Disclaimer: I do not own Trinity Blood or any of the characters.

Chapter Nine

Into the Dark

"Ion, Esther!" Abel said brightly as his young students entered the conference room. Caterina was seated at the head of the table with the other members of AX lined down the side watching them curiously as they entered, Tres closing the doors behind them. Abel walked over leading them both into the room and standing at the opposite end of the table from Caterina.

"We have decided that since your training has progressed so well, that we feel it is best to attack quickly before this gets anymore out of hand." Caterina spoke evenly, her gaze never wavering from Ion or Esther. "We have learned the location of Radu Barvon and have a plan to take him out. Once he is out of the way we can take care of his followers." Classic tactic of slaughter the general… Ion thought vaguely.

"We leave shortly, the sooner the better. Gather your things for a few days stay," Caterina instructed the members of AX that were to accompany Abel, Esther, Ion and Tres. With that said everyone was dismissed to follow whatever course of action that they had been instructed to. Abel on the other hand accompanied Esther and Ion back to their room. Over their stay they had acquired weapons, clothes, and other necessities.

"So this is it Father Abel?" Esther looked up to Abel questioningly. She didn't use his last name when addressing him, but things were very lax between the three of them so it wasn't necessary.

"Yes, I hope so Esther. You two can finally help put a stop to the havoc that has caused the death of those close to you." Abel smiled gently, earning a small smile in return.

Once at their room, Abel bid them goodbye saying he would retrieve them when it was time to go. Not a word was passed between the two of them as they packed a few belongings to take with them.

"Are you ready Esther?" Ion watched as Esther zipped up her bag, setting it on the end of her bed.

"Yes, are you… ready?"

"Yes." Ion watched her for a moment before walking over, taking her up into his arms and kissing her deeply. Esther was surprised to say the least, but she kissed him back.

"Promise me you will be careful and not do anything you know you can't handle," Ion whispered.

"I will, just so long as you are careful too… you are all I have…" Esther said quietly. Just then there was a knock on the door.

"Are you ready," Abel asked through the door.

"Promise me!" Esther gazed into Ion's eyes, refusing to move.

"Yes, yes I promise," Ion said gently. "We're ready!" Walking over to the bed, Ion picked up his bag and opened the door to the smiling priest; waiting for Esther to gather up her bag.

So it was that the young couple met up with Father Nightroad and the other members of AX as they headed off to defeat Radu.

"We were successful," Esther said, holding lightly to Ion.

"Yes, but at what cost?" Ion asked to no one in particular.

"Father Nightroad, and many of the other members of AX," Esther said tearfully, remembering watching their dear comrade and teacher fall.

Author's Note:

Alright, I don't know what to do with this story right now. I'm thinking of just having it end, with out actually going through all the gore and just have the older versions of Esther and Ion tell it through. I'm sorry, but this has been going on long enough and hanging on an edge and I hate doing that. The next chapter will be the last. It will be as it is, at least until I get my inspiration to finish this properly.