Chapter 9: End of the Beginning

It was now August and four months had gone by since I had first arrived at the Vatican with Father Abel and Father Tres. In the time I had been there, I had managed to learn my way around the grounds of my new home, had made a few friends, including Esther, Elma and even Terina and most importantly, people were beginning to trust me enough to handle a few odd jobs. I no longer felt out of place, after all, a few weeks after I had arrived, I started to feel as though I had found my purpose in life. In my mind, I knew I had grown so much as a person, and it made my heart happy knowing that the growths were real. Yet there were still a couple of areas in my new life that I was struggling to master.

One of those areas was learning how to defend myself whilst in the middle of battle.

And standing before me now, was the A.X. operative who had agreed to be my teacher for the day. "All right, Jonah! You can do this! Clear your mind and focus!" The woman sounded encouraging, her slender body positioned in a way that would make her better grounded on her feet. Black hair fell in waves over his shoulders. Her dark gray eyes were trained on me.

I shook my head, clearing away my thoughts. "Can I just take a minute to thank you for agreeing to help me train, Sister Noelle?" Smiling, I quickly tucked a strand of hair back behind my ear, and resuming my usual stance, I readied myself to continue sparring with the senior operative.

Noelle's ruby red lips curved up into a grin, her eyes beaming with joy. "Please don't mention it, Sister. Remember that we all have to do our parts in order to help one another out." I watched as she took a steadying breath, her face losing any sign of emotion. "Okay, Jonah. Here I come!"

With a nod I witnessed as she began sprinting towards me. Her white and blue dress flowing out behind her as her slender legs moved graceful and effortlessly. Her lithe movements were due to the thigh high slit that ran up either side of her uniform. The white heels that she wore clacking against the tile flooring with every step she made. Her speed easily outdoing my own.

Yet I was ready.

Watching as Noelle drew herself closer to where I stood, I timed my actions and seeing her begin to pivot on her right foot while she kicked out with her left, I jumped as far back as I could. The soles of my boots prevented me from skidding as I landed, but I didn't have much time to think about that. The practice session was still underway, and that meant that I had to be quick. I had to act as if my life was actually in peril. So eyes facing forward, I took note of the way that Noelle moved as she continued to charge at me.

Again, she darted for me and kicked out with her right foot while spinning on her left. Thinking fast, I threw my arms out in front of my body and crossed them a few inches away from my face. Making sure that I had enough room to see all that was before me, but I hoped that I'd be able to parry her attack. The tip of one of her white heels dug into my wrist, as I flinched I pulled together as much strength as I could and attempted to repel her backwards. With the force of my movements, Noelle stumbled a few steps, a mixture of surprise and bewilderment falling upon her face.

I saw this as the perfect opportunity for me to strike out and attack. My sight focused solely on Noelle, everything else around me faded away into nonexistence. Leaving only two things left in my world.

My opponent and myself.

In my head I thought the one thing that I needed to hear. "Keep on going!" I lunged forward, willing the muscles in my legs to push me farther. Faster. As the seconds ticked on, I quickly closed the gap between us, and hurtling past Noelle, I dropped down low to the ground and with a swift sweeping kick, I knocked her feet out from under her. Causing her to fall backwards onto her butt.

Confused, Noelle looked back at me, then after a moment she smiled. "Well done, Jonah! Brilliant!" I extended my hand out to her, and with a firm hold on hers I helped Noelle back up. She began to brush out her hair with her fingers and continued speaking as she did this. "If you ask me, I'd say it's pretty safe to assume we're finished with practice for today. I'm impressed with how much you've improved."

It embarrassed me to hear so many compliments that I didn't feel I deserved. "I don't think that I've gotten that much better. I simply took all that I've been taught and put it into action. Besides..." We began walking towards the open archway we had entered through just before practice had started, and stretching my arms up above my head I whispered. "Besides Sister, I can't always depend on others to be there to protect me. I'm a person who is just as capable as the next individual is. I'm just doing what it is that I know I should, that's all." As we stepped out into the sunshine, I turned to smile at Noelle.

She bobbed her head in understanding. "If that's how you feel, then I support your decision. Just know that I am wholeheartedly expecting you to continue improving your skills." Beneath the sun's rays, I couldn't deny the fact that Noelle looked just like an angel. Her perfect skin seems to glow within the natural light.

Becoming lost within these thoughts, I was pulled back onto dry land when I heard a very familiar voice calling out to us. "Sister Noelle! Jonah!" Looking to my left I watched as Father Nightroad ran over to where we were standing. He was frantically waving one of his hands at us, yelling. "Wait up!"

