A/N: This chapter was going to be the first chapter… but I decided against it. After Jedi Skysinger read this… (Now note that Jedi Skysinger is my editor so if she says something's wrong/cheesy/too much I have to take her word for it.) She agreed with me, so now it's Chapter IV. (Thank you Jedi Skysinger.) Well… here he is! The characters ya'll have been waiting for! Please welcome Father Abel Nightroad and Earl Ion Fortuna! (He. He. Sorry… been watching too much TV again…)

Chapter IV: Sibylline Prophesy
Thither he
Will come to know his destiny…
He shall spurn fate, scorn death and bear
His hopes 'bove wisdom grace and fear
- William Shakespeare, Macbeth Act III, Scene V

The wind was cold against his cheek as it blew the silver strands of his hair against his face. His heart had become cold again as well, cold with not only hatred for himself, deplorable creature he once was and still is, but also hatred for the other that he could never forgive.

His heart was also cold with grief, because he had to leave her behind. He wished he could see her again, wished that his last memory of her would be different. He remembered her face as he had called out her name with his last breath. He wished that he hadn't seen her widened eyes as they had looked briefly at him after he was revived. He wished with all his heart that she hadn't seen him as a Dark Devil before his fight against the Advent Angel. However, if he went back, she would no doubt turn away from him, as she had done the first time. Her lapis lazuli eyes had been filled with terror when she saw him the first time as the Angel of Destruction. When he had tried to reassure her that it was all right; she had screamed at him to keep away. But his shame was not the only thing that prevented him from returning to her. It was his desire to protect her from him. No doubt that he would be delighted to murder her as he had murdered his beloved, turning his heart into a stone then.

Strange how his lost beloved could still love him, even when he had become the Enemy of the World and slaughtered millions of humans, the very beings she had tried to protect. He was in blood, so steeped so far that he could wade no more, not even great Neptune's oceans could wash it clean from his hands (1).

Suddenly, another cold gush of wind came against him, jarring him from his reverie. Strangely, this blast carried with it an ethereal song. He turned his attention to his companion, who was garbed in a cloak of pure white. Copper orbs, which were slightly hidden by the locks of pale blonde hair, met his crystal blue eyes, hidden behind silver-rimmed glass. The boy wondered what was wrong, then the wind picked up again and now he knew what his companion was about to ask him. The boy nodded to him, confirming that what he had heard was no delusion. The song was eerie and unnatural, yet beautiful; the ethereal voice of a woman. What the song meant, they did not know. It was sung in a language that seemed Oriental in origin and the voice held both age and youth as she sang. Yet the tone of this song is filled with grief and longing. A fragment of a memory came to mind. There was something hauntingly familiar about the song, a song of lament - a requiem.

Nightlord...

The voice rang clearly in his mind, like someone had spoken aloud. It was the woman's voice. It was not the possibility he had lost his senses that troubled him, but rather how did she know him by that other name. No one, after nine hundred years, had ever addressed him by that name. He had abandoned it long ago after he had made the choice of carrying on his fallen beloved's task. She was determined to protect the humans and saw no difference between Terran or Methuselah. That name alone was a reminder of what he had been.

Abel Nightroad, former AX enforcement officer for the Vatican's Department of Foreign Affairs' AX Agency, whipped around. His black robes swirled with the wind and the motion. Searching the landscape behind, he found nothing but the ruins of the space facility he had just sealed and deactivated. Ahead he saw nothing but the wasteland in which it had been hidden. Russia in winter had not been a hospitable place before the Armageddon, especially after sunset. Now it was only known as the Dark Lands, nothing more than a wilderness of ice and snow. He turned again, facing his companion, who looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"What is it, Father?" His companion shouted over the wind.

"Did you hear that?"

"Yes, I hear the song." the boy replied. He obviously had not heard the name.

Ion Fortuna, the Count of Memphis, of Empire of the True Race, had always respected Father Nightroad, even though his former goofy manner left him baffled at times. However, Ion wasn't too certain if Abel had lost his mind over the course of their journey, even though since the beginning of their quest he was always quiet, always sullen. He had joined Father Nightroad in his quest to destroy him for revenge. After all, he led the Order of Rosenkreuz, the very people who had mutilated his late Tovaråş, Radu Barvon, the Baron of Luxor. Radu had been Ion's brother in all elements except in blood. Even though Radu himself joined the Order and betrayed him, Ion couldn't bring himself to hate him. Radu did not deserve what they did to him. They had used his deceased body for the purpose of not only killing Ion and his grandmother, but also the very person whom he owed allegiance, the Empress Augusta Vradica, sister to the man that stood before him now. Ion wouldn't let the Order go without retribution for the loss of Radu; that was reason why he had accompanied Father Nightroad into the Forbidden Lands, as of which they were called in the Empire.

