Notice: This is written by both Flame800900 and I. Flame will be writing everything Cain and Thomas says and I'll be writing everything Abel says, same as our last story. You guys should know the rules by now... Right? And no we don't own Trinity blood.
Abel scanned the room, not knowing what to make of it. Weapons from pre armageddon adorned the walls, some of them even looked more advanced than what Abel remembered them to be. Liquid rippled across the tiled flooring and Abel did his best to ignore the fact his fangs were growing. What he couldn't ignore however were the ten podiums that were lined up in the room.
If Abel didn't know any better he'd say Isaak was collecting skulls, but he wasn't. Abel advanced farther into the room, reaching another door. Isaak was studying the human evolution! That in it's self was okay, but the last three podiums disgusted him. Instead of a skull there was a bloody human head, a Methuselah's head and the last was empty. A label stood in front of this case.
It read; 'Crusnik.'
"Well, this is wonderful," Cain appeared beside Abel. "By the way, there's no back door."
"No, it's disgusting," Abel growled, now trying to hold his breath. It smelled like a garbage dump in a kitchen! The two colliding smells was making his head spin. He pulled open the door and slipped though it, holding it for only a second to let Cain in, before slamming it shut. He could still smell the blood from here, but at least it wasn't as strong.
Cain held out his hand and hissed, "There's someone else in here."
Sure enough there were actually three people here. "Haha! I told you they would come sometime, I did, yes I did!" the cheery voice of 01 cut through the darkness.
"This is going to seem really random, but can you actually make your voice as high as his?" Abel asked Cain, pointing at 01 who just wouldn't shut the gapping hole in his head. He dodged to the side then lunged at 02. As if that was a signal, the five entered into defensive and offensive stances before locking eyes with their other selves.
"What do you think?" Cain hissed. "In a sense he is me."
"That's just weird..." Abel muttered just as 02 charged at him. "So do we need to ask you what you guys are planning with the mass production of weapons, or will you tell us?" he said louder.
Cain tackled 02 before he could reach Abel. "Now isn't the time!" Cain snapped at Abel as he struggled against 02.
"Fine, fine," Abel said, finally getting serious. He drew his gun and shot a few bullets at 01 before the chamber clicked and he needed to reload. Darn. Abel placed a new magazine in the chamber as he was forced to jump back.
A laud bang filled the room. Cain slid to the floor, coughing up blood. 02 charged at Abel and 01 towards Cain. Still coughing, Cain roll and then froze a look of pain on his face as he gripped his chest.
"Ha-ha!" 01 jeered. "You're too weak to fight. Heh-he!" 01's nails elongated. He moved in to strike Cain's heart.
Abel flung himself backward, dodging 02's attack as he flung his gun at 01's hand. 01 halted his attack. "Move it Cain!" Abel growled the order, but his brother didn't move. 01 glared at Abel for ruining his attack on his other self.
"Shouldn't have done that," 01 said in a singsong voice. He turned back to Cain, this time both hands were clawed.
"Cain!" Abel yelled. He watched on in horror as 01 slashed down on his brother. The blood pooled around him. Cain tried defending himself but it was no use. Abel didn't even realize that his own torso was being butchered by 02.
xxx
Cain was only dimly aware of what was happening. A haze had fallen over him. Pain so immense it made him blind to all else, coursed through his body.
"Tch, you're 01's no fun, no fun at all," 01 pouted. "He should die, yep, yep. No use to us now."
02 growled at this. "Perhaps we'll kill you're 02 then."
"Hey, he's still of use to me!" 01 protested. "That's no fare, none, none at all!"
Cain forced himself not make a sound as he opened his eyes a slit. He was where he'd fallen, lying in pool of blood. Abel lay across from him, 01 seated on his back and glaring at 02 with fangs bared.
"And what of my 01? He's of use to me. Lay one hand on him, and I'll rip that fool to shreds," 02 flicked his eyes over Abel.
01 pouted, shifting his position over Abel as if trying to shield him from 02. "I already did," 01 stated almost proudly. "I'm the one that took him down."
"As I did to your 02." It seemed they didn't realize Cain had woken up yet.
