Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 2:

(June 5, 3060 AD: Vatican)

Three months ago, Abel left Vatican territory and slipped into the underground tunnels.

Or more accurately, he ran away. Abel faked his own death, scared that someone, Leon, would put together the fact he wasn't exactly human.

Years ago, before Leon was even born, and even before his parents were born, Abel had promised himself that he would never make another friend again. Not after the last time. And yet Leon, with his insufferable teasing and boisterous laugh, had some how managed to be sorted into the acquaintance category, then friend. That friends list was so small, having only one name engraved into it. Leon.

Well that was one promise broken, and now Abel was about to break another. Or rather a rule.

Abel was about to break the single most important rule that he lived by ever since he learned he was immortal. He was going back to the Vatican.

It hadn't even been a year yet! Worse, he always made sure to wait at least half a century before traveling back to a place. Abel was always on the run. Moving from place to place, never staying longer than five years before faking his death and moving on. If he moved back into a territory, and if people recognized him, noticed he hadn't aged at all… it would spell trouble.

Bag swung over his shoulder, hood up and glasses in place, Abel approached a steal door, leading to the outskirts of the Vatican. If he was lucky, he would be in and out before anyone could recognize him.

Hopefully he'd also be welcome in the new empire that was being built in the dead zone, right beyond the Vatican. Abel almost laughed at that. It was the same area the meteor had crashed three months earlier, and people were beginning to spread rumors about aliens.

No, that's not right. People had been calling them vampires.

Abel shook his head at the thought. It was laughable. Humans these days jumped to strange conclusions. Reaching the door, Abel placed his hand on panel of the wall just as deafening bang echoed through the door and the hall shook, shedding centuries worth of dust to the ground.

The door screeched, sliding open and Abel jerked back, darting into a near corridor at the sound of voices. More curious street rats trying to break into the ruined UN base? Or was it Vatican Inquisition doing patrols?

Abel cursed silently, he should have checked the hidden cameras before placing his hand on the panel and opened the door.

"What is this place?" That voice, was distinctly female and Abel was reluctant to believe he recognized it.

"I don't know, Four-eyes and me traveled through these halls to get here."

Leon!? Abel nearly groaned out loud, recognizing that voice and horrid nickname. What the hell was that idiot doing here!? He'd better not think of traversing these halls without a guide. Moron would probably get lost. Hell, even Abel got lost every once in a while! And Abel was practically born and raised in these tunnels.

"I see. Does anyone else know about this place?" It was that female voice again, Caterina most likely.

"Nah, just me, you, and Tin Can," Abel could practically see Leon jabbing his thumb at who ever 'Tin Can' was, and he had a pretty good idea of who it was, Tres, the blasted cyborg that shot Abel. "And Four-Eyes is dead…."

"Good, lets keep it that way. I don't want anyone knowing about this place, especially not my brother. Tres, start preparing this place as a bunker incase we need to evacuate. Also, make a map of these tunnels," Caterina ordered.

"Affirmative," came the monotone voice, Tres no doubt.

Great… The exit was right there! But to get there, Abel would have to pass these people and he couldn't risk them recognizing him. Oh, who was he kidding, he looked exactly the same, down to the way he dressed. His only option was to run for another exit, but the nearest was in Milan at the catacombs. It would take at least three days for him to get there.

Abel groaned, his back hitting the wall as he slid down to the floor.

Abel could just make out the whispered words of, "did you hear that?" from Leon.

"Affirmative."

"Tres, check it out," Caterina ordered.

Leon gasped, "what if it's a vampire!? They like dark places like this don't they?"

Metal boots stomped deeper into the halls, and closer to Abel. To run, or not to run. Instincts screamed at Abel to run, to retreat into the tunnels. But Abel was tired of running. Tired of having to burn his life to the ground then pick it up and start all over again. Couldn't people just accept him for what he was? An immortal? Couldn't people leave him alone and live life the way he wanted to?

Of course, Abel had wanted that for years. To be accepted. But… there was too many buts. The consequences of someone learning about him drowned out any positives there could have been. Abel hadn't survived this long by revealing himself to all the humans that he came across.