Abel turned again, searching the rolling hills, blanketed with frost and ice surrounding the former spaceport, the gateway he had attempted to use for escape. In the distance, a figure emerged from behind a hillock covered with barren trees. Abel felt his eyes widen as he took in the slight frame, dressed only in a cloak blacker than the night around them and a thin dress that made the snow look gray by comparison.

She moved, or at least he assumed it was a woman, quickly to where he and his companion stood. Her grace was unnatural. So much so that even a Methuselah would have looked clumsy beside her. Though the cloak whipped violently in the wind, the hood never moved, it never revealed her face.

She spoke in language that he was ignorant of, yet while she spoke, her voice made the language into music. She looked up slightly. Abel then followed her gaze to see a star that had just revealed itself in the blanket of black.

"A star shines on the hour of our meeting, (2)" she translated and then laid her hand over her heart and bowed her head towards to the two. "It is an honor for her to finally meet thee, Nightlord. And ye too, Earl of Memphis," she continued.

"Who are you? How do you know us?" Ion asked suspiciously.

She chuckled. "Ye shall receive thy answers from her. Nonetheless, ye shall know her name; her name is the Sybil of Cumae. She has been watching ye both for some time and she has a prophesy for thine companion, Count Fortuna, let her speak."

"A prophesy?" the priest echoed.

"A prophesy concerning whether this world will die in fire and blood or whether this world will be spared. It would be considered a message for thee, seeing thou share a part in this."

For thou hath once been this world's enemy, and only thou knoweth how to prevent it.

Abel's eyes widened and gasped when she heard her voice in his mind once more. How did she know that? The only few who knew that were his lost love, his sister, the Cardinal and him and his minions. Unless, she was one of his.

"No, Nightlord," she chuckled, and then her voice became grave. "She does not belong to anyone that shares the goal of that damned spawn of the Shadow." The last word came out like a snarl. "Nor does she wish this world's demise. That is why she hath sought out thee and thine companion. She has come to tell ye of what she hath foreseen."

"What are you, a fortune teller?" Ion asked.

"She is far beyond those witches and warlocks. Her Sight comes not from those of the Shadow, but from He who sees all, the Father. Listen well, for this might change the course of this world. "

"Go on," Abel encouraged her.

Suddenly from under the cloak, two white orbs flashed along with a cross, like rays from the morning sun, from where her eyes and forehead should be.

Suddenly a flood of images rose up before his eyes. He was still in the barren wasteland with the Sybil before him and Ion beside him, but he also was gone, to where the pictures of this future flowed before him in a waking dream, colors, sounds.

He saw two angels amongst darkened skies with the only light emanating from the moon and its red twisted twin.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Angel of Death has returned…"Her voice was different now, it was no longer the music he had heard, it was… distorted like two people were speaking at the same time through her.

One angel was garbed in white with six white wings holding a black spear.

"And the Angel of Death shall mark him as his equal, yet he has power that the Angel of Death can never possess…

The other was black with blue markings, covering his body, his wings were bladed-like bat wings and in his hands, a blood red, distorted double-bladed scythe.

"And either must die at the hand of the other for neither one can live while the other survives…"

As their weapons clashed, like thunder, the skies were lit with red and blue flames as they roared in fury.

The scene finally broke apart in fragments. Something cold, and… wet was underneath him. Suddenly, Abel realized he was lying on his back, on the snowy ground, clutching the gunmetal rosary that hung around his neck.

"Father Nightroad!" Ion screamed as he grabbed Abel by the shoulders, helping him up. As the priest carefully came to settle on his knees, Ion's coppery eyes blazed crimson with anger and his face distorted with rage. His lips curled back from his teeth, revealing very short, but very sharp fangs.

"What did you do to him?!" Ion demanded as he whirled to face the presumed source of Abel's pain. He pulled out the short scimitar from its sheath, his most preferred weapon.

As a Spåtar(3), the Empress' sword bearer, Ion had been trained in the way of the sword. He knew the way of honor and of chivalry that came with the training, especially from the Captain of the Yeniçeri. The woman who stood before him had taken down his companion without even a qualm. She would pay for that!

"Ion, wait!"