With a laugh, I commented. "That's just like Father Nightroad, isn't it? Always acting as if no one else were around watching."

Noelle snickered softly. "Trust me, you don't even know the half of it." She then held her hand up to her mouth and called out. "Yes. We can both see and hear you, Abel! Now just hurry up, we can't wait for you all day!" Peering over at me, she winked.

As Abel neared us, he smiled broadly and with his eyes on Noelle, he ventured to ask just a single question. "So tell me...how did she do?"

"Relax, Abel. She did brilliantly!" She crossed her arms over her chest before continuing on with her report on the progress that I had made. "Jonah finally managed to get a one up on me. You should be proud." Noelle smiled as Father Nightroad switched his gaze from her and over to me.

"Is this true, Jonah?" He asked and I could easily pick up on the hope within his words, yet all that I could bring myself to do was to simply nod my head. At my response, Abel beamed happily. "That is excellent! Well done! Now Sister Noelle, due to this being a joyous occasion, how about the three of us go out and get a cup of our favorite tea? How about it?"

Noelle held up a hand and sighed. "I'd really love to, Abel. However I've got a few more things that I still have yet to do today. Perhaps next time though?" Smiling at the both of us, and without waiting for a response from Abel, she waltzed off in the same direction we had been heading in just moments ago.

Left by ourselves, we watched as Noelle walked away and without warning, Abel was standing directly in front of me. The same goofy smile that I had grown so accustomed to seeing was plastered across his face. "So, Jonah, would you care to go get some tea with me?" His winter blue eyes shined down upon me like a beacon and he held out his arm for me to take hold of.

Interlocking my arm with his, I smile. "Sure, Father. I can't see why I shouldn't." Together we took off, making our way towards the only cafe that could be found within the Vatican's grounds.

A gentle late summer breeze drifted over us, Abel humming to himself all the while. "Today is truly a good day! You proved that all of the hard work that you've been placing into training is honestly beginning to pay off. And now I have an opportunity to go and get a drink with one of my favorite people! It is because of days like today that make me feel so blessed!"

I completely understood what he meant. "I know how you feel, Father Abel. It's hard to think that just a few months ago, you and I first met...that you saved me from that vampire. I wouldn't be here if it hadn't been for you." Taking a deep breath, I whispered. "My life has changed so much! And every bit of it has been for the better. Father...when all of this is over, I'd really like to stay here and work towards becoming a permanent member of the A.X." Looking ahead so that I couldn't see his reaction, I inquired. "What do you think?"

Without an ounce of hesitation, he ceased walking and stood before me. Gathering the courage to look him in the eye, I peered upwards. His expression was opaque, and I was beginning to feel as though I had asked something that I shouldn't have, when suddenly he cracked a smile. "I think that it's a great idea! How about we go and speak with Cardinal Caterina about it tomorrow morning?"

The same smile Abel wore wormed its way onto my own face, and filled with enthusiasm, I cried out happily. "Do you really mean it, Father?"

Closing one of his eyes and slightly tilting his head to the side, he reassured my hopes. "We'll go first thing in the morning. So be sure to go to bed early tonight, okay?"

Throwing my arms around him, I whispered. "I promise!" The kind priest had literally just answered my prayers for the second time, and I felt so grateful because of it.

Gently rubbing my back with his hand, Abel smiled contently. "Now how about that tea? We should get moving, otherwise we might not have time for it today."

I pulled away from him and taking off at a jogging pace, with a wide grin, teased. "You should be telling yourself that, Father! After all, you are the one that's falling behind! Hurry up, slowpoke!" Giggling, I motioned for him to come one and join me. The look on his face was one of mock betrayal and distrust.

As he approached he feigned the act of begging, his tone sounding hurt. "Why would you do that to me, Jonah? I may never recover."

"I'm sorry, Father." We both laughed and continued on our way to the cafe, which we were less than a minute away from.

Once there, we ordered our beverages of choice. Abel ordered a milk tea and I ordered an orange spice tea. While we waited for our drinks to be brought to us, we chatted at a table. The conversation between us flowing smoothly and without needing any additional prodding to be moved forwards. We laughed as we began reminiscing over the memories we had made during the time we had known each other. When the barista finally walked over to our table and set our drinks in front of us, I smiled and said. "Thank you so much!" He smiled in return and left without a word. I held my cup of tea up to my nose and gently began to sniff at the aroma of it as it wafted upwards. "Mhm. It smells like Heaven! How's your tea, Father?" I looked over at Abel and watched in horror as he proceeded to add thirteen spoonfuls of sugar into his tea. "Father! What are you doing?!"

He glanced over at me and innocently whispered. "Um, what I always do when I have milk tea?" Laughing nervously he set the sugar bowl that he had been holding onto, back down on the table.

