of God. All I want is life, Gabriel, and the continuation of my kind. And perhaps the return of my ring?'

This ring, was his. I must have taken it when I murdered him. This was all before my memory was wiped away. But I feel it. My memory is still there somewhere; in my head …I just haven't found it yet."

"If you are the Left Hand of God…why would the God have sent you to us…half dead and without a memory?"

"I don't know. But I think my task…whatever it may be, is done. What do I do now….that's what I want to know."

"I'm sorry I haven't been much help, my son, but perhaps if we paid the Pope a visit, took a glance at the Book of Prophecies….we may find an answer. Meet me in front of the Great Cathedral two hours before supper. Meanwhile, I think it's time for the mid-day meal." The Cardinal stood up, and escorted him out.

"Carl!" Van Helsing called out to the friar, in the midst of the crowd of brothers, just coming out of the dining hall.

"Hello there, Van Helsing. Let's go down to the headquarters. I have something to show you. Did you talk to the Cardinal? You probably did. You always have that expression on you face afterwards. So what did he say? And you really didn't have to disturb my sleep last night, you know," he yawned as proof. "Waiting until morning would have been much better on my part. All right. Enough of that. Your turn to talk."

Van Helsing sighed. "The Cardinal wants me to meet with him later today, to see the Pope. Because he doesn't know what to do."

Carl made sure no one was with in hearing range, then said, "Blood hell! The Pope! You should be terrified!"

"Thanks"

"Sorry. Hey…we said that in the graveyard, in Transy—" he stopped. His friend's face suddenly hardened. "Ummm….let's hurry up."

They quickened their pace, and walked silently across the courtyard and down the steps, into the Order's headquarters.

"Here we are." Carl said as they stopped in front of a table. He picked up a crossbow. "This is an improved version of your crossbow. It's lighter, more compact, and has a larger firearm capacity. Oh, and I added side compartments for silver bullets and holy water." He demonstrated all the features while talking. "Like it?"

"Thanks." Gabriel said, smiling. "It's great, just like every else you've ever made…but Carl, I'm not planning on hunting monsters again.

"What? You're going to settle in here? Whoa, I wouldn't do that if I were you…"

"I didn't say I was staying here." Lowering his voice, he continued, "Remember our nighttime conversation?"

"What? You're going to leave me here? Let me slip into this replica of hell?" A passing monk glared at him. "Sorry father," he said, then focus on his companion again. "How do you plan to do whatever you're planning to do anyway? And do I mean so little to you?"

"Carl. Listen to me. I don't belong here. I'll never belong here. Not here or anywhere else in this world. Once people find out who I am, and the fact that I am immortal, which I'm sure you haven't thought about, what's going to happen? Nothing good will come out me staying here." he paused. "I think my task is done. It's time for me to go back where I came from. I don't know for sure, but if I'm lucky, I'll find out more about myself tonight."

"Van Helsing…"

"I've got to go get ready. The Cardinal will have my head if I'm late. I'll see you at supper." He clapped Carl on the back and left, before he could say anything.

Thanks for sticking with me! Please review, and if there's a typo I didnt catch, please tell me. :)