Abel had a friend he'd told once. 'There's nothing you can do, that would break our friendship.' Those were the words of his friend before he was stabbed in the back. 'You're immortal?' Greed, coated his friends words, then jealously. 'I thought we were friends. I'd do anything for you!' And then Abel was betrayed. He'd never trust another human again! 'Monster! If I can't live forever then neither can you!' That incident was followed by years of torture, nearly as bad as what he went through at the UN. The only reason why Abel had managed to escape was because the backstabber died of old age and greed convinced him not to tell anyone about Abel.

He'd nearly forgotten why he couldn't trust humans. Abel pushed the memories away, as he forced himself to stand up, mind made up. He wouldn't reveal himself to the three people who just invaded his tunnels… Milan it was. It would take him longer, but it was safer.

XXX

(June 10, 3060 AD: Vatican)

Caterina signed off on another document when someone knocked and the door swung open, a group of three men walked through, but she ignored them, simply continuing to read the documents before her. When she finally finished signing off on the documents a moment later, she pushed them away and looked at the men before her.

"Professor," Caterina acknowledged as she leaned forward and steepled her fingers before her. "You came sooner than I expected."

The wizened man smiled, tapping a finger to the wooden pipe he was never without. William Walter Wordsworth, otherwise known as the Professor let out a billowing cloud of smoke. Caterina just rolled her eyes, long used to her former teacher's quirks.

Finally he opened his mouth, smile turning troubled as he whined, "my wife kicked me out! Can you believe it? She actually cursed our child, Poseidon!"

"Pft, your robot isn't a child!" Leon barked, pointing an accusing finger at the Professor. "How a man like you could ever have such a beauty as a wife…. it's beyond me. A real man should be having read kids!"

"Hey now, Poseidon is our child! We both made her with love," William argued.

Caterina coughed, breaking up the argument. Amusement twinkled in her eyes, but she dared not join in on their teasing. "I assume, Tres and Leon has shown you the tunnels?"

"Ah, yes. I believe it would make a perfect bunker incase of an attack. However, the tunnels are dark and doesn't allow for any natural light. It would be far to easy for a vampire to attack in there. They wouldn't have to fear the sun's rays."

"I thought so," Caterina hummed. "Still, I want it to be available incase something does happen." She eyed Tres and Leon, silently hoping they got the message. The tunnels would be used as a hide out for her and Alec ( her younger brother, the pope) if they ever needed it. "And I trust you won't tell anyone about this?" Caterina's steely gaze locked on bright blue eyes.

"Of course not, my lady," William smirked. But it wasn't unkind. A smirk was just how William tended to smile.

Caterina nodded in thanks. "Also I was-"

"Oh," William interrupted, approaching Caterina's desk as he lifted his suitcase and started undoing the latch. "I almost forgot. About the tunnels, I found something curious. You see, Tres has large feet and always wears the standard issued boots for priests. However I found these footprints, just as large, if just a bit skinnier, in the tunnels." William handed her a picture of the footprint in question. It was hard to make out, the dust the footprint was in was nearly invisible to see in the picture.

"What do you think this means?" Caterina questioned.

The Professor shrugged. "Not only that but if you travel a mile into the tunnels, from the entrance, its nearly free of dust," he paused, passing Caterina another picture. "But the most curious thing of all is the tunnels is made up of lost technology, I'm shocked you were even able to open the door. I believe someone has been living there." He handed Caterina another picture. "And I believe someone was just about to leave, right when you three were at the door."

Caterina eyed the pictures. The first was that of the tunnels, completely free of dust and looking completely clean. The steel wall on one side looked spectacularly shiny but the other wall was made of glass and looked into what looked like a kitchen. From what Caterina could see, the kitchen was just as clean as the halls, and if she squinted she could just make out an overfilled trashcan.

Did Leon live in there for some time? He did say he traveled through the tunnels to get to the Vatican after all.