I sighed in disbelief. "But thirteen spoonfuls of sugar, really? You're simply asking to develop diabetes, aren't you?"

Stirring his tea, which now strongly resembled a thick syrup, Abel smiled. "But Sister, because of the Crusnik I sometimes experience low blood sugar. So it's fine."

My eyesight drifted down to the table. "Oh...I had no idea." I fell silent for an instant and then measuring out a single spoonful of sugar and adding it to my own tea, I whispered while mixing the contents of my cup. "I hope you don't feel offended if I choose to not partake in the same habits."

He laughed. "Understandable."

We drank our teas in silence and when we had both finished, Abel informed me that there was a small matter that he had to attend to in town. That I should go on ahead of him and make my way back to continue on with my chores. I complied with his request and told him to be safe. With a smile and a wave, I watched as Father Nightroad walked away from me, and suddenly feeling alone, I turned and headed back the way that I had come.

It didn't take long for me to get to the Vatican, and stopping outside of the building where the living quarters were kept, I whispered to myself. "Maybe I could use a nap. I've been training so often lately...I guess I just didn't realize how tired I've be feeling up until now." As I spoke I tried to suppress a yawn, and failed. "And to think, I still had a few things left to do today as well. I guess I'll just have to stay up a bit later tonight so that I can finish it all." Shrugging my shoulders, I opened the door that led me into the building.

Walking through the empty halls, I turned the corner that was connected to the stretch of building where my room was located and as soon as I rounded the corner. I stopped.

Sister Noelle was patiently waiting outside of my door and by chance, she glanced up. "Jonah! Just the person I was looking for." She laughed. "I figured I would wait for you here, rather than track you and Abel down at the cafe. Would you care to take a walk with me? There are a few things that I have to discuss with you." I debated in my head the course of action that I should take and almost as if she could sense my inner turmoil, she went on to say. "Don't worry. I shouldn't take too long."

Nodding my head when she said this, I replied. "Sure. I can spare a few moments to talk with you. What's on your mind, Sister?" We started walking down the hall and for a while, nothing was said. When I began to feel uneasy, I prompted for Noelle to begin discussing the things that she needed to talk about. "So, Sister Noelle, you wanted to speak with me?"

She smiled. "Right. I wanted to discuss with you the idea of signing on as a full-time operative. I see an immense amount of potential within you, Jonah. So..." As we continued walking, she looked over at me. "What do you say? Would this be something that you'd possibly be interested in?"

With my eyes opened wide, I nod my head. "Actually on our way to the cafe, I conveyed a very similar idea to Father Nightroad."

"Oh? And what did Abel have to say about that?" I couldn't tell if she was surprised about what I had told her or not. If she was, she left no room within her emotions to show it.

"Well he thinks that its a great idea, and even offered to take me to meet with Cardinal Sforza in the morning. I think that he's honestly more excited about the entire idea than I am." I laughed quietly to myself.

Noelle took a left when we reached the next hallway that branched off and walking briskly, she asked. "Just keep me posted with her Eminence's response, okay?"

I had to nearly run to keep up with her pace, but just when I was about to open my mouth to say something, Sister Noelle stopped and stood outside of a closed door. "Sister?"

She reached out and twisted the door's handle and as the door creaked open, she looked over and beckoned for me to follow her. "Come on, Jonah. There's something that I've been meaning to show you. It shouldn't take more than a minute. I promise you." She stepped aside and offered for me to be the first to enter into the room.

Cautiously I hesitated, but noticing the serene smile that Noelle wore, my doubts began to slowly ebb away and I made my way into what ended up being a dimly lit room. "Sister...what..." I looked around, shivers running all along my spine. "What is this place?"

I heard the sound of the door locking from behind me and turning around, I saw Noelle standing in front of the door. "This room is special to me, and don't be concerned. I only wished to speak with you in private. We don't need unwanted ears hearing the things that I have to say." Finally she looked up and as she gracefully walked around me, she began to truly speak her mind. "The night that you met Abel, I am correct in assuming that he informed you about what the Order of Rosen Kreuz is, right?" I couldn't speak, so I simply nodded. "Well Jonah, I've done some thinking and I've come to the conclusion that it would be so much simpler if not only the Vatican, but if the A.X. would back off and let them do the things that they wish to. Now I don't expect you to understand, but I do ask that you, at the very least, hear me out."

I shook my head furiously from side to side, backing away from Noelle. "No! I won't hear of it! Sister, what has gotten into you? You're behaving as though you're a completely different person..." As the words left my mouth, I gasped and came to just one horrifying conclusion. "You aren't Sister Noelle...are you?"

