Chapter 9: Reunion (Abel, Ion and Cain's POV)
(Abel's POV)
I dropped to my knees as I saw Cain's body drop to the ground. I ran to Cain, tears threatening to fall. Please don't be dead…I prayed as I reached him, knelt and turned him over. There was only one body….where was Isaak's? I remember Cain holding him as the arrow descended. Now there was no trace…
"Abel…" Ion began. "You have to let Cain go." I looked at Ion and growled.
"No, he's not dead." I said as I took him in my arms. He can't be… Ion looked at me but said nothing as we made our way to the Empire. Seth and Asta were waiting at the front.
"Niisan we….what happened to…" She pointed Cain and I explained all that happened. She was shocked but led us to a room, where I set Cain down onto the bed. As I sat down, Seth looked at me with sad eyes.
"Niisan, if he doesn't make it…"
"Seth…please don't say that…."
"I have to, because we don't know what's going to happen. Cain's body went through hell and it probably couldn't take one more hit. Now if he doesn't make it, he will be buried here in the Empire. You and the children can stay and live here." I nodded but couldn't and wouldn't accept that Cain was dead. "I will have my medical team look at him. For now, you need rest." I allowed myself to be led out of the room but said one thing-
"Cain, don't you dare die on us."
(Ion's POV)
I had to sit and think about all that had happened since I had read that letter. I'm still a bit skeptical on Cain's back agenda but so far, he had proven himself to be sincere and wanted to be with Abel, raise his younglings and be at peace. But I had to consider the fact that Cain was a warlord. He had been a warlord for over 900 years. How can one of such a nature turn to peace? Is love so powerful? Abel had turned for the good and he had been a Commander…but Abel had a gentle soul somewhere. He must have or he wouldn't have saved the Duchess of Milan when she was just a girl. I didn't know Cain in the past I just knew him for what he was now. I hugged my knees and sighed. I didn't know what to think. I got up and went to the two people I knew would have the answers…
"Abel, Empress…"
"Seth, Ion." My Empress corrected me with a smile. "There's no need for such formality between friends." I smiled and joined them for tea.
"I'm just at a loss. I really don't know about Cain and I'm skeptical…"
"That's understandable." Seth said. "So am I but Abel is pretty sure that Cain has changed and for the better."
"What was he like when you were young?" I asked as I sipped my tea. Abel's answer shocked me.
"He was gentle in fact. I was the hot-head."
"You… Abel….a hot-head?!" I had to gasp for I choked on my tea. Seth patted my back and Abel chuckled a bit, rubbing his stomach as he sat back, remembering.
"Yes I was. In fact, Cain and I argued a lot, even as children. But I hated humans and the world. It was Cain who always had me thinking and Lilith was there to cool my temper. She was the one who taught me to love humans, to protect them, and said that I shouldn't condemn an entire race for the errors of a few."
"But when Cain obtained 100% Crusnik," Seth continued, for she saw that Abel was bothered in continuing. "It drove him insane and brought forth his 'dark half'. You see, like Abel said, Cain had been very gentle, analytical, reasonable and tactical but he didn't 'take charge'. When Abel 'awakened' the Abel you know now came to being."
"So it was a personality switch?"
"No. It brings forth the hidden side of the Crusnik. Cain was originally gentle. Abel was originally a hot-head. When becoming Crusniks Cain became hot-headed and Abel became gentle." I put down my cup in surprise. I never would have guessed…
"So what happens now?"
"We will have to just wait until the medical team finishes." Seth said. "They have Cain in the lab now."
"How did that happen when I put him in the room?" Abel asked. Seth put up a hand and silenced him.
"I told a page to tell the team to obtain him as soon as you left the room Niisan. He will be fine." Abel calmed down and nodded. All we had to do…was wait...
(Cain's POV)
"'Cain, don't you dare die on us.'"
That's the thought that woke me. My crystal ice blue eyes opened and my hands touched glass. I focused and looked around. I saw that I was in a lab and saw the emblems on the staffs' shoulders. How did I get to the Empire? And why am I in this tank??? I remained still but wakeful. A young medic looked at me then called.
"Doctor, He's awake."
"Remarkable. His recovery rate is rapid indeed. And his body is stable." I watched as an elder man looked at me. He looked kind so I calmed and placed my hands onto the glass.
"You took quite a beating youngling." He said. "Luckily for your quick thinking in absorbing another body when you did...you are now stable and you will never have to worry about parts falling off." I blinked at that, the mask preventing me from speaking. I remember grabbing Isaak and not letting him go. I remember him begging me to release him and me grabbing tighter, and then feeling his body merge with mine. Somehow, my body knew it wasunable to take another hit and acted on its own. I had absorbed Isaak's body but retained my original form. I felt the tank emptying out and waited patiently. When it opened I was helped out and the mask removed.
"Where….where are…my…clothes?" I shivered from the cold air and the lack of clothes. I hid myself from view and I heard the Doctor chuckle.
"Youngling, I have seen many nude in my day, you have nothing to fear." He handed me a full outfit and gestured next to me. "You may dress in there." I nodded in thanks and dressed quickly. Upon looking in the mirror I screamed.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
I stepped out wearing a white and red tunic, with a hat and knee high white boots. (think Ion's outfit). I glared at the Doctor who smiled. "You're a sick man."
"The Empress will order clothes to your liking later. These were given to us on short notice."
"Where is your Empress? These are unacceptable!"
"I will take you to her, follow me." He walked on and I followed grumbling and crossing my arms, occasionally glaring at anyone who whistled or tried to hit on me. I should've died…
"My Empress, the young man is awake and has a clean bill of health." The doctor said and stopping so suddenly I bumped into him. I growled at him from my place on the floor. He's a sick old coot! I heard laughter and looked up. It was the blond urchin, Ion.
"Ion, hush, it's not polite to laugh." Seth chuckled. "Although, I'll have to admit, it's funny and rare to see you on your bottom on the floor Cain."
"Cain?!" I heard Abel call. I scrambled to my feet and pushed the old codger away and ran to Abel, who held me crying. "I thought you were dead." He whispered. I purred and nuzzled him.
"I'll never scare you like that again. I promise." I heard him sigh in relief hold me tighter, felt him kissing my cheeks then looking down.
"Umm…Cain…" Abel began, trying not to giggle. "What are you wearing?" I blushed furiously and wished I could melt into a puddle.
"This SICK outfit was given to the staff on short notice."
"Your old ones were beyond repair. When the staff got to you they peeled everything off." Seth said. "There is nothing wrong with those."
"I feel exposed and nasty." I said. "And people keep staring at me. It makes me downright uncomfortable."
"Me too..." Abel said. "Please… Seth." He looked at her with the pleading puppy eyes and I had to bite back a laugh. Seth couldn't resist the look, especially from her favorite brother…
"Oh…alright, I'll have my tailors fit you for more suitable clothes Cain." I smirked and nodded as she pouted. With Abel, I always got my way, unless it was against Abel. Then there was no way… I walked off but sensed of someone following me. They followed me to my chosen room and wrapped their arms around me from behind and snuggled close. I would have lunged but 'sensed' my children. I relaxed and opened the door, stumbling inside and falling onto my stomach on the bed, purrs filling my ears.
"Personally, I like this outfit." The voice purred as I felt Abel straddling me. "But I love it when you have…" I felt his claws reducing the cursed outfit to ribbons and lightly scratching my flesh, causing me to growl in pleasure. "Absolutely nothing..." My eyes widened playfully as I flipped to my back and kissed fully. If I'm dreaming, I don't want to wake up…
Stay tuned. Want more? Leave a review!