Looking over the next picture, Caterina raised a fine eyebrow at what was obviously lost technology. Caterina stared at the picture of a clear, bluish, glass panel with grids in the shape of a hand. Caterina wasn't an expert in lost technology, but she knew enough to know that only certain people would be keyed into the base if it only let people in by their hand prints. Those people were probably long dead. The tunnels were obviously ancient, so 'Four-eyes' was either a genius hacker or he lived for a really long time. Clearly he was a genius hacker, but was Leon also a hacker? And who was the one who opened the door?

"Explain," Caterina ordered, looking around William, causing the older man to turn and follow her gaze toward Leon.

The feral man blinked, pointing to himself. He looked completely lost and just as confused as she was. Caterina sighed, massaging her temples.

"Never mind," she shook her head. Of course, Leon couldn't be a hacker, he had no patience for such an art. "Tres, I want you to scout the tunnels in a two mile radius. Have a map drawn by Saturday. William, can you check the fingerprints against our files. See if it matches anything? Leon, in two days William and I will be going to the vampire camps-"

"Isn't two days from now, Saturday?" Leon rudely interrupted.

"Yes."

"But you just told Tin Can-"

"I know what I told him," Caterina stated, eyes narrowing at the (stupid) man. "We'll leave as soon as Tres returns. William has a student who pilots an airship. We'll be taking that to the vampire camps."

"Why? And why's the professor going with you? Why are you telling me all this?" Leon huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. Caterina nearly rolled her eyes at the grown man and the pout he placed on his face.

Leaning back into her chair, Caterina nodded to Tres, silently excusing him to follow her order before turning back to Leon. "William and I are going to have peace talks with whoever leads the vampires. And I want you to come with us."

XXX

Having to traverse the tunnels to get to Milan took longer than Abel had expected, but he was nearly there.

The grime and damp feel of the catacombs, forced Abel to rely on only memory as he weaved through the maze of rubble of the pitch black catacombs. He didn't want to touch anything unpleasant. The smell of the place was bad enough, that of death and rot, muck and dirt. No need to touch anything and have the stench cling to him.

If Abel's internal timer was correct, it was nearly dusk. The perfect time for him to be traveling through the city. He could stick to the shadows and no one would spot him, and even if he did, the night was the time thugs roamed the streets, so no one sane would dare approach him and Abel could easily silence a few thugs that did.

Finally, a breeze of fresh air, swept through the dark caves just as Abel melted out of it's shadow and stepped into the light of the setting sun.

Taking a breath of fresh air, Abel faced west. He'd have to pass through some of Rome, then Istvan. With any luck, he should reach the dead zone within two days.

Setting out in a brisk pace, Abel melted into the shadows of city. He stuck to the back alleys, never leaving the shadows and kept his head down, lest someone recognize him.

A few thugs sneered at him, but when Abel gave them no mind they left him alone. Figuring he's not worth it. Abel probably looked like a bum himself. His coat had seen better days, the edges tattered and filled with holes. His sack also had several mismatching patches. If anyone bothered opening it, they'd only find a journal and pistol. Abel kept no cash on him… hell he probably was homeless, now that he thought of it.

Abel sighed, sidestepping the swaying form of a drunk boy and slipping into the nearby shadow of another building.

"Hey."

Abel paused his stride. That was quite a feminine voice for a boy.

"C-can you help me?" the boy gasped out.

The boy wasn't drunk, Abel realized, he was injured. Turning, Abel jerked his head to a bench that sat below a light post, silently telling the child to follow him. As much as Abel wished to be out of sight, he couldn't ignore a cry of help from a child. And Abel had a feeling something was wrong. He'd get to the bottom of it.

Once the child was sitting on the bench, Abel studied him, trying to determine what was wrong. He could smell blood in the air, Abel's eyes narrowed. "Where are you hurt?"

"A vampire got to me…"

Abel rolled his eyes. Vampire? Really? No such thing. "You got bitten?" Abel asked, playing along.

"Yeah," the child nodded. "No one will let me into the inns. They think I'll turn."

"Turn?" Abel asked as he knelt down to inspect the child. Sure enough two incisions were bleeding on the child's neck.