From Noelle's body came a laughter that wasn't hers, but was rather a distorted version of what it should have sounded like. "Bravo!" She slowly started clapping her hands together, and I yet again heard the sickening laughter. "You know, I was really hoping that it would have taken you longer to figure it out. I'm impressed. You're right. I am not Noelle Bor."

Keeping my eyes on the being before me, I demanded. "Who are you then?!"

"Who? Me?" They pointed at them self, a smirk forming upon their lips. "You may call me Puppet Master and I am a member of the Order."

My body instantly froze in fear.

Laughing at my fear as it overtook me, Puppet Master began circling around me like a ravenous beast. "I'll let you in on a little secret of mine. Dear Noelle has been dead for a few hours, and unfortunately, the time that I have left to speak with you is limited. I blame the fact that she was human for this little snafu. After all, human bodies hardly ever make for an appropriate vessel." They chuckled and narrowing their eyes whispered. "On second thought, I believe that I can spare a few minutes so that I can show you what the perfect vessel actually looks like."

With a snap of their fingers, three creatures appeared from within the shadows. Each of them were equipped with oxygen helmets and had been clad in thick black cloaks. In each of their hands, they tightly held onto a pair of battle axes, the blades of which looked as though they were sharp enough to split a strand of hair with ease.

I instantly recoiled away from them in terror, yet I couldn't find my voice. And as Puppet Master walked over to one of the creatures, they used one of Noelle's fingers to gently touch the edge of one of the sharpened blades. I watched as a trickle of blood began to flow from the wound. "Simply magnificent, aren't they? They're called Death Hunters and do you want to know what makes them such perfect vessels?" The question was asked, yet they knew I wouldn't respond. "Well it's because they are actually reanimated vampire corpses. And they are fully under my control. They heedlessly follow my every command and they feel no shred of doubt." The eyes that had once belonged to Noelle looked towards my direction. "You are going to die in this room, Jonah Turner. It is with your death that I hope to enrage Abel Nightroad. Enough so that he will strike out and seek vengeance for the fallen girl who was supposed to become a sister of the church." There was a soft chuckle, and then they wistfully added. "Or at least, hopefully it will be enough drive him over the edge and, better still, break his heart and mind."

Finding enough courage within myself, I yelled. "Your plans have been made in vain, then! I'm not going anywhere!"

The Puppet Master laughed. "Such tenacity is indeed admired." Extending an arm out in front of Noelle's body, the member of the Order flexed their hand and immediately the Death Hunters, who had been patiently waiting for their master's command, sprang into action. All at once and with incredible speed.

Looking around, I could barely tell what was happening and watching as the room started to become a blur, I instinctively dodged to my right. From over my shoulder, I saw the glint of a blade ricochet off of the stone floor. But I didn't allow myself to stop. As I heard a faint sound of movement coming from somewhere behind me, I rolled to my left. Yet again, one of the masked creatures appeared and as it turned its head to look at me, I froze. And in the midst of my frozen state, I felt a sharp pain originate in the side of my neck. Quickly followed by a warmth that began to spread down my left arm. I lifted my hand to the side of my neck and then pulling it away, I saw an impossible amount of blood coating my fingers. As I continued to stare at the blood, I noticed that my vision was starting to go in and out of focus. Feeling my strength abandoning me, I silently fell to the ground, my blood spreading out all around me.

I knew that I was dying.

In the commotion of it all, I heard the faint sound of the Puppet Master's insane laughter.

So this was how I was going to leave this world? Left alone with the enemy and with no one else there to stop them? My eyes started to feel heavy and I fought the urge to shut them. I had to hold onto the hope that I could still be saved.

After what felt like an eternity had passed, I slowly started to relinquish my hold on all of my hopes and dreams. I silently said goodbye to my friends and family. I silently longed to have just one more day to be alive...but I knew that it was impossible. I knew that I was about to leave the world, and that nobody would even be aware of the fact. And just as I began closing my eyes, I heard the sound of a fleeting hope come flooding back to my ears. I heard what sounded like Abel yelling out my name, and though I could no longer see, I was sure that it was him. Following the sound of his voice, there were several rounds of gun fire.

After a minute, all fell silent. Then hearing what I thought were feet hurrying towards me, I felt as Abel pulled me into his arms. A fresh new warmth fell from my eyes and I realized that I was crying. As Death's cold embrace finally started to overcome me, I heard Abel's voice in my ear. "Jonah! Stay with me! Come on! Don't do this! Don't die!" He sounded as though he were a million miles away.

And with the final breath that I felt like I had within me, I used it to whisper out two words. "Father Nightroad..."