The moment his sword was unsheathed, it was too late. He moved with a speed that made him invisible to the average human, he jumped as he lunged his sword toward his opponent, his blade aimed for her head.

He froze and then slowly looked up. The Sybil was holding the edge of the blade with just two fingers! Suddenly, an energy like that of flames surged through him. He realized a second later that he was on the ground. His sword lay in the snow, sizzling like a hot iron in water.

"H-How?!" he stammered.

"Thou would be wise not to attack in anger. Thou art impulsive, yet she sees thou hast a high value of honor. A true knight of the Empire; nonetheless, thou art reckless." She smiled. "Bear that in mind, Count Fortuna. Thy abilities will be needed in what is yet to come."

"What is that?" he asked, realizing he was gasping for air, the frost making his breath like smoke escaping from his lips.

"Ye will know eventually, Count Fortuna. For many others, including thee, are involved in this twist of fortune. Ye will soon know your purpose."

Abel got back onto his feet. He dusted the excess snow off and pushed his glasses back over the bridge of his nose with his middle finger. "Tell me…" he asked the Sybil. "What was that you've just shown me?"

"That…is what she had foreseen," the Sybil replied matter-of-factly. "Whether the Dark Angel or the Angel of Death will be victorious is uncertain. One thing that is certain… this battle will cost one of thy lives…"

"And either must die at the hand of the other for neither one can live while the other survives…"

Abel narrowed his winter blue eyes and said, "I do not fear death… nor do I fear him."

"Unfortunately, Nightlord, she hath not completed her full purpose. The prophesy wasn't the only message. She hath also come to warn thee about the Angel of Death's recent plot against Csillag.(4)"

"Csillag?" he echoed.

Someone that thou now holdeth close to thy heart, the way thee hath once loved the Nia Sancta. She fuels thee, gives ye hope. Yet Death is no fool and cannot be kept ignorant for long.

Suddenly the Sybil spoke three words that pierced his heart; the three words that he never wanted to hear.

"He knows, Nightlord."

"What did you say?"he asked in a voice that was colder than the ice and darker than the night that engulfed them. The hairs on the back of Ion's neck stood up and he shivered, but it wasn't from the frost.

That one single sentence brought all of his fear and anger to life, so much so that a blood red shade emanated from the icy depths of his eyes. The Dark Angel of Destruction within him was threatening to break free. The Crusnik, the mark of his sins, the very side of him that he feared and hated above all others and yet it was also a part of him, demanded to be given voice. They desired the spilling of blood, death and destruction the very things that stained his soul and thus forever marked as an enemy of the world, just like him. Rage rose up from within him once more, the very thing that had once led him into the abyss. In the end, it had brought him nothing but despair and ruin… and the loss of his beloved…

"He knows, and he will try to claim her. You know of whom she speaks, Nightlord. He has abandoned his original plan to seek the pathway to stars and claim the Vampire's Moon to regain the power to destroy this world. However, before that, he will destroy thee and he knows what to use against thee. He will use her and then destroy her after her use has ended."

He had to protect her. Abel could not allow him to destroy her as he had his beloved. His very being cried against it. But the how eluded him. To defend her, to protect her, to stay by her side as he promised her from the beginning… that is what he had to do. Except, to wait for him to make the first move, to be on the defensive, when he should be ridding the world of his evil before he even had a chance to think about his move against her, much less make a move against her. To eliminate the threat forever with his own hands for her and for the whole world….

"It is thy choice, Nightlord, thine and thine alone. She leaves the fate of this world in thy hands."

Abel closed his eyes and tried to calm the thoughts swirling in his head.

He had to protect her. To fail was intolerable, but how could he protect her after all the times he had failed so many others…

You've failed time and again at protecting the ones who are important to you... and this time won't be any different. The Magician's words came back to him, taunting him.

Just like that…you immediately…make the world your enemy, don't you, Abel? The memory of his words followed, unbidden and unwanted. He pushed it away, hoping to find hope to hold on to.

Ion broke his reverie with a shout. "Where did she-?"

Abel's eyes flew open and he scanned the bleak countryside around them as best he could in the gathered gloom. "What happened?" he demanded of the young Methuselah.

"I was looking at you for a moment, Father, and when I looked back, that woman was gone."

Abel…

He gasped. He knew this voice. It wasn't the Sybil's voice; it was a voice that he thought he never hear again.

I know you love the world.

Lilith…his fallen beloved. Was this a sign…? Was she speaking to him again…? Was she aware of his pain… and did she… did she know about her…?