"You know, turn into a vampire."

"I'm not sure how much I can help you. I don't have anyplace for you to stay and I have no bandages. I'd rip my coat up, but they're filthy and would do more harm than good. Wouldn't want that to get infected," Abel stood, eyeing the child's silk suit. It looked expensive, the panels layered for a nobleman and clean. He could rip the suit up to make bandages, but he wasn't sure how much the boy would like that.

"Oh, that's ok…. I guess."

"I could rip of end of your coat and use it as a bandage if you like. It looks clean enough," Abel offered.

"N-no, that's ok," the child squeaked out. Abel raised a brow at that, the boy sounded extremely girly. "Uh, my father would be upset."

Father. A word that wasn't used often in these parts. And Abel hadn't noticed it before, but the child also had an accent that was native to Londinium. Abel took in the red hair sticking out from under a hat and met the blue eyes that were half hidden under the lid.

Abel leaned forward and the child took a step back. On a whim Abel flicked the lid of the cap, sending it flying off the child's head.

The child gasped, slim hands flying up to her head as red hair floated down and around her shoulders.

Abel gaped, jaw dropping. He expected it to be a girl. But he wasn't expecting it to be the Londinium princess, Esther Blanchett. What was the girl doing so far from her country?

"Why did you do that!?" the red head snapped. She reached for her hat and shoved it over her head, forcing her loose hair under the rim.

"…Sorry," Abel mumbled after a while, eyeing the… princess. Technically his princess, since he'd been born in London… called Londinium now.

"Whatever, just don't tell anyone," Esther ordered.

"I wouldn't dream of it," Abel stated. "But why are you here exactly."

The princess looked away, tilting her chin up and to the side, in a typical sign of defiance. "Why are you skulking around the city?" she shot back instead of answering.

"Avoiding vampires," Abel grunted. He wanted to leave now, more than ever. This was dangerous. He'd met this girl once, when she was three years old. The same age human's began to remember things. Abel feared she'd remember him. She was bound to remember the incident at least, when she was kidnapped, and if she didn't remember him her father, the prince, was bound to remember a vague outline of what he looked like.

Tugging his hood even lower over his face, Abel took a step back, bumping into someone as he did so.

"Ah, excuse me," Abel said as he turned to the person. "I didn't - I didn't see you there," Abel stumbled over his words, his eyes firmly took in the white coat lined in blue. UN, his mind supplied. He owned a coat similar to this one when he'd first been created. They, owned clothes of the same make. The scientists.

Kill. It was the only thing on his mind now, kill the scientist to stay safe.

Abel threw himself forward, aiming a punch at the UN scum but the man dodged, faster than an enhanced human. Faster than Abel.

Abel didn't have a chance, didn't even see it until the clawed hand was latched onto his outstretched arm. Claws dug into the thin fabric of his coat and pierced skin, there was a sickening crunch and Abel screamed. His legs buckled and he fell to his knees.

The monster chuckled, dropping Abel's arm and licking his hand free of Abel's blood.

"V-vampire!" Esther screamed, and Abel risked a glance at her.

What he saw had his heart stop. Two figures, stood over Esther, bloodied fangs flitting in the moon light. No! He wouldn't let another suffer by the UN!

Damn it! Abel fished out his gun, took aim, and fired. Two shots went off, both hitting each vampire in the chest.

"Esther, run!" Abel shouted, as he scrambled to get up and aim his next bullet at the vampire before him, but he wasn't nearly fast enough.

It happened so fast. In the span of only a second, the vampire hulled Abel up by his hair and hurled him at a building. Abel's head bounced off the wall, and his vision swam. The vampire was before him in a millisecond, and before Abel knew it the vampire was leaning over him, his face in the crook of his neck.

Fangs scraping over his neck was the only warning Abel got as the vampire sank his fangs into him.

A/N: It's safe to say I went against my original outline for this story. Esther wasn't supposed to appear in this story until much later, oh well. It's hard writing from Abel's POV when he has no one to interact with.