Cain forced himself to move, withholding a groan. He couldn't activate the crunsik. The last time had made him collapse out of pain. Abel had been right, not drinking blood was backfiring big time on Cain, but he couldn't just lie here and do nothing. Not when Abel needed him, not when all those back at the inn were expecting Abel to return.
Cain touched his brother's gun and dragged it towards him through the pool of his blood. Lifting the gun, Cain fired on 01. The bullet ripped through 01's arm and sent the crusnik flying back into a far well, screaming in shock and pain. Before 02 could move, Cain aimed from him and fired. 02 stared at him, eyes wide as he touched the hole in his chest.
"Yeah, 01, you really shouldn't be touching him," Cain growled. The strange energy slammed into 01 sending him into 02. Cain collapsed on the ground panting. His entire body shook in pain. He doubted he'd be able to move much at this point. Not unless by some miracle a methuselah came and he could drink its blood.
A cracking sound, sounded above Cain. He tried looking up, but found he couldn't, he was to drained of energy. The pain was to much for him to ignore. Crash! The roof collapsed right above Cain's head. His eyes widened as the debris rained down on him and he flinched away. He looked up to see a person's head pop through the hole they had created.
Okay, the universe hated Cain. Why the hell did it have to be Asthe?! The next moment Thomas dropped down with Asthe at his side. Twisting his staff, one end struck 02. 02 shrieked as electricity surged through him.
"Asthe, Lilith, get Cain and Abel out of here. I'll be right behind you," Thomas said as he pushed 02 back.
"I'll get the other idiot," Asthe grumbled as she head for Abel. Cain could have sworn he heard her add, "as long as it isn't idiot number one," she glanced at Cain.
Lilith came by his side then, casting Thomas a nervous look as he dodged an attack then countered. "Come on," Lilith said as she helped Cain to his feet.
Cain gasped. "W-we shouldn't leave Thomas." For some reason he did feel a flicker of fear for their father. Odd still Cain actually just thought of the man in that light.
"He'll be fine, and you're in no condition to help," Lilith stated as she dragged Cain forward. Cain weakly stared at her, ready to fire off a retort.
"Get away," Abel suddenly gasped. Cain glanced at him, somehow he had woken up and was standing on his own, leaning heavily on the wall. He refused to look at Asthe, and Cain knew why, his eyes had started glowing red and the slight hint of fangs showed below his lips. "Just get Cain out of here, I can take care of myself."
"Like hell you can't!" Asthe growled, leaping to her feet. Her only response was Abel blowing his hair out of his face.
"Asthe, move!" Cain gave a weak shout. He tried to get free of Lilith's grip to get at the stupid child but was too weak. Hell, he couldn't even stand on his own.
Shrapnel pierced Asthe's skin. The blood splattered against Abel's face as she collapsed, trying to stunt the new wounds. Abel took an unsteady foot back, he had also been struck by the shrapnel but was more bothered by the fact Asthe was bleeding. His breathing sped up, no more was his brother standing there, but a blood thirsty animal.
Thomas seemed to notice and broke from his attack on 02 and 01. The two looked at one another before racing off. Thomas hesitated and glanced at the retreating forms of the enemy. The sound of Abel's moan made Thomas return to his sense. He rushed over to Asthe and grabbed hold of her.
"Out, now!" he shouted and raced passed Lilith and Cain, dragging the brat behind him.
Lilith and Cain, stayed however. As crusniks, Abel wouldn't attack them- or at least he shouldn't because they weren't methuselah. Now a delusional Abel was a different matter, thankfully that didn't seem to be the case here... Abel let out a low growl, his eyes trained on the hole in the roof as if he were challenging Thomas to bring back Asthe, his prey. For what seemed like an hour passed before Abel's gaze slipped to the ground. His eyes loosing their redness and gaining their usual blue, his fangs retracted into his mouth.
Abel took a few more deep breaths before finally muttering, "lets go."
"Abel," Lilith released Cain and rushed over to Abel's side, "let me help you."
Cain ended up on the floor second Lilith released him, but he really didn't care. Right then he was just grateful Abel wasn't going to attack people and it seemed he was alright.
