Hey all. Sorry it took me a bit to update. I had an annoyingly busy weekend. Also, sorry that this chap is kinda short. I promise I'll update a longer one soon. Enjoy!

Warning: Reader discretion advised.

Disclaimer: Julian is mine :D

"So, you dragged us all the way out here, but do you have any idea where to look?" Leon said as the trio walked down the streets of Valencia. Abel stopped in his tracks and thought for a moment.

"Uhh.. Not really, no."

Leon whacked the back of Abel's head with his hand swiftly. "What the hell did you bring us out here for then?!"

"Well.. I just had a good feeling about this place.."

Leon sighed and continued walking. "Come on then, kids, let's get looking."

They began at the heart of the city, splitting up to cover more ground. Tres went North, Abel went South, and Leon went East. But as it got late, they began to lose confidence that they would find something.

The trio all met back where they started, each coming back empty handed. "I guess we'll just have to look again tomorrow.." Leon grabbed Abel by his shirt and stared him in the eyes. "Alright, junior. Spill. Why the hell are we here?"

Abel looked around Leon to Tres, silently pleading the android to get Leon off of him. Said android stared back blankly, offering no help in the situation. Abel looked back to Leon and sighed, "Honestly?"

"NO! Tell me a big fat lie!" Leon spit, sarcasm dripping from his every pore. "Yes! I want the God damn truth!" Leon let go of Abel and raised a brow, crossing his arms. "Well?"

Abel shook his head. "I don't know."

Leon's brows furrowed. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? You don't even know?" He put a hand on his forehead and shook his head. "You better not be fucking with me Nightroad."

Abel raised his hands in defense. "I'm not making this up! I swear! I just picked a place!" Leon shrugged, still not looking totally convinced.

"But I just.. I had a feeling that we might find something here. Something in my head told me it was the right place to be.." He rubbed his neck. When he spoke of it aloud, it sounded ridiculous.

"So you listened to the voices?" Leon laughed.

"Stop it! I'm serious! I- Leon?" The Jailbird had frozen in place, his laughter silenced, his skin a marble-like white, which was in sharp contrast to what it usually was. Abel waved a hand infront of him. Nothing. He looked around to Tres. He, too, stood abnormally still. "What the...?"

Earlier, there had been a slight breeze. Now, the air seemed unnatural, still. Even the birds had stopped cheeping. Come to think of it.. He looked to the sky and gasped. They had stopped flying as well. Up above him, a beautiful blue bird was frozen in mid-flight, hanging in the air motionlessly, wings outspread, as if it was only a child's toy, hung by a string.

It was as if the entire town had just...stopped.

He wandered down the long, cobble stone street. Everything looked as if it was just a portrait, painted in everlasting stillness.

But what was that?

A tall, lean man stood on the other side of the street, scowling at him with his arms folded. His violet eyes glowed menacingly.

Violet..

Why does that remind me of something?

The realization hit him like a lightning bolt, surging through every vein and clashing against his heart so hard he trembled. "You!" He shouted angrily. "What have you done with Esther?"

A chilling laugh echoed through Abel's mind, making him wince. "So you are the priest she wails about in her dreams. I remember you. Too weak to protect her, weren't you?"

"I will kill you, bastard!" He snarled.

Julian cocked a brow. "Interesting. Very interesting." The Krusnik charged at him, teeth barred. Swiftly, Julian moved out of the Abel's range. "I've heard about you, Krusnik. A very curious being. But seeing you in person really makes my day. I must say, however, I am not too impressed."

"Get back here you coward!" Abel roared, taking another lunge at Julian with his blood red scythe.

Again, Julian dodged. "No, no. You're going about this all wrong. Can't we simply sit and talk this out like gentlemen?" He stepped back, Abel's attack missing him by a hair.

"You are no gentleman. You're a monster! Come here and fight me!"

The Krusnik pointed his weapon to the violet eyed man and shot a large stream of electricity in his direction. Julian disappeared.

"What the hell? Where are you?!" Julian waved politely from atop a tall building, smiling. "Are you looking for me?"

Abel's large black wings furiously beat the air as he charged for Julian, tackling him to the ground. "Where is she?" He snarled, his scythe pointed at the vampires neck.

"Oh please, please Mr. Krusnik, have mercy! I want to live!" Julian said in a mocking tone. "Are you so angry because you failed that little red-headed bitch?" He laughed.

The blade of Abel's weapon pressed against the vampire's neck, drawing blood. "Tell me where she is!"

Julian laughed again. "Why doesn't it surprise me that an idiot like yourself couldn't see the beauty of that prize I hold locked away? You know, I did just what I said I'd do."

Abel thought back to the conversation they had the day Esther was captured. 'We won't kill her. But we will most definately break her in..'

"No... NO! If you harmed her.."

"Oh," Julian grinned, "I have done more than harm her. She is mine now. Every inch of her belongs to me. And I must say," He licked his lips, "she was quite willing to give herself to me. All of herself. And her blood is very delicious."

Abel pressed down harder, threatening to slice Julian's throat. "God damn you! Tell me where she is!" The brunette man smirked.

"Julian Echeverria does only what he wishes. I'll tell her you said hello!"

The large scythe clunked against the roof as Julian disappeared.

"Damnit! Damnit damnit damnit!" Back in his original form and on the ground, he slammed his fists against a wall. "You dirty bastard! When I kill you, I will personally go to Hell and bring you back so I can have the pleasure of killing you again!"

Time started moving again as Abel furiously stomped back in the direction of Leon and Tres. "How in the...?" Leon blinked a few times. Abel walked right past them. "Let's go." Leon and Tres exchanged looks, and ran- Or rather Leon ran. Tres just walked- to catch up.

A/N: I'll update soon. I promise.

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