You've made the world your enemy…but that is only proof of your love. Because you love and you believe…you were so hurt when you had thought you have been betrayed. And you made the world your enemy. But even so…you still love this planet.

For thriteen years, he served the AX, Arcanum Cella ex Dono Dei, the Secret Chamber in Virtue of the Gift of God, protecting and defending humans from the vampires who craved for war, in atonement for his sins. During that time, he met her. The girl whom he had promised to always be on her side. She reminded him of Lilith in spirit, yet she was herself, unique and precious to him all the same. Right from the beginning he knew that there was something special about her, yet she didn't deserve a monster like him. What differed between her and Noélle? Noélle was a close friend, but she was something more than that, something about her that brought back feelings in his heart that he thought he'd never feel again…

However, three years ago, he had learned that he was still alive, and he vowed then and there he would destroy him, even if the journey would take him to the end of time. Then when he first saw him again, he saw her, and he took the opportunity to kill him. His last sight was her; his last word was her name.

Esther…

I don't understand…why, Father?

You have to ask? Really? Well…it is because I am your friend… and I will always be on your side.

He now knows, maybe too late, that his feelings for her are more than just friendship. Yet, he fears…that she still fears him or that she now hates him. He had thought that he'd sealed that when he left her like that, he didn't see her when she was crowned Queen of Albion, nor did he say goodbye to her. He thought that he had a reason enough to kill her now; he didn't want to give him another one. Yet after hearing his worst fear… He then realizes that there is no other choice, and then he makes it.

I know your soul Abel… You can start over anytime you want.

He suddenly turned his heel, taking the path that now lay before him. A path that he should have taken long ago, a path that would've spared him all the strife and ruin that he had caused the world long ago. Taking a step into a new beginning.

Ion, who had grown increasing frustrated with Abel's blank stare and silence, was momentarily stunned by his sudden movement. "Wh-Where are you going?" Ion asked.

And then Abel gave Ion his answer. Whether this answer will doom the world they do not know, he puts all his hope and his faith in God that he has made the right choice:

"We are going to Albion."

Never, ever forget that.

Next Chapter: Politics and Memories
Avert not thine eyes.

A/N: I was going to put this in for Chapter I but now I'm glad that I didn't. I hope I steered clear from "Mary Sue-dom" for my OC.

Updated A/N: Note: After re-writing some of the previous chapters because I chose to remove a certain story arc that was taking the fanfiction a completely wrong direction I also deceided to change the phrophesy from a Harry Potter related one to my own one (since at the time I wrote this I didn't know how to write phrophesies) So anyway I hope you all enjoy the rewrite. ^^

(1) Quoted from Shakespeare's most famous play Macbeth. The first quote is from Act III, Scene IV:"I am in blood/ Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more"and from Act II, Scene II:"Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood/ Clean from my hand?" I thought these quotes screamed Abel Nightroad. The second quote is ironic seeing that he mourned Noélle at the Fountain of Neptune in Episode XI. He probably asked himself that question plenty of times.

(2) Quoted from J.R.R Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. This is the Elvish version of the quote: "Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo." I thought I might add some symbolism for stars seeing that Esther's name means "star".

(3) Spåtar, or Sipahi, means Sword bearer. The Sword bearer of the Empress in Trinity Blood deals with Imperial decrees that belongs to the State Secrets Institution, the Empress' investigation organization. I wanted to use the term "Sipahi," from the Manga, yet when I saw this version of the word from the official booklets I felt like I had to use it.

(4) Csillag. Hungarian for "Star", in the Novels and the Manga, this was Esther's name in the rebel force of István, known the Partisans.

(Bold) Based off of the prophesy from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.I'm not too good at writing prophesies; besides I think that prophesy about Harry and Voldemort sounded perfect for Cain and Abel.

All quotes by Cain and Lilith are from the Trinity Blood Manga, Volume V.

I never knew who Lilith was originally, until I actually had the courage enough to watch the last episode. I've heard about her, but I never knew about the major role she played in Abel's life. If it weren't for her… I probably wouldn't have liked the way Abel would've turned out. Some people said that Lilith was Abel's mother; others said that she was Abel's eldest sister, and then others said she was his first love. Then when I read the "Milk Tea Series" by Sith Lady Darth Stitch and "Star of the Night Lords" and "Heir to the Night Lord" stories by Lil-Rahl, I then fell into the third category. However, Jedi Skysinger thinks that Lilith was more of a mother figure to Abel…

Please R&R I would greatly appreciate that.

Mysteriously Yours, ObsidianEmpress