"Don't need it," Abel said quick and to the point. Cain could tell that right then all Abel wanted to do was get back to the inn... and probably do something stupid.
"But-" Lilith cut off as Abel jumped onto the roof. His sharp in take of breath was all Cain could get about his condition.
"Help Cain," Abel growled.
Cain leaned against the wall. "No, I'm good, you two go on," he said with a slight smile. It was more amusing to watch Lilith and Abel than anything else. Besides he could make it back on his own... it would just take a really long time to do so. "Besides you're the one who's the worst off. You need more help than I do."
Abel growled at that.
"You sure?" Lilith asked.
Cain nodded and gave her the thumbs up.
"All right." And, before Abel could protest, Lilith dragged him off.
Cain watched them go, his heart heavy. While he wanted his brother to be safe and not try anything stupid, it would also be a pain for him to get back to the inn. He could barely stand, and walk... well he wasn't too certain he'd make it far.
XXX
"Lilith, really I'm fine," Abel groaned, trying to push her arm away. "I can't believe we just left Cain there. I should go back." Abel tried for the tenth time to dodge under Lilith's arm but she refused to release him. What kind of person leaves his brother in a puddle of his own blood anyway? Abel mentally cursed himself and Cain for getting him into this mess. Now Lilith just wouldn't listen to anything he had to say!
"I'll go back for Cain once I'm certain you're safe, Abel," Lilith stated, worry in her eyes.
"I am safe," Abel said even though he knew Lilith wouldn't buy it until Thomas was with him. " You know I'd be a lot more worried about the person in my dimension instead of the person who isn't, if I were you," he stated after a while. Hey, it was worth a shot.
Lilith looked at him, her eyes clouded with debate and warmth. "I can't just leave you," she said after a few moments and continued walking.
Abel huffed but allowed Lilith to escort him back to the inn. Arguing with her would only prolong Cain's stay in that bloody compartment. He really hoped his brother was okay. Cain's last few words ran through his head.
'You're the one who's the worst off. You need more help than I do.' As if! Cain could barely even stand on his own when they had left! At least Abel could stand on his own and even took a couple step without the use of a wall. Granted he had been in blood thirsty haze at the time, but still. They should have just waited for Thomas to come back.
Before he knew it they were back at the inn. Lilith set him down on the couch, gave him a thin smile and slipped into Asthe's room. She wouldn't. Abel's face dropped.
Lilith returned, but she didn't carry anything with her. "Asthe's an unawakened methuselah," she began, "while in the haze the crusnik might have taken it as she was awakened but right now her blood would have no effect on you or any other crusnik."
"Thank God,"Abel muttered. He already knew what an unawakened methuselahs blood would taste like; dirt. Plus he really didn't want to drink any in the first place. "I'm safe now, can you get Cain?"
Lilith hesitated as if uncertain she really should leave him. "All right, but you better stay put." Lilith turned and glanced over her shoulder at Abel before racing off.
Stay put, was it? Besides Asthe no one else was here right now. If Abel wanted to he could very well go out into the city. Shaking his head Abel limped, more than walked into his room. If William saw him like this, he'd hate to think of what the professor would do to him. No doubt stick him with some needles, he shivered at the thought.
Abel collapsed on the bed just as knock sounded at the door. "Abel, it's Thomas," his father said from the other side.
"The doors open," Abel called back as he moved into a sitting position.
Thomas entered the room and closed the door behind him. He didn't speak right away just looked at Abel with almost sad eyes. "I know I've no place in your life now, but that doesn't mean I'm not worried when I see you this injured," he began. "I brought something to help with the pain at the very least. Cain already has some," he place a jar on Abel's bedside table.
"Why do you care so much?" Abel asked, not meaning for his voice to sound rude but it did anyway. He was just to tired at the moment to really care what he sounded like.
"If you consider someone your child, I know you would be doing the same," Thomas stated.
Abel opened his mouth to say something then closed it, then opened it again. He did this for a while before mumbling, "point taken. How did you guys know where we were anyway? It's couldn't have just been luck."
"I had a hunch of where Isaak might have gotten off to. Lilith and Asthe followed after me. I figured since you and Cain hadn't returned yet, it was where you'd be." Thomas turned to leave, "Use the cream. It will help deaden the pain. I can make something to help with your and Cain's thirst. It won't be blood."
Abel raised an eye brow, shooting Thomas a "yeah right," look. Abel shook his head and reached for the cream. "Thanks but I think the cream will be good enough for now." He highly doubted Thomas could make a replica of Methuslah blood... however this was Thomas he was talking to.
Thomas sighed. "The thirst goes down when you eat large amounts, right?" Thomas asked. Before Abel could reply, Thomas continued, "I was only going to make you enough food to dull the thirst, nothing more or less."
"That is going to take a lot of food," Abel chuckled then winced from the pain and clutched his stomach. He quickly turned to hide the fact that some blood was seeping through his clothes. "Thanks dad, that would help."
A warm hand on his shoulder told Abel Thomas was still there. "You're still my son no matter what," Thomas stated. "And keep this in mind, crusnik blood won't kill me."
"Well you are immortal. It would kind of ruin it if you could die from my blood," Abel muttered the last part lamely. Why couldn't Thomas just leave him alone so he could tend to his wounds on his own? The door to the suite opened and Thomas finally removed his hand from Abel's shoulder. Abel sighed in relief, it seemed Lilith had returned.
"Cain's missing!" Lilith shouted.
"What?" The words were registering extremely slow in Abel's already pain drugged brain.
"I looked around where we left him then everywhere around the building," Lilith said fear in her eyes. "I found a trail of blood but it started to rain. I can't find him."
"You've got to be kidding me," Abel murmured but a shake of her head made him realize she wasn't. Abel let out a breath. "I'll be right back," he jumped off the bed while pocketing the cream. He turned, heading for the window.
"Abel!" Lilith leapt into his path. "You're injured. Let me go back out and look for him. You shouldn't-"
Thomas cut her off. "While I agree in some part with you, Lilith, Abel is the only who will be able to get Cain to come back. He trusts Abel."
"I'll be fine Lilith," Abel assured her before jumping down the window.
xxx
The salty air and waves beating against stone, drew Cain in. He took a deep breath. The freezing water washed over his blood stained and aching body. It felt good, to just lay here in the shallows and let the cold water wash over him. Even the stinging of the salt had died away to a blissful numbness. Rain beat against him from above and water beneath, it was all he could ask for. It was all he really wanted.
Hurried footsteps pattered in the distance as people hurriedly searched for shelter. One stood out though, it was the lighter than the other strides and if faltered at times. Cain opened his eyes, they locked on the vampires moon. The clouds blocked out any forms of light except for the moon. It's pale light brightened the dark sky. Cain closed his eyes, allowing the rain to drum against his numb body.
"There you are!" Cain didn't need to open his eyes to know it was Abel. His brother panted for a while and Cain could tell he was looking down on him from the cliff. "What are you doing here, Cain?"
"It's nicer here than at the inn," Cain muttered. Besides the only two people who really cared if he was there or not were Abel and for some odd reason Thomas. Both Asthe and Lilith would rather not have him around. At least that was the impression he kept getting from them.
"It's wet," Abel bluntly stated and Cain opened an eye to see Abel looking like a cat who had just been told to take a bath.
"You can go back to the inn, but I want to stay here."
"And tell them you wanted to stay in the rain? You know Thomas would come out here right? Even Lilith is worried about you."
"I'd still rather stay here," Cain stated, not opening his eyes. "The ocean is peaceful." The rain and wind increased. Perhaps Cain would drift off into the ocean that way he wouldn't have to worry about being stuck here, wouldn't have to fear or live, he could just end in the ocean he'd once only seen hope in.
"The tides are picking up, at this rate you'll end up in the middle of the pacific ocean!" Abel yelled through the wind.
"So?" though Cain knew his voice was lost in the wind.
"Cain I swear this isn't funny! You're drifting off!" Abel growled.
Cain didn't answer. It would be better this way, for him and Abel. Besides anywhere was better than Albion even the pacific ocean. The sky roared over head and lights flashed through his eyelids. The rain drops were getting heavier, the waves more steep. He heard a splash then suddenly felt a sharp tug on his collar and looked up.
Abel glared at him. "Do you- want to... die?" Abel asked as the waves pounded against them forcing them even farther from shore.
"Is that really so hard to believe?" Cain asked.
The tugging stopped and Cain felt Abel release his shirt. The next second Cain felt a hand on his face, pushing him below the waters surface. He gasped for breath, not expecting Abel to do that. "Yes! It is hard to believe!" Abel shouted over the churning waters.
Cain didn't struggle after several long moments. If his brother wanted him dead as well, then he was fine with that. It didn't matter anymore. Even if Cain returned to his own reality, what was there for him? He'd be forced to live in the empire to help with peace. The empire was the last place he wanted to live, specially if it meant dealing with Asthe all of the time.
A wave slammed into them, driving them even farther from the shore. Cain held his breath until they surfaced again, he could hear Abel gasping for breath, evidently he hadn't noticed the wave until it was to late. Cain felt the grip on his shirt tighten as Abel continued swimming against the currents. If Abel had been thinking he would have just waited the storm out or have swam horizontally from the shore. He was just wasting his energy right now.
"Just wait the storm out!" Cain snapped at his brother. "You don't need to die with me, idiot!"
"We aren't going to die!" Abel growled, "and I'm not staying in this storm a minute longer than I need to!"
Cain didn't bother to struggle against the tide, but let his brother do so. It was his brother who wanted to live not him.
Abel hacked up some water as he stopped tugging on Cain's shirt. "I can't even see land anymore," Abel muttered in frustration. "Out of all the stunts you've pulled, this has got to be the worst."
"I didn't ask you to jump in after me," Cain snapped.
"But you didn't tell me not to! What was I supposed to do? Let you drift away! I don't know what's going on in your head right now, but from my perspective you're acting suicidal!" Abel shot back.
"Well, no-duh!" Cain snapped.
"Is that really your goal in life? Damn it Cain! You have so much to live for! The peace treaty, Seth, Lilith, Caterina! Me! What about what I want? I don't want you to die!"
"Why does it matter?!" Cain shouted. "Lilith doesn't care and the only reason Seth does is because you were making her care. What happens when I return, ah? What then?!"
"Lilith and Seth are your family! They do care about you! You're just to much of an idiot to realize it! And once you return you'll go back to the vatican and continue working for the peace treaty because I know for a fact that you care about Caterina!"
Cain glared at his brother. It was low of him to drag Caterina into this. It was really low of him. "Fine," Cain growled. "I won't kill myself."
"Yeah,'I won't kill myself' but I'll run away when I think no one's looking!" Abel said. "Can't you get it through your thick skull that there's people who care about you?"
"And why can't you get it through your skull that all but the Vatican only cared because you were there!"
That isn't true!" Lightening crackled over head as if agreeing with his brother.
Cain pushed himself away from his brother. No matter what he couldn't believe his brother. It wasn't true, his family hated him and there was no reason from them not to!
Abel sighed, "lets just stop. This argument is getting us no where. Just know that-" Abel stopped, his eyes grew wide.
"What?"
Something smacked the wave besides Cain, missing him by no more than a foot. Cain turned, his eyes wide. He heard Abel yell at him to get away but his voice was lost among the thunder. The waters churned below him, his eyes locked on something that shouldn't have been there.
"Cain, move it!" Abel tugged at Cain's wrist. "Tch!" Abel jumped on his back just as Cain saw a large black mass come out of the water. A-a whale! The tail came down and Cain found that Abel had pushed his head below the water, protecting him with his own body. No! Abel!
Cain felt the tail crash into him, dulled only because Abel had moved to cover him. They were driven deeper into the water. Soon his lungs were burning for air, he was vaguely aware that Abel's grip on him had loosened. Cain tried holding onto to that last string of consciousness, but it slipped and he found himself in blissful darkness.
A/N: Please review!
Mokatty: But you've got to admit that we're good at cliffhangers. Plus it leaves you wanting more.
Notice: This story is written by Flame800900 and Buewings900.